Urbanista Manila Living in Style

Archive for January, 2009

Last Saturday, I, our house help and my nieces were locked out of our house. Today, I was locked out of my room. I had my things lying in my bed, I was already dressed up, my hair still in hair curlers, I went to the kitchen to grab a bite. As I was returning to my room, I found out that it’s locked!
I texted my sister and she’s got the “spare” key with her. Her in-laws in the other house neither got any key also.
Good thing my room’s window was open, I was able to snitch some of my stuff with the help of an umbrella. I had to leave the electric fan and PC open because I cannot reach the switch to these devices.
I went out to run my errands, without feeling pissed (I decided not to) and when I got home, I just stayed in my sister’s room with occasional checking on my nieces in the living room.
When my sister arrived late in the evening, none of her keys worked. She then asked me how many keys to the house’s locks was I able to have duplicated, I replied three. One is to the main door, the other one is to other gate and the other one, I don’t know to which door a key to.
She then said, it’s for your room.
Dang! I did not know that. The solution to my problem was in my hand. Right under my nose.
Maybe it’s trying to tell me something.
I will spill the beans next time.

While I was at the British Council, I was thinking of ordering Shakey’s for delivery when I get home.
So I did.

I dialed 77777 and ordered the Manager’s Choice and Pepperoni. The guy said, as I clearly remembered, let’s sync out watches, it’s 5:25 pm and expect your delivery within 30 minutes.

Whatevs. I am not really expecting the rider to be late because they have this if-it’s-late-it’s-free drive. I glanced at our wall clock anyway and it was 5:55 pm. It means the pizza should arrive by 6:25 pm.

It’s 6:30 and no one’s hitting the doorbell so I rang 7777. The guy on the other line said that waiting time is 45 minutes. I was surprised because I was told that pizza would arrive in 30 and in fact it’s part of their campaign. The guy handed the phone to the one who took my order. I sensed that the guy was trying to intimidate me and told me that he did not tell me it would be delivered in 30 and that if I want, he will play the call recording. So I said, Bring it!

I was put on hold for about 5 minutes. He came back telling me that they are still trying to recover the recording. Another 5 minutes went by, no recording was produced. I was ticked off already. Summing up, the delivery was already 45 minutes late. The guy agreed and I was informed that someone will call me to sort things out.

After 5 minutes, I was speaking with a girl from, I think the hotline and I was told she was verifying the matter with the branch who is responsible for the delivery. I said okay. No pizza still.

Finally, after another 5 minutes, the delivery boy was knocking on the gate, when I opened it, he’s got company. A girl. Also from Shakey’s because she’s in uniform

I don’t want to think that they had a joy ride.

They were so apologetic but I am already pissed. And the rest is history.

Maybe it’s weird and you could smack me on my head, but I feel relaxed when I smell a just opened balik bayan box.
Once in a while, I go to a sweat shop in a public market near our place. Before I skim for some loot, I would stand in front of the yard, close my eyes then breathe deeply.
It just mesmerizes me.

I went to DFA this afternoon taking the long way (FX, MRT, LRT and trike) so as to avoid the flock of people gathered in Quiapo for the feast of the Black Nazarene.
It was lunch time when I left home and I arrived at the DFA just before 1:00 p.m. I had my lunch at a nearby food shop and went straight into the DFA office only to find out that what I will be getting is just an appointment ticket. Well, the officer has checked the completeness of my documents but I think it was a waste of time and money to go there personally when I could make an appointment online.
I was asked to go back on January 13th.
In short, I am done there in less than 20 minutes. Thinking of maximizing my errands day, I decided to head for the NBI in Quiapo. “The celebration must be finished already” I told myself.
So I took a jeep to Quiapo and there was no traffic at all. I went to NBI and I was really pleased to see these:

There are no people in the house! Maybe they are out there celebrating or they have just skipped this day going to NBI for the fear of being trapped in the sea of devotees.
This is great. In less than five minutes I was able to finish my transaction. But my elation was short lived, first by the old woman who takes the picture who seemed to be in a hurry. I looked at my back and I am the only person there, so I voiced out in a very grumpy manner (I reciprocated her attitude): what’s the rush all about? She did not respond. So I just went away to the stamping where I was told that I need to be back on the 14th to claim my clearance. WTF!
Why can’t they do it now?
Feeling frustrated I went out of the building. As I walked down to Quiapo church, people were starting to pile up.
Oh no, the parade has started or has come back.
And the rest was history. How I managed to get home, do not bother to ask.