Summer Time!

Summer, for me, started the day Shirl, Rase and I went to Boracay. From then on, I can feel the vibe - like the water rushing to the beach on a very beautiful day. Or the sea of colors that abound anywhere you go (think SM and the yellow-green-orange-pink combo clothes displayed on the mannequins). Or the halo halo and ice cream devouring sessions while watching Survivor Palau on TV. It is indeed summer.

What I love about summer is the early sunrise or the longer days, the sun and the reason to wear shorts most of the time. Group and office outings are scheduled, pools are full and everyone seems to sing, "Tara na, byahe tayo!" Oooh...summer! I think I was never this excited about summer since a long time ago.

Given the longer days, summer also means a longer work week for government slaves. Yes, starting Monday, it is a 7.30 to 6.30 work from Monday to Thursday. How exciting, eh? Since I have been doing dry runs with the Before-8 Time-In, I think I'll have less tardy counts compared to last December's scheme (seven 4 four). I just can't wait for Fridays then since it would be a free day. Yipee! I must think fast on what to do--aside from watching Survivor live and reruns of Amazing Race.

Summer. It is the time of short shorts, flimsy tops, maillots, 2-piece and speedos, iced tea and halo-halo, good reads and chill outs as well as 10 hours/day grind.

",) babybel

A Night to Remember

It was a post birthday celebration for Love. A despedida for Wow (Maldives, here he comes!). A gathering of the AAP Staff of the Round Table. A celebration full of singing, wine drinking, dancing and picture taking.

Kuya Dan, Wow, Shirl, Love, Eve, Milen and Agnes

Dancing King

Finding Nemo in Bikini Bottom

arya!

it was surreal. it was like the first eppy of survivor. you are stuck in a banca and you don't know where to go (aside from the fact that we would be island hopping). you were with a group of people that you hardly know...well, except for shirl and rase, that is.

i was tempted to stand in front of the banca but with the fear that it might capsize (i was more like Kate Winslet in Sense and Sensibility), i decided that it was much better to sit in front of the banca and forget about the ala Titanic pose.

off we sailed to this island where crytal cove was located.

***

jumped off shirl and i did in the crytal clear water while rase sat, stood up and and took photos (of we dunno what?!). pretty rocky that i hurt muself and shirl got a bruise, a remembrance from this trip which we still have now.

one thing i learned, i can swim with my contacts on.

2nd cave was much better. no more big rocks, just pure sand. tampisaw dito, tampisaw doon. mommy jasmine aapprached us and asked who was the guy with us. something fishy? you betcha!

***

Marinara with Mulate in the background

i was like spongebob slash nemo slash dyesebel slash ariel. i felt like singing a whole new world (or under the sea, perhaps?). it was the first time for both shirl and i to snorkel. and snorkel we did.

i got stuck in the katig several times while trying to go some place off. for a person who loves the water, i sometimes dread what is "sa dako paroon." but when i got a glimpse what is underneath, man oh man, it was entirely a giant aquarium down there. so many fishes that i hardly knew the names.

it could have been cool if i was able to show shirl the nicer corals far away from the banca but with her fear of deep water (?) and my lack of training in survival swimming (heaven forbids)...sayang!

i saw some cousins of nemo down there. no traces of sponge bob or sebastian though. i was snorkeling so-so minutes when i decided to follow a fellow turista who was swimming so fast in front of me. then i realized that i was wearing a life jacket. no wonder yours truly could not catch up with that swimmer, i had my vest on. i took off my vest and off i swam away til it was time for lunch. yay!

***
donning a swimsuit in a place na walang pakialaman was a high. as mentioned in one of my posts, i am not really that conscious but then the last time i wore my speedos was way back in high school. swimsuits were limited to pools as of late.

even how flat chested i am, i still managed to ramp around the island with my jeff banks top and board shorts. geez, i was more like michelle rodriguez in blue crush instead of that kate bosworth babe :D walking aimlessly at 7am in ur suit with your just-had-a-swim bestfriend was great. now, if only a kodak moment was taken at that time.

