I am so loving this right now... Michelle Pfeiffer was amazing as Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray. And the beat just makes you go front step, cha cha cha...back step, cha cha cha! :)
oh...and Zac Efron was so hot in this movie! To think I didn't even notice him in High School Musical, hehe, it must be the hair. ;-)
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
My 2 Cents worth...
Every once in a while, something happens that makes internet surfing more interesting. It could be about a new product, a movie, an event, an email or in this case a series of blogs and articles that talk about a certain lifestyle writer by the name of Malu Fernandez.
Malu Fernandez gained infamy over the blogosphere in the last few weeks due to an article published in the June 2007 issue of People Asia magazine. In this article, the jetsetting diva, used her "acerbic wit" to talk about her recent adventure - taking an economy class fare in an Emirates flight to Greece.
I would have probably enjoyed the topic, had it not contained such distasteful comments.
She incensed the public with her highly insensitive and derogatory remarks about her fellow Filipinos, targetting the OFWs whom she happened to share the plane with. You can view the full article here -> (Page1, Page2), but I've highlighted a few key points below.
"However I forgot that the hub was in Dubai and the majority of the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) were stationed there. The duty-free shop was overrun with Filipino workers selling cell phones and perfume. Meanwhile, I wanted to slash my wrist at the thought of being trapped in a plane with all of them."
"While I was on the plane (where the seats were so small I had bruises on my legs), my only consolation was the entertainment on the small flat screen in front of me. But it was busted, so I heaved a sigh, popped my sleeping pills and dozed off to the sounds of gum chewing and endless yelling of “HOY! Kumusta ka na? At taga sann ka? Domestic helper ka rin ba?” Translation: “Hey there? Where are you from? Are you a domestic helper as well?” I though I had died and God had sent me to my very own private hell."
"On my way back, I had to bravely take the economy flight once more. This time I had already resigned myself to being trapped like a sardine in a sardine can with all these OFWs smelling of AXE and Charlie cologne while Jo Malone evaporated into thin air."
Not content with her original article, Malu posted a follow up article that started well enough (I even agree with some of her rants), but then she ended the article with another jibe that only added fuel to the fire that would soon consume her. “Am I being a diva? Or do you lack common sense?” (Manila Standard Online, July 30, 2007)
"As I type this, I’d like you to know that it’s not about whining, complaining and bitching but just stating the facts. Just recently, I wrote a funny article in my magazine column and my friends thought it was hilarious. It was humorous and quite tongue-in-cheek, or at least I thought so, until the magazine got a few e-mails from people who didn’t get the meaning of my acerbic wit. The bottom line was just that I had offended the reader’s socioeconomic background. If any of these people actually read anything thicker then a magazine they would find it very funny. Most people don’t get the fact that they need bitches like me to shake up their world, otherwise their lives would be boring and mediocre. I obviously write for the a certain target audience and if what I write offends you, just stop reading."
Funny... I regularly read things "thicker than a magazine" but I didn't quite catch the humor in that.
And it wasn't the socioenomic background that's the problem. It's how she belittled the country's unsung heroes with her remarks. What did she expect? That we would take it lying down? For a country that owes so much to its OFWs, she should have realized that attacking them meant declaring war.
Unfortunately, I can't wholly take the side of the people against her because they too have written things that come across as worse than Malu's ill-attempt at humor. Although they believe that she deserves the name-calling, the character-bashing now littering the WWW, I think that some of them are just being mean.
Let's be objective about this...asking for a public apology and even a resignation/disciplinary action is fine by me. But some of the user comments I read on the net makes me shake my head, I feel slightly chagrined that these people calling out the insensitivity of one, stoop to a level lower than hers, jumping into the mob mentality, goaded into making comments that are malicious and nasty just to belong. *sigh*
Well, this story does get a happy ending (or as close to one as can be expected). Malu Fernandez issued a public apology, and has resigned from both People Asia and Manila Standard Today. Hopefully, she has learned her lesson that you don't have to resort to insults to be witty, and to keep her elitist, prejudiced, acerbic wit to herself and her friends. And hopefully, for the next barrage of online blogs taking sides, let's all just stick to the issue, and leave the immature name-calling out of it okay?
