"La Turistas" Birthday Party

Literally, hosted a birthday party for the March-April birthday celebrants of our company this afternoon.

That's Melai, a new employee of the company from the HR dept. She's my new co-host in the bimonthly birthday get-togethers.

The theme we thought of "Just Got Back from a Vacation." (Although I think the photo makes us look like "Honeymooners who Just Got Back" because of our matching white outfits. Hehe!)

It was a good party. More text later. Dead tired.

Sale Alert...

Check out the ongoing sale at Paseo Center, starting today.

All the big brands we've all been dreaming of are on sale. From Bottega to Bally, Prada to Zara, Hugo Boss to Tod's, they're all on sale up to 70% off.

This is one sale you don't want to miss.

Run, Shopper, Run.

Went to the Beach...

So I did go to the beach last Saturday. At the La Luz Beach Resort in San Juan, Batangas three hours south of Manila.

Enjoy pictures for now. Text to follow later.

My Visual DNA...

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

I'm done. Your turn.

Can we skip Friday already?

This Saturday, I'm heading to the beach.

Woo woo woo!

Together with some friends at work, we're going on a road trip to Batangas. Destination. La Luz Beach Resort.

I've never been to the place, and I'm hoping that everything posted on the website is true.

But if it isn't, this will be a good rest. Yay!

Can we skip Friday already?

The Reason Why...

So I haven't been blogging.

The reason for this is because I have been on field for the past two days to cover a crew conference. The event is being held at one of the nearby hotels, and I have been spending several hours listening to general topics (leadership, teamwork, communication) and topics I have no idea about (air vent, hull repair, drydocking, etc.).

It's good though, since I enjoy going around to cover events. If there's anything I don't like, it's being tied down to a desk for eight hours day after day. Hahaha!

The only downside is the stress and the fatigue. Commuting to the hotel every day with all the equipment, standing for hours, waiting and waiting and waiting. The other downside is the buffet table! Argh! While I did survive last week on a diet of oatmeal and wheat bread sandwiches for lunch every day, all of whatever was lost was gained twice in the last two days because of the buffet table! Aughhhh!!!

Oh well, this is my life. Some people think that we play a less significant role within the company, but I just tell myself that if it weren't for people with jobs like mine, the historic moments of companies wouldn't be documented and preserved. Hehehe!

Hope you're having a great week too!

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Boy...

So here's the separate entry on that someone from Conspiracy Bar.

I have read or heard on so many occasions already, be it in the movies or on the pages of a book, about a person so beautiful you want to cry just seeing that person.

I thought it was just another exaggeration of a melancholic writer.

Last night, I was proven wrong.

While Carlo and I were engaged in conversation, a guy arrived and Carlo and I just stopped talking and followed the guy with our gaze. He stopped by the foyer where the exhibit was. He put down the case he was bringing, and later on we found out that it was a saxophone case.

Carlo and I resumed our conversation, until we heard the calm but soulful sound of the saxophone and again we both stopped talking. Carlo then said to me, "Look at his profile."

I looked behind my back and saw Saxophone Boy sitting and texting someone.

It was at that moment that I felt like crying because I saw someone so beautiful. I've seen so many good-looking guys already, yeah, but there was something about Saxophone Boy.

It wasn't just because he's really handsome. Maybe it's because he's beautiful in a very simple way. He was just wearing a black vintage shirt, dark blue jeans, black sneakers. His hair was neatly cut. He had a fair complexion, obviously a child of a Pinoy and a foreigner. He had a really beautiful face.

So I face Carlo again and said, "Carlo, my gawd. What they write about wanting to cry upon seeing someone so beautiful is actually true."

My companion didn't need further convincing.

That Saturday night was truly a different one, I should say.

OsMOSSis at the Conspiracy...

Last night Carlo Pogi and I went to Conspiracy Bar in faraway Quezon City.

The last time I was there, it was with the ex and three of his friends. The ex's favorite performer Cynthia Alexander had a gig at the said bar, and so we decided to go.

Anyway, last night Cynthia Alexander performed again at Conspiracy. But that wasn't the reason why I went there with Carlo. Contemporary artist Jason Moss had some works on display, and he invited Carlo to see the exhibit.

