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Juice ko ‘day.

I was watching an early morning show kanina and I was a bit surprised how BIG the Halloween event na pala dito sa ating bansa.



I mean, hello? Kelan pa naging ganito ka ‘highly-anticipated’ ang Halloween traditions especially the Trick or Treat among children?

As far as I can recall, hindi naman ‘to uso noong kabataan ko ah? Sa Western world lang naman ito pina-practice ah, ngayon eh nakikipagsabayan na pala ang mga kabataang Pinoy sa pagti-Trick or Treat.

Noong maliit pa kami, kuntento na kaming manguha ng bulaklak sa hardin, magdala ng kandila at pumunta sa sementeryo upang bisitahin ang namayapa naming mga kamag-anak. Habang nasa cemetery ay nagkakaroon na rin kami ng impromptu family reunion kasi most of the time, we stay there the whole day. We bring food and stuff at sabay-sabay na rin kaming mag-alay ng panalangin.

Yun lang ang nakasanayan kong family tradition during All Saints and All Souls Day.

Iba na pala ngayon.

Big deal na ang pagti-trick or treat sa mga bata. And take note, complete with costume na kung sumalakay sa mga tahanan ang mga tiyanak. Yun nga lang, kawawa ang mga bata sa amin na nagti-trick or treat dahil kung ako ang magbubukas ng gate namin dahil baka sila pa ang magsitakbuhan sa takot sa singhal ko. Hahaha!

Anyway, my favourite part sa Halloween siyempre eh ang parties. Costume parties lalo na yung may contest na best in costume. Maraming ganyan sa ciudad and meron pa nga street parties.

Meanwhile, uuwi ako bukas and I’m planning to ‘gatecrash’ someone’s birthday slash despedida slash costume party.

Siyempre, everyone’s in costume and I still don’t have anything to wear.

I was thinking of coming as a Policewoman.


Tapos pagpasok ko ay sisigaw ako ng “Raid!”
Tingnan ko lang kung hindi magsitakbuhan ang mga bakla. Hahaha!



Or puede rin itong si Beatrix Kiddo of Kill Bill.


Kaya lang wala nang time para magpagawa ng costume.



Speaking of effortless costume, I think I’ll come to the party na lang as…

A Victoria’s Secret Angel.


Nyahahaha!

Kaya lang, baka ma-insecure si Marisa Miller sa akin. LOL



Maybe, magpakyut na lang siguro ako and come as a cartoon character.

Perhaps, Dora the Explorer? Hahaha!


Well, paborito ito ng pamangkin kong si Zoe kaya manghihiram lang ako ng mga gamit niya. Hahaha!


Hay naku, effort mag-isip.

Para mas madali magsusuot na lang ako ng skinny jeans, boots, a deconstructed button down shirt with a trenchcoat, and accessorize myself with a black rimmed eyeglass.
Tutal kalbo ako, mas madaling pumunta bilang…



Boy Abunda!




Hahaha! Happy Halloween mga bruha!

Dream Wedding Dress

Yesterday was Sen. Mar Roxas’ and broadcaster Korina Sanchez’ wedding.

I think the wedding was quite unexpectedly, simple. Sa status ba naman nila ay aakalain mong baka magkaroon ng fiesta sa mismong kasal nila noh. Oh well, baka magaling lang kumuha ng shots yung cameramen around at naiwasan na makita ang magulong parte ng kasal. Edit much? Hahaha!



Anyway, Lola Korina was very glamorous in her Pepito Albert Filipiniana-inspired wedding gown. If you noticed kahapon, walang veil na suot ang lola niyo because Pepito Albert preferred it “veil-less” which I think really complimented the beauty of the gown and has showed how regal and vulnerable Korina can look like in a wedding gown.

Ngayon, kung ako lang sana ang ikakasal, eto ang mga gowns and dresses na pagpipilian ko. It doesn't have to be a gown para makasal ako noh. Malay mo kung sa judge or kay Mayor lang ako magpakasal. Hahaha!

Please vote kung alin ang babagay sa akin. LOL



Marchesa: mukhang goddess ako kapag suot ko ito



Calvin Klein: very relaxed ang dress na ito, parang matutulog lang



Monique Lhuillier: juice ko 'day, kung sexy lang sana ako



J. Mendel: simple and chic, parang ako. hehehe



Alexander McQueen: may ganitong design pala si bad boy? refreshing.



Prabal Gurung: ang taraaaaay ko kung ito ang dress ko



Hussein Chalayan: parang pupunta lang sa gimik



Carolina Herrera: parang magni-ninang lang. slight.



Alexander Wang: parang party lang yata ang pupuntahan ko nito ah



Zac Posen: kapag pupunta ka pa sa office after ng wedding mo. lol



Now if only I could afford these. Hahaha! Ilusyonada ako eh. Pakialam mo, blog ko ‘to. LOL

In the mean time, while you are voting, maghahanap muna ako ng boylet na magiging husband ko noh?

Hahaha!


Photo credits:
Mar & Korina's photo: pinoygb via Barrio Siete

All other photos from style.com


Special thanks to my sister for the immoral support. Nyahahaha!

