The Missing Piece

We're originally 7 in the group. Unfortunately, our 7th kabarkada (close friend) is based in New York. We only get to see her if either we take a vacation in NYC (like I did in 2007) or if she comes home to the Philippines for a vacation.

I think our 20th year Anniversary is a good year because this time, Gia is home!!! So its definitely a must for the group to meet up once again! Gia we missed you!!

Here's Gia's son Sebastian, who is also my Godson, enjoying the merry go round.

Gia's only gonna be here for 2 weeks, so we only have limited time with her. Next week, we're going to have another photoshoot, this time with Gia! Finally, a complete picture! I'm excited about this and can't wait to post about our photoshoot soon!

Celebrating 20 years of friendship

I believe that in life we don't really need so many friends. As you grow old and mature, you discover who your true friends are. These are people that have stood the test of time, people who have the same values as you and who you can always trust.

These type of friends are hard to come by. So I am very proud and happy to share with you that I have such friends. I've known them since we were in grade school. Back in the day when our biggest problems we're how to pass all our subjects.

Now, we've all grown into strong women with different hobbies and interests. But one thing remains the same and that is our friendship. We've been friends for 20 years already and to celebrate that milestone in our lives, we decided to go on an out of the country trip!!

The chosen country: Bangkok! Our trip was one year in the making but it was all worth it, definitely a trip to remember! I had so much fun and enjoyed every minute of our 6-day vacation.

Here's a few highlights and snap shots of our week long anniversary celebration:

Of course, we visited the customary temples of Bangkok. We went to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho (The Leaning Buddha)

We also experienced and appreciated anything that was strictly Thai [Tuk Tuks, Ronald McDonald doing the Swa Dee Ka and a Thai photoshoot]

Here's a sneak peak and behind the scenes coverage of our photo shoot. It felt so old school! Just like how we did it when we were in grade school! Laugh trip! We definitely had fun with this one.

Our group loves to eat! A big bulk of our pocket money was spent on eating at different specialty restaurants across Bangkok.

The highlight of the trip for me would definitely be the Dinner Buffet Cruise. Although the food was too spicy for my taste, I totally enjoyed the spectacular view of BKK city!! We went on the Dinner Cruise on the actual night of our anniversary. Yes, we have an exact date!

Last but certainly not the least activity in BKK is SHOPPING! We went to every shopping area in BKK: MBK, Siam Center, Chatuchak, Central World, Indra, Pratunam Market, Platinum Mall, Baiyoke Tower, you name it we've been there!

I hope this isn't our last out of the country trip as a group. It doesn't matter where we go next, as long as we all go together. (I hope next time, Gia can join us too!) In 20 years of friendship you'd think we couldn't get any closer but after this trip, we bonded even more. Cheers ladies! Here's to more years to come! Til the next trip!

A day at the MUD: Make-up Designory Cosmetic Professional School

The night before at Locale Gastrobar in City Golf Compound along Julia Vargas...
Michelle: Shucks, I need a male model for tomorrow's class!
Trish: Why don't you use Matt?
Matt: [shaking his head]. No way!
Trish: How about Jai? [Facing Jai] Baby, do you want to be the model for Michelle's class tomorrow? 
Jai: [All flushed red and drunk] Sure! Why not. 
....and that folks is what you call, "taking advantage of the confusion"! What can I say, I learned from the best!

So on a lazy Sunday afternoon, armed with nothing but Iced Coffees to get us through the day, we drove off to Serendra to watch Jai participate as a model at the MUD Shop's Make-up Designory Cosmetic Professional School. 

Poor baby, didn't know what he got himself into!

I watched in the sidelines as Jai was used as a guinea pig. Hehe!

He helplessly sat there as Michelle did her magic

After 45 minutes in the hot seat, Michelle was finally done. Here's Jai's before and after shots:

The goal was to give Jai a natural, flawless look that didn't give away the fact they he had make up. I must say, he looks good and thinner too! Thanks to the contour make up applied on him that gave the illusion of a smoother and thinner face.

While I was laughing away at my husband's predicament, little did I know that I would be used as a model for the day too!

One of the student's model was a no-show for the day. Since I was already sitting on her chair, the teacher asked me if I might as well fill in for today.

As she started with her make up, she explained to me the different techniques needed to achieve a desired effect. Being a novice on the topic of make up, I enjoyed listening to her and seeing the techniques being done to me at the same time.  I told her about my issue that whenever I would have my make up done, I always end up looking "chinita". I told her that I would like to maintain my almond shaped eyes -- which she was able to do! Nice!

Here's my after photo:

I was supposed to be used as a "Mature Make Up" model. You know, the Mother of the Bride kind. But the student was nice enough to consider my request of a natural, no make up look instead. I have to say, she did a good job!

