birthday weekend

i am so looking foward to my birthday weekend. k has lots in store for me. :)

thanks to brye for this greeting. nasan na envelope ko?? heehee

a call to prayer

let us whisper a prayer for former president cory aquino who is currently hospitalized at the mmc for colon cancer.

we can leave personal messages here: http://coryaquino.ph/

'here comes the bride' gets a new twist

had so much fun watching this. but i doubt that this can be done anywhere here in the philippines (no parish priest in his right mind would heehee). well, maybe in a beach wedding. :)



thanks to a w@wie for sharing this. :)

pilar gets married

she is one of k's bestfriends. met her a few months ago (with her fiance obet), and i liked her instantly. :)



she got married during the weekend in antipolo. k was her veil sponsor. i was k's official photographer. :)



k's bestfriend ian was candle sponsor (together with his lovely wife m).



it's funny how these guys, when gathered together, would talk about the good ol' days (i guess everyone does when they're with friends from way- way back. i do!). they were buddies in college, and still remain good friends.



now they're getting married. one by one.



time flies too fast. before you know it, it's dec. k's turn. :)

THMU number 1

for pilar's wedding, i had a trial hair and make up (THMU) session with one of w@w's recommended artist. he was nice, and we got along well. i like what he did to my hair, and my make up looked good in the mirror. i even had fake eyelashes on (i won't wear them again though. i found them uncomfortable).

k took photos of me, and i guess the foundation was too white. maputi na nga ako nyan e.



also, it was cakey. i dunno, di lang siguro ako sanay sa make up. all i put on is face powder and lip gloss. pag sinipag, mascara. :) also, was advised to try airbrush make up, which is lighter and lasts longer than traditional make up. much more expensive though. hmmmm. will think about it.



overall, i still like him. he even told me to send him feedback so he can improve next time. that reminds me to give him a call later.

k, on the other hand, loved the look. ok, masaya nako haha. :)



i have decided to try another artist, and will share the photos here. hope that works out great. :)

bacci's going to be a kuya!

k's bestfriends are having another baby (their second)!

and to celebrate this much-awaited news, we had dinner at their place which turned into karaoke night. we had so much fun singing all those opm hits (some of which i haven't heard for years!)! and as a tribute to MJ, bacci sang ABC. so cute! :)



congratulations again, mr. and mrs. c! we love you both!

i can't believe it really happened

a young michael jackson.

famous dance moves.

doing a pepsi commercial.

fireworks went on too early.

his hair caught fire.

scalp got burned.

have you seen this video?



what an awful accident. pepsi must have paid him loads.

i saw on the insider that this accident has caused him to start taking pain medication. the pain on his scalp must have been unbearable.

i really pity him now. :(

whose line is it anyway?

i love love LOVE this TV show. i read that it started as a radio programme in britain and moved to television in 1988. ten years later, a version was aired in the US with drew carey as host.



colin mochrie and ryan stiles, two regulars who joined the US version after originally appearing on the UK version (photos and text from wikipedia). they were hilarious!






but my favorite was wayne brady. he can sing, act, and dance! for me, he was the most talented star of the show.



i don't think the show is still on tv. have to content myself with watching the episodes on you tube.

i really do.

i want these cups! oh, and the dog too! :)

barongs by rey casedo

barongs - check! :)

last weekend, we met with mang rey casedo, popular barong maker from lumban, laguna of w@wie brides. he showed us samples of pina/pina cocoon/pina jusi cloth and ready-made barongs. they were lovely.

k chose the materials for his barongs (yes, with an s), and i chose the ones for our fathers and my brother.







mang rey asked us to hold on the to materials and he will pick them up by oct for sewing. we're happy with this accomplishment, one more item off our checklist. :)

oh, and we also managed to drop by our p/v supplier's office to sign our contract. happiness. :)

oh debra!

i suddenly miss deb, our travel buddy in cambodia. she's now in victoria, canada (heard you were moving to paris?? i wanna go too!).

here we were, ready to explore angkor wat at daybreak.



walked up the steps... we can't believe we've arrived!



explored every nook and cranny... read a bit of history inside its walls...



more stairs to climb...



finally! :)



we were three. kuya took most of our photos heehee



but i got to shoot him too!



ahh, i loved spending valentine's day in cambodia with you guys. it was and still is my favorite trip. :)

cheesy one liners

has anyone tried any of these lines on you??

