TriNoma

Finally! An Ayala mall in QC!

Though this makes me sound embarrassingly shallow, I have to admit I've been waiting for this moment to arrive. This photo shows my first visit to TriNoma, taken on the fourth floor of the mall, at the garden outside the Cinemas. I'm writing this entry as Joni and I sit through the trailers before the 10.30PM screening of 'Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End.' Needless to mention, the first movie I'm watching here. If you haven't figured out by now, I take my firsts very seriously. I'm sentimental that way :)

I must say, the place is worth the wait. Take note, though. It's not fully operational yet. Most of the shops are still under construction and the whole place smells of cement. The cinema's quite big, almost twice the size of Greenbelt 3's Cinema 1, I think. I actually like my cinemas smaller and more intimate, but at least I won't have to wait two hours for the next screening or settle for bad seats whenever I go there to catch a big movie. That's usually the problem I have with screenings that are booked out so quickly.

The mall has the great location! Right at the center of the triangle formed by Edsa, North, and Mindanao Avenues in Quezon City (thus the name, TriNoma, which stands for "Triangle North of Manila"). It was a good idea to shape it as such and make its impressive facade point toward the North Ave.-Mindanao Ave. intersection and its back on Edsa, where most cars will be coming from. It cleverly sidesteps the traffic and is an easy 10-minute drive from my Tierra Pura house. Five minutes if coming from Mother Ignacia where I work. For commuters, you will be happy to know that it has conveniently appendaged itself to the MRT North Avenue Station, the way the Ayala Station ushers commuters right smack into SM Makati. I just hope traffic remains free flowing. For the Ayalas to find a lot big enough for a project as big as this and situate it beside an older, more established competition, is quite a feat.

The architecture's also praiseworthy. It had the distinguished look of Ayala's newer malls. I read complaints in one blog about it being full of beams and pillars, but I didn't think it was anything to raise an alarm about. Plus the fact that it looks and feels more like a park than a mall compensates for that. Lots of trees, plants and fountains were incorporated in the landscape. In that sense, it's a lot like GB3. Even better, if you can believe that. A lot of nooks and pocket parks that will encourage you to just sit down and lounge amidst the greenery. The place is still confusing because it's new and unfamiliar, but I'm giving myself a couple of visits more and I'll have it nailed in my head.

The mall part, on the other hand, is more reminiscent of Glorietta. Both because of the atrium that serves as the activity center, and the nature of the the shops waiting to be opened, most obviously catering to the same market as Glorietta. Oh, and as if interiors, geography and accessibility is not enough, they're even going to have a Krispy Kreme and a Cold Rock there!

My excitement over this mall's opening probably stems from the fact that I grew up in the South (of Metro Manila, that is). Since I spent most of my pre-university years in Alabang, the mall of choice for us was Alabang Town Center (ATC, a brilliant redefition of the acronym that used to stand for Alabang Twin Cinemas). I've always thought that it was the best mall in the country. I still remember how my classmates and I would hang out, watch a movie, or kill time at Glico's after Saturday meetings for class projects or extra-curricular activities.

Since I made QC my home a year and a half ago, I rarely got to hang out at the ATC anymore. Actually, I started spending less time in the South after I started studying in UP Diliman. I only find myself back there when I visit our house in Muntinlupa and have some time to spare. So now, if I wanted to go hang out or shop in a place with a similar ambiance as Town's, I would have to go all the way to Makati. I never really wondered why it took this long for the Ayalas to build a mall in QC, considering the Sys have the SM City there. Well, I'm just glad TriNoma's open na. I swear, if you put blinders on and just block from view the heavy traffic along EDSA, and the SM across the street, you'd actually feel like you're in Alabang. Ah, home sweet home...

Or maybe OA lang talaga ko. I'm sentimental that way :)



This picture on the right:
Still taken at the garden outside the Cinemas. Sarap tambayan. I swear, kundi lang konti pa ang tao at bagong bukas pa lang yung place, di ako magpapapicture ng ganito sa mall, hahaha... Feeling ko tuloy nagde-day-off ako.

