Roller Coaster. This is my all time favorite Theme-Park ride, and if ever I get the chance, I will surely wouldn't missed getting on. This would probably the reason why my 2010 moved like a roller coaster as it exactly immitates all the moves.
January 2010 - It was sad in the beginning. It was happy in the end. I say hello to new 2010 with tears, naging parang bata ako sa kakaiyak, not knowing that my January will end up with smile cos of my Philippine trip in Jan 30. Then came ..
February 2010 - It was happiest cos it was my parents birthday, Feb 5 and 7 that is. We had a grand 60th birthday party for Pa, sa bahay lang, pero nagmukang Fiesta sa dami ng pinagayak kong food at sa dami na din ng invited friends ni Pa.
While si Mama naman, it was very simple. Binili ko lahat ng favorite food nya at we let her experienced how was it to be surprised
That peak of happiness? Wala akong kamalay-malay na gugulantangin pala ako ng Singapore pag balik ko. It was February 9 when I was hit by the saddest, most shocking, in fact unbelievable news. Kung nakakamatay ang stress, kung nakakamatay ang lungkot .....
:(
I cried a river. For once in my life, hindi ko na inisip kung gaano ba kadami ang tao sa paligid ko. I was with another friend (mabuti na lang) kasi I literally fell on the floor. I got the crowd's attention na nawalan na ako ng pakialam. I look at my friend's face .... wala din syang magawa but to symphatize. Ito yung araw, ito yung araw, ito yung araw .... na binugbog ako ng tadhana.
:(
Sadista ang tadhana, mas pinalungkot pa ng death ng daddy ng good friend ko.
:(
March 2010 -
April 2010 - I went to Bangkok with 3 other friends. Summer. It was veeeeeery hot in Bangkok and it was almost unbareable. This trip was pretty dangerous because it was the same week when the red shirt organization was in full anger. My mission was just to revisit the temple I saw when I was 15 years old, and so I went there for an exploration. But on our way to the temple, we bumped into so many military people of Bangkok trying to preempt the war between the red shirts and the government. That same night was the Bangkok's bloodiest! My friends and relatives who knew that I was in Bangkok were all bothered. And that night, about 22 people were killed. To make my stay very significant, unconcsiously, I was just one street away from the bloodiest street of Bangkok. Wala akong kamalay-malay na nagpapatayan na pala sa kabilang kalye habang ako naman ay kumakain ng noodles. We just got to know the situation when we went back to the hotel.
May 2010 -
June 2010 - A short visit to Philippines to celebrate my parents Wedding Anniversary. With the help of my Ate, we scouted the best place possible to hold the anniversay dinner for Ma and Pa. It was very private as we didn't invite any other relatives or friends, kind of wanting to spend that little quality time with them alone.
Highlight of my June-Philippine vacation was on one of the mornings where I planned to visit the nearest reservoir for photoshooting. It was memorable because my Papa took me out from driving myself alone and instead he volunteered himself to be my driver and Mama joined us as well. So, it was like a parent-son kind of date in a cold 5:30AM morning. We reached the place in less than an hour and I started to do my job when suddenly may nagdaan na tindero ng pandesal. I mean, isang baryo na halos walang bahay sa paligid at wala man lang ako nakikitang tao ... bigla na lang may nagtitinda ng pandesal!(?) Kaya ang saya ng umaga naming tatlo, naupo lang kami sa tabi ng dam at pinapanuod ang sunrise while si Mama sabi ng sabi na gawin ko namang subject ang wheels ng tatay ko na halos ilang linggo pa lang ang edad. Nakakatuwa kaming tatlo dahil nakapantulog pa kami at tinatawanan ako ni Mama sa napakalaking basketball short na suot ko na galing sa cabinet ng mga higante kong kapatid.
First time ko din makita ang newly-renovated Petron station ni Papa, last February kasi ay close pa sya.
Ito yung uwi ko ng pinas na wala akong inisip na gimmick but mag-stay lang ng bahay at i-enjoy ang regular meal time (breakfast-lunch-dinner) na hindi ko masyadong nagagawa sa Singapore. May three consecutive days na hindi man lang ako naarawan at nasa loob lang ng bahay, if not natutulog, nanonood ng TV or kumakain kaya.
