Closet Conundrums

Ode to my "unabashed materialism"

Okay I'm using the ode loosely here...do don't expect lyrical verses on this post...I actually tried...but I don't think I have the time, patience and talent to do it...at least I'm man enough to admit it.

Well, in the past few weeks I haven't actually wrote anything I bought other than the stupid jeans. By the way I tried sending an email to the founders of Lucky Brand Jeans and the CEO, the emails didn't bounce so I hope it gets to their inbox. Well speaking of jeans, last Friday after getting frustrated with my 2nd order of jeans, I took matters to my own hands...well actually someone else's skilled hands. There is a nice shop called Defacto not so far from the office that makes custom made jean and it so happens that I know the owners too. This is what I got them to make for me:

But we changed the fabric to blue denim and red stitching anyway I'm getting it next week and I'm really looking forward to it. I might get another one made, but I'll just have to see this one first.

About my PSP, actually I already bought a new one in Singapore. And don't think that I intentionally lost the other just to justify my new PSP. Actually I've been pinning on a Red PSP since I saw it a day after I got my black PSP. In Singapore I decided to get the new red one and give my old one to my 5 year old nephew. I didn't have the PSP modified in Singapore, because they started selling me all other stuff and charging me half the price of the unit for the program upgrades where I could get it here for just 500 pesos (US$12). So when I flew home, I left my new red PSP in my luggage while using the old one while I haven't upgraded the red PSP, anyway I don't know what the hurry was but when I got to Manila, I jumped off my seat got all my carry ons and forgot all about the PSP until later that night when I was about to give it to my nephew. OUCH.

I need to be attached to the internet 24/7, its the nature of my work. I need to be able to check emails on the go and I need to be able to go online with little effort. Manila is not like Singapore that has the whole island covered with hotspots. Hotspots in Manila are not that accessible and you have to buy access cards somewhere before you can log on to the net and they usually charge you 100pesos for 1 hour. My mobile carrier who offers wifi access through their hotspots however charge me 2 pesos every minute I log in...but the problem is I need to find a hotspot first.

When 3G hit the Philippines about 2 years ago the mobile carriers introduced internet through 3G but Globe's (my carrier) charging was too expensive to make it practical to log on the net using the network. I resisted going to Smart (the competitor) even though they only charge 10pesos every 30 mins because I didn't want to change number and go through all the process. Around sometime last year Smart introduced the wireless internet through 3G dongles. The charging was simple 799 for 40 hours and a 2 year contract. It look promising but when I started to think about it, I found out that I would be using less than 40 hours a month because I would still be connected through broadband or cable at home or at work.

Enter my Nokia 6500. I bought this my January trip to Singapore because I lost my Nokia 8800 (did I post about this?). Anyway I lost it and had to get a new phone. Anyway when I got home, a friend loaned me one of his 8800s so I had an extra phone which I just leave at home. The other day I decided to get a Smart Sim and try the 3G internet on my MacBook Pro through a bluetooth connection with my Nokia 6500. I was surprised at the speed of the internet. For one internet here in the Philippines is not generally fast...so at 360kbps I was totally impressed.

Here's the results:

Here's the one at home on cable internet:

This was at 12am so no one is using, on a regular night it would have about 4 laptops and 2 desktops sharing the bandwidth.

Here's the one on the office's DSL:

Actually the contract we signed was for 2Mbps. Today's a Sunday no one was at the office but it was still not at its optimal speed. On a regular day, we would be running 4 desktops and 4 notebooks on that router.

Anyway I've decided to keep a prepaid Smart sim just to access the internet, its still better than the 799 deal, because technically 40 hours on the current 10pesos for 30 mins deal would amount to 800pesos. So I'm just saving 1pesos since I already have the phone.

During my last trip to Singapore, I decided to shop for a new skin care regimen. For the past year and a half, I have been using Kiehl's which I also got in Singapore because at that time they still didn't have a store here. I would still have to get from Singapore hadn't I changed brands because the shop here in Manila was just way too expensive.

Like I said I went shopping for a new regimen because I started to feel the my Kiehl's routine was not working as I wanted it to be. In a small corner on the basement of Ngee Ann City, I found this small store which looked like an apothecary with brown bottles in shelves.

