Ukay-Ukay Sunday

A growing tradition between me and my sister is to see each other during the weekend and spend half of the day strolling around somewhere, indulging ourselves with good food and sometimes, splurging on some cool purchases. Last Sunday, we visited Anonas and this three-storey building full of… ukay-ukay!

I’ve mentioned before how I’ve become used to buying from thrift stores mainly because there are a lot of them in Batangas and well because, there’s really a lot of good buys inside those smelly stores. I heard from one of my blockmates this building full of thrifted clothes and I don’t know anyone else who will be as excited as I was when she hears this good news.

First sighting of ukay-ukay in Anonas

To get to the ukay-ukay building, turn right from the South exit of Anonas station, and from there, you’ll see sidewalk vendors selling finger food, DVD’s, cheap accessories. I forgot to look for a landmark of where exactly was the building. I remember though that you have to pass by the supermarket first, but the building is before the church. It’s easy enough to find this building since there were a lot of people going in this direction anyway.

From Katipunan station of LRT2, we stopped at Anonas station (which was only one station away from Katipunan btw). I wasn’t familiar with the jeepneys yet, so it was safer to ride the LRT, although next time, it’s probably cheaper to ride the jeep than the LRT.

At the foot of the stairs, we were immediately greeted by this big store of ukay-ukay clothes, bags, and shoes. Luckily, they were on sale, with clothes for as cheap as 20 pesos! I managed to buy a dress and a top for less than a hundred pesos. My sister was even luckier; she found a Nike hoodie for only 30 pesos! Haha! Super bargain buy right there.

 The 50 Peso Store 

 Inside the building

 Shoes for less than 300 pesos

 She likes 'em bags

 These unopened boxes give me reasons to come back hihi

For more than two hours, we were just coming in and out of stores, looking through racks and racks of thrifted clothes. I think it was their sale season since all the stores were on sale. I was happy to find this store that sells all clothes for only 50 pesos each. If you’ve been a regular ukay-ukay buyer, you would know that clothes that sell for only 50 or so pesos are those latak clothes, or clothes that were left behind already after months of being displayed. I was very happy to see that the stores in Anonas had great choices and were not latak. Another thing to take note of is that the stores have fixed prices. Maybe I was just shy to ask, but I think bawal tumawad, especially since the clothes are already on their rock-bottom prices.

By the time we got to the fourth floor of the building, I was already tired and didn’t have enough energy to look for anymore clothes. There was this thrift store that sells old books and toys as well. If only I wasn’t tired, I would have spent more time looking through their items.

 Happy with her purchase - watch for only 50 pesos

 Sneak peek: lots of prints right thurr

Rundown of the things I bought that day:

2 dresses                          30 + 180

2 tops                               20 + 50

1 tunic                              50              

                                      P   330

All of that for 300 pesos?! I mean, they're not new and may have been worn by people already dead, or people with AIDS, but just knowing that clothes like these can come really cheap is enough to make me giddy. This won't be the last time, Anonas!

On my way home I saw these cute little inflatable penguins along Katipunan Avenue. I wanted to buy, but I didn't know what to do with them. 

They looked even cuter when they were swaying back and forth

Of Pokemons

I was looking through my laptop for some files I needed, and I saw this.

Obviously something done by a bored little girl who infested my laptop while I was taking a bath on one day during Christmas break. That's Eevee and Pikachu, and when you combine both of them, you have an Eevee-Pikachu sprite! Let's name this little guy Pivee or Eevichu.

You see, I was also a huge fan of Pokemons before. I used to play the actual game in our old GBA and GBSD. Aside from Pokemon blue red, and yellow (was there really a yellow one?), I also played the GBA version of the trading card game. My cousin bought the actual trading cards, complete with the playing mat and we’d play every afternoon after school. I wanted a Pokedex (picture shown above) so badly before that every time we’d go to Toy Town, I’ll go directly to the Pokemon section and look through the Pokedex box. My mom just didn’t get the idea of buying a Pokedex, so she bought me a stuffed toy Pikachu instead. I loved it anyway.

