25 October 2004

Ohayoo Gozaimasu!


Japanese pop culture has a huge influence in my life.

My childhood memories are filled with days watching Voltes V (let's ... volt ... innnn!), Daimos (Richaaaard! Erikaaa!), and the other 70s super robots. And when those were banned by then-President Marcos with a generous serving of Martial Law, we were treated to less hack-and-slash anime (Japanese animation) such as Ron-Ron the Flower Girl, Nobody's Child, and Candy Candy (girly stuff ^-^). Our school stuff proudly displayed these characters. And then we had Bioman, Ultraman, and other sentai shows in the 80s til the present.

And who doesn't know Godzilla?

It wasn't only TV shows that the Japanese has so influenced my life. In my college years I got infected with the green thumb my parents were naturally endowed with (my mother loved flowering plants, while my father favored vegetables). I helped out in taking care of my parents' small garden, and planted a few of my own, including a prickly pear cactus (which grew quite well and I remember this because I was a victim of its thorns). But what I really became passionate about was bonsai. They grew (or didn't grow; they're supposed to be miniatures!) quite well in the pleasant Baguio climate.

And when I became a taxpayer, I became transfixed with buying action figures of the anime kind. This went on for quite a while, to a point that I no longer have any decent place to display my purchases and are thus scattered everywhere.

I also like Japanese food. Sashimi, Sushi ... as long as they're not the adventurous kind. It's great to have Beef Misono or Shrimp Tempura instead of burgers for a change. Oishi!

***

These days, I have considerably mellowed down on my cravings. Save for the food. But every once in a while, I'd catch a glimpse of an anime series I really like and purchase a couple of memorabilia (like those from Gundam Wing Endless Waltz and, more recently, Zoids due to their excellent mecha designs). Yeah, that's every once in a while. Japanese video games are also top notch. I'm currently playing Final Fantasy X (for the second time, for the heck of getting the secret characters) on PS2.

Oh, by the way, Christmas is coming up, so I hope you now have ideas on what I like (hint! hint!). Arigato Gozaimasu!

8 comments:

  1. Ah, you also have a taste for Japanese food? Healthy alternative to burgers! Kanpai!

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  2. tinakam mo ako sa sushi!!! hehehe.. makagawa nga tonight para sa amin ni andres :)

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  3. 'reminds me of that Japanese Restaurant near Pink Sisters..buhay pa ba yon? Eto ang juks ng mga barkada ko from Boys'High..ano daw ang Japanese ng "sige, maglandi ka"..he-he classic joke no? Didn't know uso pa ang Voltes 5 ng kabataan mo..mga may anim na paligo din ang katandaan ko sa iyo pero ang dami kong kaklaseng mga lalaki noon na nagvo-volt in..

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  4. hmmm then you must be a frequent visitor in both teriyaki boy and saisaki?

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  5. Hi Watson. Dropping by to say Hi:)I like your posts. Nakakagutom naman itong pic mo. I also like everything japanese, especially the food

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  6. Hi Ate Sienna: Ang swerte naman ni Andres, may personal chef!

    Hi Ting aling: I was in Grade 2 at the height of Voltes V's popularity. We used to get our school supplies at Cid's Educational Supply in Session Road. Remember that place? hehehe. I don't think the Japanese Restaurant near Pink Sisters still exists.

    Question: While the volt machines are volting in, why doesn't the enemy attack them?
    Answer: Because the enemy is dancing to the music! hehehe

    Hi Amie: Teriyaki Boy is always jampacked! We'll sneak out of the office one of these days (este have a meeting outside pala) to try their popular menu items.

    Hi ajay! Your blog is also nice because there's lots of food too! Nakakagutom nga lang...

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  7. wala akong masabi sa WASABE.arghhhh tubig...

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  8. Wasabiiii!!!! I have friends who dump so much wasabi into their soy sauce that you can no longer see the soy sauce, just wasabi sauce. And they love it. I use wasabi in moderation only. But the sensation as it flares up your nostrils, creeping up into your head is something, isn't it?

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