In Three Years

Paranoia.

Yeah.



The first time I read this 2012 phenomenon medyo na-scared talaga ako. Sa sobrang takot ay napapunta ako sa powder room. Hahaha!

Ito kasing upcoming movie na 2012 ay medyo intriguing at based sa theories na sa totoo lang ay very convincing.

Well, kung hindi mo pa alam kung ano ang sinasabi ko, read the Barrio Siete article on 2012.

‘Di ba nakakapraning?

Juice ko ‘day!

Parang gusto ko na yatang takasan ng ulirat. Charing!

The year 2012 is very near. Three years na lang yun ano.

If that’s gonna happen (God forbid), hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko.
I mean, I have so many things to do pa in my life and I doubt if I’m gonna reach everything in my wish list in just three years.

My pamangkins are very young pa rin noh. I’d want to see them grow up to be beautiful people like me. Hehehehe.

Seriously, this is no joke.

Isang malaking WHAT IF ang tinatanong ko sa sarili ko nowadays.

What if mangyari nga ito?

What am I gonna do?

What are you going to do?

Ready ka na ba?




photo source: here

Not So Fast Food

I love fast food for three reasons.
It’s fast, delicious and unhealthy.

Hahaha!

I prefer to eat fast food because oftentimes I am always on the rush and I got no time to waste because time for me is money. I only have an hour for lunch break and I have so much personal stuff and errands to fit in my 1 hour-break.

The problem is those who claim to be fast food chains do not actually serve food that fast. Fast food should be served within 5 minutes or less. Right?

The luxury of taking time to dine is not an option for me most of the time especially when I'm out. Even on weekends, I have a specific schedule to follow and I'm dedicated to it. If my time management goes overboard then the whole plan is ruined. I have to make certain adjustments sa susunod na entry sa to-do-list and it’s always not a good thing. Nagugulo ang plano.

Little things like keeping track with your time schedule makes a big difference in the way you deal with life and situations.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand.

I was with Edz yesterday. I’m helping him with his lipat-bahay and we scoured the city for affordable stuff to fill his pad.

A few minutes before 3PM we entered a fast food chain famous for its Chinese food. Oo, wala nang iba. Yun na nga yun. Hahaha!



I ordered spicy fried rice with lumpia toppings while Edz ordered some fancy fried rice. The receipt showed our order was taken 14:55.
My pineapple juice and Edz "coffee-like drink" arrived shortly. In fairness, fast na-serve ang drinks.
After waiting for 10 minutes, I was already pissed off since I was so famished. Kaya nga pumasok kami sa fastfood restaurant because we thought, food will be served very fast.
So how long did I have to wait for our food to be served on our table?

30 minutes.

Yes. Ganun "kabilis".

I already lost my appetite from consuming the pineapple juice, kalahati lang ng spicy fried rice ang nakain ko.

I immediately texted the complaint hotline shown on the receipt and e-mailed a letter of complaint addressed to the restaurant’s customer service, copy furnished to the mall’s customer service center.

A few minutes after leaving the restaurant’s premises, I received a call from the store’s officer apologizing heartily for the delay.
I also received a reply from the restaurant. Ito yun.

Dear Ma'am/Sir:

Thank you for giving us this feedback. We will have this concern
coordinated with our area manager and store manager immediately so that
measures will be in place to address it. We would appreciate if you can give
us your contact details so that our store head can update you on this.

Our apologies ma'am for the inconvenience you and your colleague had.

Best regards,
Gelli (Marketing Officer)

I appreciate their immediate replies. Really, and I thank them.

My point kasi is, we dined at their restaurant at a time where only a few people were dining. 3PM is not rush hour but our food came very late.

How much more delay will a diner have to wait during regular dining time like lunch or early dinner? What if a diner is not so willing to wait and patient like me? What if someone na gutom na gutom ang lumikha ng eksena dahil sa tagal ng oras na dumating ang kanilang pagkain? And don’t even start me with children crying out loud because of hunger. Imagine what would their parents do to keep their children calm down eh gutom na ang bata, may magagawa ka pa ba? Can you explain the delay to the famished little kid?

I don’t think so.

Unfortunately, that sad incident happened yesterday evening in a famous fast food restaurant with a jolly bubuyog for a mascot.
The father was so pissed off talaga. Natakot ang staff and crew.

We don't want that to happen 'di ba?

I really hope the next time I visit their store, mas mabilis na ang service.




P.S. For the record, hindi ko sila hate. Gusto ko lang mag-improve ang sistema nila dahil sa lahat ng ayaw ko ay pinaghihintay ako sa pagkain. Isa pa, who can resist their friend chicken and that new chicken barbecue. I would die if I don't get to eat that. Hahaha!

DSWD Please Explain: Updated with Dr. Cabral's Reply

This article was originally written by Ella of ellaganda.com. Unfortunately, her blog is already inaccessible and I believe it's because of this article.



Sadly, all photos have been "missing" but the importance of this expose can still be read and the message delivered very clearly.

