Tim Ho Wan, anyone?

*This is a long due Tim Ho Wan review. Throwbacks are coming in. Stay tuned!

If you visited SM Mega Fashion Hall in the past months, you probably noticed a long queue at the ground floor. Nope, it's not a fashion store, it's no other than Tim Ho Wan! So what's so special about this restaurant that people patiently fall in line for it?
 

Cow Dadi's Soft Opening

On Fridays, most restaurants are fully-booked for dinner especially if it happens to be a "payday Friday". Everyone wants to go out and enjoy their happy hour after work or school as prelude to the weekend.

In Makati City alone, despite being surrounded by malls and hole-in-the-wall food places, most of the establishments are still easily fully-booked and some stores close a little early so you really have to be vigilant for you to be able to score seats on the restaurants you've been eyeing...or you have to be an explorer. 

One Friday evening of September, we got off work late, it's past 8 and most stores in the Ayala malls are already closing so we found ourselves exploring nearby streets in Ayala but there's still no luck, so we ended up in streets a little farther until finally one establishment along Urban Avenue caught our eye. The name of the place is "Cow Dadi" and it's on its soft opening. Got sold because, steak. I love steak!

Photo from Cow Dadi

Review: Royal Caribbean Jamaican Patties

It is good thing the food-on-the-go has been easy-access these days. Several stores offer food which we can grab on our way to work, to movies and whenever our tummy runs out of fuel, making life of the busy and people in a hurry easier.

Last  week (September 13), I got to try Royal Caribbean Jamaican Patties which practically had the same concept. What’s good about it is that it’s situated near the movie house at the fifth floor of Market Market providing more variety to us consumers other than popcorn, fries and hamburger. Don’t you love it? Jamaican patties inside a movie house, sounds good right?

When I talk about running and Sunday: 10th PSE Bull Run

Something updated before I throw in throwback posts.

For the first time in forever, I joined a fun run last Sunday with my parents and dad's office mates. I joined some marathon before but then again those were years ago and both were required. One was for CAT in High School and another was for NSTP in College. 

It was only last week when I learned that I'd be joining the10th PSE Bull Run. My father asked me to substitute for his office mate for this 3K run. I told my parents that that's a short run. I'm thinking even as a starter I could start with 5K because I've been walking and sprinting at times in Makati to avoid being late (sometimes in wedge), but of course this difficulty level is much different than that. And my parents laughed back at me because they are underestimating my capabilities. 

Before the run, I didn't really prepare I just downloaded the old app I deleted, Nike + running, to sync it with my running shoes. I also did a little workout the day before as a warm-up for it's been a while of body strain. My body might get shocked.

Come Sunday, the scheduled PSE Bull run, we woke up so early as in 2 A.M. for this event. BGC was quite far and we need to avoid traffic but then again there's no traffic during those hours so I was a little grumpy upon learning that the 3K-5K run wouldn't start until 5 A.M. My head's screaming a very loud "WHAT?!!!" I thought the run's 4:00 A.M., we were two hours early and I only had around 1 and a half hour of sleep. That left me sitting on some gutter with a not-so-good-morning face, so to anyone who've seen me on that state, apologies for I am never a morning person, or in that case "dawn" unless it's the time of sleep and not the time for waking up.

Since we were too early, what's left to do is prepare for the run. Warm-up exercises and take photos.

Photo credits: Bodivance

Burger United

We call this event "4JRN3 sama-samang kumain ng Wendy's Baconator"

At the height of Facebook events in 2011, there were several invitations to events which were not really true but just a pigment of someone's humor. For instance, there was this event called "Sabay-sabay na pagtawid sa Espana" initiated by CFAD students. I'm not so sure if this is when the idea of eating together at Wendy's was born but I'm thankful it happened.

As part of our block's camaraderie and making-the-most-of-our-senior-year, we officers decided to make time for a monthly gathering for the class to be organized by different barkadas or cliques. It does not really matter what, just as long as all will have fun and all will participate. To kick-off that plan, this was organized.

It was totally fun! Not only we were full from eating baconator, we also enjoyed because this was the first time our class actually bonded without any occasion. We usually just celebrate togetherness during Christmas parties or mandatory student events. It was bad that the idea was late but better late than never, right?

We scheduled the event after our Taxation class around 3 in the afternoon. Everybody was asked to go to Wendy's Dapitan. Imagine a flock of students heading to a small fast food chain, sounds like a riot! A good kind of riot, I justify.

