Holdak: The Real Korean Fried Chicken

Who doesn't like chicken?  Well, of course, those who are allergic to it are an exception.  But, anyway, I love chicken.  And luckily I was invited to attend a blogger's event featuring Holdak last May and I should say that I really enjoyed it.  But the downside to it was it's pretty far from where I stay.  I live in a nearby province, so Sta. Mesa, Manila is not feasible for me to go to (or maybe I'm not used to going to that part of the metro).  Although I have a very good friend who lives within the area that I haven't seen in years, so I went for a visit before heading to the event.  So it's a win-win situation for me!  :)

If you're commuting, take MRT to Cubao, then LRT 2 to V. Mapa.  SM Mezza Residences is on your right before approaching V. Mapa station.  It's just a five-minute walk from the station to Mezza.  Holdak is situated at the ground floor facing Aurora Boulevard so you won't miss it.

--

Now to the food and the event!

We were given some curry fries and drinks while waiting for the event to start.

So why is it called Holdak anyway?  It sounds like the Tagalog word holdap meaning holdup or armed robbery at gunpoint, or the act of being mugged.  But it's nowhere close to those.  It is a word play between a Korean phrase "Holdak ban hada" meaning "to fall deeply and madly in love with someone or something," and dak, which is chicken in Hangul.  Witty, no?  So Holdak is "to fall deeply and madly in love with chicken," and they really got me there.  I'm in love...with their chicken!  Seriously!  I'm not saying this just because I was invited to this event.  If you have read my previous posts, you may now know how honest I am especially when posting a review about food.  And I'm craving for these right now (this is what I don't like when blogging about food, it gives me these unnecessary cravings late at night).

Upper left:  Musicians behind the skit, and with some bloggers.
Upper right:  actors in action.
Bottom:  Carl Tan, Holdak president

The event started by entertaining us with a short skit from Kapeng Barako Club: Samahan ng mga Bitter. They were really good.  The name of the theater group and their presentation reminded me of the stage play that I did back in college (and after), Kapeng Malamig.  Props to them.  It's nice to see something new in an event like this.  :)

And as soon as the introduction and skit were done, we were then presented with plates of Korean fried chicken.  Yey!

Yang-nyam

Yang-nyam is their original Holdak fried chicken that is sweet, sour and salty at the same time.  Perfect for a Filipino palate.  I love it!

Jack Daniels

I expected too much from Jack Daniels.  I find it too sweet and didn't even get the hint of whiskey.  Well, I don't know if it really is included on the recipe, but why name it after a famous drink if it's not there, right?

Spicy Yang-nyam

If you are into real spicy goodness, then this one is for you.  Yang-nyam is a traitor.  You think, nah, it's not spicy, but after a couple of minutes, you will be breathing fire.  But, of course, you can customize its spiciness upon ordering.

Padak

Padak is my best pick among the rest of the flavors that they served.  It is better eaten with the spring onions.  Panalo!  (Winner!)


What I love the most on their chicken is the breading: crispy to its finest; and they serve chicken breast fillets.  The meat is not bland and salted just right, while their sauces are not too strong, which is great!  I'm an absolute believer of simplicity in all things.  I'd rather eat a simple dish than the elaborately prepared ones.

Aside from their chicken dishes, we were served with a couple of their side dishes.

Cheese Ramen

I never thought of adding cheese on my ramen.  This is very witty.  Anything with cheese is good.

Salad

Their side salad is just okay.  Nothing fancy.  Nothing to rave about.  It just helps whetting your palate for another plate of Holdak chicken.  

And for dessert: ice cream on a stick.  I'm not quite sure if this ice cream pop is included on their menu, but it is really good.  

Yup, I ate 'em all.

Will I ever go back to this restaurant?  Definitely.  Do I prefer this rather than similar chains?  YES.  Why?  I just loved everything in it.  Their menu is straightforward, only a few selections, which I think is great; and their food is really good.  But I do hope that they could keep the quality in the long run (because that's the common mistake of all restaurants/food chains out there).

Padak, I will get to taste you once again!  And I'm looking forward to it this Sunday since I'll be visiting my friend from Sta. Mesa.  Yey!  I'm a chicken monster!!!  Yang-nyam yum yum yum yum yum!

You might want to check it out too! :)

Acting With Cups Of Coffee

a backlog blog post.  more to come.

---

I'm no coffee drinker.  Well, I used to, but due to my acid reflux I have to stay away from it as much as possible.  But I never stayed away from two types of coffee that played a huge part on my acting career: Kapeng Malamig and Flat Whites.  I've been acting here and there (nothing mainstream), but these two coffee-titled projects made a mark in me.

It was in "Kapeng Malamig" (Cold Coffee) where I had my first kiss.  My first ever kiss, and on stage, but with a lady who happened to be my friend!  I played the role of a lesbian lover named Mitch on its first run back in college.  Years after I graduated, us alumnae got together, formed an independent theater group and made "Kapeng Malamig" a musical.  This time, I played the role of Hazel, a barista and Buddy's (one of the lead characters) love interest.