I've been hearing about Aesop for sometime now and in fact a friend of mine who used to use Kiehl's suggested I switch as well. At that time I was already thinking of changing but when he suggested I check out Aesop, I took his advice and gave the product a try. Today about a week from using the product I feel its better, I have to say that its a bit more expensive that Kiehl's but I always have a policy not to be too tight-fisted on stuff you put on your face.

Well I think I've written long enough, but before I end today's post I have one more left. I don't know about you guys but I'm sure most of your know about the Canadian brand Ginch Gonch, if ever at least the Ginch Gonch Boys. Okay I've always wanted to try a pair but can't seem to find any in Singapore or Hong Kong, so when I was shopping for books in Amazon, I decided to get two pair from one of their shopping partners called Malestromonline.

Anyway I got them through mail the day before I left for Singapore and it was great! I love the how it feels nice and the fit is great too...The fabric was thicker than your normal undies, but it was still fantastic. To be honest I'm a bit bothered at some comments online about the quality for the product, I've only used it once so I really can't say much about it.

On a parting note, since I have been preparing for this post for a few days now, I've been reading more and more about Ginch Gonch, and I found out that the Ginch Gonch Boys, the real life couple of ex-porn star Benjamin Bradley and blog superstar Ethan Reynolds have called it quits (since last November). I don't know a lot of famous hot gay couple out there, but Ben and Ethan would sure make it to the top of my list. Well there are a lot of rumors around the break up and what happened to Ethan's blog but I still don't have any clue as to what actually happened. Anyway here are their photos...its actually a photo of them as a couple, then alternately a picture of Ben and Ethan. It's my late tribute to the cutest underwear models in the world.

Finally Home...

Well I'm finally home, I like Singapore, but sometimes it just gets boring...I suppose shopping is always good in Singapore but I honestly feel that Hong Kong might still give a better deal. Anyway this morning I went to the shop where I bought my new ODM watch, if you are not familiar about ODM watches visit my old posts about it. Anyway asides from the scrolling time and date, there is also a scrolling text. For the newer ODM watches, you may actually program the text using an ODM "machine" available in the stores (actually I would have bought one if it was for sale). Well for my first watch which was a white acrylic version of my metal ODM, I got them to put there "Make It Great in 2008" its our company theme for 2008, which we want to espouse to every team member. For the second watch I got them to program the title of the song J wrote for me around last year entitled "Forever's not too far."

Well by the time I got back to the hotel, I had to start packing and get to the airport to catch my 1:45pm flight. I've been to many airports but I have to say, the Changi Airport is one of the most efficient airports I've ever been, it a matter of 10 minutes, I was finished checking in (of course on business class you rarely have to queue) and the immigrations screening. I was at the gate about 45 minutes before the departure and was just waiting for the boarding call. When the call was finally made I switched off my PSP and boarded my flight. When I got to the plane I was surprised to see that the business class cabin was quite full (well an a320 only has 12 seats anyway) and the overhead bins are already full, and the flight attendant and flight purser were not helpful at all. They even had to ask me if I was in business class, I almost smacked the purser for being rude. Anyway I was eventually able to stow my stuff (which was just a portfolio bag and a small messenger bag) in the closet where they keep the jackets. Okay, why am I ranting like a spoiled brat again? Well for one, there is a better way of asking a passenger if he is on business class and that is by asking to see his boarding pass but in any case I don't think I would be stupid enough to sit on a seat that doesn't belong to me (but that's me, I don't know for the rest of the 150 passengers on today's flight). But the thing is I have been flying the A320 to Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore and other domestic flights of Philippine Airlines and this is actually the first time that I couldn't get my stuff in the overhead bin (even on a full flight). Half way through the flight, the purser opens the overhead bin and I found out that half of the stuff on it was for him and/or crew. This really pissed me off, the fact that they were rude and unhelpful was excusable since there were a lot of people boarding the plane at the same time and they just want to be as efficient as possible but to be unhelpful about a situation they themselves cause is totally unacceptable. They could have taken out their stuff or at least made it a point to stow my things immediately and not to be asked 3 times. Well this is what you pay for flying Philippine Airlines, its just a pity that I have always enjoyed flying Philippine Airlines before and infact this is the first time I was really upset about it. Flying to Singapore last Thursday was in fact very good, and so was my two flights last January.

