Eastwood on a Friday night, payday yet

We got to Eastwood at close to 8 p.m. after hearing mass in the parish. There was quite a crowd in the area between Eastwood Mall and that which houses the likes of Make Room and Office Warehouse. Oh, I remembered Sitti had a concert. I received tickets to it a few days back. But we craved food more than entertainment at that point and besides there were so many people.

We went to Flying Pig on the ground floor. It is beside BluFish. And one can order from either, no problem.

We ordered the fried lechorito or something that sounds like that. A quarter portion that came with one siding. For that we chose the basmati rice and ordered fontina gratin extra. Shortly after, a bowl of onion soup came with a slice of french bread topped with cheese. One big bowl. We asked if we could have the soup divided into 2 portions for husband and me to share. With a smile, one of the waiters said yes. And when the soup came back in two cups, guess what? Each cup had a slice of bread with cheese on top. How’s that for hospitality.

Then the pork quarter came. It was the leg portion. Wow, it was great. The rice was dry, therefore unexciting. The lechon sauce was terrific and the fontina gratin was okay too. Oh yes, the soup was marvelous.

The rice that came with the dish wasn’t too plentiful so we ordered a cup of garlic rice. Well this took a long time coming, longer than the lechorito did comparatively speaking. we had to ask 3 different waiters and finally the third delivered, with an apology. Asked him for the menu of desserts. Again this took a long time coming. Asked a second waiter for the same menu and it came. The waiter we had originally asked for the dessert menu dropped by some time later and asked if we had gotten the menu and I told him we decided not to order dessert any longer. There were just so many people so one couldn’t really fault the waiters. Besides they were a pleasant lot, gracious, nice.

Pictures of the Flying Pig high – same subject, many angles:

Got sandals at Charles & Keith. They have some items on sale. The Naturalizer sandals of my friend has a clone there going for less than 1100 pesos. But I think they had it in broken sizes, so good luck to whoever is in search of sandals on sale.

Went to Fully Booked to buy a magazine for Naturalizer friend. Magazine is called simply M. A brief perusal showed that the magazine is on Mindanao, I guess that’s why it’s called M. But I may be wrong. Also looked at travel books and dreamed. Bought some nice gift wrapping paper. They no longer come cheap. Lila and Nana sells at P18 per. Fiesta Greetings wrappers sell at P13.25 I think.

On to DIY. Guess what we got there? Turtle food. Yes, it has turtle food, dog shampoos, dog conditioners, etc. The place is an admixture of hardware stuff et al. Reminds me of True Value. Same owner, I think? Mr. Gokongwei. Good service.

having failed to get dessert at Flying Pig, we hied off to UCC. Wow, another crowded place. The security guard smilingly let us in. A girl in red recommended the tiramisu. I went back to our table and wished for water. But everyone was so busy so I asked husband to get me a glass of water. It was so cold and refreshing. I must have had 4 glasses. These were small glasses though. After reminding the girl in red of our orders, they finally came. Husband had ordered caffe latte ice cream. But the order came in a tall glass. And the girl announced it was caffe latte. I asked husband, “you changed your order? Didn’t you ask for ice cream?” So he asked the girl if what the thing in the tall glass was: caffe latte but not ice cream. They promptly changed it. Then my tiramisu came. A very huge portion that 3 people could share. Not cheap, though.

In the end, I wondered whether I should leave a tip because we virtually had little service – it almost was self-service for us. But I did leave a tip because as my husband and I talked while wheeling out, everyone still had a smile and even the security guard said to us, “balik kayo ha” and he was helping out the waitresses, fixing magazines that fell and doing other stuff. How nice to see a resto where everyone is busy but everyone can still manage a smile and to just help beyond one’s assignment. UCC’s management should commend its complement tonight, July 31, 2009. What a team.

As for Eastwood Mall, it has become our haunt of choice for the past weeks. One, it is nearer our house and thank you BF for opening a U-turn slot not too far away. Two, the place is not too crowded, a cross between Podium and Shangrila. Now, if only it had a grocery. And maybe, a drug store. In fact, while we were in Gingersnaps, a young man asked, “is there a convenience store in the building?

Hint, hint, EM management. Planet Sports will open soon. My son will be happy. A music store would make him even happier.

Oh one fly in the ointment was this man in Globe. My, was he bored. He seemed like he was about to sleep. He answered us languidly. Husband said he looked like he couldn’t wait for the mall to close shop. ho, ho-hum. He needed a shot of adrenalin. The lady with him was nonchalant. Only the guard was alert.

Hope Springs Eternal

While waiting for the next episodes of He Who Can’t Marry, I ventured into watching Shining Inheritance in mysoju.com. One guy was so cute: Sunjie. But I noticed he was hardly in the telenovela and I had a sneaking suspicion that… still hope sprang eternal for me. I kept wishing that… By the 20th episode, I was almost sure that… So I went to the 28th episode immediately after the 20th and found out that… Darn…

What I did is a family thing. My father used to laugh at my mother who couldn’t wait to know how a story ended so she’d always go to the last chapter to find out. Sigh. In the case of SI, I won’t bother to go to the episodes I skipped even as I am curious why …

I wonder if the actor who portrayed Sunjie has other telenovelas. he looks like a worthy leading man so why…

odds and ends – cooking, PLDT, Meralco, BPI

Son is leaving in a month’s time so I thought it fit to start his cooking class today. Yesterday, I did the groceries and bought a slice of squash for making into pumpkin soup. I thought he should do it.

So he did. As I guess I did before, he was very slow moving. I wanted to take over. And it occurred to me that possibly, our cook, Vir, felt the way I did this morning. I am sure she too wanted to get the ladle from me and cook away. But I waited things out, giving him advice not found in cookbooks but learned through years of intermittent cooking and baking. I also advised him that there are things one learns through experience, that I couldn’t tell him how long the stove should be on high before being switched downwards. And he learned fast. He adjusted the heat as he saw fit. The broth having been cooked for 30 minutes and the squash and carrots in another sauce pan cooked in butter for just as long, he set about pureeing the latter and straining the former before combining and reheating the mixture. He tasted it, I did too. And while it was great tasting to my mind, he thought it lacked a taste that lingered. He thought and thought hard: not tabasco which he had earlier added though it wasn’t in the recipe. Neither pepper. Not bacon bits. Eureka, it occurred to him. Cheez Whiz. And while I prefer things measured, he just scooped out from the bottle. After he put some of the pumpkin soup into his bowl, he wondered what would make it look pretty: leaves, he said. I didn’t have mint or basil fresh. I did have parsley flakes. So he put some and freshly ground pepper and took some shots. I haven’t seen the pictures yet, though.

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Weroam – yesterday I got a call from PLDT asking for details – email address, home address, etc. I was qualified to get a weroam thingy. Rate per hour of use would be P20, but the contraption was going to be given me for free because of our dsl plan (P1995). Wonder when it will get to us.

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Finally, BPI’s bank statement came, 23 days after I had complained. Two separate envelopes arrived: one with pages 1 and 2 of 4, the other with all four pages. Lamely, I say “alleluia”.

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Meralco – this a.m., a man from Meralco shouted through the gate to turn off our computers as they were going to cut off power. What’s that again? I was aghast. Why? I called 16211. She asked for the ID of their personnel, truck number, etc. I asked husband to go to the Meralco person to ask what the request was about. He found out they were going to reseal our meters. I was surprised because we had received no notice to the effect, neither had we requested for our meters to be resealed.

the lady at the end of 16211 upon hearing this said they indeed had such a campaign. Why weren’t we informed previously? Sigh.

Artistas and basketball players on TV

Two people stand out, both from the same school: what do they share in common that so irks me?

Their chewing gum while the camera is focused on them. Okay, let this be a blind item post.

They come from the same school that is the reason why the sky is blue. The artista is a big one from a big network. One time he was being interviewed, not in the studio, but while walking or something. All the time he punctuated his sentences with gum chewing. Disgusting, I thought.

The basketball player – his team had won and the camera was focused on the best player of the game. He was behind the best player of the game, busily chewing gum. He looked so rakish, it was off-putting, okay a major turn-off.

Why my aversion to gum chewers? Back in grade school and high school, the Benedictine nuns disallowed us from chewing gum in school for two reasons: we looked like goats doing so and like prostitutes in the bases. I’m not making this up. Chances are, my schoolmates will not have forgotten the same missive.

Chew gum where no one can see you or to keep the pressure in your ears manageable while flying up in the air.

Update on BPI Bank Statement

In a post some days ago, I mentioned how I still hadn’t received my bank statement from BPI which I had request in June, got 2 pages short, requested again in early July. It’s a day to the end of the month, still no sign of the statement.

Why Bpi? I expected better service than this. sad.

Little Asia in Tomas Morato

A balikbayan friend planed in a few days ago and I thought of treating her out to dinner. Invited 3 friends to make up the group. The oldest of the 3 lives in Kamuning and we were to pick her up so I   decided the resto should be in Tomas Morato. First thought was Alba’s buffet but at P650 per, I thought it a bit too expensive. Then there was Mario’s, which isn’t cheap either. Son wanted Amici and I had reserved a table there but was told it would be too noisy. Also reserved in Omakase until one of the 3 suggested Little Asia.

Off to Munchpunch I went, to check on the menu and reviews. Amici didn’t have rave reviews and the rating in terms of stars wasn’t too encouraging. Litlle Asia had very good ratings and the menu looked promising. So to Little Asia we went.

We arrived just in the nick of time. There was parking available in front of Mocha Blends which is right beside LA. Two of the three said they would be coming late but as our orders took quite a while to come, they were able to join us before we could even take a bite.

Our orders consisted of emperor fried rice (instead of asado it has Chinese chorizo), fish with creamy cheese, crispy fried chicken which is their specialty, broccoli with shrimp and mushrooms, and chicken with orange and honey glaze. What????? Two kinds of chicken dishes?

Yes, you read right. i wanted to try the house specialty while husband wanted the orange chicken. So, for an everyone happy state, I ordered both.

the verdict: everything was just so great tasting. In fact, I really liked everything except for the crispy chicken, maybe because I got a breast portion. My personal favorites were the fish, the rice, the orange chicken. The shrimp too. See? I told you. And later, we ordered mango crepe with nutella and my, it was very good.

And guess what? It cost less than P400 per head.  To think we had two orders of the rice, oh and a bowl of beef rice for son (he cannot eat fried rice because he is allergic to shrimp). We also each had a drink.

Can’t wait to revisit Little Asia.

