It's a crazy OPM night last August 9, 2017 in 12 Monkeys Music Hall and Pub as Brisom launched the music video of their newest sick track, Balewala.

Brisom is an indie-electro-rock band from Manila. They play synth like of 80's with clarity in lyrics. The first song I heard from them was in English, Pride, so I really thought they were a foreign act, but nope, the band is composed of all Filipino talent.

Joining the night was other bands such as Spongecola, Silent Sanctuary, Kjwan, Lunar Lights and Kissling. All of them sang their hits and crowd favorites.





Brisom and Silent Sanctuary played a song together also. I just don't have a video for that. (I'm sorry, my phone got empty batt, so no video) But here is a FB live for Brisom performance:



Talking about the song, you will love the intro (intro pa lang, pag-ibig na) as it progresses to the lyrics. The song talks about being in love with someone but in doubt to reveal it. But the music video is about being fearless about the feelings you want to tell. The vibe of the video has a strong San Junipero feels (Netflix Original series, Black Mirror episode) where the two characters meet in a bar, one being unsure of how to go with her attraction to another girl and the opposite is just being sure with it. The whole scene was shot in Unit 27, one of my fave spots in BGC. You would recognize the yellow neon callout-shape on wall. Which is so perfect to the video.

Here is the lyrics of the song:
Damdamin kong nakatago pa rin




Congratulations to Brisom! Mabuhay ang Lokal indie. <3

Tinipak River is one of the travel gems in Tanay, Rizal. Flowing along the boundary of Rizal and Quezon Province, this river has been popular to mountain climbers as it is next to Mt. Daraitan. It is one of the personal choices for nature break with friends. It's rock formation, good landscape of land and water and relaxing sound of river flow never fail me in bringing good escape to stressful city living. One weekend, I got lucky and had a chance to visit the place again. Let me share you my lakwatsa.

GETTING THERE

Landing your feet in Tinipak River is easy but may cost you a bit. So, if you plan to visit the place, it will help you to join a group for less expense and more convenience (I suppose, organize tours usually have van service).

EDSA side of Starmall Shaw is your starting point. There is UV Express bound to Tanay, Rizal. It usually has long queuing and might put you waiting for 15 minutes. Depending on the demand of commuters. The travel may take 1 hour and 30 minutes at least, good enough to have a great catch up with your travel buddy or big time nap.

UV Express should take you to Jollibee Tanay. Nearby is 7-11 store so you can still purchase your pahabol needs in your camping checklist. From this point, you can take a tricyle ride to Barangay Daratian. This it the most painful part of journey, budget wise. There is no jeep going to your next point, so you don't have a choice. But, you may enjoy the view passing another Rizal famous, Pililla Wind Farm. This will add another 1 hour to your travel time.

After the long tricycle adventure, you will reach the "not so" Barangay Daraitan yet. You have to cross the river via floatee or via hanging bridge and have another tricycle ride to Daraitan Barangay Hall, and finally, the "real" Brgy. Daraitan. Have a guide that will cost you Php 1,250 (good for 5 pax, overnight rate), have safety briefing and another tricycle to jump-off. And brace for 30-minute walk to Daraitan Camp Site.

Guide fee Php 1,250 may give you a shock but it is standard rate for an overnight activity in Tanay. I really hope it is not this pricy. But, you can maximize tour guides by getting water for your group in water source nearby the camp site. Here is the matrix of the commute cost to help you budget on your trip:


If you can't view the matrix properly, you may click this link.

CAVING IN

It was raining when we arrived our spot, but luckily, we selected the rocky part so we have cave to shelter our bonding. So after mounting our tents we literally cave in to cook our dinner and finally socialize with others. The rain didn't stop us having a good Tinipak moment! Thanks for the rock formation that got us covered.

I highly recommend the spot where we did camping. It is the "mini" cave part near bridge to Tinipak Cave. The rock formation (formed into sort of cave) helped us to get through the rainy night, and it is a great cover to rising morning sunshine on day after your drunken night. Hahahaha! You may also sleep also in that area if you don't have your tent with you. Just bring your blanket and or sleeping bag with you.

