BB

I was finally able to get one of the things that I wanted, a Black Berry..

I have been dreaming of holding one for a while now and finally I have "BB".. Haha, me any my habit of naming innanimate objects.. Like I say, to each their own right?

Owning a BB was on my list before the year ends. Actually, I have purposely allocated my 13th month pay for one. Planning to buy my own handset and use my prepaid sim but a good friend told me to get a line instead. Doing the math, I knew that getting the plan would get me all the features that I need with cashing out that much.

The service provider that I am currently using had a promo for only 599 covering the BBM and mobile internet 24/7.. Sound good right? But I figured, what about texting and calling. Well, 599 was what I can afford so I said why not.

I was at a service provider's shop and inquired. Got the form and would return the folloing day to submit the requirements and pay the needed amount. I submitted the requirements and was informed that the model needed was unavailable and that I had to wait for a week or so. That was not happening! The attendant told me that the plan 999 model was available. It didn't take long for me to be convinced (it's just like a snap. Me=gullible)

So with the power of my credit card (which I swear I will cut in two someday, YES, someday) I walked away that night with "BB".

BB's purchase was the last item that I will buy for myself..

Well, I hope I can keep that promise

la ciudad VIGAN

October 28, 2011, 11:59 pm

I just got through our gate after fumbling a while with the lock trying to get it open. It is supposed to be an easy task right? Well, not for someone who’ve had a few number of beers(LOL).

I just barely made my promise to my mother , “mama” as I call her (not the Spanish sosyal manner, but more like the jologs Pinoy manner), to not come home in the wee hours of the morning since we had a scheduled trip over the long week to the oldest city of Philippines’ northern island, VIGAN CITY <in a beauty pageant manner/execution>

October 29, 2011 12:45 am

After drinking a couple of cold glasses of water to combat hang over (who would want to travel with a hang over?? That would be a problem right?) then hurriedly packing clothes good for the long week end, i was finally able to hit the sack. Our family was originally scheduled to  start travelling by 4:00 am. So that would mean, I’d be lucky to get a least two hours worth of sleep. But then again, I would be able to sleep throughout the entire estimated travel of 8 to 12 hours (YES, you got that right!). I knew that it would be a very very bumpy ride.

5:00 am

Everybody was in the car which was finally able to accommodate 5 adults and one kid, well more comfortably than our last car(thank you Jesus!). We prayed the rosary first, well they did. I dozed off already off to a bumpy dream land that jerks me awake every hour having to cramp myself to a sleeping position that would work.

Traffic JAM

Since this long weekend was due to All Souls Day, majority of the corporate slaves of Metro Manila were flocking to get out of the city either to visit their dead or just to totally get away. Our family was for both. Good thing that Vigan is where my papa’s (again, not the Spanish sosyal manner, but more like the jologs Pinoy manner) parents were buried.

We hit a bunch of traffic jams while trying to out of the city. The express way were, well, express. But when we hit the provinces, there were jams here and there particularly in the cities that we passed through.

Still Travelling

8 to 12 hours is really a long way to travel. This is not by plane just by land. There is an option for plane but again it would not be an economical options for us. Although we have made this trip for several times already when we were younger and might I add, smaller that we would comfortably fit in a Toyota Corolla car. Now we have an Avanza but there was just one catch. We got bigger too. LOL and I mean BIGGER. HAHAHAHAHA.

I have no idea as to how far Metro Manila was to Vigan but by now you guys would  have figured out how far it was from the travel time that I mentioned. We had to pass through around 10 provinces I think so imagine that. And my Papa did all the driving all on his own. Snaps for him.

We did have a number of stop overs  on a way so there were moments where we can stretch our legs, eat, water up and so on and so forth. But there was something that I never did, smoke. If you are a nicotine addict, you would understand my sentiments. I thought for the entire trip there would be no nicotine intake for me. I actually accepted that fact already so i knew i have to busy myself. So i slept.

Vigan City

After about 12 hours of driving plus about 3 to 4 hours stopover in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, we turned left to enter Vigan City. Imagine that 12 hours of driving! It was exhausting for me a passenger but imagine the exhaustion level for Papa.

Our lolo and lola’s house was located in of the barrios near the outskirts of the city. We would have to pass by “Baluarte”, the former governor’s residence that was converted to a zoo. Our accommodations was changed when my lolo passed away. The old one was a 2 floor wooden house with big capiz windows. I loved that house. Too bad that the wood was devoured by termites a.k.a. “anay”. So the wood was replaced with a bungalow made of cement. The wooden house was much better but the bungalow had the same appeal. There was still the “balon” or well where we get water. But we mainly use the “poso” or manual water pump to get the water we need for bathing, washing the dishes. It was old school. Just the way I like it. The thing that i love the most with the compound aside from the trees are the “duyans”  or hammock right below them. It is the best place to relax, read the newspaper or for our generation, get our daily doze of social networking.

Paraiso ni Juan (Juan’s Paradise)

The Philippines being an archipelago is known for her beaches. Ilocos Sur is not excepted.

