Awesome @ 23!

Wow! Time flies so fast!

Turned 23 last August 18 and I couldn't be more happier!

August 18 came and I was flooded with birthday greetings on my Facebook, Twitter, BBM and text messages from awesome people. This is the time of the year when my timeline is bombarded with greetings and the time of the year I really feel I'm loved. So from the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank everyone who greeted me. It really means a lot.

In detail of my special day, here's what happened.

Lunch time came and I was surprised by my family. I knew something was up when Tito's front door is closed, normally, it is wide open for the whole neighborhood to see. I was right. Posted on the door is a "Happy Birthday Aldrin" poster written on a cartolina. When I opened the door, they all shouted "Happy birthday!" and in that moment, my smile literally reached my ears. It was a touching moment, I was on the verge of tearing up but I held back my tears. I hugged and kissed everyone, thanking them non-stop. When I saw the dining table, it's filled with lots of food and there's cake, with a happy birthday Aldrin on it and a candle! Here's a photo of that awesome moment.

(Photo taken from my Instagram, aldrinibikini)

Prior to this day, my father together with my 2 half siblings, planned a dinner for all of us. 

We met at Dad's, Kamayan & Saisaki, EDSA at 6 PM. It was years since I last saw my dad and my siblings so I'm very happy to see them again. I was sitting beside my sister, Monica and my dad. Dad and I rarely talked because we are not that close. There was a lot of 'isang tanong, isang sagot' moments between him and I. Talk about awkward. 

My sister and I are not really that 'close' but we're good, you know what I mean? We both took AB Mass Comm but from different universities. She speaks 'our' language so it was really comfortable talking to her. Pol and I though, same case with my dad, but we talked more.

My sister and I

Papa, Pol, Arn and Monica

The food was great! This branch is way more better than West Ave.'s. It's bigger and the food placement is more organized. 

After eating, Papa slid something in my right hand. It's cash! Cold hard cash! I was surprised because when we last saw each other he didn't gave me anything.

It's time to go home and hugs and kisses were exchanged. It's sad to bid goodbye to them because I know it will be years before I'll see them again. 

I'm happy and thankful that I got to spend my birthday with my Papa and sibs, and of course my family. To top this off, here's a photo of all of us. :)

With the whole fam bam (mother and father side)

It was indeed a birthday worth remembering. I couldn't ask for more.

Giordano: Salute the Ocean

( Photo from Giordano Philippines Facebook account)

The ocean is indeed filled with diverse marine life and is one of God's awesome creations. It gives us life through its gifts and in return, we should give it life too. 

Now, the ocean is at threat because of insensitive people polluting it, doing illegal fishing methods and stealing and ruining its treasures. These malpractices are not new to us, they are often featured on television documentaries which I'm sure you have seen already. It breaks my heart to see the ocean and its inhabitants being treated like that.

But thanks to Giordano's new advocacy, we can help our oceans even in a small way. For every Salute the Ocean tee sold, Giordano will donate a portion to University of the Philippines Marine Biological Society (UPMBS) to help fund the 2012 International Coastal Clean-up at Puerto Galera on September 15 and 16. Awesome huh? :)

I am a huge fan of Giordano. I love their polo shirts and tees. From their 'Cheer you up' tees to their 'Gut you up' tees, I have at least 3 each. And oh, also the 'Hug me' tees, I think I have 2.

Last night I checked their Facebook page and was happy to see a new collection of tees, which is this one and was even happier because of the cause. Now, I'm the happiest because I bought one tee from the collection and I know, in my little way, I helped our ocean.

Here's the design I bought. Super adorable! I am in love with everything cute.

Salute the Ocean tee, P 699.00

There are a lot of designs to choose from. Check their Facebook page to see and know more about their campaign. Here's the link to UPMBS blog about the clean-up drive.

I salute Giordano. I salute the ocean! :)

Food finds: Vegetarian chicken skin

                                 (photo taken from my Instagram)

Look what I found in the supermarket a while ago! Haha. Vegetarian chicken skin! Whut whut? Since I love eating junk, I just got to try this. There are tons of these on the shelf so I thought many people actually buy this.

The rise of these so-called 'vegetarian' chips started when I was in college, I think. Hello, Marty's Vegetarian Chicharon!? Almost everyday, me and my friends munch on it. Then came Chicharron ni Mang Juan from Jack n' Jill, which in my opinion is far more better than Marty's.

But this one? A cheap attempt on riding the bandwagon of 'vegetarian' junk. It doesn't even come close to the taste of chicken, compared to the two mentioned, they actually have that pork chicharon taste.

If you are in need of a salty fix though, this one will do.

Greetings fellow earthlings!

Hello, Kamusta? I'm Arn by the way. Nice meeting you! :)

This is my first blog entry! Hooray for me! Haha.

I'm really not into writing but this time I'll try to be a good in it.
This blog is just your typical blog, I'll post anything and everything under the sun; life, food, and the like.

So stick around and enjoy the ride.

xx Arn