Official UP Adidas Jacket

I'm no U.P. student but I want this one for Christmas. U.P. friends, please don't hate me if I go around wearing this one.

It's now available in Gateway and SM North for around 2500php.

It's who you spend Christmas with...part 2

So here's the continuation of my marathon Christmas (continued from here)parties with great friends and the loveliest of people.

After one of the Simbanggabi masses at the Gesu, I was able to catch up with the Genboys Christmas party in Sta. Mesa. We played Pinoy Henyo and Christmas Carols match up.

We also had a party for the kids of Hillcrest in Cubao. We usually go to Hillcrest one Saturday to have a merienda, story telling, games and songs with the kids. For the party, we played assistants to Rene who cooked his California pasta. Rene works for Royce chocolates so you can believe how good his pasta is even with just a few ingredients.

Here are the other volunteers preparing the gifts for the kids.Ceska and I hosted the program. Half of the time we were trying to get the kids to sit still for 5 minutes, to stop running around, and basically to not destroy the venue. Hahaha.

There were about a hundred kids cramped into a very small space. But it was all good since Ceska's a pre-school teacher and she's very good with kids. She even sings a song to get them to pray. She also made these cool puppets for our story telling.
Ofcourse we told the story of the first Christmas, from the Angel Gabriel announcing Mary's pregnancy to the arrival of the 3 wise men. It was all impromptu but we pulled it off.

After the story telling, we have little quiz to check if the kids were listening. Too bad we didn't have any prizes. A lot of the kids were really very competitive and enthusiastic in answering our questions. We also played other games and let me tell you, these kids are out for blood. I kid, I kid. Before leaving, we gave the kids some gift packs containing some school and art materials. It's not much but it will go along way for these kids. It was a very tiring morning but we were all very happy afterwards to have pulled off a partywith our measly resources. Here are the other volunteers trying to look, uhm, untired.After the Hillcrest party, I slept a bit to recover. Then it was time for the party in Pittsburgh Cubao. For a couple of years now Nikko and I have been spending some of our weekends with several of the older kids in Hillcrest, talking about the challenges they face, reading Bible verses, singing songs and really just trying to be good kuyas to them. Not that we're, okay I'll speak for myself, I'm the perfect role model. But hey, we try.

Here's Nikko with Archie and Obeng looking all sorts of Ghetto.


We also played games with the kids. This one's a bit challenging. It can be difficult to get them to socialize with other kids. Some are shy, some are aggressive, some don't like being constrained by rules. But they're good kids. They just need to some sort of guidance. I pray for them everyday. Here are our kids with some of the boys from Pasay. Can you spot the hidden Santa?
We plan to raise some funds for our boys so they can go to PICC next year and see Emmaus, the new head of the Focolare Movement. We also plan to use the funds for their transportation and merienda during our weekend meetings. We plan to sell some of our books and clothes. Help us out ha!

Finally, we went back to Sulyap to give away some Noche Buena pack for some 400 families around the areas. I thought we were just supposed to hand them the packs, pose for some pics and leave. But no, they asked for another impromptu program. And guess who hosted that one? Hahaha. Ceska and I, again. This time we had prizes to give away for some Bring Me. We also told the story of the first Christmas sans the puppets. Some of the kids danced the ever popular Nobody, TWICE. hehe. Then we sang Christmas carols.

Here's me looking very, uhm, stupid. haha. Clouds darken but hearts brighten. hehe
We also helped out in packing the goods. Each pack contained a kilo of rice, a bar of cheese, a kilo of pasta, a pack of sauce and coffee.



This is me, thinking of Christmas carols to sing with the kids.
Here are the volunteers distributing the goods.
Most of the parties I've attended this year are simple in terms of food, activities and gifts compared to last year when I worked for a corporate company. But this year's gatherings are for me an affirmation of what Christmas should be. It brings me back to my image of the first Christmas, when Christ entered the world in silence and simplicity, without fuss, without flashy parties. He came into this world surrounded by the people he cared for and the people he would soon serve.

His very birth is service. One that benefited the poor, the forgotten, the unloved - us. Why shouldn't we do the same? Why shouldn't our very lives be a birthing of Christ to those who need Him the most?

Merry Christmas!!!

Photo of the Day 3: Pink Rose

It's who you spend Christmas with...

...that truly matters. True, there seems to be a shortage of gifts this year because of the recession compared to the last one (it's the material boy in me speaking, forgive me) but when it comes to friends and the number of good people I have in my life, I couldn't ask for more.

Because of too much eating and drinking I shall forego a detailed timeline as to the order in which all these gatherings happened.

There's been a mass migration in the house in which I live. A huge chunk of teh people moved in together in a new condo and good for them. And thank you for still remembering to invite us in your brand new abode. Although I suggest you invest in more chairs in the very near future. Thank you for the many versions of sisig and chicharon, from the bottom of my clogged arteries. And ofcourse the bridge game, you're such graceful losers. hehe. kiddin'!