While waiting for others, some ordered already. The plan was to try the then newly-offered product, BACONATOR. Some made fun of the crew by changing their names when ordering. There used Mercedes Cabral, Haggardo Versoza, Jirita Avila and other old-sounding Filipino names/ celebrity names. You know what silly pranks High School kids do. We were like that except it was not really annoying. All for fun!

The place could not accommodate all of us, we stayed at the second floor. Others could not attend because of previous academic commitment while some just dropped by bringing their unbranded burger. Well-appreciated. If you can't beat em, join 'em.

The eating came first, along side own chikahan, then picture taking, then we capped the day off with a game. I forgot what it's called but I remember it was from a member of Tomasino!Web. There's a phrase to answer and we used our phones to type our answers and pass it on clockwise. Or something. I actually forgot the exact mechanics but I remembered it was so funny and partly naughty/witty. It was truly fitting for a gathering. I could not recall how many times we were reprimanded because the class was so noisy. We don't mind, we were just having fun. We ended up at 5 something because we still have next class to attend to. Photo summary of the day appears after my WENDY'S BACONATOR REVIEW.

I rate Wendy's Baconator 3.5, because bacon. Everything with bacon is good. Not just good, EXCELLENT when crispy. For its price it was kind of expensive but I understand considering there's double beef patty, and bacon, and cheese. It's made for sharing, I believe. In our case, some shared. Others took the challenge of finishing it alone. Calories everywhere but we're in this together. At present, there is now a burger called "Son of Baconator", I guess Baconator is too big they made a mini-version of it.

(Because we're sweet)

These photos spell sweet. While our former president Denesse is away, we recognize her presence by writing down her name using french fries. Aren't we sweet? Meanwhile, our boys Karlo and Dan bought their less-expensive burgers outside Wendy's and still dropped by to join us on our mini-gathering. The Jirita photo was just a random comedic attempt.

(Calories brought to you by Wendy's)

LARGE fries and double patty burger!

(Barkada photos)

(Wendy's Baconator)

The real celebrator of the day, King Baconator.

(Riot called "4JRN3")

We totally enjoyed this game. It was new for most of us. Fun.

(All smiles)

Obligatory class photo. We're incomplete though.

The Script-ed

There's nothing like a concert where you can sing along in almost all the songs of the performer. This was also the case during the first ever concert of The Script in Manila, April 16, 2011. Sorry to disappoint you but this is not an account of their latest concert here. This is more like a throwback post because I wasn't able to blog it then.

I was really ecstatic when I found out this Irish band was having a concert here.One, they are one of my favorite bands, two, I know most of their songs. In fact, my all-time favorite was "The man who can't be moved" it never gets old. I immediately told my friends about it and luckily, they all loved the idea of going. 'Luckier-ly', our friend Ate Mary gave us a treat for summer and sponsored our tickets for this concert. How sweet!

On 16 April 2011, I went to the venue with my cousin. He's also going to the concert with his then girlfriend so I decided to take a hitch and we planned to just separate ways there as I join my friends.The roads then were very traffic that I felt I will almost miss the opening of the concert but of course, we can't let that happen. So we made it there. There were almost no seats, because our slots were free-seating which meant we really have to be there earlier than the show. I was with my friends, Alette, Ghe, Linette and Dennesse. Bianca was also supposed to be there but she had a family-affair to attend to then. We stayed at the SRO area as we jumped, waved our hands, screamed and banged our heads all night.

The Script Concert in snippets

Friday Beauty Haul and Pumpkin Soup craving

This is the latest I can get.

Last Friday, I decided to finally buy the things I needed as of the moment, along with things I don't really need but found useful. I went beauty/hygiene shopping in Landmark, Watsons and SM Makati of course with a help of a special friend. I don't usually do this because I only purchase stuff one at a time depending on the need. That's how I tend to be practical, sometimes too much. The factor that I now earn money adds to my practice of practicality. It's a good practice though, but there need to be a right timing and right execution. You don't need to deprive yourself of the beauty of commercialism once in a while. Just don't be a shopaholic.

So far after this sort of retail therapy, I am satisfied. My latest beauty haul which consist the following:

Ladyluckgazette's beauty haul

1) Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser- I always see this in the mall but I didn't know how it is being utilized. It's a good thing Youtube Guru Say Tioco Artillero introduced this to us during the make-up workshop (I have yet to blog). This can do wonders, I swear! If I have time I might review it. I would not buy this if it's not useful, remember, practicality. Available in department stores nationwide for PhP 299.00.

