Flower Power

Taken at the Flower Conservatory in San Francisco and at the Phipp's Mansion in Long Island, New York using my Nokia N73 phone.

Why do fools fall in love?

Fools. They're not the best people in the world to be with. But what will happen when two fools unite in marriage?

I mean, hey, they may be intelligent, but when it comes to love, they are still fools. Imagine giving everything to their better half without leaving anything for themselves. What if, just what if, something goes wrong and one of the fools suddenly gets an epiphany? The fool remaining becomes bruised, wounded, torn beyond repair.

The remaining fool, still being a fool, despite the damage incurred, continues to wait, hope, love, wish ... sometimes to the point of desperation. And what does this bring? More tears, heartaches and pain.

So why do fools fall in love? Beats me! But whatever it is, being a fool may feel like heaven, because many opt to be fools, especially in the game called love--the pain, the heartaches and the hardships simply make being in love sweeter and stronger. Here's to you, fool!

Places I've Been To

Here are a few scenic places I've been to, some looking good only in photograph, while others are the real deal. One day, I'll be back there!

Ten Places I'd Like To Return To

I've been around, probably a little more than others, probably a little less than others. But definitely, I've travelled and seen a lot of things. And in all the places I've been to, there are a few that I'd like to revisit, if not live in. Here, in no particular order, are the 10 places that I'd like to see again sometime in the future:

New York - Not only is it a fun place to be in, most of my relatives are there as well. I enjoyed Manhattan a lot, especially with my best friend, Marie. I never imagined I could go around NYC leading a friend through its streets, considering my non-familiarity with the place.

West Virginia - Well, what can I say? I just love the trees, the serenity of the place, the tradition and the history.

Las Vegas - The sin city, this place is pretty much alive at night. And the casinos ... they're just great! I would really like to play the slot machine again until the wee hours of the morning.

Singapore - This place is very hot and humid. The only reason why I would love to return to Singapore is because of my best friend. Plus, the food is also great!

Sydney, Australia - I miss the harbour city a lot because of my cousin. And the weather there is just perfect for me. I also miss the Gentlemen's Club that my cousin brought me to, and Blue Mountains and the bushwalks, that made me one with nature once again.

Panglao Island, Bohol - Aside from the drinking sprees with my officemate, Panglao Island is where I got to know more about my best friend (we were roommates). I also miss the serenity of the area and the pristine white sands. Unfortunately, I didn't get to swim in the beach nor ride the glass boat.

Tagaytay City - Although I've been in and out of Tagaytay quite often, I still want to return to that place many times. Why so? Crisp, cool mountain breeze, lots of food choices, very near the city, bulalo, crispy pata, Leslie's, Sonya's Garden --- go figure!

Davao City - The only time I've been to Davao was during my grand uncle's funeral. I never really got to tour the city that time, nor have I seen Davao's beaches. I would love to go back to Davao and see the beaches and probably climb Mount Apo. Plus, I heard the girls are really hot there! A one night stand won't hurt a bit!

Mount Pulag - The trek was tiring, but it was definitely worth it. Seeing the sunrise from the Philippines' second highest summit was simply breathtaking. I also love the idea of camping out once again, eating camp food, and singing with friends during the trek.

Boracay - Well, who wouldn't want to go back there? The night life, the beach, the snorkeling are just sooooo great! Boy, do I miss the water! Hope I could take a dip in the sea again before the year ends.

There are other places I'd like to return to, but these are the top places I'd really like to revisit. Next on my agenda, blogging for the top 10 places I'd like to see before I die.

Missing Out

This coming week, I'll be leaving with my aunt and cousins for another country ... for a vacation. They have become sort of like immediate family to me already, being with them in several trips abroad, going to their place frequently to play with them when we were younger, going out with them to have coffee ... stuff like that. As always, I am excited to be with them again.

