Transformers 4 + The Fault in our Stars @ SM City BF Director's Club and other shindigs

Just recently, Martin and I watched the movies Transformers 4 and The Fault in our Stars. We loooove watching movies; it's our favorite past time. Ever since SM City BF Parañaque opened, it has been much easier for us to watch movies however, it was more difficult on the pocket. An ordinary 2D movie would cost PhP220 and the Director's Club Cinema (DCC) would cost PhP350. GRABE LANG. Pero pinapatulan pa rin namin ni Martin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, hindi naman ganun karami pera namin pero ang SARAP lang kasi talaga manood sa DCC. 

The DCC has only less than 50 seats inside the theater, fully reclining La-Z-Boy chairs, a free bowl of popcorn, a doorbell to call your butler in case you get thirsty/hungry in the middle of the movie, a cinema lobby where you can relax before the movie starts. VIP treatment talaga! And that's what you pay extra for the PhP350 you shelled out. Masaya and malamig, mabango, maluwag and the staff are friendlier.It's a far cry from your average PhP220 movie theater. If you have the extra money to spend and if the movie is worthwhile to see in the DCC, then go! :)

I remember the first movie that Martin and I watched in the DCC is Ender's Game. Grabe sulit! Super nag-enjoy kami! What's not to enjoy in the DCC aside from its hefty price tag? But some movies such as The Fault in our Stars, yan, medyo sayang panoorin dyan. Grabe. ANG BADUY ng The Fault in our Stars! I find it boring and the acting was not stellar. Perhaps because the script didn't call for challenging acting. And another reason I disliked it was because I found the movie too teeny bopper. Blech. Nagpicture picture na lang kami ni Martin sa lobby ng SM BF.

In the center of this booth was a CANDY TREE where lollipops of different sizes and colors hung. I thought they were cute and decided to take photos. One lollipop was even bigger than my face! I hid my face  behind it while tip toeing with my small feet (I'm a size 6 with a height of 5'2.5")!

 

 It's nice to watch colossal movies in the DCC, such as X-Men, The Edge of Tomorrow, and Transformers 4. Yan, magandang panoorin talaga sa big screen kasi feel na feel lahat ng scene at ng sounds! Woohoo! But I cannot say that Transformers 4 was something WHOA e. Ang daming butas na maiinis ka lang panoorin. It was visually stimulating though because of the volume and quality of visual effects put into it. Pero the story fell short. Ito na naman ang example ng magandang effects pero kulang-kulang na storya, katulad na lang ng Maleficent. Sayang talaga yun. Martin and I watched it in the DCC but it failed miserably. Hay. Ang ganda at galing lang ni Angelina Jolie kaya bumawi sa aspeto na yun.

Before watching, we ate at Zabo Chicken. Guys, MASARAP dito sa Zabo! The chicken is JUICY and TASTY! You can really taste the oomph in the chicken, even if the part you're eating is the chicken breast (i.e., white meat). Then watched Transformers 4, a three-hour long movie of clashing metals. After this, nagutom kami! Haha! Since we didn't want to spend more money, we decided to eat at SM Hypermarket. There were food stalls there and you can have your fill of feel-good food such as siomai, siopao, rice in a box, corn on a cob, lumpiang ubod, etc.

We ordered from Paotsin, one of Martin's favorite dimsum stores, and Hen Lin, my favorite dimsum restaurant. And we parked ourselves in the eating area where tall tables are placed and you have to stand while eating. Simple joys for a simple couple! :) Ayun, ang saya namin, haha! Masayahin kami ni Martin kasi pareho lang mababaw kaligayahan namin at simple lang kami. And the most important thing is, we are not a pretentious couple, unlike some. We'd just like to keep it real. If we have more money than usual, we treat ourselves with a bit of luxury. If we only have little, we don't force ourselves to buy or avail of over-the-top things. And we try to make God the center of our relationship. God first before anything else. :)

At the food area of SM Hypermarket. We were standing up as we ate and I think this helped in making us not feel bloated.

One more week before thesis manuscript submission!

For the past two nights I have been restless in my bed. My eyes are closed but I cannot sleep.

The thought of FINALLY submitting the first draft (first draft pa lang naman) of my completed thesis manuscript AFTER FOUR YEARS of constantly having it at the back of my brain makes me so...



