Hong Kong Fluey, Part 1 (of 4)

Times Square Building, Causeway Bay

*The next 4 blog entries will cover my to trip to Hong Kong last weekend.

Dec. 11-- Early morning flight, so I didn't bother to sleep the night before and instead tried to finish watching some dloaded TV. Mom and I picked up my cousin, 3 aunts and 1 uncle before headed out, flying to and landing on Hong Kong airport. Despite having had breakfast at the NAIA and on the Cathay Pacific flight, my companions still wanted to eat before going to the Excelsior Hotel.

Lucked out finding a free WiFi spot just by the desk facing the window in my hotel room, but it blinks out so often that blogging in HK wasn't an option. Worse when you're on YM and crucial questions about to be answered go unanswered. And when we arrived there we barely settled in before heading for lunch. This is all sounding like a pretty condensed account of the last 5 hours, but seeing as how I haven't gotten any decent sleep it sure felt like it went by quickly.

If only the next 5 hours went by as quickly.

After lunch we all headed out looking for Percival Street trying to find one particular jewelry store. The ladies stayed and starting looking and bargaining for shiny shiny rocks on pins. Although I was in the minority (read: male) I refused to just sit there gawking at baubles. I must've gone around a block or three several times, but my quest to find galoshes for Lola also didn't bear fruit, probably because it wasn't the rainy season anymore so all they had to offer were leather boots and moccasins.

What was a surprise to me was when we all visited the Times Square building was the books in PageOne were crazy-expensive, and every appliance store highlighted LED widescreen TVs (good show, Samsung). Unbelievable was 14 floors and still no sign of galoshes.

Now while we came to Hong Kong to attend a wedding tomorrow it just so happened my Ah-kim was celebrating her birthday tonight. So this will also be the first time I'm attending a birthday dinner party (of any kind) in Hong Kong. Surprisingly it didn't differ much from your typical Chinoy dinner in President's Tea House in Ongpin. You had your fill of peanuts and softdrinks before the 8-10 course meal started. Two glaring differences were the usual starter of coldcuts replaced by lean roasted suckling pig. (Imagine lechon shrunk to half its size, spread on a plate like a bearskin rug, and proportionally as thick, meaning you had the crispy skin w/ lean portions of meat and/or fat underneath it. Top it off with cherry tomatoes for eyes.)

The other was they simultaneously brought out the fried noodles and rice near the end. Gah, I knew I shouldn't have filled up on broccoli, lettuce and scallops.

What reminded me of the dinner parties back home was the one table filled w/ Chinese men (but in this party Chinese men and one woman) playing the "finger guessing"drinking game. From what I learned of its mechanics it's Rock, Paper, Scissors meets Basic Math and Amateur Poetry. I thought it was considerate of some participants to take the shot for the losing player who looked had he's had enough to drink, like Cousin Sonny, whose long stay in Hong Kong gave him my father's yellow teeth and chain-smoking habit. He's what Dad would be had he not left China.

PostDated

My Wednesday afternoon last week was occupied w/ two meal-meets w/ friends, though the latter was an "early early dinner" (her words) date, as the lady-in-mention still needs to eat in-between jobs.

Lunch was at Eastwood (easy enough drive) w/ Jennifer Chua, who's in town from the US (where Trend Micro sent her) until early January. She arrived in late November and still had a craving for Filipino food, so we ate at Razon's (a first for me). Afterwards I walked her back to her office at the IBM building, killed time walking around Eastwood Mall, left the place and proceeded to get lost on the road (along c5) trying to drive to Podium.

After finally getting my bearings (and better map-reading) I made it w/ 10 minutes to spare, more than enough time to buy some roses for the occasion (corny, I know, but whatever's needed to remove any doubt that this was a date).

J (ooh, now I use initials) arrived and we had the early early dinner at Arya, where she showed a predilection for spicy lamb. If there were any bumps I think they were negligible. That said, don't over-analyze, as you are wont to do. Just try to see her again.

