erasmusa

Seeing similarities

2012-03-16T22:16:00.001+08:00

Do you see what I see? There's something very similar about these orchids at Sofitel Philippine Plaza (left) and this Malaysian dessert (right).

Port Dickson

2012-03-14T22:52:00.002+08:00

Do lower expectations make people happier? Perhaps. I had written off Port Dickson as a place I probably wouldn't go to. If you wanted the beach, you'd go to Langkawi. But it was an impulse trip: don't expect anything, just be game. PD is one of the closest beaches to Kuala Lumpur, just an hour and a half away from the capital. You can see offshore oil rigs from the shore. Many abandoned or

The routine

2012-03-13T23:12:00.000+08:00

It's been a month since I arrived in Kuala Lumpur. I have settled into a simple routine. My day starts at 550am, right when the nearby mosque's call to prayer starts. My breakfast is muesli or granola splashed with either a yogurt drink or Vitagen (a Yakult equivalent). I prepare my Nutella-and-jam sandwich to take to work before taking a shower. At 650am, I am ready to leave. Since I live in

Genting Highlands

2012-03-07T15:51:00.000+08:00

"Want to do some out of town exploration in Malaysia?" Paolo asked via SMS. Of course I did, but being not-so spontaneous, I wanted to plan well. I had not seen Paolo in 20 years but our dads met pretty often. Since both of us are working in Malaysia, it made sense to meet. We settled on Genting Highlands, an easy day trip from Kuala Lumpur. Think Enchanted Kingdom in the clouds. The journey

Sentul Park

2012-03-04T15:42:00.000+08:00

I caught the final performance of Peter Sinn Nachtrieb's comedy Boom at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Art Centre last weekend. As it was my first time at KLPAC, I wandered around the grounds after the show. Here's what I saw. KLPAC entrance Rest areas and wire sofas An abandoned building in the complex

Non-backpacker in the hostel: the PODs experience

2012-02-19T16:37:00.001+08:00

I thought I was too old for hostels until I planned my first few days in Kuala Lumpur and looked at what was left in my ATM account. I can't be a real backpacker anymore like I was five years ago--my scoliosis makes it challenging--but I don't mind sharing toilets and showers if they're clean. So I looked for hostels in addition to budget hotels near KL Sentral, where I can easily catch a bus to

Social media on my mind

2012-02-18T00:49:00.001+08:00

With my Indonesian colleague Ari on our second day in the office. Shot by my seatmate Irvin for her February photo-a-day challenge. Fail of the day (with [me approaching Chris when he meant to call Ari but called me instead] a close second): Him: Water is important. Me: Whaaa---?!? Where did that come from Him: I said I will copy you and bring my own tumbler. Water is important. Me: Ah. I

Kuala Lumpur Heritage Walk

2012-02-16T22:18:00.000+08:00

Central Market or Pasar Seni was once a wet market. These days it's an airconditioned arts and crafts market. The free walking tour of old Kuala Lumpur for those wishing to go off the beaten path is offered by Be Tourist starting from the Central Market Annexe. The walk is offered daily at 1030am. Only 10 persons per tour. Come early to avoid disappointment.

United Buddy Bears @ Pavilion KL

2012-02-15T18:53:00.000+08:00

These two-meter tall bears must look familiar if you've been to Berlin, where the bear is the city's symbol. But these ones have also been to different countries, representing different countries on behalf of tolerance. Malaysia The Philippine bear is a bird! Design by Pierre F. Patricio, sponsored by the Philippine Embassy in Berlin Guess who? Each

Keep left

2012-02-14T18:15:00.000+08:00

The first thing that struck me when I arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia two days ago was that it is impressively humid. It makes you think about showering three times a day. It also rains twice a day. You need to be dressed for sun, rain, hot and cold (airconditioned indoors). Does the city feel like Manila? When I first visited KL three and a half years ago, my impression was that KL is a

Bagong salta

2012-02-12T08:15:00.000+08:00

Let's do this. In a few days I will officially be an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker). "Expat" doesn't cut it; bagong bayani (new hero) I ain't. It's a purely personal challenge I am posing to myself. That said, two weeks of paperwork have given me more respect for the millions of OFWs abroad. There is nothing easy about leaving the country to give your family a better life. Here's a little

The bay

2012-02-10T14:50:00.001+08:00

A Sunday morning at the CCP Complex, Pasay City, Philippines.

