... and all that jazz.

Me and a bunch of my outrage crazy family attended the Earthday Jazzfest at the Powerplant Mall in Rockwell last sunday night. An all-out jazz night-- bands, music performers, singers and an audience filled with true-blue jazz aficionados (30% of which is my family) and a few jazz-inclined friends. We were all in support of my mum who was hosting the show... it seemed more like a family event; my sister and i danced together with my dad, my stepdad (definitely a first!) and my drunk uncle on a salsa number... it was crazy! And my uncle got so drunk he passed out and fell flat on the pavement (uh, i know i know). At times i wonder if i'd rather not witness my parents, specially "the boys": my daddy, tito joey and uncle jun act like drunk high school teens-- i am baffled at the sight of this! but then again, i love how fun and retarded they are :) too bad i wasn't able to take pictures of them... i will next time!

O, Draconian devil! Oh, lame saint!

Thoughts on da Vinci Code.

Religion had always been a sensitive topic not only in the society I live in, but in my own home as well. In a generation of households where we are raised with the same beliefs and in all hopes a strong faith, religion is still one subject that for the sake of harmony- we try not to tap. Open discussion regarding contradicting opinions on this has never been tackled, not in my family… not until I came across this book.

Growing up in a catholic, although very untraditional home has certainly got my religious ideals mixed up. I started wondering why what is said to be right, what is perceived as a Christian life; these values- the proper preservation of morals and biblical norms are not lived by... and as years came to me, I somehow felt that the rules don’t quite apply anymore. Our religion is and had always been considered the pillar of strength and even the backbone of this society and we have witnessed how opposing it threatens such evident chaos, wars, confusion and pandemonium. I have always wondered why rather than discerning and studying these opposing religious ideas, many retrieve and defensively lash out. As a result, I watch people pretending to live by it, in fear of being condemned by a prejudiced society and denied by an unwelcoming church. I was always told that to question is to doubt, and doubt meant lack of faith… and that the lack of faith in my own religion is evil, so I never did. I wouldn’t even dare think about it- the why’s, how’s, and what if’s, I have tried to dismiss… but I needed answers. And if questioning my own faith meant I lack confidence in my own religion, then maybe I do. Maybe I need to seek answers in order to realize where my faith lies.

I had always been curious about this book. I have heard it about a dozen times from friends, saw it displayed in every bookstore on my usual visits, when finally I got a hold of it. And let me tell you, just the mere presence of the Da Vinci Code lying on my shelves alone has raised tension in our house. But I was glued to it; the intrigues it brought fueled my curiosity to a point that (due to my ignorance on the history of my religion, of other religions and theology), I found myself researching on the subjects and historical origins of Paganism, the Vatican and Opus Dei. I couldn’t read through the pages of this book without knowing enough or at least having a basic significant knowledge of it. More so, I needed to know if the locations are real and if most of the information is based on facts.

Admittedly my confused perceptions on religion got even more confused, and my thoughts were bewildered. History is for the winners? Fabricated truths? Jesus is married? Sang Real? The Holy Grail is Mary Magdalene? Even after tedious research I never did know if any of these are true, but then again, so is the Bible. Here’s what I know, if the slightest possibility do exist, and if in the near future it’s proven to be in fact accurate, it does not change my faith in any way. And I still believe in the same things, although I look at the Catholic Church rather differently now, it’s flawed… but what isn’t? It’s human. I believe all religions are flawed for man is flawed. Even if given foundation, it is still man who built upon this foundation alone.

My dad thought this book is purely based on assumptions and false theories. My tito joey also refers to it as ‘the work of the devil’. My mom said she would not even touch it claiming her faith is too strong to entertain such, while my younger sister for the lack of a fundamental opinion sided with her. When I had first heard of its controversies, I too thought of the same things. Back then, I stood firmly right where they are. But I realized now, that it was just out of fear- in a ‘this is how I’m suppose to react when my religion is opposed’ kind of way. In the bosom of my heart, due to my urge to quest and the discontentment of my mind, I felt that I can’t give a concrete opinion on something I knew nothing of. So here, now I can. I then bravely raised the questions and freed all of doubts; in a table of people ready to lash me with scorning judgment, the first question I asked; “Has any of you actually read the book?” And as expected, almost instantly my opinions were dismissed.

