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Home-Cooked Dishes at its Finest

I find eating with family or friends at home beautiful. I find comfort in conversing with each other while enjoying home-cooked meals prepared by my mother or anyone in the family who knows how to cook well. I never believed that there is a restaurant that will genuinely promote family values and dishes until I visited Ponciana's Kitchen.

Ponciana's Kitchen is the home of family-made Filipino cuisine. Cecilia Macainag, who is the owner of Ponciana's Kitchen, seeks to preserve traditional Filipino recipes while maintaining a Filipino family-like atmosphere. Going inside the restaurant gives you the feeling of comfort and peace. You'll enjoy the soft lighting, peaceful music, paintings hanged on walls, and different ornaments which makes the place attractive. Rice meals like adobo, daing na bangus, and lumpiang shanghai are served fresh from the kitchen. They also have noodles meal (pancit Malabon, pancit Bihon, sotanghon guisado, etc.), merienda (traditional halo-halo, ginataang halo-halo), and refreshments (guinumis, buko juice, melon juice, etc.) to balance the selection of food.  The food price ranges from P 75-P 240, very affordable for families and students. You'll end up stuffed and smiling as you leave the restaurant.

Ponciana's Kitchen is worth your while. The food is budget-friendly and delicious. Some Filipino meals in the place are served with a twist (I'll not spoil you, just try 'em out on your own). It has affordable and delicious food and also has a similar ambiance of Filipino family's dining area.  The staff is organized and always observe cleanliness. They serve meals with a smile: you'll never feel snubbed by them.

Ponciana's Kitchen is located in Block 6 Omega Street, West Fairview, Quezon City. Invite your family, relatives, or even friends to engage meaningful conversations while enjoying signature Filipino dishes in this restaurant. I definitely recommend this place to anyone who feels the need to find a relaxing spot and comfort food.

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Why Not Become a Taal Volcano Instead? (A Short Travel Blog featuring the Taal Volcano)

Tagaytay is part of Cavite. According to my relatives, the name originated from the word "TAGA" which means to cut and "ITAY" or father. These words were shouted by a boy where a wild animal attacked his father. The boy who cried the TAGA and TAY became the talk of the town. At present, hearing the name Tagaytay corresponds to numerous tourist spots and the place where Taal Volcano resides.

Tagaytay, a place where you can enjoy breath-taking sceneries, hot bulalo, and buy pasalubong for your family and friends. It is where people experience cool climate while capturing shots at the picturesque view, but sometimes thick fog ruins this. Traveling this place is best when you bring your family or friends with you. If you prefer being alone and would like to do some soul-searching by going to retreat houses established around Tagaytay.

I find a particular spot very soothing to my soul, especially when I saw the Taal Volcano in the Taal Lake. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to visit Taal Volcano by boat because of the family budget and itinerary. Instead, they let me see the Taal Lake. Very far and high from where I was standing at that time, I could barely take my eyes off the calm water and the undisturbed volcano. Taking a close-up shot at Taal Volcano is only just wishful thinking.

Of course, there's also the Skyranch, Twin Lake Hotel, Puzzle Mansion, etc. But of all the tourist spots and potential itineraries in Tagaytay, I chose to stand far away from the Taal Lake. I just stared at the view: the volcano resting at the tranquil lake while being far away from tall buildings and people. I imagine myself as the Taal Volcano: limited from urbanization, from people, from noise. It's far away from the problems that humans face. As I said, these realizations were just products of wishful thinking and soul-searching.

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Mj’s Top 5 Favorite Flavored Fries

French fries are my favorite past-time snacks. I find convenience in eating hand-picked potatoes: peeled, finely cut into thin pieces, and deep-fried. The salty taste complements in my mouth whenever I take a small bite. But lately, eating the classic flavored fries (the plain one) is getting bland for me.

So I decided to shift my preferences to flavored fries. I just discovered flavored fries in Potato corner. Then as time goes by, numerous food stalls/ fast food chains adapted flavored fries for better taste. Now that I tasted different flavors (from salty, sweet, sour, and spicy), my addiction to fries got even better (or worse). I am proud to introduce my top five favorite flavored fries for 2018.