1. Kumain ka ba ng asukal? Ang tamis kasi ng ngiti mo.
2. I'm a bee, can you be my honey?
3. May lahi ka bang keyboard? Type kasi kita.
4. Papupulis kita! Ninakaw mo kasi puso ko.
5. Are you a dictionary? Cause you add meaning to my life.
6. I lost my number. Can I have yours?
7. I forgot your name. Can I call you mine?
8. Ice ka ba? Crush kita, okay lang?
9. Sweswertihin ka sa pagibig ngayong taon, pag naging akin ka.
10. Meralco ka ba? Pag ngumiti ka kasi may spark.
11. Bangin ka ba? Nahulog kasi ako sa'yo.
12. May butas ba yang puso mo? Natrap kasi ako, can't find my way out.
13. Pustiso ka ba? Kasi I can't smile without you.
14. Nabibingi ka na ba? Coz my heart has been screaming out your name for quite some time now.
15. Tapos na ba ung exam mo? Para ako naman sagutin mo.
16. Ok lang na ako ang magbayad ng tuition fee mo? Basta pag-aralan mo lang akong mahalin.
17. Alam mo ba na scientist ako? At ikaw yung LAB ko.
18. May lisensya ka ba? Coz you're driving me crazy.
19. May kilala ka bang gumagawa ng relo? May sira ata relo ko. Pag ikaw kasi kasama ko, humihinto ang oras ko.
20. Aanhin pa ang gravity, kung lagi lang akong mahuhulog sa iyo?
21. Mahilig ka ba magluto na pancit canton? Kasi pag kasama kita, feeling ko, "LUCKY ME."
22. Am i a bad shooter? Coz i keep on missing you.
23. Kung posporo ka at posporo din ako, eh di MATCH tayo.
24. Favorite subject mo ba geometry? Kasi kahit anong angle, ang cute mo.
25. Kapag ako may tindahan, lahat ng tao bebentahan ko ng mura, sayo lang hindi, dahil sayo lang ako agmamahal.
26. Alarm clock ka ba? Ginising mo kasi ang natutulog kong puso eh.
27. Pwede ka bang makatabi pag may exam? Cause i feel perfect beside you.
28. May mapa ka ba diyan? Para alam ko ang daan papunta sa puso mo.
29. Excuse me! Miss alam mo ba yung kasabihan ng mga Pilipino?
"Aanhin pa ang damo, kung sayo pa lang may tama na ko."
30. Di ka ba nahihirapan sa sitwasyon natin? Hanggang friends na lang ba tayo?
31. Kung pumanaw man ang Selyang naging irog ni Balagtas, ngayon nakita ko na ang isang (name of irl), na magbibigay sa akin ng kasiyahan o kabiguaang aking inaasam asam, (name of girl) wag mo sanang palubugin ang araw sa tanghaling tapat, tumingin ka sa aking mata at sabihin mong hindi mo ako mahal, at habang buhay kitang lulubayan.
32. Pagod ka na noh? Maghapon ka na kasing tumatakbo sa isip ko.
33. Hindi tayo tao, hindi rin tayo hayop. Bagay tayo! Bagay!
34. Minamalat na nanaman puso ko. Paano kasi, laging sinisigaw ang pangalan mo!
35. Uy papicture tayo para ma-develop tayo!
36. Can I take your picture? Coz i want to show Santa exactly what I want for Christmas!
37. Centrum ka ba? Kasi you make my life complete!
38. Pwede ba kitang maging sidecar? Kasi single kasi ako!
