Everybody says that our problem is corruption in government, and that to fix our country, we have to end corruption. But what everybody really means is: Let's end corruption, but let me/my family/my friends be exempted from that.
This is a fundamental flaw in the Filipino character-- from as high as the president of the country to as low as the street beggar. We want the rules to be followed, but only by other people, not ourselves.
We all want everybody else to change, except ourselves.
Until we are able to put aside our selfishness, we are stuck.
Back in the 80s, when our brains were addled by too much hairspray and Dippity-do gel and the circulation up our legs was cut off by pants too tight around the ankles, we as a generation experienced the most amazing music ever. Everyday, it seemed, we discovered a new artist or band who created the perfect song that encapsulated our hormonal anxieties and pubescent dreams.
The music was called New Wave. Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Culture Club, Depeche Mode, Fra Lippo Lippi, The Cure-- icons of our age too many mention. Let's not forget the one-hit wonders, too. B-Movie, anyone?
And then there was Tears For Fears. All of us knew them and their songs. But somehow they did not inspire rabid and die-hard loyalties like Spandau and Duran. Instead, they quietly got under our skin. Their lyrics were burned into our psyches-- "Welcome to your life. There's no turning back." So simple, so painful, so true. And the melodies! Our hearts beat in time with the drums and bass of "Shout, shout, let it all out."
How could we not watch the concert? We waited 20 years for them to come.
I had never seen so many middle-aged headbangers in one place.
We sang with all the might of our lost youth. We sang the second voices, too, gademit!
The band was not expecting a karaoke session with 25,000 former Michael Jackson and Madonna Wannabes.
Let me tell you, Curt Smith was NOT this sexy when we were in high school. He sang this song from his solo album that no-one had ever heard of.
Memorable moments:
1. When Raimund Marasigan of the front act Sandwich said, "Let's welcome to the stage... Ely Buendia!"
2. When Ely took the mic and sang "Alapaap" with Raimund on the drums.
3. When the audience couldn't wait for the second front act Pupil to finish their set so that TFF could start, but were too polite to say so. Baka magalit si Ely e.
4. When Tears For Fears took the stage with the Donnie Darko/Adam Lambert version of "Mad World".
5. Which segued into "Everybody Wants To Rule The World".
6. When Curt Smith sang "Mad World" again-- the original version.
7. When Roland Orzabal sang Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean".
8. When my seatmate Underage Jen exclaimed to her husband Bry the Incredible Shrinking Man, "You know all the words!"
9. When we realised that Curt is extremely hot for a balding old guy. Wait, we're also old na pala.
10. When the male backup singer sang Oleta Adams' part in "Woman In Chains".
Steph (with a silent H) and I have been friends since we were seven years old, when we were classmates in first grade. Even though we've lived in different places for more than half of the time that we've known each other, we've kept in touch. One of the things that we enjoy doing together is eating. Her hubby the Cookie Monster says that we eat too much. That doesn't stop him from joining us sometimes, though.
Two months ago, the two of us went to In-yo Fusion Cuisine. I normally ignore the degustation menu, but this time, we were too hungry to think. That's when the degustation menu comes in very handy, because one doesn't have to choose. Just sit down and eat whatever's served, and trust that the chef is not an idiot.
The first course was supposed to be Wasabi Fried Oyster, but they didn't have it that night. I don't remember what was served instead. It was pretty, but I guess not memorable. Next came the Shiitake Confit Salad. I liked the crispy tofu, and the ponzu honey dressing was delectable, and not overpowering. The soup was a choice between the Smoked Tomato Soup or the Pumpkin Soup. Honestly, we couldn't tell the difference, although both were satisfying and the texture was spot-on. Next was a tiny scoop of sherbet to cleanse the palate, but I couldn't tell what flavor it was. The waiter told us, but maybe I wasn't listening. For my main, I chose the Mesquite Smoked Duck Breast served with braised cabbage in a tart shell. I don't normally like cabbage, but this was OK. The duck was tender without being bloody. Steph's (still with a silent H) entrée was the U.S. Hanging Tender Steak with pumpkin risotto. If I go back to In-yo , I would order this. Good value. Finally, dessert. Choice number one was Mango Pavlova which didn't look like a pavlova at all. Good thing because I'm not a big fan of meringue which I feel is just a sad way to use leftover egg whites. This one was more cake-like and substantial. I enjoyed it. Choice number two was Burnt Cream which most people would recognise as a creme brulée. It was OK lang. Verdict: Chef Niño Laus is not an idiot. His degustation menu is well-balanced, tasty and has some considerate options. (The other entrée choice was fish.) At PHP1,500++ per person, it was not bad at all. I think part of what we paid went to the ambiance. (Who ordered the ambiance? Hehe.) It was just unfortunate that there was this loudmouth sitting next to us who just lo-ooved the sound of his voice. It's a small place, and eavesdropping is too easy. Still, the food is worth going back for.
Because of El Niño, we have been hiding at home since the beginning of summer. It's just too hot to do anything except water the plants. Every once in a while, though, when all that's left in the pantry is a can of sardines, we have to go out and buy food. One evening, Bunny Rabbit invited me to our favorite cheap resto for some crab.
So sweet of him. He doesn't eat crab, but he knows that I like! Angel Wish Dish has a new set menu for two people, which consists of
Baked oysters with cheese and garlic,
Prawns fried in butter and garlic,
And the star of the show-- Chili crab!
Served with rice and Coke. All for the princely sum of PHP550 for two people. That's about US$12.
I know, right? It's so ridiculous. The crab alone would cost more than that in a normal restaurant. Good thing we're not normal.
Image by Daphne Oseña-Paez
