Carmina walks out on ad shoot with Claudine

By: Dolly Anne Carvajal
Philippine Daily Inquirer

She is such a lady, very articulate, very proper, very intelligent. She has no airs, she is very simple, very normal.

She talks sense and says her being the child of her parents did not give her a sense of entitlement merely, though it should, but the responsibility to be worthy of being their daughter. Sigh.

She misses her father but doesn’t go all mushy; that her admiration and love for him are real rather than showbiz, is evident.

She is not one to be trifled with, she knows her place in the sun. She proudly acknowledges her being a stage mother of sorts, preening silently with justified pride when her children show her good grades. I think posts back I mentioned how her son came out on TV and was similarly impressive.

I am a fan of her person.

Just watched the Spoon episode where she was guest.

Photo taken from this site

GPL heads the MTRCB and I think she’s handling it very well.

But now, with hardly any work coming, I have taken up reading again, which I alternate with TV and dvd-dvd viewing and computer games. But books are so expensive sometimes and take up a lot of space, so I always think more than twice before getting one and lining up to pay for it. Sometimes, I just browse over whatever books son and husband have.

A few years ago, got husband a Kindle. He enjoyed using it until a toggle ceased to function. A few months ago, son mentioned how someone might give him one and he seemed to be excited about it. But that Kindle never came and it occurred to me to get each of us one Kindle. But which one? (I myself wanted to resume reading but the small print in some books is not for old eyes likek mine. Kindle is perfect in the sense that it allows letters to be enlarged, right?)

Of course my first choice for myself was Kindle Fire. To begin with it was colored. But son dissuaded me, saying its other features (yes, games) would be redundant because of my iPod Touch. So I looked at the other models. One thing I was sure of was to get something without a toggle.

I looked at Kindle Touch. I should get the one with no ads, I thought. But when I read reviews, mention was made that the ads weren’t too bothersome plus the unit with ads was $50 cheaper. Consulted husband and son and they were okay with the unit with ads.

Now where to order? Amazon direct was an option, but I’m scared of having to deal with Customs. So I ventured on ordering through e2 door after checking out Amazon rates. I also saw Nelson Krx on FB (which sells Kindle and other stuff) and got a quote from it. Amazon and e2door had more or less the same quotes. Nelson was slow to answer my question then such that I had ordered from e2door before getting a reply from NK. Plus I had apprehensions about ordering from Nelson as the money involved in getting 3 units was not small (per my standards). So I ordered through e2door, which meant more than P4k more than had I ordered through Nelson Krx.

After maybe 10 days, we received our Kindles and realized we needed covers. This time, I thought, I should try Nelson Krx. But still the hesitation was there. Then what do you know, after adding NK as a FB friend, I saw a nephew’s post (B, I am referring to your younger nephew here) thanking NK for good service. He had ordered a Kindle Touch and cover.

I wanted to bite my elbow, haha. Had I risked ordering through NK, I could have saved some precious pesos. Arrgh.

Now I’m waiting for the Kindle covers I ordered through NK. Expected arrival date is Feb 3. Keeping my fingers crossed they come as scheduled.

As soon as I get mine my orders from NK, I’ll do a full post on its service.

Will this mean goodbye e2door? Nelson Krx charges so much less.

By the way, Scrooge that I am, I haven’t yet bought a book. Instead I got samples of Walter Isaacson’s book on Einsteen and Adventures of Sherlock Holmes for free. And I’ve put my Kindle in its box where it will stay until I get its cover.

Can hardly wait. So what book will I purchase first? Any suggestions?

from this site

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The Vatican was shaken by a corruption scandal on Thursday after an Italian television investigation said a former top official had been transferred against his will after complaining about irregularities in awarding contracts.

The show “The Untouchables” on the respected private television network La 7 on Wednesday night showed what it said were several letters that Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, who was then deputy-governor of Vatican City, sent to superiors, including Pope Benedict, in 2011 about the corruption.

The Vatican issued a statement on Thursday criticising the “methods” used in the journalistic investigation. But it confirmed that the letters were authentic by expressing “sadness over the publication of reserved documents”.

As deputy governor of the Vatican City for two years from 2009 to 2011, Vigano was the number two official in a department responsible for maintaining the tiny city-state’s gardens, buildings, streets, museums and other infrastructure.

Vigano, currently the Vatican’s ambassador in Washington, said in the letters that when he took the job in 2009 he discovered a web of corruption, nepotism and cronyism linked to the awarding of contracts to outside companies at inflated prices.

In one letter, Vigano tells the pope of a smear campaign against him (Vigano) by other Vatican officials who wanted him transferred because they were upset that he had taken drastic steps to save the Vatican money by cleaning up its procedures.

