Stage Girlfriend

I remember how I felt like a Stage Girlfriend a few weeks ago when Taku together with his team won 3rd place and the 'Best Windows Phone Startup' in Startup Manila. Haha. I am the number one fan of Taku and I'd offer my short legs for his autograph! Haha. I just wanna say random things. But kidding aside, I was surprised when I accidentally watched his pitch (with an opening line of 'you might get killed tonight') in the live streaming of Startup Manila, he was fantastic though his hand gestures are like hands of the lucky cat figurines in cabs. Haha. 

I was in Waide's party when he told me the good new that his idea was chosen among 200 participants (Well I don't care if he exaggerated the figure. haha) and that was the first time that I've felt and seen him so happy and nervous. He worked so hard to get things right.

But I think why I'm a huge fan of Taku is because of the things in the photo below:

First, he's too simple that he uses Watson's mini plastic as his wallet.

Second, he loves to perform without his face and even if his face is seen, he hides his eyes.

Third, he has the skill of leaving his pants or shorts like the shape of his butt wherever he stayed and decided to change. 

Amazing, right? I like seeing his shorts all over the house with the shape of a butt. They make my day. (I hope he'll not be able to read this. haha)

NYE 2012: Away from home

Growing up in a very family-oriented society like the Philippines, I make sure every year that I'll be joining my family in the new year's eve and that no member will be missing simply because there's a belief that it will mirror the whole year and I definitely don't want to be away from them the whole year! Haha. Aside from that, we have our annual family reunion-bingo and we always look forward to it but this year, I spent the year-end-new-year away from home for the first time. It was not as miserable as I imagined to be, maybe because it was just a trip and when I went back home, I still felt the holiday feeling. 

It was totally a different new year's eve, a totally different feeling. I spent the remaining days of 2011 with Taku and his friends and welcomed 2012 with good food, beautiful sea and music, fireworks, wine and amazing friendships! 

I thought I was over the happy thoughts already but when I've seen the photos in my files again, I couldn't stop thanking God for the guy who always try to make everything better than the last time. (For the record, it was better cause I didn't spend the holidays in the hospital which I used to do for the past 3 years!)

Oops! The beautiful restaurant is Breeze at Samaya Villa in Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia. I think it's nice to stay in their villas next time. Haha. Hmm..

Actually, after the countdown, dancing, and fireworks, we continued the celebration as if we're in 'Hangover' (it's nice to hangout with guys with all these crazy stuffs) and went to the nearest 711 where we met an Australian (is she?) girl who was so cool, lovely and wasted, she's down here: 

then we rode the motorcycles which are like a taxi (yes, since it was so traffic and we want to experience those motorbikes which Indonesia has a lot!!!, we opted to ride with them instead of a cab):

...rode going to the villa! Then the party continued in the 2-bedroom beautiful villa with awesome bath tubs in a huge I'd-love-to-have-it toilet, a nice swimming pool, and a cool interior design (It was in Vinly Villas)...

and on the first day of the year, everyone loves hangover!!!

(From the Philippines, I comfortably flew to Singapore via Cebu Pacific Air and flew to Bali via Air Asia)

I blog

'Thank you for flying with Air Asia' was my famous line because of my white top and red-orange skirt that everyone made fun of during the Asean Bloggers Conference 2011 in Bali, Indonesia (but I actually flew via Cebu Pacific: MNL-KL and Air Asia: KL-DPS), which we prefer to call Southeast Asian Bloggers Conference  after a few intense discussions among bloggers in the neighboring countries which I personally and firmly agree on to lessen the political connections and promote more on the friendly and indispensable goal of developing friendship and sharing of ideas and stories among bloggers in Southeast Asia. 

As what I've said in a couple of interviews (yohoo! you read it right, I had interviews which made things weirdly interesting), I am not a hardcore blogger, I don't find much time to update my blog that makes me wonder 'why the hell am I in this blogger's conference?' (Well, that was the same question of Mike from Google when we had a little chitchat before dinner. Haha.) but I am one example of a huge number of personal bloggers in the Philippines who try to find their own simple joys in sharing their everyday stories to the world hoping that even once those stories can make an impact for a change and inspiration to others, or probably, to themselves. I'm following some people who blog about their shoes, pets and even their advocacy and this made me realize that it's really hard to measure success or even conclude what happiness is because each of us differs from one another and our priorities and interests are totally different that brought me to the question, 'why are there some people who still envy other people even if they don't have the same preference or standards of success and happiness?' 

