The Amazing Tour of Ilocos - Part One

As if the Boracay trip wasn't enough, Shalu and I decided to take another trip a couple of weeks after. We have both been planning to go to Ilocos and since there's a long weekend coming up in two weeks, we decided to just go. And this time, this vacation is more action-packed (read: tiresome) and more adventure-filled, which was perfect!

For the next two weeks, we've been very busy researching on places to visit and planning on our itinerary and I was also occupied with picking our hotel and fixing travel arrangements. I was definitely a useless employee in those two weeks, hehe!

We left Manila Friday night at 9:30pm via GV Florida Bus. Too bad we didn't get to ride the their sleeper bus because when I went to their station the day before (that was another adventure in itself!) they only had 1 more available seat, so we settled for the regular bus, which by the way was kinda sucky because the seats un-recline (is there such a word?) when you sit up and the aircon vent doesn't close so you had to cover it with the curtain (so hi-tech!).

Anyway, we had to make do with what we had and get as much sleep as we can because we had a very long day ahead. We were hoping to get to Vigan before sunrise to take pictures of Calle Crisologo in the dark, so we're glad to have reached Bantay, Vigan at 5:30am. Upon alighting, we took a tricycle ride straight to Calle Crisologo and clicked away until way past sunrise!

It was a pretty short street but we took our sweet time taking pictures. By daylight, we decided to roam around the plaza and visit the Vigan Cathedral as well.

Then we took a tricycle ride to Bantay Church, which was actually very near where we alighted the bus but it was still closed when we arrived (it opens at 6am). And another long round of photo ops begins!

Funny thing, I even met someone I used to work with while inside the tower, and we would meet again the next day while trekking the Kabigan Falls in Laoag.

Anyway, since it's already getting really hot and I'm feeling really sticky (I've been wearing the same clothes since 7am the previous day! Yuck.), we decided to go to Cafe Uno near the Calle Crisologo area for brunch and for a quick wash-up.

I must say I was really disappointed with Cafe Uno, I had high expectations of the place based on the blog reviews I read. We both ordered the Vigan longganisa meal and I upgraded my drink to the native tsokolate (which was a good decision because Shalu initially ordered coffee but we were surprised that it was the instant kind, so she changed it to tea). The food was okay at best- it was overpriced for the tiny serving.

After lunch, we decided to walk to Syquia Mansion which was 2 blocks away from Cafe Uno based on the map we got from the Heritage Center. (Since I'm the one who likes maps, I was made the official navigator.) But we couldn't find the entrance to the house (thanks to heat-induced confusion) and we weren't that excited to see it anyway, so we headed straight to the Crisologo Museum.

It was very chaotic inside the museum! There was a huge group of students and lots of other visitors, that the place really felt claustrophobic. There was a couple of caretakers at the ground floor but no one's keeping watch in the other rooms where people kept touching, sitting on/in stuff that are supposed to be off limits. I guess they really should charge an entrance fee instead of making it voluntary for them to hire more staff and keep all the memorabilia intact.

We left the museum and decided to head on off to the Partas bus station for our two-hour ride to Laoag. But we made a quick side trip to Simbaan a Bassit, which was on the way to the station.

Simbaan a Bassit is actually a cemetery chapel and it's most distinctive feature to me (aside from the cemetery right beside it) is it's bright red door.

So this was our last stop in Vigan, as we had to rush to Laoag for the next leg of our adventure.


You can read more about this trip by visiting these links:

The Amazing Tour of Ilocos - Part Two
The Amazing Tour of Ilocos - Part Three
The Amazing Tour of Ilocos - Part Four

Bookworm Log #1 and #2: Stieg Larsson

One of my goals this year is to get more brain food and so I resolved to read at least 20 books in 2012.

My first two for the year were both penned by Stieg Larsson, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played With Fire, the first two books of his trilogy.


For Dragon Tattoo, I found it a bit too hard to read in the beginning because it started really slow. (Side story, I brought this book with me to Boracay and apparently my friend did too. He never got past 20 pages, hehe) There were a few characters introduced in the beginning whose significance to the story I couldn't seem to understand right away, and it also kept me wondering until the middle of the book when the two main characters, Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander, would finally meet.

But when I got to Chapter 3, when all the action started, I found it hard to put the book down. It has a good mix of action, suspense, mystery, gore and even humor, that I found very addictive. Larsson has the ability to tease the readers' logical reasoning and imagination, and he will keep you guessing who did what and, more importantly, what the hell is going on??

However, one big downside to Dragon Tattoo, is that it has very anti-climactic ending which somehow felt like an afterthought. Coming from action-packed events, I was left with 'That's it??' I felt that the ending should have happened 2 chapters earlier. But I'm not an author, so whatever. Anyway, I'm still excited to see the movie version and find out how the story is translated to film. I think Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara fit the roles perfectly.