***

Visita Iglesia '05

Bestest friend and I had our first taste of visita iglesia this year. Well, we used to do the "Stations of the Cross" in the past, but did it only at the Parish of Holy Sacrifice in UP. But for 2-0-0-5, we vowed to visit more churches and recite both the traditional and new 14 stations of the cross (depending on the displays on each church).

First stop - Antipolo Church. As seen on TV, Antipolo's Parish of our Lady of Good Voyage (a National Shrine) is usually full of turistas, debotos and mind you, vendors during the Holy Week. We braved ourselves through the crowded streets and church pasilios and made our first "set" of The Way of the Cross, traditional style. Side trip - we got to taste Antipolo's delicacies -- cashew nuts (freshly-baked) and kakanin (i.e. suman, kalamay, etc)... Afterwhich, we felt a little guilty knowing that this was supposed to be a time for fasting!

Next stop - Sta. Clara Church. In less than an hour (which was unusual in Manila traffic), we were at Sta. Clara Church. We actually skipped the egg offering (yes, this is the church where you can offer eggs along with your personal petition), and proceeded with our 2nd set of Stations of the Cross. This time, the new version -- a shorter one from the traditional one. (And oh, before I forget, AAP usually goes to Sta. Clara to pray for good weather during our events, most recently, the GWBall in which PAGASA predicted typhoon on that day, but it never came! A miracle or what?) For sure, I'll go back to St. Clare and offer a dozen eggs, specifically ask for a petition (i.e. a good man in my life, career advancement, family matters, etc) and wait faithfully for her to grant my request. My faith will surely ensure me the grant, I'm sure.
Ateneo's new campus chapel (no, I actually call it a temple - a modern, minimalist temple) Church of Gesu (not sure of the complete name though) was our next destination. Built just last year (or 2 years, I'm not sure), it is one of the best architectural pieces ever designed. With high ceiling, white walls, cushioned seats on the pews, and the glass-stained art of Christ's Passion near the entrance, the place is really breath-taking. It was such a shame if we didn't take the opportunity to take a picture, so we did. I even posed in front of the church after our 3rd set of Stations of the Cross, the traditional way.

Shirl near Xavier Hall

Stained glass Stations of the Cross at the Ateneo Church

Santa Maria della Strada Parish, also located in Katipunan, was next on our list. It was our 4th church in almost 3 hours, and I think we made quite a progress. Reciting the new version of the Way of the Cross, it was almost 1 PM that time. We stopped by the church's courtyard, and looked at some Christian books for sale near the gate. Its courtyard has their own stations of the cross too! I thought to myself, you can do it (the stations, i mean) al fresco or indoors. Take your pick.

With our tired feet and growling stomachs, we went to UP's Parish of Holy Sacrifice (our suking simbahan during Lent) aboard a tricyle. Mel Gibson's award-winning "Passion of the Church" was shown on the big screen. Because of the movie sounds, we had to shout our prayers in order for me and Love to hear each other. Such a shame to do that though, but it was the only way. We should have gone there earlier, I thought. But hey, no complaints there. 5 iglesias in half a day, not bad at all. Though the elders may not have approved of it (required minimum number of churches for the visita iglesia is 7), we felt it was an accomplishment on our part.

Hopefully next year, we will go beyond the 7-church requirement and visit more churches outside our so-called comfort zones in the QC area.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Do You Know What We Did This Summer?

Forget Jennifer Love Hewitt, Mr. Hook and gang. Our trip was more of a summer special of your favorite sitcom on tv minus the big song and dance production numbers. Unless you consider the Huling El Bimbo or "J-o-y, Joy in my heart" jingle award winning pieces.