EXCITEDanxiousSCAREDnervousGIDDYelectrifiedBOTHEREDagitatedALIVEthrilledEXHILARATEDworriedJUMPYpanickyJOYFULhopefulFEARFULedgyDRIVENsensitiveELATEDstimulatedOVERWROUGHTenlivenedUNEASYrestlessTENSE...




A myriad of emotions overwhelm me so much I can't sleep!

Pero ito na yun e, the semi-culmination of my research and my master's degree!!! RAWR!!!




LET'S GO EDZ!!! MALAPIT NA ANG FINISH LINE!!!

FINISH STRONG!!!

Austolia Jewelry Arts: A Tribute

I came across Austolia Jewelry Arts at the Newport Mall in Resorts World Manila. There was an exhibit of various wares ranging from native delicacies to house furniture to jewelry. Being the accessory lover that I am (yes, very much! It's one of my life's weaknesses!), I was automatically drawn to that booth with glittering, golden/silver chains with stones. Upon reaching it, my interest was piqued even more! There were these bangles that clasped rocks (stones) and MINERALS (in layman's terms, precious stones) in its large crystalline form! Of course, having worked and studied for four years at the National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) in UP Diliman, I am able to identify minerals.

There was a bangle that held a big hematite in its center, wow! Other bangles centered an agate, red coral, Paua/Paui shell, Capiz shells,carabao horns, and the like. Some agates I noticed still had the geode intact. Some were infused with artificial colors for it to look better; though I would prefer the natural agates than the colored ones.

So as my mouth started to slaver over the trinkets, I asked for the prices of the magnificent pieces. Well, they weren't THAT expensive, but they are pricey. Their cheapest was the ring I bought which costs PhP200. I bought a bangle too that costs PhP500. It contained a shell, a bone (though I'm not sure if that was really a bone; i think it may be resin), and a turquoise stone. These were the only items that I can afford at the moment. See photos below:

I placed a filter on this photo so as to highlight the ring's colors. It fascinated me because I remembered an ammonite (an extinct cephalopod that existed during the Mesozoic Age) that I have encountered while working at NIGS. Though upon closer inspection, I hypothesized that this could be a citrus fruit's endocarp (the pulp) which was pressed and tainted with artificial colors and trapped in resin.

This was the bangle I was describing above. There were other more exquisite designs to procure however, ganito lang kalayo kayang abutin ng pera ko, haha! But it's still nice! This bangle would go well while wearing a plain colored t-shirt or rolled up button down dress shirt and paired with jeans! Sosyal!

Filters on to highlight the grooves on the bracelet. 

Their price ranged from Php200 to approximately PhP5,000, depending on the materials used and design. The pieces are definitely exquisite! If only I had more money OR if they had a CREDIT CARD TERMINAL I would've bought necklaces too! They ranged from PhP800 to PhP2,500. The one that was affordable for me was a long necklace that had turquoise stones and a polished red coral dangling at the end. That one cost PhP800. But it was expensive for me at that time because I had limited cash, argh! Sayang talaga, sana may credit card terminal!!! Here are more photos of their bangles which I downloaded from the Austolia Jewelry Arts Facebook Page (I was so happy to see their FB page!!!):

Look at this bangle!!! NGANGA!!! Ang ganda!!!

What a unique design

But their most expensive pieces I saw during the exhibit were the clutch bags. It ranged from PhP4,000 and up. I cannot describe in words how mighty-fine they look. I'd leave the photos to speak for themselves.

Look at that design!!!

Real sleek and classy

Look at the PAUA SHELL facade!!!

Grabe naglaway na lang ako nung nakita ko ito sa FB page nila! Waaaaaaah!!! How I would LOOOOOVE to own one!!! Even just one! It'll be my clutch for all the sosyal events I'll go to! Well, I rarely go to sosyal events anyway so I guess this will be parked most of the time in my "accessories museum" (aka: glass cabinet), haha!

How their booth looks like during exhibits (again, downloaded from their FB page):

A full Paua shell clutch! And look at that turquoise stone bangle!!!

Their necklaces are absolute beauties!!!

These statement pieces definitely are conversation starters!

I will be travelling to Cebu and Bohol this August with Martin and HOPEFULLY I'll be able to visit their showroom there! I asked during the exhibit if they had a branch here in Manila and I was answered with a "no" then I asked if they had a store in Cebu City and again I was answered with a "no" but they have a showroom though in Lapu-Lapu City. They only do exhibits here in Manila. Oh and I was also told that their jewelry is exported to other parts of the world such as Australia and Spain. Wow, world-class talaga ang Pinoy!

