From the monthly archives:

December 2007

6 in Two Weeks

by witsandnuts on December 28, 2007

I can hardly catch up on movies and gladly I was able to see six movies at home the past two weeks.  300 and Transformers came out as suggestions in this post that I wrote in first week of the month.  A lot is in queue but I selected these randomly not singly based on my mood:

High School Musical:  It is like the original Grease or is Grease the new High School Musical? =D  I loved the movie, it is so teeny and songs are great.  A feel good film.  The lines that rock?

Gabriella: When I was singing with you, I just felt like… a girl.

Troy: You know, you even looked like one too!

Underdog:  The concept is so Pinoy or Filipinized.  Not just talking but a flying dog this time.  But the execution was well done.  Fairly entertaining.  Catch this story of humble superhero doggie.  Not Superdog, but Underdog.

December Boys:  This is an Australian film and no wonder that most of the scenes were shot in Kangaroo Island.  You would be surprised to see Harry Potter, err.. Daniel Radcliffe in a mature role here.  Kissing, smoking, running in almost skimpy shorts with the other boys.  Why the title?  Because he and other three friends in the orphanage are december celebrants.  70% of the film bored me.  The story showed a number of acquiantances and sad goodbyes and the final part could melt your heart.  Perfect finale.

Daddy’s Little Girls:  This is supposedly a comedy flick but I was all out bored.  Don’t see this.  A waste of time.

Euro Trip:  This is a cult film but I found it hillarious!  Also, the title served well its purpose.  A euro trip by American teeners meeting misadventures along the way till the main actor, Scott, met his “penpal” (harhar!) in Rome but not in Berlin.  Expect to see some flesh taken into rated funny scenes.  Catch this!

Cinderela III:  Every femme kiddo (and those young at heart) loves Cinderell-y!  There was a twist of time when the magic wand fell into the hands of the wicked stepmother of Cinderella.  Her stepsister Anastasia almost got married to the Prince who was under spell.  But Anastasia was a kinder but equally ugly (!) stepsister that she never wanted to tie the knot with someone who’s not really into her. 

What have you seen lately?

Popularity: 1%

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Star City, how are you?

by witsandnuts on December 24, 2007


Ready for ride all you can + Snow World + Dino Island.

I rarely went to Star City.  My first vist here was in December 1995 (I recall some part of the park as soily) and second was in December 2005, both for the sake of spending precious times with good friends.  I am good to last at a maximum of three hours in my visits until we went here last saturday and surprisingly, I lasted from the park opening at 1:00 PM and left at midnight.  That was an hour before the closing.

I favor Enchanted Kingdom (EK) despite the distance from Metro Manila because I can breathe more there.  I find Star City so crowded.  That goes with the way the attractions are put into places.  And I don’t think that the few  minutes “traffic” experienced by the riders of Space Shuttle had greatly affected the theme parks popularity.  On the other hand, the untoward incident in Wild River of Star City was easily forgotten by the patronizers, too.

As you read this blog, you can find out for yourself why Star City is still one of the best theme parks in the country depsite that it is not free from flaws.

This season, Zyklon Loop (Space Shuttle’s counterpart) is temporarily unavailable due to maintenance.  Good news, though that there is the newest attraction this year.  And I so believe that this is better than EK’s Space Shuttle:


The Star Flyer was imported from California in time for Christmas.


This is the first inverted roller coaster ride in the Philippines.


Feet up!  Woooohoooo!


Star Flyer at night.

While in December 2005, they offered Ice Age as one of the attractions, this year’s version is far, far better than that.

Presenting the Snow World:


In a -15 degrees centigrade sphere. =D

Loved the group slide!


68 meters slide.  The longest slide in Asia!

Dino Island is also one of the newest attractions this year.  The children and those young at hearts should see this.


Moving replicas are inside.


It says, “The world’s biggest skeleton.  A smaller skeleton is displayed in the museum.


More old-aged displays are inside.

Aside from these new attractions, there is more to see here:


The Surf Dance in the afternoon.


At night.


Wild River.  A stricter precaution this year.  For 4 1/2 feet and above patrons.


Well, EK’s jungle log jam is far better, that is classy, than this.


Galactica.  I won’t ever appreciate riding while standing and being whirled.


Aka Wheel of Fate.  I forgot how they call this.


Entry point to Time Tunnel.


Old to present times.


Bumping would always be fun!


Even on the waters!


Flying carpet.


Viking.  I was screaming to the max here!


Blizzard.  A variety of roller coaster.


For all ages. =D


A gimpse of Never Land.  You will be looking down here from the second floor.


If you want a break from all the riding…..


See this.


Loved it.  It was so relaxing.  You would be seated in a round boat and it turns automatically
while you ”reading”, err.. seeing Little Mermaid’s characters.  Nice!


Not better than Little Mermaid.  Perhaps I’m too old for slow train riding while seeing the characters.


The Grand Carousel.


One the creatures inside The World of the Giants.


If you don’t have the courage to get to the adult coaster like rides, you’ll be fine here.


Dungeon.  Not for the fainthearted.


