TGIF Afternoon Soiree With Renee!!

- January 28, 2011, Friday

- I have been pretty stressed lately, not to mention sleep deprived (blame today's media law exam and report.) Because I felt like I needed to unwind WITHOUT SHOPPING....I asked Renee last night if she were busy today. After she told me that she didn't have plans for the day after her morning orientation in her school, I told her that I wanted to meet up. After all, I haven't seen Renee since last year, I think. (Her debut??)

- I met Renee today at the Binondo Church. While waiting for Renee, I strolled around the church, and marveled little things that made me remember my childhood, my ethnicity, my adventures. Things like small burning red candles, rosaries, tourists, even the church itself. It may not be as fancy and extremely luxurious as the churches in Europe, but the church still stands as an icon of history, liberty, faith, and solidarity.

- After Renee arrived, we immediately walked towards Cafe Mezzanine. It was another restaurant that was dear to me, since I did have many nice memories with it too. I last ate here last March, when I first met my Korean friend, Sang. It was nice to see the old purple-and-fireman theme of the restaurant.

- Renee and I ordered a lot of food, so we could stay longer. I received text messages here and there, about a pending MASCKS meeting this afternoon. Part of me wanted to have the meeting, so I would be able to see my fellow MASCKS members again, but part of me wanted the meeting to be cancelled, so I could spend more time with Renee. I supposed the meeting for the actors was cancelled since I didn't receive more text messages regarding the meeting.

- Renee and I had an extensive flashback regarding our lives so far, and even talked about our present lives in our universities. Still, our memories of the old Ramayana play brought us back once again to our golden days as stage performers. We might not be performers (per se) anymore, but performance will forever be one of our vocations in life.

- I thought it was funny, amusing, and appropriate enough of Royce, the "heir apparent" of the Purple Dynasty, to come to the restaurant to entertain a few cameramen from ABS-CBN. I didn't know why they were day, and I had a hunch that it probably had something to do with the upcoming lunar new year. Still, Royce was also kind enough to talk to Renee and me; he's still funny as always.

- Lennie called us up around 5pm, and was telling us how nervous she was of the miting de avance; she was running for president for DLSU's AIESEC. Renee and I tried to "cheer" her up, encouraged her, and peppered the conversation with random feel-good-and-funny things to make her feel more comfortable.

- Renee and I grabbed a bowl of banana split while waiting for Lennie's call, just to see how she went with the miting de avance. Lennie, however, took a long time before she called us up. Since it was minutes before sunset, Renee and I decided to go home.

- I am excited about Lennie's situation, but I was already satisfied with my afternoon with Renee. My Friday had truly given me "hope and light" to a nice and productive weekend. Aside from this, I really appreciated the whole reminiscing thing. Sometimes people need to sit down, and look back on all the things the they have been through. Many people ignore the past, and see their past experiences as childish or even superfluous. The past, whether good or bad, will forever be the stepping stones of the present being. It is also a humbling and enlightening experience.

Hwanyeong Hamnida!! Yonsei University - Ateneo de Manila University Student Dialogue 2011

- January 25, 2011, Tuesday

- Our Korean Langauge class was fortunate enough to be part of the Yonsei-Ateneo student dialogue entitled "Exploring Philippine-South Korean Relationships: Ateneo and Yonsei Students in Dialogue." This rare opportunity was approached to us by our professor "Sonsaengnim" Sarah Domingo- Lipura a few weeks ago.

- The four Yonsei students were in the country for around two weeks to conduct a study about Filipino-Korean marriages. In line with this, the Yonsei students gave a short talk about this, while we presented the hallyu phenomenon in the Philippines (aka the "Korean Wave".) This was actually my thesis last sem (got an A, yay!!) My prof asked me, along with my dialogue partner in class Francis, to present a short version of my thesis.

- Yoondo and Willy were cute together as emcees. Yoon spoke in English, and Willy spoke in Korean. After the brief introduction and the short talks, our group had a mini production number. We danced a medley of Pinoy Ako, Sorry Sorry, and my infamous Gee solo ssanti ("cheap"/parody) dance. I think the Koreans were both "scared" and happy with my performance.

- Before ending the session, I gave all of them the gift bags I prepared during the weekend. The gift bags made of banig contained a guitar keychain with the word "Philippines" on it, an artsy-fartsy shell magnet, a super duper small t-shirt (used as deco) that had a jeepney and the word "Manila" printed, and small pouches/coin purses that had the name of the country and a nice picture of a vinta. :D:D:D:D (Products courtesy of my mom and I during our latest shopping trip. That's where I bought my tribal necklace too. Haha.)

