Hmmm…..

Dahil tinamad ako mag-isip ng isusulat…  some quotes to reflect on na lang for now….

Where does it come from? This quest. …this need to solve life’s mysteries from the simplest of questions that can never be answered. Why are we here? What is the soul? Why do we dream? How should it be better off not looking at all…not delving…not yearning.  But that’s not human nature…. not the human heart. That is not why we are here. Yet still we struggle to make a difference. …to change the world…. to dream of hope… never knowing for certain who we will meet along the way…. who among the world of strangers will hold our hand. …touch our hearts…… and share the pain of trying….. - Heroes, Episode 23  

Natalie  leaned in and put her elbows in the table. “Don’t you ever feel like we’re chasing something? Something bigger. I don’t know, it’s like something that only you and I can see. Like we’re running, running, running?” “Yeah”, I said. “We’re running alright. Running with scissors.” - Running with Scissors: A memoir  Augusten Burroughs

Balik Bahay

Magbubukas na naman pala ang Bahay ni Kuya! This time – mga celebrity na naman ulit ang magiging housemates. Hmmm….. feeling ko… it’s a set-up…. Malamang kasama sa line-up ng mga housemates si … WENDY! Di ba celebrity na sya? So pwede na syang ipasok ulit sa bahay ni Kuya…. and this time WIN!

Link to the full artice : http://beta.abs-cbn.com/tabid/104/Article/6502/Default.aspx

7107

Finally… I was able to eat at 7107 Flavours in Marina.  I have mix expectations as I have heard both positive and negative comments regarding this place. When I heard that they now have ala-carte menu – I forced a friend to accompany me to experience the 7107 gastronomic adventure that the place promises.  

Location : Location is really good. You may call it strategic. It’s walking distance from the Cityhall MRT via Citilink. It is also near Suntec Convention center.     

Place : I am impressed with the interior of the place. Pinag-isipan talaga. Simple lang. Hindi sumisigaw na Pinoy ako! It exudes Filipino elegance. Mula sa mga chairs at tables…. up to the small details like Menu cover. Oks din yung uniform ng waiters/waitress.  Filipiniana yet modern. Medyo nakakasawa lang yung palabas sa tv. Considering that the place is being supported by the Department of Tourism – sana magpalabas naman sila ng ibang video. Those who have Magic Sing have already seen the videos that they are currently playing a thousand times. Wala na bang iba? Pwede rin mga travel shows like Travel time.

Entertainment : They have a small stage. The waitress said that they normally have acoustic performances during the night.

Food : Last… but definitely not the least…. Save the best for last ika nga. I have this “benchmark” para masabi if the food of a new restaurant is generall good. Sinigang (baboy, hipon or bangus belly!) Ang sinigang kasi ay very basic ang lasa. Mukhang simple lang iluto pero mahirap makuha ang tamang combination ng asim, anghang at alat.  We ordered Sinigang na Baboy at Relyenong Bangus. Yung sinigang nila ay okay lang. It’s no Max’s Sinigang na Bangus Belly. Pero pwede na. Relyenong Bangus is a personal favorite kaya I have high expectations. The taste? Okay lang. I’ve had better. Pero pwede na rin naman.  For dessert – we ordered the regular Halo-halo. It was ok as well. Pwede na rin. All in all — it was an okay meal. A little to pricy but hey… need to pay for the ambiance right?  Verdict : Its definitely no Aristocrat or Barrio Fiesta — but it’s a good place to go if you want to feel the Filipino setting. There is still room for improvement para sa food (yung mga natikman namin). However – I will definitely go back. Gusto ko pang matikman ang mga native desserts nila like Bibingka at Puto Bumbong. Kailangan din na malasahan ang Palabok, Crispy Pata at Crispy Pork Binagoongan. I also want to see the place at night… para kasing ang sarap tumambay at makinig sa Pinoy Acoustic music habang umiinom – ng gulaman at sago!  I do think na dapat suportahan ito ng mga pinoy dito sa Singapore… otherwise balik GP na naman tayo. As for the management – please improve on the food.  Para balik-balikan talaga!

Pwedeng Maki-upo?