There is this beach were we normally pass through to get to Vigan that has amazed me every time we go there because it has this big  dead corals sticking out of the waters that leads to a grotto a few yards, well it me it felt a LOT farther, of, i think, John the Baptist. Well it was really picturesque PROMISE. I personally think the walk toward the grotto was more like the challenges that we face every day: you need to tread carefully to not be a victim of slippery rock, itchy seaweeds, enormous gaps, and trashing waves. It was a good thing the sea was a bit calm. What made it magical was the sunset that was ruined by guess what, torrential rain. It was still good fun.

FOOD TRIP! (yeah! \m/)

Now, an out of town trip to the north is not complete without PIG OUT moment of local delicacies! For Ilocos, below are the must eat:

1.       BAGNET – pronounced as “bagnet”, this is a piece of belly meat (i am not sure) that has been deep fried for hours so that the pork skin is all crispy and golden brown. You eat this with rice after dipping it to vinegar with garlic salt and pepper and alamang (shrimp paste). Uhm uhm. Salivating are you? I am too.

2.       VIGAN LONGANISSA – longanissa is the Pinoy version of sausage. This one is composed of minced pork then a ton of garlic. Fry these babies and it is recommended with vinegar or tomato salsa.

3.       VIGAN EMPANADA – this (i think again, hmm.. i have a lot of this.. maybe i’m a bit of an assumptionista. LOL) is a Spanish inspired sort of pastry with egg and vigan longganisa filling with a bit of veggies. IT IS SOOOO GOOD!

4.       TINUBONG – this is a “kakanin” or..or..hhmmm.. i have no idea on the English translation. i think it’s called rice pudding (me and my assumptions). the kakanin is cooked and eaten in inside a bamboo segment. Really a heavy snack for us.

5.       CHICACORN – these are corn kernels fried with a dash or two of salt. Can be eaten per piece but that would just be a waste of time, so eat handfuls.

6.       SINANGLAO – this a pig innards stew. I’m not a fan need i say more.

7.       KALAMAY – another sweet stuff. It’s brown , a bit chewy, with coconut shavings. Really good

Well there you have it. These are the things that you can buy from them stalls. Your trip would not be complete without eating these.

Calle Crisologo

This is a street within the city’s plaza complex where the Spanish designed houses are lined up with souvenir shops on the first floor and the 2^nd floor is livable.

If it is your first time to visit Ilocos, I would recommend going to Calle Crisologo first since there is a Department of Tourism Office here where there are people who can give information about which places to see depending on your preference.

You can hail a calesa here to tour you down the street but you can ask the “kutchero” or the driver to give you a tour of the city. They charge per hour but you can bargain for a calesa ride to historic places.

Aside from souvenir shops, there is a hotel, two cafes (Cafe Leona and Mocha Blend [yes!]), a restaurant,  a disco bar, furniture stores and, yes, a funeral parlour(you got that right. I was shocked too)!  Souvenir comes from the usual t-shirts, key chains, coin purses, ref magnets, Iloco fabric, wood work and so on and so forth.

It is recommended that you visit Calle Crisologo at night where the street lights make it more picturesque and it is not that hot. It takes my breath away each time at night.

Well that is just about it. For pictures, check out the pictures in my Facebook account. Here is the link:http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2584212843149.2144795.1189330393&type=3 and http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2558675684736.2143932.1189330393&type=1

I really enjoyed this particular trip to Vigan probably because I was really looking forward to it. Thanks to all my relatives for accommodating us and touring us as always. Till me meet again!

Booking

Here I was minding my own business. Surfing the net. Checking my email. Tweeting. Changing my FB status. I even had time to watch a few videos in YouTube particularly the one of Sen. Miriam Santiago’s video where she is was delivering a very funny and entertaining opening for her speech in the University of the Philippines (which was very very funny indeed, you should check it out).

And then I did some searching via Google of something random.

Then I found myself on Cebu Pacific’s web page. A local airline that offers local and SEA flights to near by countries.

How did that happen, I don’t know. Honestly.

I have been wanting, well actually targeting to have my passport stamped at least once a year until it expires. One year has passed  already.. FAIL

Me, mysteriously landing on the airline’s page was I think a sign for me to get it over with.

Singapore was first on my target. And want my travel to be on the date of my birth.

I looked for possible flights. I saw some promo ones, PHP 1699 one way. So, PHP 3398 round trip. “Not bad..”, I told myself. Since I would be travelling 7 months ahead of time, so I would have ample time to save up money to pay for the flight and procure the money for my leisurely spending. I knew you needed a credit card to seal the deal. Fortunately, I received mine two month ago. I said to myself “THIS IS IT PANSIT” (pansit, is tagalong I think for stir fried noodles. The saying does not actually mean something. It just rhymes). Again I thought it was cheap. I clicked next. Mind you, I have never booked a flight EVER! So I was de-virginized . Going back, I selected the date, (May 16 to May 19), clicked the promo flight bit. I entered by details, baggage cost, and other stuff needed. I was really easy and actually enjoyable that I neglected looking at the total bill. It was now up to 6,000 plus! I considered a bit but said “what the heck!”, I entered my credit card details and clicked OK, and VIOLA!

