Christmas Parties Here There And Everywhere Posted on Sunday, December 23, 2012 | 0 comments

Christmas is one of the most-awaited holidays in the Philippines.  During this time of the year, get-togethers and parties abound.  In fact, you seem to question statistics when they talk about the poverty level of our country.  You will be very surprised to see a lot of people in malls and restaurants.

This year, my  December weekends were packed with Christmas parties and I was very involved! It started off with the hospital-wide Christmas party themed “MMC Goes Global”.  I was part of the registration team during this event.  The whole time, I really thought it was going to be a fun role to play only to find out that we won’t have a good view of the presentations from the participating groups for the dance contest. 

Last year, my group got the third place in the said competition.  This year, I opted not to join the contest because I wanted to concentrate on the other aspects of my life and just really avoid being stressed with late night practices.  At the back of my mind, I felt that I gave my all last year which gives me enough reason to just relax this year.  But my support to my team did not wane.  During their performance, all I did was scream at the top of my lungs to give my all-out support. And they won! Congratulations to the combined effort of the Laboratory and Pathology Department together with Radiology Department and  Corporate Health and Wellness of Makati Medical Center for winning 1^st place in the yearly MMC Christmas Party Dance Contest in 2012!

Registration gates opened at five in the afternoon...
Most of the employees came early to  reserve the best seats for the party. 

The next day, was the party of the Nuclear Medicine Department and I hosted the said event.  The theme of the party was Gangnam Style which explains the parade of colorful outfits!

Celeste, my co-host, wore the traditional costume of Korean women... I think she was rooting for  the Jewel-In-The-Palace look! 

Orange burst!

Not so sure why I posed this way!!!! Sooo not me! Hahahaha! =) 

For some unknown reasons, I dont know why I did this... =) Hahaha! 

I still managed to squeeze in some more partying at Izumi with The Dolls because I have not seen them for the longest time.  Let’s say a month or so, and I miss them badly!

The third Christmas party that I went to this year was the Christmas party of the Service Operations and Quality Management where we danced Tiny Bubbles and Oppa Gangnam Style.  The best part of the night was when I get to touch the “okra” of the boys! I had so much fun playing the game… I’m sure the boys felt the same way!

Please explain this... Hahaha! =)) 

To be continued…

September marks the start of the Christmas season but for me it starts after Halloween. 

Why Cebu Is Lovely Posted on Saturday, November 3, 2012 | 0 comments

After spending a day at Costabella, we decided to head to the city to meet up with Trisha's friend - Atty. Gochangko.  I have not met him before and I have heard a lot about him so I just felt so excited to see him finally.  

Though Trisha was very pissed off during the 2-hour trip from Mactan to Cebu City because she lost her cardigan at Costabella, she managed to talk when we were near Castlepeak, our hotel for the night.   Inside the cab, I engaged myself to talking to the driver while April was fast asleep and Trisha was zoning out. 

When we arrived at the hotel, we just did some minor freshening up because Atty. Gochangko has been waiting for us.  Of course, we felt guilty for having him wait for the three of us and among the three of us, Trisha won't be able to forgive herself for giving Atty. Gochangko a little fuss on his Sunday night.

We walked to the nearest Japanese restaurant from the hotel.  But as soon as we got there, all tables were taken so Atty. Gochangko brought us to Banri Noodle House.  It was three stores away from Vudu!  I had such happy memories in that place while I was in Cebu reviewing for the CGFNS exam.  

I know how useless of a blogger I am for not being able to remember the names of the food but the one on the left is tuna which was very mouth-watering  the one beside it is Beef Teppanyaki which was equally good. 

I am not very picky when it comes to food and so if you have the same taste as mine, I am so sure that you will love everything at Banri. 

Above is prawn tempura rolled in vinegar rice topped with tempura flakes and drizzled with sweet ginger soy sauce.  While I was writing that, it gave me flashbacks of how it tasted when I was eating it.  Yum!!!! 

I am not really a big fan of sushi but this one was the best! In between each serving of the fish and the rice was a small amount of Wasabi and the "hotness" of it was just right! I also love this! =) 

The Triumvirate looking full and happy! 

