Colorblind problems: the new Philippine peso bills

It has been raining since last night and I woke up feeling very lazy. I had planned to go on my bike for at least an hour, but alas, the wonderful sight of a pot of tinola and newly-cooked rice caught my attention. Who doesn’t love to eat when the weather is this cold? =D

Helmut Lang textured T-shirt, Bench jeans, brown 8-hole Doc Martens, black Prada nylon and saffiano backpack

No leather bags for today given the rainy weather, so back to my ol’ faithful nylon backpack. I also got to wear another ol’ trusty boots, my good-on-casual-jeans brown 8-hole Doc Martens. In Filipino, this is what we call pangharabas, and I love this pair when it rains.

Sticking out like a sore thumb - SM Blue Residences in Katipunan, Quezon City

I normally do not take the shuttle from Marikina to Makati every Friday because the roads (C5-Ortigas, EDSA, Buendia) are usually more congested than the other weekdays. I took again the long route going to Cubao and MRT. I thought I was going to be late, though, because of the serious traffic jam in Katipunan Avenue and Aurora Boulevard. As we were slowly pacing past the Marikina flyover, I can’t help but look up at this very high building built by SM Residences. I shudded to think how much worse the traffic in that area could be, if this place were to beging taking in residents. And of course, the ground floor will be occupied by establishments, furthermore increasing the number of vehicles going in and out of the area. A very big “GOOD LUCK!” to all of us.

Tea Farm in KPMG Building, Ayala Avenue, Makati City

 

I don't know what kind of plant this is but it looks cuteFinally arriving in Makati with thirty minutes to spare, I dropped by Tea Farm in KPMG Building to buy some milk tea for Mon and I. I have mixed feelings towards the current milk tea obsession happening in Manila now, but I am still fine drinking just a glass per week. Maybe because of the price (averaging at Php 100) or how heavy I feel afterwards with the amount of milk. LOL Well, Mon loves wintermelon milk tea and I needed an excuse to do something about my confusing bills.

Colorblind problems --- the Php 20 bill is the same as the Php 500 bill - I see no difference

 

When I was about meet Faye and Ikle last month in U.P., I rode a jeepney going inside the campus and paid Php 20 for the short trip — or what I thought to be Php 20. I was to pay for something in the Cashier when I’ve noticed that I was missing a Php 500 bill. I was racking my brain how on Earth did I lose my last Php 500 bill, then I recall handing out a yellowish bill. I gave it to the jeepney driver, instead of the 500 one. I had a lot of close shave with this kindof  mistake eversince the government started issuing the new Phillipine bills. I had no problem with Php 20 and Php 500 before, as the latter was on the very dark, golden side (notice how I describe colors? It’s usually bright or dark of a notable color LOL). But the new bills made distinguishing between Php 20 and Php 500, as well as Php 100 and Php 1000 more difficult.

Due to that costly mistake (I was given Php 12 change, instead of, uhm, Php 492), I then learned to keep any Php 500 or Php 1000 bill in a separate compartment of my wallet, far from where I usually keep the other bills. How I wish they made the Php 500 bill darker than the Php 20, I would then have no problem distinguishing one from the other. That small security fiber strip was cleary not enough.

Grunge Tuesday

I was reading yesterday about D&G and its eventual discontinuation when Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana decided to stop the production of their diffusion line, with the S/S 2012 collection as their last runway show. Anyway, I was browsing their previous collections on Style.com and stopped at the F/W 2008 to look at the array of plaid, and tartan prints, in varying sizes displayed in every garment.

And a year before that in February 2007, Jean Paul Gaultier sent out models dressed in the same type of prints for his F/W 2007 show, which was famously opened by the dancing Coco.

So for today, I decided to take this shirt out of the closet and use it for work. Since buying it in November, I have only worn it once on a casual day (to The Mind Museum) and never thought of using it in the office because I personally think it was too ‘loud’. Perhaps due to the color, as the most color I usually wear in the office was blue, and as I tend to wear Doc Martens everyday, it might be overkill for 90s grunge look but I did not feel like giving a damn today, so I just let it go. They will have to deal with it.

