Prost and Itaewon love

I just love this place. Prost at Itaewon; they both just feel like home. For party people looking for a posh yet good place to chill out in Seoul, I highly recommend Prost Grill and Pub. This place offers good crowd, a variety of booze, upbeat music, good vibes, and loads of good-looking oppas and unis; Koreans and westerners alike.

During my short but sweet 5-day holiday in Seoul last week, Prost instantly became my favorite pub wherein me and my tour group friends spent 3 nights straight just chilling out there. The autumn just ended and the bitter cold prompted my friends and I to go drinking almost every night after our strenuous day tours, and Prost always ended our day with a bang. Even after downing a couple more shots and beers, just like the lively Itaewon district, we found ourselves still very much alive, kicking and partying at Prost.

While the other bars and pubs look quite deserted on weeknights, Prost is beaming with cheerful crowds capping their nights. From the richest to middle class party-goers like us wanting to enjoy the night partying and drinking, Prost is there to welcome everyone. Worried because you can't dance? No problem. The folks dancing on the dance floor obviously lack the moves but who cares, no one mocked anyone anyway.

On our first night, we came down to Prost from Glam Lounge, a fancy, high-end lounge just a floor above Prost. After a couple of frozen margaritas, I started to feel like dancing so I headed to the dance floor. While hooked on instagram and dancing, a young Korean guy approached me and asked if he can buy me a drink. I declined but because he has limited English vocabulary he did not understand and ended up buying me a drink anyway. It was a struggle communicating with him. We had to use our phones and google translators. Haha. The only thing I understood was when he thought I am only 22, and with his finger he showed me the 22 sign. On our second night, he was there again but I was not really in the mood to waste my time on my phone to use a google translator just to talk to him when I am already enjoying myself drinking, chatting with my friends and watching the crowd.

The Korean oppas are generally very polite and generous. I felt safe while inside Prost even though I had my fair share of unexpected proposals from some of these sought after Korean hotties. On our third night, while walking back to my friends' table after a quick trip to the restroom or smoking area, two affluent-looking, educated and disturbingly handsome Korean oppas on separate occasions suddenly threw their hands around my waist or shoulders saying, "Where are you from, baby?" or "You look really pretty. I like your face. Come dance with me." However, my friends and I were about to leave already so I declined twice. I just blew away my chance. Haha! Just kidding. With my arms crossed shielding my small boobs, I told them I'm sorry my friends and I were leaving. They instantly backed off, were both very apologetic, and even cleared the way for me. Seems like I am quite a Korean oppa magnet yet zero appeal to my bet, the westerners. Haha! Hard truth.

The Korean men and women partying at Prost are aesthetically pleasing. No. That is an understatement! They honestly look like perfect and flawless models yet I could not help but imagine that they all went through drastic under the knife procedures just to achieve that perfection. The idea puts me off but I do not discriminate those who undergo plastic surgeries. If plastic surgery is no big deal for you, then just grab the invitation and dance with these gorgeous Korean oppas.

A major downside for me is that, the drinks are really pricey. It costs almost P500 or $10 for a bottle of Corona beer. With the unforgiving cold, believe me, your alcohol tolerance will certainly rise an all time high you will need to drink a dozen before you even get drunk. But then again, it pays to have an awesome partying experience at Itaewon, the party capital of Seoul.

Sex tour shit

I am dismayed that Philippines has become a sex tour capital for these foreigners looking for a different kind of vacation. I am so fucking disappointed that the local Filipino ladies were the ones pimping themselves at the sight of white men simply enjoying a good meal or drink. Damn these  dark-skinned, exotic-looking (like a lizard-looking exotic kind of way) creepy, tourist guide whores! You make my country less respectable. I hope these foreigners break your heart into pieces because there is no way that those young and carefree Yankies will take you to their countries!

Okay, enough with this shit. I am just a little bitter. Teehee! So my friend who considered me as his smart ass virtual guide for the past almost 3 weeks suddenly went ghost on me. The reason? My above stated rant was the reason. I made myself clear that I am a friend. However, no sane person would be happy being suddenly dismissed just because they found a better one. That is just rude and so not cool. Oh well, that's life. Just like the seasons, people change. I just wish those whores suck your travel money real dry because that's what they only want from you after all. Maybe these whores also want to have an AFAM boyfriend or be sired with interracial future cash cow kid.

My takeaway from this experience? Do not help some random helpless beautiful stranger no matter how adorably blue or captivating their eyes are. If unavoidable, do not invest any kind of emotion: no pity, delight, care, enthusiasm. Nada. At the end of their journey, they will still forget you like you never really existed. 

