Expired

I was looking forward to use these certificates of discount before the year ends, but didn't see this thought come to reality.


Rockpoint Hotel Discount Certificate



Acquired this certificate when we covered an event our Client joined a Vermiculture Conference con Exhibit last November 2005. Rockpoint Hotel is in Calamba Laguna and we came to know of this place from a prior photo event coverage held here by another Client (Nestle) for their employees' wellness activities.

Anyway, the photo coverage event for 2005 required us to book ourselves for the Vermiculture event--which actually was an unforeseen expense since we thought the Client would provide lodging or would let as back to Manila as soon as the day's schedule of events expired. We were told that another similar event will be held on November 2006 and will be commissioned to cover it again. Oh well, as they say, never expect for anything to refrain from being disappointed or frustrated.

The Discount Certificate was a good filler in my wallet for a year and was a good design in it while it lasted. =p


F Salon Spa Discount Card



I promised myself to book myself every month in the salon for a beauty treatment of any kind for 2006 after experiencing a sad and unexpected marital event last March 2005 when I acquired the Discount Card. But heck, I became disappointed with the service of F Salon Spa in Kamuning, Q.C. that I was not able to use the card again after then.

Although I was looking forward to use it in their other branches, I guess I lost the time and interest to do so.

As they say, we make excuses of whatever kind just so we won't do something we really don't have our hearts in. Heck, I must change this thinking of mine with regards to finding time for myself and for my beauty and wellness needs! Something I have to really focus and give my efforts on for 2007!

6 Years Na Kami!

John & I celebrated our 6th year anniversary in a more simpler way this year--doing what we both love most: dining out and watching movies!

Where else to dine but in the fastfood store that served our frantic need for food during the early years of our business in Makati at the wee hours of the night and early midmorn: Wendy's!

(Frantic? The times when we didn't sleep for more than 24 hours just to finish our deliverables. Thus, no time for food, except for a quick stop at www.hamburgers.ph to order our fave Chicken Breast Fillet--John's--and Bacon Mushroom Melt--mine--and to get our orders in less than an hour, straight at the doorstep of our rented space in Makati back in 2001-2003.)

Movie time was at Glorietta 1, where we spent dated during our "steady" phase and throughout our Makati years, too. (Well, at least, when Greenbelt 3 didn't exist yet!)

So we found ourself amongst the many who flocked to watch Star Cinema's entry to the 32nd Metro Manila Film Festival Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo.

The movie is superb, realistic, and sooooo Filipino in soooo many ways! This is why I believe the movie bagged most of the MMFF Awards! We could not help but relate with it! I think most Pinoy married couples went through each of the phase the couple went: the Wedding, Living together and Living with the In-Laws, and having a third party in the relationship!

Siyempre, feeling reminisced din ang dating ko diba! Well, if there's one thing I hope everyone got by watching the film, it is the message that married life ain't no cup of tea and honey! It's but a warm cup of apple cider vinegar, made a bit tangy and sweet by a tablespoon of honey. It's the decision to stick through, to communicate, to love, to commit, and to continuously improvise for yourself and for each other. That's what happy endings are made of! It was really a good decision on our part to have chosen to watch that movie on our very special day.

Now that we're off to our seventh year, I pray that we will keep on having happy moments under God's steady wings!

(Mwah! Love yah John! Thanks for the six wonderfully crazy and spicy years of spontaneity! Thanks for all the wisdom and patience! Thanks for being who you are!)

The Big Binondo Food Wok

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear the name Ongpin is “Chinatown”.

