Urbanista Manila Living in Style

I came in to the hospital an hour before my shift. As I unpack my valuables, I felt nervous because I cannot find my cell phone. Then I noticed that there’s a slash in my bag!
I just got robbed! It is not just a mere pickpocket thing but the thief slashed my MNG bag.
I feel awful not for the loss of the cell phone but for the damage my bag has sustained.
As my colleague says, let it slide ’cause s**t happens.

I just came across the TV ad of the Beach Boys’ upcoming concert in Manila. It shows the smashing hit concerts of the then version of Jonas Brothers. And I cant help it but to unleash the curiousity in me, what if they would also bring their dancers then? Since they will relive their greatest hits I guess there would not be so much dancing efforts required.
Just thinking aloud.

I think I have lived under a cave for quite a while. I asked Olivia to buy me Kaya jam from Singapore. I really loved that jam having it tasted in Toastbox while in Lion City.
I met up with Liv and she handed me the sweet treat. After a hours of chitchatting, we parted ways.
When I got home, I got a text from her that if ever I want a jam refill, I just have to swing by Trinoma, because there is a Toastbox branch there. She just discovered it too on her way to the shuttle service stations.
What an idiot!
I am excited for the Kaya toast and the milk iced tea.

While sipping on our non-fat decaf caramel macchiato, Liv and I kept on talking about our current lovelife status which has the words boring and zero written all over it. We kept on asking what is wrong with us? Or are we that really choosy? The time is ticking on us and the bomb of being legitimate old maids is on its final stretch of being detonated.
After so many considerations, we have decided not to be choosy and to jump in the opprotunity to have a boyfriend as soon as it knocks.
I am getting a vibe that it will the year for either of us, it’s good if it will be for the both of us.

I am really upset seeing toddlers on a leash. Recently, I asked my cousin who came from Canada why she puts her child on a leash when she goes out for shopping or a stroll. She just casually anwered that she does that in order for the kid not to be lost. WTF?, the child will not be lost if you will cuddle her or put her on a stroller. If you are scared of losing her, might as well leave her at some with someone else.
Child on a leash is just a brutal scene to me. Children deserve some respect.

A few years back, wearing black to a wedding is taboo. Now, in this ever evolving computer age, everything, as long as it is approriate and does not scream hooker or clown, is acceptable.
With a tight budget, I decided to have my hair and make up done at a neighborhood salon. The salon, based on my assessment, is not among those chains of thrift salons nor those who just pretends to know how to cut hair and style it as well. I used to have my hair rebonding and hair cut done there. Then again, I still have doubts on their skills in terms of hair and make up.
The hair and make up was priced at P550 which I think is pretty reasonable. I kept on texting my cousin whom I trust when it comes to hair, makeup and fashion. Too bad she cannot render her service to me as she is a part of the ntourage and I do not want to burden her anymore.
I was telling her that I hope I will not end up looking like a clown.
I first changed into my LBD and showed the hair and makeup stylists how I want my hair to look like as well as my make up. I was really obessesed with the outcome that I kept on telling them what I want as the session progresses.
While the hair and make up were not done exactly as I want them to be (I was really expecting that), I am kind of satisfied with the out come.
I went to the wedding with much confidence too bad I was not able to stay for the reception as I have my PM duty at the hospital. I managed to snatch some pix on my cell phone and the pix on my cousin’s cam when I was already in my nurse uniform (LOL).

