herstory

I am so watching these

2009-12-29T02:29:00.000+08:00

There is really something about Robert Downey Jr. After Heart and Souls a few years back, you really wanna watch all his works. Chaplin, Only You (wehehe), Tropic Thunder, Ironman --anyone?

The writing sounds good. Dry humor, perhaps? Not a fan of Guy Ritchie but this movie might make me a Ritchie convert.

And there is something about Kang Don-won that makes me want to stop what I'm doing and watch him at work. He had me at "Maundy Thursday" and it wasn't even a romantic film. It must be the voice with the Busan accent. No wonder his voice was featured in the movie Voice of a Murderer.

Of course, I won't forget "I Am Happy." I would definitely get a copy of that film. Keber ba if Hyun Bin-sshi eventually dies at the end of the movie.

Dong-won & Song Kang Ho for Sworn Brothers

a high weekend

2009-12-06T07:36:00.000+08:00

it all started with a trip to galleria for some chain belt and a pair of sandals for baby's wedding today. and all of a sudden, i was in the middle of the mall's entertainment center looking at some stuff of the lovers in paris series. i am not a fan of the series - the kc-piolo starrer or the original PSY korean version. i thought i might have a chance for some celebrity sightings.

unfortunately, it was some sort of a bazaar event of the series. and they were selling almost all the costumes used for the series. there were baubles, earrings, necklaces, clothes (even that green gown that looked so familiar) and bags. i was trying to make my way in the middle table looking at the merchandise and something caught my fancy.

not the chanel shoes. or the miu miu platforms. or those italian sandals (buti na lang they were a shoe size smaller!). i can hear the heels calling. if heels could talk! a maroon and black michael kors pumps with 2 inches cone shape heels. man, the heels i was dreaming about for such a long time! no Q asked (not even if kc concepcion wore it). I went home poorer but with a big grin on my face.

another reason to smile about is armada's win at davis cup.

ask me about the composition of Philippines' Davis Cup team and I would just give you a blank expression. Or maybe a quip like "I dunno."

Ask me about Armada, aka Spanish Team and i can roll out the names rafa, feli, david, fernando and team manager alberto costa. i realized during the us open that tennis matches are bad for your body. especially when you try to stay awake at 2 am just to catch the night games. unless it's the do or die match (but rafa's matches, i think, are always do or die. hehehe), it's much much better to sleep and watch the replays on the net.

as for davis cup, i just watch out for cnn's worldsports or asia news channels's running text or if i am lucky enough, desportes news at tv espanol. i need to forego some matches for my sanity and health.

back to davis cup, yes, they did it again. for the 4th time! vamos, team armada!

(feli,david, fernando, rafa and alberto costa. source: nadalnews.com)

Go Mi Nam...

2009-11-13T08:05:00.000+08:00

I forgot to watch The Amazing Race and had to forego Top Chef just because I love hearing, "Go Mi Nam?..." uttered by Tae Kyung in every eppy of You're Beautiful (Minami Shineyo) for the past few nights.

The boyband - A.N. JELL (Shinwoo, crossdressing Minam , Taekyung and Jeremy)

You're Beautiful is a story of a boyband (think Super Junior, SS501 or even DBSK--which I love spelling it out - Dong Bang Shin Ki. hehehe) looking for a new member but ended up with a novice pretending to be a guy as their backup vocalist/keyboardist. It's Coffee Prince meets Hanadan! But the similarity ends at her crossdressing as a guy and she getting involved with ultrafamous guys (they look so young, I can't call them men.) There are lies, deception and funny moments, thanks to the good story written by the Hong sisters. I really don't know the Hong sisters but I heard they are famous...or they works are such as Delightful Chunyang, Hong Gil Dong and My Girl (all Wookie fans, please rise.)

It has a cult following due to popculture reference and it got great feedbacks from drama addicts. Jang Geun Seuk leads the cast. Jang who? Someone you might know if you followed Hwang Jin Yi on tv. Or maybe a fan of One Missed Call. He has couple of movies and series under his name although he's not that Lee Min Ho-after-BOF-famous. I saw a couple of his movies and even got interested to watch Beethoven Virus. I say, he knows how to pick his projects at such a young age.

The lead girl is not bad either. Eun Hye lookalike when her hair is short. Reminiscent of EunChan in Coffee Prince. She looks more boyish though compared to YEH.

And the 2nd lead. Now, if this guy played Jihoo in BOF ---sensitivity and all. You would actually cheer for him and not LMH (dang, I forgot Min Ho's name in Hanadan oh, it's Gu Jun-pyo).

The series shows the quirks of Hallyuwood, including the fans, netizens, press and the attitude of popstars after the director says "Cut!" or after the curtain call.

It is a rom-com, as usual. (Hey, what can you expect from a light or even heavy Kseries?) It is sure a fun watch. Light and easy. Stress reliever. Funny.

celeb hook-up

2009-08-06T06:33:00.000+08:00

and i am loving this! as much as hye kyo was so much identified with bi (aka rain/jung ji hoon), she is actually going out with biN. hahaha, can't complain. two of the most goodlooking people in hallyuland. maybe the too many kisses in worlds within made all the difference. good thing i am saving my best-english subtitled version of worlds within on my passport. time to re-watch over the weekend!

read news here.

At long last

2009-08-06T04:48:00.000+08:00

i finally got my portable external hard drive! i can finally watch the shows i saved some time ago - supernatural, big bang theory, some eppies of nonstop 4 and my precious version of world's within. besty can finally watch nomnomnom aka the good, the bad and the weird - the movie pre-GI Joe of Lee Byung Hun...

and much much more media files.

Updates on my faves

2009-07-18T08:42:00.000+08:00

extremes, i know. from boy next door to matador...

take your pick...

Bin

or

Rafa

DK on AI...

2009-04-08T07:44:00.000+08:00

Saw Danny Gokey sang this song on AI last week, and it just hits me...maybe it's just with his delivery...

What Hurts The Most lyrics

I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house
That don’t bother me
I can take a few tears now and then and just let them out
I’m not afraid to cry every once in a while
Even though going on with you gone still upsets me
There are days every now and again I pretend I’m ok
But that’s not what gets me

What hurts the most
Was being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was tryin’ to do

It’s hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go
But I’m doin’ It
It’s hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I’m alone
Still Harder
Getting up, getting dressed, livin’ with this regret
But I know if I could do it over
I would trade give away all the words that I saved in my heart
That I left unspoken

What hurts the most
Is being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was trying to do

What hurts the most
Is being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was trying to do

Not seeing that loving you
That’s what I was trying to do

Exploring the Countryside

2009-03-19T05:03:00.001+08:00

Chocolate Hills. Loboc River. Tarsier Sanctuary.
Three of the many sites to visit when in the countryside - Bohol, to be exact. For 2 months and 18 days, it was all prepping for the grand 2 days and 2 nights vacay to Bohol. I may say, everything was worth it. It was an almost sleepless trip for us- cousins Che and Tere, adopted cousin Shirl and me- for we booked the earliest flight to Cebu for an early connecting ferry trip to Tagbilaran City. With the not-so-straight-from-the-bed-look, the four of us met at T3 for the very early flight.
Whew! What a way to start your vacay!

Through Tatsky, our contact from PEx (you gotta love connecting through this forum for all travel needs), we explored the province - visiting historical, nature-related and religious sites - along with the rest of bakasyunitas who happened to have the same route as ours. We learned about it when we reached... The Sandugo/Blood Compact Site. With the number of people standing in front of the large monument of the Spaniards and the Datus, one might think that there is another blood compact happening on the ginormous table. Pinoys, Europeans, North Americans, East Asians converged in the first stop of the day tour. I even managed to act like I was with the Japanese group just to listen to the guide explain everything in Nihonggo. (Of course, I didn't understand a thing :D)

Ryan, our driver, then took us to Baclayon Church - the oldest in the province. It has a nondescript structure. With the numerous old churches in Bohol, it just looked like one of the oldies...until you are actually inside the Church. The old pulpit, the altar, the walls...the site from the inside was jaw dropping. And the sunlight from passing through the stained glass windows gave a different feel of the church. Rain started pouring (as usual, it rained on my trip!) so we decided to visit its museum. The Baclayon Museum, they say, is a must if one is in the vicinity. We took in all the religious and historical info that we can get by listening to the tourguide (nakisama lang kami, actually) explaining the candelabras and aparadors and Mass books. We "overtook" the group when the guide started explaining the donation history of the cabinets that stored the artifacts. Better read the notes pasted on each artifact, we thought. That way, we can save a lot of time and visit more places. We were hungry by the time we left the church so we headed to the Loboc River for the cruise, lunch buffet and singing. The rain stopped when we reached the river. We were so excited for the cruise (excited na rin for the lunch)...a novelty for the four us and with the rest of our ka-cruise, I guess. While eating sinugba, pusit, chicken and native veggies, our trip along the river started. The resident singer also started belting out karaoke staples that made us feel sleepy after his first set. There was a stopover in a makeshift stage to make way for Loboc natives performing for everyone on board. Every other person was scrambling to take a pic or two of the performers while the 4 of us were busying ourselves taking photos of..ourselves! Hah! We got all the views of the river covered.

As we headed back north, our entertainer began singing upbeat songs. And then, the rain poured. Not the taliti type, but the big fat drops of water accompanied by wind to wet us all. And then, someone at our next table began doing Laida's raindance (with matching bending of his left leg!) in the tune of Jason Mraz's I'm Yours. It was hilarious since the guy looked like a siga na me pagkacomedian. Hmm, I think he didn't dance enough to make it stop. We were like wet tarsiers when we reached our next stop - the tarsier sanctuary. We can't contain our excitement seeing the tiny creatures sleeping. We, the wet ones, didn't mind the rain as long as we get to see the nocturnal animals perched on the shrubs. So tiny and peaceful. We were so respectful of their nappy time that we kept reminding ourselves - No Flash, Please. From a distance, they are so cute yet when you look at them closely - they look like the a cross between Gollum and an Ewok that hangs for dear life like a koala.

The next site we visited was nothing new to me - a plantation that is packaged as Man-made forest. What's amazing with the sight, though, was the feel that the trees were closing in on you. How cool is that? We made our customary stop and photo-ops and "assigned" Ryan to take a "jump" photo of the four of us. We realized that it wasn't easy to do that shot. Timing was not there, definitely. In short, we were out of breath without a decent jump shot. We were then brought to the hanging bridge. Nothing stupendous - it was just a hanging bridge on top of a river. At the end of the bridge is Buko King, if you wanna see him peel husk from the buko. Che's one goal is to cross a hanging bridge...and what a better way to do it but in Bohol! It was a piece of cake, I believe. She reached the end in no time...no screaming or stopping in any point of the structure. Shirl rewarded us with banana-cue! As in the real banana barbied on a bamboo stick, slathered with margarine and sprinkled with sugar. And so, off we went to Bohol's must see.

Chocolate Hills, here we come! After an hour and 30 minutes trip, we reached our ultimate destination. It was a second time for me so I actually know what the hills look like. Giant Kisses, anyone? It was a steep climb to the viewing deck. Make that, steep and Whiteflower-scented climb to the top (maybe it was the scent of the ahjumma and ahjussi we met along the way). We again saw our fellow turistas posing and smiling and posing again. Some were pointing, some were kissing on some imaginary object...which I believed are the hills. Some even had a long broomstick which one can ride on ala Harry Potter on his nimbus. Kunyari they were flying on top of the hills. Hmm, what about a bike para E.T. naman ang dating?

Stitch in Chocolate Hills

We were so tired after the descent from the view deck that we slept like logs while we were on our way to the Python. We didn't look at the python, we were there to buy the cheapest Peanut Kisses being sold in the province! Food trumps python, anytime! Last stop before proceeding to Panglao was the Hinagdanan Cave. It was already dark...and the cave was also dark...and wet and slippery. Good thing there were lamps to allow us to see stalagmites and the large pool like balon. If one needs to buy lots of souvenirs, this is the place to be. Cheapo thingies for the cheapskate tourists.

The four of us inside Hinagdanan Cave

It was almost dark when we reached Panglao Island. The sea had receded and the sun had set. Vacationers and weekenders are still taking their sweet time as vacay time for them is about to end. But not for us, though. It was just the beginning.

A ME-Birthday

2009-03-10T13:54:00.000+08:00

It was a different kind of birthday. No hustle and bustle, last minute grocery shopping or last minute clean up. It was quite quiet actually.

Call it a bit selfish but I like the me-time for a change. My brother was at work. And Shirl has her weekend racket. I was left all by myself for a day at home. And it was my birthday!

It might sound lonely but it was not. I had a grand time - still doing some clean up (I am not a slob, afterall) but "listening" to Han Deuk-gu with speakers on. Iba pala ang dating. In between sweeping the floor and washing the dishes, I did some texting to friends na di nakalimot and answered calls from home.

I watched my favorite scene in Millionaire's First Love (the one he gave her a bottle of capsules with tons of messages on her birthday) and fave episodes of my favorite series that starred my ultimate oppa (ambisyosa!) while eating kalguksu cooked in a clay pot. I gotta be authentic here - with the metal chops and long spoon, pa. I was really in chilling out mode- kahit sobrang init sa labas. Well, that was really the reason I didn't go out.

Of course, when the sun set, it was a different story altogether. Besty and I met in mega and --- went to a food fair! Bwahahaha...ang daming handa! I got my Kaya spread and Shirl's got her herbed cream cheese. Oh my, I can stuff myself with Kaya for the whole week (I got so addicted with Kaya- and I don't know why).

It was a very happy me-birthday for me. I got to do what I wanted to do for so long (err, picking out among the many cds with Bin on it was a difficult task), eat what I really wanted to eat since I laid eyes on it (something from Bizu! courtesy of besty) and receive something that I really need (something ala-Amazing Race necessity) for that regular vacays.
****
Big thanks to my family who called from home and my bro from the land of merlion. Many thanks to Besty for the gifts and the cake and the macarons.

Salamaters to friends who always make me feel special on Love's Day...those who left a message or two in fb and multiply. euclid94 in our Y!group, sistahs in butuan, cousins, wng...everyone.

sa mga nakalimot...there is always next year. hehehe

Cheers. Spread the love.

Almost

2009-03-06T12:35:00.000+08:00

Counted are the hours...or do I need to?

All I know is that I'll be trying my hands on making myuk guk (I eventually bought some myeok/dried seaweeds from Mrs. Park yesterday) and eating pansit for long life.

Santa Can You Hear Me?

2009-02-18T05:11:00.000+08:00

It's way past Christmas but I love listening to Britney's All I Want for Christmas. It all started when I DL-ed a vod with that song in the background. Before actually googling for the song's title, I didn't have any idea who sang it or its title. I even DL-ed the wrong song - the Mariah version that was sung in Love Actually. Then, Besty mentioned that maybe Britney Spears sang it. Yeah right, she got it correctly. Ikaw na magkaroon ng bestfriend na former DJ. :D

So, here I am - listening to Brit over and over again...pag nagsawa, there is always Ne-yo, Chris Brown, Jason Mraz and the Jonas Brothers. hehehe

***
Ooh yeah
Last night I took a walk in the snow
Couples holding hands, places to go
Seems like everyone but me is in love
Santa, can you hear me ?

I sign my letter that I sealed with a kiss
I send it off and just said this
I know exactly what I want this year
Santa, can you hear me ?

I want my baby, baby
I want someone to love me someone to hold
Maybe, Maybe
Be all my own in a big red bow
Santa, can you hear me ?
I have been so good this year
And all I want is one thing
Tell me my true love is here
He's all I want just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here
Santa that's my only wish this year.

Christmas Eve, I just can't sleep.
Will I be wrong for taking a peek ?
Cause that I heard that you're coming to town.
Santa, can you hear me ?
I really that hope you're on your way,
with Something special for me in your sleigh.
Ooh please make my wish come true
Santa, can you hear me ?

