Second Day in Manila

Second day in Manila and already been to two shopping malls, two cafes, a couple of restaurants, and averaging on 6 hours of sleep each night. My holidays "back" home have always been more of jam-packed days with series of appointments and engagements strung up... oh I do enjoy the high and fast life, and exhausting as it may be I just wouldn't feel satisfaction without having caught up with everyone important. And oh we're just starting... Since it is almost always around December when we come home, the holiday becomes an even more elaborate one because of the festive season. Family lunches, dinners, and Christmas functions are all part of the show. Despite of the whole holiday rush, I especially love this time of the year because of how special people really make it to be. One good way of distinguishing the Philippines' unique celebration of Christmas would probably be taking some comments from someone not raised here because they just have a fresher and different perspective. A's words when he first came to visit last year: "wow, this is really different, it's amazing!"

Random bits of these two days... Yesterday was salon day for my mom, as well as A who came again with me. His first time to have his hair cut in the country and I couldn't be prouder that he felt the "workmanship" is impressive. I still am not ready to take him to the local barbershop, so his first induction was in a higher-end Makati salon... we take baby steps; the next time it will be with Mang Rodel just around the block. Ha ha! We had a walk around the new Greenbelt (man, they've changed a lot from before!!!) and had afternoon tea at Bizu - recommended by buddy Char. Today's another day exploring stores and good buys, with reliable merchandise-hunter Char and another good friend Arls. This is like letting loose of some of the self-restraint imposed on "self" in terms of shopping, for now I could at least justify the worthiness of stuff I'm buying relative to price. And these friends of mine have the best retail information as well as sharp eyes and superb taste. Don't you agree that one always needs another who would honestly tell you if your ass looks fat in the shimmery skirt you're trying on, or if you'd better leave a dress on the rack lest you risk looking like a piece of sausage uncomfortable in its wrapping. Ayayayyyy I realised that I've missed my friends so much.

Okay, we've done this last year but almost did it again this year... roam around Malate pointing our real women vs. not-real women to A. He couldn't tell the difference... honestly!?!!! Thanks to Char's uber-cool uber-hip parents who treated us to dinner at Aristocrat where the chicken bbq is most famous (restaurant trivia: they serve an average of 30,000 of the bbq chicken in a month!). That area near the bay has changed quite a bit as well... some of us say that there's not much improvement in the country, but in some ways or another there are bits and pieces of good changes. There are more lights now, the area's livelier with food stalls/kiosks around. It's visibly cleaner but true, needs a bit more push for better. I was cautious walking around with my bag and all, but I didn't feel unsafe.

Just totally enjoying this. For the meantime, there'll be random updates here but perhap not as structured. I'm in holiday high.

Friday Madness

Still high and slightly intoxicated from last night's end of year celebration, I will attempt to piece together, recall, and coherently weave a picture of what I'll call a fantabulous event of merriment. The venue and theme were never revealed to us, everything was kept hush hush while everyone's curiosity peaked. Six buses shuttled 300 or so people to the "mystery location" after work yesterday. And true enough, it looked mysterious as it could ever be... at least from the outside it can easily be thought of as some sort of gangster hide-out. We were greeted by costumed hosts (imagine masquerade style), the hallway was glittering with lights and draped with dark red velvet (imagine Chicago and cabaret). Champagne was served at the door, while hors d'ouevres of fresh oysters and cucumber-wrapped smoke salmon go around. While everyone is getting all settled and relaxed in the party, mingling with everyone else, projected screens were showing clips of interviews with the company's big bosses and board members... but more on "bloopers" and funny slides of these interviews. The MD was around, joking and showing his outdated dance moves - for a moment there I was speechless to see this man acting silly. Anyway, to formally kick-start the event there was the announcement of company stock incentives being rewarded to each one (hep hep... let me consult my accountant for the tax implications of this... calling on dear sis!) Further bringing up the jolly mood was drawing of prizes - and they weren't small prizes either (e.g. $500 voucher for Tiffany & Co., $1500 plane ticket, and a lot more). I didn't win anything... dang!... who wouldn't mind splurging in that store in Collins Street. But there's always next year.

Just when I thought that it couldn't get any better, they surprised us more with an "inner" chamber to the venue. Where we were was just a teaser... we were led to a theatre-like room where the real party begins. Hosted by performers (yes, cabaret style but on the more decent end of the spectrum... haha!) and very talented and hilarious broadway singers (whom the ladies initially thought would perform a full monty... not!), we were all on a roll. A night of music and booze, man... one discovers and witnesses the hidden personalities of the normally-serious-suit-and-tie-wearing colleagues. Give them more to drink and they'll be up the stage singing along and head-banging with the band. I probably consumed an illegal amount of champagne myself and quite proud that I've pushed that personal limit many many notches up! Had an insane time on the dance floor, was complimented as "looking ravishing" by one of the bigwigs, met many people from different divisions... not too bad a night and not too bad for a first christmas party with the company eh?

While seemingly untiring in energy, I quickly conked out as my head touched my pillow. It's been quite some time already since I partied like this. When all that adrenalin rush finally subsided, and the alcohol executed its best act... I was knocked into a heavy sleep, and then with a slight reminder of the night before the next morning.

Some random thoughts: (1) there is an art of keeping a tube-top dress from slipping down when one is jumping about and dancing, be vigilant lest you end up flashing some unfortunate soul; (2) one way to thwart an eager and unwelcome person is to pretend that you're going to the loo to puke, that will surely turn him off; (3) move around, talk to other people, don't just stick with your old familiar group, but don't totally ditch them too; (4) don't chew your oysters, let it slip down your throat; (5) you can never be over-dressed in parties like this.