tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-186284162024-03-13T08:22:49.667+08:00Orange Pixie Girl presents...The life and times of a *once* orange-haired wanderer.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-21360701852086186332011-05-29T16:10:00.003+08:002011-05-29T16:13:25.415+08:00Move along to The Roadless Travellers.Moving on to my new home on the web. <div><br /></div><div>Visit <a href="http://theroadlesstravellers.com/">The Roadless Travellers</a> for more musings on travel, design and food.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-90979671935137069612008-06-02T23:40:00.003+08:002008-08-22T22:38:46.596+08:00The oddest things just seem to happen with cab driversCabbies are a fascinating lot. When they're not ranting about the government, they dispense the oddest things to make your commute more entertaining than the latest reality programme on the telly.<br /><br />My top 10 cab-ride experiences:<br /><ol><li>Getting prayed over en route to a client meeting. Driver found out I was from the Philippines, assumed I was Catholic (I am, but not really) and proceeded to pray over me for the rest of the ride. An awkward 20 minutes, which by Singaporean standards, is loooong.</li><li>Hearing the driver sing along to a song about "your <span style="font-style: italic;">batuta</span>" (policeman's nightstick) and some other phallic fruits on my way back from a meeting in Quezon City.<br /></li><li>Being given blessings by a nice old cabbie to find a nice Singaporean man to "make me happy" during my first trip to Singapore.<br /></li><li>Receiving shopping tips whilst I was in Bangkok for focus groups. The slightly effeminate driver excitedly told me about how cheap everything was in this city. So I should buy myself a few things, especially their women.</li><li>Arguing with them over my nationality. <span style="font-style: italic;">Gaddemit, I am Pinoy!</span></li><li>Getting a free ride after I offered to pay seventy Pesos in coins for my trip from Ateneo to Makati in 1998.</li><li>Hearing stories from cab drivers from Singapore about their adventures in the Philippines. It's actually a bit embarrassing to admit that they have explored our country more than I have. Their stories about Palawan and Quiapo are always the most interesting, I find.<br /></li><li>Being taught how to speak in Bahasa Indonesia. <span style="font-style: italic;">Saya mau makan!</span></li><li>Getting cooking tips (turnips can make your soup sweeter!)</li><li>Having your mobile phone returned after you lost it in their cab.<br /></li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-52482478465194050312008-05-14T13:01:00.000+08:002008-08-02T23:39:52.776+08:00Broken Social Scene at the Mosaic Music FestivalWhy I didn't have my camera with me is a mistake I'd rather forget. But BSS@MMF is a blast!<br /><br />Aia de Leon (Imago) helped open the show with <span style="font-style: italic;">7/4 (Shoreline)</span>. Dancing in her bright-coloured leotards, it was hard to miss her energetic presence onstage. Predictably, they sang <span style="font-style: italic;">Lover's Pit</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Fire Eye'd Boy</span>. Not that I'm complaining. With no Feist in the line up that night, <span style="font-style: italic;">Swimmers </span>wasn't sung. Boo.<br /><br />A few friends came over to Singapore and it was nice having a slice of Manila for a few days. We feasted on bbq chicken wings, grilled sting ray, <span style="font-style: italic;">char kway teow</span>, and all the Kickapoo Joy Juice one can drink. With the frequent influx of visitors to <span style="font-style: italic;">Casa</span> Borromeo, we hardly feel out of touch with the goings-on back home. We still get copies of friends' latest albums, bottles of Cheez Whiz (yummy processed cheese that we can't seem to find in Singapore!), and other MSG-laden goodies a few times each year.<br /><br />I love how events like these just compel people to travel just to experience it. Can't wait for the next big gig and I wonder who else will be coming to Singapore this year. Radiohead? DCFC?<div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-16997529689575605512008-05-01T19:16:00.008+08:002008-06-05T23:10:52.708+08:00Surreal in ManilaAfter moving to Singapore, travelling has been reduced to a minimum (no more MNL-SIN-JKT <span style="font-style: italic;">lagare</span>). Most of the meetings now happen here, which suits me fine (I'm terribly enjoying cocooning at home with the hubby, Xbox360, PS3 and Wii in tow).<br /><br />When I was told that we had to be in Manila for a few days, I was both excited and slightly thrown off at the thought of taking a work-related trip in reverse. It meant seeing family, friends, ex-colleagues, and perhaps sneaking in a much-needed visit to the salon vs. exploring a new city with <span style="font-style: italic;">pasalubong </span>in tow.<br /><br />I felt lightheaded as we wove our way through rush hour traffic towards the Makati CBD. Whether it was the early flight we had to take or simply being home for a few days left me disoriented. The jams I cursed each day are suddenly an alien experience.