Whirlwind Weekend

Earlier this year (around April, I think), Gwen and I talked about watching Peter Pan on stage with nonchalance. It was a casual talk with a half-serious tone that usually ends up in oblivion. Fast forward to October, I found myself in the center loge of the theater, clapping loudly in the audience to bring Tink back to life. I knew after buying our plane tickets and theater passes last May that we were actually gonna go see it for real. But until our plane landed in NAIA, it was all just talk for me.

Our arrival didn't go as smoothly as we'd hoped. Just a few minutes after we got off the plane, one of our companions realized that her pouch that held her valuables went missing. We literally spent hours in the airport to try and sort things out. The pouch was never found, and so we left the airport with a heavy heart.

From there, we went straight to Mercato Centrale in Bonifacio for brunch. If you're unfamiliar with the place, it's a weekend food market right in the middle of a business park. There you'd find layers of boxes filled with pastries, buffet pans overflowing with pasta and native dishes in banana leaves. That is where we drowned the bad mood with good food. Kebabs, back ribs, cheezy potatoes, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, green tea mochi, homemade mango yogurt, and a cup of steaming brewed coffee to wash it all down. I still regret not being able to try everything! Oh, and a little (useless) FYI, the last scene from the movie No Other Woman was shot there too.

After a scrumptious brunch, we burned off some calories by walking to Bonifacio High Street to check out the five-decked Fully Booked store. A must-visit stop for bookworms like me. I swear, I could stay there the whole day! They have Starbucks and White Hat inside the store for your gastronomic needs, and a comfort room for when you need to tinkle. It's like book heaven! The 30 minutes we spent there sure wasn't enough, and I ended up not buying anything as I can't decide what to buy. And as I'm writing this, I curse myself for not going up to the topmost floor to explore. I have just found out of their annual sale that runs from Oct 6-16 and, of all the luck, is held only in The Forum (the topmost floor!!). Oh, well. Maybe next time.

A 45-minute cab ride (a rough estimate as I was asleep) later, we reached our little hotel where we slept in the rest of the afternoon. The place was alright. Not bad for about three grand a night for six people. Later that evening, we went to Metrowalk for dinner before the play. I'm telling you, if you're ever near Ortigas, you should definitely try Steak Plus in Metrowalk! (Sense the sarcasm)

Mushroom soup (tasted like gravy with calamansi) and Green Salad (lettuce with a slice each of tomato and cucumber, paired with ketchup & mayo dressing)

The dessert was alright...had they told us first hand that it was going to be turon. We were told that they'd be serving gelatin for dessert, so imagine the surprise on our faces when a plate of turon was placed right in front of us. The main course was alright. Average at best. The place was just too pricey, and the service wasn't very good either. Half a star out of five for me.

A moment later came my most awaited part. The reason why I came to Manila in the first place. PETER PAN! It's one of the things I'm glad I didn't miss. The music was enchanting and the stunts were a sight to see! It's based off the original play by J.M. Barrie and lead by the talented Sam Concepcion as the boy who didn't want to grow up. The Darlings were endearing and the Lost Boys amusing. The Indians gave it color while the Pirates brought adventure. It was a swashbuckling treat that I enjoyed every minute of! It was enough for me to forget all the misfortunes of the day, and left me smiling as I dozed off to my own Neverland.

The next day started early as we had to be at our next stop by 7:30AM. We were headed to the country's biggest broadcasting company, ABS-CBN, to watch their Sunday afternoon musical variety show. But before the show, we had to be on a studio tour as part of the package. From what I've heard, people actually book months in advance to see the show live, and, as always, TFC subscribers are given priority. The tour was pretty educational. I've learned that the studios are actually pretty small, but they appear bigger and wider on TV with the aid of a wide-angle lens. Also, they use industrial sized air-conditioning in each studio to neutralize the heat emitted by the lights. When turned on simultaneously, the studio lights could give you a first-degree burn.

