Sunday, December 31, 2017

2018 is MY YEAR

Declaring God’s victory in my life this year!

2017 was indeed a journey to remember, so many things happened that was either planned or a surprise. It may be a roller coaster ride but surely it was fun. May have waited for some answers to my prayers but one thing is for sure, I had more than what I deserve.

2018 will surely be another road to take. With me are the learnings I had in previous years and the excitement to take this new curve of life. As I move day forward in this voyage, here are some thoughts to ponder to keep me (or could also be you) going in each step of the way.

Faith. Nothing beats a strong faith, be it with God or faith in yourself. Believe, that you are born winner and shall win all storms ahead. As the story was told, amongst the million sperms who traveled in your mother’s fallopian tube, you were the one who won the victory of existence in this world. You are God’s child and you shall

Gratitude. A grateful heart sees the beauty in everything. Life may give you struggle and failure is always around you, but with a heart full of gratitude it will always be a beautiful ride. Keep it a habit to be thankful for even small details of the day and surely it will be a good start for paradigm shift. It is not looking for what you don’t have but appreciating what you have and recognizing you have more than enough.An act of gratitude will boomerang abundance of fullness of life.

Commitment.  Doesn’t only speak of relationships and promises but also speaks of living now for a better tomorrow. By simply giving your 100% to your now (as in this moment)  is already an act of commitment. By not doing thing half hearted or half baked, is also an act of commitment. Rarely do we notice that most of the time it is hard to give your all in a specific time and place. Most oftern our mind and heart is divided. This year we will commit to be in the moment. To give our best shot in each thing we do. Because by doing that so, we live our purpose.

Happiness. Is a choice. May sound cliche but it is true. Happiness is not a result of any hardwork, sleepless night or even an effect of a pill. It is a decision you make every single day. There may come a time you would feel unhappy and it’s okay, so long as you don’t drag yourself too much on that state. It may be tiring to do it sometimes but once it became a habit to choose it will just be so easy.

Love yourself. You cannot give what you do not have. You cannot preach what you don’t practice. To love yourself is not an act of selfishness but rather an act of selflessness. Remember that when you start doing good for yourself you will learn to do good for others too. It’s a domino effect. Your goodness to yourself will reflect goodness to the next person beside you. Because you know how to care and love you will also spread care, goodness and love. That’s the rule!

Remember that New Year is a celebration of a new beginning. Today marks a plain canvass of your next 365. Paint beautiful paintings. Dream beautiful dreams. You are the master of this art.


May we all have prosperous 2018
God Bless You All!

Mark My Name



Thursday, December 28, 2017

Kwento Ng Pasko sa Sysu (One Shot)



Kung may award winning na caroling performance sa Pasko, malamang may panalong BTS. 

Mga fun rehearsal moments na masarap ding balikan...
Bloopers and candid. Ilang araw din to mga bes!

Enjoy!

Mark My Name

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Bring Back the Glory of Malingap


  Making this food hub great again. After the fad of growing numbers of food parks in the metro, which only offers good vibes with the ambience and selection of cuisine. Here comes another hub that doesn’t just only offer the food park experience but really gives you the chef-made dishes.

May look expensive though if you compare it to eating in a casual dining restaurant but selection of food here is pretty much better than other food parks exists in the metro. I have learned that one of the brains here is also the guy who thought of Makansutra one of my favorite Asian Food Park in SM Megamall (Now Closed).

My best bests are:
  • The Beef with Tendons from Nice To Meat You
  • Chicken Kebab
  • The deep fried pork belly
Here's to summarize my Malingap Food Hall experience
Taste: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™πŸ™
Ambience: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™πŸ™πŸ™
Service: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™πŸ™
Value for money : πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

Mark My Name.

Monday, December 25, 2017

Mga Dating Tugtugin Ng Pasko


Naaalala mo pa ba noong mga panahong hindi pa inaabangan ang paglabas ng station ID ng channel 2 (ABS CBN). Noong panahong piniping tansan lang ang gamit mong tambourine at pinaghahalo halo pa ang lyrics ng mga awiting pamasko.


Vivid pa sa akin ang mga memories na yon. Sa mga ipong mamiso na pinambibili ng cheesecake (lemon square) at kalahating Pop cola. Mahirap ding isiping tumatanda ka na kasi wala ng gaanong nag cacaroling ngayon. Sak mayroon ba sa inyong nakaranas manood ng kumbatsero? Hahaha astig yun! Full production caroling with moving drums made of plastic jars, tambourine from tansan at yung mga plastic bottle na nilagyan ng mga bato with tousle from sacks. Grabe, mapapa abot ka talaga ng bente pesos... Pa sample ng kumbachero (mejo modern na to)



So much more sa mga childhood caroling ko, ito ang performance sa office sa tunog ng Pasko noong bata pa ako.