UPDATE: Apparently, Ella's blog was inaccessible for a few hourse because of extreme traffic. It's back now and you can see the photos to prove everything and you can read her original post HERE.

You can also read thesame article in Barrio Siete.

GMA News also has a related story about this issue.

Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo (A special report from a volunteer)

Kaninang umaga, tinanong ng Philippine News si DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral:

Editor of Philippine News: “Why are the relief goods in the DSWD warehouse not moving?”

DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral: “Wala kasing volunteers.”

This short interview was done over the phone. Philippine News wanted to hear her side pero ayaw niyang makipag-usap sa press. After four tries, pinasabi na lang niya ang maikling sagot na ito sa secretary niya – “Walang volunteers”.

I don’t want to accuse her of corruption but at the very least she is showing signs of being totally incompetent. We are in a state of calamity where every second counts. May namamatay araw-araw dahil sa sakit.

In my opinion, these deaths could have been prevented if Secretary Cabral had tried a little harder.


Deaths from Philippine storms nears 1,000

“Tropical Storm Ketsana left 420 dead and 37 missing when it flooded 80 percent of Manila on September 26, a disaster the government said affected 4.35 million people.
Some areas are still flooded three weeks later and 189,000 people remain in evacuation centres, Typhoon Parma hit the northern Philippines on October 3 and lingered as a tropical storm for a week, triggering landslides that killed 438 people and leaving 51 missing mostly in mountain communities.
The government agency said Parma affected 4.16 million people, including more than 32,000 who remain at evacuation centres.”

During the first week after the storm, lumabas ang “bayanihan spirit” ng mga Pinoy. Everyone went out of his way and gave a part of himself to help the victims. “Makatulong lang kahi’t konti,” katwiran nila.


Kung walang volunteers, ano ‘to, komiks?
From Stella Arnaldo’s blog:

“At the offices of many civic groups and private organizations, hundreds of people showed up to volunteer in packing relief goods or going to evacuation centers to help distribute care packages. At the Tulong Bayan center at the Expo Centro in Cubao, it was heartwarming to note that most of the volunteers were adolescents as young as 10 years old, along with their kuya or ate in high school and college. Many of these kids, as you know, would normally spend their time away from school hanging out at the mall.

They came in huge numbers, many of them barkadas, classmates or siblings, dressed just in their tees and shorts, wearing their Havaianas. All were just enthusiastic to do their share!

Even grade school kids pitched in to help! According to singer/activist Leah Navarro, there were so many volunteers at Tulong Bayan’s centers in Cubao and White Space, Pasong Tamo Ext., others were asked to return at later schedules.


GMA asked world for donations

Our government begged the world for more donations. Sumagot ang buong mundo sa ating panawagan. Mabilis na dumating ang tulong mula sa iba’t ibang bansa. In less than three weeks, dumaong ang mga barko, ibinaba mula sa mga cargo planes, i-diniliver ng mga trak at container vans ang sandamakmak na relief goods. Cash donations were in millions of dollars.


But these donations must be coursed through DSWD

Nagpalabas ng directive ang pangulo. Individuals, private companies and other nations were ENCOURAGED to send their donations to DSWD. I blogged about it here and the video of her announcement here.


This PGMA directive sounded suspicious to me then. Now I know why. Here’s the story.

A group of eight people, your ate Ella included, went to one of DSWD warehouses to help in repacking relief goods. We know they need volunteers.

Pero hindi namin akalaing WALANG TAO SA LOOB NG WAREHOUSE! As in sa isang humongous warehouse (1000++ sq.m) NA PUNONG-PUNO NG RELIEF GOODS HANGGANG BUBONG, ISANG DSWD employee lang at ISANG SECURITY GUARD ang tao!!


Kailangang magpa-register at i-schedule ang volunteering

UNICEF Registration (as a volunteer). The warehouse can only take as much as 50 volunteers at a time or per shift. Here you will find that there is a 4-hour shift, and an option for a 6-hour shift for the volunteers to indicate their availability.


What “volunteers”?

Aside from the 8 of us? There was nobody there, not even one solitary soul. Feeling hindi ba magkamayaw at nagu-unahan ang mga volunteers kaya kailangang ang scheduling? I know somebody who wanted to volunteer many times. She was always bumped off because there were “too many volunteers”. What’s going on?


Nakatambak ang donations ng UNICEF sa warehouse, local and international

Mga banig na dapat ay nahihigaan ng mga nasalanta, mga Coleman camp beds na hindi man lang yata masisilayan ng mga biktima, sandamakmak na kumot na hindi nakabalot sa katawan nila. At mga pagkaing hindi sumasayad sa sikmura nila.


The relief goods are not going anywhere

We arrived at about 8 am and left by midafternoon and yes, you guessed it right. Kami pa rin ang tao bukod sa isang DSWD employee sa loob ng warehouse maghapon. Kung hindi kami maingay, kuliglig lang ang maririnig mo. At mga gagambang nagkakalat ng sapot sa mga relief goods ang makikita mo.

These relief goods are not moving. And by the way things look, they are not going anywhere. Hindi maglalakad mag-isa ang mga donations na ito papunta sa mga evacuation centers.


