Sunday, July 31, 2005
Birthdays, Anniversaries & A Nice Surprise
BIRTHDAYS:
Oooh.. I just love birthdays! Most especially if they are mine! Hehehe Ü
This week, 3 important people in my life have celebrated theirs.
First off is my only nephew, Adrian, who celebrated his 7th b-day last June 23. It was a fun one! We all had to dress up in costume, and the theme was Community Helpers. Nico & I had a great time making our costume! And we came as...
ANNIVERSARIES:
I just want to congratulate my Dad, 'coz PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforecement Agency) just celebrated its 3rd year anniversary last July 28 under his command. Im so proud of you daddy! Ü
Heres a picture of me, Tita Bing, Tita Lily, My Daddy, My Mommy & Tita Lulu in front of the PDEA Seal.
Oooh.. I just love birthdays! Most especially if they are mine! Hehehe Ü
This week, 3 important people in my life have celebrated theirs.
First off is my only nephew, Adrian, who celebrated his 7th b-day last June 23. It was a fun one! We all had to dress up in costume, and the theme was Community Helpers. Nico & I had a great time making our costume! And we came as...
Astronauts!! Ü Hehe.. Ang cute noh? Ü
Lots of kids came, and of course they were in costumes! I saw lots of Army-clad kids, little girls in nurse's costume, little firemen, little doctors.. etc Ü But of course, di magpapatalo the adults! Ü
Lots of kids came, and of course they were in costumes! I saw lots of Army-clad kids, little girls in nurse's costume, little firemen, little doctors.. etc Ü But of course, di magpapatalo the adults! Ü
L-R: 1. Gi Jane a.k.a My Mommy 2. Nico's Mom 3. Girl Scout a.k.a as Tita Imping 4. Police Couple 5. My Metro-Aide Kuya 6. Air-Force Couple 7. US! 8. Family Of Doctors 9. My Ate, The General. Hehe.. Crouched in front are the b-day boy & his dad, Kuya B. Ü
Everything is really military inspired for this party. Check out the goodie bags my Ate made, the military cake, and the military cap give aways! Ü
Everything is really military inspired for this party. Check out the goodie bags my Ate made, the military cake, and the military cap give aways! Ü
I absolutely adore kiddie parties! I love the kiddie food (cotton candy, ice cream, popcorn galore!) the games & the give-aways! I'm already excited for Adrian's bday next year! HeheÜ
My 2nd birthday party was a much more intimate one. All of Esh's close friends gathered in her house for a night of yummy dinner & drinks last night. The set-up was really romantic.. scented candles and dimmed lights everywhere! Ü The food was really great.. hehe.. i ate a lot as usual. Ü Here are some pics, sayang lang Auds & France had to go early 'coz of another birthday thing.. Ü Happy birthday Esh! Ü
ANNIVERSARIES:
I just want to congratulate my Dad, 'coz PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforecement Agency) just celebrated its 3rd year anniversary last July 28 under his command. Im so proud of you daddy! Ü
Heres a picture of me, Tita Bing, Tita Lily, My Daddy, My Mommy & Tita Lulu in front of the PDEA Seal.
And heres a picture of me with our current VP, Noli De Castro. He was the guest of honor for that day. Hehe.. siyempre photo-op ako! Ü My dad isn't looking at the camera though Ü
We were actually chatting here. Haha.. Ü
A NICE SURPRISE:
I checked my mail a couple of days ago, and I was pleasantly surprised. You see, the HK Shopper of The Year Winners from Indonesia sent us a couple of pictures that they took of us. Kakatouch noh? They really are nice people. Hope you enjoyed the prizes Ve & Kenny! Ü Heres one of my fave pics that they sent us Ü
* * * * * * *
I bought Sophie Kinsella's latest novel, The Undomestic Goddess, a couple of days ago.. But i cant seem to start reading it! You know why? 'Coz I can't get over HP6! Hehehe Ü So I'm re-reading HP6 again, this time more slowly. I absolutely adore HP! I can't wait for the last book.. but 2 years pa yun! :( I wonder how everything would end? I sure hope that Harry won't die in the last book.. I'm a sucker for happy endings! Ü
There are a lot of theories about the book, and I agree with some of them. I'm too tamad to write everything that I feel about the book, and I would much rather engage in a live conversation about this. I was so glad that last night, I was finally able to talk to fellow HP lovers. Hehe.. HP addict tlga.. I love Harry Potter!!! Ü
5:01 PM
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Race For The HK Shopper Of The Year
July 18, 2005
Day 1
8:00 AM
We are off to Hong Kong! Ü Although I only got 3 hours of sleep (guilty of last-minute packing), it didn't stop me from getting excited with all the shopping I'm going to do!
10:00 AM
We're here! Their airport is really impressive. The last time I was in HK was about 10 years ago. Hello?!? Ang tagal na nun! Puro toys lang nasa isip ko nun. Hehehe.. Ü Our Tour Coordinator, William, met us at the airport. We then made our way via a coaster to our 5 star hotel, Conrad Hong Kong Hotel, at the Hong Kong side.
2:30PM
Nico & I were planning to make the most out of our first day by scouting for goods that we can use for the competition. So after checking in, freshening up & having our US$ exchanged to HK$, Nico & I let ourselves loose in the city. With only the aid of a map, we jumped on their MTR (their version of a subway). It was a liberating feeling for me, to be able to commute and get lost in an unfamiliar place. I mean here in Manila, if i didn't have someone to drive for me, I'd rather stay home na lang. Aside from my parents not allowing me to commute, it is also my personal decision to not commute na lang if I don't have a ride. But in HK, ang galing, feeling ko ang tanda ko na tuloy.. hehe. We had no one to rely on but ourselves. We had no one to ask questions like where to buy the ticket, where to enter, where to exit.. stuf like that. So after a few stops on the MTR, we made our way to Causeway Bay. Even though we didn't really get to see items that we could use for tomorrow's competition, we made our own little purchases from Giordano & Bossini.