I want my baby, baby
I want someone to love me someone to hold
Maybe, Maybe
we'll be all alone under the mistle toe
Santa, can you hear me ?
I have been so good this year
And all I want is one thing
Tell me my true love is here
He's all I want just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here
Santa that's my only wish this year

I hope my letter reaches you in time
woooo yeah
Bring me a love that I can call all mine
Cause I have been so good this year
Can't be alone under the mistle toe
he's all i want in a big red bow

Santa, can you hear me ?
I have been so good this year
And all I want is one thing
Tell me my true love is here
He's all I want, just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here
Santa, that's my only wish this year

Ooh Santa
Can you hear me ?
ooh santa
Well he's all I want just for me
underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here..
Santa, that's my only wish this year
Santa, that's my only wish this year

Ilang memories

2009-02-17T12:08:00.000+08:00

Recycling some notes I made in FB:

here are some of my ilang memories:

1.Besty and I met at Ilang. Up to this day, we're still best friends and housemates. grabe, 14 years and counting. And so with my other close friends.
2.My roommates – rm 222, circa 1994 with glen, toni and malyn. when malyn left, we had armi as the new roomie. then i had to take my LOA. when i came back, i couldn't take over 220 so i was transferred to rm 236 where i had berna, carrots and bevs, and then hannah joined us a sem after (berns had to relinquish her bed to do some serious studying). i also spent one summer with ginee, valerie and ruby. in between, i was roommates with toni and claire to do my RA duties.
3.My neighbors – rm 222 girls (circa 1994) ruth and co, rm 237 (vernalyn, karen, giselle), and the other visayan friends.
4.Good thing also, my other kababayans were at Ilang during my stay there: kat, wela, heidi, iris, charity, ivy and others from batch 91.
5.My pseudo-roommates: LaBella/Vels/Love, Rhiza, Bambi and Pearl at room 222 (circa 1995). “Of the same color?!”. Only the Broken Voices know the story behind this infamous line.
6.George, our beloved turtle in the garden. Buhay pa kaya sya?
7.Sunday pig-out: after Sunday mass, we usually had our feast of spanish sardines, pancit canton, rice, and some dessert. It used to be that simple those days...heheh...
8.Formal dinner – I attended one formal dinner, with no date, pero okay lang naman.
9.RA room – When I was the “Ate” of everyone, we had a very spacious Room 101 to ourselves. We even had our own stove where we can cook our meals. It didn't hurt that we also had our own CR.
10.Moondeck – Verns and I used to have long talks at the moondeck. When I felt down and ma-emote, I just grabbed my walkman (hiram pa ata un) and played Wolfgang's tape/s over and over again – in full volume!
11.Open House – it was the most anticipated event of the whole UP campus. I think maybe Ilang had the reputation na convent daw. We usually have some our ka-orgs and friends visit our humble abode.
12.Toni and Glen's loooooooooooooong silence to each other – this one is really for the books. All because of a room spray/deodorizer (tama ba ako, glen?)
13.Glen's yellow radio – one of the very first things i noticed when i first entered my new room, with Pearl Jam/Soundgarden/Bush blaring. Kahit naka-ear phones si Glen, naririnig ko pa rin.
14.My love affair with Wolfgang started at Ilang, and of course, all thanks to Glen. This was followed by my obsession to Razorback, PNE, and others.
15.Room 213 – our study room. I usually stayed up until 3 am just to finish my papers and thesis.
16.An unexpected visitor way past curfew – my roomies teased me that this GC girl couldn't handle that there was someone else in our BC classes who could get a perfect score...
17.Scheduled laundry day, usually either on Mondays or Tuesdays, kung kelan walang masyadong tao sa laundry room namin. Bawal damit labhan, so undies lang lahat nakasampay sa laundry room
18.Very short ligo time, especially on weekdays.
19.Food – Kat raced me to describe everything. isaw, balut, Ate Zen's putok, Gloria's palabok, and baked goodies from Dagohoy. Always on a limited budget, it was a once-in-a-blue moon event to go eat at Katipunan or even at Philcoa.
20.Visitor's slip. I used to keep some copies of this, since there were a few times that I missed his visits...haaay, memories...ssshhhhh!
21.Ma'am Tirona's “It's 10pm, not 10:01 or 10:02” referring to our curfew. Good thing, she allowed us to stay until 2am for the UP Fair. Galing!
22.One bad deed we did: Sa room nina ting and didits: kasama sina glen and ivy, we had an inuman session. Bwahaha...and i couldn't forget ivy's rant: “bat wala pa akong boyfriend, what's wrong with me?!!” dred: uban ba ka adto?
23.PBA basketball in the TV room, with matching loud cheers from the fans. I was a Shell die-hard and I think there was a time na nakipag-away pa ata ako sa remote control. The remote control was a power symbol. Speaking of Shell, Kathy, LaBella and I even got to interview the bball players during their practice.
24.Neighboring at Dewie/Eileen's room, Mirzi/Rheanne's room, pati kina LynC/Chelo, and Kat's room. chismisan...pigging-out...
25. Swapping pocketbooks. Borrowing notes...

and the list goes on and on...

i think the list says it all...i did enjoy my ilang stay...what about you? what are YOUR fond memories?

of the aussie open, joaquin phoenix and tarantino...

2009-02-02T11:04:00.000+08:00

I'm not really into tennis. But last night's finals game at the Australian Open got me glued to my tv. Yes. I've heard about Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer from a couple of news items, but I never did get to see them play. Last night was my only chance, and they both didn't disappoint. At first, I was just curious of these 2 champions really play. We started watching in the 2^nd game (I hope I got this right), and then for the next 3 hours or so, I was stuck. It’s actually a very educational experience for me. I didn’t have any inkling about the scoring at first, but then I remember watching tennis matches Butuan a few decades ago (whoa, I’m really old!).

I cheered for RoFed (a monicker I coined – I hope!), but RaDal (corny!) didn’t disappoint either. I think tennis is a very hard game and a very hard full-body cardio workout. If only I can serve just one ball, I’m good already…hehehe. You could find me and LaBella shouting our “aayyyy!” while being enthralled with the game. It really is THE championship match.

I think the highlight of the whole season is what happened after the game. I was ALMOST teary-eyed when Federer spoke before the crowd, and all he uttered was: HI there! And a fan called back, “I love you, Federer” and ayun na, tumulo na luha nya… grabe! It was such an emotional time for him. Well, he was kinda disappointed that he didn’t break Pete Sampras’ 14-grandslam record, but still, he’s such a pro.

Rafa is another thing. It was his first at the Australian Open, and nanalo agad. He’s been a threat to RoFed. And yes, I didn’t even know that Nadal is now No1 overall, and Federer came close behind. I think I’ll be glued to watch another one of their matches. As the JPhoenix-JTarantino look-alike said, “see you next time!” I will definitely see more of him…

One of my fave moments…it’s as if Rafa’s saying: It’s Okay bro, cheer up!

of facebook and dan kloeffler...

2009-02-02T10:31:00.000+08:00

Facebook has gotten me busy in the net for the past weeks. Friendster is definitely out already, and Facebook is what's in these days. FSter is so passe...

Facebook is so addicting, I can tell you that. I can get distracted from doing my lesson plans, blogging (and stalking) with all the Facebook notifications on my browser. I even got to send some personal messages from friends from all over the world.

Imagine my pleasant surprise when I got a personal message in my inbox from Dan Kloeffler, a news anchor of NBC's Early Today. He has been a favorite for over a year now, and grabe! I can't believe that he replied to my simple message "I'm a fan". and syempre friend ko na sya sa Facebook. Wow, he's so unassuming!

Here's his reply...

Thanks!
I really appreciate that! You know, we don't hear from a lot of people in your timezone, so I was thrilled to get your note!
I will tell everyone we've got a devoted fan in the Philippines!!
Thanks again for the support, I means a great deal to me!
Dan

If La_bella has her Ilan, I have my Dan...hehehe (well, friend ko din si Ilan)...and hopefully, Harold (Season 1's Top Chef) will have his own Facebook account.

from my facebook notes...

2009-02-02T10:06:00.000+08:00

Here are My 25 Random Things...

1. I think I’ve learned not to be too hard on myself.

2. I’ve also learned to live within my means, though sometimes I’m a one-day millionaire.

3. I love cooking for other people. I love even more the compliments I get from them.

4. My greatest idol of all times is Ewan McGregor. I’ve grown to know that he's more than the looks and acting prowess. He also has a big heart.

5. I love watching news and public affairs shows, and watch out for some interesting production values as well as errors. Broadcasting is still in my blood.

6. I watch CNN and NBC to get some interesting production values.

7. I used to dream that I’d be working for CNN. My ultimate dream interview is with ex-US President Bill Clinton.

8. Though they have disbanded for years now, I stil think that WOLFGANG still rocks!

9. I love my family to death, and will do anything for them.

10. I’m still a crybaby especially when it comes to my parents’ separation.

11. I still cry over some cheesy love quotations from books, or even from TV ads.

12. Being an iskolar ng bayan taught me to give back what I have to the society.

13. Having worked with Jun Lozada taught me to care more about my country.

14. Working with Sir Paul (wherever he may be right now) taught me to master my craft as a radio DJ/newscaster. Most used word: ENUNCIATE!

15. I love my students. They may be sometimes stubborn, but still I love them.

16. I think I’m always the guy’s best friend. Haay! I’m always one of the boys.

17. I can eat corn for my meals.

18. I can live in Korea, India, Thailand and other Asian countries because I can adapt to their food.

19. My best friend Love and I quarrel over petty things, but NEVER did we quarrel over boys.

20. My day usually starts with a cup of brewed coffee and TODAY show (especially on weekdays).

21. I wish I’d get married sooner than my only remaining single younger brother. Tough act to follow.

22. I have a lot of friends, though it takes a lot of time and effort to warm up to me.

23. I have accumulated these friends through time.

24. I have a soft spot for chingoos...:-D

25. I like to think to myself that I’m always in love…

Kailan, Ilan?

2009-01-29T06:29:00.000+08:00

My faves : Sam, Ilan & Harold

Last night, besty and I were switching between the replay of American Idol on QTv and special of Top Chef on 2nd Ave.

It was great to see our favorite contestants from the first two seasons with the judges again. I admit, Harold Dieterle is the top among the winners of the 3 seasons. Everyone can be a cook, but not every one can be a chef. There is that leadership quality...the reason why the word chef was derived from chef de cuisine - head or chief of the kitchen. Harold has that aura. And he is such a great guy, not palaaway.

With a hangover from last night's show, I searched Facebook for Sam (Talbot) of Season 2. He is good, and cute (to boot) but the last challenge did it for him. Aargh, I think almost everyone thought he nailed the title during that final four but Ilan and Marcel gave him a run for the title.

Then, I found Ilan. There were lots of Ilan listed but somehow the profile photo has this pull saying, "I'm the real Ilan that won Top Chef!" In short, I invited him to be my friend and even sent a message. I wasn't expecting a reply since he might be so used of receiving messages all over due to him winning Season 2 but guess what....? He did reply and informed me that he's coming to Pinas for some event. Wow! I have to block that TBA date (sometime in March daw). Of course, sinabayan ko na ng benta ang Pilipinas telling him it's indeed a great place. He got thousands of islands to explore.

Let us see if I do get to see Ilan this March.

High Fives for Slumdog Millionaire

2009-01-26T07:58:00.000+08:00

When I first heard about Slumdog Millionaire in the Today Show and Ann Curry gushing over the film, I wondered, "bakit kaya?"

Then I learned that it was set in India. I thought, probably everyone's from Bollywood.

Then I heard that Danny Boyle directed the film. Hmm, interesting.

Then I read its tagline, "What does it take to find a lost love?" It's a love story?

Then, it got nods from critics, Golden Globe and Oscars and BAFTA. I decided, I got to watch this.

India. Danny Boyle.
A visual feast, indeed. If one saw Trainspotting, you know what I mean. Or maybe, The Beach with Leo diCaprio. Azure water, PhiPhi Island, Thai hotness.

Just the thought of the story revolving in the slums of Mumbai, I was expecting unforgettable images playing in my mind for some time. True enough, the chase scenes inside the nook and cranny of Mumbai slums was a "sight to behold." Or the jump scene of Malik over a pile of human feces when he learned his "idol" was in the vicinity. I tried to cover my eyes when he went down the make shift toilet but curiousity overpowered on how that scene was treated...next, you see Malik covered in feces running towards the actor.

I like the interplay between the Q & A during the show, the interrogation with the police and the experience he had in relation to the question being asked in the show.

It's a great watch. It even got me teary eyed when Malik chose "Dial a Friend" for his Help and hearing Latika answer the phone. And the Bollywood feel at the end of the movie. Yup, there was dancing at the train station in Silky-like sound. (Shirl commented that Danny Boyle really included that scene to pay homage to Bollywood.) All I need to watch the movie again over samosas and matter paneer and sweet lassi.

It shows that experience is a great teacher, no matter how painful or trivial it may seem at that moment. Maybe I should be really be observant from now on. It may come in handy when I'm in the hot seat.

the love bug

2009-01-23T03:58:00.000+08:00

darn, jonas brothers! i can't their song off my head.

i remember that a few months ago, i can't distinguish who's who among kevin, nick and joe. then, i began recognizing each one albeit it would take me a few secs to do it.

it didn't matter though who's standing on the left, right or center, all i care is that "...speechless, over the edge i'm breathless...." i wonder when i can sing this song again.

Called you for the first time yesterday
Finally found the missing part of me
Felt so close but you were far away
Left me without anything to say

(CHORUS)
Now I'm speechless, over the edge
I'm just breathless
I never thought that I'd catch this love bug again
Hopeless, head over heels in the moment
I never thought that I'd get hit by this love bug again

(people chatting)

I can't get your smile out of my mind
[I can't get you out of my mind]
I think about your eyes all the time
You're beautiful but you don't even try
(You don't even, don't even try)
Modesty is just so hard to find

(CHORUS)
Now I'm speechless, over the edge
I'm just breathless
I never thought that I'd catch this love bug again
Hopeless, head over heels in the moment
I never thought that I'd get hit by this love bug again

Kissed her for the first time yesterday
Everything I wished that it would be
Suddenly I forgot how to speak
Hopeless, breathless
Baby can't you see?

Now I'm...

(Guitar solo)

YEAH, OH

Now I'm speechless, over the edge
I'm just breathless
I never thought that I'd catch this love bug again
Hopeless, head over heels in the moment
I never thought that I'd get hit by this love bug again
[ohhh]
Love Bug again
[woo!]

In Love With Sugbu

2009-01-19T09:37:00.000+08:00

Have you ever fallen in love with a city before?
I did. Twice

The first one was Tacloban way back. It was love at first sight plus the fact that I was really in love that time.

Then, this city I am staying right now...in between bites of pancakes and sips of some hot choco in country mall, I realized that I actually fell for the city's charms. The provincial feel smack in the middle of the city. The hustle and bustle of urban life but the laidback vibe. For the first time, I identified a place that I want to settle in, if I have my way.

The city attacks the senses like no other, especially the taste. The sugba-towa-kinilaw standing side by side familiar dishes one had tasted at home with a dash of all-Am or Korean stews or Indian breads for the sudden worldly cravings.

Oh, the taste of brew---brewed coffee that is. Aside from the usual staples of Seattle based designer cups to the old reliable Figaro, there are a couple of sources of pick-me-uppers like Cebu's own Bo's Coffee Club and Coffee Dream to Starmart's coffee shop. I am having caffeine overload in my 4 day stay here!

Then there is the story of commuting. For the first time, I am exploring the city sans taxi's help. Well, unless I was really lost (Ley and I did get lost on our way to the Capitol from Fuente. Boy, did we walk the dark alleys of del Rosario St). No need for map, just a list of the coded jeep routes. And believe me, it's some sort of adrenaline rush knowing I did ride the right jeep or alighted at the correct stop.

I remembered that friends used to tease me why I always go back to Cebu and Bantayan for 3 straight years now - maybe some bisdak caught my heart, they say. I should do the same for Iloilo but Iloilo is my other province apart from my city of origin.

Now, I can tell them, it is not some bisdak. It's actually the place itself where lots of bisdaks (and chingus) roam and the place they call home. All the reason I have to start looking for that bisdak (Maybe this March [hah!]when I'll be back in the city for some Sky Experience Adventure...but that's another story).

never too late for “how's '08?”

2009-01-14T05:18:00.000+08:00

not to be outdone by labella's “the year that was”. it took me two weeks well into the new year to write my own assessment of my 2008. so here goes.

January last year was just a slow year for me. i was just well into my 2^nd month as a sonsaengnim, teaching english over the phone. i had late nights, but my mornings were usually free, with dvd marathons and sometimes taking in moments to be “down and depressed” - which was sometimes a good thing really. why? basta... this month also, i joined MMQ as their corporate secretary (another volunteer work).

February – nothing eventful. v-day just passed by, and just like with the past v-days, i spent it with no one...well, someone did send some “feelers” (i.e. nagparamdam) that time, but that was another story. hanggang paramdam lang naman...maybe he was just feeling the v-day air too!

March – it was besty's bday. broke that i was, i pulled off a cost-efficient bday party surprise for her. thanks to all our friends who kindly chipped in with their desserts and drinks, it was a very memorable Korean-themed party. for the first few months last year, we had Korean overload. i blamed it on my students and jung woo-sung, and la_bella got gaga over kim rae won and hyun bin, and even got to practice hangul writing and speaking. it was also our first vacation time for the year – our 2^nd time around time in bora which was more into adventure rather than frolicking in the sun. we began our summer earlier than usual. 1 unforgettable event: we've missed our scheduled flight because we overslept! surreal, but really true. buti na lang, it was not yet the busy summer season so we got to board on the next flight.

April – summer time of course. nothing exciting. got myself immersed in everything korean – and even got to like eating kimchi and bibimbap, and watching “daisy” for the ___th time...and also cried buckets for labella for that love story 6 years in the making, and then went pfft!

May – i had my interview with then-prospect school, and even had to a demo teaching to pas for the job. labella and i moved to horseshoe to house-sit for mom joanie and dad will feuerstein, and to babysit genesis (the bratty pusakal). i've held back my fear/indifference over 4-legged creatures and even got to bond with her. we've lived the life of people in highly-guarded subdivision. it had its perks and downsides. for one, we got to incorporate some horseshoe-style living into our humble 116-e dsaa abode. it was an experience worth taking on.

June – my calling has finally called me. june 6 was the first day of school and i was nervous as hell. fortunately, i got to enjoy what i was doing, and eventually met some interesting students. officially, i was now the education coordinator/instructor at aclc pasig – a far cry from my ngo work at aap.

July – by this month, i still had the energy to balance 2 teaching jobs (1 full-time and 1 part-time job). what gives? it was this time that someone actually kept me company during the night. sounds creepy? He's not creepy at all, but i found falling in love with him creepy...yikes!

August – coron, here we come! after weeks of looking forward to it, we were finally in palawan. our flight was canceled but who cares? we just had to make do of the 1.5 days that we had in the island. we failed to join owen's group tour, and had to do the island hopping by ourselves. i got to climb the steep rock formations (ala-amazing race/fear factor combined), snorkel, swim, and just frolic in the sun. on a sad note, i had to leave CallNTalk for health reasons. not having enough sleep because of my 6 to 11pm shift, i just had to give up my partime job. good thing, i won my case over mr jung and ms almie (which just shocked me to death). late realization i had: CNT was not that bad at all.