“The new millennium has passed, we are now entering The Age of Aquarius—the water bearer—whose ideals claim that man will learn the truth and be able to think for himself.”

I’d like to think that what I’ve embarked on is a quest to make myself aware of the different beliefs there are, even if they are contrary to mine. It has challenged the concepts I have been accustomed to my entire life. Some never even touched a book or considered entertaining thoughts of another religion… only the brave venture out to do so. It takes guts to be open-minded, to be able to consider the possibility that the religion we were rooted upon is not the religion we would be most at ease and in spiritual link with... I have.

Faith is the acceptance of that what we imagine to be true although we cannot prove it, we still choose to believe in. I am sticking with the story I grew up with, the one I choose to believe… the origin of my faith; where my one belief that there is an almighty God, seeps through.

hongkong story.

Day 1

Date: November 30' 04
Time: 11:56 a.m.
Location: Hong Kong International Airport



We arrived after a smooth 3-hour plane ride. I think getting out of Hong Kong’s airport exhausted me more than the plane trip itself. It's incredibly huge, you ride a terminal to get to one station to another… and boy, it was a long walk to get to the exit doors. Finally I walked out and stood at the pavement where our ride awaits. It was cold even though the sun was extremely bright and out… it feels similar to Baguio’s weather when it’s late in the afternoon. In Manila, on a day like this? it would feel like the sun was right in your face… the heat although bearable, will make you wanna take your clothes off or you’d stand to soak in sweat.

It was about an hour ride to get to the city of Kowloon where the hotels located… the driver overheard us wondering why the airport was built in an obscene far location- they relocated it out of the city where there’s enough space and because it causes traffic on the main road which was near the shopping area’s and hotels, he later on informed us. hmm… that was smart. How come our government never thought of that? We went on an hour ride to the city without traffic.

Time: 12:48 nn
Location: The Shangri-La Palace, Kowloon



We were all hungry by the time we got to the hotel. Our luggage’s were sent straight to our rooms and we got off the car only to take another cab in search for an authentic noodle house to feast on. I was staring at the vast lobby - the hotel looked so luxurious... I felt thrilled.

Taxi cabs in Hong Kong looked just like the ones I saw in Chinese movies… it’s painted pale yellow and magenta red, giving it a strong old-chinatown appeal. I looked out the window and onto the streets of Kowloon… I noticed there had only been three kinds of cars I’ve seen so far: Nissan? Honda? Toyota? none of those… (first) There were the cabs- which were all in the same color and model hard to miss, (second) BMW’s and (third) Mercedes- even harder to miss, they are everywhere! I thought, these people must be rich… and my stepdad confirmed. According to him the only people who can afford a car and a house in Hong Kong are the rich people. He added that BMW’s and Mercedes in Hong Kong are actually just used by the (upper) middle-class... which explains why there are tons of them on the road. The (lower) middle-class to lower class lives in apartments or condo units, and relies mainly on walking and public transport- I looked out at the bus beside our cab… wow, really nice. Now, I wouldn’t mind riding that!

My mum and stepdad suggested we go to Mong Kok (a place known for bustling residential and shopping areas/tiangge). After about a 10minute cab ride (again, with no traffic)… we stopped at a corner, and the driver reached for the passenger door; motioning for us to go down. Ok, so I thought the restaurant was right there… turned out it was another 15-20-minute walk to get to the street of Mong Kok where the famous noodle houses are, so my stepdad says.

