This Boy's Life

Yay! Yay! Yay!


What's your usual [mood]?


Is this for real? I thought it was going to say sarcastic or grumpy, old man. Harhar!

Breakfast at Tiffany's my Office



Thank heavens for Chinese take out boxes.

As I type this entry, I am also having my yummy breakfast of menudo (pork stew with carrots and potatoes) from a takeout box. My officemate bought it for me from the newly opened cafeteria.

I don’t know in other countries but in the past couple of years, these little boxes have made its way to the Filipino dining lifestyle. Only, the ones that are selling in this country are rice toppings in takeout boxes, instead of Chinese cuisine. I’m not surprised since rice is basically a staple food among Filipinos. Like mushrooms, small food stands selling rice takeout boxes started popping up all over the city.

I only used to see these cute little boxes in television series. And the scene would usually be a group of CSI people, working late at night, intensely discussing a case, and at the same time, having Chinese dinner. But now, it’s here in the metro and boy, am I glad.

What I like about it is that it makes eating convenient for people who are on the go. You know what I mean. It allows a person to eat and at the same time do his/her work. One can also move around while eating. These takeout boxes also save a person from having to do all the cleaning up, washing the dishes routine after eating. One can just shoot it straight into the trash bin and then get back to what s/he is doing. No hassle at all.

Thank heavens for take out boxes.

Or no offense to God, but I should probably say thank the Chinese for coming up with these take out boxes.

Cheese-y Quiz


Feta Cheese


What Kind Of Cheese Are YOU??
brought to you by Quizilla

Hunski, this quiz was made specially for you. Hehe! Thank you for introducing me to the wonderful world of cheeses. :)

Of Pinoy Eateries and Pinoy Ingenuity

If you've lived long enough in this country, and if you've traveled to the provinces for a number of times, you would have probably seen more than enough of those signboards that demonstrate the Pinoy ingenuity.

What am I talking about? I am referring to the amusing names several Pinoy people give to the carinderias (eatery) or the sari-sari stores they own. In the several times that I have traveled around Manila and the different provinces, I've noticed that this Pinoy inventiveness is something common to almost all Filipinos.

Here are some examples:

This morning, I was in a bus on my way to work and as some passengers got off at a University near my office, there was an eatery across the street that would surely make Shakespeare rise from his grave if he knew about it. The eatery was named MCBhett. Harhar!

On another occasion, I was in a cab going to Makati to see Hunski. While at a small intersection along Vito Cruz St., a carinderia by a street corner really called my attention. The owner was probably optimistic that s/he would get customers from the Class A & B by naming her eatery Sosing Carinderia. (Sosing is taken from the word sosyal, which means classy, posh, trendy.)

In one of the towns of Pangasinan, the owner of a bar/grill named his/her establishment – Nice Place. I don't know if the owner was too lazy to come up with a more unique name or if s/he thought that this name would definitely lure in customers.

Aside from these examples, have you also noticed how several Pinoys really enjoy naming their sari-sari stores after the number of their siblings or kids? In my trips to the different provinces, be it in Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao, never was I deprived of seeing these amusing sari-sari stores. How many times have we seen stores named Two Brothers Sari-Sari Store, or Three Brothers and Two Sisters Sari-Sari Store, or Seven Brothers Sari-Sari Store?

While you may not agree that the signboards are an original idea, the fact that the Pinoy can think of fleshing out another word from the original word is a proof of distinct Pinoy wit and it is enough to give me a good laugh and say, "Only in the Philippines can I find this."

In this regard, I came up with my own name to give my restaurant should I open one in the future. The menu of the restaurant would be various Italian dishes - pasta, pizza, panini, insalata, et al. The prices would be reasonable and affordable for most Filipinos. Folks, please welcome the hottest Italian restaurant in the Metro - Cipo (pronounced as chee-pó).

I hope Cibo wouldn't ban me.

Bubblé Boy



Approximately ten hours before the military moved in to the Makati commercial area to take over The Oakwood and Glorietta, I was happily moving around in spacious music and film hub - Music One - located at the second floor of Manila's mall of the moment, Greenbelt III.

Spinning in one of the listening stations is the album of burgeoning artist, 25 year-old Canadian Michael Bublé. And I was there listening to some of the songs just before I purchase the CD. Man, it's been ages since I last bought an audio CD. I don't even know what the last CD I bought was.

Possessing a voice that is nothing short of sheer talent, coupled with an image that would surely get him a position in any boyband, one would be surprised that such a young man would be singing the music of a generation before his. His voice has the coolness of Frank Sinatra's and his music has the swinging beat of the earlier decades.

The self-titled album, which is partly a tribute to jazz masters Billy May and Don Costa, has thirteen tracks guaranteed to satisfy a person's auditory need. Included in the album are Michael's own exceptional renditions of all-time favorites, Put Your Head on My Shoulder, Come Fly with Me, The Way You Look Tonight, That's All, Moondance, How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, and Crazy Little Thing Called Love. As of the moment, the album is no.2 in the sales record at Music One and Tower Records. (And may I mention that topping the chart is Taiwan's boy band a la N'Sync, F4.)

Right now, I'm gladly listening to the cool voice of Michael Bublé. My favorite as of the moment is the evocative performance of the Lou Rawl hit "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine". It is definitely a refreshing break for someone whose CD player's constant play are songs of Material Girl-turned-Mrs. Guy Ritchie and Broadway show tunes.

Three Minutes of Fame

Amidst the frenzy over an impending coup d'état last Saturday night, I was eagerly watching the talk show of an esteemed media person-turned-Senator at ABS News Channel. It was the first time I was watching the talk show. And it would probably take some time before I watch it again since I rarely have time for TV.

The sole reason why I was watching the show was because they were featuring youth volunteers for that night. And they weren't just featuring any youth volunteers, they were going to feature us at Pahinungod and the Jesuit Volunteers of the Philippines.

More importantly, I was more excited because I was going to appear on the show. And not just as a passerby or an extra so to speak, I actually had a brief portion. YAY!!! My debut appearance on TV. (And I was so hoping that it would be for a runway show. Just kidding.)

A week before the airing, I was interviewed about Pahinungod and its programs. It was pretty good. I didn't know that it would be different once the camera starts taping. I tried to remain as calm as possible for the ten or so minutes I was being interviewed, doing my best to answer the questions smartly and accurately.

Now, all I had to do was to wait for the part where they'll show the interview. I patiently listened to my boss "talk" about stuff and then there it was...my interview. I was looking forward to listen to the things I said over the taping but I never got to hear it.

They cut it out. What originally was a ten or fifteen-minute interview was reduced to nothing but three minutes.

My three minutes of fame.

I'm a bit disappointed though because I, and the other interviewees I'm sure, shared a lot of substantial stuff on voluntarism. The treatment of the subject matter was shallow considering that it was a very deep subject.

Oh well, I guess that's TV. I do hope that this is the start of more TV appearances. Harhar! Just kidding.

Surprising Event

Who would have thought that things would change that quickly?

I am still taken aback with the way things turned out when I was awakened by the ringing of Hunski's phone. It was his mom. I knew that something was wrong because no one calls at a very early 5:30 if it's not an emergency. Upon putting the phone down, Hunski tells me,

"Uhm, the military has taken over Greenbelt and Glorietta."

Although there was news yesterday evening that the President had an emergency Cabinet meeting to prepare for an imminent coup d'?tat, I was still skeptic about the possibility of having a military rebellion.I was just out in the mall yesterday afternoon and things looked completely usual. No signs of tension. Everyone was carrying on with their own business. Surely, there was no way that an overthrow was at hand.

