BINONDO FOOD WOK POST SCRIPT

P.S. Where's the food?

I didn't want to spoil the fun for future Wok-kers so no, I really didn't do a "where we went" and "what we ate" piece.

Here's what I'll share: Dong Bei Dumpling (642 Nueva Street, Tel No 241-8912) is a must-try! It's a hole-in-the-wall joint where dumplings (the best I've tried in Manila) are freshly made right in front of you.



Another treat: We got the map for free!



I think this is sold at National Bookstore and Fully Booked.

Two of our favorite activities - walking and eating - rolled into one. Our verdict: the Binondo Food Wok should be part of every couple's date menu.

BINONDO FOOD WOK

To welcome the Chinese New Year, we nibbled our way through Chinatown for 4 hours! Thanks to Old Manila Walks' "Big Binondo Food Wok."

The Emperor


Lion Dance


Binondo Church. This is the meeting place for the Food Wok-kers.


We chanced upon a Valentine-Chinese New Year wedding in Binondo Church.


Binondo's most popular street


Shrine


My Ang Pao...


...was eaten by this Lion


My Favorite Stop of the entire Binondo Food Wok! Highly Recommended!


Kuchay Dumplings to die for!



Date Details:

PHP 1,200 per person
Full payment is required via the Old Manila Walks BDO account.

That Sunday, there were 2 Walks, 9am and 2:30pm.
We took the afternoon walk.

Wear you most comfortable shoes.
We were in sneakers.

Bring a fan or an umbrella.
Be ready to walk for at least 4 hours (ours was the Big Wok kasi).

For more info, check out http://www.oldmanilawalks.com/

SPRING FESTIVAL

Timing is everything! We were so lucky to have visited Singapore one weekend before Valentine and The Spring Festival (aka Chinese New Year). The streets and malls were all dressed up for the upcoming holidays! Such eye candy!

Lovely blooms!


What's my fortune for the New Year?


Entrace of the Suntec City Mall


The Citylink


Valentine Tree along Bugis Street


Chinatown


People's Park

IT'S OUR CHAIR!

I nearly fell off the edge of my seat (pun intended) when I saw this book cover!

The iconic Panton Chair changed the world!


The reproduction we got from Dimensione.


We got two of this. Very good choice indeed for the Retro Pop interiors we're trying to achieve! =)

VALENTINE'S DAY

You'd think one of the cheesiest couples on earth is all about about hearts, candies and flowers every 14th of February. Well, Surprise! Surprise! J and I don't do Valentine's Day (aka Extortion Day).

It's no red letter day for us, just our usual Date Day / Night. Last year, we spent it in Baguio with the rest of the clan. Tomorrow, we're nibbling our way to Chinatown for the Binondo Food Wok.

But since V-Day is major for every one else, I won't spoil the fun. No "don't-waste-your-time-and-money-on-Feb-14" rants here. I'm sharing some Love Rules* I can relate to. =)

For Single Women (Been there, done that!)...

"If he likes you, you'll know. If he doesn't, you'll be confused."
--sayitloud, on glamour.com

"Just because some cute girl (or guy) likes the same bizarro crap you do doesn't make her (or him) your soulmate."
--Rachel, in (500) Days of Summer

For Married Women (Living by these rules now!)...

"You need not think alike to love alike."
--Jillian Maxwell, Brooklyn

"All love that has not friendship for its base is like a mansion built upon the sand."
--poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox

"Let there be spaces in your togetherness."
--poet Kahlil Gibran

For every one who loves, I'm sharing our very own Love Rule...

"All or nothing."
--A and J


I'm wishing you all lots of love, any day, every day!




*Glamour, Mar2010

HOT BDAY

On J's 39th birthday(we have no age issues), he was surrounded by gorgeous girls!



Hotties!





My sisters from work were so funny (and sweet)! On J's bday, they had a "wish" (parang baliktad!) -- a lunch date with him. So off to World Class Persian Kebab we went! Location: corner of Tomas Morato and E. Rodriguez, QC.



Our World Class faves: spicy natural rice, beef kebabs, grilled tomatoes & onion and fruit shakes.

For dinner, na-solo ko na siya!



We went to New Bombay...



...at the Cinema Level of The Podium



We loved the vegetable soup, around PHP120 (good for two).



The spicy Shrimp Kadai, around PHP200.



The flavorful Chicken Biryani, around PHP200



The milk tea (with ginger), around PHP120.

Persian. Bombay.

J, you spice up my life! =) HBD!

GREEN MINDED

How green are you?



If small steps do count then I hope our efforts add up to every one else’s – for that giant leap for Mother Earth.

