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Friday, April 25, 2008

Tanghali


Stitched unedited celfone pics, 1.3 megapixels.

Isa sa mga pakiusap ng kaopisinang malapit na kaming iwanan para sa "family business" ang mag-lunch sa Manang's sa THE Ateneo(!). Ganyan minsan mag-trip sa amin kaya naman nakakaaliw rin. Dati, n'ung nasa bangko pa ako sa may Paseo de Roxas, sa Megamall naman kami nagti-trip mag-lunch lulan ng MRT. Umulan kaninang tanghali. Suwerte raw ito kapag merong nagpapaalam (pero minalas ako dahil hindi ako umabot sa house specialty na grilled pork liempo). Unang beses ko sa nasabing kantina. May ilang estudyante na konyo pero halos ang delegasyon namin ang nagpahaba sa pila na malapit sa tennis court. Dahil sa kakaibang karanasan, kakaibang panahon at pagkakataon, nag-enjoy ako.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Movie Digest # 042

STREET KINGS
Robinson’s Galleria, Cinema 10, April 19, 3:00pm

Nothing to expect much, given the fact that the screenplay is written by "L.A. Confidential's" novelist. As an action film, "Street Kings" isn't bad. But it doesn't have a lot of kicking to be too memorable.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who consider Keanu Reeves as a better Bruce Willis.

THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 2, April 22, 8:05pm

The film is reminiscent of old school kiddie/fantasy films like "The Never Ending Story" (or even "Narnia") where the protagonist, for no apparent reason, is being transported to a new world (read: middle earth). Plot is too simple and predictable for me. The plus point: the opening credits showing an equal billing of the two Hongkong legends, Jackie Chan and Jet Li (imagine a crossword puzzle entry for their names). I was reminded of the rotating (a more creative one, I would say) Nora Aunor-Vilma Santos for Danny Zialcita's "Ang T-Bird at Ako".

Friends who might appreciate it: those who wish to see a long and honest-to-goodness fight sequence with Jackie and Jet.

THE SAVAGES
Glorietta 4, Cinema 4, April 24, 7:50pm

A sleeper movie: simple, indie and with loads of underacting. This is not recommended to popcorn film crowd as it tries to realistically share a portion of an emotionally honest American life. Lighting and production design are effortless, giving a natural and engaging feel. Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman are equally great (understatement) as children of a dementia patient. Some scenes are stand-out like the one with the old man trying to turn off his hearing aid and the one with the brutally rehabilitating dog right before the film ends.

Friends who might appreciate it: savaged and savages alike.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Bangkok Itinerary, Second Draft




Without much further ado, here's my second draft:

SATURDAY:
Morning --> Wat Arun, Royal Palace, Wat Phra Kaeo and Wat Pho
Noon --> Winnanmerk and Baan Jim Thompson
Sunset --> Nice (and decent) Thai massage
Dinner --> Shopping at a night market
Evening --> Thanon Patpong

SUNDAY:
Morning --> Floating Market Tour (with cultural dance, elephant show, etc.)
Sunset --> Chao Phraya Express Boat round trip
Dinner --> Siam Square
Evening --> (Decent) Bar-hopping

MONDAY:
Morning --> Ayutthaya Ruins Tour
Sunset --> Luggage pick-up from my friend's flat
Dinner --> Last-minute shopping
Evening --> Off to the airport

Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa


I. Kenyo sa Robinson's Galleria

Masyadong mainit mamalagi sa kuwarto kaya wala nang pagdadalawang-isip pa, bitbit ang CD ng Kenyo at Canon S60, kinaladkad ko ang sarili ko sa Robinson's Galleria n'ung Sabado ng hapon. Hindi masyadong matrapik kahit na nag-jeep at bus lang ako papunta sa mall. Masyadong napaaga ang dating ko kaya nanood muna ako ng sine ("Street Kings"). Paglabas ko ng Cinema 10 (at elevator), 'sakto lang na nag-uumpisa nang magpapasok ng tao sa isang improvised na concert venue sa food court area. N'ung una, akala ko'y haharangin ako dahil ang lamesa na nagsisilbing entrance ay may ilang CD na ibinebenta. Sinabi ko sa bantay na may kopya na ako at nakalusot naman (unusual ito at hindi kamukha ng experience ko sa mall show at CD signing dati ni Michael Buble sa Podium kung saan binraso ng Astro Plus ang pagiging ekslusibo ng event). Karaniwang maikli at payak lamang ang mga mall show (o mall tour ng isang banda o artist). Hindi ito naiiba sa ginawa ng Kenyo. Kinanta lang nila ang ilang tracks sa CD (na koleksyon ng mga sikat na 80's song) at mga lumang crowd-pleaser katulad ng "Pinoy Ako" at "Yakap sa Dilim" ng Apo. Nabanggit ng banda, bago awitin ang "Your Eyes", na nakuha nila ang inspirasyon na isaplaka ang kanta matapos mapanood ang isang number sa "That's Entertainment" ni kuya Germs noon. Aliw na aliw raw sila sa portion kung saan ang mga fans ay nagsasabit ng sampaguita sa kanilang idolo na halos hindi na makakita. Sinundan ang mini concert ng meet-and-greet at CD signing. Hindi ako nakapagtanong nang matino sa dami ng ilang bata at female fans na nagnanais makakuha ng Friendster picture kasama ang banda. Heto pala ang ilang ebidensya.

II. Milagros Dancehall Collective Album Launch sa Saguijo

Matapos ang quicky dinner with Hongkong Style Noodles at isang fried penoy, sumakay na ako ng bus na "Ayala / Leveriza" mula sa Robinson's Galleria patungong Saguijo. Niyaya lang ako ng officemate ko para sa album launch ng isang bagong reggae band. Wala akong ideya kung anong dapat asahan. Basta ang alam ko ay malapit lang ang Saguijo sa apartment. Dumating ako sa bar ng 7pm. Merong entrance fee na P1. Ika-25 ako sa parokyano ayon sa aking tiket. May nakalaang libreng CD para sa unang 20 na darating at naawa na lang siguro sa akin ang isang band member kaya't nakapag-uwi rin ako ng kopya ko sa halagang P1. Walang masyadong tao sa lugar maliban sa ilang DJ para sa live broadcast ng Doobie Nights ng Jam 88.3fm at ilang fans o kakilala. Sa ganitong pagkakataon ay mas masarap mag-photo-op kesa uminom ng serbesa (at mas matipid!). Tulad ng inaasahan, kung hindi nila ginawa ang magandang cover ng "This Girl is Mine" nina Michael Jackson at Paul McCartney, wala akong alam sa repertoire ng Milagros Dancehall Collective (o sa reggae mismo). Nagkataon lang na masarap sa tenga ang reggae, nakakaindak at melodious (wala na akong pakialam kung anuman ang content ng mga kanta pero may hinala ako na ang ilan dito ay punong-puno ng seduction). Heto naman ang ilang kuha ko mula sa album launch.