Well, we thought Jason's works were on display but when we got there, the exhibit was more of a tribute to him. The exhibit's entitled OsMOSSis: 15 Years of Jason Moss Through the Eyes of Friends. I thought it was a nice exhibit because the works on display were of mixed media - oil paintings, prints, sculptures, among others. The artists featured include Manny Garibay, Ronald Ventura, Robert Alejandro, Kiri Dalena, Cynthia Alexander, and Marcel Antonio.

The works were unique and admirable, my favorite piece was Robert Alejandro's. It was a watercolor (I think) of a guy that was writing or drawing, and it had the name Jason. Uhm, I liked it because the drawing was simple, because it was a guy writing so I could relate to it, but I wish that it was my name that was written. Hahaha!

After admiring the exhibit, Carlo and I hung out for about an hour and just had our usual enjoyable dialogues. We were both distracted however when someone arrived. I will write about this because that someone deserves a separate entry. Hahaha!

Then, just when people were starting to arrive for Cynthia's performance, Carlo and I decided to call it a night. It was nice, peaceful Saturday evening.

A Lucky Friday the 13th for Joy...

My Dear Manager


Times Plaza People


The New Corp. Comm. Family


French Boy Sebie and Dear Joy


More Friends


All-Around Boy: From Party Organizer to Food Server

Yesterday, I threw a "surprise" party for my manager, Joy. As I've previously mentioned, she's leaving because she wants to become a full-time mom (at least, for now). I have only worked with her for only a year, but I have really learned a lot from her and she was both a mentor and a friend.

Anyway, despite the limited resources, I was able to put together a somewhat successful going away party for my dear manager. Originally, the theme I wanted was "Stepford Wives," since Joy is now going to spend most of her time taking care of her daughter and her family. I wanted to make the party an afternoon tea party, but alas, we had limited resources.

Instead, it became a potluck party and it was quite good because the party turned out to be more fun and exciting. After getting Joy's closest colleagues to confirm, I was able to book a venue and then assigned people to bring a particular dish.

At the very last minute, I was able to think of a theme. Since it was Friday the 13th, the party theme sort of was a la "Practical Magic." One of the highlights of the afternoon program was reading "good luck" messages/wishes for our dear friend. These messages were meant to start her Book of Fortune, which according to what I found is very useful in generating luck.

After the messages, we asked everyone to stand up and form a circle around Joy and we chanted a "magic spell" meant to cast away all the bad luck of Friday the 13th and to bring in good luck for Joy and everyone present.

The Spell:
Health I bring you,
happiness too, wealth herein
and all for YOU

I thought the party was a successful one, and so did many others. (Hahaha! I swear, organizing themed parties has got to be one of my biggest OGTs!)

Good luck, Mamooch! The party was the least I can do to say "thank you" for everything.

This is SO Entertaining...

My mama always said life was like a box of Angelo.

Which movie was this quote from?

Get your own quotes:

I'm melting! Melting! Oh, what an Angelo! What an Angelo!

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No, it is not dangerous to confuse Angelo with angels.

Which movie was this quote from?

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I have always depended on the kindness of Angelo.

Which movie was this quote from?

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The power of Angelo compels you.

Which movie was this quote from?

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I ate his Angelo with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.

Which movie was this quote from?

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Nobody puts Angelo in a corner.

Which movie was this quote from?

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Watch the Angelo, everywhere, keep looking! Keep watching the Angelo!

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I find your lack of Angelo disturbing.

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When I invite a woman to dinner I expect her to look at my Angelo. That's the price she has to pay.

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Keep your friends close, but your Angelo closer.

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And for an hour, for an hour - I'm the best Angelo in the world...

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Perfect organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its Angelo.

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I love the smell of Angelo in the morning.

Which movie was this quote from?

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Hahaha! Got this from Carlo Pogi. You should seriously try it. You won't stop clicking "Quotate."

Some Poetry For Y ou...

There was a period in my life right after college when I was going through a poetry phase.

Thinking of the right words that went together and rhymed was easy, and I was inspired to write a poem even after having been given one line to start the poem.

There was one time when the ex and I were attending a poetry reading night together with Carlo Pogi and I was able to come up with a beautiful poem (at least, for me) dedicated to the ex. I should look for that poem.

That was several years ago.

