Good dinner places this weekend...

Weekends are usually allotted for searching for and trying out new food places.

Over the weekend, I was able to try two food places for the first time.

First was Long Phung at Joo Chiat. PG Boy and I met up with his best friend since he needed to get some stuff. We agreed to have dinner and drove down to Joo Chiat area.

It was my first time to explore that area. There were quite a number of interesting restaus. However, the one we ended up going for was Long Phung. This was after seeing that there was a queue outside the restau. Hehe! One thing I have learned is that Singaporeans love to queue for good food. Hehe! And when you're in Rome, do as the Romans do.

So PG Boy, his best friend and I joined the queue. Thankfully, we weren't that hungry yet. The service was also quite fast and we didn't have to wait long before we were given a table.

We ordered a variety of dishes - friend rice, pho, fried chicken, shellfish, and of course, spring rolls. We were happy with the dishes and the servings. The price wasn't so bad as well. Will definitely visit this place again.

On Sunday, I met up with Ian and MkSurf8 for some despedida of sorts for Chase who flies back to Manila today. I thought of messaging Rich, Mon and Coly to see if they were free to join. Luckily, they were.

We all met up at Swee Choon in Jalan Besar. Ian has told us about the dim sum place during another dinner. I'm glad he thought of organizing a dinner for Chase at Swee Choon since I was also curious to find out whether the place really is good.

When I reached the place, as expected, there was a queue. Hehe! I got a number for us, but we had to wait til our party was complete before we could be given a table. When everyone finally arrived, it still took a while before we were given a table. Thanks to MkSurf8 and Ian who put pressure on the wait staff, we finally got a table.

The thing about dim sum is that it's easy to be excited by all the dishes and end up ordering a lot. That's sort of what happened. Once the dimsum plates started arriving, that was the time we all realized that we may have ordered a lot. Hehehe.

We did manage to finish almost everything - noodles, fried rice, siew mai, har kow, chive pork dumpling, sticky rice, egg tart, spare rib, sautéed long bean w/minced pork, yam puff, chee cheong fun, and the very deadly salted egg yolk custard bun.

Total bill was about 140++ (about $20 each). Not bad given that we were all stuffed and happy. Haha!

Good dinners this weekend I must say.

Long Phung Vietnamese Restaurant
159 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427436
Neighbourhood: Joo Chiat

Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant
191 Jalan Besar
Singapore 208882
Enquiry Hotline : 62257788
Business Hours :
Monday to Sunday : 6 pm to 6 am
Close on Tuesday

To Kathmandu and back... Work Edition

The trip to Kathmandu, Nepal, without question, will be one of the most unforgettable travel experiences this year. 80% work. 20% holiday. 100% memorable.

Together with four colleagues, we boarded a Silk Air flight at Changi Airport on 20 Feb for a four-hour flight that would take us to the "top of the world." In Kathmandu, we spent a few days with the team of Wiley partner Mitrataa Foundation holding workshops/activities for the women and teenage girls that Wiley and Mitrataa have been enabling these past few years through various programs.

I use the term "enabling" instead of "helping." That was because after spending a few days with the Mitrataa team, the women and the teenage girls, my impression was that they did not really need "help." The women and teenage girls are already helping themselves. They just needed a little more support in order for them to move a step forward in achieving their dreams/goals. That's where Mitrataa and Wiley come in.

On 21 Feb, we met with the women's group at the  Wiley Women’s Dream Centre. My colleague Cath led the day's activities. In addition to the session on giving presentations/attending job interviews, we heard of amazing stories from the women. One was grateful for learning how to read and write because she can now fill out forms, claim remittances, go to wherever by herself. Two other women went back to school to continue learning. One of them is in the same class as her granddaughter and she is proud of this. Even with the hardships that these women have undergone (and continue to undergo?), it is hard not to be amazed by their resilience, their capacity to still find joy every day, and their passion to learn.

In the afternoon, we headed to the Bal Mandir Children's Home for a learning session with the Mitrataa volunteers and facilitators. Bal Mandir is located at a former palace. Too bad the structure has not been preserved very well. I can almost imagine what it must have been like back in its glory days.