(upper left, Kape's poster; upper right, cast for Jan 2008 run; lower left, marketing staff; lower right, me as Hazel & Gino as Buddy)

Kapeng Malamig: The Musical, Jan 2008, St. Cecilia's Hall
Me as Hazel, the barista, and extra (upper right) on the bar scene as a local celebrity.

Cast, September 2008

Aside from being part of the cast, I also worked as the assistant production manager and marketing staff of the said production.  Creative Impact Production has been put down...by us.  We were, unfortunately, scammed by our production manager and her boyfriend who happened to be the 'owner' of the said production.  I was left traumatized that's why I'm still having a hard time going back in theater.

Then as years gone by, I finally knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life:  act, have a food business, travel, and do anything creative.  It's been quite a while figuring out what really makes me happy, that's why I left my previous company to pursue my dreams and shrug off all those negative comments around (because, you know, Filipino mindset is to have a stable income in a corporate world, or be a slave to someone, in order to attain happiness even if you really loathe your job.  That's not the case for me).

In 2012, the stars then aligned and so is my fate.  Back in April, Abi, a filmmaker friend of mine, called me late at night and asked if I'm willing to act the next day for a web series.  I instantly said yes without any doubt.  Plus, I'd get to act with my bff too!  Dream #5..check!  After hanging up, I went to Google and watched a couple of Flat Whites' episodes.  Hilarious!

photo grabbed from http://vimeo.com/channels/flatwhites/33345948
'Marriage' is one of my favorite episodes.

"Flat Whites" is a weekly Australian dramedy web series that revolves around guys, girls and coffee.  Its main characters were Phil and Luc who are best buds.  They talk mostly about women and how to get them but they, most of the time, fail to do so.  It's more of a dry-humor kind of series, which Filipinos, in general, are not used to.  So better pay attention to what is being said as it will really make you laugh.  It's kind of difficult understanding at first due to their strong accents, but eventually you'll get used to it.  Each episode runs 3-5 minutes, so watching it will definitely beat your boredom or stress in an instant.

Just so you know, Flat Whites won three awards (cue: wooooooot!) at the recent LA Web Series Festival: Best Producing (Max De Bowen), Best Composing (Cy Gorman), and Best Actor (Christian Heath).  They all deserved it.  Props to them! :)

--

April 16th.  Meeting place: Starbucks Coffee at Gateway.  It was my first time meeting my fellow actors and director.  I was terrified.  I'm not used to conversing in English for a long while now (and, obviously, I'm trying to write on the said language as a practice since I'm not really good at it) so I'm pretty much mum as I remembered.  While waiting for Mike, our DP and Abi's bf, we discussed about my role, the episodes that were going to be shot in the metro while Abi and I were contacting actor friends who are willing to join the series.  I'm also not used to having the director ask me what I think about the episode or the project because with the directors I've worked with, they mostly don't ask the actors' opinion.  So this is a great start for me.  I love collaborative work.  But all I did was just nod or shrug, or, I-don't-know-what-I-just-said kind of thing.  I was too shy!!!

We scratched the Quiapo scene and went somewhere in the south to shoot this episode.  Then went to a different location for the next day's shoot.  I can't reveal much of it since our episode isn't up yet.  So here are some stills  :)

don't think dirty.  you, green minds XD

I'm very blessed to have worked with the team especially with my co-actors who are great!  Great acting chops guys ^_^

Day 3 and 4 shoots were in Tagaytay, that you definitely need to watch out for but Dess (my bff) and I were not in it.  Then on day 5, right after my auditions for an international film, I was about to head home thinking that Chris, Nev, Max, Abi and Mike had gone to Pampanga for the 'cast party'.  But no, they waited for me and I tagged along even if I don't have extra clothes and toiletries.  That's what you call spontaneous aka kaladkarin.  :p

The cast party was great!  The place was so cool! Abi and I went to the grocery for our dinner and late night drinks; we all prepared our dinner, played some billiards and foosball, and sang our hearts out on videoke.

The entire experience was totally rad.  What inspired me the most is the overflowing passion of each member of the team (including Doc Christine: that pretty lady in yellow top at the lower right of the collage).  I sincerely thank Abi for tapping me to be part of this wonderful project.  It boosted my confidence, my drive to pursue the arts.  As what Joseph Gordon-Levitt said, "the most valiant thing you can do as an artist is inspire someone else to be creative," and these guys definitely did that..to me!  I hope I did too to you who's reading my blog.

Cheers to Flat Whites!
--
Philippines episodes credits:
Director/Writer/Producer/DOP: Max De Bowen
Actors: Christian Heath, Neville Mchina, Dess Verzosa, Apple Pueblo, Abi Butalid, Michael Seiling
DOP/Cinematographer: Michael Seiling, Abi Butalid

www.flatwhites.com