I actually wrote this book "review" about 4 years ago! I was cleaning up my hard disk when I unearthed a folder full of my earlier writings. It's a rather lengthy article but hope you'll like it...


If there is one thing special about this memoir written by two-time Olympic figure skating champ Ekaterina Gordeeva in honor of her late skating partner-husband Sergei Gringov, it would have to be its magical power which brought back life to my slowly-dying interest in reading.

I can’t even remember the last time I read a real book. Aside from my schoolbooks on foodservice and statistics, the only things I read were lyrics on my CD jackets, movie schedules and reviews, my personal e-mails, cookbooks, and can labels! One time I did try to read something “literary”; only it was the online version of J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. After reading the first few paragraphs, I decided to stop. The eyestrain it gave me was rather unhealthy. Giving up too soon, I made myself believe that I will never be a bookworm with an impressive collection of books. As far as I am concerned, the only “collection” I have simply includes works that have been required for reading by my English teachers.

One hot summer day, I picked up a book that has been long lying around in the house. It was a pale-colored hardbound book, about an inch and a half thick, and as the title suggested, a love story – everything that was not my cup of tea. Like a buyer scrutinizing a piece of appliance before deciding to buy it, I opened the book, began reading the prologue, and once in a while glanced at the photo on the left page. It showed the Russian author herself cuddling her two-year old daughter. They looked adorable, I thought. I continued to read, and slowly I felt a bond was forming between the author and me. There was an instant connection.

First published in 1996, “My Sergei: A Love Story” may not be a literary classic, nor a writing of a skilled and distinguished writer, but it is unquestionably an admirable work of someone full of passion, courage, innocence, naturalness and love. In 1998, Sergei and Ekaterina’s almost fairy-tale life was shattered with the sudden death of 28-year old Sergei caused by a heart attack during one of their practices. For Ekaterina, life without Sergei was unthinkable, if not impossible. She would rather live her life backwards, with yesterday as tomorrow, and the other day as the day after tomorrow. For her, only the moments spent with him were worth living.

Yet time is a great healer. After some time, Ekaterina found her lost hope, in the person of her daughter, Daria, who’s “got Sergei’s eyes and smile”, and in that only thing she loved doing –- skating. Determined as ever as the genuine athlete that she is, Ekaterina bravely faced reality and continued living, even skating alone.
With inspiring strength and candidness, she wrote about her memories with Sergei for fear that she might forget them. One cannot but smile with fondness as she recounted their good, not-so-good, and amusing experiences as skating partners, friends, special friends, lovers, husband-and-wife, and parents. Add to that the couple’s globetrotting and skating tours and the readers enter into a cultural, social and political dimension as well. The pre-democrat Russia, the arduous and painstaking training of the athletes and their time away from family and friends, the drama and intrigues in the Olympics – all these were wonderfully described as seen by the very eyes of the author.

“My Sergei: A Love Story” did not merely resurrect my interest in reading; it renewed my interest in life. As I have seen in her story, it’s not about winning the prestigious gold medal; it’s about doing one’s very best. Not all of us are athletes, yet many people view life as a competition, like a race. They look ahead to see who’s leading, and look back to see who’s lagging behind. As for me, I prefer to be in my own race. Comparing oneself with others in terms of achievements is never the way to true success. What matters is how one has worked. It’s more than discipline or professionalism; it’s called a work of love. Love is so powerful it knows no limits. Seemingly insurmountable obstacles may beset me but the human spirit can surely rise up from the ashes of despair. Life in itself is baffling, especially when the people you love most are taken away, or when the path you’ve taken seems to be approaching a dead-end. Some may mope over their unhappy fates and live a pseudo-life but like Ekaterina Gordeeva and countless others who had similar experiences, I too have decided to live a life.

Today, Ekaterina may have found a new love in another brilliant skater but her love story with Sergei will forever be a source of encouragement to all the readers worldwide. On my part, I may have read other books after “My Sergei: A Love Story” but the lessons I have gained from the simplicity her writing will occasionally help me raise my weary spirit as I go through my own race.

