I Rule My World!

I was giving my room the long and final overhaul this morning before I "permanently" move out and saw this slambook signed by me and my friends ten years (and 17 months) ago. Just thought I could share it with you. Here are some pages, unedited, for laughs. Ahh, sweet memories.

Victim No. 1

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

I’m Barbara Irene Gavas. Call me Irene for short. (During this time, "Yeye" was not ‘invented’ yet) I was born on November 30, 1983 under Sagittarius zodiac sign. My address is Puting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite. My phone number is n-o-n-e. I’m studying at PUC Elementary shcool and I wanna be a successful teacher someday. My hobbies includes reading, playing, singing. I go for orchestras, melo-touch, (melo what??) WKZ’s music and enjoy the voice of Julie Andrews (I did? Must’ve been the reruns of the Sound of Music I watched endlessly). I love to watch Bart Simpson, Bugs Bunny, Tiny Toons, etc. on TV and my movie idols are Jackie Chan (I was such a pathetic dweeb!). My favorite cartoon character is Garfield, Bart, Tazmania. I’m fond of reading books like Readers digest, TBIK (ano yun?), especially if the author is Binoy Raychowdhurl, Helen K. Oswald (hmmm…I have some googling to do). I like the shades of pink and red and crave for delicous (read DELIKUS), crispy, nutritous (read NUTRITUS) foods, but to keep my body fit, I play patintero, hide and seek, races (running). (I loved running??? So why do I hate it now??). I’m fascinated with Angel’s Breath, Margaux perfumes and I’m fond of wearing Chicago Bulls, pants. (Aha! So now I get it… I was a tomboy). I enjoy the company of friends like Cha, She, Ching, Ja, Gil, Ann (who’s Ann??), Belle, Abby, Ange, Myra, etc.

PERSONAL SWEET TALKS

Let me tell you something about myself (You mean I haven’t yet?) I’m me? Simple. Or see me in personal and judge right by nature (Oh yes! Huwat a total Loser!!). My crush is Patrick Villanueva. (Who is he, who is he?). But I can’t forget my first love named secret codename (syempre codename nga eh–secret talaga yun!). For me love means something that you feel that you have never felt before. (uhh..mejo na-confuse yata ako dun ah). I met my loved one last October 1, 1993 and the place was PCA. I first got attracted to his intelligence in games. (Sa games lang?!?) He is God-fearing. The lucky one who had my first kiss was MY PARENTS (walang slambook na walang ganyang sagot!!! nye-nye-nye!!!) and guess what was our happiest moment? It was secret. (O diba, KJ nko, bata palang). Our greatest dream is when we are made (anong klaseng dream yun?), and go to heaven with my love one. My unforgettable date and place was none. (kaluoy!), but I got the most embarrassing experience in my life when I got low grades. (Told yah, a total dweeb in the making).

Victim No. 2

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

I’m Van-Enoch Gavas. Call me Van for short. I was born on December 10, 1980 under Saguitarius zodiac sign. My address is Puting Kahoy Silang Cavite. My phone number is none. I’m studying at Phillipine Union College and I wanna be a successful Pastor someday. My hobbies includes playing clarinet, biking, eating. I go for religios (read RELI-JOSS), classical music and enjoy the voice of Kings Herald, Heritage. I love to watch Mac Gyver, Action Team on TV and my movie idols are Bruce Lee, Jackee Tsan (kawawang pangalan, na-murder ng husto..) My favorite cartoon character is Bart Simpson. I’m fond of reading books like Comics, Bible (Comics and Bible o Bible na comics??) especially if the author is King James (hahahaha!!!!). I like the shade of green and crave for nilagang baka foods, but to keep my body fit, I play sipa, biking, patintero, born the base. (BORN THE BASE ba tawag dun? Diba OTOM BASE?? hahaha). I’m fascinated with Eternity perfumes and I’m fond of wearing original T-shirts (ang yaman!). I enjoy the company of friends like Aronh, Neil, Philip, Nino, Del.

