From three years ago: FALL is the operative word

"Two Chairs" (Photo by one of my best friends, The Boy Wonder)

SOMETIMES, I couldn’t help but wonder that there must be a good reason we say it this way:  fall in love.

I guess that for the most part, the fall just happens.  Be it on the very first time you see each other.  Or be it on that one morning (after sufficient time has passed) when you wake up and realize that you just couldn’t be without each other.  When either of these two happens, the falling has started.  Don’t tell me it’s not that simple.  It is.

And I think, there’s nothing much you can do about it.  Oh, there is – fall.

To fall is to descend freely – a free fall, if you will – under the influence, that forceful pull, of gravity.  It’s reckless abandon at its best.  And as you move downward, lower and lower towards the new center of your world, you let go of reason.  You may even succumb to a great deal of things you don’t normally or usually do.  You suddenly pass into a state of being wherein everything seems right in and with the world.  Everything has profound meaning.  You start to care about even the mundane things.  And everything is beautiful.

To fall is to plunge with dizzying speed.  Unfortunately sometimes, while you may have earlier thought that you were plummeting towards that new center of your world, you are actually without direction.  And this is when you realize that you are like falling from the top of a tall tree – hitting every single branch on your way down.  You get yourself cut.  You get yourself bruised.  You get yourself beaten up until, with a resounding thud, you fall flat on the ground – broken bones and all.

I guess that’s basically why we say we fall in love.  It’s because that’s what we actually do.  And when we do, we run the risk of hurting ourselves as we fall.  We do let go of a lot of things because as we fall, we start to care more about somebody else.  We put someone else’s needs ahead of ours.  And probably for the first time, the word “unconditional” rings with truth and meaning.  With the rapid and free descent comes a deeper realization of the strengths that we never knew we had in us.  And should we end up with a broken spirit – not necessarily with broken bones – we are still fine.  After all, that is what healing is for.

To fall is to have mustered enough courage to put your feelings on the line.  And regardless of how it turns out, you will always be a great deal of a better person than from when you took that rapid downward spiral.

Yes, there’s no other way to say it than to say it as it is:  we fall in love.

Copyright © 2012 by eNTeNG  c”,)™©’s  MunchTime™©.  All rights reserved

Nothing like a paper napkin to tell you one of life’s simple truths

GARRETT POPCORN Shops’ paper napkins opened my eyes to one of life’s simple truths.  For the S$ 8.00 I forked over for their small bag of my fave Chicago Mix – part Caramel Crisp, part Cheese Corn, and a whole lotta love – I got real finger-lickin’ good popcorn and a lesson.  Yes, love is messy™.  To that I say, go ahead, fall.

Love is messy. Hehe...

 

Copyright © 2012 by eNTeNG  c”,)™©’s  MunchTime™©.  All rights reserved

The Best Hotels 2012

APART FROM the unapologetic propensity towards gluttony, my ultimate weakness among the deadly sins, it is my shamelessness at writing notes that this blog has really put to fore.

Of course you already may well know that I leave notes for chefs.  But what I may have not mentioned here yet is that after almost every stay at hotels, I would leave notes – for the chambermaid, for the guy who would bring me ALL the local papers every day, for whoever would attend to ALL my requests at the breakfast buffet (I would be very exacting about my omelet and my bowl of noodles that I wouldn’t consider myself simply as “culinarily” high-maintenance but actually bordering on difficult sometimes.)

There was this one time in 2011 that I felt so overwhelmed about how well I was treated at this particular hotel that I ended up not only leaving notes to the staff, but writing a review about them on TripAdvisor.com.

Last week, I received in my Gmail inbox an alert from TripAdvisor saying that this hotel has made it to the 2012 edition of their “Travelers’ Choice, The Best Hotels.”  I haven’t really gone through the exhaustive list but I think it is a top 25 roll.  And in Singapore where there are a lot of boutique hotels, and not just the big international chains, that’s saying a lot.

