Travels 2014

Travels 2014

So Thankful for all the opportunities to travel last year... Besides the numerous trips to see family in the Philippines , was able to fit in Nagoya, Okinawa. Thailand , Myanmar & Hong Kong.

Loved seeing the snow - in the Nagoya region of Japan - again, having not seen it for a long time; spending Holy Week in the Philippines for the first time - such an emotional experience; Disneyland through Juju's eyes; and being able to add another country, Myanmar/Burma, to the list of countries visited.  Revisiting Okinawa was a lot of Fun, and this time around, a tastier treat as we ate sooooo much!!!   And seeing the awesome Holiday displays in Manila and Bangkok are always a FAVE of mine.  So many first time experiences in 2014 - and I love them all!

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After all these years, I finally got to see Mayon Volcano in my Mom's Province Region of Bicol!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Nagoya, Japan

Hong Kong Disneyland with Juju n GioGio!

Foodies in Okinawa, Japan!!!

Goofing about at Terminal 21

Bangkok, Thailand

Travel Anyway You Can!!!

Rockwell XMas

Manila, Philippines

Awesome fishermen of Myanmar!

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Thanks to my families (The Palmas, The Teruels, The Wus),

and friends along the way, for making it all much more FUN!😚😚😚

Here's hoping 2015 will be just as Good to me!!!😃😃😃

#FlasbackFridays  #Happiness #Travels

Manila for My Special Day!!!

Yep, decided to spend my Birthday in Manila for a few reasons: 

-mainly because the last time I hot to celebrate my BDay with my sis was almost 10 years ago..  Back in 2005.  Her BDay is June 8th, while mine is June 9th.  

-secondly,  i decided that as a gift to myself on my BDay, I will get a Full Physical Check Up - something I have not done longer than celebrating BDays with my sis...  LOL

So the day after my arrival, I spent pretty much the whole day at My Healthway Clinic - getting the works.,,  "Top to Bottom" as they call it!    Of course it was a bit scary...  But as always, once I have decided, I just go for it and go with the flow..  And Hope for the Best!  

I got the blood works done...  Urinalysis and fecalysis..  ECG...  UltraSound and a few others i really do nit know the names of..  All done in one day - just need to wait till Monday, my actual BDay, to get my results... 

with all that out of the day - it was on to Bataan to celebrate my sister's and my BDays quietly....

Wicked Wednesday

The MEN of My Husband's Lover

For Hump Day!!!  Photo from the last COSMO Bachelor Bash - September 26, 2013

Top 4 in the current issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine, Philippines.

Of course, Tom and Den are included!!! 

Other two are Personal Faves, too : Matteo Gudecelli and JC De Vera...

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Been in Manila the last week and a bit more...  

As always, never enough time but I surely made the most of it all...

Eating..  Malling.. Massage...Swimming..  Shopping...  And basically just hanging out...  

Can U tell am Happy N Relaxed!!!

Quick Trip

Just had one of the fastest trip to Manila....  sometimes, my schedule works out like so that I have no choice but to make a quick run to Manila; do all that I needed to do; and fly back to Taipei right away...  It was OK... tiring but OK.... though I really did no get to see Family this time.... still it was OK....  I got to do what I needed to do plus I even got to visit Mom's resting place, as I will not be around come All Soul's Day.... 

 

Even got to visit a very beautiful Church from the 1500's, Taytay Church, located nearby....

Hollywood Invades Pinoy Clothing Market

Seems like an All Star War with Hollywood Stars as Soldiers, is going on in the Pinoy Clothing Retail World... More and more faces have been appearing in giant billboards for some

Of The Philippines' Top Clothing Brand... Here's the latest...

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Leading the pack is Penshoppe with their All Star Line up: Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick & Leighton Meister, Zac Effron, & Ian Somerhalder...

Above photo is from a giant billboard at MEGAMALL - Manila, Philippines.

Above two (Zac & Leighton) are current window displays for most Penshoppe Boutiques.

Ian compelling all to shop with those beautiful eyes of his...

