Notes from a Coffeeshop

Note: I wrote this essay via the Facebook application Slate.  Published March 2008.

Current state: coffeeshop, tapping on my Macbook, taking a break from work, enjoying free wireless Internet and free parking in this little corner in Bonifacio High Street.  I also happen to  be sitting by the window, away from the small-ish crowd of young urban professionals, most likely in a brainstorming session, a couple of tables away from a couple dressed post-work, tapping their respective laptops, discussing strategies or stuff couples usually talk about which, of course, I have no any idea of.  Anyways, as I did a bit of work a few minutes ago, I noticed a lot of people passing by the window staring at me.  Granted, I am not in my best made-up self as I probably looked like I just dragged myself out of bed just in time for my morning coffee and net surfing (at 1030PM), I thought that the curiosity is probably due to the usual urban stereotypes.  Maybe I have turned into one of those urban figures a lot of people are wondering about: having the freedom to do the coffeeshop thing in the evening, laptop, coffee, the works.  I probably fit in one of those mythical figures who  get things written and published (sort of). When you really think about it, from the point of view of any stranger I can pass as one of them young professional urbanites who have presentations to prepare and reports to analyze and board meetings to attend (which Liz and I responded to with "EW" back in college). But then I am not.

The funny thing is I had imagined --- say wanted --- my life to be like this.  If 20-something comes in a combo, I'd choose this coffeeshop-laptop-urbanite lifestyle bit.  In addition to this, I am not just like any of those urban people; this weekend, I am climbing the second highest peak in the Philippines.  Second!  Highest!  Peak!  I have climbed mountains before, but I don't think any of them belongs to the Top Ten Highest Peaks in the PI.  And now I am shooting for second.  I am AMBITIOUS, baby!

I also went surfing just a couple of weeks ago, I have been partying left, right and center, and the other night I saw Incubus.  Next week I head off to Sagada for several days of vacay-contemplations-whatever, and come April I am going the start The Major Trip (backpacking throughout --- okay, not the entire --- Philippines).  There are so many things to do it's like I am holding this mythical pen checking off the must-dos-before-I-die, and I am rushing and packing my time with things in order to make the list longer.

So what are these must-dos?  Too long (and it comes with a lot of, ahem, issues).  But here's the thing.  I have decided to STOP ROLLING MY EYES AT EVERYTHING.  For instance --- my aunt, who works for an NGO, told us that their organization sponsored some delegates from Nepal a couple of years ago.  And so they brought them to the Manila Bay --- and I was like, "The Manila Bay?  It's dirty, it stinks, sometimes it's dangerous, and if it weren't for the sunset and the sea, there's nothing there".  It was an utter roll-the-eyes moment.  But then the Nepalese were ecstatic!  They had never seen the sea before!  They were happy to see one of the best sunsets ever  --- despite the fact it is "just" in Manila Bay.  See, I can just imagine when I go to Nepal and see a yak or something I'll probably screech in delight whilst the Nepalese will probably roll their eyes.  See?  I want to go back to that moment when I tasted my first snow in Berlin and when I saw my first windmill and miniature horse  in the Netherlands.  It's that moment of firsts.  Okay, so if you liked it too much there will be seconds and thirds, but STILL.  It's like "50 First Dates" (which explains why I also recommend to the entire male population to see it).  It's about being in-love with life and not having enough of the same thing.

But anyway, I shall stop as the clock is ticking and I am done having this conversation in my head --- and I just realized that the inspiration of this entry is the sight of the guy (the other half of the couple a few tables away) who made me realize if there's another version of me, he'd be my type since he looked like The Typical Ad Man (creative, urban, probably goes scuba diving thrice a year) but then, THIS is not that version.  And frankly, I have no idea why such a realization would lead to such entry.  Hahaha.  Must get back to work.  Over and out, and off to the mountains!

On other major-major news

... I wouldn't be surprised if major-major puns start coming in.  Yes, I was disappointed with Venus Raj's answer --- although I am not sure that it is proper to blame the hostage situation last night as the reason why she screwed up her answer in Miss Universe earlier.  I mean, seriously.  I am not saying she stated that she was at a loss because of the incident last night (we have yet to wait and see), though some people MIGHT do that.

