Magalawa Island Armada Resort: A Taste of the Rustic Life

There comes a time in your life when you are besieged with a lot of issues and concerns in your life that you feel you are in the brink of insanity.   So,  instead of getting a rope and putting it around my beautiful fat neck, I just hurriedly called everyone's attention and told them to pack their bags.  We are going on a trip.   A beach trip.  Everyone wanted to go to Boracay.  My daughter even suggested Amanpulo.  I looked at her and said "Sweetie, mommy is in a crunch.  And it isn't ethical to go splurging on a luxurious beach when we are flood victims.  I promise a good beach but we need to rough it up.  But we will still have fun, because we will be together. "

And boy, did I deliver.

Magalawa Island Armada Resort is a charming off-the-beaten track beach destination in Iba, Zambales.  It is a perfect getaway for those who are on budget and who does not mind roughing it up a bit.   My SUV was highly tested with the rough roads going to Oslet Fishery.    So please, have an SUV with strong previously-checked tires when you choose to go to this island.  You need to park your car with Oslet (and pray to the Almighty that your car would be safe) and pay 100 pesos per day for parking fee.  Then, a boat would take you to the Magalawa Island.   No need to pay the boatman.

I excitedly looked forward to seeing the beach.  So far, I was not disappointed.  The water is cleaner than most beaches.  The sand is fine but a bit yellowish.  Expect your feet to get wet upon embarkation so do not wear pants and shoes.  Grace Armada, the owner, welcome me with open arms and quickly showed me to my room.  The room has 1 double deck and 1 double bed, that can easily fit 6 persons.  The toilet can only fit one person.  Unfortunately, I went there when there were no electricity to the whole island.  This meant the toilet did not flush and there were no water in the bathroom as well.  So we needed to get water from outside.  That's just fine.  This is like gym, carrying weights.

You also have the option to take the kubo with fan, or the tree house (that's what I originally wanted).  And if you are really tight on budget, you can bring your own tent and camp it out anywhere in the island, or you can rent tents from Grace.   So this place caters to people with different budget constraints.

Grace encourages her visitors to take the package deals, which means that your accommodation would come with full board meals.  Do not expect gourmet meals.   Just be thankful that they serve meals, like what one would behave as guests in the provinces.   Samples of meals:  Breakfast - hotdogs, eggs, bistek fish, omelette, rice,  and  Lunch/Dinner - crabs, prawns, fish, dinuguan, fried chicken, adobo, rice and soup.  Beverage is limited to water and soda.  Taking the package deals would mean helping the fishermen and the staff in nearby area.  And this is important in managing resorts like these to ensure proper community development.

I would just like to make special mention to how I feasted on the biggest, freshest danggit of my existence.  Its one of my favorite fish and I was amazed that a danggit can be that big.  I thought they come in small packages.  The mother of Grace chose the best way to cook it: Inihaw (grilled).   Oh my goodness..... I think I went to heaven taking every bite of that danggit.  My maids and driver were so nice to me.  They intentionally left their portion of danggit (one fish for every person) and they swore they preferred the fried chicken and dinuguan.    I urged them to take their portions and not leave it for me just because I am their boss.  They smiled coyly at me and said "We live in seaside areas and our husbands are fishermen.  We are used to eating fresh fish.  It's not special to us , as they are to you."

There are still many areas for improvement in Armada Resort.  No wonder a lot of investors are dangling money in front of Grace to sell her resort.    But her beach more than compensates her lack of amenities.  Her resort faces the South China Sea , and when the waves become too strong, one can opt to stay at the other side of the resort which is usually calmer since there is another island facing it.   I also heard from frequent visitors that her corals are worth visiting.   They even sometimes set up lunch in the middle of the sea, just so you can see the corals while having your meal.   Too bad I went there during the rainy season and I was not able to experience this.

There are a lot of spaces in this island, lots of lush greeneries.  The investor in me can already count the loss in profit for letting those spaces go to waste.  But I guess that's what makes this island so charming.  It is virginal.  It looks so untouched by commercialism.   Nobody sells anything here.   The owner is the manager.  And most often than not, my days were spent talking to her or taking afternoon naps in those cute huts by the shore. When the sun is down, it was time to have dinner and then go to sleep.