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and for BENCH....  Joe Jonas and Vampire Diaries' Michael Trevino....   plus the latest on their rostes, The Hunger Games' Liam Hemsworth.

Did not know how big Joe Jonas is in The Philippines till I saw his giant billboards all over...

he is even a cover story for one of the nation's Men's Magazine - GARAGE.

Too bad for the new city ordinance: "NO UNDIES on BILLBOARDS" - The Vampire Diaries' Michael Trevino's  sexy underwear ads will not be able to cause traffic jams on the freeway...  everyone's lost....

The Hunger Games' Liam Hemsworth in one of the four Bench Billboard Ads

all over Manila city currently...

Mabuhay UniQlo

Japan 's Hot Clothing Franchise comes to Manila... And it is very much welcomed!!!  Located on the 2nd floor of The Mall Of Asia - the retail space allocated to the shop is quite biiig... rivals/comparable to the ones I ahve seen here in Taipei and even in Bangkok....  lots of fun offerings... and at the moment - their tees are averaging much cheaper than the SALE Prices here in Taiwan, at least by Php60 each tee...  According to an employee, when I inquired, the current prices are INITIAL SALE PRICES and will go up to their regular retail prices soon....  so RUN and GRAB a tee or two - loads of styles to choose from:  DC COMICS, SNOOPY, Hello Kitty, COKE, One Piece, Beatles, EVANGELION... and my personal fave, JP BRAND TEES....

As with the other countries, Local Celebrities are used to promote the cool lines - Philippines uses Premiere Actress Iza Calzado, all around entertainer Nikki Gil, and the one that makes me smile,  celebrity athlete Chris Tiu....  see photos below....

AM OK WITH THIS CHOICE of ENDORSER:  CHRIS TIU!!!

Just in time for the PREMIERE of SPIDERMAN - Fun SPIDEY TEEs....

AM HERE!!!  in my UniQlo pants even!!!!

The Shop takes up quite a biiig space....  can RIVAL those UniQlos in Bangkok and Taipei....

SUMMER SHORTS in COOL COLORS

how do you measure HAPPINESS?

Happiness means sooo many different things for so many of us.....   some with goods we acquire; some with the culinary treats we consume; some the experiences from the travels we do; a night out with friends or that special someone; and of course, times shared with family....  in my book, they re all good...  these and many other little things can bring so much Happiness in one's life....   Last week, I had just that....   a few of that really....  but lacking a god NET CONNECTION, I was not able to share them - so will have to catch up this week and share what I can, as time permits...  

Possibly the BEST source of HAPPINESS for me this trip to see and be with Mom, happened when we were able to attend Mass together at Antipolo Cathedral....  it meant so much to me, as my Mom made extra efforts, mustered up a lot of strength to fulfill a promise made to me last XMas....  that on my next trip, she will be strong enough to attend Mass with me.   And though I could see such Pain in her eyes, went she did...  with me and my Stepfather....

It was such a great feeling being there with her...  not only because I knew she was doing this to fulfill a promise to me... but I could also see that it was something she wanted to really do....  and made her happier that she was able to get ut and do this....  gave her  bit more hope - and not just feel that she is to just wait for the time to come - just sitting on her sofa, that she also sleeps in...  and stare out longingly -day in, day out....  such an emotional thing, seeing her do her rosary with tears streaming down her face....   i actually had to go out towards the end - so as i can let my own tears fall without her seeing....

Though the church is just 15 mins away by Tricycle from her home, it still took it's toll as the road is not too smooth.... the bumps on the road can took a bit of strain on her frail condition... but the trooper that she is, you could not even see it in photos - as she willingly smiled....   and this smile, for me, was worth so much more than diamonds and gold....  

Everyday that we have my Mom in this life, is a MIRACLE for me....   have to Treasure each and every single moment with her....

BUT THIS MOMENT, FOREVER I WILL HOLD EVEN MORE SPECIAL!