I have a booking!

It has been  Monday since the booking and I have been thinking of what to do in Singapore and places to visit and food to eat. Well, let’s just say that I’m really really really excite about this trip as this would be my first travel abroad EVER! So it doesn’t matter if I go by myself. Well, the truth is, I have friends in SG who can give me a tour. But meeting new people would be absolutely nice too! So for now, I need to save up.

And if your in Singapore or planning to go too on the same date, see you soon. (hehehe)

EMOTE

what do you do when you have nothing to do??

well i took pictures with Bookie's webcam.. take a look..

i call it...

EMOTE!

 

*try as i may to align the pictures in two rows, i can't.

EMOTE right?

Excursion in the city of MANILA

Manila is just one of the 16 cities comprising of Metro Manila.

Every time that I went or passed by that city, I have always been fascinated by the different buildings that line up the roads: it’s city hall, post office museum, walled city, even its zoo! The idea of touring Manila always gave me a “What?! Yeah right..” feeling  because of the numerous time that I have passed by the city as always just admiring it from afar. I actually have stereotyped the city as an unsafe place. Forgive my judgment (I know I can be straight forward). The idea did not even cross my mind until well, it crossed.

My friends, Josette and Mahal (two of my awesomest friends ever!) actually came up with this idea over sundaes and French fries of Mc Donald’s near our place in the wee hours of the morning. YES, we DO NOT gather to plot about something evil like “You’re going down!” (LOL) but we DO share our experiences and opinions. It’s a free country right? So going back, since we three need to get rid of stress and the negativity of our day to day lives, we started discussing about plans to travel. Our target is locally first. Of course, one would have to explore their own back yard before heading out to see the rest of the subdivision/ village right? Josette was able to get a hold of vouchers for a restaurant within Intramuros from which came the eureka moment of touring the city of Manila. We spent the night away planning our itinerary.

September 17 was the scheduled date of our excursion where we were supposed to meet each other up at 6:00am. 6:00AM! Having partied the previous night (‘cause it was TGIF), I was under the sheets at 3:30AM of the same day. I knew it was way too late to plea for a reschedule (duh?!) so I sent a text message to both Mahal and Josette saying they should push on with the original plan and that I would be catching up with them after a 4 hour sleep plus my apologies. I set my alarms for 8:30 am (my clock is 30 minutes advance, too might right?) them collapsed.

I woke up at 7:00 am (dang body clock!)! I tried to get more shut eye but to no avail. Laid down for a few more minutes, to check for hangover. Negative! Surprised as I may, I knew that I have to get up and prepare for the excursion. I texted them that I am up and about and will join them in our meeting place after I fixed myself up and packed my things. Good thing they were willing to wait. And by around 8:00 AM, we were bound for Manila.

First stop MANILA ZOO! Yes yes I know. What would three young adults (no disagreements please!) do in a zoo??! WELL ENJOY OF COURSE!

The zoo was built..ahmm..well.. I don’t know (blushes) HAHAHAHA.. We didn’t bother to do research. Well from the recent news of the zoo, there have been some additions and some losses from the zoo. The one giraffe from the zoo died due to plastic intake. There are some new features in the zoo like a mini park with play areas for kids plus statues of elephants and other animals in the zoo. I was able to visit just once apart from the this visit and it was so  long ago..We saw the animals and surprisingly we all three agreed that animals should not be placed in cages but should roam the wild free. Maybe we should join PETA?

    

Next on the list was Museong Pambata (Children’s Museum). I know, i know.. Grown ups in children’s museum?? It was fun! The pictures will speak for themselves.

By the time we got out of Museong Pampata, we were hungry from all the laughing on the things that we did. So we decided to have lunch. Mahal knows this good authentic Chinese restaurant called ONGPIN MANROSA where they have GIANORMOUS siomai. They really were BIG! Food was amazing and of the lemon grass tea! LOL

 

From ONGPIN we walked to Quipo Church and it's historical Plaza Miranda. We didn't visit the church itself, the original Nazarene was I think moved to another place. We actually went there for a bit of fortune telling! hahaha.. A bit weird right? Fortune telling at the side of the church plus if you look around still, there are amulets and herbs there. What would Jesus say? We weren't able to take much pictures cause it was a bit risky.

 

The National Museum was next on the list. This was actually one of the locations that I was excited about since I have never been in there at all. This was where the "Spoliraum"" was displayed to the public for free! I can now actually say "I've seen it..For real" The exhibits on display were from national artist. I really enjoyed this one since as they say, "the arts is cleansing for the soul." We were a bit tired by now but we had a blast busting dancing traditional move to the tune of Pinikpikan's "Ina Ineneng" at the National Museum 2 (yes there's a second building!)