GO’ Nuts Katipunan 4408747

Che of Go ‘Nuts Donuts in Katipunan is one of the nicest ever order taker by phone I have ever encountered. More or less clueless about the flavors of GND, I asked her to enumerate them and she did, with a smile in her voice. She gave me the price for a dozen –P285, I think if one gets the special flavors — if that price is wrong, blame my memory, not her. And when I reached P250 worth of choices, she said I was entitled to one free pizza. So, of course, I was surprised that they now have pizza. One can get it frozen or heated. She also volunteered the info that if my order reached P270 I was entitled to two free pizzas. So we tried to reach that goal and when my choices reached P265, she suggested a choco chip cookie that costs P5. That meant 2 free pizzas: pepperoni, she said was good and garlic and cheese a best-seller. I asked about barbecue flavored pizza and she said that was her favorite. I said I wanted to try all three so she suggested I order one garlic and cheese and no more cookie. My total bill I think is 294 pesos. Sorry if the figures are not exact, but suffice it to say that this post is mainly to laud Che of Go’Nuts Katipunan. Service with such patience and a happy smile as can be gleaned from her voice.

Congratulations to GND for hiring such a gem. (Che just called to inform me that her computation was wrong: it should have been P297. She was profuse in her apologies and I am truly impressed with this young lady. Her mistake hasn’t diminished my admiration one bit. If anything, it has increased it.)

GND, though, doesn’t deliver.

Calvin and Hobbes on ethics

Cartoon strip from http://pactiss.org/resources/media-articles-cartoons/Ethics.jpg

Text from http://chquotes.synthasite.com/oquotes.php

Calvin: Today at school, I tried to decide whether to cheat on my test or not. I wondered, is it better to do the right thing and fail…or is it better to do the wrong thing and succeed? On the one hand, undeserved success gives no satisfaction…but on the other hand, well-deserved failure gives no satisfaction either. Of course, most everybody cheats some time or other. People always bend the rules if they think they can get away with it. Then again, that doesn’t justify my cheating. Then I thought, look, cheating on one little test isn’t such a big deal. It doesn’t hurt anyone. But then I wondered if I was just rationalizing my unwillingness to accept the consequence of not studying. Still, in the real world, people care about success, not principles. Then again, maybe that’s why the world is such a mess. What a dilemma!

Hobbes: So what did you decide?

Calvin: Nothing. I ran out of time and I had to turn in a blank paper.

Hobbes: Anymore, simply acknowledging the issue is a moral victory.

Calvin: Well, it just seemed wrong to cheat on an ethics test.

Talent Contests on Eat Bulaga

The subjective element is ever present. When before the contestants perform their sub stories are told, that colors the judgment of the judges.

Last week, a man who had this cute dog who could do tricks won in the kahit sino pwede portion because among other things, I think that he brought this dog to entertain cancer patients, especially children, tugged. So even if it was the dog more than the man that showed talent and it wasn’t too unusual at that, the man won.

Just now, birit baby was on. Husband and son were one in saying the first contestant was the better singer – effortless and rare vocal talent – male soprano. But the second contestant won. Before he sang, the mother related how he was a MIRACLE baby because she had lost the first one during pregnancy and this one was at risk to when he was in her womb.

Can’t contestants be anonymous until they win? The way essay contests, or at least most of them, are conducted where a participant has to come up with a pseudonym and not indicate her real identity in her essay?

Contests should be conducted fairly and squarely for results to be accurate. Don’t you agree?

Mark your calendars: September 11-16 at Rockwell Tent

Every year, I try my best to go to the ANP-mounted Negros Trade Fair. It’s been 24 years now and it has transferred venues from the Ayala parking building along EDSA, to World Trade in Roxas Boulevard, to Shangrila Mall, to SM Megamall and then Gateway. For the past so many years, though, it has been at the Rockwell Tent and I think, in a sense, it has found its home in Manila. This year, the dates to watch out for are September 11 to 16. While in the past the fair would always coincide with the Guardian Angels Fair in Ateneo, now it is some two weeks earlier which means I can go more easily. Or there’s always the Wheelmobile.

The line-up of products is interesting, but what excites me really are the food items. Casa Carmela, I see, is into malunggay  stuff. Can’t wait to try that and to get the pili concoctions, piayitos, palitos, etc.

For  some of the other things to expect, read on. Materials were sent by a cousin.

Thanks, Millie.

(Will post the rest of the picture soon)

SUGAR FARM ORGANICS

An assortment of jams, jellies and dried pineapple preserves from choice pineapples grown in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, the Province’s newest cool mountain Destination. By Sugar Farm Organics

BOGS BREW

A truly Bacolod beer, Bog’s Brew’s unique essence and flavor comes as a result of its use of two raw materials most abundant in Negros: mountain spring water and muscovado sugar. It comes in several variants: India Pale Ale, Aussie Pale Ale, Czech Pilsener, Canadian Blonde, Mexican Cerveza, Euro Lager and Negros All-Grain. This brew will make its Metro Manila debut at the 24th Negros Trade Fair. By Bogs Brew

MANON

Cuffs embellished with intricately imbedded and creatively designed patterns of Mother of Pearls, Fresh Water Pearls and Wooden Beads. By Manon.

CRISVIL

Crystal Studded fine leather cut-outs from a unique and interesting neckpiece from which a single onyx and glass beads hang. By Crisvil Creations

ART ENERGY

Simple, yet dramatic. This set of Nesting Tables of Mahogany wood with quality finish and workmanship can become both a functional and ornamental part of any room. By Art Energy

CASA CARMELA

Malunggay Series. This award winning wellness food collection features creative uses of malunggay (moringa) whose health benefits have been promoted world-wide. The collection includes Casa Carmela Piayitos (crisp and thin bite-size piayas) speckled with malunggay flakes, baked polvoron with organic muscovado sugar an malunggay- (an easy way to get one’s kids love to consume this vegetable), Sea-Salt with Malunggay Flakes. By Casa Carmela

HACIENDA CRAFTS

Hacienda Hanging Lamp. Free Form weaving of Rattan, which result in a graceful symphony of lace-like cut-out-effects, breathes life into a circular hanging lamp of resin. By Hacienda Crafts.

VITO

Vito’s Lamp. Award-winning hanging chandelier of sea urchin shells becomes an interesting piece when lighted, as each shell’s pattern, texture and form is pronounced. By Vito Prints

REYCON’S PINA CLOTH

Shawl- Soft Hues and Bright tones woven together put life into woven pashmina and pina cloth. By Reycon’s Pina Cloth

FRESH START ORGANICS

Saponified oils, VCO, scents made by hand in Negros Occidental. By Fresh Start Organic Personal Care

VICMIK ENTERPRISES

Isa Lovina’s Vicmik Enterprises’ Signature Craftsmanship and artistry on fabric will once again be made available to the patrons of the 24th Negros Trade Fair, after having taken a leave during last year’s fair. By Vicmik Enterprises

PING’S KNITWEAR

Knits of various shapes, sizes lengths and combinations to fit all figures and to suit all tastes will be available at the 24th Negros Trade Fair. They provide a nostalgic element to this fair which once brought to Metro Manila a full complement of exhibitors of the knitwear craft. By Pings Knitwear.

CARMELINAS

Award-winning, Carmelina’s Turon Imperial are reminiscent of Spanish turrons but are inspired by French nougats. They come with three choices- its classic Wild Honey plus one with Guimaras Mango bits and another one with Malunggay Flakes.  By Casa Carmela

CRISVIL

Cut-up Bamboo poles turn high-fashion as a collection of award-winning evening bags with woven covers and handles accented by exquisite crystal bead studded engraving. By Crisvil Creations

FRESH START ORGANICS

Coffee blends from organic farms of Negros Island, which has embarked on a drive to encourage organic, farming, will be available in take-home packs or on-the-spot coffee pleasure. Available at Fresh Start Organic Booth at the 24th Negros Trade Fair.

QUAN

One of Bacolod’s famous chefs of the past was Conchita Cuenca, whose influence on the Negrense palate continues to be present in various kitchen creations. The Puto of Quan is one of these and will be one of the traditional Negrense Fare Available. By Quan of Pueblo

EL IDEAL

Guapple Pie is as Negrense as Apple Pie is American. This is a Negros Trade Fair Favorite.  By El Ideal.

Italianni’s and Red Mango in the Eastwood Veranda

The staff were very welcoming, everyone had a warm smile and an uttered greeting for guests. Bread was promptly served and refills were offered as one waited for one’s orders. But sadly, the food while freshly cooked and warm, did not satisfy taste-wise.

Husband ordered the fish fillet and it was crunchy. I think it was the best tasting of what we ordered. I ordered the chicken with vegetable risotto. Very generous portion but it lacked flavor. Risotto was dry and so was the chicken. I asked what sauce might help enhance them. I was given marsala sauce. Somehow that didn’t help much.

Son had pizza and it was okay. He said perhaps one should limit one’s orders to pizza and pasta in Italianni’s. But I’m not giving up. When we come back I ‘ll try the seafood risotto. I would have but the lady who served us said it was the chicken with risotto that sold more. Sigh…

At Red Mango, we almost had the place to ourselves except for one couple. Had the original yoghurt with banana crunch and bananas. Basic rate is 80 plus 20 for the first topping and 10 pesos for succeeding toppings up to 5 toppings max. Husband put all sorts on his: almond mochi, muesli and peaches. Son said he didn’t want any because he doesn’t like fruits.

The verdict: original yoghurt was sour. That’s normal my companions said, but I think I should have added syrup to make the experience whole. Husband gave me mochi and it tastes like the espasol thingies DECS had before. Or maybe tikoy. Son later decided to buy one cup that had chocolate crunch or something. He did so after getting some of my yoghurt.

Will I buy the same next time? No, I’ll just filch from my husband’s cup. I didn’t finish mine yesterday.

Power Plant July 25, 2009

We were in Makati to have my son’s Goudin guitar fixed. The bridge came off. He had a theory about it and he was right. The wood suffers from the heat/humidity. Suggestion of Yupangco Makati: if you don’t plan to use your guitar for a long time, loosen the strings.

Now to Power Plant. Had dinner at Myron’s. While waiting I asked if we could have some garlic bread – thin and crispy. The girl who attended to us must have been new, she was raw not polished. She asked, “gusto niyo ma’am?” after I asked if they had it. She gave us one each. Our orders: husband’s was chopped salad, son’s was Black and Blue burger, mine was Paolo’s 5 oz steak. No more foie gras for me because it raises the price by some P300. I miss foie gras but it will be a long time before I muster the gall to splurge on it. One observation – oh I forgot, we ordered their sundried tomato and cheese dip which came with French bread. Though we had consumed the bread, there was some spread left over. The waiter reached for the ramekin but I restrained him. A bit later, after my plate was near empty except for some veggies and my favorite roasted garlic, the waiter reached for my plate. I’m not sure now if it was the same waiter, but I told him I was eating pa. I was almost tempted to ask, “wala na kayong plate?” Why the rush? I’ll post a picture of the steak tomorrow. It was so good. Sliced just right, tender and juicy. The plate didn’t look as full as before though the steak occupied a good portion of the plate. Mashed potatoes wasn’t ready-mix tasting. Yummy Myron’s but I hope they train their waiters better.

