WikiPika

The Cutest Marriage Proposal EVER

2012-01-10T13:40:00.000+08:00

An Atlanta-based director came up with the cutest marriage proposal using my favorite toy in the world: LEGO! Watch in awe:

A Proposal in Stop Motion from FIREPIT PICTURES on Vimeo.

Source: Huffington Post

I decided to join the bandwagon

2012-01-09T19:31:00.000+08:00

Since everyone's making their own version of the Tourism Department's campaign, I decided to go through my old photos and make my own version!

#ItsMoreFuninthePhilippines

2012-01-06T13:03:00.000+08:00

What do you guys think of the new Tourism department campaign? #ItsMoreFuninthePhilippines #1forFun

MMFF 2011: 5 things about "Segunda Mano"

2012-01-01T14:08:00.000+08:00

Every year, we have absolutely no choice but to watch a couple of Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movies just because they are not showing anything else. This year's list of entries was strangely similar to last year's entries yet people still went to the theatres to support these 'remakes' or 're-edits' (as what I like to call them). Here's what I thought about some of the movies I've seen so far.

MMFF movie #1: Segunda Mano

Starring: Kris Aquino / Dingdong Dantes / Angelica Panganiban

1. Bangs Garcia was the big revelation in this movie. I never really liked this girl but she did a great job portraying a loud, over the top sidekick to compensate for Kris Aquino lack of other facial expressions.

2. Speaking of Kris Aquino, I actually thought she did a better job (not her best) in this movie than in her previous ones. True, the constipated-slash-scary look and that God-awful shriek is something we have to live with for the rest of our lives. But don't you think she did well in playing the role of a pathetic girlfriend / housewife - a complete departure from her big personality.\

3. Graphics on this movie wasn't stellar. And the make-up of Angelica's ghost was just amateurish.

4. Jhong Hilario was the biggest disappointment in this movie. Why did they give him the most ridiculous lines?

5. The movie was NOT scary at all. Still, it ranked 4 in terms of total earnings for the MMFF this year. Will you be watching Kris' next movie? I bet you will. We always do.

The Dark Knight Rises trailer

2011-12-22T22:46:00.000+08:00

Oh..em...gee. This one's a treat. Enjoy.

To watch more, visit tag

The Comics Sans Project - Good stuff!

2011-12-13T17:03:00.002+08:00

In UP, they trained us to use only one font for projects: Times New Roman 12 points. One professor introduced me to Garamond and my other blog's provider turned me into a Monospace fan. But this, I have to say: I have NEVER really been a fan of Comic Sans. It's sometimes cute but it cannot be used for many documents. It's too fancy/corny to be taken seriously. Heck would you take your boss seriously if he used Comic Sans in his memo?

Today, I stumbled upon The Comic Sans Project blog on Tumblr. Two French designers (Thomas Blanc and Florian Amoneau) started a movement that will soon change the the way you think about one of the most hated fonts in the world. What if the biggest companies used Comic Sans in their logos?

CHECK THESE OUT! Cute stuff!

My Christmas Playlist

2011-12-13T15:48:00.000+08:00

Aside from the beautiful lights, one of my [very few] favorites during Christmas time are the songs. This is the only time when artists can come out with the same songs in their album and still sell records (hihi). Once in a while there are original songs which eventually become classics. Here's my Christmas playlist. How does yours look like?

1. This Gift by 98 Degrees

2. 8 Days of Christmas by Destiny's Child

3. Christmas Time by Christina Aguilera

4. All I want for Christmas is You

5. Under the Mistletoe by Justin Bieber

Random Post: Keannu Reeves

2011-12-10T20:01:00.002+08:00

Just as I was watching The Matrix Trilogy....

Nokia N9 vs. iPhone

2011-11-22T18:31:00.000+08:00

I have a habit of switching from one phone to another. When I get bored with my gadget, I'd find a buyer and get rid of it and get myself a new one. Recently, I've been itching to get my hands on the Nokia N9. I am using an iPhone 4 right now. I'm not really interested in buying an iPhone 4S (Siri doesn't really excite me). The N9, however, is just gorgeous:

And kind of doomed. It runs on the MeeGo Harmattan 1.2 OS - which is basically dead to everyone in the smartphone industry since Nokia decided to abandon it and move on to Windows Phone. Still, this phone is a knockout. The design is beautiful and the software can actually compete with the iOS and Android in terms of UI and overall performance.

The only problem is the lack of apps. MeeGo is fairly new and almost dead. While its creator Intel promised to develop the OS, developers have yet to make more apps for this platform. The App store has hundreds of thousands of apps. Android is slowly catching up. I haven't even checked if they have Angry Birds?

And I am also fully aware that the exact same exterior design that I admire will also be used by an upcoming Nokia Windows Phone - the Lumia 800.

I REALLY HAVEN'T DECIDED YET. But for some reason, I just felt the urge to post an ad on TipidCP.com and eBay PH for my iPhone. In just a matter of minutes, I already received a dozen inquiries from serious buyers.

If you were me, would you sell your iPhone and buy an N9?

Smart Evolution LTE Closed Beta Launch

2011-11-21T21:22:00.001+08:00

LTE will finally be in the Philippines soon. I cannot wait to experience speeds of up to 40+ mbps just like in South Korea. Smart Communications recently launch a closed beta launch of their Smart Evolution LTE service. I signed up because, who knows, I might get lucky enough to try this service before the entire nation. I'm expecting it to be buggy. After all, it's a beta launch. Let's see if Smart can deliver.

6 things about 'Praybeyt Benjamin'

2011-11-21T18:28:00.003+08:00

I'm usually very picky when watching Filipino movies. I am not really a fan of Pinoy comedy but when a movie ends up being the top grossing Filipino film of all time, your curiosity will have you running to the nearest theatre in no time. Besides, it's a Star Cinema movie, what could possibly go wrong?

Apparently, almost everything.

1. Vice Ganda is running out of really funny jokes - Maybe it's just me: I wasn't laughing hysterically like the woman sitting on the 4th row. The comedy bar jokes didn't really work IMHO. They should have been left where they truly belong - in a comedy bar. Comedy is a tough genre and it's difficult to tickle someone to death. Maybe the comedy bar jokes just didn't translate well in this film?

2. Our view of the military is really poor - They say that what we see in our media is what is usually the general public's perception. In this case, our military is viewed as inept, inadequate and incapable of producing credible intelligence [reports]. Instead of showing the military as this strong force that they should be, they ended up being captured and held hostage by the bandits. You will NOT see this in Hollywood films.

3. After all these years, gays are still the favorite laughing stocks in Filipino films - Okay, I get it. One cross-dressing homosexual trying out in the military to save his grandfather and bring honor to his father a la Mulan. Was I the only one offended with how it was portrayed in this film? It's almost 2012 and homosexuals in Pinoy films are still the cross-dressing, costume fanatic, man-hungry, black sheep of the family who does not have a stable job and is incapable of being funny without being actually laughed at by straight people.

4. Ricky Rivero lost the battle of the bulge... AGAIN - A few years ago, I admired Mr. Ricky Rivero for going through the Sexy Chef program and losing all those pounds. In this film, he clearly gained all the weight back. Just saying.

5. Jimmy Santos' "Bongjing" expressions still work - He's still funny after all these years. Worked for me, Sir Jimmy.

6. When everything else blows, undress the men - Yep, there were a handful of abs pecs and muscle, portraying the homosexual Benjamin as this gay man-eater that straight men love to hate. And now we're wondering why there are a lot of homophobics out there? And we're wondering why there are many bullies?

Good job Star Cinema and Viva Films for producing another hit. I just wish the brand of comedy will go through some serious changes. Think 'Babae sa Septic Tank'.

Batingting: Tampered Taxi Meters

2011-11-08T14:53:00.000+08:00

On my last trip, I took a cab to the NAIA Terminal 3 airport. I told him I need to get to the airport and his response was - "Magkano binibigay nyo?" (How much do you usually pay to get there?) I told him, to use the meter. He made a "request" for me to add a few more bucks. Silly me, I agreed. Don't blame me. I was in a hurry.

He went through the Skyway because it was the quickest way and it was directly connected to the airport road. After getting on the ramp, that's when I started noticing a few things:

* He kept using the wipers even though the view was very clear.

* He kept using the signal lights even though there were only a couple of cars on the Skyway.

* He kept adjusting the radio, switching from one station to another.

* He slowed down to like 30-40 kph.

* He kept blocking my view of the meter.

The most shocking thing I noticed is that every time these things happen, the meter goes way up. I had absolutely no choice. The driver clearly looked like a f*cking criminal and we were on the Skyway. I couldn't just jump off the cab and run!

By the time we reached Resorts World, the taxi fare was almost P200 (a very unusual fare if you're coming from where I was an hour ago). But the greedy criminal thought it wasn't enough. He kept using the signal lights for no reason until the meter finally reached P200. So much for asking for extra on top of what's the exact taxi fare! As soon as I got out, I took the name of the unit, make and model and reported it to the LTFRB. I also told the guy who was about to get on the same cab to get another one because his meter was clearly tampered.

If you have a clear view of the meter, it's much easier to spot a tampered meter. There will be an obvious discrepancy in the distance traveled. For example, it may show that you have traveled .6 KM but you are actually sitting in heavy traffic (similar to the picture shown above).

If you encounter a cab driver who does the same thing, it's better to hop out before the meter siphons your taxi budget. Remember to get the Taxi company's name, Unit number and Plate number. You can call the LTFRB at 925-7191 or 0921-448-7777.

Bacolod and Iloilo in 2 days

2011-11-04T22:10:00.002+08:00

One of my goals is to travel to as many destinations within the Philippines. It's such a shame that at this age, I've only been to CamSur, Boracay, Quezon, and Cebu. I need to travel more within my own country!

I decided my next stop would be Bacolod. My very good friend Karin is based in Bacolod City so she was my tour guide. A few hours after I landed, we took a SuperCat ferry (450php) to Iloilo. We stayed there on my first night and went back to Bacolod on my 2nd night.

There's really not a whole lot of things to do in Bacolod other than join the Masskara Festival activities. Unfortunately, the main events started 2 days after my departure. That's why we decided Iloilo would be a nice sidetrip so I won't get bored.

The ride was bumpy. I wanted to reach for the discomfort bag twice but I just closed my eyes and tried to sleep. The ride is an hour and a half. We took a cab from the Iloilo port and checked in at the Smallville 21 hotel.

Our room was pretty decent. It's a standard studio room with 2 double beds. The rate we got was P1,500 - cheaper and the room looks much better than the one I had in Hong Kong hehehe...

We spent the day going around the area which apparently is the most popular strip of bars, restaurants and coffee shops. There were a lot of options for music and food too. The best part is that everything is affordable! Your 500php will go a very long way in Iloilo. Not bad!

Note: if you're on a diet, DO NOT go to Bacolod or Iloilo. They have irresistible desserts which will surely make you put on some weight before you fly back to Manila.

We partied all night and went back to bed a few hours before the sun was about to rise. I completely forgot that my friend is a 'normal' person (and does not work in the graveyard shift) so her stamina is weaker than mine haha. We left Iloilo at 1030am and had lunch at the Bacolod Chicken House. I think you've never really had an authentic Barbecue chicken until you've tasted the way Bacolod Chicken House (main branch in Bacolod) does it.

The aftermath

The food trip wasn't over just yet. We walked a few blocks and arrived the best dessert place in Bacolod: Calea!

Yes, in Calea they call it the 'Sugar Rush Hour"

Three layers of happiness

And they're tech-savvy! Great customer service!

Calea has all sorts of desserts that will surely satisfy your sweet tooth. I honestly couldn't finish my slice of Choco Mousse because I was already full from our chicken inasal meal. It was a bad idea to go to Calea on a full stomach. You'd definitely need to bring your appetite so you can try a lot of their sweet offerings.

The Bacolod-Iloilo was short just like my Cebu trip but it was so worth it! The best part is that I did not go over my budget!

Five things about 'In Time' [Movies]

2011-11-02T18:52:00.001+08:00

The trailer of the sci-fi movie 'In Time' had all the right elements. It was exciting and it had enough star power to showcase a great movie. Unfortunately, the critics - and even an ordinary film enthusiast like me - did not think the movie delivered. Like I said, there's a lot of potential but somewhere in the middle, everything just went south.

1. Good Story. Bad Script.

The first end credit says the film was written and directed by Andrew Niccol. There's a couple of things I can say to this guy. First, he had a good concept. Second, and most importantly, his scriptwriter/s may have screwed things up. The punchlines just didn't work and the line 'No one has to die...' was a bit overused. Also, I thought Justin and Amanda Seyfried were great but the movie could have worked with another set of lead actors.