Mama Mary

During the last trip to Manila, I got to stop in at the Church in Greenhills Shopping Center once more....  and it was an added BONUS that is was not too crowded....  I got to really look around and get up close to the Madonna and Child sculpture by the altar....   even from afar, it gives such as serene feeling....  soft colors, just the right touch of Golds to make it not GAUDY looking for my taste....  and the Virgin Mary's face is soooo soft and serene... so calming....  I could just stare at it for hours.... 

By far, IMHO, this is the Prettiest face sculpt of the Virgin Mary I have ever seen in all my travels....  and I have even been to The Vatican.

PENSHOPPE Goes Inter, Again!!!

Earlier this year, Penshoppe - one of the Philippines leading clothing brand - completely stunned me when they unveiled their latest ad campaign....  though am not much a FAN of their clothing (too young, too trendy, not too hip), I have always admired their advertising... and their choice of endorsers....   from Jericho Rosales.. to Victor Basa... to Matteo Gudecelli...  local actor/ models and certified hunks...  but this Springtime,  out went the local hotties - and instead, they unveiled a slew of print ads and billboards with Hollywood Star, Ed Westwick...  Chuck Bass of the popular Gossip Girl....   I suppose this is a BIIG COUP for the local brand...  delighted the masses who frequents their shops....  but alienated me a bit more....   Have nothing against Mr. Westwick - I can even say that some of the ads I have seen with him in, I actually like....  he looked better that I remember him in the show....  though I have only caught the first season... hahahahahaha...

Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick

Now, word is that a slew of new Ad Campaigns will be hitting the market for Penshoppe before the Holidays... this time around using Thai Actor/Model/Superstar Mario Mauer...  once again... not a local hottie but at least, coming from the same continent....  and with half an Asian blood infuse in him....  I believe he has a Thai mother and a European father...  and though I have never seen him in anything he has acted in (Love of Siam being his biggest HIT!) - I have seen him magazines and local entertainment news...  and he is a certified hottie...  so am looking forward to his shots up in biiig billboards, as well as, print ads in local Philippine Fashion Mags....  BTW, Mario will make a Personal Appearance in Manila on Oct 29th - he will be one of the main attraction for Penshoppe's Fashion Show for Philippine Fashion Week.

Thai Actor/Model mario Mauer - Soon to WOW Penshoppe Lovers!!!

So this is a TREND the Philippine fashion houses are going for it seems....  Bench's underwear ads with the Philippine Ruby Team (though playing for the Philippines - each but one of them look Filipino!); OXYGEN using none but Caucasian Models...  and now, Penshoppe with their "one-two" use of foreign talents... 

So what's the deal???   Why replace the locals with International stars, athletes and/or models?   In fairness, Philippine Houses uses foreign talents both in print and media ads... and Philippine runways also boasts foreign talents... still, the locals always gets top billing and are the main focus.... until now....  as EXCITING as it is that the Philippine brands seemed geared to go Global - it is saddening to think that they will NOT BE REPRESENTED by Local Bloods.... seems a bit of a shame...  especially now that the Filipino Pride and Community seems to be everywhere - in sports, in Music, on TV, etc....

Victor Basa - Boy I do miss seeing his face in Penshoppe's Advertising....  Still, my FAVE Penshoppe Endorser Ever!

HARDSHIP

Hardship may dishearten at first,
but every hardship passes away.
All despair is followed by hope;
all darkness is followed by sunshine.
-Rumi ♥================
Mom was rushed to the hospital early Wed morning.... found out about it a little after 12PM via PM form my niece, Nicole, on Facebook: "Your Mom was rushed to the hospital this morning. She could not breathe..." That was it... nothing more........

Needless to say I tried to call right away but to no avail... was at a lost all afternoon - going crazy with worries....  I even contemplated on getting an airline TIX and flying out to see her at once.... Good thing I was finally able to get a hold of my half brother (in Manila at the moment... on leave from his work in the Middle East) and found out how Mom is... 