39. Umutot ka ba? Kasi you blew me away!
40. Sana T na lang ako, para I'm always next to U.
41. Great person, ikaw yan. Great friend, ikaw rin yan. Great looks, sa'yo talaga yan. Great heart, sa'yo pa in yan. Great taste, sobra ka na. KAPE na yan.
42. Kahapon nasaktan ako nung makita ko siya, di na niya kasi ako kilala pero nung tinitigan ko siyang mabuti, na-realize ko di ko din pala sya kilala. Kaya naman pala.
43. Aanhin pa ang alak kung sa akin pa lang, tinatamaan na sila.
44. Siguro magaling kang mag-CPR kasi napatibok mo ulit ang puso ko!
45. Camera ka ba? Kasi you make me smile.
46. Noong minahal kita, talo mo pa ang traffic sa EDSA. I CANT MOVE ON!
47. You're like dandruff. I can't get you out of my head.
48. Eraser ka ba? Kasi binura mo ang masasamang ala-ala ko.
49. Pwede ba kitang maging driver? Para ikaw na magpatakbo ng buhay ko.
50. BOY: Is this seat taken? GIRL: NO, and so am I. - ay, go girl!
51. Is your dad a terrorist? Coz you're the BOMB baby!
52. Excuse me, alam mo ba kung anong oras na? Tumigil kasi ang mundo nang makita kita.
53. Nasaan ka kagabi? Wala ka kasi sa panaginip ko.
54. Nasa impyerno na ba ako? Coz you're so HOT!
55. Gusto ko nang mamatay, para makasama na ang anghel na tulad mo!
56. (Name of girl), sa dinadami ng babaeng dumaan sa buhay ko, ni isa wala pa akong minahal. Kung sakali ngayon pa lang, isang bagay lang ang ikinakatakot ko. Ang malamang mahal mo na ako pero may kapiling na akong iba.
57. Hindi ka ba napapagod, kasi kanina ka pa takbo ng takbo sa utak ko.
58. Napaos na naman ako sa kakasigaw ng pangalan mo.
59. Uy, question? Can you recommend a good banker where I can make a deposit? Coz I'm planning to have all my love for you.
60. May free time ka ba? Samahan mo naman ako sa psychiatrist. Magdala daw kasi ako ng inababaliwan ko.
61. Oi bukas sisingilin na kita ng renta ha, kasi matagal ka ng nakatira sa puso ko.
62. Excuse me. Kung dederetchohin ko ba ang daan na ito, dederetcho ba ito sa puso mo?
63. Mabilis ka siguro sa mga puzzles noh? Kasi kakasimula pa lang ng araw ko binubuo mo na.
64. Exam ka ba? Kasi gustong gusto na kitang i-take home eh.
65. Uy sabi ng doctor malala na daw ang sakit ko sa puso. Dalawa na lang daw ang option: either ICU or you see me.
66. Ibibili kita ng salbabida, kasi malulunod ka sa pagmamahal ko.
67. Naniniwala ka ba sa love at first sight, o gusto mong dumaan ulit ako?
68. Kung bola ka at ako ang player, mashoo-shoot ba kita? Hindi, kasi lagi kitang mamimiss.
69. Wag kang maooffend ha, pero sa tingin ko, magnanakaw ang mga magulang mo. Ninakaw lahat ng bituin sa langit at inilagay sa mga mata mo.
70. Ms., cardiologist ka ba? Pwede mo po bang alagaan ang puso ko?
71. Nakakatakot di ba ang multo? Pero mas nakakatakot kapag nawala ka sa buhay ko.

