i Light Marina Bay 2012...

Pg Boy and I managed to catch the i Light Marina Bay festival around the Marina Bay area.

It was already 3PM on a Friday afternoon, and we still had no idea what to do in the evening.

I wasn't too sure whether he was going to be keen on going to the i Light event, but still I asked him about it. And he said he was.

After dropping my stuff at his place, we headed down to Marina Square first to have dinner with Richie before going to Esplanade for the i Light event.

The festival was organized by SIngapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority and it is dubbed as Asia's first and only sustainable art festival. I'm not sure exactly what that means. Hehe.

Anyway, i Light Marina Bay features more than 30 light art installations and these are scattered around the Marina Bay area.

The installations were made by light artists and designers coming from more than 10 countries, including Singapore and yes, the Philippines.

My favorites were The Gate, the and the Light at the Merlion.

I thought the last one was really, really cool.

Despite the muggy weather, it was still a good Friday night event. Really glad to have been able to catch the festival before it ended.

Random blah...

It's been a busy week. :-/

Monday night, for the first time, I stayed back at the office til 7 plus. Yeah, that's how busy we were.

The company had a townhall meeting in the morning. By the time, we got back to the office, it was almost lunch time and there were 100+ emails waiting for my attention. Haha!

I've been wanting to write about things, but I haven't really been able to.

Sigh.

I should really find the time to write more.

This is why I decided on changing my sleeping time to 12 midnight. For the past several months, I've been sleeping at 11PM and sometimes, even earlier than that. I know, I know. Ano ako? Lola?! Hehehe!

So anyway, I decided to push my sleeping time to midnight and wakeup time at 6AM, 615 max. This was how I was in Manila, so I'm sure I'm going to survive with this here.

Okay, back to work.

Sunday aftie at an artist's colony...

I had no idea that a stone's throw away from my workplace is some sort of artist's colony.

Seriously, there is.

In the somewhat secluded place that is Wessex Estate are the homes and studios of more than 30 artists (based on what I read). The area was a former British army base. I'm not sure if the housing units may be described as HDBs, but they are all just about 3 floors high.

Surrounded by lots of trees, away from the noise of cars, buses and the MRT, it's not difficult to see why the area is just conducive for creating beautiful art.

Thanks to Pg Boy's good friend Allyn, we found out about the ArtWalk@Wessex 2012 event.

The two-day event was a self-guided walking tour which took visitors to the homes and studios of local and international artists.

Though it rained heavily, we were able to visit 13 of the14 art studios. Some artists showcased paintings. Some featured prints and mixed media creations. There were also one or two that featured ceramics and sculpture.

The ones I particularly liked were the works of Dick Lim (Chye) of d'Art Studio. I liked how he depicted scenes of old Singapore in his black and white pantings. They were very simple and very clean.

What was also nice about the event was that the artists were there to talk about their works, their style and technique. They were all very friendly and I thought it was really nice that they opened their homes to strangers.

From Portsdown Road, we headed back to the "real world" (LOL!) for coffee at Fusionopolis and then dinner at Sushi Tei in Holland Village.

It was definitely a very interesting Sunday afternoon.

I wish my Dad were there. He would have enjoyed going around the studios. That's for sure.

Back to back hohol nights...

The past two nights, I did something I have not done for such a long time.

Staying out late, really late, on a work night.

Last night, I attended a group talk thing at the OC. (Tue - Wed nights this week were all OC nights!) When the talk ended, I went to one of the other rooms where friend Jane was doing volunteer work.

I went inside the room and was very happy to see that the triumvirate was complete - Jane, Kevin-san and Jin. Woohoo! Haven't seen these guys for a looong time.

They invited me to supper. Initially, I thought of skipping it because I haven't had enough sleep the previous night. However, I just realized that I haven't seen these guys for such a long time. A catchup was in order. Our group of 4 became even bigger because Anthony and Kenny decided to join. Yey!

From Chinatown, we walked to Kreta Ayer. Jane led the way to one of the simple hawker-type places. Food was okay. You get a lot for as little as 3 bucks. But what was really enjoyable was the company. Kevin-san was just really crazy and got us all laughing.