Mark My Name

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Buffet This Season

Many of us is having hard times thinking where to eat this season. Those hours of brainstorming and google-ing, zomato-ing and other apps browsing surely adds stress this season. When all you want to do is sit down, have quality time with your friends and eat.

Buffet sometimes is my best resort in such friends eat out. Here are some of the reasons why:
  • You can eat everything you want. The bills are fixed anyways, need not to run it every now and then.
  • Gives you a wide array of cuisine. If you have mixed cravings then buffet offer around the world dishes is the answer.
  • Customized. Just ask the chef. If you want Pasta with no Pasta, or whatever toppings you want to put in your soup.
  • Try what you have not tried. Most of the time we are afraid to try some cuisine which we are not familiar. Buffet gives you the chance to have a bite just in case you don’t like it then simply dont get back.
Though at some point I have realized that some group were too busy going back and forth to the buffet table loosing the chance to talk and have moments with their friends. 

Let us not forget the essence of having dine outs is to be in the moment and celebrate birth of Christ with family and friends more than the foodie experience.

Have a Foodie Merry Christmas! πŸŽ„πŸŽΆπŸŒ²

The Ultimate 2017 Christmas Carol



The spirit of Christmas is indeed felt amongst Sysu family. Specially when they had a simple Christmas Carol presentation. Apart from the songs of Christmas , you would feel in the air there is Love, Hope and Peace. 

Patawad sa mga sintunadong pagkanta at mga extra movements na mahigpit na ipinagbabawal. Hahaha πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚. Noong bata ako, akala ko mahirap na mag organize ng koro kasi mga bata pa kami, iba ang trip at malilikot. Subalit, isang bagay ang napagtanto ko, mas mahirap mag organize ng matatanda na hehhehe ✌️πŸ€—πŸ˜‰.

Wala mang premyong natanggap sa presentation na ito, masaya na kaming napasaya namin kayoπŸ˜‰
Maligayang Pasko po 

Mark My Name.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Kwento ng Pasko sa Sysu 2017



Uploading another vid edit for Christmas presentation this 2017 with my Sysu Family.

Nakaka proud lang pero narealize ang hirap mag edit... hahaha salamat sa cooperation at kahit labu labo lang. Next time planning is crucial hehehe...

Actually, along the process I have learned that such do not only promote arte arte but is also establish and deepens our friendship ... and getting to know each other...

Merry Christmas πŸ€—πŸŽ„πŸ₯—

Mark My Name

Monday, December 11, 2017

Ready Set Gow



There’s something about weddings that make it magical. Last December 09, 2017 at the beautiful island of Boracay our dearest friend Caroline Orcena vowed forever with his partner Micheal Gow.

It was a very relaxed, romantic and intimate sunset wedding party attended by roughly around 50 people. The venue is at the beach front of Asya Premier Suites, a well known wedding place in the island perfectly sitted where the sunset view is majestic.

The Mass as clarified by the priest is not a wedding mass but a thanksgiving instead. Despite the thought, Father shared 5 important things we can carry in our living be it regards to marriage or simply having a happy and successful life.
- Happiness is a choice
- Challenge your story
- Enjoy the Journey 
- Make relationships count
- Balance work and play

He also reminded us that in everything we do, be it big and small we have to say a little prayer. 

The whole wedding went well and we all had fun.

Again, to the newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Gow, sending you our  best wishes in your marriage! God Bless!

Mark My Name

Friday, December 1, 2017

A Cause to Eat Chinese Food | Honest Food Review | MarkMyName




Chinese restaurants has always been my staple and comfort zone. I even set some personal standards as what flavor, ambience and menu I always look for whenever I look for something Chinese to eat which I posted previously . One bonus that this restaurant have is in every meal you eat a portion of it is being donated to save a life. Yes it’s a bonus because in terms of food quality it’s also a check. 

As featured in CNN Travel, all revenue of this restaurant will proceed to Binondo Paco Fire Search and Rescue Brigade that’s why some calls it the Fireman’s coffee shop. That also explains the firmen’s hat and some equipment displayed in the cafe.

