The Musings of a Journeyman

Nilo has his own blog and I think it is best you read it in his own words.  The link is below:

http://naylo.blog.friendster.com/2008/11/ang-kwento-ng-pag-ibig-nina-gary-at-rochelle/

Thanks Naylo

Avril Gail is the daughter of my wife’s high school bestfriend.  Her birthday was a week ago but because of the weekend holidays last week, her birthday was celebrated only yesterday. 

Surprising for a children’s party, the food was good, I had to mention because I enjoyed the carbonara and the vegetables.  The vegetables were… flavorful, the wonders of using fresh herbs.

For me the hightlight was the photobooth set up by Pose N’ Print.  They make nifty souvenirs.  They even keep a gallery of the pictures taken in their website.  I found ours here:

http://www.poseandprint.com/pictures?currpage=15&name=20081109_Avril_Gail_Bday

Below are more pictures of yesterday’s revelry.

Fun in the photo booth

Smile!

Gerry, Jen, Coney

The Clown, Arvin with Avril Gail and Abi on the stage

Receiving instructions for the game

Getting some action in the game

For this movie we bought tickets in advance.  True enough, for a second day of screening on a weekday, the movie house was packed.  It was me, my wife, and two friends for this movie. 

We were at Rockwell by 7 PM, by 7:15 we were ordering dinner of salad and pizza at Burgoo.  Movie starts at 8:05.  We had our wits about and asked for the bill in advance.  By 7:50 we were on our way to the theatre.  As our tickets were booked in advance, we had good seats, right smack in the middle! No popcorn for me!

The movie started on time, the opening was very impressive. 

For a James Bond movie, there were expectations; there was none of the high tech gadgetry that was expected for a James Bond film.  No fancy hyped-up ultra techie car, no special gun or gadget or thingamajig we are used to in the other James Bond films.    If you’re watching this from the Philippines, I think lots of parts were edited out.  The much talked about scene with Daniel Craig showing his 007 weren’t there, probably censored out!  Tell me if it was just the theatre in Rockwell but there was this gap in the screenplay somewhere at the end where Bond and Greene were in the middle of the desert.  The scene just before he left him, the dialogue assumed they had a talk before it.  I think something was missing there. There were also other scenes that were missing but I think that one was most noticeable for me, like before they went to Medrano’s mansion (?).

Chase scenes are marvellously done.  Daniel Craig at most times look grotesque and misshapen from the fight and chase scenes.  Of course his wounds and bruises magically heal after each change of scene.  The fight scene in the church might have required many hours for the actors and stunt double hanging upside down.  I can only imagine it would’ve been difficult.  The chase in the rooftops was also good, reminded me of a chase in one the Bourne movies. 

As for the characters, I believe the actors delivered.  Many might not agree with Daniel Craig playing Bond, but I think he’s ok, not flashy, not suave, but okay.  For the last two movies, they were going after the human, touchy-feely side of James Bond; this one being about Vesper.  In doing so, the movie gives you a notion that another Bond movie is coming up.  The Vesper issue, for me isn’t quite through, yet.  Judy Dench (as M) also said that she wanted Bond back, so for me, those are clear signs that there will be another James Bond movie soon. 

It was an okay movie to watch if you’re a James Bond fan, but I’d rather watch the next Bourne film if I had the choice, two more Bourne novels are on the bookstore shelves, by the way. 

We arranged for transport the next day to take us to the resort.  Looking over a few brochures we took from the airport and after a few phone calls, we decided to stay in Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa.  We didn’t go out of the resort that day; there was enough to do to keep us busy.  Besides with all the activities we did the previous day, this was a much needed respite. 

The following day, after figuring out what the island can offer, we continued with our adventures.  Our first stop was Hinagdanan Cave, a small cave with a spectacular morning view.  With the morning rays of the sun peering in from the cave’s ceiling, it creates a perfect picture if you could keep your hands steady with a camera after setting it on twilight portrait mode.  Here the guide offered a tour we could not refuse.  He offered to take us around Panglao Island riding a habal-habal.  Since: 1. We have never ridden on a (technically speaking) a habal-habal before and 2. I have never toured Panglao before, how could we refuse. 

First stop was San Agustin Church, the Watch Tower and the pier.  From the pier one can see Balicasag island from afar, Balicasag Island is known for its snorkelling and diving spots.  We have yet to go there.

After that we went beach hopping.  In this leg, we figured out that staying in Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa was a good decision, with the monsoon winds blowing hard on this side of the island it was practically impossible to stay out on the beach for very long.  Unless you have steel legs or at least wearing jeans, you’re legs would feel like being sandblasted because of the strong winds.  However, this side of the island has a wider beach front.  If I am not mistaken this whole stretch of sand and surf is called Alona Beach.

