Smile, Camera and Action

The shoot begun at around 1pm, after lunch and moving into dessert. We cleaned up the mess on our dining table, except for the brownies and donuts. None of the guys chose beer. Preferred red wine. Monch picked up my digital camera and took footage. Maybe, for You Tube?

Matess asked questions that probed into the past. And the response of Bob, Cesar and Amvic proved to be both interesting, enlightening and even sentimental. But as honest as my friends can be, Chief and I were glad that they were around and sharing their thoughts about us.

Chief and I listened, specially, when each gave a “message” for us. Amvic reminded us to have God’s presence in our lives. Cesar and Bob joked about the long journey that we took…the long procession that finally led to Chief and I walking down the aisle in Saigon.

We popped two bottles of red wine. “Antares” from Chile. Actually, Merlot (2006). And “Stone Cellars” by Berlinger. Again, Merlot (2004).

If Bien Perez, my best friend, based in HK, were around, he would have given us lessons in Wine 101!

And CG must be smiling too!

Email Journals

Matess Salviejo (yup, the famous sister of Beverly Salviejo) arrived at our Greenhome around noon for the second part of the “Mel & Joey” shoot at our Greenhome. She and her crew had lunch at Don Bosco’s Amici. (Although, now, not really managed by Bosconians).

Immediately, Monch exclaimed, “Bob, kailan mo ako dadalhin sa Amici.” Then, Marivic furthered Monch’s agony by saying that pasta at Amici was really good. Photo shows Cesar and Marivic looking at old photos from....

Matess asked us to sit around the dining table, like a barkada enjoying red wine or coffee and good old kuwentuhan. While Matess would have wanted more friends around, our 55 sqm condo couldn’t accommodate the extra heads. Earlier, Chito, Guy and Meldy had sent their “regrets.”

I brought out the old photo albums and “email journals.” Yes, probably, one treasure of our relationship is our “email journals.” There are now 7 books (or editions) of these journals, which are simply print copies of our email exchange from late 2000 up to our first weeks in Vietnam. Photo shows Bob Novales looking at old photos from Marivic's birthday back in the mid 80s.

We had it “soft-bound” in Saigon. And the little creative effort of my part was to put “chapter” breaks… which were simple print ads from foreign magazines.

Last Friday night, as Chief and I were preparing our Greenhome, I had uncovered more hard copies of our “email exchanges” from 2000 which have yet to be compiled, labeled and hard-bound.

Violet at 28

Yes, it my sister's birthday today. The 28th of October. Violet, or Vio, as she is fondly called is a mother to one fast-growing kid, Miguel. Only last weekend, Miguel turned 12. Wow. Twelve years and soon, he would be going into high school. During last week's Olga's despedida, Celine, Rowell, Francis and I were talking... rather conditioning Miguel to consider going into a high school that would have good chances of leading up to college.
Photo shows Violet (right) with Chief (left)

He was just listening and said, "I don't know to my mom."

Guess, Violet knows better.

I remember back in the early 90s, during that strong earthquake, Violet was living and working in Baguio. And all communications were cut then. And no mobile phones yet... and mom and dad were extra worried about her, so I had offered to take a bus up to Baguio and check her out.

Yes, she was safe and my trip to Baguio would be another blog.

For now, happy birthday Violet! May you always count your blessings with Miguel.

Chicken for Mel & Joey

Yesterday, Saturday was the start of the long weekend is here. And it begun with me going off to Salcedo market to get some dessert for the Part 2 of the “Mel & Joey” shoot at our Greenhome. Mel & Joey image from GMA website.

Chief was busy preparing the food and dishes, proud to use her ceramics bought from Minh Long Ceramics in Vietnam. She had ordered from a caterer and also had a "aprty help" hired for the day. Earlier, I also made two trips to 7-11 to buy 6 bottles beer (before a liquor ban takes effect due to the barangay election on Monday) and a 35 peso ice pack.

By 10:00am, I stood and waited at the lobby of Legazpi Towers. First to arrive was Bob and Monch and my inaanak, Trey! Bob shooed me away as I was filming their arrival. How would have Quentin reacted?

