Mahirap Maging Pogi (It's Hard to be Handsome)

This video has been online for some time already and was sent to me by my new friend, Mhel Garrido of (secret na lang natin the school)... anyway, guaranteed to make you laugh. The song's by Da Pulis, sang by Gabe Mercado.



All I can say Mhel is... hahahahahahaha... that made my day!

And here's something Miguel's crazy about right now -



Must be a phase eh?

Sabong and Balut

I was amazed when a friend of mine asked if I knew of any website on Sabong (cock-fighting). I didn't know of any so I asked Sweetie if he knew of one. I was lucky since his former colleagues were actually running a couple of websites about the subject. I then asked my friend why SHE was interested in cock-fighting (and watching one at that), she said that she had someone coming over and was very interested to watch. Huwhaaaattt?

I realized then that this sport has been around for the longest time. An uncle of mine when he was still alive used to care for a couple of Texas roosters. He was really into it that when my Kuya accidentally strangled one when he was 3 years old, he cried! It's a story told time and time again whenever we go to Lucban, Quezon. My uncle knew better than to showcase his roosters to me when I was a kid. LOL.

Here's a preview of what it looks like (I don't think I'll visit one in my life) -



A few months ago, I showcased a dear American friend, Chris Sandberg, who tried out Balut when we were in Bohol. We tried scaring him out of it, but he was really game on trying out stuff and he was such a good sport. I cannot even remember the last time I ate balut, but I've tried dangling Miguel a prize (PhP2,000) to eat one to no avail (sorry baby, it was just a one time deal).

Anyway, here's my friend Rachel showing her friend Adam how to eat one -



Oh, I was too tired last night to make a Sunday video post. Here's one song that caught my attention while eating dinner at McDonald's with Sweetie and Miguel -

At the Google TechTalk and the Advertising Congress

It's been a flurry of activities the whole week and I'm just really glad it's already Saturday and I know I've been getting a bit cranky already due to exhaustion. Sensya na, tao lang po.

Here are some photos from the Google TechTalk held last November 19, 2007 at the AIM Conference Center:



Cliquebooth was there too -



Check out also Erwin Oliva's coverage at Inquirer.net and Derek speaks about iGoogle Gadgets. Markku's photos are also splendid and you might also want to check out how Jehz enjoyed the event.

And yesterday I hied off to the Ad Congress in Subic with some colleagues. For those interested to hear more about what Derek spoke about I have a hands-on workshop in coordination with the Philippine Trade & Training Center on December 11.



Oh and if you know of any educators, kindly let them know about this event.

A Cool Change for Jaya

Last week I had the privilege of tagging along with Sweetie for Jaya's album launch. "Cool Change" is the title of her album and I'd say it's very appropriate since Jaya claims that she went through so much turmoil in the past 2 years, but everything's at peace already. Jaya was a bit emotional during the launch. She cried a bit when she shared that there was a time that no recording company wanted to support her and she also shed some tears when she sang "Cody's Song" - a song dedicated to her child.

I have Jaya's old CD's. Her voice is very unique and cool to the ears. When she was launched a couple of years ago, she stood out because of her voice (I dunno how to call it). I would've had my old CDs signed, but decided not to after Jaya's tearful sharing. Anyway, Jaya's album "Cool Change" was produced by GMA Records (nice meeting all you guys!).

I really prefer listening to OPM than foreign songs. (What do you think brought me and Sweetie together? MUSIC! LOL.)

Anyway, here's a love song from the album - For the First Time -



And, a heart breaking song - Girlfriend -



And, something to dance to - On the Radio -



Salamat traffic! Nakapag-blog tuloy ako. Hehehe.

Congrats Jaya! Love the album!

Classic Tito, Vic and Joey

I was looking for the new PLDT commercial on Youtube for a post about advertising I made, but found this charming classic Tito, Vic and Joey Coca-cola commercial instead -



I couldn't help but giggle. For more interesting old commercials visit Adman's Youtube channel.