So back to blogging, I got a couple of comments from random people in the other side of the world who don't even know where the Philippines is (but they just want to ask really where Philippines is and not about what I wrote) but generally, I write because I'm fond of it (I'm a Journalism graduate) and I write about what interest me and what might interest others too because I know that for us to stay happy and enthusiastic about life, we should learn something or have fun with the things we stumble upon everyday.Well, I think I write just to simply document important events, things, emotions in my life that will answer my questions when I look back and find the emptiness that I may feel one day, someday. 

 I've met so many interesting people in the conference that inspired and have influenced how I think nowadays. 

I'm sorry but I've grabbed some of my these photos in some twitter accounts of other participants since I've seen my name mentioned and I've seen some ugly stolen shots. :) The conference was attended by some bloggers from Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Brunei, of course Indonesia (almost a hundred), and I really like the famous Filipino blogger that I met there (in the middle of the photo above in our Filipiniana costume), Tonyo Cruz, which is the star of my self-made game 'where is tonyo?' when I was wondering who is Tonyo in the layover to Denpasar.

Looking at the photos, I realized that I was a hardcore rule follower who was too much excited to wear our traditional/national costume (since we just wear it during formal events or weddings unlike 'batik') during the dinner of the conference that lead me to the discovery of random people with photos with me because I was sort of a mascot. haha. But seriously, I liked it! At least I was able to wear Balintawak/Filipiniana.

To sum it up, I think I share the same goal and happiness about blogging with Mena Trott, the founding mother of blogging revolution. Like her, I believe that we can produce a friendlier world through blogging.

Why I love Waide Family!

..is because of...

1. the ever lovely Bingo! He runs, bites, jumps, and kisses us whenever we visit in their house. And I was so amazed that whatever he's doing, when he hears his mommy Lisa coming, he'll stop and stare at the door to welcomes her. 

2. the mouthwatering food all the time! Lisa san is my cooking teacher nowadays (since Taku complain a lot about my cooking skill) and I'm trying to converse more in English with her so she'll get used to it. 

You think it's an advantage to her? I don't think so, I benefit more because I learn how to cook and I eat very delicious dishes! I love Lisa!

3. the interesting conversation! Jay and Lisa always make conversation interesting. I like them. And it feels like a family whenever the Hori family (Miwa, Taro and Momoko) are with us. Plus Mana san, her husband and also Jarred (the Chinese guy who paid 5,000 pesos at St. Luke's Hospital for hangover. haha)

Look! The Waide's having a family photo...with us! haha.

CS Manila for Batad Rice Terraces @ Mercato + Floydy

I think this is the first time for me to talk about Couchsurfing here. I've been a Couchsurfer since January 2011 when I was about to travel to Jakarta and whenever I look back, I always recall fun and amazing memories connected to couchsurfing. I met so many wonderful people in CS, particularly in CS Manila. I developed wonderful friendships and have continued doing what I love to do with the people who love them too.

When some parts of the Batad Rice Terraces were damaged because of the typhoon, CS Manila organized a series of fundraising for the rehabilitation of it. I was able to participate in one of them (and was able to eat at Mercato for the first time, too!)

with the very hardworking people who woke up early to make this event possible. 

And here are the lovely people that we have played Laser tag after eating a lot and messing around...

And yes, Taku & I enjoyed Mercato a lot except for the overpriced 'isaw' (grilled chicken intestine) that I forced to stuff in my mouth. haha. We have tried the famous Mochiko for the first time and I liked it!

After a few weeks, the i-will-miss-Floyd-moment that we've been waiting for came. Sadly, Floyd finally moved to Australia to meet Aussie girls. Huhuhu. Kidding aside, he's happily moving to a better career that caused us celebration! 

Here are the photos from Jay during the party at Izumi Sake Bar:

with Sara and Shiela

with Sara, Shiela, Taku and Floyd

We miss you Floydy!

TEDx Makati

I was a big fan of TED since I was in college. It became my habit to listen to the talks before going to bed because they help me to reflect on my own life and think about the more important things in life. I might not having the best life now but I believe I'm living life and I owe parts of it from TED's influences.

