Sometimes, six days is just not enough to finish all the things that I need to do for the week.
Apart from my usual writing and editing chores, which I do in the comfort of my bedroom, there are interviews to be done and shoots to be attended, sometimes in places not so very near. There are bills to be paid, mail to be answered, errands to be done, and papers to be sorted out.
There are dishes to be cooked, which will go straight to the freezer for the kids to reheat during the week. There are clothes to have laundered, water to have delivered, grass to have cut, and the kitchen roof that needs to have some sealant plastered over because of the incessant rain. There is my bedroom to be cleaned, which I always never do, unless I absolutely have to.
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Sunday, October 23, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Solar Wind
20 Hz from Semiconductor on Vimeo.
Okay, this is what a magnetic storm looks like, taking place in the Earth's upper atmosphere, captured at 20 hertz. Absolutely beautiful!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Still Kicking Ass
I rarely read the news. The way I see it, between chasing after deadlines and running after my kids, I'm stressed enough as it is. I know that sounds so apathetic of me, but well, what can I do? I want to live long enough to see Baby S grow into a fine, young lady. Besides, if I need to catch up on current events, I'd just have to ask D, and he'll reel off all the facts like I was watching CNN.
So when KV told me to proceed to the Makati City Hall to interview taekwondo champion-action star-Dawn Zulueta's former flame Monsour del Rosario, I was like, what's he doing in city hall? A friend told me in exasperation, "Jing! He's a councilor now!" Ah, okay, right! Heehee
Reminds me of the time when K told me about the boys who got shot in a mall.
J: Who got shot?
K: The teenaged boys!
J: What? Teenagers?
K: Jing, please read the news.
J: Ah, okay! Heehee
Anyway, I walk into Monsour's office and I must say that he is still as fit as a fiddle. I love his energy. It's like there's this live wire inside the room who talks a mile a minute. But I love it more that his three-year-old daughter Isabel is close by, playing while waiting for daddy.
Here's an excerpt:
At 47, Monsour del Rosario has none of the sagging beer belly or the slowly slacking jaw line characteristic of men his age. He is lean and tall with the commanding presence of someone who’s used to being the center of attention. Any man, even those younger than him, would think twice about messing around with him.
But Monsour wasn’t always this way.
In grade school, he was a small, skinny kid who regularly got a beating from the bigger boys. Bruised and bloodied, he must have wished that he could be more like his idol, Bruce Lee.
“As a boy, my fantasy was to be a hero like Bruce Lee in his movies. I found him so cool. I wanted to be a tough, cool cat like him. That drove me to the perfection of my art,” says Monsour.
Bruce Lee and the beatings got Monsour into martial arts, first training in Moo Duk Kwan with his uncle Joe Lopez Vito and then later studying Soutokan with Mike Vasquez. It wasn’t until he got into high school, however, that Monsour got into taekwondo, and it wasn’t until his senior year that he got really serious about it. But he did, and the rest, well, we all know what happened next.
And here's the story on Impact. It's a magazine for golfers. And no, I don't play golf heehee
So when KV told me to proceed to the Makati City Hall to interview taekwondo champion-action star-Dawn Zulueta's former flame Monsour del Rosario, I was like, what's he doing in city hall? A friend told me in exasperation, "Jing! He's a councilor now!" Ah, okay, right! Heehee
Reminds me of the time when K told me about the boys who got shot in a mall.
J: Who got shot?
K: The teenaged boys!
J: What? Teenagers?
K: Jing, please read the news.
J: Ah, okay! Heehee
Anyway, I walk into Monsour's office and I must say that he is still as fit as a fiddle. I love his energy. It's like there's this live wire inside the room who talks a mile a minute. But I love it more that his three-year-old daughter Isabel is close by, playing while waiting for daddy.
Here's an excerpt:
At 47, Monsour del Rosario has none of the sagging beer belly or the slowly slacking jaw line characteristic of men his age. He is lean and tall with the commanding presence of someone who’s used to being the center of attention. Any man, even those younger than him, would think twice about messing around with him.
But Monsour wasn’t always this way.
In grade school, he was a small, skinny kid who regularly got a beating from the bigger boys. Bruised and bloodied, he must have wished that he could be more like his idol, Bruce Lee.
“As a boy, my fantasy was to be a hero like Bruce Lee in his movies. I found him so cool. I wanted to be a tough, cool cat like him. That drove me to the perfection of my art,” says Monsour.
Bruce Lee and the beatings got Monsour into martial arts, first training in Moo Duk Kwan with his uncle Joe Lopez Vito and then later studying Soutokan with Mike Vasquez. It wasn’t until he got into high school, however, that Monsour got into taekwondo, and it wasn’t until his senior year that he got really serious about it. But he did, and the rest, well, we all know what happened next.
