Casa Santa for your daily dose of Christmas!

The Philippines is one country that is crazy about Christmas. It is often said that the longest celebration happens in this mostly Catholic country. 

So if you are already excited about Christmas then you should head to Jardin de Miramar. Inside is where you an experience Christmas in a house called Casa Santa. 

The outside looks like a ginger bread house, something again associated with the holiday There are Santa's already on the outside with pine cones hanging from the ceiling. 

Once you go in, you will marvel at the scale of the collection. Everything you see is Santa. In all shapes and sizes. Truly amazing!

Good Friday with Buddhist friends

For some weird reason I didn't take any pictures of the place we have been to. We were planning on getting space at that military camp / beach at Ternate, Cavite. When we were there at 9 am. We were told that the palce is already full of people. 

We looked for another place and the nearest place was Puerto Azul. It was a bit expensive and way beyond the budget but we have no other choice. 

The place is nice but needs a lot of repairs already. Signs of aging is evident but the place is holding well. 

I just stayed on the poolside not being able to swim. It was still a good trip for me and my friends. 

Visita Iglesia 2015

So what is the best way to do on a Thursday morning? Hit the road by myself and not join any of those tours led by heritage people. Sometimes they really get on my nerves.

Anyways, I took the jeep going to Malate Church. My first stop. Everything I have in mind was quite random.

Happy New Year 2015

Just greeting everyone who comes here

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Eating with friends before the year ends (December 30, 2014)

On the sixth day of Christmas I joined my office friends for a meal and to exchange the gifts we bought for each other. We were supposed to meet in Makati but at that time of traffic and waiting we just decided to go to Greenfields.

The options are limited and we ended up eating again at Yellow Cab. We just ate and the other guys took lots of pictures of each other.

They were talking about the party I missed and I reacted in the way that I am supposed to. I said I was glad I was not there seeing the pictures taken by the AM people what they wore just brought up ideas that are just disgusting.

I got the pants I asked for and we ended up happy. This is the kind of gathering I enjoy, just sit and eat. No need for obligatory shit. Although the most stupid part of all this is the obligatory exchange gift. I remind myself next time just say no to exchange gifts. Thus this would be the last exchange gift I am going to engage in.

Last Royal Heritage Postal Tour of the year 2014

So its the last tour of the year and I am with good friends and on familiar grounds.

Going to the Post Office I pass the Metropolitan Theater now inaccessible because of something we don't even understand. I can only now view it from the outside. And now I tell myself I should have taken more pictures. But that is that.

Despite the decay of life in the theater itself around it people try to live and survive and its nice to see them live life with their pet cats and dogs.

Merry Christmas 2014

Of course my students at work are asking about Christmas and stuff. I think I will be like them, just taking a rest over the holidays. But I also told them that Christmas is not just a holiday for Christians but for everyone.

Do whatever you can or want. I sat don't buy because you have the money. Save your money for now and just wait for the good buys in the coming days.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays!

Season's Greetings!

Whatever...

Dec. 21 FF Winter Solstice Meetup Party at The Open Space

What: 2014 FF Winter Solstice Meetup Party
When: Dec. 21, 2014 2:30pm - 5:30pm
Where: The Open Space, 134 Jupiter St., Makati City. (http://i.imgur.com/Qi5QM4Z.png)
How much: FREE!

Why:
* Join us for the last meetup of the year!
* Reminisce about 2014!
* Make plans and predictions for 2015!
* Discuss topics! (TBD)
* Play games (Party and video games)
* Eat food and drink drinks! (potluck please)

After the meetup we usually go for dinner and drinks somewhere nearby. If you’re not a meetup regular and can’t make it for the meetup but would like to go for the post meetup, please indicate on a post in the wall or comment so we can contact you.

Got questions about the meetup? Contact us at 0927 323 3532
* Newbies are welcome, and admission is free.
* Early birds get to play board/video/party games with the group.
* Look for the FF sign (or the group of smart, sexy people).
* There is no required age, religion, philosophy, or IQ level.
* Discussions are informal yet intelligent (most of the time).
* You don’t have to talk; you can just sit in and listen.

Thanks to *The Open Space* for this week's venue. Check them out online:
Facebook: /theopenspaceph
Twitter: @theopenspaceph
Instagram: theopenspaceph
http://theopenspaceph.wix.com/home

Damn! I can't go to this one
RSVP: here

Not attending the Company's Christmas party and just doing the stuff that makes me happy.

Weeks before the company party I have already decided not to go. Sadly most of the people I know will not understand that. They would just force me to go that stupid party and I had to pretend I am going. I have to attend the so called practice for a song number. Rather it was a song and dance number. Yes with those annoying songs of Christmas. Something many Pinoy so love which I so hate and despise.

Days passed and I became stressed and unhappy. I kept eating shit and stuff. I pretended and forced myself to attend the most with what I can. I never bought anything to wear with a theme of Fashion Forward. On which I have no idea what means. But it was better than the abominable suggestion and chismis of the 80s fashion. Yuck!

I woke up a bit earlier on Saturday. I didn't even care where the part is going to be. All I cared about is the Buddhist talk I am going to attend and the little party at the Kasa Boix. I was more worried if I will be able to play the banduria well.

