Filipino Idol Semi-finals

So it was defeat.

It was the semi-final round of the Filipino Idol contest here in Singapore last Sunday and I didn't make the cut. Only 12 finalists were chosen out of the 33 semi-finalists. Yes you read it right, 33 freakin' contestants. And I was the 2nd to last to sing.



I sang a filipino song by Ariel Rivera, entitled "Sa Aking Puso" (translation: In my heart).

As much as I have a mouthful to say about the 12 "finalists" that the judges chose, I will just keep my mouth shut so as not to sound so bitter (even If I truly am hehehe). Read more on "Filipino Idol Semi-finals"!

Lady in Blue

Here I go again being "kaypoh" on other people (singapore slang for being nosey or a busybody).

Introducing, Lady in Blue.

Fashion Faux Pas 101 - Wear stockings/pantyhose with open-toe shoes.

I know I am no authority when it comes to fashion, especially ladies' fashion. But when my eyes saw these glaring blue stockings by Lady in Blue, I knew something was wrong. First and foremost, they were sooo damn bright you cold see her stockings even if you were wearing shades. But in fairness to her I did see a model on FTV wearing very similar shocking blue stockings. But that's FTV. This is the MRT.

Second, she was wearing open-toe shoes. It's like wearing socks with birkenstock sandals (Ok, I admit I was one of the clueless who did this when birk's were such a craze in high school days haha)

Well, at least her stockings match her equally glaring very-blue scarf. Let's give her credit for that (no pun intended), hehe.

Guess who I saw next after I got down the train?!

It's Lady in Red!!! What a coincidence. It's so funny how I had to run to catch a pic of her hehe. Maybe they were going to meet up for dinner to catch up on the latest trends...

Read more on "Lady in Blue"!

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

When New York Zoo Animals Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo finally leave Madagascar, they find themselves instead stuck in the wilderness of Africa. There, Alex connects with his roots when he meets the rest of his family, but has trouble communicating with them after spending most of his life at the Central Park Zoo.
(http://sg.movies.yahoo.com/)

We watched this movie last Saturday but it took me almost a week to post it because I was pondering on whether to blog it or not. The thing is I didn't really enjoy it. And I'm probably one of the few who didn't. Yes the movie was funny, comical and light but I guess I'm just getting old (ugh). And because I've never really enjoyed cartoons or animated films.

But go ahead and watch it if you want a good laugh. I guess it's really just not my cup of tea. I've always had a problem appreciating animated films, alongside Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, etc.

So no haters please! Don't judge my inability to like this movie :-) Anyway, I'm not going to give a rating just to be fair. Read more on "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa"!

Crocs (Crazy) Sale at the Singapore Expo

Today (Nov.15), there was a crazy Crocs Sale at the Singapore Expo. And I say crazy, because they really slashed prices, most were up to 60% off (some even more)! Hurry, last day tomorrow!

I'm very thankful Aileen knew about this sale and it was perfect because I was already planning to start buying gifts for Christmas. A mega sale such as this was a perfect way to kickstart it.

Just be ready for the really (but expected) long lines and the thousands of people, all going crazy over the crocs. It took us at least 45 minutes waiting in line to get in the venue.

Better be ready to rough it up because it takes a lot of pushing and scavenging to get the best ones. Most of 'em are leftovers with irregular sizes (like either too small or too big or the right size but with outrageous designs). But the secret is wait in front of the display racks because they don't open the stock boxes all at the same time. So be on the lookout for newly-opened stock OR some people who return unwanted ones.

Another secret is a lot of shoppers would leave good pairs of crocs on the floor while falling in line for the cashier. In fact, 4 out of the 10 pairs I bought were picked up on the floor during our 1.5 hour wait to check out.

Yes you heard me right, I bought 10 pairs, hehehe. And I'm very very happy that I got to buy gifts for almost everyone on my christmas shopping list. And great gifts at that, for a VERY reasonable price (S$235 for 10 pairs, that's around S$23.50 a pair compared to S$50-80 per pair on regular price).

I got one for myself, Zach, my brother Johann and his girlfriend Farida, Mom, my stepdad Bob, my godson JC, my goddaughter Alexa, My cousin Ruby's first baby Bernice, and my cousin Oli's first baby Cassandra.

I just looovvveee the Christmas shopping rush! It's the one time of the year I don't mind the throng of shoppers everywhere.

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Supersize Me

Credits to http://tuberose.com/Fast_Food.html

Ok, you win.
I am weak. I am human.
I have succumbed to your calling.
Congratulations, McDonalds!!!

Call me a hypocrite. I know I have dissed McDonalds for coming up with their crazy line-up of supersized burgers. But look what we got here. A Mega Mac.

