Footing the Bill

I still remember the night when Momon and I sort of officially agreed that we are getting married. On a piece of yellow pad, we wrote down some thoughts on the wedding ceremony, the entourage, the date, etc. That was around October 2006, when Momon just finished the CPA Board Exams.

Fastforward about 2 years. We decided to finally put our wedding plans in motion last January 2008. With the help of my best friend, Benedict, we visited a bridal fair in Megamall to gather leaflets and brochures to use as basis for our wedding budget. Eto rin ang the same day that we ate at Aysee's Sisig. Haha!

Ayan, ginamit namin ang math skills in Ben, he and I managed to read through all the leaflets and establish a reasonable budget of 300K. From here, Momon and I computed a monthly amortization of 4,000 pesos each over a period of 32 months, with an initial cash out of P60,000 each.

To make the money earn a little more, we have opened two time deposit accounts, both with one-year maturity. The second is due to mature on Jaunary 5, 2010! Yey! As of today, we are on target.

This experience of managing our combined finances has given us a certain level of confidence, knowing that we are not completely lost about money matters, and that we know how to save diligently and prioritize our expenses. I'm sure we will be proud to say that we spent for our own wedding. :D We hope to keep this system of saving through our marriage, when planning to buy our home or a car, etc.

ARCHITECT VINCENT

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PRC January 2009 Architects (Architecture) Licensure (Board) Examination Results

The result of the Philippine Architects (Architecture) Licensure (board) Examination which was held in Manila on January 16 & 18, 2009 has been released by the PRC. See below for the full list of passers:

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 372 out of 942 passed the Architect Licensure Examination (ALE) given by the Board of Architecture headed by its Chairman, Arch. Armando N. Alli with two other members, Arch. Angeline T. Chua Chiaco and Arch. Marietta B. Segovia. The results of examination with respect to two (2) examinees were withheld pending final determination of their liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examinations. The results were released in twenty-two (22) working days after the last day of examination.

January 2009 Architects Board Exam Topnotchers:

1. CERISE ANNE ABENOJA MINA, MAPUA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 80.20
2. ANGELLO CUBOL ADRIANO, MAPUA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 79.30
3. VANGIE CHERYL CIMAFRANCA ULILA, UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS 78.60
4. VINCENT JO BAGAY HIPOLITO, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES DILIMAN 78.10
5. ARSENIO BAGARES WAJE JR., COLUMBAN COLLEGE-OLONGAPO CITY 77.80
6. ALEXANDER ZAMUDIO ADIOVA, FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY MANILA 77.60
7. KAREN ANNE URBANO NAGUIT, UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS 77.40
8. CRIS JAN MUTIA BANAAG, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES DILIMAN 77.20
9. MARC LAWRENCE PATONGAN AQUINO, SAINT LOUIS COLLEGE OF SAN FERNANDO 77.00
9. DIANE FAYE ATIENZA GAPAS, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINESDILIMAN 77.00
10. NHEIL TUMULAK CRISOSTOMO, UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS 76.80
10. JADE RAFALLO OCOT, SAINT JOSEPH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 76.80
10. JUAN CRISOSTOMO RAVAGO OLIVEROS, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES DILIMAN 76.80

Ben's Valentine Greeting

Happy 14th of Feb to the two dearest couples I hold close to my heart: the Mymies and the Hunnies. Thanks for showing me what love is everytime we're together. I hope it won't be long til you meet the new couple... the Brownies. Hehe. Joke lang! Happy hearts day!

- Ben

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We love you Ben!

KNN is a FINALIST IN 11th PHILIPPINE WEB AWARDS!

WE'RE a FINALIST IN 11th PHILIPPINE WEB AWARDS!

Hey Kabataan! Thanks to all your votes and support, KNN is now officially a finalist in the 11th Philippine Web Awards! From 10 semifinalists, the list has been narrowed down to 5, keeping us in the running for Best Web Site in the Entertainment Category.

Please continue to vote using the following channels:

To vote VIA TEXT, type:
WEBBYS VOTE 61

Send to the following numbers:
2973 for Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers
2955 for Smart and Talk and Text subscribers

To vote online:
Register here. Click on to vote for a site at the Member's Lounge page. Online voting is Free!

SMS and online voting will run until 11:59 PM of February 26, 2009. The entry that receives the most number of votes in its group will win the Peoples Choice Award for that category.

The complete list of the 2008 finalists can now be viewed in the official PWA site in the Member's Lounge of www.philippinewebawards.com.