<br /><br />Moving between our client's office and the temporary HQ that is my old agency, I didn't even have to make myself remember where things were. But the rhythm that my body remembered felt distant and temporary - it's like being there but not really. You don't have the luxury of having a beer run at 6pm, an indulgent lunch at Apt 1B, or sharing a hearty dinner with the folks after work. Weekends are not spent lazily browsing at Fully Booked or enjoying a plateful of pasta at Cibo.<br /><br />And for the first time, it hit me.<br /><br />I don't come home to Manila anymore.<div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-20486206755123262182008-04-10T22:34:00.006+08:002008-10-28T21:59:24.230+08:00Once you go black (sheep), you can't go back.I am thrilled.<br /><br />In a few days I am off to start a new job at an agency that I never thought I'd be working in. And it's not because I didn't want to.<br /><br />The agency had a tough reputation for strategic planning. It leaves you intimidated and unnerved. And I was feeling unnerved and intimidated. Even the office gives off a similar vibe. The receiving area has a few white tables and chairs scattered about, and a lush, red "tunnel" leads you to the work area. No lobby or receptionist here. Unless you've got your contact's number, you will feel lost and a wee bit unwelcome (then again, maybe that's the intent).<br /><br />It's another leap I'm taking that I'll gladly take the plunge for. My comfort zone needs mucking up, and this one guarantees just that.<div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-36496565483425086942008-03-27T23:00:00.005+08:002008-10-27T18:48:09.486+08:00Pico.<span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/SQWTPLQZ18I/AAAAAAAAAjY/ID-bE76SHfk/s1600-h/IMG_6328.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 292px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/SQWTPLQZ18I/AAAAAAAAAjY/ID-bE76SHfk/s320/IMG_6328.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261773628581205954" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />We just adopted my cousin's mum-in-law's four month old puppy. J, who is visiting Singapore with his wife knew how much of a sucker I was for mutts. The puppy had no where to go - he'll be either put up for adoption at SPCA or sent off to Indonesia with the wife's brother, who travels quite a lot for work.<br /><br />It was a long drive from our place to the East Coast. I remember bringing along a towel, still uncertain whether we were going to go home with him that night. But the moment we saw him, we knew that he belonged with us.<br /><br />We went home feeling good that night. G and I hardly spoke, just smiling and peeking into the towel we ended us using after all. The warm bundle sat on my lap, curiously sniffing me. He seemed at ease.<br /><br />The house will be a little more messy, tinged doggy smells and some chewed up shoes. And perhaps 10x happier.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-54762908916568345102008-02-03T00:28:00.000+08:002008-11-14T06:28:52.567+08:00The view from the balcony<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R_eo0pd5Z1I/AAAAAAAAAZY/Ri-BGyRa2bc/s1600-h/view+from+the+balcony.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R_eo0pd5Z1I/AAAAAAAAAZY/Ri-BGyRa2bc/s320/view+from+the+balcony.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185799118378329938" border="0" /></a><br />We love this bit about our place.<br /><br />An extended room where peace settles in at night.<br /><br />Pseudo candle-lit dinner dates.<br /><br />Saturday brunch with adobo flakes and feta cheese.<br /><br />Wet laundry hung out to dry.<br /><br />And early morning secret meets.<div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-56568545896914889072008-01-31T20:17:00.002+08:002008-03-21T19:36:54.053+08:00big, red office.It's been about three weeks since I started work and I am slowly trying to get used to the non-noise in the office. I was telling a few of the guys back in Manila how I found it a bit odd to have the same agency, albeit in different locations could feel so unlike each other.<br /><br />I'm guessing it's the bigness (300+ staff!) and maybe culture, but really, there's still no place like home. :-)<br /><br />The stuff I miss at the 15th & 9th floors, and the whole Salcedo block:<br /><ul><li>9am breakkie with Pepper (<span style="font-style: italic;">adobo</span> flakes, garlic rice and <span style="font-style: italic;">malasadong itlog</span>)</li><li>brainstorm/<span style="font-style: italic;">yosi</span> breaks with the Creatives</li><li>Apartment 1B</li><li>squeezing Gabi's udders</li><li>scavenging for snacks in the afternoon</li><li>our pantry lady</li><li>cheap beers</li><li>napping at Tina's office after spending stressful all-nighters<br /></li><li>a triple, grande caramel macchiato from Ryan, my favourite Starbucks barista</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">chika</span> at various parts of the day</li><li>watching the <span style="font-style: italic;">yayas</span> walk the dogs around the park on my way home<br /></li></ul>Now if I could only replicate at least half of what's on this list, I can say that the Manila-fication of Singaflor has begun.