Being born and raised in Manila definitely had it's ups and downs, but mostly ups.
When I moved here in LA back in 2011, I was shocked about everything. Food serving portions are HUGE. Lovers kiss in public places. People are polite and generous about compliments (and everyone knows I'm hard at taking compliments). Everything is so clean, neat and organized. Not that I think Philippines is dirty, I'd like to call it organized chaos. Hehe! Congested traffic, corrupt politicians, floods, annoying jeepney drivers, and air pollution are the things I hate about my country. But the things I miss and love about it, outweighs all the negative ones. All the good and the bad is part of what I will always call home.
MY FAMILY
My grandparents, aunts and uncles are the people who raised me. Everything that I am right now, part of it, is all because of the values they taught me growing up. Even though they are basically an extended family to me, I consider them part of my nuclear family because they loved me even though I had a phase where I was an evil bratinella and they never gave up on me. I love them and I miss them everyday.
CRAZY, FUNNY FRIENDS
They say that quality friends are more important than quantity friends. Back home, I'm lucky enough to have quantity and quality friends I can rely on. Friends who are loyal and funny and just understands the noise and silence. My friends are crazy, funny and talkative as I am. I miss our late night chit-chat about nonsense things over coffee or dinner. I miss girls night. The noise we make inside a restaurant (because we can't simply tone down our voice). I love how spontaneous our outings are, and nobody was kill-joy. I love spending time with them and if only I can fit all of them in my luggage I would do so.
THE TAHO VENDOR THAT ALWAYS SHOWED UP INFRONT OF OUR HOUSE AT 9AM EVERY WEEKEND
I had to commend Manong because he is the only Filipino I know that doesn't honor Filipino time! Hahaha! And because his job is honorable and hard, carrying all that taho, sago and arnibal all day, just so he can send his kids to school and feed his family. When I was a kid I would wait for him in our window and when I hear him scream "TAHOOOOOO!", I would run to my grandpa to ask money, run downstairs and buy my Taho. I always finish it in a minute and shout "Bottoms up!" and show it to Papa (my grandpa) and he would always tell me "very good! Tomorrow again."
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| {credits to owner} |
Once upon a time, I was the queen of the mall. I know where is the nearest restroom, where a certain store or restaurant is, even the exits in every SM or Ayala Malls. I'm basically a mall directory. When I went home last December (2013), I got lost in the mall. That never happens. A lot has changed and I feel small (yes, ang drama! haha!).
JOLLIBEE AND MCDO
We have Jollibee and McDonalds here, but everything is weird for my taste buds. The Jollibee here is nowhere near the Jollibee back home - the sweet, creamy, cheesy Jolli-Spaghetti, the Yum Burger, we don't even have Jolli-hotdog for some reason. McDonalds here doesn't even serve rice! (No justice for Asians like me!) So imagine me walking inside McDo to find out they don't have Chicken Fillet with rice or Chicken Nuggets with rice. HORRENDOUS! I remember that one time I bought home chicken nuggets and I ate it with rice, and my mother was puzzled why I'm eating it with rice. She just laughed at me! She will never understand the struggle. Hahaha!
THAT YAKULT VENDOR THAT KEPT OUR FRIDGE STOCKED UP WITH ACTIVE LACTOBACILLI-SHIROTA STRAIN
Yakult in the Philippines is so convenient, you don't have to go to the grocery store. Like Manong Taho vendor, she diligently shows up every other day outside our house and will always ask Mama (my grandma) if we still have Yakult. Our fridge is never without Yakult as far as I can remember. I was so obsessed with Yakult, I even made it an ice candy back then. Hahaha! (And yes, I even know that one-liner to Gabe Mercado's Yakult commercial - Ok ka ba, tyan?!)
THE TAGALOG-TRANSLATED KOREAN DRAMAS & TELENOVELAS FROM MEXICO
Pasion De Amor, Monica Brava, Inocente de ti, Triunfo del Amor (the one where William Levy is THE guy!). And who can forget Thalia as Rosalinda, Marimar, Maria Mercedes and Maria La Del Barrio? She is a goddess to us!
