Grounding My Parents.

Event: Daddy-O's 70th Birthday
Date: Feb. 28, 7 pm
Venue: One Roxas Triangle

When I go out at night to party, my mom and dad always tells me to go home early. No matter how much I try to explain to them that parties and clubbing start at the earliest 11 pm. Naturally, if I am enjoying myself, it would end around 4 am. But I don't push my luck and make sure that I am home at around 3 am most of the time.

When my mom threw a dinner party for my dad, we, the children said that it should start early because the guest list are members of the SCG (Senior Citizen Gang). So it was decided that we start dinner at 7 pm, thinking that by 10:00, they would start yawning and wanting to sleep.

The first ones to go home were the 3rd generation, the babies. It was a school night and well, you know the drill. We, the 2nd generation, had planned to stay on and finish the champagne, white and red wine that we got for the, excuse me for choice of word, oldies. We were almost sure they would not finish it so we were going to party like there's no tomorrow. We were party animals and we planned to prove it!

Around 10 pm, my sister and brother-in-law decided to get some shut eye. Kind of disappointing since we were in party animal mode but oh well.... At 10:40, my brother and sister-in-law snuck out and headed home! The traitors! When the clock hit midnight, ANOTHER brother and sister-in-law abandoned me! The nerve!

Basically, the REAL party animals turned out to be the SCG who ended the evening at 3:30 am.

My parents and I were riding together so I had to wait till they were done and by the time they decided to go home, I almost dropped to the floor because I was soooo sleepy. If only I can only ground them for staying up so late, I really will, but I will cut them some slack since I am nice and kind to those who violate curfews. (Hint hint)

To traffic enforcers, if you plan to give me a ticket when I violate traffic rules, you better think twice. MMDA Chairman, Bayani Fernando and I are really good friends. (Bwa ha ha ha, evil laugh)


When I visit Marikina, I better get VIP treatment because Mayor Marides Fernando and I are like this....



Rubbing elbows with one of the most important women in the country! If you don't know her, shame on you.


The life of the party, my dad's classmate and good friend, Erap and one of my mom's best friends, Guia Gomez, my dad and your blogerrina.


Ken and I. This man will fly me around the coast of California in his private jet. I am holding you to that promise or else, it will be the end of good dinners and VIP treatment in Manila. (Bwa ha ha ha!)


Lucille, one of my sisters-in-law that failed me and went home early.


The Birthday celebrant, his mom, guests and wifey.








Photo of the night, my 6 year old niece who made up for my siblings shortcomings.


Happy Birthday Daddy!

Bb. Pilipinas 2008.

When Charlene Gonzalez Muhlach asked Jul B. DIzon Jewellery to bejewel her for the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant, I agreed because I know that she can carry our pieces well and hopefully get to meet Aga Muhlach who was a big part of my childhood. Of course, I was one of those teenagers who must have watched Bagets 2 million times and almost believed that Aga really was my boyfriend.

Anyway, unfortunately, he wasn't around when I went to Araneta Coliseum for the pageant. But I did get to meet Fanny Serrano, who did Charlene's hair and make up and discovered this lipgloss that has a built in light and mirror so when you apply it in the dark, you can still see your lips. It was awesome and at a cheap price of P300++, I have to get me some as soon as I can get to a Watsons store.


Now, the reason I decided to blog about this is because of two things. First, in all honesty, I was sort of disappointed about the whole thing losing its prestige and glamour. I was all prepared to be wowed and be a part of something so big and classy. Guess I did not notice how this pageant has lost it's touch since I have not watched any beauty pageants for maybe 10 years or more. So, basically, when I learned of the prizes of the winners, I was stunned at how, excuse my choice of word, cheap it was and not at all luxurious as I thought it was.



From what I can recall, the prizes are the ff:

1. A gift certificate from Natasha. Okay, Natasha? Seriously? Hmm...
2. Gift certificate from Cumbia. Another hmmm...
3. Speech lessons. Obviously very much needed by the winner, but shouldn't she already know how to speak well before entering the pageant?
4. And cash. Always a good thing.

Anyway, the production was not bad, a lot of dancers and props and eye candy for the men (specially the bikini portion) but one thing that amazed me was the supporters of the contenders. They were really giving it their all and it was entertaining to see how much effort and throat power these people have to show their support.

Since it was a live but delayed telecast, the commercials made it run too long and before it ended, I decided to go home and catch up on Grey's Anatomy. (I know, I should really move on to Gossip Girl, but somehow, Mc Steamy still has me coming back for more.)

Getting back to the story, I was only told of who the winner was the next morning and about 10 emails asking me to watch the interview on YouTube. After the clip ended, I was speechless, which is something that Janina San Miguel should have stayed during the question-answer portion. I posted the link, you be the judge because if I was the judge, I would probably choose another Bb. Pilipinas.

The host, Paolo Bediones.


One of the co-hosts, Precious Lara Quigaman


Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach and your blogerrina.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKwmseoKFCo

Old Manila with a New Chef and Menu!

