Azucarera de Madre Mia!!!

OMG!!! This is why I hate driving beside a truck filled with sugar cane. Whenever I overtake these dinosaurs on the road, I cringe and whisper a desperate mantra, “Please don’t let it fall on us, please, please, please!!!”, until I’m able to safely pass them by.  Most of the sugarcane trucks that ply the streets of Bacolod are ridiculously overloaded. They are filled to the heavens, usually without any harness to keep the sticks from falling off. Travelling hundreds of kilometres from the sugarcane farms to the milling sites is like Russian roulette for these monsters. Some luckily make it, while others find similar fate as above. And don’t get me started with the havoc that the trucks leave behind their trails—dilapidated roads and huge piles of sugarcane--to the detriment of the motorists.

Negros Occidental is satired as the land of the hacienderos de azucarera. It's a fact that the province is known as the “Sugarbowl of the Philippines” because it produces more than half of the nation’s sugar yield. In the 19^th century, the province was the seat of all things indulgent and luxurious overspending. The sugar barons ruled the sacadas like feudal lords. However, in the 1980’s, the world price of sugar hit rock bottom, and the province was left in a struggle. Negros economy was in a quandary because it was underpinned by a single crop. Today, the province has diversified into alternative industries, but sugar is still its main bread and butter. Consequently, the old extravagant lifestyle of the people, both rich and the poor, has fallen into a more moderate state.

Now back to the pictures. I heard from an amazed usisera (who also took pictures like me) that the car’s driver parked there last night to have a drink in a joint across the street. At 11 p.m., this truck was turning the curve rather fast that it overturned on its side, spilling all its guts on the car. Good thing that the driver wasn’t in it! I can't imagine the feeling of anyone finding himself suddenly buried under heaps of sugarcane (shudder!!). Lately, these accidents have been turning up on the roads more frequently, especially during the milling season. Isn’t there any cargo limit on these trucks? Aren’t the hacienderos and the sakadas and the government alarmed? The Negros sugar industry is old and dying. With accidents like these and everybody turning a blind eye, I won’t be surprised if the industry could still dig its way out of its grave.

Goodbye, American Idle

I started following American Idol since Season 3, when Jasmine Trias, a Fil-am from Hawaii was catapulted as one of the top three finalists. Many critics slammed her because she wasn’t really deserving of the position, singing talent-wise. It was only the rabid support of the Filipinos in the US which gave her the points needed to be in the finals. It was also the season when Jennifer Hudson, now an Oscar winner, was booted out too early in favour of less talented hopefuls. Anyway, what I’m driving at is that I know American Idol by heart, and after so many seasons, it had become so boring and blah for me and my daughter (though I still watched up to Season 9—go figure!).

Until this year's Season 10 started.  With the acerbic-tongued Brit Simon Cowell bowing out of the show, I was curious to see what the new set of judges would bring to the table. I must say that I am pleasantly surprised and excited with what I’m seeing. The new panel is composed of the only original judge Randy Jackson (music producer veteran), Steven Tyler (lead singer of the iconic Aerosmith), and Jennifer Lopez (you know who she is!). They bring authentic know-how and understanding of what a musical artist should be. They sing with the contestants, they laugh, they cry—what reality TV is all about.

(Taken from the Canadian Press/Yahoo News Canada)

The Season has just picked the Top 24, and I am very impressed with the choices this year’s judges made. It’s not about so much of the looks this time (we have that in Britney, Taylor, and Justin, right?), but where the heart of music is—talent. I’m having a difficult time choosing my early favourites, a good sign. This means that I’d be looking forward to every single performance these kids would bring, would have a hard time picking the winner, but would be loving every moment of it. I also sheepishly admit that I already cried three times over this show---just this season. ("Mom, you are so lame!" Yup, that's my daughter berating me again!) So for those of you who would be calling or texting or chatting with me on Thursday and Friday nights, can you please do it after the show? ;-)

My new Idol at the 2011 Grammy Awards.
I gave her my space this time.
If only I could pose like her!

Note: Okay, I just have to add here that my love for JLo amplified by a million times. She doesn’t only look stunning every time (she naturally glows, people!), but her raw and real emotions and kindness shine through. What a true trooper she is. Eyelav’er!!