Pazzo for dessert. Husband and son had ice cream but I thought that would be too heavy. Then I saw one inch cubes of chocolate. I got one – white chocolate with pistachio filling. Yummy but seemed not enough. I got another cube – milk chocolate with strawberry filling. Yummy too.

In the concourse level, they had the baker’s dozen group again, I forgot to ask why. Usually they are present on special occasions: Christmas, Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, etc. What was the occasion, I wonder?

At any rate, son bought the usual Iya’s pastillas and peanuts, I got baklava. Three flavors: pistachio, walnut and hazelnut(?). Truly yummy. A bit pricey with 17 pieces at P350. Once in a while…

Went to the groceries for a little shopping. Got boursin. The other night, son was raving about the buffet in Spirals. He and his friends went on a Tuesday when the buffet was 50% off. They had boursin to their stomach’s content. So he has been hankering for more. It’s available in Rustan Supermarket’s Le Gourmet glass display.

After Rustan’s we went to the cinema to watch Public Enemies. Stars Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. I read some time back it wasn’t very good, but my husband and son wanted to watch it. So we did. And I slept part of the time, thinking, mahal naman ng tulog ko. But the temp of the theater was so conducive. And each time I’d wake up, I still had an idea about what happened because it was just killing and shooting most of the time. The policemen in the movie weren’t very bright, it was unbelievable. And one of the characters said so. Christian Bale’s character was undeservedly recognized, there was a brighter policeman in the force. So things like those happened in the States before. Remind me of, guess what?

Got a George Simonen book from Fully Booked, just as I did an Albert Camus book from National Bookstore the other day. Both books were mentioned by Jessica Zafra. She should get a commission from both stores. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one convinced to get them after reading her column on the books.

Old Vine Grill the nth time around and Eastwood Mall

The pulled pork was great, the chicken in a basket tasted just like one would do it in the house. Nothing special. The seared tuna with garlic ponzu was okay, but I prefer Cyma’s seared tuna. The steak was okay, with herbed butter. My husband ordered spicy chicken pasta. Tried the chicken, it was okay. The bread was superb and it was a good thing we ordered that because our orders took a bit to come. Some pictures:

Pictures from CPK some time back

Don’t know what these are called  except for the ravioli, but they’re all good. I think the bread is cheese foccacia

Shang on a Friday night

First stop was CYMA. Hooray, it was open. Last Sunday when we were in Shang, I noticed a man carrying a CYMA plastic bag and thought it must be open by now and indeed it was.

The manager Deng greeted us after Third took our orders: tonnos salata – solo, moussaka and the special rice in two green bell peppers served with 4 wedges of potato. The rice has sultanas and pine nuts. Yummy.

Deng welcomed us back and said they reopened on the 30th. I asked why they closed and he said there were renovations made: the ceiling, the flooring, the water pipes, etc. Most of the renovations done weren’t too evident, an observation other customers made too, he said. And he promised us free dessert. I love restos that spring such happy surprises.

Our orders were served within 10 minutes, maybe even quicker, a testament to the fact that moussaka doesn’t need that long to prepare. Remember our Cyma Eastwood experience? Husband reiterated that Cyma Eastwood really forgot my moussaka  order then. But one cannot stay mad in Cyma long because the personnel have very good PR. They are quick to apologize for any shortcomings and that’s great.

Back to last night. While eating, I looked ahead and saw the nice Naturalizer sandals my friend had on a lady’s feet. I thought I would tell my friend about seeing similar sandals. When I looked at the lady’s back I was curious who she could possibly be. Sixth sense, but I waited for her to turn. It was my friend. Hahaha. So I called out and my voice’s volume being what it is, she didn’t hear me. So I solicited my husband’s help and she heard him. What a laugh we had.

After we were through with dinner,the free dessert came as promised: yummy pistachio ice cream with caramel syrup. I asked what it was, lest it had some fancy name. Third said it was indeed pistachio ice cream. While Deng the manager stands out because he doesn’t wear a uniform, Third will stand out too. He is tall and good looking (pretty) and has a ready smile for everyone. I also saw this lady who used to welcome people to Cyma and she was dressed differently as well. I asked if she had been promoted  – she said she was under training for the position of manager.

How nice that people in Cyma progress if they are deserving: Pacino, Deng and the lady. The same goes true in Kimpura Greenhills. Former waiters become maitre’d.  I also saw a “geisha” who began to use a different uniform – a sure sign of moving up.

After Cyma, went to True Value where a number of clerks have this visor-like creation on their heads that indicate there is a sale ongoing. We got some PHilips bulbs at buy 1 take one, so instead of spending 600 for 6, we paid 300. Wanted to get gift certificates for a nephew who’s getting married but guess what, they didn’t have enough. What a shame. Bought YES magazine instead. Without even looking at the cover. later saw in National Bookstore that on the cover were: Aling Dionisia and Corinna and Mar. Guess whose story I have qualms about reading. I’ll bet you’ll guess wrong.

To Rustan’s next. Went to the Concierge to get GCs. The same clerk who attended to me then attended to me again. She smiles and yet she doesn’t. No warmth there. Does she have problems or is it I, to borrow C’s perpetual puzzle. She gets the job done but no, she doesn’t reach out to the customer. So, so unfeeling. And they easily had GCs because guess what, there are templates/ forms they just type the amount onto and then print. They even have a box for the GCs, tailor-fit. Then I asked if she could have it wrapped. Yes, in silver she said. I thought it was Rustan’s de rigueur white with silver but no, it was silver all throughout. But like I told you, this lady was okay, sungit, even if she smiled so got the package without muttering anything. My discount card – the last time I forgot to bring it and I was about to get something that cost. So I wanted a discount. Was directed to the concierge and to her. She checked my name in the database. It wasn’t there, she said. So I asked, why have I been able to use it for years? I asked if I could just use my sister’s if she found it in the database. With a heavy heart and face she did and so I got my discount. (I told you, she gets things done but is so stoic). She also told me then to bring the discount card next time so she could check. I did yesterday and so she checked. She said eh magkadikit ang MA.name mo pala. (kasalanan ko ba yun? Sino ba nag-input? Sino ba nag print sa card? No, I’m not blaming her, but neither should she have sounded as though it wer my fault) Then she said “tapos `s’ ang dulo ng apelyido mo.” I could have asked her the same questions racing in my mind, but she wasn’t to trifle with kasi ang sungit. So I just nodded. Then she said to fill up a form so the errors could be corrected. As she was typing from the form I filled up, she said “Z ang dulo ng apelyido mo?” I nodded meekly even if I wanted to spew venom, errr, wax sarcastic) The new dc she said was good for a year and renewable each year. The dc I had was open-ended. Earlier when she had told me my old dc was  open-ended, I had said I’d just keep it. Her answer “ikaw bahala.” O, di ba ang sungit? In the end I applied for a replacement because she said that anyway she could issue me a receipt that I could use for discounts pending receipt of the new card. She also said it was renewable for free each year. Hay ang sungit talaga.

After Rustan’s we stopped by Fish and Co where sunshine greeted me via the preggy personnel who used to wait on our table. Now I think she has been promoted too. After taking our order, someone else gave me the bill and 2 Endearmints. yehey. But when I gave her my bff discount card, she told me that for take out, bff discounts could only be given for bills P500 and up. This someone else was smiling so how could I argue? Plus rules are rules.

If you see a picture in this post, that will be the pistachio ice cream of Cyma. By the way the place was full by the time we left. So at Cyma, either one comes early or one comes early. You can have yourself put on the waiting list too, though. Am not sure they accept reservations.

(Oops, re Rustan’s, as I have yet to get my discount card in two to three weeks after they call, I hope Ms. S doesn’t read this or if she does, I hope she won’t be around when I get the card. I’m scared. The other people there are nicer. There was one lady in fact who saw me alone and asked “may nag attend na ba sa iyo?” I smiled and said “oo.” Then she went inside the room inside (that sounds so inane) and asked “wala bang tao  rito?” I thought there was someone inside but apparently there was no one. I said “ay baka may multo rito?” She said “wala naman.” Before long my husband arrived with the purchases I had him pay for to save time. The Ms. had gone out to have my GCs wrapped.

the ice cream from CYMA

BPI-how disappointing.

I am disappointed

Over a month ago, I requested for a copy of my bank statement, initially by fax but was channeled to a human being. Fine. She said there was something wrong about the fax so she said they’d just send me my bank statement  through courier. Reference number for my request was 1-585-084-xxx. Fine. Within 15 days I would get the statement, I was told. The  statement came within the 15-day window. Not good in the sense that  only pages 3 of 4 and 4 of 4 came. I was pressed for time then so I called a few days later: July 08 to be exact. I talked to Jaymee and explained the situation. She told me she would rush the request and gave me another reference number: 1-591-396-xxx.

Okay, 15 banking days almost – it’s 13 days today, and no sign of the statement. So I called. The person who checked my records said the request  update was that 5 pages were sent to me on the 23rd. That’s on the 12th banking day, and that’s as good as BPI can deliver for a rush thing? A correction of their previous inefficiency? What a shame.

Possibly I’ll receive the document on the 27th – the 14th banking day, just a day short of the window.

Can’t BPI do any better than that? I asked the person who answered me today, will you give me a reference number again? He said yes, for the complaint and it’s 1598506041.

Sigh. How disappointing

Paging Dencio’s

This morning I had a craving for Dencio’s food. Called up several numbers, even head office and no one could tell me which branch delivers to Loyola Heights. Arrgh. Have they ceased doing so?

Hodgepodge

Yes, this will be a mishmash of things that suddenly come up in my head. When I woke up there were a number. Now, whether I remember everything is another matter.

Let me list them down as I recall them: Seattle’s Best, Katipunan; Max’s Katipunan; Perspolis Katipunan; recollections about food places in Katipunan (Red Deer, Coffee Pot, Sweet Haven, Dunkin’ Donuts, Round Table, Roli’s); Make Room.

Last night, a friend emailed asking about early breakfast places in Katipunan. He asked how early McDo opens and whatever options are available. Wanting to help him out because he is so helpful himself, I decided to think about the matter and make a few calls along the way.