We've met some pretty interesting characters in the compound. The lady in blue who wants to be in all the pictures, the cute tour guide who might be gay, the guy in the front desk who acted like a bitch on her period, and the teenage girls who sadly dressed up like whores just so they'd get noticed on TV. It was also comforting to learn that TV stars are not as perfect as they seem. They just use a better concealer. Make up or talent in acting—either one's good to hide the flaws.

After partying on the set of ASAP and beating the rain on our way to the train station, we set out to our next stop: Tagaytay City. From the TV station, it took a cab ride, a train ride, a bus ride, and a trike ride before we reached our destination. We stayed in a quaint little villa at 3.5k a night, and went hiking the next day to get a glimpse of the famous Taal Volcano.

In front of Keni Po Rooms (Tagaytay)

Hiking in Picnic Grove (Tagaytay)

After a tiring hike and fueled only by a cup of coffee and some lengua de gato, we set off to our last stop in Tagaytay before heading back to Manila. Brunch at Sonya's Garden may seem pricey at P600+ for a buffet, but it's something one should try. The place looks like something that came off straight of a wedding magazine, and the food is organic and guaranteed fresh. The salad was more than enough to make up for the one we had at Metrowalk. I could honestly just eat salad all day and not move on to the main course! And the sesame bread. Yum! The main course was pasta and fried salmon belly. Really, just writing about this now is making me hungry! Then for dessert, we were once again faced with turon. Haha! But not just turon, mind you. There's chocolate cake and sweet potatoes, too. All served with a warm cup of refreshing tarragon tea. Ah, Sonya's, you are sorely missed!

After bidding Sonya adieu, we took another bus ride back to Manila. We had originally planned to stay in Makati before we had to leave for the airport, but a certain celebrity invited us to come visit him on the set. So instead of strolling along the streets of the financial center of the Philippines, we braved through the streets of Tondo on a tricycle to meet Mr. Gabby Concepcion. He was very nice, and quite the looker for a man in his forties. After a quick meet up and photo session, we had to leave in a rush so as to avoid missing our flight.

Homeward bound and quite exhausted, I realized how much fun I had that weekend. I didn't get much rest, seeing as we're always on the go, but still it was a weekend well spent. It gave me a chance to renew my views of Manila, get to know familiar faces a little better, meet new people, try something new, and of course, see a play I've always wanted to see. I may have missed out on a lot of things for that weekend, but I regret nothing. I arrived home with little money in my pocket and no souvenirs, but had a big smile across my face. I had a whirlwind weekend and enjoyed it.

The trip that I've been looking forward to for months is over. I'm back to my old routine, and my solitary world is back to being quiet. But not for long, I hope. ;)

Coming Back and Changing Minds

Ten years after I last set foot in Manila, I was astounded at how much the place has changed. It is to be expected, of course. Ten years is a long time after all. The country is keeping up with the times and the capital is intent in being a globally competent metro. Metro Manila has put up a facade that’s far greater than the last I’ve seen. I even admit to falling in love at first sight with Bonifacio High Street. Having the biggest book shop I’ve ever been to and a line of top brand boutiques, I need not see the entire place for me to declare it as one of my favourite places to visit. However, no matter how much the place has changed physically, it still holds the same old stench: the crazy traffic, overpriced food, suspicious characters, overcrowded streets, and rude people (case in point, that stuck up bitch from ABS-CBN Tours’ front desk). Just when you think you might actually like living there, these things make you stop to reconsider. They make you miss home’s far more tolerable traffic, less crowded streets, reasonably priced food, and the people who are far more eager to please its clientele.

I’m not saying my hometown’s far better because, like every other place in the world, we have our own flaws. We have our share of shady characters and soap opera-like antagonists. Commercially, we are a little behind compared to Manila. We are growing at a much slower pace and I think we need to learn a thing or two from the capital city in terms of innovations. The only thing I can guarantee is that Cebu has a much more laidback atmosphere. It has the right mix of the metropolitan high life and the homey feel of the country. But much to my chagrin, Manila would easily trump us in terms of industrial growth and modernization.