Riding the Jeep with Kit

One of those things that I’m ignorant now is going around the city in the sasakyan ng bayan--the good ol’ jeepneys. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not pa-elitista or pasosyal. When I was living in Manila, I had my full share of the carbon monoxide sniff fix. Now that I am fortunate to drive my own rundown vehicle, I haven’t had the chance to be acquainted with the local basta-jeepney-driver-sweet-lovers and the ‘takatak’ boys. So I must say that I miss the misadventures of riding in jeeps.

Kit and I

Good thing that my BFT (bes fren titser), Katherine ‘Kit’ Monfort, is here to update me with the latest chika on jeepney rides. I think if there ever was someone to write ‘Riding the Philippine Jeepney: A Test of Survival’, it would be none other than Kit. Imagine this tisay, statuesque beauty sitting elbow to elbow with you, and hurling comments to the driver like, “Mama, larga na, kanina ka pa dito nakatambay ah!” Or  to those slow-riding kolehiyalas, she would clap her hands and urge them, “Faster, faster, go, go, goooo!!!” Or to suspicious-looking group of men, she would eye them like a hawk, and while pounding her umbrella, would blurt out, “Hayy, times are different. You can’t trust anybody these days!” Shameless Teacher Kit, her companions would laughingly say.

Speaking of her umbrella, she was able to put it in really good use, but not to ward off the rain, mind you. She had always been confident that she wouldn’t fall victim to a pickpocketer’s crawling hands... until that one fateful day. She was sitting on her favourite spot beside the driver, when a young man sat beside her. She noticed that while the man was looking out of the jeep, half of his bag was already on her lap. Knowing that this is one of the thieves’ techniques, her radar suddenly shot up. She stealthily glanced sideways, and lo and behold, the man’s right hand was slowly finding its way into her bag. “This is not happening to me, this isn’t happening to me,” she muttered to herself. With her heart hammering, she slowly got hold of her trusted umbrella, took a deep breath, and surprised the man by hitting him with it on his head---non-stop. “#@&*$#, oh my God! Snatcher! Mama, itabi n’yo ang jeep!” The manong driver confusingly halted the jeepney. Foiled and hurting, the rascal jumped off and ran as fast as his wobbly legs could carry him. Still not satisfied, she alighted after the thief ready to throw the umbrella at him. Major emergency averted---Wonder Kit saved the day! Classic!!!

So if you were to try your luck in the jungle of Bacolod riding a jeepney, look around you. You may be blessed to find my BFT Kit beside you…then and only then could you enjoy the ride and breathe a sigh of relief.

UK2 outfits, except the
Maldita necklace and
Promod Gladiators

Discovering Bacolod

Shame on me. Really. I’ve been living here in Bacolod for almost six years now but I don’t have an inkling on how to get around the city. Nor what scenic spots to recommend. My Korean students often ask me about how to go to some place here or there, but I tell them to ask their other teachers about it. I don’t want to make any lame excuses for my lack of interest in the tourism aspect of this city. Sorry, but I’m more of a mallrat, not a nature-tripping kind of gal. And oh, how it backfired.

Last January, my family and friends from Manila and the US visited me here in Bacolod. Knowing so little of the city where my hubby was born in, I panicked. How would I tour them around, when I am practically an alien here in the first place? Good thing one of my high school batchmates, Mariliz Borbon-Tumonong, was there to save the day. She is a native of Bacolod, so she knows the City of Smiles like the back of her hand. If it hadn’t been for her, I would have toured them around SM, Robinsons, and Gaisano Mall for all three days! Kudos to her for the fun and memorable trip of our visitors. Hey, even I enjoyed this tour myself immensely. Moral of the story: Hwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan. Seriously, can I take you to the malls instead?

Day1: The New Government Center. My visitors were impressed with the structure, especially my cousin Clara, who came from the States. They all said it looked like they’re in D.C. Say what? I guess I never appreciated its beauty until some people from outside complimented on it.

 

Jump for joy! I wonder why they are so happy?

The John Paul II Tower. This is a tribute to Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to the city on February 20, 1981 by philanthropist Atty. Simplicio Palanca.

