Many "to-do" in preparation for the New Year's Eve.
Went to The Landmark with Manong in the morning to buy cake, pastries and drinks. Stopped at Vanilla Cupcake Bakery for a short "break". Then bought baskets of fruits at SM.
Then, slept. LOL
At around 5PM, went to the Emerald Garden Restaurant to buy take-out food for our noche buena.
While waiting for 12 midnight, my niece and I are playing ":Just Dance 3" in Wii... live stream!
Just made sure the food is already served at the table before the clock strikes 12. This is for the belief that the we won't be "wanting" in the coming year. There's also a belief that you should have money in all your pockets, so that you have something ready when there's a need to in the coming year.
The annual activity for my nephews and nieces is a trip to Enchanted Kingdom (EK), our country's theme park. This serves as their bonding moment. Can be considered as EB (eyeball) after chatting, keeping tabs, etc. via Facebook. LOL
Meeting place is at our aunt's house in Paranaque. By 9AM, left her house so that we will be in time for the opening of EK, which is 10AM.
At EK, we waited for my two nephews who woke up late and my cousin (their dad) will be dropping them off.
There are new attractions in EK, this includes the Magical 3D Photo...
and Disk-O-Magic.
But first, got lockers so the kids can leave their bags and things.
Then, tried Dodgem, EKstreme Drop Tower, Anchor's Away, 4D Discovery Theatre (movie: Roadrunner), Magical 3D Photos, Disk-O-Magic, Rio Grande, Rialto which is now in 3D (movie: The Polar Express), Laser Mission, and Shake, Rattle and Roll (SRR).
Waited for the fireworks show, which starts 10PM, before proceeding home.
Another Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for me is Sisterakas. Already bought a ticket online using my M-Pass. Definitely convenient.
But first, had brunch at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Did some window-shopping and my eye caught a Pacsafe RFID Blocking Passport Wallet. Would be perfect if it has a chain to it so I can secure the wallet inside my bag. Will buy one if I found a chain. So off and searched the mall. Found one at Parksquare 1.
Due to what happened while they were children, half-siblings are caught in the need for revenge. The movie is definitely funny... from start to end of the movie. The actors deliver their lines naturally that you can't help but laugh.
After the movie, bought the wallet, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Luk Yuen.
The day is spent on processing my Tatay's affairs.
First stop is at the Landbank. Finally, we were able to get the deposit. Then, went to Metrobank to have it deposited. Duh?! It was not accepted because of the name printed in the manager's check. So, went back again to Landbank to fix it. Went back again to Metrobank to finally make the deposit. The service of this bank's San Lorenzo branch is sooo bad.
Had a very, very late lunch at Wendy's in Park Square 1. My companions left me so I can buy a cane for Nana. Found one at Mercury Drug. During our movie marathon during Christmas day, she finally admitted she needed one. It is hard to buy her one if she won't be using it. Was it pride? LOL. I just kept on saying that I saw many senior citizens using a cane.
Finally, was able to go home with the precious cane in tow.
Morning, went to Makati City Hall to pay real property tax. Definitiely, organized. Was able to finish my business in an hour.
Then, was dropped off Glorietta. Tsk! Tsk! Should have asked to be dropped off at the Metrobank branch along Pasay Road. Thus, have to walk my way there. Then went back to Glorietta for the start of my movie, Shake, Rattle and Roll XIV (SSR). Used my M-Pass for the first time. (wink)
Like the usual SSR, the movie consists three segments, namely: Pamana about a group of cousins who learned that they have an inheritance from their forgotten uncle, a writer of horror stories; Lost Command about a group of military personnel who trek in the jungle to investigate the mysterious deaths in the area; and, Unwanted about a couple who are not sure if they want to keep their unborn child or not. Thanks to Pamana, it carried the rest of the film's ho-hum segments.
After the movie, had my late lunch at Food Choices, went to BDO to deposit to help a friend in need, bought copy paper at National Bookstore, then proceeded home.
Went to Landbank to continue arranging the affiars of my Tatay. We still lack documentation. Hayyy...
Then, asked that my niece and I be dropped at Glorietta. We are planning to watch the Lights and Sound Show at Ayala Triangle Gardens, an annual Christmas treat by Ayala Management.
Ate first at Pancake House (upon request by my niece... hehehe!), bought an M-Pass at Greenbelt 3 before finally walking towards Ayala Triangle.
After the show, change route from Ayala Triangle to Greenbelt to be able to capture some of the Christmas decors on display.
Since my niece is thirsty, stopped at Gelatissimo for an ice cream (huh?!) and bought some groceries at The Landmark before proceeding home. But first, dropped off my niece at Cash and Carry.