Black Chocoolate red flannel shirt, black pants, black 8-hole Doc Martens and olive green Prada tessuto messenger sling

And for the first time ever, I have used Salonpas beacuse I have a persistent lower back pain since Saturday. It was especially painful in the morning after waking up and I had to wait for about an hour before I can normally walk and stand. I already have a slight idea over the reason why this is happening. LOL Mon was kind enough to buy me a pack of 10 plasters for less than Php 50 and it feels more menthol-y than my favorite efficascent oil.

A box of Salonpas

End of the month! Bye January 2013!

January just flew past and I can’t believe it has been a month since I said goodbye to 2012! A lot of great things happened to me in January and I’m looking forward for the following months to be the same, or at least tolerable. I’ve got a lot of things planned for the year and I knew that I was living the taking-a-risk mantra little by little.

White with blue stripes longsleeves, brick pants, black 8-hole Doc Martens, vintage Coach Metropolitan briefcase messenger - Manila, Philippines

What I’m most proud of this month was the lack of online purchases. I have never bought anything from Ebay and most importantly, I have never bought a bag, be it online or offline! I never thought it would be possible but I made it anyway. Maybe the preoccupation of what should I be accomplishing this year has taken over me, that even windowshopping on Ebay did not yield any result. Again, I began asking myself “Do I need this?” and was surprised that I was actually able to reason out to that impulsive side of me. The big question now is how long I can hold this one out. I have a lot of bags in their dustbags and inside a giant container because I’m not using them that often. I know that I should eventually be selling some of them because they need a better home. Maybe this summer or before June starts, most of them will be out. I just need to rotate the bags I love AND use more often and I also consider as special. February, I can conquer you!

One word: RED

Except for one, all my bags are on the neutral side. I also have a lot of messengers but I’m beginning to warm up to backpacks and slowly getting over my trauma of carrying one.

So when we went to Seoul last month, Mon and I agreed to buy canvas backpacks, simialr to the styles we kept on seeing on guys in the streets and the subway. So on our third night, we tried finding the stall with the most justified price of bags and came across one, right across Lotte Young Plaza.

A bunch of canvas backpacks hanging from a shop in Myeongdong, Seoul, South Korea

Red backpack bought from Myeongdong in Seoul

We actually bought four bags: two of two different styles for both Mon and I. I don’t get to use the purple one often but I love using the red one more:

Old-school camera print shirt from Graniph, black skinny pants, black 8-hole Doc Martens and red canvas backpack

Looking back, I think I should have not bought the purple one. My mentality that time was to buy two colored-bags other than neutral so I immediately jumped on the red and purple. Granted that the bags are not exactly expensive (a great deal a KRW 10,000 each, more expensive than the last minute moisturizer I hesitantly bought due to stupidity), I wish I could have bought another black one. =D

Half of January

It seems only yesterday when we were busy preparing for the New Year and now, we are already on the 15th of January. Time really flies so fast whenever we are doing a lot of things, yet I still have more to accomplish even before the month ends.

I went to the dentist yesterday and I wore the Abraham Lincoln shirt I have thrifted last Friday. It was really funny because some of the people who saw my shirt were sniggering because they suddenly realized that Abraham Lincoln was actually cross-eyed. LOL

Cross-eyed Abraham Lincoln shirt, brick pants, brown 8-hole Doc Martens and black Prada nylon and saffiano messenger - Manila, Philippines

It also rained a lot yesterday so it was a good call to use a nylon messenger and my favorite pair of brown 8-hole Doc Martens. For the past months, I’ve been using only my Red Wing and black 8-hole DMs that my other boots were left, uhm, desolate in our wooden shoe cabinet. I cleaned and moisturized all of them last Sunday afternoon and vowed to rotate using my shoes more.

For today, it fortunately did not rain and I used my wexford messenger again. However, my love for heavy bags has been slowly dwindling because well, they are heavy. LOL Seriously, nylons and canvases are doing it more for me now than my heavy leather ones.