It’s just funny now how my sister is obsessed with the same thing and would do the same thing I did 10 or 12 years ago. But instead of just looking at the box, my mom would actually buy her all those Pokemon toys she wanted. It’s just sad that I can’t remember the names of the Pokemons now, when before, I knew each and everyone of them, to the point that I even know who comes before who in their Pokemon Alphabet. I had the poster okay, so there was no reason for me not to know these Pokemons as well as I know my Alphabet.

Anyway, better get to back to thesis writing. Have I told you that in six weeks' time, I'd be free from all kinds of school work?

Immersion Weekend in Barangay Galvan

I’m sorry for the unannounced hiatus. It’s just that a lot of things have been happening lately that I just couldn’t find the time and energy to post anything. For one thing, I’ve been very sick last week. I’m not entirely sure why I have been practically vomiting everything I’ve eaten or why I have had splitting headaches and tummy aches for three days last week. But I’m okay now, so I don’t feel the need to go back to the doctor to get checked. Heehee. Aside from my sick leave, I’ve been doing a lot of school work, reading readings, interviewing EB applicants, and writing chapter four of our thesis. I’m still doing those things right now, but I’m stalling hence the blog post.

I also wanted to show you the pictures I took using my cellphone about my adventure last January 7-9 in Barangay Galvan, Guimba, Nueva Ecija. As part of the requirements for our theology class, we are to go on a three-day immersion in specific provinces in Luzon or in different sectors in the city. I was scheduled to go live with the farmers in Nueva Ecija. A greater part of me was really nervous, not because of the community I’ll be living with, but more of the sad truth that I don’t really know anyone from my immersion group. I was initially transferred from one group because I had to take the UST Medical Admission test on the supposed day of my immersion. So anyway, I had to be confident enough to go on this immersion without knowing anyone.

It was a three-hour bus ride from Cubao to Guimba where we rode another jeepney going to the barangay of Galvan. To be honest, it exceeded my expectations. I’m not saying this because I’m aloof or anything, but when I think of farmers, I immediately think of bahay kubo. A part of me felt sad for not seeing any more bahay kubo in the barangay. Hihi.

Upon our arrival, we were introduced to our foster family. I was extremely happy to know that my foster mother, Nanay Heidi, had grandchildren named Judy Ann, Ipoy and the baby boy Santino. We walked to her house which was adjacent to three or four houses. These other houses beside Nanay’s house belonged to her children who already had families of their own. She then directed us to the house we’ll be staying in. It was nice to know that we had a bukid as a backyard. I’ve never seen a rice field that wide and clear.

 Meet Judy Ann and Baby Santino, my foster siblings

Judy Ann told me I was her favorite because she met me first. Secretly, she was also my favorite because I felt so loved and liked by her. Whenever we go out of their house to stroll, she'd always hold my hand and feel proud that I was her sister. It felt really good. And it was comforting to have someone like her whom I can talk to about their family and how life goes in their barangay. 

 Ducks everywhere!

One of my immersion groupmates said her family served her with Adobong Bibe with the duck's milk as the dish's sauce. I wonder how that tasted like. People in this community don't usually serve meat or duck for their everyday meals. Aside from meat being very expensive, I'm guessing they prefer vegetables and fish over meat. 

 Bukid Backyard

I now miss waking up in the morning to something as beautiful as this. It wasn't my alarm that woke me up every morning during immersion; it was the sound of the ducks, the goats, the cows, and the dogs running around our backyard.

 Pusoy with the kids

 House window

I like how our windows were so comfortable since they allowed a lot of cool breeze to enter the house. I don't think there's ever a need for electric fans in places like this barangay. The weather was always the nice kind of warm.

John Paul

He was the cousin of my foster sister Judy Ann. We heard stories about John Paul crying because his family did not have any visitors from Ateneo. I also heard that he was gay, but I loved him anyway. He was so sweet to all of us and even asked for any kind of remembrance from us. I gave him a really tight hug!

 Kalbo 

John Paul's cousin Kalbo was really named as Rain Mark, mainly because it was raining during Kalbo's birth and first birthday.