My yearly Christmas treat to my angels is a movie marathon and lunch-dinner out. Decided to watch the movies at Greenbelt 3 since one of the movies we want to watch is shown there.
Was already at Greenbelt 3 Cinema ticket booth around 10:30AM. Hmmm... better think of buying an M-Pass. Since our movie would start at 12:30PM, first had lunch at Capricciosa. Good find.
Our first movie is The Strangers. This movie relies on twists. I love twists. Will have to be glued to identify the threat. Good cast. Janice de Belen provided comic respite. But I wonder why that is the ending.
Our second movie is Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako. Since it would start around 3:45PM, just hang out at the cinema lobby.
A comedy, fantasy film. Agimat (Bong Revilla), Enteng Kabisote (Vic Sotto) and Ako (Judy Ann Santos) has to join forces to fight the alien who arrived in the planet to destroy Earth. Good thing Juday is in the movie. She's so natural in comedy.
Would be attending the anticipated Mass. Decided to be early and see what movie I can watch. Uh-oh! Watched them all... even the 2012 last night in Star Movies. Although, what is being shown in the cinema is in 3D. And I don't understand "The New Wave MMFF". Isn't the Metro Manila Film Festival officially starts every Christmas day?
Thus, decided to just hang-out, window shop (hopefully not exercise my credit card hand swipe LOL) while waiting for the start of the anticipated Mass.
Had lunch of Go Greek!'s lamb chop platter at Food Choices. Then, update my blog. (wink)
Oh, men! Missed Cloud Atlas. Should have watched it (or should I?). It's included in one of the worst movies for 2012. Hehehe! Guess back to window shopping.
Attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Italianni's.
The first day of my long vacation is to pick-up the result of my ECG at Makati Medical Center. While waiting for the result, shown in the television is the Miss Universe 2012. Saw when Miss Philippines was called to be part of the Top 10.
Proceeded to The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf for a relaxing breakfast.
The result? "Interpretation: Within normal limits."
After, proceeded to Glorietta. Went to withdraw from an ATM. Saw that someone left his card in the machine. Tried following him but to no avail. Thus, just left the card at the mall's Information.
Proceeded home and waited for my companion who will assist me regarding my father's affairs. Hmmm.. we still lack documentation.
Remember when Bilbo Baggins, Frodo's uncle, disappeared during his birthday? The movie is about the adventure of Bilbo, which he shared to his nephew through a book he wrote. Bilbo was asked to join an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. But the journey is not easy as they have met several challenges on the way. Am sure, there will be a part 2. c",)
After, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Pancake House.
Registration starts 6:30AM. Will leave the house around that time. Friends who will also join already sent an SMS that they are already there at Fort Santiago, Intramuros for the Canon Photomarathon 2012. Still, took my time. LOL
There will only be two (2) themes. Here are my entries...
Theme 1:
Entering the seven gates of Feudal Lords
The Stream of Imagination and 400 years unfolds,
Fortified from strength
of Distinguished and ever loyal subject
Is vibrant urban fabric of life
where colonial past reflect.
Since it is too hot, when my friend and I were able to take photo for Theme 1, we decided to go back, eat halo-halo at Chowking, then submitted our entry.
Theme 2 was announced after lunch:
A magical city that will shape our Future
With Nationalism embedded in our Culture
The heroic legacy of dungeons you will see
Gleaming with amber spectrum and Classic Beauty.
Since it is really hot, my friend and I decided to leave after submitting our entry for Theme 2. Dropped her off at Glorietta, proceeded home to leave my gear and proceeded back to Glorietta to attend the anticipated Mass. Had dinner at Luk Yuen.
Today is our unit's Christmas Party and our office's camera club's Christmas Party. Will I attend both? Nah! Just the camera club's since I won't be travelling to the venue to enjoy. LOL
Whole day was spent in a meeting outside the office and tried to catch up another meeting at the office. Then, rode the elevator to attend the camera club's Christmas Party.
But first, looked for Tsubasa's food and soap. Went to Pet Express at SM Mall of Asia but both items were out of stock. Was able to buy one at their SM Hypermart branch along South Superhighway.
Then was dropped off at Glorietta.
Bought a movie ticket, lunch at Go Greek! in Food Choices, medicines at Mercury Drug, and did some work at Food Choices using my gift to myself (LOL) while waiting for my movie to start.
The Guardians (Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Sandman) has to convince Jack Frost to be one of the Guardians (as chosen by the Man in the Moon) when Pitch, an evil spirit, plans to take over the world by fear. In order to protect the hopes, beliefs and imaginations of the children, the Guardians must must join forces. There cuteness and lots of humor injected. In fact, at the end of the movie, the audience clapped their hands in appreciation.
Then, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Italianni's.
