swingapore post

District 12, SINGAPORE--In my nearly five months of living in the tidy tiny island of Singapore (Singapoh), I've had to deal with the usual string of questions that start out with 'where are you from, why did you move to Singapore, do you like it so far?'. Well, obviously I'm Filipino but here's why I moved to Singapore and what I've learned to like/love/hate (depending on the day) in this 'fine' city:

1. I don't have to be subjected to crazy bus drivers in Singapore
2. at the same time, no one has to be subjected to my uh, driving skills
3. everything works like clockwork in Singapore
4. when you're in the ferry queue to bintan at 7am and you haven't had coffee being told to 'please follow one line' just doesn't work
5. i have learned to do my own laundry, make my own bed, breakfast, clean the toilet, use a screwdriver and hammer!!
6. i have shrunk many clothes and nearly lost a hand in the process
7. singapore is a melting pot--i've met norwegians, kiwis, aussies, brits,scots, welsh and the dutch
8. from these mix of people i have learned that a small backpack in england is called a 'rucksack', in australia you don't make out but you 'pash', say 'skal' when drinking with the norwegians or 'proost' with the dutch, and when the kiwis offer you anything with vegemite, politely refuse and run for the door (sorry helen!)
9. change your language settings to UK English: authorise, analyse, favourite, colour, whilst
10. say 'bloody hell' when you're 'pissed' or worse when you're 'sloshed' then when you're ready to call it a night, say you're 'going back', you had a 'lovely' time but you're really 'knackered' (this i love!)
11. travel is good in singapore, you can hop on a bus/train to malaysia, a ferry will take you to indonesia, and budget carriers can take you as far as perth
12. alternatively, you can hire a car and drive around the country for the 1 hour that it takes to get from end to end (and you wonder why the 'get-out-of-singapore-once-a-month' policy is the only way to maintain your sanity)
13. it's an english-speaking country
14. ok, it's more like a singlish speaking country and if you find yourself squinting in concentration trying to understand the locals, don't worry because they're probably squinting right back at ya
15. the best indian food, noodles, chicken rice and chilli crab around
16. did i mention these were all fried?
17. independence
18. too much independence
19. happy hour and free flow wines at 1 for 1 rates
20. still double the price of a vodka seven in manila
21. meeting new friends
22. missing your old and best ones

I'll leave it to Reese and Jan to post something on the 'sights' here in Sing. Flight details Reese!

Good times

Makati City, PH -- Thursday ended with a good and fun vibe after meeting young, beautiful and brilliant people at Kate Torralba’s show in Piedra. While Risa was enjoying India, I was having good conversations with a Lomo fanatic, a graphic artist, a fashion assistant, and fine arts students who wanted my jacket. =) Do I sound bitter, Reese?


I’ve been in an artsy mood for the past few weeks after realizing that there are SOOO many good Filipino artists than most of us are aware of. Kate started the show singing Edie Brickell's "Good Times" which gave me a last song syndrome until the following day. The clothes shown were fabulous.. if only I had a longer pair of legs to match it with. Oh well, 3-inch killer shoes will always be there and I will always be half-French in the eyes of a Cambodian tour guide.


In other words, ang ganda ko pa din! =)

zoolanders

Kerala, INDIA -- namaste from trivandrum, kerala! i'm at a beachside city south of delhi. it's pretty laidback out here. went to the trivandrum zoological gardens. it ain't san diego zoo but the mom & i had fun camwhoring with the friendly locals in between looking at the animals.
the place is a bit rundown & its residents didn't look too happy (who wouldn't be living in a cage forever).apparently this is the place indian men take their women on romantic strolls. must have seen ten lovey dovey couples scattered around the place.
highlights were the majestic (and sleepy-looking)himalayan black bears.
zoo entrance fee: 6 rupees
camera ticket: 20 rupees
sight of 2 mongoose humping by the exit:priceless

i'm on holiday!