2. Justin Timberlake couldn't get a great gig.

I'm talking about the gig that brings you to the Hollywood A-list. He was in a couple more movies this year ('Bad Teacher' and 'Friends with Benefits'). He was good but they weren't necessarily unforgettable roles. I thought his role as Sean Parker in 'The Social Network' would propel him into super stardom but we have yet to see him in an actual big hit. Oh well, at least he's making a lot of money from it.

Timberlake in 'Friends with Benefits'

3. Haves and Have nots.

The dark reality is that there will be further divide between the haves and the have nots in the future. I wonder what the Occupy Wall Street guys think about this movie?

4. No flying cars in this future.

I love Niccol's interpretation of the future. Nope, there are no flying cars (yet). This future isn't really that technologically advanced than our time. The use of time as currency and means of population control, as well as the skin clocks were cool. The hand wrestling matches were pretty corny though.

5. Time is short. Live your life.

Whether it's a currency or not, one thing is certain. Life is short. We all have the duty to live our lives before it runs out.http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1086543/

Cebu: Short but Fun trip

2011-11-01T12:49:00.001+08:00

The first time I went to Cebu, I fell in love with the place. I imagine living there would be like working in the city on weekdays and relaxing in one of the beaches on weekends. My last visit was kind of unplanned and I went with my sister. Hence, the expenses were quite huge IMHO.

This time, I went to Cebu with a friend. This trip was supposed to be much cheaper for two reasons: we were going to stay at a friend's place and the trip's only for two days. Who could possibly spend so much money in that short amount of time? *wink*wink*

The trip started with Cebu Pacific disappointing their loyal passengers (ahem, that includes ME) with a 3-hour flight delay due to 'air traffic congestion' or 'heavy runway traffic'. I thought it was due to the delayed flights of Philippine Airlines. (What's new?) We ended up spending more money at the airport than we planned because we had nothing else to do but fill our mouths with food.

I also realized something: NAIA terminal 3 is still small despite its huge space. The day of our departure was the busiest day I've seen in terminal 3. People were sitting on the floor. All of the seats at the waiting area were occupied. There were people everywhere! This is probably because passengers from all cancelled PAL flights were accommodated by AirPhil Express - an airline which also uses terminal 3.

Anyway, we finally arrived in Cebu and our friends were already waiting for us. I have to say, they were the best hosts! Upon arriving, we were escorted to our rooms and were given a basket of stuff we need - just like in a triple A resort in Boracay!

On the first night, we had dinner and then hopped from one bar to another. I would definitely recommend this bar called Voodoo. The music was great and the crowd was good. Drinks were also relatively cheaper than rates in Manila.

On the second (and last day) we went to the Crown Regency hotel to try the Sky Adventure activities. My friends were really scared to try most of what they offer. I was able to prove to myself and to them that I absolutely have no fear of heights. (I thought I did!) But before that, we headed to CNT to try their lechon. Little did our hosts know, I don't eat PORK! It looked damn good though:

First, we tried the Edge Coaster. Unfortunately, our pictures were not worth posting so we didn't pay for them. The ride was actually pretty scary. There's a button that controls the tilting of our seats but it was not working! It won't tilt back to its original position, which made the ride extra scary.

Next we tried the Sky Walk where we basically walk on a path that surrounds the building. We're tied to a harness so I wasn't really THAT scared. Walking on the edge of the building was really fun. There were also parts where we stepped on fiber glass. When I looked down, it sort of gave the illusion that I was floating. My favorite part was when the photographer took our picture while we stand on one leg, pretending that we're about to fall off the edge of the building.

Perhaps the most exciting part of this entire trip would be the zip line. I've never tried it before but this one's extra special IMHO. We dangled from one tower to another - 40 storeys above the ground in less than 10 seconds. Then, we sat on the harness and was pulled back to tower 1.

Oh Cebu, I fell in love with you even more. Rumor has it that SM will be building its second Mall of Asia in Cebu? How true is this? That's another reason to go back =D

UH-mazing Banana Sculptures by Keisuke Yamada

2011-10-21T14:38:00.000+08:00

Art on a canvass has always impressed me. But how about art on a banana? Japanese artist Keisuke Yamada is now an internet sensation with his Art on Bananas. Look at these uh-mazing sculptures on bananas which he did using only a toothpick!

NEW Charice music video - Louder

2011-10-20T16:24:00.000+08:00

And the video is out! I have to say this is my favorite song from Charice. I think it's even better than 'Pyramid'. I hope it will do well in the U.S. charts!

Day 2 Cycling - 11km

2011-10-18T07:53:00.002+08:00

I was so pumped today! I finished cycling with 52:52 time, 11.37 km, average 12.90, 1205 calories burned. This is a major improvement from Day 1 (when I did only 5 KM). The route I took was fairly busy today due to rush hour but safe I think. Just a few things I realized:

* I need to buy a mask. The streets of Metro Manila are just too polluted and some motorists absolutely do not care about cyclists and even motorcyclists.

* I should get a helmet for two reasons: it makes you look sexy (hahaha!) and for very obvious safety reasons. I just need to pick the right one.

* I need a water bottle when cycling. I felt a little dehydrated and I didn't stop to buy a bottle of water. That's not good.

* Speed is not important at this time. As I do this more often, I can work on improving my speed and gear shifting. I need to learn a lot of cycling because I'm more of a recreational cyclist than a hardcore one.

* I want those barefoot shoes. I think I's be more comfortable cycling in them. I will go to Trinoma today and check them out!

* I SHOULD OIL MY BIKE!

- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone

NEW Paranormal Activity 3 trailer!

2011-10-13T05:19:00.002+08:00

This movie comes out on October 21! Cannot wait!

Memorable Quotes from Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T21:27:00.000+08:00

Thanks to Mashable for compiling these amazing quotes from Steve Jobs' interviews and speeches. I remember printing this and putting it on my desk. His words were truly inspiring. #ThankYouSteveJobs

From his 2005 Stanford commencement address:

"If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on."

"Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose."

"You can't connect the dots looking forward. You can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."

"No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true."

2008 Fortune magazine interview:

"We don't get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life."

2003 New York Times interview about the iPod

"Design is not just what it looks like. Design is how it works."

2008 60 Minutes interview

"My model for business is The Beatles: they were four guys that kept each other's negative tendencies in check; they balanced each other. And the total was greater than the sum of the parts."

1998 BusinessWeek interview:

"That's been one of my mantras - focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex. You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains."

1995 Smithsonian Institute interview:

"I'm convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance."

RIP Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T10:42:00.000+08:00

Today, we lost a great visionary who changed the world, one iDevice at a time.

RIP STEVE JOBS

Naomi Campbell's Amazing Eye-Shaped Home

2011-09-29T16:57:00.001+08:00

If there is one thing worth blogging about today, it's definitely Naomi Campbell's eye-shaped house - a gift from his Russian billionaire boyfriend, Vladislav Doronin. (Photos from CNBC)

Located in Turkey's Sedir Island a.k.a. Cleopatra island, this 25-bedroom Eco-House was designed by Spanish architect Luis Garrido, who specializes in sustainable building. The structure not only resembles the Egyptian Eye of Horus, it is also completely energy, food and water self-sufficient. The black outline of the estate is composed of photovoltaic panels which work with the geothermal system that provides energy for the entire house.

What's even more amazing is that the structure was designed to stay cool in the summer and stay warm during winter without the help of air conditioners and heaters. The design helps to naturally sustain itself on any season.

That's an extremely lavish gift for a girlfriend on her 41st birthday!

Amazon Kindle Fire has arrived!

2011-09-29T10:29:00.000+08:00

The much-hyped Amazon Kindle Fire tablet has arrived and it's extremely affordable! At $199, you get a 7" all-black tablet, similar to the Blackberry Playbook (because they were manufactured by the same company). It has Android 2.3 but as you can see on the video (courtesy of Mashable.com), it's heavily modified. That's a good way to differentiate itself from the plethora of Android tablets who, unfortunately, all look the same to me.

Calaruega Church in Tagaytay

2011-09-20T17:21:00.000+08:00

A big sign that you're getting old: Your high school classmates are getting married one by one.

Last Friday, I was invited to my friend Jessica's wedding. We went to high school together and we were pretty much close for four years. Back in high school, we were kind of obsessed with having small groups and giving ourselves names (as if we're in a talent show). There were groups called 191, Jeunesse, Berzwa, Magnificent 8, etc. Jessica and I were in a group we called Amici (Italian word for friends).

The wedding ceremony was held in the beautiful Calaruega Church in Tagaytay. I believe it's the same church where Judy Anne Santos and Ryan Agoncillo got married.

Best wishes to Jessica and Jan!

Andy Whitfield's last words to his kids

2011-09-20T11:30:00.000+08:00

SAD SAD SAD. As you all know by now, the star of one of my favorite shows Spartacus passed away due to Lymphoma. I saw this on Perez Hilton today. Here are Andy Whitfield's last words to his children:

I am going to go to sleep now as my body won't work any more. I am like a butterfly with broken wings. I will always be with you and will always be watching over you. I love you.

RIP ANDY WHITFIELD

The Sing Off Season 3 Promo

2011-09-14T17:04:00.000+08:00

I am so freaking excited for the return of my favorite show 'The Sing Off'! Now on its third season, it still remains as the only all-voices competition on television. More groups, more a capella songs!

Here's a preview:

Becky Nights and Divine Lee spoofs Miss Universe Final Q&A

2011-09-14T13:33:00.000+08:00

First, Congratulations to Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup for being the 3rd runner-up at the 60th Miss Universe pageant. I know that we all want to strangle the judges (except for Lea) for not choosing her despite giving the best answer. Just to make things cool down a bit, here's a spoof of the final Q&A courtesy of Becky Nights podcasters and Divine Lee:

RIP Andy Whitfield

2011-09-13T01:44:00.000+08:00

Goodbye, Andy! The battle is over for you, Spartacus. Rest now.

RIP ANDY WHITFIELD

The Master Cleanse round 1 - FAIL!

2011-09-12T14:02:00.001+08:00

Aside from boxing, I was thinking of other ways to 'speed up' my weight loss. My friends and I ended up talking about the lemonade diet or The Master Cleanse. It was originally designed as sort of a detox process where you will eat absolutely NOTHING within a 10-day period. As a substitute, you will take at least 750ml of an all-organic lemonade (made of real lemon juice and grade B maple syrup or muscovado sugar). If you want to learn more about The Master Cleanse, click on the hyperlink above or the photo below.

The complete Master Cleanse ingredients are available at any Healthy Options branch.
Total is P3,000++

Part of the process is to drink a laxative tea before sleeping. When you wake up, you need to do a Salt Water Flush, where you chug on a liter of water mixed with 2 teaspoon of Sea Saltwater. This process is supposed to flush out everything you've taken before the laxative tea so expect the first time to be an extremely crappy process.

MY DAY 1 and 2

Actually, Day 1 was very easy. I've watched some videos on YouTube where people have complained about the laxative tea. I'm a tea drinker and I thought the laxative tea I bought was much better than other tea drinks I've tried.

The first day I did this, I could not stop thinking about a Double Cheeseburger. There was a point when I got up and almost dialed 8-MCDO to order one. 'It's all in the mind.' That's what I kept telling myself. I put the phone down and drank more lemonade.

Come Day 2, the lemonade was just like drinking water when you're thirsty - except there was a little bit of a challenge. I was with my family and we went to a funeral where they served some of my favorite foods. Then we went to my Lola's house where they also had food. I gave my family a heads up - that I won't be eating and I would hate it if they would force me to eat. They need to be on my side! Fortunately, I avoided the food and just drank my lemonade baon the entire time.

THE PROBLEM

When we left my Lola's house at around 5PM, I started having this headache. It was getting worse by the minute and it actually scared the shit out of me. I knew that my body probably is complaining why it's not getting its regular ration of food.

By the time we reached the city, my head was pounding. I was in pain but I didn't really tell my parents. So when my little sister told me she was hungry, I told them we can eat at KFC (hehehe). I had my favorite Chicken Supreme Bowl Ala King and it was so worth it.

ROUND 2

Okay, maybe I wasn't strong enough during round 1 of this Master Cleanse. HOWEVER, I noticed some changes in my body on day 2. I thought I lost half of my big tummy and I lost 3 lbs. Also, I wasn't really craving for food anymore. It was just the massive headache that brought this process to a full stop.

Anyway, I will start day 1 round 2 again today. I've been creating video blogs to document the process. We'll see how it goes!

Vegetarian for a day - Corner Tree Cafe, Jupiter St. Makati

2011-09-07T16:47:00.001+08:00

Last Sunday, I was finally able to drag someone to Corner Tree Cafe in an effort to be a vegetarian for just one day. For the record: I don't really eat vegetables. However, if you cook and serve them in such a way that I won't realize they're vegetables, I'm in!

Corner Tree Cafe is a small vegetarian cafe along Jupiter Street in Makati (between Centerstage and Starbucks Reposo). They have regulars and daily specials but again, everything's vegetarian.

