BOOK THOUGHT: Moymoy Lulumboy, wakas(?)

Noong ika 13 ng Septyembre ng taong pangkasalukuyan ay prinisinta sa buong madla and bagong aklat ni Segundo Matias Jr sa SMX, sabay ng Manila International Book Fair – isang taunang evento na ginaganap tuwing buwan ng Septyembre – ang Moymoy LulumBoy Bk6 Ang Ugat at Propesiya.

Ika 6 na libro, 6 na kwento tungkol sa paglaki ni Moymoy, 6 na taon sinubaybayan, 6 na taong lumipas na nung ito ay unang pinakita sa mambabasang Pilipino.  Kay bilis ng panahon.  Mula 2014 hanggang sa kasalukuyan (2019) ay nabasa natin ang pakikipagsapalaran ni Moymoy bilaang isang tibaro (lamang lupa /engkanto) at buntawi (tao). Mula elementarya hanggang HS, mula sa pagkakilalang ampon hanggang sa madiskubre ang totoong pamilya niya, mula sa isa hanggang sa isa, eto ang nabasa natin at kinagiliwang estorya tungkol kay Benigno Bruce Lulumboy o mas kilala na Moymoy Lulumboy, ang batang aswang.  Nagsimula ang lahat sa pagpapakilala – Ang Batang Aswang (#1). Sinundan ng iba’t ibang kaganapan sa buhay niya  -  Ang Nawawalang Birtud (#2) at Ang Paghahanap Kay Inay (#3).  Naging madilim ang naging takbo ng kwento ni Moymoy sa pang 4 na libro, ang Mga Dulot Ng Digmaan na siyang nagsilbing pivotal point para sa pang 5 (Ang Lihim Ng Libro) at pang 6 (Ang Ugat at Propesiya) na libro.  Anim na libro na sadyang isinulat para sa kabataang Pilipino.  Anim na libro na nilagyan ng aral at mga gabay na maaring gamitin sa buhay ng kanyang magiging mambabasa.  Aksyon, drama, saya, lahat ay makikita sa seryeng ito na gawa ni Sir Jun na nilapatan ni Jomike Tejido ng angkop na drawing.

Maraming kaganapan na ang nangyari sa buhay ni Moymoy. Nakipaglaban na siya sa kung ano-anong klaseng engkanto.  Nakilala ang kakambal na dating kaaway.  Nakasama ang ina at naging isang masayang pamilya kahit na sa maiksing panahon (Bk5).  Naging kandidato at nanalo para maging APO ngunit minabuting manatiling isang anak ng Apo at tibaro na may taglaw na diwani (Bk 5 pa din).  Sa ika anim na aklat ay makikita naman natin ang buhay ni Moymoy sa mundo ng mga tao o Amalao.  Kung saan muling bumalik sa kalakhang Maynila si Moymoy para mag-aral at mamuhay ng tahimik.  Siya na lang, wala na ang kanyang Mama Tracy (Bk 4) at si Lolo Turing (Bk 5). Nanatili sa Gabun si Alangkaw (Bk 6) at tuloy ang paghihirap ng mga tibaro ng dahil sa bagong kadahilanan (Bk 6).

Maaaring tapos na nga ang buong serye sa ngayon, pero may mga pahiwatig ito na hindi pa tapos ang lahat sa kwentong Moymoy Lulumboy.  Pwedeng pahinga muna ika nga bago bibigyang buhay ang mga bagong kaganapan sa buhay.  Hindi ko masabi kung eto na nga ba ang wakas o eto ay isang pagwawakas lamang sa buhay pagkabata.  Ang mahalaga ay mayroong malikhaing utak na gumawa nito primarily para sa kabataang Pilipino ngunit damay na din ang mga mambabasang young at heart so to speak.  MARAMING SALAMAT SEGUNDO MATIAS JR!!

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Related Links:

https;//icemagehigh.blogspot.com/2019/10/book-thought-mga-aral-na-makukuha-sa.html

https://icemagehigh.blogspot.com/2019/10/book-thought-listahan-ng-mga-karakter.html

BOOK THOUGHT: Mga Batang Poz

Poz, pusit, Pete, ibat-ibang tawag pero iisa lang ang ibig sabihin; positive with HIV.  May sakit ka. May HIV ka.  Pag hindi mo inagapan ay maaaring maging Aida.  Yan ang isang katotothanan sa mundo na ating ginagalawan.  Hindi lang yan nasa mundo ng mga bakla dahil hindi siya namimili – lalake, babae, bakla, tomboy, top, bottom, bata, matanda, trans V o G ka man, walang pinipili ang HIV. 