5:00pm
Back to the Hotel Lobby, 'coz we had a 5pm briefing with the HK Tourism Board. Alice Li, from the HKTB, gave us our copies of the rules & 2 shirts that we would be wearing throughout the competition. She also told us that we would be interviewed tomorrow, along with 3 other teams, by the press. Apparently, they found our profile interesting. Coolness! Ü
6:30pm
We are off to Mongkok, and this time, my sisters are with us. Again, all Nico & I did was to scout for items for the contest. We had a really hard time, 'coz 1 of the rules was for us to purchase items from shops with the QTS (Quality Tourism Services) logo. This ruled out all the night markets etc.. how sad. :(
9:30pm
We then went to the Night Market, and this time, we met up with Pam & Remar also. I was pretty tired already, after all the walking that we did today, so I was just limping along the stalls.
11:30pm
Back at the Hotel Lobby. Noel wanted to go over the rules, ideas, etc for the contest. You could say that after our first day, we were pretty beat already. And depressed too, coz after all that walking around that we did, we weren't able to find our "prize-winning" items. :(
July 19, 2005
2nd Day
6:00am
Yes, we are up sooo early! :( Just enough time to take a bath, eat breakfast & prepare for the whole day of activities.
9:00am
We're already making our way to the different shopping destinations via the MTR. We did a whole lot of walking, you wouldn't believe it. There was even a time I wanted to cry already because I got so tired.. plus depressed 'coz of the lack of "win-nable items". But, thank God! after hours of searching, we had 3 out of the 4 items that we needed from the categories (1. Fashion or Beauty, 2. Jewelry or Watches, 3., Electronics 4. Chinese Tradition .)
1:45pm
We made our way to Lux, this resto bar at Lan Kwai Fong for our interview. We were already running late, so we really had to rush it. We just had enough time to change into our HK shirts and freshen up a bit, then it was time for the interview. It was funny, 'coz they were really interested with this blog that I have. They always ask this question, " So, we hear that you have a website right?", so then I explain about this blog.. hehehe Ü
2:30pm
We haven't had lunch yet, and the sad thing was, we didn't have time for it anymore 'coz the briefing is about to start na. Media people from everywhere kept interviewing us. And the cameraman assigned to us even clipped on a mike on my shirt, so for the next few hours, he would be hearing everything I said! Buti di nakakaintindi ng Tagalog! hehehe Ü It was really super crazy! After they gave our digicam, shopping bag & HK$3,000 (About P21K), we were good to go.
4:00pm
After the kick-off ceremony, w/ confetti's pa and all that ha, the race was on! Nico & I ran all the way to the MTR, w/ the cameraman filming our every move and the Japanese photographer clicking away. Our 1st destination was at the Tsim Sha Tsui Station. It was at that area where we bought our items for the Chinese Tradition & Electronics Category. Next stop was at the Mongkok Station. We bought our Jewelry Item from there. Lastly, for our final Category, we just decided to look around Tsim Tsa Tsui Area, which is near our "Pit Stop."
1. Before Crossing the Street at Harbour City. Notice the men wearing red, hehe.. the guy at my left is the Japanese Photographer. The man crouched across the street is the cameraman from Germany ata. Ü
Reported back to the HKTB at Blues By The Bay. We surrendered all the items, along with the change & receipt. It was really funny, 'coz this whole shopping thing is really a big deal for them. Imagine, after every item from each category was declared, they put the item inside a sealable plastic bag & then labelled it with a sticker "Philippines". Then, all the items that we bought were put in a very large shopping bag labelled "Philippines" also. Then it was placed in one side of the room, wherein guards were actually making it bantay! Crazy diba??? Ü
9:00pm
We had a nice dinner at this Italian Resto. Nico & I were really really tired already! And so were our companions, sila Pam, Remar, & William. Coz the whole time during the competition, kung san kami, sunod rin sila! Ü And I have never felt so dirty, tired, hungry, and smelly in my life. Hehehe.. Imagine naman, yung ligo namin nung 6am, and breakfast after, yun na yung ligo and meal namin for the whole day! With all the running around we did all over Hk, you can just imagine how beat up we already were.
12:00am
Back at the hotel! But we didn't sleep yet, 'coz when we went up to my room (I'm sharing with my 2 sisters), my ates are still up. So kwento kwento pa! Slept around 3am na ata.
July 20, 2005
3rd Day
7:30am
Woke up late!! Was planning to wake up at 6am, but I was soo tired that I slept through my alarm clock. No time for breakfast, just took a bath and off we go!
8:30am
Call time at the lobby. We then transferred to The Peninsula Hong Kong for the Presentation. We were the 7th to present, and we had a blast doing it! The audience were very responsive.. I actually didn't feel nervous at all. It was all good! Ü
1. Our Goodies!!
a. Fashion - Esprit White Polyester Jacket.. Really Really Nice at 70% off!! Ü
b. Jewelry - His & Hers 18K White Gold Ring. We had our names engraved inside, plus the words HK '05 Ü
c. Electronics - Ultra-sonic Multi-Purpose Cleaner Ü
d. Chinese Tradition - Imitation Ivory Sword.. Ang ganda noh??? Ü
We then went to the Kowloon Shangri-la for Lunch. We were super hungry already! After lunch, we had time to take pictures with the other contestants.
1. Posing w/ the Buddha After Lunch
Prize presentation time! We were among the top 5 contenders for the Grand Prize. Panu ba naman, we weren't aware that there was going to be a shopping quiz for the grand prize until we got to HK. Bale, we had 2 mini games, the "Price Is Right" and "Name That Place". We did well with the "The Price Is Right Game", magaling si Nico mag-estimate. But with the name that place.. Hello?!?! Ang hirap kaya! They just took a picture of a street, and then you have to name where that place is. Exag!! Hehe... But its all good! We are very happy with the winning team from Jakarta, Indonesia. They are really really nice, and they had a very funny presentation! Ü
1. Presented with a HK$10,000 GC at Colour Eighteen, Plaques & a Bean Pole Bag for the Best Photo. We were part of the Top 5 competing for the Grand Prize.
Went to the celebration dinner at L16, this really really nice resto within the Hong Kong Park. Ang nice talaga.. we had the view of this pond with big ducks swimming in it. The food was great!! Yummy Yummy Yummy Ü
1. Picture With the Winning Team from Indonesia! We were happy that they won! I mean, if hindi kami yung nanalo.. hehe.. they would have been our perfect choice!! And they are really nice pa!!
