April 2010 – From Marvin’s place in Bantayan, we had to walk a good five minutes to get to the beach and hang out there. On Good Friday, Sugar Beach was not allowed to turn on their sound system because it was the holiest night of holy week after all. We stayed pretty much at one place that had good iPod music and was far away from Sugar Beach as possible.

Black Saturday usually signals the birth of Christ and is revered until Easter Sunday. By 12:00 am, Sunday midnight, we were already at the shore passing around tagay and sucking on glow-in-the-dark lollipops.

Dinners were sometimes spent at the house or at the restaurants near their marketplace. Nothing fancy and pricey but you’d think you are not in a Visayan-speaking place when restaurants are full of white people. So ironic.

Casting: Aoi, Brylle, Wowie, Pau, Aj, Miguel, Joven, Jossa, Jing, Jad, Yves and Ardie

Have anyone been ready for last month’s Sinulog festivities? Not that it requires TOO much effort to do that but when last year I attempted on  what are the essentials and the must-haves you must tote around with you come the Sinulog 2010 Mardi Gras/Street Parties, I was not really doing so much this year.

1. Stampede-ready shoes. It is highly unlikely that a stampede happens during Sinulog street parties but a stampede usually means a scream fest because a Kapamilya celebrity is waving at them from their floats.
2. Sunblock. Carry one not wear it!
3. Water. Water. Water.
4. Street-Party light. This means that the lighter, the better. If you feel the need to carry essentials such as extra t-shirts, alcohol, cotton swabs, leave them in the car. Sling or messenger bags help keep you from worrying where you last placed your stuff.
5. Camera! Even if you didn’t sign up for the Sinulog Photo Contest and paid P650 for the PRESS ID, you can still get very beautiful stills even at the sidelines and viewing decks.
6. Lipgloss. Instant retouch, anyone?
7. Scholl for a bunion-free life!

Day 1, Friday

Dinner at The Walk with the boyfie before he goes to work.

This is my bad ass look. Trying too hard.

Boyfie pissed at being late. Teehee. Headed straight to Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) to watch Tom Woodfin’s “The Hawk” fight.  

This is what happened to Tom’s opponent. Literally KO! Bo from y101fm was hosting and between rants and raves, that Iranian guy was knocked out! By Tom Woodfin! Hurray! I was so happy that I didn’t get to yell anymore. Too much testosterone there, kid.

After party at Penthouse with Shana, Aoi and Tom

Afterparty at the Penthouse with Fedz, Fedz’s cousin Shana and Tita Bernadette – I love her! With Jeffa Camello (below) from Cagayan de Oro, reprezent!

Day 2, Saturday

Saw Rachel Lobangco at VUDU with a boytoy. She is super gorgeous! Her hair is just divine.

Shana and Moi

The cast: Judee, Aoi, Jad, Jam, Fedz, Moi and Shana

Had a late night dinner at Ila Puti

Hello, Monin. You are such a big traitor. Lol.

Vice Ganda!!

Mark Doyle of Fierce Angel at the Club 93.1 Sinulog 2010 Event

Day 3

Sinulog on the streets! Below, Jet and JV

at the Crown Regency grandstand and the indoor party that took place at the Crown

Now the thing is with Sinulog, you have to plan ahead! If you want to hang out, you just hang out! If you require to move around so much, don’t get your own booth. If you want to have fun, you have fun! Till next year!

Shabu Way’s California Maki

A Japanese varient of the hot pot, proprietor Anton Lee Roa‘s version of The Shabu Way involves thinly sliced meat combined with a lot of fun. You can choose your menu in platters or in single orders. I ordered dory fish, Joven had Wagyu and Yves, Klint and Eden had chicken. Maybe I’ll try their seafood platter soon.

The Shabu Way’s Vegetable Platter – you can order it ala carte or enjoy this with your set meals

Shabu Way’s Tempura Ice Cream – so good!

The Shabu Way’s Salmon Sushi

Anton Roa – not for sale

Wagyu Beef

Food is cooked right in front of you. Each diner has his/her own hotpot with their own controls. You can even set the temperature yourself. But of course, that is unless you know how. Add your meat once the soup starts to boil.

Shabu-shabu directly translates to swish-shwish in Japanese which means, swish your food around the hot pot until it gets cooked. But that is optional though. Now the best part comes after the food is cooked. You get to dip your meat into the sauce before eating it with rice.

The sauce (above) is already provided on the table and so are the spices. Mix the spices into the sauce. Crack the egg open and pour the yolk. Egg whites are mixed with the soup. Egg is given if you ordered a set meal, by the way. Its P15 extra if its not.

Isn’t it healthy? Less oil. You can also experiment with the taste!

happy campers Yves, Klint and Eden

your Royal couple haha

Bill Murray asked, “What kind of restaurant makes you cook your own food?” in his movie, Lost in Translation. I say, “What kind of restaurant offers your healthy dining experience but the Shabu Way?” Quote me. Yes.

Shabu Way Restaurant is located at the Parkmall, North Reclamation, Mandaue. Find them in Facebook here.