The SISIG of Intramuros, Manila

Manila, I miss the city during this Christmas vacation so I was bored inside my house. I needed to see the city because I miss the fast Jeepneys, the different and lively sounds of their horns! A kind of symphony no other city can imitate! I live an hour and thirty minutes away from Manila so while I travel, I observe a lot things. I like "People Watching" as to what celebrity Bianca Gonzales would call it, watching other souls without disturbing them.

Last December 28, I found out that a couple of my Advertising major friends (I am a Journalism major) were re-shooting a commercial for their upcoming annual event for Advertising enthusiasts called the "AdSpeak". I contacted them and said that I will go whether they like it or not because I miss Manila and I want to bug their trip. So they had no choice but to accommodate me! The meeting was 1PM and yes I was the first one to arrive at 12:50PM.

Then poof! everyone was there and so they quickly set up and started to shoot the scenes while I go around bug them, piss them off or something to delay things.

Here's the group inside Letran College on a Christmas vacation. So quiet and spooky.

Here's a Talent being video shot by a Nikon D90 DSLR, the first DSLR to have HD video.

They only shot 2 scenes but because of their passion to make the best out of those scenes, the shoot took 2 hours. After that everybody was hungry! Even me! I almost lost my appetite because it was already 3PM! What else was on our mind? To eat the best Sisig the walls of Intramuros has to offer!

Introducing "Alyssa's Sisig" (Clap!Clap!Clap!)

SISIG:
Origin of name: Pampanga
Description from Wikipedia: a Filipino dish made from parts of pig’s head and liver, usually seasoned with kalamansi and chili peppers.


Alyssa's Sizzling Sisig has been a favorite to the residents of Intramuros, college students flock to this small place which can handle up to 30 persons at a time. A lot, let me repeat that, a lot of customers would wait for their turns to eat because they would want to eat the best in town!


I discovered this place back in 2008, I was and still am studying inside the fortified city when a classmate of mine brought us here and said freshmen were talking about this place, so we went there and ate and from that day on; Whew! I listed Alyssa's Sisig as the number one sisig I've tasted.

Here are my friends waiting for our Sisig.

Going back to December 28, 2010 - We were there and luckily! There were a lot of seats to accommodate all 15 hungry students! 13 of which ordered the Sizzling Sisig! It's also advisable to eat here with your friends! Because waiting for your order could bore you, it takes quite a while to prepare the food because they make your Sisig at its best quality.

Sizzling Pork Sisig with Egg

What puts Alyssa's Sisig on top among others is that the meat is crispy, I know the pork is fresh (I have this weird ability to taste and know if a Pork and Chicken meat is too old to be cooked) and affordable. So the next time you get hungry around Intramuros, just ask where the Wallem building is and from there ask where Alyssa's Sisig is located. 


Oh and one more thing, I'll make you a bet, go here when you're really hungry and order this one. I bet you $5 you'll get at least 2 cups of rice and there's still Sisig left on the plate. Cheers!

Italian holy dish for hungry Filipinos - Amici Di Don Bosco

From a small space and humble beginnings inside a canteen to support themselves, an Italian Salesian missionary; Fr. Gianluigi Colombo established in 2001 what would be known as "AMICI DI DON BOSCO" or in english translation "FRIENDS OF DON BOSCO". Amici's first wave of success was their home-made Italian gelato which became popular around town. In 2003, pastas and wood fire oven-cooked pizzas were added to the line-up of their menu. Soon enough it became a popular choice of the general public around the Makati area.

Realizing that "Amici di Don Bosco" was not in its full competitive level, the salesians agreed to sell the franchise to Mr. Danny Moran and Mr. Iboy Pinga. In 2007, the entity was relaunched as simply "Amici".

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The dancing lights in Ayala

I was in Makati for a Christmas night out, with my family we watched the "Dancing Lights" in a garden in Ayala. After watching lights go on and off they decided to eat dinner there. My brother suggested "Amici" and quickly in my mind popped something and I said to myself "oh, this was the place someone told me about". We went inside and the place was full! We were 7 and a table of 5 was the only one available but that didn't stop us, Dad told us to get a table for 2 so that me and my brother can eat in a separate table.

We found one at last, awkward as it looks like to the other people, a table for two in a Christmas night in Makati. Since my brother ate in the establishment before, I let him decide which to order.

