What's Your Poison?

My poison?

Three letters. ( SEX? Nah..)

MSG. Or Monosodium Glutamate.

Firstly, let us define it. Monosodium Glutamate is a sodium salt and is used as a food additive and is commonly marketed as a flavor enhancer. Some of the trade names of monosodium glutamate include Ajinomoto, Vetsin, and Accent.

We all know what M.S.G. is. It is mostly used as a seasoning in food, especially us Filipinos who like our viands tasty. It is also a common ingredient in junk food.
And that's what I like to share.

My poison is junk food. And here is the list of my favorite munchies every time I watch a DVD movie at home during Saturday night. Lets start with the local ones first:

1. Piattos - Category : Potato crisps
I just can't get enough of this. Every time I walk through the snack aisle of every supermarket, I just have to take one big bag.

2. Tostillas - Category : Corn Chips
One of the few junk food that I can find solace. Nacho corn chips and cheese powder. What more can you ask for?

3. Nova - Category : Multi-grain Chip
I love these when topped with ground beef, cheese sauce and grated cheese! I don't feel guilty!

4. Nachos - Category : Corn Chips
One of the more saltiest junk food I've eaten.

5. V-Cut - Category : Potato Chips
This one is a classic! Ever since high school, I never fail to eat this. In every inuman I go, it is always present. Maybe because of its spicy flavor.

6. E-Aji - Category : Corn Chips with Dips
I just like the dip. Not the chips.

7. E-Aji Potato Chips - Category : Potato Chips
Wow. San Miguel Corp. did a great job! It almost tastes like Lays! One of my favorites!!

Now, let's go international:

1. Pringles - Category : Potato Crisps
I will kiss you if you give me a can! Hahaha!

2. Pik-Nik - Category: Potato Crisps
Another classic. This junk food never fails to its promise. Its just that every time you eat it, you're OK!

3. Lay's Potato Chips- Category: Potato Chips
I will kiss and hug and kiss and hug and kiss and hug you if you give me a bag. This is my ultimate junk food enjoyment.


As an addendum to this entry, I'd like to share this recipe of mine for those people who are MSG-whores as well. This recipe is a good appetizer for a party, inuman or just bumming around the house. I call it - "The P.A.A.N.I." (potcha, ang alat naman nito!):

P.A.A.N.I. Recipe

Prepare the following:
- 50 grams of ground beef
- 500 grams of French Fries
- 2 bags of Tostillas Corn Chips or nacho chips
- 1 can of Tostitos Cheese Sauce
- small onion, chopped finely
- a pinch of salt and pepper

Fry onion and add in ground beef. Add the pinch of salt and pepper to taste. After cooking set aside. In a deep fryer, fry the French fries until golden brown. Drain oil using paper towels. Add salt to taste. Set aside. In a big serving bowl or plate, arrange the nacho chips around the plate to serve as base. Then top with the cooked fries. Pour over cheese sauce. Add in ground beef as topping.

Serve!

I cannot watch a movie without three bags of these munchies or one serving of PAANI. They really are a must. Sheesh.

Now, I can't wait for next Saturday for my usual fix of my poison.

How about you? What is you poison?

20 Things I'd Like to Do and Own

1. Find my true love and get married, have 3 kids(two boys and a girl).
2. Earn the respect of my family, especially my siblings.
3. Find true friends that I can really rely on.
4. Own a house in a prestigious village in the Philippines.
5. Own a Porsche car.
6. Get my M.B.A. abroad.
7. Go on a trip to Lourdes, France and Paris with my family.
8. Go to Australia.
9. Go to Singapore.
10. Go to California in United States to visit our relatives there.
11. Be a SAP-HR Consultant.
12. Visit Palawan, Surigao, Sorsogon, Davao, Cebu and Zamboanga.
13. Buy an IPod and a Macbook.
14. Get surfing lessons.
15. Maintain my waistline at 32 and join a bikini contest at age 25 and win!
16. Learn how to play the guitar.
17. Get capoeira lessons.
18. Learn how to do ballroom dancing.
19. Get a short course in Human Resources at the University of the Philippines.
20. Get Psychology units at the University of the Philippines next semester.