My niece who’s now based in Canada came to town to have her and his husband’s (who is based in the US) church wedding.
It is a formal event. Strictly formal that is.
Being traditional and all, they need to tie the knot (again) this time in the church. My niece is not traditional at all, she just wants to make her dream wedding happen. And being one of the few chose guests to witness this momentous day in her life, I felt obliged to show my presence.
I bought this LBD a couple of years ago and I have not worn it since then. I even let our household help wear it to our barangay’s Halloween party thinking that I will not have the opportunity to rock it.
With the recent cut back in my paycheck due to my career change, I need to maximize the resources that are available (in my closet)
She is not traditional nor her husband although her husband’s main concern is telling the guests not to give them any gifts anymore. I admired my nieces, means of saying that monetary gifts are preferred as they cannot bring blender, oven toaster and all to Canada.
The invite reads: To save you looking, shopping or buying, here is an idea we hope you like trying.
Come to our wedding to wish us both well and bring an envelope to throw in our wishing well. Fill it with paper all colors will do.
Now that we have saved you all of that fuss, we hope you will come and celebrate with us
Although the groom does not agree to the idea of still requesting for monetary presents. I find the manner of informing the guests, cordial.
I asked the bride if it is okay to wear black to her wedding and she immediately replied it’s fine. The groom even agreed to the idea.
I already have my LBD, my only consideration for now (read: for now) is how I am gonna rock it. I mean the makeup and the bling.
The entourage will be having Barbie Chan as the makeup artist. And my ever reliable makeup artist is part of the entourage, so I am on my own. Since, I am still learning the tricks of painting my face, I guess I would have to jump on the bandwagon and shell out some serious cash.
In attending a formal wedding, here are some useful tips I have googled and gotten from Fashion.about.com
Do’s and Don’ts for Her

* Don’t wear white because it competes with the bride. There are plenty of other colors available.
* Don’t wear black or sequins during the daytime.
* Don’t worry about wearing the same colors as the bridesmaids or mothers. You can’t possibly coordinate with everyone in the wedding party.
* Do wear something feminine and appropriate, out of respect for your hosts. Clubwear, overtly sexy clothing (strapless, see-through, etc) doesn’t belong at a wedding. If you have to ask if it’s appropriate, it probably isn’t.
* Don’t wear opera-length gloves (to top of arm) with anything but sleeveless or strapless gowns.
* Do take off gloves to eat or drink.
* Do use good judgment if the invitation doesn’t specify the formality of the event. A pastel suit or soft floral dress for daytime or a little black dress for evening (after 6 p.m.) will take you almost anywhere.
I am keeping my finger crossed that my shift would allow me to attend the wedding. I cannot go on leave yet because I am on probation.

Being a foodie, I really enjoyed my short stay in Singapore. I have indulged in their mouth-watering gastonomical treats like the laksa, chicken rice, chili crab and the milk tea. These delights are available in every corner of Singapore where Hawker Centers are located.
Casual dining without sacrificing the flavor and draining your pocket.
My friend Liv, who lives in Singapore have something in common. You cannot expect us to eat in fastfood joints while in other places. Trying on their best offerings is number one our must-do list.
Aside from the native offerings, I also enjoyed the fusion of other culture’s delicacies among these are the Indian Pratta and the Japanese Kaya Toast.
While I enjoyed the toast itself (toasted bread spread with Hainanese Kaya, butter and cheese), I find it weird feasting on mildly boiled 2 eggs which came with the Kaya Toast serving.

I have finished my Kaya toast already and while waiting for my friend to arrive, I had no idea how eat the eggs, so I just observed the Koreans sitting beside me, They cracked the eggs, seasoned with salt, pepper and soysause, mixed them them spooned them to their mouths.

When Liv arrived, I asked her to finish both eggs because I cannot stuff them into my mouth without gagging.
I really loved the Kaya toast that I bought Hainanese Kaya spread but too bad that it was confiscated at the airport because it was not sealed. Now, I am craving for it…very badly.