III. "Altar Boyz" ng Repertory Philippines sa Greenbelt Onstage

Kinabukasan (Linggo), matapos magpagupit sa Bepo's sa A-Venue (20% off pa rin sila hanggang katapusan ng Abril), nag-jeep naman ako papuntang Greenbelt area. Lalo yatang umiinit ang tag-init ngayong taong ito. Mula Greenbelt 4 ay binaybay ko naman ang ilang al fresco restaurants papuntang Greenbelt 1. Mukhang pagod ang unang babaeng kumausap sa akin mula sa Rep. Kung pagod din ako n'ung mga sandaling 'yun, baka inabot ako ng kasungitan. Hindi kami masyadong magkaintindihan tungkol sa seating arrangement at kung alin ang free seating at hindi. Sinalo na lamang s'ya ng katabi n'ya sa kaliwa. Kalahating oras bago mag-umpisa ang palabas, sumaglit muna ako sa maliit at isa sa mga naunang stall ng Jamaican Pie. Quicky lunch. Maliit lang kung tutuosin ang produksyon ng Rep ng "Altar Boyz". Ginawang devise ng sumulat ng musical ang isang world tour concert ng isang sikat na Catholic (at isang Jew) na boyband. Ang stage ay nag-mistulang isang concert stage at walang ibang karakter maliban sa limang miyembro ng boyband (isang lider na mala-Justine Timberlake ang packaging, isang Mexican na parody para sa mga Latino superstar katulad ni Ricky Martin, isang bading na falsetto, isang bad boy na mala-Robbie Williams at isang tila walang kinabukasan para magkaroon ng solo career). Sinahugan ito ng isang digital soul censor na bumibilang sa mga lost souls mula sa audience. Ito ang nagsilbing bomba ng kwento (hindi nakakagulat na napansin ng mga kritiko ang dula). Radio-friendly naman ang mga kanta at epektibo ang pagiging interactive ng musical. Sa limang nagsiganap, ang miyembro na Mexican ang bumenta sa akin dahil na-sustain n'ya ang karakter hanggang dulo. Si PJ Valerio (ng "Walang Tulugan Master Showman") ay puwede na bilang lider. Pasado na sana s'ya maliban sa isang mataas na chorus ng kanta bago matapos ang dula. Bigla tuloy akong nagduda sa musicality n'ya. Ang gumanap naman ng bad boy ay absuwelto na rin sana. Malinaw ang kanyang mga linya at bigay na bigay ang delivery. 'Yun nga lang, sa kanyang African-American accent, nilinlang s'ya ng kanyang mala-F4 na appearance at dito s'ya pumalya. May kanto ang lyrics ng mga kanta. Hindi ito ganap na wholesome at hindi rin naman ganap na satirical. Naaliw na rin naman ako sa kabuohan. Nakalimutan ko lang na isa itong pagsasadula ng Rep.

Friday, April 18, 2008

A Weekday in the Life of...

6:45am - Wake-up call from O2. Normally, I set two alarm clocks (celfone and the old-school one) just to make sure. They have a 30-minute interval. This is a must when assigned abroad (especially when adjusting with the time zone);

7am - Quicky breakfast with Quaker Oats Vital and Fruit Loops while reading Fodor's Bangkok's 25 Best. My APE showed that I am a hypertension suspect (BP is 140/100 which is quite high). This explains my healthy morning fix;

7:45am - Trip to shower. I am not really into long bathing hours. I can get myself ready in 30 minutes;

8:20am - Taxi-hailing. My aparment is located near the Makati City Hall so taxis are everywhere except for payroll period;

9am - Training (Office). My first training in ages. I sometimes feel "kinakalawang" but Spencer Johnson's "Who Moved my Cheese?" changed everything;

LUNCHBREAK - With officemates at Tokyo Tokyo in Market! Market! This is not an everyday thingy of course. Mondays through Thursdays are spent at the pantry with my lunch circle of friends (I have other groups like Playmates, Trekking/Camping Mates and my sole batchmate, Edrik);

1:30pm - Training (Office). As Alchris Galura's Friendster shout-out would say, "Laban kung laban" (hahaha).

3pm - Team meeting. Or better yet, one of the best team meetings that I have attended so far. Other than the usual business chitchat, we had S&R pizza and Cheetos (with generic name "cheese curls") plus four (or five?) bottles of Two Oceans red wine (made in South Africa and our PM's favorite brand, she said). Well, what happens if you're a little tipsy and everybody's too modest about the art of penetration ("suksukan"), screwing, soccer and kneeling, and having a giant octopus for a paper weight? Your guess is as innocent as mine but it was fun;

5pm - Work;

8pm - With my laptop bag, off I went to High Street to catch at least the finale of "Music by Starlight 2". I ended up with Sitti singing the last few lines of "What a Wonderful World", finale song "The Prayer" with Sitti plus Nolyn Cabahug, Rachelle Gerodias, (the great) Jonathan Badon and Liezl Batucan, a surprise piece from Jay Glorioso singing "La Vie en Rose" and the encore song "Amigos para Siempre". Short but worth it;

9pm - Visited Market! Market! again to check CD-R King if still open and got frustrated. Few minutes after, I was already queueing for Fort Bus to EDSA-MRT;

9:40pm - Bought three Melody CD-Rs at SM Makati's office supply shop and got a small bottle of C2 Lite;

10pm - Jeepney ride back to the apartment;