2) Nail Polish Remover- Also known as Acetone. I need this now because my nail polish are chipping off already. At PhP 15.00, this would last long for me since I rarely paint my nails.

3) Maybelline Clear Smooth All-in-one Shine-free Foundation- Another Maybelline product right here. I got this in "Honey shade" because that is the darkest shade they offer. My Maybelline press powder's swatch broke so I needed a new one. Since I attended a make-up workshop, I decided to switch to foundation because it's more lasting and appropriate as cover-up. Apparently, what I bought was only a refill. It has no mirror. I'm actually okay with it. It's more handy and less likely to break unlike the ones with mirror. I already forgot the price but it's ranging from 149-170. (If my memory serves me right.)

4) Tictac candy- I usually buy mints from either Double Mint or Tictac. I found Double Mint too strong and expensive though so I stuck with Tictac. I bought this since I'm already running out of candies. I'm not a fan of mentos except for the grape one because it's delicious.This costs PhP 25.00.

5) Foot treats Moisturizer Foot Spray- For hygienic purposes, my mom recently bought a foot powder. It's good because it leaves your feet dry and odorless. However, it leaves stain on the shoes, especially if it's dark colored. She told me she found foot spray and try it instead. So there you go, bought this one just to see if it works better. I got the grape seed flavor out of the four more scents. Available in department stores nationwide for PhP 99.00.

After shopping, it's already dinner time. Usually, I plan the place-to-eat ahead of time to avoid wasting time but there are days like this when I don't have the planned place in mind. Luckily though, I remembered the restaurant in Glorietta located beside Pancake House. I forgot its name then but I remembered they have the menu outside and a flashback of a photo of pumpkin soup appeared in my head. When asked where to eat for that night, I said the description, my companion agreed and so we looked for it.

While looking for the restaurant, there was an event on the ground floor. The singer Jeric Medina of X Factor Philippines was performing live for a certain brand of bike. I recently saw him at the Bloggers United 5 but didn't watch him live so I decided to join the crowd stopping by second floor to peak and listen to his performance. He sang two songs I forgot the first one already. I was also people-watching then and I suddenly saw the restaurant we were looking for, THE SPAGHETTI FACTORY.

Upon arrival, there was a long line so it's good that Jeric was performing because we can overhear his songs. He sang my favorite The Man Who Can't be Moved by The Script. I approached the manager to ask for the menu and see their price range. There were expensive meals but the price is good especially if you are sharing food. I guess. They were very accommodating and told us that we should just wait for they are cleaning our table.

We struggled on thinking of what to eat because I wanted salad but I was hungry during that time so I know I needed something heavier than veggies. So we settled and chose pizza instead of salad. Below are the photos of the foods we ordered and the rest of my SF experience:

Spaghetti Factory Menu

Spaghetti Factory in collage

For appetizer, Creme of Pumpkin Soup! (You should know by now that this is one of my favorite soups.)

Pizza Mixa (This gives us an option to pick two flavors, we chose Italian Sausage and BBQ Chicken. Go figure which is which.)

Vangelina's Spaeribs for main course. This is not for sharing actually but we opted to share because they had big servings anyway. You can choose from plain rice and risotto. Of course I chose, RISOTTO.Tastes really good!

This is the fat me enjoying pizza.

Overall, for an Italian restaurant Spaghetti Factory was good. The waiters and manager were accommodating and they serve fast (They have service charge by the way). The food was definitely delicious and worth the price. You will not find it hard to order because the menu already had recommendations indicated in it. Those with 'thumbs up' icon are their best-sellers. The table setting was good, only the place was not spacious. No wonder people fall in line for it. I will come back to try their pasta of course. My rating is 4/5. ****

We had to burn the calories after eating so we walked and I remembered that I have no video for the day yet. Good thing I spotted a piano near the exit area. I asked my companion to take a video of me seemingly playing the piano. Later on, I found out the display was real so I played my favorite piece in it: Ni Yao De Ai (The Love you Want) by Penny Tai as heard on Meteor Garden (Yes, I can play piano, just "can" would have to learn other pieces such as A thousand miles and A thousand Years)...

Caught playing piano :(

.....and then the guard heard me and reprimanded me. Talk about embarrassment. That was the end of my Friday night, shame.

Stay tuned for more of my throwback posts and reviews.