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Balcony scribblings, 8-something in the evening.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-52943063187552506002008-01-27T21:28:00.003+08:002008-04-26T23:56:40.193+08:00Aches in places I've forgottenI've started training again.<br /><br />It's been two years since I was last in a <span style="font-style: italic;">roda</span>. Work got in the way of my going to class and often, I'm just too exhausted to even brave the traffic to get to it.<br /><br />Moving to Singapore meant a chance at rekindling my interrupted love affair, sans the excuses (I'm keeping my fingers crossed). So train I did.<br /><br />The morning after just left me stiff all over. But I felt good nonetheless. I needed that; the achy reminder of a relationship I begun and cut abruptly. A friend once asked how sore you can get from doing capoeira. Just enough that you can't even sit on the toilet to pee.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Check out the <a href="http://www.adoclife.com/index2.htm">Association of Capoeira Argola</a>, under the tutelage of Mestre Ousado. Classes at The Substation, Aremenian St. (weekends only)<br /><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-88208243589599891702008-01-25T22:05:00.001+08:002008-02-28T17:32:29.159+08:00the leap.You never realise how big an impact a move could do until you find yourself feeling lost and disoriented even when things are pretty settled already.<br /><br />I came to Singapore with a job waiting for me, a lovely place my husband thoughtfully fixed up, and friends I am fortunate to have met as a result of my frequent travel to the country.<br /><br />The months leading up to the move was all a blur. I was still heavily involved in accounts that didn't seem to want to let go (<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">bitaw na kasi, eh!</span>), and I had no idea how I was going to manage organising <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">the<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> </span></span>event in December.<br /><br />But these things never wait, I guess. And you're forced to confront it, whether you're ready or not. It takes courage to say good-bye to friends and loved ones, and even more courage to embrace new ones.<div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-72190592145506389132008-01-22T23:16:00.001+08:002008-11-14T06:28:53.077+08:00Kitchen accident #1My parents, especially my mother would freak out over an entry like this. As the perpetual klutz, I am hardly left to discover my inner Julia Childs in the kitchen, lest I end up grinding my fingers into sausage.<br /><br />After getting married, I learnt that I am quite adept at whipping out hearty meals from recipes I remembered from memory. My husband has woefully complained about the quality of meals we have at home ("You're making me fat!" he would whine), and I would retaliate by offering to buy muesli for breakfast the next time we head out to the grocery.<br /><br />Good meals notwithstanding, I am still quite the clumsy girl, who's slowly learning to use gloves to peel the yams (one scratching episode is more than enough, thank you), keeping an extra set of glasses (breaking two in a week is a tad too much), and wielding the knife well enough to avoid shaving off too many fingernails.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R_ED25d5ZyI/AAAAAAAAAYA/0XQ62Pxr7AE/s1600-h/diyoskohpo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R_ED25d5ZyI/AAAAAAAAAYA/0XQ62Pxr7AE/s320/diyoskohpo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183928887754188578" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">diyoskohpo, mashaket<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R_EHEZd5ZzI/AAAAAAAAAYI/3hlMZJX_VYw/s1600-h/masakit+eh.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R_EHEZd5ZzI/AAAAAAAAAYI/3hlMZJX_VYw/s320/masakit+eh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183932418217305906" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >what happens when you daydream while grating cheese<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Shower-proofing my thumb, one Tuesday evening</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-20994853518901904962008-01-10T18:57:00.001+08:002008-11-14T06:28:53.218+08:00on the third day......the Planner walks into a wall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R-Ocf5d5ZwI/AAAAAAAAAXw/mOPg40fy1L4/s1600-h/the+eye.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R-Ocf5d5ZwI/AAAAAAAAAXw/mOPg40fy1L4/s320/the+eye.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180156068222297858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >Ouch. Black-eyed P.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-34090191122450875952007-12-22T02:27:00.000+08:002008-01-25T21:55:45.644+08:00A post-script to a long evening'What ifs' seem to be a recurring theme in my life. As much as I dislike indulging in thoughts that ultimately will result to nothing (<span style="font-style: italic;">kaya nga what if, eh</span>), I can't seem to avoid triggers that send me off in that direction.<br /><br />The sad thing about the 'what ifs' in my head is that they're all actually quite logical and plausible. It's usually just a matter of being at the wrong place/wrong time, with the wrong <span style="font-style: italic;">guy</span> (haha).