This foodcourt snack is known to us Manila peeps as the "Japanese fish balls."
Is it really? I just love how they make these odd-looking balls made of flour, cabbage, and a special fish ingredient. Kind of reminds me of the waffle-maker. And don't forget the powdered reddish condiment on top!
They've got humongous, but really meaty, siopaos. The dough is just something. It tends to stick to your teeth hehe. One Jumbo Pao--Kowloon's version of jumbo bola-bola siopao--is even enough for one person (with the appetite of two). The Sausage Pao, on the other hand, is siopao with chorizo that's to die for! Lupet...
People usually munch on the pao with Kowloon's espeycial hot sauce mixed with the traditional asado sauce.
The price is cheap for its size.
And their gigantic siomai? Oh boy, don't get me started...
You gotta try Kowloon. The biggest branch on West Ave. (in Quezon City) has a Chinese restaurant to match. There are branches at Park Square One, in Pamplona, Las Pinas, and in BF Homes Paranaque.
Wow. It's surreal to think that 2003 was five years ago. It still feels like the late '90s to me.
Thirty minutes ago, I was browsing through some not-so-old photographs from my archives and discovered three interesting snapshots. These were taken during my younger years in journalism (as they were three of my earliest subjects back in college).
Just some recollections:
CYNTHIA ALEXANDER.
It was Volunteerism Week at DLSU and the social action office (known to students as COSCA) invited its artist friend, alternative musician Cynthia Alexander, to perform her indie hits. I've been a fan of Cynthia Alexander since I first heard her song "Comfort In Your Strangeness" in 2001. This song is a classic for fans of alternative music.
During that time, I was assigned by the org to accompany the singer-songwriter--from the time she arrived at the school gate up to the moment she left the campus. I was one lucky prick. So I was able to meet the queen of Pinoy alternative music. She shared to me how much it inspires her to perform at campuses. I guess it's the creative energy that comes from the young audience. After her performance, we accompanied her to the parking and exchanged numbers. It's too bad I lost my phone a few weeks after.
"Comfort in Your Strangeness"
by Cynthia Alexander (Insomnia & other Lullabyes, 1997)
Early last year, I had the privilege of interviewing Ely Buendia during the Animax launch at Hard Rock Cafe at Glorietta 3. He performed with his current band, Pupil. The group launched its animated music video for Animax, entitled "Set Me Apart." We all know that Pupil has only become a cult hit. And we like it that way. His former band, Eraserheads, on the other hand, is already a legend.
While everyone is looking forward to a sequel of the Eheads' emotional reunion concert, here's an exerpt from my conversations with THE Ely Buendia last year--just a few months after his first heart attack:
I know you're sick and tired of hearing this question. But I'll ask it anyway. Why did the Eheads disband?
Ely: A lot of reasons--ego, time, money. Dumaan kami sa classic band process. We didn't intend it to be that way.
How is your relationship with former bandmates?
We're not friends. We're not enemies. I say "hi" when I see them.
You're being labeled as an icon...
I'm still not used to it. What's an icon? I'd rather be called an artist.
It was a dream interview. Iba 'yung energy ni Ely--parang Jedi hehe. The force is strong in this one...
Fastforward to 2008: We're glad the Eheads are back and Ely is already in good condition. This is the kind of story that inspires music fans and rock bands.
Photographed by Cholo dela Vega for Cult Creations. Special thanks to Ely Buendia, Diane Ventura, Day Cabuhat, Sony BMG, Animax, and Manila Standard Today.
Last April, I was able to chat with racecar driver Gaby dela Marced at A Venue (Makati Ave.) during the cover shoot of BOUNCE Magazine's (http://www.bouncemag.multiply.com/) May-June 2008 Issue. She really has that warm vibe.
Gaby shared about her younger days. She reminsced about growing up with boys--having three older brothers.
"Barbies weren't that big in the house. Although, I had a couple of dolls, their boyfriends were Ninja Turtles action figures that had Micro Machines for cars," she beams.
Gaby was even exposed to automobiles because of her dad's buy-and-sell car business. There were times when her father would let her clean cars with a single tootbrush.
"Our dad would give us 20 pesos for every car we cleaned. I always thought it was playtime," she adds.
On her 18th birthday, her parents gave her a beat-up 1980 Toyota Starlet, which she named "Crash." It had no windows, no insulation.
"Mukhang nakakatetano," Gaby smiles.
One word: astig!
Photographed by Jake Verzosa for October Eighty Publications (www.octobereighty.com)
Who doesn't like to converse with people? I'm pretty sure we all want to hear "interesting" stories (at least on a good hair day). My fascination for conversations and magazines (how they present narratives of different people) inspired me to create this site. You'll be amazed how the simplest story could make/break your day or affect someone's life and perspectives.
I'd like to think my chat with these people reflect our culture as it's seen TODAY. If you get to read them again, say 10 or 20 years from now, you'll probably realize: "Gano'n pala tayo noon?
Anong kwento? Share whatever you have--anything under sun. Let's get it on!!!