I can list a lot of complaints in this island, but I choose not to.  And that's what I would suggest to any visitor who decides to visit this island.  Do not focus on what is not there (and believe me, there are lots of that around) , but open your eyes and your heart to the beauty this place has to offer you.   It's so easy to get irritated when we are not connected with our world, but then maybe , just maybe, we need that respite from the fast city life.   Our world has become so advanced that our days are filled with watching tv, surfing the net and texting our friends.  If you choose to go to this island, be prepared to leave that all behind, get your feet wet, get lulled by the sea breeze, take afternoon naps in the open air, carry water for your bath, have short conversations with the locals and sleep by 8pm.  Then maybe, this time, you would have time to bond with your loved ones, in the truest sense of the word. And more importantly, you would have given a bit of time to yourself ---- to your body, to your mind, to your soul.  Because seeing such grandeur does not merely feast our eyes, but touches our souls as well.  I'm not religious, but when I am amidst God's most beautiful creations, I cannot help but say a prayer of thanksgiving.  For one moment, my problems seemed so trivial.  How can I think of my earthly concerns when I am in the presence of such splendor.


 For bookings, you can call Grace directly at 0920 948 3303.  

3D2N (3Days2Night) Complete Package

Option 1 -Fan Kubo Accommodation

Package Fee:

Grp of 2pax = 2,800/pax

Grp of 3-4pax = 2,600/pax

Grp of 5-10pax = 2,400/pax (same rate applies to grp of 11-20pax)

*No CR

Option 2 -Aircon Room Accommodation (OLD)

Package Fee:

Grp of 2 = 3,800/pax

Grp of 3-4pax = 3,300/pax

Grp of 5-10pax = 3,000/pax (same rate applies to grp of 11-20pax)

* With CR

Option 3 -Aircon Room Accommodation (NEW-Sea front view)

Package Fee:

Grp of 2 = 4,000/pax

Grp of 3-4pax = 3,500/pax

Grp of 5,10,15, 20 pax = 3,200/pax

*With CR

Option 4 -Fan Room w/ CR Accommodation(OLD)

Package Fee:

Grp of 2pax = 3,000/pax

Grp of 3-4pax = 2,600/pax

Option 5 -Fan Room w/ CR Accommodation

Package Fee:

Grp of 10-15 = 2,800/pax

Option 6 - ATTIC Fan Room w/ CR Accommodation

Package Fee:

Grp of 8-10 = 3,000/pax

Option 7 - Tent Accommodation

Package Fee:

Grp of 2pax = 2,700/pax

Grp of 3-4pax = 2,500/pax

Grp of 5-10pax = 2,300/pax (same rate applies to grp of 11-20pax)

Option 8 - NON Accommodation (Bring your own Tent)

Package Fee:

Grp of 2pax = 2,500/pax

Grp of 3-4pax = 2,300/pax

Grp of 5-10pax = 2,100/pax (same rate applies to grp of 11-20pax)

Bourne Legacy: Legacy No More?

You are wasting your time if you intend to watch this movie.

I'm a fan of the Bourne franchise and this movie lacks the compelling plot of the previous Bourne movies. The actors are not at fault here.  Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz have great on-screen chemistry.  The previous actors reprise their roles and delivered as expected.  But I dozed off in the first 20 minutes of the movie.  I got fully awake with the killing spree of the doctor that had Rachel Weisz running for her life.

The movie was partially shot in Manila.  I was wondering why they just showed the worst of Manila.  The two lead actors were supposed to find some place to stay , and they chose to book in a slum area?  Unbelievable!  Ironically, they were able to afford business class seats on their flight from U.S. to Manila but they cannot even afford to rent a room in a 3 star hotel.  Not even our chains of motel were fit to be considered as their hide-out.  But at least they showed that our police force seems so efficient and that the police uses a high tech database.  HaHaHa!  Now, that's unbelievable!

