Weekend Fun
I am such a lazybone. I've been promising myself that I will blog as much as I can, but I've never been that good in keeping promises. I reminded myself about the task at hand so often that it almost became a mantra. I will blog...I will blog...I will blog. I've been so busy last week that I couldn't squeeze in blogging into my exhausting schedule (like I keep one). I dozed off this afternoon at exactly three o'clock and woke up to my brother's strong hand shaking me awake so I could eat dinner. I hurried out of my room without combing my hair because I caught a whiff of my dad's sumptuous, mouth-watering chopsuey. I can't resist a dish made of vegetables. Screw diets, nobody can keep me away from a plateful of veggies. I felt so refreshed after about six hours of sleep that I don't even feel sleepy now while typing away.
Last week,like all the other Saturdays in my life, I headed straight to Market! Market! with Tippy. She went there to see Kathy and I, to meet Augy. We sat in one of the tables outside McDonald's after Kathy and her officemate from Telus arrived. They ate 'lunch' while Tippy and I talked about work, Xbox, Valium and other random things. After a few minutes of chattering and laughing, my phone rang. I stared at the screen in surprise when I saw a Cavite landline number flashing. I debated with myself on whether I should answer the call or not. It wasn't our home phone number and I couldn't think of anybody else from Cavite who would call me early in the morning. I pressed a key to talk to the caller and ended up wracking my brain to match the sophisticated voice with a familiar face. I didn't recognize the voice so I asked who the caller was.
Gurl, Si Erika to! Nahold up ako sa bus!
I gasped in shock. Images of Erika crossing the street to take the bus going to Baclaran flashed in my head. Tippy and I waved goodbye while she sashayed into the opposite direction and then we hailed a cab to Market! Market!
She narrated how she waited for another bus to arrive because the first one she hailed was full of passengers and then the next one had vacant seats so she got in. On weekdays, MMDA officials would have tables under the flyover going to the World Trade Center, but not on weekends. When the bus turned going to DFA and Libertad, five men announced the robbery. The man sitting across from Erika's seat was one of them. He asked Erika for her phone. Seeing that one of them had a gun, she took out her old Nokia 3210 and handed it over. The man not contented with what she gave him, asked for her money so she took out her Louis Vuitton wallet from her Louis Vuitton bag and shoved the 60 pesos at him.
Criminal: Pera mo?!
Erika: Yan na nga pera ko. Huwag mo na akong kapkapan, wala akong bulsa!
One of the robbers looked at her...
Erika: Anong tinitingin-tingin mo?!
The robbers took her bag. Cosmetics, her office ID, every single item inside ended up littered on the floor. Frustrated upon finding out that it was the only money she really had, they moved on without noticing Erika discreetly taking off her hoop earrings and wristwatch. The watch fell on the floor with a clank. Erika almost died of anxiety with the thought that one of them might hear the sound. When they got down in Baclaran, Erika had to pick up her stuff on the floor. She found out that one semi-precious stone fell out of the hoop earrings into a filthy nook in the bus. The other traumatized passengers asked her how much she lost to the robbers.
Erika: Sabi ko 2000 pesos. Ayoko nga sabihin na 60 pesos!
With her 60 pesos gone and only 6 pesos left, she hailed a cab to get home to Bacoor and paid 300 pesos when she got there. She went online and searched for the list of phone numbers that Ryan sent before to get my number and call me.
Me: What happened to your bag?
Erika: Nasa akin.
Me: I thought kinuha na. (Her Louis Vuitton bag and wallet are not fake.)
Erika: Mabigat yun. Mahihirapan sila tumakas.
Me: Oo nga. Parang weird kung naka-puruntong shorts yung mama tapos may Louis Vuitton handbag. Halata na di sa kanya. Hahaha.
Erika: Alam ba nila yung Louis Vuitton! I don't think so. Yung isang girl dun nashock kasi kinuha phone niya. Super text kasi sa bus. Supot na lang tuloy na may tinapay naiwan sa kanya. Tumingin sa akin. Naku, gusto ko sabihin na huwag siya tumingin. Pangit niya!
Me: Ikaw talaga. Sabi nga ng bro ko noon na kahit suot ko yung Bvlgari with black onyx ko hindi naman nila alam na Bvlgari yun. Haha.
After talking to her, I handed the phone to Tippy so they could talk before saying goodbye to Erika.
I told Augy about Erika's robbery experience in the bus while we were in Heaven n' Eggs. The waiter who is so used to us ordering Adobo Flakes, informed us that they ran out of our favorite food. We ended up eating Katsu Met Curry and Meatloaf and Sausage Slammer instead.
When I got home that night, I narrated the incident to my lola.