The Girl Who Played With Fire is also very thrilling and still had the theme about violence against women. Here, the pace is a bit faster and if the story's not confusing enough, Larsson introduced concepts about Math and Algebra. Lisbeth turns out to be not just a computer genius, she also is a Math prodigy. Some of the characters in the first book, who I thought were just minor bit players, reappear here and are given more dimension.

But again, the ending was torture! As in super bitin and I'm like 'Teh, anyare?!' You'd have to read the third book to know what happens to Salander and Blomkvist.

So,... you can bet that Bookworm Log #3 would have to be about The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest. Now excuse me while I go run to the bookstore and buy me a copy.

Boracay Fun 2012!

Who goes on vacation after coming back from a vacation?

I DO!

Last January 6, after coming back from my 3-week Christmas vacation, two friends and I decided to go to Boracay and get some much-deserved R & R! I haven't been to this island since 2001 and I was excited to go back.

We thought we would have the island to ourselves, but apparently lot of people thought the same thing. It was kind of irritating at first because I hate crowds when I'm at the beach and all I want to do is bum, swim and be left in peace. But the moderate people traffic turned out great for our guy-watching hobby, haha!

Anyway, here's our itinerary and the cost associated with this trip (from what I can still remember):

Jan 6 - 1-hour delayed flight from Manila to Kalibo via Airphil Express (Php 4000 roundtrip airfare and Php 200 terminal fee)
         - 2-hour van ride from Kalibo to Caticlan (Php 200, I think)
         - 30-min boat ride from Caticlan port to Boracay (my memory is already failing me but probably around Php100)
         - 20-min tricycle ride to hotel (Php 25 for the 3 of us)
         - check-in at Casa Fiesta (Php 7500 total for 4D3N, so Php2500 per person)
         - pork barbeque dinner in Gasthof (couldn't be more than Php 200) and start of people-watching
         - traditional drinking of Jonas shake (Php 95) and late-night photo ops

Jan 7 - French toast breakfast at Real Coffee (Php200 something)
         - swimming the whole day, we stayed at some hotel's area so we had to order drinks (Php100 something)

     
         - lunch at some Thai resto
         - Happy Hour at 6pm in  Nigi Nigi (P25 San Mig Light)
         - back to Casa Fiesta to wash up
         - pasta dinner at Aria (P250, I think) and more people-watching

Jan 8 - long walk to Station 3 to find The English Bakery, but we found out that they already moved near Station 2 where we were staying
         - stayed in Station 3 and ate American breakfast at Bei Kurtz Und Magz (Php 100 something)

         - Swimming time!

     



         - Happy Hour at 1pm at Arwana just right beside Bei Kurtz (2 rum cokes for Php 130)
         - afternoon merienda of lovely fluffy pancakes at Arwana (not sure, basta less than Php100)

         - trek back to Station 2
        - yummy burrito dinner at Manana (less than Php100 since a friend and I shared a plate)

         - night stroll and people watching at D' Mall

Jan 9 - breakfast at The (new) English Bakery

         - final fruit shake stop at Jonas (Php 95) and enjoyed our last morning stroll in Boracay

         - tricycle ride to port (Php 10)
         - boat ride to Caticlan (Php300 which includes boat, terminal fees and van fare)
         - van ride to Kalibo
         - plane ride back to Manila (terminal fee was Php25 and flight's delayed again)
         - my shuttle ride from NAIA T3 to MRT Station (Php 20)
         - MRT Train ride to Cubao (Php 12)
         - jeepney ride from Cubao to our place (Php 18)

I'm so sorry that I have such a lousy memory when it comes to keeping track of my expenses! So if you were looking to depend on this post as reference for your Boracay budgeting plans, then forget it. I suggest you turn to other bloggers for that, hehe.

Anyway, I loved that short trip to Boracay. Although, I still have a problem with the seawater (like in my first visit, I get itchy right after swimming) I will definitely go back to the island when I get the chance!

Things I've Really Missed

As they say, you never know how much something means to you unless you lose them. Here are some of those everyday-ordinary-things I have really missed this year:

1. Singing while driving.

2. Driving a car.

3. Being in an air-conditioned car on the way to work (and not smelling like Manila traffic).

4. Reading in a coffee shop.

5. Malling.

6. People-watching.

7. Ukay-ukay shopping.

8. Jogging. Or any physical activity for that matter.

9. Home-cooked meals.

10. Writing.

11. Getting a massage.

12. Going to the spa.

13. Salon pampering.

14. Not doing household chores.

15. Travelling.

A Little Piece of Tsokolate Heaven

One of my fondest childhood memories is waking up to a hot cup of sikwati or bowlful of champorado, on a Sunday morning. The rich taste of the tableya (cacao chocolate) immediately sends me to a very happy place.

