Komikon 2012 Aftermath

The 8th Philippine Comics Convention or better known as the "Winter" Komikon was held last October 27 at Bayanihan Center - Unilab in Pasig City. D and I were there to join the fun, check out new comics and meet my comic artist friends! 

Remember when I said, "see you at Winter Komikon"? :)

More photos up next!

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Bourne and Breakfast

Yesterday was pretty hectic for me. Nevertheless, I had fun. :)

We get to visit Milky & Sunny in Kapitolyo and tried their specialties. Thank you Sir Bernard! Watch out for my Milky & Sunny feature in When In Manila as part of the Kapitolyo Foodtrip Series! 

Breakfast all day in Milky & Sunny! I loved their Spam and Bacon Pasta! And the Bananarama French Toast!

We were also able to watch The Bourne Legacy last night! It was great! Not so epic but that motorcycle chase in Manila -- Oh boy. The adrenaline. *insert adrenaline junkie scream here* I love how all their scenes in Philippines. It had that lomo-fied effect and it was pretty. I always talk about how saturated India is in films and Manila in Bourne Legacy is wow. I almost recognized all the places they've shown and how they stitched the motorcycle chase from Pasay to Edsa to Marikina. It was awesome. *insert endless babble about the motorcycle chase here* I also like the cameo roles of some Filipino actors. They picked them well. Thank goodness they didn't go for mainstream actors but veteran ones. Manila, Palawan and the Philippines in general is just so beautiful. I can't wait to explore more of it!

Image from Universal Studios

On the other note, I'm glad the rain stopped for the weekend. They say a tropical disturbance is coming up but I'm praying it wouldn't be too troublesome. My prayers also goes our to those who were affected by the floods. I did my share of helping and I think we all should. 

Have you done your share of helping already?

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Kapitolyo Food Trip #1: Ramen Cool and Lia's Cake in Season

Last Saturday's Indieket also turned into an impromptu foodtrip.
We're in the vicinity of Kapitolyo, Pasig and I've been targeting the area already for a foodtrip. I thought it's far and the commute is not friendly, but turns out it isn't.

I was on the lookout for Milky and Sunny but I wasn't in the mood for breakfast food, so we ended up in Ramen Cool for a late lunch. 

The place looked really nice and cozy. Plus there were only a few people inside when we got there, I sometimes like my quiet and personal time when eating.

This place could pass up as a coffee shop with its interior. And I love the couch type set-up. Well, I always like places that have this homey feeling. And good ambient lighting! :) 

Unique fixtures never fails to get my attention.  

Their menu was nicely illustrated and kudos for the photos! You don't know how important photos are in menus. 

The only thing is that their menu is salvaged by tape to hold it together. So I think they should do something about it. Sturdier material, perhaps?

Very pop and modern japanese illustrations. 

Now for the food verdict! 

Katsu Curry Rice 

This was D's order. He said he liked it. I gave it a taste and I should say that they got their curry good. A bit spicy and the pork serving was generous. (Php 215)

Spicy Chicken (Php 185)

I personally liked their Spicy Chicken (I'm really craving for spicy food that day) and their serving is big.

Seafood Ramen (Php 205)

Well, it is a Ramen place so trying their ramen is a must. We went for Seafood Ramen (yes, I love my seafood), it was good and again, the serving is good for 2 already. Ingredients-wise, they are really generous with it. Taste-wise, it was good but nothing that makes it stand out.

Verdict: The shark gives RamenCool a rating of 3.5/5 sharkbites.

Next up -- Lia's Cakes in Season!

This place was already on my To-Go list for D-related reasons, well, he likes loves Avocado. Cakes, mochi, shakes, the fruit itself and anything really. And scouting for Avocado treats for him already became a part of my nature. Lia's Cakes is supposed to be hidden from him until his birthday as I initially planned on giving him their Avocado cake on his birthday. But since we're on the area, I might as well take him there. Too early for the surprise, but oh well.

Specialty of Lia's Cakes -- their Avocado Cake! (sorry I forgot the price)

D's reaction upon tasting this was priceless. :) 

Oh, the joys you get when you know someone will appreciate what you did. 

This is my advance Happy Birthday to you! Haha!

I'm in good terms with avocados except when we used them for our thesis on college that I grew weary on them. Haha. I've lost my liking for avocado (imagine extracting oil from kilos and kilos of Avocado, I can even smell it in my sleep back then) but this cake might be the saving grace. What can I say, I actually liked it. :D

Chocolate Avocado Cake (Php 80)

Hm. What can I say about this one. I prefer the plain Avocado cake over this one. The chocolate-avocado has that roasted taste. Idk, maybe it's just me.

Banana Caramel Cake (Php 50)

It's cheap and it tastes good, what more can you ask for? I love that there are actual bananas on it and it's not so sweet. I love my desserts but those treats that are heave-laden with sugar sets me off. Nakakaumay.
But Lia's cakes -- superb!

I can't wait to go back to Kapitolyo to try the other restos!

