Monday, June 30, 2008
Mag-UPiktyuran na...
Saturday afternoon was spent in UP Diliman. All I've been seeing the past few weeks are malls, and I needed a change of environment. That and the fact that I'm on a shoestring budget. Haha! (I need to find a job on the side. Hmm...)
Anyway, it was great to be back in the university. Reena and I took some photos at the Oblation. First time I've ever gotten my photo with the Oblation. Hehehe! And then we went to the Shopping Center. I suddenly remembered how affordable it is to be in UP. P5 gulaman and yummy street ice cream for P25. Hah! Then it was walking time, which I really wanted to do. I wanted a round of the university oval, but since it drizzled, we were only able to do half of the oval. Hehe! While waiting for the rain to stop, we hung out at Vinzons Hall where other students also sought shelter. The rain finally stopped and we continued walking, and we spent another hour at the benches of Sunken Garden just talking and people watching. Hehehe! It was a good Saturday.
By the way, we have a promo for UP constituents: UPiktyuran Na! with Smart: UP Centennial Smart MMS Photo Competition! Click here for details.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Angelina Jolie and two Koreans for the weekend...
Watched Wanted last Friday at Rockwell. The movie opened that week so as expected, it was full house. Planned to watch the 8:05 screening but ended up getting a later screening, because all the good seats were already taken.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Taga-UP ka ba? Get a chance to win a Smart Bro Plug-it with an Asus eeePC laptop!
Taga-UP ka ba? You have 100 days to showcase and share your stories by joining the UP Centennial SMART MMS Photo Competition!
As part of the university’s Centennial celebration, SMART partners with the UP Diliman College of Mass Communications to launch the UPiktyuran Na! with SMART: UP Centennial SMART MMS Photo Competition. The photo contest urges all UP students, alumni, faculty and employees to share their own stories about their experiences in the university, not through words but via images taken using a camera phone and submitted through SMART’s MMS service.
Tell your UP story by sending in photos that contain elements symbolic of or clearly attributed or connected to the University of the Philippines. The convenience and imaging capabilities of mobile phones have made all this easy. So no matter what UP campus you come from or where you are in the world —makipag-UPiktyuran ka na!
The Top Ten outstanding photos win a SMART Bro Prepaid Plug-it each and Asus eeePC laptop! With SMART Bro’s nationwidest coverage, you’re sure to have affordable broadband internet access anytime and anywhere you need it.
Join the UPiktyuran Na! with SMART, UP Centennial SMART MMS Photo Competition now. Log on to www.smart.com.ph/UPiktyuran to view entries. The competition runs from June 22 to September 29, 2008.
How to Join:
1. The UPiktyuran Na! with Smart: UP Centennial SMART MMS Photo Competition will run from June 22 to September 29, 2008.
2. The contest is open to all Smart and Talk 'N Text subscribers affiliated with the University of the Philippines (students, alumni, faculty members or employees)
3. MMS photo entries must be taken with a camera phone and submitted through MMS.
4. MMS photo entries should communicate the participant's story about UP experiences to illustrate what being part of UP and its Centennial celebration means. It must contain elements that are symbolic of or that are clearly attributed or connected to UP.
5. Photo entries must be taken within the official competition duration.
6. To enter, participants must first register by texting UP REG
Example: UP REG Bona Sy/UP Diliman/Alumni
7. Registration to the competition is free and participants will receive a text message confirming their registration.
8. To start sending MMS photo entries, subscribers must simply create an MMS message, type UP
Example: UP Sunken Garden
9. Participants can submit as many entries as they like.
10. Submitted entries can be viewed at www.smart.com.ph/UPiktyuran within 24 to 48 hours after submission to the access number.
11. Winners will be chosen and judged on the basis of the following criteria: Creativity – 30%, Theme – 20%, Composition – 20%, and Originality – 30%.
