three conventions and a delayed photoshoot

It has been pretty a long time since I wrote something in my blog, and I still feel the falling out from a colleague who helped me get to where I am at. A lot has happened over the course of the month itself, tragic or joy – thankful that I got through. May, was a busy month, where I was able to attend three cosplay conventions from Saturday to Sunday to the end of the month, and tried to pull off a photo shoot in the same but got delayed due to unforeseen things.

 I never realized how much the month of may drained me, that to this very day I still felt never so tired – never again will I do something like this but down the line I had fun.

April, O-Kun Fiesto

Nica, Nexcon

Shion Goddess, Animax

On the 16^th of May I attended the O-Kun Fiesta which was held in the SMX of SM Mall of Asia, sad to say the event pretty much disappointed me, in which I felt the event proper felt flat – I got bored right away where I took a few shots and left home early. Maybe it was the crowd that got to me or maybe it was the lack of sleep, which I think I had only 3 hours of – I came in to see two of my daughters, April and Yuriko, and did a small shoot with some friends that I knew who were present in the area. I was pretty much convinced that I will not go the event the day after which was Nex Con, but sure enough with a few tugs from Vincent aka No-face and Nica, I surprised myself by boarding the cab heading out to the function rooms of SM Aura. With all the cosplay events I have attended, I have never gone to something that felt organized and clean with Nex Con. Though the cosplayers wore western influenced characters such as the likes of TV series the Game of Thrones to Lord of the Rings to DC Comics characters – it was fun. More so that Vincent and I helped opened the 2^nd day to the event with  a game called Face Palm the Music, in which we had to guess the theme or song by face palming a human buzzer. I lost by one, because we had to spin around before buzzing… I lost to “Mortal Kombat”.  And my friends, this is how I humiliated myself with loads of people, but I can't stop smiling from then on.  I had a number of shots, from shooting a gang load of Daenarys attacking a Tyrell, to seeing the New 52 Joker harassing a Batman mannequin, to bumping in person the famous Jin and Tadashi cosplayers, and scream my lungs out on a Lip Synch battle in support of people who I just met. I went home late with a smile as oppose to O-kun.

The very next week I had to go to BGC for a photo shoot I organized with inked friends, unfortunately I had to postpone due to having one of my models not feeling so well that day. I was pretty much tired, I didn’t want to go to any other events until my officemate the cosplayer, Shion Goddess pushed me to attending Animax which was on the 31^st of May. To be honest, I never wanted to go and support Alodia events because I felt cheated on overpriced tickets and felt it was not worth m time – but it was Shion Goddess’ return, I had to pay my respects and help get her career going – thinking nothing could top the experience and fun I had with Nex Con, the event of Animax was rather almost as par, same chaos though, but meeting colleagues like my idol Sir Christian Mack, seeing my old model Ysa, meeting up with Cjaze and others I had a decent amount of fun. From the cheesy lanyard I got from the ticket to laughing my ass off seeing Shion Goddess try to grab a soda, and ended up almost half an hour or so because the fanatics just can’t stop admiring and take a shoot of her, to having mysef just chilling and having a good time without stressing myself too much.

Maybe I should keep on having this mentality of not stressing myself too much on the next cosplay events – and just really feel and rock the vibe of people and meet new friends. I am ever grateful to all of the time I have had – it helped me overcome the depression I had along the way, especially dealing with my Mom’s cancer and work performance blues… I hope the momentum keeps on going. 

going up from down under...

When Kathy Kenny Ngo of Life is Kulayful, invited me and to do a food review of the Tasting Menu for Potts Point Cafe at the SM Mall of Asia, the grand opening of their 2nd branch, I was in a treat to try something new, fresh - and "Show me the tofu!!!", which was all in my mind.

Organic Food by all which is something foreign to me, and I must admit I am comfortable and accustomed to the ways of something processed, and pre-made - and when I hear the word organic, I immediately think something vegan.

But thankfully Google, defines it as simply that - "Farmers are not allowed to use synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes (GMOs), petroleum-based fertilizers, and sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Organic livestock must have access to the outdoors and be given organic feed. They may not be given antibiotics, growth hormones, or any animal-by-products. ".  With that being said, from village in Sydney that lead an Aussie inspiration brought about to Potts Point Cafe - Organic food has been around the country for quite some time, to be honest, my very first to try what it is like to eat said to be healthy, something said to be sustainable, and the future to what cooking should be.

Their Creed

I would like to first give a clear disclaimer, that what I ever write here are my personal opinions and takes on what was served to us, feel free to comment and I would gladly address those issues or feedback that you may provide. And mind you it's been a while since I have written a food review, I do apologize before hand.

The Beverage Menu

The Ambiance

An open view of their menu, and chef station

The Menu

Potts Point Cafe, located at the 2nd floor South Veranda, Entertainment Mall of SM Mall of Asia, isn't hard  to miss, by entering the cafe, one can get a good vibe, I feel like visiting a restaurant in Boracay, with its beach like charm, tiles, and setting. It's location smack at the view of the coasts or bay side of Manila, and gives you feel that you're in another place for a moment - and make you forget you're in the nation's capital - of chaos. It's a perfect place that you want to bring your date to, on a hot Summer, to dine and watch the sunset without the need of wearing of beach clothes, and enjoy the rustic vibe of this cafe. It is quite rare for me to get this vibe from a restaurant or cafe, and I quite like the feel of it.

