Gravitational Pull
Force of Gravity. We all lounged right in to it. Gave in to desire.
Afternoon frolic with Tinjo and Lester
T’was a breezy day. We drank buko by the bay. Loads of fun indeed.
Best buds at Microtel MOA
(L-R) Aldz, Injo, Glen, Lala and Me
These were taken during our spur of the moment sleepover last October 2011. After visiting my interior design exhibit, we stayed in Tinjo and Glenna’s suite sa Microtel.
They even surprised me with a post birthday bash hence the cake in the foreground. Thanks guys!
Lounging at the Lung
Seven months ago, I participated in an Avant Garde Interior Design exhibit where I showcased a smoking lounge vignette. The booth was called LoUNGe Center, which is a play of words between lungs and lounge. Back to the present, who knew that after several months I would be living in Lung Center? Yup, you read it right. I’m living not just malapit but actually inside its complex. No, I am not suffering from any lung-related ailment. I am just staying in their dormitory.
Here is the back-story. If you’ve been reading my blog, I have mentioned that I’m house hunting in the Quezon City area. I’ll be taking the Interior Design licensure exams and I wanted to live near my review center which is in Matulungin Street of QC. My house hunting expeditions have not been fruitful until a distant relative referred the dormitory inside the Lung Center compound, which is only a few blocks away from CDEP (Center for the Designed Environment Professions) review center.
The dormitory is located on a secluded part of the main building’s second floor. It has a number of shared and private rooms. I opted for the single room, which is somewhat similar to a studio-type apartment. Thankfully, my room has its own toilet and bath. It also has a bed and a set of table and chairs. Since it’s only a dorm, the room does not have a kitchen. With that, I temporarily shipped my cooking utensils and appliances to the province. I guess I should postpone my Masterchef training until I’m done with my board exams. I’ll catch up na lang sa November.
We also got a pretty good deal. For only five thousand pesos, covered na yung monthly rent ng room, electricity, water bill, air-conditioning and housekeeping! No need to wait for banker’s offer, deal na agad!
(Pushing the flashing red button. Cue ear blasting music. Don’t forget to let the 26K girls dance in the background.)
Since you’re inside hospital grounds, the place is sobrang safe. You actually have security guards at your beck and call… nah I’m just kidding. I’ll never do that, baka ipahabol pa ako sa mga canine nila.
Pero I must admit na at first medyo iffy ako sa setup of living inside the hospital grounds. Just imagine the viruses floating around you. Oh wait, marami naman talagang virus around us. Namagnify lang siguro yung idea since this is a hospital and people get rushed here to get examined and checked up.
Anyway, medyo eerie din ang dating ng certain areas na dapat kong daanan to reach the dorm. They close some of the gates and hallways at 6 PM kaya my evening route includes passing by the Emergency Room, the hallway leading to the Medical Records and the Mortuary. It’s definitely odd. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a Shake Rattle and Roll scene where I’ll end up running hanngang I reach the guardhouse only to find out na zombie na si Manong. Do forgive my imaginations. Alongside my kitchen appliances, I also had to give up my TV.
So far, no patient zombies have abducted me, chase scenes with a medically altered being are unlikely to happen and definitely no okatokat moments. For the time being, I guess I’m perfectly contented with what Lung Center has offered. One last thing, I’ll try to transform this drab dorm room into a contemporary pad. Watch out for the before and after pictures along with some D.I.Y. projects. I hope everything turns out well.
House Hunting
Searching for a new home in the metro on your own is harder than I expected. I felt like rummaging in a labyrinth under the scorching heat of the sun. On the up side, I kind of like these sort of adventures. The Nat Geo correspondent and Amazing Race wannabe in me responded favourably.
You see, scouring the streets and the tiniest of eskinitas even if you already mapped out potential apartments is much more exciting than hiring an agent to do all the work. Plus, you get to exercise and do a little sightseeing at the same time.
I’ve learned that there are really helpful folks on Matulungin Street, wise tambays by Matalino, Maaralin and Marunong, honest neighbours in Matapat and nice people in Mabait. Heads up, there’s nothing really seductive along Mapangakit Street. Just sayin’
Anyway, gazillion things need to be considered before settling for any apartment. Does it fit your budget? Is it accessible to your place of work? Do you feel safe? These along with your personal checklist would help you immensely in determining the right choice.
