Posts Tagged ‘friends’

100 FIRSTS

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

Believe it or not, the first thing I did on my first day in the Philippines was to go to SM Fairview. My brother prodded me on this. He told me that there’s already an annex. Plus, he wanted to show me the shortcut in our subdivision which really saves time travel. To my curiosity, I said, SIGE!

 

But of course, I won’t be talking about my SM Fairview adventure. I would be sharing with you all the “FIRSTS” things I did after being away for a year here in the Philippines. The feeling of doing, seeing, tasting and experiencing a thing on my pagbabalik!

 

Here are the random 100 Firsts I did on my two weeks and 3 days vacation in the Philippines:

 

  1. Took EDSA on our way home. I just loved the traffic! Kakamiss!
  2. Ate Mcdonalds with my family at 12 midnight. Ito ay kahit bonggang bongga Holyweek at dapat eh nag-a-abstinence.
  3. Sang Tagalog songs during the holyweek. Iba pa rin ang tunog ng tagalog. Tagos sa puso at kaluluwa! As in!
  4. Participated in the Soledad procession, walking in barefoot. Kahit magkanda sugat sugat ang paa ko, deadma. 
  5. Attended the Prusisyon. God has been good to me. It’s time to pay him back through simple sacrifices.
  6. Ate manang’s super sarap na relyenong bangus. Well, relyenong bangus reminded me of my mom.
  7. Ate Chowking’s popular, mouth-watering chow fan. Literal na naglaway ako dito. S sobrang pagkagutom, nakagat ko pa dila ko! Hahaha
  8. Devoured 4 Chowking Buchi in one go. Wagi ang buchi. Kung puede lang magdala ng isang daang piraso pabalik ng Brunei eh! Miss ko, now na!
  9. Visited National bookstore. Ito ang comfort place for me. Makita lang ang books, nagiging Einstein na ako!
  10. Shopped for DVDs at Divisoria with my cousin Sheree. Need ko ang DVD noh lalo na ang mga series. Akalain mo, 50 pesos sa Divisoria complete season na. Sa Brunei, aabutin ka ng 24 dollars for one complete season. In pesos, 600 plus. Mahal!
  11. Bought Mcdonald’s Mcfloat. Ibang lebel ang pagpawi ng uhaw nito.
  12. Visited Powerbooks and Fully booked and check how high the price is. Trip lang, i-kumpara ang presyo.
  13. Ate banana cue and turon. Pinoy na pinoy! Wagi!
  14. Went to Greenhills with my family. Kalula sa dami ng choices!
  15. Ate at Teriyaki Boy Greenhills with my family. Lumuwa mata ko sa sarap ng fudams!
  16. Went to UP to process my Open University Application. Seryosong bagay na matagal ko ng pinagiisipan, ginawan ko na ng paraan.
  17. Met Jhen and Ed, college buddies at Shakeys SM Fairview. Saya ng tawanan!
  18. Made some chit chat with Mam Armi on shifting to Open University. Kaka-enlight mam! Super inspirasyon talaga kayo!
  19. Got a recommendation from Mam Armi. Salamat poooooo ng bonggang bongga!
  20. Apply for a transcript of records at UP.Sana matapos ito bago ang deadline of application sa OU. Grrrrrrrrrrr
  21. Rode the jeepney at UP. Balik tanaw sa UP Days. Saya!
  22. Be amazed with the huge billboards at EDSA. Kamusta naman ang nagsusumigaw na models. Isa lang napatunayan ko, artist based dito sa Pinas. Mahalaga ang endorser. Sa Brunei, deadma sila! Ang importante, ang produkto!
  23. Found the much-talked-about Jinky Oda’s billboard on skin whitening. Lightening lang pala ang produkto, yan eh nabasa ko sa diyaryo.
  24. Read the Inquirer. Mangahas. Walang wala ang diyaryo ng Brunei.
  25. Pulled out my account Banco de Oro and BPI to transfer to Philippine National Bank. Wise investment sabi ni Papa, T-bills ang kasagutan! 
  26. Roadtrip to Tagaytay with Banana, Tet, Ate Hervie at Ate Marie. Saya natin kahit antokyo japan na ako!
  27. Starbucks at Tagaytay around 2 AM. Sayang di gaanong kalamigan sa Tagaytay pero panalo ang init ng chikahan!
  28. Ate at Tagaytay at 1:00 AM. Sa isang resto ito, mega kain ako ng longganisa!
  29. Merienda time with At Homers at Heaven and Eggs. Siempre cam whoring na naman!
  30. Crossed on a pedestrian lane at Trinoma. I got almost hit for not looking on the road properly. I never thought the cars in the Philippines would not stop at you even you’re on a pedestrian lane. Weird!
  31. Watch ‘T2’ at SM Faiview with my brothers, Stacey and cousin Sheree. It was a last full show. Sinayang ng pelikula ang 130 each! Pssst! Ba’t ganon ‘te? hahaha!
  32. Ate popcorn while watching a movie. Tagal ko rin tong di nagawa!
  33. Meet Mark at MOA for a movie treat. Thanks Mark for the treat! Bawi ako next year!
  34. Bought books at National Bookstore SM Fairview. In all fairness, ang MURA!
  35. Bought a balikbayan box for all my stuffs. Awat na ako sa maleta, go na ako sa kahon para di kabigatan ang baggage!
  36. Cleaned my room after ages. Ipinagtulakan ko palabas ng kuwarto ang mga boarder kong alikabok! The owner is back!
  37. Checked on my books that I want to bring in Brunei. Dami ko na pala talagang libro! Bookworm?
  38. Ate at Sea Side, SM Mall of Asia with my family on an Easter Sunday. Panalo ang isda, ang hipon at ang inihaw na liempo! Dami kong nakain!
  39. Enjoyed ZAGU drinks fro four times. Sa tindi ng init sa Pinas, ito ang naging katuwang ko para puksain ang ineeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!
  40. Ate Goldilocks cakes. Mura na, masarap pa! Ba’t ba walang ganito ang Brunei? Bakeeeeeeeeeet!
  41. Ate Red Ribbon’s Sylvanas! My favourite! Sumakit man ngipin ko, di ako nagpapigil sa paglamon nito!
  42. Got some pants at Bench. Kahit papaano, comfy ang pants!
