Ear Candy

(HE)

Back in the day, radio DJs were curators of the best music available to the masses. Here in the age of streaming music, it can be a chore to separate the wheat from the chaff — especially when the field has grown to the size of a whole universe.

But fear not, great music is out there.

I channeled my DJ self (some of you might know I was one waaaaay back in the day; so was She) and curated some treasures I’ve found in the digital realm.

Now please bear in my mind that I claim full disclosure that my standard of good music is one that is universal. Thus my criterion is that the song must be able to hold my interest from the very start, and leave me wanting more of it by the end.

Sa Ibang Mundo-Kean Cipriano and Nadine Lustre

This one is an entry from Philpop 2015. Yeah I was surprised too, at how great this one turned out. I am not a big fan of Cipriano. But I am not going to let that get in the way of appreciating good music.

Triangulo-Thyro Alfaro, Yumi Lacsamana, Jeric Medina

Triangulo is a standout among the entries in Philpop 2015. Excellent production, flawless vocal harmonization, clever wordplay—it’s got everything that intelligent pop music should have. And this deserves heavy rotation on local radio stations.

Ikaw Lang-Julianne Tarroja

Julianne never disappoints with each outing. I am glad she is still making music. This is a perfect antidote to all the rehashed and overtly contrived songs we hear currently on air.

Dance Away-The Labrats

(Click to listen)

I am not a big fan of most music I currently hear in the airwaves. Most strike me as trying too hard to be clever. I am a bit biased, because my personal preference is still organic music (one that is not created by samples and Ableton™). But I came across this one, and found myself happily humming along after a few spins.

Fave Hotel Seminyak in Bali, Indonesia

(SHE)

Half a year later, I am still missing Bali.

It has been six months since we flew to the said Indonesian island to welcome New Year there, and it had been such a lovely vacation that to this day, I still find myself reminiscing about it. So allow me to do a little throwback post and write about the hotel where we stayed: Fave Hotel in Seminyak.

It was our friend Rocel who arranged the accommodations for our Bali trip. Michael and I aren’t very choosy about hotels, so long as Sloan would be able to sleep comfortably and there’d be a decent bathroom. We weren’t expecting much, but when we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised to see that Fave Hotel was a lovely place – no frills but it has all you need.

For starters, the strong wi-fi connection. I have to say I was very impressed with how fast the connection was. I'm sure this one matters to a lot of people lol.

Also, cozy beds. The room wasn’t that big, but it didn’t feel cramped at all. We were able to sleep comfortably. Online reviews saying that noise easily makes its way to the rooms initially had me worried. but all throughout the trip, we weren’t bothered by the music coming from the bars that surround the hotel. Of course, there were fireworks during New Year’s eve, but it didn’t last very long. My theory is that people were very eager to party that they didn’t bother very long with the fireworks. LOL.

We weren't able top request for a room with a king or queen-sized bed though. That table in between is attached to the wall we so couldn't pull the beds close either. Maliit na bagay, Mike and I just took turns sleeping beside Sloan.  

Fave Hotel also has a pool that Sloan maximized throughout our stay. It’s not very big but the size wasn't an issue, considering how not a lot of people use it and we often had it all to ourselves.

But we also walked to Gado-gado beach, which is the beach nearest Fave Hotel. It's actually quite a long walk, but we didn't mind. It was nice seeing the restaurants, souvenir stalls, and quaint shops that surround the area. 

The best thing about Fave Hotel though would have to be the customer service.  I'd have say it was superb. Everybody was just warm and pleasant. They'd greet guests with a smile every time, and would eagerly accommodate inquiries and requests the best they can.

We would definitely stay in Fave Hotel again next time we're in Bali. The good news is that my sister will soon be moving there from Jakarta, and so we'd have more reasons to go. And I'm definitely looking forward to that!

Runner's Kitchen in Morato

(SHE)

It was through the Instagram page of actress Bianca King that I first learned about Runners Kitchen. I was very impressed to learn that not only is she a part-owner of the restaurant, she also actively participated in creating the menu, being a chef and healthy foodie herself.

And so, when my best friend Annej suggested we try out the place for early dinner one rainy Sunday evening, I immediately agreed.

   

AND MAN IT WAS SO GOOD.

Annej and I were all praises as we shared the Prawns & Quinoa with Sundried Tomato Sauce and the Tuyo Pasta which were both so delicious. We were practically crying tears of joy with every bite. LOL! I tend to lower my expectations when trying organic, wholesome restaurants because many of the ones I've tried did not deliver on taste. The dishes we had at Runner’s Kitchen, however, were absolutely on point.

The interiors were also quite charming – from the minimalist design to the classic wood and black combo, from the mantras on the wall to the flashlights-turned-into-a-lamp hanging from the ceiling.

I am definitely looking forward to eating here again, with Michael in tow.

BBC One's Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

(HE)

I recently tore through 7 episodes of BBC’s adaptation of Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. Being a big fan of the book, I was curious to see how it translated on the screen.

I was not disappointed. The adaptation was concise as the book was expansive, yet did not lack the lyrical prose of the source material. It was quite a feat actually, when you consider the densely packed tome Clarke put out.

Eddie Marsan brought Mr. Norrell to life. He was able to flesh out the character with all his misanthrope nuances. Bertie Carvel was able to hold his own as Jonathan Strange, although the character portrayed in the series was more conceited than the one in the book.

All in all this series made me believe that magic indeed once existed in England.

Maybe I am biased from my adoration of the book (I have two copies—one in the bedroom, and one in the living room), but the television adaptation of Jonathan strange and Mr. Norrell is one of the best series I have ever wasted my late nights on.