Tale of two sisters

The sisters were to be separated for a while. One would board a plane. The other, to stay behind. Before the flight back to Manila, the younger sibling was distraught. Nikki appeared to be ecstatic.

Salbahe ka talaga, Nikki! hahaha. Classic.

I went to Korea to...

...poke at boobs, hang with the amiable snow people and frolic in the powdery-white stuff!!! (Attention Tim Yap, DJ Montano, Celine and the rest of the Gucci Gang) Yebaa!!

Changdokkung Palace? Pagoda park? DMZ? Chongmyo shrine?

Nah. Mas masarap gumulong-gulong sa yelo!!

A dog named Attorney

True story. Mimay's dog's name is Attorney. That's him in the photo with a die-cast batmobile. (I meant that's Mimay, not Attorney.)What does that photo have to do with this post? Absolutely nothing. Gusto ko lang ipakita na magara yung batmobile.

Isang araw...

Ring. Ring.

Katulong nila Mimay (KNM): Hello.

Caller: Hello. Pwede bang makausap si Mrs. Salcedo (Mimay's mom)?

KNM: Ay, busy po siya. May ginagawa.

Caller: Ah.

KNM: Kasi pinapaliguan pa po si Attorney.

(Enter canned laughter here).

---There are no lawyers in Mimay's household.

Phonecam chronicles: Konting common sense naman

Malamang! Malalaglag ka na kung tumuloy ka pa. Eedyot.

Phonecam chronicles: This is the life

Sa sobrang pagod ni Manong kakalimos, nakatulog.

Walanjo! Sarap ng buhay mo ah. Pahiga-higa na lang.

Phonecam chronicles: Truth in advertising

Promotional discount... Lying on bed

So kung walang discount? Nakatayo? Or lying on ... table?

Intensified whole body massage... 

Don't know what that is but sounds titillating!!

In response to Manila Boy's post - "The Man who would be senator..."

"Now, strike down Mommy Gloria and your journey to the dark side will be complete!"

Phonecam chronicles: Ah lab chanis fud and lahchee (Eastwood)

Several weeks ago, I was in Ongpin and had a feast at Panciteria Lido, along Alonzo street. Panciteria Lido's reputation is founded on its asado and coffee. I didn't go there for the asado though. I had cravings for salted and spicy pork ribs.

Jade Warrior was showing last night and I decided then that I would have Chinese food today. Because parking would be difficult on a Sunday, I opted to take the train to Eastwood, where all Asians west of Sydney congregate. ANLAMIG, potah! My ears were freezing and it took a while for the train to come. It did come eventually. Pero nangatog muna yagbols ko.

Walking around in Eastwood is enjoyable. I love staring at the fried and bar-be-qued delicacies on display. I want them all. Takaw mata na kung takaw mata. I want them all.

Anyway, I had hot and sour soup, fried rice, salted and spicy pork and peking style boneless chicken. And for dessert...

LYCHEE ICE CREAM!!!!!!

I know, I know. It was freezing outside but I didn't care. I must have lychee. If lychee were a person, it would be Selma Blair. (Incidentally, Selma Blair is now separated from her husband. Now, if Kate Beckinsale would only see the light. Sorry, I digress).

Fantastico. Anchalap chalap.

The train was 25 minutes late. A voice in my head kept saying, "Ayan, dapat hindi ka na nag-ice cream. Linalamig ka tuloy."

But I'm still smiling. I'm happy. Ahh, lychee!!

Lychee is the opposite of Leche!!

Mahilig ako manipa: Euro 2008 Thoughts

I have learned never to underestimate this game's ability to surprise. It can be the source of extreme exhilaration. Or bitter disappointment and suffering. Nothing is guaranteed. There is life and there is football.

I am a raccoon. There are black lines under my eyes from sleep deprivation. But sleep is hardly an expensive price to pay to witness life itself. Para mirar la vida.

Setanta Sports = Sleep disorder

But enough of philosophical musings.

The race is wide open. While Holland, Portugal and Spain appear to be the favorites, any one can still win it.  Glaring weaknesses that can be exploited are evident in each of the quarterfinal qualifiers. 

The Dutch play an attractive, free-flowing style - quick counter-attack, numerous touches. Their players are brilliant individually and they play a good collective game as well. This team has the most balanced attack of all, in my opinion. But I still have my doubts. Their backline has not been tested yet. And against Italy and France, they have benefitted from a first goal which has opened up defenses of opposing teams. Not sure how they play if they find themselves a goal down against an organized defense.