And here's the story on Impact. It's a magazine for golfers. And no, I don't play golf heehee
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The Big Ouchie
I've never been fond of hospitals. Whenever I find myself in one for long stretches of time, I get kinda sick inside. I imagine my body being invaded by all sorts of intruders. It doesn't help that hospitals don't exactly conjure up pleasant memories. My Tito E passed away in one after days of experiencing excruciating pain.
When my daughter E told me that Baby S had to be confined to the hospital, my heart went out to my two-and-a-half-year-old apo. She's too young to be cooped up in a sterile room and hooked to an IV! But over a couple of days last week, she had developed red rashes that turned into big purplish blotches that had us all worried.
And so there was Baby S, all bored and restless as we waited for the results of her tests. She points to her right hand, the one where they got her hooked up to an IV, and calls it big ouchie. She cuddles up to her mom. She gets down and starts running around while we chase after with the IV stand. She sits next to me, pretends big ouchie is a toy car, and runs it all over my face. And every so often, the hospital staff would come in to give her medicine or get some more blood for more tests, and our bored and restless Baby S would become a howling, growling toddler throwing a big, fat tantrum.
Her tests came out okay, and Baby S is fine now. Hope we don't see the hospital anytime soon.
When my daughter E told me that Baby S had to be confined to the hospital, my heart went out to my two-and-a-half-year-old apo. She's too young to be cooped up in a sterile room and hooked to an IV! But over a couple of days last week, she had developed red rashes that turned into big purplish blotches that had us all worried.
And so there was Baby S, all bored and restless as we waited for the results of her tests. She points to her right hand, the one where they got her hooked up to an IV, and calls it big ouchie. She cuddles up to her mom. She gets down and starts running around while we chase after with the IV stand. She sits next to me, pretends big ouchie is a toy car, and runs it all over my face. And every so often, the hospital staff would come in to give her medicine or get some more blood for more tests, and our bored and restless Baby S would become a howling, growling toddler throwing a big, fat tantrum.
Her tests came out okay, and Baby S is fine now. Hope we don't see the hospital anytime soon.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Breaking Sushi
Most of our high school classmates are now scattered across the globe: New Zealand, Australia, England, California, what-have-you. And whenever one of them comes home for a quick visit, somebody always makes it a point to arrange a catch-up dinner.
When Rasty came home a few years ago, we were surprised that he was now way heftier than when we saw him last. Unfortunately, living abroad didn't do his skin color any good. He was still as dark as an eggplant Mwahahaha Okay, maybe a little lighter. One of the first things he said was this: "Why do you guys all look so good?!" I suppose he wanted us to look not so good, so that he'll look way better. Too bad! Mwahahahaha He was still the same Rasty after all these years!
And so, when his sparring partner Norman came home a few weeks ago, I expected no less than Rasty's biting sense of humor. But, well, Norms was always the sweeter one.
Amidst a table full of sushi, tempura, katsudon, and sukiyaki, Norman tried his best to answer all our burning questions: When did you start losing your hair? Why did you start losing your hair? How did you end up with a fantastic girl like Penny? Really, how did you end up with Penny? Seriously, how did you end up with Penny?
It was a fun night where some long-lost secrets were revealed and another sweet guy got a good ribbing (Thanks for being such a good sport, B! Love you, C!). I like meeting up with these guys because we can tease each other to death just like we used to when we were wearing plaid skirts and pencil-cut pants. Mwahahaha
Ooops, Norms, what's that you're covering up?
Was so hungry, I think I ate a whole basket all by myself hehe
Present!
Norms, Penny, and Phoebe
Class of 1985! Has it really been that long?!!
When Rasty came home a few years ago, we were surprised that he was now way heftier than when we saw him last. Unfortunately, living abroad didn't do his skin color any good. He was still as dark as an eggplant Mwahahaha Okay, maybe a little lighter. One of the first things he said was this: "Why do you guys all look so good?!" I suppose he wanted us to look not so good, so that he'll look way better. Too bad! Mwahahahaha He was still the same Rasty after all these years!
And so, when his sparring partner Norman came home a few weeks ago, I expected no less than Rasty's biting sense of humor. But, well, Norms was always the sweeter one.
Amidst a table full of sushi, tempura, katsudon, and sukiyaki, Norman tried his best to answer all our burning questions: When did you start losing your hair? Why did you start losing your hair? How did you end up with a fantastic girl like Penny? Really, how did you end up with Penny? Seriously, how did you end up with Penny?
It was a fun night where some long-lost secrets were revealed and another sweet guy got a good ribbing (Thanks for being such a good sport, B! Love you, C!). I like meeting up with these guys because we can tease each other to death just like we used to when we were wearing plaid skirts and pencil-cut pants. Mwahahaha
Ooops, Norms, what's that you're covering up?