Well guess nothing I could do about it now...just wanna share...oh and I left my PSP, I only discovered it tonight...I'm hoping its still there.

Hey Big Spender...

Okay I'll do a quick recap on what happened to me while I was gone. I never got to post when I got to Hong Kong because the moment we checked in we went out to have dimsum for lunch at City Hall Maxim's Palace. Then after lunch we just went around IFC Mall, bought an Anges B. scarf because Hong Kong was colder than expected. When my family finally came in, we checked into the hotel and went around Causeway Bay to go shopping. Before heading back to the hotel I bought the new Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac and installed it on my MacBook Pro while we went to dinner. After dinner we went on another round of shopping, I actually found the Vertu look-a-like phone being sold for a little over US$130. I also bought another computer bag and two pairs of shoes.

Here are some other stuff that I bought.

Silver Converse Sneakers

Gold Converse sneakers

Nike Rubber Shoes

New Battery for my Macbook Pro

New wireless Mighty Mouse

Uniqlo Jeans

Lucky Brand Pants and Jeans

Leica Digilux 3 (actually I bought this one in Singapore)

And when I was at the airport decided to pick up this Bottega wallet.

I also bought fresh supplies of Khiel's

Well I better post this before I miss my deadline...I really hope I could get back to the rhythm of posting every morning.

Yes I'm Stubborn

I HAVE AN IPHONE! I guess that doesn't come as a surprise to most of you. I've been writing and itching for it for a week now and well I gave in to the urge and finally got one for myself.

This is how my blog actually looks like on the iPhone...It actually looks very nice, the screen resolution is very good and zooming is quite fast.

I had to download some apps, I'm currently running on 1.0.2 and I was able to use AppTapp to download some important apps into the phone. Of course I fixed the address book issue then addressed the caller ID. After that I fixed the "springboard" hid most of the stuff I don't need then placed a launcher to launch all those hidden apps. I also fixed the themes, I'm using the Leopard theme for the iPhone so it looks different from what you usually see on the official screencaps. It's not on the photo but I interchanged the "Text" and "Mail" because I don't really use my phone for emails so its better to have my text messages on the dock instead.

Sending an SMS is not really a big problem as I thought it would the virtual keypad is not as bad as many people would say. You would just need some time to adjust, I think I'm typing as fast as I was doing on my P1i so I guess that means I'm quite adjusted already. The only problem is that the dictionary can't be switched off so I guess I'll be typing in English more often.

As I've said I was able to fix the caller ID for SMS and Calls so now they appear like any other phone without going through every single address book entry and editing them. Oh and I was already able to upload photos, this particular wallpaper was taken from the plane on my trip back to Manila with J.

Oh this last photo shows the weather feature on the iPhone...yeah I'm gearing up for my trip later this month.

Well that's that...as much as I thought it would be very difficult with all the hacks and the iPhone's shortcomings, I'm really liking this phone...so I guess I should put in the photos now so that I could go back working this phone...;-)

So This Is How It's Supposed To Look Like

Yep, I'm still on the iPhone phase...its comes and goes but I think this time its the real deal. Before I could find a lot of excuses not to buy but now even if friends are telling me to wait...I just can't.

Anyway tomorrow is the last day of work for the week, we're off on Friday which is great but the problem is we are trying to get our quotas in by the end of the month so it's kind a tough loosing a day. So there, anyway I have some stuff to work on today so I guess I will leave it at that.

I'm Gay Right?

Does anyone think I'm straight? Hehehehehe

This morning, I was talking to J on the phone. He said he will be leaving for Singapore on the 22 and will only be back on the 30th. (we decided that I shouldn't follow anymore since they have to go out as a group and we won't have any chance of seeing each other anyway) Anyway I told him that we won't be seeing each other because I'll be leaving for Beijing on the 29th and told I'm coming home on the 4th (I'll be in Shanghai from the 2nd to 4th). He then asked me why I'm staying in China that long? And will I do there. Then he said, "Don't tell me you'll go to museums?"

I replied "Of course I'll go to museums."

"Really, gay men don't go to museums" he stated as a matter of fact.

I asked him "so where do gay men go?"

He said "To bars? I dunno, museums are boring."

