Party Night and Day
Last night I met up with Charmaine, DJ and Vince at Glorietta 4 for a little birthday dinner for 'Dee and Vince (her birthday was on the 27th, Vince's tomorrow). Pazzo pasta restaurant was our first choice but we finally decided on Soul Food at Greenbelt 3. The walk across to Gr3 was amusing in itself because Dee volunteered to drive us there (she hates walking). We already ordered when Becca and Victor finally showed up (nanny came through at the last minute). Food wasn't great, but it hardly mattered for me 'coz the company the the jokes and conversations more that made up for it. A minor lack of transportation emergency was averted when Vince offered to drive me home. After a few pictures were taken we parted ways, save for me and 2 birthday celebrants as we had a nightcap at Starbucks.
This morning I called up Joy for help in choosing a Broadway CD on Ebay for her gift. (Her birthday's on the 27th, too). Somehow the conversation turned to me meeting her (and her old college friend Nicole Cue) for lunch at Gr3. Problem was I already packed (and ate) lunch, so I just watched both of them have pasta and oysters (I had 1 of the latter). I think the plan was that I treat her to lunch, but Joy said since I didn't order anything she'd pay and I get her a CD at MusicOne. Got her the Sunset Blvd. 2-CD set. Though I had to rush back to the office (I asked Rachelle and Vince to come in for a few voice icon recordings) the traffic forced me to walk back (a first for me). Once again I took advantage of Vince's generosity (and access to a car) as he offered to drive me to the MRT station after work.
Nov 29, 2002
Nov 26, 2002
Hey, I'm on TV! Don't Look!
So while trying to get a ride home (just got off the MRT QC station) I noticed a cameraman and a reporter for NBN 4 standing by the corner of EDSA and Quezon Avenue. Part of me was hoping that they were there to cover the traffic violations being committed by the commuter buses that picked up passengers at the corner "no loading/ unloading" area (w/c, strangely enough, wasn't happening today, probably because said drivers noticed a cameraman and reporter standing on the corner). When she approached me (eep!) I found out that they getting "man on the street" opinions on the recent bribery allegations of Congressman/ fatcat Mark Jimenez to Secretary of Justice Hernando Perez. With my allocated 20 seconds I said Congressman's Jimenez's timing for his "bombshell" was suspicious as the man was scheduled for extradition to the US (on charges of making illegal campaign contributions to the Clinton administration); and since he said that he had the information for quite some time now, why wait so long before revealing it? In hindsight I should've mentioned an article I read earlier today on the Hong Kong bank where Jimenez said Secretary Perez deposited the bribe money denied that Perez was a client of theirs, and no such deposit was made. Slipped my mind, though.
Later that evening NBN 4's 2-hour news broadcast Tele Dyaryo (as a goverment-owned station it had plenty of airtime to fill and kill) showed my piece and my face, scarred nose and all. Ugh. My voice my still deep, and my head big. Good thing everyone (save Annie and I who watched it in the office) else was either having dinner or watching Who's Line Is It, Anyway?
So while trying to get a ride home (just got off the MRT QC station) I noticed a cameraman and a reporter for NBN 4 standing by the corner of EDSA and Quezon Avenue. Part of me was hoping that they were there to cover the traffic violations being committed by the commuter buses that picked up passengers at the corner "no loading/ unloading" area (w/c, strangely enough, wasn't happening today, probably because said drivers noticed a cameraman and reporter standing on the corner). When she approached me (eep!) I found out that they getting "man on the street" opinions on the recent bribery allegations of Congressman/ fatcat Mark Jimenez to Secretary of Justice Hernando Perez. With my allocated 20 seconds I said Congressman's Jimenez's timing for his "bombshell" was suspicious as the man was scheduled for extradition to the US (on charges of making illegal campaign contributions to the Clinton administration); and since he said that he had the information for quite some time now, why wait so long before revealing it? In hindsight I should've mentioned an article I read earlier today on the Hong Kong bank where Jimenez said Secretary Perez deposited the bribe money denied that Perez was a client of theirs, and no such deposit was made. Slipped my mind, though.
Later that evening NBN 4's 2-hour news broadcast Tele Dyaryo (as a goverment-owned station it had plenty of airtime to fill and kill) showed my piece and my face, scarred nose and all. Ugh. My voice my still deep, and my head big. Good thing everyone (save Annie and I who watched it in the office) else was either having dinner or watching Who's Line Is It, Anyway?
