Stay Away, I'm Accident Prone
Friday, October 22, 2004
Eleven days ago, I wrote my weekend recap. In there, I wrote my brush with death (jeepney, actually). Last night, I almost got involved in another car accident.
It was inside the village. Almost turning half past midnight. My car was going slow as it went over the hump. I stepped on the gas as I semi- turned to the right when suddenly a tricycle came so fast. I stepped on the brakes right away and honked at him. The tricycle driver was surprised that he braked immediately. The sudden stop caused his tricycle to topple over the side, with him underneath. I waited for the man to get out from under his trike before going down the car.
As I got down, another tricycle who was running behind him slowed down. I heard him say, "Bakit ang tulin (ng takbo) mo kasi?! (Why were going fast?!)" In less than a minute, so many people arrived on the scene- guards, barangay tanods, other tricycle drivers. Meanwhile, I was in a state of shock and all I could say is, "Ang bilis bilis mo kasi eh! (You were going too fast!)" The tricycle driver didn't say anything in his defense. It was obvious he was still in shock. The barangay tanods asked the two drivers if they were racing, to which the other guy replied that they weren't. The barangay tanod told me to just go ahead and they'll take care of everything.
Luckily, my car didn't obtain an additional scratch. It's got enough, thank you very much! I'm also fine. No broken bones, ruptured or dislocated body parts. I'm happy too that I didn't break the heels of my high heeled strappy sandals when I stepped on the brakes. They're my favorite pair of shoes, you know.
I read somewhere that among all the zodiac signs, Sagittarians are the most accident prones in driving. I'm starting to believe that. But I do know, according to my mother, that things happen in threes (remember the time when 3 icons passed away one after the other? Giovanni Versace, Princess Diana and Mother Theresa?). Well, this is my 3rd vehicular mishap... and I do hope this is the last.
It was inside the village. Almost turning half past midnight. My car was going slow as it went over the hump. I stepped on the gas as I semi- turned to the right when suddenly a tricycle came so fast. I stepped on the brakes right away and honked at him. The tricycle driver was surprised that he braked immediately. The sudden stop caused his tricycle to topple over the side, with him underneath. I waited for the man to get out from under his trike before going down the car.
As I got down, another tricycle who was running behind him slowed down. I heard him say, "Bakit ang tulin (ng takbo) mo kasi?! (Why were going fast?!)" In less than a minute, so many people arrived on the scene- guards, barangay tanods, other tricycle drivers. Meanwhile, I was in a state of shock and all I could say is, "Ang bilis bilis mo kasi eh! (You were going too fast!)" The tricycle driver didn't say anything in his defense. It was obvious he was still in shock. The barangay tanods asked the two drivers if they were racing, to which the other guy replied that they weren't. The barangay tanod told me to just go ahead and they'll take care of everything.
Luckily, my car didn't obtain an additional scratch. It's got enough, thank you very much! I'm also fine. No broken bones, ruptured or dislocated body parts. I'm happy too that I didn't break the heels of my high heeled strappy sandals when I stepped on the brakes. They're my favorite pair of shoes, you know.
I read somewhere that among all the zodiac signs, Sagittarians are the most accident prones in driving. I'm starting to believe that. But I do know, according to my mother, that things happen in threes (remember the time when 3 icons passed away one after the other? Giovanni Versace, Princess Diana and Mother Theresa?). Well, this is my 3rd vehicular mishap... and I do hope this is the last.
My Lolo, The Konsintador
While I was in Boracay, I told my Uncle Francis this story. My uncle laughed and said that my grandfather was a konsintador or permissive. He told me about the time he told my grandfather that I was using his room in the laundry shop in Boracay. This is the conversation that ensued...
Lolo: Saan si Cat mag- stay? (Where is Cat staying?)
Uncle: Sa kwarto niyo po. (In your room.)
Lolo: Saan ang boyfriend niya? (Where is her boyfriend staying?)
Uncle: (Covering up for me) Doon sa baba, kasama namin. (Downstairs, with us.)
Lolo: Hindi! Magsama si Cat at yung boyfriend niya! (No, Cat and her boyfriend should stay together!)
I texted this story to A and he quickly replied, "I like your lolo!"
If my grandmother found out about my lolo being a konsintador, she'd box him in between his ears.
Lolo: Saan si Cat mag- stay? (Where is Cat staying?)
Uncle: Sa kwarto niyo po. (In your room.)
Lolo: Saan ang boyfriend niya? (Where is her boyfriend staying?)
Uncle: (Covering up for me) Doon sa baba, kasama namin. (Downstairs, with us.)
Lolo: Hindi! Magsama si Cat at yung boyfriend niya! (No, Cat and her boyfriend should stay together!)
I texted this story to A and he quickly replied, "I like your lolo!"
If my grandmother found out about my lolo being a konsintador, she'd box him in between his ears.
The Boracay Diaries: Day 3, 4, 5
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Day 3: 15 October 2004, Friday
The day started with me taking pictures of the facade of the bar. In my bikini and hat, I strolled to the shore with my camera. It was noon and the sun was shining brightly. I stepped into the water and it was refreshingly cool. A perfect balance to the heat from the sun. I wanted to swim but the girls (Liza, Ricci and Lani) did not want to because it was too hot out and they were scared of getting dark. No matter how hard I tried to convince them that the water was cool, you wouldn't feel the heat and that they can wear sunblock so they wouldn't get dark, they weren't sold to the idea. I wasn't able to go for a dip anyhow because lunch was served soon and after, we began setting up for the event that night.
There wasn't much to do for me. I just had to take care of the merchandising of my sponsors. Basically, that's knowing where to put what streamers where. By around 3PM, Tito Henry asked if we wanted to go parasailing. Are you kidding me? Hell yeah! Now, I never went parasailing before because I was astounded by the price. $45 for just fifteen minutes?! You've got to be kidding me! $45 was enough for a week's worth of pocket money! Here's a picture of us parasailing. I went up with Liza and Tito Junjing. Lani, Ricci and Tito Henry went together. Ricci notes later on that we looked like escort services! Hahaha!
While parasailing was fun, it was actually quiet up there. All of us were just taking in the view and engaged in small talk. I admit I was quiet because I felt dizzy. It was so strange though because I never get motion sickness nor was I afraid of heights. After parasailing, the boat stopped somewhere far from the shore (as it can't go near the shore) and waited for a speedboat to pick us up and take us back to shore. Tito Junjing jumped into the water and decided to swim to shore. I followed suit. Liza, who really had to pee, was in a rush to use a bathroom, decided to jump as well. I thought the shore was near and that it would be easy for me to just swim there but boy, was I wrong. It was actually far! I got tired of swimming and paddling that I decided to just float on my back for awhile before going on. Oftentimes, I'd lower one leg to feel for the ground and twice, I couldn't touch it, which meant I was still far. By the time I felt the ground, I stood up and was surprised to find that the water came up to my shoulders! I've been swimming and swimming only to find out I was in a shallow area already. Meanwhile, Liza gave up easily because she got tired. She asked for the boat to pick her up before leaving. Tito Junjing and I joked that maybe she was able to pee in the water and didn't want to swim anymore.
When we got up, I felt the need to eat to take away my dizziness so I treated the girls out to their first chori (short for chorizo aka longganisa) burger. We sat on the beanbags outside the bar and watched the local kids make a sandcastle while we bonded and engaged in girl talk. When the sun went down, we went to our rooms to change into our party clothes.
By the time I came out of my room, I was wearing a white halter top and a short, flirty, drawstring white skirt. The theme for the night was white. My uncle joked that he was going to wear his white polo and briefs since he didn't have any white shorts. Thank God, he didn't! First up was Rebekah, an acoustic singer who had a powerful voice. She was good! But I was in the mood to party so I couldn't wait for her to finish. But when Real Groove took over the show, I immediately ran to Tito Henry's side, who was also my dancing partner, and started dancing! We rushed to the dance floor but it filled up so quickly, you barely had space to dance and so we got out. Everybody in the Island was probably at our bar celebrating with us because the crowd was just as big as our crowd during Holy Week. Randy Santiago, (yes, the famous actor known for his sunglasses), who was putting up Ratsky's, in Boracay Terraces at the end of Station 1, came to join the festivities and congratulate us. That was pretty nice of him considering that he was our soon to be competition. :p Sometime during the party, I went home to change into a two piece because wearing a halter was just too hot and the dancing made me sweat so much. When I came back, the dance floor was filled with people and we, the girls and I, wanted to dance so I thought of a plan. Take the dance floor to the beach! And so we started dancing in the shore.
My uncle was drunk by then while my titos were tipsy. Before my uncle jumped into the water, I hugged him
Me: (jokingly, knowing he's drunk) Great grand opening (of the bar) in Cebu!
Uncle: Ayoko na! (Thinking I said that we'll open another branch in Cebu)
Me: Hindi! Nasa Cebu tayo ngayon, diba?
Uncle: (Pauses to think for a loooong time then nudges me) Wala naman tayo sa Cebu eh!
Later on, I remembered the time Tito Henry and I would wet our friends with ice cold water coming from the cooler. While everybody hated the feeling of the chilling water run down their backs, they absolutely enjoyed it. We used to do this two Halloweens ago where we'd throw buckets of ice water to the crowd as they danced and they'd scream because of the cold yet they'd chant, "More! More!" (I'm digressing again) Somebody told me to get ice cold water and I poured it to them and that was the start of many "dunking of ice cold water over the heads" episodes.
Randy Santiago passes by and tells us not to dance in the water because we might drown. I think he was a bit sloshed already at this time. Somebody proceeded to make toasts, "To (insert name of bar)!" "To Ratsky!" "To Boracay!" "To San Miguel!" and then, Randy shouts "To Boratsky!!!" We all laughed. (Well, at that time it was funny!)
Pretty soon, my titos and I were all trying to drag people into the water and dunked them fully clothed despite their protests and we succeeded. Two other girls, Chinnie and Babes, who were also regulars in Manila, arrived earlier that afternoon and were already wasted. Tito PV was dragging Chinnie back to shore but somehow, she keeps ending up back in the water and thus, Tito PV had to keep running back to get her.
I was standing nearby talking to Marby, Liza and Ricci, watching Tito PV dragging Chinnie out of the water. And then I said, "See? That's why I don't like taking care of my drunk friends. You end up not having fun and babysitting. Kung ako yan at kaibigan ko si Chinnie, kakaladkarin ko rin siya tapos sasabihin ko, 'Iresponsable kang babae ka! Di ka marunong uminom?! (If I were him and Chinnie is my friend, I'd drag her too and say "You Irresponsible woman! Don't you know how to drink?!)'" We all laughed.
Hours later, Ricci and I were seated by the shore. A guy approached us. Said guy approached me earlier and asked if I was the niece of Francis. I said yes. He asked if I wanted a drink, the beer bottle in his hand. I said, "No, thanks. I don't drink." (sabi nga ni A, baka may antiban yan!). He asked if I was sure. Duh! Of course, I'm sure. Anyhow, the second time he approached me and Ricci, he asked, "Excuse me! Napag-utusan lang po... Pero mayroon gusto po magpakilala sa inyo (Excuse me! I was just instructed... Somebody wants to meet you." I shook my head and said no. I told the guy we're not the type of girls you could just do that to. And he tried even harder, "Kahit friendship lang.. (just for friendship)" Ugh! Now that is even a worse and overused pick up line! I couldn't help but exasperately say, "All the more!" Poor guy left us alone but only to come back to apologize to which Ricci and I say, "It's okay!" I believe that if a guy wants to meet some girl, he should do it with more suave and finesse and not through flatteries and some pick up line. Otherwise, he'd make the girl look cheap.
Shortly after, a commotion was going on outside the bar. The locals who were watching the party from outside crowded around the beach. At first, we all thought it was fight but when we went to look, it was actually a sawa or boa constrictor that a local found. For safety, he tied the snake and put a leash on him and dragged him to the beach. So much for entertainment!
