Miggy's is Love!

We were in Parañaque the other day to attend the burial of my beau's lola. RIP, Lola Letty.

On the lighter side of things, we discovered that there was a Miggy's Taco Bar way over that side of the south! Syempre na-excite ako. There used to be a Miggy's branch in BFQC. Doon kami unang nag-date ni Vin! Nagkakahiyaan pa kami kumain noon kasi bago pa lang kami. Every time we took a bite of food, we looked away. Harhar! Anyway, for some reason, all the Miggy's branches we knew of closed shop. We thought wala na sa buong Philippines but lo and behold! There's one lone (and probably the original) Miggy's in BF Parañaque. Winner! So we all had dinner there - me and my man, mom-in-law Tita Vee, and Tito Rey. Imagine the utmost delight that coursed through me soon as my teeth sank into the uberly delicious tacos, cheese flautas and chicken quesadillas! There is absolutely nothing like Miggy's.




Too bad I didn't bring my camera that day so I wasn't able to take photos. Sayang! But my beau and I will definitely go on a road trip just for that. Now we have two places on our dayuhin-para-lang-kumain list: Miggy's in Parañaque and that awesome resto in Pampanga! Wheee!

:)

M-150 Unleashed!

When going to the gym becomes an absolute chore (and believe me, it does), it helps to boost your energy with a bottle of M-150. This morning I did just that. I had a resolve to exercise 5 days straight this week, after loading up on carbs during the weekend. So when I woke up this morning without the usual stamina, I gave myself a push with M-150. Thanks to their product manager, Anne Bernardo, for the stash of these great-tasting energy drinks in my office. My radio show partner, Jada, and I guested her on our show last month to promote the event they were launching.

This event was the M-150 Unleashed Northern Adventure Race that I wanted to join myself. I talked about this on a previous blog entry. Incidentally, Wave 891 was the official radio partner of this race. I wasn't able to register, but my co-djs and Turbo Time hosts Lindy Magnaye and Mike Potenciano were able to join. Luck them! Long drives excite me, and I found the idea of driving from Manila to Baguio to Subic absolutely thrilling! But I couldn't go so I had to settle for live updates over Wave 891 and race results posted on www.m150.com.ph.




For those not in the know, the M-150 Unleashed Northern Adventure Race was perhaps the most exciting motoring event of 2009. It was a strategic race with checkpoints, which you needed to finish in the least time and within the limits of the law. The pit stops were situated in Manila, Baguio, San Fernando, La Union, Dagupan and Subic.

The race happened last September 19. Around 50 teams participated in the event. I remember that particular Saturday started with bright sunshine until early afternoon then it started pouring like crazy until evening. I was following the race updates on the M-150 website. The rain was beating down so hard that afternoon that the teams could hardly see the roads. But the weather did not stop them from getting to their destination. A team or two ran out of gas during the race. And an empty gas tank wasn't the only obstacle. Some teams were already running on empty stomachs later in the day and couldn't wait to get to the finish line. It was an awfully long drive but M-150 kept their energies running steady.

The big race was capped with an equally grand party in Subic. I'm sure the happiest faces that night belonged to the winners. Team Dorifto and Team Gateau de Manille placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The team that bagged the 50K grand prize and bragging rights as the Champs was Team DKC, made up of Arnel Carlos and Nino Sarte. I don't know them but congratulations to you, guys. You can guest on my show anytime. :)

It was one helluva road trip! I bet it was tiring but super fun! Too bad I missed it. But I remember their product manager telling me that M-150 might plan another race after this. Now I have got to join that! Also, since Jada and I are such running fanatics, we suggested a marathon for the next M-150 event. It would be perfect because M-150 is a fantastic energy drink that helps fuel up runners and people who are constantly active. (Speaking from experience.) I'd definitely sign up for that!

You can check out the M-150 website for more updates and photos. I took the liberty of borrowing a few snapshots from the site to post here.










Congratulations to M-150 for a very successful event. We'll be geared up for the next race!

Thinking out loud...

In a newspaper article the other day, I read about a young girl who asked her teacher, "Nasaan si Bro?" Her family was one of the many victims of the Ondoy calamity. Where was "Bro" during the time heavy rains tore through the skies and floodwaters rose to heaven in a matter of minutes?

