Philippines

Cookie Turns 7

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Philip and Marge is just one of our many couple friends.  I’ve known them since Dylan and I started dating.

We all went out — with Uncle Bong, JD, Chico (I wonder if I ever got a shot of him) in tow — to celebrate Cookie’s 7th birthday.  The little princess received lovebirds from Philip and Marge, and a book on caring for them from Uncle Bong.  We beered and dined at Barrio Fiesta, so yes, prepare yourself for food.

Everything was divine, and to be honest, I missed how good Filipino food can be.  I wonder where we stand on standardizing its taste and recipe.  We could so pass for international cuisine. :)

 

I almost forgot how fun it is to hang out with this family.  I should definitely not wait more than a year to see them again.

Chuchi the Jumping Machine

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My adorable niece has discovered the joy of jumping.  :)

This was taken during our Holy Week vacation in Baguio, which was also in time for Kai’s first birthday celebration.  While waiting for the rain to subside, Chuchi saw this trampoline in the middle of the mall.  Bianca was so sweet to accompany her inside.  It was her piece of heaven for 10 good minutes.


Baguio photos coming soon!

Kulasas at Mogu

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It’s been a while since I last saw these lovely ladies, so when Tina suggested we do something normal — have dinner, desserts and coffee — instead of the usual late night party, I immediately bit the bullet.

We were supposed to meet at 7 in Mogu, Serendra, but only three of us were on time.  As usual, with every addition is a slight move down from the dining table.  I have to admit it is one of our more prudent spending for a long time.  Hahaha.  It was a fun dinner, with Jackie’s hunger prompting her to binge and then go on a sugar rush, Vaughn’s barter day and lots lots more.  I wonder if that Laiya thing will push through.

Let’s do this dinner thing again girls! :)

 

MMDA reacts on world’s worst city news

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I don’t know if you follow me on Twitter, but yesterday, I tweeted the news I chanced upon online.  It’s CNNGo.com’s list of the world’s worst cities to drive in and (surprise, suprise — BAZINGA) Manila placed third.

Read the full Yahoo article here.

Last night, I was watching the news and of course, MMDA immediately reacts to the news, saying it is not at all scientific and it is unfair for the Philippines to be compared to other countries with far more advanced economies that can easily support funding in improving roads and highways.

See the news clip here.

But you see, the survey was based on IBM’s 2011 COMMUTER PAIN survey.  It doesn’t have to be scientific; PEOPLE DON’T LIKE DRIVING AND COMMUTING HERE.

Can you blame them?

I don’t know about you but I kind of felt disgusted that the reaction was defensive.  It’s not that the article is discrediting the efforts made by MMDA to appease the traffic situation in the metropolitan areas; it is the fact that in spite of the efforts and the multimillion dollar loan supposedly aimed to improve the situation, it is still horrifying and rip-your-hair-out annoying to drive in Manila.

I just think it’s a poor way to handle bad press.  The first thing MMDA mentions in the news is the study is not scientific?  And so?  Take it nonetheless.  It may be a blow in the gut, but just freakin’ take it man.  Grow a pair and admit the shortcomings that cannot be cured overnight.  Man up and have some whiskey, just so you can have the courage to say it’s a collective effort — from pedestrians, to commuters, to drivers, to government, to policy — to elevate this situation from disappointing to bearable.

It’s not a blame game.  It’s just pointing out the obvious.

But then again, that’s just me.

 

Photos sourced from Cool Bean Mommas.

The World Tonight will never be the same

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I have never seen Tina Monzon-Palma this lonely behind the anchors’ desk.

Dylan and I discovered another thing we have in common.  We both saw Angelo Castro Jr. as the alpha newsman.  His manner of delivery and writing shows he is smart and he expects his audience to be of the same caliber.  We both miss the nights when the news is delivered in English, where thoughts are more critical than judgmental, where biases are not present in the tone of voice.

Ah, the industry will never be the same again.