FOOD REVIEW: Stacy's in Capitol Hills

I love breakfast.  It’s my favourite meal of the day. In fact, I look forward to a proper hotel breakfast buffet compared to their lunch or evening spreads.

So when it was time for a proper catch-up with my darling big sis Arlene, I was only too happy to go on a breakfast date at Stacy’s in Capitol Hills. Arlene was the one who introduced me to Stacy's when she posted several pictures of it on facebook. Since then, I've always wanted to go but never had the time until a couple of weeks ago.

RESTAURANT: Stacy’s, Capitol Hills branch

FOOD: With a name like Stacy’s, I expected that the food would’ve been akin to the ones served at a mom and pop’s restaurant. And I wasn’t off the mark. The menu read like a fusion of east and west home cooking / comfort food favourites.

I ordered the Hawaii Five-O. Why I ordered ham with pineapple still escapes me but I sure wasn’t disappointed. I mean, how could anyone be disappointed with ham and pineapple? It’s like a Christmas Morning meal!

SERVICE:  The staff was pleasant and not in the perky kind of way which could be expected from a place that looks like Stacy’s. Rather, they greeted with their quiet smiles which they kept on until we were seated and gave our server our orders.  

Stacy’s also have these nice add-on services, like guests are given a cup of popcorn and pretzels while waiting for their food to be served, and they hand over the bill in a cute dish together with a couple of candies.

ATMOSPHERE: Stacy’s look is very much suburbia America with the white-washed furniture pieces, white picket fence, and SMEG refrigerator.  The mood was cheerful and very American.

PRICE: It was reasonable for the pleasant experience. 

If you’re one who has a fantasy of living the suburbia American dream, head to Stacy’s and live it for the price of just a breakfast meal.

Kids get their own table at the indoor garden. 

The dining area is so bright and airy. Perfect for happy breakfasts!

Set against white walls and white-washed furniture, dabs of color pop. 

The details like the drop lights, old-school phone, and the baby pink SMEG fridge complete the cute vintage cottage look.

Even the service station is pretty. 

I had the Hawaii Five-O. Look at that mound of rice! 

Ako ay naki-baka and said no to pork.

I pay taxes because it is the right thing to do.
No matter how much or how little money I earn, the government gets a sizable chunk that it thinks it deserves. Moreover,  every time I eat out, watch a movie, or a fly out to a destination outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility, I still have to pay some more tax.

And I have to confess, that it hurts.

It hurts because the simplest things but are such tell-tale signs of a good city – walkable sidewalks, well-tended foliage, and efficient public transportation system still seem to be an elusive dream for the country’s National Capital Region. It hurts because the last time I was speeding along EDSA at 60 Kph, I drove into a pothole and wrecked my car’s wheel alignment. It most especially hurt when one’s suspicion of perpetual cold-hearted corruption in the government is affirmed.

A couple of weeks ago, the latest tale of corruption in the national government headlined by a certain Janet Lim Napoles made the news. Click on the following links to read more about the story and on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) aka Pork Barrel. 

1. Janet Napoles and the Pork Barrel Scam on inquirer.net                

2. Oink History: Spot.ph Pork Barrel Timeline on spot.ph

So last week, I together with two of my friends – Abe and Ket,  joined the #millionpeoplemarch at Luneta. It was a protest against the continuous allocation of funds to the each legislator’s PDAF fund.

I must say that joining the protest was such a pleasant experience. Sure, we were rather angry and frustrated with all the graft and corruption happening in the government. But this demonstration was something I would describe as quite orderly and had this pulsating positive vibe.

There were no jostling. People were respecting each other’s personal space. Though there were street food hawked around, there was the palpable absence of rubbish, goo, and unpleasant smells. It was such the ideal kind of demonstration.

Here are a few snapshots I took while at the millionpeoplemarch:

Some folks had their picture taken with the police force guarding the US Embassy. 

Manila Punk movement were there. 

I guess it pays to always dress up wherever you go.

Even kids took to the streets.

The Media was there to cover the event.

Red cross volunteers were on stand-by in case of emergencies. 

These kids want more than just abolishing the pork barrel.

No to pork but yes to dirty ice cream sandwich! 

This is just the sight - cops, clean portalets, and no queues.

Why hide in plain sight, boy? 

Some were there to pick up the recyclables. 

For some, the protest  was a family affair.

