Sunday today, a needed break from the computers, from the TV, from the house. We strolled inside Glorietta to find lunch. Italianni’s was full house so we decided to eat at Dulcinea.

Dulcinea’s famous for their Churros con Chocolate and superb pastries since the 60’s.The restaurant’s ambiance encourages long meals and lengthy chitchats, that’s so Spanish-like.

The food was great, but the restaurant in Glorietta feels different. I like dining at Dulcinea in Power Plant, or in Greenbelt 1, service is more prompt and the place is much nicer there. Or maybe, because we were seated by the window and I could not help but be bothered by the passer-bys. Nonetheless the meal was wonderful. We only had Paella Marinera, of saffron rice with variety of seafood; shrimps, squid, and fish. The waiter informed us that there would be no shells because of the Red Tide. I didn’t know we have a red tide outbreak now. So okay no shells. But I would still go with another shrimp dish, Gambas al Ajillo, which was just perfectly tasteful, and the shrimps were so fat and good. We had complimentary mushroom soups, too, to sustain the hungry stomach for the long, but acceptable, waiting time of our orders. The Banana Crepes closed the almuerzo, and so we are full.

Gracias a Dios por la buena comida.

I’m still purging my files, found this, and found that. Found Wall-E! though this is not old. Wall-E was shown in theaters June of this year, and we were not able to catch it on the big screen, husband got a copy and we watched it at home. I am fond of Wall-E. It was like Charlie Choplin animated and futuristic. My son was able to behave himself and remained seated all throughout the movie. I even got him the toy, but he’s not quite interested with it like how attentive he was to the film.

In a scary future, when human beings had to leave Earth for a safer and cleaner space, Wall-E (Waste Allocation Load-Lifter Earth-Class), a robot designed to tidy up the forsaken planet, was left on his own with only a pet cockroach to keep him company. For centuries of perpetuated activation, he got the ability of a sentience. He collects gadgets-and-gizmos, and he loves to watch an old video of the movie musical Hello, Dolly! Also he was to learn about human emotions including love.

Until one day, Eve (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator), a reconnaissance robot, was sent to Earth to find proof that it could sustain life once again. Wall-E fell inlove with Eve. He showed her a plant he had recently found among the trash. With Eve’s directives to find life, she took the plant inside her, automatically she shut-down, and her ship came back to fetch her. Found love and wouldn’t want to let go, Wall-E followed Eve.

Then, the adventure began, Wall-E and Eve, and some other robots, helped the Captain seize back the ship of human beings from the mutineer Auto. And the ship wheeled back to Earth, carrying the humans who inhabited the ship in outer-space for centuries.

And there was a happy-ever-after ending, when Eve kissed Wall-E, and he was revived after being hurt and severely broken by the antagonist Auto.

Lesson from the story? We have to seriously take good care of Earth. Start now in your very own homes, recycle, practice proper waste disposal, and teach your children to conserve and preserve valuable things, such as water and food. Also, there’s looking after our health, proper nutrition and exercise. Imagine getting so fat and slow like the humans in the movie. I would probably die of Asthma in no time. And then there’s love. Love and survival, and having a positive outlook in everything.

I was going over the drives _hard drives, external, and even flash drives, checking for not-so-important files to delete. Then I found photos of us taken a year ago at Cavinti, Laguna.

Porta Verde is a lovely resort beside the lake. The man-made lake is huge that offers many exciting activities like kayaking, jet skiing and fishing. But I didn’t do any of those. I’ve learned from a caretaker that the water level’s 50 feet. I’m not really that adventurous after all. I’m contented with the pool and the jacuzzi. And the luxury of the comfy cabañas, and the sundeck overlooking the handsome lake.

We got the Marang Cabana. An air-conditioned sleeps-two cottage with a queen size bed and a bathroom. Also a lanai were we could eat lunch, and has the view of the lake.The interior design are reflections of Filipino ingenuity, so they say. The massive bed has a canopy post of bamboos.

The resort is in Barangay Lumot, and only two and a half hours drive from Makati. It is in South of Caliraya Lake, and both Lumot and Caliraya are man-made lakes.

There are so many wonderful things to see and do in Laguna. Calamba was Dr. Jose Rizal’s birth place (Philippines’ National Hero), the famous Pagsanjan Falls, Taytay Falls, Majayjay, and the hot spring resorts in Los Baños on the slopes of Mt. Makiling. And if you happen to go there, stop by Paete. The wood carvings and papier mache of Paete are sought by many. And the delicious Buko Pie is a must buy, must eat, must taste. You won’t miss the stores. You’ll be surprised to see many people in line for a purchase.

My Strawberry and Banana Cheesecake at “Heaven n Eggs” earlier today was heavenly. It has eternally been. But today is different, gone are the blue skies and white painted big chairs. For a very long time ’til today we decided to eat at the Glorietta branch, beside Bread Talk. The black, neatly-upholstered sofa didn’t change the taste of their delicious pancakes. As always, I had my graham and banana pancakes topped with whipped cream cheese, and strawberry syrup.

Husband had Angus Tapa and I got BiZtek fillet of beef with soy citrus glazed served with shoestring potatoes. I ordered one big Italian sausage pasta for Daniel, but ended up in the doggybag since he was more interested with my Biztek. The doggy bag was meant for me and/or husband for later to gobble up, of course. Also we don’t have dogs to feed.

I liked the sofa. But the old interior of blue skies, yellow, and white colors’ more cheerful and homey than their dark rockstar theme now. And Pepe Smith’s name on Heaven and Eggs’ new menu design feels weird. I have nothing against him, it’s just that I am not a fan of rockstars, but of blue heavens and good pancakes.

**Glorietta 4, Ground Level, Makati City, Philippines

I just realized that it’s already mid-week and I lie idle. Last weekend was busy for us at home with my Daniel, work and house chores. Also my sister-in-law’s coming home for an early Christmas vacation. Husband had a busy schedule but we managed to squeeze in Madagascar II. After all, the last movie all three of us watch together in the big screen was the Kung Fu Panda.

Our Daniel was screaming with excitement when he saw Alex and the rest of the gang of zoo animals. The animals; were excited too as they board the make-shift plane to fly them back home to the New York Zoo.

The story’s twist and turn began when the plane crashed in the Middle of Africa. Blame it or not to the crazy penguins. Also aboard the plane were the British Chimps, Lemur King Julian and his sidekick Maurice.

Alex was reunited with his long lost family, but then he was banished from the pride because he wasn’t able to pass the lions’ rite of passage. Marty ascertained that he was not at all very unique like what he thought he was. And there were hundred of zebras who look, act and talk altogether like him. Gloria’s desperate searched for the love-of-her-life made her turn to Moto-Moto, the hottest hippo in the waterhole (Moto means “Hot”, he says he’s too hot that you gotta say his name twice). Melman, who found his call as a witch doctor and thought he caught a deadly desease, lose hope but then found the courage to tell Gloria of his love.

Then the story ended with a happy closing. Alex and the gang stayed in Africa. Of course, that was after they saved the drying waterhole, and kicking the butt of the traitor out of the pride.

I was moved when Suba, Alex’s father, do the funny dance with him to save the watering hole by opening the dam. And honestly, the lion-kicking-the granny scene shocked me. I understand the old woman was an evil granny who hates Alex dearly, but beating and kicking her on the face was completely appalling.

Overall the movie was great and really funny. The lines were really entertaining and hilarious.