These are some things that make me smile and laugh. In this crazy world, we should know how to just stop, chill, enjoy the moment and have a good belly laugh.

AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

Apparently, this is a real life Timon and Pumbaa. Not sure how real this is but it's pretty awesome.

This made me laugh so hard. Honga naman di ba?

During the rains, the kids were so bored (Now I understand what my mom and Nanie went through when I was younger and I declared "I'm bored") So, we recycled crayons. The kids loved shaving the crayons and breaking them up. 

Of course I think the real thrill here was that they were making a huge mess and that it was allowed. 

Love the colors!

 This is our finished product. Good luck kung ano mang kulay ang puedeng lumabas dyan.

We also made crayon tarts. 

 And now, the best photo, in my opinion is this. My little man, growing up and taking responsibility. Sipag ni kuya! After nito, nag mop naman sya ng floor. :) 

Every day is a great day. Just remember the transformers. :D

Decided to make new stuff from the old stuff that I had lying around the house. I'm trying to encourage the kids to find new purpose in their old toys or things so that they can also express their creativity and do their part in recycling or upcycling. It's never too early to teach the kids the importance of saving the planet.

 I had this little Disney Princess case that I picked up from Uniwide a long time ago for about 20 pesos or something. The only problem was that I can't get rid of the green sticker and it was very unsightly. So, my Princess and I decided to give it a new look instead.

 

 First, we taped over the metal clasp. We don't want to paint it or cover it with anything so we had to protect it. You can do this with any hard case purse or bag. I like the ones from Papemelroti but they're pretty enough on their own that I don't bother changing it.

 Next, we gathered old magazines and started snipping pictures or words that we fancied. This will be the new "cover" of our purse. Since I am in the entertainment industry, I thought it was apt (and also very tongue in cheek) to use photos of classic movies and photos of actors I look up.

After snipping the photos, just put them in one corner and make your PVA or Decoupage glue. To make this, use one part water with two parts glue. I use the normal Elmer's white glue. Brush the surface you're putting your photos on and stick the picutre and give the surface another brush or two. Repeat until all photos are used and the surface is covered. If you want, you can also paint the little spaces that can't be covered. I'd suggest using different colors and use nail polish too! It's shiny and it dries fairly quickly and it's waterproof. See, another use for nail polish!

This is the front of my new hard case purse. I have Maricel Soriano there (super love her), a still photo of Insiang with Hilda Koronel, the Burlesk Queen and Himala poster (I thought it was apt since ate Guy is making a comeback), Agot Isidro (so classy!) and Venus Raj.

Here's what I have at the back - Lady Gaga, Rio Locsin, Angel Aquino (love her to death!), the promo photo of A very Special Love and You changed my life. The quote is from that chick who plays Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl (dunno her name but I thought the quote was cool)

This is something very easy (although it's a bit messy) to do. My little Princess and I loved doing it and she now has a new case for her toys too! Now, she wants to make journals out of recycled materials. :D

 Gay dogs make me giggle. Landing doggie itong si Potpotski.

 To converse with THE Mark Gil is an honor enough but for him to praise my acting, yun na! Todo na yun! Puede na akong mamatay...pero wag naman. 

 To see Dave with Robin Padilla makes me smile. The two most gentlemanly individuals I have ever met in the same room together? Yeah....that's bliss.

 To have the opportunity to work with Pen Medina is a great honor. Tay, salamat sa mga tawanan natin sa set. Sa susunod na project ulit. :)

 Jeffrey Tam is a dream client. We did his website jeffreytammagic.com. He's so talented, humble and sincere.

 Being with my babe is always a happy time. 

 Going to museums with the kids and seeing them enjoy learning is always a gratifying and satisfying time.

 Seeing the kids enjoy their new Angry Birds watches make me smile.

And little boys that turn a pail into a makeshift bathtub makes me giggle.

 Little girls who start becoming responsible big sisters make my heart beat faster and my insides fuzzy.

 Little boys who can't get enough of mommy (and can't wait to get rid of mommy too) make me laugh.

 Seeing the next generation bond and love each other like something fierce makes me very happy.

 Little creative geniuses make me grin.

 Hammocks always make me smile.

 A makeshift herb garden on a window ledge makes me giddy. Believe it or not, I talk to these cuties.

 Small patola plants that eagerly grow and climb make me smile.

 Making pinakurat for my Guns and Roses family makes me smile.

 More vegetables growing makes me smile. I'm so excited about my vegetable garden!

 I think people should be allowed to goof off every now and then. It's the secret to youth.