After my adventures, I have decided to share several tips on what to do when you are scouting for your next home.
1. Research about your prospective homes, their location and means of getting there. Being equipped with the essential details would help you save time and effort. Search it on Google maps and print out a copy. Better yet, use your smart phones!
2. With our weather in mind, bring a bottled water, an extra shirt, face towel and a handy umbrella.
3. If you get lost, do not hesitate to ask questions. There is no shortage of friendly and accommodating Pinoys out there.
4. Whether you are driving or not, you will be spending most of your time on the streets so always be alert.
5. Be courteous and polite to the people you are meeting.
6. Treasure the experience and bring a camera with you. Conduct a photowalk of your own while scouting for your would-be homes.
I hope you find these tips useful :D
Going back, well-designed places are far too expensive for my budget and those that come cheap are kaduda-duda to say the least. Those that fall under the bracket of pwede na or okay naman are either occupied already or out-of-the-way. I’ll let you know more about my house hunting expeditions in the blogs to follow.
Three Things I Miss After Moving Out
Our apartment lease has already ended. We decided not to renew it since I wanted to live near my review center, which is in Quezon City. After moving out of our apartment, I have shortlisted three things that I miss the most.
I miss Unit 405 of Liwag building in Palanan, Makati. This one bedroom flat has been my refuge for five long years. It has also been my pretend New York apartment amidst city living. lol
Its quaint grandeur served as a nurturing nest especially during college. It witnessed the countless days I crammed for exams and sleepless nights of drafting plates, coloring perspectives, making reports, finishing projects, scale models and all things design related. Brilliant concepts and ideas were also conceived here.
I left the bratty side of me in the province and harnessed my independence in Unit 405. I cooked, cleaned and did chores to keep things orderly and neat. Don’t believe me? Unit 405 will gladly take the witness stand on any trial court. Hahaha
I miss Cash and Carry. It is known for its vast supermarket but it’s so much more than that. The mall has been my playground, my park, my lair. Due to its proximity to our apartment, I can’t remember a day that I did not pass, stroll or set sight at it.
I miss eating Amber’s pichi pichi. Please remove that malicious grin you’re sporting! I’m talking about the colorful and delicious kakanin with cheese or coconut on top. Like Cash and Carry, Amber’s Restaurant is just a few meters away from our apartment. Sabi ko nga sa officemate ko, limang tumbling lang ang distance. I have the luxury of devouring the tasty treats at any given time. Alongside their pichi pichi, I shall also miss their barbeque, lumpiang shanghai and pansit malabon. On the upside, they do deliveries naman.
Transitions are hard to deal with especially if you’ve already developed some sort of attachment to certain places, practices and on my case Amber’s pichi pichi. I’m dead serious; please stop associating my love for Amber’s pichi pichi to your perverted references. Going back, this sounds passé but changes are inevitable and we must learn to embrace transitions in order to move forward and prosper. After all, starships are meant to fly.
GRAVITY
Space Encounters’ opening salvo for 2012 is GRAVITY. This kick-ass collection includes impeccable furniture pieces with interesting fabric choices, delightful home accessories and quirky finds. The store launched its latest collection last March 9, 2012.
The store gets revamped as it channels Old Manila and Berlin. Black and white prints with bold pops of colors alongside its staple intercosmic appeal completed the look.
Space Encounters also launched an array of new notepads, prints and journals. I personally like the one with the Araneta Coliseum cover.
Wonderfully painted side tables with decoupage on top.
Newsflash: Chairs can now defy gravity! lol
Industry hotshots and design enthusiasts were drawn to Space Encounters’ strong gravitational pull. The soiree lasted until the wee hours of night.
Cocktails and delectable gourmet food such as canapes, turnovers and bruschetta were also served during the launch. yum!
Team behind Space Encounters, WLopez Designs and Subspace Coffee.
