It’s been a week and then some since I had my first taste of Yabu. Yabu is a local katsu restaurant. I’m not really a fan of katsu—at least, the ones I’ve previously had. But, I had been meaning to try it out, just to see what the fuss was all about. I finally went with Sarie (read her review) on November 26, thanks to an invitation from Mike.

I’ve already gone back once (with my family in tow), and writing this review is actually making my mouth water at the thought of all the good food I ate. I tried to sample everything I could possibly on those two trips. They asked me and Sarie to move to a bigger table, because of our enormous spread. I’d have to say that nothing disappointed.

Sarie and I each got the Kurobuta US Premium Pork Set (Php 515) because it’s Yabu’s specialty. The meat, which apparently is like the pork version of kobe beef, was absolutely tender and the batter wasn’t slathered on but was thin and crispy. I think that this is what really sets Yabu apart from the kind of katsu that I’m used to. It was just really delicious.

Most of Yabu’s menu consisted of meal sets, which come with rice, unlimited cabbage (salad), miso soup, pickled vegetables and fresh fruits. A great deal if you are starved, not so if you don’t have such a big appetite. The servings were hefty, but it didn’t feel like you were stuffing yourself with just batter and oil.

The ala carte menu had offerings of hire, chicken, and potato croquettes, among other things, but we had our eyes on the seafood! We both got a piece of Black Tiger Prawns (Php 125), Oysters (Php 100) and Scallops (Php 100) each. The price may be a little bit daunting, but the pieces (especially the oysters and the scallops) were quite large and so very tasty.

I personally didn’t care much for the prawns, but I think that might have had to do with me being so full by the time I ate this. The ala carte selections are served with some Japanese mayo-based concoction, which I tried and actually liked. (I vehemently dislike any sort of mayonnaise.) It’s not that the prawns weren’t good, it’s just that if I was to get only one type of seafood, I would go with either the oysters or the scallops, no question.

Scallops. I must say, I have never met scallops this huge before. It is an introduction I very much enjoyed.

Half a scallop! Sarie had to take a photo of mine because she inhaled hers right away. You know, because of deliciousness.

Oysters! These were dee-vine—lightly breaded and bursting with flavor. On my inevitable next trip, I think I will get the oyster meal, which comes with four oysters. Yum!

Now, on to the sauce: I don’t think this is a secret ingredient, but it absolutely helped! You’re supposed to mix the katsu sauce with ground up sesame seeds. Feel free to ask for more of these, since you will no doubt finish at least two bowls of katsu sauce for the duration of your meal. At least, I did on both occasions.

And then, I’m posting this photo just because it’s cute.

Other things I’ve tried: Chicken Katsu, which I enjoyed more, only because I’m not such a pork person, and Chicken Curry, which was pretty good but I have a new love affair with katsu sauce.

I’d also like to commend the staff. They are helpful, attentive, and also they laughed at our jokes, which is something that I always enjoy.

I cannot wait for my next trip.

Yabu: House of Katsu is located at 2/F Mega Atrium, SM Megamall. Store hours are Mon-Sun: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

NOTE: The meal prices on the menu are not inclusive of 12% VAT and 5% Service Charge so it’d be safe to mentally add 17% when picking an order, just to make sure you’re budgeting right.

So much has happened these past few days. I put up my own show, which was both gratifying and encouraging. I’ve been turning down heavy design jobs to consciously concentrate on making art. I still say yes to small projects, though as I’ve been running out of time but also having the time of my life. At least, in that aspect. Thank you to everyone who’s been supportive and, well, nice about my work. Warms the heart, it really does.

Lately, the difficulties of happily living a life in the way that I would like to have presented themselves to me, and in moments of blind panic, I just really shut down. It’s always dumb and irresponsible, but I am a wallower, so I wallow. I don’t want to be anymore, though. I used to think that there were situations that I absolutely couldn’t rise above and so, despite claiming to be a never give-upper, I have thrown the towel in countless times and pitied myself and I reveled in my sadness and lameness. I felt sorry for myself, and looking back, I honestly feel ashamed that I indulged in caring too much. I feel ashamed that I decided to not do anything about any of these things and just gave in to my melodramatic, despairing heart.

A lot of other things have happened, too.

My mom’s brother, Tito Dennis, passed away last Sunday. It wasn’t sudden, because the condition of his health wasn’t really a secret. But, Tara Maclay, in “The Body,” said of her mother’s death, “It’s always sudden.” It’s always going to be too soon.

More than mourning for his passing, I am sorry that I never made it a point to get to know him. We went to a couple of memorial services and it was so moving to hear how much of a great teacher, friend and colleague he was (he’s the Director of Computer Science and IT in Asia Pacific College). People loved him there. He was, in their words, a visionary.

It felt really sad to me that I couldn’t say anything much more than “he was always so nice to me” or “his smile always lit up the room” or “he loved his cars so much.” I’ll always be sorry that I never really got to know that side of him that people got to cherish. I don’t have a strong, particular memory with my uncle, and this makes me so sad.

I also feel ashamed that I have invested in people that shouldn’t really matter, but never got to know those who do. I have so many cousins and I never really got to know them as anything more than that. We don’t graduate from small talk, and this new, strange part of me really wants to be there for my family.