Fort Santiago was next in line in the city of Intramuros a.k.a. the Walled City. This was where the Philippines' Dr. Jose Rizal was held before he was executed. It was full of history since some of the structures were more than 300 years old. Might I add, that it was a bit creepy at night. I actually saw a man on a horse cantering away.

It was raining hard when we were in Fort Santiago and light was fading fast already. Plus I was suffering from a swollen eye that I didn't have any idea what caused.

We were supposed to end the entire tour in Rizal Park, the 0 kilometer location in the Philippines. But the weather was not cooperating with us plus the swollen eye. We decided to call it the end our our Manila tour and start with our Pak Pak Boom Boom Birth celebration of Josette in SM Mall of Asia.

There are still a lot of places to visit in Manila. I MEAN A LOT more! Maybe we'll schedule another date. Let me know if you want to come along will you?! :)

Classified

When we say classified, we mean secret, confidential, private. Ad on the other hand is a.k.a advertisement/ public announcement. (thanks Office Word synonyms, bill gates you’re such a genius!)

Well have you heard of classified ads? In new papers most probably right? The first source of general information and news which almost everybody reads from almost cover to cover.  

So if classified is synonymous with secret and ads are public announcements, therefore a classified ad is publicly announcing a secret, correct? Then it might be a good means to go OUT! Divulge your secret! More like LETTER VOMIT! hHAHAHAHAH.

This entry is not a vocabulary lesson..

I have had received textmates (mates who always communicate with you through text messages) saying that they got my number from a classified ad in a website in the internet (which I never did!). It always started with a “Hi” or an “ASL” or a missed call. Whenever I get these messages, I don’t answer right away. I might be busy or I didn’t want to be bothered. But whenever I do answer, (yes, I am not that mean to totally ignore, well almost...hahahahaha),I always get the same questions aside from ASL. “what’s your FB?” or “what do you look like?” or blah blah blah and so on and so forth. I would answer them to the best I can and ask them also, “where did you get my number?”  they would be say they found it online ALWAYS. My next question is always, “what website?” they say “OLX”. Then there would be some exchanges but often I somehow get bored and end up ignoring their text messages (being a meanie is innate in everyone?!?<big smile> )

I was intrigued by the idea that my number was posted in a website on the internet that can be seen by anyone. I was a bit scared but didn’t mind it at all and proceeded on with my life with an occasional text from here and there.

Earlier this August, I had an idea. A EUREKA moment if you may. I looked for olx.com (yes, i didn’t bother at all to check the said site since hearing it). It was a classified ads web site containing thousands, maybe millions or even billions of ads for this and that and anything under the sun. This included people posting ads looking for other people. Not LOST people ha! (this is supposed to be in the lost and found section! Hahahahah kidding!) But people looking for other people (you know what i mean, uhumm<nodding>) Are we on the same page now?

I looked through the site and saw that I can post my own ad for FREE! This is the EUREKA moment. I made a post with me looking for someone <wink wink> with these words “i’m looking for someone, not sure who but it could be you, so if you fit, we might just be a hit“(o db?can this be considered sales talk??) plus a picture of me with my biggest smile (yes, i have a good smile). I was actually pessimistically thinking that there would be no reply to that ad since i know there are a lot of ads and just what are the chances, right?  I was wrong.

I was actually surprised to see posts saying “let’s  be friends. Here’s my number _____” and “check me out on fb <email address>. There was even one like this “professional massage <blah blah blah>”. These were just some about 15 plus replies. It does work amazingly. I was actually thinking that there would be no responses at all but I was wrong.

The next thing that I did was actually to check out the Facebook pages of the people who posted. Some looked nice, others were OK and majority were.. ahm..how would i say this.. MABAIT sila, as in MABAIT., hahahaahahaha (did you get it??, I’m sure you would be still laughing at this point if you got it).

In every experiment, there are supposed to be conclusions to be made. Here are mine on this “classified” experiment:

1.      1. The internet is a good way to meet people

2.      2.  Internet classified ads can have result and responses

3.      3.  The people who responds are not always the people whom you would like to have responded

4.     4.   Some identities  that you meet over the internet might not be what their profile says. So BE CAREFUL at all times

5.     5.  There are a lot of people looking for other people over the internet.

6.      6.  A few chosen words can be more enticing to read than an entire paragraph (marketero!). Add an amazing picture then you have a good ad.

7.       7. Some people are just plain weird. And mean at times.

I’m not sure if the abovementioned conclusions made sense to you but hey, it’s mine.

You might be wondering if there are still people who comment on the ad that I made, I not sure.. I didn't bother to check anymore. Did I found friends through this experiment? Maybe .. Did I find what I was looking for? No, it was just an experiment.. Besides I have high standards. Yes, AKO NA ANG CHOOSY! hahahaha

ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK (The Woman in the Septic Tank)

The indie film industry in the Philippines has been an intriguing subject for me. I have never seen one movie at all well except today.

