Be wary of so-called friends

I honestly miss having friends around. I actually already have two friends here but I seldom see them, kapag may birthday lang. Aside from us living in different cities, I honestly don't think we have common interests. Siguro sobrang taas lang din ng benchmark ko sa friendship. Kasi nga ang saya-saya ng samahang iniwan namin sa Edmonton, hindi talaga ako maka-move on.

Anyway, in one children's party thrown by a friend here, I met this girl who seemed very very nice. May anak din siyang (almost) 3 years old na boy. Nakiupo siya sa amin at nakipagkwentuhan. I instantly liked her. She looked educated, soft-spoken, decent. Gusto ko siyang maging kaibigan talaga.

I later learned na acquaintance lang din siya ng friend ko na host ng party. Nagkakilala lang daw sila sa Toys R Us and my friend invited her to the party. I was surprised, kasi why would she bother to go to a party of someone she barely knows? I mean unlike us, she's fully settled na dito sa Vancouver and I am sure she has family and friends and co-workers here. Hindi siya deprived sa social gatherings. She reasoned na gusto lang din daw niyang maka-attend ng kiddie parties ang anak niya. I accepted that.

Before we parted that night, she asked for my contact number. Sabi ko invite niya na lang ako sa Facebook which she instantly did.

After a few days, she PM'd me para mangumusta. Christmas season noon and I thought she was just being extra friendly. Pero syempre nagtataka na ako kung bakit niya ako mine-message. I believe in the stages of friendship, gradual ang pagdevelop niyan. Wala akong makitang reason para imessage niya ako ng ganun na wala namang specific na dahilan o tanong man lang. Basta plain kumusta lang.

After some time, ayun nangumusta na naman. Papasok daw siya sa office nila. Tapos ayun na nga, nagtanong na rin siya if I know someone who wants to do some part-time work sa bagong office na itatayo ng company nila. Syempre itatanong ko kung ano ba nature ng job niya (and why she can bring her son to work). Brokerage firm daw, tumutulong sa may mga utang sa credit cards, o bumili ng ng bahay, etc.

Ayun, gets ko na! Network pala ang purpose ng pakikipagkaibigan. Kung may kilala daw akong nangangailang ng services nila eh sabihin ko lang. I politely said yes, na irerefer ko sa kanya kapag may kilala ako.

I knew right there and then that I will stop replying to her. Wala rin naman siyang mapapala sa akin. Wala nga akong friends dito sa BC eh, at lalong wala kaming utang sa credit card noh.

Kaya ayan dedma na ako sa kanya kahit panay ang papansin at pangungumusta niya.

Sorry, pero user-friendly talaga ang tingin ko sa kanya. And I refuse to be used.

I can't blame people like her, though. Syempre trabaho nila yan, ang maghanap ng clients. Kaya pala siya nakikipagkilala at nagpupunta sa parties ng mga Pinoy dito eh para makahanap ng contacts.

Siguro nga kailangan ko ng madala haha. Sa edad at puntong ito ng buhay ko at sa lugar na kinalalagyan ko, it will be hard to find quality friendships. Yung genuine at totoo. I have to be contented sa company ng anak at asawa ko kasi kami lang talagang tatlo ang magkakasama dito. I actually felt guilty pa nga kasi bakit ba naghahanap pa ako ng "life" outside our family eh ok naman kami. I have friends naman in Pinas and Edmonton na palagi kong nakaka-chat kung gusto ko ng ibang kausap.

I've subscribed to some Youtube vloggers who are based here in Canada and I realized na hindi naman din sila mabarkada at maraming kaibigan. Palaging silang magpapamilya lang din ang magkakasama. all the time. Ganun naman nga kasi ang buhay dito, trabaho at bahay/pamilya lang.

I am still hoping to find good friends here someday. Pero hindi na ako magmamadali. Dadating yun kung talagang dadating (naks, parang love lang lol!).

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UPDATE -- March 12, 2018

I brought Nathan to Central City's play area last Friday, March 8. There was this Filipina with three kids na katabi ko na nakipagkuwentuhan sa akin because she heard that I was talking to my son in Tagalog. Talagang mega chika siya sa akin and I was starting to believe na genuinely friendly talaga siya. Kaso after several minutes of talking, ayun I found out na nagpapart-time siya as insurance agent. Waaah! Di pa kasi ako natuto. Talagang nawalan ako ng ganang makipagkwentuhan (kaso nabigay ko na ang phone number ko). Buti na lang nag-aya na rin ang mga anak niya pauwi at saktong dumating din yung friend ko.

