Boracay Bound

A geomancer once told me I'd live to be 67. If that's the case I'm hitting midlife crisis. As the cool breeze calms my spirit,I couldn't fathom why they dubbed it as such, when I have absolutely no worries at this point in time. Oh,but I am in Boracay, and my only thoughts at this point reverberate: one can't,absolutely,must not, walk out on a Bob Marley song in this island.






The Caucasian lady bobs her head to Sweat, and my brain focuses on her silver hoop earrings which sway to the music as she swings to the beat; the other young ladies clad in black dresses look relaxed and having the time of their life, albeit in a very slow-mo speed. Maybe it's my brain processing these scenes as it takes in the Bora vibe. Thoughts are dimmed,much like the candles wrapped in plastic around me. I didn't flinch when I paid 600 for my french tip manicure and pedicure with some glitzy silvers and a sweaty-palmed manicurist, nor complained too much about Gasthoff's super sweet iced tea to accompany L's baby back ribs. I loved the Hey Jude deal I got on this peak season, and the fact that I get the chance to revisit one of my favorite places in the world (Tokyo,watch out for me in 2010!).


Maybe it's the Christmas air in Bora touching me for the very first time; maybe it's the combination of margarita,Marley and the worship of the sea making me feel heady and in touch with the NOW. Whatever it is, today seems a great day. And no one is complaining.



All photos by: Anna Ylagan

..and This Made Me Proud

Anna is a high school classmate from Immaculate Heart of Mary College. She quit her dayjob and took a paycut to be the director for Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=510499&publicationSubCategoryId=63

This Just Broke My Heart

Dad’s lament: ‘I wish I had died with them’
By DJ Yap
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines -- Miguel Asuela's world ended on the night of September 26 when in a matter of hours, he lost everything and everyone he held dear to tropical storm “Ondoy:” His mother, wife and their five children.
How do you measure a man’s grief? In his case, it seems impossible. “I wish I had died with them,” he said in Filipino, his eyes a study in anguish.
As Asuela stood at the El Capitan Memorial Homes in Marikina City, the 33-year-old looked like a man defeated. His shoulders were slumped, his eyes sunken and his cheeks gaunt. Silently he beheld the enormity of his loss: Six white gold-trimmed caskets lined one after another.
At the center was the casket for his wife, 29-year-old Desiree Bonifacio. Tucked into her left arm was their youngest son Lucky, who had been born only two weeks earlier.

Water-filled bungalow

Asuela’s entire family perished in floodwaters that had filled his bungalow on Patola Street in Concepcion I, Barangay Tumana. They were found in a heap inside the house, apparently trapped as strong currents prevented them from opening the door and fleeing.
Desiree was clutching Lucky to her body with one arm and one-year-old M.J. with the other. Beside them lay Asuela’s mother Ma. Flor Bonzo, 55; and Asuela’s other children Ma. Flordeliza, 11; Trixie, 9; and Miguelito, 7.
“Every night I can’t stop thinking about them. I keep thinking I should have been with them. I wish I had died too,” he said, almost in a whisper.
The Asuelas were a family of vendors selling religious items like rosaries, religious icons and sampaguita garlands and doing other odd jobs around the Immaculate Conception Parish Church.
That Saturday, Asuela had been working as a barker for jeepneys plying the Montalban and San Mateo route.
“At first, it was just a light drizzle. I didn’t really mind the rain. I never thought the water would rise so much,” he recalled.
Soon, the flood was knee-level and then waist-deep. Asuela began to worry. He rushed to the neighborhood and found that the waters down the ridge were almost up to his neck.
Senior Police Officer 3 Nonie de Belen of the Marikina Police Community Precinct 6 remembered how Asuela had tried to dive into the rampaging waters.
“I stopped him. I told him he’d drown, that he might end up dead while his family turned out to be okay,” he said. But De Belen was wrong.
Asuela said that when the floods subsided, he searched for his family in local schools that had served as impromptu evacuation centers for the flood victims.
“I didn’t go to the house. I was still hoping they were safe,” he said. When he found them nowhere, he returned to his house, accompanied by De Belen.
What Asuela found was more than he could bear.