Next destination was the Bee Farm.  We decided to have lunch before taking the guided tour.  It was a spaghetti lunch (with honey) for my wife and chicken with salad for me.  The salad was spiced up with flowers, cosmos being one of them.  Bread was served with three spreads, which were better than the entrees, if you ask me.  Most of what we ordered was too sweet for me.  After lunch we were ushered to the spice and flower patch, they grow their own basil, dill, fennel, oregano, cosmos and other spices and flowers I can no longer remember.  We went to see how they make honey next, that is the bees.   The bees are domesticated and don’t sting, we were even allowed to handle them and have pictures taken.  I learned here that the bee was twice as big as the other bees; unfortunately, the slot that we pulled out didn’t have the queen bee in it.  Beside the bee farm is their greenhouse where they grow their lettuce.  They even grow Mickey Mouse plants, I didn’t know there was such a thing!  Had I not held the actual fruit of the plant, I’d say it was made of plastic.  Moving forward we moved to a different section where they make handicrafts from natural fibers like sinamay and abaca.

Dauis Church was our last stop.  The church much like most of the old churches in Panglao are undergoing renovations and restorations.  Inside this church is a fresh water well where the guerrillas back in WWII used to fetch their water from. The walls and ceiling from the altar to the nave are filled with frescoes and murals.  Beside the church is an old beaterio which is converted into a museum and shop-of- sorts.

For our last day on the island we went spelunking in Cambagat Cave, this cave is located inside the resort.  The water is clear in spite of bat droppings (you could tell from the smell), nothing much to see aside from the rock formations and fresh water springs inside. Hinagdanan Cave was much more interesting if you ask me. 

Our last activity was a two-hour snorkelling inside the marine sanctuary near the resort, no pictures there as my camera is not built to be submerged under water.  That same afternoon, we were on our flight back to Manila.

 (I tried uploading the pictures but the tool won’t work.  I’m considering using/moving to a different host.)

We went home around 9:30 PM, I know, I know, it’s early.  We had good reason to.  The crowd was starting to become really rowdy.  Near the main stage, the mob started tearing down the dividers that separated the general admission ticket holders with the ones that paid more.  We were right smack in the middle of it during Rivermaya’s performance when that happened.  Then the bouncers came in.  We didn’t stay long enough to see neither if the dividers were put back up nor if the mob settled back down.  The band continued to play up until we left the parking lot.  So, I guess everything went through as it should.  We left when the fireworks were going on.

Flying from Manila to Tagbilaran, Bohol was a first for me and my wife.In spite of the weather, we trudged on for our dream honeymoon in one of the most beautiful places the Philippines can offer.It was a short flight and before we knew it, we were collecting our bags from the conveyor belt and looking for our contact to guide us throughout the island of Bohol.

Our major stops are to see the Chocolate Hills and to see the smallest primate in the world, the tarsier, or boot /”bo-ot”/ in the local language.Along the way, we made stopovers in Baclayon Church, the Blood compact site, the Loboc river cruise, a manmade forest of mahogany trees and more recent attractions like the Hanging Bridge, a 24-ft python and the usual gift shops along the highway.

Baclayon Church is the oldest church in the island and the second oldest church in the Philippines, rivalling San Agustin Church in Intramuros.Actually, construction in Baclayon Church was started ahead than that in San Agustin but because of attacking pirates that time; San Agustin Church was finished earlier, thus claiming the oldest church title.For devout Catholics, a visita iglesia during the Holy Week is no problem in Bohol, because almost all municipalities have at least one old church to boast of.With ninety percent of Boholanos being Catholics, they are sure to benefit from this set-up.

A visit to Bohol would not be complete without seeing a tarsier.These docile nocturnal animals fit at the palm of one’s hand.If one is lucky enough, the handlers would even allow you to touch them.We were lucky enough to do so.Their hairless feet and hands are cold to touch!As small as they are, they are very nimble to jump and cling on from one shrubbery to another.

We had lunch at one of the floating restaurants along the Loboc River, being rainy and all, the river was murky and not its usual blue green we were expecting.The highlight of the boat ride was the lunch and the small waterfall before the boat heads back to port.Having lunch on the boat is an experience all its own.I noticed the lampposts that were installed at the banks of the river and wondered how romantic the place would be at night, with the lampposts lit and with the musician on board the boat singing and playing his guitar.

Moving forward, we reached Chocolate Hills in rainy weather, we took as much pictures as we can.It was a childhood dream fulfilled for me for I’ve only seen these limestone formations only in pictures. Nonetheless, it was worth the 45 minute drive.On our way back, we made a short stop inside the manmade forest and took pictures of the bright greenery.The long straight trunks of the mahogany and canopy it creates make wonderful postcards!

We made our stop at the Blood Compact site last because of the multitude of people that were at the site earlier when we first passed by.It is the nearest one from the airport.We bought crafts of pearl necklaces, earrings and bracelets from the street vendors, we learned that these vendors are not native Boholanos and instead are Badjaos from Mindanao.

By the time we were finished with all of these; it was already 4:30 PM in the afternoon.We started our journey at 9:00 AM that morning.We were glad to have made this first day an adventurous one regardless of the afternoon rains.We decided to stay in one of the hotels in Tagbilaran and move to a resort in Panglao Island the next day.That’s for another day.

