Tragedy strikes disaster-prone Leyte island again
SOME of the Philippines' worst disasters -- and one of the country's biggest moments in history -- have involved Leyte, one of the largest of the archipelago's 7,100 islands.
Hundreds may have been killed when a landslide Friday buried an entire farming village in thick mud and house-sized boulders.
Leyte etched its place in history after it was chosen by General Douglas MacArthur as the beachhead for his return to the Philippines, a former US colony, to liberate the country from Japanese troops in 1944.
The famous October 20, 1944, Leyte landing by MacArthur fulfilled his "I shall return" promise to the Philippines, and preceded the October 22-27 Battle of Leyte Gulf that involved more than 730 ships in one of history's largest naval battles.
Leyte's most famous daughter, former first lady Imelda Marcos, said she entertained MacArthur and liberation troops by singing for them.
More recently, the island has been linked to disasters, both natural and manmade.
In December 1987, the ferry MV Dona Paz -- carrying passengers from Leyte and nearby Samar island to Manila -- sank after colliding with a fuel tanker in the central Philippines, killing 4,340 people. It was considered the worst peacetime shipping disaster.
In October the following year, the Paz's sister ship, Dona Marilyn, which was sailing from Manila to Leyte, sank during a typhoon, killing about 250 people.
Tragedy struck the island again in November 1991 when a flash flood swept down from the hills into Ormoc city on the western side of Leyte, killing about 6,000 people. A landslide in San Francisco, in southern Leyte province in December 2003, killed 133 people.
The island, about 560 kilometers (350 miles) southeast of Manila, is in the path of most of the typhoons that sweep from the Southern Pacific to the Philippines, and its southern portion experiences rainfall most of the year.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Friday, February 10, 2006
Name Game
Saw this from one of the random blogs i've been reading tonight. So I thought, why not? :)
FAYE
Your name of Faye has created a practical, responsible, stable nature, and you desire to direct the efforts of others rather than to take order or ask permission. You have a determined, self-reliant, capable nature and resent any interference, although in your desire to help you are inclined to become involved in the lives and decisions of other people. You like to make your own decisions and to be the master of your domain. You feel a limitation in your own expression when it is necessary to reach another through tact and understanding.
Although the name Faye creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it causes a blunt expression that alienates others. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses through worry, mental tension, and tension or accidents to the head.
FAYE
Your name of Faye has created a practical, responsible, stable nature, and you desire to direct the efforts of others rather than to take order or ask permission. You have a determined, self-reliant, capable nature and resent any interference, although in your desire to help you are inclined to become involved in the lives and decisions of other people. You like to make your own decisions and to be the master of your domain. You feel a limitation in your own expression when it is necessary to reach another through tact and understanding.
Although the name Faye creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it causes a blunt expression that alienates others. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses through worry, mental tension, and tension or accidents to the head.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Testi
Have anyone ever said the nicest thing to you? After my uber drama "wadaydu" article last night, i logged on to my friendster account and saw that i have a pending testimonial. While going through it, I utter a simple thanks to God for showing me that I still have friends. =) Thanks bebit. You just don't know how this thing had helped me, to think that this message was sent 4 days ago. Labsyu! =)
"a girl hu transformed from girlie to nene to hani(?!?) wadahel! nyahaha! during our 1st encounter *prang masagwa* i was kinda aloof of her. she strikes as a high-class sophisticated bitz (naks!) but as d tide moved on, we shared a friendship dat rily touches my heart, soul and spirit *syet san b papunta to..di ako lesbo framis!* i can prove dat she rily treasures friends as if dey are rily part of her system. just dont mess with her, ul c d haunted enormous bitz in her! she's a cool gal, likes to hang out *ICB woohoo!!!* and sudoku adik lately hehe! d chatroom is dull w/o her.. *kahit cno kinukulit!*... hani, it's been tough i know, but rmber dat we're walking besides u *topa topa barega na to!* i'm so hapi about 'd stone' but life has twist n turns dat we jst hav 2 deal with..so be strong. let's doh it! hehe! cheers! aylafyu! mwah! :)"
"a girl hu transformed from girlie to nene to hani(?!?) wadahel! nyahaha! during our 1st encounter *prang masagwa* i was kinda aloof of her. she strikes as a high-class sophisticated bitz (naks!) but as d tide moved on, we shared a friendship dat rily touches my heart, soul and spirit *syet san b papunta to..di ako lesbo framis!* i can prove dat she rily treasures friends as if dey are rily part of her system. just dont mess with her, ul c d haunted enormous bitz in her! she's a cool gal, likes to hang out *ICB woohoo!!!* and sudoku adik lately hehe! d chatroom is dull w/o her.. *kahit cno kinukulit!*... hani, it's been tough i know, but rmber dat we're walking besides u *topa topa barega na to!* i'm so hapi about 'd stone' but life has twist n turns dat we jst hav 2 deal with..so be strong. let's doh it! hehe! cheers! aylafyu! mwah! :)"
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Life is...