I thought that the media was just being playful and hyping up things again. In fact, I even went out for a cup of caffeine in the nearby Starbucks. I was wrong. While I was happily dreaming away, the situation has totally changed. Watching the news at television, what used to be a busy mall bursting with civilian shoppers was now serving as a temporary camp patrolled by men (and a woman) in uniform. The familiar streets of Makati Avenue and Ayala Avenue have been barricaded, preventing all civilian from entering the area. Establishments are closed. Occupants of uppity Oakwood Premiere have been evacuated this morning.

I look at the time in the PC clock. It's forty minutes past the ultimatum to surrender set by the government. From what I've heard, three of the rogue officers have already surrendered. More soldiers are expected to surrender by the government. I have no idea what's happening. The men in this house would rather watch basketball. I am very much hoping that things will improve and that there would be no need for bloodshed. I'm also concerned about how this will affect the economy of the country.

This can't be good.

Words for the Day

Insecurity

\in`se*cu"ri*ty\, n.; pl. Insecurities. [Pref. in- not + security : cf. LL. insecuritas, F. insecurite.]

1. The condition or quality of being insecure; want of safety; danger; hazard; as, the insecurity of a building liable to fire; insecurity of a debt.

2. The state of feeling insecure; uncertainty; want of confidence.

Example:

Unknown to the sullen man, insecurity was slowly making its way to destroy him, like a deadly virus, it was silently taking control over his mind.

Tear

\tîr\, n.; pl. Tears.

1. A drop of the clear salty liquid that is secreted by the lachrymal gland of the eye to lubricate the surface between the eyeball and eyelid and to wash away irritants.

2. A profusion of this liquid spilling from the eyes and wetting the cheeks, especially as an expression of emotion.

Example:
Along with the heavy downpour of rain from the heavens, tears made its way down the smooth cheeks of a man sitting in the corner of his room.

Breakfast News

While waiting for my breakfast of wanton noodles to cool down a bit, I was going through the pages of a daily to get some news. After skimming through the pages, two news articles caught my attention.

Catch Me If you Can � Pinoy Version

A couple of months ago, the movie Catch Me If You Can was shown the cinemas. The film was based on the remarkable (reprehensible but remarkable) life story of Frank Abagnale Jr. The young man was able to successfully pass himself as a pilot, lawyer and a doctor before he even reached the age of 21.

And now, leave it to the peculiar Pinoy ingenuity to replicate the rascality of a foreign master of deception turned FBI partner. Except in the case of this man, he will most probably end up serving a sentence in jail rather than serving the local bureau of investigation.

Richard Soriano was presented today to the media after being arrested by authorities. Mr. Soriano was allegedly robbing the unsuspecting patients of a hospital in Manila. How does he do it? With a stethoscope hanging around his neck, the jackass roams around the hospital posing as a doctor.

Sorry Mr. Soriano, but it actually takes a lot more than having the right props to be a doctor. I wonder if the time Mr. Soriano will serve in jail will be the same as the number of years it takes to earn a degree in Medicine - 9 years.

Hmmm...moving on.

Gold Glow Fish Anyone?

It seems that the human race has no plans to stop playing God. Hehe! Some people just can't resist the urge to modify the genetic code that has already been laid out.

In Singapore, authorities have confiscated glow in the dark fish from a pet shop. Yes, folks, you read that right. These aren't your ordinary gold fish. The Singaporean agricultural authorities stated that the aquarium pets were confiscated for fear that they might wreak havoc to the ecosystem of Singapore (or the world perhaps?) once they are released into the wild.

The culprit: Taikong Corporation

Although the corporation denies the accusations that they were responsible for genetically modifying the fish and state that the fishes were imported from Malaysia, they are being charged for the possession of the poor creatures. The corporation also says that the authorities need not be alarmed by this because the fishes are sterile to ensure they don't disturb the eco balance.

It was said that the tiny green flourescent fishes were implanted with luminous genes taken from light emitting jellyfish. (Whoa!!!)

Right now, Singaporean laws forbid the import of genetically modified organisms and no transgenic animals have been approved yet.

Interesting. I wonder how much money those fishies would fetch. These aren't your usual gold fishes. A lot of people would probably be eager to have one in their homes. I wonder if it would be difficult to take care of those fish. Or if they would mutate into something else. What could be their diet? Or would they look good in my living room?

Anyway, no sense thinking of those things now since these fishies won't be hitting your fave pet shop any time soon. Right now, I'm still happy with the fishies in my aquarium and the two lazy lobsters in another aquarium.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Get Me This Please...



Black calfskin, finished with the signature silver metal Prada logo in front, crafted by one of Italy’s finest shoemakers. Someone get me this heavenly pair please. Hehe! Oh, in size 8.5 since Neiman says this style runs big.

Sigh. Never fails to make me weak in the knees.

Hmm, do I hear Oooohhhsss and Aaaaahs from Suki and Francis?

Too Bad I Can't Go


Are you Bent?

Augh!!!

Too bad I have work today. There will be a free special screening of two gay and lesbian films will be held today at the UP-CIS (formerly Registrar’s Office beside Palma Hall) in UP Diliman at 1 p.m. I’m not sure how many films will be featured but there’s one film that looks interesting - Bent. I got to read a very brief synopsis of the film and it could have been a good watch.

Bentis originally an award-winning play brought to the silver screen by Sean Matthias. The play was written by Sherman Martin. The film generally talks about the persecution of homosexuals during the Nazi regime. (Hmm, if it’s tough to be discriminated against because one is a Jew, what more for someone who is a Jew and a homosexual?)

In the film, Max is a gay Jew who was sent to a concentration camp. Upon getting to the concentration camp, Max denies his sexual orientation, thus getting a yellow label given to Jews instead of receiving a pink one, the one given to “bent” people, so to speak. At his stay in the camp, he meets and falls in love with fellow prisoner, Horst. Unlike Max, Horst wears the pink label and does this with pride.
The movie is a chronicle of how a gay man survives the harsh living conditions at the camp and emerges from it as a better person who has come to terms with his sexuality.

Leading the cast are Clive Owen as Max and Lothaire Bluteau as Horst. I dunno these actors, which makes the film more interesting, for me. Joining them are Brian Webber, Ian McKellen and Mick Jagger. The film’s rated NC-17 for the depiction of simulated gay sex.

End of the Week

I was late...again.

I came in late to the office at the start and now as the weeks ends, I get in about thirty minutes later than my official time. I didn't do it on purpose. I was in a really deep slumber that I overslept. Hehe! Although I think I woke up at 4:30 a.m., I woke up just to turn off the snooze mode of my mobile.

Perhaps the Nokia people should make an alarm clock that doesn't stop bugging you til you get up.

Cheers everyone.

Uhm, Dunno What to Say


Nerdslut


What's your sexual appeal?
brought to you by Quizilla

Nerdslut. That's a new term.

My Moaning Myrtle

If one of the girls' washroom of magical Hogwarts has a Moaning Myrtle, the unit above our office has not just a Moaning, but a Screaming Myrtle. No, there is no ghost in that unit. (Or I probably just don't know it.) The Screaming Myrtle in that unit is actually alive and breathing. And there's not just one, not two, not even three, screaming Myrtles. I'm guessing around ten to fifteen. And every single day that I go to work, rarely does it happen that I don't hear a bloodcurdling scream of pain coming from that unit. It's like it is my morning greeting.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhh!!! Aray ko!!! Aray ko!!! Tama na po!!!" ("It's really painful. Please stop it.")