I saw the Simpson’s family in Cathay Picturehouse last Sunday. Makikiupo sana ako sa tabi nila… kaya lang … I don’t think I’m yellow enough…..

He’s Back!

I watched the much anticipated Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last Sunday. Dami ko na nabasang reviews about the movie… pero deadma lang. Para sa akin – what I have to say matters the most… to me! Kaya di ko pinapansin  ang mga critics and their criticisms. Lalo na kung taga-rito sa bansa ng chilli crab ang critic… hehehe…. J

How was the movie? Well — it was a good movie… not the greatest… but it is quite good. This serving focused more on the characters.  Mas kaunti ang action at magic… mas marami ang emotional distress. I think this movie will be appreciated more by those that read the book rather than those  who haven’t. It’s a fast pace movie that those who have not read the book may have more questions than answers after watching the movie. Plot wise – well… there are a few changes here and there… pero for cinematic puroses — pwede nang patawarin. Casts – Ralph Fiennes is really good.  Voldemort reincarnate indeed. Helene Bonham Carter is a scene stealer. She has a couple of scenes – but the scenes are enough for her to make a mark. Her eyes says it all. Luna is okay… a little to whimsical… but okay. Professor Umbridge – hmm… she’s Elle Woods gone bad! Really good! I miss the book version of “ehem-ehem” though. Ron and Hermione have small roles in this movie. Too bad – I would have wanted to see Ron winning the Quidditch cup! Harry – I’m surprised really. I can feel his sadness…no.. anguish… when Sirius died. I can feel his anger when Dumbledore won’t look at him.  Very effective — finally — he learned how to act. As for the scenes — well.. the final fight scene could have been longer. They were not able to showcase the courage and skills of the DA. Medyo bitin din ang labanan nung members of the Order and the Death Eaters. Di ko rin masyadong gusto ang entrance ni Dumbledore. They should have stayed with the book version. It’s Dumbledore – sira na rin nagsabi – he has style. Tapos  ganun lang dumating. Medyo na-downplay din ang death ni Sirius. Daniel Radcliffe was great at that scene… sana medyo hinabaan pa para makaconnect ang audience. Siguro – ito ang dahilan kung bakit karamihan ng nanood ay medyo nabitin. Parang natakot ang director na mag-all-out sa final fight scene. Parang kung ano yung nasa trailer – yun na pala yun. Wala lang. Bitin hehehehe…..

After watching — I initially thought this was the best Harry Potter movie so far…. Pero pagkatapos mag-wear off ng excitement… I changed my mind.  The Goblet of Fire is still the best so far — and this is a close second. Can’t wait for the DVD! J

Abakada…Basa

Pansin ko lang… for the past few months – I have been spending longer time infront of the tv and surfing the net. Nawawalan tuloy ako ng panahon sa other finer things of life. Tulad ng Nintendo Wii! J And reading.

Nung unang panahon….. bata pa si Sabel…. nakabakya pa si Nena…. I used to read a lot. During those times pa naman wala pa akong pera to buy books. Kaya nagtitiis na lang ako sa panghihiram. And since beggars can’t be choosers …. I read anything that I can borrow. Wala nang pili-pli pa. I started with Nancy Drew mystery novels. I am a Choose Your Own Adventure book series fan as well. This series gives you the porwer (though limited) to change the story depending on the choices that you made. My cousins who use to live with us read a lot of Sweet Dreams and Sweet Valley High books. Pinatulan ko din ito… kaya kilala ko ang Wakefield twins at naintindihan ko kung bakit sila naiyak sa P.S. I love you hehehehe.

When we transferred to the province – mas pahirapan na ang books. I would sometimes borrow from the school library but the titles are very limited. I would also borrow from friends….. Dito ako naintroduce sa medyo mature pocketbooks like Harlequin Romances at Mills and Boon. Ito kasi yung mga binabasa ng mga parents nung mga kaibigan ko that time. Swerte na kung paminsan-minsan ay makahiram ng Stephen King. Pag talagang tagtuyot – pati Tagalog novels ay pinapatulan namin. During those days kasi - cable television and the internet access are not yet available to all. Dahil wala rin naming mapanood sa local channels – better na aliwin mo na lang ang sarili mo through reading.

