Random Thoughts

Individuality. One of the things a person can proudly wear and never be ashamed of it. And it dawned on me that sometimes you just have to show who you are to any other person without thinking what they will say. As I was passing Cubao one afternoon, I just saw a couple of characters that really showed their individuality without any inhibitions. I was riding in a jeepney, then there was this group of guy friends, somewhat from the proletariat class, that was having fun since one of them was jokingly wearing a female sleepwear. And they passed it on to one person after the other. And I believe they're not gay. And I thought, wow, this group of people was having genuine fun from something so negligible, but the their laughter was, yeah, genuine! As I went down the jeepney, I passed by an old lady, probably in her 60's wearing full make up. She even has this fashionable bag that seem to match with her somewhat trendy dress. I said to myself, woah, this old woman still believe she's beautiful and young, even though she knows for a fact that her youth faded. And guess what, she doesn't care even if everyone looks at her. But the glow in her eyes says everything. I am beautiful. As was nearing my ride along EDSA, when I saw these two old men in their 50's or 60's, holding hands. I believe its quite obvious that they're gay. But look at that. They don't care! Just like the old woman I aforementioned, whew, they believe that they're partnership will last through time. And even at their age, they still do what they do during their youth.

Lesson learned? Confidence. Individuality. And yeah, that Who-Cares-Attitude! Do what you want to do, as long as you don't hurt other people.

Celebrating New Year with A Blast

What: New Year's Party
Where: Parut Residence
Who: Family Friends

ONE HECK OF A PARTY!

A Short Essay on Christmas

Its the time of the year when the cold winds sweep over Manila, markets are filled with mothers with helpers, buying what they can for their sumptuous Christmas feast, houses decorated with lanterns and lights, mall glittering with ornaments and littered with busy shoppers trying to find the counter that has the shortest queue.

As I was walking the down Cubao one day after work, I can't help but notice the people in their busy yet happy and light stupor, doing what they can to make their season worth remembering.

Some make the most of the season: drink, go out, party and shop. On the other hand, some continue on with their normal lives, unaware of the joys of the season thinking that it is just another day.

But what does Christmas mean?

Then I remembered those days in my childhood, where Christmas is such a joyous and magnificent season. We would do this routine every time its Christmas. We as a family would decorate the house with the little that we have. A short plastic Christmas tree, a wreath, an old Nativity scene set. I would even make a poster! One week before the event, my Dad would buy these boxes of apples and oranges in Divisoria. Then we put up socks near the tree and place the gifts Mom wrapped for everyone. We would go caroling in the neighborhood with our cousins and friends and share the little amount we get, since we go out as large group(fifteen!). The largest, I remembered we got is 20 pesos each. We would go to the marketplace, the houses of our friends and wherever we can go around he area! Then Christmas Eve, me and siblings would find it hard trying to sleep since the excitement keeps you awake. I think I remembered one of us cried because he or she can't go to sleep! But eventually we slept, and awakened by our parents for the gift opening! And the real fun begins next day, Christmas Day. All our relatives from both sides of the family will come visit us at our home then we hand them out their gifts and aguinaldo. The apples and oranges we bought earlier the week were handed down to them as well. Each kid and each adult were given one.

Sharing is one thing I learned from our family tradition.

Then after a couple of years, from receiving gifts, you're the one whose giving.
This year I've bought a little something for my family. A shirt and tie set for my brothers, a perfume for my sister and a bank account for our bunso. I'll treat my parents for a spa treatment and our "ates" in house, I handed a few hundred bucks.
It's not much compared to those expensive gifts others give but, I say, the value of sharing is still one gift a person can give to another.

God himself gave his own Son to us for our redemption!

Change in Plans

14. Get surfing lessons.
17. Get capoeira lessons.

I slash these two out in my future since after much consideration, I found out that these sports seem unhelpful to my personal development. I reconsidered and chose better sports that I plan to excel in. I intend to choose a sport that is practical, useful, has great discipline, hindi maporma o uso lang.

A martial art perhaps.

What's Your Poison?

My poison?

Three letters. ( SEX? Nah..)

MSG. Or Monosodium Glutamate.

Firstly, let us define it. Monosodium Glutamate is a sodium salt and is used as a food additive and is commonly marketed as a flavor enhancer. Some of the trade names of monosodium glutamate include Ajinomoto, Vetsin, and Accent.

We all know what M.S.G. is. It is mostly used as a seasoning in food, especially us Filipinos who like our viands tasty. It is also a common ingredient in junk food.
And that's what I like to share.

My poison is junk food. And here is the list of my favorite munchies every time I watch a DVD movie at home during Saturday night. Lets start with the local ones first:

1. Piattos - Category : Potato crisps
I just can't get enough of this. Every time I walk through the snack aisle of every supermarket, I just have to take one big bag.

2. Tostillas - Category : Corn Chips
One of the few junk food that I can find solace. Nacho corn chips and cheese powder. What more can you ask for?

3. Nova - Category : Multi-grain Chip
I love these when topped with ground beef, cheese sauce and grated cheese! I don't feel guilty!