With my Sony digital video camera, I followed them up to our condo unit. And before they could settle down, Cesar and Amvic were already knocking at our door.

The camera continued to roll, even past lunch time. Amvic bought dinuguan and chicken curry. Monch bought a dozen donuts! Chief had ordered buttered fish and roastmary chicken.

Everybody was warming us. Teasing and reminiscing about the past 20 years. Wow. 20 years. These images became vivid again as pictures from the 80s spread out in our dining table. Bien and Maripaz. Guy and Gina. Bob and Ana. Egay and Cecile. Matess and Dean. Marie and Nick. And Gil and Cecile, which is really what the “Mel and Joey” feature is all about.

The Night Before The Shoot

The night before Mel and Joey. Yes, it is Friday night and we need to clean up and prep the Greenhome for our friends and the GMA TV crew coming over for the shoot.

I bought food from Chowking, along Dela Rosa Street. Chief had siomai. And I had lumpiang shanghai. And we got asado siopao for Manny (Chief’s younger brother) and Dad Gabutina. Manny had stopped over at our Greenhome to drop off our prom picture! Yup, 16 February 1984… nearly 25 years ago. (see picture. Hehehe).

Back to the preps, we still need to fix up the closet. Yes, I finally was able to put together an IKEA clothes cabinet, which we bought from Mark (a local distributor). If you want to know where you can buy Ikea here in Makati, I can give you his contact details, even his “showroom” address.

Plus, need to prep the photo albums, the text journals, diaries and scrapbook that captures the steps of our lives late 2000 up to the present.

Plus, clean our Greenhome! Wala kameng maid kase.

I cleaned our Black and Decker electric fan earlier. Unscrewed it. Removed the plastic blade. Wiped it clean for the first time since we bought it last year.

And earlier, I bought a smaller 12” Hanabishi fan at Automatic Center at Greenbelt 1. Here, I had a “brush” with the sales people, who were giving me wrong info about the electric fan I was buying. First, they brought out the wrong size of fan. Second, the clerk confirmed it was the “right size” but obviously, he was wrong. Third, they were charging me ten pesos to processing fee for cancellation and refund (as I decided to keep the smaller fan to save around 60 pesos). Fourth, they informed me should be 20 pesos. And only to find out again (after I had raised my voice and threatened to complain to DTI) that there was no need for the processing fee.

But it is the night before the shoot and tomorrow, we take a giant step with Mel and Joey!

Two Weddings

Chief and I watched two weddings tonight. “Why kaya?” asks Chief.

In an episode of “The new adventures of old Christine” Christine’s (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) ex-boyfriend gets married. But during the toast, he mentions Christine’s name. Photo of Julia Louis-Dreyfus by Sheryl Nields/CBS Broadcasting Inc.

In an episode of “Will and Grace” Grace played by Debra Messing gets married to Leo (played by Harry Connick, Jr.) It is Will (Eric McCormack) who walks down the aisle and says to Leo, “Take care of my friend.” Cast photo courtesy of NBC.

“Why kaya?” I now also ask myself.

I was telling Chief that I was thinking of getting the DVD box set of “Will and Grace” when I was in Hanoi last month. “Why didn’t you get it?” says Chief.

The series was originally broadcast from 1998 to 2006 and takes place in New York City. It was nominated for 83 and won 16 Emmys.

Maybe, it is because on the 5th of November, Chief and I would celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary? Maybe.

Olga's Despidida

Everybody brought something for lunch at Uncle Edito’s house in BF Homes, Paranaque City. Including the mahjong set. Plus, Melo brought two bottles of fresh carabao’s milk for mom and me! Thanks Melo!

Chief and I had arrived from Cavite, where we had visited Jag Gabutina, who was in the hospital. Dad Gabutina had slept over at the hospital after Vangie had to go home.

When we got to Uncle Edito’s house, Nedda and Victor with Rowell, Francis and Celine and Nedda’s two sisters, Baby and Olga had arrived. Olga was leaving for Riyadh by Wednesday and this family get-together was born out of last Sunday’s “Lechon” Fiesta in Angeles City.

A few minutes later, Melo with Toti and his family arrived. Mario and Cherry and their two kids had arrived a few minutes after we had started to eat lunch.

