May 22, 2012

LET'S LEAVE IT THAT WAY

I once shared with you guys the rift that happened between me and Zelda. Well, it's turning one year old tomorrow, May 23, 2012.

Honestly, all our friends really wanted us to patch things up. Who doesn't? But I always tell them that it will just happen. When, who knows.

Last Saturday, someone was calling me. The number is not registered on my phone but it looks familiar. I already had a hunch who was calling me but I made it sure and dialled the number on my other phone. And yes, it was Zelda.

I didn't answer her calls, instead I called up our friends, Clarice, Ryan and Brian and asked them why she (Zelda) is calling me. They all told me that she's inviting for their town fiesta. They also added that I should pick up the call or text Zelda and make amends. I insist.

The next day, after countless phone calls to our friends...I sent Zelda a text message "yes? was busy yesterday..." and then after 5 minutes, she called up and that time, I picked it up.

The conversation was a bit casual, like nothing happened. I said that I'll try to come.

By 5pm, I drove to Heritage Homes in Marilao where they live. Our friends, Ryan and his wife, brian, Clarice and her new boyfriend were already there when I arrived.

Then came Zelda's dad, then Mael (Zelda's husband who's also our classmate way back in highchool) then Zelda's mom. The three of them seemed happy to see me again after a long long time. Kept asking how have I been while I'm wondering where Zelda is. They said that Zelda's inside the house fixing things.

Then Zelda came out...

If you guys were expecting for a tearful meet-up...sorry, it didn't happen.

Zelda only spoke to me twice if I remember it right...one was when she asked me to eat, second when she asked me what to drink. 

Maybe she's really busy but I felt the cold treatment she was giving me. I know her so well.

So I was just there, sitting and having drinks with Ryan and Melody, Mael and Brian. Clarice and her boyfriend left early.

I went inside the house to pee, but I was really looking for an opportunity for Zelda and me to talk. No luck on the the first time.

I went inside again to pee. when I went out, Zelda was eating at the dining table together with a girl and Melody. So I approached them.

I was standing in front of Zelda while she kept on munching. She did talk to me. Again, nothing dramatic happened. I exited politely as if I'm a complete stranger who just had a small talk with the owner of the house.

That small talk, that moment inside with Zelda, made me realize two things. THINGS HAVE CHANGED AND WE WILL NEVER BE FRIENDS AGAIN.

I grabbed my phone and sent Ryan, Brian and Carol a text message. I told them that I wanted to go home and that I was offended by the way Zelda talked to me. They agreed and so we bid Mael and Zelda goodbye.

Time can really change a lot of things and can change people as well for the good or for the bad and that change is part of life and we cannot avoid it.  

I felt so stupid swallowing my pride and coming to their home that day and Zelda just sat there, munching and told me that I should be grateful that she called me up and invited me.

But let's just leave it that way.

If she felt like she was force to invite, sorry. If she felt that she don't want me to be her friend...the feeling is mutual.

May 5, 2012

VROOOOOM...

I just wanna share with you guys a couple of photos I have while driving, thanks to Rose.


Sorry, it's hard to take some pictures while you are behind the wheel.


The photos were taken when we decided to go for a road trip September of last year.






April 18, 2012

MAMA'S BIRTHDAY 2012

It's the eve of my mama's birthday that night, March 15, 2012 so I decided to buy her a cake and surprise her when I get home.

I bought this cake from Kitchen of Cakes called 7th Heaven and this musical candle. Cute.



When I got home, I woke up mama and gave her the cake. Of course I greeted her and hugged her and kissed her. 


On the day of her birthday, we all went to Banana Leaf in Trinoma. I think it's a Thai Restaurant base from the food on their menus
Simple yet memorable.





April 17, 2012

MEETING KARA DAVID

Last Friday, April 13, 2012 while waiting in line at the check-in counter of Cebu Pacific Air bound for Roxas, me and my crew saw Kara David, a well-seasoned reporter of GMA 7.

I am a fan, I have to admit that. I grew up watching some of her reports and documentaries on GMA particularly on I-Witness.

So we approached her and humbly asked if we can have a picture together, in which she agreed.

Here it is, with Kara David.

ZAMBOANGA, THE LATIN CITY IN ASIA

The plane bound for Zamboanga departed around 5:15am. I was with my Cameraman to spend 3 days of coverage down south. We were welcomed by the people from DOT Zamboanga the hotel where we will stay.


I was still sleepy when we arrived at Garden Orchid Hotel, one of the posh hotels in Zamboanga. We had our breakfast, a short meeting on what's gonna happen for the next 3 days then off we went to work.


Our first shoot was about this certain crab called "CURACHA" that cost Php 450/kilo in the market. Why it's pricey? Well, people need to get them under the waters of Sulu Sea and have it transported to Zamboanga. Restaurants, particulary Alavar Restaurant serves Curacha crabs with their infamous Alavar Sauce.


I got to taste it and yes it's delicious!

We went to this area in Zamboanga that's similar to Baywalk in Manila, the only difference is that the water is clean.



DAY 2

The next day, we went to this downtown carinderia that serves Tiula Itum or black soup in English. One bowl cost Php 50.00.



The Tiula Itum is a soup made from burned coconut meat mixed with a lot of herbs and spices. The soup also contains some  slices of beef meat.


By noon, we went up a house situated on top of the mountains of Zamboanga. The house is owned by a couple whose both doctors. They even have lanais. You can see the entire Zamboanga region from up there.




Then we head back to shoot the Dia de Zamboanga Festival at the grandstand where five (5) entries competed for the Zamboanga Seal Competition.




On our last day, we visited Sta. Cruz Island which is about 30m minutes away from Zamboanga City.

The island is tagged as the "Pink Beach" because of its pinkish sand that is produced by the crushing of red and white corals. The island is 15 minutes away from Basilan, so for safety reasons we have our security escorts with us.





I got to pose with a Vinta, Zamboanga's distinct boat with colorful sails.




I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of DOT Zamboanga for all their help and assistance to us.


Muchas Gracias. I'm looking forward to go back to Zamboanga as a tourist.