Recently, I found myself writing some poetry again. The motivation, again, was people. Uhm, the first poem I wrote this year was dedicated to someone I thought I liked but I never had the guts to ask the person out. Instead, I send a bouquet and a poem anonymously.

Last week, I wrote another poem. This time, it was dedicated to a very special lady - Joy, my manager. She's decided to bid us goodbye so she can become a full-time mother. I have only worked with her for a year, but I really love her because I have learned so much from her and she inspires me.

I would definitely miss her.

Here is the poem written for TBLBITW (or so I thought):
Just when I have given up on love
Just when I thought it wasn’t for me
Life throws me a surprise
The BLB 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 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

Here is the poem for my manager, Joy:

Today is really an unlucky day
For our friend Joy is going away
She's been with us for about five years
And as she leaves, our eyes have tears
And though she's about to say goodbye
There is no need to ask her why
She's trading in the papers to change Lilo's diapers
She's trading in the stress to finally wear a dress
She's trading in the men to be with her man
Thanks for all the collaterals you've made
Your hard work and efforts are debts to be paid
Who knows when we'll see you again
We don't know where, we don't know when
Hopefully you'll come back,
But if not, we wish you "Joy and Best of Luck!"

I don't know if it's safe to post the other recently written poem. Hehe! Maybe after a year.

Thirty Minutes is All It Takes...

To have a laptop stolen.

Yesterday, at noontime, my colleague stepped out for lunch. She was only gone for thirty minutes, and when she got back at the office, it seemed like her laptop also got hungry and went out for lunch.

I have to say that whoever that jerk was who took the laptop really had the balls to do something like that. To think that our office is on the same floor as the offices of the company President, Chairman and the other "gods."

But seriously, this incident is alarming. If someone can just walk into the executive offices and bring out something without getting noticed, who knows what else could happen?

Yaiks!

I Feel Badly Bad...

So like I said, I did find myself at the mall last Saturday afternoon. Me, and I think the rest of Metro Manila. Hahaha! Though the SM Mall of Asia is already such a huuuuge mall, it still seemed small if you saw the volume of people who trooped to the mall. I don't know. Maybe people missed the mall so much, even if it was only for two days.

Anyway, before I headed to Powerbooks to do some research, I found myself going to Astrovision where I spent a good thirty minutes looking at the videos that were on sale. Argh! Hehe!

Part of me was sad because there were a lot of videos I wanted to buy, but a part of me was also happy because at least, I found two good buys.

One was a copy of the Rocky Horror Picture Show film, which starred Susan Sarandon, Tim Curry, Richard O' Brien, among others. (I think this was the 1975 film).

And the other one is Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, starring Val Kilmer, Robert Downey, Jr. and Michelle Monaghan.

In the beginning, I thought the film was so-so but it turned out to be a good watch. I really enjoyed it, and I found myself laughing out loud on so many scenes. Of course, the fact that it was a gay-themed movie gave it extra points (at least, for me.) Hehe!

Here are some of the lines I liked because it had a "grammar" aspect to it:

Harry: Umm, clearly I'm interrupting. I feel badly. Let me... What are you drinking?
Harmony: Bad.
Harry: Bad? Sorry... feel...?
Harmony: You feel bad.
Harry: Bad?
Harmony: Badly is an adverb. So to say you feel badly would be saying that the mechanism which allows you to feel is broken.

Perry: Go. Sleep badly. Any questions, hesitate to call.
Harry: Bad.
Perry: Excuse me?
Harry: Sleep bad. Otherwise it makes it seem like the machanism that allows you to sleep...
Perry: What, f***head? Badly's an adverb. Who taught you grammar? Get out. Vanish.

Harry: So the whole... reconcilement... thing?
Perry: Reconciliation, idiot.

Perry: “You’re an idiot. You know what you’d find if you looked up the definition of idiot in the dictionary?”
Harry: “A picture of me?”
Perry: “No! The definition of idiot, which you are!”

1AM in Tagaytay

Well, guess what?

The five days of non-work wasn't a total loss.

I brought home some work (very minor ones - resizing and retouching oh photos for the online newsletter, writing of some articles, writing of some photo captions) and I did get to declutter my room. Pack rat that I am, I have papers that date all the way back to my freshman year in college(!!!). Yes, that was like about a decade ago. I don't know why I keep those papers, but I sometimes get the feeling that it might be of some use to me in the future. Hehehe!