McDo – it’s 24 hours open, I didn’t have to call to find out. Next in line:

Sweet Inspiration – From my recollection it offers breakfast buffet, but I wanted to be sure. So I called up (9282557), the buffet no longer is served but the place opens at 6 a.m., convenient for joggers et al. besides which it has more variety in terms of offerings than McDo. I must tell my friend they have a “function” room one can reserve. I hope I don’t forget.

Starbucks – I don’t eat there, I don’t know its number, I just know it’s there.

Seattle’s Best – I called the number in my cell’s phone book; it kept ringing. I looked in munchpunch.com. They had a different number there, I called that too. Same story. Kept on ringing. I called the Greenbelt number – huh? To ask for katipunan’s number and I felt like such a dunce to find out it had closed. When, I asked? The lady said “one week ago.” Oh, I’ll miss the brownie javakula and ham and cheese croissant. Yes, I know, there are other branches out there, but SB in Katipunan holds happy memories and was our destination of choice in keeping the CHinese tradition that after going to a wake, one shouldn’t go home straight. One should drop by somewhere. SB for us was one such destination.

Ken Afford – This place used to have breakfast buffet at P99. I called up 4333575. For a while there I thought it had closed to because the phone rang, and rang, and rang, and rang maybe 9 times. Then a man picked it up. They open at 8, no more buffet. Incidentally, the buffet in SI is P170 per.

Cravings – I know it had a buffet breakfast, but I called to be sure. No, they no longer have buffet breakfast, the lady told me, just salad and soup buffet. Promise, she offered that info, so of course I dumbly followed up with – during breakfast? No, she said. Thank God, I thought the world had gone bizarre. So there.

Thinking about Cravings’ response made me remember a call I got about lunch time yesterday. Sigh, these telemarketers really one to make me thin by destroying my appetite. Who put them up to it? Yesterday, I got a call from I forget her name. She sounded like she knew me. So possibly, she had called me before (just like Analyn formerly of Peninsula, now of Crowne Galleria has called me so many times before, I’ve lost track). Now this lady who called yesterday said she’s from Mandarin. After delivering a spiel about what come with a Mandarin card, she said “ready na po yung card n’yo” etc. Oops, that was part of the spiel. But an off-putting part was her constant reference to Peninsula. I said “di ba, wala ng card ang Peninsula?” Did she read my blogs before about Peninsula and find out I had no love lost for its card? Just kidding, my phone number is nowhere to be found in my blog. Sheer coincidence. Or had someone made a note there somewhere that when you call this number, work on her dislike for Pen? Anyway, she kept emphasizing about how the Mandarin card was so much better than Pen’s. See, I repeat myself, you think? But no, I’m just recalling the conversation because even after I pointed out the fact that Pen’s card was no longer available (Analyn has told me countless times, boo for her as it was she who had sold it and sang praises about it) she kept saying Mandarin’s was better. After the nth time I was tempted to tell her not to flay a dead horse but I wasn’t feeling that mean yesterday. But seriously…

Now back to Katipunan. Over the months, a number of establishments have closed, I noticed, every time we pass by. the place’s signage will either have disappeared or barring that, the place is eerily dark. Among those that have closed shop are Max’s, Perspolis. More peripatetic diners might want to add to the list.

Establishments formerly in Katipunan which I sorely miss are Coffee Pot — because of it’s yummmy barbecues. CP looked like a small log cabin, dark brown. First year college at Ateneo I’d always see it and occasionally eat in it with my sisters or classmates. But even before I finished college, CP had burned down. Sigh.

Red Deer – no, it wasn’t a resto but a shoe and bag place. Its manager was from my hometown. She once ordered cake from me and shared it with the owners. They offered me space in the store where I could put up a pastry shop of sorts. My father said NO. See, my father was conservative – like BPI, a friend who works there says her bank is stable because it is soooooo conservative. And being the very dutiful daughter then, I just said followed my father’s advice. Of course, over the years I have vacillated about that decision – if I had, would it have been a smashing successs or would I just have folded up like RD? Because yes, it did. Oh well.

And not as long ago as 3 decades (when I was in college) but longer ago than Perspolis et al., there were Round Table which sold pastas and pizzas and was a sister company of Pollo Loco, which closed not very long after it opened. There was Dunkin’ Donuts too. But I think it closed shop because the building where it stood has been demolished for a Henry Sy building? Till now it remains a mystery to me – no signs there. But I miss DD. I prefer it to Mister Donut. And Go ‘nuts is not within walking distance from the house, not even trike distance because of the U-turn thingies.

Roli’s, my beloved Roli’s used to have a small resto in Katipunan. I used to get my beloved sate babi there but was always left feeling shortchanged because it came not with the great-tasting java rice but with garlic rice. Don’t ask me why, I never found out. Roli’s didn’t last too long. Sigh.

Sweet Haven – just when I had begun to like its peach pie. Darn. Or was it mango with a walnut crust?

So there. What will close next? So morbid a thought, but last night when I told husband and son about the demise of SB in Katipunan, they wondered out loud about the possible reasons. Son being the brightest in the family ventured – 3 branches of Starbucks along Katipunan did SB in. I asked, “3?” I know there’s one near Shakey’s, another beside Rustan’s. where’s the third, I asked? Son said “Petron.” Oh, okay. Son also said “Bo’s coffee” may have contributed to SB’s death. No one mentioned Xocolat, but I guess it also did. Oh well.

*********

The post is more than long but here’s one info I’d like to share. If you buy something, anything from Make Room any branch, do show them your Rustan’s discount card and enjoy, what else, a discount. No FSP (Frequent Shoppers) points though. In the past, the likes of Marlboro and other Rustan’s subsidiaries(?) gave out points provided one shows one’s receipt from these establishments in Rustan’s, at most within a month of the purchase. Now, one gets discounts, no points. Remember that. I sometimes forget. Actually, that is the better deal.

Rosalinda

After a few nights of watching the new telenovela, I quit. Nestor Torre explained it best in a recent column. I didn’t like watching a show where one misfortune after another beset the good people. That isn’t so in real life, di ba? Very tiring/tiresome exercise.  So what do I watch these days?

Some portions of Unang Hirit, Eat Bulaga, The Sweet Life, 24 Oras and Saksi, if I watch TV at all. Otherwise I am on the Internet or listening to music.

Pinoy Henyo, Eat Bulaga

If there’s one portion of Eat Bulaga I don’t want to miss each day, it’s this. Oh yes, Bulagaan too, except that the latter is shown ever so infrequently.

What’s with PH? It’s a lot of fun where a couple related or not, friends at the very least, go through this exercise: there’s a guesser on whose forehead is attached a contraption where a word is written for which the said person has to ask questions answerable only by oo, hindi, pwede by her/his partner and from such guess the word. It can be a lot of fun when the guesses are so far away from the answer, when the questions are repeated, etc. Weeks back I was looking forward to Soxy Topacio and Manny Castaneda’s guesting except that they took the game so seriously they didn’t spell fun.

Today’s guests featured showbiz writers. My, but they are a sharp lot. All three pairs managed to guess the words correctly and the team which guessed the word fastest and proceeded to the jackpot portion, won the jackpot.  Sorry that I can’t remember the winning pair’s names. The other pairs had Mario Bautista, Eugene Asis, Jun Nardo and one more.

Yes, showbiz writers are not to be sneezed at. They write and speak very well, and Jun Nardo is a lawyer, in fact. Way to go. I won’t hesitate to bet that if the IQs of these writers and showbiz stars are taken, the former will have higher IQs on average. This is not to denigrate the likes of Joey de Leon, Vic Sotto, Pauleen Luna and Alan K, Francis Magalona, who are obviously smart. But there are some really who should go back to school or read books at the very least. Watch Joey’s expression and you can tell which guest is which. Joey always nods in approval or has that countenance which spells “magaling ‘to a” whenever a guest shows intelligence. Yes, he does, even if the guest isn’t from showbiz.

A Recipe

As with most of my food posts, this is as much to share as it is for me not to forget.

Days back, Rosebud on Quickfire had this interesting sandwich which used two slices of eggplant in lieu of bread. What did she stuff it with?

As usual, because it had eggplant, I wasn’t immediately attentive. But the filling caught my attention. So here was how it went.

1. She put salt on the egg plant not for taste purposes but so it would sweat (One does this when one pickles green mangoes too).

2. Then she prepared the filling. I didn’t know what else she added to the ricotta and feta cheese but what I did yesterday was to combine feta cheese with kesong puti (I didn’t find ricotta in rustan’s, perhaps because I didn’t look hard enough. I did look for cottage cheese because I think it approximates the texture of ricotta but failed to find any.)

3. She laid one slice of eggplant on a cookie tray and topped it with cheese – in lieu of eggplant, I put a slice of Elsie’s garlic bread (Hi Iggy and Elise). Then, while Rosebud topped the cheese mixture with a whole slice of salad tomato and one whole basil leaf, I cut up the tomato and basil as one would for bruschetta.

4. While Rosebud topped the above with another slice of eggplant, I left it open faced while topping it what what Rosebud did to the top eggplant: with a combination of Japanese bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.

5. yummy. Lesson learned: while Rosebud sort of lined the tray with olive oil, I didn’t. Mahal kasi plus I forgot to buy a new bottle though it was in my shopping list. Blind spot. Anyway, I thought, the garlic bread wouldn’t stick on the pan. Well, it didn’t, but when I looked at the bottom of the slice I ate it was a dark brown, but not black. I think the butter pre-spread on the bread by Elsie’s was responsible. But not to worry. It didn’t taste bad. Sorry, no pictures. I was too famished to bother. Next time.

Doing the Groceries in Rustan’s katipunan 18 July 2009

Good news, healthy eaters. Del Monte’s freshly squeezed orange juice is now available in Rustan’s Katipunan. Yes, starting today, it is. So now there’s no need for us to go to Unimart, Rustan’s Power Plant or Rustan’s Shang to get a bottle of it.

Darn, brownout. Must be the strong winds.

While at Rustan’s, saw this man in a burgundy polo. He so looked like William Martinez, I thought, but I didn’t see Yayo (wrong presumption that married couples always do the groceries together). So no, he can’t be William, I thought. But no, it’s William. No it’s not. Then I saw his daughter and yes, I finally concluded, it is William.

A little later, while my groceries were being punched, I saw this fit-looking lady in black shirt and pants, hair pulled back in a ponytail. Lyn Ching. She wasn’t wearing her trademark smile, she wasn’t looking at anyone. I guess she was in a hurry.

Saw the manager bagging William’s purchases. I thought, “ah, kasi artista.” But he also bagged the next person’s purchases. Very good manager. Walang pinipili.