"Life is about letting go not holding on. Life is about three things. 1. if you have loved deeply, 2. if you have lived fully and lastly, 3. if you have let go of the things or people you care about." Inspirational words shared by the priest during the mass. I thought of sharing it to all of you too. Help me to offer a prayer for the people who passed away in the Wowowee Stampede. May God help the families of those people to be strong.
Wawawi Stampede
The stampede news saddened me. Every filipino mourns. My deepest sympathy to the family of those who have died in the stampede. A prayer is the only thing I can do to offer as of this moment. This is not the time to put the blame on anybody but to focus on the things that need to be done. =(
TV network cancels anniversary celebration of noontime show
First posted 12:26pm (Mla time) Feb 04, 2006
INQ7.net, Agence France-Presse
(UPDATE) ABS-CBN Network has cancelled the first anniversary celebration of its noontime show after over 70 people were killed and scores were injured in a stampede at the stadium where the program was to be held.
Charo Santos-Concio, a top executive of the television station, and "Wowowee" host Willie Revillame made the announcement in a brief telecast of the program, hours after the tragedy at the Philsports arena, previously known as ULTRA, in Pasig City early Saturday.
Revillame made a brief appearance inside the stadium, where thousands of people were already gathered, to apologize for the accident and condole with the families of the victims.
Revillame was in tears as he appealed to the audience to understand the decision by the station to postpone the celebration.
Earlier on Saturday, Revillame said he wanted the show to go on.
Thousands of people from poor communities had been lining up to get a seat inside the Ultra Stadium in eastern Manila for the noontime show when the stampede occurred at dawn.
The show offers a one million-peso top prize, attracting people from poor areas of Manila and far-flung provincial areas.
Hours later, thousands of surviving fans were still queuing for the show, despite the deadly stampede, waiting to enter the stadium.
"We only wanted to make these people happy and to help the poor," Revillame said, breaking down during an interview aired by the station immediately after the tragedy.
"I want the show to go on. I can't stop this. The people have suffered enough." He also appealed to fans who were still at home to refrain from going to the stadium.
He said Saturday's show would mark the first anniversary of the program, and that the show was offering two top prizes of one million pesos each -- a fortune to the 40 percent of Filipinos who live on two dollars a day or less.
Revillame said the station was used to having up to 5,000 people line up outside the studio gates on the nights before the weekend program, but that it had never before hosted the show at the Ultra stadium.
"Some would come from far-flung places, groups of families who would hire one mini-bus and agree to split the prize if one of them won," he added.
Revillame said he had made it a point to stage the game shows at other provincial centers several times during the past year. "We would pick places where the poor are hard-up," he added.
"This is a program that intends to help Filipinos, especially the poor," he said.
---------
74 people died, mostly were elderly women
nearly 400 injured
Other Related News:
Reuters
Taipei Times
Indian Express
TV network cancels anniversary celebration of noontime show
First posted 12:26pm (Mla time) Feb 04, 2006
INQ7.net, Agence France-Presse
(UPDATE) ABS-CBN Network has cancelled the first anniversary celebration of its noontime show after over 70 people were killed and scores were injured in a stampede at the stadium where the program was to be held.
Charo Santos-Concio, a top executive of the television station, and "Wowowee" host Willie Revillame made the announcement in a brief telecast of the program, hours after the tragedy at the Philsports arena, previously known as ULTRA, in Pasig City early Saturday.
Revillame made a brief appearance inside the stadium, where thousands of people were already gathered, to apologize for the accident and condole with the families of the victims.