Do not delay

YOU THINK?? WTF is the matter with these people? Mag-iisang buwan na mula nang masalanta ang mga kababayan natin. ISANG BUWAN!! Do you mean “do not delay ang dati nang delayed”?? Shet.

Anong ginagawa ng mga donations na ito sa warehouse?? APAT na warehouse ang nasa loob ng compound na ‘yon! APAT na warehouse na punong-puno ng inaalikabok na relief goods! Relief goods na ayaw yata ibigay sa mga nasalanta. Halatang-halata na kayo tsk.

Marami pang pabubulukin

Wow! May bagong shipment na naman! At the rate DSWD is moving, next year na madi-discover kung ano ang laman ng mga kahong ito.

"The first of two of the largest high-energy food shipments from the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) arrived in the country two days ago for victims of storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.” The biscuits were fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for supplementary feeding to children, pregnant women and the elderly in evacuation camps. Another 100 tons of biscuits will arrive on Oct. 24, in a continuing effort to provide food assistance to flood victims."

Sige, ideretso ‘nyo ulit sa ‘yan sa DSWD warehouse. Para AMAG naman ang abutin ng biskwit… at sapot ng gagamba.

Conclusion

Sa maghapon namin sa warehouse,nakagawa kami ng 150 sacks of relief goods. Ibig sabihin, 150 bags of relief goods lang ang lumabas sa warehouse na ‘yon that day. At andoon pa rin sa loob ang mga imported relief goods, safe, sound and packed as the day they arrived.

Nakisakay kami palabas sa isang DSWD delivery van. Gusto sana kaming ihatid ng driver hanggang Makati pero wala daw siyang sobrang gasolina. Ibinaba na lang niya kami sa gitna ng EDSA. Millions of dollars in donations, walang extrang pang-gasolina.

Susulpot din siguro ang laman ng mga mahiwagang kahon sa warehouse na ‘yon at mapapasakamay din ng mga tao…sa ARAW NG ELEKSYON? O mabibili na nila ang mga imported goods na ‘yon sa mga puwesto sa Quiapo at Divisoria.

Suggestions lang po sa DSWD:

Alam ‘nyo palang walang mag-volunteer sa inyo, bakit hindi kayo mag-hire ng mga tao? Bayaran ‘nyo ng arawan para magre-pack. Ang daming walang trabaho, makakatulong pa kayo. Hindi naman siguro malaking kabawasan ‘yon sa bilyong pisong donasyon na natanggap ninyo.

Isa pa, gaano ba karami ang mga sundalo natin? Hindi ba puwedeng ipagawa sa kanila ‘yan? Baka isang araw lang, tapos na ang problema ‘nyo

Bakit hindi ‘nyo ibigay ang trabaho sa mga NGO, churches, private charities, TV stations? I’m sure they are more than willing to help. Time is of the essence. Huwag kayong suwapang. Obvious ba, hindi ‘nyo naman kaya.Kung talagang gugustuhin ninyong makarating agad sa mga kawawang biktima ang mga donasyong ‘yon, matagal nang nangyari ‘yan dahil maraming paraan…kung talagang gusto ‘nyo lang. You are the government. You have the power, the resources and the money. I think you only have to care a little more.

And finally, Ella posted this call in her blog before it was shut down:

Dear friends,

I’m asking your help to spread the word. Tulungan po ninyo akong ikalat ito. Beyond this, we should also demand action. I disabled a plugin so you can copy the photos of relief goods rotting in DSWD warehouses. You can link this post to your blogs, facebook, websites etc. You can also email the photos.

Philippine News (US based Philippine newspaper) will use this as its front page story this week. Every Filipino has the right to know where the tons of donations from the UN and other counties go. Kahit po nakakahiya sa mga nag-donate. Kung sa ganitong paraan, matutulungan natin ang mga nasalanta, then by all means, let’s do it.

For those who have the time, please try to volunteer sa DSWD warehouses. Getting in was not easy. A friend had to put in a word for us. Let’s see kung madali nang makapasok sa DSWD warehouse ang mga volunteers.

Please spread the word. Nakakahiya ang DSWD. Secretary Esperanza Cabral denied this, calling it a RUMOR!

RUMOR MY ASS SECRETARY CABRAL!


UPDATE II:
Here is DSWD Secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral's Reply via Ella's blog

Statement of Dr. Esperanza Cabral on the issue of relief goods in the DSWD Warehouse
October 23, 2009