Cheers. :)
Malu Fernandez gained infamy over the blogosphere in the last few weeks due to an article published in the June 2007 issue of People Asia magazine. In this article, the jetsetting diva, used her "acerbic wit" to talk about her recent adventure - taking an economy class fare in an Emirates flight to Greece.
I would have probably enjoyed the topic, had it not contained such distasteful comments.
She incensed the public with her highly insensitive and derogatory remarks about her fellow Filipinos, targetting the OFWs whom she happened to share the plane with. You can view the full article here -> (Page1, Page2), but I've highlighted a few key points below.
"However I forgot that the hub was in Dubai and the majority of the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) were stationed there. The duty-free shop was overrun with Filipino workers selling cell phones and perfume. Meanwhile, I wanted to slash my wrist at the thought of being trapped in a plane with all of them."
"While I was on the plane (where the seats were so small I had bruises on my legs), my only consolation was the entertainment on the small flat screen in front of me. But it was busted, so I heaved a sigh, popped my sleeping pills and dozed off to the sounds of gum chewing and endless yelling of “HOY! Kumusta ka na? At taga sann ka? Domestic helper ka rin ba?” Translation: “Hey there? Where are you from? Are you a domestic helper as well?” I though I had died and God had sent me to my very own private hell."
"On my way back, I had to bravely take the economy flight once more. This time I had already resigned myself to being trapped like a sardine in a sardine can with all these OFWs smelling of AXE and Charlie cologne while Jo Malone evaporated into thin air."
Not content with her original article, Malu posted a follow up article that started well enough (I even agree with some of her rants), but then she ended the article with another jibe that only added fuel to the fire that would soon consume her. “Am I being a diva? Or do you lack common sense?” (Manila Standard Online, July 30, 2007)
"As I type this, I’d like you to know that it’s not about whining, complaining and bitching but just stating the facts. Just recently, I wrote a funny article in my magazine column and my friends thought it was hilarious. It was humorous and quite tongue-in-cheek, or at least I thought so, until the magazine got a few e-mails from people who didn’t get the meaning of my acerbic wit. The bottom line was just that I had offended the reader’s socioeconomic background. If any of these people actually read anything thicker then a magazine they would find it very funny. Most people don’t get the fact that they need bitches like me to shake up their world, otherwise their lives would be boring and mediocre. I obviously write for the a certain target audience and if what I write offends you, just stop reading."
Funny... I regularly read things "thicker than a magazine" but I didn't quite catch the humor in that.
And it wasn't the socioenomic background that's the problem. It's how she belittled the country's unsung heroes with her remarks. What did she expect? That we would take it lying down? For a country that owes so much to its OFWs, she should have realized that attacking them meant declaring war.
Unfortunately, I can't wholly take the side of the people against her because they too have written things that come across as worse than Malu's ill-attempt at humor. Although they believe that she deserves the name-calling, the character-bashing now littering the WWW, I think that some of them are just being mean.
Let's be objective about this...asking for a public apology and even a resignation/disciplinary action is fine by me. But some of the user comments I read on the net makes me shake my head, I feel slightly chagrined that these people calling out the insensitivity of one, stoop to a level lower than hers, jumping into the mob mentality, goaded into making comments that are malicious and nasty just to belong. *sigh*
Well, this story does get a happy ending (or as close to one as can be expected). Malu Fernandez issued a public apology, and has resigned from both People Asia and Manila Standard Today. Hopefully, she has learned her lesson that you don't have to resort to insults to be witty, and to keep her elitist, prejudiced, acerbic wit to herself and her friends. And hopefully, for the next barrage of online blogs taking sides, let's all just stick to the issue, and leave the immature name-calling out of it okay?
Cheers. :)
VLLMA Encore and Hairspray
And the great Apple finally decided to grace us with her presence. :)
We finally got hold of our dear "mommy" for lunch @ North Park yesterday. As usual, she was her apple-licious self, full of stories and anecdotes that made us laugh all throughout lunch. Unfortunately, Les wasn't able to join us then so it still wasn't a VLLMA get-together.