September – it was le cabaret time! a major mmq event, i got to be one of the event organizers for this one. missing the aap events jobs that i had, i was thrilled to be a part of this fund-raising 20/30's-inspired event. dressing up the part wasn't bad at all. at least we had an excuse to shop for clothes and accessories as we used to do in gwb and other aap events. another bonus: we raised almost P1M for the event, and got to build a school in pampanga and helped operation smile. it was all well worth it!

October – sem break was just around the corner, and it was hard to say 'bye to my students. on our last day of class (for each of the subjects i taught), we had a short program and a small salu-salo. my students went overboard! - surprising me with heartwarming testimonials and gifts which left me teary-eyed. this greatly outweighs the burdens of being a teacher.

october was also the time we went back to our fave vacay place – bantayan. this time, we had a recruit, lil sis april rowine. on our take3 on the island, we got to swim at sugar beach, had buffet dinner at marisquera, and even had videoke at 7 am! fun things to do especially for turistas like us...

November – this month, my age is officially “lampas na sa kalendaryo”. to celebrate that (heck, age is just a number), all my friends “congregated” in our home-sweet-home for my asian-themed bday party. old and newfound pals attended, and it was heartwarming to know that a lot of people do care for me. an hour before nov8 ended, the videoke group trooped to musicmatch for those videoke-till-thy-kingdom moments. thanks to wilbert and armel who “sponsored” this session for me.

i also got to attend lioda's wedding this month, where i was requested to be the lector. tough job, but thankfully, i pulled it off. funny, i was mistaken to be a waray since lioda's kababayans found my intonation a genuine one. ha, that's one compliment i'd gladly take.

December – dec10 was an anticipated day. wolfgang again rocked my world as it did for 15 years with their “black christmas” concert. thanks to mari, i got a good seat in the house, kahit na i was on my own. basti, manuel, mon sure did the stuff they're made of. i got to attend multiple christmas parties (wng, company parties, and even a heartwarming christmas party in an orphanage with my students). of course, who can't forget the eileen-rico nuptials in baguio, boho style? we got to experience the super-brrrrr weather and got to see the sights before and after the wedding.

2008 ended with my first priority in life: my family. i got to spend my christmas and new year's eve with them, and it's always a nice feeling to be back to my roots. reunions were almost held everyday. friends and relatives came over. i came to visit my aunts' place/s outside butuan. and i even got to finish “twilight” and “new moon” in my 12-day vacacion grande. it was a relaxing and fun time indeed.

it's never indeed late to ask: how's 2008? i think i did have a great year...and looking forward to a much greater 09...

happy new year everyone!

all fine for '09

2009-01-14T04:01:00.000+08:00

it took me two weeks well into the new year to finally pressure myself to do some “GOOD” things for '09...i have to write down my expectations (and/or resolutions maybe?) so i will have to keep reminding myself...

for this year, not much expectations really. i've already learned the hard way that too much expectation can just lead to frustration. so i'm setting just some not-so-high standards for myself this year.

the find-a-bf-quick is still on the list, but maybe not on top this year. making more money is tops, hehehe...no, im not really mukhang pera, but with virtually no savings at all (i'm just a mumunting ma'am now and still sending someone to school), i will have to be more active in adding more to my bank account and pay off my debts. that's a tough one, but hopefully i can get a few “rakets” here and there, then i can definitely pay myself off.

next on my list is having a healthy lifestyle (i.e. more masustansyang pagkain and a regular exercise regimen). hmmm, another tough task to do, but a big factor if i really want to lower my bp to a minimum. i think i've watched too much tv and read too much mags about health and wellness that it's about time that i apply what i've learned from the media (just the good things hopefully).

keeping in touch and reconnecting with friends, this i have to do too!. i don't think this is hard with the current technology (thanks to facebook, text and im-on-sms). i think i'm already off to a good start with this. over the christmas break, i met up with my batchmates and old friends, and even some long-lost relatives in the province. just last week, kababayan friends from college days met up for the first time after college grad. i got to see anje (after a decade, i think) and some other UP friends/”barko” mates. we got to reminisce about the good times.

this year, i vow to have more of those -- the meet-ups, gatherings. hopefully, i can now get to attend our nci reunions with sir jun (yes, the infamous jun lozada who's my former boss). i missed the 2 previous meetings last year because of previous commitments. i also intend not to miss out on birthdays and wedding invitations, and even baptismal invitations which i expect to double in number this year. i've been known to be the perennial no-show at these events. i've almost lost my best buddy because of this attitude, so i'm keeping my word to pyke that i'll attend his son's 1^st bday this month.

and yes, i intend to have a life – and enjoy it! single or attached/committed, i've got to enjoy the things that may come my way.

everything is oh-so-fine in '09!

The Year That Was

2008-12-31T04:57:00.000+08:00

Two oh-oh eight happened so fast. It felt like yesterday that we were counting down to greet 2008.

January...I met with EGR over coffee in Tiendesitas when she broke the news of her getting engaged to Rico. For the sad news, it was goodbye forever to Heath Ledger. Damn, I still didn't get that Knight's Tale cd back from someone who borrowed it.

Feburary..I am officially k-popped addict that I actually blog about it seriously.

March.....Got the biggest suprise birthday party ever, thanks to an uber event planner that happened to be my bestfriend. Friends from school, barkadas I met after college, friends of friends na naging friends ko celebrated the big day with me. Of course, a birthday gift to myself is ---a trip to Boracay. Not for some frolicking on the beach but food tasting and car buggying up Mt. Luho. Yup, spent bucks just to hit the lamp post near Fairways and Blue Water.

Before climbing Mt. Luho

April.....I called it summer mush yet it didn't materialize. Although we share the same time zone, it's still a different continent. We didn't have the ending of A Lot Like Love. Six years was way too long to wait for that ending to happen.

May.......Live a double gated house in Horseshoe and got to meet Genesis, the queen of Sunset Drive. The pusakal that looks every inch of a diva. With a tall gated life, what do people in this enclave do in their free time? I seldom see our neighbors. I actually don't know what they look like. I also realized that in all the characters I've seen and read in shows/movies and books, respectively, there is one character that is closest to my description of The One. Not Matthew Farrell (for all those J. McNaught's Paradise fans out there) nor Leopold, Duke of York (a Duke? come on!) but a character named Kang Tae Bong.

June......Shirls got double duties as sonsaengnim in CJ and Ma'am in AMA. And I ended up having dinner with Han Deuk Gu. He slurping kalguksu in a red tent while i'm eating kimchi ramyeon. He, inside the small screen while I am infront of the telly. On the sad note, a friend of mine from work left for
a greener pasture in another ASEAN country. No more joyriding and condo screening for helen, alex and me.

July......I discovered soft subs to make my drama/movie watching an ease and I acquired a new toy called Gorillapod. For the sake of vanity, I badly needed a tripod that can twist and hang upside down just for me to be included in my own photos.

August....Beijing Olympics. And I didn't get to see the swimming events and Phelps acquiring those golds. On the bright side, it was Welcome, Coron to besty and me. We weren't able to join Owen's tour and did the island hopping on our own but thanks to Owen and PEx, the trip was enjoyable. We assured Owen that we will back for a Calauit safari trip when time and budget permit.

Siete Pecados

September.I joined Shirl in her event Le Cabaret and dressed up as a flapper girl. Darn, I miss dressing up every year (courtesy of George Washington Ball) so I didn't forego the opportunity to be donning a head dress and a 20's inspired dress.

Life's a cabaret

October...A new travel buddy joined our group. April travelled with us to Cebu and Bantayan Island for some R and R. It was fun to tour someone around the island and act like you're a native showing her the must visits. It was the start of Worlds Within and I was glued to the monitor every Monday and Tuesday. Blame it on the so real depiction of relationship of Jioh and Junyoung in the show. The first two episodes gave me sleepless nights, for sure.

A scene in Ep 2: In tune or not? Not the usual sweet moment.

November..Besty's birthday and her larger than the usual birthday party. It was all Asian and new faces joined the usual circle of partygoers, including my cousins and her new officemates. It was kantahan all night at Music Match with Agnes, Rhiz, bday girl, Mel and Wilbert and me after the party.

December..Mr. K is back, thanks to a tip given by a poster here in multiply.Wolfgang had their reunion and I accompanied Shirl and Glen hanggang entrance. Witnessed the one of a kind wedding of Eileen and Rico in Baguio (also did some eat-xploring) and Pam and Sannie's special day in Zambo. I'm back to my hometown for the break and doing absolutely nothing...well, some cleaning and baking (once in a while).

Bell Amphitheater at night

And speaking of baking, I need some cooking to do for tonight's Media Noche.

Prospero Año Nuevo!

Couch

2008-12-30T15:21:00.000+08:00

Unplanned Christmas Gift

2008-12-26T10:53:00.000+08:00

Not the 120 or above gig portable external hard drive, for sure.

An unplanned one, actually. Got a very early morning call from Tin, my cousin, informing me of a zero fare sale in Cebu Pacific in any domestic destinations just for Christmas and December 26.

Since my cousins and I planned to have an out of town for so long, this is one great opportunity.

First plan was to go to Iloilo. uhhmm, sked not possible.
Then Cebu. hmm, pwede.
What about Dumaguete (to finally see Antulang)? sked still not possible.
Well, CDO na lang for some canopy walk and a visit to Camiguin. still not possible.
Okey, back to Cebu as point of entry. Check. Very early AM flight to Cebu and be back to Manila early morn on a Tuesday. Double check.

Definitely, Bantayan is not in the agenda. We're making Cebu our point of entry for some R&R in nearby Bohol.

Yay! I can't wait for March. Looks like my backpack will be busy again.

And how much did the tickets cost? 336.00+ for the six of us [Tin, Che, Tere, moi and adopted cousins Carlo and Shirl). Dalawang sine lang sa Gateway/Eastwood.

Happy!

A Groovy Celebration of Lovy

2008-12-26T01:54:00.000+08:00

What do you get when you got hitched up high on the mountains in boho inspired look, a ceremony filled with “moments,” and a shindig reception like no other? It's definitely a moment to remember!

And that was I experienced in Eileen and Rico's church wedding a few days ago. Gone are that too formal and stiff and scripted wedding...no “Ikaw” or “Love Moves” on the background, but Baby I Love Your Way and sax-version of When I Met You.

Early Birds

Shirl and I arrived in Baguio a day before the wedding for a rehearsal but we ended up marching down the aisle 5 times – as ninang, bridesmaid, flowergirl, etc. We even get to hear the band play before anyone else…I tell you, hearing the first notes of Baby I Love Your Way and When I Met You sent shivers down my spine. Wae? For the reason that these two songs are very close to my heart.

The venue without decors

We got to see the venue for reception in its naked glory. Well, that is without the lights and tables and chairs. Standing in the middle of the amphitheater with one’s eyes closed and a little imagination can take you to a different place – candles that light up the trails, stars that bathe the sky and crisp air to hold you close.

This will be one heck of a venue, we said.

Gusto mo bang sumama?

No wedding prep pictures, please. But I can't help it. Photos were discretely (kunyari) taken while prepping for D-hour. No pics of the bride by the window looking over the puno ng mangga (or whatever nakikita over the large window) sa bakuran but shots of her with pang-kulot...lining up the young dudes while donning a bathrobe and making pa-cute in her wedding gown. No dramatic shots here (err, almost).

A touching moment

On the way to the chapel, she played what is supposed to be her last “single” song. While cruising the way to Scout Barrio, we were singing along with Ely “Masdan mo ang aking mata. 'Di mo ba nakikita? Ako ngayo'y lumilipad at nasa langit na. Gusto mo bang sumama ?” What a way to say adieu to singledom by inviting everyone to witness her being in cloud nine.

Singing along with the E-heads

And then we (Eileen, Janelle, Shirl and I) screamed so loud that Kuya Robert might have suffered temp loss of hearing when we were approaching the driveway of the chapel.

Aside from Vince, Shirl and I being the wedding coordinator's nightmares, everything went well...Well, except that Rico was almost married to an Ellen instead of Eileen. Good thing, the officiating priest was corrected right on the wedding vows mismo. We can't help but smile everytime Fr. mentions Ellen. Vince almost had the wedding stop if Fr. didn't stop uttering the wrong name.

Time to smile ---Fr. got it right!

Let's Party!

Camp John Hay's Bell Amphitheater was transformed to a garden of lights with a dance floor. No speeches or AVP or program but full of happy talks over kegs of beer or happy talks on the bonfire or endless chatter over lechon and garden fresh salad or nonstop kwentuhan over beer (did i already mention beer?).

Bell Amphitheater at night

As what the invite said---it was party all night. There was dancing and dancing and dancing. We were not spared from swaying and swinging and wreaking havoc on the dance floor. Who can't say no to 70s and 80s dance tunes? We were indeed children of the late 70s and dekada otsenta.

The newly weds gave thanks to everyone who witnessed their union. I say, we are so grateful to be part of this groovy celebration of love.

Once again, congrats to Eileen and Rico.

Ei's W-day

2008-12-18T08:26:00.000+08:00

Flashback... mid 2004 over a cup of coffee in C3 in Kalayaan Ave.

Me: Kala ko, bibili na ako ng gold shoes for your wedding.
Eileen : I thought ikaw ang ikakasal.
Me: Nah. Matagal na kaming break ni %$^&. Ikaw pala?
Eileen: Wala na kami ni *^@$! nung January pa.
Me: Oh, wala palang ikakasal this year.

Then, early this year, I got a text message.

Eileen: Sis, I have great news!
Me: Really? Ano yun?
Eileen: Magkita tayo nina Shirls sa Tiendesitas this Saturday.
Me: Okey. Kitakits.

And then, Eileen shared to us the great news.

How time flies. It was just like yesterday or the day before yesterday that we were the shorts wearing, tsinelas clad Econ students attending an elective Spanish class at 7 in the morning. And now, she is ready to embark in a new journey...a milestone. and I am there to witness it. As early as January...3rd week of December is literally blocked off in my social calendar. That means no party on that week...scheduling a flight to Zambo a bit late (on the 24th!)...everything holds still since I'll be goin up the mountain (we used to joke that she is a mountain girl and I am the island one. [Case in point - Eileen: Me pine trees ba kayo? Me: Bakit? Me tuna at alimango sa inyo?]) for her wedding.

I won't be wearing gold shoes though. My pair is silver.

Looks familiar?

2008-12-12T11:06:00.000+08:00

wolfgang at twilight

2008-12-11T07:42:00.000+08:00

the shirts

last night was the night for bigtime wolfgang band aids (is this the term penny lane used in almost famous?). a mini reunion for glen and shirl. a pack of wolves gathered in one place for one a night. i saw in the faces of besty and glen that this is the moment they were waiting for...6 years?

i may not be inside the concert "hall" to witness their faces filled with awe and excitement but i can really picture them headbanging and singing along with basti like i used to see them way back a year or so after college.

the only wolfgang-ish thing i did last night was acutally lining up with them while they were picking up those souvenir shirts for sale. sa totoo lang, the razorback shirt way waaaay better. it must be the cloth. or the style. it was so pang-independence day.

while i left shirl, glen and ronald to the packs, i had my own adventure...

with the vampires. the cold ones. (my golly, this is so vampires vs. wolves)

i watched it with my brother with the anticipation that it must be very good.

unfortunately, it fell short. it was like watching a music video. for some reason. the execution of the book into a movie made me think, "buti na lang, di ko pa natatapos ang libro." maybe i expected too much in a adult-type of vampire sort of story but ended up watching a vampire version of AWTR(?). just kidding. the way edward was described in the book made me think of a pale james franco instead of robert pattinson. and bella...kristen stewart looks more like the vampire when she's standing side by side with robert p. i understand her pale-ness but not the dark circles under her eyes. mukhang siya ang hindi natutulog.

good thing i looove robert's delivery of lines. cold and creepy. you don't need to feel his skin to know that he is indeed a cold one.

the movie actually reminded me of the other vampire film "the covenant." dark, cold and mtv-ish.

i should have stick with the book, i guess.

a black and rockin' christmas

2008-12-11T06:26:00.000+08:00

my head still aches. maybe of too much headbanging, of the throbbing and pulsating music of the wolves (soundcheck included!), or not too much sleep of anticipating and thinking of that best gig over and over. ok then, they're all the reasons. but i'm not really complaining.

la_bella told me to write this blog ASAP. i told her i really don't know where to start. i could start it with some quotable quotes in the concert. one unforgettable one is from razorback's kevin roy: “no, we can't play that song. the gods are listening”. hell yeah, they really are the gods. and a jampacked (well, the venue was not that big) eastwood with black-clad 30-something rockers worshipped them last night. another quote is basti's opening line when they started their set with sanctified: “6 years man! let's get the f*** out of here!. or his usual lines “this one you guys know” or even “you guys know manuel right”?. or the new ones “ako naman!” or “pagbigyan nyo na kami” or “now, let's do something old”.

i can also start and continue this blog with my own timeline. 5 pm – arrived at eastwood, surveyed the territory, did some stalking (and even saw basti!), and ate blizzard at DQ and listened to their soundcheck. even the first notes in their soundcheck gave me the chills. my! it's been 14 years since i first saw them with glen (july 18, 1994 at a makati bar, it was manuel's birthday then). 6pm – had dinner at kfc with glen, ronald and la_bella and talked about the old times (of course!). around 720pm – lined up for the concert. line was not that long, and entrances to the venue were well-organized, so no hassle there. before that, we bought wolfgang t-shirts! i toured glen and ronald at the city walk. 750pm – doing the 10-minute countdown (and starting to feel relaxed eventhough i was all alone in my seat.

also, thinking to myself : my future SO should stand rock music and should take me to rock concerts! so i'd be alone no more. 8 pm – black christmas started! 9 pm - basti and the gang went up the stage. for the next hour or so, the diehard fans (of course, kasama na ako don!) sang with basti and headbanged. no mosh pit here! haaay...grabe! i was so ecstatic! 10 pm – fans shouted “we want more! we want more!” 1015 pm – exited the venue and met up with la_bella who ranted about twilight. post-concert, we spared some time to do some photo ops at eastwood mall and to take some rest at mc cafe with peppermint tea and quiche.

i can also start writing by saying: this concert brought a lot of memories, way back 14 years ago (oh i forgot, i mentioned this already). i can still remember the first time i saw them, with their long hair and cono speak, and of course their songs. thanks to glen, i was introduced to their amazing music. and from then on, oh boy, was i hooked! i remember the number of times we used to “stalk” them. basta, glen and i had this deepest secret regarding manuel and another with mr. artadi. she made me promise not to mention it in this blog, kaya sige na nga. there were times that dormmates would find me all alone at ilang's moondeck just with my earphones on, with wolfgang's darkness fell in full volume. i crammed for exams listening to their music, and for good reason, di ka talaga aantukin when you listen to their songs. there was also a time when we stayed until 2 am at the UP fair, waiting for them, only to be told that they weren't coming. damn!

even nowadays, gasgas na ang acoustica vcd ko since i usually watch it on my not-so-good days. not to mention their other cd's too. to prepare for this anticipated gig, i listened to their cd's and watched their old music videos in youtube.

i guess i can say that wolfgang has been really of my life. a big part. my all-time anthem DF is also my own love song. just go figure.

oops, i guess i'm going off-topic already. but back to black christmas concert. they sang almost all of their songs in their first album – which was a treat especially for me. the highlight/s? there were a lot. one that really stood out was when they sang darkness fell. grabe, kinilibutan ako. i didn't expect it since i got disappointed a lot of times in their past gigs. what a surprise! i almost lost my voice singing along. hay grabe!

thanks basti, manuel, mon and francis (who by the way looks a lot like wolf!) - for making

my christmas not so black and bleak. i still have a hangover from last night, and it will be here for long.

there are a lot of ways to start this blog, but i sure know how to end it : ENCORE!

