Life As Told By Cellphones

A rainy day often makes me reminisce. While others would reminisce about significant events in their lives, their past love, their childhood-- I found myself reminiscing about my past mobile phones. Nyahaha.

It's funny to remember all the phones I had in the past (plus how ridiculous they looked like compared to the phones in the market nowadays). The Congressman once said that before, the only ones with a mobile phone are doctors and politicians. Now, even a grade schooler has one! (And to think that back in early HS days, my mom won't let me own a Tamagochi!)

As I try to remember my first mobile phone (after my Easycall days-- and mga may alam ng Easycall, please raise your hands!), I realized that each phone has a story.

1. Philips Fizz

I got this after days of begging my dad to buy me a mobile phone. FYI, my dad is one of the most kuripot people I know and every purchase has to be justified like defending your thesis. I remember my only reason that time is that I need to call them whenever I'm in the retreat or to let them know that I'm on my way home from field trip so they can fetch me. And dig this: We bought this for P500 on Globe's Plan 100 (Yes, once upon a time there was such a plan). 

I was pretty satisfied with this phone since texting was not yet discovered back then. My only textmate back then was Globe, often a reminder that my P100 monthly bill is already due. During my freshman year, my BFF Randy teased my on how big my mobile phone was ("Parang palo-palo!" as he would describe it). I didn't mind at first but then the teasing became a daily habit for him that I finally had to get a new phone. (Something that doesn't need the entire sim card--not just the part with the chip like what we use now--to be inserted. I swear, it was one GIGANTOR phone.)

2. Ericsson GA628

Back then (late 90's), Ericsson hasn't merge with Sony yet and Nokia was still unheard of. This was a fashionista's phone since the facing (the front panel) can be changed and panels come in different colors. I remember trying to match the colored panels to the color of my shirt which wasn't much of a problem since my Mom bought me several Giordano classics shirt in primary and secondary colors.

3. Nokia 5110

Everything changed when Nokia came into the picture. Kung hindi lang ako nalulong sa paglalaro ng Snakes hindi ko ito bibilhin. This is what we call the phone/game and watch combo. (Those who grew up playing Game and Watch, please raise their hand!)

Re-enter my Dad aka Boy Kunat: He can't absorb why I would need another phone when I just bought one (see previous entry) a year ago. Well, going back I realized no one can absorb my reason with all those high-pitched whines. Nevertheless, I was able to become college scholar that time so my dad finally gave in as a reward. 

I should also say that this was my much-pimped phone by far. The facing & keypads are replaceable so I spent a half day trying to find a rainbow themed facing and black keypad in Greenhills on the same day we purchased the phone. This particular unit was one of the most expensive mobile phones back the, priced at P6,000--same amount as my tuition for the entire semester.

3. Nokia 3310

This phone is one unplanned purchase (I mean, one of my many unplanned purchases hehe). As much as I'm embarrased to admit, I lost my Nokia 5110 to karma: it was stolen after I did a very evil deed known to every dental student. Clue: it involves desperation + wax + and a dental technician in Recto. Thank goodness Drs. Sunico & Salvacion don't have Multiply accounts. 

4. Nokia 8210

Alas, my evil dent-days deeds didn't end. As our purchases for dental school increased, so did my kickbacks. I saw this phone first in Charlie's Angels, it's in the post-sex scene of Drew and Tom Green ( and this was THE breakup phone as mention by my gal pal Tanya in my previous blog). Kickbacks can get doom your lovelife. As they say, it's either "may pera ka or may 'papa' ka." I decided I'd go with the pera first for a while :)

5. Nokia 8310

This is the sturdiest phone I've ever had. And if my memory served me right, this particular unit has given me the best "texting ease" (in other words, dito ako pinakamabilis mag-text, yun lang!) I wouldn't have replaced this I didn't give in the the stupid Smart Amazing phone ad. After me, it was handed down to my brother who eventually handed it over to my nephew (My cousin's son, I don't have a true-blue nephew or niece yet, thank goodness!)--and yes, the phone very much still in A-1 condition!