Vintage Balenciaga shortsleeves polo, khaki pants, Red Wing 875 boots, Mulberry wexford messenger briefcase - Manila, Philippines - "mulberry bag philippines"

Before sleeping last night, I took several photos to be used as ID picture. One of the requirements was an ID picture with my complete name on it. I planned to get this taken in UP, from the same stall where I had photocopied my classmate’s book.

But as I highly doubt that they have a chalkboard there to write my name on; and usually, getting pictures taken outside entail limited choices as you get one and two shots and pray unto the highest heavens you have a good one. I wore the same royal blue shirt and silk necktie from an October shoot we had in the office because I really love how the color pops in picture. I got a decent shot in the one but I had a little fun with the camera as well.

Unused photos - royal blue dress shirt and blue Hermès necktie

I have also finally reserved our tickets to watch Les Misérables tomorrow. We will be on halfday leave because I still have several carryover leaves in the office and I have carefully allocated all of them until February. My friend, Ikle, will be back in the Philippines next Monday and we were to go to Baguio City for a three day vacation.

However, as I am desperately trying to complete my requirements for a January 31st deadline, we had moved our sojourn to February 2.

For some “Fashion Ball” — we wore a T-Shirt!

The month has barely changed from November to December and it was already our company’s yearend event a.k.a. Christmas party. On one hand, why was it so early? Other companies might not have even released their 13th month pay and yet we already had our party. On the other hand, I was quite delighted with the date because it meant less traffic and it would be easier to go to-and-from the venue. And for the first time after four years, I went to the party without Faye as she was still out of the country!

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The jampacked PICC Plenary Hall

Mon and I were really pinching the penny because of our trip next week so we decided to keep our outfit simple. I was initially over the Moon with the supposed Yohji Yamamoto Pour Homme top that I was about to wear, but the cancellation of the transaction meant that I had only a day to look for something to wear. Then, why bother? Let’s just wear a similar shirt!

My 'extended arm' picture taking skills still work

We have a knack for coordinating our outfits and the last time we did so was in 2010 during a ‘masquerade theme’ Christmas party.

Military-inspired jackets with painstakingly-made epaulettes from 2010's Christmas Party

Anyway, we traditionally invite a guest host every party (a celebrity) but this year, we invited two hosts. First was Rovilson Fernandez (from the ‘Amazing Race Asia’ fame, whose partner Marc Nelson has coincidentally hosted our party last, last year) and Joey Mead (current judge on ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’). Rovilson was unexpectedly funny because I thought that he’d end up being like Marc, who was eloquent, but lacking in the humor department. I had high expectations with Rovilson because Luis Manzano really carried the whole event last year, so the former had big shoes to fill and it was surprisingly well-done. As for Joey Mead, the girl was a goddess. My jaw dropped because I did not expect her to be that beautiful, and the girl can really walk. O_O

Rovilson Fernandez and Joey Mead --- such a beauty

Joey Mead schooling everybody over her runway skills

Anyway, more than the hosts, I had a great time seeing interesting looks from others who attended the party. There were several fashion contests/segments and there were two outfits that really caught my attention. The first one was a girl wearing a tuxedo and I think that it was an excellent take on Yves Saint Laurent’s ‘le smoking‘. What I loved most about it was the fact that she was not tall nor extremely skinny but she did not end up looking like a penguin. I was living for her! Her ensemble reminded me of one of Minzy’s (from 2NE1) look from the ‘Can’t Nobody‘ music video. And the second one was this, let’s admit it, costume and replica of Lady GaGa’s infamous red lace outfit from 2009 MTV VMA. I was not familiar with the candle thing but maybe GaGa carried something similar to that but the people went crazy when he got at the end of the runway and blew the flame off. Werq!

Ugh. Why an out-of-focus shot. I really love this girl's interpretation of Saint Laurent's 'Le Smoking' - it also reminded me of Minzy's look in the 'Can't Nobody' music video

'Le Smoking' Minzy in 2NE1's 'Can't Nobody' music video
(Photo from forums.allkpop.com)

Chanelling Lady GaGa's 2009 MTV VMA red lace outfit --- that was some MAJOR dedication

But I was more happy to see Mon go up the stage with his teammates, to accept an award recognizing their efforts. I really liked how he looked on stage with a leather jacket and white skinny jeans, together with that black shirt. I had been pitching to him the idea of wearing this leather jacket I personally intended to use for our trip to Seoul and he only agreed last minute before we left the house.