Here's our couple's photo:

Kudos to these lovely ladies whose passion for make up truly defines being a real artist. Unlike a painter who works with a blank canvas, they work with an existing canvas [human face] which I might say is difficult enough and turn the person into the best version of himself.

Great job and good luck on your finals next week!

Chasing Angels or Fleeing Demons

I can't for the life of me understand this craze over mountaineering. For me, a one-hour Thai massage or facial would be time worth spending as opposed to traversing a mountain for hours or even days!!

But as they say, love conquers all. Since my husband is so into mountain climbing, for the love of him, I needed to try it out. I needed to know this side of him and understand where he is coming from. I don't think this interest in mountain climbing is going to die anytime soon, so might as well get on with the program and enjoy the show.

And so, last weekend, I joined him and our friends on a day hike to Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu Batangas. Since Jai & I have yet to really test my capabilities, interest and passion for this sport, we decided a simple day hike is a good place for me start.

Here's a little background on Mt. Batulao:

MT. BATULAO

Nasugbu, Batangas

Jump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu

LLA: 14.0408 N 120.8011 E 811 MASL

Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-4 hours

Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3 with 60-70 degrees assault

Features: Open trails, rolling slopes, scenic views of Batangas

information taken from pinoymountaineer

photo from pinoymountaineer.com

Our group decided to take the Old Trail going up and then down the New Trail. It looks pretty short and easy in the pictures but looks can be deceiving!

To be honest, Jai and I really did not physically prepare for this day hike. We did not exercise nor diet before this trip at all. So I knew that my only weapon for surviving Mt. Batulao was to be mentally prepared. As the weekend came close, we asked Chrys [who was the only person from the group who has been to Mt. Batulao] what we could expect from this trail. I also read through pinoymountaineer.com for information that would help me better prepare for our upcoming trip.

We left Manila at around 5 in the morning and finally reached Nasugbu by 7. After settling down and changing into our hiking outfits, by 8 am we were on our way. Our hands clasped together, with only our enthusiasm and sheer will power to get us through the day. So help us God.

photo by Ruel Abion

We opted to walk all the way to the start of the trail instead of taking the tricycle. By the time we reached the little bahay kubo at the tip of the fork that separated the old and new trail, I was already dizzy and nauseous from the heat.

photo by Ruel Abion

Jai and Chrys asked me if I still wanted to continue. I didn't want to quit so early in the trip, of course not! We barely even begun so backing out is not an option. I was thinking that this was only a matter of will power and I knew I had it in me to finish this trail.

Good thing, one of our group mates offered to lend me his hat. That actually helped me a lot. I realized as we continued on with our hike, that I no longer felt nauseous and dizzy. I felt my heart beating steadily. I was able to hike and climb with the rest of the group with no complains! It was like my body suddenly jump start and just needed time like a diesel engine to finally warm up and run smoothly. But once my body got used to hiking, it was like I didn't want to stop.

After 3 hours of hiking, we are finally near the peak.

photo by Ruel Abion

The last part to the peak required us to climb up a short rocky slope. From the bottom it looked quite intimidating. But thanks to my coaches Jai and Chrys, I was able to reach the top!

Finally!!! We've reached the peak!!!! Yehey! 

photo by Ruth Cabria

photo by Ruth Cabria

Of course, we can't leave without the required group shot at the peak. After we ate halo-halo and drank Mountain Dew. Yup, that's right. There is a little store on the peak that sold halo halo and soda. =)

photo by Ruth Cabria

Now for the long road down....

The last leg of the hike was extra difficult for Jai and I since we ran out of water. With the scorching afternoon heat, both of us were ready to pass out. The whole time, all I could think of was that we're almost there. After an hour and a half, at 4 in the afternoon, we finally reached our pit stop.

Looking back, the trail wouldn't have been that hard if it weren't for the hot, dry weather. The trail was bare under the heat of the summer sun at noon with barely any winds. It was really a struggle against the elements that added to the difficulty of the trail.

But what I realized about this trip was that, the whole time, I didn't or couldn't think of anything else but reaching the peak. Other concerns were all far away, left here in Manila. I felt a certain relief that even for a few hours, I didn't have to think about them. Although I enjoyed the challenge of a day hike, I am unsure if I have the passion to fully immerse myself into the sport and join them on their 5 day trips. Well, maybe if my backpack matched my hiking shoes.... just kidding!

I'm sure people have their own definition of mountain climbing but for me, I think it is best described by author Jeff Rasley, writer of Bringing Progress to Paradise: What I Got from Giving to a Mountain Village in Nepal when he said that if you are "chasing angels or fleeing demons, go to the mountains". So maybe, just maybe, in times when I feel like clearing my head or run away from it all -- I might do this again.