The Dark Knight Rises

THE DARK Knight Rises, the movie, is yet to hit cinemas this coming July 2012.  But the real Dark Knight in my life, my best friend Batman, has risen above all others in his latest endeavor in life.

The Dark Knight and I, somewhere in Greenbelt 5!

He just finished his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of the Philippines Diliman, arguably my country’s foremost educational institution.  He graduated with a general grade point average of 1.1548!  As a student I’m used to getting “flat ones” – grades of “1.00” – myself, but that kind of average is just beyond my wildest dreams.  I graduated at the top of my class.  But not with that kind of grade.

What is more remarkable to me is that he did this while keeping a full-time job, and at a time when he welcomed his and his wife’s first bundle of joy into their lives.  How he juggled all of those aspects of his life, I really couldn’t imagine.

Some say you can’t have it all.  But I guess, in Batman’s case, you can almost.  He does almost have it all – if not already.

Congratulations, best friend.  I’m so proud of you!

One of my send-off lunches before coming to Singapore was with Batman.

 

He presented me with yet another one of the toys from his personal collection. This one was specifically tasked to watch over me in the Lion City. Haha!

 

eNTeNG and Batman. For the record, that’s my happy face. Hahaha!

 

See, he was already doing what he was tasked to do. Watch over me! Haha!

 

Batman, waiting for boarding at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, 29 June 2011

 

Batman, a collage…

 

Batman, ION Orchard, Orchard Road, Singapore

 

Batman, in Black & White, Kinokuniya, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Orchard Road, Singapore

 

Classic Batman, painted on Chucks, Converse, Mustafa Department Store, Farrer Park, Singapore

 

The Dark Knight Rises, move poster, Golden Village Cinemas, Marina Square, Singapore

 

See Batman, you’re even the image on my MRT card! Haha! (Photo taken by Yong Run, who has always been so patient and gracious to snap my likeness whenever I strike a pose… and not scream at the top of his lungs at me and say, “eNTeNG, would you please get yourself an iPhone4?! Geez!”)

 

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

Arrivederci, Kiddo!

I WAS once a young, impressionable new hire myself, just fresh out of college.  It’s been eons, but up to this day, I vividly remember all of those who made me feel so welcome, and those who have helped me become who I am.  So whenever I meet someone new at work, I try to pay forward all that I have been so blessed with all these years.

eNTeNG, Kia Leh, Kwang Fook, and Kuya Mike

Kia Leh, who I fondly call as “Kiddo”, is off to her first assignment abroad, where the canned San Marzano tomatoes originate and are so good, any mislabeling or misbranding of lesser variants could get you into serious trouble with the Carabinieri.

While I know that her inquisitive and persevering nature will see her through this assignment, the fact that soccer – no, make that “calcio” – is this country’s most popular sport, will help take care of keeping her entertained and less homesick.  Fresh from her team’s victory in last week’s soccer carnival, she couldn’t be in any better, more fitting place, than there where the national football team has won the FIFA World Cup four times.

We can only be too happy she’s off to this place.  She promised to take photos of soccer games from a vantage point so close that beads of perspiration from the star players would put her camera’s – or, iPhone’s – water resistance to the test.

Kiddo, you already know that Yong Run, Kwang Fook, and Kuya Mike will miss you, but I think it bears repeating here.  Haha!  And of course, I will miss you.  I mean, who am I kidding?  Haha!  I will be so sad.

Dear Kiddo...

 

I've always believed that travel affords us the chance to experience all this creation in a new place.

 

We will miss you, Kiddo!

 

Just a little something...

 

I know Kuya Mike's sendoff present is in the other paper bag. I hope you liked our little gifts.

 

Kuya Mike, Kia Leh, Kwang Fook, and eNTeNG

 

Let's try that one more time: Kuya Mike, Kia Leh, Kwang Fook, and eNTeNG. Kuya Mike, thanks for the Starbucks!

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

Moët at Attica with the Stylish Guy

Moët at Attica, Clarke Quay, Singapore

MY IDEA of a good time here in Singapore has always involved full meals.  Really solid, substantial food you really need to chow down.  I must eat so much noodles that people around me probably think all the belief I have in me is about long life.  A night out that involves a diet of only liquids hasn’t really appealed to me.

Well, not until I decided to join the party for one of the really good friends I have made at work – Wai Hon.  He is taking a new step in his life and career and I wanted to wish him all the best.  I thought I could start by showing up at his party at Moët at Attica in Clarke Quay.  One of my closest friends, DJ Raoul, was invited too and came along.

The man of the moment, Wai Hon, here with his lady love.

 

These cocktails in test tubes were served with a couple of sparklers. Quite a show, if you ask me.

 

Wai Hon and friends

Not a drinker at all myself, I left it all up to the DJ to get me sloshed with his highly recommended mix.  See, my friend isn’t only dependable when it comes to music or video mixes.  He can make a mean cocktail too.  (At one point I thought he was giving some pointers to the bartender on how to make our drinks.  Haha!)

We made it to Clarke Quay!