Les did join Mich, Lui and me to see Hairspray after office. Cute movie, John Travolta was convincing in drag. :) I liked the songs, and of course panalo si Tracy Turnbland! Played by Nikki Blonsky, and High School musical's Zac Efron also joins the cast as Tracy's love interest. Other notable actors in this film are Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah, Elijah Kelley and Amanda Bynes.
Then, afterwards we had dinner at Cafe Breton for some crepes and coffee...and hot chocolate...and hot milk. :) To quote Lui's quote "A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent."
To end this post, I leave you with some lines from each of Hairspray's main characters.
Tracy Turnblad: I'm a bad, bad girl who needs to be punished.
Amber von Tussel: Right now, as we speak, your daughter has entered a hotbed of moral... turpentine.
Penny Pingleton: [about Amber] Plastic little spastic.
Edna Turnblad: [singing] You can't stop my happiness, 'cuz I like the way I am. And you just can't stop my knife and fork when I see a Christmas ham! And if you don't like the way I look, then I just don't give a damn!
Link Larkin: I was just at home, practicing my new twist on The Twist, when I overheard it on the news. I can't believe Tracy savagely bludgeoned an Eagle Scout. That's just not like her.
Seaweed: Calm down, cracker boy, it's cool.
Velma Von Tussle: Incredible! I could do a fan dance with a lettuce leaf and you would remain completely obtuse!
Motormouth Maybelle: Well, love is a gift, a lot of people don't remember that. So, you two better brace yourselves for a whole lotta ugly comin' at you from a neverending parade of stupid.
...and last but not the least!
Wilbur Turnblad: Honey, it took me five years to realize you were flirting! **Geekyobserver's comment: Typical male! :)
Hairspray Info Source: IMDB.com
We finally got hold of our dear "mommy" for lunch @ North Park yesterday. As usual, she was her apple-licious self, full of stories and anecdotes that made us laugh all throughout lunch. Unfortunately, Les wasn't able to join us then so it still wasn't a VLLMA get-together.
Les did join Mich, Lui and me to see Hairspray after office. Cute movie, John Travolta was convincing in drag. :) I liked the songs, and of course panalo si Tracy Turnbland! Played by Nikki Blonsky, and High School musical's Zac Efron also joins the cast as Tracy's love interest. Other notable actors in this film are Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah, Elijah Kelley and Amanda Bynes.
Then, afterwards we had dinner at Cafe Breton for some crepes and coffee...and hot chocolate...and hot milk. :) To quote Lui's quote "A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent."
To end this post, I leave you with some lines from each of Hairspray's main characters.
Tracy Turnblad: I'm a bad, bad girl who needs to be punished.
Amber von Tussel: Right now, as we speak, your daughter has entered a hotbed of moral... turpentine.
Penny Pingleton: [about Amber] Plastic little spastic.
Edna Turnblad: [singing] You can't stop my happiness, 'cuz I like the way I am. And you just can't stop my knife and fork when I see a Christmas ham! And if you don't like the way I look, then I just don't give a damn!
Link Larkin: I was just at home, practicing my new twist on The Twist, when I overheard it on the news. I can't believe Tracy savagely bludgeoned an Eagle Scout. That's just not like her.
Seaweed: Calm down, cracker boy, it's cool.
Velma Von Tussle: Incredible! I could do a fan dance with a lettuce leaf and you would remain completely obtuse!
Motormouth Maybelle: Well, love is a gift, a lot of people don't remember that. So, you two better brace yourselves for a whole lotta ugly comin' at you from a neverending parade of stupid.
...and last but not the least!
Wilbur Turnblad: Honey, it took me five years to realize you were flirting! **Geekyobserver's comment: Typical male! :)
Hairspray Info Source: IMDB.com
Monday, August 27, 2007
VLLM does what they do best :)
...Which is sing, chat, laugh, relax and eat (and I mean eat). :)
So, that's what VILLMA did sans the I and A. Irene is in the US, and Apple couldn't join us because Jonathan was coming home from Saudi today. But, Mich was in town from Malaysia and Louie just got back from Zimbabwe last night so Leslie and I could not say no to a get-together that was bound to be a 10 on the fun meter.