Ang Mga Batang Poz ay isinulat para mabigyan ng kamulatan ang mga young adult sa mga bagay na dapat nilang bigyang halaga sa tamang pamamaraan at hindi ang reckless and aggressive way of YOLO ( You Only Live Once).  Apat na karakter. Apat na katauhan. Apat na kwento ng buhay. Iisang bagong kalagayan ang nagbuklod sa kanila.  Sina Gab, Enzo, Luis at Chuchay ang mga may kwento ngunit si Pete ang nagkwento – ang tamang maglahad ng lahat tungkol sa naging buhay nilang apat.

4 na biktima, hindi ng sakit kundi ng ibat-ibang kadahilanan sa buhay.  Isang biktima ng kahirapan. May biktima ng tradisyong nakagisnan.  Biktima ng pagmamahal na wagas at salat. Lahat sila hinarap ang mga balakid nila sa buhay sa paraang tinawag sila – tawag ng laman.  Nang dahil sa tradisyon, ay namuhay sa dilim at takot.  Dahil sa kahirapan, tinukso at nadapa.  Pagmamahal na kapos kaya naghanap. Pagmamahal na binibigay ng totoo kaya nagsinungaling.  At sa tapos nun ay nagkitakita sa iisang kalagayan – ang pagiging positibo sa HIV, reactive kung babasahin sa resulta ng test na ginagawa para malaman kung oo o hindi ang iyong katayuan. Bawat isang kwento ay maari kang comonect ika nga.  Nasa iyo kung maiintindihan mo ang pinagdaanan ng bawat isa o labis ang pagkakaunawa mo sa pinagdaanan ng isa dahil ito ay malapit sa sarili mong kwento ng buhay.  Kahit na ano pa man, ang kadahilanan ng pagkakasulat nito ay iisa at totoo . . .ang lumalaking bilang ng mga kabataan na nagkakaroon ng HIV sa ating bansa.  Hindi ang pagiging bakla (tumigas na ata ang mga balat ng mga kafatid sa pananampalataya at deadma na sa pagtingin ng ibang mapanghusga).  Base sa huli kong nabasang statistical report on those with HIV in the Philippines, nasa edad na 13 – 25 ang sumusunod na age bracket na lumalaki ang HIV carriers, nangunguna ang age bracket na 25 – 35 (I may be wrong sa final age in each bracket but the fact remains that young adults and teens are the one made victims of this viral situation due to a good number of factors).

Sa librong Mga Batang Poz, walang makakapaghinuha na magkakaroon ito ng twist sa isa sa mga karakter nito.  Para siyang yung pelikulang Single White Female in a way. Hindi dahil ginaya ang katauhan niya bagkus binuhay niya ang katauhan ng iba sa kanya dahil sa guilt at pagmamahal.  Magaling na pag-iisip!  Hindi ko maisip sa sarili kung magagawa ko ba ito sa buhay kung mahal ko ba ang mamatay – ang gawin ako na siya.  Ang kwento ni Chuchay at Luis ay masasabi nating common, noon at maging sa ngayon.  Bilang isang may lahi sa dugong dumadaloy sa katawan, naiintindihan ko ang dilemma ni Luis sa buhay. Nakikita ko din siya sa mga mata ng mga closeta sa mundo ng LGBTQ.  Andito pa din sila, nagtatago, natatakot at nananatili sa dilim.  Laki sa hirap ang peg ni Chuchay, isang bagay na alam ko kasi pinagdaanan ko siya ng recent past.  Hindi ko ginawa ang nasa kwento pero mapag-iisip ka kung nasa kahirapan ka . . . kakapit ka ba sa patalim o bahala na si Batman?  Obsession ang tamang salita sa buhay ni Enzo.  Kung hihimayin mo ang pagkatao niya ay makikita mo na ang daming kadahilanan ang tumulak sa kanya para gawin ang ginawa niya.  Na-obsess na ba ako?  Kung may sinasabing “controlled obsession” yun malamang ako. Salamat sa faceted mind structuring!