Guess, no Garcia clan reunion without the sound of marble tiles crashing against each other. This time there was the “junior edition” with Chief, Toti, Monina and Cherry playing mahjong. Cherry was being teased to “upgrade” to the next table. “Puwede ka na sa amin, panay ang bunot mo!” says Mom and Melo.

Their table was directly “back to back” against the “senior edition” with mom, Victor, Melo and myself.

Toti would say, “Tignan ninyo si Tita Meya, multi-tasking, dalawang table ang tinitignan” as mom would also take a peak at Cherry’s deck!

Sitting long at the mahjong table does result to back pain but I guess, it doesn’t matter much as long as everyone is having fun… and even, winning!

By 5:30pm, it was getting dark and we could hardly see the mahjong pieces. Luckily, I made “bunot” twice to capture the “high” (which means the first person to earn 5 chips). “Nakabawi ako” I said to mom. Even Chief won 45 pesos!

But more than the winning (and the losing), it is the family getting together on a weekend, catching up with each other and strengthening the “ties that bind.”

Even if both Uncle Edito and Tita Ache (mom’s elder brother and sister) are physically unable to join us as they both old and grey, we are sure they could feel the laughter and the warmth between all us in their homes, whether it be in Angeles City or Paranaque City! Am sure, even my own dad is smiling to see us together!

Miguel celebrates

Today is Miguel’s birthday celebration. It would a long weekend as Chief and I would drive up to BF Homes Paranaque after lunch to greet Miguel and then proceed to Bacoor, Cavite, to visit Jag who was rushed to the hospital last night.

Chief had been extra worried about Jag’s condition as he is the most “sickly” among the kids of Manny (Chief’s youngest brother) and Vangie.

Mom had called up our Greenhome around 7am to remind us of Miguel’s birthday. Miguel would be having a few friends at home for a small celebration. Minnie had promised to give him a new PS3 while I would take care of the game cartridges.

We arrived at BF Homes around 2pm. And by then, Miguel and a couple of his friends were already glued to the TV and watching "Bruce Almighty."

Happy birthday Miguel!

Lives lost @ Glorietta

Noelle el Farol by friend from the University of the Philippines first sent me a text message about the Glorietta blast! He said, “Glorietta was bombed. 3 dead. FYI.” I was at the 9th floor of Philam Life Building, preparing for a client meeting with Grace. Photo from Inquirer.net.

Immediately, thanks to Globe Visibility, I browsed the Internet for news. The Inquirer website was busy and was “loading” for a very long time. Impatience quickly followed, so I switched to Yahoo News.

The breaking news said, “Gas cylinder causes blast in Glorietta.” But even that site was taking longer than usual to load the complete story.

But given, all the flack that GMA’s government had been getting, an attack from within was a possibility? Am sure many other Filipinos are speculating many conspiracy theories.

Even the news program on ANC was quick to have a discussion on these speculations. If not for the Karachi bombing, the Glorietta Blast would surely have placed the country in the headlines again.

Police said they found traces of plastic explosives, thus refuting the gas cylinder angle. By now, 9 persons had died and 119 more injured.

Amidst all the speculations and whispers, can we first stop and say a quiet prayer for the families and relatives of those Filipinos who died in the Glorietta blast.

And to all those who also died in the Karachi blast.

La Provincial

It was Rene Bernal's birthday treat. Rene had been my friend since 1983, when I first entered UST Graduate School, where I first met him, together with Nady Nacario and Christie Que. I was then with Manila Bulletin (my first job). He also stayed with Chief and I in Vietnam in 2002. And my first overseas trip to HK was with him. That was back in the mid-80s.

Chief had picked me up front Rustan’s Fresh in Greenbelt 1 at around 7pm. There was definitely the mad rush going home along EDSA on a Thursday night. I was swapping SMS with Egay Guerrero.

By 7:30pm, we were going around Ortigas Center as I made a wrong turn at San Miguel Avenue. Not really familiar with the streets here at night. A few minutes later, we had parked in front of the shopping mall and on the escalator heading to the La Pronvincial, 2nd floor of the EDSA Shangrila Mall.