I think congratulations are in order for the Royal Plaza on Scotts.  And I think, my hankering to go back and brewing intention to do the high tea buffet (at least) is most warranted after all.

TripAdvisor lists the Travelers' Choice for The Best Hotels, 2012.

 

Copyright © 2012 by eNTeNG  c”,)™©’s  MunchTime™©.  All rights reserved

2012

Don't you just love neighbors who love to put on a show? My favorite was actually the one that seemed to cover the sky directly above our house in fireworks that lasted for about a couple of minutes.

I COULDN’T be any happier in recent memory than when I took that 9:40 AM Singapore Airlines flight to Manila on the 31^st of December 2011.  That alone assured me that it would be a happy new year.

Seven days into this new year – a full-packed four days back home, sandwiched in there – I greet you all, “A Happy 2012!”

My luggage – I’d probably post something about that later on (haha!) – only managed to squeeze in a few pieces of clothing.  But I made sure that “the Dior” was in it.  It was the one that I chose to be wearing the moment the clock would’ve struck twelve.  And it made it to my official new year’s message which I sent to everybody I know all over the world, “Dressed in my favorite (and only) Dior, I greet you on this eve…”

Happy New Year!

It sure was nice to be able to go back home for the holidays, even for a few days.

 

I've worn this twice already and am having it put away for future special use. Hehe.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year!

Copyright © 2012 by eNTeNG  c”,)™©’s  MunchTime™©.  All rights reserved

The perfect presents

Nothing like polka dots to usher in an auspicious beginning for the coming year.

WHILE I maintain that the best reason for giving is for no reason at all – amidst all the countless reasons under the sky as to why – I couldn’t help but feel really thankful for getting a ton of presents this Christmas 2011.  I never knew I could be overjoyed too.  The odds said improbable.  But what do I know?

I guess all I needed was a chance to feel this way.

Each present, I honestly love.  And on each was attached the antithesis of what our modern-day relationships have been reduced to – a series of facebook status updates and 140-character tweets – the handwritten note.

I write this right now, at 2:33 AM, surrounded by these presents, each of which appeals to a facet of my personality and is able to capture my being child-like sometimes, my passion for cooking, my love for scents, my being practical, and my stark simplicity.  A couple of them ignited a love for Belgian chocolates I never knew had been pent-up inside of me, waiting to bubble over.

In this pile is the fulfillment of my wish list.  And somewhere here is a gift that, just like me, has a lot of goodies to give away.  (I mean, I try to share goodies as much as I can.)

Most of the gifts I received this year

And trust the power of unexpected gifts to make you change your mind over something.  I’ve long resolved not to replace my worn-out, weather-beaten leather wallet until it literally falls apart, threads unraveling required.

But as I write, I’ve kissed that seeming unbreakable personal injunction goodbye.  And this is so not me to say, but, I love the smell of calf leather.

To all of those who had me on their lists this year, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.  To quote one note I received, “Give and it will be given back to you.”

This gift came all the way from Taiwan!

All piled up.

 

This card said "Bubbly Greetings!"

 

I love receiving notes, like this one. I actually keep all that I get. Sometimes, they outlast the actual gifts.

 

I've been reading this and re-reading... Sweet.

 

Thanks for the well-wishes!

 

It didn't have to be "branded" but this was a fulfillment of a wish list item.

 

Such a lovely couple. They've been sort of taking care of me ever since I moved to Singapore.

 

I emceed their wedding reception and we've been great friends ever since!

 

Gift from the 4 J's

 

Something from someone who always makes fun of me... and my tummy! Haha!

 

From someone who always asks the tough questions! Haha!

 

From someone I've known from all the way back, and became really close friends with here in Singapore.

 

This couple gave me my first home in Singapore. That is something I will never forget.

 

Thanks for yours too!

 

"Give and it will be given back to you."