thanks to jenn for sending me this. :)

My close encounter with Michael Jackson by G. Carino

i found this from chuvaness's site. what a tearjerker.

Manila Hotel's former PR officer Gwen Cariño writes about her close encounter with hotel guest Michael Jackson in December 1996.



MANILA, Philippines – When I was a PR officer at Manila Hotel, I was assigned to head the annual Orphan’s Christmas Party where 300 children from different orphanages around Metro Manila were treated to a day of fun and surprises. It was one of the biggest projects on my plate and it was such a challenge to focus on work the day before the big event, knowing Michael Jackson was billeted in the hotel.

Two nights before, I had been fortunate to be part of his welcome line at the hotel lobby together with the rest of the PR and sales staff but was content enough to see him walk by.



The day before, a guy claiming to be Michael Jackson’s aide from Mamarao Productions came to the office. I couldn’t recall his name but he looked for the “person in charge” and said his boss had read the announcement about the event in the Dear Guest flyers we had circulated to all the rooms a week before. Michael wanted to know how he could help. His aide went up to the Penthouse and down to the PR office several times after we gave our suggestions.

Michael offered to fill up the 300 loot bags with goodies and toys, candies and chocolates. But after getting close to 50 sponsors, it was actually a problem for us to dispose of everything.
So I thought hard…how can the King of Pop meaningfully join the affair? I couldn’t possibly have him be with the kids in the palayok game or the pabitin as he might end up being mobbed! And since the annual event was really all about giving, I mustered all my courage and told the Mamarao guy that the best thing I could think of was for Michael to literally be present to help distribute the loot bags, sign autographs and pose with the children for photos. “Wow, that may not be easy. You’re talking about handing goodie bags to 300 children and I can just imagine the chaos. We’ll see, Ms. Jacinto. I’ll get back to you,” he said.

Lunch break came and it was the most hurried one I ever took in my entire life. It wasn’t until after 5 p.m. that Michael‘s aide came back and said, “Michael is more than happy to do whatever you suggest. How do we go about it tomorrow?”
I wanted to scream. I had to calm myself and regain composure as the Lizzie Maguire in me said, “Get real, get back into focus.”

We agreed that Michael would join after the games, musical program and snacks, and at the last part to give out the loot bags. My colleague Annette Africano and boss Dulce Agnir requested for additional security around the garden and the stage area as this was where we decided to distribute the gifts. We made sure the children would form an orderly line.

Then the moment arrived. It was at the Champagne Gardens on Dec. 7, 1996. I was surprised to see him walking towards us, guided by his aide. Michael came up to me as I had to brief him.
“Hi, how are you? Thanks so much for letting me in, I know I’m early ’coz I didn’t want to miss the program.”
I said, “Are you kidding? Thanks so much for volunteering! Here’s what Michael, why don’t you just sit here and watch the musical numbers before we get into the gift giving. I will have to tweak the program a bit.”
He replied, “Sure, anything you say… (pausing to look at my name tag) Gwen!”
I was stunned at how incredibly sweet and modest he was. And in my mind it was, “Oh my God, this is really happening!”

Amazing how he patiently sat through the whole program. Carol Banawa, then an Ang TV mainstay couldn’t believe MJ was watching her perform. She had her red blouse signed by him right after her number. Then followed Stefano Mori’s dance number. Later, his back up singers and dancers came up on stage followed by select kids from different orphanages who danced to the beat of Billie Jean. Oh, the smile on Michael’s face was just amazing.

Then we announced that Michael will be distributing gifts onstage. I explained to him that there’s a loot bag for the younger kids and another for the older ones and he nodded. The thrill and excitement he gave those children was incredibly touching. It was in between the gift bag distribution that I caught a glimpse of MJ, not as a performer but as a person.



It was one in the afternoon. Santa Claus (David Endriga, a friend of fellow PR officer Francis Capistrano) was with us. The heat was scourging and I was worried that Michael felt so hot with his black long-sleeved signature attire and hat.

“Are you alright Michael? We can let you take a break,” I asked.
He said, “I’m cool Gwen. Just imagine how Santa feels inside his velvet suit and beard. We’ll be fine.”
I never heard him complain or say a word about how hot it was or how long the line was. He had the most beautiful manners. He didn’t even ask for a drink or a towel to wipe his sweat but one of our banquet staff made sure he got a glass of fresh orange juice.

An hour passed and we were halfway through gift-giving when we noticed that the garden was getting filled up. Suddenly, there were people from media, politicians, officials and hotel guests including those in a wedding reception at the nearby Champagne Room who deserted the newly-weds just to get a glimpse of the King of Pop.
“Oh oh, this isn’t supposed to be, I’m so sorry,” I said. It’s all right, we’ll get through it,” Michael said smiling.
As we finished giving out the last loot bag to an 11-year-old orphan, a new line of more kids and adults formed. Michael’s bodyguard, Wayne, said. “We can leave now.”

Michael replied calmly, “We can’t leave when there are still people in line. It’s Christmas, dude.”
I felt my heart beat faster and the hair on my arms and the back of my neck stood up. He wasn’t just the most electrifying performer, but the most generous person.

One of the most memorable moments was when a lady came up to him for an autograph. Laughing and holding his tummy, he said “Hey Gwen, you’ve gotta check this out. He whispered, “It’s a blank check. The lady is making me sign on a blank check.”