Revillame was in tears as he appealed to the audience to understand the decision by the station to postpone the celebration.
Earlier on Saturday, Revillame said he wanted the show to go on.
Thousands of people from poor communities had been lining up to get a seat inside the Ultra Stadium in eastern Manila for the noontime show when the stampede occurred at dawn.
The show offers a one million-peso top prize, attracting people from poor areas of Manila and far-flung provincial areas.
Hours later, thousands of surviving fans were still queuing for the show, despite the deadly stampede, waiting to enter the stadium.
"We only wanted to make these people happy and to help the poor," Revillame said, breaking down during an interview aired by the station immediately after the tragedy.
"I want the show to go on. I can't stop this. The people have suffered enough." He also appealed to fans who were still at home to refrain from going to the stadium.
He said Saturday's show would mark the first anniversary of the program, and that the show was offering two top prizes of one million pesos each -- a fortune to the 40 percent of Filipinos who live on two dollars a day or less.
Revillame said the station was used to having up to 5,000 people line up outside the studio gates on the nights before the weekend program, but that it had never before hosted the show at the Ultra stadium.
"Some would come from far-flung places, groups of families who would hire one mini-bus and agree to split the prize if one of them won," he added.
Revillame said he had made it a point to stage the game shows at other provincial centers several times during the past year. "We would pick places where the poor are hard-up," he added.
"This is a program that intends to help Filipinos, especially the poor," he said.
---------
74 people died, mostly were elderly women
nearly 400 injured
Other Related News:
Reuters
Taipei Times
Indian Express
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Enero
The last week of January had brought me a lot of happy memories. Well, a good thing to start my new year right. And I thank GOD for the chances that He always gave me to put a smile on my face. A thousand reasons to always look forward to a brand new day :)
Jan 01 - Great way to start the year! I was celebrating it with my family watching a movie, shopping and dining out!
Jan 02 - Saddest maybe but not entirely. Still glad I spend my christmas vacation with my family. =) And fun part of it was having a brunch at Chowking with my family - all 6 of us!
Jan 09 - Ate Kendz's 24th Birthday! Bebi's back in town yipee.
Jan 10 - Holiday.
Jan 20 - Watched "Memoirs of a Geisha" with friends. Nightout at ICB with Bebi Boo.
Jan 21 - Couzin Jun and Couzin Aidz spent the night with us having dinner and drinking booz till the wee hours of the night. Family Bonding! Yawza!
Jan 22 - Bebit's Bday and Baby Shower party!
Jan 25 - Our 7th Yr Anniv! Bebi sent me flowers in the office and we had dinner at Mandarin Oriental. Fab and sweet!
Jan 27 - Cich's bday celebration. Im always having fun playing with kidz :) Lately, I hope it's not that obvious having a favoritism, but I love playing with a one year old pretty bebi Jaja. She knows how to tickle one's heart :)
Jan 28 to 29 - Bintan Time!!!
Jan 30 - We went to Sentosa to check out the flower festival. I took a lot of pictures and I'm proud of some of the shots hihi.
Jan 31 - spent the time cleaning and doing my laundry. watched run with dick and jane.
That was my january memories. Im adding it now to my happy box so when things aren't that pretty, i can always have thousand reasons to smile :) Im now hoping for 11 more months of blissful memories :) Hope y'all had whole lotta month of fun!
Jan 01 - Great way to start the year! I was celebrating it with my family watching a movie, shopping and dining out!
Jan 02 - Saddest maybe but not entirely. Still glad I spend my christmas vacation with my family. =) And fun part of it was having a brunch at Chowking with my family - all 6 of us!
Jan 09 - Ate Kendz's 24th Birthday! Bebi's back in town yipee.
Jan 10 - Holiday.
Jan 20 - Watched "Memoirs of a Geisha" with friends. Nightout at ICB with Bebi Boo.
Jan 21 - Couzin Jun and Couzin Aidz spent the night with us having dinner and drinking booz till the wee hours of the night. Family Bonding! Yawza!
Jan 22 - Bebit's Bday and Baby Shower party!
Jan 25 - Our 7th Yr Anniv! Bebi sent me flowers in the office and we had dinner at Mandarin Oriental. Fab and sweet!