We started our meal with one order of Spinach Feta Croquette. This one's really delicious.

Melai ordered the Veg Nut Roast meal. This looks like bread but it tastes like a good beef steak.

Of course, I ordered the safest one on the menu: Tofu Walnut Burger with potato fries.

This burger is just amazing! Usually, I can finish one ginormous Brothers Burger in less than 30 minutes. The Tofu Walnut burger tastes just a little different from your average burger but you'll feel full after finishing just half of it. It's best to share the other half with your companion.

For dessert, I ordered a sugar-free chocolate cake.

I plan to go back because there's still a lot of interesting choices on their menu. One caveat: the items on their menu are quite pricey. Your budget per visit should be somewhere between 400 and 600 pesos per person. But I guarantee you it'll be worth it!

Corner Tree Café
150 Jupiter Street, Bel-Air Village, Makati (02) 8970295 / (0917) 8481004
Tuesday- Sunday until 10pm

Zombadings Audition video: How they found Remington

2011-09-06T17:38:00.001+08:00

(Thanks to Gibb Cadiz for the video)

If you're one of the straight, gay, bisexual, lesbian or confused movie goers who watched Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington, here's the audition video showing how they found their Remington.

Expense Report: Trip to Hong Kong

2011-09-06T13:09:00.001+08:00

And just like that, my 3-day trip to Hong Kong ended. I already miss HK but before I plan on going back, I need to check how much money I spent for my short trip.

I admit, I could have saved a little on food. I couldn't pick the 'right' Chinese restaurant so I always end up with the 'safeest' choice - fastfood. Bad!

One thing I failed to include on the list above (and is the most important thing) is my guest house fee which is Php 8,500 for 3 nights. One major mistake I did when I created my budget: I only included my future expenses. For example, I had a budget for US$500 for this trip but that excludes stuff that I've already paid for like the airline tickets and hotel reservation. As a result, I thought I was still well within my budget but in reality I've gone way beyond it.

Lesson learned: If you're going to create a budget for a very cheap trip, take EVERYTHING into account - even that sandwich you bought at the airport terminal. One thing I realized is that HK really wasn't cheap to begin with. In fact, it is one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Still, I think it was one of the best trips I've had so far!

You might also like:

Trip to Seoul, South Korea

Trip to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Day 3 in Hong Kong - Out and About

2011-09-06T12:23:00.000+08:00

When I was preparing my itinerary, I came across this blog about how to explore the city for just HK$100. I thought this would be perfect on my last day in Hong Kong. I cancelled my visit to Lantau Island (which includes another cable car ride - I think I'm done with cable cars for now) and took the MTR to go somewhere near central. From there, I boarded the tram, which is the cheapest form of transportation in the city. For just 2 freaking dollars you can go from point A to B - regardless of where you're getting off.

My first stop was the Western Market. Frankly, I was surprised this was part of the itinerary because it was... well... just a market. I wasn't in the mood to buy fruits or other stuff so I moved on to the next destination.

Actually, I never really got to the next destination. The directions on the blog doesn't really say anything about turning on this street and that street. In short, I was lost and when I asked people who were walking by, they didn't know the location I was desperately trying to go to.

Pardon me for being vague. I don't want the blogger to know how frustrated I was with her blog.

Anyway, I just kept walking and walking and found myself on Hollywood Road. This place is famous for bars and antique shops. It was midday and I wasn't in the mood to grab a drink. And I also wasn't in the mood for antique window shopping.

My frustration over this itinerary was growing by the minute. I just decided to ditch the paper I was holding and do my own exploration trip. I boarded the tram again and enjoyed the ride for over an hour. I realized there are a lot of places I haven't been to. The problem is I just didn't know how far these places are from the MTR stations.

I got off somewhere at Causeway Bay. I went to the World Trade Center mall where I found Muji and a few other shops. I was still trying to follow the HK$100 budget for the day so I just got a scoop of sugar-free ice cream and left.

I walked around and went into a futsal field (is that what they call it?) and watched a game. I didn't know if they were professionals but those people definitely know how to kick a ball. After 15 minutes, I went to Temple Street which is simply the Divisoria of Hong Kong. Almost anything - DVDs, clothes, wigs, toys, etc - can be found on Temple Street. I was there on a Sunday so it wasn't crowded. Some stalls were not open for business. I was disappointed because I didn't find a single card reader. That was part of my original plan.

I realized later on that I was somewhere near a restaurant that was mentioned on the blog. The blogger said they serve amazing sandwiches and buns. Bear in mind that by this time, I was already walking around the city for almost 6-7 hours and all I had was my breakfast and 1 scoop of ice cream plus water. And you know what was the biggest surprise? The place the blogger mentioned was non-existent! WTF!

Instead of dwelling on the fact that I felt duped (by a blogger haha), I just rewarded myself with a delicious KFC Chicken a la king Rice, 1 pc chicken and criss cut fries. After my first bite, I started smiling again.

After my meal, I rushed to the H&M store in Central to do some shopping. Then I rushed back to Tsim Sha Tsui to catch the Symphony of Lights.

I definitely enjoyed my trip to Hong Kong. I will definitely be back!

Day 2 in Hong Kong - Ocean Park

2011-09-06T10:52:00.002+08:00

By 3PM, I got back to the Peak Tram terminal. I realized I’ll be wrapping up day 2 early so I decided to walk around and just explore the city. I found myself walking into this park on top of a mid-rise building (forgot what it was called). I walked a little bit further to kill time. I may have been tired from walking all day but I figured I still have time to go to Ocean Park. I passed through a walkway and saw four Filipinas playing cards in one corner. I asked one of them how to get to Ocean Park. She told me to get on bus 6X and ask the driver to drop me off at Ocean Park.

And I thought it was going to be easy! I waited for a bus marked 6X for almost 45 minutes. That gave me a lot of time to think about whether to postpone my Ocean Park visit or not. It was almost 4PM but the heat of the sun was still unbearable. I was getting more and more tired as I stood at the bus stop waiting.

Finally, a bus 6X arrived. Unfortunately for me, the bus driver was not very helpful. He didn’t speak English and he just told me ‘Next’. I assumed he meant that Ocean Park will be at the next stop. I did get off at the next stop but Ocean Park was nowhere in sight. I had to walk further – and I mean FURTHER – until I finally saw a glimpse of the Ocean Park logo. I was relieved but again, I had to walk for 15 more minutes under the heat of the sun.

ANYWAY, enough about my rants because once I got there, I was completely blown away. Ocean Park was much, MUCH better than Hong Kong Disneyland!

The entire park was MASSIVE. It’s like one entire island of fun rides and attractions. I didn’t know where to go first. I felt so stupid because I thought I wasn’t going to need a map. So I tried one ride after another until got lost somewhere in the middle of the park.

One of the highlights was the cable car ride which transports majority of the park guests from one side of the mountain to the other. It's a ridiculously scary ride - definitely NOT for people who have fear of heights. The photo above shows how long and how high the ride was. It had me holding on to the bars for my dear life.

After three long hours of walking and riding and a few snacking, I definitely wanted to go home. My feet were killing me. As I was finding my way out, I saw a large group of people gathered in front of the stage. There was a show with incredible divers. I just stood there in awe:

After the show, I saw this huge Panda sign and decided to check it out. At first, I thought it was just a shop selling all things panda. Turns out, they do have real pandas inside!

I really thought I was ready to go home until I passed by the entrance of the big Aquarium. I thought, why the heck did I visit Ocean Park if I don't want to see the Aquarium. There was a long line outside and a man at the end of the line was holding a sign that says 'Wait Time: 60 Minutes'. Fortunately, I only had to wait about 45 minutes to get inside. It was worth the wait.

Next: Out and About in Hong Kong

Day 2 in Hong Kong - Avenue of the Stars & The Peak Tram

2011-09-01T18:01:00.002+08:00

I woke up at around 9AM on my 2nd day in Hong Kong. Thank God I was able to sleep well despite my less-than-glamorous guest house room. I decided to go to the Avenue of the Stars (Hong Kong's answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame) which is just a 10-minute walk away from the Mirador Mansions.

The weather was great although the temperature was slowly rising as we were approaching midday. The Avenue of the Stars reminds me of Manila Breakwater. The difference is that there's a spectacular view. The water seemed clean too.

I was kind of bummed that I didn't know too many Chinese actors. Luckily, I found Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan's Stars.

Since I didn't have breakfast, I went to Starbucks to grab a bite. I swear, this Starbucks has to be the most beautiful I've seen so far. It looks like a beach house from this shot:

I was starting to feel exhausted because of the heat. I walked around a little bit more and suddenly found myself in an MTR station. I decided to go to Central and take the Peak Tram ride.

I thought this was just an ordinary tram ride so I was just relaxed. While buying a ticket, I saw a huge flock of people waiting for the tram. The place was packed but there were two trams so the wait was shorter than I expected.

Soon I realized the climb was very steep. I was holding on to the bars for my dear life while a couple of funny looking European guys were struggling to maintain their balance. They looked ridiculous. Tip: the small space near the doors are perfect.

The ride ends at the Peak Tower, a beautiful structure at highest point of Hong Kong. The design of the building itself is beautiful. There are shops and restaurants inside and the Madame Tussaud's wax museum. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the mood to take photos of myself with the wax figures. I just went to the top floor to get the best view of Hong Kong.

Next Stop: Ocean Park

Day 1 in Hong Kong - Disneyland!

2011-08-27T22:25:00.001+08:00

Figuring out how to go to Disneyland was pretty easy. The Tsim Sha Tsui subway station was just beside the Mirador Mansions so I just had to go there and learn how to use their train system. Subway system in Hong Kong is very similar to the Seoul Metro. You’d have to be really stupid to get lost after 5 minutes of staring at the train maps.

You’d have to go to the Central station of the Tsue Wan line then transfer to the line that goes to Disneyland. Yes, Disneyland has its own train and it’s kind of amazing. The windows were shaped like a Mickey Mouse logo and the interiors were all Disney-fied – from the bar handles to the small statues.

It was around 1PM and the sun was directly above us. The temperature in Hong Kong was probably 35 degrees Celsius. Everyone was sweating profusely but for some reason, I wasn’t complaining. I went through each stall which were either a snack bar or a souvenir shop. Then I headed to the main attractions of the park.

I have to say I was a bit disappointed with Disneyland for two reasons: I felt that there was a lack of adventure rides and their park attendants were not very friendly!

The highlight of my visit was definitely the grand parade. I was soooooooo stoked to see Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Lightning Mcqueen in the flesh (Is that even the right thing to say?) and the other Disney characters were also great.

Just to let you know: This is how my day started: I went to work and got off early at 4am to go to the airport. While sitting at the passengers' waiting area, I was on a conference call with our client (though this time I was just a listener because of the noisy background). I waited for boarding time which started a couple of hours later. Then I arrived in Hong Kong, went to my hotel to drop off my stuff and headed to Disneyland.

In short - I had absolutely NO SLEEP!

However, it was a Friday night. I reckoned it would be the best time to check out the local bars. I saw a couple of nice restaurants at Knutsford Terraces and a few bars within the area. Nothing really appealed to me so the big loser in me just decided to head home and call it a day but not without grabbing a quick bite at McDonalds.

But just as I was ready to walk back into Mirador Mansions, I decided to check out nearby Giordano store. By golly, everything's on sale! I ended up maxing out my shopping budget on day 1! But I got a lot for what I paid for:

YES! Call me cheap! I only alloted HK$500 for shopping because a) I don't like shopping and b) I have a very limited budget. I will write a separate post on my expenses on this HK trip.

Arrival in Hong Kong

2011-08-27T21:58:00.001+08:00

Upon arrival at the Hong Kong international airport, my jaw dropped. They have a super fancy airport! It’s a much bigger, more pimped NAIA terminal 3 with lots of shops and transportation options. One thing I keep complaining about NAIA terminal 3 is that passengers don’t really have any other choice but to take a cab. Hong Kong’s bus system is very organized. There is also a train station inside the airport. I wish we also have that here.

I hopped on the A21 bus as instructed by the guest house owner. There were also a couple of Filipino tourists on board. One seemed more familiar with Hong Kong and the other is a first timer. I was tempted to talk to them but I was busy looking out the window. Everything seemed so unreal. I really have arrived in Hong Kong! Everything is so fast-paced. I’m amazed at how developed the place is. There’s a mix of the old and new Chinese culture as seen in the city’s architecture.

I arrived at the guest house less than an hour later. I got off at the wrong bus stop so I had to walk a few blocks back to the Mirador Mansions. It’s an old (kinda creepy too) building which has a lot of cheap guest houses for budget travelers like me. I pulled out a piece of paper from my pocket which had the exact address of the guest house. It says 5^th floor Flat 2. I went through each door on the 5^th floor and was not able to find it. When I called their phone number, a Chinese lady picked up but was unable to speak English properly. All I understand was ‘Wait’ – which probably meant that she will pick me up from where I was at that time.

