Dec 27, 2008
Previously Unposted Date Pix
Xmas'ed Out
As backlogs (or BcLogs) go, mine's been backed up like a constipated sumo wrestler.
The day before Xmas Eve I had a late dinner w/ Eileen at Cyma in Trinoma. She got me a gift while I gave back some of her DVDs. Not the fairest Kris Kringle exchange, I know...
First Xmas with Liza, both Eve and Actual. For the Eve we first had a light dinner at her house, where I presented gifts to her mom (stereo) and dad (really nice umbrella). For her part she gave me Fuji apples branded w/ various icons like Xmas trees, Santas and even some "I Love You" signs. Turns out they were done by placing stickers on the apples a month before harvest.
At my place there was an actual party, so we ate even more, from BBQ to lechon and tasty chicken pie, although she preferred the pork soup and Chinese fried chicken. Popsicles for dessert (twin for me, pinipig crunch for her). Ate Penny was nice enough to write up for me a request for an X-ray to check out my shoulders, w/c have been aching for some time now. Save for one family I managed to get groups portraits for almost all the guests. Mine were even gracious enough to have Liza included in our shot.
And for the first time I had someone else help and participate in making my annual Xmas Clone Card (see result in previous blog entry). Previous experimenting w/ night photography helped make up for last year's cut-and-paste disaster.
I slept around 4AM, only to be awakened 5 hours later by Liza asking me to attend morning mass w/ her and her folks. This event I was sorely tempted to sleep and skip over, but she used the "3M Phrase" ("Mean so much to me"), so for the first time in several forevers I found myelf in a church w/o any previous wedding or baptism ceremony arranged, and before lunchtime. On the plus side Liza joined me at my place for the latter. Mmm, leftover chicken pie...
After lunch we all rested a bit, then headed to SM MoA to brave the traffic jams and the mall crowds, the likes of w/c I hadn't seen since the last 3-Day Sale at SM North EDSA. In the midst of looking for someplace to eat Liza decided to play Poke Your Partner's Private Parts in Public. Far be it from me to refuse this kind of challenge.
While it didn't help she was making up the scoring rules as we went along, in the end I gave up trying to earn points and just did it for sh*ts and giggles. She still insists I lost when she gave herself 2000 points for biting my finger in front of my brother Wilson, who was seated across the table from us at Fish & Co. (Don't worry, he wasn't looking. I think.).
After the early dinner we spent some time in Fully Booked, where Liza bought more vampire books and got me the paperback edition of Bob Woodward's State of Denial. Afterward we made the unfortunate decision to walk all the way to Tom's World in the South Wing to look for the kids, only to find out everyone was at Haagen-Dazs back North. I tried to take her mind off the long walk back by offering to carry all her things and telling her expensive servings of ice cream are better than queuing at Starbucks.
At The Dazs she sampled whatever flavor she could. The servers forgot my double scoop order entirely, so I ended up sharing Liza's caramel apple crumble and choco-choco chip combo. Everybody went home late again, but I had to keep her books in storage as she doesn't want her folks to find out she went on another book buying binge. :)
The day before Xmas Eve I had a late dinner w/ Eileen at Cyma in Trinoma. She got me a gift while I gave back some of her DVDs. Not the fairest Kris Kringle exchange, I know...
First Xmas with Liza, both Eve and Actual. For the Eve we first had a light dinner at her house, where I presented gifts to her mom (stereo) and dad (really nice umbrella). For her part she gave me Fuji apples branded w/ various icons like Xmas trees, Santas and even some "I Love You" signs. Turns out they were done by placing stickers on the apples a month before harvest.
At my place there was an actual party, so we ate even more, from BBQ to lechon and tasty chicken pie, although she preferred the pork soup and Chinese fried chicken. Popsicles for dessert (twin for me, pinipig crunch for her). Ate Penny was nice enough to write up for me a request for an X-ray to check out my shoulders, w/c have been aching for some time now. Save for one family I managed to get groups portraits for almost all the guests. Mine were even gracious enough to have Liza included in our shot.And for the first time I had someone else help and participate in making my annual Xmas Clone Card (see result in previous blog entry). Previous experimenting w/ night photography helped make up for last year's cut-and-paste disaster.
I slept around 4AM, only to be awakened 5 hours later by Liza asking me to attend morning mass w/ her and her folks. This event I was sorely tempted to sleep and skip over, but she used the "3M Phrase" ("Mean so much to me"), so for the first time in several forevers I found myelf in a church w/o any previous wedding or baptism ceremony arranged, and before lunchtime. On the plus side Liza joined me at my place for the latter. Mmm, leftover chicken pie...
After lunch we all rested a bit, then headed to SM MoA to brave the traffic jams and the mall crowds, the likes of w/c I hadn't seen since the last 3-Day Sale at SM North EDSA. In the midst of looking for someplace to eat Liza decided to play Poke Your Partner's Private Parts in Public. Far be it from me to refuse this kind of challenge.While it didn't help she was making up the scoring rules as we went along, in the end I gave up trying to earn points and just did it for sh*ts and giggles. She still insists I lost when she gave herself 2000 points for biting my finger in front of my brother Wilson, who was seated across the table from us at Fish & Co. (Don't worry, he wasn't looking. I think.).
After the early dinner we spent some time in Fully Booked, where Liza bought more vampire books and got me the paperback edition of Bob Woodward's State of Denial. Afterward we made the unfortunate decision to walk all the way to Tom's World in the South Wing to look for the kids, only to find out everyone was at Haagen-Dazs back North. I tried to take her mind off the long walk back by offering to carry all her things and telling her expensive servings of ice cream are better than queuing at Starbucks.
At The Dazs she sampled whatever flavor she could. The servers forgot my double scoop order entirely, so I ended up sharing Liza's caramel apple crumble and choco-choco chip combo. Everybody went home late again, but I had to keep her books in storage as she doesn't want her folks to find out she went on another book buying binge. :)
Dec 25, 2008
Dec 22, 2008
Settled In
After a week of long-time-no-see (Tuesday business meeting w/ Mindstorm Media at their QC office to discuss producing the c3Maxx video doesn't count), Liza and I are now more or less (ok, more) getting used to the weekend "liaisons" (Euphemism Device activated). And Saturday afternoon was all liaison. :) We groomed ourselves silly for the occasion. She brought the bread and cheese, I brought peanut butter and grapes. After that mini-picnic we still had enough of an appetite for dinner at Teriyaki Boy Ortigas (though she doesn't wanna go back because of the taste). Washed the bad taste away w/ a nightcap at Starbucks AshCreek, where at the parking garage I handed her her Xmas present. She gave me a black 2008 Starbucks Planner.The Sunday afternoon "liaison" was just so she could get outta thes house and avoid any impending lectures about Life by her Mom. Although when I dropped to pick her up she wasn't ready, so I spent some time bonding w/ Auntie Sally by way of helping decorate their Xmas tree and speaking to her in Fukien Chinese whenever possible.
Finally we were off in a quest to find Pa's Xmas present: Bally socks. SM Centerpoint didn't have any in stock and said only the Big Branches (like SM City or Megamall) had them. I was disappointed since the Xmas traffic jams seemed to be still in full force. We drove back to Agno to rest a bit and reassess our options, i.e. do I wanna drive all the way to SM North EDSA and possibly miss the salmon dinner for 6 pairs of socks. In between thoughts I whipped up some egg-ang garlic fried rice for her, as her last meal was brunch. She ate it w/ fish leftover from lunch, while I had a ponkan.
Eventually we did go to SM City, the traffic thankfully not as bad as I thought. True to their word Bally socks were available, so we got Pa 6 pairs and Liza bought another 3 for her dad. We didn't bother checking out the newly built Annex, and instead walked to the other side of The Block (get it?) for some Bubble Tea (and cake that looked but thankfully didn't taste like a cross-section and dirt and freshly mowed lawn grass).
We drove back to Agno again, this time so I can have dinner. It was only after we watched the latest episode of The Mentalist (seated together on the freshly reupholstered couch) did I finally drive her home. Later we texted each other thanks for the company, then she said her mom was glad I "conversed with her" in Chinese. I was just glad she initiated it.
Dec 9, 2008
Wotta Weekend
SATURDAY: Picked up Liza early, so we could make a quick stopover to pick up our tickets for the musical Hairspray tomorrow. Robinson's Dept. Store branch was too by-the-book (as if Liza would have my credit card, receipt and 2 of my IDs for some other reason), so we hastily made up a letter of authorization while trying the NBS branch in Megamall. While driving outta there (loitered outside instead of properly parking) I caught a glimpse of (and almost ran over) old classmate Ian Howell Tan.While she was slightly miffed at us being a little late (still haven't gotten the hang of driving around BGC), we still managed to meet up w/ her barkada (and their respective "Non-Barkada" beaus and bud, and baby) at Serendra. The girls exchanged gifts while the guys exchanged gabs.