After burning my fats at the gym, I asked myself if I can afford to watch a movie. Ashamed as I am, but I was already PHP 1000 negative as of Thursday last week. By “negative” I mean, that I owe my parents money since my ATM ran empty for what so ever reason that I don’t know (HMMMM, that would be an interesting topic to write about too..note to self). Going back. I have wanted to watch this indie film from the recently concluded Cinemalaya (Philippines’ only indie film festival) called ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK (The Woman in the Septic Tank). Having hear reviews  from a good friends, I wanted to see it for myself plus ANG SAYAW NG DALAWANG KALIWANG PAA(The Dance with Two Left Feet). The first movie, because of amazing reviews was able to go mainstream primarily because the star of the film is a rising comedienne whom I liked since she was good.

Since it is my first indie movie ever, I did not know what to expect. I know that it would be definitely a different one from the conventional movies since budget is low for production but the story is normally good and it have that “kurot” (pinch) at the heart, I guess.

So there I was sitting in the movie house early for the 5:00pm screening (I was not so sure of the time since I keep time 40 minutes in advance, hahaha) enjoying my regular sized sour cream popcorn and water(yes, DIET??!) while several trailers of movies were being shown. I made a mental note on the movies that I had to watch out for.  And the trailers kept coming, and the trailers kept coming, and the trailers kept coming. (my list of movies to watch out for was growing longer). Then finally the movie started.

It was a bit dragging, the beginning of the movie. The shot was that of the slums, showcasing the normal day to day life that one can expect.  It showed a woman, cooking one pack of instant noodles to be shared by her and her seven children.  The woman bathing her daughter. The woman dressing her daughter. The woman and her daughter, walking out of their neighbourhood, heading towards a condominium. The receptionist looking at the mother and daughter as they walked past the lobby to the elevators. The mother and daughter walking through the hotel corridor the stopping at a door who was opened by an old foreigner. The mother leaving her daughter with the man then rushing to the fire exist to cry her eyes out. There were no dialogues, just a narration that this is a scene, the shot, the time, and what happens in the scene. It was about poverty, human trafficking, and paedophilia. Well, the story of the movie within the movie that is.

The scenes were from the vivid imagination more like dream sequence of the production assistant that was travelling with her producer and director while travelling to a coffee shop, their pitstop before heading out for a meeting with the famous comedienne mentioned earlier.  They ordered coffee with non fat milk(hmmm, health conscious much??). They ran in to an arch-nemesis whom they loathe so much for being a cocky <toot><toot> (it’s censored..sorry). Then they went to meet with the one and only Eugene Domingo. On the way, there was another couple of dream sequences where they are debating if Eugene Domingo is the best actress to play the role of Mila(the woman in the movie) or if two others would fit the role better or a non-actor. They settled for Eugene since they were already meeting her. Then the other one was the movie being a musical! It was amazing! I personally liked that one.

They arrive in Ms. Domingo’s residence, which by the way was finest crib that I have ever seen! Though I am not sure of this is her actual residence but it was so dang FINE in a major major way! Then came my most favorite part of the movie. I will not describe it here. YOU HAVE TO CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELVES! There is a guarantee that you will laugh your heart out. I did thanks to Eugene’s brilliance.

Location scouting was next shown. The director, producer and PA found the perfect location that they wanted to shoot only to find their car being pillaged by the slummers (people from the slums). Imagine the disappointment and helplessness. Well, it happens in life.

You might be asking how the name “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank” came to be?? Well, that was my question also. But then I saw the movie. You’ll get it I promise and it is the biggest surprise ever.

Birds eye view

I am currently on a plane bound for davao as i am making this entry. The flight was a bit delayed and turbulence occurs here and there. It would be my first time to go to davao and i hope they have properly designated smoking areas there.. GOSH we need those in makati

This is my 3^rd out of town trip for this year and i pray that there would be more coming soon (sana talaga). and fortunately i got dibs on the window seat or more like i took over my officemate’s seat.. hahaha..

The view from the window is just simply breath taking. White clouds, blue see, green islands.. really amazing. I have seen some white sand beaches also. I took a mental note to count but i lost it. Hehehe. I even saw a cruise liners below speeding away. I could have sworn i saw a UFO along the way and a few kids waving at the plane.. hahaha just kidding.

The islands the we passed over were just amazing! White sand beaches of some were just sand bars lost in sea. I might consider jumping off the plane just to get there. I’m sure i would enjoy it more than what awaits me in davao. Or maybe it would be too early to say. Let’s see..

I would have loved to take pictures but i think the cabin crew would throw me off the place if i pulled out my mobile turned it on and took a shot. Although the experience of being thrown off the plane would be exhilarating, i’d rather not.

This is the longest flight that i have ever had. Sleep would be an amazing option but i can’t. My ear drums might burst. So i just decided to open up lappy and type along what ever comes to mind.

How I Became Friends with the Toilet?! WTF?!!