5. Smart Amazing Phone

I'd rather call this the Smart No-So Amazing Phone. Let me just say that I was blinded by the fact that it has a camera (VGA and detachable pa!) and it boasts to be a smart phone (semi-PDA). I figured I can make good use of the camera (NOT!) and it's PDA-like capabilities for scheduling patients for clinics (Again, NOT! There's not so many patients to schedule, Clinical 40 is also known as out bangenge days.) But even I despised the phone so much, I didn't have the heart to ask for a new one (or do any more kickbacks) since I am collecting karma points to finish Dent school requirements and to pass the board exams. That's why it is such a blessing that there was a hold-up in the fx I was riding on my way to work--never was I soooo glad to hand out my cellphone at gun point! Hah, good riddance!

6. Nokia 3230

My mom gave this as a replacement for my stolen (well, not really stolen since deep inside I was glad to give it away) Smart Not-So Amazing Phone. It serve me well and I was able to use its features up to its full potential. It was the phone known to be a silent witness to several milestones in my life: my wedding (SMS from the Congressman: D2 na me church. Walang indyanan!), giving birth to Robyn (SMS to the Congressman: Wla na diapers, bili ka Prokids NewBorn sa Mercury pag-uwi mo nang maranasan mo ang maging ama!) and a lot more. Sadly, after several hangs and sudden turn-off moments, I have to turn over this phone to some guy in Greenhills.

7. Sony Ericsson P1i

This is the phone I am currently using, although mine's the conventional one with the silver border--I didn't know there's an all black one, maganda pala! Anyway, this was a Christmas & birthday gift from the Congressman since those occassions occur on succeeding months. I was seriously considering a Treo but for some reason, I bought this one instead.  This is Robyn's favorite toy, she knows how to use the stylus so she can doodle on the phone's notepad feature (It's way better than let her doodle on the walls) and she gives out a ready, pilit smile (Read: OA smile, as in!) when the camera part is aimed at her. It's first sent message? 

SMS to the Congressman: Tnx tlga sa pne. Ngayon ko lng napatunayan na mahal mo ko.

SMS from the Congressman: Crazy! :) 

I don't know how long the P1i would stay with me, I have gone past the phase where I was on the prowl for new phone models, though the Congressman's been asking if I want a new one for Christmas. (No thanks dear, the ceramic studded Toywatch na white would suffice! Haha!) That's how my phone stories end for now. What's your phone stories?

Cleaning up trash from dent days

Was sorting out things to throw out when I came across a bunch of transcriptions from Dent Proper 21 days. I think this came from the upper batch since yung iba hindi applicable to our batch. Masagot nga...

1. First choice mo ba ang dent? Hindi, BS Bio was my first choice
2. Confident ka ba na papasa ka sa dexterity exam noon? Honestly, no...pesteng wax carving yan!
3. Naka-ilang mix ka ng alginate sa Dent Mat bago na-appove ni Dr. Atienza ang impression mo? Errr...madami. Too teary-eyed to see how many used plaster bowls I have that time. Kawawa partner ko.
4. Member ka ba ng Charlie's angels? Hindi, member ako ng winston's angels hahahaha
5. Ano pinaka-pathetic na ginawa mo sa dent so far? Sinadya ko maging kuba while doing FPD prep para i-correct ni Dr. Adarve ang posture ko ahahahaha
6. Napa-iyak ka na ba sa FPD? Sino ba ang hindi? But I love Dr. Tumang, as always!
7. Pinag-kuyumusan ka na ba ng mukha ni Dr. Medina? Errr....dyahe...
8. Nabulyawan ka na ba ng mga Perio teacher? Sino ba ang hindi? (No more pahabol to this statement unlike in #6)
9. Nag-iipon ka ba ng reject na typodont nung Resto and FPD days? No, but I know someone who did.
10. Humingi ka ba sa parents mo ng pambili ng gold rouge at sternocleidomastoid? Hindi pero puro kickback din ako noon, enough to buy an 8210 & 8810 at P8000 and P11000 respectively.
11. Sino favorite dent teacher mo? Si dr. k kasi siya lang ang may multiply!!! LOL!

Madami pang questions but I'm too tamad to post. Hehe. :)

While You Were Sleeping: A story about closure

Alang-alang sa mga kaibigan kong kaka-break lang sa mga minamahal nila sa buhay.

Hindi ako makatulog noon at pinag-tiyagaan ko na hintayin kung sino ang mananalo bilang “Pinoy Grand Star Dreamer.”  Ang manok ko si Miguel kasi marunong siyang mag-piano katulad ko. Habang commercial  lumingon ako sa kinahihigaan mo at nakita kitang tulog na tulog. Buti ka pa.