<br /><br />But fate does smile on star-crossed misfits sometimes, and I found myself in a rather unusual situation where I was forced to look at a <span style="font-style: italic;">what if</span> straight in the eye.<br /><br />And then you suddenly just know that it's time to let go. It was, as you succinctly put it, <span style="font-style: italic;">how our story was going to end. </span>It's nice to know that happy endings do exist even for what ifs. :-)<div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-36417664409918459432007-12-20T22:40:00.000+08:002008-01-25T21:59:06.083+08:00Buzzed thrice in one night (a series of Christmas parties)It's been a long December and free drinks are always welcome respite. But hopping from one place to another around the Makati-Taguig area can be an absolute nightmare, one that I surprisingly braved that night.<br /><br />So from the yummy <span style="font-style: italic;">lechon</span> (roast suckling pig) at the Liquid Post party at Mile Long, to the all night drinking at Porcelain, a quick drive to "Ladies Night" at saGuijo and back to more drinking and lechon at Liquid Post more than made up for the madness of end 2007.<div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-55890778473245044002007-12-12T03:02:00.000+08:002008-11-14T06:28:53.451+08:00We finally did.<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R5M9rkyjF7I/AAAAAAAAAXg/XQwY5FKmiP8/s1600-h/Picture+136+copy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R5M9rkyjF7I/AAAAAAAAAXg/XQwY5FKmiP8/s320/Picture+136+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157533817088710578" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> saGuijo café, dec. 12. photo by dan gil.</span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-1433363533211530552007-12-05T12:51:00.000+08:002008-11-14T06:28:54.782+08:00NU Rock Awards 2007Screw the curfew. Hail Boni Day!<br /><br />After the half-assed takeover at The Pen and the government's media overkill, I was looking forward to just having beers, watching a few bands, and catching up with old friends. I successfully did all.<br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2NPjK9ddxI/AAAAAAAAAWg/_-NbJZpOsBU/s1600-h/nu_ra07thumb2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2NPjK9ddxI/AAAAAAAAAWg/_-NbJZpOsBU/s320/nu_ra07thumb2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144042665043392274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">20 years, and still counting!<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2Phya9dd3I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/l11ZRyyjb_g/s1600-h/ra+mark+rivera.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2Phya9dd3I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/l11ZRyyjb_g/s320/ra+mark+rivera.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144203455734052722" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Rep. RA "Mark" Rivera</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2NP_K9ddyI/AAAAAAAAAWo/W3XcfTZpGU0/s1600-h/eli+and+girls.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2NP_K9ddyI/AAAAAAAAAWo/W3XcfTZpGU0/s320/eli+and+girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144043146079729442" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Ely and the DJs.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2NTGq9ddzI/AAAAAAAAAWw/rKoFnImcT90/s1600-h/more+photo+ops2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2NTGq9ddzI/AAAAAAAAAWw/rKoFnImcT90/s320/more+photo+ops2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144046573463631666" border="0" /></a><br />Backstage photo ops.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2NTpq9dd0I/AAAAAAAAAW4/AJUCgnrc82k/s1600-h/hilera.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2NTpq9dd0I/AAAAAAAAAW4/AJUCgnrc82k/s320/hilera.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144047174759053122" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Hilera, Best New Artist.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2Pd0q9dd1I/AAAAAAAAAXA/CVQLRI2G6P8/s1600-h/Mrs+So+-+Rockawards+virgin.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2Pd0q9dd1I/AAAAAAAAAXA/CVQLRI2G6P8/s320/Mrs+So+-+Rockawards+virgin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144199096342247250" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Red Horse Extra Strong Beer, the night's sponsor.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2PfEq9dd2I/AAAAAAAAAXI/DJsSbaEj6ZY/s1600-h/raimund+working+the+crowd2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/R2PfEq9dd2I/AAAAAAAAAXI/DJsSbaEj6ZY/s320/raimund+working+the+crowd2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144200470731781986" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Raimund works the crowd.