With our bags and welcome drinks in tow, we went to our designated cottage/villa/room. Quaint room. There was an ice box (aka ref), big tv with remote (which Rayson first grabbed) and a large bathroom.Since there was an extra bed, the three of us were undecided who would occupy that bed. Bahala na who would end up on that bed later that night.

***

First stop: Dinner

With x number of hours without food and our last decent meal was at 11 AM with that 536-peso lunch, we walked towards station 2 where the bars,restaurants, and more bars were located.

Shirly was able to locate Summerplace, thanks to her resourcefulness. Walk, walk, the three of us did with grumbling stomachs. Summerplace, here we come!

Mongolian buffet was the name of the game. Take your pick and they will cook for you. Veggies, nuts, seeds, sauces, meat and pusit...all for the taking. With rum coke, pineapple sling and san mig light on our sides, we devoured bits and pieces of the dishes we concocted. Being a better cook, Rayson had the tastiest food, hands down. Well, Shirl had the "walang lasa" and Love produced a very spicy dish. That was just the first round. The next time, it was Rase who did all the food preparations.

3 Stooges

Chopsticks pals

***

Everyone of us took turns being in the hot seat. In short, we had the "lovelife status check." With ice cold beer and some mixed drinks, it was all about happy hour. We moved to another location...Sealovers Restaurant. Sat on one of those tables near the shore, listened to the next bar's music, emoted and drowned ourselves with San Mig Lights. Like Cinderella, we all called it a night at 12 mid night - in anticipation for a long morning walk and refreshing dip the next day.

Favorite people

Pose and push-up

We tread our way back to Station 1...and called it a night.

So, who ended in the extra bed? No one. The three of us cramped ourselves to the 2 queen sized beds.

***

Before Sunrise, we didn't make it.So much for taking a picture of the Bora sunrise. Shirl and Love did half of the 4 km-white sand beach walk in the morning leaving Sleeping Beauty in the cottage. The sea was calm after the storm that you want to run towards it. So inviting yet freezing cold. The sand was oh-so-fine that walking without sandals made it a good foot spa.

Bora in the morn

Blue Crush

Streeetccch...

P.S. I am thinking about you

As we were trying to lose some pounds due to the booze and food the last night, we decided to roam around and locate the must-try places in the island. We searched for Cocomangas, Jonah's and Pier 1 on this side of the station. When we learned that the English Bakery was way off the 3rd station, we decided to go back and wake up our little sleeping prince.

***

Yes, there's more...Stick out and enjoy the views...

Bilanggo - Love's Fave

BILANGGO
by Rizal Underground
Love's ultimate fave song...for whom? I dunno...

bilanggo sa rehas na gawa ng puso mo
bilanggo ooh sa gapos na gawa ng pag isip sayo

hanggang kailan pa ba magdaramdam
hanggang kailan pa ba masasaktan pag isip sayo
maging sa ganito at ganyan
hanggang kailan ka ba maghihintay
hindi ka ba nagsasawa inday
ang damdamin ko kahit na ganito katamlay
tunay to bay

**bilanggo
sa rehas na gawa ng puso mo
bilanggo sa gapos na dulot ng pag isip sayo
bilannggo sa rehas na gawa ng puso mo
ooh
bilanggo sa gapos na dulot ng pag isip sa yo

patay sindi sa init at lamig maging ang patalim madadaig
galos sa dibdib
tattoo ng yong mukha sa balat
nakailan ulit na hiwalay hindi pa rin natutong sumabay
ang damdamin ko kahit na ganito katamlay
saka na babay

**bilanggo
sa rehas na gawa ng puso mo
bilanggo sa gapos na dulot ng pag isip sayo
bilannggo sa rehas na gawa ng puso mo
ooh
bilanggo sa gapos na dulot ng pag isip sa yo

bilanggo...bilanggooooo
(sa rehas na gawa ng puso mo)
bilanggo

Bonding in Bora: Ala-TAR

Getting up as early as 5 AM for a 9 AM flight proved not to be difficult. March 17 two-oh-oh-five was one of the most anticipated days of our lives. We will be having our first trip together on board a plane, on our way to Heavenly Paradise – Boracay! And the fact that this trip also include one of our closest pals that we haven't seen for a year.