Even more hours later, Chinnie sobered up and since she loved to dance, I asked her if she was game to dance on top of a table. When she said yes, I led her to one of the cemented tables where we each took one and dance to "Shut Up" by Black Eyed Peas (Now, I only do this while I'm in Boracay and I dance on top of tables when the dance floor is crowded because no one else can grab your space). As we were dancing, an Italian man drunkenly danced towards us. But because he was so drunk, he lost his footing. He grabbed onto the monobloc chairs but it wasn't enough to hold his fall and so, in the process, he hits his forehead on the edge of a cement table. He ended up with two lumps on his head and a gash oozing with blood. Yikes! Tito PV joked that we could kill people and that we need to be licensed. Chinnie and I were both passing the blame to each other though we both felt guilty.
Sometime around 2am, Tito Henry was looking for Lani, who couldn't join the festivities because of a tummy ache. He and Ricci went to the room to wake and pick her up. (Funny how the next day, when I told Tito Henry that he went to pick up Lani, he couldn't remember anything). Funnier even when he couldn't remember the next day this conversation that transpired the night before
Tito H: Pakakasalan ko ito si Lani. Cat, ikaw ang honor maid! (I'll marry Lani. Cat, you'll be the honor maid!)
Me: Ano ako?! Mayordoma?! (What am I?! The mother butler?!)
Towards the end of the night, we were all beat but Lani was up and dancing. Tito Henry fell asleep sitting up on the bean bag. To get him to wake up, Lani invited him to dance. He suddenly got up and danced with her. Of course, the next day, Tito Henry doesn't remember this and when I re-enacted what happened the night before. He and Uncle Francis were laughing and laughing. Tito Henry said, "Ang cheap ko naman!" Uncle said, "Para kang babae sa beer house sa probinsya! Walang gusto sumayaw sa yo kaya nakakatulog ka sa kakahintay tapos pag may lumapit sa yo na may hawak na ticket, tatayo kaagad para sumayaw! (You're like a woman in a beer house in the province. Nobody wants to dance with you so you end up falling asleep while waiting. And then when a customer comes to hand you a ticket, you stand up right away and dance!)"
We all went home at 3:30 AM. I didn't drink much that night. In fact, I had only two or three shots of tequila because my dizziness from the parasailing got to me after the first shot.
Day 4: 16 October 2004, Saturday
Tito Henry and I bought lunch in the carinderia next door and ate in the bar. Lunch consisted of Chicken Ciarciado, Lechon Paksiw, some veggies and stories and happenings from the night before (see paragraphs above).
I waited for 3PM where I planned to take the girls to their first (and last) trip to Talipapa and buy pasalubongs. I was surprised how Talipapa has changed in 6 months. More restaurants ala Honeybee's opened up. In fact, they all looked the same, I couldn't locate Honeybee's at first. And I think they raised their prices too! The only pasalubong I got were necklaces for my three little brothers, who texted me to buy them one, and 2 books, which would have cost P700 plus if I bought them in Manila, in the second hand bookstore for only P220!
We went back after an hour and a half to take a swim while the sun set. While waiting for them to change into their swimsuits, I ordered Mocha Rum, as recommended by Cat, from Jonah's. It was soooo good and I told her it sure beats Starbucks anytime!
After dinner, we were sooo in the mood to party. I couldn't wait for Real Groove to take over the show again. When they started their set and shouted, "Happy 2nd Anniversary!!!", we, the management team and our friends, shouted and cheered though our shouts were overpowered by the horn we attached to a coconut tree, which gave out a ship's horn's sound. We were beaming with pride and we were so happy that our event was so successful. It wasn't long before I dragged the girls to the dance floor. Three minutes haven't even passed before the dance floor was so packed with people. We all took turns dancing in the middle of circle. Sort of having our own mini- show down. Tito Henry, who we fondly call the GRO of the bar because of his ability to just befriend anybody, grabbed the Europeans dancing beside our circle and let them dance in the middle. At first, they were shy and shaking their head but eventually, they did dance and you could see in thier faces that they enjoyed it. We also got Mayor Cawaling of Boracay, our guest of honor, to dance with us, in the middle of the circle, no less!
To our surprise, all my uncle and titos joined in the dancing! With the exception of Lito and Tito Henry, they never dance! When uncle arrived in the dance floor, Chinnie started pulling his polo as if to take it off. My uncle signalled all of us to stop pulling and then, suddenly, he rips his polo open. We cheered. Two minutes later, somebody arrives on the dance floor with a tequila bottle and we all took turns swigging from the bottle. The guys, of course, did not daintily swig from the bottle like we ladies did. They opened their mouths and let the tequila flow from the bottles into their mouths.
Now there was this one guy who we didn't know he kept pushing himself into our circle and joining in the dancing and teasing as if he was one of us. Now I know that Boracay is also about meeting people and having fun with them but this guy was just plain annoying! He was always dancing behind me in our tight little circle and whenever he saw an opening, he'd try to get in but not unless I step right in front of him to block him and close the circle. Whenever I do that, he goes somewhere around the circle to find an opening. (Later on, I found out that everyone was just annoyed at him as I was. My uncle and titos were so annoyed that they found a way to subtly revenge on him by getting him drunk. While the tequila was being passed around, Lito grabbed his neck in an arm lock and told him to open his mouth so he could pour tequila down his throat. He gladly followed. Unfortunately for him (fortunately for us), when he start shaking his head to tell us he had enough tequila already, Lito continued pouring the booze. Poor annoying guy had to shut his mouth close yet Lito continued pouring Cuervo. That ought to teach him!)
As much as I loved dancing, I couldn't bear staying on the dance floor for another five minutes. It was so packed that heat was radiating and not even the mist machine could help cool us down. I had to take off my halter top (don't worry, I was wearing a bikini under). Everybody was sweating and because it was so packed, you weren't just wearing your own sweat anymore (gross, I know!). I left to cool down. Five minutes later, I went back on the floor. It was even more packed that one could barely dance. I was standing there and yet I was already sweating profusely. When the girls went back to our table, I brought the dance floor to the beach again where my uncles and titos followed again. The same thing happened as the night before. We pushed those who were fully clothed into the water. Chinnie and Babes weren't drunk this time though.
At one time, Lito and Liza, who used to work together in our branch in Subic, had a little talk and Liza ended up crying (from happiness, I was told). Marby, the account manager from San Miguel, had developed a crush on Liza, was lying on the sand, holding on to her foot. Seeing that Liza was crying, we all went to her to ask what was wrong. My uncle and titos, being the goofs-- and drunks-- that they are, started piling sand all over Marby's shaved head. Despite sand getting into his eyes, he still held on to Liza's foot and just shut his eyes tightly. We all laughed at how he was still holding on. Tito Henry tried pulling off Marby's shorts and that caused him to let go of the foot. Five seconds later, he was holding Liza's foot again. Amazing how he found it even without his eyes closed. I couldn't help but joke, "That's Lito's foot!!!" He let go and ran to the beach as if he was scalded to wash the sand out of his eyes and head.
A few minutes later, our sponsor from Gentext said goodnight to us. We didn't let her go and so we had to drag her into the water and dunk her too.
While we were swimming, Tito Henry invited us again to another "Palitan ng shorts (exchange of shorts)." I declined and told them that I loved my white shorts and if they tried wearing it, it might tear. Besides, my shorts were so small and tight, I bet it could go barely past their knee! While in the middle of splashing water, wading and laughing, the music in the bar stopped. The crowd groaned. All of a sudden, my uncle and tito stood up and walked towards the shore to check on the problem. And then suddenly, music started playing again. And just as the music began playing, they started dancing. It was just so funny because by the way they were walking, you'd think they were the mafia about to hit on somebody.
Minutes later, my uncle retires as he was just too drunk already. Tito Henry and Lito, who were equally drunk, had a show down. The funny thing is, Tito Henry would make some weird dance and when he was done, he'd point both hands to Lito and Lito had to copy him. When he got the dance right, he'd point to Tito Henry with both hands to tell him it was his turn. Their dances included dancing to a bamboo post, lying on the beanbag, flexing their muscles. Of course, the next day, they don't remember doing all of these and that made it even funnier. Later on, Tito Henry made us line up in front of him and he'd make some dance and say drunkenly, "Follow me!" I couldn't follow him because I was laughing too hard and whenever I wouldn't follow him, he'd get annoyed and insist that I follow him. If we tried to dance our own step, he'd say, "Ako ang choreographer dito (I am the choreographer here!) Follow me!" I took videos using my digicam and I just laugh everytime I watch it.
The entire night, the DJ played 80s pop because people were requesting it. My friends and I kept asking for R&B and Hiphop. Finally, at 3am, they changed the repertoire and I invited Ricci, Lani and Babes to dance on tabletops (hopefully without killing anyone this time). While I was dancing, a guy on the table beside us whipped out his camera and aimed it at me. I stopped dancing and told him not to even dare take my picture and when he didn't stop, I threw water at him. He enjoyed it and kept laughing. I kept throwing water at him, trying not to aim at his camera, until he stopped. His friend approaches me later to apologize. He said they were a group of artists who came to Boracay and they wanted to capture the beauty of Boracay... yadda, yadda, yadda... do I want to pose.. no, thank you, I don't do that... maybe my bar can sponsor one of their gallery shows... send me a proposal.. yadda, yadda, yadda. Finally, he left me alone. To atone for my behavior earlier, I gave them a round of beer, on the house.
As I was dancing to my heart's content, I saw an old foreign man watching me and started to approach me. I stopped dancing and turned my back on him. I turned to Ricci and the guy she was with, who she met earlier and was apparently from Manila but worked in Friday's Beach Resort, and said I don't want that guy to come near me. Peter, nice, big guy that he was, got up on my table to stand in front of me. Meanwhile, I hid behind Peter's back (he'd make a good bouncer) so as to give the foreigner the impression that I didn't want to meet him. Thankfully, he left me alone. Shortly after, I headed home as it was 4:10 in the morning.
Day 5: 17 October 2004, Sunday
Nothing much happened as we prepared for our trip home. We all had lunch at Jonah's and exchanged stories about the night before. We sat at the bar after and talked some more while waiting for our chartered boat to pick us up. When we got to the airport, there were so many people about to leave the Island. Since we were a tad bit early, we went to the lounge of Asian Spirit and ordered drinks while looking at pictures and videos taken from my camera. At the lounge, I bumped into the artist from the night before. He really was an artist because his boss approached me and gave me his business card. His boss operated an art gallery. Pretty soon, we were told that we could board the plane already. When they meant "board," it meant waiting in the boarding area packed with people and no airconditioning. It was so terrible, you could smell the sweat! Finally, we were on the plane. As the flight attendants were handing us our drinks, she'd ask, "Sir/ Ma'm, water or juice?" Tito Henry answered, "Tequila!"
With that answer, you couldn't help but feel sad and regret for leaving the Island. The past nights was the most fun I ever had in the Island. It was just so wild. The past days this week, I've heard about how my titos talked about the weekend in Boracay and how much fun we had. Even as I type this, I smile as I reminisce the good memories and couldn't wait for next week where I'm off again to party paradise. Lani, Ricci, Liza and I added each other on Friendster and even made testimonials. Ricci texted me that dancing on top of the table was the most fun experience she ever had. I'm glad because it is an experience they would take with them forever and I was the one who made them do it.
Post Boracay
A picked me up from the airport and it was just so great to see him.When he got out of the car, I just had to hug him tightly and it was hard for me to let go. We went to the 6PM mass in Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park and headed to Greenbelt 3. I treated him out to dinner at Teriyaki Boy while he treated me out to a movie, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.