On our first night in Galvan, we were lucky enough to have been invited to the Sayawan on the eve of a Galvan couple's wedding. You see, when they say Sayawan, they meant the traditional form of it and not the kind we're used to in clubs or bars. Sayawan, Galvan style, would require all dalaga (bachelorettes) to sit on chairs while the binata (bachelor) would ask the ladies to dance. It's something that's quite unusual, but enjoyable nonetheless. I danced with four Ilocanos that night, both young and old. HAHA.

Bayanihan 

These elderly women were washing plates and when one of our groupmates asked why they were washing plates, the women simply said they wanted to be of help to the couple who were about to get married. Would you help your neighbor even if you're not getting in return? I'm not so sure if I would.

(Almost) Newlyweds

"Oh when will they come?" said the fair maidens.

The next day, we had to wake up really early since we were scheduled to plant rice on our second day. And we did! One whole hectare planted with rice. It was cool and wasn't as hard as I expected it to be.

Nanay Heidi and her basket

After planting rice, we went to Tatay Randy's bahay kubo near the rice field to bring him lunch and to eat with him too. We brought fish, pinakbet and softdrinks to the kubo. At the back of his nipa hut, he was planting different kinds of vegetables like upo, tomatoes and sili. He would've allowed us to pick some if the vegetables were in season.

 Min Down!

In the afternoon, when we're done with all the house chores, we played softball - using a bamboo stick and a tennis ball. But I have to tell you, these kids are good, really good. We lost to them by 5 homeruns I think. Good vibes definitely. Every time a player is out, the kids would shout "Min dooown!" I didn't know it meant "men down" or an out.

 I helped Judy Ann cook the rice with charcoal

While the others were playing, we decided to come with Nanay to the town proper to buy food and probably some breakfast for the next day. It looked like your typical palengke, but with some weird stuff being sold. 

 Tinapa

Another kind of fish

Kwek-kwek + Chicken Skin

And finally, on our last night, we prepared a community night with all the people from the barangay. It was my first time to sing in front of people, and lemme tell you, it was not good. Haha!

After a week, I received a call from Judy Ann thanking me for the gift we sent her through our formator. It was just a collection of pictures that I've put together into one frame. It wasn't much, but hearing Judy Ann, it felt like it was the nicest gift she's ever received. I'm really happy to hear from her and to know that they're still okay over there. But what I'm really thankful for is the opportunity given to me to experience living with the farmers.

I wouldn't call their lifestyle a difficult one, nor was it the best choice for anyone. But I'll tell you this, they were the people who taught me how to take things easily, with no care for time or stress. The goodie bag we gave them was not enough to show how thankful I was for this immersion experience.

Stuff I Learn From My Dad

Don’t you just hate it when your new pens don’t write very well? I hate it when the pens I buy don’t have a consistent blackness (or whatever ink color they). I hate it even more that I feel that writing with this pen feels rough on the paper. I hate it a lot! And so, having pens that write very well is something we should all be thankful for. :)

Do you want to know how to keep your pens writing very well? Nope, tapping them on the table just won’t do. Avoiding to drop your pens can help, but not all the time. Here’s what I do.

Whenever I’ve consumed all the ink in my pen, I remove the metal tip of the used-up pen. Don’t worry, the ink won’t spill mainly because there’s no more ink.

So now, you have a new pen with a metal tip with ball point that’s bound to be unused and obviously rough. What you have to do is to remove the unused tip and replace it with the old metal tip.

Make sure you fasten the tip tightly so the ink will flow well into your tip and to the ball point of your pen. And there! A pen that works very well all the time.

Few things to remember:

This method only works for ball point pens. I tried it with gel pens and you can’t imagine the mess I’ve made. And also, long nose pliers are most recommended in removing and fastening the metal tips.

HAHAHA I make no sense, but I promise, the results are fantastic! :D

Just Saying

I went home today from thesis to see this.

