O in the Philippines!

By 11PM same night, we went to Globe Telco Plaza to pick up Olein's childhood best friend, Jac after her shift. It wasn't so practical to go back to Makati or The Fort since Jac lives far north so we went straight to Tomas Morato area in QC. I really didn't know where to bring them because I'm not really familiar with the establishments in the area. Jac said 'bahala ka na' (its up to you) so I just drove to esQuinita near GMA studios. I only went there once, early this year and I really liked it and I was hoping they'll like it there too. Drinks are cheap, the place is artsy and steady or as Olein would say 'chillll chilll lang..'

jac tomador!

buffalo wings

tokwa't baboy

drinks. funny,... Y-KIKI, Y-TT!

The word ‘Esquinita’ is a Spanish word meaning “street corner turning into an alley”. As you literally enter the esquinita a bunch of guys will greet you offering promos like a bucket of beer for an even cheaper price or like for every bucket of beer a free platter of this and that kinda thing. Inside the esquinita are a bunch of bars well some are not really bar, BAR but more like an 'inuman' joint (a place for consuming alcoholic beverages/beer). We stayed at a sing-along bar called, 'Blue Without U'. I ordered for their 'Rufette' but it was just too strong for me and I still have to drive so I gave it to Olein instead. buahaha. I just had a rhum coke and San Mig Light for Jac. The place is ok, pictures of ABS-CBN stars like John Lloyd and Piolo Pascual are all over the place, with autographs and everything, there's even a poster of Pokwang! Their male staff are relatively good looking and friendly, I'd just like to share that. haha!

olein

olein and jac

....

We went there on a wednesday night so the place wasn't really packed, it actually seemed like they were about to close. Its different when you go there on a friday or saturday night like the first time I went there, the feel is just better. The place is popular because most of the owners of the establishments there are showbiz personalities like Kris Aquino and John Lapus. I actually just found out that the sing-along bar we went to, 'Blue Without U' is owned my comedienne Pokwang.

"teddy bear" great. thanks, jac.

esQuinita, plus names of the establishments inside

at Starbucks Tomas Morato...
I needed a caf fix so I can still drive O to Cavite

buhbye.

Blue Without U
esQuinita
34 Sgt. Esguerra St., Quezon City
http://blueesquinita.multiply.com/

After the 'Taft Ave tour', I brought her to Greenbelt. Greenbelt is part of the shopping kingdom called Ayala Center. The 6 million square foot Ayala Center is located in the heart of the Philippines' Central Business District, Makati City. It is the country's premier lifestyle center that offers to the cosmopolitan consumer high quality, specialty shopping, dining and entertainment. Unlike the usual malls in Manila, they have garden paths, walkways, water features and there's a museum and a church in the complex too. I like how the lush Greenbelt park is surrounded by skyscrapers. The area is frequented by expats, tourists and corporate Makati workers. Greenbelt 2 and 3 are very touristy especially the Cafe Havana area.

Going to Greenbelt 2

Inside Greenbelt 5

Greenbelt 5

Greenbelt 5

Greenbelt 5

Greenbelt 3 Park

Olein and I had dinner at Spicy Fingers in Greenbelt 2 where the food really wasn't THAT spicy, at least for Olein. The interior is nice, food is not bad, but nothing really to rave about either. There was a band performing that night, but there are nights they play chill house music and on Mondays I believe they have stand-up comedy.

Olein texting

Color it Red

Olein decided to stay with me in Manila instead of going home with Ellona and Tito Joe. So... since we were in Manila, I decided to give her a 'tour' along Taft Ave. for her to see my alma mater, but pretty much I just pointed where I used to hang out with friends back in college because it was drizzling. The DLSU-CSB-Taft area is one of the busiest areas along Taft Avenue, I was telling Olein how difficult it was to attend a class when it rains or when some areas are flooded. How bad the traffic is in the area and why there's so many people thus the expression 'LIFE IS TAFT' (life is tough).

I wasn't able to take pictures cuz I was driving but here are some pictures I found on the net. Too bad 'Jenny wasn't in the area, I wanna introduce him to Olein. hehe.

Taft Ave. - La Salle South Gate Area / Across DLSU - College of Saint Benilde

He (yes, HE) is 'Jenny from the Taft'
He's in La Salle Area everyday to ask for money and leftover food from the students.
I guess you can say he's already a part of the La Salle culture,
you're not a La Sallian if you don't know Jenny!

I went to Mall of Asia yesterday to meet up with Olein, Ellona and Tito Joe. Ellona was hungry and saw a poster of a ribeye steak at Blue Room so we decided to eat there. Food isn't really something worth raving about, the steak was bad... they just look yum in pictures. I have no complaints about my salmon though.

Blue Room @ Mall of Asia

Ellona

My Salmon with Pesto Sauce

Olein's Seafood Pasta

When Olein was still in America, I always raved about Sinangag Express or SEx as we call it in the south. It's also a 24hr tapsihan. My late friend, Geneva would often text me on wee hours 'SEx, All Day and All Night. Now Na!' =) or when my brother was still here, he'd knock on my door middle of the night, "Ate SEx tayo!" Its funny because if you literally translate it, it means, 'Let's have SEx' and it doesn't sound right, really. hehe. but it just means 'let's go to SEx'. The place is a perfect nightcap for those grueling overtime work, or to end a gimmick night with friends so we went to there after BoNa.

