Amazing 2012

Of course, it has been a tradition.. writing my own recap of the year that past.

My 2012 can be described in two words. Travel and Buffet. Just kidding. 

Well seriously, 2012 has been a great year for me. I cannot say it is the best one, but definitely a good one. Maybe because it is full of experiences I had in different places and wonderful moments with friends and loved ones. Yeah, like my twitter profile says, I am still 27 and still singing the same song. 2012 is just a glimpse of hopefully, the best year to come. So here goes a brief review of the year that was.

TRAVEL

My blog is full of my stories about the places I've been to this year. I have traveled to Korea, Coron, Taiwan, Singapore, and Vietnam. What a great way to maximize my 18 vacation leaves this year at work. The best trip of course is Korea because it is my hometown =) Kidding aside, I fell in love to Korea and I really want to go back here. The weather, the food, the shopping, and the people makes me miss this place so much. Of course, Coron is also a good island, but because of the propeller plane, I am hesitant to go back. Anyway, our two day trip to Taiwan is a stressful one but I think we managed to explore Taiwan enough, given a small time. But I forgot to try their version of Chatime. Spending two weeks in Singapore almost broke me. Just kidding. But yeah, spending 2 weeks is a lot of time for a costly place. I didn't get my luck here but no regrets, at least I tried and experienced what it's like to be here for some time. I miss shopping in Singapore. I came here during the great Singapore Sale and really bought a lot especially in Cotton On. Compared to Manila, Cotton On prices are times three. I'm not kidding. Some items I bought in Singapore are sold here thrice the value. How unfortunate. Thatt is why I am never going to buy here in Cotton On Manila. My last trip of 2012 is in Hanoi, Vietnam. A place where you can have a Motorcylophobia, fear of motorcycle. I don't have one but I started to feel it in my 3-days trip =) Hanoi is famous for their high-quality branded bags Northface and crumpler so I bought luggage and bags here.. so cheap with original quality. Explored Halong Bay which is quite similar ambiance when I was in Coron. Well, Coron is better for its diving facilities. So that's it, my major travels. Looking forward to spending my 20 leaves again in 2013, traveling.

BUFFET

Of course, if you will check my blogs, almost everything is about food. This is the year I almost tried every buffet deals in town. Having buffet with good friends is a great experience. It has been our bonding moments this year. Without this, I think we are lost for stories and won't catch up with each other. That's maybe the reason I gained 10lbs at the end of the year. I will just hit the gym in 2013 again after being away for two months. Anyway, the best buffet for me is Market Cafe, Hyatt Hotel, and Heat, Edsa Shang. The worst would be Cafe Jeepney, Intercon and F1 Hotel. After this year, I am not looking forward to more buffet in 2013, unless I lose that 10lbs again. And also, I tried almost every buffet so that experience is something already.  I am just going to lose that pounds then I'll be back with vengeance =)

CAREER

When I failed to find job in Singapore last June, I thought it's the end of finding success. But as the saying goes, everything happens for a reason so I just keep trying to apply and apply then finally got the good news, not in Singapore but here in HSBC Manila. Getting an upgrade is a gift these days. I am very thankful and I love my job now. Learning SAS is cool. I am happy with my job right now. 

FRIENDS and FAMILY

Having healthy family and friends, no worries.. can I ask for more?

LOVE

What can I say? Love is a complicated thing to handle. GO with the flow. If it comes, let it come. If not, then it will come, someday. I am hopeful. I'm ready. 2013, make me happy. #alamna Puh-please?

KOBE and Co.

My Lakers are struggling this year. Chemistry is just starting to build with Nash coming back from injury. Gonna keep pushing hard up to the playoff spot this year. I'm not expecting a the 17th banner this year with the current kind of defense, but they have the talent and what it takes to win, just need to find themselves together. Go go go! 

Goodbye wonderful 2012... Cheers to a promising 2013 =)

That Kind of Spark

After this party, people are asking me what happened to "us".

I just laughed. Well because nothing happened. 

My friends keep asking me that we really have chemistry and we so fit together. What else can I say? Oh yeah. Of course, I agreed. He was my all-time crush at work. But I always tell them that the spark and chemistry we have will only be just like that because I know that if he likes me he would have told me beforehand. 

It's hard to keep holding on to something that isn't there in the first place. What do I  do? As usual, deal with it of course. Never assume of something that isn't going to happen. It's been years already. Thankfully, I am coping seriously better.

In end, I appreciate all of my friends' comments about our rapport but hey, he doesn't like me. That's life! We all should accept that 'cause I did already. Things have changed for good.

Kaboom!

A&S Thanksgiving Party 2010

I super enjoyed our A&S Thanksgiving Party 2010 last night! Of all the A&S Activities I had in three months, this is my most favorite!

I am not a drinker but hell yeah I really make the most out of the free booze c/o Boss Lance.

We also had fun because of Spens a.k.a Shalala doing the A&S Blind Items. My gosh I missed a lot of them because most of the blind items are those things that happened last A&S Summer Outing which I am not present. But they still told me who is the blind item. Spens is really funny!!! Super like. After the blind items, we played 0-0-7 Bang Ahh --> the reason why I had the most shots. I was surprised that I didn't quit and never really got drunk and fainted. But Joel noticed me staring for a moment in the shot glass that I am unaware of and they all laughed! After the laughing sessions, we took our time holding the microphone especially Spens, Cha, Jeric, and Sir Gani. I was amazed how drunk they are that they loved my voice when I sang "Luha" by Aegis and Spens was like "Girl, ang ganda ng boses mo ha!" so I finished the song while Spens rendering the second voice.. so funny! After that, me & Spens did the remix version of "Ulan" by Cueshe. Then I had the duet of "Stupid Luv" with Jeric. And for the finale, I had "Bakit Ba Ganyan?" & "Creep" duet with Sir Gani.