I signed the petition to abolish the PDAF. (But unfortunately was photo bombed by a certain manong.)

Ket adds her name to the list. 

Abe follows suit. 

These are what we want to happen. 

I am guessing he's a tennis fan. 

Protesters weren't all locals. There were some concerned foreigners, too!

These bikers came as pigs. 

Guess that doggie in a wash basin is also against pork?

The rubbish collected from the protest filled just a several bags!

At the end of last week, Janet Lim Napoles surrendered to President Noy Aquino and is now being detained. There were talks on using her as a state witness against the officials who went with her scam. But a rather brilliant lawyer argued that she couldn’t be since she appears to be the mastermind rather than just an accomplice, saying that Janet Lim Napoles benefited in this particular scam more than the officials who went on with it. She got the chunk while the legislators only had a percentage of the funds.

As it continually unfolds, I do hope all this drama would not quietly fade away but rather be a catalyst for better changes in Philippine Society. I pay taxes because it's the right thing to do but if our government officials don't do right with all my hard-earned money, that's enough reason for me to take it to the streets.

Walking the streets of Intramuros with Carlos Celdran

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth nor have I been washed away by flood water.
In fact, I've been on the move these past couple of months and couldn't be happier. Hopefully, you'll come back to read what I've been up to.

Anyway, during days like these when almost the entire metro resembles a tub of milk chocolate-y goodness, I'd rather think about past sunny warm days. Today, one particular day comes to mind - that interesting afternoon when I walked the streets of Intramuros with Mr. Carlos Celdran.

It was a Thursday afternoon and guests were asked to meet at Plaza Moriones. Mr. Celdran was thirty minutes late citing horrible traffic but it seemed that hardly anyone minded. The ever patient crowd consisted mainly of locals - much to his surprise, with several balikbayans and foreign tourists mixed in.

While he was gearing up, two white girls - dressed in an ensemble which Bohemian Sienna Miller would've been proud of, came up to Mr. Celdran and asked after common friends. The exchange was brief but hardly short of enthusiasm and somehow reminded me that this man - who could've lived anywhere in the world, chose to stay do this gig.

The tour was basically a history lesson given by a mestizo bunny animated by his effervescent love for the city of Manila. We should've been drowned in facts but his enthusiasm, visual aids, and a bit editorializing made for quite a riveting show. Noteworthy was his take on the American colonial  and World War II periods. On his blog, he did promise to try to change the way you look at Manila. And if you've been a pro-American, he just might succeed in doing so.

These rainy days, when Manilenyos are drowning in flood water because officials would rather spend tax money on anything but public works, Mr. Celdran is a ray of sunshine. This man has so much love and hope for the city and the country, that I wish the people in power would have even an ounce of it.

With my comfiest sandals on, I'm ready for this walking tour!

Mr. Celdran greets his guests and begins his tour at Plaza Moriones.

More talk on Spanish colonial history just outside the gates of Fort Santiago. 

Mr. Celdran talks about Dr. Jose Rizal as we enter the gates of Fort Santiago. 

We take a break before heading to American colonial period. 

I was such in fan girl mode that all I could do was smile. Coni = idiot. 

As you can see, we were all riveted.

He was wrapping things up as we enjoy a glass of halo-halo. 

Mr. Celdran's curio shop, The Crazy Nun.

*Mr. Celdran's walking tour of Manila schedule is posted on his blog. The Intramuros tour costs P1,100 for adults and P600 for students. It may be a bit steep for most locals so if you want to catch a great deal, watch out for one of his barter tours. A guest would only need to pay P400 and bring something - anything, to barter him with. He usually announces barter tours on his facebook page a day or two days in advance.

Her name is Encarnacion Alzona.

Remember that lady who’s colonial passport I posted a month ago? If not, you can click here.

Her name is Encarnacion Alzona. More than a lady who was privileged enough to travel at that time, she was one accomplished woman who is certainly a role model for just about anyone. Ms. Encarnacion Alzona was a historian, Rizal scholar, professor, and a suffragist.

She graduated from two Prestigious American Institutions - Radcliffe College and Columbia University where she earned her Master’s Degree in History and Doctorate of History respectively. She then taught at the University of the Philippines, translated Rizal’s many works and letters, and wrote countless of books. The first of which is “A history of Education in the Philippines : 1565-1930”. Published in 1932, Philippines Herald described it as “the most complete and comprehensive work on the subject to date.”