Well, to me Ongpin meant “Chinatown”. I remember that it was during my elementary years when our parents would bring us to “Chinatown” to buy authentic herbal medicines to cure our asthma. The likes of Polar Bear and Sea Coconut often became companions on our way back home to Q.C., which eventually landed—much to our dismay—down our throats whenever a spell comes knocking about! Those were the days I wished they've invented the Ventolin spray earlier! =)

Today, I strolled the streets of Manila's Chinatown again—the second time this year and more than a decade after! This time, thanks to Ivan ManDy of OldManilaWalks.Com, I finally got the chance to be acquainted with the REAL Chinatown! No less than Binondo! (Funny how you age with your wrong notions of things and come face to face with the truth only when you're older! What's funnier is all this time I realized I never did know much about Binondo nor about the history of Tsinoys in our country!)

Who would have thought there's so much about Binondo that meets the eye! Ivan's knowledge of the place, its history, original settlers, and present community were very interesting and well explained as we walked the busy streets of Quintin Paredes, Ongpin, Salazar, Sabino Padilla, and Escolta! There were so much to write about I didn't have my notebook and pen with me and wasn't fast enough to write it in my cellphone's Notes that I gave it up all together and just enjoyed the tour! Hehe.

From the Plaza to the beautiful newly-rebuilt Binondo Church, we found ourselves hopping about from one business establishment to the other. There's the 4 generation-old tablea making factory of the Resurrecion's; the alpombra shop; dimsum stop; the Crucifix (sorry Ivan I forgot the name, as I've said I didn't make notes); the street-long fruit stand of Salazar; the fengshui/chinese trinkets/wedding boutique of and the tea eggs and cold noodles from restaurants of Ongpin; to the chinese temple; and the kalesa ride to Escolta for a taste of original lumpia from another reputable Chinese restaurant. It's really one heck of a food trip, after all!

Half a day is too short of a tour to know Binondo in-depth! I look forward to a repeat tour wherein I intend to walk all the way to Escolta (yes, I'll forego the kalesa / jeepney ride) to really see first-hand the architectural part of the tour that we missed during today's trip.

But I don't have regrets. The Big Binondo Food Wok of OldManilaWalks.Com was worth it! More power to you, Ivan!

For those of you who haven't toured Binondo yet, sign up now! As Susan Kalaw-Medina of Travel Time says, “Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan!”

Oh, before I forget, here's another thing worth going back to Binondo for: Che Pee (forgive me if the spelling is not correct) or “Chinese Hot Cakes” (according to Ivan)! Yummm-meeeehhh!!!!!

(Sadly folks, my “camera shake” has gone worse from bad so there's pretty little photos to post from today's trip.)

Recent "Doodles"

"A doodle is a small, mindless sketch (although some doodles may represent unconscious thought). People usually make doodles while bored or concentrating on something else, such as talking on the phone or passing time in lectures. The word "doodle" can be used as either a noun r a verb."

If there's such a thing as "doodles" of thought, here's mine--compiled over the past weeks in my cellphone's Notes but lost the time to put a blog for each.

JOLLY ICE
It has become my habit to eat the leftover ice from whatever beverage I had during mealtime, regardless of where I had it. I churn, crush and make a candy out of the ice. It's kinda hard really when the food establishment uses tube ice. So far, I find Jollibee's ice very suitable for me. I mean is it just me or is this every Pinoys' habit such that Jollibee tailor-suited their ice into thinsquare slates, almost similar to the shape of a Double Mint gum folded in half and removed of excess edges to form a perfect square? Makes you wonder how far this beloved brand would go to be truly be the Pinoy store? Well, their subsidiary, Chowking has the same ice. Haven't gone to Greenwhich in months but am willing to go there just to check out the ice! Hehe. Nope, there's no conspiracy here. Just me going overboard with my thoughts?...Or am I? =p