I was also able to attend the Sulyap Christmas party. Sulyap is a community similar to GK, except they have more kick-ass houses. The day ended and night began with such a beautiful sun set. I tell you, sunsets are the easiest subjects to take. You can't go wrong.
The band from our group also played some Christmas carols and more pop tunes. I enjoyed their version of The Climb! I wish I could've recorded it.
Here's Mama Risa! She's one of the many blessings I've received this year. There's something about her that's comforting. She's such a loving, compassionate person, not to mention, cool!
Sulyap also had a Parol making contest using recycled materials.
Here is a shot of the houses. See how wide the streets are. These houses were donated by veryu generous people from Italy. I think they even look better than our house. hehe.
And here's my namesake distributing free ice-cream to the kids.
I also attended the JVP Batch 29 Christmas Party! This was before everyone got drunk on The Bar. Later on, if I had the will, energy and sobriety to take pictures, you'd see these same people emoting, ranting and passing out on the floor. Good times, good times.
And Jan jan brough this AWESOME cake from Conti's.
Part 2 to follow! Now I've got to finish my grocery shopping for Noche Buena. And yeah, I'm home sweet home!

Adventures in Music Part 2

A few days after watching the Ateneo Sesquicentennial Festival of Music, I was lucky enoough to watch Bukas Palad's album launch. Granted they're no Sarah Geronimo in terms of popularity, BP should not be stranger to many of us since they basically sung and wrote half of the songs we sing in mass.

Basically I watched the concert with the same people. And yes, I'm an idiot when it comes to having my picture taken.

Gesu is all dressed up for Christmas.

BP has been known for songs that leaned towards being more upbeat and pop than your regular church music. Proof: they have videos where they dance around Luneta in colorful clothing to match their music.

This time around To Love and to Serve is an album of chants. As in the songs have a stanza or two of lyrics which is repeated throughout the whole song. This concept threatened to alienate BPs solid fanbase who had gotten used to their kind of music.

But lo and behold, BP pulled it off once more. True that the songs had lyrics repeated over 20 times throughout the whole song, but the melody and beat were catchy enough not to induce comma. In fact the repetition of lines added a different flavor to their music, somehow making them more inspiring and hearfelt. Ang kulit kasi. And with lyrics like these, who wouldn't be inspired?

In omnibus amare. (In everything, love.)
In omnibus servire. (In everything, serve.)
In ominibus amare et servire Domino.
In everything, love and serve the Lord!

BP also sang their more popular songs with matching choreography and costume changes.


And here's ma'am Rica!

Restaurant Review: Gerry's Grill

I realize that food critics often review restaurants that are not very mainstream, since not a lot of people eat in them and the reviews would come in handy. But in this blog, i pretty much eat everything and everywhere. So don't be surprised if I do a review of McDo and Jollibee one of these days.

On the night before leaving for the province, my family and I had dinner in Gerry's Grill in Trinoma. Gerry's is popular for their delicious Filipino food.

Because of some family drama, which involved a lot of crying, silent treatment and smirking, I had to order all our food. I ordered the Sinigang na Hipon, Pork Barbecue, Palabok and Sisig na bangus.

Friends will know that Sinigang is one of my favorite Pinoy food of all time. Plus my aunt cooks a mean Sinigang na Baboy and in a town populate by Kapampangans, that says a lot about her cooking. So trust me, I know my sinigang.

And unfortunately, I didn't like Gerry's Sinigang. For 205 bucks it serves around 6 people, that's the good part. And although it tasted just the right kind of sour, I could tell that they used artificial sinigang mix instead of natural ingredients. And that ain't good sinigang in my book.
The Palabok on the hand tasted great! And for 145 bucks it can serve up to 5 people. It didn't taste fishy like others I've tried so far.
I had high hopes for the Sisig na Bangus because the ones in Crocodile Grill and Dencio's are very good. But there's something about Gerry's Sisig that just wasn't right. I'm not sure if it's the ginger. I think they tried to hard to kill the "malansa" taste, that whatever they put in it just leaves a bad after taste.
The Pork Barbecue was tasty with just the right amount of sauce. Plus it didn't have any fat! But for 105 php for 2 pcs, I don't know? All in all it was a great experience. The food I give a B. Service a B+ considering there was a waiter who kept refilling our water glasses every 5 minutes. and B+ for value for your money. B for their cozy interior.

All in all it was a great experience. The food I give a B. Service a B+ considering there was a waiter who kept refilling our water glasses every 5 minutes. and B+ for value for your money. B for their cozy interior.

Photo of the Day 2: Siargao Sunset

This one is a shot of the sun setting in Siargao in 2007. I went there with my foreigner buddies to learn how to surf. But when we got there I got sick and had to stay in bed while they conquered the waves. I felt so bad, I forced myself to get up at sun down and at least take some good shots.

One of these days, I'm gonna go back and actually surf. Just you wait and see.

