Filipino Food and Duxton Rd.: Kamayan… 2!

**Kamayan is now back to its previous location in Tanjong Pagar**

This is related to my earlier post about Kamayan Filipino restaurant in Tanjong Pagar. A place where I eat almost everyday since it’s just a couple of blocks away from where I live in.

I will keep the earlier article unchanged as I hope to make people compare the old Kamayan with the new one.

Kamayan Tanjong Pagar has transferred to Duxton Rd. (near Craig Rd.).

View Larger Map

Not to far from the old one BUT eating there now is a totally different experience. The new place is cramped maybe smaller by 50% compared to its previous location. You may want to consider that they now are air-conditioned.

As per this category’s guidelines here is a summary of my experience:

Food that is readily prepared is available: Yes

Day Visited for the first time: Wednesday
Time/Meal: Dinner

Day Visited for the second time: Sunday
Time/Meal: Dinner

Good for Corporate Lunch/Dinners: No

Good to eat with Foreign Friends: Maybe for the adventurous

Just like the old Kamayan, they still cater to the Filipinas working in the nearby Pubs.

Recommended for people who will try Philippine Cuisine for the first time: Maybe for the adventurous

*please see my post above*

You may want to consider the proper timing when visiting this restaurant due to its limited space. I always have my dinner at around 8 p.m. during this time, those working at Pubs within the area are finished eating.

Visiting too early (around 5 p.m.) may limit your choices of food.

Food is still great and prices are reasonable. They have now replaced their plates and utensils with disposable ones but still the experience remains the same.

I will not say the place improved but definitely the food is still the same.

My New Nikon MB D80

Finally, I was able to purchase a MB D80 battery grip for my Nikon D90!

I know a battery grip is not that important but it really helps give you a more comfortable grip of your cam and a better shooting position when shooting portraits.

This is the initial reason why I sold my older Nikon D40, I can’t seem to find a battery grip for it here in Singapore. There is this 3rd Party brand Ownuser that made battery grips for the D40 but I can’t seem to find a store selling it (as you know, I don’t like purchasing stuff from Sim Lim).

So back to my MB D80, I was so pleased playing with it, it gave me a feel that I had a new camera again. Without batteries, it did not add much weight to my gear but adding the 2 batteries inside and you’ll feel the extra weight.

It came with all the buttons I needed although I was hoping Nikon considered adding a function button too.

Here are some pictures of my new battery grip!

Please note that photos were taken using my mobile phone.

Gadget Review: Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 Lens

This is the newest addition to my photographic equipment.

The Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF)

As usual for gadgets, this too has a sophisticated long name printed on its box, but basically, the most important information is the 17-50mm f2.8. That said this is an upgrade from the 18-55mm lens you get when purchasing a dSLR Kit.

Di stands for Digitally Integrated, which was specifically designed for digital cameras with image sensors equivalent to APS-C Size.

IF stands for Internal Focusing, making this lens work with the Nikon D40, D40x, D60 and the new D5000.

This lens is very well built, holding it actually feels better compared to my old 18-55mm Nikon Lens.

It has a metal mount, uses a 67mm filter which will not turn as the lens focuses.

Another great feature of this lens is that it has a lock which will prevent your lens from creeping out when stored in a bag.

The lock can only be used when the lens’ zoom is at 17mm.

The Aperture of this lens is constant, it will not change no matter how you zoom in and out. This is very helpful as you focus more on framing the subject that checking if there were changes in your settings.

This lens also has a switch just incase you want to focus manually.

There has been a lot of reviews about some focusing issues on the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 lens so I suggest that you test the lens before making an actual purchase.

Although this lens has an Internal Motor, focusing is a bit slow and noisy! The noise was actually enough to make me think that the lens will transform to a Decepticon after focusing. I bet you won’t mind the noise when shooting outdoors and just remind yourself of this lens’ price when you think the focus motor is too noisy indoors.

The package only came with a lens hood, front and rear covers and an owners manual which states that you should not hold/force the focus ring when the Auto Focus mode is activated.

This is a very good lens and a cheap one compared to the OEM lenses.

Here are samples of pictures taken with this lens.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/37412600@N00/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/507559@N21/

Photography!

It has been more than a year since I started this hobby, being a communications major, we had photography as a subject. It was really really fun! But photography in the mid-90’s was different since it was very expensive! You spend on Film, Developing and Printing! I can even remember having un-developed film at home.

Last year, I was just looking for a regular camera to use while I am here at Singapore. I really wanted to buy a high end Point and Shoot like the Canon S5is but the price was too near the Nikon D40 Kit making me purchase the latter.

I have always known how to use an SLR but to my surprise that a dSLR has so many buttons and so many settings that you can change. I have always played with the Aperture and Shutter Speed way back my Film days but ISO, Metering and Auto Focus was totally new! Yes, my Pentax P50 SLR did not have auto focus! But it had a built in light meter! And way back those days, my camera will set automatically to my Film’s ISO!

Having used the Nikon D40 for more than a year really brought me back to my college days where I really enjoyed a specific subject!

Now, this is something I do to keep myself busy during my free weekends. If there are any corporate activities, I also tag my camera along just to take quick snap shots.

I originally wanted to take Pictures of Singapore Landscape! But when I ran out of places to shoot, I have tried shooting portraits! These are two very different subjects and you will really notice the difference with the lens used. From a wide angle lens, Sigma 10-20mm, to my Nikkon 55-200mm!

