Friends Corner: A collection of stories with friends

Friends Corner: Jo's inspiring career =)

Last Saturday, we went over to Joey’s new house at Las Pinas (Jo’s a BFF, from college to-date). With me was Rose (the head over heels--), Jenny Rose (the organizer), Cath (the senti) and boyfriend Seb and Rey (Miguel Ramirez as Echo’s new role on his new soap…yah! nickname changes accdng to Echo’s roles! Lol!). Missing were Nitch (my blooming kambal), Neil (the genius) and future mom Ivy (the group’s bunso).

jo, jR, me and rose sa dining table =)

jo, jR, rose and rey at tita's room

jo's green room

Jo’s in a vacation from Qatar where he works as an auditor. It was exactly a year when he left and yet he already had this new townhouse worth 4M (3.6M house worth plus furnishings of around 400k plus a new Toyota Innova). Of course they're under years of amortization but for a 24-year old like him, he’s surely a son tita and tito must be proud of! More blessings to come Jo (and more treats and more chocos for us! Lol!)

Friends Corner: Ivy's becoming a wife and future mom =)

Last month, we were surprised to learn Ivy getting married to her 4-year boyfriend (4-5 years maybe) Jasper whom she’d cried and love since the stoned-age begun (worth it naman pala lahat ng ‘emperador’ at ‘lambanog’ we had then and how you swept away your own mess- as in suka! Harhar!) Best wishes Ivy and Jasper! (Though we’re not able to attend the wedding held at Pola, Oriental Mindoro). We’re so excited to see baby CAM soon (Christian Andrew Miguel)- the 1st baby of the group. Congratulations! *HUGS*

a bridal dinner at Coco Cabana Grill and Restaurant (from left: me, jR, neil, rose, rey, ivy and nitch-the photographer)

the orig trio: ivy's in the middle

Friends Corner: Ate Ana's Cafe Agogo Treat =)

We’re on our way to the office Friday noon (Aug.7) from our annual check-up when the heavy rain poured down. I was with Ate Anna, an officemate, and was surprised when she held my hand and headed me towards a door along the way (Salcedo St. in Makati). It was a café and bar in one named Café Agogo. Inside was a group of girls having a great time with their buckets of beers (the fact that it was only 11am). The place is not a typical café though it’s air-conditioned. Wooden chairs of different sizes and styles as well as tables were scattered in a homey manner. We chose the mini table in a corner near the counter. Experimental as I am, I tried their Aligue Pasta (Believe me, it’s delicious! But beware with the cholesterol! Lol!) And roast beef Deli Sandwich (a typical roast beef sandwich perhaps) while Ate Anna had Spaghetti in beef and mushroom sauce and Tuna Pianino together with a gigantic glass of iced tea. (I‘ll let you try these when you come home zeb, don’t worry!)

Friends Corner: Ibey's advance birthday treat at Tender Bob's =)

I’m about to go home from office Monday night (Aug.17) when the phone rang. It was Coni Ibey, a newfound friend from Bank of Tokyo- one of our company’s banks- asking me to accompany her in buying a dress for her birthday on Sat (We’re usually regarded as twins or sisters. My pleasure! She’s beautiful!). I was having a second thought actually but I already saw her in the elevator when I came out (the bank is in the 15th floor of the bldg while we’re at the 21st). We ended up at Edsa Shangri-la and nearby Rustans and invaded Shang’s boutiques as Zara, GAP, Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Esprit and Kashieca. Finally, we ended up at Tender Bob’s (it’s closing time, too bad we didn’t able to buy any!) where I had Mussels Pasta and Green Mango shake (always) while she had Baked Ziti. Good News: I brought with me my cam. Bad News: Battery’s empty! *GAWD* (Belated Happy Birthday Ibey! Thanks for the treat! Mwah!).

Friends Corner: Joy's change of clothes lines =)

I was craving for french-fries thus I asked Joy, a friend and officemate, to accompany me after office to Mc Donalds and to have some sort of window shopping na rin, Thursday (Aug.20). We dropped by the newly opened Glorietta-5 along Ayala and surveyed the whole building (wala pala syang pathway going to other Gloriettas). After an hour or two, we went to the old Glorietta and canvass dresses and apparels. I used to know Joy favoring much on Ensembles but having been around with Tita Ting (a certified self-confessed Giordano, Levis and Esprit fanatic), she was now into Esprit, Plains and Prints and the like. We ended up the night with a combo meal of spaghetti, roasted chicken and iced tea from Kenny Rogers. (Kumusta naman ang ‘craving for french-fries intro ko? Oh well, appetite changes! lol!)