Everyone was here when we arrived. Rene Bernal. Nady Nacario. Issa Avendano. Christie Que. Egay Guerrero, easily recognizable with his Jay Leno grey hair. Food was being served. Two types of pasta and pizza. Plus salad. (Again, I took pictures courtesy of Sony Cybershot!)

Gifts had been exchanged. Even Issa and Nady gave me a birthday gift. A Jose Marie Chan CD. “Naku, papaiyakin nito kame,” I said, knowing the senti music of Jose Marie Chan. Earlier, I had bought a “Noel” the new Christmas CD of Josh Broban, who recently was here in Manila for a series of concerts.

We all laughed and talked about the good old days we had, from the bathroom pictures of Rose Dumpit to Egay’s old car spinning 360 degree along NLEX. We were also teasing Rene about his birthday trip to Bangkok and the 600 bhat massage. Did he get that massage?

Chief and I announced our up and coming TV segment at “Mel and Joey.” Everyone was surprised and eager to see it. Egay said, “Magpapatali ako sa sofa para siguradong mapanood ko iyon.” He was also proud to talk about his 8 year old daughter, who had recently won a school quiz competition.

Egay was looking back to 1979 when I first met him as he was the boyfriend of Cecil Recto Villa, who was my classmate in Comm Arts. He recounted how we worked on our thesis, 25 years ago! Cecile thesis mates included Elaine Velasco, Jeanette Manarang, Genoveva Balandra, while I did work with Joyce, Edith, Chie and Jovie.

Our friendship had stood the test of time!

Mahjong Fiesta

Fiesta are really big family events in the Philippines.

And last Sunday was the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary is no exemption. It has been a tradition of the Garcia Clan to drive from Manila to Angeles for this fiesta.

Last year, Tita Ache played host to us. Cecile and I, together with mom, Violet and Miguel made the trip. This year, it was different as we all arrived a day earlier, slept over at Melo’s place at Villa Theresa, after a night of dancing!

By noon, we were really in a fiesta-mood and ready to feast on the lechon and other high-cholesterol food. Crab. Shrimp. Plus, fruit salad, macaroni salad, “tibok-tibok” and leche plan. Victor de Vera brought red wine, but nobody picked up the bottle.

And after lunch, the mahjong table was set by Melo and Toti. Mom and I and Victor completed the “quorum.” Luckily, I won early and earned money to last for the next couple of hours. Even mom was surprised I won early in the game. Photo shows my cousin Nedda as Mom watches on.

Today was also the first time Chief sat through a highly-competitive, fast-paced mahjong game. Melo was teasing Chief and Nedda (who replaced Victor) of how slow the game was moving. Toti, his younger brother, then replaced him too. Actually, he just needed a “nic” break. Yosi break. Photo shows Chief (on the left) enjoying the game.

The game ended around 5pm.

Lechon Fiesta

Last Sunday was the feast day of the Most Holy Rosary here in Angeles City. We all woke up at Villa Theresa. It was around 8:30am. Tocino and itlog na maalat was served. I skipped the “red eggs” and just ate tocino with rice.

But what made coffee different was the fresh carabao’s milk. Mom, Chief and Violet enjoyed their coffee. Masarap the carabao’s milk. Melo later said that each fresh bottle costs around 100 pesos. This milk could easily be made as “ulam” and as soup. Melo explained that if the milk was heated, the top layer would form a cheese-like substance. Mom says the milk is used for “tibok-tibok” which is a native delicacy here in Pampanga.

We caught up with the 10am Mass at the Cathedral. It was full house. It was a con-celebrated Mass, with around 6 priests. Everyone was sweating. I bought a 20 peso “pamaypay” for Chief.

We squeezed further inside the cathedral. And stood just 15 meters from the main altar.


By noon, we were really in a fiesta-mood and ready to feast on the lechon. There goes the cholesterol level for most of us... and that includes me, my mom, Melo and maybe, even Victor de Vera (husband of my cousin, Nedda).

Night of Dancing

We went out dancing somewhere in Angeles City. It was mom first-ever to stay or rather sleep over in Angeles City. This capital city of Pampanga is her home province. Photo shows Chief swinging with Dexter.