Our little efforts:
•Low energy light bulbs at home
•We live in a building. Vertical housing is more environmental.
Let's allot land for trees.
•We’re commuters – less polluting
•We love walking – it’s good for us and the environment
•We have our groceries delivered at home via the pushcart (Thanks, Rustan’s!)
•We turn off the main switches when leaving home
•We share/donate old clothes, shoes and bags
•Rechargeable batteries for the digi cam
•J has stopped smoking – almost 4 years na!
•We re-use envelopes
•We re-use paper
•Job Orders – soft copy, as much as possible
•We turn off the computer at the end of every work day
•Our biggest contribution: We’re childless by choice! Imagine how much carbon footprint we’ve saved. =)

We hope to do more.


Photo credit: Open.Salon.Com

LOOKING BACK

Was inspired to do this after reading The Chiconomist's entry (Thanks to M!).

What have you done in the last 10 years?

2000. Finally moved on from my first heartbreak (took me two long years). Met J – my Great Love, my Best Friend. Life reminded me: Life is short, stay away from emotional vampires. Met D. Opened my eyes to a brand new world. "Modelled" for HP's brochure. Events Host.

2001 and 2002. So in love! I was a living example of second chances at love. Believe!

2003. My sister P entered pre-school. I was a teary, sentimental, excited Ate on her first day! It was official: may pinag-aaral na ko. =) I volunteered to send her to school. Road to Number One. Family moved to a new home. Papa’s semi-retirement. J's bible study and baptism (so My Big Fat Greek Wedding!).

2004. Momentous Year. Got married. Nestled in our Asian-themed apartment. J's Accident. A Matter of Life and Death: In a span of two months, I was a bride who almost turned into a widow. Major adult moment! It was official: Number One na! Bangkok. HongKong. Macau. Life's Lesson: Believe a person the first time s/he introduces her/himself to you.

2005. P entered Grade School – Gasp! She’s growing up too fast. Palawan. Pahiyas. Singapore. Boracay. Encantadia. Other Favorites: KMJS, IMB, KST. Promotion to Project Manager. Q. Moms print ad on Good Housekeeping. Bought our first major investment.

2006. Northern Exposure: Vigan, Laoag, Pagudpud. My niece S is born. New friendships. Turned 30. Wrote a lengthy "Thank You" letter to my parents -- they couldn't stop crying! =)

2007. Survived Sagada! My first Ad Congress, Subic. Exciting account: American Idol.

2008. Kuala Lumpur. Papa’s back in KSA. P turned 10. Started blogging. Boxing. Morning runs/walks in UP.

2009. Davao. HongKong x 2. Love Life Love Q. Mom and Sis moved with Papa to Jeddah. The long wait’s over: J and I moved to our very own home (delivered earlier than expected)! Survived Ondoy. Facebook. Dance class. 10th Year in Service.

Love life!

HK HOLIDAY

For the first time, J and I welcomed the New Year in a foreign land. We usually celebrated NY's Eve at my parents home in Antipolo and then NY's Day at Tita Happy's (J's family) home in Cainta. But my family is now based in another country so instead of feeling senti and sad, I decided it'd be best for us to travel.

I love how Hong Kong was dressed up for the Holidays!

HK FOOD TRIP

Who says you need lotsa moolah to see the world?

Here's how we survived HK on a budget: Cheap Meals!


We had yummy desserts from one of the shops (Chinese characters, sorry!) in the Granville area. The place always had a looong waiting line so we got curious.


The desserts we tried are as good as the ones we have in Manila. This is so turon-ala-mode-HK version, LOL!


Filling! BBQ King's chicken meal came with green leafy vegetables (must be Chinese petchay?) as a side dish and clear soup. HKD34 = around PHP238. This is one of the stalls at the Food Republic, Silvercord mall, Canton Road.


BBQ King's pork meal, same price


Beef rice topping from one of the food stalls near Nathan Road, around HKD20.


I like the tetra-packed iced tea, around HKD5, found everywhere. I tried it because all the locals were having it. When in Rome...


Unforgettable! The super spicy beef noodles from the Chinese Traditional Noodle House near the Granville Circuit. J and I love spicy food but this was way tooooo hot! After the first subo, we both turned VERY RED and nagpapawis na! Sumuko kami dito! Lesson: in HK, when they say "spicy," they mean SPICY! Sa Manila kasi, bitin kami sa "spicy."


Our daily breakfast from the Coral Cafe -- came with the travel package. We loved watching the locals do breakfast. Most of them had congee or noodles.


Day 1: Ham. Day 2: Luncheon Meat. Day 3: Sausage. You can't complain if you're on a budget! LOL!


Yang Chow fried rice, sharks fin and quail egg dumplings from Lok Yah Lau. Around HKD76. I'm a dimsum lover so of course I had to try authentic HK versions! Yummy!


My New Year's Eve meal -- pork chop in tomato sauce from one of the Canton Road restaurants. Around HKD40. The lines were soooo long everywhere that night. Our meals were bland -- J had spare ribs -- so we dropped by Burger King for some comfort food (burger and onion rings!) right after, ang takaw!


Noodles merienda at the Cheung Kee Cafe when we visited the Big Buddha. They tasted like instant noodles. HKD20 each bowl.