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) manages the National Relief Operations Center (NROC) which is the facility for processing and storage of relief goods that are purchased by the Department or donated to us by generous individuals both here and abroad. The relief goods are released to our Regional Offices or directly to evacuation centers or to the local government units as they are needed and requested by these entities. They are delivered in trucks, many of which were lent to us by private companies or by military vehicles. Some of the goods are shipped by air from nearby Villamor Airbase.
When typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng hit the country, we received and are continuing to receive donations. Our warehouses are indeed full, inspite of the fact that we have distributed 500,000 food packs and 200,000 clothing packs as well as thousands of sacks of rice, blankets, beddings, and items of personal hygiene in the past almost 4 weeks. That is the reason why when asked if we still have enough goods, my constant reply is yes, so far we do, thanks to the many kind-hearted individuals and organizations as well as countries who responded and are still responding to the plight of the typhoon victims.
There are no rotting relief goods in our warehouses as we do not keep perishables there and the relief goods that are there, save for the donated old clothes are quite new since they have been either recently purchased by us or have been just donated.
Our goods are repacked by volunteers who are there because they want to help. But they are volunteers and report when they have time to help us. Sometimes there are two hundred of them and sometimes there are only a dozen. However many or few they are, we appreciate their presence and their assistance. Weekdays are usually quiet but on Saturdays and Sundays, the students, along with others who work Monday to Friday, including our own employees, are there.
Our staff at the warehouse work round the clock even now, making sure that the requests for relief goods are met in a timely manner. They work hard, they work quietly and they work humbly and I feel bad that they have been subjected to public vilification that they do not deserve.
I do not recall having talked to an Editor of Philippine News. I do remember my secretary telling me that someone was on the phone asking why there were no volunteers working at the warehouse. My reply was we do not own the time of the volunteers.
I wish that I could have prevented the deaths from typhoons but in fact, they have nothing to do with the relief goods that we are in charge of. Most of the deaths were from drowning or injuries sustained during the typhoon. Some died of illnesses. We are not in charge of rescue nor are we in charge of health and to the best of my knowledge, none of the deaths was due to absence of or delay in the delivery of relief goods.
We would like to assure all of you that the relief goods will reach the intended beneficiaries as they become necessary and will be used only to assist them. However, the relief goods don’t all go out at the same time and an empty warehouse is not proof that the goods were used properly just as a full warehouse is not evidence that the goods are being hoarded. If you visit our website http://www.dswd.gov.ph you will find updates on our activities related to typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. It includes an updated list of donations received and goods released from the DSWD warehouse.
There are many aspects of disaster response. They include recovery and rehabilitation and in both instances, goods and other resources are still needed. In the initial reaction to a calamity, people will want to help and as we saw recently, they came in droves, offering their time, their talent and their resources. We want them to know how much we appreciate them for what they have done and what they are still doing. But further down the road, when the initial flush of generosity gives way to donor fatigue, there will remain only a few hardy NGOs and volunteers and the workers of the DSWD and other government agencies to continue the job of helping the disaster victims back on their feet. Judicious use of resources at the outset is imperative lest we face the situation of even greater want after a period of relative plenty. We at the DSWD wish to assure you that your trust in us is not misplaced. Thank you.

Mel Beckham's Official Statement:

NEKNEK MO DR. CABRAL!
Huwag mong gawing tanga ang mga tao. Pictures don't lie! Isa kang malaking etchoseraaaaaa!

The Reason

Okay I admit.

The real reason why I went to Cebu is too see him.

Oo na. Tanga na ako.

Boba.

Estupida.

Hindi na nadala.

Hindi pa siguro ako nakakaget-over.

Call me everything you want to call me.
I don’t care.

I just want some questions answered by him, personally.

Of course I saw him. My friends with me. I need support noh. Hahaha!

We ate lunch together and had coffee early in the afternoon before our flight.

Did I get the answers? Yes I did and it turned out to be shallow, scripted and downright stupid.

Naniwala ba ako? Ay oo naman. Tanga nga ako ‘di ba, at hindi pa ako nadala ha.
Ito namang mga friends ko, sulsol ng sulsol na everything’s gonna be fine already.

Well, except Edz, he said I should stop singing Chasing Pavements.
But as they say, majority wins kaya I rejected Edz advise , I went with the majority’s vote and nagpa-uto naman ako.

Eto na.

Siyempre I left Cebu with the title, Miss Hope.

Ano ba ang napala ko?

Well, the prize for being Miss Hope is a big slice of calabasa.

Hahaha!
I haven’t heard from him na naman.
Leche!

Buti nga sa akin.
Ang tanga ko talaga.
Hahaha!

Siyempre tatawanan ko na lang noh.

But you’ll see.

Hindi pa ako tapos.
Gaganti ako.

Lokohin niya lang ang lasing, huwag lang ang nagtatanga-tangahang magandang bading.

The Return of the Comeback

Hello friends!

Yes, I’m back balakubak!

Pasensiya na if I have not updated my blog for a very long time. 5 days is so long already noh? Hahaha!

I had a great time with the gurls in Cebu.

We celebrated our birthdays kasi altogether para tipid. Honestly, purita kami ngayon that’s why. Hahaha! You know naman sa panahon ngayon kelangan magtipid kaya yun na ang naging celebration naming lahat.

Anyway, my brains are not yet working full-time kaya enjoy na muna kayo sa iilan sa aming mga pictures. I am featuring here my other bestfriend Tzardy, who came back from Dubai after three years.



Anyway, happy naman si Tzardy to be back sa Pinas kahit hindi masyadong maganda ang naging experience niya doon the past few weeks prompting his unscheduled return. Tingnan niyo naman ang posing, parang hindi dumaan sa hirap. Ikukwento ko sa inyo some other time ang nangyari sa kanya.