The date was marked as early as two weeks ago, and we started the day by meeting up at the Beauty Bar in Glorietta. Louie, still jet-lagged, woke up late so the three of us headed over to Red Box for lunch and some karaoke while we waited for Louie. But we were just too full of stories to start the singing marathon. Mich entertained us with her stories and the Malaysia-esque terms and manners she picked up. And when Louie showed up, she told us about her adventures in Zimbabwe, her first encounter with a zebra, her life among the wildlife and the general state of things in this African country, which will really make you appreciate the Philippines more. We did manage to squeeze in a couple of songs, but we missed each others' company so much that we weren't really that excited to sing. Thanks Mich for the Red Box lunch!
Then, we headed over to the California Nails Spa (I'm not sure if this is the name) in Perea to get our "spa" fix. Louie and Mich got the spa pedicure and manicure, Les got the spa pedicure and I got the deluxe foot spa and leg massage. Due to some misunderstanding, I came in to the spa with a fresh pedicure, but left without one. :( I did enjoy the foot spa and the massage though, so I just let it slide.
Then, we went to Circles @ Shangri-La for dinner, courtesy of Louie. :) And stuffed ourselves with so much food... :) California Maki, baked oysters, salmon sashimi, tempura, prime rib, shrimp dumplings, prosciutto, nachos, brocolli, shrimps, crabs, chicken, potatoes, beef...I'm not sure what else...and then there was dessert! Cheesecake, churros, carrot cake, chocolate cake, blueberry panacotta, creme brulee, leche flan, chocolate mousse and of course, the chocolate fountain plus coffee for me and Louie and jasmine tea for Mich and Les.
We were so stuffed! As we should be of course...hehe, it was a great dinner. Great food, great company and great ambience. What more could we ask for? Did I mention this was also free? Thanks so much Louie! Oh, and we had the drinks of the month (which was yummy!) that came with a stuffed toy of our choice. It's a great keepsake to remember this fun-filled day. :)
So, that's what VILLMA did sans the I and A. Irene is in the US, and Apple couldn't join us because Jonathan was coming home from Saudi today. But, Mich was in town from Malaysia and Louie just got back from Zimbabwe last night so Leslie and I could not say no to a get-together that was bound to be a 10 on the fun meter.
The date was marked as early as two weeks ago, and we started the day by meeting up at the Beauty Bar in Glorietta. Louie, still jet-lagged, woke up late so the three of us headed over to Red Box for lunch and some karaoke while we waited for Louie. But we were just too full of stories to start the singing marathon. Mich entertained us with her stories and the Malaysia-esque terms and manners she picked up. And when Louie showed up, she told us about her adventures in Zimbabwe, her first encounter with a zebra, her life among the wildlife and the general state of things in this African country, which will really make you appreciate the Philippines more. We did manage to squeeze in a couple of songs, but we missed each others' company so much that we weren't really that excited to sing. Thanks Mich for the Red Box lunch!
Then, we went to Circles @ Shangri-La for dinner, courtesy of Louie. :) And stuffed ourselves with so much food... :) California Maki, baked oysters, salmon sashimi, tempura, prime rib, shrimp dumplings, prosciutto, nachos, brocolli, shrimps, crabs, chicken, potatoes, beef...I'm not sure what else...and then there was dessert! Cheesecake, churros, carrot cake, chocolate cake, blueberry panacotta, creme brulee, leche flan, chocolate mousse and of course, the chocolate fountain plus coffee for me and Louie and jasmine tea for Mich and Les.We were so stuffed! As we should be of course...hehe, it was a great dinner. Great food, great company and great ambience. What more could we ask for? Did I mention this was also free? Thanks so much Louie! Oh, and we had the drinks of the month (which was yummy!) that came with a stuffed toy of our choice. It's a great keepsake to remember this fun-filled day. :)
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Cupping and a 2-hour massage
Last night, I brought Maitz to Blue Water Day Spa for a 2 hour massage (Traditional Hilot) with Ventuza (herbal glass lighting, also knows as "cupping"). It was my treat, in exchange for an Opal earring and necklace set she got me from Sydney.
For those who are not aware, cupping is a modernized adaptation of an ancient Chinese practice that involves creating "vacuums" on the back by lighting a small candle and placing a glass over it, creating suction. This supposedly drains excess fluids and toxins, bring blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles and stimulate the peripheral nervous system. And according to Wikipedia, the therapy is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as the common cold, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Cupping is also used to treat back, neck, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal pain.