Taku used to volunteer at TEDx Tokyo and I was so lucky that he introduced me the TEDx Makati organizers. After a couple of meetings, finally, we've pulled 'The Big Picture' off.

As usual, wonderful innovative conversations were all over our favorite cafe (Kuppa) and everyone was so inspired to continue spreading worthy ideas coming in and out of each participant.

Here's the team leader, Adah, having her welcome talk.

Then, here's everybody!

We're hoping for more and more people to become interested with TED, be inspired and will be able to help us spread the ideas worth sharing. Until next event, we hope to see you there!

For all your ideas and (sponsorships! yehey!), here's TEDx Makati's contact information:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

NOTE: All photos are from TEDx Makati

NYE 2012: Universal Boys

Seems like we were childhood friends in a reunion trip, yeah? Upon looking at the photos of my year-end-new-year trip with Taku and his friends, I noticed that I've developed fondness in these guys, actually, I call them 'Universal Boys!'. Haha. I'm amazed with guys with wonderful friendships, in fact, I have some college friends (SIBAK) who are just like these guys, but this group is like...girls. I mean, aside from good looks (I owe them that since they treated me well during the trip. sshhh. Of course my Taku is no.1 yohooo!), I noticed that they're as vocal as girls to each other but since they're Japanese, it still looks like 'businesssy' to me, very rational and practical.

Here's what they do: At the end of the year, they travel together, have fun and on the last day, they will have what they call 'symposium.' Symposium looks like this:

In the symposium, they will talk EVERYTHING about:

1. Current trip
2. Upcoming trip
3. What happened to them in the year that passed
4. Their plans for the coming year

Being with these guys were so difficult at first because we have a totally different culture and language. Good thing I was working in a Japanese magazine and have worked with a lot of Japanese but you could imagine how many times I bowed or got nervous thinking about what to say if I was asked to say something when they 'cheers!' haha.

But I really wish all friendships are like what they have, definitely, no one will feel lost in their own life.

This was the last photo of us together in the trip. I went alone to a separate hotel while some of them (including Taku) flew to Singapore and 3 of them stayed for a couple of nights, I can still remember how sad I was. haha. When I look at this photo, I miss the Universal boys and I always wish them well. 

Ohanami (お花見)

Photo taken by Tomomi Endo (April 2012)
Thanks for your never-ending support sensei!

I haven’t experienced “four seasons” (since The Philippines has only rainy and sunny days) and lately, since I’ve been surrounded by a lot of Japanese friends, co-workers and even Taku, I’ve seen the appreciation of the Japanese in the change of seasons that I find very admirable. I’ve received some emails from friends sending me photos of how beautiful the changes are and even when Taku went to a business trip in Japan last week, he sent me an email saying that he had seen “cherry blossoms.”

But my admiration to the Japanese traits and values was supported by the little fact that I’ve learned lately, that they even have the traditional celebration/party for flower viewing which is called Ohanami or less formally, Hanami (comes from the kanji for flower, hana and the kanji for “looking” or “to see,” mi which means exactly what it sounds like: looking at flowers). According to my friends, it takes place on no specific day which can be practiced any time during spring where they simply observe and appreciate the sophistication of spring – particularly sakura ume and momo blossoms (cherry, plum and peach, respectively). Japanese people do their good old parties under the picturesque cherry blossom trees with bento lunches and mats. They party with different groups- family and friends, and it usually involves a lot of sake.  I was amazed with the story that it is a job of the lowliest grunt in the office to go out early in the morning to the place where his bosses want to party later on that evening with a mat and stake out of a choice spot under the trees where he’ll sit all-day. How families try to teach the kids to appreciate spring is adorable also especially since cherry blossom don’t last that long.

Here’s the brief history of Ohanami by EastAsia Travel@Suite101:

Ohanami actually started as umemi, or plum blossom-viewing. That’s because back in the Nara period (710-784) – when flower-viewing is said to have first become a tradition – plum blossoms were gaining favor as symbols of culture and nobility. Ume trees had been introduced to Japan by envoys returning from China, who’d been enamoured with the Chinese spectacle of blossom observation and sought to impress Japanese nobles. By the Heian period (794-1185) ohanami had become a regular practice among the higher classes and was observed by eating and drinking outside. We also know from Lady Murasaki Shikibu’s Tale of Genji, a classic novel from the period that by then cherry blossoms had overtaken plum blossoms in terms popularity and become the primary flower associated with the ohanami tradition.

