Bulok lahat sa tren, mula sistema hanggang bagon

Nakakainis.

Yung mga tao, dumidiskarte. Umiisip ng paraan para mapagaan ang sitwasyon mula sa bulok na sistemang pinapatupad sa mga tren. Pero lalo pa silang nagpapahirap.

Mahigit 2 buwan na ang nakalipas mula ng sabihin nilang magkakaroon ng bagong ticketing system. Konting pagbabago para sa transition ang magaganap.

Wala munang stored value sa mga LRT stations. Ibig sabihin nun, ang libo-libong pasahero ng LRT ay dapat pumila araw-araw para sa single journey ticket.

Sa palagay ko ay ayos lang naman yun. Isang buwan lang naman. Sabi kasi nila, July daw ipapatupad ang bagong sistema.

Nagkamali akong magtiwala sa gobyerno.

Kaya naman habang tumatagal ang pagpapatupad ng bagong sistema, ang iba, gumawa na ng paraan. Bumili ng maramihang single journey. Pang 2 araw, o kaya pang isang linggo.

Laking bawas nga naman sa oras yung pipila ka sa pagbili ng ticket bago pumila sa pagpasok mo sa tren (ibang oras din ang gugugulin mo sa pagpasok pa lang ng station).

Ngayong araw, walang abiso, hindi na pwedeng gamitin ang mga ticket na single journey. Coupon na raw ang gagamitin.

Nang itanong ko kung pwedeng papalitan na lang dahil bayad naman yun, ang sabi lang nila sa akin:

"Dapat hindi ka bumili ng madami. Expired na yan."

Buti sakin, 2 lang ang nabili kong extra. May nakita akong nagagalit na lalaki dahil pang 2 linggo ata ang binili niya. Hindi ko siya masisi.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung paano mageexpire ang ticket na hindi naman pinapasok sa makina at recycled lang mula sa ibang tren!

Maliban sa hindi pa rin napapatupad yung bagong ticketing system (na inuna nila kaysa sa mga bagong tren), e pabago-bago pa sila ng pagpapatupad sa pansamantagal nilang "transition".

Hindi ba sila nahihiya na yung mga tao pa ang umiisip ng paraan para mapagaan ang buhay tren nila?

Nakakadismaya. Sobra.

Different, but one

Holding you is like holding a part of me. Outside of me but not vulnerable. It possesses a certain strong character--something that depicts strong emotions.

Looking at your eyes, I see my own reflection. The feelings extracted through the windows of your soul seem to emit the same feelings I do have.

The feel, the touch, our skin colliding, it feels like founding yourself in the body of a different person.

Different, but one in heart.

Wasabi Warriors

Our Warrior Story

"Warrior (insert name here), here's your order!"

One fine lunch time, my friends thought of visiting the five Wasabi brothers--trained by their fathers to honor the ways of the earth, oceans, and animals.

We've searched far and wide, even taxis doesn't want to accompany us. It was far beyond our usual route, but the visit, I know, would be a remarkable experience.

Famous around the globe, the five brothers visited the Philippines to share the qualities their father has taught: to feel good, do good, and eat good.

Finally we've reached the destination. The place is big and cozy. Gladly, it isn't full.

We were welcomed by a great number of selection, from mixed to fried, from black rice, to brown, white.

Sushi Rolls!

I've met Warrior Ocean and Warrior Veggie, they are calm as the oceans could be, and sweet as seasoned mangoes. But add some Chili Mayo (their own secret recipe), and they will surely give you a nice spicy kick.

But it is definitely scrumptious than the usual Kikomann treat.

I've also met Warrior Porky--tasty but quick. With one or two bites of convo, he's out on the double. If you order an extra, you'll surely have wait.

Also, we've met their helper, Suzy the Sushi Robot. She can makes 100-150 sushi in one go!

Suzy the Sushi Robot

I liked all brothers that I've met. I'll be honest too, it is affordable and is worth it. Once I'm out, I'm really full!

But my friend said they weren't so authentic, Kasumi Miyahara (Her name is so credible, I just have to write it in full) said she wasn't satisfied.

Your Warrior Menu

Also, it is served in a plastic container, like those that you can grab and go.

It is the First and only in the country, but I've read that the brothers are looking for their lost sister, read the Warrior Story.