Silly uncles who "sing and dance" in the rain would make anyone laugh out loud. Thanks Laki Cong!

And this is my pride and joy. There's this little space at the side of the house that used to be a dump. Mai and I decided to clean it up and turn it into a veggie garden for Dave. We planted a banana tree at one end and (what I assume to be) banaba at the other. (See how that works out, eh? LOL!) Then we planted corn, pechay, baguio beans, okra, talong and tomatoes in between. In about 40 to 60 days, we're ready to harvest! Woot! Woot!

Being a parent means I have to make sure that the kids get a solid and great education. I want them to learn stuff but I want them to learn while having fun. There is that level of difficulty when you try to teach them about science and vocabulary without boring them to death. Surely, you don't want their session with their therapist to start with "My mom made me learn about miasmas and it just haunts me...HAUNTS ME! BWAHAHAHAH!"

It seems that learning through music is limited with nursery rhymes and alphabets and numbers. After that, there's nothing more than pop music or terribly written songs about the hurricane where the words are forced to rhyme and the melody is droning and monotonous. No offense to these people who wrote this songs. I can't write songs to save my life and I'm not about to critique them with their skills. All I'm saying is that as an end user, I have to make sure that the songs are interesting, catchy and well written. My kids will have to repeat these songs on a regular loop so I would have to endure.

I've heard of They Might Be Giants when I was watching a DVD about Sesame Street's anniversary. I thought they were adorable and their songs were catchy enough for the kids and they helped in making them learn about science and vocabulary! They do have DVDs out that are all about edutainment but here are some of the notable ones IMO.









You should check out ParticleMen's videos on the TMBGs. I suggest you download the vids and songs and let your kids understand and appreciate science. My kids (8 year old girl and 5 year old twins) have just learned 2 new big words yesterday in the span of 10 minutes - miasma and incandescent.

I have been having issues with SMART for months now and it has come to that point where it was getting to be totally frustrating and it has been a thorn on my side month on month.

First they said that I didn't have to pay for data charges so long as I was subscribed to their Blackberry sachet pack. Then my bill came and I was charged for both the sachet pack (which cost P1,200) and for data charges that amounted to about 2 grand. I was like, WHAT?! I called them up and they apologized and they said that I shouldn't have any problems anymore since I was subscribed to the sachet pack. The next month, it happened again and this time they said that my settings were incorrect so I went to the Smart office and they said that regardless of the settings, if I am subscribed to the sachet pack, I shouldn't be getting charges for data.

Anyway, long story short, I had the same issues and then this month, I see a double charge for my BB sachet pack. It was at this point that I saw red. I was seething and every single time I've asked for a manager, I got bupkis. So...with a little ingenuity and help from Google, I decided that enough was enough and that I was not going to take this anymore. I needed to have this resolved and fast. You can understand, I was VERY frustrated at this point. So, I sent an email to the customer service department of SMART, the public relations group of SMART and...A Senior Vice President of SMART.

I gave the whole thing about 2 days to churn. If they were going to do something about it, I'll get a call. If they didn't get the email or have chosen to ignore me, then I would've gone public and switched to a different provider.

They called me. Finally I got someone on the phone who knew exactly what they were talking about and weren't just reading off the screen. They went through my account, were very polite and weren't condescending and very apologetic. (I hated that last "TL" I spoke to because he was totally condescending and ignorant of how to explain the situation. Parang ako pa ang mali at di nakakaintindi. Yun pala, di niya binabasa yung notes ng account ko. Ungas) They promised to call me for updates and to send me an email of the reconciliation on my account, especially the BB sachet charges.

And they made good on all their promises. Choi, the person handling my account  now is a person of few words and a lot of action. The email was sent to me on time, they called me every time there was an update, they didn't put the phone down until I was satisfied with their explanation and they didn't talk over me nor did they condescend me. Mr. Vea, please make sure that Choi and her manager is given a commendation as well as a promotion. They have done an EXCELLENT job! (I also commend the people that are in the SM Southmall office. They are very polite, enthusiastic and pleasant. They were trained very well and they are efficient)

Although my faith in SMART is restored, I am quite disappointed that it had to reach this level just to get a response that was acceptable. Perhaps you can review your training and the type of people you have on the phones and the supervisors on the phones.

Let's hope I don't get to contact you anymore for anything negative for the duration of my stay with SMART. Thanks again Choi. Great job!

I simply love how he "outed" a priest.



The RH Bill does not encourage gay marriages. I say, why not? Everyone should be allowed to get married! It's their right and...I'll save that for another post. I also love what Karen Davila said about same sex marriages in relation to the RH Bill.



