Karen+Archie

Flower Shower!!!!

Gerard captured this beautiful photo of Karen and Archie's dreamy and romantic wedding last December 18. Gerard's metal jaw dropped when he saw Karen in her wedding dress. She was stunning. Archie, you're a lucky bastard! :)

Gerard got a bit teary eyed because Karen and Archie have reminded us all what it means to genuinely loved and be loved. Gerard wishes that he finds his true love in this lifetime, like they did! Awwwwwww...

Of course, the wedding was even more beautiful, thanks to Karen's entourage and high school friends!

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Tengson!

Coffee with Anielle

At this very moment, Gerard is having coffee with his new coffee buddy, Anielle Santos-Banson.

Anielle is a model, both for print ads and TV commercials. Gerard first saw her one afternoon on TV in a coffee commercial, and she changed the way Gerard thinks of coffee.

"Ehem..."

"Coffee tastes better with cream!" Gerard says.

"Ehem."

"Sorry. It's my first time to taste something like this. Mmmmm.."

"EHEM!"

.....

.....

And Anielle got Gerard at "ehem".

Michelle

It's not easy to blog about Michelle Callanta-Taledo. Gerard's metal screws melted thinking of what to write about her, given the fact that Michelle is a writer -- a REALLY REALLY good writer. She's the Associate Editor for a tech magazine. She has a blog that reeks of her sheer INTELLIGENCE. She lives and breathes words. She's in-love with words and wants to have babies with them. She's so smart she could replace Wikipedia. And, should Gerard write one wrong word about her, Michelle's pose of sisters will probably kick his metal ass outta here.

Good thing Gerard (on stalker mode) found a beautiful piece about Michelle on her own blog.

"She is a formidable woman. The sweet-sexy ornament of the Humanities building. The male species look at her with vicious eyes and ensnaring thoughts. She is a Queen. She is the RED QUEEN. Always near on top but never at the top of any gambler's game that I know. She walks her walk; talks her talk. Smiles like an innocent but tempting and oozing with the eloquence of a learned. Be DAZZLED. Stick your jaw to the ground and let that saliva make its way to moisten the floor. But she never slips... Long have you seen her. The glasses deceive the fool. The tongue peppers the soul. The dress betrays the body. If you think that's her... it isn't. All is a sick cycle of prejudice, morality, aesthetics, education, and liberality. So many holes for reconsideration, reconstruction and reorganization of a closed mind. The brain is capsulated by the cranium. But the psyche roams uncharted."

WORD! GOD! *fireworks* *champagne showers* Gerard just loves this description. EVERY. F*CKING. WORD. What Gerard loves about Michelle is that she knows and loves herself, and she can do whatever the hell she wants. But, f*ck it, Gerard wants it be simple as possible. Yeah yeah this statement is dripping with cheese and shizz, but behind those glasses and disarming smile, Michelle is one heck of woman. And Gerard is lost for words. Damn you, Michelle!

The Red Whistle

Gerard loves and lives by the numbers. But he was SHOCKED to discover the recent statistics of the HIV and AIDS epidemic here in the Philippines.

According to the Philippine National AIDS Council:

8 new cases are reported everyday

8 out 10 are tested positive for HIV

An estimated 8,700 people (and counting!!) are living with HIV

936 AIDS cases since the outbreak

In the Philippines, 15-24 year-olds are most susceptible to the risks of HIV

We now have a 56% increase since 2010

in 3 years 30,000 Filipinos will be living with HIV

These numbers are crazy. This IS a serious matter, guys! And Gerard wants to challenge these numbers. 

There's nothing quite like the feeling of being in a room with people who are out to change the world.