Together with Chief and me, Violet and her 11-year old son Miguel joined us. GUess, Miguel is amazed as he entered this "dancing hall" and see young and old people alike enjoying the music of a live band called "Decadas."

Also present is my cousin, Olga Seng, who was in the country for a short vacation. She works and lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She had beeb living and working abroad for many years and once a year, she comes home for a short vacation. Photo shows Olga with mom and Chief.

Melo Garcia was our host, together with Cindy and Dexter, who both showed us the grooves and the steps. From LA Walk to cha-cha to boogie, we danced. Sometimes, we were a little shy. But we all had a good and memorable time. Photo shows Melo dancing with my mom!

Towards the end of the night... around midnight, the band sung "Achy breaky heart" and almost everybody stood up and did "line dancing." Melo was leading everyone... turn left, turn right... move up and down the dance floor.

I can sing the lyrics of that song as I scribble these words.

Chocolate with Bingo & Mila

Today, Friday is a holiday. End of Ramadan. And last night, Chief and I met up with our couple friend from Vietnam. Bingo and Mila Pantaleon. We had first met them in Saigon, through a referral from Maribel Regino, who used to live and work in Saigon before she moved to Jakarta (and now based in Bangkok).

Bingo who was then Marketing Director of United Pharmaceuticals had entrusted his brands to McCann Erickson, which was led by Chief. Today, they are based in Jakarta. We had visited them nearly four years ago (2004). And whenever they are in Manila, meeting them for coffee would be part of their itinerary.

Caught with them around 9pm at Larry’s Bar at Serendra. They had ordered lechon. Wow. Cholesterol. I ordered from Cherry one ice-cold San Mig Light Beer Cherry. Chief and I had eaten dinner at home earlier, as we watched the 1st episode of Kelsey Grammer presents The Sketch Show.

Chief, Mila and Bingo had the “Original Sin” chocolate cake while I tried the Breakfast Blondie cake. Photo shows the 7,500 peso coffee maker and 45 peso per slice cakes. Back in Vietnam, the old fashioned coffee strainer cost only around $5.00. hehehe

Photos taken by me using Sony Cybershot (borrowed from my mom)

Baby and The Bike Dream

Last Thursday, I dreamt that Chief and I were still living at our Greenhome along Valero Street. And I had bought a new bicycle. In a conversation with the seller, I mentioned that Chief and I were looking for a kid to adapt. The seller mentioned that there was a newly born baby in need of adaption. In my dream, I think the baby’s name was either Helen or Grace. Not sure anymore. Chief gets the baby and even feed the baby.

Again, out along Valero Street, broadcast teams were asking me where they could connect their camera to access electrical power. And there was access along Valero Street. They need electricity for their cameras to cover a religious procession.

On the last frame of the dream, I was able to take a picture of Mama Mary statue during the procession.

Boston Public "Gone" Episode

Last Wednesday night, Chief and I had watched “Boston Legal.” We really wanted to sleep early and there was nothing really good on TV until the opening credits of “Boston Legal.”

I only had watched a few episodes of this series, which had started as a spin-off from “The Practice” while we were still based in Vietnam in 2004.

What was important to learn in this episode was how Allan Shore (James Spade) chose friendship over his own principles. He valued his friendship with Denny Crane (William Shatner), who had been subject of a lawsuit from an indigent, named Kirk (after Shatner’s own character n Star Trek) he had shot with a paint-gun. Spade agreed to take on the case as a way to settle with the indigent for the amount of 75,000 dollars.

In a parallel story, Denise Bauer (with photo)
and Brad Chase (Mark Valley), two other lawyers of the firm, Crane, Poole & Schmidt. pretend to be FBI agents to the extent of violating the law to rescue the son of her maid who had been kidnapped by a pedophile. This pedophile had been hiding and only maintains contact with the priest.

Julie Bowen was born on March 3, 1970… and celebrates her birthday after Chief’s own birthday).

Chief was surprised at one scene, when Brad with an ax in hand, accidentally, cuts of three fingers of the priest, who had prevented the lawyers from entering his office.

At the end of the episode, Spade talks about the 27 million poor Americans who might one day decide to fight back against the rich like Denny Crane.

Meanwhile, the priest gets his missing finger back and points to the location where the pedophile is hiding. The boy is rescued.

