"Hey!"
"Hey John-John, it's me -- Gigi."
"Yeah -- I know. When are you coming home?"
"This Saturday."
(Pause.)"This Saturday?"
"Yep."
(Longer Pause.) "Interesting timing (you have there)."
(Laughs) "Yeah, I know. It's just so boring here and really exciting over there so I thought I'd go where the action is."
(Nervous laugh.) "Oh-kay. I'll round up everybody and we'll get together then."
Every year, I can't wait to go home (even if I never stay more than seven days at a time). Nothing has ever stopped me from going: heavy rains and flooding, civil unrest and attempted coup d'états, and now even this.
There's just too much to look forward to: my family and friends, the food, daily trips to the salon and spa, and the required shopping (Buy Local!). Oh -- and of course -- always a bit of excitement.
P.S. I'm referring back to last year's list of suggestions all of you kindly provided, but if there's anything I MUST see and do, please let me know. Thanks!
Unfortunately I cannot give you any hot spots to visit! I can, however, tell you that I love your new banner! ;o) Hope you enjoy your journey back home! Angie
Posted by: angie | February 27, 2006 at 01:46 PM
You've done the 168 thing and the Mall of Asia isn't open yet - it was supposed to open Thursday.
Posted by: Paul | February 27, 2006 at 07:47 PM
:) have fun and be safe! :D
Posted by: mell ditangco | February 27, 2006 at 10:48 PM
it's great news you're coming home. there are these nice "dampa" restaurants at libis and metro walk where you can "palengke" the oysters, fish etc etc and have them cooked real fresh - very cheap too. not good on shopping, but as suggested by your friend try 168, pretty good bargains. of course there's greenhills and try to check out tiendesitas along c5. hope to have a glimpse of your while you're here - Bienvenido!
Posted by: kulas | February 28, 2006 at 12:02 AM
uy kapitbahay, nasa pilipinas ka na siguro. good luck - eat the food, visit the sites, meet the people and tell us about your trip when you get back.
ingat!
Posted by: BatJay, Ang Dating Folk Singer ng Ma Mon Luk | February 28, 2006 at 10:55 AM
Hi Angie - Thanks! My niece made the banner for me. I'd better not change my template for a bit or else I wouldn't know what to do about a new banner. :)
Hello Paul - I didn't get to do the 168 thing yet but -- guess where I'm headed this time? And folks keep mentioning the tiendesitas to me, so that's a must-do as well. :) Thanks!
Hi Mell - Thanks!!!
Hello Kulas - I think this time around I'm hitting the streets and avoiding the malls. Thanks for the recs (ganado na ako!) :)
Hi KB - Nandito pa ako -- I'm not leaving until late Thursday. Send me an email if you and Jet want and to bring anything back, OK?
Posted by: Gigi | February 28, 2006 at 07:36 PM
The Dampa in Ortigas is really, really good. =) Don't forget to go shopping for local music!
Posted by: Amanda | February 28, 2006 at 11:55 PM
look forward to seeing you! re: your new look, have mixed feelings. Are you a "pink" girl? Somehow I thought you were much bolder. I liked the colors 3 "looks" ago. It was something like red and orange? Or maroon and orange? Something like that. But pink or peach isn't bad.
Posted by: chiqui | March 01, 2006 at 03:21 PM
Hi Amanda - Dampa - check. And definitely -- I never visit without coming back with music to remind me of home. :)
Hello Chiqs - I was originally thinking of pink and chocolate brown (methinks I must have been in a girly mood then) but decided to go with beige, salmon, and brown instead. Not too girly, more natural and subdued. But I suppose when I yearn for brights again, an orange and brown (a la Hermes?) won't be so bad -- and I'd still be able to use my banner!
Posted by: Gigi | March 01, 2006 at 10:25 PM
Gigi, you're coming home!
Can't wait till Monday lunch.
Re places to go, there's this new farm in Santa Rosa Laguna called Kitchen Herbs - great place to visit, with some kids and their mom to see as well - the mom serves really good food!
See you.
I think your new blog look fits you the most.
Posted by: Gej | March 02, 2006 at 01:30 PM
speaking of salons, have you tried salon de ken in Legazpi vill.? You know Mr. Louis from Emphasis Salon? He is now there together with Ken who was originally from Basement and later Picasso. Check it out!
Posted by: meh | March 05, 2006 at 05:43 AM
Whoa, I just missed you - AND you missed the most happening thing that's occurred in the city so far! Well - in my opinion, at least, which you shouldn't be taking because I haven't been out partying like a good irresponsible 20something much.
Did you go to Iceberg's? It's the cheesiest recommendation ever, but it's one of those chintzy Philippine takes on a 50s diner and the food is good - they have all sorts of halo-halo, which is my favorite Filipino dessert.
Hope you had fun!
Posted by: rei | March 06, 2006 at 06:28 PM
seriously, i hope you super enjoyed your return... and that you got to do different things for the first time :)
Posted by: delish | March 09, 2006 at 01:27 AM
Hi Gej - As always, it was great to see you and John-John. Even if we almost never met. At least the folks at Good Earth at Greenbelt had a good laugh :)
Hi Rei - What did I miss??? Oh man, what and where is Iceberg's? I'm back now, but I so love cheesy places (which are almost always more fun).
Hello Delish - Thanks! I didn't get to go to a lot of new places but I did have a blast. :)
Posted by: Gigi | March 13, 2006 at 01:18 PM
Hi Meh - Thanks! I don't get my hair cut when I'm home, but I love the Lulur body scrub and hair treatment at Emphasis. But I forwarded the information to someone who likes Louis regarding where he is now. :)
Posted by: Gigi | March 13, 2006 at 01:28 PM