Heartbreaking sight

He just sat in one corner and started crying, De Belen recalled. The policeman said, “I also couldn’t help but cry. The sight was heartbreaking.”
Asuela said his last moment with his family was over breakfast of hot pandesal and coffee. He said their happiest moment as a family came on July 12, 2008, when M.J. celebrated his first birthday.
“We shared a simple meal. We were all happy,” he said.
Asuela’s mother-in-law, Remedios Bonifacio, 54, said Asuela’s family was not completely gone. He actually has a remaining child, 3-year-old Leonardo, whom Asuela’s in-laws adopted after Desiree had given birth.
“He does not understand yet, Bonifacio said, referring to Leonardo. “When we ask him what happened to his siblings, he’d answer, ‘Sleeping,’” she said.


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20091001-227778/Dads-lament-I-wish-I-had-died-with-them

Taipei Beckoning

It is my nth time to visit Taipei, and although this is not even in the 1000 List of Places to See Before You Die, I have grown to love it like learning to love sushi and miso soup, or in this case, learning to love ...stinky tofu.





This time, BFF Cie will be accompanying me, her first time to Taipei, and I kind of feel giddy about the trip, wanting her to love it, because I do, I really do. And when I think of Taiwan I think of

the night market (where I get my shoes),

Guang Hwa electronics (I wonder if they already have a 1 Terabyte external hard drive, and if I can already afford the digital photo frame),

Ikea
...
and the food.

Let me tell you about the food.

Oyster noodles,they are so good people line up to get them in the middle of the afternoon and eat them standing up.





Din Tai Foo's shao long pao (handmade soup siomai), oh these are the best, especially after a long day of walking and touring!



Pearl milk tea, I am not a milk tea drinker but this I appreciate!



the best beef noodles. I've tasted Japan's, Malaysia's, Hongkong's. Taiwan is up there on my list.



and so on!


But my appetite has a limit. For example I don't find these delectable at all. And the smell, oh the smell is so pungent you fear you'd take it home with you.





We have an itinerary but I keep getting distracted by lists popping right out of my head:

-how about getting a real chinese wok? (my gash, this won't do with my econo-light ticket limiting my luggage to 15 kgs)
-I am definitely hitting Giordano ladies (they have the latest selection without the overpricing in Rockwell)
-how about a tea set as a souvenir? I always bring my parents tea from Taiwan.
-I think I know what to get as Christmas gifts for the girls- how about cocktail rings huh?
-I wonder if I can get original Mizuno badminton shoes in Wen Lin Road? If the prices are good I will buy and sell to my badmin Sunday group. Oh drat. I have a 15 kgs limit. LOL!

My Vote.My Turn.

Woke up to Facebook, McDonald's sausage mc muffin with egg and The Inquirer.

I sent in my text to this nice market research.

My Vote. My Turn.
HOW I WILL DECIDE

The Inquirer keeps me informed. The 2010 election is really about ________(hot topic).
Our next president needs to be someone capable of _______(character trait) like
__________(political hero), and not capable of _______(political scandal).

No one knows for sure what will happen. But I will make my vote happen.


SMS: Type 2010 Name/Address/Hot Topic/Character Trait/Political Hero/Political Scandal and send to 0918-898 5566.

Here is what I drafted as my answer.


The 2010 election is really about choosing the best leader who can visualize and steer the nation from poverty and corruption into development and to raising Philippine pride (Pinoy ako!). Our next president needs to be a visionary, leader, someone who can execute his vision and inspire people to work together on this vision, someone honest, noble and simple, like Ninoy and Cory Aquino, and not capable of corruption.
No one knows for sure what will happen. But I will make my vote happen.












Photo credit: P500 peso bill designed by my FB friend Rev Naval.
www.peaceloveandrevolution.com

Salamat, Tita Cory

What else is left I asked myself?

While watching the requiem mass for President Cory Aquino on TV, twittering, facebooking, reading feeds from blogs I follow and texting and crying with my mother on Tita Cory's life of suffering, I finally heard the message of Tita Cory to the Filipino: a message of hope and for me, for all of us, to choose the noblest of them all.

Tama ang sinabi ni Kris, Ma, kaya tayo umiiyak, kaya tayo nalulungkot, ay dahil kay Tita Cory nakikita natin ang sarili nating ina, na naghirap, nagbigay ng sarili nila para sa kanilang anak. I love you Ma, and I thank God for you.

Teddy Locsin Loved Her The Most

Teddy Locsin's Eulogy for Cory Aquino


Throughout thirteen years of martial law, until I laid eyes on her again, I never thought that I would ever see the end of it. Least of all that my father would survive it. I am not much given to prayer or pious reflection but when I could set aside my anger, I prayed my father would see democracy again.

