Ipodless

I lost my Ipod last Sunday in Baguio City to a bunch of pickpockets… Looking back, I am over the fact that I’ve lost such a precious gadget but what saddens me is how these pickpockets have given a bad name to my beloved hometown of Baguio City… From what I heard, these are people who are not really locals but go to Baguio to take advantage of the many tourists that frequents the City during summer… I hope the City Government can crack down on these petty thieves. Baguio can’t lose tourist this way... Baguio has gone a long way from the once earthquake ravaged city in 1991 to lose its luster this way…

Anyway, I don’t really want to blog about this since it would remind me that at one rare instance that I wasn’t vigilant enough with my stuff and I got robbed… But at the very least, this misfortune is a simple reminder that we must always be vigilant against opportunistic people who’d take advantage of situations like crowded places, diverted attention and a lot more… Another way to avoid such situations is by being attentive with our things. Without victims, these people may have to consider finding proper sources of income… Hopefully, this would be my jinx and then the blessings would follow… As for the one who’s able to cash in at my misfortune, I just have one thing to say,”What goes around comes around…”

Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head

 

When we were a bit younger, we'd usually have ourselves doused for the first rain of May in Baguio City.  Of course, that was ages ago…  Moving on, I'm not already the Baguio resident that I'm used to; being now based in Makati due to my work… Anyway, I went to Baguio last weekend to have my mom fill up her Australian Visa application…

 

As I arrived in Baguio, my cousins and I were planning to go to the nearby La Union Beaches (1 hour from Baguio)… Since we were short of time and obviously due to the rainy weather, we decided against our initial plan of  going to the beach… but in a fit of childish actuation… we did something we haven't done for quite some time… take a bath in the cold rainy drops of Baguio (FYI… we were wholesome throughout all this)… Unfortunately, after a while the rains stopped in the middle of the bath (grrr…) so we just finished up using the old reliable hose (though the water was real cold)… So we ended up drenched not by nature's sea water but rather nature's raindrops…  I just hope the raindrops are still as pure as before…

 

Not yet done with our childish ways, we decided to another favey pastime before which was skating at Camp John Hay… I think the last time I skated was probably years ago when She, Renee and Mads visited our house in Baguio…  Glad to know that we can still skate without falling despite our lack of practice… Yet… one thing I can feel after skating is that the muscle pain that comes after engaging in a highly physical activity you haven't done for quite some time…

 

After skating, we went to 50s Diner, an old restaurant here with a 50-something theme, where we ate their gigantic burgers, which came with fries at a very affordable price of P68.  The good thing about this burger is that the patties are not the usual commercialized one so you're eating quite a big chunk of meat…  Had more than what our tummies can churn and resulted for us missing dinner… Decided to end our day with a stroll around SM Baguio, which boast of a nice view of Baguio's mountain-like terrain across its various view decks…  

One Fine Dinner at Gloria Maris

   

Before Mascy's one month break to Singapore,  we decided to meet up with Mascy at Gloria Maris in Shangrila Mall...  Present on this occasion in order of appearance (hehe... parang movie credits) is Anton, Franc, Mascy, Blue, Jay, Owen, Chelsea, Grace, Rocky, Cig and his friend RJ... Quite a lot of catching up since I for one was off the loop for quite some time missing the Rocky and Blue's Birthday in Tagaytay...   Funny thing in the food category, initially we ordered too few for the first batch but as the others started coming, we ordered too much (Grace was hungry daw eh) so most had much to eat...

The venue was a bit different as compared to the usual Rockwell get together... It's more of a common ground for those based on the northern and southern side of Metro Manila... though I still prefer Rockwell since its closer to me (plus you get to avoid the hassle of rush hour traffic at EDSA... for me at the very least... hehe)...  Anyway, at least, it's a different look to this regular get together...

And yet a different place in the next get together, Trinoma, Ayala's newest mall located at the northern tip of EDSA... 

An End to A Heroic Season

Finally watched the season finale of Heroes, How to Stop an Exploding Man, and for those who haven't watched I'll try my best not to spoil the thrill of watching the story line unfold... I like how they summed up the season, ending it with a so called bang and made a light introduction to the next season, generations. Well, heroes emerged from those we expect would save the day and from those who made the choice to do the right thing when it counts... Can't wait for the next season... though I do hope that some characters in peril at the seasons end would find their way back in the story lines in the next season...

I really love this series since heroes are depicted in a different light, that of ordinary people living ordinary lives but each having a unique skill or power to help save the world... Their battles are not as magnified as other high profiled superhero groups we've grown up with... In fact, despite their powers, they're not your regular costumed superheroes... yet the stakes are equally high... that which can change the overall balance of the world...

