The Full Meal for a Part-time Job

             It’s my second day at MAC Tycoon Medical Depot for handling the franchising affairs and today’s agenda is to go to Francorp at Ortigas and jumpstart our first business presentation on the eighth of October. Getting to Ortigas, basically, we tackled how the PowerPoint is to be done, the possible questions to be asked and we also did live calls on how a lead (possible franchisee) will be led to being interested in franchising. All in all, it was just reassuring what e did and a whole lot of fun addition to have the leads excited for the first business presentation with raffles and other promotional stuff.

            The meeting ended around 4:00PM and I was just dead hungry. Mama headed back to Bambang to the office and I was on my own to head home. Hopped in a cab and of course, I went to Ayala – Glorietta to be exact. On my way there, I really don’t know what to eat or even do, I just got tired of talking and weighing my options of what career path I’m going to choose since I’m having fun in this franchising gig. By the way, I’m still a prime candidate to spearhead MAC Tycoon’s franchising department – NAKS! Haha. Anyway, getting back, I just followed my feet and it led me to Wendy’s for no apparent reason.

            Since I always think with my stomach, I got in front of the counter and ordered a Bacon Mushroom melt instead of getting a long overdue Baconator, regular iced tea and fries and some Bacon and Cheese baked potato – because I can. As I stare blankly on the tray I saw my food getting on the tray one-by-one; Bacon Mushroom Melt, nice. Regular Fries and iced tea, enough for me, no need to go Biggie. Then this baked potato which I thought was just a potato turned out to be 2 potatoes, I’m not complaining, but I didn’t know it was going to be that big. Okay, maybe I bit more than I could chew but I’ll be keeping it down and will enjoy the chow – yeah!

And so I ate and if you know me that well, you’d know I eat food one at a time, meaning, when I eat fries, it’s just the fries after that, I eat the burger, and so on. I left the baked potato to be enjoyed last and I actually enjoyed it. The only bad thing I can think of is it’s skin, I thought it was edible, good thing I didn't put the whole thing inside my mouth ‘coz it just wasn't  So if I can give a good input about the baked potato, lose the skin. I will always enjoy Wendy’s BMM, that’s for sure and I won’t mind going for that combo next time I step into a Wendy’s. 

Theo's Wendy's combo. It's worth a try.

The Bum's Last Supper

          We gave about 2500 flyers, 1000 syringe-like pens and 2000 fans and it was worth it. We succeeded just by getting the word out that we are franchising. First in the Philippines to franchise a medical depot – nice! We celebrated after the event and I’m just waiting for the executioner to let me kneel somewhere where he’ll sever my head off.

            I won’t mind asking for these dishes when I’m asked what my last meal would be composed of. It was a good meal to eat and surely won’t be the last since MACTycoon decided that I can stay with them part-time as a franchise agent/liaison. Yay for me! :) This is a fresh start. Good times. 

Not sure what this was but it's chicken and it had fruits on it. It tasted so good with a little chili paste and some soy sauce.

Seafood roll, it looked like cordon blue but after biting into it, there ware prawns and cream inside - nice dip too! 

The classic beef with steamed broccoli. I am missing Tatay's version of this.

The Peking duck stuffing. It was sweet, juicy and savory especially with the sauce. You eat it on a lettuce leaf.

Chinese Yang Chow fried rice.

Pancit. Tasted great, this was the first thing I had.

The Peking duck skin rolled with some veggies and some kind of lumpia wrapper. Winner!



There is no love sincerer than the love of food.
 by George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950), Man and Superman (1903) act 1

Paid with Seafood

This is the new chapter in which I am barely employed and nearly jobless - again. I got this three day front lining gig with my mom for her employer – they’re now franchising. After 2 days of handing out brochures, talking to WTF-Filipinos and oh-so-cool foreigners – Americans to be exact just because they’re just really as talkative as me, I’m so freaking tired and happy at the same time because of MOM.