The Way theCouncil Loves

What follows is a text exchange among theCouncil barkada after our despedida dinner for Kristel and Forsyth. Something that I'd like to think is a testament to our friendship.

LEXIE:
"Council, thanks 4 tonight. Ang pangit ko ksi wen i got h0me naiyak ako. I realized... dat we are at a crossroad wer our life choices take us in different directi0ns...dat this myt b d last tym,or 1 of d rare tyms, dat we hav d freedom to drink 300-peso beers or have 3am coffee together...dat im so thankful for d past 10 years of having u in my life...and watevr d next 10 yrs wud be, i knw ul b ther, in body or in spirit, 2 make it as crazy,noisy, and surprising as it has always been. Yun lang. Senti moment over. Ang masasabi ko lang... "Tang-ina ang cute nya talaga!" And that is d end of that chapter. Ü"



KRISTETA:
"Lex, iba ang effect ng cherry beer sayo.Ü but seriously, we'll always be crazy and happy together. The council members arent my friends. You're family. You're home. And people always go back to that. Ü i love u all. And please dont get used to being without me.Ü"



RAZ:
"HAHAHAHA... I love that. I agree Lexie. I'm so tired but I spent the whole drive home staring out the window, playing in my head different scenarios that would make things different. But it's inescapable. Not naman ominous, just a matter of fact. Teta, you asked before why I never made kulit about Bali. As much as I hate it that we won't be complete, it's so negligible and not even half as tragic as you being gone. We are growing older nga. It's been a great decade with you. Not that it's ending we just have to adaf with the times, learn to share the crazy and happy times from overseas. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!"



LEXIE:
"Amen, Raz. I LOVE U GUYS. Forevr. Period. No pickle-mindedness ther. (obviously,jean isnt included in dis txt blast.Bt i lover her too!ü -Evil Lexie signing out)"



KRISTETA:
"Im gna miss u real bad. That msg was so sad and sweet. I swear im gna burst on tuesday."

That Tuesday, the night Kristel left, after we made her believe Lex and I were going to send her off and surprised her when we showed up with Concep, Jean and Joni as well...

KRISTETA:

"U guys are unbelievable. Thank you! THANK YOU. For tonight, for ten yrs and twenty and thirty. I love u and miss u all so much. You are the best. All 7 of u.Ü"

TITA EN, KRISTEL'S MOM:

"Jst left d airport.She came out pa and spnt 15mins mor wd us.Ü Thanks 2 d council 4 d heartwarming snd off.Ü i love d way u love each othr.B blessed evn mor.Ü"

I do love the way we love each other. That's why it really pains me to have two more of the barkada leave (Mark has been living in Indonesia for more than two years now, Kristel just left for Chicago last May 15, and Forsyth's relocating to Cebu starting May 28). Only five of us will be left in Manila by June.

It's a good thing we love each other in such a way that distance in time and space is not made to matter much.

Labor Day Weekend At Masbate

The weekend before the Labor Day celebration, Karmela, Chrissie and I flew to Masbate to do a little R&R. When I said yes to joining this vacation with my Law School blockmates, I wasn't quite sure I'll be free. I decided to risk it because it was to be my first trip with them, the CCs (Cosmic Comrades. Don't ask). Plus I was really desperate to make the most of the summer season. I did go to Boracay last April prior to this particular trip, but that was far from relaxing. Truth be told, most of the vacations I take are not. That's why this particular out-of-towner was a stand out. It was a much welcome breather from the stress of work. I've been praying for a break these past few months cause I haven't really had one since the onslaught that was "You Got Me!," and already, I'm working on a new project. I do know how to count my blessings so I'm not really complaining. Work in Star Cinema is hard to come by, and I know better than to act up when blessed with an opportunity to write.

We flew in Saturday morning, April 28, via Asian Spirit. After landing on Masbate soil, Karmela took us to Jollibee for quick mid-morning snacks, then we did some last minute shopping. We then took a trike to the wharf where her parents were waiting for us in their private pump boat. We sailed for about an hour and finally arrived at the Franco's provincial rest house. It's situated on a beach in Baranggay Titong, Masbate City (I think. Kar, you'll have to correct me on the city, hehe...).

