The Symphony of Parols at the Ayala Triangle

Ayala Triangle Gardens trots out its latest triangle of treats to amuse the Makati market. Located at the heart of the Makati Central Business District and triangled by Ayala, Paseo and Makati Avenues is the Ayala Triangle Gardens, it boasts a distinct plot of grassy land in the middle of one of the country’s busiest business hubs. Witness the light and sound show from 6 to 8 PM daily and special weekend shows on December 18&19. Celebrate the metro's new Christmas tradition!

What: Culture & Festivals

When: 17 Nov 10 - 23 Dec 10, 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Where: The Ayala Triangle Gardens at the center of Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue and Paseo de RoxasMakati City

Other Christmas Activities:

November 17 - December 23
6PM - 8PM Symphony of Parols. A Lights and Sound Show (every 30 minutes). Weekdays with special weekend shows on Dec 18 & 19

November 23
6PM Holiday Dance Fusion at the gardens. Free dance lessons from professional instructors.

December 1 - 3 and 6 - 10
5:30PM Makati Inter-School Caroling Competition.

December 1 & 8
6PM Christmas Serenade at the Gardens. Free concerts by renowned performers.

December 15 - 23
6PM Anticipated Simbang Gabi

Get a HANGOVER at HANGOVER

Get a HANGOVER at HANGOVER

Laid back weekend

Laid back weekend

Pepero Day ^^

Ooops I must have been out of the planet for almost, hmmm, maybe a year now. Anyways, carry on carry on... So what I'm telling you today is about my student who gave me a box of pepero yesterday. She and her family has been in the Phiilippines for quite a long time and recently had a short vacation in their home country. She said she usually buy Korean products whenever they go home and bring them here when they return. Then last Monday, she gave me this pepero biscuits. Twas my first time to receive one from my student on the pepero day itself because I usually buy them haha

chocolateeey! I love it!

someone please read this for me?! O.o

Okay, so it's been out since 1983

I'm ready to open this one now! ^^

Trivia: Pepero Day is an observance in South Korea similar to Valentine's Day. It is named after the Korean snack Pepero and held on November 11, since the date "11/11" resembles four sticks of Pepero. The holiday is observed mostly by young people and couples, who exchange Pepero sticks, other candies, and romantic gifts. According to one story, Pepero Day was started in 1994 by students at a girls' middle school in Busan, where they exchanged Pepero sticks as gifts to wish one another to grow "as tall and slender as a Pepero".

Out of PLACE

So far, it has been the most disturbing month for me but I have always looked at the bright side later on. I have my share of frustrations, stress and disbelief but I have learned how to think with optimism.

What really happened was we were kicked out of our old place with just a week notice. Anyone would really feel frustrated in this scenario right?! So we tried searching on and offline where we'd be moving in next. And while doing that, we were under the pressure of counting our funds since this would only mean new deposit and advance payments. What aggravated the situation is when our landlady refused to give back our deposit because according to her, it will serve as our last pay for the month of March. This is was not at all in the contract we both signed (as I was the named Lessee in the contract). We reviewed the contract thoroughly. And all our bp's would have gone up to the rooftop if she didn't take it back when we got to confront her again. We were then ready to file a case against her from the local government tsk tsk She was pretty smart to probably smell this was coming. But I still want to share what one of my roomies have researched if ever this happens to you:

Republic Act No. 9653 - This Act shall be known and cited as the “Rent Control Act of 2009.“SEC. 9. Grounds for Judicial Ejectment. – Ejectment shall be allowed on the following grounds: (c) Legitimate need of the owner/lessor to repossess his or her property for his or her own use or for the use of any immediate member of his or her family as a residential unit: Provided, however, That the lease for a definite period has expired: Provided, further, that the lessor has given the lessee the formal notice three (3) months in advance of the lessor’s intention to repossess the property and: Provided, finally, that the owner/lessor is prohibited from leasing the residential unit or allowing its use by a third party for a period of at least (1) year from the time of repossession.

For the complete info, go to:
http://www.foreclosurephilippines.com/2009/09/republic-act-ra-no-9653-rent-control-act-of-2009-full-text-copy.html

Then, I was able to talk to my lawyer friend as well and firmly said that the landlady should still follow whatever is in the contract and breaking anything on it can be brought forward to the people in authority. She added that in any conversation we will have with the landlady wherein she refuses to follow what has been agreed upon in the contract, that would be our go signal to bring this issue to the local government.

Lesson learned, the contract you are signing with your landlady/lord would be very vital in anything that could happen especially when he/she kicks you out of the property on short notice. And of course make sure, it is authenticated, notarized. I'd be singing, ♫ "Get up, stand up! Stand up for your rights!" ♫

Weeknight out with my girls

Our girls-pasta-dvd marathon-night out was a blast! Oh well I ended up cooking anything that's available at Ica's kitchen. But it was surprisingly and unimaginably tasty. They all thought it wouldn't be enough for the 4 of us but it made us all full and bloated for some reason. Only then we found out that baguio beans could be a good side dish with pasta if you are on a budget. Just use butter to stir fry it to make it a bit special!

Then we had our movie marathon started when we turned on the TV and caught a Maricel Soriano-Diether Ocampo-Claudine Baretto's Soltera flick. I can't believe it was my first time to see this movie. I am not a fan of local movies but I have seen a few that I liked ~ Caregiver, Anak, Magnifico, A very special love oh and Iskul Bukul (the original).

But then the movie marathon ended with just one more movie. We had The Notebook playing and the girls were a bit serious watching it. The movie is one of my faves and it never failed me. I've always fallen in love with Noah. He has always made every girl watching the movie (or reading the book) dream to be in Allie's place. I have always shed tears at the end of the movie especially when the old Allie suddenly lets go of the old Noah in the middle of their dance. Poof! She has forgotten everything again. This movie is just too sad! I wonder if someone could really be this patient to his behalf. Oh my, this entry is becoming too cheesy that I feel awkard now so I guess I'll have to wait till my next post for more movies....

What's cooking tonight?

So, it looks like I have not been writing anything until I found a really good article about the 5 habits of happy people even the biggest grump can borrow it came to me that it would be nice to share whatever I am learning on a daily basis as part of my passion. Coz I feel really good whenever I share any detail I found on the net, or heard on the radio or learned from a student or from anyone who I talk to. So, this is going to be part of what's going to make me feel I am creative and helpful, maybe ^^

So, as I mentioned this article that I found last night, I shared it with my friends at work and as one of them had a really frustrating day since our shift started, she found the material inspiring. So instead of turning to retail therapy, she can derive the discontentment by enjoying a girls-pasta&dvd marathon-night out. Oh and since I am the adventurous one when it comes to cooking, I'm left to the discovery of a new pasta recipe and found this Ham, Edamame, Mint Pasta + Truffled Breadcrumbs. I'm into pasta so this is going to be a really NEW experience. I can't wait to take pictures! ~~