SUNDAY: The afternoon in bullet points...
- Avoided traffic police who were looking for (according to Liza) handouts, car profiling rich-looking AUVs and failing to flag us down successfully when I was sure the light was still green. Or I swerved, but it was to avoid idiot traffic cop for moving in my path and waving suddenly. Or mebbe it was because of us wasn't wearing their seatbelt at the time, not sure, didn't stick around. As I drove past them my heart raced and all I could think of was Please don't have motorbikes to chase us with. (They didn't.) Call me crazy but I like to limit embarrassing incidents involving cops while w/ my girlfriend to once-a-never-again.
- Almost parked just outside Star City when an attendant approached and said the flat rate was 60 bucks(!) Fortunately I talked to a security guard who said parking inside the Star City lot was free . Eff to da You, highway robber parking dude, we outta there.
- At the Star Theater we ran into Wilson's boss Liza, and one of his ADMU classmates. For my part I shared Men's Room time w/ Ricky Davao.
- The layout of the place was different from what I pictured, with no real balcony area and just elevated rows. (Ticketworld website ought to show both bird's eye and side view diagrams) Freezing temperatures inside made Liza regret wearing a sleeveless blouse. Worse, they made changes to the seating arrangements and the middle aisle seats I paid for were now at the leftmost side of the theater. (By the second act we moved to the empty seats near the middle of our row.)
- As for the musical production itself: Good thing I saw the movie version on HBO days earlier, because I still caught the gist of the story while well-enunciated lyrics were lost on crappy sound systems. Also, no live band, so basically we watched the Minus One version.
- Note to Michael de Mesa: You can only drag (no pun intended) on the change-to-manly-voice joke for so long before it gets old. We already know you're in tranny mode, so live up to the feminine side of it and impress us with more dancing while wearing heels.
- Why are good American accents so hard to find in local theater nowadays? Not to sound racist but the Talalog accents were really distracting.
The real event of the evening (aside from the one that happened after the play which I won't talk about here) was the wedding reception of Chinabank Tutuban Manager Andrew Kong and his bride Aileen at Century Seafood Restaurant. Liza really wanted to go and I obliged, seeing as I was there to represent of the 'Rents, while she went in place of her mom. Five tables were allotted for Chinabank friends and clients, not that the place needed any more butts on the seats. We left the reception early enough to avail of the half-off valet parking discount (25 bucks). No wedding souvenier or lanky floral centerpiece to take home, though, the latter to Liza's frustration. Yes, she only wanted the big flower in the middle of the arrangement, but I was distacted by the other flowers that were just taped on the thinner branches.We had a last-minute nightcap at Starbucks in Robinson's Otis. Still in formal attire, it was weird being the best-dressed couple in a coffee shop.
Not that I'm complaining. This weekend was for her, and I'm happy to serve.
Nov 29, 2008
Beijinoys, Bacolodians and Bicolanos (Oh My)
It's been awhile since I've gone out w/o Liza. Tonight's good a time as any.
Carpooled w/ Die! and her sister Steph (whose voice is a dead-ringer for Die!'s) from Gateway to first drop the latter off in San Juan, then to Dencio's in Rockwell for dinner w/ newly'rents Joanne and Henry Buban. Manolito, Janet (in town for business and pleasure) and Dave joined us later on. A number of the original HuaQing tenants didn't make it (Pyao, Tiff, Joyce, Cham, etc.) but as it was the evening was still enjoyable. All throughout the scarfing down of Set Menu C's entrees and iced tea, stories and laughs were shared. Dave (who couldn't get over Janet being much older than she looks--older than me, btw) and Manol are always a blast to have around, w/ enough tales of Beijing bloopers and anecdotes to make you forget the time.(Blog ending seems anticlimactic, but then again so was the evening, with our Good-byes and Let's Do it Again Next Times.)
Laying Down the "Law" (So We Can Bend 'Em Later)
We were supposed to meet up w/ Joanne and her husband Henry (as well as other Beijinoys) for dinner, but last-minute cancellations, postponements and rescheduling moved the date to Friday. So instead Liza and I ended up having dinner at Arya before heading back to her place to watch Californication.
Technically this would violate the recently created "Weekends Only" policy we tried to implement, devoting weeknights to work and avoiding the ire of respective 'Rents who think we see too much of each other. "Plenty of time for that if/when you settle down," pragmatic voices would say. Well, it didn't start out as a date. Just ended up that way due to aforementioned cancellations, postponements and rescheduling.
Yes, I'm making excuses and procrastinating (w/c, in using pharmaceutical analogy, is choosing quick-acting pills over the long-lasting ones). I wanna swear this will be our last Wednesday night together for a long while, but I try not to make a liar outta myself whenever possible. Best I could do is to keep telling myself to stick to weekends. Good therapy for both'a youz.
I'll try it, but don't hafta like it.
Nov 16, 2008
Too Much of a Good Thing
I've had the tough-love lecture from my sister several times now since I decided to stick with the family business almost 3 years ago. It never gets easier every time I hear it. Getting my teeth pulled is more tolerable.
She's right, of course. I'm pissed about that, and the condescending tone. She says (and I agree) that I'm not living to my full potential. It's almost as if I need constant inspirational/ pep talk (as opposed to nagging) to sustain my enthusiasm in the mundane business of cement dealing. I believe I have direction, but it's the degree of progress that's gnawing at me. Almost a crawl. And the distractions... my god, the distractions (this blog included)!
At the risk of sounding corny, there's now Liza to think about. To borrow a phrase from Melvin Udall: she makes me want to me a better man. I want to be a better person, a better employee, a better provider. I will not lose her (or this... thing I call a better life) on account of being a slacker. I won't have it.
So while the cost might be less time spent together, it's for a good cause. Self-improvement. And it will make seeing each other again (perhaps on weekends) all the more gratifying.
She's right, of course. I'm pissed about that, and the condescending tone. She says (and I agree) that I'm not living to my full potential. It's almost as if I need constant inspirational/ pep talk (as opposed to nagging) to sustain my enthusiasm in the mundane business of cement dealing. I believe I have direction, but it's the degree of progress that's gnawing at me. Almost a crawl. And the distractions... my god, the distractions (this blog included)!
At the risk of sounding corny, there's now Liza to think about. To borrow a phrase from Melvin Udall: she makes me want to me a better man. I want to be a better person, a better employee, a better provider. I will not lose her (or this... thing I call a better life) on account of being a slacker. I won't have it.
So while the cost might be less time spent together, it's for a good cause. Self-improvement. And it will make seeing each other again (perhaps on weekends) all the more gratifying.
Nov 14, 2008
Piedra Party
This was only the second time Liza's* gone out w/ my circle of friends. One Beijinoy she's met before, the rest she'll meet for the first time.When Pa paranoiyingly (paranoid + annoying + ly) thought Taguig was too far me to drive there on my own (had I said The Fort or Serenda --w/c Pa still thinks is in Makati-- he probably wouldn't have blinked), he insisted the family driver be used. Fine by me. My last chauffered date was during Senior Prom. At least parking won't be an issue.
Tintin was dropped off my house and then we picked up Di. When the found out about Liza they could barely contain their curiosity and excitement. We didn't stay at Liza's house since we were running kinda late. By the time we walked back to the Hi-Ace T & D already moved to the back seats to give us space in the middle, otherwise I would've ended up sitting shotgun, giving Francis directions on how to get to The Contessa's place.
Fast foward to 4 girls and a guy off to Fort Strip Mall. Piedra was at the 3rd level, but we first ate dinner at the Persian restaurant downstairs. We had stuffed chicken kebab (dee-lish), lamb kebab (salty) and veggie-meat-thingie-resembling-dried-asado kebab (weird) because Di was having a Veggie Day.We got the party about 45 minutes after Piedra's Open Bar started. Not 30 seconds after we arrive did Liza run into a fellow CAT officer from her ICA days (Next Gen Beijinoy, apparently). Birthday Boy Manol was, like the club's music, up and loud. Aside from Beijinoys like Dave, Pyao and Jarvey I also ran into old Ayala, Alabang faces like Piko, CB, Ana G, Izzy and Andy, and w/ each one I met I got a kick out of saying, "
On the other hand if I wasn't in a hurry to drive the ladies home (or just being cowardly) I might've said to Patrick, "Big fan of your work. Loved you in Batang PX."
*Seeing as we're already a couple, I'm giving up this omniscient narrator thing.
Nov 11, 2008
Iloilo and Bacolod Baycay (Part 4 of 4)
Day 4 (Oct. 19) Bacolod:
After the all-niter w/ Manols I could barely keep my eyes open on the Weesam boat ride back to Bacolod. Still, it was the power nap I needed. The newlyweds picked me up and dropped me off my hotel, where I slept the rest of the morning and woke up a little after 3 in the afternoon. Not feeling particularly choosy, I walked to the nearby SM Departmart Store and bought-to-go a large thin-crust Classic Beef & Onion Shakey's Pizza for lunch. And as per my practice since I checked in I refilled my 1-liter Starbucks water bottle at the hotel bar's water cooler.