Why not?  We always look for excuses.  I can just say that I have become dysfunctional because the latest True Blood episode made me more frustrated re: fantasies to marry or bite Alexander Skaarsgard in a major-major way.

On Hostage Situations

I was really tired when  I got home from the 69 1/2 premier last night at the Powerplant Mall that the moment I got home, I hit the couch and was "gone" for two hours.  Since I had to finish something before daybreak, I turned on my computer and saw the stream of Newsfeed on Facebook re: the hostage situation at the Quirino Grandstand.

When I saw the news yesterday I was hoping, and even thinking, that the situation would end peacefully.  A similar situation happened in Manila a few years ago involving a busload of students; this time, with tourists from Hong Kong onboard, I was hoping that Rolando Mendoza, the former senior police officer / hostage-taker, would find a resolution with the government in order to avoid any casualties.  But alas, it did not happen.

I have been reading articles as to what happened last night (apparently the last few hours of the event was being broadcasted on TV as I was sleeping) and an officer who was interviewed earlier on GMA's morning show somehow partly directed the blame at the media.  He said that Mendoza probably saw how the event was being covered and he could see it on the bus' television; hence, he panicked and started firing.  Another angle I haven't thoroughly read about is that Mendoza's brother, who is also a police officer, said something to the media that would provoke Mendoza.

This morning Facebook was flooded with comments blaming the SWAT team.  I have to agree that much needs to be improved.  But for situations like this, the incident is not an isolated event.  It requires that you look  at the overall system of the country, the morale of people, and yes, the culture which establishes our ability to respond to these events.  This tragedy serves as a lesson, and unfortunately, great losses had to take place.

I feel sorry for the tourists and I feel sorry for my country for potentially losing the trust of the international community to travel here again.  According to the news on CNN, many tours to the Philippines from Hong Kong have been cancelled; that's loss business.  It's a painful hit to the gut that the Philippines is blacklisted, and yes, this is coming from the most developed state in one of the most powerful countries in the world.  I feel sorry for the families, and I feel sorry for Mendoza as well. I don't think that he wanted this to happen too.

It's sad, but how do we restore this?

On Watching the Making of the Most Artistic Filipino Pornographic Film Ever Made

I was invited last night to watch the premier of 69 1/2, aka the Making of the Most Artistic Filipino Pornographic Film Ever Made.

Was it Artistic?  Yes.  How else can you translate oral sex, anal sex, intercourse, etc. but turn them into, surprisingly, a musical?  Somehow the process reminded me of this scene in Glee the night Jesse and Rachel were supposed to have sex; Rachel locks herself in the bathroom in fear and in hesitation, and on the other side of the door Jesse says something like, "Maybe we can talk about it.  Or maybe we can sing about it" --- so yes, if you can't talk sex, sing it.  Guys can complain about cunnilingus whilst standing on a grass of pubes.

Was it Filipino?  Very.  I could not help but laugh at the idealistic spins (typically young) indie filmmakers rant on about.  And it's funny but not in a slapstick way.  In true Filipino fashion, the funny parts seem more like a joke translated into a scene.  Like those knock knock, "wala ka sa lolo ko" kind of funny.  

Was it pornographic?  Let's say there's that part that is reminiscent of Justin Timberlake's "Dick in a Box".  And implied bestiality.

I really enjoyed the movie, and what I liked about it is that the actors --- despite being relatively unknowns  (except for Jao Mapa, Bituin Escalante, Tado and Katherine Luna) or are more popular outside the mainstream --- are very effective.  Harry Chua's character was hilarious and the sidekick (I'm sorry I can't remember his name) is so deadpan that there is hilarity in his "moments".  I do think that 69 1/2 is a movie that sketches characters and the stereotype, but what makes the movie hit home is that fact that despite all the show, the amusing songs and the puns, there is the underlying truth that strongly enforces the movie.

69 1/2 (2009), dir. Ted Manotoc.

Becoming the Savvy Shopper

When I finally moved out and moved to my own (rented) apartment, I knew that the expenses would be a main issue.  Aside from the rent, I also need to pay the monthly installment of my purchases.  And since I haven't reached that point of earning molto molto dineros (molto pa lang, but more moltos will come... soon!  Me positive, super, grabe), I knew I had to find ways how to make ends meet.

