arts&shenanigans

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Life without art is no fun Fall in love with the drama Dance to the music Life begins.

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Turning Twenty-Seven at Rastro's

Birthdays always come with great food and great company, well atleast I like to always spend mine with both. The whole week, Mick and I were looking for a new place to eat at BGC. It wasn't an easy task I tell you and after long hours of browsing online menus plus wary discussions, we finally agreed to eat at Red Garlic's. Imagine our disdain when we end up not finding the place. And so, the long night that it was, and us being both hungry and tired, Mick and I hopped from one restaurant to another looking over their menus while trying to satisfy our tastebuds with what we think just might do it. Our feet—mine in high mustard brown wedges—dragged us to Burgos Circle where I believe it housed good restaurants. And yes, I was right. Finally, we agreed to eat at Rastro's and go Spanish for a change.

    Ensalada. I forgot how its called but its Spanish Arugula with mushrooms and Spanish chorizos with a blue cheese dressing. We found the salad dry and Mick kept on saying we were like eating leaves directly from a tree but yes, we still ate it anyway. 

Paella Catalana. The specialty of the house. Saffron rice with mussels, clams, prawns, chicken, pork and Spanish chorizo. This was really flavorful—if not for its oilyness—but Paellas seem to be all like that. The serving size was big enough for two and we managed to finish our dishes, the light-eaters that we are.

The overall experience was just right. It was casual dining, falling somewhere between fancy and ordinary, a little closer to ordinary I think. We'll definitely come back to try more.

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Looking for something Italian? I know a place you ought to try! We've been to Bistro Ravioli a couple of times and we just adore the taste of their brick-oven pizzas and freshly-made pastas which is just right for its price. Their Puttanesca with Sundried Tomatoes is my ultimate favorite, and I just can't get enough of it! While you're there, you should also try their Grilled Focaccia Bread with Spinach Dip and of course their Margherita Pizza, a simple, perfect combination of tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese in freshly-made dough. Hungry? Here's their menu. 

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Breakfast for Dinner at IHOP

After watching Divergent and getting giddy over Four and Tris, played by hunk actor Theo James and witty actress Shailene Woodley, my sister and I FINALLY tried IHOP and it was just alright, nothing too fancy for our tastebuds. Don't get me wrong, the food was good but we think its a bit pricy for its plating and amount of serving. Oh and especially their new Filipino Breakfast Favorites at Php 350 each. Come on, if we are all familiar with their tastes as they are 'favorites', why not make it more affordable? (I sound like a ranting momma) Anyway, here's a run-down of what we ordered.

Of course I tried the four syrups in Strawberry, Maple, Blueberry and Butter Pecan flavors. I especially like the Butter Pecan syrup. I find the Blueberry too sour for my taste.The other two were just okay.

Our breakfast set for dinner. Looks yummy, yes? (Oh and we were both on a diet so it was so sinful every bite haha)

Spinach and Mushroom Hash with Cheese and Egg on top (or something like that). 

Their New York Cheesecake Pancakes are to die for. It was really good! It had a perfectly salty-sweet-sour taste.

I don't think we will dine again soon but we still recommend for you to try it. Maybe we were not breakfast eaters after all but we still enjoyed our first-time at IHOP's.

'Till our next adventure.

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Chinoy Comfort Food at North Park Noodles

And after a long wait, Mick and I dine again in North Park to satisfy our Chinoy cravings.

(In the Photo) North Park's version of Lechon Macau. We love this fattening, calorie-full dish paired with a special dipping sauce and some seasoned raddish—which Mick and I can't get enough of. It may also be served over fried rice but we've always opted for the plain one since its already oily as it is.

(In the Photo) Broccoli Flower in Oyster Sauce. We like pairing this beauty with Lechon Macau to add a healthy kick to our meal.

Overall, the North Park experience is both filling and nostalgic. Its just sad that it became too commercialized that people who dine in groups are usually noisy and wandering around. Not really a date place if you asked me but definitely a perfect pig-out place for friends and family since the budget is a-ok and the servings are big enough for sharing.

Did I make you hungry? To check their locations across the country, click here.

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Mick and I, the foodies that we are, have always loved Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's dishes. From their breads down to their pastas and salad offerings, we've always enjoyed our meal paired with White Chocolate Dream Latte. Its just the right amount of heaven in a plate. It warms our souls after a tedious day at work— the perfect comfort everyone needs once in a while. 

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Crossroads

There are times when we find ourselves in the middle of nowhere, somehow stuck in crossroads unsure of whether its safer to go straight, or follow that inkling to move away and do something random. At times like these, its best to take a couple of steps back and look at the broader picture. Take a hearty meal, sip your favorite drink and think about what will make you happiest. Talk to people, take advice from friends. For all come into confusion, and underneath, we are all weak, sensitive beings, longing for passion and a reason to live and set forth. We need each other. No man, no woman, no child can really be happy alone.

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A Prelude to the Future

Five months ago, I was unsure of where my life was taking me. I was cripplingly walking on this abyss that I cannot escape from. The only solution left, as clear as a newly-wiped mirror stained from dirt and soap fragments, or as pool water left overnight on a chlorine solution, was to take a feat and move forward. Everything was easy to leave behind for I was definite and resolute, and no one in their right frame of mind would ask me to stay and forever lose myself.  And so begins the agony of where to pick up the pieces of a chipped-off glass.