But to set the record straight, I only had one bite - because I actually had a double cheeseburger instead (and some fries and some nuggets, Haha). Who am I kidding. A burger is a burger is a burger.

Zach was actually the one who finished the Mega Mac (while I was drooling with envy hahaha). But you know what, it's not really as big as I thought it would be. In fact, I can definitely easily eat one if I wanted to.

By the way, I never thought curry sauce would go well with chicken nuggets. What a revelation. Only in Singapore! (or in India as well?).

I'm sure you are all thinking what the hell am I doing eating all these junk fast food when I'm trying to lose weight. Well, it goes to show I am weak. And that's the reason why I am forever trying to fight the bulge. But I am very happy to say that now, I am able to run for 8 minutes straight on the treadmill (a feat I could not do before). I have been back at the gym at least 2-3 times a week and spending at least an hour on cardio (either spinning class or the treadmill) and 40 mins on weights. So there. Scold me.

Read more on "Supersize Me"!

Supersizing Singapore

Just days ago, I was flabbergasted by Heart Attack Grill in the USA, but what do you know, Singapore is also being supersized.

I was on my way to work today and saw this sign on my usual walking route to the MRT...

Please, NO ONE deserves a mega mac, for crying out loud!!!

Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Cholesterol. I really thought such humongous burgers would never penetrate the local food market because Singaporeans (I believe) are generally healthy-eaters. But it looks like McDonald's now has their own version of the quadruple bypass burger by Heart Attack Grill, they call theirs the "Mega Mac". A big Mac itself is enough to clog your arteries but times 2??!! I can't believe it.


And, there's even the "Mega Sausage McMuffin" to kick-start an early cholesterol-laden day. Did you know that Mickey Dee's Maple Syrup-injected-McMuffin is one of the worst burgers/muffins you could ever eat? If I'm not mistaken, it is even worse than a Big Mac.

BUT WAIT!! There's more! Just when I thought Mcdonald's has gone extreme with their burgers, this is what I saw on my way back to the office from a client...


It seems like there's this warfare between Burger King and Mcdonald's on who can make Singaporeans fatter, faster!! And they call theirs the "BK Double/Triple/Quad Stacker". Doesn't that sound reaaallllyyy similar to the double/triple/quadruple bypass burgers by Heart Attack Grill??!

To anyone who is willing to gorge on any 2 variants of these heart-attack burgers, let me know. My Treat. Seriously. Read more on "Supersizing Singapore"!

Asia's Top 20 Restaurants by The Miele Guide

The Miele Guide, the first authoritative and independent restaurant guide to Asia’s finest restaurants.

The Miele Guide was created in 2008 in order to better recognise and celebrate Asia’s best chefs and restaurants. This annual publication will evaluate restaurants across the region, publishing an annual ranking of Asia’s Top 20 Restaurants, as well as profile the other best restaurants in across the region. The 2008/2009 edition, our first, profiles the 320 best restaurants, as determined by the region’s top restaurant critics; a jury of food professionals and known foodies; our in-house team; and most importantly the public.
(http://www.mieleguide.com/)

Click here for Asia's Top 20 list.
It took 84 of the most respected food critics, votes from over 15,000 diners across 40 countries, and a special jury of 1500 journalists and foodies, to come up with the final list.

Eight Hong Kong restaurants and four in Singapore made it to the list of Asia’s Top 20 Restaurants. The ones from Singapore include Iggy's, Les Amis, Gunther’s and Garibaldi, which are placed first, third, fourth and seventh spot, respectively.

To come up with the guide that lists 200 of the best, restaurants in 16 countries were evaluated.

(http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20081102/tap-018-four-singapore-restaurants-voted-231650b.html)

Hmmm, I just find it a little dubious that the makers of this guide originate from Singapore. Is that the reason why 4 restaurants, including the top restaurant, are found here in Singapore? Well, I hope not :-)

I should definitely try Iggy's one of these days, and see for myself why they are ranked # 1.

Mabuhay Philippines! I'm very proud to know that at least 1 restaurant from the Philippines made it. I've been to Antonio's before and I must say they really deserve that spot. I remember when Aileen was still doing her chocolate fondue biz, I was her waiter for a client's wedding that was held there. The owner/chef himself, Antonio, was so gracious to have given us a free taste of the courses served in the wedding. When we looked at the price in the menu, the more we felt grateful, haha. Their prices are unconventionally expensive compared to the regular resto food in Manila but it was well-worth every penny, or was it because we ate for free? :-P

Read more on "Asia's Top 20 Restaurants by The Miele Guide"!

Heart Attack Grill, Arizona USA

Aileen forwarded this email to me and I definitely have to share it in my blog. Read on and be amazed...