To those who read this entry and would like to get in touch with the creators of these amazing jewelry pieces, fear not for I have obtained a calling card, woohoo! So here are the details:

Call now! :)

I hope that every person who read this entry have realized how talented and gifted the Filipinos are in designing and crafting jewelry.

Mabuhay ang Pinoy! 

???

I didn't know how this happened but my article on Strip vs. Lay Bare was used (recommended as they said) on someone else's website!! What???

Should I be flattered or should I be angry???

Someone's earning off from my post! And to think this is supposed to be a Christian book barn website! Aaaaargh!

Family Time

Yesterday, I was fortunate to have spent my morning with my parents, brother, niece, and nephew. They all brought me to my office, at PHIVOLCS, in C.P. Garcia Avenue. We stopped by McDonald's in the Katipunan Extension and ate a lot of fast food, haha. Here are our photos below:

Look at my nephew and niece at the left side of this photo! So cute!!! And they celebrate Hakuna Matata EVERY SINGLE DAY! Ang sarap maging bata muli!

Again, my niece and nephew. The jewels of our family. Since all of us in my immediate family are "of age" (I am the youngest in our family, aged 28), these kiddos are the center of our attention. It's such a treat to be with them and everyone gets excited if these two tag along with us in whatever trip our family makes. :)

Then after working for more than eight hours at the office, instead of Papa picking me up at PHIVOLCS, I decided to take the MRT and head down to Ayala since his eyesight while driving at night is  poor. We met at Rustan's Makati and from there we headed back to Sucat. Mama and Papa decided to treat me to dinner at Icebergs and they ordered a halo-halo each while I had tofu steak with spinach rice (pa-healthy effect kuno e ang dami ko namang nakain).

I feel so blessed every time I spend precious, and even mundane, moments with my family. Especially now that my brothers and I are already adults and my parents are both senior citizens, iba na ang pagsasama naming pamilya. We talk about things on a different plane now compared to when we were younger. Our parents welcome our contributions during decision-making family meetings; they welcome our arguments/logical rebuttals when a point needs to be explained; they don't scold anymore at us compared when we were younger. It's different. We have all grown up.

And that kind of pagsasama right now is truly refreshing and energizing. Hindi ko ma-explain e. Parang kung kailan kami tumanda, doon luminaw lahat. Ang sarap at ang saya na kasama ng parents namin ngayon, especially during intellectual discussions. I thought I already knew a lot and apparently, iba talaga ang alam ng magulang. That's why every single day, I thank God for giving me such wonderful and intellectual parents. Buti na lang mga magulang ko may maaaring maituro sa amin at hindi kami kailanman pinabayaan. Thank you Lord so much. My parents are my life's treasure and stronghold. Everything will fall into ruin but family stays with you FOREVER.

Thank you very much Lord for my wonderful family and for my ever-strong, ever-loving parents. :)

An open birthday and love letter to my life's meaning

Grabe ha, title pa lang ang cheesy na. Haha!

My dearest Mahal,

Wow. Time flies when you're having fun. We started our relationship together when you were still 20 years old (okay, I now feel like a cradle snatcher here) and now, you're 24. Ang bilis 'no? And after being together for three and a half years last June 14, I cannot stop thanking God for giving you to me. You are my life's joy and meaning. Everything about you makes me happy and content with what I have. You never cease to amaze me with your ways and for that, I am thankful. You have evolved (napaka-scientific naman nito), rather, developed into a man who's God-fearing, patient, kind, understanding, and loving towards me. I am forever grateful for that.

I know that sometimes, or perhaps most of the time, we have our arguments--- big or small--- due to my short temper and my raging hormones (pagbigyan mo na ako rito sa mga rason ko). But you have been that person who is ever so patient to deal with me. I pray that your patience for me NEVER runs out. I have my flaws, I know, but please bear with it. Our fights make us stronger as a couple. Konting taon na lang, mapupunta rin tayo sa lugar na ating minimithi: and that is to be side-by-side, together, forever. (grabe ang cheeeeesy! and all in public!!! kinikulabutan akoooooooh!!!)

