marionette show 2

2012-01-29T23:02:00.002+08:00

2012.
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i turned 29 today, and i really feel like whatever i went thru the past year really helped me grow to become a better and hopefully a wiser person. i want to just list down 10 things that i have learned for the past 28 years.

1. always say thank you, to waiters, immigration officers, colleagues, secretaries, assistants, everyone!

2. tip generously, to people who serve you well, as for me, its the masseuse, hair dresser, hair stylist, maids, hotel staff who help me with my luggage, etc.

3. be loyal to your friends, i am more focused in growing real relationship and friendship, quality over quantity.

4. you cannot please anyone and i accepted the fact that i won't be friends with everyone. so i stopped caring and it doesn't bother me anymore.

5. learn how to say no. this is the hardest for me as i really try to accommodate everyone, but i think i have progressed a lot.

6. always be grateful, for all the blessings i have every single day.

7. good deeds = good karma. try to make one good deed a day, and it feels damn good. i believe in this passing the love around kinda concept, when you try to be good to someone and eventually it comes back to you.

8. believe in your own gutfeel. i know trust my own personal judgement.

9. travel travel travel. everyone is busy, everyone has work, but its good to stop once in a while, feel the wind blowing on your skin, smell the flowers, see new places and experience new things.

10. being festive and celebratory. i try to celebrate every small little thing to the big ones, always find time to celebrate, and have a good time.

thats it. cheers to 2012.

2011-01-15T14:02:00.006+08:00

so much to be thankful in 2010, and excited for 2011...
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thank you Lord for a 2010 that rocks! wishing that 2011, could only get better.

2010-12-27T01:43:00.003+08:00

xmas 2010.
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i have not updated this blog for nearly a month, i promise to put things in, especially the maldives and korea photos - i don't have much photos though, most are just quick snaps especially korea.

anyway, am more excited about now, and that means Christmas at home. i put on weight, one week since the vacation, i have been eating non-stop, and i have to do some control. starting tomorrow, will manage food intake, and take more fruits and veggies, less carbs, and will do walk a bit more around the village. anyway, off to more festive things...

i have to say chicho (my younger brother) did a good job in making our new home more christmassy, the decors, the tree, and everything, it looks really nice, and i love it. i think, what i can add is to buy a xmas flavored aroma oil, buy tons of ensaymada (am craving for one), and the smell of hot chocolate and cappuccino. now, thats perfect.

anyway, our house in photos, though i was not able to take photos of our door, where cho put in grass ferns decored with xmas balls and bells on top of our door. our veranda, where we have santa sitting on a swing, and santa climbing up the stairs, , parol (star) and lots of colored lights.

our 2010 christmas tree, our theme was shiny gold.

sorry bad photo, i just wanted to feature the crystals in the snowflakes, it is really something. and the color gold in all shades, some shiny, some glittery, some matt.

i love the tall glass vase with lots of green xmas balls. yes, you guessed it right, last years theme was green and red, therefore we did reuse some of those decors. the santa's on the left were purchased by cho at gourdo's.

cho all of a sudden just bought snow globes, and put it all together. next year, i will propose that we should do a christmas village of some sort. that would be uber-cool.

christmas lights outside my room.

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PJs from forever 21, mom bought 2 pairs for me, am thinking of getting another one, in another plaid shade, its on sale, am thinking, it would be a very nice xmas gift to people.

dec 25 dinner with lim cousins at little baguio.

dec 24, noche buena at tita bebs' house (damar village)

another shot with lim cousins.

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Merry Merry Christmas everyone! happy birthday to our Lord, Jesus Christ! Thank you for all the blessings, and i am truly grateful for the life that You have given me! i promise to give You, your gift before the i go back to singapore.. :)

2010-11-29T20:55:00.002+08:00

all i want for christmas...
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it took me a couple of days to write down my christmas / birthday wish list, but the good thing is i finally have it completed now, in no particular order.

1. i saw this topman bag back in manila, selling for Php 3k+, and i think it would really be a cool office back, where i can put my laptop and other things.

2. sanook standard slip-on at USD 48 or SGD 88. i have this one in black, and i like it very much, i use it to go to work, i can use it when i travel, cause its light and convenient to bring along with me. i like the dark blue and grey version as well.

3. prada messenger bag, SGD 1,250. one thing i like about prada is the nylon material. its very light and therefore very convenient when i travel. plus, it won't give me shoulder ache like how i am with my other bags, i just wish you can hand carry this also, but i love the color.

4. canon digital camera s90, SGD 699. i want a new camera and most of my friends are raving about this canon, so am thinking of selling my old camera and buy a new one.

5. marc jacobs laptop case, SGD 90. i was roaming the streets of orchard over the weekend, and saw this. ain't it cool? i like it, but this ain't a priority. haha!

6. apple ipod touch 32gb, SGD 429. okay to keeo you updated, i switched phones to blackberry bold 9700, and am definitely happy with that decision, i like BB cause i think it suits me better than iphone. i don't use a lot of apps, i need all forms of communication rolled into one, and thats what BB does for me. and since my old ipod 3rd generation was a gift 4 years ago and currently there are no more space for new songs, thus i want this! i can still load games/movies and music, so i can play with it whenever am bored.

7. clinique happy, SGD 60. this is one of my favorite scents of all time, together with akka kappa, chanel's allure men, M&S iris scent, and the new zara blue spray. whether its perfume or body spray or EDT - i love the smell because it reminds me of something, usually fun memories.

8. cathay pacific, MNL - SFO flight, USD 937.50 - i want to go this year, and am thinking of taking 3 weeks off to visit friends from both east and west coast. i don't have final date yet, all i know is that it might happen, march-april or sept-oct 2011. so fly to SFO to see roms, then drive to vegas with roms, then back to SFO, then off to NYC to see pau, then to boston, to see mel, then back to NYC, and then back to MNL. i think i have to sort this out intelligently, as i might not need to fly back to MNL. or fly from NYC straight back home. i dont know, but we will see.

9. swatch gents watch, SGD 99. i like either the blue or grey one. i think its too cute, and i can use it everyday as well. though the only thing is, i don't wear watch as much as i should, and i have a few watches waiting to be worn.

10. jason mraz waiting for my rocket to come CD, SGD 15. i like his songs, but i dont have the album, i have the latest ones, but i want the old one too. haha! or just a voucher from any book/music store is definitely a must! yay!

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well, i just want to list it down for the heck of it. anyway, am thinking of giving back this christmas, i should start doing my research as soon as i am back in manila, am thinking unicef or world vision, as those are the 2 causes i support the most. or maybe, i should get involve in a children's charity this year, lets see, hopefully i can do something more meaningful. then again, i encourage everyone to share if not in a timely manner, definitely its this season. let us make the less fortunate feel, how christmas is like, and share our blessings. always remember, to whom much is given, much is expected.

wishing everyone an early happy christmas before the season gets busierrr!! :)

2010-11-26T10:45:00.002+08:00

a few more days to xmas...
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i have been counting the days, marking X on my calendar. work is slowing down, since i am moving out of these brands, and i try to keep my involvement at the minimum. everything is great, i am excited to start something new, but more excited for the xmas holidays. i can't wait to wake up in my manila bed, drinking hot chocolate, being with my family - shopping and eating out, etc. spending time with friends over meals and drinks, cousin time, playing badminton, etc.

things i need to do before all these are:

- i have to renew my OWWA certificate in the philippine embassy.

- i am due to speak to RCT directors on tuesday, so we can discuss next steps. post me, finding out who my direct report will be, i will also finalize my holidays. on top of my list is the 2-3 weeks US trip am planning either april-may 2011, if not by sep-oct 2011 - i wanna be there either spring or fall. so definitely by next week or so, i have to book my tickets already, and ask roms / pau if i can stay with them. wheeeeeee! :)

- i also need to find out whether i can work from home in january, since mom is requesting for it. haha! i have to talk to whoever my boss will be.

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ooh, speaking of xmas, i am making my personal list of presents for people. i also need to make donation to WFP or world vision philippines, i have yet to decide where, but am thinking a charity from manila, since they need it more than some people.

2010-11-23T16:53:00.003+08:00

end year break
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i am so excited for the next few weeks to come, and just drink it all in. the following are the reasons am excited about.

1) i am excited to leave my current post, and move to the new one. i want to learn new things, and hopefully i get more motivated.

2) i am excited for the weekend - i want to sleep in and just laze around, lets meet, might have a lot of errands to do, though.

3) i can't wait to see eileen in KL, 3-5th december - i want to eat and be merry in KL - la bodega, nero vivo, chili pad mee.. oh am getting hungry.

4) maldives, 9-12th dec! i will get proper R&R there, relax, drink, get a massage (if its cheap), i want to visit some shops and buy souvenirs and ref magnets, take photos, and eat good food. ++ it will be with 15 other people from the office, its like an office trip, but we get to hang out, talk, have fun and swim! i haven't been to the beach in such a long time.

paradise, isn't it?

can't wait.

5) and definitely, manila, 14th dec to i don't know yet. i still have to talk to the bosses on when i can start work in jan, or when do they need me to start. mom wants me to start 25th jan, which is impossible, maybe i will just work from home to save some of my leaves.

hay, i just wanna go home, and celebrate xmas with my family and loves ones. next post, will be travel plans for 2011! i gotta make that happen already! :)

2010-11-09T21:50:00.002+08:00

hello blog!
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hello, blog, how have you been? i have been so crazy busy lately that my personal life was literally, on hold. now, i have to just relax and start working on what i need to do. a few things:

- i need to close my gym membership
- i need to settle balikbayan box
- i have to check my credit card, and close some of them.
- i have to decide whether i will close my bank account.

still have a few things to close regarding work, but thats fine - nothing urgent. anyway, exciting days to come. duds is coming over this friday over the weekend + tj next week. so i will be busy with visitors which is good.

yea! bye now, will be watching big bang theory + modern family! heehee

2010-10-14T13:41:00.003+08:00

ROMINA's WEDDING
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romina, or romonster to me, is one of the the coolest person i know. she is such a sweetheart, actually, she was one of my closest friends back in college. she used to stay in dapitan, and i would usually give her a ride home post our evening class in DLSU.

romina is one of those people who can do something silly, and escape my brutal ridicule. she has this childlike approach to life, that is amusing to me. maybe because she is the youngest of 5 sisters, and i am the eldest of 3 children. i am more action oriented, and get things done, while she is more relaxed, she doesn't get stressed at all, and thats what i liked about her, she is my total opposite.

but anyway, i am super happy to attend her wedding, i have not seen her in 5 years already, since she lives in SFO. and i have to say that i truly missed her, and wished she could be with us here in asia, so at least we can meet and catch up, but nevertheless, she will always be part of 12, and will always be special to me, if not us.

romonster and me.

took a lot of photos at bicapture booth! saya! until the next wedding of kate and pau.

2010-10-02T13:36:00.004+08:00

F1 weekend in photos.
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sorry, it took me a while to upload these photos, i was busy with work, a lot of things are urgent, and i have to do a lot. but am not complaining, i am thankful that i have work that i sometimes enjoy.

the whole F1 weekend started, when i accompanied joyce, pat and ainee to a meet and greet over at conrad hotel to see jenson button.

jenson button

followed by this invitation by FOXOne sku suite - buffet spread, overflowing champagne, etc. the good life.

once you step outside the suite, it will lead you to a balcony - where you can watch see the race track and watch the race.

yes, as i've said overflowing champagne, plus they even passed us dessert, hagen daz in a cup.

i went to see chris daughtry perform, the only song i knew was HOME.

after, we went up to the roof, where we get free flowing JOHNNIE WALKER concocted drinks.

sunday, aggie and i went to watch the race and mimi perform.

fernando alonzo wins, after 2-hour race. 61 laps. hamilton's car was wrecked so he walked out, nicole S of PCD was there to support him. there was also one car that all of a sudden burst into flame.

mimi opened with obsessed.

fell down while singing make it happen.

hit the right noted, with emotions.

made everyone felt like a party was happening with its like that.

everyone screamed when she started another set with touch my body.

duet with trey lorenz - i'll be there.

another photo.

the show was good, and i truly enjoyed the whole weekend, mimi's show was attended by 35,000 people, a lot to comprehend. the best part though, aggie was here to experience it with me. cool!

2010-09-23T16:45:00.002+08:00

F1 fever.
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so everyone is really excited about the F1 race this coming weekend.. there are a lot of parties prepared, the energy is on a high, i just wish it will not rain. the possibility of raining is quite high, as the sky is too dark.

more importantly, aggie will be here tomorrow or saturday early morning, she will arrive around 1am. i am planning to pick her up from the airport so we can go back home together. probably, i will be coming back from the skysuite, foxONE, F1 party - where we can watch the practice session, and watch missy elliot perform. so thats cool, but the best part is i get to go for free.

come saturday night, i have 2 tickets to attend the JOHNNIE WALKER F1 event and after party somewhere near fullerton hotel, thanks to joyce for the tickets. everything is for free, drinks, blah, blah, blah. most of the starcom peeps would be there as well, as most of us got invites - not all, but special ones ;)

the best part is on sunday night, i won 2 tickets to watch mariah carey perform at the zone 4, padang stage, 10:30pm, still at the F1 event. how nice right? and i get to watch her for free, without spending a dime. and that is also the main reason why aggie is coming to SG. i won 2 tickets, and of course, i have to ask aggie to go with me.

anyway, more than that F1 fever, am happy to see aggie, and roam around with her - eat, shop, sightsee. she wants to see marina bay sands, so we will have to go there, i've been there 2x, with officemates, and second one was with cho. its good that she is coming here, even for just a few days.

i am excited.

2010-09-18T18:04:00.004+08:00

japan, aug 2010 - all about food.
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so after all places, i am showing you the more exciting part, focusing on all the food. who doesn't love to eat, especially when you are in a foreign land. anyway, am excited to share with you the following:

in kyoto, obee and i went inside this restaurant that you actually order from a vendo machine. choose, what you want to eat, and pay thru this vendo.

you will get your receipt, and the person in the counter would get it from you, and then they will prepare the food. isn't this a really brilliant idea on how you can save cost thru manpower - no cashier, no extra waiters to handle payments.

the counter with one person to serve you all the customers.

tadaaa, you get your order. i think i ordered beef with kimchi or something like that. its soo good.

you have to have ramen when you are in japan - i went to this ramen store near shinjuku, and i have to say its one of the best ramen i have ever tried, or just the best i tried. i found out that they simmer pork bones, meat and fat to make the soup. sometimes, they even mix in the pork fat.

we ordered gyoza on the side.

i discovered this fresh chili paste, you mix it with the soup and it brings out the aroma, and chili taste, which enhances the whole ramen experience. some ramen store would just give you chili flakes, or oil, but this is the first time, i've seen fresh grounded paste.

the best ramen, ever.

obee's birthday salubong - sashimi for midnight snack - tuna and salmon.

sashimi with beer, why not?!

this is a restaurant in tsukiji market, called daisushi. its the most famous place and the queue is just terrible, people wait upto 4 hours just to get in. what you inside? thats the whole restaurant, can accomodate less than 20 people per set.

they only sell two kinds of set, set A which costs Yen 2,750, or set B that costs Yen 3,500. we chose to get set A, that has around 10pcs of sushi + tamago + miso soup + green tea.

ah, sashimi so fresh. sometimes, the chef would even tell you to put soysauce or not, since they know best, we follow.

yum!

this is what you get for starters.

in kyoto, we went to this place where there are a lot of geisha's, we were actually trying to look for one, and yes, we saw one. anyway, we go hungry, and went to this place. i always order salmon sashimi.

obee loves scallops and ordered the biggest scallop i have ever seen in my life.

obee and i ordered 1 set of tempura each - squid, fish, shrimp, and veggies.

the chef liked us since we are tourist, and gave us a free chocolate bar that says, welcome to kyoto.

thats it, the most memorable food i had in japan. anyway, am looking forward to my next holiday, i kinda know where i want to go, but i have to fix a few things first. :) will update you later. haha!

2010-09-18T17:10:00.007+08:00

japan, aug 2010.
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i am sorry to update so late. i have been back in singapore, since 2 or 3 weeks ago, i can't even remember, days are so fast lately. anyway, there are so many thing to update, and even before i do that, i want to share with you some photos during my japan trip.

japan is one of my top 5 dream destination, if you ask me about my top 5 countries that i want to see will be as follows, spain, france, USA (NYC) in particular, and nepal. anyway, i really want to see more places in the years to come, and i will work on that aspect bit by bit. :)

i went to japan with obee, which is a college barkada of mine, it was also her birthday week, and we decided to spend it in japan. we invited more friends, kaya lang some other people can't make it, nevertheless, super fun naman nung trip. some of the things i noticed:

- the culture is very different from the rest of the world, even from its closest neighbor, korea.

- super expensive to commute, either by train, bus, taxi. dont.ever.take.a.cab in japan, its crazy expensive, a 10 minute cab ride, can cost you upto Php 1,500. OMG.

- great shopping mecca. though truth to be told, i still prefer HK anytime, due to proximity. i never enjoyed riding the plane, and HK is soo near, so there. ooh, i bought a lot of things - went to outlet store that sells branded items on a discount, the supermarket, shoe store (ABC mart, etc), lahat.

- the food is oh-so-good. its fresh, the quality is really different, not everything is expensive, there are ok places to eat at, around Php 250-500 per meal, which is ok na din, but its really the quality. thumbs up!

i could say more things, but am boring you, just check out the photos below.

TOKYO

me and obee, excited to roam around, this is at shinjuku.

we were on the way home to hachioji from shibuya, the train was as crowded as hell. you have to experience it yourself.

ginza is where all your high end shops are located, and they are in buildings, not just floors stacked together, but each premium brand has their own building with minimum of 3 floors. i was super tired so i decided to get tonic water, while they all had beer.

in tokyo, we went to meiji shrine, and i wrote down my wish in a piece of paper.

odaiba is tokyo's tech city, thats how i define it, anyway. they feature really cool stuff.

odaiba featured new upcoming shows from japan's leading network.

we went to tokyo palace, its so serene.

shibuya, i went crazy while people looked at me.

hanging out with friends, on the way home.

we met barry's friends for dinner. by the way barry is obee's friend from bacolod that works in japan. so we actually stayed with him.

last minute shopping at narita airport, thank GOD they were open even at 7am.

we went to tsukiji market, and here i am with the master chef of the most famous sushi place in tsukiji.