Funny, but this picture of theirs had  a mysterious image      appear with them. Look closely at the upper left side of      the picture. Can you bilibit? Nanay kopoooo!!!

It’s a mortal sin to go to Bacolod and not eat their famous chicken inasal. So we had dinner at Manokan Country. It was rumoured that Aida’s was the best, so there we went for dinner.

Day2: We were scheduled to go to Mambukal Resort, but when we reached the place, it was raining heavily. We decided to reroute and go to Balay Negrense in Silay City instead. It is an old house turned into a museum, built in 1897 by a sugar baron named Victor F. Gaston. It showcases the lifestyle of a wealthy Negrense family of twelve children in the early 19^th century.

The house was a bit creepy, but our group was so animated (and yes, crazy) that we didn’t mind the atmosphere of the place. We even imagined ourselves in a teleserye. And overacted, we did!

Of course, Bacolod cuisine experience is not complete if you don’t go to 21 Restaurant to eat batchoy.

 

Day3: At last, the sun permitted us to go to Mambukal! We didn’t really plan to go swimming there, but to go hiking to the (gulp!) 7th falls. Sometimes, old people want to test themselves on how far their bodies could permit them. At our age, pwede pa pala (Mga ambisyosa!!!)

On our way back to the city, we saw some sakadas harvesting sugar cane, so we pretended to be one ourselves. Ang hirap pala magtrabaho sa init ng araw!!!

 

The sakadas putting their harvest in a truck

The last stop was The Ruins. It was what was left of an old mansion which was burned in the World War II by the guerrilla fighters to prevent the Japanese from using it as their headquarters. According to old tales, it took days of inferno to bring down the roof and the two-inch wooden floors. Now, only the structure has remained, but what a sight it still is.

 Sigh of relief…Mission accomplished! Goodbye my dear sisters…

Sa susunod, ako naman ang ipasyal n’yo ha? Sa…....Mall of Asia?

Grace Tee, Me, Arlene Arzadon-Maruyama, Cecilie Dimal-Ramos, Clara Mejino, Mariliz Borbon-Tumonong, Anesa Abulencia

Dreams and Lotto

Have you ever dreamt of poops? I have...or should I say, I always do. I don’t really know what to make of these dreams. I have other recurring dreams, which I dare not share here (hehehe!), but poopies is pretty much a favourite of my subconscious grey matter. Please don’t be grossed out because in Filipino superstitions, a dream of poopies means money, or luck.

The last time I dreamt of this again, I decided to buy a lotto ticket. I wish I could tell you that I won the first prize and lived happily ever after. But as luck would frown upon me, I didn’t get even one number right! So I want to know what this dream really means, or is there really some sense to our dreams.

MNG dress
Parisian espadrille sandals

According to Sigmund Freud, “the world of dreams allows a person to exercise subconscious desires which have been suppressed during waking life.” So if I dream of crap, does it mean I desire crap in my life? Or maybe there is a lot of garbage in my life which I’d like to throw. One online dream interpreter says that dreaming of poops represents things that one doesn’t need, and wants to be discarded. It can also represent a healthy cleansing of the mind. What then would I want to eliminate, change, or forget in my present life? Hmm…this version makes it more confusing. Why can’t they just stick to old folklore interpretations saying: poop dream = lots of moolah.

Whatever it may mean, if I dreamt about those filthy things again, I would try to concentrate and make out to see if the poopies formed six numbers. And then I could live happily ever after.

My Shopping Hubby

Good husbands are hard to find these days. Some are cranky. Some are stingy. Some ignore you in favour of NBA.

The Hubby is none of these things. He doesn’t drink. He stopped smoking ten years ago. He doesn’t look at other girls (at least not when I’m around!). He’s a cool dad who befriends all his kids’ friends. But there is something special about him that not many husbands do for their wives—that is, he goes shopping for me.

Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as a shopping hubby.

He bought 'em all!

