i used to hate valentine's day. it really is a cheesy event romanticized by greeting card and motel companies. i hated it when i went to malls and i saw gazillions of couples holding hands. you would not see them do that on normal days. it's hardcore hypocrisy. or maybe i was just bitter. haha!
but the curse stopped this year! i got a date! woot! woot! no, we didn't go to a fancy restaurant. no flowers. although he gave me lots of ferrero the night before. it's more of a CNY gift than a valentine's.
i cooked for him. as in i really brought a sauce pot and i went to the wet market to buy everything. this is the first time im doing it to surprise somebody. oh yes, i don't cook. i eat out. it's really a bother having to buy groceries, think of the menu for the week and wash the dishes. and don't forget settling for a mediocre meal! but darn it, i really wanted to surprise him so i struggled to fry that bloody fish and cook sinigang. good thing he liked them, or at least he was really good at pretending that he did. and yes, ako pa ang naghugas ng plato after! and i think i liked the whole thing.
ginayuma talaga ako nun. haha!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
sarah. as in sarah geronimo.
guys, courtesy of pinoyhongkong peeps, i was given the privilege of meeting sarah geronimo. as in fan nya ako, ano man ang sabihin ng iba! nanood pa ko ng concert nya sa araneta dati. tapos ung UP grad pic ko ginagaya ko ung photo nya sa first album nya. pinipilit ng friend ko na si leah salonga daw ang kamukha, pero hinde! si sarah talaga un! haha!
i was designated to be the sort-of-official photographer. armed with backstage pass and a privileged treatment from all organizers, i was all set to cover the event. this is kuya jong, the director of the event. he's the owner of VIP Productions. i owe to him this experience.
the program started with an opening dance number by the VIP dancers. and yes, they're dancing the 2007 craze papaya.
this is enzo fesalbon, the most talented and confident singer five year old kid you'll ever meet. saan ka makakakita ng five year old na kumakanta ng isang queen song? and take note, talagang all out ang stage presence ng batang ito! talagang hinihikayat pa ang audience na makipalakpak sa kanya! at ginawa naman ng audience.
this is his video, courtesy of his father. di man halatang stage father!
and this is angela monsod, a daughter of one of the organizers. isa pang magaling ang batang ito.
then the hosts of the events were introduced. kuya mike and tita kerry. they're famous radio personalities here in hk:
these are the ladies from laguna achievers welfare assoc. despite their curvy bodies, these ladies really know how to strut their stuff.
and these ladies will leave you in awe. ke gagaling kumanta! they both won a singing contest for ofw's here in hk. given proper exposure, these ladies can really conquer the world!
at syempre mawawala ba ang pics with the phk mates? together with the fesalbon family and tin.
with leo, and his swimmer get-up.
i have a lot of pics of sarah and her front acts from pinas. i need to ask dave's permission first. when the actual program started, i was so engrossed that dave had to take my camera and do my work. i was that starstruck. his photos are really nice. he may be using my camera but i need to at least get his permission before posting them here. ill add more pictures next time.
at para sa mga hindi naniniwala na nagkalapit kame ni sarah, eto ang prueba. pasaway lang ang camera, mali ang settings. and take note, naka 3-4 inch high heels sya kaya mukha akong little sister nya.
first studio photo shoot
dave has been bugging me about our first studio shoot ever. he said he was able to convince some of his friends to pose for him - as in photo op consisted of models with make up, dressing up, studio lights, the works! i confirmed right away but i had to back out the last minute because i had another urgent matter to cover. good thing the shoot lasted long enough for me to come an hour before they wrap up and take a few photos.
these girls are still in their teenage years but they are very lady like already. kids these days. buti pa sila marunong magmake up. buti pa sila well polished ang nails.
the girls' individual pics:
now the three of them:
what do you think? i think they're ok. but still a loooot of room for improvement.
these girls are still in their teenage years but they are very lady like already. kids these days. buti pa sila marunong magmake up. buti pa sila well polished ang nails.
the girls' individual pics:
now the three of them:
what do you think? i think they're ok. but still a loooot of room for improvement.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
which friend am i?
got the link from my friend.
so true. phoebe all the way.
Which Friends Character Are You? | |
 | You are Phoebe. You're the weird kid with odd habits. Most people don't know it, but you're kinky in bed. Your childhood memories aren't your best, but why do you care? There's plenty of time to make up for your lost childhood now that you're an adult. |
| Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com | |
so true. phoebe all the way.
Friday, February 1, 2008
i got published...anonymously
my first step towards becoming a writer. and a non-philipppine territory at that. doesn't seem very promising, does it? journalistic writing at least. maybe that's why they didn't bother to write my name.
this is super rushed. i needed to squeeze this in after my lunch break and had to submit 4 hours later.
this is official. I AM AN ADVISOR FOR ENRICH HK! it's a non-government org that gives domestic helpers seminars on money management and confidence building. great, yeah? this is life, plenty of things to do. i am a slave to my company, i am a member of the up alumni hk, i am the secretary of the photography club, an advisor for enrich, and a gf to my b. i am actually surprised how i can juggle them! and i am still thinking of applying as a volunteer for the consulate general.
enough of the brouhaha, here's my piece as seen on the feb 01-feb 15 issue of The Sun.
Free seminar on money mgm't
A dozen Filipino domestic helpers participated in a two-day financial workshop on Jan. 6 and 13 at the David Kwok Room in St John's Cathedral, Central.
The Good Habits with Money is the first trademark workshop organized by enrich, a newly established charity that aims to provide practical training on financial literacy and confidence building to empower ethnic minorities, especially newly arrived domestic workers.