It's summer! Time to go Italian and get some gelato. Gelato is like ice cream, but it is not -- unlike true ice cream, gelato does not contain cream, and the
term gelato also refers to similar frozen desserts that are prepared in this method.

As you look into a colorful array of gelati, you may wonder how it is made. Gelato is basically made from milk and sugar, and just combined with other flavorings. These ingredients are frozen while stirring to break up ice crystals as they form. Thus gelato becomes denser and more flavorful than regular ice cream because it generally has less than 35% air. And it will melt faster than ice cream, too.

Popular gelato flavors include my personal favorite strawberry, chocolate, pistachio, hazelnut, lemon, and combinations of vanilla, chocolate, and nuts. Fruit flavored gelati are usually made with real fruit and so they are very refreshing this summer. I got a different kind of high when I bit into a succulent piece of strawberry in my delightfully pink gelato.

At Gelatone, you can get a scoop for P100 either served in a cono (cone) or coppa (cup) -- depending on whether you want to enjoy your dessert while strolling, or while relaxing at this cozy gelateria.

What is so special about these shoes?

Batali is especially fond of the new Bistro shoe because it offers high comfort to workers in the restaurant and food service industry, while it is specially designed to meet workplace standards with a closed heel. In addition to its special slip-resistant design, the shoe also features a thicker metatarsal area to help protect the top of the foot, as well as a supportive arch and foot bed circulation nubs to ensure all-day comfort. The exclusive Croslite™ material conforms to the foot creating a custom fit and the added looseness allows the foot to bend and expand naturally to reduce fatigue. All of the new models are odor- and bacteria-resistant and can be simply sterilized in clean water and bleach.

Can I have a size 6 black pair please?

As promised, I am posting Sbarro's new look. Pardon the imperfect shot for I hurriedly took this picture during a quick stroll to the mall. The whiteness of the resto gives a fresh air to the place, calming your senses especially during rush hour over lunch or dinner time.

If you're one of those who frequent this side of town, you may have dropped by the *new* Sbarro at SM Megamall. Gone is the dim orange lighting and the laid back dining experience. Welcome *whites* with touches of bright and traditional reds and greens. Servers in crisp and immaculate chef's uniforms. An inviting and informative menu board. A more *fastfood* feel, which gives the customer a sense of speed when it comes to service. Even the new sets of tables and chairs complete the new ambiance. Personally, I like this *facelift*. A clean resto is definitely a turn-on, don't you think? Oops, I'll try to upload a picture of the dining area next time.

In the meantime, here is their classic meat lasagna, still tastes as good as ever. Value for money, and perfect for sharing if you're watching your weight. Add a slice of pizza and perhaps Coke Zero?

"Across the globe, there are many exceptional interpretations of the Japanese Cuisine. Still, none comes close in flavor and in taste than those offered in the hip districts of Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Hollywood, New York, Las Vegas, Paris and London.

John is from the West while Yoko comes from the East. As John is bold, modern and fresh, Yoko is guarded, conservative and traditional. He is sunset while she is sunrise or the dawn of a new day! In essence, john&yoko is a successful union of the two worlds. It is a union where the new embraces the old and the innovative features the authentic.

In the next few minutes, allow us to take you to those big cities where Japanses dishes are at their very best. We promise that it is one journey that will feed the five senses!"

-joko&yoko's foreword in their menu


This is not my full blown review of the resto but I just want share with you my experience with a dish called Japaella. You might have guessed correctly that Japaella is actually a *Japanised* paella. I'm such a huge fan of the Spanish paella -- as well as Japanese cuisine -- and so it doesn't take much effort for me to try out this dish, which became an instant fave.

(to be continued)

Review for their 3-cup Chicken, up next!

Finally I had a chance to visit Juday's Caffe Carabana -- I've passed by this resto many times and I was ever curious as to what it has to offer. Ambience-wise, it's better to visit this place at night. From the looks of it, Caffe Carabana is a residential house-turned-resto structure. There is even a mini tree house at the porch -- if you're adventurous enough you can bring your cocktails up there and enjoy the night breeze. There are a lot of seats for al fresco dining, seats reminiscent of your aunt's garden set, or probably like those in your grandma's home. I say there's really some nostalgia in the place.