Masyadong matagal ang commercial dahil sinasamantala ng Channel 2 ang mga sponsors nila. Last day na nga naman ng Pinoy Dream Academy ngayon, dapat lubusin ang mga sponsors.  Sa sobrang haba ng commercial break, nilipat ko muna sa paborito kong Cinema One. Uy sakto, John Lloyd movie, yung “One More Chance.”

Napanuod ko na ‘to dati at naubos ang tissue paper natin kaiiyak ko. Siguro naman, by this time, hindi na ako maiiyak. Bayaan na kung sino manalo sa Pinoy Dream Academy, malalaman ko rin bukas sa diyaryo yan at sa linggo, for sure iinterbyuhin din yun sa The Buzz.

Noong una kong napanood itong sine na ito, sapol yung mga panahong iniwan ako ng boyfriend kong mukhang hoodlum (sabi ni Dr. Cham mukha daw siyang hoodlum nung makita niya). Nararamdaman ko yung nararamdaman ni John Lloyd sa pelikula. Ang masaklap, wala kaming closure. Basta hindi na lang ako nakarinig ng kahit ano sa kanya. Yun lang.

Hindi ako umiyak. Pinili ko na manahimik at itutok ang isip sa pagtapos ng mga requirements ko sa eskwela. Pilit kong isinaksak sa utak ko na si He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named (Oo, masahol pa siya kay Voldemort!) ay isang tartar na kaya kong tanggalin in just one sitting.  Sa Oral Medicine kasi ako naka-assign noon kaya ko naisip na tartar siya.

Hindi ako “in pain” nung mga panahon na yon, pero hindi rin ako okey. Basta ginagawa ko ang mga normal kong routine sa araw-araw: apartment-eskwela-apartment-uwi sa bahay pag weekend para dalhin ang pasalubong na labahin kay Mama. Tuwing uuwi ako sa apartment, nakaabang ang mga housemate ko na parang nag-aabang na magkwento ako o umiyak man lang. Pero wala silang narinig sa kin, gaya ng sabi ko, hindi ako umiyak.

Ngayon lang...

Kasalanan ni John Lloyd ang lahat. Kung bakit kasi kailangang magtangkang magpakamatay yung kaibigan niyang si Janus Del Prado (nag-overdose sa shampoo) pagkatapos siyang iwan ng fiancée niya at kinailangan ni John Lloyd na sabihin tong malupet na linya na ‘to:

"di ba ikaw na nga nagsabi, kaya tayo iniiwan ng mahal natin dahil may mas magmamahal pa satin. kaya tayo sinasaktan at iniiwan ng mahal natin dahil may mas mabuting tao na di tayo sasaktan. kaya tayo umiiyak sa piling ng mahal natin dahil may isang taong magpapasaya satin.."

-POPOY(john lloyd cruz)

Lupet! Tagos! Bulls-Eye!

Pagkatapos ng eksena na yun ay nakita ko ang mga kalong-kalong kong lukot at basang mga piraso ng tissue paper. This time, hindi lang iyak kundi hagulgol to the max.

Five years! Ngayon lang ako umiyak na parang kahapon lang nangyari ang lahat.

Bago ka magalit, hindi ko na siya mahal nung magkakilala tayo. Nag-shortcut kasi ako, hindi ko na dinaanan yung “closure period” pagkatapos ng breakup.

Para mas madaling dalhin. Para hindi ako masaktan. Recovery na agad.

Ngayon ko lang naisip na paano ako makaka-recover kung hindi ako nasaktan in the first place?

In fairness, naging mabait sa kin si Lord. Ibinigay ka niya sa kin sa tamang pagkakataon. Napunan mo ang aking needs noong semester na yun. Naghahanap ako ng mga pasyente ko para sa OP at wala rin akong boyfriend at the same time. (Kaya nga sabi ko sa isang estudyante, maging mabait sa mga pasyente kasi “Who knows, baka dun nyo ma-meet si DA WHO!”)

At para sa ex ko na mukha daw hoodlum (malakas ang loob kong i-post dahil alam kong wala kang Multiply):

Nung nakita kita uli matapos ang 4 na taon, I had the urge to ask kung ano ang nangyari sa ‘tin nun. Pero naisip ko, “What for?!” Hindi ko na gusto na maging tayo uli. Masaya na ako. As in. Huwag mo din isipin na bitter ako kasi hindi. Excuse me, hindi ka ganun ka-gwapo. Matalino ka lang.