We laughed hard and little did we know that it wasn’t even half of the comedy. He later showed me and Wayne other stuff people would use or pick up on the ground when they couldn’t find paper for him to sign on. One lady made him sign at the back of her elegant, designer Filipiniana gown. One teenager came up to him holding a dead leaf and another one, a popped balloon. Imagine how our laughter ballooned as well.

It was an amazing, genuine experience. At one point he asked if I was going to catch his History concert and I said “tomorrow night.”
“Oh, you’ll have a blast!” Michael told me.

At this point he became concerned about the stage as adults outnumbered the kids. His face had nervousness written all over it but he still didn’t complain. He tapped the wooden floor with his foot several times making sure it was sturdy enough not to fall apart. “I’ve experienced the stage collapse and I just want to make sure we’re all safe here,” he explained.
Half of me wanted the line to finish because we were literally melting and worried about our safety, but half of me didn’t, knowing that once the line ended, Michael will leave.

At some point it did end. I managed to get an autograph for my sisters and me before our general manager, Clem Pablo, requested him to sing Give Love on Christmas Day.
Cesar Sarino, one of the hotel’s officials, addressed his thank you note to the King of Pop. Then I saw his guards and aides whisking Michael off stage.
I said in my mind, “Oh man, I didn’t even have the chance to say goodbye.”
Suddenly, I saw Michael return on stage and say, “Thanks so much to you and your team, Gwen. This really means a lot.”
Then he held me beside him and said, “I’ll see you at the concert.”

As Michael Jackson is laid to rest and returned to pristine condition in the afterlife, these two incredible acts of the King of Pop — volunteering for charity and unselfishly spending time with the less fortunate, will forever be the way I will remember this man.

Mad Mondays and Thrifty Tuesdays at Spiral

It’s 50% off for a minimum of four persons at the Spiral Buffet for lunch or dinner on all Mondays and Tuesdays from June 22 to July 28.

Make your reservations at 832-6988 or email fbreservations@sofitelmanila.com

Above offers are not applicable in conjunction with other ongoing promotions.

so who's going with moi? :)

sick. tired. and happy.

i have been feeling ill since the weekend, but thought nothing of it. until it hit me monday morning. painful throat. headache. pain in the right ear. ugh.

had to go to the clinic to have it checked and get some meds. the doctor says i have a throat infection and need to stay home. double ugh.

i was miserable. couldn't just sleep all day. watching tv made my head ache even more.

k came to my rescue. left work early and brought me fruits. lots of them. he also prepared me soup for dinner. awwwww. :)

and before he left that night, he made even more soup. i said i couldn't eat any more (lost my appetite also because of the throat thing). he said no, this is for your breakfast tomorrow. just heat it up. double awwwww.

he brought me even more fruits the next day. i told him to stop coming over (for now), since he might just catch what i have (was developing a fever plus a cold). he said he'd gladly catch h1n1 with me anytime. haha (nope, i don't have h1n1).

now on my third day of self-confinement. still got the aches, and a cold (aaaachoooo!!!)! sheeesh. but i'm a lot better. mainly because i have my own caregiver. :)

thank you. for the soup. and fruits. for the laughs that made my head ache every time. for making me feel much, much better. you know i love you (xoxo).

*k lent me his laptop so i at least have something to while my day away. hence these posts. :)

celebrity sightings

gwen garci and christopher de leon in one day??? not together, of course.

had a gossip girl frame of mind for a moment there. felt like whipping out my camera, take photos and send it to people. well, i did take a photo (from a distance) of the multi-awarded actor. he was actually obliging some people who wanted their photos taken with him. he was trying on some clothes and some people were outside the store, taking photos. sabi nya he doesn't like having photos alone so "why don't you come in and pose with me"? it was very generous of him.

also, he was gorgeous. fit and fab (you could tell he was working out!) in a tight fitting gray shirt, slim fit jeans and leather brown shoes. how old is he again??



about gwen, she was pretty in a tube (spaghetti-strapped?) blouse and short shorts. and a newsboy cap. long legs. well-endowned. small, mestiza face (nope, i didn't take a photo). she was with two men (gay??), and was sort of discreet. di maingay, unlike her one companion who was talking a little too loud. i overheard she's staying in the same condo as i am.