He has a job which requires him to travel, not around the world though(sigh!), but just the major Philippine cities—Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao. Every time he goes to these cities, he never fails to buy me (and, now that my daughter is a teener, her too) something—a shirt, or pants, or skirt, or shoes, or, when he’s in the mood, even lipstick (MAC is the only brand for my smackers). How does he know what fits me? Well, the moment he reaches the store, he calls (thank God for cell phones!). “There is a nice fuschia dress here in Zara” or “What color of shirt does Issa like in Topshop, black or gray?” or “Lady Gaga MAC lipstick is out of stock, what other shade would you like me to buy instead?” Amazing, huh? While other husbands (and boyfriends included) dread the word shopping, the Hubby willingly walks from store to store rummaging through women’s boutiques for his poor wife at home.

MNG shirt
UK² denim skirt
So! Fab booties

Of course, he’s not perfect.

He worries too much about his job.

He snores.

He sometimes forgets to put the toilet seat down.

But who’s complaining if you have a closet-full of love?

My New Zealand Fantasy

One of my high school best friends, Cecilie Dimal-Ramos, FB’d me to say that she has already landed in New Zealand. I’ve known that she was leaving for NZ, but to actually hear that she’s already there with her family gave me mixed emotions. Of course I’m happy that she has gotten her wish to immigrate, but I’m sad that another good friend is physically unreachable. And yes, I’m also a little (okay, big time) jealous that she is already in the land where sheep outnumber people 10 to 1, while I’m still here in the City of Smiles.

You see, I have applied for New Zealand immigration two times already. In both cases, we were denied because of requirement problems. Application to NZ is straightforward and easy, just submit all your documents and payment via internet, wait for at least 6 months, and the response will be mailed out to you. Unfortunately, it was not for us.

I believe in the saying, kung di ukol, di bubukol. I have noticed that life’s puzzle pieces fall on my lap without a hitch if it were really meant for me. Else, kahit ano pang dasal ko, hindi talaga nangyayari. So whenever I pray, I always say, Lord, Your will be done. O baka naman po pwedeng tumama na lang ako sa lotto?;-)

Good luck and God bless, Tett, my friend. Till we meet in 2014!

English in My Mind

I have been an English as a Second Language Teacher for almost four years now. Before becoming an ESL teacher here in Bacolod, I was employed for seven years with Ginebra San Miguel, based in Davao. Then, the hubby was transferred to Bacolod. Here, I put up 2 small businesses. One was a waffle food cart in a private school here in Bacolod, and the other one was a small bakery. Yup, I tested the cold waters of entrepreneurship. And I hate to admit that I was drowned in the process. Nothing seemed to work in my favour--the building owner, the employees, the location. I became cranky and depressed. I was exhausted every night not only because of the long hours I spent at the stores, but also because I had to think of where to get the money to buy the bakery ingredients the next day. I became so stressed out to the point that I sometimes deliberately ignored my family come night time. I prayed hard, sabi ko, Lord, ganito ba and dumaan para yumaman? If this was the way for me, then I want out. Please show me the way out. 

MNG sleeveless
Topshop skirt
Parisian cross wedges

Maybe it was an answer to my prayers, but the hubby chanced upon an ad on the cable looking for English tutors to Koreans. He has also noticed that I was not happy dabbling with so-called single proprietorship.By leap of faith, I found teaching English, and I saw the silver lining again. So after two years of struggling with the businesses, I packed up the food cart and the bakery, and decided to stick to what would make me happier, albeit not richer. Yes, I lost money. Yes, people may say, naku ang malas naman niya sa bisnes. But the funny thing is, I’m now satisfied and happy and I can sleep soundly at night. I have less worries = less wrinkles. And the best thing of all? I can FB, and YM, and blog to my heart’s content. 


So there you go. 

Passion for Fashion

Zara animal print blouse
Jill maong skirt
Celine strappy wedges

So I’m aware that I’m not mucho dinero. But like most creatures from Venus, I want to be appreciated for my looks. Borrowing a line from Chuvaness (which is by the way my Blogger Goddess), which she also borrowed from Wallis Simpson, the then Duchess of Windsor said, "I'm nothing to look at, so the only thing I can do is dress better than anyone else."  This is so true for me.  I’m ‘Ate Guy’ tall. I’m not tisay. I don’t have striking features like a straight nose, or high cheek bones. My skin is rough and acne-prone. My hair is wavy and stringy, if not for the magic of rebonding. The worst thing is, I'm nearing that dreaded golden year mark (gasp!). So the only thing left for me to do is to make the most of whatever I was born with, and try to improve it with makeup, clothes, and ‘salamat siyensya’ paraphernalia. Hence, the passion for clothes.