Well.  It hasn't been easy.  Before moving out spending was not much of a problem --- I meant, I shopped for books, I ate out constantly, I traveled, etc.  But since I have wanted an "independent" life where I get to be more responsible, ayun, I scoured through the classifieds and packed my bags.

It's been almost a year since I got this apartment.  And so far... I am surviving while at the same time I do my best to maintain the lifestyle that I want to have.

Truth be told it hasn't been easy.  Being independent means being able to adapt to circumstances without losing your way and giving up, and in such set up, you don't really have anyone.  You clean after yourself, make sure that the bills are paid, and make sure to find that balance without losing your sanity.   We have challenges, we fail in some, yet we always look for solutions.

And I must say one of the solutions come in the form of the eighty-eight peso store.  Okay, about 20% of the products there are either P69 or almost a hundred, but the point is, you can actually get decent stuff there for less than a hundred!  You can get a range of supplies from this discount store, from pans to mats, from stationery to Asian bowls.  There are packaged paper towels for less than P90 which usually run up to hundreds in typical supermarkets.  I got a pen holder and a bi-level document tray for less than P150.  What's also good is that these stuff look fine.  You have to be a smart shopper to know which stuff that you should invest in, and which ones that work well enough even though it's cheap.  Besides, who needs a P200 pen holder?

Haha, I know they have been around for a long time, but I think the element of surprise came with the range of products you can find in these stores.  And what I liked about it is that these products are priced good enough for certain knick-knacks you need in your house such as DVD boxes and hampers.

I have also recently browsed through some shops in Libertad for secondhand clothes.  My friend Liz was lucky enough to get really cheap signature pieces, but even though I got a couple of obscure labels (like it really matters), I got about three tops that I really, really liked.  It's cheap but it takes a lot of patience to find really good stuff, hence I think needs to be in the mood to really dive into the experience and find joy in the midst of the dust and the heat.  Every time I get a few nice clothes for the price of a regular blouse I feel quite victorious.

Okay, since I cannot claim that I am the smartest shopper, there are a few things I've learned when it comes to making smart purchases that I want to share, and these new knowledge does not necessarily point you towards the sales rack.  And I know that some of you already know these, but I guess nothing really beats sharing knowledge, no?

Hence, I have learned ---

1) There is life outside the shopping mall.  Heck, there is that place called Divisoria and the discount stores, and DO NOT underestimate these places.  Some people may not like the idea of buying secondhand clothes, but the important thing is you need to have the patience to find something that has the least damage.  There are some clothes that are thrown away because they are not used, hence, you need to have the eye and the nose to see if a piece passes more as a "pre-loved" item.

2) You need to know which ones you need to spend for quality and which ones you can spend less.  I read in a recent article that there are some things you should buy secondhand.  Find good deals; for example, I'm proud to say that I got a discount of almost P2000 for my 27" Samsung TV.  When I bought it I wanted that particular model when I saw it on display, but they no longer had a stock.  So I asked if I could buy the one on display which the store had been using to display videos.  Well, I got a deal and a good discount.  However, in my case it was alright because it's a picture tube TV and not an LCD which degrades over the years.

3) On fruit juice: you know those imported bottled fruit juice?  Well, I sometimes buy the Berri brand which costs about, say, P165 for 2.5 liters.  However, I could get a liter of bottled iced tea at 1 liter for about P25.  Go figure.  Browse for other options.

4) I always learn from my shoes and the other stuff I bought on sale.  Sounds familiar?  Piles of clothing and stuff you bought but you never got around using at all?  I used to run towards the shoe shops with "Sale" on it, and yeah, usually the really "unique" ones go on sale --- and unique means pairs which are hard to match with your typical clothes.  Instead of buying numerous on sale pairs of questionable usability, save up your money and get yourself a nice, comfortable, fashionable, and flexible pair which can cost more.  I still have this pair back of sturdy loafers in college from Aerosoles; it's peeling a bit on the side but I still use them and it still looks great with my pants.

5) Go generic.  Most things are created equal, and the only difference is packaging.  Seriously.  Do you really want to spend that much on dishwashing liquid?  On vitamins?  See, vitamin C is vitamin C otherwise, it's not.

