Sino Si Ninette Sa Buhay Ko?

Ninette is one of my numerous girlfriends in this life.

Our friendship started with a trip to Boracay in 2006 with other good friends. It was a trip with a couple of “firsts” for me, first trip to Bora, first trip with Ninette. We didn’t really know each other and the only common friend we have were none other than the Sexy Nomad herself. If I remember it correctly, Ninette and I have had no previous gimmicks prior to that Bora trip.

Needless to say, it was during that trip that I got to know Ninette. Contrary to her tisay-thus-sosyal image, Ninette is very down to earth and so easy to get along with, considering that she comes from a well to do and very artistically-gifted clan. Ninette on her own is a very talented person. Those few days I had with her in Boracay told me that she’s someone who can be trusted. Sa totoo lang? Mas mapili ako sa taong ka-kaibiganin than Ninette.  Ninette is more pala-kaibigan, approachable and warm; more mapag-tiis, ma-pang-unawa and definitely way more forgiving than I am. But I guess one of the things we have in common is that we are both keepers when it comes to friendships and relationships.

Ours is a friendship that blossomed from the seas of Boracay to the pollution of the Metro. And since our Bora trip, we have gone on local trips, and most of the time, it was just the two of us. These trips have bonded us more as friends. Our journey as friends has also brought us through the joys of a budding relationship; the happiness of being engaged; the funny pa-cute stage of having a crush; the pain of a broken friendship with other people; the stresses of our respective workloads and office-mates; the fears of being sick; the triumph of overcoming the Big C; the gigil of man-problems and a whole lot more! We have gone through a lot indeed.

But our friendship is not all beds of roses. Like the rest, we’ve had our share of misunderstandings and “not talking to each other” moment, mostly, these moments happen because of me (oo, ako din ang ma-topak between the two of us). But as true friendships go, these moments would just pass quietly and one day, we’d just find ourselves back in each other’s arms. J We seldom discuss “what happened, what went wrong”, but there will be moments when it would be mentioned like “you know mare, there’s a point na di mo ako kinakausap, di ko alam bakit…” Moments like these are acknowledged and respected, but we never dissect it to the tiniest detail. Then we move on.

What is that one thing that has been constant between me and Net? Respect. We know when to butt out of each other’s business. We know when we need to speak and keep our damn opinions to ourselves. And we never, ever tell other people bad things about each other.

From 2006 until now, Ninette has been someone who keeps me grounded in terms of my emotions. In moments when my emotions tend to get the best of me, it will be Ninette who reminds me to take a step back and breathe before doing anything hasty.  Ninette is also that person who reminds me that my real home is with God. Her faith would put mine to shame. In situations when I would find myself asking God “Why?”, Ninette would just go on and humbly serve the Lord and take it as it is, with an unwavering faith that all shall come to pass and answers will be given.

She’s also responsible in helping me find my own fashion style and helped me adapt that “yeah! I’m-gonna-wear-that-girly-dress-even-if-I’m-just-going-to-the-mall-and-I-don’t-care-if-people-thinks-it’s-too-much” attitude; that it doesn’t matter if I’m wearing a dress that was bought cheaply, what matters is that it suits me and I can do justice in wearing it.

And what have I taught Ninette so far? Ang maging maldita at huwag magpapa-api. Ahahahhaha! I’d like to think that my outspokenness has rubbed on to Net even for just a tiny bit and that it can help her deal with evil people around. You see, Ninette is a strong person, but she’s not a fighter in a way that I am. She has this tendency to let people take advantage of her and her kindness; whereas I am the kind who’d say “teka, sandali... sumo-sobra ka na”.  Yes, between the two of us, I am the one who would remind her of “Hoy, Net, ayan ka na naman, sumo-sobra na yan sa iyo.” Maybe because by nature, Ninette would rather look at the good side of everyone, ever-willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, whereas I am the jaded one, always on guard. 

A lot of people especially at the office, know that we are good friends; we even go to the same waxing salon and are being attended to by the same wax therapist. And one time, our wax therapist told me that there was someone from our office who visited their salon. Our therapist mentioned that Ninette and I are her clients, the officemate apparently has this to say about me and Net: “Oo, kilala ko sila. Mag-kaibigan nga yung dalawa na yun. Mababait yun, wag mo lang talagang makalaban”. I laugh when I first heard this. But it got me thinking na ganuon pala kame tingnan ng mga tao. Oh well, at least they know not to mess with us then. Ahahahah!

Some other girlfriends of mine have noticed that my bond with Ninette is different from what I have with them. Let me tell you a story: In 2008, Ninette was diagnosed with the Big C on her right kidney. She has since then bravely fought it and thank God for His generosity, Ninette has been continuously healing. I guess this is the reason why I am extra protective of her like an elder sister. And that as much as I can, I would shield her from harm and stress. And that of all my girlfriends, when it is Ninette who’s hurting, I feel her pain as well, I get bothered too and would willingly fight for her, like how I am to my own family.