The Warrior Story

I also look forward in meeting her!

Warrior Tip:

Subscribe to their email and present the proof to get one FREE Sushi Roll!

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Wasabi Warriors PH

G/F Unit 05, The Gramercy Residences, Century City, Kalayaan Ave., cor. Salamanca st., Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City

Never say goodbye

We exchanged glances as we leave the airport. No words. Only smiles. Pretentious smiles.

We know it's more painful for her than it is for us. But that's the point. Knowing that she feels bad is what makes me feel worst.

Only Rab would break the silence. Only his innocent mind would ask where is mommy. We did not tell the truth, that she's leaving for a long time again. Instead, we tried to make a funny story.

"She's just pooping!"

"She'll be back immediately."

That's the biggest lie we had that day.

But even his innocent mind knows the truth even if it's deprived from him.

"Mommy ko. I like mommy ko."

It could have been us saying those words. But we didn't. The silence is more deafening.

Upon riding the car back home, Rab's broken voice hints that he gives up.

"Ba-bye, Mommy."

While the four of us never said goodbye. Our lips have never dared say.

Uncertain

There was
But never whole
So there I go
Back in the hole

Is it me closing doors?
Or is it them letting me out?

Once again, I wasn't sure.

Sultan Mediterranean Grill

Want to grab some Middle Eastern taste? Sultan Mediterranean Grill seems like a perfect spot for it! We’ve spotted one in one of the hidden alleys of Makati. From the outside, you'll smell the aroma as if a Sultan is really inviting you to come and dine!

Sultan Mediterranean Grill Entrance (Photo from Facebook Page)

Aside from the delicious taste, meals are sure affordable! Me and my friends tried the Chicken Kebab Plate. The chicken is tender and juicy, though the rice served is not the middle eastern-type which is supposed to be long grained and not sticky.

Chicken Kebab Plate, P180

The yogurt sauce though is so perfect for the chicken kebab, we almost finished a whole bottle! For a spicy taste, they have a separate bottle for the sauce. Although, my friend who loves spicy food said that it wasn't so spicy even if she added chili flakes already. Not really sure if it’s her high tolerance of spicy food or the sauce just lacks some spicy kick.

The place is cozy and small, large group seem not advisable since you might end up seating on different tables. The staff are so busy attending to many customers too so you really have to be patient in waiting for the food to be served.

According to my friends, the restaurant had its renovations and improvements which is actually better since it looks more clean and classy.

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Sultan Mediterranean Grill is located at: UG9 Valero Plaza Condominium, 124 San Agustin, Makati City

Mendokoro Ramenba in Makati

Not really a fan of Ramen but it’s still great to at least try one. Recommended by a friend, we tried Mendokoro Ramenba in Makati, and I wasn’t disappointed!

Mendokoro Ramenba opens at 11:00am and serves until the 80^th bowl for lunch and 100^th bowl for dinner which starts at 6:00PM.

It can only accommodate a number of people at a time but Ramen lovers are very eager to wait until they can seat and be served.

Boat-shaped dining area. (Photo from Facebook Page)

I ordered Shio (my friend’s recommendation) which was served freshly cooked minutes after a seat was assigned to me. It has a very tasty and milky soup and firm noodles. It is best to sip the soup while it’s hot! The meat is also very tender. One serving is more than enough, I'm really full after eating.

Shio, P360

The place resembles authentic Ramen houses in Japan. Their staff are very courteous and attentive, they will ask for your number immediately and assign you to a seat once there’s available. They also constantly shout some Japanese words in Japanese tone—I guess it’s “Welcome!” and “Thank you for coming”, since I always hear it when someone comes in and is done eating.

If you’re in a group, expect that you will not eat together, it may be done in batch. You may request that you sit together if you’re in a group of 3 but you have to wait for 3 chairs to be vacant first. People are not allowed to eat that long since other people will also have to eat (We’re hungry too!).

For a first-time Ramen eater, this is definitely 5 stars for me! I haven’t tried their other meals but I bet they are good as well!

Tip:

Seat at the far end of the table so you could see how the staff prepares the food.

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Mendokoro Ramenba is located at: Ground Flr., V. Corporate Center, Soliman St., Salcedo Village, Makati City