We spent the afternoon working with the volunteers/facilitators thinking of possible creative ways to provide tuition to the children assigned to them. Games were played. Suggestions were given. Hopefully, the tips/suggestions would be useful.

The following day, 22 Feb, was a session with a batch of teenage girls under the Wiley Dream Centre for girls. Together with the Mitrataa facilitators, my colleagues and I were welcomed by more than a dozen bright-eyed, bubbly teenage girls at the venue.

I was lead facilitator for the day's activities. Because I have not done group facilitation in such a long time, I was very nervous on our way to the activity center. However, as soon as I took my place and started speaking, everything I learned about group facilitating from my UP volunteer days just came back. The people at Pahinungod, my university volunteer organization, were correct. Once a Pahinungod, Always a Pahinungod.

Similar to the session with the women, we needed a translator throughout. It made the session quite an experience.

As our session drew to a close, we gave the students presents - bookmarks and accessories handmade by Wiley colleagues. To our surprise, the students also gave us presents. I received handmade cards, drawings, paper flowers, real flowers. By the time we reached the hotel again, I was dead tired. I have forgotten how draining being a facilitator could be. But I must also say I was quickly reminded that doing such  kind of work is an awesome experience. Hearing "Thank You" from the girls, receiving simple presents made with appreciation, knowing that they learned something were more than enough to make me feel that I got tired for nothing.

Saturday was the last day for our program. This session was the biggest group, with about fifty over Wiley teenage girls in attendance. Thankfully, there were several Mitrataa facilitators/volunteers present to co-facilitate with us - Nimu, Gunga, Bipana, Anita, Kamal, Anuz. I have always had high regard for volunteers. Remember that line in the movie Pearl Harbor, "There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer"? I seriouly believe there is truth to it. Without people willing to share their time and talent, it will be more challenging to accomplish things.

24 February, we flew back to Singapore carrying with us great memories and experiences. I am really grateful to have been chosen to be part of the Wiley team to visit Kathmandu.

For a country with temperature that drop to 1c (and on some nights, even lower), we definitely felt warm with the smiles, the hugs, the countless "Namaste" from the people we met and got to interact with for a few days.

The Nepali language is a difficult language to learn. On one session, I asked some of the teenage girls to teach me simple phrases. It was like a tongue twister for me. Haha! But I did learn three important words - Namaste/Namaskar (which was the traditional greeting); Mitrataa - friendship; and Dhanyabaad (the spelling is prolly not correct but it sounds like that) which means Thank You.

Dhanyabaad, Kathmandu. :)

First view of Kathmandu...

As the pilot announced that we were beginning our descent to Kathmandu, I saw several passengers turn their heads towards the window. Hehe!

Above are a few of the photos of my first view of Kathmandu...

Weather report...

Flying out tomorrow. Wheee! :)

Kamusta naman ang temperature in the evening?! Haha! :P Not sure if I've ever experienced weather that cold. We'll see...

However, I'm very happy that weather forecast for the duration of the trip is looking vgood! Thank you, Lordy!

PG Boy is back...

PG Boy returns to SG today. Whooppee!

Little guy and I are waiting at the Terminal 1 for the arrival of JetStar flight something something. Hehe!

Back to work today...

Chinese New Year holiday is over.

Today, it was back to work.

Saturday. I went to Fusionopolis for Combat. Afterwards, headed back home to rest. In the evening, I headed to Chinatown to welcome the Year of the Snake with Chris and Ian. Thankfully, the MRT operations extended until past midnight. That mean not having to take the cab to get back to my place and saving about $30 for cab fare. Hehe! Yay!

Sunday. Richie invited me, Ian and Chris to watch a movie. We all met up at Plaza Singapura to catch Silver Linings Playbook. Good film. Bradley Cooper was good. Jennifer Lawrence was hot. Hehe! Afterwards, we all headed to Marina Bay to check out the River Hongbao. I think this year was better than last year. Hehe. Nature walk buddy Melvin also joined us.