So how about me?

Anyway I thought it was funny...besides if gay men can't stand museums I don't think straight men would, they have shorter attention spans. I think J might have a more limited understanding of museums because of his experience with local museums here, sometimes it would be better to visit a warehouse than a museum here. Well I told him we should visit some nice museums next time and show him that it's not totally as boring as he would believe, perhaps its not as exciting than a bar, but it's not totally boring.

I'm still confused about the iPhone thing...so that keeps my mind busy too.

I Want One and I Want It NOW

Well I'm not talking about today's boys, though they are hot...I have one hot boyfriend so I don't need anyone else.

Anyway I'm talking about the iPhone, it all started when Apple introduced the iPhone way back in January. The moment Steve Jobs took out that nice looking phone I know I was hooked. Anyway when the iPhone was launched the the US last June, I was going nuts. I was tempted to ask someone to buy for me but all that things about Activation and Unlocks just got me confused. But ever since 2 months ako or maybe even more I've been seeing it more and more. 2 of my relatives have it already...some of my friends have it, then when I went to a Christmas bazaar at a hotel yesterday I saw about 10 people, and when I went with my sister to get her phone unlocked at the mall I saw dozens of stalls selling it. Don't you think its frustrating? A friend of mine cautioned me to not buy this early and perhaps wait until the Asian version comes out.

Well first about the wait...the forums are filled with speculation about the iPhone getting released here in Asia (not exactly sure about he Philippines) around 2008 as promised by Apple when they introduced the phone. But the problem is when do we exactly get it here, some suggest even about another years worth of wait. But then again realistically speaking I suppose it would be around middle of next year which is about 8 months for now. Knowing my track record on phones I would have changed phones by that time anyway.

My friend told me that there are many disadvantages about the iPhone.

1. No Firmware upgrades
2. No Multiple sending for SMS
3. No MMS
4. No Caller ID
5. No Message Forwarding
6. No Copy and Paste

Okay so heres my take on them.

1. No Firmware upgrades - Knowing how hackers work, I'm sure by the end of the month they would have a solution to the 1.1.1 update, so I'm not totally worried about it. Besides studies have shown that a great number of people who but iPhone but it to get it unlocked (and perhaps resold) so on Apple's part they are earning because of this hacks because their phones are still selling (unlike AT&T). Besides its just a cycle, Apple blocks hackers unblocks, so the problem now is who will give up first? But knowing that Apple still earns even with the hacks in place, what good is it to lock it again?

2. No Multiple sending for SMS - now I think this is my only concern because there is no day that passes without me sending a message to 2-3 people at the same time. Though I'm pretty sure there is a work around this one somehow.

3. No MMS - I like sending MMS so when I heard that the iPhone couldn't I started to doubt if I really needed one. But now I've been reading that you can actually "email" it as long as you can get the right gprs settings for your carrier and all you have to do is add @globe.com.ph or something after the phone number and it will eventually work.

4. No Caller ID - Okay this was the clincher, I didn't want to get the iPhone after hearing about this but when I logged on to the forums last night they pretty muched solved it already so I guess iPhone Hackers scores again.

5. No Message Forwarding - Okay sometimes this is important but normally I don't forward messages so its not gonna be a big challenge for me. And wouldn't it be better now because you cant forward those chain-messages which clutters up your inbox?

6. No Copy and Paste - well I don't usually copy and paste, I think that's something I wouldn't normally do when on my notebook but not on a phone.

So now I don't know what to do. For one the iPhone is such a pretty phone and I've always advocated style over comfort for I guess here it should be form over function. I mean last week over dinner with some friends they told me that my 8800 is useless, but everybody agreed with me that its one beautiful phone. So there...

TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY? That is the question...

Oh and when I bring in my p1i for "trade-in" I get a big discount and I would end up shelling out only a small sum for the 8GB iPhone...which makes it more interesting....

Oh well...

For Those Lonely Nights

I found this picture in my email the other day and I still couldn't understand what this guy is doing with his iPod. That was until I stumbled upon this thing last night that it became quite clear. Perhaps the guys/girls at OhMiBod should send him a sample.

