The usual is to go with my "angel" at Ayala Center to buy a basket of fruits, a round cake with message written on it, and round pastries.
Today is not the usual. First, already bought a round cake with "Happy 2016" written on it. Second, my niece would be joining us. Says she's going to buy new clothes to meet the new year.
Took Uber to The Landmark. Bought loaf of bread and soda. Then, proceeded to Stradivarius for my niece's shopping. For the basket of fruits, went to SM Makati. It is also there where we bought round pastries from Goldilocks.
Supposedly, I should be leaving the house at 2:30PM to go to Emerald Garden Restaurant to pick-up the food I ordered for our media noche. With the things are moving, asked to pick us up at The Landmark instead at 2:30PM.
We had lunch at Bulgogi Brothers, bought another Little Live Pets at Toys R Us, passed by Typo and have a scoop of ice cream at Baskin Robbins. Have are receipts converted to a raffle for a chance to win a BMW. Learned that it is also our last day to drop our raffle stubs. Still have some at home. Called that when the driver pick us up, to bring the raffle with him.
Once we were picked-up, proceeded to the Emerald Garden Restaurant to pick-up our food.
This time, there is again an uninvited guest. She invited herself and plan to sleep overnight. Hayyy....
While waiting for 12 midnight, we played Bounce Off (the gift of my niece and her boyfriend), Draw Something, Sphero and sang ourselves hoarse.
First stop is at Pet Express where I would be buying a gnawler dog bone for the rest of our dogs. This is to ensure that they have something to do while firecrackers are triggered to welcome the new year. Also, another ball for Tsubasa which he can actually bite (for our "bring me the ball" game) and also for my niece's dog, Theo.
BB-8 at Pet Express
Then, was dropped-off at Glorietta. Planning to watch another Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movie. This time, it would be All You Need Is Pag-Ibig.
BB-8 at Glorietta
So, bought a ticket at Glorietta 4 Cinemas. Decided not to use my mPass load to avail of the discount for my BPI Amore Card.
BB-8 buying ticket at Glorietta 4 Cinemas
Had lunch first at Food Choices before my movie.
BB-8 at Food Choices
Since I still have time for my movie, decided to stroll and maybe find something interesting. Perhaps, another ball for my Tsubasa. He is addicted to balls. Hehehe! Remembered there are items for pets at True Value, so stopped there.
BB-8 at True Value
Then, went to SM Makati. Found a nice ball at Ace Hardware of said store.
"All You Need Is Pag-Ibig" is a movie of stories of several people in pursuit of love. It shows the different faces and phases of love. Definitely, the movie is better than the film which won 3rd Best Picture for the festival... even the Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award.
Decided to just do more window-shopping. Went to The Landmark.
BB-8 at The Landmark
Even reached Greenbelt 5.
BB-8 at Greenbelt 5
Will buy groceries, including Nana's diapers. Asked the driver to pick me up at The Landmark. Since still have time, decided to have a snack at Big City.
BB-8 at Big City
Gave my purchases to the driver, bought groceries (there were lots of people, maybe buying items for their media noche). Also, bought a cake with "Happy 2016" written on it at Goldilocks.
Before the year ends, usually my nephews and nieces "bond". But look like this year, this "tradition" will not take place. Was thinking of having it at Manila Ocean Park. Since I have not been there, decided to go to check if the teenagers would enjoy it.
Bought a package online, the Deep Sea Rush 6.
It includes the Sea Lion Show...
Oceanarium...
Back of the House...
Jellies Exhibit...
Sharks and Rays Dry Encounter, and Symphony Evening Show.
Since the Symphony Evening Show is still at 6PM and I have already completed around 2PM, decided to leave.
Left my gear at home and proceeded to Glorietta. I received t-shirts as a gift but I prefer a bigger size. Good thing the store is my "suki" that they allowed me to change the size of the shirts even without the receipt.
Also bought an extra battery for my Canon N2. Found it (Canon N2) useful for my "selfie" shots while "touring" the Manila Ocean Park.
Was picked-up by the driver. Passed by Pet Express first to buy a gnawler dog bone and ball for Tsubasa before proceeding home.
Will have a two-day leave, making it a very long weekend for me. We are required that we use at least 10 of our 15 vacation leave.
For today, scheduled to pay the real property tax (RPT) for my condo. Went to Makati City Hall for it.