Late one afternoon, in San Francisco, I got a call. It was from Cory Aquino, for whom I had written one speech after her husband’s assassination. She said she had accepted Marcos’s challenge in a Snap Presidential Election. I put down the phone, and packed my bags, and reported to her at the Cojuangco Building.

I knew then she was the answer to my prayers. What I did not notice was that the closer we came to victory, which is to say the farther the prospect receded that the Marcos regime would survive, the less I felt the anger inside me. As each day passed, bringing me closer to the day I could get even, the less I felt the need for it as I spent more time with the woman who alone could make it possible.

I did not notice, but I was no longer looking back in anger, or looking forward even, to victory and vindication. Only now do I see. I had lived with my anger so long, only for the day to come when it no longer mattered to me. The only thing that counted was that I was living every day to the fullest, bringing out the best in me—for someone else. A dream I hadn’t had since I was a boy, feeding on stories of chivalry, had been achieved. I was serving a woman who was every inch a sovereign, all the more for scorning the slightest pretension to the role.

I did not realize it, even when I was already in the Palace, by the side of the President—among all her advisers, I like to think, the one who loved her most.

It never again occurred to me that I had scores to settle. And not until today, that I had passed up every chance to get even.

From the moment I came in from the airport and reported for duty, and she gave me in return the same smile she gave me on her deathbed, I never noticed… Not when I was with her in the campaign when she corrected me for not looking at the people I was waving at… Nor when I was with her in the presidential limousine looking intently, for her benefit, at the crowds at whom I waved… I never noticed anything. Except that I was with the only person that I would ever want to be with.

I certainly never noticed that I had left my anger behind. I don’t know how it happened. Except that Cory Aquino ennobled everyone who came near her. I have tried to say it publicly but never could finish. If you saw me as I felt myself to be, anyone would fall in love with me. I saw myself in that hospital room, a knight at the bedside of his dying sovereign, on the eve of a new Crusade, oblivious to the weight of the armor on his shoulders for the weight of the grief in his heart.

And because she always doubted my ability to be good for very long… Indeed, when my wife told Ballsy that I prayed the rosary at Lourdes for her mother’s recovery, Cory said, “Teddy Boy prayed the rosary? A miracle! I feel better already.” Because she doubted my capacity for self-reformation, she made it effortless for me by being herself. I did not notice that I was doing right by serving a woman who never did wrong. I am not sure how to take this moral self-discovery. It is so unlike myself. But if it will bring me before her again, I am happy.

Prayer for a Happy Death by Corazon Aquino

Prayer for a Happy Death (2004)
By Corazon Aquino

Almighty God, most merciful Father
You alone know the time
You alone know the hour
You alone know the moment
When I shall breathe my last.

So remind me each day, most loving Father
To be the best that I can be
To be humble, to be kind,
To be patient, to be true,
To embrace what is good
To reject what is evil
To adore only You.

When that final moment does come
Let not my loved ones grieve for long
Let them comfort each other
And let them know how much happiness
They brought into my life.
Let them pray for me
As I will continue to pray for them,
Hoping that they will always pray for each other.
Let them know that they made possible
Whatever good I offered to our world
And let them realize that our separation
Is just for a short while
As we prepare for our reunion in eternity.

Our Father in heaven
You alone are my hope
You alone are my salvation
Thank You for Your unconditional love. Amen.

Check Them Out: Park Jun's Beauty Lab

She is Park Jun's creative director, Maiyah, who's as thin as a rail and looks much younger in person. Entering Park Jun's was the same experience I had a year ago when I had my hair cut in Taipei. She touched my hair and was aghast, felt so sorry for my hair which was (1) rebonded (2) very dry (3) lacked nutrients and shine. She asked for my routine, what shampoo do I use, what treatments do I have, how many times do I have my hair rebonded, do I use serum? All these I know were to plus sell me their treatments when all I wanted were bangs. I thought it looked good on her. But I also know I abuse my hair since I blowdry daily and rebond every six months.







What was impressive was she was so hands-on with her clients that she sometimes hovers around the assistant even when shampooing my hair, and she does the blowdrying herself. Her assistant Abby told me, "Ma'am ganyan talaga sila, pulido gumawa." (They really work like that, keen on the details.)

She tells me instead of rebonding, next time I should use volume rebonding which leaves the hair flat on top but with some volume on the side and bangs. My BFF was with me, and she is opting for volume rebond with digital perm on the side, which I thought would look great on her- it would look romantic and would fit her frame beautifully.