The Cameramen, Colin and Christie, Kris and Jon...the teams who almost won The Amazing Race yet due to some bad weather and delayed flights it cost them a million bucks. And we now know how these teams felt while they were running towards Phil at the end of the race. Blame it on "Auring" who created chaos among the passengers boarding for Roxas, Kalibo and Cebu. Upon the announcement, the 3 of us were dumbfounded it was like fouling the opponent in the dying seconds of the game. Of all the days for Auring to strike her terror!

As Rayson told us to "regroup! regroup!" upon hearing the news, the three of us trooped to the PAL ticketing office to look at our options.
***
Amidst the lines, agitated passengers and harassed PAL personnel, we met an interesting character. TDC, short for Tita D.C. was talking to a PAL crew in decibels higher voice about the situation she is in. Of all luck, we were booked to same PALakbayan package!

After a P536 peso-lunch at PAL's restaurant (We were robbed!!!) ,listening to Mr. PAL discussed the previous night's eppy of Mulawin, looking for precious Mr. Hipolito and 2 hours translating APC's script to Filipino, we were booked, boarded and left for Kalibo at 4:35 P.M. that day. Oh man, it was Tom Hanks in The Terminal.
***
"Boracay na Boracay na ba kayo?" Mr.-mukhang-taga-UP asked us while we were boarding the plane. Well, what do you think? Good thing the three of us weren't wearing our swimsuits already. But then, Rayson could always jump in the water anytime with his outfit.

Welcome to Kalibo! Our guardian angel for the trip was Mang Ricky. He scooted us inside the L300 van with the other guests (including TDC and Mr.Boracay-na-Boracay) and off traveled for two hours to Caticlan.

Shirl and Rayson on the way to Caticlan. Kodaker: Love

Kalibo is very rustic. From the little downtown to never-ending rice fields of Nabas to the long and winding road overlooking the Aklan coastline on the way to Caticlan...we just joked around, slept and talked and dozed off again.
***
Caticlan Jetty Port. 7:00 P.M. (Background music: some cheesy videoke favorite) At last, after a 2-hour drive, we were almost there. TDC is still with us (much to our amusement or annoyance?). Amused because her every move was well documented, thanks to her niece and the video cam. Annoyed because she kept mentioning Washington DC in every opportunity that she can (thus, the alias, Tita D.C.). Oh, didn’t we mention that she's from Washington DC and this trip would be her 5th to bora?

All aboard! Windy, cold and a lil bumpy ride to Station 1. Shirl and Rayson were so excited for this is the first time for both and save for Love who would be visiting the island for the 4th time.
***
Another character we overheard during the boat ride. A native looking lady with an American twang. Oh my, we don't care from what state she is from (probably, not DC) but please lower your voice. All the people in the boat now know that you sent a letter a month ago to your friend and she still hasn't reply. Hello?! Email...may ganon sa States.
***
After 9 hours at the Centennial Airport, 45 minutes on air, 2 hours on land and 30 minutes on sea, we arrived at our pit stop. There was no Phil Keoghan to greet us "Shirl, Love and Rase, you're the first team to arrive" nor a mat to step on to (except the receptionist and welcome doormat of Boracay Gold Crowne) yet we felt like jumping for joy. So much for the no-worries tour package, it was more like "yeah, baby, backpacking ala-“The Amazing Race" trip for all of us.

And this is just the beginning...

Our pitstop

Boracay Gold courtyard

(credits go to Love, the writer/composer and Shirly, the editorial consultant)

Shirly's Time travel and other stuff

TIME TRAVEL AND OTHER STUFF...By SF

10 Years Ago. . .(1995)
[1] I was on my second year in college.
[2] I met Glen, Toni and Malyn, my 3 adorable roommates.
[3] I was introduced to Basti, Manuel, Mon and Wolf.