NARA

i bought these as souveniers from nara. their official mascot are deers, since obviously they had deers roaming around the whole place.

japanese dolls, i bought one to bring home.

i wish i did buy more, in different sizes.

i was so happy to see muji, i bought a lot of stuff, for dad and mom.

nara, japan. a must see.

nara shrine with obee.

KYOTO

we stayed at this hostel in kyoto, it was my first time to stay at a hostel, but the experience was great! everything was soo clean, of course it was japan. but obee, and i stayed in one room, and we have our separate toilet, and etc. so we technically did not share everything with strangers, we just used the kitchen in the morning to cook the cup noodles for bfast.

bullet train from tokyo to kyoto and vice versa. this was taken on the way back to tokyo, duration: 3 hours.

we bought chips and drinks at the family mart, and just stayed in the room.

in the hostel, this is where we stayed, i loved the concept of tatami bed, believe it or not, it was super comfortable.

one of the biggest palace in kyoto.

kyoto is actually where the royal family of japan stays, we went to the imperial palace, but it was closed, and did you know, that you have to apply and get a permission to tour the palace. they do it 2x a day, 10am and 2pm.

kyoto, japan.

kyoto tower. oooh, one more thing, kyoto supposedly love astroboy.

next post, food photos... ;)

2010-09-04T16:26:00.003+08:00

MANILA, August 2010.
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every last week of august, i usually take leave, to go back home and celebrate my dads birthday. this year was a bit different, since i was in japan on the day itself. but the important thing is i was there to celebrate his birthday with the whole family and loves ones during the dinner itself. all in one na sya, i get to see everyone na kagad.

mom keeps on insisting to take a family photo.

we have one with the girls sitting.

with cousins, we occupied like 4 or 5 tables. ang dami namin kaya.

with our youngest cousin, ken.

we went to jay-j's post dads birthday dinner, but with cousins lang.

the next day the 5 of us went to tagaytay, we stayed there overnight.

family photos ulet.

monday lunch was help at antonio's. dad had the seafood sampler, mom had spansish sardines with omelette. me and ags had corned beef, and cho had beef tapa.

i wish we could have breakfast like this everytime, with lush greens outside. fantastic.

pinas is always fun. :)

2010-08-01T00:14:00.002+08:00

vietnamese coffee and other things.
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thanks joanie for the coffee, i tried it last sunday, and took photos. mine, didn't turn out to be great, since i used sugar instead of condensed milk. i don't have kasi at home, i have to buy. :)

how it looks like when being filtered.

the coffee, with my starbucks xmas mug, that i got back in 2007.

its sunday tomorrow, and you know what i love about sundays? brunch. make sure you have a cup of coffee, with its oozing aroma.

by the way, i had so much fun with julette and ainee today, tons of photos in FB site. also, later (its sunday AM, now) - i will be meeting julette, and we will be watching bangkok traffic love story. i likeee. :) next wednesday or thursday, me, julette and ainee will watch au revoir taipei naman. i cant wait.

2010-07-29T23:51:00.002+08:00

inspiration.
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my last few weeks felt like i was stuck in a slump, its hard to describe the feeling, its like living monotonously, day in and day out. it feels like, its the same day over and over again. my life was boring, uninspiring and unproductive, for my own personal standards. actually, i never thought of those past few weeks that way, for me it was normal, my normal.

after last week, just last monday, i felt inspired.. inspired to do things, to be things, and to dream things. the first sign came, when i gave a damn on how i dress to work. in moments of total bleakness, i would wear my black or dark blue collared shirt (either the M&S or MJ one - my favorite boring shirts) paired with my loose-cut jeans + nike sneakers. i looked like going to school vs joining the workforce, or i even look like i just joined the workforce. HAHA! even our interns, are dressed better than me.

i remember a few months ago, krazy (my ex-colleague) told me that i have to "step-up" my wardrobe since i was promoted to manager already, that i should at least wear polo's and stop wearing round neck shirts with eccentric designs. i never took it seriously. thing is, when am in the mood, i can step-up the wardrobe anyway, but the past few weeks, ever since i came back from manila, i just didn't give a damn.

so now i promise myself to at least present myself nicely in the office. i just made an audit of my wardrobe, i just discovered that i have so much stuff that i don't even wear. you know, out of sight, out of mind, since they are tucked in my closet, i don't even remember them. i will try and document what i will wear to office starting tomorrow, and will upload photos in this blog, it will be some sort of project for me, just to continue the inspiration.

anyway to sum things up, here are few things i will do to keep me inspired

- wear nice clothes to work, i think it should benefit my career and it will keep me inspired, to look forward to what i will wear.

- read more. i just finished reading haruki murakami's after dark. i purchased this at books actually at ann siang hill, i loved the place, and will go back to get another book to read. i am thinking that i need to buy books there, to keep the place alive, its an independent book store, and i love that thought, especially these modern times.

- faith. i go to church weekly now, but i want to buy the booklet for praying the rosary, i want to start praying the rosary again, this am sure will keep me inspired.

- holidays. who doesn't love that? every person in my age range loves exploring and going for vacations. my next is japan in august, and am too excited for that. now, am thinking of places for next year - 1) vietnam - saigon (again, to visit joan) + side trip to cambodia with julette. and 2) new york to visit pau, hopefully joan joins me too, 3) and maybe HK for another family vacation. (i miss HK)!!

- in a way work inspires me, i have to say. whenever i produce great work, i make sure the next is better. one thing i learned about myself is that i love challenges, because if there is nothing new for me, nothing new to learn, nothing to achieve, i would get bored and would need to move on.

- my family and friends inspire me. i feel great when i talk to them, i find inspiration in how they live their lives, and how they achieve their dreams. i like that.

anyway that's it, hopefully i get to stick to taking photos of myself and what am wearing on a daily basis, honestly, knowing me, i won't be able to do this, but then again, i am challenging myself. haha!

2010-07-28T14:18:00.002+08:00

excited for japan part 2
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so, okay, now am thinking that i have quite a few things to be excited about - the food, culture, the place itself, etc, but for now, this is what am excited about - the shopping! :) again, anybody who knows me, know that i am addicted to shoes - and thus, this post.

they have a store in japan thats called shoemart - though am not sure where exactly it is, but it is around japan, different cities, i wish its near where we live, or at least we could go there, and i wish the sizes and color i want are there, plus hopefully it still is on sale!

my first pick will be this boots that could pass up as doc martens, but we all know its not. i just like it, its different, and i don't think i have this style - i think i will be able to use it everyday, estimated price at S$60.

my second choice would be this boat shoes, i have one in dark blue (almost the same as the photo here), and if ever i would get the one in dark brown, i want it in neutral color rather than having it mixed up, cost at S$60.

boat shoes in camel, S$185.

this rain commuter boots is super nice, i was thinking i could either use it for formal gatherings, plus it would look very sleek with jeans, especially at S$74.

i saw this quarter polo that has a really nice feel to it, i'd like both colors expect white., S$32 each.

anyway, i hope i find this place, so i can buy a few things for myself. i have to practice my signature, as i will be making use of it quite often in japan, 3 more weeks. woohoo!

2010-07-27T12:01:00.005+08:00

excited for japan.
------

okay, now i am getting really excited for japan - before, i was just thinking that i won't shop a lot, but will go around to make sure i make the most of it. but now, i have been surfing www.rakuten.co.jp -> the number 1, e-shopping site in japan, and i have seen a lot of things i like - from bags, to shoes, etc. this post will be dedicated to the bags, i have my eyes on.

when it comes to bags, personally, i like MUJI, because they are simple, the colors are very neutral, they are very roomy, it is designed for convenience as well, plus the fact that it is not too expensive, average of SGD 100.

i brought this bag to HK, which is perfect since i do not need to ask for plastic bags when i go shopping.

same bag in KL, it is actually very big, and the best part, you can either sling it, or hold it.

this is another muji bag that i use either as an overnight bag or gym bag, it is very light.

this marc jacobs sling bag, i used when i went to korea, i like black since it doesn't look as dirty as other colors. this one is kind of tall, fits tall envelopes, etc.

porter is one brand, i like. my first and only porter came from aggie and cho, when they asked me what i wanted for my birthday, and i chose a zippy wallet, see photo below. i liked it because, you can just fold your money, put in a few cards, then go, i have used it for quite sometime but stopped due to the amount of cards i need to bring around now. i want to use it again, so maybe, i'll switch the long zippy wallet that i have now (it fits everything perfectly - from cards, cash, coins, namecards, receipts) into 2 wallets - i'll use porter and the other one will be a card holder. i have to think about this, first.

anyway, porter are made in 2 places, one is in japan which commands a much higher price, vs the one that's made in taiwan. whats being sold here in singapore is the one made in taiwan, those made in japan are only sold in japan. when we went to taipei last june, chicho bought one porter bag that i like, its a sling one for travelling. i don't have a picture but he said its a great bag, he used it when he was here over the weekend. actually, i was supposed to buy as well, but i said i will think about it first.

this is similar to what cho has bought, at SGD 359 in japan. chicho bought his at TWD3,750, roughly SGD 150.

this one looks good for travelling, but i don't think you can put much, i have always liked stuffing my bag with unnecessary things. this will cost around SGD 237, all cost are from the said website.

this is almost the same as the muji one i have in black, the difference lies in the price, this cost around SGD 160, while the muji one is around SGD 70.

look at him using the bag, i think the size is a bit too small.

ooh, this one is good, i hope its in leather though, and it costs around SGD 556.

porter yoshida at SGD 335 - i like this bag in camel color, i don't know why, the structure is almost the same as the fred perry bag that i have, quite roomy as well.

anyway, i think i'll head down to porter in wisma atria, and check whether they have these bags, and if its cheaper too.

2010-07-25T20:18:00.005+08:00

a year and a half later...
------

taking you back in time, to last December 2008, where we last met in manila, i checked my blog history, and the i posted it on the 25th of December, Christmas day.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XGTUrltRQQo/SVJlN6oMX1I/AAAAAAAACIg/z9Qv_NOaSR0/s1600-h/DSC05923.JPG

it took me a while to compose this blog post, as i want to be in the proper frame of mind when i write this, i want to be focused and be grateful for all the blessings, to be able to see the glass half full rather than half empty. you get what i mean.

joan is now based in saigon, and pau lives in new york, while am here in singapore, i still am amazed that somehow we are still connected. sometimes we skype each other, we do a 3-way call, sometimes video conferencing and sometimes thru facebook. nett, is that this trip made me realize how much i missed them - how proud i am to be their friend, and see them doing so well in life. i have to look at it really as a celebration - celebration of friendship - i know that this is not the last time i will see them, i just know that.

i chose to post 9 from the hundreds of photos that we have from last weekends meet up in singapore, i don't have a specific reason why i chose this, but i'll try to write a caption that has captured those moments.

pau and liv, having brunch at PS Cafe, Dempsey. liv is paulo's younger sister. she is no stranger to me, i have met her when i was still back in manila, and it was great to see her doing so good and being so successful in her chosen craft.

canton-i, food. pau, joan and i have always loved food, i guess thatt's our common denominator - we enjoy it tremendously, trying out new resto's, cooking, making recipes. i guess you can say that food is what drew us closer. i still remember when joan wasn't doing the artist chef yet, me and paulo were one of the first that she made a meal for - during my despedida dinner at her old condo.

chicken rice. because pau always wanted to eat this ever since i was based here 4 years ago. it is the one thing that he has always asked of me whenever we talk online.

joan, ainee and pau - they belong to one creative team before, with pedi as their creative director. ainee and i became close during my last few mos in GASSO - we bonded over dreams, and what we want to achieve. when GASSO asked me to stay, ainee was the one who told me to follow my heart, and if i accept GASSO's offer and stay - will i be happy there? so now, i am here.

got this photo from paulo's cam. i don't remember how i got to know joan, the only thing i remember is that we kind of joined GASSO the same year, and we were part of the xmas committee that year. we used to go to SM Makati and buy stuff for the xmas party, and kaya kami naging close. anyway, i am truly happy i met joan - she is one of the sweetest.

joan, ainee and julette - the chinatown girls. haha! si julette naman is a different story altogether. she has been close to me since i started working, i bonded with her since they we were always part of the pitch team - we had this joke before, that we should just jump out of the veranda, since parati kaming busy. i don't see julette often even if she is based here as well, we often have different set of friends too, but one things for sure - whenever we need each other, whenever we just feel like talking and hanging out, we are there for each other.

pearl milk tea evokes good memories for me - i remember during one of the GASSO vacation - where we would always get milk tea in HK/Shenzen, the same group. i love milk tea, i love quickly taro-taro, and stuff like that.

at the singapore flyer, it felt like being on top of the world, the feeling i have when i am with them.

inside the capsule at the flyer - look at us now, as they say, paganda ng paganda ang buhay, and the best part of it, we all are still friends. :)

one thing is sure, just thinking about them makes me smile, and just for that, i am forever grateful. ;)

2010-07-14T15:16:00.002+08:00

counting my blessings.
------

anyway this post is about really looking at the brighter side of work. i think i have established early on how i really like the people i am working with, the clients to be very specific. they are nice people, and really values me for my contribution to their business.

working on a regional level is a bit of challenge, since you have so much people to work with, 5 local counterparts - adhering to their own ways, practices, etc. you have to work with the regional people (directors, bosses, research team, etc), you have to be involve in every meeting, every conversation. you have to work with regional clients, and managing their expectations and output, you have to work with the local clients and really drive synergies with the regional direction, plus you have to work with regional media managers, etc. it is not the easiest job in the world, believe me... but it all seem less stressful and more fun, when you work with people you like.

Lina, my ex-BM is going back to spain, since she is giving birth, and truth to be told, am sad since i really like her a lot. the team invited us to join them for farewell party + celebration for promotions of other team members. some photos below:

the whole team, Lina is the one beside me, wearing the purple dress.

the one on Lina's left is Bow, the BM she replaced. Bow is thai and is also a very nice person.

everyone raising their bubbly's for lina.. she is super loved by everyone, honestly. there was really sincere moments of tears from most people.

chwee, me and lina - am glad we had this photo. also, since we like her very much, we got her a present, its a green crystal necklace from swarovski, she opened it and loved it so much, and she told me that her favorite color is green. isn't that cool?!

anyway, on her last day, i emailed her a personal note:

Dear Lina,

I think its your last day today, and I just want to say that I will truly truly miss you here at ASEAN. Its true what they say - you truly light up our long initiative meetings, you made our MMRs more fun. Working with you, feels like, I am not working at all. You truly are an inspiration not just to your team - but I can personally say for me as well. I just wish you could have stayed longer, but other things are definitely more important - especially now that you are becoming a mom. Am sure you will be great - just from the passionate testimonials (haha) of your ABMs, and from me as well.

Wishing you all the best in life, am sure you will be successful in whatever you will do. And, again, thank you - for everything, for being the best client, and a really good friend as well. :) Hope that our paths will cross in the future.

Cheers!
Anton

and she replied:

dear Anton

thank you for your kind words, you make me cry!

Im sitting here surrounded by boxes and movers and it feels sad to leave as well.

I really hope I can come back and yes we will cross again. I will send my private details and emails etc for you to always be in touch.:)!

As I have said I had loads of fun and I truly believe you guys are the best media partners I have worked with, keep bringing the outside world and ideas into the region we need them!!

Take care and thank YOU!

lina

--

i just feel blessed to met and worked with clients like this. :)

2010-07-13T10:32:00.001+08:00

out and about
------

just updating on a few things:

my new macbook PRO, a good investment.

after going to the gym at FF, paragon, i went to muji and saw these, on sale at SGD 60 (not sure if thats the sale price) - looked very comfy and homey, i like. but i will go back when cho is here, as i have said, shopping is more fun when cho is around.

:)

2010-07-12T12:04:00.002+08:00

change.
------

there has been quite a bit of change in my life in the past few weeks, things that all of a sudden happened, hopefully for the better rather than the worst. to give a rundown:

- i hear mass every week. you know, i have a lot of faith, and i do pray sincerely and honestly, but never went to hear mass on a weekly basis. hopefully it signals good change. i am also hoping to get a rosary booklet, so i can pray the rosary, plus to spend time reading the bible, even for just 5 minutes a day before i sleep. i think that would be a terrific idea.

- i enrolled myself to fitness first. i know that i let myself go, therefore the drastic weight gain, though i don't really have a problem with it. the reason why i joined the gym is just to be more physically fit, and active rather than spending the whole day at home sleeping or laying down in bed while watching series.

- i try to be more adventurous in experiencing things, i go trekking, and i went to forest adventure at bedok reservoir park, did zip line, and all those things i don't usually do. this weekend, i'll join pau, liv and joan to go singapore flyer, etc - those places i have never been.

- this is the 4th week that i haven't S. -> that is the best thing ever.

and moving on to non-major life altering things, i got my own macbook pro last saturday, i have been wanting one for the past 2 years already. even cho and aggie, got before me, difference is that i am paying for my own. the next few days will be super exciting for me, as in..

- i will see pau, joan and liv this thursday. the itinerary is all set, and i just really want to spend time with them. i. am. so. excited. haha! i have not seen them for the longest time, i think a year plus na.

- chicho will be here on the 22nd! we are going to go ikea, muji, orchard and stuff. shopping is fun with cho around, though am sure he will buy more things than me, but i have this feeling that its my credit card that will get swiped. anyway, am thinking of paying for his stuff, since its his birthday naman sa august 19.

- dinner/gimik with some pinoys from P&G on the 30th - all scheduled. oh, this actually depends, as i might have some business trip to bangkok, end july daw eh. if post 22nd, then i think ill go, but if its around that time, i don't want na. haha!

- i will be home august for dad and cho's bday, then i am off to japan as well, for my own vacation with obee.

- i won the office bet, since i picked spain, and won SGD 60.

- i am waiting for my check to come in from california fitness. it was stupid of me, to not check my balances so thoroughly. they overcharged me, for 16mos worth of gym fees. now, they are reimbursing me. please pass me the check na, i need it for my japan trip. haha!

thank you GOD for all the blessings, i could not ask for more, except to keep me and my family safe from harm, and to take care of our health. by the way, i ask you to support either worldvision or unicef. i am supporting both.

2010-06-27T19:13:00.000+08:00

random stuff.
------

got this from angel's facebook page, and thought of just answering it as well.

TEN WHATS:

What was the first thing you thought about when you woke up?
aircon man is coming to service the A/C. haha!

What did you do last night?
watched big bang theory until i fell asleep.

What would you rather be doing right now?
sunday shopping with family.

What did you last scream over?
not really scream, but got me upset, was work issue.

