I baked this!

One of the best things I learned during quarantine is baking--thanks to my aunt and Chef RV Manabat's YouTube Channel.

Pet's Blueberry Cheesecake

So far, I've learned how to bake chocolate chip cookies with walnut, fluffy mamon, and cheesecake--all from scratch! ☺️ I was able to bake and help cook some viands as well. They all turned out great. For a newbie, that's something to be proud of haha!

For my birthday, I baked my favorite blueberry cheesecake. It's still not perfect, particulary the sides still sticking to the pan lol. At least it tastes really, really good. 😁

Happy Birthday to me!

I feel like the first try, the one I baked for my parents' anniversary, looked better--no cracks/breaks, but they taste the same. Hindi nagbago. "Parang Starbucks pa rin", sabi ni papa. That's an accomplishment.

But of course, you aim to do better. So the next time I bake this, I hope to avoid the cake sticking to the pan. Shortening or butter, maybe? Haha!

Chef RV said, it shouldn't stick, but remember, "you are not Chef RV" hahaha. I hope to figure this out and have the perfect looking and tasting cheesecake.

I look forward to more baking recipes!

P.S. My chocolate chip and walnut cookies are really good. My officemates, friends, aunt, lolo and parents can attest to that! 😆

Thank you Chef RV for creating a YT channel! 🤍

Finally, Shake Shack!

Thanks to Covid-19 I finally had a taste of Shake Shack Philippines! 😅 In BGC!

I first tried Shake Shack--the burger, the fries, and the lemonade--in California. It was also my first trip to the USA. It is definitely one of the food highlights of my trip, but In-N-Out's better! 😅

However, the Shack burger in the Philippines is really, really good mainly because IT IS LESS GREASY!!!!!!

Shake Shack burgers are really greasy. Haha! This was my very observation when I first tried it and why I prefer In-N-Out. Haha!

I'm glad the Shack Burger here is less greasy. I did not expect it, to be honest. I love the bun and the beef patty which were all rightly done! The lemonade is looove, as always! The burger-drink duo's worth every peso! 👌

As to the fries, I think it's a bit pricey, especially when you eat solo. Haha. Sulit siguro siya if for sharing. Let's be honest, there's just nothing really special about the fries--plain or cheese. And it's PhP150?! PhP180?! Diba?! You know what's sulit? McDo fries! 😅

If you're in the BGC area and craving for a burger that is NOT the usual burger, drop by Shake Shack! Have a burger, skip the fries or order a fries for two/three people!

Dine-in or Take Out, you choose.

This was probably my second time eating out since stores started opening up. It is important to note that they were (and still are!) observing health protocols to ensure everyone's safety--temperature check, contact tracing forms, physical distancing, among others.

This is the "new normal". We have to adapt. Let this virus not scare us. Let it make us better. ✌️😊🇵🇭

Introducing Delicious Bakes PH!

It has been said that a way to save our economy is to buy local. But, should we not consider starting one? A local business based on what you love to do. Isn't that also a way keep the economy moving!

My aunt's bestfriend, Tita Daisy, who loves to bake and cook has finally decided to open her own online bakeshop.

Kudos to her for seeing a great opportunity even in this time of crisis. That's positivity right there! And, I have always loved her pasta! 😋

CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES--the magic words! I ordered 3 boxes and paid via GCash. This is what happens when you have been craving for homemade cookies that you can't bake simply because you don't have a knack for it. 😅

The Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies cost PhP150 per box. That's 10 pieces per box. The more you eat the cookies, the better it gets. In other words, hindi siya nakakaumay. Downside, napaparami kain mo. 😆 The cookies are not too sweet. I think it is "friendly" to people with diabetes (like my father).

My order came with a free-to-taste slices of Banana Nut Bread and Banana Classic Bread. It wasn't part of my order simply because it is BANANA bread. It's like CARROT cake. I mean, "why?" 😅✌️

BUT, THE BANANA BREAD WAS SO DELICIOUS that I regretted not ordering. First bite palang, masarap na!

Now, I understand why Tita Daisy gave us those slices to taste--to want moooore!

Good move, Tita. 👏

The Banana Breads are priced at PhP300 to PhP350.

Indeed, the Banana Bread (Classic, Nut Bread or Nut Bread with Chocolate Chips) is a MUST-TRY!