Lola: Ayan, tapos gabi ka na umuuwi. Dapat maaga pa.
Me: Kung maaga ako umuwi kanina, sana nahold up din ako kasi lagi kami sabay ni Erika. Hmp.
A few days later, Erika and I talked about it in the office.
Me: Naisip mo ba na kung nandun si Jill at nangyari yung 'catfight inside a moving bus episode' niya, palpak ang robbery? Hindi makakaporma yung robbers kay Jill habang sinusuntok at tinatadyakan niya yung girl. Baka masapak din sila.
***
The next day, my parents and I went to Canyon Woods in Batangas upon the invitation of my mom's boss, TYS (their family is used to calling each other by their initials). The family driver, Kuya Julius and the maid, Ate Virgie picked us up from our house. They had to wait for a few minutes because I was putting on makeup and my dad was looking for his other stuff. TYS wanted our whole family to sleep over, but my brothers who are painfully shy thought of every reason not to come. In the end, I was the only one who agreed to come except I will go home in the afternoon and only my parents will stay overnight.
I couldn't resist the invitation because it has been years since we last went there. Our favorite houseboy, Erwin was still working with us then and we took him along with my grandparents. My mind was imagining so many photos I could take of myself. Yes, I am vain that way.
Upon leaving the house
Sitting beside my mom
Cavite, on the way to Batangas
In Mahogany Market
We rode the CRV and stopped by Mahogany Market to buy bulalo and guinatang tilapia. Along the way we found a shop selling lechon manok and since TYS wanted to eat chicken, we bought one. My dad bought peanuts from a female vendor who knocked on the window. My dad couldn't resist buying stuff from vendors everytime we travel. We ended up munching on peanuts while listening to reports of Brian Viloria's boxing match on the radio.
On the way to the casitas
When we got to Canyon Woods, TYS was taking her morning walk so we waited for her to arrive. My mom called her on the phone and heard her huffing and puffing. When she arrived in the casitas, she told us that she has a schedule of the shows in the Golf pavillion including that of the Pacquiao-Morales match.
TYS: Guapa guid si Pempem! Laki mo na!
She is an Ilongga and she talks to my mom in Bisaya. She asked my mom if I know how to speak in Ilonggo. I tell her I can only speak a few phrases, but I understand the dialect.
Kuya Julius was so excited that we handed the food to Ate Virgie and took off to the Clubhouse. We walked down the stone staircase, passed by the mini-golf area where foreigners were playing and then strolled along the cement planks beside the lake. They strolled while I tiptoed because the planks had spaces in between and I wore my strappy multi-colored sandals and I didn't want to have one of the heels go straight through the gaps.
My parents with Kuya Julius
We found out that it wasn't the golf pavillion, but the Clubhouse so we had to walk back. We passed by kids fishing in the lake and teenagers screaming while splashing around in the pool beside the Clubhouse. I was starting to sweat like a pig in my black lacey cardigan and white tank top. Who told me to wear such an outfit in that weather anyway?! Nobody. I just thought it would be cool to look ultra-feminine in Canyon Woods. I took out my blue umbrella from my bulky Girbaud bag and Kuya Julius ended up laughing at me. Everyone was there to enjoy the outdoors while I looked like I was headed to the mall.
If you only know how sweaty I felt...
Zarina, TYS' youngest daughter opened the door for us. The casitas reserved for my parents right across from theirs wouldn't be available so we had to stay in their casitas. TYS and Ate Virgie went out so only she was left there. She doesn't speak Tagalog that much because she grew up in the States and studied in Canada. She marveled at how grown up I am now because the last time we saw each other was when she dropped by for a short visit when I was in my teens. She is my generous supplier of romance books and children's literature. Her books were passed on to me. The hardbound copy of one of my favorite novels, The Little Women was a gift from her.
I've grown so fond of the Sarmiento family. I know their story right from the successful business ventures of the three Sarmiento brothers, their offsprings and the third generation. I grew up in Sarmiento Building (now Karrivin Plaza) in Pasong Tamo Ext. in Makati. I remember wonderful Christmas parties in their house in North Forbes Park where the kids would line up to greet FSII, TYS' husband and my mom's original boss. We would be given money and bags of chocolate crinkles (before the yummy treat became famous). One Christmas, I ate one whole bag by myself because I was an unica hija then and ended up doubling over in pain. Gluttony at a young age. Tsk, tsk. Years after that, FSII lived in Cebu then Davao, the clan sold Sarmiento Building II, I transferred from Makati Hope to Chung Hua and I seldom saw them except for phone conversations with TYS when she looks for my mom.
