Archive for July 2009
Handog Ni Tita Cory Sa Mundo
Posted on: July 28, 2009
Our all-time favorite…
Chinese Preservatives
Posted on: July 26, 2009
Oh the pressure to keep up with your blogging…
Here’s something I’ve been meaning to share since my HK trip.
The Heritage
to the left, to the left...
What is this gorgeous building you ask? It’s The Heritage – a soon to open chi-chi complex consisting of a hotel and luxury brand shops in the heart of TST.
Nice, right? But what makes The Heritage truly special is that it used to be the HQ for the HK Marine Police! How lovely is this project? I love the colonial balustrades! The big glass pane doors! The archways! The preservation and re-use of it all! Bloody brilliant as some Brit off the boat might say.
How old is the original structure?
Where in the world is Lala?
Yep, it’s been around since 1881. How many edifices in Manila can brag about having an age like that? Being at The Heritage was an experience in duality. I was at the 19th and 21st century in the same instant. And in that instant, I was full of appreciation and frustration. Is it really that hard and that expensive for Manila to preserve it’s historical structures?
Directly across The Heritage is this quaint brick building…
It now houses over priced merchandise of Shanghai Tang but it used to be a fire station. There was an actual fire truck (which looked like it belonged in the 20s) in the back but I failed to take a picture of it. Annoying.
Even the locals appreciate this lovely re-developed area of TST. There were more than a handful taking pictures, armed with their SLRs.
I wonder how much a night here would cost?
St. Anne’s Festival
Posted on: July 26, 2009
Did you wonder where all the italians were today? Wonder no more. They all came out of the woodwork to partake in the street fair to celebrate St. Anne’s Festival. My new apartment is in the italian part of Hoboken and the epicenter of the street part-eh. I dread trying to fall asleep in my apartment this time next year!
Thats my building to the right. Those are my windows on top.
Check out the different food stalls and the monton of italianos.
These two adorable little girls were checking out our bikes while I checked them out.
Kiki and Lala 2.0?
What’s a street fair without Gyros?
Check out the long line of people waiting to get their zeppole fix!
The parking lot of St. Anne’s church was transformed into a pavilion for visitors to eat and drink beer, lotsa beer!
Look at those steaks ready to be shredded for steak sandwiches.
Of course, no street fair would be complete without, Vinny, the cop to make sure that them drunk and rowdy italians do not disrupt the peace.
I wanted to try out the other stalls but my belly was bulging so bad already. Tomorrow is the last day of the festival so I could go back for a take two. In the meantime, just remember that when the moon hits your eyes like a big pizza pie its…AMORE.
One Fine Day
Posted on: July 26, 2009
Today was the perfect day to take the babies out for a spin.
So we decided to do a leisurely ride to my favorite jersey neighborhood. Thought I’d share with you some amazing shots that I, of course, DID NOT have the patience to take.
Being swallowed by the Goldman Sachs building in downtown Jersey City
Lady Liberty shimmering on the right
Spectacular view of sailboats and Downtown Manhattan
While hanging out in the park, we came across this feisty Dachshund chasing an RC truck. It was a hilarious sight. That dog is going to have nightmares tonight!
Run, Solo! Run!
Relentless lil sucker!
Look what I found as I walked further down.
A Doggie Beach!
On our way back, we stopped by the neighborhood pizzeria that served brick oven, organic pizza. We were chatting with the new owner and he said that they use only the freshest ingredients and spring water to make their delish pizzas and pastas.
Of course the staff were happy to pose for us when they found out I was going to feature them in our not-at-all famous blog.
Meet John, Sam and Alex
Here are other nice shots with pretty backgrounds taken on our way back.
Between those two clouds will rise the controversial Freedom Tower
A relaxing ride, the amazing sights and yummy comfort food is really all you need on this one fine day. And all that for about $8. Priceless!
The Last Journey Of Ninoy
Posted on: July 25, 2009
How appropriate that I came across this today just a few minutes after reading your last post.
More than two years ago I interviewed a director by the name of Mike Alcazaren. He was beginning a project about Ninoy. All he was able to show me at the time was a gripping black and white trailer – a montage of recreated images of Ninoy’s lonely journey back home. It was of particular interest to me because Bam was cast as Ninoy. (In fact, it was Bam who had told me of the project in the first place).
I thought this project got shelved because I hadn’t heard anything about it in years. And even Direk Mike said at that time the film needed funding. I always assumed it was going to be a full-length film but it seems to have developed into a docu-drama – still starring Bam.
It promises never before released material like secret recorded conversations. And most touching perhaps is that Tita Cory agreed to be interviewed – while she was in the midst of her chemo. The film is set for release on August 21 this year. I can’t wait.
To Protect and To Serve
Posted on: July 25, 2009
A few days ago another man in uniform had fallen. He was killed while on duty. He was a cop from Jersey City. His name was Officer Marc DiNardo. He died one day before his 38th birthday.
So this morning after a meeting with a client in New Jersey, I decided to walk back to the office. And as I turned the corner I found myself right smack in the middle of this officer’s funeral! The streets were closed to accommodate police squads from all the different counties all over the state.
I literally walked into these men in uniform while they saluted their fallen brother as the bagpipes played.