After a hard day’s work, Mr. Claus, mom’s employer would bring us to a place really worth eating. On the first day, we ate at Tanabe at Malate, sadly, I failed to take any pictures just because I felt that I didn’t have a good enough story but the salmon sashimi was so good, I would say that it was sweet and really juicy at the same time. The sad ambiance of the 2011 Franchising convention changed on the second day since the first day jitters was shaken off. More people came to SMX and more people were really interested in putting their money in businesses and of course, it’s a lot more tiring at some point. By the way, remember those movies where the guy asks the girl if she’s free for coffee? 500 Days of Summer just to name one - I think I need something like that. Our booth is in front of Bosch’s booth, they’re the windshield wiper manufacturer and apparently, they are also open for franchising with the car repair shop scheme they have. Kidding and bragging aside, she talked to me first but I haven’t gotten her name yet, which was totally dumb. And the “dumber” part would be me saying that their team also gave us free ice pops the first day so their team is really one of those easy-to-approach people person or people, depending on how you look at it. Ha-Ha-Ha! Anyway, I think she would be the perfect stranger for that part, I hope that I won’t get blown away, though.

While I was eating a ton of seafood the second night, I really can’t take the plan out of my mind. I think it has something to do with me being single for a while now, but I’m really ready for something new – it’s just about time for me to dive in, I think. I’m still thinking of her now, but more of what to do and if I should push through with it. And maybe I should. This will be hell’a funny.

Apparently, a now Cebu-based American told me earlier that you can really fry an egg on Las Vegas’ road, it’s really that hot. Besides wildlife trivia, I’m also a sucker for food trivia.

These were the mouth-watering seafood i devoured after day two of the convention; Buttered Shrimp, Crab claws, Sinigang na ulo ng salmon sa miso, Baked Clam, Fried Calamari and Kilawin na Talaba. Some of them I failed to take a picture of, damn!  I'll be better next time, I promise. We ate at Aling Keng in Seaside at Diosdado Macapagal Avenue.

Sinigang na ulo ng Salmon, Baked Clam, Crab Claws

The seafood aftermath. *burp

Tour de Salmon Teriyaki

         At September 12, 2011, I wake around 11:00AM, got up and reheat me some leftover pizza from last night’s farewell dinner for Tatay and tita Grace. Take a very nice, cold shower, brush my teeth until they sparkle and dress sharp for my job interview. Leave the house at quarter to 1:00PM and go to the office to bag the 3:30PM interview. That was pretty boring, right? That’s why it didn’t happen.

            Everything was basically black and white until I asked myself “Where the hell am I going?” that’s where the adventure started. So I’m job hunting and I finally got somewhere with all the waiting and al the effort, I’m scheduled for an interview with TV5 Sports Manager Vitto Lazatin at 3:30PM. I didn’t bother asking where his office is located since I thought he would just be in Novaliches, where TV5 is located, common sense, right? But it’s really not that common, I should’ve asked him still. He only told me that it was at Marajo Tower 26th street corner 4th avenue, Bonifacio Global City at around 4:00PM. To give you a clearer picture, I was on my way to The Fort at that time-yes; I do know how to be punctual at some times. Making the very long story to just long, Around 1:00PM, I took a shuttle to Ayala and hopped on the MRT going to North Avenue since the FX terminal to Novaliches would be there and the train is just faster than a city bus. Got off the North Avenue, took the FX and arrived at TV5 Novaliches at 2:20PM. I really thought I was more than good today since I’m more than an hour early for an appointment-not!

Guard: Sir, ID po.

Theo: Eto po, chief.

Guard: Saan po tayo, sir?

Theo: Kay Mr. Vitto Lazatin, po, boss. Saan po ba siyang building?

Guard: Bito La-sa-tin? Saan yun, sir?

Theo: Sa Sports5, bossing, diba, ditto un? Sports Department niyo.

Guard: Teka, sir, patawag natin para sure.

Concierge: Sir, saan po sila?

Theo: Kay Mr. Lazatin po, sa Sports5.

Concierge: Tawag lang natin, sir, confirm natin….Sir, wala po pala ditto ung Sports5, sa Boni po ‘yun. Eto po number, sir, confirm niyo po. Kaya po pala hindi naming kilala si Mr. Lazatin.

Theo: Ah, ganun po ba? Sige po, tatawagan ko na lang ung office nila. Salamat.