10:30pm - TV, particularly Jeffrey Jeturian's regular stint at "MMK" (last episode was forgettable except for the consistently fine acting from Kapamilya clan) and "Bandila" (for the news). I had also a glance at Q's "Balikbayan" with Maryo J. delos Reyes visting Bohol. Drew Arellano definitely deserves more visibility in the Kapuso station for he's a good host and, for that particular episode, a good and natural actor. Direk Maryo J, before the show ends, conceptualized a movie for Drew and Dennis Trillo and commented on their contrasting personalities. He said that the film is entitled "Chocolate Hills-back Mountain". I can't remember the last time I had a Friday gimik or movie marathon or Saguijo nightcap but this is more likely my kind of Friday;

Midnight - Bedtime, dreaming of my Bangkok adventure (with the travel books and flyers beside the Japanese bed);

Kalye


Stitched unedited celfone pics, 1.3 megapixels.

Binuksan na n'ung Huwebes ang kalyeng nagdudugtong sa building ng opisina at isang main road (kung saan kumakanan ang mga sasakyan mula Jollibee/Starbucks/Chowking area) sa The Fort. Wala namang masyadong impact sa akin dahil wala akong sariling oto pero nakakabawas ng isang patak ng metro kapag nagta-taxi tuwing umaga. Maliban dito, may kakaibang pagpapalaya itong ginagawa sa akin. Matagal-tagal na rin kasing aspaltado ang kalsada pero hinayaan munang sarado sa publiko upang tumibay, maging matatag at maging handa sa anumang sasakyan na magdaraan.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Bangkok Itinerary, First Draft




One month before THE Bangkok adventure, I started reading Fodor's Bangkok's 25 Best (one of the two travel pocket books that I bought). First impression: the city of "sanuk" (Thai for fun) is too overwhelming. It seems like my three days won't be enough to explore the place.

Anyway, here's my first draft:

SATURDAY:
Morning --> no idea yet
Lunch --> no idea yet
Noon --> Wat Pho, Grand Palace area
Sunset --> Temple of the Dawn (from the other side of the river)
Dinner --> Night Market near Patpong
Evening --> Patpong

SUNDAY:
Morning --> no idea yet
Lunch --> no idea yet
Noon --> no idea yet
Sunset --> no idea yet
Dinner --> no idea yet
Evening --> no idea yet

MONDAY:
Ayutthaya Ruins Tour
Evening --> Departure

Convenience Store


Stitched unedited celfone pics, 1.3 megapixels.

Introducing: Mini Stop at The Fort. Malaking bagay na meron nang malapit na murang tindahan (ulam, toothpaste, atbp.) sa may opisina. Kahit papaano, meron nang ibang option maliban sa Mc Do, Mr. Poon at ang paglalakad ng ilang bloke para sa pinakamalapit na convenience store. Mukhang na-pressure ang franchisee ng Mini Stop sa The Fort. Maliban sa pangkaraniwang convenience store na merong malaking salaming bilog sa loob (para sa mga shoplifter at artsy photo-op), may naghihintay na cozy lounge sa second floor ng "aming" convenience store. Maluluma ang Starbucks o anumang tambayan sa Greenbelt 3. May kakaibang ningning ang mga state-of-the-art na ilaw rito, isang pagkakataon na kahit panandalian ay puwedeng maging Don Romantico.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Ang Loboc-Loboc Naman Dito!



Photos courtesy of PETA's Miss Jette Gonzales. Interestingly enough, here's the group's blog.

I had a blast yesterday when I finally outdid myself with a nice weekend date with my self (hehehe). I was supposed to go to Quezon for my dad's birthday today (April 13) but I had an agreement with my folks that I'll just postpone the trip to last weekend of April (when I will be availing two more VLs).

My day began with a nice breakfast at 10am then got ready for a jeepney-MRT-FX trip to PETA Theater Center (#5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City). At 2:30pm, I was already queueing for "Encuentro Filipino" with the country's best, the Loboc Children's Choir.