PERSONAL SWEET TALKS

I’m handsome, curly hairs but wise and talented by nature (talaga lang ha..) My crush is that’s my private (ay, naku..bakit yun?) but I can’t forget my first love named also private (si Private Ryan ba type mo?) For me love means getting one self capture (ahhh–na-ca-capture and leeg ko sa kabaduyan!!!). I met my loved one last PUC, (uhh, koya, date yata ang hinahanap na sagot jan..) and the place was PUCE (ayun, tumama!). I first got attracted to her face and performance. She is Private too. (sabi na eh, si Ryan talaga, to). The lucky one who had my first kiss was Private and guess what was our happiest moment? It was in the school. (Labo mo, tol!) Our greatest dream is to finish schooling. My unforgettable date and place was December 10 1992–PUC, but I got the most embarrassing experience in my life when I got mistake in playin musical instrument.

Special Message:

Irene, Always obey you Mother and Kuya and know how to play the piano soft. (aba–may reklamo ka!?)

Victim No. 3

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

I’m Ruby Gerussiel Rafanan. Call me Ching for short. I was born on October 11, 1983 under Libra zodiac sign. My address is Philippine Union College PO Box 1834 Manila Philippines (aba, kumpleto!! beri gud!!) My phone number is none. I’m, studying at PUC Elem. Sch. and I wanna be a successful nurse someday (at successful nurse na nga ikaw ngayon. Galing!!) My hobbies include reading, swimming and playing. I go for classic, jazz, orchestras and melo-touch music and enjoy the voice of Lea Salonga. I love to watch Simpsons, Taz-mania, Tiny Toons and Bugs Bunny on TV and my movie idols are Sharon C., Richard G., Lea S., and Sheryl C. My favorite cartoon character is Liza Simposon, Bugs Bunny, Babs Bunny. I’m fond of reading books like Reader’s Digest and fairy tales especially if the author is/are lots to mention (the classic answer pag di mo sure kung sino nga ba). I like the shades of violet, pink, sky blue and red, and crave for tasty, notritous (read NOTRITUS–aha, ikaw din pla biktima ng tanong na ito), and crispy foods, but to keep my body fit, I play swimming, running, skipping rope and playing patintero. I’m fascinated with Angel’s Breath berfumes, and I’m fond of wearing blue jeans and lose shirts (nakakawala ng shirt? so ano sinusuot mo? ;-)) I enjoy the company of you, kathleen, abi, dannice, mylene, narni and jony.

PERSONAL SWEET TALKS

I’m well, I can’t describe so see me for yourself by nature (pwede naman tumingin sa mirror, ching. Pero ganun ba talaga kahirap i-describe?) My crush is wala! but I can’t forget my first love named parents of course (sikat talaga ang parents eh!!). For me love means a feelin’ everubody must know (ayun, mejo naintindihan ko yun kahit papano). I met my loved one last never knew and the place was I don’t know. (So Dory naman ang drama mo, ate?). I first got attracted to his nothing, (anu ba ito..parang mas gusto ko pa yata si private ah..) He is no one (bakit nga ba kase pinipilit pa eh non-existent naman pala). The lucky one who had my first kiss was my parents and guess what was our happiest moment?..It was nothing. (Isang pang nothing…maghuhubad nko). My greatest dream is to be in heaven. My unforgettable date and place was PUC, Health clinic, October 1, 1983 (eh alam mo ba ng panahon na yun na dun ka nga pinanganak?!), but I got the most embarrassing experience in my life when I talked and talked but nobody listened (baka kase puro nothing ang sinasabi mo..hehe).

Special Message

Dear Irene, Thanks for the space provided. And sorry for my unneat handwriting. Love, Ching.

Sige, shortcut tayo:

I’m Sherrylou Solares. For me love means paghanga and its not sirius (ah..crush yata ang dinedescribe mo. Hind talaga yun siryusu..)

I’m Charisse Belga. My phone number is B-B-10-10, 0-2-10, 2-2-nog-nog. (aww, cmon…corny mo day!). I’m fond of reading books like fairy tales especially if the author is Jose Rizal. (My Fairybusterimo? ahihi, cornick nga jan!)

I’m Gilden Mae Galang. I’m tall, quite dark, short hair, black hair, quite big teeth by nature. (honesty is the best policy, ika nga.)

I’m Ace Christian Mendoza. I enjoy the voice of Von Jovi (akala ko Von Jobee yun..?). I’m fond of wearing short polo (kaya nga polo tawag kase short na).

