Day by Day

FURever: Barkin' Blends Dog Cafe

2015-10-29T19:55:00.001-07:00

"Dog is a man's bestfriend." This quote is really true. There was one time, when our dog, Maru (a tri-colored Lhasa Apso), went to my room, jumped over my bed and sleep beside me. Whenever I arrive from work, our dog will wag his tail and run towards me. Maru is not just a FURiend but a member of our family too.

Anyway, before this blog focuses on our baby, I would like to share my experience at the first (and only - I guess) dog cafe in my country - Barkin' Blends!

The cafe is separated from the dog zone. So, this is the place where you can order food and drinks.

You can order cute cupcakes too!

The names of their food & drinks were named after the names of their dogs.

We ate pasta while waiting for our turn in the dog zone.

DOG ZONE: The staff will give you slippers and locker keys.

this cute fur ball just appeared from nowhere.

not in the mood to play...

remembering our Botchok... T_T

This French bulldog was really cute. He slept at my arms snoring...

I really wanted to have a huge dog because Maru is quite small

tired

Fell asleep beside a comfortable human

he was like: "why are my FURiends asleep?"

yinyang

She reminds me of G-Dragon's Gaho

A Sharpei...that looks like a towel.

To play or not to play?

Dead tired.

cookies & cream

angels

The cafe is open everyday except Tuesdays. You are allowed to play with over 30 dogs for about two (2) hours. You cannot bring your dog. Just go there at around lunchtime because the dogs are hyper during those times. We went there at around 7pm-9pm that's why the dogs dozed off.

Manila Seoul Searching III: SHP Bibimbap Cafe & Restaurant

2015-01-09T04:12:00.000-08:00

Annyeong~ I am back again with another Manila Seoul Searching! It’s been a while since I had my last “seoul-searching” was about Café de Seoul. After escaping from my busy schedule – yes! After seven (7) months of being a couch-potato-at-home-and-learning-korean-at-KCC I had the chance to post this new entry.

Cafes and restaurants are all over Manila and I’ve been looking for a place where I can relax and have a conversation with my friends and this cutesy café/restaurant caught my eye.

SHP Bibimbap Café and Restaurant is located at 980 P. Ocampo St. Malate, Manila near De La Salle – St. Benilde.

Cakes, cupcakes, and refreshments.

I will try you soon.

SHP Spam Cheese Ramen (170.00 pesos)

It's just a ramen topped with cheese and spam but take note it's not really that spicy.

Strawberry Soda Ade (135.00 pesos)

My favorite drink.

Blended Java Chip (170.00 pesos)

Blended Cookies and Cream (170.00 pesos)

to all Oreo lovers out there you should try this!

Cheese Kimbap (130.00 pesos)

Rice rolls with different fillings inside.

Bulgogi Bibimbap (210.00 pesos)

Korea's signature dish. A nutritious and delicious rice dish mixed with sweet gogi (meat) and fresh vegetables.

Korean restaurant will not be complete without kimchi.

Space-saving interior

Yes. You can still eat upstairs.

Since I can't eat spicy food, bulgogi deopbap (210.00 pesos) is my style.

Chicken Mayo(180.00 pesos)

Rice topped with tender chicken and glazed with mayonnaise.

A small space where you can study...

...it can also be a place for a sweet date~ (kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~)

A place where you can be alone and eat with a new friend...

I am really awed with the interior of this cafe-resto

When you feel down, you can always find some quotations that will make you smile.

Cute vintage figurines.

A cafe-resto where you can enjoy eating while sitting on the floor - Korean-style.

And of course, if you are not a fan of sitting on the floor, there is a place where you can sit and enjoy your meal.

One of my favorite spots

Cute teddy bears and rabbit~

This place is also a heaven for K-pop fans because it plays Korean songs. A playlist of Bigbang and EXO were played during my stay and it was nice. I was singing along~

Over-all experience was really great. I would really like to come back and try their cakes and other blended coffee. The price for the food is quite reasonable and you can share it with friends.

You can always visit SHP Bibimbap Cafe and Restaurant Facebook here for more details.

Hi Korea: Annyeong ASEAN

2014-12-21T01:11:00.000-08:00

Last November 22, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Cultural Center organized an event to celebrate the 2014 Korean-ASEAN Commemorative Summit happening on December 11-12 in Busan, South Korea. The event was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Bonifacio High Street as the venue partner.

High street was full of Korean flags for the event. It was like I was in Korea again because the place was full of Koreans. Before the opening ceremony, my friends and I checked out the different booths. The Korean Cultural Center booth made us tried Korean traditional outfit, hanbok. There were also food, books, k-pop merchandise, nail-art, Korean cosmetics, and travel booths.

The main event kicked off at 5:00 P.M. with an outstanding Korean traditional percussion performance followed by a magnificent speech from Korea Ambassador to the Philippines, his Excellency Lee Hyuk.

Dongrak Traditional Performing Arts Group performed a variety of percussion music such as the Korean traditional music of the farmers called pan duk and the Korean traditional percussion quartet called samulnori.

Didim Dance Company gracefully danced the court dance called “Lotus in the Morning” and “Spring Snow” to the tune of the Korean traditional zither called gayageum.

Ensemble Yoo Joo Hee Microcosm was my favorite performance of the night. The said Ensemble played ABBA’s hit song “Dancing Queen” with Korean traditional instruments.

Korean street dance group Gorilla Crews do b-boying and Jo Ju Hyun Dance Company danced a modern ballet performance.

After the colorful and well-organized event, the event ended with a film showing of a Korean movie entitled Dancing Queen.

one of my favorite shots

His Excellency Lee Hyuk giving his welcome speech.