VOTE NOW!

Numerology for Me

Was in Astoria Plaza today for an ocular. Had a festive Chinese buffet lunch and free consultation with a numerologist. The results...

My birthday: August 1, 1983
8 + 1 + 21 = 30 or in essence = 3

According to her, 3 is a lucky number. Very lucky daw.

According to her, I have varied interests, high mental faculties, often misunderstood because I tend to go ahead of everybody, jack of all trades and must try to specialize. She says that 3 is a number for showbiz and self-expression.

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In 2008, starting from my birthday of August
8 + 1 + 10 = 19 or in essence = 1

Sept = 19 + 9 (being that Sept is the 9th month) = 28 or in essence = 1
Highlight of the year, maraming ginawa
Oct = 29 or in essence 11
Lagare, had to juggles in between choices
Nov = 30 or 3
Completion of work, feast, celebration
Dec = 31 or 4
Conflict of interest
Jan = 2
Turning point of life, lots of decisions to do
Feb = 3
Trip or travel
Mar = 4
Doors are opening
Apr = 5
Contracts, changes
May = 6
Harmony, success in ventures
Jun = 7
Sudden decision to leave or travel
Jul = 8
Karmic, influential people, mentors or helpers
Aug = 2
Turning point, decision

In 2009
8 + 1 + 11 = 20 or 2

Sept = 11
Highlight, choices, use mental faculty
Oct = 30/3
Completion, luck, travel
Nov = 4
Di ko maintindihan ang sinulat nya
Dec = 5
Victory over odds

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Hehehe! Kakaibang experience. We'll see.

Manny vs Oscar

I like this one the best. It's a simple Round by round from ESPN. I really don't need all the analysis and I won't pretend to know more about boxing.

May mga funny hirit din ang sumulat nito. and I super admire his/her skill in coming up with descriptive and succint sentences that truly fuel your desire to watch the match.

If for some reason you were under a rock this last Sunday, here's how, sabi ng nga ESPN, "Manny turned The Dream Match into a nightmare for Oscar":

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DARIUS ORTIZ: Ladies and gents, The Dream Match is upon us!

DARIUS ORTIZ: National anthems under the way.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Chants of Manny! ring through the arena.

DARIUS ORTIZ: That scent you smell in the air? That’s a shirtless, steaming mad De La Hoya pacing back and forth in his dressing room like someone hid his boxing rope.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Manny Pacquiao saying a prayer. Now he makes his way to the ring.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Manny walking to the theme of We Will Rock You. Didn’t De La Hoya walk to that against Fernando Vargas?

DARIUS ORTIZ: Hope he’s got the song on loop; he’s taking his time getting to the ring.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Longest ring walk ever.

DARIUS ORTIZ: I called it. We Will Rock You plays again.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Through the casino, down the escalator, quick stop at the buffet…and he’s in the arena. Filipino crowd goes wild!

DARIUS ORTIZ: Pacquiao saying a prayer in his corner.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Oscar De La Hoya making his way to the ring.

DARIUS ORTIZ: The Golden Boy walks to Mariachi music.

DARIUS ORTIZ: De La Hoya is in the ring and saluting the crowd. Tomas Mendoza waves the flag from the corner.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins looking swanky in suits.

DARIUS ORTIZ: Let’s hear it Michael Buffer: Let’s get ready to rumble!

DARIUS ORTIZ: Pacquiao introduced first. He looks calm and even breaks a smile as he’s announced.

DARIUS ORTIZ: How can you not love Pacquiao?

DARIUS ORTIZ: De La Hoya introduced next. Boos ring through the crowd.

DARIUS ORTIZ: The Golden Boy looks stoic but intense.

DARIUS ORTIZ: The men touch gloves.

ROUND 1

ROUND 1: And we’re off!

ROUND 1: Oscar dishing out his jab. De La Hoya pressing forward.

ROUND 1: De La Hoya looks gigantic in front of Pacquiao. PacMan looks like a boy.

ROUND 1: De la Hoya doles out his jab. Pacquiao picking his spots.

ROUND 1: Pacquiao unleashes a combo then moves out quickly.

ROUND 1: De La Hoya is raking the body.

ROUND 1: Pacquiao grazes Oscar with a hook.

ROUND 1: Pacquiao is finding his range. He stays outside, finds an opening, leaps in and strikes.

ROUND 1: De La Hoya wobbles Pacquiao against the ropes.

ROUND 1: Pacquiao is using solid lateral movement. Pacquiao wobbles Oscar with a left.