That's why I was so happy to discover Tablea Chocolate Cafe while on Christmas holiday. All of their desserts and drinks are made from tablea! Lovely!

I've tried their Sipping Dark Chocolate (twice! I love love love it!), Champorado (of course!), Chocolate Con Churros, Choco Banana Frio, Silvanas and Tablea Custard Cake. You can really taste the delicious tablea in all of them. And the best part is, they are not too sweet, so you'll be able to finish one serving.

I love the place so much that I was able to visit 3 of their branches in a span of a week! I suggest that you visit them, too!

No Coffee For You!

I swear, I just love these kids! Especially Sophia Grace, she cracks me up! I wouldn't mind having kids around the house if they're as charming and chatty as these two. The first time I saw them on Ellen, I just fell in love with them. Their shopping spree video was oh so hilarious. Sophia Grace kind of reminds me of my younger self. Although definitely with less energy, I would sing or dance in front of people without too much prodding. If we had Youtube back in the day, I would've caused my parents a bigger headache!

Move

I've been itching to travel again. It's been two years since I've been out of the country and I am in dire need of a trip.

And then I find this video.


MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.


Argh, I really miss travelling! If only I could get paid travelling, my life would be complete.

Missing Home

I just saw this TV commercial and it made me miss my Papa.



Just like the girl in the TVC, my Papa stayed home more than my Mama did due to work. And at home, it's my Papa who cooks not my Mama. So basically, a reversal of roles.

Although this seems an odd setup, it works for my family. Who said that it's the woman who should stay at home while the man earns a living anyway?

I am just very grateful that I lucked out in the parents game. I got the best parents ever! =)

P.S. The storm's still raging and I am missing home more than ever.

Public Commute: NAIA Terminal 3

I went home to Cebu last weekend for a friend's wedding. I almost didn't, because I was on a really tight budget and the quick trip would definitely cause some damage to my bruised wallet. But I'm really glad I did!

Anyway, as I said I was on a tight budget, so the P700 something I shelled out just going to Cebu (for the 2 taxicab rides and the airport terminal fee) bore quite a big hole in my pockets.

That's why I was quite anxious about my return trip. Firstly, I hate riding taxicabs in Manila. Some drivers are choosy, they ask you where you're going before they even let you get in. They can refuse a passenger or try to negotiate a fixed price with you, depending on the distance or how heavy the traffic is going to your destination. And I really hate this about cab drivers.

Secondly, I live quite far from the airport and I'm not very familiar with my way going home. And again, one of the many taxicab horror stories is that at the first sign that you're not sure where you're going, the driver intentionally takes a longer route so you end up paying a lot more.

And thirdly, because of the distance, I would definitely be paying a lot for my cab ride home. I wanted nothing of that nonsense on a very early, sleep-deprived Sunday morning.

Good thing I discovered the NAIA Terminal 3 Bus Loop! You just need to go to the south side of the Arrivals area and you'll see the cue for the buses. I lined up for Route 2, which ends up in a bus terminal in Pasay Rotunda, right beside the MRT/LRT station (MRT Taft Station and LRT EDSA station), so you can easily take the MRT or LRT afterwards. And the best thing is that they only charge you a good P20 flat fee for the ride! Neat, huh? So in all, I only spent a total of P50 for my way home.

I'm so happy with this discovery, that I've been telling my friends about it. You should, too!

Etiquette For Tourists

Just chanced upon this article awhile ago and I agree to pretty much everything Jessica wrote about how we are that welcoming towards foreigners, it's somewhat funny. And I totally agree that etiquette should be followed by anyone who's a guest in another country.

Jessica Zafra: Etiquette for Expats, Tourists and Other Visitors to the Philippines

Welcome to the Philippines! You’ve probably noticed that Filipinos are friendly, accommodating, and nice all around. For starters we are always smiling. It is not true that we are always smiling, but it is likely we do it more than your people. This is because it is so much more pleasant than frowning or scowling.

And people generally look better when they’re smiling, no? Here in Manila there is so much aggravation to put up with. It’s sweltering even when it’s rainy, the traffic is horrendous, it’s noisy and poverty is widespread. Smiling is the last thing one feels like doing under these circumstances. If you think about it, smiling in these conditions is a form of protest. It is a way of rising above the situation. It is not, as you might think, a vapid reflex.

Your people probably have a lot more to smile about than we do. They should smile more, it would make them look younger.

