Since my move to HK, i've noticed that almost 80% of my day is spent on the internet. I'm either doing research, (yeah, right), answering emails, downloading articles, or writing on my blog. In fact, my wrists are now complaining that they spend more time on the keyboard than anywhere else. Could carpal tunnel syndrome be far behind? I hope not.
One of my colleagues once commented that someone should bring me out of my room because everytime he passes by, i'm hunched in front of the Mac. And that worries him. Hahaha. But he does have a point. Often, I force myself to go out and interact just so i can pull away from the computer and the net.
Weekends are supposed to be "internet free" days. But often, I find myself sneaking into internet cafes to check mail or write. This is the reason why I love going back home to Manila. It's the only time when i'm 100% detached from all things techie and internet. It's when my social interaction instincts and skills kick in and i'm more in tune with the world through my eyes, and not through the eyes of some person who has "www" in his name.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Sunday, October 30, 2005
The Homeboy is now a Handyman
It's been almost a month since I bought my curtain rods, but the search for a good carpenter to install them has been a vain one. There was one very good prospect, a Pinoy handyman, but when he gave me his quote for the project, it simply reeked "i'm cheating you because you look like you've got money to spare."
Last Thursday, I attempted to install the simple vertical fabric blinds from Ikea. Surprisingly, it was quite easy to put up. It took only 2 hooks and 15 minutes before they were up, and my heart was swelling with pride when I looked at the very nice results of my efforts.
It's time to take it to the next level. After debating with myself the past few days, a decision has been made. "Better install the blinds yourself, Lester," was the message from my mind.
And I did.
After making a quick stop at Ikea this lunchtime to buy 2 curtain rods and 3 pairs of curtains, I've decided to install them myself. Definitely, it would be more complex than fabric blinds since i'll be dealing with long steel rods that are heavy and require a lot of screwing. But it was a lazy Sunday, making me stand up to the challenge.
With Kylie Minogue, Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani and Ray Charles in the background, my handyman instincts kicked in and my work began.
Suprisingly, it took only 1 hour to install the curtain rods in my room and in the dining area. My room now has a new curtain rod and new curtains (colored red and yellow, in honor of Mother Spain, hehehe) and the dining area now sports a navy blue with white box curtain. Both have added more sense of "homeness" into my home.
Looks like there's another alternative career waiting for me. I might just have the chops to become a Carpenter. And I don't mean the one that sings "We've only just begun." Though that would be quite nice, too.
Last Thursday, I attempted to install the simple vertical fabric blinds from Ikea. Surprisingly, it was quite easy to put up. It took only 2 hooks and 15 minutes before they were up, and my heart was swelling with pride when I looked at the very nice results of my efforts.
It's time to take it to the next level. After debating with myself the past few days, a decision has been made. "Better install the blinds yourself, Lester," was the message from my mind.
And I did.
After making a quick stop at Ikea this lunchtime to buy 2 curtain rods and 3 pairs of curtains, I've decided to install them myself. Definitely, it would be more complex than fabric blinds since i'll be dealing with long steel rods that are heavy and require a lot of screwing. But it was a lazy Sunday, making me stand up to the challenge.
With Kylie Minogue, Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani and Ray Charles in the background, my handyman instincts kicked in and my work began.
Suprisingly, it took only 1 hour to install the curtain rods in my room and in the dining area. My room now has a new curtain rod and new curtains (colored red and yellow, in honor of Mother Spain, hehehe) and the dining area now sports a navy blue with white box curtain. Both have added more sense of "homeness" into my home.
Looks like there's another alternative career waiting for me. I might just have the chops to become a Carpenter. And I don't mean the one that sings "We've only just begun." Though that would be quite nice, too.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
New Edition. New Addition.
Two of Abercrombie and Fitch's new edition denim styles have found their way into my closet. One was by a simple twist of fate, and the other, thanks to a friend who came from NY.
The first one is a Saranac Signature Boot in Extreme Light wash. It has destroyed details all around, plus the classic moose embroidered at the right leg. Aside from the embroidery, there's also a silk screened print that adds to the design character of the jeans. The fit is nice, and the fade is just enough to keep it from entering the dreaded "Get Used - early 90s" era. This would look awesome with a plain white shirt.
The second is a Kilburn Low Rise Boot in Dark Dirty Wash. This one doesn't look to spectacular when you hold it up, but once you wear it - it becomes a totally different animal. The fit is great, the waist is very low yet not too tight, so it just skims the hip rather than strangling it. The leg, though relaxed, still follows the shape of the thigh closely. Ergo, it looks slim, but it gives the leg room to move around. The wash is found between "Dark" and "Dirty" which enables it to move from rugged to smart casual just by a change of tops.
Now i've got 2 more pairs that will join the group of "newly acquired but haven't been used" jeans in my closet. I have to get out of the house more...
The first one is a Saranac Signature Boot in Extreme Light wash. It has destroyed details all around, plus the classic moose embroidered at the right leg. Aside from the embroidery, there's also a silk screened print that adds to the design character of the jeans. The fit is nice, and the fade is just enough to keep it from entering the dreaded "Get Used - early 90s" era. This would look awesome with a plain white shirt.
The second is a Kilburn Low Rise Boot in Dark Dirty Wash. This one doesn't look to spectacular when you hold it up, but once you wear it - it becomes a totally different animal. The fit is great, the waist is very low yet not too tight, so it just skims the hip rather than strangling it. The leg, though relaxed, still follows the shape of the thigh closely. Ergo, it looks slim, but it gives the leg room to move around. The wash is found between "Dark" and "Dirty" which enables it to move from rugged to smart casual just by a change of tops.
Now i've got 2 more pairs that will join the group of "newly acquired but haven't been used" jeans in my closet. I have to get out of the house more...
Friday, October 28, 2005
That figures.
Our MD approached me to say I've been doing a great job: Excellent ideas and stellar copy, he says. It's funny because I feel more appreciated here in my 4 month stay compared to my 2 year stint in my Manila agency's new management.
At least now I know that the problem was more with them than me.
At least now I know that the problem was more with them than me.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Almost there...
My jean closet is feeling a bit miffed that I'm paying attention to other parts of the house more than her.
I've been spending the past few days in Ikea, finding things to stuff in my apartment. It seems like i've been spending more time in Ikea than in Granville shopping for clothes. And that, I must say, is NOT NORMAL!!!
But there's a feeling of accomplishment when I see that my flat is beginning to feel like home. Plus, there's a sense of pride each time I'm able to single-handedly put something up. Be it as mundane as blinds, coat hangers, or a mirror.
I better finish this home project of mine soon.
I've been spending the past few days in Ikea, finding things to stuff in my apartment. It seems like i've been spending more time in Ikea than in Granville shopping for clothes. And that, I must say, is NOT NORMAL!!!
