2010 New Year: Blue Bowl

Lights started to flash outside around 11 p.m. and that signals the start of the countdown. I waited for the big booms with the DSLR on top of our broken poso post. My dad prepared the Dragon Fortune Fireworks. The clock dingdong-ed 12:00--- we left 2009 (at least on our Gregorian calendars)--- no one knocked at the door (it was a way already that Ahma usually knocks at our door to greet us happy new years and gives my parents and me ampaos, I miss her. It’s our second new year without her) --- we welcomed 2010 with success, prosperity and fortune, happiness, long life and luck.

Fortune fireworks sparked at our gate c/o Alex from the Dragon Fireworks.

We ate together at Ahco’s house, next to our house (we live in a compound duplex). They had lechon (I don’t eat pigs), so I had pancit by Susan’s Palabok, Lumpiang Shanghai (I was craving an hour ago, before New Year countdown), and the whole table was packed with food--- I don’t know what the other dishes were, because I was already satisfied with my Lumpia. LOL

My not-so-perfect-not-so-okay-at-all shots of the exhibitions from our neighborhood.

At Ahco's round table.

And then lunch was prepared by Shobe for a lunch date with Angkong. She was supposed to prepare some cheesy mac, but the pasta will not do, so it’s all Asian--- Shanghai (again, but this time a different one), Chorizo rice?! (Pardon me for I don’t know the name of the dishes, I just know how to eat), the oh so famous Cream Dory which was breaded, hmmm the Asparagus and Carrot Sukiyaki?!, Tenderloin strip with Sesame oil cooked in butter?!, Molo soup with Maling? --- it was supposed to be egg rolls, but there was no Maling eggrolls already so this happened to be the alternative.

And then after the meal, I tried to get myself drunk. LOL

Obviously I won't get drunk with a Cruiser. LOL See the blue arrow,

I poured in a small amount of my mom's gin.

And I have a brandy beside me (Angkong brought in).

While I try that, they all chit and chat:

 

Angkong and Dad; talking about unending construction stuff.

Turuan ng turuan kung sinu gagawa, akin na lang. LOL

Shobe and Ahco minding their own business.

And then ofcourse the meal won't be finished after you eat desert.

These were not by Shobe--- Brownies Unlimited.

Happy New Year to everyone! To all the people that made my 2009 a blast, thank you! To my former company, the people there, thank you for the 11 months. To my interns and new found friends, Pride of La Salle, especially Moning (for dropping me at the safest place everytime; that goes to Neil too), Neil, Vince, and Master Chef Tony. To Sean "The Pie?!" for the up coming site, and for reminding me that there is God. To my GFAP-Y Badminton group, Leo, Gerald, Jim, Steve, Katrina thank you for the smashes. To 7degrees studios, for the projects! Hope for more projects to come! To my college friends! To my family, my parents for still providing for me, LOL, wag nyo muna ko palayasin, my Shobe for cooking me Carbonara whenever I crave, to Angkong for being visible again (LOL) and proving that you still care for Mama Aty.

PS:

They placed the rice in a blue bowl because blue is the lucky color for this year. Blue is not an appetizing color, but it's lucky.

The house is painted blue, so I guess---.

I tried to write a letter in Chinese, here it goes. LOL

Postura is Now Open

Classic how it may sound, the name POSTURA is derived from the Spanish word for Posture or Tindig in Filipino. Another reason is that the word POSTURA has this certain bearing or notion which means -having good/nice/neat clothes- "Posturang-postura siya…". -from Postura Clothing

For your classic pieces with modern flair, shop at Postura.

Here are the first collection of Postura Clothing, modeled by Angelo Carandang and Rommel Alumia:

White Camisa de Chino cotton tee with ruffle details.

White Gusot Mayaman Polo with grey strips detailing.

Chinese Collar Stretch Polo with pin tuck detailing and Flap Pockets in Blue Green.

Swiss Cotton Polo Shirt with pin tucks and snap button details in Midnight Blue and it

Comes with a detachable button Broach

 These pieces are very versatile, you can wear it in formal events, office or in parties, just like the women's 8 to sawa clothes (day to night). Now if yu have a taste for something different, unique--- go shop at Postura Clothing, it's just one click away.

Young Victoria

Photo Credit: impawards

Recently saw the movie, Young Victoria. The movie told not just the story of Queen Victoria, but the story of every girl, every woman--- the desire to be a princess, and the desire to be threated not just a woman, but a woman of capability. She is all about equality--- as seen through her (with her husband Prince Albert) projects for the poor and working class and how to enhance their situation. The movie is a reality of a perfect fairytale, eventhough she faced unpopularity sometime in her reign, she still managed to pass that thru a marriage, true love (yet atleast that's what the movie was showing) and maybe then it was a very nice escape, and politically it seems quite a good event to take away people's attention to whatever the other issue was and focus on more chessy things (maybe it didn't happen like that, but still).

Photo Credit: thegreenwichphantom

It's hard to believe, that true love can exist in a world of power. The life of Victoria, the Queen, showed that monarchy, being a queen, is not just glits and glamour, it is a responsibility.

About the acting, Emily Blunt, did it really well! From the devil's assistant to becoming a young Queen, she made a long jump, but well I can't imagine anyone to do the role better than she did. I really felt the love and conviction of every words they utter to each other. I imagined Victoria to be that stiff but still sweet.

Photo Credit: guardian.co.uk

For the costumes! Wuhoo! I remember those laces, I imagined them perfectly just like that.

Update: Mano Po 6 Mother's Love 母愛

I was expecting too much. The movie failed me, ofcourse the first Mano Pos are still better. I was expecting a better, deeper story, because it's Sharon (SHARON, well I expected too much from a MEGA *). I am looking for something else, there are many stories you can tell about a mother (but maybe the story I was looking for didn't match a 2hrs movie length). The movie didn't even budge a tear out of my eyes.

It has the staple Chinese- Chinoy- Filipino stories, discrimination of Filipinos, discrimination of being half Filipino and half Chinese. I thought the movie really portrayed the life of the Chinese (particularly Chinoys-- thru Melinda Uy; a half Chinese [thru her mother Jin Feng 金風 (Boots Anson- Roa) :pronounced as chin fong, not gin feng as pronounced in the movie] and half Filipino thru a boy [don't know his name but I think it's one of the Roco twins]) here in the Philippines--- influential, rich, family oriented (but still, at times greedy and deceitful to family members), being a true friend (thru Melinda's best friend Vivian played by Kris Aquino). There's just one scene that I think shouldn't have landed in the story--- Melinda used her influence over the police and arrested Gino (Ryan Eigenmann) and twisted the story so he can't bail. I think that particular scene will just make the Filipinos hate the Chinese/ Chinoys more (don't deny it, know know there's hate). Yeah, but it really happens, so nevertheless just include it anyway. LOL. They all know, but you don't have to remind them.

All in all, it was a fine movie, I watched it because it has the title MANO PO in it.

Update: Well, the movie had some funny striking lines though. It came as a joke here in our house:
1. Nasan ang Pei Pa Kua ko!?!
2. Chit (It), Neng, Sa, Si, Go! You're time is up!

Maganda

I am watching this Korean series now, Heading to the Ground, and I'm just hooked. (actually I just finished)

Here's episode 10 where Bong Goon, played by U know Yoon Ho,and Hae Bin played by Go Ah Ra, danced to win the laptop prize.

Go Ah Ra and U Know Yoon Ho (DBSK)

Go Ah Ra, sometimes resembles Grace Lee (but Grace has bigger boobs) --- brown eyes, ofcourse Korean fresh skin---

Innocent, but sexy.

Photo Credit: Asian Gallery Club

Can also be elegant and sophisticated.

 

She's really preeeettty. I will marry her.

Photo Credit: Star East Asia

The series is nice--- mixture of sports action (I'm sure it will be a hit here, moreso for the football fans), comedy and romance, light drama, nothing too heavy--- but always the kilig factor. It's also good that they paired up good looking individuals. It's okay to say that U Know Yoon Ho is also good looking, not bad at all (not too handsome, just right to make it realistic, LOL, okay okay don't murder me DBSK fans). You'll be disappointed in the end because that's what Korean series always do--- disappoint you in the end.

Chapsuey Calling Cards

Looks nice don't you think? (cutting marks still intact)

You can call my sister, if you want catering. She is training at Diner and was a graduate of MIHCA. She loves Koreans--- Korean men food. She prepared a Korean dish called Chapje?! Chap Che, for our angkong's birthday--- and he loves it.

Balenciaga Biker Bag

Photo Credit: Handbag Heaven

Knock off version--- by Broad Ripple, is selling for $43.56, not bad. The item looks good in pictures, the lining looks polished, not like those of the real fake versions. *Follow the link if you want to purchase.