However, I will be missing out on a number of things when I leave. First of all, I will be missing out on the showing of several movies that I have greatly anticipated. There's Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull, which I really like to see on opening day. I was also looking forward to watching The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: After feeling so good about the first movie, I just can't wait to see the second installment. Both movies will be opening on Wednesday, and we will be leaving at 12:30 in the morning of the next day. Hence we need to be in the airport Wednesday night. Another movie opening next week that I am really looking forward to is Sex and the City. Being abroad, I'm really not sure if I can catch the movie there.

Second, I will be missing the American Idol finale on Thursday. It's been a season filled with really talented people, and finally, it is down to the two Davids. Definitely, there will be some great performances from guests. I hope someone finds time to record the show so I can see it later on.

Third, we will be having a mommy event on the 31st of May, our Mother's Day tribute to Filipino moms. For the past years, I've been hosting the pre-event games, doing the voice over for the celebrity guests, sometimes drawing for the raffle, sometimes, taking photographs of the event. I'll be missing it this year, and I hope the one who takes over does a great job. But you see, what makes this event more special this time around is that our general manager, who hails from Singapore, will be witnessing the event for the first time. It could have been my chance to show the big boss that I could do more than just editing, and that I could actually connect with the people I talk to. Or could I? Hahahaha...

Fourth, it will be my father's 58th birtday, and I won't be here to celebrate it with him. Another first that I will be missing this year is that they may celebrate it in our newly renovated "farm lot." Well, it's not really a farm, but it is definitely a lot--a small lot. And there are lots of around, hence the farm name.

But despite the fact that I'll be missing out on quite a number of things in my absence, I am hoping that I'll have fun going with my aunt and my cousins, meeting up with other relatives abroad, probably getting myself a camera (did you read that Jambs? There's always that possibility). Memorial day sale, here I come!

The Cerebro: Blog Spot

http://lunchout.blogspot.com
My previous blogs are in this site...

The Cerebro

http://cerebro.blogs.friendster.com/

Mommy Power 8

Start:	May 31, '08 10:00a
Location:	Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall

Come to the most exciting mommy event of the year. There will be free bone scanning, pediatrician consultations, raffles, surprises, and parenting and health talks!

Grandma Beloved

There's just something about my grandmother (shown here at the center) that brightens up my day. This morning, she offered to wrap three pieces of siopao for me to bring to the office. As I was in a hurry because of the number coding thing (I left the house at 6:55 and number coding starts at 7), I politely declined her offer. I wasn't even able to have my breakfast.

But my "funny word" encounter with her happened at 1 this morning. I arrived home at 12:30 from my usual Starbucks habit and went straight to the restroom. What I did there, well, I leave it up to your imagination. While singing (more like humming) The Elephant Song Medley from Moulin Rouge, I heard someone walking by the door. I immediately finished my thing and alas, when I opened the door, there she was, waiting for me to finish. And then she said, "Kumain ka na? May palabo 'dun!"

I was thinking whether she was referring to the piece of meat I just ate at the dinner table (which I though was chicken, but then hearing her, I thought it was pabo) or to, as far as I know, an inexistent noodle delicacy, the palabok. Inexistent because I didn't see one in the dinner table. There were three pastils (suman-like thingees that my grandmother makes), a box of doughnuts, a siopao, and those pieces of meat I just ate.

And when I asked her what a palabo is, she said with calming grace, "'yung pansit." Ahihi! Al of a sudden, the buy take, one take thing came back like a bolt of lightning and brought a smile to my tired face. Is this a result of her staying too close to Ms. Flor, whom I popularized in my Friendster blogs for her verbal antics? I hope it's not infectious!

Alone Again, Naturally

Rather than watching the World Pyro Olympics yesterday, my friends and I went to the mall to watch a movie instead. We were in Starbucks when we talked about what to watch. I suggested What Happens in Vegas, which I still haven't seen that time. When we reached the cinemas, one of my friends said that she hated Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher. Apparently, she didn't know that they are the stars of the movie. So they ended up watching Iron Man, which I already saw, instead. And me, well, I watched the movie I wanted to watch alone.