My buddy and radio show partner, Jada, and I discussed this over breakfast. This was one of the reasons why she does not let her daughter watch certain television shows. I personally think it's quite misleading. It's not right to show God in such fashion where he responds to every beck and call of a child. Adults know that not all prayers are answered. But this is not to put God in a negative light. Not all requests are granted because God has something better planned for you. Or at least that's what our faith / religion teaches. So when a child is so used to seeing a Higher Being constantly answering a tv character's prayers no matter how trivial, he's convinced that Heaven works exactly that way. When Ondoy came beating on their rooftops, the little girl called on "Bro" to save them, or their house probably. But apparently, He was nowhere to be found. Hence the query.

In so many ways, God was present during this ordeal. Many families were saved from the wrath of the typhoon. Villages may have submerged completely in floodwater, but many were able to climb up or swim to safety. This is already a miraculous manifestation of His love. However, many also drowned and died. And although it may seem that He did not answer the prayers and pleas of help that came from those who died, we know that God has His reasons. We know that the Lord is in full control.

I believe that when God says no to a certain request (and believe me, little girl, "Bro" does say no to prayers once in a while), He is trying to teach you something. He wants you to understand something. Or He has a grand plan, something better than what you are asking for. It doesn't mean that He has forsaken you. God will never forsake us. He just has something different in mind for you. And like the saying "Mom knows best," God knows what is ultimately good for you.

This is what we should teach our children. First, always pray to God. But He doesn't always answer your prayers. Why not? Because sometimes what you ask for is not as magnificent as what He has in store for you. If only He could reveal in an instant all the wonderful things, all the beautiful plans he has for each of His children. But where's the fun in that? And how will you learn? Everything is given, revealed, and will unfold in His most perfect timing. That's His promise.


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Now that we're already talking about God, let me just share my thoughts on Dan Brown's new novel, The Lost Symbol. I personally love Dan Brown. I have read all his books, from Da Vinci Code to Deception Point. I guess I'm more of a mystery-conspiracy theories-scientific discoveries kind of girl rather that a chick-lit-chick.

The plot revolves around the search for a symbol, a hidden word, that will open the portals to an Ancient Secret or some Great Truth that, if revealed, will change the whole world as we know it. It's unwise to believe things that occur in fictional works, but one Noetic Science discovery is something I do believe in. Our thoughts have mass. And our thoughts are able to will something to happen. This has been told to us in many self-help books. The power of positive thinking. Setting your mind on something you want, and the universe will conspire. Mind over matter. The Secret. It's fascinating, and believable. The mind truly is powerful.

Our faith teaches us that if two or more are gathered together in prayer, then God hears them and heeds their call. Their prayers are answered. I truly believe that this is because the strength of many thoughts united in one goal, many minds working together in one direction, produce a force so strong that it wills what we are asking for to happen. I can't really describe it in a very good way. But if you read the book, you'll get what I mean. This may also explain why typhoon Pepeng changed its original course and skipped the places that were already badly hit by Ondoy. Yes, God worked a miracle. And also because so many Filipino people were united in prayer. We willed the typhoon not to hit us. We created our own reality. It's amazing what the mind can do.

Well, basically, that's just a small part of the whole story. It just got the wheels in my head turning. I recommend The Lost Symbol if you're hunting for an exciting read.

On change...

The month of September brought about a lot of changes. Some fast and abrupt. Some slowly brewing. Sometimes change brings about fear, disturbing the peace. At one point, I found myself troubled by all the changes. I wanted things to stay the same. My safety zone was a good world to be in.

But after a lot of thinking, I said to myself that maybe the best thing to do is embrace the changes that life throws at me. Instead of going against the tide, maybe one should follow where the new current leads. Change is inevitable. New shouldn't be feared. Like a typhoon that rampages, then leaves the plain with cleaner air.

A lot of things have changed. Even until now, I'm watching some things slowly transforming, or disappearing. Things we've gotten used to. Old things I thought were permanent. Truth is, nothing is permanent but change.

And I say to life, bring it on! I shall embrace these changes and hope that all these would bring about new learnings and better experiences. It's time to step out of my comfort zone. Welcome all that's new. New thoughts. New ways. New roads. Shake hands with new people and look at new faces. Build new ties. Hop on a new bus.

Time asks no questions, it goes on without you,
leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace.
The world keeps on spinning,
you can't stop it, if you try to...

- You Gotta Be, Des'ree.

