Star ng Pasko, ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID (Exclusive on www.abs-cbn.com)

Happy new year everyone!
I decided to end 2009 and start 2010 by retaking history class through the excellent writing of Stanley Karnow. I didn't know Philippine history could be so interesting.
In Our Image is indeed a trip down memory lane, when Cory and democracy were the rage.
It seems that the two are making a comeback these days, and the evidence is printed on the shirts of mallrats who weren't even born yet when EDSA happened.
"The Filipino is worth dying for."
"Ninoy for President."
"Your vote counts."
So I wanted to find out why this is so, among other things.
Manila is indeed a complex city that you cannot describe in one word. Not even a sentence.
Even after 27 years of witnessing its evolution, I still can't believe it's come to this -- brimming with life in some parts, and impoverished beyond belief in others.
Shopping is definitely part of our culture.
Not to mention tambay.
And even though mine is scattered all over the world, family is still number one.
We are narcissists and friendly faces, meandering on the streets filled with smog and pleasantness.
We are conservative and audacious, leaving our family to see the world and seek a better life.
I can go on and on to illustrate how complex my peeps are, but I intend to just end this now by saying that the only thing that runs this city is the over-flowing love that we have for one another.
That I know, but the thing that stirs my curiosity is the series of events that led us to where we are today. And the answer lies in centuries of colonial rule and - as a result - a web of contradicting values and cultures that are now present in one great place I call home.
Karnow is a great teacher.
He answers my questions day by day, page by page.

Photobooth PIctures at THE Wedding

The photobooth was only one of the coolest things about the wedding.
Congratulations Terri and Cris!
The program was awesome. Haha thank you, thank you.
The 151 killed everyone, thanks to Wys and Wong.
Plus I made a number of guests happy with my brownies.
All in all, we had an amazing evening.
I wish I didn't have to go cross-eyed drunk at midnight.
I really wanted to stay up much later and finish the second round with the rest.
But my eyes betrayed me and I just had to say good bye and good night and retreat to Room 01.
But I did wake up at 3 AM to listen to Kath talk about how much she loved Carlo.
Over a super-sized quarter pounder meal. Yuck.

I'm the Hotter Sister

Taken from Zoe's brand new DSi that I gave her for Christmas.
So that, and the fact that everyone else thinks so, make me the hotter sister.

December 2009 With My Gigs

Here's to endless nights of laughter and genuine friendship.
I love you my gigolos!

Manila has turned me into a drinking machine.
I forgot how cheap drinks were in my Manila!
The other night with the gigs, I had two Jacks, three tequila shots and two San Mig Lights.
Plus all the pica pica - squid, fishballs, liempo and chicken.
Each of us had to pay only 500 pesos. That's around 35 dirhams.
And we had extra change for coffee.
That is so crazy.
I want to kiss our soil.

Butch's Birthday

Me and Tin rocking it. What were we singing? Oh, Carly Simon's Nobody Does It Better. LOL.

Happy birthday Butch! Pansit Atbp.

I know. I am so beneath myself. And at the same time I am awesome.

Karaoke Show hosted by Sherry

Something happened here. It sent us on our knees and backs and butts. Something Sherry said about Darwin's preferred sexual partners.

What is it with rains and romcoms? I am starting to fall in love with every single leading man in the chick flicks I've been watching all weekend! Drizzle and dreamboats go together, not without a cup of hot chocolate. The only time I left the bed was during tequila time at Butch's. The rest of the time I was cuddling myself while watching fake DVDs and How I Met Your Mother episodes.

There's Neil Patrick Harris, who's gay but so what, Jason Segel who happens to be a gentle giant with a musical background, Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper, Josh Radnor and Paul Rudd.

So going back to my non-Hollywood life in the slums of Dubai, I think I am going to have a ball under the covers every single night until I fly out. Thanks to the rain and YouTube.

If a 100% confirmed straight man suddenly announces to the whole wide world wide web that he did not date a ladyboy in South East Asia, is there reason not to believe him? That's a thought.
Also, would wearing stockings this winter make me look like an elf or an SM lady? That's another thought.
And finally, if my medication goes out of control, fucks up my bloodstream and makes its way into my brain and drives me insane, would I ever write and produce a decent factual report again?

My Favorite Preview Cover

I know it's an old issue, but nothing has really beaten this one in my opinion.

Gretchen, Claudine, Judy Ann and Ruffa.

Classic.

Martial Law Down South? Say What?

Great. Martial law has been declared down south, where the thugs at. So what are the repercussions? More government control, repressed civilian sentiment, and the possibility of more guerillas rising up to the present administration. Oh and did I mention sad, sad tourism figures? A lot of foreigners like the South. Mountains, beaches, friendly faces. Not anymore. And as our bad rap snowballs, it's possible that they will also stop going to Cebu, or Baguio, or Palawan. Guillaume is in Coron right now and claims to enjoy his stay. There are thousands like him who keep coming back to our beloved archipelago because they know they can fly back to their countries alive; it's really not that bad in the Philippines. But I'm afraid that we blew our chances of getting new tourists to come. Those who have just seen us on the map and are still considering exploring our islands probably crossed us out and are contemplating going to Bali or Phuket instead. Well done. And that is why I am indifferent to the so-called democracy that we are supposedly proud of. And that is why I am abroad, working my butt off. The only good thing about this is, Noynoy and Bongbong are both questioning the motive behind the declaration of martial law. And that means PGMA will have more sleepless nights. Welcome to my world, Gloria.

Rakrakan 2009. Attending a rock concert at my age brings back so many memories of being a groupie once in my life. I was tear gassed. A dozen jobless, no-shower rock and rollers felt me up in the moshpit. We followed a rock band to their houses on EDSA (and lost them). I brought my little sister to a heavy metal gig just to have an excuse to stay backstage. It was a chunk of my college life that I should not be proud of but secretly enjoyed! I loved it. I loved wearing jeans and sneakers and headbanging to angry music. I loved meeting up with my friends right before a gig and planning how we could infiltrate backstage activity. I loved looking for ways to circumvent entrance fees and bouncers. I loved having enough money for two San Mig Lights and looking for a ride home smelling like male perspiration. It won't happen tonight, but at least I get to listen to original Filipino music.

The irony of it all is, you are there, and I am here. You are heading somewhere, I am staying here. You are heading south, I will be up north. When I land, you leave. It's cool. At least we are not stepping on each other's toes. Let's just think of it as a dance that requires distance. Space... so we can glide freely across the floor and eventually sway face to face. And I think I deserve a nice dip in the end, like those gay guys do when they dance the tango. Bow.

Nothing but smiles!
I love it!
Sunny mornings.
Like a Nescafe TV ad.
How things quickly turn around.