Mon and his teammates, recognized on stage

Mon looked dashin' =D

The food was great as well. I couldn’t remember who was the caterer last night but we had several trips back to the buffet table. I didn’t even care about dieting nor the fact that I was still drinking CarbTrim — let’s now see your efficacy! Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, I was unlucky with the raffle. I was so unlucky that my ticket number 1414 was almost picked several times. The numbers, 1412, 1413, 1415 and 1417 were picked out of the bowl, as well as 1424, 1434 and also 1484. Fate has to remind me again that I should work hard if I want something and not be dependent on luck.

With his, hopefully, winning ticket for the raffle

To make matter worse, the committee in charge of the program had to drastically and deliberately delay the raffling off of the MacBooks. There was a band who sang non-stop for more than 30 minutes, as if it was a shaking-off medley to test the people waiting for the raffle. It actually worked because when they began drawing out stubs, a string of names had been called and the people were no longer present. It was literally a drawn out event that the whole thing had not finished until a little past 2 AM.

Mon and I's most decent picture together using my camera LOL - Manila, Philippines "mulberry bag philippines" comme des garçons
(The best picture that our crazy and energetic officemates can take, given the festive atmosphere)

I just dragged Mon to the ‘wall’ (or whatever you call it) because we haven’t had our picture taken with it. The raffle was almost over when we positioned ourselves to take pictures and we had to rush taking each others’ photos. We then ran out of the venue, a time-tested tactic of ours, to avoid the rush of people scrambling to go home.

Black 'Red Heart' shirt from Play by Comme des Garcons, brick pants, black 8-hole Doc Martens, black Mulberry Bayswater in Congo leather - "mulberry bag philippines"

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A better shot of the two of us!

We got home in about an hour, which was pretty fast, considering we went all the way to Marikina. I just felt a bit nauseous, maybe because of the glutton-fest that had happened a few hours back that I had to drink a can of pineapple juice. When I was already checking over my bag from last night, I was mortified to see that the bottle of alcohol inside had accidentally opened and spilled on the bottom of my Bayswater. >_< I was hoping it would dry off but as it has already happened last night, then the mark will most probably be permanent. Why haven’t I checked on it last night? I could have done something to prevent it. Big consolation: the liquid hasn’t penetrated the leather and the finishing/sheen from the outside was not affected.

Alcohol stain inside my Mulberry Bayswater

All in all, the alcohol stain hasn’t dampened my spirit. I had a fun night even if that raffle has annoyed the hell out of me.

Brick and black

Few months ago, I wore the same top and pants as today but with the only brown pair of Doc Martens I have. Then I realized that I have never used the pants with any of my black DMs. But then again, I only wore the pants a few times more than my usual black ones.

Blue chinese-collar polo, brick pants, 8-hole Doc Martens, Mulberry wexford messenger briefcase - Manila, Philippines

Mulberry wexford messenger briefcase and black 8-hole Doc Martens - Manila, Philippines

Honestly, as the weather was still hot, I get too lazy dressing properly for work and I just go the office in the most basic things (a T-shirt most of the time) and just change with the clothes I keep in the office. But recently, after almost five years, I just found out the location of the shuttle station near our place that services all the way to Ayala Avenue, Makati. For years, I thought that the only station was near Concepcion Church and they only operate in the morning. I really could not remember what triggered me to research about the other one that operates until afternoon, but I got there anyway. For five consecutive work days, I’ve been taking the shuttle service and it was really more comfortable (as expected). Also, this comfort now allows me to give ‘better’ office dressing another chance. =)

Rainy trip the light fantastic

Apparently, there was a storm signal raised since last night and we were not aware of it, given the whole Big Bang preoccupation. So it was not surprising that today, I was woken up by the sound of heavy raindrops by our roof. I just hope it won’t be raining cats and dogs because I’m still traumatized by the last August’s unfortunate event.