Taking pictures of people is very different from taking pictures of place. The human face is much more complex!

I have upgraded my camera to the D90 and slowly purchasing accessories to have all that I need.

You can access my flickr account to view some of the pictures I have taken. Here’s a quick link to my landscapes, portraits, and everything else.

Photography is a fun hobby which I intend to keep!

Puma Lift!

When was the last time you really wanted a pair of sneakers?

 

Ok, I’ll do some thinking and enumerate the shoes I have really wanted (Yes, it is a want and not a need) in NO particular order.

 

1. Red Converse Chuck Taylors! I never had the red one! All I have is the black color.

2. Converse Chuck Taylors used by Will Smith in I, Robot – can’t find one!

3. Nike Penny Hardaway 2 – actually owned the black version

4. Nike Air Shake Ndestrukt (Dennis Rodman) – actually owned the black version

5. Air Jordan IX and XI – never had a chance to own one

6. Nike Free 4.0 – actually owned the blue version

7. Reebok Pump – just the thought of pumping a shoe to get the best fit was awesome! – never really had a chance to own one.

 

Now that I’m more mature, I am looking for something light for running and the gym. No more bulky basketball shoes.

 

So scrolling back to my list and reading about the mature part, I have to say that the Nike 4.0 was a glimpse of the future! Well, it’s not as old as the other shoes on the list but lately my attention is there.

 

Now, walking around the streets in Singapore, I saw this window (facing New Bridge Rd.) from Raffles City Shopping Center there was a poster of Usain Bolt wearing the Puma Lift!

 

It was not the poster, it was not Usain Bolt (yeah, maybe partly), nor the way the display window was presented. It was the fact that this shoe just weighs 173 grams… Now thinking about it, is it 173 grams per shoe or is the 173 grams a combined weight? But wait! Its shoes and should not be as hard as trying to be a brain surgeon!

 

No matter how heavy it is it still looks great, this maybe subjective. But I’m really planning to make this purchase as soon as possible!

 

I just wonder if this shoe is for casual wear or for running? I intend to use it in the gym since my Nike Free 7.0s has been working too hard. Hahaha!

 

Lift is actually written as L.I.F.T. which stands for Lite Injected Foam Technology.

 

For more information you can visit Puma’s dedicated website for his shoe.

 

http://www.puma-lift.com/

Filipino Food in Chinatown: Bonifacio

Filipino restaurants here in Singapore has always catered to the Filipino Masses, just a quick visit in Lucky Plaza, Tanjong Pagar and even Lau Pa Sat and you’ll realize that we need one restaurant here in Singapore where we can invite our colleagues and friends to try our local Filipino cuisine.

 

Yes there is 7,107 Flavours in Marina Square but since it has been enjoying a monopoly for so long, having a good corporate dinner on a weekend is almost impossible.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I love 7,107 Flavours, service is great. Location is awesome! And they have a live acoustic band to serenade you as you while you enjoy your meal!

 

In almost everything, healthy competition is important, here is where Bonifacio comes in. Bonifacio is a Filipino Restaurant in Chinatown is along Kreta Ayer Rd.

 

Here’s a Map just incase you’re visiting the place for the first time.

 

View Larger Map

 

Nearest MRT is actually Outram Park!

 

Visiting this restaurant for the first time and you’ll definitely compare it with 7,107 Flavours, ambiance for both restaurants are great, both seem to have enough space and as always, friendly Filipino Staff!

 

The main difference I have to say is the live acoustic band of 7,107 Flavours, for those times when I just want a normal dinner. I think this is where Bonifacio comes in.

 

Here are some things I have to say about Bonifacio as per my category’s guidelines.

 

Food that is readily prepared is available: No

 

Day Visited for the first time: Saturday

Time/Meal: Lunch

 

Day Visited for the second time: n/a (as of posting date, but I plan to visit on a Friday)

Time/Meal: (I plan to visit again for dinner! I will update this post if the experience is BAD!)

 

Good for Corporate Lunch/Dinners: Yes

 

Be sure to get a reservation! I have talked to some of the waiters and according to them, dinners during weekends is a very busy time for them… hmmm, tempting to visit on that time.

 

Good to eat with Foreign Friends: Yes

 

Recommended for people who will try Philippine Cuisine for the first time: Yes

 

Definitely! I have even met some walk in customers trying to eat Filipino food for the first time.

 

One more thing I love with Bonifacio is that they have a real website! Through their website, you will be able to see their menu which is very helpful in planning for your itinerary.

 

They even have a mailing list and membership (I just hope they give atleast 10% discount to their members). All the information you need to know can be found here:

 

http://www.bonifaciogroup.com/

 

As I have said earlier, competition is good and I believe the target market of 7,107 Flavours will be very happy knowing that there is a new restaurant in this City which serves Filipino Food.

 

Bonifacio… The Modern Filipino Cuisine

 

Just like in the Philippines… Gerry’s will never be the same without Dencio’s!!!

 

I just hope more and more Filipino restaurants open here in Singapore. Competition is very healthy! I think I can start day dreaming of seeing a decent Filipino Restaurant in Vivo City or East Coast Park someday.

 

Bonifacio is located at #35 Kreta Ayer Road

 

Telephone No.: (+65) 6222 6676