They did not lack in chase scenes.  There were lots of them, in fact.  But the director seemed to forget that action scenes are merely tools to enhance the story.  They are not stories by themselves.

This movie was truly a disappointment. Good thing I have french fries to entertain me.  And Edward Norton will always be a welcome addition to any film.

As a friend said  "This is the only Bourne movie where Bourne seems to be an afterthought, rather than the star of the movie."

The only excuse for this poor film is if it exists merely to introduce the final Bourne franchise, where Matt Damon joins Jeremy Renner in revealing the whole conspiracy surrounding Treadstone, Larx, and their other black-ops projects.   Now, that would be one hell of a movie I would never dream of missing.

Brave: Pixar's latest movie may be a signal for an unwelcome change

Brave, the latest movie offering from Pixar, failed to endear itself to many journalists and reputable movie reviewers.   It is a big letdown to most.   We are all used to Pixar's bravery in using unconventional lead characters.  If we use this kind of barometer, then we will surely be disappointed.

Instead, I urge you to erase all expectations and prejudices when you watch Brave.  Don't think of Disney's influence in the movie.  Don't start expecting a movie that is better than Toy Story or The Incredibles.  Don't fear the departure of the first director which may leave the movie without a concised thematic point.  Then, you have a fair chance of enjoying this movie.  And there are many reasons to enjoy this movie.   Audience are treated to Scotland's highlands majestic landscapes throughout the movie.  Merida's character deviates from the usual Disney princesses.  She can actually live without a man in her life and the movie can afford to end without a hint of romantic involvement.  Imagine that!

This movie narrates the story of Merida, who is the rebellious daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor, leaders of the Scottish Clans.  Merida grew up independent, outgoing and great in archery, much to her mom's dismay.  But the conflict spiraled when Queen Elinor pushes her daughter to marry one of her 3 suitors.    Failing to communicate her wish to remain unmarried, Merida falls trap to getting a dangerous potion from a witch in the woods.  It is up to Merida to save her mother to a fate worse than death.

Although I enjoyed every second of the movie, I have to admit that the movie suffers from linearity that is absent from their previous blockbusters.   I can't help but share the worry of most Pixar fans that Disney's fingers are dipping into the brave choices of Pixar's unorthodox heroines.   One only has to be reminded of the cancellation of Newt, the last two creatures on earth forced to mate to continue their species, to know that we would expect less adventurous animation movie from Pixar from hereon.  

Wish List of a Flood Victim

I am standing guard for the continuing flood that persists in our area.  The sky is so dark and I can hear the thunder outside my room.   The very dirty flood water continues to rise inside my home.  As I write this, I have 3 feet left before I do something drastic to save the people in my house.

At this point, I cannot do anything but look at the sky and will it to turn the weather in my favor.  As a parody of my situation, I am writing a wish list of a typical flood victim.


1.  Motorized Rubber boat

2.  Life Vest

3.  Radio-LED Flashlight  with cellphone chargers (Kaito Black Voyager )


Along with receiving on AM/FM, shortwave, and weather bands, the Kaito Black Voyager solar/handcrank radio features three lights -- an LED Flashlight, a 5-LED reading lamp, and a flashing SOS emergency light. This handcrank radio also functions as a charging station for your cell phones and MP3 players using a USB charge-out jack. The Kaito Black Voyager features four power sources: (1) a built-in handcrank charging system, (2) adjustable solar panel that collects energy from the sun or natural light, or (3) 2 'AA' batteries, (4) AC adapter (not included)

30 seconds cranking for about 15 minutes radio play

Included 6 cell phone tips to charge most popular models

Built-in speaker and headphone jack including headphones

Built-in rubberized carry strap

Water resistant rubberized body

4.  Water Filter/ Purifier

Made of heavy-duty materials, the Pocket features a silver-impregnated ceramic element that's effective against bacteria and protozoa even in extreme conditions. Unlike disposable filters, the ceramic element can be cleaned several times, even in the field. More importantly, the element filters all microorganisms larger than 0.2 microns (0.0002mm), producing clear, drinkable water no matter where in the world you are. The pump also includes an improved, round pump handle for better ergonomics and an outlet hose that attaches to water containers with a single clip.






