This author has moved to a new address!

So much has happened since my last post. I went to writing professionally again as a senior writer for Lifestyle Asia KL before I was recruited as an editor for a social media marketing company.

My recent assignments made me realize how important it is for me keep a back-up copy of all the writings I've been doing. And this prompted me to create a whole new website, which will serve as my online portfolio.

So let me lead you to my new (well, not exactly since it's more than a year old now) website, Reveries & Reviews by Rio Ribaya:

https://rioribaya.wordpress.com

It is where I decide to reside digitally from now on. Aside from publishing my recent articles for various media outfits and freelance projects, I will also be blogging about my personal life there. Oh, you will be reading a lot about my new adventure as an expectant mom (a first timer here)  and our journey into parenthood.

Every once, in a while, I'll try to drop by here if something comes up. But until then, see you in the new website! 

‘Logan’ howls a gritty end to Wolverine spin-offs

To talk about “Logan” in the same breath as “The Dark Knight” would be too much than what Marvel, in its latest attempt, actually accomplished.

Hugh Jackman portrays Wolverine for the last time in Logan as a has-been of brute force that is slowly, excruciatingly fading away.  (Photo by Ben Rothstein)

This is not to say the last Wolverine spin-off didn’t impress. Its raw brutality, perhaps as flawlessly executed as in “John Wick: Chapter 2”, arrests attention while its gutsy stunts throw you into this bleak dystopia, pushing you at the edge of your seat and treating you into a visual feast without going overboard on CGI pyrotechnics. While this R-rated film drives at an analog pace, “Logan” actually takes viewers to a path darker than most X-Men movies usually go, where every explosion of violence staged satisfactorily scratches a primitive itch.

The rave reviews are understandable, but insofar as darkness go: James Mangold’s James Howlett was simply neither as dim-witted nor as twisted as Christopher Nolan’s Bruce Wayne in “The Dark Knight”, which earned $1 billion in worldwide box office in 2008. The closing chapter of “Logan,” raking $254.6 million worldwide gross following release this month, lacked moral dilemma which are just a few of the aspects that Batman grappled with to survive. And even though the Uber-driving mutant bore the heavy burden of taking care an ageing Professor X, he was only concerned about survival – a replay of Wolverine’s backstory only this time, set in 2029, a period when X-Men are close to being extinct.

But whatever “Logan” lacks in conscience (or a more worthy opponent other than Dr. Zander Rice), he makes up with heart and grit.

It’s a heart-warming drama shot in a language that looks almost classical. It is the most human of all the X-Men films we’ve seen. The harder it was to watch a disintegrating Logan gets beating after beating, the more natural it was to see him find strength in his weakness and transform into a protector and mentor of Laura, the 11-year old mutant prodigy who we’re told to have sprung from Wolverine’s own DNA.

A cross between Mickey Rourke’s “The Wrestler” and George Steven’s “Shane”, the 2 and a half hour-long storyline felt a little bit “stitched” on to its predecessors and isn’t even as darkly exciting as “The Wolverine.” What holds it almost single-handedly together was Hugh Jackman, who was able to portray the tough mutant in way that is rare in any superhero movies: a has-been of brute force that is slowly, excruciatingly fading away.

The end of “Logan” is touching, reminding us that his tenacity is what made his character enduring and as memorable as Jackman first played him 18 years ago.

'The Humble Chef' Offers Generous Food For RM5

Ever since I moved in this cosmopolitan city last year, I have been frequenting this nice little place called The Humble Chef in Bukit Damansara. As its name suggests, this unassuming place serves pasta dishes in small servings at an affordable price of RM5.00 per plate.

The Humble Chef at Jalan Medan Setia 2 in Bukit Damansara is open from 12 noon to 11:30 pm. They are closed on Sundays. (Photo: www.vkeong.com).

My husband and I would go here every week because we crave their specialty: carbonara with chicken toppings for me and pesto with shrimp for him. Other options for meat to go with include beef or lamb. 

But just because it's relatively cheap doesn't mean the meals are forgettable as most food in every food court in boleh land. To be honest, I wouldn't use the word "cheap" to describe the foodie place. That would be an insult to the kind and humble chefs working behind the counter. There's definitely more value to it and a guarantee that it wouldn't not suck.

More often than not, small portions discourage people from visiting the same restaurant for a second time. The case is different with The Humble Chef, which just last month or so started going with the tagline "cut smaller, costs less". 

The Humble Chef serves Carbonara with prawn (beef, chicken, or lamb) for only RM5.00 per plate. For more flavor, get theor Pan-Fried Chicken with Spaghetti in Spicy Cream Sauce for RM22.00.

Of course it makes perfect sense: serve little portions would justify budget-friendly prices. But if The Humble Chef relies too much on this business idea alone, I don't think the place would thrive and keep these students, yuppies, young couples like us, and even big families on coming back for more. (Especially on Fridays and weekend afternoons when finding an empty table is such a feat).

Intentional or not, the brains behind The Humble Chef are definitely taking advantage of their small portions as bait to attract people from all walks of life to try their food, which I honestly think taste better than stalls serving Italian food at Food Republic and the likes. Their carbonara definitely has more spunk, and cream that gives off a homey, comfort food vibe. Something that is so rare to find in KL if you have a Filipino palate like me. 

(Tip for Pinoys: There is a Filipino restaurant called Merienda 2 or 3 doors away from The Humble Chef but I always go with the last one because of the price range. To get more value out of my money. Mas sulit talaga.)

