La Buzz

I tagged along with my favorite friends, Jim and Vic to the Sunday gossip show The Buzz.  Well we were basically there for Vic, that was the plan.  I’m so out of the showbiz thing, I’m practically just there for fun and of course for blog content.

We first saw the Gretchen interview, with her mistle toe shoes.

Yeah guys, that wasn’t live, that was taped 30 mins before the actual show.

Then Kristine Hermosa came, she’s beautiful.

I learned that if you do a drive shot on your camera long enough, you get something interesting like this.

Ruffa is beautiful btw.

and Christine Reyes, too.

Anyway, after that fun ride we met the other guys at Trinoma.

Fun day, but not without issues…

But that is for another cryptic-filled entry in the days to come.

Orange Friday

I think my laptop is suffering a flu, a virus that’s just annoying… haaays I’m trying to fix the files manually this evening, so goodluck to me…

Anyway, I had a great Orange Friday

Had lunch with Steph, Rubi and Jeff at Secret Recipe.

And in the evening, dinner with Jimmy and Vic, plus Jim Nev at Serendra

Fun, fun, fun…

Vic asked me, “Isn’t that your new shirt?”

I said, “No, this is my lucky shirt, because I always get lucky when I wear it…” lol

Old Friend Japs

I love meeting old friends like Japs.  I like the fact that he’s always so positive about things.  He’s cool-happy, not annoyingly happy. lol

When Jay-jay first introduced him to me, we were at the Makati Stocks Exchange Starbucks where he used to work as a barista.  Now he’s a budding restaurateur.

He’s a fitness enthusiast too.  So it must be the endorphines that keep him positive all the time.  Whatever, we rarely see each other but it’s always nice when we do.

Sulit!!!

That’s the message that came with this pic this afternoon.

Vic and Jim checked out the Sakae Sushi buffet, which I recommended to them.

Kung Hei Fat Chow!

Our supposed merienda this afternoon turned out to be such a feast.  Steph and I went to Sakae Sushi and ended up doing the eat-all-you-can Sushi Buffet.  Believe me, this was a 50/50 endeavor.

No offense Vic, but it certainly looked like this petite woman was you, consumption-wise.

Count that, 13 plates of sushi.  As we stepped out of the Japanese restaurant, I saw the chinese lanterns at the door and realized:  Wow, we really did celebrate Chinese New Year!

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Bonifacio High Sun

The heat is on, that’s all I can say.  The sun just melts everyone, especially at noon.

But that wouldn’t stop us from combing Market Market and Bonifacio High Street to shop.  That’s Rubi and Steph.  I’m totally convinced covering yourself does not work, like what Steph is doing.  The reflection on the pavement is almost as bad as the direct sunlight.

That’s the Kuan Kung (the Chinese God of War), the last item I need to protect my luck for the year of the Rat.  Today is the eve of the Chinese New Year, I supposedly need new sleepwear.  Not that I’m super into the Chinese new year thing, but it certainly will justify my need to shop for a new pair of jammies.

Journey by Chance

After this badminton meet with friends

(Jimmy, picture spoiler by profession, i swear)

(Vic – CSR by day, Picture spoiler by night)

We found ourselves at Gloria Jean’s in Timog, QC

May I just mention that Carl finally arrived after a long absence.  I gave him what could just be called a MEGAHUG. :-)

Anyway, to make the night more interesting, some of us went to Antipolo.

Yes, including me, who was practically a zombie.  The last time I slept was Thursday night.

But, as I and my good friends always go, we’ve just outdone ourselves.  This is Sunday Morning, and we just drove right up to Subic.  (Thanks to edward)

(There just had to be another picture spoiler – Dave lol)

So, how did your weekend go?

(OK, I’m gonna faint now…)

Fez Shop

Rach asked to me to accompany her at the Face Shop during lunchtime.

Steph and Rubi Tagged along.

What’s a guy to do?

My best girlfriends.  I’m at their beck and call.

Good Friday

Great Friday even, since it spilled over to early Saturday morning

We celebrated some of the guys’ birthdays collectively over lunch.

Good food, great people…

In a few days, our group would’ve spent its first year in the Firm.  I swear, the past year has been such a blur.

