Reeling from the muscle aches of the badminton queuing last night, I wake up to the sound of the chirping of the birds, which for a moment, made me feel lost. There were no bird chirping sounds in Boni where I live. There are drilling, yes, and the faint sound of cars passing by Edsa. Ah yes, I am in QC, where I hope to someday live, maybe even retire.
My life as a thirty something singleton? Could be busy, could be boring. These days, as I eagerly await the 9th season of CSI Vegas (Will Warrick come back? What would it be like with Lawrence Fishbourne there? I would so miss Grissom..), I turn to CSI New York, and in the process fell for Eddie Cahill. But the real reason I, and I guess, most everyone is hooked with CSI is because their stories told in many different ways, mostly teach us two facts:
1. how methodical and scientific processes can help bring out the truth
2. people lie
Anyway, I don't think too much nor dwell on negativity so several times during the show when the cops would be careful to examine the evidence, or careful not to touch the evidence before the CSIs arrive, I would remember several skirmishes with the local police. Oh yes, I am of age, and dealing with cops is part of the experience.
When I was still living in Manila, where I would park outside, there was one time my car was towed, my side mirrors were stolen thrice, and one time, I almost caught the perpetrator. I don't know what came over me but I woke up early, maybe it was not even 5 AM. Mama is already sweeping the front yard and told her I think we have to check my car, which was parked on the avenue at the corner, certainly not within eyesight. She was surprised, probably worried if I had gone sick, but she went with me anyway.
Baranggay tanods were supposed to be patrolling, but thieves would have their way. As it happens, I had a very strong gut feel because the thief apparently heard our footsteps and scooted away, leaving behind a broken rear seat window pane (the smaller one,to unlock the car), a set of screwdrivers, and his fingerprints all over. There was also the car radio missing, which he would not be able to use because the head is gone (the bf told me to remove it each time I park in a public place). I can almost see the thief probably tucked behind a tree, or within an alley while we call on the baranggay tanod (who, in Sampaloc, are either bums or occasional drug users). Nobody saw anything, they say, but they heard running.
I took a ziplock, and careful not to touch the screwdriver with prints, I lifted it and placed it onto the plastic bag. There were 2 small tools I think that the thief also left, which I also put in. Early in the morning I went to the nearest police station in Sampaloc, sa presinto quatro,and gave the evidence to the police at the desk. I told him about the incident, and said that I am bringing in the evidence. He looks at me, takes hold of the ziplock, and unloads the contents on his desk. Then he touches them all, one by one, while explaining to me that the odds of catching the thief is almost impossible. While he was doing this I was aghast, and told him
"What about the fingerprints?" (In tagalog, syempre)
That was when he told me, by his action, not by his words, that they don't do that. It is safe to say that in the Philippines, cops don't do this. At least for petty cases of robbery.
I don't remember much of that day except that moment. I still have the screwdriver from the thief. And oh yes, by some weird underground network of thieves, addicts and baranggay connections, my radio head was returned to me, but that's another story.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Let's See
Crossing Edsa to Ortigas Avenue Extension, I caught this streamer, the vacant area under the Ortigas bridge is now going to be an impounding area for illegally parked cars along Ortigas and especially the La Salle area.
This is good news for me because for years, crossing Edsa to Greenhills will take you an hour or more at peak hours- in the morning, lunch and between 2-4 PM. This is because cars picking up La Salle elementary and high school student occupy 3 lanes in both directions. What a terrible and stressful scenario that sometimes we would alight at the foot of the bridge and cross the bridge where there is one steel bar missing, just enough to fit your body into, to cross the street and to get to our building.
A week ago I noticed the MMDA placed orange plastic dividers at the foot of the bridge to separate lanes coming from La Salle from the ones coming from Edsa.
Let's see what happens because frankly, we wonder why this kind of traffic management for the rich has been perpetuated for years. MMDA even had manpower directing traffic out of La Salle, when it should be the school's own guards responsible for the area.
Tow them, tow them!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Saguijo
Finally, after much texting and planning, DEP and I meet again. We went to our usual hangout, the Greenbelt compound, and tried the mainstream offering at Spicy Fingers. This resto/bar in GB2 now has an in-house band, but the music, no offense to the band who can carry a tune and play music, is so 80s and reminiscent of any band you'd see playing in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and most other Asian countries. So when L, whom we ditched for our girl talk said he is meeting up with Marku to go to Saguijo, we tagged along.