The dimly lit dining area is not your typical resto layout. Here you'll find different areas for small groups, so you can have a cozy and intimate dining experience. It's like inviting over your barkada to your own living room. If you feel like having some drinks, they have a bar featuring classic cocktails and spirits.

Caffe Carabana offers Juday's signature dishes aside from the their regular offerings, but the area was so dimly lit I couldn't see very well the menu. And so I simply ordered what stood out as I squinted my way through my options. I ordered the Beef Salpicao and Hamburger Steak.

As with any beef dish, my foremost criterion is the tenderness of the meat, and this dish passed the test. The small cuts of beef was tender and flavorful, with a hint of wine that delighted my palate. The taste had character but not too overbearing. Serving size was good for sharing, and served with a side dish of corn, carrots and peas. It's good to pair this dish with your favorite red wine. Heck, you can even pair this with SanMig Light or iced tea! Who cares? Remember, taste is personal.

As for the hamburger steak, I would rather forget it. It looked so boring and visually unappealing, with neutral tones of brown from the meat and yellow from the mashed potato on white platter. I wouldn't mind spending more for an added treat to the eyes, you know. Taste-wise, it tasted as a hamburger should but lacked the kick to make me come back and try that dish again. Nothing special or memorable about it. Just your average hamburger, nothing more.

On my next visit, I'll probably try Juday's Chicken Inasal -- if it's in the menu. Lights, please! I can't see the menu!

You mean I can only post 1 picture for this review?

Four stars? Yes, I love movies that give me a good hearty laugh. Movies that help me laugh my blues away. This one definitely made an impact on Shallow Chun.

Let me "review" this film by recalling some of my fave scenes:

1. "Mad, mad, mad, mad. Four!"

2. "Don't lick my watch, it's not waterproof!"

3. The scene showing Hart and her sidekick walking proudly as FBI agents, and suddenly a car almost hit them.

4. The Tina Turner production number

5. The leaping over Dolly Parton scene


Alright, so I made a lousy review. Who cares? :-)

Writing movie reviews is not my forte. But what I do remember about watching THIS film is: Wendy's Bacon Cheeseburger Meal.

April 2, Cinema 7, Glorieta 4, 8:30pm, P100

One evening, my family decided to go "last-full-show". We drove to SM City only to find out that all cinemas were already closed. So, off we went to Glorietta -- thank God their showtimes are "owl-friendly".

With this movie, Hillary Swank became an instant favorite.

Coming Soon!

You're a gang of 13 and want breakfast fast? Well, don't go to this place -- consider yourself lucky if you get your order within 30 minutes. Mind you, this is not fastfood Manila. Here, they take it real slow...

Looking at the bright side, the slow pace of life is a great antidote to impatience -- here, you learn how to wait. And that gives you a lot of time to look around and admire the photographs hung on the walls, the beautiful Sagada weaves draped on the ceiling, and the interesting works of art spread all over the room.

Just a tip: If you want to speed up your order, order what the others have ordered. It's called batch cooking. If you order something different, chances are you'll be the last to receive.

But hey, their Hikers' Delight is so good! Banana and home-made yoghurt inside folded pancake topped with strawberry preserves, served with scrambled eggs and mountain coffee or tea.

By the way, I sampled this dish the day after. They didn't serve this when our gang of 13 was there. I had to go back early the following morning to try it. And it was worth the wait.

I first heard about Bellini’s from my friend, Susan: “Part!” (that’s how we call each other) “…you should try their sinfully delicious panna cotta!” True enough, it was delicious. But I prefer to use the word “heavenly” to describe the way it melts smoothly in your mouth, with just the right sweetness and lightness.

Bellini’s is an unassuming Italian restaurant located within the Marikina Shoe Expo area in Cubao, Quezon City. Yes, among those shoe stores you WILL find this delightful place to sample, savor and enjoy the flavors of Italy.