Scary hallway of the Mirador Mansions

At that time, all I could think of was 'Does this place even exist?'

Five minutes later, someone showed up on the 5^thfloor. Thank God she’s Filipina so I spoke to her in Filipino the entire time. She led me to the guest house, which is apparently on the 7th floor. The owner has a lot of rooms on the 5th but they're fully booked so they're giving me one on the 7th. She even gave me a chance to choose which room I want to take.

These were my options:

Room # 1 – creepy room with 1 window, smaller bed and small bathroom which looked kinda gross

Room #2 – still a creepy room with NO window, bigger room and bed though. Decent bathroom

I chose the 2^nd room although my jaws were still on the floor. When she showed me the rooms, both were in absolute mess. She explained to me that the guests just checked out so she still had to clean my room. Since I thought that would take some time, I decided to leave my bag and go to Disneyland.

NEXT: Day 1 – Disneyland!

Laptop keys not working

2011-08-17T14:33:00.001+08:00

My tech mobility just went to the dogs. Can someone tell me if it's Mercury Retrograde season?

After the disastrous, horrific, unimaginable demise of my Nokia N8, another gadget started acting up. It's my Acer D260 laptop this time. It's been with me for almost a year. I've NEVER had issues with it - until last Saturday. I was trying to log into my Windows account and it won't accept my password. I first thought I forgot my password (again). After some careful observation, I noticed that some of the keys are not working, specifically the keys on the 3rd and 4th row from the top.

I panicked. I went to a nearby Aserco service center and was told that the only solution is to replace the keyboard. (Whew). The only problem is that they do not know when it will be available. When I got home, I called Acer and was told that the keyboard costs P700++. Okay, that's sounds reasonable. The only problem is that they don't have one in stock. They'd have to order one from their US office which will take - oh I don't know - FOREVER!

My temporary relief is this A4tech USB keyboard. I look ridiculous! What's the point of having a laptop if you're going to use a USB keyboard?

The bigger question is: should I bring this keyboard with me to HK? Or do I just leave my laptop and disconnect from the world for 3 nights? One option is to bring the laptop WITHOUT the keyboard and just use On Screen Keyboard. Typing should be a lot more tedious though.

WWJD.

Fall TV - September 2011 Line up

2011-08-15T11:15:00.001+08:00

Aren't you guys excited for Fall TV September 2011?? I am! A lot of favorite shows are returning. My weekends will be filled with tv show marathons and a few minor midnight binges. Here are some of the shows I am eagerly anticipating:

Glee Season 3 on Fox (Sept 20)

The Good Wife Season 3 (Sept 25)

The Sing Off Season 3 (Sept 19)

Modern Family (Sept 21)

New Girl (Sept 20)

Nikita Season 2 (Sept 23)

Pan Am (Sept 25)

The Playboy Club (Sept 19)

Ringer (Sept 13)

Survivor: South Pacific (Sept 14)

The Vampire Diaries season 3 (Sept 15)

Also on my list:

Gossip Girl - Sept 26
X-Factor US - Sept 21
The Secret Circle - Sept 15

What's on your Fall TV list?

Planning my Hong Kong trip

2011-08-14T23:48:00.000+08:00

I booked my Hong Kong trip last May through Cebu Pacific's seat sale. I thought since I'm in such a great mood to travel this year, why not go for a third one? My trip to Kota Kinabalu was kind of a drag really (great beaches but that's about it) so I thought Hong Kong could make up for that trip. I'm hoping for more great memories like my Seoul trip!

HK isn't cheap. Repeat: HK isn't cheap. I've been having trouble looking for cheap accommodations because most of what I've seen on Agoda so far are in the US$100 range. That's definitely outside my budget. Thanks to a couple of blogs and some recommendations from friends, I found two hotels which are MUCH cheaper than those I've seen online. I'm just waiting for their confirmation for my reservation.

I think HK would not be complete without a trip to some of the most famous places there. They're definitely included in my itinerary:

- HK Disneyland
-Ocean Park
- Avenue of the Stars
- Victoria Peak
- Big Buddha
- Orchard road
- Temple street

I've also been busy looking at my budget for the trip:

Hotel - Php 4923.64 / HK$900
Ocean park - Php 1203.56 / HK$220
Disneyland - Php 2024.16 / HK$370
Octopus card - Php1641.21 / HK$300
food budget - Php 3282.43 / HK$600 (3 nights)

If I just stick to this budget, I think I'll be alright. I won't have to come back a poor man. Rule of thumb: go for cheap foods! Absolutely no fastfood binging.

I'm gonna go back to this list everyday in HK to make sure I stay within my budget.

Song of the hour: Pumped up Kicks by Foster the People

2011-08-09T02:51:00.000+08:00

I can't stop listening to Foster the People's 'Pumped up Kicks'!

Expense Report: Trip to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

2011-08-08T11:00:00.004+08:00

This is something I should have done when I went to Seoul, South Korea. Here's an expense report of my trip to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

Note: this only covers the total expenses for just one person.

I have to admit, there were a few other expenses which I failed to include (like random food purchases) because I lost my list. But I can assure you that these are the main things we paid for during the entire trip.

Unfortunately, I went over my budget. I initially thought US$300 would be enough. For the record, it IS possible to have fun in Kota Kinabalu with even US$200 (excluding accommodation). Careful planning is key and you'd have to really stick to your budget.

A lot of things happened though and once again I learned a few things from this trip:

1. CHEAP TICKETS PLEASE: ALWAYS go for Seat Sales and Lite Fares from the airlines! We were fortunate to buy the airline tickets for only P3,500 per pax. Cebu Pacific always comes out with Seat Sale alerts on Facebook and Twitter. Follow them now! (Note: Air Asia also has cheap fares to Malaysia.)

2. HOTEL VERSUS LODGE: For budget travelers like me, this is a question that will always come up. I personally prefer uber cheap hotels (US$30 or less) with clean facilities and private bathroom. I cannot imagine myself staying in a backpackers lodge with shared bathroom. However, there are also cheap backpackers' hotels that have private bathrooms. Bottomline is that you don't really have to spend much on your hotel/hostel/lodge room. Always opt for the cheapest available one. (And book online in advance to get better deals too.)

3. GO ON A DIET: This one's difficult (especially for ME!) When I looked at my expense report - or any personal expense report for that matter - FOOD is always something you can cut down not just because of the calories but also because of the cost. On our first day in KK, I was so afraid to try the local food that I convinced my friend to eat lunch at KFC. There was something new on their menu which we tried for RM 15. we could have chosen a cheaper value meal like the 1-pc chicken meal for 5.50 but we didn't.

Street food is always cheap and they're pretty safe to eat too!

I think every block has a local restaurant which offers cheap food. There are also lots to choose from: Malaysian, Chinese, Filipino, and even Indian foods are available! We found ourselves dining at a Hainanese restaurant. I told myself that we should have been going there for food since day 1. We could have saved some bucks!

4. REHYDRATE: This is important not only because the extreme heat can cause dehydration but also because it can save you a lot of money on food as well. Since we walked around a lot, there were many times when I thought I was hungry but really I was just thirsty. Of course, rehydrating with water is much cheaper than getting one full meal.

5. SAY NO TO CIGARETTES: Cigarettes are heavily taxed in Malaysia in order to convince people to quit smoking. One pack is RM 11 = Php 158. That's equivalent to more than 3 packs in Manila (hehe)! The point is, sin taxes are a bitch so either you kick the habit or at least regulate it.

6. NO EXCESS BAGGAGE: This is the first time I paid for baggage since Lite Fares don't usually come with free checked baggage. Always check that before booking your flight. You'll have to pay for Php650 for 15 kilos of checked baggage. It's better to bring clothes which are just enough for the trip and your bag should weigh 7 kilos or less so you can put them in the overhead baggage bin.

7. PLAN AHEAD: I can't say we did a lot of planning on this trip. It can save you a lot of money if you have an organized itinerary.

NEXT STOP: HONG KONG!

You might also like: Trip to Seoul, South Korea

Island-Hopping in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

2011-08-08T09:36:00.006+08:00

Malaysia, like the Philippines, is also famous for being an archipelago. They have awesome (mostly untouched) beaches. This is why tourists like me want to go island-hopping in Kota Kinabalu. We put this as our main activity for day 2 in KK.

The cost:
RM 180 (around Php 2,500)- Island hopping (includes pick-up from the hotel and buffet lunch on Sapi Island)

I heard that there were a total of 5 islands you can visit. For some reason, the hotel lady who arranges tours for the guests only booked us for two islands - Manukan and Sapi islands. Later, I realized there's really not much to see in those three other islands. We saw them from our boat on our way to Manukan Island.

First stop: Manukan Island

The best thing about this island is that it's a good snorkeling and diving site! I've never gone snorkeling for more than an hour before I went to Manukan. Oh yes, you will be allowed to stay on the island for a couple of hours (even longer if you wish to). Boats pick-up and drop off passengers every 30 minutes. They have almost the same route and the entire team is operated by the Sabah tourism board. No need to wait for the boat that dropped you off.

There was only one thing that ruined the trip for me. I was so excited to get in the water so I swam without realizing that my Nokia N8 was still in my pocket! So stupid! I only realized it when I noticed that my right pocket was a bit heavier than the left. I'm still trying to let the thing dry but it was soaked in salt water. There must be some salt in there.

The worst part is that I lost some beautiful photos which were taken with my N8. Oh my.

After having a quick meal, we then transferred to our second stop: Sapi Island.

Sapi island has some great things to offer. First, they serve delicious Malaysian food for the guests. You can also go snorkeling, reef walking and diving. There are some huge lizards and a trail that leads you to the middle of the Borneo jungle. I was tempted to follow the trail (after seeing a couple of Europeans going up trail). Somehow my memory of Bear Grylls' visit to the Malaysian jungle convinced me that it might not be a good idea.

VERDICT: The beaches on this side of Malaysia are beautiful and peaceful. If you like diving and snorkeling then I would definitely recommend this place. As for people who like beach parties, you better head to Boracay. KK has a pretty laid back culture. There are no noisy, big parties at night even in the most populated areas. There are a few bars but I don't think it matches even the parties in Puerto Galera.

We wrapped up Day 2 with another round of Tiger beer.

You might also like: Trip to Seoul, South Korea

Hotel Capital Kota Kinabalu: Our Worst Nightmare

2011-07-30T21:01:00.003+08:00

I did promise a nasty review before we checked out, didn't I?

As I said in my previous post, our hotel reservation was done the last minute. I looked online and found several options on Agoda.com. My first choice was Hotel Eden 54. Unfortunately, they informed me that they're fully booked on the dates I requested.

And so I found Hotel Capital in Kota Kinabalu. The pictures suggest that the hotel is pretty decent. The rates were well within our budget. A good review from a former colleague finally convinced me to book a room for three nights. I paid through PayPal. Excellent. We're all set.

Little did I know that this hotel was going to give me one of the worst experiences in my life.

Upon arrival, we were not greeted hello. Nobody assisted us right away. We had to wait for this lady on the phone to help us. After 5 minutes, she finally gave us our keycard.

As we were walking away from the reception area, a European couple approached the desk and complained about not having running water in their bathroom. Melai and I looked at each other and said, 'Did you just hear what I think I heard?'

When we got inside the room, we were excited. The view we got was good. The room was okay for the amount we paid. But when we checked the bathroom - THERE WAS NO WATER! This means the entire hotel didn't have water!

To make matters worse, the air-conditioning was also not working.

We were told by the receptionist that water SHOULD be back at around 10pm. So we decided to grab some dinner first. We went to Suria Sabah mall for dinner. We went back to the hotel at around 930pm.

When it was finally 10pm, we called up the front desk again to let them know that we STILL did not have water in the bathroom. The person on the phone didn't seem to know what to tell us. On the other hand, we were tired and sweaty and wanted to take a bath so badly.

At that point, I had to make a decision. I called up Agoda (thank God they have a 24/7 customer service number) to cancel the reservation and ask for my money back. The agent was so nice. He called the hotel and cancelled the booking. I received a confirmation email minutes later. (Thank you Agoda!)

The worst part: the hotel personnel DID NOT even apologize! They only told me that the reservation was cancelled and that I will be refunded. (What's even worse is the refund to my debit card will take 7 business days, thanks to PayPal's refund policy.)

Now we have a huge problem: it's almost midnight and we were walking around Sabah looking for rooms. For some strange reason, almost every hotel we walked into said they're fully booked!

I found that a bit odd: if the hotels are all fully booked then how come there are no people on the streets during the day? Are they just hanging out in their rooms watching TV?