Friends Corner: Tita Ting's brands passion =)

Impressed with the dress and apparels of ForMe (a sister company boutique of Penshoppe, etc), Tita Ting, my manager and mentor, invited me over at Glorietta to try some. After OT (its holiday-Ninoy Aquino day-yet we’re working! Hay!), we went straight to Glorietta where I’ve had this dark blue office blouse while she had a short shorts. She treated me out to French Baker after where I’ve tried Creamy Seafood Fettuccine Pasta while she had Vegetable Lasagna and refreshing Lemonade. We parted ways at Landmark and went home straight for we still have OT works tomorrow (another busy Saturday) *SIGH*

Friends Corner: Ate Pheng's Visit =)

I didn’t able to see Ate Pheng (a friend since grade school) as much as I want to during her 10 days visit from Korea. We’re supposed to meet Monday or Tuesday (Aug.17 or 18) but I haven’t received any txt from her (I thought she didn’t received my email stating my contacts, or maybe she did txt but I remember I exchanged sim cards Monday night for my other phone’s outgoing call is not working). I was so disappointed receiving a txt from her Aug24 (Monday) saying she’ll be going back to Korea that afternoon. *SIGH* Anyway, I’m sure she did enjoy her vacation, and that I somehow helped by not stealing a single time of her so she may spend more time with family. *WINK* (You may consider inviting us to Korea ate pheng, for a change! Lol!) We will surely meet again Phoebe dear, in time. =) Mishu Mishu! *HUGS*

Bezy' Corner: Gil's Secret of the Masters

Finally, Gil- my ultimate best friend (and crush! Oops! Top secret yun ha!). He has now learned new cooking menus as sautéed cabbage, ground meat and tofu in cornstarch sauce (imagine it yourself!), personally made burger patties, lechon paksiw con patatas, adobo ala mashed potato and the Japanese version of graham cake (zeby cooking ala chef sa Secret of the Masters db?!) Looking forward to taste all those sweetheart! And hey- I LOVE YOU!

‘Till next update! c”,)

hello zeby?

It’s been a while…and it’s been months without him around. (I hate this mushy feeling I’m usually in!) Sigh! :’c

Okay…okay…back to reality! Gil used to call me from Japan thru this KDDI Super World Card- a Prepaid card for International and Domestic Calls, which cost him 1150yen per card (closed to Pph600) and could be used for 18 minutes using landlines or 24 minutes using cell phones, depending on available means.

It was an officemate and his wife who introduced us to our very own Globe TipIDD Card- a prepaid International Call Card. I’d usually have the P100 denomination, which allows me a 12-minute voice call to Gil using my own Globe simed-handset (sometimes it exceeds to 14 minutes). Later on, I discovered the PLDT Budget Card, same 12 to 14-minute worth of call to Japan but using PLDT landlines instead.

To save on airtime charges, he did maintained a mobile phone line in Japan (courtesy of Sir Toto who was assigned 4 months ahead of him) thus we’re able to enjoy a cheaper means of communication (Imagine the previous Php600 worth of call card to today’s Pph100 card cost- of closely same airtime length). SMS is not a problem anymore too for he has availed roaming services from Globe, made possible thru a 3G capable handset acceptable in Japan.

Bravo (hooray! hooray!) to the modern and innovative technology we have nowadays for we’re able to enjoy clearer, faster and cheaper services without spending much on costs!

Btw, I came across with his previous letters, cards and similar stuffs in my files and found a bunch of KDDI Super World cards consumed during his last year’s assignment dated March to July ‘08. Would you believe I have found 40 pieces of cards of 1150yen each? (That’s around Pph23, 000.00).
I counted mine…and was surprised too! I had 25 used cards with me of Pph100 each…for July alone! We still have 4 long months to go and if we’ll be spending the same Pph2, 500 airtime cost each month, the total of Pph12, 500 would be around half of last year’s expenses.

Still, wish we could somehow be introduced to the word ‘savings’! lol!

‘Till next post! =)

a tribute to Tita Cory

“Magkaisa (may pag-asa kang matatanaw) At magsama (bagong umaga, bagong araw)Kapit-kamay (sa atin Siya'y nagmamahal)Sa bagong pag-asa”

a pic from the net in Paseo de Roxas after a short ceremony at Ninoy's monument

I’ve been one of those thousands of people who lined-up Ayala Avenue during the Funeral convoy of former President Corazon Aquino as her remains was transferred from Greenhills to Manila Cathedral. I, together with my colleagues, manager and even our Japanese General Manager went down all the way from the 21st floor of our building at around 11:30 that noon to witness and bid our last tribute and respect. (I have with me an N70 phone, took pictures and videos but don't have card reader available. *Sigh!) The convoy came at around 1pm (Yes! We managed to endure the 1.5hours of heat! Lol!).