Jan 27 - Cich's bday celebration. Im always having fun playing with kidz :) Lately, I hope it's not that obvious having a favoritism, but I love playing with a one year old pretty bebi Jaja. She knows how to tickle one's heart :)
Jan 28 to 29 - Bintan Time!!!
Jan 30 - We went to Sentosa to check out the flower festival. I took a lot of pictures and I'm proud of some of the shots hihi.
Jan 31 - spent the time cleaning and doing my laundry. watched run with dick and jane.
That was my january memories. Im adding it now to my happy box so when things aren't that pretty, i can always have thousand reasons to smile :) Im now hoping for 11 more months of blissful memories :) Hope y'all had whole lotta month of fun!
Thursday, December 08, 2005
What's keeping me busy these days?
There are times that you have to face the day all by yourself, and that one time became constant, you'll find something that will entertain you for a while, to keep your mind away from your chaotic life... SUDOKU is what's keeping me busy now. But I'll be back. In fact, I got lots of articles on my thumbdrive that needs to be posted. I'll find time, if I can. Maybe after Christmas. Maybe after I lost my patience on this sudoku puzzle. Maybe after I run out of things to do.
i know i've missed a lot of blogs to read. i forgot how my inaanak looks like bec i haven't got time to visit my mare's site. i don't know what's going on with joey. i don't know which of my favorite blog site's are updated. have to find time. got to.
Current Mood: hyper active but tired
i know i've missed a lot of blogs to read. i forgot how my inaanak looks like bec i haven't got time to visit my mare's site. i don't know what's going on with joey. i don't know which of my favorite blog site's are updated. have to find time. got to.
Current Mood: hyper active but tired
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Happy Anniversary!
for previous blogs about it, check this out!
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
The Broker
I've read number of novels by John Grisham and I've grown to love every story he created. The broker had helped me relive my desire to learn italian, but overall, the story is not what i expect from grisham's that are breakneck pace, page-turner kind of story. But I guess a different route to the usual scenery won't do any harm. I still find it enjoyable, after all.
"Space is shared in Europe, not protected. Tables are shared, the air evidently is shared because smoking bothers no one. Cars, houses, buses, apartments, cafes -- so many important aspects of life are smaller, thus more cramped, thus more willingly shared."
"Cappuccino can only be ordered before 10:30 am after that only espresso are served"
"Space is shared in Europe, not protected. Tables are shared, the air evidently is shared because smoking bothers no one. Cars, houses, buses, apartments, cafes -- so many important aspects of life are smaller, thus more cramped, thus more willingly shared."
"Cappuccino can only be ordered before 10:30 am after that only espresso are served"
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Been a long time
still not in the mood of blogging some of my thoughts at the moment, though honestly i miss doing it. i miss writing. so for the past few weeks that i've missed, here are some of the things that happened to me though not detailed i still want to remember some of it through this blog.
september 2
while i was out at a friend's place having laughs, i got my sister's sms about my dear grandmother - inang's demise. *inang was my mom's mom* i was crying on my way home not minding the taxi driver, thinking how exactly it has been a year the last time i saw her at my bunso's debut, not knowing it will be the last time that i'll be able to hugged her. and so i decided to at least bid her goodbye and pay respect.
and so i went home 8th of september for my inang's burial. inang was 89 but we're still saddened by her death. it was really a loss but i know it's best for her. she's always sick and God knows how much pain she's suffering. it was my aunt, my mom's youngest sister who's been taking care of inang for GOD knows how long, still single and that's another story, seeing her just breaks my heart. she's now alone by herself, with the "pasa load" as her only means of living, i hope GOD will give her more strength. i was back here in singapore sunday afternoon with a very heavy heart. =( thanks to all my friends who sms me to console me and to bebikoh who's always there for me.
the rainbow after the heavy rain
i think everyone knows how much i love kids so i was really ecstatic when a friend of mine asks me to be one of the lucky "ninangs" of her now two months baby *if im not mistaken, hehe*. thanks thanks po =)
september 2
while i was out at a friend's place having laughs, i got my sister's sms about my dear grandmother - inang's demise. *inang was my mom's mom* i was crying on my way home not minding the taxi driver, thinking how exactly it has been a year the last time i saw her at my bunso's debut, not knowing it will be the last time that i'll be able to hugged her. and so i decided to at least bid her goodbye and pay respect.