The day started with me taking pictures of the facade of the bar. In my bikini and hat, I strolled to the shore with my camera. It was noon and the sun was shining brightly. I stepped into the water and it was refreshingly cool. A perfect balance to the heat from the sun. I wanted to swim but the girls (Liza, Ricci and Lani) did not want to because it was too hot out and they were scared of getting dark. No matter how hard I tried to convince them that the water was cool, you wouldn't feel the heat and that they can wear sunblock so they wouldn't get dark, they weren't sold to the idea. I wasn't able to go for a dip anyhow because lunch was served soon and after, we began setting up for the event that night.
There wasn't much to do for me. I just had to take care of the merchandising of my sponsors. Basically, that's knowing where to put what streamers where. By around 3PM, Tito Henry asked if we wanted to go parasailing. Are you kidding me? Hell yeah! Now, I never went parasailing before because I was astounded by the price. $45 for just fifteen minutes?! You've got to be kidding me! $45 was enough for a week's worth of pocket money! Here's a picture of us parasailing. I went up with Liza and Tito Junjing. Lani, Ricci and Tito Henry went together. Ricci notes later on that we looked like escort services! Hahaha!
Parasailing with Liza and Tito Junjing
While parasailing was fun, it was actually quiet up there. All of us were just taking in the view and engaged in small talk. I admit I was quiet because I felt dizzy. It was so strange though because I never get motion sickness nor was I afraid of heights. After parasailing, the boat stopped somewhere far from the shore (as it can't go near the shore) and waited for a speedboat to pick us up and take us back to shore. Tito Junjing jumped into the water and decided to swim to shore. I followed suit. Liza, who really had to pee, was in a rush to use a bathroom, decided to jump as well. I thought the shore was near and that it would be easy for me to just swim there but boy, was I wrong. It was actually far! I got tired of swimming and paddling that I decided to just float on my back for awhile before going on. Oftentimes, I'd lower one leg to feel for the ground and twice, I couldn't touch it, which meant I was still far. By the time I felt the ground, I stood up and was surprised to find that the water came up to my shoulders! I've been swimming and swimming only to find out I was in a shallow area already. Meanwhile, Liza gave up easily because she got tired. She asked for the boat to pick her up before leaving. Tito Junjing and I joked that maybe she was able to pee in the water and didn't want to swim anymore.
When we got up, I felt the need to eat to take away my dizziness so I treated the girls out to their first chori (short for chorizo aka longganisa) burger. We sat on the beanbags outside the bar and watched the local kids make a sandcastle while we bonded and engaged in girl talk. When the sun went down, we went to our rooms to change into our party clothes.
By the time I came out of my room, I was wearing a white halter top and a short, flirty, drawstring white skirt. The theme for the night was white. My uncle joked that he was going to wear his white polo and briefs since he didn't have any white shorts. Thank God, he didn't! First up was Rebekah, an acoustic singer who had a powerful voice. She was good! But I was in the mood to party so I couldn't wait for her to finish. But when Real Groove took over the show, I immediately ran to Tito Henry's side, who was also my dancing partner, and started dancing! We rushed to the dance floor but it filled up so quickly, you barely had space to dance and so we got out. Everybody in the Island was probably at our bar celebrating with us because the crowd was just as big as our crowd during Holy Week. Randy Santiago, (yes, the famous actor known for his sunglasses), who was putting up Ratsky's, in Boracay Terraces at the end of Station 1, came to join the festivities and congratulate us. That was pretty nice of him considering that he was our soon to be competition. :p Sometime during the party, I went home to change into a two piece because wearing a halter was just too hot and the dancing made me sweat so much. When I came back, the dance floor was filled with people and we, the girls and I, wanted to dance so I thought of a plan. Take the dance floor to the beach! And so we started dancing in the shore.
My uncle was drunk by then while my titos were tipsy. Before my uncle jumped into the water, I hugged him
Me: (jokingly, knowing he's drunk) Great grand opening (of the bar) in Cebu!
Uncle: Ayoko na! (Thinking I said that we'll open another branch in Cebu)
Me: Hindi! Nasa Cebu tayo ngayon, diba?
Uncle: (Pauses to think for a loooong time then nudges me) Wala naman tayo sa Cebu eh!
Later on, I remembered the time Tito Henry and I would wet our friends with ice cold water coming from the cooler. While everybody hated the feeling of the chilling water run down their backs, they absolutely enjoyed it. We used to do this two Halloweens ago where we'd throw buckets of ice water to the crowd as they danced and they'd scream because of the cold yet they'd chant, "More! More!" (I'm digressing again) Somebody told me to get ice cold water and I poured it to them and that was the start of many "dunking of ice cold water over the heads" episodes.
Randy Santiago passes by and tells us not to dance in the water because we might drown. I think he was a bit sloshed already at this time. Somebody proceeded to make toasts, "To (insert name of bar)!" "To Ratsky!" "To Boracay!" "To San Miguel!" and then, Randy shouts "To Boratsky!!!" We all laughed. (Well, at that time it was funny!)
Pretty soon, my titos and I were all trying to drag people into the water and dunked them fully clothed despite their protests and we succeeded. Two other girls, Chinnie and Babes, who were also regulars in Manila, arrived earlier that afternoon and were already wasted. Tito PV was dragging Chinnie back to shore but somehow, she keeps ending up back in the water and thus, Tito PV had to keep running back to get her.
I was standing nearby talking to Marby, Liza and Ricci, watching Tito PV dragging Chinnie out of the water. And then I said, "See? That's why I don't like taking care of my drunk friends. You end up not having fun and babysitting. Kung ako yan at kaibigan ko si Chinnie, kakaladkarin ko rin siya tapos sasabihin ko, 'Iresponsable kang babae ka! Di ka marunong uminom?! (If I were him and Chinnie is my friend, I'd drag her too and say "You Irresponsible woman! Don't you know how to drink?!)'" We all laughed.
Hours later, Ricci and I were seated by the shore. A guy approached us. Said guy approached me earlier and asked if I was the niece of Francis. I said yes. He asked if I wanted a drink, the beer bottle in his hand. I said, "No, thanks. I don't drink." (sabi nga ni A, baka may antiban yan!). He asked if I was sure. Duh! Of course, I'm sure. Anyhow, the second time he approached me and Ricci, he asked, "Excuse me! Napag-utusan lang po... Pero mayroon gusto po magpakilala sa inyo (Excuse me! I was just instructed... Somebody wants to meet you." I shook my head and said no. I told the guy we're not the type of girls you could just do that to. And he tried even harder, "Kahit friendship lang.. (just for friendship)" Ugh! Now that is even a worse and overused pick up line! I couldn't help but exasperately say, "All the more!" Poor guy left us alone but only to come back to apologize to which Ricci and I say, "It's okay!" I believe that if a guy wants to meet some girl, he should do it with more suave and finesse and not through flatteries and some pick up line. Otherwise, he'd make the girl look cheap.
Shortly after, a commotion was going on outside the bar. The locals who were watching the party from outside crowded around the beach. At first, we all thought it was fight but when we went to look, it was actually a sawa or boa constrictor that a local found. For safety, he tied the snake and put a leash on him and dragged him to the beach. So much for entertainment!
Even more hours later, Chinnie sobered up and since she loved to dance, I asked her if she was game to dance on top of a table. When she said yes, I led her to one of the cemented tables where we each took one and dance to "Shut Up" by Black Eyed Peas (Now, I only do this while I'm in Boracay and I dance on top of tables when the dance floor is crowded because no one else can grab your space). As we were dancing, an Italian man drunkenly danced towards us. But because he was so drunk, he lost his footing. He grabbed onto the monobloc chairs but it wasn't enough to hold his fall and so, in the process, he hits his forehead on the edge of a cement table. He ended up with two lumps on his head and a gash oozing with blood. Yikes! Tito PV joked that we could kill people and that we need to be licensed. Chinnie and I were both passing the blame to each other though we both felt guilty.
Sometime around 2am, Tito Henry was looking for Lani, who couldn't join the festivities because of a tummy ache. He and Ricci went to the room to wake and pick her up. (Funny how the next day, when I told Tito Henry that he went to pick up Lani, he couldn't remember anything). Funnier even when he couldn't remember the next day this conversation that transpired the night before
Tito H: Pakakasalan ko ito si Lani. Cat, ikaw ang honor maid! (I'll marry Lani. Cat, you'll be the honor maid!)
Me: Ano ako?! Mayordoma?! (What am I?! The mother butler?!)
Towards the end of the night, we were all beat but Lani was up and dancing. Tito Henry fell asleep sitting up on the bean bag. To get him to wake up, Lani invited him to dance. He suddenly got up and danced with her. Of course, the next day, Tito Henry doesn't remember this and when I re-enacted what happened the night before. He and Uncle Francis were laughing and laughing. Tito Henry said, "Ang cheap ko naman!" Uncle said, "Para kang babae sa beer house sa probinsya! Walang gusto sumayaw sa yo kaya nakakatulog ka sa kakahintay tapos pag may lumapit sa yo na may hawak na ticket, tatayo kaagad para sumayaw! (You're like a woman in a beer house in the province. Nobody wants to dance with you so you end up falling asleep while waiting. And then when a customer comes to hand you a ticket, you stand up right away and dance!)"
We all went home at 3:30 AM. I didn't drink much that night. In fact, I had only two or three shots of tequila because my dizziness from the parasailing got to me after the first shot.
Day 4: 16 October 2004, Saturday
Tito Henry and I bought lunch in the carinderia next door and ate in the bar. Lunch consisted of Chicken Ciarciado, Lechon Paksiw, some veggies and stories and happenings from the night before (see paragraphs above).
I waited for 3PM where I planned to take the girls to their first (and last) trip to Talipapa and buy pasalubongs. I was surprised how Talipapa has changed in 6 months. More restaurants ala Honeybee's opened up. In fact, they all looked the same, I couldn't locate Honeybee's at first. And I think they raised their prices too! The only pasalubong I got were necklaces for my three little brothers, who texted me to buy them one, and 2 books, which would have cost P700 plus if I bought them in Manila, in the second hand bookstore for only P220!
We went back after an hour and a half to take a swim while the sun set. While waiting for them to change into their swimsuits, I ordered Mocha Rum, as recommended by Cat, from Jonah's. It was soooo good and I told her it sure beats Starbucks anytime!
Me, with Ricci, Lani and Liza, before taking a dip. Yup, that's a Mocha Rum, right there!
After dinner, we were sooo in the mood to party. I couldn't wait for Real Groove to take over the show again. When they started their set and shouted, "Happy 2nd Anniversary!!!", we, the management team and our friends, shouted and cheered though our shouts were overpowered by the horn we attached to a coconut tree, which gave out a ship's horn's sound. We were beaming with pride and we were so happy that our event was so successful. It wasn't long before I dragged the girls to the dance floor. Three minutes haven't even passed before the dance floor was so packed with people. We all took turns dancing in the middle of circle. Sort of having our own mini- show down. Tito Henry, who we fondly call the GRO of the bar because of his ability to just befriend anybody, grabbed the Europeans dancing beside our circle and let them dance in the middle. At first, they were shy and shaking their head but eventually, they did dance and you could see in thier faces that they enjoyed it. We also got Mayor Cawaling of Boracay, our guest of honor, to dance with us, in the middle of the circle, no less!
Gang's all here: (Clockwise from man in yellow) Tito Junjing, Me, Tito Henry, Lani, Tito PV, Liza, Ricci, Marby, Uncle Francis, Babes, Cacay, Chinnie. Not in Picture: Lito
To our surprise, all my uncle and titos joined in the dancing! With the exception of Lito and Tito Henry, they never dance! When uncle arrived in the dance floor, Chinnie started pulling his polo as if to take it off. My uncle signalled all of us to stop pulling and then, suddenly, he rips his polo open. We cheered. Two minutes later, somebody arrives on the dance floor with a tequila bottle and we all took turns swigging from the bottle. The guys, of course, did not daintily swig from the bottle like we ladies did. They opened their mouths and let the tequila flow from the bottles into their mouths.