5 Years Ago. . .(2000)
[1] Me and Love were on our third address: #10 19 de Agosto St., Galas, QC.
[2] I quit my showbiz career, and started with the hospitality industry.
[3] I had my 24th bday...(nothing eventful happening this year, really!)

3 Years Ago. . .(2002)
[1] I became a "hostess", always...
[2] I renewed ties with some of the boys in high school. Now, they call me "The Authority".
[3] I got associated with the American community with the English tutorials.

A Year Ago. . .(2004)
[1] I had my first taste of George Washington Ball, Memorial Day and 4th of July picnic.
[2] I had my first boyfriend, then broke up...(then see 2005)
[3] I spent Christmas at home, after 2 years of absence.

This Year . . .(2005)
[1] ...then got back together again!
[2] I had my first Boracay trip
[3] I am and will always be in love with .....

Yesterday . . .(March 18, 2005)
[1] I just got back from our ala-"TAR" trip from Boracay.
[2] I had my last dip in Bora before going back to civilization.
[3] I had my breakfast at English Bakery (Bora), had mango-banana shake at Jonah's (Bora), had sizzling squid and chop suey for late lunch in Kalibo and had dinner at home.

Today. . .(March 19, 2005)
[1] I finished reading Mike Gayle's "Turning Thirty" - so ME!
[2] I called home and talked to everyone.
[3] I cooked sinigang na baboy for lunch and adobo for dinner. Yummy!

Tomorrow . . .(March 20, 2005)
[1] I will be back to the usual grind at work.
[2] I will get to talk with Paul again, after 4 days of missing each other.
[3] Bestest Friend and I will watch "Spanglish"

TOP FIVE
top five dream jobs:[1] film director [2] video store owner [3] internet cafe bum [4] beach resort owner [5] teacher

top five films I watch over and over again:
[1] moulin rouge [2] down with love [3] when harry met sally [4] romeo must die [5] love actually

top five songs I can listen to again and again:
[1] darkness fell by wolfgang [2] sampip by PNE [3] she will be loved by maroon 5
[4] when it's over by sugar ray [5] iris by goo goo dolls

top five books I read from cover to cover:
[1] biography of ewan mc gregor [2] jessica z's twisted series[3] 7 habits of highly effective people
[4] i kissed dating goodbye [5] da vinci code

top five reasons to watch television:
[1] keeps me company until 1:30 AM while typing sweet-nothings on my keyboard
[2] reality tv, of course - TAR, Survivor, The Apprentice, and American Idol
[3] gets to see the news, and sometimes gets me to over-analyze things
[4] gets me to sometimes assess "behind the scene" drama and put my college diploma to work
[5] tempts me to sometimes see the flaws (read: nanglalait) which is sometimes fun, i admit

top five places i'd want to visit by the age of thirty-five:
[1] montreal, canada [2] new york, USA [3] singapore [4] zamboanga city [5] thailand

top five famous guys I adore:
[1] ewan mc gregor [2] ethan hawke [3] ben stiller
[4] gael garcia bernal [5] denzel washington

top five beautiful women:
[1] nicole kidman [2] kiera knightley [3] uma thurman [4] natalie portman [5] sarah meier

top five food obsessions:
[1] kabab and shawarma at mr. kabab
[2] seafood pasta and cheeseburger pizza at a venetto
[3] tapsilog / baconsilog at rodic's
[4] bagel with cream cheese at country style
[5] ensaymada and cappuccino at starbuck's

five alcoholic beverages:
[1] san mig light [2] rum coke [3] mango cream [4] red wine [5] gin pomelo

top five favorite past time:
[1] reading - everything from mags to serious books
[2] messing up things, then arranging them
[3] watching TV
[4] movies, music
[5] going online

top five colors:
[1] violet [2] blue [3] red [4] black [5] brown

top five fruits:
[1] apple [2] strawberry [3] durian [4] papaya [5] banana

top five bedroom stuffs:
[1] my human blanket (soon!)
[2] blanket
[3] pillow
[4] bedside books and journals
[5] lotion, powder, liniment oils