Right now we’re smiling at you because we are curious as to what you, a foreigner, are doing in our country. Are you a corporate executive, a chef, a diplomat? A retired soldier fetching your fiancée whom you met online, or a Brazilian model? A Peace Corps volunteer or an NGO worker? A tourist drawn by our famous beaches, or just looking to get laid? Filipino curiosity is insatiable. We have to be in the know. We don’t even have to do anything with the knowledge, we just have to know.

No doubt you have been told that we pride ourselves on our hospitality. Our hospitality is not a PR thing; it is genuine. We are glad that you’ve come all the way here—we like having guests. You are someone new to talk about. Entertaining others entertains us. And since you’ve taken the trouble to come all this way, we figured the least we could do is prepare this basic guide to help you get acclimatized.

1. Our beaches are renowned the world over for their powdery white sands, brilliant sunshine, and the spectacular biodiversity in the water. Beaches, as far as we know, are on the seashore. When you are more than ten kilometers from the sea, say, in the shopping and office complexes of Makati and Mandaluyong, don’t feel compelled to dress for the beach.

We assure you that we natives won’t feel ill at ease if you don’t wear your loosest tank top, ratty board shorts and crumbling flip-flips while walking around the mall. Don’t dress down on our behalf; we do like to dress up. We think it is a way of showing respect not just for the occasion and the setting, but for yourself.

2. It is hot and humid in Manila so we sweat a lot. In order to stay cool and refreshed we take baths or showers every day, if not two or three times a day. If those of us who were born and raised here find it hot, it must be positively infernal for those of you from America, Europe, Australia-NZ and the temperate zone!

You must shower every day, if not several times a day. For maximum refreshment we recommend generous applications of soap, shampoo, and antiperspirants. Just dousing yourself in cologne is not enough to cool you down. Take a shower every day, you’ll feel so much better.

We insist.

3. The Philippines is a former colony of the United States, and English is taught in our schools. We watch Hollywood movies and American television programs, sing popular songs in English, and visit websites in English. Plus millions of us have relatives in English-speaking countries, and we are the world number one in voice-based call centers.

So there is no need to express profound surprise when we speak to you in English. Please don’t tell us, “But your English is so good!” Yes, we have English. And indoor plumbing, electricity and wi-fi, and we don’t actually live in that treehouse, it’s decorative.

4. From childhood we have been trained to do things for each other. We do this without thinking—our programming is so thorough. For instance if the friend of a friend is looking for a particular type of bread that is not available in stores, and we know someone who lives near a baker who produces that bread and sells it at an organic market, we will obtain that bread for the one who’s looking. It’s no big deal, it’s the way we were brought up. We are not currying favor, we are not sucking up, we are just being helpful. It’s our culture.

So if we go out of our way for you, it’s not because we think you are the Big Kahuna or because we want something from you or we think you are wonderful. We do it because we were brought up to be caring and considerate, and it is considered selfish and unfriendly for us not to do it. Plus if our mothers find out that we did not help when we could have, we’ll never hear the end of it. If you are suspicious about accepting our generosity, know that we’re really doing it for ourselves. It is not a sign of weakness; it is one of our strengths.

5. If you consider the Philippines a shithole cesspit backwater, please do not feel compelled to grace us with your presence. Certainly we will miss the pleasure of your company, but we will manage somehow. We were born here and have lived here all our lives; this is our home. We presume your homeland is not a shithole cesspit backwater, so we are mystified as to why you would choose to be here when you could be there. Surely someone of your magnificent qualities and impressive qualifications would be appreciated and rewarded in your own country?

6. It is true that lots of Filipina women prefer foreigners over their own countrymen. For some it is a matter of true love triumphing over ethnic and cultural differences. For others it is a matter of economic necessity. It may be useful to remember this when you are swarmed in red-light districts by exotic women cooing at your manliness. We are bound by very strong family ties—children are duty-bound to give financial support not just to their parents but to entire villages of relatives.

7. Your dollar/pound/euro/other foreign currency goes a long way in the Philippines, allowing you to enjoy a higher standard of living than what you would have back home. You can afford a lifestyle that is luxurious compared to the average Filipino’s. We hope you will not confuse the foreign exchange rate with personal merit. Unfortunately the Philippines is not a meritocracy.

I had to laugh at one of the readers' comment. He said the writer should surround herself with positive people to make her happy so she can write happier articles. Or something like that. Obviously, he doesn't know Jessica Zafra.

A New Discovery

I have proven that it is true that you learn something new everyday.

These incessant rains (thanks to the back-to-back typhoons hitting the country the past 3 weeks) not only caused havoc to my shoes, but it also brought to my attention a new discovery.