What is your next day off and how are you going to spend it?
taking leave on july 16, since pau, joan and liv is coming. i would also like to take half day off on the 23rd, since chicho will be here on july 22-25

What always makes you feel better when you are upset?
none. i have to let it go.

Whats the most important thing you look for in a significant other?
who will be there for me, no matter what happens.

What are you worried about?
my family, i always pray for their health, safety, among other things.

What are you looking forward to most in this week?
eclipse showing on thursday. visa application tomorrow.

NINE HAVE YOU EVERS

Have you ever liked someone who had a girlfriend/boyfriend?
yes.

Have you ever had your heart broken?
yes.

Have you ever been backstabbed by a friend?
i would think so.

Have you ever had the cops called on you?
no.

Have you ever cheated on a test?
in school, yes.

Have you ever read an entire book in one day?
uhm, i am not sure. but i would think so.

Have you ever got a speeding ticket?
no.

EIGHT WHOS

Who was the last person you saw?
the uncle that i bought my dinner from.

Who was the last person that slept in your bed at the same time as you?
chicho

Who was the last person you texted?
pat and chiro - i texted them to let them know i won't be able to make it.

Who was the last person you called?
aircon guy.

Who is the last person you freaked out on?
no one.

Who did you last hug?
potsim.

Who did you go with to your 1st school dance?
i can't remember.

Who is your best friend?
from school my closest would be bon and lester. from family, it would be marj, twing, chops.

SEVEN WHENS

When was your last shower?
last night.

When did you last see your mom or dad?
june 7, 2010

When was the last time you danced?
ooh, long time ago.

When did you get married, or when do you want to?
i remember this specific moment in school - when i said i want to get married when i am 32. haha!

When did you last go to the movies and with whom?
i watched "she's out of my league", june 19, 2010 with franco, bing and dino.

When did you last take a vacation and where?
went back home, and went to taipei with family.

SIX WHERES

Where do your grandparents live?
manila.

Where did you last hang out?
marina barrage, friday night.

How do you get to school?
car.

Where is your favorite place to be?
in manila, at home.

Where did you sleep last night?
my bed

Where would you like to move?
back home or hong kong for a year.

FIVE DO / DOES

Do you like someone right now?
i like a lot of people.

Are you in love?
i am in love with my family. but if its romance, then its a no.

Do you ever wish you were someone else?
no, i like me.

Do you have nightmares?
no, thank GOD.

Does the future scare you?
yes and no.

FOUR WHYS

Why are you best friends with your best friends?
because i can be myself with them, i feel comfortable and great around them.

Why did you get a Facebook account?
napilitan because of pei shih.

Why did your parents give you the name you have?
cause my dad's name is antonio, and i get the short version of it.

Why are you doing this survey?
wala akong magawa. bored.

THREE IFS

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
teleport.

If you could go back in time and change one thing, would you?
no.

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could bring one thing, what would it be?
my iphone - music+camera+contacts.

TWO WOULD-YOU-EVERS

Would you be your friend if you were someone else?
i think so.

Would you ever shave your head to save someone you love?
a million times.

ONE LAST QUESTION

Are you happy with' your life right now?
very happy and satisfied, asking for anything material, would be too much already.

2010-06-17T16:20:00.002+08:00

happy fathers day!
------

this sunday is father's day, and THANK GOD for the time to upload this post.

i am beyond grateful to have dad as my father - he is an ordinary extraordinary dad - i have learned much from him, and i remember even saying in one of my cards to him, that i have him to thank for really being just a mabuting tao, and a down to earth person. see, my dad has always been friends with most of his workers, drivers, mekaniko's, and househelps, and i do try to be the same way.

my dad is not selfish, he thinks about other people before him. he thinks about mom, me, aggie and cho too. whenever we go thru certain points in our life, especially when all went to college and had problems in selecting school - that was the time i felt that he was there for me, he would accompany me to DLSU and UST everyday. he would drive me for school interviews. he never missed any of my milestone moments - graduation, retreats, and more and more i appreciate that.

lately, i have been taking flights back to singapore at 6am, meaning i had to be in the airport at 4am. dad together with mang jun would bring me to the airport, he made sure i was brought there safe. if ever, i fly from clark, its either mom or dad who will always fetch/send me. their efforts are much appreciated by me.

dad never required me to be someone else, i have never heard him said, "bakit si ganito, ganyan.." i don't recall being compared to someone much better, for him, i was enough.

my relationship with dad is not perfect, we barely talk before, except for those casual conversations. ever since, i started to work here, i felt like he looked at me another way. he saw me as a person with inputs and i felt that he values it, i like this relationship that i have with him now.

two weeks ago, we accompanied dad to get a new pair of glasses, rayban frames with lenses, that costed Php 15k, we let aggie pay for it first using her credit card. then, the night before i left, i told dad that it will be my fathers day present for him. he said, "wag na, madami ka nang gastos, you bought your mom pa a bag for mother's day." i said, wala yun, kaya ko naman, i have means to pay for it, and whatever i have is also yours.

dad has never been materialistic, he has always been giving, and i wish that i could be somewhat like him. the greatest gift i could ever give my dad, is for him to be proud of me, because i am super grateful and proud to be his son. i love you, dad.

mom and dad, 2008 birthday

dad with his siblings, my uncle's and auntie's

my family.

dad lounging at the hotel, this was taken last holy week, i wasn't there, he was with the rest of the family.

mom and dad, i will give and do anything for them.

ps. i gave my mom her present when i arrived in manila on may 27. she was so surprised and wanted to kiss me. she said she will pay for it daw, or even half of it. i told her no need, and i will take care of it. i just wish GOD continues to bless me, so i can really share more of this blessings to not just my family, but for those who are in need.

speaking of those who are in need, i have 2 worldvision kids that i continuously support since last year, i have a 1-year pledge with unicef, and i have donated to the haiti earthquake. it's not a lot of money, but it makes me feel like a million bucks.

2010-06-16T16:06:00.002+08:00

back from holidays.
------

sorry for the super late post, i am back in SG after my holiday. i went to manila, and as usual, it feels great to be back home. i stayed at our new house for the first time, i think we shifted to the new house a month ago. its still bare, but its live-able, i can't wait for it to be complete. i loved it there, its something new, and just really really nice after my 27 years of existence.

everytime i go back home, i realize how i am missing out on things that are happening, and all that - actually this SG stint is good as i do appreciate things so much more - like my family, spending time with them is one of the best things i could ever ask for.

i also am appreciative for the fact that my cousins would go out of their way to see me, lin for example. achi mai, twing, chops, and everyone else - it just feels great to be sitting and chatting with them - it feels great, and just that certainty that there are those people who will support you no matter what.

i promised to donate to UNICEF a few weeks back - and i did that today, registered my credit card. it feels good to be able to give back, in my small little way. and i encourage everyone to do so. now, i have 2 kids under worldvision + a unicef donation + haiti relief. my only wish is to be in a position where i could do so much more to help those in need, as i really feel so much blessed. not that i have a lot of money, but whenever going gets tough, i count the things i am thankful for rather than looking at the glass half empty.

my family aside from my dad went to taipei for a holiday - i was the one who planned the entire trip (who else?!) - i wish dad could have been there with us, so we could have spent more time together. actually out of town trips are not a MUST, but it enhances the bonding experience i had with them - going thru things for the first time, stuck with each other even if we don't like it anymore (haha), and just really being there with them, is a great gift for me. if you want to see photos of my taipei trip, check my FB account, its all there. (tamad to upload, sorry!)

two days ago, while in the cab on the way home, the cab driver asked me why i was not applying for PR, he thinks that i am suitable, and will have a brighter future here vs in manila. i was thinking, is this a sign that the LORD is giving me, to focus on my career and stay here? - so i told him my reasons why i want to go home. i told him that

a) i want to spend time with my family - have missed them for the past 4 years already. my parents are not getting any younger, so if i can really spend quality time with them to talk, enjoy the things around us, and experience things at the same time - i will be forever grateful.

b) i have never considered to apply for PR in SG - as i know that in the long run, i will be heading home. i was here with a goal in mind, and i think i have achieved it somehow, from personal to career goals. SG has been extremely nice to me, but at the end of the day, its a personal choice.

c) one of my friends asked me why i want to go back home since everything is going great from a career standpoint, or that i have met lots of friends here already. i told her, there are just things that you know - whats right for you, rather than being stuck in a safe place. i am not a risk taker and i want to believe that in the right time, i will be taking that risk, and will be happy and satisfied about my decision. the only thing that is keeping me from moving back is that condo that i am currently paying for, by may 2011 - i have paid the 50%, and will be paying the other 50% by 1st quarter of 2012. thats good as it gives me more time, and i can plan my life accordingly.

--

anyway, thats a lot of non-sense talk, i have missed writing in this blog. now, my energies will be focused to that japan trip in august. hopefully, it does happen, and i cannot wait to see the land of the rising sun. :)

2010-05-25T18:34:00.002+08:00

i am back.
------

i have not written in this blog for such a long time, sorry, i was super busy with all the work that i had no time for anything personal. quick updates: went to universal studios last saturday with pat and friends, also went to hacienda to watch karen spin - with friends.

anyway, i was feeling heaty yesterday, so i made sure i drank tons of water, liang teh (herbal tea), and 100 plus - i need to make sure that i am a-okay for my trip back home.

this morning, i decided not to come in since i feel like i needed to rest a bit more, this afternoon, i was feeling a little bit better, so i went to do some errands - went to orchard to remit money, exchanged SGD to TWD for our trip - i also helped mom change money since wala daw sa manila. anyway, am really excited to be home, as in.

there are also some lessons i feel i have learned over the past couple of weeks, and i don't want to write it all here, but i want to keep it in my head, and really apply it in the future. so hopefully this all makes sense.

2010-05-02T18:45:00.002+08:00

break
------

i need a break real soon! i have to get out of this situation - its not as bad, but i just feel like i really need it.

i hope this would be over really soon, the next 2 weeks will be more stressful and busier for me, am sure. its okay, and will bear with it, but am excited to take my break now - may 27.

if things happen, then i would either want to extend my vacation or take the last week of july off, and go to japan, if not on august. lets see what will happen.

2010-04-25T19:01:00.002+08:00

last last weekend.
------

two weekends ago was fun, friday night saw me, ryan and kristine off to 313 to grab early dinner at say cheese. i also bought a dvd box set of private practice season 2 - and the last episode is super bitin - i hate katie, and i pity dr. violet turner - i had to pause, cause i get easily affected. haha!

kristine and pat at the opposite side of the table.

we sampled different type of appetizers - from calamri, fries, etc.

last sunday naman, we went on a shopping trip with mechie and sel:

nice layout naman pala ang store.

pretty red bag on top of the display

mech and sel at the balenciaga store.

--

yesterday, i went to the office since i had to run some data and work on some presentation, also worked on other plans that i have to settle since i have a meeting on monday. ang dami kong kelangang gawin, thanks GOD for CL - at least she helps me on other things naman na, on some other brands, and i can focus on something else.

last friday, ryan, krazy, pat and i had super late dinner @ the hand burger over at 313 ulet - it was the best burger that i have ever tried - as in masarap, am not sure lang if its because we had dinner at 10am na. ang peste kasing office nagpatawag ng 6-8:30pm meeting ganda. i tried to control my temper and all that - unfortunately, one thing i will never understand is how inconsiderate some people can be - i don't play politics, di ako nakikipag plastikan, what you see is what you get. if i dont agree, then expect to hear the rest of it.

today, am just in the house, trying to prepare for the work week - thanks to ryan, i have ugly betty, glee to watch. i wish may 27 na so uwe na akong pinas, ayoko na magisip about work and all that.

hey, am waiting for that call pa pala. come on.

2010-04-04T21:51:00.002+08:00

travel bug 2010 edition.
------

i think i get bitten by the travel bug every quarter - where i have this urge to go and search over the net on the best deals for travel and tours. its also funny, how i have this long term plan to visit the places that i want. i have planned them in my mind, and its kind of uncertain as well, as i don't know if am pushing thru or not, it depends on a lot of things, like - vacation leaves, money, etc.

anyway, here are the plans that i have:

1) June 2-7, 2010: Taipei, Taiwan with Family - confirmed and booked.

2) August 22-28, 2010: Tokyo, Japan with Obee and Cheryl - TBC, obee and i agreed to book by mid april to fix our schedules and all that.

3) Dec 26-29, 2010: Boracay, Philippines with DLSU friends (TBC) (obee, cheryl, franco, we will send out an invite to everyone - will book by june 2010).

4) Jan 29 - Feb 7, 2011: Sydney + Melbourne, AUS (TBC - i will fix this when neared the date, or after my japan trip, aug/sep 2010) -> will be visiting friends and family there. in Sydnye, the lovely sarah offered me her place so i can stay with them, then i have to visit ahya ichi and achi michelle's family there as well, will be stayingfor around 5 days, then the rest spent in melbourne, i am planning to ask angel if i could stay with her as well, then i can also see kat and jeanette. woohoo!

5) june 2011 - NY and SF (i am moving this trip, since i need to really have super long leaves)planning to book this by feb 2011.

anyway, thats my short term plan, i could consider that short term right? or is it mid already? anyway, i wish i could really stick to this, if not, more travels, would be much better.

2010-03-30T18:09:00.003+08:00

bintan offsite
---

last week was out offsite, where we went to bintan island, indonesia - an hour ferry ride away from singapore. we did some team building, award ceremony and conferences to discuss the future. i forgot to bring my camera, therefore, i just grabbed these photos from some people. it was fun to see the rest of the local market, as 3 pax from the 5 markets we work with was able to go.

this was taken at the beach - where we had a telematch - it was a competition between teams - and i was at team number 4 with khoi (VN), ravi (ID), esther, jazreel, me, sid and siti (MY)- and guess what we won, it was a cool way to build camaraderie with the team. it felt great!

this was the gold medal - there was only 1 team awarded and we were that.

this was an award that i received from management - it was called braveheart - in recognition of your extraordinary contribution, resilience, independence and ability to deal with client (P&G) directly. it came with a letter and envelope with SGD 100.

---

we stayed at club med, a prime resort in bintan that doesn't come cheap, we paid around SGD560 for 3d/2n per person, but it was worth it - eat all you can on all meals. drink all you can from fruit juices to alcoholic drinks. you can also get dessert and do anything under the sun, fantastic pool, courts for badminton, basketball, soccer, etc.

this was the view of the pool from the 4th floor, nice. we swam that evening around 10pm - and the water was warm, it wasn't chilly at all.

this was the room, it was beautiful, the only problem was that its hot - everywhere - no exceptions from bedroom to conference room and restaurants. i shared a room with tony (colleague) and connected to kristine and monique's room.

so, that's that, next few weeks will be very busy with all the work stuff that i need to do. hay nako.

2010-03-04T15:43:00.002+08:00

post birthday with friends
------

reb, carmen and i celebrated my birthday, after almost a month, at o'leary's at the singapore flyer. we had dinner and drinks, but we never really went up the flyer, i want to do that but maybe when joan and paulo comes over in july. i know joan would love that.

carmen holding my birthday present - a shirt saying mr. mischief. they have this perception that i am such a naughty person. they would always say, how i get my way with older people like auntie's and how i charm them to bits. hello, why was i even a client servicing person, if i could not do that. they would always remind me of the fact that i was my boss' favorite person in the office (we worked together before).

rebecca trying to eat - she came late, and left early. good, that i was able to snap this photo, as she really doesn't want her photo taken.

ribs, chicken wings, all with their famous BBQ sauce - which honestly wasn't really good.

platter - grilled chicken, beef, lamb, prawns with bacon and egg. i loved the fried bacon, it was super crispy. you can see the salad behind. i remember when we would have weekend bfast back in manila - there would be 2 kinds of bacon - a crispy one for my mom and sister, and the soft and soggy one - for me and dad. we always have fried egg and garlic rice with it. yummy!

another photo, see how nice the egg looked like.

honestly, i don't think i would ever come back to this place, the food wasn't spectacular. the only nice thing about the F&B outlets in the flyer is that there was no one, no queue's, you don't need to hurry up to finish your dinner, since there will be people waiting to sit at your table. if you just want to hang out, i recommend you to go there, there's also a few choices that you can go to, chinese, italian, american food, etc. go pick!

--

i used to collect ARCHIE comics back when i was in grade school, though we would usually buy the JUGHEAD double digest, because we love jughead more than archie. haha! i went to this comic store in raffles city and saw this. i got 4 out of 6, they didn't have the part 3 and part 6 unfortunately, and these are actually the more important part - the ending. shit.

archie comics - the one proposal.

--

anyway, i have received the briefs, i think i would be busy for the next few weeks. hopefully, it will be over soon, i cant wait for my next holiday.

2010-02-27T15:23:00.002+08:00

summer sunshine
------

its summer, i definitely can feel it, the heat is just making my mornings so tough, since i do a lot of walking in the morning. but aside, from that, what i miss most, is to really go to the beach. i haven't been in the ocean for quite a while now. last time i went was last june (when i went to kota kinabalu with mech).

i want to go to bali, actually, or bohol, palawan or boracay, not now, but sometime soon, i guess. we will be quite busy with work, in the next few weeks (up until may) - so maybe later in the year. i will definitely want to go to bohol or boracay, but bohol seems to be more interesting, i dont know why.

oh, the only good thing is that, our team is going to bintan, indonesia for some offsite, during the last weekend of march. i have been there, but i guess it will do, better than being stuck in singapore, i guess. and, the best part is that, the office will be paying for it, as some kind of team building, etc. hopefully it will be fun.

2010-02-20T18:00:00.002+08:00

CNY break
------

i am back in singapore now, after spending less than a week in manila for the chinese new year. i love manila, and i had so much fun, though there were some episodes that i wish did not happen (muscle strain at my lower back), i wish i could have spent more time. anyway, my holidays for this year has all been lined up already, and am kinda excited about that.

anyway, manila in photos + our office celebrating the CNY - year of the tiger.

auntie dawna sent estrel's caramel cake, as a post birthday present.

i went to dangua (flower market in manila) - at 1am, to help lester get flowers for her mom, sister and his date. so i thought i should get one bouquet for mom, and long stemmed rose for aggie and tita bot.

after doing round robin at the court with my trainer - i had pain at my lower back, which the chiropractor said was a muscle strain. i had one therapy session with him, plus he gave me meds i should drink. oh, he said i had acute scoliosis, but the weird thing is that he asked me to get multivitamins (with lutein and lycopene) + B100 vitamins. oh, i have to thank mom for accompanying me, mom is the best.

tuesday was fun, it felt like sunday - since my whole family didn't go to work, school - we all had fun at pancake house and went to our new home, to put some stuff. i am excited to put in stuff in my room, and try my hand at actually doing interior decorating it. i just wished i had time to go back to manila every so often.

went back to the office on thursday, as office was closed the first 3 days.

we had a buffet lunch - food was ok.

got CNY goodies, oranges and ang bao's..

its time first time for me to see a 1,000 singapore dollar bill.

photo opp with some officemates, most of the people from office will only come back on monday.

now, am just at home since am super tired the past few days, and i need to sleep. oh, yesterday was fun, ryan and i slept at pat's hotel - we had dinner and swam last night. i also think that my back is getting better, which is good.

few things i need to do:
1) book my manila ticket in october for romina's wedding
2) book augusts' cambodia holiday next week - i know early planning, have to wait for franco and cheryl's confirmation.