Pumapatak na naman ang Ulan

It was raining when I slept (more like conked out) last night and it's been raining since I woke up early this morning and basement weather just got colder! I think it'd be nice to have someone to wake up to instead of pillows and Winnie the Pooh.

I remember when I was still a Makati office girl, I'd really abhor the rain because I'd normally come to work in full corporate attire (business suit, high-heeled shoes and stockings! euw!) and I definitely don't like the feeling of getting wet by the rain. I also have the misfortune of getting sick whenever I get wet by the rain (kahit ambon lang). Add much heavier traffic, flooding, mahirap sumakay since everybody seems to be rushing home, who'd love the rain (unless when you're just at home)?

BUT! There are a lot of happy rainy stuff -

1. Dancing in the rain with my Ate and Kuya when I was about 4 years old. It was raining hard and naligo kami sa ulan! That's when I learned that you'd have to take a bath immediately after getting wet in the rain, to prevent getting sick. A couple of years after that it was announced that it's bad to bath in the rain because it had elements that may cause baldness (radiation? I dunno). Well, that ended our ligo sa ulan sprees. Miss ko tuloy Ate and Kuya ko. Sniff.

2. Champorado! Whenever it rained we'd always have champorado for merienda. And mind you, way back then those little chocolate packets weren't available and our champorado was cooked with those uber bango chocolate balls. Yum yum!

3. Snuggling. Cuddling. When I was a kid, I'd be a DH* to my parents and I'd snuggle in with them whenever it was raining. Miguel would also snuggle in bed with me whenever it's raining. Well, that was before he became taller than me. Hmph.

Bed weather is also best for sleeping in and reading cheesy romance novels (which I haven't done in years!). Well good thing I'm not sleepy right now and all the books I have lined up to read are business books (ay nerd!) and with loads to do I should just try to ignore the call of the rain to snuggle in bed.

What about you? What's your favorite rain story?

*DH - dakilang hadlang

For the Stressed Out

Here's something quite funny and amazing sent by my long-time friend Achew -

Wanted: Entrepreneurs, Marketers & Advertising Agencies

Hindi naman ako masyadong busy... LOL.

We also have workshops for entrepreneurs, marketers and advertising agencies! And those who will attend and have websites will get a free Google Adwords coupon (that means free advertising on Google!).

Here are the dates:

November 16, Friday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
November 27, Tuesday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
December 10 & 11, Monday & Tuesday (hands-on), 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.

at the Philippine Trade Training Center, Buendia near cor. Roxas Blvd. (beside World Trade Center).

For more details and signing-up, please visit my work blog.

Wanted: Developers

Are you a developer? And do you wanna learn more about Google developer products straight from Google engineers?

We're hosting an event for developers!

Here are the details -

What: TechTalk with Google Engineers (from Mountain View, California)

Topics: Google Gadgets, Google Open Social & other developer products

When: November 19, 2007, Monday, 7:00 p.m.

Where: ACCEED Conference Center (beside AIM, in front of Greenbelt)

How to join: Sign-up your name and your programming language by leaving a comment in my work blog. You can check if you've been registered by checking out the guest list.

Sign-up now here! Limited slots available.

Next Please!

Yesterday during lunch my Mom was telling a story about a girl whose boyfriend suddenly dropped her to marry another girl. Tragic isn't it? That and a million other stories of heart break. That's why don't date crazy people!

Anyway, so I just flippantly told my Mom, "Ma, kung ayaw nung guy, eh di huwag! Sabihin niya, next please!" My Mom agreed and said she'll tell the girl that there are many guys out there. And I'd like to make that appeal to a dear friend of mine. (If I was there with you, I'd probably boink your little head!).

It's so easy to play the martyr for someone you love and just accept whatever it is that is thrown your way. "Because I love him." I totally disagree. I wasted so many years of my life on someone who was totally unworthy. Because I thought it was the right thing to do. It is not and by golly give yourself a lot of love and respect. No man should insult nor belittle you to cover up for his follies and insecurities (ay galit ang lola niyo!).