But there's a feeling of accomplishment when I see that my flat is beginning to feel like home. Plus, there's a sense of pride each time I'm able to single-handedly put something up. Be it as mundane as blinds, coat hangers, or a mirror.
I better finish this home project of mine soon.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Shoeuthanasia...
Almost 4 years ago, during my trip to Spain, Tita Evelyn bought me to one of the sports shop in La Illa Mall to get me a pair of shoes. Initially, she suggested a pair of leather shoes - Spanish leather shoes are top quality, after all - but it wasn't my style. I told her that i'm more of a sneaker/athletic shoe kind of guy, and that how we ended up in that store.
Among rows and rows and rows and rows and rows and row (yup, there were that many rows) of shoes, one pair caught my eye. It was a pair of adidas running shoes, in different shades of gray, with reflectorized stripes. The moment I slipped them on, they felt so light and comfortable, making it ideal for walking and running. Needless to say, this was the pair for me.
Now, almost 4 years of excellent service to me, these shoes are just about ready to give up. The signs of wear and tear started appearing this year, beginning with the edges of the sole coming off, to little tears in the fabric appearing. But the past few months, the damage began growing bigger, and bigger, like 1/8 of the sole coming off the base.
Normally, this is a clear sign that it's time for this pair to retire and move on to that big Foot Locker outlet in the sky. But I love this pair so much that my decision was to put up a fight to keep it alive a few years more. So i've had a passionate love affair with SupaGlue the past few weeks - patiently glueing every bit of the sole back to the base. It usually works, but when I start walking, another part of the sole manages to unhinge itself. So I stick it on again.
The situation is actually quite bad that i'm contemplating carrying a small tube of SupaGlue each time I use them. In case of emergency, as they say. But this extreme measure is also giving me the impression that I should simply give up and let it go.
After all, they've been with me through a lot of things. Trips all around Europe, Asia, Mexico and the U.S. (Making it my most travelled piece of property, along with the Delsey bag given to me by Marite in 2002.) I've waded through floods with it, and it's my shoe of choice whenever the rains pour like crazy. Ergo, it lived a full life.
But like many things that have emotional significance to us, it's hard to give up on, much less - let go - of things that we love so much. That no matter how we convince ourselves that it's ok, and sometimes try to find a replacement to what we need to give up, it's still hard. This I know for a fact because I already bought 3 shoes to "replace" it, but I end up using the old one more often than the new ones.
I guess some things are just irreplaceable.
Among rows and rows and rows and rows and rows and row (yup, there were that many rows) of shoes, one pair caught my eye. It was a pair of adidas running shoes, in different shades of gray, with reflectorized stripes. The moment I slipped them on, they felt so light and comfortable, making it ideal for walking and running. Needless to say, this was the pair for me.
Now, almost 4 years of excellent service to me, these shoes are just about ready to give up. The signs of wear and tear started appearing this year, beginning with the edges of the sole coming off, to little tears in the fabric appearing. But the past few months, the damage began growing bigger, and bigger, like 1/8 of the sole coming off the base.
Normally, this is a clear sign that it's time for this pair to retire and move on to that big Foot Locker outlet in the sky. But I love this pair so much that my decision was to put up a fight to keep it alive a few years more. So i've had a passionate love affair with SupaGlue the past few weeks - patiently glueing every bit of the sole back to the base. It usually works, but when I start walking, another part of the sole manages to unhinge itself. So I stick it on again.
The situation is actually quite bad that i'm contemplating carrying a small tube of SupaGlue each time I use them. In case of emergency, as they say. But this extreme measure is also giving me the impression that I should simply give up and let it go.
After all, they've been with me through a lot of things. Trips all around Europe, Asia, Mexico and the U.S. (Making it my most travelled piece of property, along with the Delsey bag given to me by Marite in 2002.) I've waded through floods with it, and it's my shoe of choice whenever the rains pour like crazy. Ergo, it lived a full life.
But like many things that have emotional significance to us, it's hard to give up on, much less - let go - of things that we love so much. That no matter how we convince ourselves that it's ok, and sometimes try to find a replacement to what we need to give up, it's still hard. This I know for a fact because I already bought 3 shoes to "replace" it, but I end up using the old one more often than the new ones.
I guess some things are just irreplaceable.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Retro in the Metro
Riding the escalator on my way up from the MTR, I saw something that was equivalent to a time machine that would instantly zap me back to the early 80s.
Lois and Sergio Valente Jeans!
The two girls ahead of me were wearing these two iconic 80s brands. Behind their nicely shaped bottoms lay the tags, so i'm not sure whether it was the tag that caught my eye, or their nicely shaped bottoms. Or then again, it might simply have been because they were standing ahead of me on a steep escalator, with their bums strategically positioned in front of my face.
When I hear the brand "Lois", memories of childhood in front of the television set come to mind. They had these campy ads pretty much like the: "Kerr Jeans fits you right, right from the start... Kerrrrr Jeans!" jingle. Though the Lois ad escapes me right now, it was close to that genre. The brand identity was very distinct, with its bull and almost handwritten font. The brand, I think, was more popular with the female set since the males only wore Levi's back then. My sisters would have a couple of pairs, and they wear it with their Esprit hanging tees. (The one that says "ESP" up front, and "RIT" at the back.)
Sergio Valente Jeans was one brand with a very distinct jingle. It went: "Sergio Valente, Sergio Valente Jeans! Uh-oh, Sergio... Oooh... Sergio... you caught my eye... *fade away".
Aside from its distinct logo, Sergio Valente made really linear jeans. It was straight from hip to hem which worked well on shorter people. It was the type of jeans that made you tall and thin. Though back in the 80s, that wasn't too big a concern since Kate Moss and her supermodel posse weren't in vogue then. But despite that, Sergio had a big cult following - including my Mom. She had a couple of SVs along with her Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans.
It's so nice when you see these retro brands re-emerging. It lends truth to the adage: everything old becomes new again. Tomorrow, I hope to run into someone wearing Texwood: The Apple Jeans. That would really make my week.
Lois and Sergio Valente Jeans!
The two girls ahead of me were wearing these two iconic 80s brands. Behind their nicely shaped bottoms lay the tags, so i'm not sure whether it was the tag that caught my eye, or their nicely shaped bottoms. Or then again, it might simply have been because they were standing ahead of me on a steep escalator, with their bums strategically positioned in front of my face.
