298 – On The Manam Experience And A Birthday Post (Part 2)

I gave a short introduction to Manam Comfort Filipino in my previous entry. I dined there to celebrate my 31st birthday almost two weeks after the actual date. This is my last year in the calendar, so I might as well enjoy it! Manam's location at SM Fairview is easy to spot, as it is …

297 – On The Manam Experience And A Birthday Post (Part 1)

Today is ironically my birthday, but I don't want to celebrate it. I chose not to celebrate it mainly because I still live with a family that infantilizes me. Look, I'm already 31 and these people still think of me as a kid – a seven to 10-year-old kid who can't decide for himself. It …

296 – THIS OR THAT 6: Milo Breakfast Cereal Bar or Growers Nutribar Cereal Bar

Welcome to the sixth iteration of the This or That series here at The Monching's Guide! I last reviewed snack bars for this series back in November 2020. Incidentally, it took me some time to write subsequent posts like this, given my busy work schedule and existing quarantine restrictions here in Manila.  Fortunately, these grain …

295 – On The Modern Shanghai Experience

The Philippine government has had enough of hard lockdowns, and is now slowly opening up the economy. In line with this, restrictions for many sectors – including food, personal services, and amusement – have been relaxed. However, this is contingent on people's vaccination status. People who have had at least one shot, including yours truly, …

294 – On The Pompano Pomp

(AUTHOR'S NOTE: While the recipe itself is true, some elements of this narrative have been fictionalized. I won't tell which parts as it would ruin the post – so I'll let you do the work.) Pompano (talakitok in Filipino, pronounced tall-ah-key-talk) is known as a meaty fish, making it a mainstay of many Filipino mealtimes. …