I’ve received three planners this year –from CNBC, Phoenix and Manila Hotel.  Although all three are quirky-pretty and useful in their own way and I want to simultaneously use all… I have to refrain myself from doing so since it takes so much time to maintain even one diary.  CNBC planner stood out among the three since the inside leaves were really higher quality of paper and it was of an executive size.  I guess I’m pretty biased too because it has my name embedded in the black leather cover.  I’ve been meaning to use the CNBC planner but I haven’t yet.  It’s really only the Belle de Jour one that I’m able to always update.

The different channels gave calendars, but let me mention HBO and AETN calendars because they have this cute sticker page at the back that are labeled differently.  Labels include “girl’s night out,” “boy’s night out,” “day off,” “birthday” and “date night” and you can put the stickers on the actual dates that you intend to remember.  It’s really such a swell idea.  Maybe they can also design planners that way.  In the meantime, I’m using the stickers on my planner as well. 

I am not a big Valentine’s Day person, not since college.  After that, Valentine’s has gone too commercial for me.  Love should be celebrated BIG every SINGLE day in small or big ways.

Being completely unorthodox that I am most of the time, I didn’t want to join the bandwagon of overly crowded restaurants –it kind of takes out the romance for me.  Nevertheless, I wanted to plan a little something for Bubba just to let him know that my antipathy for Valentine’s Day is not an exception to show him how much I care.

As much as I tried to hide where we were going, pulling up at the parking lot of Manila Yacht Club gave it away.  He tried to keep a straight face but a smile was forming in the corner of his mouth.  We walked to the dock, a bottle of sparkly on hand.

 Prince of Tides –a fitting name for a yacht.  We got on board –the night breeze softly hitting my face.  It was simply a beautiful night to be taking a cruise in Manila Bay. 

It was pretty dark out in the sea.  Very much like Antipolo at night, a lateral view though than a bird’s view, the colorful bright lights of the metro danced before us.  When one is always in the midst of these lights and tall buildings, one tends to ignore it.  Sometimes when you stand too close to something you don’t get to see the beauty of it.  You stand at a certain distance and you appreciate a whole new beauty of it.  That’s how I felt with Manila that night.

Bubba and I took in the stillness of the night.  Right beside each other, we marveled in each other’s silence.  Tranquility abound.  I felt the vibrations of his heart… and was at peace with where I was at this part of the world.

We decided to leave our comfortable seats and rounded the yacht.  30 minutes later, dinner was ready.  Pasta Alfredo, roasted chicken, seasoned vegetables and fish fillet with tartar painted our plates. 

After dinner, I fell asleep in Bubba’s arms.  I guess I’m not much of a sailor and the Bonamin I drank made me drowsy.  An hour later, I woke up to a dessert of Banapple’s famous Banoffee pie.

We talked and shared a few laughs.  After a short while, Gieves handed me a Cosmopolitan drink.  We looked at some photos and started reminiscing on our initial dates.  An hour later and I was back in la la land.  I felt bad for Bubba because he spent most of the evening alone –being a human pillow for little ol’ me.

I finally woke up as the yacht came to a halt.  Bubba also dozed off.  Gieves had to check if we were okay.  We said we were fine and thanked the two of them.

The Yacht Cruise was the perfect way to spend our Post-Valentines date because it made the event differently special.

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/368/08_0216-_Yacht_Cruise   

NY Pizza Express, who claims to be the “Home of the Original New York Pizza Recipe,” is back with an all you can eat pizza promo. 

Visit NY Pizza at Jose Abad Santos St., San Juan (right across the Wilson branch of Mann Hann) every Monday from January 14 to February 25, 2008, 6:00pm until 9:00pm and smother yourself with their best seller pizzas for only P199!!!  Only add P50 and get bottomless soda drinks to go with your pizza spree.