Gerard, Nimu, Kriska, JM and her girlfriend Lee were able to participate in The Project Headshot Clinic, particularly their run for the The Red Whistle. The Red Whistle is a great initiative that concentrates on issues surrounding the increasing cases of HIV and AIDS in the Philippines. According to their site, lack of awareness about the risks brought on by AIDS and HIV is one of the main drivers of the increase in cases. As a response to this, The Red Whistle was formed, and came up with three objectives:

1. raise awareness on the situation to encourage community action;

2. deliver safer sex messages designed to reach communities affected by the epidemic

3. help facilitate access or referral to HIV services, including HIV testing, treatment, and support services. 

The idea of the Project Headshot Clinic is using peoples' photos as promotional materials for initiatives such as The Red Whistle. They were able to sign up as participants for the project, and had their headshot taken by one of the most prominent photographers in the country today, Niccolo Cosme. Gerard loves his mohawk hair, by the way.

Nimu, Kriska, JM, and Lee's headshots

It was a very wonderful experience in so many levels. Apart from it being really inexplicably fun, Gerard, in one way or another, was able to take part in an effort to make the country a better place to be in. Such a win-win! :)

It's time to blow the whistle!

Knowledge is the best prevention. Check out these sites:

Philippine National AIDS Council
The Red Whistle

The Red Whistle facebook

Project Headshot Clinic
Project Headshot Clinic facebook

Take the Test

Secret Garden

There was a time when Gerard wanted to eat a really good meal at a garden restaurant with (name of future girlfriend insert here) or his group of friends.

Gerard's food cravings came true a few weeks ago when he was invited by his homo sapien friends for a dinner at Isabelo Garden Restaurant in Marikina City. Gerard calls it "The Secret Garden," a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. He even got lost getting there, so that's how secret it was. Yet, it was worth all the trouble! 

This little secret garden took us back in time: Isabelo is an ancestral house-turned-garden/outdoor cafe, which shelters decades-old (or perhaps centuries-old) trees, retro-themed floor tiles, and colorful lights, details which Gerard instantly loved.

The food was just as fantastic; Gerard gave it a Capital D for Delicious! The Spinach Artichoke Dip nearly bought metal tears to Gerard... it was amaze-balls! He also finished an entire plate of Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pesto all by himself. His metal tum-tum was so full. Capital G for Gluttony! *food coma

Gerard was impressed with the whole dining experience that he won't leave the restaurant without meeting the wonderful chef behind it—Portia Baluyut. 

Chef Portia grew up seeing her grandmother cook, and since then, like her lola, she prepares and cooks the food with the secret ingredient: love. Yeah, yeah, that statement is oozing and dripping with cheese. 

Gerard can't wait to have a romantic dinner at Isabelo with (name of future girlfriend insert here) soon!

P.S.

This is a food blog, right? But WHERE ARE THE PHOTOS OF THE FOOD? Well, the food was really really good that Gerard ate all of it and forgot to take photos. Ooops! Check out their website: http://www.isabelogarden.com/gallery.html

En Route: Baler, Aurora

"What is surfing again?" Gerard asked NiMu while packing his things in his metal backpack. "The word "surf," as far as  I know, is when you visit the world wide web. Why go all the way to Baler just to check out websites?"

"You'll see when we get to Baler," NiMu quickly answered, looking so busy preparing her own stuff. "Don't forget your sunblock, okay?" Gerard rolled his eyes as he got up and looked for a bottle of sunblock.

It was a Friday night. Gerard, together with NiMu and her boyfriend, Jake, and their two other friends, are going to the Surf and Music Festival 2011 in Baler, Aurora, for the long weekend. "3 days of surfing?! Crazy, crazy people," Gerard said to himself. 

They hopped in the bus and took their seats. Gerard made sure he sat beside the window. NiMu told him to sleep because it will be a looooooooooooong ride. "Besides, you will need plenty of energy for tomorrow's surfing lessons," NiMu said.

Gerard didn't realize that he slept for almost 9 hours straight until NiMu woke him up. Gerard couldn't believe his eyes what he saw outside the bus window, "BEACH!!!!!!!" he shouted.

This is the beach of Sabang, Baler. Fine sand, waves, amazing scenery… This is the LIFE! 

Gerard: So that's why you said to bring sunblock!!