Two Birds with One Stone

I have been stressed for the past weeks and yeah, I'm stressed. Its all because of work, work and more work. I actually had no time for exercise since I go home late because of those customer requirements that our office team has to deliver. So finally after so much anticipation, I had a chance to swim last Saturday to get rid of stress!

But that day, was a long day.

So I decided to swim on a Saturday afternoon since I have been missing on exercise and my body is actually missing treading in the water. Packed my stuff, and headed off to my destination. The Department of Education - Ultra Swimming Pool in Pasig. Upon arriving, I noticed that the parking lots at the pool area were packed w because normally, its not that packed during weekends. Then I saw the Ateneo seal. They were having a sports event for the high school students. That's one down. I cannot swim here. Then I decided to go to the next public pool I know. Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City. Still, luck was not at my side because the pool is in use by a certain military group that has training. I tried asking the pool personnel to let me swim until it became an argument, but in vain. It's reserved and closed to the public.

I was feeling a bit low because that pool was my only hope for training. But something sparked in my mind to search for another public pool that might exist around Metro Manila. That's it! Search. I headed to the nearest internet cafe' and Google-d for public pools around the city.

Then luck came.

The Makati Aqua Sports Arena. Hah! I actually discovered another pool. So, I immediately went to the M.R.T. to go to the place. The Makati Aqua Sports Arena is a project of the local government of Makati City for sports development of the youth there. I actually read a few write ups about the place, and heard good feedback. The complex is located beside the Makati Park and Garden( parallel to the Pasig River), J.P. Rizal Extension, West Rembo. It's just a jeepney ride away from the Guadalupe station of the Metro Rail Transit(MRT). The pool is open everyday from 8:00 am till 8:00 pm, except Mondays for maintenance. The entrance fee for swimmers are as follows:

Php 50.00 - for Makati residents
Php 150.00 - for non- Makati residents

For more information, you can contact Ms. Juvy at (02)881-59-41.

Since I'm not a Makati resident, I paid the latter. But, the amount spent was worth it because the whole complex is clean and well maintained.

After my two hour training, I felt the stress disappear from inside.

Lesson learned? Do not give up! If the first few attempts were in vain, try again, who knows? You might get what you wished for if you try hard enough! And be resourceful as well!

A Night of Drama

Its been a long while since my stint on musical theater. And as of now, I'm sorely missing it. All the voice, dance and acting rehearsals at the Trumpets studio. And showing that to everyone we invited at our show. But tonight I'm the one sitting on a seat enjoying a show.

I was invited by a friend to watch a one act theater show by Koine' Theater Group held at the Conspiracy Bar last October 28. The group, Koine' has been in existence since 2001 and is the only professional intimate theater existing in the country.




The show was entitled "Huling Ensayo Para Sa Iyo" and tackled on bitter love. "The critically acclaimed plays on coping your significant other' parents who make you feel unworthy, and on; dealing with exes who might not be over you but too prideful fess up.."

Talk about bitter love.

Anyway, it was a memorable play for me since it is the first time that the show actually interacted with the audience. The actor on the second act really asked the opinion of the audience on how to deal with his problem ( on the play ). That was really new to me, and I was one of those "audience" who were asked to participate because I read a part on the script that is needed to make to show moving.

That at least made my week a bit more interesting.

Survey # 1

I asked a few guys at the office on what they think SAL2 means.

Here's what they said.

Them: salsal
Them: salto
Them: salala
Them: salsal = masarap na sawsawan
Them : Masturbation
Them : saltu
Them : saltwo
Them : madaldal
Them : Salary 2
Them : Master bate alam kuh...
Them : sal sal amf, tebats..

You will really have an idea how a person thinks with those answers.

How about you? What do yo think what SAL2 means?

The most creative meaning wins.

Who knows you might get free cellphone load from me?

Random Thoughts

1. Sometimes, even though you try to get something but if that something is not really intended for you, fate really keeps you away from it. I believe that every human has plan ( God's plan ) intended for him or her take. So any step you take straying from the intended plan, you always find a way to get out of that and get back on track. Based on my experience, I believe that true. If you really deserve something, you get it. You just need to hold on, keep going and never lose faith. Eventually, you will get there.