Yookgaejang

2008-12-10T04:09:00.000+08:00

(photocredit: trifood.com)

I can't get it out of my head.

Ever since I've seen the movie adaptation of the manga comic Le Grand Chef, I've been imagining the spicy aroma and melt in your mouth beef of the beef and scallion soup called Yookgaejang.

The bean sprouts, large onions, strips of beef, the red hot and spicy soup...

I only tasted it once but the dish is hard to forget. Just think about it, it was the almost last scene of the movie and the bida was slicing the beef and onions while the red soup was boiling on a claypot and I was thinking...why does the dish look so familiar? When the winner was announced at the end of the movie (the film, btw, is a cross between Top Chef and Iron Chef shows) and the dish was described...it hit me..Yookgaejang, nga!

this is the day...

2008-12-10T03:19:00.000+08:00

Oh yes, today is THE DAY! I'm way too excited that I even dreamed of them last night playing in a barangay hall (na parang basketball court - it was kinda hazy but i know it was them)...it felt weird but good! hehehe

I got hold of my free ticket last Monday. I will be seated at VIP CTR Left Row R, Seat 1. Too bad, my "sponsor" wasn't able to get additional free tickets so I'll be lining up alone...Good thing, Glen and Ronald are just seats away (or so I hope). Haay, di ko kasama si Besty...I'll be meeting up with LaBella before the concert and then, she's off to see Edward and Bella, while I on a date with my guys>>>> of whom I had an affair with for the past 15 years...

Can I really do this alone? Well, for the love and passion, yes I can...

One thing's for sure. the wolves are back! and they're rocking my Christmas tonight...it's not definitely a BLACK CHRISTMAS for me...

Supernatural Weekend

2008-12-04T08:37:00.000+08:00

It's bye bye time to the Winchester brothers for now.

After my trip to Ifugao, meeting high school pals in Serendra and watching the missed episodes fo World Within online, it was time to lock up and turn on all the lights for some scary viewing on the small screen.

Close friends know that I love to scare myself silly by watching scream flicks. Scream 1-3, Ring series, The Eye, The Uninvited (not so scary at all), The Phone, Psycho...heck, even the teen vampire movie The Covenant, pinatos ko. Now that horror movies (not that slasher type, btw) are dime a dozen (or wala lang akong makasama manood), I focused my attention to the tv show Supernatural.

I don't even know how I got into it. Definitely, not the hot brothers Dean and Sam played by Jensen Ackles (Lana's exbf in Smallville) and Jared Padalecki (Rory's sweetheart in Gilmore Girls). Defenitely not their dad played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Izzy's fiance in the early season of Grey's Anatomy). It was more of the information you can get about...well, supernatural beings. Why the wreath screams paganism or the white lady always walking and crying or how salt is more powerful than a gun.

Just finished Season 3. The clock ticked 12 and the hellhounds got Dean. And looks like Sam is still the force to reckon with among the proteges of the devil.

Can't wait for Season 4.

Back to Mr. K

2008-12-02T07:36:00.000+08:00

Mr. Kabab or Mr. K formed a big part of my mid20s. It was the usual hang out place or after school late dinner or pre videoke kainan. In one of my old posts, I mentioned that mr.k is gone. Thanks to Agnes who brought her friends to Quezon Ave but was greeted with an abandoned establishment. Good thing, someone mentioned that they just transferred in West Ave., just after Starbucks (or I was just imagining the after Starbucks thing)

Since it was really out of the way, no one had confirmed its new location. My friends and I resigned to the fact that mr.k is a mere good memory. We even tried out the one in Eastwood, maybe it can replace mr.k as the Persian kainan in our hearts. Alas, it failed...the mayo garlic did it for that resto.

And then my besty and I decided to explore West Ave. one weekend. Starbucks is just near New Life/Delta. And so we walk past Starbucks and Kowloon...and lo and behold! There was a big signage in all caps-Mr. Kabab.

Shirl, I think, wanted to jump and shout with fist on the air saying 'yes.'

No more dimly lit kainan or mosaic tiled tables. Gone were the lamps and waiting area. The place is big. Parking is not a prob (sa may mga kotse). No more tin plates and cute lamps. The menu is still the same. Even some of the waitresses look familiar. My golly, looks like business is good.

I had my usual order - keema and pita plus biryani rice (me hang over pa sa yummy basmati of Indian resto Swaggat a week ago. But that's a different rice altogether, they just got the same color) and Shirl had her shawarma on plate. Even the drinks we had were the usual thing- mountain dew and yogurt shake/sweet lassi.

We terribly missed the taste of mr.k's treats. It brought back memories..the long commutes, the amoy shawarma, rainy nights, long talks, friends who were introduced to mr. K, even meeting exes of friends.

We were so full after that late lunch.

Amidst the physical changes, I believe that the food retain its flavor. And the trip down in West Ave., will definitely be one the list again.

April's November

2008-11-21T12:13:00.000+08:00

April-sshi, got a message from CJM straight from MS...