I was starving. Trying hard not to whine… I had to ask-
“why did he drop us off kagad? Eh… it’s far pa pala...”

my tito jun looked at me like I was the spoildest (if there’s even a word) girl he’s known and said-
“coz we're supposed to walk” his sentence ended with a sarcastic laugh.

my step dad backed him up and told me-
“people walk here nikki, they go miles on foot. If you want to shop, you’d have to walk… you see all these streets and all those stores? mahaba ‘yan! Wala dito si nilo" (our driver’s not here)...

the four of them laughed. (including my younger sister who was staring at my 3-inch-heel leather pumps) shit. I shouldn’t have worn these shoes today. pumorma pa kasi ako noh!

The wanton was sour. I walked for this?… my feet were sore, and my big toe ached. It was me and my sisters’ first Hong Kong-meal and it didn’t turn out great or even close to how my mum and stepdad described it to be. I thought it might be too authentic for my taste… even my uncle craved for McDonald’s (his everyday meal for the past 20 years living in San Francisco!). .
The restaurant looked more like a small canteen- like a new and improved karienderia… the kitchen area was right by the door, and the whole place smelled very oriental… very chinese (amoy inchik!), and you slurp your noodles while a loud cantonese-pop music was playing on the background.

We have 7 days to shop and go around Hong Kong… they were planning out this trip, thinking of ways to make me and kriz’s experience enjoyable… I was looking down on my wanton soup… and my stepdad promised me there are better noodle houses and authentic chinese food than the one we’re in.

The Plan

Today Right after lunch we are to go back to the hotel. We have less than an hour to unpack and change. And tonight, we’ll check out the local bar scene in Kowloon.
Day 2 morning at 8am our tour bus will arrive; Me and my kriz (being the newbies) are going to Victoria Peak, Jackie Chan’s famous jewelry store, ride a boat to cross the harbor going to Hong Kong Island’s Central (main business district) and Causeway Bay (a major shopping area), where my mum, stepdad and uncle will meet us.
Day 3 Shopping in Jordan (another famous shopping area). I was warned by my mum to wear slippers if possible because we will walk all day and night to Mong Kok for the night market (bazaar!).
Day 4 Shopping in Nathan Road ("Hong Kong’s Rodeo Drive" my tito jun says), they figured that will also take us the whole day ;)
Day 5 A day in Hong Kong Island- a night out in Wan Chai (known for restaurants and clubs).
Day 6 Ocean Park!
Day 7 Last minute shopping- A tribute to my mum.

Day 7

Date: November 05 '04
Time: 10:17 a.m.
Location: Tsim Sha Tsui

We are still on Nathan Road. Things were obviously not going as planned. We had spent 3 full days weaving through human gridlock in the streets of Jordan and Mong Kok. We're in bazaarland! This is the last day- we haven’t gone to Ocean Park or spent a day in Hong Kong Central (with all five of us together)... we are out of time, and my mum is still trying on shoes!

I have decided to take matters into my own hands. I didn’t want to spend my last day in HK being my mum’s shopping bag holder. After a hot noodle soup and sipping iced coffee for lunch, I took a cab and headed to my last and final stop-- the mall (I heard they have MANGO). I felt my jaw drop… Gucci, Channel, Versace, Louis… I totally felt like a kid in a candy store… factory! At the risk of looking like a dumb tourist, I walked through stores and stores with a mall-map in hand... else, there is no way I’d make it back to my country! The mall was about the size of four SM Megmalls combined! Feeling like a treasure hunter, I found the store… and to my delight everything was on sale, about 300pesos cheaper! Jackpot. :)

3 hours and a Starbucks frappuccino later, I’m done. I’m tired and ready to fly home. My mum (and my sister- her unfortunate baglady) are still shopping on Nathan Road, so I thought of joining the guys (my stepdad and tito jun), who are resting and waiting for us four blocks away in Häagen Dazs… needless to say, they are bored.

“I go to HÄAGEN DAZS” - I told the driver as I shut the cab door.