After about an hour or so, we went to Sarangnova Hotel on Gaya Street. They didn't have rooms available for that night but they have one available for the rest of our trip. We booked those dates immediately - we were only required to pay a deposit of 50RM. (A full review on Sarangnova hotel will follow.)

The problem isn't quite solved yet. We still have to figure out where to stay for the night. After spending another hour walking in and out of hotels, we ended up booking a room at Hotel Garden. The room looked like a hospital ward but we didn't have the energy to complain.

But we were determined not to end our night with a silly hotel mishap. We put on our happy faces and went to a local bar and got freaking wasted. (FYI Tiger beer is their most popular beer. It tastes like Red horse beer in Manila. Gives you the same kick too.)

That wraps up Day 1 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

You might also like: Trip to Seoul, South Korea

- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone

The Immigration Officer [My Trip to Kota Kinabalu]

2011-07-30T19:41:00.002+08:00

Since my trip to Seoul, South Korea, I made a promise to travel more within Asia this year. So when Cebu Pacific came out with another Seat Sale for tickets to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, I didn't think twice about booking it. This time will be different because I'll be traveling with a friend/former colleague.

One tip for non-frequent flyers like me: preparation is key! It seems like I didn't learn anything from my Korean trip because I made arrangements for this trip on the 11th hour. The hotel reservation was booked a few days before our departure. Heck, I didn't even pack and buy dollars until about 2 hours before I went to the airport.

Of course, there is money changer at the airport but the rates are lower compared to the banks.

At the airport, we paid the travel tax (1820php) and terminal fee (750php) after checking in at the Cebu Pacific booth. Surprise! The tickets we bought were 'lite fares' with no baggage allowance.

(TIP: Always check if there's baggage allowance before booking! This tip will be especially important to those who don't know how to travel light.)

Then we headed to the immigration booth. Once again, I remembered what my friend Karin said on my last trip: 'Don't appear too excited when talking to the immigration officer. Don't smile a lot. Just be nonchalant.'

At first I didn't understand why this is necessary. After I've read a couple of blog entries here and there, I now know exactly what Karin was trying to warn me about.

And so I gave my travel companion the exact same advice. We stood right next to each other while being interviewed by the immigration officers. The lady I spoke to was super nice and smiled a lot. Unfortunately for my friend, hers was a total b*tch. She asked her a lot of questions about why she is taking this trip, what is the nature of her job, how long we're going to stay in Malaysia, etc.

(IMPORTANT TIP: Always bring your company ID and probably a certificate of employment too. Immigration may ask for proof that you are still employed here and not traveling to look for a job.)

I thought the immigration officer was never going to finish asking all her questions. At one point, my friend sipped on her Coke Zero in the middle of he conversation and the b*tchy officer said, 'Mamaya ka na kumain ha!' (You can drink that later!)

So I was thinking: Will I be traveling alone? Again?

Fortunately, the immigration officer ended the 'interrogation'. We laughed out loud as we left the booth and headed to the passenger waiting area.

Drama at the start of the trip: priceless!

- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone

Babae sa Septic Tank [Cinemalaya 2011]

2011-07-27T18:55:00.000+08:00

First of all, let me tell you that this entry would not have materialized had I not gone early to Greenbelt 3 to get tickets for the movie. 'Babae sa Septic Tank' was such a hit that tickets were sold out for the next two days! Fortunately, I got one ticket for a Thursday screening. One quick glance at the ticket lady's screen made me realize that tickets were going to be sold out pretty quickly too.

There are three reasons why this movie can easily be a hit: first, the star is THE Eugene Domingo; second, Chris Martinez wrote the story; and last but not the least, the trailer was just so freaking hilarious.

The story is about three young, ambitious filmmakers working on a docu-drama showing what they think is the essence of independent filmmaking: the culture of poverty. For most part of the movie, they talk about the screenplay, the possibilities of changing the lead actor, using non-actors and other things that will bring more 'authenticity' to their project. They set up a meeting with Eugene Domingo who clearly makes a parody of herself in this movie. While doing an ocular visit at their desired shooting location, they get consumed by how real and film-worthy the sight of poverty in Payatas is. But this admiration quickly turns into tragedy as they come face-to-face with the real picture of their surroundings.

If you missed 'Babae sa Septic Tank', they will be showing it this week at the UP Cine Adarna. It will be released in theatres this August.

Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa [Cinemalaya]

2011-07-21T19:22:00.001+08:00

My goal this year is to watch more Cinemalaya films to show my support for Philippine cinema. I started my movie marathon with 'Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa'.

I have to say, this is one of the best Filipino films I've ever seen. It's a mix of passion, romance, melancholy and art. It's provocative without being conspicuous. It has a lot of soul in it and it definitely touches your heart in so many ways.

Ah, I have no words to describe how beautiful this film is. I thought Chris Martinez's '100' was very good but 'Sayaw..' tops all my previous Cinemalaya favorites. Definitely a strong contender for the top prize of the film festival.

- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone

The Dark Knight Rises - first photos!

2011-07-15T00:08:00.000+08:00

Our friends from Superhero hype released the first few photos of the next Batman sequel 'The Dark Knight Rises'! Christian Bale is set to reprise his role as the caped crusader while big stars like Anne Hathaway are also attached to this project. These photos don't really give us much but it definitely makes us more excited to see the film when it gets released!

Google+: First Encounter

2011-07-14T18:35:00.000+08:00

I finally got a Google+ invite this week, thanks to a former officemate. I was so excited to see what Google has in store for social media addicts like me. I am not going to attempt to write a review or a quick tour. Rather, I am going to let you know about my first encounter with this new social network.

Google wants to basically rule the world. They don't want people to go to Google products and not elsewhere. Google+ does that. Everything from email, calendar, documents, photos and even my Blogger account can be accessed and shared with anyone I want.

The only problem with that is your albums on Picasa (soon to be renamed Google Photos according to reports) were all uploaded onto my Google+ account. Even the silly photos I uploaded on my blog to accompany my entries were displayed on my profile with the option of controlling who it should be visible to.

And since I am a first-timer and an idiot, I deleted one of the albums on Picasa, ignoring the warning that says the photos will be deleted from all the Google products I use - which includes this blog! That's why if you've been here before, you will see some missing photos. I will try to upload them this weekend.

I think my favorite feature so far is 'Circles' which lets you organize your contacts easily. Facebook should actually have this because it's hard to tick names through the privacy settings whenever you upload photos that are not for public consumption.

I mean let's face it... not everyone on our friends' list are actually our REAL 'friends'.

I haven't played around with Google+ enough to share more. I will write more about it later.

10 things about Transformers: Dark of the Moon

2011-07-11T12:24:00.002+08:00

(Read: This is not an Ebert review.)

1. Michael Bay is all about sex, hot cars and bad script.

2. Rosie Hungtington-Whiteley's lips were the main star of the movie.

3. You can hear the proud American viewers in the audience singing the Star-spangled banner during the final battle scenes where U.S. military saves the day - as always.

4. Sam's parents should have been given more screen time.

5. Did Michael Bay purposely leave the female autobots in the cutting room?

6. Most hilarious scene: Nokia X7 showing off its "capabilities".

7. Asians eventually die in almost ALL Hollywood scenes. (Either that or they get arrested for something.)

8. Did anyone notice how quick and easy Rosie switches from heels to flats (and back) in between scenes? Those have got to be the strongest pair of shoes in the world.

9. Sentinel Prime's face looks almost exactly like its voice talent's.

10. Why oh why is the storyline a big rip off of "The Event" - a failed show!

What are your thoughts about the latest Transformers movie?

See the Unseen: Cinemalaya 2011 Schedules

2011-06-30T19:04:00.001+08:00

It's Cinemalaya time! I feel bad that I missed a lot of movies last year. I am such a huge fan of Filipino Independent films and I fully support our local films! (the good ones, at least.)

The good news is that this year's Cinemalaya films will also be shown in Greenbelt 3! You don't have to travel to CCP anymore. However, I prefer watching there because the vibe is so much different. The 'real' indie film audience will go out of their way and watch films in CCP (in my opinion). I hate watching indie films with a bunch of losers in commercial theatres and hear them say, 'That's it?' or 'What was that about?'

Here are the schedules of this year's entries:

AMOK by Law Fajardo

16 July/Sat, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
17 July/Sun, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
19 July/Tue, 6:15PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
20 July/Wed, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
21 July/Thu, 3:30PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
22 July/Fri, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
23 July/Sat, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK by Marlon Rivera
16 July/Sat, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
17 July/Sun, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
19 July/Tue, 12:45PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
19 July/Tue, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
20 July/Wed, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
22 July/Fri, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
23 July/Sat, 6:15PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

ANG SAYAW NG DALAWANG KALIWANG PAA by Alvin Yapan
17 July/Sun, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
18 July/Mon, 6:15PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
19 July/Tue, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
20 July/Wed, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
21 July/Thu, 10:00AM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
22 July/Fri, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
23 July/Sat, 3:30PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

BAHAY BATA by Eduardo Roy
16 July/Sat, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
18 July/Mon, 12:45PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
18 July/Mon, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
19 July/Tue, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
20 July/Wed, 6:15PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
21 July/Thu, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
23 July/Sat, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)

CUCHERA by Joseph Laban
16 July/Sat, 6:15PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
18 July/Mon, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
19 July/Tue, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
20 July/Wed, 12:45PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
21 July/Thu, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
22 July/Fri, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
22 July/Fri, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

I-LIBINGS by Rommel Sales
16 July/Sat, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
17 July/Sun, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
18 July/Mon, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
19 July/Tue, 3:30PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
21 July/Thu, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
22 July/Fri, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
23 July/Sat, 9:00PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

LIGO NA U LAPIT NA ME by Erick Salud
17 July/Sun, 3:30PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
17 July/Sun, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
18 July/Mon, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
19 July/Tue, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
21 July/Thu, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
22 July/Fri, 6:15PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
23 July/Sat, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)

NIÑO by Loy Arcenas
16 July/Sat, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
17 July/Sun, 9:00PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
19 July/Tue, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
21 July/Thu, 12:45PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
21 July/Thu, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
22 July/Fri, 12:45PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
23 July/Sat, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute

TEORIYA by Zurich Chan
16 July/Sat, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
17 July/Sun, 3:30PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
18 July/Mon, 10:00AM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theatre)
20 July/Wed, 6:15PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)
21 July/Thu, 9:00PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)
21 July/Thu, 9:00PM at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute
22 July/Fri, 3:30PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining (CCP MKP Hall)

Be Responsible for your Own Energy

2011-06-17T19:09:00.001+08:00

Happy Friday everyone! Allow me to end this working week with a quote from the Queen of Media, Oprah Winfrey:

'You are responsible for your own energy.'

And that's absolutely right! Whatever energy you give unto others is the same energy you will receive from them. So we all need to be careful and be responsible for the energy we release to this world.

- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone

Boxing day 1

2011-06-16T19:29:00.001+08:00

Today I met with Coach Jun at the Elorde Boxing Gym. He looked like a tough coach and that's exactly how he introduced himself. He said he's a real boxing trainer and a real boxer's training is what he's going to give me.I told him though that this is the first time in years that I'll be boxing again so he has to be pretty nice to me first. I started with a 9-minute jog around the ring. It was torture. But every time I saw myself in the mirror it sort of gave me a boost so I kept going. Coach Jun first taught me the basics and I have to say I learned them pretty fast. Sparring was next. Then the boxing bag.

Each routine became more and more intense that I kept saying 'I can't' almost all the time. Good thing Coach reminded me of what my goals are and what we will achieve if I get serious about the workout.

Watching myself on the mirror do sit-ups, push-ups definitely made it look like I was on The Biggest Loser. It was sad but I just used that to motivate myself to finish the routine.

Coach warned me that that was just the most basic workout. It will get more intense once I get used to it. I really hope I can do this! I want to lose weight before Christmas!

- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone

Boxing prep

2011-06-16T19:16:00.001+08:00

I've said it so many times: boxing is my chosen exercise yet I haven't really started doing it. An officemate was kind enough to let me borrow her boxing gloves some months ago but I haven't used them. I tried biking and that is now more of a leisure activity than exercise.

I guess the realization happened when I went shopping in Seoul and I couldn't find anything in my size. I have not really been addressing the fact that I really haven't been feeling well since I put on more weight. Climbing the stairs feels like a struggle. Now I am obliged to buy new clothes since some of my clothes no longer fit me.

So yesterday I dropped by the newly renovated Elorde Boxing Gym on Taft Avenue to see if I can finally put this fitness plan into action. There's a 1000 pesos membership fee and a 250 pesos per session fee. Non-members still get to workout for 350 bucks.

The price may be kinda steep but I figured I will be doing this every other day anyway so I won't really be paying a lot - at least that's the plan.

- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone

Lotte World - Korea Day # 4

2011-06-16T02:49:00.001+08:00

My trip to Korea would not be complete without a visit to Lotte World, South Korea's answer to Disneyland. It's approximately 45 minutes away (by train) from where I was staying (Hyewah). The directions on the website are very clear so I had no trouble finding it.

