Mermaid show at the Manila Ocean Park

The kids and I hang out at the Manila Ocean Park over the weekend, just in time to catch their recently launched Mermaid Show. This is a 30-minute treat where attractive (and should I say, curvaceous) swimmers perform dances, moves and acrobatics underwater. Of course it’s a given, they gotta be professionals to do that!

I must say it’s a real delight for kids, who must be harboring fantasies about being the next Little Mermaid or even our homegrown Dyesebel. It was fun seeing the women-swimmers in their colorful, alluring costumes, waving and smiling at their audience while grooving to the beat of the music. I took a video but I still have to upload it to YouTube
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Saizen, 85-peso shop in Robinsons Galleria: the house of cute

Truth to tell, during my first (and only) visit to Tokyo in ‘05, budget constraints forced me to visit the 100-yen stores as my only option for buying ‘pasalubong.’ They were huge, housed in three to four-storey buildings with all kinds of stuff available.

Fast forward to 2009, one need not fly as far because the real 100-yen (hyaku-en) shop named Saizen opened its first branch at the Robinsons Galleria last April 29. Everything at 85 pesos each! I have to admit: the extent of their offerings makes Japan Home Center a poor cousin. Must-buys here, in my opinion: beauty aids, home organizers and kitchen tools, including bento accessories that I’ve been looking for. And of course, things related to Japan!

I just wish Saizen would go forth and multiply soon, and not limit its store to faraway Ortigas.

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Manila’s dine-in seafood markets

With a mainly no-meat diet being imposed by Filipino Roman Catholics among themselves this past Holy Week, allow me to talk about seafood markets that have mushroomed in the city. When you’re craving for cooked seafood in these parts, you can think of three major sources: the Filipino restos where you can feast on local specialties like guinataang kuhol (snail), the Chinese restos which have offerings like crispy shrimps or crab with sotanghon (vermicelli), and the open-air markets where you can pick your seafood fresh and have it cooked in the adjoining restaurant of your choice.

I dined in two of these seafood markets recently and the experience hasn’t been disappointing. A bit on the pricey side, yes, but then again, seafood doesn’t really come cheap, unless you’re in a coastal town or something.

Dampa sa Libis was quite a revelation. I liked it because it was clean and didn’t suffocate me with the crowds. For someone like me who’s based in the center of Manila, its location in Libis, along C5, was definitely out of my way. It would pay to be here at least once a year, he he, and what’s good is that after eating here, you can take a short five minute drive to Eastwood City and have coffee there. The malls in Eastwood also close late, around midnight or so.

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Little Tokyo Makati

Fast forward to 2009 and I am happy to find Little Tokyo in Makati. Fellow bloggers have been talking about this place and it was time to see It warmed my heart at first sight.

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Italianni’s “Small Price for a Big Lunch”

I like Italianni’s. My all-time favorite is their pasta pomodoro in spaghettini and the complimentary ciabatta bread with balsamic vinegar dip. Prices are a bit on the high side but the servings are ample.This is one resto chain I don’t go to everyday, but the few times I’ve been here, I haven’t been disappointed.

Once, I had just come from the graveyard shift and splurged on their Grand Platter at something like 500 pesos +++. It was the most I can do to assuage my sleeplessness and hungriness (errrr, hunger!) but it was worth it. Nothing like steak, sausage, fruits and a little bit of everything for brunch. The fresh OJ, most especially.

Am glad that this time around, Italianni’s is offering their “Small Price for a Big Lunch” promotion. Tried it last week and I absolutely liked the falling-off-to-the-bone goodness of their Costina Brasatta (Braised Ribs) which was paired with spaghetti aglio e olio and grilled vegetables.

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