This mini cave that house our kitchen and inuman session.

CLOSE TO NATURE

If you don't want to go climbing mountains just to have a good camping experience, I would definitely recommend Tinipak River camping. Surrounding you is a majestic nature scenery: rich trees, rock formation and the Tinipak River itself. Imagine hanging out with your friends, under a cave and the natural sound of flowing river blends harmoniously with the chirping birds and crickets.

Our tents in camping site near bridge to cave.

Near our camp site is the bridge to cave, so as the day goes in, many passers by are on route to the cave. This is a chance also to meet new friends. And, the view there is just wonderful.

Bagong lipat ako ng work, well mga ilang buwan na din ang nakakalipas. Mula Fort BGC, ang binabiyahe kong mula sa Pasig ay sa QC na ngayon. Oo, Quezon City. At to be exact, sa Kamuning. Ganung kalayo, at sa akin bilang galing Pasig, kapag lumagpas na ng Cubao ay malayo na.

Sa tapat ng aking simpleng opisina ay magtatapuan ang isang simpleng kainan, ang Benito's Kitchen. Isang maliit na kainan na makikita sa Kamuning Road, Quezon City (bago mag-intersection ng Gener). Ang nakakatuw dito ay kung gaano kasarap ang kanilang pagkain at mas nakakatuwa pa dito ay mura lamang ang mga ito.

Benito's Kitchen Logo

True to it's logo, Benito's Kitchen really offers mixture of Mexican and Italian goodness. Kung naghahanap kayo ng "para maiba naman" upang alternatibo sa tipikal na kainan na fastfood, ang Benito's Kitchen ang hinahanap ninyo.

Hindi mo aasahan na masarap ang pagkain dito dahil simple lang naman ang itsura niya. Sa isang kanto lamang ito at katabi pa ng isang talyer.

Masarap pagsaluhan ang kanilang pizza at pasta! Meron silang madaming klase ng pizza: All Cheese, Hawaiin, Beef and Mushroom, Ala Coron, Nachos Surprise, Everything Veggies, Benito's All In at ang paborito ko, Bacon and Ham. Maipagmamalaki ang kanilang pizza- brickoven baked kayat malinamnam ang kanyang pagka-thin crust. The crust is freshly hand made craft to perfection. Ang pizza nila ay 239.00 Pesos lamang ang pinakamahal at maari mo ding i-take out.

Sa kanilang pasta naman ay maari ninyong pagpilian ang Carbonara, Meat Sauce at Pesto. Recommended and Meat Sauce dahil umaapaw sa yummy sauce. Maari ko ding i-recommend ang Pesto. Meron siyang nutty texture na talagang nagco-compliment sa panlasa.

Dahil mexitalian, hindi mawawala ang Nachos, Quesadilla, Taco (soft) at Burittos. Tikman nyo rin ang kanilang Buffalo Wings. Yum yum!

Benito's Kitchen

My favorite part is their Single Plate Combo. For only 99 Pesos, you can almost create your plate. Served with a glass of Iced Tea, you mix either:
Options for Pasta: All Meat, Carbonara and Pesto.
Options for Pizza: Hawaiian, All Cheese and Bacon and Ham.

Single Plate Combo for Only 99 Pesos. For this plate: Nachos, Pesto and Bacon & Ham Pizza.

At dahil tayo ay Filipino at sobrang hilig natin sa kanin, meron din silang rice meals- Letchon Kawali, Pork, Chicken, Bangus, Longganisa at Tapa. All served with egg. Perfect for lunch!

Nung binista ko ang kanilang Facebook Page, nakita ko na dati pala silang nasa White Plains at mas malaki ang pwesto nila noon kumpara sa anong meron ngayon sa Kamuning.

Talaga namang little ang restaurant na ito pero big bite naman ang magagawa mo. Sulit at recommended sa lahat!


Support our lokal food!