Meanwhile, enjoy na muna kayo sa poses namin ni Tzardy. Medyo may topak din kasi ang isang 'to pagdating sa posing tulad ko. Feeling top model. Hahaha!

Eto pruweba.


Mas fierce yata ang bruhang 'to saken huh. In fairness!


Eto pa, walang magawa pati lamesa napagtripan. Hahaha!


I like these photos of me shot by Tzardy.


And these photos of Tzardy I took.


How to look fierce in a sea of danggit. Lol


Truly, birds of thesame feather is thesame bird.


Hahaha!



Shot on location in Cebu:

The Ayala Terraces
SM Cebu
The Golden Prince Hotel
Taboan Market
Basilica de Sto. Nino de Minore

Hand In My Pocket

My feeling for the past few days can be best explained in this song.
Thank you Alanis Morissette.



I'm broke but I'm happy
I'm poor but I'm kind
I'm short but I'm healthy, yeah
I'm high but I'm grounded
I'm sane but I'm overwhelmed
I'm lost but I'm hopeful baby

What it all comes down to
Is that everything's gonna be fine fine fine
I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving a high five

I feel drunk but I'm sober
I'm young and I'm underpaid
I'm tired but I'm working, yeah
I care but I'm worthless
I'm here but I'm really gone
I'm wrong and I'm sorry baby

What it all comes down to
Is that everything's gonna be quite alright
I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is flicking a cigarette

What it all comes down to
Is that I haven't got it all figured out just yet
I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving the peace sign

I'm free but I'm focused
I'm green but I'm wise
I'm shy but I'm friendly baby
I'm sad but I'm laughing
I'm brave but I'm chicken shit
I'm sick but I'm pretty baby

And what it all boils down to
Is that no one's really got it figured out just yet
I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is playing the piano

What it all comes down to my friends
Is that everything's just fine fine fine
I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is hailing a taxicab...

Wet & Unhappy

I think I’m not liking rainy days anymore.

Dati, I always say I’m only happy when it rains but with the recent catastrophe our country has experienced parang ayoko na ng rain.



The kind of rain that we are experiencing nowadays is so different from before. Ngayon magwo-worry ka na kung tumatagal ang ulan kasi bigger ang chances na magkaroon ng baha kapag hindi ito agad tumigil. Back home in DC, binabaha na rin ang mga lugar na dati ay hindi naman binabaha. Kahit 2 hours of non-stop rain lang ay binabaha na kaagad ito. Juice ko nakakaloka na. Mabuti na lang at yung bahay namin doon ay nasa itaas na bahagi ng ciudad.

For the record, ayoko rin ng extreme sunshine. Yun bang alas sais pa lang ng umaga ay masyado nang mataas ang araw at wala na akong fog na nakikita dito sa bukid. Pagtuntong ng alas otso eh parang 12 noon na rin ang init na naïf-feel mo. Gosh. Eh ang work ko pa naman involves going out in the areas kaya prone ako sa pagiging kulay uling unless may suot akong SPF 100 na sunscreen. Mahal yata ang mga whitening soaps ngayon noh. Mahal din ang glutathione. At hindi ko na rin feel magpaka-tan. Hindi na uso ang tan ngayon. Hindi ito mabenta sa mga boys. Hahaha!

Anyway, masama ang loob ko talaga sa climate change na nararanasan natin because sa totoo lang ay hindi naman ako nagko-contribute sa global warming. I’m a law abiding gurl. I recycle. I dispose waste properly. I don’t use aerosol-based products. We use energy-saving ilaw both sa office and sa bahay. I unplug appliances and I switch off the lights that are not in use. I conserve water. Mga simpleng bagay lang na ginagawa natin araw-araw but if everbody follows these simple rules, hay naku, malaki ang magiging impact nito sa ating planeta. Malaking tulong ito upang ma-lessen ang global warming na nararanasan natin ngayon and eventually the weather will come back to it’s normal cycle.

I know, masyadong effort marahil ito sa ilan nating kababayan but you know what, kelan pa tayo kikilos eh tayo na mismo ang nakaranas ng hagupit na dulot n gating kapabayaan. The time is now. We should change and reconsider better options.

Hindi pa huli ang lahat. Walang imposible if we try hard.



To know more about ways to help our world, visit Greenpeace International.

thunderstorm photo credit: here

To Be Or Not To Be

I’m back.

Mahirap talaga kapag dumadaan ang weekends kasi I oftentimes dedma updating my blog and read other blogs too. Eh kasi naman I only have the weekend for myself. To do personal stuff. To enjoy life and some of the things it has to offer kaya only on weekdays ng gabi ko lang napapansin na medyo nagpapabaya na ako sa aking ‘responsibilities’ as a blogger. Charing!

Anyway highway, ngayon ko lang nabasa ang post na ito ni friend Maldito.
Good to hear that someone is enjoying reading my stories noh? Very encouraging to write more happy and loka-lokahan misadventures at kung anu-ano pang kagagahan at kahihiyan na ginagawa ko sa aking buhay. Nawa’y kapulutan ito ng aral ng mga readers. Hahaha!