B-boy

A very nice hanbok.

a fusion of traditional and modern

Caffe Bene

2014-12-20T07:06:00.000-08:00

Caffe Bene is one popular coffeehouse based in Korea. It has five branches in the Philippines: Eastwood City Walk 2, SMX Convention Center, SM City Clark, Caffe Bene Makati and SM BF Parañaque.

Last September, my Korean Language class, who won the "Most Popular Presentation Award" received 3,000 pesos worth of gift certificate from Caffe Bene. We went to Caffe Bene in SMX Mall of Asia since the one at Makati was closed.

Big Caffe Bene stores offer coffee, frappes, specialty drinks, tea, signature mocktails, bene gelato, bingsu (Korean shaved-ice cream) and pastries. I was about to order bingsu but it's not available in SMX branch.

Coffee shops are the best place to study, read books or have a tete-a-tete but when my Korean language class and teacher went here...there was a rock concert going on at the convention center.

Very nice interior

Ensaymada

Refreshments. PS. The red one is not strawberry but red velvet frappe.

It's been four months since my last post.

Maedeup (Korean Traditional Knot)

2014-08-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) has open its quarterly exhibit last August 8. Madeup are Korean traditional knots that have been a part of Korea's history. The purpose of the exhibit is to bring awareness to the Filipinos for them to appreciate Korean traditional knots.

The exhibit will run up until September 30 at KCC Exhibit Hall.

For more details regarding this exhibit visit: KCC website

Chicken & Beer

2014-08-18T01:34:00.000-07:00

What is Cheon Songyi's favorite meal? Chicken and Beer! This is not really the exact place where Jeon Jihyun's character bought the chicken and beer but this the place where few Korean TV personalities ate when they visited the Philippines.

The music played inside this restaurant in Burgos Circle, BGC is K-pop and I'm sure all K-pop fans will love this place because of the music. Not only that, this restaurant also plays Korean music videos in their flat screen TVs.

I went here after my class graduation at Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines with my Basic Korean Class D and our beloved Seonsaengnim. Despite the "shortage" of chicken in a famous food chain in the Philippines, we ordered three sets of three different flavors of chicken! I haven't taken a picture of the food but it was really delicious.

Everything is delicious if it is free. HAHA! Guess what? I only gave 100.00 PHP for my share and our teacher paid for the rest. I am so lucky. And do you know what's nicer? I am able to eat with fun and loving people.

Almost Paradise~~~ Lee Minho!

Dongyi! Han Hyojoo in the house!

Running Man's Commander Kim Jongkook!

I did not even know that he went here!

Let me mention Lee Minho again.

Lee Minho for the 2nd time.

Nice right?

Usually in Korea, K-pop fans visit cafes and restaurants owned by Korean idols and leave messages and pictures to the latter. Well as for this place, the "tourist" destination is the seat where Lee Minho sat HAHAHAHA.

But you've gotta try their chicken! Oh! Before I forgot, they also give free drinks from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm!

I will definitely go back again and eat other chicken flavors. Oh! One thing, always bring someone with you because the serving is quite big for one person.

Chicken is my style!

Check Chicken and Beer's menu HERE.

Tumalog Falls

2014-08-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Cebu has many wonderful things to offer. Not just the "Best Pork...ever" but also picturesque scenery. Remember that I have been in Cebu with my friends? This place was one of my favorite place in Cebu. I really believe that this place should be one of the new "Seven Wonders of Nature."

After our whale shark interaction, we rode the habal-habal, public transportation to the falls. BUT before getting to the falls itself you have to walk... It's a 15-minute walk and the slope was really not a joke BUT when you reached the falls, you will feel that the walk was worth it.

We brought our food and dig in by the falls. It was very beautiful.

Habal-habals can't pass through these rocky road.

So we have to walk.

clear water

I always see this picture in a Philippine Tourism campaign material.

Yes. I took this photo. Proud girl detected.

I never knew that the water was really cold. Make sure to visit Tumalog Falls when you come to Cebu! It's free! All you have to pay for is for the transportation.

I brought my DSLR with me and...it's not really advisable to bring a camera without any protection. Though my DLSR is fine after the trip.

Cebu City

2014-08-17T05:59:00.000-07:00

The Visayas was greatly affected by the earthquake. Up until now, the church is still in the process of renovation. It was 2004 when I first went here then 2010 was my second time. And 2014 is my third time. I hope to visit this place again for many times.

This place is where history lies.

Mass outside the cathedral

The woods all over the Magellan's cross are foundation in case another earthquake will happen.

Larsian's Barbeque

2014-07-27T06:39:00.000-07:00

Cebu doesn't just have the "Best Pig...ever" It also have the best barbecue ever!

Larsian's is a barbeque hub in Cebu. It is located in Fuente, Cebu City near Chong Hua Hospital. You'll choose the food to be grilled then you'll wait for minutes and voila bon appetit. You will also eat puso, rice covered in a banana leaf.

puso

Chorizo

La Vie Parisienne Cebu

2014-07-20T03:53:00.003-07:00

Bonjour! Comment allez vous? French has been one of my favorite subjects in college. I know my college friends will not believe me...but I really love French. I still have my handouts until now and I still look at them from time to time.

Speaking of French. There was this place in Cebu called La Vie Parisienne (Parisian Life) which serve a variety of bread, cheese, coffee and wine. It's a cozy place where you can just chit chat with your friends while enjoying your wine.