Freaky isn't it?

I work in a hospital. Nope, I'm not a doctor. Nor is my work related to the Health Sciences. It just so happened that my place of work is tucked in the hospital. Oh, and I should mention that our current office used to be the Operating Room of the hospital so you can just imagine how eerie it could get sometimes. And right above us, where all the Screaming Myrtles are, is the Burn Unit of the Hospital.

And I'm telling you, to see a person whose half, sometimes almost whole, of his or her body carefully wrapped in white bandage, sometimes soaked in blood, is not exactly an attractive sight. It is actually pitiful. You keep on wondering what the heck that person was doing that s/he burnt his whole body. And you pray that you will never experience that excruciating pain.

After some time, I got used to the whole scene, seeing patients in agonizing pain, and I see their loved ones worried about how they will get through that situation. At times, I still shudder as I see the patients, but at the same time, I feel compassion for their condition.

They remind me to stay alert all the time, to pay attention to what I'm doing and to make sure I'm not burning any part of myself or the person next to me.

How about you? Does your office get any close to this?

Feeling Weird

These past few days, I have been feeling weird. I’m not sure why. Things that have been and are happening are driving me to confusion and restlessness. I don’t know if it’s stress. Quarterlife crisis perhaps (does this mean it’s not over? Augh!!!)? Or probably I’m on the verge of being burnt out. I wish I knew.

But I don’t.

Have you ever felt that you want and need to be alone? To just withdraw from your environment and go to some place far off from the stress and confusion of the city.

I do.

On some instances, I feel this urge to just run away and disappear for awhile. And sometimes, I am tempted seriously to give in to this urge. I feel like taking the next available trip to God only knows where.

I used to have a clear picture of what I wanted right after college. And I was excited and optimistic about it. But life or fate (or whatever) played a trick on me and took me down another road, a path I am completely not familiar with. Being the stubborn man that I am, I continued treading that path not knowing where it was leading me. For some time, I enjoyed it and I can say that I am still enjoying it.

But…

Now, I am lost. And I can’t seem to find my way back. I try to but I don’t know where to start and how to begin again.

It is for this reason that I feel like isolating myself in a cloister and take advantage of the solitude and peace to reflect. To think about things. To put back direction in my life. To drop everything for awhile, pause for a moment (or longer) to contemplate the way things are going. I never get to do that here.

Life is moving so fast that I am starting to get suffocated. And I’m scared because it might choke me to death. I just want to find my direction once more.

Musical Enthusiast

I'm listening to the soundtrack of The Rocky Horror Show. It's a musical written by Richard O' Brien. Bring together two middle American lovers, a transvestite from the planet Transexual in the galaxy of Transylvania, a mad scientist, a cast of phantoms, a rebel and aliens, and a twist of rock n' roll music - you get an outrageously astounding musical.

It was staged here in Manila last year and I was lucky enough to watch it - twice. Playing the transvestite role, and very well I must say, was Calvin Millado. Joining him were Bituin Escalante, Ana Fegi, Jett Pangan, among others.

And so far, it one of the most fun musicals I've ever watched, primarily because there was audience interaction. (You get to do the Time Warp dance at the end of the show. Woo woo woo!)

I've always loved musicals, for as long as I can remember. Maybe because when I was a kid, we would always watch The Sound of Music every Christmas year after year during the family reunion. Since then, I've been wanting for more, eager to watch a new one. And boy am I happy because I met someone who loves musicals just as much as I do. Let me correct that. He is ten times a lover of musicals than I am. Hehe!


What is it about musicals that attracts me to it? Is it the music? Is it the acting? I don't really know. There's something about it that draws me to it. To be a musical enthusiast is such an OGT. Who cares? One thing's for sure, this man really loves show tunes and he will continue watching musicals for a long time.

Digital Quilt

Here's something interesting. I found this in the blog of one of Carl's friends. It's pretty fascinating. It's very simple but terrific. Maybe you can contribute to it also.

Digital Quilt

This is an open invitation to contribute your own original square to a digital quilt over the next few weeks. The purpose of the quilt is to be a creative way of celebrating and giving thanks - individually and jointly - to God for community found online.

How: Create your own 100px × 100px square: fill it with something that expresses your celebration and thanks for community found online. This could be a photo, drawing, colours, poetry, song, text, verse, symbols, anything that has meaning for you.

Email completed square or text to Rachel, along with your blog URL (if you have one, or a permalink to a post which explains the meaning of the square for you) and these will be joined together as they are sent in.

When the quilt's done, you may like to print it out as a visual reminder of the many things we have to give God thanks for, of the connected lives and shared experiences. Pretty cool, huh?

Here's what the quilt looks like so far.

Below is my contribution to the quilt:

Work Cancelled

We just received word about an hour ago that office work has been suspended. The administration suspended the work so employees can go home early. This was due to the transportation strike of jeepney operators and drivers.

Woo woo woo!!! Yay yay yay!!! I get to go home early.

Uhm, why aren't any of my officemates moving? Why is everyone still in front of the computer. People are still on the telephones. I am still doing my work. Everyone's unaffected by the news. People just continued to carry on with their work.

Okay. I guess this means we'll continue working, ey.

Something To Think About

Unusual Monday Morning

I have been fortunate enough to have the early office hour of 7 a.m. (Notice how that sentence is oozing with sarcasm.) This means that I have to get up at 5.30 and that I have to be in bed by 10 p.m. (I need at least seven hours of sleep.)

Today, I woke up ten minutes after five thirty and moved about with my daily routine. Strangely, I had this nagging feeling that I should be quickening my pace so that I can leave the house and go to work. But I chose to take my time and enjoy eating a hearty breakfast of fried tilapia and sinigang (no reactions please... they were dinner leftovers). And when I looked at the clock in the dining room, I saw the cause for that nagging feeling, it was already 6:30 a.m.

Uh oh. I'm going to be late.

I am late.

Three Things...

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE ME:
Small confined spaces. Heights. Rollercoasters (or most carnival rides).

THREE PEOPLE WHO MAKE ME LAUGH:
Xochi. Andre. Xochi.

THREE THINGS I LOVE:
Musicals. Film. Fashion. (A is for Anya Hindmarch. B is for Bulgari. C is for Chanel.)

THREE THINGS I DON'T UNDERSTAND:
RPG. HTML. Basketball.

THREE THINGS IN MY BAG:
Small notebook for thoughts. Pencil case. (You read that right.) Hand lotion.

THREE THINGS I'M DOING RIGHT NOW:
Answering another survey. Thinking of stuff for my Blog. Listening to Rocky Horror.

THREE THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I DIE:
Backpack across Europe. Write a book. Get married.

THREE THINGS I CAN DO:
Smile. Cook. Tongue Roll (oh yeah!).

THREE THINGS I CAN'T DO:
Swim. Play the guitar. Wake up late on a weekday. *Sigh*.

THREE THINGS I THINK YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO:
Your parents. Your inner voice. Madonna.

THREE THINGS I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO EVER:
Sex Bomb. Aegis. Salbakuta. (Tama na, please.)

THREE THINGS I SAY THE MOST:
Uh hmm. Yay. Hehe. (Yay!)

THREE OF YOUR ABSOLUTE FAVORITE FOODS:
Shrimps. Pansit Bihon. Adobo. (Yum!)

THREE THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO LEARN:
Play the guitar. A foreign language or a local indigenous dialect. The alibata.

THREE BEVERAGES YOU DRINK REGULARLY:
Water. Juice. Iced Tea.