Met up with my sisters, and instead of going bar hopping at Lan Kwai Fong with the rest of the contestants, we chose to go shopping at Causeway Bay! I'd choose shopping over drinking anytime!! Ü
12:00am
Back at the hotel so soon.. hehe.. Ü It rained soo hard that we had no choice but to go back. But its okay, we had a lot of packing to do.
July 21, 2005
Last Day
7:00am
Up after 3 hours of sleep! Its amazing how I still have the energy after all the things that we did.
10:00am
Shopping time! Ü After checking out, my sisters, Nico & I made our way to all the different shopping places that we could go. Our first stop was Pacific Place, this really nice mall below our hotel. Then we went to the IFC Mall in Central. Next stop was at the Harbour City Mall, because I had to claim the GC that we got from Colour Eighteen. Our last stop was at Causeway Bay yet again.
1. My sisters at the MTR
Back at the Hotel Lobby. We met up with Pam & Remar, then we were off to the airport already! The day had gone by really really fast, super bitin!
7:40pm
On the plane back to Manila already! :( Thank God we were upgraded to business class, the flight on the way home was a more comfortable one. We really had to rush it in the airport. We were already late, plus na-hold pa ako 'coz of the Chinese Sword that I had with me. Buti naayos everything on time!
9:30pm
Back in Pinas! My mom and my nephew surprised us as soon as we got out of the plane. We then breezed through the immigiration and all that stuff. Although I was happy to be back, I also felt sad 'coz tapos na the trip, eh bitin na bitin pa ako. Oh well, theres always a next time to go back to HK! Ü
* * * * * * * *
I'm sure you all wanna know about my shopping escapades! With the limited time we had to do for our personal shopping, (the first 3 days were work work work for us! So we had just one day :( ), I still managed to get a few stuff that i wanted. BUT i feel super bitin!! Heres a picture of the stuff I was able to buy. Since I had money to spare, I decided to splurge on that LV I've been eyeing on. Although it burned a hole in my pocket, I am one happy girl. Hehehehe Ü
Here's a picture of us at the South China Morning Post. Cool noh? Our faces are at a foreign country's newspaper! Hihihi.. The two guys at our left are the winners from Jakarta, Indonesia. Then theres Nico, then ME! Too bad I was covering my mouth.. hehe.. Nagulat ksi ako nag-pop yung confettis! Ü Thanks to Pam for the copy of this newspaper! Ü
Thanks so much to Noel (for all the asikaso), Pam (for cheering us on, and for all the pics and shopping tips), Remar (for the support & for taking all the photos), William (the best tourguide ever!), my parents (for everything!!), my ates (for being my chaperones! hehe), Vikki of Perceptions Inc. (for all the support) & Nico (siyempre, my teammate!) Ü and siyempre to HKTB for sponsoring everything for us! Woohoo!! Ü Nico & I were talking nga eh, exag na siguro if we won pa the competition, with all the blessings that are coming our way. Thank you Lord for blessing us. Ü
Day 1
8:00 AM
We are off to Hong Kong! Ü Although I only got 3 hours of sleep (guilty of last-minute packing), it didn't stop me from getting excited with all the shopping I'm going to do!
10:00 AM
We're here! Their airport is really impressive. The last time I was in HK was about 10 years ago. Hello?!? Ang tagal na nun! Puro toys lang nasa isip ko nun. Hehehe.. Ü Our Tour Coordinator, William, met us at the airport. We then made our way via a coaster to our 5 star hotel, Conrad Hong Kong Hotel, at the Hong Kong side.
2:30PM
Nico & I were planning to make the most out of our first day by scouting for goods that we can use for the competition. So after checking in, freshening up & having our US$ exchanged to HK$, Nico & I let ourselves loose in the city. With only the aid of a map, we jumped on their MTR (their version of a subway). It was a liberating feeling for me, to be able to commute and get lost in an unfamiliar place. I mean here in Manila, if i didn't have someone to drive for me, I'd rather stay home na lang. Aside from my parents not allowing me to commute, it is also my personal decision to not commute na lang if I don't have a ride. But in HK, ang galing, feeling ko ang tanda ko na tuloy.. hehe. We had no one to rely on but ourselves. We had no one to ask questions like where to buy the ticket, where to enter, where to exit.. stuf like that. So after a few stops on the MTR, we made our way to Causeway Bay. Even though we didn't really get to see items that we could use for tomorrow's competition, we made our own little purchases from Giordano & Bossini.
5:00pm
Back to the Hotel Lobby, 'coz we had a 5pm briefing with the HK Tourism Board. Alice Li, from the HKTB, gave us our copies of the rules & 2 shirts that we would be wearing throughout the competition. She also told us that we would be interviewed tomorrow, along with 3 other teams, by the press. Apparently, they found our profile interesting. Coolness! Ü
6:30pm
We are off to Mongkok, and this time, my sisters are with us. Again, all Nico & I did was to scout for items for the contest. We had a really hard time, 'coz 1 of the rules was for us to purchase items from shops with the QTS (Quality Tourism Services) logo. This ruled out all the night markets etc.. how sad. :(
9:30pm
We then went to the Night Market, and this time, we met up with Pam & Remar also. I was pretty tired already, after all the walking that we did today, so I was just limping along the stalls.
11:30pm
Back at the Hotel Lobby. Noel wanted to go over the rules, ideas, etc for the contest. You could say that after our first day, we were pretty beat already. And depressed too, coz after all that walking around that we did, we weren't able to find our "prize-winning" items. :(
July 19, 2005
2nd Day
6:00am
Yes, we are up sooo early! :( Just enough time to take a bath, eat breakfast & prepare for the whole day of activities.
9:00am
We're already making our way to the different shopping destinations via the MTR. We did a whole lot of walking, you wouldn't believe it. There was even a time I wanted to cry already because I got so tired.. plus depressed 'coz of the lack of "win-nable items". But, thank God! after hours of searching, we had 3 out of the 4 items that we needed from the categories (1. Fashion or Beauty, 2. Jewelry or Watches, 3., Electronics 4. Chinese Tradition .)