To make matters worse, upon entering the cinema, I noticed that there barely was anybody around. There were three of us in the loge area, a couple and me. All the rest were in the balcony. Darn it, I should have been with somebody last night! The drasted couple were kissing as if there was no tomorrow! And who knows what else they could have done? They even went to the restroom together! I should have followed them! Hahahahaha.

One of these days, I'll be able to do something kinky inside a cinema. Hahaha. Hopefully, that will come sooner rather than later. *wink, wink*

Mother's Day Gift

We were supposed to watch the Pyro Olympics at the Mall of Asia yesterday, but due to bad weather, we cancelled. Me and my friends agreed to go to another mall instead, and I had set my mind on finding something extraordinary for my mom today, Mother's Day.

So off to Robinson's Pioneer we went. After scouring through the mini-mall (it is really not much of a mall if you ask me), I came out empty handed. Until I went inside the department store. I pondered whether to get a perfume set, a skin-care set, or a spa set. Eventually, I saw a table where some bling-blings were on sale. Suddenly, a flash back.

Some years ago, I guess I was in grade school then, my dad brought me along with him to work. We made a side trip to one of the talyers (car-repair shop) in Manila to have the car's air-conditioner fixed. Bored to death, I strolled around for a while and chanced upon a small store. It sold earrings, necklaces and other women stuff. Remembering that it was my mom's birthday the next day, I decided to get her a pair of earrings, the very first gift to her that I bought with my own money, my savings.

And then her birthday came. With a sweet kiss, I gave her my precious gift. Upon opening it, I saw a smile on her face. And then she exclaimed, "Wow! They're so nice! But I don't wear fancy. I am allergic to fancy!"

Imagine my trauma of buying her anything to wear. I never bought her anything fancy or wearable after that. I simply bought her religious figurines, books, small clocks, but none that she could wear. Until yesterday.

Yesterday, I bought her a pair of earrings, with pearl (I really have no idea if they are real or not) and some diamond studs (no idea if they are real as well). I don't really consider them fancy, but I don't know if they're the real stuff, and if she's allergic to it or not. Well, this lunch, we gave it to her. Probably not recalling the incident ages ago, she said, "Wow, earrings! I hope they're not fancy. I'm allergic to fancy."

Happy mother's day, Ma!

Makati Day Madness

Idol Forecast Recap

My sidekick power has done it again. Another Idol wannabe got booted out once more. Last week, it was Brooke White. This week, Jason Castro. So far, those were the two I mentioned who I predicted would get booted out of the competition next. Syesha, as I predicted, remains in the top 3. If my instincts don't fail me, Syesha will be next. And it will indeed be a toss up between the two Davids, a first in the history of AI, having two people with the same name battle it up for the title.

Speaking of instincts, another one of my baby predictions was right once more. I found out yesterday that my officemate, whom I said would have a baby girl, told me that she will in fact have a baby girl. I wonder where I can attend a class for sidekicks. I must hone this gift and use it for the lottery! Can anyone point me to the nearest Sky High office?

Getting a typhoid vaccination

This afternoon, I got a free vaccination for typhoid fever. I really don't know if I've ever been vaccinated against the disease, but I had one nevertheless. There would be no harm in that, would there? During this afternoon's press conference, the speaker, Dr. Eric Tayag, gave us a glimpse of the grim truth about how typhoid spreads in the country--which is mainly through our water supply and food. Don't go blaming the water suppliers outright, he said. True enough, most of the contaminations happen in the pipes, or even in the containers. Even bottled waters may contain the contaminant, Salmonella typhi. Dr. Tayag even said that people who have typhoid literally ingested human waste. He cleverly referred to this as pulp bits. Cool when you're fond of drinking OJ with pulp bits, right? Hahahaha!

Dr. Tayag recounted a story when a mom, a samalamig (street drink) vendor, actually used an ice block to scrape off and clean her child's behind--the same ice block she used in her "business." So you could just imagine how safe the ice in your drink is.