saeng-il chukha!

~~~happy birthday, kapatid sa lakaran, kainan at noraebang-an. kombae! nomu! kombae!

Ewan on "angels and demons"

2008-11-19T07:34:00.000+08:00

recently, i've been under the radar about everything ewan. yes, my ewan of course, hehehe...can't wait to finally see him on “angels and demons”. yes, that much-anticipated movie based on dan brown's book.Si ewan, naka-sutana? bagay kaya? - see for yourself in this pic... ------------->>>

i read that book a few years back, and i think i have to read it again to review some interesting scenes there. according to reports (i've watched part of the trailer on “e.t. weekend”), mr. mcgregor will play Carlo Ventresca, the faithful servant to the church during the papal conclave in Vatican City. as a sequel to da vinci code, tom hanks reprises his role as robert langdon with newcomer Ayelet Zurer as Vittoria Vetra. personally, i like this book more than davinci code since it's more action-filled and more controversial - I think! it really is faith under fire. and this challenges our faith in the catholic church.

As movie producer and director Bryan Grazer says: "The movie examines the conflict between science and God, particularly when faith is tested by violence."

Interesting storyline. too bad, it will be shown next year pa!... tagal!

Black Christmas

2008-11-17T09:48:00.000+08:00

Glen told me the good news last week, and it made me giddy.
finally, a long overdue reunion concert.
too bad, wolf can't join them for this gig but still, it's ¾ of my favorite band. i've been hoping against hope for this, lo and behold, my prayers have been answered, though a month late from my bday. but hey, i'm not complaining at all.

i'm so looking forward to dec. 10. an early christmas treat.
another icing on the cake – hopefully, i can score free VIP seats for this event. i hope that our eastwood contact can still score some freebies for me, considering that she even got calls from her clients requesting for free tickets to this same concert.
wow, they are still famous huh?
mari, please get me those tickets. pa-belated bday gift mo na for me.

and nah, it's not a black christmas for me at all.
it would be a happiest christmas. time to celebrate.

Wolfgang Returns with Dec 10 Concert

They've been sleeping for 6 years, but now iconic rock band Wolfgang
returns with `The Black Christmas Project' concert at the
Eastwood City Central Plaza, Libis (near Ortigas Avenue) on Wednesday,
December 10th, at 7 p.m.

The highly anticipated awakening by the band -- widely regarded as the
Philippines' definitive `rock gods' -- is presented by No
Fear, LevelUp, and Eastwood City, which is expected to reverberate with
Wolfgang's signature onslaught of thick ferocious sound.

Precision riffs, emphatic beats, power-drenched vocals, colourful
licks, driving ostinatos, occasionally jazz-styled basslines and
imaginative breaks merge with razor-sharp interplay in Wolfgang's
unique style of American-influenced hard rock, heavy metal, grunge and
blues-rock.

Basti Artadi, Manuel Legarda, Mon Legaspi are joined by Francis Aquino
at the year's ultimate year-ender.

The band's ability to infuse everything they do – be it power
ballads, progressive rock songs, bluesy tunes or their harder-hitting
material – with strong melodic hooks has made it the only Filipino
rock act to be released in both the USA and Japan. Wolfgang is also the
only Filipino heavy metal act to breach platinum records on home ground
and receive more than 20 group and individual awards for creative
virtuosity, cementing their reputations as stalwarts of the
Philippines' rock Valhalla.

What can fans expect? Says frontman Basti Artadi, "Expect lots of
singing, dancing, drinking and all-around head-banging because it's
gonna be a hell of a party!"

of weddings and single blessedness

2008-11-13T11:40:00.000+08:00

i have to attend 3 weddings this year. nah, not mine, but of 2 of my dear friends. and yes, another crucial wedding too! not mine again, but my lil bro's.

nov 29 is the date of the first wedding. it's the wedding of my college roommate in kalayaan, lioda. well, i have no excuse to back out or drop out since i was assigned a crucial role. yikes, di ko talaga matanggihan. i am to be the lector of the wedding ceremony. a tough job to do, i guess. i already have the draft copy of the missalette which left me teary-eyed. i hope i won't cry at the ceremony. the vows are so dramatic and very heartwarming, grabe talaga. i would have loved to list some quotes (especially from the groom, melvin) - but that would be pre-empting their wedding. i haven't even met melvin, but from the vows he personally wrote for liods, i think he's a good man.

if i had my own way, i won't include our vows in the missalette para mas dramatic. aha, 1 thing to consider on my own wedding.

2 more weeks to go, and i still have to go for that perfect dress. or maybe i have to re-hash my GWBall gown with some minor adjustments (pumayat na ko konti) which is with the champagne-colored wedding theme.

and yes, i have to work double-time with shawn t, billy b, and pia g...hehehe

more details on their wedding here: http://melvinandlioda.weddingannouncer.com/

***
dec 20 is eileen's wedding in baguio. this is also what la_bella and i are looking forward to. another dress to look for since we have to wear something bohemian. for this special day, i'm tasked to light the candle. i have to practice lighting one na di namamatay. tough job too! si la_bella naman, cord daw...well, we're hoping we have some cute partners...hehehe... eileen and rico make a great couple. i met rico a couple of times already, and he's a cool and very personable guy. rico is a fan of our indian feast, so pasado na rin sya with eileen's friends...hehehe..

and their dogs - chili and pepper - are so cute too!

***

unfortunately, i can't be there for the wedding of my lil bro nonoy (irving jr) on dec 18. kasi ba naman alanganin sinet! and nagtampo konti si manang ging -ging since i wasn't first consulted kung pwede ako for the said wedding. hay naku!

i was just been told that there 25 sets of ninongs and ninangs. grabe! weddings in the provinces are really different from here in manila.

if i have my way, pag ako naman, i will have less than 6 sets of ninongs and ninangs lang....i would have to choose kung sinu-sino kaya...

single blessedness in the title? yes! who knows? i might be destined for single blessedness for life...that, we don't really know! bahala na si lord...

2nd sem stories...

2008-11-13T11:18:00.000+08:00

first week high. i survived the first 4 days of class. actually, i went back to school last week since i also volunteered in helping out with the enrollment period. the pressure of getting more students is upon all of us - so naghahabol pa rin kami ng enrollees now. i feel bad for some of my students who couldn't enroll because they don't have the money to do so. i also feel bad for those who have the money, pero tinatamad namang mag-aral. haayyy....ang mga kids nga naman.

compared to the 20+ hours of classes per week which i handled last semester, i now have 15 hours of teaching. i miss some of my students from the other sections na wala na akong class sa kanila. the management has other plans for me, i guess. well, more admin work (as education coordinator/acad head, as per my appointment) and more "student affairs" responsibilities on the side. so i will be seeing some of my old students outside the classes, and more on their extra-curricular activities. nah, don't ask for a blowout kasi wala namang increase eh, hehehe...being a teacher is really more of a passion, and not a "money-earning" career.

i now have 6 to 9 pm class every tuesday for commski 2. di ako sanay to handle night classes, but i fought for this class since this is just my 1 and only GE subject. you wonder what i'm teaching now? i teach Advanced Office Applications with lab (i need to brush up on my MS Office skills), NSTP2 (not really a problem for me, since it's more of community welfare and social mobilization), Personality Development (well, this is another one interesting subject which I'm looking forward to).

my old students from commski1 are planning to transfer to my commski2 class. na-miss daw nila ako. and even my other students...it's so heartwarming to know that my students love me (or baka bola lang din) and even miss my teaching. some of them even call me Headmaster Fajarito...heheh...

terror daw ako, sabi ng iba. well, pang-sindak ko lang sa kanila. as one of my students introduced me to the new batch, he told them "ma'am shirly is the kindest teacher, the best 'yan!. we're so lucky to have her as a teacher..."

that, and all the other sweet things said and done, is all the more reason i want to stay in this job...i think i finally found my calling...at last!

Short Stop

2008-11-10T11:28:00.000+08:00

I started composing what I would blog about during a stop at the intersection of Katips/White Plains and C5 this morning but too many thoughts started pouring in (like getting late for the flag raising perhaps?) that I decided to re-imagine what I'll write about prolly tomorrow. (Yeah, I imagine what my blog looks like first before actually writing it).

On top of my head right now...

Shirl's all asian last saturday was different. New faces, old faces, not so new nor old faces. Our place was pretty jampacked around 730ish but who cares? Instead of reminiscing what happened during the last gathering of the usual suspects (which was my birthday), it was more of getting to know each other among the bisitas.

With the absence of magic sing, the Ploning group (wala pa akong maisip na name for our group composed of Rhiz, Agnes, Shirl and I. Basta ,we watched Ploning together and actually got teary eyed in different parts of the movie.) plus Mel and Bert decided to continue the fun at Music Match. Actually, pre-MM was not that actually fun when you are watching Disturbia and listening to a sob love story.
***
Tonight's Episode 5 of Worlds Within. Just when I thought I see a large part of my story in the series, the similarities ended in Ep. 2 (Thank goodness!) Dapat talagang isingit ito...I just love Monday and Tuesday! hehehe Soompi gets flooded with all the posts.
***
I was able to DL Baby and Me and still waiting for the subs for The Good, The Bad and The Weird. A post-birthday gift for SF. But then, she already knows that raw files of nom nom nom is already available. Unless, she wants to sit through the movie withough understanding anything.
***
I got to be uber serious with Shawn T and Nicole just in time for the weddings I'll be attending during the holidays (too bad, not my wedding pa). Mas pressured si Shirl since end of November she'll be attending one na!
***
Trying to familiarize the song La La La Love Song. I thought it was all hangul with some English words. Oops, I should have listened carefully since the lyrics is actually in ...English. Not Englishee...

bday ko na talaga!

2008-11-08T05:37:00.000+08:00

My birthday is most special today because of your greetings. Today, I feel so loved because I know that there are a lot of people who love me - and show that they really do.

hay, lampas na talaga ako sa calendar...pero pwede pa sa lotto..

to my ka-barkada, college friends, high school friends, former colleagues, former alaga's at AAP, my students, and to everyone - and especially my BFF LaBella (and for those who plan to greet me the last-minute) - KAMSAHAMNIDA! THANK YOU SO MUCH.SALAMAT KAAYO. MERCI BEAUCOUP. GRACIAS! MARAMING SALAMAT!

For those who forgot, or ooops, still think that my bday was last Sept08, you still have 14 hours to do so...:-D (dapat me gift ng kasama un)

-Shirly

aTe,mAnaNg,uNNie... saeng il chukha hamnida!

2008-11-07T06:07:00.000+08:00

(i am posting this in advance since i will be uber busy prepping for the all-asian bday party of shirly tomorrow.)

If I were Paris Hilton, she is definitely my BFF.
If I were Ewan Mcgregor, she is my comrade Charlie (Long Way Round/Down, anyone?).
If I were Stitch, she is definitely ohana Lilo.

She is manang to her lil big bros; ate to almost everyone who stayed in Ilang from 1996-1998; and noona to almost all her chingu students. For me, she is always Girl, Besty and Omma (since her other friends already call her nanay, mamu and mommy).

But aside from the family ties that one can associate with Ging-ging, she has other faces that one can get glimpse from time to time...

Before she became famous for her yummy goodies, she is first and foremost a foodie. From the spices of thali to the sweets of lassi, from the acquired taste of jjajangmyun to the crave-able texture of kimchi, from meaty shawarma to beefy keema...she can go all-am 4th of july pies and corndogs or all-seafood special in kinilaw and inihaw. There will never be a dull moment with her when going food tripping. You're really into a real trip. Forget pasta, pizza and iced tea unless you're eating savarese in piadina.

Besty can pull an all-nighter as long as there is a videoke in the house. We used to frequent Music Match and Time Zone just to have that "gusto kong kumanta" fix. I think that people in MM already recognize us since we frequent the noraebang almost every Thursday night during her AAP days with Agnes (and we do have that frequent visitor card to boot!). Her proudest 100 moment? Britney's Sometimes. You gotta hear her to believe. Shirl is Britney meets Beatles meets PCD meets Mandy Moore (the ultimate!). Of course, who can forget "A Friend of Mine"?

AIM - Ayaw Iwan ang Mic

She may have said adieu to the development world for a year but she still rhas that soft spot for kids. From being Ma'am Shirly in AAP that turned Ate Shirly to her AAP alagas, she is now Ma'am/Miss Shirly to her AMA kids to Ate Shirly to the children at the orphanage.

Shirl with her alagas - AAP peeps to kids @ the orphanage

Her worldly tastebuds, videoke staples and unending love for kids in need...she is one of a kind. She has this bottomless sort of energy that heaven knows where she got.

But at this time of the year, sit back at relax ka muna, girl.

And imagine wu-seong singing this song...

saeng-il chuk-ha hamnida
sarang ha-nun shirly-sshi
saeng-il chuk-ha hamnida

happy birthday, besty!

easy and thoughtless

2008-11-03T11:45:00.000+08:00

...were the words uttered by character A to character B. this could have been an ordinary show until the relationship between characters and the ir exchanges became apparent that made me say...OMG.

i texted my besty immediately and informed her what i discovered. it's so familiar but kpop style. i had empathized with a number of characters - dalja (dalja's spring), hee-jin (MLSS) and even yejin's role in the classic but i never imagined that i can fully identify myself with characters A and B on what they are going through.

for the first time, i felt a certain kind of sadness. not the type that you burst into tears. but the "hay...." type sabay "how sad...."

i hope that there'll be a 180 degrees turn in the plot. i'll have that uneasy feeling if the story would go on something so familiar. but then, it is still in its 4th episode.

no wonder it's first title was a world they live in. it's actually the world we are living in.

bday blues...

2008-11-03T05:37:00.000+08:00

oh, i'm getting old already, as in really old. those so-called birthday blues are haunting me again...

i hate birthdays, especially my own. in less than a week's time, my age is officially out of the calendar days (kumbaga, lampas na talaga sa kalendaryo...me lotto pa naman)...we all know what it means. more pressure from everybody to, well, you know, find that elusive guy, get married quick, have a family of my own, and start having a life! as for me, i'm pressuring myself to have bigger accomplishments, do better things, learn from past mistakes, leave a good impact on other people's lives, and yes, well, find Mr. Right. in all my past 11 bdays (yes, i've been meaning to find Mr. right since i was 20), all i've been wishing is for THAT GUY.

lo and behold, THAT GUY didn't even come close.

wrong choices, bad timing,bad move, just friends, more important priorities. all these were just but excuses. some guys were there, but those guys (well, na gusto ko) weren't always there. some things were really not meant to happen, and not meant to be. but hey, this is the last time, you're going to hear me complain about this.

sometimes, i think to myself, “maybe i'm destined for single blessedness, and just be a full-time inspiration / guide to my students/wards. who knows, baka nga, ganon na! god only knows what my future brings.”

i'm blabbing too much already....maybe it's the hormones talking...darn, i AM really old...

beach, booze, and chibog in bantayan...

2008-11-03T05:34:00.000+08:00

it's been more than a week away since we set foot in bantayan for the third time around. this time, we had newbie april, a former co-teacher in my part-time work. young and still a “virgin” with the ways of the world, i.e. lakwatsa, she's actually learning the ropes very fast. in fairness, wala ding pag-iinarte or anything, so she's an a-ok travel buddy. we're actually planning another trip somewhere in the visayas for the v-day next year. how about that for an enthusiastic “protege”? :-D

bantayan has been close to my heart for 3 years now. parang tradition na rin namin na pumunta don during the off-peak season. this year, we were lucky because it didn't rain on our vacation. swerte ata si april...

on the first day, we went to our usual destination – the bantayan town proper to pay respects to the oldest church and do some shopping in their palengke. and then off to swimming at sta fe beach club (both sa pool and the man-made cave) and sugar beach (our first!). in the evening, we had an early happy hour – and our “bunso” got drunk! heheh...a baptism of fire with screwdriver and rum/coke...

the second day was our sunbathing/swimming/snorkelling to death with our island-hopping in virgin island. we even had our baon of fried fish (very fresh, but forgot the name of the isda) and garlic shrimps cooked by a friendly manang in one of the carenderias there. for less than P300, we had a feast! and oh! we even managed to squeeze in some videoke time...it was still 7 AM that time! can you believe it?!!! hehehe...

i was the designated treasurer, and labella & april were thankful that we still have some money to spare for a sumptuous seafood buffet dinner at marisquera portuguese resto. well, we were impressed with the owner's CS ability since he directed us to sta fe beach club when he overheard us asking where to buy ice cream! ice cream was nowhere to be found in bantayan...oh, back to the dinner, we had inihaw na squid and porkchops, kilawin (my fave!),

crabs, shrimps, hay grabe...we were bloated after dinner. i had to down everything with a bottle of san mig light...yum!

the last day of the vacation was – and is always – the hardest part. we didn't want this bakasyon grande to end! we still had around 3 to 4 hours before we checked in, so we did some last-minute swimming in kota beach (the resort where we stayed in our last 2 escapades). it was also market day so we were able to see the busy morning unfold before us. for lunch, we had paluto. i negotiated with manang to prepare kilawin (again!) and tinolang isda (a dish i'd boycott when i'm in butuan) for our last lunch in bantayan...for less then P300 again, it was quite a feast. i think we just got lucky with our food...

since our flight back to manila was scheduled at 9 pm, we had time to spare to do some shopping at SM (where else? henry sy should give us a loyalty award). after a grueling 4.5 hour-trip back to cebu city, we had to settle for an airconditioned place, had ice cream, did some pasalubong shopping and window-shoppping. dinner consisted of rice, pinakbet and CNT lechon – authentic cebu lechon! oops, had to watch out for my bp though. luckily for me, i didn't feel anything funny after our dinner. sadly though, we didn't have enough time to visit other places in the city proper since we had to rush to the airport to catch our flight – only to discover that it was delayed. arrrgh!

for our next time (yes, di ako magsasawa sa bantayan!), we will definitely stay in marlin's again. though the seaside view is not that good compared to kota, the room is more okay and water is not that scarce. and ooh...the lounge chairs. i could just sit on one of those for hours, and just let the time pass me by...(and do some emoting on the side, and think of someone/something)...

it was indeed a memorable vacation, and we still had our firsts on our third time around in that irresistibly beautiful island in the south.

Swim with Stars. Feel the Burn

2008-10-31T04:52:00.000+08:00

after the mandatory visits to sta. fe beach club and ogtong cave and sts. peter and paul church in bantayan town, shirl, april and i took a dip in sugar beach.

town proper

jump with so much gusto

the resort's name is corny but it lived up to its name - sugar fine sand that can rival boracay's. at the time of our visit, we were the only beachgoers. we got the whole stretch of fine sand beach for ourselves!

***
virgin island or siloon is. is not that virgin anymore. gone was the rubber tire duyan on the talisay tree and the place actually has a cr! unless we didn't notice it the first time around.

starfish heaven

we swam and sun baked and snorkelled like there's no tomorrow. and of course, the usual photo ops with the crystal blue sea as background. too bad that i forgot to recharge by dc's battery. i was low bat in an hour's time.

***
we hit a jackpot when a manang tindera sold us shrimps for 150 a kilo at the market. we bought half a kilo and had the manang in the carinderia cook it at 5O pesos(!).

the highlight of our trip to the island is not the shrimps for lunch or the usual photo ops but the numerous star fish on the side of our swimming area. not just 1 or 5 but more than a dozen. there were versions of patrick in red, pink, orange and brown. we even gathered some starfish egg shells (eggshells nga ba yun?) that were so thin they easily break when not handled with care. we tried to gathered as many as we can but we only got 3 in the end since some were heavily damaged. how did we know that those were starfish shells? There was a figure of a starfish on the shell itself. it was so cool that we donated the 3 shells to marlin's reception display! (i hope andun pa sila when we get back next time)

***
marlin's, we observed, doesn't have a proper swimming area. unlike the long stretch of sand bar in the past, they elevated their lounging area and had steps going to the beach. if you're lounging, it's pretty cool with a breakwater reminiscent of rt lim blvd (in home sweet zambo) or the famous one in dumaguete or even the one near fort san pedro (in iloilo). for us, though, we had to jump over the nearby resort for some swimming.