Me, with my Uncle Francis aka Boss
Now there was this one guy who we didn't know he kept pushing himself into our circle and joining in the dancing and teasing as if he was one of us. Now I know that Boracay is also about meeting people and having fun with them but this guy was just plain annoying! He was always dancing behind me in our tight little circle and whenever he saw an opening, he'd try to get in but not unless I step right in front of him to block him and close the circle. Whenever I do that, he goes somewhere around the circle to find an opening. (Later on, I found out that everyone was just annoyed at him as I was. My uncle and titos were so annoyed that they found a way to subtly revenge on him by getting him drunk. While the tequila was being passed around, Lito grabbed his neck in an arm lock and told him to open his mouth so he could pour tequila down his throat. He gladly followed. Unfortunately for him (fortunately for us), when he start shaking his head to tell us he had enough tequila already, Lito continued pouring the booze. Poor annoying guy had to shut his mouth close yet Lito continued pouring Cuervo. That ought to teach him!)
As much as I loved dancing, I couldn't bear staying on the dance floor for another five minutes. It was so packed that heat was radiating and not even the mist machine could help cool us down. I had to take off my halter top (don't worry, I was wearing a bikini under). Everybody was sweating and because it was so packed, you weren't just wearing your own sweat anymore (gross, I know!). I left to cool down. Five minutes later, I went back on the floor. It was even more packed that one could barely dance. I was standing there and yet I was already sweating profusely. When the girls went back to our table, I brought the dance floor to the beach again where my uncles and titos followed again. The same thing happened as the night before. We pushed those who were fully clothed into the water. Chinnie and Babes weren't drunk this time though.
At one time, Lito and Liza, who used to work together in our branch in Subic, had a little talk and Liza ended up crying (from happiness, I was told). Marby, the account manager from San Miguel, had developed a crush on Liza, was lying on the sand, holding on to her foot. Seeing that Liza was crying, we all went to her to ask what was wrong. My uncle and titos, being the goofs-- and drunks-- that they are, started piling sand all over Marby's shaved head. Despite sand getting into his eyes, he still held on to Liza's foot and just shut his eyes tightly. We all laughed at how he was still holding on. Tito Henry tried pulling off Marby's shorts and that caused him to let go of the foot. Five seconds later, he was holding Liza's foot again. Amazing how he found it even without his eyes closed. I couldn't help but joke, "That's Lito's foot!!!" He let go and ran to the beach as if he was scalded to wash the sand out of his eyes and head.
A few minutes later, our sponsor from Gentext said goodnight to us. We didn't let her go and so we had to drag her into the water and dunk her too.
While we were swimming, Tito Henry invited us again to another "Palitan ng shorts (exchange of shorts)." I declined and told them that I loved my white shorts and if they tried wearing it, it might tear. Besides, my shorts were so small and tight, I bet it could go barely past their knee! While in the middle of splashing water, wading and laughing, the music in the bar stopped. The crowd groaned. All of a sudden, my uncle and tito stood up and walked towards the shore to check on the problem. And then suddenly, music started playing again. And just as the music began playing, they started dancing. It was just so funny because by the way they were walking, you'd think they were the mafia about to hit on somebody.
Minutes later, my uncle retires as he was just too drunk already. Tito Henry and Lito, who were equally drunk, had a show down. The funny thing is, Tito Henry would make some weird dance and when he was done, he'd point both hands to Lito and Lito had to copy him. When he got the dance right, he'd point to Tito Henry with both hands to tell him it was his turn. Their dances included dancing to a bamboo post, lying on the beanbag, flexing their muscles. Of course, the next day, they don't remember doing all of these and that made it even funnier. Later on, Tito Henry made us line up in front of him and he'd make some dance and say drunkenly, "Follow me!" I couldn't follow him because I was laughing too hard and whenever I wouldn't follow him, he'd get annoyed and insist that I follow him. If we tried to dance our own step, he'd say, "Ako ang choreographer dito (I am the choreographer here!) Follow me!" I took videos using my digicam and I just laugh everytime I watch it.
The entire night, the DJ played 80s pop because people were requesting it. My friends and I kept asking for R&B and Hiphop. Finally, at 3am, they changed the repertoire and I invited Ricci, Lani and Babes to dance on tabletops (hopefully without killing anyone this time). While I was dancing, a guy on the table beside us whipped out his camera and aimed it at me. I stopped dancing and told him not to even dare take my picture and when he didn't stop, I threw water at him. He enjoyed it and kept laughing. I kept throwing water at him, trying not to aim at his camera, until he stopped. His friend approaches me later to apologize. He said they were a group of artists who came to Boracay and they wanted to capture the beauty of Boracay... yadda, yadda, yadda... do I want to pose.. no, thank you, I don't do that... maybe my bar can sponsor one of their gallery shows... send me a proposal.. yadda, yadda, yadda. Finally, he left me alone. To atone for my behavior earlier, I gave them a round of beer, on the house.
As I was dancing to my heart's content, I saw an old foreign man watching me and started to approach me. I stopped dancing and turned my back on him. I turned to Ricci and the guy she was with, who she met earlier and was apparently from Manila but worked in Friday's Beach Resort, and said I don't want that guy to come near me. Peter, nice, big guy that he was, got up on my table to stand in front of me. Meanwhile, I hid behind Peter's back (he'd make a good bouncer) so as to give the foreigner the impression that I didn't want to meet him. Thankfully, he left me alone. Shortly after, I headed home as it was 4:10 in the morning.
Day 5: 17 October 2004, Sunday
Nothing much happened as we prepared for our trip home. We all had lunch at Jonah's and exchanged stories about the night before. We sat at the bar after and talked some more while waiting for our chartered boat to pick us up. When we got to the airport, there were so many people about to leave the Island. Since we were a tad bit early, we went to the lounge of Asian Spirit and ordered drinks while looking at pictures and videos taken from my camera. At the lounge, I bumped into the artist from the night before. He really was an artist because his boss approached me and gave me his business card. His boss operated an art gallery. Pretty soon, we were told that we could board the plane already. When they meant "board," it meant waiting in the boarding area packed with people and no airconditioning. It was so terrible, you could smell the sweat! Finally, we were on the plane. As the flight attendants were handing us our drinks, she'd ask, "Sir/ Ma'm, water or juice?" Tito Henry answered, "Tequila!"
With that answer, you couldn't help but feel sad and regret for leaving the Island. The past nights was the most fun I ever had in the Island. It was just so wild. The past days this week, I've heard about how my titos talked about the weekend in Boracay and how much fun we had. Even as I type this, I smile as I reminisce the good memories and couldn't wait for next week where I'm off again to party paradise. Lani, Ricci, Liza and I added each other on Friendster and even made testimonials. Ricci texted me that dancing on top of the table was the most fun experience she ever had. I'm glad because it is an experience they would take with them forever and I was the one who made them do it.
Post Boracay
A picked me up from the airport and it was just so great to see him.When he got out of the car, I just had to hug him tightly and it was hard for me to let go. We went to the 6PM mass in Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park and headed to Greenbelt 3. I treated him out to dinner at Teriyaki Boy while he treated me out to a movie, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.
The Boracay Diaries: Day 1 and 2
Monday, October 18, 2004
Day 1: 13 October 2004, Wednesday
Because of horrendous traffic along C5, I was scared we wouldn't get to the airport on time. I had to pass by the office to pick up Tito Henry, our VP for food and beverage, and all the liquors from Jose Cuervo and Johnnie Walker, and I wanted to pass by McDonald's to grab some breakfast.
After we checked in the liquors in the cargo area, Tito Henry asked that we pass by an ATM. Minutes later, he rode the car laughing so hard. Apparently, before entering our car, he mistakenly rode another car, a cab to be exact, which was also white, parked right behind us. When he entered the cab, he was surprised to find a fat, bearded driver instead of a tall, thin driver. The driver was, likewise, surprised to see him! The driver even looked as if he was wondering if Tito Henry was going to hold him up! Tito Henry just said, "Nyeh!!! Sorry po! Nagkamali! (Sorry, I made a mistake!)
But that wasn't the end of it. When we entered the airport, we met up with Bruce Suarez, one of the billiards masters who my uncle/ our company is sponsoring. We, headed by Tito Henry, marched to the check in counter and placed our baggages immediately on the weighing scale. Tito Henry hands the lady his ticket. The lady says, "Sir! Sa Asian Spirit po kayo. Seair po ito. (Sir, you're taking Asian Spirit. This is Seair.)" We laughed again because while we marched to the counter, we looked so confident as if we knew the whole routine. It was Tito Henry's 2nd blooper within 30 minutes. I swear, bloopers like that always happen to him.
Since we got to the airport an hour before boarding, the lady, from Asian Spirit this time, I asked if we wanted to take the 10:30am flight. Sure, why not, right? But the flight was delayed and we left at around 11am, the same time our original flight was scheduled. The plane was not even full. I had the whole side of my row to myself. (Later that afternoon, we found out that the plane we were originally gonna take went back to Manila midflight because of engine trouble! Wow, we're so lucky!!!)
Tito Henry was famished by the time we landed in the island. Since we, our bar, was closed for lunch, we decided to eat at the carinderia right beside us but not without dropping my bags in my room. On my way, I was surprised to discover that there is now a branch of Andok's right behind our bar (later on, their liempo and chicken became a staple viand in our lunches and dinners for 2 days-- we're so sick of it!). My other titos would later call it Select, after the convenience store found in Shell gas stations because it resembled the said store. A lot of the establishments were under construction. There was the Mexican restaurant in the corner, Manana, and the bar next door to us, Club Paraw. After lunch, we all took naps and came out of our rooms at around 4:30 PM.
My Uncle Francis, the Company President and CEO, arrived unexpectedly at the Island at 5PM. Everyone knew he was coming the next day except for me and Tito Henry. I guess he wanted to make a surprise inspection and it was a good thing he did. He was so disappointed at the state of the bar. Everything looked so shabby, even our signage outfront was dull. Within 5 minutes, he called for a meeting that lasted for what seemed like an hour and a half. We had dinner shortly. And after, I settled in one of the cabanas, lying on a beanbag, reading a book. I was surprised to see one of our regular guests in the Island. He and his friends came just to celebrate our anniversary with us. See, that's what I love about our regular guests. They'd go as far as Subic and Boracay just to celebrate an anniversary or grand opening. Some of them even hang out in the bar for each day in a week. (I'm digressing...)
Anyhow, I was feeling anti- social that night. There wasn't much going on in the restaurant. Most of our guests were Korean couples. I decided to retire at 10:30PM. In my room, I finished my book and watched "The Notebook" on my laptop and bawled again. I texted A that Iwas so bored and lonely. He finally said, "Sige na nga, you can go out and meet boys!" Hahaha! I was all settled in my bed already. Eventually, I went to sleep. So much for a first night, huh?
Day 2: 14 October 2004, Thursday
I spent the afternoon working on my laptop. More people arrived that day. There was Tito Junjing, one of my dad and uncle's closest friends and a regular guest in our branches. With him was Tito PV, another close friend of my dad and uncle, also an investor in three of our branches. Lito, our VP for Logistics and one of the founders of Pier One (he used to be my uncle's driver when my uncle decided to make him a stockholder and VP for working for him for years), who spent most of his afternoons too on his laptop making purchase orders. With him, he brought Liza, the former accountant of our branch in Subic, and her friends, Ricci and Lani, who all lived in Subic, and were on their first trip to Boracay. The girls were the ones I ended up hanging with.