July 2010 - Weddings. It was Cindy's (Muslim wedding in Singapore) and Vivi's (Chinese-Indonesian Wedding in Surabaya, Indonesia). Sa dinamidami ng araw sa buong isang taon, magkasabay pa ang kasal nila. Dalawang tao na parehong hindi ko mahihindian. But it was all good as Cindy has to reschedule her wedding a week earlier due to mosque availability. So, in the end, I was able to attend both of my friend's wedding in Singapore and in Indonesia.
And so I flew to Surabaya for Vivi's wedding which I can consider one of the most memorable weddings I have ever attended. It was not a super-grand wedding that made it memorable but it was the fact na ako ang nag-iisang pinoy. On top of that, kasama ko ang buong pamilya ni Vivi sa Presidential table. Nasa loob yata ng wedding reception that day ang mga pinaka mayayamang tao ng Surabaya. Ang sarap nilang tignan, para lang akong nag-attend ng awards night.
It was also the month of earth exploration, the thrilling, the adventurous one. I was at the Mount Bromo, Eastern Java. From the moment I knew this place, I have started to google the images and adore. I can't imagine a beautiful place like that could ever exist on Earth, that thing that only appears on TV. But my patience was tested when I was standing right in front of the view deck of Mount Bromo, as the thick clouds stood in front of my eye without any signs of vanishing. Indeed, I missed the majestic view. But nevertheless, I got beautiful sightings of the mountain, it may not be the angle in my dreams, but still one of the best moments of my 2010.
August 2010 - 29th is my day, while 31st is Ace's birthday. My birthday, as always was filled with fun, surprises and gifts. It started on the night of August 28 at Senor Santos restaurant in Clark Quay where we had a buffet of Brazilian specialties which are more to grilled meat and accompanied by buffet of salad and side dishes. It was very significant as the place is Santos and to make it more exciting, I have been wanting to visit this place just for a photo opp, but I got more than what I wanted cos I did experience how was it to dined in.
Sinalubong ng same gang ang birthday ko sa Forbbiden City. But the party people were no-longer the same party people (aging people) the universe have known. And we parted ways about 2AM, considered early compared to my previous birthday celebrations but equally memorable in many other ways.
The day of my birthday was another surprise lunch party. I was brought to this very "good" hotel in Orchard and I was assisted to Gordon Grill which is a very exclusive and elegant section of the hotel. There were approximately 20 tables inside and there were 3 hosts wearing black suit (while I was wearing a black pants and stripe shirt). To my surprise, there were no other people but the two of us! Someone just spent money on me! It was a very good lunch indeed.
September 2010 - must be my 2010's "Party-Month" as there were countless parties within this month. Must also be the month where I visited bars the most, Orchard, Somerset, Clark Quay and even kampong bars. Basta may tindang alak, pinapatos ko. But the ultimate party was my participation to SingTel Grid Girl party. I got an exclusive invitation dahil na din sa katakawan ko sa party na may halo na din ng kakapalan ng muka. This party was one of a kind, scratching elbow ako sa mga artista ng Singapore. But anyway, I have never wanted to be associated with them naman (yabang), but instead, mas natutuwa ako kapag may nagpapa-picture saken. Ito ang gabi na napagkamalan akong media man, haha! Hmmm, dahil na din kasi sa laki ng bazooka lens na dala ko. But anyway, it was a good experience standing in the same roof with stars of Singapore, not to mention the unlimitted booze of alcohol.
It was also the month of reuniting with Ofel in Hong Kong. My first time taking the A380 aircraft. Grabe sa smooth ang flight ng giant aircraft na to, kahit may turbolence hindi nararamdaman with such an armored body.
Hong Kong - stayed for 2 nights with Ofel and Cherry in one hotel room. Riot na naman basta magkatabi kami ni Ofel, walang humpay na tawanan, kainan at gastos ang ginawa namin. May konting tension dahil fresh pa sa mga Hongky ang hostage incident pero may freedom naman kami sa Hong Kong and we enjoyed our stay as what we have expected. They left me in HK, but I moved to my Hongky friend's house. Mag-isa lang sya sa bahay na located sa napaka gandang sea side. Grand hospitality ang binigay sakin ni Rence, may personal driver sa kahit anong place na gusto kong puntahan.
Macau - I met my ex-gf in Macau. She helped me secure an accommodation with such a huge discount. Nakakatuwang magkita kami, we have matured na nga kasi ibang level na yung usapan namin. She was tourist guide in Macau.