and so i went home 8th of september for my inang's burial. inang was 89 but we're still saddened by her death. it was really a loss but i know it's best for her. she's always sick and God knows how much pain she's suffering. it was my aunt, my mom's youngest sister who's been taking care of inang for GOD knows how long, still single and that's another story, seeing her just breaks my heart. she's now alone by herself, with the "pasa load" as her only means of living, i hope GOD will give her more strength. i was back here in singapore sunday afternoon with a very heavy heart. =( thanks to all my friends who sms me to console me and to bebikoh who's always there for me.
the rainbow after the heavy rain
i think everyone knows how much i love kids so i was really ecstatic when a friend of mine asks me to be one of the lucky "ninangs" of her now two months baby *if im not mistaken, hehe*. thanks thanks po =)
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Huh!
It's 4 am and im still wide awake.
I can't sleep.
Something's bothering me.
I just read something that's not meant to be read.
This solitude i feel, i can't explain.
I hope im wrong. I hope it's just my fear that's clouding my sanity.
I can't sleep.
Something's bothering me.
I just read something that's not meant to be read.
This solitude i feel, i can't explain.
I hope im wrong. I hope it's just my fear that's clouding my sanity.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Koks
it's not everyday
that i meet people like u
someone i can keep
someone i can call friend
a friend who makes me laugh
when nothing but frown paints my face
a friend who tells me bluntly
when my mood swings & being childish
a friend whom i'll run to
when i need someone to talk to
a friend who listens to me whine
a friend who values my opinion
a friend who considers me as one
for all the good times we shared
for all the sharings weve had
for all the inspirational thoughts you impart
although not enough, thank you is all i can utter
one piece of advice:
don't just sit there and wait for things to happen. it never work that way. act on it.=) goodluck!
that i meet people like u
someone i can keep
someone i can call friend
a friend who makes me laugh
when nothing but frown paints my face
a friend who tells me bluntly
when my mood swings & being childish
a friend whom i'll run to
when i need someone to talk to
a friend who listens to me whine
a friend who values my opinion
a friend who considers me as one
for all the good times we shared
for all the sharings weve had
for all the inspirational thoughts you impart
although not enough, thank you is all i can utter
one piece of advice:
don't just sit there and wait for things to happen. it never work that way. act on it.=) goodluck!
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Birthday 2005
I woke up late but with a big smile on my face looking forward to the day ahead of me. I know it will be nothing compared to my ordinary days. A lot of friends greeted me through sms and pap. Thanks so much! You don't know how much it means to me. A birthday cake and a lovely present and a card from my hadaba frens elates my spirit. I appreciate it very much though it seem that i am not, i just kinda have that "shy" feeling bec im not used to that kind of attention so pardon me. After that little "party", i went to suntec to meet bebikoh. We had dinner at Equinox with a fantastic and very romantic view. It was a lovely and sumptous dinner. Thanks bebikoh. I keep on falling for you every single day. As soon as we got home, I open my email and friendster account. Thanks to all the people who greeted me. Thanks for making this day meaningful and memorable. Above all, thank you Lord for you have given me another year to be with the people i love, to take care of the things i still need to do, and correct the mistakes ive done in the past. Ive aged but i became wiser than ever and none of the things ive done makes me regret any of it because it had taught me things that have made me a better person now.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
ive finished the harry potter book 6, finally. and in as much enthusiasm as i want to retell at least the summary or the highlights of the story i couldn't do so for i am not sure if everyone have managed to finished the book. if not, better do it now. it's one of the good books that can't be missed. few things though that i just can't pass - melancholy fills my heart at the end of the story and up to the last word of the last chapter i was hoping something would eradicate the sadness. but overall, the story is remarkably good. rowling's implausible brilliance soar once again. and i am now eager to get my grip on the final book.