As an appetizer, he ordered Mozarella Fritto. Golden fried sticks served with tangy pomorodo sauce.

Mozarella Fritto

The Fritto was crispy outside and soft inside because of the Mozarella inside it. If you have eaten the "Cheesy Crust" of Pizza Hut, this is comparable to that one except that this one was fully dedicated to be a cheese stick.

Spaghetti ala Carbonara

For my main dish, "Spaghetti ala Carbonara"! It's my favorite pasta, so it has become my tradition that whenever I'm in a restaurant that fronts its pastas in the menu, I order Carbonara. When it arrived, I was like "woah" because the serving was good enough for two. The bread wasn't toasted nicely and the sauce wasn't really tasty so I still rate the best Carbonara to "The Hobbit House" in Boracay. Then again, this is only my perception.

Me with the "Al Quattro Formaggi"

At last! Time for the pizza, to finally seal the deal and for me to find out if the rumors are true. Brother ordered the "Al Quattro Formaggi" which is a mix of 4 kinds of cheese. The first bite I took I said to myself "hmmmm...the rumors are true", Amici pizzas have made their mark on the pizza industry in the country.

Mozarella Frito - P170 ($4)
Spaghetti ala Carbonara - P198 ($4)
Al Quattro Formaggi - P400 ($8)
Bottomless Mug Rootbeer - P80 ($2)
+ 12 VAT(Value Added Tax)

=PHP949.76 ($20)

All in all if I was to rate Amici according to categories:

Ambiance: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Budget Value: 10/10
Food: 8/10

So if you're looking for authentic Italian food that looks fancy but on the budget and would really satisfy your hunger and value the money you spend, go out and eat at "Amici's". Till next time! Now I'll try to finish the pasta we took out because we were so full!

Filipino Indie Films. The new Industry.

I've grown up watching lots of Filipino and Hollywood movies in the 1990's. My personal favorites then was Terminator 2, Liar Liar and Forrest Gump. Yes I know, my favorites were weird considering that I was so young before, they should be cartoons and other animated stuff but I got to watch my favorite cartoon movie "Beauty and the Beast" when I was in High School! 

I guess I really am growing up backwards. These days in my "teen years" which I ended last September 4 by turning 20, I love watching animated movies like "UP" which made me teary eyed, the closing of the "Toy Story" franchise. That was part of my childhood, the very firsts animated films I watched, and the latest movie which I watched in 3D, the cute "Despicable Me".

Then I got interested in Filipino films, comedy and then some love team movies of Rico Yan and Claudine Barretto, Aga Mulach and whoever his leading lady is never fails. Of course how can I forget the best love team in my opinion, John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. I really Idolize john Lloyd Cruz because he can have so much character and he's a real "Leading MAN" if you know what I mean.

After John Lloyd and Bea's "One More Chance" I really didn't like any other Local films. With One More Chance, everything was new, the storyline, the character, the settings, everything was good. The story was a masterpiece. No one comes close to it, well at least during the last 3 years (It was filmed 2007).

Then after One More Chance, Filipino films really just got more "profit minded". I know the Film industry is business BUT! that's given, these past releases has just been so frustrating, Filipino film makers aren't just into the "Art" anymore, everything is so technical and predictable. The stories are either recycled or ripped off from a holly wood film. Especially the Film Festival where it would highlight the best movies of the year, but no, It shows the crappiest movies of all time. The only movie I think that has a good storyline but got bad reception was "Wapakman". ok the Superhero thing and graphics really sucked, but the moral story about "Family first" and "Family Responsibility" was heartfelt. No one makes masterpieces anymore these days. Movies like "Oro, Plata, Mata" and "Ganito kami noon, Paano kayo ngayon?"

I now enjoy in Indie Film hunting. Since I can't catch Cinemalaya Festivals, I go to Quiapo to buy DVDs, I know it's illegal but hey, It's just for my own personal use, I'm not gonna rip it and put it up on torrent, I'll just keep it so that someday when the Filipino film industry get's crappier, I can just play these films all over again to remind me how films used to be good.

With Independent films, You get to see unique and sometimes weird story lines which actually makes it batter than the budgeted films. Everything is new and raw, sometimes not knowing the actors and actresses is good because you don't expect any character he or she might portray. Here I am typing to the rest of the world bashing the Filipino film Industry, well may this be an eye opener to those up there. Indie is the new Film industry in the Philippines, and it's not crappy. I've only watched a few but I liked it all.

here are some of the films I watched.