Wine or any alcoholic beverages was never my thing so I just dig into bread, macaroons and a cup of hot cocoa. I just tasted the wine and it tasted like the ordinary Royal Orange drink. I repeat, I don't drink so I don't really know how to appreciate wine.

Zubuchon

2014-07-20T01:56:00.002-07:00

Last Monday, I flew to Cebu, Philippines with my friends. I missed Cebu! It's been three years since I've gone there and it changed a lot! The best thing about my travel in Cebu was when I got the chance to eat their food - legit Cebuano food that I can't even taste in Manila.

Magellan's Cross. Sinulog. Were some of the things that people will remember if I ask about Cebu. Cebu was also popular with another thing. LECHON.

Lechon Cebu was dubbed as "Best Pig...Ever" by my favorite TLC TV personality, Anthony Bourdain. I've been watching Bourdain from time to time since No Reservations, The Layover and Parts Unknown. I always look up to him. I wanted to be like him and other TV personalities on TLC; People who can be seen on TV while traveling in different countries around the globe, knowing other people's culture and traditions and tasting different dishes.

Back to lechon. Lechon is a pork dish in different countries around the world like Spain and the countries colonized by Spain before. There were numbers of names when it comes to lechon but ZUBUCHON was at the top of that list.

Lechon Paksiw

Five Pork Rice.

"Best pork...EVER"

Zubuchon

No need to add sauce or any other condiments because this lechon has all the basic tastes when you eat it.

Sisig rice.

Spicy Zubuchon.

I did not have the chance to taste you...for health purposes.

Fresh Coconut Juice

Iba/Kamias/ Bilimbi Fruit (Thanks Google!) shake.

Chicaron!

The interior of the place was really nice. The food was really great. I want to fly to Cebu right now because my olfactory is searching for Zubuchon's smell. Now I know why Bourdain declared it as the "best pig...ever." Better try it too!

For more information visit Zubuchon's Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/zubuchon

Mind Museum

2014-07-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I went in a museum. I remembered the last time I went in a museum was in 2011 in the National Museum of Korea in Seoul. Museum has been a good place for me to exercise my mind by reading small articles while enjoying the pieces exhibited inside.

Mind Museum is a place where you can have a better understanding of science. As Aedi, the robot inside the museum said "Let your curiosity guide you."

It's good place for excursions. It is also a good place to exercise your minds. Your questions about science will be answered while you are here. It's a great place to bond with your family and friends.

How to go to Mind Museum?
From Ayala MRT Station go to the BGC Bus Station and ride WEST bus and alight at the 4th or 5th stop.
You'll see Mind Museum at your left if you ride the BGC Bus.

How much is the ticket?
Tickets cost 600 for adults and 450 for students. Just bring your ID card just for sure.

What to bring?
Just bring your mind and interest with you. :)
I had a camera with me and I did not have the chance to roam around and use the machines and other stuff.

There is a food stall inside the museum you better have to try their popping strawberry iced tea!

For more information visit http://www.themindmuseum.org/

Topside Diner

2014-07-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

I am not really a big fan of food. But when I say it is delicious...it is really delicious. This blog is supposedly for anything-under-the-sun topic but I ended up posting food. I just love taking pictures of food.

Last week, I visited my "college mommy's" restaurant near St.Scholastica's College just to eat this chicken that I've been seeing in her Facebook timeline. For an affordable price of 99.00 pesos I ate this mouth-watering chicken.

It's funny. I traveled for 45-minutes (from my home) for a chicken...and it never disappointed me.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Ombre Juice Drink!

The ambiance was really great too! It has this summer-y feel! The interior was nice too! It's a cozy place where you can relax and eat this chicken (I am really pushing this chicken to you guys because this is oh-so-good). What's nice about this place was...you have to eat using your hands! Eating the Pinoy-way! The servers will provide you plastic gloves to enjoy your finger food.

I will definitely come back to taste the rest of their menu!

So for more information visit Topside Diner's SNS.

NOLITA: North of Little Italy

2014-07-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

NOLITA is a very cozy pizza parlor in the strip of Bonifacio Highstreet. Their serving was really big. One slice of pizza was bigger than my face. It was my first time eating here and I will probably return.

It's a good place to chillax with friends.

Menu

Cheese Burger

Shirmp Carbonara

Buffalo Wings

Dessert: Churrios

A slice of pizza is easier to eat if you folded it in half.

For those who wanted to eat here just prepare 500 PHP per person.

Here is Nolita Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NOLITA.PIZZA

Nolita is located at 7th Ave. Cor. 29th St. South, Bonifacio Highstreet Central, BGC, Taguig City beside Sariwon Korean Restaurant.

I recommend their shrimp carbonara and watermelonade!

Magnum Cafe

2014-07-13T03:41:00.000-07:00

Went to Magnum Cafe at SM Aura!!!

How to go to SM Aura:

- Ride a bus that has "MRT Ayala" and alight at MRT Ayala Station then walk until you reach BGC Bus Station

- Ride the "EAST" bus for 12.00 and alight at Market! Market! (Last Station) Then walk to SM Aura

- Magnum Cafe is located at 5th floor

Make Your Own Magnum

- Pay for 100 pesos (to go)

- Choose three (3) toppings

- Choose a dip (gold, milk chocolate or dark chocolate)

- Choose a drizzle (gold, milk chocolate or dark chocolate)

- Enjoy

They also have a menu where you can have a magnum platter (for about 300+ pesos and above) and then stay inside the cafe. It's really luxurious inside. Magnum is love!

My Magnum - chocolate crunch balls, gold nuggets, marshmallows with golden dip and milk chocolate drizzle.

For more information visit Magnum Manila.

