The Adventures of Tarabusaw

I’ve already enjoyed David’s music since I bumped on his clips in Youtube.  His voice is great and I envy his superb guitar skills.  How I wish I could play the guitar as well.  Actually marunong ako, D-G-A nga lang ang alam kong chords at Leaving on a Jetplane lang ang kaya kong kanta na may tamang strum.  Hahaha!

He covers songs from other artists but also composes his own.  Here are some of my faves including four covers and his very enjoyable original music about Youtube.

Baby One More Time

As popularized by Britney Spears.  I love his version.  A cheesy pop song instantly became soulful with this acoustic version.

Somewhere over the rainbow

A song that has been covered a lot of times.  The original was sung by Judy Garland a.k.a Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.   

What A Wonderful World

I always liked this song which was originally done by Louis Armstrong (spell-check name please).  You probably heard a lot of versions of this universal song, now hear how he spiced it after the jump.

Put Your Records On

Sung by Corinne Bailey Rae.  The original is currently on my iTunes playlist.  I must say, his version is as great the original.

Youtube (A Love Song)

This is one of the products of this guy’s sheer brilliance.  Enjoy more of his music in myscpace -> http://www.myspace.com/davidchoimusic or subscibe to his Youtube account.  Just search for David Choi, put your ear phones on and enjoy.

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OT:  Kaano-ano kaya siya ni Madam Choi?  Hahaha!!! 

Heard a new song from Kyla.  As usual, maganda at magaling ang pagkanta niya… so melodious and so full of emotions.  Enjoy the lyrics and the song.

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Notes on downloading:

My disk space is already full.  And according to friendster’s helpdesk, I can’t do anything about it but to use other services available in the net.  Unfortunately, friendster blogs cannot be configured to accept photos and podcasts from other service providers.

So if you want to download my occassional music uploads here, just click on the hyperlinked song titles and follow the instruction of where ever the links lead you.  Haha. 

Just a reminder though, I’ll be deleting the files after 20 days.  It’s one of my security policies.  Hehe. 

Last reminder… buy the original album!  If you like the music you find here, then I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t buy the artist’s album. 

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Nasaan Ka Na?
Kyla

Bakit kaya minahal pa kita?
Ngayo’y lumuluha
Ako’y nag-iisa
Di natiis
Ika’y umibig sa iba
Hindi pa ba sapat lahat ng aking nagawa?
Hindi ko na nadarama mga yakap sa umaga.

Nasaan ka na?
Tunay bang mahal mo siyang
Katulad ko na lagi ng nasasaktan?
Ang mabuti pa kaya,
Upang malunasan n’ang pagdurusa
Ay limutin na kita
Sakali ay humanap ng iba.

Kahit kailan
Ay ikaw ang dahilan
Upang mabuhay pa ako ng matagal
Kung sadya ngang ganyan ako’y iyong iiwan
Ay kakayanin kang ikaw’y mapagbigyan
Nagtatanong ang puso ko
At pati na rin ang isip

Di mapigil ang luha sa aking mga mata
Ano pa bang magagawa?

I always read news about the Philippines.  I feel the necessity to still know what’s happening there, given the fact that I am away.  Gladly, there are websites where I find some valuable information from showbiz to politics to business.  Here are some of the most interesting news I’ve read over the past days, weeks and months.

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The Lopez Center will finally be built.  It will be the country’s tallest skyscraper, thus overshadowing the proud PBCom in Ayala.  An IPO will be held soon to generate funds for the long awaited building.  As the name speaks, it will be the headquarters of the Lopez Group.  I just don’t know if ABS CBN will be transferred here… but I’m guessing that it won’t, since Rockwell is purely for corporate and residential towers. 

Once it is built, the building will be a landmark for the Rockwell Center and for Makati City as well.  The building was designed by SOM, the same designers of the Freedom Tower in New York… thus the resemblance in their looks.  I just hope that Rockwell gets built first so New York will be tagged as copycat and not the other way around.  Hehehe…

Click the links if you want to see what I mean.  Sorry, I can’t still upload pics as my friendster account is still screwed up.  Haayz.

Lopez Center, Makati City -> http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?txt=lopez&id=100396

versus

Freedom Tower, New York City -> http://www.emporis.com/en/il/pc/?id=201521&aid=8&sro=1

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A lot of developments are going around the metro (Manila, that is).  New condominium towers and skyscraper projects are being built in the Global City, Ortigas Center, Manila and of course the Makati CBD. 