- I removed my barong immediately after the people started to pack up. Instead of changing my entire wardrobe - I didn't want to remove my slacks and/or my white undershirt - I just placed an Ifugao vest and a tribal Ifugao necklace. Hey, since I'm going Filipiniana anyway, why not stick with the concept for the rest of the day, right? Well, that's me. Haha.

- The Koreans were interested in my Ifugao costume, and commented that I had too many costumes. I told them that I had a second hand hanbok, which also impressed them. (My hanbok was very inexpensive, class B, and second hand, bought in a Korean thrift store, as compared to first-hand heavily embroidered ones that cost a fortune in Korea.)

- Those who didn't have classes right after Korean class, including me, toured the Yonsei students around campus. I tried to talk to them in Korean, as I have even during my "mock" defense with Francis. (I tried to be humorous during the report, just to lighten up the mood.) We went to the Gesu, and headed to Manang's afterwards. Our class treated the Koreans with (inexpensive) traditional Filipino food.

- I don't know why I was really hyper, or as Sang put it - "passionate," but I kept making really annoying and random comments. Example:

a. These are the famous Filipino mangoes. They are sweet, just like the people of this tropical country. Mangoes were said to symbolize the hearts of the Filipinos....and the color yellow shows that Filipinos have golden hearts.

b. This is kutsinta. It's made of sticky rice. It symbolizes who Filipinos have close family ties.

- It was a shame that some of us had class after one and a half hours after Korean class. (I had my Japanese class. Haha.) If we had more time, and less stress, maybe we even toured the Yonsei students around Manila. I really wanted to do so, as an Itchy Tours Walking Tours guide. Still, it was great to have met friends from the land of kimchi, Kpop, Koreanovelas, and hanbok.

:D:D:D:D

** Oh btw, before the report, I introduced myself, and I told them that I was wearing a Barong Tagalog. Hahahaha. I still can't get over the fact that I have my own barong now. The last time I wore a barong was when I was a tiny fat boy, and "hired" by many relatives' weddings to be their ring bearer. Hahahaha. I bought a ready to wear barong last week just for this event. Still, it was a great excuse to buy a barong that doesn't itch. It didn't cost as much as other barongs too. Haha.

Twice the Size of A Regular Birthday: The Two-In-One Dynamite-Filled Celebration

- January 21, 2011, Friday, Clarisse and Jason's birthdays.

- Clarisse invited Marga and me to her birthday around a week ago, and it was obviously a must for us to go. It's a yearly tradition - sort of. Since it was her brother Jason's birthday too, I was told that Jason would be bringing a friend of his to the celebration.

- After coming home from my Barong Tagalog hunt in Tutuban with mom, I wrapped my gift, and prepared myself for the evening. As for my attire, I wanted to try something different. Instead of dressing up in a plain British-Chinese attire (a.k.a. my preppy contemporary Chinese look,) I decided to over-accessorize my wrists. Aside from wearing the turtle necklace Eric gave me months ago, I wore my yellow Buddhist-like necklace as a bracelet, including the bracelet that came with the necklace, on one arm, and wore my Buddha, Kwanima, and prayer-bead bracelets on the other. Now, I really looked like a contemporary-Oxfordian-Buddhist fan. Oh well.

- I arrived at Clarisse' house around 5:30 in the afternoon, and waited for her other family members to arrive. As we waited, Clarisse, her other brother Kevin, and I watched the American Idol auditions.

- The rain started to pour as the auditions got worse. We were a bit worried too since Jason hasn't come home yet. There was a mix up with the driver, Clarisse and Jason's cake, and Jason's whereabouts, and whatnot. In the end, we left Clarisse' house around 8pm.

- After arriving at Hanobe restaurant (somewhere in QC,) we met up with Clarisse' cousin and his wife, and we immediately ordered food to eat. I must say, the service was INCREDIBLY fast. Platter after platter filled the table, while Clarisse and I were a bit worried about Marga; we weren't sure if she would still come since we couldn't contact her. Even if we were able to contact her, all she said was that she was quite near, or on her way. At least we got to talk to her finally.

- When Marga finally arrived, she immediately became the star of the night. We were also "not rudely" staring at her while she caught her breath and ate. Since dead silence filled the air, Clarisse tried to lighten up the mood by making me talk about random things. As I continued to chat with Marga while she was eating, Clarisse' grandmom told me to refrain from talking to Marga, so she could eat. I told her that Marga was "simply resting" so she could eat more. After all, Marga needed to catch her breath from thesis stress, and road stress - she drove from La Salle to her house, then to Hanobe, while suffering heavy traffic.