Trisha with Atty. Gochangko! Thanks for the free dinner Atty and nice meeting you! =) 

Next stop was Distillery Cebu, the first branch outside Manila.  I was even laughing because the whole place felt like we were in Manila minus the sea of people bumping each other.

And of course, I obliged with posing in front of these alcoholic drinks!

Vivi and Trisha in complementing stripeys! 

And of course, thanks to Trisha and April for the spur-of-the-moment Cebu trip!  I coudn't wish for more... I had so much fun... =) 

 We wrapped up the night at the only Ayala Mall in Cebu and while going around PowerBooks we saw Shobe, our batch-mate from college.  She's in the Philippines for a short vacation from her work in New York.  She was so giddy as she told me that she's still with Carlo, my dorm-mate from college.

Here's our photo since we were not allowed to take pictures inside the bookstore. 

L-R: April, Vivi, Shobe, Trisha

For now, I will leave you with photo of me at the Ayala Terraces Cebu bringing a venti-sized paper cup of coffee from Starbucks.  

This looks like a snapshot by the paparazzi and I happily posed for them.  

Goodnight Sugbu, 'til we meet again! 

I love you!

The Triumvirate Conquers Cebu Posted on Saturday, October 6, 2012 | 2 comments

After a wild night with 21-year old  hot college boys at Rue Bourbon, I woke up with a booked flight for Cebu the next day.  The choice was not mine to make though.  It was a decision that my friends April and Trisha made for me.  But when I saw the amount of the airfare, I felt that I had to do it even for a day.

When I was all happy because of my unplanned trip, I did not realize that it was also the day for the Pasig River Fun Run and they are going to hold it along Commonwealth Avenue which was a total hassle for the residents living near the area.  But I did not fuss about it because I was in control of the whole situation.  I left the night before and went to the House of Bissdorf along Quezon Avenue to spare my self from the traffic that the fun run might cause.  I had a traumatic experience in the past where the cab that I took on my way home got stuck in the traffic for three hours and I had to walk home because the situation was hopeless. 

Trisha and I met up at the airport and flew to Cebu aboard Cebu Pacific Airlines (Your airline of choice!) And for the first time, I won a merchandise after winning in the fun games.  This time it was "Name That Singer".  It was a Taylor Swift song so Trisha did the coaching for me. And yehey!!! I won a bag which was so useful the whole trip! I just love it!

The Triumvirate ( ViVi, Trisha, and April)

It was a sunny day in Cebu so we decided to go to the beach ---- Costabella it is! =) One of our friends recommended it and so we tried it for ourselves.  Actually, she suggested that we do it backpacking style but I was not in the mood to take easy rides and tricycles so we took the cab to Costabella for a day tour. 

The guards at the Costabella entrance are kind of weird because they don't talk.  Instead they just stare at you as if you had ESP to know what their stare means.  So we figured out with the help of our cab driver that the stare was meant to ask if we reserved a room or if we'll be there for a day tour.  So yah! We were there for a day tour after all I am going to be in Cebu for just one day and that is less than twenty-four hours.

A happy face for a happy place!!!! 

The moment we got inside the resort it felt like summer in September! The beach was calling and the sun was very inviting.  Since the trip was planned a day before, we had to secure our lovely skin with the help of the good old sunblock (Banana Boat SPF 80) worth Php 695.  The exact price you have to pay to avoid skin cancer.  

We also paid for the day tour which costs Php 795 per person which includes a buffet lunch which did not break our hearts because it was also good enough for the price.  I mean come on! We always get what we give.  The price was right.

April was the last to arrive so we wasted no time and dipped ourselves under the clear and cold waters of Mactan.  

"We're sexy and we know it!"

For the rest of the trip, I will let the pictures speak for itself. 

My attempt at floating on chlorinated water... #fail

But this one is achieve na achieve.... I hope this turns you on! LOL!



And the ViVI pose that hides it all! =)

Our version of the small frequent feedings ...

Beach was OWWWWVERRR so we left Costabella  even if we didn't have to and head to the city for dinner with Trisha's friend.

We were not very hungry but guess how much food we were able to consume!!!!! And we loved it!!!!!! =) 

To be continued....