Next, since have been hearing about the Century City Mall, after paying the RPT, have me dropped at said mall. Nice. It can be compared to Rockwell.
Took a taxi to Glorietta. Been toying with the idea of buying Sphero's BB-8. Bought it at Sw!tch. Had lunch at Italianni's and just strolled around the mall. After having my fill, went home and enjoyed my new toy.
My third and fourth Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movies. Already bought tickets online using my mPass.
My first movie is My Bebe Love. Vito (Vic Sotto) and Corazon (Ai Ai delas Alas) are heads of competing events management companies. Anna (Maine Mendoza) is Vito's daughter while Dindo (Alden Richards) is Corazon's nephew. Three words: save your money.
My Bebe Love
Bought to-go at Burger King (I'll eat my lunch inside the cinema) then proceeded to my next movie.
Buy Now, Die Later is about a magical store in Manila that sells items that gives solution to one's problem/s... for a price. Stories of five people, their ambition... even other people's ambition for them. These characters eventually get together to give a bit of closure... or is it? The film is enjoyable to watch as each story weave to a "web".
Buy Now, Die Later
After the movie, walked my way to Bratpack at Greenbelt 5 to buy (one of) my Christmas gift/s to me... Weh! It is a sphero. Then, to factorie at Greenbelt 3 where I saw a photo album for my mini instax photos. Have photos taken yesterday printed to give to my "angels". Attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Bistro Ravioli.
Christmas Day! As soon as I woke up, distributed my gifts to my "angels". Today, as practiced, I would be treating them the whole day. Nana and Lily has to stay home since Nana experiences pain when moved.
As for my guest who invited herself, they left after breakfast. She would be returning his nephew to his father at Cavite.
Left the house around 11AM. Our first Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movie is Haunted Mansion, screening is around 1:20PM at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas. We'll take pictures around Greenbelt first, have lunch, then the movie. Our lunch is at Papa John's.
Haunted Mansion
A group of young people, who stayed behind one more day as "punishment" because of the ruckus they did during their retreat, encounters malevolent spirit/s. And it is all about a secret that should be kept buried. Did not scare me. Although, Iza Calzado gave a good performance; something that cannot be said for the young actors/actresses.
For meryenda, we had a cupcake and frappucino at Vanilla Cupcake Bakery.
A secret agent recruits his old best friend to help him in his mission--act as the beauty contestant who was kidnapped while they are trying to track the kidnapped candidate down. I had lots of laughs and their acting are natural which makes it "click". Shows camaraderie between the two lead stars, who have been friends for a long time, even before they entered showbiz.
Already ordered our food for noche buena and would be picking it up at Conti's around 10AM. The food I ordered are Conti's Baked Salmon and Barbecued Spareribs.
My niece still has gift/s to buy so she joined me. After getting my order, have the driver bring them home. We went to Marks & Spencer where she was able to buy her gift. Then, had lunch at Chili's. Passed by Typo before we parted ways (she'll be celebrating Christmas with her mom).
Window-shopped at Glorietta and bought some groceries at The Landmark before proceeding home.
One of my niece's former yaya invited herself for Christmas eve. Says she's alone in the dorm she is staying and if possible to sleep one night. Agreed. When she did come by the house, she has her nephew with him. And I thought she was alone... Then, during the chit-chat, she mentioned she talked to Tita Leony and told her she was staying with us, that Tita Leony is sick and alone. The way it came to us, she is inviting Tita Leony over. Duh?! Told her she (Tita Leony) always celebrate Christmas with her brother. She had herself invited; now, she is inviting others. Hayyy...
Attended the Simbang Gabi at Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish Church. She joined us while her nephew remained at our house watching TV (Nana, who is bedridden, has her niece Lily with her). Plan to be at the Church around 8PM (although the Mass would start at 10PM) to ensure to get us a seat.
Will meet up with a friend who arrived from Australia. He and his family will be in the Philippines for one month. It's been eight years before ha came back to visit.
This time, our lunch is at Romulo Cafe. Their must try is the chicken relleno. Unfortunately, it is not available because they have a lot of take-out orders for this dish.
Already ordered a ticket online; but first, went to KARADA for my 90 minute AP + BT treatment.
