Monday, December 26, 2011

Hong Kong 2011 Photo Diary

When one of your best friend's mom calls you asking if you want to go to Hong Kong with them the following week, of course you say YES (capitalized, bold and in italics). "Yes," was just what I said, even though I hadn't asked permission yet... and even though my new passport was still with the DFA, waiting to be claimed, used, and filled with stamps.

Luckily, the vacation leave I asked for was approved, and I spent 4 days in Hong Kong with Sam and her family - Tita Sandra, Tito Ben, Liam, Gino, & Dale, Gino's friend Witty, Manang and Celia. I am incredibly thankful that they took me along with them, at least I was able to travel to another country before this year ends! This Hong Kong trip was also one of many firsts - my first time to cross the waters and go to Macau (no pictures, unfortunately, since we left our cameras in HK), my first time in a casino (yes, believe it or not), and my first foie gras (as a culinary arts student, I had always been intrigued at how our chefs speak so highly of it).

















Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Realizations Of An On The Job Trainee

I was supposed to cook for the family Christmas dinner, and the plan was already set – I had the 8 am – 4 pm shift on the 24th, was going to go home straight away, and prepare this chicken dish my grandmother specifically wanted. I say I was SUPPOSED TO because on the evening on the 23rd, one of the hotel’s cooks accidentally spilled boiling oil all over herself. My classmate called me to let me know that I was to be pulled out from the pastry kitchen, where I had been staying comfortably for the last month, and put in the show kitchen. Since it was Christmas Eve and all, there was a special buffet and I was to be assigned to the ham carving station… on the 3pm – 11pm shift.

My heart sank. Really Low. Down to my feet. How could I not spend Christmas Eve with my family? I had never done that before. We always had 2 different dinners at our grandparents’ houses. We always went to church after dinner together. But thinking that if I wanted to work in this field, I would have to get used to working not only on Christmas, but also on other holidays and special occasions (i.e. a family member’s birthday, a good friend’s despedida).

So yes, I went to duty at 3 in the afternoon, while wishing that time would fly faster. There were some familiar faces that had dinner at the hotel (with their families, to my complete jealousy, I admit), and they were surprised that I had to work at that time. “Grabeha gud,” one said to me. Yes, grabe bitaw, but someone’s got to do the work, yes?

If it’s any consolation, it was nice to know that at least there are people who I can say do appreciate those who have to work during the times that most take their days off. I received my first ever tip from a grateful mother for bringing soup to their table. One guest even used a function room to give every single employee a cake & a pair of panties. Yes, panties. I gave my cake to a cook who was on the midnight shift, seeing that she probably deserved it more than I did, and I gave the underwear to another practicumer, seeing that I had no need for it (but mostly because she asked for it).

But anyway, I guess what I’m really trying to say is that I’ve found a whole new level of respect for those who cannot spend Christmas with their families (a special shout out to my brother, who just spent his first Christmas in New Zealand hahaha). To all the cooks, servers, security guards, nurses, stewards, and everyone else who missed out/is missing out on the festivities, your sacrifices keep not only the industries you’re in, but also the whole world, moving.


Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Zee's Crystal Ball

I was supposed to make this entry days ago, but I just got back from Hong Kong (where I stupidly didn't bring my laptop). Anyway, my sister and I were invited to Zee Lifestyle's Crystal Ball, their 15th year celebration, at the Radisson Blu last Thursday. I forgot to charge my camera (again, stupidly), which is why I wasn't able to get photos of the other designers' collections, but that night showed just how talented Cebu fashion designers are.

Thank God for designer friends, the two of use were able to borrow things to wear at the very last minute - Gillian of By Details (who I stole this picture from - hi Yan!) in Rei Escario, my sister Kristina in Ronald Enrico, me in a Roni Yu blazer, our new friend Chloe, and Mikey of Zee.


Darleen Hopkirk in Protacio & Roni Yu in his own design



Tina, Bom, Pauline, Dottie and Tessa - (the two on the left and right in amaaaazing Ronald Enrico gowns, while the red stretch lace dress is Oj Hofer's beautiful creation)



The Black Series


Kryz for SM Accessories



Ria Bolivar in Arcy Gayatin


Anthony Romoff




Oj Hofer


Cary Santiago





Supermodel of The World 2011 winner Danica Magpantay



Philipp Tampus



Grace Tagle in Philip Rodriguez



Thanks to Mikey for the invites, and congratulations to Zee on their 15th anniversary!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

How I Got My Vision Back (Reader Discretion Is Advised: Disgusting Photo In Entry!)