Taking the Buendia, Pasong Tamo, Gamboa route, then we make a right to Guijo Street where the music can be heard and the crowd spills onto the street. Unlike most commercial places, Saguijo is all about the music- no LV-clad, seen and be seen outfit required. In fact, the more relaxed, the better.
From their website:
On a nightly basis, saGuijo proudly features some of today’s most exciting bands. Just as our establishment is founded on the concept of complete artistic freedom, we encourage our musicians to experiment with the entire spectrum of sound. Genres are unimportant so long as the music is good, true, and sincere. Despite coming from diverse musical and social backgrounds, our artists share a common element of passion. Passion for creation. Passion for composition.
That night Pinikpikan was playing, followed by Cynthia Alexander and Severino.
Talk about seeing all types of people- young and old, dreadlocked or shaved, white, black, Pinoys, Chinese, photographers (amateurs and professionals), one can not be out of place. We saw Ate Loi, our former choirmate who used to be with the UP Concert Chorus, and she played the keyboards plus other instruments to accompany Cynthia Alexander, who was also playing with two Indians who had with them a small accordion and bongo drums. It was a flurry of sounds, there was chanting and yes, there was definitely some Indian grooves; foreign chants which were uttered and repeated over and over again. Razorback's guitarist (or was it bassist) was accompanying Cynthia while we sat on the floor as the small apartment was filled to the rafters. Marku and L were taking photos, while everyone was chugging their Red Horse Beer.
Outside, pretty girl L and DEP went out for smokes, while L and I chatted them up. "We like getting drunk, we can say anything..." and these lawyers laugh their stress away.
I was tipsy by the time Pinikpikan started their set, and I love their beat. The energy of Saguijo is just remarkable and it's all because of the music. There we met musicians, photographers, saw old friends and made new friends. Next time, I'd like to go to a jazz bar. Not the croony, creepy type with a girl in a sexy outfit, but something like Saguijo, an underground bar of some sort, where the main star is the music.
7612 Guijo St., San Antonio Village, Makati City
Tel. (02) 8978629
e-mail: info@saguijo.com
http://www.saguijo.com/calendar.php
Taking the Buendia, Pasong Tamo, Gamboa route, then we make a right to Guijo Street where the music can be heard and the crowd spills onto the street. Unlike most commercial places, Saguijo is all about the music- no LV-clad, seen and be seen outfit required. In fact, the more relaxed, the better.
From their website:
On a nightly basis, saGuijo proudly features some of today’s most exciting bands. Just as our establishment is founded on the concept of complete artistic freedom, we encourage our musicians to experiment with the entire spectrum of sound. Genres are unimportant so long as the music is good, true, and sincere. Despite coming from diverse musical and social backgrounds, our artists share a common element of passion. Passion for creation. Passion for composition.
That night Pinikpikan was playing, followed by Cynthia Alexander and Severino.
Talk about seeing all types of people- young and old, dreadlocked or shaved, white, black, Pinoys, Chinese, photographers (amateurs and professionals), one can not be out of place. We saw Ate Loi, our former choirmate who used to be with the UP Concert Chorus, and she played the keyboards plus other instruments to accompany Cynthia Alexander, who was also playing with two Indians who had with them a small accordion and bongo drums. It was a flurry of sounds, there was chanting and yes, there was definitely some Indian grooves; foreign chants which were uttered and repeated over and over again. Razorback's guitarist (or was it bassist) was accompanying Cynthia while we sat on the floor as the small apartment was filled to the rafters. Marku and L were taking photos, while everyone was chugging their Red Horse Beer.
Outside, pretty girl L and DEP went out for smokes, while L and I chatted them up. "We like getting drunk, we can say anything..." and these lawyers laugh their stress away.
I was tipsy by the time Pinikpikan started their set, and I love their beat. The energy of Saguijo is just remarkable and it's all because of the music. There we met musicians, photographers, saw old friends and made new friends. Next time, I'd like to go to a jazz bar. Not the croony, creepy type with a girl in a sexy outfit, but something like Saguijo, an underground bar of some sort, where the main star is the music.