Anyway, I was made to lie down and my therapist Nary, started lighting tea candles and placed them on my back. Then glasses were placed over them, twisting them slightly, the flames burned out afterwards, and then she would leave me for 15 minutes before beginning the massage.
It wasn't painful, but I felt a slight discomfort because of the warmth. Five minutes into the procedure, I felt my back starting to itch... when I told Nary about this when she came back, she said it was normal because of the toxins being pulled out from the glasses. She started to remove the glasses from my back, and you could hear the "whoosh" of the air as each one was released.
Then she started applying the mango oil on my back (a scent I love so much) and proceeded with the massage. It was calming...relaxing. Just what I needed. :)
My back still has 6 round, reddish, slightly raised bumps from the treatment. I'm not sure if it worked, but at least I can say I've tried it. I probably won't be doing that again any time soon though, hehe. I prefer the massage over the cupping.
For those who want to try this, it really is quite an experience. Contact Blue Water Day Spa for more info. :)
For those who are not aware, cupping is a modernized adaptation of an ancient Chinese practice that involves creating "vacuums" on the back by lighting a small candle and placing a glass over it, creating suction. This supposedly drains excess fluids and toxins, bring blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles and stimulate the peripheral nervous system. And according to Wikipedia, the therapy is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as the common cold, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Cupping is also used to treat back, neck, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal pain.
Anyway, I was made to lie down and my therapist Nary, started lighting tea candles and placed them on my back. Then glasses were placed over them, twisting them slightly, the flames burned out afterwards, and then she would leave me for 15 minutes before beginning the massage.
It wasn't painful, but I felt a slight discomfort because of the warmth. Five minutes into the procedure, I felt my back starting to itch... when I told Nary about this when she came back, she said it was normal because of the toxins being pulled out from the glasses. She started to remove the glasses from my back, and you could hear the "whoosh" of the air as each one was released.
Then she started applying the mango oil on my back (a scent I love so much) and proceeded with the massage. It was calming...relaxing. Just what I needed. :)
My back still has 6 round, reddish, slightly raised bumps from the treatment. I'm not sure if it worked, but at least I can say I've tried it. I probably won't be doing that again any time soon though, hehe. I prefer the massage over the cupping.
For those who want to try this, it really is quite an experience. Contact Blue Water Day Spa for more info. :)
Friday, August 24, 2007
http://blogactionday.org/
I came across this interesting site while reading the day's news at inquirer.net. Just click on the link for the full article.
To make a long story short, this blog aims to unite bloggers all over the world to write about one issue for a specific day. One issue. One day. The issue? The environment. The day? October 15, 2007. Mark your calendars.
I am a casual blogger. I write about my life, things I care about, things that I want to react to, movies, books, food... My readers are generally just contained to my friends, I may not have the reach of some bloggers but there is no way I am going to miss this "call to action". The environment is something that everyone should care about, and I am doing my own small part to promote this awareness to people who might come across my blog.
Imagine if thousands of "casual bloggers" like me posted about the same issue? Imagine how many ideas would be shared and how many people could be reached? The stats below would give you an idea.
As of August 24, 2007... 8:31 AM, Manila time, 51 days to go, there are already 2,505 registered blogs reaching an audience of over 2,742,388.
Be a part of this initiative. One day. One issue. Thousands of voices.
Monday, August 20, 2007
...
August 20, 2007... holiday and I'm at the office. It's like Sun Life all over again, Only no OT pay... I get off-in-lieu though :)
And guess what? I brought the car! First time to this office. That brings my total to 2, hehe. I brought the car to SLF once, for a badminton game, and now today, coz I really didn't have a choice since I was the only one who had to work. I probably will bring the car to work a few more times in the next few months....So, I've now driven the car to over 5 different locations. Nanay's place, the Fort, SLF, SSA and of course, to my weekend getaway, Glorietta (which is the only place I used to go to).