If I remember it correctly, he got me a couple or three (I lost count!) of vodka cranberry (his highly recommended drink), a vodka sprite, and Wai Hon and the very nice and lovely Audrey got me a couple of drinks that came in test tubes.  The music was so loud and so nice we had to just dance.  On that, I again got an impromptu lesson from the DJ, who at one point told me to stop spinning around the dance floor.  Hahaha!  (DJ Raoul knew every single song!  A few beats at the start or in between transitions and he knew what song was up next.  Yeah, quite impressive.)

Vodka Cranberry!

 

The DJ

 

The Emcee

 

We soon had to move outside for some photo-taking and, obviously, some more drinks.

 

eNTeNG & the Vodka Cranberry

 

The DJ and the Vodka Cranberry

 

The DJ and a couple of new friends

 

The DJ, Wai Hon and Audrey

 

Wai Hon & Audrey

 

eNTeNG, Audrey, Wai Hon, and Raoul

 

eNTeNG, Raoul and Wai Hon

 

One more group photo... Yeah!

 

Both the dance floors were full! This one is at Moët, on the second floor.

 

This one's the main dance floor on the first level.

 

Getting our last Vodka Cranberry before calling it a night!

 

At exactly this point, the DJ played "The Club Can't Handle Me"... I love that song! Haha! I forgot to snap a time stamp shot when they played Adele's "Rolling In The Deep"!

 

A stolen shot of the DJ. Obviously, he was surprised!

I could feel the alcohol in my system (so that’s how it feels!) that I had to ask to get something to bite before we had to call it a night.  Good thing Señor Taco Mexican Taqueria was right outside the bar.  I had two cheese only quesadillas and half of a beef quesadilla.  Tempting as the Mojito sounded – Attica doesn’t serve mojitos! – I had to settle for freshly squeezed lemonade.

Señor Taco Mexican Taqueria!

 

What lies beneath... inside a cheese only quesadilla!

 

Pork Quesadilla

 

A tight shot of the pork quesadilla

 

The DJ and The Emcee and some damn good tacos

Wai Hon, all the best to you man!  We should hang out again real soon!  You and Audrey have the moves.

Wai Hon... We all wish you only the best!

 

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

639798

"Farewell, my comrades." – JC with some of his guests and new friends, YC, WS, V, T, and KL.

DECISIONS ARE always tough to make.  It is about choosing one over another.  One would win your favor, and the other would be left out.  If that doesn’t sound tough, I don’t know what is.

When someone has gotten used to be in a place or a group that he himself would tell a new friend to be “a great place or company to be in,” and yet he comes to the point when he would need to pursue his own goals of personal technical growth by way of, let’s say, a PhD, that is a tough decision to make.  I can’t imagine being in his shoes.

I can’t imagine that, but I can throw a send-off lunch.  Haha!  Yes, it is send-off number two in the space of a couple of days.  This time, the man-of-the-moment is my highly dependable logistics guy in the – hold on, there’s that word again – “Committee.”

I got asked what exactly I meant by “send-off.”  It is simply an organized expression of goodwill (that’s why I’d gather the important and closest people) at the start of a new trip (as is the case of WCC) or a new venture (as is the case of man-of-the-moment JC).  Though I’d rather call his an “adventure” as I hope for him both fun and learning on this ride.

That, and three things – salt so that his life will always be full of flavor; bread so that he will never go hungry; and a map so that he will never lose his way.  Especially now that the “Batmobile” will have to be parked somewhere else.

Lunch was at Swensen's!

 

Rodeo Chicken Wings

 

Mozzarella Sticks

 

I've never met a mozzarella stick I never liked. These would've been perfect if they came with the usual marinara sauce. But I devoured them just the same!

 

Deep-Fried Mushrooms, each with a super crunchy crust on the outside and a tender, delicate fresh shiitake mushroom inside!

 

Caesar Salad made with huge pieces of torm hearts of Romaine Lettuce, except...

 

...that I don't know what the red and green bell peppers, and the imitation bacon, are doing in it. The dressing tasted straight out of the bottle. But it was fine nonetheless. The freshness of the vegetables and the overall flavor made up for everything.

 

My Curry Chicken Baked Rice. This one, I loved.

 

Halfway through my Curry Chicken Baked Rice. I love the sour notes of the gravy, which I was struggling to identify if it was coming from vinegar or plum tomatoes that had been crushed into the sauce. I guess tomatoes. There was a hint of sweetness too that permeated the melange of spices. Lovely.

 

Macaroni and Cheese... good, but not exactly what I was expecting. I have a very exacting standard on macaroni and cheese.

 

T and JC may be perusing the menus but somehow, they also managed to talk (almost debate... hahaha!) about gadgets.

 

The Man-of-the-Moment, and his new friends. Four of us didn't make it. But they sent their well-wishes just the same.

 

WCC is raring to give the appetizers a go; V has to shoot first (like me!); T must've heard something funny!

 

WS must've quipped, "Guys, eNTeNG is taking our photo!"

 

YC, eNTeNG, V, T, JC, and KL

 

On our way back, after wishing a friend well and having some bonding time.

 

"Here's looking at you, kid."

 

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