Hanson, the trio who came up with the hit MMMBop, all grown up now, are back in the Philippines to promote a new album.
See how they look now after the jump.
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Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Thursday, March 29, 2012
185000
Hanson, the trio who came up with the hit MMMBop, all grown up now, are back in the Philippines to promote a new album.
See how they look now after the jump.
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Saturday, April 09, 2011
Roots of Friendship
OLD FRIENDSHIPS
A high school friend once labeled our reunion pictures as "old friends from our younger years." I didn't like the sound of that. What got stuck in my mind was the word "old" and I don't in any way feel old at all. (Okay, maybe sometimes I do - when my joints start aching after a grueling session of badminton.) So when I was faced with the same challenge of defining old friendships, I had to try and come up with a better-sounding word. I thought, why not something like "deeply-rooted friendships."
MAGIC NUMBER 7
When we study Marketing management, our professors would remind us of how the human mind can only remember seven (7) items at one time. This means that brands will have to outshine each other and compete for limited space in our short-term memories, hence the importance of marketing.
This discussion actually goes beyond brand recognition. It is also true that people are only capable of maintaining a limited number of relationships. I'm not an expert but I'd say it would be around 7 as well. Thanks to technology however, that number has greatly increased and people can now accommodate probably even seven hundreds.
DEVELOPING ROOTS
With the advent of social media sites like Facebook, one can now be friends literally with hundreds of people and stay connected and updated with each other with just one click. Some of these however, are people you've only met once or even people whom you've just gotten to know through the internet. The roots are fairly superficial and are only a few inches below ground. They are not well anchored and they can be easily yanked out. And that is why we have to water and nourish these roots so that they can grow bigger and burrow deeper into the ground.
One way to do that in Facebook is to visit your friends' walls every now and then and leaving comments on their pictures and statuses. If you don't have anything to say, you can simply 'like' them.
If you wanna go deeper, why not send a personal message asking how they're doing or if you're a fan of chat, go ahead and chat. Forgive me if I don't do this, I'm not a fan of chat. It's too wasteful in my opinion.
But nothing beats creating stronger roots by actually meeting in person and doing things together. That is why I allocate time for people I want to reconnect or connect with.
And so it was surprising to hear someone say that he no longer cares for coffee sessions because he couldn't take meeting old friends and talking about past experiences again. I guess he never realized that what they were actually doing, despite bringing up past experiences, was creating new connections and nourishing old roots.
Another important thing is not to construe people who are active in the social media scene as people who are needy of attention or people who don't have lives of their own. Humans by nature are SOCIAL beings. That's another thing I learned from my MBA degree. It is but NATURAL for people to be involved in social events.
"HELLO"
No matter how deep you've nourished these roots, it is a fact of life and friendship however, that these can be disintegrated with even just a single action or word. People will then stop reconnecting and watering their roots. As a consequence, the roots decay and die.
Don't torture your friend and yourself! ... RECONNECT!
If you want to reconnect, start by saying "HELLO." It's that simple. No matter what happened in the past, you'd be surprised how many people are more than willing to stop you right there and then and just say .... "You had me at Hello."
(Breaking out into a Hello song will be too much already. hahaha (^o^)v)
Develop your roots and establish deeply-rooted friendships. Not only will your foundation become strong but you'll also be surprised how much taller and more beautiful you'll grow above ground.
Cheers to Friendships!
Photo Credits: Water color art in Tissue paper by Chris Magnus!
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Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Great Camiguin Island Adventure
Played with Sony Vegas Movie Studio for the first time. The added flexibility compared to Windows Movie Maker definitely makes it harder to use but it's all worth it! It took me one whole day to learn the software and make this AVP for our Camiguin adventure a couple of weeks back. Hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it.
(I definitely to practice more on sound editing ... one of the hardest without a real sound editing software! - any suggestions for this?)
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Monday, March 15, 2010
A Taste of India - Bhujiya
I have a well-developed sense of taste. Simply put, I have a WEIRD taste. I eat almost anything! Given enough time and trials, I can put anything in my mouth and not throw up. Well, maybe not really hehehe (^o^)/ I still do get grossed out. It's just that it has become a habit of mine to try everything there is to try. And comparing myself to the average Filipino, I believe I can take in more types of food. Just to give you a few examples, I have tasted raw horse meat or popularly called as "Basashi" in Japan. I have tasted Kangaroo steak in Australia. I've grown fond of some varieties of "natto" which are very smelly but very nutritious fermented soy beans in Japan. And, I personally love curry! Even Indian curry which quite a few of you probably despise as well because of the smell.
It's hard to find Indian curry dishes in the Philippines. There are not that many restaurants that serve them. And when i go out with my parents to eat, I definitely can't take them to one! I can still remember our Taj Minar experience! My mom barely ate and my dad was barely able to push down a couple of spoonfuls. Maybe because he was hungry but more likely because he was living up to what he always answers when asked what he wants to eat - "chin tsai" (which means "anything" in fookien) hehehe (^o^)/
And so I was so pleased to receive a pack of Bhujiya! I think it's pronounced as "buhiya." I didn't know what it was at first but the taste was magnificent. Everything Incredible India has to offer in one small pack. It was a mixture of nuts, dried fruits, rice crispies, and seeds flavored in Indian curry! It was like eating nuts and Cheetos in curry flavor. Bite into the seeds and your mouth will be full of aroma and flavor that is so uniquely India. My only complain is that I would have wanted the rice crispies to be much bigger, maybe nut-size, so that they're easier to pick. Although one can always use a spoon to help in this matter, nothing beats eating it with your bare hands and licking your fingers afterward for that one last taste of curry!