Food is no question as they really do serve good dishes fits both Filipino and Chinese palette.

Stir fried spinach in oyster sauce.
Lots of shrimp and perfectly cooked spinach.

This version is like a pares in a mami soup.

Left is the sliced pork and eggs in adobo sauce. Very Pinoy in taste.

Kiampong is their famous fried rice with nuts. And my ultimate favorite Black Chicken Soup. Traditional and herbal Chinese Soup with black chicken. Literally black inside and out. It has medicinal herbs like ginseng and lotus seed so it taste kind of weird at the first time but is delicious when you got used to it.


Here's to summarize my Cafe Mezzanine experience 
Taste: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™
Ambience: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™
Service: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™πŸ™
Value for Money: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™

Cafe Mezzanine 
2/F 650 Ongpin Street,
Binondo, Manila

Mark My Name

Sunday, June 25, 2017

A Visit to the Queen (of Sisig)

Everybody bows down to the queen!
Sisig stores and restaurants offering sisig is practically everywhere, but nothing beats the Queen's recipe. It was said that this small restaurant in Glaciano Valdez St. Angeles, Pampanga is where the now world's famous Filipino dish sisig.

This restaurant nearby the railways has been visited by some renowned foodie like Chef Anthony Bourdain. It may be a bit pricey for its location and ambiance but I think it adds to the total authenticity of the dish.



Apart from the famous sisig, they also offer quite choices of grilled dishes.
Their grilled dishes on the menu in general is just as the same with other local restaurant. Nothing "wow" but not that bad...

Grilled Liempo

Grilled Chicken Liver and Gizzard.
Grilled Catfish (Hito) with eggpants on the side.

Grilled Tilapia.

Grilled Chicken Ass. One of my favorite, because of the fat... hahaha
and  of course "The Sisig". Indeed their recipe of this dish is something special compared to now commercialized restaurants.

The play texture of meat so beautiful that in every bite you will crave for more. Also, the flavor is so simple, no overpowering sauce and its so clean you can taste the mix of salty, umami and meat.


Here's to summarize my Aling Lucing's experience
Taste: JJJLL
AmbienceJJJLL
Service: JJLLL
Value for MoneyJJJLL

Aling Lucing's Sisig.
Address: Glaciano Valdez St, Angeles, Pampanga
Phone: (045) 888 2317

Mark My Name.

Friday, June 23, 2017

When Heaven and Eggs Meet

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It boosts up energy, brightens your day and most importantly it sets the mood you will have. In our quest for good tasting breakfast we dropped by Heaven and Egg in Glorietta 4 Makati. A restaurant serving Western dishes and comforting all-day breakfast.

Although what we tried are not those items on the breakfast list, I think this are still nice idea to try for morning cravings.

Salmon Crepe. Fresh salmon and tartar sauce on top is just so mouth-watering and the smooth crepe sheets gives that balance of the savory and refreshing. The chips on the side though is also perfect for some salty cravings.


Waffle with Tempura. On the sweet side, Shrimp tempura beautifully balances the sweet and savory taste of this dish. This good to try for people who love sugar rush in the morning.

Ended the session with cappuccino. I love coffee for breakfast.



Here's to summarize my Heaven and Egg experience
Taste: JJJJL
AmbienceJJJLL
Service: JJJLL
Value for MoneyJJLLL

Heaven and Eggs
G/F Glorietta 4, East Dr, Ayala Center, Makati
M-Su: 7AM-10PM
(02) 818 2792

Mark My Name.

Lantaw Seafoods By The Bay

A sight of a bay, cool breeze and fresh seafoods, that's how the it feels when we first tried Lantaw along the Coastal Roads of South Cebu. 
The al fresco feels and freshly cooked dishes spells the difference on the experience you will get eating here.
Menu is mainly about Filipino dishes and all are good for sharing.
A harmonious music 🎡🎢 by a harp player serenades the diners at the middle of a hot but breezy weather.
Grilled Saang. Full bodied shell meat is what you get from this but it has a bitter aftertaste.
Tinolang Halaan. Good soup but limited shells or I just enjoyed it πŸ€—
Crispy Pata. Of course.
Kaldertang Kambing.
Binakol. Presentation wise and flavors is perfect.
Crispy shrimps. Better with beer.
Ther home made pistachio are superb and hopeful they supply some in Manila.
Other items in their menu.
Here's to summarize my Lantaw Native Restaurant
Taste: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™πŸ™
Ambience: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™
Service: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™πŸ™πŸ™
Value for Money: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™πŸ™

Mark My Name

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Revisiting Fil-Mex Legend in Kapitolyo Pasig

Feels like the good old days when I passed by Kapitolyo and felt so nostalgic to see Silantro. One hole-in-the-wall resto that thought me how to be foodie. (Well partly). 

