Farewell Date (Part 2)

We had a soothing Swedish and Shiatsu full body massage yesterday courtesy of Ms. Nila, a great masseuse of Touchpoint Spa in Tagaytay. It’s relaxing, painful (kumusta nmn ang mga lamig ko sa balikat at likod! Lol!) and a funny experience exposing our butt and my **** (I was on my chest and was surprised when she held my hand and lifted me up naked! Lol!) We went over to Alfonso last Friday, right after office and went back to Manila Saturday night together with Nay and Tay.

We’ve been longing for this day to come since this is gonna be our last date together (well at least for the next five months). We dropped the idea of IMAX Theater since we only got the second row seats reservation (but still took the chance of having a better seat thus we went over to the ticket booth early today, only to find out that only the last full show of 10pm is available and all others were fully booked). We had the Center Stage instead, anyway, the same Transformer 2: Revenge of the Fallen will be shown (sour graping! Lol!)

After we secured the 1:30pm movie tickets, we headed towards Sbarro for ‘brunch’. I had Baked Zitti in Alfredo sauce and Ham and Cheese Stromboli while Gil had Meaty Lasagna and Chicago Pasta Stuffed Pizza (seems like we’ll have our LAST lunch indeed!). It’s a whole lot ‘bland’ breakfast and lunch (if only we’d chosen Max’s or Almon Marina or Kaya Korean Restaurant instead) that we ended up asking the waiter to pack them all for take-out. Don’t get me wrong, Sbarro’s good. It has preserved the Italian/European touch in it, far beyond the typical Filipino ‘panlasa’ (or maybe we’re just expecting for tastier and more palatable Italian stuffs!).

Gil's Meaty Lasagna with Sbarro's garlic bread and Chicago Pasta Stuffed Pizza

My left-over Baked Zitti in Alfredo Sauce and Ham and Cheese Stromboli.

We’re just in time for the scheduled movie. I was just beginning to get hook at Sam Witwicky’s character (played by Shia La Beouf) when my usual PMS started (got the unexpected visitor this morning). The result? I never had much of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee for I’ve stayed a lot in the CR (I should have taken Mefenamic first before everything else!). Anyway, I bombarded Gil with questions (what happened? who is that? why is that so? Etc etc) when I came back of which he patiently answered (Thanks sweetheart!). The Transformer’s great! We did enjoy and had fun though! c”,)

Got the 18th and 19th seats! :)

I wanted to treat Gil to an ultimate experience today, so I surprised him with a Manila Bay Dining Cruise at around 5:45pm, in time for sunset- thus we proceed to CCP Harbour Square after the movie. The cruise alone is P250.00/head while cruise with dining is P495.00/head (The food is being catered by Barbara’s- a fine dining restaurant located at Intramuros, Manila).

the M/V Spirit of Manila as background :)

I’ve been to Manila for years and I’ve been seeing this ferry cruising along Manila Bay during Baywalk times (the ferry was called then My Tennessee Walker replaced by today’s M/V Spirit of Manila). I thought all along that it would cost me a fortune to try this since it catered mostly to foreigners, but I was wrong. It is ideal for couple (and was featured 2^nd to QTV’s Ang Pinaka: Romantic Valentine Getaways), families and group dates since it has live band and the center part could be used as dance floor.

Korean nationals partying! :)

The Manila Skyline is indeed breathtaking! And to witness the sunset while holding your love one's hand could truly be called 'a moment'...

Harbour Square is an ideal barkada destination since various restaurants and bars could be found along the bay as Starbucks (where the M/V Spirit of Manila docks in front), Singkit, Icebergs, Shrimps Ahoy, Teriyaki Boy, Dencio’s among others.



After the two-hour cruise, we freshen up with Icebergs’ Strawberry and Chocolate sundaes. Wanna have some? :)

It’s Gil who was craving for sisig this time thus we crossed the street towards Dencio’s after (what’s with sisig ba? lol!) I’ve heard a lot about Dencio’s ‘krispy sisig’ so why not try one? (We’ve tried their counterpart- Gerry’s Grille- and it’s superb!). Anyway, the place is great! It’s somewhat dim light with some sort of native touch on the ceilings and interiors. The krispy sisig is soOo good along with calamares with sour cream I think on the side. The whole thing was made even more mouth-watering with chili-toyomansi which Atchie- the waiter in charge-courteously handed us. (We’re glad we’ve regained the appetite we’ve lost during lunch! Lol!)