At around 530 PM, my uncles and titos all went for a swim. We, girls, followed after. Upon entering the water, I wrapped my arms around my midsection because it was soooo cold. Uncle immediately called us and said, "Dito kayo! Mainit dito! (Come here! It's warm here!)" and he proceeds, "Umihi kasi kami rito eh! (We pee-d here!) To which, I replied, "Ah talaga? Sige, punta ako diyan kelangan ko rin mag- weewee (Really? Okay, I'll go there. I need to pee too!)" We started talking and sharing funny stories. Lani started swimming freestyle and Tito Henry shouted at her, "Saang ilog ka ba lumaki? Pang- ilog yang swimming mo eh! (What river did you grow up in? Your swimming is meant for rivers only!)" He adds, "Halika! Turuan kita mag swimming Boracay! (Come here! I'll teach you how to swim Boracay style!)" Whenever the other three girls talked to my uncle and titos (oh, by the way, you might get confused. When I call someone by uncle/ auntie, that means he/she is related to me), they would say "po" and "opo." My uncle and titos would point at each other and say, "Huy! Ikaw yung kausap niya. "Po" daw eh. (Hey, she's talking to you! She said "po.")" To them, "Po" or "Opo" was an indication that they are old. By the time we got out of the water, it was so dark. We all went to our rooms to change in time for dinner.
After dinner, we proceeded straight to the drinking session. There was just so many of us, we were around 15 people seated in one long table. There was my Uncle, Titos Henry, Junjing and PV, Lito, Me, Liza, Ricci, Lani, the gay regular guest and his boyfriend, 2 other friends, Cacay, from Cuervo, and her boyfriend, Joey and Marby, from San Miguel Corporation. Other people came and went too as the night progressed. Beer and tequila just kept flowing in as all of it were paid by the company (or taken from my uncle's and titos' salaries). How many buckets of San Mig Light did we consume? I lost count. Bottles of tequila? Around 6. I, myself, had 5 shots of Tequila and 3 Hidden Springs bottled water in between those shots. Yes, the girl who declared that she doesn't drink alcohol has finally begun drinking. And yes, I still don't like the taste of beer.
Cacay of Cuervo and Marby of San Miguel had a drinking contest. The stakes: whoever loses cannot merchandise the next day during the event. Cacay, being from Cuervo, can hold her liquor. She wasn't a beer drinker but a hard liquor drinker. Marby, unfortunately, had bottles of San Mig Light and Strong Ice before the contest began. Coupled with the shots of tequila, he definitely went on the losing end fast. But still, though he was drunk, he never passed out. Cacay, on the other hand, retired earlier without so much as a stumble. When we told her not to leave yet, she gamely said that she and her boyfriend were going to have sex and that's why she had to leave. Everybody thought it was a good excuse. The end result of the drinking showdown: Tied!
The night wasn't over. Once the DJ started playing R&B music, we all started dancing. My Uncle, Titos Henry, Junjing and Lito were tipsy already and so they decided to go for a swim. After 5 minutes, they came back to the table wearing each other's swimming trunks! The clincher was Lito wearing Tito PV's black swimming trunks. Lito was a big guy who had a huge pot belly and he looked so funny especially since he wrapped his 'Good Morning' towel into a headband around his head. He looked like a sumo wrestler. I think Tito PV never wore the trunks again because it stretched and it was now too loose on him.
Snippets of Drunken Conversations:
Me: Marby! Lasing ka na! Halika, hawak ka rito sa poste! (Marby, you're drunk! Come here! Hold on to the post!)
Marby stayed holding, once even hugging, the post, for a long time.
Ricci: (While holding up nine fingers tipsily) Naka- nine shots of Tequila na ako! (I've had nine shots of tequila already!)
Me: Nine?!
Ricci: Oo. Ikaw? (Yes. You?)
Me: (Holding up three fingers) Tatlo!
Ricci: Huh?! (Holding up six fingers, three on each hand) Naka- tatlo ka pa lang?!
After drinking shot after shot of Tequila and complaining why there wasn't any San Mig Strong Ice because San Mig Light won't get you drunk, showing us her alcohol tolerance capacity, hours later, Lani orders a Mango shake.
Me: What is that?! What is that?! Tagay ka ng tagay tapos iinom ka ng mango shake?! Loser! I may be drinking bottled water and that makes me a loser... but that (pointing to the mango shake) That is total loser! Hindi lang mango juice eh, mango shake talaga!
Lito, wearing the tiny black swimming trunks, sits on Ricci's lap. Drunken Ricci was so embarrassed that she covered her face with her hands. Finally, Lito gets up and leaves. A few minutes later, Ricci turns to us.
Ricci: Sino yun? (Who was that?)
Me: Hindi mo alam kung sino yun?! (You don't know who that was?!)
Ricci: (Shakes her head)
Me: Hindi mo alam kung sino yun?!
Ricci: (Shakes her head) Si Sir Lito ba yun?! (Was that Sir Lito?)
Me: Ano ka ba?! Si Jericho Rosales yun!!!
While we were dancing on the dance floor by ourselves, Lito suddenly stops and looks at his feet.
Lito: Kaninong tsinelas tong suot ko? (Whose slippers am I wearing?)
Ricci: (Looks down at his feet) Wala ka namang suot eh! (You're not even wearing anything!)
Lito: Ah okay! (And he proceeds to dance swing with an old, thin local man seated at the bar)
Because of horrendous traffic along C5, I was scared we wouldn't get to the airport on time. I had to pass by the office to pick up Tito Henry, our VP for food and beverage, and all the liquors from Jose Cuervo and Johnnie Walker, and I wanted to pass by McDonald's to grab some breakfast.
After we checked in the liquors in the cargo area, Tito Henry asked that we pass by an ATM. Minutes later, he rode the car laughing so hard. Apparently, before entering our car, he mistakenly rode another car, a cab to be exact, which was also white, parked right behind us. When he entered the cab, he was surprised to find a fat, bearded driver instead of a tall, thin driver. The driver was, likewise, surprised to see him! The driver even looked as if he was wondering if Tito Henry was going to hold him up! Tito Henry just said, "Nyeh!!! Sorry po! Nagkamali! (Sorry, I made a mistake!)
But that wasn't the end of it. When we entered the airport, we met up with Bruce Suarez, one of the billiards masters who my uncle/ our company is sponsoring. We, headed by Tito Henry, marched to the check in counter and placed our baggages immediately on the weighing scale. Tito Henry hands the lady his ticket. The lady says, "Sir! Sa Asian Spirit po kayo. Seair po ito. (Sir, you're taking Asian Spirit. This is Seair.)" We laughed again because while we marched to the counter, we looked so confident as if we knew the whole routine. It was Tito Henry's 2nd blooper within 30 minutes. I swear, bloopers like that always happen to him.
Since we got to the airport an hour before boarding, the lady, from Asian Spirit this time, I asked if we wanted to take the 10:30am flight. Sure, why not, right? But the flight was delayed and we left at around 11am, the same time our original flight was scheduled. The plane was not even full. I had the whole side of my row to myself. (Later that afternoon, we found out that the plane we were originally gonna take went back to Manila midflight because of engine trouble! Wow, we're so lucky!!!)
Tito Henry was famished by the time we landed in the island. Since we, our bar, was closed for lunch, we decided to eat at the carinderia right beside us but not without dropping my bags in my room. On my way, I was surprised to discover that there is now a branch of Andok's right behind our bar (later on, their liempo and chicken became a staple viand in our lunches and dinners for 2 days-- we're so sick of it!). My other titos would later call it Select, after the convenience store found in Shell gas stations because it resembled the said store. A lot of the establishments were under construction. There was the Mexican restaurant in the corner, Manana, and the bar next door to us, Club Paraw. After lunch, we all took naps and came out of our rooms at around 4:30 PM.
My Uncle Francis, the Company President and CEO, arrived unexpectedly at the Island at 5PM. Everyone knew he was coming the next day except for me and Tito Henry. I guess he wanted to make a surprise inspection and it was a good thing he did. He was so disappointed at the state of the bar. Everything looked so shabby, even our signage outfront was dull. Within 5 minutes, he called for a meeting that lasted for what seemed like an hour and a half. We had dinner shortly. And after, I settled in one of the cabanas, lying on a beanbag, reading a book. I was surprised to see one of our regular guests in the Island. He and his friends came just to celebrate our anniversary with us. See, that's what I love about our regular guests. They'd go as far as Subic and Boracay just to celebrate an anniversary or grand opening. Some of them even hang out in the bar for each day in a week. (I'm digressing...)
Anyhow, I was feeling anti- social that night. There wasn't much going on in the restaurant. Most of our guests were Korean couples. I decided to retire at 10:30PM. In my room, I finished my book and watched "The Notebook" on my laptop and bawled again. I texted A that Iwas so bored and lonely. He finally said, "Sige na nga, you can go out and meet boys!" Hahaha! I was all settled in my bed already. Eventually, I went to sleep. So much for a first night, huh?
Day 2: 14 October 2004, Thursday
I spent the afternoon working on my laptop. More people arrived that day. There was Tito Junjing, one of my dad and uncle's closest friends and a regular guest in our branches. With him was Tito PV, another close friend of my dad and uncle, also an investor in three of our branches. Lito, our VP for Logistics and one of the founders of Pier One (he used to be my uncle's driver when my uncle decided to make him a stockholder and VP for working for him for years), who spent most of his afternoons too on his laptop making purchase orders. With him, he brought Liza, the former accountant of our branch in Subic, and her friends, Ricci and Lani, who all lived in Subic, and were on their first trip to Boracay. The girls were the ones I ended up hanging with.
Me, on the second day, loved the hat, loved the sun, loved the water, loved the view.
At around 530 PM, my uncles and titos all went for a swim. We, girls, followed after. Upon entering the water, I wrapped my arms around my midsection because it was soooo cold. Uncle immediately called us and said, "Dito kayo! Mainit dito! (Come here! It's warm here!)" and he proceeds, "Umihi kasi kami rito eh! (We pee-d here!) To which, I replied, "Ah talaga? Sige, punta ako diyan kelangan ko rin mag- weewee (Really? Okay, I'll go there. I need to pee too!)" We started talking and sharing funny stories. Lani started swimming freestyle and Tito Henry shouted at her, "Saang ilog ka ba lumaki? Pang- ilog yang swimming mo eh! (What river did you grow up in? Your swimming is meant for rivers only!)" He adds, "Halika! Turuan kita mag swimming Boracay! (Come here! I'll teach you how to swim Boracay style!)" Whenever the other three girls talked to my uncle and titos (oh, by the way, you might get confused. When I call someone by uncle/ auntie, that means he/she is related to me), they would say "po" and "opo." My uncle and titos would point at each other and say, "Huy! Ikaw yung kausap niya. "Po" daw eh. (Hey, she's talking to you! She said "po.")" To them, "Po" or "Opo" was an indication that they are old. By the time we got out of the water, it was so dark. We all went to our rooms to change in time for dinner.
After dinner, we proceeded straight to the drinking session. There was just so many of us, we were around 15 people seated in one long table. There was my Uncle, Titos Henry, Junjing and PV, Lito, Me, Liza, Ricci, Lani, the gay regular guest and his boyfriend, 2 other friends, Cacay, from Cuervo, and her boyfriend, Joey and Marby, from San Miguel Corporation. Other people came and went too as the night progressed. Beer and tequila just kept flowing in as all of it were paid by the company (or taken from my uncle's and titos' salaries). How many buckets of San Mig Light did we consume? I lost count. Bottles of tequila? Around 6. I, myself, had 5 shots of Tequila and 3 Hidden Springs bottled water in between those shots. Yes, the girl who declared that she doesn't drink alcohol has finally begun drinking. And yes, I still don't like the taste of beer.
Cacay of Cuervo and Marby of San Miguel had a drinking contest. The stakes: whoever loses cannot merchandise the next day during the event. Cacay, being from Cuervo, can hold her liquor. She wasn't a beer drinker but a hard liquor drinker. Marby, unfortunately, had bottles of San Mig Light and Strong Ice before the contest began. Coupled with the shots of tequila, he definitely went on the losing end fast. But still, though he was drunk, he never passed out. Cacay, on the other hand, retired earlier without so much as a stumble. When we told her not to leave yet, she gamely said that she and her boyfriend were going to have sex and that's why she had to leave. Everybody thought it was a good excuse. The end result of the drinking showdown: Tied!
