Catching the Olympic Fever

First of all, I celebrate because I finally got my Suncell wi-fi broadband unit back! That's reason to happy as I haven't blogged in a month. Blame that on a wi-fi that didn't connect to the world-wide web and a laptop that is so Jurassic it would put the sloth to shame.

Now that I mentioned the world-wide web, let me just say that I was impressed with Sir Thomas Berner Lee's appearance at the opening night of the 2012 Olympics in London. For some reason, I find that the opening ceremonies were understated but very impressive. Unlike the past Olympics which were a hodge-podge of pyrotechnics and hi-tech gadgetry, the London Olympics had a story line that traced Great Britain's history The entire gala was peppered with vignettes on Britain's accomplishments, their contributions to the world, their music, culture and a lot of tongue in cheek humor.

Photo from www.guardianuk.com

Even Mr. Bean, a.k.a. Rowan Atkinson had to take a back seat to Her Majesty, the Queen's cameo appearance with James Bond, a.k.a. Daniel Craig. That move on the part of the Queen was so uncharacteristic, everyone watching was so pleasantly surprised she agreed to take part in the ploy. Her Majesty shown jumping off the helicopter was of course, accomplished by a free diver. Later on she appears before a jovial crowd in the same outfit to open the games.

The Queen with Princess Anne and David Cameron. Photo from Guardian UK

I try so hard to follow the events in Solar sports, but god!!! Those commercials just bore me to bits. So far, China leads the medal tallies... like, big surprise!!!! USA comes in second. I was not at all surprised that swimming records set by Michael Phelps in Beijing started to crumble. These swimmers, both men and women, are shaped like sharks. Streamlined bodies and wide hands and feet (think Missy Franklin of USA with her size 13 feet) - all the better to move in the water with. So far, Ryan Lochte (Phelps' arch rival) is the new poster boy for swimming. He's won his second gold medal. However, there's some bit of controversy in the US swim world when even as Lochte is winning the medals, it's the women swimmers that are setting new world records. I adore Lochte's physique though... I've seen a bit of his training beyond his swimming routine... talk about pushing his limits!

Ryan Lochte after a heat enroute to the finals

Meanwhile, the big surprise is Kazakhstan. So far they have won 2 golds. North Korea is a revelation as well... they are third in the medals tally. Our athletes aren't doing well, actually. My heart goes out to them, really! I saw Haidylin Diaz in action... she did well in the snatch portion but gave in at the clean and jerk when she just couldn't sustain the weight above her head... I share her pain as she was leading at second place in her weight class before she buckled in the clean and jerk. China won the gold.  Our swimmer Lacuna was second to the last in his elimination heat. I didn't expect him to land anywhere near the other competitors... most of whom were longer and taller by at least half a foot.

Our ray of hope is young boxer Mark Barriga. He won over his Italian opponent in  his division making him eligible for the round of sixteen in the quarter finals. This young pugilist from Davao might surprise everyone just yet... Let's pray for his success.

Meanwhile, I can only gawk in awe at the marvelous specimens that are competing for gold medals. The divers get younger and younger... China took the gold in the synchronized diving events for men. Mexico edged out the US for silver. The host country could only place fourth. While in men's gymnastics the team events were won by China. Japan questioned the judges' decision on Kohei Yamamura's pommel horse routine. Japan got silver edging out Great Britain. Poor Ukraine team who was supposed to settle for bronze after a great showing settled for fourth and no medal.

Chen Yibing in perfect form

Our hopes may be a little dim but that won't stop me from watching all the other events until closing date in August 18. I made it to the Atlanta Olympics in  '96... a distant memory now... but the experience is sooo worth a lifetime!

Out with the Opera Stars

I completely forgot to request for my tickets to The Barber of Seville. What a shame!

The good thing is, I got assigned for a full-day tour of Tagaytay City... and look who it was that I was supposed to entertain? The stars of the opera. Ruggiero Barbieri (conductor), Antonio Petris (director), Loretta Bonamente (assistant director) and Mario Cassi (Figaro).