Nakakatuwang basahin ang Mga Batang Poz, bukod sa nakakaaliw na estilo ng pagkwekwento na ginawa ng may akda ay may mga topic din siyang pinapatamaan at binabangit kasabay sa pagtumbok sa usaping HIV-AIDS.  Ang usaping poverty na hanggang sa ngayon ay walang resolusyon sa mata ng naghihikahos.  Ang discovery stage na pinagdadaanan ng lahat ng kabataan – ang napaka-kritikal na panahon sa isang taong kinikilala pa lang ang sarili at ang maari niyang magawa.  Usaping pagtanggap sa sarili, maging ano at sino ka man.  Sex na kinilalang taboo na pag-usapan sa publiko ngunit pinag-uusapan sa dilim at bulung-bulungan.  Ang ibat-ibang klase ng pagmamahal na hindi mo maunawaan madalas pero lagi mong hinahanap at inaasam sa buhay.  Ang usaping pagpapakamatay o suicide, na ngayon ay unti-unting tumataas ang bilang sa ating bansa.  Ang mundo ng social media na ngayon ay kumakain sa ating lahat, bata man o matanda sa lipunan.  Maaari mong basahin ang libro sa gamit ang ibat-ibang angulo ng buhay at makita ang pinanggagalingan nilang apat at sarili mo.

Sino ka ba kina Luis, Gab, Enzo at Chuchay?  Ako?  Parte ni Luis, Chuchay, Gab at Enzo ang sagot ko.  May mga bagay sa buhay nila na naiintindihan ko kung kaya dama ko ang pinagdaanan nila.  Hindi ako poz o posit na sinasabi ngunit naiintindihan ko ang stigma na sinaabi nila patungkol sa sakit na HIV-AIDS dahil nagkaroon ako ng bacterial infection sa katawan na lihim na pinag-uusapan ng iba na baka daw HIV.  Alam ko ang pakiramdam ng pinag-uusapan sa iyong likuran.  Yung ikaw ay paghinalaan na makakahawa ka ng iyong sakit sa paraang mahawakan o sa hangin.  Kaya ko ba magmahal tulad nina Enzo at Gab?  Hindi ko alam. Siguro. Ewan ko.  Hindi ko pa kung magagawa ko siyang muli dahil nagmahal na ako ng higit pa sa sarili ko na ako pa ang napahamak.

Masaya daw mabuhay. Masaya nga bang talaga o nagpaapakasaya ka lang?  Nasa iyo kung sasagutin mo ito ng tapat o hindi pero ang alam ko, ipadama mo sa iba ang pagkatao mo matapos mo maunawaan ito ng malaman mo ang sinasabing saya sa pamumuhay.  Poz ka man o hindi, iba ang namumuhay ng totoong may kasama sa buhay – mga taong tanggap ka bilang ikaw; walang paghuhusga.

FOOD THOUGHTS: Sha Tin Courtyard Chinese Bistro

I am proud to have Chinese ancestry from my mother’s side.  I may be 1/3 Chinese only, but my palate and mind is definitely tuned in the intricacies of Chinese food art.  I am proud to present to you  Sha Tin Courtyard Chinese Bistro.

Located along Sto. Domingo Ave and Del Monte Ave, yes it is a crossroad  area; just across Sienna College QC, you definitely will not miss this two-story eating establishment.  With ample parking area, finding a spot for your car is not a challenge.  From the façade alone, you are sure that you came to a real, honest-to-goodness, Chinese restaurant.  With a round frame front door, it already tells you a story on how your food experience shall be – a complete circle of visual and palate experience that you will never forget for some time.  May it be a simple lunch or dinner to a celebration of an event, Sha Tin Courtyard is sure to deliver a spread of palate delight to all ages.

The experience

It was quite wonderful!

If that liner is enough to describe and make you comprehend my experience of the place then I will stop here BUT I know it is not enough so let me tell you why.

