The Charchoal Roasted Coffee is one of our favorite Tiendesitas spots. It’s a great place to hang out and unwind. It has a great selection of coffee, tea and pastries. Try their ensaymada with cream cheese and guava jelly. Delicious! Oh but wait, this stall is listed as Philippine Mountain Coffee Collection in its Tiendesitas page. Whatever name it goes by, it’s not difficult to find. Just go to the Food Village. Enjoy!

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila will be showcasing works from National Artist Arturo Luz who is celebrating his 80th birthday! Luz was the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila from 1976 to 1986 and this exhibit will feature how he presented works of art during his time.

The Museum is open Mondays to Saturdays, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and entrance is P50 with discounts for Students and Senior Citizens. The exhibit “Luz: A Light in the Museum” will be showcased until the end of January.
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10. Dennis Roldan
Actor, Former Quezon City Representative
Last Known Location: Pasig City Jail

One of the scariest things about the Metro is kidnap for ransom groups and one of the more infamous kidnap for ransom leaders is Dennis Roland, currently being charged for masterminding the kidnapping of a 3 year old Chinese-Filipino boy last year. He is currently out on bail and was set to return to trial last August 8 at the Pasig City Regional Trial Court. He was arrested February 2005 and was put on trial 6 months later.
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From www.uwenetz.net

Herbert Go and Dennis Marasigan exchange glances of approval without having to say a word. It’s the second day of auditions for the forthcoming Tanghalang Pilipino and Department of Tourism co-production, “A Walk Back in Time”, and the two rather unassuming theater advocates - Herbert, the erstwhile Artistic Director, and Dennis, the man who has been appointed to succeed him- seem pleased by the wealth of talent befitting the resident drama company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

“Very good,” praised Dennis, right after a particularly impressive long-haired tenor finished his audition with a graceful cartwheel.
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Finally back on the blogosphere after “satisfaction guaranteed” Bayantel resolved its issues.

It has been a long time since I last stepped on the tiles of Harrison Plaza in Malate, but of course, I still distinctly remember that one kiosk where you could have your very own portraiture (or that of your loved ones) by charcoal or pastel and in a frame of your choice. Wall of Fame, the tiny service shop is called - ran by who must be a renowned artist, if his subjects are to be the judge.
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These photos have been brewing in my camera phone for a week. Since they just restored normal power last Saturday in my place, the photos I’m posting just now. A tad late so they’re not exactly news anymore. Just the same, for posterity.
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Diwa, the leading publisher of textbooks and academic supplementary magazines in the Philippines, will be staging the biggest Tribute to Teachers ever, its yearly homage to the hard-working and resilient Filipino teaching force. This year’s gathering of educators from all over the country will be held at the Araneta Coliseum on 09 September 2006 from1:30 to 5 in the afternoon. The event will be a convergence of the greatest and brightest in the Philippine education sector.
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I guess that Pinoy Big Brother is really popular because I can hear people talk about it all the time.

Personally, I hardly watch the show because I get home really late or I am too sleepy or I am engrossed in reading a book. But over the weekend, I was able to watch the birthday celebration of one of the ‘housemates.’ It was interesting because they threw a party for him and because Uman doesn’t really like dark colors, everyone in the Big Brother house wore white. The set up was predominantly white.

Anyhow, it’s just that I recall overhearing two people talking in PBCom (as I was on my way to the Patio, their food court of sorts) about how real Franzen and Jason seemed and so they thought that they would not be voted out by the people. There is a ‘masa’ appeal, as they have said.

I haven’t seen enough to really understand what they mean. All I know is that I keep hearing the PBB ringback tune when I call certain friends and also in the public transport and the malls. I heard from my sister that people do dance the PBB dance as well.

I have got myself weird tan lines from standing too long under the sun this last weekend. The 2nd leg of the 2005 Shell Superkarting Series was held last April 2-3, Sat-Sun at the Boomland Kart Track near the Cultural Center.

There are the following categories: ICA Open Class, Formula Rotax Masters, Formula Rotax, Formula Rotax Novice Class, KT Light division and the Cadets (cute little kids in racer suits.. seriously adorable). And three races for each category excluding the qualification round.

Michelle Bumgarner, the reigning Asian queen of karting, only came in 5th in the ICA Open Class, bested by Stockinger who won both this and the Formula Rotax category. A one-day-early birthday present. And of course, Matteo Guidicelli was there, but he only came in 4th.

Paolo Eslao, my brother (see my heart burting with pride.. lol), won his 2nd championship by outracing local actor Onemig Bondoc and Jeje Villena in the KT Light division.

Well, he better had. I didn

With nothing better to talk about, I’ll let you in on what usually happens whenever I take the dreaded ride home via the jeep, the Philippine’s most wonderful mode of public transportation. (Yes, I’m too lazy to learn how to drive.)

It’s the second jeep I’m going to take to get home — luckily I’ve got Karen, my daily commuter buddy with me to deaden the pain. We wait at the side of the road for a jeep to pass by, like hookers waiting for the jackpot. Since it’s rush hour, there’s a crowd to contend with and it’s always good to keep in mind that everyone is your enemy and there is no such thing as mercy.
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