Since we all wanted to catch the MRT, we left the place around 11. I reached my place near midnight.

Wednesday night, on the other hand, was spent hanging out at MkSurf8's place along with Chris and Stephen.

The midweek HOHOL is sort of starting to be some kind of a weekly activity. Hehe.

Chris and MkSurf8 suggested having dindin, but I had to skip because, as I said earlier, I had a commitment to OC that night. So the two of them went to their dinner. It was supposed to be in Toa Payoh but they ended up having dinner in Aljunied. Hehe. Still, I think Chris was happy because his craving for cereal prawns and chili crabs.

I, on the other hand, did my thing at the OC. As soon as the clock hit 10, I left OC and dashed to MkSurf8's place. Luckily, it was just very near Chinatown. Getting there was really quick. I decided to take a cab so I can join the guys asap. The 5-minute ride cost $8! LOL! Crazy, huh?! Night diff at that time. Dunno why leh.

Anyway, I was glad to reach that happy place near Shenton Way where the guys and bottles of vino welcomed me. Haha!

We just talked. MkSurf8 refilled our wine glasses. We talked. MkSurf8 refilled our glasses.

Before we knew it, it was already 12 midnight. Haha! However, we didn't leave MkSurf8's place til 1AM. Since it was really late, we all had to take a cab to head home. Though Stephen and I were both on the red line, cab sharing wasn't an option because our places are faaar from each other.

It was a very fun, very chill night though. I would have kicked myself if I missed it.

Cab fare from Tanjong Pagar to my home: $20. Night diff: $9. Hohol time with the guys: Definitely priceless.

6226 2002...

In a previous blog post, I'm sure I have mentioned that one of the things I wanted to continue while I'm here in SG is volunteering.

The Pink Dot last June(?) 2011 was one of the good venues where I found out about the different LGBT and LGBT-friendly groups in the city.

One of the organizations was Oogachaga.

I think I have had a post about Oogachaga (or OC, as it is more popularly known).

For a couple of months now, I've been participating in in some of their activities both as a volunteer and as a participant.

So far, it's been a good experience. The activities have been a good venue to know more about the local LGBT community, as well as meet more people.

One service that the OC has is counselling. They have phone and email counselling services. Both services are free.

For the phone counselling, I believe the number to call is 6226 2002. The hotline service is Tue, Wed, Thur - 7-10PM, and Satu - 2-6PM.

Meanwhile, the email counselling can be availed of via the website - http://www.oogachaga.com/care

Do check out the OC website for more information about their services.

Here is a feature on the group for Pink Dot.

Abrasions...

When I showered this morning, I felt a sting right near both of my elbows.

Wondering what it was, I checked and that was when I saw that I had these abrasions.

The culprit: last night's Body Pump class. Haha!

In case you didn't know, this week is International Fitness Week in Singapore.

Fitness First has a series of activities to celebrate the event.

Last night's Body Pump class was a special edition.

In addition to the usual one-hour class, there was another 40-plus minutes of core strength exercies.

I've been attending Body Pump for quite a while now. It was Ian who intro'd me to the class. I was telling him how I'm too lazy to lift weights or use the machines when I'm at the gym. He reco'd I attend Body Pump.

Since then, I've been trying to attend at least one class each week. It's not enough, but better to have one than none at all. Hehe!

Anyway, the abrasion wasn't from the Body Pump class but from the core strength. I'm sure of that.

We spent almost the entire time on the mat in plank position.

Endorphins plus adrenalin plus feeling very tired (or very happy?) equals not noticing that I had the abrasions. Hehe!

Oh well, last night was definitely a good workout. The abrasions are nothing.

Saturday night movie marathon...

Saturday night was one of the rare evenings where I didn't have anything planned.

Whereas last Saturday I was out watching Wicked and clubbing with the guys til 3 in the morning, this recent Saturday I was just at home with Pg Boy with no plans.

Pg Boy's housemate E and his friend Sean were also at home and only planned to have a movie night.

