SMS Warning
Received this afternoon this warning from my mobile phone:
<4wrdd msg>
by mgdalo group..
civilians are advised to stay away frm any cellsite installations and gov't bldgs.. a series of bombing may occur starting this midnight frm nrthern 2 stherm luzon as part of the plan 2 change the corrupt system of gvrnnce of mrs. arroyo. pls pass to all concern.If there is truth in the message, it is justified, then, for GMA to declare a state of emergency nationwide, not just in Metro Manila.
But this SMS message, I think, largely reflects the sentiment of most people, whose voice is overshadowed by those who shout on the streets:
Courage also means taking a stand. We don't want to wake up with a military officer or a deposed Erap or the divided opposition at the helm of govt. If you agree then tell others not to fan the flame of disorder. We support the constitutional gov't and not power grabbing. Its time to unite and not allow a minority to create chaos. We don't even know the true leaders of the noisy groups. For the future of our children, pls pass. God bless.
Video Shoot for Science...?
To much food yesterday must have taken its toll for my poor stomach... Took me several trips to the comfort room. Have to take medicine as I promised my niece that I will accompany her and her classmate for a video shoot at
Star City for their school project. Obviously, I will be the videographer.
It seems, the intention is to take objects that show centripetal force. So, all objects that show circular motion will be videoed. Started with the alarm clock. Then, my niece would act as if she would turn off the alarm, jump out of bed, and wake up her friend in the other room as they are supposed to go somewhere. But first, she puts on CD on the player (focuses as the CD spins) while they prepare to dress up.
Our first stop is the CCP Complex where we can rent bicycles. (This my choice for our first stop as it is easier to park my car there. hehehe!) Spent a few minutes with the two of them cycling. Then, walked a few feet where there are some greeneries. This would act as the background as the two of them do a "lassoing" (they have a can tied with a string which they swing in the air).
Afterwhich, we walked to Star City (take note, my car is still in the parking lot...). The two of them had a fun time trying the rides as a I took video of them. Before finally going to Ayala Center to buy the kamison which my niece needs in school tomorrow, we dropped by a Go Kart Track, for another sequence of the video.
We had late merienda/early dinner at Pancake and went to SM Department Store for the kamison. On the way home, stopped by a gas station to fill-up my car. That's when my brother called my niece that we should be heading home as tension is building-up at Fort Bonifacio. Tsk! Tsk!
A Blessing and A Confirmation
The Saturday started off with my brother waking me up to ask if I am going with him. Of course! There would surely be lots of food after the house blessing.
So, jumped out of bed and started to prepare for the trip to Cavite where there would be a house blessing. As expected, there were lots of food as a caterer was hired. The priest arrived around lunchtime... finally... for my stomach is sounding. c",)
My cousin and I were the ones who cut the ribbon infront of the gate before the priest and the rest of the guests went inside the house for the blessing. After the blessing, it's luuuunnnccchh!!! We had the priest at our table. He sure have a lot of stories to tell.
Around 3PM, left with my cousin and her family to proceed to
St. Jerome Church at Ayala Alabang for my niece's confirmation. I am one of the
ninangs. My new
inaanak is also a reader in the Mass.
I spotted Christopher de Leon (Filipino actor) and his wife, Sandy Andolong, as their daughter is also one of the confirmands. Their daughter is tall girl, she's even taller than her mom, Sandy.
After the confirmation, walked a few feet to have dinner at
Gloria Maris.
Early Home
Today is the 20th anniversary of the EDSA People Power. As expected, several rallies are scheduled to be held in different parts of the country. Unfortunately, the event that took place in the wee hours of the morning would surely affect the "celebration" (or is it?) that is planned for the day.
There's a supposed threat of coup d'etat, causing an alert level in the Malacanang. Because of this threat, the government has requested the organizers of the rally not to push thru with their activities as their intelligence sources say that those who are planning the coup would be joining these rallies unobstrusively, carrying arms.
Inside the office, we just get news from officemates who receive calls or SMS from their family and friends who are updating them on what's going on outside. Around lunchtime, we learned that a state of emergency has been declared. Around 2:15PM, we received an announcement that we can go home by 2:30PM. (Yes!) But of course, I wasn't able to leave at once as I still have last minute things to do... Finally, stepped out of the office around 4PM, right smack facing the rallyists walking towards Ayala Avenue on their way to the monument of Ninoy Aquino.
Of course, instead of going straight home, went first to the mall to buy my gifts for the house blessing and the
kumpil tomorrow. Another
inaanak added to my list... c",)
A nice read on the EDSA celebration... Get Real: Keeping the flame of EDSA alive by Solita Monsod.
Remembering EDSA
It is a friend's birthday tomorrow. Thus, went to
The Podium to buy her a Horoscope Compass keychain. In Feng Shui, it is said that to enhance one's luck, you must carry a symbol of your secret friend or horoscope ally. The compass can be used to find one's good directions (based on the
Kua Number). Thus, the keychain with a compass with an image of one of the Chinese animal signs is a lucky gift.
My friend is born in the Year of the Pig. So, bought the Horoscope Compass keychain with a tiger as its design. With the keychain in tow, went back to Ayala Center.