My first impression: Lotte World is a Disneyland Knock-off! But coming from a place where Enchanted Kingdom is the best theme park, LW is definitely very impressive. It has two parts: the indoor and outdoor parks. Each part has both thrill rides and kiddie rides. The ticket costs US$34 (discounted rate for very nice tourists like me) which is not bad if you ask me. Adventure and thrill seekers wouldn't be disappointed. I certainly wasn't!

Cheonggyecheon Laser Light show - Korea Night # 3

2011-06-16T02:47:00.003+08:00

One of the things you should see when you go to Korea is the Cheonggyecheon Laser Light show. I was told that this was featured on 'Rated K' just recently when they did a South Korea special. The show runs for 8 minutes every thirty minutes, which starts at 8:30PM. And since I wanted to hit two birds with one stone that day, I decided to meet my friend Amy at Cheonggyecheon on my last night in Korea.

Cheonggyecheon was once a dirty creek surrounded by shanties until the government initiated a redevelopment program in 2005. This is what it looked like before:

(Source: Wikipedia)

And this is what it looks like now:

The final cost of the project was $386 Billion so you can just imagine how infuriated the Korean people were about this major expense. However, when it opened in 2005, it quickly became a famous destination for tourists and locals.

The light show was amazeballs by the way. It's definitely a cheap way to entertain yourself! Look at these amazeballs photos:

Dongdaemun and Naksan Park - Korea Day # 3

2011-06-13T16:42:00.002+08:00

I ran out of Korean Won and I only realized this when I woke up at 4PM after a long nap. The nearby bank is already closed. Since I am in the university belt, there are no money changers around this area. I walked a little further and found Naksan Park which is just near the Hyewah train station. I saw a lot of college students just hanging out. There were also a lot of establishments there and the park has a stage where bands are performing. Not sure what's the schedule though.

I asked a couple of foreigners where I could exchange my money. The woman suggested Itaewon but that's a bit too far. I decided to just make an impromptu visit to Dongdaemun which is only one station away from Hyewah. The plan was only to exchange my dollars to Won and get out. So much for 'planning'!

What I love about Korea is that each subway station always has a surprise - an A-ha moment. This time, at the Dongdaemun station I was surprised with the architecture, the fashion, the malls and the people. It's almost as busy as MyeongDong but their shops are more diverse I think. It's like a mix of Glorietta and Mall of Asia. I ended up buying more shirts because guess what - they have my size! I wanted to buy more but I knew I had to meet some friends in Itaewon that night so I left after an hour or so.

While walking to the train station I saw a crowd outside one of the malls. It was a promotion for Sprite where basically Korean and European models just yelled and danced and swam inside the large water tank. 'Freedom from Thirst', that what it says on the billboard. Then they gave away free Sprite. RUN! Get one!

Namdaemun Experience - Korea Day # 3

2011-06-13T16:16:00.004+08:00

The blogosphere has been raving about how cheap the clothes are in Namdaemun Market area. So I made it a point to go there on my 2nd day. My itinerary changed again - I had to move Lotte World to Day 3 but that's okay. I knew I had a lot of time on my hands in Korea. I am in KOREA!!! Woohoo!

I got really, REALLY disappointed when I went to Myeongdong where all sizes are only until Large (which in the Philippines is really a Medium). If you really want a certain piece, you have to have it custom made and it will take 7 days for them to do it. No thank you. Fortunately, Namdaemun is very different. There's more variety - from expensive to bargain prices, fashionable to so-so, food, clothes to whatever stuff you can think of.

I went to this mall which kind of reminds me of 168 in Divisoria. It's a collection of different stalls which sell all sorts of things. Each floor caters to a certain market - women's clothes, men's clothes, accessories, food, etc. The third floor is full of men clothes and guess what, they have my size! There's a wide variety of choices. I decided to fit in and buy myself a cheap jacket (because almost everyone on the street is wearing one). I found this stall with a nice man who gave me some Korean fashion tips. With everything that they put on them, I thought there's a whole styling-thought process but all he said was - Relaxed just relaxed. Haha! So I guess that's their secret. Open your closet, put something together and just be freaking confident about what your wearing. It's their attitude that makes them unique and sassy and chic.

I finally decided to have some Korean street food because they say your Korean trip will not be complete without trying them. I ate these veggie-meat like food that was okay at first but later gave me a stomachache. There was a hideous (can't think of a stronger term) aftertaste too.

Oh Korea, what else do you have for me?

Korea Trip Day # 2 - Part 1 - Dongdaemun Shopping

2011-06-12T23:29:00.001+08:00

As usual, my plans for Day 2 did not push through. I originally had Lotte World on top of my list but I just decided to change my itinerary - again. It's all because I ran out of Won and I couldn't find a money changer within the area. The nearest bank was already closed so I just walked around the area of Hyewah to see if I could find a money changer somewhere here.

I suddenly found myself walking at the Naksan park where most college students hang out. Like I mentioned before, I am staying in their own version of the university belt. Naksan Park is surrounded by stores, shops, coffee shops, and more coffee shops. The Korean Performing Arts Center is beside the park too. There's a big stage where I saw some bands performing not just Korean but also English songs.

I asked a couple of Americans if they know the location of the nearest money changer. They said I should go to Itaewon, also known as foreigner central, which is about an hour and three train rides away from where I was. Bad idea.

I knew I had to meet with Amy (a Filipina working in Korea) that night so I had to have my money changed quickly. I decided to go to Dongdaemun because a friend said there are more shops in that area. It's just two train stations away so I knew I will be back just in time to prepare for my dinner with Amy.

This is what I love about Korea. Every time I get out of a subway station there's always an 'Oh, WOW!' moment. Dongdaemun is a shopping haven. There are both for expensive and bargain shopping. There's this shop called Doota which is kind of like their Crossings Department store. There are some very, very interesting pieces which I know every girl would be interested in. There were a couple of other malls but I had absolutely no time to go to each of them. After I found a money changer, I decided to go back to Hyewah right away.

However, this crowd near Doota mall really distracted me. It was a promotional event for Sprite where some Koreans and European looking men were swimming inside a giant water container. I thought there were some Korean actors too so I stayed for 15 minutes until they gave away some free Sprite.

Then I remembered that I needed to buy my outfit for our gimmick at Itaewon. I decided to go to Doota just to see what they have to offer,.

NamSan Park Experience - Korea Trip Day 1 (part 2)

2011-06-10T20:01:00.002+08:00

The blogs I've read said I should avoid the cabs here. Not only do they charge exorbitant fares, they are also hard to communicate with. So when I arrived here (as I've said in my previous entry), I made it a point to avoid all cab drivers.

While I was on my way to MyeongDong, I walked a couple of blocks and saw a sign that says NamSan Park. I thought it was a great idea to go there first then go to the shopping district after. That was the first mistake I made in this trip.

I bumped into a girl who was trying to take photos of the same signage I saw. I thought she was Korean but later she told me she's actually Japanese. I asked her to give me directions to NamSan Park, which is listed on one of the "To-do lists in Korea" I saw online. She pointed to this mountain (which later I realized is the very meaning of NamSan - Mountain Nam). She asked me to take a cab, which should be cheap as it shouldn't be far.

One thing I realized is that the word 'far' is very relative. I took a cab in front of this hotel. The driver didn't speak English but already knew where to go when I said NamSan. I was already suspicious. First, he went the opposite way. Then we went through two tunnels and a long highway only to wind up in the same f*cking road. This guy duped me. I couldn't complain though - or maybe I just didn't. The cab fare was --- uhm no I'm not even gonna tell you. That's tucked away in my bad mistakes done box and which will never be opened again.

The hike to the top of the mountain was torture.There was no other way to describe it! The other little elementary girls were laughing and screaming and running as they climb while I try to stay on the right side, totally trying not to faint. When I reached the top, I was happy. The view was breathtaking. Amazing.

And instead of getting another cab to go to the MyeongDong shops, I got on the cable car, one fancy elevator and walked several meters. It saved me a significant X amount of Korean Won. The long walk was tiring but I knew I would be saving more money.

MyeongDong Experience - Korea Trip Day # 2

2011-06-10T19:01:00.003+08:00

Days before my departure, I went through several blogs about what to do in Korea. I used the information I got to create my itinerary. I was supposed to visit some castles on Day 1 but I figured I should reserve that for Day 3. I decided to go to MyeongDong because a) I forgot my earphones and so I have to buy one b) I had to buy an adapter for the socket in my room and c) they say it's the best place for shopping.

I followed the bartender's instructions and headed to the Hyewah subway station just a few blocks away from my hostel. I had absolutely no idea which train to take, how to pay for my ticket or where to even get one. As I was looking around, I heard one woman say, 'Oo yun nga...'. FILIPINOS! Yeah! There was one woman on the phone and her companion standing beside her.

Me: Excuse me po, Filipino kayo? (Are you Filipino?)

Woman 1: Oo haha! (Yes)

Me: Ay salamat. Pano po ba bumili ng ticket? (Ahh thank God! How do I buy a ticket?)

The woman was kind enough to show me the ticket vending machine and helped me buy my ticket. I found out they are also tourists but the woman seemed to know a lot about the ticketing system. I told her where I was headed and she told me where I should get off.

If you're a shopaholic then brace yourself when you go to MyeongDong. I'd like to call it the more stylish version of Divisoria. It's full of shops - both high end and bargain shops from Zara, Lacoste to the Divisoria types - on every single street in that area. I was blown away and at the same time I got pretty dizzy. I went around the area for more than a couple of hours.

I'm surprised that they have maps on the streets and were given away for free! I grabbed one before I asked a couple of very nice Korean tour guides on where to find the electronics section. They gave me directions and so I followed them. When I turned right a middle aged woman grabbed my map and asked where I'm going. I actually had no idea if she was going to give me directions or she was trying to sell me something. Luckily, the tour guides followed me (SO NICE!) and saved me from that woman. They made sure I got to the electronics shop without being bothered.

They waited until I got the item I needed. I asked myself, am I supposed to give them a tip? I had absolutely no idea. But when I turned they already left. I bumped into them again several times as I was going around and they smiled at me again.

Shopping in Korea can be a little frustrating for people who usually wear shirts which are Large and up. I found this amazing expensive jacket - which I was very much willing to buy - but they didn't have it in my size. He said he can have it custom made for me but it will take 7 days. I politely declined but with a pinch of bitterness.

As I walked from one store to another, the bitterness grew stronger. I looked around and all I can see are very slim guys with no stomach in their stylish clothes. Okay, so there's no market for big people here? That might be a problem in case I decide to move here someday. One store had these cool jeans. And they had it in large. However, when I tried it on, it was more of a Medium really than a large. Very disappointing.

And I know some of you a**h**** will just tell me, 'You need to f****** lose weight!'. I will tell you 'F*** **u too! I will lose it when I feel like it.'

In short, I went through almost every store of every street in MyeongDong and all I got were my earphones, adapter, one GIANT soft serve and a slight urge to go to the gym when I go back home. I ended up in Burger King later (because I was too afraid to try any Korean food. Not yet.) On the menu, they indicate how many KCals there are on each type of food. That's how conscious they are when it comes to food intake and that's why I cannot fit into any of the clothes here! (Kidding!)

The weather suddenly became gloomy so I decided to go home. A couple of friends will be arriving soon and I figured we might go out tonight - if they decide to show up. In the meantime, the first live show of The Voice kept me busy.

If they don't show up, there's free beer and some good company at the bar next door!

Arriving at the Incheon International Airport

2011-06-09T17:08:00.013+08:00

The flight from Manila to Incheon, South Korea is approximately 4 hours. There was a slight delay in our flight because the plane arrived late. I was very concerned about time because my research led me to believe that the last trip of the bus I need to take to my hostel is at 10PM. My flight was set to arrive at 8:55PM Korea time and I have no idea how long immigration, customs and baggage claim will take. I must be f*cked.

Fortunately - and to my surprise - everything went smoothly. Upon landing, we went to the passenger terminal which I initially thought was the train station. It is one long train coach that takes the passengers to the other side of the airport where we claimed our bags. But before that, there was the line at the immigration department. I think I said a silent prayer after reading the sad ordeal of a fellow blogger in Bali, Indonesia. I said please don't let some f***** put drugs in my bag or pocket.

When it was my turn, I was a bit nervous. The immigration just asked how many days I will be staying in Korea and where I will be staying. One sweet smile and then we're done. Next is customs - we just basically had to give this guy a signed form which was distributed at the plane. I got my bag and I ran to the exit. It was almost 10PM and I was going to miss the last bus trip to Hyewah (location of my hostel).