I’m Rainier Ambion. My movie idols are Hulk Hugon (ahh–wala na kong masabi jan. Tatawa nlang ako. Hahahaha..!). I’m fond of wearing umble (go figure..)

I’m Jethrone Prince Role. I’m handsome, clever and sweet by nature. (gag…rolls eyes…foaming at the mouth… di ko na ito ma-take!)

I’m Ryan Rodriguez. I’m fond of reading books like history internal medicine (whoa!! di kita ma-reach, ry!) Special message: Please in your age don’t have crush. Please kipe on studying. (hindi mo alam crush kita noon kaya pinasagot kita sa slambook ko. Hehe..)

I’m Juji Lamam. ( I saw him ten years after in Malaysia last month!). I’m fond of wearing all boys dress, (uh, i think there’s a slight incongruency there..)

I’m Jensiemeel Paypa. I wanna be a successful Surgeon’s Doctor (napaka-specific na pangarap. Mapili sa client!). I’m fascinated with Merwin’s Breath. (Hahaha!!!)

I’m Jean Daligdig. My crush is Hawk Huogan (eh, kaano-ano nya si Hulk Hugon??). Most embarassing experience in my life was when I forgot to wear my bra! (ayun lang..)

I’m Liza Marie Briza. I crave for delicous foods. (aha–DELIKUS ka rin!!!).

——–THE END———

Tiny Candy Autographs. The warmth of having special friends. Sterling Paper. Copyright Philippines 1989. Metro Manila.

How do you pack for a trip you are unsure of?

What should you bring to a place that seems to have everything?

Can I travel alone?

Will I make it?

Will I be good enough to last this?

What is out there?

Who will be the new people in my life?

Will I be homesick?

Will I miss someone?

What will I do?

What can I do?

How will I do it?

Where’s the money?

Who will help me?

Is this right?

Is this it?

Will I survive?!

My system is officially infested with pizza. Ever since the fiasco at California Kitchen Pizza with Jagger, I have not tried eating out by myself. Unfortunately, the people I go out with have been hung up on that not-so-famous Italian dish (dish nga ba ang tawag mo jan???). And I have no choice but to accede their choices…

So Marven, my cousin, decided to celebrate his birthday at Pizza Hut, much to Jondean’s delight. After all, he was the one who claimed he can live on pizza alone. Three boxes of family-sized pizza later… we all showed signs of throwing up.

A few days later…

Ariane wanted to try out Woodridge Pizza at Paseo III. We were all new to the place so, yeah, we went there and ordered a New Yorker. I will never recommend it. There was nothing distinct and special in their pizzas–and the New Yorker had already been their best claim. If you want to chow on pizzas, Lotsa Pizza’s the place. More cheese, more toppings, lesser price. But it’s the kind of pizza you can always make in your own kitchen–and yours will probably even taste better.

A few hours later…

My brother treated us (my mom, aunt and cousin) to Carlo’s Pizza. Vegetariana Pizza, Spaghetti with Anchovies, chicken fingers (looking like kikiam), and Chicken Ceasar’s Salad fared the table… Every pizza bite was becoming unbearable. But I do recommend the place–great service, clean comfort rooms, and be sure to have a senior citizen with you to get a discount. The chicken fingers were heavenly–especially the dip, while the salad was too salty from too much parmesan. The spaghetti had that sweet Filipino blend, which was okay, I guess. And the marvelous pizza—well, it had been okay too, but it was just too much. I can’t take another pizza bite.

I did took it out of my system a few minutes ago (you know what! ;-)) –and I’m sure the pizza will be back to its enticing self.

To tell you the truth–I don’t really belong to the society’s elitists. I mean I could claim elitism in my own right, but then that isn’t really what my point is in this entry.
Admitting to the fact that I’m on the lower rung of social status—especially when it comes to finances, party life, neighborhood— i have to say, I’m at a loss when it comes to fine dining. Fast food chains are my kind of home. I don’t mind eating at turo-turo (and have been, in fact, hospitalized for eating fishballs sold on streets). I usually let my friends order for me, not because they have great tastes, but because I don’t. They could scrutinize and analyze food ingredients, while I munch happily away—not knowing if the food was intendedly sour— or, panis na pala.