 NY Pizza recently launched a new flavor to tickle your pizza buds.  Manhattan’s White Cheesy Chicken is the newest NY flavor to hit town.  It has layers of mozzarella, cheddar and Parmesan topped with crunchy chicken chunks. For a group or big eaters, they also have 18” incredible hand tossed New York style pizzas where you can mix up to 4 flavors in 1 truly filling pizza treat.   Start the week right and head to NY Pizza right after a Manic Monday at work.   

It is that time of the year again where there is another opportunity to expand business gain through a celebrated event –Valentine’s Day. When almost every day is special LOVE day with your partner, Valentine’s Day becomes ordinary. Especially so, when the event becomes too commercial.   For others who are willing to brave heavy traffic, populated restaurants, overpriced gifts and crowded junkets, the following are few of what’s happening on the week of Hearts. 

Jokeless for the Dateless

 Feb. 16, 2008, Saturday8pm @ Club Intramuros Roof DeckPhp 150 (with 1 drink) This event is organized by Youth Tourism Response Philippines (YouthTRiP) in cooperation with Yabang Pinoy and GreenPinoy.  While laughing your hearts out as a single or couple, your ticket contributes to helping YouthTRiP’s upcoming project, Yayain si Yaya Day, which takes Yayas and their kids and wards to the Museo Pambata for an afternoon of history, storytelling and Filipino games. 

Love at First Hi

February 23, 2008, Saturday6pm @ Mag:net, Bonifacio High Street, FortExclusive to Sky Cable Zpdee Subscribers 

Single Mingle Valentine Speed Dating

February 12, 2008, Tuesday8pm @ Little Asia, TimogPhp 800 

Art, Poetry and Music: Tribute to Offy

February 19-28, 2008630pm @ Rico Renzo Galleries and CaféLRI Business Plaza Ground Level, Nicanor Garcia St. Makati (Near Café Caruso)8982545 

Hamlet

February 15-16, 20088pm @ Onstage, GreenbeltPhp 5508870710 Shakespeare’s greatest masterpiece comes to life as Repertory Philippines present Hamlet at the Onstage theater in Greenbelt 1.  

La Cocina de Tita Moning

7342141Sampaloc Manila Grab a classic Filipino dinner at the age-old Legarda Mansion in Manila.  Early reservations required.   

Galileo Enoteca

80 Calbayog St Cor. Malinao St. Mandaluyong5344633 

Café Juanita

No. 2 United St. Cor. West Capitol, Baranggay Kapitolyo, Pasig6320357 

I invited Poofa (Bubba’s old name) to a trip to Clarkfield, Pampanga.  It was the week of the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival.  I’ve been pestering my officemates at Sabiclub where Pampanga is and how far it is to travel.  I gathered that it was approximately 2 hours drive to Pampanga.  Poofa and I decided to go after work on Friday night so we can partake in the festivities planned on Saturday.

His face was beaming from ear to ear and his eyes clearly spelled happiness (or success whichever applies).  Our overwhelmed feelings swimming afloat in the music and the calm evening. 

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/217/07_0210-_Hot-air_Balloon_Fest_ClarkField

Don’t you love it when your birthday falls on a Friday?  I had a birthday lunch at Mom and Tina’s then dinner at Sugi with my family and Christian. Fast forward to Sunday. 

I spent Sunday morning eating Astoria breakfast with Chris, Carlo and Shiela.  Meanwhile, I treated CW’s family to a dinner in Choi Garden.  We ate Shabu-Shabu (which should always be fun right?  But we were all hungry that it kind of ruined the mood esp. since the place was so jammed packed!) and also tried a few other dishes like Curry Beef, Salted Fried Rice, Yang Chow Fried Rice (we were supposed to order the Baked Seafood Rice but they ran out of it.  Most of their dishes were almost out!), Sweet and Sour Pork (by forced since these are the only ones left), and Salted Garlic Squid.    

Saturday, I spent the morning with a doctor’s check-up since I’ve been sick for weeks.  The rest of the day was spent resting since Chris was supposed to be at their farm in Bulacan.  Little did I know, he was already preparing a surprise party for me. 