He Who Can’t Marry

… no, this isn’t an emo post. On the contrary, I’ve been having a great time watching this Koreanovela on mysoju.com. Some parts weren’t accessible but that hasn’t made the viewing any less fun. The main protagonist was one of the male leads in Jewel in the Palace. He is so funny. All the rest of the major characters, the three ladies and one young man, are unfamiliar. The father of the doctor I’ve seen in many telenovelas acting as, what else, the father.

Go watch. C, I’m sure you can relate. The guy is so OC. Shades of Jack Nicholson in As Good as It Gets.

The Sweet Life 15 July 2009

The Sweet Life today pays tribute to the late Michael Jackson. The first number had Joshua Zamora of Maneuvers and Aira Bermudez of Sex Bomb dancing to Rock with You. They so looked like they were having a great time I enjoyed watching them. And it is now that I appreciate Aira’s dancing the most. Joshua I’ve long admired along with the rest of the Maneuvers.

Joshua just announced that the Maneuvers will have its 25th anniversary concert next year. If it wouldn’t look odd, I’d like to watch that show. Hahaha. Really. Oh, and he announced that they’re part of PAGCOR’s almost daily show Wonders!

Oh, Amy Perez is a guest. I love this lady’s humor. How I wish she were with GMA so I’d see her more often.

Also guesting are the finalists of “Are you the next big star?” Yehey, they don’t sing birit style. And they’re good.

Random Takes from TV Watching

The discussion  on buses along EDSA between Arnold Clavio, Assec. Suansing and Claire de la Fuente in Unang Hirit proceeded very amicably. Perhaps it helped that Suansing and Claire are magkumpare. Perhaps it helped that Claire knew whereof she spoke and so did Suansing. The discussion was not impassioned but factual. I admire Claire. She started out in showbiz and while she hasn’t abandoned the entertainment industry she has become this well respected bus magnate and president even of the IMBOA or whatever bus association it is. Galing. I was half listening and so was my son (he’s studying) pala when at the end of the discussion he said “Alam niya ang sinasabi niya no? Galing ng babae.” And he hasn’t heard her sing yet.

Unang Hirit’s weather girl: who’s she? wow, so confident as she delivered info on the weather complete with pa-cute motions with her body and hands. Who’s she?

Iwa Moto – in the interim between her TV appearances crying over her father and the past week, her look is softer. She’s prettier. What did she do or have done?

Akihiro Sato – he’s a guest in UH now and the ladies (Rhea, Lyn, Suzie and Sunshine) are having a heyday intervieweing him because he’s very warm without being flirtatious. He’s fun. He’s a model and is into Brazilian jujitsu.

Last night in 24 Oras, they featured Lala, a deaf young person whose digital hearing aid was snatched from the mother along with the latter’s wallet. Thing is that was no ordinary hearing aid. It cost P300k and was obtained through the help of PCSO. Possibly, the snatcher thought it was an IPOD or something similar because it looks so high tech. But you know, even if the snatcher has a relative who is deaf, that relative can’t use it because the apparatus could only be used following an ear implant. The news item also made me realize that the PCSO is one government agency we can be proud of. While it doesn’t get that much media mileage, it is doing great stuff. In one school, the dialysis sessions of a personnel was undertaken by PCSO and now, this digital hearing aid. Way to go, PCSO.

Flowers, the hospital and then Ninyo

Yesterday, after getting a friend a bouquet of flowers  and bringing this to the hospital where my son was asked “ano mo si xxx?” and he answered “Friend ng nanay ko” and got the reaction “Ay!”, we went to Ninyo for the nth time. Earlier we were thinking of going to  Power Plant but as it was nearer to head for QC after Chinese General, we did just that. Options were as follows:

SM North Annex, Trinoma, Eastwood Mall. SM North got no reaction. Trinoma – son said too crowded. EM would have been it, but I said “Ninyo kaya?” Unanimous yes.

So we headed for NInyo, with son and I sharing the same mindset “let’s order something different.” Husband didn’t say anything but he did the same, and son actually didn’t.

Husband’s orders: trio of oysters and Julius Cesar salad, son ordered the glazed salmon while I ordered the Vietnamese coffee crusted US beef tenderloin with mushroom ragout and parmesan uggh, I forget – the veggie tempura.

Verdict: the trio of oysters consisted of 6 pieces, two of each of the following: Rockefeller oysters, oyster with foie gras and the oyster with wasabi which is usually served free. Yummy, yummy, yummy. But son’s favorite remains the wasabi thingy.

Husband’s salad had chicken strips that were great tasting, I didn’t try the rest of the salad.

My order was a visual delight: It had coffee floss (read cotton candy) that melted in the mouth. The beef I found a tad strong – the coffee coating that is, but otherwise it was okay. The mushroom ragout and veggie tempura was a wow. Son and husband tried my order and son said he’d order it next time.

I think I may have pictures. I’ll see and post them in a while, sloth not getting the better of me and getting in the way.

Transport group all set for nationwide strike

From: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=486269&publicationSubCategoryId=65&newsalert

Amazing! So was my initial reaction when I read the following in my email (I subscribe to Philstar online). Then reality set in. I didn’t know whether I should chuckle or cry. See especially the words I set in bold:

Transport group all set for nationwide strike By Rainier Allan Ronda Updated July 13, 2009 12:00 AM MANILA, Philippines – Militant transport group Piston (Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide) said it is all set for today’s nationwide transport strike to express their grievance against high oil prices and the government’s continued implementation of a Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) order raising traffic violation fines.

Methinks they may protest the high oil prices, but to protest against government’s raising traffic violation fines?

How absolutely spoiled, dumb, stupid. Why don’t they just follow the rules and not commit traffic violations so they need not pay fines? That they protest it means they don’t care about avoiding traffic violations period. For so long as the fines are low.

What kind of thinking is that? Silly. I’m flabbergasted.

Repeat after me, Cyma’s Loss, Tender Bob’s Gain

This is the second time it happens, but this time for a different reason.

This pm, hied off to Shang after stopping at Dita Sandico Ong’s for my blouse, Malu Veloso’s for my two blouses, my sister’s house to drop off books, and then Shang. Intent on having the tuna salad of Cyma and possibly, skolatina or baklava.

Level 6 – oops, rather than Cyma’s lights, we saw a tarp announcing they were on vacation and would be back soon. Where to go? Tender Bob’s.

It being around 3 pm, it was too early for a full meal. So husband and I split a 3-cheese burger. Also ordered spinach artichoke dip in an effort to eat healthy. Okay, so the dip had cream and cheese, but at least it had veggies. Rather than toast, what came with it were pita chips, fried brown. Yummy, yummy, yummy. I could just have eaten that. In fact, I didn’t finish my half of the yummy burger. I like TB’s burger because it is so simple tasting, like burgers of yore. It makes me feel nostalgic. Must have eaten a similar tasting one when I was younger.

Then to errands. A light bulb and Brita filter from True Value, Citromint for roaches on the 6th floor just outside TV. Not necessarily in that order. Oh yes, went to National Bookstore in search of threads. The first girl we asked was conversing with a man, not a customer. Asked “May thread kayo?” Her immediate reply, “ay wala, try niyo sa department store.” I said “saan?” Guess what she answered, “Sa Rustan’s o sa Crossings.” Hahaha. We left her and then went to an aisle when from a distance, I thought I saw another lady just a meter or so away from her who looked more responsible. So I told husband, let’s try her. We did, and guess what? She produced spools of threads packed with scissors, colors predetermined. O di ba, National has threads. You just have to ask someone not chatting with some male. I asked the more responsible girl (sorry forgot to get her name) who the errant clerk was. She said “promo ng neon pen” or something. Husband showed her the threads, of course. “Ay meron nga naka pack.” uh huh. Hay.

Mercury Drug – bought filter for my Devilbiss nebulizer circa 1990. Had bought that for my then 10-month old son but have been using it myself. Okay, so it’s almost 20 years old so the filter it uses, a flat disk like a 10 centavo coin has been phased out. Instead, the clerk who had sold us my wheelchair months back, said people bought the   one-inch or so cylindrical filter and just sliced as needed. Husband saw a newer, more compact looking nebulizer. Costs P3300. He said we should buy that, ours is so noisy. The girl interjected, “Ay maingay rin yan.” How honest. We didn’t buy a new one yet. I feel attached to the old one, for sentimental reasons.

Went to Rustan’s on the ground floor. Have been in search of a wallet that doesn’t have a light portion that gets dirty easily. I have had two Liz Claiborne’s which are faux leather with faux silk lining. Very nice in terms of price (less than P2k) and have several pockets for credit and store cards. Sturdy too, but the stain from handling doesn’t come off. So after some time, it looks icky.

At the CROSS stand, they had not only ballpens but watches and leather products. Most of the wallets or maybe all, come with this tiny ballpen, refills available at Rustan’s. Really cute. And the wallets have this tiny slot for a sim card. Novel and very thoughtful. Except that the least priced wallet was P6k I think. So we said we’d just come back.

Went to the second floor. Lots of Liz Claiborne wallets but some designs were a bit tacky. Asked the girl if there were other brands available. I was expecting Rolf’s which I had bought years back. She said “Braun Buffel”. I almost didn’t go to the said display because years back I did and was intimidated by the prices. Like Tumi’s. But luckily we went because the wallets were priced over a wide range. And guess what, the bottom-most items were on sale! Chose a wallet with several slots for cards. It had a compartment that swiveled. I asked if it was sturdy because it was held on to the rest of the wallet by a snap sealed on both sides. The lady assured me it would hold. Incidentally, this lady was the girl in charge of BB products. Earlier, a younger looking girl attended to us very solicitously and it was only later we realized she wasn’t even in charge of the product. Pity I forgot to get her name.

Back to BB lady. So I paid for the wallet after which husband and I went to Fish & Co to get a New York Fish and CHips for take home to son. Ordered bacon and pumpkin soup for sharing. While at Fish & Co, waiting for our order, I decided to try out the wallet and it looked too bulky for comfort. It looked like it was going to burst as soon as I filled up all the slots for cards. I was so sad, oh okay, disappointed. I needed another wallet or a purse for the cards so as to preserve my new BB purse. So after Fish & Co, we went back to BB. I explained my predicament to BB lady and showed her what I meant. I asked for possible card holders and she showed me quite a lot. later I asked her name, Apple Ramos. Very patient young lady. And guess what? After I hinted if I could just change the wallet even if had to pay more she immediately agreed. So I got a bigger one and am happier now. You can bet I’ll be back looking at BB products from now on. Price isn’t too bad plus personnel service is tops. Apple and the young lady who subbed for her earlier. Thank you both.

