I Lived!

OneRepublic is an American pop rock band consisting of Ryan Tedder, Zach Filkins, Drew Brown, Eddie Fisher, and Brent Kutzle.  They went here in Manila for a leg of their Native Tour late last year, specifically November 6, 2013 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.  I knew the band from a while back and I'm familiar with their singles, I liked some of it to be honest.  But I only really noticed and love them recently, maybe last year.  I can't help but fall in love with their latest album called Native.  Every track in that album is amazing, nothing to throw away!  I swear!  Every song can be their single.  They're that good.  So when I was informed that their coming to Manila, I did not hesitate and decided to watch them perform live! :)

Our tickets!☺  I have this collection of my past concert tickets and every time I look at them, it always lifts my spirit up.  I hope to watch a lot more artists! :)  Please, please, please. :D  

My companions that night.♥  Iza, my friend from high school, on the left and Apols, my cousin, on the right. :)  We settled on Upper Box A tickets because that's what our means can buy that time, but if given the chance, we would have loved to be in the VIP section.  But staying in the upper seats didn't stop us from enjoying the show!  We were jumping up and down, dancing like freaks, and singing our hearts out like there's no tomorrow! :D

Here are my videos but do not expect much because as I've mentioned, we were way up there and besides every thing's just taken using my phone.  So merely enjoy the music, my friend.  OneRepublic is a very good band with really really great songs, if you don't know that already. :)

If you're wondering why the songs aren't complete, I have this thing that I only record a part of the song then just enjoy the performance the rest of the time.  I do not want to waste an awesome experience by just being on my phone recording everything the whole time.  And besides, I do not sing while recording so my voice won't be heard on my recordings.  I learned that trick from my past experiences in watching concerts; I used to sing while recording and my voice is overpowering the vocalist so it turned out really funny when I played it back. :D

Parting shot!  It's always bittersweet.  2 hours is not enough to enjoy an amazing band.  I would have listened and watched OneRepublic perform live for hours and not get tired. :)

                                                                                             Au revoir!☺

Decadence.

Conti's is a popular pastry shop and restaurant in Manila.  It is well-known for their specialty cake called Mango Bravo, a cake made from layers of wafers filled with chocolate mousse, cream, and mango bits.  

I have always wanted to try Conti's savory food because all I ever tasted before was their cakes.  So one time when I was out and about with my family, I decided to bring them at Conti's Bakeshop & Restaurant's Katipunan branch.  I'm always the one who decides where we're going to eat every time we're out, so they just went along with me, as always. :D

Calamari (Php 160.00)

Deep fried squid rings, served with tartar sauce.

Calamari is a staple finger food in the Philippines and you can never go wrong ordering it as an appetizer.  I would order this once again for the tartar sauce! :)

Buffalo Wings (Php 200.00)

Chicken wings glazed with zesty tomato sauce, served with bleu cheese dip.

My family have this buffalo wings addiction that every time it's available on the menu, we cannot not order it.  I prefer the sauce to be spicier, but it's still good though.  Bleu cheese is an acquired taste so what I find horrible can be delicious to another person.

Linguine in Pesto Sauce with Seafood (Php 300.00)

Rich green basil sauce served on linguine with seafood.

This is a winner! I swear! I always order pesto, if available, in every restaurant I dine in because pesto can only be spot on or garbage food; no in-between.  And in this case, it's really spot on.  Even my brother, who is so picky with his food, loved it! :)

Conti's Baked Salmon (Php 360.00)

Norwegian pink salmon baked with their very own topping, served with buttered vegetables and java rice.

I died and went to food heaven!  I. Love. This. Dish.  Though I ate it with plain rice, not the java rice that goes with it.  I will recommend this to everyone.  I can eat this every single day for the rest of my life.  Okay, that's an exaggeration but it's really that good!  Do you see that burnt bits?  That's garlic!  It's amazing!  This salmon ensemble deserves to be their signature dish because it's really really yummy!

Chicken ala Kiev (Php 290.00)

Breaded and deep fried chicken breast filled with cheese and herbs, topped with creamy sauce, served with buttered vegetables and garlic rice.

My sister said this is just an a-okay dish.  She said it's a little bland for her taste and it lacks the kick that makes a dish amazing, like there's something missing.

Roast Beef in Mushroom Sauce (Php 350.00)

Slices of beef in mushroom sauce, served with buttered vegetables and mashed potato or garlic rice.

My brother-in-law loved this!  He finished everything and even had two cups of rice while doing so.  By that, I think it's really good.

Philly Cheesesteak (Php 200.00)

Thinly sliced grilled steak covered with sauteed mushrooms, onions, peppers and cheese on French bread.

I like everything sans the French bread.  I have never been a fan of it.  But nevertheless, a bite of this sandwich is like a really really comforting hug in your mouth(if that even makes sense); the cheese melts in the steak strips, and with the right amount of mushroom, onion and pepper, I forgot that I didn't like eating baguette.

Hearty Club Sandwich (Php 260.00)

Double-decker sandwich of crispy bacon, sliced ham, chicken salad, and cheddar cheese on French toast bread.  Served with potato chips.

Sorry for the blurred photo.  This is my brother's sandwich, like seriously, he's in love with club sandwich.  If I ever have my own cafe or restaurant in the future, I'm gonna call the club sandwich--Ace's Sandwich.  Like the calamari, you can not go wrong ordering this. :)

In my life, I can honestly and whole-heartedly say there is always room for dessert.  Always and forever. :p