1:45pm
We made our way to Lux, this resto bar at Lan Kwai Fong for our interview. We were already running late, so we really had to rush it. We just had enough time to change into our HK shirts and freshen up a bit, then it was time for the interview. It was funny, 'coz they were really interested with this blog that I have. They always ask this question, " So, we hear that you have a website right?", so then I explain about this blog.. hehehe Ü
2:30pm
We haven't had lunch yet, and the sad thing was, we didn't have time for it anymore 'coz the briefing is about to start na. Media people from everywhere kept interviewing us. And the cameraman assigned to us even clipped on a mike on my shirt, so for the next few hours, he would be hearing everything I said! Buti di nakakaintindi ng Tagalog! hehehe Ü It was really super crazy! After they gave our digicam, shopping bag & HK$3,000 (About P21K), we were good to go.
4:00pm
After the kick-off ceremony, w/ confetti's pa and all that ha, the race was on! Nico & I ran all the way to the MTR, w/ the cameraman filming our every move and the Japanese photographer clicking away. Our 1st destination was at the Tsim Sha Tsui Station. It was at that area where we bought our items for the Chinese Tradition & Electronics Category. Next stop was at the Mongkok Station. We bought our Jewelry Item from there. Lastly, for our final Category, we just decided to look around Tsim Tsa Tsui Area, which is near our "Pit Stop."
1. Before Crossing the Street at Harbour City. Notice the men wearing red, hehe.. the guy at my left is the Japanese Photographer. The man crouched across the street is the cameraman from Germany ata. Ü
Reported back to the HKTB at Blues By The Bay. We surrendered all the items, along with the change & receipt. It was really funny, 'coz this whole shopping thing is really a big deal for them. Imagine, after every item from each category was declared, they put the item inside a sealable plastic bag & then labelled it with a sticker "Philippines". Then, all the items that we bought were put in a very large shopping bag labelled "Philippines" also. Then it was placed in one side of the room, wherein guards were actually making it bantay! Crazy diba??? Ü
9:00pm
We had a nice dinner at this Italian Resto. Nico & I were really really tired already! And so were our companions, sila Pam, Remar, & William. Coz the whole time during the competition, kung san kami, sunod rin sila! Ü And I have never felt so dirty, tired, hungry, and smelly in my life. Hehehe.. Imagine naman, yung ligo namin nung 6am, and breakfast after, yun na yung ligo and meal namin for the whole day! With all the running around we did all over Hk, you can just imagine how beat up we already were.
12:00am
Back at the hotel! But we didn't sleep yet, 'coz when we went up to my room (I'm sharing with my 2 sisters), my ates are still up. So kwento kwento pa! Slept around 3am na ata.
July 20, 2005
3rd Day
7:30am
Woke up late!! Was planning to wake up at 6am, but I was soo tired that I slept through my alarm clock. No time for breakfast, just took a bath and off we go!
8:30am
Call time at the lobby. We then transferred to The Peninsula Hong Kong for the Presentation. We were the 7th to present, and we had a blast doing it! The audience were very responsive.. I actually didn't feel nervous at all. It was all good! Ü
1. Our Goodies!!
a. Fashion - Esprit White Polyester Jacket.. Really Really Nice at 70% off!! Ü
b. Jewelry - His & Hers 18K White Gold Ring. We had our names engraved inside, plus the words HK '05 Ü
c. Electronics - Ultra-sonic Multi-Purpose Cleaner Ü
d. Chinese Tradition - Imitation Ivory Sword.. Ang ganda noh??? Ü
We then went to the Kowloon Shangri-la for Lunch. We were super hungry already! After lunch, we had time to take pictures with the other contestants.
1. Posing w/ the Buddha After Lunch
Prize presentation time! We were among the top 5 contenders for the Grand Prize. Panu ba naman, we weren't aware that there was going to be a shopping quiz for the grand prize until we got to HK. Bale, we had 2 mini games, the "Price Is Right" and "Name That Place". We did well with the "The Price Is Right Game", magaling si Nico mag-estimate. But with the name that place.. Hello?!?! Ang hirap kaya! They just took a picture of a street, and then you have to name where that place is. Exag!! Hehe... But its all good! We are very happy with the winning team from Jakarta, Indonesia. They are really really nice, and they had a very funny presentation! Ü
1. Presented with a HK$10,000 GC at Colour Eighteen, Plaques & a Bean Pole Bag for the Best Photo. We were part of the Top 5 competing for the Grand Prize.
Went to the celebration dinner at L16, this really really nice resto within the Hong Kong Park. Ang nice talaga.. we had the view of this pond with big ducks swimming in it. The food was great!! Yummy Yummy Yummy Ü
1. Picture With the Winning Team from Indonesia! We were happy that they won! I mean, if hindi kami yung nanalo.. hehe.. they would have been our perfect choice!! And they are really nice pa!!
Met up with my sisters, and instead of going bar hopping at Lan Kwai Fong with the rest of the contestants, we chose to go shopping at Causeway Bay! I'd choose shopping over drinking anytime!! Ü
12:00am
Back at the hotel so soon.. hehe.. Ü It rained soo hard that we had no choice but to go back. But its okay, we had a lot of packing to do.
July 21, 2005
Last Day
7:00am
Up after 3 hours of sleep! Its amazing how I still have the energy after all the things that we did.
10:00am
Shopping time! Ü After checking out, my sisters, Nico & I made our way to all the different shopping places that we could go. Our first stop was Pacific Place, this really nice mall below our hotel. Then we went to the IFC Mall in Central. Next stop was at the Harbour City Mall, because I had to claim the GC that we got from Colour Eighteen. Our last stop was at Causeway Bay yet again.
1. My sisters at the MTR
Back at the Hotel Lobby. We met up with Pam & Remar, then we were off to the airport already! The day had gone by really really fast, super bitin!
7:40pm
On the plane back to Manila already! :( Thank God we were upgraded to business class, the flight on the way home was a more comfortable one. We really had to rush it in the airport. We were already late, plus na-hold pa ako 'coz of the Chinese Sword that I had with me. Buti naayos everything on time!