In any case, I’m glad that there are so many people who loved him while he was still here. I just hope he knew, in whatever little way I could express, that I loved him, too.

I went to the Ayala Museum for an exhibit by Ang INK (celebrating their 20th year!) last November 21 so I could meet up with Zeus Bascon, who’s a part of INK. He’s an artist and I’m a fan of his work with collages. I also went there because my friend, Franny, is also a part of it.

There were so many people.

By Pepper Roxas, someone who I’ve always associated with INK.

By Bru Sim. Took this partly because I felt like my sister would love it. :)

Here is Fran! And my fat face!

This is what she made. It’s kind of hard to photograph, because it’s glass on both sides, but I can assure you that it’s very, very lovely.

A close-up of a paper boat!

The Fran abides.

You can view 20 Taon at Ayala Museum’s Ground Floor Gallery until January 15, 2012. Follow the link for museum details.

Hello! As I said in the last post, I’ll be having my first solo exhibit soon. It’s called Excavations from the End of the World, and I wanted to make you feel like rifling through the remnants of an apocalyptic event, like the last remaining archaeologist.

Douglas Adams ascribed a new meaning to ‘ahenny,’ which points to the way people stand when they look at other people’s bookshelves. I just wanted to mention that because it generates a certain image of the type of work I’m going to make, and how people will respond to them. At least in my head.

WHEN: December 6, 2011, 6pm.
WHERE: West Gallery, 48 West Avenue, Quezon City
MAP:

If you go, you’ll also see new work by my brother, Luis Santos, Frederick Sausa and Kaloy Sanchez. They are some of my favorite artists, no biases. I posted about Sausa’s and Sanchez’ work before. Also, I will feed you food and beer.

If you can’t make it to opening night, it’s still going to be up until the end of the year (December 31). Let me know if you’re going to pass by, so I can say hi!

Thanks for reading, and I hope I see you there!

Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, 9am – 6pm.
Telephone: +63 2 411 0336
Fax: +63 2 411 9221
Email: info@westgallery.com

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These are some of my old pieces, but they’re pretty close to the kind of work I’m making for this show:

From Manilart.

From a group show.

Thou asketh for space, and thou wast givest. Or something.

Since I didn’t have my own room (I share with my sister), I asked for this huge table that nobody used. I’ve been spending my time there when I want into my “Work Zone,” but I was caught in a flurry of trips that led to it being really, really messy. I haven’t properly moved in yet, but here are some photos anyway.

I don’t know what this cubby hole thing used to be for, but I asked for it, and now I keep my Washi tape, Dymo thingums, and bits and pieces of paper, such as important Field Notes notebooks, which fit snugly into each pocket.

First instinct was to dump everything on this fine, fine desk. The problem is that because it has so much stuff on top of it, I have resorted to working on the floor.

This is a preview of my upcoming show, I guess! Please try to save the night of December 6 for me. I will feed you. :)

The idea is that once I get a breather, I fix this space up really good. It’s a temporary set-up, but it’s the best place I currently have access to, so I might as well make it mine.

Also: I should get used to ghosts, as this area is reportedly haunted. It’s a little problematic, because I find myself scrambling down a staircase at 4:30 in the morning with half-done projects, scared out of my wits because my brain has started to malfunction. BUT I WILL OVERCOME.

Mostly because I have to.

MANILA, Philippines – Tiger Translate, a cross-cultural movement that has taken the world by storm, set its claws on Philippine shores last Friday. Held at KYSS bar on Makati Avenue, Tiger Translate kicked off its celebration of creativity with positively electric sets played by Turbo Goth as well as a live graffiti battle between Nuno and Ekis, both from KST Philippines.

We arrived just in time for a round of giveaways. The place was packed with people ready for a taste of Manila creativity and, of course, of Tiger Beer. Originally from Singapore, Tiger Beer has actually been available in select bars in Manila, but it doesn’t seem like a staple in many Filipino gatherings. It’s a light brew that goes down pretty smoothly, and very good when served ice-cold.

KYSS was adorned with Tiger-inspired pieces from all over the world, showing the breadth and extent of talents worldwide. There was a surge of excitement and a swell of pride as I was looking through the makeshift gallery. There were submissions from Australia, Korea, the UK, Singapore, the Philippines, and many other countries. The astounding part is that they all converged in the same area all of them different from each other but ultimately connected.

They themselves have proclaimed it: Tiger’s mission is to create a massive creative explosion instigated by this exposure to various cultures and experiences. They’ve picked emerging artists who create work that’s engaging and inspiring. They want to see how these things can come together, and they want to take the rest of the world along for the ride. Tiger Translate is all about posibilities discovering, creating, and reacting to them.

The first Tiger Translate in Manila was just a peek into the world of Filipino artists wild, understated, bold, and unpredictable. It’s also good exposure to the kind of work that’s being made all over the world. I, for one, am excited to see the rest. — SUPREME, The Philippine Star, 26 November 2011.

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Tiger Translate has a couple more events coming up in Manila. Stay tuned for announcements by following @TranslateMNL on Twitter and http://tigertranslatemanila.tumblr.com. For more information, visit http://tigertranslate.com.

photos under the cut