First movie was Bridesmaids. It was okay, I guess. It was one of those films that you watch without having any takeaway but lots of laugh out loud moments.

The second movie we watched was The Woman in Black. E and Pg Boy are huge fans of horror movies. I'm not. So was Sean. Hehe! I watched Paranormal Activity 3 with Pg Boy because he really wanted to watch it, and my eyes were closed 70% of the movie. LOL!

I don't like horror movies, because I have a very active imagination. Once the movie is over, and I'm all on my own, that's when I become really scared.

Anyway, I agreed to watching The Woman in Black because the movie setting was in the early 1900s I suppose. This made me feel "safer." Haha!

I survived the film.

But we all agreed that E and I can't go watch a horror film in the moviehouse because we would both get thrown out. Haha!

Apparently, I wasn't the only jumpy person in the room. So was E! LOL! We would both curse at the same time and be surprised by the same scenes. There was one scene though that really frightened me, and I ended up letting out a loud yell, which in turn made E and Pg Boy(!!!) yell out as well.

That has to be my fave part because the four of just laughed out loud after because of how we all reacted to the stupid scene. Haha!

The follow morning, Pg Boy was saying he was sorry for making watch the scary movie.

I just replied, "No worries lah."

If every scary movie screening would be just as "funny" as the The Woman in Black, then I may actually enjoy other scare movies. Hehe!

Please be April already...

I'm in need of a holiday.

That's for sure.

I want to be on an airplane once again. I don't want to think about work for a few days. I want to take a break from being an OFW, even for just 72 or so hours.

That's why I can't wait for April.

Two trips up ahead.

Thanks to the recent AirAsia seat sale, we're heading to Boro and Pg, baby!!!

Please, let it be April already.

One epic weekend...

The weekend that just came by was definitely one of the best I've had this year.

It had all the ingredients of an epic weekend.

RKGreg's Birthday Party at MBS. JB and Wesley in town for holiday. Wicked with JB and Ian. Tugs night with my guys, PG Boy and his guys.

Definitely brought a smile to my face all throughout the weekend.

Wheeeee!!! :)

Wicked Saturday night...

Finally, I was able to watch Wicked last Saturday with Ian and JB. (Thank you, Ian, for getting us tickets to the show.)

For as long as I can remember, Wicked is one of the musicals that I really, really wanted to see.

That's why I'm really glad it was brought here to Singapore.

I tremendously enjoyed the show, because I really like it. The cast did an amazing job, even though I thought that some of the leads had difficulty singing some of the songs. Still, kudos for doing such a great job.

Wicked, you're a dream come true.

I wish they Disney's AIDA would also be staged here. Pwease, pwease. 0=)

Back to JB for Part 2 of the RCT...

So, I was back in Johor Bahru last March 4 for part 2 of the root canal treatment.

This time, it was a much more fun trip because I was with Chris, Ian, MkSurf8 and of course, Pg Boy.

When they found out that I was going back to JB, Chris and MkSurf8 asked if they could go. Of course, I said yes. They wanted to go look for a good place for lunch and a place for a massage (since everything in JB is much more affordable than here in SG). I, on the other hand, had to go for the second part of my rct.

Like the first part of the treatment, the second one was uneventful and it was done in under an hour.

Seriously, Dr. Wong is really good.

If you're in SG and you need to have a root canal treatment but you're worried about the hole it'll burn in your pocket, please do make the trip to JB and head over to the clinic of Dr. Wong. He's the best.

Below are his details:
Pakar Gigi Endodontik Wong
Wong Endodontics ( Dental) Specialist
No 14C, Jalan Harimau, Taman Century,
80250 Johor Bahru, Johor
Please Call 07 -3344991

Dr. Wong is an endodontist and he's one of the most popular ones in JB, according to Alan.

The cost for my RCT is RM900 (about $375). That includes the first consultation, two rct sessions, and a post-procedure consultation.

He will refer you to another clinic for the crowning. From what I've read, it may cost about RM600-650 (about $270).

The charge for the root canal procedure alone in SG is $1200-1500.

Such a huge difference, huh?!