2010-02-07T23:43:00.002+08:00

pat is back.
------

i am soo tired. i just came back from a super duper long today. anyway, i met ryan and kristine at cineleisure for lunch - we had pastamania, i arrived late, around 2pm, since i had to iron my clothes in the morning. we decided to pick pat from the airport - she is back and starting work tomorrow, but not with us anymore. she has decided to join another media agency in singapore. its good, we are just soo happy that pat is back in singapore - am sure things will be more happening, now that she is here.

anyway, we got her a rose, and waiter for her arrival at 6pm. shopped at termina 3 airport - where celio was having a huge sale. i got a polo for SGD 29 and a belt for SGD 10, discounted by 70%, isn't that a deal.

everything went smoothly, until we have to get her balikbayan box. it was such a hassle. we had to wait for 2 hours and go to different buildings - we needed permit, and all. she declared all her personal belongings and items - including books - which according to the man in customs was a controlled item by the government. they said we should have just declared it as personal items and below SGD 300 (so it will not be taxable - HELLO, there should be really no tax, since all those items are used anyway), but pat told us that the PAL people told her to declare everything that was inside the box. we had to go to an agent, and get an approval and declaration. we had to wait for some officers as they were having their break (we were there sunday, 7pm).. and they also had to check to box. anyway lesson learned, is to never ship a box to sg, just bring in all the items with you and pay excess luggage or something.

after that we went to her hotel, park royal (beachroad) which was beautiful by my standards. i dont have high standards though, as long as its clear and comfortable, its damn fine. we had dinner at this korean resto, then back home. i am soo damn tired. i went with pat thru everything kasi, but its ok, i love that she is back.

now, am not feeling so well, i might take a leave tomorrow since am having headaches and all. i would also need to go philippine embassy for my exit pass. hay.

by the way, i love scrapping off my to do list - i'm almost done with everything, i got tita bots laptop from JB yeserterday, i was able to clean the house, pack my luggage (am going home thursday), plus i was able to get all the bilins na. woohoo. it should be a good week, aside from all the decision i have to make in the upcoming days.

2010-02-01T22:52:00.004+08:00

2010 birthday
------

overall, i had a good birthday, i spent the day with small wonderful surprises - i don't really expect a lot on my birthday, which is a good thing, so i get quite surprised when people do remember.

on the evening of the 28th, while i am getting ready to watch dvd in my laptop, gareth and shella knocked on the door. they got me this cake with candle that i could blow. cheryl came in and got me the cake in the picture. she said that she thought no one would get me the cake, and i will be really sad. so i had a cake on the evening of the 28th.

gareth and achi ice got me this memory pillow from AUSSINO. i don't know how much it costs, it looks quite expensive though.

cheryl got me a card and a travel kit from springfield. he said that my current kit is too bulky thats why she got me this.

ryan asked me what present i wanted - and i said an external hard drive. here it is... now, i can download movies, series, and watch it forever. i just need to buy my own laptop, since i am bringing this lenovo home so mom can play farmville.

we went to harry's on friday evening to get dinner and drinks. so aside from office people, cheryl and mech went with to celebrate with me. ang saya. sarah also called from australia which made everything so much more fun.

cheryl lee got me this beautiful tiramisu cake, i was just telling her how much i love cakes that afternoon.

ryan and joyce came back from HK this morning - and they were able to get the shoes that i wanted at HKD 399.

this jacket is also my bilin from H&M, at HKD 499, i need to diet a bit kasi medyo masikip. tomorrow, i will be back in no rice diet. i have to. going to natalie's (thai place) for lunch is not helping at all - their seafood fried rice is to die for.

oh, this is joyce and ryan's present to me - GOD shirt from HK - ryan said, that i should wear it in the office.

i can't wait to be back in manila next week. i have a few things to do though:
(1) get tita bot's laptop in JB this weekend
(2) call louis vuitton tomorrow, as tita bebs is inquiring about speedy 30 in damier canvas
(3) go to guardian this weekend, and inquire about tita bot's medicine.
(4) pack this weekend - with the un-ironed clothes so manang can iron them back home.
(5) dinner for cheryl's birthday on thursday
(6) dinner and drinks with julette on friday
(7) go to the philippine embassy on wednesday morning and get an exit pass.
(8) pass adu's laptop to gareth tomorrow.

2010-01-25T10:16:00.003+08:00

boredom.
------

i was so bored last week, and i feel that i will be bored until i go back home. i am not saying that i hate it ah, actually i like it, since i can do non-urgent stuff, or stuff that i need to do in the next few weeks. i can focus on that, which is good. actually, i have lots of pending items, pero not on my end, more on their (3rd parties) end - meaning status quo lang ako. nice!

anyway, some photos on my iphone below!

neutrogena attached a sample of their new product - HYDRO BOOST. wala lang, nice packaging.

nisa (thai colleague) came back from her vacation in bangkok, and got me few stuff. sweet!

piu (chiro's wife) got us these presents from india - very sweet of piu.

this was the cab stand along queen's street, going to Johor Bahru in Malaysia.

href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XGTUrltRQQo/S10sPSe7qQI/AAAAAAAAC0M/pTKy7vxvJqc/s1600-h/kung+ano+ano+001.jpg">
sergeant pepper's chicken rice @ food republic, 313 somerset.

i saw 2 movies last week - and we watched on a weekday, cheaper tickets vs weekends. we saw "did you hear about the morgans" and "new york, i love you".. both nice films.

i am currently watching "kim sam soon", i saw this back when i was in manila, and am just repeating it, it has a nice story and am just enjoying that at the moment.

my birthday is coming up this friday, i am excited about that. i love birthdays, and presents (haha!) though i don't think i'll be getting presents at my age anymore. :( i have a few things planned, so we will see.

--

few things planned:

jan 26, tue
have to get exit pass from the embassy, am getting 4 pieces na.

feb 6, sat
off to JB to pick up tita bot's laptop. ryan is joining me.

feb 7, sun
off to tanjong beach @ sentosa to relax and unwind, ryan and kristine coming with me, and we can invite a few more people. we will see

feb 11, thurs
off to manila. yay! celebrating birthday with my cousins, either JAY-J's or dinner at the new house. i prepapred a list of menu with aggie, it will be fantastic.

may 28, fri
i have yet to book my ticket back home, but i have booked a june 9 flight from manila to singapore. am excited since we have booked a flight to taipei from june 2 to 7, and the most fantastic news, it will be with family (minus dad).

july 2010
paulo visiting singapore.

aug 26, 2010
have to be home for dad's 60th birthday

oct 9, 2010
home again for rom's wedding.

oct 27, 2010
if mom doesn't come to singapore for her 50th birthday, i will definitely go home as well.

year-end, if i have enough time and money, am going to japan. i have to find someone that will go with me though.

2010-01-14T20:42:00.001+08:00

my birthday wish
------

this is my only birthday wish. please make it come true. :) i guess, i want it badly.

2010-01-10T19:28:00.003+08:00

korean food
------

when i travel, food photos are a MUST. i take photo of everything, even before taking a bite. i never forget. HAHA!

this accompanied me, throughout my trip.

korean dumplings at W4,000, its good, but xiao long bao is better. i think once you have tasted din tai fung's xiao long bao, you never go back.

i ate kimchi everyday, thing is you can go back at the counter for refills.

the hotdog was the best, it costs W3,000. some of the sausages would have ricecakes inside.

i had hot chocolate like everyday, and sometimes even 2x/3x a day.

gigimbap at W2,500 per roll. its super good, plus, its healthy.

the fishcake taste so good.

doughnut plant new york in seoul, i was giddy when i saw this, and of course bought a few.

these donuts smells so good.

dunkin donuts cream cheese filled donut, W1,200. it was good too, and i think dunkin donuts in korea is so different than the one in manila.

LOTTERIA's bulgogi burger, W3,500 each, it was good and has a different mix of sauce. the only thing i did not like was the bun itself, it was so dry.

i ate this at the airport before we flew back to manila. it was so-so.

you have to go to cafe bene - their waffles are the best!

first nights dinner was barbecue dinner, it was soo good, this you have to do in korea, or else, why bother go there?

2010-01-09T23:30:00.003+08:00

korea, dec 2009 in photos
------

i fell in love with korea. i love the place, the surroundings, the people especially, the food, but not so much the shopping, which then again is good, since i did not spend so much money buying things. i think if my sister, or obee, or mom, or mech would go there, they would but more things than me. i didn't get anything aside from touristy things actually.

i definitely want to go back to seoul, and explore other islands - nami, jeju, and all that, it was just so cold that it was so hard to travel. one highlight of my trip, was definitely seeing snow for the first time. i loved it, and i was like a kid playing with the snow, throwing to ryan, franco and cheryl. it was just like being a child again.

ryan and i travelled for 2 hours just to get to this UNESCO HERITAGE SITE, and it was freezing cold.

namsan traditional korean village, was actually just behind our hotel. i would think that it would be better to see it without the snow. but i love the look of the frozen lake.

ryan and franco insisted to visit the world cup stadium, but the thing is, it was closed, and we weren;t able to go inside anyway. so really, the highlight of that was eating bulgogi burger at LOTTERIA.

from the traditional village, you can see the tower. we visited the seoul tower that evening, it was freezing cold, cause its up on the hill, and you would need to walk up there. entrance cost is at USD 7.

we went to 2 palaces, and witnessed the change of guards, entrance at USD 3.

on the way to that UNESCO site, we had to switch train lines like 4 times. this wasn't even an underground train anymore, it was like going to tagaytay or laguna by train. it was a good experience though.

i just brought sneakers to seoul, but my feet were getting numb. i got these boots at the dongdaemun market for 13,000 WON or 13 USD.

myeongdong is very near our hotel, it would take you around 10 mins by foot. i think we were here for like 4x since it was so near, and if we need to eat or get something, we would just drop by. and the thing is, there are so many streets aside from the main street, that you could explore.

i was just taking photos of the food he sells, and then all of a sudden, he just pulled me inside the tent, and asked ryan to take our picture together. he even gave me his chopping knife. he was super nice, so i went to the coffee shop and bought him coffee, since it was really freezing. he was so grateful, and even wants to pay for ryan's order, but ryan refused.

entrance fee at USD 35, but it was so boring, and basically when we went it was a holiday, and there were just too much people/kids/family. queue would be around 30 to 45minutes for one ride, so much for wasting time.

we stayed at astoria hotel, it was a very nice hotel, near a lot of places, and clean. there's also 2 computers ready for your use. the staff are so helpful and friendly, i would go back and stay there, if i visit once more.

de xocolat cafe serves all their caffeine with chocolate. don't you love that?

we had to stop buy everytime, around 4x a day, since it was so cold outside, and one cup of coffee cost USD 5, you calculate.

i bought a lot of these, and its all in manila. hopefully, when i return to manila in feb, there are some more left, as i want to try some, especially the biscuits.

to sum it up, i enjoyed korea, and i recommend people to visit the country, it is so beautiful, and the people are the nicest i have ever met. one example would be, i asked these 2 local guys to help me locate the gangnam area, and they said, we could not walk, and its easier to take a cab. so i said, okay. i went to the cab stand, and was supposed to enter, when they stopped me, and told me that i should go on the other side of the road, since its the other way. you know what they did? they accompanied us to cross the street, spoke to our cab driver, and said goodbye. we even exchanged introductions, since they were so nice. i wish i could have korean friends, or i wish i left them my business card, so if ever they travel to singapore or manila, i could show it to them.

i have prepared another set of photos, but it would all be dedicated to food, and i adore them all. goodnight. ;)

2010-01-08T17:46:00.002+08:00

di naman masama mangarap.
------

my birthday is coming up, not that i am really excited about it, i don't have any plans of celebrating it here in singapore. i don't exactly celebrate my birthdays, anyway. but i always like receiving presents, whether it be Christmas or birthdays or pasalubongs, i just love it.

i already had 2 things that i want for my birthday:
1. external hard drive - i already told ryan that i wanted this, and he will ask people in the office for money to buy me this.

2. roomy backpack - where i can put my laptop and things inside, it should serve as my daily bag + travel bag as well. i asked chicho and aggie to get me this, kasi they were asking me for too long na what i want for Christmas and birthday.

anyway, this is something i also want, but i am sure that i will not be getting in the next year, maybe 2011, you never know.

IWC Ingenieur Automatic Watch, USD 4950.

IWC Classic Pilot, USD 3739

IWC Aquatimer Automatic, USD 3899.

i think i like the last one (aquatimer automatic) best, though am thinking whether i want steel or leather. haha! just saying, di naman masama mangarap, maybe if i get a bonus or something - like either i get more money in my bank account, without knowing who it was from. there's a higher probability that that will happen, rather than getting bonus from the office.

anyway, i have so much more to think about rather than buying another watch. growing up is shit. HAHA!

2010-01-05T13:03:00.002+08:00

2010 goals and objectives.
------

it's getting more evident to me that i am getting really older. i know that i am more mature for my age, ever since i was in school, but i think that now, its more of a good realization, i guess.

life has been good to me, and i continuously thank the LORD for that. i am always grateful for everything that i have, and not taking anything for granted.

some things that i am thankful for:
1. family + extended family. i thank the LORD that we were brought up around each other, that we have traditions, and that we genuinely like each other.

2. friends. i am the type who can count his friends with both hands, but quality rather than quantity is so much more important to me. i thank the LORD, that when in times of trials, i am able to lean on some people who knows me inside out.

3. travels. this is my one indulgences in life, as in i can't live without traveling. korea is super nice and i really enjoyed it, especially the nice and warm people.

4. faith in GOD. i have always been proud of this, that my faith has really gotten me thru a lot of things in life. i know that my experience, is not that deep as what other people might have went thru - but its enough for me to keep my faith to my Creator.

some of the things that i want to do in 2010:

1. go to mass/church every sunday. i don't really attend mass, but do church visit. i think now, i see increasing importance in really attending mass and hearing the words of our Lord.

2. i want to be more healthy, i want to play badminton more often, once a week, i want to be able to jog and live life.

3. i want to be less affected by the stress in work. i have to master that art of blocking certain things, and keep my sanity.

4. i want to live in manila once more, although this post, needs a whole page dedicated to itself.

5. i want to save up money in 2010 to buy my own car, and pay my existing obligations.

6. i want to travel to 2 of the following countries/ cities this year: new york, sydney, melbourne, taipei and tokyo.

7. i want to live life to the fullest.

8. i will adopt one more kid from worldvision, i am going to trinoma today to adopt the second kid.

hopefully i can post some photos later on to feature my korea holiday. looking forward to a brighter and better 2010.

2010-01-03T00:15:00.004+08:00

2009/2010 HOLIDAYs.
------

i apologize to my blog for being incredibly lazy these past few days, i have been busy -- eating and traveling if i may say so. hahaha! anyway, i just came back from our family province in NUEVA ECIJA, where i had a blast spending time with my cousins. as chops and chobs would say -- we are all abnormally close, and truth to be to told, that's one thing i am really proud of, that aside from the fact that i have a few circle of friends, most of my time, i spend with my cousins, and i like that, i genuinely enjoy their company. i will post more on that later on, here are some christmas day photos:

noche buena was spent with dad's side of the family, at tita beb's house. you have jugger, ken, chuy and jacklord. jacklord is grandson of my aunts longtime helper.

this was taken before we had our dinner.

yaya dolly made 2 pasta dishes - one was carbonara and the other was the one with spanish sardines. its good, that we all got to taste it. aggie loves the bakes salmon topped with cheese and garlic.

dinner on the 24th was spent with mom's side of the family at akim baby's house. in this photo, aggie, cho and mom nagkwekwentuhan, after some photo op with the tree.

this was somewhere in intramuros, outside dad's office.

---

we celebrated the NY in nueva ecija, as we do every year. last year was definitely the most boring, and this year was the most fun for me. last year was when angkong died a few weeks before we celebrated Christmas, so it was bleak, and we really felt the sadness of it. this year though was fun. we slept at around 4 to 5am every night, we just talked and laughed, i had really the best time there.

i always ask ken to have photo with me.

with the cousins wearing grey shirt, tops, etc.

incomplete family photo, over at uncle telly's house. i didn't get to take a photo of uncle kenneth's house.

braeden is the newest addition to the family.

achi posed with the lechon here, before it all goes out. i did not eat lechon kasi i was so full from dinner, where i had 2 servings of rice. i really need to go on diet when i go back in singapore. i will let it pass now, since this is a holiday and everyone has the right to eat. haha!

i also went to seoul, korea, but i will blog about it later.

2009-12-18T21:59:00.002+08:00

toxic.
------

works is toxic, and i thought it would have been all over by now, and i get to rest for a bit, but NO, it doesn't stop. the worst thing, is that i have to bring my office laptop back in manila, since i need to work and finish on some things. hassle. i wish na-pressure din ng ganon boss ko, but NO, parang sa akin lang nakasalalay lahat. pero i can't blame the person din naman, at mabait talaga siya, baka di lang niya naisip. HAHAHAHA!

all i can say is that i am soooper psyched to go back home, kahit may baong work, pwede na din, better than being stuck here.

2009-12-11T17:10:00.002+08:00

its Christmas
------

so i have tagged friends in facebook to start giving by donating to world vision, i think its a small token of gratitude for all the blessings we had this year. so, please go and share your blessings.

speaking of Christmas, here's mt first present from client (media manager) - its so sweet and thoughtful of her to bring us these:

i got a card and lindt dark chocolate. thanks L!

oh, the next one is not a xmas present, but i have promised to P, that i will send it across, i think i just have to ask M for a favor and bring it to P.

swatch original watch

anyway, i am off to orchard tonight, i will do a bit of window shopping and what not.

