STAYCATION'S ALL I EVER WANTED

Multiple long weekends meant multiple opportunities for the fam to go off to faraway, exotic destinations. And, boy, did we ever! Let's see, there was a trip to, um, Laguna. Yeah. Then to Cavite. Whoa nellie. And then to Cavite again...

Look, I've been through this before: we got a kid in school now, bills to pay, fantasy leagues to manage...there's not enough time/resources to jet around just to look like a wannabe instagram influencer. On the other hand, the LLDD-Hyphen-L's social media skills and savvy did manage to hook us up with some gorgeous yet easy to get to places. So, yeah, we're happy. And our facebook albums are full.

Lotus Pod  

A beautiful Balinese inspired resort, with intimate pools and lush landscaping. A good base, too, for exploring the waterfalls, parks and historic towns around Laguna.  (I'm not sure, but I think it was also the setting for an Andrea Torres photoshoot. Um, so I've heard)

Riviera

More accurately, a resthouse compound near the golf club and the clubhouse pool. Great for reunions, extended family gatherings, and side-trips to gardens and farms along the Cavite highways. Also great for forcing a certain spouse and child to get over their wussy fear of water slides (the go-to move: go down as a family, but have the flabby husband take the lead -- the sheer drag caused by his large skin surface area will slow the steepest slide down to a near crawl)

Abagatan Ti Manila

More of a workcation, actually, but I'm still counting it because I want to claim something so gorgeous looking and beautifully designed as the place where the LLDD-Baby's photobombs finally seized the crown from the LLDD-Hyphen-L's posing-posing 

pag may time, mama. pag may time

TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT WHEN ASEAN AGAIN

So I didn't take part in the recently concluded ASEAN Ministerial Meetings -- been there than that, ika nga. But more accurately, I was never asked to have any role in the events EXCEPT to attend the closing ceremonies. Yet in that little snapshot, I could see that this year's proceedings were on a different level.

They had a very cool way of honoring some ASEAN Heroes/Champions. An inspiring Pinoy song would play while stylized lyrics would pop-up on the giant screens, then the honorees would enter the stage to applause while graphics/images of their achievements appeared behind them. Very Oscars tribute montage-ish.

I wish I was hip enough to know what this band and song were. They were great (and definitely cooler than the Rock Icon's "Community of Unity")

Actually, the entire musical score was fantastic, and so many dancers! It just got me thinking: man, if they pulled out all these stops for closing ceremonies (which usually don't even have shows), what do they have left for the Summit gala in November? I mean, we've asked so much of Freddie Aguilar already!

Oh, Sam. The Master of Ceremonies was perfectly charming and capable, but I couldn't get out of my head a blooper story she once told on her morning radio show: once, at a big political event full of dignitaries she was emceeing, she introduced the keynote speaker:"and now ... ladies and gentlemen ... President ... Fidel ... V ...CASTRO!"

And, oh hey, guess who was there!

Still, it's gotta be said: the ex-President's and/or Commander in Chief's closing ceremonies sneaker game is strong.

EIGHT MORE REASONS MY HOME OFFICE IS MORE AWESOME THAN YOUR HOME OFFICE

Trippin' on the Department's Sauron-like ceiling got me acid-flashbacking on what made the home office awesome, and then to thinking it's about time I shouted out some of its other underappreciated coolness

• Yeah, your office has probably had an exhibit of indigenous textiles in its lobby at some point. Ours had the freakin' Bayanihan dance group stage a flying fabric fashion show. That's how we do.

• And the accompanying open bar of Philippine liquors at events like these - magnifico! **puts fingers to puckered lips**

• The periodic book sales/exchanges held outside the cafeteria seem to know what personnel really want.