Then there was the Korean invasion ... Boys Over Flowers, My Girl, Which Star Are You From? and my ultimate favorite Princess Hours! I hate subtitles so the Tagalog version was amazing to me ... now I have to live with subtitles on Viki.
JOLLIBEE AND MCDO
We have Jollibee and McDonalds here, but everything is weird for my taste buds. The Jollibee here is nowhere near the Jollibee back home - the sweet, creamy, cheesy Jolli-Spaghetti, the Yum Burger, we don't even have Jolli-hotdog for some reason. McDonalds here doesn't even serve rice! (No justice for Asians like me!) So imagine me walking inside McDo to find out they don't have Chicken Fillet with rice or Chicken Nuggets with rice. HORRENDOUS! I remember that one time I bought home chicken nuggets and I ate it with rice, and my mother was puzzled why I'm eating it with rice. She just laughed at me! She will never understand the struggle. Hahaha!
THAT YAKULT VENDOR THAT KEPT OUR FRIDGE STOCKED UP WITH ACTIVE LACTOBACILLI-SHIROTA STRAIN
Yakult in the Philippines is so convenient, you don't have to go to the grocery store. Like Manong Taho vendor, she diligently shows up every other day outside our house and will always ask Mama (my grandma) if we still have Yakult. Our fridge is never without Yakult as far as I can remember. I was so obsessed with Yakult, I even made it an ice candy back then. Hahaha! (And yes, I even know that one-liner to Gabe Mercado's Yakult commercial - Ok ka ba, tyan?!)
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| Yakult Lady {credits to owner} |
Pasion De Amor, Monica Brava, Inocente de ti, Triunfo del Amor (the one where William Levy is THE guy!). And who can forget Thalia as Rosalinda, Marimar, Maria Mercedes and Maria La Del Barrio? She is a goddess to us!
Then there was the Korean invasion ... Boys Over Flowers, My Girl, Which Star Are You From? and my ultimate favorite Princess Hours! I hate subtitles so the Tagalog version was amazing to me ... now I have to live with subtitles on Viki.
THE PICKPOCKETERS
Never in my entire life I fell victim of these people. Not that I'm asking. Hahaha! But because of them I learned to be vigilant and mindful of my valuables at all times - which led, to me, not being burara - I don't even text or call in public. That's how paranoid I am. Hahaha! I feel bad for them because they had to resort to such sin to feed their families, I hope they realize that the end does not justify the means. And the only way their children can be proud of them is by sending them to school and feeding them with hard earned money not from illegal ways.
FISHBALLAN, ISAWAN, KWEK-KWEKAN, atbp.
FEU's Hepa Lane is the place to be! Burger, buko juice, mais, mangga with bagoong, sago't gulaman, calamares, adidas, kikiam, hotdog, siomai ... name it, they have it! I used to pass by this area everytime I go home from class. The smell is just so inviting, I can't help but give in! My tummy is so happy I'm walking while eating going to Lealtad-Quiapo jeepney stop (This is also my favorite kind of date ... no pretensions, just good 'ol fishball).
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| credits to owner |
As the Patron Saint of Desperate situations, I go to Saint Jude whenever I feel helpless. And just being there, makes me feel like I can do anything, even the impossible ones. It feels like the holy spirit is embracing and showering me with so much love and power that will help me move the mountain a.k.a the burden.
After every Friday mass at Quiapo church will test your patience. The amount of people falling in line to touch the foot of The Black Nazarene are A LOT. But once I'm there, it's all worth it. One time I just cried for no reason while touching his foot, I wasn't even sad or anything. I just feel overwhelmed ... like the woman on the Bible who touched Jesus' garment. On my way to the U.S. Embassy for my Visa interview, even if I know there is going to be a loooooong line, I made sure to go to Nazareno and ask for guidance and wisdom so I can answer anything they asked. And now, I'm here. :)
I know some people mock Catholic beliefs and practices. We cannot be saved by group, religion does not guarantee our entry to the Heavenly Gates. But what is important is our individual relationship with God and how can we be an instrument of God's love to one another.
