May the odds be ever in your favor

You'd think Suzanne Collins had an idea of how things are run in Philippine showbiz when she wrote the Hunger Games. Power trips, glamour, scripted stunts, love teams and rumors  - you don't need to look too far to say how you can relate. 

The Hunger Games as a trilogy already has a solid storyline - it all boils down now to how to take that to film.

Over all, I liked the movie adaptation. I was expecting more bloodbath but what the heck - I looked around the movie house and there were kids! But judging from the people's gasps on the Cornucopia scene and when they saw how young were the Tributes that died, I think the movie has made its point. 

I just feel bad though how the friendship between Peeta and Katniss, and Gale and Katniss wasn't strongly established. Even for me who's read the books, I still felt clueless as to why Katniss looked at Peeta in a certain way when he was called during the Reaping. The flashbacks only helped a little. I wish it showed more of why Gale was her best friend - the things they did together, how he watched out for her; the struggle Katniss had to go through selling the game she caught in her hunting trips. I think those parts were important because that's when you'd get to know who and from where are the three main characters coming from. 

Another part that lacked emphasis was Cinna talking Katniss and Peeta through their costumes for the Tribute parade and why they needed to be stone-faced and fierce, compared to the other Tributes who were smiling and waving at the audience. Cinna was my favorite character in all three books. He knows and sees all through the bull that the Capitol pulls, but he still does his job and encourages Katniss.

I had a totally different vision of him and Haymitch in the book, but the actors (Lenny-freakin'-Kravitz!) who played their characters did justice to their parts. Jennifer Lawrence was also perfect as Katniss. And I am torn between Liam Hemsworth's fool-proof hotness and Josh Hutcherson's arresting boyish charms. If Katniss was in some chic flick movie I'm sure she'd have a hard time choosing between them. Lol.

I remember reading through Rue's part for three times - each with more tears than the first. So I guess it's a given that I was trying to pull myself together during the scene that led up to her death. I was most looking forward to that moment and the movie did not disappoint.

I think the movie was OK as a movie, but my suggestion? Read the books too not because it's better, but because you'd get the storyline more since it's not condensed. I understand the time limitations so maybe that's why not everything's explained or given emphasis. 

The Hunger Games is more than a sci-fi flick that showcases violence and tolerates murder. It makes you think how we act as normal human beings. Everyday is a dog-eat-dog world, and unintentionally and not literally, we're killing someone with our actions just to survive for another day. We become someone we're not because a situation forces us to. 

Are we going to be like Cato, who only knows how to kill because he thinks that's what's he's born to do; or Cinna or Peeta, who refuses to be a piece of the game? Do we resist the system or go with it?

<3

Who wants Crispy Kare-Kare?! Raise your hands!

As a treat to their 2,000-strong (and growing) Facebook fans, C2 Classic Cuisine is giving you the chance to sample their best-seller (and one of my personal favorites) - the Crispy Kare-Kare!

There's a reason why they're famous for this dish, and now is your chance to find out why. How? 

1. Like C2 Classic Cuisine's Official Facebook page.

2. Go to the album 'Crispy Kare-Kare On Us!'

3. Select from the photos which date you want to avail of the free Crispy Kare-Kare. 

4. Leave a comment, 'I want that kare-kare!' on the particular photo.

5. If you're among the FIRST 30 to leave a comment in any of the photos, dine in at C2 Greenhills for P1,000 and above, and that kare-kare is yours!

Promo is from March 24 - 31, 2012 and is valid only at C2 Greenhills.

It's graduation season so make sure C2 Classic Cuisine is your top choice where to celebrate this memorable occasion.

Kain!

<3

Tasty Thursday

I do not even know where and how to begin this.

Ever since Madel's invitation to the launch of C2 Classic Cuisine's launch, I have to admit it was all what Maine and I looked forward to for almost a week. As I am only a 'foodie' in terms of eating (I can burn a kitchen, haha) I thought of bringing with me Cai, since by experience I know she knows her way around the kitchen; or Paulo because he has a way with food. Neither could make it so I went head-on alone in my first ever food blogging experience.

