St. Peter and Paul's Church

Makati is older than most of us realize. The church of St. Peter and Paul in the picture above looks like an unremarkable church, the type you see all over the city, but it's older than the usual. Perhaps not the actual structure, but the site has been a place of worship for Christians for 392 years. The tradition of Christianity in this part of town is long, deep, and you wonder how far into the future will it continue.

Jojo and I visited this place, on its mention by Cherie. She writes well about churches and other old places she knows of and has visited since she was a young girl.

La Traviata and La Modele

I gave away tickets to La Traviata to two friends. It was a wonderful experience, they tell me. The soprano was amazing. The music was riveting. They were the best seats in the house. I am very happy that it was experienced by arguably the two of the most cultured people I know (of my general age range).

I had no idea that the tickets and show were both of such high quality. I don't know how to thank my aunt properly (she gave me the tickets). Normally a profuse thank you would suffice for her, but I didn't watch the show myself. I just realized that she was even willing to give me a few more tickets pa. I am pretty impressed with the whole thing.

I will have to figure this out over the next couple of days.

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My boss is out the whole week, but I have plans to take control of what I'm going to do -- it's all rather exciting. I have to thank my colleague for passing to me such a good modeling resource. I feel it has empowered me to do things that I would not have confidence of doing. . .that's a powerful and amazing thing.

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Album Leaf lulling me to bed

A Move Out Request & 7 Wonders

I spoke to Nori this weekend, and I was a bit sad to tell him that my sister wanted to stay in the flat, and that in effect, I would like him to leave. He is a good flatmate and I didn't want to give him any aggravation. But I have to think about what is also best for me and my sister. I hope that by giving him enough notice (more than 3 months), that he will be okay with this arrangement. What mitigates things is that he was also thinking about whether he would be moving on or not. However, I feel that I've narrowed down his options.

Spent the weekend playing A LOT of 7 wonders. It was nice going to Benj's apartment (where we played on Sunday) in Forbestown Heights. . .and I have to say that I like the scale of the neighborhood near Burgos Circle. It's actually very live-able there. The establishments nearby are interesting enough AND the neighborhood definitely tilts young. I think I will have to look into actually moving to that area. There is new construction going on.

Listening to Album leaf. Slowing down my pace so that I can get a deep sleep. I hope that it works somehow. It has made writing this entry a bit more peaceful, and I do find myself getting drowsy. Good Night.

die Angst

Anxiety is. . .generated when one feels impending judgment on you. But isn't it more important that you trust on your own judgment, and you are faithful to what you know is right? Anxiety . . . is borne of a story you told yourself, a story you do not like. What is this story? How many times have you told it to yourself, and then just as quickly change it, before going back to the original one? Do we have to keep on moving into different narratives. . .a cycle that keeps us to a certain place.

I love you na

"I love you na!" I get anxious when I hear that from new acquaintances. I would like to tell them, please realize that I am also an awful person with a "stick up my ass", as a good friend recently told me. Please tolerate me first, then realize that I am a decent person, rather than like me and then be disappointed.

I imagine this complex invites all types of collateral damage.

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I discovered that I have a friend who does not watch TV, nor listen to radio. . .nor read magazines, nor read newspapers and rarely surfs the net. I'm Jealous. gusto kong gayahin. Media Diet.

Talamitam

When friends ask me if there is a nearby mountain they could trek up, I am at a loss to recommend one. Most of the mountains I've climbed are selected as part of training climbs, so the trails are difficult and require more preparation in terms of training and equipment, than is practical for someone who just wants to climb a mountain for a day trip.

After this past weekend though, I now have one mountain I can recommend. Mt. Talamitam can be summitted in two hours, and the effort is rewarded by a great view of the Batangas area. The jump off point is off the KM 73 marker of the national road in Tagaytay. You can park your car at a secure place (at the front yard of a gentleman whom we call Tata Nic), and then one heads towards the foot of the mountain after paying 25 pesos at the nearby community area where climbers register. After a climb all morning, and taking lots of pictures, you can reward yourself with food in Tagaytay.

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I climbed this week as part of a group are doing tune up climbs before heading to Snow Mountain in Taiwan. The group consisted of Niel and his family, his two officemates Boom and Mac, and AMCI folk Jason, Kat, Lykka, Ian and Teejay. We had a ton of fun. Next time, we will climb the relatively nearby mountain Batulao, 'coz aside from Niel and Teejay, the AMCI folk skipped climbing what was originally part of the itinerary.

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After getting into a good climb, such as the one yesterday, one starts thinking already of what else is out there to explore. It can easily become a big addiction.

The Abrera Family

The gentleman on the rightmost of the right photo is Uncle Jaimito. He has a tweety bird tattoo on his chest. He recently helped us kick out some loud-mouthed property encroachers in Busuanga. The fourth lady seated is Aunt Lourdes. I had no idea that she looked that fierce in the 1960s.

The lady sitting solo on the left photo is Aunt Monina.

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I find striking the photo evidence that show the the cultural collateral damage that took place in the late 60s, early 70s, when people, our families, decided no longer to dress in tailored dress and suits.

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We were the hosts this year of the family reunion.