Aid should not be given with conditionality. Congresswoman is right - let's discuss it, talk about it and see how we can make things better.

Am I the only one who doesn't see the beauty of this? Carlos Celdran, tour guide/operator and performance artist showed up at the Manila Cathedral while Mayor Alfredo Lim and several members of the CBCP were hearing mass. He was donned in traditional Colonial Spanish attire and held up a sign that said "Damaso" (who was the protagonist in Rizal's novel Noli me Tangere)

Stroke of genius. *Stands up and applauds*

Celdran has long been a supporter of the Reproductive Health bill. I, for one, am on his side. The priests don't seem to see and understand that this bill will help our country and more importantly, its people. I mean, doesn't Jesus and/or God want that? Didn't Jesus teach that we should care for our brothers and sisters? *cough, hypocrite, cough.*

If the church is going to quote the 1986 People Power revolution as a time when they dipped their fingers into politics I'm going to roll my eyes and say "So what?" Yes, you did your part and yes, it was awesome of you to help out but think about it - we were all in the same boat at that time. The oppression we experienced then encompassed social statuses and religious beliefs. Your contribution was just at the same level as our Muslim, Protestant and Agnostic brothers and sisters so please, shut it.

Do you know how many women give birth everyday? Do these priests know how many women die from childbirth? Do they know how many families are suffering from poverty because of too many kids? Whatever happened to charity, benevolence and chastity for that matter?! Again, the question is WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS TO HELP THESE FAMILIES THAT HAVE TOO MANY CHILDREN BECAUSE YOU SAID GO FORTH AND MULTIPLY?

While we're asking questions, can you answer these too? How many homosexual priests are there? How many of the convicted priest child molesters are registered in the sex offenders registry? How much did the pope and the Vatican know about these child molesters? How many priests have biological children while within their vow of chastity? How much money does the church have and what is the allocation for this? How much is being allocated to the welfare of their respective parishioners who are in dire need? Does the Pope really need Prada sandals?

 

In my quest to change the world one small act at a time, I remembered some people who have done beautiful random acts of kindness that impressed me. They probably don't remember it, but I just thought I'd give them some sort of recognition for the nice things they've done for strangers.

One of my favorite stories is about Dominic Ochoa. When we were working together for Labs ko si Babe, i hitched a ride with him from Manila to Pila, Laguna, where we were taping. On the way, he saw an old woman on the side of the street with loads of bags and bayongs. He stopped and asked the old woman where she was going and picked her up - bags and all and drove her home to Pila, where the old woman lived. He sincerely conversed with the old woman as well and helped her out of the car and carried the bags into her house. I think most of the people in the house were too shocked to even acknowledge that it was Dominic Ochoa bringing their lola home and carrying her bayongs full of veggies and fish. I asked him whatever possessed him to do that and he just shrugged and said "It was the right thing to do"

Jodi Santamaria Lacson is another sweet and generous soul. I'm sure she doesn't want anything she has done publicized but let me tell you right now that this woman has a big golden heart when it comes to helping people out. She just gives without any reservations and she goes out of her way to make sure she helps out. She's organized virtual rallies and fund-raising activities for several people already and have helped a lot of people. She's been doing that since our Tabing Ilog days so before you think that this is a political thing, let me say right now that it isn't.

There are a lot of ARK (Act of Random Kindness) Warriors out there and they're trying to make a positive change in the world by doing these ARKs for one person at a time.

What have you done today?

TMI, I know but I don't usually have PMS. They come and go and I rarely get a fit that's just insane (for me that is). Lately, I think it's been getting worse. Maybe it's old age or maybe it's just the weird hormones counteracting or reacting to my medications or maybe it's the fact that the human race is degrading and devolving.

Take for example the bus. Yes, I take the bus, and a trike and a jeep and on the off chance, a pedicab. But that's not my point. My point is, the first row (technically the first two rows) on a bus is reserved for those who are pregnant (and no, no matter how huge your beer belly is, you cannot assume you are. Although sometimes I wish you were so you can truly understand how it is to feel back pain and swollen ankles and the sensation of drowning every single time we lie on our backs.), who are with small children and babies, the differently abled and/or physically handicapped and the elders. STOP SITTING ON IT! And for f*ck's sake, will you well abled jack@sses just get off your seat and offer it to a woman already?! We know you're faking that nap, bast@rd.