Rainy days and Monday at Sebastian's

2014-07-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

Went to Mall of Asia with my high school friends and ate ice cream in Sebastian's. Since my friend, from Australia went home for vacation he treated us ice cream and ice skating at Mall of Asia. It's a mini get-together and it was really fun. Money can't buy those happy times with them.

So here are the ice cream that my friend treated us.

Green Mango Ice cream with Bagoong, Champorado Ice cream, Mango Sansrival Ice cream, Strawberry Ice cream and Cookie Dough Ice Cream.

The Taste: Cookie dough, Strawberry and Mango Sansrival were not too sweet. Champorado was really like a cold champorado! It was sweet and sticky.

The most epic flavor. Green Mango Ice cream with Bagoong.

The taste: It tasted like a soft, creamy and cold green mango with sweet and salty bagoong. Thumbs up for this!

Blueberry Ice Cream with Waffle

The taste: You can't taste the blueberry but it was good. It's not too sweet. The waffle was soft.

Visit their Facebook page: Sebastian's Ice Cream for more information.

Sebastian's Ice Cream in Mall of Asia is located on the 2nd floor of the Main Mall near Power Mac.

Annyeonghaseyo!

2014-05-29T07:08:00.001-07:00

Yeah! I finally enrolled in a Basic Korean class! I’ve been studying Spanish and French (for school purposes) while self-studying Korean through Talk to Me in Korean. So, I started my class last Saturday, 24 May 2014. I don’t really have a hard time finding new friends since I am really friendly. I was also trying to feel the vibe of the people around me. If I get too loud, they might think I am a stupid person (HAHAH!). I took things slow and just approached an early bird like me. I asked her section and lo and behold, I was in that section too. I easily made a friend. We sat in front of the classroom.

FIRST DAY JITTERS? Nah. I am used to it. When I was in college, I was also alone like that because I don’t have any high school classmate/friend who enrolled in the same college that I entered. I easily made friends because of Korean dramas, when I was in college. I also remembered that my new circle of friends and I ate at Wendy’s while we were talking about our common interests. End of flashback.

I guessed that we were just 25 students in a class. Most of us are female fangirls of either Kpop or Korean dramas. I really felt comfortable with my classmates because even though our age differ from each other we still share the same interests – KPOP (yeah the music genre and the Korean Pop Culture itself). The youngest in class are 16 years old and the oldest, I think, was 30 plus and she doesn’t even look like 30 plus. We don’t even look like our age though. My new friend, was a year older than I am so I still feel comfortable.

Our teacher’s name was Shin Dawon. She was really cute. I really saw IU in her. She spoke really cute; I really like to take her home because of her cuteness.

After the “Introduce Yourself” portion we started the lesson right away. Our teacher, started off with, as she said “funny” Korean culture. *I will list all of her “funny” Korean culture later. She also showed us Korean National symbols and using some Korean-related spiels.

We started with Korean Alphabet called Hangul. She told us that Korean Letters are called Hangeul while Korean language is called Hangukeo.

So:

· “I can speak HANGEUL.” – is wrong because you are talking about the Korean Alphabet and it is like “I can speak ALPHABET.”

· “I can read and write HANGEUL.” – is correct.

· “I can understand HANGUKEO.” – is also correct.

Hangeul was invented by the great King Sejong. He used to draw lines and shapes that his son and daughter’s lips/mouth created.

Korean vowels were created metaphysically (from: sky, earth and human) while Korean consonants were created scientifically.

Well, I learned Korean during our Cultural Exchange Program in Kyungdong University before. Remember, I self-studied Korean while learning Spanish and French (for school purposes)? Even though I already know some of these stuff, I still manage to interact since the class was really fun.

We took a 10-minute break. Minutes before the class resumed, my teacher asked us if we wanted to watch a music video. I really shouted for “EXO!” and she turned off the lights and played EXO’s Growl in the big screen projected in front of my eyes. It seemed like I NEVER watched this video. I was really like fangirling so hard. I’ve seen this music video many times but it never failed to make my heart disappear. I almost fell to my chair because of squirming when Suho’s parts appeared. My seatmate was laughing. My classmates were laughing at me when I praise THE KIM JUNMYEON. My neighboring seatmate was also talking to me, she’s older than me and it felt like she’s just the same-aged-friend of mine. She was in her early 30’s and she was happy to see me fangirling. Video ended and everybody felt so good. I was not really sure about the guys though. J

After the video, “Why Kris left? It’s too sad.” My teacher cutely asked after the video. She was looking at me as if the question was thrown to me and I was like giving her a I-have-nothing-to-do-with-it-he-choose-to-leave look.

Class resumed. We continued doing Consonants and vowels. We read “hangeulized” words too! We read Korean top stars names and Kim Soohyun’s name was very popular in our class. It was really fun. It was really fun learning Korean with classmates who share the same interests with you. It was really fun learning Korean with a cute teacher who also uses Korean popular culture as her spiels.

Spiels as said by my teacher:

· Korean women don’t change surnames even if they get married. – She said it’s funny but don’t worry it’s just a tradition; we can still marry a Korean.

o I read that it’s because women kinda like honor their father’s name.

· “There are no bananas and mangoes in Korea.” – She said that bananas and mangoes cannot grow in Korea because of the weather. She also said that she first ate bananas when she was 8 years old.

· Teacher said that her ex-co-worker was a close friend of SNSD Jessica’s father. She happily told us that Mr. Jung always call his daughter Jessica and tell his co-workers how proud he is to have her and then he will call Krystal next and tell the same thing to her. How cute.

· Teacher used Nichkhun’s picture in our class and she said “He’s not mine…Tiffany…” while pouting her lips like a cute duck.