I really have to start driving... and I mean, not the weekend driving I do... but really driving. Maitz is moving to Singapore by October 1, and that leaves me with no "driver". May free parking naman kami e, so it's really just about me overcoming my "phobia" or whatever the hell it was that stopped me from driving 5 years ago. Oh and yeah...my complete lack of "direction", which is probably a little harder to overcome :D.
Anyway... Egay has finally left. Although skies are still a bit dark outside. The supertyphoon cancelled classes upto college from Wed-Fri, which resulted in a 6-day weekend for Tere and Sweet. I can't say I'm jealous...coz last Sat, we stayed at home for the entire day, doing a 5-disc DVD marathon, and I'd have to say I really felt bored and lazy... can only imagine 6 days of doing nothing. :p Yeah, I am sourgraping, just a tiny bit.
Jeng stayed over last Sat and slept over at my house until Sunday. She should have been there Friday night, but because of heavy rains, our streets were flooded so she was only able to come on Sat. And like I said, we stayed home all day, but we did go to Glorie for some malling and shopping yesterday. Finally bought a webcam for skype... finally got on the skype bandwagon. We also canvassed for laptops yesterday (for Maitz, not me) but I think she'll just be buying in SG... Me, I'm planning to buy a Macbook after my first travel (counting on the per diem to allow me to save enough for this). But this really isn't a priority.
Hmmm...I wonder when I'm going to schedule my first visit to Maitz in Singapore :) Of course this will include a side trip to Malaysia so I can see Mich. Really excited about the prospect :) Kudos to Maitz for closing the SG deal, hehe.
Nothing more to ramble about, till next post. :)
And guess what? I brought the car! First time to this office. That brings my total to 2, hehe. I brought the car to SLF once, for a badminton game, and now today, coz I really didn't have a choice since I was the only one who had to work. I probably will bring the car to work a few more times in the next few months....So, I've now driven the car to over 5 different locations. Nanay's place, the Fort, SLF, SSA and of course, to my weekend getaway, Glorietta (which is the only place I used to go to).
I really have to start driving... and I mean, not the weekend driving I do... but really driving. Maitz is moving to Singapore by October 1, and that leaves me with no "driver". May free parking naman kami e, so it's really just about me overcoming my "phobia" or whatever the hell it was that stopped me from driving 5 years ago. Oh and yeah...my complete lack of "direction", which is probably a little harder to overcome :D.
Anyway... Egay has finally left. Although skies are still a bit dark outside. The supertyphoon cancelled classes upto college from Wed-Fri, which resulted in a 6-day weekend for Tere and Sweet. I can't say I'm jealous...coz last Sat, we stayed at home for the entire day, doing a 5-disc DVD marathon, and I'd have to say I really felt bored and lazy... can only imagine 6 days of doing nothing. :p Yeah, I am sourgraping, just a tiny bit.
Jeng stayed over last Sat and slept over at my house until Sunday. She should have been there Friday night, but because of heavy rains, our streets were flooded so she was only able to come on Sat. And like I said, we stayed home all day, but we did go to Glorie for some malling and shopping yesterday. Finally bought a webcam for skype... finally got on the skype bandwagon. We also canvassed for laptops yesterday (for Maitz, not me) but I think she'll just be buying in SG... Me, I'm planning to buy a Macbook after my first travel (counting on the per diem to allow me to save enough for this). But this really isn't a priority.
Hmmm...I wonder when I'm going to schedule my first visit to Maitz in Singapore :) Of course this will include a side trip to Malaysia so I can see Mich. Really excited about the prospect :) Kudos to Maitz for closing the SG deal, hehe.
Nothing more to ramble about, till next post. :)
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam
No, I have not suddenly become proficient in Latin. The Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam (Obligatory Prayer to Request for Rain) was issued by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and this prayer was said in all Masses in Manila beginning last weekend.
Manila, the Philippines actually, has been experiencing a dry spell for several months now. Water supply has decreased drastically, falling below critical levels. Electrical outages are becoming more frequent, crops are dying and if rain doesn't come soon, the situation would be a lot worse.
Then, last Friday, the Oratio Imperata was first prayed in masses across Manila.
Call it Divine Intervention, but we are now in the middle of two typhoons (one leaving, one about to enter the country). Classes in Elementary and High School have been suspended for the day, even my office has declared early dismissal at 4PM. It seems that our prayers have brought about what we desperately need...rain.