9:30pm
Back in Pinas! My mom and my nephew surprised us as soon as we got out of the plane. We then breezed through the immigiration and all that stuff. Although I was happy to be back, I also felt sad 'coz tapos na the trip, eh bitin na bitin pa ako. Oh well, theres always a next time to go back to HK! Ü
* * * * * * * *
I'm sure you all wanna know about my shopping escapades! With the limited time we had to do for our personal shopping, (the first 3 days were work work work for us! So we had just one day :( ), I still managed to get a few stuff that i wanted. BUT i feel super bitin!! Heres a picture of the stuff I was able to buy. Since I had money to spare, I decided to splurge on that LV I've been eyeing on. Although it burned a hole in my pocket, I am one happy girl. Hehehehe Ü
Here's a picture of us at the South China Morning Post. Cool noh? Our faces are at a foreign country's newspaper! Hihihi.. The two guys at our left are the winners from Jakarta, Indonesia. Then theres Nico, then ME! Too bad I was covering my mouth.. hehe.. Nagulat ksi ako nag-pop yung confettis! Ü Thanks to Pam for the copy of this newspaper! Ü
Thanks so much to Noel (for all the asikaso), Pam (for cheering us on, and for all the pics and shopping tips), Remar (for the support & for taking all the photos), William (the best tourguide ever!), my parents (for everything!!), my ates (for being my chaperones! hehe), Vikki of Perceptions Inc. (for all the support) & Nico (siyempre, my teammate!) Ü and siyempre to HKTB for sponsoring everything for us! Woohoo!! Ü Nico & I were talking nga eh, exag na siguro if we won pa the competition, with all the blessings that are coming our way. Thank you Lord for blessing us. Ü
4:34 PM
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Randomness
Okay, so in a few days, I’m leaving for Hong Kong for this Shopper of the Year Contest. Grabe, I’m so excited and scared at the same time! Nico & I wanna win so badly! Heheh.. Well, hopefully, luck will be on our side during the competition. It’s gonna be a race against time and 17 other countries!! Crazy!!! Ü We had our pre-departure briefing a while ago at Italianni’s in Greenbelt. So there will be 7 of us in the group. There’s me & Nico, my 2 sisters (as chaperones.. hehe), Noel (Head of Perception’s Inc.), Pam (Inquirer’s 2bU Editor) & Remar (Inquirer’s Photographer). I’m so glad that the HK Tourism Board gave us a pretty loose schedule. Meaning, more time for shopping! Yehey!! Ü I don’t wanna divulge any more info.. next time na lang when we get back.. baka ma-jinx eh! Mahirap na.. hehe Ü
* * * * * *
I was in Makati last Wednesday to attend to some stuff with regards to the competition. Kakainis, It took us (Sgt. Carino & Me) such a long time to get home because of the rally!! I am sooo sick of all those rallies! I am so sick with all those who are trying to destabilize the government. I am so sick of the Estradas. I am so sick of those Pro-FPJs. I am so sick of politicians making a total fool of themselves on television. Kakasawa na to watch the news! I mean, I like to read the newspaper and watch the news.. para updated with everything that’s been happening, but they show almost the same thing every single day! Parang wala ng bago! Haay.. I hope that thing’s will get better for our country. With all the hooplah going on with our government, it’ll be nice to escape it, even if only for a few days
* * * * * *
Bree, Susan, Gabrielle, & Lynette. These are the women that have kept me awake until the wee hours of the morning. I finished the Season 1 of the Desperate Housewives DVDs I bought, and can I just say, ang galing galing!! I am totally hooked on the show! But I have to admit, I wasn’t really blown away during their 1st episode. Probably because I felt that the show was too hyped up. But the more I watched It, the more I fell under its spell. All the mystery, drama, sex, romance etc etc… its soo addicting!! Ü I can’t wait for Season 2!!! Ü
* * * * * *
There are times when I want to start working already, but whenever there is an opportunity for me to do just that, I just let it pass by. Maybe because I feel like there are still a lot of stuff I wanna do. But the things that I wanna do are just really babaw stuff.. like I wanna de-clutter my stuff muna, fix my album, go to the gym.. and the list goes on. See, only babaw stuff right? But maybe because no ones really pushing me to work.. Kaya I’m not rin inspired to work. Hay ewan.. maybe when I get back, I’ll have the drive to work na.
But I’ve done the first steps to job hunting, and that’s shopping for “corporate” stuff.. hehe Ü Abused the Mango sale yet again for their skirts and all that. Maybe in August, I’ll be ready to do the rounds. I’m just taking my sweet time, so when its time to work, work na talaga. Ü
* * * * * *
I was able to watch the Ateneo VS DLSU game Last Sunday at Araneta (Thanks France for the tix!) Exag yung game, tambak kami! Hehe.. Oh well, there is still the next round. But the thing is, there was really something that bothered me about that game. And it was the embarrassing marketing plug that Ford Focus pulled on us. It was really nakakahiya how they played out that ADMU & DLSU were the best schools.. elite, prestigious.. blah blah blah.. In front of other schools. Buti kung crowd lang ng green & blue andun. But other schools were also present in that game, and there are lots more watching it on television. Plus they delayed the game for about an hour! Grrr!! Hopefully, next match-up, wala ng ridiculous stunt like that.
* * * * * * *
The night before the big b-ball game, my friends and I met up at Misato for a night of steady kwento, drinks and ice cream. As usual, I had lots of fun. We talked how we were excited for the game and for the half-time. We all wanted to see how the cheerleaders are, now that we are no longer a part of them. They performed well, snappy movements and all that. I’m proud that every year, nagiimprove talaga sila. I miss most of the girls, but oh well, we have to move on. Hahah.. So I’m gonna leave you guys with pictures of my favorite babble memories from my first season to the last season. Ü