Minsan, I ask myself if my stories are going too far already. Yun bang masyado na itong personal and it might jeopardize my real identity. Sa totoo lang, the thought has crossed my mind. Nakakaloka nga if someone I knew personally find some of my stories ‘too personal’. But I think I have not gone to that ‘area’ pa. All of my stories here ay dumadaan sa review ng MTRCB. Charing!

Seriously, there are factors that I consider when I write something. Hindi ko na sasabihin kung ano ang mga yun but the most important thing is, my pamangkins have access to my blog. Two of them can read and they understand the things that I write here. Kaya, as much as possible, everything that’s in here in is for General Patronage. Maging ang photos na nilalagay ko dito, including my ‘model poses’ are for wholesome viewers. Isa pa, I do not hide my being gay sa kanila. Nakakalat nga ang aking heels sa bahay eh. Yung iba katabi pa ng school shoes nila. Hahaha!

My niece reads other gay blogs too that’s in my links. She enjoys Mandaya Moore, Lyka Bergen and Misterheuge. Siyempre, my sister (her mother) is with her to answer questions that are sometimes medyo rated PG-13 na or minsan R-18. I remember her asking about a photo of a lube that was posted in Mandaya’s blog. Naloka kami ni Manang sa pagsagot. Hahaha!

Normal na rin dito sa blogosphere ang hindi pagre-reveal ng tunay na identity. In my case, medyo tinatago ko rin ang tunay kong identity but not my real istura. Nakakalat na dito ang aking kagandahan. Hahaha! Confident naman ako that I won’t be putting myself in a bad light if worst things happen God forbid. Kahit i-google ko ang aking true name eh zero results nga ang lumalabas eh so why bother. Isa pa, wala naman akong masyadong tinatago. Well except for my real age siguro. Charing! Kahit ano pang tricks dito sa internet ang gamitin niyo ay hinding-hindi niyo malalaman ang aking real age unless may software na naimbento to reveal someone’s age just by scanning their photo. Hahaha!

Anyway, willing naman ako to see and meet other bloggers. Na-meet ko na nga in person si Direk Bebs nung Davao premiere ng The Thank You Girls eh. In fairness, ako pa ang natameme that time. Hahaha!
So if you’re within the vicinity eh puede tayong magkita. Oo, makapal ang mukha ko eh. Charing!

In fact sa mga taga-Cebu, nandiyan ako this weekend. Diyan ako magkakalat ng lagim. Diyan ako magfo-photo shoot para sa aking next top model shots.



Kaya kung feel niyong makakita ng isang alien na sobrang ganda (ako yun) at okay lang sa iyo ang mahawa sa aking kahihiyang ginagawa, eh just make iwan a comment or sulatan (e-mail) niyo lang ako at nang ma-arrange natin yan. Hahaha!

Promise, hindi ako magpapalibre ng kape. Hahaha!



mask photo credit: here

Sideline

Life is tough.


Lalo na kung may pamilya kang binubuhay.

Yun bang may asawa ka na at may children na rin.

Buti na lang naging bading ako kaya kahit na magka-relasyon man ako eh hindi rin ako makapag-asawa dahil wala pa naming same-sex marriage dito sa atin at lalong hindi rin ako magkaka-anak noh. Kahit pa siguro mag acrobats kami ng aking ‘partner’ ay walang mabubuong fetus. Hahaha!

Anyway, kahit na I’m single eh I also feel the struggle noh. I still support my family back home. I also have a lot of bills to pay. Speaking of bills, eh tambak na naman ang aking love letters from mga pinagkakautangan. Leche. Walang katapusang bayaran na naman ng utang. Due na rin ng aking insurance para sa aking legs. Hahaha!

Kung nahihirapan ako sa buhay kahit single ako, how much more those who have families noh? I only think of myself most of the time tapos naloloka na ako sa pagba-budget, yun pa kayang hindi lang sarili mo ang pakakainin mo. Juice ko. Mabuti na lang talaga at naging bading ako. Walang asawang naghihintay na abutan ng sweldo. Walang anak na naghihintay na pakainin, paaralin, at kung magkasakit ay ipapagamot mo. Mabuti sana kung pinanganak ka nang mayaman. Eh kung purita ka like the most of us. Kung puede lang ay gagawin mong araw ang gabi.

Well, ganyan nga talaga siguro ang buhay-mahirap. Struggle parati. It’s a common life cycle.

Back to me. Hahaha! I’m thinking nga of getting a sideline.


Yung work na hindi sagabal sa aking regular job. Something legal. Kasi naman kung ibebenta ko rin ang aking laman, wala naman sigurong bibili noh? Hahaha!

Back in college nagbebenta ako ng cosmetics to support myself. Rumaraket din ako sa pakontest sa Miss Gay pero laging talo kaya nagtiyaga na lang ako bilang side-kick ng isang make-up artist. At least yun sure ang kita. Kung beauty contestant kasi eh wala kang pera kung hindi ka manalo or maging runner-up.

