Barbara's

Last Saturday we finally had the time to use Papa’s MetroDeal voucher to dinner at Barbara’s. It’s a quaint restaurant located along the street of Gen. Luna in Intramuros. We went there earlier than the scheduled time and were entertained by the live soothing music from the grand piano while waiting for them to finish setting up the buffet table. From the entrance, you’ll already be delighted with their wooden staircase and a large elegant mirror hanging in the wall going up to the main hall. Maybe it’s place their so you could check yourself out first before going in. Haha! I was even joking on the way their about how true that it’s a “prestigious” restaurant accorindg to the voucher. But good enough, they are true to their words. The outside area was nice.. I’m such a sucker for early era houses so I appreciated it much. It’s like stepping into a place reminiscent of old world elegance as their site says. The interiors in the dining hall were quite nice too. They got crystal chandeliers hanging on their wooden ceilings. The room was enclosed with wooden walls with some intricate designs. Drapes of cloth were hanged in a decorative way in the sides that adds up to the homey feeling. Just enough for you to feel your in the old Spanish era.

 A couple of minutes after we were seated the buffet table was already set up and we can already start. Some more guests arrived and the hall was already 80% full for that night. Most of the diners were groups of family and also some couples. There were also some foreigners who tried out the place. The food choice for that night were: Seafood pasta in olive oil. Pandan rice, Lumpiang shanghai, Beef caldereta, Roasted chicken, Fish fillet, soup, Sweetened banana sprinkled with sesame, Gelatin and a DIY salad. Just enough for the voucher’s worth. The grand piano was replaced with a live music from the rondalla as the dinner buffet started.

 As the dinner continued, candle-lit glasses were placed on each table, a sign that the show would start in a few minutes. Lights were off after and the spotlights were on facing the stage. After some opening music, the cultural dance show started and a voice over of a short intro about the Spanish colonization in the Philippines were narrated. And their came a series of dances performed. I personally love the period costumes of the girls, very classic and appropriate. The lightings were a bit off for me. No offense meant, but it did looked like those lights on red-district areas. But whatever, I enjoyed watching them. Hehe. The "pandango sa ilaw" part always gets me. The show went for about an hour showcasing a number of cultural dances from different eras. The music was done by the live rondalla all throughout the show. For their final part, an INTENSE tinikling was performed. Oh yes, it was an INTENSE one, the beat went faster and faster. Fun! =] They also called out volunteers from the audience to try out tinikling. The dancers were introduced at the end of the show. They were college students who dances their way out to fund off their school expenses. Donations were gladly given after and guests were invited to do photo ops with the dancers.  The show was unexpectedly entertaining. The performers were all smiles throughout the show and there energy was all out. Not bad. Props to the live rondalla and high-spirited dancers. 

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 During the photoops, I checked on their buffet table hoping that their salad bowl were already replenished because I didn’t get a chance to try it. But unfortunately, it's not. Though they refilled the other dishes earlier before the cultural show started. I guess they stop refilling the table as soon as the show starts. So as a friendly advice for my fellow foodlovers, arrive early so you could already try more out. Personally, lumpia and the fish fillet were the only good ones I liked. And before the proper show starts, get whatever food you most liked because after the show, you wouldn't be going on another round because you'll already tempted to go home now as everybody does. Excuse my “matakaw-sounding” advice. I love getting the most out of buffets. Hehe. =]

 A hotel in the same compound.

Overall, the dinner buffet with cultural show was a nice experience at Barbara's. The place was nice, I love the ancestral ambience. The service was average. Food was a 'B'. The cultural show was an A+. A nice time to bond with your family. I would recommend it to those who would want to try out a classic dining experience in a old era type of place. And also for those balikbayan families who would want to be reminded of the Filipino culture.

P.S. Flash photography in indoor shows is seriously annoying. Please refrain from using you flashes constantly especially when the lights are out and the spotlight's on the stage. We're not in the red carpet people, minimize that popping flashes. Ok, I'm guilty from it sometimes. But seriously.

P.P.S. Sorry for the lousy pictures that didn't gave justice to the place. The other camera's still in the service center that time. =[

Wong Fu live in Manila!

I seriously think 2012 would be a year of concerts/shows for me.  I seriously have to get a job asap after passing my boards. Haha! I’m not even a fan of watching concerts of big artists (too mainstream, jk.) but if you’ll say YouTube artists... definitely hard to resist! Err.  And destiny’s killing me by bringing all those Youtube artists, I only used to see on the screen of my laptop, in Manila! I never even thought that this time could possibly come because PH seems like a Narnia for others. But hey, they’re here!  

Last night was another surreal moment for me. Fiction definitely became reality! The first filmmakers who I followed on YT is here in Manila! Good thing Soulmanna Live heard our desperate calls on Twitter to include us on their Asia Tour. It’s a random night back in Jan. 31 when the good news came out but then I only bought my ticket last week.  I almost thought the odds won’t be in my favor because first, I don’t have anyone to go with and second, I’m not sure if I have the guts to home alone from Greenhills to Cavite after. But anyway, I still managed to go despite that odds. I just can’t pass out on these rare opportunity. Hah! =]

I still went alone though. And I think it’s not that bad. Haha! I managed to meet some “Forever-alone-wongfuloves” (thanks to Twitter!) too at the venue.  Meeting the Nice Guys and meeting new friends made that night purely worth it!