Manila sure made me appreciate home, but I can’t say I didn’t like it there. The three days I spent there was more than satisfactory that I even ended up writing about it. This year's visit is a far cry from my last memory of the place. I enjoyed it enough to not make me cringe at the idea of coming back. Well, to put it more accurately, I intend to come back. To visit, that is. A wider selection of books, fashion strip you can't find at home, international concert tours, and professional theater productions of well-loved plays and musicals! I'd say Manila hasn't seen the last of me yet. ;)

There and Back Again

Finding myself sitting in front of computers I thought I'd never see again and swiveling in a chair that still hopelessly needs to be replaced, the reality of the situation slowly sunk in. I was back. A few familiar faces filled the room that had been a huge part of my life from the last quarter of 2009 to the first of 2010. I had traded the nights in my own bedroom to nights in that room once more. I can't say I'm thrilled, but I needed to get back.

I left my first real job about a year ago to fulfill the plans my family and I made the day I walked through the gates of my college. Leaving wasn't all that easy. The road started out rough and ended even rougher, but it brought me close to finding myself. After my part-time job abruptly ended last January, I went back to the familiar seat of bumhood. For 124 days I woke up to questions and went to bed with even more questions. For 124 days I lived with my demons. For 124 days I partially shut myself out of the world. For 124 days I struggled, but I never strayed far from the things that mattered. I loved every minute of it just as much as I hated it. I was living in a world of my own, and it felt good. My art had finally started to take over, but then my obligations walked in and demanded for it to be given some room. Bills started to pile up and my wallet started to lose its purpose. As much as I didn't want my soul to go hungry, there wouldn't be much of it left if my body had to starve.

Now I'm back to where I once came. I had to get out of the rabbit hole whence I spent the last five months and get back to the real world. I had to be practical and so I decided to take the best option available for me. My incredibly-small-scale business couldn't support me and my needs, so I came back to the familiar world of health care insurance and softwares. I came back to sleeping on mall benches at wee hours, and head-bobbing in front of computers. I came back to the laughter of friends (who, by the way, are leaving me alone in my shift!) and long sermons of bosses. I came back to the place I once belonged, hoping that this time around I'd be able to get the best of two worlds.

Down The Rabbit Hole

Answers

In the dark, I keep still

Listening to the sounds of the night,

I hope to hear the answers I seek.

Why does it not come?

The dogs bark and the fan turns.

I lie still.

Will things ever change?

Perhaps they never will.

Sleep starts to creep in,

The shadows of the night envelop me.

I let darkness take over

And leave my worries to the wind.

As I fall deeper in slumber

I begin to wonder:

What shall the morning bring forth?

Answers, I hope.

Oh, The Places You'll Go

A concept that I need to get a grasp of. As much as I want to be with my friends in everything, as much as I want to grow alongside them, life is a challenge I need to face on my own. I can’t rely too much on the comfort of having something familiar with me all the time because the world is a world of change and surprises. If I can’t deal with that, I’d lose the game even before I could start playing.

It's True!

I found this note in my back pocket as I groggily woke up from what might have been a terrible fall. I can’t remember what happened before all that, but this note gave me all the information I needed. Now I know this would make no sense, but I never write to myself unless it’s something very important that I need to remember. I couldn’t believe it at first either, but then there’s something awfully familiar about all of it. Every word on that note feels like a puzzle piece filling in the holes to my memory. I don’t know how else to make you believe me, so I’ll just let you read it. I’ve encoded the contents of the note as the original was barely legible. Well, here goes.

As I’m writing this down, two men in black suits are currently looking for me to erase my memory. There’s no time to explain. They might find me any moment. I have made a discovery that would make world and otherworld history and I intend to remember as much of it as I can. This might sound crazy, but trust me, all of it is true. I am only going to write down key events in the hope that all the minute details would just come rushing back in time.