5.  First Aid Kit

6.  Emergency Candle and Waterproof Matchsticks

7.  Sleeping Bag and Wool Blankets

8.  Travellers' Cooker

Sanyo 

9.  Food and Water

10.  House on top of a mountain

A Guide to Hooking Up

There are days when you want to break free of your world and spend time with a complete stranger.  It is not uncommon for a man (or a woman) to wander with the intention of hooking up with someone.  Thanks to networking, hooking up is not limited to bars anymore.  It can be as easy as going online and connect with someone.

I am a gal who has more male friends than girlfriends.  And interesting to note is that my statistics of male friends is skewed towards those who have multiple girlfriends.  I wonder what the psychologists would say about that.  So this particular article is my attempt to put some perspective on those seeking for a hook up.

It is a misnomer that hooking up is limited to bars or adult sites.   The best hook ups happen in the most innocent of places.   So, if you are a person who desperately wants to get laid, the first rule is to make sure you get around.   Attend that boring seminar talking about growing your personal wealth, go to the public library, attend parties even without a date, watch that football or basketball live, go to concerts and take night classes.  Each of this places has its own advantages.  Example, watching sports allows anyone to talk with complete strangers without the need to explain why.  It is quite common to make comments about the game and people just automatically warm up.  School is a great equalizer for many.  And a boring seminar is a great ice-breaker.

When you have eyed that girl you want to spend time with tonight, it is a good assumption that other guys have eyed that same girl too.  So, we have to differentiate ourselves and make sure we put up a good image enough to make a lasting impression.

Most guys think that only handsome men can make a successful hook up.  Not true.  It is easier for them to be "considered" but it does not necessarily mean, they get to bring the girl home.   Nothing breaks a girl into a sweet smile and an engaging laugh than a guy who is funny.   There's a reason why the late Dolphy had numerous girlfriends in his lifetime, and they are truly beautiful women of their time:  Pilar Pilapil, Baby Smith, Zsa Zsa Padilla to name a few.  And how do you explain why the young Pauleen Luna is so enamored with Vic Sotto.  Laughter can warm the heart of women of all ages.

Unfortunately, not all men are gifted with a great sense of humor, then let's hope you are gifted instead with a sharp wit.    Brainy men are sexy men.  You don't have to recite the whole Gettysburg Address or explain the Theory of Relativity to show you are intelligent.  An intelligent man does not need to make the effort because it shows.   The only limitation of this particular brand of attraction is that you might just get girls who are intelligent as well.   It usually takes a smart woman to realize she is talking to an equally smart man.

If you cannot crack a joke even if your life depends on it, and if you are as average as the next John Doe, then let's hope you are loaded with cash.  I do not mean for you to buy your women.   Most men find that deplorable. But you can show that you are generous.  Offer to pay for dinner (for her group of friends).   Invite her to watch this season's musicale.  Or take her malling.  She'd love you for it!  How many guys out there would invite a girl to go malling willingly?  None.  A guy used to ask me for dates.  I don't find him attractive at all so I kept saying no.  But he is persistent so I agreed to an innocent lunch.  Then he started talking about the price of our meals and how hard up he is.  I was polite the entire time I was with him, but I never went out with him again.  Having budgets is fine, but to actually discuss it on a first date is not cool.   If you are truly financially limited, then invite her to a decent casual restaurant, but do not discuss how difficult it is for you to pay for the meals.  It is awkward and downright rude.  It is just not done in polite society.

Be a good listener.  This is not the time to take every phone call or answer every text messages you get.  It is annoying to be with someone who does nothing all evening but be glued to his cellphone.   Make eye-contact.  Listen to what she is saying (and not saying).  Show interest to what is important to her by asking follow-up questions and delving deep into her concerns and issues.

Although you are itching to bed that girl, please refrain from showing it.  A girl does not want to know that all these efforts are merely for a quick tumble.  Give the girl options.   Give her a wide arc.  This means show her you are interested in her sexually but if she is not up for it, it's still cool to hang out together.