Which means that I must be having fun…

We were so full we couldn’t stuff in the cakes (Yes, plural!).  So, the celebration spilled to merienda.

Of course before that, I had to have my picture taken with my two fave girls in the world, Steph and Rubi.

The day didn’t feel like a work day at all.  It felt like one BIG PARTY!

After work (or play), I met with friends at Makati.

Ended up redboxing. (Yes going to Redbox KTV is a verb now, thanks to Carl.  Miss you Carl, like sooper miss )

(What a shirt, Abbu?!)

Ahh friends, eyelav!

Post Script:

Get your butt back here Jimmy, now na.  We miss you so much!

Comfort Food

When you’ve had a bad day, be sure to pick up a Vic Gesmundo on your way home…

You’ll end the night on a good note, promise

We ended dinner with desserts at UCC.  Just look at that towering fruit parfait.  The Apple Crumb Pie and Chocolate Cooler that I ordered was divine as well.

The Prince and the Pea

No matter how great a friend may seem to me, it always turns me off when they have a sense of bigotry in them.  I don’t think this is just a peeve since it’s not superficial.  I’m talking about panghahamak here – putting down a race or a group of people.  I’m allergic to that, even if I am not the one oppressed.

Every person who is born into this world should have a rightful place in it, free of oppression and discrimination.  Got that from my Mum and Dad, I guess…  It just makes me uncomfortable… So I guess that’s my pea.

I’m not trying to be self-righteous here, people.  So don’t make welga if there are any inconsistencies in what I say and do.  I am enough of a realist to understand that the World is not Utopia.  But that does not mean that we should stop striving for it.

Update 01/11/2007  11AM:  I had a conversation with Carl last night.  That’s when I remembered that I did fall victim to racial discrimination.  Twice, during my travels – very bad experiences.

Odd Man

Had fun with my friends last weekend, my weekend that spilled out into early Monday morning.

This is us at our last stop:  Vic’s place.

I looked like I was cut-out off another picture and pasted here.

Believe me when I say that I am the only single guy in this group.

(I really look like a cut out)

Which begs the question: Isn’t it time for me to wander out?  I am asking this question more often these days.  Haaays, that’s the problem of The Formidable, everything to you is temporary.  You are always aware that you are alone at some level.

Maybe I’ll use The Secret to provide me with the answers of which path to take.  Anyway, I feel that the Law of Attraction, you know, The Secret…  is already in action.

From One LOA Junkie to Another

LOA – Law of Attraction

Had this conversation with AJ this evening

Maybe he’s right.

It’s Not Just Another Christmas Eve

Forming these words, I can’t help but be thankful for how happy this Christmas has been for me, comparing it to last year.  I started the eve right by having dinner with two of my most favorite people in the world.

In a span of a few months, Vic and Jim have become one of my closest friends.  I guess they’re one of the gifts that the Universe has given to me this year.

After dinner, I went home to find an abundance of kin in my house.

The atmosphere was light and festive…

And very happy…  People were happy…

 

and Chica (What a pose! lol)

This day is really for gathering all the people you love.  There’s just no other way to spend it…

I hope you did it the same way I did, and I hope that it’s just as happy.

Merry Christmas everyone!

… now back to watching Fred Astaire movies

Shoe Art

Found this pair of shoes at the Philosophy Store in Serendra, after dinner during Avenue Q night.

These shoes are on consignment from an artist who handpaints them.  No two pairs are alike. Kewl no?!

My friend Carl decides to pose with the shoes.

I want!

Post script: Sorry again Carl for my screw-up the other day.  Haaayz

Ferarisms

People who do this, don’t make welga, OK?  I just find the quote funny…

You know what pisses me off?  People who point at the wrist when asking the time, I know where my watch is buddy.  Where the f**k is yours?  I mean, do I point at my crotch when I ask where the bathroom is?

-Richard Feraro, richardferaro.com

Very reminiscent of J.D. Salinger, I must say…

Geek-O Convention

Jimmy and I found ourselves in geek heaven today.

I must say the SMX Convention Center at MOA is impressive!!!

The Proverbial Yardstick

Do you find me repulsive?  Am I too much in your face?  Am I too friendly, annoyingly friendly?  Am I trustworthy to you?

These are but a few questions that I want to ask each person I’ve come across with.  I am pliant enough to adjust that, if need be.