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will know that I have a friend named Markus Tauwald who is somewhat new to the country. Only been here for 6 months and is still in the middle of furnishing his apartment. But being new here is something you might hard to believe when you get to know him. He is considered one of the VVIP's in a few establishments and has about a million friends in the Philippines already. He sometimes knows the streets of Makati better than me. Shame on me, I know.

When Steffie told me that the hotel has a new chef and that he is cute, I didn't think "Chris O'Donnel" look-a-like would become one of my best friends. But I am glad that he did because this guy is all about fun, laughter and stories about interesting experiences in Switzerland, Maldives, Bangkok, and everywhere around Europe where he worked at an early age. 

Chef Markus Tauwald is from Bavaria, Germany. At 25, it amazes me that he holds the title of Chef de Cuisine of one of the most prestigious and expensive restaurants in the country. Old Manila at The Peninsula is now serving modern European cuisine that Markus had created.

Last week, my cousin from the US visited. Janina and I decided to treat him to Old Manila because we were quite excited to taste the new menu the restaurant has to offer. 

First, I say, if and when you want to eat in OM, make sure you are prepared to spend but believe me, it is worth every centavo. Bon Appetite!

Black and white truffle soup with parmesan shortbread is P680.00


Seared tuna loin snow pea sprouts, cauliflower and truffle dressing is P640.00


Trio of foie gras of ginger-honey parfait, cognac-balsamic reduction and pineapple-pear relish is P1,350

Roasted rack of Lamb with baby artichokes Rubik potato and Madeira reduction is P1,800


The Rubik potato looks too artistic to eat.


The best sorbet I have ever had, Cinnamon and Apple flavor. YUM!



Truffle-crusted milk-fed Dutch veal rib eye with couscous, roasted parsnips and red chard leaves is P1,900



The Chef and the gang.



The Peninsula Manila
Old Manila
(632) 8123456
www.peninsula.com.ph

The Hand that Rocks!

What happens when you leave Ginny and I with a dozen new rings and a camera?

The new stocks are now available at Jul B. Dizon Jewellery, Shangri-la and at Peninsula. So kids, come on over and cradle on your hand rings that truly ROCKS!







Check out my version of Hand Candy!



Jul B. Dizon Jewellery Salon
The Shangri-la Hotel, Lobby level
The Peninsula Manila, Mezzanina
(632) 634-7448, 8864638
www.juldizon.com

March Birthday Celebrants!

Birthstone: Aquamarine

Zodiac Sign: Pisces (Feb. 19 to Mar. 20) Aries (Mar. 21 to Apr. 20) 
(For Pisces, please refer to Feb. Birthday Celebrants)
Horoscope: Aries
The spring equinox, March 21, is the beginning of the new zodiacal year and Aries, the first sign, is therefore that of new beginnings. The young ram is adventurous, ambitious, impulsive, enthusiastic and full of energy. The Arian is a pioneer both in thought and action, very open to new ideas and a lover of freedom. They welcome challenges and will not be diverted from their purpose except by their own impatience, which will surface if they don't get quick results.

Aries subjects are courageous leaders with a genuine concern for those they command, being responsible people, it is rare that they will use their subordinates to obtain their own objectives as leaders, but occasionally it does happen. They do not make very good followers because they are too "take charge". They may be unwilling to obey or submit to directions for which they can see no reason, or with which they disagree. They are much concerned with self, both positively and negatively - self-reliant but also self centered (sometimes) and concerned with their own personal advancement and physical satisfaction. Their immense energy makes them aggressive and restless, argumentative occasionally, headstrong, quick tempered, easily offended and capable of holding grudges if they feel themselves affronted.

As the first sign in the zodiac, you, as an Arian (as you are referred to), is to simply "get something started and lead the way". The Sun in this zodiac position gives your will free rein to express itself. You could be doing this in the form of some leadership role, or by forcing others to look at themselves in a new way. You can accomplish this by knowingly carrying out a deliberate act in the name of some cause that moves you. A negative effect of this sun sign is that you could sometimes unknowingly make it hard for others to relate to you, as you really are.

In your personal relationships Arians are frank, direct and candid, and make enthusiastic and generous friends. You are liable to have a high sex drive and make passionate but fastidious lovers. There is, however, a negative side to your associations with other people. You can easily be irritated by slowness or moderation in your companions and, though yourselves sensitive, ride roughshod over the sensitivities of others. The intensity of your sexual urges can drive you to promiscuity and a Don Juan-like counting of conquests of the opposite sex. It can also trick you into early unwise marriage which may end disastrously. Arians are highly devoted to their children, even to the point of laying down their own lives, so that they might live. You will not find a more defensive and loving parent in all the zodiac.

TOBY HOSCHKA, Mar. 31

JOEL NUNEZ, Mar. 5

DAPHNE OSENA PAEZ, Mar. 15

RIA BOLIVAR, Mar. 26

PIA CAMPOS. Mar. 30

SOBEE DUENAS, Mar. 5

ANA BITONG, Mar. 19

WILLIAM YEH, Mar. 7