Oo nga pala, yung pinangbayad ko sa US Boards noon, hindi ko na na-refund dahil hindi ako tumuloy dahil ayaw mo akong umalis. Leche ka, $46.50 din yun! Pero tumuloy ako nung break na tayo. Buti nga sa ‘yo, wala ka tuloy pasalubong.

E ano kung tiga-Pisay ka? UP naman ako, abogado pa napangasawa ko. Mas malaki sweldo nun sa ‘yo. Pasensiya na sa Tatay ko nung nagkita kayo sa meeting ha? Egoy lang talaga yun, di naman niya sinasadya na sagutin ka nun tinanong mo siya ng ganito:

Totoot: Engineer din po ba ang napangasawa ni Tin?

Itay: HINDI HA! ABOGADO YUN! ABOGADO! (Hindi naman halatang defensive ang tatay ko no?)

Mabuti na tong ganito. At least, peace na tayo. Magka-friendster na nga tayo, diba? Tama na ang drama mo, mag-asawa ka na, tumatanda ka na. Gusto mo, ihanap pa kita. Para happy ka na rin tulad ko ngayon.

Sa mga housemates ko nung college: Nangyari na ang inaaabangan niyo. Di ko man naikwento lahat pero umiyak na rin ako sa wakas. Tao rin pala ako, kahit paano.

Sa anak ko: Pag laki mo at iniwan ka ng boyfriend mo, ikukwento ko ‘to sa’yo. Para malaman mo na OK lang masaktan kasi may mas magandang kapalit. Tapos ibigay natin pangalan niya sa tatay mo para kasuhan niya ng jaywalking. Paksh@t!

P.S Kay hoodlum ulit (again hindi sa kin nanggaling yung mukhang hoodlum ka):

Eto, nahanap ko sa baul. Wala na yung iba, tinapon na daw ni Mama. Meron pa palang natira.

It pretty much signifies what you are to me.

A blur.

Pasintabi sa mga kumakain at maaarte: pahabol sa linggo ng wika

Filipino 101

Kung ikaw ay under 18 years of age, kumakain or nais kumain, feeling maarte na malamang ay pumalahat ng malupit na "YUCKKYYYY!!!!" after reading this post, THEN STOP READING AND CLICK THE "BACK BUTTON OF YOUR BROWSER.

This was one of the most gasgas forwarded emails ever. The entire post is lovingly dedicated to the Congressman. 

Congressman.

Ang abogadong may bukabularyo ng isang magbubute. 

And that's a compliment! Ibig sabihin very broad ang vocabulary mo!

Ayan kasi, sabi mo lurker ka dito sa site ko....

1. BAKTOL -- ang ikatlong lebel ng mabahong amoy sa kili-kili. Ang
baktol ay kapareho ng amoy ng nabubulok na bayabas. Ito'y dumidikit sa 
damit, at humahalo sa pawis. madalas na naaamoy tuwing registration, lalo na sa mga GE subject gaya ng natsci, comm, socsci, etc, dahil sa sobrang siksikan ng mga estudyante.
Ex. "Put@#$%, sinong nangangamoy BAKTOL sa inyo????!!!

2. KUKURIKAPU -- libag sa ilalim ng boobs. Madalas na namumuo dahil sa labis na baby powder na inilalagay sa katawan. Maaari ding mamuo kung hindi talaga naliligo o naghihilod ang isang babae. Ang KUKURIKAPU ay mas madalas mamuo sa mga babaeng malalaki ang joga.
Ex. "Honey, maligo ka na kaya para maalis yang KUKURIKAPU mo..."
 
3. MULMUL -- buhok sa gitna ng isang nunal. Mahirap ipaliwanag kung bakit nagkakaroon ng MULMUL ang isang nunal. Subalit hindi talaga ito naaalis, kahit na bunutin pa ito, maliban na lamang kung ipapa-laser ito.
Ex. "How nice naman your MULMUL!"
 
4. BURNIK -- taeng sumabit sa buhok sa pwet. Madalas nararanasan ng mga taong nagti-tissue lamang pagkatapos tumae. Ang BURNIK ay mahirap alisin, lalo na kapag natuyo na ito. ipinapayo sa mga may BURNIK na maligo na lamang upang ito'y maalis.
Ex. "Labs, alam ko kung anong kinain mo kanina!!!"
 