Batam - late September when my Singapore-based friends organized a trip to Indo. More of kain and massage ang goal na naganap naman. We stayed at Regency Hotel. Picturan ng walang humpay. Kain ng sandamakmak. At inuman sa room ni Wini at Tonet hanggat hindi pumupungay ang mga mata.
October 2010 - I participated once again in the Canon Photo Marathon. I didn't give my 100% dedication this time kasi I was alone, my photography partners were not able to make it. Made me my day with less courage and enthusiasm. Instead of 3 entries, I only completed with 1 entry and gave up. Nevertheless, I was satisfied with my participation which comes with a very nice Canon shirt. I know I will wear it less, but still worth having one for keepsake.
November 2010 - One of my greatest travels of 2010 was flying to Bangkok. My one and only goal was to capture life in the floating market, I want to use this venue to complete the "work-in-progress" book I am doing. Eating and shopping and massage between my goal was my relaxation. Bangkok has a very good weather in November, that even in market places you won't feel irritated by sweating tons. I managed to bring home beautiful shots of floating market. I also revisited Grand Palace (for the nth time) and managed to still brilliant snaps. 4 days in Bangkok will always be not enough, I always have thing feeling of wanting to stay more and eat more. Up to my last hour in downtown, I was searching desperately for mango with sticky rice.
December 2010 - before the holiday hits the Earth, I made another trip to Indonesia with friends. Napapagkamalan na tuloy ako na may dinadalaw na syuta sa indonesia sa dalas ng punta ko. The fact is, masarap lang matulog sa hotel at magpa-massage ng below S$20 ang bayad.
I also went to Ipoh and Cameron Highlands in Malaysia with ex-colleagues. Ipoh is small town of Malaysia, medyo slow phase ang buhay dito but they are equiped with numerous good food. Na-inlove ako sa chicken recipe nila which I have forgotten the name. Masarap din ang dim sum nila na halos hindi na kami makalakad sa busog with only $6/pax. First time ko pala kumain ng dim sum at 5:30AM, yes ganyan kaaga. Kasi it was the time we reached Ipoh, and from the terminal we drove straight to this Chinese restaurant which serves the so-called best dim sum in town.
Here comes the Christmas. As always, dinadalaw ako ng matinding lungkot lalo na pag lumalapit na ang Pasko at nararamdaman ko yung hanging amihan. Non-stop ako sa pagkwento sa mga Chinese friends ko ng activity ng Pinas from December 16's simbang gabi till New Year.
Pinangako ko sa sarili ko na hindi ko gagastusan ang Pasko ko, instead, ibibigay ko na lang sa mga kapatid ko yung mase-save kong amount. True enough, dumating ang December 20 ng wala akong binibili sa sarili ko and nabigay ko yung amount na gusto kong gift sa mga kapatid, nieces and Mama and Papa. Pero dumating ang isang madilim na gabi, nakulong ako sa shopping mall at hindi ko makita ang exit. Pak! Total of S$600 para sa mga damit na sinabi kong regalo ko sa sarili ko para sa pasko. May isang kumontra saken na nagsabing: "Akala ko ba yung bagong lens mo ang regalo mo sa sarili mo?" Isa lang sya sa limang kontrabida, pero ano ang magagawa ko? Eh sa malungkot ako at walang katabing pamilya sa Pasko. Eh di idaan na lang sa pagbili ng damit.
Natapos ang 2010 ng masaya ako. May ilang kaibigan na hindi ko nabigyan ng pabor. May ilang kaibigan naman na nasobrahan ng pabor mula saken. May mga bagong kaibigan na nadagdag, may mga lumang kaibigan na nagbalik. May natutong magmahal saken. Wala ako maalalang tao na nagalit saken, aside sa mga matataray na waiter/waitresses na nasermunan ko sa Donut Factory. May crush ako na nagka-bf (ouch). Nalaman ko na interested din pala sya saken, pero mahal na mahal na nya ang bf nya nung nalaman ko (sayang). Ang kunwelo ko na lang ..... mas gwapo naman ako sa bf mo kaya magsama kayong dalawa!
Isa lang ang sure sa 2010 ko, masaya ako sa dami ng kaibigan na naging extended family ko na sa Singapore. At higit sa lahat, mahal ko ang pamilya ko na nasa Nueva Ecija ;-)