Kooky enough?


One of the thriller houses.


Teaser.


Star City is in Sotto Street, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.
Park schedule:  monday to friday: 4:00 PM onwards; saturdays, sundays and holidays: 1:00 PM onwards.
Related videos:
*Surf Dance
*Flying High
*Star Flyer_night

Holiday rates:

Entrance only:  PhP60
Entrance + Snow World OR Dino Island:  PhP160
3 Cheers:  PhP250
Ride All You Can (RAYC):  PhP300
RAYC + Snow World OR Dino Island:  PhP375
RAYC + Snow World AND Dino Island PhP450

Regular rates (cheaper by PhP50, entrance is the same) will resume on January 7.  Cameras and videos not allowed in Snow World and Dino Island.  (Hey, don’t ask me how I managed to take photos.  Will tell you in my individual posts re:  Snow World and Dino Island).  Happy holidays!

Popularity: 17%

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San Fo Treats

by witsandnuts on December 19, 2007

san fo treats

San Fo Treats, 2F Paseo Center

I got my first piece of caramel apple (the nutella one) of San Fo Treats from Fun Ranch stall in Glorietta.  I shared it with four pals.  While they were so impressed, I was not at all.  Well, the point of comparison was there as I did a feature on Czarina’s gourmet apples already. But I decided to have a second try when Rhea and I met in Paseo Center last week for my Apartment 1B treat.

choco sprinkle

Choco sprinkle, PhP80

mallows php25

Mallows, PhP25

I got mallows and choco sprinkle this time.  I didn’t like the mallows at all.  Go for Czarina’s for the same price, and try their wafer, too.  Much, much better.  On the other hand, San Fo Treats apple tasted better this time than my first try.  Compared with Czarina’s, their apples are more affordable, easier to eat as there is only a thin caramel coating (or sugar coating?!), but not that crunchy. But the sweetness would be just right for the not so sweet toothie.  

Why the big difference in price with Czarina’s apples?  The quality.  It is like tasting gourmet apple versus sugar coated apple.  

Get a bite!

cimg2484

San Fo Treats
www.sanfotreats.com
+63 2 4999087, +63 2 6282993, +63 927 4637248

Popularity: 1%

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Apartment 1B

by witsandnuts on December 17, 2007

Apartment 1B, One Lafayette Square

Why the name?  This over 11-month old place is owned by Marivic Diaz-Lim.  The “1B” is catchy but it is actually the location/name of the unit in One Lafayette Square which used to be the Confusion Bar.  Early this year, this was turned into a homey, as in HOMEY gourmet kitchen through the help of Popi Laudico.

This is my best food find this year.  And I just so love everything.  Bring your family, friends, and dear ones here and you would never go wrong!  Be sure to make a reservation at least a day before your intended dining and you will be fine.  It is ironic and good that this place is not yet known to many, it really prides on the word of mouth.  And a sharp coincidence, I was dining here the same moment with some smart and gracious people at the next table that I might probably just be interacting with everyday if serendity played on me.

This is the first floor’s area:


Very nice kitchen counter, isn’t it?

At 11:00 AM, before the guests arrived.

Classy furniture.   You may dine outside, too.

Upstairs

I’m amazed with the florals.  They are set-up elegantly at the right places.

As you go upstairs, you will see this cozy table set-up with  sofa hairs:


This is usually reserved to a group of at least 4 pax.

I think this table at the end is the best place for privy and cozy talks.

There’s a considerable-sized televison.  Interesting!

And the waiters are friendly, too.

Crabcakes with a nice raspberry vinaigrette salad.

French onion soup.

The best samosas in the country! =D

Roast chicken, a must try!

Distinct carbonara.  =D  The best.

Frozen pie, current best seller.  Heavenly!

White toblerone cheesecake:  KILLER DESSERT!!!

I want more! =D

Apartment 1B, One Lafayette Square, GF, UNit 1-B, 132 L.P. Leviste
corner Sedeno Streets, Salcedo Village Makati City
Landline:  +63 2 43 4075
Email: apartment_1b@yahoo.com

(More photos here)

Popularity: 3%

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A Perfect Creation (APC)

by witsandnuts on December 15, 2007


A Peferct Creation, GF Trinoma.

I love giftwrapping.  Last night, I stayed up so late to personally wrap my gifts for my seniors and juniors.  And I did half of it.  I am not mindful of how fancy the wrappers are but I like the idea of someone doing an effort to box in things.  Though sometimes, it would really be cool to have the wrapping and boxing in be done by wrappers geniuses.  I would like to share this cool stall that I saw in Trinoma a week ago.


I wanted to fit my toe. =D

Cool, isn’t it?

Loved the polka!

To choose from.

Quality paper.

APC is a manufacturer of all forms of boxes and stationery products using handmade paper, italian and japanese paper.

A Perfect Creation
44 Magiting Street, Teachers Village,
Quezon City, Philippines
Landline:  +63 2 9205910
Email:  info@aperfectcreation.com
Website: www.aperfectcreation.com

Popularity: 1%

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