5. ALPOMBRA -- kasuotan sa paa na kadalasang makikitang suot ng mga tindero ng yosi sa quiapo. Ito'y may makipot na suotan ng paa, at manipis na swelas. mistulang sandalyas ito ng babae pero kadalasang suot ng mga lalaki. 
Available in blue, red, green, etc.

6. BAKOKANG -- higanteng peklat. Ito'y madalas na dulot ng mga sugat na malaki. Imbes na normal na balat ang nakatakip sa bakokang, ito'y mayroong makintab na takip.
Ex. "How nice naman your bakokang."
  
7.a. AGIHAP -- libag na dumikit sa panty o brief dahil sa labis na pagmamahal sa suot panloob. Nabubuo ang AGIHAP kung ang panty o brief ay nasuot na ng hindi bababa sa tatlong araw.
Ex. "May golly, may agihap na naman ang panty ni junior! (said the labandero to self)"

7.b. BAKAS NG LUMIPAS ---phrase coined by my yaya ukol sa mga brip ng mga kapatid ko. madalas marineg ang phrase nato tuwing laundry day.



8. DUKIT -- ito'y ang amoy na nakukuha kung isinabit mo ang daliri mo sa iyong puwit....try it to prove it that's DUKIT.
 
9. SPONGKLONG -- ito'y isang bagong wika na nangangahulugan sa isang estupidong tao.
Ex. "Buti naman at bumaba na sa puwesto ang spongklong nating Presidente."
 
10.LAPONGGA -- ito's kahintulad sa laplapan o kaya ay lamasan.
Ex. "Hoy Utoy, bakit ba ang hilig mo sa mga sineng puro lapongga lang ang palabas?"
 
11.WENEKLEK -- ito ang buhok sa utong na kadalasang nakikita sa mga tambay sa kanto na laging nakahubad. Meron din ang babae nito.
Ex. "Inay! Si Itay, sinaksak yung kapitbahay natin kasi hinila yung weneklek niya!"
 
12.BAKTUNG -- pinaikling salita ng BAKAT-UTONG.
Ex. "Uy Jefferson, tingnan mo si Ma'am, baktung na naman!"
 
13.BAKTI -- bakat panty.
 
14.ASOGUE -- buhok sa kilikili.
 
15.BARNAKOL -- maitim na libag sa batok na naipon sa matagal na panahon.
 
16.BULTOKACHI - tubig na tumatalsik sa pwet kapag nalalaglag ang isang malaking ebak.
 
17.BUTUYTUY -- etits ng bata.
 
18.JABARR -- pawis ng katawan (specifically the kili-kili).
 
19.KALAMANTUTAY -- mabahong pangalan.
 
20.MCARTHUR -- taeng bumabalik after mong i-flush.

For Friday Lunchmates

This was the topic last Friday's lunch. Can't remember who initiated it and why the heck are we talking about her. All I remember is that somebody mentioned her name and I said something about Melanie Marquez' "Do not judge my brother, he is not a book!"

Well, my family's role for me is so important bicos

there was the 

deer...they was the one

who's... very... Hahahaha... Oh I'm so sorry,

Ahhmm my pamily... my family

Oh my god.. I'm...ok... I'm so sorry...

I... I told you that I'm so confident...

Eto, Ahhmm, Wait... Hahahahahahaaa, Ahmmm,

Sorry guys because this was really my pirst pageant evwer

b'coz I'm only 17 years old 

And ahahaha I, I did not expect that I came from,

I came from one of the Tuff, taft, taff, tap, tuff ten...hmmm...

so... but I said dot, dot,

my family es the most important

persons in my life. Thank you.

---janina san miguel, bb.pilipinas-world

** Taken from http://darnalipad.multiply.com/journal?&=&page_start=160 (and yes, she's the woman behind the song Toyang, and yes again, she's ely buendia's wife--since hindi naman siya kasal kay redhead)

Wanted: Missing

There's always a first time, as they would say.

My first alcoholic beer is Smirnoff Mule. I don't remember who made me try it or the other details. Basta I remember the beer, not the boy (nyaha!).

A week before I'm craving for freshly brewed beer, the same thing I tasted from Fiesta San Miguel in Dusit Hotel Nikko. Mahihiya ang mga balahura ng Sidebar hahaha! Perfect beer I ever tasted. Bigla tuloy akong nainggit kay Dr. K, sana kasya ako sa balikbayan box at nagpaiwan ako sa Germany for Oktoberfest. As of this date, the only establishmentsI know which serves freshly brewed beer is Fiesta San Miguel and that Irish pub in Makati.

