Destination: Vigan

When you finally see the place that you’ve only read or heard about, you get this kilig feeling that is undescribable. When I first got a glimpse of Plaza Salcedo from the tricycle, I couldn’t help but break into a smile.

After work, Lilian and I hauled our butts to Sampaloc to catch the 9:30PM deluxe Autobus to Vigan. I dozed on and off throughout the bus ride, but I would’ve preferred to have gotten a good night’s sleep instead. The inability to sleep when seated upright turned out to be a blessing, though. I woke up as the bus zigzagged its way towards the Quirino bridge; a sight that I have only seen in a Judy Ann-Rico Yan movie and in Pen’s 2002 pictures. I’m finally in Ilocos!

By 5:30AM, the bus dropped us off at the Bantay/Vigan stop where a tricycle welcomed us with open arms and charged us Php20/person to get to Heritage Village (My sleepy self forgot to haggle). I actually didn’t know where he should take us, and Heritage Village was the first thing that came to mind. So that was when I saw Plaza Salcedo and the sight took my breath away. All those weeks of researching and googling Vigan came full circle.

The tricycle dropped us off at the end of Calle Crisologo. It was a good thing I said Heritage Village because the tourism office was right in front of us. Unfortunately, it was too early and it was still closed. A kuchera (what the heck do you call a female kuchero?) approached us and offered us a kalesa ride. Politely, I said we’ll do it later. She asked us to text her when we’re ready for a ride. Once again, the historic vibe died right there and then. HaHa!

We walked over to Aniceto Mansion and asked if they had a day rate so we could at least put down our bags, but they didn’t. I’m sure the receptionist wanted to scream, “What the hell do you think this is, a motel?” So Lilian and I had no choice, but to haul our bags around town. Our first stop? McDonald’s. Again, historic vibe? Down the drain! It was still closed so we hung out until it opened at 6:30AM.

The façade of McDonald’s (and Jollibee and Chowking nearby) was made to look like an old Spanish house, but it still stood out like a sore thumb in this authentic historic town. Inside though, they tried to localize the place by hanging old photos of the churches in the area. Unfortunately, my breakfast was as non-native as it could get: Egg McMuffin with Sprite.

Still toting our bags, we went to Vigan Church, Plaza Salcedo (with replicas of every UNESCO site there is in the country and in the world), Ilocos Sur Capitol, Vigan City Hall, and back to Heritage Village.

Tired with walking with our bags, we decided to take a kalesa ride after I haggled the price down to Php120/hour (The standard rate is Php150). Mamang Kuchero took us to Bantay Belltower made famous by Panday (I’ve never seen the movie so I wouldn’t really know, but I’ll take people’s word for it). We climbed all the way up and enjoyed the cool air and the bird’s eye views. I found it quite sad though to see all the graffiti on the walls and bells. I think they’re doing something about it though as the gate to the belltower had to be unlocked when we got there. Good for them.

After that, we went to Burgos Museum, but didn’t go down (it wasn’t wise to waste time when we could walk there later). The next stop was Pagburnayan where they make the local burnay jars. Mamang Burnay (I need to stop with these nicknames!) demonstrated the whole process to us and told us that about 100 jars get made each day. That’s a lot of jars!

The next stop was the Crisologo Museum. Right when we entered the place, the electricity went out. I kept thinking about Pen’s Vigan ghost stories and told myself that Mr. Crisologo probably didn’t want me there, but I went in anyway because I didn’t go this far to be scared.

Mr. Floro Crisologo was a congressman who was assassinated while inside a church. You can see gruesome pictures of the murder and the pants and shoes that he wore that day. His wife, Carmeling Crisologo, became a governor afterwards and experienced an assassination attempt herself albeit a failed one; the pink car with bullet holes is on display at the museum.

We moved on over to Villa Angela, a heritage house where you can stay for a night should you have the money to do so. Its claim to fame is that Tom Cruise stayed there when he filmed “Days of Thunder.” Its cheapest room is with a detached bathroom; you’d have to go outside the room to do the number 1 or 2 at night. You’d have to pay me a million bucks to stay in that room and have to wander outside at night.