You see, I don’t usually come home until it’s already dark outside. I prefer staying in school, studying in the library or hanging out with my friends, but usually it’s the former more than the latter. Anyway, so this was actually the first time for me to see this. I don’t know but there’s something about this scene, this picture that made me feel warm and homey. For the three years that I’ve been living in this cramped up room in Katipunan, I’ve never thought of it as something I’d consider as my second home away from home. Sure, it’s comforting to know there’s this room I can always go to when I’m tired from the day’s work, a room where I can just let all the frustrations out without caring if anyone else hears me. It was more of an escape than a home. But today, I’ll indulge myself by saying that I felt this certain warmth when I went inside, a feeling that I can finally let down my guard and rest for a while.

Because of this, I figured I’d try something new. At least once a week, I’ll try to come home earlier, just in time to see this scene, the sun gently peering through my manila-paper-covered windows.

First Sunday of 2011

We were on our way to Town today, unaware that something worse than Sunday-afternoon-back-to-school traffic could possibly happen. As we were driving along STAR Tollway, my dad received a call from one of his sisters saying there was an accident involving three cars along the long bridge at STAR. It wasn’t the first time that we’ve heard of vehicular accidents happening at this tollway, so we carried on our trip. Five minutes into entering STAR, there was a long traffic line that was obviously caused by the accident we just heard. So we waited, and after a while we passed by the scene. It didn’t look severe; the windshield of the bus was shattered but it seemed like the passengers were all okay. Although wrecked, the car behind the bus seemed fine too. But what caused goosebumps to me, tears to my mom, and silence to my sister was what we saw when we turned our attention to the other side of the road.

Four or five people lay dead on the concrete, drenched in their own blood with only a piece of cardboard to protect them from their painful death and us from this sore sight. Just a few meters away from them was the jeepney that carried these poor men and women. Just like them, the jeepney was crushed and had nothing to cover it from shame but two more bodies, dead and burnt. The scene looked so fresh and depressing. No one in our family was prepared to see something so horrific on the first Sunday of the year. Nothing could have prepared us to see something like this that we were left to silence and prayers to those poor souls.
And for the rest of that trip, we were silent. We prayed for those people whom we did not know and prayed for whoever they have left behind. It made me think how it was like to be in an accident. Is it true that in that moment of life and death, everything comes back to you in a flash? Is there a light that opens up to you or closes? But what about the people you left behind? How would they feel when someone calls them and tells them you’re dead? Just when you’re still on that New Year high, you get a message informing you of your sibling’s death, how’s that like? Just thinking about it makes me shiver, what more if I were in those people’s shoes.

In my prayer, I prayed for hope. Hope for those who were left behind by the seven poor souls, hope for everyone else who saw that painful picture, and hope for myself and my family. One lesson I learned from the past year was the importance of never losing hope in anything or anyone. I’ve been mentioning how 2010 has been such a bad year, but what kept me pushing and thriving was that hope that there’s always next year. Hope is that same thing that keeps our Kythe kids and their parents alive; the hope that for reasons unknown, they can live longer and feel like a kid for a few more days or months. It’s that same hope that kept my little sister optimistic for the coming of her most awaited Christmas gift, and it was hope that gave her her toy. And it’s that same hope I pray that everyone can have for this year. That accident may not be the greatest thing to see on the second day of the year, but I guess, in some way or another, we were meant to see that to rattle us, to boggle our minds, and to push our hearts to later on understand that there is that bitterness that’s just lurking around, waiting for the right time to bite, and today our family was bitten. It sounds like a personal fable thing (or my effort to make this sound dramatic), but maybe, I had to see that kind of death to make me stronger, to wake up whatever is left sleeping inside of me, and to give me that kind of painful push to get up and get ready for this year. But then again, maybe it just happened that we were on our way to Town and coincidentally passed by STAR almost at the same time that the accident happened. I don’t know, but I’ll be dramatic and stick to my former thought.

If you wish to read more on this accident, click here.

On a lighter and happier note, I bought new kicks today! I was actually being nice and decided to use my Christmas money *sad cry* to buy my shoes. I don’t think I’ve purchased something this much with my own money.

Green Authentics! :)

And oh, have I mentioned that today was my first day of my 3-month pescetarian diet? It was a success!