I just got home from work and coming up our apartment stairs, when I heard a very strange sound. At first I thought it was of several cows mooing. Lotsa cows. But that was impossible because one, it sounded a bit high-pitched and two, there couldn't be cows near the area because we're in a residential village and nowhere near any grazing field.

So when I brought it up with my brother, he said that we were actually listening to the melodious mating call of frogs/toads. What?!?! At first I couldn't believe him because I thought he was making it up. I mean I've heard frogs croak before and it and didn't sound like that. Anyway, I decided to research to satisfy my highly inquisitive mind and I found out that he's right.

To those who haven't heard a horny toad's (pun intended) call yet, it sounds very much like this:



Now multiply that by a hundred. Yup, disturbing.

I'm just glad I never saw any of those frogs as I kinda don't like their kind. They make me squirm. Good thing I wasn't that girl in the story, or else the prince would have remained a frog forever.

Agosto

It's August 1 today and I can't believe almost a year (in 4 days) has passed since I moved back here in Manila.

To say that the past year has been very challenging is putting it mildly. But I think, despite all the hardships, I've learned the lessons I needed to learn. Kung hindi pa naman ay ewan ko na lang.

Now, I'm just looking forward to some happiness for the rest of year. Pang-Christmas gift na lang.

P.S. Sorry to be such a Debby Downer, but the nonstop raining (8 days and counting) has made my usual crappy mood crappier.

Modern Family

They are definitely my current favorite TV family. Everyone's so funny and the situations they find themselves in are hilarious. Phil Dunphy's 'peerenting' style and his endearing ways make him my favorite! He and Claire make such a perfect pair (oy, nag-rhyme). I love Cam too, for his flamboyant gay ways. And to think he's the straight one in real life. Manny's such an adorable kid, acting beyond his years and being the voice of reason among them.

They're such a great cast and they make my Saturday afternoons light and filled with laughter.

A Traveler's Lost Faith

Such a tragic experience. I would never wish for this to happen to anyone.

Read on.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 30

Day 30 - Your Favorite Song At This Time Last Year

Okay, finally made it to the 30th day.

I have a lot of favorites last year and this was (and still is) one of them.



Special shout out to my brother who celebrates his birthday today!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 29

Day 29 - A Song From Your Childhood

On my way home from work today, I heard this blasting from a sari-sari store's radio. Nice to hear it again after decades! Although I'm not so sure what it means to 'sing and romance on my cha'...

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 28

Day 28 - A Song That Makes You Feel Guilty

OK, I can't think of any so I'll just post this one. I love Barbra, though!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 27

Day 27 - A Song That You Wish You Could Play

Like most people, I went to piano lessons when I was really young. But because we didn't have a piano at home, my dreams of becoming a concert pianist died a natural death.

I'd be ecstatic if I can play and sing this:

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 26

Day 26 - A Song That You Can Play On An Instrument

In high school, I used to play for the school's drum and lyre corps. I really wanted to play the snare drum but a friend convinced me to audition for the lyre instead. (This friend switched to the drums, and I got stuck with the wimpy lyre. But that's another story.)

To the uninitiated, this is how a lyre looks like. But technically speaking, a lyre is a stringed musical instrument and this one's apparently called a glockenspiel. It's probably called a lyre here because it's mounted in a lyre-shaped frame.

So, going back to the theme. I learned to play a few songs with it such as the Lupang Hinirang (our National anthem, which we play every morning during the flag ceremony), the Top Gun theme (somebody uploaded a video tutorial in Youtube on how to play it on the piano, which is basically the same as playing it on the lyre.), the Indiana Jones theme, and Head Over Heels by the Go-Go's.

This never fails to get people groovin'.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 25

Day 25 - A Song That Makes You Laugh

This never fails to get a laugh out of me!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 24

Day 24 - A Song That You Want To Play At Your Funeral

Wala lang. Let's see ano'ng magiging reaction nila.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 23

Day 23 - A Song That You Want To Play At Your Wedding

I will definitely have these two songs played at my wedding:

As I'm walking down the aisle, a string quartet plays Pachelbel's Canon in D Major...



And then for our first dance, Etta James will be crooning in the background.



Obviously, I haven't given much thought to this!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 22

Day 22 - A Song That You Listen To When You’re Sad

The last time I felt sad, I was listening to this. Total self-pity.

But I guess I should've been scared, since this song was used in that 70s horror flick, Carrie.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 21

Day 21 - A Song That You Listen To When You’re Happy

When I'm happy or want to be happy, I just listen to some dance songs. Especially those with dance steps (which I know by heart, of course)!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 20

Day 20 - A Song That You Listen To When You’re Angry

I just listen to some Jack Johnson para ma-relax. Ahh, chillaxin' in the beach...