Sir Wilmer, yours truly, Miss Maica and Kapitan Karl
1st row (standing) L-R:Geo, Erwin, yours truly, Kapitan Karl
2nd row L-R: Mao, Madam Brill, Sir Elvin, Miss Maica, Sir Wilmer, Miss Lora
3rd row L-R: Sir Bong, Sir Thor
For more info kindly visit Space Encounters’ Facebook page and site.
BEN @ WORK
Time flies fast when you’re having fun. It’s been a little over a month since I started working in the urban jungle that is Ortigas. As of press time, I’m only a part-time employee since I am still prepping for my board exams. I work as a design assistant for WLopez Designs; an interior design firm owned by renowned interior designer Wilmer Lopez.
So far, I have been enjoying my stint in WLopez. My officemates are very amiable and fun to be with. The office environment emanates good vibes na a bucket of ice cream topped with rainbow and dancing bunnies na lang ang kulang. Haha, obviously this is a hyperbole.
I am very thankful that I get to work with an incredible boss and an awesome team of designers. I hope that I would be able to harness my capabilities, develop my skills and learn the industry’s ropes while under their wing.
Masaya ba ako? My answer is a resounding high pitched OO! For reference, contact Elvin Santos. His version of a high pitched OO is unlike any other.
Photos courtesy of WLopez and Lora Alfonso
BITTEN
As a kid, I believed in all sorts of tales my yaya told me. The stories ranged from playful dwendes to engkatos, horrifying aswangs and even googly-eyed dragons. These, along with a mile long list of fantastical characters lurked all throughout my extensive imagination during my childhood.
One gloomy morning, a sudden sharp stinging sensation on my neck woke me up. As much as I’d like to return to my deep slumber, paranoia kicked in. So, I dashed towards the mirror and examined it. To my surprise, I saw two parallel needlepoint- like marks.
Could it possibly be a vampire bite? Did an immortal being feast on me while I was asleep? Before I could even figure out a plot involving the Queen of the damned, an annoying buzzing sound forced me back into reality. Pesteng mosquito!
Photo courtesy of joaobw
Juris and Gavin visited WLopez designs yesterday!
TMR Experience
Ever since I moved here in Manila for college, the ultimate tandem and kikay barkada of Chico and Delamar has always accompanied me in my morning commute. I have been a diligent listener of Monster Radio’s The Morning Rush. I always look forward to their Top 10 segment. Sila rin ang salarin kung bakit most commuters think I’m crazy. Their banter along with the rushers’ witty entries and humorous banats will make anyone burst into laughter. Listening to them is definitely a hard habit to break.
Published by Summit Media, The Best of Chico and Delamar’s The Morning Rush Top 10 is now available in all bookstores nationwide. This 207-page book is a cornucopia of Top 10 entries, which range from uber hilarious quotes to TMI moments, sidesplitting jokes, top pickup lines, funniest statements and texts and a whole lot more.
Last February 25, 2012, I had my copy of the book signed. The fifth and final leg of their book signing was held inside the National Book Store of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Bazillions of loyal rushers showed up. It took me almost 2 hours just to get their autograph. HAHA. Nevertheless, it was all worth it. I enjoyed the experience.
PUCKER UP & POINT WITH YOUR LIPS
This sounds weird but if I had an eleventh finger it would be my nguso. Like most Filipinos, I have this crazy acquired habit of pointing with my lips. I don’t know why, but I always find myself doing it. Yes, pursing or puckering one’s lips to suggest an object’s direction or location is rude but this habit is uniquely Pinoy.
In line with this, I read several blogs and forums that talked about this mannerism. Respondents argued that sometimes they are just too lazy to use their fingers or arms. Others added that using their hands to get something they like or wish to point entails a lot of energy. Apparently, they just resort to pointing with their lips. Some even said that they do this in order to appear slimmer and sensual. LOL
Some think that this gesture is really unbecoming while others find it cute and adorable. I think we should embrace our inner quirkiness and accept our being Pinoy. Let’s all hold hands, pucker up and point our nguso to success! :D
Photo courtesy of Glenna Mae Guiriba
PS. If you have pictures demonstrating this mannerism, please send me a copy so that I could include them in this post. thanks!
(nasayaoben@gmail.com)