Park Jun's is located at Glorietta 3, beside Gloria Jeans in Makati.
Call to reserve an appointment:819-3001



The girls loved my new 'do.




















*******


Lunch at Salcedo Market, and 2 hours at Park Jun's - all these we did on a rainy Saturday morning, after waking up to Tita Cory's passing away, who had less effect on me than Michael Jackson's death. Another friend and I were trying to figure it out, as she is ready to throw in her towel and leave Pinas as well. All these years our country is slowly rotting away with disease and we can't shake it off with some leaders governing the country. I feel the best way to be Pinoy is to be the best I can be, but sometimes that is not enough.

Jessica Zafra sums it up in her blog today:

"She was a lady, a rarity in this day and age and especially in this political system. She tried. We miss her like a limb. In mourning for Tita Cory we’re really mourning for ourselves and what could’ve been."


I remember my mother geared in yellow tshirt in the 80s, joining the first Edsa revolution. After that we had hope for the nation. Now that it is my generation, what do people of our generation do? We are frustrated, we try doing our part, we comment, we write, but at the same time, we try to hear as less noise as possible, to stay sane. For those of us who are left here, as many of my generation are already in the Northern America, or someplace else, and for yet, the others who are thinking of ways of moving on, to become citizens of the world, what else is left?

7-Eleven's Big Bite Match: The First Competitive Eating Challenge in the Philippines

First of all, let me introduce you to Takeru Kobayashi.







Although he finished second in this year's hotdog eating competition, next to Joey Chestnut (who finished 68 hotdogs in 10 minutes), Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi remains popular, holding the record for six straight years. Competitive eating then became a growing global phenomenon, attracting over 50,000 people, and is covered by ESPN on the day of the finals.




In the United States and Japan, competitive eating is treated as a real sport because it requires training, discipline and a regimen to be able to compete. We have been dreaming of this project since 2002, since we know customers love our hotdogs, and with the same PR agency. Five years later, we launched it with an internal campaign, with our store managers, area managers and district managers, and we knew it was a hit. Actually, when we first pitched the concept, everyone's reaction was the same: excited! The same was true for the media when we launched it last July 4 at the Rockwell Tent for an exclusive media launch.






It was newsworthy: Filipinos love to eat, it's a first, the biggest in Southeast asia, and was launched the same day Joey Chestnut won his second International Federation of Competitive Eaters champion for Nathan's. Aside from fried chicken and hamburger, the Americans gave us our love for hotdogs, even if,as Kuya Kim of Umagang Kayganda says, it in fact, came from Germany. We know we couldn't get Kobayashi, but we flew in Tom "Goose" Gilbert, who won the 2006 Italian Sausage eating contest, and has several other titles under his belt. Without Tom showcasing how the sports is done, it would have been anti-climactic. He finished 10 hotdogs in 3 minutes 27 seconds, and we all watched in amazement as buns disappeared in a few gulps.


We were with Tom for the duration of his stay here, and he told us a funny story about how he go into it. He said he watched an event, and then said to himself, " How cool and disgusting!.... I could do that." He trains once a month by eating oats, or cabbage (4 kilos) or drinking gallons of water. The trick to this competition, as he points out, is training the stomach to expand. That is why, if you look at the champions, they are not heavy at all.




So in between meeting with the project team, pitching the project to top management, bidding the project out, working on the creatives, talking to our operations team who will do the execution, the weekly updates and deadlines, we are almost there. We launched the competition June 26, and as of July 18 we have over 554 (successful) participants, with some multiple entries. There is this high school student in our Annapolis store, Tony Shu, whose name you will see thrice in that store's Leader Board. He keeps trying until he beats his own record. Our best record so far is from John Paul Aragoncillo in Mc Kinley Hills (are you a call center agent?) who has a time of 1 minute 16 seconds. Raymond Bagoncia, whose entry appears in our Sunny Brooke store probably came in with a group of friends because all four of them clocked in under 2 minutes.

On Facebook I met Revo Naval who recorded his try in a Manansala store and got over 63 comments, and got some of his friends to try.

"I'll try to beat that time. ;)
looking strong though."

"hahahahahha... the security guard takin a video too! HAHA"

"kala ko sinasawsaw mo yung bun para mas malasa =))"

"i thought we're gonna do this?tara!!part 2 for you!!game!"

"wahahaha!!! go rev! kulet mo!"

"the record is at 2 minutes??? ima smoke out and give that a shot!"

