Receiving 1,500 Yen from Someone I Barely Know

In the end all the blame on this one would be on me. I just know it. You know how people would tell you that you should always be prepared, that you should always anticipate errors and misfortunes along the way, that what happens to you is entirely your fault. Sometimes fate uses some people as instruments to victimize you, to learn a lesson, as they would love to say. At times, this lesson comes to you in cahoots with giant worldwide banking companies or their fvcking machines that you just want to axe-kick, karate chop, kidney punch (I do not care if ATMs do not have kidneys), bitch slap ad nauseam, douse in gas, and set on fire. Sorry, I got carried away. So, what really happened? I almost got stranded in Osaka, that is what happened. What is my defense then, your honor?

The Three I Missed Most About KL

Kuala Lumpur was not really part of my East Asia itinerary. My Southeast Asian getaway is not set until next month. This is one of the consequences of canceling my German language course in Heidelberg. I was planning to get to Paris via Air Asia X, which offers the cheapest fares to Western Europe from Southeast Asia. That is why I booked a Manila - Kuala Lumpur flight in advance despite not being that cheap based on fares on sale standards. Since I canceled my European plans and already got my refund for the tuition, I chose to just buy a return flight ticket to Manila so as to not waste the ticket. I am no stranger to KL, although it is my first time alone as a tourist. My parents are in Sarawak, but still, KL feels like home. It is probably the thought of living in one country despite being separated by the South China Sea. And since technically, they are not in KL, they are not included on this list. And I think missing them is already a given.

I Almost Got Held Up By Billy Jake UVA 709

It is my first time to arrive at NAIA 3 at midnight, on my own. I exchanged my last MOP21 for PhP100 at the Macau Airport because I only had PhP34 left and no more foreign currency. What I usually spend for the taxi ride from home to airport is around PhP120. That would suffice. I always take the white taxis outside the airport because I have this notion that the yellow ones inside are expensive, which my mother refuted. Anyway, a lesson had to be learned here, the hard way. I walked out of the airport.

My Cebu Pacific Flight to China

I rushed to the airport and arrived precisely an hour before my trip. The queue was not that long and I immediately got the chance to present my passport and printed e-ticket to the woman at the counter. It took quite a while and I realized she was looking intently at my passport. Is there something wrong? I asked. You can't board this plane yet, she replied. I asked her why. She told me that I had to do a task for a certain Mr. Wong first at a Chinese temple in Binondo. What the fvck? What is this, a freaking episode of the Amazing Race? For some reason, I obliged.

Okay John You’re Not Gay, May I Shower Now?

John told me with his broken English that I was handsome. Well thank you, John. I like your sense of humor. Either you have drunk too much of this spa water we are wading on or you just have very poor taste. In any case, you are starting to annoy me, and the maintenance guy is looking at us.

30 Before 30

#01 Jump off a building

Off the Macau Tower. On July 22. With a rope. If things go according to plan. This would obviously be documented considering the attention whore that I am.

#02 Play a whole song on the Piano

Either James Horner’s Hymn to the Sea or Danny Tan’s Iisa Pa Lamang. Believe me, this is going to be difficult. Playing the piano is a big frustration of mine.

#03 Dye my hair white

This has been part of every Halloween and New Year’s Resolution but has never come to fruition. Even just for a day will do. Perhaps spray paint is the answer.

#04 Have one of my Youtube videos reach 10,000 views

My most successful to date has 3,000. I really can’t do anything about this but wait. Or perhaps a Tagalog cover of Rebecca Black’s Friday with matching dance?

#05 Do a back flip and/or a back handspring

This has been on my bucket list ever since I saw Blue Ranger and Pink Ranger escape from Rita Repulsa’s orcs by doing this instead of just running away.

My Airphilexpress Flight to Catarman

True to what a lot of people have already said, Airphilexpress sucks. If you book with them, you should check the schedule on their website everyday just so you know if your flight time has been changed or not. And that was what I did. When I booked a flight to Catarman three months ago the departure time was 12:55. When I verified the flight on their website a week ago it said 05:30. The gap is big, and for me, crucial, because I leave the office at 06:00. It is a make or break thing. So I called their hotline. 

Confessions of a First Time Greenbelt Moviegoer

NOVEMBER 6, 2003

You might not know it but I know with all my heart that I am an idiot. Why? Let me share my Greenbelt experience with you! Lolz…Nakakatawa to promise. I’ve always known that I’m an idiot, for the record. But if you think this incident is the most idiotic thing I’ve ever done, wait until you hear how I gave my mobile phone to a snatcher, na wala siyang kahirap hirap, lol.