            As I was talking to the concierge and getting the number I can only see myself as a total jackass on business attire. Apparently, I was not on Wow Mali and I’m really thinking hard on how to talk to the guy since we only exchanged a few e-mails. Luckily, I only have 2.50Php on my phone since I’m really not texting nowadays and my regular text only costs .50Php, thanks to my UST sim card- I love you! I had to go back to Trinoma, buy some cellphone credits and call the damn office that concierge was talking about. I hope I’m not boring you to death because this is just half of the story. So there I was back in the North Avenue station of the MRT and trying to call the number. This number wasn’t a hotline or a boss’s number since it took around 10 tries for my call to be answered. When a lady finally answered the call, I asked immediately if Mr. Lazatin is staying there and where the office is located, she just went; “Yes, Sports5 po to, but this is not sir Vitto’s office. His office is located at The Fort at Marajo.” I just said that Mr. Lazatin and I exchanged e-mails and I was just told of the time and day. Fortunately, she just told me to go there if there really is something set for me maybe he’ll drop by.

            Rode the MRT to Boni and walked a couple of minutes to get to the office and was I shocked when I got there. I saw a transmitter, tapes, editors and basically the whole nine yards for airing shows. I talked to some of the people there asking for Mr. Lazatin and that I’m late for an appointment, again, I was told if I was sure and of course, I said we just exchanged e-mails and I was not told where so I just assumed and from Novaliches, I was directed there. The girl told me to sit somewhere and wait for some kind of confirmation. After about 30 minutes, I received the not-so-good news.

Girl: Sir, tumawag po ako sa Marajo, sabi nung assistant ni sir Vitto, nasa meeting daw siya.

Theo: Oo nga eh, sabi niya kasi nasa meeting siya, pero wala talagang address eh.

Girl: Ganun ba? Kasi wala naman si sir Vitto talaga dito, ung office niya sa Marajo talaga.

Theo: Ganun ba? Sige, pupuntahan ko na lang dun. Ano address

Girl: 21st floor, Marajo Tower, 26th street.

Theo: Thank you.

            Got back to the MRT’s Boni station and alighted at Ayala to ride a cab to somewhere near my former office. Got to the building and went to the floor where I needed to go. After getting there, I told the concierge that I have an appointment with Mr. Lazatin.

Concierge: Yes sir, dito nga office niya.

Theo: Ayun, may appointment kasi ako, eh

Concierge: Anong oras, sir?

Theo: Kaninang alas tres.

(The clock is displaying 4:24PM)

Concierge: Late na kayo, sir, ah. Hahaha (he literally laughed)

Theo: Oo nga eh. (Literally pissed that he laughed)

            To make the long story short, I just waited more or less an hour and Mr. Lazatin and I chatted and he just laid the job description in the process. After a long day and a very long route to the Fort, I went to Glorietta to meet with Pong and grab a bite after the long day. In between 8:00AM-7:00PM, I only had a cup of Gulaman so this food that I’m going to devour will be more that a regular dinner for me.

            Got to Glorietta and since I didn’t want any burgers, I went for Okuya’s Salmon Teriyaki with stir fried bean sprouts and pancit for side dishes. The Pancit was good, It wasn’t bland and wasn’t oveseasoned. The bean sprouts weren’t bad either, although I wish it wasn’t as watery and overcooked. The salmon was juicy and full of flavor, really mouthwatering. I felt like I got stuck somewhere in the wilderness and discovered civilized food for the first time. I had a blast devouring that salmon and I won’t think twice having this combo again.

Mamay and the Humble Taho

            Mamay (Batangueno term for lolo) was the kind of guy you would listen to whenever he said something to you- guaranteed. He was firm but gentle at the same time that was how I remember him although according to his children he was more than strict. Some of the things I also remember about him are reminders about food, some of them were; “Kainin mo kung ano ang nasa mesa, ‘di pupwedeng namimili ka ng kakainin. Yung ibang tao, walang makain.” “Kainin mo yang itlog, masustansya yan, lalo na ung pula.” “Kapag kumuha ka ng pagkain, siguraduhin mong uubusin mo.” He kind of threw his weight around about those things but I would really be scared senseless on how he said it and would just do as I was told.

The most unforgettable thing he did for me when he was still alive was buying taho for me in the morning, and this was no 5 or 10 peso cup, it was a glass full of taho. Mamay said that taho is very nutritious and is very healthy for a growing body. “Inumin mo to para tumangkad ka tsaka maging malakas ka paglaki mo.” Which I really think helped. He almost never failed to buy taho from Robin, a taho vendor who really idolizes Robin Padilla so Mamay dubbed him with the alias Robin; again, he threw his weight around. Every morning I wake up and look out the window and I see Robin walking away from our house, I always knew that the hot taho was waiting for me at the table. Just to give you a better picture, his idea of a taho for a kid was a big glass full, less arnibal (caramel) - I thought of him as a real kill joy.