</span></span><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-42369703698166657382007-12-02T21:04:00.000+08:002007-12-09T12:51:03.347+08:00Pitch in the time of Trillanes.I've been meaning to write this entry but never really found the time to do so (what else is new?). I was caught up in week-long pitch preparations and it's been one of the most grueling pitches I've been on because (1) I just came back from Singapore and had to catch up on the work; and (2) it was a major must-win one. The pressure was both regional and local in nature but whichever way you look at it, I was fortunate enough to have experienced some form of mentoring from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">P</span>, our regional planning director, who's been stewarding brands for this account for five years. <div><br /></div><div><div><div>Pitch day didn't start out promising. The weather was terrible and we had a pretty good chance of getting rained (or flooded in). <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">D</span>, our group account director was already checking with the client if they would like to have the pitch over at the office (their office was located in an area that transforms itself into the Pasig River whenever it poured).</div><div><br /></div><div>Ever the optimist, I felt good. Despite some last minute birthing pains and with only five hours of sleep had in two days, I was pretty wired (must have been the mugfuls of coffee I drank like water that entire week). The presentation went well, clients were laughing with us and seemed to enjoy the whole thing. They loved the strategy, and the work was fun and straightforward. Of course, whilst all this was happening, unbeknownst to us, Sen. Trillanes and his band of renegade soldiers walked out of his hearing and marched on Ayala towards The Peninsula (talk about a PR nightmare!). The regional clients were billeted at The Pen and I'm not sure if they actually sat through the other agency's presentation that afternoon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sen. Trillanes had my sympathy during the Oakwood mutiny (never mind that I wasn't able to celebrate my birthday in 2003 as a result of their takeover) because he came across as a young, idealistic solider who was earnest to expose corruption in the government. He was elected to the Senate without the same political machinery as most running officials have, a sign that people were looking for new faces in government that they could trust. Unfortunately, it is an opportunity and privilege that he misused. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Pucha naman, you could have made all the changes in the world as a senator, and you pulled off the same, cheap old trick? </span></div><div><br /></div><div>I went home that day dazed and satiated from the delicious, well-deserved lunch that our team leisurely enjoyed. I slept on the couch with the television on, unmindful of the updates about the revolt. When I woke up, the President has declared a curfew and the media covering the event were arrested. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Naghihintay sa susunod na kabanata. Alas-nuwebe ng gabi, Maynila.</span></span></span></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-4370006724928266582007-11-24T21:54:00.000+08:002007-11-24T21:55:24.692+08:00Sigh.Miserable weekend. Sigh.<div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-80538939103480625372007-11-15T16:02:00.000+08:002008-11-14T06:28:54.944+08:00New Singaflor addy.Great success! (as Borat would say.)<br /><br />After two days of house-hunting, we finally got the place we wanted! Andy Quek, our agent from <a href="http://www.orangetee.com/">Orange Tee</a> is great to work with. If you're looking to relocate to Singapore, do check them out.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/Rz0XKZybN5I/AAAAAAAAAWA/pr75t7LlnU4/s1600-h/front+gate+-+lores.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nj0uuBkeWq4/Rz0XKZybN5I/AAAAAAAAAWA/pr75t7LlnU4/s320/front+gate+-+lores.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133284617760749458" border="0" /></a><br /><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Lurvely. Can't wait to move. Name plate at the entrance, Moonstone Residences.</span></span><br /></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-25408715428944518982007-11-14T23:02:00.000+08:002007-11-16T11:50:11.884+08:00How tough it is.<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">We have just found a place that we knew was going to be 'home' for the next two years. It felt right the moment we stepped in the room. <i>G</i> was elated, muttering <i>I really like this, eto na yon (this is it!) </i>over and over. I tried to hide my excitement, thinking that it might compromise our ability to haggle for a better deal.<br /><br />It was really difficult not to get all animated about it. The place is really lovely. It had a nice light and airy feel to it, and it didn’t hurt that we were getting a three-bedroom flat for the price of a one-bedroom in the city. The kitchen is also cosy and intuitively laid out. We also had modern baths with a tub to boot.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">But what really caught my eye was the balcony beside the living area. It overlooked the river and had an unobstructed view of the city. <i>A,</i> our agent said that our location was more “neighbourhood” – small mum and pop eateries, bike shops, and other businesses surrounded the area, which we immediately liked because it gave the place more personality and a peek into what normal Singapore life is like. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">We’re keeping our fingers crossed that all the background checks and other requirements get processed smoothly. It’s hard to fall in love with something only to realise that you can’t have it. Oh, the stress of it all! I hope we get it!</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-49446409402986267332007-11-11T02:46:00.000+08:002007-11-16T11:47:43.714+08:00<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">This is it! This week is going to be a trial run of how married life is going to be. I’m more excited than anxious. Things are finally falling into place.</span></p> <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana;">sleepless in Manila, 2am.</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-23532008377592545112007-10-28T18:31:00.000+08:002007-10-28T18:57:24.973+08:00Random top tens.It's something I just like having in my head, and it tends to change along with my mood, and sometimes with what I'm eating, reading, or listening to. But the theme remains the same.<br /><br />A top 10 list for today.<br /><ol><li style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Slow mornings with pressed coffee</span></li><li style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Exploring Kinokuniya whilst plugged to my iPod</span></li><li style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Discovering new sites or blogs on design</span></li><li style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hubby smells. Post-shower. Early morning. Prepping for a night out.</span></li><li style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Anti-amats food at 4am.<br /></span></li><li style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Walking on the beach whilst the sun is rising</span></li><li style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Eating roadside in Thailand and Vietnam</span></li><li style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Polaroids and Lomo.</span></li><li style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Great advertising.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Getting hold of a new video game to get addicted to.</span></span><br /></li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-45004773635576867312007-10-27T17:19:00.000+08:002007-11-01T19:20:30.484+08:00Beautiful and sensous. Lust, Caution.<span style="font-weight: bold;">Lust, Caution</span> is a gorgeous film. With wartime Shanghai as a backdrop for this seductive espionage, Ang Lee masterfully brought Eileen Chang's short story, <span style="font-style: italic;">Se, Jei</span> to life.<br /><br />Wong Chia Chi (Tang Wei), student and aspiring thespian is recruited to help assassinate Mr. Yee (Tony Leung), a ranking official and Japanese collaborator. The relationship between Mak Tai Tai (the transformed Wong Chia Chi) and Mr. Yee is intense yet restrained. You can't help but be drawn into it, like a voyeur. The sex is erotic and sad, and that's the same pervading feeling you get throughout Lust, Caution.<br /><br />We were lucky to have caught the movie in its entirety, knowing how ultra-conservative and moralistic the MTRCB can get. Try to catch it whilst you still can. It's one of those movies that deserve to be seen on the big screen, unless you have a 42-inch LCD flat screen TV and home-theatre system, then maybe you can just wait for the DVD to come out in case you miss it.<span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CizN-DvGhrc"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CizN-DvGhrc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lust, Caution (Se jie), 2007</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Starring: Tony Leung, Tang Wei, Joan Chen, Wang Lee Hom</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Directed by: Ang Lee</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-26767721147910520192007-10-26T15:44:00.000+08:002007-10-26T15:54:35.876+08:00Mount ano raw? A lesson in naming mountains.I've seen unusual names for mountains, hills, and other elevated areas, but reading this made me nearly choke on my banana.<br /><blockquote><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mt. Clitoris.</span> Formerly known as Mount Mogao, it is conical in shape and stands proudly over 3 villages. Considered sacred; appears serene and solemn at dusk or dawn. (Things to Do and see in Mountain Province, WOW Philippines </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.wowphilippines.com.ph/explore_phil/place_details.asp?content=thingstodo&province=73">website)</a></span><br /></blockquote>Funny what things you run into whilst researching to write a creative brief. :-)<div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18628416.post-34925841952611911622007-10-16T00:11:00.000+08:002007-10-16T00:24:22.113+08:00Catching up.Just my luck. In the two months that I haven't been blogging, a lot of things have happened. And now I have to find the time to write about all of them.<br /><br />I miss blogging. *sigh*<div class="blogger-post-footer">more explorations from Orangepixiegirl</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760005267309021935noreply@blogger.com2