When I hear the brand "Lois", memories of childhood in front of the television set come to mind. They had these campy ads pretty much like the: "Kerr Jeans fits you right, right from the start... Kerrrrr Jeans!" jingle. Though the Lois ad escapes me right now, it was close to that genre. The brand identity was very distinct, with its bull and almost handwritten font. The brand, I think, was more popular with the female set since the males only wore Levi's back then. My sisters would have a couple of pairs, and they wear it with their Esprit hanging tees. (The one that says "ESP" up front, and "RIT" at the back.)
Sergio Valente Jeans was one brand with a very distinct jingle. It went: "Sergio Valente, Sergio Valente Jeans! Uh-oh, Sergio... Oooh... Sergio... you caught my eye... *fade away".
Aside from its distinct logo, Sergio Valente made really linear jeans. It was straight from hip to hem which worked well on shorter people. It was the type of jeans that made you tall and thin. Though back in the 80s, that wasn't too big a concern since Kate Moss and her supermodel posse weren't in vogue then. But despite that, Sergio had a big cult following - including my Mom. She had a couple of SVs along with her Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans.
It's so nice when you see these retro brands re-emerging. It lends truth to the adage: everything old becomes new again. Tomorrow, I hope to run into someone wearing Texwood: The Apple Jeans. That would really make my week.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Over sharing
There's a glass with 3 different toothbrushes in our office restroom. According to urban legend, those teeth scrubbing babies are "for public consumption" and anyone can go ahead and use it to expel meat, poultry, vegetables or preserved plum that may be lodged in between your teeth. The concept of sharing toothbrushes was so gross, I quickly dispelled the story as mere hearsay.
Reality check...
Today, two different people used the same toothbrush in 2 different occasions. When I went in around 2pm, there was one guy brushing his teeth using the purple toothbrush found in the glass. Two hours later, there was a different guy using the same toothbrush! Then it hit me, it wasn't an urban legend. IT'S TRUE!
There exists a public toothbrush that people within the office share. I've heard of shared company resources, but this is totally, totally ridiculous.
Well, at least I know that the employees in this office are really close...
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Today's best buy
After not seeing anything good at my favorite sample outlet store for quite sometime, today's purchase has definitely made up for it. Today I got a denim jacket that's just so cool, it'll make Antartica look like the Sahara Desert.
Everything about this baby screams character. The dark denim makes it suitable to wear with any kind of bottom, whether jeans, chinos or twill cargos. The body has distressed details, and it's so distressed, it should see a shrink really soon. In between the distressed bits, you'll find this fatigue colored jersey cloth, and a fatigue piping up front. The collar is made of blue twill, and thre are a lot of buckles in the wrist and waist area.
Add all the details together, and you've got a fashion piece that can be dressed up and dressed down according to my mood. It's part Diesel and part D&G, a bit of Gap coupled with a bit of Galliano.
And if it's any gauge of how cool it is, I've been wearing it for only 3 minutes, and 2 people already complemented me on how nice my jacket is.
Everything about this baby screams character. The dark denim makes it suitable to wear with any kind of bottom, whether jeans, chinos or twill cargos. The body has distressed details, and it's so distressed, it should see a shrink really soon. In between the distressed bits, you'll find this fatigue colored jersey cloth, and a fatigue piping up front. The collar is made of blue twill, and thre are a lot of buckles in the wrist and waist area.
Add all the details together, and you've got a fashion piece that can be dressed up and dressed down according to my mood. It's part Diesel and part D&G, a bit of Gap coupled with a bit of Galliano.
And if it's any gauge of how cool it is, I've been wearing it for only 3 minutes, and 2 people already complemented me on how nice my jacket is.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
I sing the body symmetric...
One of my officemates once remarked that I have very symmetrical hands. When I put my 2 hands beside each other, palms up, my palm lines actually look like mirror images. They're both "M" shaped, and they'll probably fit right in then I clasp my hands together.
She also said that upon looking at my palm, she read that I'll have a lot of money, which is always cool. The problem is, Joannah's friend from Singapore also told me that since my fingers have gaps on the base, I tend to spend a lot of money, ergo it slips through the gaps. So looking at that, it seems logical. I get a lot of money, then spend a lot of it.
Hmmm... Sounds like a plan....
But I digress. Aside from my hands, this morning saw me finding another symmetric aspect of my body. After waking up and sitting up on my bed, two moles caught my eye. There was one mole on the lower part of my leg, about 8 inches above my ankle. And on my right leg, on exactly the same spot, there's another more. So when I put my two legs together, the moles are like mirror images. Exactly the same size, color and spot.
Looks to me like i'm a well-balanced person.
She also said that upon looking at my palm, she read that I'll have a lot of money, which is always cool. The problem is, Joannah's friend from Singapore also told me that since my fingers have gaps on the base, I tend to spend a lot of money, ergo it slips through the gaps. So looking at that, it seems logical. I get a lot of money, then spend a lot of it.
Hmmm... Sounds like a plan....
But I digress. Aside from my hands, this morning saw me finding another symmetric aspect of my body. After waking up and sitting up on my bed, two moles caught my eye. There was one mole on the lower part of my leg, about 8 inches above my ankle. And on my right leg, on exactly the same spot, there's another more. So when I put my two legs together, the moles are like mirror images. Exactly the same size, color and spot.
Looks to me like i'm a well-balanced person.
Monday, October 17, 2005
And we're on air!
I've just been told that our "Venus" TVC will be airing tomorrow. Cool beans!
This is the first commercial I conceptualized for the Hong Kong office, so i'm quite excited about it. Aside from the fact that the TVC was very well made and is visually stunning, it's one of the TVCs whose concept is close to my heart. So i'm both glad and proud to see it on air.
I love my job!
This is the first commercial I conceptualized for the Hong Kong office, so i'm quite excited about it. Aside from the fact that the TVC was very well made and is visually stunning, it's one of the TVCs whose concept is close to my heart. So i'm both glad and proud to see it on air.
I love my job!
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Domestic Disturbance
Every time I take a gander at my flat’s kitchen, I’m reminded of the “ugly relative that you don’t want anyone to see, so you either hide him or ignore him.”
Compared to the rest of the flat, which looks all clean and decent, the kitchen is really an eyesore. The floor is made of patchy linoleum, one of the cabinet doors has been dislodged, the countertops are dirty, and the walls have this tacky wallpaper designed as bricks.
Since I moved in almost 3 weeks ago, I’ve been constantly ignoring the kitchen. I’m hoping that if I ignore it long enough, it’ll go away. Or maybe, by some power of magic, the kitchen will suddenly become spic, span and gorgeous. Ergo, while I’ve buying a lot of stuff for the living, dining and sleeping areas, I haven’t bought a thing for the kitchen yet.
Today, I’ve decided to face my fears head on. At around 9 in the morning, I stood in front of the kitchen, *winced*, then assessed the damage, *winced*, then imagined how much work would go into cleaning it, *winced*, and decided that I should do something about it. And yes, I winced again.
