Doing Groceries with Jodi Santamaria in SM Southmall

I was on hurry buying (I still need to get some sleep for work later) some ingredients in SM Southmall for the pork adobo I'll be having for dinner when I felt something strange with the people around me. Everyone seemed uneasy and are checking all the gondolas as if looking for something. They seemed to have the same thing in mind. Then I soon found out-- the "socially aware" side of me just can't let it pass-- that almost everyone was trying to catch a glimpse (as if they were able to even get close) of a female celebrity doing her groceries with her son and husband Pampi Lacson.

Yup, it was the pretty Jodi Santamaria-Lacson in a green polo shirt and jeans but she looked lovely. Her husband was tailing her but on the phone almost the whole time while Jodi checking out almost each gondola.

Most of the time I get starstruck when someone famous or almost-famous person is in front of me, and tonight is no exception. Pathetic as it might seem but I've been deprived of such opportunities to catch glimpse of our own stars. I can just still count with my own hands the stars I remember getting a chance to see in person.

But the stupid thing is, I was so busy checking her out but didn't even get to snap a shot with her (but with her husband around, a stolen shot could have at least compensate). Now, the whole experience will just be one of those I-should-have-moments in my life. Silly me, huh?

But since it was one experience I would want to recall, this post must come to be. And probably, this photo will picture how she looked like that night I saw her. If only her husband wan't there, I could have braved through to get a shot (picture, I mean) at her.

Though I failed to "capture" Jodi Santamaria with my Samsung G800 with all its 5-mega pixels, the night still went well. The pork adobo was yummy.

***

Next time, I won't let such a chance to slip pass my camera.

Floyd Mayweather vs Juan Manuel Marquez bout Postponed(?)

Rumor has it that it's not a rib injury which made Floyd Mayweather Jr. backout (okay, postponed) from the anticipated(?) clash between him and the ever stubborn Juan Manuel Marquez in July 2009.

But whether it's a rib injury or just him chickening out, it still doesn't look good for him and with his plans of facing the charm of Manny Pacquiao in the ring. I don't remember hearing Manny backing out from a big fight. I recall he even fought a Thailander even when he was not feeling well during fight night. He lost to that lucky Thailander though-- who actually grabbed the turn of events to his favor.

Now, I doubt it if Mayweather Jr. is indeed the best opponent for Pacquiao at the moment. Miguel Cotto seems to be more interesting to see with Pacquiao inside the ring.





Mayweather Jr. should have stayed at home and enjoyed his retirement. What he is doing won't help him and his reputation at all.

Let your "rib" speak for you.

My Short Visit to Cebu

I just want to share some photos during my short (just went there for my mom and dad's birthdays) but memorable visit to my parents in Cebu. It's been years since my last visit so I really had to go there. I never got to see my dad during his birthday last January and last June 3 was my mom's birthday, so the visit was for both of my folks. And besides I miss them so much too.

I also got to meet, finally, my nephew Yuan. I've heard a lot of things about him from my sisters. But before I hit Cebu, I actually told myself to try not to be so attached with the cute little angel for personal reasons. Unfortunately, Yuan got ways (and tricks) to get me so fond of the little guy that I'm afraid I might have to brace myself for a 'heartbreak' or disappointment soon. I just hope my sister, Yuan's mom, won't choose to keep the newest member of our family away from us.

Well, whatever happens, Yuan has a special place in our hearts. I hope he will grow up to be a fine man and make his mom and us proud.

Because of the lack of time, I wasn't able to meet one of the significant people in my life-- my bestfriend Kenneth. She wanted us to meet during my visit and I learned she even applied for a leave from work just to make sure she's available within the days of my stay. But it never materialize. There was not enough time and I had to attend to family issues. This could mean I just lost my bestfriend. I hope she's reading this so she would know how sorry I am to make her wait for nothing.

I met my nephew but I lost my bestfriend (still hoping that I didn't). Some experience in such a short visit to Cebu, huh?

Tikboy and his dependable bike

Me-an and Kc on the videoke

Yuan checking out how the horns look like on him

Yuan's angelic grin while on those devilish horns

Yuan posing for Tito Rey

Yuan can't wait to grab some of the cake which explains the face

Still going stronger after all these years

Proud and Loud Filipino - Ako Mismo

It's Philippine Independence Day and everyone (I bet most bloggers too) are on their toes posting about it. Obviously, I'm joining the posting spree and give my piece to this site.

I am proud to be a Filipino. I can't think of any nationality that I would rather belong to than being a filipino. Although I think a dual citizenship won't hurt but if I am asked to choose a nationality, it's Filipino in a heartbeat.

Apparently, you can hear and see such claims of pride to almost everyone with this nationality whoever they may be. Even those kababayans who are following the lifestyles of other countries can be caught standing up to their being Filipinos. So being proud of this great nationality, even with all the political mud involved, recently is no longer as admirable than before.