Be yourself.  Don't pretend to be someone you are not.  Guys have a tendency to exaggerate their achievement.  They praise themselves.  How many times did I date in this lifetime, and I can say 90% of the time, guys fluff their feathers.   People are not stupid.  Some are slower than others, but in the end, you will be found out.  I once dated a guy who liked to talk about his past success stories.  At first, I was impressed.  But after a few hours, I noticed all he talked about were the past.  I realized I was actually witnessing a bitter man who lives in the memory of his past success because he cannot face his failure today.

If you are good, if you achieved much, you don't need to advertise it.  Because believe it or not, women do research.  And they make one hell of a great researcher.   There was a time my friends and I were reviewing for CFA at a nearby Starbucks outlet.  One cute barista got interested in my sexy friend.  At first , he was smiling sweetly at her.  Next thing we knew, she was getting free coffee from him.  My friend took it all in stride.  But my other friend got hold of what's happening and did her research.  What she revealed to all of us was amazing!  The detail of her investigation was astounding.  No wonder Shell and Unilever hired her back when she decided to work in Singapore.

Nokia: Struggling to be Alive

Nokia's story would have captured the imagination of any Hollywood producer.  Here is the protagonist, Nokia, who for years lived in a grand castle, supported by many, questioned by none.  Everybody acceded to their leadership in the rich land of mobile phones.  But all good stories must come to an end.  Apple came and snatched away Nokia's glory in the middle of the night. Nokia was caught off guard , that before it can cry FOUL , its fountain of wealth dried up and one by one, people started migrating to the kingdom ruled by Apple.  Nokia, in its last breath, refused to raise the white flag in surrender.  Instead, it brought forth its last remaining ammunition to win its people back, the Lumia.

Stock Price of Nokia in 5 years

Let's set things straight.  I don't need a crystal ball to declare that Nokia will never dominate the mobile handset industry ever again.  That's the sad thing about technology-based companies.  You just have to keep getting aggressive, quick to adapt to changes in user behavior, tapping your R&D resources to its fullest, just like Samsung, who seemed relentless in its pursuit of dominance in the smartphone users.  It will fight Apple in every nook it can find.  Because if you stop, you find yourself eating the dust of your competitors.

But the world is not painted black and white, at least not for this particular industry.  Nokia has other alternatives.  It painfully dropped its proprietary platform (Smart move!) and adapted Microsoft Windows to help in its difficult transition to smart phones.  Given that Windows has a lot of room for improvement, at least Nokia stood like a beacon in the sea of Android devices. But the one serious risk in the horizon is the non-exclusivity of using the Windows platform.  Soon enough, Nokia will find itself in a price war among other handset manufacturers using Windows.

One does not need half a brain to second-guess the strategy of Nokia.  Launch Lumia to cheaper price, hurting the gross margins in the process but the objective in this case is to gain the critical mass it sorely need at this point.  Once the switch has been made, they would hope that the users will get hooked to using Lumia with its windows platform.  And mobile users responded to this strategy.  Lumia sales reached 4 million units, doubling the first quarter unit sales.  And analysts are expecting sales to reach 12 million by year end.  We expect their lower-end phones would decline in the succeeding years, switching users to the higher priced Lumia.  Gross margin would suffer in the near term until it reaches a sufficient number of users and in a few years time, gross margin would level off to a more comfortable level.

Nokia's stock price in 5 days upon the release of 2nd quarter earnings

Nokia joined Microsoft in their battle against Android and IOS users.  It's an uphill battle.  And Nokia opened itself to more risks.  Without getting the exclusivity from using the Windows platform, Nokia's success would be short-lived.  Lumia's success would merely be the first wave of effort in trying to stay alive in this competitive industry.  Its success has surely caught the attention of other phone manufacturers, who as we speak, are already planning to snatch a piece of revenue from Nokia.  Nokia may just find itself sacrificing its margins now with no bright future to hold.