“Holy Father, my transfer right now would provoke much disorientation and discouragement in those who have believed it was possible to clean up so many situations of corruption and abuse of power that have been rooted in the management of so many departments,” Vigano wrote to the pope on March 27, 2011.

In another letter to the pope on April 4, 2011, Vigano says he discovered the management of some Vatican City investments was entrusted to two funds managed by a committee of Italian bankers “who looked after their own interests more than ours”.

LOSS OF $2.5 MILLION, 550,000 EURO NATIVITY SCENE

Vigano says in the same letter that in one single financial transaction in December, 2009, “they made us lose two and a half million dollars”.

The programme interviewed a man it identified as a member of the bankers’ committee who said Vigano had developed a reputation as a “ballbreaker” among companies that had contracts with the Vatican, because of his insistence on transparency and competition.

The man’s face was blurred on the transmission and his voice was distorted in order to conceal his identity.

In one of the letters to the pope, Vigano said Vatican-employed maintenance workers were demoralised because “work was always given to the same companies at costs at least double compared to those charged outside the Vatican”.

For example, when Vigano discovered that the cost of the Vatican’s larger than life nativity scene in St Peter’s Square was 550,000 euros in 2009, he chopped 200,000 euros off the cost for the next Christmas, the programme said.

Even though, Vigano’s cost-cutting and transparency campaign helped turned Vatican City’s budget from deficit to surplus during his tenure, in 2011 unsigned articles criticising him as inefficient appeared in the Italian newspaper Il Giornale.

On March 22, 2011, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone informed Vigano that he was being removed from his position, even though it was to have lasted until 2014.

Five days later he wrote to Bertone complaining that he was left “dumbfounded” by the ouster and because Bertone’s motives for his removal were identical to those published in an anonymous article published against him in Il Giornale that month.

In early April, Vigano went over Bertone’s head again and wrote directly to the pope, telling him that he had worked hard to “eliminate corruption, private interests and dysfunction that are widespread in various departments”.

He also tells the pope in the same letter that “no-one should be surprised about the press campaign against me” because he tried to root out corruption and had made enemies.

Despite his appeals to the pope that a transfer, even if it meant a promotion, “would be a defeat difficult for me to accept”, Vigano was named ambassador to Washington in October of last year after the sudden death of the previous envoy to the United States.

In its statement, the Vatican said the journalistic investigation had treated complicated subjects in a “partial and banal way” and could take steps to defend the “honour of morally upright people” who loyally serve the Church.

The statement said that today’s administration was a continuation of the “correct and transparent management that inspired Monsignor Vigano”.

(Reporting By Philip Pullella)

Read this in an email last week and found it unsettling/disappointing. I thought things like this one were of the past. But I guess, history does indeed repeat itself and the topics Dan Brown tackles in his fiction do approximate the truth in various/certain forms. Sad. Reading this made me think twice and then some about going to church, listening to homilies, etc. My belief in God is unwavering but I guess one just has to remember that the Church is still and all, “tao lang.” But still…

(Holo is a satirical blogger. He also interviews Twitter personalities via the hashtags #in140char (“Twitterviews” with journalists and celebrities) and #TweetConPH (Social media conference with policymakers and advocates). You may follow his account on Twitter: @I_amHolo.) 

If you notice, senator-judge Juan Ponce Enrile wears earphones during the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona to monitor the proceedings. I doubt they are a hearing aid. I strongly suspect they are hooked to a Walkman.

For those who do not know what a Walkman is, it’s a portable audio cassette player built in 1978 when Enrile was the dictator’s Minister of National Defense.

Anyway, here are the top 10 songs he listens to when bored or drowned by the cacophony of voices in the Senate session hall. Each song is dedicated to a particular epal on the floor. They have been giving the presiding officer of the impeachment court a bad LSS (Last Song Syndrome):

1. Baby by Justin Bieber

Enrile dedicates this haunting hit by the Canadian recording artist to Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, whom he addresses as “The distinguished baby from Iloilo.” He usually sings it with his grandchildren. Enrile is a secret Belibier.

LSS: 

Baby, baby, baby, oh

Like baby, baby, baby, no

Like baby, baby, baby, oh

2. Firework by Katy Perry

Arguably one of the most covered songs on Youtube, this catchy song reminds Enrile not of Katy Perry kissing a half-naked boy but of Miriam spewing out 3 sentences per second across the hall.

LSS:

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework

Come on, show ‘em what you’re worth

Make ‘em go. Oh, oh, oh

As you shoot across the hall

3. Rolling in the Deep by Adele

Have you watched the song’s MTV where Adele belts out huge bluesy notes while sitting down surrounded by hundreds of glasses? Imagine if those glasses will break. The sound is akin to Miriam’s histrionics. Enrile tweaked the lyrics a bit.