Last Sunday, we talked about days gone by. Of kids growing up and old people having more wrinkles. Of employees and old friends. FSII suffered a stroke and moved from Davao back to Forbes. He was in Canyon Woods the day before, but went home because he got tired. Kuya Carlo, a former employee of the Sarmientos and one of my mom's friends from way back has already married. His mom still works for FSII's best friend, Angelo King (of Victoria Court fame).
It was nice reminiscing about the old days. I miss being a kid so much with my checkered grade school uniform and my headband collection. After munching on my new favorite Rowena's buko pie that Zarina gave me, I left with my parents and Kuya Julius again to go to the Golf Pavillion. We had to drive there because it was too far away from the casitas to walk. When we got to the dining area where a wide screen was placed, we had to push ourselves into the throng of people lining up for the buffet. We felt dizzy standing in the cramped area so we drove back to the casitas to eat lunch. TYS told us that she and Ate Virgie went to the Clubhouse where the employees had a television turned on for the boxing match.
After the meal, we walked to the pavillion with me ruining my sandals in the process. It got caught in between the spaces of those planks. I could only sigh in frustration at the sight of the dents in one of the silver heels. The match had already started, but we had to contend with the late telecast so we sat by the balcony where my dad and Kuya Julius sipped coffee and I drank iced tea. I took pictures of the view and of myself, of course. The waiter we found out was from Iloilo. He shared the same last name with Kuya Julius and they ended up giving each other their addresses and phone numbers in the hopes that they are indeed related.
The lake
Waiting for the boxing match to startAfter about 30 minutes, we got to watch Manny Pacquiao beat Erik Morales in such a short match. I was aghast in seeing how Erik Morales looked at the start of the match. He reminded me of a Holocaust victim or a POW. I would be willing to give him some of my fats.
We went back to the casitas after the match and retrieved the key to the unit my parents will share with Kuya Julius. It was beautiful and cozy with glass windows, a balcony and a granite fireplace. The bathroom was spacious and I ended up getting a complimentary shower cap to use at home. Hehe. Next on our itinerary was a trip to two family-owned lots in Tagaytay then to Sonya's Garden where my bladder almost burst if my dad and Kuya Julius didn't point me to the direction of the washroom. I took numerous pictures even if I looked bedraggled and exhausted.
My favorite nook
Tired but beautiful
For dinner, we went to the main Canyon Woods clubhouse (where a scene from Sukob was shot, the one after Kris' wedding). We feasted on fish, pork sisig and kare-kare. My mom gave me a tour of the whole place and TYS made me promise to bring my swimsuit next time so I can swim. Eeek!
Kuya Julius and my parents dropped me off in the main road between Lemery and Nasugbu so I can take the bus. I flagged an airconditioned Crow bus that left me regretting it when I felt like urinating before getting to SM Dasma. I had to control myself not to push people and sprint to the mall so I could pee. I was supposed to meet Kit in Netopia, but I ended up running to the washroom first. Kaya pala nagtext para meet ko siya, hihingi pala ng pambili ng shirt. Ang hirap maging ate. Before going home, I bought a box of brownies in French Baker for Gem. I was so exhausted that I ended up skipping work the next night to catch up on sleep.
***
I saw the holiday decorations in Robinson's Place Imus the other night because I didn't take a nap in the bus. Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses. There were twirling Barbie dolls and twinkling lights. I couldn't resist so I took a picture to show my brother. My cousin, Quincy would love it!
Barbie Love
***
I was scheduled to go to a skin consultation in Slimmers World yesterday, but I almost cancelled the appointment because Augy couldn't leave the office early. I had to buy a copy of Metro magazine and sit in the office lounge for two hours before taking the cab to Market! Market!. I threw a tantrum like a spoiled child which I confess I could be at times. After my consultation, I was ecstatic at my new discovery (skin treatments) that I forgot about my morning fit. Augy did not fail to remind me about how I screamed at him on the phone. I accused him of raising his voice at me (
defense mechanism ko).
His mom lovingly asked him to buy a top for her so we walked from Arnaiz Avenue to Glorietta. Imagine my amazement when we entered the shop and Augy's mom asked for the blouse she had asked to be reserved. It was a black off-shoulder blouse similar to the one that I have been lusting over for so long now. Shucks.
May mahihiraman na ako ng damit. Haha.
With the De Villas
We looked around for Spam Jam because that is where Augy wanted to eat. I kept asking him if he has not tired of eating Spam.
Malamang hindi kasi we went around the mall before he decided to ask a guard for directions. Wala na pala yun. We ended up eating pasta, raisin cookie ala mode and pizza in Shakey's. I had a blast. Super fun. Augy bought me a headband with polka dots on it. Yipee! I have a new one to add to my childhood collection.
Gem's hand tugging at my hair
Yes, I am trying to seduce you. Haha.