Nov 23, 2002
Date Another Day
So Wilson once again drops free premiere tickets on me on the same night the movie's screening, and I again scramble to find someone to watch it with. Finally it came down to a guy, my friend Aldwin from the China Group. So it was off to Robinson's Galleria to watch Die Another Day. Once again I almost go deaf from the THX sound. Over the top movie, too, but not too brainless.
So Wilson once again drops free premiere tickets on me on the same night the movie's screening, and I again scramble to find someone to watch it with. Finally it came down to a guy, my friend Aldwin from the China Group. So it was off to Robinson's Galleria to watch Die Another Day. Once again I almost go deaf from the THX sound. Over the top movie, too, but not too brainless.
Nov 22, 2002
Nov 17, 2002
Birthdays Galore
For lunch if was at 4-Tsiak Cong's house for his 90th birthday. The midday heat reminded me why we prefer doing this at night. As for 4-Tsaik Cong, he's having difficult recognizing faces, not because of senility but of poor eyesight. Well, at least his mind's still sharp. For dinner it was at the EDSA Shangri La for Alan Hao Chin's grandfather's 83rd birthday (though for some reason the birthday candles were an '8' and '2'). In both events we had buffet meals. All this and I still failed to call up Rachelle to congratulate her for winning in the recent KATHA music awards.
For lunch if was at 4-Tsiak Cong's house for his 90th birthday. The midday heat reminded me why we prefer doing this at night. As for 4-Tsaik Cong, he's having difficult recognizing faces, not because of senility but of poor eyesight. Well, at least his mind's still sharp. For dinner it was at the EDSA Shangri La for Alan Hao Chin's grandfather's 83rd birthday (though for some reason the birthday candles were an '8' and '2'). In both events we had buffet meals. All this and I still failed to call up Rachelle to congratulate her for winning in the recent KATHA music awards.
Nov 16, 2002
Stange Dreams and Santa Claus
Weird dream last night (is there any other kind?), this one a result of watching too much Malcolm in the Middle and reading Green Arrow before bedtime. This one involved Reese fixing up the landscape from the side yard (the stoney side) and making a terrace all the way to the back yard. I panicked because any nutcase could now go over the back wall. And just like that a nut comes in, bow and arrow in hand. Jungle animals came in as well and I fought them off with water from the garden hose while screaming for Pa. Enter Pa with with his bow and arrow, shooting at the nutcase. I'd try remembering what happened next but it's too weird.
Delivery guys just dropped off a 5-foot Santa Claus statue, courtesy of 3-Ku. I assume it's made of resin because it's so light, which was more than I could say for the packaging-- big-ass box with enough newspapers too mummify The 3 Stooges. Now there's the question of where to place it since Boit moved his TV cabinet into the old living room. And then there's the Xmas tree on the second floor. Yup, this house is getting crowded.
Weird dream last night (is there any other kind?), this one a result of watching too much Malcolm in the Middle and reading Green Arrow before bedtime. This one involved Reese fixing up the landscape from the side yard (the stoney side) and making a terrace all the way to the back yard. I panicked because any nutcase could now go over the back wall. And just like that a nut comes in, bow and arrow in hand. Jungle animals came in as well and I fought them off with water from the garden hose while screaming for Pa. Enter Pa with with his bow and arrow, shooting at the nutcase. I'd try remembering what happened next but it's too weird.
Delivery guys just dropped off a 5-foot Santa Claus statue, courtesy of 3-Ku. I assume it's made of resin because it's so light, which was more than I could say for the packaging-- big-ass box with enough newspapers too mummify The 3 Stooges. Now there's the question of where to place it since Boit moved his TV cabinet into the old living room. And then there's the Xmas tree on the second floor. Yup, this house is getting crowded.
Nov 14, 2002
Lights Out, Get Inside
By tonight a curfew in Manila will be enforced. Minors are to be off the streets between 10PM and 4AM. How cops will manage to keep track and round up all those street gangs, prostitutes, beggars and drunk school kids is something even Batman would go nuts trying to figure out. Exempted from the curfew are night school students and employees (prostitutes?). Also, this curfew is only from Sundays to Thursdays, which means those punk wannabe kids can still spoil the Malate club scene on weekends.
