Somebody asked me to take a photo of them. To my surprise, it’s a film camera. It’s been ages since I’ve held one, so I was a bit hesitant – what if I won’t be able to take a good photo? What if I’d ruin the shot? What if I’d waste the film?
Despite the concerns, I still accepted the camera. Listened carefully to their instructions and took the photo. They were delighted and I felt relieved. We thanked each other and parted ways.
Then I thought to myself, what if I’d live as if I only have one shot at everything? Would I be living fearfully? Or would I make sure that every moment would not be wasted?
I don’t know yet but what I know is that there are chances I shouldn’t miss, despite the fear that I’d ruin the shot, I’d still take it.
The smudges, the nuisance, the imperfections are part of the composition and those could make the photo stand out.
It wasn’t that long yet when everyone’s so festive and joyous. When music, laughter and the smell of good food filled the air. It feels like it was still yesterday.
Today, we now have less than what we have before but we still have enough; needs and wants are really subjective. People realized now that they can live without having “milk tea” everyday, that life still goes on without having to travel, that the latest gadget won’t help us get by, that relationships matter, and that generosity, kindness, patience and love are essential to help us survive.
We may have less now but we became bigger persons than we were yesterday. We have learned to share everything that we have including our time, thoughts and prayers. In giving we do not become less but more.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill
Kia kaha, folks! He waka eke noa! (Stay strong! We are all in this together!)
Ironic, isn’t it? How could being wasteful a result of gratitude? As ironic as it may sound, that’s usually the case in the Philippines during the holiday season.
Christmas season which starts from the “ber” months and ends in January brings a very festive atmosphere in the country. It is in these months when the people are extremely joyful and of course, the best way to express the Filipino joy is through food. The Filipino’s idea of celebration revolves around three (3) F’s: Family, Friends and Food. Thus, all of those 3 together, spells FUN for everyJuan!
So here we are now, after a whole year of hard work; it is rightful that on this joyful occasion, it is more than okay to splurge. Every household had prepared for this. A huge chunk of the bonuses has been set aside for this event. As soon as December starts “Christmas Parties” are being held here, there and everywhere. What comes with party? Yeah… FOOD!
The problem doesn’t come from the Filipino’s love for food but from the its definition of “food”. For a typical Filipino household, a dish for 1 pax is not food at all -that’s just merely a snack. The Filipinos idea for food is feeding the multitude because sharing is caring right? So every household prepares huge quantities of the same dishes as what their neighbors, friends and loved ones prepared and sort of exchange “specialties”. Different presentation, but same spaghetti, adobo, crispy pata, kare-kare and sweets. 😅
What happens then? Everyone has more than what they can consume and would just end in the trash. That’s just so sad. It’s been running in the society for centuries. It’s time to end this now. We can still be grateful without being wasteful.
Whenever I’m anxious or troubled, being on greater heights (literally) helps me to clear my mind and feel at ease. Trekking and being at the summit of mountains was my usual form of escape whenever I feel suffocated by all the stresses that I’m being subjected into. Sadly though, there are times when going out of the city is not feasible; scaling buildings within the metro is always an option. I was lucky I used to work in high-rise projects so I could easily go to the top floors to gaze at the city skyline but that was before. Hence, that’s no longer the case, I’ve resorted to rooftop bars and restaurants that offer fine view of the city below.
The following are some of my favorite places here in the metro:
Sky Resto,11/F flr., Selah Pods, FB Harrison, Pasay City
When Midas touched Pasay
What I love about Sky Resto a
Sky Deck View Bar, The Bayleaf Intramuros
The famous Manila Bay Sunset
Firefly Roofdeck Bar, 32/F City Garden Hotel, Makati City
Mid of this year, our dear friend Ms. Meri of merissaspeakshermind had shifted to a plant-based diet. Hence, she had introduced to us restaurants that are vegan and vegetarian friendly but are also enticing for meat eaters like me.
So far, here’s my top 5 based on the following criteria: Pagkain (food), Price, and Place.