From what I've read, you plug it through this "splitter" on your iPod so you can still plug your headset in at the same time and the vibrator, vibrates to the tune on your iPod. Cool huh? Wait till you hear Maria Callas's performance of O Mio Bambino Caro on that one...I mean feel. Well they even have accessories like "sleeves" if you're bored with the plain cylinder thingy.

They also showed how you can use your OhMiBod with other iPod Accessories. For a more intense surround sound feel, you can attach it to your Bose SoundDock and crack up the volume.

And if you want to get an exhilarating wake up call every morning, try putting it on with your iHome Clock Radio.

And if you are curious on how it really works, perhaps watching this video could clear things up a bit

But for those who prefer to have fun with their phone. Come out! Come out! Wherever you are! Come on I'm sure there are a lot of you guys out there...you can try the BodiTalk. Instead of an iPod, this one connects to your phone. Though this doesn't beat to the tune of your voice or your partner's voice, this is more like those keychains that lights up when you have incoming messages or calls, its more like that...I think.

Well enough of that. I got this email from a friend and it seems to be going around for some time already. It's about this magazine columnist who for the lack of better work bitches about her experience flying coach to Greece. So here's my two cents worth.

If you want to read the article you may download it by clicking on these links: Fierce and Fabulous 1, Fierce and Fabulous 2

Well I for one am not a fan of flying economy look at my table:

From the 16 boarding passes that I was able to save from this year's trips, only one was on coach (the yellow one in the middle) I don't normally keep it but I decided to put it up for my friend who I travelled on coach with. Actually out of the 22 flights I've made so far this year only 1 was on economy. And though I bitched about not getting ample legroom and how unglamorous, bad service, no personal entertainment and all that I don't think I ever bitched about my seatmates...okay I might have bitched about someone on the same flight, but still not about the greater majority. And as much as I feel cramped in those rinky-dinky seats, I've never had bruised legs. And if someone thought she was a domestic helper/maid, perhaps it's because she looked like one. Perhaps it would have been better for all of us if she didn't miss that ferry and sank with the ferry in the middle of the Aegean Sea with all her accessories. Besides, OFW (Overseas Filipino Contract Workers) are one of the reasons why it's cheaper to travel now, because of the influx of their dollar remittance foreign exchange rates have been going down, bad for exporters, but always good when you are going abroad! But I guess the only advice I could give to dear Miss Malou, is the next time she thinks of traveling but can't afford to fly First or Business...just don't fly at all.

Anyway enough of that, I went to see my chiropractor and I feel a bit better, the pain on my back has improved a bit but my wallet still hurts and just by thinking of all the follow-up sessions I have for the next 3 weeks, I don't think I'd have any money left. Oh well, at least I feel better now which is more important right? Well since we are on the topic of backs, today's post will be about that too.

Turning 28 - My 28 Favorite Things

Well since it’s my 28th birthday, I’ll be posting 28 of my favorite things, places, and other stuff as part of my August Monthly Mouthfuls. (Can’t wait to work on my What Ifs also…hopefully next week). Anyway since it’s gonna be a long post, I better get this rolling. Oh by the way if you haven’t noticed it yet, I’m not Oprah, so don’t expect I’m giving out these stuff for free. Oh and the list has no particular order I just write the stuff that comes into my head.

But before I go list my top 28 favorites...I have to say that above all these things, there will only be one J in my life...Love you honey :-)

1. My Phone – Nokia 8800 Sirocco Edition

I think with the exception of the Vertu this is the most fabulous phone ever. Though the phone might not be 3G capable or the camera isn’t that good at 2mp, the look and form of the phone alone makes up for it. I wrote about it the other day when I bought the phone…it was an early birthday present for me and I have been eyeing for it ever since I parted ways with my old 8800.

2. My Laptop – 15inch MacBook Pro with Dual Core Processor

I love my Mac, it goes with me everywhere. And even if sometimes it gets too heavy to carry, I would still carry it with me. Last weekend I brought it to the mall to get it “G-masked”. Its like they use a film with a design or color and wrap it on whatever gadget you have. Actually what pushed me to do it was when I went to Davao, and was working at the airport, someone made a comment how nice my iBook was. I think she thought it was an iBook because of the lousy red plastic cover which I installed on it…oh well.

3. My iPod – Black 5th Generation iPod

I used to have a white iPod but it conked out on me last April. So I decided to ditch it and just get a new one. I guess even if I don’t use it every day, its one of those things that I feel I just need to have.