I consider this a blessing...however, I'm sure others will disagree. As with any sudden downpours, we are now experiencing heavy floods, massive traffic and of course, accidents and landslides. But underneath all of the negative, you can't deny the fact that our prayers were answered. And it's another testament of how God listens to us and grants us what we ask for. Ask and you shall receive, right?
I'm not being insensitive about how damaging the rains are... but if you think about it, we expect the typhoon season every year. It's just that this time, we asked for it to come, and it did. And I'm sure prayers played a very big part in that. Call it coincidence, but to me, it's something so much more.
Manila, the Philippines actually, has been experiencing a dry spell for several months now. Water supply has decreased drastically, falling below critical levels. Electrical outages are becoming more frequent, crops are dying and if rain doesn't come soon, the situation would be a lot worse.
Then, last Friday, the Oratio Imperata was first prayed in masses across Manila.
Call it Divine Intervention, but we are now in the middle of two typhoons (one leaving, one about to enter the country). Classes in Elementary and High School have been suspended for the day, even my office has declared early dismissal at 4PM. It seems that our prayers have brought about what we desperately need...rain.
I consider this a blessing...however, I'm sure others will disagree. As with any sudden downpours, we are now experiencing heavy floods, massive traffic and of course, accidents and landslides. But underneath all of the negative, you can't deny the fact that our prayers were answered. And it's another testament of how God listens to us and grants us what we ask for. Ask and you shall receive, right?
I'm not being insensitive about how damaging the rains are... but if you think about it, we expect the typhoon season every year. It's just that this time, we asked for it to come, and it did. And I'm sure prayers played a very big part in that. Call it coincidence, but to me, it's something so much more.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Let's race!
Ok, so 2 months and a couple of days into my SSA employment, I joined their first Social Activity. Initially, with some hesitation, as I am still not in my "comfort zone". And people who know me can attest that I don't normally go into situations outside my "comfort zone."
However, if I didn't go... this would have been the 4th office activity I'd miss and I don't really think it would look good on my "image" as a team player if I kept foregoing such events. So, I signed up.
I realized I really do have to let go of Sun Life and really embrace my new job, new people, new experiences. What better time to widen my circle of friends right?
I knew I made the right choice once the activity started. :) It was an Amazing Race! We were divided into 5 groups, and my team was composed of 7 people, 3 of whom I already knew, and 3 others who were really game na game so it wasn't hard to get into "team spirit" mode.
Our first task was to list the 8 SoC (Social Committee) members and our names on a piece of paper. Of course, I didn't play much role in this task, as I didn't know all the SoC members. We were the 3rd group to finish the task, and we raced with the two other groups in last place to LKG foodpark. John and Roxy were ahead of us, and the rest of us had to wait for another elevator to take us up to the 11th floor.
When we finally caught up with our teammates, they were sewing popcorn onto a piece of thread, turning it into a necklace. Roxy was having trouble with the needle slipping so *ahem*, I stepped in. Now, I'm far from being an expert at needlework, but I can hold my own, so I strung the popcorn into the thread, with my teammates handing me kernels. Afterwards, John wore it as a necklace and we were given our next clue.
Next stop, Salt and Pepper at Rufino. We had to get 6 bottlecaps, but we already took some from the LKG bar so we quickly passed this stop. Next was Starbucks, we had to give the SoC committee member "sample" coffee. This was another easy task, and afterwards we made our way to our next stop, McDonald's in Valero to collect 2 large cups and 3 small ones.
Two other teams were ahead of us, so we spent some time here. I even had the gall to ask two women if we could get the empty cups on their table! But we managed this task, and even tried to stall the other teams by throwing the cups we found. But from what I heard, the other teams took the cups even though they were in the trash :P.
Then we were off to 7/11 to buy (get this) a Premiere, Striped, Chocolate flavored condom! Hahaha... what a laugh, and a woman had to buy it! There were a couple of 7/11s in the vicinity and as we ran to the one nearest our office, We met the two other teams who were ahead of us, and we heard them talking that what we were looking for wasn't in that branch. But we went on, thinking they might have just gotten the next clue. Roxy played this one really, really well. And immediately asked the counter person if there was that kind of condom in stock. Apparently, there wasn't so we settled on a Chocolate flavored one.