ROUND 1: Pacquiao finishes the round on his bicycle.

ROUND 2

ROUND 2: De La Hoya backs Pacquiao up with a left but Pacquiao fires back with his own left.

ROUND 2: De La Hoya isn’t moving enough and is getting caught flush with left leads.

ROUND 2: PacMan now has De la Hoya backing up.

ROUND 2: De La Hoya throws a three-punch combination but Pacquiao blocks the majority of it.

ROUND 2: Pacquiao lands another left lead. His speed is overwhelming Oscar.

ROUND 2: Pacquiao is potshotting. A body shot forces him to lower his guard.

ROUND 2: Pacquiao lands an uppercut to a stationary De La Hoya.

ROUND 2: Oscar’s feet are in sand. De La Hoya is a much more elusive target.

ROUND 2: Manny hooking with his right. You don’t hook with a hooker, Manny.

ROUND 2: Manny lands a jab just before the bell.

ROUND 3

ROUND 3: Dan Rafael puts it perfectly: The difference in hand speed is amazing.

ROUND 3: De La Hoya lands a thudding jab but Manny Pacquiao walks through it.

ROUND 3: Pacquiao lands a head-snapping left lead. De La Hoya waddles forward.

ROUND 3: De La Hoya seems frustrated. He’s throwing bombs but most miss.

ROUND 3: Pacquiao working his jab. De La Hoya looking to hook off of it.

ROUND 3: Finally, De La Hoya is utilizing his jab.

ROUND 3: De La Hoya lands a right to the body. Manny responds with his own body shot.

ROUND 3: De La Hoya works the jab then follows it with a hook. Better round for Oscar.

ROUND 4

ROUND 4: De La Hoya lumbering forward to begin Round 4. He leaps in with a combo but misses wildly.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao lands a pair of left hands to De La Hoya’s exposed chin. De La Hoya’s hands are way too low.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao, the smaller fighter, is outjabbing De La Hoya.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao has lost all respect for De La Hoya as he leaps in with uppercuts.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao is on his toes, peppering De La Hoya with hooks and crosses.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao digs in and unloads body punches. De La Hoya seems stunned.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao is handing circles around De La Hoya.

ROUND 4: Pacquiao is dropping his hands but he can’t pull the trigger. Freddie Roach called it!

ROUND 5

ROUND 5: Round 5, Manny on his bicycle.

ROUND 5: De La Hoya’s guard is higher and he’s pumping the jab. He looks a little better now.

ROUND 5: A two-punch combo wobbles Oscar.

ROUND 5: Oscar looks downright old.

ROUND 5: Forget pull the trigger, De La Hoya doesn’t even have a gun.

ROUND 5: Pacquiao leaps in with a left. De La Hoya sees it coming but he can’t get out of the way.

ROUND 5: Oscar trudges forward, right into incoming fire.

ROUND 5: Oscar lands a body shot and follows it with four hooks.

ROUND 5: Both men trade at the bell. Oscar looks extremely frustrated.

ROUND 6

ROUND 6: Both men trading jab to begin Round 6.

ROUND 6: Pacquiao coming forward but he looks a little winded. He’s expended a ton of energy in the first five rounds.

ROUND 6: De La Hoya moving back now. he’s waiting for Pacquiao to move in.

ROUND 6: Both men trade body blows. Pacquiao raises his fists.

ROUND 6: Pacquiao just misses with a right hook. The follow-up left doesn’t miss its mark.

ROUND 6: Pacquiao lands a thudding right hand to De La Hoya’s skull.

ROUND 6: Pacquiao blitzes De La Hoya with a four-punch combo just before the bell.

ROUND 6: Dan Rafael says Oscar is totally shot. I’m not so sure. Obviously, this isn’t the Oscar of 10 years ago, but Pacquiao’s just the better man tonight.

ROUND 7

ROUND 7: Pacquiao using his jab beautifully now. De La Hoya just can’t find his feet.

ROUND 7: De La Hoya putting his jab out there. Pacquiao waltzes around it.

ROUND 7: A hook/uppercut combo backs up Oscar. Pacquiao is trying to finish him!

ROUND 7: Pacquiao’s punches are landing with authority. Oscar looks pathetic.

ROUND 7: De La Hoya has no legs underneath him.

ROUND 7: Oscar has stopped punching back.

ROUND 7: De La Hoya waves him in. Bad idea.

ROUND 7: De La Hoya throws an uppercut but misses badly.