- The quick night ended by the usual birthday song, in English and Korean (courtesy of Marga and me,) and Clarisse letting us taste her red velvet cake from Karen Young. I have to say, the cake was moist, not too sweet, and red. Heehee.

- We all went home after we noticed that the steel gates of Hanobe were being pulled down. The party continued in Clarisse' car as we spazzed over Taio Cruz's Dynamite. Don't ask my why. It just happened. Haha.

"I throw my hands up in the air sometimes
Saying AYO!
Gotta let go!
I wanna celebrate and live my life
Saying AYO!
Baby, let's go!"

- Dynamite by Taio Cruz. Haha.

"Do You See What I See??": The Shopping Trip With Clarisse

- January 19, 2011, Wednesday

- Days ago, Clarisse asked me to accompany her to 168. After coming home from school today, I realized that today wouldn't be a busy day. I asked Clarisse immediately if she wanted to go to 168 today, and she agreed without hesitation.

- I met Clarisse in 11/88, the former Meisic mall, around 1:30 in the afternoon. While waiting for Clarisse to arrive, I strolled around the ground floor, and was interested in buying some (more) accessories. Seeing that they were priced more than twice as the ones in Quiapo, I became discouraged. I almost bought a bracelet with the Hindu "Om" written on the beads, but the bracelet didn't fit me too. It was worth a hundred pesos. I bet if I saw something like that in Quiapo, it'd be around 35 pesos, more or less.

- After finally seeing Clarisse, she made me taste her pistachio cheese bread. It was moist, light, and subtle. If I were to describe the bread in an artistic way, I'd say it was a mix of pastel colors and dew drops in bread form.

- Our first agenda for the afternoon was to return the DVDs she bought in 168 the other day. They had some defects I think. Aside from that, she also planned on buying some DVDs too. We went to 168, and searched for the store where she bought the defected DVDs.

- The recent news showed that many stalls in 11/88, 168, 999, and Divisoria were shut down because they violated the government rules and whatnot. Luckily, even though the store where Clarisse bought her DVDs shut down, the DVD saleswoman was "lurking" near their "old stall," and still continued to sell DVDs.

- It didn't take long before Clarisse exchanged her DVDs and bought her new DVDs (which Clarisse learned later on, were defected as well.) We excitedly hopped around 168 and looked for nice things. I was looking for dream catcher necklaces, but I couldn't find a single store that sells them. I think it's a sign for me to really stop spending money. (I had been going on shopping trips almost once every week. This is bad for me, and my wallet.) We also explored the new and improved "wing" of 168. Congratulations, 168 is now triple its old size. Haha.

- While walking towards the new wing, this rather funny dialogue made my day:

Gilbert: Do you see what I see?? (referring to a striped collared orange-and-white shirt)

Clarisse: Oh....(looks inside the store, seemingly looking at the same shirt I was looking at.)

Gilbert: Do you see what I see?????????????????? :D:D:D:D

Clarisse:..............................No.

Gilbert: T_T

- I didn't buy the orange-and-white shirt, but I did find another striped collared shirt that seemed to suit me well. (This was also the same store where I bought my infamous "Jollibee" shirt.) Haha.

- In another stall, I was able to buy a Chinese hat for men. I had been looking everywhere for a Chinese hat, but I only saw ones for children. (The round Chinese hats that have a strand of braided hair attached at the back.)

- Clarisse and I also found the Lady Gaga earphones that Clarisse' brother wanted to have. Clarisse seemed a bit reluctant to buy the earphones, so she texted her brother while we went to the new 999 mall.

- The new 999 mall seemed a bit empty because it's fairly new, and some stores were also closed down by the government. Although most of the things there were more or less similar to 168 or 11/88, the Korean grocery near the food court fancied me. Of course, it was similar to the ones found in Koreatowns around Metro Manila (or the Korean grocery that popped out of nowhere in Chinatown.)

- At around 3pm, we went back to 168 and tried the Thai "carinderia-style" stall in the food court. I forgot the name of the stall, but it's the only Thai stall in the foodcourt anyway. It is owned by a Filipino-Thai couple. The wife is Thai, although she may look Filipina and speak good Filipino.

- Clarisse and I tried their Pad Thai, and their tilapia with tamarind-sauce. I asked Clarisse to find a spot for us, while I waited for out order. I thanked the lady in Thai, and she laughed out of surprise. She replied in Thai too. Haha.

- While Clarisse and I were eating, her brother texted us, and told us to verify the model of the Lady Gaga earphones before buying them. He had specifics. Hahahaha. Clarisse and I dragged ourselves back to the store selling the Gaga earphones. When we saw the actual earphones, they didn't seem to look "as nice as the original," although the quality of sound was superb. We eventually bought them, but Clarisse wanted to "sell" the earphones to her brother at a slightly higher price.