You may like them on FB: Benito's Kitchen.

KKK. The hidden food revolution in SM Megamall.

Hidden

Oo. Nagtatago ang KKK sa Lower Ground, Building B ng SM Megamall. Kanina, mula sa pagkalungkot ko dahil madaming tao sa Ice Skating Rink ng SM Megamall ay nagpasya na lamang kaming kumain ng aking mga pinsan. Maraming tao sa gusto kong subukan na burger, 8 cuts kaya nagpunta na desisyon na pumunta na lamang sa isang pancake restaurant sa lower ground ngunit bago pa makapunta dun may pumkaw ng kainan sa amin. Dahil sa tugtog na Up Dharma Down at sa cool na setting ng kainan na ito, ang KKK Pinoy Food Revolution. Sino mag-aakalang may ganitong restaurant dito? Sa tinagal-tagal ko ng naglilibot sa SM Megamall ay ngayon ko lang ito nakita dito.

Kainan sa Kalye Kanluran

Totoong Jeep sa loob ng kainan?

KKK ay unang nagbukas sa West Avenue, which literally translates into Filipino as Kalye Kanluran noong taong 2002. At mula noon ay nagbukas na sila ng iba pang branches sa iba't-ibang SM sa Maynila. Nakilala ang kainang ito sa kanyang glass and nipa hut texture ng interior design. In SM Megamall branch, they have a Jeepney inspired counter. Makikita dito kung iba't-iabg branches nila na parang tipikal na pinoy jeep kung saan nakalagay ang ruta.

Makikita mo din ang pagiging malikhain ng mga Pilipino sa kanilang mga ilaw na kung saan ni-recycle ang lumang bote ng alak. Nakapagdagdag ito ng pagka-pinoy at natural lamang ang dating.


I like the fixtures on tables. Table napkin dispenser that is made of ceramic and printed with Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio in a jeep.

And our kababayan figurines that holds promotional ads of their food and the quick view of their specialties in the back.



Ang Mga Pinaglalaban

KKK menu includes a wide selection of Filipino cuisine. Appetizers, Main Course, Salads and Desserts have pinoy takes in their list. Sa salad, pinoy na pinoy ang dating! Nag-order ako ng salad at ito ang Ensaladang Krispy Dilis at Papaya. Ito ay halo ng malulutong na dilis, hilaw na papaya at sibuyas ng tagalog na hinalo sa Sitaw Dressing.

Ensaladang Krispy Dilis at Papaya

Panalo sa panlasa! The sauce compliments the papaya and the crispy dilis gives texture. Nakasarap din sa bawat kagat ang manamis-namis na sibuyas. Perfect ito sa mga nagda-diet!
Not that much fat (may fat ba ang dilis?), fibers from papaya and tomatoes. At, sariwa ang mga sangkap.

Busog ako sa oras na yun kaya't nagpansit lamang ako. Pinili ko ang kanilang Pansit Lucban at hindi naman ako nagsisi.

Actually, first time ko kumain ng Pansit Lucban. Natutuwa ako dahil una ko itong natikman sa KKK. Sa una ay inakala ko na maalat siya dahil sa kulay toyo ngunit, walang matapang na alat ang aking nalasap. Masarap ang noodles na ginamit. Hindi ko siya maihahambing pa sa iba pang Pansit Lucban pero alam kong masarap ang Pansit Lucban ng KKK. Goof for two ang servings ng KKK Pansit Lucban sa halagan 140 Pesos lamang.

Pansit Lucban

Tikman nyo din ang kanilang version ng Chapche, ang Pansit Koreno. Thick clear noodles with bits of leimpo and served with scrambled egg. Sulit ang 140 Pesos para sa solong serving nito. Malasa ang sauce at nakadagdag sa sarap ang itlog. Chapche with a Filipino touch!