What I was just expecting was a few dishes to be tasted but what was presented was a 30 course meal with 6 types of drinks not counting the tea that is always made available to those who would ask.  Yes, 30 dishes – 10 of their dimsum line, 2 rice dishes, 4 seafood dishes, 11 from their meat dishes line including their specialty which is pigeon and 3 appetizer-dessert dish.  With this type of spread, the technique is to pace your eating and simply take what you can without over indulging;  though I need to change plate. Was I able to taste all?  Yes on all that the meat dishes.  To those with shrimps no.  I don’t want to be rushed to the hospital despite the fact that there is a Watson Drugstore just across the street.  Yes, I have an allergic reaction to crustaceans. 

Here are my favorites in no particular order (Yes, this is my beaucon mode):

Sizzling Stuffed Pan Fried Tofu

Hot Pot Beef Brisket

Fried Intestine

Scallop Tofu

Fresh Shrimp Ball with Water Cress * (Yes I tried it)

Seamoss Soup

Pipa Duck

Fookien Rice

Fried Setzuan Dumpling

Malay Ko

The two versions of radish cake

Fish Fillet Mango Sauce

Mango Crepe

** one I forgot the name but you will see it later in the pics with a caption underneath

15 dishes out of 30 became palate catchers for me.  Not bad!  To think I didn’t took a bite of those dishes with shrimps except for one.

How about the house specialty? The pigeon?

It was good in terms of flavor but since it is a small bird, the meat is also small thus you really have to pick it clean. Right down the bones so to speak.  I think it is best be eaten with friends and family and not with strangers. J

All the dishes were presented in the way it should be, with style.  The steamed dimsums were in a box type steamer case instead of the common round bamboo steamer cases.  The meat dishes were served on plates that are not only decorated but also denoting a feast is served.  Each plate served is used in its full potential by holding the dish and the decorations (carved vegetables and such) in its full beauty without crowding or unnecessary empty spots.  The duck was presented beautifully!  I was hoping it to be presented as a bird in flight but still it was visually appealing and definitely mouth watering.

The fried intestine was a delight!  Alone or dipped in vinegar as they suggested, it was a dish quite interesting in terms of texture and taste.  Hands down to the two version of the radish cake!  It was both classical in texture notes but quite distinct in flavor.  Malay ko is a love for me!  This bread/cake type is a perfect companion to all the rich dishes served for it help erase the last flavor in your palate making it ready for more dishes to taste.  The fookien rice comes with sauce that makes it a meal by itself!  With vegetable bits and meat + the sauce makes it one topper when it comes to having your fill.  Scallop is wonderful. Tofu is a delight. Together, they are a wonder.  Such was the case of Sha Tin’s Scallop Tofu.  It was silky smooth in texture with a rich sauce served hot making it a real palate stopper for me.  If there are food ingredients that I truly love, then that would be tofu and mangoes and they (the bistro), served it that day in spades!  I love the mango crepe!  From the soft yet sturdy mango cream flan center to the orange colored crepe to its dusting of coconut meat, it is a sure winner for me!  (I have the feeling  that the crepe is colored by natural means – by a vegetable. For the color is so rich and natural.)

Of all the drinks presented for tasting, I strongly recommend the Carrot Shake even if I am a fan of the Guyabano Shake and Yellow/Green Mango Shake.  The Carrot Shake taste not like any vegetable shake there is.  It is refreshing and a delight to drink.  A perfect palate cleanser after all the dishes served.  You can even have the kids try it and I am sure, you won’t get your glass back.  Of all those present that day for the food review event, I am the only one who was able to try out all the cold drinks served.  The drinks served were the following:

Honey Cucumber Shake                   Yellow/Green Mango Shake

Guyabano Shake                                Matcha

HK Milk Tea                                     Carrot Shake

How about the staff?

I love them for they were attentive and know how to offer the dish being served for your convenience and ease.  They ask the one who knows the right answer when presented with a query that they are unsure of and is politely charming in their own way. And they are attentive.  Did I mention it already?  It only means that they are truly attentive for it stuck in my conscience.

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Big or small group, private party or a simple dining experience, all has a spot in Sha Tin Courtyard.  With a second floor dining area, a private dining event may take place without compromising the common room at the ground area.  Never mind the vine decorations; it all boils down to the food served.  Food matters most and that is evident with the people going in and out of the place on the day that food review was held.