THREE SHOWS YOU WATCHED WHEN YOU WERE A KID:
Voltron. Thundercats. Visionaries.

On the Verge of Devolution

In 1993, the newly appointed President of the country's premiere state University established a volunteer service organization. Part of the reason it was established was to disprove the accusations of broadsheet that the University has lost its soul. But the bigger reason that led to the birth of the organization was the results of a survey conducted among the University students. Results of the survey revealed that the University students ranked morality and social responsibility fifth of their values. This was an alarming result. The President was moved that this should be corrected so he established the Pahinungod.

Following the establishment of the organization, volunteer service activities were initiated left and right by the University. The spirit of voluntarism was set ablaze in the University. In no time, the different autonomous units of the University began initiating various programs designed to bring the University to the people. Students, faculty, University employees were starting to share a part of themselves in the name of voluntarism.

This year, the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod will be celebrating its ten years of service to the Filipino people. Serving hundreds of thousands of Filipinos, reaching out to more than a thousand underserved communities, and imbibing social responsibility in among University students, faculty, administrative employees, among other accomplishments, unquestionably calls for a celebration. Instead, the contrary is happening.

Last Friday, a vigil was held at the administrative building of UP Diliman to protest the devolution of the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod in the campus. During the vigil, staff of Pahinungod Diliman presented to the volunteers the status of the organization. One of the primary charges against the organization is that it duplicates the work of non-government organizations and the like. A review of the programs in Diliman was made. After the review, the recommendation of devolution was handed down.

When someone is sick, the doctor does not pull out the plug. Instead, the doctor thinks of ways on how to help the patient and recover back to health. Isn't this supposed to be the same thing to do in this case? Instead of devolveing the organization, why not give them suggestions on how the program may be improved. Surely, that will help the programs.

On a macro scale, we are foreseeing that once the Diliman unit has been devolved, the other units will follow. Rumors say that the administration has still enough time to do this.

When something like this happens, one can only wonder how some people can think of putting an end to something that is doing the University good? Is it politics? Could it be existing senseless rivalry? There seems to be no justifiable reason for putting an end to something that has benefited the University and the Filipino people.

I wasn't able to finish the vigil. I had to go home that night because there was work the following day. As I left, I saw the faces of men and women who were determined to save the program. And I was happy because there were people ready to put up a good fight.

Hopefully, everything turns out well.

Filipino Time

If there is one thing I would change in this country, it'll be the concept of Filipino Time.

I had to go to the office today because people from a highly esteemed TV Network (their polls with me slipped several notches as I write this) will be interviewing two volunteers. Our agreement was to hold the interview at 10 a.m. Being the time conscious person that I am ( I can feel my Hunski reacting to this...hehe), I arrived at the office earlier. It was okay with me. I intended that. I plan to PEx for awhile, check out my blog, compose an entry on my blog, read the blogs of other people.

Thirty minutes before ten, Michael shows up. He was one of the interviewees. A couple of minutes later, Doc Anthony arrives. Okay, so we're complete. But where is the friggin network?

At about 10:15, I get a text message from a member of the crew.

"Hi Angelo. Sorry. We're still at the studio. We have to wait for the cameraman. Late kasi nagising iyong cameraman."

Grrr...not my problem. I tell her that it's okay and that they'll probably get here at 10:30. Seconds, minutes passed. The clock strikes ten thirty. Along with that came the sound of my mobile phone.

"Hi. Sorry. We have to pass by Pasig for the writer."

Okay... Compose yourself, Angelo. Count one to ten. Thank God for the Internet. Doc Anthony and Michael were happily surfing, unmindful of the time passing by. Whew!

At eleven, I get another text.

"Hi. We're in Pedro Gil. Traffic. Sorry talaga."

Uhm, that would be okay because one would think that they're already around the Taft area. But, did you guys know that Pedro Gil stretches all the way to Sta. Ana? Sigh.

The group arrives about ten or fifteen minutes earlier before I publish this blog. Man, if there's one thing that really irks me, it has got to be late people. People could have done a million things with the time they spend waiting. And I wish other people would be more considerate of other people's time.

In any case, dealing with latecomers have taught me a thing or two. I became less time conscious but still aware of the time so I wouldn't be late. I am more relaxed, taking my time to do things, since I know that the other people will be late.

My professor in college taught us that we should change the concept of Filipino Time. She told us that Filipino Time should be fifteen minutes before the time. And I agree with her. And I adhere to that concept 95% of the time. But I guess it'll be hard to ask everyone to do the same. That's just too much.

T. G. I. Friday

Thank God it's Friday!!! Woo woo woo!!!

Uhm, uh, I just remembered I have to work an hour or two tomorrow.

Boo boo boo!!!

:D

The Hermes Birkin is THE bag


THE Hermes Birkin

Harhar! I was going through the threads at Pinoyexchange.com and I saw one of my favorite topics reappear on the first page, "P150,000 for a bag- BUY or MISS?". The thread starter was talking about the Hermes Birkin Bag. I was commenting in the thread how P150,000 isn't enough to get one a Birkin. The minimum price is at least P250,000 and prices could go as high as P1.2 M. Yup, you read that right.

IF I had the money, I would buy a Birkin. I dunno how to explain why (and I don't feel I need to explain why I'd buy one) I'd love to get a Hermes Birkin. And I think every lover of fashion would love to get one.

History of the Birkin

The Birkin Bag is named after actress Jane Birkin. On a flight, she happened to sit beside the President of Hermes, Jean-Louis Dumas. The actress complained to Mr. Dumas how she can't seem to find the right bag. So, the Hermes boss designed one for her. Thus, the birth of the Birkin Bag.

The truth is P150,000 is still a cheap price for the much coveted Birkin Bag. On Ebay, prices for this "it" bag have gone as steep as $23,500, which is roughly more than 1 Million Pesos. The price depends on the material that was used for the bag. The 2002 Hermes Birkin bag 30cm, for example, costing around $23,500 uses Matte Crocodile Niloticus from Zimbabwe as its material. Another material is ostrich skin.

The Birkin is now impossible to buy at Hermes stores, one can't even order anymore. The list has closed summers ago with 40,000 orders and a 5-year wait. Some sources say that there are only 150 Hermes craftsmen in the world allowed to make these bags, and one Birkin takes OVER 20 hours of work to make BY HAND by one same skilled craftsman.

This is what separates Hermes bags from any other bag - in terms of style, elegance and price.