  43. Shopped for scarfs at Divisoria. Uso ang scarf, sakyan ang bandwagon!
  44. Got some fashionable clothes, slipper and shoes at Greenhills. Matagal ko ng pangarap to, natuloy din! Eh kasi me budget na ngayon! Hahaha!
  45. Ate inihaw na tilapia, inihaw na porkchop and adobo in our summer getaway. Ikot ako sa sarap!
  46. Swam with family at Splash Mountain in Laguna. Ang init ng tubig dahil hot spring pala ito! Kaloka ang daming tao!
  47. Finished sweet mangoes.Wagi!
  48. Met Elmi at the block for some chikahan. Tawanan na walang puknat!
  49. Experienced binagoongang baboy and sisig with AT Homers. Sigh. Sarap!
  50. Did some grocery at SM Fairview for my visitors on an Easter night – Quezonians Batch 1999. Laspag ang credit card! hahahaha!
  51. Talked about April’s wedding in 2010. Excited nako Apes for you!
  52. Ate Red Ribbon’s cake courtesy of April. Thanks ha! Ito nung pumunta si Apes on teh eve of my flight back sa Brunei.
  53. Ate Auntie Susan’s menudo! Yummy!
  54. Ate Manang’s ginataang tilapia and chicken curry on some dinners. Sayang di ko naaral lutuin.
  55. Met super friends Liza and Peluch for some priceless tawanan ang kuwentuhan.
  56. Ate at Contis and Little Asia with Liza and Peluch. Panalo ang turtle cake, ang bacon with tilapia at curry beef!
  57. Watched at Laffline with my family. Sumakit tiyan namin sa kakatawa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  58. Went to Boracay with my family and cousins. The best trip ever!
  59. Had a stopover merienda at Charmaine’s house. Nagdiwang na naman ang body fats ko sa kainan portion.
  60. Ate pansit pinoy and puto with cheese. Kainan to the max! Walang pigilan!
  61. Enjoyed Tender juicy’s hotdog! Walang katulad as in.
  62. Rented and watched a copy of “You changed my life” in the house with my cousins. Keri lang. Hahaha
  63. Received a souvenir from Mam Armi. Isang inspirasyon for an iskolar ng bayan.
  64. Got a recommendation letter from Mam Elyrah Salanga for Open University.
  65. Strolled at The Block with my brother and Papa. Ito yung araw na dapat magpacheck up kami ng mata sa Makati pero dahil sa tindi ng traffic, bagsak namin, SM! hahaha
  66. Had my medical for Open University Application. Parang di convincing yung doctor na nakuha ko. Hahaha
  67. Ate a lot of magnolia ice cream! kanta tayo ng 3-in-1 plus 1 happy kaarawan! hahaha
  68. Enjoyed the bonggang bonggang summer heat! Isa lang ang masasabi ko, INEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!
  69. Joined a radio promo courtesy of my super friend Ate Liza of Barangay LS. Kanta na ng 3-in-1 plus 1, happy kaarawan…. Recorded ko to. Tawa ako ng tawa pag naririnig ko.
  70. Won 500 pesos, a GC from seven eleven, A GC from magnolia, and a CD of Vhong Navarro. Tama ba?
  71. Visited my best friend Tet’s house in Laguna. Bagong kasal at bagong lipat! Naks!
  72. Checked on Stacey’s 18th birthday album. Ganda ng pics!
  73. Bought a bunch of medicines for me to take in Brunei. Siempre, sa panahon ngayon, bawal ang magkasakit!
  74. Bought caps at Human and some colognes.
  75. Enjoyed tuyo and egg as a breakfast. Miss ko to sobra!
  76. Visited St. Peter Parish for my mom’s Urn. Dalaw.
  77. Got a certificate of donation in the beautification of our church in Lagro.
  78. Cleaned my father’s room. Tindi ng barangay alikabok! Finally, napuksa rin!
  79. Watched Pooh-kwang DVD! It’s so hilarious! Sakit panga ko kakatawa!
  80. Shopped souvenirs and accessories at Boracay. Wagi wagi wagi! Panalo ang agimat na kuwintas!
  81. Did some island hopping “kuno” at Bora. Di naman naming napuntahan ang Puca Island. Wag ng bitter! Hahaha! Si manong kasi eh!
  82. Took pictures of the images found on the pristine beach of Boracay. Almost 500 pics!
  83. Spoke tagalog ng bonggang bongga!Siempre, love thy wika!
  84. Experience extreme turbulence with Cebu Pacific. Takot. Kala namin, end of the line! hahahaha
  85. Fell in love with “sponge” from Oishi. Sarap nito. Buti me baon ako Brunei.  
  86. Listened to Love Radio every morning. Kung lunod ka na sa problema, daanin mo sa tawa, kung baon ka na sa utang, bayaran mo na, yon…! O di ba, kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan!
  87. Listened to Ate Liza from 9 to 11 on my biyahe. Kamusta naman ang chixmax!
  88. Had me eyes checked. Priority ang health.
  89. Got a pair of contact lenses and a cheap frame. Mura kumpara sa Brunei eh.
  90. Called Sir Brian Tibayan and did some okrayan with Peluch and Leez.
  91. Called Joh for some pagpaparamdam pero di naman nagkita. Huhuhu
  92. Saw Kathleen while I was strolling at SM Fairview with my family. Sayang di natuloy ang kita kits.
  93. Had my teeth cleaned and pa-pasta ng bonggang bongga!
  94. Prayed the rosary with my family.
  95. Accidentally met Diana, my kapitbahay, MA classmate and kachikahan, at House of Sisig. Grabeh na ang paglipat ng kompanya! Goodluck!
  96. Met Karol to give her the stuffs she requested for me to buy from Brunei. Si Karol ay dating manunulat ng aming kompany dito sa Brunei. In all fairness, blooming siya!
  97. Ate Pansit Bihon especially cooked by Manang.
  98. Received a gift (ganda ng relo) from my brother Jepjep and Stacey. Thank you!
  99. Rode the Philippine Transportation- MRT, Bus, Jeep, and Taxi. Mukha akong aning dahil tulala at nakanganga talaga ako habang pinagmamasdan ang kapiligiran.
  100. Received tons of love from my family and friends. Walang kapalit. Walang kapantay. Ito ang baon ko pabalik ng Brunei nang bonggang bongga!