The portable DVD player was a godsend. I managed to catch up on movies (Redbelt; Bigger, Stronger, Faster; War, Inc.; Chicago 10, the first half of The Fall), TV series (Midnight Man; Sharpe's Challenge) and saw some of the local programming. Bel Galindez appears to be Iloilo's answer to Cory Quirino, w/ her own program giving lifestyle and feng shui tips, all while hawking vitamins and suppliments in front of a single camera and little by way of production value.
I joined the newlyweds later in the evening for one last dinner, this time a Japanese buffet (hmm, crab recipes...). Afterward I got to see their newly renovated home, a real "White House." (Insert bad-taste Mayor Sanchez joke here.) They got their own space away from Sen's 'Rents, separated by a garden w/ a waterfall. The space alloted for the library and gym on the second floor was huge, and beneath that lay the home theater room, where-- when done-- they plan to install an OHP and just play HD quality d-loaded flicks. Ah, progress. Too bad I didn't take any pictures.
After the all-niter w/ Manols I could barely keep my eyes open on the Weesam boat ride back to Bacolod. Still, it was the power nap I needed. The newlyweds picked me up and dropped me off my hotel, where I slept the rest of the morning and woke up a little after 3 in the afternoon. Not feeling particularly choosy, I walked to the nearby SM Departmart Store and bought-to-go a large thin-crust Classic Beef & Onion Shakey's Pizza for lunch. And as per my practice since I checked in I refilled my 1-liter Starbucks water bottle at the hotel bar's water cooler.
The portable DVD player was a godsend. I managed to catch up on movies (Redbelt; Bigger, Stronger, Faster; War, Inc.; Chicago 10, the first half of The Fall), TV series (Midnight Man; Sharpe's Challenge) and saw some of the local programming. Bel Galindez appears to be Iloilo's answer to Cory Quirino, w/ her own program giving lifestyle and feng shui tips, all while hawking vitamins and suppliments in front of a single camera and little by way of production value.
I joined the newlyweds later in the evening for one last dinner, this time a Japanese buffet (hmm, crab recipes...). Afterward I got to see their newly renovated home, a real "White House." (Insert bad-taste Mayor Sanchez joke here.) They got their own space away from Sen's 'Rents, separated by a garden w/ a waterfall. The space alloted for the library and gym on the second floor was huge, and beneath that lay the home theater room, where-- when done-- they plan to install an OHP and just play HD quality d-loaded flicks. Ah, progress. Too bad I didn't take any pictures.
Nov 10, 2008
Over the Hurdle and Into the Breach
While she wasn't able to make it to his nephew's birthday party at his house (had to mind the store from morning til lunchtime), he did manage to deliver her birthday present. Afterward he picked her up at the train station, one stop further than he expected. They went back to his place to hang out and w/ no concrete plans. Exercise? Watch a movie (Death Defying Acts) in 720p format via her laptop attached to the Bravia? Have some leftover party food? Whatever goes.
Well it ended up being the second and third one. While they stayed in later than expected, his Dad comes home and finally meets her. On the other hand he was in another room at the time, and as such was unable to make the formal introduction. Good thing Mom was in there to rectify the situation, and thus began the "formal" interview. She injected the few words of Fukien she remembered how to use (if not pronounce) while Dad struggled w/ his own Tagalog deficiency.
He finally managed to join them in the living room and sat on the adjoining sofa by her side. Every once in a while Dad would wave his hand dismissively at him when he tried to assist in answering his questions to her. Sometimes the questions got repetitive (boy, Dad really wants to know how many siblings her father has) and business advisor-ish ("Do you think your textile shop will do well in the long run?"). At one point she whispered to him, "Can we leave early?" He said, "Looks like you're staying for dinner." And she did.
Finally the baptism of fire was over. He could never be as in love w/ someone as he was w/ her at that moment. That post-Meet the Parents moment. She was so good to put up with this and come out unscathed. They stayed for dinner and had a nightcap at Starbucks.
At Starbucks in between laughs they talked about a sort of disciplinary test. They agreed to go cold turkey in terms of meeting up for the next 5 days this week until the big event they had planned for the weekend (aside from the Madagascar 2 IMAX screening). Texting's still allowed, otherwise no physical contact whatsoever. Also, usually she initiates phone-chat invites and goings out, but now it'll be his turn to ask. All in all she said it won't be easy for her. Meanwhile he has not been in a serious relationship since Ramos was president, so 5 days of absence makes the heart grow fonder come Day 6 for him.
Let the stakeout begin...
Well it ended up being the second and third one. While they stayed in later than expected, his Dad comes home and finally meets her. On the other hand he was in another room at the time, and as such was unable to make the formal introduction. Good thing Mom was in there to rectify the situation, and thus began the "formal" interview. She injected the few words of Fukien she remembered how to use (if not pronounce) while Dad struggled w/ his own Tagalog deficiency.
He finally managed to join them in the living room and sat on the adjoining sofa by her side. Every once in a while Dad would wave his hand dismissively at him when he tried to assist in answering his questions to her. Sometimes the questions got repetitive (boy, Dad really wants to know how many siblings her father has) and business advisor-ish ("Do you think your textile shop will do well in the long run?"). At one point she whispered to him, "Can we leave early?" He said, "Looks like you're staying for dinner." And she did.
Finally the baptism of fire was over. He could never be as in love w/ someone as he was w/ her at that moment. That post-Meet the Parents moment. She was so good to put up with this and come out unscathed. They stayed for dinner and had a nightcap at Starbucks.
At Starbucks in between laughs they talked about a sort of disciplinary test. They agreed to go cold turkey in terms of meeting up for the next 5 days this week until the big event they had planned for the weekend (aside from the Madagascar 2 IMAX screening). Texting's still allowed, otherwise no physical contact whatsoever. Also, usually she initiates phone-chat invites and goings out, but now it'll be his turn to ask. All in all she said it won't be easy for her. Meanwhile he has not been in a serious relationship since Ramos was president, so 5 days of absence makes the heart grow fonder come Day 6 for him.
Let the stakeout begin...
Nov 9, 2008
Iloilo and Bacolod Baycay (Part 3 of 4)
Day 3 (Oct. 18): Bacolod
I would have missed my 8:15AM WeeSam boat ride to Bacolod had it not been for a chance purchase of a would-be passenger's ticket who changed her mind about going. During the hour-plus-long trip I noticed the difference between Economy and "First Class" is the access of the latter to cushioned seats, red carpeting, air conditioning and a TV, all behind a closed door. Still, I paid less than 300 bucks and could get off the back of the boat before them. I was greeted at the local port by Beijinoy Bacolodians Bea, Angelie and JacJac. After breakfast at Beyz's Business Inn they took me around downtown, where vendors filled the sidewalks and people were making preparations for this evening's Masskara festivities. Beyz and JacJac got me a mini-mask.
There were stopovers at one of the downtown hotels that had a Masskara-themed art exhibit by the lobby, and at the Sugarlandia store where amidst the sinambags and kinamoncils they showed us one of the new products they'd be debut at the next food expo: the "healthy" barquillos. Whole wheat, untreated sugar, no high-fructose corn syrup, the works.
Our last stop before lunch was at the burned out Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson Mansion, now officially designated The Ruins. It reminded me of the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Macao, only instead of just the front facade the whole house-- albeit gutted-- was still standing. Main stairs to the second floor will end in a fast drop back to the first if you weren't careful. Surrounded by a lush gardens and grand fountain, it seemed an ideal spot for wedding photo shoots and outdoor parties.
Melissa managed to join us for lunch at Chicken House (I purposely avoided all Bacolod-themed chicken in Manila 'til I could taste the real thing), then we met up w/ Manol and his friend Janet (Tee Lim, artist and employed by the exclusive distributor of Yakult in Bacolod) for coffee and cake. When Manol asked me to stay overnight my planned day trip to Bacolod was--to my delight/dismay-- about to turn into an all nighter bar-hopping "adventure." Naturally I had to go back to the WeeSam ticket office to reschedule my return trip before I finally said goodbye to the girls as they dropped me off to meet w/ Manol again.
We checked out Janet's charcoal art exhibit at the nearby hotel before heading out again. The Masskara festival was in full swing, but we missed the motorcade and parade. In the downtown area (w/c looked like the rotunda in front of Binondo Church) crowds filled the streets, trees and amphitheater seats as they watched the finals of a group dance contest. They kept using the same song (a remix of folk tunes and hip-hop) but the costumed dancers and elaborate props kept things fresh. The heavy masks and mid-afternoon heat didn't ease matters on the dancers, as the former cut their faces while the latter had them passing out from exhaustion and subsequently brought to a makeshift emergency sickbay nearby.