However, you need to book an appointment by phone because Dr. Wong is always fully booked. I had to wait for a week before I got my schedule.

Alright, hope this helps.

Legs, legs mo ay nakakasilaw...

Is it just me or are there really a lot of Singapore men who have hairless, smooth legs???

Having lived here for almost a year now, I've noticed one too many guys with hairless legs.

Who cares if they had it waxed or if they shaved it themselves (or if they're straight or otherwise_?

Bottomline is it's hairless and it looks so clean.

I've never really been concerned with having hair on my legs. In fact, I kinda like it. I think it adds a certain manliness. LOL! Tough guys have hair on their legs.

Until someone mentioned to me that he actually likes to have hairless legs. Until iandmac introduced me to this wonderful "gadget" from Daiso. Haha!

So on one lazy weekend, with nothing to do and bored to death, I took out the "gadget" and started shaving. Haha!

Uhm, as shallow as this may sound, I actually like it. It makes my legs look really clean. LOL!

That sounded really AJ. (Ask the locals what it means.)

Anyway, I just wanted to try it out. Hehe!

I thought it would be one good way to be more "one with the locals." Hehe!

100 Japanese Prank...

Have you seen this vid?

I've seen a couple of times and it never, never fails to give me a good laugh. Haha!

My fave is the elevator prank.

Love the Japanese.

Surprise birthday lunch for Melvin...

The other highlight of Saturday was the surprise birthday lunch for nature-tripping buddy Melvin.

I dunno if he was really surprised (LOL!), but I'm glad we had a celebration for him. Plus, I was able to try a new place - Jerry's BB@ & Grill - in the far, far away place that is Sengkang. Hehe!

After the morning walk, we drove to Sengkang to have lunch. We were quite early for the restau, so we decided to just check the area first. That's when Desmond and I agreed on how we'll do the surprise thing. Hehe!

I told Melvin that Pg Boy and I won't be joining them for lunch because I had other plans. We said goodbye and Pg Boy and I headed the other way.

We quickly rushed to Jane's Cake Station to get the birthday cake. It's my first time to buy a cake from this place, and I must say it's goooood. The store sells just two kinds, I think - chocolate cake and durian cake.

From Jane's Cake Station, Pg Boy and I walked further away from Jerry's. We waited a bit until Desmond messaged that he and Melvin were back in the restau.

Pg Boy and I walked back to the restau. We borrowed a lighter from an uncle to light the candles, and then we started singing Happy Birthday as we entered the restau.

The good thing about that day was that there weren't too many people yet, so it wasn't too humiliating to sing. Also, Jerry's seemslike a small, private restaurant where birthday lunches (dinners) are usually held so what we did was a regular thing for them.

I think Melvin was really happy to see that he had a cake, and that he got to blow the candles.

We enjoyed a hearty lunch of salad, chicken wings, roasted chicken, baby back ribs and pulled pork. It was quite a good lunch, which was capped with slices of the rich, chocolate cake.

As I've mentioned in previous blog entries, Melvin is a Singaporean friend who is also my nature-hiking buddy. We met through rowing team mate Francis. Before Francis left for London, I went with him on a hike to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Melvin joined us.

That was the start of it.

Since then, Melvin and I have been going on several hikes and walks to explore the "green" side of Singapore. Really glad to have met the guy because I know more of the country that has adopted me thanks to him.

Happy birthday, Melvin!

Jane's Cake Station
265 Jalan Kayu
Tel: 6481 1322
Monday to Saturday - noon to 6pm
Sunday & public holidays - noon to 4pm
Closed on Wednesday

Jerry's BBQ & Grill
277 Jalan Kayu Singapore
Tel: 6484 0151
Opening Hours: Daily | 12pm – 10pm 
http://www.jerrybbq.com

Lorong Halus Wetland Walk...

Leave it to Singapore to turn a former landfill into a wonderful place to be one with nature.

Lorong Halus Wetland, which used to be a landfill, is now another place in the island to go to when you feel like escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Over the weekend, nature-tripping buddy Melvin and I had our nature walk for March at the said wetland. We managed to get Des and Pg Boy to join us so hooray for a group walk.