By tonight a curfew in Manila will be enforced. Minors are to be off the streets between 10PM and 4AM. How cops will manage to keep track and round up all those street gangs, prostitutes, beggars and drunk school kids is something even Batman would go nuts trying to figure out. Exempted from the curfew are night school students and employees (prostitutes?). Also, this curfew is only from Sundays to Thursdays, which means those punk wannabe kids can still spoil the Malate club scene on weekends.
Nov 11, 2002
This evening's event has just concluded...
...and it was lively and intimate, mainly because there were only 5 of us: Barbara Ng, Lisabelle and her husband Gilbert Teng, Rafael Young and myself. Illness and work precluded the attendance of the other expected guests, but that's okay. We had fun nonetheless.
Tonight was supposed to be for Barbara, who came in from Australia this Halloween for a vacation. This would be the first time I'd see her in person. Dinner was my spaghetti and Tramway food. Dessert was cake from Lisabelle and Bebot. Evening's entertainment was old high school Senior Year videos (man, were we skinnny back then). Sheryll called to say hi and apologize for not being able to attend, which was a lot more than what everyone else who couldn't make it did.
Sorry, last minute bitching. Well, more food for lunch tomorrow.
...and it was lively and intimate, mainly because there were only 5 of us: Barbara Ng, Lisabelle and her husband Gilbert Teng, Rafael Young and myself. Illness and work precluded the attendance of the other expected guests, but that's okay. We had fun nonetheless.
Tonight was supposed to be for Barbara, who came in from Australia this Halloween for a vacation. This would be the first time I'd see her in person. Dinner was my spaghetti and Tramway food. Dessert was cake from Lisabelle and Bebot. Evening's entertainment was old high school Senior Year videos (man, were we skinnny back then). Sheryll called to say hi and apologize for not being able to attend, which was a lot more than what everyone else who couldn't make it did.
Sorry, last minute bitching. Well, more food for lunch tomorrow.
Nov 6, 2002
Something's Missing
The Inquirer's 2BU! section (for teenagers) today featured gays in society. Gay movies, books about gays written (probably) by gays, how gays are portrayed in contemporary mass media, "How do you know you're gay," etc. All these topics of seeming interest (not to me) and yet not a single written word by its "silent mascot" Tim Yap. You'd think the most prominent gay writer of 2BU! would submit at least one piece even if it's not Thursday yet. Don't ask, don't tell, I guess.
The Inquirer's 2BU! section (for teenagers) today featured gays in society. Gay movies, books about gays written (probably) by gays, how gays are portrayed in contemporary mass media, "How do you know you're gay," etc. All these topics of seeming interest (not to me) and yet not a single written word by its "silent mascot" Tim Yap. You'd think the most prominent gay writer of 2BU! would submit at least one piece even if it's not Thursday yet. Don't ask, don't tell, I guess.
Nov 3, 2002
Post Weekend Stuff
Boit and I woke up around 11AM, air conditioner still on. Without the 'rents, who usually come in the room and turn it off around 9AM, getting lazy's pretty easy. Not that there was anything to do. Weather was rainy, but Ma and Pa managed to come home safe and sound. They bought lots of stuffed animal toys (as opposed to real stuffed animals) for the kids, as well as real (decorated) ostrich eggs. The eggs felt like porcelain, but the smell and texture on the inside indicated they were the real deal. They got a couple of painted ones and a couple of blank ones for Boit and me to work on. Right, like my fabric paint's gonna see the light of day again for a hollow ostrich egg.
It was still early in the evening so I called up Barbara Ng to ask about the get-together our high school bathmates are suppose to be giving her. At first I got the impression that her accent was a cross between Austalian and California surfer, but as we conversed the thicker Australian accept crept in. She's been shopping the past few days, mostly for bootleg DVDs. If the party's held at my place I hope she brings a couple.
Boit and I woke up around 11AM, air conditioner still on. Without the 'rents, who usually come in the room and turn it off around 9AM, getting lazy's pretty easy. Not that there was anything to do. Weather was rainy, but Ma and Pa managed to come home safe and sound. They bought lots of stuffed animal toys (as opposed to real stuffed animals) for the kids, as well as real (decorated) ostrich eggs. The eggs felt like porcelain, but the smell and texture on the inside indicated they were the real deal. They got a couple of painted ones and a couple of blank ones for Boit and me to work on. Right, like my fabric paint's gonna see the light of day again for a hollow ostrich egg.
