“Ang Tomasinong gipit, sa siomai kumakapit!” This line has had reverberated through the minds of almost every Thomasians even up to date. However, had they chosen siomai as their meal solely for its cheap price alone?

Through the years, siomai has emerged as one of the staple foods that many Thomasians enjoy. From the options of having a pork, beef, or shrimp-based mince, up to the way it is cooked, whether fried or steamed — siomai has already become an acceptable rice meal wherein one’s starving appetite can certainly be satisfied.

Today, the competition amongst every siomai stall around UST has definitely gotten harder — with each of them vying to be the best among the rest. And in identifying which of these stalls serves the finest pieces of siomai in town, TomasinoWeb explored the streets of España, Padre Noval, Dapitan, and Lacson.

Angkong Dimsum House

Delos Reyes Street cor. Padre Noval Street | Asturias Street, Dapitan

Angkong’s fried dumpling, at times, may have been labelled as “mainstream.” Nonetheless, this siomai place has continuously proved that they were not labelled as one for nothing. Its highly acclaimed ‘fried dumpling’ has been loved by most Thomasian for its crispness in every bite. For only P55.00, one can enjoy four delectable dumplings and a cup of rice. With two stores located at Dapitan and P.Noval,satiate your dumpling cravings anytime, anywhere. However, only a few can enjoy the “dine in”  experience since the place is a bit small. Despite the limited space that it offers, Angkong has never failed in embedding its love and sapid flavors in every piece of siomai that they serve.

Recommendations:

• Quail Egg Siomai w/ rice (Php 55)
• Japanese Siomai w/ rice (Php 60)

Dimsum Treats

Besides “Starbucks”, Pacific Suites, Dapitan Street

Every Thomasian knows that what lies within the bustling streets of Dapitan is the long time rival of Angkong — that is Dimsum treats. At a price of only Php 55.00, students can feast on four huge pieces of siomai and a generous amount of rice. Although some of the siomai that they offer may at times be bland in taste, Dimsum Treats offers some array of sauces which will surely make ones meal more exciting. This siomai outlet offers a sweet and sour sauce as well as a hearty serving of Yang Chow rice—making it a perfect meal combination for a hungry tummy.

Recommendations:

• Chinese Chicken Siomai (Php 40)
• Meaty Mushroom Siomai (Php 40)
• Pork & Quail Egg Siomai (Php 40)
• Japanese Dumpling (Php 40)

D’Sons Dimsum

Stall near 7/11, Padre Noval Street

Standing only steps away from the gates of UST, along P. Noval Street, is D’Sons Dimsum. Even with just a small stall, D’Sons has still caught the attention and tastes of many Thomasians through offering wide varieties of siomai. The siomai that they are offering is jam-packed with luscious meat partnered with sweet and sour soy sauce, which is far different in comparison with the other siomai houses. To make it more meal-worthy, one can also incorporate it with rice, and surely it would be the best combo one can have either as lunch, snack or even dinner meal.

Recommendations:

• Pork (Steamed) Siomai (Php 28)
• Fried Siomai (Php 28)

*Additional Php 10 for a cup of rice.

Chi: Authentic Dimsum House

Third floor of The One Torre De Santo Tomas, España Boulevard

In terms of variety, Chi: Authentic Dimsum House has, by far, topped all the other siomai stalls. Their gigantic “mega siomai”, wrapped in yellow wonton, definitely is one of the students’ favorite for it incorporates a savory mix of its minced pork and several other spices. In addition, this dimsum house has as well brought in to its menu ‘Kuchay Siomai’ — a must try for vegetable lovers! Although Chi offers one of the most expensive pieces of siomai, the different twists and varieties that they bring to the siomai community is still admirable.

Recommendations:

• Mega Siomai (Php 50)
• Kuchay (Vegetable) Siomai (Php 50)
• Sharksfin Dumpling (Php 30)

*Additional Php 10 for a cup of rice.

Siomai King

Barlin cor. Padre Noval Street

In this stall, one can feel that siomai truly is king for the sumptuous amount of servings that they offer. Unlike other stores, ‘Siomai King’ serves a total of 5 appetizing pieces of siomai for only 30 pesos. Known as the stall’s bestseller is its HongKong Siomai — a delicate mix of ground pork and shrimp with a dash of minced flavourings. Aside from that, the zestiness coming from the chilli-garlic is what sets ‘Siomai King’ apart from others.

Recommendations:

• HongKong Siomai (Php 30)
• Shanghai Siomai (Php 30)

*Additional Php 10 for a cup of rice.

Regardless of the diversifying flavors and varieties that each siomai stall offer, what they bring to us comes with only one goal — to satisfy our hunger and taste buds without expending too much money for a palatable meal.

