Bed of flowers

When Mom and I saw this bedsheet in SM Cubao, we both fell in love with the vibrant, tropical flower print.

Unfortunately, they didn't have a 4-piece Queen Size set there, so we didn't buy the 4-piece Twin Size set. (It was all-or-nothing! Harhar!)

Hopefully, they'll have this in SM Megamall. In both sizes.

A-Ten-Tion!

Remember that favorite Donburi place that Mark and I have in Tokyo?

They're now in MNL!

Now,  there's an additional restaurant to our usual repertoire.

Express Yourself!

Here's actual proof that Panda Express is really opening in MNL!

It's going to be at the 1st floor of SM Megamall!

That photo of Orange Chicken just whet my appetite even more.

Hurry up and open in MNL! Please

What's in a name? Part Dua

Yes, JKT is like a gift that keeps on giving.

If you like funny product names as "gifts. "

Here's another sighting from a local supermarket.

And yes, they still can't import this in the Philippines.

What's in a name?

When we were in JKT, a particular brand of snacks - potato chips to be exact - caught my eye.

Nay, it grabbed me eye and made sure I paid attention.

I actually get the idea behind the name. It's something I teach in SSC, that you can sometimes create a "Compound Name" out of 2 or more important qualities of the product. This is a "Japanese" "Potato Chip," and I'm assuming that's how they got to the name.

Valid. But I don't think they can sell this in the Philippines.

FMM: Back to Workin'

My family and friends will attest to this - I'm a workaholic.

Ever since I got my first job as a junior copywriter at 19 years old, I've worked non-stop. And enjoyed every minute of it.

That's why it was such a weird feeling when I found myself in a situation where I was confined to a bed at home with no activity except for recuperation. (A very important activity, I must say.)

Thankfully, that chapter is over and I've been given the greenlight to go back to regular programming this week. So, in celebration of my first week of regular work, let's bring in Dolly Parton!



Yes, I'm Workin' 9 to 5. And lovin' it!

Star-filled dreams

I've dreamt of Carl's Jr. twice this month already!

Unfortunately, I can't travel out of the country yet. So, Carl's Jr. will have to wait.

Gosh! I miss the times when they had Carl's Jr. in Pasay Road. Someone bring back Carl's Jr. to the Philippines. Please!

In our nature

Having handled shampoo brands for majority of my work life, I'm well aware of the different products in the market. This knowledge made me very finicky about shampoos, and I've gone through different brands through the years.

When we were kids, one of the most popular brands was called "Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific." Quite a mouthful, but if you took a whiff of their red variant, you know they speak the truth.

Then, there was this trendy brand called "Shake Double." It was an interesting premise: the Shampoo and Conditioner parts are split equally and separate in one bottle, and you'd have to shake it in order to get the full effect.

Because I handled Palmolive Shampoo for the longest time, I also used the brand and its many variants.

Then, after discovering the clear and light variant of Pantene, that became my go-to.

Until Human Nature's Peppermint Shampoo came along.

This product is a joy to use. It's light, natural, and leaves a cool feeling on your scalp after using it. That's why it's now my daily shampoo, and I couldn't be happier.

Sorry, Palmolive.

In the cycle of things...

One thing that yesterday made me realize is that working in advertising is like riding a bike.

Even if you haven't done it in a while, you'll always know how to do it. And you'll always love doing it.

Now I miss my BMX bike.

Back in the saddle again!

Today is my first day back at work!

I've never been as excited and psyched for a long time!

Let's do this!

(You know I'm excited when all sentences end with an exclamation point. Harhar.)

Was there a Giam?

Since I was relegated to the house the past few weeks, I missed the launch of the Giambattista Valli x H&M collaboration this November. So now, I don't know if it was met by the usual mad rush of shoppers, or if they flew off the shelves in record time.

I'll find out for myself when I finally go to an H&M store next week.

I'm not expecting much. But if I see this dress is still there, I just might get it.

Let's see.

Like a Hawk!

Saturday was a red-letter day for us when we were kids. It was the day when RPN-9 would play cartoons and kiddie shows non-stop, from 8:00am to noontime.

This was Saturday Fun Machine.

One of our favorite shows back then was "Superfriends." It was the 30-minute show that featured Superman, Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and some lesser known heroes like Apache Chief. They went up against the Legion of Doom which had villains that were pitted directly against a hero.

Superman vs. Bizarro. Green Lantern vs. Sinestro. Apache Chief vs. Giganta. That kind of shizz.

And while my brothers and cousins wanted to be Superman and Batman, I was the only one who wanted to be Hawkman.

