ThOuGhTs, iDeAs, oPiNiOnS, cHaTtEr: Eve of Year 2026

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Eve of Year 2026

My usual is to buy fruits and a dedication cake with a message for the new year. Since one of my tenants already gave me fruits, I would just add one or two fruits that are not "round". I just want fruits on my table for posting to social media. LOL. I do not believe in superstition.

Left the condo around 9:30 AM with my favorite Omega Speedmaster 38 mm on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.

What is different is that I have to replace Camille's gift to Lyn to a smaller size, that is, from medium to small. Watching for the time, I would be dropped off at Uniqlo at Glorietta 5 for the replacement while Edgar, the driver, will already proceed to The Landmark and buy two (2) cakes with "Blessed 2026!!!" message at Red Ribbon. The second cake is for Edgar. Edgar would then just wait for me to buy the fruits.

Uniqlo

Replacing the item is a breeze. Then, I went to Muji because I received an e-mail saying I can claim a Muji Membership Card by showing the email. I did just that but they no longer provide a physical card but a digital one. I also bought three (3) notebooks as my stock.

Muji

Glorietta Activity Center

Walked my way to The Landmark. Instead of meeting with Edgar, passed by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel since I am in the area. Then, I proceeded to the department store's Food Center where I saw Edgar waiting for me with two boxes of cake.

The Landmark

Belen at Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel

The Landmark Food Center

Went inside the supermarket and bought mangoes and banana. LOL

Left our purchases in the car and decided to buy snacks. So bought at 10 Yen King. Since it takes time to prepare, I left Edgar to wait for our order and proceeded to Lamy to buy a bottle of blue ink. I also cancelled the one I ordered at Lazada.

10 Yen King

Proceeded home. Will leave again at 3 PM for I ordered food at Emerald Garden Restaurant for our media noche. I said that I would pick up the food around 4 PM.

We arrived at Emerald Garden Restaurant around 3:30 PM. I thought I would be waiting for my order. Nope. It is already ready. Because of my "panic" that it is ready, I forgot to avail of the senior citizen discount when I paid for my order. LOL. Next time.

Emerald Garden Restaurant

Instead of going home, I passed by Cash & Carry Mall where I bought cases at Japan Home Center, syringes that I would use when cleaning my fountain pens at Mercury Drug and ice cream at Dairy Queen.

Home.

My niece came over to wait for the change of year. We attended the online Mass of Greenbelt Chapel. Switched between Make It Makati, and GMA in their countdown to 2026. ABS-CBN does not have a countdown--would have watched their countdown if they have one.

The Make It Makati countdown is directed well, "classier"; but signal is intermittent as it is aired via Facebook. Perhaps if they aired it via YouTube, it would be better?

The GMA countdown has good signal as it is aired via YouTube. But it is the worst-directed countdown ever!!!! It seems there a lot of things going on. There's a portion in the venue where they are interviewing guests at the same time there is an ongoing performance on stage. Then there are those in remote connection. They are switching from one venue to another while in the middle of sentences. I suggest to fire whoever came out with this idea and direction. But then, what to expect with GMA? And with all their resources. Maybe that is why they said when there is competition, you continue to improve your craft.