When I got to the arrival area, a couple of Korean cab drivers offered to drive me to the hostel. I politely said no as I was looking for the bus ticket counter. The driver was pretty persistent. I had the option to tell him to bug off but I'm the tourist so I said 'No, I'm going to take the train.' His reply was 'Train? Last trip left earlier.'

I left him after I whispered OH SH*T!!!

I got lost inside the airport. I was like, great way to start a vacation! I'm lost already who knows how lost I will be out there. I finally took out the directions sent to me by the hostel owner himself and took a deep breath. I got this. I followed his directions, looked for the bus stop number indicated on the email and found it just outside Exit 12.

As I walked out of the airport, a cold breeze welcomed me. I really am in KOREA! It's cold but not as cold as it is during winter (just 19 degrees celcius). But it's perfect! When the bus arrived, I was kinda disappointed that I was the only Filipino and the driver only speaks Korean. Good thing he has a recording that states every stop in both Korean and English. That's when I knew I will be alright.

I sat beside a nice looking gentleman. In Manila, you'd probably call him a yuppie. He helped me find my stop which is somewhere near the Sungkungkwan University. I am impressed with the hostel owner. His directions were very precise! I had absolutely no trouble looking for the place. It's not as fabulous as you may think but it's quite peaceful - just full of college kids (cute ones) during the day so it's kinda busy. Other than that, it's perfect.

I was welcomed by a young Korean guy who works at the hostel during the night. Not sure if he's a relative of the owner or he just works here part time. I paid $40 per night - which is very, VERY reasonable considering the place was good enough for me. It has everything I need: internet LAN, cable TV, stove (which I don't intend to use FYI), clean bathroom and a refrigerator. I was lucky that he speaks English but this morning I met someone else who speaks better English than he does. See, the language barrier they talk a lot about on TV is really bullsh*t if you ask me.

I finished my first night by drinking at the bar which is also owned by the hostel. I get one free beer per night. Great! Inside, there were more Korean college kids, three Americans who were playing pool, and a very nice Korean bartender who gave me directions on how to go to MyeongDong, my next destination.

Night #1 is A-Ok!

First-time on Terminal 3

2011-06-09T14:14:00.003+08:00

I arrived at the airport 4 hours from my scheduled departure in order to avoid the hassle of waiting in line for hours. Surprisingly, there were long lines at the check-in counters of Cebu Pacific but they seem to be so efficient I didn't really wait that long. Upon arrival, I immediately asked if we're okay to check-in. I was told to wait for one more hour.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 is super spacious and clean and it does look like an "international airport" unlike that filthy NAIA terminal 1. The restrooms are clean and it does remind you of the scenes in that Tom Hanks movie (the one with Catherine Zeta-Jones). I'm so impressed! The German company Fraport did a good job. Too bad they sorts got duped by the government? (Proven in court recently - sorta.)

So here's the thing: unlike the old terminal, passengers need to go through a step-by-step process without missing anything. I'm kinda surprised it's quite different here at Terminal 3. Maybe I'm wrong but how come you have the option of paying the travel tax before or after you check-in?

And oh! Speaking of travel tax - holy cow! It's pretty steep! But I cannot complain since I can see what the fees are doing for the passengers.

My tip: Pay the travel tax first before checking-in. It saves you the trouble of having to go back and forth and fall in live twice. I heard counters can get pretty busy during early morning flights. The tips on Foursquare definitely helped.

And no, Karin, I didn't have to pretend that I am not excited about this trip when I talked to immigration. (She told me not to appear too enthusiastic as there will be an 'interview'.)

So far so good!

Getting my Korean Visa

2011-06-07T16:14:00.004+08:00

I've never really applied for a visa before so I was nervous when I found out that South Korea requires Filipinos to get a visa. Kinda ironic I thought because there are so many Koreans here in Manila yet they're limiting the number of Filipino travelers to their country. Later I found out, it wasn't so hard to get one after all!

For first-timers like me, I had difficulty getting the most accurate information. When trying to find out what the requirements are, I get different answers from each person I ask. So if you're a first-time traveler (emphasis on first-time because frequent travelers do not need as much requirements as we do), you're lucky to have found this blog entry!

Here's what they need for first-time travelers:

- passport (duh!) plus a photocopy
- certificate of employment
- bank certificate (not to be confused with a bank STATEMENT)
- company ID plus a photocopy
- Income tax return (with complete signature)
- passport size photo 1pc
- application form (can be downloaded from their website and also available at the Embassy)

The Embassy of South Korea is along the C5 entrance of McKinley Hill. Remember that the submission of requirements is only from 9:00-11:00am. Claiming of visas is from 2:00-4:00pm. It takes 5 business days to process this but I heard it's shorter for frequent travelers.

One caveat: you better be early because there are also a lot of people who want visas to Korea. You're not the only one who bought tickets on sale! Arriving 1 hour before they open is ideal, I think. Bring an extra ID, which you will deposit at the entrance when you log in.

Just a few reminders: Korean consuls (according to the guards) can be quite...irritable. They hate it when applicants slouch or use their cellphones or even take photos inside the embassy. You don't want your application to be denied because you were on the phone with your partner.

Lastly, bring lots of patience! The wait is much longer than the actual conversation with the consul. In my case I waited for an hour outside and an hour inside the embassy before my number was called. Gave the consul my documents, then gave her my sweetest smile. Then she gave me a claim slip.

My trip is in two days and I cannot wait! I'm sure there will be loads of stuff to blog about!

- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone

Booking my Korea Trip

2011-06-07T15:55:00.001+08:00

I don't really travel a lot but I've been told by several tarot card readers (and recently by my soul card reader) that I will be traveling this year. So when the next seat sale by Cebu Pacific came out in a tweet, my officemate persuaded me to book tickets to Seoul, South Korea.

I've never been to Korea but I've always been intrigued by their culture. They are now one of the developed countries in the world. They have amazing castles and good technology too! I am more excited to experience their Internet speed - 54mbps - which is the fastest in the entire world according to Speedtest.com.

Plus, I've been wanting to find out why a lot of Koreans travel to the Philippines. Aside from the weather and learning English, why would you leave such an amazing place?

We bought the tickets back in January. Unfortunately, some drama got in the way and I will
now be traveling solo. Not a problem though because I would rather travel alone than get stressed the entire trip. I don't need that while on vacation. I am glad that I am still communicating with this former employee from our company who is now based in Seoul. I'll meet with her so I can figure out where to go and what to expect.

Cebu Pacific always comes out with these seat sale announcements on Facebook and Twitter so it's better to follow them to get updates. I don't really recommend booking on any random day without a seat sale because the tickets can be twice as much as what I got them for. Someone at work got hers for Php16,000 and mine was only for less than Php 5,000.

I will be blogging more about this trip in the next few days and hopefully you won't get bored. Forgive me because I am just so freaking excited about it!

- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone

Get your discounts

2011-06-07T13:33:00.001+08:00

A few weeks ago, I did some random shopping at Gateway Mall in Cubao. I bought a wallet at this clothing store (which is ironic because it's a jeans store but I thought their wallets are much better than any of the clothes) and was repeatedly asked to buy one more item. She said if I reach P3000 worth of accumulated purchases, I'll get a discount. I looked around and politely said 'No thank you.'

Little did I know that the wallet alone with give me a discount card (forgot the worth). Still, it was to be used for my next purchase at their store so I said that's okay I won't claim it. I was surprised when this nice lady asked my permission if she could avail of the discount instead. I said, sure! What an honest saleslady.

This was totally different from my experience at this store in SM Mall of Asia where I bought a considerable amount of items - clothes and pants. While paying for the items, I noticed a few ads on the shelves for several promotions. Get a ticket when you buy this much. Get that when you buy more.

Now unlike the woman at Gateway, the men and women at this store just stood there and didn't even inform me of these promos. I checked the promo duration and they're definitely still on. I also noticed two of the attendants looking quite excited. Did my total amount earn them a Barkada trip to IMAX?

For some reason, I did not ask for the discount. I just thought that would be my last act of charity to these pathetic attendants.

And certainly the last purchase at that store. And boy, they're gonna miss my money.

- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone

Glee cover's Rebecca Black's 'Friday'

2011-05-07T03:01:00.000+08:00

When I said I wanted to be a YouTube sensation, I meant it. I just don't know if any of the videos I made are enough to give me a thousand (or million) views. I should probably take notes from Rebecca Black. Seems she has earned a YouTube superstar status now that Glee will be doing a cover of her irritating yet catchy song 'Friday'.

This time - Biking

2011-04-28T11:36:00.001+08:00

Let me break it down for you. I have the running shoes. I have the boxing wrap and gloves. I have the Hip Hop Abs videos on my computer. How come I haven't completely turned this into a daily fitness routine? I realized working out may be hard without having a partner. I failed so many times in finding people who will either run or box with me.

So one afternoon, I was sitting and just talking to my little sister. That's when I realized, she may be the best partner for me. I stood up and told her I've decided I want to buy a new mountain bike. That way, we can bike around together and burn as much as 500 calories (in an hour).

And so it happened. We go around the village to bike for more than an hour - sometimes even more than that. We;ll see how this goes.

2011-04-28T11:30:00.001+08:00

Cebu Pacific Seat Sale Announcement April 11, 2011

2011-04-12T20:12:00.002+08:00

INTERNATIONAL
Manila to Kota Kinabalu or Taipei
P999

Clark to Hong Kong, Macau or Singapore
P999

Manila to Hong Kong, Macau or Singapore
P1,499

Cebu to Hong Kong or Singapore
P1,499

Manila or Clark to Bangkok
P1,999

DOMESTIC
Manila to Cebu
P499

Cebu to Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Clark, Davao, Dumaguete,
Iloilo, Ozamiz, Surigao, Tacloban or Zamboanga
P499

Davao to Cagayan de Oro
P499

Cebu to Boracay (Caticlan), Butuan, Dipolog, General Santos,
Legazpi, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa or Siargao
P699

Davao to Iloilo or Zamboanga
P699

Travel valid from Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2011. Hurry, Sale is only until April 13, 2011 or until seats last!

Checklist

2011-04-11T19:50:00.001+08:00

My initial efforts to change my lifestyle was acomplete disaster. The worst part is that I have everything I need except for consistency and determination.

I bought a new pair of running shoes but I am still not running everyday. My excuse is that I don't have a running partner or group (lame).

My friend let me borrow her boxing gloves which she doesn't use anymore yet I've only boxed twice. (Okay, there may be a valid reason for this. Having a boxing instructor can be a bit pricey.)

A few weeks ago, I dug some old Hip Hop abs videos from my laptop. It's fun but how come I feel so lazy to do it?

What the heck do I need to get the ball rolling?

Today my dad was fixing my sister's bike and that's when I realized - that's it! I should try biking. It's good cardio plus will give me and my little sister some good bonding time. We biked around the village for an hour. I figured I could do this everyday!

Now we'll see if I can follow through this time.

Who is Elisabeth Glaser?

2011-03-07T07:55:00.000+08:00

We've all heard about the Elisabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS foundation. But most people don't really know who Elisabeth is and how she changed the world by starting her foundation a decade ago. Here's her story and a bonus: his son who also contracted the disease has been cured. Does this mean hope for those who have it? I certainly hope so.

Wanna be happy? Eat THESE!

2011-03-06T05:48:00.001+08:00

There's a never-ending quest for happiness! While we may not find the ultimate panacea, this list of 'happy' foods may provide temporary relief:

Vitamin B6 - present in bananas, chicken breast, garlic, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, sunflower seeds, broccoli, red bell peppers, watermelon, avocados, and potatoes

B6 plays a role in metabolism and the synthesis of neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. These things tell your brain to be happy. So when you feel depressed, try grabbing sunflower seeds or bananas.

Fish

Studies indicate that intake of Omega 3 fatty acids can help alleviate depression. It promotes healthy brain function and has helped battle depression among bipolar patients.

The Truth about food labels

2011-03-05T05:45:00.000+08:00

Food manufacturers, like most pharmaceutical companies have not been very honest about their food labels. So why are they still on your favorite grocery store's shelves? Before you grab that 'fat-burning' juice drink or that 'calorie-free energy bar', you might want to read on what those labels actually mean:

Made with Whole Grains

Whole grains are healthy but only if they make up most of the product. Most food items with this label often have more sugar or salt than the actual whole grains. That defeats the whole purpose.

Ingredients

Experts believe that ingredients' list should be arranged according to the proportions on the product. This is not followed by most if not all junk foods you see in the market today. For example, cake products may put flour first but we all know a large chunk of that yummy cake is sugar. What's worse is that sugar may come in different other names: corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup or juice concentrate.

Serving size

A certain snack bar says 'Only 50 calories'. That's good, right? NOT. The definition of 'serving' is largely misused in the food industry. One may say it's 100 calories per serving of soda but one bottle may actually have more than twice as much. Fooled? Does this mean you have to have 2 servings of your favorite soda?