To my Singapore friends, I'm sure it's available there! I dare you try it! And bring some back home for me (^o^)/
To my friend who introduced me to Bhujiya, thank you! You will always be in my hard-drive (^o^)/ I can't wait to try all those other things you gave me as well.
ciao!
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Mystery Date Revealed!
After 8 (going 9) years, I got to catch up with M again! Same old smiles as you can see from our pictures then and now. (^o^)/
Paris is a lovely city! (but expensive!) In the future I wanna go back in time for the French Open! We were able to pass by the tennis courts but the gates were closed. (Always leave something for next time ^^)
And found this as well! Too bad I can't remember everyone in the pic already. 3 of them to be exact. Hope everyone's doing well, where ever you may be.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Bless my Online Friends!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
The Happiest Man Alive (Weddings in Cebu)
Have you heard the groom laugh out loud, creating echoes across the church, during his wedding day? I just did! Last October 5, friends M & M finally got married! I maybe exaggerating a bit with the echoes but you can look at the picture and see for yourself how happy the groom is. I was lucky enough to turn at the right moment with my cam and capture the moment. In the picture with the groom is his family, obviously, sharing the happiness in this wonderful and joyful moment. (^o^)/ 
Although the couple started out stealing "holding hands" moment underneath table tops, the couple now openly profess their love for each other. The groom professing just days before that this will be the greatest gift ever for his birthday which just happens to be the day before his wedding. And on the wedding reception, he surprised the bride with a song number! He's the happiest and most relaxed groom I've seen. I'm sure everyone in the reception felt their love for each other.Congratulations M & M!
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The ceremony was held at the Sacred Heart Parish in Cebu. The church is now fully airconditioned and comes with the floral arrangement. Reception followed at the Grand Convention Center.
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Monday, July 21, 2008
Mamma Mia! Here I go again!
I got dragged to watch this movie the last time I was in Manila. (^O^)v I've never heard of it until that moment. I wasn’t disappointed though as I love musicals! You see, I grew up watching The Sound of Music and The King and I.
Note: If not for the music, you’ll definitely love the setting! The place where they shot the movie was breathtaking. The blue beaches, the sunsets, the church by the cliff, the moonlight by the sea! I believe the director highlighted these settings more than the characters themselves!
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This particular scene when the cast sang “Take a Chance on Me” reminded me of two college friends who made a pact to marry each other when both are still single when they reach the age of 28! Imagine that! Hehehe (^O^)/
If you’re all alone
When the pretty birds have flown
Honey I’m still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best
And it ain’t no lie
If you put me to the test,
If you let me try
Do you want to know what happened to my friends? Well, they’re both in their 30s now and together … they are not. But everything’s well … the girl got married before she turned 28 and is now living in the states. The guy is in
Note: If not for the music, you’ll definitely love the setting! The place where they shot the movie was breathtaking. The blue beaches, the sunsets, the church by the cliff, the moonlight by the sea! I believe the director highlighted these settings more than the characters themselves!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Are you DDF?
Are you single?
Are you gay?
Are you working?
Are the questions Denise (portrayed by Lisa Kudrow) ask prospective men she may want to date in the movie, P.S. I Love You. After getting a satisfactory answer from which, she would then give the guy a kiss, the final test. Maybe in time, when a new movie's made, "Are you DDF?" will make it to the list as well.
The gang just came back from the beach and were showering and dressing up getting ready to celebrate another night in Boracay. The TV was tuned to The Bachelor and would occasionally be switched to the reality series The Beauty and The Geek. No idea as to what season that was, but it seemed new because they now have "Geeks" represented by women and "Beauties" by guys. It was the final segment where in contestants subject for elimination have to outwit each other by answering trivia questions they wouldn't normally know. Here is where the gang encountered the abbreviation DDF.
The abbreviation stuck as the gang's last night was spent at Cocomangas (still alive after 15 years), which was obviously not DDF, according to one, as it is the hangout place of the island's exotic beauties, if you know what I mean. In a guys perspective, getting drunk alone on that bar can be quite scary. hehehe (^O^)v Also, another member could possibly have scored if only he used the line and approached a group of cute american girls. (^^;)
Nobody in the gang got the right answer as to what DDF means. Everyone must still have been thinking in the line of Friends, that is, something D.D. Friends. But the contestant in the show got it right!
He answered, "Drug and Disease Free!"
For us,Filipinos, this certainly is not common, and one would still wonder why an abbreviation like this would ever be created. I guess only time will tell if it'll remain that way in the years to come.
So, Are you DDF? (^^;)Nobody in the gang got the right answer as to what DDF means. Everyone must still have been thinking in the line of Friends, that is, something D.D. Friends. But the contestant in the show got it right!
He answered, "Drug and Disease Free!"
For us,Filipinos, this certainly is not common, and one would still wonder why an abbreviation like this would ever be created. I guess only time will tell if it'll remain that way in the years to come.
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This is a sequel to this post (BFFs, NFFs, and DDFs). Share
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Feels like Grade One
I had severe nosebleeds when I was just a kid. Everytime I ate chocolates and corn-based junk foods like Chippy, my nose would definitely bleed before the day ends. This happens everytime without fail. Mama said that this occurred after I had the measles.
So one day, back when I was about in Grade 4, I remember going to the doctor to have my nose checked. The doctor went through with his routine examination. He listened for blockages in my airways, checked my throat, checked my nose, checked my ears, paused, then checked my ears again and again. "What could be so fascinating with my ears?" I thought, and then as if answering my thoughts, he spoke sporting a concerned look on his face, "There's something inside your ear..."
That same day, the doctor sent me to see an EENT, a doctor specializing in the Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat. Our mission was to have that something in my ear removed. I was a bit apprehensive to go. It was my first session with an EENT. I was imaging the process to be long and painful. I was scared.