PAY IT FORWARD
When I say Pay It Forward, I literally mean Pay It Forward. Been paying more than the usual with jeepneys for the past month. Not that I pamper them or anything, I just don't ask for the 50 cent change whenever I give them more than the exact fare, which used to be P7.50. I noticed that there's been a shortage of 25 centavos lately (I don't know if I I'm the culprit or not since I have been collecting 25 cents at the end of the day for my Pondong Pinoy savings) such that some jeepney drivers were returing the P1.00 from the P8.00 fare I gave them. So I've decided NOT to be infuriated whenever a not-so-honest driver bags in the extra P0.50! After all, if the honest jeepney drivers weren't afraid to lose 50 cents per passenger whenever they give me the P1.00 instead of just P0.50, why should I be in the first place when I'm earning more than they do. It's like a practice of becoming less materialistic. Whatever it's called, it does feel good whenever you do return a favor--even if the person you returned the favor to wasn't the one who did you good (no matter how small) in the first place! =)

SM SHIFTING MARKETS
SM Malls are shifting markets for consumer classes from the "jologs" class to the "Uber" class. Well, just couldn't help notice their "upgrades" in store arrangement; architectural improvements in edifice design, interiors, and furnishings; type of store brands; quality of products sold; and, of course, price of commodities. Even their endorser's clothing has changed from rugged to glam--if you've observed Charlene's billboards over the past year and the changes in her clothing, accessories, makeup, and hairstyle, you'll probably easily agree with me. Currently, the "upgrade" has started with the SM Makati, the opening of Mall of Asia, The Block (SM North Edsa), and Megamall. I feel this is going next to the outskirts of Metro Manila onwards to their provincial stores. Good or bad? For me, I think this "upgrade" is a good way for the masses to be educated of style and class and a good start to help Pinoys upgrade their lifestyles in the process. So, it's a yes way for me!

Soups Up!

For soup lovers looking for a healthier alternative to Nissin Cup Noodles and the like, here's a tip I'd like to share especially on this rainy and chilly Sunday: Pinoy Hot Pot!

Yes, folks! Pinoy Hot Pot (ready-to-eat-noodles na mas pinasarap dahil sa sariwang gulay) served right in your homes! It's truly easy to prepare:

1. Follow the pack instructions of your favorite instant noodles: Nissin Cup Noodles, Lucky Me Noodles (except those for pansit canton), Maggi, etc. except adding the flavoring.

2. While waiting for your noodles to boil:

a.chop up some carrots (any style of slicing will do)

b. de-string the edges of baguio beans or chicharo (sweat peas)

c. thinly slice (2x thicker than a "coleslaw" slice) any green leafy vegetable: baguio pechay, pechay, repolyo, or mustasa

d. thinly slice any piece of meat (except fish)

3. Once your noodles boil, add ingredients 2.a.-2.d (anyone of it, not necessary all types of veggies--whatever's in your ref or nearest neighborhood store)

4. Stir and add the flavoring.

5. Boil with lid half-covering pot, put off fire, and serve hot. Remember to uncover the pot once you turn off the fire to retain the freshness (vibrance and vitamins) of your veggies.

Kaon na ta!

Rent

If you've watched the movie Rent, you'd probably be one of the many whose lives have been touched.

Rent is actually a depiction of the difficulties of life per se. Life, after all, is one big lease from the Creator. The movie compared our life to the common battlefied a lessor faces when rent falls due and falls way overdue, the situations in which you adjust yourself to meet the rent, the rights and obligations that comes with being a lessor.

It is for this reason that the movie's soundtrack, Seasons of Love, was the one used to convey the underlying message of the movie: live your life to the fullest--with love for yourself and neighbor.

I fell in love with Seasons of Love the moment my ears heard it--and have made Rent a benchmark of how life should be.

To wit, I share the message of the movie from the lyrics of Seasons of Love:

525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear.
525,600 minutes - how do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life? How about love?
How about love? How about love? Measure in love.
Seasons of love.
1525,600 minutes! 525,000 journeys to plan. 525,600 minutes - how can you
measure the life of a woman or man?
In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried. In bridges he
burned, or the way that she died.
It’s time now to sing out, tho the story never ends let's celebrate
remember a year in the life of friends. Rememberthe love! Remember the love!
Remember the love! Measure in love. Seasons of love! Seasons of love.