When I went to college – lumuwas na ako ng Manila. My cousins are now into romantic historical novels. Yung ang mga cover ay si Fabio na naka-angkla sa babae na puro cleavage. I still don’t have the money to buy books … kaya nakikibasa pa rin ako. Johanna Lindsay and Julie Garwood are the writers that I can still remember. The Regency series (The Lion’s Lady, Guardian Angel, The Gift and Castles) and Western series (For the Roses, The Clayborne Brides and Come the Spring) of Julie Garwood at yung Malory-Anderson Family Saga series ni Johanna Lindsay ang medyo natatandaan ko pa. Nito ring mga panahon na ito nadiscover ko ang Recto — second hand books! Pag may free time – pumupunta ako sa recto at nagkakalkal sa mga tambak na second hand books.This paved way para makabasa naman ako ng iba genre at authors. Dito ko na nakilala sina John Grisham, Michael Crichton at Tami Hoag. Bukod sa mga manong at manang ng recto — natuklasan ko din ang Booksale at yung Merriam Webster sa Morayta. Dito na medyo lumawak ang aking pagbabasa.

Nung nagka-work na ako — medyo nagkaroon na ako ng budget to buy books. I still continue to look for good finds sa mga second hand stores… pero naintroduce na rin sa akin ang brand new books from National Bookstore at Powerbooks. I love Powerbooks in Arnaiz (Pasay Road). I used to hang out there — and read.. and read.. and read…. Tapos dun pa nagwork yung isa kong friend… kaya napadalas lalo ang aking pagtambay dun. It was in Powerbooks that I discpvered the books of Amy Tan (The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God’s Wife and The Hundred Secret Senses).

Dito naman sa Singapore — San Bookshop is a heaven sent. You can borrow the book – and after a couple of months return it. Let’s say I borrowed a book and paid SGD$18. After two months – I can return it and they will give me back SGD$13. SGD$5 lang talaga ang bayad for the rental. Since 2 months – we normally rotate the books among friends … before returning it. Kaya kadalasan 2 to 3 persons have read the book before it was returned. Tipid pa rin di ba? Borders, Kinokuniya and MPH are the other bookstores here in Singapore that has a good stock of titles. Dito ko naman sa Singapore nadiscover sina V.C. Andrews, Dave Pelzer, Dan Brown and J.K. Rowling.

Then cable TV and broadband internet entered my life. These 2 + work = no more time to read. Swerte na if I can finish a magazine in one sitting. I still go to booksales sa Expo pag mayroon.. I buy a few titles and store it at home – sabi ko pag nagkatime babasahin ko. Pero hindi dumating ang time na yun. When I was jobless — and nasa Pinas … I again started reading. Wala kasing cable sa province kaya I have all the time to read. Pero nung bumalik ulit ako dito sa Singapore … wala… backseat ulit. Sarap manood at maginternet e.

I still read magazines (GQ, Details, People, Entertainment Weekly, Entrepreneur, FHM) – pero novels… hindi na… Kaya couple of weeks ago – naisip ko that I need to read again. I asked a friend to recommend one title that can bring me back to reading. She suggested “Running with Scissors “ by Augusten Burroughs. I started reading it last Sunday (July and finished it the other day (July 11). What is it about? Ano masasabi ko? Hmm… maybe pag sinipag ako.. I might do a blog about it. Pero .. no promises… lam ko naman na mabobore lang kayo. Saka kahit namn nung nag-aaral pa ako wala ako tiyaga gumawa ng book report.

As for now – I need to finish reading “Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t Read Maps” by Allan and Barbara Pease. I bought this book a month ago kasi a friend recommended it… I think it’s time to start reading and finish it real soon. J

Buti ka pa….

I met an old friend yesterday for coffee and catching up. She is currently starting a new job here in Singapore and as expected – maraming reklamo! Hindi na ito bago. Lahat naman kasi tayo ay nagkakaroon ng  “culture shock” when working with other nationalities. And since Singapore is multi-racial — it will be quite common that you will be working with Indians, Singaporeans, Malaysians and fellow Filipinos. Idagadag mo pa dyan ang mga “foreign” schooled na mga kaintsikan. They can be considered as another nationality as their thinking and work ethics are diffreret from those locally schooled.

