Coming Home For Christmas

At exactly 3:50am on Dec 17th, I will be officially feeling Christmas in Manila! No, we don't have snow but the christmas breeze is still what separates Manila from the rest of the world.

Christmas is my most favorite holiday of the year!! I've always been looking forward to it every year (aside from my birthday, of course).The best thing about Christmas, is that it's a time spent with family, friends and every one dear to me. There's just a certain magical feeling of happiness at this time of the year. If only it can be felt the whole year. :)

This year, I am going home!! Woohoo!! Excited to be back and celebrate a real Filipino Christmas. I have so many friends and Filipino friends here in Phnom Penh, but honestly, nothing beats Christmas in Manila. Like right now, I still can't feel Christmas here because almost everything looks the same. Yes, there are christmas lights along the tress in Norodom. But still, there's something missing.

More than the Christmas spirit in Manila, it's the family that I am excited to see. What's so extra special this year is that many will be gathered for a special occasion--wedding of our dear cousin. My sister, aunt, uncle and cousin are all leading to Manila. It's been years since I've seen one of our youngest cousin. As most of us will be home, it's going to be a busy yet fun Christmas.

Who am I expected to see this year?

the whole family


more relatives

Queenie, my cousin


Alex--my nephew


98s

Plus more inaanaks that I owe big time!! Merry Christmas and thank you for a wonderful 2010!!

Crazy November

It's been months since i last posted something on this blog. Busy? Yeah!! November is one of the craziest months I had this year. Crazy yet funny. So many things happened which made time passed by sooo fast. And in 2 days, December na!!! So what really happened for the past 4 weeks?

FIRST
2 of my girl friends came back to Cambodia. One from Philippines and another one from down under (Australia). So what happened, a much awaited girls night out/birthday celebration in Siem Reap

me, Nettie, Beck, Teresa and Jessie

2ND
One of my crazy and award winning creative brod (UPLB Com Arts Society) visited me during the Water Festival. We stayed in PP during the first day of Water Festival then off to Siem Reap on the 2nd day. Glad that he had fun the whole time.

here's us at Angkor What Bar

birthday cake for our dear brod Jonalou

3RD
Thanksgiving dinner organized by our dear friend Tyra. It was kinda unplanned but the good thing was, everyone showed up!! Love these people!
4TH
Friday before F's much awaited vacation. The goal was to party hard..and eventually get drunk. I believe, we were able to do that! So no pics of me due to unexplainable reason. Lol!

F and Tyra

5TH
Fousing's birthday eve at Darlin Darlin' in Nagaworld. The actual birthday celebration happened at Fly Lounge.

Fousing and Franco

me and Fousing

6TH: Attended the VIP Membership event at Riverhouse Lounge.

7TH: Working on 1 major campaign which has been presented for 3 times already. Tough huh!

8TH: Fixed my ticket to Manila (woohoo!!)

9TH: Got my old account back, in addition to my current account. More work!!

So much have been done (professional and social life) and I am just proud of myself. Hahaha! Loving life, friends and work. Thank God for all the blessings! Next stop, December! It'll be filled with love (2 weddings to attend to), gift-giving (Christmas and New Year) and bonding (with family and friends).

Holiday Day 2

After almost 3 months of work-focused days (including weekends), the much awaited holiday season is on! WoohoO!! Who else can't be excited?

Pchum Ben marks the holiday season every year. This holiday for the dead where people go to their hometown lasts for 5 days. Now that's really cool!! Phnom Penh becomes a ghost town and some people get this chance to go out of town (Siem Reap or Sihanoukville) or out of the country like Bangkok (where F and D are right now) or Vietnam. While others would be partying hard/shopping in another world, some people just wants to enjoy the serenity of Phnom Penh. That's anther side that someone should explore.

Roads are sooo clear. Traffic doesn't exist. Some shops are closed. Quiet. All we need are DVDs, drinks, chips and a comfy chair or a bed to sleep in. Home. That's where I am to be found during these days.

But that me-being-anti-social won't last for more than a day.

So now, on the second day of holiday, it's time to go out! Friday night. Relax.Drink.Laugh with friends.

Ciao!

My first Job

Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are [Debut Single]

New fave song...sana may kumanta sakin nito :)

A Surprise Chanel

Last Thursday night, we attended F Magazine's 1st yr anniversary party at Diamond Island. It was a fab party with all the must-see people in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (like Don and Loven) arrived in all glamour.

But the most glamorous of the night is the Chanel bag given to the Best Dressed of the Night. Bagged by no other than yours truly, thanks to Don Protasio for that super duper fab red dress that made me the envy of all the girls. It was a total surprise to get that award that literally made me speechless (aside from the fact that I don't want to talk too much coz I might just cough).

And here's the bag that everyone's asking me about

:) Now the pressure to dress up more is on me

The Weekend that Was

People say I party too much. But hey, I don't party unless it's necessary. Necessary meaning there's something to celebrate; with people I haven't seen for too long; stressed with work; someone's broken heartes (lol!) etc... I can list a hundred of reasons to party. And last week, I had all the reasons to party.