1. On our way to our first Ateneo Game
2. After Training At The Gym
3. Sophomore Uniform
4. After Opening For The PBA
5. Cheer Competition '03 Final Pose (Notice my mini pyramid.. hehe)
6. Chix!! You guys are the best!
7. I'm A Liftee Too!!
8. Cheer Comp '04
And wala lang, since Im reminiscing na rin naman and all that.. check out this site. I was featured here along with other cheerleaders from other schools. Hahaha.. How narcissistic Ü
http://www.uaapgames.com/troy091104.shtml
* * * * * *
I was in Makati last Wednesday to attend to some stuff with regards to the competition. Kakainis, It took us (Sgt. Carino & Me) such a long time to get home because of the rally!! I am sooo sick of all those rallies! I am so sick with all those who are trying to destabilize the government. I am so sick of the Estradas. I am so sick of those Pro-FPJs. I am so sick of politicians making a total fool of themselves on television. Kakasawa na to watch the news! I mean, I like to read the newspaper and watch the news.. para updated with everything that’s been happening, but they show almost the same thing every single day! Parang wala ng bago! Haay.. I hope that thing’s will get better for our country. With all the hooplah going on with our government, it’ll be nice to escape it, even if only for a few days
* * * * * *
Bree, Susan, Gabrielle, & Lynette. These are the women that have kept me awake until the wee hours of the morning. I finished the Season 1 of the Desperate Housewives DVDs I bought, and can I just say, ang galing galing!! I am totally hooked on the show! But I have to admit, I wasn’t really blown away during their 1st episode. Probably because I felt that the show was too hyped up. But the more I watched It, the more I fell under its spell. All the mystery, drama, sex, romance etc etc… its soo addicting!! Ü I can’t wait for Season 2!!! Ü
* * * * * *
There are times when I want to start working already, but whenever there is an opportunity for me to do just that, I just let it pass by. Maybe because I feel like there are still a lot of stuff I wanna do. But the things that I wanna do are just really babaw stuff.. like I wanna de-clutter my stuff muna, fix my album, go to the gym.. and the list goes on. See, only babaw stuff right? But maybe because no ones really pushing me to work.. Kaya I’m not rin inspired to work. Hay ewan.. maybe when I get back, I’ll have the drive to work na.
But I’ve done the first steps to job hunting, and that’s shopping for “corporate” stuff.. hehe Ü Abused the Mango sale yet again for their skirts and all that. Maybe in August, I’ll be ready to do the rounds. I’m just taking my sweet time, so when its time to work, work na talaga. Ü
* * * * * *
I was able to watch the Ateneo VS DLSU game Last Sunday at Araneta (Thanks France for the tix!) Exag yung game, tambak kami! Hehe.. Oh well, there is still the next round. But the thing is, there was really something that bothered me about that game. And it was the embarrassing marketing plug that Ford Focus pulled on us. It was really nakakahiya how they played out that ADMU & DLSU were the best schools.. elite, prestigious.. blah blah blah.. In front of other schools. Buti kung crowd lang ng green & blue andun. But other schools were also present in that game, and there are lots more watching it on television. Plus they delayed the game for about an hour! Grrr!! Hopefully, next match-up, wala ng ridiculous stunt like that.
* * * * * * *
The night before the big b-ball game, my friends and I met up at Misato for a night of steady kwento, drinks and ice cream. As usual, I had lots of fun. We talked how we were excited for the game and for the half-time. We all wanted to see how the cheerleaders are, now that we are no longer a part of them. They performed well, snappy movements and all that. I’m proud that every year, nagiimprove talaga sila. I miss most of the girls, but oh well, we have to move on. Hahah.. So I’m gonna leave you guys with pictures of my favorite babble memories from my first season to the last season. Ü
1. On our way to our first Ateneo Game
2. After Training At The Gym
3. Sophomore Uniform
4. After Opening For The PBA
5. Cheer Competition '03 Final Pose (Notice my mini pyramid.. hehe)
6. Chix!! You guys are the best!
7. I'm A Liftee Too!!
8. Cheer Comp '04
And wala lang, since Im reminiscing na rin naman and all that.. check out this site. I was featured here along with other cheerleaders from other schools. Hahaha.. How narcissistic Ü
http://www.uaapgames.com/troy091104.shtml
12:21 AM
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Dream Come True
It has been one of my secret dreams to be able to represent the Philippines in an international competition. I mean, astig yun diba? Imagine an announcer saying in a booming voice "And representing the Philippines is (Your name here!), then the sound of applause greeting your ears. That has got to be an awesome opportunity.
BUT since I have got no special nor distinct talent good enough for an international competition, I thought that this dream of mine was to be left at just that.. a dream.
BUT not anymore!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet your representative to the Hong Kong Shopper Of the Year Contest!!!
WOOHOO!!!! Thats right! I, along w/ Nico, would be Team Shopping Philippines!!! Ü Ü Ü
Hahaha!! Galing!! I am just so happy today!
So heres a little background. Hongkong Tourism Board, along with Perceptions Inc. & Inquirer's 2BU, held a contest last June. Basically, they are looking for the ultimate shopaholic. I sent in an entry with a picture, then after a week, I was told that I was among the 5 finalists vying for the Philippine Representative to HK Shopper of the Year! Imagine how happy I was to receive the good news! Then they said that I have to choose a companion, so of course I picked Nico. Then Team Pink was born. (Haha.. Well, they told us to wear pink today for the final competition.. so thats what our team was called.. Team Pink) Ü So kanina, at Gweilos Eastwood, the task that we were given was to purchase items from the 3 categories, 1. Fashion, 2. Accessories, 3. Home Accessories. We were given P2000 to buy whatever we want for 1 & 1/2 hours, just as long as the items came from Eastwood. There were 5 teams there, each team composed of pairs. At the go signal, we ran as fast as we can to the different shops, along with our Perceptions Inc. Representative Joy (Thanks JOY!!! Ü). So after walking all over Eastwood, we were able to buy a cutie outfit for me (shantung skirt, black tube, black glitter slippers, earrings, necklace, clutch bag), black longsleeves for nico plus picture frames, hangers, calculator, pens & water jugs.. all for P1998!! galing noh? Keep in mind na we have to buy items from each category. So after all the shopping escapade, we had to present our items to a panel of judges, plus a group of audience. Like why we chose those stuffs, why should they send us to Hk.. Questions like that. So after all that jazz, they finally declared the winner. And Team Pink won!!! Yahoo!!! Ü
So we're flying to Hongkong next next week, from July 18-21 for the HK Shopper Of the Year contest. Hopefully, we will make our country proud. Wow, it felt so good to say that. Wish us luck!! Ü All that shopping escapades has paid off! Haha.. This is really so exciting Ü
Special thanks to my forever shopping partner Nico! Couldn't have done this without you! Happy anniv baby Ü Ü
Yahoo! Happy happy day! Ü
BUT since I have got no special nor distinct talent good enough for an international competition, I thought that this dream of mine was to be left at just that.. a dream.