ROUND 8

ROUND 8: Pacquiao working his jab. De La Hoya still not punching.

ROUND 8: Pacquiao lands a left, then a right.

ROUND 8: De La Hoya comes to life but Pacquiao responds with his own fire.

ROUND 8: Pacquiao lands a four-punch combo to De La Hoya’s ribs.

ROUND 8: This is Oscar’s last stand. he has no answer and looks out of his league.

ROUND 8: Pacquiao looking for one more left hand to finish the fight.

ROUND 8: Oscar lands a half-hearted combo. Pacquiao mocks him. Pacquiao tries to finish the fight just before the bell.

ROUND 8: Lots of discussion going on in the corner.

ROUND 8: De La Hoya quits!

ROUND 8: Pacquiao crying in his corner!

ROUND 8: Total devastation, as Dan just put it.

And the Philippines rejoice! Hahaha!

Birthday Celebrations

It's August... and it's my birthday month!
Ahahaha! Talagang month talaga ang inangkin! Feeling game show host na kapag birthday ay buong week ang mga kaibigan ang naglalaro!

So far, masaya naman ang mga naging celebrations ng birthday ko. :)

July 31
Lunch at Bagoong Club with PMFI family
Ate Yas, Tita Nancy and Danz joined me for a sumptuous lunch at Bagoong Club (Scout Area). We had sinigang na salmon sa miso, pork inasal, kare-kareng gulay and bagoong rice. Sarap! We also had 4 different desserts which we shared.

Karaoke Dreams
After lunch we went to Crossroad 77 to watch a play called "Karaoke Dreams". It's a production of PETA sponsored by The International Organization for Migration. Syempre free lang ang tickets kasi partner din namin ang IOM sa ibang projects nila.

August 1
Circles Buffet with family
We spent the evening of my actual birthday at Makati Shangri-La trying to conquer the Circles Buffet. Yes, kainan talaga to! Nag-team up pa kami ni Momon para matikman namin lahat (ng gusto namin) without stuffing ourselves too much!

Hmmm... though we must say that we enjoyed Spiral Buffet better, nagenjoy pa rin kami sa Circles. We liked the duck, japanese dishes and super creamy vanilla ice cream and our favorite crepes!

Syempre masaya kasi may bouquet pang bigay sakin si Momon. :)

August 3
Although hindi naman talaga to celebration... aangkinin ko na rin.

Lung Center Sunday Market
Ben, Rhea, Vincent, Momon and I visited the Lung Center Sunday market. Kain kaliwa't kanan. If you've been to these market, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, naku pumunta na kayo. Super daming pwedeng kainin, na gusto namin lahat. Madami ring pwedeng bilhin--halaman, fresh goods, damit, aso, furniture, etc, etc!

Unfortunate lang kasi medyo umuulan-ulan kaya kailangan naming magpayong habang kumakain, at maputik ng onti ang daanan. Kumain kami ng tuna belly, binagoongan, palabok, ilocos empanada, sisg, crispy crablets, stuffed crab, pancit habhab at buko-lychee sherbet.

Trinoma
Duoma! Although napaka-ordinary na para sa kanilang tatlo, super baguhan talaga kami ni Momon sa Trinoma. Wala pa kong 10 times nakakapunta dun, for sure. Naglibot-libot lang, bought some things for myself and my camera. Then went home to rest.


Upcoming Events:
Aug 10 - ASAP '08 guesting
Aug 14 to 18 - Hong Kong Trip with Momon and Ben
Aug 19 onwards - pulubi mode

Snow World for Rhea's 24th Birthday!

We celebrated Rhea's birthday at Snow World, Star City last June 14.

Umeffort talaga ako dito. E sabi kasi -15 degrees! So, ako naman, ang worst kong naranasan e -6 degrees. Sabi ko, naku, haggard ito. Kailangan maghanda otherwise masasayang lang ang money at baka mag-give up kami agad sa lamig.

Nasad din kami nung una na di pwedeng magdala ng camera, pero ok na rin pala kasi mada-damage ang camera sa super lamig.

So... come Saturday... ang dami kong dala!
3 bonnets, 3 sets of gloves, 2 scarves, sweatshirt, extra pants, North Face waterproof shoes, toes socks, and 2 winter jackets for me and Momon.

Pinagtawanan nila ko! Pero sabi ko, "Ako ang tatawa sa inyo pag nanlamig na kayo sa loob! Hahaha!"