830 PM.  The idea was to drop by Gelo’s place in Astoria before heading to Vivere for our dinner date.  I wasn’t in the best mood since I was extremely hungry and he was really late. The door opened to a dark room.  I don’t remember if they said Surprise or Happy Birthday or F* You!  But I’m sure they did say something because all of a sudden it was really noisy.  I planted a kiss on everyone –and two on Shiela’s.  I was that dazed. 

Most of the guests were former officemates from Sabiclub.  Mark and Ezra from PIQC were there but stayed only shortly.  I missed a few groups close to me, JICA, PIQC (Sean, Grace, Brenda and Ann), St. Peter, PS… King wasn’t able to attend either.  Kenny too.  Even if it was a busy weekend for most of my friends, I’m so glad that Sabi group and CW’s siblings were there.  Too bad I don’t have photos of all of them.  I was too stunned to do anything.

We played games which Carlo took charge of.  He went grocery and brought stacks of chocolates and chips that I love as prizes.  He made the games “jane-centric” as he coined it.  There was a game, “who knows Jane best” with questions like how many pairs of shoes do I own?  How many are pink?  The player has to get three straight correct answers.  Then there was the Jane v. 100 game.  Lastly, there was charades, which he programmed in his mobile phone.  What a techy genius eh?  Chai, on the other hand, with the help of Lorenz, made this beautiful AVP for me.  Chris was all over the place taking care of everyone, the food, music, refreshments, liquor…

In the middle of it, the lights went out again and Chris appeared with a round cake with illuminated candles.  Everyone sang Happy Birthday and I blew the candles.   Chris got a 2-bedroom suite with all the works.  The bigger bedroom had a “Shoe Stop” sign (designed with the help of Mon) similar to the one I had before.  Details are really everything.

At the end of the night, Chris handed me a box, which was his last gift of the night.  In the box were letters from my family, which brought another stream of tears. I’ve had bigger parties several times before.  But this has to be the best one of all –simply because I celebrated it with Chris.  He makes everything to me more meaningful.  And even without this surprise party, I’m always overwhelmed by his love for me, my family and his family –by the greatness of his heart.   

He inspires me to be my best in all things and still loves me at my worst.  

Album (Sugi): http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/354/08_0201-_Sugi_Birthday_Dinner

Album (Choi Garden): http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/358/08_0203-_Choi_Garden_CW_Fam

Album (Surprise Party): http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/356/08_0202-_Surprise_Birthday_Party               

Album (bday ‘05 we were only friends): http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/28/Cushees_Birthday_Bash  

Related Entry: http://cushee.multiply.com/journal/item/44/Cushee_Partee     

The elegance and Filipino-Spanish charm are displayed in the interior elements of the restaurant, Café Juanita.  This refined place serves wonderfully creative dishes, which is a unique mix of cuisines and offers service that is professional and attentive.  Illuminated only by soft lighting, the restaurant might just be owned by a gypsy.  It had several items like lamps that are up for sale –some looked antique.  The distinct pieces feels like it has heritage. 

There is not one dish yet that I’ve tried in Café Juanita that I did not love.  It is one of the top three Filipino restaurants that I’d go to in a heartbeat.  They use combinations of ingredients that complement each other and open the senses to something new and magical. 

Beef Rendang (PHP232++) like I’ve never had it before.  The tender beef cubes had crispy beef strips garnishing similar to adobo flakes, which are popular now.  It wasn’t saucy as you would expect the dish to be, but the entire coconut curry flavor is in the meat itself. 

Pork Binagoongan (PHP152++) took a different image too.  It was served with Binagoongan rice and the pork wasn’t overly basted in Binagoong.   

Catfish with Mango Salad (PHP242++) is small in serving but beautifully prepares your palette before your ordered entrées. 

Sunday Filipino brunch buffet is also offered at PHP395 +5% service charge from 11am-230pm.   

There is an original twist to their creations and the taste leaves your mouth asking for more.   

Café Juanita

No. 2 United St. cor. West Capitol Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

6320357

09165548107

Operation Hours: 530-10pm