Good Morning, Philippines!

I just love sunrise!

These are my best sunrise shots yet, taken on my way back from Bangkok with my IXUS 75. We were flying over our 7,107 islands at around 4AM last September 4.

early morning colors

flying across our 7107 islands!

That One Long Weekend in Thailand

Before my four-day trip to Thailand last Aug 31-Sept 3, I've made a list of the things that I want to do while we're there. That was my first ever Asian trip after more than 10 years (excluding stopovers during business trips) and Thailand being one of my dream countries in Asia, I'd like to maximize those precious four days.

I am proud to say that I have been able to accomplish 13 out of 16 of these items plus some other bonus activities like writing my name on a ceramic tile to be used for the reconstruction of the temple roof, dropping coins in 108 prayer bowls, offering incense and lotus flowers to a Buddha in Ayutthaya, and befriending some locals who helped us gain access to some of Thailand's best!).

Below was my list:

It was such a short trip given that there's so much to do in Bangkok alone. Next time I'm in Thailand, I want to do the following:

1) Watch a classical Thai masked dance at Sala Chalermkrung Theatre or a Thai cultural show at Siam Niramit
2) Take the Chao Phraya Cruise at night and see the temples at their lighted glory
3) Get an authentic Thai massage at Wat Pho
4) Watch the sunset/sunrise at Ayutthaya
5) Go to Phi Phi Le island where the movie, The Beach was filmed
6) Watch a Calypso Cabaret show and see performances of Thai "women" and see if this is better than Club Mwah's performaces =)
7) Watch Muay Thai tournaments
8) and then... Hop to Cambodia then Vietnam after enjoying Thailand one more time =)

Hopefully, I get to complete this new checklist by late next year. I know, it'll be even more amazing!

Buendia Through the Eyes of a Novice

I've been playing with my new toy, Canon IXUS 75, lately and I must say, I have no regrets buying the camera. It is compact, has a wide LCD screen and has a variety of shooting options that would allow an amateur like me to explore some basic photography techniques.

Posting some of my first shots.. Buendia through the eyes of a novice.

from across Citiland 8

Buendia at dusk

DJ Tapiador Visits Manila Again!

It was a long, rainy weekend last August 18-20, but with Tapi and Chris' visit in Makati, it turned out to be one of those fun weekends you'd like to have again and again.

The weekend was marked with dinners at CYMA and Kitchen, hanging out at MCafe for Tapi's gig, walking through Luneta Park and Harbour View, spending time with Jojo and Berns at their lovely flat, and then ending the visit with a Kia-Hondo-Hop Tequilla Party (which almost knocked down some of us, wondering who these are! hahaha), Hookah at Ziggurat at 6AM, and last but not the least, the Survivor breakfast at Jollibee.

Cheers for more beers and tequilla shots soon!

DJ Tapiador at MCafe

pre-tequilla Cheers! (Chris,Tapi, Omi, Jule)

Welcoming Turintini in Manila!

It was a week of countless beers, pinoy foods, balut-eating challenges (both successful and not-successful), and karaoke songs. It was a week of seemingly endless fun and laughter when Gonzalo, Maria and Ricardo were here in Manila last May 20-26.

at Leslie's, Tagaytay

I must say that you guys accomplished a lot in what seemed to be a short time to explore Manila -- from touring Tagaytay, Intramuros, and Roxas Boulevard in one day to exploring the bars and restaurants in GT Tower, Greenbelt, Glorietta, Makati Ave, Rockwell, and Mall of Asia (with a little bit of shopping both in Makati and Greenhills!).

It was a blast having you guys in Manila, finally. Hope you didn't get back to Madrid too drunk! Hopefully, the fun will be longer next time around...

P.S. Yeah, I know this post is way too late, but hey, I was busy trying to recover from that whirlwind visit =p

What the Stars Said That Night

Hahaha.

I didn't know horoscopes can be real. I checked out mine for last Friday and I can't believe what it said:

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Libra Daily Horoscope
Here is your horoscopefor Friday, June 8:

It's easy to be cynical -- in fact, it's far too easy. Do you really believe the things you're thinking, or are you on the defensive? It might be that you're secretly envious or your feelings are hurt. Be honest.
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It was as if someone was describing what I was actually thinking and feeling that day (or night)!

Such a timely prediction indeed.

I'm Sorry...

I never thought I'd feel this so much guilt over something so trivial. What happened was due to miscommunication but I believe it happened mostly because of pride. My pride, that is.

I think I have to keep this in-check once in awhile. And you are teaching me to do this.. and teaching me that saying sorry is actually very easy.

Again, I'm sorry.