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 19

Day 19 - A Song From Your Favorite Album

I bought a cassette tape of Eraserheads' album Circus when I was 15. I saved up my lunch money because I really love Eraserheads and they're one of the best bands ever!

I remember a classmate borrowed it, and never returned it to me.

Heartbreak.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 18

Day 18 - A Song That You Wish You Heard On The Radio

It'd be nice to have heard this song on the radio this morning on the way to work. Just to 'wake me up'.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 17

Day 17 - A Song That You Hear Often On The Radio

This is such a fun video! I couldn't stop laughing at Katy Perry as Kathy Beth Terry! It's such a riot seeing 80s icons Kenny G, Debbie Gibson and Corey Feldman make a guest appearance. I also can't get over how big the Hanson brothers are now.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 16

Day 16 - A Song That You Used To Love But Now Hate

I liked this song back when I was in college and in ultra emo mode. Now, I just find it super gasgas.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 15

Day 15 - A Song That Describes You

I was torn between this and this. Although, I can also be described as this.

But I decided to settle for this because this song says it best.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 14

Day 14 - A Song That No One Would Expect You To Love

I'm sure not many people know that I just love Edith Piaf! And other foreign songs for that matter. Yes, even Korean songs.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 13

Day 13 - A Song That Is A Guilty Pleasure

I know you might think I'm a bit old for some Miley Cyrus. But I don't!

So I put my hands up, they're playing my song, the butterflies fly away...

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 12

Day 12 - A Song From A Band You Hate

I don't really hate Aegis, but you won't hear me playing their music on my iPod. But their songs are definitely fun to sing on videoke night.

This particular song gets my sister especially when I bust out my dance moves while singing along.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 11

Day 11 - A Song From Your Favorite Band
The Beatles is definitely one of the all-time best bands in human history. Even after more than 40 years, their words and music are still very much alive today.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 10

Day 10 - A Song That Makes You Fall Asleep

When I come home late from work and want to listen to some music before dozing off, one of the songs I listen to is With You I'm Born Again. The fact that it's in my iPod's Playlist titled 'Sleepy', just proves how effective it is in... zzzz....

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 9

Day 9 - A Song That You Can Dance To

Another hard one!!! How can you choose just one song from a childhood filled with dance icons such as Madonna, Kylie and Beyonce?? Not to mention the Spice Girls, N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys?? (Sorry about the multiple punctuations.)

But in the spirit of fun and ka-baduyan, I am sharing with you Stars by Simply Red. And yes, I'll be dancing along ala Universal Motion Dancers!

All In A Day's Work

I was going through some old pics in my Multiply and I found this video clip, it's from the farewell video we shot for a boss. Back then, we used to create videos for colleagues who were resigning or celebrating a milestone. But when more and more people started leaving, I guess we just couldn't keep up so we stopped doing them altogether, haha!



After watching, I suddenly missed the old team. Sure we were all stressed out, working until late in the evening, but we still managed to keep it fun. It's always a blessing to find people you get along with in the workplace. And an even bigger blessing to call them your friends. =)

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 8

Day 8 - A Song That You Know All The Words To

This one's a toughie! Growing up in the era of song hits, videoke and MTV, it's hard NOT to know all the words to a song. (Whether those words are correct or not, is irrelevant hehe.) And of course, putting a song on loop in your iPod makes it much easier for one to memorize the lyrics.

But for today's feature, I'll go against my usual pop choices and pick a song from one of my favorite plays, 'Miss Saigon'. I really love the part when Kim and Ellen sing I Still Believe. I get goosebumps listening to the duet of Lea Salonga and Claire Moore!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 7

Day 7 - A Song That Reminds You Of A Certain Event

Okay, what I'm about to tell you is the perfect pang-blackmail story. So if you think you will hate me in the future, better pay attention.

It was the early 90s and the music group Smokey Mountain was at their peak of popularity. (O, Smokey Mountain pa lang giveaway embarrassing moment na!) Their songs Kailan, Can This Be Love and Mama in their first album were all chart-toppers. (I bought a cassette tape of this album, haha!) Then they released their second album, Paraiso (Paradise), which had their catchiest and most masa song: Da Coconut Nut.

One Saturday afternoon, I was home just chillin' and listening to the radio. The DJ then announced that they're giving away prizes to the first person to call the station and sing Da Coconut Nut on air. I don't know what possessed me to ring them up and croak out "It's the coco fruit, of the coco tree, from the coco palm family!" for all the city to hear.