After longboarding with very, very good college friends in Kapitolyo, I’m on my way to ride a tricycle home and I just saw this taho vendor along the tricycle terminal and I can’t help thinking of Mamay at that moment. After so many years, this was one of those times I really wanted that taho so bad. I told the vendor that I want one but I can’t find a cup as big as the glass I’m used to. I just told him give me the biggest cup he has which would be a 10peso cup, enough for 3-4 big gulps. I also had another request, and that will be to put more arnibal in my taho to make it more enjoyable. I almost finished it right away, but the taho needed to reach the house for a proper photo op. 4:30AM, I finished the taho almost instantly after taking a picture. And by the way, this taho is the real thing, the one peddled by your neighborhood strongmen with white Good Morning towels on their shoulders; not one of those soy milk or those things you buy in the mall that cost you like a 100 bucks. It tasted awesome and I really wanted more and I hope they’ll be coming up with a 20peso cup next time I buy. I can’t stress this enough; drink taho and you’ll grow up healthy! Ha-ha!

Here's Mamay. If you'll look closely, he looks like Hulk Hogan. See it?

The humble taho I resisted drinking just to be able to take a picture.

It’s going to be Mamay’s 16^th death anniversary on the 9^th of October. This is a good way of telling me “It’s good to know you got home safe” rather than having him in my dreams or some sort of apparition. Til we meet again, old man, I am missing you so bad.

Things I went thru for an coincidental Bon Chon Chicken

Alright, since I’m currently jobless and desperately waiting for a call or an e-mail, my mom got me a gig with her office. Her boss, a medical supplies business tycoon will be expanding his business and will be open for franchising. After being bombarded with calls, she (mama) actually got me committed to the gig. I really got sick of “Theo, ha, sa Friday, magseseminar tayo para sa franchising.” And so I went.

3:27am, Friday, I was still up and was just thinking about what to do with the seminar. I thought it was just going to be a 2-3hr thing so no worries- stop thinking about it. Got up around 8am, turned the laptop on, surfed the net and just didn’t worry about things. The bad thing was I end up leaving at 10:15am when we agreed to meet up at 10am. No worries, got there 11:10am and got to Francorp in Ortigas at 1:20pm.

Anyway, cutting the long story short since I’ll bore you to death, I was dead hungry since I had no breakfast and lunch and my first meal for the day was at 3:45pm. What a giant WTF moment, right? Galit na mga bulate ko sa tiyan. Good thing the hors d'oeuvre they served was good enough (Goto by Lugaw Queen and some puto).

The seminar ended around 5pm and we went to Robinson’s Galleria to get real food. We were just walking around for less than five minutes and we really don’t know where to eat, until I saw Bon Chon. Luckily, mama and her officemates were more than OK in trying the Bon Chon chicken. This was my first time dining in since the first time I had a chance biting in was a to-go from my sister. Of course, I had a blast munching on their spicy wings and if they’ll be coming up with a Bon Chon whole chicken, let me be the first one to order.

Here’s how their chicken or wings (other parts also had same appearance, I just enjoyed the wings more) look like. It would also look soft when it’s really, really crispy.

This was our side dish since mama really thinks she’d be sick when the real deal was, she really just wanted some calamari.  The calamari was average, in fact, I’ve had better but it was OK since it was a chicken joint.

Overall, if it’s fast, affordable and good tasting chicken you want, Bon Chon won’t fail to deliver. A cold brewski would really help highlighting their spicy chicken wings if you were to ask me.

It's a start

THEOryofFood is about food highlighted by my life experiences and adventures. The food is always more delicious with the people you eat with and the experience before the first bite.

Besides the food, I will also be taking on movies, TV series, politics, events of social relevance, and basically things about me and my life.

The food category will be covering the food I cook, food I eat, and food I get to try for the first time. There will also be no discrimination on where I eat them, like a small eatery, on the street or a in a five-star buffet, they will all be included in the THEOryofFood.

Good food ends with good talk.(Geoffrey Neighor)