I thought Hawkman was super cool. Aside from the fact that he had real wings, I found his stern demeanor and dry humor very interesting.

While he's still very much around in the DC Universe, I think they should build him up some more. This guy deserves to soar even higher.

FMM: In the Mex

Okay, fine.

Since we've been talking about Tacos, Nachos and Mexican food the past few days, let's stick with the theme this Friday Magic Madness.

Time for a little James Taylor.



It's really a Mex-xed up world.

Come to Kamico

And the Taco the town continues.

When we were kids, we'd go to Unimart every weekend. Lolo would give us P20 each, and we were allowed to spend it any way we wanted.

My brothers would immediately go to Funhouse, while my sisters would go to Gift Gate to buy Sanrio. Me? You'd either find me at Nova Fontana, or eating Nachos at Kamicos.

Kamico was this small stall on the 3rd floor of Shoppesville, and they served awesome Nachos and Tacos. For their price point, their Mexican food tasted pretty legit, that's why I loved it.

And that's also why after more than 2 decades, they're still pretty much around today.

Mexxed-up world

While dreaming of authentic Mexican Tacos last night, I just realized that there's one place in Manila that I frequent whenever I crave for Mexican food.

Technically, they're not really Mexican. The name itself is a compound of Mexico and California, so their cuisine is more of the Baja California type of Mexican food. But admittedly, their enchiladas are good. So are their burritos.

Gosh, writing this is making me crave for Mexican goodies even more.

I should really stop.

Taco Tuesdays

Watching several American TV shows both on youtube and on television, one of the things I noticed is that they often mention "Taco Tuesdays."

I'm not sure if it's a big thing in the U.S. And I have to investigate what it actually means. Do they get discounts on Tacos on Tuesdays? Is that the only thing they eat on Tuesdays? Is this a U.S.-wide thing?

Thinking about it makes me miss those authentic tacos we used to eat at Mexico. Those were top notch, and definitely not Taco Bell.

But since we don't get these types of Tacos here in Manila, well, see you in Taco Bell.

Just a taste

Since I spend the whole day at home, youtube has become my best friend.

There's nothing really good on free TV, and the cable shows tend to be repetitive. So, youtube is a good place to get fresh content.

I've been following several youtube channels, and one of them is an appetite-inducing one:

Yes, there's a channel called "Tasty." And it lives up to its name.

I'm getting hungry just thinking of it.

Sundazed

When I was working, the weekdays would be so busy - and Saturdays would sometimes be busier - that I'd look forward to Sundays.

This was the day when I'd just sit back, relax, empty my mind, and just enjoy a day of doing nothing.

The past month that I was at home recuperating, this relaxed, "doing nothing" exercise was what I did almost everyday. Thus, I missed the magic of Sunday.

Conclusion: I miss working. And I miss appreciating Sundays.

Thankfully, that'll change really soon.

Missing School

For more than a decade, I'd spend Saturdays waking up super early (even earlier than weekdays) to go to school.

To teach, that is.

On a fateful weekday in 1999, Prichy visited me at my office in Vito Cruz and asked me if I'd be interested in teaching part-time at St. Scholastica's College. Because Prichy is one of my bestest friends - and because a lot of our batchmates were also there - I obliged.

It was one of the best decisions that I made. And it was something I continued to do for more than a decade.

I'd still be doing it if not for this recent health issue. One thing I realized this morning is how much I miss it. I really miss teaching so, so, so SOOOOOOO much!

But that feeling of longing turns into anticipation when I think that I'll be back in school next year.

Wait for me, SSC! I'll be back.

FMM: Just can't stop it

If there's one thing this experience taught me, is that there might be huge, daunting obstacles that may face you, but if you're determined to push through, nothing can stop you from doing it.

That's why this Friday Magic Madness, we celebrate the fact that there are certain things you can't stop.

You can't stop dreams. You can't stop happiness. You can't stop hope. You can't stop living.

And in the words of The Village People, you can't stop the music!



Music has been a large part of this journey of mine, so this ditty is so apt this Friday.

New Year, Old Frendz

What better way to spend a new year in life than with old, reliable friends who have been with you through the thicks and thins and highs and lows in life. Just like true and genuine friends do.

A lot has changed since our Block I-1 days. And I'm glad that despite that, the things that matter hasn't changed at all.

Sixth Sense

Celebrating my birthday right after the life-altering and eye-opening realization that happened to me, I face another year with a renewed sense of purpose and appreciation.

This year is the year when I can truly say: "I'm still here, so I must still have a mission and purpose in life."