12. Top ten MMS photo entries will be awarded one Smart Bro Prepaid Plug-it and Asus eeePC laptop each.
13. Final winners will be announced on October 10, 2008.
14. By sending the MMS photo to the access number and by participating in the contest, the participant agrees with the contest rules, mechanics, waivers and other terms and conditions. Full details of the rules and mechanics can be viewed at www.smart.com.ph/UPiktyuran
Eksenang UP
Everyone has a story to tell, and SMART and the UP College of Mass Communications want yours. From the significant and meaningful, to the funny and extraordinary, take a shot of and spin a good yarn on those lasting memories and experiences of being part of the state university. A bunch of UP students and alumni snap stills of the campus life, sharing the sights, sounds, tastes, and faces that are an integral part of buhay UP.
Support your favorite MMS photo!
Not from UP? You can still participate by joining the UPiktyuran Na! with SMART Polling Promo.
View and vote for your favorite entries by checking out the competition microsite: www.smart.com.ph/UPiktyuran. The entry that garners the most number of votes for the duration of the voting period receives the UPiktyuran Na! Texters’ Choice Award as well as a special prize from SMART.
To vote, just type UPVOTE
Example: UPVOTE 98
Let your voices be heard! You have until October 3, 2008 to declare your UPiktyuran pick.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Some thoughts on the "ick" factor...
The ick factor. First heard on SATC. I read somewhere that "ick" originally referred to something overly sweet and sentimental. But the meaning changed to something that one doesn't like. (Because it's overly sweet? Hehe! I dunno.) For this post, we'll use the original meaning of that word.
Over a stick of cigarette, some girl friends and I were talking about the weight of the "ick" factor in dating and relationships. One friend was saying that it is important, especially when two people are just starting to date. Another friend was saying that she's already accepted the fact that men aren't programmed to be icky. Hmmm, I wonder if that also applies to the people in my team. Hehe!
Uhm, I dunno but I'd like to think that deep inside, I am cheesy. (Or maybe ask...? Haha!) I mean I enjoy giving little gifts, or writing thoughtful notes, or sometimes making a fool of myself if it means getting one to laugh. And to a certain point, I'd like the (non-existent) other half to be icky as well, at least to a certain point. I mean, c'mon. Who wouldn't want to be surprised with a cheesy text, especially when you're having a bad day? Or whose heart wouldn't want to skip a beat every now and then because he/she is told something mundane but sincerely sweet? Hehe!
Hmmm, I guess I'd say that the "ick" factor matters to me, for the simple reason that it gives one an amount of reassurance that the person is or still is into him/her.
I think that that small "ick" factor is the thing that distinguishes one's relationship from all the other existing relationships of a person. A friend was saying, "I know my closest friend could do the sweetest gesture. And of course, I'd appreciate it but it's different because it's a friend. When the one doing the ick thing is a potential other half, it's completely different. My heart races. And as corny as this may sound, I love the "kilig" feeling."
I had to agree.
Cue theme music... in this case, Breathe's How Can I Fall. Haha!
Alright, you can go ahead now and throw up.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
A baby boy is on his way...
Yesterday afternoon, we had a baby shower at the office for one of our dearest colleagues, Grace.
Despite the pile of work that never seem to end, partly thanks to typhoon Frank, we still managed to squeeze the celebration into our busy schedules. Hehehe!
Of course, there was a lot of food. And certain games involving chopsticks and pacifiers and popping balloons were played. And gifts were offered to the baby boy we are all waiting for to come out into this world! Hehe! Tey, Moneigh, Reena, Maricris and I got grace this cute, sky blue, quilted comforter. From Baby Dior, naturally. (Just kidding! I wish! Hehe!) Our other colleagues gave adorable baby booties, bumper guard, and designer diapers called Mamypoko (when I was a baby, I was old-fashioned lampin all the way. What happened to that?! Hehe!).
It was a good baby shower, I think. Everyone had fun, and the mother to be looked really happy. So that's all that matters.
I like it that I work with the people I work with. They're all fun and creative and thoughtful. That's important I think. When I moved into my new cubicle, we literally had a ribbon-cutting ceremony and throwing of coins for my tiny cubicle. Haha! How crazy is that? For the birthday of my boss, we ordered a special cake that looked like a Vuitton Speedy. How many workplaces have an environment like this? Hehe!
