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

Payo sa unang pag-ibig

Ang pag-ibig ay parang isang karagatan, hindi mo alam kung ano ang hatid nito: Akala mo’y payapa pero sa ilalim ay may nagngangalit na mga pating, o kaya nama’y maalon pero sumasabay lang pala sa himig ng isang awitin.

How do you unwrap a sealed love?
https://instagram.com/gazellemarcaida/

Haaay, unang pag-ibig! Masaya? Nakakakilig? Ganun talaga! Lahat ng unang beses, tatatak sa’yo. Lahat din ng una, pinaglalaanan ng panahon at pera na handa mong ibigay ng buong-buo. Tulad na lang ng baon mo sa iskul para makabili ng kahit na anong hilingin niya. Pag-iipunan mo bawat mapulang rosas at matamis na tsokolate. 

Naaalala mo pa ba nung oras na dapat ay tumutulong ka sa mga kaklase mo para sa isang proyekto sa iskul? Nagsakit-sakitan ka para lang makauwi kaagad at makasama siya dahil ayaw mong isipin niya na nawawalan ka na ng oras sa kanya.

Lahat ‘yun binibigay mo ng kusa at walang pag-aalinlangan. Kahit ano, kahit kailan, kahit saan. Para ka mang si Batman, lahat gagawin mo kasi mahalaga siya, kasi mahal mo siya.

Bawat Minutesary, Daysary, Monthsary, at Anniversary hindi mo pwedeng makalimutan. Lahat ng detalye ng unang lugar kung saan mo siya unang nakita, unang pagkakataon na hinawakan niya ang iyong kamay, unang “I love you”, unang pagkain na kinain n’yo sa pinakaunang restawran na kinainan n’yo sa unang araw na pumayag siyang lumabas kasama ka--lahat nakadetalye sa utak mo na parang isang mahabang listahan ng una. Siya ang una mong pag-ibig at para sa’yo, siya na rin ang huli.  

Pero kasabay ng unang pag-ibig na ‘yan, dumaloy din ang unang luha mo na hindi mo naman pinapakita dati sa akin. ‘Yung matatag at di matitibag na dating ikaw, parang kinakalawang na bakal na ngayon at ang daling magiba sa tuwing nagkakaproblema kayo.

Kasabay din nu’n ang pagbuhos ng sama ng loob mo dahil hirap na hirap ka na sa halos araw-araw na pag-aaway ninyo tungkol sa kahit na anong bagay. Pero kahit ganun, kinakaya mo pa rin. Minsan gusto mo nang sumuko, pero paggising mo kinabukasan, maaalala mong mahal mo siya at hindi mo siya kayang iwan.

Pero isang araw, nakaya niyang iwan ka.

Ngayon, wala na. Umalis na siya, kasi ayaw na daw niya, kasi hindi ka daw niya maramdaman. 'Tol, siya ‘yung manhid, hindi ikaw. Hindi mo kailangan sisihin ‘yung sarili mo.

Pride na ata ang bumusog sa’yo dahil kinain mo nang lahat ‘wag lang siyang mawala sa’yo.‘Tol, alam mo kung anong problema sa lahat-lahat ng binibigay mo? Wala nang natira sa’yo. 

Pero alam mo, ‘yan ang hirap sa’yo e, una pa lang sinabi ko nang magtira ka para sa sarili mo. Sabi ko ‘di ba, makinig ka sa akin, dumaan na ako d’yan! Pero kahit araw-araw tayong mag-usap tungkol d’yan sa pag-ibig mong hindi nawalan ng isyu, ni isang salita hindi tumimo sa utak mo. Hindi ka nakinig sa payo ko.

Ang hindi ko maintindihan, hinahabol-habol mo pa rin siya kahit lagi ka niyang ipinagkakaila sa harap ng mga kakilala niya. Nagpakababa ka na at lahat, humihingi ng tawad sa kasalanang hindi mo alam kung ano. ‘Yan ang hirap sa relasyon n’yo, hindi mo naman talaga alam kung kailan siya naging totoo sa’yo.

Masakit marinig ang katotohanan ‘di ba? Masakit makita kung ano ka talaga sa kanya. Sana ‘wag mong masamain yung sinasabi ko sayo, kasi kailangan mong matauhan. Sa tibay mong ‘yan, akalain mong sinabi mo sa akin na parang mamamatay ka na sa sakit? Akala mo lang ‘yun!

Alam mo bang mahigit pitong bilyon pa rin ang populasyon ng mundo, mahigit sa kalahati siguro ang nasaktan na sa pag-ibig pero buhay pa rin sila! Hindi nabawasan ang tao sa mundo dahil sa sawi sila sa pag-ibig, nakakapagtaka nga’t dumo-doble pa lalo. Masikip pa rin ang mundo, kaya oo, magkikita at magkikita pa rin kayo.

Hanggang kailan kayang unawain ng puso mo ang sitwasyon?

Tol, wala na. Tapos na. Uwian na. Balik ka na sa sarili mo. Hindi mo kailangan magpakalugmok sa sitwasyon mo. 

Karamihan sa mga tao dumadanas talaga ng pait ng unang pag-ibig. Kasi sa unang pag-ibig ka unang natututong bumangon, tumayo, matauhan, magising sa katotohanan, na ang relasyon nagiging habangbuhay lang kung parehas kayong magtutulungan. 

Pero may mga bagay lang talaga na hindi natin pwedeng ipilit dahil hindi talaga iyon ang nakatadhana. Sana bumalik ka na sa mas matatag na ikaw. Hindi naman sa kanya umiikot ang mundo, kaya hindi din sa kanya hihinto.

Tandaan mo, ‘tol, sa lahat ng sugat, ‘yan lang ang sugat na tuturuan kang maging mas matatag at malakas. ‘Pag naghilom ‘yan, matagal man, ‘yang pilat na ‘yan ang magpapaalala sa’yo na sa pinakamalungkot na panahon ng buhay mo, kinaya mo, at sa panibagong pagkakataon, handa ka na--handa ka nang magmahal, hindi lang ng iba kundi higit sa lahat, ng sarili mo.

Kapag nagmamahal ka, hindi mo dapat iniiwan ang sarili mo, dahil kung hindi mo mahal ang sarili mo, hindi ka tunay na nagmamahal. Hindi kasakiman ‘yun, dahil ang kakayahan mong magbigay ay nakadepende lang sa kung anong meron ka.

Siguro, parehas lang kayong nagmahal ng sobra. Ikaw, minahal siya, at siya minahal lang ang sarili niya.

Matapos kong sabihin sa’yo lahat ‘to, alam kong hindi ka makikinig. Ilalaban mo pa rin ang natitirang isang porsyento ng pag-asa sa puso mo. Hindi na kita pipigilan pero hindi rin ibig sabihin nito na sinusuportahan kita. Pero minsan kasi, talagang kulang ang salita sa pusong nagpupumilit. Hahayaan na lang kita, dahil ginusto mo ‘yan, pinili mo ‘yan.

Sana lang dumating ang panahon na kahit ano pa man ang mangyari, manalo o matalo ka man sa laban mo, bumalik ka sa dating pagkakakilala ko.

Unang pag-ibig lang ‘yan, hindi ‘yan ang katapusan.

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Ang post na ito ay kalahok sa ispesyal na patimpalak ng Saranggola Blog Awards.