Another thing about Filipino public transportation is that there really is no sense of personal space. But for the love of god, that doesn't mean you shouldn't be considerate of the other passengers in that vehicle with you, right? If you have long hair and you're in a jeep, please make sure to tie it down. I don't like the taste of hair in my mouth, nor do I want someone else's hair to be whipping across my face. I pull them, just to give you fair warning. I'll pull them and I might even take some strands with me. Or, I may even cut it. I swear to all things Jared Padalecki, I will freaking mow your hair off.

Then there's lines and queues. THERE'S A REASON FOR THE LINE! WE'RE WAITING OUR TURN! I mean, you see a long line of humans going to the same direction you're headed to and you cut the line and when you're called on it, you go "Oh! I didn't notice you there!" Really? REALLY? You didn't notice the 30 people stood here on the side? Did you think we were performance artists or worse, a public installation?!

And then there are the reckless drivers on the road, like this dude. He was reading the paper while driving. His cup of coffee on the dashboard of the car, spilled like crazy and he's allowed to go on the streets?! I mean, choose an activity, will you?! Are you going to read the paper and enjoy that fresh hot cup of joe or are you going to be stupid and try to multi-task and perhaps even get yourself in a minor vehicular accident? Ahhh...it seems you've opted for the latter. Brilliant choice - if you're suicidal or homicidal.

And just as I think that all humans are now degenerates, I see this:

In probably one of the busiest intersections in Las Pinas, a baranggay traffic enforcer takes the hand of a blind man and stops traffic to help them cross the street. He doesn't stop there, he sends them off in a jeepney and talks to the driver and asks that he bring them to where they're going.

Then that calmed me down and I started to think that there was still hope for mankind.

My kids and I usually have arts and crafts time where I allow them to make a mess and call it art. This activity has encouraged my daughter to draw and she's actually a good illustrator. During one of the sessions, she left behind a piece of her drawing and I picked it up.

It was a drawing of four different actresses that she finds pretty. First was Marian Rivera - aka Darna and Marimar.

Second was Angel Locsin - the first GMA Darna and FHM's sexiest woman.

Next was Bea Alonzo - one of showbusiness' prettiest faces.


Then, there was this drawing with the words "B's Mom" on it. I gushed and laughed at the same time. Ka level ko sila? LOL!!!

I think I should make my kids stop watching Disney...



Exaggerated? Maybe. Truthful. Definitely.

For those of you who know me, I don't have to explain it. For those who think they know me - think whatever you want.

I'm going through another chapter in my life and I think this is what I've been waiting for all my life. I am happy, secured, content and cared for. My children are happy, content, nurtured and indulged. My mother and my family is very happy for me. I have everything I want and deserve.

Thank you, David for making this happen.

In this industry (Showbusiness), there aren't a lot of gems. You can find a handful of them but most of the time, they get corrupted by fame and power and screen time. I've met a lot of people whom I thought were different and were real gems but alas, I've been disappointed by a lot of them.

Recently, I've met such a wonderful and rare find in Isabelle Abierra. If y'all are wondering who she is, she's the anti-heroine in our soap opera "Rosalka". She plays Veronica, the evil scheming girl out to destroy the relationship of our leading lady and her paramour. On screen, she's the type of girl you'd want to bash her face in with a brick - she's that effective. Off screen however, I just took a liking to her and I want to keep her in my pocket. LOL!

She's got the looks. Even at 3 in the morning, she still manages to look like Angelina Jolie. (A spitting image, I swear). How can you be grumpy at 3 in the morning when you're looking at a face like that who manages to give you a sincere smile and a heartfelt belly laugh? But in an industry that is both patronizing and cruel to the shallow aesthetics of a person, Isabelle is more than than.

The first thing that got me was when she nonchalantly plopped herself on the floor, surrounded by everyone's bags and just napped there. Other actors would demand a sizable space for their chair, bags, cooler and other bric-bracs. She just looked at the place, smiled and unceremoniously plopped herself on the floor without even checking for dirt or water droplets. It wasn't for show, trust me, because she did it over and over again until I told her to take my seat, which she adamantly refused.

Plus the way she treats every single person on the show is equal and gracious. From the Executive producer, to our fellow actors to the guy making coffee for us. She's polite, well-mannered and very gracious. She treats Lola Carmen (The Mila Del Sol) just like how she'd treat her own grandmother.

I've been jaded and burned by a lot of people in this industry so I'm pretty wary now of the people I meet. With Isabelle however, you just can't help but fall in love with her. (Even though I hate her character, Veronica. LOL!)

I see great things for her not just because she's got the looks - it's because she's got heart.

Love you Sweet Pea.

Life is full of hits and misses. It's nature's way of making sure that everything's balanced.