Based on her FB posts and the comments that it usually gets, one can see that Ninette has several sets of friends and that because she is what she is as a friend, she begets love and loyalty from these people. In short, subukan nyong awayin si Ninette, you’ll get me and a host of her other friends as enemies in return. Hah!

I love all my girlfriends as equally as I can. I try to share myself with each and every one of them in the best way I possibly know how to. But there’s no denying the fact that there are people who come into your life with whom you form a tighter bond than the rest. I guess I have that with Ninette. My darkest secrets are known to her.  With Ninette, all I had to do was look at her and she’d know what’s going on in my mind; all I had to do was to be silent for a few days and she’d know that there’s something bothering me. All I had to do is read her FB posts and I’d know that something is off.

If there’s one thing that I constantly pray for is that God would give me and Ninette more years of friendship. I really wanna see the two of us in our 50s or 60s, with our grandkids. So far, this prayer is being answered, and I thank the Lord for this.

So to those people who’s caused Ninette pain and hurt, and you damn well know who you are, I only had this to say: Tigilan nyo na pagka-katol ng di kayo nakaka-perwisyo sa ibang tao!

To Ninette, a dearest girlfriend of mine, Cheers! 

Sino si Louie sa buhay ko?

Okay, this entry has the consent of the person concerned. But it is my own decision to use his Facebook user ID rather than his full name in order to leave him some semblance of privacy.

For like a month now, there’s someone in my FB who’s been writing lengthy (and oftentimes very revealing) comments on posts that I make on my FB. And needless to say, his comments have triggered questions from my friends. “Sino si Louie_tg?” I couldn’t blame them.  I have been on FB for like 2 years already, and my friends have been used to seeing my posts where I am just nang-a-asar or nang-a-away. Hehe. Then all of a sudden, there’s this person who would comment in such a way.

I have discussed this with him and jokingly relayed to him a comment from another friend. “Louie, can you please not write too revealing comments on my posts? Kasi nahihiya na tuloy ang mga friends ko mag comment after you. Nasisira ang reputasyon ko bilang FB Queen among my friends!” Ahahahhahahah!!! Yes, one friend told me about it, that there have been some posts of mine where she would like to write her comments, but after reading Louie’s comment/s, will decide not to write na lang. She even said that later on, she would just log on to FB to check if there's an exchange between me and Louie because "naaaliw"  sya. 

But seriously, Louie is someone who came into my life more or less, 15 years ago. He was my boyfriend a little after college (so, that makes him an “ex”). Things didn’t work out between us because of some circumstances (in his own words, “because of his stupidity”).  As I am not in a habit of maintaining communication with an “ex”, Louie and I have meagerly communicated with each other through the years, though I would say that we maintained some semblance of friendship, laced with mutual respect and sincere care. By several twists of fate over those years, I have been well informed about the status of Louie’s love life (or the lack of it) and it went the same for him. He knew when I’m romantically un-attached; he also knew when I am in a relationship. And for a time after we finally broke up, I maintained (and enjoyed) a good relationship with his parents. 

But one thing that is constant, Louie would always, always use my name as an excuse to get out of a bad date. Ha ha! And I will not deny that this has my blessing and I wouldn’t give too much attention to it. However, the last time he used my name as an excuse, I sort of found it beyond what I can tolerate, so I called his attention. And that’s how we started talking again regularly.  Then one day, I just found that I had an FB friend request from him. It took me a month before I finally acted on his friend request. I had my doubts. For one, I knew that he started seeing someone at around the same time, so I didn’t want to come in between something; and two, I knew that if I become a part of Louie’s life again, explanations to a certain group of people will be inevitable.

But then again, I thought that maybe 14 years after we’ve broken up, things will be different.

And yes, things are definitely different now. Accepting Louie on my FB has helped me find my way back to my old self; my old self which I unknowingly lost along the way as I was trying to make a life in this world that I have chosen to take.  Louie has made me realize that in the last 10 years, I have lost focus on what is important in this life. And these are God, my family, my friends and most of all me.  My reconnection with Louie has affirmed that my decision to focus more on my personal life was right. That my career will have to take a back seat, after all, I have devoted nearly 14 years of my adult life to it.

And no, Louie and I are not a couple. He’s still with his girlfriend (the one he started seeing early this year), and I am happy with the friendship that I share with him.  All my friends who can see his comments on my FB are saying, “Sis, the guy loves you”.  And as always, without batting an eyelash, my reply would be: “Oo naman, mahal naman tlaga ako ni Louie, hindi naman nawala yun”.  And yes, there is love on my part, too. But then, as they say, loving someone and being in love with someone are two different things. I guess what Louie and I have for each other is the former, love for each other but we are not in love with each other.