I'd Buy One

Some reasons why I'd purchase a Birkin:

a. PERSONALIZED
It's handmade. And like I mentioned before, only 150 Hermes craftsmen are allowed to make the bag so you can be assured of the quality of the bag. Each handbag has a letter stamped on the strap to tell which year it has been made (e.g. G for 2003), and aside from that, the ID of the Hermes craftsmen who made the bag is also stamped on it.

b. FUNCTIONALITY
Someone said:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
it may be a birkin bag, but you cant "carry" it with every outfit that you wear. first off, that color only compliments midnight blue and white... doesnt go with black nor any other color for that matter. second, you must also remember that some bags make you look older, smarter, younger, etc. it defines your personality. i'll leave it to you to discern the "character" of that bag.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I say:
You can use it all the time. I disagree that you can only use it with certain clothes or at certain times. It's all how you carry the bag. Whether you're wearing casual or formal, the Birkin will always be the perfect handbag. Remember that the Birkin was designed because Jane Birkin complained that she couldn't find the right bag. Thus, the Birkin was born. The Birkin comes in a number of sizes, 30, 35, and 40 cm, so one can choose whichever suits one's lifestyle.

c. TIMELESS
Someone said:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
it may be the "IN" thing today.. but after 4 seasons or less, i must say, you'd be regretting having bought that bag.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I say:
I don't think one would ever regret buying this bag. This is one item that is bound to be a classic and timeless. In twenty years, one's Birkin would be as good as gold. A Birkin would never go out of style. And after waiting for five years to get one's hands on a Birkin, I don't think one would ever regret buying it. The waiting is worth it.

d. MATERIALS
Someone said:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tell you what, since the damn bags are made of croc skin or ostrich skins, I'll go to Palawan, shoot me a croc (or even purchase a surplus croc at the croc farm), or go to the ostrich farm there and get ostrich skin. Then I'll take the skin to some very skilled bag maker in the Philippines who specializes in leather and skins and have a nice bag made. Di tapos! I think I can spend way less than a P150K if I do just that.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I say:
The crocodile skin they use isn't any kind of croc. For example, Hermes uses Matte Crocodile Niloticus from Zimbabwe for its most expensive Birkins. Hermes ensures that the materials they use are of the finest, most excellent quality. Thus, the result is a supple, richly textured, scratch resistant masterpiece.

Someone said:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What the heck is this bag made of? 24 karat gold? Who the heck are they kidding?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I say:
Hermes isn't kidding anyone. And yes, the feet of the bag and other hardware are 24 K gold.

e. MORE THAN A BAG
Quoting Samantha Jones, "It's not just a bag, it's Birkin..."

f. PERSONAL REASON:
Hehe! I think it would rock if a man would carry a Birkin.

Absolutely Touched

A couple of days ago, I was telling Francis over his blog to update his journal. I rarely see him and Zeki. I was reading it today and I was just absolutely moved.

Interesting how I get to know more and more about friends I haven't seen in a while... actually, a very long while. It's nice to know I now have a way to sneak up on their lives in one way or another. Angelo, my friend in fashion (hahahahaha). He likes Giselle as much as I do. He's probably the only one I can talk endlessly about the kick ass Gucci's or the latest D&G Trenches. He's one amazing guy. Found his blog through my honey's endless surfing (hehehehe). I like how he calls himself on the blog... Angelomilco. Him and his hunski should be proud. Congrats Angelo. Hoping I could read more and more from you. :) And as our friend Carver would say... You are loved!

You just beat Hallmark with what you wrote.

Thanks Francis.

[Heart] Breaking News

9: 20 p.m.

I was already in bed last night, half-asleep when I heard the familiar opening music of Sex and the City. It was my mobile phone ringing. With my half-open eyes, I reached out for my phone, looked at the screen, which read ----. I press the answer button.

"Hello."

9:00 p.m.

I was in bed, trying to put myself to sleep, thinking of inconsequential things, when I thought of this good friend of mine. I haven't heard from my friend for quite some time and the last time my friend sent me a text message, it was one in the morning and I was too happy (no, euphoric is the right word) purchasing a to-die-for Hermes Togo Birkin Bag. In short, I was dreaming.

So I decided to send my friend a text message just to say hi. (Did you notice now how I don't want to mention my friend's name or even the gender of my friend?) Message sent. Next thing I know, I was already on my way to 31 Rue Cambon for front row seats the Fall 2003 Haute Couture of Chanel. Again, I was dreaming.

9:25 p.m.

The bomb was dropped. The news arrived. I was still taken aback. And that news surely yanked me out of my dream. I could not choose the right word to use to describe how I felt about what my friend just told me. Was my friend pulling my chains? Was this some kind of joke? No, it wasn't. It was true.

My friend got dumped. About three weeks ago. For no apparent reason. No fighting. No third party. No whatsoever.

It really came as a surprise. I kept on asking what happened. What went wrong? Everything was going so well. And we are not talking about some Dawson's Creekish kind of relationship here. We are talking about a much way-past teenager relationship. They had a relationship I thought highly of. I always believed that the next step for them was to tie the knot. But now, it looks like the only tying of the knot that there would be is around the neck of that bozo who dumped my friend, metaphorically speaking.

More surprising to me was the way my friend was handling the whole situation. We talked calmly, even managing to let out a laugh every so often during the conversation. (Though, at certain points, I could hear a crack in the voice.) And I respect my friend for that. Instead of choosing to be bitter, to be angry, to self-pity, my friend chose to be positive about that situation.

This is not to say that my friend did not cry. Of course, shedding of tears happened. The good thing is my friend is picking up all the pieces and starting to face things with an affirmative attitude. We talked about some of the possible situations to be encountered and how these situations may be handled.

By the time we ended the conversation, my friend was telling me, "I will be okay." And I just had to believe it. And I believe my friend will move on. Things happen for a reason. I've always been a believer of that. Maybe now we still don't know why this happened but I guess that what is important now is for my friend to start moving on. It may not be easy, but it is possible. When you are surrounded by wonderful friends, when you are surrounded by people who love you, you could do it.

So That’s What It Means

Otaku

obsessive fan or collector. "Those who shut themselves in with video games or comic books or some other kind of ultra-specialization, away from the rest of society...They know the difference between the real and virtual worlds, but they would rather be in the virtual world...They are always accumulating things. The more they have the better they feel."
--Time magazine Nov. 22, 1999, p.44

Thank you, Zeki for providing a very detailed definition of that word. I've been encountering the word in several blogs that I've read and I was really intrigued by what it means. I was just too occupied (or too lazy) to look it up.

What is it with blogs and comic art? I've noticed that a lot of people who have blogs are into manga, anime and comic writing. Is it a subculture thing? Or it just so happened that most of the blogs I visit belong to comic fans?

In any case, I don't really understand the whole anime/manga culture. (Much like a lot of people don't understand the fashion culture.) I think it takes time for a person to comprehend that world. I just enjoy marveling at the fantastic illustrations of other people.

Zombie in Daylight

I look like a zombie right now.

Went to sleep at one a.m. Didn't get a decent sleep because a.) I was just using a sleeping bag, b.) I didn't have a pillow, and c.) my officemate had a radio playing during her sleep. (And around three or four a.m., the volume of the stupid radio went up - augh!!!!). Woke up around six in the morning. Harrassed by my boss to do work besides my real work. (My boss has this delusion that we are his personal secretaries slash yaya.) Got more toxic as more things to be done surfaced after an unscheduled meeting.

To top it all off, I don't have hair gel right now and the clasp of my Tiffany bracelet snapped.

So everyone better step out of my way. This is one irascible man.

Just kidding, I'm tired and sleepy and all but surprisingly, I'm still smiling.

0=)

Way Past My Bed Time

I should have been fast asleep three and a half hours ago. Except I'm not. It's almost one in the morning and here I am, at the office, in front of the computer, writing a report and blogging at the same time.

I decided to spend the night here at the office so I can write the report. I just can't seem to do it during daytime, when there are a lot of distractions around me - noise of people, phone calls, nonsensical prattle from my boss. Sometimes, I would isolate myself just so I could write.

People would think that I'm a snob because of this habit. What they don't know is that I don't intend to do it. And they don't know how difficult it is to write when there is a lot of noise around you.

Before this entry lengthens, I'm going to cut it short now. I need to sleep. Otherwise, I'll be really irritable tomorrow. I wouldn't want that. People wouldn't want that.

I'm going to shut up now.

Binagol

That's what I had for merienda.

One of the good things about my place of work is that several people have a home province. And it has become a culture of this organization for people who visit their home provinces to bring pasalubong when they get back to Manila. This afternoon, a friend of mine just arrived from a vacation at Cebu and Tacloban and rought us the said delicacy.

