The result of growing up too fast...

Forgive me for being too "kiddie" but I mentioned a couple of posts ago on how I didn't get toys I wanted when I was younger. I mentioned I didn't get Optimus Prime and the Turtle Blimp.

I completely forgot to mention... I didn't get 3 Japanese robots when I was younger. I wasn't able to get 1. The BIOROBO 2. Voltes V and 3. Daimos...

Thank God, BAN DAI, released a line called "Soul of Chogokin". This line is made STRICTLY for adults and is the most detailed toy line for Japanese Robots. BAN DAI was genius because they made this for adults who never experienced having these robots. So I'm in the target market! Mazinger Z, Combattler V, and a whole bunch of other robots are included in the line with pinpoint accuracy. How accurate? Well, Daimos, seen below, I got last week. I tell you, it's REALLY accurate. I have to take better pictures though but Daimos can turn into Tranza, his chest opens to reveal the double blizzard. His freezer ray can be turned, he can pose with his signature Death Blow, and there's even a mini Richard included! But the most awesome part is that ALL HIS WEAPONS ARE COMPLETE!!!

The same goes for Voltes V. I like the Voltes V set better because it's frikkin Voltes V man!!! I'm being careful with it so I didn't take pics yet. But man, getting it gives this feeling of nostalgia and excitement. They say that adults who buy toys were the kids who grew up too fast or didn't experience having the awesome toys. I call it unfinished business! Getting these felt like getting the best Christmas Gift during Christmas morning. If you're like me, I suggest you get the toys you didn't get when you were younger. I got complete satisfaction upon acquiring Daimos and most especially Voltes V. I have one more robot to go but unfortunately, it's not available in the Soul of Chogokin line... But once the BIOROBO is available, I'll be the first in line to get it!

The Generation Gap

At work, some of the younger ones didn't grow up with some of the icons of yesteryear. I was surprised that people born in 1988 aren't even familiar with the greatest robot of all time...

I still try to live with the happy memories of my childhood and I thought I'd share with you what I acquired last week. I mentioned in my tweet that after 20+ years, I finally have Voltes V in my possession. Kids, it's not Voltes Vee ok? It's Voltes FIVE.

 (image courtesy of taclobanon.deviantart.com)

Who was Voltes V you ask? Even before the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers hit Philippine Television, there was a team consisted of 5 members who piloted 5 vehicles to form the greatest robot of all time, Voltes V! The Megazord has NOTHING on Voltes V. Believe me. 

 

  

Seen above is a screen cap of the Voltes Team. Clockwise from top, Steve, Big Bert and Little John Armstrong (They're Brothers), Jamie Robinson, and Mark Gordon. 

Why am I writing this post? As I said in previous blogs, cartoons when I was younger were way better. If you can find a copy of the DVDs of Voltes V, I STRONGLY URGE that you watch the entire series. Instead of watching the TV series of today, go watch this. You wont regret it! The story is frikkin awesome. Even if it's Japanese, it doesn't get any more Pinoy than this! Hahaha! Voltes V is more Pinoy than Japanese. Heck, I talked to Japanese people from work and they have no clue who Voltes V is... It's sad actually...

Here are some screen shots of Voltes V in action. Clockwise from top left, Voltes V posing after the transformation, Using the Electromagnetic Tops, the Voltes Bazooka, and LASER SWORD!

Bridge the gap people! Watch this cartoon!!! Trust me :)

Go Azkals!!!

We are a Basketball Nation. It's a reality that it's extremely popular here in the Philippines. But the past 2 months have been different. Ever since Studio 23 televised the games of the Philippine Football team, people have been clamoring about football. 

My Lola, being the big basketball fan that she was expressed that we need to be good at sports wherein we can compete with the world. I'm just sad now she didn't get to see the Azkals in action! She would've loved it! 

I think it's only a matter of time. It's already sweeping the nation! We had a big game in Bacolod earlier tonight! 2-0 against Mongolia! Plus with the way the girls are raving about the players? Wala na to! Kaya na!

Let's GO PHILIPPINE FOOTBALL! I'm here to support it! :)

Another bad day ends... Another day approaches

How do you get over a bad day? Today was pretty tough for me. But what's good is that there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. You can commit mistakes but just don't commit the same ones. It's always good to learn from them. That you owe to yourself and the people around you. 

Another day has passed and another day is ahead. Just keep moving forward. Roll with the punches if you have to. Keep your chin up and do your best. As Conan O Brien stated that if you work hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen... 

Go lang nang Go! Laban!