The night wasn't over. Once the DJ started playing R&B music, we all started dancing. My Uncle, Titos Henry, Junjing and Lito were tipsy already and so they decided to go for a swim. After 5 minutes, they came back to the table wearing each other's swimming trunks! The clincher was Lito wearing Tito PV's black swimming trunks. Lito was a big guy who had a huge pot belly and he looked so funny especially since he wrapped his 'Good Morning' towel into a headband around his head. He looked like a sumo wrestler. I think Tito PV never wore the trunks again because it stretched and it was now too loose on him.
Snippets of Drunken Conversations:
Me: Marby! Lasing ka na! Halika, hawak ka rito sa poste! (Marby, you're drunk! Come here! Hold on to the post!)
Marby stayed holding, once even hugging, the post, for a long time.
Ricci: (While holding up nine fingers tipsily) Naka- nine shots of Tequila na ako! (I've had nine shots of tequila already!)
Me: Nine?!
Ricci: Oo. Ikaw? (Yes. You?)
Me: (Holding up three fingers) Tatlo!
Ricci: Huh?! (Holding up six fingers, three on each hand) Naka- tatlo ka pa lang?!
After drinking shot after shot of Tequila and complaining why there wasn't any San Mig Strong Ice because San Mig Light won't get you drunk, showing us her alcohol tolerance capacity, hours later, Lani orders a Mango shake.
Me: What is that?! What is that?! Tagay ka ng tagay tapos iinom ka ng mango shake?! Loser! I may be drinking bottled water and that makes me a loser... but that (pointing to the mango shake) That is total loser! Hindi lang mango juice eh, mango shake talaga!
Lito, wearing the tiny black swimming trunks, sits on Ricci's lap. Drunken Ricci was so embarrassed that she covered her face with her hands. Finally, Lito gets up and leaves. A few minutes later, Ricci turns to us.
Ricci: Sino yun? (Who was that?)
Me: Hindi mo alam kung sino yun?! (You don't know who that was?!)
Ricci: (Shakes her head)
Me: Hindi mo alam kung sino yun?!
Ricci: (Shakes her head) Si Sir Lito ba yun?! (Was that Sir Lito?)
Me: Ano ka ba?! Si Jericho Rosales yun!!!
While we were dancing on the dance floor by ourselves, Lito suddenly stops and looks at his feet.
Lito: Kaninong tsinelas tong suot ko? (Whose slippers am I wearing?)
Ricci: (Looks down at his feet) Wala ka namang suot eh! (You're not even wearing anything!)
Lito: Ah okay! (And he proceeds to dance swing with an old, thin local man seated at the bar)
The Next Chapter: Skyflakes Commercial
I'm back!!! And I survived without Internet connection, and blogging, for 5 days!
Anyway, before I do a blow by blow account of my stay in Boracay, I'd like to give you the reason why I was asking if you guys have seen the latest Skyflakes commercial.
I've never seen it myself but the reason why I'm so proud of it is because, it's A's first commercial! Ever notice the dialogue? The girl's name is Cat (but spelled as Kat on the script), an office girl, who was asked to pick up something from Mr. San Juan (which is similar to my last name).
The commercial is A's tribute to me. He doesn't even call it his commercial but my commercial.
Sweet.
(Cat beaming with pride).
Anyway, before I do a blow by blow account of my stay in Boracay, I'd like to give you the reason why I was asking if you guys have seen the latest Skyflakes commercial.
I've never seen it myself but the reason why I'm so proud of it is because, it's A's first commercial! Ever notice the dialogue? The girl's name is Cat (but spelled as Kat on the script), an office girl, who was asked to pick up something from Mr. San Juan (which is similar to my last name).
The commercial is A's tribute to me. He doesn't even call it his commercial but my commercial.
Sweet.
(Cat beaming with pride).
The New Skyflakes Commercial
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Did you guys see the new Skyflakes commercial?
Didja? Didja?
How was it? For those who know me personally (Asphaire, Dez, Cat, Babygurl), pay attention to the dialogue!
And when I get back, I'll tell you all what this post is all about...
(Abangan ang susunod na kabanata...)
Didja? Didja?
How was it? For those who know me personally (Asphaire, Dez, Cat, Babygurl), pay attention to the dialogue!
And when I get back, I'll tell you all what this post is all about...
(Abangan ang susunod na kabanata...)
I Promise I'll Be A Good Girl
In 9 hours, I'll be boarding a Caticlan- bound plane with my suitcase, my laptop, my backpack, my straw hat (which is impossible to pack into the suitcase), a package that looks like it contains an illegal substance (actually, those are just invitations to the bar's 2nd anniversary which we're giving out in hotels), 6 cases of Jose Cuervo Tequila and 4 cases of Johnnie Walker Black.
A and I spent time together after work yesterday and today. We had dinner at the bar and went to Starbucks for dessert (where we saw Karel Marquez who was just so pretty). We spent the time reading his messages from my phone as far back as two years ago, when we were still just friends and when we first got together. I was laughing at how corny he was, though at that time, I found it so sweet and kilig. Tonight, A and I had dinner at Pasto and went to Brother's Burgers to get milkshakes for dessert.
Sometimes, whenever my trip to Boracay comes up in our conversations, I tease A that I'd be a bad girl and do a lot of naughty stuff. For instance:
A: You know, guys might come on to you and flirt with you.
Me: Baby, don't worry. They won't flirt with me...
A: That's good!
Me: It's me you should be worried about!
OR
A: (Not minding me, taking photos with my digicam)
Me: (Making a list of things I have to bring to Boracay) Camera, camera charger, book, cellphone charger, mosquito repellant.... , (then jokingly) condoms...
Whenever I tease A like that, he suddenly looks at me in shock and when he sees my teasing smile and the humorous glint in my eye, he starts shaking his head and sighs "Haaaaay, baby!"
And if I make such jokes, he, in turn, pretends to be the uber strict, jealous boyfriend.
"Don't go home by yourself! Always ask one of the waitstaff to accompany you home!"
"Don't accept drinks from guys. It might have some drug that makes you lose consciousness! And God knows where you'll wake up!"
A: Don't talk to guys, okay?
Me: How about gays?
A: No. You can't talk to men.
Me: How about boys?
A: No boys, no men, no guys.
OR
A: Is the beige bikini your skimpiest bikini? The one with the string on the sides?
Me: Yes.
A: Don't wear that. Only wear it when I'm here. (He meant 'here with you').
Me: (Flashing my winning smile) Okay, I'll only wear it when you're here (as in here in Manila).
OR
A: I want you to take pictures of all the guys who ever talked to you. I want you to write their names and contact numbers where I could reach them.
OR
A: I don't want you walking on the beach with some guy. If ever a guy walks with you, he has to be 2 meters away from you.
OR
After telling me not to accept drinks from strangers because it might contain 'antiban,' the rape drug.
A: Let's pretend I'm a dashing, handsome guy who will offer you a drink.
Me: Pretend lang that you're dashing and handsome?
A: (In role play mode) Hey Cat! Here! (Thrusting a drink into my hand) Have a drink, on me!
Me: (In my best Grade One, innocent child voice) My boyfriend said not to accept drinks from strangers because it might have 'antiban!' (Smiling, like a proud child who said the right answer)
A: Very good!
So what is the point of this entry? I just wanted to remember the conversations because they were funny and I had a blast teasing A and seeing the shocked look on his face and I enjoyed listening to his crazy 'rules'.
A, even if I tease you, you know it's not true and I wouldn't do that to you. Don't worry, I'll text you all the time and I won't accept drinks from strangers or guys that I just met nor would I leave any drink unattended (Heck, I don't drink anyway!) As you know, I always ask Mang Glenn to accompany me home (that's because my laptop is too heavy to be lugging around for a long time and I'm scared I'll bump into some local monster or spirit). Lastly, I promise that I'll come home in one piece. Pick me up on Sunday, okay? Try not to get stressed at work, go out with Bri this weekend or get some rest, and if Esmie, the 45 year old secretary of the Creatives Department who has a crush on you asks you out, you have my full on support! Just don't kiss her! :) I love you, babylicious! PS. I promise I'll be a good girl.
A and I spent time together after work yesterday and today. We had dinner at the bar and went to Starbucks for dessert (where we saw Karel Marquez who was just so pretty). We spent the time reading his messages from my phone as far back as two years ago, when we were still just friends and when we first got together. I was laughing at how corny he was, though at that time, I found it so sweet and kilig. Tonight, A and I had dinner at Pasto and went to Brother's Burgers to get milkshakes for dessert.
Sometimes, whenever my trip to Boracay comes up in our conversations, I tease A that I'd be a bad girl and do a lot of naughty stuff. For instance:
A: You know, guys might come on to you and flirt with you.
Me: Baby, don't worry. They won't flirt with me...
A: That's good!
Me: It's me you should be worried about!
OR
A: (Not minding me, taking photos with my digicam)
Me: (Making a list of things I have to bring to Boracay) Camera, camera charger, book, cellphone charger, mosquito repellant.... , (then jokingly) condoms...
Whenever I tease A like that, he suddenly looks at me in shock and when he sees my teasing smile and the humorous glint in my eye, he starts shaking his head and sighs "Haaaaay, baby!"
And if I make such jokes, he, in turn, pretends to be the uber strict, jealous boyfriend.
"Don't go home by yourself! Always ask one of the waitstaff to accompany you home!"
"Don't accept drinks from guys. It might have some drug that makes you lose consciousness! And God knows where you'll wake up!"
A: Don't talk to guys, okay?
Me: How about gays?
A: No. You can't talk to men.
Me: How about boys?
A: No boys, no men, no guys.
OR
A: Is the beige bikini your skimpiest bikini? The one with the string on the sides?
Me: Yes.
A: Don't wear that. Only wear it when I'm here. (He meant 'here with you').
Me: (Flashing my winning smile) Okay, I'll only wear it when you're here (as in here in Manila).
OR
A: I want you to take pictures of all the guys who ever talked to you. I want you to write their names and contact numbers where I could reach them.
OR
A: I don't want you walking on the beach with some guy. If ever a guy walks with you, he has to be 2 meters away from you.
OR
After telling me not to accept drinks from strangers because it might contain 'antiban,' the rape drug.
A: Let's pretend I'm a dashing, handsome guy who will offer you a drink.
Me: Pretend lang that you're dashing and handsome?
A: (In role play mode) Hey Cat! Here! (Thrusting a drink into my hand) Have a drink, on me!
Me: (In my best Grade One, innocent child voice) My boyfriend said not to accept drinks from strangers because it might have 'antiban!' (Smiling, like a proud child who said the right answer)
A: Very good!
So what is the point of this entry? I just wanted to remember the conversations because they were funny and I had a blast teasing A and seeing the shocked look on his face and I enjoyed listening to his crazy 'rules'.
A, even if I tease you, you know it's not true and I wouldn't do that to you. Don't worry, I'll text you all the time and I won't accept drinks from strangers or guys that I just met nor would I leave any drink unattended (Heck, I don't drink anyway!) As you know, I always ask Mang Glenn to accompany me home (that's because my laptop is too heavy to be lugging around for a long time and I'm scared I'll bump into some local monster or spirit). Lastly, I promise that I'll come home in one piece. Pick me up on Sunday, okay? Try not to get stressed at work, go out with Bri this weekend or get some rest, and if Esmie, the 45 year old secretary of the Creatives Department who has a crush on you asks you out, you have my full on support! Just don't kiss her! :) I love you, babylicious! PS. I promise I'll be a good girl.
How Baduy I Can Be...
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Last night, A and I were arguing over SMS. We were pretty pissed off with each other. At around midnight, I decided to call him and make up. When he answers his phone:
Me : Knock, knock..
A: Who's there?
Me: Yulav...
A: Yulav who?
Me: I love you!
Bwahahaha!!! Pretty original for a way to say sorry and make up, don't you think? Pretty corny knock- knock joke too!
Me : Knock, knock..
A: Who's there?
Me: Yulav...
A: Yulav who?
