Will you guys be attending iBlog2—the 2nd Philippine Blogging Summit? Here are the exact details, including the whole program, from their website:

The long wait is over! iBlog2: The 2nd Philippine Blogging Summit shall be on Tuesday, April 18 at the U.P. College of Law, U.P. Diliman, Quezon City from 9 am to 5 pm. Same as last year, this event is FREE!
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Bok on the MRT

Originally uploaded by happyeclair.

I don’t recall seeing the Barkada Trip gang on the hand rails of the MRT until last Saturday. I was holding on to the one with Bok, saying “Baka magka-stiff neck ka” (You might get a stiff neck). I saw the others like Nikki saying “Exercise din yan” (That’s exercise too) – referring to the act of a passenger’s need to stand up and hang on to the hand rail. Nori saying “‘Lam mo, cute ka” (You know, you’re cute). Trixie’s had this text “Gutom ka na?” (You hungry?) – which reminds us of how long commutes can be and that hunger could be felt so badly. Malas and Aries were also among the character designs on the hand rails. So cute! I wish I could find stickers of the Barkada Trip characters on sale.

Fuzion

Originally uploaded by happyeclair.

Fuzion is known for its smoothies. I tried Limelight (cucumber, lime and something – I forgot what it exactly was) and found it very refreshing. My officemate Elaine was the one who suggested we go to Fuzion because of the beds. Yes. See that table over the bed? That is where we ate last Friday and it was so comfortable putting my feet up on the bed.

Fuzion has refreshingly fruity smoothies and also ‘tipsy ones’ like Sex on the Beach. Each smoothie costs Php 95, if you’re getting the regular-sized ones. Php 125 for the large ones. They also serve pasta, sandwiches and rice meals. Although I think that their pasta is not that spectacular, it’s not bad either. As for the prices, well, it’s the usual price for food in that area. Their plate of pesto pasta is around Php 130 (if I recall correctly). It comes with two pieces of bread.

It’s nice to hang out there on a summer afternoon, chilling with your friends, especially after work.

The Web has done me wonders—one of which is the connection it allows me to make with other people, to be more specific: with prominent people.

I’ve been able to send notes and get replies from my favorite poets—sometimes about their work, sometimes about how the accessibility the Internet provides scares them. I’ve been able to get in touch with Japanese artist Aya Kato who designed the illustrations in Tori Amos’ Sleeps With Butterflies. Last July 2005, I even got the chance through online means to become a Neil Gaiman volunteer for his Manila booksigning. I also got to share a couple of words with an Illustrador ng Kabataan (INK) member and an Adarna books writer and illustrator whose works I previously wrote and raved about in my blog.

Guess who I got a reply from most recently?
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While ex-PBB celebrity housemate Rustom Padilla’s butterfly served as a sign for him to reveal his secret inside the the PBB compound, this buttefly right here marked the start of my summer! Finally.

How’s your summer so far?

I was awakened this afternoon by a call from James of Citibank. He told me that I’m “pre-approved” for a credit card. Great, I thought. I was thinking of applying for a card with them, I just don’t know where to apply.

Then he went on stating information that I disclosed to the other banks I applied to: my home address, the company I work for, even my annual income!

Darn it, they’re out to get me!

A downside of having the Metro Manila Film Fest in December: we end up seeing non-Filipino movies set during Christmas when it’s already summer. The movie “Rent,” for example. And I’m pretty sure I saw “Love Actually” around this time two years ago, as well. On the big screen there’s snow, Santa costumes, and Christmas carols on the soundtrack. Outside it’s 32 degrees Celsius and inflatable pool toys are on display at SM. Good grief.

I’ve been looking for WordPress themes and came across “Dapit Hapon” by Filipino webdesigner Gail dela Cruz.The theme’s description says: A truly Filipino theme: classy and romantic, an original by The Filipino Web Designer.

The theme is being recognized by users and is even one of the most downloaded and best voted themes in the WordPress theme park. Gail comments—

I’m really happy about the response my free theme is getting. Although I have to admit that I’m also a bit disappointed that most of the people downloading and installing the theme aren’t Filipinos. It’s getting recognition in the international Wordpress community, but not here. Oh well, I’m not saying I’m surprised. Just disappointed, I guess. I was vying for some kind of a “be proud to be Pinoy” campaign with the release of this theme, but I suppose we really aren’t ready yet for that. Oh, well. That’s life. Colonial mentality is such a sad thing.

Sad but true.

The MMDA suspended the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or “color coding” scheme for the summer.

They report that there was no change in vehicular volume. Perhaps because it’s been too hot to do much of anything.

This is the view of the first train car, solely limited to women, children, senior citizens and the disabled. Too bad I wasn’t able to pluck out the camera from my bag when I was in the “man car.” (yes, I went train car hopping.) It was terribly uncomfortable and too crowded.