Pansit Koreano

Panahon na naman ng pag-ibig. Labasan na naman ng mga discount coupons ng mga motel, roses na may maliit na teddy bear, heart decorations sa mall at mga chocolate na hindi mo kadalasang nakikita. This is the season where you can see lovers do what you hate the most- being sweet. Sa kadahilanang "Single" ka, may pagka-bitter ka sa panahon ngayon at para sayo, you just want to flip your calendar to March, skipping February.

Whatever the reason you may have why you are single, merong kanta sa swak sa katayuan mo ngayon. Pero, syempre, depende yun kung anong uri ng pagka-single mo, at depende yun sa dahilan ng pagiging single mo.

Pilitin ng mag-isa sa isang sulok, kuhain na ang headset, i-open na ang screen caps ng mga messages niya sa iyo before at press play! Here are the songs for five types of broken heart.

Friendzone- Balisong by Rivermaya

Wala ng mas sasakit pa sa pag-ibig na sa sobrang halaga ay hanggang pangkaibigan lang. Hindi mo naman ginusto pero stuck ka na lang sa pagiging doon sa zone of friendship. Gigising ka na lang biglaan na gusto mo na lang kumawala. Lahat ng happy moments nyo, sa iyo the best, sa kanya just the ordinary friendship fun.

Unfaithful- Di Kasi by Moonstar88

Pangakong napako ang sabi mong siya lang. Kaya ang ending, solo flight ka sa movie dates o dine-out. You try to mend everything but its just too late. You broke his or her heart pero alam mong nabasag mo din yung sayo. Wala ka namang ibang dapat sisihin kundi ang sarili mo. Masarap ang bawal? E di enjoy being single. I'm sure, ayaw mong mag-isa. Lalo na ngayon.

Victim- Evidence by Urbandub

Kung hindi naman nanloko, isa lang yan- ikaw yung naloko. This is completely the opposite of Unfaithful pero hindi equal ang pain kasi kapag ganito, you have been trust worthy to keep your relationship in its best state pero hindi naging ganun yung partner mo. Kaya super heartborken ka kung ito ka. Iisipin mo na time can heal pero you just can't seem to move on.

The Left Out- Nung Iniwan Mo Ako by Sino Sikat

Meron talagang nangiiwan na tao. Karamihan sa kanila yung mga taong naging importante pa sa buhay mo. Eto yung mga taong naiwan, for good man o hindi, maghihintay at maghihintay ka. Hindi man niya alam na mahal mo siya, o alam niyang mahal mo siya, o mahal ka niya pero umalis siya- hahanapin mo pa din siya. Ang alam mo lang, mahal mo siya at wala na siya.

The Lover- Broken Sonnet by Hale

Hindi lahat ng single ay in relationship, yung iba nasa relasyon nga pero ramdam nilang wala. Mahal mo siya pero hindi lang talaga siya para sa iyo. Handa mong gawin lahat sa kanya ngunit handa ka din niyang iwan kahit anong oras. No matter what you do, you will still see tears in her/his eyes and it just brakes your heart.

Five hours ago, director RA Rivera announces the newest installment of TFTFZ which stands for Tales From The Friend Zone. Almost a year before the episode eight arrived the internet screen that made all of it's fans really wait, as what abangers should be. And finally the wait is over.

NOW UPLOADING #TFTFZero @ramonbautista pic.twitter.com/2BLbBPxL68
— RA Rivera (@rarivera9) December 18, 2013

Episode 8 or should we say "the prequel" has been very different to the previous episodes of the TFTFZ. The original platform was based on the written real life stories of (the host) Ramon Bautista's followers, wherein the story will be told with dramatization, critically shot with perfect production sense to bring up the emotions towards the netizen viewers and as ending, Ramon as the love guru will share his opinion and advice on how to prevent yourself being in the so called, friend zone- which makes you and your special someone just frieds. *play kaibigan lang pala chorus song here*

 The new episode is called Tales From The Friend Zone Episode Zero, and every frame was meant to be awaited and here, ladies and gentlemen, as follows.


Starts with a very straight forward statement that you will only hear from broken heart guys.


Along came the intro reel that looks like this:

500 Days of Summer Intro

But in one frame featuring mga bida.