A few minutes passed after 6:30 am June 18, 2011, “Kuya, should I quit drinking?” I asked the taxi driver. The driver chuckled then replied, “OK lang yan . Kelangan din ng katawan natin ng alak (It’s OK. Our bodies also need alcohol)”. I smiled. The man had a point.

June 17, 2011 past 6:00 pm: Our table was just served 4 Kamikaze at Spicy Fingers, Greenbelt 3. I immediately loved concoction! I know I’ve had Kamikaze before but never that good. Plus I was with really good company who consists of what I consider "my boys”. By that I mean, guys from the office who surprisingly I get along with comfortably. That is rare. Plus one of my boys girl. 5 all in all but we were still waiting for 3 more to join us from the office.  Another round of Kamikaze zoomed to our table plus one Filipino platter (dilis, longganisa, tocino, tapa, green mango salad: YUM!). My ears were starting to turn red, the first indicator of having too much alcohol in my system. We ordered a pitcher of Kamikaze to get discounts before the happy hour ends. Another Kamikaze for me. We ran out of smokes so I volunteered to buy plus get medicine for a friend. We were able to successfully buy both with the exception of me dropping coins (OOPSIE J). We got back to Spicy Fingers, to find the additional 3 people were there already. They were planning to go to a place in Ortigas, Pasig but the plan didn’t push through. So one of my boys offered their place and all systems were go. We waited for 2 additional girls to join us but ended up being joined by just one. Another Kamikaze for me. By this time I was surprisingly OK still. So I thought.

We got to one of by boy’s place and of course smoked a few sticks. I need to take a break and bring down the alcohol level. We played a familiar arcade game first then videoke as usual. Then the 2^nd batch arrived. There was rum and coke available. Since we were singing, I had the mic obviously while trying to down 2 shots of rum chased by cola. They took the mic from me already, so I chatted around. I was handed a glass of the bar with pineapple juice. I remember talking with my new friend about girl stuff (yes! We don’t kiss and tell!<wink,wink>) I think I was still able down that drink.

This is where it started to get hazy. I stood up to smoke. Finished one stick. I know I was handed one drink which I think was something red and good. Took a few gulps. I knew I had to tinker belle so I went for it. Then BOOM! I slammed through the front cabinet <OOPSIE>. Eventually found myself in the bathroom but with my head down and this would better explain what happens:

me and the toilet



me done talking with the toilet



So I now know how I became best friend with the toilet. I remember being brought up to the couch when I finished taking with the toilet. Then to a bed after a few minutes. When I woke up, it was morning. Fortunately, there were still friends with me in the rooms. We washed up a bit and got ready to leave. My new friend was able to meet us we said our good byes and thanks yous and we were off.

Now why am I sharing this embarrassing moment? It’s not that I want to humiliate myself... It’s just to remind me that I was and felt alive at one moment J

Silver

In wedding terms, if you are celebrating your silver anniversary, it means that you have been together for 25 years and counting.

We’ll I am not yet married..Yes! Still SINGLE.

But I just had a 5-day celebration of 25 years of my life! Yes you read it right.. 5 days of celebration.

Obviously I have existed for 25 year s and hopefully (and I mean HOPEFULLY) more years to come. As much as I don’t want to age a single day, it is inevitable. But on the bright side, the number 25 can still be seen in the calendar. AND! Age is most definitely JUST A NUMBER!

Day 1: Hopping

13^th of May was the start of everything! FRIDAY THE 13^th! This happens to be our sweldo day also so it was the best time to start celebrating. I was able to “harvest” the biggest sum of money that my ATM had ever experienced.  And I mean EVER! Having seen my payslip and after fixing my jaws that I had to pick up from the ground because of awestruck, I decided to treat my group mates or as I prefer to call them, “kapatids” to dinner at a nearby small restaurant called “The Plantation” located at Palanca St in the Legaspi Village side of Makati. I’ve only been there a few times but their food is really REALLY GOOD! We would have enjoyed dinner better if it weren’t for the group next to our table who were composed of young men who were SO LOUD! The music in the restaurant was audible but their voices were THUNDEROUS! It was like they were a group of gay people with big macho bass voices. Do you get what I mean??

As mentioned, food at “The Plantation” is really good. We shared a fish course, a pasta plate and baby back ribs which we consumed in about an hour. Then we had  one bottle of beer OF COURSE! A celebration would not be complete without alcohol. At around 9:00 pm we finished dinner and that one bottle of beer. It was still way too early to end a Friday the 13^th plus “harvest” day! Originally, I planned to go to Malate with another batch of friends and I would have to wait until 12 midnight to just be on time. So in short I needed to buy myself extra time. Good thing one of my group mates was meeting her husband in another resto/bar  just a few minute walk from The Plantation.

