Urbanista Manila Living in Style

Archive for the ‘life’ Category

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.

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.

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.

At past lunch today, we received an HR advisory informing us that we may seek approval from our immediate superior to leave work at 3:00 pm. This is due to the inclement weather that is expected to be brought by Pepeng which is considered as super typhoon.
With the concern of avoiding its employees to get stranded somewhere, the management has decided to send us home early.
My shift started at 1:00 pm but I came in early to render overtime. After a few haggling, my boss allowed me to hit the road by 5:00 pm but I decided to finish my work so I was able to get out at 5:30 pm.
I rushed to Parco Supermarket to do my usual grocery and I was really surprised to see flocks of people in there. It is like family reunion in there. Push carts that usually lined up at the entrance where all gone. I had to wait for the attendant to bring one on its stand.
Since I do not eat red meat, tuna and chicken are always on my list and I was really disappointed seeing that all tuna brands on the shelf was washed out. Not a single can has survived the panic buying stint that afternoon. This upper portion of the rack is usually filled with canned tuna.

I pushed my way through the chicken station and I passed by Monterey meat stations and see that even the red ones were not spared.

When I finally stopped at the chicken station, there was no single dressed bird sitting there.

Are people over reacting to the news about the super typhoon that is about to hit the metro? Or the government has overrated Pepeng?
Either way, I do not find the panic buying or hoarding part funny. I ended up carrying frozen cream dory.

Up to now, it is heart breaking to see the impact of Ondoy’s onslaught on the lives of its victims.
Most of them have lost valuable belongings and many have lost their loved ones, unable to save their own lives or in the act of saving someone else’s life.
While most survived the catastrophe, they are still trying to pick up the pieces. Lucky those who have money to dish out and try to start anew but unfortunate those who have nothing left in their pockets but the will to survive.
People are in dire need of relief primarily from hunger…
If you have anything to share, monetary, goods or manpower, please reach out. It does not have to be extravagant because a forced kindness deserves no thanks.
Go to any relief operations center near you.
We need to help one another as the other countries have been hit by nature’s wrath, Ketsana on Vietnam and Cambodia; tsunami in American Samoa; and earthquake in Indonesia.

This is the most devastating weather condition I have been into.
The water rose instantly that it did not allow time for the people to evacuate to higher and saffer grounds except their own houses’ rooftops.
The onslaught of tropical storm Ondoy (with international name Ketsana) has swept almost the entire Metro Manila, Marikina and the provinces in Rizal.
Although the storm was not even considered a super typhoon, the heavy downpour of rain it brought that turned into flash flowing mud flood was more than enough to wash out homes, establishments and vehicles.
Many lives have been claimed and many remain homeless but despite that people still manage to smile even in this tough time.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV
Classes on all levels in the entire Metro Manila has been suspended.
The muddy water in Marikina and Rizal are now knee deep. Many roads in the metro are now passable except in some areas like Morayta and Quiapo.
I am sharing below the picture that I took from the 6F of our office building as the flood begun to rush on the Quezon Ave.

I went to Iglesia ni Cristo Central Temple to pay my final respect to our Executive Minister, Bro. Erano G. Manalo.
There was no queue outside of the church and it was easy for me to get through the temple.
I almost broke into tears. I was able to shake hands with his grand daughters.
I know that God has let Ka Erdy lay to rest but his legacy in leading the flock will live forever in our hearts.
The entire church is morning but in God’s grace, we will pass through this tough time.

We have balikbayans for our guests. My brother-in-law’s uncle and his son came back from the states for their usual biennial Philippine trip.
Tito Bong, the uncle, wants his son, Ian, to have his college here in the Philippines for economic reasons.
Not forgetting his roots, Tito Bong orients Ian who was born and raised in the US to Philippine culture and even speaks with him in Filipino most of the time which I find admirable.
When they arrived, there is a funeral beside a bakery inform of our house.
Ian was wandering what was the set up is for (the tents, chairs, tables and lights) and Tito Bong jokingly told him that it is a party ad they will be getting tickets for them to get in.
The following morning, Tito Bong asked Ian to buy pandesal at the bakery and when he found out that the set up beside the bakery is actually a funeral he commented with great disgust that it is so gross to eat bread baked in a shop beside a funeral.
We just said, welcome to the third world! You have so much to learn about the 411 of living and surviving in Manila.

My sister, my brother-in-law, their three daughters and I were watching Ouija, a local horror flick starring Judy Ann Santos and Jolina Magdangal. I am not watching horror or suspense films because they surely scare the hell out of me but for some reason, I decided to sit with them and enjoy a weekend night.
I was teasing my toddler niece by screaming “boo” at her. She cried for a while and looked at me angrily. Then she looked over my shoulder as if she’s seeing something and said in a fearful fashion: Tita, Tita!
That gave me goosebumps and I ran towards them. It cracked my sister and brother-in-law up. I also ended up laughing at myself.