Karl Efraim Duldao and Sheena Joy Emnace

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Our generation has always been curious about the great Greek myths with its fascinating – but rather dark tales. Persephone’s abduction by Hades, god of the underworld or Zeus’ escapades with fair maidens that lead to the birth of tons of demigods with exceptional strength like Hercules or intoxicating beauty like Helen of Troy.

Each country has their own share of myths. Scandinavians have their god of Thunder Thor, and the mischievous god and trickster, Loki. We are not talking about the MCU here obviously. Romans have a very similar adaptation of their myth to the Greeks and Egyptians have alien-looking gods and goddesses, these are only a few of what we actually know about.

We are all familiar with Bathala, but we always ignore the fact that our country is also rich in tales and myths. We also have a whole new lineage of deities, monsters, and other unearthly creatures. Ours is as fascinating as other myths if not, more.

Even Neil Gaiman, the author of Norse Mythology and American Gods, acknowledged the potential of Filipino Mythology to be shown to the world. Yet despite possessing the prowess to tell a story masterfully, he emphasized that the Filipino writers should be the one to retell the myth.

Mythology as our identity.

Each race has its own unique identity and mannerism. Though most of it are due to their own prejudice, these traits still set them aside from the others.

Here in the Philippines, our history, long before the Spaniards set foot on our shores, have always been different. Only our natives were able to recall the stories that were passed upon generations.

Have you read about Maria Makiling during your childhood? If yes, surely, you also know about Mt. Makiling being shaped like a woman which is believed to be Maria Makiling herself. The known fable can be the basis of our history or the other way around. The best way to know a culture is to understand it through their own as myths and stories.

There are enough characters for everyone to look into.

One of the many reasons why Philippine Mythology should be known is because of its variety. Due to the fact that our country is divided into different regions, a wide variety of culture and language is established. In the Tagalog region, the supreme being is called Bathala but Kaptan for the Bisaya.

These two characters are basically the same but they have different names and maybe even a slight alteration in their stories. There is a wide range of origin stories which involves giants, gods, and goddesses, but the best part about it is they all have different tales to tell.

Filipino writers are capable

Filipinos have always been one of those who excel in everything they pour their souls into. There are a lot of Filipino literary creators who are exceptional in their work. Who else will be good at retelling our own history? Of course, those who share the same blood lineage, for we know the hearts and minds of our ancestors.

We have a rich literary library that some foreigners also seek to come across with to further their knowledge. Filipino writers were able to establish their skills in the field of literature, though they are not given enough appreciation in our current setting.

Mythology is not just a part of literature that is there to entertain us. It also has a key role in civilization. Humans interpret their world through myths, it has always been a representation of one’s beliefs. If you can take time to gush about the Asgardians or the Olympians, why not start discovering our very own today?

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Salubungin at tunghayan ang pagbabalik sa takilya ngayong taon ng mga pelikulang mula sa mapaglarong imahinasyon at kahusayan ng mga Pilipino sa larangan ng sinematograpiya at produksiyon.

Ang Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino o PPP ay isang linggong selebrasyon na kaugnay sa paggunita ng Buwan ng Wika ngayong Agosto. Sa pagdiriwang na ito, bibigyan ng pagkakataon ang ating mga filmmakers  upang isapubliko at maipabatid sa lahat ang kanilang mga likhang-sining na sumasaklaw sa mga kuwentong Pilipino.

Sa selebrasyon ng ikalawang anibersaryo ng PPP, inihahatid muli ng Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) ang iba’t ibang mga dyanra at bagong palabas na ibibida sa mga teatro’t sinehan sa bansa.

Narito ang mga full length na pelikulang kalahok sa kapistahan:

1. Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi ni Jun Robles Lana

108 na minuto | Romantic Comedy

Dulot ng labis na pagkahumaling sa social media, si Norma (Sue Ramirez), isang tinedyer, ay nagkaroon ng Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS) syndrome – isang bihirang karamdaman na kung saan ay mahipit na ipinagbabawal sa kanya ang paggamit ng anumang gadgets at WiFi. Dahil sa kanyang kondisyon, napilitan siyang manirahan sa isang probinsya at malayo sa kanyang nobyong si Leo (Markus Paterson). Habang nasa probinsya, ginugugol niya ang kanyang oras kasama si Aries (Jameson Blake) – ang kapatid ni Leo na siyang madalas bumisita sa kanya.

2. Bakwit Boys ni Jason Paul Laxamana

110 na minuto | Drama & Musical

Gagampanan nina Ryle Santiago, Nikko Natividad, Vance Larena at Mackie Empuerto ang papel ng apat na magkakapatid na tubong Isabela. Kasabay ng paghagupit ng isang kalamidad sa kanilang lugar ay ang paggunaw ng pag-asa nilang maabot ang kanilang pangarap. Nilisan nila ang kanilang probinsya at tumungo sa Pampanga upang manirahan kasama ng kanilang lolo. Nagsimula silang muling tumugtog sa mga pistang dinaraos sa kanilang bayan at doon nadiskubre ni Rose (Devon Seron) – isang babaeng mula sa isang maykayang pamilya, ang kanilang munting talento at tinulungan sila nito sa paglikha ng sarili nilang musika.