It has been a roller coaster ride for us; in our careers, family life, being with friends, our emotions. But aren't you glad that after all these years we're still together? You survived me!! Hahahaha! (aylabyuuuu!) I thank God for everything that He has given us: all the small blessings like being able to afford somewhat luxurious dates, travel to different places, eat in good restaurants, watch movies, buy each other gifts... All that. Ang saya 'no? We should always be thankful to God and pray to him unceasingly.

Eto na naman tong ka-cheesyhan natin! Hahaha!

My life would have taken a different path if you didn't come around and swept me off my feet. I am truly, incandescently happy that I am with you. And I am excited what the future has in store for us. Together, we can make our dreams come true! :) Yehey! Cheers to more years of love!

I love you most, Mahal! Happy, happy birthday!

yours forever,
mahal

Our pre-celebration of Martin's 24th birthday + our 3.5-year anniversary

Yeeeeeesssss!

It feels so good to go back to writing. And what better way to start again than to write about my one true love, Martin. :)

Martin's birthday is on the 17th of June and we sort of celebrated his name day (omg it's so GoT) on the 14th. We also celebrated our relationship of three and a half years! Yey! And still going strong.

To celebrate these two meaningful occasions, first, we watched How to train your Dragon 2 3D at SM BF with my super cute niece and nephew, Audrina and Angelo! Yey! Laurice, my sister-in-law, was with us too. The movie was great! Ang galing nung graphics and maganda yung pagka-execute ng story and yung overall flow of the movie. It's not fragmented and the viewer can easily understand the story. Super cute ni Toothless!!! Waaaah! Makes me want to own a pet dragon!!! Haha! Here are our photos with the kids:

Ang pogi ng boyfriend ko! :)

We were posing against the Maleficent advertisement, which we also watched, but not with the kids.

Audrina and Angelo so cutie patootie!

Second, I decided to take Martin to Resorts World Manila's Newport Performing Arts Theater and watch the musical, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. It starred Jon Santos, Leo Valdez, and Red Concepcion. It was Martin's FIRST Philippine major production musical to watch and I'm so happy I was with him. It was an enjoyable show, with music coming mostly from the Retro 70s: It's Raining Men, Hotstuff, I Will Survive, Shake Your Groove Thang, Say a Little Prayer, and the like. At the near-end of the show, the chorus w started to dance and invite the audience to dance with them. Of course, being the let's-go-I'm-game person that I am, I stood up and started singing and dancing too. Martin's more on the reserved side, he just held onto my bag and shawl and watched everyone dance.

It was a fun musical to watch. The performances of the two seasoned actors, Leo Valdez (BRAVO!) and Jon Santos were stellar. But the dark horse of the group was Red Concepcion, being able to deliver his role stupendously and he was the most enjoyable to watch. Inisip ko nga, "ang galing naman ni Red, kaya niyang makipagsabayan kina Leo at Jon".

Posing outside the Priscilla wall of the theater's lobby

Inside the theater in our "upgraded" seats. We took this AFTER the show. We didn't have any photos DURING since we're not a photographing couple much. Jusme! Sayang!

 

I twisted Martin's arm to take a photo of me here. Haha! Grabe ha, ang ayos lang naman ng shawl ko!

Fooling around at the theater's elevator lobby: posing with the life-size boards of the main characters. L-R: Jon Santos, Leo Valdez, Red Concepcion

 Anyway, Martin and I were lucky because we got "upgraded" to better house seats in the theater so we were able to see the actors better from a nearer view.

And third, after the show we went around the mall and decided to have dinner at Cafe Mediterranean. Again, it was Martin's FIRST time to eat in this restaurant. I'm so happy whenever it is a first time for him kasi gusto makita yung reaction niya every time he tries out something new. I feel like a mom seeing my child try out things the first time. Omigulay ako na ang nanay sa boyfriend ko! We ordered the kebab platter and super sulit siya. Here's our photo:

Eating is our favorite pastime

It was a FUN-FILLED day with my love. :) Actually ngayon lang kami uli nakalabas ng ganito because I'm under house arrest due to thesis writing. This whole month of June I am depriving myself of gimmicks and dates because I have to get my manuscript out by the end of June! Nyak!

So today, June 17, the real birthday of Martin and his twin,  I am writing this post to celebrate Martin's 24th year on this earth and for being with me, patiently and lovingly, for three and a half years! Yey!!

I love you very much, Mahal! Happy birthday!! :)