I got the ticket for free as an extension for my season subscription for PETA (best things in life are indeed free). It was my second time to see them perform live. The first was at a CCP event with other artists like Ballet Philippines, Madrigal Singers and Bayanihan Dance Troupe. I felt guilty at first that I got the ticket for free. The kids need some baon for their North American leg of shows and currently open for sponsorship (you might wish to join Oishi, Bench, NCAA, etc. as co-sponsors). Other than that, "Encuentro Filipino" is also about an encounter with other choirs like UP Cherubim and Seraphim (the one I watched), Mandaluyong Children's Choir (yesterday at 7:30pm), Ateneo Chamber Singers (April 13, 3pm) and UP Singing Ambassadors (April 13, 7:30pm).

For the standard National Anthem, a music video was shown with a kid who happens to stumble upon a dirty Philippine flag. He looks at the flag pole and finds it empty. He then struggles to reach the top of the flagless pole a la Palo Sebo and victoriously regains the honor of putting the flag back. Ang mamatay nang dahil sa 'yo. Beautiful! Now I think I have seen the best music video done for "Lupang Hinirang" (the second placer is the Kapamilya version, no less).

The concert opened with a procession of La Virgen with the kids paving the way, wearing a church choir get-up. With Ma'am Alma F. Taldo as conductor and Ma'am Lina L. Jala as main accompanist, the kids sang beautiful arias for the "Spanish Heritage/Songs of Worship" segment. This includes "The Lord's Prayer", "Ave Maria", "Kyrie from Misa de Toledo" and more. I can say that this segment was a show-off as it attested the kids' versatility and true to the form (they are a church choir after all). The UP Cherubim and Seraphim were introduced later on and rendered three numbers including a song that I suspected to be a Ryan Cayabyab piece.

"Songs from Other Cultures" portion had the kids rendering "The Sound of Music" medley (a crowd pleaser), a song in French ("Jean Qui Pleure"), a song in Chinese ("Mo Li Hua"), "Soleram", a moving version of "Children's Right" and the on-your-feet "Sister Act Medley". This time, the kids were wearing a summery colorful Filipiana and more playful with lots of choreography.

After the 10-minute intermission was a 7-minute talk from Ma'am Elena Rivera Mirano (UP Cherubim and Seraphim's conductor and musical director). I thought that the segment is a bit out of place at first but when the Powerpoint presentation introduced an obscure musician from Pakil, Laguna named Marcelo Adonay, my attention (particularly the film buff in me) was caught. I ended up wanting for more and my mind was already wandering to a possible film project about obscure Filipino musicians and their unheard voices. Other topics for other shows are "Imaging Our Lady in 16th Century Manila", "Music in the Heart of Manila: Quiapo from the Colonial Period to Contemporary Times, Cultural Changes and Continuities" and "Reading Choirbooks and Translating Musical Tranditions" with different resource speakers. I'm glad that I had the Adonay case study.

The last part of the program was devoted to anything Filipiana. Repertoire included "Kalesa" (hey, we sang this one in high school, hehehe), "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan" (their version is simply haunting), "Larong Pinoy", "Pilipinas Kong Mahal" and the staple Visayan song medley. Encore/Finale song was "Light of a Million Mornings" (previously attributed to Sarah Geronimo) with UP Cherubim and Seraphim and an epilogue to the procession.

Right before I left the center, I asked the choir's dynamic duo, the conductor and accompanist, for an autograph. That capped my day with a smile.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Movie Digest # 041

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
Glorietta 4, Cinema 3, April 9, 8:00pm

The film deserves the 2008 Oscar Best Picture (perhaps one of the better Best Pictures of all time). Let me count the ways. First, THE cinematography. To prove this, one has to see this film in a THX cinema or any theater with giant screen. The first 20 minutes were too overwhelming for me. I can't remember when was the last time I fell in love with the film's cinematograpy. "No Country for Old Men" rejuvenates my passion for films (naks! hahaha). Secondly, the actors are A-class, from Javier Bardem (who perhaps dislodges Norman Bates as one of the monsters created by a film) to Josh Brolin (his underacting deserves at least an Oscar nomination) and Tommy Lee Jones. Thirdly, the film can be both Oscar-decorated and Cannes-friendly. It's one of those rare films who can be both artsy (but not alienating) and mainstream-ish. This is sanctified by the story and the adaptation that Coen brothers made too personal. Some could be disappointed though for the lack of resolution (as compared to other Coen brothers films that I've seen). But that's not the point of the film as it tries to tell us that life is sometimes a matter of consequences (like tossing a coin) and that criminals and cops need not to have a clear motive or advocacy to uphold their "business" and that US has lots of monters lurking at your doorstep.