Was so hungry, I think I ate a whole basket all by myself hehe
Present!
Norms, Penny, and Phoebe
Class of 1985! Has it really been that long?!!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Noel
Last night, I discovered Noel Cabangon. Of course I've heard about him, but I've never had the opportunity to listen to his music. But when A invited us to My Brother's Mustache in Scout Tuazon, I was more than curious. Besides, the past week had been quite challenging and the opportunity to get a bit sloshed while listening to good music was too enticing.
We drive up to this dimly lit, folksy-looking bar, which brought back all these memories of my Tita Rita and Tita Batoy and Tito Boyet and their barkada, which they called Tribu Royale (yeah!). I lived at their house in Caloocan for a year and was always fascinated by their bell-bottomed outfits and their music. On stage were pictures of all the music gods they idolized and revered: Jimi Hendrix, John Denver, Mick Jagger, James Taylor, and all those other guys that made that era look so cool!
Anyway, when Noel C finally came on, I was just mesmerized. Song after song, his velvety smooth voice wrapped me in this cocoon of rhapsody and reminiscence. I particularly loved it when he sang his own tunes or covers of OPMs. Mas masarap pakinggan kasi tagos sa puso!
After his set, we got to hang out with him as he drank a glass of wine, feasted on pinaputok na tilapia, and talked about his adventures as a pescatarian. Great Saturday night!
Noel C with Mick and James. Where's Jim?!
Tagay na!
We drive up to this dimly lit, folksy-looking bar, which brought back all these memories of my Tita Rita and Tita Batoy and Tito Boyet and their barkada, which they called Tribu Royale (yeah!). I lived at their house in Caloocan for a year and was always fascinated by their bell-bottomed outfits and their music. On stage were pictures of all the music gods they idolized and revered: Jimi Hendrix, John Denver, Mick Jagger, James Taylor, and all those other guys that made that era look so cool!
Anyway, when Noel C finally came on, I was just mesmerized. Song after song, his velvety smooth voice wrapped me in this cocoon of rhapsody and reminiscence. I particularly loved it when he sang his own tunes or covers of OPMs. Mas masarap pakinggan kasi tagos sa puso!
After his set, we got to hang out with him as he drank a glass of wine, feasted on pinaputok na tilapia, and talked about his adventures as a pescatarian. Great Saturday night!
Noel C with Mick and James. Where's Jim?!
Tagay na!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Catching Up With October
I've got a lot of catching up to do because just like that, it's October! I blame my online absence on the many weekends I celebrated my birthday, on the many days I devoted to work, and on other unexpected events that came my way.
To start my catch up, here's a little something I did for my newest gig, Turista.
"I am only a few minutes away from home, but I might as well have been in some kind of paradise. I am lounging at the pool area of The Bellevue Hotel. True there is a bit of a drizzle, but I refuse to let a little shower rain on my parade. Having been on stress mode for weeks, I wanted some peace and quiet. And now, here I am: 24 hours with nothing to do except hang out in the only five-star hotel in Southern Metro Manila.
A resident of the South, I am well acquainted with The Bellevue. Before it opened its doors in 2003, we had to go all the way to Makati to enjoy luxury accommodations. That the Bellevue Group has flourished through the years—they’ve added a new wing and put up B Hotel at Madrigal Business Park—comes as no surprise. The Bellevue staff understands the meaning of good customer service. The buffet at Café d’ Asie always comes up with a good selection of tasty dishes. Its newly opened Chinese restaurant Phoenix Court is fast becoming a favorite. And of course, its Grand Ballroom is the must-book destination for people celebrating special occasions."
The yummy buffet at Cafe d'Asie
The view from my room
My friends and I once had a sleepover here
Here's the issue :)
To start my catch up, here's a little something I did for my newest gig, Turista.
"I am only a few minutes away from home, but I might as well have been in some kind of paradise. I am lounging at the pool area of The Bellevue Hotel. True there is a bit of a drizzle, but I refuse to let a little shower rain on my parade. Having been on stress mode for weeks, I wanted some peace and quiet. And now, here I am: 24 hours with nothing to do except hang out in the only five-star hotel in Southern Metro Manila.
A resident of the South, I am well acquainted with The Bellevue. Before it opened its doors in 2003, we had to go all the way to Makati to enjoy luxury accommodations. That the Bellevue Group has flourished through the years—they’ve added a new wing and put up B Hotel at Madrigal Business Park—comes as no surprise. The Bellevue staff understands the meaning of good customer service. The buffet at Café d’ Asie always comes up with a good selection of tasty dishes. Its newly opened Chinese restaurant Phoenix Court is fast becoming a favorite. And of course, its Grand Ballroom is the must-book destination for people celebrating special occasions."
The yummy buffet at Cafe d'Asie
The view from my room
My friends and I once had a sleepover here
Here's the issue :)
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