It was such a beautiful house. Just a few steps away from the sea. Kar's Mom said that when the tide is high, the water could even lap the house's front wall. After setting camp in the guest room, we proceeded to the terrace (which they referred to as the 'balkon') and spent the time waiting for lunch to be served by playing with the Francos' Boston Terriers, Chessy and Blackie. That was to be our routine for the next few days. We would wake up, feast on cuisines prepared by Kar's parents and relatives, watch a DVD (among those I got to watch/rewatch: "28 Days Later," "Shaun Of The Dead," "A Scanner Darkly," "Chungking Express"), hang out, sleep again, wake up again, read, hang out, have dinner. I didn't mention breakfast cause I managed to oversleep every day and wake up just in time for lunch.

The following day, Sunday, we got to watch the locals engage in what seemed to be a favorite past time. Sabong (cockfighting). It was such a crude setup. They didn't even have a formal cockpit for the roosters. The men who had money betting on the clashing poultry formed a circle around them and served as cockpit boundaries. Kar's dad even bet on a few roosters and won.

Later that afternoon, the three of us took to the beach for the first time. We got Kar's inflatable raft and tested our rowing skills. Chrissie and I hogged the raft that first day, while Kar enjoyed swimming with her cousin Ai-Ai, who also served as our tourist guide. There was also a bamboo raft with make shift benches and nipa roofing propped on it. When we got tired from rowing against the oncoming waves, we stationed on that bamboo raft and bathed in the sun. Later, upon my return in Manila, I found out from my doctor that I wasn't supposed to do anything physical a week after my operation. I just had a tonsilectomy so my throat was not in tiptop condition yet. That still didn't stop me from enjoying our stay there. In fact, I managed to munch on a local treat they called "molido." It's a sweet pastry-like thing that reminded me of nougat. Other than that, however, mine was a diet of soup, pancit bihon, and vanilla ice cream.

After showering, the three of us lolled in the balkon, watching the locals enjoy the lazy Sunday afternoon. Kids frolicked on the sand as the women and the teen-agers chatted while partaking of halo-halo bought from the small stand set up beside the Francos' house. The rest of the men who were not busy making meals out of the cockfights' casualties were still engaged in the sport.

Watching all that was very therapeutic. Everything was so simple. Looking around, everyone seemed so happy, here in this barrio which did not even have electricity and needed to tap into the Francos' generator in order a light bulb and a television set work. Kar, Chrissie and I had a ball just watching kids wrestle and tumble on the rough sand. I actually intended to make this a working vacation for me. I even brought my laptop with me. But that sweet moment, I thought, "To hell with my deadline." I decided to just soak up the idyllic Masbate atmosphere and leave the rest of the world behind.

The next day, Monday, I spent the afternoon reading on the bamboo raft while Karmela had a go on the inflatable raft with Chrissie. They actually did well, rowing much further to the open sea than Chrissie and I did the previous day. I think it was because Chrissie was more confident after having tried it with me that Sunday. That, or she just trusted Karkar more. Meanwhile, I managed to read more than two-thirds of "Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix." Karmela and Chrissie got back from rowing and we decided to spend the rest of the afternoon strolling along the countryside, with Ai-Ai leading the way.

Tuesday was Labor Day, the day we were to fly back to Manila. We all woke up early despite my not having enough sleep. I was up late finishing the rest of the fifth Harry Potter book. Karmela's parents joined us on the trip back. At the Masbate city proper, we ran into a Labor Day parade led by a militant party list group (Akbayan? Bayan Muna?) and heard roving cars announcing Ping Lacson's visit to the province later that afternoon. Then, at the airport, we managed to catch a glimpse of Kiko Pangilinan who was also just arriving for a campaign sortie. It was like after being detached for a good three days, we were being reminded that it was election season in the real world. And that quickly, I knew, we were back to the same stressful days from which I longed to be saved.

Thanks again, Karkar, for your family's warm hospitality! I really enjoyed myself in Masbate. Hiyas, too bad you weren't able to go with us. Below are our pictures from that trip. Enjoy! Hope we could do it again sometime :)