I wrote this ages ago, a week after I got my eyes lasered (which isn't a porper verb, I think, but whatever. For some reason (laziness, most likely), I've only gotten to posting this now... and I think it's important that I warn you that there is a disgusting photograph found within this entry. Enjoy!
I’ve had glasses for most of my life. Having gotten tired of asking our teacher to transfer to the front of the classroom because I couldn’t read whatever was written on the board (take note that we were only a class of 4, so the classroom was extremely small), I asked to be brought to an optometrist. I wasn’t really worried about getting, as children like say, "an extra pair of eyes". In fact, I actually liked it because I was a huge fan of Harry Potter, who wore glasses, too.
Since then, my grade kept increasing & increasing, and I started using contact lenses (because there actually came a point where I didn’t like wearing glasses anymore – you know, that moment when you actually start to care about your appearance?). To keep the long story short, though, one morning I woke up and couldn’t open my left eye. It looked as though someone punched me in the face, and it felt horrible whenever there was light. It hurt so bad to even just look at my laptop screen that I would watch television shows on it with all the lights in my room turned off… and with sunglasses on.
 After getting my eye checked, it turned out that my eye was inflamed because I got a scar from over wearing my contacts. Worse, there was a scar on my cornea, which was why my left eye's vision was all hazy, like there was a thin film of dirt right over it.
 Contacts are supposed to be worn for a maximum of 8 hours only, and I wore mine for, well, much longer than that. I went to Doctor Yong Larrazabal to get my eyes checked again, and he suggested that I undergo the LASIK procedure… which I had done on my eyes last Wednesday, and I have never been happier to get a body part of mine completely removed and put back on again – although that was the only time I would let something like that happen. 
I still haven’t gotten used to seeing so clearly without the help of corrective lenses. On the way home from the operation, I was closing my eyes in the car to prevent them from drying out. When I opened them, I could actually read the price list of the gasoline station we passed by. “Oh my God, I can read!” I seriously said out loud. Those numbers used to be blurry white shapes before I had LASIK done. My vision wasn't perfect yet, but when I woke up the next day, it was the most amazing thing ever. I walked around our house letting everyone know that I could see already!
I am completely happy with the procedure I underwent, and would advise anybody who’s planning to have it to get it done! It wasn’t painful at all, but there was just a slight discomfort when they vacuumed my eyes (yes, there was some sort of vacuuming action done on my eyes). I have to admit that I was nervous before the whole thing (what if they do it wrong? what if I end up blind?), but the Valium they gave me surely helped (I would also like to point out that they played a DVD of Beyonce's concert in the patients' waiting area. Haha).
There is nothing better than waking up and not having to feel my bedside table for my glasses anymore… there may have been the slightest bit of separation anxiety when I officially said goodbye to my glasses (I mean, really, I had depended on them for so long), but not needing them anymore makes me beyond happy... although I still keep my glasses on the table right next to my bed.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Forever 21 Launch

After the excitement it has caused Cebu over the last couple of months, Forever 21 has finally opened in our shores. To the delight of the Cebuanos, there is now a Forever 21 branch in The Northwing of SM City Cebu (which will also, I'm sure, save the shopping-obsessed who go all the way to our country's capital to shop, money on airfare, yes? Haha). Known for their stylish yet affordable clothes, the HUGE Forever 21 Cebu was launched last Thursday night with cocktails and a fashion show featuring the brand's latest items, and, as expected, there was a mad rush to get into the store once the ribbon-cutting commenced.


My sister Kristina and I...

"New York gang" HAHAHA - Nico Teves, Love Quitevis, and Marian Quitevis (my last name, now that I think of it, is the only one that sounds different)


The event was hosted by Blinky de Leon (or as we call each other, "Babes" hahaha)


Just the crowd waiting outside the store...


Forever 21 Cebu is located at the 2nd floor of The Northwing, SM City Cebu... and I will the directions at that, since saying that it would be difficult to find is an understatement.

Thank you to Cybill and Kaye of A-List Events for the invite!