This night was really fun. This maybe our last time together. I am truly happy that I got the chance to participate in the A&S activities and be with these wonderful people especially funny moments with Spens. I will miss my busy times with A&S. I have learned so many things and known so many people because of this. So Goodbye and Thank You A&S 2010!!!

ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2010

With 5 free tickets from Joe c/o Mickey Perz, we were able to watch the annual ABS-CBN Christmas Special last December 14 at the Araneta Coliseum. Wow. The show was spectacular. The productions are sooo freakin' amazing. Of course, all I want to see among the Kapamilya stars are Toni Gonzaga & Zanjoe Marudo. But my favorite part is when Arnel Pineda did the Air Supply medley along with the UST Singers & Orchestra. Goosebumps. Also, many were touched in Gary V's solo rendition of "I will be here" and "Warrior is a Child". I saw some people crying in the audience. Overall, it was one of the best concerts I ever watched. I can't wait to watch it again on the telecast tomorrow.

Chie, Joe, Tinmay

My fellow green team rep, Memon

The best comedian today, Vice Ganda!

Toni, Vhong, Bea, John Lloyd, Anne, Echo, Christine, & Zanjoe woohoo!

Sam Milby with the Star Magic Talents

More of Sam Milby with the Star Magic Talents What a production number!

Mr. C with the UST Orchestra

Mr Pure Energy - Gary V

Oh that is our choreographer, Mickey Perz!!!

Toni, Gary V, Zsa Zsa, Billy doing songs from the movies

The seductive performance of Greta with Jason, Jake, Derek, and Zanjoe

Megastar, Piolo, and all the Kapamilya Stars doing the finale

Kalye Manila 2010

Finally, HSBC Christmas Party is over. A&S Team can now breathe. Green Team can now relax. Haha. It has been a very busy two months for me. After all the planning, meetings, and practices, I can now take my time in the gym woohoo! Bring it on. Oh and by the way, Green Team won 2nd place in the Christmas Party presentation. I think we are the overall champion once again woohoo! But the other team presentations were also really good and you can see their efforts. It's just really a matter on the judges' point of views. Of course, I like our team - especially the Narda scene.. goosebumps. Hands down to all the organizers including Joe, Memon, Chari, Ruby, Tinmay, Abi, and of course, to our choreographers Mickey Perz & Co. They are really very professional and super nice. I like Mickey & Ryan's accent. Haha. For some reason, I have to leave the party early.. I just can't take the risk.. I have to stay away.. after some stupid incident.. just to avoid what is about to happen. What can I say? "GET LOST! Eew eew eew! Haha." Still, that night was a blast! Cheers to the A&S Overall Champion! =)

Here's our "ASAP XV" presentation:

And it all comes down to 1...

Two months after all the challenges & weigh-ins, our A&S program "The Amazing Road to Fitness Challenge" will now come to an end this coming Friday, Dec 10 as we will announce the major major winner. After watching the 15-minute video that summarizes all the hardships that all the contestants ran into, I really got goosebumps. Of course, I am part of the program being one of the organizers. I felt sad that it will now end. We really can't imagine that two months is really over now. But hey, the winner lost 37 pounds.. Not bad. But what's most important after all is the cammaraderie & new friendship we built as the trial goes on. Congratulations to all the contestants, the Fit 6, and of course to us: Memon, Guads, Cha. Double down!!!

CCO Christmas Party 2010

Last December 3, we had our department Christmas Party. Of course we have a contest but this time, we only have two teams involved: BGC vs iHub. This year’s theme is HIPHOP!!! Although we are not all skilled to dance hiphop, we have to create a music video that will look like we are a dance crew. Because we are so busy in BGC, we just shoot our video for one day, lunchtime. Miel just did a great job editing it to make it a better video than expected. Of course, we already knew that iHub team will win the contest after knowing that they shoot for almost a week in different venues. Career! Plus they have dedicated dancers to do the choreography. Still, it is just a matter of making the video for fun. Yes it is fun – especially after watching the two videos.

We also had a live rap contest after the film showing. It was just announced a day before the party so there is really no time to prepare. Glad that “Stupid Love” is included in the playlist so it is our time to shine together with my gangsta partner, Brylle Genio. I'm not really in a hiphop mode that night but when we are about to rap, I suddenly changed my attire to something I'm not really used to. I borrowed Brylle's extra jersey, Ish's cap, Jana's ponytail, I did a little folding in my pants, and put on my high cut Chuck Taylor shoes (which is always under my workstation) and I'm ready!

There are five teams and we won the contest. I also won a raffle prize. So I guess it is one lucky day for me. The iHub FTS also showcased their dancing talents by acting like Jabbawokeez. As usual, Brian Diche never fails to impress us. It is really a fun night and I was amazed that many people came and joined the party. We really need this kind of event. After all the things that our department experienced, we all came together as one. I am still proud to be in CCO. Next stop.. HSBC Christmas Party!!! Goodluck Green Team! Cheers!