7612 Guijo St., San Antonio Village, Makati City
Tel. (02) 8978629
e-mail: info@saguijo.com
http://www.saguijo.com/calendar.php
Friday, September 12, 2008
Beaming Dad
I saw Sam the other week in Taipei. When he was based here we mostly talked about the meaning of life; or at least he did. That night when we met, all he talked about was his baby boy. What a wait! After 12 years of marriage, they only conceived last year, and was made in the Philippines. They now call him Fino, short for Filipino.
I asked him how he felt when he first held him in his arms.
He said, " I cried. "
I guess I would too.
I'd cry in my wedding, that's for sure.
If it ever happens.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Pagudpud and Tales of Our Childhood
While on our Laoag trip we stopped on a bridge to have our picture taken at the border of Pagudpud and saw a bunch of kids who were diving onto the lake below. They were all boys, in shorts, and were taking turns diving, swimming upstream, then going up again to dive again. Some children are easy to photograph because all it would take is a smile and kind words and they would smile back. This boy waited for me to signal to L to catch him in mid-air. He was wonderful. His spirit felt as free as a bird. This dive made me happy.
Looking on was this young boy who positioned himself onto a rock, and although his friends were shouting at him, teasing, cajoling him to have fun, he stood like a rock and just looked on. The boys were laughing at him. To me though, he looked at peace.
The older boys were a little harder to convince to pose for a shoot. They were shy, but I talked them into it, and got a little reaction. I thought it was a wonderful subject, little boys with their innocence intact, children of God.
When I was a child growing up in a drug-free Sampaloc, where there are no rivers but the streets would be an extension of your house, I would play patintero, teks and bahay bahayan with the other kids. Our bahay bahayan would just be creating a makeshift house using kumot (blanket), chairs as posts, and we would pretend to eat inside this tent using our toy plastic plates and spoons. I have one officemate who told me he played bahay bahayan and lost his virginity there. He said he lay on top of the girl and did what mothers and fathers did. Ok, he turned out to be gay, and yes his childhood story is so out of the ordinary.
Today while driving under heavy rain, we recalled the story of this girl we love, an ex-officemate named E who lived in Corinthian Gardens (an exclusive village in Ortigas). She told us one time during lunch that she and her sister would play bahay-bahayan too. But their version, they call as "squatter- squatter". They would hide under their dad's executive desk at home, build makeshift walls in the form of blankets and ask their yaya to bring them instant noodles. Then they would pretend they were children who lived under the bridge. I forgot to ask what they talked about, but we thought her version of childhood play was funnier than the one who lost his virginity.
Looking on was this young boy who positioned himself onto a rock, and although his friends were shouting at him, teasing, cajoling him to have fun, he stood like a rock and just looked on. The boys were laughing at him. To me though, he looked at peace.
The older boys were a little harder to convince to pose for a shoot. They were shy, but I talked them into it, and got a little reaction. I thought it was a wonderful subject, little boys with their innocence intact, children of God.
When I was a child growing up in a drug-free Sampaloc, where there are no rivers but the streets would be an extension of your house, I would play patintero, teks and bahay bahayan with the other kids. Our bahay bahayan would just be creating a makeshift house using kumot (blanket), chairs as posts, and we would pretend to eat inside this tent using our toy plastic plates and spoons. I have one officemate who told me he played bahay bahayan and lost his virginity there. He said he lay on top of the girl and did what mothers and fathers did. Ok, he turned out to be gay, and yes his childhood story is so out of the ordinary.
Today while driving under heavy rain, we recalled the story of this girl we love, an ex-officemate named E who lived in Corinthian Gardens (an exclusive village in Ortigas). She told us one time during lunch that she and her sister would play bahay-bahayan too. But their version, they call as "squatter- squatter". They would hide under their dad's executive desk at home, build makeshift walls in the form of blankets and ask their yaya to bring them instant noodles. Then they would pretend they were children who lived under the bridge. I forgot to ask what they talked about, but we thought her version of childhood play was funnier than the one who lost his virginity.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
10 Things To Do in Taipei
1. At the top of the list is the stinky tofu. You must try it, even if it's the first thing that greets you as you alight from the taxi. The smell is unmistakable, it stinks like no other. According to legend, this used to be a delicacy and was made from the poop of babies (sorry, I am just re-telling a story). As babies only drink milk and their poop is considered fresh, some weird person tried this and made this a delicacy. I don't know how much of this is fact or fiction, but I just tried it once and I'm done.