At the start of the workshop, trainers Raul Puentespina and Anne Bautista-Inlong asked the participants to assess their financial situations by calculating how much they have spent or saved, and how much money they owe, if any. Most of the participants admitted that they had lost track of their spending.
They were also asked to calculate their net worth by comparing their assets, such as their cash and properties, against their liabilities like loans and mortgages. Those with negative net worth were warned to set their finances straight.
Getting out of debt was discussed at length because some of the participants appeared to have made unwise financial decisions.
These include borrowing more money to repay debts, encashing pension plans, and paying back the biggest amount owed ahead of the others..
The participants were told to restructure their debts and prioritize the payment of those with higher interest rate. Apart from that, they were also advised to make a realistic budget, and to change their spending habits.
Participants were then asked to determine their short to long term goals and calculate how much they need to save up monthly to achieve those. There should also be savings set aside for emergency, retirement, children's studies and debt payments, according to the facilitators.
Day two focused more on applying what had been learned on day one. Budget was largely discussed. Most of the participants admitted to finding it difficult to implement a budget either because they lack time or are not motivated enough.
During one activity, participants were asked to draw up a budget. They later said that finding time to allocate money according to priorities means a lot, especially as it helps one to find ways to get around financial difficulties.
Another part of the workshop dealt with handling financial pressures from family members.
The training sessions by enrich are conducted in English, Filipino and Indonesian. Each session lasts for two hours and fees are either free or subsidized with a fee of $40 with snacks.
The next session of Good Habits with Money will be held in Central on Sunday, Feb. 17. To reserve a place, visit enrich's website at www.enrichhk.org or email info@enrichhk.org or call 22724597 and leave a message.
this is super rushed. i needed to squeeze this in after my lunch break and had to submit 4 hours later.
this is official. I AM AN ADVISOR FOR ENRICH HK! it's a non-government org that gives domestic helpers seminars on money management and confidence building. great, yeah? this is life, plenty of things to do. i am a slave to my company, i am a member of the up alumni hk, i am the secretary of the photography club, an advisor for enrich, and a gf to my b. i am actually surprised how i can juggle them! and i am still thinking of applying as a volunteer for the consulate general.
enough of the brouhaha, here's my piece as seen on the feb 01-feb 15 issue of The Sun.
Free seminar on money mgm't
A dozen Filipino domestic helpers participated in a two-day financial workshop on Jan. 6 and 13 at the David Kwok Room in St John's Cathedral, Central.
The Good Habits with Money is the first trademark workshop organized by enrich, a newly established charity that aims to provide practical training on financial literacy and confidence building to empower ethnic minorities, especially newly arrived domestic workers.
At the start of the workshop, trainers Raul Puentespina and Anne Bautista-Inlong asked the participants to assess their financial situations by calculating how much they have spent or saved, and how much money they owe, if any. Most of the participants admitted that they had lost track of their spending.
They were also asked to calculate their net worth by comparing their assets, such as their cash and properties, against their liabilities like loans and mortgages. Those with negative net worth were warned to set their finances straight.
Getting out of debt was discussed at length because some of the participants appeared to have made unwise financial decisions.
These include borrowing more money to repay debts, encashing pension plans, and paying back the biggest amount owed ahead of the others..
The participants were told to restructure their debts and prioritize the payment of those with higher interest rate. Apart from that, they were also advised to make a realistic budget, and to change their spending habits.
Participants were then asked to determine their short to long term goals and calculate how much they need to save up monthly to achieve those. There should also be savings set aside for emergency, retirement, children's studies and debt payments, according to the facilitators.
Day two focused more on applying what had been learned on day one. Budget was largely discussed. Most of the participants admitted to finding it difficult to implement a budget either because they lack time or are not motivated enough.
During one activity, participants were asked to draw up a budget. They later said that finding time to allocate money according to priorities means a lot, especially as it helps one to find ways to get around financial difficulties.
Another part of the workshop dealt with handling financial pressures from family members.
The training sessions by enrich are conducted in English, Filipino and Indonesian. Each session lasts for two hours and fees are either free or subsidized with a fee of $40 with snacks.
The next session of Good Habits with Money will be held in Central on Sunday, Feb. 17. To reserve a place, visit enrich's website at www.enrichhk.org or email info@enrichhk.org or call 22724597 and leave a message.
one off my list
why will you spend $700 for a concert?
because it's by maroon 5!
i always tell myself that if it's maroon 5, tori amos, alanis morisette or sheryl crow, i wouldn't think twice of draining my savings just to see them. and now...i got the ticket! and it's from the only group in the list. sulit kung sulit! uber grateful to mida.
good thing they are holding a concert here. i was originally planning to fly to manila just to see them but fate is with me that adam and the gang are coming over for me. yes, for me! i'm their biggest fan. woot! woot! this is the most expensive ticket. much cheaper than the php10500 in manila. this will be a blast!
im going to hear she will be loved as sung by the original singer. live! yeba!
because it's by maroon 5!
i always tell myself that if it's maroon 5, tori amos, alanis morisette or sheryl crow, i wouldn't think twice of draining my savings just to see them. and now...i got the ticket! and it's from the only group in the list. sulit kung sulit! uber grateful to mida.
good thing they are holding a concert here. i was originally planning to fly to manila just to see them but fate is with me that adam and the gang are coming over for me. yes, for me! i'm their biggest fan. woot! woot! this is the most expensive ticket. much cheaper than the php10500 in manila. this will be a blast!
im going to hear she will be loved as sung by the original singer. live! yeba!