It's the first time I've heard, seen and tasted the delicacy and I must say that I liked it. Binagol is a pasty mixture which I presume is made primarily from grated coconut. It's a little sweet and one can really taste the coconut. It's placed on a cocount shell and then covered with banana leaves. I assume that it's also cooked in that shell, probably the same way that the bibingka is cooked. The way it is presented is actually very Filipino.

I just love the ingenuity of Pinoy cooking. The richness of the Filipino cuisine is one thing that I very much like (and am very much proud of) about being a citizen of this country. Every province, every region has its own array of dishes to satisfy whatever one's taste is.

My Two Dads

Here's something that crossed my mind during one of those days where I daydream about the future. Well, I've been playing with the thought since I was in senior year of college. If there's one thing that I would really want to experience as a man and as an adult, it would be to become a father.

I'd always tell the people I'm out to that I think I can be a good father but not a husband (to a woman). I'm not saying that I want to be a dad now. I'm quite aware of the responsibility fatherhood entails. But in the future, it is something that I guess I would think about. Of course, what my partner has to say on the matter would also be of great importance.

When thinking about it, here are some things from my point of view that need to be discussed by both individuals should they decide to raise a child.

Wanted: Egg Cells: Since it is biologically impossible for both men to conceive a child, the issue of finding a woman to bear the child becomes a consideration. Furthermore, from which father should the sperm come? Whose sperm is better? Or is adoption an option? Adopting even becomes more complicated as I think it is difficult to find the child for both of you, not to mention the legal matters the couple has to deal with.

Daddy I and Daddy II: Inevitably, as the kid grows up, s/he will begin to ask how come s/he has two fathers. How then will you explain it to your kid? Furthermore, you have to explain it to the people your kid interacts with – the school, the PTA, his/her playmates. The possibility of being harangued by society at an early age is surely something I don't want my kid to experience.

Is there a good way of addressing this issue? How do you critically prepare a child to face what the society throws at him/her for having gay parents. Will gay parents be able to make a kid understand their situation?

Gay Dad = Good Dad(???): In adoption cases, the question that always arises is will both men/women be good parents to the child. Now that I think about it, how come a gay couple seeking legal rights for the adoption of a kid causes more controversy and raises more eyebrows (look at Rosie O’ D.) compared to a heterosexual couple seeking the same thing?

Amazing Race, Amazing Couple

The last episode of The Amazing Race almost gave a lot of Reichen and Chip fans a heart attack. From ranking second to David and Jeff, the couple went slipped all the way to the fifth place. Circumstances weren't so kind to the couple that they kept on encountering problems.

They were SO close to being booted out of the race. I think this was the second time that Reichen and Chip almost got eliminated. The first one was in France where Steve and Josh were eliminated. They better be more careful with decisions.

In the end, the couple proved to be triumphant as they got ahead of Tian and Jaree. Too bad the models got eliminated. They were starting to really work as a team and then that's the time they get kicked out.

Below is a dialogue between Reichen and Chip during the Detour where they had to deliver chickens to Geogi's Chicken House. It's funny that a lot of people found this to be sweet when if one were to look at the situation, Reichen was actually getting angry at Chip. Well, I guess it was nice in a way. It wasn't nice in the nice nice sense because they were arguing but for Chip to be cool and still call Reichen HONEY, awww!

Chip: Reichen

Reichen: What!

Chip: This way.

Reichen: Why did you say take a right. Are you reading the map right.

Chip: HONEY, I think so. I wanna show you but you are not slowing down.

Great Weekend Escape

The weekend that just passed by has got to be one of the best weekends I have had. I couldn't be happier and more thankful. Tagaytay (actually, it was already Nasugbu, Batangas but Tagaytay is just the next town) was our (Hunski and me) destination for the weekend to escape from the noise and pollution of the city. Can anything be better than waking up and the first thing you see is the greens of the mountain and the golf course?

Leaving Manila after lunch, we started our trip and reached out destination by four in the afternoon. We did a little cleaning of the place then took a nap. By the time I woke up, it was already time for dinner.

On the way to the parking lot, there was not a single car besides Hunski's. The entire place appeared to be deserted. It was kinda creepy. Talk about twilight zone-ish situations. Hehe! For dinner, we were thinking of going to the country club but changed our minds, when we saw we were probably going to be the only people dining there. I told Hunski, "Uhm, I think I want to see other people who are also dining."

Ergo, we decided to drive to Tagaytay and settled for Dencio's, which turned out to be a really good choice. Following dinner, we walked to the neighboring Starbucks to have our cup of caffeine. Both places offered us a chance to enjoy the cool air and the refreshing view of the silhouette of the Taal Volcano. Things that I would never get to enjoy while I'm in the city.

But more than the food and the coffee, more than the fresh air and the crisp atmosphere, it was the company of hunskipoo that made everything so great. Incidentally, it was also our thirteenth month together so it was a pretty special occasion.

Sunday morning, we drove back to Manila.

Sigh.

Back to the crazy metro...

Truth Demystified

As a student of this University, I had great respect for the people behind it - the faculty, the administration, the officials. I thought that I was very lucky to have been educated in the country's bastion of excellence.

Now that I'm part of the University, I have no words to describe how I feel after I saw what the system really is like. I was shocked. And I could shock people with the stories I could tell.

Lost Pics

I wonder why the images I posted in my previous entries do not load up anymore. They are still saved in my villagephotos.com account though. Sigh. The Murakami football was really nice to look at.

Haute Couture Shows Kickstart

Elise Crombez for Chanel Fall Couture 2003



Jacquetta Wheeler for Dior Fall Couture 2003



Chanel Spring Couture 2002



The runways of Paris get busy once again as the fall season couture shows get under way. The remaining twelve designers who belong to the prestigious Syndical Chamber of Haute Couture presented their collections to the watchful audience. Of these twelve designers, I've always loved Chanel and Christian Dior. I think that Karl Lagerfeld just really knows how to design for women and John Galliano just never ceases to keep me on the edge of my seat, wanting for more.

Kicking off the shows was no other than John Galliano himself for Christian Dior. While I (and I'm sure a lot of the audiences) still can't get over his Spring 2003 Couture collection, John Galliano once again leaves me astonished as he presented his Fall 2003 Couture collection for Christian Dior at the Hippodrome D' Auteuil.

Presenting an Oriental-meets-Western collection in the previous season, Galliano this time takes his inspiration from his father's Gibraltarian lineage. Sending models made up like mannish gypsies into the runway, complete with flashing eyes and even matches clamped between their teeth, it was completely the opposite of the kabuki models of last season. I've never seen Jacquetta Wheeler look so handsome with the mannish tan, and still be so sexy. Going to the dresses, the first word that comes to mind upon seeing them is flamenco. The main feature of the collection was the fancy decoration of ruffles of fiery flamenco gypsies, gracing the runway in flounced skirts, corsetry, and form- binding jackets.

I like the Spring 2003 collection more. I guess partly because I'm Asian and I love the prints and the fabric used for that collection. For that collection, Galliano used a lot of silk fabric, that looked so light on the skin. The prints, mostly floral that are similar to Oriental painting, were very eyecatching. Several of the models wore dresses that are patterened after the kimono. The prints were a bit conservative in terms of design but executed in an exceedingly sexy manner. There a number of dresses that seem to be unwearable because of the size but these wild designs are just one more thing why I love Galliano's designs for Dior. They really make you stand out.