Heading down to Park and Shop, I found myself in the home area for the first time. In a few minutes, household-cleaning implements occupied my cart; cleansers, dishwashing liquid, sponge, cleaning towels, garbage bags, and paper towels.
By 10 am, my daunting task began. Channeling my inner Tim Allen, Martha Stewart and Nigella Lawson, I proceeded to clean and arrange the kitchen as best as I could. My actions became some sort of a mantra which I chanted in order to stay sane: scrub, wipe, sweep, mop, scrub, wipe, sweep, mop, scrub, wipe, sweep, mop.
It escapes me how a small amount of space can rack up so much dirt. The range hood was filled with some sticky gunk that wasn’t grease, the sink had white splotches and the shelves were covered in dust.
Thanks to my new best friend, Cif, (the cleanser formerly known as Jif, according to the pack); I survived the cleaning frenzy in one piece. While the kitchen isn’t as spanking new or picture pretty, it was decent, at the very least. The counter tops were clean, the sink was rid of its spots, and the floor has been swept (which revealed more of the ugly linoleum – but that would be another story.)
After an hour of cleaning, I look at the results and bash my head in frustration!
Just kidding…
I’m actually happy with the results. At the very least, the place is now clean. And now, I can start buying stuff for it. I do need plates and glasses, after all.
It might not be the best looking kitchen in the lot, but it’s a start.
Compared to the rest of the flat, which looks all clean and decent, the kitchen is really an eyesore. The floor is made of patchy linoleum, one of the cabinet doors has been dislodged, the countertops are dirty, and the walls have this tacky wallpaper designed as bricks.
Since I moved in almost 3 weeks ago, I’ve been constantly ignoring the kitchen. I’m hoping that if I ignore it long enough, it’ll go away. Or maybe, by some power of magic, the kitchen will suddenly become spic, span and gorgeous. Ergo, while I’ve buying a lot of stuff for the living, dining and sleeping areas, I haven’t bought a thing for the kitchen yet.
Today, I’ve decided to face my fears head on. At around 9 in the morning, I stood in front of the kitchen, *winced*, then assessed the damage, *winced*, then imagined how much work would go into cleaning it, *winced*, and decided that I should do something about it. And yes, I winced again.
Heading down to Park and Shop, I found myself in the home area for the first time. In a few minutes, household-cleaning implements occupied my cart; cleansers, dishwashing liquid, sponge, cleaning towels, garbage bags, and paper towels.
By 10 am, my daunting task began. Channeling my inner Tim Allen, Martha Stewart and Nigella Lawson, I proceeded to clean and arrange the kitchen as best as I could. My actions became some sort of a mantra which I chanted in order to stay sane: scrub, wipe, sweep, mop, scrub, wipe, sweep, mop, scrub, wipe, sweep, mop.
It escapes me how a small amount of space can rack up so much dirt. The range hood was filled with some sticky gunk that wasn’t grease, the sink had white splotches and the shelves were covered in dust.
Thanks to my new best friend, Cif, (the cleanser formerly known as Jif, according to the pack); I survived the cleaning frenzy in one piece. While the kitchen isn’t as spanking new or picture pretty, it was decent, at the very least. The counter tops were clean, the sink was rid of its spots, and the floor has been swept (which revealed more of the ugly linoleum – but that would be another story.)
After an hour of cleaning, I look at the results and bash my head in frustration!
Just kidding…
I’m actually happy with the results. At the very least, the place is now clean. And now, I can start buying stuff for it. I do need plates and glasses, after all.
It might not be the best looking kitchen in the lot, but it’s a start.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Villains I love to Hate
Once upon a time, I read this article about Princess Punzalan who, at that time, was enjoying a second wind thanks to her performance as the villain Selena in “Mula sa Puso.”
She recounted that someone at the mall tried to pull her hair because of all the treachery and evil she’s been doing to Claudine Barreto’s character in the soap. That’s when she realized that her acting was so effective, she was no longer an actress but a real life villain.
This is my personal gauge of how effective a villain is: when I find myself wanting to stand up and charge to the screen to inflict bodily harm on the movie’s baddie – then I know the actor did really, really well.
In the hundreds of films I’ve seen, a few actors have made me want to do just that. In honor of them, let me write down the top 5 villains that I love to hate.
1. Gary Sinise in “Ransom.” – Pure, scheming, cruelty. That was the embodiment of his character in that film. It didn’t help that he was the FBI agent assigned to the case, then turned out to be the mastermind of the entire kidnapping. Sick as it may sound, it gave me so much joy seeing him hurt in that film. When his crime partner/girlfriend Lily Taylor died in the shootout scene, I let out a chuckle because I knew that killed a part of him, too. And when he was shot in the end, my mind was screaming: “DIE, BASTARD, DIE!”
2. Kirsten Dunst/Samantha Mathis in “Little Women.” – Okay, so technically, they weren’t villains in the film. But their character – Amy – tormented Jo so much that I thought they should be classified as one. They were scheming and manipulative, only wanting what’s good for them. When Kirsten threw Winona’s manuscript into the fire, I wanted to jump into the screen and whack the living daylights out of her. When Samantha showed up in the March household with Teddy as her fiancé, it took me an amount of self-control to keep myself from shouting: “BITCH! YOU STOLE TEDDY FROM JO! BITCH!”
3. Cameron Diaz in “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” – She ended up with Julia Roberts’ guy. She made Julia Roberts unhappy. Anyone in his or her right mind would definitely say that THAT is the ultimate villainy of them all. No one should ever make Julia Roberts sad. NO ONE! And even if Cameron is as cute as a button and hot as hell, she’s a villain because of what she did.
4. The Shopkeeper in “Pretty Woman.” – Related to reason number 3. When she told Julia Roberts off and said: “I’m sorry, but we don’t sell clothes for your kind here,” and gave her the raised eyebrow-sneer-shrug combo, she automatically became an evil witch in my eyes. I kept on telling myself, “I wish I owned that Rodeo Drive shop so I could have fired her snooty ass right then and there.” That’s why when Julia came back and delivered her line: “You earn on commission, right? Big mistake – HUGE!” I could almost hear a chorus of angels singing “Hallelujah” in the background.
5. Edward Norton in “Primal Fear.” – The whole time you thought he was the victim. The whole time you thought that there was injustice done to him. Then right before the movie ends, he turns out to be the cold-blooded killer that Laura Linney saw him to be. When the credits started to roll, I sat there in disbelief, and I wanted the projectionist to rewind the movie so I could jump in the screen and beat Edward Norton silly.
Recalling all these villainous moments is turning out to be more fun than I expected. I should do this more often.