Two high-rises will soon change Ortigas’ skyline — St. Francis and One Corporate Center.  One Corporate Center or OCC will be the country’s tallest office tower once finished.  Well, at least it will hold the title for several years before it will relinquish its crown to Lopez Center at around 2010.  Shucks!  Saying 2010 feels sooo futuristically weird (is there ever such a word?  Hahaha).  I remember when I was a kid, cartoons or series depicting the future are always dated in the 20 something years, which seemed so far far away.  But now we are living in this era.  Anyway, back on topic.

St. Francis on the other hand is another flagship project of the Kwok Group, the owners of Shangri-la Properties.  This will be their mid-range priced condos.  Well, definitely mid-ranged when compared to their very posh Shang Grand Tower in Dela Rosa but relatively high-end when compared to the Citylands popping everywhere. 

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Another exciting development in Makati is the redevelopment of Ayala Center.  Greenbelt 5 will soon be finished.  It will definitely be worth the visit when I spend my vacation in the Philippines.  Aside from Greenbelt 5, Glorietta will be undergoing a major reno.  As I’ve heard from the business grapevine, Glorietta 5 will first be built in the parking lot between Rustan’s and Intercontinental Hotel.  All shops in Glorietta 1 will then transfer here to make way for the renos.  Pretty exciting eh!   

Oakwood is now named Ascott.  Hmmm… I don’t know why the Ayalas did this, but it’s for the best, I suppose.  Maybe they wanted to concentrate on real estate and not on hotel management.  Speaking of real estate, they will soon be developing the Canlubang area in Laguna.  Yey!  After Santa Rosa, it will now be Canlubang.  Haay, I hope they’ve included a bit of San Pedro in their Southern Luzon developments.  If Binan has one Ayala mall, why can’t they do it to San Pedro? 

Here is one of the best news in Ayala though.  The Kingdom Hotels Inc. which owns the Fairmont and Raffles brand will be investing in Makati!  The location will be where Park Square 2 and Anson’s are currently located.  Park Square 2 and Anson’s will be transferring to the parking lot between Landmark and Shangri-la Hotel Makati.  Ayala Center is definitely getting better and better!!!  Given all the developments in the area, I think Landmark is due for a very much-needed revamp.  It is now the only establishment in Ayala Center without the, as Randy Jackson puts it, "yo!" factor.

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The developments are not really confined inside the CBD or Ayala Center for that matter.  Century Properties will start building one of their most ambitious projects — Century City.  It will host office buildings and condominiums in the old International School lot in Makati.  I am not sure though if it is in Kalayaan Avenue or somewhere else, because I always thought that the I.S. is in Magallanes Village. 

Going northwards, the Sys and the Ayalas continue the battle for mall supremacy as the Northern part of Edsa is being redeveloped.  SM North Edsa is expanding and is said that when finished will be larger than Mall of Asia!  Hwoaaa!!!  TriNoma (Triangle North of Makati) of the Ayalas will definitely give the Sys a run for their money.  It is one of the major development projects in the "Triangles" Area in QC together with the soon-to-rise SSS Headquarters.  I just don’t know though if TriNoma will be marketed for the A and B class, or will be a direct competition of SM or will encompass all classes.  But it’s a good development really.

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The Philippines is again seeing boom in the real estate.  I hope this won’t be a bubble that might lead to another financial crisis ala-1997.  Well, I guess everyone has learned their lessons.  Banks are now more conservative with their rates (at least the big ones) and have definitely more stringent credit reviews.  Hahaha… Talk about Basel II and Credit risk! 

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Now, let’s go really far from Manila.  Let’s visit Iloilo.  The city’s new International Airport will be transferred to Sta. Barbara.  Yey, it will be closer to my pop’s hometown!  That is why I want to invest (I’m trying to find a better term because “invest” seems to be a very expensive term, but I can’t think of anything at this moment) around the Sta. Barbara/Cabatuan area.  Let’s see in the near future.  =)

Because the old airport in Mandurriao will no longer be used, the city government has decided to auction it out.  The 54-hectare area of the old airport is really a prime location.  It is somehow out of the city proper, but I think it will be a very good location in this ever-expanding city.  Hopefully, the developments here will also decongest Downtown Iloilo. 