And although I want an iPhone, I don’t think I’d be stupid enough to buy one now even if its not working in Manila or anywhere else other than the US. It’s hot but I don’t think I’m that stupid.

4. External HD – Maxtor 300GB and LaCie 250GB

Yeah I have about 550GB worth of stuff on my desk, and both are about full now. To be honest about 100GB is for work and the rest of it is full of porn. All sorts of it…a lot are Asian Porn…maybe I should put it up for sharing…but with our crummy Internet access here in the Philippines it would take forever just uploading them. Besides my best friend might kill me if I start sharing to strangers and he can’t even touch my files.

5. ODM Mr. Metallic Watch

After what happened to my old ODM watch, I decided to get a sophie(our dog)-proof watch…well what can I say but I just love this new watch.

6. Panerai Luminor Marina Automatic Steel Black Dial

My dress watch, though I have two other watches, this is my favorite. It’s so masculine and sexy!

7. Candles

I love candles, I usually stock about 5 to 10 of them in my room, to give out as gifts. They are the perfect gifts, though I don’t think I’ll stock Diptyque Candles for gifts anytime soon, the local candles are just as good.

8. Digital Camera

Counting my other phone, the Sony Ericsson CyberShot K800, I have 3 cameras.

I have one DSLR, the Canon 300D, its not really the latest but I find it adequate since I’m really not that serious about photography. If ever I do start getting serious I might just upgrade.

My latest camera is what I bought last May. The CyberShot DSC-T50, which has touch-screen. I guess the only reason I got it is because of that function but of course it’s a cool camera.

9. Books

Well I don’t think I could list all of them, I haven’t even been able to update my Amazon list…Anyway I always need books and usually finish a book in a couple of days, which can get very expensive, since I hate the mass-paperbacks because of the small typeface. So I am forced to get all hardbound books or at least the big paperbacks, which costs more.

10. Polo Ralph Lauren - Big Pony

Every time I see this shirt on the street I remember the 5 shirts I bought when this came out about 2 years ago. I stopped wearing them here because it seems like everybody has one now…and the bad thing is a lot are fake and its everywhere, even maids and drivers wear them now. I must admit, I still have to say it’s one of my favorite shirts ever, but I just can’t wear it in this town.

11. Louis Vuitton

Okay who doesn’t love LV?

12. Creed

Since my last post, I bought another Creed Perfume – The Green Irish Tweed, which I could use for my day to day at the office, alternating with my Silver Mountain Water. While saving the Millésime Imperial for more dressy occasions. Though they might cost you about 200 dollars a bottle, you can be sure not to smell your perfume on everyone.

13. Kiehl’s

I’ve always loved Kiehl’s and its really frustrating that they cannot open here yet. About 2 years ago there was all this hype that they are finally opening but until today there’s no news about when they are actually opening (if ever they will). So I usually just go to Singapore or Hong Kong just to get my Facial Fuel line and my Amino Acid Shampoo.

14. Crumpler

Usually I have two sets of laptop bags. When I go to the office and have to be in business attire, I take my LV bag, but when traveling or I need to go more casual, I just pack everything in my red Crumpler backpack. I find their bags simple yet very sturdy. I also have a Laptop Sleeve from Crumpler, which they call School Hymn.

15. Costa Brava Cupcakes

There was a craze last year about this new cupcake store in a new development in town called Serendra, I tried their cupcakes, but after that first try, I went back to Costa Brava’s Cupcakes. Though they are relatively smaller than what they have in the new cupcake store, their cupcakes are still the best. Whether it be the chocolate cupcake or the plain vanilla cupcake with candy sprinkles, they are by far the best in town.

16. Tea

Drinking tea is one of my favorite past time. Though I equally love coffee, there is something different to drinking tea. One of my favorite afternoon treats is having Afternoon Tea at the Manila Peninsula (which I also do when I’m in Hong Kong). I also have a huge tea collection at home which I buy from China. To be honest, I’m more of the Chinese tea drinker, but every now and then I drink Earl Grey or Derjeeling also.