Five minutes into the session with the EENT, after relaying my ear problem, he asked me to sit sideways by a special chair and then he donned something over his head which I reckoned were huge magnifying glasses. He told me to stay still and in just a few seconds I saw him put something on a piece of paper infront of me. Right there, straight on my gaze, was a square piece of white unknown thing about 6mm in width and height covered by a golden orange gooey stuff! (yucks!) I was embarassed as in a few seconds I recognized what that thing was already.
So one day, back when I was about in Grade 4, I remember going to the doctor to have my nose checked. The doctor went through with his routine examination. He listened for blockages in my airways, checked my throat, checked my nose, checked my ears, paused, then checked my ears again and again. "What could be so fascinating with my ears?" I thought, and then as if answering my thoughts, he spoke sporting a concerned look on his face, "There's something inside your ear..."
That same day, the doctor sent me to see an EENT, a doctor specializing in the Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat. Our mission was to have that something in my ear removed. I was a bit apprehensive to go. It was my first session with an EENT. I was imaging the process to be long and painful. I was scared.
Five minutes into the session with the EENT, after relaying my ear problem, he asked me to sit sideways by a special chair and then he donned something over his head which I reckoned were huge magnifying glasses. He told me to stay still and in just a few seconds I saw him put something on a piece of paper infront of me. Right there, straight on my gaze, was a square piece of white unknown thing about 6mm in width and height covered by a golden orange gooey stuff! (yucks!) I was embarassed as in a few seconds I recognized what that thing was already.
Although I've told a few people, like my mom, as to what the thing was, I never really shared this story with anyone else. I just got recently reminded of it coming from my Boracay trip. During the trip a friend was sharing how when he was still a kid, he noticed his yaya (babysitter) rolling pieces of paper and using them as toothpick. Curious, he did the same with a newspaper and inserted it through his nose! He says he doesn't remember anymore how it was removed from his nose but upon discovering that a piece of rolled paper was stuck in his nose, the yaya got blamed and was told not to kiss him! wahahaha
This really made me laugh, and secrectly, I was reminiscing my own experience. I never really shared what happened to me as I thought it was embarassing. Even back then, I must have been striving for perfection already. I never realized that such things really were just boys being boys or kids being kids, for that matter. And so this memory was long hidden in a huge chest of embarassing moments deep in the recesses of my brain (only unlocked recently with blogging.)
I remember being in Grade one, sitted like an indian on the floor, in the mid section of the classroom, trying to listen to what the teacher was discussing for the day. Somehow I couldn't give her all my attention as my right hand was busy fiddling a small object. I was unknowingly inserting and removing it from my right ear, all along enjoying the sensation it brings. And then in an instant, somewhat annoyed and foretelling the future, the teacher bursted out at me and said "Sige ka! Pagnapasok yan sa tenga mo!" (How do I translate this? hehehe) (It's something like "Careful with that, it might get stuck in your ear." but more with an annoyed tone than concern.)
I was shocked as the teacher reprimanded me. I stopped what I was doing right there and then and focused my attention back at her again. However, even before the teacher bursted out at me, the pencil ERASER was already stuck in my ear!
If I remember the time frame correctly then that eraser was in my ear for around 3 years! Although it didn't have any serious effect on my hearing or speech, I'm guessing that the reason why I can't sing very well is because of this. wahahaha ^^ But I'm sure I can still train my ears and voice ... watch out! hihihi (^O^)v (ramblings of a frustrated singer)
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Friday, June 13, 2008
BFFs, NFFs, and DDFs
If you have been following the recently concluded Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Teen Edition Plus in ABS-CBN, you would have probably been acquainted with the abbreviation BFF (Best Friends Forever). I couldn't help but grin upon hearing this as I know the abbreviation FFs and FBs are better known for something else! (or was it just me and that green button in my mind setting off without control again) If you've followed the popular series called Sex and The City, for sure you would have encountered the terms I'm referring to. For those of you naive enough not to get it, I'll give you a clue: FF and FB means F**k / F***ing Friends and F**k Buddies respectively. Aha!?! Even my room is well illuminated with that light bulb over your head.
On my recent trip to Boracay, I got introduced to two more abbreviations: NFF and DDF. Read on to find out what these mean.
It was our first day in Boracay, 4 of us flew in from Cebu, 2 from Manila, 3 boys and 3 girls. Initially the boys were a bit apprehensive as a who-sleeps-where issue has been raised before the trip. The boys' bedroom only has 2 single beds and it has been proposed through email that the third one arriving last would have to settle for sleeping in the sofa.
It was close to dawn when I and the rest of the group from Cebu arrived. The 2 from Manila have settled in already. I flew in with 2 girls from Cebu. The last one to arrive was also a girl from Cebu. You can do the math. I was the last of the boys to arrive and so was the one designated to sleep in the sofa! (and was subjected to a lot of sofa-jokes as well hehehe)
On our first night together we went out to enjoy the sunset and then after a couple of sunset shots stayed at Hawaiian BBQ and ordered sumptuous spare ribs. While waiting for our dinner, one from the group shared his childhood experience involving newspapers rolled into toothpicks. I couldn't help but be brought back to a similar childhood experience back when I was just in grade one. I'll let you in on this in my succeeding post. For now, let's go back to Boracay. ^^
It was close to dawn when I and the rest of the group from Cebu arrived. The 2 from Manila have settled in already. I flew in with 2 girls from Cebu. The last one to arrive was also a girl from Cebu. You can do the math. I was the last of the boys to arrive and so was the one designated to sleep in the sofa! (and was subjected to a lot of sofa-jokes as well hehehe)
On our first night together we went out to enjoy the sunset and then after a couple of sunset shots stayed at Hawaiian BBQ and ordered sumptuous spare ribs. While waiting for our dinner, one from the group shared his childhood experience involving newspapers rolled into toothpicks. I couldn't help but be brought back to a similar childhood experience back when I was just in grade one. I'll let you in on this in my succeeding post. For now, let's go back to Boracay. ^^
After that delicious spare ribs dinner paired with pineapple rice (!!!) (a first one for me), we went to Beachcomber bar to chill out. House music was playing that night and the on cue dancing of two of our companions to the tune of "Ever After", not minding the onlookers by the beach front, made the rest of the night light and easy. Inhibitions were beginning to fade as we raised our shot glasses (beers and illusion shakers) and made our first toast: "To NFFs!" It was the perfect start to our Boracay adventure, the beginning of new friendships, the celebration of New Found Friends!