Mamang Kuchero decided to make money out of us and took us all the way to the house of the current governor of Ilocos Sur, Chav1t S1ngson. He’s well known for having exotic animals in his farm…oh, and for paving the way for former President Estrada’s impeachment. By this time, Lilian and I were sweaty and decided to just snap a couple of pictures and go back to the plaza instead of snooping around Baluarte. The “meter” was running afterall.

I told Mamang Kuchero to take us to the Vigan Shell station as I was instructed via text. When we got off, I saw someone who looked very familiar (thanks to Pen’s litratos) - Kuya Sean. He told us to go around to the main entrance of the clinic where we were welcomed by Ate Joy.

Whereas Tacloban had Raissa’s family, I had Pen’s family in Ilocos. Ate Joy asked, “So how do you know Pen?” I was about to say, “Well, Ate, we were separated at birth, don’t you know?” but opted for the “Well, she has a website and I have a website…”

An hour or so later, Pen called…to tell me to take pictures of “The Twins.” The chikahan lasted awhile and made the place sound like it was a sari-sari store where old women came to gossip (my voice fits the description well).

For lunch, they took us to Grandpa’s Inn (another Judy Ann/Rico Yan movie spot) where we had awesome Filipino food; I ended up devouring the bagnet (fried pork) and as always, I had to ask a stumper question, “Ate, why do they call it bagnet?” No one knows.

After resting (and almost falling off the folded futon in the clinic while dozing off), Lil and I headed back outside. We went back to the Burgos Museum, the birthplace of Father Jose Burgos (one of the three martyr priests who was killed in Rizal Park). The museum was more of Ilocano people stuff versus Burgos stuff. For example, they had pictures of famous Ilocano people hanging on the walls (Pen, why is your picture not up there?).

We went back to Calle Crisologo to observe it by foot where we spotted a couple doing a wedding photoshoot there. My brother (the one who sent me buying three heavy books a few weeks back) asked me to buy him a postcard with a vintage picture of Vigan. Well, as always, the souvenirs were all crap and didn’t find any postcards for him.

Feeling guilty for not yet eating anything that Vigan was known for, we headed over to the Empanadaan, a place where they made the infamous Vigan empanada. Unfortunately, I didn’t try any because I was scared for health reasons. We were on our first day of our week-long trip that would take us from Ilocos all the way to Banaue/Sagada. I wasn’t going to risk getting sick. Kaartehan!

It was nearing nightfall so Lilian and I headed back to the clinic where Ate Joy was still very busy with patients. May potential na maging milyonarya si Ate Joy! HaHa!

We packed their car with our bags and we headed up north to their house. We made a pitstop at Garden Fiesta Restaurant, which is co-owned by Pen. Tarush! Ate Joy told me to take pictures and send it to Pen because she hasn’t seen the place yet. Sister! Businesswoman ka na! The place has a great ambiance. Thumbs up!

Finally, we got to their house and saw the best tourist attraction of all: The Twins. I’ve heard and seen so many pictures of these boys from Pen that my trip wouldn’t have been complete without seeing them in person. Also on hand were Nikki and Pen’s godson, Josh. My goodness, they all look like Kuya Sean! If one tried to run away, I’m sure the townsfolk would know where to send them back. HaHa!

Okay, a rundown: Paul is fatter than Harris so you could tell which one’s which. Harris eats with his hands, while Paul eats by being spoonfed (no wonder he’s fatter than Harris). Harris is pilyo and mas magulo than Paul. The cutest thing I saw that night was Harris sweeping and wiping the floors as if he was cleaning. My guess is he has been hanging out with his yaya too much. HaHa!

After dinner, Lilian and I headed over to the house next door where we spent the night. Thanks once again to Pen’s ghost stories, I asked Lilian to stay in the bedroom while I showered in the bathroom (we slept in the bedroom next door).

The moment my body touched the bed, I was sound asleep until the next morning. Ate Joy told us that the power went out during the night, but Lilian and I never felt a thing. We were knocked out. HaHa!