"He's Just Not That Into You" and "The Rules" are two of the most interesting books I've read. Both books basically said that if a guy is really into you he'll do everything in his power to make you fall in love. Hahamakin ang lahat mapa-ibig ka lamang. Men are hunters and they will pursue you until they have you. (Read the two books and then read Bo's book).

Now, don't fall for the first guy who pursues you with a passion. There would be guys who just love the pursuit and they'd drop you like a hot potato once they are done (I know one who does this every 6 weeks). Be mindful of his values, the respect he gives you. Check his family background, his trustworthiness etc. etc. (check out Bo's book hehe).

Huwwwhaaaattt??? You might ask. Well, raise the bar girl! Don't settle for anything less. And pray.

And I'd like to plug a project of The Usual Suspects - You Got Blogged - check it out and get a chance to win $150 when you join the contest.

And here's my Sunday Video (which I should change to Monday Madaling Araw Video LOL) -



And I might say, if you're not ready to "take all your chances" with that one guy, then don't even think about lending your heart to him.

And, I'm NOT saying "next please!" this time around. What do you think Sweetie?

Do You Wanna Learn How to Survive?

Find out how by jumping over to Stitching.

SM City Taytay

I'm still in a daze over meeting the SM bigwigs and I didn't have breakfast or lunch today because I was still very full from all the food that was served at the SM City Taytay blessing.


SM City Taytay is bigger than SM City Bicutan (where I always go every weekend coz I'm lazy to go out of my neighborhood). I remember rushing in with everybody else when SM Bicutan opened a few years ago, that's why I was quite excited to attend the blessing of SM City Taytay (even though it's very, very far from where I live!). We went around the whole place (well most of it) and saw that it had most of what we also have here at SM City Bicutan and more (since it's bigger). It also had a bridgeway and SM Hypermarket and I think a bigger SM Department Store (inggit!!!).

Here are some photos -

That's me with Francine Prieto, Herbert Sy and Robert Kwee, don't ask me why I suddenly became so tiny! Argghhh!!!


The SM Hypermarket girls.


Longest grocery cart I've seen in my life.


SM lives up to its name with yummy-yummy food!!!


And more photos -



(Nahiya ako pa-picture with the Sy family eh hehehe.)

Photos by Sweetie.

Make Me Believe

I had no idea who Aicelle was since I rarely watch TV (an improvement mind you) and the only time I get to listen to the radio is when I'm in a cab or the car. So, when Sweetie asked if I wanted to go I just said okay since it's a free-food event (hehe) and I do love listening to OPM.

And I was astounded with her voice. Buong-buo! I've been quite disappointed lately with some favorite singers who seem to have "lost" their voice (how come they end up being so maarte with how they sound when they've been around for sometime already?), and Aicelle's singing prowess was definitely refreshing.


The album launch was held at Circle Cafe in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Here's her carrier single "Ikaw Pa Rin" which was composed by Janno Gibbs.



And another single "Make Me Believe" (which is the title of the album) -



Photo by Cecille Pascual of Tugtogpinoy.com.

Tamaritisis Blogginisis

Okay, I just made up those words. It's supposed to mean, "tinatamad ako mag-blog". It's a symptom (hopefully not a disease) that I think we all go through sometimes especially when you're attention is in a lot of other more important things.

I just thought I'd write down these things till I get back to normal:

1. I started blogging to educate myself about all these available resources on the web.
2. To rant and make use of my muse when she is in the mood to write.
3. To keep in touch with what's happening in the community.
4. To inspire.
5. As a tool for communication (abangan an event I'll be announcing soon!).
6. To de-stress.
7. To make up for not having officemates. (I got no one to annoy!).
8. To keep in touch with friends.
9. To amuse myself.
10. To share what I can share.

Oh well... still having tamaritisis blogginisis. Sigh.

Upcoming posts though: SM Taytay's blessing and 2 other events =)

Reunions

I did not realize it's been 4 days since I last made a post. I did not go on vacation, I was actually just home but was very busy working and taking care of other stuff during the holidays (what holiday? meron ba? LOL).

