Crazy Katsu

Crazy Katsu

Filipinos, in general, love sports.  And with it, betting on the outcome of a game or match.  The wager could be in the form of money, a valuable item or anything agreed upon. Betting gives one something to look forward to and adds excitement while watching the event. To this claim that Filipinos like to bet, I agree.  And I am no exception.             I had this bet with my friend Rouel.  I was predicting a Novak Djokovic win over Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon finals.  Still actively playing tennis, Rouel picked Nadal to win the crown though he knew that the odds were against the Spaniard.  Prior to the match, Novak had a 4-0 win-loss record against his archrival.  At this point, I thought this would be my chance to get even with Rouel as he beat me in the last NBA finals.            And so game time came and we watched the Wimbledon on cable TV at Bob's place near Capitol Hills.  With San Mig Lite, naturally.  Novak easily took the first two sets, struggled and lost in the third, but regained his composure in the 4th to complete his mastery of the left-handed Nadal.  He annexed the Wimbledon crown for his second Grand Slam title for the year.  Needless to say,  I was jubilant.  And so was Rolly Dayco.             Oh, I forgot to tell you what the wager was.  It was a dine out in a resto of my choice. So one Saturday night, we were at Crazy Katsu, a small but cozy restaurant somewhere in the area of Diliman, Q.C. . We had spicy and crunchy Chicken Katsu, fish and vegetable Tempura,  Katsudon and Tonkatsu.  With unlimited rice.  Just like unlimited text, so I thought.  And did I like the food?  You bet !!! - Konted Chicken Katsu Katsudon Fish & Vegetable Tempura  Tonkatsu Japanese food delights... With Rouel Q & Bobbit S (owner of Tipanan Resto in San Francisco)

Here is Mayweather again !!

Champ Floyd Mayweather in controversial win

Here is Mayweather again !!

             That was a knockout win by Floyd Mayweather, Jr.  But a controversial one.  And controversies seem to follow him everywhere and everytime.  The fight was for Victor Ortiz's WBC welterweight title.  And Pretty Boy's first in 16 months.  Really a long layoff.

              Let us recall that controversial  incident. I clearly saw that one. Ortiz was pressing and taking the fight to Mayweather in the latter part of Round 4, forcing him to the ropes.  Ortiz threw a combination of punches which Mayweather, a defensive genius, was able to parry.  Obviously frustrated, the Mexican resorted to a dirty tactic.  With a complete body follow through, Ortiz thrushed his head into Pretty Boy's jaw and mouth.  It was clearly intentional and not an accidental banging.

              Referee Joe Cortez halted the fight and deducted a point from the Mexican. Showing remorse, Ortiz apologized to Mayweather and even planted a kiss on the agitated American boxer.  After a few seconds, fight had officially resumed.  But Ortiz, seemingly guilty for his unsportsmanlike behaviour, approached the MoneyMan and apologized once more, wrapping his arms around his opponent's body. 

               Next was the pivotal moment.  As Ortiz stepped back, his gloves were still down when he should have taken that fighting stance.  Was Ortiz being naive at this point?  Was he aware of what was happening?  Pretty Boy threw a left and still the Mexican would not defend himself.  A strong right punch finally floored Ortiz for good.

               Clearly, the fight had resumed.  And definitely, Ortiz should have been in that defensive posture.  And definitely, too, he lacked awareness at a very crucial moment.  And in boxing, every moment is crucial.  As my favorite Mexican character would say:  " Estupido" !!!!

                                                                                     -Konted

Official Weigh-in

A strong right from Mayweather in the early rounds

A jolting left from Mayweather

The dirty headbutt by Ortiz

The 1st punch after the break (4th round)

1st punch viewed from another angle

2nd punch -- Ortiz should have protected himself by this time.

Ortiz is counted out

Pretty Boy with singer Keyshia Cole

Pretty Boy with new girlfriend Shantel Jackson

Shantel Jackson gives moral support during court proceedings

Mayweather and his flashy cars

Floyd's Maybach

Floyd's  $ 9 million 22,000 SQ FT Mansion in Las Vegas

Reception Area

From another angle

Computer room

Wine and liquor section

Master's bedroom

Movie room

Portrait of the Champ

*images from www.google.com

A Feast From The Sea

Vikings' Buffet logo near entrance

A Feast From The Sea

         Eat all you can promo has been the in thing nowadays and its commercial success is proven.  Guests help themselves to a variety of food attractively arranged in several food stations.  Prices vary depending on the type of food served, classification of business establishment and the location.

          With a catchy phrase "a feast from the sea", a relatively new buffet restaurant is posing a serious challenge to older, more established buffet eateries in Metro Manila. Vikings' Buffet is ideally  located at Seaside Boulevard near Mall of Asia.  This I found out when I met two balikbayan friends from San Francisco last week and we dined at this spacious restaurant which has a seating capacity of more than 600 diners.