As of this writing, the bidding has been rescheduled to May 9.  Five companies are bidding including the Sys, the Lopezes and the Ayalas.  I hope the Ayalas will win, though the Lopezes will be a tough competition since they are a native clan of the city. 

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We still can’t see what’s inside NAIA Terminal 3!  Oh wait, that opener rhymes.  Hahaha.  I don’t know if we can ever use this airport.  It was said that the light of the world will shine on this terminal on August this year, but according to the DOTC, repairs are still needed to be done.  Let me just say this, the building has been there for almost five years, if you will not open it, it will just depreciate and rot without having any benefits gained from it.  And from a cost-benefit point of view, the losers are the the Filipino people, because it was our taxes that paid for this damned terminal! 

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A member of the US Peace Corps died in the Philippines, for reasons yet to be discovered.  She took 2 years off her career as a journalist in the US to do volunteer work in the country.  She’s been a teacher in one of the universities in the Bicol region and has once lived in Laguna.  Her family is expecting her to be back in Virginia in six months time, since her assignment in the Philippines will be ending by then.  Get to know Julia Campbell more in her blogspot account -> http://juliainthephilippines.blogspot.com/.  I hope justice will be served to her. 

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Want to know the latest buzz in Philippine showbizlandia?  Hehehe… You guys in the Philippines might know more about this, but I’m sharing with you some of the snippets I know.  You may just want to add some more in the comments section. =)

Kris finally gave birth to his son with cager James Yap.  A Big Brother Swap took place this week between the Philippines and Slovenia.  Gladys Guevarra and Janno Gibbs are in a rift…again.  Rounin is finally showing in ABS CBN, while GMA opened Lupin.  A new Piolo-Claudine starrer is being shown in the Kapamilya Network, while another Sunshine Dizon teledrama is in the pipeline on GMA.  Judy Ann and Jolina join forces in the horror movie Ouija.  And Regine celebrated her birthday last Sunday.  Hehehe.

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Now, going back to Julia Campbell.  Julia, you have really inspired me.  You and your great stories made me realize what I wanted in life.  My unending admiration goes to you.  Thank you and may you rest in peace.

Temperatures climbing to twenties, children playing, women biking, men frisbee-ing, flowers blooming, flip-flops and al-fresco dining.  Yes, it is spring time in Toronto.  Yehey… at last!  The weather was so inviting that the once desolate and lonely St. Clair Avenue was teeming with life and bustle.  It was the puurrfect time to stroll in the park, read a good book and relax.

I went to St. Clair Reservoir but found no enough benches to sit around.  I haven’t brought any blanket so I can’t sit on the ground.  I just then went to a park (sorry forgot the name) in Avenue Road and flipped the pages of Ex-boyfriend’s Handbook.  At last I finished it!  It was a great read. 

The book is a must-read, especially for men.  I haven’t been an ex-boyfriend eversince, but the funny thing is that I can relate to Edward (the protagonist) – a broken-hearted, dorky, clueless-to-the-dating-scene guy.  Hahaha!  Actually, I’m inspired by his story that I’ve decided to apply his learnings in my own road to self-discovery.  Naks!  And I can’t think of any other way to end a puurrfect day than reading puurrfect book.

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Yipee!  I will be moving to a new apartment in May!  Well, that is if the apartment owners will approve my application (fingers crossed).  It’s not a very fancy apartment or condo though, but it will be puurrfect for me.  The price is right (around 850 a month only), the size is good and the neighbourhood is great!  And I love the building…because it has character.  My guess is that it was built around the 1930’s.  Will post some pictures soon as I move.

One thing that also excites me about this “moving thing” is that the owners allowed me to paint my walls in the colors I want.  Hmmm… I’m thinking of yellows, reds, greens, browns and black.  Can you picture it already?  Hope it will turn out puurrfect.

I get the occasional urge to peek through my friends pictures in friendster, especially when I get bored on doing my usual stuff (read: work).  It’s great to see how my friends are doing and how many places they have been to.  Yesterday, I saw pictures of my friends whom I thought (as everybody did) have a relationship-for-keeps.  In fact, we have always seen them as the couple to beat and that their “I do’s” will only be some sort of formality.  But unfortunately, it didn’t.  Basing from their pictures, they’re no longer together.  In fact it may have been almost a year or two since they’ve been apart. 