Louie knows that I had trust issues with him before. For everyone’s information, Louie holds that “distinction” in my life of being the only “ex bf” who’s had a 2^nd chance with me. Other than my “policy” of not communicating with an ex, I also don’t believe in 2^nd chances with an ex. For me, a relationship has come to an end because it simply wasn’t meant to run for a lifetime, so why bother with a 2^nd chance? A story that has ran its course and has come to an end need not be stretched more than it should be; otherwise it comes out as “pilit’ and would just take its emotional toll on the people involve. And so, becoming a couple at this point would only ruin what Louie and I have now; and what we have now is something far more meaningful and treasurable, for me.  

I know for a fact that Louie’s present GF have some issues about me being in his life. But then again, I am keeping within my boundaries that much I can assure. I also know that some of my friends are fearful that I would get hurt with this set up. Maybe.  I don’t know for now. 

And Louie, I couldn’t say this to you in person, because when I do, I will be crying (and I know that you hate it when I do that), so I’m gonna write this here now:

THANK YOU FOR…

1. being in my life now;
2. letting me realize what I have unwittingly and foolishly given up in pursuit of my so-called “successes”;
3. making the process of affirming to myself that I did the right decision, much, much easier;
4. making me remember that there were some points in my life when I was happy and the world is beautiful despite the challenges of everyday living and it still is a beautiful world and I can still be happy;
5. making me remember how it is to laugh from the heart (and the belly, too);
6. making me realize that I can totally forgive someone who’s caused me so much pain in the past (yes, it’s you J)
7. making one of my dreams come true (and yeah, I know now that it’s real);
8. protecting me from harm;
9. accepting me and my “eccentricities”;
10. not failing to make me feel good when I have a bad day;

I am looking forward that our friendship will continue to flourish! God knows where we will end up, but know that for now, I can honestly say that I am your best friend.

The Tiger

Taken at  Zoobic Safari

I was born in what the Chinese says is the Year of the Wood Tiger (yep, WOOD TIGER, no allusion to that golf player). To those who are familiar with Chinese astrology, you may figure out which year I was born... he he he. 

I’ve always been interested in astrology (both Western and Chinese), fengshui, and even "manghuhula", etc. Yes, manghuhula, BUT definitely not the kind that says "you will win the lottery today". But those which serves as a guide; and help understand oneself better or make a decision better.  


I have come across so many articles, books and items describing an individual born in the year of the Tiger. But none of those came close to how I really see myself (or at least what I know of myself to be), until this one. And I’m sharing it with you now because the following really describe me - oh well, except for the self-centered stuff. Yeah, at times, I can be but then again, who doesn’t give in to this trait from time to time eh?- And boy, am I one complex person to get to know that even my closest friends would take a few minutes to describe me! J And yes indeed, it is not wise to cross me deliberately! Ahahahhahah!!!

Characteristics of a Tiger

Passionate and dynamic, the Tiger is a stick of dynamite waiting to go off. They are born leaders and usually have the charisma to cause people to naturally follow them. Yet, they have a sensitive, even artistic side as seen in the passionate dancer, Rudolf Nureyev. They are also nurturers, and the Tiger lady makes a great mom. The downside is they are often hot-headed and foolhardy and may not always justify the faith we place in them to lead us. Their fault-finding and rebelliousness can be almost unbearable at times. Still, we love the excitement they bring into our lives and their redoubtable accomplishments.

Positive Traits:

Adventurous, affectionate, charitable, colourful, courageous, dynamic, empathetic, exciting, humorous, optimistic, playful and resolute. The adventurous and courageous Tiger is a born leader. You are not afraid to blaze new trails, and, given your independent streak, you are more than willing to go it alone if necessary. Your firm determination also makes you a fierce competitor.

Your passion also gives you the potential to be a star performer. Colourful and dynamic, you have a commanding presence before any group. Yes, we can count on you to command our attention and generate excitement.

Interestingly, you have another side, that of the playful kitten. It is characterized not only by youthful innocence and optimism but also a playful sense of humour. You enjoy telling jokes, which are all the more funny because people usually see your serious side and are caught off guard to see you out of character.

Your kinder and gentler side also includes a genuine humanitarian streak. You are empathetic and keenly sense the emotions and feelings of others, to which you respond with compassion and a sincere desire to help when needed.

Negative Traits:

Anxious, argumentative, authoritarian, critical, domineering, edgy, impatient, impulsive, narrow minded, rash, ruthless, self-centered and temperamental.

The downside of the Tiger's passion is that it can lead to emotional distress, especially when frustrated by people or events. You have a tendency to be anxious and edgy. This uneasiness of mind could come from brooding fear about some contingency or simply a feeling of being tense or on edge.