• Right at the Department's front entrance are some rock formations jutting out of a body of water patrolled by some chill Pinoy amphibians (who I've named Scarborough and Spratly). Stretching the analogy further: just like our marooned Marines, the turtles are sustained by occasional air drops from the nearby Jollibee =)

• Sure, some hip progressive offices out there might offer free back rubs to employees. Ours once had a spa set up and give out back, foot, body massages and facials and diamond peels

• Our office-issued shake drill safety helmets are apparently sponsored by the Ceelin vitamins kid

• A safe, sensible office would think to place hand sanitizers on receptionists' desks. Ours puts out body lotion. Makes us feel, you know, loved. And attractive.

• At the end of a workweek, there's still nothing like the view from our roofdeck to make you reflect upon the most profound life questions ahead of you

like, saan tayo kakain, MOA o dampa?

ORALS HISTORY

So I was surprised to be invited to the Formal Dinner portion of the latest FSO examinations. I'd never been asked to attend one since I became an officer, and I didn't realize it had already been over 10 years since I went to mine. I kindaaa wanna say the dinner brought back fond memories of my own oral exams, but to be honest it was all a bit of a blur back then AND I was actually the first candidate of my batch to be called up to give remarks which meant after I finished I could drink wine the rest of the evening while the rest of my batchmates waited for their turn and did I mention it was all a slurry blur back then?

But seriously, this Dad-mind can't remember where he placed his car keys this morning, let alone what happened at a dinner a decade ago. But the recent dinner did trigger a few flashbacks in my head.

I do remember, for instance, the invitation to my dinner stating the recommended event attire as "Filipiniana" (which I suppose has always been the case). What I didn't realize then - and was reminded of now - was how seriously the Department's Senior Officials apparently took this suggestion. Even though the formal dinner would take place near the Home Office and right after work hours -- which to my mind justifies invitees coming in their straight-from-office attire -- everyone arrived having obviously taken the time to clean up, get made-up, and change into Pinoy finery you'd only associate with Embassy June 12 events. This was a big deal.

This was OUR nerd-prom!

And I don't remember anymore who were the guests at my table during my oral exam, but I do know they always seat between examinees distinguished senior officials, academics, artists and the like. 

So I ask, why the heck was I invited to this thing again? 

(UPDATE: They just released the results of the exams, and I thiiiiiink the topnotcher sat at my table. She may have heard my priceless advice "yeah, just keep talking")

Finally, I recall a wonky detail: during my exam, I remember the thing was administered by the Undersecretary for Administration. This year (and I'm not sure since when), the event was run by the Undersecretary for Policy. So my invitation now makes sense -- the man was still on my case about not getting his memo, and now he wanted me to witness him basking in the glow of the cadets.

Legend

BLOODY BRILLIANT

atm, donating blood, lying on a cot lightheaded, staring at the auditorium ceiling.

hanep sa trip, pare

I'm telling you man, it's like i'm inside a kaleidoscope eye of sauron. Four Stars!

AMINO! ... I MEAN, INA MO! ... I MEAN, ANIMO!

yeah, 'yun...Animo...Animo, LASHALLE!! 'Di pa tayo lasheng!!!

Whatever. Best of times with the oldest of friends.

pero late na, uwi na raw tayo *9.30pm*

LET'S CHECK UP ON THIS NEWS SITE'S STOCK PHOTO-HEADLINE ALGORITHM MID-YEAR PERFORMANCE SHALL WE

The Science and Research section seems to have cooled off from its hot start to the year, but its quality remains top-notch

I mean, who else would you pair with this headline?

Cowabunga, indeed.

This is a bad sign.

If by soon you mean 2265...

... and not soon enough for Ah-nuld.

That's it. The Rebels are there.

So...your solution is...weaponize Larry the cat??

??????

The good news: the same site's Health and Wellness section seems to be willing to take up the slack -- with Disney princesses!


Ha! Prince Charming's kissing game be weak!

Makes sense. Fish tail known to increase type-2 risk.

On the other hand, the site's Showbiz section doesn't seem to know how Spoiler Alerts work.

(UPDATE!)

The site's Sports section just came out with breaking news on my phone and...oh...never mind.