NiMu: DUH!

Gerard: Okaaaaay, okaaaay, sorry! So, what's our game plan?

NiMu: SURF!!!

Gerard's metal jaw dropped when saw some guys standing on a board in the middle of the sea. "Ooooh, so that's surfing. It's like skateboarding, but on water." he said. Nimu gave a FREE SURFING stub to Gerard. 

A lot of people go to Baler to enjoy the beach and surf. Gerard made new surfer friends!

Gerard couldn't wait to surf. Local surfers told him to choose a surfboard. Gerard chose the yellow surfboard with skull logo. He wanted to be a bad-ass surfer.

SURFING 101:

Arvin is Gerard's surfing instructor. Arvin is a local in Baler and he's a very good surfer. He even won surfing competitions.

Before the actual surfing, Arvin enumerated the parts of the surfboard, how to paddle, how to stand on a surfboard, and safety measures when surfing. Gerard was listening intently to Arvin's lessons and instructions. He even helped Arvin put some wax onto the board.

Arvin: Tara na sa dagat!

Gerard: *gulp* Um…okay!

*SPLASH*

*PADDLE*

*WAVE*

*STAND*

*SWIIIIIIISH*

*SPLAAAASH*

At first, Gerard failed to stood on the surfboard because of the strong waves and his knees were shaking. After a few attempts, he finally did it! Gerard robo-surfed! His surfing experience went on for about 40 minutes until Gerard and Arvin got out of the ocean.

Gerard cant really explain the feeling. He was stoked! After his surfing experience, Gerard now wants to be the first robot surfer instructor and show off his washboard abs! He wants to go back to Baler soon!

Gerard left a mark...

Special thanks to Travel Factor.

absoluteLEE awesome

Have you ever had to convince someone that your partner is not a robot?


I have.


A couple of weeks ago I was having a drink with Gerard, Nimu, and Nimu's boyfriend Jake. It was one of those "biglaan" meetups we have every once in a while. And while Nimu and Jake were busy making googly-eyes at each other, Gerard and I used that time to catch up a bit.


Gerard: Are we waiting for someone?
Me: Yes.
Gerard: Who?
Me: My girlfriend? She'll be here in a bit.
Gerard: Girlfriend??


At this point our conversation stopped for a bit because Gerard kinda rambled on about how love is love, and how it should not be limited by stuff like gender, age, or even biological make up.


Gerard: So, how is she like?
Me: You'll see later.
Gerard: Come on! Tell me nooow!
Me: Well, she's weird.
Gerard: Is she a robot?
Me: What? No! She's just.. different.
Gerard: I bet she's a robot.
Me: Will you cut it out!


The "she's a robot" argument went on for about 20 very disturbing minutes until around the time Lee, my girlfriend, got there.


Gerard: *whispering* Hey dude, I have good news and bad news for you.
Me: What?
Gerard: Good news is that your girl is pretty. The good news is that she's a robot.
Me: What makes you say that?? Wait what's the bad news?
Gerard: What? Uhh. I forgot.
Me: *What the f**k face*
Gerard: Don't look at me like that. It's you who's got a girlfriend who's a robot!
Me: How can you possibly prove that??
Gerard: She's good-looking.
Me: Yeah. So?
Gerard: Robots are good-looking. She's cool too, right?
Me: Definitely, but that doesn't mean--
Gerard: Typical robot!!! And lemme guess, she's nice too huh? And awesome?
Me: Yeah but--
Gerard: She's a robot, man. That's what being a robot is all about. Trust me.
Me: You need an oil change, Gerard.

After that he asked to have a picture with her taken, to which I agreed to, but only after Gerard promised not to try to sync with my girlfriend through her "USB port". Up until now it scares me just trying to think of what he meant by that.


Thinking about what Gerard told me, I'm convinced his logic circuits need some checking. But on the other hand, one thing I know about Gerard is that he knows everything about what being a robot is all about. And if being good-looking, cool, nice, and awesome, is what being a robot is all about, then maybe my girlfriend is a robot. And because of that, I feel fortunate. ;)




Happy, sleepyhead!