I am currently on board a plane to Singapore while writing this blog. The draft of which I've written at the back of my e-Ticket. It sort of felt anti-climactic for me to leave again this soon. That feeling of light-heartedness, joy, fun, excitement, and ecstasy one experiences after going through something wonderful still lingers on and for now all I want to do is savor the moment. I'm afraid that it might get eclipsed with my Singapore trip. But I guess, you just know something special when it happens to you and this adventure with old and new found friends will definitely have a spot in my memory for years to come.
I am currently on board a plane to Singapore while writing this blog. The draft of which I've written at the back of my e-Ticket. It sort of felt anti-climactic for me to leave again this soon. That feeling of light-heartedness, joy, fun, excitement, and ecstasy one experiences after going through something wonderful still lingers on and for now all I want to do is savor the moment. I'm afraid that it might get eclipsed with my Singapore trip. But I guess, you just know something special when it happens to you and this adventure with old and new found friends will definitely have a spot in my memory for years to come.
What about DDF?
I'm saving it for another post! (^o-)v You can guess what it means 'til then. Let me just say that when we heard the word, I was comfortably lying on my bed, yes you heard right, a bed made out from an extra mattress laid out on the floor in the centralized airconditioned living room in one of the villas of the Fairways and Bluewaters Resort. Amen. (^O^)/
Friday, March 30, 2007
Double Treat (?!)
No creative juices flowing lately … must be plugged by worries from work, family, and the future. Meanwhile, I try my luck on a photo contest. Wish me luck!
7 Years After
Who would have thought? Barely surviving and always wondering then how life would be after college, here we are 7 years after, in Kuala Lumpur, reunited. Next time, we hope the group would be complete (miss you guys!).
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The New Promise Land
Breathtakingly beautiful and with a booming economy, throngs of filipino engineers flock to this new promise land, Singapore. (As it turns out, not only IT people are migrating ^^)
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Thursday, November 30, 2006
WaHaHa in Beijing !!!
I have only been to China once before. It was more than 10 years ago. One of my uncles was going on a business trip to meet probable business partners. My mother decided to come along. She tagged me and my sister with her. “Yey!”, I thought, “I’m finally going to China!.” We went to Xiamen, a rural area with not much tourist attractions. A place where public toilets not only came with the old fashioned hole-in-ground type bowls but also came without doors to keep what you were suppose to do inside private. (yikes!) We visited factories instead of tourist attractions. We mostly ate vegetables instead of meat (frog meat tasted good!). And worst, we were asked to be part of a scheme to try and smuggle in motorbikes. I bet my sister still dreads thinking about that experience. I was lucky to be young and was not obliged to lie if ever the immigration officers asked. I do remember being horrified as to what might happen, not so used to travelling abroad and all back then. The only good thing I can remember about that trip was meeting my grandfather’s brother in their hometown.
So last month, when my sister called me up to invite me for a trip to Beijing, I wasn’t really that much excited. “There’s nothing to see in China.”, that’s what I thought. And then I remembered that the Great Wall was in Beijing. Hmmm … with my recent desire to think less and just splurge on about anything, I gave my consent to join the trip provided that we go to the Great Wall. I wasn’t dismayed, it was “WaHaHa!” all the way!
Day 1: After 4 hours of travel time, we landed on Beijing Airport. There, a happy and cheerful Allan Lee, our tour guide, picked us up. We were ecstatic to know that we have the coaster all to ourselves!!! Allan then took us to a 40 yuan lunch with a 10 yuan (1 yuan ~ 7 pesos) 1.25 liter bottle of Coke (Yes! Only 1.25L and not 1.5L ^^). We noticed the unique way they serve fried fish and after all the green stuff that came out first, we were glad to see that the last dish was made from pork! (^^;) After lunch, we headed for the Temple of Heaven. Named so because it is where the emperor goes to pray to the heavens. It is probably also the only place on earth where you can stand at the center of heaven! (^o^)/ After much praying (over each other), we headed to see China’s famous acrobat show! At 120 yuan it was worth every penny. We then went to Marco Polo to check-in. Dinner on the 1st day wasn’t part of our tour package so we went out to the nearby Xidan district and tried KFC chicken. We fumbled at the counter trying to order rice, not knowing what’s it called in Mandarin. It turns out that they don’t serve rice! We asked for spoon and fork and the lady in the counter points us to a sign that says “It’s finger lickin’ good!” (^o^)v
Day 2: The streets were foggy from the cold. It didn’t help that we had to visit Tiananmen Square first. The square is most known, of course, for the Tiananmen Massacre that happened in 1989. It is said to be capable of accommodating half a million people in one time. On one of its sides is the entrance to the Forbidden City. It’s the city where the emperor used to live. And I bet it’s the only place in the world where you can find a 4-star rated toilet. (.^^.) I had to see what’s inside a 4-star toilet. I’d imagined it to be shining, shimmering, littered with gold or maybe even diamonds. But no! Except for the noticeable smell of disinfectant, it was just like any other toilet here in the Philippines. If this was a 4-star toilet, I couldn’t help but just imagine what their public toilets with no ratings would look like. (^o^)v The place was huge! It took us all morning to tour around it. After which, we had buffet lunch with “Roast Durk” and “Bean Card” on the menu. (Don’t believe me? See the pictures! (^,^)) After our meal, the restaurant manager approvingly snickered when we commended Allan for taking us early, before the throng of chinese employees came in for lunch. He must have noticed how many times we went back to the buffet table.