Just so you know, the 'prize' consisted of canned goods and packs of noodles. Parang feeding lang, haha!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 6

Day 6 - A Song That Reminds You Of Somewhere

Bantayan Island, 2009. It was Independence Day weekend so some friends and I decided to head off to the beach and get some deserved R&R. And the song for that trip was Nobody But You by the Korean girl group Wondergirls. At that time, the country was just beginning to catch on the Korean pop fever, so you still won't hear it playing on every corner store's radio. That's why when I heard its catchy tunes, my gay friends and I had to learn the dance steps, thereby making it our official summer dance soundtrack.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 5

Day 5 - A Song That Reminds You Of Someone

When I was around 7 or 8 years old, we had a yaya named Berta who had a cleft palate. She was a big girl with extraordinary strength. Now that I think about it, she's somewhat like Coach Beast in Glee. Despite her speech impediment, she's very confident and liked to sing a lot. And one of her favorite songs was Eternal Flame by The Bangles.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 4

Day 4 - A Song That Makes You Sad

I'm basically not a person who easily gets sad. I like lots of sad songs like Adele's, but they don't necessarily make me sad. Anyway, if I'm in the mood for some 'emo' time, then I listen to the soundtrack of the movie Il Postino. Most specifically the album where artists read Pablo Neruda poems with the songs as background. Oh, so heartbreaking!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 - A Song That Makes You Happy

Everybody needs a little Ke$ha to start their day. I don't know, but as soon as I hear the opening line "Wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy" my body just starts moving to the beat. Singing and dancing to Tik Tok drives the blues away!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 2

Day 2 - Your Least Favorite Song

Okay, one song that really makes me cringe is Aking Awitin. It was originally sung by Bong Gabriel, then re-released by Side A. I mean, the song itself is ok. The lyrics talk about a guy who can't profess his love for a girl so he puts it in a song. Pretty decent, right? But when you get to the chorus, you get a stanza-full of 'Lala lala la, lala lala'. Seems like the songwriter ran out of words.

And I guess the embarrassing event of how I came to know of the song, is what really made it cringe-worthy!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 1

So I saw this challenge on Facebook, and decided to jump in on the craze. It's a great way to reminisce about stuff =)

Day 1- Your Favorite Song

I don't have just one favorite song, I have lots and lots and it depends on my current mood or state of mind. So right now, my favorite is Bruno Mars' Count On Me. I just love the song's message and I dedicate this to my one and only sister, who more often than not acts like she's older than me.

Products I Totally Swear By

I was recently looking for a good salon to have my hair colored and a colleague recommended her friend's salon. I asked her if she had her hair done there, and she sheepishly said she's never been there because the place is a bit pricey. O...kay.

I'm a bit choosy in the salons that I go to, especially when it involves cutting or coloring the hair, a manicure and pedicure. I rarely speak up when the salon person starts hurting me or cutting my hair way too short. That's why I always depend on friends' referrals before I try any new salon or any new product for that matter.

That's why I thought of listing down some of the stuff I have been using and really believe in. But let me make this clear: No, I did not hit my head and started thinking of myself as a celebrity endorser. On the contrary, because I'm just your average Jane, you know that I have not been paid to write about them. I am and have been using these products for years, and I would like to share them with you because they really work!

1. Eskinol Facial Cleanser
This has been part of my daily routine since I was probably 12.
PLUS: I have never been pimply (thank goodness!), but I noticed that whenever I get pimples, Eskinol helps get rid of them right away and even pimple scars disappear. I use it after washing my face, and with all the pollution I have to face everyday, I really feel much cleaner.
MINUS: It tends to dry the skin so I think using it once or twice a day is enough. And as usual, you need to apply moisturizer. Speaking of moisturizer...


2. Celeteque Moisturizer
I've been using this for more than 3 years now.
PLUS: I love this because it's water-based so it's not at all sticky. I hate the oil-based ones cos it feels like my skin can't breathe. I also use Celeteque's facial wash and toner, so I buy their travel pack which includes the miniature-sized trio.
MINUS: Um, can't think of any.


3. Contractubex
When I had my freaky bike accident 4 years ago, which left my face and legs scarred for life, I used this magical gel religiously until the scars are barely visible.
PLUS: It really, really works! People don't notice the scars near my eyebrow until I point them out.
MINUS: The small tube's way more expensive than a tub of Sebo de Macho.


4. Max Factor Second Skin Foundation
This was introduced to me by my gay friend, who uses more facial products than I do and spends more time in the bathroom than I do.
PLUS: It is a great cover-up for any blemish or pimple scar. It's a liquid foundation but it's not oily so your face gets that perfect matte finish. Just a few drops, you will achieve that fresh-faced look.
MINUS: The only downside, I think, is the price. A bottle costs almost a thousand bucks, so if you're the type who liberally applies stuff in your face then it will be hard on your pocket. But if you're a cheapskate like me, a bottle could last you a few months or so.