In the midst of these changes, I am thankful for the few precious things that remain steady, steadfast and permanent. To this I sing a line from the famous Beach Boys song: God only knows what I'd be without you.

Sending out an SOS!

If you wanna help by donating or volunteering or both, here are the places you can go to. I'm reposting helpful info from RJ Ledesma's FB page. Media people, let's do our jobs and spread the word!

- MEGATENT along Meralco Ave. beside Renaissance Towers in front of Alexandria. They need goods and volunteers to help in packing and distributing. If you can lend them pushcarts / trolleys, that would be very much appreciated.

- ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya
* 13 Examiner, West Triangle QC
* Scout Bayoran, near Rembrandt Hotel and in front of Alex III

- Wave 891 / Jam 88.3
2nd Floor, Strata 2000 Bldg, Emerald Ave. Ortigas Center, Pasig

- HABITAT FOR HUMANITY will be holding a mini soup kitchen in two Pasig evacuation centers. They are in need of volunteers to help distribute the arroz caldo they'll be preparing. Sched is Oct. 2-4, 6am to 2pm. For info, call or text 8973069 or 09178260881.

- All 7-Eleven stores

- All Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf branches

- Fitness First Clubs (except Eastwood and Metro East)

- WHITE SPACE, 2314 Chino Roces Ave., Pasong Tamo Ext.Makati

- UP MOUNTAINEERS targeting areas that haven't been reached yet by the government and media. Send donations to Power Up Tandang Sora or call 0926-7234914

- ANGEL BRIGADE CENTER at The Fort, across Pacific Plaza Towers. In need of donations and volunteers.

- Donate BLOOD to the Red Cross and help save lives of Ondoy victims in need. Call 143 for details.

- Send donations to the Red Cross through SMS. Text RED (amount) to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart). You can donate 25, 50, 100 or 300 pesos.


Tune in to my show, The Breakfast Duo with Anne and Jada on Wave 891, 6-9AM, for more updates and helpful info.

Happy to help!

:)

A Saturday to remember...

It was a normal-looking rainy Saturday morning when I woke up early for my French class. I figured there was a storm but I never thought it would turn out to be one of the most unforgettable experiences I would have in my thirty years of existence.

Almost the entire French 5 class braved the heavy rains and went to UP Diliman that morning. We could barely hear our teacher Cinddi's voice because of the angry pouring outside. A few minutes before noon, my Dad already called me up and told me not to go home yet. Our street was flooded, and even my big SUV wouldn't be able to make it through. Water already made its way inside the vehicles of my brother and sisters. That has never happened in all the eighteen years that we've lived in BFQC.



My brother's XTrail and my old car, Sweet Cheeks, now Adie's. Plus my other old car, the Getz, now Andrea's. All three took a swim.


My friends couldn't go home just yet, as news of Katipunan being flooded already were sent by their families through text messages. So we all trooped to Bahay ng Alumni to have lunch at Chocolate Kiss, with high hopes that somehow the rains would stop and we could get home after a few hours. But the few hours stretched on until 10:30PM. We were stranded big time. My beau, Alvin, tried to make his way home after work. To no avail. He ended up joining me at Bahay ng Alumni.

We sat on hard wooden benches, telling stories and playing games. The laughter eased a bit of the panic and frustration we were all feeling. Alvin was beside me all the time, and that gave me a sense of calmness. We were like refugees huddled together in a dimly lit corner, sharing rations of crackers, cheese and bananas that my classmates managed to buy at the UP Coop. When night time fell, the mosquitoes swarmed in. Cellphone batteries were slowly starting to drain. The rain quieted down by 8pm. After two hours, Shiela's husband came to fetch her. Alvin and I were ready to go home. I offered the others a place to stay. Our home was spared from floods and power outage, so it was the best place for them to spend the night. After spending ten hours at Bahay ng Alumni, it was such a relief to come home to family, warmth, comfort and food!



Taken at 10PM. UP Bahay ng Alumni. Anne, Alvin, Cinddi, Rocky, Connie, Edna, Ian, Liezl, Shiela and Dan - All smiling despite the experience.


But I know that our experience is nothing compared to the suffering that so many people have gone through. I was already getting updates on Twitter about the floods, people getting trapped and stranded, Provident Village residents on rooftops. Cars and houses being swept away. Villages completely submerging in water. It was terrible! I couldn't help but whisper grateful prayers to God. Yes, we were stranded for ten hours. But we were kept safe and dry. We were lucky.