all in one (sick) day. yeah, i'm sick. for 3 days now. it's physically draining just to stay at home and wait until the aches and pains go away. hope to be fit enough to go to work tomorrow.

but in the meantime, which star will i see again today? heehee

i promise

I cannot promise you that I will not change
I cannot promise you that I will not have many different moods
I cannot promise you that I will not hurt your feelings sometimes
I cannot promise you that I will not be erratic
I cannot promise you that I will always be strong
I cannot promise you that my faults will not show

But

I do promise you that I will always be supportive of you
I do promise you that I will share all my thoughts and feelings with you
I do promise you that I will give you freedom to be yourself
I do promise you that I will understand everything that you do
I do promise you that I will be completely honest with you
I do promise you that I will laugh and cry with you
I do promise you that I will help you achieve all your goals

But

Most of all I do promise you that
I will love you

- Susan Polis Schutz

DIY bohol

less than 2 hours ride away from cebu is tagbilaran, bohol. we spent the weekend here. :)

oceanjet ferry has an ongoing promo (until 31 july) for CEB-TAG-CEB travellers. advance ticket purchases get as much as 50% off. k and i paid 420pesos each for our return tickets. no bad huh!

DAY 1:


arrived bohol before 9am, and met our tour guide/driver mang boy rule. he also arranged for my trip to bohol with dad last year. very down-to-earth and reliable tour operator. highly recommended! :)

since check in at the hotel is at 2pm, we started out tour right away. first stop, the chocolate hills. :)


on the way to the hills, we passed throurgh the bilar man made forest. we'll take photos on our way back. :)


part green, part brown. still amazing after all these years.


on the way back, we stopped in the man made forest. it was simply beautiful.


k with our trusted guide mang boy


it was raining during the loboc river cruise, but who was complaining? the food was good (i had a plateful of shrimps haha), the musicians were talented, and the crowd joyful. we shared our table with a filipino couple from the US who were celebrating their 38th year anniversary. upon learning that we were engaged, they gave us some marital advise. we could, indeed, learn from them. :)


along the river, there are stops where a group of ladies sang and danced to boholanon songs. we liked it a lot. :)


he belonged. hehe love you baber! :)


sleeping tarsier. we actually pitied the animals. some people were poking them, trying to wake them up. :( we took a few photos and left agad.


we passed by the actual sandugo (blood compact) site per these locals.


this was a replica of the bahay kubo (hut) used during those times. can you believe they have a computer and music system inside the hut? yes, they do.


they made us pose like this, back then this was how men used to woo the ladies. cute. :)


they say that the actual sandugo site is between 2 rivers and has a well in it. this is the only place that matched the description.


striking a pose with the galleon posse


prony the python. his tummy was bulging. we were told that he just ate a goat last night. good, he's full. i was advised not to go if the thing was hungry.


prony's next-door neighbor entertainer marimar. she did a singing-acrobatic act to the tune of girls jas wanna hab faaaaan. :)


we proceeded to the baclayon church were there was a wedding about to begin. the groom was from there, the bride a foreigner. it was cute watching white men in barongs. :)


they got the best choir - the loboc river children's choir. they sang the prayer for the entourage entrance and a religious song (i think!) for the bridal walk. their voices were heavenly. talk about lucky. :)


on the way to our hotel (dumaluan beach resort), we passed by the popular blood compact site.


the view was amazing. :)


dinner by the beach. pricey but hey, we're on vacation. :)

DAY 2:


our hotel accommodation less 10%.


good morning, bohol!


panglao island


gangsta in paradise


this is the life!


lunch by the beach


dumaluan pool


would definitely stay here again

after checking out, we proceeded to the bohol bee farm.



they have no sand area but the view is amazing


perfect for lazy summer days


or cool summer nights (francis m isdatchu)


we bough goodies from their shop, and ice cream too (i had mango, k had avocado)!


the ice cream place to be


visiting the bee farm is a must-do when in bohol! :)

we were off to the city for pasalubong shopping then the pier for our 4:10 pm ferry trip.


k caught the sunset on camera. what an awesome way to end a fun adventure. :)