It's pretty hard to impress Italians with our art and culture (or so I thought) as they have a country that is just overflowing with it. But I was proven wrong when they were at their most attentive. The road on the way to Tagaytay was pretty quiet. I allowed them to get some more zzzzzzs. they were pretty tired from a gala performance the previous evening after which came a formal dinner in their honor.

So the departure for Tagaytay was moved to 11:00 a.m. I thought it would be difficult to drive at that time but fortunately, the driver of CCP's coaster was pretty adept. I asked that he bring us directly to Antonio's for the scheduled lunch. Thankfully we did not lose our reservation as we were at the venue 5 minutes prior to one o'clock.

Lunch was an experience in itself. The guests were impressed with Antonio's cuisine. For those not in the know, Anotnio's is the place to enjoy fine dining in Tagaytay City. Owned by Chef Antonio Escueta, the restaurant is replete with old world charm tucked away in a one hectare property away from the maddening Tagaytay crowd. The food ain't bad either... it has the distinction of being fifth on the Miel's Guide of top restaurants world-wide.  If you wanna experience it, you gotta be willing to part with some of your hard-earned bucks. Well worth it, I would say.

The guests were grateful for a great meal with an ambience that seemed like they were transported back to Tuscany. How would you like to hear that? They were as ordinary as the next plain Joe that gets caught up in Tagaytay's quaint charm. I can see the comparison. Tagaytay's rolling hills and plantations make everything so green and easy on the eyes. Except that Mr. Barbierri hates the sometimes slow moving traffic along Aguinaldo Highway. That's about the only thing they didn't quite enjoy but it was an excuse to give commentaries and engage in conversation with the guests.

Next stop was Taal Vista Lodge for them to enjoy the view of Taal Volcano. We were warmly greeted by the staff and heads of the hotel. We took our obligatory photos and had some palitao, siopao and glasses of iced tea by the veranda while talking and exchanging views on the volcano's episodes. Apparently Mario was scared of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Italy does get its fair share of those from time to time too.

We then proceeded to Tagaytay Highlands. It was getting dark with the rain clouds when we got there. We were welcomed and met at the clubhouse by the golf course. It had started to rain and the guests were going crazy trying to snap as many pictures as they can and posting them on Facebook. Loretta on the other hand, made friends with two Filipino kids who spoke fluent Italian. Apparently their dad had worked in Pisa for eight years and that was where they grew up. They were in the clubhouse that day and what a chance to meet with the opera stars and Mr. Barbierri's 11 year old son Piolo.

After some snacks and coffee (for me) and fresh fruit juice for the guests, it was time to get home. We took an alternate route that brought us directly to the SLEX where we headed for Manila Peninsula Hotel where the guests were billeted. It was a long fruitful day that was full of intellectual exchanges and pleasantries only the Italians could muster. Thank God I could manage a few sentences in Italian despite my foreign-sounding name.

Reaping Rewards

Some network providers extend an extra courtesy to their loyal subscribers. They provide them with new phones. after a lock in period of two years. It works two ways, actually. The subscriber gets a new phone that he may be longing to have or something that he aspires for.  The network on the other hand is assured of a lock-in period of two years, by which the phhone is duly paid for in two years time.

I was given a new LG e-400 phone which is sleek and stylish.It has a capacitive screen that is easily reactive to hand swipes. Handily, it fits my handbag slot as well as my hand. I got a stylus for it as well as a protective screen which should keep it looking like new.

After a few days of use, I noticed a fine line on the screen running horizontally near the top. I had to do something about it. I first went to the LG shop in Greenbelt only to find it closed for renovations. I had to go back to the Sunshop in Cash and Carry. The best they could do was refer me to another LG shop in MOA.