Copyright © 2011 by eNTeNG  c”,)™©’s  MunchTime™©.  All rights reserved

‘Twas the night of Christmas

“STAR BRIGHT / First star I see tonight / Could you or would you please shine your light? / Shine it so I can see / My Savior smiling at me / Star Bright, I hear you once proclaimed / This is the way, keep on followin’ me / and at the end of the road will be, a baby…”

I spent Christmas Day by having dinner at 313@somerset, a little shopping, walking on Orchard Road, catching whatever remained of the “Christmas is Love” show, hopping on the train to Esplanade, planning for high tea while passing by The Fullerton Hotel, walking to the Merlion, seeking some peace and quiet, and having coffee at Starbucks at One Fullerton.

It was a lot of walking amidst a seeming City of Lights.  It was like following that Star.

Outside the Esplanade Mall, I couldn’t help but hear “Star Bright” in my head as I took in the view of the amazing Singapore skyline.  Everything was lit up, everything was festive.  Everything was cheering me up.

And just like me, everybody has a silent wish.  Some of them brave enough to commit these wishes to paper – to be more accurate, plastic actually – as they wrote them on the shining diamonds that hung from posts outside the mall.

 

“Star light, star bright,

The first star I see tonight;

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight.”

 

Merry Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2011 by eNTeNG  c”,)™©’s  MunchTime™©.  All rights reserved

“Meri Krismas, Kabayan!”

Chilli Crab, Jumbo Seafood (Riverside), Clarke Quay, Singapore

I GUESS that when you put on an LED-lit miniature Santa hat on your head, you forfeit any and all right to lose patience at the fickle-minded weather, at the foot traffic, and at the motley crew that had chosen to converge at the only place seemingly open on Christmas Eve here in Singapore.

But come to think of it, the 24^th of December is all about Christmas.  And Christmas is love.  As my favorite GAP ad of all time said, “Put a little love in your heart.”  And in your tummy, put a lot of great food.  It doesn’t matter where you are; Christmas Eve is all about Noche Buena (literally, “good night”).  In the Philippines, families gather for this traditional dinner at midnight.

This year, Noche Buena to me meant hopping on the 65 to go to Potong Pasir MRT station, and from there taking the train to Harbour Front.  And throughout the travel time, a little bobbing of the head was involved, as “pa rum pa pum pum” played incessantly on my mind.  (I had just come from the Christmas Pageant at St. Michael’s.)

My friends Loradel and Don and I were surprised to get a table easily at Jumbo Seafood at the Riverside.  We didn’t even break a sweat at the wait.

We vowed to splurge on this season that we are spending away from our own families.  So we had resolved to get the Chilli Crab, and around it built a spread that was worthy of Christmas – Braised Shark’s Fin Soup with Crab Meat, Fish Fillet with Sweet and Sour Sauce, Fried Noodles Hong Kong Style, Deep-Fried Mini Buns, Seafood Fried Rice, and a couple of jugs of arguably the best Homemade Barley.

The best part of the meal for me was the soup, so even at S$ 14.00 a pop, I didn’t mind having seconds.  You can never put a price tag on good food, on food that you love, and especially, on Christmas.

(The title is in Filipino and reads, “Merry Christmas, Countryman!”)

Soup so good that I had to have seconds!

 

Fried Noodles Hong Kong Style

 

My first portion of the noodles.

 

Fish Fillet with Sweet and Sour Sauce

 

Seafood Fried Rice

 

The fiery Chilli Crab

 

This clawed its way to my heart. Haha!

 

The bill

 

With the guest check. (I collect these.)

 

"Meri Krismas, Kabayan!"... With Loradel and Don.

 

Santa Baby. Hahaha!

 

Copyright © 2011 by eNTeNG  c”,)™©’s  MunchTime™©.  All rights reserved

Pa rum pa pum pum

St. Michael's Rd, Singapore, at dusk on Christmas Eve 2011

A CHRISTMAS pageant, for me, has suburban America written all over it.  So imagine my surprise when I learned there was one that was going to be held here in Singapore, on Christmas Eve, at the church where one of my friends goes to.  I looked forward to it, while thinking that it felt so Gilmore girls season one.

