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I grew up hearing Eraserheads everywhere. I know the lyrics of all their hits by heart. I felt bad for not watching their comeback concert and felt even more awful when I heard about what happened to Ely. When I heard there was going to be a Part 2, I got excited because this time, I’ll be there for sure!

Everybody’s been waiting for the announcement of the continuation of the legendary reunion concert of the biggest band in the country. And now the long wait is over. The legendary band will be back on stage for a one night only concert on March 7, 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia Open Grounds. This is not going to be a continuation of the historic concert last August 30, 2008 but a new concert in itself. According to Ely, Buddy, Marcus and Raimund, it’s going to be the reunion of all reunions!

Will you be part of the history? I won’t be missing it for the world!

Ready for the Huling El Bimbo,
Roch <3

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It is no big secret that I have a very cool dad. My friends know this, the Candy girls know this, and even guy “friends” know this (they must have an idea of what they’re being measured against, after all!). He shares my weird sense of humor, texts me random questions like “what’s the title of the song the priest sung in mass last Sunday?” and calls me when he and my Mom are out on a date. He puts up with my Crankypants episodes, supports my gadget obsessions, and protects me from the cockroaches in my condo. Haha! He makes Minnie Mouse ears for me when I need a costume, and makes me laugh even before the rest of the family members get the joke. He checks up on me when I’m home alone on weekends, just to make sure I don’t get too lonely, and when I was living in a dorm in college, I always looked forward to his visits because that meant we’d have lunch or go shopping together. He gives me great material—Anna and Chrissy’s funny dads in the Every Girl’s Guide series are patterned after him. He is also my biggest and best fan (he records my TV guestings and keeps tabs on how my book sales are going, and he was front and center with his videocam during the book launch last year). Plus, he has Multiply, Friendster, and Facebook accounts!

His birthday’s not until tomorrow, but we had an early celebration at the newly-opened Häagen-Dazs branch in SM Megamall Atrium last weekend. I love how this cozy shop can give people a break from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the mall, and I love how the staff even gave him a little bruffin cake with a candle. And because cool dads deserve cool treats, we split the ice cream fondue, which was gone in less than 30 minutes! Check out the photos below:

Happy happy birthday, Daddy! Thank you for being, as Marcy would put it, “the best dad in the world.” I love you!

Big hugs,
Marla
:penguin:

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Just last week, I was having a conversation with Managing Ed Mimi about how hard it is to live apart from one’s sister. Her sister is moving, and my two ates live in the US and HK. I was telling her how I always find myself wishing my sisters lived in Manila.

One of my fave fantasies, in fact, places my sister Celine in a neighboring subdivision that’s less than 10 minutes away from my house. We would have weekend sleepovers, pizza Wednesdays, endless trips to the mall for books, shoes, and makeup (in that order), museum Saturdays or road trips, and would hear Sunday mass together. And whenever I felt like talking to her, I would swing by her place while driving home—instead of parking myself in front of a laptop and clicking on “View My Webcam” beside her nick on YM.

While this fantasy isn’t coming true anytime soon, a small part of it did materialize today—her hubby flew into town this week and dropped off some goodies for my fam. And because she’s my big sister and knows me so well, she sent me loads of girly things (including what has to be the pinkest planner ever made, yay!) to ooh and aah over.

I know there’s much more to life than material things, that’s why I must say the real reason I was insanely happy today was not so much that I had lovely new things. It was more because she placed oh-so thoughtful notes on every treat she sent (like a note for my guy and me!). Because she went to the trouble of hunting down the things I asked for, on the nonexistent free time she had. Because she sent things I didn’t ask for, but knew I would use and love to bits. And because along with the crisp cherry-apple scent all newly opened luggage from the US seem to have, I sensed one more lovely thing: the care and love and happy hopes she packed right into the suitcase, every bit as tangible as the lip gloss and chocolate.

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As a kid, I used to make mixtapes to express my emotions. I remember having a kilig mix, a wake up mix, and even a boyband mix (haha!). Technology may have moved on (goodbye, cassette tape! I miss you ), but I’m still hooked on making playlists. Right now, I’m rounding up my second mix for Gossip Girl‘s Blair and Chuck. Want to know the songs I have so far? (See below.) I think the lyrics aptly express the complex feelings they have for each other.