On the other hand, it’s not like I need friends to clamour for the ones who don’t like me.  I may be a social being, but I am also formidable and independent.  I have threaded some of the lowest points in my life without the presence of a single friend. 

Friendships, like clothes, are best chosen for their quality, not quantity.

Accenture Reunion

It’s always great to see friends again.  We had a chance to have dinner at Greenbelt3.

I especially missed Vani and AJ.  Haaay… I hope we can spend more time together. 

Vani was the only person I called when my sister died.  It got disconnected because my batteries ran out, and she had to fly to the U.S. that day.  That’s when I decided that I had to, yet again, deal with the dire situation alone. 

I can only wish them the very best!!!

I Want My Friends Safe

When this happened, I got worried for my friends.

I was on the phone almost all afternoon.  First checked out Dave and Cholo, then Jimmy and Vic, then Vani and my other Accenture friends. 

Cholo answered my call and said they were far from the site of the incident.

Jimmy replied that they were in Masas for the buffet, kainggit.

Vani texted back and said, “So far, everyone’s OK.”

What a relief to hear that…  Even if she couldn’t have been completely sure.

Forgiving Heart

I just realized today that to finally attract that feeling of forgiveness, maybe I should do the act first… outwardly.  If I bury the hatchet verbally, then maybe the concept will permeate into my own being.

By the law of attraction, I trust that I will acquire it soon enough.

A seed needs to break ground inorder to flourish, after all.

Meaningful Connections

The Secret says that when you focus on something, by the Law of Attraction, you will acquire it.  In this case, I focused on abundance…

 

Abundance in friendships, among other things, that’s what I’m thankful for.

To Love, To Forget

This is the last of my heartbreak entries, I promise.  Then I’ll do my best to be my headstrong, fun-loving, sane self again.

I had lunch with my good friend Rach today.  We work in the same company, but have, since June, been assigned to different locations.  We chat everyday, but that’s different.  You lose spontaneity when you chat, and miss lightbulb moments in the process.  I told her everything that transpired over the last few days like it’s my day in court.  She, as always, listened ever so carefully to every moment and feeling that I described.  It’s a feat because, as some of you know, I’m very thorough.

She told me that she had the same experience, and she survived by pulling herself out of the situation.  She stopped spending time with the person she felt affection for, when she found out that, at that time, the feeling could not be reciprocated. 

I took a moment to search within myself, to a place where every feeling is raw and true.  I realized that maybe, like Rach, I too cannot walk that grey line. 

Maybe, just maybe, I love this person so fiercely, that it’s impossible for us to be friends.  Maybe… I need to forget with as much conviction as I have loved…

Blessed Drunkenness

After drinking on a Monday night with one of our foreign mentors, I didn’t really retire immediately.  Believe it or not, I still had the energy and coherence to chat until 3AM with friends.  During the long conversation with some of my new friends with whom I am surely to be fated as drinking buddies, it seemed like a good idea to form a group.  The Group’s requirement for members would be to ingest alcohol, and not be killjoys.  Anyway, it’s going to be fun.

We even came up with a poster.  Such commitment to the joys of partying.   I’m cyclops, and we derived it from an X-MEN poster, if anybody’s wondering.

Thanks to my brother Aki for the help.

Buon Compleanno!

A couple of years ago, I passed by Milan.  I only spent a day or less there, before I flew out.  This is me in the cold, behind me is the Duomo.

It’s freezing but I needed to take the picture.  You’ll never know, I might never pass this way again.  I’m sorry but the Duomo was ghastly then, there was a lot of construction going on.

Anyway, a month later, I found out that my friend and once student Jay Jay settled in Milan that year.  Sayang!  I didn’t know!  This is him making me envious, this being his third or fourth time in Venice.  I only went there once, but I fell in love with the place.

After we reconnected, we used to talk for hours, not minding the long distance rates (I was in Denmark then).  During my gloomy days in Copenhagen, I would fall asleep to our YM chat sessions.  Truly, he was one of the people who formed my support system then.  Anyway, today is his birthday.  Jay Jay, Buon Compleanno!  Happy Birthday!

—-

Update Sept 8:

I got a message from jay jay thanking me for the post.  You’re welcome.  Miss you my friend!