Knowing me, I would definitely probe and ask what happened.  But I never did.  I guess there is this silent shield within them that propels the daggering question - "Bakit?  Anong nangyari?"  Or to simply put it, I just don’t care at all.  Haha.  Because, in the first place, they would have called any of us if they wanted to talk about it.  I think that’s the hardship of having your significant other within the same clique.  You don’t want to talk about your break-up with your friends, because you don’t want them to take sides.  Or you don’t want them to patch things between you and the other party because you know that the best option left is to actually kill the relationship.

Anyway, back to their pictures.  I can say that they are both happy now.  I think their break-up has given them the time to mature and allowed them to succeed in their respective fields.  I believe that they are having a grand time even without each other.  Besides, they were too young when they started going out.  And as the old saying goes, if they are really meant for each other, the powers-that-be will pave the way for a sweeter and rosy reunion.  Who knows, they might really be tying the knot in the future. 

So, sa inyong dalawa.  Enjoy your life… apart.  I hope you’ll be friends again, tutal dun naman kayo nagsimula.  And I really hope na may isa sa inyong magsalita at kwentuhan ako!  Hahaha!!! 

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I went out for lunch with my project-mates – Emily and Lisa.  Emily is a manager from Chicago.  She is married to a radiologist and has a sister who got married to an Israeli who doesn’t know how to speak English (well, maybe except for "I do"…hahaha).  Her assignment here in Cleveland will end next week that’s why they got me to take over her work. 

Lisa on the other hand, is also a manager.  But she was from the other side of the world… from the Land Down Under to be exact.  She’s been here for almost eight months but will also be leaving soon, around May probably. 

Lisa told us that Jeff will be joining us.  Jeff is also a manager - originally from Philadelphia, but is currently seconded here in Cleveland.  Next year, he’ll be going back to his local office to continue his work as Americas’ Learning and Education champion.  It was my first time to meet him. 

We went to the food court down Euclid Avenue.  Emily, being the health-conscious among all of us, ordered salad and smoothie in a nearby shop and just told us that she’ll be going to meet us at the food court.  Lisa, Jeff and I went for something Asian.  I got myself a Chinese plate of noodles while Lisa and Jeff got something Japanese. 

Medyo nakaka-OP pa makipag-usap kay Jeff, since it was my first time to meet him, and I feel like somehow un-welcomed.  Gladly, Emily arrived.  Emily and I started our own chit-chat because we can’t seem to enter the universe that is now known as "Jefflisa".  Hahaha!!!  I can tell from the way they talk that there is something going between them.  I can feel the electricity and I can see their eyes sparkling while talking to each other.  Ginawa lang pala kaming front ni Emily para sa date nila!  Hahaha!!! 

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I smell something romantic between two of my new-found friends in Singles for Christ.  Yiheee!!!  They are still denying it, but I sense something is brewing.  Sino kaya sila?  Anyone want clues?  Nah… masyado ng madali eh.  Just be observant.

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Okay, since the topic is all about relationships, I would like to share some of my thoughts about NOT being in a relationship… otherwise known as the state of being SINGLE.

I hate it when my friends tell me that I should get a girlfriend.  And you know what; most of these so-called “friends” are now in a relationship (whether rocky or smooth).  I just have one question though – why is it that when all of us were single, we never thought that that is a problem?  But now that they have someone on their side, I am suddenly burdened to find my own.

To them I say, I am enjoying my life as a single young gentleman.  Yes, I do sometimes feel lonely.  But hey, that doesn’t make a case that I should jump in the bandwagon and have someone.  I can do the things that you can’t do because of your better halves.  I can go places without tagging someone along.  I was able to go here without any obstructions.  I am not so homesick because I never left somebody in the Philippines. 

Being single is not a problem, IT’S A CHOICE… and as of the moment, it is my choice.  Besides, I’m only 24!  Huwag niyo ko i-pressure!  Mamaya diyan, maunahan ko pa kayong magpakasal!  Hahaha!!!

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On a lighter note, GMA has a new station ID.  Shucks!  Kailangan ko na naman tuloy kabisaduhin ang national anthem ng mga die-hard Kapuso.  Hahaha!!!