On the other hand, Chanel held its show in the cloisters of a 17th century ex-convent. For this collection, Lagerfeld shifted away from the classic Chanel suit and presented creations that are a bit more playful. The key items of the collection were the stiletto pants and mesh caps. Almost all the models wore mesh caps tied down beneath the chin. Either that or their hair was slicked down. Lagerfeld sent out all his models on legs of leather, stiletto pants that are fused with boots. For this collection, Chanel created clothes spun out of mousseline, tulle, satin, fur and lace. Features of the collection included skinny sleeves with extended slashed cuffs and saddle-cut shoulder line. There were also sexy coats with fluffy mink trims. Among my favorites are an ice-blue high-collared jacket worn by Natalia Vodianova and the dresses with a slash front, revealing the stiletto pants. Closing the show was seasoned supermodel Linda Evangelista who donned a wedding gown only Karl Lagerfeld can think of.

The Fall 2002 collection, in my opinion, was more elegant. For that winter Chanel couture collection, designer Karl Lagerfeld reinterpreted the iconic Chanel jacket - high Edwardian collars, puffed shoulders, most slender waistline. The skirts, on the other hand, were finished with deep ruffle and spangled tulle. To complete the look, the sexy stilettos were finished with flower trims. I've always liked the Chanel suit. It's very feminine and very timeless.

Sleepy Head

Season 2 of HBO's Six Feet Under had a two-hour premiere last night. Though I wasn't able to watch the whole first season, I wanted to follow season 2.

I got home from work around seven p.m. While having my dinner, I was switching channels between Cinema One, which was airing Soltera starring Maricel Soriano and Diether Ocampo, and Lifestyle Network, which showed Food 911 with Tyler Florence. While Tyler was in the process of making fajitas, I decided to take a nap.

I went to the bedroom and slept. When I woke up, the lights were out and everything seemed quiet. I reach for my phone to check the time.

12:55 p.m.

Haaay... there goes the first two episodes. I'm such a sleepyhead.

Blog Poem

This isn't even bothered at
Kenny for some people would stayWithout you are
hereI pray you until you are going,
the other countries
manage to arrive at
the fashion business
is tears to
let the next to see that his
life And sweep him is optimistic
that I was there. will a mind never
ceasing to everyone, Everyone Everyone
and sweep him In his share
of hours at the vultures to
the shows to the
Skull
and sadness I really a
bathhouse, Nope,
before you
blame me, I go, along streets. of the
first
few Note: And me.
I can be willing to give a revered university,
and Hugo Boss
bike, just love
And this bad.
points will
still there somewhere for an above
average personality is present
in the end, the short time
and sadness I
am postCount ; Urban Commuter Ranting The
Amazing Race was a mind til
the much coveted Hermes
Birkin.

This poem was generated from here

Cynical Romantic

That's what I am.

But I haven't always been like that. I used to be just the second word - a romantic. I've always loved the feeling of being in love - to love and to be loved. In the first few times that I loved someone, I was doing every deed I could think of just to let the other person know that I am in love. Because of my ability to give myself wholly, I sometimes don't realize that I am starting to get drained, and that I am starting to hurt myself.

After this incident happened for a number of times, I was unaware that I have turned into a cynical romantic. You can't blame me, or anyone for this matter, why I have become a bit skeptic about romance. Having your heart ran over by charging buffalos, left under the scorching heat of the sun, then finally, left for the vultures to feed on, I'm sure other people would feel the same way I do.

And now, the one person I've been praying for all this time comes into my life. And I am afraid I am screwing things up. At the slightest tests of relationship, I tremble and begin to crumble. And it is not fair for the one I love. And it is not fair to the relationship. In spite of the rough roads that we sometimes experience, I just know that the road we're taking is leading to something great. I know that we could make things work out.

I know that, as time goes by, things will be okay. All we need is to be open to change, to be willing to stretch out of our comfort zones. (Wish it were easy to do these things.)

But I am trying to do it. Through Hunskipoo's help, through my own desire to make things work out, I am trying to change. I am trying to believe again. I am trying to see that things aren't all or nothing always, that there are more colors on the palette than just black and white.

And I am seeing now that everything is worth it. And that I really love you.

What a way to end the day...

I keep on wondering when things started to get difficult and complicated.

The Real World

The last episode of the Amazing Race was really a moving one. It was reality TV, in the real sense of the idea. If in the previous episodes before the last one, the racers and the viewers witnessed the beauty that is Europe, no one anticipated what the next leg of the race would expose them to.

Leaving scenic Amsterdam, the next destination of the teams is the capital of India, Mumbai. Married couple Reichen and Chip were the first one to arrive at the capital of India, Mumbai. Exiting from the airport, the couple was welcomed by an unexpected sight - congested streets, heavy traffic, and sweltering heat, among other things. It was meeting poverty face-to-face.

In a cab ride going to Bollywood, where the next route marker is, tears trickled down the face of Reichen as he saw families and children living in makeshift tents along garbage-filled streets.

At the sight, he could only mutter, "It's pretty awful. I just didn't know it was this bad. I could have never been prepared for what I'm looking at right now. I just ask myself, 'What happened? What happened to make it like this?'"

In a way, my job as the coordinator of the Summer Immersion Service Program made me relate to how Reichen felt about the pitiful situation of India. The time I went to Mindoro Occidental to visit and talk to Mangyans was a learning experience for. More than just knowing their plight, I actually experienced what it was like for them. It is during moments like this that I realize how lucky I am.

But more importantly, I realized that there is really a need to volunteer, to get involved, to do something, to make a difference in one's own place in the society.

Hunski's Birthday

Happy Birthday Hunskipoo!!! WUV OO!!!

Here's your poem, Hunski!

Just when I have given up on love
Just when I thought it wasn’t for me
Life throws me a surprise
The best person in the world I meet

Putting the smile back on my sullen face
Making me believe in love again
Bringing back light into my days
Causing my heart to beat again

Beautiful person you are
An inch or two taller
With a mind never ceasing to amaze me
A voice soothing like no other

Now that you are here
I pray you would stay
Without you I fear
How I would get through each day

For I do not want to live life alone again
And bathe in misery and sadness
I do not want tears to roll down my cheeks again
Now that I have found happiness

For the short time I have known you
I have grown deeply attached to you
And though this may sound cheesy to you
I just have to say I have fallen for you

Designer Sports

I love fashion.

From the clothes to the shows to the designer and the models, I'm just crazy about the whole fashion world. For other people, my fascination for the fashion business is quite fascinating. Hunskipoo, sometimes gives me this "Hunski, you're crazy (but I love you)" look once I start talking about how I worship the much coveted Hermes Birkin.

So far, I've only met two guys who enjoy talking about men, women and clothes as much as I do - Francis and Suki. We can talk about Miuccia, Manolo, Jimmy, Louis, Christian, Michael, Carmen, Jacquetta and Calvin, and people would probably think that we're talking about our cousins or good friends.

If you're a fellow aficionado of fashion, then you've probably heard of Armani chopsticks, Ralph Lauren paint, Calvin Klein bedsheets and John Galliano candles. (If not, then now you know). Now, the fashion world conquers the sports world.

For those people who are into skateboarding, forget the Skull and Thrasher stickers, skate in a Burberry Skateboard instead. Ran out of the Louis Vuitton Murakami collection, will a Murakami Football do? And these are just two. Now, one can also purchase Louis Vuitton sleeping bags, Coach golf bag and Hugo Boss bike, just to name a few.

Note: And there I was talking about the value of money awhile ago. Hey, before you harangue me, I never mentioned I buy these stuff. I just love em. It doesn't mean that I actually purchase them.