I got there around 6pm and we went in at around 6:30. I also got to buy a NG shirt. Not gonna lie, the price shocked me. Haha! And so I was forced to rob my atm because I just can’t go home without a NG shirt!! =]

Blurred photo of the table full of Wong Fu stuff!

The show promptly started at 7:30pm. As soon as the lights dimmed out the crowd was cheering and moments after, the lights came back and there they was, Phil and Wes standing in front of us.

 Yes, finally seeing them out of the screen! =]  Too bad, Ted can’t come on tour for some reasons. It’s an intimate night, as what they’ve also said. They’re right on that vibe like we are only on a living room chatting up with them. No host, only the two of them on stage. Very memorable night.

They started the show with a brief introduction of themselves and what WongFu is.  They didn’t had filmmaking as their degree in college and they only work on a small/no budget but still they come up with awesome videos. One of the so many things they said that made mark on me is about how filmmaking graduates requires st some point a big budget when they start making videos. This is just my opinion, but I think a good filmmaker who passionately loves their craft can work on and fit things how small or big the budget is. But then, I think that what happens when much knowledge on the subject matter makes everything look complicated and requiring a lot of specifics. Whatever. Lol. Anyway, my point is that Wong Fu does it good even if they only have the 3 of them and some of their friends. And that's why I look up on them. Improvising is the key, and Wong Fu does it best. They started out with only a regular camcorder back then and only did videos for class projects but look how they’ve gone.

Shell

Won't even start

"One Million Subscribers!"

 their "1 millionth subscriber"

They also brought along and played for us some of their shorts/MV (Kung Fooled, Shell, Won’t even start MV) where they gladly talked about after what’s going on behind the camera while they’re doing it. They also showed some more videos after plus an unrelease short still which is still not on its final cut. This unreleased short got some interesting plot, indeed. I seriously love the ideas coming up with these 3 nice guys, I think they were destined to meet each other and be friends to come up with awesome videos. Watch their videos and you’ll see what I mean. The last part was the Q&A portion. A lot of good questions were asked that made us know them and their craft better.  Too bad, time is limited. It ended up past 9. One and a half hour is just too short. And btw, their videos are flawlessly good on big screen! =]

WongFu 4 Lyfe!!! OvvO

Hanayo

One random day, my friends and I found ourselves standing in front of a Korean resto and *poof* we went in and stuffed ourselves with spicy Korean food to our heart’s content. yea, we are random just like that. chos lang! haha! Anyway, last Thursday after class we decided to eat lunch at a Korean resto near our school because one of my friends haven’t tried it yet. And this would be an opportunity for me to update my almost forgotten blog. hihi. #bloggerproblems




Hanayo is a two-story Korean food house situated at Antonio street which is just a couple of steps away from Dapitan gate of UST. From what I remember, they had been there for more than 2 years already and they are the first (ok, that’s just a rough estimation and gut feel) of their kind in the area. I still even remember how amused I was the first time I’ve tried their fish-shaped vanilla ice cream sandwich back then and how I kept raving about it to my friends. hehe.



We went there a couple of minutes before 12noon and almost all the tables in the first floor are already occupied. We still managed to get a seat though while a copy of their menu is given as soon as you are seated. They will also give your table an order slip where you check on your orders and pay at the counter. Waiting time would be approx. 5 – 10 mins.

Almost of us ordered “Rameon w/Dumpling”. It’s a spicy noodle soup with that distinct hot and spicy taste which reminds me of the intense taste of “Laksa” in SG. The soup is coupled with small servings of kimchi and spicy fish cakes, just like in any other Korean restaurant. Honestly, I think a bowl of Rameon can be shared by two persons (unless you’re that hungry). I haven’t finished it off, but surely I must say I have my two thumbs up on it. The serving size was large enough for its very reasonable price. I’m not an expert in Korean cuisines, but for me the taste is just right for beginners. I love the hot and spicy taste that makes your eyes tear up unknowingly. haha! My friend ordered Omu Rice, which is also good and satisfying according to her. All worth it!



You can help yourself with service water near the counter or you could opt to try out their drinks. Below is a can of Cider (P35).



For desserts, you may choose from their variety of Korean ice cream to wash away the after taste of the food. Group up with your friends to avail of their ongoing promo.



Here’s a shot of their menu. I love how they put on photos of each dish to help you in deciding. I wasn't able to take a shot of everything because the food already arrived.

The place is a good hangout place for those who loves cozy and warm ambience. They have a wide array of dishes to choose from that would surely make you want to go back soon to try ‘em all (that sounded like Pokemon, err). And of course, don’t forget to try their ice creams for dessert! Happy eating! jal meokkesseumnida!