In this regard, I feel that Nokia's stock price has doubled in uncertainty.  Its future is blurry to me.   But at least it continues to be alive today.  They get to live another day with the launching of Lumia.  But they shouldn't rest on their laurels.  They have to go back to their desk and think what they need to do to secure their position in this fast-moving mobile phone industry.

So, did I buy Nokia stock?  Yes, I did, against the recommendation of all my friends.  "Are you nuts?", they said.  But what the heck, Im a sucker for those bullied.  And Apple and Samsung are bullies.  Once Apple launches its new Iphone on September 12 that promises to be very different from the current Iphone lines, its stock price would surely go up.  Samsung, on the other hand, seems to have King Midas as their financier.  They introduced phones after phones , trying to get all types of users out there who isn't hooked yet with the Iphone.

But Im no saint either.  I may well sell my Nokia stocks at the first sign of other phone manufacturers releasing their own Windows-based smart phones, or towards the 4th quarter of this year, if Nokia fails to show any concrete realistic plans in securing their position in the world of the mobile phones.

The Dark Knight Rises Above All Expectations

Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, truly rose above the expectation of fans who waited long enough for the finale of this trilogy.  Christian Bale continues to play as Batman in this series and we are not disappointed.

Eight years has passed and John Wayne is in recluse.  Batman has been blamed for the death of the D.A. Harvey Dent (from the previous franchise).   All is well, until a big bulky stronger-than-steel terrorist, Bane, had devious plans for the whole Gotham City.  This drove Batman to once again don the cape and mask to save the city he both hates and loves.

This time, The Dark Knight Rises, reflects a gloomier and darker city.  The huge figure of Bane with his scary masked face was a worthy opponent to the more menacing Batman.  Cat Woman, played perfectly by Anne Hathaway, is a welcome distraction and a great addition to the dark somber mood of the whole movie.  Her beautiful upturned face with her spandex suit plus high heeled boots successfully captivates the audience to be glued on the screen.  And the machines..... those wonderful toys of Bruce Wayne had my toes curled every time they go on screen.  They are so fantastic!   Those toys alone are enough to make it worth your while to go to the movie and line up for this final installment of Batman.   I have never seen anything like it, I swear!  But what makes this movie a brilliant piece is that it bravely dwells on the different psychologies of men:  motivational factors that make men do the impossible, the fear of facing death, embracing responsibilities and the balancing act of love for self and love for others. 

The movie is almost 3 hours long, but there was never a dull moment.  This finale of Christopher Nolan makes one want to beg for more.  But there is hope for all of us yet, as Robin is introduced at the conclusion of the movie.  

Five stars for this one! 

Rule Book for Mistresses

I'm not even sure why I am writing this.  I guess it comes from many many stories that I hear from men who keep mistresses.  As a good friend, they feel comfortable listing down their complaints about the wife, about the mistress, over a bottle of Black Label.  In due time, I formed my own conclusions regarding this very elusive and enigmatic affairs.


Rule #1  He will never leave his wife.  So please, stop wishing and hoping that it will happen.  If his wife dies, you also won't wish to be his wife because that means he will get another mistress to replace you.   Prince Charles is a rarity and more of an exception than the rule.

Rule #2  You can forget about the special holidays like Christmas day, Valentine's Day and his birthday.  Those are reserved for the wife.  The mistresses are relegated to the day after those special holidays.   Know your place and don't demand for the impossible.

Rule #3  Learn to save.  You are priced for what pleasurable diversion you can provide.  You are gifted with so many beautiful things .....  while you hold the attention of the man.  Accept these gifts with gratitude but don't squander it away.  Be wise and save for the day when he would cast you aside.

Rule #4   Don't nag.   You are the mistress and not the wife.  Let the wife worry about his eating habits and annoying behavior.  You are there to provide heavenly pleasure to your man, so stick to the plan.

Rule #5   Read.   He may find you very exciting as a sex partner.  But that too will get boring. You need to be able to connect him in another way than just the bedroom.  Update yourself regularly and he won't just have a relationship with your body, but with your mind as well.