And I'm definitely making sure that I'll fulfill it.

High Flyer!

Today, the family's high flyer celebrates another year!

Happy Birthday, Kev! Keep soaring and reaching for your dreams!

Star Struck!

After seeing the final trailer for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” I’m even more psyched to see it!

Check it out!

Aren’t you Star-struck?

Oreo glad?

Everyone’s all agog about Red Velvet Oreo in Manila these days.

Thing is, that flavor is a few years delayed. They’ve had that - and we’re lucky to have enjoyed it - for years now.

What I really want are the Halloween Oreos.

Wonder when they’ll carry these here.

Soul food

Visiting memorial parks on All Soul’s Day was a lot different when we were younger.

Before, it was very solemn. People would go to the memorial parks as families, reminiscing and remembering the times they spent with their loved ones who’ve passed. We’d roll our mats and eat home-cooked food, which made it an intimate family affair.

Now, you go to a memorial park and it feels more like a state fair! It’s crowded, noisy, and people - especially the younger set - are more focused on having fun than remembering their dearly departed ones.

And another thing I noticed, food stalls are everywhere! Heck, you can even have food delivered to your lot! With the name of your deceased as address. Strange, but true.

Oh, how the times have changed.

FMM: Busted!

Since it’s Halloween - and Friday Magic Madness day - I thought of the theme song of one of my favorite spooky shows as a kid.

The Ghostbusters!

No, i’m Not talking about the modern take, but the O.G.

This:



Classic!

Now-vember

If you’ve noticed, there were gaps in my blogs.

There were months when nothing was written, no activity tracked, and there was just silence.

Simple explanation: I got sick.

And because I was sick, I couldn’t write. My focus had to be on recovering rather than wordsmithing. Now here’s the rub. When you’ve been absent for writing for a time, you ask yourself whether it’s worthwhile to go back to writing or just enjoy the free time that non-writing accords you.

Then I thought, this month is the tipping point. It’s now or never.

Because I’m a journalist at heart, I CHOSE to write.

And as we enter a new month tomorrow, a new chapter of writing begins.

I’m excited about it! So should you! (Harhar)

L-elementary, my dear Watson

You’d think that “Grilled” would be a simple word to spell.

Apparently not.

Proofreader, please.

Blog, Interrupted.

We interrupt this blog’s regular scheduled programming for some internal realigning...

Programming will commence soon.

Crabby

There are folks with interesting names.

And there are folks like these:

At least, you won’t forget her name.

Following a calling

One of the things that we first researched on was the mass schedules in JKT.

Apparently, their anticipated masses are on Saturday at 3:30pm, way earlier than the usual 6:00pm mass that we're used to.

Luckily, that church was near our hotel, so we decided to hear Mass at Gereja Santa Theresia on Saturday.

The church was a very quaint, very peaceful place of worship, which made it a joy to visit.

Definitely one of the high points of this trip.

Meals with Mark: Fridays on a Saturday

We have this tradition.

When we'd go out to a different country, we have to go and eat at a TGIFriday's.

We went to several locations in Japan, including Yokohama. We ate at TGIFriday's in HKG, and in BKK.

And because traditions must be honored, TGIFriday's JKT was our venue for dinner tonight.

Here's the traditions!

Meals with Mark: Bread and Breakfast

On our first day in Jakarta, Mark and I decided to walk around our neighborhood - Gajah Mada.

As we traversed down the road, we encountered a lot of Padang Padang, street food stalls, and quaint, little restaurants.

But when Mark saw Suisse Bakery, he said that he read about that ,and it was one of the oldest and most popular bakeries in Jakarta. So, risking life and limb, we crossed the busy highway to get there.

What Mark read about is true. It was around 9am, and the bakery was packed! And it was packed with people who looked like regulars, because they're buying a lot, and their purchases are carefully curated. It's the handiwork of long time Suisse bakery fans!

Mark eventually got the quiche, while I went to the blueberry bread. Then, we decided to share a cinnamon roll.

And that was our first breakfast in JKT.

FMM: Anggun-a get you!

Since Mark and I are spending the weekend in Indonesia, I thought today's Friday Magic Madness song should be inspired by that.

Indonesian Pop will never be complete without Anggun! The first time I heard her in the 90s, I was already enamoured by her voice and style. It had this otherworldly, yet regal sound to it. And one of her biggest hits - Snow on the Sahara - captured that perfectly.



Listening to this song, it's difficult to believe it's already 22 years old!

Then again, great music is timeless.

Do the Hustle!