Two months delay

Hello! I am back! Nandito na uli kami sa Canada and I've been meaning to blog na uli kaso may jet lag pa rin ako hanggang ngayon. Ewan ko ba, matindi ang tama sa akin ng jet lag ngayon.

Anyway, almost one week na kami rito at medyo nakaka-adjust na uli. Kaso something happened yesterday afternoon that made me feel really really disappointed and sad. Kaya nga ako biglang napa-blog ngayon -- para makapag-release ng sama ng loob huhu.

As I have mentioned on this post, nakabili na kami ng bagong townhouse. It's still in the construction-phase and we were first advised na kung walang delay, matu-turn over sa amin yung unit by September 18.

Asang-asa ako, bes! Naisip ko na kung may delay man, matagal na siguro ang one month.

Pero hindi, two months pala ang aabutin!

Para talaga akong biglang nawalan ng gana sa buhay after ko mareceive ito. Seriously, inip na inip na nga akong mag-antay ng September, tapos magiging November pa?!?! Same length yan ng long vacation namin sa Pinas ahh. Five months wait.

My friend Tess told me to let it go. Wala naman daw magagawa. Eh ano pa nga ba. Kaso ang dami-daming naming plans na masasagasaan dahil sa two months delay na yan.

A late 40th birthday celebration sana ni Ford (kung kakayanin, kasi September 6 ang birthday niya talaga).

A bonggang-bonggang Thanksgiving dinner this October.

A nice Halloween set-up (super excited ako talaga dito!) and trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood.

A simple 4th birthday celebration for Nathan at home (kasi hindi pa siya nagbi-birthday sa Canada ever).

Ang dami-dami ring hassle na kakabit ang paglipat sa mid-November. Sobrang maulan na noon. Tataas na naman yata ang rent namin dito sa apartment by October (kasi yearly yata ang increase), tapos baka pati storage rental. Magre-renew din ng driver's license yata si Ford kaso he couldn't use our future address pa, so ibig sabihin pag lumipat kami magpapa-revise na naman siya ng card (dapat kasi current address) kaya additional expense pa.

Saka sa totoo lang, I want to leave this place asap. Ayaw ko na dito, masikip at luma (bratty problems, I know). Kaso what choice do we have, we're stuck here for the next five months. Susme magpa-pasko na paglipat namin! Di ko talaga ma-imagine! Kung pwede lang umuwi uli ng Pinas, gagawin ko talaga.

O siya, yun lang po. Please excuse my rant. Kelangan ko lang talaga ng outlet.

I will blog again soon! Please stay tuned.

Disheartened home-seeker

My husband is not a fan of second-hand, be it on cars at lalo na sa bahay. We are not on the same page nga when it comes to house preference. Ok lang sa akin ang hindi bago basta maganda ang loob (renovated as much as possible) at ok ang location. I've been trying to convince him na kumausap na ng realtor pero talagang gusto niya ng bagong gawa. Kahit maliit, basta bago.

There's this new townhomes development in Cloverdale (Surrey) na namataan niya. He was positive na within our budget ang price doon so we signed up. It took a few weeks bago nila na-email back sa akin ang presyo (nag-finalize pa raw kasi sila). To Ford's dismay, ang pasok lang sa budget niya ay yung 2-bedroom - 1 bathroom 990-sq ft unit (the cheapest unit). Expected ko na yun kaya hindi ako nagulat. Binigyan ko na lang ang asawa ko ng "I told you so" look.

To give you an idea kung gaano ka-crazy ang housing market situation dito sa Metro Vancouver, take a look at this brand new 3,990 sq ft house in Las Vegas. Yan ang kaya naming bilhin  sa budget namin. Seriously.

So disheartening noh?

Ok na sana ang buhay namin dito sa Metro Vancouver eh. Bahay na lang talaga. Pero hindi "lang" yun, di ba? Napaka-basic sa buhay ng tao yun kaya no wonder many people are relocating to places na affordable ang bahay.