 Top 5: Strawberry chocolate fries

Can you believe that strawberries and chocolates are possible in making weirdly delicious fries? At first, I find it barbaric because potatoes don't blend well with sweets (or at least, that's what I thought it would be). But then I tried this new flavor with a friend, and I kept on finding it every other day. Strawberry powdered fries topped with chocolate syrup, now that's acceptable. While eating it, I could taste the tangy strawberry flavor and the sweet chocolate syrup. It's a combination of 30% tangy/fruity, 20% salt, and 50% sweet. Better blended with delicious ice cream, preferably chocolate/strawberry ice cream, this one is hated by many but loved by a few, and I'm one of the few.

Top 4: Cheese fries

One flavor that will never disappear in the hearts of the public, cheese fires is the first flavor of fries introduced in the country. Every French fries stall has cheese fries on their menu. But there are variations of cheese fries. There are the traditional fries covered in bright orange powder, which is the cheese. There's also this fries topped with real slices of mozzarella cheese. And there are fries drenched in large amounts of sticky cheese sauce. Whatever the way of the cheese fries, there will always be a place in my heart for this flavor.

 Top 3: Sweet corn flavored fries

Another flavored fries that I find weird but cool appeared on my list: sweet corn flavored fries. This one is sweeter than strawberry chocolate fries. The taste is similar to Regent's Golder Sweet Corn but in the form of fries. The sweet corn powdering is used to make the potato fries taste like corn. This is the flavor that I usually eat whenever I feel the need to become sweet in life. Does it taste like sweet corn or potatoes? You decide!

 Top 2: Sour cream flavored fries

My first impression on sour cream fries is that it has only one taste. But, my impression changed after my first bite of this flavor two years ago. This flavor is a bit more savory than cheese and sweet corn. A combination of savory and sour, this flavor made me crave for more. Opposite to the name, it’s not 100% sour, but at least there's some sourness at the time you start soaking the fries inside your mouth. This is almost good for me since it does not irritate my taste buds. 

Top 1: Barbeque flavored fries

One of the best flavors, flavored barbeque fries is my number one on the list. A combination of sweet and spicy initiates a party in my mouth, that’s why I placed all of my bets on this one. Getting a bite of this flavor offers three different flavors: first, it is savory, where you can almost taste the barbeque (but then again, in the form of fries). Second, it is mildly sweet, which is noticeable after you let the fries stay in your mouth while biting for at least 8 seconds. After 8 seconds, expect a peppery taste in your taste buds. So whenever you want to buy some fries for me, this flavor will first come into my mind.

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Try Black Burgers for a Change

For more than five years, I've heard Crentop's black burger from my peers. One day, I decided to try it for myself. When I was looking at the menu, I found their black burger, in which the prices starts from 90 php. I chose the 3/4 pounder which costs 140 php because I was desperate to try it. I would say Crentop's black burger is the real deal. The quarter pounder that I ordered left me craving for more.  

The black burger with fries and iced tea rivals fast food chains that sell burgers because of its quality taste and reasonable price. A sip of cold, sweet lemonade iced tea will soothe your soul.  A chomp of big, mouth-watering black buns and quarter pounder beef patties will energize your taste buds and fill your hungry stomach. With cheese sauce, cucumbers, and tomatoes, you'll never feel guilty eating the beef patty.  A small bite of salty, yellow French fries matched with sweet tomato ketchup blends well with the burger, which tastes better when eaten at the same time. Expect something "green" as you go to the toilet after eating the burger, though.

Overall, this is one of the best affordable burgers that I tasted in my entire existence. I'll give it a 4.8/5.

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Richard Colson Baker

Rapping: it is my solace At times where I'm not "At My Best" All I could do is rest And express what's inside my chest.

I've been to "Hell and Back" Everything didn't turn out well Starting from my childhood, I'm ready to tell Up to the moment where I still dwell.

I feel like my life is such a waste Because of my family leaving a bitter taste My parents broke up when I was nine I lived in poverty without a single dime I lived in ridicule and full of hate My friends and neighbors wanted me to be erased From this fate full of disgrace.

I admit I was on drugs I was on strip clubs I lost my battles many times That I wished I died at age "27." And if I die, my Casie will lose a father...

Thanks to music I'm able to express my past and present self Every lyric lies a different hue True-to-life story, well told Where everyone could relate to Where everyone could feel something

All the "Bad Things" made me "Invincible" It encouraged me to pull a lot of loosed strings Today, I wear a smile Because all of this was worth the while.

I'm blessed with a beautiful mind despite my ugly memories I'm blessed with a proud daughter who made my days bright I'm blessed with the people who love my music, my soul I'm blessed, to have a curse turned into a blessing This is "Just What I Am."