SA NORTH DIVERSION ROAD (Very weird but awesome)

SA ILALIM NG COGON (Surprising Story line)

LAGARISTA (One of my favorites! Interesting Love and Life story)

BIYAHENG LUPA (A tragic but entertaining story)

These are just some of it, but if I compare it to mainstream movies? Lagarista might be actually in the top if you're talking about Love.

Sigh. What happened to Filipino film Industry? 

Halal Food and The Philippines' lost industry

Last Friday, September 24 in the year 2010. It was a hectic, fun and disappointing day for me, a lot of good things happened but there were flaws during that day.

It was the final day of the College Intramurals and the cheering competition was underway, The team that I was in, ICOMM or the Institute of COMMunicantion. The team included the Advertising, Broadcasting, Communication Arts and the Journalism programs. I didn't really expected ICOMM to win the cheering competition or even had a place because only a few were cheer leaders and that was not the programs' forte, ICOMM's battlefield were in production, film and script writing and any other stuff tgat but I was dumbfounded when we were named 1st runner up in cheering, that was sweet.

Then after a short celebration, we were scheduled to eat at a Halal Cuisine, what the Muslims eat. We were about to go there when suddenly the rain poured hard and we couldn't go there, but we wouldn't be stopped by rain, it's just water! So when the rain subsided a bit we braved it and went to Quiapo via Jeepney. 

When we got there, people inside got a little surprise, well of course they will be because we were not in the same religion as they are and it's also their territory, so I behaved myself to respect them ( I have a deep respect to other religions, we might be praising other Gods but as long as someone believes in a supreme being, that's all good for me). 

The place was called "Mofara's Halal food haus" it was not a fancy restaurant, it's not air conditioned and it's beside the busy streets of Manila. The felt anxiety and a little fear, not because of people staring at me like I'm a criminal but because the place was new to me and my eyes just go wandering around it.

The 8 of us sat in the Muslim canteen including our Professor who was by the way going to treat us lunch. So I ordered my first meal, "RELLENONG BANGUS" (Stuffed Milkfish if I'm not mistaken) and my Professor said "hey get more, this happens only once" so to my delight I rushed back to the waitress and asked for another viand called the "CHICKEN TAPAR" (Chicken with minced young coconut meat) and the soup called "BALBACUA" which tastes like a spicy curry.

From the first bite I knew that I was going to be in a stomach battle. EVERYTHING WAS SPICY! My stomach hates all spicy foods, it just doesn't get to my system. Not that I don't like the way they cooked it, it's just a little stomach problem of mine.

This is just delicious, forget the presentation, what matters is the taste!

In fact, THE FOOD WAS SO GOOD THAT I ATE MORE AND MORE AND I KEPT COMPLAINING HOW SPICY IT WAS BUT AS MUCH AS I COMPLAINED THE MORE I ATE! I just couldn't stop eating at the moment! It was delicious! I drank lots of cola too! The food wouldn't be a perfect experience if you wouldn't sweat while eating. The place was like mecca of food for me that time.

After the great lunch experience I told my Professor I wanted to go hunt for classic Filipino films around the stalls, yep those pirated DVDs and my professor told me there's this one place where I could find it. So we went there and when I got there, I was again dumbfounded by the wide range of Filipino movie collections all in one stall! A stall dedicated for the classics, that's amazing! So I quickly asked for "Oro Plata Mata" "Ganito kami noon, Paano kayo ngayon?" and Tito Vic and Joey comedy movies. I ended up buying 25 DVDs, it was a haven for the lost Filipino film industry.

It's a bit frustrating when you compare the movies of the 80's and 90's to the 2000's. Back then they made such excellent movies, they did it well and it was worth keeping, but now, movies are produced to only one purpose, money. Yes, today's movies were no match of the movies before, today's movies might have all the technological advantage but they lack substance, heart and passion to do masterpieces. It's very rare to have such good and deep movies today.

After buying DVDs we went back to school to have our afternoon class.