Enjoy this Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream for only RM6.00 at the Humble Chef along Jalan Medan Setia 2 in Bukit Damansara

Once you tried out their food, it's hard to resist the urge of getting another plate to satisfy your big appetite. You just have to order one more. In fact, I always notice couples or small group of hipster friends having an extra plate of pasta on their tables. Either that or you just go back to the counter and buy their sandwhich (with the choice of beef, chicken, or lamb spreads) for only P2.50 each. They also serve mushroom soup and pita bread.

Another thing I like about the The Humble Chef is their desserts. I like the fact that I don't need to look for another place so I can just end my lunch or dinner with a bang of sweet things. Their Chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream on top never failed me. For only RM6.00, you'll experience a harmonious marriage between a hot/moist brownie with cold vanilla ice cream. If that one isn't available, I would go for their Cheese Souffle. Again, for RM6.00.

Those with sweet tooth need to watch out, however. The Humble Chef changes their dessert line-up every now and then. If you happen to visit and saw a Chocolate Lava Cake on their chalk board, make sure to order that one. They offer that as rare as you can find Mewtwo when you go Pokemon-hunting. 

Matta Fair: Damaging Bank Accounts Since 1975

I have been to expos before: Job and bridal fairs, expos on coffee and even halal products. But I haven't really been to a travel expo before until my colleagues dragged me to the most recent Matta Fair that opened at the Putra World Trade Center (PWTC) last Friday. And only then I realized what I have been missing out on.

My awesome colleagues (L to R) Malyn, Bella, Yvonne, and Zain posing with MAS' quirky Queen's Guard on the opening day of Matta Fair 2016.

Dubbed as the biggest travel extravaganza in Malaysia, Matta Fair stands for Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta), where tourists can get vacation and travel packages on low, low prices. It is a three-day event that happens twice a year - usually on March and September.

I was like a kid in a candy store. For someone who has been deprived of any decent trips in a couple of months, I don't know which booth out of less than 200 should I first check out since every poster, standee, and flyer were all competing for my limited attention. Some of the things I saw made me crazy:

People arrive in droves during the opening of Matta Fair 2016.

* Domestic tour packages:

Since my husband and I have been talking about going on a quick getaway trip to Genting Highlands. We were supposed to go to Sabah, but I had recently started on a new job so that had to wait. 4 to 5-star hotels brought down their rates like madmen. I couldn't decide which one to book: Thistle, Lexis, or Avillion so I went back with Salman in tow on the second day, so he can book us at The Avillion Port Dickson. We are going at the end of the month. Can't wait!

* Activities/Leisure

It was hard for me to leave luxury cruise ship packages and water park rates, to be honest. They were so cheap! But I had to forget about that first since I have to prioritize going home to Manila for Christmas.

* Airline tickets

My colleague said flights to London were really affordable. But I'm not yet ready for a long-haul vacation just yet, so I booked a flight to Manila to attend a dear friend's wedding in November for almost P5,000 round-trip. Not bad considering the date is quite near. Too bad dates for Christmas/New Year's homecoming were blocked. (or else more damage would have been done.)

* ASEAN

Most of the items I have yet to tick on my bucket list when I was still single include visiting captivating places in the neighboring Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, and Cambodia. It's a shame to admit I haven't even been to Thailand!

Malaysian travel enthusiasts check out awesome vacation and tour deals offered at Matta Fair 2016.

As we were thinking of which vacation to take for early next year. A sad realization dawned on me. As a Filipino in Malaysia, my country's widely popular It's More Fun in the Philippines brand is obviously missing out on the event. Sri Lanka Tourism almost blasted my ears off every time we pass by their booth in Hall 3. It was not easy to ignore the regal poster of India's Taj Mahal somewhere nearby and we couldn't even get through Wonderful Indonesia's long both heading to the exit.

No wonder only a handful of Malaysians know any tourist attractions or travel spots in the Philippines except Boracay and Cebu (Thanks Cebu Pacific.) I keep on hearing them talking about Thailand's Krabi or Phuket, Indonesia's Bandung and Lobok, even Cambodia and Vietnam but not Philippine's Coron or Camarines Sur islands. And I don't wanna sound too bragging about our country's pristine beaches but I can't help it when I know there is a need to promote our top tourist destinations and travel spots in the Philippines it to my peers and colleagues.

So shout out to the Department of Tourism in Manila as well as the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. It would really be more fun in the Philippines if we get more of our Malaysian brothers and sisters visit our country by joining the next Matta Fair in 2017!

8 Years Later...

After 8 long years, I finally remembered I do have a blog. Perhaps, I wanted to forget about the heartache (most especially the boy) too much that I also forgot about my log-in details.

One thing I've learned in my long years of absence in blogging is you do not have to wallow in the darkest pits of regrets when you're mourning the death of a relationship. You just have to go out there, embrace your flaws, improve and love yourself before others can love you the way you want to be loved.

Anyway, that is so light years away. A lot of things happened and I'm happy to report that I have already moved on. Thank God! I am no longer a journalist and I just recently left Manila to be with my husband in Kuala Lumpur. We've been married for over a year now.

And with that, I reckon this prompts a change in direction of this blog. I will no longer try to make you feel sorry for me with my hugot entries because I am already done with self-pity. I just want you to join me in discovering the joys in being a foreigner in a new city. Let's discover this city together!

Talk to you guys soon. XoXo