As darkness crept in (at 17:30, oddly enough) we went to Janet's friend's dog show exhibition held at the golfing clubhouse. Milo the jack russell terrier (aka Frasier's and Stanley Ipkiss' dog in Jim Carrey's The Mask) was particulary talent, playing dead when you shout Bang and leaping on to her owner's shoulder on command like a giant hairy pirate's parrot. He was definitely more entertaining than that tiptoe-on-hind-legs, Frisbee-catching-from-3-feet German Shepherd. This dog won top prize at the TV5 show Talentado? That show's producers were had. Speaking of had, we had ribs for dinner.
After dinner we first went to Janet's place to pick up her dog then to Manol's house to freshen up before we headed out to check out the street parties. We watched live bands play while chugging Red Horse and scarfing fried peanuts. When Janet called it a night come midnight it was just beginning for Manol, and by extension myself. I got a chance to shower and borrow one of his shirts (it fit, thankfully) while being fascinated at his house, w/c seemed to be stuck in the late seventies. DC Superhero stickers (featuring Neal Adams art) on the closet doors. A multitude of Sanrio characters in the girl's bedroom wall. Old bottles of perfumes and cologne displayed behind glass doors. It's like someone took a picture of my old house in Padre Herera and stuck it here. But I digress.
We first picked up a couple of Manol's friends who also came in from Manila, and headed north for North, a club where Philip Morris was hosting a party. Pretty crowded, and main show stretch all the way out to the grassy outdoors, with only plywood walls painted blue separating us from the riffraff (and acting as a piss-wall for dudes). We ran into Beyz again, and I had my 2nd glass of beer, w/c I managed to stretch out during my entire time there. Clubbing isn't really for me. Whoo, 4:30AM, way past my usual bedtime. Coupla barhops, beer and something that tasted like a weaker version of Pina Colada later we were back at Beyz's hotel for breakfast. Didn't see the sun rise, but it was getting brighter outside. We made it back to Manol's where I managed about an hour's worth of sleep before his driver took me back to the dock for my morning WeeSam ride back to Iloilo. Hmm, his subdivision looks much classier (and way less creepy) in the daytime than it did last night.
I would have missed my 8:15AM WeeSam boat ride to Bacolod had it not been for a chance purchase of a would-be passenger's ticket who changed her mind about going. During the hour-plus-long trip I noticed the difference between Economy and "First Class" is the access of the latter to cushioned seats, red carpeting, air conditioning and a TV, all behind a closed door. Still, I paid less than 300 bucks and could get off the back of the boat before them. I was greeted at the local port by Beijinoy Bacolodians Bea, Angelie and JacJac. After breakfast at Beyz's Business Inn they took me around downtown, where vendors filled the sidewalks and people were making preparations for this evening's Masskara festivities. Beyz and JacJac got me a mini-mask.There were stopovers at one of the downtown hotels that had a Masskara-themed art exhibit by the lobby, and at the Sugarlandia store where amidst the sinambags and kinamoncils they showed us one of the new products they'd be debut at the next food expo: the "healthy" barquillos. Whole wheat, untreated sugar, no high-fructose corn syrup, the works.
Our last stop before lunch was at the burned out Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson Mansion, now officially designated The Ruins. It reminded me of the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Macao, only instead of just the front facade the whole house-- albeit gutted-- was still standing. Main stairs to the second floor will end in a fast drop back to the first if you weren't careful. Surrounded by a lush gardens and grand fountain, it seemed an ideal spot for wedding photo shoots and outdoor parties.Melissa managed to join us for lunch at Chicken House (I purposely avoided all Bacolod-themed chicken in Manila 'til I could taste the real thing), then we met up w/ Manol and his friend Janet (Tee Lim, artist and employed by the exclusive distributor of Yakult in Bacolod) for coffee and cake. When Manol asked me to stay overnight my planned day trip to Bacolod was--to my delight/dismay-- about to turn into an all nighter bar-hopping "adventure." Naturally I had to go back to the WeeSam ticket office to reschedule my return trip before I finally said goodbye to the girls as they dropped me off to meet w/ Manol again.
We checked out Janet's charcoal art exhibit at the nearby hotel before heading out again. The Masskara festival was in full swing, but we missed the motorcade and parade. In the downtown area (w/c looked like the rotunda in front of Binondo Church) crowds filled the streets, trees and amphitheater seats as they watched the finals of a group dance contest. They kept using the same song (a remix of folk tunes and hip-hop) but the costumed dancers and elaborate props kept things fresh. The heavy masks and mid-afternoon heat didn't ease matters on the dancers, as the former cut their faces while the latter had them passing out from exhaustion and subsequently brought to a makeshift emergency sickbay nearby.
As darkness crept in (at 17:30, oddly enough) we went to Janet's friend's dog show exhibition held at the golfing clubhouse. Milo the jack russell terrier (aka Frasier's and Stanley Ipkiss' dog in Jim Carrey's The Mask) was particulary talent, playing dead when you shout Bang and leaping on to her owner's shoulder on command like a giant hairy pirate's parrot. He was definitely more entertaining than that tiptoe-on-hind-legs, Frisbee-catching-from-3-feet German Shepherd. This dog won top prize at the TV5 show Talentado? That show's producers were had. Speaking of had, we had ribs for dinner.
After dinner we first went to Janet's place to pick up her dog then to Manol's house to freshen up before we headed out to check out the street parties. We watched live bands play while chugging Red Horse and scarfing fried peanuts. When Janet called it a night come midnight it was just beginning for Manol, and by extension myself. I got a chance to shower and borrow one of his shirts (it fit, thankfully) while being fascinated at his house, w/c seemed to be stuck in the late seventies. DC Superhero stickers (featuring Neal Adams art) on the closet doors. A multitude of Sanrio characters in the girl's bedroom wall. Old bottles of perfumes and cologne displayed behind glass doors. It's like someone took a picture of my old house in Padre Herera and stuck it here. But I digress.
We first picked up a couple of Manol's friends who also came in from Manila, and headed north for North, a club where Philip Morris was hosting a party. Pretty crowded, and main show stretch all the way out to the grassy outdoors, with only plywood walls painted blue separating us from the riffraff (and acting as a piss-wall for dudes). We ran into Beyz again, and I had my 2nd glass of beer, w/c I managed to stretch out during my entire time there. Clubbing isn't really for me. Whoo, 4:30AM, way past my usual bedtime. Coupla barhops, beer and something that tasted like a weaker version of Pina Colada later we were back at Beyz's hotel for breakfast. Didn't see the sun rise, but it was getting brighter outside. We made it back to Manol's where I managed about an hour's worth of sleep before his driver took me back to the dock for my morning WeeSam ride back to Iloilo. Hmm, his subdivision looks much classier (and way less creepy) in the daytime than it did last night.
Nov 6, 2008
Iloilo and Bacolod Baycay (Part 2 of 4)
Day 2 (Oct. 17):
Had a stroll around the block (or two) looking for a place to have brunch. After finding nothing to the left of the hotel a nice surprise awaited to the right of it: namely an SM Department Store. While I had a Big Mac meal across the street from SM the branch manager suddenly started a brief parlor game that reminded me of those inane gimmicks Cebu Pacific stewards would impose upon passengers in lieu of complimentary food and drinks.
AM's driver(one of them, anyway) picked me up at around 2:30, and after picking up 2 more guests (one of them speaking something that sounded Korean) we found ourselves at St. Joesph the Worker Parish for the Rafael (IV) - Fernandez nuptials.
Ceremony itself was pretty straightforward, and place wasn't packed, being a weekday and all. Christ and Chey acted as wedding paps to counter the other freelancing paps who approached Sen's mother Tita Melinda w/ a bunch of pix to peddle to her. I managed to sneak a shot in w/ the "Bride and Groom with Friends" part of the pictorial.
Hitched a ride w/ Christ and Chey's family, and we drove to a couple of lots, where Christ said they were having houses built, one of them being his new home. We headed for the reception at the Puerto Real Clubhouse afterward. Osram lights of the 700-watt range were set up for mood lighting, and obviously no-one took advantage of the swimming pools. The Claycakes Book-themed piece they ordered thankfully survived the trip, and it was bigger than any of us imagined. Rons later said if they knew the 10-books were gonna be so thick they woulda thought of titles for the spines. Surrounding the cake were souvenirs of small glass flowers, gel candles and bowls of pudding for the cake (w/c everyone who stayed after the ceremonies got to sample in all its chocolatey goodness). Unfortunately the secondary sponsors failed to execute the proper distribution of said souvenirs; so in the midst of the free-for-all-grab-'em, the bigger gifts for the principal sponsors (model seashell sailboats hidden under the wedding cake table) were inadvertently taken as well.