1) “Thinking of You” – Katy Perry
Do you remember the time B brought home James/Marcus from Europe? Though it was transparent that she wasn’t over C, it ultimately made the womanizer jealous.

Comparisons are easily turned
Once you’ve had a taste of perfection
Like an apple hanging from a tree
I picked the ripest one
I still got the seed
You said move on, where do I go?
I guess second best is all I will know
‘Cause when I’m with him
I am thinking of you
Thinking of you

2) “Can’t Let Go” – Landon Pigg
They never became an official couple (yet!), so I imagine this is how C sees his relationship with B.

Well you’re the closest thing I have
To bring up in a conversation
About a love that didn’t last
But I could never call you mine
‘Cause I could never call myself yours
And if we were really meant to be
Well then we justify destiny
It’s not that our love died
Just never really bloomed

3) “I Don’t Believe You” – Pink
Reminds me of B never giving up on C despite the multiple times he has pushed her away.

No I don’t believe you
When you say don’t come around here no more
I won’t remind you
You said we wouldn’t be apart
No I don’t believe you
When you say you don’t need me anymore
So don’t pretend to not love me at all

4) “Mad About You” – Hooverphonic
No matter how hard they deny it, they’re just crazy about each other. And it shows with the way they look at each other.

Trouble is your middle name
But in the end you’re not too bad
Can someone tell me if it’s wrong to be
So mad about you

5) “1, 2, 3, 4″ – Plain White T’s
“Three words, eight letters. Say it and I’m yours.” Gah! Remembering the line still gives me the shivers! This song was sung by a guy, so I’m still hoping C will gather the courage to admit this to B.

I love being around you
You make it easy, as easy as 1 2, 1 2 3 4
There’s only one thing two do three words four you
I love you (I love you)
There’s only one way two say those three words
and that’s what I’ll do
I love you

What do you guys think? Have I made fellow CHAIR shippers proud? And while we’re on the topic of playlists, Candymag.com has got an awesome new section featuring your favorite celebrities! It’s called Celeb Playlist where the stars share their favorite tracks and why they dig them. Check out AJ Perez’s hit list here.

Let us know whose playlists you’d like to see in the comments section below!

Sounding off,
Mimi

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So last week, I told you about our stay at The Venetian, Macau.

This week, the adventure through this former Portuguese colony continues!

For a dash of history, let’s take a walk through Senado Square, Macau’s urban center for centuries and now one of the top tourist spots.

Here we are at St. Dominic’s church. Look, they even have Tagalog confessions!

One of Macau’s popular delicacies—fresh, hot egg tarts! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. ;_;

Luckily, the store also sold one of my fave drinks: Pearl Milk Tea! Aaah, I super miss it already!

St. Paul’s Ruins used to be the Cathedral of St. Paul, a 17th century Portuguese cathedral in Macau. It was destroyed by a fire in the 1800s. This façade is all that remains of its former glory.

Next stop, the Fisherman’s Wharf.

This structure mimics Ancient Roman architecture.

With my sisters Sabs and Liza. I’m so annoyed that the Roman-like entrance behind us was turned into Santa!

Candy Girl by the Candy House!

Now we walk to the Old Taipa Village. Here are some typical Macanese houses at the time of the Portuguese rule.

For the thrill-seekers out there, Macau Tower is one stop you definitely shouldn’t miss!

At 338 meters, it’s the 10th tallest free-standing tower in the world!

I love these glass panels on the 58th floor. It’s a loooong way down!

The view from the top is amazing. There’s also an outdoor observation deck. This is where daring souls go to jump off the tower. Brr… it’s cold!

This was one of the challenges on The Amazing Race Asia. I want to do the Sky Jump and Bungy Jump too! (But maybe next time when I’m not with my mom. Hehe.)

A Lego version of the tower… compared with a view of the tower from our cab!

Last on our agenda: experiencing the Macau Night Life!

Macau is known for its many casinos (It’s not called “Las Vegas of the East” for nothing!). They all light up at night!

The dancing fountain at the Wynn Hotel

I felt really sad when I had to go home after three days and three nights in this colorful, vibrant island city. But I know someday I’ll be back (I still owe myself a Bungy Jump!).

A surprise celebrity sighting at the Macau airport

Sunset in Manila

Missing Macau but Happy to be Home,
Angel

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