THE BANGIN' NEW YEAR'S EVE!
New Year's Eve is our 4th of July. And this will continue until wee hours in the morning ...
THE ALL DAY, EVERYWHERE, EVERYDAY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC
I live approximately a mile or 2 away from school, and it takes about 15-30 minutes to get there. If España Blvd. is a freeway, I will be in class in less than a minute. But this is Manila we're talking about. Ayayay! LA traffic is nowhere near Manila traffic. So everytime I hear someone complaining about LA traffic, I can't help but " B*tch, please! Have you ever been to Manila?" Hahaha!
Even though, as a student, I hate it. But as someone who live away from home, I must admit, I miss the hustle and bustle and the honks. Here in LA, I seldom use my honk when I'm driving, I told myself to save the honk to the evil drivers (Okey, I used it once to get the attention of the car infront of me who keep texting and we almost miss the left green arrow light ... we all know how seldom those lights grace our lives), I think of it as a "lifeline" like the one you use on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
I HAD A CHILDHOOD BEFORE TECHNOLOGY TOOK OVER
I smile everytime I see this statement above on Facebook. I was able to make friends not on social media but through playing on the street, our playground. Patintero, luksong baka, luksong tinik, tumbang preso, langit lupa ... lahat nalaro ko yan! If Chinese garter was part of the Olympics, I will take home the gold medal! I can even do it in heels!
THE CRYSTAL CLEAR BEACHES
You can go anywhere in the world and nothing can compare to our blue skies and crystal clear beaches! Perfect backdrop for an instagram photo. I am probably the only Filipino who doesn't know how to swim (I can explain ... I grew up in the city, I swim in baha hehehe!) and the only one who's never been to Boracay (I know, shame on me!). But when I go home again, I'll definitely save up for Boracay and Palawan!
BANANA-QUE, KAMOTE-QUE AT TURON SA KANTO
Every siesta time my Mama used to bribe me to pluck her grey hair, in exchange she'll pay me 20 Pesos. Before she falls asleep, I'll ask permission to go out to buy Banana-que and she always say yes (you can tell how responsible guardian my grandma is. hahaha!) I sneak out of the house to buy 5 pesos banana-que, 5 Pesos kamote-que and 5 pesos turon and I still have spare money to buy Melon (Cantaloupe) juice and I walk back home gorging on everything I bought. I miss my walk to the corner of our street knowing I won't get kidnapped because everybody knows each other in our neighborhood (and because we don't have money as huge as a ransom money in exchange for me hahaha!), here in LA I have to drive 15-minutes to get my Banana-que and when I get there my craving has already diminished. I miss that everything in Manila is within a walkable distance.
FRESH BAKED PAN DE SAL
After every Friday mass at Quiapo church will test your patience. The amount of people falling in line to touch the foot of The Black Nazarene are A LOT. But once I'm there, it's all worth it. One time I just cried for no reason while touching his foot, I wasn't even sad or anything. I just feel overwhelmed ... like the woman on the Bible who touched Jesus' garment. On my way to the U.S. Embassy for my Visa interview, even if I know there is going to be a loooooong line, I made sure to go to Nazareno and ask for guidance and wisdom so I can answer anything they asked. And now, I'm here. :)
I know some people mock Catholic beliefs and practices. We cannot be saved by group, religion does not guarantee our entry to the Heavenly Gates. But what is important is our individual relationship with God and how can we be an instrument of God's love to one another.
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| Quiapo Church ~ January 2014 |
THE BANGIN' NEW YEAR'S EVE!
New Year's Eve is our 4th of July. And this will continue until wee hours in the morning ...
I live approximately a mile or 2 away from school, and it takes about 15-30 minutes to get there. If España Blvd. is a freeway, I will be in class in less than a minute. But this is Manila we're talking about. Ayayay! LA traffic is nowhere near Manila traffic. So everytime I hear someone complaining about LA traffic, I can't help but " B*tch, please! Have you ever been to Manila?" Hahaha!
