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September, 2009

  1. Asian Food Museum by Makansutra now open at Manila Ocean Park

    September 5, 2009 by ajay

    Mostly, I like the Manila Ocean Park because it is one of the few places in Manila where you can enjoy the city’s natural beauty without spending much. Ever since Baywalk closed, this is now the place to gaze at the beautiful sunset and watching the panoramic expanse of the Manila Bay while sipping a drink and enjoying the time with your family.

    The best things in life are (almost) free!

    It is good that MOP doesn’t charge an entrance fee just for entering their complex. After offering the mermaid show, the people behind the Makansutra Asian Food Village unveiled yesterday the Asian Food Museum for a peek at Asian food history, culinary cultures and traditions.

    Asian Food Museum

    Asian Food Museum
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  2. Noynoy Aquino for 2010: it’s what he stands for

    September 2, 2009 by ajay

    Philippine politics is getting exciting by the minute. An rip-roaring rigodon is going on, barely a year before the next presidential elections. For a change, i feel a glimmer of hope with these new breed of younger politicos, like Mar Roxas giving up his presidential bid yesterday and a few others hinting that they are following suit. It gives us hope that the clamor for reform is stronger than the lure of term extension (read: cha-cha) and traditional politics.

    Truth to tell, I still don’t have a candidate to vote for, although a lot of my well-meaning friends are ready to chant “Noynoy!” any minute. I think his greatest appeal is that he was unprepared for this and is not hungry for the power. By delaying his announcement to run to pray for further discernment, Noynoy is following the example of his mother Cory who did the same in 1986.

    Unlike his mother who became President, Noynoy is no political newbie, but he didn’t start out with guns a-blazing either. I really don’t remember him sponsoring legislative initiatives that will merit the front page and beyond. The page about him in the Senate website only lists his proposed law “to make the procurement of the petroleum, oil and lubricants requirements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines transparent by requiring public bidding.” I am sure Senators Mar, Kiko and Chiz fare better than him when it comes to legislative mileage.

    But what he has for certain is the family name and the legacy that goes with it. Nonoy will definitely run for the land’s highest office carrying the banner of “democracy.” I know it’s kinda off now, given that we are no longer under a dictator. But there is something about the Aquino name which bespeaks of a greater sense of integrity. Save for his fondness for dating broadcasters, actresses and pretty ladies, this Noynoy also hasn’t been tainted of a scandal of any kind. If ever he gets elected in office, we really don’t expect to see a throng of relatives currying for favors. Certainly not Kris who’s richer than him by a mile :D
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  3. Hainanese chicken rice, anyone? My search for the best Singaporean resto in Manila begins here

    September 2, 2009 by ajay

    I’ve been to Makansutra in Manila Ocean Park several times, and I have to agree with the others that it’s quite a letdown. The concept of having several hawker stalls in one cozy environment is nice, but the quality of the food is not something which will make me excited to go back there again. Case in point is the soggy wantan mee I got the last time and the teenie-weenie stick of chicken satay.

    Same with the Malaysian restaurants in Manila. I still have to find one which will completely impress me, including the ones found in the malls.

    So I’ve only been to Singapore ONCE and Malaysia three times and don’t claim to be an expert. But I just know when something tastes glorious, like this Hainanese chicken rice meal I had at Tao Yuan Restaurant in Malate the other night.

    Hainanese Chicken Rice

    The bowl of chicken rice and the beautifully-presented Hainanese chicken plate with three dipping sauces was just exquisite. The chicken was immersed in its own juice with a savory oily flavor I can’t quite connect. My dinner for one cost me P280, but I didn’t mind. It’s really hard to find restos offering Hainanese chicken rice in my part of town, and not this divine.

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