Another thing that I got from this press conference is that even if you use hand sanitizers, you still run the risk of getting typhoid fever. Why? Because you still haven't washed off the "dirt" or that microscopic piece of pulp bit from your hands. It's still there, together with the causative bacteria, which can't be killed by a small percentage of alcohol. He stressed that the best thing to do is to still wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water--the very basic thing that Ma and Pa used to teach me, but of course, never really took to heart.

I don't want to get typhoid fever now or in the future, lest I run the risk of developing more mental disturbances, said to be one of the effects of typhoid fever on the body. Take it from one of my friends who already had it when she was young! Peace! You know who you are! Hehehehe.

Lesson for the day: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before you eat or before you touch anything on your face.

The best shawarma, superb friends

Have you ever tasted anything so delecious, you just want to recommend it to everyone you see? There is this shawarma place along Julia Vargas Avenue in Pasig, and boy, their shawarma is just fabuloso! And the ox brain, superb! And did I mention that their kebab is just as yum yum as all the other offerings! Tonight wasn't my first time in Uncle Moe's, the shawarma place I'm talking about. I've been there with my cousins and my brothers before. So far, their great food hasn't failed me yet. And tonight was extra enjoyable as I was not only savoring superb food, but superb company as well. We were a medical team of sorts, having a couple of beers and great food. Four doctors, a nurse and me, a pharmacist, talking about anything and everything under the sun, from showbiz talkshow hosts, to showbiz personalities and network transfers, to Rafael Nadal's wins and Serena Williams' built, legs and lips, from dry ice to ice cream sandwiches, from reality TV to Tyra Banks. And we didn't even notice that we finished all our food, just like that. It was a night of fun and food! And did I mention that it was all free (well, for me and at least four other people). Thanks Tita O! I hope Rafa wins all his tourney matches this season so it would be Uncle Moe's all over again.

A letter to Ms. Anonymous

Dear Ms. Anonymous,

How would you feel if I told you I was getting married next year? How would you feel if I told you that I was getting married to you? I know that you would somehow be surprised, but I bet not that much. I never really thought that I would end up asking for your hand in marriage, but here I am, on bended knees, asking you to be my wife.

One of these days, you'll be surprised by something you never really expected. It won't be a surprise if you did expect it, right? I have long been a bachelor, and as much as I hate to give up my amazing bachelorhood, I feel that now is the time to step up and move a level higher and savor the sweetness of being married and raising a family.

I cannot and will not promise you the world, or that I would be the perfect husband or the perfect father. But this I can say: I will do my best to live up to your expectations, and probably a little more. I will not promise that I will not give in to temptations from time to time, but you can be assured of my loyalty.

Next year, we'll get married. Today, I am asking you to marry me. I just hope you are out there, and that I get to meet you before our wedding day. I hope that by then, I would have figured out who and where you are, and how I can deliver this proposal to you. Until then, I guess I'll just have to pray, and pray hard ... that we'll find luck in our life as one, that we will discover prosperity together, that we will triumph amidst the hardships of today's world as a family. And I have to pray that we'll see each other soon. Until then ...

Love,
Me

A most eventful week

The end of April marked a very eventful period in my life. No promotion, no salary increase, I did not get married--nothing of that sort. In fact, it started out just like any other week, with workload reaching max levels. By Tuesday, however, things changed for the better. I learned that my best friend in Singapore is finally going to be a daddy! After six years, they are going to be a complete family in about nine months.

The next day, I got to attend a press conference with Powerbooks gift card as giveaway! I already have P1,500-worth of gift cards and gift check to spend! I could buy more sudoku and crossword books for my alone time (which is often). I could also buy a decent pocket book. I wonder what to buy next (I am open for suggestions).

That night, we got to interview and shoot two famed TV personalities, my "look-alike" Piolo Pascual, and the dashing Dyesebel/Marimar, Marian Rivera. It was tiring, but it was all worth it. Man, Marian looked so ravishing in her white dress! If she were a viand, yum yum! My sister envied me because I got to see Marian in the flesh!

