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Lucban Longganisa. Those are the two words that always come out of my mouth when I talk about the food that I miss the most. Specially when they’re toasted to a crisp with bits and pieces falling off. Oh so… bad for the heart. LOL.

When I made a commitment more than a year ago, I also told myself one thing — that there’s no way in hell I’m giving up my KFC chicken. The whole taking-off-the-skin-and-eating-it-last-shebang, oh yeah, I’m guilty as charged. Which is why it pains me to write something like this about my beloved Kentucky Fried Chicken.

I have two things to rant about.

First, I’m sure a lot have also noticed (but I’m the first person to write about it), how come the Kentucky Fried Chicken Zinger has dwindled so much in size over the past few years? If before I had trouble eating one without spilling some of the juice coming from the chicken patty, in 2008 alone I had two Zingers replaced. If you’ve already bitten the thing two to three times and all you catch is breading, you would too right?

Secondly, my little episode at Kentucky Fried Chicken Shaw just made me realize how bad we train our counter people here in the Philippines (not just in KFC). Not to brag, but I’ve been to quite a few countries, and it is only here that I hear counter people say “Sir, maybe you have a smaller bill?”

What do I usually say to questions like that?

I don’t just answer. I pull out my wallet and show it to them.

And then I say, “Alam mo, kung meron ako, yun ang ibibigay ko.” And that is the absolute truth.

My experience in KFC Shaw was different.

Counter Lady: “Ser, baka meron po kayong tatlong piso?”

Me (in a courteous manner): “Sorry wala eh, 5 pesos lang.”

After I responded, she closes the counter and tries to give me 50 bucks. Take note, my change is P52.

Counter Lady: “Ser, okey lang po ba na kulang ako ng dalawang piso?”

Me: Hindi pwede.

And then she gives me a number and says I can wait for my two bucks.

I mean really, it was almost 7pm, and they didn’t have two pesos? I know it’s just a small amount, but they could be doing that to a good fraction of the thousands who probably walk in there everyday. I noticed that she even closed the cash register before even asking me. It can also be plain laziness, but really, I don’t know what’s worse.

When I was younger, I used to say I wouldn’t mind eating at KFC everyday. That’s how much I love the place. And the food. Times do change, and to a lot of us, unlimited gravy during dine-ins just don’t cut it anymore.

From ALvs

To offset the waste of bandwith I caused with my last post, I decided to share a scan of the following page in the May issue of Men’s Health US.

The Belly Off Club page of Men’s Health US’ Malegrams section is probably one of the most inspiring pages in the magazine. Just by looking at the vital statistics on this guy and the before and after pictures, I just realized that if you really want it bad and are willing to make the necessary sacrifices, you can start feeling good about yourself.

This to me was very significant just this past Sunday, when I was able to play through a whole basketball game without getting subbed. I know it doesn’t sound much, but the accomplishment is relative to how I was able to somehow run jog circles around the same guys I played against last year. Ah, you know what I mean.:P

Since I made it a point to make Men’s Health a part of my life, I’ve seen so much difference, and it really is personally rewarding. And why do I keep blogging about it? Because somehow, I feel that if I wasn’t saving up for my future (lol), I would definitely (again) love to be part of the crew that day in and day out churn out probably the most inspiring magazine in the world. It also goes without saying, Women’s Health Magazine Philippines will also turn out to be the same.

Those guys at Summit Media (you know who you are) are really doing the Lord’s work.

From Alvin Jimenez

To offset the waste of bandwith I caused with my last post, I decided to share a scan of the following page in the May issue of Men’s Health US.

The Belly Off Club page of Men’s Health US’ Malegrams section is probably one of the most inspiring pages in the magazine. Just by looking at the vital statistics on this guy and the before and after pictures, I just realized that if you really want it bad and are willing to make the necessary sacrifices, you can start feeling good about yourself.

This to me was very significant just this past Sunday, when I was able to play through a whole basketball game without getting subbed. I know it doesn’t sound much, but the accomplishment is relative to how I was able to somehow run jog circles around the same guys I played against last year. Ah, you know what I mean.:P

Since I made it a point to make Men’s Health a part of my life, I’ve seen so much difference, and it really is personally rewarding. And why do I keep blogging about it? Because somehow, I feel that if I wasn’t saving up for my future (lol), I would definitely (again) love to be part of the crew that day in and day out churn out probably the most inspiring magazine in the world. It also goes without saying, Women’s Health Magazine Philippines will also turn out to be the same.

Those guys at Summit Media (you know who you are) are really doing the Lord’s work.

From ALvs

I never write about showbiz stuff, because it just isn’t my thing. Watch/read/talk about however, well, let’s just say I always know what’s going on.

Pep.ph has become part of my daily must read as it was after all, pioneered by one of of the most respected writers in not only in showbusiness, but in our country’s history as well — Ms. Joanne Maglipon (For those who don’t know, she was imprisoned during the Marcos era). Karen Pagsolingan, was also a colleague back when I was still on the business side of Summit. She was a former Associate Publisher of Yes! magazine.

Now why did I devote space to this topic? Because of my ire for Ms. Annabel Rama.

“Nako day di nagpoponta se Retsard sa Robinsons noh! Sa is im sya nagshoshow”

That phrase, in my opinion has to be one of the most degrading statements I have ever heard on local television.

