Iron Will

Real Steel  

     Imagine watching Pacquiao in a giant robot form... how would you feel as you watch the fight, every blow shown about 2-3 times larger, the impact of the blows much stronger, and sparks flying everywhere...  This is how you would feel watching this magnificent film.  On October 8, me and Angel went to watch Real Steel at the IMAX of SM North.  I came 15mins late, but was able to catch the first robot box fight.  It was really nerve racking, well maybe because I'm a huge fan of robots since I was a child (I have a collection of Gundam Deathscythe) that I really loved the robot scenes.

     Robots, flashy gadgets (I wish I had the cool speaker and phone), torn family, and a dream to unite them all.  From the start, the crowd were amazed with how the movie shown type of father Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) was, a use to boxer who had such a huge debt that he's literally running away from those he owns money from who suddenly have the chance of spending some time with his son whom he never met for 11 years.  Although you can feel the problem they were facing with catching up with the time they lost, they were easily united by a rundown sparring robot named Atom which Max Kenton (Dakota Goyo, son of Charlie in the film) found after being saved at a junkyard.

     The next scenes were both funny and inspiring at the same time, the times when Max was  was fixing Atom and also practice some dance moves as well.  Atom was really an inspiring robot, he made the crowd cheer him up with all the fights he had.  He was a complete example of a hero in a film, let's himself beat down first, then when you least expect it would suddenly amaze you with his iron will.  The part I loved the most was in the end when Atom lost his hearing, and Charlie had to use his shadow function to fight Zeus (the undefeated URC Champion).  Charlie had all smiles as he was fighting together as Atom's shadow, while Max was all tears as he watched his dad and Atom fight.  I knew right there and then that he understood what was told to her by Charlie's friend when she described him on how beautiful he fought.

     All in all, this movie deserves a 5/5 stars, because of the enjoyment you and your family would have while watching such a heartwarming movie.  Truly one movie you'd watch over and over again with your family.  A robot with an iron will.

Asian Fusion Sensation

Crustasia 

     This is my first food event, and also my first time to go to Rockwell.  I've always stayed away from Rockwell because I know it was a place for elites, a place that I knew I would have a hard time spending to enjoy a fine dining place.  Much to my amazement, me and Angel were invited to have dinner last October 7 at the newly renovated Asian Bistro there, Crustasia!

     The place was truly a sight to behold, comfy chairs, simplistic yet modern artistry, and a high ceiling adorned with beautiful lights.  I felt like a kid entering a candy store for the first time, the feeling was truly a sight to behold.  And after seeing, I suddenly smelled the tasteful air.  And even though it was raining cats and dogs during that time, the air was rich with the smell of beautiful fragrances you'd know you would want to taste the dishes it came from.  I've traveled to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau.  So I know the feeling of excitement of being able to taste a delicacy that you can proudly say is Asian. 

      We were first given our own choices of drinks and was served our appetizers, The Grand Javanese Sampler which was composed of Indonesian bread stuffed with eggs and meat curry, Spicy Anchovy (Dilis) and peanut, Indonesian Assorted crackers, and Corn Fritters), one of the famed Sichuan Seafood Spicy Pots which was the Sichuan Boiled Catfish, and last but definitely not the least, Thai Catfish Salad which I loved the most because of its texture and taste.  I ate it until the very last strand.

     Then came the main dishes, Hunin Cumin ribs which was a bit spicy but was a delight to eat because it was easy to hold and like most ribs, the meat was almost peeling freely from the ribs once you take a bite into it...  Yummy...  Next was Angel's favorite, crabs!  The one they served was the Kepiting Masak Sauce Mentega (Indonesian Sweet Soy and Butter Crab).  The crab was enormous and Angel had so much fun tearing it apart.  The last they served were two of my favorite dishes I tasted in Singapore, sate and squid.  The one they served was the Thai Style Grilled squid and the All Meat Sate sampler.  I love Sates, but I really look forward to the taste and the texture whenever I eat one.  Because whenever me and Angel would eat out at a place here in Manila that serves sates, most of the time I get disappointed with it.  But to my amazement, the ones served at Crustasia really stood out.  It was a sate that satisfied my tastebuds.

      While we were dining, the management and also some of their chef explained and also gave out pointers about the meal we were having.  One of which was most of the ingredients they were using was actually imported from Indonesia or Malaysia (mostly their spices) and that some of the Chefs were actually foreigners (one was Thai, and Chef Nur I think was Viet).

     Unfortunately, it was only after we were eating that I found out that they were serving my favorite, Kangkong Lechon, while I was reading their menu.  But then again that would be one of the things I'd be looking forward in the future when we get back there.  I can truly say, if you want to satisfy your taste buds for the meals you are missing when you area traveling other Asian countries, I would highly recommend eating at Crustasia, it's an Asian dinning experience in one place.  Thanks again Ms Chosa!

Photo courtesy of Alex De Vera Dizon, www.recyclebinofamiddlechild.com and http://lafanggero.blogspot.com