The play was told from the perspective of the grown-up Little Drummer Boy.  The costumes were elaborate.  The singing heartfelt (the lead was a bit Josh Groban-ish).  The children’s acting rang with sincerity.

For a while there, while seated at the front pew, I forgot that I would rather be somewhere else – my whole family was at my youngest brother’s house – and got awashed in the spirit of the season.

I left the church singing to myself, “I am a poor boy too, pa rum pa pum pum.”  Me and my drum.

The little drummer boys and the rest of the cast get ready for the processional.

 

The grown-up Little Drummer Boy narrates the story of Christmas. "I am a poor boy too, pa rum pa pum pum..."

 

The pageant started with the whole cast appearing on stage.

 

This group of girls took care of all the dancing that was needed in the play.

 

The grown-up Little Drummer Boy and the cutest shepherd girls.

 

Didn't I say they are the cutest?!

 

Josh Groban, err, the grown-up Little Drummer Boy waltzes back into the scene.

 

Mary and Joseph make it to Bethlehem where the baby Jesus was born.

 

Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus

 

The grown-up Little Drummer Boy reflects on his finest gift, playing on his drum. "Come, they told me, pa rum pa pum pum..."

 

Six Little Drummer Boys

 

As the song built to a raging crescendo, two Little Drummer Boys went down to bang on these big drums. PA RUM PA PUM PUM!

 

The adult choir

 

Take a bow.

 

eNTeNG at St. Michael's Church, Singapore, Christmas Eve, 2011

 

St. Michael's Church, Singapore

 

Copyright © 2011 by eNTeNG  c”,)™©’s  MunchTime™©.  All rights reserved

I won’t be home

"Starbright, first star I see tonight, could you or would you please shine your light..." ...A Star from the Brendarryl Christmas Tree 2011

I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, the song, is one Christmas tune I have a sweet spot for.  As a member of the Honor Society in college, we would have annual Christmas caroling at our alumni’s homes and after all the jingle bells and sleigh bells had been rung, the “choir” would clear the floor to leave me and the guitarist for my solo spot.  Yes, I’ll Be Home For Christmas was my solo spot.

This year, I wouldn’t be singing the tune, as I’m here in the Lion City.

Not to fret because I’ve always believed that home is where the heart is.  And I know where mine is.

“It’s comforting to know, the ones you really love are always in your heart.  And if you’re very lucky…  a plane ride away.”

 

Copyright © 2011 by eNTeNG  c”,)™©’s  MunchTime™©.  All rights reserved

Send for Sendong

Text messages from new friends alerted me of what was happening back home. I felt like I was living under a rock. (Photo by TY, taken with my brand new SONY NEX-5D)

IT TOOK a text message from a new friend, a Malaysian, for me to realize that another typhoon had hit the Philippines.  And hit it real damn hard.

“I heard your country was hit by a storm.  So sorry to know about this.  Is your house affected?”

“Glad to hear your home is alright.  But the storm, it’s quite depressing.  Take it positively, at least it reminds us not to take anything for granted and (learn to) appreciate.”

The following morning, I bumped into another new friend, a Singaporean, and he too asked about how my family was doing.  He was quick to add though that, “the typhoon is in Mindanao.  You live in the north?”

Then he said something like, “I don’t know how to say this, but I’m glad your family is alright.”  I got what he meant.  It’s all about feeling grateful you were “spared” because it’s just unimaginable for all of those affected.  And it’s even more unimaginable to think of all those lives that were lost.

International efforts are still well on their way to help the victims of this natural disaster.  I hope we could all do our share.  Here’s a link to Ms. Daphne Oseña Paez’s post on UNICEF’s emergency appeal.

I want to say THANK YOU to all my Malaysian, Chinese, American, and Singaporean friends who did express their concern.  It means a lot.

 

Copyright © 2011 by eNTeNG  c”,)™©’s  MunchTime™©.  All rights reserved