Old friends, true friends

Spent my Halloween eve last night with a night out with my college editor friends. It was a blast! I don't get to hang out with them often. I consider myself lucky if three times a year we get to hang out since they are all based in Manila. They come home in the province only during long holidays.

My good friends include Leif and kuya Tophe, missing last night were kuya Mhon, Allen and Mich. We were all former editor in our college paper The DWCC Gazette so we sort of share the same wavelength and passion for writing, political opinions, traveling and simply everything. Last night we did not chat a lot but drowned ourselves until the wee hours of the morning by playing cards and board games. Yes! Very much tita/tito like kind of night. Leif brough home his precious card games i.e. Cards Against HUmanity, Never Have I Ever, Jenga and I forgot the name of the other one. It was fun playing these games with them because we reveal more of our ourselves without the fear of being judged or gossiped about since we are very close to each other.

A night of laughter, coffee, chocolates, a little booze and lot of games completed our wholesome Halloween reunion despite the unforgiving monsoon rain. At times, I try to consult them with my life decisions since they have known me since I was only 16. It feels great to have friends who you now would never judge you despite the fact that they know you failed in life numerous times. They still motivate me to strive for a better career and always look at the bright side of life.

I just feel blessed because aside from my constant girls since high school: Robi, Sarah and Lovely, I still have few mature, wise and good friends who will always cheer me up and have my back no matter what.

An unexpected friend

While in Manila during Sarah's Bachelorette's party weekend, I came across two foreigner backpackers who were quite lost in an MRT train station. I offered help simply by telling them they need to go down the north bound station, take the footbridge to get to south bound station bound for Shaw Blvd. station. Before these backpackers could even thank me, I left and walked down the stairs. The white guy suddenly spoke behind my back with in his American accent saying, "Thank you for saving us back there." I simply replied, "No worries. I am heading the same way too. I was on my way to visit Remy in VRP Hospital Mandaluyong that time. I was in a hurry. After boarding the train bound for Boni Station, I saw again those two backpackers I helped missing the train by only 2 minutes short. At least they are okay now.

I am always like that because aside from appreciating and envying backpackers' adventurous life, I also have a high regard for white people. Growing up, we had the kindest white neighbors; Pastor Walter and Mrs. Pauline Routh. Their family were our very first neighbors and they treated us like the own grandchildren as well. I was already in 6th grade when they lefttheir missionary life in Philippines to retire in USA. Even though it may sound a bit weird for others, I honestly imagined myself marrying a white guy. Thank you also HBO and Cinemax for that! In fact, my first love was a white Macedonian guy I met on then Friendster when I was in high school.Unfortunately, before Sash and I could see each other for the first time I suddenly disappeared and dated a real person, a Filipino guy.

After my courtesy call in ABSCBN for my Korean trip, Robi and I went to SM Megamall for a little shopping and lunch with my lawyer friend. Yes, I won a trip for two to Korea thanks to the short essay I submitted last September 30. Once everything has already been settled, I started my journey home. That is where I met him. A lone backpacker with thick European accent was trying to buy a ticket from Supercat bound for Calapan City. He politely asked, "One ticket please for White Beach." I glanced at the boat trips bound for Puerto Galera and uttered to myself, "You're in trouble. No more White Beach trips."

I sat conveniently inside the terminal then realized we still have to wait an hour and a half before the last boat leaves for Calapan. Thirsty. I stood up, fetched my water bottle and headed to the water refilling station when I saw this beautiful stranger again. He looked at my direction and I could see him holding his wrong ticket. I had a feeling he mimicked what I did because he walked past me and also bought a bottled water. He walked in front of me again before he finally sat down on his spot and plugged his earplugs. Pitying the somewhat lost backpacker, I mustered the courage to tap his back and ask few questions.

Me: Hey, are you a backpacker?
Him: Yes. I am. Sorry my English not good.
Me: No problem. Where are you heading to?
Him: White Beach, Oriental Mindoro.
Me: May I check your ticket because I think you bought a wrong one.
Him: Hands over his Supercat ticket. This is for Puerto Galera?
Me: Oh no. You are heading to my city. Wrong ticket. I think they no longer have trips for Puerto Galera.

So that's how our friendship started. I am just amazed at how a simple gesture could have a huge impact on a stranger's life especially those a little worried about their safety. He was thankful that I had put him in perfect conditions even though his trip had been a little deviated to Calapan. I only tried to help a stranger yet I gained a decent, celebrity-looking foreigner friend blessed with tall stature, a beautiful face and blue-gray eyes like Tita Pauline Routh's. And lest not forget, he looks like Nick Carter of Backstreeet Boys during the latter's younger days.