I attended two reunions though over the weekend (oh and another one last Tuesday night) and it's really funny how the same topics seem to be discussed in any type of reunion -

Topic #1 - "Uy antaba mo ngayon ah!" Yeah, weight is ALWAYS the first ice breaker in any reunion. Good thing my college friends did not realize that I actually gained 25 lbs. since I graduated.

Last time I saw most of these guys was ten years ago, most were at least 20 lbs. lighter then.

Topic #2 - "Bakit di ka pa kasal? Ano nangyari?" my Tita asked in a her malumanay voice. Arggghhh! And then my Dad quipped, "Napag-iwanan na yan ng panahon!" And for that my Dad got a huge kurot from me. I am the youngest in both sides of our clan and one of the two who are unmarried. My cousin though is in her late 30s and they've designated her to be the generation's spinster (we always have one).

On the other hand, among my college buddies, those who got married already are those who we never expected to marry and these were the guys who did not even have girlfriends back in college! At least there were no questions on, "Bakit di ka pa kasal?"

Instant family reunion after visiting the cemetery.

Topic #3 - The latest apo. The "elders" couldn't stop bragging about their grandchildren. My favorite tito won the payabangan contest this time because my cousin Tina just gave birth two months ago. I think my Dad was quite scared to quip about having a new grandchild, baka kasi umayon ako at last eh. LOL.

My Dad making pa-cute!

My college friends are starting to have kids as well. Ako naman ang pwede na gumimik ngayon! Ha-ha! The disadvantage though of having friends with kids is a longer Christmas list, but that's okay, basta girl because I love shopping for baby dresses.

Topic #4 - Trip down on memory lane. Funny antics from way back. Who's changed their sexual orientation. Who broke up with who. Scandalous old tsismis. And one thing that you should bring during reunions are old photos. My gawd! I couldn't imagine myself 25 lbs. lighter with an 18-inch waist line. Funny though how the most un-sentimental person was the one who actually had an album.

I almost fainted when Sweetie saw my old college photos! I had braces then!

OMG... me in braces! And really, really short hair!

Topic #5 - The SO interrogation. Good thing my relatives and friends are nice during first meetings. Patay si Sweetie sa sunod na meet-up. (Don't worry I won't tell you're from the other side of the fence. LOL. Lagot ako sa reunion niyo!). My cousin though was already starting to ask questions, "One year na ba kayo niyan?" I had ammunition though and asked her about her SO and where he was. Hihihi.

Ang serious naman ni Sweetie.

Ayan happy na siya... natawa sa itsura ko kasi noon... LOL.

Oh well, I guess that's how reunions usually go. Do you normally experience the same thing when attending reunions?

Oh, and don't laugh... both reunions were held at Max's Restaurant on different locations.

I've been listening to Christmas songs the past few weeks and here's my supposedly Sunday video (I got buried under clothes last night so I wasn't able to post it).



Translations:

meron ba? - was there one?
Uy antaba mo ngayon ah - Hey! You've grown fat!
Bakit di ka pa kasal? Ano nangyari? - Why aren't you married yet? What happened?
malumanay - soft voice
kurot - pinch
apo - grandchild
payabangan - bragging
tsismis - gossip
baka kasi umayon ako at last eh - I might give a positive answer at last
Ako naman ang pwede na gumimik ngayon! - I can go to gimmicks now!
Patay si Sweetie sa sunod na meet-up. - Sweetie will be creamed in the next meet-up.
Lagot ako sa reunion niyo! - I'll be creamed in your reunion!
One year na ba kayo niyan? - Have you been together for a year already?

Photo Credits
College friends by Brian Vallesteros and Kiko
Enrile clan by Sweetie

Remembering

I was washing the dishes after a hefty lunch when my Mom told me why the dogs in the neighborhood (and our dog) were going arf arf crazy last night. A nearby neighbor passed away last night, a son my parents' friends. He is their second son to pass away this year.