Quiapo has become the classics' refuge

So Halal food? Excellent, definitely recommended. Pirated Filipino Movie DVD stalls? Illegal but awesome, definitely recommended. I know those films were pirated, but there's a good side of it, they kept the movies alive, they preserved it for people like me and the youth and the children of the future, they preserved it for us so that we can remember how The Filipino Film industry used to be the best.

Public Utility Drivers of the Philippines: Professional Amateurs

Last Thursday, September 10, I was with my buddies and headed to a friend's house to drink the night away after attending the school's acquaintance party. We stopped by McDonald's to grab something to eat before we drown ourselves to sleep with beer. So after that we were leaving the premises of the fast food and then suddenly, taxi appeared up in my rear and I hit his front, my rear lights was broken. I was thinking how unlucky I get from trying to be extra-careful.

I just concluded that Public Utility Vehicle Drivers (PUV-D) are the worst drivers in the Philippines. You can prove my claim by just asking around 10 random non-pro licensed drivers and they'll tell you what kind of driver they hate and it's always going to be a PUV Driver.

In my knowledge, the Philippines has 6 PUVs around the country. This are the Pedicabs, Tricycles, Jeepneys, Taxis, FX and the big Bus. Those are 6 form of public transportation, a lot of ways to go around in a small country.

Each of those kinds has its own driving problems, they are all unique and amazingly, they're stereotyped and it's a proven stereotype. It's like each driving specie has its own driving skill, whether good or bad.

Let's get it started with the smallest.

THE PEDICAB

PEDICAB - A bicycle with a sidecar, the good thing is that it's earth friendly, no gas needed just pure energy and endurance from the driver, the problem is that because they are small, they get into one way streets and if you're going fast, you're in a collision course with these people.

THE TRICYCLE or "TRIKE"

TRICYCLE - A motorcycle with sidecar, what's good is it's close to the size of the PEDICAB, it's also faster, the problem is that they aren't the most polite drivers, they tend to race with other tricycles even if they have passengers on board.

JEEPNEY or "JEEP"

JEEPNEY - Was invented from the WW2 military Jeeps left by the Americans in the country, then grew to be the most popular of all PUVs and a country's icon to the world. What's great about the Jeepney is that it's the cheapest transportation and it practices passengers to be honest while paying the fee. The bad thing? well you better not get too close from these guys because they just hit the break whenever the passenger halts them, they drop passengers like paratroopers, literally anywhere they like.

TAXI - The closest to having your own driver take you anywhere, that's the good thing but, will he agree on taking you there? or it will cost more than it should be? They always complain about not getting enough profit, it's because they refuse to take people if the passenger won't give extra tip or a plus to the flag down rate, they are the most GREEDY of all.

FX

 The FX - Named after the "Tamaraw FX" model of a car. What's good is it's like riding an air conditioned Jeepney, the bad news is that, is the air conditioning unit working? Yes folks these cars are the most UN CHECKED vehicles, the dirtiest to look at actually, the most sick from all, they don't have regular check ups.

THE BUS

BUS - The big boss of the road, the kings as what they claimed although it is considered that the Jeepneys are the kings. It's big and has entertainment on board, either the radio or tv or if you're lucky, a movie might be playing. The bast thing is that they have the most number of accidents in the past recent years, The MOST RECKLESS of all drivers, they think they're driving mini coopers.





I wonder how did they get PROFESSIONAL LICENSE so easily, it just proves the lack of training and sensitivity from the drivers and the Government who issue so called "Professional" driver's license to these crazy drivers.


NOTE:
I do not own any of the pictures posted here, It is downloaded from the net using Google browser.

Philippines: certified one of world's most disappointing Police forces

PNP - Philippine National Police, what do they do? They protect and serve the country, they are the protectors of every citizen and tourist in the country, to ensure the safety and preserve the right of everyone. They serve the country even with meager salary.

Ain't this a depressing sight to see?

But last August 23, I saw how a fine police officer was eaten by the corrupt system. Police Super Intendant Rolando Mendoza, a decorated police officer and was even awarded as one of the top ten best police officers of the country. It's so sad to see him take the lives of tourists at risk as he held a hostage drama at Quirino grandstand near Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines.

What made him do this? What happened?

DISMISSED

Mendoza claimed that there was foul play why he was dismissed, he was included in the case of "extortion" months ago together with 4 of his lower officers. He wasn't at the scene when the extortion happened but since he's in command for the 4 officers, he was relieved from duty.