ETA:
How to get there by commute: Take the MRT and alight on Boni Station. There is a tricycle terminal beside Robinson's Pioneer and from there, take a trike and just say you're heading to (say the street) in Kapitolyo. :)
You can walk from Ramen Cool to Lia's Cakes, just go straight to East Capitol Drive (if I remember it right).

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Komikon Indieket 2012!

"It was nice to be back." 

Two/three years ago, I frequented cons like this mainly because of my friends who are comic book artists. I got busy and skipped past conventions. But this time, I'm not missing it. Good thing D was up for it.

Plus, this was a good substitute to console my San Diego Comic Con feels. 

It is good to see that the Filipino Comics community is growing. Support local comics!


Sir Lyndon Gregorio of Beerkada. I've been a fan! He's really nice! Plus, he talks to me thru twitter and we share the same SDCC feels. Haha! I am already regretting why I didn't ask for a photo with him. T__T next time!


Vocabolero. I highly suggest you get yourself a copy from Beerkada!


How I wish I can draw like that!


More comics! More fun!


Meeting my friends again (after quite a while) was the best part!

It was such a fun afternoon! I'm looking forward for the Winter Komikon! :D
And of course, here are some of my loot from Indieket:


D liked the opening of Porkypine Road. He said it was for us.
I bought myself them character cards that I might put up on my wall but thinking twice because of the descriptions on the back.


My favorite! You will have to buy one to know why! Plus I got a free button pin! I just have to get the NECROMANCER. Get it? Haha!! I love it!


My Beerkada Voltes 5 shirt! :D

See you in Winter Komikon!
But you probably won't see me green, who knows what color I'll be in on October. ^__^

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Secret Recipe Saturdates

It had become a routine that our Saturdays our spent together, since we don't see each other during weekdays hence where Saturdates began. :)

Last Saturday, we were finally able to use our Secret Recipe Unli Cakes and Coffee vouchers from CCP. I think I paid 200php each for it. I guess it was okay but I enjoyed TCB's version of unli cakes and coffee more.

Secret Recipe's Meaty Lasagna (Php 170) 

I had to order something aside from the cake and coffee. Lord knows how my stomach stays on "always hungry" state. Meaty Lasagna then! 

It was, well, meaty and the cheesy top was really good. The pasta was not al dente though. 

Time to attack the cakes! :))

Long Black Coffee (it was really strong, mind you) and Mocha Walnut Cake

Almond Coffee Cake

One thing D and I can both agree to Secret Recipe's cakes -- they're not that moist. A little dry and crumbly (I think). Only the Moist Chocolate Cake saved the "not moist" dilemma.

Cocoa Mocha and Moist Chocolate Cake

Black Forest and White Strawberry Cake

The afternoon was spent in conversations and laugh. That day was spent in a laid-back mood. Travel weekends can be exhausting too and a break from our "work harder" weekdays was all we need to keep us going again. And pairing it with sugar is a good thing. :)

Secret Recipe

32nd St. corner 5th Ave. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

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No Mood Swings at Van Gogh is Bipolar

I had the reason to throw tantrums that night. Yue (my trusty Nikon D90) got his pop-up flash busted from my carelessness. But hey, it must be the VGIB effect that I remained composed all throughout the night. The Stress Drilon portion began when I got home. I didn't send me to a good night's sleep. :(

But hey, remembering my oh-so wonderful night at Van Gogh is Bipolar, I can't help but smile.

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FOOD: Feeling King at King One Rotary Hot Pot

Heads up! This is a photo overload post. You've been warned!

Saturdates are dedicated to eating or just plain having the time of our lives. If I'm not out of the road, I'll be indulging my taste buds with the good stuff (and as much as possible, affordable). :D

The highlight of yesterday's Saturdate was King One Rotary Hot Pot in Hobbies of Asia in Macapagal Avenue. I've been hearing so much about this place since last year and my expectations were fully met.


Talk about Seafood and Meat overload.


The most interesting thing about King One is their conveyor belt from where you can directly take a plate of your choice ingredient (well, that is if you're seated right next to the area. So when we arrived, I asked if they have a table beside the conveyor belt, I personally want to experience getting my food from it.



And so we were seated on the last available table, the area was a little crampy but it will do. They gave us a few papers which are actually menus wherein you'll get to check your choice of soup stock, side order (an extra treat from them because it's for free) and ingredients for your hot pot.

We chose the Satay and Szechuan (spicy) soup base.


Satay on the left and obviously, from the floating chilies that got me scared, Szechuan (spicy) soup on the right. The Satay soup had a distinct taste and that if you add some of the house sauce, it has that spicy kick that was just perfect to my taste. Szechuan on the other hand, was delicately spicy so no reason to be scared from its hot red color and feast of chilies and pepper. Just add a few of spring onions, garlic and their house sauce to suit your liking.

Tip: Enjoy the first serving of your soup, upon asking for refill, they will just add (if I'm not mistaken) hot water to it so the soup flavor gets a little bland.


Red, yellow and greens in combination is always pleasing to the eyes.


They also offer bottomless drinks for Php65. There is also a choice for fruit shakes (the server said it's not bottomless though) but that got us confused since it indicated there "ADD P20" (maybe add 20 to the buffet rate?) so we just opted for Sprite and Lemon Green Tea.

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