Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Eve Of 2014

Last day of year 2013.  Woke up early to buy food to put on our table.  There's this belief that when the year crosses, there should be food on the table to ensure we would not be wanting in the coming year.  Preferably, if there would be round fruits and anything "rounded" food.

So, at The Landmark, bought puto, macaroons, "round" dedication cake saying "Happy 2014!" in Golidlocks.  Had breakfast at McDonald's first before proceeding to SM to buy basket of fruits.  The basket of fruits contain 13 different kinds of "round" fruits.

Since our "angels" plan to buy mobile phones with TV (they would be sending back home their old mobile phones), scoured shops in Glorietta for one.  Also, went to Goldilocks in SM to buy pulvoron.

With all items ticked-off, went home.

Around 4PM, went to Emerald Garden Restaurant to buy our food.  Bought Emerald fried rice, crispy chicken, sweet and sour pork, beef with brocolli, and shrimp salad.


While waiting for 12 midnight, sang ourselves hoarse with videoke (while our neighbors fire-up firecrackers from time to time).

Happy 2014 to everyone!!!

Sunday, December 29, 2013

10,000 Hours

Since I was not able to attend the anticipated Mass, went to the mall to attend the Mass.

Was early, so had my breakfast first at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.  My usual is an eggs ben.

After the Mass, bought a discounted movie ticket for 10,000 Hours.  While waiting for my movie to start, had a quick Mongolian lunch at Food Choices, dessert at Vanilla Cupcake Bakery & Cafe, bought some items in my list.

Seems the movie is loosely based on Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the Kuratong Baleleng, and possibly where the senator was in hiding when a warrant of arrest was put on him.  Hope the audience would not think the movie are the actual facts, similar to what they think about The Da Vinci Code.

After the movie, scoured possible mobile phone which Mai may be interested. Got flyers on them.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Not EK

The usual bonding of my nieces and nephews are in Enchanted Kingdom.  Not this time.  We usually do it every 30th of December.  Since we want the numbers for the bonding, did it today.

It is a private pool in Los Banos, Laguna.  Nice thing, did not pay for the use of the venue; just gave tip to the caretaker.

Woke up early to go to The Aristocrat to buy our food.  Have to be at our meet-up place (my aunt's house) by 7AM.  Already bought chichiria and soda in The Landmark, snacks from Goldilocks the previous days.  My cousin also have some food sent.


While the kids are having a time of their life, went to The Original to buy pasalubong of buko pie.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Christmas Decors

Usually, at the end of my last working day, I walk my way home taking photos of the Christmas decors displayed on buildings.  Since I am "forced" to complete the 10-day vacation leave for the year, will take a half-day off tomorrow.  Thus, would do my usual today.



Also planned to watch the light and sound show at Ayala Triangle Gardens.  Was told it was cancelled because of the rain.  So I left.  Learned later, it was only postponed.  Duh?!

So, proceeded to The Landmark to buy chichiria, drinks and disposable utensils we would be bringing on Saturday for the kids' bonding.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Pagpag Ang Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy

My tradition during Christmas day is to bring my "angels" to the mall for a movie marathon.  Previously, we were always at my Lola's house in Baclaran the whole day.

The decision I did today which was right was to already purchase the movie tickets online.  In fact, when I did so, only a few seats were available for the movie and scheduled time we prefer.

We left the house around 10:30 AM, hoping to have lunch at the mall before our movie.  Lo and behold!  The mall opens 12 noon.  This isn't the case last year.  So looked for a restaurant nearby that is open.  Found one that opens at 11 AM.  Actually, I planned that we would be having our dinner there; but  I guess, will have to adjust.  I ordered combination (steamed and roasted) hainanese chicken, honey crispy squid, fried rice and barley juice at Wee Nam Kee.

Some stores in the mall are closed.  I noticed most shops that are open are either restaurants, toy stores, boutique/clothes.

Our first movie is Pagpag: Siyam Na Buhay.  Working on Filipino superstitious beliefs and practices when attending a wake.  The characters break these practices and untoward incidents happen to them... particularly because the deceased and the family of the deceased practices witchcraft.

After our first movie, had our snack of Greenwich lasagna and pizza at Food Choices.