3. Madilim ang Gabi ni Adolfo Alix Jr.

115 na minuto | Thriller

Isang dagok ang dumating sa buhay ng mag-asawang Sara at Lando (Gina Alajar & Philip Salvador) nang mapag-alamang nawawala ang kanilang anak na si Allan (Felix Roco) na isang drug addict. Mas tumitindi ang takot at pag-aalala na bumabalot sa damdamin ng dalawa dahil habang lumilipas ang panahon ay tumataas ang bilang ng mga nagiging biktima ng Oplan Tokhang – isang kampanyang inilunsad ng gobyerno laban sa paggamit ng droga, sa kanilang siyudad.

4. Pinay Beauty ni Jay Abello

104 na minuto | Comedy

Sa lipunang puno ng pamantayan sa kagandahan, isang dalagita (Chai Fonacier) ang nagnanais na sumailalim sa isang operasyon upang baguhin ang kanyang anyo at magmukhang isang Caucasian. Umutang ng malaking halaga ang kanyang nobyo (Edgar Allan Guzman) sa isang usurero upang tugunan ang kanyang kagustuhan.

5. Signal Rock ni Chito Roño

130 na minuto

Batay sa tunay na karanasan, ang istoryang ito ay iikot sa buhay ni Intoy Abakan (Christian Bable) – isang binatang nangangarap ng isang kumpletong pamilya. Sa hirap ng buhay, lumipad patungong ibang bansa at nakapag-asawa ng isang banyaga ang kanyang nakatatandang kapatid na si Vicky dahil sa pagkakaakalang iyon ang sagot upang maihaon ang kanilang pamilya sa hirap. Nakaranas si Vicky ng pang-aabuso mula sa asawa at humingi ito ng tulong mula kay Intoy upang mabawi ang anak na babae. Upang makausap ang kapatid, inaakyat ni Intoy ang rock formations– ang tanging lugar sa kanilang isla na nakapagbibigay ng senyal sa kanyang telepono.

6. The Day After Valentine’s ni Jason Paul Laxamana

114 na minuto | Romance & Drama

Sa paghahanap ni Kai (JC Santos) ng sagot sa kanyang mga katanungan ay nakilala niya si Lani (Bela Padilla) – isang babaeng matatag at wari’y maraming baon na sagot sa lahat ng problema. Sa pagkukrus ng kanilang mga landas, ang kani-kanilang mga tanong ay mabibigyan ng sagot sa hindi inaasahang paraan.

7. Unli Life ni Miko Livelo

103 na minuto | Comedy

Ang gabing inakala ni Benedict (Vhong Navarro) na magiging puno ng kasiyahan ay napalitan ng pighati’t kalungkutan nang nakipaghiwalay sa kanya ang nobyang si Victoria (Winwyn Marquez) bago pa man niya ito alukin ng pagpapakasal. Lumagi siya sa isang bar at isang inumin ang ibinigay sa kanya ng bartender na si Sir Saro (Joey Marquez)–ang inuming babago sa takbo ng kanyang kapalaran at makapagbabalik sa kanya sa nakaraan.

8. We Will Not Die Tonight ni Richard Somes

115 na minuto | Action & Thriller

Si Kray (Erich Gonzales) ay isang stunt performer. Sa kabila ng paghina ng kanyang karera ay itinuloy pa rin niya ang kanyang trabaho. At dahil sa matinding pangangailangan sa pera ay nag-atubili siyang pumayag na sumabak sa isang misyon kasama ng kanyang mga kaibigan na sa huli ay maglalagay sa kanila sa kapahamakan.

Bukod sa walong pangunahing pelikula, tampok din sa kapistahan ang Special Feature Section kung saan bibigyan ng oportunidad na mapanuod ng madla ang mga pelikulang nagkamit ng parangal sa mga lokal na independent film festivals noong nakaraang taon.

Ang mga full length na pelikulang kalahok sa kapistahan ay mapapanood mula Agosto 15 hanggang Agosto 21, 2018 sa lahat ng teatro at sinehan sa bansa. Habang ang mga pelikulang nakapaloob sa espesyal na seksyon ay mapapanuod lamang sa mga piling sinehan ng SM Manila, SM Sta. Mesa, SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Gateway Cineplex at Robinsons Galleria sa parehong petsa.

Para sa iba pang detalye at anunsiyo, bisitahin ang kanilang Facebook page.

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