I was also craving for Sam's Hard Lemonade. I made my Miss Goody roommate Pauline drink this stuff as her first alcoholic drink. I told her this was far milder than Cali hehehe. 

Both Mule and Sam's Hard Lemonade are missing in action. I tried 4 upscale supermarkets and liquor stores already. If anyone knows where I can get hold of these two, please let me know. I'll get 2 six-packs each.

Missing Mule

Sam's aka Mike's Hard Lemonade

Mumu From Our Past

This was taken by Day Cabuhat, Pupil's manager hours before the Eraserheads Reunion concert.

It brought chills to my spine just seeing them together in one place. Our HS band played most of their songs and even Sister Mary Tarcila reprimanded me for singing and strumming Alapaap on the guitar while lurking at the back of the auditorium (I didn't attend first Friday mass that time, e nakahuli pa of all people si Principal!), who cares? I was getting the chords right that time! It was the year of Ateneo & Claret fair, Jose Sixto Dantes III's pre-Allerin days and Atom Araullo, well he looked just the same back then, only a few centimeters shorter and several decibels higher. A year where Giordano classic t-shirts ruled (a minimum of 5 different colors should be owned), Trapper Keepers with Devon Sawa pinups instead of lecture notes and all-boys school yearbooks replaced our textbooks.

Enough said. I quote from Bab (The resident hippie of Pugad Baboy): Humahaba na ang long hair ko....

When the Cat is Away, The Mice Play

Remember the old adage, "If the cat is away, the mouse will play?" The Father-Daughter tandem of the Congressman and Robyn seems to do the same when they're left alone in the house. 

Since moving to our own house, me, Congressman and Robyn would spend weekend indoors except for this past weekend when I had to attend the 2-part ESP seminar where the 2 were left among themselves...and that's when trouble began. When I went home Sunday evening, I was greeted by the Congressman with this sheepish grin on his face, motioning me to look at pictures and videos taken with his camera that weekend.

After seeing all the pictures and videos and giving the Congressman a sound whack in the head for doing all those kalokohan, I have some lessons learned:

1. Never trust the Dad alone with the kid/s. (See the next entries to be convinced)

2.Always leave instructions what to give the kid/s for snack. Never leave Dad in charge or say "Bahala ka na sa ipapakain diyan."

Robyn finishing almost half of the Gardenia Bag

3. Never let Dad introduce to your child the concept of dieting.

Robyn downing a bottle of Fit N' Right

The Congressman's justification: Walang ginawa yan kundi kumain, e diba yung L-Carnitine helps you burn fats? (He'll be dead by now if looks could kill)

3. Never leave Dad and your kid/s with a bunch of stickers. Please see the link of the evidence here: Sticker Happy

All the exhaustion from listening to endo lectures the entire day and having Dr. Jimena as my group's facilitator in the endo workshop (It's like Endo 31 lab all over again! The amazing race to the x-ray room continues...) were NOTHING compared to the exhaustion plus exasperation I got from the Congressman & Robyn's weekend adventures. Not to mention seeing the house in complete disorder hehehe.

And guess who has the nerve to sleep soundly right after and leave pool ol' me with the dishes...

Geez...

Takaw Manila Walks

I love walking. Anyone who knows me from way back in highschool and college would know that. I also have this thing about not knowing the word "malayo"-- everything to me can be reached by foot.

I walk even at noon when the sun's freakingly at its hottest. So what if I become nognog? I don't like being bond paper white anyway. Oh and one time, I came from a long walk then my AS crush saw me (clue: tiga Alpha Sigma siya ahahaha) and said, "Uy Tin, rosy cheeks ka ah!" Ahh...bliss!

I haven't gone walking that much since we get to bring the car or I take the cab most of the time. But I do miss the sun, the filth and all that kalyos that come with the walking. Last Friday, as I mentioned in my previous entry, I got to use my walking powers again but it was in the evening and most of the walking was done inside the mall. Somehow, I like walking under the sun better.

Upon checking my calendar, I noticed that this coming weekend, I'm scheduled to attend a workshop by the Endodontic Society of the Philippines and I needed to get teeth for some exercise on Sunday. Good thing Gio from Endo 31 gave me an upper molar (thank goodness there's no MB2 canal!) and an incisor, but I still need a premolar to complete the teeth I need. I also need to get new endo SS files since what Dr. C's said in her lectures to use files extravagantly was ringing in my head and my #15s are saying "mahiya ka naman, palitan mo na kami" so that prompted me to go to Recto, the dental student & practitioner's haven.