C2 is operated by the Cravings Group and is an affiliate of Center for Culinary Arts. They serve redefined classic Filipino comfort food - from sinigang to halo-halo - you'd think it's an entirely new dish.

Today, they invited a handful of Facebook fans and bloggers to sample the latest additions to their menu this 2012. 

Chef Oliver took us through the ingredients and inspirations behind every dish and the new look of C2 Greenhills. The interior's look is now more homey and more Filipino, accented by the mural paying homage to the Ortigas area. 

Photo: C2 Classic Cuisine

He also runs Casa Roces, a Spanish-Filipino restaurant which is right across Malacanang.

The weather was just perfect for the first dish that began what would be a glorious food coma: Grilled Liempo Sinigang

In true C2 fashion, the broth is served separately from the meat and vegetables. You can enjoy the grilled liempo as it is, and you can smother your rice with the sinigang broth. The combination seems unlikely but they actually complement each other. Plus, their sinigang has just the right amount of sourness to it.

The Tinolang Binakol was brought out along with the sinigang.

It's the classic tinola (one of my homemade favorites) but C2 served it with another Filipino noodle staple - sotanghon. 

This bibingka-like dish is called Tortang de Canghero. It's crab meat omelet with vegetables, topped with the same garlic-y sauce that goes with their Lumpiang Hubad.

Of course, a true Filipino meal is never complete without rice.

We were served Bringhe (top) which is stir-fried rice with Chinese chorizo, chicken, and vegetables. The clincher for this is the coconut cream. It's not overwhelming - just the right kick to give it that surprising burst of flavor once it hits your mouth. The Adobo Rice (bottom), meanwhile, is another Filipino dining staple. I guess you can never go wrong with this.

Then it's time for another pork dish, Kinilaw na Liempo.

I was actually not able to try this dish because I was so busy with the Bringhe. But according to Maine, there was a hint of spice in it.

And then they brought out what is now OFFICIALLY, my sworn C2 favorite: Walastik!

It's C2's take on the ultimate Bistek (slang for beef steak) Tagalog. What makes it uniquely C2's is the fact that it's not only beef that's in it, but pork liver too. And I loved the onion rings! Like what Chef Oliver said, we're used to the onions served together with the bistek so he decided to shake things up a bit and make onion rings instead. Genius.

We took a break from the meat and made room for Grilled Gindara.

Don't let the fact that it's grilled fool you - the fish was actually tender! 

The last of the main course was Sotanghon Guisado. 

C2 aims to re-create the familial feeling of shared meals in a typical Filipino household, hence the serving sizes of all their dishes are meant for sharing. This was a perfect example. It was more than good for three! 

Yes, there MUST be room for dessert.

Who wouldn't love some good old Palitaw?!

Around this time all of us were feeling full already. I thought the Palitaw was the last but wait! there's more!

                

The sun was beginning to peep from the clouds and the halo-halo was a perfect way to end lunch. One of the reasons I'm not fond of eating halo-halo is the ridiculous amount of ice I have to chew after I get past the ingredients on top. C2's halo-halo is an exception to that because the ice is blended - think frappucino-style ice. It wasn't a chore eating it! And the sweet coconut jam (which almost everyone guessed to be caramel) more than satisfied our sweet tooth.

Prior to today, C2 was synonymous to just 'Crispy Kare-Kare' in my mind. Now that I know there's more to discover in their menu, for sure I'm coming back to try the rest and for more of what I got to sample this afternoon. 

Photo: Michelle of My Mom-Friday

Thanks again to the team - Kat, Rafael, Madel, Chef Bless and Chef Oliver - for having us! Will definitely see you again soon :)

Now, I'm off to sleep with Bringhe dreams! 

<3