It Pays to Leave

It's my last day at work.

I should be sad, but...

...I got my last paycheck with severance pay, paid unused sick leaves, and paid unused vacation leaves. Cha-ching!

Now, I can afford my plane ticket back to Seattle! HeHe!

Note to self: 2nd best thing about working in the Philippines (next to thirteenth-month pay) is severance pay!

The Road Well Traveled

I'm actually going to do it. All tickets have been booked!

While I traveled "the road less traveled by" this past 1.5 years, I'm going to do the opposite on my S.E. Asia trip. I will just hit the metropolitan cities/tourist attractions only, without worrying too much about "absorbing the culture" and all that jazz. This is my first multi-city trip afterall and I want to make sure that I come out alive. Oh, and another rule is I'm avoiding all white-sand beaches; I'm beached-out, thanks to my beloved Wow Philippines tour.

Without further ado, here is my set itinerary:
April 13: Jakarta
April 17: Kuala Lumpur
April 21: Siem Reap/Phnom Penh
April 27: Bangkok (Again? Again!)
April 30: Macau/Hong Kong

Okay, that looks rather wimpy, but I'm a newbie, remember? I had wanted to go to Vietnam, but I would've had to arrange for my visa prior to traveling and I don't want to do that. We'll save that when I go to China, India, and Taiwan before I turn 30.

What I don't have is my Manila-Tokyo-Seattle or Manila-Seoul-Seattle ticket. So far, either one will cost an arm and a leg if I make a stopover longer than a day. Hmph! I was thiiiiiiiiiis close to hugging The Little Twin Stars in real life, man! *SIGH.

However, I did find this. I figured, I can go back to the States, drop off my stuff, and head back out to Asia and hit up all the expensive destinations: Japan, Korea, and Taiwan in 21 days. That's if I have enough money for the fare, accommodations, food, and oh yeah, local transportation after S.E. Asia has been said and done.

Donations? Donations, anyone? ;P

Flipped to the Other Side

It is against my personal values to buy Havaianas. For me, flipflops should cost no more than $3 during the summer season. So you could just imagine my disbelief when I found out that people in the Philippines pay $14 for a bunch of rubber soles.

Though, I do have a pair of pink ones myself, a gift from Ninang last Christmas 2005. Well, after almost two years, I also have this pair:



Technically, I didn't buy them. Salve got them for me as a going-away gift (gotta love my co-workers). I actually just wanted the black slim ones; I've been asking Tet about them since February, but haven't seen them in the stores that were supposed to have them. On Sunday, I found a pair at Chocolate at Shangri-La. I still didn't buy them then because I still couldn’t get myself to do it. In fact, I could think of 10 billion other ways to spend my P695...all food-related, by the way. HeHe.

When Salve said she was going to buy me this Zara umbrella that cost some P1,200, I told her that I would rather have the relatively cheaper Havaianas. She said okay, so we trooped down to Shangri-La today after work. (See, my co-workers have this ability to act like a pseudo-boyfriend to me--taking me out to dinner, buying me stuff as gifts, watching movies with me, the works. Who the heck needs a boyfriend when these people are around?)

After she saw the black slim ones, she thought the ones with the flowers looked better. I reminded her that those flowers cost P200 more. She said she'll fork over the money for the price of the black ones and I pay the difference. By some evil force, I did give in to this arrangement. Now I understand how Philippine senators become balimbing all of a sudden. HaHa!

If it's any consolation, they're University of Washington colors. Go Huskies!

Manila, Manila

“…Gaya gaya, puto maya.”

After 26 years, I finally know what puto maya is! After my usual spicy tuyo flakes at Via Mare, I decided to not order the bibingka and listen to Lilian’s suggestion. Hence, I ended up learning something new for the day.

Puto maya turned out to be sticky rice (in Via Mare’s version, with sesame seeds on top), with fresh yellow mango and caramel-like syrup. It was good and filling. Yum!

