Panagbenga 2009, Day 1
Meeting Place: Caltex Gas Station at Boni, EDSA
Meeting Date/Time: February 28, 2009/1AM
Was the first to arrive at our meeting place with my niece. The
Tilak Hettige went ahead of us since he was invited by BenCab in the opening of his museum. Two of our group would follow by bus. The rest would be riding the Revo.
We left around 1:30AM, hoping that one of those who would be coming with us would arrive. No word from her.
My niece and I were strategically seated at the back so that we can "steal" some sleep. Hehehe!
When we reached the Lion's Head, we stopped, hoping to get pictures of the view. Hmmm... Decided to look for another. We found one in the view deck. We were met by chilly air/wind; but, this did not stop us to take images of the breathtaking view.
We were almost near the city when we are stuck in traffic. Thus, when we arrived at the Session Road, the Grand Street Parade has already started. We tried to weave our way through the mass of people.
After the parade, we were able to meet with Tilak at
Mug Cafe, near
The Cathedral. He was with his friend who kindly gave directions as to how we would reach the place where we would be staying--
Tacay Lodge, Km. 3 Asin Road.
No matter how detailed the direction, we are sure to get lost. And, we did! Nothing beats a map and asking questions while on the way. LOL.
The lodge was renamed
Belshang Lodge. And it's a long story. Hehehe!
Then, we received an SMS from one of our friends that she has arrived at the bus terminal and is already on the way to the lodge. We waited for her before proceeding to the
BenCab Museum.
We spent some time at the museum, enjoying the beauty surrounding us.
The nice thing is, we also a have picture with the National Artist himself, BenCab!
After which, we decided to have our late lunch at
Narda's. We had a fun time sharing jokes, anecdotes, etc. over lunch. George Tapan happened to drop by, who talked with Tilak and was introduced to us.
We, then, decided to go to the public market to buy our
pasalubong. We dropped Tilak along the way to a cafe where local photographers usually hang-out.
At the market, that's when I noticed that my mobile phone is missing!!!! We immediately left, picked-up Tilak, and went to Narda's, where our car was parked, to check if the phone was in the car or was left at the restaurant.
Nada!Since I can't do anything with the lost phone, called my network to have my SIM blocked. We stayed at Narda's to wait for the other friend who would be arriving from Manila.
To cap the day, we spent sometime sharing stories over a round of potato wine (water for me).
A Closer Look At Nature, Day 2
Our second day under the
Tilak Hettige's class brought us to what we have nicknamed as "the old house"--it is "My Mother's Garden" at Pasay City.
There were lots of orchids, flowers, plants to take images of. We had our breakfast and lunch there.
After lunch, we proceeded to
Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI) to present some of our images to the class. And, also, receive comments/tips from Tilak.
Afterwhich, proceeded
Glorietta to have my weekly movie fill.. hehehe!
He's Just Not That Into You is a comedy, drama, romance movie about relationships. Definitely, a chick-flick.
A Closer Look At Nature, Day 1
Woke up really early as I have to be at the
Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI) to attend the
Tilak Hettige's workshop, A Closer Look At Nature.
Started with a demonstration of Sogetsu. Then, a lecture on macro and close-up photography. The rest of the afternoon is spent on taking images of the floral arrangements.
Then, proceeded to
Glorietta to attend the anticipated Mass and had dinner at
a Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante.
TOSH It
I am in our Makati office; thus, invited my friend have lunch with me... at our usual haunt,
The Old Spaghetti House (TOSH).
Busog!!!!
She Visits
Our Lady of Fatima has been doing the rounds of our churches/chapels. Today, she is at the Chapel of Eucharistic Lord in SM Megamall.
Decided to drop by and welcome Her... c",)
Birthday Valentine
Today would be the day I would treat my mother's friend and another friend for their birthday. It can also be our Valentine celebration.
The treat is at
Gumbo restaurant at
SM Mall of Asia. We definitely enjoyed our food, specially the Carbonara. Gumbo's staff also sang to the two celebrants. c",)
After, went to watch a movie starring Steve Martin--
The Pink Panther 2. As expected, a slapstick comedy that gave laughs to the audience. One thing is sure, the kid who was with us (his first time to watch a movie) enjoyed it.
The bumbling Inspector Jacques Closeau was tasked to lead an international dream team of detectives to capture the thief, Tornado, who has stolen four of the world's greatest treasure, including France's Pink Panther Diamond. Thanks to Ponton, he somehow "covers" Closeau's clumsiness and unorthodox "investigation".