Indeed, she was rushed early morning Wednesday, as she was having a hard time breathing since Tues nite.... somehow her lungs got clogged up from the cold she is having. which the doctors drained out of her... and was prescribed antibiotics.... the sad thing is that, though she was already feeling this - she did not say a thing as she didn't want to trouble anyone... :(  (Oh Mom!)

Thank God, she is now back at home, and her breathing is getting better and better....   

FnH's MARVEL-ous Offerings!!!

Yep, that's right....  one of the Philippine's leading clothing retailer, Folded N Hung,  has jumped on the SUPERHERO bandwagons and collaborated with MARVEL for their newest T-SHIRT Offerings....   and from what am seeing so far on the net, their designs are FUNKY, COOL, and SUPERHERO WORTHY!!!

So far the TEEs  highlights MARVEL's finest and more popular Superheroes:  Thor, Captain America, IRONMAN, The Hulk, Spiderman, Storm, Silver Surfer, and WOLVERINE....  the designs/graphics seems to me, nice and not too kiddie - so even Adult fans will surely not shy away from wearing these Tees....  Now I can only hope, some will still be around (my size!) the next time am in Manila.....

One of Folded N Hung's current AD for the line of MARVEL Tees!

and women are not neglected... some goodies for them, too!!!

Warm Fuzzies

Such an emotional, heartwarming thing to see the joy, not just on my Mom's face, but her siblings as well as we had a mini fily gathering at my Mom's home..

Papa Mike, her older brother - who lives in Manila but due to a stroke many years ago, does not get around much.... & Tita Yvonne (her younger sister) who came to visit all the way from their family province of Bicol - about 7 hour bus ride to Manila..  Also along for the visits are my cousins, Rounette and May plus their children.... Quite a lot of family in my Mom's tiny home...

But that was part of the joy, I suppose... The tight setting made it much more cozier.... Hearing the three siblings reminisce about their lives, their friends, the family... Laughter, sighs of sadness and so much love all around made my heart smile with joy - joy for being able to witness and listen in to their conversations ( such sharp minds, i can only hope, I would be as sharp when i am in their ages)... And mostly joy knowing and sensing my Mom's happiness having her siblings over for a visit....

Before I flew back to Taiwan, I called up my Mom to say goodbye and asks her if she had a wonderful time during the visit - to which she replied: "of course, there is nothing like getting together with one's siblings - no matter what has gone on between them over the years.. Over the course of their lives...." hmmmmmm, I wonder if she is hinting at something here?

Run Around Rudi... WHEW!

Wishing I was the EVERREADY BUNNY right about now - just keep on Going, and Going, and Going.... the last few weeks has been soooo HECTIC.... definitely one for the books.... there were mornings when I would wake up in the middle of the nite and forget where I was....First a week in Manila (Aug 17th thru the wee hours of the morning on the 25th)... the it was half a day of work (SHIPPING THINGS!) - then off to the SPEED TRAIN to go down Kaohsiung for three days....Got back about 2AM on the 28th, slept for a couple of hours, got up, pack and get ready to head on to the Airport once more to fly out to LAOS, Via Bangkok.... a 6 day Surprise Trip!!!Came home on the 3rd, late afternoon... followed up on work - missing so many days.... and it was Baby Sitting duties for the next 3 days - and trying to work in the morning and in between playing with Juju.... she is 11 months old this month, btw......lots of shipments came in... kept me doubly busy the next few days.... with the only break coming from a 3 HR Special SRI SRI YOGA session that Juliana took me to.... could not have come at a better time, I was in badly need of stretching and (Peace of) mind tuning... LOL!Last two days spent mostly indoors packing stuff to get ready for today's shipping pick up... so pretty much done with this batch... can actually breate a bit better again... even got to stroll over to Roahe for an evening food run, temple visit and a breezy walk by Dajia Riverside Park...The next few days should be a bit better.... am almost done with shipping all that is in... billing for what is coming in next and following up on other orders... and I only have MUCHA and PICASSO exhibitions on my MUST DO plate as exhibition runs will be ending soon...

So that is the recap - so far.... will follow up more in a little bit... Hope all is well in your neck of the world.... :)