Pugad Dencio's famous Krispy Sisig and signatured Calamares.

We’ve reached home before 11pm. It's another precious day with him I'd surely treasure for the rest of my life! Something to keep for and a memory to dwell with for the next five months while he's away!

How was it?

...a bitter-sweet day knowing he'll be gone in a day or two from now. If only I could do something about it! :(

I love you so much sweetheart!
I'll surely miss you! :(

Farewell Date (Part 1)

It’s another 5-month Japan assignment for Gil.

Actually, we’re not at all expecting for this trip anymore due to the serious recessions our company is currently facing. But then, he was scheduled July 01, to return back end of November. Sad…and it would definitely mean dose of adjustments on both sides. We have each other every minute of the day till the wee hours (his residence is just a stone-throw away from mine and that we went to the same office together). But this is of course a blessing we should be thankful of…

We planned of going to Alfonso, Cavite today to visit his Nay and Tay and their newly constructed house, which is just a few minutes travel from Tagaytay proper. But due to some important reasons, we decided to have it next weekend. Since the planned activity was postponed, I thought we’d just stay home and have the usual dvd marathon till the wee hours. Surprisingly, he invited me out. With no directions at all, we landed at SM Mall of Asia and have a one-on-one Bowling tournament. (Fee is P120/head per game + P30 shoe rental).

waiting lounge

We used to have Bowling Tournament sponsored by the company twice a year, but unfortunately, we won’t have it this year (Another effect of global recessions!). **Sigh!

Some of our pictures-in-action:

Strike?

Grabe sa pose eh noh? :)

this is it! haha!:)

eto pa! :)

this is mine! :)

gil's (yipee!)

pictures-in-between

As gentleman as Gil could be, he managed to maintain considerable gap between our scores. Haha! :D (I love you sweetheart!) In fairness to him, he did well…I’m just a little more sporty in and out (hindi naman obvious sa figure! Lol!)


I was craving for sisig then and so we proceed to food court after along with inihaw na pusit and sautéed vegetables from Inihaw Express. Yum! Yum! Sad, cam battery’s low (sigh!).

…till next update!
(Farewell Date Part 2: to be posted soon!)

why 'ZEBY'?

Gil and I were usually asked ‘why ZEBY’ of all the endearments possible?

It was not actually planned. We used to call each other ‘bes’ or ‘besy’ (yah, we started as such!) during which he was still committed to someone else, and so do I.

Obviously, the relationships we had then didn’t materialized and we were lucky to be in an I-fell-in-love-with-my-best friend-stories who cling to each other though thick and thin.

The ‘zeby’ and ‘zeb’ was just a transposition error (using ‘z’ instead of ‘s’) committed during our constant emails especially during those times he was in Japan. I personally preferred using ‘zeby’ and ‘zeb’ for a change, and so was he. It’s a whole lot different though it means the same as ‘besy’ or ‘bes’, at least for that time.

And so ‘zeby’ and ‘zeb’ came out.

It was just recently that I thought of searching what ‘zeb’ really means. And this is what I’ve found: (Taken from www.baby-names-meanings.net)

Name: Zeb
Abbreviation of: Zebedee, Zebediah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Portion of the Lord, Gift from God

I always thought of him as God’s gift but I never thought I was actually telling him such whenever I call him ‘zeb’ (isn’t it amazing?)

Now, why ZEBY?
...because he’s God’s gift!

yabyu zeb…
Happy monthsary! c",)

The Cafe Mediterranean Experience

Since it’s my birthday, Tita Ting treated us out to an authentic Greek Mediterranean experience. Together with Gil, Ms. Ruthie (also a birthday celebrant and granddaughter of the late National Artist Levi Celerio) and Tita Ting’s son Byron, we went over to The Café Mediterranean at Greenbelt 1 here in Makati.


It was our first time (except for tita Ting and Byron), and we were so excited since we have heard a lot about this Middle Eastern cuisine and it was tita Ting’s personal favorite. The place is a not so big yet not-so-small cozy café with authentic designs, paintings, warm-colored walls, clunky wooden tables and chairs and a great Mediterranean ambiance with soft Greek music being played on the background. We had a hard time ordering as if we’re reciting excerpts from their Mediterranean menu (It’s tongue-twistingly fun! Glad the staffs were very well trained and educated about everything on the list. Lol!).

Since our goal was to pamper our taste buds, why not start with the Sampler plate of Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, Tzatziki, Falafel and Tabbouleh together with the whole-wheat pita bread for a glorious perfect dip! (Café Med’s original Garlic sauce is also available for additional taste!)