Even though, as a student, I hate it. But as someone who live away from home, I must admit, I miss the hustle and bustle and the honks. Here in LA, I seldom use my honk when I'm driving, I told myself to save the honk to the evil drivers (Okey, I used it once to get the attention of the car infront of me who keep texting and we almost miss the left green arrow light ... we all know how seldom those lights grace our lives), I think of it as a "lifeline" like the one you use on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
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| España Blvd. Metro Manila {credits to owner} |
I smile everytime I see this statement above on Facebook. I was able to make friends not on social media but through playing on the street, our playground. Patintero, luksong baka, luksong tinik, tumbang preso, langit lupa ... lahat nalaro ko yan! If Chinese garter was part of the Olympics, I will take home the gold medal! I can even do it in heels!
THE CRYSTAL CLEAR BEACHES
You can go anywhere in the world and nothing can compare to our blue skies and crystal clear beaches! Perfect backdrop for an instagram photo. I am probably the only Filipino who doesn't know how to swim (I can explain ... I grew up in the city, I swim in baha hehehe!) and the only one who's never been to Boracay (I know, shame on me!). But when I go home again, I'll definitely save up for Boracay and Palawan!
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| Poctoy White Beach Torrijos, Marinduque January 2014 |
BANANA-QUE, KAMOTE-QUE AT TURON SA KANTO
Every siesta time my Mama used to bribe me to pluck her grey hair, in exchange she'll pay me 20 Pesos. Before she falls asleep, I'll ask permission to go out to buy Banana-que and she always say yes (you can tell how responsible guardian my grandma is. hahaha!) I sneak out of the house to buy 5 pesos banana-que, 5 Pesos kamote-que and 5 pesos turon and I still have spare money to buy Melon (Cantaloupe) juice and I walk back home gorging on everything I bought. I miss my walk to the corner of our street knowing I won't get kidnapped because everybody knows each other in our neighborhood (and because we don't have money as huge as a ransom money in exchange for me hahaha!), here in LA I have to drive 15-minutes to get my Banana-que and when I get there my craving has already diminished. I miss that everything in Manila is within a walkable distance.
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| Banana-que, Kamote fries and Turon! My favorite merienda!!! (Looking at this picture makes me drool) {credits to owner} |
Speaking of walkable distance, the best Pan de Sal in the whole wide world can also be found in the corner of our street! Hooray! ... Every morning my Papa will ask me to get 10pcs. Pan de sal and 5 pcs. of butter (very tiny bar of butter) and he would let me keep the change. I am never used to a full meal every morning, Pan de Sal with butter dipped in coffee (yes, the coffee addiction started at a very young age, and my grandfather is to blame hahaha) is my favorite kind of breakfast (as well as Champorado swimming in milk).
"SYAMAN YAN, OH! PAKIUSOG LANG PO!"
The Lealtad-Quiapo drivers are my greatest enemies back when I was a student. Manong! Kahit anong ipit ko sa legs ko waluhan lang talaga ang jeep mo! Hahahaha! The jeepney drivers are the people you love to hate! They're annoying as it gets! Stopping at every street when you have a class to get into, patay malisya sa sukli (50 pesos ang binayad ko, hindi ako sinuklian ... Ano? Nilibre ko yung buong jeep?!), they stop 3 corners away from your street and they hit the pedal when you haven't got out of the jeep yet! Love them or hate them, they get you to your destination no matter how long it gets (and it's an honorable job!).
The Lealtad-Quiapo drivers are my greatest enemies back when I was a student. Manong! Kahit anong ipit ko sa legs ko waluhan lang talaga ang jeep mo! Hahahaha! The jeepney drivers are the people you love to hate! They're annoying as it gets! Stopping at every street when you have a class to get into, patay malisya sa sukli (50 pesos ang binayad ko, hindi ako sinuklian ... Ano? Nilibre ko yung buong jeep?!), they stop 3 corners away from your street and they hit the pedal when you haven't got out of the jeep yet! Love them or hate them, they get you to your destination no matter how long it gets (and it's an honorable job!).
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| Beep! Beep! {credits to owner} |