Seven Things
Seven random facts about myself:
- hates stupidity and "user-friendly" people
- hates horror movies
- sentimental fool
- loves books, watching movies, clubbing, chino
- frustrated writer *thanks to blog*
- crazy about babies and kids *that are not brat hihihi*
- bore a tattoo that explicates my life
Seven things that scares me
- blood
- heights
- horror movies / dark places
- losing someone
- bugs/spiders/snakes
- interviews
- the thought of me not having a baby someday
Seven things I like most:
- spending time with my family and bebikoh
- books
- pralines
- big hug / kiss on the forehead
- blogging
- travelling
- coffee, chino
Seven important things in my bedroom:
- little altar
- mini library
- gadgets
- documents
- my bags
- my clothes *hihihi*
- candles
Seven things that I plan to do before I die:
- tour europe
- see mariah in person
- write my own book
- a business of my own
- get over the things that scares me
- climb a mountain
- have intimate relationship with God
Seven things I can do:
- cook *yeyyy*
- write stuff
- draw cartoons
- sleep all day *nyahaha*
- design web pages
- cry at movies
- read book all day
Seven things I can't do:
- sing
- keeping plants or a pet alive
- write staid poems / articles
- deal with stress / dilemma / pain
- confidence
- wake up early
- save money!
Seven things that attract me to the opposite sex:
- scent
- eyes
- sense of humour
- knowledgeable
- hot bod
- the way they dress up
-
Seven things you say the most:
-
Seven celeb crushes (whether local or foreign):
- Bruce Willis
- Vin Diesel
- Cameron Diaz
- Julia Roberts
- Richard Gere
- Allan Wu
- Rommel Abdon *har har*
- hates stupidity and "user-friendly" people
- hates horror movies
- sentimental fool
- loves books, watching movies, clubbing, chino
- frustrated writer *thanks to blog*
- crazy about babies and kids *that are not brat hihihi*
- bore a tattoo that explicates my life
Seven things that scares me
- blood
- heights
- horror movies / dark places
- losing someone
- bugs/spiders/snakes
- interviews
- the thought of me not having a baby someday
Seven things I like most:
- spending time with my family and bebikoh
- books
- pralines
- big hug / kiss on the forehead
- blogging
- travelling
- coffee, chino
Seven important things in my bedroom:
- little altar
- mini library
- gadgets
- documents
- my bags
- my clothes *hihihi*
- candles
Seven things that I plan to do before I die:
- tour europe
- see mariah in person
- write my own book
- a business of my own
- get over the things that scares me
- climb a mountain
- have intimate relationship with God
Seven things I can do:
- cook *yeyyy*
- write stuff
- draw cartoons
- sleep all day *nyahaha*
- design web pages
- cry at movies
- read book all day
Seven things I can't do:
- sing
- keeping plants or a pet alive
- write staid poems / articles
- deal with stress / dilemma / pain
- confidence
- wake up early
- save money!
Seven things that attract me to the opposite sex:
- scent
- eyes
- sense of humour
- knowledgeable
- hot bod
- the way they dress up
-
Seven things you say the most:
-
Seven celeb crushes (whether local or foreign):
- Bruce Willis
- Vin Diesel
- Cameron Diaz
- Julia Roberts
- Richard Gere
- Allan Wu
- Rommel Abdon *har har*
Labnowts
"Sometimes the only permanence we find is in what other people lose. Feeling sorry for someone can make us irrational when it comes to love."
"It is inevitable that people sometimes have to get hurt to make others happy."
"There is a time and a season for everything. Be thankful that you have been blessed with the gift of true love. And always remember that sometimes the opportunity to be with a person we love comes only once in a lifetime. Don’t miss this chance. It might not come again."
"It is inevitable that people sometimes have to get hurt to make others happy."
"There is a time and a season for everything. Be thankful that you have been blessed with the gift of true love. And always remember that sometimes the opportunity to be with a person we love comes only once in a lifetime. Don’t miss this chance. It might not come again."
Monday, August 22, 2005
Come Away With Me
I got the chance to attend a posh party that rarely happens in my unfabulous life.