How will you feel if you were suddenly cut off from someone’s life? 

That when you thought everything is okay, you suddenly found yourself in oblivion. 

Will you still be hurt? 

Or does your heart become numb enough that you don’t feel anything any more? 

Will you cling on to your pride knowing that it is the only thing that’s left on you?

Will you regret the things that happened before and wish that everything can be rewritten?

What now?

With temperatures back to sub-zeroes, the past week in Toronto gave everyone the kainis-ang-lamig-na-naman feeling.  We even saw some flurries falling down the skies and I even donned my winter jacket back.  Fortunately, next week’s weather forecasts are expected to be on better (read: 0 to 10 degrees) and more on the springy side.

That is why I decided not to bring my winter jacket here in Cleveland.  I am now here in Ohio for a one-month assignment in EY’s Global Center.  I will be back in Toronto every Friday though.  It is a bit tiring but with all the Aeroplan points I’ll be collecting, I don’t have any objections on flying back and forth.  Besides, I love flying and going places.  Anyway, back to Cleveland…

It is a hard and fast rule to check the weather on your place of destination.  So I did my little research on Cleveland and saw that the temperatures will only be around 7 degrees Celsius and snow will only be rushing down on Friday afternoon.  But the forecast was terribly wrong!  It was snowing heavily when I arrived and ice has piled up to 12 inches (greater than any other accumuluated snowfall in  Toronto)!  And the worst part is that I am not and never will be dressed properly (remember, I never brought my winter jacket)!  Huwwaaaaaa!!! 

But I never let snow dampen my spirit.  I took a short walk in the city’s downtown core, tried to find a supermarket/convenience store, find EY’s office and have dinner somewhere.  I did find EY’s office, but I never came across a supermarket/convenience store, well at least an open one.  All restaurants are closed and there’s no single fast food chain in sight, so I ended up eating at the very costly hotel restaurant!  The city was like a ghost town!  No people were walking and you can hardly see any cars!  Feels like one of those Twilight Zone episodes.  Maybe people are still on their Easter vacation or they’re just too lazy to go out with this kind of weather.

One interesting part of the city is their Theatre District.  According to my hotel’s leaflet, Cleveland boasts the second largest Theatre industry in the United States, with New York leading the pack.  I might try to see a play if ever my schedule here won’t be too hectic. 

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I just noticed that I will be leaving Cleveland on the 13th of April which is a Friday and EY’s office is on the 13th floor of Huntington Building (a very very old office building in downtown Cleveland).  Nyay… creepy!!!  I might be really in the Twilight Zone!!!  Tanananan tanananan…

I was in New York last week to meet my friends, watch Lea Salonga in Les Miserables, visit Lady Liberty, see the great skyscrapers as well as do some additional side trips.  So many things happened that I can’t seem to find the words to start this entry.  That’s why I decided to just post some pictures and let them tell you the story of my entire trip. 

However, my Friendster blog won’t accept pictures anymore, or any file for that matter.  It keeps on saying that I have exceeded my disk quota, when in fact I have already deleted most of my mp3’s and other albums. 

Don’t worry my dear readers, I already called the attention of Friendster’s customer service.  I am just waiting for their response.  In the meantime, you can view my New York City online albums in imagestation and flickr.  Why the need for two albums, you may ask.  Well, my flickr account has exceeded the maximum picture uploads for this month, so I needed to put some pictures in my imagestation account.  Guess I took a lot of pictures while in New York.  Hehehe…

Links:

Imagestation (From Toronto to Trip to Liberty) –> http://www.imagestation.com/members/christian_montefrio

Flickr (From Liberty Island to Au revoir New York!) –> http://www.flickr.com/photos/7397905@N07/sets/72157600054512580/

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One thing I don’t like about New York is their subway system.  It really looks very old and dirty (and sometimes it also smells bad).  Well, it’s understandable since their train lines have been there for many decades.  I just hope they can improve it.  But other than that, New York is still New York — a melting pot of cultures and a great tourist destination.  And admit it or not, having a taste of the Big Apple is the fulfillment of the "Great American Dream". 

And oh, have I already mentioned that I loooove Central Park! =D

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Read from a friend’s blog that she had a bad experience in New York.  Wonder what happened to her.  Will try to phone her once she’s back in Canada.