TheSmilingBandit

Yutaka Izakaya

Beside CCP, Aurora Blvd, Sta. Mesa

This restaurant is a study in contrasts. Good quality Japanese food with affordable prices and located in Sta. Mesa, who'd have thunk that? Thanks to maester Asmodeus for tipping me about this place. So I had supper here with my lady and lo and behold, we pigged out on Japanese food.

Ika Sashimi

Fairly tender means that the squid is pretty fresh, much better than 85% of other Japanese restos that charge more for it.

Blue Marlin Sashimi

Normally I wouldn't order Blue Marlin in most restaurants, but at the price here, I gave it a chance, and wow, it was good quality Blue Marlin.

Salmon Sashimi

A favorite of my lady as well as myself, this was fresh, but the price for the salmon is comparable to most outlets, still a win considering the price of the other viands.

Agedashi Dofu

3 pieces of Agedashi Tofu cooked just right? At 75 bucks, that's a steal.

Gyoza

I'm not really a fan of Gyoza, but this is pretty good.

Okonomiyaki

Japanese Pizza, the crust is nice and the taste was good, for 190, this alone could stand a full meal.

Sanma

A last minute addition to our meal, we were just too full to appreciate it.

Of course we washed all the food down with Asahi Beer and Sake.

Actually we probably drank too much since the price of our booze was greater than the price of our meal, but all in all, a place to return to.

I would estimate that assuming the meal included rice, the price per person would be about 350-450 to be full. Without rice, and if you drink a lot of booze, that went up to almost 950 per person in our case.

Bag of Bean is good, but also a bit overpriced

Antonios is deffo overpriced

I already made mention of our plan to a few of my lovely foodtrip companions ....... most of them are excited already. Now all we need is a date & time thats suitable for all.

I think that perhaps sometime end of November or early December perhaps?

Paging the mods ...... off topic post

 

 

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btw I already posted in the other thread about the Tamagoya Ramen Trip ........ are you still a go for that day ????

Looks on topic to me, ROFL.

I think I'm a go for that day. Did you check out my suggestion for a Tagaytay Food Trip one of these days?

Glad you iked it. which dishes did you try? did they have the baby octopus that day? its usualy a best seller and often is unavailable due to the availability of the octopus. How bout the rabbit were you able to try it?

No baby octopus available, but yes we did try the "rabbit", it was delicious, though I half suspect that perhaps it is less lapin and more feline, I can't be certain yet though.

Asmo, when are we doing a foodies trip to Tagaytay, Marcia Adams should deffo be on the table.

following the recommendation of Sir EKL10 and the SINFUL BANDIT ....... we headed off to GREEKA KOUZINA (along P. Guevarra in San Juan) for a foodtrip last night.

 

(no detailed FR this time as I'm not quite happy with the pics taken) But food is (overall) on the positive side. (give or take some minor missess)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oy vey, its The SMILING Bandit, not Sinful, oy hermano, your spelling is getting atrocious.

marcia adams :

 

J.P.Rizal St, Brgy Sikat, 4123 Alfonso, Philippines

food is greek, french, italian, etc. its basically a mixture of thing.

 

you may also try to check her facebook for more info and resrvation. just look for marcia adams

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marcia-Adams-Restaurant/142606612433801?fref=ts

Thanks for the heads-up, you are right, the food here is pretty good, definitely worth the day trip up here last Saturday.

Joint war games with US not about China, says Philippines

 

By Robert Gonzaga

Inquirer Central Luzon

 

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States started in this former American naval base on Monday, but a top Philippine military official said the war games had nothing to do with the country’s conflict with China over disputed territories in the West Philippine (South China) Sea.

 

Officials from the Philippine and US armed forces held the opening ceremony for the 10-day Philippines-US Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex) 2013 on the US helicopter carrier, USS Bonhomme Richard, which is docked here.

 

The ship, which is anchored next to the submarine USS Olympia, is joining Phiblex alongside other vessels from both countries.

 

Vice Adm. Alexander Pama, Philippine Navy flag officer in command, said the joint exercises “will enhance the interoperability of both our forces.”

 

Asked whether the territorial disputes with China over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal and the Spratly Islands would figure in Phiblex, Pama said: “This will make us more prepared and enable both countries to work together, but scenarios like that were not included in the [planning or execution of the] joint exercises.”

 

Pama said Phiblex was an annual event and was not a direct response to the looming threat of China in the Asia-Pacific.

 

In his speech, US Marine Corps Brig. Gen Craig Timberlake, US exercise director, said Phiblex was aimed at improving the capability of Philippine and American troops and at strengthening ties between the two nations.

 

“[Phiblex operates on] one simple truth. Phiblex is designed to always make us better, [make] both nations better friends, better allies,” Timberlake said.

 

He said the Philippines was the US’ “closest and oldest ally” and they shared a common history. He noted that the two countries fought side by side” during World War II.