5. Dimetapp Decongestant
I use the syrup kind, and not the tablet one. Until just recently, I can't swallow medicine tablets or capsules because I feel like I'm gonna choke or something. So I still drink my medicine using a spoon. =)
PLUS: Kiss your sniffles away after just a few hours of drinking. You will really feel your nasal cavity slowly clear up.
MINUS: It makes you really drowsy. Which is good, because you need to have that restful sleep. But if you were planning for an all-nighter then forget it cos this will really knock you out. Good thing though, is you will feel very much refreshed when you wake up.


These are just some of the products I really believe in. Will post more as I remember them. But for now, maybe you can share with me some of yours?

The 5 People You Meet in Commuter Hell

One of the things I hate most in the world is taking the public transportation. I mean, what's to love about pollution and absence of personal space? But ever since I got here, I had no choice but join the rest of the commuting public. To make my daily sacrifice bearable, I've resorted to (if not daydreaming) observing the people around me and I've noticed that almost everyone belongs to these 5 types:


1. Noddy

Noddy is that toy with springy neck so he looks like he's always nodding. If you don't know him, think animal toy with a wiggly head propped on a taxicab's dashboard.

Noddy's that passenger who immediately nods off to sleep as soon as he settles in his seat oblivious to everything that's going around him. But the amazing thing is, Noddys exactly know when to wake up. I think they have developed this sensor that alerts them when their stop is near.

There are worse kinds- the Leaning Towers and the Droolers- but thank goodness I've never sat beside them!


2. The Juicer

The jeepney or tricycle's full. The Juicer comes in, inserts between you and another passenger, and squeezes the life out of you. You try to scoot a few more inches lest he/she sits on your lap, and you're forced to sit half-assed in a very awkward position.

I mean c'mon, it's bad enough that you're sharing a cramped space with strangers early in the morning, and someone decides to squeeze in and leave you breathless, hanging onto dear life.


3. Mad Max

Dance or rock music's blaring from the speakers way too early in the morning. It's chest-thumpingly loud that I'm afraid that my heart might get confused with the different rhythm and it literally skips a beat.

And bad news for you if the jeepney doesn't have that string or button to signal the driver to stop and pull over. Then you'd have to resort to wild waving, beating your chest and shouting "Para!" at the top of your lungs just like Tarzan.

Worse yet, if the driver thinks he's in the Indy 500 and feels like racing against any vehicle on the road. It's particularly infuriating when they start driving off (at a maddening pace, mind you) before your ass even touches the seat or before you've properly alighted.


4. Deadma

Originating from the term 'patay (dead) malisya', the word means ignoring someone or something. These are the rude people who pretend they're busy or deaf or whatever, that won't even make an effort to turn around and reach out to pass your fare to the driver. I mean, how hard is it to raise your arm a bit and do something nice for a fellow human being? Those flabby arms need a little exercise every now and then, you know.


5. The Bulldozer

Or you can also call them bump cars. Whether you're walking on the right side of the walkway or just standing aside, they have no qualms in ramming down anyone blocking their crooked path.

Suffice to say, all these people have not made commuting for me any easier. But they definitely make my daily trips more 'interesting'.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

I'm writing this at home, on the third day of crappy stormy weather. Our village has been flooded- submerged in at least 12 inches of murky water.

I called in sick today but I couldn't really relax and get some rest because the non-stop raining is making me nervous. I get up every few minutes and check the water level outside. Good thing we're staying on the third floor so we're basically safe. But the images of destruction that Typhoon Ondoy caused two years ago, keep me feeling restless. And worse, that typhoon pretty much had the area I'm living in now, looking like the ancient city of Atlantis.

Although I was not yet here when it happened, but the horror stories of the victims and images in the news are enough to leave one scared of unrelenting heavy rains. The government's weather bureau kept reassuring everyone that Typhoon Falcon won't be another Ondoy. Still, one can't help but be praning.

The news reports that a lot of families have already evacuated their homes to seek higher (and safer) ground and more are still stranded in the streets. I just hope everyone keeps safe and that this God-awful rain goes away real soon and never to come back again.

Soundtrack Sunday - Adele

I first heard Adele singing "Chasing Pavements" and I have loved her since then. There's a certain sadness to her lyrics, and the way she sings them conveys that sadness very well. Her voice has that quality that grips at the heart and reminds you of past hurts.

Or maybe that's just me. Anyway...

Her album 21 was definitely not a letdown. If anything, it showcased her talent even more and you can hear that her voice has matured a lot, making the songs even more heart-breaking.

Of course, the most popular song there is "Rolling In The Deep" but my current favorite is "Someone Like You". Relate much? Haha, not really.