But the cultural lessons didn’t end there. After buying our bus tickets for our Northern Luzon trip this coming weekend, we went to the National Museum aka Pambansang Museo.

Trivia: When you ride the LRT1, you’ll see a building with “Pambansang Museo” written on it as you approach the Central Station. On the other side of that building, the one facing Intramuros, it says “National Museum.” Well, well, well, it turns out that the museum isn’t in that building! The museum is actually in another building to the left of it! Talk about tricking people!

Unlike the San Agustin Museum, the National Museum was air-conditioned, funded by corporations/individuals, and well-maintained (Though as far as what’s inside, I prefer that San Agustin Museum). There you can find the remnants of the San Diego ship and the skull of the Tabon cave woman. Ha! Yet another proof that women survive longer than men. ;P

I felt there wasn’t much there as I had expected of a “Museum of the Filipino People,” but I went on a Sunday when admission was free so who am I to complain?

Afterwards, Lilian and I ventured to the Fuente circle where the big Lapu-Lapu statue is located. Lil and I said to eachother, “What the heck is Lapu-Lapu doing here?” After so many trips to the Visayas, I’ve come to associate Lapu-Lapu with Cebu.

In the background was the Department of Tourism building where I was at last February 14. The Lapu-Lapu statue turned out to be what I kept seeing from the balcony of Ace’s office that day. Yihee, memories! HaHa!

Walking a little further, Lilian and I ended up in Luneta. Now back in 2002, people kept telling me not to go there because it wasn’t a safe place. As I have proven over and over, this world is simply full of paranoia.

I didn’t feel unsafe at all. Luneta is full of people, at least on Sundays, just sitting on the grass with their families and loved ones. As usual, there were a few tourists on the loose, too.

For me, if you haven’t been to Luneta, then you haven’t been to Manila. Corny as it may sound, but I felt really Filipino there. Along the walkway were uniformed sari-sari stores, selling their usual drinks and sitsiryas. Roaming around were the one-man mobile vendors selling green mango, taho, and dirty ice cream. I assumed the fishball vendor was out sick so I didn’t see him. Kids were running around while their parents were sitting on the grass. All these were going on while the cool Manila Bay breezes were keeping everyone from running to the nearest mall.

Near the Roxas Boulevard side, markers were placed where Jose Rizal and the 3 priests (Burgos, Gomez, Zamora) were executed. There is also a wall where Jose Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios” is written along with its Tagalog and English versions.

And Luneta won’t be Luneta without the Rizal statue with two armed guards who I always used to just see from a car window as I passed by it on Friday afternoons in 2002. It’s actually pretty nice with the Philippine flags flying high on both sides. You can’t help but feel a little patriotic.

Lilian and I walked along Roxas Boulevard to find a place where we can finally just put our feet up. We passed by my old office – the U.S. Embassy - and I couldn’t believe it has been 5 years already since I interned there. Man, I am getting old! We were thirsty and was going to park our butts at the Starbucks that I used to frequent, but I reminded Lilian that if we just wait a little longer, real food awaited us.

We walked towards the Ermita Church and hailed a jeep to take us to my former suki mall in 2002 – Robinson’s Ermita. And no trip to Manila would be complete without eating at Aristocrat on the top level of the mall (which didn’t used to be there…my former co-intern, Alexis, and I used to have to hail a cab to go to the Roxas Boulevard branch to get our Filipino food fix). I added an order of sago’t gulaman with my usual boneless chicken barbecue. O di ba, Pinoy na Pinoy!

Ahh, Manila. If we could just fix some of our major problems in the country, I wouldn’t have to “miss” this place because I would stay here for good. Sniff.

Softer than a Softie

Big girls don’t cry. I guess that makes me a friggen little girl then.

My See You Later party was held today at work. I thought I would make it without shedding a tear, but I should’ve known better: tears fell continuously. Dammit.

Give Me the Mic

Yesterday, on a whim, three co-workers and I headed over to Red Box in Makati after work to alleviate each other's respective stressessessess.