We're back in a shoot today, and some of the people I'm working with are people I've been working since Friday last week!

One of them is Grant, our tireless producer who's running everything from sun up to sun down.

It's a lot of work. But you just gotta hustle!

Hey Sister!

For the record, one of my all-time, most favorite films is "Sister Act." When I first saw the film, I had to watch it again. And after watching it, I had to buy the soundtrack!

One of the songs I love from "Sister Act" was their rendition of "Hail Holy Queen." It was beautifully sung, and with the broadway twist in the end, it was just perfection.



I can't get enough of that song then. And I still can't get enough of it now.

The provincial life

When you’re stuck in the middle of a rural market with nothing to do, you end up acting - and hanging out - like the locals.

We look pretty convincing.

Skeleton in the closet

Among the 20th Anniversary collaborations of Target, one thing i’m Most excited about is the one with Rodarte.

When they launched that line 20 years ago, there were a lot of beautiful pieces. But personally, none of them were as pretty as this rib cage dress.

If they’ll re-issue this, i’ll definitely find a way to get one. This is one skeleton that you wouldn’t mind in your closet.

Cover rewind

In celebration of their 25th anniversary, InStyle has a digital series where they ask their covergirls to look back at all their covers and react to it.

Needless to say, it was a joy to watch. Especially Jennifer Aniston!



I'm still waiting for the Julia Roberts version.

This has me on Target

So, apparently, this year is the 20th year since Target started doing designer collaborations!

And how are they celebrating it? With a special 20th Anniversary collection featuring all the designers they've ever collaborated with!

I'm excited to see what pieces Rodarte, Zac Posen and Proenza Schouler will re-issue.

Take my money, Target! Take it!

FMM: Shirley, one of the best

It might be the effect of all these singing contests, but there's a resurgence of interest in Shirley Bassey's songs. After all, her songs are awesome contest pieces, and if the contestant can get that raw, rasp of Shirley's voice, they've got it in the bag.

Just like what Rose Fontanez did in X-Factor Israel some years back.

Since I'm a huge Shirley Bassey fan, I'm all up for this resurgence! Heck, I've been writing about her for many years, and writing about her again is always a welcome thing to do.

The Shirley song du juor, her classic "This is My Life."



No one, no one comes close to THE Shirley Bassey.

Little Women, Big impact

When I first saw the film "Little Women" way back in 1994, the film left such an imprint in my heart and mind. It immediately became one of my favorite films.

The stories of Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy were so heartfelt and current, it was hard to believe this was a period film. The film was also acted very beautifully by - at that time - up and coming actresses like Trini Alvarado, Winona Ryder, Claire Danes and Kirsten Dunst. Then, of course, there was Susan Sarandon as the matriarch.

I still remember the rage in my heart when Amy threw Jo's manuscript into the fireplace, and how my heart broke when Beth said "I, too, can be brave" on her deathbed.

It's been 25 years since the film came out, and Hollywood decided to release a new version this year:



This, too, has a powerhouse cast. (Hello, Meryl Streep!) And I'm sure they'll give justice to the roles.

But for me, the 1994 version is still the standard.

Cutenesaurus Rex

This midweek cuteness is brought to you by my grandnephew, Baby Noah!

He's growing up so fast! I wish I could see him more often.

Pole Positioning

And just like that, school is opening again!

This weekend, I went to SSC to gather some books for my subject for this semester, a foundation course on the business of advertising.

One book that really taught me a lot about advertising was "Positioning" by Al Ries and Jack Trout. This was almost like the bible for advertising. It taught me how important it is to be on the consumer's "top of mind," how important it is to "Cherchez le creneau" and that advertising is all about mental shortcuts.

That's why this book is a must-read for my class.

It's an updated version of the original book, but this one's by Jack Trout.

I'm so excited to re-read this. And for school to start.

Frutos of the Loom

My liking for sampaloc started at a very young age.

Our house in Tomas Morato had a sampaloc tree inside, and we'd often wait for the fruits to grow and fall from the tree.

I remember hanging out at the rooftop of the house, which was accessible through the fire exit in my room, then pick-up all the sampaloc fruits that fell from the tree. Quickly, I'd shake and tap the fruits, and if it had a hollow sound, it meant that it was ripe enough to eat. Then, while indian sitting on the roof, I'd finish my sampaloc haul.

After that, I've taken a liking to sampaloc in all it's incarnations. I've written about some of them here, and now, I'm writing about my latest sampaloc discovery.

Frutos Chewy Sampaloc!