This was the first branch I tried and they have already expanded that’s why I’m also curious to know if either they keep, upgraded or downgraded their quality.



Overall it’s no longer the same as the first time I tried it or maybe because I’m trying to look for more Mexican flavor. The experience wasn’t bad at all due to nostalgia effect I had when I ate there. I also think that in general this fits Filipino pallet. Well they are called Fil-Mex for a reason, right? πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—

Here’s my ratings for Silantro Fil-Mex Cantina in my Xth visit

Taste: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™

ambience: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

service: πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

value for money : πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ˜ŠπŸ™


Silantro Fil-Mex Cantina


Mark My Name

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Luna, J... The Pinoy Restaurant

Most often than not its hard to bring foreign friends outside to try Filipino food because it's either the restaurant is too fancy for that it doesn't give them the real taste of "Pinoy" food anymore or it's too lousy that they will not like it. 
This restaurant named after one of Filipino's National Artist "Juan Luna" truly embodies the idea of  Filipino restaurant serving authentic Pinoy food. So when my principal from Malaysia came in for a market visit we straight away went to Luna J since it's quite near to my office...

We are a bit familiar of their menu because we have already visited this for some times. Here's what we  ordered.

Ensaladang Itlog Na Maalat. A very common staple food in every Filipino home.  Basically, a salted egg with fresh tomato and onions. So appetizing! 
Ensaladang Talong. Grilled eggplant, peeled and topped with fresh tomatoes and onions with a bit sweet and salty fermented shrimp.
Gising gising. Winged bean sautΓ©ed with coconut milk and lots of chili. It's so spicy that your senses will be awaken. Gising is a Filipino word for "wake up!".
Kinilaw na Tanigue. Fresh cuts of Tanigue fish meat topped with green and red chili pepper, onions, and ginger with vinegar, salt and pepper.
Lechon Kawali. Deep fried roasted pork. The crispy popped skin will make you forget the fat and cholesterol hahaha...
Pinakbet. Stir-fried mix vegetables with fermented salty shrimp. A combination of squash, string beans, eggplant, balsam apple and shrimp. A very famous Filipino food from Ilocanos. Their serving is a bit fancy for this, I know because this is a very staple food in my province and we don't put shrimp and we don't normally use fermented shrimp instead use fish paste which I also prefer the taste.
Sisig. One our guest favorite. Its a very tasty pork dish. Basically the pig's face is being roasted and put into the sizzling plate mixed with different seasoning. It doesn't have that umay factor unlike those of the other sisig offered in other restaurant.
Seafood Kare Kare. Always been a fail to approve dish for our dearest Southeast Asian friends. When they first heard of the name they immediately thought of the spicy taste of curry. We know that this dish has always been blunt in taste because we need to put shrimp paste... Haaay! It's frustrating to explain how Pinoy love this dish...
Chicken and Pork Adobo. This one is seriously acceptable to them. They love it actually! Same as how we love it too...
Sinangag. Basic garlic rice topped with salted eggs and fresh tomatoes sprinkled with spring onions... I find it redundant to the ensaladang itlog na maalat.
Sago't Gulaman. A very common Pinoy refreshment. I didn't get their opinion on this since it's just me to drink the whole glass hahahha
The restaurant's ambience is very modern. They have about 7 tables inside and 6 tables at al fresco. Beer is also served there. Different types actually, but surprisingly they are offering imported beers which means this restaurant intends to cater foreigners who want to try Filipino food right? Hrhrh
It's really flattering to introduce your dishes to foreigners from our neighborhood country . It's nice to know they like some of our food and even compare it to one they accustomed to. However, they say that Pinoy food is always on the "extreme" level. Meaning, our dishes are either too salty (fish paste, salted egg, sinangag) or too sweet, or too sour (Kilawin) or too spicy (Gising gising) hahaha... But i think the spicy part is manageable. As a defense I just said that we always eat them with rice anyways the taste would be balanced.
Over all rate
Budget: 120- 250 per dish.
Here's to summarize my Luna J experience
Taste: JJJLL
AmbienceJJJLL
Service: JJJLL
Value for MoneyJJJLLL

MARK MY NAME.