She recounted that someone at the mall tried to pull her hair because of all the treachery and evil she’s been doing to Claudine Barreto’s character in the soap. That’s when she realized that her acting was so effective, she was no longer an actress but a real life villain.
This is my personal gauge of how effective a villain is: when I find myself wanting to stand up and charge to the screen to inflict bodily harm on the movie’s baddie – then I know the actor did really, really well.
In the hundreds of films I’ve seen, a few actors have made me want to do just that. In honor of them, let me write down the top 5 villains that I love to hate.
1. Gary Sinise in “Ransom.” – Pure, scheming, cruelty. That was the embodiment of his character in that film. It didn’t help that he was the FBI agent assigned to the case, then turned out to be the mastermind of the entire kidnapping. Sick as it may sound, it gave me so much joy seeing him hurt in that film. When his crime partner/girlfriend Lily Taylor died in the shootout scene, I let out a chuckle because I knew that killed a part of him, too. And when he was shot in the end, my mind was screaming: “DIE, BASTARD, DIE!”
2. Kirsten Dunst/Samantha Mathis in “Little Women.” – Okay, so technically, they weren’t villains in the film. But their character – Amy – tormented Jo so much that I thought they should be classified as one. They were scheming and manipulative, only wanting what’s good for them. When Kirsten threw Winona’s manuscript into the fire, I wanted to jump into the screen and whack the living daylights out of her. When Samantha showed up in the March household with Teddy as her fiancé, it took me an amount of self-control to keep myself from shouting: “BITCH! YOU STOLE TEDDY FROM JO! BITCH!”
3. Cameron Diaz in “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” – She ended up with Julia Roberts’ guy. She made Julia Roberts unhappy. Anyone in his or her right mind would definitely say that THAT is the ultimate villainy of them all. No one should ever make Julia Roberts sad. NO ONE! And even if Cameron is as cute as a button and hot as hell, she’s a villain because of what she did.
4. The Shopkeeper in “Pretty Woman.” – Related to reason number 3. When she told Julia Roberts off and said: “I’m sorry, but we don’t sell clothes for your kind here,” and gave her the raised eyebrow-sneer-shrug combo, she automatically became an evil witch in my eyes. I kept on telling myself, “I wish I owned that Rodeo Drive shop so I could have fired her snooty ass right then and there.” That’s why when Julia came back and delivered her line: “You earn on commission, right? Big mistake – HUGE!” I could almost hear a chorus of angels singing “Hallelujah” in the background.
5. Edward Norton in “Primal Fear.” – The whole time you thought he was the victim. The whole time you thought that there was injustice done to him. Then right before the movie ends, he turns out to be the cold-blooded killer that Laura Linney saw him to be. When the credits started to roll, I sat there in disbelief, and I wanted the projectionist to rewind the movie so I could jump in the screen and beat Edward Norton silly.
Recalling all these villainous moments is turning out to be more fun than I expected. I should do this more often.
I hate Peter Sarsgaard!
Despite all the lukewarm reviews, I decided to catch “Flight Plan” today. Jodie Foster has always been a big favorite of mine, (I thought “Nell” was overlooked for an Oscar) so I try to catch as many of her films I can.
“Flight Plan,” in my opinion, didn’t disappoint. It had a steady pace, an interesting plot, a lot of “edge-of-your-seat-hold-on-to-the-armrest” moments, and a not-so-bad conclusion. The narrative tries to throw you off with the odd twist and surprise characters, something that’s always good in a film. But personally, the nice thing about “Flight Plan” is how you leave the theater still connecting together pieces of the story and silently nodding your head thinking: “So that’s what it was.”
One of the best parts of this film was the fact that you don’t know who the bad guy is until the last quarter of the film. Normally, that would be irritating, but in this case, it added so much to the suspense – and eventual resolution.
Jodie Foster was her usual brilliant self. She owned most of the film, and only a few actresses can get away with having every little bit of the story revolve around her. Her strength, vulnerability, anguish and intelligence all melded together to create a realistically flawed character. But in crucial parts of the film, her interaction with the movie’s main villain is what spiced up the story.
Which brings me to Peter Sarsgaard. He’s fast becoming one of cinema’s most effective bad guys.
According to my former film teacher, Ms. Santiago, the villain is always an integral part of every story. In this person’s hand often lies the conflict, and in any narrative, the conflict is the propulsion that determines how far the story can go.
What makes Peter Sarsgaard so stellar as a villain is the fact that he looks nothing like one. He has these droopy puppy eyes, boy-next-door hair and vulnerable charm that would best typify him as the trampled-down-upon little brother.
And he does! Most of the time, you follow him around the story thinking he’s one of the good guys. He's the compassionate seatmate who offers a helping hand, gaining everyone’s trust and good graces. Then, just as you least expect it, KA-BLAM! He shows his true colors and you realize he was the big, bad wolf the entire time.
“Flight Plan” is the second film I’ve seen in a month that had Peter Sarsgaard in it. The other one was “Skeleton Key” with Kate Hudson. His character in that film was essentially the same; a nice, country lawyer who hires and helps out Kate. But come the end of the movie, we see him for who he really is – a reincarnation of an evil voodoo master. Again, I didn’t see that coming.
Only a few actors can get away with this “nice-guy-turned-baddie” shtick. At the top of the list – and a far, far, FAAAARRRR number one would be Kevin Spacey’s brilliant performance in “Seven.” But give Peter Saarsgard a few more films, and I think he’ll turn out to be a person who you’ll just love to hate.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
I’ve been iced!
Tried the new Sprite Ice today, and I must say it’s another winner from the Coca-Cola company.
Like the original Sprite, this one’s refreshing, light and goes down easy. But after a few seconds, you can feel the cold rush down your throat. It feels as if there’s an ice cube slowly making its way down, or for the more imaginative, it’s as if there’s a person skiing past your tonsils.
I’m going to get hooked on this stuff.
Like the original Sprite, this one’s refreshing, light and goes down easy. But after a few seconds, you can feel the cold rush down your throat. It feels as if there’s an ice cube slowly making its way down, or for the more imaginative, it’s as if there’s a person skiing past your tonsils.
I’m going to get hooked on this stuff.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
SHORT BREAK
Suddenly remembered Melanie Marquez’s winning quote: “Don’t judge my brother. He is not a book!” That should be engraved somewhere.
Attention! Attention please…
In my world, everything needs to be explained in 30 seconds, and if you don’t get your point across in 5, then you’re most likely to be ignored.
Imagine the damage this kind of philosophy does to a person’s attention span, in particular – my attention span.
Kids have an attention span of about 3 to 5 minutes. Adults, according to a motivational speaker I once met, can focus for about 15 to 20 minutes before their minds go a-wanderin’. If these 2 factoids were true, then I’d have the attention span of a 12-week old fetus.
