Nengkoy & I: A First Travel Tandem

Thanks to Muslim’s tradition of observing the Feast of Sacrifice, Monday has been declared a non-working holiday in Manila.  Since it will be a long weekend and we both possess multiple entry visas, I and Nengkoy decided to go on a short trip to Osaka, Japan to visit my dear nephew Denden and pretty nieces Erika and Thatcher.

This is gonna be the fourth time that I will be travelling with Nengkoy in Japan.  However, this will be the first time that only I and my mother will be travelling in tandem, this is because in the past we would usually be accompanied by hordes of members of our family.

I don’t know how things would go out.  I don’t know who between me and Nengkoy will lose patience first.  Members of my family are actually worried.  They think our travel tandem is like mixing Skittles and M&Ms in one bowl.  Same shapes and colors but totally different whiffs and flavors.

Prior to this trip I have been told by my sisters to pack with me oodles of patience, as if I am really to observe the upcoming Muslim’s Feast of Sacrifice.  Likewise, my sisters forewarned Nengkoy to completely observe conduct at all times during the duration of the travel if she don’t want to be left right in the middle of the journey.

Even if both of us have tremendously fierce personalities, one thing is sure though.  This is going to be one fun and memorable voyage.

As of this writing, everything seem to be doing well.  As a proof, here is a photo of our stylish shoe selfie – which by the way has the same color tone – while at the Manila airport waiting to board the plane.

ready to conquer the streets of osaka (again)

ready to conquer the streets of osaka (again)

Pssst. Nengkoy beheyb!

Kick Cancer’s Ass

Cancer (not the horoscope but the ailment) in which ever form, type, category or origin it is has gained the reputation of being a deadly and dreaded disease.  It has claimed a considerable percentage of the human population.  This disease is so deadly, it does not only attack the physical being, it also plagues the human emotion as well as drain a family’s bank account.  Cancer nowadays is so prevalent everybody seem to know someone who had or have it.

Because of this, people in groups – may it be a foundation, an organization or a company – has come up with noble and novel ideas on how to help those affected.  Case in point are the two ongoing projects situated at two ends of the planet.  Their strategies may vary but their aim is the same.  To kick cancer’s ass.

One is located in Manila, particularly the LJC Restaurants’ ‘Good to Dine’ promo.  It is a strategy that lets you donate to the needy yet at the same time let you enjoy a penchant palatal experience.  It is because for every ordered special dish included in the campaign, the patron gets to donate ten (10) pesos of his payment to the Philippine General Hospital’s Cancer Institute.

The campaign will run until the end of the year (2014) and the accumulated fund will be used to finance treatments of cancer patients.  So when you plan to dine in a restaurant, might as well settle for these restaurants and order for these items…

order na!  (photo grabbed from ljc restaurants webpage)

order na!
(photo grabbed from ljc restaurants webpage)

The other is located in New York.  That is Hoda Kotb’s (host of The Today Show) direct-to-the-point fundraising and donation campaign. Usually quirky Hoda and her group tickle viewers’ sentiments and emotion by letting them watch and listen to a beautiful mashed up songs of two of pop superstars Sara Bareilles’ ‘Brave‘ and Cindy Lauper’s ‘True Colors‘.

Indeed, the song and the music video touches the heart.  It will make you realize that you haven’t seen what a true character of ‘brave’ is until you’ve seen kids kick cancer’s ass.

All proceeds of Hoda’s campaign will go to grants for pediatric cancer research via the American Cancer Society.  Click HERE if you wish to donate.

Kip dis gowing… Doneyt doneyt ang peg!