Earlier this morning I found a dusty old closet in the attic that was left to us by my grandma. It was locked and marked “Keep closed at all times”. Normally I would’ve stepped away before my allergies could act up, but something was pulling me towards it. I found the key to the lock on the old key bowl at the far end of the room. When I opened it, I found it to be endless. My instincts told me to run away but my curiosity got the best of me.

I went inside the closet and walked on for 20 minutes or so before I bumped into a faun with buttons for eyes that went by the name of Mr. Baggins. He introduced himself as the Keeper of the Keys and Grounds of someplace I can’t quite remember. It was starting to get too creepy for me, so I told him I had to go home. But when I turned to go back where I came from, everything was covered in trees. He then told me that the only way out was by “running through a royal wall”. I was going to ask him some more, but then a tree went berserk on us. Slamming its huge branches to the ground, intent on beating us to a pulp.

We made it out alive and he took me to see the white queen because he was running late for a royal engagement. After much trouble, I was able to talk to the queen and asked her if I could run through the royal wall. She never asked me why but told me she’d let me run through the wall that held the king’s cross if I delivered a ring to a green wizard. I obliged, and to that she handed me the ring which she calls her precious. The ring burned my skin which caused me to drop it. Eyes went wide as the queen called me an outsider. Everyone was suddenly out to get me and the queen screamed to have my head cut off. I ran as fast as I could into the woods where I saw a green witch with bushy brown hair talking to some animals about a planned coup. They were wary of me at first but in the end decided to help me. They were the ones who took me to the magic mirror that could take me home. The witch told me not to worry when I get home as nobody from their world could harm me there. The best they could do is to send the queen’s memory guards to wipe off any memory of the place.

When we reached the mirror, Mr. Baggins was there waiting. He bared his fangs as he tried to jump toward me, but a flying monkey fought him off. The witch shoved me into the mirror before the guards could put their hands on me. I went out of the mirror on the closet and landed on the attic floor. I have locked the closet so they could not follow me through the mirror, but they could still get me through the royal wall. There are –

AOSON AI ZOA NOZOS!

The note ended abruptly so I’m guessing the memory guards caught up with me quickly. The note was crumpled in my back pocket as well, signifying haste on my part. There’s still more that I could not recall at the moment. There’s so much more, I’m sure. And that last line of strange words, I am yet to find out its significance. I am faced with all these mysteries, but one thing is clear to me though. All the stories are true. Trust me.

Be careful what you wish for. Seriously.

Cursing myself for having allergic rhinitis, I realized that at one point in my life I actually wished for something like this to happen. Back in 4th grade, my asthmatic classmates were exempted from cleaning duties and I envied them so much. I wished then that I had a condition that would exempt me from cleaning the homeroom. Now I look back and think how stupid I was to have even thought about something like that in the first place.

I've had other stupid, mindless wishes come true. When I was a kid, I wanted to wear glasses like one kid from school. Now I just wish my eyes would magically fix itself because glasses and even contact lenses can get really annoying. I remember wishing to get admitted in a hospital before to see who'd come to visit me. A few months later I was admitted to have my appendix removed.

I've learned now to be careful with what I wish for. Things aren't always what they seem. What you want may turn out to be nothing like you expected. It may not be as fun or as beneficial as you'd hoped. You may end up hating yourself for it. Especially when you ask for something as stupid as the ones I asked.

Love, The Frog Princess

Disclaimer: This is another fictional work. Okay, El? LOL. :P

I’ve been told to wait countless times. I’ve been lead to believe that Prince Charming would someday come to sweep me off my feet. I grew up thinking that my life was a fairy tale waiting to happen. I’m not saying I was raised in falsehood, but that glimmer of hope has somehow dimmed and it’s getting harder to believe the things that I used to bet my heart on.