Monday, June 23, 2008
100 Nudes, dinner and Made of Honor at Gateway...
Hung out yesterday evening with two friends who I haven't seen for quite some time - Noreen and Kareen. Nope, they're not sisters. Neither are they twins, or lovers. Hehehe! It just so happened that their names sound alike.
Anyway, I haven't seen Noreen because she's been so busy writing for ABS-CBN and stalking Zanjoe. (Haha! Love you, friend.) But I'm happy for her because she's doing something that she loves. Kareen, on the other hand, is in between jobs so I think she's just been enjoying the free time.
We met up at Gateway Mall to check out the 100 Nudes exhibit of UP at the Mandarin Suites. It was a nice exhibit. There was a good combination of artists, from the masters to the contemporary to the new ones. There was also a variety of media - from pastel to wood sculptures to charcoal to pen and ink and so on.
We lent one of the pieces that is on display. It's a "Malakas and Maganda" sculpture by the late artist and our neighbor Anastacio Caedo. The piece has been in our house for the longest time and I haven't really been paying attention to it. Who knew it would be included in an exhibit like this? Hehe!
Afterwards, the three of us had a good dinner and catching up. The two girls also went shopping because of all the sale that was happening. Hehehe! And then we caught the last screening of Made of Honor. It was a so so movie. The only part I really enjoyed was when Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan had that chat and the door was between them. Cheesy person that I am, I enjoyed the confessions of the girl. All three of us were giggling because we were loving the lines. Hahaha!
Good Saturday night, I must say.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Ready to get on that bike again...
It was something I enjoyed very much. When I wanted to have some thrill, I could pedal harder and increase my speed. When I wanted to just relax, I could just go at the speed I want to. It was great, and it was something that made me happy and laugh and just be bright about everything.
But then there was one time, when I thought I was doing well and when I least expected it, I fell...hard. Really hard.
And since then, I haven't been on one again.
There were times when I almost did, but it just never happened. Partly because I just didn't feel like it, partly because I've been too comfortable walking, partly because I've been too okay just hanging out with the best of my friends.
Uhm, last week, something made me want to try getting on a bike again. Just like the time that I fell hard, this one was also unexpected. I thought I'm 100% ready to get on one again, and I know I am. I really am. I've found myself smiling so many times already just thinking about how happy I was when I was biking, so there are days when I just really went to go and do it.
It's just that I'm scared like sh*t. What if I fall hard again? I don't know. I really wouldn't want to go through that again. But I also know that if I don't dare, I wouldn't also feel the thrill again.
Maybe I just need some reassurance from someone, to push to me to go for it, to tell me it's going to be fun, and if I do hurt myself again, there's no other thing to do but get up, attend to the wound and then go for it again.
Three days of training are over...
The past two days, plus today, have been spent out of the office. Along with some other colleagues from other departments, I attended a training on management and leadership. Although being out of the office the entire day meant having to spend a couple of hours more of work at the end of the day (to check emails, etc.), it was a good training.
The training was given by the Ateneo Center for Org. Research & Dev't, and our trainer, Jay, was good. He knew what he was talking about, and I absolutely loved the Keynote presentation. Haha! Sorry, but presentations really matter to me. If it's boring, augh, I'm surely going to tune out. Aside from the presentation, the guy was also funny so that kept us awake especially during the early afternoon sessions. Hehe!
Uhm, most of the concepts weren't new, but it's good to have gone through the training because things were reinforced. Hehe! The topics - managing work, managing your boss, coaching, conflict management - were all definitely helpful.
I don't really have people under me, but I'm sure the stuff would be useful when that day comes. Hehe! Or I can use it now with the clients/departments I interface with.
Lastly, the certificate was most amusing. There was a class photo, and that was nice. I was amused with the fact that they wrote my entire name on the certificate. Haha! The last time I saw my entire name was on my university diploma I think.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Some sort of happy meal...
Anyway, the other night I opened that black CD case and checked the CDs. Miss Saigon, Rent, Rocky Horror, Aida, Wicked, Avenue Q, to name a few, were all there staring at me begging me to take at least one of them and place them on the CD drive of my PC. I've always been a fan of musicals, but I have to thank one person for really getting me to know more about it and have copies of the soundtrack. Thanks much.