Friends who might appreciate it: SOCO and CSI fans (who, who are you?).

THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL
Power Plant, Cinema 6, April 10, 8:05pm

Well, the film isn't bad when it comes to the track it tries to pursue. For sure, the filmmaker is not aiming Oscars or, at least, any critical acclaim (except for the costume design that is too loud to pass up). If you've read those books that discuss monarchs and royalty a la The Buzz, the film is an adaptation of one of those. "The Other Boleyn Girl" basically tackles the pressure of giving King Henry of England a son, an heir for the throne. This is heightened by a scene where Natalie Portman, as the eldest Boleyn, after a miscarriage, asks her brother George (played by Across the Universe's Jim Sturgess) to give her a child. This is crucial as this leads to their public humiliation and death. After the hullabaloo, England's monarchy left Catholicism and produced a powerful woman leader: Elizabeth.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who wish to see Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johanssen in one film (a la Juday and Claudine).

NIM’S ISLAND
Power Plant, Cinema 6, April 10, 10:20pm

I presume that "Nim's Island" is a film for kids as it's direction is geared to that with lots of eye candy scenes and talking animals. The thing is, the film has a lot to say for a kiddie movie. It undertakes adult themes like a child's psychology on not letting people other that her dad (played by Gerard Butler) get into her "island" and the invisible war/friendship between a book author (played seriously and passionately by Jodie Foster) and her character (also played by Gerard Butler). One heart-breaking scene has the character bading farewell to the book author saying something like "I am just an illusion. You're on your own on this adventure." The only segment that is obviously intended for children is the one that has Abigail Breslin playing "Home Alone" to crooks and uninvited tourists. All in all, I like the film for being a little stage play-like when it comes to actors. Abigail, Jodie and Gerard gave the film the texture it deserves. I couldn't think of other actors playing the part.

Friends who might appreciate it: those who are either young at heart or plainly Jodie Foster fans.

HORTON HEARS A WHO
Shangri-la Plaza, Cinema 4, April 12, 8:30pm

Am I taking kiddie films too seriously? For me, the film/book has a Christian undertone. Beyond the all too impressive visuals (and the pleasing rendition of "Can't Fight This Feeling" for a finale song), it made us ask whether a bigger force out there is peeking at us and taking care of us. As the characters said, it doesn't have something that we see or touch.

Friends who might appreciate it: elephants.

Mall


Stitched unedited celfone pics, 1.3 megapixels.

Napadaan lang sa Park Square 1 (o 2?) n'ung Huwebes para sa pila ng aircon na jeep papuntang Zapote. Maganda ang kulay ng langit at hindi ko pinalampas ang pagkakataon. Sooner or later, baka magpaalam na rin ang establishment na 'yan kamukha n'ung kakambal nito na malapit sa Landmark (isang hotel ang isisilang dito, pinakamataas daw sa buong Asia). N'ung Biyernes naman ay despedida lunch ni Phil sa Market! Market! Bago umuwi ay sumaglit kami sa Serendra para sa (paborito kong) Cupcakes by Sonja. Muli kong nilasap ang unang linamnam ng Red Velvet Vixen kasama ang mga kaibigan sa opisina.

Saturday, April 05, 2008

All You Need to Know About Anawangin Cove (You’ll be Reading it from this Blog Entry)


More pics here.

If you (and your credit card) are too tired of long summer vacation plans, a well-deserved trip to Anawangin Cove in Brgy. Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales is for you. Just two things to consider though: you must have a tent and the spirit to stay in an island with no electricity and hip clubs.

Here are some how-to's:

1. Along with your tent and backpack, get yourself a lift to San Antonio, Zambales. It's two towns north of Olongapo (I think) and it's now making a name through blogs and the famous Kapuso soap, Marimar (a resort in Brgy. Pundaquit is used for some of the major scenes). We went there last weekend through Victory Liner but there are options for those who wish to bring their own car (makeshift parking lots for rent can be found near the dock). Most of the Victory Liner stations offer a trip to Zambales but it is the Caloocan station that has more scheds (bus leaves every 30 minutes). It is advisable to give them a call just to make sure.