Not so belated musings on almost-pushing 30

I had a blast. Although I didn't have a bongga celebration or inuman session til the wee hours of the morning 2 days ago, I can say that it was one of my happiest birthdays. Blame it to a very peaceful and relaxing stay at home, that giddy feeling during lunch in Gayuma, the morning caller, the yummiest dinner I had with my bestest friend (it was all chapati and curry and samosas and green tea) and the sexiest gifts ever (thanks Shirl!).

48 hours later, I had flushed out all the Indian food I consumed, washed the stinking smell of curry off my hands and deleted some birthday messages in my inbox (low tech eh). Then I realized, I am indeed pushing thirty (two more years!). How time flies, it seems like yesterday when I was nature tripping with my high school barkada in Busay, treading that walk from Ilang to Econ with Eileen, going places with Shirl (Vigan to Bicol, and recently Boracay. Next stop: Overseas trip!), having those numerous first dates, sharing kisses and stealing glances, cheapskate's shopping sprees...the list is endless.

I am trying to list down some things that I learned in the last year. I know there are a lot but making it to the top 10 might prove difficult.

1. Never wear undergarments with your swimsuit.
The most basic I learned in high school which I try to preach to others lately. As someone who touted herself as waterbaby, I do abide by this rule. Also, no matter how flabby I am, I do wear the right clothes when in the vicinity of a swimming pool. Can't catch me wearing a pair of maong shorts and t-shirt.
2. Dutch treat.
First date is fine. The second, third and succeeding ones...I would feel so uncomfortable if the guy would shoulder all the expenses. Blame it to my so many years on being unattached. :D I thank Rhe for introducing me to this scheme.
3. When you are lost, ask.
Naman. I did this once, I did this so many times. But before doing so, I already walked a thousand baby steps before I had the courage to ask the manang in the side street. Now, I learned my lesson.
4. When in the water, swim.
Don't walk. Don't run. This pays off when playing water tag.
5. Good food is not just your usual fare.
I admit, I used to be the pasta and iced tea kind of girl. But with Shirl, Rase and Alex around, it is everything exotic and adventure. And my likeness with Indian cuisine tends to rub off now.
6. 1 cu.m. = 424 bd ft.
This is work related and this is the most used formula for me. It is like one-half base times height way back in high school.
7. Singleblessedness.
I do envy couples making gooey eyes. I do wish that I will walk down the aisle with a bunch of yellow-fuschia-tangerine colored flowers all tied in a bundle in my hand someday.Yet I thank God for this wonderful singleton life. Life has never been this great!
8. Traveling = Culture appreciation.
I have done a lot of side trips, field works, walking tours, banca tours etcetera, etcetera. Aside from the kodak moments, it is all about getting to know and appreciating the people, the places and the things around you (sounds like the definition of a NOUN).
9. Snail mail lifts the heart.
In the advent of emails and sms-ing, snail mail is a thing of the past. It may take days before getting hold of that most awaited card/letter/note but receiving it gives a different kind of high. Snail mail is one big production for me. It entails a lot of effort (of writing a very legible bunch of comprehensive paragraphs) and time spent looking/making that perfect writing material.
10. Green tea addiction is good.
Not nai-cha. Not the Malaysian style of serving tea. Not the ice blended Starbucks type of tea. The plain old boiled water and loose tea leaves. My affair with green tea started a few months back and it is getting better. Gold leaf, Japanese sencha and Yunnan gun powder. My taste buds are now focused with Genmanchai though it damages me 85 bucks for an 8 oz cup in The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Happy birthday to me (belated actually)....and yes, I'll get to enjoy my 28th year of existence for the next 11 months and so-so days before I get another HBD greetings...