BUT not anymore!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet your representative to the Hong Kong Shopper Of the Year Contest!!!
WOOHOO!!!! Thats right! I, along w/ Nico, would be Team Shopping Philippines!!! Ü Ü Ü
Hahaha!! Galing!! I am just so happy today!
So heres a little background. Hongkong Tourism Board, along with Perceptions Inc. & Inquirer's 2BU, held a contest last June. Basically, they are looking for the ultimate shopaholic. I sent in an entry with a picture, then after a week, I was told that I was among the 5 finalists vying for the Philippine Representative to HK Shopper of the Year! Imagine how happy I was to receive the good news! Then they said that I have to choose a companion, so of course I picked Nico. Then Team Pink was born. (Haha.. Well, they told us to wear pink today for the final competition.. so thats what our team was called.. Team Pink) Ü So kanina, at Gweilos Eastwood, the task that we were given was to purchase items from the 3 categories, 1. Fashion, 2. Accessories, 3. Home Accessories. We were given P2000 to buy whatever we want for 1 & 1/2 hours, just as long as the items came from Eastwood. There were 5 teams there, each team composed of pairs. At the go signal, we ran as fast as we can to the different shops, along with our Perceptions Inc. Representative Joy (Thanks JOY!!! Ü). So after walking all over Eastwood, we were able to buy a cutie outfit for me (shantung skirt, black tube, black glitter slippers, earrings, necklace, clutch bag), black longsleeves for nico plus picture frames, hangers, calculator, pens & water jugs.. all for P1998!! galing noh? Keep in mind na we have to buy items from each category. So after all the shopping escapade, we had to present our items to a panel of judges, plus a group of audience. Like why we chose those stuffs, why should they send us to Hk.. Questions like that. So after all that jazz, they finally declared the winner. And Team Pink won!!! Yahoo!!! Ü
So we're flying to Hongkong next next week, from July 18-21 for the HK Shopper Of the Year contest. Hopefully, we will make our country proud. Wow, it felt so good to say that. Wish us luck!! Ü All that shopping escapades has paid off! Haha.. This is really so exciting Ü
Special thanks to my forever shopping partner Nico! Couldn't have done this without you! Happy anniv baby Ü Ü
Yahoo! Happy happy day! Ü
12:13 AM
Friday, July 01, 2005
I'm baaack!
Did you miss me? Hahaha.. joke lang! Ü
I haven't been blogging for the longest time (More than half a month actually) 'coz I've been kind of busy with a lot of different things. I've also missed reading the blogs of my friends, so I'm gonna be posting comments the whole afternoon in your blogs guys! Ü
Here's an update of what I've been up to for the last 3 weeks (in no order of importance Ü) :
1. I'm on FHM!
Haha!! Before you start panicking at the site of a topless me, you better catch your breath first. So I was just hanging out in my room, when Nico surprised me with a visit. He said he had another surprise, that I was in this month's FHM! I just said "Nyeh".. 'coz he is very maloko. So he flipped the pages of the mag.. and 'lo & behold, there was my face! Hahaha.. I just kept on laughing! Okay, so the real score is, they had this teeny weeny article about the UAAP. At the corner of the page, they had this tiny tiny article where they had pictures of the cheering squads during the cheer comp last year. So for Ateneo, the picture they had was a picture of me proudly holding my arms up! Hahaha! I would have loved it if the picture was a little bigger (Being the camera whore that I am), but nooo, the pictures were probably smaller than the nip*ples of the sexy models they had there! So yun, Nico said that atleast I could say I was on FHM! So there! Haha! ;p
2. I'm gonna be on TV!
Well, atleast my back and my hair would be! Haha! Well, a couple of my friends and I were extras in a shampoo commercial. Even though the pay was small for an extra, I grabbed the opportunity to be with my friends in an all-nighter thing (6pm-8am!! Que horror!). So me, Esh, Auds & France spent the whole night together! It was very tiring! Grabe.. kakabugnot the other extras who kept messing up their lines! Imagine, hearing the line "Buti Na Lang, May (shampoo's name)" over and over again at 4am! But one highlight, aside from all the chikahan that went on, was that Esh & I met the most adorable guy there! Too bad he was only 15 years old.. Hehehe Ü the whole thign was definitely an experience. Thanks France for hooking us up! Sa uulitin! hehehe Ü
Pics Of Course:
1. At the start of the shoot, around 7pm.
2. Around 2am I think? Notice my glow in the dark bra Ü
3. Esh & Me Riding Herbie! We weren't needed on the set, so we found other ways to be entertained!
4. Matteo, Oh Matteo! Hehehe.. You are just too cute! He is half-Italian, Half-Cebuano.. He is that amzing go kart racer! Ü
3. Work, Work, Work!
I've been online for the past weeks, but haven't had time to surf and blog 'coz I was busy with the Smart Instyle thing.. The July content is due today!! But I'm sooo glad that I was able to finish all the things I have to do.. So now, I'm free! Heheh.. Free to surf and all that! Ü
4. PC Emergency
I've stayed away from the Internet for a week siguro.. 'coz my Pc has been acting crazy! Ayaw mag-on, hang ng hang.. etc! I just became soooo frustrated with it! Buti na lang, Nico and my dad helped me.. so now, the Pc is spanking new! hehe.. Hurray! Ü
5. I'm a Nokia User No More
Yup, I've given up on my trusty Nokia 6600. It just doesn't serve its purpose anymore. :( I'm not really picky when it comes to phone models.. I'm happy if i can use it to text, call and take emergency pictures. And I didn't want something expensive. So I've a K700 na! Yahoo! Thanks babe Ü
6. Foot Spa.. Saraaap
Last Christmas, my sister gave me & Nico gift certificates for a foot spa in this spa thing at Podium. And we just availed of it at its deadline! Hehe.. The foot spa felt so great. I just love being pampered! Our feet looked really good afterwards.