It was a normal kwentuhan. Nilait namin ng nilait ang mga tagarito. We both agreed that our work in the Philippines is way easier than here. We share the same sentiments na if not for the good salary – it will be better to work sa traffic infested na Pinas. Okay na sana ang kwentuhan ng mag-dialogue sya…. “Buti ka pa nga… as programmer … sinusunod mo lang ang binibigay sa yo… ako hirap na hirap dealing with people”. Hmmm…medyo di maganda ang dating ng statement sa akin. I know she doesn’t mean anything bad… but still… I’m a little irritated by it. Anyway – sabi ko na lang….  I have handled more than programming tasks — medyo napagkatiwalaan na rin naman ako ng mga amok o. Kaya – hindi na rin ako nakulong sa apat na sulok ng cubicle ko. I have worked with different nationalities na may iba’t ibang posisyon sa company. Saka – hindi porke’t sinabing Programmer – ay nakatali ka na lang lagi sa computer. We also need to deal with other people. So kung anuman ang nararansan nyo sa service industry … malamang nararanasan din namin… sa ibang way nga lang.  Afterwards – I changed the topic so as not to spoil the night.

Nung pauwi na ako — naisip ko ulit ito. Why is it common for us to think na ang ginagawa natin ay mas mahirap compared sa ginagawa ng iba?  Is this a case of the grass being greener on the other side of the fence? Hmmm…. Let’s say — a doctor and a teacher. Which one is harder? Di ba pareho namang mahirap? A doctor saves peoples lives… a teacher helps  mold a person’s future. Walang itulak kabigin! Parehong importante… parehong mahirap. Let’s say a fast foold branch manager and a bank programmer.  Alin ang mas madali? Kung tutuusin – both sector are customer oriented di ba? A programmer needs special skills para mapadali ang trabaho ng mga tao sa bangko at mapabilis ang service to the customer. A fastfood branch manager also needs certain skills  to make sure that everything is ok para makapagprovide ng fast service to the customer.  Can we say that the manager job is easier than the programmer job? Di naman di ba?

 Hay… wala lang…. just some random thoughts na wala naman talagang kasagutan. All we can do is accept the fact na lahat ng trabaho ay mahirap. Kaya nga ito tinawag na trabaho. Otherwise — vacation ang tawag dito.

Potter-fever!

July should be declared as Harry Potter month! The whole world is feverish in anticipation with the release of the 5^th Harry Potter movie (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) and the seventh – (and as for now we assume  as final) book (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows). Pottermania is at its peak this month!

 July 11, 2007 — a day that will go down in history as the day Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix opened in movie houses around the world. (Singapore opening is late by one day – actual opening is July 12). I (along with all Potter and non-Potter fans) am already predicting box office success. The first time I saw the trailer – I was in awe. Sa tingin ko this will be the best Potter movie ever. The special effects looks flawless. Very believable! Excited na akong makita ang final scene where Harry and the DA along with the members of the Order battles Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters! Ano kaya ang itsura ng death scene ni Sirius? Of course – the new characters (Luna, Professor Umbridge, Bellatrix, Tonks)  are worth watching out for. Paano kaya sila makakasabay sa ibang characters na since the first movie ay magkakasama na? Musta na kaya ang bangayan nina Ron and Hormonie este.. Hermione pala. And of course – the much talk about Harry Potter’s first kiss with Cho.  

While reading the Harry Potter books — I am already envisioning how the characaters look like. Kaya sa tingin ko may mga characters na I consider as a “miscast”. I think that Richard Harris fits Dumbledore’s character to a T. Michael Gambon’s portrayal is more of a loony… than Dumbledory.  Gary Oldman is a great actor – pero parang hindi sya dapat kinuha to play Sirius. Sirius could have been played by Hugh Jackman. Bakit? Kasi sa book – he was described to be a handsome and a rogue fellow.  Katie Leung as Cho Chang ? Frankly – she is forgettable.  This is sad as Cho played an important part in Harry Potter’s life. Sana lang – they have chosen someone na may dating. Kasi she will be in a couple of scenes lang.. she have to make an impact. I am also a little worried about the actrees playing Ginny Weasley. In the book – she is supposed to be a silent beauty that will officially blossom on the 5^th movie. Well…. let’s wait and see. But hey – they did a wonderful job on the other main characters. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Professor McGonagall, Voldemort, Snape, Lucius, Hagrid, the Weasleys — can’t ask for anything more! 