kota beach is still the best place to take a dip for its fine sand and even sea floor. the morning we enjoyed the water at kota, it was still high tide but it was fun wading on our own version of a giant pool. (note: the water here is too salty for some reason)

***
with our exposures to sand and sun even with tons of sunblock, we wonder no more for the burn we feel. not the shawn t/billy blanks burn but the hapdi all over our backs and arms kind.

the "after" photo

no worries, though...it was all worth it.

Worlds Within

2008-10-29T07:05:00.000+08:00

Omo...omo...omo...

This is it! The moment I've been waiting for since late summer. Although I'll be able to see it on TV on December 1 pa, there are kind looneys and SHKers that posted recaps and DL links of the first two episodes. Yay!

I've seen parts of Ep.1 (with English subs!) and I am not complaining...except for some HB's facial expressions so reminiscent of Samshik. No Han Deuk-Gu look here. Gone is the Jessie character of Hye-kyo, for sure. Buti na lang.

Indie feel. Reality-tv type shots. Goodlooking cast. Quotable quotes.

Asssa!

Bantayan, take 3!

2008-10-27T07:20:00.000+08:00

What I like about Bantayan Island is the barrio-tic and rustic feel the place offers aside from the clear blue waters and white sand. Of course, there is a slew of tourists from the mainland but visitors here are mostly Caucasians and the usual singkits and sakangs. It is amazing that the island has maintained the barrio charm amidst the imported visitors.

For the past 3 years, Shirl and I visited the place. The first time I saw a pic of Kota beach from a friend, I immediately fell in love with the view. With that in mind and some notes on how to get there, besty and I embarked on a journey that will start the annual visit to the island.

The following year, we brought along Rhiza. Like us, she loved everything the island offered, including the grilled Cebu chorizo on the side street and the Virgin Island.

This time around, it's newbie April getting introduced to the beauty of bantayan.
***
Our trip started with a 2am tambay at the new NAIA terminal. Aside from the checking-in liquids brouhaha, we were able to board the plane at 4 am and left for Cebu at 430.

sleeping beauties

We had breakfast at McDo in Fuente Osmeña. Why at Fuente? We just want to be in the middle of uptown and downtown Cebu for our first meal in the province. Well, not really. It's actually the only McDo place we are familiar with.
***
We took the ordinary Ceres bus going to San Remigio. Welcome to the provincial bus trip! Two stops lang daw and the unavailability of a/c bus til 11am made us decide to jump in.

The trip was uneventful. After passing several cities and small town,s the three of us fell asleep and just woke up when we were approaching the long and winding road on the way to Bogo City.

We were at the San Remigio port (most northern part of Cebu province) by 10am just in time for the 1030 ferry to Sta. Fe, Bantayan. What's great about the ferry ride was the free tickets. What's not so great about it was the hour and a half trip. i dunno what happened to the 30-minute trip with fast craft.

Sta. Fe pier

Our new home for three days is the German-owned Marlin's. We've stayed in Kota for the last trips and we made a good decision of trying out Marlin's. Main reasons? No water shortage and new rooms.

***

first order of the day was lunch.

There was a carinderia near Mama Tita's bakery. We grabbed a seat and had humba and hipon okoy and 35 pesos steamed little crabs arranged as a necklace.

yumyum...

Let the real vacation begin!

Back to the Bantayan

2008-10-23T07:41:00.000+08:00

All is set for the 4 AM flight tomorrow. Shirl and I decided not to sleep tonight and just wait for April who'll be coming from her teaching job. Mahirap na.

We even packed our things as early as Tuesday night with the fear of us getting too stress and oversleep. Think trip to Boracay last March! We tried to cram all the beach essentials in our respective backpacks since we bought the Go-lite fares. Yup, we've gone light travelling to the land of otaps and danggits (we'll just cram the dried pusits and danggits with our wet swimsuits then...hehehe). Syempre, it's a different story if we are talking about Davao.

Our DIY itinerary tells us that we'll be in Cebu by 6AM. Go to Cebu North Terminal for the 3-hr bus ride to Hagnaya port and proceed to the Fast Craft for the 1.5-hr ferry ride to the island. We'll be in Bantayan before lunch!

We've been to the island twice for the last two years but since we got a newbie with us, we'll take her to the usual route - Bantayan Church, Virgin Island, Sta. Fe Beach Club and Ogtong Cave and go resort hopping! We'll be trying out new things like going to Madridejos (the farthest point of the island) and Sugar Beach (yeah, never been there). We'll see where our budget can take us around the island for 2.5 days.

It would be great if we can go to Casa Gorordo but with the sked we have --- raincheck na naman for the old house turned museum. We'll have April kiss the cross of Magellan in downtown Cebu and walk the streets going to Fort San Pedro plus hoard lots of ethnic materials (carabao horns, anyone?) for bracelets along the way.

Instead of NeoNeo, we'll try out STK in Mactan. I'm salivating for fresh seafood after a bitin talaba fest in Iloilo.

Now, I am getting hungry...

oct 13 notes

2008-10-21T08:10:00.000+08:00

I still don't have much luck when it comes to travel. I am here at the airport waiting for my colleague and my ticket when the windy pm turned into windy and rainy afternoon.

Looks like it really doesn't matter if my trip is official or for r and r, talagang uulanin ako. Just like last week, I was in UPLB for a training and when we reached forestry, the rain poured. Not just the taliti type but big time ulan. So much for walking along the campus every morning.

And now, I am off to Iloilo. I hope that it isn't raining like crazy there. But I did bring the essentials - payong and rubber sandals and uber old shoes for the field work. It's okey to sacrifice this old puma than bringing along a fave adidas.

The last time I was there, the city was flooded (way before typhoon Frank) and there was an oil spill off Guimaras. Yes, I do have fond memories during my stay in the city but that event really started the running joke that when I travel, it rains.

***
I'm here stuck in traffic. Just one town after Sta. Barbara. I was about to comment that the airport's new location is way better than the one near SM Iloilo since it is far from the madding crowd. It is far but looks like traffc is still within striking distance. I dunno how near we are to SM City Iloilo or what time well arrive in the office.

***
I texted Shirly that I felt I was in Incheon (province where SoKor's airport is located) rather than in Iloilo. Reason? Manhi chingu-ya! There are many Koreans here...from NAIA to the plane to Iloilo airport. Also, aside from mabuhay notice you hear in v.o. inside the plane, there is an anyeong haseyo. Kulang na lang Hangul characters on the Ph map instead the Jap characters.

Too bad, no qt chingus in sight.
***
I read about this kaya toast restaurant in Naia. I don't even remember its name but when we passed by the stall, I knew that it was the one. I never tasted kaya-A Singaporean jam since I always imagine it as something like our local version of coco jam. Well, it tasted like one except that it has a better consistency and not too sweet. The name of the stall is Ya Kun and it serves different combi of kaya toasts. With butter, sugar, cheese etc. I had the cheese toast with kaya and a cup of coffee c- with evap. The coffee was not that strong brewed type and it has an aftertaste...from evap, malamang. I was looking for the sipa of the kape but it was too subtle that you might not notice it. It reminded me of chai milk and stretched tea famous in that side of SE Asia. For a toast, it was expensive. But if you want something different, it's worth every per diem.
***
I am writing this blog through my phone and believe me, it is a bit difficulty with the little keypads (kahit nakaQWERTY pa). To kill time, I do make notes that turned into blog entries of blah-blah-blah of my life. And this is some blabbing I made for this day. :)

Guerilla Date

2008-10-13T06:12:00.000+08:00

After a long wait, Bin is finally featured in the famous"Walk" segment. I've seen a couple of celebrities doing that thing and except for Song Il-Kook (of Jumong fame) and SNSD (girl group Girl's Generation) where fans literally blocked the streets, only a few celebrities were greeted warmly by the common tao. Just imagine if superstar BYJ is the one being interviewed. Back to Bin, he's grown to be such a hot kurigo. I can't wait to be back home in a week's time so that I can catch the English-subbed version of Entertainment Relay in KBS World channel.

The link for the Guerilla Date interview to the uninitiated - click here.

Siok, RL!

2008-10-06T05:11:00.000+08:00

Boy wonder no more...
More of a big daddy now...
Hope you have a grand time today...

what more can i say? happy birthday!

p.s.

ikain mo na lang kami ng fish head curry at chili crab and we'll drink colt45 for you here.

Two Kims @ PIFF

2008-10-03T04:56:00.000+08:00

that's Pusan International Film Festival...

Lo and behold! The two Kims graced the opening ceremony. Guess who smiled brightly and who pursed his lips...

(KTP and Lee Bo Young for the film I am Happy that'll be premiering at PIFF)

(KRW - endorser of PIFF's major sponsor - L'oreal)

Seung-il chukha, tae pyung

2008-09-25T04:34:00.000+08:00

Instead of a long entry, i decided to make a simple wallie...

(l-r : as jin hun in kim samsoon, jae kyung in MFL, taewoong/deuk gu in snow queen, ad for outback steakhouse, print ad for bon and a spread for esquire)

HBD, HB!

telly story

2008-09-24T13:31:00.000+08:00

i think i watch too much tv.

not the channel surfing kind but the more of staring at the small screen even in between commercial breaks. and i blame these shows:

survivor philippines:thailand...don't you just love the pinoy style surbaybor?

the amazing race asia : season 3 ... bimbo deluxe to the max. i cheer bernie and henry from my. team ph is...well, i miss the antics of marc and rovilson last season.

ellen, season 6 : i only watch the news between breaks of this show. and i am still waiting for the moment that george clooney will eventually get caught in the trap made by ellen. (her studio is just across g.c.'s office in warner brothers compound. fyi)

top chef, season 3...pack your knives and go....ooh, looks like this season's contestants are more palaaway. no more gastro-molecular genius marcel or sommelier steven or hunky chef sam or papa harold or qt ilan

...and don't forget witch yoo hee that besty and i are currently watching on another small screen (dibidi naman on laptop). my heart softens for ms. hwang for she is so funny in this show compared to her role in 9e2o (well, i got over the shock that she is actually bin's ex.)

too many shows, so little time.

saeng il chukha hamnida, mikey!

2008-09-19T08:48:00.000+08:00

mikey - the muse among the barakos of wng is a force to reckon with.

his boisterous laugh when he is so amused, the ascending ringtone of his famous 3210 (RIP, sa wakas), the off the wall questions he loves to ask that can put kuya boy to shame, the famous asado ni mommy turned cake from conti's/andok's lechon manok, his ready helping hand or shoulder when the going gets tough are just few of the things that comes to mind when the name michael v angeles pops up during conversations. oh, not to mention dessa, passenger seat, face powder, lifestyle network, cosmo mags and kwentong lovelife.

his presence is always missed when he is on MIA-mode during wng get togethers. we do understand, though. we know it is so hard to be working for the entertainment/medical/realty industry. he is so big-time that we want him to be the nin@ng of all our kids. he might be MIA sometimes...but never on one's birthday. you can always count mikey on that. or whenever you're feeling down and just want to sing out loud. yup, he'll put a smile on your face when he starts singing paolo santos' closer to you or five for fighting's 100 years.

to the superman of wng, our own version of tyler florence meets barefoot contessa, the leader of our little justice league...

SUKDULAN NA ITO~~~

Happy Birthday

~~baby, ellaine, lalaine, love and shirls (yes, we're not yet "disbanded)

Something for Mikey

2008-09-19T08:44:00.000+08:00

mikey- the muse among the barakos of wng is a force to reckon with.

his boisterous laugh when he is so amused, the ascending ringtone of his famous 3210 (RIP, sa wakas), the off the wall questions he loves to ask that can put kuya boy to shame, the famous asado ni mommy turned cake from conti's/andok's lechon manok, his ready helping hand or shoulder when the going gets tough are just few of the things that comes to mind when the name michael v angeles pops up during conversations. oh, not to mention dessa, passenger seat, face powder, lifestyle network, cosmo mags and kwentong lovelife.

his presence is always missed when he is on MIA-mode during wng get togethers. we do understand, though. we know it is so hard to be working for the entertainment/medical/realty industry. he is so big-time that we want him to be the nin@ng of all our kids. he might be MIA sometimes...but never on one's birthday. you can always count mikey on that. or whenever you're feeling down and just want to sing out loud. yup, he'll put a smile on your face when he starts singing paolo santos' closer to you or five for fighting's 100 years.

to the superman of wng, our own version of tyler florence meets barefoot contessa, the leader of our little justice league...

SUKDULAN NA ITO~~~

Happy Birthday

~~baby, ellaine, lalaine, love and shirls

a sermon?

2008-09-18T05:04:00.000+08:00

remember, having a boyfriend or not doesn't define who you are. what you do, or what you decide to do with your life, is yours alone. and you alone can stand up for what's right or wrong. you will be happy if you decide to be one happy soul, or you'll be sad if you wallow in self-pity and melancholy. be happy always!

para na akong sirang plaka na sinasabi ko to sa mga students ko...but am i really practicing what i'm preaching?...hmmm....well....

pautakan.pagalingan.paistaran?

2008-09-17T11:33:00.000+08:00

it is day 3 of survivor philippines : thailand and i am enjoying it.

the 930 pm slot is like bonding time for me and my brothers who are both reality tv fanatics (make that survivor fanatics). even my sis also watches the survivor, as far as i can remember (but she is more of a TAR fan).

to be honest, i haven't seen all the survivor seasons (lemme think - survivor africa where ethan won, the last 2 survivors) but i remember fondly that i was always glued to my seat every friday night while watching the primetime telecast in studio 23. i oh-so-love survivor amazon and marquesas and palau.

when c/s got the airing rights for the u.s. show, i stopped watching.

then, i heard about survivor philippines. that, i can't wait, i told myself. and there is no other person i have in mind to host it but paolo bediones.

he did a good job in the first two eppies. so jeff probst (kulang na lang ang dimples) but i am not complaining. and the contestants? promdi versus sosyaleras. and mind you, there are a number of bisdaks in women's team. way to go mga bisdaks!

early in the game, you can see that there's already a power struggle among guys and who is doing what among the ladies. what i am looking forward this week is the first rewards and elimination challenges. and of course, the tribal council!

i dunno if there will be a backstabbing galore ala-survivor u.s. or individual/group alliances this early.

dream. believe. survive....este,
outwit.outlast.outplay. pinoy style.

Today

2008-09-17T06:44:00.000+08:00

Sweet song by Joshua Radin. "Discovered" this while watching the home video of Ellen Degeneres' wedding to Portia di Rossi in Ellen the other day.

Shoelaces untied
You can dry your eye
Perfect shadows lie
behind us
And this is the day i make you mine
The way your hair lies
Sometimes unrecognised
All the way from Nice today
On a train
Nothing to say but theres still time

Chorus;
And you are the one
I've been waiting for today
And here comes the sun
It' been baiting morn
Today

Lately ive lost my tongue
Today you found my song
Unknown our love
Has grown
And I thank God you came along

Chorus;

You looked right through me
There was no-one else
I sat beside you and became myself
Today

Chorus;

Listen to the song TODAY here

easy as 1-2-3

2008-09-16T09:38:00.000+08:00

yes, i am off to bantayan (again!) next month with besty and april. cebu pac has its zero fare promo (yipee!) so we grabbed the chance. and it is an opportunity for us to experience the new naia terminal since i've been flying with small aircrafts in my last two trips (hello to seair and asian spirit!) this year.

another reason to make a career out of the 6-day bootcamp from sparkle.

***
feel free to join us on the 24-26 october. see ya in cebu north terminal/hagnaya/sta. fe.

new travel buddy

2008-09-16T06:58:00.000+08:00

looks like we have another sun worshipper we just recruited straight from antipolo. well, we did invite her to go with us to coron but she wasn't able to secure rt tickets to busuanga.

april will be coming with us for a trip to bantayan along with another former officemate of besty. actually, i am the odd girl out since the three of them used or still in communicado with their chingoo students all the way from seoul/busan/incheon (or wherever that province in sokor).

it was not difficult to convince them. hah, with shirl's persuasive powers - they can't say "no" to an almost 1hr plane-3hr bus-1hr ferry ride to the island paradise called bantayan.

i want to capture the moment that they will get the first glimpse of the island. make that, glimpse of the stretch of fine sand adjacent to the pier.

looks like this is becoming a favorite destination. (sorry, myla but we have to forego p.g. and travellers' delight for the meantime)

who knows, we might bump into that coffee dreams owner in ayala center again. (and actually telling him that we bake better pastries. LOL.)

my golly, now i can imagine that tiny grilled cebu chorizo and puso (rice wrapped ala suman sa ibus).

i better offer some eggs to sta. clara to be safe.

and to april - welcome, aboard.

most coveted

2008-09-15T10:38:00.000+08:00

(photo courtesy of www.lge.com)

if i have enough moolah, i will definitely trade my e61 for a beauty called viewty.

hell week?

2008-09-15T06:12:00.000+08:00

it's exams week (i.e. hell week for some of my students who hate to answer my essay questions) here in school. so i have 2 free days to just look after them while they try their best to answer the questions, albeit difficult.

well, it's their 3^rd exam, and i'm not used to having prelim or pre-final period. more than a decade ago, i only studied for midterm and final exam (trying my best for an exemption in the final exams). nah, it was not because i was GC but because i wanted to go home to the province earlier than the scheduled sem break.

now, i'm looking at their faces, and i can see mixed reactions. some are looking back at me, with empty stares (tulala!). i glare back at them, saying “uy, tapusin mo na exam mo. wag na pilitin kung walang maisagot. one student (eto ung pumapasok lang pag exam time, ano sya, genius?!), just quietly sits at the back, nag e emote na lang ata. while the majority lot of them are busily writing on their sheets of paper, wishing and hoping that they can get me give a high score, or even a passing score at that.

usually, after every exam, students would jokingly tell me, “ma'am, nosebleed!” some even posted in their friendster account, “i need blood donations, natuyuan ako!”

it's not my intention na pahirapan sila actually. i'm proud to say that more than half of the classes i handle pass the exam. some even got perfect scores! bagsak lang talaga ang di nag-aaral.

so far, so good. i just hope that i've been a good teacher...and may natutunan naman sila kahit papano :-D

9/11

2008-09-11T12:55:00.000+08:00

Although it connotes the World Trade bombing in 2001, I have a different idea for 9/11. A happy one, more like it.

To Kathy dear, I hope you have a happy birthday with papa Joe and baby Lia.
More babies, perhaps?

today is rt's bday!

2008-09-08T07:35:00.000+08:00

before the slew of celebrities, both local and hollywood, i had a crush on

before the swimmers that i admired and looed up to

before brad pitt in legends of the fall, adam garcia in bootmen/coyote ugly, john krasinski in license to wed/the office, hugh jackman in kate and leopold

before alex popov, ian thorpe and steven gerrard (not a swimmer but midfielder for liverpool football club)

before i was glued on the small screen as long as binnie is in it

there was r.t. [similar to shirl's r.s. and kathy's v.p....eerr make that they were the hottest men in jersey for shell in mid to late 90s (oops, walang kokontra!)]

my golly, six years na naman pagitan namin.

wherever he is, happy birthday. i will always be his #1 fan ( i know, madami pa rin kami).

***
it must something with baby i love your way played by admu pep squad yesterday during the uaap cheering competition. i always associate that song to him.

Wish I'm In Singapore

2008-09-04T05:19:00.000+08:00

Right now. At this very moment. Or make that, I should have been there yesterday and the next ten days.

Only for one reason. KTP.

Flapper Girls

2008-09-03T09:10:00.000+08:00

This Saturday, I'll be joining some UP Theater Arts students doing volunteer work for MMQ. It is more like earning bonus points for the student, actually. As for me, it's the time of the year I play dress up. Oooh, I love it! Thanks for Besty for always "volunteering" me to join her events. I enjoy prepping for G. Washington Ball or donning red during 4th of July. It didn't matter that I have to be literally on my feet the whole night (or day).

This Saturday, though, is different. It's a cabaret/'20s theme event! Pretty excited, no? I searched online for what we should wear that night (yet if we can't find one, LBD - little black dress- will do.) Man, it was not easy. Actually, the dress and beads are easy to find. But the hair and make-up? How can I recreate the fingerwave or ultra short bob? (Ahem, I think I read a lot about hairstyles).

Come Saturday, besty and I won't be the usual byaheras. Call us the flapper girls. Doing a good cause.

Coron: Predep

2008-08-21T09:02:00.008+08:00