Not convinced with Spain yet. Defense is also suspect (Ramos has been exposed several times already) and midfield despite an abundance of talent (Xavi, Iniesta, etc) is tentative. The goal-scoring prowess of Villa and Torres cover up the overall ineptness of team play. 

I tend to favor organization, discipline and tactics which I see in Croatia, Portugal, Germany and Sweden. 

Croatia and Portugal are very well-coached. Slaven Billic and Phil Scolari understand their teams' talent and utilize it in their playing philosophies. Billic in particular, has impressed me with his tactical awareness in the defeat of England during qualification and Germany. Field positioning and organization were clearly on display. I would love to see how it works against Holland. Modric is the man to watch. For Portugal, while all eyes are on Ronaldo, it is Deco who actually runs this team with his short passes, distribution and playmaking.  Their wing-play also stretches defenses.

The only drawback of these two squads is the lack of an out and out striker that Germany, Italy, Holland and Spain have. They rely on their attacking midfield for the goals.   

Germany and Italy (yes, Italy) if they regroup can be dangerous. These are squads with talent on all positions. If they find their rhythm, can go from strength to strength with each passing game. You cannot count them out. That is pretty much how Italy performed in the last world cup. Of course, Italy still has that game against France to worry about. 

Still a lot to play for. But I'm rooting for Croatia and Portugal.

Phonecam chronicles: Changi terminal 3

Wow! Marvel at the high ceiling and the open space. Drum kits on display behind shopping windows. Glass dividers to separate urinals. GLASS DIVIDERS?!?

Not sure if it's to prevent misdirected jet streams from hitting the guy next to you. But nothing like peeing in style. 

Naiwanan na talaga tayo. 

There's plenty of blame to go around. No one is exempt. That includes me and yes, you. 

Yes, yes, you. (sorry, bad joke). We're all in this together.

But that comedienne-spawn-of-Samwise-Gamgee and her brood sitting in Malacanang are making it worse. And it's not funny at all.

TAENA! Gusto kong ihian ang gate ng Malacanang. 

And no glass divider is going to make me miss. Leche!

Bye Manga!

It was Manga's last day at the office yesterday. She's off to Boston to accompany her husband Hari who will be doing his MBA. She's the one in black, to my left.

The one in pink with the funny nose is the smartest in the bunch. 

Phonecam chronicles: Billboards, billboards everywhere

I actually don't mind billboards. They help to quickly get me attuned to the city's mind-state and sensibility whenever I return to Manila.

But I think we've overdone it. Will we stop at nothing? 

Kahit Quiapo church, nababalutan na ng paskil? 

Mayor Lim naman.

Kyuzo heads to Batad

The swordsman Kyuzo is at home in the terraces of Batad. The Ifugao Samurai. "Sino gusto magpatule?"  

DJ Montano is my friend

I just realized something -- My friend Allan looks like a notorious socialite.

Allan = DJ Montano   

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Pero si Allan, maraming pera. Penge ng konti please.

Blast from the past - Famy

That trip was for Jerky. He had not been to Famy before. So, Tiago, Dennis and I took him. For some strange reason, we couldn't find our way down to the bottom of the falls. Para kaming na-maligno. We just kept going around in circles. Mga engot talaga. We decided to just hang at the top of the falls.

When there is no backdrop, then you need a gimmick to make the photo interesting. That's Tiago and myself clowning around near the edge. Dinaan sa pa-cute. 

Jerky never got to see the falls cascading down. Sayang, di na naulit.

Blast from the past - Gabby's and Ming's close encounter with Tao

He beckoned from afar -- si Tao! We simply had to get a photograph with him. The banner was hoisted up in an abandoned building, partly demolished. The fourth level if I remember correctly. Of course, that did not intimidate us.

"Pat, pupunta kami dun. Kumuha ka ng litrato." (Siyempre, ayaw sumama ni Pat.)

So Ming and I inched our way on the ledge until we were right beside Tao. Ka-chik, and the folly of youth is preserved. 

We live for moments like this.

Hokeyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!

Titillating!

Gugustuhin mo pa bang umuwi kung 'yan ang sasalubong sa 'yo sa bahay?

Of course!!!

hahahahaha