Wala rin pera dito sa blogging. Hindi epektib sa akin ang making money online ek-ek. Masyadong complicated. Isa pa, hindi ko alam ang pasikot-sikot diyan. Wala na nga akong advertiser eh. Meron ako dati pero pinull-out ko kasi may chika na scam daw yun at walang natatanggap ang mga affiliates.

Anyway, pag-iisipan ko kung anong puedeng gawin. I have a few options already. Ang kino-consider ko lang is that kelangan hindi ito maging sagabal sa aking regular day job. Ayoko rin ng complicated na sideline. At higit sa lahat, dapat mabilis ang ROI. Hahaha! Wish ko lang.

Teka.

Tumanggap kaya ako ng labada.


What do you think?

For Your Next R & R

Remember the time when DVD’s were very expensive, like more than P1500 each ang mga ito?

Well, that’s the very main reason of existence of pirated DVD copies.

In fairness, DVD’s nowadays is relatively cheap noh? Maganda pa ang mga copies nito. Some are even sold at Buy 1 Get 1 promos. You don’t have to patronise pirated copies anymore because konti na lang ang diperensya ng presyo nito sa original copies.

Sa mga collectors naman, lesser na rin ang expenses. Technology nowadays can even make clearer copies of super duper old classic movies. Available na rin ito everywhere and mind you, at a very reasonable prices. Expensive DVD’s are the ones that are currently released but compared to it’s former prices 5 or more years ago, medyo cheaper na rin ang mga ito.

Which brings me to my recent activity when I’m not busy at work and I have spare time to watch some of the movies I love to watch over and over again. Not all of them are my favourites but these are the TEN na most recently ay ine-enjoy kong uli-ulitin. Hahaha! You might be familiar with them and I’m sure you love them too.

This is in random order ha.


The Women

An all-star women cast led by Meg Ryan. Kwento ng isang super rich wife whose husband is having an affair with a saleslady. Her bestfriends has issues of their own too. One is a magazine editor, another a mega mommy and the other an author. In short, kwento ng friendship ng mga magagandang babae. Yun na!


Made Of Honor

Ito naman kwento ng mag-bestfriend na boy and girl. Boy realizes in love pala siya kay girl pero medyo too late na dahil ikakasal na si girl. Ah basta, cute ang story. Ginawang maid of honor ng girl ang boy. Ang gulo! Mabuti na lang cute si Patrick Dempsey.


21

Ito ang recent favourite ko. Saw this one one time sa HBO and I’m hooked already. It’s in my ipod too. Hahaha! Can’t get enough of Jim Sturgess, ang gwapo niya! Story naman ito ng MIT students na ginamit ang talino to conquer casinos in Vegas. Based on a true story.


The Wedding Date

First of all, like ko si Debra Messing because of Will and Grace. Second, crush ko si Dermot Mulroney ever since I saw him sa My Bestfriend’s Wedding. This one is a great romantic comedy talaga. Dermot plays the role of an escort hired by Debra’s character to be with her on her sister’s wedding. Then they fell in love. Tapos!


Just Like Heaven

Because favourite ko si Reese Witherspoon. Isa pa, interesting ang movie na ‘to. Kwento ng isang workaholic doctor na nadisgrasya. The guy leased the doctor’s apartment and she begins to ‘haunt’ him. In fairness cute si Mark Ruffalo. And may topless shower scene siya. Balbon. Ruff! Ruff!


The Nanny Diaries

I bought this dvd because tinamad akong basahin ang libro. Turned out mas maganda pa pala ang libro kesa movie. Very awkward ang dating ng mga actors led by Scarlett Johannson. Saving grace na lang ang kakisigan ni Chris Evans.


13 Going 30

Another movie that I missed in the theaters, buti na lang I got a copy of this. Another Mark Ruffalo movie, shet crush ko na siya talaga. Hahaha! Maghahanap na ako ng copy ng Rumor Has It kasi nandun din siya. Ewan ko ba, I find him very cuddly and sexy. Anyway, bida naman dito sa 13 Going 30 si Jennifer Garner. Basta, 13 years old siya tapos nag-wish maging 30, nagkatotoo. Ayun nagkagulo.


Good Luck Chuck

For the record, I don’t like Jessica Alba. Binili ko lang ‘to kasi ito ang Take 1 ng isang DVD na binili ko. Dane Cook has a sex montage in this movie kaya okay na rin. Hahaha!


Last Holiday

Ito favourite ko. Queen Latifah’s character was led to believe na mamamatay na siya. She jets off to a dream vacation and spend all her money there. Very fantasy ang movie na ‘to. Wish ko lang ako ang starring dito. Hahaha!


The Perfect Man

Hilary Duff, Heather Locklear and Chris Noth stars in this movie. A story of a girl who made an imaginary perfect man for her single mother. Cute story. Kawawa si mother nung nalaman niya na etchos lang pala si Perfect Man at kagagawan ng daughter niya. Happy ending pa rin ito don’t worry.

Well, that’s it mga bruha. Hanggang sa susunod na movie marathon.
Remember, buy original copies only. Huwag na sa pirata. Charing!
Ciao!