So being friends with people who could cook really great and have the craving to eat out all the time somehow influenced me into venturing out other food chains and restaurants other than the not so famous Jollibee and McDonalds.

Of course, I still shy away from “those big-time restos”, and would only try out those I think I can afford.

So one balmy Thursday, I ‘braved’ (meaning being able to look straight ahead without salivating on the sea of dresses and shoes on sale) my way through Alabang Town Center with Jagger, who was as clueless as I was with the what’s of fine dining. Since there was no Yellowcab, Chef d’ Angelo, and Sbarro in sight…and Burger King seems too shallow for what our appetites require, we decided to give California Pizza Kitchen a try. It might seem exaggerated if I say we had to walk around two times just to convince ourselves it was OK to eat there. Appetite won against reason—and our only consolation was, at least we’ll know better next time. We even made a deal of no turning back—and no changing minds once inside. We come in, we eat, and pay whatever the cost.

We were seated by this cute waiter and were given the menus. Uh-oh. I am afraid of handed menus. The kind of menus give me the idea that the place is savvy, posh, and overpriced. Menus with more colors and pictures, ornate fonts, and ordinary spaghetti in another language makes my stomach lurch in excitement while at the same time, gives my pocket the shivers. But did I mention that the waiter was cute?

Vision over reason.

Simply no turning back.

Jagger ordered (she’s got better English accent than I do).

“Uhmmm…we’ll have the roasted garlic chicken pizza and the tomato basil spaghettinni with goat cheese on the sides please. Thank you.”

“What would you like for drinks, ma’am?”

She looks at me for a second…there was no mistaking for that twinkle in her eyes. Without missing a beat, she says, “We’ll have iced tea. Bottomless.”

When he was out of sight, Jagger reached over and hushed, “The iced tea will be our savior. If something goes wrong with our orders at least we can always down it with the iced tea.”

“Or it’ll give us the illusion we’re full, should the orders be less than what we think they are,” I whispered back.

Truth to tell, we ordered the cheapest course on the fabulous menu. Cheapest meaning P295 for the pizza, P265 for the pasta, and P90 each for the life-saving, bottomless drinks. We ordered for one person, fearing that the price was a hint that our plates would be heaped. We have had the experience in a Chinese restaurant before (of course with friends—ordering for two, only to find out that an order for one could already feed three persons. Besides, it would not be such a heartbreak to split the money after the meal.

Two juicy gossips later, the plate of spaghettini arrived. Surprise, surprise! They weren’t lying when they said that each order was good for one. I smiled at Jagger (since the waiter was still hovering on us, er, the table) and reached out for the fork. In my mind’s eye, three numbers kept mocking me. 265—265—265, whirling around in my head like some mantra. Jagger finally worded my thoughts, “Eto na yun?! Two hundred sixty five para sa ganito kakonting spaghetti?”

“Eh kaya ko rin ‘to gawin noh. Tsk, P265!!” I answered back.

“The goat cheese must’ve made it more expensive, mare.” She explains as she fished out a big mound of cheese on the side of the plate.

When she quickly reached for her iced tea and downed it in big gulps, I knew the goat cheese was a big mistake. Not to be outsmarted, she refuses to describe what it tasted like, hands me the fork and points at the plate. “What…the cheese made you suddenly mute?!” I inquired as I forked a morsel of cheese and sampled it.

“Pweh!!!” –and that was when she laughed like a hyena.

“Told yah!”

“You didn’t tell me anything!”

“Well. Now you know.”

Hands-on learning. Who said it’s an awesome experience?

“Maybe, you ought to mix it up with the spaghettinni. I mean, they wouldn’t really sell goat cheese if it tasted this bad.”

Hence, the two cavemen—er, cavewomen, discovered that goat cheese should be mixed (well) with pasta and not eaten as a separate course.

Four glasses of iced tea later, the roasted garlic chicken pizza came. Wow, how cute the size naman. Again, three numbers loomed in my head. I tried to shake it off. Despite the goat cheese and the ‘enormity’ of what they serve—I was still determined to enjoy the meal. After all, the blessed iced tea was good.

Hayyy—fine dining nga naman.

Well, Jagger left for Bangkok yesterday and I don’t know when our next eating-out adventure would be. As for me, I guess I’ll stick to fast food chains until someone’s willing to school me in that department again.