2009-12-11T12:33:00.003+08:00

one down.
------

one brand down for comm review, one more to go on thursday. hopefully, we can send it out by monday, and things will be smooth.

i think i did good yesterday in the presentation, my media manager SMS-ed me "rest well, good job."... hopefully, i will be able to do the same next week.

i am meeting gareth, ziella, che, sel and mech later on for an early xmas dinner - CPK at forum, orchard.

i am soo excited to go back home on the 22nd, i have packed since last week. yipeeee.

2009-12-04T23:54:00.001+08:00

all i want for xmas...
------

aside from that one thing, that i've been praying for, i have been surfing the net, and found this:

puma + rudolf dassler sneakers.

and i want it, but they don't have my size in asos.com, maybe its not meant. haha! i hope i get to see it on sale tomorrow (just trying my luck). haha!

2009-11-29T22:10:00.004+08:00

the food that was.
------

the theme of the weekend was gluttony. mech, sel, che, obee and i just went around town to eat and eat, and eat.

saturday lunch - chicken rice @ wee nam kee
saturday dinner - katsu curry @ ion orchard
sunday lunch - PS cafe, dempsey road
sunday dinner - osho / wine connection @ cuppage street

triple chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, S$15.

wagyu burger, S$29.

steak sandwich, S$29

i had portobello mushroom, potato gratin, poached eggs and bacon, S$22.

the best french fries, fried in truffle oil, S$16.

pork katsu curry, $13.

pork katsu, ion orchard, S$14.

red wine @ wine connection, cuppage.

ramen @ osho, cuppage, it came with 6pcs pan fried dumplings for S$16.

i promise to go on diet up till Christmas.

2009-11-16T14:09:00.002+08:00

my Christmas/birthday gift to myself.
------

i don't really want anything material - am happy with what i have now. all i want is to travel the world, and that is what exactly i am giving myself this year. its a trip to seoul, with ryan, cheryl and franco on the 26th to the 30th of December. i am really excited about this trip since i have been hooked watching korean series since way back then. also, its the first time in my life, that i will experience major winter, that's why i need to browse and look for some major winter clothes.

the city is very much alive, i have to witness that first hand.

going to their temples, is definitely part of the itinerary.

things i want to do:
1. go to some historical places - palace, etc.
2. see some snow - or go to some part of korea where there is snow.
3. get a haircut in korea
4. buy something for the house
5. eat at their food stalls
6. have some kimchi and bibimbop
7. visit their night market
8. city tour
9. get korea and seoul ref magnets

things i need:
1. face and body moisturizer - obee will provide.
2. lip balm - obee will provide me with this too.
3. thermal undergarments - i have to buy.
4. need to change money - KOREAN WON!!

--

speaking of Christmas, i have to save up, really... and i feel so poor, in cash though and not in spirit. things that i need to prioritize this christmas:

1. i promised to buy my family - home theater system (the whole thing) and i just found out how much it costs last night, its like 1 months pay, but its all good, its for my family. i just have to tell them, that it will cost them christmas and bday presents in 2010. haha!

2. i have to buy gifts for my godsons and goddaughter - i have 3 now: e, chuy and chuchay.

3. i have to show appreciation and buy small gifts (they have helped us thru the worst drama in our life):
- auntie dawna
- domi
- yaya dolly
- ate bona
- tita bebs/SY family
- manang gilda
- ate glenda
- ninang judy
- ako aida/marj/twing/ahya mike

*its just a small token, saying that i truly appreciate things that they have done for our family, i am planning that those stuff will come with a card expressing gratitude.

anyway, i am booked to fly back in manila on the 22nd of December. YEAY!!!

2009-11-08T19:15:00.002+08:00

thank GOD for weekends.
------

i was at home the whole weekend, i felt like i needed to rest and recuperate. yesterday, i popped in some biogesic and vitamin c - cause i feel so hot, and my body was just aching. thank GOD, mech called and reminded me to take some herbal tea, which i did remember one of my local friends telling me, that when you feel "heaty" - you have to drink that. so when i went down to buy lunch, i bought 2 cans and gulping the last one while am typing this post.

i wish that there would be 4 day work weeks, won't that be fun? well, it doesn't make a difference if you to come in to work as well. oh anyway, am talking nonsense.

so currently, am a couch potato, watching full house, am on the 5th to the last episode, i have been watching since last night. i have to say, i really didn't expect it to be this funny, i keep on laughing. anyway, i recommend people to see the series, its cute, quirky and funny. :)

i have lots of thoughts to share, but i have to compose them and structure them properly for the next entry, i might sound all over the place, with news am excited to share. hahaha! till the next post.

2009-11-01T15:18:00.002+08:00

back from bangkok.
-----

i am currently sitting here on my bed, and typing this post, i have to get ready later on as i am meeting mech, and uncle jeffson's family to grab dinner at NO SIGNBOARD in esplanade.

anyway, as promised from the last post, here are some photos from the hotel we stayed at - BANYAN TREE BANGKOK

the view from my rooms is fantastic, i actually like the whole layout of the place. i would design my room/ flat something like this.

living room area, you can even light up scented oil and sticks if you want to relax

i was sitting at the work table, when i took a picture of this. it was the most used furniture in the room for me.

the goose-feather pillow is the best.

do you like the spotlight above the bed? you can definitely use it for reading, and the good thing is, when you open that light, even if you just woke up, it doesn't hurt your eyes, fantastic isn't it?!

having a bath tub is a cheaper alternative to relax. did you know that the spa treatments at banyan tree costs from THB 3,500 to THB 10,000?!

thank you to jeni (indonesia counterpart), for sending me brownies. yeay!

i requested for this, but lo and behold - the other one she sent me was way better.

--

the most fun part of the trip was not even the training itself, it is that i met a lot of people across the region; spending time to share, laugh with my bosses; having lunch and coffee with my counterparts from thailand (this was really cool, i love the team there). meeting up with new and old clients. when people would ask me to chose where i want to live next here in south east asia, my answer is definitely bangkok. :)

2009-10-25T19:14:00.002+08:00

bangkok
------

i arrived safely in bangkok at 8.35am, though it took me 45 minutes to an hour to get pass immigration. i couldn't believe the queue, it was so long though a lot of counters has already opened. i can just imagine the tourists coming in to bangkok on a sunday morning, i just wished manila would have the same number of tourists.

the flight was okay, i entertained myself by watching how i met your mother, and other comedy shows. i was sitting beside two young boys, when i say young, i mean 10 and below, they were siblings, and their parents sat at the other row. i saw the kid, getting the headset and put it in his bag, when he saw me looking at him, he smirked, and i made the "i-won't-tell" gesture. HAHA!

my hotel is beautiful, i took pictures but will upload it maybe when am back in singapore. i did work this morning, trying to finish some parts of the deck i was revising, and will be emailing over to my bosses later this evening - i have to go thru it one more time to ensure that everything is good to go, and that i have incorporated all changes.

i logged on in MSN to check whether some colleagues are here, but alas, i guess they were already out of the hotel and either exploring or hoarding in jatujak. after working, i went out and bought some sandwiches and returned to the hotel to have it for lunch. i slept thru the entire afternoon, since i really had no sleep the past few days, especially yesterday, and my schedule went something like this:

friday - went out of the office around 9.30pm to meet ryan and kristine to watch fame (ok, i didn't like the movie, and they invited me to relax since i was so stressed), and i commented that i should have just stayed back at the office to finish pending items. HAHA! i came home around 2am and slept.

saturday - i woke up at 10am to be in time for my badminton game with mech in bishan, after which, we watched dvd, and went to harbor front to meet carmen and reb. i haven't seen reb for quite some time, so i was thrilled to meet them up. we had steamboat, and it was good especially the laksa flavored one. we saw a movie called julie&julia - which was interesting (definitely better than fame). went to bed at around 2am.

sunday - woke up at around 4.30am to catch my super early flight to bangkok at 7.10am. trecilla, our office manager booked me at an super early flight since all the flights to bangkok was full. can you imagine that?! oh, am here for work actually, we have this digital training happening on monday to wednesday. supposedly, this program is called train the trainer, meaning fiona (starcom UK) is flying in to train us, and we will train our colleagues back. FYI. i was surprised that i was the one picked to go from the office, together with someone who am not very close to. i mean, i know for a fact that for these things, it should be manager and up, and i think am the only exception to that rule, since most of our counterparts from different regions are directors. i heard that our directors picked me to go. i appreciate it, i just didn't like the time frame that it happened, we are super busy with work back in singapore, and this is actually additional work on my end. i don't know whether to complain about this or not, but i have to accept and just be appreciative about it. whatever.

anyway, we are starting early tomorrow, 8.30am to be exact. am thinking of just ordering room service for dinner, take a hot bath and call it a day. wish me luck!

2009-10-19T12:30:00.003+08:00

500 days of summer.
------

i went to the movies yesterday to watch 500 days of summer. i liked the movie, though i slept for a quick 10 seconds. HAHAHA! it was a very different movie, it was full of emotions, yet gives you hope at the end. it was like a not so happy yet happy ending kind of movie, if that even makes sense.

the rest of the sunday was composed of this:

i love donuts - and my favorite would be bavarian, boston creme and chocolate nut.

cheryl happy to have her donuts

cheryl and franco at dunkin donuts

cheryl was trying on this hat -- she looked like jan di (the girl from boys over flowers). hahaha!

cheryl, franco and i had fun buying and trying winter outfits. hahaha! we will go to a thermal wear sale really soon with ryan in kaki avenue.

--

anyway, am cooking my ramen lunch, and will meet mech in a while to watch tokyo sonata and have dinner with mech and sel. i hope this week will be a great one.

2009-10-18T12:44:00.002+08:00

pasalubongs.
-----

i want to thank julette and joan for the pasalubongs they gave me. i love getting pasalubongs, because it shows the thoughtfulness of the person giving it to you.

julette got me limoncello, chocolates and a calendar from italy. they are lovely, and i can't wait to try the limoncello. its currently displayed in the office, and am trying to find the right time to drink it. salamat julette, you are the bestest.

joan came back last september to manila, from HCM - where she is working. she got me these favorite of her, coffee nuts or something like that. i must say joan, that i love cashew nuts better. but, thank you.

any little thing is truly appreciated by me. :)

--

am off to bangkok on sunday for some digital training, and will be back on thursday 29th. i just received my flight itinerary, its departing 7.15am on a sunday, and arriving around 830am in BKK (factoring in the time difference). what do i do in BKK that early? anyway, the only good thing there is at least i have the whole day to myself, am planning to get a massage from the hotel am staying at, check it out:

http://www.banyantree.com/en/bangkok/index.php

and the spa packages at

http://www.banyantree.com/bangkok/facilities/spa_main.php

so now, am thinking what else to do in BKK on a sunday? aside from having bruch and a massage. i don't want to spend money on this trip. i have a trip to save up for this coming december. wooohoo!!

2009-10-02T17:37:00.003+08:00

LORD, hear our prayer
------

as the typhoon is nearing the Philippines - i hope, it moves away. i pray that Filipinos will be safe, with no casualties and additional damages will happen. its true what i have read - that the Filipino spirit is unbreakable, the faith we have in the LORD can never be taken away from us. the catastrophe can flood our homes and sweep our land, but never our spirit.

i pray and hope, everything back home will be okay.

--

update on world vision - i was able to convince 5 people to sign up to world vision, so i am short of 5 more people. thank you to helen, marianne, auntie dawna, domi and obee.

so people, please do sign up!! its just Php 600 per month. GO NA!

2009-09-29T00:17:00.002+08:00

BAGYONG ONDOY
------

LESSON:
the past few days has been so unbelievable - it was crazy, i honestly felt like it was the end of the world - we had the water rising at really high levels - more than 30 feet, there was no electricity and it was real dark, we only had 1 candle lighted. there was a point that after praying real hard, i had to ask GOD to why all of this was happening?! then i felt guilty. i said, LORD, i leave it upto you, and continued praying.

thankfully, the rain has stopped - or else, i wouldn't know what to do anymore. the lesson i learned here is that never loose faith in the LORD, and i will never loose faith.

THANK YOU's:
i could not thank all the people who have sent their concerns and thoughts, it eases all of these things happening around. again, i want to mention their so i will never forget what they did for us:

- auntie dawna, uncle david, yaya dolly, bona and domi - thanks for adopting us for the last few days, thanks for taking care of us.

- tita bebs and SY family - for all the support, and for offering us to use one of your car when all of our cars are flooded.

- LIM Household help - mang ben, noby, manang gilda, manang glenda, for helping us clean all the mess in the house, for the hardwork and never giving up.

- LIM relatives - ako aida, ahya mike, achi twing, ako belma, achi mich, ahya ichi, ahya ival, uncle k, auntie gi, tj, tristel, ako bot, ahya poy, by, dyan - with your thoughts, and concerns, and tulong - maraming salamat.

- ninang judy and mech - thanks for offering your home for us to stay,

- DLSU FRIENDS - mic for calling, tracy for offering to clean up the house, cheryl for calling from singapore.

- SMG friends: ringo, pat, ryan, sarah, cheryl lee - thank you, your messages means a lot to me.

- paulo, angel - marameng salamat for sending messages even if you guys are far (NY and MELBOURNE)

- bon, for offering to help whatever you can for my family.

ang dami kong taong gustong pasalamatan, at in my own little way, i hope maramdaman nila how grateful i am. ipagdadasal ko ang sambayang pilipino - lalo na ang mga apektado, at namatayan. its okay to loose material things - given that it may either be part of our home, or 3 of our cars, rather than to loose a loved one.

--

some of the things, i have to do:
1) need to sponsor one more kid from world vision - i promised the LORD that i will do this, once all of this tragedy is all over.

2) i have to give money to our househelp - their familes might be in need as well, and they might have lost a few things. i thought, charity should start at home. i heard mom and dad are planning to buy new mobile phones for them, since some got lost in the flood.

3) i have provide mom some agents, or contacts, because we want to buy a new house. if anyone knows, please PM me.

am flying out on the 30th, WED AM, and i asked mom and dad whether they need me to stay and help out, they said that it would be better if i go back na to singapore. so, i shall go.

again, marameng salamat sa lahat ng taong tumulong sa mga nangangailangan, at di lamang sa amin, napatunayan ng incident na ito na there is really goodness within each and everyone of us. :)

2009-09-25T01:48:00.002+08:00

AWAKE at night
------

unlike the rest of the past few weeks that i spent in manila, this is one of those few days/ moments where i had to wake up early (meaning earlier than 12noon) - i have been such a lazy bum and i am afraid that i am getting used to it. oh by the way, i accomplished a lot of things today:

1) went to ongpin with mom to buy stuff she needs
2) went to cardinal santos to accompany mom with her check-up, she has high blood, therefore she has to maintain it in a manageable level.
3) had impromptu dinner with mom, dad, aggie, tita bot, tita bebs, ako aida and ako belma at luk fu - i was the one who requested for it because i craved for steamboat, and it was really fun having dinner with them, it felt good (in an unexplainable kind of way)

now, i regret it, am bloated, but at least am not alone, i share the bloatedness with the rest of them (7, to be exact) HAHA!

--

1. WORLD VISION

on another note, i want to encourage everyone to share their blessings - go sign up at www.worldvision.org.ph - for the longest time, i have been planning to sign up, and am proud to say that i have sponsored one child since a month ago - am paying PHP600 monthly charged on my credit card. i know, its little, but if everyone of us signs up, then at least we can make a difference. i have been trying to encourage some of my friends to do that as well. on top of that, am planning that if everything goes well, by this Christmas, i could sign up and be the donor for one more child.

i have to remind myself to ask friends to sign up, MUST send them an email!!!

--

anyway, next week, i have to be back on track and focused on my goals. i hope it will be a breeze.

2009-09-21T20:06:00.004+08:00

MACAU
------

i really like macau, it is almost the same as HK, but it is less busy, a lighter atmosphere. i think that spending 3d/2n in macau is enough - as you really can't do anything there anyway, aside from touring and playing in the casino.

on our first day, we just stayed in the venetian - we were stuck there since there was a typhoon/ storm signal no. 8 -- we saw trees falling down, barricades being carried around, and that sort of wind carrying things around - it was a bit scary, but it was good, i felt safe and secure.

cho's favorite noodle - with luncheon meat and fried egg.

i love roast duck and char siew rice - their brown sauce made it all the more special.

i ordered snickers flavored gelato - this was my favorite chocolate made as an ice cream, while cho ordered strawberry. his was better, i must say. it costs HKD 25 per scoop, and this was inside the venetian.

you could stay in the venetian for 2 nights straight, without getting bored, it is super big with almost 395 retail shops for you to splurge.

we arrived late at out hotel since we can't leave the venetian - we were there around 1AM, still we had to take reroutes, since we cannot take the bridge. i love our hotel - we stayed in THE EMPEROR HOTEL.

it has a nice flatscreen tv, and i watched channel news asia all night.

the next day, we woke up early to go to senado sqaure - and i went inside this church to pray.

st. paul ruin's burned last 1600's, and i learned this story from leo that i will share - when the church was burning - the villagers all came to gossip and see what was happening, and during that exact same time when everyone was at the church, a catasthrope happened at the village, it was flooded and everything was wiped out. it was said that GOD wanted to save his people, even sacrificing His church being burned.

around that area, i fell in love with maxim's egg tart. i knew that maxim had the best pastries in HK, and that was like 16 years ago - so i can't believe that they still serve the best eggtart i have tried in MACAU.

we had lunch at this portugese restaurant - and it felt like we were lost in translation. they were asking us if we want RICEY, or rice in our language, or PATETI (spaghetti) in our language, it was ok since we all had a good laugh.

we went inside the macau tower, unfortunately we couldn't go up since there was a storm. the government is really crazu catutious, even though it wasn't raining anymore.

i love the bigness of the couch, and the color of the wooden table.

we also went to the fishersman's wharf, and different casino-hotels like wynn, lisboa, etc to look see. we loved macau. :)

2009-09-16T13:20:00.004+08:00

back from my favorite place in the world
------

i arrived early this morning from Hong Kong/ Macau (1am) - we were supposed to land at 12mn but lo and behold, our flight got delayed since first, they couldn't get a signal from the PHIL AIRPORT; and when we were nearing MNL, we had to go round and round, since the runway is apparently closed. i don't want to sound too negative about this - but why are we paying all the taxes for terminals and travels - if they couldn't even operate it properly, and we are paying roughly a total of Php2,400 that is around 50USD per person, they have to do something right.

anyway, let's remain positive on this entry. i haven't blogged for quite some time, since there is really nothing to blog about - i mean, there are some, but i am just too lazy to do it - no photos, no anything, so am back with a vengeance. i went to HK/Macau with cho, my brother and our SY cousins (adu, lin and leo). it was DLSU's sem break (cho and leo are still in college), while adu and lin both took leave from their respective offices, and i am just here bumming around, so we all decided for a quick short trip.

late lunch at causeway bay - we accidentally went inside this place thinking that it was what i was looking for, we got stuck in there, but the good thing is that they serve really good beef noodles.

i was able to get some shirts from UNIQLO - they were still on sale at HK$19-99. cheap.

i wasn't able to get anything from muji, though i was trying to look for dad's eyeglass case, which is not in the store anymore.

leo, cho and i got shoes from puma. adu got his from reebok and nike. i was looking for the nike walking shoes in grey - but i couldn't see it in HK, i saw one in SHOE SALON kasi at Php2,400.

marc jacobs in fashion walk is heaven - they were on sale, as much as 50% off at some items. it is the only marc jacobs outside of US, that has their special items line - meaning cheaper than the MJ items, but still ex compared to other brands.

we took this photo at the MRT station, wala lang.

on the second day, we went to tsim sha tsui - actually, i like to stay at TST, almost everything is there na kasi, and i always have this great feeling when am there. headed off to my favorite restaurant in canton road, beside cotton on.

and this is what we ordered, roast pork barbecue (char siew) and roast pork (crispy)

.. we cannot not have this, roasted goose. i always go to this place, when am in HK.

i introduced this mango drink to cho before, and he wants to have it again. SUPER YUM!

i was able to see my friend, charlotte, we went to have drinks at TST also. i remember i was able to eat at this street with jac (a friend who is also based in HK) last time i was there. i also brought dried mangoes and banana chips for her, she loved it.

food republic's, sgt pepper chicken rice is heaven, and its even better in HK rather than SG.

chicho and i shared this mango-pomelo on crushed ice.

we went to the ESPRIT outlet store looking for aggie's gift, we finally got her a bag. whee!!

i was able to shop in moderation, i have to be proud of myself, i wasn't able to use any credit cards for shopping, just used whatever pocket money i brought, i am maturing na ata. HAHAHA!! overall, here are the things i got,

1) 2 pairs of jeans, H&M and GIORDANO
2) 3 items from UNIQLO
3) 3 items from BOSSINI
4) 1 pair of PUMA shoes
5) 1 polo from H&M
6) 1 belt frm GIORADANO

next post, featuring macau.