No Loose Change

This morning, I lost my two hundred bucks. For some unknown reason (or just sheer carelessness), I lost it. One minute it was there. And when I was in line at Kenny Roger's for lunch, I was fumbling for it in my pocket and I couldn't find those two friggin bills anymore. Waaah!

Thank God, Hunskipoo was there!

On an ordinary day, I wouldn't really mind losing two hundred pesos. What is two hundred these days? It's a meager amount. It's just a Venti Green Tea Frappuccino and a Cookie at Starbucks. It's just one haircut at Fix. It's cab fare to Makati from my house and vice-versa. It's one ticket to a movie at Greenbelt III plus two oatmeal cookies at Chimara. It won't buy me a keychain from Prada or even a pair of socks at Kenneth Cole. That's just it, two hundred pesos.

But in a situation like this, I really understand the value of money. While it may be nothing for some people, for a section of the society, it is a family's budget for a day. It is the allowance of a public school kid for two, maybe even three, weeks. It is how much a sidewalk vendor earns for an entire day. It is how much a Mangyan is paid after gathering 14 sacks of smooth pebbles from the seabed, each sack taking about two or three days to fill up.

That's when I realize, two hundred pesos is no loose change. Lesson learned – even the smallest things matter, be it money or maybe a small act of kindness. Right now, as I publish this entry, would you believe that all I have in my pocket is one twenty-peso bill, seven one-peso coins and nine five-peso coins? I am not kidding.

Seventy-two pesos.

I'm still wondering how I'll survive tomorrow. The good thing is I'm still smiling and I'm not even bothered at all. I'm actually happy.

Yay! I have seventy-two bucks. Mahal pa rin ako ni God. 0=D

Comic Artist Extraordinaire

I'd like to share a piece of work by brilliant artist-slash-writer-slash-actor-teacher-slash-good friend Carlo Vergara. It’s from his latest work, Zsazsa Zaturnnah. The two-part comics is available at Comic Quest.

What can I say, Carl? You’re one gifted person.

Love you, bro.

More Ranting

Oh happy day.

I just came out of a meeting. It’s the tenth anniversary of my beloved Pahinungód so there will be a grand celebration. Ten years of service to the University and the Filipino people does call for a huge celebration, doesn’t it?

And although there is a general committee to handle the different activities of the celebration, all the work still ends up to my four colleagues and me. I was listing down the things I need to accomplish – collect articles for the book, layout the book, conduct room-to-room campaigns, finish articles for the annual report, gather pictures, create press releases, do agency performance report – the list just goes on and on and on, ladies and gentlemen.

By the time I ended my list and the meeting was adjourned, I began feeling itchy. Yaiks! This only happens when I’m really, really, REALLY swamped with work. Getting itchy is better I think though. Before was much worse, I’d get a lot of zits on my back. Sigh. This isn’t good. My time management skill is surely being put to a test here. I can only think of one word to describe my state right now.

T-O-X-I-C (all caps and bold please).

Hopefully, I will still be breathing (or be in the right state of mind!) til the day of the anniversary in September. I can already hear Arwin telling me, “Grace under pressure, Anj. Grace under pressure”.

Urban Commuter Ranting

The streets of Manila have got to be one of the most polluted in Asia (or the world perhaps).

I wake up today at 5:30 a.m. and did my usual routine. Grabbed a towel, stepped out of the room, went downstairs, said hi to everyone, and got into the bathroom. Taking a bath is one of the things that I really enjoy doing. The feel of water on your body, the sweet scent of body wash on your skin, the joy of applying that shampoo on your hair just makes a person really clean and fresh, ready to face the day.

But when you step out of the house and wait for a ride, then it begins…

Hundred of them - buses, jeeps, cabs, private vehicles – all spewing out carbon monoxide. What's really irritating are those buses and jeeps because they are by far, the winners should the MMDA decide to give a "Air Polluter of the Year" Award. I keep on wondering how other countries manage to have vehicles that emit less poison in the air and this country of ours cant. Seriously, if this is the way things are going, the lifespan of the Filipino people would definitely be shorter and shorter in the coming decades.

And we haven’t even talked about the traffic yet… and the law enforcers… and the vehicle owners… and the pedestrian…

Whoooopppss!!! Look at me. It is only 7:38 and here I am ranting already. Not good, not good. Positive energy. We need that.

Hummmm… Hummmm…

Mr. Right Vs. Mr. Right Now

At a time when being single is frowned upon, men -gay and bisexual, fine, even straight- are on the prowl to find the right one. There are those who believe they would find them in a bar on a night out. Some have faith that the man for him is at the party he will attend tonight. Still, there is the romantic who is optimistic that the right one is sitting next to him.

In any case, single people will arrive at a crossroads where they are compelled to decide which road to take. There are some who are optimistic, thinking that he will come in the right time and thus, decide to wait and enjoy the single life. On the other hand, there are those people who choose to take the other path, choosing to go along with the flow that life has laid out for them. These roads, however, cross paths at one point or another.

Given this, single people are faced with the $60 million question: "Should I choose Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now?" Thus, begins the battle of two figures for every single man in this city.

Case #1:
Can't Find Me Real Love
Appearing to be an average guy but definitely, with an above average personality is what can be said of Reichen (obviously not his real name). Reichen is an alumnus of a revered university, working in a leading conglomerate, generous manager to his staff, still partly inside the closet.

Although he has visited a number of bars and even a bathhouse, he has never touched any of the merchandise and is already perfectly contented with admiring them. (Very much like what I do when I visit Cartier or Louis Vuitton. Hehe!)

Reichen believes in waiting for the right one. One-night stands are not his thing. (Though as I've mentioned, the two roads cross together sometimes, you do the math). As of now, he has a hanging affair with a man who left for another country. Two years after no contact, the man is back in town and trying to win Reichen's heart again. I have a feeling the guy hasn't lost Reichen's heart yet.

Case #2:
The Doctor Becomes the Patient
Fresh out of medical school, top of his class, tall, smart (not to mention that his eyeglasses make him look much smarter), single, that's Chip (again, definitely not his real name). And although, Chip aced the science of medicine, he is having a difficult time with the science of love, in need of consultation with Dr. Love.

Hopeful that he will find the right guy some day, Chip is having his share of men for now. A sexual tryst tonight. A visit at a bar. Perhaps a couple of hours at a bathhouse. Nope, before you think that he is promiscuous, he's not. We know he is also in search of the right guy. He just wants to have fun right now. His view on the issue: if it is for you, then you will receive it in time.

There you have it, two cases that are, in more ways than one, on opposite sides of the spectrum. One is decided to wait for Mr. Right to come along and sweep him off his feet while the other one is content, at least for the time being, with Mr. Right Now.

My take on the issue: I say it all depends on the person. Some people settle for someone who is present in his life right now. While some people opt to wait for the right one to come along. There cannot be just one answer for everyone. Everyone is looking for something. And I guess almost everyone for looking for Mr. Right. If you are happy with your current status, then that is just fine because in the end, your happiness would still be the most important.

Just before I go, the following passage is for you, whether you're looking for Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now.

Someone somewhere wrote the following:
Hang in there and don't get discouraged. Every relationship you go through will have its good points and if the relationship ends, you have those memories. Plus, the bad points will become experience. The more people you meet, the richer your life will become in a variety of ways. Mr. Right is out there somewhere for you, have faith, have patience and enjoy all the ups and downs life gives you until you meet him.

Amen to that, my friend. Amen to that.