Man, talk about the mother of all karaoke places! The artsy fartsy, modern ambiance was great. We had our own air-conditioned room, with two mics, a leather sofa, where we ate our dinner buffet with two drinks. The bill came to about P600+/person which wasn't cheap, but it was all worth it.

I enjoyed it so much that I had to ask, "Do people come here alone to sing?" It's a good thing that I'm about to leave Manila or else I might be hooked on coming here every night. ;P

Wanna Be Amazing Race

Let's just say that if I joined the Amazing Race and we ended up in Manila, I would be the first to cross the finish line. Guaranteed!

Phil: "In this detour, you are to acquire three Philippine history books at two locations for your eldest brother..."

One of my S.E. Asia travel mottos (as if I have many!) is to set out early. You get to avoid the crowds, the traffic, and most important of all, the heat. I woke up at 6AM, got to the MRT station at 7AM via a tricycle (P12) and rode it all the way to the Taft Avenue stop (P12). From there, I rode the LRT1 to Central Station (P15). I crossed the street in front of Lawton to the edge of Intramuros where a few pedicabs were waiting. The first pedicab driver wanted P25, but I wanted P20 (I figured he was giving me the tourist price, but really, I don't know the going rate for a person's pedaling power) so I kept walking. A few minutes later, another pedicab offered the ride for P20. It was a smooth ride until we neared Real Street; it was a bumpy ride from there due to the cobblestone road. Total expenses: P59.

Ahh, San Agustin Museum. I was here last June with Lilian when we explored Fort Santiago and Intramuros. But when we got here, there was a wedding so we didn't get to explore the church. At that time, I was also not aware that there was a museum. Well, I'm glad I came back.



I might have only spent P59 to get here, but I spent P3,500 on the book that my brother wanted me to get. Making the most of my purchase, I asked the security guard and the museum director if I could get in for free.

Museum Director: "Okay, pero hindi palagi ito ha."
Me: "Hindi naman po ako ulit bibili ng libro na P3,500 e. HeHe."

Total money saved: P80. I know, I know, it's not much, but hey, the best things in life are free and the museum lived up to that cliche.

The San Agustin Museum is the oldest church in the Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While Singapore prides itself with "The largest" somethings, you'll often find that the tourist sites in the Philippines are "The oldest" somethings...and this is one of them.

While waiting for the security guard to write me an original receipt for the book, I looked around and saw a picture of "St. Augustine." Then, it clicked: San Agustin = St. Augustine. Crap. St. Augustine = the guy who wrote Confessions of St. Augustine = the book that I hated in my last Theology class in college because I couldn't understand any of it. Blasphemy!



Moving on, Mina, moving on, (literally and figuratively!) I walked around the museum. It's actually a monastery that was converted into a museum so it's huge (two floors and a garden. Cameras were not allowed in each room where most of displays were, so the only pictures I have are of the hallways and facade...which don't give the museum justice. You just have to see them yourself.


The place has a "Da Vinci Code" vibe to it thanks to the tomb of the founder of Manila, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, inside the church itself (I actually wasn't so sure if we should be glorifying someone who made my ancestors lose their original religion and culture--whatever those may have been--but I'll just leave the rallys and marches to the U.P. Philippine history students should they feel the need to do so).



Also buried there is Juan Macias, the architect who built the church. And that's not all! Also buried there are the Zobels/Ayalas. They even have a property inside a church! Go figure.



There are also crypts in another section of the museum. Where these crypts are used to be the dining room of the priests. I would've picked another place to start building the crypts, thank you very much. If you're ever there, check out crypt #87: National Artist Juan Luna's. Yup, found that one on my own. I'm cool, I know.

On the second floor, you'll find the "the 68 choir seats carved in molave with fine inlays, the big lectern with cantorals, and the XVIII Century (that's 18th century for those who failed roman numerals in elementary school) pipe organ." The cantorals are huge song books with lyrics and notes for the choir. They were written on thick parchment paper and I feel bad for whoever had to write those back in the day. Just like when I jaywalked in Singapore, I also did something "bad" in the San Agustin Museum, I touched a cantoral...eventhough they specifically said outside to not touch anything. That's why I know they were written on "thick" parchment paper. HeHe.