2009-09-01T04:07:00.002+08:00

c/o Facebook: 25 Random Stuff About Me
------

since i don't want the whole wide world to see this, i decided to post it in my blog rather than FB. actually, that is why i still keep my blog and multiply account - its for the people who really know me, rather than just acquaintances - i have never really been good at that.

so here are 25 random things about me:

1. i still get panic attacks on the night before flights heading back to sg. that would be that hardest part, but once am back in the country, am normal as i could be.

2. i do have a lot of faith, and i believe in the power of prayers.

3. i chose people that i associate myself with - who i want to be with, shop, dine or travel with.

4. no idle time for me - i have to always do something.

5. patience is definitely not one of my virtues.

6. i dislike people who don't value time. i don't make anyone wait for me.

7. i take myself out from negative situations - i don't want to be in it.

8. i enjoy life, and makes the most of it.

9. i love being alone - i am at my best when i am alone and comfortable. i don't want people to bother me.

10. i eat good food. i don't want to waste calories by eating something i don't even like. if i am going to gain weight, it better be good food that i want to eat.

11. for me, dessert definitely comes first (cake, pastries, chocolates, etc)

12. i give everyone a fair chance. i always believe in the good rather than the bad.

13. i love to read wherever i am.

14. i can't live without music - whether its from my iTon (iPod) or wherever.

15. the ocean is therapeutic for me - it revitalizes me.

16. i want to travel and see the world. who doesn't?!

17. i'd rather stay home that go out.

18. i know what i want, and go for it - if that makes me a pain in the ass, then so be it.

19. i want to be in control in things that i can, but also learned not to sweat the small stuff, especially if its out of my control.

20. i feel guilty for being masungit to the people around me. though, i really try to be nice.

21. i expect so much from people around me. if i don't expect anything from someone, it means, i don't really care.

22. i am a worrier, i always expect the worst in every situation.

23. and that is why, i am always prepared and organized.

24. i can easily detach from people that were previously close to me. i sometimes weigh if i don't give a flying freak about them or still care; and usually the latter wins. (except for some) HAHA!

25. i still want to do a lot of things at this point in my life. i definitely want to do the following:
- i want an adventure trip to somewhere - beach, some nature place, etc.
- i want to sign up for world vision, and at least get 1 kid before september ends.

anyway, am off to bed.

2009-08-26T10:58:00.002+08:00

US VISA SAGA
------

so today, my US visa and passport arrived via AIR 21. i got a 10-year visa, so a 2019 expiry, ok that makes the visa fee i paid (US $131) so worth it, making it only US $ 13.10 per year. talk about being cost-efficient.

i waited in the embassy for roughly 4 hours, getting bored (i actually don't know how i survived waiting for such a long time), i was tempted to leave and just leave everything of that behind (i know, patience is a virtue that i actually dont have).

upon queueing, i suddenly realised that i left all my bankbooks with mom, at home, and the funny thing is that its one of the supplemental requirements they are asking for. goodluck to me, i thought, i have my employment certificate that i requested for anyway. i was near cubicle number 2, when she denied the 3 women before me, so i was really hoping to get into cubicle number 5.

my number flashed and it was at cubicle number 2 - she asked me 3 questions:
1) the purpose of my visit
2) how long do i plan to stay
3) where i was working

after 5 minutes, she told me that my visa has been approved and it will be sent via air 21, etc. i was expecting for more questions -- won't you get my NSO birth cert? how about the employment cert and leave forms that i asked the office to prepare for me? no, nothing like that, they didn't even look at my old passport, just got the new one, and went on.

so that was my experience, they are actually very efficient (same with my china visa application a few months ago) - i wish all philippine agencies would have that same level of efficiency.

2009-08-25T20:40:00.003+08:00

DUTY FREE's PESO POWER
------

mom, tita bot, and i went to duty free in paranaque, even though it is far from where we are staying, we had to go, since they are running this promo called PESO POWER, meaning that consumers will be charged at the rate of USD 1 = Php 43, even if the real exchange rate is Php 48.65. If you want to pay in USD, they are also giving you 11.62% discount in your purchases, which is equivalent of the discount you get in paying in Php.

i finally decided to get these shoes i have been eyeing since the last time i was in duty free (which was end july'09) sanuk black shoes - it is really comfortable i have to say - and i have the option to wear it with or without socks. its a good deal, i was actually deliberating whether to get these or a vans slip on, and i decided on these.

sanuk black shoes, USD 47.10 (without the 11.62% discount), do the computation yourself.

ACCA KAPPA GENTLE CLEANSING MILK, mom bought ACQUA DI COLONIA (perfume) from ACCA KAPPA last year, and i loved the smell, the scent is actually unisex - suitable for men and women. i was able to smell it and its just really good. i also heard good things about this brand, so i bought one as a present for someone.

i have bought chocolates and grocery items as well, my favorite amongst them will be the yakisoba from the japanese grocery section. i also saw a lot of US soaps - from olay body wash that is currently not available in the local market. i had fun going around the grocery store, the only downside was there were a lot of people in there, i had a headache.

--

things to do tomorrow:
- meeting bede tomorrow to pass my housekey, and also to ask him to bring some of my stuff back.
- badminton training with twing at battledore (sct. ojeda)
- dad's bday dinner @ luk fu.

2009-08-25T14:20:00.003+08:00

ongpin shopping and food trip
------

i have been so lazy to blog lately. all i wanted to do is to sit down, lie back and watch dvds, go out and have coffee with twing, play badminton with my cousins. i barely meet my friends as well, i haven't even seen tracy and mic. HAHA!

two saturdays ago, we all decided to go to ongpin and binondo for a food trip, of
course these included shopping - or buying my favorite things in ongpin.

we had sincerity for lunch - with their famous fried chicken.

i got myself a lucky charm from this store - and it was blessed before i wore it, cost me Php 1,300.

the CFs - ainee, lisa, sheryl and ena (left to right)

we all said a little prayer before we went home.

we also went to the following store:
- crepe de chine for afternoon drinks - really i'd not recommend people to go here, it was just the worst place i have been to.
- DEC and bought puto for dad
- ENG BEE TIN to buy my hopia ube
- BAKERS FAIR for my hopia mungo
- grocery store to get my bag of peanuts, lisa and ena got these chili flakes, etc.

--

i also went to duty free last sunday, my mom has these platinum card meaning we can go in and enter anytime that we want, and we also get 10% off. we went there since they had this promo called peso power (their conversion rate is Php 43, from Php 48.65), this will last until the 31st of august. so its a good opportunity to buy things. i got 2 items that i will write about in my next blog post.

--

tomorrow is dad's 58th birthday, i sent out an SMS to invite everyone out for dinner at LUK FU. i thank dad for everything and for really just being there for me and supporting me in whatever endeavors i make.

--

yesterday i went to the US embassy for my visa interview. i waited for almost 4 hours, but the interview lasted for less than 5 minutes, oh i got it approved, hopefully i can get my passport with visa this friday.

ok, till next update.

2009-08-14T00:00:00.003+08:00

addicted to watches
------

right now, i am very much addicted to watches - i am dreaming of having a vast collection of watch that i do like, not necessarily the nicest one, but certainly the most appealing to me. having all the time in the world right now, really doesn't help as much as well, i googled the watches i really am dreaming of, and this tops my list:

CARTIER TANK FRANCAISE Men's Watch - around SGD 7K, if i remember correctly since i have asked them before. i don't really know why i like it but there's something in the style that really appeals to me. ever since i saw one of my aunts wear it, it has been haunting me.

CARTIER PASHA Seatimer Mens Watch - Marj has the women version in mother of pearl face, i like a more sporty look that has chronographs etc, it just looks cool.

TAG HEUER FORMULA ONE Grande Date Mens Watch - this is a good alternative to chronograph watches without hitting the 6 digit mark.

ROLEX EXPLORER II Mens Watch - this is just heaven, sporty and real classy in one.

I saw Bvlgari watches ever since i was in College, i saw it first in Greenhills, and i fell in love with it. Then i get to see it in Singapore, and it costs around SGD5K to 8K, kind of expensive, here are the top 3 models i like:

BVLGARI Diagono Steel Mens Watch

BVLGARI Diagono Chronograph Watch

BVLGARI Diagono Acqua Mens Watch

....... and i still like a Philip Stein Watch in black face and black leather strap (that costs around Php 28,000). :)

2009-08-07T03:04:00.002+08:00

WHAT A THURSDAY!!!
------

ever since there was the conversation of me going back to manila for good, i told my mom i wanted one car - and its the isuzu swift. i first saw it in singapore, when my friend nas bought one for herself. i thought it was an ok car for city driving - meaning just around the metro, running errands, and meeting friends with.

manila is so unlike singapore - in singapore, you can live without a car, and cab it out, like how i do it. or you can ride the train and its all of a sudden convenient. HAHA! in manila, one really needs a car. anyway, mom told me, that they are planning to buy a car, since my sister is currently using my car which is the lancer. but all of a sudden, i have to stay back in singapore (ok fine, decided to stay back) and now, my sister gets to keep the new car. while, i can use my old one. its ok, am planning to buy a new one once i settle back in manila naman.

aggie signing the papers before the car gets released.

the new car in color white - in case you don't know my dad - he likes the color white so much, that most of our cars are in that color.

mom, aggie, cho and i went to greenhills since i wanted to buy something for myself, we look through it and i might get it on sunday, once mom brings her checks to pay the bill. HAHA! don't get the wrong idea, i will pay for it, its just that mom has to issue the check, since she definitely has more money than me in her checkbook account. was i able to mention that i have my own checkbook account, yea, am still excited about that. anyway, that will be another topic na lang. mom and i went to promenade, and saw this:

GOYARD St.Louis PM in blue. mom likes it so much, we were supposed to go to HK and buy there kasi its not available in MNL. i told mom that she could get it and lets not go to HK na lang, since its there na. mom did not get it pa, since she has no check in her wallet. we will go back to GH on sunday, so lets see if mom will get it.

on the way home, i passed by a grocery store and bought this:

MAGNOLIA Double Dutch Ice Cream Pint, Php78. i missed magnolia ice cream, since all of the ice cream i have tried in SG sucks, of course except for HD and B&J - which is so expensive, i prefer magnolia anytime of the day. oh, twing and marj told me that masarap daw the new ice cream from selecta those chef creations, so i will try next week. lets pace it out, so i wont have such a big tummy naman when i go back in SG, not that i don't have a big tummy na. HAHA!

--

off to other plans, i am planning chicho's birthday come 19th of aug - i am the one choosing the restaurant and all that, not a big deal, but it is for me, since i want to make it extra special since am here in MNL. plan is to fo ALBA's at tomas morato since i am craving for paella and lechon. i called them na and will call again for reservations.

2009-07-31T12:17:00.005+08:00

what's been happening in Manila?
------

i am loving my stay here in manila - its been really wonderful and somewhat productive. i have done all i need to do which are the following:
(1) passport renewal - am getting my new passport on Aug 12 - finally.
(2) checkbook and bank update
(3) drivers license renewal

all i need is to wait for my passport to arrive so i can finally apply for the US visa - i have all the requirements ready with me.

i had an early morning flight - 6am to be exact. so i had starbucks breakfast @ 5.30am inside the terminal.

manang prepares freshly squeezed juice for me everyday - my favorite would be - apple,orange and pineapple. celery and bell pepper tastes weird but bearable.

i attended my uncle's 50th birthday - and i took photo of the kids (L to R) - jugger, ken and chuy. chuy is my godson, and ken is my youngest cousin.

my first ever checkbook, to make transactions more convenient for me. i can just leave a blank signed check with mom, and whatever i need to pay, can be paid without hassling my parents and their bank accounts.

watched a movie with my sister and cousins (L to R) - marj, milli and aggie. we watched my sisters keeper and its so funny how we all were crying. HAHA!

before the movie, we had dinner at conti's in trinoma, and twing had lengua.

marj and aggie had her favorite dish - baked salmon.

i had the american spareribs, and ordered turtle cake and coffee for dessert. don't worry, we shared the dessert.

i bought a few things while in trinoma - my favorite would be this new nike rubber shoes (Php 4,995); new prince badminton racket (Php 2,000); sports shorts and undergarments, new books to read, etc.

yesterday, we also decided to head straight to trinoma and watch the proposal - ryan reynolds and sandra bullock were really funny. went with tita bot, cho, aggie and twing.

aggie and tita bot was so funny, they tried the chair for a good 45 minutes. the massage chair costs Php 93,000. i think tita bot is thinking twice about that. HAHA!

twing ordered the mushroom and spinach pizza.

aggie and cho at sbarro. i was the one who decided to eat there, since i kinda missed it.

chicho had this penne meatball with white sauce, tita bot had hers in red.

i had the chicago white - i did not like the pepperoni though, the ham goes well with the white cheese best.

the favorite thing i saw when i was there - the poster of NEW MOON.

2009-07-29T12:11:00.003+08:00

BORNEO, last day
------

we had an early flight, around 12noon, and i was becoming a bit sick. i wasn't able to go out on our last night, since i was sneezing and having colds already. i hit the sack really early hoping that i would feel better the next day. when i woke up, i was so-so, not yet in tip-top shape. i went to have breakfast downstairs and tea.

i love having breakfast during holidays - i had toast with butter and strawberry jam, egg of your choice, turkey ham and chicken sausage - though i hate pork and beans - i didn't eat mine at all for 3 days.

when i woke up, and looked outside my window, i saw that there was a lot of people outside, and there are stalls installed. so i asked the receptionist what it is about - then they said that every sunday along this street they have this market that everyone around town would go. they would sell items such as bags, handicrafts made by the people in the provinces, batiks, cake or kueh, sweets, handyman tools, and souvenirs. i wasn't able to get anything.

sunday market along gaya street.

before we went to the airport, mechie and i had our picture taken with the doorman, cute right?!

their airport is not so bad, i was able to get sabah tea and some local coffee that i was able to give to ako bot and mom. i also got them ref magnets from sabah/borneo. haha!

--

i got my first checkbook, yay! and have settled a lot of things in the bank. now i am off to renew my drivers license, so i can officially drive around manila. yeay!

2009-07-29T10:25:00.004+08:00

borneo, second day
------

yesterday was all about the sea and sand, and we dedicated this day for nature - the greener, drier side of nature. everyone who goes to borneo - has to go to Mount Kinabalu - it is really a must, and it is really beautiful too. we took a cab, for the 2 hour ride from the city to Mt. Kinabalu and paid 120RM one way (lower from the 150RM they use to charge).

backdrop is mount kinabalu

love taking photos of flowers

i love how they look on the photo and the composition

looking over the rainforest

i had beef rendang for lunch - and i was just really sleepy, so they all asked me to act like i was real sad.

lovely chair from the clubhouse. i want a chair like this - that i will use as a day bed. i have to get one.

i think this is another chair.

hiking on our way to the top

i had this funny incident - when i told them that we could not enter the walk way, since i thought its one way, since it had this sign "DO NOT ENTER", then they reminded me that the sign was for cars - it was stupid of me to assume that it was for people walking.

we went home around 4pm, and it was unfortunate since we discovered that you can actually stay overnight in the area, they have lodges, hostels around the vicinity - am thinking that it would be really cool and fun - toast marshmallows, hotdogs, have a cup of hot chocolate, maybe next time. so we just had dinner at little italy, which is a recommended place to eat, it was fully packed on a sunday night.

we ordered canivore pizza - all meat.

i ordered this seafood risotto which taste like paella, but thats okay.

--

i need to go to the bank to do some errands, and get my new drivers license. see ya later!