The late morning drizzle that day didn’t dampen our spirits. Although our initial plan of “Beach House” lunch fizzled out, we knew we could always try out another eatery that would match our budget and palate requirements. By noontime, we found a good spot in Bellini’s – both of us were able to watch “Eat Bulaga” at their in-house TV. How’s that for Italian ambiance? :-)

Let me talk more about the ambiance. Upon entering, you might wonder if you had stepped into a photo gallery -- photographs of all sizes lavishly decorate the interiors and will truly catch your attention (I learned from an online review that owner Robert Bellini is a bona fide photographer). Wooden tables and chairs gave a rustic feel, and typical Italian décor was spotted here and there. And now I can’t help but talk about the TV set again. I have nothing against Eat Bulaga, but the thought of it in a supposedly Italian dining setting brings a smirk on my face. Table cloth, napkin, fancy cutlery, and Eat Bulaga – simple a “memorable” combination.

While waiting for our order, Tom served us some homemade breadsticks, made extra long and thin, and ending with an elegant curl that added a visual appeal as well. Next came our linguini al tono, served hot and fast. The pasta was perfectly cooked, al dente of course. The flavors of tomato concasse, olive oil, parmesan cheese and tuna blended pleasingly, creating a sincerely tasty dish. Too bad our thin-crust marguerita pizza didn’t arrive as fast as our pasta, and it was served not as hot as it should have been. Flavorwise, it was acceptable. The austere and simple medley of tomato, basil and mozzarella was both classic and charming. Spiced olive oil drizzled on top gave it an extra kick!

At this point our gastronomic delight was not over yet, for Tom served us Bellini’s own sweet red wine creation to cap off our already wonderful meal. Fruity and light, their house wine became an instant favorite that I had to ask if they were selling that special concoction. For P250, you can bring home a bottle to enjoy. And oh, even their water tasted so good that it deserves special mention here.

I appreciated Tom's efforts to make us feel comfortable. He had the right level of friendliness – not too much that he became overbearing, and not too little that he became useless and irritating.

I think I'll go back to Bellini's another time to try out their other dishes.

(Icy, sarap pasta no?)

I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw this book. "Wow! That's actually my name!" You see, there is a song entitled "Michelle", a musical entitled "Maria", a restaurant called "Mario's" --- but it's not everyday I see a book bearing my name on the cover. "I must have a copy next time", I promised to myself.

The next opportunity came when the Bookmark store in Glorietta was closing down. It had an "everything-must-go" sale and there were copies of "Chun" being sold at a lowly price of P10.00. I bought all the remaining copies and gave them to my friends.

Today I read the book for the nth time, and admired the simple yet powerful way the story was delivered. Chun was Chinese boy who had two Filipino playmates, Pitoy and Leloy. As an adult, Leloy looks back and narrates his childhood memories about Chun -- his being different, most especially.

Chun's "odd" Chinese practices made him the laughing stock among his playmates. Yet despite all the ridicules and the teasing, Chun remained a friend to them, and strived to "belong" and become "one of them". And he failed.

A great book to remind ourselves of the danger of judging others.

Although I don't feel competent to write a film review for some reasons, this review will serve as a personal guide to keep track of whatever I read or see. My Siete Pares buddies have this tradition of watching a film during the Manila Film Festival, and having dinner together. It's our official bonding time, and a time to talk about anything from high school teachers to escapades to SM North Edsa, a stone's throw away from our beloved Quezon City Science High School.

Okay, so this is a film review. But let me not follow standards.

First, why did we watch this film? Since Maan has already watched Mano Po 3, that is out of the game. Melissa wanted to watch Sigaw but since she couldn't join us, that was also out of the game. We trimmed down our choices to 2: So Happy Together and Aishite Imasu. We decided to "toss coin". Kris Aquino's movie won in our Toss Coin Best of 5.

As I walk towards the ticket booth, we changed our minds. 'Parang ang babaw ng movie ni Kris", we prematurely judged. So we ended up watching Juday.

I had no idea what the film was all about. All I know is that Dennis Trillo, who was introduced in this movie, won the Best Supporting Actor award. I haven't seen the other films so there's no way for me to compare, but his acting was effective enough. In fact, he shone throughout the film, even more intensely than the lead actors.

Another thing I remember vividly is not part of the movie, but this group of guys in the audience who were talking so loudly that they were distracting us terribly. What should we do to these kind of people? Mahal ko kayo.