Hummus-Classic garbanzo & sesame dip from the Middle East.
Baba Ghanoush-also know as “moutabal”, an eggplant and tahini dip
Tzatziki-Cucumber, yogurt and mint dip.
Falafel- Crunchy garbanzo croquettes
Tabbouleh- Tomatoes, flat-leaf-parsley & cracked wheat.











We also had Tabbouleh Salad with chicken and cucumber, which is my personal favorite. (It’s crunchy, it’s tasty and guiltlessly delicious!)


True to the essence of a healthy Mediterranean diet is Mediterranea Pizza- a thin crust pizza topped with sundried tomatoes, black olives, grilled eggplant, zucchini and anchovies. It goes a lot more delectable with the Café’s special hot sauce, which is, believe me… really HOT!! !

For those who have sweet tooth as Gil, you will definitely love Baklava- the classic Mediterranean pastry with layers of filo, pistachio and walnuts. It’s crunchy on the outside yet chewy and filling on the inside.

The café is also known for Gyros or Greek sandwiches (it is also called Gyro Café or Gyro Mediterranean). They have also substantial courses as kebabs, pasta with Mediterranean touch and entrees like moussaka and lamb stew served in either pita, buttered rice, rice pilaf or couscous. Then, why not have Moroccan mint tea afterwards for a whole all-Greek experience!!!



We really had a great time and swear to come back again! I’ve asked for a leaflet and still recited some of their authentic dishes on our way home. Come everyone!! Repeat after me:

Prosciutto e Pomodoro Secchi…
Quattro Formaggi…
Tartufo al Cioccolato…
etc etc etc…c”,)

twenty five

It’s my 25th birthday today.
I’m trying not to think about it since yesterday, but seems this is one thing I cannot control. I was touched receiving a txt from gil just after the first wink of my eyes this morning, to quote:

“Zeby happy bday po..I love you so much! I wish u happiness in its true sense. Not of silver and gold, but of faith and love. Thru hardship and ease I will hold your hand and keep you by my side. Don’t forget to smile to others, it drives away bad mood and wrinkles. c”,) I will always be here for you….”

I just can’t help but cry. That’s one of the many things I love about him…the sincerity, the warmth in every word and the passion were there. I was just so blessed having him…my most precious gift ever!

You know what, I never really like celebrating birthday at all! I’m not accustomed of being greeted by everyone aware of the event. I’m not used to having the attention of everyone. It’s nice being remembered by people. But that’s far off my personality maybe.

Another thing is that, I’m not sure if I had made it! I have reached my 25th year on earth yet I have this feeling that I have not given my full potential yet career wise speaking thus I can’t feel the utmost benefits of it in return.

Whatever it is, I’m glad to be blessed with another year on earth. May the good Lord shower upon me good health, inner peace and happiness. May He continue to use me as instrument for the welfare of the people around me. And so, may God lead me to the career I’m longing of having, if this isn’t the right one yet.

my 24th bday bash

I remembered being surprised by Gil’s family on my birthday last year. Gil was in Japan then and since I have no one to spend my birthday with (I only have my brother with me, the rest is in Quezon province), I decided to spend the night with them together with my brother JV and Tita Lally, our office keeper and a second mom to Gil.

I have with me a ‘bilao’ of Pancit Malabon and a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts (part of my 1-month supply doughtnuts given to 1st 300 customers during the Krispy Kreme’s Ayala Branch opening). Speechless, I was amazed seeing bandehadong Pork Hamonado (Nay’s specialty), pininyahang manok, fried bangus and tilapia and a birthday cake on the table. Obviously, it was Gil’s idea but Nay and Tay said they were really going to cook something for me as their birthday present even without Gil’s request.

a birthday feast! =)

surprised and speechless! :)

Amber's Pancit Malabon

Gil called up during the dinner (the loudspeaker was set on so that everybody could join the conversation). How I missed him then! Imagine yourself spending your special day with his family, in their residence and later, having his room for the night without him around…whoooaah! The feeling was terribly unbearable!

miss you zeb! (I was actually talking with him on the phone!)

from left: tay,nay, me, tita lally, gil's siblings glen and she =)

The feeling of being loved by your significant other’s family is indeed overwhelming! I have found my second family in them, the feeling of not being away from home at all…

Gil gave me a Canon Ixy 910IS digital cam as his birthday gift. =)