5. Berde Bowls, Ayala Triangle, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Berde Bowl’s Monggo Green Bowl
Pagkain – ⭐️⭐️⭐️ They have a non-vegetarian option. You get to build your own bowl and choose what base, protein, veggie, pickle, topping and sauce you’d put. However, aside from the monggo kare-kare bowl, they don’t have other vegetarian protein option.
Price – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Price for 2 persons is around Php300 to Php600.
Place – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It’s very accessible, being near the Central Business District. A perfect place to chill after a busy day at work.
4. Green Bar, 106 Aguirre, Legazpi Village, Makati
Good food with the best company
Pagkain – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a vegetarian/vegan restaurant that serves only plant based food. They have all day breakfast, bowls and burgers. Food that they serve are not only palatable but are very pleasing to the eye. However for people like me with a typical Filipino palate wherein #RiceIsLife, finding a dish to eat with rice is a bit perplexing.
Price – ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Price is a bit costly compared to nearby vegetarian friendly restaurants. Price for 2 persons is from Php 600 to Php800.
Place – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Very chill ambiance, located in a less crowded area in Makati. Commuting is a bit tricky though but it’s just a few minutes walk to greenbelt or Arnaiz Ave.
Pagkain – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Because #RiceIsLife for me, I’m giving them a perfect 5. They have lots of veganized Filipino foods like kare-kare, menudo and even barbecue with a very meaty taste minus the meat.
Price – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If I remember it right, they are only charging a very cheap price of Php160 for a cup of rice and a choice of 2 dishes. You’ll leave the place belly-filled without breaking the bank.
Place – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The place is just small but very cozy. It’s perfect for families or group of friends looking for a place to bond over healthy food. It’s a bit far from where I’m staying though but what I loved most about this place is the very engaging convo we had with Sis Val while we were having a sumptuous meal.
2. Wabi-Sabi Noodle House and Vegetarian Grocery, UG-4 MCS Fernando, Makati Cinema Square, Fernando St., cor. Chino Roces, Makati City
Pagkain – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ They have ramen, viet pho, tom yum, banh mi, buns, rolls, tempura and of course rice in humungous servings. I’m no fan of Japanese foods butwhat they’re serving tickled my palate and pierced my soul. Plus, the dishes are served very aesthetically, a part of you won’t want to ruin the presentation but once you’ve dug in, you’ll have trouble pausing.
Price – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Their noodles ranges from Php 170 to Php250 and their banh mi is at 170/85 for whole or half respectively. Trust me, half a banh mi is more than enough!
Place – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ They only have few tables, making the place very quiet and even intimate. The interior design and the placement of the tables make it easier for diners to interact or be left in solace while savoring the food. A plus point for being it so accessible from my place.
1. Cosmic – A Vegan Restaurant and Cafe, 2F (above Ministop) 5057 P. Burgos corner Gen. Luna Sts., Makati City
Pagkain – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ By far, this is my favorite. They have a wide array of veganized Filipino dishes like Kare-kare, bagnet, longganisa, pancit habhab, burgers, beanuguan and my all-time favorite – sisig! Dishes that go perfectly with RICEEeee!!
Price – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ You’re not gonna be breaking your piggy bank deary! Prices start at Php60 and for they also have set meals for as low as Php150. Sisig is at Php170 but… it’s good for sharing!!!
Place – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Locating this restaurant is kinda tricky, apart from the eye printed on the wall in the second floor and a very small sign saying cosmic with an arrow pointing to a staircase which is printed on a short bond paper, cosmic has no other identifiable signage. But once inside, you’d feel like you’ve been transported to a different era, different place and different world even. The place offers a very homey vibe. The interior, wall installations, furnitures and the even the utensils are artsy. Aside from the superb ambiance, the crew are very attentive, helpful and friendly.
This is not to convince people to shift to a plant-based diet. This is more of a personal realization that what I’ve previously learned about vegetarian or vegan diet are mostly myths. Plant-based foods taste really good, not necessarily expensive and are not really weird-looking. One doesn’t have to abruptly shift lifestyle just to appreciate the healthier options of our daily food. And the tastebuds must not be sacrificed to live healthier, more ethical and guilt-free.