Our second movie is Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy.  The movie rides on the comedy talent of its lead star Vice Ganda.  Supported by Ms. Maricel Soriano, known also for comedy, drama.  Well, one thing is sure, everyone inside the theater is laughing.

After the movie, we had our dinner at Kaya Express to top off the day.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Eve

The usual activity when Nanay was alive during Christmas eve is that they still keep on cooking.  Not for our noche buena but because we would have a feast at my Lola's house in Baclaran on Christmas day.  All the tindera in my Lola's palengke would be there to join the feast.  This is my Lola's gift to them.

Considering my Nana, I just order food for our noche buena.  We go to Christmas Mass and eat noche buena after.  My usual is order food from Amber's.  Actually, I place my order during the first week of December for it is impossible to call them when it is near Christmas.  My order never fail to arrive.  (wink)

Saturday, December 21, 2013

In Fear

My movie weekend.

What's nice about completing your Christmas list, you don't have to fight your way among Christmas shoppers!  LOL

First bought a discounted movie ticket for In Fear.  Had a quick Mongolian lunch at Food Choices, cupcake dessert at Vanilla Cupcake Bakery and Cafe, before proceeding to my movie.


Unlike the usual horror that tries to frighten you through gore or surprises, "In Fear" tries to build-up the feeling just within the confines of a car, three people and winding roads.  It tries to shows man's true character when put on a certain position.  I like it.

After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Watami. Went to The Landmark to check-out the fruit basket for my niece. Rustan's for Reusable BagsGo again. Weh!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Christmas Lunch

Would meet with friends at Wee Nam Kee (my recommendation) at Ayala Triangle for our Christmas lunch.  What's nice about reunions, hours pass by with all the stories shared.  Also, the venue is a good choice because of the food!  LOL

N.B. Be sure to try combination (steamed  and roasted) Hainanese chicken, sizzling tofu, honey crispy squid and barley juice. 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Christmas Dinner

We often meet every Saturday to attend the anticipated Mass and have dinner after.  Since we would not be complete on Saturday before Christmas, decided to meet up for our Christmas dinner.  After exchanges of gifts, we ate our dinner at Sugarhouse.  c",)

Monday, December 16, 2013

Christmas Lunch and Christmas Dinner

This time would be meeting with friends and former officemates for lunch.  We would be having our lunch at Lugang Cafe.  Never liked it (restaurant) but what is important is the company.  Even my kumpare agreed with me (regarding the restaurant).  Shhh...

For dinner, it would be with my photography friends.  This time, it's different.  Food is tops and so is the company.  c",)  It's a Turkish restaurant called Combos Bakery: Turkish Restaurant near Rockwell, Makati, also known as Mehmet's Kebab House.  Be sure to try the Iskender Kebab.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Doing my next batch of Christmas shopping.  Thus, left early and was at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for brunch while waiting for the mall to open.  After completing my Brek 'O Day, decided to walk to The Landmark.  Woah!  The department store is already open even before 10AM.  So, started to check-off items in my Christmas list.  Also bought some items at the supermarket.  Left all my purchases the package counter... the better to shop for more.  LOL

Withdraw from the ATM.  Doing it late will have me lining up.  Bought a ticket for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.  Just strolled while waiting for my movie to begin.


Second of the trilogy, the Dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield, and Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, has reached the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, with challenges encountered along the way.  Then, there's the love triangle among a she-elf, an elf and a dwarf.  Haven't read the book but surfing the internet, it seems the she-elf is not in the book.  Well, it gave an excuse for an elf to join the fight (spoiler).  There's lots of action and I think this is better than the first.  It also have a "bitin" ending, that it prompts me to surf the internet the ending of the book.  LOL

Ate a quick, late lunch at Food Choices and continued my Christmas shopping at The Landmark.  Attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at New Bombay.

Monday, December 09, 2013

First Christmas Lunch

First of several Christmas lunches (and dinners) with friends.

A friend arrived from Australia and we would be meeting her for lunch.  She often returns here to spend Christmas with the rest of her family.

Lunch is at Kaya Express (my recommendation).  Aside from having good food, lunch is enjoyable with stories and bantering.