 

Today, Timberlake said, both the US and the Philippines were in the same situation “as we face common threats.” He, however, did not elaborate on the nature of the threats.

 

He said Phiblex would enable both countries to “respond to issues, whether those issues are humanitarian or disaster response… or national security.”

 

Timberlake said he had been visiting the Philippines since 1985, when he was a young officer.

Is it just me or is there something wrong with this considering that the Philippines has a minuscule amphibious capability, has anyone else looked at the US ships with US troops deploying with Filipino "advisors" to "help them" and then wondered what kind of help do our tyro amphibious advisers have to offer to US Marines that have been practicing or performing amphibious assaults for over 70 years?

this is disastrous dre. sino ba yan?

 

you said she still goes out with clients right? so i'm telling you, believe me, trust me, she performs very intimate services to probably a few of them who were her longtime regulars and she is very comfortable with. think of the worst . . .like live bj, kissing, live sex.

 

she may also have a good friend confidant fubu among her clients and she may have told him about her problems with you.

 

if she really loves you and appreciates what you did and sacrificed for her (sacrificed your own family), she will also give up everything on her end.

 

ganun yun. so if she doesn't sacrifice everything on her end for you, then even if it is painful to you, you have to either talk with her one final time and either she will be with you or it is over.

While I'm not disagreeing on your points, all of whom are perfectly valid, I think that we should also look at it from the OTHER side.

After all, from the side of the lady of negotiable virtue, this MARRIED gentleman can't offer her long term security either as he will always have a wife that is primary. Even were he SINGLE, how common is it for one to actually MARRY a lady of negotiable virtue, more often than not, these girls are relegated to being TFFO (Temporarily For Fun Only) status.

Is it any wonder that these ladies would always want to have back-ups?

Can anyone recommend a hotel here in Davao that allows smoking in the rooms?

then it should be worth a try one of these days ....... any idea if they are open for sunday lunch service ????

I'm sorry but I am not sure if its still open at all, I've not eaten there since 2005. It was across Park Square 1, I'll try to spot it if its still open next time I'm in the area.

However, for really nice Japanese food, try Tsumura in Salcedo Village, Sunday Lunch Time, let the sushi chef just create food for you at the sushi bar.

edit: okay the 2 branches are still open, the main resto is at UN Avenue, the one in Pasay Road can be contacted at +63(2)8444489

edit2: MoA also has a branch of this fine establishment as well.

I recently spoke with an acquaintance and she mentioned about a resto in the makati area that serves great yakiniku. She says its named SAKURA.

 

I actually can't recall of a resto with that name ....... any FRs ????

Sakura Yakiniku is an old time restaurant, they have a branch on Pasay Road (Arnaiz Avenue) and has been around since the early 90's AFAIK (could be older). The selection was pretty good back then, I remember having business meetings there before.

Coffee, tea, soda, or ... alcoholic beverages?

While quantity has a quality of its own, I find that I tend to dislike buffet dinners.

Yup, pretty much Chinese food, the food used to be pretty good, but the quality has deteriorated over the years.

The original one is the one in J. Abad Santos, the "dine-in" section has been available for years, at least 5 or 6 years.

Tokyo Grill

4/F SM Manila

While I'm not normally a fan of fast food, being stuck in SM Manila for 5 hours, I decided to pass the time doing my favorite thing, eating. I spent some time debating various restaurants, but Tokyo Grill had a great attraction, several gorgeous servers.

That said, the place is pretty new, the ambiance had a harsh red lighting that was ... not conducive to eating.

Still their food selection seemed fairly extensive.

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

Normally I love bacon and I love asparagus, so the option of wrapping one around the other has been a favorite of mine for decades. Here though the asparagus is a bit on the bland side, perhaps some pepper and maybe a coating of sesame oil might improve the flavor, the bacon tasted a little under-done to me.

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Quail Eggs

As above, anything bacon wrapped gets a sampling by me, like the asparagus, the flavor of this dish is ... lacking.

Sunagimo - Grilled Chicken Gizzard

This should be a staple if eating here, the teriyaki sauce flavored chicken gizzards are soft enough to eat retaining just that bit of toughness that is distinctive to gizzards.

Thanks sa reply bro...the deed of sale was notarized but the signature of the seller sa deed of sale is not even close to the signature she made sa contract she made with GSIS. Now the seller is already dead and we have no more contact sa husband and mga anak.

Hi Guys, I bought a lot from Filinvest since 2010 and it is now fully paid but the "Title" has not been released yet.

Recently, i receive a mail from Filinvest asking me to pay the monthly association dues.

 

Is this compulsory since i am not living or using the said lot?

If i will not pay the association dues, do they have any ground to sue me?

Do they have the right not to release the Title of the lot?