Gino's Brick Oven Pizza

Sorry I've been out recently. But as promised, I'm going to update this blog as often as I can. So it's passed 11pm and I'm at it for you guys :)

I have an upcoming top secret project with CJ the DJ of Magic 89.9, Gino Quillamor of RX 93.1 and a number of other guys. But that's for another post. Anyway, CJ texted me and told me to go to this place in Katipunan called Gino's Brick Oven Pizza. (Coincidence lang na kapangalan ni Mr. Quillamor)We had our dinner there.

Gino's Brick Oven Pizza is owned by Mr. Jutes Templo and his wife Cello. (She happens to own Cello's Doughnuts) :) Gino is the name of their baby boy! :)

So anyway, let's cut to the food!

We ordered 2 Pizzas. The first one was the Bianca Verde. It was a pizza with kesong puti and arugula leaves. That simple! But let me tell you, it was EXCELLENT! It was FANTASTIC! What made it so special was that Jutes and his team use the finest ingredients. It's authentic Italian Pizza my friends! The DOUGH! Ang lupet! The texture was soft and crispy at the same time! It's foldable, NEW YORK STYLE! I tell you, the combination of the Arugula and Kesong Puti is astounding! It's mind-boggling! ANG SARAP!

Next on the menu is the Buffalo Chicken Pizza. Now this is what Jutes is proud of. This is entirely different from the commercially produced buffalo chicken pizza. The Gino's Brick Oven Version has a lot of mozzarella, a lot more chicken, bleu cheese and spices!!! The pizza comes in sweet/salty/spicy. It's a terrific blend of flavors in my honest opinion. The spiciness is just right! Magnifico! I highly recommend that you guys try this when you visit the restaurant.

These 2 flavors are a perfect combo! It goes well together! Other flavors include Margherita, Prosciutto, Four Cheese, and Pepperoni. The Bianca Verde and Buffalo Chicken are signature dishes so I suggest you order what we ordered! :)

Gino's Brick Oven Pizza is located in Katipunan Avenue at the K2 Center Building. It's the building with the Mercury Drug across Miriam College and it's right above Figaro. To the Ateneans in College, have lunch here, you guys won't regret it! Trust me on this one!

The Original Dear Darla Pizza

I don't know how accurate the story I heard was but I was told that the Dear Darla Pizzas from Yellow Cab was inspired by the Panizzas served in a restaurant in Pampanga.

I had to taste it! I went to C' Italian last month and I tried their famous Panizzas! A Panizza is a thin crust pizza and you roll it after putting Arugula leaves and Alfalfa sprouts. (Just like the Dear Darla Pizza)

Anyway, this Panizza was SUPERB! *drools* The cheese was excellent, the prosciutto was fresh, the mushrooms were awesome! Plus the place was an authentic Italian joint so you get your money's worth! The prices are a bit on the high side and it's a 90 minute drive to Angeles. But you know what? IT'S SUPER WORTH IT! SOOOOOO WORTH IT!!! There are a lot of Panizzas to choose from!!!

You want to bring your girlfriend to an awesome restaurant out of town??? Go to C' Italian Dining!

C' Italian Dining
Don Juico Avenue (Perimeter Road)
Brgy. Malabanas, Angeles City
+63 45 8924059
+63 45 8926993

Pagmumuni-muni

The picture above was taken last September at the Aquino Museum in Tarlac. It was called my 3D Family Album.. Anyway, I'll talk about that some other time. This picture was actually candid at first but it didn't turn out well. So I stood there and reflected.

It's good to reflect at times. You have to see where you were, where you are, and where you are headed. The past you can never change but it's good to look back to understand where you are now. Learning from the mistakes of the past will set a better tomorrow.  

The picture on the left is a shot of my Lolo Ninoy when he was under trial... It makes me think now what he was thinking when he was sentenced to death at that point of his life. But what awes me when he was incarcerated for 7 years and 7 months in Fort Bonifacio. There was nothing to do there according to the stories I've heard.  Even much worse was he was sent to Fort Magsaysay in Laur. It was where he got stripped of his clothes and was put in a box. All he could do was count the seconds that turned into minutes and the minutes into hours which turned into days and into weeks. It was loneliness. And in that loneliness was when he had his pagmumuni-muni. My Lola told me that the incarceration made my Lolo humble. It was when he turned back to the Lord.

I have to be honest that I forget to pray at times before going to sleep. It's bad I know. That's why I'm putting this down to remind me that I shouldn't forget how to pray. To reflect I believe will clear the mind. Hopefully it will clear my own...

When was the last time you had your own pagmumuni-muni?