Flying Forward

European sneaker Feiyue steps for the first time in the Philippines! Gerard attended the media launch of Feiyue last October 13 at Opus, ResortsWorld.


"Fei...yue...fei..yuh...fei..yeah? Sounds like a tongue twister to me," Gerard said. Feiyue (pronounced as feî-ué), that literally means "flying forward" in chinese, was a originally a chinese brand that makes those comfy kung fu shoes. In 2006, Feiyue was bought and revamped by the french dudes! Awesome!


Gerard wanted a detailed history of the sneaker, so he asked Matthews Chang.

Matthews was the presenter at the launch and he told the sneaker's cool history to everyone. He's the marketing representative of Feiyue Singapore. Gerard considers him the coolest guy in those khakis, glasses, and Feiyue sneaks.

Yay! Nimu got a free pair! She got a Feiyue Delta Mid in gray and suede. Gerard wished Feiyue made those cool shoes his size! Thanks Feiyue!!! :)


www.feiyue-shoes.com

Hippie Bloggers

When Gerard was in eighth grade, a gazillion light years ago, he had a loose polo shirt that he wore with bell bottom jeans. That shirt—which his mother loathed—was floral with colors including blues and greens. He usually wore it on Friday nights. He was a hippie!

Gerard took a trip back to the Hippieville when he met these four bloggers at a photo shoot for a local brand. 

Shai Lagarde, Crissey Si, Valerie Chua and Dominique Tiu wore the updated versions of a bohemian: leather, scarves, fringes, and patterns—floral or crazy graphics—and wore it with…ehem…wait for it….JEANS (Gerard had to press the caps lock button on that word)!

They totally put the power back in flower! They've come to spread peace, love and happiness with Gerard!

Check out their blogs!

Dominique Tiu                                 Valeria Chua

 

Crissey Si                                  Shai Lagarde

Dan was Here

It's a bird…

It's a plane…

SpiderDan? Joker? Mang Serapio? Captain Planet? Michael Jackson?...

It's Dan Ramon Geromo! (as his normal self)

Dan lives in costumes, plays for three local bands, was (and forever will be) a superhero, and the only man who can only pull off a spidey costume other than Toby Maguire. He has nothing to fear but but a lame crowd and an empty stomach. His favorite quote: "The best things in life are freaks."

Disguise the limit...

Dan's multiple costume changes inspire Gerard to also try joining cosplay conventions and organize a costume party for his next birthday. This halloween, Gerard will attend his first Trick or Treat party, but he can't decide between dressing up as Edward Cullen or Derek Zoolander—but he can always go as both.

Enter the world(s) of Dan:
http://wonderb.multiply.com/
http://spiderdangeromo.tumblr.com/

http://wonderboarders.tumblr.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/SpiderDan

http://danwashere.deviantart.com/

http://wonderboarders.multiply.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/WONDER-BOARDERS/46520758165

A Girl Named Kitchie

Kitchie Cruz was listening to Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" on her computer the day she met Gerard. She has that pretty face, charming and sweet personality, and sense of humor that Gerard and every teenage boy out there dreams of. Kitchie may have that girl-next-door charm. She's definitely not your ordinary girl. She has an appetite of a baby cow! Hahaha! Yup, she can devour a big hamburger by herself… with fries and ice cream on the side. "But why," Gerard thought, "with all that calories and carbs…she never gained weight?"

She was an editorial assistant for travel, lifestyle, showbiz and gaming magazines at her previous job. And being the youngest employee at that time, she experienced a lot of pressure and challenges. But those stressful days didn't stop her from having a good laugh and sharing jokes with everyone. She also loves shopping. Now, she works for accessory line Zuri where she jumbles marketing strategies, travel and events. The coolest part… she's able to wear all those beautiful Zuri accessories (just like what she's wearing on the photo).