Whenever I read a magazine, the first paragraph – or the lead paragraph as I taught my students – is the most crucial part of the article. If it’s not enough to pique my interest, then consider the whole article trashed.
Choosing a CD follows the same philosophy. When scanning an album, the first few beats of the song is my cue whether to listen to the entire song or simply press “FF.” When the first 10 seconds of the track is arresting enough, I know that the rest of the song would be great.
My Charlotte Church purchase was largely influenced by this “first few beats” philosophy. Eighty percent of the album’s tracks had an excellent opening vibe, and that’s a very high percentage.
Often, I find myself asking whether this is a trait worth cultivating or changing. Should I really be that critical to the first few seconds and judge the entirety based on that? Or to paraphrase the question in a cliché, should I “judge a book by its cover” or must “first impressions last?”
Imagine the damage this kind of philosophy does to a person’s attention span, in particular – my attention span.
Kids have an attention span of about 3 to 5 minutes. Adults, according to a motivational speaker I once met, can focus for about 15 to 20 minutes before their minds go a-wanderin’. If these 2 factoids were true, then I’d have the attention span of a 12-week old fetus.
Whenever I read a magazine, the first paragraph – or the lead paragraph as I taught my students – is the most crucial part of the article. If it’s not enough to pique my interest, then consider the whole article trashed.
Choosing a CD follows the same philosophy. When scanning an album, the first few beats of the song is my cue whether to listen to the entire song or simply press “FF.” When the first 10 seconds of the track is arresting enough, I know that the rest of the song would be great.
My Charlotte Church purchase was largely influenced by this “first few beats” philosophy. Eighty percent of the album’s tracks had an excellent opening vibe, and that’s a very high percentage.
Often, I find myself asking whether this is a trait worth cultivating or changing. Should I really be that critical to the first few seconds and judge the entirety based on that? Or to paraphrase the question in a cliché, should I “judge a book by its cover” or must “first impressions last?”
Monday, October 10, 2005
All grown up. All funked out.
Bought Charlotte Church’s new album “Tissues and Issues” today, and it’s so exciting to see her all grown up. I’ve been a follower of hers since she exploded into the scene with her angelic voice and ethereal renditions of popular church hymns. That means I’ve been listening to her since her “The Prayer” days.
It seems to me those days are behind her. From the CD cover, to the magazine covers she’s been gracing recently, it seems that she’s shifting from virgin to vamp.
Décolletage revealing dresses, wind swept hair, dark make up, and a come-hither expression is what I’ve been seeing her do these past few months. Maybe Charlotte is trying to fill in a niche since Britney is now a mommy, Christina’s getting a bit old, Lindsay and Hillary are bordering on bubblegum and Jessica is better seen than heard. She must have noticed a vacancy in the “pop siren” division, and is trying to fill in the void.
But unlike most of the girls mentioned above, Charlotte can really sing! Her pristine voice, doing ditties laced with angst, gives her songs an extra oomph. Listening to her is almost like listening to an irony. A good irony, at that.
My favorite tracks are “Crazy Chick” and “Let’s be alone.” I instantly fell in love with “Let’s be alone,” that I decided to use it in my latest commercial. It helps that the product we’re selling is pretty much like the new Charlotte Church: young, feminine but with a sexy vibe that guys find irresistible.
I know I do.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Full Friday
Everytime I fly in to Manila, I put every minute of the day into good use. Jumping from one place to the next with precision timing so as not to waste any time. Today was no exception, in a span of 14 hours, I've seen so many good friends, been to my favorite spots, did myself a couple of personal favors, and yes, I squeezed in a bit of shopping for good measure.
From the airport, I proceeded to our house where I dropped my stuff. Missing the rowdy jeepney, I took one going to Morato where I had my haircut. Marcos, my barber, said he missed me - we haven't seen each other in about 4 months. Though I didn't tell him, he knew I came from out of the country. He said that I have this certain aura, and that my skin is fairer and more pinkish. (Sounds like a whitening soap ad, eh?)
Next stop, Robinson's Galleria. This is my favorite place of all time, that's why I was in 7th heaven when we won the account, and was really disapppointed when we decided to let it go. Met up with Tess and Eunice, talked about expat life and how I miss the Philippines, and showed them my moustache, which they thought was cool. In between that and meeting Bonique, I was able to roam around some more, and bought this fabi studded belt at Topman. I wonder why they don't have this brand in Hong Kong.
Met up with Bonique who was shell shocked with my moustache, only to tell me half an hour later that it already grew on her and that I look nice with it.
Took the MRT to Makati, and finally went to Tito Pacqui's office where Ate Lissa works. Then I met up with Lyli to show her my cool Energie pants. Bought some local magazines. Met up with Jong at Jollibee. Then had dinner at Chili's with a few friends.
After I checked my watch, it was already past 11. I was so tempted to go to Eastwood and catch a late movie, but I remembered I have to be at St. Scholastica's early to have breakfast with Prichy. So I decided to turn in.
I love these Manila visits!
From the airport, I proceeded to our house where I dropped my stuff. Missing the rowdy jeepney, I took one going to Morato where I had my haircut. Marcos, my barber, said he missed me - we haven't seen each other in about 4 months. Though I didn't tell him, he knew I came from out of the country. He said that I have this certain aura, and that my skin is fairer and more pinkish. (Sounds like a whitening soap ad, eh?)
Next stop, Robinson's Galleria. This is my favorite place of all time, that's why I was in 7th heaven when we won the account, and was really disapppointed when we decided to let it go. Met up with Tess and Eunice, talked about expat life and how I miss the Philippines, and showed them my moustache, which they thought was cool. In between that and meeting Bonique, I was able to roam around some more, and bought this fabi studded belt at Topman. I wonder why they don't have this brand in Hong Kong.
Met up with Bonique who was shell shocked with my moustache, only to tell me half an hour later that it already grew on her and that I look nice with it.
Took the MRT to Makati, and finally went to Tito Pacqui's office where Ate Lissa works. Then I met up with Lyli to show her my cool Energie pants. Bought some local magazines. Met up with Jong at Jollibee. Then had dinner at Chili's with a few friends.
After I checked my watch, it was already past 11. I was so tempted to go to Eastwood and catch a late movie, but I remembered I have to be at St. Scholastica's early to have breakfast with Prichy. So I decided to turn in.
I love these Manila visits!
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Ding-dong! I'm Happy!
At the ground floor of my flat is this little grocery which carries a lot of Asian goodies - and a chunk of which are from the Philippines. From the outside, I spotted a few bottles of Rufina Patis, Datu Puti suka, Clover Chips, Nagaraya Cracker Nuts, Sunflower crackers, Rebisco Cream Sandwich, and yes, Skyflakes - ang pambansang biskwit.