I don't know him personally, but my Ate and Kuya did and my Mom's announcement got me thinking about what I have lost in the past.

1. My Mama Lola (maternal grandmother) - there's a drawback to being the youngest in our generation in both sides of the family, I only met one grandparent, my Mama Lola. I grew up with her puttering around the garden (fab green thumb I tell you) and her sewing on the manual makina (sewing machine).

I was 12 when I got the call at around 5ish in the morning from the funeraria. I had no idea how to handle things, so when the schoolbus arrived I still went to school. I was tulala in school the whole day and just cried in my Dad's arms when I got home. I still miss Mama a lot since they say I got a lot of my eccentricities from her and I used to hang-out in her room a lot of times (it was where I'd hide whenever my Mom would force me to take a siesta). Mama passed away in her sleep at the hospital right after a butterfly suddenly appeared in her room (believed to be my Papa Lolo).

2. My Lola Iyay (maternal grand aunt) - my Mama Lola's sister. Lola Iyay absolutely hated going to Manila. She lived by the beach with her lovely dogs. It took me a long time to figure out that her dog Whitey wasn't immortal and that she just kept getting a new white askal whenever the last Whitey died. Oh yeah, and she's very funny too. My Lola Iyay spoke English like she was born speaking it. She was an English teacher and had many, many stories to tell and absolutely loved hearing about my love life. (I have so much to tell you Lola `yay!). She passed away in her sleep about 2 years ago.

3. Papa Lolo (maternal grandfather) - Papa Lolo died 5 years before I was born, but my Mom would always tell me stories about him and what a good story teller he was. I met him though, in San Francisco. I was 4 years old then and was playing by the window in a hotel room when he appeared right in front of me. He was wearing a white uniform with gold buttons and had this stiff hat on (he was in the army and was part of the Death March). This was our conversation:

"Hi Papa!"

He smiles and beckons me to come closer to him.

"Papa, are you going to tell me a story now?"

He nods yes and asks me to come closer to him.

"Talaga Papa? Story? Story now?"

At this point my Mom interrupted and asked me who I was talking with. I told her, "I'm talking with my Papa Lolo!" She then snatched me away from the window. I know I was just 4 years old then, but I do remember to this day how my Papa Lolo looked. A few years later I saw a photo of him in a white uniform and realized that I did somehow meet my Papa Lolo.

Last year, my nephew, Gabby had the same experience. What was funny was he didn't have any idea how Papa Lolo looked and he turned all white when we showed him his photo wearing his white uniform. We must've gotten our being pilyo from Papa Lolo!

4. My Pets - it took me a long time before I considered having another pet when my oscar (fish) named Oscar was killed by the ugly janitor fish. I had Oscar for about 3 years, so you can just imagine all the stuff that we've been through. Prior to Oscar, it took me about 7 years after Cotton (a japanese spitz) died to have another pet.

You see, I do really get so attached to my pets and it takes me a long time to move on (longer than boyfriends mind you, coz one doesn't live with a boyfriend right? LOL). To Bullet (a dog), Cotton, Ham & Egg (hamsters), and Oscar, Lucky and Pork & Beans (fighting fish) I hope you guys are very happy in pet heaven. (The janitor fish is probably still alive coz we left him go in the creek behind our house, hmph!).

5. Dead Toenails? (I don't have any.) Dead hair? (they fall off every day)... ahhh and I this cute ceramic bowl just caught my eye here in my study room, Ashes of my Ex(es). Well, I know I'm being funny (#1 to 4 was making me teary eyed already) and I seriously have that pot (I wonder if Sweetie noticed it hmmm)... I'm referring to dead relationships, friendships that fell apart and stuff that just didn't work out. That's life and it's normal. We all go through that cycle, but what's important is just letting go of everything that's in the past and move forward by cherishing what you have now.

Live and let live. I say, "Love and just love because that is why we are here."

To Mama, Papa and Lola Iyay, I know you are watching over me and the whole family. I will be with you again someday.