Before another long walk at the Summer Palace, we took a brief stop for a free foot massage. Aaahhhh~ ! It was the chinese medicine research center’s way of luring tourist to their lair. While being given a massage, a traditional chinese doctor examines you for ailments that you might have. He then prescribes you medicine from their cabinet. Medicine with a resounding “Ka ching!” that is. I was diagnosed with having a fatty liver. This he got from just checking my pulse and looking at my tongue! I have all the respects for chinese doctors and medicine, but I would need a second opinion back home, before I even think of giving up lechon (roasted suckling pig)!
After the massage, we went to the Summer Palace. Allan said that It was once where a young emperor was confined by his mother so that she she could rule instead of him. With the beauty of the place, it was endless posing and pictures for all of us again! (The palace is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List together with our very own Banaue Rice Terraces)
It sure has been a long day, but the best was yet to come. First we reenergized our bodies by treating ourselves to the much anticipated Peking duck! Two ducks were prepared right in front of us. It was just heavenly! I learned 2 new ways of eating it! One was to dip the crispy skin in sugar. The other was to wrap the skin with meat in cucumber and ginger sauce, instead of the usual spring onions and hoisin sauce combination. Nothing beats experiencing the real thing. Next, we headed for the Red Theater to watch Chun Yi: The Legend of Kung Fu. We were expecting to see a plain kung fu show but instead we got treated to a grand theatrical play. Everything was so spectacular, from the lighting to the acrobatic exhibitions. It was the perfect way to end a perfect day. We heard that they’re preparing the show for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Day 3: My much anticipated day. The day we visit a certified wonder of the world, the Great Wall! From the city proper, it took us approximately 2 hours to reach the wall. On the way, however, we took a brief stop at the Jade Market which we barely took notice of. It’s one of those side trips that you don’t really need unless maybe if you’re a jade fanatic. The mere site of the wall makes you gasp in awe. If ever you do go and visit, don’t forget to take a picture of your 1st step! We went to the highest section of the wall. Unfortunately, our legs couldn’t carry us all the way to the top. We had to settle for a watch tower somewhere in the middle. The path was narrow on some parts and the steps have curved in probably due to the thousands of people who have been there before us. If you’re lucky enough, you’d get the chance to see the different stages of puking, as our friend, B, coined it. We saw people nauseated and about to puke, people in the midst of puking, and people resting after doing it. It’s kinda gross, I know. Hehehe (^^;)
All that climbing resulted to all of us getting knocked down all the way back to the city. It didn’t last long though as our next stop was the Silk Street Market! Arguably the best place in town to find good quality counterfeits at a very cheap price. Tired, cramped up and all, that didn’t stop us from shopping! Well, my buddies at least. I’m not so fond of shopping. (.^^.) They were so into it that they even opted to skip dinner. Only my sister and I went to take dinner. This time we used our wits and requested the restaurant to serve more meat than vegetables. Hehehe ^^
Day 4: After 3 days of absolute fun and glorious weather, just when I thought we would probably run out of luck already, our hotel must have heard our ravings the previous morning, that today, they decided to serve crispy bacon! (our favorite!) It was as if they were asking us to stay a bit longer. Sadly, we were scheduled to take the flight back home that day at 10 am.
If there was anything I could complain about this trip, that would be the cramped PAL airplane we took coming back home. Good thing they had a friendly stewardess this time, who willingly obliged to my every whim of peanuts and water. ^^
Why “WaHaHa”?... It was our tour guide Allan who coiled the term. He said that if the tour or the food we ate was good we should say “WaHaHa!” He was referring to how funny we were. Making funny poses, taking pictures, oblivious of everyone around us. We were enjoying every second of the tour. Even turning a simple bench on the park or an ordinary jar into a funny memorable picture moment. There is nothing like a group of kalog (wacky) Filipino friends enjoying their time. Some may regard our actions as inconsiderate and child-like but as long as we are not in the way of others, I believe there is nothing wrong with it. With our antics, we may even have cheered someone up and added something to his/her Beijing experience. Just like the chinese guy who couldn’t help but ask us where we’re from, or the group of young chinese teenagers trying to mimic us, and maybe even the foreigner, at the back of our pray over picture, who couldn’t help but smile. (^O^)/~~
WaHaHa in Beijing Album here.
November 16-19, 2006
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So last month, when my sister called me up to invite me for a trip to Beijing, I wasn’t really that much excited. “There’s nothing to see in China.”, that’s what I thought. And then I remembered that the Great Wall was in Beijing. Hmmm … with my recent desire to think less and just splurge on about anything, I gave my consent to join the trip provided that we go to the Great Wall. I wasn’t dismayed, it was “WaHaHa!” all the way!
