Today I will tell....

Hunnie in Philippines! :-) Wife just arrived today. It's gonna be her birthday soon. So flew her over so we can celebrate together :-) Of course, come here, must eat local food, right? So, let's eat! Don't just concentrate on the prawns. Guess what sauce are those? More crab meat! Heavenly sinful! The satisfied look. As we look around, we realise 4 people in a table ordered 2 dishes for sharing.Here we are, two person, orderd 4 dishes. *tsk *tsk *tsk *terrible. It's her fault, she can't decide what to eat. So being the perfect husband, I don't want her to think, just order lah, babe. She insists on taking picture of this. I wonder is she trying to say something....

2nd week of work in Manila. Rice with crab meat, very rich and I'm sure sinful It sucks! One of the national pasttimes here is Karaoke. Locally known as Videoke. Every pinoy I've met so far love to sing. They acknowledge most of them are not good singers. But they like the idea of friends or families getting together to sing, and to laugh at each other, generally having a good time together. So, in Philipinnes, instead of seeing those kiosks for taking photos or arcade games, you will also see booths for videoke. Choose your songs, slot in coins, and sing away! Their local "taxi" This....is a view of one of the firm's office in Manila. They have a few offices, but this one is where I'm posted to. Yes, it doesn't look completed. Yes, there're people inside working already. I asked the locals, "has this building been issued Certificate Fit for Occupation?". They look puzzled "what's that?". This i...

First weekend in Manila I stay in Makati City. Metro Manila is made up of 9 different cities. Makati is one of them. There's Mandaluyong, Pasay, Quezon, Ortigas, and some other names I can't remember. Today, I've decided to try out their version of MRT. Took the train at Ayala station, near Glorietta shopping mall, and went north, waaaaay north. Then turn back and went south, waaaay south, to Taft Avenue. Then I switched to their version of LRT, head North. It's a good way to see the city because the track is elevated instead of underground. I had to walk a bit to switch from MRT to LRT. On my way, I saw this poster. There're two ways to be famous and and well-known in Philippine; either you become model for advertisements, or you become a dangerous criminal. The view from the overhead bridge linking MRT station (Taft Ave) and LRT station (Taft Ave) I didn't manage to get to the last station, because my curiosity got the better of me at "Unit...

All clear today

My first day at work, and Typhoon Milenyo (international name "Xangxane") greeted my arrival with fury. I was trapped in the office. But I was excited as I've never experienced a typhoon before. So, I took my umbrella and camera, and dashed outside hoping to get a few shots of it. Bad move. The umbrella that I've been using for the past 2 years back in Singapore, didn't survive even 1 minute of it's life here in Manila. How bad is the typhoon? See for yourself. Because I was trapped, I can't go out far to buy proper food. Had to settle for this: In the evening, the storm subsided, even though it still drizzles a little. This is when I see the extent of damage by the typhoon. Warning on typhoon Blackout all around the city. Main shopping malls like Glorietta and Greenbelt are closed for the day due to lack of electricity. Since they're closed, I have no other choice for dinner....

The day has come. Time to board. What, no one to send me off? No one say goodbye to me? I'm all alone..... but never mind.... *sob The plane that will take me to Manila. It was a 3.5 hour flight. Stewardess on board...mostly aunties. I had my first taste of Filipino food on board. I forgot its name, but it was chicken. On approaching Manila, about to touch down, I took these shots: At Ninoy Aquino International Airport, coming out of the arrival hall, I saw this My first thought was........where can I get mine? As instructed, I met up with a transport company rep for the trip back to my serviced apartment provided by the local office. I was being chauffered by a guy in white uniform driving Nissan Cefiro. Not bad...not bad at all. Upon reaching the place, doesn't look posh or outstanding from the outside. But once I'm shown to the room, well......let's just say I'm glad this will be my home for the next 2 months View from bedroo...