Rule #6   Don't sleep with another man.  Boys don't share toys.  They hate it. It's a matter of principle.  They'd rather get a new mistress than continue sharing a girl with someone else.

Rule #7  Don't create scandals.  Mistresses are creatures of the dark.  They don't exist in polite society.  Stay that way.  You would occasionally want to be heard and to be known.  You want to be in your partner's side on that important event.  But restrain yourself.  Have the comfort in knowing you have his nights.  Don't ask for the day as well or you might find yourself with having none.

Rule #8  Don't ever ever think you have the upper hand.  Because you don't.   Don't raise your voice when he fails to show up  on your doorstep, or if he forgets your birthday.  There are many ways to skin a cat.  If he forgets an important date, merely poke on his guilt if you must, but don't scream or get into argument.  Focus on the bigger prize:  Him.   You really don't want to lose him over some dates, right?

Rule #9  Don't patronize what the wife has.  Don't go to the same hairdresser of his wife.  Stop fixating yourself to the wife.  She is not the "evil" one here.  Let's not forget you are the one trespassing to a marriage.  Keep a low profile. Stay humble.  Because once the wife gets wind up on the affair, you are signing your death warrant.

Rule #10  Be creative in bed.   Let's use what we learned in MBA: Utilize your competitive advantage.  Let's face it, 90% of the reason of your existence is because the wife sucks in bed.  This is your battleground.  Use it to your advantage.  

Rule #11  Men lie.   Surprise?  They tell you those horror stories about his wife.  Take it with a grain of salt.  They want to get you in bed, so they need to justify such actions.  They promised you they would leave their wives.  They won't.  They hardly do.  The more prominent and rich your boyfriend is, the higher the probability of him not leaving his wife.  High society has certain protocols, and this is one of them.  Don't believe me?  Just look at our line of senators and congressmen.  We can safely assume that most men there have mistresses.  Count which ones left their wives for their mistresses.  The more common story is that the wife leaves the politician-husband.  Fact is men value their name in society.  They can always get another mistress but they cannot restore their good reputation and the respect of their peers. 

Binondo Story #1

Like the St. Mary Mead of Miss Marple (author: Agatha Christie), Binondo is such a close and small community that everyone just knows everyone's life story.   And yet, one would be surprised at the extent of the complexities of human psychology that is displayed in such a small community.  I grew up in this place and have been privy to some of the sordid details of their lives.   Sometimes, it is a great advantage to be a child, because no one really notices  you and yet you notice everyone around you.

My ancestral home is a building with three floors.  The third floor is a flat that is available for rent.  One day, I was introduced to the new tenant named Carmen.   She is so fair and so intelligent.  She graduated summa cum laude and was a placer in CPA.  She is unmarried and yet I noticed a young Chinese man who visits her place every so often.  He is Ping, who lives a few houses from us.  He is like a Chinese actor in a Taiwanese soap opera.  He is very handsome and charming, the kind of man you dream about.  After much coaxing from the elders, I learned that Ping is married and Carmen is his mistress.  Carmen and Ping were high school sweethearts, but the mother of Ping refused Carmen as her daughter-in-law, so Ping married the girl of his mother's choice while continuing to have an affair with Carmen.

Carmen loved Ping very much.  She acted like his wife and catered to his every whim.   But in my young mind, I remember feeling she was way too fixated on her hatred towards the wife, calling her names and cursed her to eternity.   I didn't understand why she would hate the wife so much, when in fact, Carmen was the one "stealing" her husband.  She tried everything to ensure Ping would love her above his wife , even resorting to black magic.

One day, I noticed Ping didn't visit Carmen for some time.  I asked and Carmen said Ping was attending a seminar in HongKong.   Coincidence that I have a scheduled vacation in HongKong with my mom as well.  And in one of the malls, we bumped into Ping, with his hands around the shoulders of his very pregnant wife.  He made a quick chat with my mother while I used that time to observe him.   Over dinner, I told my mom  "His wife is way way more beautiful than Carmen.  And he seemed very much in love with his wife.  Did you see how he put his arms around his wife, how possessive it looked?  And when his hands were not around his wife's shoulders, its touching her somewhere.  Plus, he has a softer look in him whenever it would fall on his wife.  I really really think he loves his wife, more than he loves Carmen."   Mom quickly hushed me and warned me not to ever ever reveal those observations to anyone , much more to Carmen.  So, I kept my silence.