"hahahah ! this would have been so funny if you actually puked ! ahhaha woo go rev"

"JOHNNYVERSE VS DJ ACE VS REVOLUTION VS BIGBOY CHENG"


TonyToni Bueno at 4:33am July 13

"Hayden Kho is joining this contest! Mahilig sa pakwan, let's see if hotdogs are his weakness!

Rev: We interviewed Thomas GOOSE MAN Gilbert who did the 5 hotdogs in 1mins 31sec, obviously he cant join!! Will post the video after we air the episode on mtv!"

http://foodiestation.blogspot.com/2009/07/7-elevens-1st-big-bite-national-hotdog.html
Santi Santos


TonyToni Bueno is, of course TonyToni of Boys Night Out who taped a segment for their MTV show Hanging Out With The Boys which aired last night. I thought they'd catch my answer to Sam YG's question on, " Are you single and ready to mingle?" , and his subsequent "flavor of sensation" demo, but thank God, no.






We are cooking up something for the semifinals and of course, the Bonggang Bonggang Finals will be held at the Trinoma Activity Center on August 29, Saturday, 3-5 PM with the Boys Night Out as hosts. In the meantime, you can still join. Just go to any of our 400 stores from Baguio to Lipa, buy the Big Bite Match Combo pack and eat as fast as you can!

If you have pictures or videos of your friends joining the competition, please send them over. I'd love to see them- the videos and the Big Bite fans. Let's make it fun on August 29,ok? I promise you'd have a great time.

Lastly, check out all promo details on www.eatingmachinesphilippines.com


XOXO,

A

P.S.Check out www.eatingmachinesphilippines.com
P.P.S. I need volunteers for the grand finals side events- Slurpee drinking contest, and a Butong Pakwan marathon (pramis, totoo!)

Self- Esteem

papa: ysabel (age 4) , look in the mirror (madumi kasi mukha...puno ng chocolate)

ysabel: (pumunta nga as instructed)

papa: what do you see?

ysabel: ahmm...i'm beautiful?

HAHAHA

Baby Number 2

Thanks to Facebook, looks of two decades past began to resurface courtesy of past high school classmates who, even though based elsewhere, managed to bring with them class pictures. And it is not just my class,but everyone seemed to get a kick out of their own batch pictures. L's high school in Notre Dame, for instance even created an account for their HS batch, and uploaded photos of then and now. As it was an exclusive school for boys, it was interesting to see how some transformed from boys to women; with our batch, some who had lesbian tendencies were now mothers, and sporting long hair; some even quitting smoking. These class pictures elicited the most comments in Facebook, which suddenly brought all of us face to face with not only how we looked before but what our aspirations were at that time.

Most of my batch mates are also scattered around the world. There were photos of families, hubbies and kids-a look at their albums showed a lot about how they are living their lives now.


As for me, sometimes (only sometimes), I would wonder why I haven't married, why my fate is different from the common path. I do not think it is a life less fulfilling. I seldom feel melancholic or sad about the life I have led so far. Because oftentimes I am out there discovering something (or just enjoying)about the world, and this makes me feel alive. The life I lead is not happier, or lonelier, nor easier, it just is different.


*****

These days I feel so at home with my new baby, the HP Mini 2140, which I traded up for a Vivienne Tam mini notebook. A sense of style vs substance? I always go for substance, but this baby doesn't look bad at all. In fact it is turning heads. Don't you just love the size of this notebook (and this is truly what I'd call notebook size), and the nice big keypads?

I think that in spite my love for smooth and great textured-paper I may just be giving up on paper-based notebooks, as I seem to write more and more of my notes and thoughts in my Blackberry or straight into this. The digital age is obliterating my need for paper, as I find myself grabbing my Starbucks planner and pen (I gave up on my FranklinCovey planner last year pa), then most often, putting it down and just carrying my phone to meetings. However, I am not giving up on books. That is a totally different story. Magazines, I don't buy so much anymore since there are so much more images and real time stories from my RSS feeds.











******

I think the meaning of life is love. There. I have solved one of life's biggest mysteries. Sheesh. I am OLD.

Two Years In The Making

I still remember why I got into this, all because I've never been a sporty person in my entire life. One day as I hit my thirties I decided I cannot just vegetate and let the pounds pile up. I picked up a racket from Toby's and has not looked back. To say that I enjoy it is an understatement, because I do it at least 4 hours a week. Badminton made me want to improve; even if progress was slow, I always try to get better.