You'll also find Fr. Blanco's Garden in the back of the museum. "Father Manuel Blanco, 'the prince of Botany,' pioneered in the study of medical plants in the Philippines." I was about to say that he must be rolling in his grave by now judging by the look of his garden in present day, but I stopped myself after remembering that he concentrated on medical plants and not landscape artistry. You'll know what I mean when you see the garden. ;P



After two hours in an un-air-conditioned building, I was ready to leave. I tried to find a pedicab, but none were to be found. I started walking towards Manila Cathedral and ended up flagging down a taxi. I should've known better. I spent P85 to get to UST, which should've only cost me P30 had I taken a pedicab and FX. Darn the heat for making me yearn for air-conditioning ASAP! Being my first time at the UST campus, I got off as soon as I saw the first part of the UST campus...which was on Lacson Street...instead of driving around and working the taxi meter.

It turns out that the UST Publishing Press is all the way across the campus on Espana Street. Had I taken an FX, I would've been dropped off right there! Say no to taxis when traveling!

Anyway, UST = University of Sto. Tomas = University of St. Thomas for you English-speaking folks = the oldest university in the country = my mom's alma mater.



Too bad that the first building I ended up at was where KFC, McDonald's, Hotshots, and other food joints were at; I lost any sort of historic vibe for the place. Ang arte! HeHe.

Ahh, lookie, looks like I'm in Europe somewhere. Work with me: the statues on top of the rooftops!



To the left, to the left... (a la Beyonce)



To the right, to the right... (a la Mina's corny joke)



Once I got to the UST Press bookstore, I snagged another two heavy books for my brother for P2550. Trying to get something for free again, I asked the woman at the bookstore if they had a free map of the campus so that I could look around. Unfortunately, all she could offer me were bookmarks which I gladly passed up. She actually said, "Oo nga, basura lang yan." Hey, she said it, I didn't. ;P

Making sure not to make the same mistake twice in a span of one hour, I hailed an FX to take me back to Lawton (P10), rode the LRT1 to the Edsa Station (P15), then MRT (P12), then tricycle (P6) to get home.

Phil: "Mina, you're the first to cross the finish line."

Woot.

He's Coming

Oh my goodness! He's coming!

(Breathe in, breathe out)

After oh so many weeks of waiting (for that darn website to be updated), it turns out that Rain will be in Japan when I'm there (well, as long as I strategize!). This is the greatest going away gift ever! Ever, I tell you!

Or I can also try to catch him in Taiwan at the end of this month...but I don't know anyone who can buy me an advance ticket there so maybe that's not a good idea.

God, I have to see this boy live before I leave Asia! Please, please, please!

Not Renewing

Yesterday, I finally got the courage to tell my boss that I'm not re-newing my contract.

April 2 will be my last day at W0rld Visi0n in the Ortigas office.

I'm sure my mom is now counting the days until I return home so that she can snap that umbilical cord back into place. ;P

Katas ng Snowman

I think I never announced it on here, but I did win the "Decorate Your Cubicle" contest at work back in December. Everyone voted for the cubicle with snow made out of cotton...



...and the snowmen representing each person in the office.



What did I get for gluing styrofoam balls at night for a week? A one-night stay in a one-bedroom suite at Discovery Suites.

Last night, I availed it and let me tell you, it was heaven on Earth: the cable tv, the a/c, the hot water, the big bed, the soft sheets, the excellent service by staff. Gosh, I love the first world! I love it, I love it, I love it!

Anyway, I would highly recommend Discovery Suites to anyone planning to stay in Manila. You can't go wrong. Promise!

It's All a Bunch of Croc

I met up with Tita T, Tito E, and cutie-pie Erin to have dinner at Serendra (my first time there). After getting our fill at Conti's (Bravo, Mango Bravo!), we headed back to the parking lot, but ended up at a pit-stop: the Crocs store.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Tita T made Erin try on two pairs while I kept whispering, "No, Erin, no." I'm sure the salespeople wanted to throw me out of the store as I was ruining their sales figures for the day (I do wonder how many pairs they sell each day).

