To the batcave!

Found at the Food Express of Gateway Mall. I guess its their way of saying that they want not only for their customers to be nourished but their cellphones energized as well. Power up!

Green is good (sometimes)

The first time that Parisianinpinas saw them being sold on the sidewalk was definitely a Kodak moment. He can't believe his eyes. Then came the series of unending questions: "But you're suppose to eat only the yellow ones, right?", "What's the salt for?", "What is alamang made of and why does it smell funky?". Oh well. Despite the interrogation, he sure did enjoy his unripe mangoes.

For your eyes only

Taken at the window of Sarabia Optical Clinic, unofficially known as Nela Sarabia's Indie Candy Store, so-called because its serves as a launching pad of sort to various indie acts whether it be of the audio or visual kind. The shop is located at the UP Diliman Shopping Center.

Quit Coal

Last week, I got an email invite from Greenpeace for their Open Boat Day. The Rainbow Warrior will be in the country and her captain, Mike Fincken, was gracious enough to give the attendees a special tour of the ship. Lots of people were able to make the event. Even little children were there to support the group's fight for clean and renewable energy. More photos here.

Meet Zorro

I often see him when I do my daily runs at the academic oval. As far as I know, he's a resident of Krus na Ligas and for the unitiated, that is a looooong way from Timog Avenue where I took photo. He usually hangs out with outdoor buffs and are often found engrossly reading a newspaper. Nobody really knows his real name or how old he is. But one thing's for sure, he certainly makes one heck of a fashion statement.

Smokin'

This year's World No Tobacco Day theme is Tobacco Free Youth.

Indeed, the tobacco industries catch our children at an early age. They see the ads on TV and in movie houses, from the huge billboards at EDSA, when they go online, etc. The fact that all of these are "nurtured" by their families as well to get into the habit of puffing is disconcerting - dad asks his kid to buy some sticks from the sari-sari store, mom smokes in the house, etc.

If you love your children, help break the habit. Break the tobacco marketing net.

Plugging the Pinoy flag

Yesterday was Philippine flag day, so if you're still clueless as to why everywhere you turn you see it displayed, well THAT is why.

Join in flaunting Pinoy pride - wave the flag, display it in the office and homes. Do it because you love your country. Do it because you are a Filipino. (And no, making a Guinness record is not a valid reason.)

Who wants free texting?

Apart from, maybe, visiting the shopping malls more frequently than we should be, sending SMS messages (or texting, as we Pinoys casually calls it) has become an integral part of our life. We text everywhere and anywhere sometimes forgetting that we're supposed to be hearing mass or listening to our boring professors or crossing the street (ack!)

But as to why someone would have four SIM cards is beyond me. Never mind the fact that he has only one phone unit and that it takes so much time switching from one SIM to another. Ignore, too, the ire of his friends when they fail to get in touch with him on his phone number 1 as he was using phone number 2 that time. All these do not deter the fun-loving Pinoy. And why would he be? Texting here is cheap - at least according to ParisianinPinas.

Though I'm not avid texter, I have to admit that my attention was grabbed by this proposal for free text messages. Hm. Its not exactly a bad idea.

At any rate, I'll let the bigwigs decide that non-issue. In the meantime, here are some messages that I was able to save in my 5 year old phone- all forwarded by either my friends and/or my sister. Enjoy!

• It's better late than pregnant.
• If others can do it, why help?
• An apple a day is NOT an apple at night.

Enlightenment

Eating healthy may be the in thing now and for some that means going vegetarian. And as one figures his way out of the pseudo-labyrinth that is the non-meat eating world, one will soon find out that there’s not much of a go-to place when it comes to dining. Well, worry no more as Green’s Restaurant and Café, located at the corner of Scout Tuazon and Sct. Castor, provides gastronomical wonders that will satisfy even the most jaded carnivore. Try their sisig, kebabs, various pastas and (eggless!) desserts. The ambience is cozy and the service very good.


Oh, and there’s free wi-fi. Green's is so good you’d feel like you’re in nirvana.
For contact information and more photos click here.

Time out

With their duties starting as early as 3AM, its not a wonder these kamineros (street cleaners) were lured to take some rest under the waiting shed. Or maybe because its pink - to match their shirt. That's sleeping in style!

Sunday Market

Most countries have their own version of their local market - colorful, vibrant, very much alive. Just like those places, the Philippines have several that would make any intrepid shopper go ga-ga. What sets this one apart, though, is its location -right smack in the premise of a hospital, the Lung Center of the Philippines. And no, they don't sell lungs or any parts of the respiratory system here, so you can go ahead and pocket your joke right there.

For half the mall price, one can get fresh produce from various regions of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. And get this, they have a row of tables selling everything and anything for 10 pesos and less. What a bargain indeed!

Below is a photo of a Pinoy breakfast staple - longganisa (Philippine chorizo) from Lucban, Quezon.

If you want to have a unique shopping experience, I strongly suggest that you allot one Sunday for the Lung Center Market. See you there

More photos here.

Pilipinas kong Mahal

With a little over two weeks left before the 110th Philippine independence, these posters of the Philippine flag have been placed almost all over the metro -from the swanky hotels to the unassuming government offices, from the train stations to the overly populated bridges. I guess its the government's way of reminding the commuters that despite the seemingly unending rallies and the perverse corruption in the government (among other things), there are still good things that we can identify ourselves with as a nation and as Filipinos.

Mushroom burger

Far more healthy and far more scrumptious than the other M-burger. And, no, they don't have mascots to scare your kids off. With branches at Tagaytay City and West Ave., Quezon City, you are sure to have a chance of tasting that earthy goodness. If you are too lazy to move your ass, worry not as they also deliver. Contact them here.

Not a tuk-tuk

Its our very own three-wheeled limo.

The weigh in

Someone's trash is somebody else's wealth.

Taho

In the neighborhood where I grew up, we kids all rush to meet our ultimate morning hero - the taho vendor. We're reduced to adoring fans waiting to be acknowledged and be given our own little cup of white, warm soft goodness mixed with that golden syrup arnibal and lots of firm sago. Yum, yum.

He said, she said

Ah. What better way to kill time in your car while stuck in traffic than to read poetry.
Very intellectual!

Now Showing

If you haven't seen any trailer on it, fret not. At least the students of St. Luke's College of Nursing have a better excuse in going to the mall.

School is cool!

Daily produce

"When we stop buying products from a store, they die a natural death.
I surmise that the same is true with all the malevolent personalities amidst us. But our inaction is one way of patronizing them.
Let's stop buying their lies and corruption and make them accountable for their actions (or inactions), too."
-written at the main door of the cafe

The Conspiracy Garden Cafe does not only pride itself with excellent music and exquisite cuisine. I personally like the fact that they're always socially involved. As we all should be.

Ahm-beRRR-geRR

That is Parisian in Pinas. He had his international driver's license converted to non-pro today at LTO. Imagine our surprise and amusement when we both got stamped with this unique "artwork". I don't think there's any other office in the world that equates burger for entry. Others just ask for your ID.