Had lunch at Bistro Ravioli of spinach and feta cheese ravioli plus warm water. Since there is an issue with Sureseats site last night (can't buy ticket at Glorietta 4 Cinemas), bought tickets at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas. Before walking my way to Greenbelt 3, passed by The T-Shirt Project. Was able to buy a shirt (with one free)--a spoof of "Animal Planet" (Animal Ka, Panget) and "Amazing Race" (Amazing Face). Also passed by Typo where the whole store is 30% off.
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens continues after the Empire falls. But from its ashes rose the First Order. The Resistance, led by General Leia Organa is putting up a fight. Both the First Order and The Resistance are looking for Luke Skywalker. Like! And more... because the same actors portrayed their character in the first movie (Episode IV). Can't wait for the next installment.
Picked-up the "Food for the Gods" I ordered at Mary Grace. Gave one box for the staff of Mongolian Quick Stop at Food Choices and gave two boxes for the staff of KARADA Philippines. Nice to see the reaction when they did not expect to receive a gift.
No plans of watching a movie. So, had my lunch at Food Choices. Then, looked for a gift for the lunch reunion we will have on Monday--bought items at Sesou Nature Source. Liked the gift I bought for my nieces at Stradivarius; thus, thinking of buying one for myself. Left my purchases at The Landmark's package counter, where I also bought some items for me.
Attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Bulgogi Brothers. Did some groceries at The Landmark (including Nana's diapers) before proceeding home.
There are still people at home, remnants of the Christmas party hosted by my kuya. Bongbong Marcos, who is running for Vice President of the country, arrived.
My niece took voice and dance workshops under Star Magic and today would be her recital. Would watch the show and maybe take a picture or two plus video.
Was early for the show so had frappe at Starbucks in the ABS-CBN compound.
After the program in Dolphy's Theater of ABS-CBN, we had dinner at Gerry's Grill before proceeding home.
Second stop is at Shutter Master. Hoping to buy a small 5-in-1 reflector to replace my broken one. Not available.
Finally, was dropped off at Glorietta. Bought discounted movie ticket for The Hallow, bought additional Christmas gifts at Marks & Spencer, bought a toy for me (weh!) at The Landmark--it is a Bop It! Tretis Game; then, left the items at The Landmark's package counter. Had lunch first at Food Choices before my movie.
Back to my movie. A family moves to a remote house in the Irish wilderness due to the father's work. They were warned by their neighbors, but they just take it as superstition. Soon they see themselves fighting for their survival against demonic creatures. Unlike other horror movies, once it gets going, it doesn't stop its momentum. Inspite all the creepy creatures, the love of the family still prevails.
After the movie, just strolled around the malls. Then, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Kaya.
The animated Christmas display at Makati City Hall was featured in the news. So, would be going. Was picked-up by the driver with Marysan and we went to watch the show. After, treated them at Chic-Boy.
Already made an appointment at KARADA for my 10AM AP and BT. Was there as soon as the mall opens.
Then, passed by It's Personal! to buy additional gifts for the office, went to General Photo to have pictures taken during Nana's birthday and of the June celebrants printed, and lunch at Bistro Ravioli. My niece dropped by while I am having my lunch.
Decided to check Typo, so walked my way to Greenbelt 5. Then, picked-up the items, bought a bilao of pancit luglug from Razon's and a bucket of Chickenjoy from Jollibee for our meryenda before proceeding home.
Wanted to watch either Krampus or Secret In Their Eyes. First screening of "Krampus" is 5PM and the next screening of "Secret In Their Eyes" is around 3PM, which would affect my attending the anticipated Mass. So, no movies for me this weekend.
Wanted to have a Belen (nativity scene) at the foot of our Christmas tree. But I wanted it to be in a snow globe. So searched all the malls in Ayala Center. Finally, found one at Rustan's.
Attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at TGI Friday's. Claimed my free meal of Jack Daniel Sampler.
Glorietta 4 Cinemas -- Victor Frankenstein (no plan of watching a movie but somehow got tired with 9,000+ steps shopping)
Mary Grace -- picked-up the brownies for my gifts that I ordered
The Landmark -- more gifts and where I will be picked-up as I have my earlier purchases placed in the store's package counter
My selfies and others...
Back to my movie...
The movie is about a radical scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and his protege Igor Strausman. Their research and experiment is for immortality. But the experiment went too far causing horrifying consequences. The movie is from the perspective of Igor, trying to understand how Victor "ticks".