Ellona had Tokwa't Baboy. (Tofu and Pork)

Lani had chosilog

Their iced tea is famous too, its just different. For me its too sweet but a lot of my friends really like it. Lani and her boyfriend, George like it a lot in fact, they both ordered iced tea first before their tapsi. I wanted Ellona and Olein to try it but I was worried about the water they use. Its ok for us Pinoys because were used to the water here but the 'balikbayan's' aren't. They might get sick the next day. Olein had a bad experience in the restroom by the way so warning.. warning..

Olein had tapsilog

Our favorite branch though is the one in Tahanan/President's Ave. That night however, we went to the Aguirre Avenue branch, which isn't as nice as the one in Tahanan but its all good. I shall bring Olein to the Tahanan branch soon.

Finally... I was able to bring Olein and Ellona to my second home, BoNa Coffee! Lani also joined us an hour later. Olein is not a coffee person so she had Orange-Mango juice, for Ellona - Caramel Lite Blended Coffee and Lani had green tea. I could go on forever telling you guys why I love BoNa. This coffee shop is a great find! Coffee is flavourful and not burnt. Food is healthy but not expensive and the sandwiches are big and yummmmy! The muffins are to die for!!! Low fat and freshly baked. (promise!!!)

I have several faves but I recommend you guys try Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Buddha Belly and come on a thursday, because its APPLE STREUSEL DAY! For drinks I highly recommend 20° Below Hot Chocolate and Pink Panther. (Pink Panther is not really on the menu board but just tell 'em you want the Pink Panther!) Oh and for geeks like moi, free wifiiiiiiiii!!!! hurray for free WiFi, hurraaaaaaaay! BoNa's got articulate and knowledgeable baristas! They know their stuff and you could ask 'em anything. No generic commercial crap here just good coffee and quaint bohemian interiors. Some customers actually spend hours on end at BoNa not only for the free WiFi but because it feels like home. BoNa Coffee is set to conquer the world, well for now... Mall of Asia and Makati branches are soon to open. Yeaaaaaaah!

Buddha Belly Sandwich

Lani and Olein

Lani, ME, Olein and Ellona

Olein, "Betty" and ME

Lani and ME noo... thats BoNa's Official Stuff toy for the Compassion Campaign. Mpano the Gorilla, if you buy one, you send rice and supplies to an orphanage in Rwanda, Africa. =)

Jerald and Joey behind the bar

the infamous mural

see, BoNa has computer stations too just in case you need to check your mail! hehe.
Just like what Lani and Olein are doing..

This wasn't taken on the night we were there but I figured,
I should share this picture with ya'll. Its THE Pink Panther. =)

Past midnight my good friend Phoebe went to BoNa with her boyfriend Jayvee.
It was her birthday. =) Oh and Olein finally met her.

Sunday night, it was almost 11PM and Lani wanted to go out for coffee with me and Olein. On a sunday night!!! I just changed my shirt, grabbed my jacket and drove to Las Piñas to meet her at Jollibee. She parked her car there and off we went to Cavite City to pick up Olein. Las Piñas to Cavite City is roughly about 25kms, normally takes about an hour drive but it took us only about 30mins. There is no coffee shop in Cavite City, the nearest Starbucks which is in Alabang closes at 2AM, the nearest 24hr Starbucks is about an hour drive. Lani then just suggested we go to a bar instead but we were all wearing house clothes and being southerners that we are only one place came to mind, CENTRAL!

olein and lani

olein and betty, err.. lani

Most southerners know Central. Its famous for its backyard setting and beach-like ambiance. They play the right kind of music and their beer is reasonably priced. Of course, we ordered the famous 'Pambasag' (Central's term for alcoholic beverages) - BADTRIP - it's a cocktail of Vodka, White Rum, Gin and Juice served in a 1.5L Pitcher. (180Php/$4) We had Chicken Ass or what they call at Central as BUTTMAN and Sizzling Sisig (PRETTY BOY).

chicken ass / buttman

sizzling sisig / pretty boy

We ordered 2 pitchers of Badtrip which Olein really liked. It doesn't taste too strong nor too light so watch out how much you're drinking....

badtrip

buzzed

cheers!

trio

time to go..

Central BBQ Boy Grill
Aguirre Ave., BF Homes Parañaque City, Metro Manila

O went target shooting with her uncles in Cavite last week. I wasn't with her as it was a strictly for family only thing but I'm posting pictures cuz I think its just really cool to see her holding a gun. ANGAS! I photoshopped O's picture to B&W, it looks more angas. buahaha.

Click here for hi res copy. naks olein, naaaks!

bullets

o and the santiago hitmen. hehe.

'angas' - is a tagalog slang meaning confident or cocky; its used to describe someone who is tough, eventually evolved to mean 'cool,' or 'rad.'