So instead of asking myself if I am proud to be a Filipino, I think it's long overdue to ask myself what can I do to give back the same pride to my country? You can ask yourself that too especially on this very significant day for our country.

Since hearing our fellow Filipinos bragging about how proud they are (and we should be too) having Filipino blood in their veins is still music to the ears, I have included some of them right here (I got them from ClicktheCity.com ). And pictures of personalities who has given pride to our country can also be found.

Are you proud of being a Filipino? Can you name more people who have given pride to our beloved Philippines?

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1. I'm proud to be Filipino because we always rise to the occasion! Hinding hindi ko pagpapalit ang Pilipinas at yung kultura natin. - Sitti Navarro, Singer
2. We are a race of champions. - Dred David, 21, Team Surf Shop & CTC
   
3. I'm proud to be Filipino because no matter how bad things get we always seem to find something positive or something to smile about to keep themselves going. - Martin Warren, 26, Marketing Maverick
   
4. Filipinos work hard for their families and value education and success in the profession. - Dr. Marj Evasco, Poet, DLSU Professor and Palanca winner
   
5. Filipinos are peace loving and talented - Yves, Physician and Graduate Student in Creative Writing
   
6. Dahil tayong mga Pilipino, pili na, pino pa. The best talaga and you better believe it!” - JM Lim, 20, architecture student
   
7. I'm proud to be Pinoy because of our partiality towards the extreme, odd and awkward. But all beautiful. - Maite Salazar, 26, writer
   
8. Filipinos are willing to go the extra mile, even with hardship, to help someone out - Dette Quizon, 27, entrepreneur
   
9. Because only in Manila can I go through 2-3 extreme emotions within a span of a minute. - Tamtam Lara
   
10. I love being Filipino because of all the unique cultural diversity you can find in our tiny little archipelago. I think all of our rich backgrounds play a big part in making us Filipino. - Cat Juan, model and writer
    

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao

The Batista

Nicole of Pussycat Dolls

Angel Locsin (actress)

Leah Salonga (international singer)

Charisse Pempengco (rising international singer)

Apl of Blackeyed Peas

Dr. Jose Rizal (national hero)

yes, bloggers have given pride to this country with their blogs

The Day I Checked Out My PageRank...Wohooo!

The other day I got nothing to do (actually, just got bored at work) and checked out stuff over the internet.

Then I read about PageRank. First of all, I know that this humble site of mine is relatively new compared to those who have been doing this for quite some time now. While others are enjoying the fruits of their labor with their blogs, I was probably trying to figure out what to do with my blog. Even till now I don't have any clue of what niche I would like to land on or even qualify for.

So just out of curiousity, I checked my PageRank and was surprise to find that I'm 2/10!!! Actually, I know it's not that much to be jumpy about but the thought that there are really people visiting my quiet space here gives me the smile.

I also checked the PageRanks of other blogs I've been following and enjoy reading and some of them are also in the same rank. I admit this gave me a bit of hope and motivation to harness and nurture what I have here. This might get me to where the probloggers are now enjoying.

While others are already showing their first cheques from Google Adsense, here I am just so happy that I got ranked at all. (hehe)

Insanity That Is Boys Over Flowers

Lately, these people in photo were part of me and my gf's daily routine. No, we are not acquintances or friends (though I think my gf acquaintanceswould love to be that with them). It just so happen that the carenderia where we, most of the time, have our dinner are kapamilyas and would have us enjoy the meal while watching this koreanovela. At first, we just had to bear the corny-ness (excuse the term) of each episode (not to mention my amazement on how they fluently speak Tagalog. hehe). But I guess, we Filipinos are just suckers for this type of tv drama which includes these Tagalog-speaking Koreans so there's no wonder why we got hooked on this.

As if we can't get enough of the Korean-version F4 and the wacky Geum Jan Di, we even had to score a pirated DVD(shame on me!) just to watch the episodes we missed. Just as I expect, we spent two days with our eyes glued on the tv, laughing and, at times, in tears.

But just when we almost reached the 25th episode, we had to stop the insanity. Just out of nowhere, we just agreed to get ourselves out of the craziness Goo Joon Pyo and Ji Hoo caused.

If there is one thing I noticed while watching Boys Over Flowers, it's the resemblance of some of the casts with some of our local celebrities. Kim Hyun Joo, the older sister of Joon Pyo, in some angles looked like Heart Evangelista. And Han Chai Young looks like the now controversial Katrina Halili.

Kim Hyun Joo (Heart Evangelista ?)

Han Chai Young ( Katrina Halili ?)

Do you see the resemblance? Well, probably it was just me who needs to have my eyes checked.