Me: I love you!
Bwahahaha!!! Pretty original for a way to say sorry and make up, don't you think? Pretty corny knock- knock joke too!
Weekend Recap Once Again
Monday, October 11, 2004
Friday
- My weekend started with dinner and dessert filled with lots of catching up with Jeane at Jack's at The Fort Strip.
- By 9:30 PM, she had to leave and I had to meet A. He was still out with his officemates having a round of beer and so, since we decided to catch the last showing of a movie, which was 12mn, I decided to let the time pass first by blogging in the office.
- I updated my blog (see entry below), got to chat with my friend, Nikki, from Australia, when I felt the earthquake (again, see sidenote in the post below). I ran out of the office and called A.
- Not even a minute later, I went back inside and resumed my conversation with Nikki, answering a couple of other YM messages wondering if I felt the earthquake.
- I leave the office at around 10:45ish and head off to Greenbelt 3. I miscalculated the time and I hoped that by the time I get to Greenbelt, there was parking and available GOOD seats in the cinema. I cursed the stoplight at the intersection of Ayala Ave and Makati Ave. Damnit it! The left turn light was too fast!
- Ah, found a prime parking spot right away! I'm actually surprised there was a lot of parking spaces considering that it was a Friday night and parties were just about to start!
- Rushed to the cinemas but slowing down as I passed Powerbooks to check the window display.
- Met A while I was in line to buy tickets
- A and I watched Wimbledon
- Took A home.
Saturday
- Got up and read a book the entire afternoon.
- Took a shower and got ready to go out.
- As I rode the car, I got a message from one of our VPs. I couldn't leave right away because I had to make a few calls.
- Was finally on the road to Mandaluyong to pick up Cel and go to the wake of one of our VP's dad, which was a couple of blocks from her house.
- Stayed for 45 minutes at the wake and joined the prayer.
- Left Cel's place at around 6:15PM. It was the first time Cel rode shotgun with me. I pretended to be indignified when she made the sign of the cross upon boarding my car. We both laughed.
- Somewhere in Shaw Blvd, a jeepney sideswiped my car! As the jeep passed by, I saw chips of paint flying! I was pissed off because for sure, we had to go through the whole police report thing. Number 2, I can just imagine the damage on my car! I was scared to come out to see a huge dent on the passenger door and the steel ripped open. Number 3, we were already late with meeting up with A and lastly, that's my second vehicular mishap in 5 months! Well, for one, in Mandaluyong, there are no lanes. Roads, from 3 lanes become 2 lanes then become 3 lanes. So basically, it was to each his own. I was ahead of the jeepney. He was on my side. When the light turned green, naturally, everyone moved forward. But no, this jeepney decided not to give me right of way and just went straight ahead and I got sideswiped. He claims he was on the right lane and I was in the middle! I couldn't argue much because I was in shock. All I said was, "Ako ang nasa harapan mo tapos uunahan mo ako! (I was in front of you and then you try to get past me!" Cel couldn't argue because she got scared. We were both girls plus, I was wearing a miniskirt. I had no choice but to go down from the car. As I went down the car, I called up my dad. When I looked at the damage, my first reaction was, "Where is it?! Was the accident just my imagination?" There were no dents and all I could see was a black line that could disappear by a good rubdown (only later did I see the dent by the front right wheel). So I decided to forget about it. But after that, my driving was a bit off. I guess I was pretty shook up from the incident.
- It was comforting to know that Cel's parents' conversation during dinner revolved around the traffic condition in Mandaluyong. Apparently, Cel's parents have been complaining to the city government about the lack of traffic lanes, traffic lights and traffic enforcers. Minutes later, we get involved in an accident!
- Calling the attention of the mayor of Mandaluyong (Is it still Mayor Ben "Benhur" Abalos?) Please, please, please do something about this.
- I realized that on my way to Cel's house, I had this strong feeling that I was going to get involved in an accident just by seeing how the jeepney drivers drove, swerved, stopped in the middle of the street and how pedestrians just cross anywhere and stop right in front of your car!
- Met A at the office.
- Drove to Greenbelt 4, got in line for the 10PM show of Shark Tales. It was only 7:45PM and already, the cinema for the 10PM show was full! We got front row seats! I was bummed but it wasn't so bad after all.
- Cel, A and I had dinner at Cascada. I had the beef tenderloin steak, A had the Honey Soy Chicken and Cel had the Grilled Salmon. We all shared a fondue after. Cel and I scraped off the chocolate from the bowl right after.
- Went to Powerbooks, as A predicted, to look at books. I bought 2 books from authors whose work I haven't read yet. I told Cel to read Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown and Memoirs of A Geisha by Arthur Golden. She asked me which among the two were worth buying and I told her it was hard for me to decide because both were good! C'mon, she was talking to a bookworm here! She couldn't buy both because she was saving up to buy shoes! Hahaha! I told her I'd lent her my copy of Memoirs of A Geisha instead.
- Headed off to the cinemas but we couldn't enter just yet because we had to wait for Riz and Bom who were running late. Darn! I missed the movie trailers. I love watching movie trailers! That's why, when I watch a movie, I gotta be at least 30 minutes early!
- Thoroughly laughed to my heart's content while watching the movie. I was laughing so hard that I was hitting A's hand in laughter. One time, I was laughing so hard that I hit A's rubber shoe, which was propped on his knee. Cel felt sorry for A because I kept hitting him.
- Went to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf for coffee and hanging out.
- While A and Bom went out to smoke, Cel and I gave Riz a quick sex ed seminar. I can't believe how innocent she is!!!
- A wasn't feeling well so we called it a night by 1AM. We went to my office to pick up his car while he convoyed with me and Cel as I dropped her home. From there, we headed to my house.
- Popped in Season 8, Disc 2 of Friends, opened bags of chips for us- Lays Classic for A, Sour and Cream for me.
- A goes home at 4am.
Sunday
- Woke up and had lunch
- Went online and just surfed
- Took a shower
- Went to Church
- Went to the grocery to buy toiletries
- Came home to have dinner
- Bloghopped some more
- Started gathering my bikinis, sarongs and shorts and literally, threw them into my suitcase
- Made a list of things I have to bring with me to Boracay
- Wrote this entry
- And probably, after this I'm gonna curl up in bed with my pillows and a good book!
And that, my friends, is my weekend. Pretty much event filled, huh?
More Parental Advice
Friday, October 08, 2004
Just last month, I posted an entry entitled Some Parental Advice. A month later, I get another unsolicited advice, this time from my stepmom.
You see, this morning, or afternoon rather (that's morning to me =) ), I made the mistake of saying yes when my mom asked me if I could drop her off at Rockwell.
As we were exiting the village, a conversation transpires...
Mom: Where do you stay in Boracay?
Me: In lolo's laundry shop.
Mom: Oh, you stayed there with A, no?
Me: (Uh- oh! Trouble ahead!) No.
Mom: Yes, you did!
Me: (Defensively) No! (Okay, there's a traitor among us! I wonder who told!? We had this pact! Was it my uncle? Whatever happened to 'This is my island! Whatever happens in Boracay, stays in Boracay!'? How about tito? Maybe it was the other tito? No, they wouldn't tell! Damnit!)
Mom: Where does A stay?
Me: (Trying hard not to smile and laugh) Downstairs. With uncle and the rest of the management.
Mom: Liar!
Me: Yes!
Mom: Liar! You, liar! The girls told me!
Me: Girls?! What girls?! (Yeah, what girls?! Who is she talking about?)
Mom: The girls! The ones your lolo hired to watch the place! The ones who does the laundry!
Me: (Oh, fudge!)
Mom: Just use protection.
Me: (Shocked!) Mo- om! (Oh God! Help me! Please Earth open up and swallow me whole!)
Mom: Well, cuz you already know about the birds and the bees... Just be safe. You don't want... (to get pregnant accidentally)...
Me: Mom! You don't need to remind me! Ever since I was a child, I've been hearing that! (Waaaaaahhhhh!!!!)
Mom: Well, sometimes you need to hear it again.
Me: (Okay, don't react. Don't react! Try hard not to be defensive!)
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my parents, once again, shocked and mortified me!
And I thought that what happens in Boracay, stays in Boracay. A pact that everybody heeded to. Apparently not, when it is the locals themselves who rat on you, damnit! A and I have gone to Boracay thrice and it has been a closely guarded secret that he stays with me (Well, not anymore now that my parents know!). My uncle and titos knew but didn't say anything, and even said not to worry because they know I'm old enough (now how cool is that?!) and as my uncle says, 'This is my island! What happens in Boracay, stays in Boracay!" I appreciated that.
To my sisters, Ciara and Cami: See? Once again, I'm right. Remember my theory that our parents think the worst of us, even if it's not true, so that if it becomes true, they wouldn't be shocked anymore? There you go. Another example.
Side note: Whoa! Did you feel that earthquake? I knew I had to run out because the entire building might collapse on my head but I waited for like 5 seconds, thinking it might stop. In those 5 seconds, I entertained the thought that it just might be the vibrations from the loudness of our sound system upstairs at the bar. But it wasn't. My computer and the chair started swaying and I felt dizzy. And then, I saw our telephone cord swaying violently. "Okay," I said to myself, "Time to run." But, of course, before I did, I YM-ed my friend in Australia, who I was conversing with to say, "Shit! Earthquake!" Friends, you just have witnessed how screwed up my priorities can get!!!
You see, this morning, or afternoon rather (that's morning to me =) ), I made the mistake of saying yes when my mom asked me if I could drop her off at Rockwell.
As we were exiting the village, a conversation transpires...
Mom: Where do you stay in Boracay?
Me: In lolo's laundry shop.
Mom: Oh, you stayed there with A, no?
Me: (Uh- oh! Trouble ahead!) No.
Mom: Yes, you did!
Me: (Defensively) No! (Okay, there's a traitor among us! I wonder who told!? We had this pact! Was it my uncle? Whatever happened to 'This is my island! Whatever happens in Boracay, stays in Boracay!'? How about tito? Maybe it was the other tito? No, they wouldn't tell! Damnit!)
Mom: Where does A stay?
Me: (Trying hard not to smile and laugh) Downstairs. With uncle and the rest of the management.
Mom: Liar!
Me: Yes!
Mom: Liar! You, liar! The girls told me!
Me: Girls?! What girls?! (Yeah, what girls?! Who is she talking about?)
Mom: The girls! The ones your lolo hired to watch the place! The ones who does the laundry!
Me: (Oh, fudge!)
Mom: Just use protection.
Me: (Shocked!) Mo- om! (Oh God! Help me! Please Earth open up and swallow me whole!)
Mom: Well, cuz you already know about the birds and the bees... Just be safe. You don't want... (to get pregnant accidentally)...
Me: Mom! You don't need to remind me! Ever since I was a child, I've been hearing that! (Waaaaaahhhhh!!!!)
Mom: Well, sometimes you need to hear it again.
Me: (Okay, don't react. Don't react! Try hard not to be defensive!)
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my parents, once again, shocked and mortified me!
And I thought that what happens in Boracay, stays in Boracay. A pact that everybody heeded to. Apparently not, when it is the locals themselves who rat on you, damnit! A and I have gone to Boracay thrice and it has been a closely guarded secret that he stays with me (Well, not anymore now that my parents know!). My uncle and titos knew but didn't say anything, and even said not to worry because they know I'm old enough (now how cool is that?!) and as my uncle says, 'This is my island! What happens in Boracay, stays in Boracay!" I appreciated that.
To my sisters, Ciara and Cami: See? Once again, I'm right. Remember my theory that our parents think the worst of us, even if it's not true, so that if it becomes true, they wouldn't be shocked anymore? There you go. Another example.