I decided to check it out this morning to see how Pinoy they really are. Lo and behold, I saw something that made my heart skip a beat and gave me goosebumps all over:
Ding Dong and Happy.
Ding Dong has been one of my cheapest thrills since college. Back then, a small pack cost about 50 cents, and you'd already get your fill of pop beans, cornic, and green peas. It came in little plastic packs that were simply so hard to open. It was so cheap back then, that it was almost a social stigma to carry it around. I remember my friend who, upon seeing me gnoshing a pack of Ding dongs, proceeded to say: "Wala ka na bang pera at yan ang kinakain mo?'
Despite its being cheap, I loved how it tasted. I guess a lot of it was because of the high MSG content, and people commonly know, MSG makes everything taste fabulous! By the new millennium, my favorite snack also decided to turn a new leaf. It became Ding-dong 5+1 and came in neat, silver foil packs. The addition of cracker nuts into the mix really upped the likeability aspect. And I was even more hooked!
Happy Peanuts were an accidental discovery. We usually have Growers or Tobi at home, but one time, both brands were out of stock. The brand within arm's reach was Happy, so we thought of trying it out. And we're so glad we did! Happy was excellent. It wasn't greasy, AT ALL! It had a nice texture, thanks to the little bits of roasted garlic in each pack. And it came in different flavors - so you eschew the flavor fatigue syndrome easily.
It became such a hit that we forgot about Growers and Tobi altogether. My parents like Happy so much, that they even bring a stash to the US whenever they fly there - to the delight of my brother and his family. The thing about Happy, though, it it's garlicky breath residue. But that's the price of sheer enjoyment!
Needless to say, I bought a load of Ding dong and Happy from that store. If I can only get hold of diet Sarsi in this joint, then my flat will really start to feel like home!
I decided to check it out this morning to see how Pinoy they really are. Lo and behold, I saw something that made my heart skip a beat and gave me goosebumps all over:
Ding Dong and Happy.
Ding Dong has been one of my cheapest thrills since college. Back then, a small pack cost about 50 cents, and you'd already get your fill of pop beans, cornic, and green peas. It came in little plastic packs that were simply so hard to open. It was so cheap back then, that it was almost a social stigma to carry it around. I remember my friend who, upon seeing me gnoshing a pack of Ding dongs, proceeded to say: "Wala ka na bang pera at yan ang kinakain mo?'
Despite its being cheap, I loved how it tasted. I guess a lot of it was because of the high MSG content, and people commonly know, MSG makes everything taste fabulous! By the new millennium, my favorite snack also decided to turn a new leaf. It became Ding-dong 5+1 and came in neat, silver foil packs. The addition of cracker nuts into the mix really upped the likeability aspect. And I was even more hooked!
Happy Peanuts were an accidental discovery. We usually have Growers or Tobi at home, but one time, both brands were out of stock. The brand within arm's reach was Happy, so we thought of trying it out. And we're so glad we did! Happy was excellent. It wasn't greasy, AT ALL! It had a nice texture, thanks to the little bits of roasted garlic in each pack. And it came in different flavors - so you eschew the flavor fatigue syndrome easily.
It became such a hit that we forgot about Growers and Tobi altogether. My parents like Happy so much, that they even bring a stash to the US whenever they fly there - to the delight of my brother and his family. The thing about Happy, though, it it's garlicky breath residue. But that's the price of sheer enjoyment!
Needless to say, I bought a load of Ding dong and Happy from that store. If I can only get hold of diet Sarsi in this joint, then my flat will really start to feel like home!
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Electric Youth
Kids today have such a passionate love affair with Electronic devices. At this day and age, everyone should have at least 1 computer, 1 TV, 1 DVD player and 1 video game machine at home. My family isn't spared from this want and need. We actually have 3 computers, 3 TV sets, 1 Xbox, 1 PS2, and a host of other diversionary devices that need to be plugged in.
I, on the other hand, am living in a flat with no TV, no DVD player, no computer, no microwave oven, and no refrigerator! (The last 2 i'm planning to buy this weekend, though.) This makes me one of the most electronically challenged people in this country.
Seriously, i'm not planning to buy a TV set for the flat. I was never big on TV, even in Manila. I'd only watch it to catch the latest commercials coming out, or watch a film that I missed, or play DVDs of concerts I like (notably Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears and The Beatles.) But out of a hundred percent, my TV viewing experience would only account for about 8-10% of my time.
Maybe because I was born and raised in an era where kids loved to stay outdoors: rough it up, play, climb a tree, swim in a lake, go to the neighbor's house to play patintero, taguan or habulan upo. My generation was a more social one, preferring to play with other kids rather than kids nowadays who prefer to play with imaginary playmates generated by this black box with 2 joysticks. My generation would create worlds and live in it, rather than download a prefabricated world from a disc and kill as many people as they can.
I'm beginning to fear that the next generation might not have too much imagination, because the ones they fill their minds with now are created by people from my generation, and trapping them in electronic gadgets. I see it in school where I teach: kids would rather watch the movie than read the book. They would rather exercise their fingers rather than their arms and legs.
When I look at the cool toys and gadgets available in the market today, i often think: "these kids are lucky. We didn't have these when we were kids." But now, i'm beginning to think that we're luckier that way.
I, on the other hand, am living in a flat with no TV, no DVD player, no computer, no microwave oven, and no refrigerator! (The last 2 i'm planning to buy this weekend, though.) This makes me one of the most electronically challenged people in this country.
Seriously, i'm not planning to buy a TV set for the flat. I was never big on TV, even in Manila. I'd only watch it to catch the latest commercials coming out, or watch a film that I missed, or play DVDs of concerts I like (notably Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears and The Beatles.) But out of a hundred percent, my TV viewing experience would only account for about 8-10% of my time.
Maybe because I was born and raised in an era where kids loved to stay outdoors: rough it up, play, climb a tree, swim in a lake, go to the neighbor's house to play patintero, taguan or habulan upo. My generation was a more social one, preferring to play with other kids rather than kids nowadays who prefer to play with imaginary playmates generated by this black box with 2 joysticks. My generation would create worlds and live in it, rather than download a prefabricated world from a disc and kill as many people as they can.
I'm beginning to fear that the next generation might not have too much imagination, because the ones they fill their minds with now are created by people from my generation, and trapping them in electronic gadgets. I see it in school where I teach: kids would rather watch the movie than read the book. They would rather exercise their fingers rather than their arms and legs.
When I look at the cool toys and gadgets available in the market today, i often think: "these kids are lucky. We didn't have these when we were kids." But now, i'm beginning to think that we're luckier that way.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
I look at Britney... and I see me...