Bakit naging ganito kataas ang presyo ng bahay dito? Kasalanan ng mga foreign buyers (mostly chekwa) yan. Yung pera nila from their country, dinala nila dito at namili sila ng namili ng properties. Tapos fini-flip nila, pinapataas ang presyo. Hanggang sa dumating na sa point na hindi na ma-afford ng ordinaryong Vancouverites ang magkaroon ng sariling bahay. It is now nearly impossible for ordinary workers to own a laned/detached home, lumang townhomes at condos na lang ang mabibili nila. Luma, as in 20 to 40+ year old units. Objectively, hindi malaki ang sweldo ng mga tao rito ha. Marami lang Asians na may mga baong pera from their respective places of origin kaya may disposable money sila.

Nakakalungkot talaga. Paminsan-minsan sumasagi pa rin sa isip namin na bumalik sa Edmonton kasi nga doon pwede kaming magkaroon ng malaking bahay. Or we could just buy another townhouse (tulad ng bahay namin dati) and have more extra money for travel and other leisure things. Kaso nandito na kami eh, mahirap na uling bumalik doon.

Ayoko na. Sabi ko sa asawa ko mag-condo na lang kami. Mahal din pero I want a slightly bigger space than 990 sq ft. And we need at least 2 bedrooms + 1den just in case may bisita. Pumayag na rin siya, basta bago. The other day, he informed me na may project sila na itatayong condo malapit sa office nila sa Langley, abangan daw namin. He already checked the site plan at malalaki ang units. We already signed up kaso by spring pa raw sila magrerelease ng presyo at magsisimulang magbenta. Ford heard from their office na March daw to be exact. Oh well, let's see. Baka mamaya ma-disapppoint na naman kami. But just in case magustuhan namin at bumili kami, ang drawback is that we would have to wait for another year bago ma-turn over. Hay, parang ang tagal pa. Kaya ko pa bang mag-antay??? =(

Disappointing Goldilocks Cake

We drove to Burnaby on June 25 to buy a cake at Goldilocks. I've long been craving for a chocolate cake and I thought of just buying on the day of my mother's birthday. Para makapag-blow na rin ng candle si Nathan for his lola.

I was so excited to go there. There are only two Goldilocks stores here in Canada, nandito lang parehas sa Vancouver. There used to be another store in Guildford Town Centre (Surrey) but it closed down just a few months ago. I wonder why they didn't expand in other provinces, 1984 pa pala nang magbukas sila rito.

Though dalawa lang ang stores nila talaga, they have retailers naman. I remember seeing some Goldilocks cakes and pastries at T&T and Lucky Supermarkets in Edmonton. Meron din sa ibang Filipino stores and restaurants. Pero syempre mas mahal. Nagpapa-order na rin yata sila online tapos ishi-ship nila sa kahit saang province ng Canada (di lang ako ganun kasigurado ha).

Going back, I've had high expectations with their cakes. Nasubukan ko ng bumili sa Guildford branch nila last October for my uncle's birthday at masarap naman. Kaya hopeful talaga ako.

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Their branch in Burnaby is located in an industrial area. Parang hindi siya ganun ka-accesible.

Parang shop lang ang store, walang tables and chairs para sa dine in.

Aside from cakes and pastries, meron din silang dishes and meals for take-out. When I was there, one white guy picked up some party trays. Hmm, masarap kaya? For sure mahal.

As I have mentioned in this post, ibang-iba ang itsura ng products nila rito kumpara sa Pinas. As in super layo talaga. Pati ng lasa.

I wanted to buy some ensaymadas as they were my favorite kaso hindi ko nagustuhan ang itsura. Mukhang hindi masarap. I remembered the brownie that I bought October din, hindi ko nakain.

It is here in Burnaby where they bake all their cakes and breads. Dito pala ang factory nila.

I asked the staff if they have available chocolate cake. She showed me this. I had to ask her again if it is really a chocolate cake kasi nga ang layo ng chocolate cake sa Pinas. I wanted a pure chocolate cake, ayaw ko ng may halo. Oo daw. Sa exterior lang yung icing.

I was surprised because the cake roll only costs $9.60. Parang $17+ ito sa Edmonton.

My husband was happy too, lol. Hindi raw masakit sa bulsa.

So here's the cake. Oo na, parang yung nabibili lang sa panaderya sa kanto. Bakit nga kaya hindi sila maka-come up with nicer looking cakes dito noh? Kulang sa artistry.

Sabagay, ok lang naman kahit hindi kagandahan. Kung masarap lang sana.