When we brought the goods to Jam (the SoC rep there), he pointed out that it wasn't striped, nor Premiere. Kakai argued that it was out of stock so we should settle for that particular type, the rest of the team were quick to back her up. Jam seemed to think it over, but was already smiling before he handed out our next clue.
We had to head back to the office and form a human pyramid! So we rushed back and without any expectations, arrived at the starting point and found out we were the first one back! Yay for us! We won P1500, hehehe, and the privilege to eat first. :)
Apparently, the condom bit was really a challenge where we had to talk to Jam. :) So the first two teams tired themselves pointlessly... oh well, lessons learned here is that you really should talk to people when you're not sure with the clue or if you want to argue a point.
I had fun, I really did. Maybe coz we had a come from behind win which was really, really satisfying. Or maybe because for the first time, I finally let go of my SLF past and welcomed my SSA present and future. :)
However, if I didn't go... this would have been the 4th office activity I'd miss and I don't really think it would look good on my "image" as a team player if I kept foregoing such events. So, I signed up.
I realized I really do have to let go of Sun Life and really embrace my new job, new people, new experiences. What better time to widen my circle of friends right?
I knew I made the right choice once the activity started. :) It was an Amazing Race! We were divided into 5 groups, and my team was composed of 7 people, 3 of whom I already knew, and 3 others who were really game na game so it wasn't hard to get into "team spirit" mode.
Our first task was to list the 8 SoC (Social Committee) members and our names on a piece of paper. Of course, I didn't play much role in this task, as I didn't know all the SoC members. We were the 3rd group to finish the task, and we raced with the two other groups in last place to LKG foodpark. John and Roxy were ahead of us, and the rest of us had to wait for another elevator to take us up to the 11th floor.
When we finally caught up with our teammates, they were sewing popcorn onto a piece of thread, turning it into a necklace. Roxy was having trouble with the needle slipping so *ahem*, I stepped in. Now, I'm far from being an expert at needlework, but I can hold my own, so I strung the popcorn into the thread, with my teammates handing me kernels. Afterwards, John wore it as a necklace and we were given our next clue.
Next stop, Salt and Pepper at Rufino. We had to get 6 bottlecaps, but we already took some from the LKG bar so we quickly passed this stop. Next was Starbucks, we had to give the SoC committee member "sample" coffee. This was another easy task, and afterwards we made our way to our next stop, McDonald's in Valero to collect 2 large cups and 3 small ones.
Two other teams were ahead of us, so we spent some time here. I even had the gall to ask two women if we could get the empty cups on their table! But we managed this task, and even tried to stall the other teams by throwing the cups we found. But from what I heard, the other teams took the cups even though they were in the trash :P.
Then we were off to 7/11 to buy (get this) a Premiere, Striped, Chocolate flavored condom! Hahaha... what a laugh, and a woman had to buy it! There were a couple of 7/11s in the vicinity and as we ran to the one nearest our office, We met the two other teams who were ahead of us, and we heard them talking that what we were looking for wasn't in that branch. But we went on, thinking they might have just gotten the next clue. Roxy played this one really, really well. And immediately asked the counter person if there was that kind of condom in stock. Apparently, there wasn't so we settled on a Chocolate flavored one.
When we brought the goods to Jam (the SoC rep there), he pointed out that it wasn't striped, nor Premiere. Kakai argued that it was out of stock so we should settle for that particular type, the rest of the team were quick to back her up. Jam seemed to think it over, but was already smiling before he handed out our next clue.
We had to head back to the office and form a human pyramid! So we rushed back and without any expectations, arrived at the starting point and found out we were the first one back! Yay for us! We won P1500, hehehe, and the privilege to eat first. :)
Apparently, the condom bit was really a challenge where we had to talk to Jam. :) So the first two teams tired themselves pointlessly... oh well, lessons learned here is that you really should talk to people when you're not sure with the clue or if you want to argue a point.
I had fun, I really did. Maybe coz we had a come from behind win which was really, really satisfying. Or maybe because for the first time, I finally let go of my SLF past and welcomed my SSA present and future. :)
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