Matapat

Okay. I know I've been quiet the past days and I haven't had a new post but it's been a little stressful at work. Last Thursday though I made it a point to leave the office early to do something I've never done in years: SPEND TIME WITH MY HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS.

I swear I think the last time I saw some of them was high school graduation so the moment they invited, I knew I just had to come. Also, one of my friends, Cecile, who lives in Japan and experienced the historic 8.9 magnitude earthquake is going back there next week so it's really high time to see each other and catch-up.

First things first: DINNER @ Ibayo Restaurant along San Miguel by the Bay. 

 
Just a couple of days back I told myself that I really won't eat much during dinner but I ate my words again. Thumbs up for the food. They're your typical Filipino dishes but they're cooked pretty well. The servings are generous too! We just had an additional platter of rice and the set meal good for 4-8 was enough for like 11 persons. And the best thing is we only paid PhP 1645.

Kare-Kare

Crispy Pata

Adobong Kangkong

Part of the set meal but were not in picture are fried chicken, turon, rice and iced tea.

While saying grace. Would you believe me if I tell you that I'm not looking at the crispy pata? Haha

Oh the ambiance is noteworthy as well. Casual yet classy. I suggest you try it there some time.

We talked about, of course, tons of high school memories. These girls are hilarious as ever! We were so noisy that it's like we rented the place and the lady in the other table looks annoyed already but we couldn't care less. We haven't been together for ages and we have to make the most out of the evening.

 

 

My official HS barkada, minus the busy ones.

After dinner some had to go -- but we promised to organize a more formal get-together and make sure more people can come. But I tell you, for most of us, the night is young. In fact, the guest of honor haven't even arrived yet!

 

Cec and her Canadian husband, Dave, came around 10PM and it's time for the after-party. We walked around looking for a place where we could hang out and we stumbled upon Bed Scene. 

I've been hearing nice things about the place but it's my first time to try it. It's one of a kind because they had, well from the name itself, beds instead of tables. It's perfect for a cozy affair but it's not for big groups like us because you hardly see the people at the other end of the bed. We transferred to the tables outside and it was a lot better.

 

The session started. Dave shared their earthquake experience over a tower of beer and some apple-flavored drinks. He's an amazing storyteller we felt like we were actually there! He told us how the ordeal changed the way he sees life. It was then that he realized that you may have a lot of money in your pocket but it wouldn't matter because there's nothing to spend it on -- shelves are wiped out of food, gasoline stations are closed -- and in the end it's still the genuine care of the people around you that would help you survive.

Guy is talking about how hard it is to drive during an earthquake. Girl is making chika. Hahaha.

 

 The latter part of the night was spent musing over about our youth and realizing how crazy we were back in the day. We unearthed stories about our mischiefs, and how these got our teachers at wits' end. We talked about how we hoarded the yummy baon of our classmates and how (well) we cheated during Math exams. We recalled the habitual fight about who's gonna mop the floor, the snacks that disappear from someone else's bag, the silly school plays, the overpriced food in the cafeteria, oh even a classmate's BO (yeah, we're a little mean like that!). LOL.

 

Soon we had to call it a night -- an awesome night full of laughing and reminiscing and bonding the Malatean way -- and those who failed to come definitely missed a lot :D

FOUR FRIENDS + FINE FOOD + FUN FILM = FAB FRIDAY

There’s no better way to cap the week off and jumpstart a 9-day vacay (yeah baby, 9 days!) than going out with girlfriends and indulging in a feel-good movie. Oh don’t feel bad hon, you’re reserved for the finale  :-P

***

As I was browsing my best friend’s photo album in FB last Wednesday, I saw a picture of her and her beau eating at a Japanese resto, and from that moment on I was craving for Tonkatsu. I called Jhay to invite him for lunch or dinner that same day but work was toxic. I emailed the Isda Girls too but they already have other plans. But I was persistent, so last night we ate our hearts out at Karate Kid Waltermart.

FANTASTIC FOUR: Noreen, Nhix, Jaq, Me!

My craving was satisfied. Yay! ^_^

Oh no, I wanted more. But that's Noreen's food already. Penge Noreen.. :)

The tonkatsu never failed me. It was just the way I wanted it – crunchy yet tender on the inside. Jaq and Nhix enjoyed their Chicken Teppanyaki as well. Where’s Noreen you say? She’s still in transit because their meeting ended at 8pm. Spell workaholic.

I told them early on that I will be going home after dinner. They still wanted to watch Here Comes the Bride but I refused as it wasn’t part of my budget. But we aren’t friends for nothing, right? They are equally persistent, and they won’t take no for an answer.

In a few minutes, we are inside the theater. Waltermart isn’t as big as MOA or as classy as Rockwell and Serendra, but hey the movie house isn’t so bad. In fact, we enjoyed it because it’s the same viewing experience sans the crowd and the high cost.

And the movie? To say that it is hilarious is an understatement. We were literally laughing our asses off the whole time. Angelica Panganiban (Steph), Eugene Domingo (Ninang Precy), Tuesday Vargas (yaya), John Lapus (Toffee) and Jaime Fabregas (Lolo Bien) did a great job. Likewise, the storyline is good, not your ordinary comedy flick. But I wonder, does the solar eclipse and magnetic field phenomenon have scientific basis???

Here are more personal comments on the film:

• The five cars that crashed at the beginning were all “sayang.” :(
• Virgin Beach Resort, the movie’s setting, was sooooooooooo picturesque we’ve decided we’ll go there next summer (and try if the car will really move forward when put to neutral even if the engine is off)
• I wish I have a granny as affluent as Lolo Bien to finance my dream wedding *sigh* PhP 200,000 for the cake alone?! Watda..
• Steph’s original wedding gown is horrible. And yes, I am mean on that part. Hahaha.
• It was hard to believe that Harold (the groom) can turn someone as sexy as Angelica down when she already wanted to do the deed. The “Let’s wait till our marriage” idea seem a passé nowadays.
• Angelica is so versatile she pulled off both the finesse bride and the fierce gay.
• The scenes of John Lapus and “Mariz” would really make one throw up. No exaggerations here. Friendly advice: Keep your eyes shut when it’s their turn to shine (or not :-P).
• Very quickly, Eugene has emerged as one of the best comediennes of the country. All her antics hit the mark! ^_^
• Eugene is blessed to have kissed a lot of yummy guys already. Rawr.
• Tuesday’s role is forgettable (I didn't even know her name in the movie is Medelyn until I googled it). But she played “Ninang Precy” very well.
• The characters are very distinct that one line is enough to know who the soul is inside a certain body, especially during the last part when their identities are all mixed up. *Applause* 

 

Warning: Don’t watch it with your boyfriend because Tom Whatever-his-lastname-is is scorching hot your BF might get jealous and walk out while you are still drooling.

Walking out of the cinema, we were still laughing so hard. It’s always fun to laugh like no one else is around, knowing that you have your equally crazy friends to back you up.


On the jeepney ride going home, we thought about this:

"If we had to switch souls with another isda girl,

who would we wanna be?"

It was unanimous, no one liked the idea. LOL.

I got home half past eleven and as I entered the house, my younger sister said,

“Ate bakit ngayon ka lang???”

Aba, tinawag pa akong ate.

 

 

Overall, it was one hell of a Friday. Thanks Jaq, and thanks Nhix (on Noreen’s behalf). It was a portion of your 14th month pay very well spent. :)