Disclaimer. What I’ve written here are purely based on my opinion. I have not been paid nor received anything from the establishments mentioned. They don’t even know that this blog exists or that I even exist.
This weekend, I’ve witnessed my dear sister walk down the aisle. She looked so happy, so serene, so sure of her choice. I couldn’t help but cry, tears of joy running down my cheeks – ruining my make up. ✌🏾 One can never contain the happiness upon seeing their loved ones in pure bliss.
My heart melted as they exchanged their vows before God and before the church. The promises of loyalty, fidelity and generosity; fleetingly made me believe in romantic love. The sincerity in their eyes as they recited the lines; “to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part”, was beautiful beyond words.
The ceremony made me curious if the same line is being recited among all wedding ceremonies. I have found out that most of the Christian wedding, exchange almost the same vow. It only varies in the sentence construction and the choice of words but basically the same thought. I also found out an interesting thing, Hindus do not exchange wedding vows, but the Seven Steps, or Saptha Padhi, around a flame (honoring the fire god, Agni) spell out the promises the couple makes to each other:
“Let us take the first step to provide for our household a nourishing and pure diet, avoiding those foods injurious to healthy living.
“Let us take the second step to develop physical, mental and spiritual powers.
“Let us take the third step to increase our wealth by righteous means and proper use.
“Let us take the fourth step to acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony by mutual love and trust.
“Let us take the fifth step so that we are blessed with strong, virtuous and heroic children.
“Let us take the sixth step for self-restraint and longevity.
“Finally, let us take the seventh step and be true companions and remain lifelong partners by this wedlock.”
Such wonderful steps that everybody not just the newly weds should ponder on. It’s more of a guide to life, broken down into bite-size pieces.
The Jewish on the other hand summarizes all the promises in one verse from Song of Songs “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” Such concise but meaningful line that embodies all the principles stated in every promise being spoken on different wedding ceremonies.
Whatever pledge the newly-wed have sworn, the most important thing is that they will uphold and cherish it. Life ahead is never going to be smooth sailing at all times but whenever the waves crash on them, they have each other to hold on to and the promise they have sworn will be their lifeline and guiding light.
Didn’t you know that you were misguided? Life isn’t all about certificates, medals and titles. Recognition is the least that you should care about. People judge, that’s a fact but you shouldn’t allow them to bring you down.
Don’t try to figure everything out, nobody does anyway. You might think adults around you have everything plotted but you’re wrong, they’re just like flocks of sheep following the shepherd.
Medals tarnish, certificates fade; strive for excellence, for perfection, for joy, and be ready to serve. Remember, less is more. Do not compete with society, compete with yourself. Challenge yourself, never be afraid to fall, the greatest failure a man could suffer is the failure to try. Don’t be scared to make mistakes. Learn! Life is a never ending learning process.
Do no be wary that people may judge you. They do, and they do it most of the times. Let them! When people stab your back that means you’re in front of them; when they pull you down, that means you’re above them. Just do your thing!
Success is not equated to fame and fortune. Success is when you are contributing to the good of mankind, joyfully. Success is very subjective, don’t let the world define success for you. Remember that when you’re happy in what you’re doing, you are successful.
Ponder on these:
Study to learn, not to earn.
Be respectful, always.
Do not judge, it’s not always what it seems.
Be curious, that stimulates the brain.
Be passionate on what you do. Keep the fire burning
Support a cause.
Do the right thing even if you’re the only one doing it.
Do not let society define you.
Love. Learn. Laugh. Live. Cliché as it seems but basically, that’s why we exist.
Share. Do not hoard what you have. Share your knowledge, wisdom, expertise, experience, smiles and even the people in your life. In being selfless, you’ll know yourself more.
Plan your work and work your plan so they say, but no matter how great your plans are, there would always be flaws; just go with the flow. Learn from it.
Know thyself young me. Do not fear. Be the person that you are destined to be!
Juana Live 