Breakfast at Antonio's

It's been months since we last posted, and since 2013 is a year for new beginnings.. We decide to begin, again (ironically put). Our blog has been admittedly ignored due to our busy schedules, with Thirdy working for KLG, and I, finally taking up the last leg of my college life with thesis. A few days ago, Thirdy celebrated his 21st birthday, and to commemorate this, I decided to drive all the way up to Tagaytay for a lovely brunch in Breakfast at Antonio's.

Upon entering the restaurant, you will be greeted with fresh, lovely white interiors that complements the scenic view of Taal Lake. We sat near the end of the restaurant, with nets installed in lieu of windows, to give a panoramic view of the famous lake. It was breathtakingly beautiful. The scene, coupled with Antonio Escalante's delectable concoctions was the perfect combination to a great afternoon. We ordered the following:

Beef Tapa (Php 390.00)
(Served with 2 eggs done any way you want it w/ Hash browns or Sauteed Scallop Potatoes or Garlic Rice with Baked Beans)

The marination of the beef had a good balance of flavors. They were also able to cook the egg overhard, just as how Thirdy requested it to be. His favorite was the baked beans because the sauce tasted just like his tita's callos dish.

Smoke N.Z. King Chinook Salmon on Whole Wheat Bread with Creme Cheese & Scrambled Eggs (Php 450.00) 

Fresh from my idealistic New Year's resolution, I decided to go for a healthy meal and ordered one of their best sellers in the sandwich selections. Surprisingly, the taste of the salmon on their whole wheat bread was so heavenly, it actually felt like you were eating a meaty, flavorful steak. Only a trained hand can fool the flavor buds to excite itself over something as healthy as salmon! The salmon was also fresh, a delight to bite, as it slides off easily in the mouth.

Hot Dark Chocolate - Petite (Php 70.00) with Marshmallow (add Php 10.00) 

Fresh Grape Slush (Php 190.0

To boot, we were greeted with the surprise of Antonio Escalante's presence himself! Thirdy, being the chef that he is, was doe-eyed upon seeing Anton (first name basis pa!). Lots of customers lined up to get pictures with him and he gladly posed for a few shots. More than just the food, it's the experience that you get from Antonio Escalante's restaurants that marks him as one of the best chefs in the Philippines. If you're craving for a yummy lunch, and looking for something more than the ordinary, Breakfast at Antonio's is the place to go.

An Abundance of Katherines

John Green has been basking in the literature limelight lately. I've encountered many of my friends who have picked up a novel or two of his which further fueled my curiosity. My first novel of his was Looking for Alaska, and I recently read my second John Green book entitled Abundance of Katherines. Given the young adult genre, his novels are an easy read without compromising the depth of its story.

Abundance of Katherines was an enjoyable one, with complex mathematical formulas and random facts being footnoted every once in a while. What captures me first in any story is the depth of the main character and how easily attachable his personality is to actually see the story through. Colin Singleton proved this beyond measure, being dumped 19 times by girls who are all similarly, and coincidentally, named Katherine. Love is such a complex concept, and the reasons behind being dumped is even more perplexing, but Colin Singleton is bent on explaining these abstract concepts in something as definite as a mathematical formula. His journey, along with his bestfriend, Hassan, opens his eyes to a new environment wherein his experiences beg to ask questions that challenge his own views and beliefs. As he meets the people that inhabit Gutshot, he realizes that maybe not all things can be quantifiable. That, maybe the most important feelings a person can feel, are those that are left indescribable to words.

John Green has chosen written this well, capturing my interest from beginning to end. The characters in this novel are just so enjoyable, as you see them transform and grow to fully portray a beautiful ending. I'm determined to read his other novels as well, and I suggest you get around to doing the same!

If These Walls Could Talk Intramuros Tour

Carlos Celdran has become a famous household Filipino name, after he pulled his famous Damaso stunt in the Manila Cathedral. More than an activist, he is also a live performer who heads the famous Intramuros tour, which is the first of its kind. After much insistence on my part for Thirdy to take me there, we were finally able to make the trip a few weeks ago. Our scheduled tour was headed by Gabe Mercado, instead of Carlos Celdran. A fact I first found disheartening, since I really wanted to see Carlos Celdran in his forte. Nevertheless, I gave Gabe the benefit of the doubt, and listened intently for 3 whole hours about Philippine history.

I honestly thought that back in gradeschool, we were taught everything we needed to know about Philippine history. I was ready to wow the crowd with my skills, and raise my hand like an eager beaver in class. Unfortunately, due to my rusty memory, I was unable to unearth any last bit of information I learned back in school. What's more is that, there was so much information Gabe Mercado threw at us, which was completely alien to me. Thirdy and I found ourselves bombarded with many, new interesting information that we never learned back in school. 3 hours is a long time to babble about Philippine history, that's why you need a performer like Gabe Mercado to capture your interest from the very beginning. He was interesting, and more importantly, he was funny. The way he talked about Philippine history made it seem like such an exciting subject. It just so happened that the tour we were booked in, was along with lots of foreigners, which made it even more exciting to see how they would respond to the facts about our history.

The tour starts in Fort Santiago, transfers to San Agustin church via a kalesa and ends in Plaza San Luis. It is an eye opening experience of the struggles, challenges, and triumphs that our forefathers went through to gain the freedom we enjoy today. It also speaks of our Philippine identity, and explains just how multi-cultural our country is. Sure, a leisure stroll around Intramuros would do, but I suggest you take part in this tour to heighten your experience and understanding. It is a must for every Filipino to take this crash course on Philippine history! It's so fun that Thirdy and I spent the long drive back home quizzing each other about the facts presented during the tour! After taking part of this tour, we gained a deeper sense of appreciation of our nationality, and the colorful history behind it.