Changi Airport, SINGAPORE -- i've got 7 hours to kill before our flight to india. it's a thursday, and i'm out of the office! such a welcome change. it's my first time here in the lion city and i'm amazed at how huge the airport is.
we're leaving for trivandrum tonight then heading to new delhi tomorrow.
to psyche ourselves for our trip to the land of the elephants (tigers?) trixie and i had the thali meal with vegetable biryani and some roti prata. and then, since we have an unnatural fear of starving in a foreign land, we ate our baon chocolate krinkles from goldilocks. so pinoy! haha.

zsa zsa ze muzical

Manila, PH --now here's someone who can give darna & wonderwoman a run for their superhero money: zsa zsa zaturnna! on its latest run, the musical based on carlo vergara's heroine is back to deliver endless laughs. my fave was nar cabico, the actor who plays didi the assistant. you rock!
and i'm now a fan of k brosas (zsa zsa). the woman is gay-er than gay!mabuhay ka babaeng bakla!

by far the best review received by the show:
"in fairness, ang juicy ni dodong!"

the kids like to party

Manila, PH-- shameless plug, boys & girls. it'll be the birth anniversary of our friend (+)mabel next month. to celebrate we do an annual kiddie party. if you want to help out & get your fill of dirty ice cream, cotton candy & some wicked parlor games (!) call or email me. it'll be fun.
here's the official invite:

FUN ART!

What: Party time!

Who: 130 (7-12 year old) boys of The Haven

When: 14^th July 2007, Saturday (Mabel’s birthday!)

Where: The Haven, Alabang-Zapote Road, Muntinlupa City

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yes, it's party time once again… this year, our theme is FUN ART! Do come and join us in spending an afternoon with the kids.

We are now planning the arrangements for food, games and prizes, gift-giving activity and a short art workshop for the kids. Each boy will also be receiving a souvenir art kit at the end of the party.

Let us know if you would like to donate or sponsor anything. You may choose among the food carts (apart from the party meal), group prizes and institutional gifts. You can also sponsor a souvenir art kit for PHP 100.00 per child. Here are the items included in the art kit:

* (Oslo paper size) drawing book

* 1 box of colored pencils

* 1 box of crayons

* Pencils

* Eraser

* Sharpener

* Watercolor kit

(* Art kit/reusable bag)

For the institutional gifts, you may give toiletries, (white) t-shirts, slippers, etc. Should you wish to donate anything else not mentioned here, please feel free to do so. We will appreciate any help that you can give to these boys.

Please advise by 02^nd July, Monday, if you would like to donate anything or sponsor an art kit, and if we will be expecting you at the party on the 14^th. Let us know through return email any questions you guys might have.
- trina b

freakin' social security

NEPTUNE, outer space - okay here it is--- the reason i haven't been writing in this blog is because my old (boxtype)laptop (joy, you know what i'm talking about) is already in intensive care, and i don't know how to fix it because i'm in neptune (new jersey, that is-- but i'm sure we're pretty near pluto), and because my brother is not here to fix it, and i have yet to meet (anyone?) any computer whiz here, i wanted to buy a new laptop, but i need a credit card to build my credit history so that i will be able to buy things (like a car, an apartment...etc.), but i can't get a credit card because i still don't have a f*&%$ing social security number, because it will take them a month to process all my papers and see if i'm really a legal alien OFW. eto pa -- the best: i can't buy a car until i get a driver's license, which i cannot apply for because i don't have that social security (SS) number; and besides, i can't get a car because i don't have a credit card because i don't have an SS #. at ang pinaka- the best: aside from having no SS#, i can't get a credit card because i don't have a credit history, but how will i have a credit history if i don't have a credit card? in short, did the chicken come from the egg, or did the chicken cross the road? huh?!!!? wow, that's so labo, joe!

and the loveliest thing of all: (as in, numero uno) i have no money to buy any of the things above because i can't receive my paycheck because ..... (all together now) I-DON'T-HAVE-A-F#@!ING-SOCIAL-SECURITY #! so i'm a doctor living on welfare in neptune. kewl!

anybody want to visit me here?

On BanApple, Red Horse & everything Filipino

Quezon City, PH-Here are several things I learned this June:

• Try BanApple if you’re sick of Starbucks and Coffee Bean
Risa’s friend said that the cakes are better than Starbucks, she’s right! I like the iced mocha too but what I like about BanApple is the place itself. It’s small and relaxing and I liked the fact that they were playing Sinatra. The owners were very pleasant too.

• Toppers is comparable to Topshop!
Ditas told me about Topper’s before she left for New Jersey. It’s a very small shop along Katipunan. After 30 minutes of waiting (yes, they have plenty of clients!), they finally got my measurement and I decided to have two mid-rise flared trousers. The fitting was just right and it was perfectly sewn.

• Drinking soda in a plastic bag reminds me of my childhood

• Chocnut is better than Hany’s.

• Red Horse tastes good. Thanks Risa!

• “Forget Regret” – inscribed in the pin I bought at the I love you store =)

sexy jack saves the day

There's no combination of words
I could put on the back of a postcard...