As for our group of 15 survivors (we call our trip "Survivor - Anawangin"), we rendezvoused at Goldilocks in Buendia - Taft Avenue (near Pizza Hut, 7-11 and Wendy's) then took a 15-minute LRT1 ride to Monumento (P11).

From the LRT1 exit, turn left (right has Jollibee, Chowking, etc.) and take a short 5-minute walk. The bus station is at the left side and you need to cross the street to get there. You'll pass through the Victory Mall to reach the location of the old station (the new one is for Olongapo and other trips). Co-survivors Zherwin and Lyn informed me that the place used to be dingy where snatchers and holdapers were lurking.

Go straight to the ticket booth (where queues are normally present). One-way ticket to San Antonio, Zambales costs P222 plus P5 for insurance (this is optional). The bus is actually Iba, Zambales-bound. You have to inform manong konduktor to throw you at San Antonio public market. There's a 15-minute bus stopover at Double Happiness. I don't know exactly where it is but it's a haven for cheeseburger take-out, restos and toilets. Please note also that the bus gets crowded after a short stop at the Olongapo station.

2. The public market at San Antonio, Zambales is at the back of the municipal building. You might be puzzled at first that instead of a wet market, a statue of Teodoro Yangco is waiting for you. Just take the first corner after the statue then turn left.

We arrived at the market at 2pm-ish. It wasn't busy then and some stalls were already empty. It's just the perfect time to go shopping for the food and booze. Lunch is an option since some carinderias were still open. A contribution of P100 each gave us some plastic bags of green mangoes, bagoong, rice, coffee, tasty, canned goods like sisig and corned beef, hotdog and pulutan. Already in our bags are two bottles of Generoso brandy and a bottle of Arkan Vodka, melon flavor (highly suggested for summer!).

From there, we took a tricycle ride to Brgy. Pundaquit. They charged us P20 each for four trikes loaded with 15 passengers complete with camping bags and backpacks. I guess the trick is on the load. I read from other stories that the drivers sometimes charge P35 each so beware. The whole trip from the market to the dock took us at least another 15 minutes of dusty road, bridges and a bucolic view.

3. The port at Brgy. Pundaquit also offers overnight parking space, some beach resorts, a common toilet and shower room, small cottages for swimming and videoke and a yummy special halo-halo worth P20.

From there, bankeros (ours is named Robert, +63-921-6026319) will come in handy offering a two-way ride to Anawangin Cove. You need your hagging skills here (our co-survivor Karlo is good at this). For our group, we got three bancas (complete with life vest) costing P850 each (making us pay for P170 each for the two-way ride, P850 x 3 = P2550 / 15). The sea trip lasted for only 10 minutes (for me it lasted a decade for I can't swim and it was wavy). Be ready to get wet a little especially if you've got the front seat. The cove, by the way, is connected by land from the dock. This means that you can reach Anawangin through a 3-hour trek (just inquire the manongs at the port). This also means that the sea trip is more of shore-cruising than inter-island.

4. Anawangin Cove is so pristine that you cannot find any cemented establishment. The first thing to do after you docked is to agree with the bankero when to fetch you the next day. On our part, we agreed at 11am. Lots of tents were already planted in the cove when we arrived. They probably came from Metro Manila just like us. A big portion is fenced and is well-kept. That area costs P150 each. We settled for the "public area" and paid up P50 as conservation fee.

Other than the area for camping, there are two sets of makeshift toilet made of pawid and another pair for shower. You have to pump the poso for water then bring the balde (bucket) with tabo (dipper) at the shower/toilet.

Manang Ligaya and her family maintain the place. They are keeping the garbage, lending some thermos for hot water and grill for barbecue, offering cooking services that we availed for rice and hotdog (amount is up to you), repairing the poso if needed and working as cashier for the conservation fee.