Party (4 Hours 'Til) Dawn

Day was spent w/ Sis and the kids at SM MoA looking for toys to get them for Xmas (only Hans picked out some 4-D insect puzzles). Afterwards I picked up the 'Rents at Century Hotel, then we stopped by National at Robinson's Otis and bought gift wrappers for Rencel's and Jaimie's presents, as well as a smaller picture frame for Renz.

Even though I arrived at Rencel's house fashionably late (though dressed in black I looked like a scrawny bouncer) I was apparently still too early. Even after a 20-minute nap in the car I was still "common friends" guest number One. Eventually everybody arrived, we had good food, quiz games (we won second place and got personalized coffee mugs), I had a my first taste of Jaegermeister (might as well be diluted cough syrup). And for the first time in recent memory I stayed out well past midnight (left the place past 2:30AM) at a party of someone who wasn't related to me. Sheer luck the 'Rents didn't check up on moi past midnight.

To top the looong evening off, friends of girl-I-met-at-Quiz-Night were already teasing her (will little subtlely) about me. Take it down a notch, dudes. Or at least wait til an actual first date. :p

Beijinoys Break Bread (or Nachos)

Joanne was in town w/ her husband Henry. Jane and her sister Elaine were also in the country, though whether they flew in from China or Australia I wasn't sure. Jella arranged for a dinner meet w/ the Original Beijinoys, i.e. the ones that came to Beijing before we came up w/ the term. We met up at the new Chili's in Greenbelt 5.

While Henry opted out to join us in scarfing down bottomless servings of nachos, Dave, JP and Die! managed to show up just in time. Conversations were often split evenly on both sides of the table, w/ topics ranging from the old life in China to upcoming births and nuptials w/in the group. Major events were all on the female side, as save for Fernd's upcoming trip to the UK to visit his girlfriend, there wasn't much happening w/ the guys.

Rad (flew in from Singapore, flies back Sunday) managed to show up, but unfortunately not catch up w/ us. He did go to Chili's, but to meet w/ other friends. The few of us that remained had a nightcap at Seattle's Best.

Someone Old, Something New

For Ma's 67th birthday it was decided we chip in to buy her a mini notebook, priced the same as the one I'm using, only better branded (Ever heard of Minix? Exactly.) and runs on Windows 7. Given that my mother's total hours of experience working a computer runs less than one Pixar movie, the term crash course may be an understatement. The funny thing is she only uses it to check on the local stock exchange reports in real time, assuming she remembers to refresh the PSE webpage regularly. That 160GB hard-drive isn't gonna be filled up anytime soon.

The Minix is now strategically placed on the table behind her office chair, so when she's not facing the office TV to check on stock reports live on ANC, she can turn 180 degrees to check on it online as well. Welcome to the future.

NagaDay and NagaNight

Flew in w/ the 'Rents to Naga via Cebu Pacific. Airport displays Thank You banners of JP Enrile and Bong Revilla, much to my disgust. The driver of 5-Kim's CBD Plaza Hotel shuttle service picked us up, and on the way to Mabulo (5-Kim's place where we stayed for the duration of this trip) I was given some insight into Gov. Villafuerte's ego (or insecurities) when every other multi-purpose hall and waiting shed had his named painted on their roofs.

Had birthday mi-sua for breakfast at birthday man 3-Ku's house in Bagumbayan before we headed out to visit dearly departed relatives at their gravesites. While dearly departed 2-Ku's gated tomb at Sto. Niño Memorial Park could use some work, 5-Kim's parents have an air-conditioned mausoleum complete w/ cable-tv access and welcome garden. Went back to 3-Ku's place and had krispy pata, clam soup and salted sliced tomatoes for lunch. Fruit desserts included grapes, home-made mango ice cream and insect-riddled lanzones.