Monday. I was supposed to tag along to a reunion lunch Richie was attending. Since he wasn't feeling well, he decided not to go anymore. That meant me having time to go to Fitness First Paragon to attend a Combat class. In the evening, I watched a Singaporean film Ah Boys to Men.

Tuesday. The only schedule was to go do Pump and Combat at Paragon and then catch Part 2 of Ah Boys to Men at Cathay Cineleisure. I think I was the only Filipino (or maybe the only foreigner(!)) in the packed cinema. Hehe! After watching the movie, I understand more of why NS is really a big deal. The other thing I loved about the movie was the aerial shots of this country. What can I say? Singapore is such a beautiful country. Anyone who loves a city would surely have been impressed by the panoramic landscape seen on the big screen.

In a way, I'm glad to be back at the office today. There are things that need urgent attention before my trip next week. But also because CNY can get a little lonely. Hehe! It's because the entire island shuts down and PG Boy went back to his hometown as is customary. Thankfully, there are friends who decided to stay in the island through the holidays. Otherwise, it would have been really lonely I guess.

Next year, I must really prepare for the CNY holiday. Must book airfare in advance. Hehe!

Gong xi fa cai again!

Ah Boys to Men...

I dunno how I ended up watching part 1 of this film, but I actually enjoyed it. Hehe! I learned more about NS and its significance to the country. The movie also gives one a sneak peak of Pulau Tekong (where NS training is conducted). I dun think I'll ever set foot on Tekong so it was quite a treat seeing it on the big screen.

Part 1 also included a Filipino maid in its supporting cast. I enjoyed seeing how "important" she is to the family. Hehe.

I think I'll head to the cinemas tomorrow to catch Part 2. For closure.

Gong xi, gong xi...

Gong Xi Fa Cai! :)

May the Year of the Snake be prosperous and filled with good fortune!

Check out the CNY ad of Malaysian company Bernas. Doesn't it have the same feel of the Christmas station IDs of ABS-CBN? Hehehe! :)

It really strikes a chord in the heart. Or as we say it, may kurot sa puso. :P

Long Black Cafe at Biopolis...

If you think there aren't that many food places in the Buona Vista/one-north area, you're wrong. Either that or you dun work/live around the area. Hehe!

Even before the new mall Star Vista at Buona Vista, there were already a number of food places worth visiting. I have only been to a few though. Boo!

Earlier today, colleague/once-in-awhile-lunch buddy Bernard and I decided to try a Western restau at the Biopolis.

Prior to this, my usual lunch destination on days I dun pack lunch are either Fusionopolis, JVC or when I'm really lazy, the Tuck Shop at the ground floor of the building.

But since Bernard and I started having lunch, we began exploring the Biopolis area.

I didn't know there were a number of nice food places in the area. One of this is Long Black Cafe.

The restau serves mainly Western food. It's not that expensive. Pasta dishes start at $9. Same goes for the sandwiches. You can top up $3.50 to get the Soup of the Day and a drink. Not bad, eh?!

The serving was just right. The service was quite good (or maybe because we got there at 12.40 already). The food was yum. I had the Chicken Alfredo and I wanted more. Hehe!

Bernard and I agreed we would go back to the place to try out the other dishes on the menu. The burger looks particularly interesting and mouthwatering. Haha!

Long Black Cafe 20 Biopolis Way Centros Block, Singapore, Singapore 138668 6478 9945 http://www.longblack.com.sg

More about Manila trip...

Though it was a very short trip and that the main reason really was to visit fam, I made sure I was able to see some good friends.

In a short span of six days, I got to hang out with friends from SMART, Twitter buddies, good friend/brother Carlo, and classmates from UP.

Hmm, it's my first trip back to the Phils since I left almost two years ago. Not much has changed, but it felt like the eating out was so expensive. Haha! I was converting prices at restaus and prices were close to what I'd usually pay for at SG. Haha!

The one thing I found to be really cheapo was cab fare. Hehe! Again, I was converting and I was super happy that taking a cab in Manila is still waaaay cheaper. Hehe!

It was such a short visit. I should plan another trip. Maybe PG Boy can join the next trip. If he does, I def want it to be an out of Manila trip. Hehe!