---
All credits goes to Sir RA Rivera. Follow him: Twitter and Facebook.

Bago magtapos ang October ngayong taon, one of the first groceries in Pasig has returned to it's surface back for business. Free Choice Mart Supermarket or simply know as FCM Supermarket has re-open it's doors to cater Pasigueños shopping that they deserve.

Hindi ko matandaan kung kelan unang nagbukas ang FCM Supermarket. Pero, ito ang unang grocery na napuntahan ko. Bago pa siya maging FCM Supermarket, kilala ang grocery na ito sa pangalang Pasig Supermarket. Located right in front of the Pasig Public Market now dubbed as Pasig Mega Public Market, it became the outlet of fast consumer goods like can goods, supplies and more. The accessible of it's location made it stand to competition when I was a kid then. Lagi kasi akong kasama ni Nanay before when she went to market. Pagkatapos bumili ng meats and veggies, tatawid ka lang for your one month supply of grocery goods.



The Battles

From being Pasig Supermarket, they changed their name to Free Choice Mart in early 2000. That time the grocery business we're not in good shape because of economy status of the country. Unting-unting nagtataasan ang presyo ng mga bilihin tulad ng mga delata, noodles at iba pang pangunahing binibili sa grocery ng simpleng mamamayan. Kumonti ang mga namimili sa grocery. Hindi nagtagal at nagsara na ang major branch ng kalabang grocery shop na Sumulong Grocery na makikita sa kabilang side ng Pasig Public Market.

In 2004, nagbukas ang Lianas Supermarket and Department Store sa dating kinatatayuan ng Sumulong Grocery at ang Jaynit's Supermarket. Ang Lianas Supermarket and Department Store ang naging pangunahing bilihan ng taong iyon. Ito ay may 5 floors, fully air-conditioned na meron din dalawang sinehan. Naging alternatibo na ding bilihan ang Jaynit's Supermarket na naging bilihan naman ng may mga sari-sari store. Naging mahina ang laban ng FCM Supermarket dahil sa pagbukas ng dalawang bagong grocery shop. Sinundan pa ito ng maliliit na grocery stores sa loob ng Pasig Public Market pagkatapos ng pagrerenovate nito.

Ang bagyong Ondoy ang tuluyang nagpasara sa FCM Supermarket. Bagamat muling nagbukas ang ibang grocery shop pagkatapos ng pagbaha sa Pasig, nanatili itong sarado.

Standing Proud

Ngayon, muling nagbukas ang pinto ng FCM Supermarket. Malaki ang pinagbago nito, mula sa sistema ng kanilang operation hanggang sa pagbibihis ng employees nila.

Fully-airconditioned na ang FCM Supermarket. At meron na din silang tindang mga prutas, gulay at mga fresh meat.




May mga appliances na din at kitchen wares.



Wine Section, tamang-tama sa pasko!



Watsons, for your medicine needs.





Kapansin-pansin ang pagkakahalintulad ng bihis ng FCM Supermarket ngayon sa SM Savemore. Nakausap ko ang isa sa kanilang sales lady at nalamang kong nabili na ito ng SM. Hindi lang pumayag ang dating may-ari na baguhin ang pangalan nito.



Isang maliking pag-asenso ito para sa Pasig. New FCM Supermarket offers new shopping experience to Pasigueños as well. We look for healthy competition to the grocery shops here in Pasig.

Shopping Alternatives

Lina's Supermarket and Department Store- at the other side of Pasig Mega Public Market. With five floors, fully air-conditioned, and two cinema complex.

Jaynit's Supermarket- owned by Sia family (also owns the Mang Inasal Pasig Palengke branch). Popular for sari-sari store owners. Right across the Market Ave. going towards barangay Palatiw.

Sumulong Grocers- near Pasig Simbahan in barangay San Jose.

Puregold- San Joaqin and C. Raymundo branch. Part of the biggest grocery chain in the country.

South Supermarket- across Amang Rodriguez Ave., grocery spot for Rosario area.