TO go back to Fish & Co. Ever since I tried pumpking soup some place, I have been curious about pumpkin soup preparations of various places. So we ordered that. First sip. I told my husband “it has ginger.” Then I promptly reassured him, “Oh, just ginger taste, no slivers.” Hahaha, I spoke too soon. Because by the time I finished the soup, my half of it, I had removed maybe 8 portions of various shapes and sizes. Arrgh. Never again. Husband said he just swallowed whatever without chewing. Arrgh.

******

Some feedback on MV and DSO in terms of service. MV, who has  been in the business longer, has personnel who are better trained and deliver as scheduled, or call up if a delay is likely. At DSO’s, delays could run for weeks. And when I got the blouses (at MV’s, for repairs – one was too big, some beads of the other were becoming loose), those from MV were in hangers and covered with plastic. Those from DSO were in a funky recyclable bag, folded. Cool. Do I post pictures? One of these days maybe. I’m so not in the mood. Okay, lazy.

The Gentleman

In Reading Literature, the title of an essay by John Henry Newman was simply, “The Gentleman.” But the internet version taken from http://www.oldandsold.com/articles33n/essays-studies-16.shtml is entitled “A Definition of a Gentleman”. Here it is: {Though written in the 19th century, I think it is all but passe. Good manners and breeding are not time-bound. The criteria for them should not be, anyway.}

HENCE it is that it is almost a definition of a gentleman to say he is one who never inflicts pain. This description is both refined and, as far as it goes, accurate. He is mainly occupied in merely removing the obstacles which hinder the free and unembarrassed action of those about him; and he concurs with their movements rather than takes the initiative himself. His benefits may be considered as parallel to what are called comforts or conveniences in arrangements of a personal nature: like an easy chair or a good fire, which do their part in dispelling cold and fatigue, though nature provides both means of rest and animal heat without them. The true gentleman in like manner carefully avoids what-ever may cause a jar or a jolt in the minds of those with whom he is cast; — all clashing of opinion, or collision of feeling, all restraint, or suspicion, or gloom, or resentment; his great concern being to make every one at their ease and at home. He has his eyes on all his company; he is tender towards the bashful, gentle towards the distant, and merciful towards the absurd; he can recollect to whom he is speaking; he guards against unseasonable allusions, or topics which may irritate; he is seldom prominent in conversation, and never wearisome. He makes light of favours while he does them, and seems to be receiving when he is conferring. He never speaks of himself except when compelled, never defends himself by a mere retort, he has no ears for slander or gossip, is scrupulous in imputing motives to those who interfere with him, and interprets every thing for the best. He is never mean or little in his disputes, never takes unfair advantage, never mistakes personalities or sharp sayings for arguments, or insinuates evil which he dare not say out. From a long-sighted prudence, he observes the maxim of the ancient sage, that we should ever conduct ourselves towards our enemy as if he were one day to be our friend. Ile has too much good sense to be affronted at insults, he is too well employed to remember injuries, and too indolent to bear malice. He is patient, forbearing, and resigned, on philosophical principles; he submits to pain, because it is inevitable, to bereavement, because it is irreparable, and to death, because it is his des-tiny. If he engages in controversy of any kind, his disciplined intellect preserves him from the blundering discourtesy of better, perhaps, but less educated minds; who, like blunt weapons, tear and hack instead of cutting clean, who mistake the point in argument, waste their strength on trifles, misconceive their adversary, and leave the question more involved than they find it. He may be right or wrong in his opinion, but he is too clear-headed to be unjust; he is as simple as he is forcible, and as brief as he is decisive. Nowhere shall we find greater candour, consideration, indulgence: he throws himself into the minds of his opponents, he accounts for their mistakes. He knows the weakness of human reason as well as its strength, its province and its limits. If he be an unbeliever, he will be too profound and large-minded to ridicule religion or to act against it; he is too wise to be a dogmatist or fanatic in his infidelity. He respects piety and devotion; he even supports institutions as venerable, beautiful, or useful, to which he does not assent; he honours the ministers of religion, and it contents him to decline its mysteries without assailing or denouncing them. He is a friend of religious toleration, and that, not only because his philosophy has taught him to look on all forms of faith with an impartial eye, but also from the gentleness and effeminacy of feeling, which is the attendant on civilization.

Not that he may not hold a religion too, in his own way, even when he is not a Christian. In that case his religion is one of imagination and sentiment; it is the embodiment of those ideas of the sublime, majestic, and beautiful, without which there can be no large philosophy. Sometimes he acknowledges the being of God, sometimes he invests an unknown principle or quality with the attributes of perfection. And this deduction of his reason, or creation of his fancy, he makes the occasion of such excellent thoughts, and the starting-point of so varied and systematic a teaching, that he even seems like a disciple of Christianity itself. From the very accuracy and steadiness of his logical powers, he is able to see what sentiments are consistent in those who hold any religious doctrine at all, and he appears to others to feel and to hold a whole circle of theological truths, which exist in his mind no otherwise than as a number of deductions.

A Slander

Here’s a version of another story I read from Reading Literature. Being too lazy to type what was in the book, I got the from the site http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/5274/.

Title: A Slander
Author: Anton Chekhov [More Titles by Chekhov]

SERGE KAPITONICH AHINEEV, the writing master, was marrying his daughter to the teacher of history and geography. The wedding festivities were going off most successfully. In the drawing room there was singing, playing, and dancing. Waiters hired from the club were flitting distractedly about the rooms, dressed in black swallow-tails and dirty white ties. There was a continual hubbub and din of conversation. Sitting side by side on the sofa, the teacher of mathematics, Tarantulov, the French teacher, Pasdequoi, and the junior assessor of taxes, Mzda, were talking hurriedly and interrupting one another as they described to the guests cases of persons being buried alive, and gave their opinions on spiritualism. None of them believed in spiritualism, but all admitted that there were many things in this world which would always be beyond the mind of man. In the next room the literature master, Dodonsky, was explaining to the visitors the cases in which a sentry has the right to fire on passers-by. The subjects, as you perceive, were alarming, but very agreeable. Persons whose social position precluded them from entering were looking in at the windows from the yard.

Just at midnight the master of the house went into the kitchen to see whether everything was ready for supper. The kitchen from floor to ceiling was filled with fumes composed of goose, duck, and many other odours. On two tables the accessories, the drinks and light refreshments, were set out in artistic disorder. The cook, Marfa, a red-faced woman whose figure was like a barrel with a belt around it, was bustling about the tables.

“Show me the sturgeon, Marfa,” said Ahineev, rubbing his hands and licking his lips. “What a perfume! I could eat up the whole kitchen. Come, show me the sturgeon.”

Marfa went up to one of the benches and cautiously lifted a piece of greasy newspaper. Under the paper on an immense dish there reposed a huge sturgeon, masked in jelly and decorated with capers, olives, and carrots. Ahineev gazed at the sturgeon and gasped. His face beamed, he turned his eyes up. He bent down and with his lips emitted the sound of an ungreased wheel. After standing a moment he snapped his fingers with delight and once more smacked his lips.

“Ah-ah! the sound of a passionate kiss. . . . Who is it you’re kissing out there, little Marfa?” came a voice from the next room, and in the doorway there appeared the cropped head of the assistant usher, Vankin. “Who is it? A-a-h! . . . Delighted to meet you! Sergei Kapitonich! You’re a fine grandfather, I must say! _Tete-a-tete_ with the fair sex–tette!”

“I’m not kissing,” said Ahineev in confusion. “Who told you so, you fool? I was only . . . I smacked my lips . . . in reference to . . . as an indication of . . . pleasure . . . at the sight of the fish.”

“Tell that to the marines!” The intrusive face vanished, wearing a broad grin.

Ahineev flushed.

“Hang it!” he thought, “the beast will go now and talk scandal. He’ll disgrace me to all the town, the brute.”

Ahineev went timidly into the drawing-room and looked stealthily round for Vankin. Vankin was standing by the piano, and, bending down with a jaunty air, was whispering something to the inspector’s sister-in-law, who was laughing.

“Talking about me!” thought Ahineev. “About me, blast him! And she believes it . . . believes it! She laughs! Mercy on us! No, I can’t let it pass . . . I can’t. I must do something to prevent his being believed. . . . I’ll speak to them all, and he’ll be shown up for a fool and a gossip.”

Ahineev scratched his head, and still overcome with embarrassment, went up to Pasdequoi.

“I’ve just been in the kitchen to see after the supper,” he said to the Frenchman. “I know you are fond of fish, and I’ve a sturgeon, my dear fellow, beyond everything! A yard and a half long! Ha, ha, ha! And, by the way . . . I was just forgetting. . . . In the kitchen just now, with that sturgeon . . . quite a little story! I went into the kitchen just now and wanted to look at the supper dishes. I looked at the sturgeon and I smacked my lips with relish . . . at the piquancy of it. And at the very moment that fool Vankin came in and said: . . . ‘Ha, ha, ha! . . . So you’re kissing here!’ Kissing Marfa, the cook! What a thing to imagine, silly fool! The woman is a perfect fright, like all the beasts put together, and he talks about kissing! Queer fish!”

“Who’s a queer fish?” asked Tarantulov, coming up.

“Why he, over there–Vankin! I went into the kitchen . . .”

And he told the story of Vankin. “. . . He amused me, queer fish! I’d rather kiss a dog than Marfa, if you ask me,” added Ahineev. He looked round and saw behind him Mzda.

“We were talking of Vankin,” he said. “Queer fish, he is! He went into the kitchen, saw me beside Marfa, and began inventing all sorts of silly stories. ‘Why are you kissing?’ he says. He must have had a drop too much. ‘And I’d rather kiss a turkeycock than Marfa,’ I said, ‘And I’ve a wife of my own, you fool,’ said I. He did amuse me!”

“Who amused you?” asked the priest who taught Scripture in the school, going up to Ahineev.

“Vankin. I was standing in the kitchen, you know, looking at the sturgeon. . . .”

And so on. Within half an hour or so all the guests knew the incident of the sturgeon and Vankin.

“Let him tell away now!” thought Ahineev, rubbing his hands. “Let him! He’ll begin telling his story and they’ll say to him at once, ‘Enough of your improbable nonsense, you fool, we know all about it!’”