After everyone stuffed themselves w/ the buffet dinner (mmm, roast beef and various kinds of pasta...) the fathers of the couple gave their speeches. Rons' dad had one prepared but since he forgot his reading glasses he opted to improvise. On the other hand Arsenio Rafael III's eyesight was fine for reading out his piece, and he began by singing a couple of lines from Somewhere Over the Rainbow. This was followed balloon-themed games for the single-by-choice-or-circumstance guests (still think condoms for balloons wouldα've been funnier, if not totally inappropriate) and the First Dance, w/ Sen singing along to Lifehouse's You and Me as he cut the red carpet w/ his new bride.
Had a stroll around the block (or two) looking for a place to have brunch. After finding nothing to the left of the hotel a nice surprise awaited to the right of it: namely an SM Department Store. While I had a Big Mac meal across the street from SM the branch manager suddenly started a brief parlor game that reminded me of those inane gimmicks Cebu Pacific stewards would impose upon passengers in lieu of complimentary food and drinks.
AM's driver(one of them, anyway) picked me up at around 2:30, and after picking up 2 more guests (one of them speaking something that sounded Korean) we found ourselves at St. Joesph the Worker Parish for the Rafael (IV) - Fernandez nuptials.Ceremony itself was pretty straightforward, and place wasn't packed, being a weekday and all. Christ and Chey acted as wedding paps to counter the other freelancing paps who approached Sen's mother Tita Melinda w/ a bunch of pix to peddle to her. I managed to sneak a shot in w/ the "Bride and Groom with Friends" part of the pictorial.
Hitched a ride w/ Christ and Chey's family, and we drove to a couple of lots, where Christ said they were having houses built, one of them being his new home. We headed for the reception at the Puerto Real Clubhouse afterward. Osram lights of the 700-watt range were set up for mood lighting, and obviously no-one took advantage of the swimming pools. The Claycakes Book-themed piece they ordered thankfully survived the trip, and it was bigger than any of us imagined. Rons later said if they knew the 10-books were gonna be so thick they woulda thought of titles for the spines. Surrounding the cake were souvenirs of small glass flowers, gel candles and bowls of pudding for the cake (w/c everyone who stayed after the ceremonies got to sample in all its chocolatey goodness). Unfortunately the secondary sponsors failed to execute the proper distribution of said souvenirs; so in the midst of the free-for-all-grab-'em, the bigger gifts for the principal sponsors (model seashell sailboats hidden under the wedding cake table) were inadvertently taken as well.
After everyone stuffed themselves w/ the buffet dinner (mmm, roast beef and various kinds of pasta...) the fathers of the couple gave their speeches. Rons' dad had one prepared but since he forgot his reading glasses he opted to improvise. On the other hand Arsenio Rafael III's eyesight was fine for reading out his piece, and he began by singing a couple of lines from Somewhere Over the Rainbow. This was followed balloon-themed games for the single-by-choice-or-circumstance guests (still think condoms for balloons wouldα've been funnier, if not totally inappropriate) and the First Dance, w/ Sen singing along to Lifehouse's You and Me as he cut the red carpet w/ his new bride.
Oct 28, 2008
Apologies for the Delay
Much to blog about, but w/ work and other projects, I can't do it all. So while what follows violates my no-posting-non-daily-life-related stuff-here-that's-what-the-other-blog-is-for rule, it's meant to tide you readers over 'til I get my shizzle together:
Michael Jackson's Thriller as a 64-piece acapella number:
Michael Jackson's Thriller as a 64-piece acapella number:
Oct 21, 2008
Iloilo and Bacolod Baycay (Part 1 of 4)
Flew to Iloilo last Thursday to attend Arsenio and Ronstadt's wedding, and planned to visit the Bacolodians over the weekend.
Day 1 (Oct. 16):
Christian picked me up at the new (as in it wasn't there last year) Iloilo International Airport. We first stopped the newly expanded offices of AM Trading, where I called Dennis' cel and found out he never left Manila (way to waste plane fare, man). This turned out to be good thing because Century 21 Hotel gave me a room with a double bed. I planned to switch but changed my mind when I found out AM's footing the bill (You didn't have to, Senador, so thanks). In hindsight the rate they charged for a room without real blankets, pillow-covers, slippers and a weak air conditioner was a bit much. Good thing the gave AM Trading a discount.
Chirst and wifey Chey picked me up again for dinner. I have this habit of not remembering the names of the restaurants I go to when I travel outta town, unless I take a picture of said resto. Not to say that the food wasn't memorable (great salmon, great ribs), but I'm there for the company. Bride-to-be Rons was staying in the hotel across the street, but it seems the bad-luck-to-see-bride-before-wedding suspicion extends to wedding guests. We had a nightcap at Blue Jay, were I played one sachet of sugar too many in my mocha latte. After they brought me back to the hotel I finished the evening watching the BBC Series Midnight Man via the portable DVD player I brought along. Also wondered why all the cable channel selections seem better outside Metro Manila (oooh, F/X and Fox Crime! Endless sports channels! Sarcastic enthusiasm now!)
Day 1 (Oct. 16):
Christian picked me up at the new (as in it wasn't there last year) Iloilo International Airport. We first stopped the newly expanded offices of AM Trading, where I called Dennis' cel and found out he never left Manila (way to waste plane fare, man). This turned out to be good thing because Century 21 Hotel gave me a room with a double bed. I planned to switch but changed my mind when I found out AM's footing the bill (You didn't have to, Senador, so thanks). In hindsight the rate they charged for a room without real blankets, pillow-covers, slippers and a weak air conditioner was a bit much. Good thing the gave AM Trading a discount.
Chirst and wifey Chey picked me up again for dinner. I have this habit of not remembering the names of the restaurants I go to when I travel outta town, unless I take a picture of said resto. Not to say that the food wasn't memorable (great salmon, great ribs), but I'm there for the company. Bride-to-be Rons was staying in the hotel across the street, but it seems the bad-luck-to-see-bride-before-wedding suspicion extends to wedding guests. We had a nightcap at Blue Jay, were I played one sachet of sugar too many in my mocha latte. After they brought me back to the hotel I finished the evening watching the BBC Series Midnight Man via the portable DVD player I brought along. Also wondered why all the cable channel selections seem better outside Metro Manila (oooh, F/X and Fox Crime! Endless sports channels! Sarcastic enthusiasm now!)
Oct 12, 2008
Game, Set, Match
They made it official on the 10th. It's been exciting, loving, intense, experimental, frisky, funny, relaxing... and nice, all at the same time.
Now for the 'Rents (his and hers) to get into the game...
Now for the 'Rents (his and hers) to get into the game...
Oct 8, 2008
Wednesdate
On the one hand he had to rush dinner, endure rude jeepney drivers to get to her place, almost slip on the algae-laced driveway AND misplace his 8GB thumb-drive* that contained the TV shows they were supposed to watch (good thing he brought a copy of Mrs. Henderson on DVD as a backup plan). The unprepared batch of Cadbury Hot Chocolate mix he brought was left as such, as well.
On the other hand they made out while attempting to concentrate on the dry comedic styling of both Dame Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins. The End.
*Still missing as of this entry. Did the car seat swallow it?!?
I would like to apologize to the Contessa for upsetting her and not knowing when to quit when it came to showing her the extent of how any of us (her in particular) are vulnerable to having our seemingly personal and private information open online for anyone who does a simple Google search. Stalkers suck, truly. Identity thieves, too.
On the other hand they made out while attempting to concentrate on the dry comedic styling of both Dame Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins. The End.
*Still missing as of this entry. Did the car seat swallow it?!?
* * *
I would like to apologize to the Contessa for upsetting her and not knowing when to quit when it came to showing her the extent of how any of us (her in particular) are vulnerable to having our seemingly personal and private information open online for anyone who does a simple Google search. Stalkers suck, truly. Identity thieves, too.
Oct 7, 2008
Sundate
In the afternoon he drove to her place as promised. He tried to help get her Internet connection running by dial-up card (unsuccessful but tried again later) while drinking hazelnut vanilla coffee and scarfing porkball-flavored siopao.
After getting a brief tour of the ground floor of the house (lots of cars and empty aquariums), they hung out at the "prayer meeting room" where they watched episodes from latest season of Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles. (He wanted to watch movies but her apparently socially-conscious laptop wouldn't play generic DVD-RWs.) Forsake the image of a couple cuddling w/ their backs turned to a giant wooden crucifix. It was nothing compared to that thing she does using just her nose that would make Inuits blush. (At this point further detail would be unseemly. Go look for Mills & Boon w/o the sap, while I go and pray I don't suffer brain damage or long-term memory loss. Only the Contessa gets details, and even then not everything.)
While "taking it slow" isn't how he'd prefer things at his age, he opted to go home for dinner and leave this afternoon's events as a moment in itself.
He once said, thought and believed that his Ex ruined him for other women. This one seems to be debunking that notion one meeting at a time.