Since the cove has no electricity and no celfone network signal, there's nothing much to do but enjoy the sunset, the sand and the beach. My first impression was that we were transported to a place outside the Philippines (everybody was commenting with "Parang 'di Pinas!"). It must be the unusual combination of tall pine trees and white sand. I was actually reminded of a cove that my family (except my father) and I had visited in the South Island of New Zealand (where I slept in most time of the cruise).

Of course we did not just end up enjoying the beach. We had an enormous photo-op at one part (where a river-like picturesque clearing is located). We also climbed to a hill (the other end of the cove) for more photo-op and sunset experience. The "peak" has a nice POV of Anawangin and therefore a must-hike.

5. Bus back to Manila is not as easy as the way you get one from Caloocan. You have to wait at the mini bus stop in San Antonio (at the other side of municipal hall) and most air-conditioned busses are already full. We decided then to take an ordinary bus (blue-colored) to Olongapo first (P30) then take another bus at Victory Liner station in Olongapo heading to Pasay (P186 + P5 for insurance).

6. For your budget, below is the summary of expenses (total of P819 only):

LRT1 ride to Monumento: P 11
Victory Liner trip to San Antonio Zambales: P227
Food contribution: P100
Tricycle ride to Brgy. Pundaquit (two-way): P40
Banca ride to Anawangin (two-way): P170
Conservation Fee: P50
Ordinary bus trip to Olongapo: P30
Victory Liner trip (Olongapo to Pasay): P191

Pair of Levi's, Resurrected


I hate throwing clothes easily. As much as possible, I keep them if I can't find ways to recycle them. So imagine my closet full of tattered sandos (good for sleeping) and "squatter" (pardon the term) shirts. I had the same dilemma with the first Levi's I got from college. It's a vintage type, not the usual 501 which was a fad then. I stopped wearing them when it first got its casualty in the leg part, then a rip in the knees. I just don't want to transform it to a pair of hippy shorts so I decided to give it a second life.

Right before Holy Week, I brought it to Alter Station in Glorietta. It is located at the basement of the mall, near the Mercury Drug and Speedo area. I paid P250 for the overhaul and for me, it's worth it (check out the pic). The pants just made a comeback yesterday at work.

Office Room with a View


When I was jobless in Singapore, I had a vision that if ever God will give me a new job, I want to see sunset from my window. The idea is not to remind me of work. And stress and deadlines. So here I am, working in a company that gives me an office room with a view (old and new building alike).

Everytime at 4pm-ish, I make it a point to fold the blinds and get a glimpse of the mighty Manila sunset. I love the view especially on summer when the sky is more golden than any other season. And reason.

Yesterday, I found my self curious about the science of sunsets. As posted just recently, I was also curious about the science of break-ups (yeah). I observe that every year, as the days passed, the sunset is "moving" to the right (from my office room POV). Barely I would notice when it gets back to its original position at the left. I asked my friend then:

'Yung araw ba, babalik instantly sa kaliwa o gradual ang pagbalik n'ya?
A member of MENSA and also an IT person, my friend replied with "Dalawang beses mong ginamit ang salitang "balik". Sapul ba?". Maybe next time, I should stop asking about sunsets and just enjoy the view.

Movie Digest # 040

WALK HARD
Greenbelt 3, Cinema 1, March 27, 9:30pm

I was expecting a lot from this film as this is exclusively shown at Ayala Cinemas. Too bad, the film is comparable to other spoofs like “Scary Movie”, etc. but with a little deadpan trick.

Friends who might appreciate it: John C. Reilly fans perhaps.

SHUTTER
Glorietta 4, Cinema 3, March 31, 8:00pm

The adaptation from the original Thai version isn’t that bad. I can say that the storyline is faithful as well as the creeps and goosebumps. The lighting and framing are good in the apartment scenes, giving us that J-horror advantage. Even the two leads give their best. I appreciate that the Hollywood version hired a Japanese director and the film was location-shot in Japan. This helps the viewers grasp the uncanny obsession of the “third party” (a Japanese girl named Megumi). On this regard, I was wondering if Americans could easily give up their ex-es as compared to us, Asians, who are sometimes sentimental. Oh, well, for the motive to scare us, the film has it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Friends who might appreciate it: friends who wish to see Heroes’ Ando in a cameo.
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