When I arrived from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with less than a month to go before the wedding, me and the (already) wife were up to our necks with the wedding preparations.It’s like we didn’t know where to start.In about two days, we finally found footing and found ourselves bustling around Metro Manila (and beyond) for stuff for the wedding.

A week after I’ve returned, we had our prenuptial pictures taken with Erwin of Panorama at La Mesa Ecopark.It was a fun-filled day.I really enjoyed the shoot.

A week before the wedding, we were scrambling around trying to tie loose ends.We were at wits’ end taking note of as much detail that we’ve missed.There was one day when we slept at three in the morning.

The day finally arrived and came and we were pretty much satisfied with the overall outcome.Minor accidents and incidences were overshadowed by the magic and splendour of the occasion.Three days prior to the day, I told myself that we’ve prepared as best as we can, whatever will happen will happen.With a few prayers and a bit of luck, we were able to spend the day in grand celebration!No rain!The weather was very kind, everyone and everything was dry!

With all that’s happened, with all the preparations, with all the frustrations, I am glad to have made this memory with everyone who partook in the occasion.I am happy to have spent this day with Rochelle.I wonder if anyone dared try to wipe that wide smile I plastered on my face that day!

Thanks to the heavy traffic yesterday along EDSA, my wife and I decided to park in Robinson’s Pioneer and have dinner and movie.  I’ve been lobbying to watch The Dark Knight since I arrived two weeks ago but because of the hustle and bustle we have with the wedding preps we were only able to watch it last night.

I had expectations going into the cinema, I’ve read reviews and first hand remarks about the movie…  Overall the movie is very good.  The plot had many twists and very fast paced, special effects are very good, just right and not overly done.  One doesn’t have that feel when one watches a Mission: Impossible movie (Tom Cruise) or a James Bond movie (Pierce Brosnan).  Lighting is done in darker hues as expected from a Batman movie.

Heath Ledger’s performance was outstanding, the mannerisms, the delivery of his lines, his soliloquiys are sick!  I have not seen as bad as a Joker as Heath Ledger’s.  Too bad he won’t be back for any more Batman movies.

I never liked Christian Bale in his first portrayal, neither do I like him in this one.  It has a lot to do with his voice characterization as Batman.  I still think they overdid that one.  I understand how they wanted to “mask” even his voice as when he is Batman from his alter ego Bruce Wayne, but I really find the timbre/pitch off.  I just don’t like it.  They also need to work more on his ‘playboy millionaire persona’ it just doesn’t cut it.

Katie Holmes was not in the movie.

The argument of Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) being that epitome of hope for Gotham was good.  Raised to being the next hope for Gotham and later on proves to be corruptible as Joker predicted leading to his demise and guise as Two-Face.  Joker’s ’social experiments’ throws in a few more moral arguments.  Man is basically good. I think it is that part of the movie that stays with you even after stepping out of the cinema.

Overall, I’d recommend this movie to any Batman fan.  About that bruhaha about the age limit, I think anyone 13 and above can handle the movie.  I just hope anyone who watches the movie will enjoy it as much as I have.  It was my first movie date in a long while.

Here is the movie’s official website:

http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/

It was a three hour drive from Pasig, we drove straight from the christening of my nephew, Kyle Sebastian (son of my wife’s sister) straight to Lumban.  Maneuvering carefully along the South Luzon Expressway is proving to be a challenge.

We visited my ninang (godmother, principal sponsor) for my barong tagalog to be worn on the wedding.  I chose an ethnic design for the embroidery, only pinya fabric will be suitable for the groom. I had the cuffs customized so that I’ll be able to use cufflinks instead of the usual buttons.  The first picture is the actual design of the hand-embroidery that I chose.  We also chose the material to be used for my father-in-law, pinya-jusi would be an appropriate choice.

Ninang served an interesting snack of peanuts and fried miki and pancit. The take-home espasol were unusually large compared with what one can normally buy off the streets/buses. 

And who can forget the entertainment that was showcased for us by Jonathan!  Jonathan is ninang’s four year old nephew.  He sang for us Small Voice and Ugoy ng Duyan (Sway of the Crib/Hammock).

DOUBLESPACE.

Me and my wife had a massage today. Very relaxing. 

(I wrote a draft of this entry, I think, three days back.)   

I have been back home for over a week now, been to one job interview, been back to Tagaytay and Batangas for the wedding preps.  I guess one might say I’ve been busy. 

It has been a big relief being back, with the wedding coming in only a couple of weeks’ time, preparations are at their most hectic (and chaotic!), with its usual glitches and jitters.  We’re trying our best to cover as much as specifics as possible, cover more ground and map out what has yet to be done.

The weather has had its toll on my health, with the weather changing from arid to humid; I’ve had tonsillitis and a terrible outbreak on my skin, nothing OTC meds can’t fix.  I’ve ‘acclimatized’ better these past few days, so far.  The jetlag is gone; hunger and sleep is now back to its normal (whatever that is).  My mother-in-law was also hospitalized this week, her strength continually astounds me.

If only I can squeeze in more time for the preparations, everything will be better.