Dinnerware in a Mason Jar

Banana Berry Smoothie

Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

I introduced myself to the PR executive Ace Azarraga, who was leading the expediting and quality management for Chef John of Potts Point Cafe, who was gracious to ask the waitresses to lead me to my seat to join other bloggers for this tasting event, 9 meal of their signature dishes or through the degustation of their menu. Our waitress took our orders for drinks, which sadly she couldn't give us her recommendations, I settled a Banana Berry smoothie, I needed something cold, and it was really something that I needed to calm my dry throat from a very hot day. It wasn't too long before the ribbon cutting to launch this cafe, we were served our first meal, though not part of the tasting menu, it was something to fill in our stomachs, and a hint of things to come, it was the cafe's way of welcoming us - It was their Baked Sweet Potato Wedges, seasoned with salt and sugar. I was never fond or did like Camote fries, what I made of it, but after a few tries - made me go, Wow there is hope for me to like something new,  on something so deep rooted at home.

Shakshuka with Organic Pork Sausage and Organic Eggs with Toasted Baguette

A couple minutes in, PR Ace, opened up the appetizers - the Shakshuka with Organic Pork Sausage and Organic Eggs with Toasted Baguette, in which he presented in a small black pot, and when he lifted off the lid, steam blew and it was almost magical, which lead to lead my shallow awe and amazement. The taste it felt like a fancy way to eating Chili Con Carne, with Egg, on a fancy bread - me and my seatmate George, agreed and laughed that all it needed was rice, and it was something I could eat all day.

Cream of Organic Cauliflower Soup with Truffle Foam

Thai Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken Crispy Wanton and Pomelo

Couple minutes more we were given our Salad and Soup, for the Salad we had the Thai Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken, Crispy Wanton and Pomelo, and for the soup, the Cream of Organic Cauliflower with Truffle foam was served. I enjoyed the salad more than I had the soup, with the salad, I like the freshness of each ingredient, and the wonderful colors and textures it gave, it was not tiring to the tongue, the salad had a kick of spice, just enough to make you feel a bit of Thai but minus the acidity or the fishiness, salty taste, but all I can say, yes it was good. The soup was a different story, the truffle foam made the flavor heavy, yet it was enough to keep your appetite running, me and fellow bloggers, agreed it look liked more of squash, or pumpkin given the color. It had that first initial taste of something squash, but it took me seconds in to finally taste the Cauliflower - the cream felt like something pureed, that gave me a feel that I am eating baby food, maybe it felt grainy to the tongue.

Salmon Linguine with Capers in Dill Cream Sauce

After two spoons in of my soup, came their pasta, and entree dishes - Salmon Linguine, with Capers in Dill Cream Sauce, the Roast Australian Lamb with Bone Marrow with Brown Rice and Demiglace, followed by their Australian Grass-fed All beef Burger with Australian Cheddar, Pickled Beets, Olive Oil Aioli, and House-made Brioche Bun sided with Baked Sweet Potato Wedges, lastly their Melange of Seafood Provencale with Brown Rice Risotto came several minutes thereafter.

Australian Grass-fed All Beef Burger with American Cheddar, Pickled Beets, Olive Oil and Aioli, and House-made Brioche with Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

Melange of Seafood Provencale with Brown Rice Risotto

When the burger came out, my eyes lit up, but as much I wanted to speed up to that moment, I had to go about tasting their pasta - Wow. Something perfect for the Lenten season, the shrimps, the salmon it was not that overpowering, I read reviews about this dish in their Eastwood branch, and I have to agree, this something you'd want to come back for, and your date would love and enjoy. This is one of the entrees, I reckon. Then alas, Burger!, Burger! - my mind filled with so much imagination, and yes to my delight it hit my expectations and even more - of all the burger joints, I think I have found something I want to spend my pay to, the burger so tender, juicy and the poached egg, made it, just drool re-imagining this experience. Have I reached Burger heaven? No, but close enough that I can say - thank you! I never knew that grass-fed cows would be juicier, and hands down. This is the Man-food on the date.  The Pasta, The Burger, - the two things meant for His, and Hers, should you bring your date over, I really do recommend one must order for that special ocasssion.

Roast Australian Lamb with Bone Marrow with Brown Rice and Demiglace

The Roast Australian Lamb with Bone Marrow with Brown Rice and Demiglace and Melange of Seafood Provencale with Brown Rice Risotto, was sadly disappointing - yes the lamb was tender enough, that a spoon was enough to cut it without struggle, the brown rice was something out of this world, something salty and delicate like the lamb, paired with brown rice was until now left me in a state, where words could not describe to what I felt at that moment, maybe it was the demiglace that killed it, or maybe I am not so used to having brown rice come into my diet, but it was a heavy feeling that my tongue, said "Screw this!". Seafood Provencale with Brown Rice Risotto went to the same fate as its other counter part, and no matter how fresh the clams, mussels, the shrimps on it, the richness of the broth, the brown rice is making me feel like the scene that of the 300, where Leonidas kicked the Persian to the deep well, indeed yes this was madness, and this is brown rice.