after asian spirit called me at noon on friday that the plane for busuanga met some mechanical problems, it was an “uh-oh” moment for me. i had to smile and blurt out loud, “what else is new?” wala ngang storm signal but here it is again. another entry to add on my list of “reasons why i should not plan a vacation 3 months earlier.”

i had to inform owen, the organizer of the diycoron tour, that we couldn't join the group. just when i was fully prep with all the gizmos i acquired for this trip, hmp! he was too accommodating that he even fed us information where we can secure the fastest flight for busuanga. to end the predep story short, we got hold of an early morning flight c/o asian spirirt on sunday. we were at the airport as early as 4AM. yep, that excited plus the bad experience during the boracay vacay in march, we really tried to wake up early and commute for the old domestic airport. my golly, the airport was uber quiet with the transfer of cebu pacific to naia terminal 3. it was like a ghost town with empty seats in the departure area.

(Old domestic at 4AM; The bored look)

and then, it was announced that our flight to busuanga was on hold. looks like we're not that lucky. probably, the sky cleared after an hour since it was announced that we are boarding in so-so minutes! yippee! time to celebrate that we are actually leaving manila for busuanga. the trip was uneventful since i slept most of the time. and in a few minutes, i can see patches of small islands when i looked outside the window. OMG...this is it! as we scrambled with the ahjussis and ahjummas and fellow pinoys for our tiny bags, we can't believe that we arrived in palawan safe and sound given that it was a pretty turbulent ride up there. we learned that it was raining in the island since saturday.
since we dunno a soul in busuanga...even where to get a jeep to take us to coron town – we lined up on a jeep which we thought is a puj. maybe shirl and i don't look like we can afford club paradise that the manong on the other jeep called us that his jeep is going to the town. it was a bumpy ride. make that a 30 minute rough ride to coron town. kulang na lang magkapalitan ng mukha with fellow passengers. but the future seemed bright. there is an ongoing road construction that will pave the way for a smooth ride from coron town to busuanga airport and vice versa.

View from the top

the road so far

we got off at coastal road and met richel who is owen's contact. richel takes care of patrik's guesthouse (our lodging place for our overnight stay). we decided to take the coron island tour—more like island hopping – 8 sites to visit! damage was P1,800 with us paying the entrance fees to the different sites. not bad...but it could have been great if we were able to join owen's group since 2500/head for more that 8 sites with overnight at banana island (entrance fees are included) plus free food and meeting fellow lakwatseros and lakwatseras.

Coron: Amigas Went to Town

2008-08-21T07:20:00.001+08:00

A Very HOT Spring

Maquinit Hot Spring brought the adjective Hot to a new level. This is not the hot in the hot spring of Laguna. Not even the one is Tiwi, Albay. If you throw a raw egg in Maquinit, I bet, you'll have one hard boiled egg in 6 minutes.

There are three pool-like structures that one can take a dip. Your backdrop while dipping in the hot spring? The sea and a small island framed by bakawans. It was 5 P.M. but there were a number of people in the area...friends, families, enjoying the hot pool. At first, we just dipped our legs into the large pool. Oooh, it was hot! Not scaldingly hot but hot enough to ask for a splash of cold water. :) After a few minutes, I tried going down the pool, submerging my lower body. OMG! Mainit pa rin! I need to be acquainted to the temp first before actually submerging my whole body. Shirl and i were laughing so hard when we got to point that we were perspiring so much. Think sauna in an open area! We can actually see the steam being released. We should have brought some ice cold drinks.

Maquinit before sunset

I envied those who managed to swim in the big pool. I bet, a lot of germs were killed in the process. The dip in the pool was indeed relaxing. We were de-stressed and sleepy while we were on our way back to Coron town. If the trip to Maquinit was not that expensive, we would be back the following day.

Two Marias Went To Town

I learned from a colleague of mine that to have a feel of place, you have to go to the plaza and the market. And that's what Shirl and I did. We were soaking wet from our Maquinit dip but we still walked around the plaza. Since it was almost fiesta, there were students practicing their dance. We had some kikiams, fishballs and squidballs plus super sweet buko juice while watching the kids dancing and another group playing basketball. I never do this in Zamboanga...I don't tambay in Plaza Pershing but here I am, sitting in one of the benches in Coron's town plaza like it is the most natural thing to do. People watching at 6P.M. in downtown Coron.

After filling ourselves up with streetfood, we walked around the small town and ended up in the market looking for cashew nuts. We saw some samaral getting cozy with the uling together with some bbq's and hotdogs. We looked for some souvenirs in the Muslim Center but to no avail. Good thing, we chanced upon a small shop selling shirts, ref magnets and what-have-yous. Time to do some shopping!

When we went back to the guesthouse, we actually met Owen and Patrik (guesthouse owner). They are really ma-chika. Owen is so nice to help us out even though we were not able to join his group. Patrik, OTOH, is cheeky and sounded American instead of Swedish. We also saw some of our supposed-to-be ka-tour. It seems they enjoyed the experience so much. Well, we'll be back for sure. Maybe join the Calauit safari next time. :)

After dinner, Owen showed us Sea Dive Resort. A really nice looking place. Who would have thought the beyond the small passage way is a resort na pang spread ng UCB ad? Shirl and

I decided that we'll have breakfast in Sea Dive the following day. Our last day was spent pigging out on Sea Dive Special and American breakfast at Sea Dive, going around town the last time and looking for the precious cashew nuts. We did find one but I dunno if it is cheaper than the one in Antipolo or Bataan. Then we had lunch at Sea Dive (again!) - grilled tanguigue and kinilaw (yum yum) and nice looking view from my side. Another bonus was a cute tourist from across the table who actually looks like Matt 8 years ago.

Then, it was time to go home. We joined the group of Frenchmen in the jeep on the way to the airport. What a bumpy ride again but it didn't matter. All the kinks and bumps and scratches we had because of this trip are all worth it.

Be back, for sure.

Coron: 7 Sins, 2 Lakes and a Beach

2008-08-21T06:40:00.001+08:00

Into the Blue

after a blah breakfast at one of the carinderias and buying something for lunch at the nearest bakery, off we went to our first destination – Siete Pecados.

Siete Pecados

Seven Sins, right? There were 7 small islands scattered around the area. I heard, Dyesebel shot some scenes here. Well, move over Dyesebel 'cause we are here. The view below was a sight to behold. Walang sinabi ang Coral Garden in PG nor the one off the island of Boracay. The fish were in a feeding frenzy when Ponpon (our guide) threw some bread. Of course, I had to test the newly bought underwater case for my p&s. it did work! walang pumasok na tubig. So, while the fish were scrambling for bread, i was busy taking pictures of nemo's relatives.

Next stop was Kayangan Lake. The ride to the island was peaceful. As we were passing large rock formations and cliffs along way, I can't stop saying, “ang ganda!” It was like you're trap in another world with the magnificent view one can see. It was a feast to the eyes, definitely. And we reached the entrance of the lake...we have to pay 200/person for the entrance but I am not complaining. The ride to the area is already worth more than 200 bucks. That is my willingness-to-pay. The water is clear, the place is clean but this is not yet the lake. We have to climb up to the island slash rock formation to enjoy the lake. Well, we gotta stop by the small cave on top for that photo-op with the most famous view of coron daw. But we can't wait for that photo-op so I actually used the gorillapod and attached it to one of the make-shift handrails...tada! me souvenir na!

And our climb started – with us stepping on muds and muddy rocks as we go up and down the trail. the climb is really a piece of cake...when it is not raining, that is. as we get near the lake, we hear voices, not of diwatas and engkantadas playing in the water but with fellow byaheras that we saw in the jeep on the way to town earlier. after a little chika, off we went with our own business---that's swimming in the lake and playing with the tiny fish that look like swordfish. and then it rained hard. now, how can i take pictures of these cute fish? bad timing. shirl and i just wade through like ducks in the pond. well, we're like two giant ducks in a ginormous pond.

The serene lake

Famous Coron view

Not Swimming with the Barracudas

A short distance from Kayangan is Barracuda Lake. The view on the way to the lake is as spectacular as the one in Kayangan but this time, you see limestone cliffs instead of large rock formations. The Tagbanua manning the area assured us that the lake is a short climb compared to Kayangan. “Dyan lang sa kabila ng malaking bato,” he assured us. Oh yeah, the other side of the cliff looks really near but you have to climb those almost-sharp edged limestones. It was not a walk in the park, not even a walk in the treadmill with 15 degrees incline. You gotta hold on tight and carefully study your next step of you'll slide your way down to the large stones. Hats off to my besty for braving the climb. And many thanks to manong to helping us out.

Entrance to Barracuda Lake

After a not-so-easy climb and descent, we were greeted by a jaw dropping view. It is a small lake with towering limestones and rock formations surrounding it. The water is so dark blue that you can imagine there is actually a barracuda swimming around (nah, no barracudas in the area, just that sword looking tiny fish again). The lake is so serene and the water not so cold. It was peaceful you can float there all day to relax your tensed muscles from all the climbing done earlier.

Welcome to Barracuda Lake

The Beaching Part

Next destination is a beach. No more snorkeling or floating in the lake. It is now swimming on the beach. Time to head to CYC beach.

It was a bit of a long trip to CYC but who is complaining. As we were approaching the beach, I can smell uling and inihaw. Looks like there are a lot of people on a Sunday noon at CYC. The island has a small patch of white sand with a number of bakawan nearby. Reminiscent of Casa Rica in Surigao but with finer white sand. We didn't anchor near the shore since our banca is too big but it's fine with us since it was low tide. Anywhere you go, it seems that the water is just waist deep! We spent a couple of minutes swimming and giggling and chatting. It was refreshing to actually swim in literally tubig alat.

No entrance fee at CYC Beach

It was sad to note, however, that some people actually abused the island. We learned that there is actually uneven “floor” near the shore due to people getting large amounts of sand for their own resorts. tsk tsk tsk...I bet, there could have been a sandbar somewhere. Maybe CYC should start asking for entrance fees and let the natives protect it.

Shirl and I decided to forego Gunboat Wreck and Twin Peaks. Our last stop was Twin Lagoon. Like the name implied, there are two lagoons connected by a tiny opening one can swim or kayak through. We anchored at lagoon no. 1 and I set myself to some floating around the area. Shirl decided to stay on the banca, OTOH. There is really nothing to see underwater. The water is so dark blue and if your imagination's wild...just think that some monster or undercurrent can pull you down. Hehehe, of course, that didn't happen.

Floating in the lagoon has a great view---not from below but from above. The blue sky cut by giant rock formation then deep blue water, who could ask for more? You can stay there forever until your skin is wrinkled like prunes for prolong exposure to water. :)

Main entrance to the Twin Lagoons

glen the dominatrix

2008-08-20T04:27:00.000+08:00

if there is a meadow named shirly, there is a glen named the Glen.

silent water runs deep daw. glen is not silent at all but definitely deep. reading her free verses and other literary pieces online makes you wonder, bat kaya di sya creative writing?

from the cold mountain of sweden to choco laden belgium. Benelux, schengen, united kingdom and the seat of the roman empire, she is starting her world domination from western europe. hats off to you girl! kilts up to those wearing them. hehehe

i will be forever grateful to her when she temp adopted us during the hagupit ni milenyo a few years back when all of qc was in darkness. read: di makapanood ng tv.

she might be more known as shirly's rockin' rollin, wolfgang lovin' comrade (hehehe, i just can't pass thru that image ata). but to me, she is that rockin' rollin' wolfgang lovin' coffee drinkin'. (thanks for all the head-ups with all the openings in pids, pala.)

glenda gonzales (doesn't it sound so artista?), lead the headbangin and get the party started. Happy Birthday! Kampai! Shiok! Konbae! Cheers!

travel booger

2008-08-15T11:10:00.000+08:00

oops, there's something wrong again with our much anticipated vacay to coron.

maybe one of us has a balat. think cancelled flight to boracay, rainy weekends in puerto galera, delayed flight from cebu to manila, missed flight to bora, typhoon in iloilo...what else?

well, back to the loop...and we have a cancelled flight to busuanga. c/o asian spirit. asar. i had to inform owen (our coron guru) that we can't make it to diy coron loop tour. so frustrating. and i have to convince asian spirit to give us good seat for the next available flight (that's seair on the 17th and back to manila on the 18th).

god bless owen for arranging a very quick coron island tour for us...half day on the 18th! yipee. it might cost higher than the 2500/pax-2 day coron-banana island-lusong. hay naku...maybe we are more destined for a much better palawan trip - like el nido, next year?

maybe i should start looking for a birthmark somewhere for all the kinks that i have to go through everytime i travel.

Coron Here We Come!

2008-08-15T04:54:00.000+08:00

All systems go for tomorrow's trip!

I am soooo excited since this is the first time we'll be joining a tour with a group of strangers. Meeting fellow lakwatseros and lakwatseras in Northern Palawan.

I just hope that the weather will cooperate and that we'll wake up really really early for the 7AM flight.

But I need some last minute shopping for the DiCaPac for my digicam for those under the water adventures we'll surely have for two days.

This is going to be one hell of a long weekend.

B minus

2008-08-08T09:11:00.000+08:00

This is what I got after years of lakwatsa for R & R and in-between field works... let me see, in two weeks there'll be a blue dot on top of Palawan mainland. Hehehe Maybe I should plan my next trip to Bacolod and the 2 Negros provinces.

My Lakbayan grade is B-!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

my own olympics story

2008-08-08T06:50:00.000+08:00

Today's the opening of the Beijing Olympics. Like any big sporting event, I am pretty excited to watch the opening ceremony and some of-my-interest games.

I gotta rush home later so I can catch on the Opening. The official website says that it's 9 hours more before the most awaited event. I am not really someone who plays sports but I do love watching some sports...think basketball, swimming, diving and the floor exercises in gymnastics. And I am still trying to love football (go Liverpool!).

So far, the Olympics that I hold dear are the Atlanta and the Sydney summer games (1996 and 2002, respectively). Atlanta for the good memories I had while watching it with my dorm mates in Ilang-Ilang and cheering at the big screen like our voices can be heard all the way to Georgia.I do hope the my cheer somehow helped Alexander Popov cross the 50m line of the freestyle event and got the gold. Plus...the 1996 US Gymnastics Team and Kerri Strug's injured but gold-worthy landing. As for Sydney...it's just for some sentimental reason (cricket, anyone?) plus Ian Thorpe and Adam Garcia (well, he tapdanced in the opening ceremony in 2000. See video here.)

As for the 2004 Athens....for me it was all about Phelps vs. Thorpe. Speedo vs. Adidas. Period.

And now, all I can think of are the 4 cute mascots named Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni (translated as Welcome to Beijing) and a name Shirly just mentioned that I should look out for in the pool - Park Tae Hwan (yeah, yeah...he's a chingu).

A Whole New World with Soft Subs

2008-07-31T06:28:00.000+08:00

What irritates me the most while watching a movie or sitcom or drama with subs is the out of this world translation that you indeed get lost in translation.

I had a few experiences that I have to go through bad subs while I am watching the 2nd half of the show or even the delivery of the first line (as in first line), semplang na agad. Just like what happened to the show 1% of Something. I like the acting of the lead actor in most of his movies that I decided to watch his only show on TV. Too bad, his well-known voice with Busan accent cannot compensate the bad English I have to go through. I should have listened to Rhiza when she said she had the copy with uber bad subtitles. Sayang ang binayad ko kay Mon.

Then, I stumbled upon a couple of soft subs for the short films of LG Xnote. I enjoy watching Bin and hearing his voice but it is much better if you understand what he is saying. So I searched high and low on how to play the video file with soft subs (e-copy ng subtitles, FYI). I tried hardsubbing the vid with the srt files through a converter but the vid didn't show the subtitles. Pinahirapan ko lang sarili ko. Then, I tried playing it on media player after installing something that would incorporate the subtitles. Yes! I was able to watch it...but, what about watching it on a Linux-run eeepc?

Lady luck was smiling down on me while I was saving the srt files on my flashdrive. The player can play the video with the subs...although I have to make sure they do have the same filename. Hehehe

Now, all I have to do is DL the shows I wanna watch...look for the soft subs and play them on the eeepc. Sarap ng buhay. I won't be suffering from headache after watching an English subbed show/movie.

And for buena mano, this is the show I'll be watching (Gigi and Pammie, look out!)

Gourmet/Shikgaek

It's Supernatural!

2008-07-29T08:52:00.000+08:00

Time to kick some evil ass, bros!

The Winchester brothers are back with some uber serious fight against evil. Dean and Sam will most likely "Obi-wan" all their fans after a long hiatus from the small screen.

I can't wait to see what will happen to Dean after the agreement with the the yellow-eyed evil...I remember fondly that I used to watch this every Sunday afternoon while everyone's taking a siesta. Lights off, windows closed...scaring myself silly in the middle of the afternoon.

Preview of Season 4 here.

Hot and Spicy

2008-07-25T09:19:00.000+08:00

What a better wat to eat kimchi ramyun alone that watching Snow Queen? While Deuk0gu's slurping away buck wheat noodles at the side of the street, I am plopped on the floor spooning out cabbage kimchi for my big mouth.

a bowl of ramyun in Sonamoo

But before I got hooked eith ramyun and its cousin Kalguksu, I was so into...

Maggi Curry. Yep, the one you can buy 6packs at barter in hometown Zamboanga. It's that spicy that the aroma makes you imagine of the 3 Indian spices that are collectively called curry. Of course, one has a choice between laksa and the usual maggi noodles but they pale in comparison with this spicy kind.

Lentil dahl.Lentils in curry laden soup. Best eaten with roti or plain rice on banana leaf with bare hands like the first time I tasted it on a side street in Cheras in KL.

(Top : NonVegetarian fare in True Food in Boracay. Dahl is the one before the salad.
Bottom: My plate for lunch in Cheras. Dahl mixed with rice)

Saigon Pho. Eat this with nuoc ngot by your side. Actually, it is not that hot except that I usually mix it with a tablespoonful of hot chili sauce for some sipa.

Bicol Express. Think eating it on banana leaf (again!) with bare hands (again) after hours of swimming. That is the fondest memory I have with bicol express. So far, the best I've tasted is the one always brought by her jagnes (that's Agnes!!!) straight from the region of sili and pili. The fat from the pork and the enormous serving of sili mixed together make you forget that you're on a diet with the cups of rice one can consume.

On my way to Deo in Tabaco, Albay in 2004 to eat the yummiest Bicol Express!

Oh my hotness! Please pass the water (or milk or banana or sugar cubes)...

1 mom, 3 dads and a hot bin

2008-07-24T04:51:00.000+08:00

Last night, I was able to finish the show 1 Mom 3 Dads after weeks of hiatus. Although this was already shown earlier this year and I started watching it a few weeks back, I only managed to watch the ending recently because the damn dvd player can't play the last 3 episodes...waah!

Of course, a spoiler sucker like me would research about the ending instead of trying to figure out who was the real dad or who would Nayoung ends up with. But no, I did stop myself in watching the ending online. (I only watch CFs on youtube or Veoh...not an eppy).

Like Dalja's, the ending's bit bitin in the sense that she ended with no one among the three guys (huh, sucker for a happy ending!). It was a fun watch though since for a change, the focus of the story is about friendship and how to raise a kid.

Aside from the 4 adult stars, the real star is actually the baby. She looks so adorable especially when she was one year old. Her expressions are one of a kind. Another reason to watch this is Milk...the cute little dog of Jae Hee. But as the show progresses, I noticed that Milk's exposure decreased and eventually by the end of the show, wala na sya. What happened? Did Jae Hee let him loose? Or did she die because of the uber cold Seoul weather?

***
I should be gushing about the LG Xnote ads...nah, not that I have that LG laptop. It just happened that Bin is endorsing it with Shim Min Nah and Ryu Seum Boem (?) in a different kind of "brand entertainment" - the term SoKor's use for a new type of ad campaign. Think a whole music video for a hair gel or in this case, a series of short films for a laptop.