The moment I sliced the cake, alam ko ng palpak. Ang putla ng kulay niya at dry na dry. Naisip ko agad: "Syet, sayang ang ten dollars ko!"

Sinubukan ko pa ring kainin kasi nga sayang kaso olats talaga. Hindi ko makain. Hindi siya edible!!!

Isa pang nanghinayang ang asawa ko kaya sinubukan din niyang kainin. After a few bites, tinigilan nya na rin. Ayun, tapon na sa basura.

 When I bought a Goldilocks cake, eto talaga ang nasa isip ko eh. Ang layo, di ba?

Pic taken from the net (credits to the owner)

I really wanted Goldilocks' cakes here to taste good. Kahit hindi naman masyadong masarap, basta decent lang. Hay. I might as well go to Seattle na lang and buy at Red Ribbon the next time I crave for chocolate cake.

(NOTE: Ford and I only eat Pinoy-tasting chocolate cakes).

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PS. I also bought a cheese loaf for $4 and it was ok naman. Masarap yung bread, medyo sobrang dami lang ng cream cheese sa loob.

Death of a brother

I only have one brother, a kuya. I've loved him so dearly.

But he died today.

Not literally though.

I hate any negativity on this blog. But I just have to post this to remember the day that I am now without a sibling.

Sadness envelopes my life at this point. But I am choosing to move forward.

Our Halloween 2014

Not an exciting Halloween, I am telling you now lol!

As I have mentioned in this post, Halloween excites me. But that excitement was cut short because I am pregnant and due to give birth this November. Hence, I don't have the energy and the funds to go all the way this year.

But not to let the spirit of Halloween down, I put up a tiny spot by our console table to 'celebrate' this event.

I realized though that I only had kawaii decors and not the freaky ones haha!

And mind you, they are cheap!

• Dancing/Singing Mummy -- bought at Hallmark WEM at 50% off ($8 + 5% tax)
• Hello Kitty -- bought at Papyrus City Centre last year at 75% off ($2.60)
• Purple Bear -- bought at Dollarama for $3
• Green Witch -- bought at Dollar tree for $1.25
• Ceramic Pumpkin Key Holder -- bought at Michaels

Now that Halloween is over, I am hoping to score more discounted Halloween items in stores. Wish me luck.

Oops, I remembering buying so many Halloween paper plates, napkins, table mats, etc. but i wasn't able to use them. Di bale, next year na lang.


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Rain started to pour in the afternoon of Halloween so I was disheartened. Tsk, lalong walang pupuntang bata para magtrick-or-treat, I told myself. The location of our house is not strategic enough for trick-or-treaters, lalo na siyempre kapag umuulan at malamig.

Still, we turned our porch lights on with the hope na may maligaw na bata.

We had an early dinner and at 6:36pm, I was already willing to go up to our bedroom to rest when suddenly we heard some kids' voices.

POD -- O ayan, may mga darating na.

Then the doorbell rang.

I was so happy! I asked the husband to give treats to the kids while I excitedly unpacked the other candies that we bought.

I put the candies in a bin (bought at Dollar Tree) and placed it near our front door for the next batch of kids. I did not unbox the Mini Chips Ahoy! yet, later na lang kako kapag nagkaubusan na.

Now what to do with these?

Kaso wala ng sumunod na nagpunta kaloka!

POD -- Buti nga di ka na-zero noh.

Kaloka, I was exchanging FB messages with my friends Cecil and Joy at marami na silang napamigay. Nainggit ako! Haha, it was so pathetic of me to "beg" for the visit trick-or-treaters. Pero ang sarap kasing makakita ng kids in costume at masarap din magbigay.

In my disappointment, napakain tuloy ako ng isang mini KitKat Bar. Cheat day, tutal Halloween naman.

My original back-up plan kung wala talagang pupunta sa area namin was to stroll around our community na lang and observe the kids. But since it was a cold and wet night, hindi na rin natuloy.

I wanted to go West Edmonton Mall din sana for the "largest indoor trick or treat festival" but my in-laws are here at nakakahiya namang iwanan. Saka di pa nga ako sure kung may pupunta bang kids sa bahay namin o wala.

Oh well, at least now I know. I don't think I'd be preparing candies pa for treats next year. I'd just dress my son up at kami na lang ang magtitrick-or-treat. We'd probably join some of our kids' friends para masaya.