Typhoon Ondoy brought about disaster, destruction, and so much loss. They say it is the worst rainfall in Philippine history. It is even more disastrous than the Hurricane Katrina that hit the United States in 2005.

Lifted from Inquirer.net:

"The 15th weather disturbance that hit the Philippines in 2009 dumped a total of 455 millimeters of rain in Quezon City alone in 24 hours, compared to the 250 millimeters of rain that Hurricane Katrina brought to New Orleans in Louisiana in the United States in 2005."




photo courtesy of www.boston.com


As of 8:30AM today, the death toll has risen to 83. 300,000 people displaced by the typhoon. Many areas are still flooded. Many families are still not rescued. Many are still missing. 95 million pesos worth of crops in Calabarzon were destroyed. Although the nation is in a mourning state, it is heartening to see everyone uniting with but one goal: to help. Donations of cash and relief goods are continuously pouring in. People here and there are volunteering to help in any way possible. Even Filipinos abroad are sending their support from different places across the globe. It's a marvelous thing to watch. A clear sign that the bayanihan spirit is not dead, and will never cease to exist.

Weather reports say that another storm is brewing two to three days away. I say we beat Nature with Prayer. The force of a whole country in prayer is far stronger than any force of nature. Our God is a merciful God. Never will He forsake us.

My heart goes out to those who have lost so much in this terrible calamity. Prayers promised. My family continues to donate relief goods to different rescue teams and organizations. Let's all help. There is a relief operation center near you. Give what you can.

During trying times like these, there is one line from the Bible that holds true: GOD WILL MAKE A WAY WHEN THERE SEEMS TO BE NO WAY.

September updates...

I think many of you would agree that one of the most unpleasant of life's experiences is those trips to the dentist. I just came to visit mine. In all fairness, Doc Trina is such a lovely lady who's always smiling and treats you warmly like an old friend. So it lessens the dread of the whole open-your-mouth-wide ordeal.

So I had teeth cleaning. I was so proud of myself when Doc Trina told me that my teeth and gums are A-okay! No need for fillings or root canals. Thank you, God!

Now, I'm smiling with confidence!

:)


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I can't believe you're saying goodbye, partna! Rye has been my radio partner for the past, what, four years? Until we were placed on opposite ends of the day this year. I remember our last boardwork as Wave 891's Drive & Grind duo. I cried on air! (Sorry, couldn't help it.) Now my long-time partner is leaving for good. It's sad, really. But I'm happy for him. There are so many wonderful opportunities coming his way, he simply can't let them pass. Good luck, partna! It's been such a pleasure working with you!






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Dear Bespren,

30 ka na din! But it doesn't really make any difference. Our ages are but numbers. We don't feel old at all, right? And damn, we're even hotter than we were when we were younger! Look at how the men in our lives go gaga over us! :)





But seriously, I wish you a birthday that's not only happy but joyful. I wish you lots of love, peace of mind and heart, good health, beautiful experiences, success and plenty of money! You've been through a lot in the past year, and look where you are now - in a better, happier place, where you're loved and free and most importantly, stronger. I pray that this is now the end of all the heartaches and troubles, ad the beginning of your journey to a truly beautiful life. I'll be here with you every step of the way, through good and shitty times, you know that.

Happy birthday and God bless you, Len. Love you! Dampa when you get back!

Going crazy over...

...the classic white shirt.



Crisp, clean, timeless. Paired with my fave denim shorts. Flats on a regular day. Wedges when I'm feeling extra confident about my legs. Boots when I want to stand out.

Every girl must have one. Or in my case, five. Like shoes, you can never have enough.

:)

For Alvin...

whenever you hold my hand,
i know that i'm safe from harm,
i know my heart is home,
i know i'm where i should be in this world,
i know i'm yours.

whenever you hold my hand,
i know it's true
that true love does withstand
every test, every trial,
true love braves every storm,
true love lives for all time.

whenever you hold my hand,
i see the future so clear,
no more worries or fear,
i see days always leading to good tomorrows,
i see me and you.

whenever you hold my hand,
i know for sure,
to hell with what others think or say,
love escapes them anyway,
i know this is more real than they,
i know this love is for always.

this is love,
this is home,
this is us.
i know.
your hand holding mine tells me so.

happy birthday, love.
090909

Love is...

...me and him.




"The best part of the day is waking up and finding you there."
Likewise, love.

:)