True enough, I was at Bunchums located near the Plaza Fair entrance of Makati Cinema Square along Pasong Tamo Makati. We met up with my kapatid’s husband, ate again. I ordered 3 beers. This was what I have learned from a friend before going to a bar. Load up on alcohol from places that are cheaper since those sold in the bars are more expensive than usual. So I ordered 3 bottles of beer. And enjoyed a typical chit chat with my officemate and her husband. Having downed 2 and ½  of the 3 bottles, and having one already was taking its toll on my tired body. I was stressed. So I decided to skip the next bottle and worry again where can I kill time. It was around 10 o’clock. Two hours to go. And VIOLA! I found a party to gate crash for the mean time. A bunch of officemates were having a despidida for one of their group members at MUSIC 21, a videoke joint along EDSA Pasay. I saw them earlier in the office being picked up by the Music 21 van which was like totally cool! They are willing to pick up their customers for free. Anyway, before leaving Bunchums, I sent a text message to them asking permission if I can gate crash. I got a go signal!

Before I knew it,  I was in Music 21 looking for room 22. I found it just fine and saw every one. It was my first time to be in a videoke joint and it was spacious enough for people within the rooms to do PUSH UPs when people get bored! Hahaha... Why push ups do you ask? I don’t know. It was just someone of our group did and it was hilarious. Since I was just a gate crasher in this party, I tried all my best to just blend in with the group and just pass the time. I was offered another beer, my 3^rd for the night and it was a Manila Beer, a old new beer that was reintroduced to the Philippine market although I’m not sure that they got there yet. I just sang along with their songs and sipped my beer and smoked a stick and of course chatted here and there. This particular group was like a group of cousins for me since I have worked with them during my AE days when I was still handling Microsoft . I have had a lot of memories with them particularly with the original members of the group. And by memories I do mean MEMORIES. It was 10:30 already and their reservation was over. Some of the group wanted to call it a night. Other like myself figured it was a too early to end the night so me and a few others decided to extend for another hour.

My problem was solved! Hehehehe.. Our extension would end at 11:30 pm which would just give me enough time to travel to Malate! We ordered another bucket  and 2 packs of cigarettes. This was when i started singing and belting out! Hahaha.. I am not much of a singer really even though it runs in my blood. Guts to thrust myself in any situation, that was what I had plenty of! Everyone that was left sung their hearts out and some did their push –up (which I still can’t understand). So after a few well picked songs and after the 2 packs of cigarettes were empty, our time was up. We hailed different  taxis to take us to our destinations. People going the same direction shared. At around 11:45 pm I was bound for Malate.

Day 2: Bar plus Silya

The Plantation, Bunchums and Music 21! Yeah baby, I’m on a roll! Hahaha

I arrived in Malate, particularly in Nakpil St. at around 12:03 am. It was already May 14. Hence this was the beginning of day 2 of my 5 day celebration. The morning was young in more ways than one.

I sent a text message to  my friends that I am already in the area. Afterwards, I settled down in a nearby yosi(cigarette) stand for a “calm down” moment because based on experience, Malate comes instantly alive after the stroke of 12. True enough after I finished my first yosi, people were coming out of nowhere entering the different bars in the area. Due to my calm down moment, I missed my friends entry in the bar of our choice. So after my 2^nd stick, I went in to be bathed by darkness, loud music and  smoke! Just like before.  My entrance fee gives me 3 local beers for free. So having seen my friends, i went to the bar to get my drink then went back and mingled. We were near the entrance of the bar so imagine the traffic of people coming in. The good thing was we got the first view of the new comers (hehehe). Our group, a total of 8, was joined by two more who were friends of one of mine for a total of 10! Yes, ten! When I go to the bar, I always dance. I think I have some moves but not all the moves. I guess what I’m just saying is that I love to move. It’s either that or just my gusts. HAHAHA. Me and another who loved to dance made our way to the dance floor and on to the stage and grooved the night, or should I say, the morning away.  There wasn’t much action like the last time I was in that bar just the usual pinching of butts on your way to the rest room and the usual stares and smile from people you would pass along. Well maybe you can’t always have a big “harvest”! But since I met new friends and had a blast dancing and of course the booze! I has a good time.

We left the bar at around 4:00 am. How time flies when you’re having fun. I guess in our case, we had great fun!  After all the dancing and the drinking and laughing, we were all hungry. So we decided to go to Silya, a tapsihan (beef and fried rice with egg) restaurant just around the corner to all the bars where majority of the bar goers spend their breakfast after a hard morning’s worth of partying. This was not a fine dining restaurant. Heck it is a joint that have table that occupy ¼ of the road.  We ordered the usual tapsihan. Looking around the other tables there were a couple of foreigners on one and on the other a group of boys with a girl. What brought my attention back to your table was this young boy who was carrying a bunch of roses selling it to my friend. Reality struck back and made me realize how lucky I still was having a full time job that pays for days like these unlike this young boy who is already up in the wee hours of the morning selling roses to different people. Well that sucks but that is life. Anyway, my friend bought three roses and have the boy send the flowers on the next table the one with the girl. We were all trying to contain our laughter as the young boy gave it to the girl instead to one of the boys he was with. HAHAHA. Still laughing  bit when I remember. We enjoyed our meal and there were a lot more laughter then we said our goodbyes. I hailed a taxi and went home.