I know it is wrong to judge a person based on a single statement alone, more so when that person is emotional, but what do you mean, “sa is im sha nagshohow“? I worked in the print industry for 4 years, in that span of time, I’ve learned that every piece of material you publish has to be sensitive to your core reader’s lifestyle. You never discriminate or put labels on people, because your readership is the main reason you’re still in the business in the first place. Pffft.

Frankly, I don’t care whether that “gun toting” incident did or didn’t happen. I’m just one of those people who think that there can be a peaceful resolution to whatever it is that is happening now.

“Sa is im sha nagshoshow”?

Ms. Annabel Rama, I am not surprised that you have all this trash being hurled at you. Using your statement above, I guess you can tell your son Richard Guiterrez to stop taking Cebu Pacific flights, or eat URC food, or consume URC beverages. The list goes on and on. I hope you can take the civil approach that Ms. Joanne Maglipon and co. are taking now in this thread here.

And oh, just in case you’re still wondering who’s behind Pep.ph, you should know that the site is a joint project between Summit Media and GMA7. Maybe you should file a restraining order on your son’s network too.

From ALvs

If you feel like you’re still on the chunky side (lol) this summer, pick up a copy of Women’s Health Philippines. I won’t guarantee that it’ll change things overnight, but I’m 100% sure Men’s Health’s sister magazine will point a lot of women in the right direction.

I’ve already gotten a chance to browse through a copy, and I’m very confident it’s going to give other women’s magazines out there a very good fight. It’s a GREAT first issue, particularly how it feels a lot more Pinoy than when Men’s Health first came out. And 16 ads in the first issue? Congratulations!

From ALvs

As if I didn’t learn my lesson the last time, I bought yet another item online. This pretty little thing is my new sport, hobby, or whatever else you want to call it. All I know is I hope to someday (this year maybe?) be able to jump off a flight of stairs with it.

Finding these Kit Alphas wasn’t easy at all.

I scoured through all the major sports houses in Metro Manila (even at that Persian dude’s sporting goods store in Greenhills), but couldn’t find the brand I was looking for. The high end bikeshops in Cartimar? They didn’t have any. They told me they used to sell it about 5 or 6 years ago. Even R.O.X. didn’t sell any.

I was just fortunate enough to find this sparingly used pair online. The guy who sold it to me bought it in Singapore, and was selling it because his wife coerced him into getting one even though he wasn’t into it at all.

If you see some 6 foot tall dude trying to keep his balance in UP or The Fort, then it’ll probably me. But seriously, where can anyone find a decent pair of Rollerblades in the Philippines?

From ALvs

It’s always an uphill climb getting a videogame publisher to look at the Philippines as a viable market. Trust me, I’ve fought the long battle before. And believe me, receiving a ton of “I’m sorry but we don’t have a market there” letters can really get to you. If Logan and his adamantium lined self can’t fend them pirates off, I shouldn’t feel bad right? I just thought it would take a lot more than Gyudon strips at Yoshinoya to do it.

I don’t know the details, but Rockstar Games in the a promotional deal with Yoshinoya? Similar cross promotional deals have happened locally before. I’ve seen Sega minigames given away as part of Mc Donald’s Happy Meals, Ragnarok Online entered a trade partnership with Milo and an apparel deal with Penshoppe (I even have one of those shirts), and most recently, E-games with this same Japanese resto chain.

I’m sure a lot of gamers are looking at this as a temporary marketing blitz that can help Yoshinoya’s brand positioning towards in the 13-29 market segment. But what the hell right? This is definitely good news. I’m just one of those who still silently wish Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo can give our 7,000+ islands even the least bit of attention.

A formal press launch for every major console game release shouldn’t be too hard. If anyone’s listening, let’s do it and see how that goes!

From ALvs

It’s been a while since my last post, and with good reason. I recently went through a draining used PS3 chase that left me with no choice but to acquire a new one instead. Outside work and other gym stuff, free time has been more scarce because Nikko Bellic and Chris Redfield. So yeah, no more looking at empty PS3 boxes through store windows!

Well anyway, I was in Trinoma mall yesterday when decided to go to their small technology wing. Even though I didn’t have the money or the time to splurge on another game, I just wanted to find out if there was anything new.

What did I find? Another P500 bucks out my wallet care of CD-R King — on what I think is the cheapest and most useful add-on you can buy for your PS3 controller. If you’re online using your PS3 a lot, you’d know what I mean.

After standing in line for more than 15 minutes, I had purchased myself, a mini QWERTY keyboard attachment for my PS3 controller. The pack came with the following items:

All you need to do is mount the PS3 QWERTY keyboard on the controller using the included mount. When not in use, you don’t even have to take the thing off as it doesn’t interfere with any button or analog controller movements. Unless your playing posture requires you to hold your hands up without using any surface to use an an anchor, the weight of the keyboard (even with the two AAA batteries) won’t cause any kind of discomfort.

Sure, you can plug in a normal USB keyboard, but doesn’t if you’re looking for something more non-obtrusive, this is the way to go.  The PS3 CD-R King QWERTY keyboard controller doesn’t change the way you play the game, but definitely makes it a whole lot easier.

*Apologies for the grainy pics, just used my Nokia E51 camera
**Failed to take a picture, but it uses a standard RF dongle that plugs into the PS3’s USB port.

From ALvs