· There are four seasons in Korea and the best time to go there is during SPRING or AUTUMN.

· She always said that “Kim Soohyun” / Do Minjoon is hers.
Regarding the Korean age system, she said that once you are born in this world, you are already ONE YEAR OLD then every NEW YEAR (January 1) ALL Koreans will have another year old. So, if you were born on May 22, 1991 you are already one year old then on January 1, 1992 you'll become two years old. What's funny is that, if your birthday falls on example December 31, 1992 then on the following day, New Year you'll have to add another year, that makes you 2 years old in just two days time.

Cafe de Seoul (Part II)

2014-05-28T06:41:00.000-07:00

I really love this place so much. The "Seoul" feel is really present. My friends and I decided to return and eat something new.

My friend, Keana, ordered the same thing, yuja.

I ordered this mocktail called Namsan Sunset and a chocolate cake whose-name-I-forgot.

thirst quencher

Visit Cafe de Seoul's website here for more details.

Korean Cultural Center

2014-05-28T04:18:00.000-07:00

Hello! It’s been a while!

I recently graduated from college. Technically, I am unemployed. Help me find a job. Email me at naval.dawn@gmail.com! Haha (But I am serious)! Anyway, since I am waiting for calls (for a job), my Mom let me enrolled in a Basic Korean Class! I've been learning Korean in the past years through Talk to Me In Korean but I cannot continue anymore because I have too many questions in mind and I really want to have a visible teacher and classmates. Maybe, self-study was not really for me but I really learned a lot from the site, so check it out.

I enrolled at the Korean Cultural Center (KCC). The slots were very limited but thank God I got in! So, my Basic Korean Class will be on a 3-hour session every Saturday (9:00AM-12:00NN). Of course, you can choose a schedule.

I paid 2,000 pesos for the textbook and workbook. Totally worth it because of its quality. Believe it or not, I paid only 2,000 pesos for the materials and teaching is FREE.

So, where is KCC located?

KCC is located at 2nd floor of the Mancor Corporate Center, along 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. How to go to KCC?

· From Ayala, you should ride the BGC West Route Bus (for only 12.00 pesos) and alight at the 4^th stop (3^rd Avenue) then walk towards KCC. Landmark: St. Luke’s Medical Center

· From Market! Market! Ride a BGC Bus and alight from the 5^th stop then walk towards KCC.

KCC is open every day 8:30 AM- 5:30 PM (lunch break: 12:00-1:30pm) except Sundays, Filipino and Korean holidays. Feel free to go and view the exhibits at the exhibition hall and read/borrow Korean-related books in the library.

Visit KCC site here for more details.

Manila Seoul Searching No. 2: 22nd Filipino-Korean Cultural Festival

2013-10-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

*dark indoor photography...I am so bad at this but I really have to share this with you guys*

With the influx of games for Super Show 5 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; I won two (2) tickets for the 22^nd Filipino-Korean Cultural Festival happened last October 26, 2013 at the Aliw Theater.

It was my first time winning something online.

See my name?

Later I found out that the event was open for all walk-in audience, so all my effort was like a waste. But it’s okay seeing my name on other Facebook page was enough (keeping positive vibes).

I brought my friend, Gen, with me. When we saw the programme we saw a very familiar name “Jay Park.” We were like spazzing all the way to the venue coz we thought it was really Jay Park. –end of story –

Lesson: there are many Jay Parks in the world.

Before the program, they played EXO’s Growl music video and all of the fangirls were squealing! I was happy to see EXO………on a much bigger screen.

The program started with the national anthems of the Philippines and Korea. It was my first time hearing Korea’s national anthem. I can’t sing it but I can read the hangul letters at the screen (but can’t understand it).

The hosts were Jojo Alejar a.k.a Jojo A. (I used to watch his show at night coz he is really funny.) and someone I forgot the name.

The event chairperson, Lee Jong Sub do the opening remarks while Republic of Korea’s Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Lee Hyuk and the UKCA President Lee Jang Il delivered the congratulatory message.

The first presentation was a Korean speech by a Filipino named Timothy Amagna. I was like “Can I have a translation of the piece he is saying right now? T___T I only understand the basics and the –imnida parts. For sure he is not talking informally.”

The second presentation was a Filipino speech by a Korean girl named Lee Hye Jin. It was really cute! The way she delivered her speech was really cute. I know she is not making pa-cute but it was cute for me, coz I understand it no translation needed. When I heard her speak, I suddenly thought of Sandara Park. Dara speaks like that.

A samulnori performance by the Korean Catholic Church. Samul- four things. Nori – to play.

La Pilipina Dance Company danced various traditional and folk dances. Both the Korean and Filipino audience were amazed with their performance.

There were eight (8) finalists in this event. This event is really cool because Koreans will perform a Filipino song while Filipinos will do the other way around. It is really an exchange of culture and friendship.

Dance Dominion Crew doing a K-pop Remix mash-up

Most of the songs were Girls' Generation songs! I soooo love their performance!

Lee Yong Soo singing Dakilang Lahi, a song for the country

A Korean singing Filipino song. Cool oppa~

SE-EON danced to the songs of Infinite, VIXX and B2S

Sunhwa International Academy Dance Troupe dancing the Fan Dance.

Cutie Korean kids singing our folk songs Bahay Kubo, Leron leron sinta and paru-parong bukid better than me.

Franchesca Farr singing Titanium.

Awarding.

The cute kids won 50,000 pesos for their very outstanding performance. It's my first time watching this event and I will definitely watch next year's event. It is really nice to see Koreans performing using our songs. It makes me feel more proud to be a Filipino. With this exchange of talents by Koreans and Filipinos it also strengthens the friendship between these two nations.