It was such a moving moment and such a sight to see. At the risk of looking disrespectful, I just had to whip out my camera so I could show you. Here is a shot of the sea of cops and other mourners that attended the funeral.
And I just had to get a shot of one of the many bagpipe players.
Look at how the mourners spilled over from the church.
This is the riderless horse also called the caparisoned horse being prepped for the funeral procession after the mass. You’ll notice the reversed boots in the stirrups which is part of a long standing tradition representing a rider who would ride no more : (
As I walked passed these uniformed men, the hair at the back of my neck was standing.
I wondered to myself why we can’t give the same honor to the fallen men and women back home who sacrifice their lives to keep us safe. But more importantly I wondered: If all the cops from all parts of New Jersey came to the funeral to pay their respects, THEN WHO WAS WATCHING OVER US?
Ang Saya!
Posted on: July 20, 2009
As you know, I’m a huge fan of baby carrying – even if Mik is heavy enough to break my back! I really do cherish the few minutes I have him in a sling or carrier. It’s just such a win-win situation. You have the baby oh so close to you but you have your hands free and baby gets to experience the world in the safety and comfort of your nearness.
I have a number of slings at home and I and love the Moby I wrote about a few posts back. But here’s something oh sooo cool. A pinoy invented baby carrier called the Saya Baby Carrier. It was thought up by someone we know! – Buding Aquino-Dee. It’s very cute and so is the explanatory video. I haven’t tried it yet so I can’t vouch for just how good it is but after you watch this, you’ll want one.
Rocio-isms 3
Posted on: July 18, 2009
When I was pregnant with Mikel, I bought Rocio a shirt from David & Goliath that reads: “Brother 4 Sale”. And when Mikel arrived, obviously, I thought it’d be cute for his Ate to wear it but she flatly refused. She said, “But I don’t want to sell him. It’s mean”. No matter how much I explained that it was a joke and something funny, she wouldn’t wear it – until recently.
She realized that it was all a joke… and she decided to make a joke of her own.
I barely noticed the little sticker at first. Apparently, she had been to the mall with Tito JV to buy Lolo’s birthday gift and stuck the price tag on her shirt. I asked her why she did that and she replied, “So that people will know how much Mikel costs”.
450 7th Street
Posted on: July 15, 2009
Welcome back, Lala! Tell me all about your trip.
Today was a beautiful day! So what better time to stroll around my soon to be neighborhood and take pictures for you to appreciate. This will be my new home. The Citadel used to be an old school.
The red and green streamers are in preparation for St. Anne's Festival
Signs that show this used to be a school.
Locker room perhaps?
Maybe Frank Sinatra walked through this door!
The building was built in 1903 as you will see below and the school used to be called PS 8. On the one hand, I think its charming to be living in a building with so much history. But on the other, doesn’t it freak you out in some level?
I also took some shots of the neighboring buildings to give you an idea of how old this neighborhood is.
Colonial Style Row Houses
Check out this eye catching blue house. I love the intricate details in the moldings.
Moldings below the eaves of the house
In the same street you will find newly restored residential buildings.
And a neighborhood bistro which I will definitely write to you about once I try it.
This part of Hoboken has a more residential feel as it is blocks away from all the chic bars and cafes. So it will definitely be a nice change from all the drunken morons that I hear screaming from my window. Can’t wait ’til you see it all in the flesh when you come in a few months.
It’s not as naughty as you think. Although I wasn’t exactly a good girl today either. After all, how good could a double patty bacon cheeseburger be? I say sinfully good!
Ever since our old pal Barry took NBC’s Brian Williams to Five Guys, this chain has welcomed many a curious customers wanting to try their famous burger that the president keeps going back for.
So we decided to check out what the buzz was all about by visiting our neighborhood Five Guys in downtown Hoboken. Its a no frills diner that only serves juicy burgers and hotdogs from the freshest meats and french fries made from Idaho potaotes. Their burgers are trans fat and gluten free yet are unbelievably tasty, you can do without the condiments (this according to Little Twinboy who, I am told, can live on burgers alone). When you enter Five Guys, your eyes are immediately drawn to the writings on the wall that blatantly tell you that they are critically acclaimed.
The menu is fairly simple: Burger, Cheese Burger, Bacon Burger or Bacon Cheese Burger. And if burger is not your craving du jour, you can have a hotdog. The fun part is choosing which toppings to add to your burger. Mayo, kechup, mustard, pickle relish, pickles, grilled onion, grilled mushrooms, cheese, barbecue sauce, A1 sauce…the list is seemingly endless!
The staff were very friendly and seemed like they genuinely enjoyed what they were doing.
They were suspicious at first, thinking that we were spying from Johnny Rockets across the street and when we told them I was going to blog about them, they struck a pose! They even gave us a front row view of their grill and of course the burgers ready to be served.
Looks amazing, yeah? I’m really not a burger person. In fact, I think I’ve consumed my burger quota for the month. But I must say that Five Guys burger hit the spot! So thanks to the folks down at Five Guys for allowing my inner paparazzi to shine and thanks TO MY GUY (uuuyyy!) for sparing this blog with ugly shots by taking the photos for me.
Kiki & Lala 