Target's Spot the One -- Always Empty!

When Ford was still working in the US, he would always get me cheap hello kitty items from Target's Spot the One (or dollar spot) bins. I was very thrilled -- imagine getting quality kawaii stuff for just a dollar (or sometimes $2 or $3).

It was only last year when Target opened its first stores in Canada but I've read that it already lost nearly US$1Billion since then. I am not surprised. Why, their shelves are always empty!

And look at their dollar bins...

So disappointing!

I am a stationery addict and I always browse pictures of stationery items (in Instagram; #targetdollarspot) that were bought at Target Spot the One in USA. I am jealous! So much variety really, and always well-stocked!

Going to dollar stores is my guilty pleasure. I am not working and I don't have that much disposable money for expensive unnecessary stuff so it's only on dollar-dollar items that I indulge whenever I feel the itch to buy (which is almost always!). Target could have been an additional comfort place for me had its dollar bins carry more stuff. I hope they shape up soon!

Beware of this tinola

One of the reasons of my excitement upon discovering a Filipino ulam store the other day is my disappointment with this one.

My husband doesn't eat tinola. Again, I am pregnant and in no mood to cook a dish that only I would consume so I asked him to buy me a ready-to-eat tinola instead. A friend once asked us to buy this tinola for her from a Filipino store (here in the west area) a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to try it as well.

Ford was very happy when he handed to me this viand container:

FORD -- Ang mura grabe. $6.50 lang (plus 5% tax of course)
CES -- Oo nga. Sana masarap. Para di na ako magluluto niyan pag nagke-crave ako.
FORD -- Tipid nga pag ganyan. Mga dalawang ulaman mo yan, sulit.

The container looked big enough so I was hopeful.

The following day, sinimulan ko ng kainin. I was able to grab three small chicken pieces from the container for my lunch. As in small lang talaga.

The tinola tasted ok. Masyado lang maluya pero masarap naman. "Hmm, pwede na," I told myself. Sa wakas di na ako mage-experiment sa tinola.

The day after, I wanted to finish na the tinola so poured everything that's left on the bowl (more than half pa ang nasa container). But to my utmost disappointment, isang small piece na lang ang natira. Sinubukan ko pang halu-haluin pero wala na talaga. Puro sabaw at dahon na lang. Saka pala yung parang sayote na mukhang hindi naman sayote.

I was so pissed that I texted Ford who was at work.

CES -- Kaloka Pod, apat na piraso lang pala ang laman ng tinolang ito! Ang liliit pa! Lugi!!!
FORD -- Hahaha! Naloko ka!

I know this may sound shallow but my rant about this tinola just reflects my general dismay on how some Filipinos conduct their business here in Canada.

$6.50 is still hard earned money and we deserve more than four small pieces of chicken for that. Chicken is not expensive so I don't think na ikalulugi nila kung magdagdag sila ng dalawa pang piraso noh.

I just wish that those Filipino businessmen here in Edmonton would realize that apart from earning profit, they can also be of service their kababayans at the same time by giving them quality goods and services. Pwede namang pareho, di ba? We are all living here in an alien place and the most we can do is help each other.

Pero sa ngayon, my advise... beware of this tinola muna!


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NOTE: I refuse to name the establishment where I bought the food I rant about because I don't want to give them bad business. If they happen to read this, I am hoping they can "improve." To readers who want to know, just pm me.

That sense of powerlessness

One of the things I love in living here in Canada is the 'free health care.' Coming from a country where hospitalization and unforeseen medical needs can drain all your resources, this is like a dream come true.

I first experienced my free medical privilege in December 2013, just barely a month after I immigrated In this country. As an Alberta resident, I was entitled to free medical services the moment I landed here (unlike in other provinces where you have to wait for three months). I remember having so many blood tests (which are expensive) and even an ultrasound because I had some 'abdominal' issues.

I never felt guilty though about using Canadian resources that early because my husband has been paying so much taxes since 2010. He's never availed any medical care so far, so I told him, "at least nakabawi ka sa akin." 

The experience of going to a clinic or a laboratory without having to pay anything was truly awesome.

Chicklet @ 23 weeks and 3 days

But now that I am pregnant, I realized that socialized health care has drawbacks too.

Inasmuch as I am thankful that I will be giving birth in a huge hospital for free, I couldn't help but think that I would have had an easier pregnancy had I been in the Philippines. Evidently, their medical approach here is very much different from what I got used to back home.