I was about to just peek in, so I did not bring umbrella and even hanky with me. But to my great surprise, for that particular noon, Ayala Avenue became the witness of the suppressed cries of the Filipino people. Everybody’s chanting Cory! Cory! Cory! There were yellow banners with Pres. Cory and Senator Ninoy Aquino’s face on them, people were in their ‘LABAN’ signs, yellow ribbons, and balloons and confetti’s were raining everywhere.

It was as if I’ve been pushed to the street to experience ‘again’ what it feels like being a Filipino. We walked along the crowd, a familiar scenario during our ‘Iskolar ng Bayan’ college days. Actually, for me, the whole thing was not just to pay tribute to the late president in particular. It is mourning for the passing of somebody who stands firmly to what is right thru the mightiest weapon of all- the rosary. It is applauding somebody for the triumphant battle she just made in her life’s journey and the silent cry of hope of the Filipino people for transparent and honest governance as she’d shown.

Everything has been said. Every detail has been written.

I didn’t able to participate in the 1986 EDSA Revolt for I was what? 2 years old? But somehow, I did able to give my share in this generations’ farewell thanks to the one responsible for the democracy we’re enjoying these days. I may not be able to meet her personally anymore, but I’m thankful I’ve had much of her that I may tell to my kids in the future.

To President Cory, thank you very much! We owe you a lot!

Experiencing DADS

In honor of fathers who instilled in us admonitions and legacies, especially in eating and kitchen manners, DADS- the Ultimate Buffet was introduced. (I myself learned those from mama, but I remember papa providing and preparing all my favorites- seafoods in particular- whenever I’d have the chance to visit my hometown- Gumaca, Quezon). DADS showcase continental buffet, Saisaki Japanese specialties and Kamayan’s authentic Filipino cuisine in one.

It was an unexpected dinner with Dhel- Gil’s best friend and wife Chele at DADS in Glorietta last July 20. They’re just in a vacation from Singapore and I thought all along that I would just get Dhel’s pasalubong for Gil since he’s not around and that I’ll treat them out to coffee as to Gil’s request and to give the Chocolate Marjolaine from Red Ribbon for their kids. With them were Ann and Venz, Chele’s friends who’ve been Gil’s ‘especial’ friends once (I was surprised and pleased at the same time meeting them in person!). I already met the couple once and it’s not really a big deal mingling with them for they’re very friendly (the friendship Dhel and Gil have is superb! They were like brothers actually!)

picture ops before the buffet feast

Back to DADS, it has an eat-all-you-can, no-left-over concept (So beware! You might fill-in your plate to the fullest without you knowing! Lol!) It is also the usual choice of ‘balikbayan’ families since it has a wide array of cuisines as Italian, Mexican, Korean, Japanese, French, American and authentic Filipino dishes. There were kebabs too and a lot lot more I couldn’t remember names anymore! Bakit ba eh I’m busy picking up this one, that one, that also…and everything else! Lol! I’m already in the midst of my feast when I learned of the no-left-over concept! Haha! I have no choice though! Forget about the diet issues! Lol!

my humble plate (sori, can't help it!)

help yourself!

kimchii, anyone?

unlimited foods, anywhere!

I was so full I thought I couldn’t make it to dessert anymore! But the salad bar was so tempting (green salad is my favorite!) along with the blueberry cheesecakes, leche flan (caramel custard) and luscious chocolate fondue! (I’ve tried dipping chunks of apple and pineapple aside from champola after seeing it done by someone! Haha! I was totally clueless how it’s being done! Lol!) Cakes, mousses, pies, different flavors of ice creams, muffins among others were available too.

dessert =)

dhel and the salad bar

oh so yummy chocolate fondue!

We're already being serenaded by the resto's band when I remembered I’m a SEAFOOD enthusiast! Where seems to be the seafoods gone? =) Yes I had tempura, crab sticks and a slice of squid with broccoli. But if I was in my usual self (nawindang dw ba? dami kz choices eh! Haha!) I might indulge with more shrimps, more squids, more crabs, and more seashells to name a few! Lol!

Before we go, Dhel handed me a big white box of Diesel watch for Gil while Chele gave us boxes of Cadbury chocolates and Merlion key chains. It felt like having a new bunch of friends with them. If only Gilbert was with us (Ikaw nlng kulang zeb!) =(

To the couple, my late thank you!
Wish we could meet you again, hopefully in Singapore this time.
Our best regards! =)