First stop: That Green Building in front of CEU....

It was 2 Fridays ago when Dr. B & Dr. Z are reminiscing their dental student days where they need to go to cemeteries to buy natural teeth. Dr. B even mused that a sepulturero (gravedigger) showed her an entire dead man's head when she asked for a complete set of teeth. Nowadays, it's too convenient to just buy an entire set of complete dentition in these dental supply stores, plus, they even bleach them for you! Woohooo! Fast forward to today: I just need 1 tooth more, a premolar, and a couple of extras just in case. The store where I usually buy teeth for Oral Anatomy days don't sell individual teeth anymore. The girl offered me the entire set which costs...janjaran....1 thousand pesos! No deal!!!

Off to the second store, they don't sell individually either but the lady was kind enough to point me where I can buy some...in that green building in front of CEU nga daw. True enough, a store in that building sells teeth at P40 each. Hmmm. Still expensive but I guess I have no choice. 

From U-Belt area, I need to buy ortho stuff for my cousin who's my partner in the clinic. She wants branded Power-O or was that O-Power whatever and it's available in our suki New Victory in Paterno Street.

As expected, I walked from CEU, along CM Recto Ave, looking for any used Pathways of the Pulp being sold along the way. Don't ask me how far is P. Paterno from CEU, I would say "Kayang lakarin!"

P.Paterno street is quite near Quiapo church ("quite near," eto na naman ako). You'd know you're in the right track if you see a Chowking at the corner and and stalls selling "pamparegla" and other questionable stuff claiming to do the medically impossible along with pampalaki, pangpakinis, pangpaganda--lalo na kung dati kang gwapo.

P. Paterno is my favorite place in Quiapo area. One time, the Congressman went with me here to pick up my order from New Victory:

KGW: Joanne, meron ka na pa lang miracle mix, pabili ng 1 box! Tsaka etong goat's hair polishing brush! Uy...tingi na ribbond! Pakisama na rin ng taxi solution!

Congressman: (looks at his pocket) Wala akong pang-abono ha? Yosi muna ako dito sa labas.

Hmp! He would never understand the euphoria of being surrounded by lots of dental supplies! That's the 2nd and last time I had him come with me to buy dental stuff. The first one was when he wasn't my boyfriend yet. Nagoyo ako, kala ko matiyaga magbitbit ng plastic ng stone at plaster...

But there's one thing that lights up the Congressman's face whenever we're in Paterno. No it's not the matang baka! It's Globe Lumpia House!

Pardon me if I post pictures taken from other blogsites. I would risk having my camera phone snatched. The Congressmant made me swear that I won't ask for a replacement should I lose my phone.

Globe Lumpia House is not exactly in Paterno street but on the street next to it which is G. Puyat formerly Raon. It's near the stores which sell videoke machines, Sunny dvd players and porno vcds.

During my tipid days while reviewing for the dental board exams, Val and I would have 2 lumpia and 1 bottle of Sarsi (or RC cola since those are the only ones they sell) for lunch. Viola, a lunch below P50!!!

A Globe lumpia would cost P16 each and the cola, around P5.50. 2 lumpias would do for my breakfast. Some things never change: the lumpia is still siksik, sauce is just right--not too sweet unlike Goldilocks', oh and their forks still have holes on them.

There's another dent review find (thanks to Val Bading) but pass muna ako since I'm already full with the 2 lumpias. However, their fried chicken's soooo good that it's worth mentioning.

Ramon Lee Fried Chicken is a must-try for Savory chicken fans. Val Bading was craving for chicken mami, so bad was her craving that we opted not to attend review class. I'm not a fan of mami but when I smelled the fried chicken from another table, I knew I had to try it. What's wrong with a snack of half fried chicken? I was a growing girl back then! I don't really remember where exactly Ramon Lee is but for dent people, I think it's near Medsurdent. A site says it's in Ronquillo Street and a gave a very useful trivia: Dito nagshoot si Ate Vi at si Piolo ng eksena nila sa "Dekada 70". :-)

After Quiapo, I had to stop by Gilmore to hoard blank DVDs from CDR-King. Thank you for LRT-3, a usual 1 hour ride (yes, it was that loooong) now takes 5 minutes (matagal pa ang pahihintay sa tren) from Quaipo to Gilmore Ave. Gilmore is a haven for techie people on a lookout on cheap computer stuff. It also houses my other favorite food place in the planet: The Big Little Store on Gilmore.