This is my first pregnancy and I am naturally scared. I have so many questions in mind that needed answers. I constantly long for assurances that me and the baby are okay. But I couldn't get that here.

You see, doctors here do not "baby" their clients. And because there is no abundance of medical practitioners here, they are always in a rush. Or could it be because we are not paying their fees directly? Everything is being done on appointment system. You can't just pop in the doctor's clinic if you have some pregnancy concerns. Just visit the ever-reliable google if you are in despair.

I am 24 weeks and 1 day as of this writing and I want to have another ultrasound. The last one I had was on June 12 and I had severe colds after that. I am even suffering from phlegm (in the throat) until now. I last saw my OB-GYNE last July 7 and when I told her about my colds and phlegm, it's as if she's heard nothing. I finally asked her about the schedule of my next ultrasound and she said it will be done on my 32nd week. Whoaah, that would be 10 weeks away from that day.

I honestly felt so powerless. Without her referral, I won't be able to have an ultrasound. I want to see my baby badly. I want to be assured that he's doing fine because I've been experiencing tummy pain the past weeks (due to constant coughing and hacking). Oh how I wish I am in Pinas during these times!

In our country, I can get a check-up anytime. I can even SMS my doctor if I have urgent concerns! And my bestcousin is a radiologist who can conduct an ultrasound test on me any day I want. Modesty aside, we are not exactly poor in the Philippines so we can afford to pay for medical services. I can even give birth to the most expensive hospital there. No doubt, I would have a smoother and calmer pregnancy if I am in my home country.

I am not saying that medical care in the Philippines is better (if you have money, that is). I guess it just takes time getting used to a different system.


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NOTE: I will be writing my more detailed medical experience here in Edmonton after giving birth.

Thursday night unspecial -- again!

Hindi pa kasi natuto. Sinabi ng huwag ng kakain uli sa mga Pinoy restaurants dito eh. Ayan, we ended up with same fate as last time. Tsk.

After going to The Brick (for our endless furniture hunting expedition) last night, Ford suggested that we have dinner at the nearby Filipino restaurant because he's starving already. He kept on mentioning sisig so I gave in na rin. But before agreeing, I asked him: "Masarap ba dun?" He said yes.

Ford was actually torn kung doon nga ba kami sa Filipino restaurant kakain o sa malapit ding Chinese restaurant (where we had our Christmas lunch) kung saan tested na naming masarap ang food at hindi pa kamahalan. Nanaig ang sisig.

We were surprised na walang katao-tao sa loob ng restaurant when we came in. Oh oh, I wanted to back out. Kapag wala kasing tao, it's indicative na hindi ganun ka-ok ang kainan di ba? Plus the reason I want to eat out is to be surrounded by people sana. Palagi na kasi akong mag-isa sa apartment namin.

Pero dahil Pinoy kami, nahiya naman kasi sa kaisa-isang staff na nag-assist sa amin. Nakakaawa naman so we ordered na rin kahit pricey ang dishes. Ang sabi kasi ni Ford, masarap naman. Naisip ko rin na weeknight kasi kaya siguro walang ibang tao. Sige sige, benefit of the doubt.

We asked for sisig...

At kare-kare.

Were we satisfied?

The sisig wasn't crispy and was not as delicious as Ford described it. Kumain na sila dati at iba daw ang lasa ngayon. Honestly, the taste of lime was lingering. Bakit ba kasi hindi sila gumamit ng calamansi? Sa totoo lang, sa mahal ng ulam nila, they can afford naman to put in a calamansi para maging Pinoy na Pinoy naman ang lasa.

The kare-kare, on the other hand, was too peanut-y. It tasted a bit better than the one we had somewhere south pero hindi pa rin talaga siya masasabing masarap.

Now the worst part of the night was having to pay $50.48 (or approximately Php2,100) for these. Yep, just these. Plus one extra rice pa pala (because the hubby was very hungry). A cup of rice alone is worth $3. Tsk. Para na rin kaming kumain sa isang fine dining restaurant kaloka!

We were full of regrets after eating. We kept on thinking kung ano ba ang makakain naming iba with $50. Fifty dollars in an equivalent of four pax buffet at Pinoy Grill, or three dinners for two at Wendy's, or two meals at Denny's.

For $50, I could have bought a lot of loots from Dollarama or food items from Lucky 97.