5.00 pm - We're already preparing, thinking of what to wear, and with the few dresses I have, I thought of wearing the black one that i've never used since I bought it. But I don't feel like wearing a dress eventhough I know that the place that we'll be going to is like the JS Prom of the adults. So I settled on wearing my black pants, pink satin-spaghetti strap blouse and a ruffled knitted top or whatever that is, of course with the consent of my fashion guru cum gorgeous escort. We arrived at the Asian Civilization Museum a little early. A guy from the registration corner took a shot of us with a polaroid *which is a wonderful idea* and glued it in a guestbook. We had cocktails and hors devours while a jazz band was playing on the corner. It was a non-alcoholic party so I never doubt having two or more glasses of the cocktail they're serving. It was uneasy at first bec reason #1 - I don't know any damn soul there and I'm not the kind of person to start a conversation with just anybody so I tag along with my bebi *thanks really, for not leaving me alone. i hope i didn't annoyed you*, #2 - i look around and there it is, every woman i saw is wearing a dress not that i felt belittled i just felt uncomfortable at first, but that's ok bec as long as im comfortable with what im wearing and hello im still presentable *hahaha honestly i didn't regret for a second for not wearing that black dress*. Anyway, moving on. Exactly 8 pm, we're already inside the ballroom where at least 15 or more tables were there. The menu was personalized and they have managed to arranged the seat along with my bebi's friends. *Thankfully*
The program starts with the newly wed's grand entrance. A little out of the way by giving you a bit of something about the couple *though, i myself don't really know them that well*. Matthias, the groom, is from Switzerland working in UBS. Hodda, the bride, is from a Malay-Arab descent that had spent her entire childhood here in Singapore. They've met in a party and from there the love blossomed. *they've been to my birthday party last year and I was really glad that they end up together* Going back to my story, the emcee who's a good friend of the bride, shows a slideshow of the couple's pictures when they were young. After the presentation, we were served with a shrimp salad followed by the pumpkin soup and a chicken for the main course *which is not advisable for people who are starving hehe* and a buffet of dessert and a coffee. All served by the Blue Ginger Restaurant. In the background, serenading us was the Jazz Band who had a woman singing with a remarkable voice that later on we found out were performing at Harry's Bar in Boat Quay. *another idea for a wedding hehe* They were really really great and you'll be sorry not to hear them play.
Theirs wasn't just a union of love but of two cultures, of two different worlds, of two different skin color joining together as one. And I was lucky to be one of the guests to witness this kind of love. In the program, there was the slideshow presentation of the bride and grooms, a belly dancing presentation, a salsa number, one of the big boss playing the alphorn, the couple's traditional malay wedding the day before this, and the groom did a wonderful job in putting the right words full of love and compassion with the bride. The bride, well, at least, she took the opportunity to thank everybody else. The night, they end with a "Come away with me" song with the couple dancing which later on joined by almost every couple in the room *except our group hehe*.
All in all, I had a wonderful posh evening. It wasn't the best time of my life, maybe, but it sure is one of the unforgettable ones. *Sigh*
My Weekend Antics
Friday Night wasn't that bad 'coz I spent the night at Mame Ces' place since it was their ROM anniversary. After dinner we played Bingo and I really suck! I won at the last set well at least along with four others I think. It was a fun game. Got home before midnight.
Saturday morning was the usual. Waking up late, taking late lunch and blogging of course. Bebikoh and I went out around 6pm strolling around orchard. Merienda at McDonalds and my favorite kayatos. We're suppose to be watching a movie but it seems everybody else's schedule for the day is set for that so we opt to "people watching" at Spinelli while sipping chino *which is very good*. Bebikoh and I had a talk - a serious kind of talk - talk. Saw these three ladies having a good time at the other table and I can't help but missed the good times I had with my very good friends - Annie and Eian. We used to hang out together attending different parties and going to bars. How I miss those times that I had to tell "my date" about it. Being wonderful that he is, always wanting to make me happy, we went to Que Pasa which is somewhere in Orchard *beside ICB*. We had each glass of wine and beef stew. By the way, BEEF STEW is great and you really have to try it! And that's how my saturday ends.
Sunday, we had our lunch in Paya Lebar since the Kare Kare plan was postponed again. Then we bought the drinks and paper plates that we need this coming friday for my *yeyyy* birthday party. Sunday night was fabulous. We were invited to a wedding dinner at the Asian Civilization Museum near Fullerton by my bebikoh's colleague. A party that never happens every year. Very posh and elite. (Detailed story here) We got home past midnight. Thank you bebi for the wonderful and fabulous weekend.