Day 1: After 4 hours of travel time, we landed on Beijing Airport. There, a happy and cheerful Allan Lee, our tour guide, picked us up. We were ecstatic to know that we have the coaster all to ourselves!!! Allan then took us to a 40 yuan lunch with a 10 yuan (1 yuan ~ 7 pesos) 1.25 liter bottle of Coke (Yes! Only 1.25L and not 1.5L ^^). We noticed the unique way they serve fried fish and after all the green stuff that came out first, we were glad to see that the last dish was made from pork! (^^;) After lunch, we headed for the Temple of Heaven. Named so because it is where the emperor goes to pray to the heavens. It is probably also the only place on earth where you can stand at the center of heaven! (^o^)/ After much praying (over each other), we headed to see China’s famous acrobat show! At 120 yuan it was worth every penny. We then went to Marco Polo to check-in. Dinner on the 1st day wasn’t part of our tour package so we went out to the nearby Xidan district and tried KFC chicken. We fumbled at the counter trying to order rice, not knowing what’s it called in Mandarin. It turns out that they don’t serve rice! We asked for spoon and fork and the lady in the counter points us to a sign that says “It’s finger lickin’ good!” (^o^)v
Day 2: The streets were foggy from the cold. It didn’t help that we had to visit Tiananmen Square first. The square is most known, of course, for the Tiananmen Massacre that happened in 1989. It is said to be capable of accommodating half a million people in one time. On one of its sides is the entrance to the Forbidden City. It’s the city where the emperor used to live. And I bet it’s the only place in the world where you can find a 4-star rated toilet. (.^^.) I had to see what’s inside a 4-star toilet. I’d imagined it to be shining, shimmering, littered with gold or maybe even diamonds. But no! Except for the noticeable smell of disinfectant, it was just like any other toilet here in the Philippines. If this was a 4-star toilet, I couldn’t help but just imagine what their public toilets with no ratings would look like. (^o^)v The place was huge! It took us all morning to tour around it. After which, we had buffet lunch with “Roast Durk” and “Bean Card” on the menu. (Don’t believe me? See the pictures! (^,^)) After our meal, the restaurant manager approvingly snickered when we commended Allan for taking us early, before the throng of chinese employees came in for lunch. He must have noticed how many times we went back to the buffet table.
Before another long walk at the Summer Palace, we took a brief stop for a free foot massage. Aaahhhh~ ! It was the chinese medicine research center’s way of luring tourist to their lair. While being given a massage, a traditional chinese doctor examines you for ailments that you might have. He then prescribes you medicine from their cabinet. Medicine with a resounding “Ka ching!” that is. I was diagnosed with having a fatty liver. This he got from just checking my pulse and looking at my tongue! I have all the respects for chinese doctors and medicine, but I would need a second opinion back home, before I even think of giving up lechon (roasted suckling pig)!
After the massage, we went to the Summer Palace. Allan said that It was once where a young emperor was confined by his mother so that she she could rule instead of him. With the beauty of the place, it was endless posing and pictures for all of us again! (The palace is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List together with our very own Banaue Rice Terraces)
It sure has been a long day, but the best was yet to come. First we reenergized our bodies by treating ourselves to the much anticipated Peking duck! Two ducks were prepared right in front of us. It was just heavenly! I learned 2 new ways of eating it! One was to dip the crispy skin in sugar. The other was to wrap the skin with meat in cucumber and ginger sauce, instead of the usual spring onions and hoisin sauce combination. Nothing beats experiencing the real thing. Next, we headed for the Red Theater to watch Chun Yi: The Legend of Kung Fu. We were expecting to see a plain kung fu show but instead we got treated to a grand theatrical play. Everything was so spectacular, from the lighting to the acrobatic exhibitions. It was the perfect way to end a perfect day. We heard that they’re preparing the show for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Day 3: My much anticipated day. The day we visit a certified wonder of the world, the Great Wall! From the city proper, it took us approximately 2 hours to reach the wall. On the way, however, we took a brief stop at the Jade Market which we barely took notice of. It’s one of those side trips that you don’t really need unless maybe if you’re a jade fanatic. The mere site of the wall makes you gasp in awe. If ever you do go and visit, don’t forget to take a picture of your 1st step! We went to the highest section of the wall. Unfortunately, our legs couldn’t carry us all the way to the top. We had to settle for a watch tower somewhere in the middle. The path was narrow on some parts and the steps have curved in probably due to the thousands of people who have been there before us. If you’re lucky enough, you’d get the chance to see the different stages of puking, as our friend, B, coined it. We saw people nauseated and about to puke, people in the midst of puking, and people resting after doing it. It’s kinda gross, I know. Hehehe (^^;)
All that climbing resulted to all of us getting knocked down all the way back to the city. It didn’t last long though as our next stop was the Silk Street Market! Arguably the best place in town to find good quality counterfeits at a very cheap price. Tired, cramped up and all, that didn’t stop us from shopping! Well, my buddies at least. I’m not so fond of shopping. (.^^.) They were so into it that they even opted to skip dinner. Only my sister and I went to take dinner. This time we used our wits and requested the restaurant to serve more meat than vegetables. Hehehe ^^
Day 4: After 3 days of absolute fun and glorious weather, just when I thought we would probably run out of luck already, our hotel must have heard our ravings the previous morning, that today, they decided to serve crispy bacon! (our favorite!) It was as if they were asking us to stay a bit longer. Sadly, we were scheduled to take the flight back home that day at 10 am.