2. Go to a local Chinese restaurant and try the siao long pao. Try Din Tai Fung.
This is a famous restaurant, where both locals and tourists dine. The siao long pao is special because this dumpling has soup inside, and every dimsum is handmade. There is a "viewdeck" for customers to see how the dimsum is done- in exactly 18 strokes. I saw on Travel and Living how this was actually done, the soup is frozen before it is put inside the dough, then it is steamed. When you eat the dimsum, pick it up carefully from its wooden basket, sip some of the soup (like our balut), then shoot the entire thing in your mouth.
Order this along with some vegetable dimsum, hot sour soup, Taiwan pechay or vegetables, chow mien, and finally, some red bean paste for dessert.
3. Check out the night markets: Raohe, Shulin
You will find an odd assortment of goods, from clothes to accessories, live fishes to fresh fruits, a snake alley, bags, more shoes, DVDs, underwears, kung fu shoes, fruit shakes, berry-filled pancakes, The Face Shop, and many others. I really could not take this funky looking (and smelling) hodgepodge of internal organs for sale which are juxtaposed near the clothes.
4. Have you ever had oyster miswa? A must try.
This Ay-Chung branch in Ximenting area is very popular. Imagine this, it's mid-day, at 29 degrees Celsius, and its hot and humid, but people are lined up to buy this. They eat the miswa while standing up, and just pile the dirty dishes on a cart in front of the store.
5. Shop for shoes and clothes. Find that unique piece, the top that would surely be noticed. As for shoes, there's dime a dozen, from cheap ones to good quality finds.
Yes, you can haggle. There are also many accessories that are handmade, and unique, at least I have not seen them in Greenhills. The ladies selling these are dressed so well (in minis, usually), with 3 layers of false eyelashes on each eye, golden trinkets, multiple bracelets and high- heeled wedges. Their goods are in bulky luggage that they just fold up and carry when it is time to close shop, or when somebody forces them to leave their respective areas.
6. Guang-hua for electronics and cameras
They have recently constructed a 6-floor building similar to Sim Lim Square in SG. Gadget girls or not, you will find something for you. I am still pining for the digital photo frame that a year ago cost NT$5,000, and is now down to NT$3,800. I can wait another year.
7. Get your hair done here, color and digital perm would cost you NT$3,0000.
(see previous post)
8. Go to Taipei 101, it is after all, the tallest building in the world, at least for now. All the luxury brands are here- Tiffany's, LV, you name it, they have it. I love their Page One and L'Occitane shops. One day I'd buy my LV here (or wherever is cheaper).
This week Taiwan's Fashion Week is going to be held at the Taipei 101 square.
Not that I can get in, but that's the kind of place it is.
9. Have the pearl milk tea. If you don't like tea, but love frozen drinks, you will love this. Taiwan has good quality pearls that are so soft to the bite. At the night market, this would cost you $NT 30, while in the restaurant where I treated the girls, this cost NT$130 per glass.
10. Taste their guava. The best kind, especially with its special spices (a mixture of salt, sugar, and 3 more spices).
There you have it. Just make sure you know someone who can interpret for you, because they do not speak English, and can't even understand "water" when you ask for it. Coffee, the Taiwanese understand.
2. Go to a local Chinese restaurant and try the siao long pao. Try Din Tai Fung.
This is a famous restaurant, where both locals and tourists dine. The siao long pao is special because this dumpling has soup inside, and every dimsum is handmade. There is a "viewdeck" for customers to see how the dimsum is done- in exactly 18 strokes. I saw on Travel and Living how this was actually done, the soup is frozen before it is put inside the dough, then it is steamed. When you eat the dimsum, pick it up carefully from its wooden basket, sip some of the soup (like our balut), then shoot the entire thing in your mouth.
Order this along with some vegetable dimsum, hot sour soup, Taiwan pechay or vegetables, chow mien, and finally, some red bean paste for dessert.
3. Check out the night markets: Raohe, Shulin
You will find an odd assortment of goods, from clothes to accessories, live fishes to fresh fruits, a snake alley, bags, more shoes, DVDs, underwears, kung fu shoes, fruit shakes, berry-filled pancakes, The Face Shop, and many others. I really could not take this funky looking (and smelling) hodgepodge of internal organs for sale which are juxtaposed near the clothes.