Last night, I had one of my most wonderful nights of my life. It's there on the top with my giving birth to the kids and directing my first play. It's the kind of night that I'll be replaying in my head and will be calling it my "happy place".

However, there's a trade off. My oldest boy has the chicken pox and I'm here on the set in a street intersection in Quezon City, waiting for my scenes to be shot.

What's worse is that I have never had chicken pox.

Excuse me while I coordinate with Mr. D and my nanny and then retreat to my happy place.

Erap has decided to quit showbiz and politics. He says that he has already played too many roles and that he wants to live the quiet life. "Lahat na halos ay ibinigay sa akin. Siguro ako ay isa sa pinakamasuwerteng nilalang na ako'y nabigyan ng pagkakataon maging superstar, maging mayor, maging senator, maging vice-president, president, at prisoner pa. Palagay ko marami nang binigay sa aking pagkakataon ang Panginoon at ang ating mga kababayan," Estrada told ABS-CBN's Europe News Bureau chief Danny Buenafe. (Everything has been given to me, from being a superstar, a mayor, a senator, a vice president, president and even a prisoner. I think I've been given so many opportunities by God and the people)

Well good on you! But by George, please don't write that memoir anymore. First off, if you really want to, make sure you have a competent editor. Better yet, just hire someone to write to for you, sort of like a "as told to".

I think you're finally doing the right thing. Retire from the public life altogether. It's the best thing you've ever thought of doing. Now, if you can only follow through then we'll all be happy.

Overheard a conversation between a dad and his young sons:

Son: Why are you so tall, dad?

Dad: Because when I was a kid, I stretched out to reach for the stars so I can pick them off from the sky and give it to your mom.

I'm not a fan of beer - anyone who knows me, knows this. The problem with not liking beer is that most of my drinks are beyond the usual 50 peso mark up, making a night out either too expensive for me or me being under pickled. (Not that I like getting pickled and all. Trust me, after that night where I puked my vital organs, I don't want to drink THAT much anymore.)

So, I usually try to search the market for a drink that's up my alley and price range. Vodka cruisers cost about 80 bucks so that's just an occasional treat for me. There's the local Tanduay Ice (about 40 bucks) but it does nothing for my taste buds. San Miguel has Infinit alcoholic soda (about 37 pesos) but it's too mild, and it has more carbon in it rather than alcohol. Burping every 3 minutes is not sexy, believe me.

This morning, I went to the 711 to buy my ciggies and saw this.

Antonov is GSM's new drink, competing with the other alcopops out there. It's relatively cheap (28 pesos, hell yeah!) and the packaging is actually pretty.

It reminds me of this vodka pop I used to drink in Australia. It had the same solo red star design. Initially I was apprehensive, because anything that cheap could taste like crap, right? But, I was proven wrong and it does taste like apple vodka! There's even that little burn when you drink it, making you feel the vodka. Now, that's what I'm talking about...*grin*

My only concern is the pop cap. It's a cross between those Del Monte "easy open" lids and the screw off top. It was a little difficult to pop it open. I figure it's going to be more difficult to pop open when you've got a couple of these in you. Maybe that's their way of keeping us from being drunk. Wow...talk about corporate citizenship on drinking moderately. Awesome...

All in all, I give it a 9 out of 10. The taste, the price and the packaging is great. I know you can get it at your local 711 but not sure where else.

Oh and GSM ain't paying me for this but if you want an endorser...*huge grin*

"lust is the dirty side of love and love is the lasting effect of lust"
- Dave W. 5uperman.com

This year, I'm going to make sure I keep at least 3 of my New Year's Resolutions:

1. Start living. Inasmuch as I love my FB and virtual friends, I think it's about time that I start living life out there in the world. I'm going to have to stumble and have a few bumps along the way (of course, given the fact that I have issues with people and the world at large) but I think I'll survive.

2. Travel more - Both local and international. I do have to visit my friends and relatives.

3. Start believing in possibilities - in all kinds of possibilities! Love, work, life and finances.

4. More positive thinking - I've proven that the secret does work. LOA. Positive thoughts attract positive situations.

5. Forgive more - Life is truly short for baggage.

6. Forget past transgressions - See number 5

7. Laugh more.

8. Make people laugh more.

9. Know my worth and ask for what's rightfully mine.

10. Start learning how to love and like myself. Nobody else can until I do so. (Isn't that right, Louise? *grin*)

11. Know what relationships to keep and what to let go of. Don't feel guilty about letting go of those who aren't healthy. Be a better friend to those who are true. Keep in touch more.

***

I think I'll be able to keep at least 3 of these, don't you think?

***

Happy New Year, everyone! A better 2010 for all of us.