Obviously, I did nothing but eat, shop and gumala with my family and some friends. With that, aside from gaining so much weight ng bonggang bongga, I carried with me the precious and priceless “Firsts” that would be a lifetime worth.

 

See you again next year! Thank you for making my vacation memorable!

 

Bruneiyuki, Earvs! 

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My Vacation in Pinas

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

Time flies so fast. It was just last year I was dreaming of my upcoming vacation in the Philippines; I can’t hardly wait with the momentous event of “once again” being reunited with my loved ones. Now, that dream is finally over. I’m back in Brunei. I’m back in my own reality. Although my stay in the Philippines was super short (two weeks and 3 days), the memories are huge enough to rejuvenate my mind and body and keep me running on the fasttrack.

 

Now, let me rekindle all the happy encounters I had when I went home to my beloved Pilipinas.

 

A few days before I had my vacation, my mind was afloat. Half of it was already on vacation mode, while half of it, struggling to finish some errands in the office. Nevertheless, I was so ecstatic and overjoyed. I told myself, finally, after a year and 1 month of homesickness and hardwork, I would be given the chance to grab the ticket to genuine happiness – be with my family and friends.

 

What was ironic on my preparations, I was excited yet I was a bit lethargic to pack my things. Believe it or not, I just packed my stuffs on the eve of my flight. Plus, I bought all the pasalubongs to my family and friends on the same night. Call it a rush or cramming, I definitely enjoyed it. To me, it lessened the “burden” of being so overjoyed. Burden because, too much excitement would not allow a space for me to fall asleep.  At least, after I fixed my luggage, I got tired and ended up in a sweet sleep.