Anyway, yesterday I was able to do something that erased the word "Loser" stamped on my forehead. Hehehe! I went to Tagaytay to visit two friends I haven't seen for the longest time, Romil and Sean. Dragged to Tagaytay were two friends who also didn't have anything planned for the loooong weekend - Thea and Ella. Hehehe!

We met up at the grand Mall of Asia after lunch and spent a good two hours going around the mall. Augh! I was happy that I was able to save last Thursday and Friday since I was just home, but it ended up to be useless because the two hours spent at the mall resulted in the purchase of three movies, some stuff from Marks & Spencer, and of course, dining. Hahahaha!

From Mall of Asia, we began our drive to Tagaytay. I always enjoy hanging out with Thea and Ella because the three of us just really click because of our craziness. Hehe!

Unsurprisingly, the drive was fast. We were knocking at the Sean and Romil's home before seven. Two of Romil's friends were also there, so it turned out to be an interesting night. After enjoying a dinner of grilled baby back ribs, tilapia in coconut sauce and chicken adobo, we all headed out to the verandah and continued several hours of laughter and talking, while having coffee and cake.

While the hosts were kind enough to ask us to stay for the night, we needed to get home. So by three in the morning, we bid everyone goodbye and headed back to Manila.

Gawd! I don't remember the last time I was out till three in the morning. I enjoyed the short out of town trip very much. I loved it that though it was a road trip, it wasn't that stressful because everything was light and casual. No noise and unrestrained wild party behavior (although that could have also been fun since I haven't gone clubbing in awhile.)

Oh well, I hope you had a good long weekend too.

Some Photos...

Cool People in Cool Baguio



Palaisdaan at Tarlac




Tagaytay Highlands







Here are some photos from recent trips to Tagaytay and to Baguio.

Awww! Both trips were so enjoyable, but I'm rather feeling lazy right now to write about them. Hehehe!

Will post more pictures next time.

Long Weekend....

Woo! Woo! Woo!

I am officially on a long weekend break, as of this writing.

Wow! I have five days of rest and relaxation.

But since I'm not going out of town, I'll probably bring home some work.

Boo! Boo! Boo!

I Want for My Next, Next Birthday...

I want one of these.

News reports say it'll be available in Asia by next year. I wonder if Manila is included in the countries that will get a supply of iPhones. (I hope so.)

iPhone. iWant.

Interested to Learn...

Lomography.

I know it's been around Manila already, but I haven't really had the time to really read about it. Last Saturday, I found a couple of sites that give very useful information about Lomography.

I thought to myself, "It'll be fun to do this kind of photography, where I don't have to follow any strict rules."

So I found myself ordering the basic toy camera to get me started on this very exciting hobby. The order will arrive by May, though so at least that gives me more time to read and learn about lomography.

Check out this site, this site, and this site.

The Gay Birds Have Landed...

Watched Gay Birds last night with Grace, Sam and Sam's husband, Robert. It was a good watch. Definitely needed a good laugh, especially with everything that's been "happening." Hahaha!

Anyway, the play was based on Jean Poiret's La Cage Aux Folles.

What I really liked was the fact that Rep reall localized the story. Disco era of Manila. Martial Law times. A period when gay men still married.

You probably know the story. Gay couple's straight son comes home to announce that he is getting married. The excitement heightens as everyone tries to "hide" the truth and create a "normal" family so that the in-laws would agree to the marriage.

The final scene is a medley of club music that although the songs hit the airwaves way before I was born, the melody and the music are very much fun and easy to love.

Gay Birds stars Arnel Carrion, Oliver Usison, Jejie Esguerra, Topper Fabregas, Tony Amador, Dingdong Rosales, Jejie Esguerra, Hans Eckstein, Micah Muñoz, Carlos Canlas, Boyd Tinio, Cathy Azanza, Charlie Barredo, and Naths Everett.


I'm really glad I got to watch it. And if you're interested to watch it, sorry to tell you this but I think last Sunday was the play's final performance.

Now on Skype...

Hmm, it was only last night that I found out that Skype.com isn't included in the list of websites that are blocked by our office's Surf Control.

Thanks to Sam and Grace. Hehe!

So before leaving work last night, I downloaded Skype and registered.

Now, the next thing to do is to find out who else among my friends "Skypes?"