The Suite Life of the Happy Shiny People Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2012 | 0 comments

The suite was really cozy and it was our way to get rid of the unflattering temperature outside.

The plan of staying in one of the hotels here in Manila was a not-so-serious plan at first for a planned get together. Call it spur of the moment but usually it is those spur of the moment  plans that almost always works all the time.

Among us, I will have to give Mickey the credits for taking the time to reserve our suite at A. Venue Suites Makati.  He mentioned that we were able to get a discount for the suite because we reserved for it a month ago. 

Leaving Manila isn't the best option for the group given our out-of-this-world schedules.  It would be very disappointing to have people say YES to the original plan then cancel a day before the said getaway.  So we decided to have a "staycation".  Its like taking a vacation without leaving town. 

Aside from the comforts of not having to sit on a van or take a plane to get to a destination, the catch of staying in a hotel is the comfort of not having to break the bank and expose yourself to the hassle of terminal fees and brawls that you might encounter just like what happened to Mon Tulfo and Claudine Barretto.  

To jump-start the night... We opened a Bacardi because there is a party! 

I tried to do some bartending but it was a futile attempt because I tend to get so OC with the liquor levels that I distribute to the group which consumes a lot of my time.... 

The Happy Shiny People toasts for a lifetime of friendship... WAH!

Through Skype... Tin, who is based in Canada, was able to join the suite party!

The most genuine pillow fight! LOL!

Bacardi-induced planking... 

We were able to do some synchronized swimming with a hangover at the somehow-infinity pool in the roof-deck of the hotel the next day.... 

Jessa and I tried to outdo each other for the swimming competition... I won!

Cool iPhone app.... Before we left for lunch!

Wrapped up the staycation with a lunch at Papa John's Greenbelt 3.... Which is the best pizza I've tasted in my whole life... You think so? Or I was just hungry that time? 

I'd say the place may matter a little but its usually the memories that you create in that place that matters a lot. 

Mickey's Birthday Party at Beat Karaoke Burgos Circle Posted on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 | 2 comments

Last April 12 was Mickey's birthday but we celebrated it on the 14th due to the availabililty of his guests.

Mickey (The celebrant), ViVi, and Jessa (The celebrant's girlfriend)

He invited his high school friends from La Salle Greenhills, some of her girlfiend's friends from the Kidney Unit of Makati Medical Center and of course the coolest people of CETN Batch 18.

I first met Mickey during our job interview at Makati Medical Center for the Competency Enhancement Training for Nurses.  We got introduced or if my memory serves me right, I was the one who introduced myself and then we became friends as soon as the training started.

Mickey has the qualities of a perfect boyfriend.  He is slow-to-anger, hardworking, and knows how to have fun.  His personality mixes well with the always giddy and hyperactive girlfriend Jessa. 

Gj and I took the cab on our way to Burgos Circle and had a little catch-up session on what's happening to the people around us. Issues! Issues that are not worth blogging for. LOL!

As Divine Lee would say? Kodakan nanaman! 

Mickey, Jessa, Gj, Ikay, Terj, Ryan

Since Gj and I arrived first, we ordered two bottles of San Mig Light at Chef's Lab while waiting for the celebrant and his friends.  A group of foreigners noticed my red shoes and they said it was nice.  I politely thanked them and told them that I stole these shoes from Ronald McDonald.

It was already past ten in the evening so we went up to Beat Karaoke to commence with our singing dreams.  It kinda took a while before we got our room because it was pretty jam-packed.  I had to entertain myself by even dancing at the receiving area of the place because I was getting bored.  Somehow, it attracted attention which I enjoyed for some time until we got our singing room.

I did not mind the food because I was really into singing and the most requested song that night was.... Guess what? Bad Romance by Lady Gaga! Diba? Bagong-bago lang!

Lea, Terj, Gj, and Terry (Came with a sunburn... Uhmmm... Correction! Nagpa-peeling lang pala...) 

ViVi and Ryan 

Ryan was in-charge of the singing while I'm dancing to the tune of Todo Todo by Daniela Romo...

♫Oh my pretty pretty boy I love you♫ - M2M

The reason why Gino had a difficult time getting over me. LOL!