The first destination was the Serangoon Tidal Gates, which led us to a barricaded entrance to Coney Island. It is currently being developed to be the 9th nature park in the island. From the Serangoon Tidal Gates, one would get to see Pulau Ubin. (Hmm, that's another one on my to-visit list while I'm here in SG.)

There were a number of birds, butterflies, and some other wildlife but mostly the place will be enjoyed for the greens and the serene panoramic view.

We walked back to our starting point, and made our way towards the Lorong Halus bridge which connects to the east side of Punggol.

At the other side of the bridge, one can follow the path leading to the Punngol Promenade Riverside Walk. Uhm, not sure, but from what I read it's a 2.4 kilometer stretch that will take one to I have yet to find out. Hehe! We only walked a short distance because it was already a bit late, and it was getting really hot.

A nice idea would be to rent some bikes and cycle along the rugged path. I really think it'll be an enjoyable activity because the area is not crowded at all (maybe because it was already nearing noontime?!) and one can just enjoy the view of the Coney Island trees on the other side of the river.

The morning walk ended with a surprise birthday lunch for Melvin at Jerry's BBQ & Grill at Jalan Kayu. Happy birthday, Melvin! :D

March nature walk. Check. For April, hmm, I think it's back to my side of the island. We'll see.

But definitely, it would be great to go back to Lorong Halus and Punggol Promenade for a bike ride.

Random hohol part 2...

Last night was part 2 of random hohol. Haha!

I wasn't really planning on going out because Thursday night is my Chona night (aka laundry night).

Initially, I said I wouldn't be able to join the guys.

But...

It didn't take much for MkSurf8 and Chris to convince me to go out for drinks. Haha!

We were supposed to go to Verre, a wine bar in Rodyk Street which was recommended by a co-volunteer Ivan.

Chris and I got to the venue ahead of MkSurf8. The place was kinda swanky. Hehe! It was more of a date place.

So we decided to just head to The Wine Connection at Robertson Walk.

It was my first time there, and I have to say the wine (and the mains and the tapas) was wayy more affordable.

The place was also packed, so it was a nice venue for people-watching. Thankfully, it rained in the afternoon so the evening turned out to be a cool night.

Funny situation:

The wait staff were mostly Filipinos and we were attended to by a nice guy. Chris was looking at the wine list, and he told the guy the wine he wanted. The wine was about $70.

When the waiter saw the wine we wanted, he remarked, "Sir, that's expensive. Why don't you just pick one from this other selection?"

He points to Chris another list, which costs half the price of the wine we really wanted. Hahaha!

Wahlau! Because we're Pinoys, the $70 wine is too ex for us, issit?! Eh, you think $70 wine only angmoh can buy, ah?!

Instead of scolding the guy, we just agreed with him and laughed at the situation.

We were there after all to relax. Hehe!

For the next few hours, we just talked and people watched and just enjoyed the random hohol night. I wonder where Ian was.

Random Wednesday night hohol...

Random hohols FTW!

Hohol = hang out hang out lang or since I'm in Singapore, can replace lang with lah, meh? Can! Hehe!

I went to somewhere in Jalan Besar are to check out another possible volunteer opportunity.

After visiting the place, I decided to walk back to Bugis to grab some dindin and get a haircut.

From Bugis, I took the train to head home.

As the train was approaching Tanjong Pagar, MkSurf8 messaged if anyone was in the city who was up for hohol.

When the train stopped at Tanjong Pagar, I got off, crossed to the other platform and took the next train bound for the opposite direction. Haha!

A few minutes later, MkSurf8 showed up looking fresh from the gym (hehe!) and we headed to the nearby Fiv Izakaya just across the Fullerton Bay Hotel.

What was supposed to be an uneventful Wednesday turned out to be a nice hohol time with MkSurf8 and a bucket of San Mig Light and pizza.

The last time I had San Mig Light was when I was still in Manila so I definitely, definitely missed it.

I got home around 11 plus, but it was definitely okay. Woot!

Thanks super, MkSurf8!