So it’ll be a few months of anticipation ‘til the end of an heroic season would lead to the beginning of another heroic journey…

Heat Wave

Upon seeing that my electric bill has skyrocketed due to the frequent use of the airconditioning unit, it was then that I decided to use a much cheaper solution to the summer heat, an electric fan... It was then that I realized that the summer is far from over... All the while I thought that the summer heat would bid adieu due to the frequent rains as of late but apparently, the it's still summer time... Ok time to go to the beach... Oops, I forgot I still am sunburned from Galera last week... Sure miss my hometown, Baguio City, where its much cooler...

Probably due to the heat, I googled myself some explanation and chanced upon one article in the Inquirer that Metro Manila has been hotter than usual... In fact it was about 3 degrees celsius hotter than Bulacan or Cavite... definitely, a lot more difference in Baguio... and the highly urbanized Makati City, my usual residence for the past 7-8 years, is the hottest place in Metro Manila... That makes sense... The highly urbanized atmosphere has taken its toll on the atmosphere and has caused a heat wave...

Well, I guess it's either I get used to the skyrocketing bill or the inconvenience of the summer heat at night... Well, have to live by the best (outing, beach, etc.) and worst (high temperature) has to offer... It's a trade off... but given a choice I'd always prefer those hot summer days than the regular rainy day... So will try to survive the heat wave... for now...

Gala sa Galera

In the heat of the summer time, a weekend at Puerto Galera is such a refreshing activity... Had our "Gala to Galera" getaway with SGV buddies Anna and Ruth (dami absent... though still equally fun) last weekend... Started our journey meeting at my apartment the night before taking the 3:00 am bus to Batangas and 5 am ferry to the island...

After settling done in one of the cottages and having a breakfast at the beachfront, we immediately proceeded to Tamaraw and Takurong Falls which was an hour and half away from White Beach... Didn't stay long at Tamaraw falls since we were told that Takurong was better... and after an hour and a half ride by tricycle and another 25 minutes in a sled pulled by a Carabao... we've finally reached Takurong Falls... and it was such a great sight having all the falls, the rock formation and the experience of going up through all the levels of the falls and really getting in touch with nature (Interestingly, I managed to reach the top despite my slippery havianas flip flops)... The long ride was worth... The locals were so friendly and even helped us navigate the place... After all the trekking, we had a fresh buko juice and had a dip at the tip of the falls before heading back to the beach again...

We've reached white beach at around 4 pm and had our very late lunch at 5 pm... and after me having Henna tattoo and Ruth and Anna walking around the island and watching the sun set, we decided to go back to the cottage to rest a bit... which probably due to the exhausting day lasted more than we expected, sleeping past the time we'd want to go back out and enjoy the night life... Anyway, at least we'd have our energy reserved for the next day...

After breakfast the next day, we proceeded to snorkling and appreciating the marine life and the corals in the different islands... The coral garden was breathtaking and to add to the unique experience (at least for me since Anna and Ruth have frequented Coron in Palawan), we also took part in fish feeding... Snorkling lasted a full three hours and the boat ride to and from the different islands was refreshing as well...

By the time, snorkling was over, we had summer's favorite "halo halo" before having another round of swimming and touring the island... After a while, we decided to fix our stuff and freshen up for our upcoming 430 pm return trip back to Manila... After lunch, we were all set to go back... It was a long trip reaching Batangas shore line at 630 pm and being able to reach home before 9 pm... and of course, the obvious part of the story is after an exhausting weekend getaway, there's a lot of sleep to catch up and energy to recover... good thing was that there's no work the next day - election day...

All good things come to an end, they say... but there's always a chance to gather around, meet up and start a lot more good things (or getaways rather)... =>

photos at : http://franckxethee.multiply.com

After a Long Day...

It's been a long day... with me starting early since we had to leave for Bataan to meet with our bankers... for a plant tour and at the same time, meeting... I'm up a blip past 6 and was at the office by 7, where we took of to our trip to Bataan, which lasted more than 3 hours due to several road works (quite interesting that some roads, which seems ok are being done again... what a coincidence.. hmm... election time)... A good thing though was I now know how to go to Subic by car...

The tour has been more of routine as of late, owing to similar presentations made in the past... and then came lunch which came with a meeting... Anyway, food was great... Ironically, the meat I dubbed as 'sinunog' instead of 'inihaw' (since it looked more burnt than normal) was great, coupled with shrimps, fish, vegetables and ripe mangoes... yum yum... Owing to the physical stress of walking and moving from one plant to another... I did have much to eat...