By the Edo period (1603-1867), the practice of finding a spot in the blossoming fields to enjoy sake and special bento had become a pastime for the common people.

Many plum blossom-themed poems appear in the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest poetry anthology, and the fleeting beauty of both ume and sakura are recurring themes in classic Japanese literature. Along with singing, reading such poetry has become common practice in today’s ohanami celebrations.

                I like how Justhungry.com talked about the cherry blossoms and its leaves as food.

                I appreciate how Japanese people (especially my Japanese friends and colleague) appreciate little things and every natural process in our environment. I guess it talks a lot about how sophisticated and humble people they are.

It’s officially on my list of “30 Things Before 30” now; Cherry Blossoms are way too beautiful.

I am lucky because I'm happy!

I feel so uneasy lately, feeling like I haven’t accomplished something good and worthy for the past months, I was feeling so anxious and bothered so I have been trying to work on all the unfinished tasks at work very quickly for me to be able to figure out if those things were the cause.

But then they’re done and they weren’t.

Then I had some time with myself and my notebook and I’ve figured out that it was because I worry a lot for the past months and due to some unexpected sad and tough events in my life, I forgot to live a balanced and happy life with all my dreams and hope backing and cheering me up. I was looking for my balance everywhere, trying to tighten my grip to some happy parts of my life like Taku and wonderful friendships, but it should be “me” inside that I must hold on tightly or else, even the last happy parts of my life will be lost as a result of the behaviour and attitude that mirrors the worries and pessimism inside me.

Then I read the “Happiness at work and in life” by Chiqui Escareal-Go, President of Mansmith and Fielders, Inc. and also an advocate of positivity and kindness. Here are some of the parts that raided me. haha:

There was a study that said “Happier people are able to choose better partners because they perceive themselves as better looking ” and  “(they) also earned more money at work!” I imagined then that happier people are better able to choose a job that fits them well because they know what they want more clearly, and this translates to better productivity.  Just like choosing a partner in a relationship. If you know you deserve better, you wouldn’t settle, right?  And in the end, you will probably get what you want and you also wouldn’t mind waiting.

What is the boss’ role in corporate happiness?  There was a 2009 Swedish study that tracked more than 3,000 men over a period of 10 years which revealed that those with “bad bosses” suffered anywhere from 20 to 40 percent more heart attacks than those with “good bosses”.  Clearly, a leader’s attitude, behavior or mindset impacts the entire organization so much, thereby affecting and dictating the culture and performance levels of his team, and even more seriously, as this study shows, even his people’s mortality.

This leadership effect can be applied in all aspects of society –  from the smallest unit of family to the immediate neighborhood, high school gangs to college fraternities, the smallest barangay to the highest levels of government.   And to further emphasize the dichotomy, we could describe the opposite of good and happy when we look into the effects of divorce, child abuse, murder, hazing, graft and corruption.

Happiness is not a common thing to be read in the same sentence as strategy or innovation, peace and order or rule of law, neither do we often have a leader talking about happiness as a goal or as in incentive. They might say that achieving sales quotas will make everyone happy, but it is said as a consequence rather than as the cause or source.

How do we define happiness?

Tal Ben-Shahar, a Harvard professor, defined happiness as the overall experience of pleasure (which gives a present benefit) and meaning (which leads to a future benefit) .

Many successful entrepreneurs are naturally positive people who do not mind working 14 hours a day (or more) because their work gives them both meaning and pleasure.  Their love for their work and the promise of success are enough to fire their passions.   We could compare these hardworking entrepreneurs with social workers and medical volunteers who are able to transform lives through selfless acts of kindness, giving up their own personal time or even risking life to help those in need.

Why do people do good?  Because it makes them happy.  Can you imagine if we ask why people work well and the answer is – because it makes them happy?  Imagine what our workplaces will be like, and more importantly, what our country will be like?

To view the whole article, please click here.

                I looked back and realized that I get all the good things (travel and discoveries, good job, more opportunities, happy dinner with friends, daydreaming with my family, good health and Taku) that I wish for when I’m the happiest. I write a lot and hear people say “Cyra, you’re such a lucky person” when I am worry-free and happy…that can only be achieved when you have faith and HAPPY. ♥

                Spend your weekend daydreaming with your Lovies! Happy Friday!

Hunger Games, the next big sequel!