For years I’ve convinced myself that I was but an ugly duckling. I would grow out of my not-so-pleasant looks and one day turn into a beautiful and elegant swan. After I turned 18 though, it became evident that it wasn’t the case. I was no ugly duckling. I’m a frog princess doomed to be an eyesore for eternity until true love brushes its lips against mine. I would remain horrid to the eyes of many until a man sees past my exterior and find the true beauty that lies within me.

It’s so much harder than it looks though. Plenty of men claim to give more weight on a woman’s character, but they only try to get to know the person that catches their eye. They seldom give the unpretty girl a second thought. Ah, how better it is to be a man! They do not wait for women to come talk to them, they assert themselves and approach whoever captures their fancy. Girls may have control over the game of courtship, but it is the men who initiate. Even if he doesn’t look like a Greek god, there’s still a chance that he takes home the prize because women can be swayed with constant wooing and good showmanship. It’s easy for us to change our minds about men and look beyond their appearance because they are given the opportunity to flaunt their strengths, while we just wait to get noticed.

I’m not belittling womanhood, mind you, as I am proud to be a lady. However, in the matter of romance, I believe I have spoken the truth. I can’t go up to a man and simply declare my interest and availability without subjecting myself to disapproving looks and hushed name-calling. I am to behave as any proper lady should and I can’t help but feel that I might just end up being a spinster. The waiting game may not work to my advantage. My prince, on his way to find me, might come across a beauty asleep or a lovely damsel on a tower and would no longer go any further than where he is. This frog princess may grow old waiting for a prince that may never come and I may never have a taste of that spell-breaking kiss.

So if you’re out there, fairy godmother, hear this: If I’m not meant to be with a man, if I’m destined to journey through life alone, at least take away the ache and the longing. Grant my heart the understanding that life is not all about ever afters with someone. Help me understand that I deserve to be happy with whatever I have and whoever I am. Bless me with contentment so that I may accept the way I look and see for myself the beauty inside me that I claim to possess. I’m not giving up my fantasies of finding true love; I just don’t want to keep my hopes up any longer. I don’t want to expect no more, to leave room for surprises, no matter how my story might end. If not, at least give me a prince that’s worth the wait.

...

The Forever Alone Conjecture

My circle of friends is composed of fifteen equally amazing and gifted individuals. All fifteen are lovely in their own right. However, 73.33% of the said population is currently single; 60% have never been in a relationship; 26.67% have never been romantically involved with anyone, living, dead, or otherwise. Makes you wonder doesn't it? The statistics show that our group isn't performing well in the romance department. Shocking? Barely.

It has been scientifically proven that people are intimidated with people who belong in a large, closely-knit group. More so if the group is comprised of members with strong personalities. They not only have to prove themselves to the person they are interested in, but also to his/her peers. This makes it exhausting and even irksome for any interested party. This alone can be accounted for the lack of good performance by the group in terms of romance and intimacy.

Another theory that supports the data presented is the "My Friends Over You" Rule. Any person seeking for a serious relationship is usually opposed to this rule, save for special cases such as when both parties belong to the same group of friends thus making the rule redundant. Since 46.67% of the population practices the said rule, other people then feels discouraged to make any advances.

We now live in a modern age where most people would do away with customs and traditions. More and more people turn to technology to find a match, and the group's hesitation to resort to this method contributes to the data gathered as well. Although some don't mind meeting people online or through texting, a whopping 73.33% prefer to meet someone traditionally. Although not all the singles share this idea, it is interesting to note that the percentage of those who prefer the traditional method matches that of the singles of the group. This traditional mindset narrows down the chances of meeting more people and basically limits the group to people within their immediate environment and their relations.