After getting a brief tour of the ground floor of the house (lots of cars and empty aquariums), they hung out at the "prayer meeting room" where they watched episodes from latest season of Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles. (He wanted to watch movies but her apparently socially-conscious laptop wouldn't play generic DVD-RWs.) Forsake the image of a couple cuddling w/ their backs turned to a giant wooden crucifix. It was nothing compared to that thing she does using just her nose that would make Inuits blush. (At this point further detail would be unseemly. Go look for Mills & Boon w/o the sap, while I go and pray I don't suffer brain damage or long-term memory loss. Only the Contessa gets details, and even then not everything.)
While "taking it slow" isn't how he'd prefer things at his age, he opted to go home for dinner and leave this afternoon's events as a moment in itself.
He once said, thought and believed that his Ex ruined him for other women. This one seems to be debunking that notion one meeting at a time.
Oct 4, 2008
Saturdate
He spent all afternoon (and early-late evening) w/ her at ChiliBucks, . Lunch (and dinner dessert0 at the first half. At the second half watched House and Chris Rock, sipped lattes and cuddled. Made do w/ the hard chairs since the college students virtually set up camp at the couch sections. She wanted to maximize her midnight curfew, but the lack of sleep on his part meant he'd be unable to give her his full attention all throughout. He brought her home around ten and drove home for some paracetamol.
She's free, staying home all day. She wants him to visit.
She's free, staying home all day. She wants him to visit.
Oct 2, 2008
The First Bump
When he didn't contact her when he was supposed to this afternoon it kinda made her mad. And disappointed. Even after he apologized he didn't realize how badly he screwed up 'til later while they drove to meet w/ her friends for dinner at Toscana Pizzeria (where he was finally introduced to Lorena, Monica and Sherbert).
INT. CAR NIGHT
CUT TO CU of GUY'S INNER JACKASS KICKING HIMSELF
After dinner the drive back to her house became a last-minute nightcap w/ ice white-choco lattes. She said she was feeling cold so he held her hands. After they stepped out to sit outside amidst the humid evening he still held and caressed her hands while they talked. She said a she's a stickler for honesty, keeping your word and taking responsibility. He just wanted to kiss her.
So like the gentlemen/wuss that he is after he dropped her off at her place he asked if he could. She opted for a full hug. Fair enough, he thought. Screwed up today, and a simple hand rub (ugh, that sounded dirty) won't fix things overnight.
Probably should've asked her back at Starbucks.
INT. CAR NIGHT
GUY
So what were you looking forward to, afternoon at Starbucks?
Watching the movie with the big TV?
Watching the movie with the big TV?
GIRL
No, spending time together.
CUT TO CU of GUY'S INNER JACKASS KICKING HIMSELF
After dinner the drive back to her house became a last-minute nightcap w/ ice white-choco lattes. She said she was feeling cold so he held her hands. After they stepped out to sit outside amidst the humid evening he still held and caressed her hands while they talked. She said a she's a stickler for honesty, keeping your word and taking responsibility. He just wanted to kiss her.
So like the gentlemen/wuss that he is after he dropped her off at her place he asked if he could. She opted for a full hug. Fair enough, he thought. Screwed up today, and a simple hand rub (ugh, that sounded dirty) won't fix things overnight.
Probably should've asked her back at Starbucks.
Sep 29, 2008
Polu Kai & Wilgin
Two Names to sum up the weekend.
SATURDAY: Afternoon at Galleria to pick up Twilight books for Sis while taking advantage of Lola's NBS employee discount. After this it's the bargain basement Nicholas Sparks books on hardcover.
Later tonight it was time to meet her circle of friends at the Hawaiian-themed Polu Kai restaurant in Serendra (but not before hanging out at Fully Booked). One of them (belated B-Day celebrant Pearl) was escorted by BoiT to her ball when she was a sophie in ICA. Tonight was a post birthday and prewedding dinner w/ fiance Mark. To complete the roster there was Tanya (niece of not-name-dropping-just-stating-fact Lani Mercado), her beau Jay (saxophonist), Leslie and Vince (commercial model and current ambassador of MSG--seriously).
Food was similar to your average big-family meal resto, save for the half-off cocktails menu for first time customers (she had a mai tai). After dinner it was a nightcap at CB&TL and occasionally receiving texts from Ma. Sigh.
At least this time a good excuse for the lateness was to be had, namely getting lost on the road again (really hate driving out of The Fort at night) before finding our way back to Ortigas. The long winding trip gave us an opportunity for A Talk. Boundaries weren't exactly set, but she knew where I stood on things. While she hasn't fallen, at least she's leaning in that direction. While I said she scores Yes answers on my 3 Qs to know when I'm into someone (plus the uncanny amount of things we have in common), she said I make her laugh. One down, 3 to go. And no besos this time. We're moving on to body contact.
SUNDAY: TinTin's wedding day. She met Wilgin at the wedding of 2 other Beijinoys, Ajin and Edison (who were present, along w/ Joy, Eileen and Ivy at both ceremonies). Vows were exchanged at the church in Damar Village (I did First Reading, Boit on Responsorial Psalm and Wilson on Second Reading). 'Son and I spent most of the ceremony commenting on the camera and video people. The lady photographer stood out mostly because of her hunched, s-shaped frame, like someone externally following her spinal curvature. If this was the long-term effect of lugging around 2 bulky digital SLRs w/ big-@$$ lenses attached to them at a time, I would've invested either in hiring an assistant to let him handle impending scoliosis or buy a push-cart.
After the wedding we stopped by the newlyweds home, located on the 3rd floor of a vertical condo almost similar to the one I stayed in in Beijing, only less cramped. The multi-colored blips and faux crystal cover on the ceiling lights were enough to convince me that a Chonker thought of the design. (The 2 40-inch Samsung LCDS were a good distraction.) Snacks were served in the form of sodas, bottled water, mamon and chiffon cakes.
Reception was at the Makati Shang, where they set up a snack stands (mildly spicy mixed nuts and mild wasabi-flavored potato chips) and a water bar outside the Rizal Ballroom.
We were again treated to the hosting skills of Michael. Didn't win the Bingo game, but at least they decided to forego any bouquet/garter-centered games.
SATURDAY: Afternoon at Galleria to pick up Twilight books for Sis while taking advantage of Lola's NBS employee discount. After this it's the bargain basement Nicholas Sparks books on hardcover.
Later tonight it was time to meet her circle of friends at the Hawaiian-themed Polu Kai restaurant in Serendra (but not before hanging out at Fully Booked). One of them (belated B-Day celebrant Pearl) was escorted by BoiT to her ball when she was a sophie in ICA. Tonight was a post birthday and prewedding dinner w/ fiance Mark. To complete the roster there was Tanya (niece of not-name-dropping-just-stating-fact Lani Mercado), her beau Jay (saxophonist), Leslie and Vince (commercial model and current ambassador of MSG--seriously).Food was similar to your average big-family meal resto, save for the half-off cocktails menu for first time customers (she had a mai tai). After dinner it was a nightcap at CB&TL and occasionally receiving texts from Ma. Sigh.
At least this time a good excuse for the lateness was to be had, namely getting lost on the road again (really hate driving out of The Fort at night) before finding our way back to Ortigas. The long winding trip gave us an opportunity for A Talk. Boundaries weren't exactly set, but she knew where I stood on things. While she hasn't fallen, at least she's leaning in that direction. While I said she scores Yes answers on my 3 Qs to know when I'm into someone (plus the uncanny amount of things we have in common), she said I make her laugh. One down, 3 to go. And no besos this time. We're moving on to body contact.
SUNDAY: TinTin's wedding day. She met Wilgin at the wedding of 2 other Beijinoys, Ajin and Edison (who were present, along w/ Joy, Eileen and Ivy at both ceremonies). Vows were exchanged at the church in Damar Village (I did First Reading, Boit on Responsorial Psalm and Wilson on Second Reading). 'Son and I spent most of the ceremony commenting on the camera and video people. The lady photographer stood out mostly because of her hunched, s-shaped frame, like someone externally following her spinal curvature. If this was the long-term effect of lugging around 2 bulky digital SLRs w/ big-@$$ lenses attached to them at a time, I would've invested either in hiring an assistant to let him handle impending scoliosis or buy a push-cart.
After the wedding we stopped by the newlyweds home, located on the 3rd floor of a vertical condo almost similar to the one I stayed in in Beijing, only less cramped. The multi-colored blips and faux crystal cover on the ceiling lights were enough to convince me that a Chonker thought of the design. (The 2 40-inch Samsung LCDS were a good distraction.) Snacks were served in the form of sodas, bottled water, mamon and chiffon cakes.
Reception was at the Makati Shang, where they set up a snack stands (mildly spicy mixed nuts and mild wasabi-flavored potato chips) and a water bar outside the Rizal Ballroom.
