Did I mention that I’m a frustrated Architect? Oh yes, you see, my little blog here is dotted with some of my amateur works. I really adore buildings, you know. And I always dream that I could roam around a building that I designed myself one day. Well, I guess that’d be a dream forever. Huhu!

I was on my way to the National Library when this particular building caught my attention. Do you see that very chic design? It’s pre-war. This is the Luneta Hotel, one of Manila’s few remaining remnants of its glorious past. Designed in 1918, the Luneta Hotel is known for its intricate facade and French Renaissance architecture with Filipino stylized beaux arts. It was designed by Spanish architect and engineer Salvador Farre.

Though the hotel was presently dilapitated and is almost collapsing, its new owner, Beaumont Holdings is trying to restore it and not touch its elegant facade.

Whew! Before I read articles about this building, I really thought they were going to tear it down because there was a small crane beside it. Ha!

Thanks to Mr. Lim’s efforts and directions about the protection and restoration of Manila’s old buildings. I really thought he was a joke. Ha! And I’m withdrawing my support to Mr. Atienza. According to some articles, he was the one who wanted this building out of the way. Ugh!

It’s so nice to know that Filipinos are starting to appreciate what our ancestors have left us. I just hope they mean it.

I had nothing to do this weekend and my brother was always gone when I wake up so I had no one to talk to. So, due to extreme boredom, I wandered around the streets to find something interesting to blog about.

And so I was fortunate enough to find one. Really, Manila’s historical street names are losing its names to politicians. The former Calle Azcarraga, named after the first Spanish Prime Minister to be born in the Philippines was replaced by C.M. Recto, a mere senator. Gov. Forbes was changed to A.H. Lacson Ave., while Dewey Blvd. was changed to Roxas. Ugh!

Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with it, but our streets reflect what we were before. I wouldn’t be surprised if they change Taft Avenue into Pacquiao Avenue, yuck!

Luckily for this one, they didn’t change it. They even duplicated it. Haha! Hipodromo Street is located just outside my school, along Anonas Street in Manila. I just don’t know why there were 5 Hipodromos in there (H1, H2, H3 and so on…).

I’m pretty sure the mailman would get a lot of headache with these streets. Poor guy!

So this is the pageant people have been talking about lately. Turismo Pilipina is a new pageant launched by 2005 Ms. International Precious Lara Quigaman along with Bb. Pilipinas International 2006 Denille Lou Valmonte and Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2002 Karen Loren Agustin in the search for the new and young spokesperson for the Department of Tourism.

So what do I care with it anyway? Well, for the first time (as far as I know), my province (Antique) sends its first delegate. Who is the lucky girl?

Well, her name is Emerie Dale Cunanan. I’m a year older than her, I think, and we attended the same elementary and secondary school. She was a foreign exchange student at Lamphang Rajabhat University in Thailand and now a freshman in UP.

I bet my province is in total limbo right now. They’ll do anything to get the votes, I know it!

Goodluck Miss Antique and Goodluck to the candidates of Turismo Pilipina!

Hmmm… Let’s see what the world’s craving for this time. I heard about this from my friends. They say this is the next BIG thing after the legendary Harry Potter.

I decided on the very last minute, though. Since my brother leaves my week’s allowance on the drawer, I decided to spend half of it in just a few seconds (oops, sorry mother, I just can’t help it). It’s worth the spending anyway. I just bought my very first Twilight Saga book.

Since it’s coming out to the theaters this November, I don’t think the theaters would do me any good. Besides, books are way better than movies. You get all the information you get no matter how rude some people get to saying that books are just for the nerd.

Really, it’s always an advantage if you read a lot (I may sound so cliche with this stuff). I hated reading until I was in High School. But I had interest in kiddie encyclopedias before then.

My brother always ask me how I get to finish off a book that’s not even an illustration and a several hundred pages.

Well, like most book lovers, it’s always the magic of books that captivate us and make us crave for more, I say. It helps people understand very complex things and know bits that common people don’t. It’s best to invest on books rather than beer you know.

Sure, partying is more fun, but will it top all the glory and pride when your reading adventures soon pay off? I mean, the party stuff just fade off in the morning. But the thought of knowing much and trying to educate other people because of everything you get from reading is really remarkable and lasts longer.

So anyway, I just hope I’d like Twilight just like everyone else. ‘Coz I’ve never liked any other book since Harry Potter.

What about you? What’s your favorite book?

I told you I have trouble socializing with people. Ha! I really hate parties especially when they’re not just about eating.

During my last days in Baguio I went to this very noisy cocktail party which, to my disgust, served strawberry wine. I just sat there, texting while having trouble with the signal (damn!) and looking at my friends dancing like mad.

Oh, I get it! I now know why I hate partying. It’s because I can’t dance! Haha! Though I’d really fancy being a dancer, my feet aren’t just made for it. Maybe they’re just made for blogging. Urgh!

How about you? Do you love partying? Can you share your party experiences to me?