Pieces of home

2012-02-07T22:11:00.000+08:00

Less than a week to go before the move. If you know your landmarks, my destination (above) should be easy to guess. [via] I had over a month to read, paint, play, do the paperwork, and recharge. Whatever happened to the 2012 sabbatical? Don't worry, I'll be productive. There's no question about it: it's more fun in the Philippines. The next best thing is to bring stuff I won't find elsewhere

Under the sheets

2012-02-06T09:31:00.001+08:00

The reason why the beds at home are soft appears to be a mathematical one. It's amazing to see great inventions in your room. And if you're still wondering what this is, click here. Worth it, I think, considering how much time we spend sleeping.

One morning in Makati

2012-02-02T23:04:00.001+08:00

[A post to mark my entrance to Twitter. I am hoping to follow users who bring something to the table much more beyond what they had for breakfast. This true story goes against that strategy by going with it, if that makes any sense at all. (None) ] My brother dropped me off at the carpark at 630am. The clinic would not be open until eight. I had time to kill. After a sandwich and several

Sex and the single scientist

2012-01-29T17:11:00.002+08:00

While reading New Scientist, I saw this. The visual is so funny that I had to tell my brother, arguably the bigger nerd between the two of us. He said this TV show theme song started playing in his head. No guarantees that you'll find guys as funny as those on the show on New Scientist Connect, a.k.a. dating.newscientist.com, but I suspect they're there, if you look hard enough

The fall of heroes

2012-01-29T12:07:00.000+08:00

The past week has provided me with my fill of the Bard. First, I saw Ralph Fiennes' film directorial debut, Coriolanus, an adaptation of one of Shakespeare's lesser known plays. I was unfamiliar with the text, so I came with few expectations, though I had heard it had good reviews. The film, set in modern-day Rome, uses the media (mainly TV) as an important driver of narrative. The rise and

Vimeo travels

2012-01-10T20:02:00.001+08:00

We Were Wanderers On A Prehistoric Earth Start slow, with a look at the virgin rainforest in Malaysia. Москва'2011(Moscow/Russia) Get the lightning tour of the city with this timelapse of Moscow. Time is Nothing // Around The World Time Lapse Then finish off with "17 Countries. 343 Days. 6237 Photographs. One incredible journey." [via Vagabondish]

Spotted and pinned: More fun in the Philippines!

2012-01-10T09:38:00.002+08:00

Now everyone is having more fun and it's cool. Three of my It's more fun in the Philippines photos were included in Anton Diaz's collection on Pinterest. Out of the current 200 or so images by different contributors, one of mine was included in spot.ph's Top 30. Maraming salamat to Anton and to spot.ph! Now it's even easier to make your own meme. Check out morefunmaker and create your

It's more fun in the Philippines

2012-01-07T18:40:00.004+08:00

Social media has been abuzz since the Department of Tourism launched the new Philippine tourism campaign by BBDO Guerrero. Unlike last year's brouhaha, the concept (It's more fun in the Philippines) was widely accepted, despite a minor controversy yesterday afternoon. (Naman, crab mentality pa rin hanggang ngayon?) There's something so true about the line that resonates with the public, even

Hello, 2012!

2012-01-04T09:40:00.000+08:00

Before and after midnight, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Philippines.

Blog updates 01/02/2012

2012-01-02T18:18:00.004+08:00

Start the year with some early spring cleaning. I've recycled an old header, which I think is appropriate for this time of year. Aside from tweaking this blog, I updated the Pinoy Erasmus Mundus blog, which I run as a volunteer. The header photo was taken three years ago, so I don't look like my old self anymore. I can be accused of misrepresentation, as majority of the people in the photo

Next on the reading list

2011-12-30T12:09:00.001+08:00

On this day last year, I started on Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere in English, translated by Leon Ma. Guerrero. It took several months for me to finish, but I found it a thought-provoking and very pleasurable read. Today, this is what I'm reading. On December 30, 2012, it will be The First Filipino. Maybe LMG the next as a tribute.That's the plan. This box set is coming to bookstores

Christmas in the fields

2011-12-29T09:54:00.000+08:00

Sharing with you what I saw on Christmas Day. Song: Gurdonark "Forgotten Fields" CC BY-NC 2.5

Parol ng Pilipino

2011-12-28T20:29:00.002+08:00

Possibly our last Christmas in this church in Teresa, Rizal. Construction is now complete. Entries to the lantern competition