2009-07-28T14:40:00.003+08:00

BORNEO ISLAND
------

this was supposed to be my farewell trip with friends - well it is a beautiful place. i would really recommend BORNEO/ SABAH/ KOTA KINABALU to anyone who wants a quick vacation from singapore - you get to have the best of both worlds - not so bad island/ beaches (manukan, mamutik, etc) and still get to see mount kinabalu (2 hours drive away), really good food - from italian, to grilled seafood, wide array of markets and stalls, and shopping. i really did enjoy my trip, and it was a great way to spend my last few days in singapore before heading back home.

this was our room in jesselton hotel along gaya street in the town center. my share was roughly S$178 for 3 nights, which means it was around S$120 per night. of course there are better 5 star hotels - hyatt, etc, but i like this boutique hotel.

on the first day, we decided to head off to jesselton point or their ferry terminal which would take you to the different islands around Borneo - paid around MYR40 for both ways.

nice boat, and the good thing is it takes less than 30 minutes to be there, so i didn't get sea sick.

the water was the saltiest i ever tried, i don't understand why, i get a throat-ache whenever i would taste the water. the beach was okay, the corals are not that great, i have seen better.

the island is beautiful especially the water, i wish we could have stayed longer though.

i am not sure f this is mamutk island - we just went to 2 islands since they are the best ones.

it was also good that the water is calm and the weather was fantastic, we were a bit worries since weather forecast says it there will be thunderstorm and things of that nature. fortunately, there wasn't any on that weekend.

mamutik island is very serene and quiet. a cool place to reflect and do any "sabbatical" sort of things. HAHA!

i ordered fresh watermelon juice and fried rice for lunch. now more than ever, i am really enjoying fruits, not in its whole form, but in liquid. manang made me pear and orange juice yesterday, and today was mix of pineapple and apple. she asked me whether i want to put celery, bellpepper in it, and i said no.

we headed home around 4pm, and slept a bit since we were all tired. we headed to the filipino market to get dinner. we had fresh grilled seafood, yum!

next post will be on our trip to mount kinabalu, and some more interesting stuff.

2009-07-22T23:13:00.004+08:00

WIP
------

paulo has been bombarding me with "ahensya" words the other day, this post is inspired from the conversation we had. aside from the fact that the objective of this post is to list down my WIP (work in progress) items or to-do list back in manila.

i have applied for passport renewal online today, they will collect my documents on the 28th (tuesday), personal appearance happens on the 30th (thursday), and i will get my passport on the 12th of august (wednesday) - and i need to pay Php 1,350 for that service. now am thinking i could just pay extra so they can rush my passport, am sure they are able to do that.

so my schedule goes something like this:
july 27 (mon) - prepare all documents needed with photocopy.
july 28 (tue) - pick up of documents, go to the bank - apply for ATM and CHECKBOOK
july 29 (wed) - renew drivers license
july 30 (thurs) - personal appearance in DFA

after i get my new passport, i will need to settle my US visa application. i really do hope that after one month, i can get everything done so i can fly off and visit my friends. LORD, please, i am willing to bear 13 hour flights, and i promise i won't make any reklamo. HAHA!

yesterday was my last day (but i will be back oct 1 - this is just temporary set-up, aka sabbatical leave), and i have to pass by office tomorrow, to get my contract and tax certificate for the visa application. i wonder if they would need my payslip as well?! argh. i have to write down that in my notebook. anyway, last night, sarah and i went for her last dinner in singapore - and she chose the place i introduced her a few months ago - BOON TONG KEE along river valley road.

sarah and i @ boon tong kee.

she flew back to SYD today, and she is starting work in OMD next week. i wish her the best of luck. she read the letter i wrote for her (everyone of us in the office wrote her letters) - and she cried, hugged and kissed me. of course, i can't help but cry as well. sarah is my line of trust, one of my closest friends in the office if i may say so. i dropped her at her place, and she smsed me when i was on the way home "You are my bestest bestest bestest eva eva eva :-) one of those people that come into your life only a few rare times and i am so happy and grateful that we met and are friends. Sorry crying to see you drive away. Speak to you tomorrow. Mwah mwah mwah. x"

also, i was kind of touched, she emailed me last tuesday on a job opening in SYD - and her subject goes -- i am selfish, i want you to find a job in SYD :) -- she is the cutest and i love her. she also bought a house with nate (boyfriend) - they are the cutest couple - and i wish her the best that life has to offer wherever she goes. :)

--

on another note, because of the busy planning for sarah's farewell, i became much closer to the assistants, (we call them media asses - or media assistants) they are the one who helps us run data, etc. i went to watch a movie with them last weekend - harry potter and we had dinner and crystal jade.

esther, me, michelle tan and tony

nisa, me, jazreel and michelle wong

i have to say, i wish i became closer to them since ages ago. we just became kinda close now, when i join them for lunch, etc. i like them, they are a sweet bunch, actually, they are closer to my age - they are around 24-25 years of age, am still 26, yes, it doesn't look like it, but i was born 1983. they were so sweet to message me yesterday, that they are awaiting for my return and that we will reunite once more. i told them that i feel like my all my closest friends in the office have resigned - pat and sarah, and hopefully ryan wont be tendering soon, they replied that they are there anyway, and i am welcome to join them. thats really sweet :)

anyway, am off to go kota kinabalu tomorrow with some friends. i will be back on sunday afternoon, and am flying off to manila monday 6am. wheeeeee...

2009-07-16T22:50:00.002+08:00

BOOTS and BANGKOK
------

i will be always fond of bangkok, because, one, i love the food, pad thai is the greatest dish on earth. i mean, i can eat it for days and i will end up with a happy tummy. i love different thai cuisine's but usually pad thai does it for me. (see pictures below). HAHA!

another thing me that kept me so interested in bangkok, is BOOTS - its like watsons but they have their own product range, famous for its brand called No7. so while they were having lunch, i gladly went to the shop at just looked around, and believe me - it was like me being stuck in a bookstore, where you can just leave me for hours. thats how OC i was. i mean, after working in the skincare category for 18mos, i do really look at the products now more than ever.

stuff i got from boots. 1) cucumber whitening moisturizing cream, 2) cucumber moisturizing cream oil control, 3) day moisture lotion and 4) day hand therapy.

okay, i am not using them, some are gifts. honestly, i am using one, which is the cucumber moisturizing cream oil control - i am trying if there would be any effect in my face. well, lets see!

2009-07-14T15:49:00.002+08:00

BANGKOK ROCKS! 2009
------

went to bangkok last friday with some colleagues. i went there because i wanted to meet the TH SSM team (they are the nicest people on earth, and i really feel close to P'Yu and the rest of the team); and also to spend time with Sarah as she is going back to SYD next week.

i had fun, we did lots of touristy things, and we also went there to shop. and while the rest of them went to party, i slept, so i really had a good rest. HAHA!

sirocco is located at the 64th floor of empire building in silom, and it has a great view of the city. one of our colleagues actually recommended for us to visit that place, its a must see according to him, and it was actually great. service staff are great as well, they are very attentive. of course, drinks cost a bomb. the mojito i ordered costs me THB 410++.

sarah and i had our picture taken with the great view of the city, although you can barely see it. its really lovely to go there at the evening.

the temples in TH are nothing compared to what i saw in BEIJING, but at least they have temples. we paid 50 THB each to go inside, and we rode the rive cruise reach there. we rented the private boat that costs around 500THB each, and we started in the shagri-la pier, which is of course beside the shangri-la hote.

i saw RED MANGO from antons'(diaz) blog went he went to the states, and i didn't really pay attention cause the yogrut craze has no effect on me at all. the name rang a bell on my small head, so i went in to try..

this yogurt is delicious, and i am not even a fan. i had orange, peach and kiwi as fruit toppings, THB 89.

so i had another one the next day, which is bigger, still with 3 toppings, THB 119. i had kiwi, orange and bluberry.

cabbage and condoms is a place in sukhumvit area, and i have heard from this since back then. they have a very unique concept, they had characters made out of condoms (which i am hoping is not recycled). i had pad thai, and it tasted great, THB 100.

i went to suan lum night bazaar with Satya on sunday evening, and we bought a few things, and this is the facade. its beautiful, next time i will spend more time there and have dinner there as well, they open 6pm till midnight everyday. its located in silom.

on monday, when everyone has left, i had lunch at this restaurant in central world. i remember going there before and had great food, so i went in again. i had 2 dishes all by myself.

pad thai - again. yes, i know i have been stuffing myself with that lately.

spicy beef noodle.

2009-07-09T16:56:00.003+08:00

SARAH and SYDNEY
------

my friend sarah came back from her 2 week holiday in SYD. and guess the present i got from her:

"This is for when you visit me.. Hehehehe. Mwah, Sarah XX"

i want to visit her, maybe in CNY 2010. i am focused and channeling that other trip, i am planning. anyway off to BKK, am excited to see my the TH SSM team.

2009-07-04T19:46:00.002+08:00

i cooked again.
------

i love staying home, it is really my thing. i could just lock myself up in the house, and just do whatever i want. right now, i am blogging, surfing the net, checking out NYCGO.com, chatting with some friends, at the same time watching TV - talk about multitasking.

i thought of having dinner near at west mall and go get some stuff as well, but i chunked that and just went to buy some groceries and cooked dinner.

nice spiral pasta in different colors.

i made red sauce today - sauteed garlic, added ground pork until cooked, and button mushrooms. its good.

oh anyway, no cooking for me next week, i'll be off to BKK and hope to have a blast.

2009-07-03T13:36:00.002+08:00

out of boredom.
------

i am bored, though i will be quite busy this afternoon - i have a 2pm, 3pm and 4.30pm. next week will be quite busy too, i have to do some plan alignment and work on my end. i would also need to buy a few stuff from bee cheng hiang before flying off to BKK.

i also have to complete and buy some stuff i need before i fly back to manila. speaking of flying back, i am not sure how everything will go - SMG has paid for my tax this year already, so i don't know what will happen to contract, EP, etc, i will wait until monday and talk to JK so i can also book my flight back home.

i also have to go out this weekend and buy a few stuff before i head home:
1. clinique happy for dad
2. buy dad a shirt from AX as birthday present.
3. tita beb's essential oil in lemon and lime or was it lavander?
4. get SK-II for marj.
5. others i have already completed and EX in my list.

this weekend will be pretty packed for me. am shopping with ryan tonight (orchard road) - hooray! then on sunday, am meeting PS for dinner with the rest of the CG, then off to A's place to visit her new born baby.

anyway, i love this 2 bags. i think they would suite me perfectly. i think i'll ask mom and dad to give me an early xmas present.

the new monogram macassar keepall 45.

damier graphite keepall 50

which do you think is better?!

2009-06-28T15:53:00.002+08:00

sunday dinner.
------

i made dinner last sunday, and here are some photos. the photos are blurred, i don't know how to make it not - maybe it has something to do with macro and micro shots. i don't know, i have yet to study photography. HAHA!

i made sauteed asparagus and mushroom with shrimp.

another shot.

i used penne and spirals as pasta - i was supposed to use green ribbons which would look much nicer since its white sauce on green pasta. i will make that some time.

i also put some mushrooms and tuna as part of the sauce.

anyway, i don't think i will cook for the next few weeks. i was still sick when i made this, and i had to cook for 6 people, after this, i was more tired then usual. HAHA! anyway, i enjoyed it and till my next kitchen adventure.

2009-06-27T10:50:00.003+08:00

so, am staying.
------

so with the recent turn of events, i was convinced to stay, and i have the following reasons (everytime, i think about leaving, i should remind myself of these reasons why i should keep on...)

1) i like my work - i like working with P&G, and i like the brand i am handling.
2) i am blessed to work with people that i work with - from client, to SSM (local) teams, GBU, MDO, etc.
3) i am comfortable here - i can say what i want, and do what i want
4) CCT still has some great people, and still i do have really good friends there - ryan, on top of that list.
5) they are giving me what i want - despite of global recession, etc
6) they are giving me what i asked for - and its a 2 months worth of sabbatical leave. actually, i really need to take some time off.

anyway, i'll be out from august to september, and will only be back in action in october 2009. i can't wait for that. i have to make sure that i use my leaves well. some of the things, that am thinking of going are the following:

1) aug 5-9: hk-macau with mom (again!!)
2) aug 10-14: pagudpod and vigan with lester would be fun
3) aug 19: chicho's birthday
4) aug 26: dad's birthday
5) sep 10-13: boracay with my cousins is being planned.
6) sep 17-21: taipei is a definite go with cho.
7) NY to visit paulo - but i am afraid to take 17 hours in the plane. (not sure)
8) sydney to visit sarah and ahya ichi and achi michelle. (not sure)

well, lets see, i have one more month of being here in SG, and i can definitely plan to go wherever i want. anyway, am also booked this july, am flying off to 2 destinations

1) bkk, july 10-13, i booked this apartment called ROYAL PRESIDENT (www.royalpresident.com) - seems to be a good place, recommended by a thai friend, it costs around 7,500THB for 2 nights, with 3 beds, am sharing with simon and sarah. simon and sarah leaves on sunday night, and i will be staying until monday, so i booked myself (so excited) at lub'd (visit www.lubd.com) which is a boutique hostel in bangkok. please go and visit the site, i was so excited when i saw the place, one bed costs around S$30, i can't believe i will be staying in there. i mean, i have never done that before, and this is just so exciting. first time for everything as they say. YAY!

2) kota kinabalu with mech on july 23-26, we haven't booked any hotels yet, but we will try to settle this by tomorrow. but what we are looking at is:

1st night - shopping at city center
2nd day - island hopping and beach escapade
3rd day - nature park, reserve, trekking, etc

and that should complete the trip, and the back to manila, where i will stay for 2 months. YAY :) big grin.

2009-06-25T17:56:00.002+08:00

client update.
------

so i had a chat with my client earlier today.

Client says:
separately Anton, I hope everything is working for you on a work and career standpoint, let me know if you need to talk

Anton says:
oh, thanks. appreciate it a lot. so, i guess you know already?

Client says:
tell me...

Anton says:
oh... uhm, J spoke to me already, and i said that i won't be able to stay.

Client says:
are you very sure Anton?
are they still not able to meet your expectations?

Anton says:
well, i told her that as of now, yes. because i was very tired already (not from working on P&G). i told her that it is unfair since i could not give my best to both starcom and P&G.

Client says:
but what are you looking for? what do you want?
have you found something better?

Anton says:
honestly, nothing yet.

Client says:
I would like to know wat you are looking for and see if P&G/Starcom can meet it
tell me what you want Anton.....

Anton says:
i just wanted to have a break, some time off to clear my mind.

Client says:
seriously Anton, if there is something u are looking for, let me know, cos I really want to ensure, we have done what is required to see if we can meet them
I want to ensure you have thot thru, explored all options and not making a rash decision

Anton says:
thanks. i think i need a break to clear my mind. i hope you understand that my issue is never with P&G.

Client says:
thus more so reason why I think you should think carefully. Do you need some time? I can talk to J again.

Client says:
Don't worry Anton. Just call me if you need to talk...

Anton says:
ok thanks. i would think about it

--

and now, i am rethinking. OMG!! can someone help me?!

2009-06-21T13:53:00.003+08:00

i love sneakers.
------

i love sneakers. i saw this nike hi-cut sneakers in full black and pink soles that i would really like to have, its just that it costs S$150 - normally, i would not have any problems with that. its just that now, i don't want to have unnecessary expenses, especially that i don't know what my next step would be. all i know is that i wanted to take some time off and rest for a while, meaning bum/jobless but thats cool. i am in no rush to find something new.

anyway, i love what i got in H&M SHANGHAI, its perforated, blue sneakers.

apart from that, with just a few weeks left (i have to really update my blog with whatever is happening, but i just want to update the final ones and not every small thing) - i have to do a few more things before i leave, its written in this small yellow notebook of mine. HAHA! some things on my list are the following:

1) go to woodlands and eat my favorite roasted chicken rice with charsiew.
2) buy lao hu tzi comic books for domi.
3) go to orchard and get boxes so i cah shift my stuff back to manila.
4) fix my credit card and phone bill statements
5) book the hotel for my bangkok trip
6) buy bak kwa for colleagues in bangkok.
7) shop for good finds in bangkok/jatujak, need to buy lots of boots no.7 products.
8) fix prices on clothes i have to sell - back in manila
9) shop for more finds in singapore
10) once am back in manila, i have to plan our taipei trip with my cousins in sep. thanks to achi michelle for giving me tips and contacts. i just have to fully utilize that.
11) and of course, enjoy the hk trip i'll be having with mom come august.

anyway, i still have a lots of things to do, and being the OC that i am, i can't wait to scrap them off my list. HAHAHA!

2009-06-12T16:26:00.003+08:00

final.
------

so, my last day in here is on july 21. i really can't wait, am so excited that i have finally decided to go and just leave it all behind. its a liberating experience, and am looking forward for some time off actually.

plan is to really take a break, my cousins and i are planning to go to boracay come august - chopoy, twing and marj confirmed, we will send out invite to everyone when am back. am really crazy excited about this. its like a welcome back, take a break kinda thing, plus the fact that i have never been to boracay for the past 26 years of my life. HAHA!

also, lester invited me to go to vigan/pagudpod for one week, he works for unilever sales department - and that is his territory. he has his own place in vigan, and i really can't wait to be back there again. i will bring tracy along with me, so when lester is working i still have company naman. shucks, so much plan. but definitely on the 19th and 26th of august, i have to be home, its dad and cho's birthday kasi. i missed chicho's birthday for the past 3 years, and i can't miss it now.

come august too, when ryan will be home, we will go for a roadtrip with pat. i hope tinan can join too para masaya, and its the first time we will all see each other in manila. YES.

also, mom and i might go to HK kasi she wants daw. sana matuloy. am sure mom would hoard a lot of kikay things na naman - make-up, fake lashes, lip gloss and skincare stuff. speaking of skincare...

anyway, i asked cheryl lee to buy some skincare products for my mom in bangkok, its called boots no.7 skincare range, this is a toner and a lotion.

i bought SK-II products for mom. i also need to buy for marj and tita bot.

talk about pampering your parents. i have read in one magazine that kids should really pamper their parents, and i am beginning to adopt that kind of attitude.

2009-06-09T00:41:00.005+08:00

shanghai, june 2009.
------

after 3 days of touring beijing, we flew to shanghai to see the city. i mean, how could you go to china and not see both cities right? rather than doing it separately, i decided to just see both at one go - i don't have a lot of leaves, and that is the worst part of working outside your home country. i want to see my family every quarter or 2x a year, and i want to see the world as well.. HAHAHA. plus the fact that i want to be home for their birthdays and special occasions. but it won't be my problem soon. :)

we went on a river cruise to see how the city looks like. they say it looks better in the evening with lots of lights covering the entire city, but the afternoon was worth it as well, as we were super exhausted by the evening.

