Archive for the ‘Citylife’ Category

Moving out…soon.


2009
09.23

I’ve spent a couple of days over the past two months or so checking out condominiums around the city. Somehow seeing Kleng-Kleng manage her own concrete plot somewhere in Ortigas Avenue inspired me to find my own place in the sun that I can retire to when my hair and teeth start to fall off. I’m a PAGIBIG member for over a decade, and I thought that I should really take advantage of what they offer and get my own property. So why not? I think they made it now a lot easier like electronically reading a Medifast coupon code.

So I started checking out condominiums first. Manhattan Gardens in Araneta Center was the first to catch my attention. I decided to check on their model units, particularly the one with the least price (at P2M, no kidding). I loved the interiors of their one-bedroom unit!

I am not really into the buying stage yet. Scouting around and checking on guidelines give me tremendous opportunity to learn more about the things I might really need when it comes to selecting a property and warning signs that I really should watch out for. I’m still buying myself some time, but I’m hoping to get started next year.

bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark

Holy smoke!


2009
07.03

Parc Royale on fire

This building beside ours was on fire late Tuesday afternoon. Fire trucks clogged the roads leading to Julia Vargas Avenue causing traffic and irritation among commuters during the rush hour. I joined the rest of the spectators (and chismosos) trooping to nearby Benpres parking lot and took photos with my camera phone. I really should own a DSLR given my penchant for capturing live actions, structures and quirky people like those inside the gyms running on ellipticals, the woman and her child who endlessly beg every night, unruly pedestrians, and gossiping women in coffee shops. Well, someday.

bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark

Sunfest in Ayala Alabang


2009
04.22

I’ll be out this weekend for the annual Sunfest at the Makiling Park inside the Ayala Alabang Village. This is going to be a whole day event on April 25 that would kick off with a fun-run in the morning and a series of activities that would keep everyone busy until evening, or the break of dawn, whatever suits you best.

Expect a variety of menu offers from deli to gourmet pizzas, a tiangge of sorts (a friend asked if there would be selling of gluta and diet supplements, well, I don’t really know), fashion shows, heart-pounding sport activities, and I think a musical event at night. One thing for sure, I’ll be out taking pictures, go home and write about it.

bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark

How to spend the Holy Week on a shoestring budget


2009
04.06

I understand that Holy Week is the quietest time of the year as far as Manila residents are concerned. It’s a time to reflect, repent and pray, and redirect your life back to the original narrow path. However, if you’re like me with little to zero attention span and as restless as a snake, I have nice little suggestions to keep you moving without spewing cash.

1. Watch The Passion – Keep your porn collection (or maybe burn them for good) and watch The Passion of the Christ. It renews your faith and understand your purpose. Never mind those anti-Semitic sentiments. Mel Gibson could take care of it.

2. Fast – This is the good time to fast and pray. Aside from spiritual blessing, it’s also good for your waistline.

3. Read and write – If you’re into journals and books, revive these hobbies. Both can be therapeutic to the tired soul.

4. Sleep – Time to catch some if you’ve recently lost them.

5. Attend a retreat – Churches nearby are organizing retreats this Holy Week. Maybe you should try attending one nearer you. You get to meet new friends, understand yourself and other people better and keeps your purpose in life clearer.

6. Clean your closet – There might be skeletons already.

7. Surf the internet – There are over a thousand ideas that could help fix your business, manage your self and discover new interests. You could even make money, who knows?

You are most likely to spend less than a thousand bucks just by trying to endure a week of silence. It’s best this way than splurge whatever little you’ve got on a beach trip, buying pool supplies, hang out in expensive vacation houses and drown yourself in liquor until the wee hours in the morning.

bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark

Welcome to Middle-Earth


2009
03.14
Sunday afternoon in Ortigas Center

Sunday afternoon in Ortigas Center

This was one of the many photos I took when I decided to show up at work on a weekend. Looking at this made me wish that weekdays should be as peaceful and quiet, calm and sane. That would definitely save minds, and lives of those people locked in those gorgeous but suffocating Tektite towers. (I’m claustrophobic.)

While I (sometimes) whine about how bad the traffic is in this side of the world, I am grateful I no longer have to spend two to three hours on the road just to get myself to work on time. I could actually see from my cousin’s rooftop the Ortigas skyline, careful not to break from neck in the process and have everyone run after her home insurance. Life is great these days, I couldn’t ask for more.

Now let me get back to my reading. I tell you, the book Silmarillion is the best. They really should put this on film.

bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark