Adora's Move to Educate Everyone about the RH Bill

I know you guys have probably walked by Adora in Greenbelt 5 numerous times and have seen the new window display. I've done this a hundred times already. But I just really wanted to blog about it and one particular experience I had when I passed by the display a few days ago.

The New Display

Entrance to Adora

Adora in Greenbelt 5

I really like it that Adora is making an effort in letting people know about the RH Bill. I am PRO RH Bill because I believe education is the answer to our population problem. We just have to wake up and accept change. Like in Bangkok, they are supportive of their movement against AIDS and their population problem. They even have a restaurant that serves as a venue to let tourists know about the cause. Known as the Population and Community Development Association, they have the ever so famous Cabbages and Condoms Resort and Restaurant, which I was able to visit last 2009.

Me and Sam outside Cabbages & Condoms

Mannequins dressed up with condoms

What? No mint? Take a condom instead
Posing with Angel

Anyway, going back to the topic... I've seen a number of cars with bumper stickers for "Anti RH Bill." Whenever I'm driving, I just really want to bump my car into them because I am so shocked to see that there are still so many people who have a closed mind. But because I've always been trying to keep myself in the middle of things, I behave and keep my thoughts to myself.

These stickers are posted on several cars in the metro

But when I first saw the new window display of Adora, I was very pleased that this luxury brand was not oblivious to the developments in our country. I am very pleased with their decision to choose this as their new campaign. It really goes to show that they are not just a fashion brand.

The Shocker


On a normal Sunday a few weeks ago, I was passing by Adora and admiring the window display when I happened to overhear someone talk about the display. As pretty, tall and skinny that she was, I could not help but frown at disbelief. While passing by the store, she asked her friend: "Ano yung RH bill?" It was a huge shock for me because I reckoned she was someone who studied in an expensive university and she did not look young not to understand it. She was probably around 19 years old and was in college already. I was just really shocked that she did not know what the RH bill is. Amidst all the fuss about the RH Bill, where has this girl been?! Whether she's pro or against it, I think she needs to know what it truly is.

Makes me wonder... what do colleges teach kids these days? hmm....

Remembering My 2009 Bangkok Trip (Part 1)

A few years ago, my friends and I planned to go out of town for a weekend; but since we didn’t want to end up having a long road trip we opted to go out of the country. Since my other two companions have been in and out the country for more than three times, I suggested we go somewhere we all have never been in. Thus—Bangkok was our chosen destination.

Our original flight date was supposed to be on the last weekend of May 2009 since the two girls had to take exams—Foreign Civil Service and Engineering Board. But because of the bad news about the cancellation of flights in Thailand (November 2008), our parents were hesitant to let us go. My dad, for instance, wanted me to go to Vietnam instead. After that incident, we decided to let it rest for a bit and wait till it was alright to go.

By the start of 2009, my friends asked me again regarding new updates of our flight plans. I checked with PAL and found cheap flights for May. But since I was thinking of going to Culinary school, I looked for a different date. Luckily, I found $142/pax roundtrip tickets for Feb. 13- Feb. 16, 2009. After checking with my friends, we immediately booked the flight online and paid with my card.

At first, my dad did not have any idea that I was set for to go to Bangkok. Instead, I told him I was going to Vietnam—just as he suggested. I bought a travel book to study where to go and what to avoid—it was very helpful considering it was our first time in Bangkok and on our own (we didn’t get a travel package since it was more expensive that way).

Every weekend since January 16 (the date when we booked our tickets), my friends and I would get together and plan what to bring, where to go and how much money to bring. In the end, we decided to bring $ 150.00 each (excluding airport fees and our plane ticket). In the end, my dad finally agreed to me going to Bangkok.

February 13 came and we met at the airport at 7 am. Our flight was scheduled to depart 10:30 am and we would arrive around 12:30 but we boarded 30 minutes late and arrived in Bangkok around 2 pm Manila time (Bangkok is one hour late).

waiting for our plane

breakfast: Cupcakes via Mom & Tina

Econolight = no meals

Suvarnabhumi International Airport

Upon arrival, we headed to the money exchange and had our money converted to Baht. The rate was $1.00- THB 35.70. My dad gave me extra money (to buy shirts for my siblings) and I ended up with THB 8,440.00. After converting our money, we headed to the immigration line. It took us a while because all the lines were very long but we made it through without any hassle. We then got our bags and headed straight to the Departure area (to get a taxi) as suggested by the Hostel we had a reservation with. We avoided the “nice” people who offered us a ride to Sukhumvit Soi 1 (the street of our hostel) for 500 THB and proceeded to a cab which was a passenger was getting off from. We told him to turn on the meter and showed him a copy of the Thai script directions to our hostel. He said yes and we got in the car. The hostel, Soi 1 Guesthouse, advised that we would pay around 300-350 THB for the taxi but luck was on our side—we only paid 260 THB for the ride to our hostel.


At our hostel, we checked in and paid 1,050 THB each for 3 nights stay in a triple bed private ensuite plus a deposit of 200 THB for the room key. 

Soi 1 Guesthouse, our accommodation

When we got inside the room, I was a bit shocked since it looked like an ordinary dorm room with a double deck bed and a shower and only a curtain as a door. But considering we only paid 350 THB each per night, I’d say it was an okay rate. 

Sam & I, deciding who gets to sleep where

Our very own shower

After settling in, we got out of the room and faced the hostel owner, David and asked directions to Cabbages and Condoms.It’s a condom decorated restaurant that has movements to stop sexually transmitted diseases and population control in Thailand. 

A major part of our trip involved walking to our next destination

at Cabbages & Condoms

My next superhero costume?

We ordered the Moo Dad Diew, Kratung Thong and fruit shakes. 

Moo Dad Diew

Kratong Thong

Try their Banana shake! The banana alone is a real treat! 

after our late lunch

what? no mints???

After our late lunch, we rode the skytrain (Asok to Chit Lom) to go to Erawan Shrine. We saw some dancers doing a ritual prayer dance but were too shy to take their picture since the dance was paid by a local offering a prayer. 

the view of Siam from Erawan Shrine

Erawan Shrine

After Erawan, we walked to Siam Paragon and took a stroll, took pictures before calling it a day and headed to our hostel via the skytrain (Siam to Phloen Chit). We didn’t have any trouble looking for the hostel at all.

Siam Paragon Mall

are we lost??

the outside part of Siam Paragon Mall

Ocean World (just below Siam Paragon Mall)

that's Sawatdee-ka! the end of our day one in Bangkok

Recipe #5: Kratong Thong

For Christmas 2009, I was originally planning to make Black Sambo since my relatives were not aware what it was. But since I was unsuccessful in making the gelatin the right texture for three attempts, I ended up making Kratong Thong (Thai dish) instead.

It's a dish made with chicken mixed with corn and some carrots and placed on fried cups. I never actually got the recipe for this dish but I made up my own recipe.

Ingredients:

1 Kilo Ground Chicken, seasoned with Salt & Pepper

1 Can Corn

1/2 Carrot, Diced

20 Lumpia Wrapper, Fried

Directions:

1. Mix in the carrots with the raw chicken. When it has thoroughly been mixed, saute it with a little oil.

2. When chicken is almost cooked, add in the whole kernel corn.

3. Once chicken is thoroughly cooked, place it on fried lumpia wrapper cups.

July 20, 2010: A Hair-y Discussion

Yesterday, I was in a sudden urge to get my hair cut. But I was deciding if I should get it done by Mr. Shin (Beautybrick), Billy (Univers Kaizen) or by Nelson (Tony & Guy). Billy has long been my hairstylist until I met Mr. Shin, who Angel totally supports. Nelson, on the other hand, was the cover shoot’s hairstylist that I met. I wanted to try out his power on my hair. At the same time, I was also debating not to get my hair cut. So I decided to forget about it for the meantime.

Haircut with Mr. Shin, Nov. 2009 (me, Mr. Shin, Angel)

I was scheduled for an interview with Stefan Wilczynski of Basement Salon for SPARK Magazine in the evening so I headed there via MRT. If you ask me, I’m fond of using the MRT since it reminds me so much of the trains of Hong Kong and Bangkok. And I was so fascinated by those transportation options that every time I ride in our own, I still feel like I am in another country.

MTR Ride in Hong Kong

The only thing that bothers me with our MRT is the fact that people don’t have discipline. I mean, come on! I know everyone wants to get inside a tram the soonest time possible but can you at least wait until people have stepped out? Plus, look around you. You can’t act all “siga” /tough and cut in front of other people who are lining to step inside the train. This, I think, is one of the biggest flaws of our country. I’m sure if we (Filipinos) follow rules like in Thailand, I’m sure our system would be orderly!

Angel, Me, Sam on our way back to Siam, Bangkok MRT

So anyway, when I got to EDSA Shangri La, I was an hour early. I decided to get coffee and gather my thoughts on what the interview will be. When it was time for the interview, I arrived in Basement Salon and talked with Stefan. He was very accommodating and interesting to talk to. I learned a lot of tips from him. But of course, those tips will be featured in the blog of SPARK.

Towards the end of the interview, I got a little surprise. The surprise was so good that I wanted to hug him and burst into tears. It’s really something unexpected and I was so honored for even just hearing about it. I know I’ve long had a problem with this and here he was—the remedy within arm’s reach. [The surprise will be revealed on Thursday’s post!]

After the interview, I rushed back to Makati, ate dinner by myself at Pepper Lunch. If you ask anyone, they will tell you that I am such a big Pepper Lunch fan. There are times that I would just pass by the store in Greenbelt 5 and would have a sudden craving for Beef Pepper Rice simply because I smelled it by passing.

Tonight though, I wanted something else.

I tried their Combo Cut Steak & Hamburger. I didn’t like it. = ( It’s best I stick with my favorite: Beef Pepper Rice!

I COMMIT TO CHANGE: My Wardrobe Malfunction

Have you ever felt the sudden urge to go to a clothing store and purchase some clothes to make you look and feel better? I usually battle with this problem since I don’t have a lot of clothes to wear. Correction: I do have several clothes it’s just that they are mostly shirts and jeans. Since I have big arms, wearing shirts make me look bigger than I really am. And this is why I frequently feel the need to change my whole look whenever I’m in the mall, killing some time before I attend meetings.

Aside from this, I often find myself ransacking through my closet just so I could find the right clothes to wear to the events I go to and the scheduled meetings with my boss. And this sometimes takes me forever! Before, I could just throw on any ‘pambahay’ clothes and work the whole day in the comfort of my own room. While this has been acceptable in the past (when I was still working at home as a freelance writer), it no longer is okay for what I do now.

At the 2010 Hot Air Balloon Festival, Clark

As many of my friends know, I have been given a job as a Web Marketing Manager for SPARK Magazine (thank you Sammii!). I started on the last week of April and I’ve been very happy about the job. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to work for a magazine. I always thought that if I could just get at least one article posted, even without any remuneration, I would be happy. But I could never get the part. This is because I lacked the education and background for working in the industry.

But hey, I love to write. Ever since I was 11 years old, I’ve been writing poems and short stories. If you do a Google search on Trixie Torralba, you would be directed to several links all containing previous poems I have published on a certain blog (unfortunately, I forgot the password). I knew that if they (magazine editors) would just give me a chance, I would prove myself to them.

Luckily, I was well into my 8th months of being a freelance writer when I happened to overhear Angel’s friend, Sammii, asking if anyone was interested in working for an upcoming magazine. I knew I could not let this opportunity pass. So I told her that I was interested and luckily, I was accepted.

This is my third month in the business and I’m feeling more ecstatic than ever! I get to practice photography, meet new people, and do what I’ve always wanted! But most of all, I get to show people (especially my editor) what I am capable of. I may not be perfect or the best, but I am trying to be.

My tasks in the job include writing articles, doing photo shoots, featuring restaurants, attending events, and talking to several people. And because I have nothing DECENT to wear to such events, I always end up heading to the mall and scouring for an outfit that will fit my budget while still being able to look tiptop.

Knowing this, I decided I COMMIT TO CHANGE my whole wardrobe. I always had a knack for pretty clothes but I always thought that I wouldn’t get to wear them. I always made alibis (palusot) that there was no point in buying such clothes as they will just get stuck inside my closet. Well, now’s my chance.

During a trip to Bangkok with my friends

I COMMIT TO CHANGE not only my wardrobe. I will also change my bags. Before, I used to buy just about any bag large enough to fit all my essentials but below P500. I have to keep in mind that the magazine I am working for is a luxury lifestyle magazine. And although I may never have the chance to own a Balenciaga (except if it’s free), I do have to look for bags that are of good quality and design.

A bag I got in Chatuchak, Bangkok

I COMMIT TO CHANGE my shoe collection as well. If you ask anyone close to me, they will honestly tell you that I have really cool shoes! And I promise I really do since I’m a shoe person not a bag lady. But I will look for more designs and comfortable footwear that will make me able to face people I talk to without any insecurity.

Yes, that's my super white leg in the middle.

Lastly, I COMMIT TO CHANGE my look. When I started with the magazine, I decided to chop off my hair and had it cut short by Basement Salon. A few weeks later, I got Mr. Shin of Beautybrick to fix it for me. Aside from my hair, I also need to learn how to put on makeup. I used to be a big fan of cosmetics back in 2008 but I stopped using them when I started being M.I.A. from the events of VIBE Manila. My sister, Bubot, sponsored my makeup class from Suesh as my 24th birthday present. I will be attending the class tomorrow and already, I’m excited!

A fully made up Me with hot Toni Santos in 2008

Hopefully, with these changes, I will be able to learn how to become a better talker since I always shy away from crowds because of my insecurities on the way I look. *Crosses fingers*

2009 Year End Credits

As 2009 nears to an end, it is only customary for people to make their New Year's Resolution. And ever since I can remember, I have been against it for many, many years. In this case however, I plan to make a thank you message instead of a resolution. Resolutions never take place anyway, so why not thank the good and bad things that happened to you instead? In a way, this is my first ever Year End Credit to all those who have been a part of my 2009:

After Dad got out of the hospital, we ate at ClawDaddy

January- Nothing much happened in January. I was still deciding what I wanted to do. And in that month, my Dad had to be admitted to the hospital. It was also the month I got my hair rebonded at Univers Kaizen, Mall of Asia. I also was able to get a postpaid mobile number with under my very own name.

Golden Mount, Thailand

February- Highlight of my year ever: my trip to Bangkok with my girlfriends, Angel and Denise. It was the first time my dad ever allowed me to out of the country with just my friends. Nothing bad happened to us and I discovered I loved Bangkok! Also, I was able to talk to my dad to let me join Culinary School.

March- To date, this is still the last time I rode the public bus. Lol! Anyway, this was the month Culinary School started. I enrolled in AICA [Academy for International Culinary Arts] and became a schoolgirl once again. I met some new friends too! I was able to change my laptop from Acer into Compaq and it was the month Mimi had a field trip. It was the best!

AICA Batch 22

inside the locker room

Holy Week in Punta Fuego

April- While I had a memorable Holy Week at Punta Fuego, this was also the month of bad events. First of all, I started getting cuts from class, Kaice [my 9 year old dachshund] got sick and almost could not walk, and this was also the month I started dating again. Didn't work out though, after a month since we both wanted different things. Also, this is the month I encountered my first car engine trouble. My A/T Honda Civic 2001 would not move. And it was in the middle of an intersection. Needless to say, I had to get help from our driver.

May- Nothing big happened this month. Except probably for the school requirement that I had to go through 150 hours of immersion. I got mine at New Orleans, Bonifacio High Street. Sold my Holga and ActionSampler.

Cleaning up after class

June- Now here, this is the month that changed everything. I started dating a new guy who I became serious with. Too bad though, I was the only one who felt that way.

July- My birthday month! I turned 23 this year. My theme song for my birthday was 'Real' by Plumb. Went to Antipolo and Subic. Started becoming doubtful about school. Former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino dies.

Singing onstage to Kitchie Nadal's Wag Na Wag Mong Sasabihin

August- My dad's birthday at Subic. Stopped school, bought Suki, her new black labrador, and went back to the company business.

September- Went to Lago de Oro and Laguna with the family. This is the first time I tried wakeboarding/kneeboarding. This is also the month I stopped working at the office and became a full time freelance article writer working at home. At the same day I quit, Ondoy struck Metro Manila. But I finally found the right job I want to do.

Kneeboarding was more like it...

October- The month drama started. Went to Bacolod for Masskara. First time in my entire life I was dragged in to see the real Masskara celebration. Because of this, I remembered why I didn't like to go to the Plaza during the fiesta: big crowds. Hated it! Another bagyo hit Metro Manila and my car was almost hit by a piece of tin roof which was flying around. Went to Subic with the family to escape the blackout. Got to try Go Kart.

November- got my heart broken REALLY bad, decided to make a real blog, had my hair dyed RED. went out with friends to a Vibe event again [first time after I went M.I.A. with Vibe for a year].

first hair dye with Beautybrick

night out with my girls

December- Suki started her obedience training. This is also the month my dad allowed me to go to Lago de Oro with only Angel and Christina. Enjoyed our road trip. Overcame fear of eating frog legs. And I attended a Photography Workshop.

with Sai

Well, that has been my 2009. And with all the lessons I learned this year, I can only hope for more better things to come in 2010. It has been one hell of a ride which I hope you, my dear reader, will still be a part of in the years to come. Join me for another year full of fun, adventure, and all things Trixie. Happy New Year and See you in 2010!

Would like to thank:

Angela Gabrielle P. Consing, Samantha Denise F. Hilado, Christina Maria Cecilia M. Sayson, Cristel Marie D. Segovia, Liza Mae C. Valencia, Patricia Frances S. Monfort & Jake Monfort

Marianne Tan, Chielo Manzano, Joel Tesoro, Norman Granados, and all of AICA

Bubot, Ronnie, Nang Aloha, Dad, Kuya Nikki, Kuya Richie, Sheila, James, Shaina Torralba

Jesna Lem, Jenniferlyn Ruego, Hannah Barreta, Mark Sabobo, and all of my friends in USLS-HM

and to you, whoever you are, thank you for reminding me that I am only human and that I can be capable of loving someone this much..