Sha Tin Courtyard – Chinese Bistro is your short trip in the whole of China via the food that they serve. J

FOOD THOUGHTS: Prime Samgyupsal Along Sct. Castor in QC.

With all the Korean restaurants in the metro, people now has the power to choose which is the best in terms of flavor, serving, price, amount of meat and sidings.  Value of money spent so to speak.  To add another selection, here comes Prime Samgyupsal Unlimited by TCR.

Located just after the Little Sandbox, facing the Green Restaurant along Sct. Castor St. in Quezon City, this slight hole-in-the-wall type of restaurant is about 1 year old come November (I may be wrong with the year but the month I am definitely sure).  Serving well thought out Korean flavors in terms of meat and sidings, this food spot is one to go for when in the area of Tomas Morato.  The meat cuts are consistent and mixed well with seasonings that make a samgyupsal experience worthwhile and the pricing is just right.

What makes them different from other samgyupsal establishments? 

It all boils down with the meat and the flavors.  In Prime Samgyupsal, they serve 4 meat flavors in every table (2 flavors of meat per plate serve, 2 plates per order), along with 9 side dishes and 3 seasoning.  Like any other, the meat serving is refillable; as long as you finish everything.  There is a Php 200 leftover fee if meat served is not eaten.  So be aware.  Two hours eating time per table is enough to have your samgyupsal cravings sated and your tummy filled to its delight.  Eat to your delight but know when to stop asking for more. Wag takaw mata in other words.

My Thoughts on the Prime Samgyupsal Experience

This restaurant is quite comfy and relaxing; a no-fuss type of eating place in terms of décor and set-up.  They know that people will come because of the food and not because of any picture perfect decoration.  The only drawback is the steps that you have to use when going in.  Each step is so elevated that it is a wonder that someone like me, I am part of the PWD community – orthopedic disability, was able to take it.  Thank God for railings!

The food was good!  What took me in are the sidings that they have offered.  All the side dishes were well thought off and made in terms of flavors and contrast to the meat.  It truly made a difference in the now present samgyupsal offering in the metro.  The only concern I have is the tofu served for it was a little rubbery in texture.  Yes it was marinated then fried but the crunch was absent, what I had was an eatable, a little chewy for my liking tofu.  To think I love tofu so much.  Despite the fall of the tofu, the pickled radish, lightly pickled onions and seasoned peanuts were quite a pleasant surprise to my palate.  The contrast in flavor with the meat was truly a delightful experience.  The texture contrast was also worth noting for it gives you something to ponder on in every chew that you make.  Sure there were your standard coleslaw type siding, baby potatoes, bean sprouts and kimchi, which make things familiar to all Asian eater but the radish, peanut and onions took the hat in this dining experience.

I am having thoughts about the cheese served.  True, melted cheese is quite a delight when paired off with grilled meat but the constant stirring to ensure that it is melted all throughout and to avoid cheese burn at the bottom is a task you will not be found of doing when you simply wish to enjoy a good meal.  For Php 30 per person ordering, it is not bad plus it is part of the refillable package.  Everything served is refillable, meat and sidings, as long as you finish everything. J

What makes this experience a delight is the consistent meat cuts served.  It makes grilling easier!  Since the meat is all of the same thickness, it gets to be cooked all at the same time, thus making sure that everybody gets to eat their fill.  A very big plus point for this Samgyupsal place!  Since we are not talking about steak cuts and preference, nobody cares about the status of the beef cuts.  When it is cooked, it is cooked.  No fuss whether you like it rare, medium rare, or well-done.  This is simply old style cooking enjoyment.  Plus, we are talking of grilled meat slices, what is important is the grill charring marks which give meat a turn in turns of flavor and texture.

How are the staff, you may ask.

They are knowledgeable enough on what they are serving for those who are truly inquisitive.  They make sure that everything that is part of the set that you ordered and requested is on your table.  (There are four sets to choose from by the way.)  They are also quick enough to serve your requested refill and attentive enough when you have a “kitchen” need such as more oil and another thong.

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As a whole, the Prime Samgyupsal Unlimited, is one delightful place to have your Korean food fix.  As of this writing, they now offer bento boxes for to-go orders and a bibimbop for those who simply wants to have a simple yet filling meal.