I have only played with Mike less than twenty times, as he is a good player and plays with a regular group in QC called DropZone, but I enjoy his competitive spirit. He gets frustrated at times,with me, or with himself, but I'd rather play with someone who wants to win. Aside from this and having the same circle of friends (his friends actually just adopted me), we actually have one more thing in common, we play to maintain our eating habits. Tsk tsk. We regretfully agree that we will try to lose weight in order to have more endurance and power.




Thanks Mike for the 1st runner up moment. Let's go for gold next time!

Wanderlust

My friend Myr (belated Happy Birthday gorgeous girl!) shares this magical trip of hers for the year, along with some photos. Reading it is truly enjoyable, and you feel like you are there with her, almost. Nothing beats the real thing!



Dear Friends and Family,

A very big and warm HELLO to all of you from the Land of the Spartans and Home of Iliad and Odyssey!!!

It's our first morning in Athens, Greece. May 15, 7am here and 12noon in Manila & Taiwan.

As some of you know, this is my Wanderlust Trip for 2009.

The title might make you wonder why...well first was because this trip is a Family trip and I planned it for 6 people. Usually it's just me and Dolly traveling. Then we have to apply for our Schengen Visa in Philippines instead of Taiwan as we now live in Manila. Thirdly I got seriously sick 4 days before the Trip and we didn't have our visa even until then...not knowing if we will be given one or not. (this is how it goes in Manila..everything is always up in the air)

Our Visa was set to be released on May 12, 2009 at 1pm. ~ I thought no matter what, they should give us a visa because I have booked everything and the round trip plane tickets are all already fully paid!

I got sick May 10, 2009. The night before, I wasn't feeling well but I still went and attended a good friends birthday party anyway. Although I didn't regret it because I learned how to dance Swing on that party courtesy of a professional dance guru and I was able to meet and take a picture with the still very handsome Gabby Conception. (local famous actor in the Philippines)

May 12 still sick but went to get our Visa at 1:45pm and would you know the Italian embassy was already closed! What kind of visa embassy closes at 2pm?! Anyway, since I can't do anything about it...went to hospital to have a checkup and told my doctor I will/might be traveling in 2 days IF I get well and IF our visa comes out...w/c I will go back and get tomorrow.

May 13. Got our VISA and went home finally almost STRESS-Free after weeks of wondering if we will all be issued one. Felt better too...

So its a miracle that on May 14, I found myself in the car with S3 and M on our way to the airport.

On this trip with me so far : D (my aunt/travel companion as always) S3 (sister no. 3) M (eldest niece)

We catched our flight on May 14 at 8am via:

PAL - Mnl to HK 1.5hrs.
AIR FRANCE - HK - Paris 12hrs.
AIR FRANCE Paris - Athens 4 hrs.

An almost 18 hour flight.

The 3 of us are set to meet D at boadring area in HK for our Long Haul flight. And when we arrived HK, M needed to go to the toilet so badly because she drank too much water, but an airport representative was waiting for the connecting/transit passengers and she told us to RUN to catch our flight. We thought it was a joke and a short run...but we were surprised. We first ran along side her...she ran faster and faster and we tried to catch up. Its a like a real deal AMAZING Race reality show! Then S3 found it all too amusing and started to laugh hysterically while running! Then everyone including 3 foreigners who were running behind us heard S3's crazy laugh and started to laugh too...all while still running the very very long and endless way to our waiting flight. Before we knew it, S3 and myself where way behind everyone! After like 15 minutes of intensive cardio workout...we reached the counter and were issued our boarding passes. And M was able to go to the toilet! When we reached the boaring gate, D was there with her eyes wide open like an OWL. She thought we are not coming and she didn't know what she will do as her luggage was already on the plane and the gates will be closed in 5 mintues!!! WE MADE IT!!!

The flight was long and tiring esp. if you are just recovering and gaining your energy back. And to think there is another short trip after this one is almost too much. When we finally reached our destination Athens we took the bus to Syntagma and from there we walked to the hotel. IT WAS ALL WORTH IT. As our hotel is located in the HEART of Athens PLAKA district. Our suite room is HUGE for 4 people and there was a complimentary Champagne and Chocolates to welcome us. We opened it had a toast for a start of a great journey. Then we went our to our private balcony that has a view of the ACROPOLIS. It was breathtaking! The moment my niece went out the balcony she said, she can commit suicide here...and then later she said she can die here?! Is this how teenagers express their happiness to see and be somewhere so awe-insipring? This is her first trip outside ASIA. I am very happy and excited for her. Of course, she was taking tons of pictures and finally I have my own photographer on this trip!!!