And Ahineev was so relieved that in his joy he drank four glasses too many. After escorting the young people to their room, he went to bed and slept like an innocent babe, and next day he thought no more of the incident with the sturgeon. But, alas! man proposes, but God disposes. An evil tongue did its evil work, and Ahineev’s strategy was of no avail. Just a week later–to be precise, on Wednesday after the third lesson–when Ahineev was standing in the middle of the teacher’s room, holding forth on the vicious propensities of a boy called Visekin, the head master went up to him and drew him aside:

“Look here, Sergei Kapitonich,” said the head master, “you must excuse me. . . . It’s not my business; but all the same I must make you realize. . . . It’s my duty. You see, there are rumors that you are romancing with that . . . cook. . . . It’s nothing to do with me, but . . . flirt with her, kiss her . . . as you please, but don’t let it be so public, please. I entreat you! Don’t forget that you’re a schoolmaster.” {My comment – this seems to imply that teachers are expected to stand by/on a higher moral plane}

Ahineev turned cold and faint. He went home like a man stung by a whole swarm of bees, like a man scalded with boiling water. As he walked home, it seemed to him that the whole town was looking at him as though he were smeared with pitch. At home fresh trouble awaited him.

“Why aren’t you gobbling up your food as usual?” his wife asked him at dinner. “What are you so pensive about? Brooding over your amours? Pining for your Marfa? I know all about it, Mohammedan! Kind friends have opened my eyes! O-o-o! . . . you savage!”

And she slapped him in the face. He got up from the table, not feeling the earth under his feet, and without his hat or coat, made his way to Vankin. He found him at home.

“You scoundrel!” he addressed him. “Why have you covered me with mud before all the town? Why did you set this slander going about me?”

“What slander? What are you talking about?”

“Who was it gossiped of my kissing Marfa? Wasn’t it you? Tell me that. Wasn’t it you, you brigand?”

Vankin blinked and twitched in every fibre of his battered countenance, raised his eyes to the icon and articulated, “God blast me! Strike me blind and lay me out, if I said a single word about you! May I be left without house and home, may I be stricken with worse than cholera!”

Vankin’s sincerity did not admit of doubt. It was evidently not he who was the author of the slander.

“But who, then, who?” Ahineev wondered, going over all his acquaintances in his mind and beating himself on the breast. “Who, then?”

Who, then? We, too, ask the reader.

[The end]
Anton Chekhov’s short story: A Slander

A note on top of the story in the book read:

The characters in the stories of Anton Chekhov often appear foolish and actually cause thier own difficulties.

{I cannot agree more. The story above so reminded me of the saying “hoist by his own petard.”}

The Ideal Wife (Proverbs 31:10-31)

Blessed with a lot of time in my hands, I have taken to reading a literature textbook sent me by my teacher in high school from the US. Entitled Reading Literature(Purple Level), I like it in that it gives me many choices, it being a collection of essays and stories and poetry by various authors. I’d like to share the following with you. While it wasn’t written thus in the book, you get the drift:

Proverbs 31:10-31 (New International Version)

^{10 [a]} A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 31:10 Verses 10-31 are an acrostic, each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet

From: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+31:10-31;&version=31;

My latest favorite commercial

two siblings, a young girl and her brother “playing” dentist. A very typical scene with the “ATE” playing the dentist and the young boy the patient. And the ATE taking the “know- it- all” stance, checking her brother’s teeth for cavities. Then Dad comes in and talks about Colgate, asks “dentist” daughter if her brother has cavities to which she smugly says “wala.”

The acting of the young lady is so lovable. Wonder who she is.

Tristan Encarnacion, his father’s son

Yesterday, while watching the trailer for today’s The Sweet Life, I saw that 3 chefs would be featured: Tristan and two others. One was with Ka-Toque formerly. Or maybe the two were? The third was relatively a newbie compared to Tristan and the other.

So today, I was determined to watch the show and did. The newbie did a dance floor demo (sorry, I don’t know what to call it) where he held ribbons – think a gymnast’s routine. The second did a rap, complete with a Hitler-like higad, err, moustache. And Tristan danced. Very restrained but you just knew he could move. So much charm and apparently the judges were smitten: Audie Gemora, IDa Henares and Geleen Eugenio. Audie hinted that he knew Tristan would have done even better if his dance were choreographed rather than spontaneous. Ida and Geleen swooned. Geleen offered to teach Tristan how to dance. ANd hand’s down, he won the talent competition. Fun, fun, fun.

Tristan is his father’s son, a lot of charm oozing there.

Thank you, Jun Encarnacion, for producing such a son.

Dinner Tonight

The other day, I was half-watching Quickfire. The guest was Joanne Quintas. I was so entertained by her ways that I couldn’t focus on the recipe. Then as the show progressed, I realized that I should have been more focused because the end product looked so enticing.

From what I gathered, they filled huge salad tomatoes with foccacia bread, cheese, basil and tomatoes. Okay, don’t take that as gospel truth. I’m 53 so my memory isn’t fool-proof. I also saw they used red wine vinegar and that attracted me even more because some time back, I bought a bottle after seeing it in a recipe and of course, I forgot what recipe that was. So the vinegar was just in the pantry.

What I did today was the product of what I could remember and some semblance of research and creativity. Yesterday, I did the groceries and bought foccacia, 3 salad tomatoes, a pack of basil, gruyere cheese (I know, they used mozzarella because I remember Rosebud’s saying it didn’t have much taste but was stringy). And this was how I prepared dinner.

On a glass bowl I mixed 4 tbsp red wine vinegar, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 inch of Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Oops, the olive oil should be put in in a thin stream while beating the rest together.  the mixture is supposed to emulsify. Let stand.

In the meantime, I took one loaf of foccacia bread, not a big one, mind, but one of those sold in a pack of 6. I shredded this into cubes (herb flavored) and put in a bowl. I drizzle it with a little of the dressing.

On a pan I sauteed garlic, added the tomatoes’ innards minus the seeds (the tomato’s top was sliced off and its insides taken out) and added the basil. Around 2 tbsp. Put in some freshly ground pepper.

WHen done, put the tomato mixture in the bowl with the soaked foccacia. Mixed them together with cubes of cheese. Stuffed the tomatoes and was sure to set aside some cheese to top the tomatoes. Baked the tomatoes in an oven toaster until the cheese melted. Yummy.

Aside from the above concoction, I served my family smoked fish – salmon and a white fish (son said it was tanguige, but not sure). Also bought a pack of prosciutto ham.

Thanks, Rosebud for the idea. It got the thumbs up of my husband and son. Pity I forgot to tell them to drink wine with it.

the philippine dermatological association plugs on tv

have you seen them?
The first features this lady wishing to be white using every means and then ending up white. . . Forever.
The second is just as hilarious.
It shows an ordinary woman bleaching the clothes she was washing and her being an expert in it. Then the question was raised – would you entrust your whitening to her? And two other situations, one involving a lady in the market with a syringe. Was she preparing ham? No she was plumping up chicken. Whatever – this ad is funny too. I think it’s hitting at establishments that perform cosmetic surgery et al. without the benefit of the expertise of doctors.

Will these ads produce the desired effect? Me thinks no. There’s the economics of the situation to contend with, or at least cosmetic centers give the impression they’re cheaper. I don’t know for sure. I am not too inclined to part with my money for such services. Anyway, it is said, when one meets tghe Creator, looks will be the least of his concerns. Rationalizing ba? But it’s true.

commercials and the upcoming elections

a few days back saw johnny presenting facts and figures re power, that is, electricity charges. Like he did years back he promised to protect the people from unreasonable policies in this regard. Again, like he did years ago. Same tune, same singer. Three things at least came to mind when i saw the ad.
One- the cause won him the elections last time, he’s expecting the same to do it next year.
Two – this should have been one- he’s running again. Shouldn’t he be resting by now? He looks like he should.
Three – he wasn’t able to do anything about the past years so he has to do it if elected in 2010. This last observation i am not certain about in the sense that i don’t keep track of legislative goings on. And i don’t listen too closely when a politico is on tv. For all i know he’s promising to improve further on what he has accomplished. No hand on the bible this time. I still can’t forget that ad years back that had a soft hue, like the scene was suffused by a gentle light from up high. Angels we have heard on high . . . You get the drift.
Ad number too – tv provides peripheral noise for me when i play games on my laptop. I knew ours was on 7 as i did. Then i heard my former classmate boy a. And it wasn’t his ad with his mom. Took a peek after a while and it was a while. And he and manny were in deep conversation. Two nights in a row. How much did running the ad cost? I shudder to think. But hey, that’s not my money or . . .
My son’s comments /reactions -
Ad 1 – tatakbo siya. I said “i guess .”
Ad 2 – that’s too lengthy. I’m sure people won’t stop to listen. That won’t work. – maybe that i was on the laptop rather than into the show was what drove me to let it be. Otherwise, i might have switched channels or turned the tv off

SMILE

Failed to watch the services for Michael Jackson so feeling like a vulture, went in search of what I could find on it. Saw this and realized only then that Charlie Chaplin had composed SMILE.

Wanted to find Charlie Chaplin actually doing SMILE  so went to YOUTUBE. Then I realized he belonged to the era of the silent movies. What was I thinking? Found this instead, Charlie Chaplin CLips compiled with Michael Jackson singing SMILE.

Below, the lyrics of SMILE, but they’re not exact same ones Jermaine sang:

‘Smile’
Charlie Chaplin’s Theme Music for 1936 ‘Modern Times’
Lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons – 1954
Recorded by Nat “King” Cole
(The lyrics for ‘Smile’ was never sang in the film ‘Modern Times)

Smile tho’ your heart is aching,
Smile even tho’ it’s breaking,
When there are clouds in the sky
You’ll get by,

If you smile
thro’ your fear and sorrow,
Smile and maybe tomorrow,
You’ll see the sun come shin-ing thro’ for you

Light up your face with gladness,
Hide ev-’ry trace of sadness,
Al -’tho a tear may be ever so near,

That’s the time,
You must keep on trying,
Smile, what’s the use of crying,
You’ll find that life is still worth-while,

If you just smile,

Original lyrics sheet from the Edna Purviance Research Collection

From: http://ednapurviance.org/chaplininfo/chaplinlyrics.html

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Don’t make her sad

A few hours ago, a friend of my son’s whose girl friend is the daughter of my friend, added me in Facebook. This boy’s parents became my friends too when he and my son were in an org together.

As I had heavily endorsed this boy to my friend (his girlfriend’s mom), I constantly remind the boy to take care of his girlfriend. This morning, I added, “Don’t make her sad.”

Is it my negative frame of mind that prompted me to remind him so? Initially, I was about to write “make her happy.” But then I contemplated, it is not difficult to make someone happy, especially if that person is grounded. Give her a chocolate bar, text her good morning, call her to say hello, praise her new hairstyle, her new scent – that will make her day. That will spell happiness for her.

So I guess, my asking him not to make her sad was, I believed, a more challenging order/request. It is so easy to make another person sad and so  it takes deliberate care, thought, effort, concern, solicitousness, generosity, true love to ensure that you don’t cause someone sadness.