He looks so thin in the CF's photos. Good thing that the telly adds a couple of pounds. I should say the same for the Outback Steakhouse ads he made last month. He was utterly thin that he endorsing a restaurant makes you think if he does eat steaks and burgers (or that Outback should feed him more steaks and burgers and fries). But lo and behold, I saw these very recent photos that are definitely heart stopping. (Now, I can actually imagine him taking on the role of the bad-ass, foul mouthed friend in the upcoming drama based on movie "Chinggu.")

Counting Cards and 100 Nudes

2008-07-18T09:03:00.000+08:00

A couple of weeks ago, I watched the movie 21 on video. It was a movie based on a true story of MIT students trying their luck in Vegas by playing 21. I actually didn't pick up the said title even though I like Kate Bosworth (for her role in Blue Crush)- it was Shirl's choice for just one reason - Jim Sturgess. That guy in Across the Universe (I can actually hear his voice crooning"...she is just a GERL for me...") flick.

While watching first half of the movie, the story reminded me of an eppy of my other-other fave TV show "Numbers" some months ago. Counting cards...I like the sound of it. But I do suck in playing cards (kahit Lucky 9 or tong-its) or anything inside casinos. I remembered the first time I was in a casino - my officemate and I were given tokens so that we can play at the slot machines. Newbies that we were, we inserted the coins at the wrong slots. No wonder we wasted so much time trying to play at a 10-bucks machine with 5 bucks tokens. :)

As for the movie 21...if you love Jim or his voice ---you'll have a field day since aside from the usual dialogues, you can hear his American English in almost all the scenes since he is actually narrating the story. What's the fuss about his American English? As Shirl pointed out, he is a comrade of Ewan McGregor of the land with men in kilts. Of course, McGregor's Zip Martin (of Down With Love) was way better than Jim's Boston accent. For short sentences, he did fine but try listening to him in the scene where he explained "variable change" to his professor. Naoobvious ang Scot drawl (or whatever they call for Scot's English)

It was a no-brainer for a movie that involves probability and basic math. At the end of the movie, you're left with mouth hanging asking the biggest Q of all "yun lang?" I don't know but maybe I expected too much from the movie.

***

While majority of sangka-UPhan trooped to Araneta Center in celebration of Peyup's 100 years, besty and I went into a more quiet venue to commemmorate the hundred years. We viewed the 100 works of art by UP alumni- 100 nudes to be exact ... from watercolor to acrylic to digital prints; Amorsolo to Abueva to Francisco; wood sculpture to bronze; on canvass to chinese scroll paper; the very obvious nude paintings to "where is the nude here?" type.

I am not really a visual art afficionado (although I try to appreciate the works of masters and newbies and the stories behind the paintings and sculptures) but I do get an occassional kick (or a high) looking at pieces of art. It must be the effect of Hum 2 in freshman year (for some reason, I enjoyed that class kahit we were asked to paint an apple and weave a ball). I remember, though not related to painting but to an art in general, during one of the George Washington Ball auctions at the US Embassy, I was mesmerized by the pattern of a carpet up for auction. I was looking at it intently for more than five minutes until a guest approached me and commented that the design is really great. Oh yeah, the word great was not enough. It was magical that you felt the colors and pattern are pulling you towards them (probaby, ride on a magic carpet?). When it hits you, it hits you bigtime, I suppose.

Back to the hundred nudes...Shirl and I decided to pick our favorites. Well, Shirl did pick out the painting with uber clean lines done on acrylic while I preferred the one done on something that looked like hazy charcoal. Hay naku, even in types of media, my besty and I are worlds apart. We did like the same sculpture, though...the miniature Nine Muses that you can also see inside UP Dil (the bigger version). We felt isa kami sa mga muses. (hehehe)

How's that for the kick off in celebrating the sentenaryo?

My new toy

2008-07-10T06:37:00.000+08:00

It is not another Stitch plush toy, for one. Although I got hold of a new Stitch - the biggest of all my collection with blue fur and soft paws (the others had something that looks like felt paper).

It's actually a Gorillapod that I've been eyeing since I read it from shopcrazy at femalenetwork last December (along with Asus eeepc) as great buys for the holiday season. Yeah, I am way behind the holiday season.

I really wanted a tripod that can fit into my not so large bag so that when kodak moment is within striking distance, I just can plop the digicam somewhere sabay pose. Yeah, I love to take photos but sometimes, I also want to be in the picture. But the Gorillapod does that and more. You can bend, flex and position it on uneven ground for a unique pic orientation

Here is a sample of what it looks like ...

We'll see if it can hang tough on limestones on our Coron trip next month.

Silgaek

2008-06-26T08:57:00.000+08:00

a look into the adventures of sung chan. if you love cooking, kim rae won and korean cuisine...this is it!

i looked forward to this show since it was announced last year...my golly, this looks like iron chef meet tyler's ultimate (oh tyler florence, where are you?).

not bad that someone like raewon will be playing the manga character sung chan since he does cook in real life (rice pilaf ba, shirl?).

last i heard, the show is doing really good - rating wise.

all i have to do is wait...wait...chogyo!

30...29...28...27...

2008-06-20T18:28:00.000+08:00

still 30 minutes to go...

grabe, i've survived my first full week of 12-hour workdays...wlang pahinga...

tomorrow is just another day...for now, i'm halfway into dreamland already...super antok na ako...

but yes, i have to pat myself on the back...well done, shirly...you've done it...kinaya mo pala...

i'm enjoying it, and I guess it's time to work hard again after a 10-month hiatus...i'm just making up for those laaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy days i had...

time to be up and running again...and be an energizer bunny...(Sana nga!) aza!

Chloe and I...

2008-06-19T18:40:00.000+08:00

I just love this picture...wala lang, kalingaw kaayo...Chloe is looking at me intently, and look, I can hold her now...it took me 6 months to finally have the guts na kargahin sya...

One realization for me, di tlaga ako handang magka anak.

For one, di pa ako marunong mag alaga ng baby. another thing is, i'm still selfish that i'm nto yet ready to give up the comforts of being single and child-less...hehehe...

Maybe one day, yes...but now, not yet...

wishing for weekends...

2008-06-19T18:09:00.000+08:00

because of the 12-hour workdays i have since june 11, i always find myself wishing for the weekend to come pronto... last week, i was planning on just sleeping in, doing nothing, and maybe 1 or 2 episodes of goodbye solo and ogle at CJM... (and maybe "review" some scenes of daisy too!).

well, these plans were just plans...malas ko!

last weekend was a very busy one for us. we embarked on another only-for-weekends raket.

rewind muna tayo: remember our beads business weekends? Well, it's gone kaput already. we still have some beads in storage, but inspiration has ceased us already. maybe we're way past that stage.

of course, during the past few weekends, La-bella and i found ourselves busy with scrapbooking. i even highlighted some of our works in the photos section here. but then, our interest also waned ...well, maybe because we don't have any recent trips to showcase. just wait until august, we can add a page or 2 for our palawan trip...hehehe...can't wait for that...

recently (just this month, to be exact), we found ourselves busy taking in orders for banana bread. (Shameless plug, you can post your orders here, or you can just text us. it's much cheaper than the well-known bakeries, of course - but it's much more delicious, heheh). just last sunday, we baked the whole day just to fill in the 16 orders of our "specialty". (thanks to ban ~ love's bro ~ we got orders from sitel). we also made time to try out a carrot cake recipe which we plan to modify, and then market...

of course, my brownies were a hit. so this is an addition to my list of baked goodies..

so, was i able to take some R&R last weekend, you may ask? in between baking the goodies, i got the time to prepare our weekly menu, play with bratty genesis, do some overdue laundry, have a DIY facial mask and take some sunday afternoon siesta...

it was a tiring but productive weekend for me... i just hope i can keep with this kind of energy level for the rest of the semester...

Adik!

2008-06-19T09:22:00.000+08:00

i'n not really a fan of "wonderful tonight" but who cares? it's bin singing!

Vods during his Japan visit last year that I gotta share...

http://tieba.baidu.com/%E7%8E%84%E5%BD%AC/shipin/play/19e385366a104da0bce8f184/

you just have to love that chin and the 5 o'clock shadow (hmm, he is actually singing Love's First Snow - Snow Queen's themesong)...

http://tieba.baidu.com/%D0%FE%B1%F2/shipin/play/2d5685ec001a97d955d27a79/

di ba sya napagod sa kaba-bow?

http://tieba.baidu.com/%D0%FE%B1%F2/shipin/play/2429c4eef53921332437678e/

Not just a bag of coffee beans

2008-06-17T12:19:00.000+08:00

Tagaytay is not what it used to be. No more cold mornings or bright days with cool air embracing you. The flower and the fruit stands are still ubiquitous...so are the establishments like international and local chains of fast food restos, grocery stores, travel agencies, ukay ukay shops and alike. I remember years ago that one has to go either to Dasma bayan or Mendez to buy clothes or eat at a local fast food. Now, you just have to stand along the Aguinaldo highway to decide if you want some designer coffee, a Korean meal or burger to-go. Mushroom Burger is not your only option anymore.

My friends and I opted something out of the English garden - Bag of Beans. It could have been Sonya's but given that we are all mega commuters, we decided a heavy load of English pies and coffee instead.

When you think about it, the three ladies going to Tagaytay to lunch...este merienda is like fetching me up in the hilly place of the city of pineapples. Hehehe I think they did enjoy their short stay even though they commuted longer than their actual stay in the city.

Back to Bag of Beans...

It was all out chikahan as if we haven't seen each other for a long time. Oh yeah, we regularly do lunch (err dinner) like the usual bunch of ladies at home especially when Agnes spends the night in Pasig. We're practically neighbors - She from Makati; and Rhiz, Shirl and I are nex- door neighbors. anyway, over fraps, bottomless coffee, english and apple pies - we again discuss the merits of...I mean, discuss about love (not me!). And since we were in Tagaytay, the topic was more focused on Agnes since Bag of Beans holds a very special place in her heart. Just ask manong guard who took those photos a long time ago.

What is eating out in a very nice looking place ala The Secret Garden without the usual photo-ops? There were a couple of guests who had their Kodak moments but I think we did the most poses. Well, except for that other girl who really posed in almost every crook and cranny of the garden. I dunno if she plopped herself in the large daybed inside the restaurant. Oh yes, kulang na lang pati ang CR...which is actually megapixels-worthy.

We then dropped by SVD to bring some meds to someone who's sick. That is, after getting lost in Aguinaldo Highway. We roamed the grounds for awhile and even used the men's john (what can you expect? it's a seminary...mas madaming CR panlalaki) for last minute call of nature before heading back to Manila.

It was a great visit from friends. It didn't matter that I had to wait a little longer while my officemates had gone home. I thank them for taking some time off and commute to Tagaytay. Our first out of town together, actually. Sa uulitin.

How Much of Human Life is Lost in Waiting?

2008-06-16T05:25:00.000+08:00

Also known as Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Leave it to us to put a pa-emote quote in the middle of an action packed movie called Indiana Jones. Actually, this was the line quoted by Professor Oxley during Marion and Indy's wedding.

No more young Indy ala Hans Solo. Even Ford in The Fugitive. But the desert color look suits him fine. He is still the same old Jones...just older.

Shia LaBeouf really cracks me up in his James Dean look. Like in Transformers, he can really be a comic relief. I just didn't notice the same for Disturbia (oops, obvious ba that I did watch most of his recent movies?). Lucky guy to have those good breaks, huh?

What I really like about the movie is not really the actors but the "feel" of the movie. The adventure and the look. Hey, can you blame me? I am one of Pleasantville's fan (and Back to the Future I). You know, the old movie ---50s to 60s era. It must be their hair...or skirts. LOL

If you are a fan of the movie series...you lost a whole lot of human life years in waiting for the sequel .But the waiting is really worth it.

He's Not That Into You..a movie!

2008-06-13T12:59:00.000+08:00

hmmm... star studded, I may say.

check this out!

http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/were-just-not-that-into-this-new-trailer.php

of movies missed and movies watched...

2008-06-13T11:03:00.000+08:00

this was a blog from last week i forgot to post:

i think i'm way behind watching all the blockbuster movies already. would you believe if i'd tell that i haven't watched the critically-acclaimed Kung Fu Panda, the much-anticipated IJ4, and oh, and even the box-office hit Forbidden Kingdom. and yes, sorry, my dear Ewan, I haven't patronized your last movie too! (it had bad reviews, and i'm afraid i might lose some amor for you and for hugh j)...

missing these movies is a crime...so hopefully, i'll get to watch them...

***

fast forward to 10 days later...

finally, we got to watch IJ4 last weekend. la_bella already made her review. and of course, the last scene really struck me. oo nga naman, how much of human life is lost in waiting? that got me to thinking too!

i have a reputation of the one who's waiting patiently. (ploning din ba ako? hehehe...sino kaya si tomas?!) .... not anymore, dapat ata hindi talaga hintayin...baka wala na nga atang darating...

IJ4 actually kept my hopes up. indy and marion got married after more than 20 years nga eh! See? I can still wait for him...whoever he is ~ be it someone from the past (like henry!) or maybe someone in the near future (very near future please!)...

not contented with our IJ overload that saturday, we watched the 1st installment (i.e. indiana jones and the raiders of the lost ark) on video the next day. marion was already in the scenes..it takes more than 2 decades for them to realize that they're MFOB... me pag-asa pa talaga ako...

but i don't wait for another half of my lifetime!

i'm such a hopeless romantic, really! sino ba naman ang makapag-emote about waiting for someone that long behind all the adventures of prof. h. jones? hehehe.. ako lang... ^_________^

***

i think i'm already loyal to jim s. that i decided to snub my ewan in favor of js...i watched 21 and yes, it's a no-brainer...feel-good movie...simple storyline... but of course, js impressed me there because of his american accent. you can't even recognize his jude character in this movie as ben campbell. what a transformation! JS is such a versatile actor...

"21" is the fact-based story about six MIT students who were trained to become experts in card counting and subsequently took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings (from imdb). kate bosworth was his love interest along with kevin spacey, aaron yoo (a chingoo) and liza lapira (a kababayan).

the movie has some funny lines, of course. and JS was effective as a geek. hehehe... well, i watched this since i was curious how he would do well in an american role...not bad actually. pwede na...

i look forward to all his upcoming movies...finally, he's made it in hollywood!

***

i felt bad i missed the U2 3D movie which was shown in SM City The Block and MOA. it had a lot of very exceptional reviews, and of course, it's the next best thing that you can have to ogle at bono and the rest of the guys, and sing their songs. and somewhat, feel move alive with them.

i was low on cash (as i always have) ~ especially that i was just living on a part-timer's meager salary...asa pa ko na ma=repeat pa. i can still wish, can't i? ;-D

Disappearing Act

2008-06-13T04:58:00.000+08:00

A few weeks ago, I got a phone call from Agnes asking me for direction on how to get to Mr. Kebab. I gladly provided one, which summed up to “tell manong driver to take you to delta.” Then she asked me what she should order. “ Special chelo kebab if type mo may rice. Pwede rin open plate shawarma.”

A few minutes later, I got a text message.

“Wala na ang Mr, Kebab. at mga katabi nito.”

“Pati ung grocery?”

“Oo.”

Sigh.

I used to go there with the other members of the foodtrip troika (aka SF and RL). After awhile, we brought some friends and introduced them to Persian food beyond the onion-laden shawarma. There was Beau who only ate the pita bread. Agnes with the chelo kebab. Even my officemates Alex and Helen or Shirl's former AAP colleagues for them to sample what we always raved about in that little kainan in Delta.

I used to remember the dimly lit kainan and the plastic tables and chairs. I remember seeing Bert and his former GF. And eventually eating out with Bert and his-then future wife Jessie (wifey na ngayon!). Or seeing the owner which Shirl and I fondly called Mr. K. Or his friends who dropped by and partake the yummy food Mr. Kebab offers.

When we transferred to Proj.3, we still go there for those Keema-craving nights. That's 12 pesos jeepney ride in 2004! It was actually more of traversing Proj 2, Kamias, EDSA, Kamuning, Morato and Timog just to eat pita bread loaded with ground beef with mayo-garlic sauce and hot chili sauce. Bert, also a fanatic, was surprised to see us there (we've seen him there a couple of times since he used to live nearby) since it was really out of the way.

And when we discovered Music Match – it was the place for dining out before belting out especially when we are low in cash (reserved for the allnighter videoke, FYI).

Just the other week, I actually confirmed that it's gone. Along with Wang-Wang, the Chinese kainan with VIP rooms for videoke. New Life supermarket is still there.

But that corner won't be the same. I hope it just transferred to another location like what happened to A Veneto in Visayas Ave.

I'll miss the keema and the mayo-garlic sauce. The shawarma wrapped in short bond paper. The hummus and the motabal that actually taste the same. The tiled table and Arabian inspired lamps. Heck, even the Mr. K crew that makes you wait for so long during billing-out time.

1st day on a high!

2008-06-10T08:07:00.000+08:00

first day of class, not so bad so far. so far, so good actually. after my class, the school director asked me if the students gave me a hard time. i told him, not yet. hopefully, not for the rest of the semester.

my first 2 subjects are comm1 and mgt classes – with the same students since they're in a block section. i was with the same set of students for the past 3 hours, and so far, wala pa namang pasaway.

almost half of my students just graduated from high school – with a various personalities at that. syempre, in a group, you can already sense the GC,s the happy-go-lucky's, the bahala-na kinds, the silent ones, and of course the popular jock/cheerleader types...i want them to feel at home with each other, and with me too!

so far, so good. oh i said that already. well, i guess this is really for me. this is the calling that i haven't paid attention for such a long time. it's about time that i pay attention to what my heart has been telling me all these years. i hope i can make my nanay proud... :-D

gotta log off for now. have to take lunch, and get ready for my 1 pm mgt class...teacher na talaga ako!

PS >>> a bonus, our campus is a wi-fi zone....galing di ba?

new Woorijib

2008-06-07T10:41:00.000+08:00

Looks like the renovation is just in time for Rhiza's bday celebration. We just had a very heavy lunch here in Kalayaan...it was like a Korean fiesta with all the banchans and food and meat and kalguksu one can imagine.

We were so full that we can't laugh that much or else...you don't want to think about what might happen. We had samgyeopsal, kimbap and kalguksu and 2 rounds of banchans. Our fave banchans? some caramelized or candied onion (well, it tasted like onion, IMHO) and kimchi. Three rounds of kimchi, actually!

Rhiz and Shirly, though, had to change to wooden chopsticks from the metal ones since the latter can't get hold of the food a bit longer? As for me, I don't have any prob with the metal ones...not that I am an expert but I just eat the food I picked much faster. Hehehe

For dessert...they served us some hot green tea on the house and sliced apples. Why apples? no idea.

We'll be back definitely. And we'll be occupying the low tables at the 2nd floor.

Asssa!

back to school?!

2008-06-06T18:17:00.000+08:00

it's like going to school again. only this time, i will be always in front of the class ~ but hopefully, not doing all the talking.

i finally had my schedule/teaching load, the contract signed (oh yes, being a Mila is really a passion, it's not about the moolah)...and even my supplies given to me.

can't wait for tuesday to come. i actually have mixed emotions right now, i'm excited, nervous, happy, and basta, ewan! wait and see na lang sa tuesday. i still have to take some pointers from my brods, and the more experienced teachers, and of course, the most influential for me - my own Nanay!

well, being a teacher really runs in the family. i was just the last one to ride in the bandwagon...i hope i won't tarnish our family's reputation at all....:-D

Vacation is over...

2008-05-29T19:00:00.000+08:00

Bilang na masasayang araw ko...

i bid adieu to my late nights, my 4-hour work days, my Korean drama marathons, ogling endlessly at JWS, searching for the perfect brownie and choco cake recipes, and just oh-so-laaaaaaaaaazy days... my almost-a-year bakasyon grande is over...

I welcome the 12-hour work day (and maybe occasional weekend work too). Come June 3, I will again work my a** off~ Waaah~

and yes, you can now call me Ma'am Fajarito...