Strawberry, Kiwi and Mango Tifle with Light Vanila Custard and Cookie Crumble

Affogato

English Sticky Toffeed Pudding with Vanila Ice Cream

Our day was about to end, after getting to know more of the people around the blogging community, and sharing our thoughts of things and that, desserts were served, much after several minutes - my table group even ordered something off the tasting menu, their Affogato, because the desserts were taking so long, and maybe by curiosity of the photographs of their food hung by their white walls. The Strawberry, Kiwi, and Mango with Light Vanila Custard and Cookie, Crumble came together with their second dessert the English Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanila Ice Cream, then followed our Affogato. Desserts are always a win, indeed, The fruit cocktail on Light Vanila Custard - was sweet, to bring anyone who has a sweet tooth would get their dream come true on a glass, but nothing came close to how good was their English Sticky Toffee Pudding - yum! and I could imagine how soft and light the pudding was, paired with the Ice cream, it was a perfect between marriage of Brown and white. The Affogato left me in a thought of cookie crumble ice cream, with Filipino locals wafers, mixing it with strong espresso coffee, it was good, but just something to give you buzzed and going but nothing would beat the pudding.

The dishes we tried, at Potts Point Cafe

As the day end, and I want to to give my thanks to the people who invited me, thank you PR Ace, and Kathy Kenny Ngo - looking forward for more meaningful and delightful conversations with. Now to wrap things up - the ambiance is good - like I've mentioned no restaurant has ever given me a vibe until Potts Point Cafe, it's something that you would imagine sitting by the bay side verranda with your date, enjoying the pasta and the burger, and just watch the sunset and chill. Cue in the playlist of Tiesto's In Search of Sunrise: Sydney and yes we have an almost perfect day. The service, I can't blame the waitresses for not knowing what to recommend, and who had to come back and forth when asked what is in the dish itself - I guess it's a newly formed staff but should have briefed the night before of what to expect and tasted what is to be served - I hope this get's improved. It was a slow day, but I can't say, it was their first day. The food, good, light, and doesn't give you that funny taste - there are hits and misses but you can't get them all right.

Must I Feel This Good, in this restaurant, yes to chill, 4 out of 5. Fore more photos, please do check my instagram at naga_jolokai.

Potts Point Cafe - an Aussie inspired, organic food located at the 2nd Floor Veranda, Eastwood Mall, | 2nd Floor South Veranda Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia.

down with a sickness

It's 10:43 AM, my body still feels the aches and pains of the last 3 days of graveyard, and I am officially sick. I had myself checked yesterday in Tokyo Healthlink Inc., and Dr. John Tapac, gave me the two days off, to recover from Upper Respiratory Tract Infection or known as URTI. 

Dr. Tapac's Orders from Tokyo Healthlink Inc.

I was thinking I had the Dengue fever just basing it on how humid it was for the past few days, and the mosquitoes and bugs in my room are very much alive - plus I had the chills, and felt so weak - but alas with blood test which the intern made me a human dartboard, came out negative and all it was just a bacterial infection that lead me to bad coughs, colds and spewing out phlegm that looks like The Hulk's saliva.

I was given several medicines to take, more of which just to help me get though the day and make me really feel better -  and I do hope it does. I have so many obligations to attend to, over the weekend before another march for reality which I shudder much when I think of it. 

Thank you Chronos  for winding my watch

I am ever thankful to Chronos, at the Alabang Town Center for helping winding my watch yesterday while waiting for my blood results, all I can be is grateful and finally the date is all correct, and I have a new battery to keep my time piece going and going - all I have to do is get my watch cleaned and I look like a rich dude that's ready to get his hand cut off by snatchers, *knock on wood*, hope and dear not.

Today I shall really need the rest, and I shouldn't stay up late too much or even stress myself, come to think of it, I should be pampered much. Maybe I should download some movies over some torrent site, just to chill - for now I have been craving burgers, and missing out on the In-N-Out one time affair. Sigh! Why am I even tuned into the Food Network? TV you are not helping.

I should start working on the details of my shoot this coming May - and thankfully I have two of which my inked friends agreed to be my models and waiting for my make-up artist that's in 50-50 still deciding to help me out. May Inked - it's project name. I really should put an end on doing X-deals but then I am doing this for the love of doing photos, it's what keeps me sane, as much of my writing.

Tomorrow I am invited by Kathy Kenny Ngo of Life is Kulayful to Pott's Point Cafe Grand Opening and Food Tasting Event, at the 2nd Floor, South Veranda, Entertainment Mall, at SM Mall of Asia, - I am doing this to exercise my taste buds, my palette and passion for good food - and simply doing a food review, looking forward to it as much attending the Ozine Fest, which is to be held on April 24-26 at the Megatrade hall at SM Megamall.

It's going to be a busy April for me, but foremost I need to get well.