Left at 2 pm and was met by terrible traffic (too many people campaigning since it was the last day of the campaign period before Monday's election... there goes another reason why I won't cast my vote tomorrow. Imagine, at 5:30 pm, we were still in Pampanga, luckily, we were able to spot a branch of Razon's and had some Halo Halo, Dinuguan and Palabok... Halo Halo and Palabok is Razon's specialty... Their Halo Halo is a bit different, with just few ingredients yet uniquely delicious...

Then resumed the long way back and took till 8 pm in reaching the office... Traffic... traffic and lots of traffic... and now after another long day I await for my friends for our outing tomorrow since We'd be departing from my house early... but that my friend is something reserved for in another blog...

Seasons' Finale Galore

It's a time for anticipation for some people watching several US based TV series as some are reaching its season finale...

Season 6 of Smallville is down to its last two episodes, Prototype and Phantom, which leads to a battle between the young Clark Kent and the edgier version of Lex Luthor... aside from stopping Lex's growing thirst for power, Clark also looks to regain the love for the gorgeous Lana Lang... Of course, knowing the past Smallville, it'll definitely leave so many question that you'd wish for the next season to start...

Season 3 of Desperate Housewives is also down to its last two episodes, What Would We Do Without You and Getting Married today, which as the current story line goes several weddings for key parts of the cast and might as well start building up the plot for the new season...

The first season of Heroes is also two episodes from calling it a season, Landslide and How to Stop an Exploding Man, which has build up to on the explosion in New York City. Before, it was teased that Peter would explode but as things may change, it could also be Sylar (If he steals Ted's power) or Ted, who has the power to generate nuclear energy. An interesting plotline is also how the heroes converge in New York City; and how Sylar would end up. Since, it's quite an exciting first season, things will definitely be explosive leading to the main story line to the next season...

Despite all the endings, I guess, there's still one series that I have been watching that won't end yet and that's HBO's Entourage, whose main plotline involves the life of a promising young hollywood actor, Vincent Chase and his cohorts in all the fun and mischief, Eric, Drama and Turtle. The best part about Entourage is some of the hollywood stars appear as themselves since it's a series about stars.

It'll be an interesting next few weeks and will probably get all the free time I can to catch the heart-beat stopping season finale for these series...

Adjusting to my New Area...

It's my first full day in my new office area and I've noticed so many difference already...

1) It's a bit more brighter here since I'm at the window side... I get a fair share of sunshine as well as the regular office light...

2) It's a hell lot noisier here... actually I can here cars horn in Makati Ave/Paseo area... That's what you get just seven floors away from ground level... Now I have to worry about traffic noise not only when driving but also at work... hehe...

3) It's quite different getting information a few cubicle away... hehe... Before I just have to stand up a check from the next cubicle...

I'll get used to it... I guess...

Spidey 3... At last!!!

I realized that I was quite late in watching Spidey 3 when one of my officemates who rarely watches movies told me that his family is watching Spiderman 3 last Friday... Fortunately, my time to watch didn't last that long... having the chance to watch the movie last Sunday with SGV Friends Anna and Ruth... Actually, should have watched it on opening day, May 1, but series of events have moved my time for Spidey 3 At least, a had a chance for a haircut and spa last May 1...

One thing I learned from the postponement was sureseats.com can be a reliable movie ally. Imagine having booked and cancelled several times already and when I got our tickets I was able to get the ticket with no reservation fees... It sure beats queuing at the mall...

Anyway, back to our featured presentation... watched the movie early Sunday since Ruth still had to be in Ortigas at 3 pm... I don't know if I'm just late in watching the movie or it was just real early that day since there were only few people in the Cinema... It's the biggest Spiderman movie to date in terms of the plot lines and villains in the story... having to confront the new goblin, sandman and venom, all in the same movie... Come to think of it, Spidey does have a lot of enemies even in the comic book story lines...

Spiderman 3 ushers in 2007 big-time movie season with several upcoming movies in the pipeline... Shrek, Pirates of the Carribean, The Simpsons, Transformers, Harry Potter and Fantastic Four... all in the next few months... I also haven't been a frequent movie goer in the past few years... but in the next few months... I bet I'll be spending more time in front of the movie screen...

Stranded

It's been quite an easy day today... yet somehow as a twist of fate... I find myself stranded in the office... the twist came when I started fixing my things so I can move from my cubicle to my new room, which I only plan to do until 6 pm (started at 5pm)... My things were such a mess that I had to stay a little bit more... and suddenly at half past seven our CFO called for some urgent requirements for the syndicated loan (lucky him, I was still in the office or maybe, lucky me... since I may have to go back once I'm out due to the urgency of the matter... hehe...) and yet another twist came... for some reason, the bank was having difficulty sending the file to me... which I only got at past 9... took me just 10 minutes (fast break) to update the file and end this stranded times... no ill wills though as I understand the urgency of the situation. => One value I learned back in SGV before was a well-developed sense of urgency... and I'm stranded no more... or at least, I hope...

