See you tomorrow in Cebu guys! I miss yo’ll! I’ll be there 800 hours.

Where: Datu Lanai, Legend Villas, Mandaluyong
When: May 15, 2009

Many thanks to Kimimay for sharing to us the Globe Bloggers Event, the “Laban Tayo Dyan! The Paramihan Challenge.” Basically, bloggers were gathered so we could help spread the word about Globe’s New Events (coming soon). The bloggers who graced the event received a handful of Globe Freebies and Rewards - bountiful buffet dinner, P500 worth of Globe prepaid cards given for free, unlimited photo ops sponsored by partypicslive and fun games (Paramihan Challenge — wherein all 36 participants of the game were given a thousand bucks each - I was one of the participants, by the way).

We are the four bloggers, the mighty bloggers!

(L-R): Kimimay, Marye, Arlene, Yes

I received a text brigade that is currently being circulated among students. It says something like this:

“STUDENT SUMMER EKSTRAVAGANZA”
Promo Period: March 19, 2009 to June 7, 2009

Promo Mechanics:
* The promo is only for all Private and Public School Students who have a valid SY 2008 – 2009 School ID.

* Ticket Price:
P275 - weekdays (2p-9p)
P335 - weekends (11a-9p)

* This scheme operates on a one-ticket-per-student-per-day basis.

* Upon getting inside EK, each student is entitled of receiving 1 Pepsi Can for FREE.

* Promo is available at Santa Rosa Group Sales Office & Makati Sales Office.

* For UP students, you can present your ID to avail this promo. A booth is available from May 12-16, 2009 at the AS Walk.

Yesterday was a very relaxing day! I, together with Rech Leopardas, travelled all the way from Quezon City to Bulacan to attend the Thanksgiving Dinner of a colleague, Ace Nicanor. The trip was a quick one. But our fingers are much quicker clicking the button in the camera.

The whole travel took us thirty minutes (we were expecting at least an hour travel). We arrived in Guiguinto, Bulacan an hour before the call time. Knowing Ace, he wanted everything well-organized, he wanted everyone treated specially, at least on his celebration. That’s why, I and Rech decided to stay in one of the cafes of the town. The one we first spotted was the ever-famous Dunkin Donuts. We were there for an hour, literally killing the time. While eating my mid-day snack, I was actually engrossed in reading again Nicholas Sparks’s A Walk To Remember (I started flipping the pages a day before so I had no way of stopping it).

After an hour, we were fetched by a white car (was it white? uh-oh). Ace’s elder sister fetched us and drove us to the venue. Both I and Rech were ASTONISHED. Our jaws dropped when we reached the resort. All the while, we thought that Ace’s Thanksgiving Dinner will just be held in his family’s house. Oh well, this should much more exciting and fun, I thought.

Ace, as expected of him, was very accommodating not just to us, but to all of his guests (there were a minimum of 50 guests who graced the celebration). And it was not only true with Ace. All of his family treated us so well. In fact, as a souvenir, we posed for the picture (including Ace’s Dad and Mum).

Of course, how could we fail to forget to have a picture on Ace’s huuuge banner. This time, Debbie Lagdaan (she’s late!):

We thought of something special and memorable for Ace. We thought of having a small program while the band was having dinner. I was very honored that Ace asked me to host for it, impromptu as it was.

During our whole stay there, we roamed around the resort and took pictures. The place was so magnificent. Thanks to Ace for inviting us over. (Ace Nicanor graduated Cum Laude, BA Arts Studies in the College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman).

Here are some of our pictures around the resort:

Today is the birthday of my younger brother, Richard Powell Tirol Dumagan. We call him Kuya P.R. (because R.P. are obviously the famous initials of Rebublic of the Philippines). To his friends and some relatives, he is Richard. I guess, for him, it doesn’t matter — on how people call him, as long as you don’t bluff about it.

He is biologically turning 20 today. And while there are conventional birthday celebrations, P.R. does not have any celebration today, with his family. He is attending to his SBMA Duty, in Clark, Subic. There is even no way we could contact him since cellular phones (the very least) are not allowed while they are inside the Philippines Merchant Marine Academy. Well, at least when he is aboard. We’ve tried to call him but apparently his cellular phone isn’t turned on. Instead, we left birthday greetings via sms hoping that by May 11, Monday (during his liberty), he can still receive our messages.

To my brother, Kuya P.R., Ate (and the rest of the family) is so PROUD of you! You have achieved so much already and I know you will still have much more to come. I know it. Your dedication and perseverance to survive is much more enough for you to surpass the 4-year really tough challenge in the academy. And as my birthday wish for you, I’d like to say:

I wish that your wish will come true and that you will have many candles to blow. (Yes you will have many candles to blow!)

Happy Birthday Kuya!

Yesterday, my Manigo group of friends went out for Kris Lazaro’s post-birthday and Kuya James Jimenez’s pre-birthday celebration. We were a group of six. Aside from the birthday celebrants, our younger brothers Ronald, John Glenn and Albert graced the occasion. I followed them in Barko, a videoke slash comedy slash dance bar located in the heart of Kalayaan Avenue, Quezon City. After drinking two buckets of beer, Kuya James suggested that we move to a real dance bar. He suggested that we went to Libis. I knew what he was thinking. And yes I was right. We went to Bed Room and ordered one more draft of beer. After a few minutes, another Manigoer, Rech, arrived to celebrate with us. We were all dancing in RnB and Pop grooves. We were all in our selves, grooving, unconsciously, carelessly.
By 1am, the bar closed so we had to move somewhere else. The birthday celebrants thought that the night was still young and we had to do something more. We make ‘tambay’ in the bleachers of the Eastood City, catching up with each other, sharing stories and experiences, doing the things we used to do while we were still under one roof, a year ago. There’s one thing we all shared, we missed each other’s company. We missed each other. After the storytelling lies (kidding), we went o McCafe because we had to retrieve our sanities back. We drank coffee and tasted Ronald’s order of Blueberry Cheesecake.
By 3am, we went home, the six of us, in one taxi-ride.
Until next time, Manigoers.