I then switched my phone to airplane mode so that texts would be blocked. I went to Glorietta with an umbrella, the crochet table runners and my banduria. The traffic was heavy but at least I made it to Starbucks on time.

It was an interesting talk with other peopel joining us about Buddhism, There was this agnostic with his Catholic friend, a Japanese lady, Ernest, and a born-again Pastor. It was an interesting mix of people who wanted to listen to Buddhism until the pastor spilled the beans. At 4 pm I bid goodbye to my friends because I had to go to Kasa Boix.

My friend John made it at the place when I was not there anymore. I don't know what interesting thing have happened when I was gone.

Travel was easy from MRT to LRT until Quiapo. I made it a few minutes before 5 pm. Its a small crowd of familiar good faces but I will be happier here. We may not have lots of food but being surrounded with good people is way better than being surrounded by fake people and good food. I enjoyed the songs and ceremony. I shared two songs for the night and it was fun playing the banduria once again.

The food tasted good and the stories and song much sweeter than anything. It was the official lighting of the Kasa Boix. Then I went home tired and happy.

Thank God I decided not to attend the party. Now I am intent of not attending any office party or even outings. I would invoke my right not to attend.

Goodbye November 2014

I am a Scrooge by heart I don't like shallow happiness and everything that is materialistic. That is what makes December so annoying for me and at the same time sad. December is going to be a long one I guess.

I fucking hate the holidays!

The coming Christmas party (2014 horror story of mine)

So people have gone crazy over the coming Christmas party at work. It is scheduled on December 13, 2014 on a Saturday. Prior to this the AM people have been busy preparing themselves days ahead on their presentation. We were only officially told just last night of the confirmation of the event.

We would have a presentation for the event. That is just fucking interesting for me.

I am an introvert and this is once again stressful for me. I needed a good excuse and saying I cannot go because blah blah blah will not work. I need a really good excuse. I asked a group of smart people and I basically got nothing.

I have to pretend now that I am going to the party by joining fucking practices.

I rather stay away on that with a good friend. Then the scary part is that I have to spend time with people I don't even like and pretend I like it. Of course there are some people and how they fucking dress.

It's a real problem for me because I am really honest and not a good liar and for making excuses. I would rather scream I fucking hate Christmas parties!

Manila Chinese Cemetery for Undas 2014

It's All Saints Day again and here I am sharing some of the things I have experienced this Saturday, October 25, 2014.

It was early when I arrived at Blumentritt. I was about an hour earlier. I was able to have breakfast and even see this Church. I didn't attend the mass.

The streets were packed early with veggies, and stuff a regular market would have and so are some cats. Cute little things to start the day.

We were not able to start on time but we (together with two friends) started the journey with the Chinese Cemetery. Like any cemetery the street going to the gates are lines with the needed stuff you need for the dead. You have candles, flowers, incense and even colored paper. Of course even your paper money.

Like any other area the place is alive and resident live nearby and of course inside the cemetery. We were greeted by these fellow dog and cats.

We entered the south gate but not the same way as the monkey king did during his attack of heaven. lolz/ We just walked under the gate and saw the many houses for the dead.

Happy Chuseok 2014

즐거운 추석 되세요.

Happy Easter! (2014)

This atheist greets everyone: HAPPY EASTER!

Why? Because I can and greeting as such don't bother my lack of belief.

For this past Maundy Thursday until Black Saturday I tried my best not to be online. It was a good long rest from the fake social life we modern people have.

I was also quite bored that I knitted these mug warmers as I call them.

Holy Monday music and Readings (April 14, 2014)

Here are the readings and music for Holy Monday.

Readings: Isaiah 42: 1-7, Psalm 27:1-14, John 12: 1-11

Palm Sunday (April 13, 2014)

You can get the Sunday readings here: English and Tagalog. The files are on PDF.

Here are also songs for the day. Too bad I won't be able to go to Church because of my atheism. lolz

Valentines Day celebrations at the Philpost 2014

Without a proper sleep I went to the very early event at the Philpost for Valentines. The place was all in red and people were running here and there, a clear sign that they were not prepared as usual. The marketing department were confusing to look as most of the employees are still not there. 

We arrived with having no idea on what the program or even we should conduct ourselves. We were just fishes transported to a new pond or river just waiting to be taken where the water flows. 

The insides of the Post Office was gleaming with light as all was still dark outside. Umagang Kay Ganda host Winnie Cordero was there to promote the things being offered by the Philpost for Valentines.

There was an exhibit of different stamps that were featured last year as well as the stamps that are just for Valentines.

I hope mails reach their destinations. 

I was also lucky to meet and have the artist for the Valentine's stamp sign some First Day Covers. Her name is Jamia Mae Tolentino from St. Sptephen's High school. This school wins a lot of art contests.

Received postcards (January 22, 2014)

These are the postcards and their stamps. They came three times this week but I was so lazy to even post them until now.

I hope your mail boxes have visitors.

New Year Stamps: Year of the Wooden Horse (2014)

So I was able to buy the souvenir sheets for the year of the horse. It  is interesting that the news about a stamp released last month was just recently featured on TV. I bet most people have just ignored the news.

Of course the details of the stamps are not available on the website where they should be. If you want information you need to click here.

First Mail of the Year

This is my first mail of the year. Thank you Terry Lovell.