          Vikings offers a wide variety of cuisines, ranging from American to Asian to European.  The choices seem endless when looking at the culinary delights.  We came before noon and positioned ourselves near the seafood section as we wanted to concentrate more on the bounty of the sea and have them broiled.  Seldom do you have long lines as there are numerous food stations located at strategic points in the huge dining area.  The lines flow much more quickly.

          With rectangular tables beautifully and neatly arranged, you don't feel cramped even during peak hours. We came on a Wednesday and price for a weekday differs from that of Saturday and Sunday.  It is P 688 on a regular day and P 1,088 during weekends.  Diners who are 75 yrs old and above, if they are still that strong and still have the appetite for good food, are given 50% discount.

          Now here's the perk.  Unlike in other buffet restaurants, drinks at Vikings, such as mango and pineapple juice, and even draft Beer are included in the price per head and one can drink as much as he desires.  What are you waiting for boys?

- Konted

One of many food stations

Food station at eastern side

Wide dining area

Salad bar

Fresh seafood items

Sushi bar

Assorted broiled seafood

Unlimited shrimps

Tender meat

Dessert

Counter for grilled items

All-You-Can-Eat 

Appetizers

With balik-bayan friends from San Francisco

Price list

Souvenir shot

View of Manila Bay from rear of resto

Special price for kids

A Historic Day Some 39 Years Ago

Pres. Marcos declaring Martial Law in 1972

A Historic Day Some 39 Years Ago

             I woke up late and took the stairs down to our lanai.  It was Saturday.  I opened the wooden cover of our Radiowealth color TV by pushing sideways.  Color TV then was a novelty.  I pulled the button to turn it on.  Surprisingly, there was no signal as only blurred black and white images could be seen.  I turned to our Pioneer stereo system, of which the parts Father bought and meticulously assembled and encased in fine wooden shelves.  Pioneer then was lording it over the other Japanese brands with Sansui coming in close second.  I couldn't get a station and only hissing sounds could be heard.  

            I next tried the small Japanese-made transistor radio with an electronic clock on it. The clock had the right time in crimson red but, just like the stereo and tv, there was no signal.  I lifted the black phone to place a call to a friend.  There was no dial tone.  Oh yes, I do still remember our phone number.  It was 63960.  This later was changed to 600960. And the person I was trying to call was my friend Francis Roldan whose phone number was 239266.

            I was now starting to get irritated.  I turned to my 3- year- old nephew Argie who was playing with his Fisher Price toys sent by his mother from New York. Holding the boy by the arm and in a high pitched voice, I asked: " What did you do with the TV and the stereo?  Did you tinker some parts?  Tell me."  Taken aback, he stared at me and didn't say anything.  Argie was my main 'suspect'.  He was the culprit based on "strong probable cause".

            Night fell and Mother and Father were home.  I was telling them about the appliances and that the small boy probably did something.  And just after having our dinner, we switched on the tv and this time, it was working.  And on the screen was a figure all Filipinos knew very well.  It was President Ferdinand Marcos, with Press Secretary Kit Tatad by his side.  With that familiar voice and tone, President Marcos declared Martial Law throughout the Philippines:  "By virtue of Proclamation 1081, I am placing the entire Philippines under Martial Law......." 

             That was September 23, 1972, although the decree was officially signed on Sept. 21.   From then on, police and military checkpoints were a common sight.  Curfew was set at 1:00 AM in Metro Manila and 12 midnight in the provinces.  But that didn't bother me.  It didn't change my lifestyle.  I continued with my old ways.  The drinking sprees didn't stop. 

             Once I was accosted by the police at a dark portion of Sumulong Highway in Antipolo.  For violation of the curfew rule and my driver's license was confiscated. I was driving a VW Fastback and  I was asked to follow the police vehicle as I was to be confined at the municipal hall.  But when I saw an opportunity, with the police already some 300 meters away, I suddenly turned left at an unlit dirt road lined with big acacia trees. That was a secret passage to our house and very few motorists knew about it.  Not even the Police.  

               It has been 39 years since that fateful day when Martial Law was declared. Many Filipinos condemned Marcos for it.  The hatred, for some, is still there to this day. And looking back, I personally have no rancor or hatred for anyone for those past years.  In fact, I voted for Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. last May 10, 2010.  And why did I vote for Bongbong?  Simply because Bongbong reminds me of his father.  Consequently, Pres. Marcos reminds me of Martial Law days.  And those days were the days when I was young. They were my carefree and happy times.  Those were the days of my vanished youth.  Do I sound weird? 

-Konted

Marcos declares Martial Law on Sept 23, 2011, although it was signed on Sept 21

Policemen arresting an activist

Military incursions at UP

Metrocom Soldiers

Riot squad

President Marcos and First Lady Imelda

Statue of Marcos at Pugo, La Union

Da Apo's body in Ilocos Norte

Imelda Marcos in her younger days

The First Family

Marcos Coin

Marcos with Ninoy Aquino before Martial Law days

Bongbong Marcos is now a Senator

*pics from www.google.com