Moving on, I took out Rent from the sleeve and played it. Since it was already past seven and there were only a few people left at the office, I sang along with the songs. Hehehe!
After Rent, it was time for Glinda and Elphaba, then the crazy bunch of Avenue Q. Hehehe! It was good and fun.
I needed some dose of showtunes especially right now when I feel like singing "It sucks to be me." Haha!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Student campers, foundation scholars and MVP...
Last Thursday, I was asked to host the graduation of the Student Camp. It was fun. It was great seeing some of the campers again, especially because some of them have already become friends of sorts.
The Student Camp is a special kind of apprenticeship. Out of the 400 hundred applicants, less than a hundred were accepted to the program. The Student Campers then spend about 2 months training with the company. They also get to engage in "Kamustahan" sessions, where they met top execs like Mr. Polly Nazareno, and they also got to hang out with the TNT basketball players. So it was really a good internship, I should say.
Anyway, the program went well. I had more fun after the program because I got to hang out with the kiddies-Tatan and Francis from the Global Access group, and then from the Foundation together with Chelle, Abbie, Sarah and another kid who's name I forgot. Eeep!
We all just hung out, chatted, and enjoyed the drinks.
Oh, the other highlight was getting to be on stage again with the main man, MVP. It was nice seeing him enjoying the company of the kids. The guy really loves students I must say. I met MVP during the recruitment for the Student Camp, and now we see each other again at the closing program. Maybe the next time we see each other again, he'll already remember my name. Hehehe!
Uhm, lastly, I've been having some hosting gigs for the company. Aside from the Student Camp recruitment and the graduation, there was this awarding ceremony for scholars of the company's foundation. Hehehe! It's all good, but I have to say that I always, always get nervous before I go onstage. I hope it's not that obvious. But I'm really happy once we reach the closing part because that's the time that I can say the whole program was a success. Or at least, I'm happy. Hehehe!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Smart Buddy Me na Me invades Cebu...
Yesterday was the Smart Buddy Me na Me mall invasion in Manila and Cebu. Colleague Aimee and I were assigned to cover the Cebu leg.
Me na Me is the new campaign of Buddy for prepaid subscribers. The celebrity endorsers are Gerald Anderson, Kim Chiu, Angel Locsin, and Piolo Pascual.
Anyway, the idea for yesterday's gimmick was 150 individuals clad in the same shirt "invading" the major malls. In Cebu, the malls we invaded were SM City, Elizabeth Mall and Ayala Center. It was kind of fun seeing the reaction of the malllgoers when they saw the Me na Me mall invaders walking around the mall. Most of the crowd had a "What's happening" look on their faces as the throngs of people in green shirts passed them by.
The whole day was fun, but it was also tiring. It turned out to be a hot day and traffic was just horrible. Hehehe!
I was happy though because I made new friends, somehow. Though it was a quick event, I got to bond with the Me na Me kiddies from the group assigned to me. Hehe!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Finally, tourist for an hour in Cebu...
Finally, I was able to do something touristy in Cebu.
Aimee and I arrived in Cebu at 6AM. From the airport, we took a cab to her house where we had a good breakfast. I had frice rice and danggit. Yum! Afterwards, since we had about an hour to spare before work for the day began, Aimee brought me to one of the most popular landmarks in Cebu - the Basilica of the Sto. Niño.
There I saw the much-venerated Sto. Niño and a line of devotees patiently waiting for their turn to be in front of the child Jesus. That was the Sto. Niño that is brought out during the Grand Parade of the Sinulog Festival every January.
The other thing that amazed me was the retablo. It was fantastic. It was grand. It was to be adored. I don't know but I really find myself drawn to old churches and the old altars. Hehe! When we went to Iloilo, I was just in awe of the beautiful architecture of all the old churches.
On the side of the church was the courtyard. It kind of reminded me of Fr. Blanco's garden in Intramuros.
And then just oustide at the rear of the church is Magellan's Cross, the very cross Ferdinand magellan planted on Philippine shores in 1521 when he claimed the country for Prince Philip.
That's it. Maybe next time I visit Cebu, I'd get to see the beach. Haha!
For now, I'm happy that I've seen something other than the hotel, the airport and our Visayas office.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Burger naman diyan...