4. Nachos - Category : Corn Chips
One of the more saltiest junk food I've eaten.

5. V-Cut - Category : Potato Chips
This one is a classic! Ever since high school, I never fail to eat this. In every inuman I go, it is always present. Maybe because of its spicy flavor.

6. E-Aji - Category : Corn Chips with Dips
I just like the dip. Not the chips.

7. E-Aji Potato Chips - Category : Potato Chips
Wow. San Miguel Corp. did a great job! It almost tastes like Lays! One of my favorites!!

Now, let's go international:

1. Pringles - Category : Potato Crisps
I will kiss you if you give me a can! Hahaha!

2. Pik-Nik - Category: Potato Crisps
Another classic. This junk food never fails to its promise. Its just that every time you eat it, you're OK!

3. Lay's Potato Chips- Category: Potato Chips
I will kiss and hug and kiss and hug and kiss and hug you if you give me a bag. This is my ultimate junk food enjoyment.


As an addendum to this entry, I'd like to share this recipe of mine for those people who are MSG-whores as well. This recipe is a good appetizer for a party, inuman or just bumming around the house. I call it - "The P.A.A.N.I." (potcha, ang alat naman nito!):

P.A.A.N.I. Recipe

Prepare the following:
- 50 grams of ground beef
- 500 grams of French Fries
- 2 bags of Tostillas Corn Chips or nacho chips
- 1 can of Tostitos Cheese Sauce
- small onion, chopped finely
- a pinch of salt and pepper

Fry onion and add in ground beef. Add the pinch of salt and pepper to taste. After cooking set aside. In a deep fryer, fry the French fries until golden brown. Drain oil using paper towels. Add salt to taste. Set aside. In a big serving bowl or plate, arrange the nacho chips around the plate to serve as base. Then top with the cooked fries. Pour over cheese sauce. Add in ground beef as topping.

Serve!

I cannot watch a movie without three bags of these munchies or one serving of PAANI. They really are a must. Sheesh.

Now, I can't wait for next Saturday for my usual fix of my poison.

How about you? What is you poison?

20 Things I'd Like to Do and Own

1. Find my true love and get married, have 3 kids(two boys and a girl).
2. Earn the respect of my family, especially my siblings.
3. Find true friends that I can really rely on.
4. Own a house in a prestigious village in the Philippines.
5. Own a Porsche car.
6. Get my M.B.A. abroad.
7. Go on a trip to Lourdes, France and Paris with my family.
8. Go to Australia.
9. Go to Singapore.
10. Go to California in United States to visit our relatives there.
11. Be a SAP-HR Consultant.
12. Visit Palawan, Surigao, Sorsogon, Davao, Cebu and Zamboanga.
13. Buy an IPod and a Macbook.
14. Get surfing lessons.
15. Maintain my waistline at 32 and join a bikini contest at age 25 and win!
16. Learn how to play the guitar.
17. Get capoeira lessons.
18. Learn how to do ballroom dancing.
19. Get a short course in Human Resources at the University of the Philippines.
20. Get Psychology units at the University of the Philippines next semester.

Two Birds with One Stone

I have been stressed for the past weeks and yeah, I'm stressed. Its all because of work, work and more work. I actually had no time for exercise since I go home late because of those customer requirements that our office team has to deliver. So finally after so much anticipation, I had a chance to swim last Saturday to get rid of stress!

But that day, was a long day.

So I decided to swim on a Saturday afternoon since I have been missing on exercise and my body is actually missing treading in the water. Packed my stuff, and headed off to my destination. The Department of Education - Ultra Swimming Pool in Pasig. Upon arriving, I noticed that the parking lots at the pool area were packed w because normally, its not that packed during weekends. Then I saw the Ateneo seal. They were having a sports event for the high school students. That's one down. I cannot swim here. Then I decided to go to the next public pool I know. Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City. Still, luck was not at my side because the pool is in use by a certain military group that has training. I tried asking the pool personnel to let me swim until it became an argument, but in vain. It's reserved and closed to the public.

I was feeling a bit low because that pool was my only hope for training. But something sparked in my mind to search for another public pool that might exist around Metro Manila. That's it! Search. I headed to the nearest internet cafe' and Google-d for public pools around the city.

Then luck came.

The Makati Aqua Sports Arena. Hah! I actually discovered another pool. So, I immediately went to the M.R.T. to go to the place. The Makati Aqua Sports Arena is a project of the local government of Makati City for sports development of the youth there. I actually read a few write ups about the place, and heard good feedback. The complex is located beside the Makati Park and Garden( parallel to the Pasig River), J.P. Rizal Extension, West Rembo. It's just a jeepney ride away from the Guadalupe station of the Metro Rail Transit(MRT). The pool is open everyday from 8:00 am till 8:00 pm, except Mondays for maintenance. The entrance fee for swimmers are as follows:

Php 50.00 - for Makati residents
Php 150.00 - for non- Makati residents

For more information, you can contact Ms. Juvy at (02)881-59-41.

Since I'm not a Makati resident, I paid the latter. But, the amount spent was worth it because the whole complex is clean and well maintained.

After my two hour training, I felt the stress disappear from inside.

Lesson learned? Do not give up! If the first few attempts were in vain, try again, who knows? You might get what you wished for if you try hard enough! And be resourceful as well!