I got home at 5:00 am to be greeted by my mother, father and aunt who were busy early morning errands. There was a “hi” and “good morning” from me and I hit the sack and snoozed off to dream land.

The rest of Day 2 was spent sleeping. Need I say more.

Day 3: Shopping Galore

May 15, Sunday.

It was a hot summer day. REALLY HOT! I was rethinking of going to the mall since it was smouldering outside but decided that I really need to buy myself new stuff. Here was my list:

1.       Long sleeved corporate attire - since I was getting more and more fatter every day. Yes! Hard to admit but it is SOOOO TRUE! I remember a good friend telling me about our stomachs. “Maybe it’s expandable to 10GB”, she said during dinner on Friday. HAHAHA. Still makes me laugh every time. We were all growing in our respective waistlines but still resist to diet ourselves was maybe our way of coping with stress.

2.       Pair of jeans - I think I just buy one pair of jeans every year. The one I bought last year was still intact but was worn out already.

3.       “Man” Bag/ Purse – I have been a fan of “man’ bag/ purse since I started working. There was just a corporate feel to it. My old one was still usable but reeks of smoke so it needed to be replaced.

4.       Espadrilles – this is the newest shoe craze to hit the city. I don’t know where it comes from but it just poofed out of nowhere and now a lot of people wear them now. It’s like the new Converse’s Chuck Taylor. I just wanted it to be “in” with the crowd

5.       School materials – this was for a charity event my college friends organized for a community near our university which I committed to attend to.

After 2 hours, I had purchased all of the above plus enjoyed a slice of white pizza from Sbarro.

I still had time to go to church.

Day 4: “The” Day

May 16^th! My birthday!

Since this was a Monday, i have to wake up early in order to get to work on time. I was greeted by my family with a great big “Happy Birthday”. I normally take my mobile phone with me when I bath so I can play music. Guess the first song that played? It was Born This Way by Lady Gaga<PAK>. I did my morning rituals and was off to work in one hour. Greetings from close friends were already pouring in my mobile phone and I replied to all of them expressing my gratitude.

Work was as usual except for officemates greeting me. As always, I said “thank you” to those who remembered.

At around 3:00pm. I decided to order pizza for our group and my AEs and friends. Pizza came at around 3:45. After distributing it to everyone. I settled to have one for myself and continue with the rest of the day.

After office I went to church as has been tradition with my family. After that, I went home to find home cooked spaghetti and carbonara made by my mother for the occasion. I ate again of course then slept.

Day 5: Biglaan

Biglaan means “in an instant”

May 17^th. Tuesday. My birthday already passed and I thought the celebrations would end already but there was one more trying to catch up.

I had a friend from college who earlier this year had a leg injury which needed to be cemented to be heal. She was out of circulation for a while while she was recovering. May 17^th she texted us that she was OK and that she would like to see us and just maybe buy a sundae cone from Ministop, a convenience store around Makati” and just hang out. Since I haven’t seen her in a while too I agreed to meet her. At first i thought she would be setting a date for this meeting so that the rest of the barkada can join but boy was I WRONG. At around 4:30pm, she texted me that two others from the barkada was joining us and that she will be leaving her office by 6:00 pm. The small get together I thought was for another day was going to push through today.

Our office was just a few minutes away from Glorietta so I said I’d smoke a few sticks to pass out the time. I was the 2^nd to the last one to arrive at the meeting place. HAHAHA. We were waiting for another friend but decided to look for a resto already. The restos we like were all full so we decided to walk to Greenbelt for more options. Mind you it was another hot day. We settled for Bubba Gump in Greenbelt and ordered a shrimp platter,  baby back ribs and a fish dish. We were trying to convince the staff that it was my birthday in the hopes of getting a scoop of vanilla ice cream for free but to no avail. Having dinner with college friends was just like when we were in college although I felt a bit awkward since they remained the “model students” that they were back in college: no vices and drinks occasionally. Unlike me. But the night was still enjoyable for me. I treated them to coffee to prolong the night since I did miss their company. Before we used to have group dates where we would go our separate ways after 5:00 am.

We walked towards the parking lot whre my friend parked and enjoyed a few more laughs at past 10:00 pm. This was a bit late considering it was a weekday. Since they were all going the same way, I took the bus going home.

There you go. 5 days of celebration of my 25 years of existence.

Normally, I don’t celebrate my birthdays this extravagantly. I just treat it as another day but still am thankful  for  an extra year of being alive.

This was just special since it was my SILVER birthday party. This seems to be the same calibre as my birthday last 2009. We drank freshly brewed beer from Grappas with a handful of close office mates plus a special guest whom I thought would not show but he still did. We went to a friend’s condo, played poker till the morning. Then he drove me home<kilig>

What the future holds for me, I would never know. There would be no guarantee if I will reach my GOLDEN birthday party. I would just have to look at the sky’s silver lining every day, wish for the best and brace myself for whatever it is out there.