Seasons of Love and Rent actually reflect the very message of the Tagalog song, Sino Ako?:

Hiram sa Diyos ang aking buhay
Ikaw at akoy tanging handog lamang
Di ko ninais na akoy isilang
Ngunit salamat dahil may buhay
Ligaya ko nang akoy isilang
Pagkat tao ay mayroong dangal
Sinong may pag ibig, sinong nagmamahal
Kundi ang tao
DIYOS ang pinagmulan
Kung di ako umibig,
kung di ko man bigyang halaga
Ang buhay koy handog
Ang buhay kong hiram sa DIYOS
Kung di ako magmamahal
sino ako.

Pa-Tweetums

Some people think they can fool you by being Pa-Tweetums. Well, some can, actually, but of course this goes to some extent only.

Using charisma to fool an employer into believing you are this person is a very wrong thing to do.

Using charisma to get a job might win you one. But up to how long will it last?

Skill and character are the determinants. No charisma can camouflage that.

Movie Overdrive

Been missing out on the latest Filipino flicks and short films and didn't resist renting all that I can yesterday.

Thus, our movie overdrive! (Interspersed with videos my sister brought home: Interview With The Vampire and additional videos I rented today.)

1. Miss Pinoy
2. Nasaan Si Francis?
3. I Wanna Be Happy
4. White Lady
5. Tuli
6. Interview With A Vampire
7. Big Time
8. Brother Bear
9. Cars

And I couldn't wait to get my eyes on these other internationally-acclaimed Pinoy great creations:

1. Ang Pagdadalaga Ni Maximo Olivares
2. Cavite
3. Penguin, Penguin, Pano Ka Ginawa?
4. Kubrador
5. Tagulan, Tag-araw
6. Imelda
7. The Mansion
8. Donsol

Plus, watch these other box office hits and soon-to-be box office hits:

1. Pacquiao The Movie
2. You Are The One
3. Inang Yaya
4. You Are The One
5. Wag Kang Lilingon

Watching all these movies will obviously keep me busy on the next couple of days!

Closed Shop

Felt like I'm on my Christmas vacation already since yesterday evening, November 30th! Hehe, had a vacation streak of foods galore with friends and loved ones.

Yup, pretty had much to do about nothing for the past 24 hours, which started from:

• dining at Dencio's Powerplant Mall with our dear friend, Ms. P.,


• to a chat-galore at Starbucks Powerplant Mall (Didn't forget to have my card stamped, thank you! I want that 2006 planner!), still with Ms. P., until 4 am! as we walked our way from Starbucks to Estrella and to J.P. Rizal in search for a cab home. Hehe.


• to a sleeping bout that ended at 12noon


• breakfast ala couch potato infront of the television watching Wowowee! and a soundtrip of Brain Dead the movie (behind John while he and Clare got a glimpse of his favorite scenes in it)!


• a comic modeling photo shoot with my sister c/o of my ever photo-enthusiast spouse, John as he tries out his new Canon 350D!


• to lunch con dinner with KFC's Christmas Family Bucket. Yes, only for the three of us!
  taking my own shot of photography--again--with our first camera, Kodak DX6490. Had a hard time getting sharp photos, all thanks to my ever-getting-worse camera shake!


• another 30-minute sleeping bout (I actually fell asleep waiting for John to decide what movie to watch or borrow from Video City. =p)


• and some surf time! updating my presence online at Friendster, Blogger, and Yahoo 360.

I've decided I'll have some more tomorrow, December 2! Yup, it's a self-declared holiday for the business tomorrow! after listening to the old saying, "All work and no play makes a man dull and gray!"

It's rest, rest, rest for me and hubbie! Because, honestly, I think I'll stop adding to my collection of white hair for a while! (opo, may uban na ako! Bwahahahaha!)

Now, time to cuddle-cuddle with my honey! Babush!