Incidentally, that same day, my best friend from Pampanga had a daughter! It wasn't until the next day though that I was able to visit them. And then the day after that. I just can't stop raving over this very cute and beautiful kid! And I think, more than the celebrities, this is the highlight of my week.

And then Saturday. I have always heard about the famed La Luz Resort in San Juan, Batangas. It wasn't until last Saturday that I actually saw what everyone was raving about. The view was breathtaking. It would have been perfect if my drinking buddies were there. Unfortunately, I got to sleep through our stay there because I was so exhausted from the week that was and I didn't really know anyone there. I did get to swim, though, and get stung by some pesky jellyfish! But overall, the resort was ok, and my getaway, relaxing. Last year, I wasn't able to really feel seawater because, believe it or not, I never got the chance to go to a beach. Yes, I was in one, but had to cut short my trip because of a wedding. Ergo, no swimming for me. I intend to hit the beach more this year, and this is the second of my beachscapades!

Celebrity Cameos

La Luz Lakwatsa

Sidekick powers

I must be a sidekick. Somehow, my intuition, my sixth sense, my ESP has served me well. So far, out of two pregnancies, I've accurately predicted the gender of the babies: one is with a good friend of mine, Julie, and the other with my best friend's wife, Jeng. I've made a couple more, although we still don't know what the gender of those babies are. And remember my Subic trip (see my very first post here)? It happened again this morning, with me not knowing where in Pampanga San Luis is, moreso the hospital where Jeng gave birth. It just seems that I am always led to the right direction by an unseen force that's always with me (perhaps I am a Jedi master). It's just a pity why I couldn't use these sidekick powers during examination, or when I play the lotto. If I could, I would definitely be a very rich and well-educated sidekick! Maybe all I need is a little sidekick training and soon, I'll be RICH... FILTHY RICH!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Do I hear balato?

Idol Forecast

Who do you think will win this year's American Idol? I have a feeling it will be a toss-up between the two Davids, Archuleta and Cook. Both contestants have shown spectacular performances throughout the season, although Archuleta forgot his lines once, and I heard his voice break twice already. The thing about this kid is that he endears women by his boyish charm and his versatile range. As for Cook, the only thing I fear about this guy is that he might do another Daughtry. It would be a surprise if Jason Castro or Brooke White made it to the top two. As for Syesha, there's something in her that makes her standout. Week after week, you could see that she's getting better and better. Hopefully she doesn't get booted out next week. Personally, I am keeping my fingers crossed for Cook, who I think is a better singer than Archuleta. I simply find Archuleta too High School Musical.

Movie hypochondriac

Admittedly, I am a movie hypochondriac. Well technically, it's not hypochondria, a condition where one gets depressed because of an imagined physical ailment. But everytime I go see a movie, I tend to overly get into the lead character I'm watching and be so immersed in it, I feel that I am actually it. Take for instance the movie I watched yesterday, The Forbidden Kingdom. Right now, I feel that one of these days, I'll suddenly be transported in a mystic ancient world where I would serve a grand purpose. And to be honest with you, right now, I feel that I know kung-fu a lot that I could do a Tiger, a Praying Mantis, a Monkey or a Crane. Talk about getting into character!

Oh, and did I tell you about the time that I saw myself so much in Aga Muhlach's character, Enteng, in Kung Ako Na Lang Sana? Still single, 30 something guy, enjoying bachelorhood, living a carefree life, with "special" college girl pals ... you know the story. It's as if the story was meant for me!

And that movie, Jumper ... after the movie, I was literally focusing on places in magazines and books, hoping that I will be transported there in a split second. Sort of like beam me up Scotty. I just hope that someday, I could actually do something straight out of the movies. Call me a dreamer, but hey, these are the things that keep me hopeful for a better life. You should try being a movie hypochondriac sometime. It's fun!