I look forward to placing my orders again! I'm looking at you, Banana Nut Bread and Buttersctoch Chocolate Chip Cookies! 😋

Follow Delicious Bakes PH and @deliciousbakesph! Order now!

It's NOT all of it.

This could be the lone entry for July. It's that kind of month--a lot to share, so little 'free' time to blog. Might as well consolidate them all in one blog and 'work' on the 'special' ones in the near future.

More than a month.

I don't normally talk about law school during my spare time. I only supply hints. Sometimes you just need to be as abstract as possible. It helps.

So, it's been more than a month since the first semester of the school year began. It has been good, so far. Friends have always been awesome. Family keeps me going. And, the Lord has always been there. We're warming up a bit--in class recitiations and quizzes. They (the subjects and the professors) have been very challenging, particularly the review classes haha. I am up to it. I should. That's the kind of mindset one should have. After all, it's the path I chose.

To be honest, I need more focus. It's one of the reasons why the mind has been tired lately and a reason why there's a need to make this entry. Let everything out. The fandoms have taken over my life mind. Haha.

SDCC: XF20

July would not be complete without the San Diego Comic Con. The X-Files is the main reason of my SDCC interest. It is also one of the reasons why I have not blogged this month. Haha. Too busy with The X-Files, Gillian Anderson, David Duchonvy, etc. etc. They have the mother of all panels. That is, with the X-Files writers, producers and the incomaparable leads, Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny. They made SDCC even better. The have what others did not. They have Mulder & Scully. This also marked the X-Files' 20th Anniversary panel. It's simply historical!

As an X-Phile, there is no way I'd miss the moment even if it's only through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or the tons of fansites out there. This is The X-Files--my childhood, my teenage years, a huge part of my life. It's my happy 'place'.  

I just wish I could make a decent post on this.

X-Files Comics

Yee-haw! I bought 3 X-Files comics this month. The first was the 2nd issue of IDW's The X-Files Season 10. The second was the Wildstorm/Frank Spotnitz one. The last was The X-Files Classics, Volume 1. The latter ones were kind of expensive. Haha. I just couldn't resist. Believe me, I tried so hard but there's that legitimate excuse: It's the 20th Anniversary!

My review/mini review of these comics will be out soon (like it's something my 'readers' would be looking forward to reading haha). Let's just say, I enjoyed reading the comics. I have yet to read the 'Classics' though. I will, soon.

Food Trips!

My lawschool friends and I have expanded our 'jurisdiction' when it comes to food. Heh. We're no longer limited to those along Recto. We have reached Sta. Mesa (Pan De Cielo) aaaand back to Taft! Well, near Taft Ave. (Burger Project) Oh, how I miss seeing you, DLSU. Haha. 

Pan De Cielo

Authentic Pinoy! Glad I was I able to try this one.

  

Burger Project

We've heard a lot about it. Medyo mahal. It's quite expensive but worth the money. :) Named my burger, 'YOU REBEL!' It was a fun Friday with friends, burgers, fries and a lot more!

This is definitely not ALL of it. I'm just happy to have shared some of the little things I wanted to share with the world. Hahahaha!

I'm outta here!

Trance.

This is one of my very few entries that cannot be classified as a late post. Oh yeah, finally, an ‘on time’ post. Maybe it has something to do with Trance and the fact that I paid Php200.00 to see James McAvoy in a movie. Ha! Before I get into the movie and a somewhat informal review of the movie, let me just tell you how this came to be…

From ‘Coming Soon’ to ‘Now Showing’

First, let me say that 2013 is a James McAvoy kind of year in terms of movie releases. He already had two films released—Welcome to the Punch and Trance. There are at least two more movies which will come out this year—The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby and Filth. Since the first two films had limited releases in some parts of the world, my country (The Philippines) is lucky enough to have Trance in our local cinemas. I never thought it would be released here, but I am really glad that it was. The fact that it has been out for 2 weeks makes it even more amazing. I mean, who knew?!

Since I was not able to watch the movie during the first week, I told myself that I have to watch it this weekend with or without anyone. After all, this could be the film’s final week in our local theaters. Fortunately, I got to watch it today at Robinsons Galleria MOVIEWORLD. And, with a friend, April. Hooray! A semi-reunion of sorts considering we haven’t seen each other for quite some time, plus, there’s James McAvoy (there goes that connection again). Well, she was late (I had to, April. Hehe) but it’s all good—we were already seated when the movie started. No problem!

