01.2015
It was the first morning of the year.
I just got off from work (yes, I worked on new year's eve), but I just couldn't go home yet.
There were no jeepneys at the terminal, so I walked, then found myself at St. Pio chapel.
I lit up a candle and prayed.
I was about to try my luck for a jeepney, but I went back.
I found it amusing, I was just watching beautiful fireworks and hearing the loud bangs of new year's eve, and then there I was, sitting by the garden.
Watching the doves and little angels.
Alone, enjoying the peaceful and calm morning.
They sheltered them, and built them home, right beside some tall buildings.
The doves seem to forget they are living in a busy city.
The next day was first Friday,
and there were trains of people going in (trying to get in) and out of Quiapo church.
It was sad we couldn't get in, and couldn't find a solemn place to pray.
My sisters and I decided to leave.
We walked from Quiapo to Binondo, and it was my first time going through these old streets.
I wasn't expecting to find a Baroque Church in front of Ongpin.
It is Our Lady of the Pillar, Santa Cruz church.
Inside, stained glass windows surround the church, and a huge mosaic of bleeding lamb is in the altar.
The mass was about to end when we got in.
It has lesser crowd, and it was solemn.
We then lit up tea light candles and said our prayers.
This isn't Europe.
This is Carriedo Fountain in front of Santa Cruz Church.
And behind it is the Arch of Goodwill of Ongpin.
We came in too early.
Just as if on a different time zone, it isn't new year yet in Binondo.
I'm sure this street will be filled of red paper lanterns, come this Chinese new year.
After the long walk, we indulged on these purple siopao, kikiam, and chami.
And that Xiao Long Bao. I was amazed eating that.
It has this character of a minced meat and soupy ginger that explodes then melts in your mouth.
Yep, that kind of awesome Chinese foodgasm.
From Eng Bee Tin (Mezzanine Cafe), we continued walking.
Somewhere between Chinatown and 168 Divisoria, we found the Sidewalk Café.
It's interiors are sophisticute, and I'm just a fan of cute French café and pâtisserie.
So we stepped in, but the baker tipped us off to come back by 7pm.
And so we did. All the pastries were at 50% off.
We tried almost all the kinds. They all look cute and tastes wonderful.
They even served these with water in a classy glass goblet.
It really was more than what we paid for, which somehow makes sense as I read on their mirror "Making your sweet dreams come true".
On a random day, I eat alone.
Me time.
Sometimes, we need moments like this.
I splurged on these Tokyo Bubble Milktea and Takoyaki, while trying to write some plans for 2015.
And sometimes, I eat with a friend.
And that travel planning gets more exciting over a chocolate sundae parfait.
Or sometimes, with my sister over breakfast.
Eggs Ben, Tomato and Herb Pasta, and Ice Blended Sunrise.
These are my favorite meals at CBTL.
Imagine the taste of a happy and bright sunrise. Somehow they found a way turning it to a drink.
It was refreshing and light.
January is also my mother's birth month.
And just in time for the papal visit.
I offered her flowers, and made simple dinner of cordon bleu, salad, and chocolate cake.
Her supposed 71st.
So these are all for now.
I just want to share some places I've wandered around the city, and the foods I've pornographed.
These were throwbacks of my January instagrams through my cheap phone.
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