6) The List rules.  Especially when you go grocery shopping.  If you put down what you need, you tend to go straight and look for them.  If you wander aimlessly about, the next thing you know you have three different kinds of kitchen tools in your shopping cart that you don't need.

7) Yes, shopping can be therapeutic but you have to be specific before going on a hunt.  There were times that I knew I had to shop, but the problem is that I did not really know I wanted.  True, it's a given that I wanted clothes and shoes and books, but if the itch is there, you go in this zone where everything is possible --- including going on debt.  Hence, ALWAYS take note of the things you really need such as a pair of nice pants that you can use at work.  This way, even though you scratched that consumption itch, you got something that is useful and practical.

8) Make shopping an event you look forward to and save for.  You know, nothing beats going shopping knowing that you have the money to spend.  So yeah, if you have the spare money and you want to splurge, save it up and book a date to shop.

Alright, so far these are the things I can think of now.  At the moment I am not sure when my next shopping expedition is going to be as I have other goals to fulfill: save up, pay off debts, and lose weight so when I go shopping I do not have to worry about waists and thighs and bulges.

Prelude to a Stream of Pinoy Urbanite-isms

This was taken in Singapore April 2009, the last leg of my 30th birthday trip which took me to what I refer to as the Asian tri-state of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. This trip to Singapore was quite memorable; I met old friends from grade school and college, and I met new friends as well.  We drank German beer, and I almost stalked that cute German chef in Brotzeit at Raffles City.  We took a lot of pictures and I finally posed under the House of Condoms signage at the Lucky Plaza.  It was a very good trip overall.

I think Singapore is very much contained; it's small and maybe in a few months one can know the city-state like the back of his hand.  When you're in Singapore, that is all there is to it; yeah, maybe there are the outskirts and the suburbs, but unlike other countries, MY COUNTRY, there isn't much to explore geographically.  Which is way in order to stay interesting and alive, Singapore is faced with the challenge of keeping things less boring and very much alive.

I think any city is faced with the same challenges.  Here in Manila, I have to admit, it can get quite boring.  Everything eventually falls into a routine.

This blog is not about Singapore but I thought this photo of me with Buddhist monks with the Singaporean skyline in the background pretty much represents what I am and what this blog is going to be about.  See, the first time I saw a group of monks was when I went to Bangkok in 2006 --- I was ecstatic.  It's the same level as the first time I saw a Dutch windmill in a Dutch countryside while aboard a train from Berlin to Amsterdam.  I don't know, the site of a monk makes me happy.  They're like my matured perception towards nuns and priests from my Catholic childhood.  When I had this photo taken I was walking back from the Esplanade back to the Cavanaugh Bridge area where I would buy an ice cream, sit on a park bench, and stare at the Fullerton Hotel.  I saw this group of monks, and I asked them if I could have my picture taken with them.  They were probably surprised --- monk fangirl?

So in essence, this blog is about being an urbanite based in Manila whose heart and soul and body is ready for an adventure.

I know, I know... not another food blog!  Travel blog!  Hotel blog!  Okay, maybe it will come to that.  I love to travel, I love to eat, I love to watch movies.  But the objective of this blog is to present a slice-of-life a single woman living in Manila.  I think what makes this more interesting is that I live alone and I am single... imagine Carrie Bradshaw!  Bridget Jones!  Cosmopolitans please, and yes, I am going to be five pounds heavier tomorrow!  This is gonna be a chick-hit!

I think the catch is that I am not your typical Manila girl in a typical sense.  I have had adventures and misadventures while living in the city.  I have very deep insights on Manila traffic which is comparable to Adrian Mole's thoughts on the Norwegian Leather Industry (see?  The mention of Adrian Mole alone is already a clue!).  I can complain like any girl who grew up reading and almost-worshipping Jessica Zafra.  I watch a lot of TV, and I like to watch TMZ, a host of reality TV, news, Travel and Living, and True Blood.  My type of music can be heard in Jam 88.3 and NU 107, but I'm the kind who might end up watching Air Supply with my parents, and if my mother really pushes it, maybe I'll join them and see Engelbert Humperdinck.

See?

I can give you the city, and I'll show you what it's like seeing your version of a monk and a windmill for the very first time.