Neighbors' Afternoon Out Once More

- November 24, 2012, Saturday.

- As all Saturdays, I wanted to make my Saturday socially productive, especially since I hadn't been out during the last 2 Saturdays. Finally, my neighbor Charmaine was available, although I wouldn't be able to accompany her to attend a board game seminar in Galleria, since I had to watch a play in UP this morning.

- My neighbor and I went to Lucky Chinatown to cool off from the rather hot weather, and walk around. We tried Bon Chon's new onion rings, although we both don't highly recommend. The onion rings were too oily.

- Soon, while passing by the cinema area to check out the movies, although we weren't planning to watch anyway, we saw a funny soy bean mascot representing the newly-opened Mr. Bean, a newly-opened dessert place  offering soy-based ice cream and drinks. We felt that this is a good alternative to yogurt places, especially since the ice cream and drinks were not too sweet.

- After bumping into many many people I knew, we decided to visit my former neighbor Riezeryl, who sprained her foot the other day. We bought her some revel bars as a "get well soon" gift. (And I hope she does, so we'll be able to go off elsewhere soon!! :D:D:D:D)

The Very Cultural Day: Bazaar And Music

- November 18, 2012, Sunday.

- I had been itching to visit the yearly one-day-only (every third Sunday of November) international bazaar at the PICC forum, organized by the different embassies in the Philippines. Later on, I discovered that it was also on the same day as "Forte @ 40," the anniversary concert of the Piano Teacher's Guild of the Philippines (PTGP,) where my piano teacher and some friends, among 300 other pianists, were to perform.

-  My parents accompanied me to the international bazaar this morning. Honestly, I thought last year's bazaar had more interesting finds than this year's bazaar. Many countries did not participate this year too; Russia, Bangladesh, Greece, and probably some others did not participate. However, countries such as (South) Korea participated this year.

The mandatory photo with the fake motherland booth. Haha.

Origami sushi!!

Italian (and Filipina) in costumes. Haha!!

Santa, you're a bit early, don't you think?? Haha. Nice to see you though!!

The mandatory photo with the real motherland booth. Haha.

- At noon, we decided to buy savory beef cakes and nasi tepak from the Brunei booth (chicken, rice, egg, sweet sauce,) and kimbap and a small platter of assorted tteok (sweet rice cakes) from the Korean stall.

- After going around the bazaar once more, and being able to buy myself a pair of Moroccan slipper-shoes, my parents dropped me off at CCP to watch Forte @ 40.


- Forte @ 40 is a special concert, since for the first time in Philippine history, 40 pianos were brought in the CCP stage, to be used by more than 300 pianists ages 8 to 80. It was a unique concert, because some pieces were specially-arranged "popular themes," such as the Harry Potter theme, or the Super Mario theme. The highlight was the finale, where my piano teacher participated, entitled "Mga Gintong Pamana." The piece was arranged especially for this concert, and so this piece has its debut performance today.

- After the concert, I was able to meet some of my friends who played in the concert. I later joined my piano teacher, Teacher Julie, together with teacher Lilibeth and Irene, at Iceberg at the nearby Harbor Square.

- My parents fetched me, just as Teacher Julie had to hop back to CCP for her gala performance. As for me, my legs are dead from today's trip, but it's always worth it when I get to travel the world in a day, and get to witness an extraordinary event in music/piano/Philippine-music history.

Diwali 2012 at MOA and Dinner with the Indian Ambassador on Indian Coast Guard Ship Samrat

- November 11, 2012, Sunday.

- My main agenda for tonight was to have a dinner with the ambassador of India to the Philippines, His Excellency Hon. Amit Dasgupta. He wanted to see me, and other soon-to-be Philippine delegates to India, during the farewell dinner of the Indian Coast Guard Ship Samrat. (I received the invitation just last Thursday.)

- Today, it was a sudden decision to visit MOA before dinner to attend the Diwali (Festival of Lights) celebrations. It was fortunate that the Indian community and other relevant organizations were able to organize something this grand. In this big event, Indians will be able to celebrate Diwali (aka Deepavali, a pan-Indian celebration almost equivalent to the Catholic Christmas,) and non-Indians will be able to have an excuse to be exposed to the colorful Indian culture.

-  Most performances I saw were Punjabi bhangra performances, and videos of Bollywood songs. A few shops and food stalls were also present. At around 6pm, Sam Gogna and his sister came out to officially welcome the guests. After their introduction, the ambassador had a very short opening remark. The ambassador left after his short opening remarks, and so I decided to head for the coast guard ship too.

- I was able to meet my classmates last semester, Wayne, and Dona. I was glad to see them since I won't be having classes with them this semester.

Indian coast guard people

His Excellency, Hon. Amit Dasgupta

- The Roxas Boulevard traffic added 15 minutes to my supposed travel time. I arrived at Samrat after my mom and sis dropped me off, and I was able to locate my co-delegates thanks to the very accommodating coast guard welcoming committee.

- I was able to try some appetizers, one including a platter of spiced shrimp, with the shrimp being caught all the way from the Arabian Sea (the servers had to stress that, so might as well stress it here too. Haha.) I was also able to have a photo taken with the ambassador moments later. (YAY!!)

- The guests were given a tour around the coast guard ship before having an Indian buffet dinner. I must say, these coast guard people can really cook!!

- We soon said our farewells as the guests started to get off the ship one by one. The coast guard ship will also bid farewell tomorrow as she goes on her 6-day trip to Yokohama, Japan.

- I shall forever remember this (very Indian-loaded) day, as it is one of the most important and honorable days of my young life.

What's left of the prized Arabian-sea prawns

Rare moment to have a photo taken with an ambassador. Heehee.

Covered gun.