 

Thanks

oh so they're not the type that say opens for lunch and remain open throughout the afternoon and closes in the evening. (I'm guessing around 9:00pm)

 

They are open during lunchtime, but are closed in the afternoons, opening again at 5pm until 11pm according to my sister who brought me to that place.

Even my brother who is a ramen afficionado claims that this is probably in the top 3 places for ramen in the Metro Manila area.

Tamagoya ????? I've been meaning to try that. (once I invite the right ramen trip companion )

 

SO what kind of broth does their ramen have ??? shoyu or tonkotsu ???

 

and hows the parking there ??

They have both types of broth, parking is easy if you arrive early or late, but around dinner time it is a bit harder, it opens at 5pm, not quite sure what time it closes since I left at around 8:30 stuffed to the gills.

Has anyone else tried the ramen place on B. Soliven avenue near Sumulong hi-way?

I tried it last Sunday and it was great.

Good day everyone, we are planning to buy a residential lot in QC about 175sqm. The copy of TCT got burned in Registry of Deeds on 1988 and the owner (still has the original title) has not yet reconstituted the title. The owner has not yet also transfered the title to her name and it's under Sta. Lucia realty. We have checked with the Sta. Lucia to check the records and we have confirmed that indeed it was sold to the owner back in 1987. However, the owner is already dead and the son is now the one selling the property. They are only in the process of producing the Extrajudicial particion, which according will take about 3 weeks to complete.

Question Masters, once the extrajudicial is complete can we now purchase the property even if the reconstitution is under way? what are the risk of purchasing a title that is yet to be reconstituted? how much is the cost of reconstituting a title and how long does it normally takes?

Thanks in advance.

Extrajudicial settlement of a lot? 3 weeks? WOW, never knew it could be done anywhere close to that speed, I guess my 25 years in the real estate business has been wasted.

Seriously now, don't rush it, and always double check yourselves or have a licensed broker check for you. Get certified true copies of every document because years down the road, you'd hate to kick yourself if your title gets declared to be a fake.

Correct me if I am wrong here in my understanding .... In other words it is not automatic that USA will be fighting beside us should a war with China happens? It still will depend on the outcome of the conversation between the executive branch?

 

I believe the USA needs Congress approval to go to war. This is in their Constitution. And Article 4 of the mdt states that "Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.". While the president can send troups it is limited for 60 days it will have to pull out unless Congress approves.

 

In other words, it is possible that the USA may eventually claim that they complied with the treaty under Article 2 even if not going to battle since they already supplied us with military harwares and provided us already military aid.

 

In the article I posted earlier, the US Ambassador actually mentioned they are neutral but reiterated they have been assisting us improve our military forces through their aids both in cash and in kind.

ROTFLMAO, yes pretty much they are waffling, since they can claim that the monetary aid plus the military advisers are assistance and if you parse through the agreement carefully, that could be considered enough.

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Our Mutual Defense Treaty with the USA obliges both the Philippine and American governments to aid each other if it comes under armed attack by external party.

 

One of the treaty's article staes: An armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the Parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific or on its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific.

 

If a US enemy militarily attacks Guam, for example, the Philippines is obliged to come to its aid. An attack on our Kalayaan Island (under our jurisdiction), or any of our armed forces, ships, or aircraft in this area, will bring on the same response from the US.

 

But we should no rely on the MDT for our own protection. Diplomacy is still the best strategy.

 

If we are too cocky to start a fight and end up getting clobbered by a stronger opponent, we would be the ones at fault.

 

What we should be doing is to increase our capability to resist an armed attack. We don't even need to match our opponent's war-fighting capabilities in the area. We just need to build enough strength to make it very very costly for them to attack us - both militarily and diplomatically.

 

Our Mutual Defense Treaty with the USA obliges both the Philippine and American governments to aid each other if it comes under armed attack by external party.

 

One of the treaty's article states: An armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the Parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific or on its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific.

 

If a US enemy militarily attacks Guam, for example, the Philippines is obliged to come to its aid. An attack on our Kalayaan Island (under our jurisdiction), or any of our armed forces, ships, or aircraft in this area, will bring on the same response from the US.

 

But we should no rely on the MDT for our own protection. Diplomacy is still the best strategy.

 

If we are too cocky to start a fight and end up getting clobbered by a stronger opponent, we would be the ones at fault.

 

What we should be doing is to increase our capability to resist an armed attack. We don't even need to match our opponent's war-fighting capabilities in the area. We just need to build enough strength to make it very very costly for them to attack us - both militarily and diplomatically.

Sir, how do you define or interpret "obliged to come to its aid"? Does it mean going into combat side by side only? Does providing military aid such as money to upgrade military equipments or weapons also constitute such?

Those would normally be determined by conversations between our executive branch and the US executive branch. However, for all practical purposes, at least by conventional definition, the US would send military units to aid us, though how many and what type of aid, again needs to be defined.

Okay children, multiple posts removed, let's try that again shall we?

Thanks for the heads up Camiar.