But on the teaser for the next episode, Brad is on trial.

Guess, we will watch that episode.

Photo courtesy of Boston Public cast and Julie Bowen from www.tvguide.com (by Scott Garfield / ABC)

Readers at Rockwell

On my first Sunday back from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Chief and I went to Mass at Rockwell. It was the 9:30am Mass. We arrived a few minutes early as it was easy to find parking space.

There were still many empty seats inside the Chapel. A group of people wearing white were conversing near the top of the aisle, from where the priest and the sacristans would start to march down at the beginning of the Mass.

Sometimes, they would be conversing a little too loud that the woman infront of us would look back at them.

Later, we would find out that these people in “white” were to be blessed as the new “readers.” They had gone through a program that qualified them as “readers.”

Chief and I would remember that back at Nha Tho Vung Suay (Church of the Vietnamese Martyrs), where we got married last November, we were once “readers” too.

We didn’t go through any program. Maybe, being members of CFC qualified us to be readers? Maybe, because Sr. Velynne personally knew us.

Or maybe, because, God chose us to be readers!

Wifi at Tan Son Nhat

Wow.... wi-fi at Tan Son Nhat Airport! This is a newly-opened airport. Just a few weeks old. Very modern and clean. And spacious. Really a far cry from our own Centenial Airport, NAIA 2. The are around 20 Immigration counters.

I didn’t even have to pay airport tax, which is probably included in my ticket already. A couple of Pinoys talking near me and blabbing about the new airport too.

What it lacks is duty free shops. Of course, nothing compared to HK and Singapore Airport, which have coffee shops and all the branded shops. Here, I saw a Swatch retail shop. Another shop sells traditional Vietnamese products, from Trung Nguyen Coffee to Chateau Tea and cashew nuts, But I pulled back from buying any more pasalubong as I exceeded shopping allowance already.

According to Wikipedia, the airport begun as an unpaved airport during the early 1930s. It was constructed by the French in the village of Tan Son Nhat. Around 1956, the US built a 7,200-foot runway. During the war, it was an important airport for the US and South Vietnam. Today, it is one of the newest and modern airports in the Region.

I remember reading in Vietnam News around December 2004, when the United Airlines became the first U.S. airline to fly to Vietnam since the fall of Saigon.

Chief just called me from our Greenhome. She says that she couldn’t sleep last night. Eager and excited to hug me after ten days.

Soon, I will be home again and continue the steps of our lives together!

Lunch at La Taverne

Met up with my former colleague Ms. Tu Nga at the La Taverne Restaurant, front of the FPT Office at 41 Suong Nguyet Anh, somewhere in District 1. According to the http://anan-vietnam.com website, La Taverne offers Vietnamese & French cuisine prepared by a world-renowned French Chef in villa and its tranquil gardens. (Photos from http://anan-vietnam.com)

We caught up on many things happening within Vietnam. I worked with Ms. Tu Nga when I first arrived in Vietnam in 2001. Mai Thanh Advertising was the first company I had worked for.

As PR Account Director, we worked together on several brands and events. This included the launch event for Dove in HCMC.

Together with Johnny Edbrooke and Brenda So and the rest of the agency team, we developed the Dove Spa on the building which would later become the Sheraton Hotel.

We also worked on the Kimberly Clark “Simply the Best” Program.

Here at the La Taverne Restaurant, one would see the middle-class Vietnamese professionals enjoying buffet food. Western food. Pasta. Salad. I had two servings of potato salad and three slices of pizza. Not really like my fave cheese and garlic Shakey's pizza but good enough for lunch.

On one table, I saw a foreigner enjoying lunch with a Vietnamese woman.

Will post food pictures soon.

1st Day

Back in ATS Hotel. First day is done. Guess, language comprehension and understanding would always be a challenge for doing an English-driven workshop on PR.

There are many business terms and jargon that is hard to translate or even, doesn’t have an English counterpart. But with the eagerness to learn, this could be overcome. But with the lack of focus due to work or even, simple, sms messaging, this again presents a tougher challenge.

Guess, I miss being inside a CFAD classroom where language is not a challenge. Only, the mobile phone.