Woke up today, and yes, i'm in my own flat. I slept shorter than usual, which is why i'll probably be sleepy at some point this afternoon.
For the first time in 3 months, I went out of bed and walked up and around the flat. In the serviced apartment I used to stay in, it was so small that i couldn't even roam around. So what I'd usually do is go back to sleep in case I woke up earlier. I collected garbage, fixed the food stuff I had lying around, and read a few magazines.
I was planning to shave, then I realized something shocking... I didn't have a mirror in my flat.
That would have been fine if I was just going to dress up since I can imagine how an outfit will come together even without looking at it in the mirror. But then again, I was going to shave! I needed to see myself.
The solution? I took my Britney Spears CD, and the opposite side was shiny enough to double as a mirror. So there I was, CD on my left hand, razor on my right. And it turned out to be a really good mirror, resulting in quite a clean shave.
Now, Britney not only does a lot for my mood, she does a lot for my face as well. But I should go out and buy a mirror tonight, or else I might be doing the same thing in a few days. And I definitely wouldn't want to say:
"Oops, I did it again..."
For the first time in 3 months, I went out of bed and walked up and around the flat. In the serviced apartment I used to stay in, it was so small that i couldn't even roam around. So what I'd usually do is go back to sleep in case I woke up earlier. I collected garbage, fixed the food stuff I had lying around, and read a few magazines.
I was planning to shave, then I realized something shocking... I didn't have a mirror in my flat.
That would have been fine if I was just going to dress up since I can imagine how an outfit will come together even without looking at it in the mirror. But then again, I was going to shave! I needed to see myself.
The solution? I took my Britney Spears CD, and the opposite side was shiny enough to double as a mirror. So there I was, CD on my left hand, razor on my right. And it turned out to be a really good mirror, resulting in quite a clean shave.
Now, Britney not only does a lot for my mood, she does a lot for my face as well. But I should go out and buy a mirror tonight, or else I might be doing the same thing in a few days. And I definitely wouldn't want to say:
"Oops, I did it again..."
Monday, October 03, 2005
Lovely sight
I arranged my jeans in the closet, and now they're neatly hung in random order. (Random, but my favorite jeans is at the leftmost part of the closet for easy access.)
It's so nice to look at, I might consider not using them at all. Just staring at them would be gratifying enough.
...NOT!
It's so nice to look at, I might consider not using them at all. Just staring at them would be gratifying enough.
...NOT!
It's official
The furniture has been delivered.
The lay-out has been fixed.
The bed has been made.
Tonight, i'm going home and sleeping in my flat for the first time.
After more than 3 months, i've finally found home.
Everybody is welcome.
The lay-out has been fixed.
The bed has been made.
Tonight, i'm going home and sleeping in my flat for the first time.
After more than 3 months, i've finally found home.
Everybody is welcome.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Lester, is that you?
Went to Zara and saw 2 smashing shirts. One said "Rock Royalty" while the other had "Golden Paradise" spelled in matte gold balls. They had my size so I was off to the cashier to purchase them.
Midway, I stopped and thought: "if I don't buy these shirts, I can actually buy *insert name of Ikea furniture item here*. That's a more intelligent choice compared to a shirt i'll probably use only twice."
After struggling with my inner self, i neatly put back the 2 shirts and went to Ikea to buy curtain rods, blinds, quilts and quilt covers. All these babies cost the same as the 2 shirts I planned to buy. Needless to say, it's the better way to spend money, right?
...
...
Besides, I can always buy the shirts next week. I'm sure they'll still be there.
Midway, I stopped and thought: "if I don't buy these shirts, I can actually buy *insert name of Ikea furniture item here*. That's a more intelligent choice compared to a shirt i'll probably use only twice."
After struggling with my inner self, i neatly put back the 2 shirts and went to Ikea to buy curtain rods, blinds, quilts and quilt covers. All these babies cost the same as the 2 shirts I planned to buy. Needless to say, it's the better way to spend money, right?
...
...
Besides, I can always buy the shirts next week. I'm sure they'll still be there.
Lest we forget
Dropped by Statue Square, and there was a free concert for Filipina Helpers. There was a Filipino cover band playing, and a Filipina who's supposedly a teeny weeny minor star here in Hong Kong. (Probably with the Pinoy community.)
It felt was one of those "baraylihan"* we went to as kids in Malinao, Albay. It was done on the streets, and everyone was dancing and singing along the band. They were playing pop standards like: La Vida Loca, Lambada, Can't get you out of my head, Get the party started and Sex Bomb.
All the DHs who where there were gleefully partying, which was very refreshing to see. Even the way they dressed, it was unlike their usual persona. On weekdays, you'd see them in shorts and t-shirts, bringing their alagas to school. You'd see them at their most frumpy and unattractive. But that weekend, they were all dressed to "party." Wearing hipster jeans, tank tops and heels. When you look at them, it would be easy to suspend reality and simply see them as "girls who just want to have fun."
But that's the thing. That's who they really are. They're women who - in the Philippines - love to go out and party, whether in the town plaza or in some rinky-dink disco in Bambang. Although in Hong Kong, they're simply seen as domestic helpers who clean the house, cook, bring the kids to school, and do their amos every command. Two completely different women, in one same package.
I'm just happy that these women never forget who they are despite the job and label the Hong Kong society has given them.
And i'm hoping that we, too, don't forget.
It felt was one of those "baraylihan"* we went to as kids in Malinao, Albay. It was done on the streets, and everyone was dancing and singing along the band. They were playing pop standards like: La Vida Loca, Lambada, Can't get you out of my head, Get the party started and Sex Bomb.
All the DHs who where there were gleefully partying, which was very refreshing to see. Even the way they dressed, it was unlike their usual persona. On weekdays, you'd see them in shorts and t-shirts, bringing their alagas to school. You'd see them at their most frumpy and unattractive. But that weekend, they were all dressed to "party." Wearing hipster jeans, tank tops and heels. When you look at them, it would be easy to suspend reality and simply see them as "girls who just want to have fun."
But that's the thing. That's who they really are. They're women who - in the Philippines - love to go out and party, whether in the town plaza or in some rinky-dink disco in Bambang. Although in Hong Kong, they're simply seen as domestic helpers who clean the house, cook, bring the kids to school, and do their amos every command. Two completely different women, in one same package.
I'm just happy that these women never forget who they are despite the job and label the Hong Kong society has given them.
And i'm hoping that we, too, don't forget.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
I can fly! I can fly!
 | You scored as Peter Pan. Your alter ego is Peter Pan. You are a child at heart. Anything you believe is possible, and you never want to grow up.
Which Disney Character is your Alter Ego? created with QuizFarm.com |
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