Hay, nakakapanghinayang talaga.

We've finally agreed never to eat ala carte at Filipino restaurants here in Edmonton again. Ok lang kung buffet - mas mura na, sulit pa.

Again, I won't be surprised if this restaurant will close down in a few months. Understandable na mahal ang tinda nila because of rent and labor costs, but it's unforgivable that they serve not-so-good food with that big amount. Sayang na ang pera, sobrang nakakainis pa.

Thursday night unspecial

December 19, 2013. One Thursday night, Ford and I were already starving to death so we decided to just eat out. We were in the South area and I remembered that there's a Filipino restaurant there that we haven't tried yet. When Pinoys go hungry, you bet that nothing can beat a delicious rice meal.

Ang layo pa pala ng restaurant na yun so lalo kaming nagutom. We were surprised na walang masyadong tao sa loob, pang-tatlo lang kaming diner.

When we browsed their menu, we of course thought of not ordering what we usually have at home (like liempo, lechon kawali, bistek tagalog, afritada, etc.). I am a pork sisig fanatic at di pa uli ako nakapag-sisig simula nang tumuntong ako sa Canada so it was really my first choice.

Ang pinakamadilaw at pinakamatabang na sisig na natikman ko! 

Then we added kare-kare. Inasmuch as I want to try cooking this at home, masyadong mahal aabutin sa dami ng ingredients (mahal pa naman ng mga gulay dito). Dalawa lang kaming mag-asawa sa bahay kaya hindi sulit. Kaya dapat orderin na lang ito sa labas.

Maasim, maalat, mamantika, mahirap ipinta

But what we hoped to be a good dinner turned out to be a big disappointment.

Sa totoo lang, HINDI MASARAP ang pagkain. I am just not sure kung yung inorder lang ba namin ang hindi masarap o ang lahat ng tinda nila. But we were certain na yung nakain namin ay malayong-malayo sa dapat na lasa ng sisig at kare-kare. Tsk.

The worst part, we spent $38.16 (or Php1,564.56) for these two ulam plus rice. Ni wala kaming soda nyan ha.

I felt cheated. $38.16 is hard-earned money here, we deserved something better.

I used to eat out almost everyday in the Philippines but I cannot do that here in Edmonton. It's too expensive and I am not earning yet. Hence, we could have spent that $38.16 somewhere else. In a Chinese restaurant perhaps, where food tastes great at malaki pa ang serving.

I really couldn't forget this awful experience and Ford was wondering why. Masyado raw akong bitter.

More than the money, I felt kasi that those Filipino restaurant owners are doing injustice to their fellow Filipino customers. Kung Pinoy ka na nagtatrabaho sa abroad, comfort mo na na makakain ng lutong Pilipino sa totoo lang (lalo na yung hindi mo niluto). And with the amount that you are paying, you deserve to be served something good.

Tsk, natikman na kaya ng owners yung putaheng sine-serve nila? Hindi kaya sila nahihiya na nagput-up sila ng restaurant yet hindi naman sila masarap magluto? I am a newbie cook at hindi pa ako nakapagluto ng kare-kare sa buong buhay ko. Pero sa tingin ko, kaya ko namang gumawa ng edible kare-kare, yung lasang kare-kare naman kahit papano.

I guess only good cooks can make good restaurant owners. Never engage on anything that you are not passionate about or else you are doomed to fail. I'd be happy to see this Filipino restaurant close down. There are many other deserving Filipinos here in Edmonton who can take-over.

I've been to a few Chinese restaurants here and I was impressed with their food. Masarap na, decent pa ang serving size. Kaya marami silang non-Chinese diners eh, lalo na Caucasians. Sa Filipino restaurants, puro Pinoy lang talaga ang dumadayo. Hindi talaga maka-keep up ang Filipino food sa international market. Siguro kasi nga maraming Filipino restaurants abroad are serving mediocre-tasting (and even below average) dishes. These restos pa naman ang "representative" at "front-liners" natin sa ibang lahi. Kung sa atin ngang mga Pinoy eh hindi pasado ang lasa ng mga pagkaing sineserve nila, sa mga foreigners pa kaya?

I was so traumatized by our horrible experience that I no longer want to eat at any Filipino restaurants now. Siguro if I am craving for something, pag-aaralan ko na lang lutuin. I know my husband feels the same.