In the years to come, Ping got his wife pregnant five times, and Carmen grew more agitated each time.

Then one day, we heard the news that Ping's wife ran away with another man, taking all the money of the business with her plus her last child.  Ping was so devastated that when I saw him, I hardly recognize him anymore.  The last child was not his child; it was fathered by her boyfriend.  Then it was revealed that all along his wife knew of the presence of Carmen, and how she hated Ping for keeping her even before their marriage began, which led to her plan of revenge towards him.   Ping was shocked.  Everyone was shocked because the face of the wife is so angelic, so beautiful, one cannot imagine her of any ill-doings.

On the other hand, Carmen was so elated with the news of the wife's departure from their nest.  She expected Ping to make her his wife, or at the very least stay with her from now on.   But that didn't happen.  What happened next was actually the opposite.  Ping visited her less and got more women on the side.  One night, Carmen even tearfully confessed that sometimes, she felt Ping blamed her for his wife leaving him.   Carmen got into depression until she decided to leave our place , and I never saw her again.

I continue to see Ping, but he was a changed man.  He got very thin and he is not charming anymore.  He hardly acknowledges my presence and he walks down the street with expressionless eyes like he cares nothing of the world now.

I never forgot this tale, because it made me realize something at a young age.  Don't run after destiny.  Maybe, at the start of Ping's marriage, he truly loved Carmen and meant for them to continue their romantic relationship.  Carmen showed much loyalty to Ping by shedding off her dignity and accepted to become his mistress.  But people change.  He got married to another girl and lived with her.  He fathered their children.  Circumstances changed and it's easy enough to fall into the routine of husband and wife.  At times, one needs to accept the circumstances and move on, and make the best of your own destiny.   In my mind, Carmen just gave up too much , merely to hold on to Ping's love.  She loved him more than she loved herself.  It beholden Ping to reciprocate that love and that is so much pressure to any person.  And when that person fails to love you forever, where do you start picking up the pieces.

Hermanos Taco Shop: A Hole-in-the-Wall Mexican Eatery

You thought you've seen it all eating the burritos of Ristras.   You partied away at Chihuahua till the wee hours of the night.  But the one that truly offers honest-to-goodness mexican food is this most unassuming place in Granada Street, occupying the humble small space beside Petron Gas Station: Hermanos Taco Shop.

Rolled Tacos (beef, chicken or combo)

I always pass by Granada Street to watch movie in Promenade or to dine at one of the restaurants along Connecticut.  I saw the signage of Hermanos Taco Shop, but I never really took it seriously.  They seemed to commissioned a grade 8 student to do the signage.  There is no ambiance to speak of.  The chairs and tables cannot be more ordinary.  And cmon, it is situated beside the gas station.  How can any food-lover take this eatery seriously?

Cheese Quesadillas

So everyday that I see this taco shop, it didn't give me any pause until a friend mentioned it to me.  "You must be pulling my leg!", I replied.  But after our conversation, I googled it and a number of bloggers have been taking notice of this mexican restaurant.  They hailed it as the most authentic mexican restaurant in Metro Manila.  I didn't waste any more time and visited this hole-in-the-wall taco shop.

I ordered their best-seller rolled taco (combo, beef or chicken).  It is served with lettuce, sour cream and guacamole.  It is cooked to the crisp and you wouldn't feel scrimp on the filling.  Dip it in their own salsa, and everything is just perfect.

House Horchata

For beverage, I would urge you to order their very own House Horchata.   It is a drink of rice, cinnamon and sugar.  And before you count your carbo intake on this drink, give your diet a break.  I did.  And I don't regret doing so. There are times when you need to let go of rules to experience life.   Im not a fan of cinnamon either, but have an open mind and take a sip of this refreshing drink.