AURORA gold building in shanghai - the gold shimmers that is reflected in the water is beautiful.

this is shanghai old town, it was fascinating, i really enjoyed being there and i wish i could have spent the whole afternoon hanging out in there.

i had to have a photo in shanghai old town, probably the best place that i have been in shanghai. it feels like chinatown, although yes the whole city is chinatown.

jenny, our tour guide was saying that this xiao long bao is really famous, and its located in shanghai old town which is like a tourist spot. the queue was so long it was crazy.

it was a long line, and i really made that face to show the burden of having to queue. patience is a virtue, and that is true.

my favorite thing on earth - taro milk tea, 6RMB each.

jerry is one of the famous papercutter in shanghai. he told me that he will be in the US touring for the next 2 months to showcase his products. i was so amazed by him that i went to get something for myself, for mom and dad, and for sarah.

i went to this store that sells dried pickled fruits, i know my ama (grandmother) loves them so much that i decided to get for her.

sintiandi is where the expat community of shanghai would go and have drinks after work. its a place where business meeting are held, as food is really a part of the chinese culture when closing business deals.

there is an elevator in the zara store, and the funny thing is, there are just 2 floors, unlike H&M which has 5 floors, and has escalators inside. HAHA

by the end of the trip, i was in love with the city. though, currently, i dont know if i still want to go there and work. i missed my family so much, i missed manila, and its really calling me to go back home. lets see, where my next adventure will be. :)

2009-06-08T01:48:00.005+08:00

beijing, june 2009
------

greetings from manila. i just came back from cafe breton, i had to catch up with lester. we talked for a really long time, maybe 2 hours, we had to update each other with whatever has been happening in our lives. we seldom talk, but he remains to be one of the few people updated with whatever is happening to me. HAHAHA!

i came back from my china trip last saturday night, i cant believe i have been in a plane every 3 days with this kind of itinerary - i really wish i could have stayed here longer.

i spent the whole sunday afternoon with mom - we went to trinoma and i accompanied her shopping, she went on to buy a dress, zara top, etc. i did buy something but not for me. i didn't even want to look at stores anymore since i had my fair share of shopping in china - that left my credit card in a lot of pain, and that also means i need to find a job right away. i shopped for my family as well, i got mom like 4 dresses, i got dad 4 polo shirts, i got cho 3 shirts and 2 necklaces, aggie got like 2 tops and pearl earrings, and a lot of pasalubong for some friends that i owe. HAHA! so there.

beijing was fun, tita bot liked it so much, it has so much history that i cannot even comprehend. we had a driver, car and a tour guide just for the both of us - so i kinda felt like a VIP, and we were so efficient since we did not need to wait for other tourists. i said what i want and where i want to go, and it happened.

great wall of china, a must see. i was telling mom and dad over dinner that i know they love HK bec it is a shopping heaven + good food and yam cha, but they have to go to beijing just to see so much chinese history. i have to say that i didn't like the food in china, it was super oily.

this was by the river outside forbidden city or summer palace - am not really sure anymore since our itinerary was so packed, it left me breathless.

forbidden city photo taken by tita bot. we walked the whole 700+ hectares of it.

i love taking photos of flowers, it started when we went to HK disneyland back in 2006. now, i have a lot and beijing has a lot of flowers, may i say? this is just one of the photos i liked - i have them in every color. this is in wangfujie street, its their shopping district, obviously we went there to shop.

i saw a church and was supposed to enter, but it was closed. its a beautiful structure, i fell in love with it.

don't you just love it?

i went to uniqlo to shop, although there is uniqlo in singapore, it didn't have much designer collaboration as what was in the beijing store. i loved every minute of it, and i really went bonkers. they featured model AGYNESS DEYN in their latest campaign - i guess it was for their basic wears.

this is the 2nd uniqlo store i went to (wangfujie), the first one was in sanlitun where i also met up with jeanette, she accompanied me in H&M in qianmen and sanlitun. we shopped together, and had dinner - it was really nice to see her again. as you can see, i shopped, total worth of RMB 872 for these pieces. H&M was a different story and i spent around RMB 1,650 there. :(

i got cho this really nice necklace that tita bot first saw, i wasn't even aware of the brand - skull candy, anyway i took a photo of it.

being the dessert person that i really am, i went to buy this natural beauty muffin/cupcake at 6RMB each. i got the peanut butter with whipped cream and nuts on top, they have like 10 flavors, but everyone knows i love nuts and chocolates together (like reese's peanut butter cups) that i enjoy tremendously.

more of my beijing photos in multiply, i have yet to post. tomorrow, i will do a post for my shanghai trip. i need to sleep, since i have to wake up early in the morning, and do errands, (1) go to the bank and settle some things, (2) go to makati and meet trace for coffee @ 11am, (3) meet with pat for lunch @ GB, (4) dinner with mom's side of the family @ choi's garden in greenhills. HAY, bitin.

2009-05-29T13:30:00.002+08:00

off for my holiday.
------

finally, i am flying back to manila tomorrow for my holiday. am soo excited. okay, seriously, there are so many things happening about my resignation that i just want to escape from it, for now, even for a week. it will be "ME" time - i will do whatever i want, without anyone calling and bugging me. seriously.

there are a few things on my plate as of current, and they are the following:
1) manila trip - there will be a gathering (dinner) at our house on saturday. its good that i will see my cousins and aunts there. i miss my family and relatives.

2) beijing - i cant wait to see jeanette, and tour the city.

3) shanghai - i want to shop gifts for family and friends, i will try my best not buy anything for me. i just paid my 2008 tax and credit card bills, therefore my bank account is like zilch. HAHA!

4) i have booked my flight to bangkok on july 10-13, am going with sarah, satya and simon - these are the people confirmed, the rest i don't know yet. i just want to meet the TH SSM.

5) i will be booking my flight to taipei this saturday with aggie and cho. i am flying off sep 4-9, and am excited about this because it will be out first trip together just the 3 of us. i am excited to explore the city - as i saw pictures and its really beautiful.

--

i will be back by next or the week after next, and hopefully i can update with travel photos. YAY! :)

2009-05-21T15:50:00.002+08:00

emotional blackmail
------

this is getting out of control, and i feel very very sad already, its like emotional blackmail for me, i love working with these people (local market) and i adore them so much that it pains me for them to say these things. but then again, it is a validation in some ways.

wadee says:
Anton

wadee says:
june is gone crazy now

wadee says:
and worry about u

Anton says:
im sorry

Anton says:
i will visit you guys soon

wadee says:
June told all the team in a loud voice

wadee says:
and we all feel sorry about u now

wadee says:
come to TH

Anton says:
i will visit you guys

Anton says:
i will book my flight and let you guys know. i want to meet all of you guys.

wadee says:
Anton,

wadee says:
she still mourning

Anton says:
noo... this is making me so sad.

wadee says:
we all sad

Anton says:
it breaks my heart.. cause i really love working with you guys.

wadee says:
I'll tell u

wadee says:
esp those who working with u

wadee says:
as i told u the other day

wadee says:
those I mean June and Lee

wadee says:
coz I called them to let them know

wadee says:
as the mail came out to us quite late

wadee says:
and they gone home

wadee says:
and these past 2 days both were not in the office

wadee says:
JUne was driving when I called

wadee says:
she's sad

---

and then, P'June messaged me and said:

to be good attitude for alls says:
I am so sad

Anton says:
why?

to be good attitude for alls says:
when will you go

Anton says:
oh you mean my last day?

to be good attitude for alls says:
yes

Anton says:
in the letter its july 21, there is still time.

to be good attitude for alls says:
we shock when got the mail

Anton says:
i want to tell you personally. but i was shocked as well, when it was announced, i will tell you something but between us ok?

to be good attitude for alls says:
ok

Anton says:
actually, i was shocked when it was announced bec 2 weeks ago i had this conversation with RAMD

Anton says:
and they were asking me to reconsider.

Anton says:
so i havent gotten back to her yet... since i was super busy with COS, then i was on leave monday, when she emailed everyone.

to be good attitude for alls says:
why she do that

Anton says:
i also dont know.

Anton says:
everyone here asked me, they were shocked with the announcement as well, i have no idea

to be good attitude for alls says:
what is she doing, what about H?

to be good attitude for alls says:
we love you and need you to stay

Anton says:
cause when H and i spoke, we said that lets finish COS first before we talk, bec we cannot concentrate with the amount of work happening

Anton says:
i was telling them that i am really really lucky with you guys.... that workwise, i dont have problems with you, and i work with you guys pretty well.

Anton says:
but i will visit you guys soon...

to be good attitude for alls says:
welcome anytime

Anton says:
maybe end june.. just to meet you guys. cause i met indo, mal and sg already except th, so i will make sure that i meet thailand ssm too....

to be good attitude for alls says:
so what will you do next

to be good attitude for alls says:
I means do you have any plan yet

Anton says:
i dont know yet honestly, no plans yet.

to be good attitude for alls says:
you should fight

Anton says:
A (client) spoke to me as well asking me to stay.

to be good attitude for alls says:
you should

Anton says:
so am thinking

Anton says:
i promised her that i will be open, cause she was telling me that... there are a lot of people who have resigned in CCT, and im one person that she really wants to stay. so i really appreciate that, about her

to be good attitude for alls says:
me too

Anton says:
i appreciate you guys as well... i love working with you guys..

to be good attitude for alls says:
you are one of CCT that we love to work for

Anton says:
thanks for that. i really appreciate it. and i love working with you guys as well.. mutual feeling and respect.

Anton says:
you are now making me really sad..

to be good attitude for alls says:
don't sad, you have to ask RAMD

Anton says:
RAMD is not here, thats why i cant talk to her, she will be back next thursday only

to be good attitude for alls says:
what about H & M? have you talk with her yet, or they also busy

Anton says:
spoke to H & M already as well

to be good attitude for alls says:
don't worry everything will be Ok

---

and from singapore

Joanne = now ht asking me, "joanne. when u meeting anton for farewell lunch?"
Anton = HAHA! farewell lunch
Anton = how about drinks!! HAHA
Joanne = blurgh
Joanne = but wat i am puzzled is
Anton = hey as i have told you its not yet finalised.
Joanne = since u haven convirm ur decision
Anton = so really there is a chance for me
Joanne = why RAMD send such an email
Joanne = STAY
Joanne = I BEG U
Joanne = DUN LEAVE US, DUNNNNN
Joanne = i can be drama mama leh.
Anton = drama
Joanne = personally.. we dun wan u to go la.. but its still ur decision
Joanne = even evon.. only work with u awhile.. oso have same thoughts as me, and u know wat, CY praised u ok! so.. dun go.. people recognised ur efforts, she say u are one of the best CCT she knowned
Anton = yeah right

2009-05-19T16:16:00.002+08:00

conversation with thailand director.
------

our thailand SSM director, Khun Yuwadee messaged me earlier today - i am very touched honestly. i am just overwhelmed right now. our RAMD has sent out an email already that i will be leaving the team, i was just honestly shocked because i was supposed to talk to her this week. goes to show how they manage the team, right?

wadee says:
Anton , just to let u know before I'm heading to P&G

Anton says:
yes?

wadee says:
my team felt sorry to hear that you are leaving

Anton says:
thanks Khun yuwadee.

wadee says:
we really mean it

Anton says:
thanks thanks

Anton says:
Khun Yp - actually its not yet that finalised.. i dont know why an email was sent already

wadee says:
aow

wadee says:
what 's wrong

wadee says:
anyway i on behalf of the team

wadee says:
would like u to know that we feel that you are our good partner

wadee says:
good teamwork

wadee says:
sincerely

Anton says:
thanks thanks.. i have to say the same about the thailand ssm

wadee says:
June and Lee are not here (people i work with on a daily basis)

wadee says:
they are out for traiing

wadee says:
but they both know

wadee says:
as I call and inform them

Anton says:
nothing but good working relationship with you guys

wadee says:
I always hear them talking good words about u

wadee says:
ok

wadee says:
i have to rush out now

wadee says:
talk to u soon

Anton says:
thanks Khun yp - really appreciate it

Anton says:
talk to you soon

2009-05-17T14:41:00.002+08:00

breakfast is my favorite meal.
------

i haven't posted a lot in the past few weeks. work got me really occupied, anyway, its much better now. i went to KL with chicho last april 30 to may 3 - it was the labor day weekend, and we had lots of fun. it was chicho's first time there, and i was with cheryl and franco as well. i have met lots of friends and people that i have worked with like eileen, serena, chweeling, yinping, pei shih. it was just great to see all of them again. i also met my cousin and his girlfriend, and we had this great food hawker style at jalan alor.

but my favorite meal out of the whole trip was the breakfast i had with cho on our last day at la bodega in pavilion. i loved the whole place, the vibe, setting and especially the food.

trying to access wireless internet in the morning.

chicho making some weird face while waiting for breakfast

using mom's new HP mini, and my iced latte.

i loved chicho's order - especially the grilled mushroom and tomato. it was soo good.

i got egg's benedict with smoke salmon. i love salmon and it tasted really great.

our total bill was around RM70, which is cheap compared to singapore standards, it is roughly around SGD30 or Php900.

2009-05-17T04:06:00.002+08:00

looking forward.
------

i have quite a few things that am really looking forward to, on top of my list would be going back to manila and seeing everyone. i miss my family, and i just cant wait to spend time with them. i'm thinking sunday bruch at hyatt and things of that nature. mom even asked me to list down things i want to eat, etc. HAHA!

i can't wait to get my china visa on wednesday - i am so looking forward to a holiday. am thinking of less shopping and more touring of both beijing and shanghai. but knowing me, i would really shop a lot. i guess i have to think that i will be unemployed in the next few months to stop me from hoarding stuff.

i am super happy that i am off this coming monday, since i worked last monday which was a holiday. i love long weekends, and it really just sucks to go to work.

i am excited to book my flight to bangkok (end june) - ryan and i are thinking of going. and the best thing? the flight costs only SGD 150?! thanks to tigerairways for cheap fares. i want to visit thai ssm, and meet them personally even before i leave.

i am hoping that the swine virus will be gone by next week. sarah wants to go to HK, and is asking me whether we should go. am thinking no more $$$, but hey, it might be my last trip with sarah since she is going back to AUS. andddd, visiting charlotte is one thing we really want to do.

mom tells me that once am back home, we will do a trip together in HK, since she wanted to buy this goyard bag @ harvey nicholson. anyway, we'll see what happens. i am thinking i'd rather go with mom, cause i wouldn't need to shell out so much $$$.

over the past 4 days, i have been out with my friends, wednesday with julette, thursday with mech and sel, friday with crushies and saturday with ryan and julette - all occasion saw me drinking either beer or cocktail. HAHA! its been almost a week of celebrations for me, and it will be even so for a year.

life is good.

2009-05-13T00:46:00.002+08:00

thanks, julette!
------

the bitch who's back made this for me. HAHAHA! i miss old times, not the workload, but mostly the people i worked with.

2009-05-11T14:14:00.002+08:00

chicho's last day
------

chicho went home this morning. i miss him na, and i want him back in my house, or maybe me back home. yon lang.

we went to guilin park - first time that we did a non-shopping activity. it was beautiful, so i am planning a jogging session with ryan next week.

it was very relaxing, and it really felt so good, like you leave all your worries behind type of feeling.

we bought the same havianas - back in december. our stuff are mostly the same, shirts in different color, etc.

took a picture of our shadows while walking. i have more photos in multiply.

pardon me for all my issues lately, am no fun to talk to, but am really trying my best to be sane, and think logically. thats it. i hope i'll be back to my normal self in a few days/weeks.

2009-04-27T11:43:00.003+08:00

gone shopping with cho.
------

chicho is like my shopping buddy, we like the same things, he helps me out, and sometimes he even pays for stuff i like. galing! we went to orchard last saturday to shop, he bought stuff from pull&bear, and even bought aggie one top that she likes. i bought aggie stuff from accessorize too, cause she likes those hairbands. i think i should commission julette to do one for aggie as well. i also bought cho stuff from muji, and am planning to buy him a moleskin notebook.

oh, we went to uniqlo @ tampines yesterday. it was soo far, but it was all worth it. its the first time that i kinda bought a lot of things, since mom was here last jan. i don't really go out and shop anymore, very seldom. i usually just doze off in my couch while watching friends re-run in star world.

chicho and i on the queue to pay for our stuff, we spent like $300 worth of clothes. HAHA! i hope i won't but a lot of things in KL this weekend.

i came in today looking like a japanese school boy (that's what they said), i had my haircut two weeks ago, last saturday, after my attitude problem episode in the office. HAHAHA!

anyway, back to work.

2009-04-20T13:52:00.004+08:00

thing to look forward to.
------

i have been so busy as of late, i can't sleep at night - i just keep rolling around until 2/3am, and with chiro trying to be so irritating.. i threw a fit at the office last friday. i stormed in the meeting room, slammed the door(while everyone is starting the meeting), sat down with my face turning red. they all got it from me, i didn't talk to anyone even when they called my name, i just ignored everyone. simple.

i hate it when this happen to me, cause that is not me. it was really a bad day, and its like the straw that hit and broke the camel's back when all of a sudden you just fall. that's how i see it. i thank them for their patience.

i am better now, i was able to talk to them last saturday and be back to normal. i wish it would not happen again -- i guess its bound to happen again but hopefully not soon.

anyway, i am looking forward to better things now:
- chicho (my brother) is coming this friday for a 3 week vacation. he goes back in time for his DLSU enrollment on may 12.
- i have planned a trip to KL for both of us (april 30 to may 3) so as to spend time together without thinking about work.
- i am looking forward to my manila holiday on may 30 to june 10, but i will be going to shanghai+beijing on june 1-6 with tita bot.
- i look forward to seeing my family again (mom, dad, agster and cho) + the rest of my extended family. i hope to see them on the 30th of may for dinner, since tita bot will be preparing some "kieng" for my grandfather.

well, everything will be alright, i do know that for sure.

2009-04-04T19:46:00.002+08:00

i need to buy shoes.
------

yes, it's saturday, 8pm, and i am in the office working my butt off. we have this regional presentation, and since i cannot work/concentrate on weekdays because i have to answer mails, calls, do up requests and etc, i need to come in on a saturday to start this deck.

anyway, i was reading this magazine when i saw a print ad for dr. martens, i visited their site, and lo and behold, the shoes i like are in the featured item, and might be available here in singapore, so i will try and visit stores tomorrow, if i feel like it. at least i have an option.

also, grab this photo from sneakefiles.com, puma liftracer, in 7 different colors, S$109, i think. cool huh? thing is, my rubber shoes of 7 years gave up on me while i was playing badminton 2 weeks ago.

puma lift racer.

nice huh?! .... anyway, back to work.