So pardon me when I post my outfits for the day. The clothes I wear are nothing special or high branded. Some are even pre-loved (a euphemism for ukay-ukay—hahaha!!). It’s my way of saying, hey, I accept the way I look, so I hope you do too.

Happy V Day!!!

Forever 21 Shirt
Promod Ribbed Tights
Celine Wedges

I know, I know. This is one day when you feel that it has been taken advantage of by businesses. My daughter even said that it’s just too commercialized. (Oh no, only sixteen, yet too sarcastic already!)  But what the heck, people want to believe that Cupid is still around spreading love to the world. For Koreans, their practice is for a girl to give chocolates to the boy she likes. So, doesn’t a Korean girl get anything? Nope, not on this day at least, but she gets candies on March 14, which is their White Day.

Thanks, Dad!

Anyway, Valentine’s day is quite special to me. My hubby has been giving me a basket or bouquet of roses EVERY V-Day—walang mintis!! We haven’t always been together on this day because of his job, but he makes his presence (and love) felt  by having flowers delivered to my place of work or to our home. I expect them each Valentine’s morning-- you may think it can get boring, but it never fails to touch that giddy girl in me every time I see the colourful flowers. Sigh!….Eeew!(That’s my daughter shouting!)

Promenading Sicilians

My baby Paolo,
with his pretty partner,
Andrea Marie Frias.

My second child, Paolo, just had his Junior's Prom last February 12. When I asked him how he felt the night before, he said he was kind of nervous. On the day itself, we went to my favorite salon to have his haircut and a hair spa. You see, he has this bad case of seborrhea (go figure, kahiya naman to my baby for broadcasting his secret in layman's term!), so I was afraid that during the prom night, it might 'snow' on his suit. Of course, the mother of the prom'er also had her hot oil and hair treatment--pagkakataon ko na rin ito para mabawasan ang split ends!!!

We checked into the hotel after lunch. In a haste, he prepared for his prom glory because he still had to pick up his date (using a hired van) at 3:00 p.m. I put Skin Food BB cream on his face in the hope that it will even out his skin tone and control the oil on his face until the evening. Hindi naman pumalag, mabuti na lang.

Me, another excited Mom Lucille Grey,
my sister-in-law Vanessa. We couldn't help
ourselves have our pic taken at their photo wall!

Suit and necktie--check! Gift for the girl--check! Two days ago, I bought Faceshop's lip gloss collection as a thank you gift for the girl. He also told me to buy Kisses chocolates for her. His Dad said to buy Ferrero Rocher instead, para mas special, at nasa heart-shaped container pa. When we told him what we bought, he said he'd prefer to give Kisses. Why? I asked. "For sentimental reasons," he answered. Huh? So, being a good mom that I am, I bought a pack of Kisses, just as he ordered. When we were to go to the hotel, I saw that he prepared to bring the Faceshop bag, the Kisses packet, and..the Ferrero..Wait..wait, I said. Didn't you say that you won't give her those? Oh, these are for her Mom, he said. Ha? Bakit, mamanhikan ka na ba?

Anyway, back to the story...when he came out of the van with his partner, my heart skipped a bit. My baby son is now a man!!

As they say, time flies fast...A year ago, it was my baby Issa who had her Junior's Prom. But that's another story. I just have to put her picture here for posterity's sake.

My baby Issa, with her
Korean parner, John Kim

P.S. Happy birthday, My!!!

A-ha Moment

I have always hated my name…ever since. Maria Benilda. Who goes by that name but countryside lasses who are bashful and innocent and old-fashioned? Not that I have anything against countryside girls..but I have always thought my name was not ME. Until I reached that age when I couldn’t care less…forty-something…and I have accepted all the warts and scars and wrinkles and split ends I have been destined to have, and of course, the name I have been given —Maria.

This is a blog about my misadventures as a mom, an English as a Second Language teacher, and as a (TH) fashionista.

Read on as I maraud, plunder, pillage my life’s road to I don’t know where. A perfect A-ha! Moment…