Check polo, black H&M sweater, JAG jeans, black 8-hole Doc Martens, black Gucci microfiber messenger bag - Manila, Philippines

Just as I thought that the rainy season was finally over, here comes another typhoon. Although it did not directly hit Metro Manila (and our brothers down south were the ones ravaged by it), I had to dress ready for the rain and wind. My umbrella almost got broken because the gust was quite strong and I even had to mend it before going down.

Trip the light fantastic - Manila, Philippines

Anyway, I was on a Sophie Ellis-Bextor galore for the past few days, particularly over her album ‘Trip the Light Fantastic‘ and I think of vortices and fast moving lights. So when on my way home, I took this shot using my digicam of pretty lights in motion. It just made me happy, that’s all. =D

I’m also that abysmally delinquent!

Last July 24, I was exasperated over the two books that were not returned on time by the person who had borrowed them (which turned out to be a classmate of mine). But now, the due date of these books that I borrowed were on August 9, 2012 but I only had the sense to return them earlier. Last week, I saw a post of a classmate thinking out loud whether the library checks on people who borrowed books, if they were still alive because the ones that she needed were still not yet returned. I have a nagging feeling that she was looking for these two books — of course I did not reply to her status. >_<

Library fine - Asian Center Library, UP Diliman

So before going to work, I went to the library to FINALLY return them. I paid Php 90 pesos per book, for a total of Php 180. In UP, they charge Php 2.00 per day for regular circulation books, but it  costs higher for reserved titles.

GT Toyota UP Asian Center Library - UP DilimanI just realized that it will be the last time that I’d be entering this library, well hopefully. I’m optimistic over the results of my comprehensive examinations and after this semester, there’s no point in enlisting for residency with library use.

White and gray stripes longsleeves, skinny khaki pants, black 8-hole Doc Martens with  buckle and strap, Gucci  black monogram sling, Louis Vuitton Epi Noir Cles - Manila, Philippines

Louis Vuitton Epi Noir - detailed shot - Manila, Philippines

As I was carrying books, I just brought this little sling bag. But it was surprisingly spacious as I was able to fit in a lonn wallet, a pouch full of trinkets, my IDs, iPod, a digital camera, an agenda, keys with lanyard, a USB flashdrive and an umbrella. This is actually Hermione Granger’s handbag. LOL I can’t remember when was the last time I used such a small bag to work; but carrying a convenient bag was, after all, liberating. My shoulders and arms were briskly thanking me.

With Tin in Asian Center - UP Diliman

After leaving the library, I was surprised to see Tin rushing towards my direction. She was on her way to submit her term paper to one of her professors, and as I found out, she’s still trying to finish another paper for her 299 class. Well, I’m not going to pretend that I miss all the rush of beating the clock when the semester ends, but it made me wonder what should I be doing next. I went to graduate school in 2009 due to the sheer interest of learning new things. And now that I’m about to finish it, what’s next?

J’adore mon Epi Noir!

And it finally arrived! I can’t even remember that I was disappointed with the Globe GCASH ‘fiasco’ I had yesterday the moment I opened the parcel.

Louis Vuitton Black Epi Leather Key Pochette Cles details, key-ring, embossed LV initial and Monogram Wallet - Manila, Philippines

I know I loved my lost Marc Jacobs coin purse, whose lost I had constantly complained about, but I can’t be more happy of this replacement! I knew deep down that I did not have to rush in buying any coin purse because I was secretly hoping to find a reasonably priced epi leather item or even just a nice looking leather coin purse. And after more than two months of searching, I finally have another one! Frankly, I’m not a big fan of the key-ring because it makes the item more feminine. But as I can easily hide it inside, it wasn’t that big of a deal anyway. The compartment itself isn’t that roomy, though. Sure I can fit in a few cards and train tickets, but it can’t fit the usual amount of coins the same way my old one did.

Chinese collar polo, jeans, 8-hole Doc Martens, J. Peterman Counterfeit Mailbag

Today is Friday and I was originally about to go to UP and return books that are already overdue (not just for a month, but even more!). I can’t wait for tomorrow because we will be ‘treasure hunting’ and most of all, I’ve been wanting to watch ‘Taken 2’ since last week! Happy Friday it is!