Si Bennet, super excited, sa ticket booth pa lang naka-full attire na. Mukha tuloy kaming mangho-holdap, with red gloves! Alam na alam tuloy ng mga tao na sa Snow World kami pupunta. Sa sobrang excited din ni Ben, pumasok sya sa closet, akala nya yun na ang entrance.

Brr! Pumasok na kami! Malamig, duh! Pero it's more of ICE World than Snow World, really. Feel ko di naman yun -15. May mga ice sculptures pero pasira na at madumi na.

Ang pinakamasayang part ay ang slides na paikot. Kukuha ka ng board at magsa-slide ka. Nakakagulat sa una, muntik akong mapa-slide na walang board kasi ang dulas. Aray! At pagnagre-race kami nila Momon and Ben, ako laging talo. Si Momon may technique na hindi ko alam kahit na saan slot sya mag-slide, sya pa rin nauuna. Tinulak na nga ako ng ng isang staff gamit ang walis kasi sa bandang end ng slide e natitigil ako.

May isa pang slide na diretso lang at uupuan mo lang ang jacket. Corny to, pero naging nakakatawa kasi hindi kami umaandar ni Momon. Nakakahiya tuloy.

Isa lang photo namin kasi P100 per photo, yak! Tinulungan ko pa ang photographer magframe. Ok ba ang kinalabasan?

Nakapag-batuhan din naman kami ng snow, kasi kuniha namin yung mga naipong 'snow' sa mga puno. Ginaya kami ng mga bata, pero sila ang napagalitan. Hahaha!

All in all, masaya sya. Mainly because kasama ko ang C5 (naks!). Medyo matagal kami sa loob, mga 1 hour at masasabing kong nasulit namin. Punta rin kayo!

Happy birthday Rhea!

Another 90 Days

I finished my 90 day fitness regime last April 25.

Between April 25 and today, I've had an erratic workout routine. Super taliwas sa naging fitness plan ko through the first 90 days. I played volleyball every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights; 1.5 hours of Yoga every Saturday; and some workouts during the week.

As for my food intake... I didn't have any difficulties caused I'd like to believe that I've trained myself to stay away from fatty and processed food. Pero I had some slip-ups, syempre. I baked cookies, and I ate some of them.

I didn't weigh myself weekly.

***

Fortunately, though, I did not gain. I take this as an indication that I'm ready for another 90 days of intense fitness activities. Finally, my body is comfortable with my new weight and can actually give up some more weight. I'd also like to have more muscle definition, in the arms and abs, specifically.

I'm embarking on this second 90 days because I want to lose 4 more lbs. I also crave exercise and I feel so much more inspired when I have a schedule and a goal. But more so because I'm slowly feeling myself slipping back to my old eating habits, and I want to stop it right now.

So, good luck to me! Day 1 is on Monday, June 16.

Goodbye Justin

I don't know how to start this entry. I feel like crying again. I'm so sad, I'm so angry.

If you've been reading my entries since I started blogging, you'd know that I adore and follow the career of Justine Henin. Today, she announced her retirement from professional tennis--effective immediately. She is rank number one in the WTA for over 100 weeks, with those in rank two trailing by a thousand points.

I was actually thinking about her just this morning. I was thinking about a blog entry about my anticipation for the French Open--na maga-absent na naman ako, na si Sab e magpupuyat, at maloloka na naman kami sa YM, na si Justine na naman ang screen saver ko, na lalampasuhin nya lahat ng kalaban nya, na for 4 years running she will rule the French Open. Nagka-countdown na nga ako sa French Open.

Then, I hear about this news.
Hindi ako makapaniwala. Why? Bakit ngayon pa with the French Open coming? Naiyak talaga ako. I just can't believe it. I really feel bad.

Justine said na she can't find the desire to play anymore, and she doesn't worry that her injuries take longer to heal. She's finally contented with her life, that she can let go of playing tennis.

When Sab and I talked, lalo pa kong nasad. Sab said na sana inantay ni Justine ang French Open. Parang si Sampras daw nung nagretire, sya pa rin ang nanalo sa US Open. Maganda sana kung inannounce nya ang retirement tapos malalaro pa sya, tapos todo support ang fans, standing ovation and all, farewells and tributes. Go out with a bang.

I think the reason why I'm so sad is because I'm really gonna miss watching her, the superb backhand, the precise shots, and the immense concentration only a champion athlete can show. I'll definitely be very sad watching the games this year, and I'll have to find a new player to root for.

Hay... good luck to your new life, Justine. I will really miss you.