Heart Attack Grill is a hospital-themed restaurant in Chandler, Arizona and the intent of the restaurant is to serve "nutritional pornography", food so bad for you it's shocking.

The menu includes "Single," "Double," "Triple," and "Quadruple Bypass" hamburgers, ranging from half a pound to two pounds of beef, "Flatliner Fries" (cooked in pure lard), cigarettes, beer and liquor, and soft drinks.

The names imply coronary artery bypass surgery, and refer to the danger of developing atherosclerosis from the food's high proportion of saturated fat and excessive caloric content. The Quadruple Bypass burger has 8,000 calories. Customers who finish a Triple or Quadruple Bypass burger are pushed in wheelchairs to their cars by the waitresses. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_Attack_Grill)

Goodness!!! What has the world come to??!! I can't believe that such a restaurant exists in America. Then again, it is America. But honestly, I admire the owner and creator of this restaurant for braving to put this up. I can just imagine the loads of criticism he's received and still go through with it.


I mean, if you don't have any value left over your life then you might as well swing by this place. Unbelievable!! But I'm sure the owner would say it's the choice of the customers to go here. If they feel offended or find it ridiculous then don't go. Which, if you actually think about it, is true.

No one really told you to finish that burger in one seating or to go here if you have a health condition. Acually, if I had the chance, I'd visit this place just for the heck of it, to take pictures or something haha.

This concept reminds me of "Burger Avenue" in the Philippines where they also serve humongous burgers that they give to you for free if you can finish it in 5 mins (they call it the 'Ridiculous Challenge'). But compared to Heart Attack Grill, Burger Avenue is kiddie stuff, haha.

There's also a place here in Singapore called "Clinic", though they're more of an upscale bar and restaurant but with a very similar theme.

Read more on "Heart Attack Grill, Arizona USA"!

Blindness

A doctor's wife becomes the only person with the ability to see in a town where everyone is struck with a mysterious case of sudden blindness. She fakes blindness in order to take care of her husband as her surrounding community breaks down into chaos and disorder. "Blindness" is a psychological thriller about the fragility of mankind, a film adaptation of the 1995 novel of the same name by Nobel Prize winner Jose Saramago.



This movie is definitely very unusual with a very strong theme. It was very repulsive and disturbing but it did sure make me think. I was going through the different reviews on yahoo movies and it does ellicit a lot of mixed extreme reviews. Either you like it or you don't. I'm sort of in the middle.

The fact that I didn't fall asleep is a very strong indicator that it was enough to keep me glued, to think that we caught the 2.30am monday morning showing (since Monday is a Deepavali Holiday). I regard this movie as a very emotionally-affecting one. A film that really stings your emotions. So if you're the type that enjoys movies with laid out storylines, then don't go for this. I think they perfectly depicted the extent humans can go to given the extreme condition of survival of the fittest.

[Spoiler Alert]
The only thing I didn't like was the movie keeps you "blind" about why they went blind, how they went blind and how they gained back their vision. A bit dragging with no real clincher at the end. So it will make you very disappointed.

My rating for Blindess is 3.0/5.0. Read more on "Blindness"!

Häägen-Däzs, Clarke Quay

After our Mexican not-so-good feast at Cafe Iguana, we decided to walk around Clarke Quay. Since our mouths were still burning from the chili, we unanimously decided to cool it down at Haagen Dazs haha!

I'm not really a fan of ice cream, surprisingly. Especially overly-expensive ice cream like Haagen Dazs. But since Bill treated us dinner, we opted to treat them dessert.

Zach and I had 3 scoops (S$14.90) with roasted almond nibs (S$1.00) - Green tea (A highly sought Japanese matcha green tea enhanced with the richness of the pure, sweet cream), Cookies & Chocolate (An indulgent fusion of chocolate ice cream and chocolate cookies), and our all-time fave Rum Raisin (Plump raisins soaked in rum and added to pure, sweet cream).

Aileen & Bill had 2 scoops (S$ 11.90) - Macadamia Nut (Macadamia nuts roasted to perfection and artfully blended with the macadamia ice cream) and a Chocolate-flavoured ice cream, I forgot which one...

The store manager was very accomodating and friendly, even introduced us to one of the filipina staff. I think if all managers were as friendly as him, customers would be very loyal and keep on coming back. He probably forgot to charge us for the topping on our ice cream or maybe he gave it us for free.

No rating for Haagen Dazs but I must say they have very tasteful decor for an ice cream shop. No wonder their ice cream is so damn expensive, haha.

3A River Valley Rd
#01-07
Merchants Court, Clarke Quay
Tel: 6337 0846

"Live, Love & Eat!"

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