Bookish

Depressing. The only word that I can describe when bookstores closes. I grew up reading books. You can\’t blame me when I say, I love turning the pages of a book and smell of paper. So imagine my horror with the thought of selling our collection of books. @_@

Page One in Singapore. A few months prior Borders in Wheelock Place closed as well.
With the booming e-book industry, reading is now very accessible using smartphones, tablets etc. This is one reason I like e-books. I can have it all in one device minus the book weight. It\’s cheaper and at times free. I don\’t certainly see it as a replacement.
I stumbled upon this article in apartment therapy. We share the same sentiments. I can guess the writer reads more than I do, he/she has lots of sentimental memories with the printed word. 
So what do you think? Are books obsolete? I\’m keeping my fingers crossed that it won\’t

XOXO

Photo Source: Buzzfeed

Music Monday: PhilPop 2013

I\’ve only heard about this PhilPop 2013 when a friend from FB posted an LSS moment with the song
entitled \”Dati.\”

The First Philippine Popular Music Festival is a songwriting competition open to all amateur and professional composers who are Filipinos or of Filipino descent residing in the Philippines. The competition not only aims to celebrate the talent of Filipino songwriting, but to glorify the contributions of songwriters and composers to the Filipino music industry.  SOURCE

The song was beautifully done. Modern, hip and nostalgic. It\’s no wonder they won PhilPop 2013. Congatulations.

Another entry that I noticed was from Mr. Joey Ayala. Who would have thought he\’s still socially relevant into this day and age. During the 90\’s, I was able to hear his songs on FM radio and watched his MVs on MTV (if my memory serves me right). His sound is distinct because he uses Philippines indigenous musical instruments. A soothing voice that goes well with slow songs.
Trivia: I was able to see him in person when I was still a member of the Philippine Gong Orchestra. There\’s a collaboration with UP College of Music\’s Musika Asya and PGO  for a performance in Cuneta Astrodome (o diba performer ako dati LOL). He\’s a simple and cool dude.
I think music writing contests should be done more often. This started in the late 80\’s but then it was held erratically. It\’s an on-off thing. There\’s no consistency, so nothing to look forward to.Staging music festivals are very feasible in our country. Even if we do it twice to quarterly in a year its doable. Though it largely depends on the approach and concept of organizers.
I remember writing about OPM being dead. I\’m wrong. It\’s just obtunded. It severely needs a push, diversity, classification and airtime (in different mediums). At least something to make our kababayans aware what else OPM can offer.
XOXO

Singapore Food Trip: Soya Galore

I did some revamp for my weekly blogging. Since I was back-logged with lots of pictures from Singapore. I dedicated Friday for Food! Yehey! 
First off we have the Bean Curd Wars…
The soya industry in Singapore is a serious business. It\’s a fierce competition. Unlike taho in Pinas, it is served with caramelized sugar, tapioca and the beancurd. In SG, there are lots of variety available. So if it\’s your first time to try soya SG style it\’ll be a different experience. But it\’s delicious I tell you. First is the syrup. It\’s not caramelized at all but enough to give taste. I\’ve got used to the lesser sugar lifestyle.
I frequent the store because it\’s the same block with our flat. It\’s very convenient especially in the morning when I need my soya milk fix. They have different soya delicacies. Of course, they have the beancurd in different flavors (strawberry, chocolate and plain). They serve it hot/cold and costs 1.10 SGD.
They use Canadian Soybeans. The reason why the soya is smooth and soft. The owner (I\’ve read in a paper article) is a former banker went to Taiwan to master the art of soya. Their store is also a \”factory\” so buyers can see how the Bean curd are made. The place is clean and the storekeepers are very friendly.
Strawberry-flavored Bean Curd
I forgot the name of this food. It\’s interesting because the taste is a bit salty. All the while I thought it was sweet.

2. Mr. Bean

I go to Mr. Bean if I want to eat Mr. Bean Pancake with cheese filling. Delicious!

You can choose the sweetness level of you drinks and shake. I always go for 50% – moderate

                

I love how their pancake mix, doesn\’t give that moist feel after chewing. Their serving is big and puffy as well even if exposed to the room air. Unlike the ones from Jollibean.

Super favorite: Icy Chocolate Soya Milk Shake

3. Jollibean


Though their pancakes are not my favorites. I love their Iced Dark Chocolate Soy half sugar, my usual order. It\’s either my break time or after morning shift food. They have a stall in my former workplace. I also get to avail of employee discount! The \”aunties\” know me as a frequent customer that seeing me from afar they already know what I like. As if they are reading my mind. I think they \”hate\” me in a way. Because if its lunch time and the queue is long it takes time to make the iced drink. It causes longer queues. But it\’s OK, I still buy from  them hehehe.
The Regular soymilk, they serve it cold without ice if you want it cold. No ice tricks at all. You ask for a regular size it\’s filled to brim. Should I say SULIT!!!!
For tourists/visitors in SG, for a quick on-the-go snack, try their soya selections. It\’s healthy and nutritious. And cheap trick as well. Though for the well-known brands their prices are higher most of the time. But it\’s still worth a try. Though I can\’t confirm if it\’s Halal, the best that you can do is to look for the Halal seal and certification in the store. Better yet, ask the store personnel.

Great reads about the Bean Curd Wars…Click here and here. 

XOXO