I was craving for a burger since last weekend, but having taken a new path over a month ago, I knew that the numerous burger joints near my office just can't be.
So what do I do?
Despite the rain and the horrible EDSA traffic, I went all the way to QC just to satisfy my craving. On the way, I called good friend Bernice to see if she would be was free for dinnner. I told her where we'd be eating and by 830PM, we were making our way to Morato area.
Our destination was Greens. The last time I've been at that nice dining place was a couple of years ago. Once we got the menu, I started having thoughts about my tofu mushroom burger, because of all the other nice dishes. There was pasta and the tofu/mushroom kebab and shepherd's pie. Hay, they were all good but I decided to satisfy my craving and got the burger with fries and soy milk. Like me, Bernice was also going gaga over the menu because of all the good stuff. She decided to get the shepherd's pie with red rice and soy milk.
Over dinner, we had our usually light conversation about work, her scholarship results, among others. It was a good dinner. Hehe!
From Greens, we walked to the nearby bookstore (I forgot the name, yikes!) and checked out the pre-owned books on sale. There were a couple of titles I was interested in, but since I'm on a shoestring budget because of the August trip, I decided to not get any books. Hehe!
Greens at 92 Sct. Castor. On weekdays, it's open from 11AM - 10PM, while on weekends, it's from 12NN - 9PM.
Monday, June 9, 2008
The healer of the flesh now heals souls...
Last week, I got an email from a friend in the US. He was in town. Jo is a fellow Pahinungod volunteer whom I met several years ago. I was new to Pahinungod and he was one of the seasoned volunteers. Uhm, I think we got to go on a couple of volunteer activities like immersion and a couple of medical missions.
He left for the US not too long ago to do some post-graduate studies on human genetics. A doctor by profession, he surprised us all when he emailed that he was going to enter the seminary. He did, and last May 10, my friend the doctor was ordained to priesthood.
From healing the weary body, Jo decided to move on to healing the weary soul. I was happy for him.
Yesterday, I went to Sacred Heart church in Kamagong and waited for the 5PM Mass. Fr. Jo was officiating. It was surreal seeing him up on the altar dressed in a chausible, a stole, saying Mass, but I was happy for him. I thought he'd be giving the homily, but I was slightly disappointed when after he read the Gospel, the other priest made his way to the lecturn. After the Mass, parents and kids approached Jo.
He's leaving for the US on the 23rd. His assignment will be in some town named Muscatine in Iowa. I'm not sure when I'll see the guy again, but it feels good to know that there's one person praying for you.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Carlo time on a Friday night...
Friday evening was spent with Carl. We met up at 9 at Glorietta 4. Got a quick dinner at Food Choices then sinful dessert from Dairy Queen. We then caught a late movie screening. Afterwards, we hung out at Gloria Jean's til 3 in the morning just chatting. I was asking him questions about the new Zsazsa he was working on. Hehe! One of the questions was inspired by one of the baristas of Gloria Jean's. Hehe! It was two in the morning, so you can't really expect my mind to be functioning well. Haha! Anyway, I shamelessly asked Carlo if he would consider something for the new book and Carlo being Carlo, he said yes. Hehe! We got both excited about it and the next few minutes were spent conjuring possible scenarios for that project. Hehe! Can't wait for the next Zsazsa. Oooohhh! I'm excited.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Dinner at Soms and dessert at FIC...
Sometimes, the most ordinary evenings can turn out to be one of the best get-togethers with friends.
Last night was one such evening. There wasn't any special occasion, but some friends from work decided to go out for dinner a long day at the office. For some reason, this week to be much stressful than the usual. (and we're all expecting the next three weeks to remain like this... eeep!)
We headed to Soms near Rockwell for a good dinner - tom yum, seafood friend rice, two kinds of curry, spring rolls, thai tea. It was a Thai cuisine feast. Haha!
From Soms, we moved to the ice cream bar of Fruits in Ice Cream at the Manansala in Rockwell.
We stayed out til 11PM, and the night really was good chatting and lots of good laughter.
Even if I only had five hours of sleep because of this gimik, it was well worth it. Hehe!