Bloated Weekend

I didn't get to watch CCP's "Noli" last Friday. Plans were revised as soon as *Taki texted that he was back in Manila. Wow, just like a rockstar. (One of my favorite TV shows; although I know what I'm watching right now are reruns... INXS Rockstar...but I digress...) It was supposed to be a relaxing (maybe boring) night at the theater which was salvaged by a surprise italian binge.

The meeting at the CCP was fruitful and was finished at the expected time. And despite being antsy about being late for the get-together with Taki back in Makati, I got to sneak a peek at Brenda Fajardo's retrospective at the CCP gallery.

Twas an extensive body of work that spanned about 3 decades from her works in print to her present tarot card series. I admire the details and statements of Manang Brenda in her works, feminism and a pervading proletariat sentiment. That's me, an embodiment of a Filipina --- no longer in the traditional garb of baro't saya but still a Filipina in the way
I look, think, speak and feel. Wherever I am.

Which will be somewhere in Canada. If Taki's will will be considered. Che (who fetched me from CCP) and I met my cousin at Greenbelt. It was like time has not passed. He was the same as he left six months ago. Of course, emotionally and psychologically more mature (hopefully), but last Friday he was his usual jovial self.

I enjoyed his stories about his experiences in Japan and somehow I could understand his anxiety to leave the Philippines as soon as he arrived. It seems that if one keeps comparing the Philippines to other countries, the Philippines comes in as a poor option. It's very sad for one who thinks that this country is a veritable wonderland, where the resources are aplenty, the people are beautiful (inside and out), and that the weather is most always fine... of course, all of that is obliterated by the incessant graft and corruption reports....

Taki kept going on about migrating to Canada, or New Zealand, or Australia --- anywhere where the pickings are aplenty (or so he thinks).

The highlight of the evening last Friday was the sensational buzz brought about by tequila. One shot was all it took! Yipppeeee!!!! happinesssshhhh. and then home, jeeves. after all, i had a nihongo quiz the following morning.

Needless to say, I went to class, late and sporting a killer headache. Not really a full-fledged hangover. more like an irritation headache from the intrusive and raucous bathroom renovation project. From morning till evening, the universe was trying to test my patience... a test which I almost always failed, just like the nihongo quiz i wasn't able to take because i was tardy! aaaarrrrggghhhh!

My day read like a veritable Murphy's Law journal... my shoes (which was newly bought from the posh ukay ukay along the lrt station) broke, making me trail the silver strap; the man at the Mr. Quickie was on a 30 minute break, making me drag my feet for another 30 minutes; went to my voice class 2.5 hours early; and ... you get the drift.

The last culture activity for Saturday was the play, "Creeps" (by Lito Casaje's Dramatis Personae) which really was. Although the material was promising (reality TV) and the actors were competent, it was lacking oomph and a general excitement that comes along with theater. After 15 minutes, i've lost interest and it was mainly out of courtesy and the fact that i was in the front row, that i had to distractedly follow the whole play.

The play was about these three women (2 of whom were played by men/ gays) who divulge their lives and secrets to fulfill TV celebrity-hood. The premise is promising but frankly, we've seen more riveting fare on real reality TV, why endure 45 minutes of fantasy?

Anyway, it was a good time to touch base with Ces and catch with girl chitchat. After the play, we went to Hapchang Megamall to eat -- i had sharkskfin dumplings and ces had asado siopao. yummy!



The next day, the family (except Viki) met Jinju, Raul and Taki in Podium for lunch at 2pm :) It was hearty and yummy and full of kwento. It was so enjoyable, we still had coffee --- at Starbucks! Starbucks is getting to be a very expensive habit for us...

After all that celebrating, I now have three mouthsores --- painful indeed.