OP-ED XOXO Album

2013-10-18T06:22:00.002-07:00

XOXO Album

KISS VERSION

After a year and few months of waiting, EXO has finally come back. My album review has been in my mind for quite some time. Because of my “busy” schedule and idleness in blogging, I decided to make a review in my mind and put it into writing whenever I am available. AND THE TIME HAS COME.

Is XOXO worth the wait? As Suho’s Tinkerbell is concerned, YES! But I will try to view things in a normal K-pop enthusiast’s perspective. I am not a music major or whatsoever. I am just a Koreanophile like the you, reading this because you just love EXO (like me).

Since I am not music major, I will just review this in my own “feel.”

Throwback, WOLF has been leaked months before the album was out. Exostans/Exotics/Exocytosis (Whatever fanbase we are called right now or during those days) were trying so hard to defend and/or deny that WOLF is not our oppadeul’s comeback song.

To tell you guys honestly, I listened to the “leaked version” of WOLF a day before their comeback stage because I was really curious. I felt that something was lacking in that version. As far as I remember, Baekhyun and Chanyeol’s voices dominated the leaked version and they pronounced “wolf” and not “oolf”. Kekeke.

I bought my physical album a week after it was released in Korea. My photo card was Kai and exchanged it to my super-Kai-fangirl-friend to Sehun and met someone in the mall to exchange her Suho photo card to my Sehun photo card. Dear Kim Junmyeon, this is how I love you. I went to the mall to meet another EXOstan just to exchange my Sehun photo card to your photo card.

Anyway, let’s go back on track!

늑대와 미녀 (Wolf)

As far as Chanyeol’s title track introduction is concerned, Neuk Dae Wa Mi Nyeo or WOLF is a combination of hip-hop and dubstep. This song reminds me of SNSD’s I Got A Boy. WOLF is indeed a strong comeback song since EXO started with a strong debut with MAMA & HISTORY. Strong as in the choreography and the vocals were in an almost perfect synergy for rookies. I never imagined this group having a “cute” concept. This is a very LUHAN comeback (what I mean is very manly).

WOLF’s MV was worth the wait. Its transition of an alien from exoplanet to a wolf was flawless. One of my personal favorites is the “Tree of Life” in the beginning of the video and they will smoothly come out from their original positions. The wardrobe/costumes were good too except for that part where Suho and Chanyeol and others were wearing raincoats (I will agree to that if they wanted to start a trend…Well as a fan, I just appreciated it, of course). And whoever sang the “Ah Saranghaeyo~” part you are so great!

In some music shows, EXO performed WOLF live. You can really distinguish a performance if it is live or not. With the heavy choreography, I believe it is okay to lipsync. Whenever they sang live, good lord! Chen and Baekhyun were really unexceptional! The high notes and all were really smooth. The HunHan ending made me spazz more!

Also in some music shows, their clothes were really epic. I wonder why the coordi-noona/coordi-eonnie dressed our Kyungsoo like a Disney princess and a cute chicken. It still suits him though. Xiumin and Chen’s hair were electrified. And of course, who will forget Sehun’s colorful hair.

Xiumin looks like a wet squirrel here. :3

Let’s go back to the album itself.

Baby, Don’t Cry (인어의 눈물)

Ineowi Nun Mul. A song about a mermaid’s tears as EXO described it. What about a mermaid’s tears? I don’t really understand. Kekeke. But you can really feel the sadness in this song. What I loved about this song (besides Suho’s parts) was Chanyeol’s rap! His voice was really deep and perfect for that certain part. You will really recognize that he is also singing in some parts of the song when there is an “echo.” Oh Chanyeol, Baekhyun is really lucky. Kekeke. His voice reminds me of T.O.P.

D.O. and Baekhyun's part translation

The moonbeam that brims up in your eyes
This night that silently overflows with pain

Black Pearl

I thought this song was dedicated to SNSD’s Yuri. Kekeke. The song started slowly and then a sudden electronic beat. Sorry to say that this is one of my least favorite in the album. But I love the meaning behind the song. The song is about a guy who resists his feelings for his love one.

Question of existence, apart from reality

Am I wandering in a dream and what’s beyond it

나비소녀 (Don’t Go)

Nabi Sonyeo or Butterfly Girl is the literal translation of this song. This is my favorite song in the whole XOXO Album! I just love how the song flows. I love it even more when I searched for the whole translation of the song. The meaning was very deep (I think a lot of K-pop songs have a deep meaning that’s why I love them). This song made me feel sad and happy, in short abnormal. Kekeke.

The chorus part was my favorite:

Guide me yeah take me together with you to the place where you live

Oh even if the world ends, I’ll follow from behind you so please don’t go out of my sight

Even when the morning comes, don’t disappear oh

This walk that I’m dreaming

You’re my only beautiful butterfly

Let Out The Beast

I think this song means that you have to unleash the beast that is inside you. Maybe in life, you have to be fearless in order to get the things you deserve. Take a risk. This showcases Chanyeol’s rapping skills! And for the Hug version, all of your TaoRis feels are overflowing!

Untie the chain that sunk into your restrained heart

Don’t stop until that moon disappears

When the lighting illuminates me

All the people looking at me fall for me

When the lighting illuminates me

Don’t miss any of my gazes

3.6.5

OH DEAR IS THIS One Direction?! The beginning of the song sounds like it but it is not. Kekeke. I remember when EXO was a guest in a radio show, the DJ asked what is 3.6.5 and Chanyeol just said that it is the days of the year. As simple as that.