I love the last 4 movies.  A lot of scenes from the book never made it to the film – but this is okay. The important thing is that the film stayed true to the book. I can’t wait to see the 5^th film. As the trailer is incredible — I have high hopes for the film. Hopefully – I won’t be disappointed.   

To all the Potter fans — isa lang ang masasabi ko…. CONSTANT VIGILANCE!!!!!

Missing: Spontaneity

Some recent events made me realize that I’m slightly a  schedule freak.  Take note – slightly….not fully – so no need to bring me to the loony bin — yet.  Before I leave the house – I already have a daily schedule in place. Early part of the week – I already have my weekend plans. Before the evening arrives – I already know what I am to do. I think the only thing I cannot schedule — is waking up early and arriving in the office on time. That’s why — I don’t claim to be a full pledge freak.

I am aware that I am a routine-kind of person…  and the only defense that I can say is that I love order in my life. I am not happy if someone changes the plan and pushes me off the loop. Though I am often late — I usually make it a point to be there if I said I’ll be there. I hate people who call on the last minute to tell that they cannot make it.  I am irritated by people who cannot provide a time on when to meet them or when they are expected to arrive. I see this as a disregard of my personal time.

A friend suggested that I should be more spontaneous once in a while. Do something just for the heck of it. Don’t overthink. Sabi nga ng Nike…. JUST DO IT!  I asked what is considered as a “spontaneous” act. The reply was — it should not be planned… nor thought of…  Huh?  Mahirap yata yun. Then – meron din daw difference ang “spontenous” sa “habit”.  Tulad ng paglipat ng channel while watching tv. This is considered as a habit – although hindi mo talaga pinag-isipan — pero sa dalas gawin  ay automatic na ito sa utak mo. Parang reflex.  

I was a spontaneous person before - when I was still young and naïve. Pero now that I am an adult – I feel that hindi na option ang maging spontaneous. Sa dami ng dapat gawin specially in a fast phase place like Singapore… kailangan ng time management or you will be left behind. Pero sabagay… hindi rin naman masama na maging spontaneous paminsan-minsan. It can be a good breather -a good break from a monotonous schedule. I initially promised myself to do 1 spontaneous thing per day…. Pero after a day… mahirap pala! So – pagkatapos kong pag-isipan — I promised to do 2 to 3 spontaneous decisions/things per week. Ayan… sana  kaya ko na…. Pag hindi pa rin – wala na.. give up na ako…. balik schedule na lang ako! J  

Ano? Ano? Ano ang pagkakaiba?

In one of our gab sessions…. a friend asked me the difference between Dating and Hanging out. Actually — its a very good question. Why? Kasi sa panahon ngayon – wala nang nangyayari na formal na ligawan. The person (trying to be politically correct here as this person in context can be of any gender) who is pursuing the other person may not explicitly say his/her intentions. Di katulad dati na pumapanhik ng ligaw… ngayon minsan understood na lang yun. Basta may feelings…. kayo na hehehehe….

Ano nga ba difference? Well.. for me…. isa lang naman…. if there is romantic intent on the pursuer part and the one being pursued is aware of this intent  - then its dating. Other than that…. classified sya as hanging out. Take note ha… the pursued should know the intent of the pursuer. So… kung sakaling inaya mo lang at suamama – don’t jump into conclusion na date na yun hehehe….. the intent should be known. At para naman sa mga inaaya… o… wag OA… baka naman you are reading too much into it. Baka mamaya — talagang naghahanap lang ng kasamang lumabas. Tapos ikaw ma-feeling. Naku. Nakakahiya kung sakali.

 Nakakalito di ba ? Well… oo naman. But it’s the price we have to pay for “eradicating” the formal courtship process.  Paano malalaman yung intent? Hmm.. ewan… I don’t think I am qualified to answer this… mukhang kailangan na natin dito ang expert opinion nina Joe d’ Mango at Margarita Holmes.