4. Have you ever had oyster miswa? A must try.
This Ay-Chung branch in Ximenting area is very popular. Imagine this, it's mid-day, at 29 degrees Celsius, and its hot and humid, but people are lined up to buy this. They eat the miswa while standing up, and just pile the dirty dishes on a cart in front of the store.
5. Shop for shoes and clothes. Find that unique piece, the top that would surely be noticed. As for shoes, there's dime a dozen, from cheap ones to good quality finds.
Yes, you can haggle. There are also many accessories that are handmade, and unique, at least I have not seen them in Greenhills. The ladies selling these are dressed so well (in minis, usually), with 3 layers of false eyelashes on each eye, golden trinkets, multiple bracelets and high- heeled wedges. Their goods are in bulky luggage that they just fold up and carry when it is time to close shop, or when somebody forces them to leave their respective areas.
6. Guang-hua for electronics and cameras
They have recently constructed a 6-floor building similar to Sim Lim Square in SG. Gadget girls or not, you will find something for you. I am still pining for the digital photo frame that a year ago cost NT$5,000, and is now down to NT$3,800. I can wait another year.
7. Get your hair done here, color and digital perm would cost you NT$3,0000.
(see previous post)
8. Go to Taipei 101, it is after all, the tallest building in the world, at least for now. All the luxury brands are here- Tiffany's, LV, you name it, they have it. I love their Page One and L'Occitane shops. One day I'd buy my LV here (or wherever is cheaper).
This week Taiwan's Fashion Week is going to be held at the Taipei 101 square.
Not that I can get in, but that's the kind of place it is.
9. Have the pearl milk tea. If you don't like tea, but love frozen drinks, you will love this. Taiwan has good quality pearls that are so soft to the bite. At the night market, this would cost you $NT 30, while in the restaurant where I treated the girls, this cost NT$130 per glass.
10. Taste their guava. The best kind, especially with its special spices (a mixture of salt, sugar, and 3 more spices).
There you have it. Just make sure you know someone who can interpret for you, because they do not speak English, and can't even understand "water" when you ask for it. Coffee, the Taiwanese understand.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Her Hair Tells Her Story
After that somber post yesterday, I thought I should write about something interesting that happened to me while in Taipei.
Just before going down the elevator on our way to IKEA, I made a split decision to have a new hair cut here in Taipei. I was getting tired of my flat, rebonded hair that has layers but no volume. I was envious of the Taipei girls who had soft curls and looked long and lean. I was in one of my worst fat days, and decided to either
(a) give up and just buy loose shirts and dresses , (in fact I ended up buying 3 of those) or
(b) fitness is a state of mind. If I put myself up to it, I can lah!
So I went down to the hotel lobby and informed my boss that I'd skip Ikea and head downtown to see a friend who knows Allen, reputedly one of the best hairstylists in town. It's complicated when one doesn't speak Chinese, but a written instruction from the receptionist and I was headed to Mitsukoshi, a 15-minute ride by taxi, but on hindsight, a very quick MRT ride that would have saved me NT$150, and the rush-hour traffic.
But I was unperturbed, having made that quick decision meant I really, really want it. I enter the parlor, and this shangri-la greets me.
Everyone was slim, had colored hair, and was dressed fashionably. The one who blow dried my hair was wearing the trend in the streets now-- a bohemian like spaghetti strap printed dress. She wore it with elegance even while sweeping the floor off of hair. Allen, on the other hand, is a cutie. He is not gay, although he is fond of wearing caps/hats/bonnets, along with a scarf. He wears these with a white tee, cut off jeans and funky shoes. Best of all, he has a great smile and is very accommodating.
They sat me down to wash my hair and I was mildly surprised when I lay on a massage chair while a teenager washes my hair. It was like the massage chair DEP bought, and I enjoyed the hair washing while it lasted. Then she turns me over to Allen. I didn't realize it was going to be that complicated, this analyzing of my hair. First, I asked my friend to interpret what I wanted.
"Ayoko magmukhang siopao"
"I want to retain the bangs, but make it longer, and parted to the side"
"I want the length a little above the shoulders"
"I want him to make my face look slimmer.."