In conclusion, the group is faced with the statistics presented because of the mutual attachment of the members to the group and their traditional ideals. Also, it is not to be blamed solely on group dynamics. The individual factor is yet to be considered. Most members have set standards that are deemed high by the general public. The members of the group are idealistic in nature and has romantic notions that prevent them from settling to anything below their standards. With this in mind, along with all the supporting theories presented, the high singles percentage of the group is explained. This is why we are all Forever Alone. Together. :)

A Rainy Night With Katy Perry('s songs)

Last night, my friends and I raged through heavy rain and disgusting flood water just to get to church. It was a struggle to get there, and it was impossible not to feel even a little hopeless. We all felt wet, dirty and tired. Some of us would really rather go home, if not for the willpower of one of us.

We reached our destination after a series of unfortunate events, feeling glad and proud of ourselves for braving through unruly conditions. We arrived late for the mass, but just in time for the festivities. The dancing and the fireworks were awesome. As cliche and pathetic as it may sound, Katy Perry's Firework really came to mind at that moment.

When it was time to go home, we were tested yet again. Getting a ride was close to impossible. When we decided to go inside EMall's back entrance and go out the front to avoid getting wet, we were blocked. The security guard told us the mall was closed. So we were left standing outside along with more than fifty people. Just when the DJ at the radio booth started to play California Gurls, April saw a jeepney we could ride. It was full but at least there was hope now. We could trace where they came from. So we walked in the rain, singning California Gurls in the streets.

We did get to ride a jeepney after, but it only brought us halfway home. When we reached our stop we decided to get a cab so we can get home ASAP. We couldn't wait to get clean and cozy. Getting a cab seemed easier then, but most refused upon knowing the destination because they were headed the other way. After five rejections, the cab to save our asses came along. When we got in and heard what was on the radio, we just laughed. It was Teenage Dream about to end. We laughed recalling how Katy Perry's songs were played during the highlights of our night.

Last night was a struggle, but we knew it was also a test of faith. It's easy to give up on the challenge if you were alone, but the company of friends made it all bearable for us. That and Katy Perry's songs. Haha!

Of Journals & Such

I've always had a thing for cute notebooks and journals, but can't really find a use for one. I'm bad at keeping track of my life, and I'm not one for writing notes either. As for writing poems & stories, I prefer writing them on the computer. That is why I always resist the impulse to buy, and instead wait for someone to give me one. My collection is slow-growing but the pace it's going suits me just fine.

The green Harry Potter journal was my first. A gift from my father when I turned 13. It holds the records of some important events that took place when I was in high school written in a painfully embarrassing way. Haha! The next one is the big bright green notebook that Liz gave me for Christmas 2007. My "whatever" notebook. I basically just fill it with whatever comes to mind. The third one to join my collection is the green handmade, almost-iridescent green journal I got from Gwen for Christmas 2008. I'm currently still struggling to turn it into a scrapbook. The fourth addition would be the brown Paris notebook Nicole gave me last May. It's the one I'm currently using as a journal and trying so hard to fill. The last one to become part of my feeble collection is James's gift last Christmas. A maroon-and-gold journal that simply looks magical.

If I haven't been writing in my blog lately, it's because I've been writing in my journal instead. The intimacy of writing something to be read by you and you alone has become more and more appealing to me. I find it more liberating because your only audience is yourself. You can bare as much soul as you want, and you won't feel so weird doing it. It's like finding yourself without nobody watching, so you're left with nothing but your instincts to guide you. It's like therapy for free. I'm not saying I'm giving up on blogging however, because it brings me a different kind of joy as well. I'm simply saying that I'm rediscovering a different world. A world of my own.

I know keeping a journal (or a diary if you prefer the term) is not an easy task, but it's really not so hard to do either. You just do what feels right for you. You write, paste, draw, whatever! It's your journal so you make your own rules. That's the best thing about it. You get to keep some memories alive as well. It's like making a personal time machine. You read back and you get transported back in time. If you have one, you probably know what I'm saying, but if you don't, well, try starting one if I've got your curiosity peaked. :)