We rested and freshen up for 1.5 hours while D gulped down the whole bottle of Champagne! hahahaaa......then it was time to grab a light snack before exploring. We went out and had our first Gyros. Delicious!!! My niece loved the small alley ways and shops. She said she wants to live here!!! Then it was a very short less than 5 minutes walk to the entrance of Acropolis. Students and under 18 are FREE of charge. We slowly hiked up to the maginificent Acropolis and Parthenon at the top you will see the whole city of Athens that literally glitters under the sun. It's really spectacular and beyond words. Over and over my niece keeps on saying she wants to live here. I told her you haven't even seen ROME yet and we will be there next week...

It took only 2 hours to see all the ruins and it's surrounding areas. We rested on shaded trees from time to time to relax and enjoy the scene before us. Finally, we walk back to Plaka area and found a place for dinner. It's a very festive area like Bourbon Street in New Orleans. We tried MOUSSAKA, it's the Greek version of Lasagna without the Pasta, instead it was replaced by Aubergiene and sliced baked potato underneath. The owner said when we smell the Moussakka, we will die..I guess he meant that is was delicious. He was totally right and though it didn't kill us the taste was HEAVEN!!!

We walked back to our hotel after dinner..we got a little lost in the small alleys but it was ok. It gave us a reason to ask 5 very very Handsome Greek Men in unform the way back to our place. My Aunt who is almost 65 years old, single and never been married is trying to find her Greek Man. We will help her find her dream man.

It was still early when we got back to our hotel 8:30pm but it was already 2:30am Manila time. So dear S3 was way past her bedtime. I made tea and went out our private balcony...it is humbling to think that 2 days ago I would never have thought I will be here...but am here now sitting and sipping tea while enjoying the magnificent lighted view of the Acropolis.

OPA!!!
Myr






Dear Friends and Family,




OPA! We have left Athens and are now here in Thira (Santorini~from the Italian word Saint Irene) On our last days in Athens, we visited two of their famous Museums. Our favorite is the Benaki Museum that houses a lot of important collections from the Byzantine period and the 18th Century.

Athens was pretty amazing and we celebrated my birthday by having dinner at a Family run Greek Restaurant. They serve 10 dishes, drinks and dessert for 4 people set. Surprisingly, Greek food is really tasty and delicious. If you like cheese, you will love it here. All restaurants will serve bread to dip in Olive Oil and balsamic Vinegar. Their breads are really tasty and chewy. I love it.
Of course, you should never leave Greece without trying the Gyros (ee-ros) choice of meat wrap in pita bread with salsa, tomatoes and onion. Delicious!!!

We arrive here in the island of Santorini yesterday. The capital Fira is very festive and lively. While Oia (ee-ya) is more laid back and romantic. I choose to stay in Oia. As it is also famous for it's sunset. I took some pics on my mobile phone...the reason is connected to the title of this email...what you shouldn't forget to bring...well since I was sick, stressed and on medication few days before this trip...I was a confused on what I should bring. The 3 things i forgot were: a good pair of shades, sunblock and USB cable to transfer pics from my camera to this computer so I can send you guys pics. Anyway, we have to make do for now pictures taken from my iphone.

Santorini takes your breath away. You see the pics, you watch it on TV, but to be here and really see it...it's like a dream you dont want to wake up from.

S3 and D do nothing but laugh and laugh...I dont know why. They laugh at even the smallest things. I guess they are really happy and crazy. M and myself can't stop taking pics. Last night S3 washed her clothes and hang them outside our private balcony...this afternoon her blouse got blown away and or course we dont know where it is now.

As for animals on the island, Athens is littered with BIG FAT CATS, while here in Santorini its full of BIG FAT DOGS!!!

Today we took an island and winery tour...yesterday was a bit cloudy so we didn't witness the sunset. But today we were able too. Sunset takes place at 8pm. Tomorrow we will go on a cruise on an authentic Schooner Sail Boat. They will takes us to the Volcano w/c is located in the middle of the sea, we will hike around it then swim in the sulfuric waters. We will end the day watching the sunset on the ship.

Cheers!





Note: Santorini sounds like a great place for honeymoon, doesn't it?

The Manila- American Cemetery and Memorial

It was supposedly a weekend of jogging. At the Fort. It was C's idea, and believe me, I cherish my mornings, and don't get up early on weekends except if we are going out of town. However, I have been rescheduling our jogging session the same way C has given the excuse of not having running shoes, for months, and the amount of excuses seemed equal, so I relented.