Your high energy level fuelled by passion often makes you impatient. You want to do things right away and can become deeply frustrated with unplanned delays. Your rashness sometimes manifests itself as impulsive behaviour. There is a bit of the fools rush in mentality in you. In other words, you do not always think things through before you act.

You have a tendency to be self centered; so, this hasty action occasionally fails to take into consideration its affect on others. Your focus on yourself can manifest itself in a form of narrow mindedness as contempt for the interests of others. You also can hurt others by being overly critical and argumentative when they do not perform up to the high standards you set for yourself. And, you almost demand that they do. Your sign is a strong one, and it is not surprising you have a tendency to be authoritarian and domineering. At your worst, you can even be ruthless. It is not wise to cross you deliberately.

This is lifted from www.astrology.com

Cirque du Soleil Manila

Okay honestly, I didn't have an idea what Cirque du Soleil was until a very good friend of mine, Lai sent me a pm on my FB telling me that we should watch Cirque as they will be having their Manila run of Varekai  from June until July of this year. I remember that in the pm, Lai jokingly said something like, "Ate, watch tayo Cirque du Soleil, maganda yun ipost sa FB, sosy." To which I replied, "Oo nga, para hindi lang Star Cinema ang mga naka post sa FB ko."  But seriously, she wanted to watch because the opportunity's here and we need not fly out to Vegas to have this chance. This was I believe as early as March 2011. 

my e-ticket!

 So, I googled them and found a lot of info about this group. Cirque du Soleil when translated into english means circus of the sun. So I told Lai and Caren that we will be going. Keber sa mahal ng ticket! Pikit-mata. Caren booked 3 tickets for us sometime late May. We got tickets for the July 02, 2011 evening show. 

When Varekai was featured on evening news on the day that it opened, I was like, "Ah okay, so yan pala yun". Although the reviews made by the news anchors already mentioned that the audience were generous in giving the cast and crew not just one, but THREE standing ovations, I was still like, "Okay."

There were several tents erected in front
of the Quirino Grandstand. This I think is the top where
the shows are being held

So here comes July 02, 2011. I was a bit disappointed upon re-reading the tickets that I couldn't bring my dslr camera inside to take pictures of the show. But then again, this being a foreign production, I wanted to be that Pinoy who follows the rules. So my dslr was left in my car. By the way, on the ticket it says that the show will be held under the grand chapiteau or the big top. Yes, shows are done under a BIG, BIG, tent. And yes, I do believe that all of those tents, seats, stage, costumes and down to the tiniest props were all brought in by the group. 

Beside the ticket booths

Upon entering the premises, one could already feel the orderliness and that excitement. Marshalls and ushers are scattered through out the venue. We were told that we can take pictures up until the concessionaires' area (or if you're one those blessed nilalang and have the priciest ticket, until the Tapis Rouge). And since I didn't  have my dslr cam with me, we made do with my Nokia N97 mini and Caren's Ipod Touch. 

Trying to be naughty... 

We lingered around the concessionaires' area for almost an hour I think. There were commemorative items being sold, from souvenir programs to apparel. There was a women’s blouse which I fell in love with, but it was expensive so I settle for a ballpen instead. Hehehehhe.

Anyhow, the tent opened at precisely 7:30pm. We were ushered in to our seats. As I’ve said earlier, since the show is being held inside a tent, the seats weren’t plush but it was comfortable.

How the show started from the intro to the start of Varekai itself was seamless. I mean, they have these 2 casts, a male and female who went around the audience area and did fun (and funny) things with them. They were sort of what one might call, front acts.

From the first act of this circus art, my mouth was literally left hanging open. I couldn’t help it. I felt sort of overwhelmed, because I don't know how I'd listen to the songs and dialogues while I was left staring with my mouth open on the acts being performed!! The acts alone made me stop listening to the songs and dialogues. I swear! Like, if you’d ask me to tell you what or how the story went, I’d answer you with “tingnan mo sa google yung summary or what Varekai is all about”. Ahahahhaha! Gosh! And I’ve always been the kind of person who would listen intently to dialogues or songs in a movie or play. Even if I’m reading a book, in my mind, I’d be imagining what I’m reading.

As I’ve said in one of my FB posts that very night I watched it, it is the best P3,350 I’ve ever spent for entertainment! And I would gladly pay more! Though judging from the turnout that evening, the tent wasn’t filled to the brim but I’d say that the numbers were decent enough for me to say that it didn’t flopped, a lot of people are saying, “ang mahal ng ticket eh”. Yeah, I understand. Like if you’re a family of 4 and all of you will go and watch it, the cheapest ticket will cost a total of more than P12, 000.00. Not cheap. But then, definitely worth it!