One careless, thoughtless remark from a loved one can rankle forever. The person on the receiving may not even show you she’s hurt, and you, being from Mars, may not notice it either, but it will be with her for life.

One careless gesture that you think nothing of but spells betrayal for her if she finds out (and you know it – now that makes it even worse) can make your relationship fragile, like gossamer, like porcelain. Things you may dismiss as “wala yun” will gnaw her thoughts, frazzle her being. While you may continue to sleep soundly at night she may be staring at nothing, wondering, sobbing, bewildered, awake, willing for sleep to come. And it doesn’t.

It is sad if a relationship goes this route, especially if the said (and sad) relationship appears so ideal and blessed to outsiders.

Love is supposed to be such that the two people in love make each other better persons.

But love once frayed may take on a less harmonious path, in fact an altogether bumpy road. It may make a termagant of someone formerly sweet and content. It may transform a person formerly accepting and patient to be a nag, a shrew.

And it will all be because you made her sad, not just once, not just twice, but several times over. You possibly said SORRY but shortly after, reverted back to what you did that brought on the pain. Some wounds may have developed scabs but the pain underneath will forever remain raw.  If, on the other hand, the wounds have become scars, the mere sight of them will serve as perpetual reminders of the pain that once was. The pain that caused a blister on what was formerly near perfect or blissful.

It is good, it will be good if you choose to reform and remain faithful to that vow to change your ways, dear man, but once you choose to hope and wish that she will never find out about your doings, anyway, those which you know will hurt her, can only hurt her, and you go back to what was so comfortable for you but so hurtful for her, then expect hell to break loose sooner than later. For one, someone may see fit to tell her and then what?

Time and again, one hears the truism “Hell knows no fury like a woman scorned.” Be guided accordingly. In  this site of Time Magazine,

look at what I saw (“Brace for the Whirlwind”)

Sir: “Hell knows no fury like a woman scorned.” Man, you are paying for your immature notion that you prove manhood by sexual exploitation [Aug. 31]. You failed to understand woman’s need for love, protection and companionship. The sexually liberated office girl or career woman mistook your lust for love and turned on you when she realized her mistake.

Your wife, aware of your infidelities and lack of interest, began to see her lot as slavery and her life as meaningless and dull.

Brace yourself, fragile man. You are reaping the whirlwind NOW.

CAMERA cum DSLR bag and SM ANnex

last week, we got this laptop bag for son, big enough for his camera and lenses as well. But somehow, while the bag was a good brand (pac something), it wasn’t perfect. And we knew it.

This pm, after mass and then lunch (to be described later), we saw a Camera-DSLR bag in Case Logic, 4th floor of SM Annex. yes, Virginia, we were there again, believe you me. And the bag is as perfect as can be. It has a padded compartment for the laptop, a separate one for the camera, another receptacle with dividers for the lenses, pockets for this, that and whatever.  And it was a few hundreds cheaper than the Pac-Safe. Not to worry, the PS bag will be used. It is a good one in that it has a mesh and other security features. Rationalizing? Not really. And aesthetically, PS is prettier.

Yonex. Son got himself two shirts that were at 50% off. He used the money he earned from subbing for me when I couldn’t tutor last Friday. He also got a grip for his badminton racket.

Now the lunch. That happened before the shopping but was so unexciting     it almost doesn’t deserve to be written about. We parked in level 3, and TOSH was one of maybe 2 restos we passed, the other being KFC. TOSH is special to us in the sense that years back, son had his grad dinner in it’sKatipunan branch. But the food was so-so this noon. First to be served were the cheese logs – quickmelt cheese in some kind of wrapper – pita bread? Not bad. Salsa was superb per my men’s standards. Then my son’s sun-dried tomato with something pasta came. He kept looking out for what else to eat. I think he wasn’t too happy with his order but was too polite to say so. Oh, he said, the chicken had bones. Then the baked mussels came. How emaciated, they were hardly visible in the shell. They were virtually invisible. In some restos, these wouldn’t have been served. They’d have  told the guest that they didn’t get a good batch. This happened to me once in CYMA. I had hoped to eat the clam in angel hair but was told the clams weren’t good.

Husband’s salpicao came. It looked similarly unexciting but taste-wise, it was okay. Not superb he said, prompting me to comment that TOSH was like home-cooking in a resto. Finally my American baked spareribs arrived. Slathered with barbecue sauce the ribs were hardly visible. But tender they certainly were. And the perpetually reliable choco chip cookie, freshly baked and served ala mode was a definite winner. Took some time to cook though. But well worth the wait.

At the back of the resto is a function room that was huge and nice husband said.

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While waiting for the elevator on Level 3 so we could go to Level 2, we were passed over several times. Unluckily for us,   I guess, the elevator was always full and there was no one wishing to get off our floor. Finally, the doors opened and we managed to go to Level 2. Husband was surprised it was only then we had succeeded in getting  a ride. He had gone on to Level 4 and bought something before going to Level 2.

Moral of the story: go to the external elevators near the parking lot if the situation inside the mall seems hopeless and you’re impatient to get to a particular floor.

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Tony and Jackey. Some time back, when husband and I were in SM Annex, I saw this salon on R3 called Tony and Jackey. I didn’t think there was anything extraordinary about it.

But son, when he saw it, said “that’s the Korean salon I was telling you about.” Apparently, he has friends who go there. He was telling me to try it out and maybe, if I didn’t have a wedding to be ninang to come September, I would have. Son noticed there was quite a queue. I, for my part, saw a lady as old as I in the salon. So it’s not merely for teens. The hair dresser, a Korean male, looked funky in a pure white long sleeved shirt, longish hair (think Koreanovela bida) and slim pants. Now his look kind of intimidates me. hahaha.

tV Viewing OVer the weekend

Sure I had work to do yesterday morning but by noon, I was done. I had canceled some appointments because my scratchy throat was not very reassuring. I was not certain whether I could carry on long monologues for the good part of an hour. So I settled down in fron of the TV.

Of course I wanted to watch Eat Bulaga where the son  of a friend was a featured performer. And I was so looking forward to watching Soxy and Manny Castaneda interact in the question and answer portion. But it was a disappointment when they finally came on. The repartee wasn’t to funny. Speaking of EB, one thing that had to be guessed one time was “butiki” or lizard. The contestants failed to get it. Joey kept saying they should have said “insect” but I think he’s wrong there. A lizard is a reptile, not an insect.  (check out this link)

A few days ago, I happened to be channel surfing and went to 2. They mentioned Katrina Halili as a victim of HK, among others. But they didn’t mention the kapamilya starlet. Unfair to KH and 7. In the interest of fair reporting, they should just have omitted naming KH as well, or should have named both.

The 10-million game is so difficult to win. Have they had  a winner yet? At the rate it’s going one must be super lucky to make it. All Star K. During the teasers, I was wondering who the pretty lady was with Allan K. Then “she” spoke. BB. Gandang Hari. Wonder if she can do anythhing about her voice, though even as Rustom, the person underneath had such a voice.

Most of the contestants had difficulty singing. Nadia Montenegro can sing. She got lost at one point though because the one immediately preceding her was so off-key, nahawa siya.

I’ve turned over the remote to my son and his tennis open. So now I’m here trying not to be bored…

Paging Wilma Doesnt

A comment in one of my posts from trishachunli@yahoo.com went:

WILMA DOESNT PLS HELP MS PHILIPPINES UNIVERSE 2009..SHE NEEDS YOU TO BE FIERCE..(PLS SEE MISSOSOLOGY) WE WERE HAPPY TO HEAR THAT U WILL BE TRAINING MS MANALO PHILS REP TO MS UNIVERSE 2009.PLS PLS PLS HELP HER TO CHOOSE HER COSTUMES, GOWNS AND EVERYTHING SHE WILL BE WEARING SOON..PLSPLSPLSPLS DNT ALLOW RECYCLE DRESSES. PHILS FALLDOWN WERE BCOZ OF RECYLE AND UGLY DRESSES.. PLS HELP HER AND MAKE FILIPINOS RISE AGAIN!!! GODBLESS YOU!!

I’m actually flatterd that the young lady who wrote this thinks/thought Wilma Doesnt reads my blog, else why did she send a message for WD through it. For whatever it’s worth, I hope Wilma reads this nga.

Shang on a Saturday Night

Son slept most of Saturday afternoon after lunch. When he woke up, I asked if he cared to go out as I wanted to buy birthday presents. He said yes. I asked where. He said “Shang”. I said “okay, let’s eat at CYMA.” I guess he wasn’t listening because the next thing he said was, “May Pepper Lunch pala dun, no?” Who was I to argue? Most of the time, my motherly instinct compels me to give in to a growing boy.

So we went. We tried the sesame chicken salad for the first time, I ordered miso soup, shimofuri steak, while the two men in my life ordered beef curry rice. Odd? I felt I deserved a really good meal after being on sick bay since a few days ago – asthma, a bad cough, a slight fever.

What was served first was the shimofuri steak. The food server was about to lay it down before my husband when I said “akin yan” sheepishly. Then he asked who the soup was for. I said “akin din. takaw no?” Inunahan ko na.  sarap, sarap, sarap. But I didn’t finish the steak or the pepper rice I ordered with it so I can have it for lunch Monday, latest. I asked for additional sauce to take home. Hope that’s not disallowed? The girl smilingly did so.

After dinner we looked for presents. Found a pair of shorts and socks for my nephew at Nike after going to Toby’s and not finding anything we thought he might like. Then to Marks and Spencer for the mom of my career best friend. While there I saw this linen blouse, a shade of aqua that I like very much. So though I had promised myself I wouldn’t buy myself any new clothes until son comes back from his JTA, I couldn’t resist. Luckily the size I needed was available. I noticed though, that the designs of Mark and Spencer are  so classic and hardly differ. The cuffs of the sleeves for example, are to be folded upward and so they have this V-shape design. I’m not explaining this very well. Also, while two buttons were sewn well at the back, in front, the thread was coming loose. Husband said to show the store tomorrow, but I’ll see if something can be done from our end. Such a hassle to go back to Shang for two buttons, don’t you think? Moral of the story: check the merchandise well.

As we were on our way to the car, while along the tube, saw the soon to be married couple who are so much in love it makes me very happy each time I see them. So I said a quiet prayer that they’d stay that way for the rest of their lives. They’re nice “kids” and deserve each other and no less.

Barry Schwartz on our loss of wisdom

Check out this video from Ted.com forwarded by my son. While it basically addresses those in the teaching profession, I think it touches or should touch every single one of us.