Okey, I admit it was a lot. But who could blame me, I was paying NT$1000 for the cut, and I was looking forward to how he would do it. After all, everyone I know who went there went home happy and gorgeous. But really, if you could wish, it wouldn't be so bad to ask, right?
Wrong. The truth was painful to hear. But he is so cute, and so charming, with his cute smile and engaging voice that I was just smiling the whole time he was explaining, even asking for permission from me before he did what he thought was best. He touched my hair several times, pushed my bangs from one end to the other
"You have curly hair. " (My translation: kulot ka at ang mga sumpa lumalabas na..)
" You straighten your hair that is why it is so flat. "
" For your face to look slimmer, you need it straight on top, with bangs framing both sides of your face, and then some soft curls at the shoulder.." (Akala ko he was gonna say, for your face to look slimmer, you need to lose weight. DUH. hehehe)
" Since your cut is layered, if I cut it a little above the shoulders, it will fly away, is this ok with you?" (My answer: its Ok, I blow dry my hair everyday)
" Before I cut your hair, is this cut ok with you?" (showing me about 4 inches of rebonded hair)
" Next time, have your hair curled a little from the chin down. Straightened hair used to be the trend, but now its natural curls, different for every shape of face, and for every length."
He then proceeds to do his job. He snips with precision, touching my hair with his fingertips, parting it to one side, cutting it again, before parting it to the other side. He checks and rechecks to make sure I don't look like siopao, and I liked the fact that he made my hair from the back lighter because he cut the volume off by layering it some more. He turns me over to his assistant who blow dries my hair, and I see the transformation. I begin to smile.
Boss Allen (his namecard says this), goes back to see me, puts the finishing touches, a treatment to make my hair stay in place, and then its done. I look younger and more chic. Now my new hair tells me to shape up!
Just before going down the elevator on our way to IKEA, I made a split decision to have a new hair cut here in Taipei. I was getting tired of my flat, rebonded hair that has layers but no volume. I was envious of the Taipei girls who had soft curls and looked long and lean. I was in one of my worst fat days, and decided to either
(a) give up and just buy loose shirts and dresses , (in fact I ended up buying 3 of those) or
(b) fitness is a state of mind. If I put myself up to it, I can lah!
So I went down to the hotel lobby and informed my boss that I'd skip Ikea and head downtown to see a friend who knows Allen, reputedly one of the best hairstylists in town. It's complicated when one doesn't speak Chinese, but a written instruction from the receptionist and I was headed to Mitsukoshi, a 15-minute ride by taxi, but on hindsight, a very quick MRT ride that would have saved me NT$150, and the rush-hour traffic.
But I was unperturbed, having made that quick decision meant I really, really want it. I enter the parlor, and this shangri-la greets me.
Everyone was slim, had colored hair, and was dressed fashionably. The one who blow dried my hair was wearing the trend in the streets now-- a bohemian like spaghetti strap printed dress. She wore it with elegance even while sweeping the floor off of hair. Allen, on the other hand, is a cutie. He is not gay, although he is fond of wearing caps/hats/bonnets, along with a scarf. He wears these with a white tee, cut off jeans and funky shoes. Best of all, he has a great smile and is very accommodating.
They sat me down to wash my hair and I was mildly surprised when I lay on a massage chair while a teenager washes my hair. It was like the massage chair DEP bought, and I enjoyed the hair washing while it lasted. Then she turns me over to Allen. I didn't realize it was going to be that complicated, this analyzing of my hair. First, I asked my friend to interpret what I wanted.
"Ayoko magmukhang siopao"
"I want to retain the bangs, but make it longer, and parted to the side"
"I want the length a little above the shoulders"
"I want him to make my face look slimmer.."
Okey, I admit it was a lot. But who could blame me, I was paying NT$1000 for the cut, and I was looking forward to how he would do it. After all, everyone I know who went there went home happy and gorgeous. But really, if you could wish, it wouldn't be so bad to ask, right?
Wrong. The truth was painful to hear. But he is so cute, and so charming, with his cute smile and engaging voice that I was just smiling the whole time he was explaining, even asking for permission from me before he did what he thought was best. He touched my hair several times, pushed my bangs from one end to the other
"You have curly hair. " (My translation: kulot ka at ang mga sumpa lumalabas na..)