I used to go all the way Little Baguio in San Juan where the first Little Store on a Hill resides. Their siomai, kikiam and crab rice are my ultimate favorite. I love their Asian store too! I was there for the DVDs but upon seeing the sign of The Big Little store, my tummy grumbled again. Mussst eaaat crrrrabbbb riiiiiice!

This time, my excuse for not taking a picture of my order of kikiam and crab rice is sheer gluttony. I haven't eaten here for a long time that parang sininghot ko ang crab rice hehehe. Their crab rice is a bit expensive, P70 for just a bit more than a cup of rice. It has real crab meat, carrots, ginger and topped with peanuts. Their kikiam is a real steal at P40.

I always order from their carinderia-style counter since I like to see what I'm supposed to eat rather than look at the menu. Plus, it's cheaper that ways since you are not expected to give a tip to the waiter hehehe (kuripot!).

I also bought dried shiitake mushrooms (for my own version of Yellow Cab's Charlie Chan pasta), mooncake with 1 egg (another favorite!) and a box of mango pudding. At least I have dessert on after Friday's lunch in case Dr. Z failed to bring her Oishi caramel popcorn.

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I would like to acknowledge the following: 

http://senorenrique.blogspot.com for the Globe Lumpia pictures

baratillo.net for the Ramon Lee picture

Crocs Prima, the official shoes of  Takaw Manila Walks

Si Robyn at ang Linggo Ng Wika

Last Saturday, Robyn's school held a program to celebrate Linggo Ng Wika. Early last week, we were reminded by Mamu to buy a Filipiniana costume for Robyn to wear on that event. We had a hard time looking for a Filipiniana that would fit a 2-year-old so we got the smallest one we can find, even if the saleslady told us that it's really for a 4-year-old.

The Congressman wanted to get a Maria Clara or a terno kasi pang-upper class Filipina daw (Ilusyunadong Indio!!!) but those available are too big, usually for 6-year-olds up. The smallest one we found consists of a wrap-around skirt and a net-like top with sequins where you need a sando underneath. I racked my brains for whatever stock knowledge from Mrs. Antonio's (aka Bisugo) Filipino class when the Congressman asked me what kind of Filipiniana costume was that. I was down to a choice between a Balintawak and Patadyong so I just told the Congressman that it's a Balintawak since I know he really doesn't know the answer. Later I searched both in Google and found that what we bought is a Patadyong.

Balintawak vs Patadyong

Congressman: Balintawak? (mimics a bus barker) Balintawak-EDSA-Novaliches, aalis na! Hahahaha!

Trust the Congressman to turn a serious conversation into a laughing matter.

When we got home, Robyn refused to wear the costume, the top seems too itchy for a 2-year-old to wear. Mamu immediately called her modista and had another costume done for her dear apo, similar to the one we bought but the camisole top is a different, less itchy material.

Robyn is an honorary Nursery student, in other words: saling-pusa. She goes to class, complete with baon and her uniform but she is not expected to participate in school work such as assignment and quizzes. We had her go to class just to socialize with other kids, since she's an only child--we don't want her to grow up to become a brat, if you know what I mean. Another plus is we own the school so no tuition fee to pay, nyahahaha!

Their class have been practicing for 3 weeks for their song & dance number. Her teachers told me that Robyn participated well for the two numbers. Their class are singing and dancing to the tune of "Magtanim ay Di Biro" and "Pinoy Ako" (Pinoy Big Brother theme song).

Saturday came and Robyn seems not in the mood for dancing. She just wants to be carried by the Congressman all morning.

Robyn and Dada before the program

Buti na lang hindi kita na naka-Crocs with Filipiniana hehe

Robyn with teachers and schoolmates

Robyn didn't get to dance with her classmates in Magtanim Ay Di Biro, she just stood along them with this "What the heck are you doing?" look on her face. Her teacher told us that she must have turned shy when she saw that we were watching. She did sway with the Sampung Mga Daliri song anyway, that's fine with us.

Although she didn't dance, Robyn was so tired from running around that she was able to finish a plate of sapin-sapin! Maligayang Linggo ng Wika!

Sapin-sapin!