TRANCE – A Mini Review

TRANCE is a psychological thriller and that says a lot. As a fan of psychological thrillers, I enjoyed this film a lot.

Watching the trailer alone will not give you the whole picture. You may have an idea of what to expect but as soon as the story unfolds, the things you thought you knew/know or understood/understand are not what they appear to be. Except, of course, when the movie ends—you’ll know what everything was all about.

For instance, I thought Simon (James McAvoy) was a plain art thief, well, he was not. I mean, he’s more than that. The same goes with Vincent Cassel and Rosario Dawson’s characters. They are more than who I thought they were. Again, you need to watch the whole of it. Believe me, it is all worth it. Danny Boyle’s directing is enough reason to appreciate the movie. The acting is brilliant. James McAvoy, Vincent Cassel and Rosario Dawson were all amazing. James McAvoy makes crazy look good. Uh, of course, he was kind of creepy and scary but in a very charming way. Heh.

This film managed to tackle art, theft, hypnosis, reality, nudity, crime, murder, violence, lies, deception, and everything in between for an hour and forty-five minutes or even less. So, if you’re a fan of these kinds of themes, you will probably like this film, or even love it, the way I did.

Kudos to the writers, directors, producers, the crew and the amazing cast!

FUEL – We need it.

Movie and food, they go together!

We had to grab some snacks after the movie. That’s a tradition. First, movie. Then, food. It is a simple formula. Filipinos love movies. And, WE LOVE TO EAT. Ha.

Yes, April and I had numerous topics to talk about—random topics are often the best topics—from movies to sports, to fandoms, to David Archuleta, to Harry Potter, to Twilight, to LIFE, to everything. A great moment! Hey, there’s a need to mention 'JJ’. April will definitely have a blog about this amazing event in her life. Yes! So, watch out for her blog entry about this momentous day ha. The day April had a photo opportunity with JJ. Sometimes, you just need a push. Glad, I could help, April. Haha. I’ll leave this topic to you.

Introducing the ‘messy’ burger and tasty fries by FUEL.

I must say, this is cheaper than Baconator but equally good. I think.

Jack Burger + Fries = Php165 | Iced Tea Lemon (s) = Php40

Busog!

Happy New Year!

It’s 2013!

‘Year-in-review’ post? Nah! This is a ‘Happy New Year’ post. Let’s just say, 2012 was a year of ups and downs just like the previous ones. It was relatively a good year—there were better years. Hoping 2013 will be one of the better years!

Thank you, 2012. Hello, 2013!

Started the year with an awesome new year ‘dinner’ with family and relatives.

I am blessed with a great family. Thank you, Lord! :)

Happy New Year, everyone! All the blessings and joy this year!

Be a great year, 2013!

Now, I'm Free.

Finally, the break that we have all been waiting for is here! Yes, this was for the day before the long weekend. My blog posts do not occur in real time.

Final exams were officially over on October 30. That was the last hurrah of the semester. No, I am not looking forward to the second semester. Not just yet. It is not the time to think about law school, the grades, the exam results and those stuffs. Therefore, no law school talk for now (like I have actually been talking about it...Yeah, no. Not here.)

Just before the semester ended, I took some time to learn how to cook or simply assist our kasambahay--the Great Atse Naneng--in preparig and cooking our meals. It has been fun and fulfilling. Who would have thought? I only assist her most of the time--sometimes it's just plain 'moral support' (if she even needs one...haha). So, 'we' have cooked some dishes she does not often cook. Thus, it's something new. Thanks to 'Kusina Master'--the only show I watch on GMA7 (Ahahaha!). Here are the dishes we 'learned' how to cook:

Pan Fried Dory w/ Creamy Sauce

Spicy Pork Fry

And finally, the one which I had the chance to cook myself recently, since she was on vacation...Chicken Potato Balls!

YUMMM!

They taste pretty good. Chicken Potato Balls is my favorite. Ok, that's it with cooking. I just loooove food, not necessarily cooking! ♥

With this vacation, I would be able to tweak this blog, watch and re-watch amazing series, and do things I could not do during school days. Speaking of tweaking, in case you are visiting this blog, you'll be noticing some changes in the coming hours or days. It depends on how often I would go online and work on it. :) 

Let it be a fun break! :)