 

On the day of my flight, I had a good and packed breakfast. While eating with Cecil, I still kinda felt the “surrealism.” That’s been a year, I said to myself in surprise. It seems like yesterday Cecil and I arrived in Brunei and now we’re here ready to go for a grand vacation, a follow up statement in my mind. Indeed, time flies soooooo fast.

 

The moment we finished our food, we dressed up and waited for Shiela and Soc to pick us up and bring us to the airport. Soon they arrived, cheering us on our much-awaited moment.

 

While I was on the car, my mind was driving me crazy. There were fireworks of thoughts. First, I was so joyous with the fact of going home and seeing my family and friends. Second, I was nervous because of the adjustment I had to take on my vacation. This is because of the stories I heard from previous Pinoy employees who adjusted terribly with the Philippine’s traffic and noise. Third, I was checking on my budget if it’s enough. Reality check, it all boils down with the expenses. But, I trashed that thinking. I have to enjoy and be with my family, that’s what I confirmed. Fourth, I was pondering on processing my Open University application. And fifth, I was drowned in weighing my how my life would run in the next two weeks. On top of that, I was looking forward to my family’s summer getaway – to bask under the sun at the famous white sand beach of the Philippines, BORACAY! Plus, for a person who never set foot on the glorious island and would be given a chance to experience the island’s beauty, I guess, it’s a blessing to be thankful for.

 

Soon, the plane departed. But before that, as a patron of excess baggage, yeah, I did it again. I paid 58 brunei dollars for my baggage. I got 4 kilos of excesses!

 

I was already in the plane. Seated beside me was an old white woman. Although she’s talking to me in bullets, the words never registered in my mind. Indeed, my mind had gone back in the Philippines.

 

After one hour and 45 minutes, the people in the plane, who are mostly Filipinos, started to make noise while peeping on their windows. To my curiosity, I checked on what they’re looking below. OMG! It’s the Philippines. Then I saw the gargantuan SM Bicutan from above. And from there, I said to myself, finally this is it.

 

But the reality didn’t sank that fast. Not until I collected my baggage and walked on the aisle of NAIA. I was so shocked. The people were talking in tagalog. The people came in droves. No women wearing Tudong. The images were so Pinas that it slapped the surrealism in me, a bit.

 

As I push the trolley with my baggage and set out on the waiting area, there I saw my family waving at me. The smile plastered on their faces was incomparable. Kuya Eamon, Jepjep, my cousin Lot and papa fetched me.  

 

As soon as the high-pitched voices of my family embraced me, I affirmed I was totally HOME.

 

Taking EDSA was such a joy ride on our way home. The authentic scenarios reminded me of my birthplace. There were the swerving vehicles, the shallow roads with pink urinals of the MMDA, the touted buwayas traffic the road, the left-handed cars, the people crossing the road everywhere, the sidewalk vendors, the gypsy woman, the huge billboards, SM Megamall, the tall buildings in Ortigas defining Manila in its urban vibe, the jeepneys, the tricycles, the outrageous buses, the pollution, the footbridges, the churches, and many more which I missed a lot. I even laughed inside the car when we’re sandwiched in traffic along EDSA. All of these, only in the Philippines, I thought.

 

After an hour and a half of travel from the airport, we reached our house – home sweet home. I stepped into our house. Nothing had changed aside from some sections of our house were dusty. Plus, a few floor tiles were broken. Overall, it’s the same walls, floors and ceiling who witnessed my ups and downs in life.

 

Soon, Manang came out from her room and prepared a merienda. Nice, spaghetti! It was cooked by my younger brother Jepjep. Yumyum. It was just strange at first to eat with my family. That’s because, back in Brunei, I used to eating alone in my room at dinner time, or sometimes, I enjoyed lunch time with my Filipino mates. This time, it was the bestest merienda I ever had for the past year.

 

On one hand, one thing I immediately did when I arrived in our house was to utter a prayer in front of the urn of my mom. Honestly, I felt like, she was in our house. I knew she would be very proud and happy to see me. Frankly, I missed her so much.

 

I also checked on my room. Nothing had changed. Great. My books were complete and unharmed. My clothes were in order. Truly, Papa never let anyone used my room. It kept untouched for a year. Obviously, the dusts were the resident of it for a time. Strangely, now, it’s me.

 

It took me a while to absorb the new reality I was engaged with. On my first night, I didn’t turn off the lights. I was adjusting, everything was dreamlike.  On the side, I checked on my schedule, then, composed my plans and… yeah, budget. Nevertheless, I threw all my apprehensions, anxiety and fears. With the two weeks vacation I have, I should not let each seconds, minutes or hours passed by without doing nothing, I told myself.  And so, I set myself into the wilderness of my beloved Pilipinas.

 

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