Get crushed three times, even if you cry around the fifth one

In the album, 3.6.5 is the 6^th song. The line “Get crushed three times” pertains to the three sad songs before 3.6.5 and those are Baby Don’t Cry, Black Pearl and Don’t Go. I’m just making my own premonition in this album. Kekeke.

3-6-5 behind you I will live everyday for you

3-6-5 as if I was born for you I will fill my days

oh oh oh oh- 3-6-5 No matter what pain it is

oh oh oh oh- 3-6-5 I will make you forget about it

3-6-5 I will protect you

Heart Attack

This is also my least favorite. I don’t know why but please don’t bash me. Kekeke. But the meaning was also nice.

An instant Heart Attack This time’s end

The world overpowering me The most entrancing feeling’s Heart Attack

Even if my breathe stops, you’re so close, that I like it

You still like your dying moment because of the presence of your love one.

피터팬 (Peter Pan)

If F(x) has Pinocchio, SHINee have Lucifer, Sherlock and Juliette, Super Junior have Super Man and Gulliver, Girls’ Generation has Genie, well EXO has Peter Pan! PITEO PAEN. I also love this song! This is my second favorite, next to Don’t Go. I really do love Kai and Sehun’s rap part! The second voices of D.O. and Baekhyun were really magical. I really feel that I am at Neverland.

That time like when your eyes that gently smiled (Although I put out my hand Oh!)

If you were to fly to me right now through the open window in the part of my heart (You get farther Away)

You that i bottled in my fairy tale, as always, lingering around sweety girl (Don’t leave)

I’m still trembling the part of my heart that you’re not in this place is a lonely island (The me from that time)

You that is written in my memories pretty girl that won’t get erased! (is here right now Oh!)

My heart is still beating the one part of my heart that you’re not in (Where could you be)

Baby

A song that makes me sleep.

Why do you make my eyes shine like this

Why do you make my heart beat this crazily

Although I become breathless You are so precious to me Don’t forget

MY LADY

I’ve been waiting for EXO’s My Lady!!! I remember this song was used in Kai’s teaser and I found it really sexy! The song did not disappoint me at all. The English translation of the song was like:

D.O. and Chanyeol’s part

Come a bit closer (don’t stop!)

If I hold you (everything’s alright)

The flowing melody, seemingly tickling my ear

Don’t be too late

LET'S HAVE A THROWBACK SHALL WE?

Very sensual and sexy song! This song is really eargasmic!

Cause this review is just full of my opinion and feels.

I will give this an 8 for infinity and luck. The first WOLF is by EXO (OT12) the 11^th WOLF is only sung by EXO-K and it seems I can’t distinguish the difference at all. Heart Attack and Black Pearl has great meanings but they did not meet my feels. WOLF is better than the leaked one. I love the rest of the songs in the album. The physical album itself was cool! I love their high school concept.

In the whole album, what's your favorite song and why? ^^

Track List:

- CD 1 (Kiss Ver.)-

01. 늑대와 미녀 (Wolf)

02. Baby, Don’t Cry (인어의 눈물)

03. Black Pearl

04. 나비소녀 (Don’t Go)

05. Let Out The Beast

06. 3.6.5

07. Heart Attack

08. 피터팬 (Peter Pan)

09. Baby

10. My Lady

11. 늑대와 미녀 (Wolf) (EXO-K Ver.)

12. 늑대와 미녀 (Wolf) (Chinese Ver.)

Visit http://kpoplyrics.net for English Translations and Romanization of your favorite K-pop songs.

*Photos and videos credit to the owner. No copyright infringement intended.*

Manila Seoul-Searching No. 1: Cafe de Seoul

2013-10-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

I got hospitalized one time because of eating spicy food. My body got dehydrated and I was thinking that I am dying (exaggeration). I really avoid spicy food since then.

South Korea, the home of good-looking K-pop idols is also the land of the ever spicy kimchi. Too sad, I can’t really eat it because my doctor prohibited me in eating spicy dishes.

Autumn 2011, I went to South Korea with our Dean and other schoolmates because of our Cultural Exchange Program. South Korea was like my dream land because of the fact that it is Super Junior Donghae’s country. The advice of my doctor not to eat spicy food is not a hindrance to not to enjoy my stay in South Korea. I still enjoyed my stay in South Korea! Their bulgogi was the best and my favorite banchan was gamja jeon.

After that one week stay in the land of the morning calm, I suddenly have this change of lifestyle. Now, I am having a Manila Seoul-Searching (wordplay: replacing Seoul, capital of SoKor in the word “soul-searching.”) Meaning I am looking for something “Seoul-like” or “Korean-like” in Metro.

My first Manila Seoul-Searching adventure is at Café de Seoul located at One Archer’s Place (beside De La Salle University Manila).

My girly girl OTP (one true pair) and I went to the place last October 12, 2013. I really feel like I was in a coffee shop somewhere in Seoul. The ambiance was really Seoul-like. When we visited the place, the costumers were Koreans because Lasallians are out there in Mall of Asia Arena cheering for the Green Archers!

As you enter the coffee shop, you'll notice this thing (I don't know what it is called - comment in this post if you know ^^) where you can put your pictures during your stay in Cafe de Seoul. Some people left their 2x2 / passport size photos, polaroid photos and look for EXO Lay's face there.

There is also a post it-wall! I also like this part without any reasons. Leaving post-its in cafe walls just means you went in this place.Post-its are really clean and colorful! Most post-its were dedicated for EXO, Super Junior and other K-pop groups. The artists will be happy if they see these messages. What makes this place feel Seoul-like is their mini replica of the Namsan Tower, where you can put padlocks that signifies that you are locked to each other (for lovers kekeke).