Then, went to The Landmark to buy a PIGgy coin bank. Then, have the coin bank and keychain gift-wrapped.
Since there is still some time before the anticipated Mass, strolled around Glorietta. At the Glorietta Activity Center, a stage is set for the Looney Tunes show. On the other side, pictures are displayed depicting the events of the People Power at EDSA. Some of these pictures are heart-tugging and moving...
Then, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Italianni's.
Fun with Dick and Jane
If today is any indication of the week to come, my hands will be full this week! A lot of tasks to tick-off and there are still larger tasks ahead. But first, have to cut these large tasks to smaller tasks so that, slowly but surely, be able to meet them.
After office, decided to watch Fun with Dick and Jane, the movie I skipped last weekend. The movie is about Dick and Jane Harper whose life turned into a nightmare caused by corporate scandal. With their funds slowly dwindling, the couple resorted to stealing to eventually show big businesses a lesson or two. With Jim Carrey as Dick (and aptly paired with Tea Leoni as Jane), expect lots of laughs as the two try to make it in a dog-eat-dog world. Don't expect much from the movie, just sit back, relax and enjoy as the scenes unfold.
Heavenly Fiesta
Had a birthday lunch for a family friend as a treat to celebrate her birthday. Except for my niece, it is the first time for the rest of the guests to eat at
heaven 'n eggs. And the choice of restaurant was perfect! Everyone enjoyed the food and had their fill. After lunch, we went for a stroll around the mall to give time for our food to be digested (hehe!).
Click on the picture for a bigger image
When finally we were on the way home, the taxi we took cannot drop us right in front of our house as the road leading to it is already closed. The band competition, one of the activities in our fiesta, has already started. So, off we walked home while my camera finger is busy clicking as we pass by a band. The music is upbeat and their uniforms are colorful. A band even showed-off their skills in different formation, to the delight of the crowd. (Band formation is done at the end of the parade, where a stage is set-up containing the judges of the competition.)
Holy Gourd
My movie-day was put on hold. Decided to go to
The Podium to pick up an item. Don't know how to go there, so I asked my officemate yesterday how.
With instructions safely memorized, took the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and dropped off at the Ortigas station. Going through the side of SM Megamall, asked the first guard I saw how to get to The Podium (hehehe). He just pointed at a building with big posters displayed. Looking at it, I can't see an entrance to the said building. So walked again and found another guard who is more helpful. He said that I should enter the St. Francis Square, which will lead me to the next building, which is the Podium.
The St. Francis Square is like a tiangge where stalls upon stalls are placed showing different wares. I can spend hours to look at the knick-knacks. But first, followed the sign showing the way to The Podium.
The Podium is totally different from St. Francis Square. The shops cater to the elite. You can hear piano playing as its customers leisurely do their shopping.
After picking up the item, went back to St. Francis Square and did my rounds... c",) Then, I saw a stall with feng shui items. The lady behind the counter is rather friendly, and gave some friendly advice. According to her, Snake people are lucky in the Year of the Dog. Money comes easily but I must be careful with my health. (Hey! Health is wealth!) So, she advised me to put a Holy Gourd in the west or the south side of my bedroom. Or, I can put it in the south east side of the house.
Surfing the internet, a site (www.dragon-gate.com) says that "In ancient times, gourds or wu lou were hollowed out and used as water containers. The precious water saved many exhausted travelers’ lives. Hence people term the wu lou as the ‘gourd of life’. A representation of the gourd is believed to bring good health and longevity."
With my Holy Gourd in tow, went back to Glorietta with enough time to spare before the anticipated Mass. At the Glorietta Activity Center, the Photoworld Manila 2006 is being held. Feast my eyes on some of the camera accessories that (ohh) I wish I have. But a Manfrotto tripod, even a Manfrotto monopod, worth P4,000+ is too much. Oh well...
After the anticipated Mass, had dinner at Phobac.
Cheaper by the Dozen 2
My Sunday routine has been interrupted by the constant nagging of my niece to go to the mall. So off we went to watch a movie. This time, it's
Cheaper by the Dozen 2.
Already in its second week, there are still many people in the moviehouse to watch this wacky movie. The Bakers, with all twelve children, returned to Lake Winnetka for a vacation. But once there, a competition with another large family brews. The rivalry between the two families provide the movie's funny scenes.
After the movie, had
merienda at Iceberg's. I had a Chicken Sandwich and Peaches and Berries Sundae. My niece had
palabok, potato fries and two scoops of mocha ice cream.
Saw 2 d Office
With the implementation last night, have to go to the office as it is not as smooth as hoped to be. Add to that, a production problem also occurred. Good thing, able to iron them out by lunch time.
So, off to the movies with me... ;)
A horror/suspense/thriller movie, the first scene from
Saw 2 provided the groundwork of what you will expect for the next two hours. Detective Eric Matthews is drawn to join the investigation which catches the serial killer, Jigsaw, with not much effort. Jigsaw (or John) likes to play with his victims through traps and mind-bending games, triggering the need to survive. There's a twist to the movie, which fits the deranged mind.
After the movie, dropped by the office again as I received an SMS from the office. Then, went back to Glorietta to attend the anticipated Mass.