We were again treated to the hosting skills of Michael. Didn't win the Bingo game, but at least they decided to forego any bouquet/garter-centered games.
Sep 24, 2008
(Non) Date Dont's
"It's a non-date," he told himself. A date is dinner and/or a movie, a nice stroll, mebbe watching her shop for clothes and shoes while observing other men with their own female companions doing the same. At best tonight was gimik thing watching a show (free S.P.I.T. performance again).
Then fate (or luck) steps in. One friend calls in sick. Other friend to visit a sick relative. The sick scenario is never disputed nor questioned, he knows. Not that he's ever used that excuse before (he prefers the no-transportation line). Smooth sailing? Not exactly. Murphy's Law was being enforced.
First, the unwanted promise of a rainstorm. News said it was passing by 48 hours ago, but apparently it doubled-back just to screw w/ his day. He already knew the romantic concept of rain is only when you're indoors.
After nervously looking at every other street corner to make sure he didn't miss making that crucial left turn, he found the house. While entering the driveway in reverse (practice) gate he hears a crunching noise (needs more practice). Great first impression at the house, Poindexter. Luckily it was just a scratch on the plastic fender. Taillights were still intact. Why did she want him to come in when both of them were already good to go? To meet her father. Ah. Nice.
Second, the traffic jams. Didn't help that he made that right turn at Buendia too soon and had to take the long U-turn back to correct it. Didn't help that all that pitter-patter of H2O made him (and his non-date) want to hit the loo the second they got outta the car.
Third, when about to pay the parking fee guess who forgot his wallet? (Sure he had time to pack a camera but didn't take any decent pictures. Who needs money?!?)
She was amazing during the whole thing, paying for everything, including the lemongrass chicken dinner and 2 light beers. Yes, he owes her in more ways than one.
She was slightly shell-shocked at being out "late" (it was barely past 9) the loudness of the cafe and the potency of the light beer. Obviously she hasn't been out this "late" lately, at least not on a (non) date. Meanwhile his dad keeps calling him on his cel just because he's still outside when he said he'd be home by ten! Sigh. Both liked tonight's performance for the most part, epsecially when the joke didn't consist of rambling like a reality show host at the Emmys.
With the Cinderella curfew they hightailed it immediately after the show. Second to the last mistake was going the wrong way in EDSA (AIRPORT sign was the clincher). Thank you, big-@$$ U Turn. Now on the right path they barely make it before midnight. It might've ended w/ a handshake had he not said, "No, too formal" (his brain was saying come ON...) and instead went for the beso. As he drove off to leave the compound the gate he first came in when he picked her up was already closed. Murphy's Law endcap, thank you very much.
She texted "it was an unforgettable night." Can't wait to do it again.
First, the unwanted promise of a rainstorm. News said it was passing by 48 hours ago, but apparently it doubled-back just to screw w/ his day. He already knew the romantic concept of rain is only when you're indoors.
After nervously looking at every other street corner to make sure he didn't miss making that crucial left turn, he found the house. While entering the driveway in reverse (practice) gate he hears a crunching noise (needs more practice). Great first impression at the house, Poindexter. Luckily it was just a scratch on the plastic fender. Taillights were still intact. Why did she want him to come in when both of them were already good to go? To meet her father. Ah. Nice.
Second, the traffic jams. Didn't help that he made that right turn at Buendia too soon and had to take the long U-turn back to correct it. Didn't help that all that pitter-patter of H2O made him (and his non-date) want to hit the loo the second they got outta the car.
Third, when about to pay the parking fee guess who forgot his wallet? (Sure he had time to pack a camera but didn't take any decent pictures. Who needs money?!?)
She was amazing during the whole thing, paying for everything, including the lemongrass chicken dinner and 2 light beers. Yes, he owes her in more ways than one.
She was slightly shell-shocked at being out "late" (it was barely past 9) the loudness of the cafe and the potency of the light beer. Obviously she hasn't been out this "late" lately, at least not on a (non) date. Meanwhile his dad keeps calling him on his cel just because he's still outside when he said he'd be home by ten! Sigh. Both liked tonight's performance for the most part, epsecially when the joke didn't consist of rambling like a reality show host at the Emmys.
With the Cinderella curfew they hightailed it immediately after the show. Second to the last mistake was going the wrong way in EDSA (AIRPORT sign was the clincher). Thank you, big-@$$ U Turn. Now on the right path they barely make it before midnight. It might've ended w/ a handshake had he not said, "No, too formal" (his brain was saying come ON...) and instead went for the beso. As he drove off to leave the compound the gate he first came in when he picked her up was already closed. Murphy's Law endcap, thank you very much.
She texted "it was an unforgettable night." Can't wait to do it again.
Sep 17, 2008
Wealthy Wanker Showoff of the Day
Some posers just deserve to be observed like an anthropology project. Case in point: spotted at my local bank today..
Showy jewelry: check. Inconsiderate use of celphone: check. Sign on back that says, "ROB ME": missing.
Showy jewelry: check. Inconsiderate use of celphone: check. Sign on back that says, "ROB ME": missing.
Sep 16, 2008
SMX NBS and B&D VH 900
It's uncanny how the new girls I meet all studied in the same high school. It's that's a Sign the only thing I'm interpreting from it is other school-girls are either married or not getting out much.
But let today be a day of fates and irrationales. Had I not decided to go the SMX to check out the Book Fair, I might not have run into Lola at the National Bookstore booth and met her friends Liza and Paige, both avid bibliophiles. While Liza bought the lion's share of books (and upon my recommendation bought Book 2 of the colored version of Bone, though I offered to just give her d-loaded versions of Books 1-7) to also avail of free bags, I disappointed Lola by buying a nonfiction title (she's in charge of ordering all the fiction titles for NBS) and accidentally spilling some of her (thankfully not too hot) cafe latte.
I might have decided to spend the rest of the afternoon w/ Liza and Paige, in between deciding whether or not to watch Hellboy II (didn't) or have an early dinner at Tokyo Cafe (did). I might not have enjoyed spending time and chatting about books, pop culture, online RPG marriages and the nuances of tsinoy family life. But I did. And I'm glad.
I parted ways w/ the girls and met up w/ Ma at Ace Hardware. At the end of her shopping stint we asked for a demonstation of their Black & Decker VH 900 vaccum cleaner. The sales clerk was trying to push us towards those gray, egg-shaped "As Seen on TV" vaccum cleaners, w/c I was suspicious of. He plugged in the latter to how us how it had stronger suction power. Yeah, yeah, I thought, just get to the one we want. When the clerk turned it on the VH 900 did seem weaker, so I decided to give it a try to make sure. Not two seconds after I turned it did the power on it go out and we smelled something burning. The frakking thing blew a fuse! I told the clerk in Tagalog "That better not be 110 (volts)," and Ma and I decided to hold off buying a new vaccum cleaner, at least until we can get one that only sucked in function, not quality.
But let today be a day of fates and irrationales. Had I not decided to go the SMX to check out the Book Fair, I might not have run into Lola at the National Bookstore booth and met her friends Liza and Paige, both avid bibliophiles. While Liza bought the lion's share of books (and upon my recommendation bought Book 2 of the colored version of Bone, though I offered to just give her d-loaded versions of Books 1-7) to also avail of free bags, I disappointed Lola by buying a nonfiction title (she's in charge of ordering all the fiction titles for NBS) and accidentally spilling some of her (thankfully not too hot) cafe latte.
I might have decided to spend the rest of the afternoon w/ Liza and Paige, in between deciding whether or not to watch Hellboy II (didn't) or have an early dinner at Tokyo Cafe (did). I might not have enjoyed spending time and chatting about books, pop culture, online RPG marriages and the nuances of tsinoy family life. But I did. And I'm glad.
I parted ways w/ the girls and met up w/ Ma at Ace Hardware. At the end of her shopping stint we asked for a demonstation of their Black & Decker VH 900 vaccum cleaner. The sales clerk was trying to push us towards those gray, egg-shaped "As Seen on TV" vaccum cleaners, w/c I was suspicious of. He plugged in the latter to how us how it had stronger suction power. Yeah, yeah, I thought, just get to the one we want. When the clerk turned it on the VH 900 did seem weaker, so I decided to give it a try to make sure. Not two seconds after I turned it did the power on it go out and we smelled something burning. The frakking thing blew a fuse! I told the clerk in Tagalog "That better not be 110 (volts)," and Ma and I decided to hold off buying a new vaccum cleaner, at least until we can get one that only sucked in function, not quality.
Sep 14, 2008
Sy Association Run. (Run, Association. Run!)
My father has few constants in life: Casino Filipino after lunch, control freak issues and Sy Association officer duties. Guess which one I tolerate w/ease.
One family obligation I have never been a big fan of is having to attend Sy Association luncheons or dinners. Now as the only child left unmarried, as well as being default driver on Sundays, my presence becomes more or less mandatory.