LSS: 

There’s a fire starting in Miriam’s  heart

Reaching a fever pitch and it’s bringing out her bark

4. Urong Sulong by Regine Velasquez

Obviously, this song is dedicated to chief prosecutor Rep. Niel Tupas. It was popularized by the Songbird of Asia in 1987 when senator-judge Gregorio Honasan was a struggling coup plotter.

LSS: 

Urong sulong ka, bakit ka ganyan? Urong sulong ka

5. Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok ko by Rey Valera

This endearing classic ballad is the theme song of Enrile’s bromance with defense lawyer and former Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas.

LSS:

Kung tayo ay matanda na 

Sana’y ‘di tayo magbago 

Kailanman, nasaan ma’y 

Ito ang pangarap ko 

(Cuevas objects to the next stanza, calling it “irrelevant, immaterial and impertinent.” Enrile ordered to have it stricken from the record.)

Makuha mo pa kayang ako’y hagkan at yakapin, hmm… 

Hanggang pagtanda natin 

Nagtatanong lang sa ‘yo ako pa kaya’y ibigin mo 

Kung maputi na ang buhok ko 

6. Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang by Ogie Alcasid

Enrile ordered his aide-de-camp to find a cassette tape of the popular videoke song immediately after the House prosecution panel named Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farinas as deputy chief prosecutor. Enrile has no problems having Tupas around as lead decoration.

LSS:

Bakit ngayon ka lang

Bakit ngayon kung kelan ang lead counsel ay ‘huling walang alam’

7. Ikaw lang (Loren) by Martin Nievera

This theme song of the teleserye Nasaan Ka, Elisa is dedicted to Senator-in-hiding Loren Legarda.

LSS:

Nung ikaw ay nawala 

Jologs na ang mga damit nila

Ikaw lamang ang tanging fashionista

8.Tukso by Eva Eugenio

For threatening to present 100 witnesses to the impeachment court, Enrile admonishes the prosecution with this jukebox hit.

LSS:

Kayrami nang witnesses na tinawagan

Kayrami nang mediang ginambala

Kayrami nyo nang kapalpakan

O, Quimbo, layuan mo ako

9. On the Floor by Jennifer Lopez

And since everyone is epal on the floor, Enrile wants this song to be the impeachment theme song.

LSS:

If you go hard you gotta get on the floor

If you’re a PNoy freak then step on the floor

If you’re for Corona then tear up the floor

Break a sweat on the floor

Yeah we work on the floor

Enrile remembers former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta everytime he plays the song. But he has another song in mind for the former senator-dancer, rounding up his top 10 LSS.

10. Teach Me How To Dougie by Cali Swag District

This hip-hop song which popularized the “Dougie” hand move is the Dancing Queen in the age of Youtube. It would have been an apt theme song for Edsa Dos.

Trivia: Enrile spends those “one-minute” trial breaks for Dougie dance lessons. Two weeks into the trial, he hasn’t perfected it yet. Miriam has been a huge distraction. So will the 100 prosecution witnesses be. - Rappler.com

So we did. Son said it was the macho side of shopping in Makati because what did it have? What does it have? Computer shops, True Value, music stores, aside from the Greenhills-like stalls selling cellphone paraphernalia. It also has sports shops. Son wished it were nearer his office so he could hie off to it during his lunch break. Too far, he conceded.

At Toby’s I found a 4-lb kettle bell which my cousin had asked for as a Christmas present. I had gone to Toby’s in Shang but for naught. I went to different sports stores in Power Plant, same result. Also at Toby’s were gym gloves that weren’t black. But they weren’t the brand cousin wanted: Adidas.

Son was able to buy his guitar strings from JB Music Store. He also got a screen thing (matte) for his phone and a case. Cheap, of course.

But the place is not too clean and needs sprucing up. Well, I guess that it caters to guys more than it does to girls makes a makeover of the place not too imperative. Hahaha, I just want to get back at husband and son who, when they see a not-too competent driver immediately conclude it’s a woman and sadly, it usually is.

So there. Quad, okay, Park Square may have what you need but it could stand some cleaning, repainting, etc.

This set-up made me dither about trying it out, but this morning I was feeling adventurous. And my son and husband were willing to try it out as well. But let me backtrack.

After mass we had two dining options: Ukokei in Pasay Road, and Dingdong Dantes’s Krave resto in Palanca Street in Legaspi Village. Our first stop was Krave, but what do you know, it was 11:10 a.m. and the resto was closed. Don’t they open on Sundays? Seeing that, we went to Pasay Road in search of Ukkokei. Found it not and ended in DT. Had a valet park the car.