However, she had this grand idea of enjoying the view while running, again at the Fort's Manila American Cemetery and Memorial which strictly prohibited running or walking pets. So this is how we ended up being solemn and reflective on a quiet Saturday morning. Try to visit this memorial, which is right at the heart of The Fort, near Essensa. Bring a good camera.




























unknown soldier




















Jew













medal of Honor





















Memorial








Of course I ended up looking at names of possible relatives.

Balai Ysabel

We were supposed to book the long weekend of May 1-3 in Balai Ysabel but I decided not to push through with this for the kids, and opted instead a rustic getaway in Zambales. Why? It's primarily because the kids will not be able to enjoy the water as Taal's lakewater is not recommended for swimming. Good thing our corporate workshop was held here, and although I find the rooms new and well-kept, I would rather be in a reach beach than be in a pool along with a hundred other guests.

And oh, the food sucks too.

hotel room



the lakefront rooms



the infinity pool


the lakefront view


The only thing I find enjoyable here is the view of Taal Volcano.
Pardon the lousy pics, they were taken with my Blackberry 8320.

Dream On!

Aren't you as confused as I am about the weather? In the mornings it heats up like it's summer (and it still is)



















but in the afternoon rain starts pouring.
















I miss my Wakwak view, in my old spot at the office where I had been sitting for over four years. Now not only do I not have a view, I am the view! People see me on the way to the office of our president. Sometimes when my eyes grow tired and my brain gets worked up, I ease up by looking at the greens across our building, which is overlooking the exclusive Wakwak Village. I don't covet the big houses, I just stare at the peaceful sway of the trees. Then this would lead me to thoughts totally unrelated to work, until I am awakened from my reverie and face the computer screen again.


Today, I didn't have to look outside my window, as today's virtual world opens up the rest of the world. My good friend Yoy, who is married to a Dutch gentleman and is based in Singapore, popped up on my screen and transported me to Yogyakarta, to a place called Borobudur.

















"Both a shrine to Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage, Borobudur comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 life-size Buddha statues, each sculpted from a single stone. The monument occupies a modest plateau and from the top gallery, beautiful views of Central Java are revealed.

Borobudur is best seen at dawn, when the air is fresh and full of birdsong. As the mist begins to lift, the sun scales the surrounding volcanoes and terraced fields, and highlights the stone reliefs and the many faces of Buddha. Glimpsing Borobudur for the first time is often a deeply felt emotional experience. Later in the day, visits can be made to appreciate the historic and cultural context of this enduring monument. Personal guides will bring to life the knowledge contained within the reliefs. Go by andong, the traditional horse cart used daily by villagers throughout the region.

Elephant safaris around Dagi Hill are available daily between 7am and 2.30pm, except on Fridays. These half-hour rides are very popular so be sure to book well in advance."- from Amanjiwo website


Oh that is nice, I tell her. Certainly better than Hongkong. This conversation happened when I asked her,"so where else in Asia can someone who's looking for a cheap airfare and hotel stay go?"

The travel bug certainly hit me. Especially when one is single and having fun, traveling with friends is certainly one of the ways to spend your time. I know that's what my friends and I do. But I don't think this will change once one is bitten by the travel bug. Yoy, for instance travels at least four times a year with her hubby. This weekend alone, while her husband is away in London for business, she and her baby Naya will be off to Phuket for a 6-day bonding time. Isn't that quaint?


Speaking of dreamy, the travel plans came out because I said I was thinking of going away for my birthday, but didn't know where to go. The truth is, I wanted to stop the clock from ticking as this year, I face being officially OLD. Hahaha. So I am engaging in a fantasy of sorts. I really really want a Europe trip- something like a Rome- France- London-Greece tour, but let me save up on that when I am really older, and can afford.

Today I find comfort in thinking of beautiful things.





(Yes, can somebody please bring MUJI and IKEA here in the Philippines)






Mae, I'm still waiting for a painting from you, when are you going to have your own exhibit?




I am still thinking if I am going to splurge on a mini notebook. Last year my PC money went to buying my brother his unit ( I know, I have no ate or older brother so I always end up buying for my siblings). Still thinking, but this one is really pretty.





How about something nice like this sitting at my sterile office desk.




I don't even have a fortune plant at my desk. Tsk tsk.



Hokay. Let me update this list some other break time. Back to the grind.