This one tastes so good and so legit, it's hard to believe that it's not fresh sampaloc. It's so good, I'd usually go through half a pack in one sitting!

Thank goodness for new discoveries!

Unbearable cuteness of being. Cats.

Suddenly, this album of cat photos popped up on Facebook.

It's a series of photos from a Japanese photographers to takes photos of stray cats in Tokyo and in the neighboring areas.

Gosh! They're super cute!

If stray cats here were this adorbz, I'd probably be feeding them everyday.

Moore of my favorite!

As September approaches fast, I'm curious to know who the cover girls are for the US's biggest fashion magazines. Particularly, InStyle!

And it thrilled me to see that it's one of my favorite actresses, Julianne Moore!

Julianne has a long history with InStyle. I remember when I was in HKG in 2006, she headlined an issue and I read that issue voraciously. Particularly because I could relate to her stories, particularly her insights on living alone.

She's appeared on the cover of the magazine several times since then, the last time being 2017, and it would be interesting to see how much she's changed since then.

Gotta. Find. This. Magazine.

FMM: I came, I (Latti)saw, I listened

Today's weather - plus the fact that it's Friday - calls for a Stacy Lattisaw song.

It's just one of those days.

And what's the perfect song to play today? This very classic - and very popular - song from 1985. I present "Can't stop thinking about you."



You really can't go wrong with the 80s.

I can rel8!

Today is August 8 or 8-8, which is an auspicious date for the Chinese.

But 88 has a lot of other meanings for me.

The house number of our first house was 88.

I have 2 cousins - Cristina and Harold - who are celebrating their birthday on 8-8.

So yes, it’s a good date. A very good date.

Catnappers

Caught this comfortably catnapping cutie beside the ATM machine I was using.

I think we all want to do this at 2pm on a weekday.

Lucky cat!

Smells like H&M

Out of curiosity, I checked out the “T-shirt” Eau de Toilette from H&M this evening.

It’s awesome!

Too bad they don’t have it in big bottles. I bought a small one and feel that it might not last a month1

Sarte-rial Choice

The moment I saw their poster at the Plains and Prints branch in SM Megamall, I was instantly intrigued.

Having been a watcher - and buyer - of Plains and Prints collaborations for many years, their "Beyond 25" was an ambitious project. Imagine, 15 designers - both young and seasoned - designing 30 pieces for this capsule collection.

I was on board.

When the collection hit the stores, I made a conscious effort to look at the garment and not the designer. Although it was easy to guess some of the pieces and who made them, but some were a bit hard to figure out.

Among the 30 pieces, the first one that caught my eye was this dress which, in my observation, looked like something that Charina Sarte would make.

It's a wrap dress with strategically placed ruffle details. I've seen something similar in her Greenbelt 5 store, which made me suspect that this was her design.

And it is!

For me, this is the money piece of the collection. That's why it was the first one that I got for Ate.

The first of several, given how nice the capsule collection is.

Looking for Lapagayo

About 2 decades back, Lapagayo was a go-to brand among the preppy crowd in the Philippines.

Known for their ultra-colorful clothing - from shirts to windbreakers - this brand from Holland was a ubiquitous sight in universities and offices.

Then suddenly, it disappeared.

I remembered the brand today, and decided to search for it.

Apparently, you can still buy a lot of Lapagayo items on sites like Shopee, but I don't see any stores around the region.

I guess ultra-colorful windbreakers and shirts aren't as popular as they used to be.

Sweater dressing

Since it's been raining, and the weather has been cool and comfy, it's sweater weather.

But heavy sweaters and rains don't really go that well. Imagine if the sweater gets rained on, that would be damp and heavy.

So, I thought of this ensemble that approximates sweater dressing, but in a lighter, rain friendly way.

The dress is from SM Department Store. It's cozy enough to mimic a sweater, but light enough to wear during the rains.

To keep the casual vibe, pair it with the So Fab sneakers from Cebu!

Together, it's sweater dressing that's more casual.

Ate is ready for the rains.

FMM: Weathering through song

The rain was pouring hard and furious when I woke up in the middle of the night. It was the type of rain that made you glad that you're indoors and nicely tucked in bed.

But when I woke up around 6:30pm, the rains were still as heavy. And it continued throughout the day.

Which is the inspiration for today's Friday Magic Madness song from the 60s. A B.J. Thomas classic that almost everyone knows.



Yes, raindrops have been falling on our heads the whole day today. Thank goodness tomorrow is a weekend.

Oh, August!

Just like that, we're at the tail end of the 3rd quarter!

Time really flies when you're having fun. (And busy at work.)