N.B. Be sure to try bude chige and chicken bulgogi.

Sunday, December 08, 2013

Christmas Shopping

I am late in my Christmas list.  Usually, when December steps in, I have already checked-off the items in my Christmas list.  November seems to pass quickly.  Must be because of the recent events in the Philippines.  Earthquake in October; Typhoon Yolanda in November.

So, decided that my (usual) rest day will be spent on partially completing my Christmas list.  I usually do it by batches.  This time, it is the batch for my nieces and nephews.  Wanted to be there once the mall opens.

Had brunch first at the The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL).  Again with my usual visitor, the langaw (fly).  The mambabarang (witch) is persistent.  Yesterday, there was a langaw at The Aristocrat and so at Dekada.  But my guardian angel is ever watchful as I, or someone else, gets to see and ward off the langaw.  Was at CBTL until the mall opens.

As soon as the mall opens, checked-off my to-dos.

1)  Withdraw
2)  Buy toys at The Landmark
3)  Have toys gift-wrapped at The Landmark

Then my niece called.  She'll be joining.  Alas!  Someone to help carry my purchases.

4)  Buy cosmetics for teener at Beauty Bar
5)  Reusable BagsGo at Rustan's

Brunch at Pancake House since my niece is hungry.

6)  Money enclosure at National Bookstore--used my points for the purchase
7)  Gifts at Forever 21
8)  Load-up mPass in preparation for our Metro Manila Film Festival movie marathon.
9)  More gifts at Uniqlo
10)  Additional gifts at Bench
11)  Hungry Pac crinkles at Food Choices
12)  Pick-up wrapped gifts at The Landmark

And off home.



My nephew noticed that our internet is kinda slow.  I attributed it to the router.  Thus, replaced the Belkin N300 with the Linksys E1200.  Initial observation, connection now does not disconnect from time to time.

Saturday, December 07, 2013

Intramuros Tour

Feel that I need to extend Filipino hospitality, decided to guide a vendor of the system we are installing in our company on a tour of Intramuros (learned it is his first time to travel outside his country).  Borrowed my brother's driver in the process.

Picked him up at St. Giles Hotel along Makati Avenue around 9AM and proceeded to Intramuros.   First stop is Fort Santiago.  Met a friendly tour guide who explained to us the items in the museum, also showing us where Dr. Jose Rizal was incarcerated before he was shot at Bagumbayan.  It is also in this cell where he and Josephine Bracken got married two days before the execution.  The museum also houses the vertebrae of Rizal that shows where the bullet hit the bone.

And just when we are on way out, if you can't say were lucky, saw a short play about the life and death of Rizal being reenacted.



Then showed him the Manila Cathedral. Walked our way to San Agustin Church and checked-out the San Agustin Museum.  Also saw the Bahay Tsinoy and the ruins of Customs.

Our next stop is the Luneta (or Rizal Park).  Because of a wrong turn, stuck in traffic.  But, we were able to witness the "Speed Drift Muscle" event at the Quirino Grandstand.

 
Given the traffic and possibility of finding a parking space, decided to proceed to The Aristocrat instead, one of the oldest restaurants in the Philippines, for lunch.  After lunch, checked out the Malate Church, crossed Roxas Boulevard to view the Manila Bay.

Then, a drive tour of the CCP Complex (Cultural Center of the Philippines, Star City, Folk Arts Theater, Philippine International Convention Center, Coconut Palace) and SM Mall of Asia.  Finally, dropped him off to his hotel.

I, on the other hand, was dropped off at Glorietta to attend the anticipated Mass.  Then, had dinner at Dekada.

Sunday, December 01, 2013

PCCI: Digital Video Essentials

The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI) organized a seminar on "Digital Video Essentials".  The income generated on the seminar will be donated to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.  I also have my niece with me to attend the seminar.

There are five (5) speakers of the seminar, namely:  Director Dale Custodio, Director Nani Naguit, Production Manager Sheela Alcasid, Cinematographer Pao Pangan, and Director Emman Pasucal.  Too bad the announcement of the seminar was short notice.  Many would have benefited on the talks.

The Tilak Hettige also dropped by to say hello.  Sweet!