My telepathic messages got to Erin well because we came out with no bags whatsoever. Score! As we were walking to the car, I told Tita T, "I refuse to have a cousin with a pair of those!" I should've put on a tantrum right then and there to make a stronger case. ;P

Anyway, I'm sure they're comfy. I'm sure you can walk for days with those on, but can we please find footwear that looks more...umm...aesthetically-pleasing? They remind me of those jelly shoes back in elementary school which were Hideous (with a capital H)!

So please, please, stay away from Crocs! I beg you! Save this world! I promise I won't yell at you anymore for buying flip flops that are $14 (a.k.a. Havaianas) because at least they look "decent."

Travel List

The first forum I ever joined was for *NSYNC (circa late '90s).
The second one was for Mac users (PhilMug!).
Now, I have graduated and joined BootsnAll.

For one simple reason: travel planning sucks! I need all the help I can get!

Maybe because the best way to travel is to not plan at all, but since I will be on a limited budget, I have a "the meter is running" mentality for each day that I'm not back in Seattle. HaHa!

It's looking like this:
- Bali
- Jakarta
- Kuala Lumpur (yeah, I'm skipping Singapore)
- Bangkok (to meet up with a co-worker)
- Siem Riep (oh Angkor Wat, I can't wait!)
- Phnom Penh
- Macau (depends on AirAsia's price)
- Hong Kong (been there, done that, but it's a hub to get to Manila)
- Manila (to get all my crap)
- Tokyo (the dream is about to become a reality!)
- Seattle (mi casa es su casa)

I want to insert Seoul right before Tokyo, but I'm still praying to God that I'll win the Lotto tomorrow to make it all happen (or I find a chingu who can promise me he/she knows where I can see K1m Rae W0n in the flesh. HaHa!).

I'm willing to skip the Macau/Hong Kong stops should there be a cheaper flight to Manila available from Phnom Penh (doubt it).

It's so nice and grand to look at the list, but I'm still trying to convince myself that it's okay to go to Bali and Jakarta alone(no thanks to the latest airline disaster today). I figured once I get there, the rest of the trip will be done (and thy will be done!).

I have hired, err, I mean, asked Roy to take me around Tokyo so that's a winner (Rick will you be a winner, too? HaHa!). Lilian will be with me in Bangkok and Siem Reap/Phnom Penh, so that's awesome possum. The only problem is really Jakarta and Bali. Where are your friends when you need them?

And fyi, I have figured out my logistics problem regarding "my stuff." I will spend the money to ship my Starbucks mugs (all nine of them, baby!) and other things via DHL. I will leave my 28-inch luggage in Manila, then go around SE Asia, then come back to Manila for the 28-inch luggage, duffel bag with wheels, and Papa the Powerbook. Genius, eh?

I just can't believe that it's friggen March already! I still need to make a budget spreadsheet and itineraries! Ahh, procrastination still lives!

Promdi

I watched ChristianBautista at The Podium today. I thought I was over the boy, but apparently not. As he sang song after song, all I kept saying to myself was, "I really gotta get me a promdi boy." HaHa!

Crystal Clear Vision

I got new glasses (and contacts) as I always do every two years. It was cheaper to get them here than in Seattle, but the prices still made a dent in my wallet (we only get P3,000 for dental and optical allowance combined). Regardless, I love my new glasses, though they don’t look too different from my old ones.

The sales woman tried to get me to buy the thick framed ones (yung uso ngayon), but I dismissed the idea eventhough I thought I should go for a new look. Hindi ko talaga carry e plus mukha akong trying hard. Let’s stick with sexy and simple than uso and trying hard. ;P

No Go For The Land Down Under

My hopes of going to Australia and New Zealand during Holy Week (and before I set off for my Asia Travel) have been dashed. *SNIFF.

Why, oh why, don't my family and I share the same interests? Tsk.

I'm also starting to think that there should be a "Travel Buddy" business in this world to help the lone travelers like me.