Started Thursday night when T and E arrived from Siem Reap with JB (E's brother) and Julio (T's cousin). It was nice because I've always wanted my REP gang to party with me here in PP. And it happened so I have to make sure their PP trip will be fun!

It was a very good night! Had dinner at Sugar Palm then Sky Bar and Riverhouse. Went home around 2am to get 5 hours sleep and report to work that same day.

Friday came, T and Julio had to fly to Koh Samui. So, I brought JB and E at Blue Chili. At first, I was just telling E that its a bar so he said yes. When we arrived, was surprised he was cool about it. Hahaha! He was cool until ....


Our Friday night ended at 4am (after Nagaworld and Heart of Darkness) and just in time for me to lose my voice.

Come Saturday, I had to rest the whole day. Glued myself on my bed and just went out for dinner with PP friends. We had dinner at Pop Cafe and surprisingly, our dear Rattanak just arrived in PP as well!!

At Pop Cafe with Fousing


We then had 1 drink at Fly (even without Soap)


Here's Rattanak and Fousing



After Fly, had to rush to FCC to meet these guys (E and new found friend Jessie). After here, we all headed to Saint Tropez for 1 more drink.

Woke up a bit sick on Sunday but had to go to my dear Romyr's birthday cruise around 4pm. It was well attended, showing how Romyr is so loved by his friends and celebrity friends. Yes! Celebrities were invited!! And they came! Hahaha!

with Fousing and Franco


with Mother Gaye


Franco working it

here are 2 tipsy guests Donatella and Arnie

It was indeed a happy party weekend for me. Unfortunately, I've pushed myself too much that I had to stay home yesterday (Monday) to get back all my energy. Besides, have to make sure that I am 100% super dooper okay by Thursday for another fab party! After that, have to give myself a break...a long break :)

Back to REP

After more than 3 months, I finally decided to go back to Siem Reap to see my friends and take a much needed break.It was a kinda' long planning but it wasn't till last week, after all the stress that me and Fousing had, we decided to spend our weekend there. In a day, we were able to book for our bus tickets and hotel (Free accommodation at Angkor Village Resort!)Arrived on Saturday afternoon and was immediately welcomed with a serene environment of the resort hotel.

Our room was just lovely and homey


but i love the bathroom more.


We went straight to Alley West to check out the


Green Market


with F and Don.

That same day was actually the first day of Green Market. Lots of the shops on Alley West are on sale. Luckily, I was able to get 1 dress from Don. :) Was supposed to wear it that night, but I didn't have the right shoes.

While checking other stuff, Loven took a pic of me on the same graffiti wall that we did for F Magazine. See the change on the wall.

before

after 3 months

Our day continued that night by catching up with our REP friends.

Dinner at Kanell


With 2 of my ladies- Beck and Teresa


finally met Freedom (the cute kiddo)

It was a fun 24 hrs in Siem Reap. Just don't know yet when will be the next time.

Yum Yum

sticky rice with mango and coconut

Crispy Rice Flakes with Banana and sugar palm syrup

Nike - Write The Future - The Making of

First Filipino Concert in Cambodia

Last Friday, had dinner at Bistro Lorenzo with friends. Was a bit late coz had to finish some home duties. When I arrived, was surprised why there were so many people in the restaurant. When I entered, that's when I realized the Jed Madela and Laarni Lozada were there. They're in PP for a concert. Wasn't really planning to watch but later that night, when I saw Donatella at Blue Chili, I decided to buy the ticket and watch.Arrived at 3:30pm yesterday sa Spark but the show started late. But who cares! It was a super fun concert! Galing ni Jed at Laarni! Their singing prowess is equal to goosebumps.

Jed sang OPM medley, love songs, teleserye medley, his dad's fave songs medley and super birit songs.

After about an hour, Laarni came in with another set of birit songs! Super bait nya na kahit kumakanta, she allowed people to take pictures.

Last to perform is Chokoleit who brought the house down with his comedic talent.

And after Chokoleit's stint, Laarni went back for a few songs. Then, the show ended around 7:30pm with the 3 artists rockin' the venue while everyone was dancing.

Upcoming Bohol Trip

In 2 weeks, I will be leaving for Manila for 1 week vacation. Yes, kahit short trip, uuwi ako! Because its our annual 98s summer shebang!! And this year, its Bohol beybeh!! Dahil limited lang ang time namin, Jao --who owns an hacienda in Bohol called Hacienda Abarado-- planned the itinerary for us.

Day 1- straight from the airport, super mabilisang pagbaba ng mga gamit sa Hacienda Abarado then our journey starts

sight-seeing sa Loboc River

Lunch sa floating resto (eto yung nasa movie nina JLC at BA na Close To You)

kodakan with tarsier.

and more sight-seeing and kodakan sa Chocolate hills

Our first day will then end with a sumptuous dinner at Hacienda Abarado.

Day 2- We'll start our day early...literally early (madaling araw) to go to Balicasag Island for

dolphin/whale watching

Whole day at Balicasag Island, then side trip sa Virgin Island

For dinner, dun na lang kami mag-decide whether dun kumain or bumalik sa Hacienda.


Day 3- Fly back to Manila


I hope...or I know that we'll be able to follow our itinerary. Then it means a post in June should have my Bohol pictures with us on it.