Saturday morning was the usual. Waking up late, taking late lunch and blogging of course. Bebikoh and I went out around 6pm strolling around orchard. Merienda at McDonalds and my favorite kayatos. We're suppose to be watching a movie but it seems everybody else's schedule for the day is set for that so we opt to "people watching" at Spinelli while sipping chino *which is very good*. Bebikoh and I had a talk - a serious kind of talk - talk. Saw these three ladies having a good time at the other table and I can't help but missed the good times I had with my very good friends - Annie and Eian. We used to hang out together attending different parties and going to bars. How I miss those times that I had to tell "my date" about it. Being wonderful that he is, always wanting to make me happy, we went to Que Pasa which is somewhere in Orchard *beside ICB*. We had each glass of wine and beef stew. By the way, BEEF STEW is great and you really have to try it! And that's how my saturday ends.
Sunday, we had our lunch in Paya Lebar since the Kare Kare plan was postponed again. Then we bought the drinks and paper plates that we need this coming friday for my *yeyyy* birthday party. Sunday night was fabulous. We were invited to a wedding dinner at the Asian Civilization Museum near Fullerton by my bebikoh's colleague. A party that never happens every year. Very posh and elite. (Detailed story here) We got home past midnight. Thank you bebi for the wonderful and fabulous weekend.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
im turning 29!
im turning 29 on the 25th of this month and i dont know about you but i always feel ecstatic whenever my birthday is coming.
when i was a kid i would always look forward to it bec i knew then that inspite of my dad's meagre earnings, my mom would buy me anything new, may it be shoes, or clothes or toys and cooked pansit on my birthday. i guess that's her guilt-free way of making us happy on our special day than spending more on a party. and when i figured that out, i teased her about it and she would just laugh.
but now it's different. it still is the same natural high and same agitation, but the "new things" along with the "pansit" have revolutionized into something more meaningful in life - more mature. not that im dropping off the simplicity of it all, i just moved into a higher level, more appropriate in my age.
the uncertainty had morphed into what would this year bring me. the higher my age increases, the more memoirs ive gained. all different from the others. the agitation of what i'll face on my 29th year, i will never know.
when i was a kid i would always look forward to it bec i knew then that inspite of my dad's meagre earnings, my mom would buy me anything new, may it be shoes, or clothes or toys and cooked pansit on my birthday. i guess that's her guilt-free way of making us happy on our special day than spending more on a party. and when i figured that out, i teased her about it and she would just laugh.
but now it's different. it still is the same natural high and same agitation, but the "new things" along with the "pansit" have revolutionized into something more meaningful in life - more mature. not that im dropping off the simplicity of it all, i just moved into a higher level, more appropriate in my age.
the uncertainty had morphed into what would this year bring me. the higher my age increases, the more memoirs ive gained. all different from the others. the agitation of what i'll face on my 29th year, i will never know.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Friends
ive walked a thousand miles apart from where ive been meeting strangers that never occurred to me will be my friends and considered me as one. my life intertwined with others for a moment for reasons that sometimes i dont understand and only God knows what was beyond those reasons. and with each phase that its time to say adieu, i felt the twinge and tears have always been my solitary way of releasing at least half of that pain. why does it hurt to have friends? why do i even bother letting them in to my life? and then i remember the countless reasons why.
they make me laugh in their own silly way when my day seems so clouded;
they always have their way of telling me when im being a bitch and when im doing something good;
they make me exist by confiding in me their dilemmas and asking for my advice or what i think of is right or just be that someone who'll just listen;
they helped me to expand the little acumen i have which i thought is enough for me to go on with my journey;
they assist me in embracing the treasures i have;
and there are more... and then those tears and pain suddenly becomes insignificant with all the little bliss that theyve given me and partake in my life. i'll never get tired of this for i know that at least i have something to look back to and reminisce when i grow old. if i didn't, my life would be an empty book without chapters or stories to tell. pristine condition but lifeless. i would rather be the tattered book with a thousand stories to tell.
they make me laugh in their own silly way when my day seems so clouded;
they always have their way of telling me when im being a bitch and when im doing something good;
they make me exist by confiding in me their dilemmas and asking for my advice or what i think of is right or just be that someone who'll just listen;
they helped me to expand the little acumen i have which i thought is enough for me to go on with my journey;
they assist me in embracing the treasures i have;
and there are more... and then those tears and pain suddenly becomes insignificant with all the little bliss that theyve given me and partake in my life. i'll never get tired of this for i know that at least i have something to look back to and reminisce when i grow old. if i didn't, my life would be an empty book without chapters or stories to tell. pristine condition but lifeless. i would rather be the tattered book with a thousand stories to tell.
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