Food started coming in.  The waiter was so busy serving the food that he forgot the guests.  We were requesting for another microphone because the one they gave us was LOW BATT.  They should've charged it or gave us a new one right away since the use of the facility is for a limited time only.

After all the singing, dancing, shouting, and staring at each other, we gave our heartfelt birthday message to Mickey.  Though awkward, the boys were very willing to go cheesy.  Mickey didn't cry though not like how celebrities do it on ASAP.

Until this very moment, I don't know why this photo was blurred... 

I was very smitted with Gino that night but some of my friends think that he didn't have that much life and he doesn't know how to have fun.  Of course I defended him because I think otherwise.  I think that he just felt awkward that night because of the unusual attention.  Maybe he needs to come often and Mickey should teach him how to have fun so he'll get used to it. 

Mickey arranged for our ride with Gino who volunteered to drive us home but we insisted that he drop us off at Galleria.  I learned that Gino works in Rustan's as a Systems Analyst.  Whatever it is? I think its geeky cool! =)) 

Happy Birthday Mickey!!!! 

Beat Karaoke is located at 2/F Unit 1 Bellagio Retail, Forbestown Road, Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City, 1634 Taguig, Philippines and you may contact them through these numbers (02) 822-9683, +639064357121, and +639291407695.  The place opens at 6:00 pm and closes at 3:00 pm.  We started at around 11:00 pm and finished at around 4:00 am.  The staff were so nice because they allowed us to extend a little more even if they were supposed to close at three in the morning. 

The best part? Mickey spent around Php 4,000.00 for this party! Very good deal!

For more information please visit Beat Karaoke Facebook Page. 

The Punta Fuego and Kainan Sa Dalampasigan Experience Posted on Saturday, April 21, 2012 | 4 comments

We all had a good night's rest at the mansion after a night of singing and dancing. I admit of not having the urge to wake up except that the sun was rising and the people at the other mansion were all set to meet me.  I think they were very excited to see how I look at daytime.  I think they have a lot of questions in mind. Some of it, they just kept to themselves.

But the funniest question they asked me was if I was also a lawyer. HAHAHA! =)  But of course, I said "No."  

We had breakfast with the whole family at the big house then we left for Punta Fuego.

Heto na! Heto na! I told you... Ryan is yummy... Pan de sal!!!! =)

  

Hindi rin talaga ako nagpahuli... Dahil yummy din ako! =)) 

Underwater shots! (Obvious ba?)  

Bongga talaga si Honey! She opens her eyes underwater.... Hindi ko kaya!  

Sa kaka-underwater photos namin... Nagutom na kami... Sabi nila hindi raw masarap ang sandwich... So-so lang.. And mahal pa... I think this costs  Php 200++ ... Pwede narin namang homemade.... Carry gawin sa bahay... 

Mukha nga silang nagutom after swimming at dahil hindi masarap ang sandwich binawi naman ito ng pizza.... Super sarap talaga! Thin crust sya and beyond compare... 

Masarap talaga... Sulit ang Php 600++ ! 

But ito ang favorite part ko! Gusto ko iuwi tong mga ilaw nila... Pwede naman D-I-Y pero maganda ang pagkakagawa.... I want one at home! Its very stylish!  I have this fascination talaga with lights... 

This is the close-up of the light! Bongga diba? Parang syang atom na merong bonggang bonggang electrons around it.  HAHAHA! Lumabas ang pagiging Nuclear Medicine Nurse ko! 

After Punta Fuego, we went to Kainan sa Dalampasigan.  Ryan has been raving about it.  I have heard it a hundred times from him.  Syempre, curious na rin ako... I really wanted to try their food.

Before eating, picture picture kami ni Honey sa entrance ng restaurant. 

Another photo op with Mabi and Bryan.... All the while I thought nasa Law School parin si Bryan... Yun pala... Atty. Bryan na sya... =) Congrats Bry.... 

Neon kung neon ang concept namin.... Blue pala yung kay Ikay... =) Halata na ang tummy kasi busog na from all the food.... Everything was yummy! My gosh!

The best for me yung tangiue and baked tahong!

Then uwian na! =) 

Thank you Ry and congratulations.... We had so much fun.... =)

♥)-(♥