Push
Decided to do some shopping... specially that
The Landmark is on sale. Now that I am no longer wearing uniform, it is costlier since I have to buy clothes for the office. Thus, always have to look for sale! LOL
Also bought a small valentine gift for my friends that I would be meeting up later. It's a snow globe.
Satisfied, decided to watch a movie.
Push, a sci-fi, thriller movie about gifted people who are on the run from the government agency, The Division, who wanted to control them. In an attempt to further enhance their abilities, they are part of experiments which slowly kills them. It is up to a man with the power to move things, "Mover", and a young girl (Dakota Fanning) who can see the future, "Watcher", to evade capture and free them forever.
Dakota never failed.. she's good. Unlike the flair of "super heroes", the gifted people in this movie tries to "gel" in the society. What I like most about the film is how the protagonists strategized to beat their enemies, using their knowledge of the "gifts" and use it to come up with a plan that has no plan.. c",)
Then, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at
Italianni's. Italianni's also gave us a gift--a his and hers keychain. Nice!
Surprise!
As soon as I arrived, it was there on the desk.
The guys in our unit chipped-in to give the girls a long-stemmed rose. Sweet! c",)
Pre-Valentine
It was supposed to be this Friday--a pre-valentine lunch with my friend. But because of the meeting on said date at our Ortigas office, decided to do it today.
Of course, brought along my singing bowl, to cleanse/charge her crystals with. Oh, our lunch is at our usual haunt--
The Old Spaghetti House (TOSH). I wonder if they give discounts to loyal customers? Hehehe!
Framed Shots: Reminiscin'
It's the first meeting of the club for the year. My friends I met in one of the photography workshops I attended would like to join the club, too. Thus, met early at
Chowking before proceeding to the venue.
The theme is Reminiscin'--the best of 2008. Decided to choose the two images: one for the story it portrays--of going home; the other, for the festivity. Did not get the nod from the judges...
Was dropped off at Glorietta 4. Since I did not have my movie fill for the week, decided to watch
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. A prequel to the Underworld series, it traces the origin of the feud between Death Dealers (vampires) and Lycans (werewolves). For a prequel, it did not disappoint. It still has the "feel" of the first two movies--the blue theme adds to this effect.
That Was Close
I kept receiving an SMS informing of the convention they would be having today. I met them last month while eating and surfing at
Burger King. Gave them my calling card. And I was not able to attend the convention scheduled for that month.
Decided, I'll check it out today. But, then again, received an SMS informing me the store I requested that they inform me that they're on sale did just that. Thus, after having my images sent for developing, went to
SM Megamall to pick my much-coveted item... hehehe! That was 25% off the price!!!
Since, I still have a few minutes to spare before the anticipated Mass, decided to go to
Hotel Intercontinental at Makati where the convention is supposed to be held. I wonder why, am already at the lobby and made inquiries where the convention is, but I still decided not to continue.
Decided to go back to
Glorietta and surf. That's when I surfed that its company in India was being sued due to fraud. Whether it's the same or not, it has the same "name". c",) That was close!
From the internet, saw that it is a multi-level marketing company. And I don't think that it is my "thing".
Attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner
a Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante.
On the way home, saw The Company performing at
Glorietta Activity Center.
Kellog's (Sugar) Corn Pops
Yes! Yes! Yes! It's been yeeeeeeaaaaarrrrrrsssss since I ate
Kellog's (Sugar) Corn Pops.
Then, I saw it at
The Landmark Supermarket. What else? Bought one.. hehehe! And it comes with a free toy inside--a Guitar Hero.
Inkheart
Bought wood and ox horn combs (at
Mulan in
SM Megamall). They say, there are lots of benefits that can be obtained from natural combs:
* Does not cause any static electricity
* Does not tear hair
* Spread scalp's natural oil, sebum, throughout the hair during combing
* Help remove dandruff, headache, insomnia, dizziness
* Reverse or stop development of silver hair and hair loss (for ox horn comb)
* Combing would excite acupuncture points at head, speed up blood circulation
After office, decided to watch a movie. I think I have been missing on this lately.
Decided to watch
Inkheart, an adventure, fantasy movie. Father and daughter has a gift of bringing the characters of a story to life when they read them aloud. Because of this gift, Mo Folchart, the father, accidentally puts to life a power-hungry villain from a rare children's fable. But doing so, a real person is swapped back to the book. This is what happened to his wife when the book characters were given life. I like the story, I like the pacing, I like the effects... In short, I like it! c",)