17. Vodka

I cannot forget the time when my dad took out two bottles of our Grey Goose Vodka to give my cousin who couldn’t even tell the difference between the Grey Goose and a cheapo brand. I nearly fainted when I saw the empty bottles when I got home that night. It was just like when my brother used my expensive tea to make ice lemon tea! It’s like giving dogs foie gras…not that they are dogs, but you know what I mean.

18. Champagne

It was during my high school graduation when my brother brought home a Magun Taittinger that I fell in love with Champagne. In fact I just got 3 bottles of Billecart-Salmon for my dinner tonight. There’s nothing better than celebrating an occasion with your friends over Champagne.

19. Airplane Food

Okay you guys must think I’m crazy, but I kid you not. Well to be honest I haven’t tried any American carrier so I couldn’t really see what’s wrong with airplane food in that part of the world. But yes, chickens can get rubbery and fish could turn to mash or turn as tough as cardboard. Of course I don’t fly coach so I really can’t say how bad it could get but there is something about Airplane food that I enjoy, don’t ask me to explain, but well I just like it.

20. Café Bola

Home of Pinoy Comfort Food, I usually order only 2 things here, either I have the Caramelized Spam or the Naked Illongo Style Chorizo, both served over a cup of garlic fried rice and fried egg.

21. People’s Palace

I don’t have to say much about this restaurant. Just try the Prawn and Pomelo Salad, Crispy Catfish Salad, Son-in-Law’s Eggs (believe me its worth a try). Crispy Pork (something) with Sticky Rice, Green Chicken Curry, Stir Fried Pork with Fresh Green Peppercorn, Kapi Fried Rice and Phad Thai…for dessert try the Mango Cheesecake or the Pavlova.

22. Li Li

I’m celebrating my birthday dinner here at the Chinese outlet of the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila. I gave up choosing the food when we get there so I decided to just get the set menu.

We’re having:

Selection of Deluxe Appetizers
Birthday Noodles (I just added it to the menu last night)
Suckling Pig and Barbecue Combination
Double Boilded Whole Shark’s Fin Soup with Chicken and Yunnan Ham
Roast Peking Duck
Wok Fried Shrimps with Chilli Tomato Sauce and Wok Fried Shrimps with Spring Onions and Ginger.
Steamed Live Garoupa
Stir Fried Beef in X.O. Sauce
Stir Fried Broccoli with Dried Scallops
Fried Rice with Chicken and Bacon
Chilled Mango Cream with Pomelo
Deep Fried Sesame Balls

Can’t wait!

23. Cebu

If for some freak reason I loose my passport and can’t travel out of the country one of the places that would come up to mind is Cebu. Of course I’m here almost every 3 months, but I usually stay in the city center. The best place to stay in Cebu of course is Shangri-la Mactan. No doubt a couple of days there would recharge your mind and body (but charge your credit card well to its limit).

24. Palawan

It’s been years since I’ve last visited Palawan and I think I want to visit it soon. Although the best parts of Palawan are serviced by smaller planes (and I mean small propeller planes), I think getting to those remote places are just as part of the adventure. Some of the resorts there don’t even have cellular phone signal so if you really want to get away from work for one long weekend, this would be a good place to visit.

25. Shanghai

I never saw Shanghai when it was not developed. My mom usually tells me stories of how Shanghai used to look like from her recollections of past trips to China before. What I know of Shanghai was from my trips in the last couple of years and it was far from what my mom was telling me. Shanghai is a bright and busy city, and a good place to go around and get lost in. My only frustration is I couldn’t bring J there any time soon.

26. Beijing

I’ve always loved Chinese History. A friend of mine made a comment before about me, being the only Chinese guy he knows that likes Chinese things. I can’t really say why I like it, but Beijing has the same effect on me like being in Rome. It’s like I lived here once in my past life. On my next trip I’m really planning on staying at The Commune at The Great Wall even for just a day or two.

27. Europe

If I had to choose between going to the US or Europe for a month just to go around, I think I’d choose Europe. Even if language could be a challenge at time (or every time). There is a different feeling when you are in Europe. I just wish I could go back there soon.

28. My Blog

Why do you think I’m working on my blog on my birthday? And since I like my blog and love all those who are reading it…I’m posting 28 Spicy Potato Chips and 28 Hot Rice Toppings all in their birthday suits all for my 28th birthday.