Nyam nyam nyam nyam! This is for all the hungry people out there.

Tables with Galaxy Tab - perfect for posting your selcas, researching for thesis or just play Candy Crush saga.

Imagine playing Temple Run 2 in a tab installed in a table. Hmmmm.

Sleek magazine rack! Very classy.

Marshmallow Choco Slice - I ordered this because I remember Sulli and Minho eating S'mores in the drama To the Beautiful You. It is sooooo creamy and chocolatey! I love it! Neomu johaeyo!

My friend ordered a Choco Lava and it is also great! Very chewy! There's a surprise in the middle of this cake. ;)

Mocha chips.

Honey citron/Yuja! Aja! Aja!

Bird's eye view selca. A mirror at the ceiling!

I am not really doing a food blog here but I will give a verdict. Haha! The ambiance and service were great! The people working there were really nice. It is a place where you can both relax and enjoy. The price of the goods were so-so but the over-all experience in this place is totally worth it. I will definitely return to try their K-pop donuts and their bingsoo (Korean halo-halo).

For more information visit their site: Cafe de Seoul

Like them on Facebook

Follow them on Twitter

SUNNY (2011) MOVIE REVIEW

2013-10-15T05:05:00.001-07:00

Sunny (2011)

Last Friday, I watched this 2011 Korean Movie, Sunny. I watched this movie because of only one reason: Kang Sora. Yes, Kang Sora, Super Junior Leeteuk’s on-screen wife in “We Got Married.”

Plot

In the mid-80’s, under the military dictatorship, Na-Mi (Shim Eun-Kyung), a girl from Jeolla province moves to Seoul and enrolls in Jindeok Girls School. On her first day at her new school, she is bullied by other girls because of her dialect but she is helped by a group of girls with different personalities. First girl is the outstanding fighter and loya friend, Chun-Hwa (Kang Sora), the girl who badly desires to have a double-eye lid surgery, Jang-Mi (Kim Min-Young), the foul-mouthed professor’s daughter, Jin-Hee (Park Jin-Joo), the girl who loves literature, Geum-Ok (Nam Bo-Ra), the dentist’s daughter who aspires to be Ms. Korea and the pretty but arrogant, Su-Ji (Min Hyo-Rin). Na-Mi becomes part of their group. Na-Mi spews swear words she picked up from her grandmother when their group confronts its arch nemesis known as Sonyeo Sidae (Girls Generation – a popular Korean girl group of today’s generation). These seven girls with different personalities formed their own group and named it “Sunny.” They promised to stay together forever. At an upcoming school event, a very bad thing occurred leading the girls to go on their own separate ways.

Twenty five years later, Na-Mi (Yoo Ho-Jeong) is married to a business man and has a daughter. One day, Na-Mi saw her highschool friend, Chun-Hwa (Jin Jee-Kyung) in a hospital. The two were very happy to see each other. Chun-Hwa, who is in terminal stages of cancer, makes a simple request to Na-Mi before she leaves. Chun-Hwa asks Na-Mi to look up the other members of “Sunny” before she dies.

Insight

The value of friendship was really seen in this movie. I inevitably thought of my high school friends while watching this movie. I asked myself “What will happen to us (me and my high school friends) after twenty five years?” Only God knows the answer. It is not just a happy reunion of seven high school best friends after twenty five years but also fulfilling a promise to stay together forever.

Friendship like love, has a broad definition, and it has many meanings. For some, friends are someone to talk to at school, friends reside next door and play with you; friends are people you study with. In this movie, friends are everything. If one of your friends is hurt you’ll hunt those people who hurt your friend and you’ll fight for your friend.

High school is the best. It is the best because all “firsts” happened in high school, first adolescent crush, first love, first kiss (for other people but not me) and first whatever.

The importance of one’s life is also seen in this movie. Na-Mi’s life is almost perfect but there is still lacking. The search for true happiness and love are the basic ingredients for our life to blossom.

I remember when my mom asked me to come with her at her high school reunion, different groups were still visible and humility is missing. *Off topic* My mom’s Spanish teacher approached me and asked me “How are you?” and I was like “WTF?!” I just said “I am your student’s daughter. *smiles*” Before their reunion, they’re bashing each other in facebook and I said “Come on! You’re grown up people and yet you still fight?!”

Best Quotes

“We’ll meet again. If you ignore us because your life is too good, we’ll go and punish you. If you hide because your life sucks, we’ll go and make it better.” – Chun-Hwa (Kang Sora)

“You’re the star of your life.” – Chun- Hwa (Jin Jee-Kyung)

Comment

This movie made me laugh and cry at the same time.

Great cinematography. Great actresses.

80’s songs were great even though I wasn’t born in the 80’s. I love the soundtrack.

Ratings: 8.5/10

Movie Review Link: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/sunny-movie-review-271391

This entry was written 09-16-2012.

Photos credit to the owner.

Comeback

2013-10-14T07:16:00.003-07:00

안녕하세요!

Hello!

I am back.
I already created a blog before but I got lazy to update.

So, here I am now.

After months of thinking, I finally decided to blog again

(to write again, to share things again).

Basically, my future entries will be about everything under the sun

since my blog title is "Day by Day."

I keep promising to myself that

I will update "Day by Day" everyday.

I already have five (5) entries saved in MS Word.

Apparently, they are about K-pop, my cup of tea.

Let procrastination ends.

화이팅

X♥X♥dawn♥X♥X

10.15.13

comeback