Manila, PH-- the perfect summer song while hatching our south america plans: the sexy, cubanized version of "better together." it's in the rhythms del mundo album that is giving away proceeds from sales to climate change awareness & all these wonderful causes you just have to support. with u2, kaiser chiefs and dido, to boot.

as mutch says, aylavet!

Wishing and Hoping

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Quezon City, PH -- Child Hope is a non-government org which focuses on street kids and aside from private clinics, human resource work and daydreaming, this is what will keep me busy for the next month.
My job is to go to different parts of the metro with a social worker and the ever-reliable driver/pharmacist/mechanic Kuya Marvin, to give the children health care. After 2 days of being in Childhope, all I can say is that a hug or a smile is already worth exposing myself to UV rays, pollution and the occasional instant sauna in the mobile clinic.

8 things to do while waiting for bar results

me pretending to study

Manila, PH--a year ago my life was on hold whilst studying for the philippine bar exams. the long wait (6 months!) for results culminated in one very long day of agony...

1. wake up at 5:30 a.m. (sans alarm) & skip work

2) swim like crazy at a public pool in the morning

3) get drunk before noon at dulcinea

4) anxiously wait in style at the g hotel

5) cry from exhaustion and uncertainty

6) calmly take overseas calls from evidently excited father

7) try to have a quiet dinner and restlessly watch smokin' aces

8) receive good (or bad) news with shock and awe

Waway Saway & the Kadugo Band

Waway Saway played beautifully at the 5th Manila Jazz Festival
watch out for this band from mindanao on the next putumayo album

Playlist for Ditas

Manila, PH-Got some feedback from those who liked the music played during the despedida slideshows including LSS with the Papas Fritas song "Far From an Answer".
Papas Fritas – Far From An Answer
So, made a playlist dedicated to the one who left, it's in my multiply but the order should be like this. Combining songs I used that night, during the shoot and some songs which I find relevant. Sunday DJ blues. Enjoy New York Deets!
Ryan Adams – New York, New York

I saw him first!

Manila, PH-Thomas Enhco ? Is he the kind of guy you oughta be catching ? Hell yeah! This young french musical genius was in town for the 5th Manila Jazz Festival and to meet some of us. He wanted to hang out with the girls really bad. Unfortunately for him, he had an early flight the next day.

Meet Me

Manila, PH- I knew I was born to roam. In spite of my parents’ objections, I learned to commute at a young age. I saved my allowances for a weekend somewhere other than my house. I simply can not stay in one place and if I do, I know deep in my heart that I’m missing a lot of things..there are places waiting to be explored and millions of possibilities in store for me.

Who doesn’t like shopping? Compared to others, I don’t use much of my money shopping but I use it to get somewhere – north or south, beach or mountain, city or rural, quiet or chaotic. So while my sisters and other friends have closets filled with clothes and shoes, I have memories of Broadway, the busy streets of Manhattan, and the stillness of suburban Baltimore on an autumn morning.

I would not know how it feels to actually buy a $200 pair of shoes but I definitely remember how happy my friends and I were when we found a 2 dollar tunic in Siem Reap. Good thing my sisters and I have the same shoe size!

I may not be able to enjoy eating in fancy restos right now but I know nothing compares to authentic Viet cuisine in Ben Thanh market. Champagne is good, Cuba Libre shared with friends and interesting people after a day’s trip around Sagada is better, but a good conversation after seeing L.A.'s The Getty Museum is still on top of my list.

Havana

Manila, PH- one fine sagada morning, a friendly swiss traveler convinced us to visit latin america:
"in argentina they have dinner at 11pm and they party 'til the next morning. the cubans are hot. bolivia is beautiful. all the latino men can dance."
the pseudobackpackers: SOLD!
and so our next big adventure was born - a full month in SA in '08

we'll be going next year since
a) it's going to take us that long to cough up the dough;
b) we can't skip work just yet; and
c) we plan to be fluent in español before we leave.

no specific cities in mind so far but for sure we want to go to brazil, ecuador, argentina, bolivia, peru and cuba.

for now we'll have to content ourselves with havana - havana ktv. the site of our last videoke night with ditas who is leaving on a jet plane on friday.

of course the songs were thematic:
ditas: paalam na
the girls: babalik ka rin
ditas: new york new york
the girls: manila girl

and in honor of our grand south america travel plans we did a messed up version of oye como va

DespeDitas

Lets start this blog girls! I'll start the ball rolling for you with a shot of "Ditas Surprised". This was taken at the despedida for one of the girls. She's leaving this Friday, June 15 for New Jersey. Yes, we will all miss Ditas, but that's what this blog is for. Check out the party photos here, here and here.