Side note: Whoa! Did you feel that earthquake? I knew I had to run out because the entire building might collapse on my head but I waited for like 5 seconds, thinking it might stop. In those 5 seconds, I entertained the thought that it just might be the vibrations from the loudness of our sound system upstairs at the bar. But it wasn't. My computer and the chair started swaying and I felt dizzy. And then, I saw our telephone cord swaying violently. "Okay," I said to myself, "Time to run." But, of course, before I did, I YM-ed my friend in Australia, who I was conversing with to say, "Shit! Earthquake!" Friends, you just have witnessed how screwed up my priorities can get!!!
Pictures, Pictures
I've decided to post the pictures from our family pictorial last Saturday at The Picture Company at Alabang Town Center. Note that these pictures are raw, meaning there are no touch ups (except for the cropping which I did on Photoshop).
So without further adieu, let me present to you, my family, the characters of some of the posts you read here:
Clockwise, starting from the Shaolin kid on top, we've got the 7 year old, hyper and temperemental Judo, the queen of the house, my stepmother, 3 year old and very much wild Xavier, Purple princess Ciara (notice the purple antenna and wings? I bet her underwear's purple too!) , Teenage Kikay Queen Cami (now doesn't she look kikay?), ever malabo Cat (are you a fairy? a hula dancer? or a princess?- Yup, that's me! Sapphire uncovered), the handsome and chivalrous Don, Enzo, the techie of the house and lastly, the ever game and hilarious king (or flower) of the house, my dad.
And then you've got all my cousins in one picture. I'm not going to point out each one as it gets confusing. Only one of my cousins was not in the picture because she was throwing a tantrum. Sophia, a year and a half old, hated pictorials.
As you can see, we were totally enjoying ourselves. My dad was showing his butt crack for the nth time and the kids just laughed and screamed to their hearts content, often chanting, "We want the butt!!!"
Well, I hope everybody has a blast this weekend, just as much as we did while taking the pictures! Enjoy all!
So without further adieu, let me present to you, my family, the characters of some of the posts you read here:
Clockwise, starting from the Shaolin kid on top, we've got the 7 year old, hyper and temperemental Judo, the queen of the house, my stepmother, 3 year old and very much wild Xavier, Purple princess Ciara (notice the purple antenna and wings? I bet her underwear's purple too!) , Teenage Kikay Queen Cami (now doesn't she look kikay?), ever malabo Cat (are you a fairy? a hula dancer? or a princess?- Yup, that's me! Sapphire uncovered), the handsome and chivalrous Don, Enzo, the techie of the house and lastly, the ever game and hilarious king (or flower) of the house, my dad.
And then you've got all my cousins in one picture. I'm not going to point out each one as it gets confusing. Only one of my cousins was not in the picture because she was throwing a tantrum. Sophia, a year and a half old, hated pictorials.
As you can see, we were totally enjoying ourselves. My dad was showing his butt crack for the nth time and the kids just laughed and screamed to their hearts content, often chanting, "We want the butt!!!"
Well, I hope everybody has a blast this weekend, just as much as we did while taking the pictures! Enjoy all!
Boracay, Here I Come!
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Want to know what's inside my desk drawer?
Tickets. Airline Tickets. To Boracay.
Yup, in just a week, I'll be basking in the sun, enjoying the shine, getting a tan, frolicking in the sand. I'll be working wearing my favorite two- piece and sarong, sunglasses perched on the bridge of my nose. I'll be handling an event, running from one end of the venue to the other barefooted. I'll stuff myself with chori burgers, barbecues and hotdogs being sold outside our bar. I look forward to our luncheon/ dinner with our sponsors from Globe because we always have fresh oysters, baked cheezy mussels, inihaw na liempo, fat, succulent prawns, chili crabs (my mouth is watering already). I'll be drinking the milkshakes from next door, Jonah's, from the take- out bottle, even if my own bar sells milkshakes too.
And as if my 5 days, 4 nights stay isn't enough, I'm coming back again on the 27th and will be staying there till the 2nd of November. And A will be joining me, of course. (Wow, I just realized that this year alone, I'll be going to Boracay three times! I went there last Holy Week). Ah, the perks of my job! The joys of having a bar in Boracay.
So, my dear micro shorts, bikinis and sarongs, time to come out of the closet!!! We're going for another ride!
Tickets. Airline Tickets. To Boracay.
Yup, in just a week, I'll be basking in the sun, enjoying the shine, getting a tan, frolicking in the sand. I'll be working wearing my favorite two- piece and sarong, sunglasses perched on the bridge of my nose. I'll be handling an event, running from one end of the venue to the other barefooted. I'll stuff myself with chori burgers, barbecues and hotdogs being sold outside our bar. I look forward to our luncheon/ dinner with our sponsors from Globe because we always have fresh oysters, baked cheezy mussels, inihaw na liempo, fat, succulent prawns, chili crabs (my mouth is watering already). I'll be drinking the milkshakes from next door, Jonah's, from the take- out bottle, even if my own bar sells milkshakes too.
And as if my 5 days, 4 nights stay isn't enough, I'm coming back again on the 27th and will be staying there till the 2nd of November. And A will be joining me, of course. (Wow, I just realized that this year alone, I'll be going to Boracay three times! I went there last Holy Week). Ah, the perks of my job! The joys of having a bar in Boracay.
So, my dear micro shorts, bikinis and sarongs, time to come out of the closet!!! We're going for another ride!
Weekend Recap
Sunday, October 03, 2004
And here's how my weekend went...
FRIDAY
FRIDAY
- Just as I was supposed to leave for the office to go to the soft opening of our new branch, I noticed a stain in my skirt! Yesiree, the damn monthly period! Luckily, I was wearing a denim skirt. So I took off my skirt, washed the stained spot, rubbed hand soap furiously into it, and used the hand dryer to dry the spot. The end result: Unnoticeable!
- Braved Friday rush hour traffic to get to the soft opening of our branch in Ortigas.
- Got there by 7, toured the place with our VP for Operations, hung out at my usual spot, Table 47, which is common in all our bars since it has the same structure and design, with my aunt and one of our acoustic performers. As the night progressed, more people joined us.
- Had a frozen margarita, a glass of Tequila Rose and half a shot of Tequila (Hey! It was only 830pm! And I was driving home!) I started getting woozy after that half shot! So I drank water right away. I can't get drunk by 830! What a loser with a capital L!
- A arrived at around 9:30PM from the editing of his commercial. I gave him a tour of the place. We hung out with some people until we received a message from his former officemates that there is a reunion at Gilligan's in Glorietta. We decided to go by 10:30 PM.
- Dropped by the office again, since it was on the way to the reunion, to give something to my dad and pick up something belonging to my mom that I forgot earlier.
- Headed to Park Square for the reunion. It was fun. Mostly, A and his former officemates made fun of their gay boss who was just too much to handle and who didn't know how to handle his people and business.
- Dropped off A at his place at 2am.
SATURDAY
- Woke up at around noon. Got dressed as my family and cousins had a family pictorial in The Picture Company in Alabang. The pictures were our present for my lola, who was celebrating her 65th birthday on the 13th. We were celebrating it on Sunday because as usual, my grandmother leaves the country whenever it's her birthday. This year, she's going to Australia and New Zealand.
- Drove all the way to Alabang with my sisters. It was the first time I drove to a place that far. Of course my sisters slept in the car! So much for company!
- Had the riotest picture taking ever. All my cousins were there. That's 20 grandchildren, from the eldest (almost 24 years old, me) to the youngest (a year and 6 months, Sophia). We caused such a racket in the studio. Everybody was just shouting and the kids wouldn't stay in place. You could hear my mom, who was taking pictures, shouting "Enrique, chin up! Judo, look at the camera! Xavier, Joaquin, stop picking your nose! Don, stop closing your eyes!" And when it was time to use the props (hats, crowns, tiaras, leis, swords) for our informal picture, my mom and I started shouting, "Okay, everybody! Stay in your place and we'll pass you the props!" cuz we knew that if we let everybody choose, it would be too chaotic and fights would ensue over who would get the crown/ crazy hat/ cowboy hat/ sword, etc. We had great pictures though. We had one where in we were all laughing so hard. But that's because my dad showed his butt crack to make everybody smile all at the same time.
- Ara and I dropped by Powerbooks to check out books that their branches in Greenbelt 4 and Glorietta 3 might not have. We crossed to Starbucks and got a frappucino each before heading back to the city. Of course, we got lost going to the parking lot. I couldn't believe I have forgotten the way around Alabang Town Center. I was an Alabanger just two years ago and I lived there for 3 years! Until, of course, traffic was just too much for us that we decided to move back to the North where most of my siblings' schools are.
- Upon reaching the office, I worked a little, made last minute bilins while waited for A.
- A and I go to Power Plant in Rockwell.
- We buy tickets to Raising Helen, went window shopping, stopping at Fully Booked where I binged on 2 Jane Green books, 1 Lisa Jewell book (which weren't available in Powerbooks) and the latest local Cosmopolitan magazine.
- I ran out of money so I had to withdraw money from the ATM at the other freaking end of the mall!
- I went back to Fully Booked, where A was waiting, and bought a Fully Booked discount card for only P700! Now this is just weird but to get a Fully Booked discount card, you have 3 options:
1.) Buy P10,000 worth of books at a single time;
2.) Get a track card and purchase P15,000 worth of books within one year (like Powerbooks);
3.) Buy the discount card at P700.00 and you will be considered a frequent and loyal customer!
Of course, you'd definitely opt for 3rd option!
- Had dinner at Cibo. I don't remember what I ate though cuz A and I had an argument.
- Watched Raising Helen (we've made up by then!)
- Hunted for cigarettes, dropped by The Picture Company in Rockwell, where my mom was staying till midnight, working on the collage for my grandmother's present.
- Passed by the office again to pick up my sister who met up with her recent ex- boyfriend's parents (Yep, they love her that much!)
- Went to my house where we hung out and watched Saved! on DVD till 4:45am
SUNDAY
- Woke up at 12nn, took a shower and got dressed for lunch at Grandma's
- Had lunch, hung out with my aunts, watched the slideshow of the pictures we took
- Had merienda after what seemed like just an hour
- Went to my lola's room to watch local tv with another aunt
- Went home and slept on the way home
- Had dinner
- Went to Church
- Went online, updated my blog while waiting for my turn with my pedicurist
- Went back to my room and made this entry
It's already 11:15pm but the weekend ain't over yet. Who knows? After this, I just might blog hop or pop a DVD on my laptop.
Goodnight, world! Have a great, progressive week ahead!
Tiny Talks: Part 4
Friday, October 01, 2004
This morning, my 7 year old brother, Judo, knocked on my door. I open the door to see him holding something I quite couldn't make out.
Judo: Uhh, happy birthday, Ate Cat!
Me: (about to open my mouth and tell him it's not my birthday today but he interrupts me)
Judo: I know your birthday is still in two months but I got you something.
(Judo hands me the present. It's a toy pearl necklace.)
Me: (Very much touched and delighted) Wow!!! (I pick him up and hug him, even if he was sweaty from playing under the sun). Thank you!!! (Thinking it must have cost him his allowance) How much did you buy this?
Judo: Ten pesos.
Me: From where?
Judo: School! From the fair!
Now I wear my early birthday present around my wrist as a reminder of how such a bratty kid can be an angel.
(Hmmm, I just realized-- maybe he won the necklace in one of the game booths and didn't know what to do with it! =p )
Judo: Uhh, happy birthday, Ate Cat!
Me: (about to open my mouth and tell him it's not my birthday today but he interrupts me)
Judo: I know your birthday is still in two months but I got you something.
(Judo hands me the present. It's a toy pearl necklace.)
Me: (Very much touched and delighted) Wow!!! (I pick him up and hug him, even if he was sweaty from playing under the sun). Thank you!!! (Thinking it must have cost him his allowance) How much did you buy this?
Judo: Ten pesos.
Me: From where?
Judo: School! From the fair!
Now I wear my early birthday present around my wrist as a reminder of how such a bratty kid can be an angel.
(Hmmm, I just realized-- maybe he won the necklace in one of the game booths and didn't know what to do with it! =p )