While everyone else in town considered Sunday as their rest day, five yuppies preferred t o spend this day with each one’s company. These five yuppies were Richard Jumao-as, Jay Pinayt, Rochelle Efondo, Roxanne Sandulan and yours truly. Another high school batchmate Rechel Leopardas wasn’t able to make it to the gathering because she was attending her graduation exercises inthe University of the Philippines Diliman.
The first meeting place was in Trinoma Mall. The group took their lunch in one of the best dines of the mall, Davao’s Tuna. Obviously, we missed the Bisaya ambiance. While waiting for the group to be completed, Mister Donut was the next waiting spot since it was a very easy place to locate being situated at the back of the mall’s stage. Of course, we got a li’l food for our stomach. Just a little to bridge the gap of time. When everyone arrived, we proceeded to Red Box. There, we availed Red Box’s Happy Hour service . We sang unlimited videoke songs, we danced like there’s no tomorrow, we drank spontaneously, we posed for the cameras – well, just for souvenir, a sort of documenting the affair so the rest of the batch get jealous as soon as we reveal the pictures. (Evil laugh)
We weren’t contented just yet. After exhausting all of Trinoma including its fresh view of its botanical garden, we went straight to Eastwood City, which was about P150-taxi drive away from where we were. We ate dinner in Mang Inasal where the best chicken inasal were served. The boys ordered big servings while the girls chose the sulit meals because the latter were on their diet. (Blush)
As soon as we finished dinner, we went straight ahead to Eastwood’s Bowling Area. We played duckpin bowling for an hour despite our very ungeared outfits. We bought socks, and of course, we rented bowling shoes so we can play. I didn’t mind that I had to wear the required shoes despite my outfit for that day, a doll dress.
At around 10pm, Rochelle complained that her right arm was in pain. Since the night was young and while we were walking out, we heard the booming music of the Bed Room. We went in, we ordered another set of draft beer and tried the flaming wine of which the bar’s offering. Richard’s colleague arrived to join us. We danced – among ourselves, those who were seated adjacent to our tables, to strangers. We were all happy. We were all enjoying.
By 12mn, the Cinderella of our circle, Rochelle, forced everyone of us that we pack and head home. She had an early morning duty in the AFP Medical Center, she complained. Having felt over-satisfied with the experience, we all bid our goodbyes. To Batch 6 of Tagbilaran City Science High School, pictures are posted below. Now you can hold your jaws.

After spending Valentine’s Day in San Narciso, Zambales, we had decided that before proceeding back to Manila, we stop by in Subic. Early morning today, we readied ourselves for our trip. We only got four hours of sleep because of the party in PMMA. But we had to get up early and pack up because it took hours to travel.

It was only when we were in Subic had we decided to go to Zoobic Safari (and not in Ocean Adventure). The locals there recommended Zoobic over Ocean Adventure. The reason was left unasked, though I know it was a bias opinion. But never mind it, we proceeded to Zoobic via van. Yes, in order to get there, one must rent a van if you don’t have wheels on your way there. One-way ride cost P500 that means for a round trip, it was a thousand bucks already.

Raaarrrrr!

When we arrived there, we got a ticket for three (because we were three, obviously). Zoobic Safari’s highlights are as follows: Zoobic Park, Savannah, Serpentarium, Croco Loco, Rodent World, Aeta Trail and Show, Animal Photo Opportunities, Animal Show, animal rides, and the most famous Tiger Safari. All worth the visit!

My Brother And I During PMMA's Valentine's Day

I had a memorable time today because I spent my Valentine’s Day with my brother. Although the travel going to San Narciso, Zambales from Manila is around 4-5 hours travel, it is worth all the time and effort and money! Well, I had to compromise because I am torn between two special gentlemen in my life. Good thing my significant other approved that we spend it in Zambales. We were late for the Silent Drill. We were lucky enough we caught up the Open House. At least, our stomaches were fed from a long travel!

I was more than excited to go home! It’s been awhile staying in Manila and while it was in the start, it has been a whole heck of a missing process. I miss Bohol so much that I thought to myself, no matter where I go, I’ll always go home to where I belong: Bohol. Here’s a picture my brother took while we were boarding the plane:

Getting ready for aboard

During my 9-day vacation in Bohol, I did what I usually do when I was still based there. I missed my dad so much. And it’s given. I’m always a daddy’s girl - always have, always will. Of course, I was delighted to see my youngest brother, Ian, who has now grown so tall but his attitude still remains the same. He will always remain the “bunso” in our family. He’s still the mild and carefree Ian I have ever known. He still insists for asking money up to the point of resorting to coins if I don’t give him bills. I often exchange a peso coin to a kiss. Then he’d say, okay then kiss me twenty times so he’ll get P20. It’s funny how an 18-year old man deals to us for his contentment. I visited my friends too. In fact, I attended the church wedding of my most favorite teacher in high school, Sir Jenelou John F. Israel. He is finally wed to Miss Yoradyl Espejo. At last! After more than 7 seven years of love and engagement.

Also, I had a short time of reflection in my beloved hometown, Batuan. I always love strolling around and basically do nothing. Like the picture below:

Vacation is not complete without you

Now that I am back in Manila, I can’t help but think and plan of my next visit in Bohol. Hopefully by the end of this month. I wish to attend my town’s annual celebration, the Guimbawan Festival