Banapple BADapple

12.08.2011

When I go to Banapple I normally order Ribs, my favorite. But tonight, to say “maiba naman”, I ordered the salpicao instead. It wasn’t as delectable as the ribs and definitely not the best salpicao I’ve eaten BUT it still got the thumbs up from me.

My batchmate ordered the baked creamy cheesy penne which is one of my pasta pavoritos in the place. 

Everything was going so well until, low and behold, right before my fourth to the last bite I saw a strand of hair in my rice. L  Are you kidding me?! I was so disgusted that I called the server immediately and asked for her manager. This was very unlikely and unexpected since Banapple has been one of our staple restaurants since my undergrad days. Nothing like this has ever happened…EVER! And now everything is ruined! All it took was one strand of hair and my relationship between Banapple ended. Just like that. What a heartbreak. 

The manager asked me what they can do to make up for the accident, and I answered “nothing”. They offered to replace my meal with a new one, and I’m like, “No thanks.” They offered two free slices of cake, but I still said “No”. Pola was even joking “miss, I don’t think two slices ng cake or free meal katumbas ng health nya.”

I told the manager that I appreciate the gesture but what I really want is for her to find out and investigate on how the strand of hair got in my food and to make sure that the incident is dealt with accordingly. 

*Sigh* Why? Why did this have to happen? But there was nothing I can do. In the end, I went home with the two slices of cake, brought it home for the parentals and vowed never to return to BADapple again. *heartbreaking*

Disclaimer: I'm not discouraging anyone to visit Banapple :) it's still after all one of my fave places back when I was in college. Plus, I'm pretty sure this incident was dealt with accordingly. 

http://www.banapplekitchen.com/Banapple.html
206 and 225 Katipunan Ave. Blue Ridge, Quezon City
Tel Nos. 4392675/4382675

    

Setting the Premise (as early as now)

If you are going to fall in love with me, for justice sake, it is only fair that you know WHAT you are falling in love with. You are falling in love with my complexity, indecisiveness, my out of this world kind of maturity and into the black hole child-likeness. You will fall in love with a girl who stomps her feet and pulls her hair when things do not go her way. You will fall in love with a mouth that never runs out of things to say, a mouth that mangles innocent languages and a mouth that constantly invents/innovates words that you are required to use daily. You will have to put up with a person who crosses her eyes and makes faces while you two are in the middle of a conversation. You are falling in love with the person who turns-off the car radio only for you to listen to her as she raps songs (you’ll never ever imagine “rappable”). You are falling in love with my hyperactive tear ducts, my high tendencies to overthink, over react and over analyse. You have to put up with my monthly PMS that may cause me to either want to see you every minute of everyday or not want to see you at all.  You are going to put up with my crazy thoughts and wild ideas of wanting to shave your legs, pluck your eye browse, do you a facial and put make up on you or worse, tell you to eat paper.

Photo courtesy of: Ciarky's FB :)

You will have to fall in love with my “non-negotiables”. My family whom I love more than life itself, my nieces and nephews whom I love like they are my own. My sisters who are a part of my whole being as much as I am a part of them;  (they are the people whom I love beyond the bounds of sisterhood.) My secret guy best friend who will intimidate and taunt you every now and then, my bubble (Kitel, Juju, Ciek) who I will forever claim mine and mine alone. You will fall in love with my obsession on trying to be there for loved ones most of the time and my constant need to keep things together for all of them all the time as well. My need to call family and friends different terms of endearment (girl or boy) and how I find satisfaction in giving myself to almost everyone I come close with.

You will have to fall in love with my not so perfect past that made me who I am, my life frustrations, my unwavering hopes and non-stop chasing of dreams. 

If you can bear, swallow, stomach falling in love with such, then you will also be falling in love with the way my eyes would smile whenever I’m with you or while talking about you. My ears who’d sincerely listen to all the things you have to say. My lips that will kiss away your worries and tears will be the same lips that will be at its sweetest whenever it says your name. You will fall in love with my shoulders whom you can lean on when life becomes too difficult, my hands that will hold yours as we walk around (even in circles), my arms that will embrace you both in moments of bliss and defeat, my feet that will walk a thousand steps to be with you.  You will fall in love with the hugs I randomly give, the sweet nothings I will surprise you with. You are falling in love with the witty, humour-filled (w/o a doubt and w/o effort) out of the blue antics I make.  You will fall in love with the way I blush (or turn purple-because I’m dark) when I’m given the chance to talk about you endlessly and when people ask about you.  You are falling in love with someone who will make you feel loved each moment of everyday, even when I’m mad or at least say I am. I promise to think of ways each day to make you happy so you can also fall in love with the promise that you won’t be unhappy with me. :)

Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Padre Pio Church

12.08.2011

Pola and I decided to hear mass in Padre Pio today for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. This is the church along Libis that has been my sanctuary for quite some time now.

Check out the photo below.

I like going to Padre Pio especially during alone or quiet times. After hearing mass, I usually stay at the garden or the prayer room for hours talking to Him and trying to listen to what He’s trying to tell me.  The place gives me a kind of calm I can’t explain.  Plus the fact that I rarely see people I know there, which makes it a good hibernation and thinking place. J

Basically, what the priest said in his homily was how great and loving Mama Mary was. I totally agree! In times of trouble, when He seems to be busy attending to the more important needs of others, I tell Mama Mary to whisper to Jesus and say that I need him too. How can Jesus possibly neglect His Mother’s request, right? On other occasions, I go directly to her for requests and pleas. Mama Mary has truly been an instrument of Jesus love to mankind because He did not only give himself to us but also shared His Mother as well.

After the Mass, I wrote a letter thanking Him for all the blessings and the graces he continues to shower me with. I also wrote my apologies for my wrongdoings and inadequacies and for my lack of faith at times. I know I am not perfect and most of the time I fall short of what a real Christian-Catholic should be. This is why I seldom talk about how I am as a Christian-Catholic and only talk about how He has remained faithful and loyal to me despite my shortcomings. God is indeed loving and merciful!  Pola and I also attended the healing ceremony held after the mass. I prayed for my mom’s good health, Pola’s aunt’s healing, Ysa’s emotional healing as well as Pola and mine. As for my last request, I appealed to God through Padre Pio’s intercession to grant the wishes and prayers of my family and loved ones and to grant me peace within, in preparation for Christmas.

I told Pola to bring Tita (her aunt), who currently has cancer and the rest of the family to Padre Pio so they can pray for fast healing and recovery. Yes, I believe in miracles and I believe that faith is a great body immunity booster.

After the Mass celebration, Pola and I went to Banapple to celebrate some more. After a nourishing food for the soul, a “YUMMY” food for the stomach awaits! I was excited! J

03.07.2012

03.07.2012

I apologize for the cyberspace hiatus. Although I have not posted entries since time immemorial, I’ve still been active in facebook and twitter. I also have a number of entries that have not been posted, which I will be posting now. It’s March! And March marks the beginning of the end of the first quarter of the year. J All in all everything’s good. Of course from time to time life happens, but at the end of the day we count only the blessings and the lessons learned.

<3 <3 <3