That afternoon we went to CBD Plaza Hotel (located along the sycophantic sounding Ninoy & Cory Avenue), the latest working project of the Maryselle Olivan mini-empire (future projects include a wet market and an extra wing added to the 60-room hotel). While for me the room rates are a little steep (minimum 1000 for overnight stays 500 for... 3-hour naps), the rooms weren't too shabby. The Schindler elevator had a nice futuristic design, contrasted by act deco lighting fixtures in the lobby and their America-circa-1959 polka dot curtains. Someone should also talk to them about Photoshopping the wrinkles out of the not-so-tightly-tucked-in bedsheets on their room gallery menu.

When the (older) adults opted to drive outta town to check out the Seaoil refineries, I asked to be driven back to Mabulo, where I web-browsed and caught up on much-needed sleep. A couple of hours later Evett went in the room to change for the 3-Ku's bday party. Good thing he did, too, because everybody else thought I already went ahead to the party venue, and they would've gone ahead had Evett not decided to change to a red shirt.

I'm sure hosting 3-Ku's 70th birthday party at a place called Lolo's Music Bar and Restaurant was just a coincidence. Who cares, they served good cheesesticks, chicken fingers, cucumber and carrot sticks for appetizers, salad, angel-hair pasta and steak, and pie ala mode. The highlight of the program was the professionally produced/edited AVP of 3-Ku's kids, grandkids and wife Auntie Rose talking about him in one-on-one interviews w/ old pictures spliced in between. No star-wipes or corny-@$$ graphics, just sincere and heartfelt stories.

Another thing to look forward to at Olivan parties is when 4-Ku and my ninong, Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo sit at the same table for some political and business gossip. Screw SNN, this is where the really juicy stuff comes out. Thing was, it was hard to catch all the dirt when the restaurant's featured singing quartet kept belting out at crucial moments of Ninong Jess' anecdotes. Some highlights: Chiz and BF may be moving to support Noynoy, Erap's popularity waning, the Villafuertes feud is only for show, Mar may be in the closet, and retired generals really run The Show. We're actually living in a militocracy.

The storytelling, sans Ninong Jess, continued at a coffee bar nightcap. I learned it was bad to do business w/ SMC, warehouse rental is viable, and you have better odds at a casino than investing in the foreign exchange market.

Birthday Boy Barandiaran at Boni

It was deja vu when I found myself back at The Fort Strip to attend Manol's open bar birthday party, two days short of a year.

Piedra was now called Fuel. I came alone: no Diana, TinTin or The Ex. This year I had dinner first w/ Fernds, Jella and her friend Jade at the Cafe resto next to The Fort. Manol, Dave and Marco joined us later on for some storytelling. It was also my second time too meet Feesca (and her hubby Ed) face-to-face (when I'm not leaving relatively humorous comments on her Facebook page, that is).

The music was just as loud, tho' the DJ couldn't decide on a specific decade for his playlist. I had a better time this year, surprisingly, as I was able to mingle more. I even tested my tolerance for low-level alkie drinks, now up to 2 Rum&Cokes. Whoo, I'm a lush.

Quiz Show

My initial reluctance to attend my first ever Quiz Night at Alegro 121 Bar (Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati) was born out of an irrational fear of driving to faraway (read: any place that needs thorough map reading from me) bars and passive laziness. I committed myself to making the trip by asking Rona and Dee to join me after I got the invite from The Contessa.

Thankfully the enjoyable evening put my fears to rest. I thought Rons and I arrived early, but in turned out Contessa 'n' Friends were having a ciggie break outside. I found that out too late and registered the team name Contessa in her honor. (They used to be Team Itlog, for some reason.) We had 2-3 false starts w/ the whiteboard markers, and I was made de facto Board Scribe. More people (and Dee) arrived in time for gametime.