- It was around quarter past four in the afternoon, and I needed to go to my beloved CKSC to direct MASCKS, as always and forever. Clarisse and I walked under the gloomy clouds that brought light rain earlier this afternoon, and parted ways in Padre Algue Street. Ironically, Clarisse and I were far from gloomy, sad, or anything in between. (Maybe my wallet is more than gloomy, I suppose. Haha.)

- I honestly need to stop spending. I splurged in Quiapo earlier this month, went to Quiapo and Tutuban last Friday, and today, 168 and its neighboring malls. However, shopping does give me "temporary" happiness, and permanent guilt afterwards. I am not used to spending this much in so little time. I think it's because of the stress school gives me. I am slightly more than a month away from liberty, but the workload keeps on getting worse. Still, I need to finish what needs to be finished. Goodness, good luck to me. :|:|:|:|

Quiapo Journey And Dimsum Heaven :) :) :) :)

- January 3, 2011 (Happy New Year!!)

- We three eat-kateers planned to have this new year dimsum date so:

1. I can give Clarisse' yearbook to her (it's been with me for around a month already.)

2. Clarisse can give Marga and me our souvenirs from Vietnam. (Welcome back!!)

3. Marga could celebrate her very belated birthday with us (and give us our pasalubong from her recent HK trip.)

- We were scheduled to meet around 2:30 in Golden Fortune Soler, since the afternoon discount for the dimsum and shabu-shabu would start around that time. However, I left the house earlier so I could go around Quiapo; my feet had been itching to go to Quiapo for several days now.

- I was able to go to three "areas" of Quiapo today. First, I went around Carriedo, and saw a neon-orange belt that simply called to me. It was worth 150 pesos, much more inexpensive than the neon-colored belts I saw in Divisoria and 168 a month ago. (Too bad they didn't have stocks of orange belts too.) Seeing that nothing else special was going on- except maybe for the lack of people- I decided to visit Villalobos Street.

- Villalobos street can may as well be dubbed as a bead-and-accessory heaven. Rows of stores selling ready-made accessories and beads that are reasonably-priced can be found there. My mom told me about this street days ago, after she was able to find her exotic, and almost-authentic Tibetan-inspired turquoise necklace.

- I was able to buy a set of pre-made necklaces that looked Tibetan or Bhutanese. The necklaces had strings attached to the middle, where people can add pendants. Luckily, I had several keychains at home that I badly wanted to use as necklace pendants. Yay Villalobos Street!!

- Of course, my journey to Quiapo won't be complete after a visit to Hidalgo, the "Muslim capital" of Manila. I was happy to see that the dome of the Golden Mosque was being restored to its former golden luster (hence the name,) and that I was able to see many good stuff in that area. What took me a long time in that area after buying some Muslim jewelry for men, was looking for the stall where I used to buy DVD's of international classical hard-to-find films. One of the sellers of a store selling Muslim attires recognized me, and told me that the store I was looking for was now converted as their clothes-store's extension.

- Although it broke my heart to see the store where I used to buy DVD's of classical movies was already converted to a Muslim-attire store, I was able to buy myself a noble black thawb. (Yay picture!!) I also found out that the mother of the seller was the owner of the DVD stall I was looking for. I guess that's why it was easy to convert the former DVD stall to the clothes-store's extension.

- I soon received a text that Marga was on her way, which meant that I had to start walking to Soler. And as always, even if I was "behind schedule," I still found myself the first to arrive at Golden Fortune. Clarisse followed shortly, and finally, Margarette.

- Clarisse gave Marga and I bookmarks from Vietnam. Marga received a bookmark with a lady wearing a hanbok, while I received a bookmark with Russian lady wearing the traditional Russian garment. (Ona ochen krasivaya!!/ She's very beautiful!!) What made these bookmarks special was that the meticulous details were made from rolled strips of paper. The store where Clarisse bought the bookmarks from specialized in roller-paper crafts. (Her family was able to buy 3-D statues of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals, all of which were made from rolled paper. Amazing, huh??)

- Of course, needless to say, we ordered a tableful of dimsum and noodles, while we talked about Clarisse' trip, Marga's Korean addiction, and my ambitions of going to places, as well as my love for languages and cultures.

- My crave for Quiapo's wonders was partially satisfied, although a whole afternoon (or day) of Quiapo would be better. As for dimsum, well, my tummy can't say anything; it's full and currently sleeping. (Thanks Marga and Clarisse!!)