*****

We were clueless about where to start. A man in a cotton long-sleeved barong tried to be helpful but was apparently not too knowledgeable about the buffet. He did tell us to go to Basix which was on the left side of the entrance. We entered the place, but no one told us what to do. We went out and saw this lady whom we engaged in conversation. She told us that Basix has a little of everything, particularly Asian cuisine. We went back in and saw sashimi et al. Still on an exploratory mood, we then hied off to Umu, the Japaense resto which is on the right after you pass the elevator, but deeper into the hotel. We scoured the place and saw Japanese food (what an inane statement): sushi, sashimi, salmon balls, etc. It was empty at that point. As I wasn’t sure the elevator would bring us to the mezzanine (some elevators don’t), I asked one lady if it would. She led us to the elevator where someone else accompanied us to the mezzanine. But before that, we stopped before this indigenous instrument (string/percussion) laid on a stage. We asked what it was called and were told it was a kim. (Later we found out it’s spelled KHIM). Then we proceeded to the mezzanine.

Tosca is the Italian resto on the left (the way Basix is). In it, Proseco, a sparkling wine, is served free and bottomless. Promise. So that’s what we decided to make our base.

No, I didn’t partake of the Proseco. Ice cold water was enough, until I asked and was told that sodas are free and bottomless in Basix. Husband got me a glass from there which he said was dispensed from a dispenser (how inane that sounds, again!).

The Italian spread had bread but no cheeses, cold cuts, ham with Hawaiian sauce, pasta choices, risotto (yummy – which a choice of asparagus, mushrooms, bacon, parmesan cheese, etc. – take all or some), gratinated tomatoes, garlic and mushrooms, capers, etc.

While I stayed in Tosca, husband and son checked out Umu and Benjarong, the fourth resto with Thai food. Son got crunchy spicy chicken which was very good. This was when I felt the need for Coke, badly. There was pad thai as well, but son had made it too spicy so he said I shouldn’t try it.

At Umu he got the beef teppanyaki, cream dory teppanyaki and shrimps. The beef teppan was so good he said he should just have gotten that and no more. It was freshly cooked besides. Husband got sashimi and sushis, but we hardly touched these as we were too full. (He also got gindara but maintained Kimpura’s was unbeatable.) Besides I had gotten some smoked salmon from the Italian spread.

Overall, I’d say this is the best buffet I’ve ever had, particularly because of the freshly prepared risotto and beef teppan.

As for dessert choices, when I asked what dessert was best, one lady in Tosca told me “hot chocolate”. I asked, “with churros?” She looked at me strangely. But she said it was the best-seller, so I said to go ahead and get me one. It was good, like choco fudge and it was warm. It reminded me of the icing/frosting of the choco cupcake in Mom and Tina’s.

After lunch we lingered a little at the Murano display/stall. The lady manning the place was very involved and enthusiastic, patiently telling us how much things were, citing the possibility of discounts. The prices ranged from a thousand pesos for a pendant, to a P35k neckpiece. A hairclip that was really colorful cost P3500. No, I didn’t buy anything. I did see the pendant son got me from Rome two years ago. He had been very proud to give me this Murano piece. It cost less there than it did here. (Note that also available were crucifix pendants and crucifixes for the wall, small clocks, etc. Very interesting array.)

Anyway, as  we looked at the stuff thereat, I heard my name being called (I had used my credit card to pay which was why they knew my name). The lady began, “Ma’am you forgot…” I immediately panicked and thought – “my credit card” (horrors)! But no, it was husband’s iPod that had been left behind. Whew – that it wasn’t mine and Whew that they returned it. The girl in the Murano stall then recounted how honest the people in Tosca are and how even the cleaning lady in the washroom is as well.

Except for the lack of product knowledge which can be improved on, DT is a hotel that gives one a nice-feeling. Everyone smiles and is gracious. Some even put their palms together, mutter a greeting and bow, Thai style, undoubtedly.

*****

At the lobby, we again paused before the Thai instrument. Earlier husband had seen a young lady playing it. Son couldn’t resist tinkering with the strings. Shortly after, a lady who looked Filipina but spoke with a foreign accent smiled at us. She was Thai. I asked if it was she who played the instrument. Yes, she said. Husband asked to see the “hammer” used to strike the strings. She obliged.

Happy, happy, happy. We got a free parking ticket and even the valet service which was pegged at P55 was free because our bill reached a certain amount. Note that we got a 15% discount for paying the bill with a Citibank credit card. And this isn’t a plug.

Three pictures:

One is of my wrist/arm with the DT tag signifying our having cross-over buffet so we could go from one resto to another. (I felt like a baby in a nursery) The two others are scenes leading to UMU or near it.

A few years ago my sister told me that tikoy could be wrapped in Apa or lumpia wrapper and fried. That, I thought, was a good idea because tikoy fried in egg can get boring.

A few hours ago, I read my nephew’s suggestion to his friend – to add quick melt cheese in the lumpia tikoy. Not having any, I had HHA use queso de bola from Christmas.

Yummy! Go try. Go fry!