where to shop this xmas?

comprehensive guide on where to burn your hard-earned money. check out spot.ph's updated bazaar guide.

http://www.spot.ph/shopping/47036/29-days-before-christmas-updated-spotph-bazaar-guide--downloadable-lists

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we went to the noel bazaar last sat and we had some good finds. my mom and sis are shopping machines. will check out world bazaar festival, also at the wtc, next weekend. i'm still halfway on my shopping list. yikes. running out of cash!!!

where to run

bitten by the running bug? some suggestions on where to run in the metro.

1) bonifacio high street
this is my default running venue. i usually run around the 1.2 km outer ring of bonifacio high street. and i suggest you do it late at night or really early in the morning because it can get crowded.


2) mckinley hill
if you want a challenging route, try mckinley hill. the downhill and uphill parts can be a pain. i don't mind it though. like they say, no pain no gain.


3) ayala triangle gardens
this is my fav lately... it's not just the closest from my apartment, the xmas lights and decors are beautiful. i get senti and teary-eyed sometimes by just looking at them. haha. boo.


4) ateneo de manila
i like running in ateneo because of the towering trees and lush greenery. it's a completely different experience compared to running at the fort or around makati cbd.


5) up sunken garden oval
the up sunken garden oval is around 2.2 km and has one lane dedicated for bikers and runners. and i've heard that the whole road is closed to motorized vehicles on sundays. 20 sticks of pork or chicken isaw after a 10K run is enough motivation.

song of the week - can i

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFRW50zU7xY

CAN I?
(from Imago's latest album — Effect Desired None)

I'll fix my bed
I'll put the toothpaste cap back on
I'll clear the plates
I'll sleep before dawn
No more hours of TV
I can read some more
I'll never leave the light on
I'll draw the curtains
Then I'll lock the doors

Been putting things of
Like this guilty prayer
That I've been hiding from you Lord
I'm gonna say it Lord
I'm gonna brave it

Can I ask him from you?
Oh I'd be the happiest thing
This was plan A to begin with
Can I ask him from you?
Oh I'd be the craziest doll
With the second greatest gift of all

I'll put my shoes, in the right box
I'll learn to cook too I'll even do some laundry
I don't want to, but I could iron too
I'll practice guitar
I'll be smart with money
Though I'm always good with cars
I'll remember to budget my shopping hours

Been putting things of
Like this guilty prayer
That I've been hiding from you
Lord I'm gonna say it Lord
I'm gonna brave it

Can I ask him from you?
Oh I'd be the happiest thing
This was plan A to begin with
Can I ask him from you?
Oh I'd be the craziest doll
With the second greatest gift of all

If it's Your will,
Lord If it's Your will,
Lord Keep him safe and steady
But please, please make him really love me

If it's Your will,
Lord Only if it's Your will,
Lord Make him Yours and ready
But I've gotta do this
I really gotta ask this

Can I... can I... can I...
Oh can I.... can I have him, Lord?

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my favorite song in the album. also the first opm as my song of the week. hehe.

good job aia. a prayer (even if it's self-serving =) ) is more powerful when it is sang.

little women the musical

dear friends... as part of this holiday season, i'd like to invite you to a memorable, touching, and inspiring musical this december 4, 2010, saturday, 330pm. please watch the musical staging of louisa may alcott's LITTLE WOMEN directed by menchu lauchengco yulo and conducted by gerard salonga. tickets are: orchestra/upper orchestra center - 1,000, orchestra/upper orchestra side - 800, balcony - 500.

text me if your interested.

san antonio village food trip

tired of the usual makati cbd dining experience? i guess it's about time to explore other options. the first thing that comes to my mind is san antonio village. i've been living in the vicinity for over 7 years now. so if you allow me, let me be your guide. 7 years in the area, i guess, adds to my credibility. haha. one thing for sure though, makati offers a lot of choices for the hungry, even in the outskirts.

1) pat-pat's kansi
kamagong cor. sampaloc st. san antonio village

opened its first manila branch three years ago. pat pat's now has three branches around the metro. pat-pat's famous bulalo is the best i've tried. my other favorite is the crispy tilapia.


2) suzukin
9753 kamagong st. cor. sampaloc St., san antonio village, makati

suzukin is one of the cheapest japanese restaurant around. my personal favorites are the gyudon, sukiyaki, and buttered oysters. quality authentic japanese food can be affortable.


3) 8065 baget
8065 estrella st., san antonio village, makati

this hole in the wall is the primary reason of my impending heart attack. i once ate here 3x in one week. o well. like i always say. we only live once.

bagnet curry, kare-kareng bagnet, and dinuguan bagnet are my recommendations.


4) saguijo cafe bar
7612 guijo st., san antonio village village, makati

good food and music always go along well. saguijo is an ideal hang-out place for music lovers with humongous appetite for scrumptious food and san miguel beer.


5) amber's best
1173 chino roces avenue pasong tamo, san antonio village, makati

who doesn't know amber? if you answer yes, where were you all this time?

amber offers simple food that never fails to impress. my favs are the pancit, pichi-pichi, pork bbq, lumpiang shanghai, and fresh lumpiang ubod.


i hope this list convinced you to explore the outskirts of makati in search for bargain gastronomic gems.

6th cinema one originals festival

http://www.clickthecity.com/movies/?p=9578

if you have time this weekend, cinema one festival at shang!

Ishmael and Dagim are my picks so far.

book 17: the art of travel

if you take travelling seriously, you should read this book by alain de botton. it's a little book that explains a lot of things... "why do we bother? what do we expect, and why are we so often disappointed? and then again, why do our memories of the trip rarely reflect the disappointments? and what is the clue to not being disappointed? how do you go about really experiencing the place where you are and making it part of yourself?"

go read this and get to travel without leaving your couch or bed.

one of the best books i've read this year.

gin blossoms live

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/277124

our beloved 90's band gin blossoms is coming to manila on nov 18! they are responsible for the hits “Found Out About You,” “As Long As It Matters,” “Hey Jealousy,” “Follow You Down,” and “Til I Hear It From You”.

i already bought tickets. just upper b though. too many expenses piling up lately.

currently listening to their new album no chocolate cake.

my verdict... they still have it!!!

pacman's legacy

http://www.askmen.com/sports/business_250/258_pacquiaos-legacy.html

in my book, pacman should be the top ten list. and if he beats margarito and mayweather, he is the best of all time. no doubt about it.

can't wait for next weekend. i'm definitely for team pacquiao.

still haven't decided where to watch the match though. any suggestions?

global pinoy bazaar 2010ve

support pinoy products made with 100% filipino love & pride.

visit yabang pinoy bazaar on nov 6-7 from 10am - 10pm at the rockwell tent.

http://yabangpinoy.com/index.html

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i tried the thei & philo artisan cholocalates. good shit. especially the siling labuyo and coffee flavored stuff. i also bought some items from travel essentials.

http://theoandphilo.com/

let's support the pinoy entrepreneurship spirit!

last goodbye

nu 107.5 will permanently sign-off this sunday at exactly 11:59pm.

http://www.nu107fm.com/news/83/last-goodbye

sad news.

tune in and savor the last days...

sweet sensations after dark

Cap off the evening with SWEET SENSATIONS AFTER DARK at the Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill on all Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays! There's mochi balls, tea cookies, baklava, muffins, rum cakes, brownies, applie pies, blueberry cheesecakes, native delicacies, yema balls, chilled taho, sansrival, sugar free desserts, swir...ls and rolls, cookies, pastries, smoothies and more! Open from 6pm to 11pm.

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you might want to check this out. i love the cookies by the russian cookie house.

http://russiancookiehouse.multiply.com/