Ms. Alzona died in 2001. She was 106 years old. Her impressive career span for eight long decades and in 1985, she was bestowed the title National Scientist.

Ms. Encarnacion Alzona on the cover of  the monograph, "Pamana". 

Source Material: Pamana by the Ateneo Library of Women's Writings 

FOOD REVIEW: Quiznos along Katipunan Ave.

When I passed by the then newly opened local franchise of Quizons at the BGC (Bonifacio Global City), I knew that I just had to try it. Unfortunately, months passed and I still haven’t managed to drop by.  It has been so long that they eventually opened another branch at the Regis Center along Katipunan which I must say is a good thing. It is way closer to where I live.  So when a friend and I decided to do something catching-up, I suggested we do so at Quiznos. 

RESTAURANT: QUIZNOS

FOOD: I ordered a regular of their signature subs, chicken carbonara – all-natural chicken, smokey bacon, all-natural mozzarella, sautéed mushroom, Parmesan Alfredo sauce. Sounds yum, right? I expected a heaping of all these ingredients where it would be impossible to eat the sub without getting messy. But look at what I got from the counter:

When on their facebook page, they said they'll be serving me this:

Needless to say, I was so disappointed that I wanted to get my money back.

SERVICE: The staff greeted us with warm smiles and were pretty helpful as I was trying to figure out what was I going to have. My order was brought to the counter, pretty quick but they were pretty slow with the cleaning up. I had to clear our table and take the previous diner’s rubbish to the bin.

ATMOSPHERE: Situated in a sliver of a space at the back of the Regis Center Lobby, I must say that there’s much left to be desired in this criteria. I get it that it’s a fast food joint meant to be more splash and dash than wine and dine.  But I don’t think that should be an excuse for this very unappealing space - cramped, bad lighting, and uncomfortable seats.  There were tables at the lobby, just outside Quiznos’ door but who would want to eat there?

PRICE: I hate to say this but based on my experience, it’s not worth it. They’re asking much for such a sad experience. 

Fiesta sa Antipolo!

The city of Antipolo parties during the entire month of May in celebration of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. And this year, I thankfully managed to join in on the celebrations even if it was on its last few days.

Unknown to many, my mother and I used to do the “alay-lakad” during May Day Eve. Though unlike the other devotees who start at the Quiapo Church, my mother and I would cut the pilgrimage short and start at “junction” in Cainta.  During those four hours, we would be walking alongside couples, families, throngs of teenagers and even elders. Most of them would be carrying their own statues of the Nazareno or the virgin, together with water jugs and boom boxes or pedalling their way up the mountain.  Sometimes, a father would pass by us, pushing a stroller where his toddler would be sleeping.

I started walking with my mother as a freshman in high school. She, on the other hand, started going on alay-lakad in the 80s and did so often with her sisters. During those years that we walked together, I’ve seen how commerce slowly rose up to the mountains which I must say was a pretty slow yet steady rise. The sprawling properties and acres of forests gave way to subdivisions and four storey apartments, sticking out from nowhere. (Clearly, these people seem not to understand the concept of zoning. ) And roadside eateries now had to contend with more popular joints originally from the city.

But now that my mother’s gone, I don’t have anyone to walk with and I figured I couldn’t go at it alone. So instead, I try to go up the mountains during the month of May and say hello to Our Lady.

The facade of the Antipolo church clues you in on what it has in store - a lot of clean lines. 

Just like in most old churches, Angels stand near the entrance holding up a bowl of holy water. 

The Antipolo church is as not as huge as it may seem but the dome certainly gives it a certain grandness. 

I love how seemingly modern yet elegant this church is. Too bad they don't build churches like this anymore.

This mall used to be a shed where the pasalubong hawkers and eateries. Now, it's a mall that houses
starbucks, McDonald's, and National Book Store.

Evidently, this Victory Mall is the city's project. 

Startbucks Coffee are now serving their popular brews to both locals and pilgrims.

The mall has depth and has a lot of space for stores. 

Have lunch or merienda at one of the eateries in the plaza. 

The ubiquitous green mangoes. It's cut in such a way so it's easy to eat. 

Hawkers line the street selling all sorts of things from suman to cashew to footwear. 

This guy was hawking Video City membership. Evidently, it's still relevant here in the Antipolo.

Here's a cornucopia of great pasalubong ideas.