These meetings are always held either at President's Tea House in Binondo or Dragon Gate Seafood Restaurant along Roxas Boulevard. Today it was at the latter to commemorate their 50th Anniversary. Every year I show up I don't recognize a single face if it didn't belong to a relative, and even then it's a crap shoot where my father's side of the family is concerned. Every year they have members (or more recently the inaptly-named youth org that's lacking in youths) sing Chinese songs onstage amidst a barely attentive audience too busy scarfing down coldcuts or whatever part of the 8-10 course meal has been presented.
By way of compensation (or "thanks for putting up w/ this") raffles are held. Sadly the odds are always against me in terms of winning prizes bigger than Door. Still, ang bao beats Certificate of Attendance anytime. All I have to do it sit w/o interacting w/ unfamiliar faces and listen to godawfully interpreted songs. Like wathing a pre-school Xmas play/variety program. If I had no scruples I'd get up on stage and belt out some Air Supply. That'll shut 'em up. ;)
* * *
On our way home Ma and I stopped by that new SM grocery store along Nagtahan. If its goal was to compete w/ the Robinsons Otis I'd say it already lost by not offering free parking. We felt "compelled" to buy some fruits (and a bottle of mustard) so we can't say we paid 25 bucks just to look around.
Sep 11, 2008
Slice N Dice
Ma has an annual Mooncake dice game w/ her old classmates every year. This year Pa couldn't make it (Sy Association officer duties), so I subbed for him. The "Gang" (a number of whom I've met and travelled with) met at what was formerly the Hancourt restaurant at Annapolis Street in Greenhills. Halfway through the 8-course meal most of us were already feeling full. (Senior citizens don't need much, really.)
As for the dice game we played for cash and hopia bought from Salazar's Bakery. Every ang bao won also netted you 1 hopia of various sizes (bigger prize, bigger hopia). Eventually we ran out of hopia and started giving away the dinner leftovers and unopened cans of Coke. (Like I said, they didn't need much.)
I didn't do too bad, especially compared w/ Ma's game (tip: toss dice w/ only one hand). My biggest prize was from getting 2 sets of triples--3 ones and 3 fives. While Ma didn't make back her thousand-bucks-per-head buy-in (x2), we did end up w/ a lot of hopia and leftover chicken and abalone soup scooped from a coconut.
All I did was show up, eat some seafood and left w/ almost 900 smackers. It was the low-end version of Paris Hilton being paid just to show up at a party. (Only w/o the venereal disease and subsequent sex video.)
As for the dice game we played for cash and hopia bought from Salazar's Bakery. Every ang bao won also netted you 1 hopia of various sizes (bigger prize, bigger hopia). Eventually we ran out of hopia and started giving away the dinner leftovers and unopened cans of Coke. (Like I said, they didn't need much.)
I didn't do too bad, especially compared w/ Ma's game (tip: toss dice w/ only one hand). My biggest prize was from getting 2 sets of triples--3 ones and 3 fives. While Ma didn't make back her thousand-bucks-per-head buy-in (x2), we did end up w/ a lot of hopia and leftover chicken and abalone soup scooped from a coconut.
All I did was show up, eat some seafood and left w/ almost 900 smackers. It was the low-end version of Paris Hilton being paid just to show up at a party. (Only w/o the venereal disease and subsequent sex video.)
Sep 7, 2008
Be Cool Weekend
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
SATURDAY--
Didn't sleep before the 6:45AM flight to Naga (weekend trip w/ the 'Rents and 4-Ku) and instead organized all my recent comics purchases (missing #107 --but inadvertently bought a variant of #54 on sale-- of Ultimate Spider-Man). We left the house a little after 4AM, and at he new Terminal 3 we ran into Ninong Jess Robredo (mayor of Naga City), and the mayor of Palawan standing w/ us at the check-in line.
While it was certainly bigger than our last two international airports upon closer scrutiny you can tell some things were rushed at NAIA 3. Water stains on the ceiling. Flatscreen TVs brought in from the original NAIA because the airport flight information monitors weren't working. Airport clocks were out-of-order, too, so God help you if you come in late and watchless.We had sammiches and coffee at Dèlifrance, who thankfully retained their original overpriced menu items, as opposed to the average inflated airport price. (And they have WiFi! Shoulda brought the laptop.) At baggage inspection they asked 4-Ku to check in his bag because he brought a Swiss Army Knife and safety razor. Meanwhile, despite the liquid ban my big bottles of mouthwash and shampoo made it through w/o incident. Near the end of the X-Ray machine was a giant dropbox holding all the confiscated cosmetic and toiletry liquid containers exceeding 100ml in volume. What a smelly and fragrant waste.
Half an hour's nap later we landed in Bicol. We settled in 5-Kim's recently renovated Mabulo house (now w/ way-better bathrooms, plasma TVs and no sign of flood damage) before going to the ribbon-cutting and blessing ceremonies of the SeaOil Mega Station. Now surrounding the Seaoil Olivan gas station was the Olivan Home Depot (run by son Donald), Total Smiles Dental Center (run by daughter Wenny), a Ford service center and a branch of Banco De Oro. Across the street was a Shakey's, Mercury Drugstore, The Coffee Beanery, David's Salon, PruLife UK and Little A.Sia Restaurant, apparently not connected w/ Little Asia (and cutting it close w/ the copyright issue).
Festivities included a motorcade, a marching band, balloon constructs, buffet food, relatively sexy models w/ SeaOil Lubricants printed on their tanktops (LUBRICANTS printed strategically below the boobline, a seemingly subliminal incentive for customers who need more convincing after they read the Free gift w/ every purchase of Lubricant sign out front), lion dancers and street kids waiting to take advantage of the post-blessing coin and candy tossing (and swipe some of the balloons). One display in the Olivan Home Depot I thought was clever was the bathroom setup fastened on the wall in a 90-degreee angle, including toilet and sink! Wasted a perfectly good copy of Maxim, though.
The one common feature of these beach resorts is copra. Ah, the smell of dried coconut meat. Distinctly Bicol.Dinner was at the Red Platter where we were served Dampa-like entrees of seafood (didn't touch the paella negra). Missed the mango shake on the menu and ended up w/ mango nectar. Brownies and Food for the Gods for dessert. Caught up on some reading before going to bed, the A/C's glowing blue LEDs beaming down on my as I slept.
SUNDAY--
Donald took me to the CWC (CamSur Waterboarding Center). Since it was morning there weren't that many people (nor an Aga Mulach sighting) and the sun wasn't beating down too badly. One waiver form, vest and helmet later and I was set. After some tips from Don ("lean to the left") and 1 round w/ the beginner's board (wiped out after 1 round), I took up the skis.One thing Don didn't tell me was if you use the skis the speed of the cable pull forcibly shoves the water up your butt like a bidet on steroids. Every minute I was skiing I was also getting an involuntary enema and choppy water chafing on the hiney. The 1st two turns were treacherous as it lulls you into a false sense of security before the 3rd (as well as the 5th and last) snap and pull you even faster, threatening to wipe you out and remove your shorts (note: wear securely-tied shorts).
What surprised me was that it wasn't the wipeouts that... wiped you out, but swimming back to shore. At certain parts of the artificial lake a weary wagon can pick you up and take you back to start, otherwise you paddle and wade through the murky, tasteless (probably drank a glassful) water, pulling the skis/board along. When I finally moved on to the board I managed to ride (and wipe out 4 seconds later) it before our hour was up.
Don comes here so often he meets more tourists from Manila than I do, even his ear doctor Ato (whom I also met, along w/ his colleague Mai). After a chicken burger lunch and a Joey Marquez sighting we drove back to Bagumbayan, but not before dropping off Ato and his colleagues at the institute for the deaf they were working in.
Spent the rest of the day (and evening) at Bagumbayn, so, back full circle w/ the blogging. Butt and abs sore now. Shoulder blades to follow.
Sep 3, 2008
Chip IN My Shoulder
The persistent consequence of the P90X program is still persisting: pain in my left shoulder area.
Describe the pain, please.
Pinchy, but from the inside.
When does it hurt?
When I raise my elbow almost above my chest.
What else have you noticed?
Once in a while I hear either a small pop or a dull grinding sound when I move my left arm across my chest.
Any swelling or bleeding?
Nope.
Have you taken any medication?
Alaxan, but it doesn't help.
Have you sought any other kind of treatment?
Twice I had a massage. Afterward the pain went away, but after about 24 hours it came back.
Describe the pain, please.
Pinchy, but from the inside.
When does it hurt?
When I raise my elbow almost above my chest.
What else have you noticed?
Once in a while I hear either a small pop or a dull grinding sound when I move my left arm across my chest.
Any swelling or bleeding?
Nope.
Have you taken any medication?
Alaxan, but it doesn't help.
Have you sought any other kind of treatment?
Twice I had a massage. Afterward the pain went away, but after about 24 hours it came back.