It was still early in the evening so I called up Barbara Ng to ask about the get-together our high school bathmates are suppose to be giving her. At first I got the impression that her accent was a cross between Austalian and California surfer, but as we conversed the thicker Australian accept crept in. She's been shopping the past few days, mostly for bootleg DVDs. If the party's held at my place I hope she brings a couple.
Pre and Current Weekend Stuff
Thursday: Trip to Manila Memorial was hot and I ended up with slight sunburn (i.e. red but not painful). No 'rents this time, just me, Boit, Bebot, Wilson and Jocelyn (with Francis driving). Food this year was improved as it came from my aunt and uncle's Tramway restaurant. Dropped by Mercury Drug (and dropped off Wilson and Jocelyn at The Landmark) because Boit needed some syringes to refill inkjet printer cartriges. Day was still young when we got home so I watched some Malcolm in the Middle episodes and Reservoir Dogs (finally).
Friday: Got up late, so I spent what was left of the morning watching the supplementary material of the Moulin Rouge DVD. After lunch I started updating the Batch web pages, particularly the photo galleries. Today (Nov. 2) was Aissa's birthday so she took us out for dinner at the new Italiannis at Greenbelt 2, where all the new "beautiful" people hang out nowadays. Saw Emerson Jao with my groupmate from Taiwan whose name escapes me (the one that hung around with Charlzen and Paul at the museum), as well as Mitch Katigbak. Achi and (entire) family was there so I introduced Mia and Hans to Mitch (sort of). While ordering Rachelle texted me to ask if I could tape tonight's episode of Six Feet Under. Obviously I wasn't home so I had to text Bebot (who was) and ask her. After dinner we walked around the park section, which is where I got the impression that this is where the new "beautiful" people hung out. With it's own Club Havana and Cafe Breton, it's like Malate, only cleaner and with more parking spaces. When we got home I found out Bebot set the VCR to Channel 37 (Cinemax) instead of 31 (HBO). I remedied it late so I'm afraid Rae's brother will have to watch 15 minutes of Carnosaur. Finall I was about to start this entry when Lisabelle Chan called up to ask about the reunion-in-the-making with Barbara Ng, who's here from Austalia. Told her nothing's set in stone as of yet but that I'll keep her informed. Did some catching up (she's 33 weeks pregnant), yadda yadda, and here I am.
Thursday: Trip to Manila Memorial was hot and I ended up with slight sunburn (i.e. red but not painful). No 'rents this time, just me, Boit, Bebot, Wilson and Jocelyn (with Francis driving). Food this year was improved as it came from my aunt and uncle's Tramway restaurant. Dropped by Mercury Drug (and dropped off Wilson and Jocelyn at The Landmark) because Boit needed some syringes to refill inkjet printer cartriges. Day was still young when we got home so I watched some Malcolm in the Middle episodes and Reservoir Dogs (finally).
Friday: Got up late, so I spent what was left of the morning watching the supplementary material of the Moulin Rouge DVD. After lunch I started updating the Batch web pages, particularly the photo galleries. Today (Nov. 2) was Aissa's birthday so she took us out for dinner at the new Italiannis at Greenbelt 2, where all the new "beautiful" people hang out nowadays. Saw Emerson Jao with my groupmate from Taiwan whose name escapes me (the one that hung around with Charlzen and Paul at the museum), as well as Mitch Katigbak. Achi and (entire) family was there so I introduced Mia and Hans to Mitch (sort of). While ordering Rachelle texted me to ask if I could tape tonight's episode of Six Feet Under. Obviously I wasn't home so I had to text Bebot (who was) and ask her. After dinner we walked around the park section, which is where I got the impression that this is where the new "beautiful" people hung out. With it's own Club Havana and Cafe Breton, it's like Malate, only cleaner and with more parking spaces. When we got home I found out Bebot set the VCR to Channel 37 (Cinemax) instead of 31 (HBO). I remedied it late so I'm afraid Rae's brother will have to watch 15 minutes of Carnosaur. Finall I was about to start this entry when Lisabelle Chan called up to ask about the reunion-in-the-making with Barbara Ng, who's here from Austalia. Told her nothing's set in stone as of yet but that I'll keep her informed. Did some catching up (she's 33 weeks pregnant), yadda yadda, and here I am.