Made with Real Fruit

There are many 'fat-burning' juices in convenience stores today. Do they really make you lose weight. Let's do that simple math. If you add one small bottle of juice, it may contain a certain amount of L-Carnitine. That's good. But these fruit juices still contain corn syrup which translate to candy sugar. It may even make you lose more weight. Lesson learned: just buy the real thing!

Zero Trans Fat

Trans fat are the bad cholesterol that lurks in your body. While most products have reduced (emphasis on the word 'REDUCED'), they've replaced it with Saturated fats - still a bad type of cholesterol. It won't help you have a healthy heart - it will just make you less guilty and more fooled.

There's more information you can read here: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/reading-food-labels-470201-synd#ixzz1Bx7gPvTq

Today, I quit...

2011-02-28T18:53:00.001+08:00

I just decided to make a list of the stuff I need to quit in order to make this project possible. Basically, these are the things that make me fat. If I was successful in quitting cigarettes months ago, I can do this:

1. Cola (regular or diet) - Carbonated drinks are baaad. I know that. Yet I noticed I've been drinkingmore coke light than ever. Better drop the coke and get intoxicated with water.

2. Donuts - I love donuts since I was a kid. I remember my mom telling me that I can eat dozen of Dunkin Donuts when I was in grade school. Now, I've substituted smoking with some Butter not and ChocoHoney dipped munchkins.

3. Dairy Queen Blizzards - Not only are they pricey, they're also full of calories. And yes, even Dilly Bars are a no-no.

4. Soft batch cookies, oreos - okay maybe I can't really quit them all together but I can make them part of an occasional binge menu.

5. Ferrero and other chocs - I suffer from a disease called impulse purchase. I tend to go to the convenience store just to kill time and end up buying something i really don't need. They're usually desserts like Ferrero or other chocs.

6. Quail eggs - They may or may not have more cholesterol than chicken eggs but I still can't eat more than one serving.

7. Extra rice - Unless I'm jogging, I don't need extra rice. A recent experiment showed that I am full after my first rice. I just need to give my stomach enough time to send the message to my brain.

I'm sure I'll think of more as I go along. I'll post them here soon.

First jog

2011-02-28T18:05:00.001+08:00

I finally did it! Went jogging with a co-worker last Sunday morning in Rockwell Makati. I chose Rockwell because the hills may pose as a challenge. Unfortunately, for a neophyte like me that seemed too ambitious.

I'm not sure if that qualifies as 'running'. We just went around the Powerplant mall where most people jog. It felt great though I had to catch my breath more than a couple of times. I realized I was too heavy for an early run.

The goal is to do this at least once a week for now. Once I get used to it, I will do it at least three times a week. I still haven't tried boxing again. Will probably do that on Friday.

The project has officially begun.

The First Step: Running shoes

2011-02-17T19:20:00.000+08:00

Surprise of the day: I bought new running shoes. Been planning (for weeks now) to go jogging with my co-workers. Unfortunately, I deliberately kept delaying it because I haven't bought new shoes. Anyway, they're here. The only thing I need is to take the first step and actually run. Haha!

Not sure if Anta is a good brand but they're light and cheap and it's comfortable. I'm also set - Got my shoes, shorts, shirt and boxing gloves. I can switch from running to boxing and maybe a little badminton. I will be recording my weight and let's see if I'll make any progress. The goal: Be very fit in two years! I'm giving myself enough time to lose 60lbs.

Crowd Control in concerts

2011-02-17T19:00:00.000+08:00

With the numerous upcoming visits of international artists (e.g. The Script, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift), I wonder what concert organizers are doing about crowd control. I hate it when I watch concerts and people do not know where they need to go. Worse, they skip the long lines when they see a friend or a relative. How disrespectful!

I am almost sure that I'm going to the concert of The Script on April 16. Not sure where the venue is. I just hope they'll put barricades or stanchions that will ensure that concert goers have a great experience. The last thing we need is a group of crazy fanatics causing a riot at a concert. I'm not worried about venues like the Araneta Center but how about the Mall of Asia grounds?

Dust mites attack!

2011-02-17T18:28:00.002+08:00

I cannot freaking believe it. New York went crazy when they were attacked. Now they've hit my own bedroom. I'm talking about dust mites!

A few months ago, I had some rashes on my legs and my dermatologist said they're dust mites. These pests are eight legged freaks found in homes, offices, cars, hotel room no matter how much you clean them. They live in dust.

Oh and did I tell you they're microscopic..? They're invisible to the naked eye!

These dust mites are nasty and they disrupt my few hours of sleep. I'm glad I found an anti-dust mite spray. This is not a paid ad! I am recommending 'Allercon'. Worked the first time I tried it.

Unfortunately, it's not available everywhere but Landmark and Cash and Carry both have it.

Captail America: First Avenger OFFICIAL Trailer

2011-02-09T16:58:00.000+08:00

Oooh I just cannot wait for this one!

Premake of Disney's UP

2011-01-30T08:43:00.001+08:00

I found this today. Great idea! You're probably wondering, what if Disney's 'Up' was made in the 60s and the animated movie was just a remake? Well, go ahead and see for yourself:

Is Chris Medina the real deal?

2011-01-28T21:50:00.001+08:00

Just heard: Apparently, some netizens are not too pleased with American Idol hopeful Chris Medina's love story. Some bloggers are accusing him of being a 'jerk' and 'exploiting his fiancee through the show'. There MIGHT be some truth to it - we do not know for now. We do know, however, that contestants (not just from American Idol) have tried getting their sob stories out on the press to get sympathy votes. (Note: Remember how Danny Gokey spoke about her wife's death and how he wanted to dedicate every song to her?)

You be the judge on this one. On his supposed wedding day, Chris sang a song he wrote for Juliana. You can watch him sing it in the video below. Then ask yourself: Is he the real deal?

Chris Medina's touching story

2011-01-28T21:47:00.000+08:00

I saw the netizens buzzing about this guy Chris Medina of American Idol. I thought he was just another talented homeless guy. What was revealed to me in the video is one of the most touching stories I've ever heard. He scores major points for two things: singing my favorite song 'Breakeven'(The Script) so well and keeping his promise to his fiancee alive.

Tumblr is down. Again.

2011-01-28T21:05:00.002+08:00

This is why I cannot leave Blogger. I don't recall this platform being down... ever. Or maybe they did a few maintenance checks but was up and running within 24 hours. Tumblr has been down many times in the last two months alone. What the F is going on?

UPDATE: They're back.

Affirmation of the Day

2011-01-27T18:03:00.006+08:00

Awakening Affirmation:

Day by day, I am awakening to a broader and deeper awareness in my life.

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Affirmation of the Day

2011-01-26T17:56:00.003+08:00

Growth Affirmation:
The past is a blessing because it is my teacher.
The future is a blessing because it is my opportunity.

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Veggie Burger?

2011-01-26T15:00:00.000+08:00

I realized I was being way too ambitious when I listed down 'Go vegan for a week' on my 2011 Goals list. After posting it, I immediately googled the list of foods I cannot eat if I decide to do this. I was absolutely shocked. Everything I normally eat was on the list. It's like South Beach Diet - phase 1 spells death for me.

Vegan is different from vegetarians. Vegans NEVER eat meat. Can I go meatless in a day? Meat for them means anything from beef to fish or shellfish and even eggs and milk. Simply put: anything that comes from an animal is a no-no.
Even Honey is not allowed! Bees are considered animals and they make honey so NO HONEY
White sugar is not allowed because it is said to be processed with bone char.
Beer - This will be easy for me. Did you know that beer is made of tiny amounts of gelatin which comes from fish bladders?
Bread - HOLY COW! Bread is not allowed. I repeat! Bread is not allowed! Why? Because its ingredients are made of butter, sugar, eggs and even whey - stuff from animals.
Even marshmallows are not allowed??? It contains gelatin from boiling skin, bones and other animal parts. But it's so delish!!!

Something tells me this is going to be very difficult. Maybe I should skip this one and try the other items on my list first.

Affirmation of the Day

2011-01-25T17:53:00.002+08:00

Confidence Affirmation:

I am a find-a-way, make-a-way kind of person!

Anything is possible for me today!

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The Curious Case of the 'Big Bad Blogger'

2011-01-24T19:41:00.001+08:00

Scandal hit the intarwebs last Sunday when the article of Margeaux Salcedo exposed the alleged 'modus' of a certain Big Bad Blogger. I don't think I have to copy and paste the article - you can just read it here. I just want to say a few things:

I agree with Noemi Dado that the names of the PR firms and the Big Bad blogger must be published. It is very easy for people online to start accusing other food bloggers who they think is the BBB. (Remember when the [now defunct] gossip blog blogged about 'Chuvaness' people flocked to MyNosebleed.com - which has the same blog name - and left nasty remarks without even finding out if they're on the right blog.)
If the claims were true, the given fee was undeniably exorbitant. But you know what, PR firms made monsters out of some bloggers (though we have to admit certain bloggers do have the right to charge big fees due to readership size).
I believe in giving a fair review. I can easily spot a sponsored or paid review because I used to be active in accepting deals for paid posts too. My personal rule is I try to be as honest as possible. if I haven't tried the product I will make sure I research and find out what other people think about it. Then, I form my own opinion.
Disclosure is something that's part of the deal. Read the contract. Period.
If bloggers will be used as avenue to get more attention then be prepared for whatever review will be published.

Lastly - and I hate to say this - but Margeaux should write a follow-up to that half-baked expose. It's not that we're just hungry for gossip but I think bloggers (especially food bloggers) deserve to know who BBB is.

P.S. People are saying it's Anton Diaz. Here's what he has to say.

Affirmation of the Day

2011-01-24T17:53:00.001+08:00

Now Affirmation:
What matters is who I AM, not who I've been!

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Goals for 2011

2011-01-24T13:13:00.002+08:00

I guess it's a little too late for resolutions so I'm going to call this one differently. Here's how it works: below is a list of my goals for 2011. I have to do everything simultaneously without going insane. I can't scratch off one item until I've done it for at least one week. Let's see how I'll do.

1. Go vegan for a week.

2. Substitute snacking with a physical exercise.

3. Start boxing.

4. Start doing hiphop abs again.

5. Break-up with my favorite albeit unhealthy favorites (list to be written on a separate post).

6. Get rid of the unfinished business once and for all.

7. Save more.

8. Travel more.

CCTV caught man stealing laptop

2011-01-20T11:33:00.000+08:00

People, we need to be a little more vigilant these days. There's carjacking and robbery and now this man was caught taking a laptop from an unsuspecting man at Oyster Boy restaurant! Watch in awe and then hold on to your bags.

X-Men: First Class - First look!

2011-01-19T19:01:00.000+08:00

Oh my! It's here! And it's happening! A blogger was sent this unofficial first look at the new X-Men first Class picture! I personally don't agree with the choice of characters in the movie but the director promised this to be a darker version of 'Harry Potter'. Hmm... I wonder what he meant by that:

From left to right: Michael Fassbender as Magneto, Rose Byrne as Moira MacTaggert, January Jones as Emma Frost, Jason Flemyng as Azazel, Nicholas Hoult as Beast, Lucas Till as Havok, Zoe Kravitz as Angel, Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique and James McAvoy as Professor Charles Xavier

BEST. NEWS. ARTICLE. EVER.

2011-01-18T06:01:00.000+08:00

It's short but it grabs you in the balls. This is Journalism at its best. LoL!

The Work + Life Balance Project

2011-01-17T20:04:00.000+08:00

I must admit, this blog has gone through a lot of changes. Major changes. I got the name from a friend who also did the first two designs of the site. It started out as sort of an entertainment blog. It changed when I finally realized I was light years behind popular bloggers like Perez Hilton or Trent.

The blog went on an ambiguous mode - then became a blog for call centers. After all, I think the only thing I can talk about - the thing I'm very knowledgeable of - is my job. The only problem is that I really don't know what to post on my site. I do have topics lined up but I was having difficulty finding out which ones are safe to post.

So one time, I was sitting and I asked myself what else is missing? I looked at myself in the mirror and saw a fat, 20's guy who looks like he's on verge of a nervous breakdown. My energy is down. I don't get enough sleep everyday. I am juggling my work as a manager at a call center while going to school at the same time. My weight issues have been persistent lately and I just don't know what to do with it.

Then, it came to me. That's what's missing in this picture - Balance. A certain blog taught me that Work is not a job. I think that's true! We just all need to find the balance and make sure we stick to it.

WELCOME to the WORK + LIFE BALANCE PROJECT!

I got the new 20-Peso Bill

2011-01-17T19:58:00.000+08:00

Today, I bought some donuts and realized there was something strange about the change the guy at the counter gave me:

I didn't know these new bills are already in circulation. I read several reports that these new designs are plagued with inconsistencies - from inaccurate maps to distorted historical facts. Have they been corrected?