And if you're in Podium, try the Crepe stall (Forgot the name).. its somewhere on the Ground floor. Sarap grabe!! The prices are reasonable.. And they didn't scrimp with the ingredients! I recommend their BLT crepe & Vanilla Milkshake! Yum yum yum! Ü
7. Date With My Bestest Friends
I had fun hanging out with my girls again.. and with the boys too! Ü Although the rain made it impossible for us to catch a movie, it didn't stop us from having fun. We just stayed at Pasto for hours.. eating, drinking, chikahan, talking about our fave couple (Not!) hehe Ü I looove their thin Italian pizzas.. nagugutom tuloy ako! Ü We definitely missed Eleanor Nadal! Balik ka na dito! hahah Ü
8. My Plans
So as of today, I've decided that I'm leaving for the US next year.. around March siguro. The only way that It'll change if I get a job here that I really like and that pays well. But I doubt that's gonna happen anytime soon.. 'coz I have no plans of working yet.. hehe. Buti na lang my parents aren't pressuring me to look for a job.
Although I'll miss Nico and my family and my friends so much.. I know that I owe it to myself to go for that opportunity. Haay.. we'll see.
So yun.. just a little (well, long) update of how I've been & what I've been up to. You don't need to know about my couch potato activities, so I didn't write here how many movies I've watched for the past couple of weeks! Hehe.. But can i just say, Batman Begins was soooo great!!! Galing!! Clap Clap Clap! Ü
-->
I haven't been blogging for the longest time (More than half a month actually) 'coz I've been kind of busy with a lot of different things. I've also missed reading the blogs of my friends, so I'm gonna be posting comments the whole afternoon in your blogs guys! Ü
Here's an update of what I've been up to for the last 3 weeks (in no order of importance Ü) :
1. I'm on FHM!
Haha!! Before you start panicking at the site of a topless me, you better catch your breath first. So I was just hanging out in my room, when Nico surprised me with a visit. He said he had another surprise, that I was in this month's FHM! I just said "Nyeh".. 'coz he is very maloko. So he flipped the pages of the mag.. and 'lo & behold, there was my face! Hahaha.. I just kept on laughing! Okay, so the real score is, they had this teeny weeny article about the UAAP. At the corner of the page, they had this tiny tiny article where they had pictures of the cheering squads during the cheer comp last year. So for Ateneo, the picture they had was a picture of me proudly holding my arms up! Hahaha! I would have loved it if the picture was a little bigger (Being the camera whore that I am), but nooo, the pictures were probably smaller than the nip*ples of the sexy models they had there! So yun, Nico said that atleast I could say I was on FHM! So there! Haha! ;p
2. I'm gonna be on TV!
Well, atleast my back and my hair would be! Haha! Well, a couple of my friends and I were extras in a shampoo commercial. Even though the pay was small for an extra, I grabbed the opportunity to be with my friends in an all-nighter thing (6pm-8am!! Que horror!). So me, Esh, Auds & France spent the whole night together! It was very tiring! Grabe.. kakabugnot the other extras who kept messing up their lines! Imagine, hearing the line "Buti Na Lang, May (shampoo's name)" over and over again at 4am! But one highlight, aside from all the chikahan that went on, was that Esh & I met the most adorable guy there! Too bad he was only 15 years old.. Hehehe Ü the whole thign was definitely an experience. Thanks France for hooking us up! Sa uulitin! hehehe Ü
Pics Of Course:
1. At the start of the shoot, around 7pm.
2. Around 2am I think? Notice my glow in the dark bra Ü
3. Esh & Me Riding Herbie! We weren't needed on the set, so we found other ways to be entertained!
4. Matteo, Oh Matteo! Hehehe.. You are just too cute! He is half-Italian, Half-Cebuano.. He is that amzing go kart racer! Ü
3. Work, Work, Work!
I've been online for the past weeks, but haven't had time to surf and blog 'coz I was busy with the Smart Instyle thing.. The July content is due today!! But I'm sooo glad that I was able to finish all the things I have to do.. So now, I'm free! Heheh.. Free to surf and all that! Ü
4. PC Emergency
I've stayed away from the Internet for a week siguro.. 'coz my Pc has been acting crazy! Ayaw mag-on, hang ng hang.. etc! I just became soooo frustrated with it! Buti na lang, Nico and my dad helped me.. so now, the Pc is spanking new! hehe.. Hurray! Ü
5. I'm a Nokia User No More
Yup, I've given up on my trusty Nokia 6600. It just doesn't serve its purpose anymore. :( I'm not really picky when it comes to phone models.. I'm happy if i can use it to text, call and take emergency pictures. And I didn't want something expensive. So I've a K700 na! Yahoo! Thanks babe Ü
6. Foot Spa.. Saraaap
Last Christmas, my sister gave me & Nico gift certificates for a foot spa in this spa thing at Podium. And we just availed of it at its deadline! Hehe.. The foot spa felt so great. I just love being pampered! Our feet looked really good afterwards.
And if you're in Podium, try the Crepe stall (Forgot the name).. its somewhere on the Ground floor. Sarap grabe!! The prices are reasonable.. And they didn't scrimp with the ingredients! I recommend their BLT crepe & Vanilla Milkshake! Yum yum yum! Ü
7. Date With My Bestest Friends
I had fun hanging out with my girls again.. and with the boys too! Ü Although the rain made it impossible for us to catch a movie, it didn't stop us from having fun. We just stayed at Pasto for hours.. eating, drinking, chikahan, talking about our fave couple (Not!) hehe Ü I looove their thin Italian pizzas.. nagugutom tuloy ako! Ü We definitely missed Eleanor Nadal! Balik ka na dito! hahah Ü
8. My Plans
So as of today, I've decided that I'm leaving for the US next year.. around March siguro. The only way that It'll change if I get a job here that I really like and that pays well. But I doubt that's gonna happen anytime soon.. 'coz I have no plans of working yet.. hehe. Buti na lang my parents aren't pressuring me to look for a job.
Although I'll miss Nico and my family and my friends so much.. I know that I owe it to myself to go for that opportunity. Haay.. we'll see.
So yun.. just a little (well, long) update of how I've been & what I've been up to. You don't need to know about my couch potato activities, so I didn't write here how many movies I've watched for the past couple of weeks! Hehe.. But can i just say, Batman Begins was soooo great!!! Galing!! Clap Clap Clap! Ü
4:23 PM