If there was anything I could complain about this trip, that would be the cramped PAL airplane we took coming back home. Good thing they had a friendly stewardess this time, who willingly obliged to my every whim of peanuts and water. ^^
Why “WaHaHa”?... It was our tour guide Allan who coiled the term. He said that if the tour or the food we ate was good we should say “WaHaHa!” He was referring to how funny we were. Making funny poses, taking pictures, oblivious of everyone around us. We were enjoying every second of the tour. Even turning a simple bench on the park or an ordinary jar into a funny memorable picture moment. There is nothing like a group of kalog (wacky) Filipino friends enjoying their time. Some may regard our actions as inconsiderate and child-like but as long as we are not in the way of others, I believe there is nothing wrong with it. With our antics, we may even have cheered someone up and added something to his/her Beijing experience. Just like the chinese guy who couldn’t help but ask us where we’re from, or the group of young chinese teenagers trying to mimic us, and maybe even the foreigner, at the back of our pray over picture, who couldn’t help but smile. (^O^)/~~
WaHaHa in Beijing Album here.
November 16-19, 2006
Friday, September 29, 2006
In Multiples of 3
I’m getting addicted with blogging. This week you get a threat! This is my second post in just a week. (Not that much for some but considering my blogging history, this is already twice my target speed ^^)
I was browsing through my friend’s blogsite yesterday and I found this picture.
I was browsing through my friend’s blogsite yesterday and I found this picture.
It’s a picture taken 3 years ago. My friends, the epinoys (colleagues when I worked in Japan), and I were summoned to gather in Tokyo that day for an important announcement. It was the day that our employer announced that they were establishing a branch in the Philippines. In line with this, they said that we were to be sent back to start up this branch.
I forgot what that thing in the picture is called. On the right side is written in japanese “Gan-i”, which means “wish” or “request”. You can find these in shrines. Japanese buy them, write their personal wishes/requests, and then hang them on designated red posts in the shrine. It’s one of their ways of asking the gods a favor. Since we had time and money to spare, we bought one (to accommodate the wishes of around 10 people hehehe).
Here’s what we wrote on ours:
1.> ESD Phils. dame-dame!
(No to ESD Philippines!)
2.> Dako sweldo (------.00)
(Big salary offer! Preferably around 6 digits.)
3.> Sana 3 years Pa!
(Give us another 3 years (in Japan)!)
4.> Maraming-maraming sexy na secretary
(Lots of beautiful secretaries in the office)
5.> Ilipat sa Makati City, Phils.
(The branch to be transferred to Makati City (instead of Cebu City))
6.> Si T sana ma-in love kay R (Kago)
(For T to be in love with R (Kagoshima))
7.> Girlfriends para sa amin
(Girlfriends (with an emphasis on the ‘s’) for us!)
8.> WORLD PEACE, LOVE, HAPPINESS
After 8 months from that day, Cebu branch was established. Here I am now working in that branch. Of the original group, only 2 of us are left here. Most of the group looked for another employer and stayed in Japan. Some found girlfriends and some even married. Atleast some of our prayers were answered.
3 years before that day, as young and eager fresh graduates, we set foot for the 1st time in Japan.
3 years after, here I am at crossroads again. Could this be a sign for me to move on? Yesterday, my boss called me for an interview. As they were interviewing people nominated for promotion yesterday, some of my officemates may have thought that I was one of those nominated*. Na~ah! As I always hear from my teammates and friends, my salary’s way up there already (No 6-digit though! Only a fraction. Won’t say what exactly! hehehe) and my ranks way above the rest of the group as well. It would be impossible for me to get any promotion anytime soon (bummer!). My boss simply wanted to now more about the recommendation I was asking for the scholarship. Here’s what he said …
- You don’t need an MBA. I don’t have an MBA, nor does our President have one.
- Rather than good education, Japanese employers value work experience more.
- Curriculum in Japanese universities aren’t very dependable
- If you decide to resign now, as courtesy for your contribution to the company, I will give you a recommendation.
- If you don’t resign, choose to wait for the result of the scholarship and decide to resign if accepted, I won’t give you a recommendation.
- If you get accepted, study in Japan, and guarantee that you will be back, I can give you a recommendation. And then he added that my MBA wouldn’t necessarily mean that I get an increase or a promotion or anything of that sort, when I come back.
When I explained to him that the scholarship is one of those grants were in the grantee is required to come back to his/her home country after graduation, we somehow agreed on his last condition. So it looks like I’ll be getting my recommendation after all! Yipee! Considering that my company doesn’t offer study leaves to its employees, I guess I should rejoice and celebrate. ^^
If this pattern of 3’s continue (spoken like a true Baccarat fanatic), I would be off to Japan in no time! Well, I guess, the right expression would actually be, “I would be off to some place new in no time!”. Hihihi (--,)
ciao ciao! I'm off to Bohol!I forgot what that thing in the picture is called. On the right side is written in japanese “Gan-i”, which means “wish” or “request”. You can find these in shrines. Japanese buy them, write their personal wishes/requests, and then hang them on designated red posts in the shrine. It’s one of their ways of asking the gods a favor. Since we had time and money to spare, we bought one (to accommodate the wishes of around 10 people hehehe).
Here’s what we wrote on ours:
1.> ESD Phils. dame-dame!
(No to ESD Philippines!)
2.> Dako sweldo (------.00)
(Big salary offer! Preferably around 6 digits.)
3.> Sana 3 years Pa!
(Give us another 3 years (in Japan)!)
4.> Maraming-maraming sexy na secretary
(Lots of beautiful secretaries in the office)
5.> Ilipat sa Makati City, Phils.
(The branch to be transferred to Makati City (instead of Cebu City))
6.> Si T sana ma-in love kay R (Kago)
(For T to be in love with R (Kagoshima))
7.> Girlfriends para sa amin
(Girlfriends (with an emphasis on the ‘s’) for us!)
8.> WORLD PEACE, LOVE, HAPPINESS
After 8 months from that day, Cebu branch was established. Here I am now working in that branch. Of the original group, only 2 of us are left here. Most of the group looked for another employer and stayed in Japan. Some found girlfriends and some even married. Atleast some of our prayers were answered.