A New Look @ Mid Summer Time

I always wanted to cut my hair real short this summer time but thinking that I'd attend an AGM and a board meeting so decided to keep a little bit longer hairstyle until yesterday... Yesteray, I had my hair cut, into a neat and an almost clean shaven top which is more in tune with the heat of the summer times... I just hope that it would not only be in tune with the season but also in tune with how I look... =>

And Yet Another Singapore Swing

DHL's Hot Air Baloon

150m above the ground in a hot air baloon

A well deserved rest at Vivo Mall

Wok With Franc (Yum Yum)

Carrying quadruplets... hehe...

After my attempt at knee boarding

On the vacation part of my Singapore Trip... I spent the weekend at Christian's place... Though I didn't have the usual urgency to go around (this being my third visit)... I still had a great time... Thanks a lot to Mon and Christian being such great hosts...

After all the work, I went to the Ministry of Sound in Clark Quay with colleagues... Meeting up with my former CFO who was more of a CEO that night (Chief Entertainment Officer... That is...)... Though I was still not in a party mode owing to all the stress and the lack of sleep deprivation the past days, I still had a good time here... Ministry of Sound is one of the hippest place to go in Singapore...

The next day, Christian and I took the DHL hot air baloon in Bugis Area in Singapore... The hot air baloon would then take us 150m above the ground... so you'd have a great view of the neighboring buildings... Interestingly, at this angle, you'd appreciate the intricate details and landscape of buildings and structures around...

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We then proceeded to Vivo Mall in Harbourfront Area, which now provides a good glimpse of Sentosa and its fireworks at night... There were small pond-like structure and so many people (me included) are crossing... and some kids were even swimming along this mini pond... Quite an interesting new place to visit in Singapore...

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I then had a round at the Orchard Area (Incidentally, there's a fitness first in Paragon near Lucky Plaza... too bad I left my passport booklet for FF)... going from mall to mall and churning my favorite S$1 ice cream (really great... yum... yum...)... The S$1 ice cream provides a thickly-cut ice cream (with great flavors) stuffed in the middle of bread or wafers... I think I had two or three along the stretch...

I met up with Edmond and Joanne (with her Mom) at Marina station for dinner wherein we ate at Marina bay... wherein it's all you can eat and at the same time, allows you to cook your foods barbecue style... Had so much to eat here... but loved the food... Yum Yum... and had fun cooking as well...

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Then came the highlight of the night... our regular bowling mini-tournament (Me, Christian and Edmond)... The games were so competitive and somehow, was at the same time, suspense filled and exciting... Ended up a draw with Christian winning the first one (Edmond 2nd, Me... Dead last)... Me, winning the 2nd game (Christian, 2nd, Edmond 3rd) and the last game was won by Edmond in a breakout game for fear that I'd be blogging that he'd be the only one not to win that night (Me, 2nd, Christian, 3rd)... So he does read my blogs.... hehe... So ended dead even... next time folks...

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The next day, we had our attempt at wake boarding in the nearby East Coast lagoon... which is just a few minutes walk from Christian's place... Didn't really have much success at this with my first attempt at knee boarding ended up with me swimming from about a quarter to the tip of the lagoon til the tip of the lagoon... and this is where things get exciting... since I'm such a slow swimmer... It took me so long reaching the tip of the lagoon that had the crew worried... and a little while later, one of the attendants came via jet ski and told me that he would just bring me to the tip of the pool... but since I was just a few meters from the tip and as a matter of pride I told them I'll just swim til the tip which they allowed me to do... So later on I had received a few pointers on how to swim faster, one was to hold the board to the directions I want to go, not in front of me... and it was faster to swim frog style than the usual paddle style... and that it was a bit dangerous swimming that slow if many people where in the lagoon as I may be hit by other wake boarders... but the important thing was that I never panicked (was thinking maybe, I should have panicked a bit so I would have swimmed faster... hehe...) So there goes my first attempt at water sports...

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Had lunch and bought some stuff in Orchard later and met with Edmond and Joanne later for the regular Sunday Mass at Toa Payoh and dinner at Edmond's place at Sernagoon... The next day, before I left, I went to Little India and Suntec City to buy some stuff... and then comes an end to this Singapore Swing...