TO CORRECT A BIG MISTAKE

The hostage taking started past 10am, hours after, he demanded that his case of extortion be dismissed and he be reinstated to the police force , also that his pension after retirement be given (after the dismissal, he was disqualified from working for any government agency and also removed his pension).

HOPING FOR THE BEST

Hours after the start of the hostage taking, Mendoza released 9 hostages. The police believed that the drama would end at 3pm as Mendoza posted "BIG DECISION TO BE MADE AT 3PM"

UNSTABLE NEGOTIATION

After 3pm the negotiation began to fail as some demands are not met. The brother of Mendoza, Gregorio who's also a Police officer came to the scene, without informing the negotiators, he was escorted away from the bus.

FINAL ATTEMPT TO NEGOTIATE

Mendoza was given a paper stating a promise to review his case, but that was not what he wanted, he asked for a dismissal to the case, Gregorio, his brother was arrested for being a "conspirator" to the hostage taking drama. Gregorio and his relatives made a scene, they were hysterical and the Police wasn't using force on them. Gregorio ran to the media and there he claims that if something bad happens to the hostages he will be killed and he does not trust the Police (even if he is one).

NEGOTIATIONS DERAILED, BLOOD BATH ON TRACK

It was suggested that Gregorio's scene made Mendoza really angry that made him berserk, because it was also said that Mendoza might be closely tuned in to the local news channel where the media was covering the drama live, if we was doing so it meant he saw everything. Mendoza started shooting from inside the bus and thus the SWAT started to storm the bus at least 3 times before finally putting him down with a sniper shot.

As intense as it looks like, it's still depressing

What do I think?

- I think the negotiations were doing quite well for the first few hours when Mendoza was still releasing hostages, it was when his brother Gregorio came in that the winds of momentum changed. I believe that Mendoza was watching when Gregorio was taken away because just minutes after the arrest, The bus started moving and shots rang from the inside of the bus. I think the Philippine POLICE SWAT isn't right to be called SWAT, because there was nothing SPECIAL about their siege, no TACTICS at all. The MEDIA should not be blamed because they were cooperative and they did their job to give the people the coverage they needed, they  did not approach Gregorio, he ran to where the media was, they were in a designated place and they were there. 

Bumpy's thoughts and Suggestion

TO THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE

Please be what you are ought to be, the S.W.A.T looked like amateur clowns in there, throwing flash bangs without going in after the flash. I may not be an expert but I know the purpose of the flash bang is to disorient the enemy for a few seconds. Anyway please perform your jobs right because I too have been a victim of corrupt officials in your uniform.

The S.W.A.T should move fast, they practiced the assault earlier in the day and they said it was successful, I watched the video and I don't know if I should laugh or be mad. HEY ASSHOLES! you used a smaller bus  to practice, and of course it will be easier to get in because there no one inside it! What happened during the real assault? You were sitting ducks, there is no excuse to anything because you were supposedly trained to handle the situation. No hand signals at all, watching you guys was pain in the eyes. They should have studied the bus earlier, know where to enter, the emergency doors.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

NO CROWD CONTROL - What if there was a time bomb planted and it exploded? more people would be in caskets today.

TO ROLANDO MENDOZA

Rolando Mendoza, why? once the best, now put to rest

Even if you're dead now I got something to tell you and don't worry this will be quick. You cannot correct a mistake by another mistake. With your death you left our country's dignity in its lowest level, you put the lives of Overseas Filipino Workers around the world especially in Hong Kong in danger.

Filipina Students in Chinese front page

TO MY FELLOW FILIPINOS

PLEASE! AND I REALLY MEAN IT, PLEASE DON'T MAKE THIS INCIDENT AS IF IT'S A JOKE! DON'T MAKE THE BUS AS IF IT'S A TOURIST SPOT AND PLEASE DON'T EDIT THE PICS WITH PARODIES. IT'S EMBARRASSING AND IT ADDS INSULT TO THE HONG KONG NATIONALS. SO PLEASE, BE SENSITIVE AND USE YOUR BRAIN.

To the world: Nobody wanted this to happen, please understand that the tourists were NOT targeted because they are Chinese. WE ARE NOT RACISTS. We are sorry for whatever things our stupid and insensitive countrymen are doing.

The failure of the Government affects its body

PNP: Truly one of the worlds most disappointments