Up yours, Upper East

So there's this restaurant in Salcedo Village called Upper East, as in the upper east side of New York City. It's supposed to be inspired by that part of the big apple - from the ambience to the price. I've never been to New York, but friends who've seen the place, says it looks nothing like the upper east side. And food reviews are not exactly kind. So really, I don't get what this shiz is about: 

A word to the wise: UPPER EAST is not for those sans chutzpah and those unwilling to pay for the price for a taste of New York style.

Run by the chefs and students of AHA Philippines, UPPER EAST's interiors are done in modern chic, urban classic, design reminiscent of New York's Upper East Side apartments. Wooden chandeliers complete the picture of a restaurant that may just be too chic for its clients.

Just don't expect to dine whenever you want to.

After all, UPPER EAST is not always open for business. We close our doors when we want to, and we certainly won't wait around for guests who, frankly, need to get a move on. No lunch is served after 1 p.m. and no dinner after 9 p.m.

UPPER EAST is not for scrooges and stiffs. We tolerate sharing, although it's not exactly de rigeur, is it? As for splitting? The fine is set at P250, not including our wait staff looking down their noses at you.

This is the UPPER EAST experience. And this is the price you pay... if you can get in.

Man, how snooty. This reminds me of some of the people I've met in college. I went to a university where a lot of the students were sons and daughters of corporate owners, presidents, executives, high-ranking officials. But more often not, you can tell which students are really rich, and which ones are trying to climb the social ladder. The rich ones don't flaunt it at all. They don't wear flashy clothes, they don't talk about how much they've spent on shopping, they don't tell everyone where they're going for the summer. And a lot of those on the opposite side of the spectrum were the ones who walked around campus in shiny clothes and bling, with the latest phones on hand, talking loudly about which bar they're going to on a Tuesday night. Upper East sounds exactly like that social climbing retard who thinks everyone will think she's rich and special by screaming to the world "I'm rich and special" Those who truly are never have to. How tacky can you get? To even mention the fine? Please if you're customers were really that rich, they wouldn't care. And if you really knew anything about your target market, then you wouldn't have put this part - UPPER EAST is not for scrooges and stiffs. We tolerate sharing, although it's not exactly de rigeur, is it? As for splitting? The fine is set at P250, not including our wait staff looking down their noses at you.

And please if you're going to be so snooty, please make sure you have correct grammar.

It's one thing to be exclusive, it's another to be rude and unwelcoming. Reality check, Upper East, you're in the Philippines. Some of the more well known restaurants, those that have people lining up for reservations are the one's who don't need to advertise or declare how exclusive they are and how difficult it is to get in to them. The best restaurants let their food, design and service speak for themselves.

Tama nga siguro, ang lata kapag maingay, walang laman.

Photo of the Day 1

From here on, I'll try to post pictures that I have taken in the past. 

This first one, is when I was in Camiguin in 2007. I went to the sand bar by myself, read a book and fell asleep on the sand. When I woke up, I was all sorts of burnt and red. And because I was all alone in the island, I had to take this shot myself, which was challenging considering how heavy my old Canon slr was. That day was just perfect, the sand was so white, it was almost blinding, the skies were the right blue and the waters were just so clear.

 I usually don't like posting pictures of myself, but because I really miss the beach, I'll put this one.

Cubao X

I usually don't have  enough money to go out on trips outside Manila. So I satiate my hunger for adventure by  exploring the metro. One of my favorite places to visit on lazy Sunday afternoons or when GMA suddenly declares a holiday is the Cubao Shoe Expo. 

They just recently changed its name from Marikina Shoe Expo to Cubao X. I've always wondered why the place was named Marikina Shoe Expo when clearly, with all the trash lying carelessly around, we were not in Marikina. Well, supposedly it was meant to exhibit what Marikina is best known for - shoes. But throughout the years, especially as giant malls ate half the city's economy marginalized small businesses, it has been home to antique shops, art galleries, bookstores, kitschy restaurants and cozy cafes. Of course, they still have the best shoe stores that sell shoes at the lowest prices.

It's so easy to get to Cubao X from where I live in Katipunan. I just take a jeepney or the LRT and voila! I'm in Cubao X. But I do enjoy riding the LRT. It's clean and spacious and you get a fantastic view of the city.

In Cubao X, I usually spend hours looking at the antique furniture, the statues of saints, the old musical instruments, the paintings, the knick knacks. Our house in the province is a smaller version of Cubao X, what with all the furniture made of dark wood, creepy paintings, lighthouse candle holders. But I digress.

If I had money, I'd buy these paintings.

This rocking horse is one of my favorite items. 

I also like how each store looks and feels different. There's this one that looks like it's a melting ice cream. Or is it a cake? Either way, looking at it makes me hungry.Yum!

This one reminds me of the old houses in Ilocos.

There's Rusty Lopez!

Cubao X has everything you need and you don't need.

Cubao X is also home to the famous Italian Restaurant, Bellini's, which I will review in the coming days. I think, what I really like about the place is that it reminds me of my hometown back in the days without malls. Every turn is a discovery, a story, a part of history. I never tire of going to Cubao X. I always leave the place with vintage books, or some old trinket,sometimes with great pictures and always with a smile.