I present my "Story of the Stairs" This is me From being down and frowned, From being drowned to sticky situations To being alive and kicking, To being better and bolder

I am Machine Gun Kelly

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The angst towards public opinion

I just realized how ignorant and insensitive people are in my generation. Small gossips become big issues, fake news start to become real, everyone starts spitting their own opinions in the wrong place at the wrong time. They’re trying to make the issues a laughing matter (because that’s what Filipinos are good at: making jokes). These hinder me from learning the truth, from saying a valid reasoning, and from accepting what’s big or small, real or fake. The root of all my angst: people. 

Those fame-whores trying to get the attention of everyone makes me sick. Those “intellects” who say their opinions--neither right nor wrong but makes a point-- irritate me. Everyone who thinks their opinions matter among everybody else are disgusting bastards. Opinions are now deranged and disorganized because of the public. 

To the public, your feelings don’t matter. As long as you ride along the waves of overflowing opinions, you’re cool. But what about the audience listening to your “whining”? What about the essence of the real issue? Have you noticed your position? Are you highlighting the issue or yourself? Have you even asked these essential questions before???

Truth is: I don’t have a problem with people sharing their sides of the story. It’s risky to be judged because of your opinion, I get that. Also, it even benefits me from getting new and serious views. BUT PLEASE: give others a chance to speak. Give the audience the opportunity to sort out what’s real and what’s not. STOP being too preachy about your opinions, it’s not funny nor entertaining. Be responsible. Make sure you’re voicing it out the right way.

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People have the right to show that they’re intelligent. But because of bad timing, intelligence transforms into stupidity.

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Opinion

Opinion—there’s nothing right or wrong to it

But, it always has a point

It all has sense

It all matters

Everyone has one

To share, to suggest, to just say it

It’s hard to just contain it in an empty space

For it may be erased by the time you try to look at it again

Opinion--one that makes everyone diverse from each other

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What a day...

Today was stormy. Classes were suspended from elementary to Senior High School in Quezon City and in other areas. I decided to wake up and enjoy the rest of the day in doing my school stuff. After finishing them (the schoolworks), I rewarded myself with a good meal from Burger King. I scarfed it down without mercy and took a sip of lemonade. 

“What a good day to be alive,” I said to myself as I turned the TV on to see some important announcements. Suddenly, news about the Commission on Human Right’s budget starts to pop out in TV channels even in social media. I stood up in shock to discover that the government approves a 1000 peso budget to CHR in order to operate.  Out of control, I turned the TV off, threw my body in the sofa and raised a proud voice, “Wow, what a good day to die.”

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This country will not improve if there will be imbecile officials.

This country will not be safe if we don’t eliminate the root of crime.

This country will not become successful if our mindsets are narrow and illogical.

This country will not evolve if we don’t welcome proper solutions to certain issues.

The “lifespan” of this country will be dead soon if we allow hypocrisy and injustice to lurk in the corner.

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“You can buy Human Rights for 1000 pesos”

My God, what a disgrace for this country and for humanity. 

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I’d rather be remembered by a few than by many who can easily forget.

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Discontentment makes the rich poor while contentment makes the poor rich.

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First Attempt In Learning

I will never forget to FAIL because that will be my stepping stone towards success. That’s my only guide to see if I’m doing good or not. Neither I will be discouraged nor be sad about it. 

My mistakes will not define my overall capacity to become a great person. If I will apply everything that I learned from my past, my present will be better and my future will be brighter. If people will give me reasonable criticisms about me or my efforts, I will gladly accept them. At least there are people who seem to care about me or my efforts. And if I fail again, try again because my attempts for learning and the probability for succeeding will get higher.

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Sometimes, your issues are too shallow

To the point that you’re being swallowed

By your thoughts and by the reality

You already dug your own grave

It’s your choice if you will fall for it or not

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Ironies of a Teenager

“I’m fine”

“I’m fine”

But

You’re tired of saying “I’m fine”

“I’ll start doing it”

“I’ll start doing it”

But

You haven’t started a thing or two

“I’ll change myself for the better”

“I’ll change myself for the better”

But

You’re still sticking to you old self

You talk about this

You talk about that

But

You never formed logical arguments to what you’re saying

“This is hard”

“This is hard”

But

You never tried your best shot but to complain

“I will fail”

“I will fail”

Yes...

You already failed to realize that you should be more eager to try

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Writing a short story is like staring at the pieces of the puzzle: you hold a lot of pieces, but can’t form a clear image of it.