October 31, 2005
Limang Araw Na Lang
Akala ko malabong mangyayari ang lahat, pero totoo na pala ito. Sa Sabado na kami aalis papuntang Amerika. Bumaha man ako ng luha, tuloy na tuloy na ang aming pagma-migrate.
Nakakalungkot.
October 24, 2005
She's Blogging!
I found the link to Jessica Zafra's blog. Check this out:
October 22, 2005
My Wish Is Your Command
I’ve attended quite a number of funerals and burials this year, and I can’t help being fascinated with the ceremonies I have witnessed. I’ve seen funeral rites of different types of people and this has inspired me to “plan” for my own memorial service should death come knocking on my door.
Do I give you the creeps? Don’t worry, this entry is not some premonition. I just realized that planning for my last rites could be as exciting as planning for a party! Reality is, we’re all going to die sooner or later. And in sending off a loved one to heaven, it’s best to give him/her an organized, very solemn, and tearless-if-possible goodbye. Atleast, that’s what I want.
So how exactly do I want this to happen? I haven’t touched on the details yet for I, too, am a bit held-back when death is talked about. But surely, I want a marching band, two white horses pulling a rectangular carriage (where the casket is to be placed), two people to command the horses (in full gear, please), lots of flowers, doves to be freed, white balloons to let go, and a pipe player in French army costume to play anything but a sad song.
In short, in Heritage Park in Fort Bonifacio! They offer all these and a lot more which will leave you feeling that dying isn’t discouraging at all!
* For my family, don’t take me seriously. I know this will cost us loads of money!
October 18, 2005
Cebu! Cebu!
I just got home from my first vacation for the year: a weekend get-away in Cebu! We only had three free tickets from Mabuhay Miles, so I was the lucky one chosen by my parents to tag along. I was their baby for the trip!
One night was spent in Plantation Bay, where all the villas/cottages are surrounded by water! Because of the water everywhere, they offer the most irresistible water activities: para-sailing, jet-skiing, surfing, scuba diving, and...kayaking! That one I finally got to try with my parents!Weird though, but they even cater to Underwater Weddings! Would-be husband and wife are dressed in wedding attire and prepped up with complete scuba gear too! Guests are seated under-water; vows are "said" underwater; exchange of rings and contract signing are done underwater; and when it's time to kiss the bride, the couple will just remove their oxygen tube from their mouth and voila! You've got a couple from under the sea.
Food there was HEAVEN. Everything was teasingly delectable that I had to taste a little of everything. I never got to know the names of what I ate, but I know that I needed to exercise in exchange of the calories that I've gained.
It was indeed a short stay, not enough to go around the city to see what there was to see. But my micro-experience fairly speaks of the Queen City of the South. We were able to pass by stores of wooden guitars that come in all sizes, a hint that Cebu makes the best guitars in the country - be it classical or acoustic. Also, from Cebu comes the cheapest of accessories - ranging from 5 to 10 pesos a piece, whereas in malls they are sold at a stunning 250-300 pesos! As a result, my mom and I made two trips to those stalls and bought bulks of trinkets in all lengths and colors!
Another thing I've noticed is that Christianity is very much alive in Cebu. (It makes sense, because Cebu's the site where Christianity was first introduced in the Philippines). The Basilica de Santo Niño was overflowing with praying people, although no mass was being celebrated. In the adjacent town square, people were reciting the Holy Rosary in unison. With that I was terribly mistaken that less people are worshipping God these days.
I was disappointed, however, that the famous Magellan's Cross is not how it looks in the postcards from National Bookstore. The place was a disaster - plastic cups and leftover snacks everywhere;the ceiling above the Cross was dark with cobwebs that one could no longer decipher what was painted on it; stench coming from nowhere enveloped the air; beggars and stray children are on the loose which frightened the herd of tourists posing for pictures. Should you see that place, you'd fathom if that was a tourist spot at all. Hope they'd do something about it.
But despite that negative side, Cebu still manages to attract tourists, especially the Koreans. There seemed to be a mass exodus of Koreans in Cebu! No matter where I turned, there they were. Wow Philippines talaga!
October 10, 2005
Fortyssimo
Last night, Tahilan celebrated its 40th anniversary as residence and study center and it was one of those nights I wished would never end. The event went with a Broadway theme, so the entire building was decorated as such. It transported me to New York / L.A. because the place was creatively set-up: red carpet entrance, ''outdoor'' screen, show posters on the walls, Hall of Fame (with very familiar people on it!), Hollywood dressing room, etc! Above: me, Joanne (from highschool) and my sisters got so excited that we had to try on the wigs on exhibit!
There was a short program for us and towards the end, my sister Lolit (above, second from left) sang her favorite Broadway song called Nothing, from A Chorus Line. It was the first time she sang with a real pianist accompanying her and I must admit that I was very impressed. In fact I was really humbled and knocked-off the ground, for I have always belittled her talent in singing. It was The Lolit last night which reversed all my thoughts. She sounded much like the younger Lea Salonga; one man even came up to her and predicted that she'd be an international star! Well, from now on, I am my sister's number one fan!
My Own Template. Finally.
Watch out for my improved blog lay-out! I will begin posting as soon as i finish setting-up the links. Thank you.
Happy Birthday to my brother Bokyo!