" You straighten your hair that is why it is so flat. "
" For your face to look slimmer, you need it straight on top, with bangs framing both sides of your face, and then some soft curls at the shoulder.." (Akala ko he was gonna say, for your face to look slimmer, you need to lose weight. DUH. hehehe)
" Since your cut is layered, if I cut it a little above the shoulders, it will fly away, is this ok with you?" (My answer: its Ok, I blow dry my hair everyday)
" Before I cut your hair, is this cut ok with you?" (showing me about 4 inches of rebonded hair)
" Next time, have your hair curled a little from the chin down. Straightened hair used to be the trend, but now its natural curls, different for every shape of face, and for every length."
He then proceeds to do his job. He snips with precision, touching my hair with his fingertips, parting it to one side, cutting it again, before parting it to the other side. He checks and rechecks to make sure I don't look like siopao, and I liked the fact that he made my hair from the back lighter because he cut the volume off by layering it some more. He turns me over to his assistant who blow dries my hair, and I see the transformation. I begin to smile.
Boss Allen (his namecard says this), goes back to see me, puts the finishing touches, a treatment to make my hair stay in place, and then its done. I look younger and more chic. Now my new hair tells me to shape up!
Taipei Thoughts
Dear Krystal,
Today I thought of you as I walked along the streets of Taipei. With a map in hand, we trudged downtown, this time on our own, braving the MRT and riding the taxi with the little Chinese we know. I found that most throughout the day, my thoughts kept leading back to you.
As I gaze at the Taipei girls of Ximen and Shulin, with their curly light brown hair, false eyelashes, glittery eyeshadows, acrylic fingernails, short shorts and golden wedges, I wonder if you still get teased by your classmates for your unruly hair.
As I sip my pearl milk tea while searching for a unique-wont-find-this-in-manila top ( I am fixated with finding the perfect 3/4 sleeve loose top that will cover my arms), I remember I still owe you a birthday present. While clutching the handrails of the metrorail and keeping to the right so the others can pass by on my left, I thought about your future. What would your life be like after ten years? Will you be as carefree as these girls as I remember you as a child with not a care in the world? Or would you be saddled by thoughts of escaping the Philippines in the hope of helping your parents?
Would you go to Dubai, or Singapore just like your mama or most of our relatives? Would you even consider staying in the country and fighting it out along with the rest of our 97 million citizens, hoping one day to make enough to buy a house and a car?
Would you think that chance is too small to even consider?
Would I get to see you drive in a road that is smooth and evenly paved, or would you be hopping and skipping on potholes and broken-tiled curbs, clutching your bag while walking, lest it be slashed.
Would you be hand in hand with a young man on a Saturday afternoon, checking out the bookshop or the mall, or would you be thinking of Canada as you try to cover your mouth with handkerchief while chasing the jeepney for a ride home?
I ate dinner at a Pho Bak Vietnam noodle house near the Sun Yat Sen train station and thought about the Filipina who was washing dishes at this restaurant. She may just be a dishwasher here, but she probably sent her siblings to school and has a concrete 2-storey house in the province. The pots were huge and there were two wailing kids amidst the pile of dirty dishes near our dining table. I wondered if this same area would later on be her sleeping quarters.
You were on my mind as we passed the LCD screens on building facades; would you get to see this back home? Would you live to see a more progressive Philippines where the roads are evenly paved enough to host an F1 race, the middle class can afford a house, where the government subsidizes all your medical needs, and corruption is thwarted, where the police can not be bribed?
As I browsed through rows and rows of clothes and stuff made from China, I thought about what you would become. Would you get the chance to meet people from different countries or would you be too shy to converse in English?
While I lay in bed in my hotel, I tried to imagine you flying the way I do. I do not know what the future holds for the children of our country. I know more and more want to get out as soon as school is finished. I could not imagine what the future may hold for a ten year old girl like you.
Today I thought of you as I walked along the streets of Taipei, but did not realize I would think about the future of my country too.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Monday, September 01, 2008
The E-Heads Gig
A: Are you sure you don't want to go watch E-heads? I mean, they are your friends.
L: Hmnn.. (thinks or was he just spaced out? I was thinking he was thinking this would mean more expenses, and after our Laoag and KL trips he was probably computing our overhead and finally decides)..Nope.