The Chinese man stared at me like I said something funny, he smiled and said…

“no moh (more), it’s veri ni (near). you wok (walk). Veri ni(near) ”

I’m tired dammit. I can no longer walk four blocks while holding and carrying shopping bags in my hands and on my shoulders!-

“please go straight. I --- GO ---- HÄAGEN DAZS”... pointing at the ice cream store building! (it’s 2 floors), thinking he might have not heard me clearly the first time.

“it’s veri ni. veri ni… veri ni.” He answered back in an irritated tone and reached for my door… clearly wanting me to get off the cab. argh.

Well, that was definitely a first. A taxi driver has never asked me to walk instead of getting paid. Not in my country!

Time: 4:43 p.m.
Location: Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Nathan Road.

At the train on our way back to the hotel… I was exhausted (I have literally shopped til I dropped). I've been walking for days… I have never walked that much my whole life. I was ready to go home and snuggle-cuddle my baby brother. We were all terribly missing Jeremy.

We left my mum in Nathan… we wanted to rest and start packing, we have to be in the airport in less than 4 hours.

Thinking back on the highlights of this trip… (i smiled); I really loved the night scene in HK! We had so much fun at a local bar in Kowloon- a Filipino band played and we definitely enjoyed watching Chinese people dance… ;) we also hit the clubs in Wan Chai a couple of nights… it was awesome! We celebrated holloweens' on the streets of Wan Chai, i was very 80's- fishnets, socks in heels, complete with kinky curls! some of us wore masks, most are dressed in whatever costumes they can think of, and while chugging down beers (sipping vodka7 in mine), we danced the night away in the streets. It was a street party like i've never seen... well, maybe in movies... no cameras or any 'showbiz' effect like *ehem* ours :) And you know, there are so many foreigners (of all shapes, color and pick-up-lines) that it’s almost impossible to feel like you’re a tourist or an outsider. Or maybe it also lies on the way the local people dress... everyone looks different, there is no such thing as 'out of place' in this country. I even find myself thinking – I should’ve been born here :)

I’ve always had such passionate fondness for fashion and how it expresses individuality… Hong Kong screams of that loud and clear; flummoxed and fired by the confluences and contradictions of a city with multi-asian and of distinct western flair. It is evident here… you see it in their excellent transport network, sublime shopping centers, hushed street walks… I see people my age at the terminal, on the bus, at the mall, crossing the streets in the afternoon looking like they’re going to a party/gimmick- such aficionados of high-end fashion. It’s a statement, it's individuality... it's freedom. I had finally found a place where I can wear my purple-pink balloon skirt and not be stared at. I rave at the sights of those knee-high furred-suede boots, fighting my urge to buy them… knowing that when I go back to Manila, those babies will only be lying in my closet for years.

Time: 9:15 p.m.
Location: Hong Kong Airport

“THE PLANE IS NOW BOARDING”- and my mum was no where in sight.
My stepdad had been so tensed the past two hours, walking back and forth from the waiting area to the entrance door, I think his cellphone’s been glued to his ear...

She had asked us to go ahead at the airport an hour and a half ago when we were all ready to leave, and she hasn’t showed up at the hotel yet… her bags are packed and waiting at the lobby. Where is she? None of us knew… but she is definitely STILL SHOPPING!

here's my uncle in a desperate attempt to commit suicide; losing all hopes of finding my mum... haha

We board the plane without her. My stepdad insisted that he’d stay and join my mum, but his bags have already been brought in. She is taking the next flight to Manila, which was 6 hours from now.

The four of us slumped on our seats… tito joey giggled while shaking his head in disbelief-

“iniwan natin mommy mo" (we left your mum)
and we all laughed.

Watching the four of us smiling in the reflection of my window seat…

I thought to myself-

this trip was definitely worth :D

jeremiah's 1st trip to starbucks...

jeremy's first trip to starbucks...

*gigil*

chillaxin.. chuckie style ;p

my number one kaagaw with chips *grr*