A taste of Manila nightlife

My girlfriend since high school Sarah is getting married this November. For that, my best friends Robi and Lovely decided that we will throw her an unconventional bachelorette's party. Last weekend of October 14, Robi and I went to Manila to schedule our sparty event at Wensha Pasay.

Our sparty went well. We enjoyed the buffet and massage. We opted not to use the jacuzzi and sauna baths since both Robi and Sarah have their monthly periods. Our next destination, clubbing. Malate's Adriatico Square is the place to be. At first we checked Exclusiv but decided to walk towards the circle until we discovered Zzxyxz club. It was a fun experience. The bouncers were proactive. They make sure the party girls dancing on the dance floor are not harassed by other males.

We ordered Weng Weng pitchers, calamares and beers for Lovely's husband. After few shots, Sarah asked me and Lovely to dance with her. Looking at the club, I can tell majority of the party goers were foreigners, mostly Koreans, Japanese and Indians. I forgot how many booze I drank but I am fully aware that I am perfectly okay. Dancing with my girls made me feel better. I have never felt so alive. My love for dancing made me feel confident yet still reserved that night. I know my girls had so much fun as well. There was an incident wherein one drunken Korean tried to hug both me and Sarah, the bouncers went to us right away and assisted us. JayAr also tries to check on us on the dance floor too at times. We felt safe. 

The night ended well. We all danced except Robi, certified tita of Calapan or Manila. I am so proud of my best friend. We had been safe with her and JayAr driving us back to our abodes. I will surely return to that place with my girls. I never knew the somewhat single life with your girls behind your back could feel this good. Some say there are people who go to clubs to get laid, I think not. There are those who simply enjoy a good drink, trance music and dancing their hearts out like me, Sarah and Lovely. 

Chit chatty

When my sister left for Bohol early this month, I felt alone suddenly. Whenever I feel down, I just ask her out to the mall or we just stress-eat out. I miss her a lot but she had to leave to improve her career. Hopefully when she returns she will already be the bank manager in her branch. Since she returned in 2013, I became happy again knowing my sister best friend will always be there for me and will always have my back. When my marriage started to go awry and I have had another bun in the oven, she was there for me, and patiently tended to my then troubled self. I owe her a lot and despite our seldom misunderstandings, we try to fix things quickly because who else would care for each other like sisters do?

I really miss ate. My best friend Robi is also back in Calapan. Ate told me whenever I fell blue I should just visit my best friend too. However, I cannot visit her as often I could with my ate since she is also busy checking her patients in their family optical. We still chat thru facebook and check on each other despite their busy schedules. While lazily browsing some sites, I noticed a sort of friend, wholesome online site where you could sign up to find virtual friends or for dating purposes. I did sign up but specifically mentioned I am only looking for friends. I used my real photo but different username. I used a name I hold dear to my heart. It is a name that I wanted to give Tyler had he been a girl.

Bye bye, cold caller me

For almost 2 years I've worked as a cold caller or as a Lead Generation Specialist for a realty team based in Kitchener and Toronto, Canada. I didn't get the job easily as I have no call center background. After giving birth to Tyler in late 2015, my sister sent me a link which might could allow me to work from home for only 4 hours a day. I submitted my resume, aced the pre qualification exams and bested 83 other applicants in the written and oral interviews. Only 3 of us made it to the training stage, and admittedly, I lag behind the other two since they both have had call center work experience. I extended my training hours and honed my skills in cold calling until I ended up as the only one hired after 2 weeks.

I have been with the company for almost 2 years now. It did reward me with a good pay and has helped me sharpen my English speaking skills since I had to speak in straight English at least 3 hours a day. However, there were also downsides. I gained a lot of weight from lack of sleep, my skin became more oily and prone to pimples which gave me acne scars over my T zone area and most notably, I started having crow's feet, furrows and lines around my eyes! Que horror! I realized I could not handle a straight 8 hr shift despite earning more from such hence I stayed with only 4 hour shift. With as little as 4 hour shift I could earn at least $11.50 a day and still tend to my kids off shift. Everything is going smoothly until my body started to give up from stress and lack of sleep. I normally rouse after only having 3 hours of sleep just to report for work then stay up all day to look after my kids and perform other household chores such as cooking and preparing Evo for school. It was then that I realized that sleep is the most important thing that I need and earning should not be a priority when your total whole being is at risk.

It has been an amazing experience with them and I truly and sincerely wish that I could have done more for my understanding client. It was difficult competing with other cold callers in Canada but I am glad to have had listed a few houses for sale for some of the realtors I worked with. To my team leaders and bosses, thanks and my heartfelt gratitude to all of you. Cheerios!