Off to Mall of Asia I went to have my phone fixed. The Technician wasn't there yet and while waiting I decided to have lunch at Okuya on the Food Center on the second floor. I had a bento of fried fish and bean sprouts and garnished with tofu in soy sauce.I twas filling and well seasoned. I would have wanted to eat some more but it was nearly one p.m. so I headed back to the LG store and had my phone fixed. I was told that they will call me when they have my phone repaired.

I spent the afternoon taking snapshots of the Mall of Asia with my camera and when it started to rain, I decided to head home. A fewdays later, I got a call from thje LG store that they had my phone repaired. I went back and got the hpone and as an added bonus, the techie updated my OS and added a few apps for my benefit. So now I am using my phone and enjoying its new features. I just have to bring it back in three month's time for another upgrade.

For three months now, I've been having trouble getting on the web with my wifi....Endless calls to the call center and and complaints to the customer service representative plus two re-configurations on my modem were no help. I had to bring over to the Sunshop in Robinson's Manila. Thankfully, the service representative had the initiative to inform me that my modem was still under warranty and she gave me a receipt to sign. She then informed me that they will call once the modem returns from the shop.The unit either gets repaired or changed. I hope I get this week though... I've been missing being online...

Homecomings

Two of my friends came home. One of them for good! Every time a friend arrives for a visit those of us who live here make it a point to get together and catch up on things. Marichi and I have been Facebook friends despite the distance. We haven't seen each other  in 23 years. So, no small wonder why we should at least meet for lunch and make the most of her limited time in the Philippines. Some of my college "barkada" took time out to be with us as well.

For lunch on day1, we met at the Cafe Adriatico in Gateway.
Cubao has become so much more accessible now that the Metro Railway passes right by it. I used to dread going there via public conveyance. I still do during rush hour... but the MRT
station is a god-send. I was there an hour of the appointed time. Yeah it was raining and was I glad that the MRT was there to take me to the cafe.

Minutes later, everyone started arriving and there was much to be delighted about. I did have fun seeing old friends who seem like they never aged a bit since college. Except we're wiser now! I did enjoy the ever-reliable menu that Cafe Adriatico had to offer. I was having too much fun snapping photos and chatting with my friends that i forgot about taking snapshots of the food.

There was just too much cheer to go around the food was a mere footnote to the merriment. I did have a pair of empanadas at Cafe Adriatico and then as I was hungry, had a plate of linguinni with marinara sauce.I was toofull to have some dessert so we decided to meet again the next day for dinner. 

Day 2

We made an agreement to meet at EDSA ShangriLa at six p.m. I was there by around three as my errand had finished early so I went re-discovering the little shops in the mall... This time, I drooled over some cocktail rings which I vowed I was gonna save up for.

The appointed restaurant was Cyma. I did take photos of the food this time. However, since my wifi and laptop aren't working properly, I will not be able to upload the rest of the photos.Suffice it to say that Chef Robbie Goco's take on mediterranean food was tasty and well-portioned. My watercress salad with feta cheese dressing was fresh and crunchy. The saltiness of the feta was perfect to my taste buds. My friend Emma found her pulled lamb sandwich a little too salty but she managed to finish up her meal with Gemma's help.Marichi had salad which she had shared with Gemma and Mael and a bowl of mussels.

We ate every morsel and Mael's cocktail habit had the group trekking to the nearby EDSA Shangri-la hotel's lounge where we had some drinks. Marichi had a concoction of lemon-lime mixed with Angustura bitters. I tried it and liked thedrink as it was non-alcoholic. We started loosening upwhen Marichi used her IPhone to hike up the music with our seventies anthems.

The party only broke up as we realized that our friend was parked at the mall and she had to beat the clockto get to it before closing hours. As we said our goodbyes, we hugged each other with the promise that we'll see each other again in the near future and do another evening on the town... the next one should e a blast as well.

As I close this article I'm wondering what went wrong with my modem. It used to work fine until a few months ago when it showed signs of slowing down and then finally, it got to a point where I couldn't get on the web anymore. Now I have a promise from Suncellular that they'll get back to me as soon as my modem gets fixed. What a relief! This article is waaaayyy overdue...