“How I wish the TV Production is that high-tech and systematic,” that was my detached expression while watching the Hunter Games. Haha.

I don’t know anything about the trilogy not until Taku asked me last Friday if I wanted to watch a movie on Saturday. I asked him what movie because I haven’t looked at movie guide since The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo was shown. “Hunger Games,” that’s what he said. It’s actually a story like Battle Royal, a 2000 Japanese thriller film based on the novel by Koushun Takami. Then I looked at the trailer and dreamed about complicated scene and Taku was punched in Africa on a Friday night. Haha.

Watching it, I felt so immersed in the film. I actually didn't want to watch it since I don’t like the feeling that they were unlucky and living in a place, a “district” in particular (as used in the movie), that they were forced to do something that was against their will, but I was very curious on how the story will go. When the movie started, I was feeling the pain of leaving home and the hopeless situation of dying without a choice and I got so hooked with every detail.

Timing is a big part of Success; we should know how to do things at the right time. Practically, good timing was shown all throughout the film but looking at how the film captured a big part of the market I can say is because of timing. They just released the movie when everyone’s almost done with the phenomena of Harry Potter and Twilight and everyone’s still thinking about what could be the next big sequels. Well, it can be “The Girl with a dragon tattoo also though Hunger Games is easier to grasp for most of us I think.

It’s also a very good timing for the Filipinos to watch, or maybe the rest of the world too, since we have more and more reality shows nowadays. Oftentimes, we get so hook to them and think that everything that they show and say were true and we try to imitate them because they couldn’t afford to lie from several little camera planted in the whole place where they’re contained. That’s why this movie is a reminder on the things that should be important to our lives, that the only thing stronger than fear…is hope and maybe, Love.

I know that this is  just a start of the Hunger Games journey and as it led me glued to its world, I’m going to make myself available to get glued to the next few episodes, may it be from books or film. Happy Hunter Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!

I got my sanity back!

We just celebrated our first anniversary last month and we decided to push through with our long-term plan to visit the majestic Palawan. Taku was sweet when he convinced me to push through with this trip to refresh my "system" since I've been through a lot weeks before that trip. Thanks to him, I got my sanity back. :)

Palawan is very beautiful and this amazing experience made me say what everybody's saying, "It's more fun in the Philippines!" (The Dept. of Tourism's tagline is really working, huh?) When I first visited Coron, I stayed in El Rio y Mar and that was a very amazing and serene escape for me but this time, we stayed in their sister resort, Club Paradise, which exceeded our expectations. You may opt to have a tranquil escape from the city (since they just have TV and wifi in their clubhouse) in this island or try out the unlimited things and trips that they offer. But the part that I enjoyed the most was the intimate moment with the sun, waves, a pen and my notebook, a good book and Amoretto Sour. Plus we met a wonderful couple who were in their honeymoon (It was really nice meeting you Irene & Raine!).

Since we were so hooked with video editing that time, we tried to do the storytelling through video and here's the teaser (haha):

And here's the whole Palawan experience:

Enjoy the sun and the sand this summer!

Please visit http://hoywherewewere.tumblr.com/ for more. :)

(We flew to Busuanga via Air Philippines and flew back to Manila via Cebu Pacific Air)

Cipika Cipiki

It was my first time to travel abroad. It wasn’t the first time to sleep in bus station and airport but it was my first time to meet such a wonderful man with a wonderful song (which I don’t understand. Haha).

I’ve been asking my Indonesian friends about this but they couldn’t figure out what was I singing so here is the lyrics and the video (which I finally found in my old files) and please, please let me know the whole version:

“Sayang sayang, chowoku sayang.

Aku salalu sayang

Satu hari lima kali

Kachup, kaningmu laki…

Satu hari lima kali

Kachup, kaningmu laki..”

As far as I can remember “aku” is “ako” in Filipino and “me” in English, Satu is “isa” and “one” in English and “kaningmu” is “alalahanin” or “remember.” Is it right?

I wonder if this good man who taught me how to ride Bajaj, how to go to Gambir station and how to say “Aku mamili pirdana SL. Terima Kasih” (Filipino translation: “Pabili ako ng SL na sim card. Maraming salamat po.” English Translation: “I want to buy SL Sim Card. Thank you”) just made up this whole song.

(I flew to Jakarta via Cebu Pacific Air.)