A: Why? (I was thinking it would be great to catch the group and sing their songs. After all, they were the band of the 90s. I mean, on hindsight, they were much much cooler than Side A)
L: Di ko lang feel.
I wanted to ask if it was because everyone was going to be there, or like me, he wants a lazier weekend, after 2 hectic ones. I didn't press on. Instead, he drove me from Boni to Makati to Century Park to Don Antonio Sports Center, where we later on played badminton for 2 hours non-stop, after which we went to a birthday party where Shooters Mobile Bar was serving out shot glass after shot glass of cocktails, and L was devouring lechon.
Later that night I asked him to tell me more stories about the E-heads. (I am so dyologs.) It just didn't occur to me that he would be friends with Raymond and Buddy who used to stay in his room and drink til they would black out. L was telling me it was so bad that his father was talking to him, and he was staring back, pretending to listen, but all he could see with his eyes open were stars, and pitch darkness. L would later be thanked by the E-heads in one of their cover albums. But no, Ely, would have a different crowd. Later on, when I came face to face with Buddy and Raymond, I would sheepishly ask for their pictures and ask if they were really friends with L. Of course they were, they tell me, and they would catch up, leaving me like a gawking fan. When I asked about Ely and why the band split up, they both said, " Alam mo naman si Ely eh..".
Years passed, and now the one night concert reuniting the band is the talk of the town. I heard a rumor that they were paid P10 Million each to appear at this event. Even though the band only got to play 14 songs, those who were there got to relive the 90s. They got to sing these songs:1. Alapaap 2. Ligaya 3. Sembreak 4. Hey Jay 5. Harana 6. Fruitcake 7. Toyang 8. Kama Supra 9. Kailan 10. Wag Kang Matakot 11. Kaliwete 12. With A Smile 13. Shake Yer Head 14. Huwag Mo Nang Itanong Sa Akin.
I wonder if L thought about the good old days and how far each one of them got to realize their dreams. Later I think I'm going to ask L why he didn't want to attend the gig.
L: Hmnn.. (thinks or was he just spaced out? I was thinking he was thinking this would mean more expenses, and after our Laoag and KL trips he was probably computing our overhead and finally decides)..Nope.
A: Why? (I was thinking it would be great to catch the group and sing their songs. After all, they were the band of the 90s. I mean, on hindsight, they were much much cooler than Side A)
L: Di ko lang feel.
I wanted to ask if it was because everyone was going to be there, or like me, he wants a lazier weekend, after 2 hectic ones. I didn't press on. Instead, he drove me from Boni to Makati to Century Park to Don Antonio Sports Center, where we later on played badminton for 2 hours non-stop, after which we went to a birthday party where Shooters Mobile Bar was serving out shot glass after shot glass of cocktails, and L was devouring lechon.
Later that night I asked him to tell me more stories about the E-heads. (I am so dyologs.) It just didn't occur to me that he would be friends with Raymond and Buddy who used to stay in his room and drink til they would black out. L was telling me it was so bad that his father was talking to him, and he was staring back, pretending to listen, but all he could see with his eyes open were stars, and pitch darkness. L would later be thanked by the E-heads in one of their cover albums. But no, Ely, would have a different crowd. Later on, when I came face to face with Buddy and Raymond, I would sheepishly ask for their pictures and ask if they were really friends with L. Of course they were, they tell me, and they would catch up, leaving me like a gawking fan. When I asked about Ely and why the band split up, they both said, " Alam mo naman si Ely eh..".
Years passed, and now the one night concert reuniting the band is the talk of the town. I heard a rumor that they were paid P10 Million each to appear at this event. Even though the band only got to play 14 songs, those who were there got to relive the 90s. They got to sing these songs:1. Alapaap 2. Ligaya 3. Sembreak 4. Hey Jay 5. Harana 6. Fruitcake 7. Toyang 8. Kama Supra 9. Kailan 10. Wag Kang Matakot 11. Kaliwete 12. With A Smile 13. Shake Yer Head 14. Huwag Mo Nang Itanong Sa Akin.
I wonder if L thought about the good old days and how far each one of them got to realize their dreams. Later I think I'm going to ask L why he didn't want to attend the gig.
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