We started slow w/ Sports (Manny Pacquiao) and Geography, but thankfully I/we/I killed in the Steve Martin and Cartoon Sidekicks categories (save for one hiccup in the former --Leap of Faith, idiot, not Keep the Faith-- and the names of Inspector Gadget's dog, Bravestarr's horse, the Jetson's springy pet and Space Ghost's monkey in the latter). Everyone in the group was dumbfounded (no pun intended) by my writing down correct movie and cartoon answers like Hollywood Rain Man. For my part I always knew useless stock knowledge would only prove useful in party situations and not employment options. Everyone on our table w/ a digicam wanted a picture w/ me as a keepsake. (Hurrah, geekdom!)

The Science category we did ok in, but stunk in Current Events. Whatever chance we had of winning any gift certificates was long gone. But who cares? Rons bought me a beer (tardiness penalty) and I had fun. Got home past 1AM w/ Ma waiting for me upstairs, but still had fun.

Oh, Bi the Way...

My fellow TV-n-Movie pal had "kwento" to share. No, it wasn't about the Ex texting her (although that did happen). This time she was about to share news about her being in a relationship. Can't share the conversation verbatim, but key words for me were manic depressive, second suicide attempt, drugs, cry for help and writer. (Ok, that last one wasn't really as bothersome.)

They're old graduate college classmates, but she never finished getting her master's degree. She said she ran into him at this year's book expo (man, that event's starting to feel more like a curse than a coincidence) where she was working and reconnected there. Recently the guy had another "episode" and is currently seeking treatment scheduled (read: "confined") until January next year.

Being that this is her first "real" like-like relationship in 2 shades of forever, this wasn't so much dangling her toes in the water and more like jumping into the Olympic diving pool for wading lessons. Ignorance and an overactive imagination had me picturing Tim Burton, Vincent van Gogh and Jeremy Sisto's bipolar character Billy in Six Feet Under. My Freudian slip came when I said, "Well at least manic-depressive lang, hindi bipolar." (Later research reveals they're the same thing. Oops and yikes.)

That said, you can't help who you fall for, and when you do you're more forgiving of their past. Being her selfish, concerned and ignorant friend, I played supportive Devil's advocate. I told her I'm happy she's happy, but thought she could do better. I said I worry for her physical safety, but if her effect on him is similar to Helen Hunt on Jack Nicholson in As Good as It Gets, then I guess she'll be fine.

Ok, I'm gonna stop now before I shove my foot up my mouth any further and have to go to Mr. Quickie for treatment.

Ad Extremeet

The classmates of SJCS 1994 have long since gone their separate ways and "cliques." Last night wasn't what I'd call a 15th Anniversary reunion. It's not like I'd call up everybody on the batch directory and hope they show up. Just those I feel close or enjoy talking to... and hope they show up. About half of them made it.

In a way this meeting was arranged for Irene's (second from left) benefit. Sem-break had just started in SJCS (where she works) and she said she doesn't get out much, much less go out w/ friends. Two birds and all that, I thought. Contact a specific group of friends and a mini-reunion out of it. Keep the gathering small, intentionally or otherwise. Nikki, Wijinne, Stonibert, Wendy and Jean Agnes had to bow out.

(In hindsight I broke my own rule of not going to a expensive restaurant since the main goal was to meet friends and chat, not order pricey pasta.)

Everyone who came had been my classmate at one point, be it in elementary or high school. I seemed to have the most amount of recall w/ recognition, as Junius (second from right) barely remembers. Then again I forgot Jasper (behind Junius) didn't graduate w/ us and instead continued his studies in Singapore. Now to update from left to right:

Lisabelle Chan (Teng) is married to Gilbert Teng and now works as a Bowen Technique practitioner and Physiotherapist at Fort BGC Branch of The Spa.

Irene Tang Uy works in the administration office of Saint Jude Catholic School.

Adeline Ting works in the administration office of Philippine Cultural High School.

Jasper Soon works on government information technology projects.

Junius Yu is a published author, w/ the first book of his Legends of the 9 fantasy series already out and available at Fully Booked. He is currently working on the second book.