After months of dreading on the airing of Anthony Bourdain’s gastronomic adventure in the Philippines, I have finally got the chance to catch it on the Travel and Living channel
I thank Wendy’s light iced tea kicking in so hard that it made me up all night scramming for any show on tv that would make me doze off.
His take on this journey was a bit different and I must admit that it has made me think hard about the Filipino’s identity. The Philippines is nowhere to be found on the map of top Southeast Asian destinations among Westerners or foreigners. Especially those who cover lifestyle or travel shows. Our country is on the bottom of their lists. I always say that we only land the international news if there are catastrophic events happened or political standoff happening.
Fortunately, Bourdain was finally convinced to visit the country after so many questions thrown at him asking why he kept on skipping our country.
The idea started when Fil-American Augusto joined the video invite contest by the said program. Bourdain was thrilled by the enthusiasm Augusto has displayed on the video and he ended up talking with the person face to face. But his interest has died or has been killed by other contestants’ persuasion skills leaving our country unnoticed. I cannot blame Bourdain for turning his back on us because of his disappointment with Augusto.
After the clamor for Bourdain to switch gear and head for the tropical island or for lacking anymore place to go, he finally hopped in.
While Augusto was in his hometown in Cebu prepping for the welcome party, Bourdain did his tour of Luzon.
His first stop, Manila where he had a taste of the fishballs, taho, pancit malabon and the Dampa style dining. Dampa is a place where a person shops for his own ingredients and bring them to an in house kitchen/store, instruct the cook how you want your food to be cooked. The tour guide dcided to have pinakbet to represent the North and the guinataang alimango (crab) and adobong hipon (shrimp).
Next stop was Pampanga. Bourdain explicitly expressed his enthusiasm in visiting the province having been informed that it has been a bread basket and culinary capital next to being occupied by the Americans in the World War II and is now being home to US military officers.
He dug in different servings of Kambing (goat). He found them better that it was described by his tour guide. This is where he tried the “must” …. sisig. Sautéed finely chopped pig’s cheeks served on sizzling plate.
He had a hard time finding the answer to his question who are the Filipinos. Which was also the pulsating question of Augusto who was born and raised in the us. He became enthusiastic about his country having been here once and only for a month in his entire life. His second home coming to the Philippines seemed to be a quest for his true identity.
The true sense of Filipino is hard to classify like the adobo that has so many versions. The country is composed of over 7000 islands and each region, tribe or minority wants to be a representative of the nation. It is hard to identify what represents a true Pinoy when confronted with such a question because there are so many underlying regional considerations and no one seems to be called a minority here.
In Bourdain’s trip to Pampanga, he could not help but comment that it’s always your province first, next the Philippines. This was after hearing one of the hosts said in a bragging manner that whatever dish one region or province could put on the table, they, Pampangenos can do a whole lot better.
Finally, Bourdain met with Augusto. They stopped at an eatery join and welcomed each other in the Philippines. By Broudain’s description, Augusto did not seem to be what he has hoped for – the window to the Philippines. They done went to Augusto’s house and it was a bzzzzzzz……………
The most interesting part has happened, showing Bourdain how the best lechon in the world is cooked. A whole pig on a bamboo stick is slowly roasted the traditional way. No machine intervention.
Funny thing on this part, Bourdain served as the host to the welcoming party and August was just a guest. Even in the lechon tasting . Bourdain seems to have felt the awkwardness Augusto was feeling in fron of hi s relatives and the cameras. So he went on with his quest for the true Filipino and luckily the tour guide who happened to be the same person who toured Bobby Chinn around the Manila was knowledgeable enough in feeding Bourdain about the adaptability and diversification of the Filipinos. From which Bourdain concluded that problem with us being the melting pot of every culture is that we are too damn nice.
In the end, Bourdain enjoyed what he had in the Philippines. The best pig ever! His left his question about Filipino identity to Augusto afterall, it is all about food.

I am not into riding someone else’s popularity that is why it annoys me to how someone becomes instantly associated with a person a just got famous.
I love to watch Chelsea Lately. They make serious things funny by mocking people concerned and it does not sound offensive or politically incorrect. It is a gathering of stand up comedians after all and if you have been to any stand up comedy bar whether here or abroad, the pack’s blow is a bit subtler.
One of the regular round table guests on Chelsea is Jo Koy, and his name does not have any Filipino sound to it but he is darn proud that he is actually is. Even Chelsea and the lot keep on mocking Asians in general.
I just find Jo Koy amusing.