3 years before that day, as young and eager fresh graduates, we set foot for the 1st time in Japan.
3 years after, here I am at crossroads again. Could this be a sign for me to move on? Yesterday, my boss called me for an interview. As they were interviewing people nominated for promotion yesterday, some of my officemates may have thought that I was one of those nominated*. Na~ah! As I always hear from my teammates and friends, my salary’s way up there already (No 6-digit though! Only a fraction. Won’t say what exactly! hehehe) and my ranks way above the rest of the group as well. It would be impossible for me to get any promotion anytime soon (bummer!). My boss simply wanted to now more about the recommendation I was asking for the scholarship. Here’s what he said …
- You don’t need an MBA. I don’t have an MBA, nor does our President have one.
- Rather than good education, Japanese employers value work experience more.
- Curriculum in Japanese universities aren’t very dependable
- If you decide to resign now, as courtesy for your contribution to the company, I will give you a recommendation.
- If you don’t resign, choose to wait for the result of the scholarship and decide to resign if accepted, I won’t give you a recommendation.
- If you get accepted, study in Japan, and guarantee that you will be back, I can give you a recommendation. And then he added that my MBA wouldn’t necessarily mean that I get an increase or a promotion or anything of that sort, when I come back.
When I explained to him that the scholarship is one of those grants were in the grantee is required to come back to his/her home country after graduation, we somehow agreed on his last condition. So it looks like I’ll be getting my recommendation after all! Yipee! Considering that my company doesn’t offer study leaves to its employees, I guess I should rejoice and celebrate. ^^
If this pattern of 3’s continue (spoken like a true Baccarat fanatic), I would be off to Japan in no time! Well, I guess, the right expression would actually be, “I would be off to some place new in no time!”. Hihihi (--,)
*Promotions are confidential matters that need to be kept a secret in our company. A system which I find weird.
Photo is courtesy of Enrico Pangan, one of my epinoy friends and arguably the first ever filipino blogger. ^^ Share
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Feel the Magic! (My Last Friday Group)
My Last-Friday group and I went to Manila during the long weekend encompassing the Ninoy Aquino Day. There we visited the Enchanted Kingdom, went to stay in a resort in Laguna, climbed the peaks(???) of Taal, and felt the different kind of malling experience in Metro Manila. (^^;)
The conception of the trip started with the ever-so-generous offer of Cebu Pacific’s 1-peso fare promo and grandiose visions of seeing the beauty of the Rice Terraces in Banawe and experiencing the natural beauty of Sagada. Well, that was the plan. One of my friends (Ahem!) went ahead to see Sagada and so we had to change it (Actual reason is because we didn’t have enough time to go there ^^ hehehe Peace bro!). We thought of going to the hundred islands in Panggasinan but after we heard that it wasn’t so good, we decided to enjoy our time in Tagaytay instead. Reasonable choice considering that most of us wanted to feel the magic in EK, located conveniently right beside Tagaytay! This is a testimony of the fact that if you plan something way ahead of time it will eventually change. Hehehe (^^;) (Promo fare was in February, Ninoy Aquino Day in August)
We don’t actually have a name for our group. I just fondly call us my Last-Friday group because of some things that we do(did?) together every last friday of the month. (Ano kaya iyon?! (--,) ) Yeah, it could be “did” because we haven’t done so in the past months due to supersonically depleting resources (hint * hint) (the crystal kind, not the vespene gas type (I used to play but not anymore …)). I miss those days! … Sadly 3 of the original boys (hint * hint again) …weren’t able to join us on this trip (Ahem! Ahem! Mr. ActionFigure can be excused but the two of you? Ahem! nalang Hahaha) We are all officemates and the group is expanding to include girlfriends, former officemates, old friends, and friends of friends. I really like this group. I hope I’ll never get tired of them (I have a not so good reputation of doing so :( ). Let me rephrase that last sentence … I know I’ll never get tired of them. I choose not to. (^:^)
In EK, we had fun in the rides especially with the bump cars (They ganged up on ME! huhuhu :(), Anchor’s Away (Weeeh!), and the bloody 4D Theater (Eat your 3D-heart out IMAX!). We enjoyed the scenery (Go! Realto girls!) and Mr. SpaceShuttle learned his lesson. (^.^)v
In Laguna, we watched Josh Groban’s live concert, relaxed in the hot spring pools, and lost our money in a game of in-between to Mr. Caltex (who just happens to be the most FORTUNate among us). Josh Groban you said? Yup! Live in DVD format, complete with subtitles. Hehehe ^^
In Taal, we sailed through raging waters, climbed like hell, endured the horse-dung-filled-smelly path to enjoy the view way up.
In Manila, we revelled at the thousands of choices from food, to clothes and books, awed at the mere sight of the Mall of Asia, longed to go ice skating, marvelled (and somewhat felt dizzy) watching IMAX, shopped ‘til we dropped (greenhills!), and was ecstatic to see and once again be united with good old friends (Lord no more trials please! (^o^)/).
Mind you, we accomplished all these with our low budgets! ^^
Looking back, I realized that what made our trip memorable and fun wasn’t just the challenging rides nor the charming wizard in EK, it wasn’t just the gigantic Mall of Asia, it wasn’t just the beauty of Taal, it wasn’t just the bargain prices in greenhills, it wasn’t just the IMAX 3D experience but also it was because of the company I was with … all of us in the group. Each one contributed to make the trip worthwhile, enjoyable, and fun! I felt the magic through my friends. Even the infamous Manila-traffic couldn’t stop us …
(o^.^)o o(^.^o)
This goes to all my friends who make my world magical, DOUMO ARIGATOU!
See our pictures here ...
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