  Everything starts reasonably well. Like the first stage of grief, I denied that a problem needed be solved and like a nomad, I senselessly drifted away, somewhat hopeful that it will lead me to my next adventure. And then it progressively became exhausting to wait, and I began to randomly break down like a child running home, wounded and hurt.

  Amidst it all, I was blessed, and for a while that was the only thing I was assured of. I have people who take care of me and whatever I decide, they willingly cheered me on. It was like having followers, a fans club, only mine was resilient and welded by blood. It was called family. While some support system you call friends forget, my kin remained unwavering. And then I realized how pitiful I must have looked to them, a once self-sufficient woman returned home asking for much needed help.

  And so my poignant quest continued, and I heedlessly pleaded the heavens and the highest power to not lead me astray. I conversed with myself a couple of times, a rather pleasant and optimistic lady, but the realist and cynical that I am, I end up crumbling back to me.

  Alas! Something really good happened. Call it blessed or a turn of luck or fate or destiny, I am back on track. I am reborn and I can start fresh. Away from the buzzing and babbling lights of the city, I came back to me. And now, with a chance seized, the Kat I once knew is emotionally, physically and intellectually ready.

  I am writing a prelude to the wonderful future waiting ahead of me

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There are infinite possibilities for what our lives can be But only one reality we can live in Only one we'll ever know Make sure you choose to live the one you want.

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We are weird this way. 

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The Best in Philippine Contemporary Art Fair 2014

There is no way I am missing it—I told myself a couple of times when I read about it from a magazine advertisement months before—but I almost did, and I'm really glad I didn't. It was Sunday, 23 Feb 2014, the last day of the exhibition, and I arrived with Mick at around five in the afternoon. What can I say about it? Art heaven!

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the Art Fair 2014 at the Link Carpark, Ayala Center, Makati City:

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Artsy-Craftsy.

Because its National Arts Month—is there any better excuse? (On Me: Patterned Playsuit and Black T-Strap Sandals from Los Angeles, Black Beaded Necklace from Cebu and playfully handcrafted Black Earrings from Thailand)

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Because I'm excited for summer ♥ (Pagudpud, 2013)

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Now—that's pretty! For more click here.

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My Bucket List

1 Travel Around the World.

My ultimate dream is to travel around the world. I want to explore European countries and some—if not all, neighboring countries like Japan, China and South Korea. I want to sample their culture and lifestyle—art, architecture, fashion and street food—and take LOTS and LOTS of amazing photographs.

  2 Watch a Runway Show.

It’ll be a dream come true to watch famous fashion models strut their way on the stage LIVE. Come on, who wouldn’t want to sit right in front of the runway—where glitzes and glamour are but an inch away? Of course it’ll be really cooler to get backstage access where pandemonium is at its full hype.

  3 Design an Iconic Building.

Be it an Airport, a Hospital, a Hotel, a Museum, an Office Building, a School or a Chapel—I want it all! It’s a dream come true for any architect to be known for something that represents your style. It’s almost like having a trophy that screams,"Hey look at me, aren’t I pretty?"

  4 Reach a Mountain Peak Unscarred.

It’ll be really amazing if I’ll be able to reach a mountain top without any bruise or scratch, which is close to impossible. The view from the summit is always just breathtaking that all the ups and downs you go through become nothing but a pigment of memory.

  5 Be Featured in a Magazine.

Now who doesn’t want to be featured in a magazine? May it be half a page or a full page article, or who knows—I may become your next cover girl. It wouldn’t hurt, now would it? Maybe I should start practicing that killer smile, or maybe that broken elbow pose ;)

  6 Sell a Painting.

I’ve always pictured myself as an artist selling paintings displayed at a local gallery. I may have to replenish my painting skills in order to do that which may take years and all, but this will be so fun, and I get all excited just thinking about it.

  7 Bake A Scrumptious Dish.  

This will be easier if I actually own an oven, so I should first work on that. I plan on baking some sugar-free cookies and guilt-free chocolate cakes and revel bars for dessert, or maybe work on some cheesy lasagna for merienda, or to keep it simple, just your homemade apple pie. Now I’m hungry.

  8 Write a Book.

I’ve always enjoyed writing about anything under the sun. I am a very talkative person inside this bashful façade. So when that time happens, be sure to support me okay? I’ll need all the help I can get.

  9 Explore the Sea.

This poses a big problem—I can’t swim! But I’d really wish to observe what transpires under the sea, the ecosystem, the living creatures, the school of fishes—it’s always amazing in pictures! Hopefully I get to solve this dilemma. It’ll be really awesome to take an underwater picture in a scuba suit, minus the killer sharks of course. 

  10 Become Celebrated.

Yes, I want to become well-known, not because of my physical attributes which I shall be working on, but because of my innate skills and talents. I want to be a distinguished architect who possesses that so great a style enough to make people remember—or maybe that pronounced painter that people would bid to buy her latest creation.

Now—what should I scratch off first?

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Whimsical Thinking. Confine not your dreams for once you set foot on your goal, it welcomes endless possibilities..

(Medium : Brevillier’s CretaColor in Sepia Dark Oil)

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 “Have you ever watched a rose as it fades away; the color becomes deeper as the petals dry. That’s how my love for you deepens as the days go by.”

(Medium : Brevillier’s CretaColor in Sepia Dark Oil)