Singing Elfins caused havoc in New York City area weather

The fearless Elfins met at the holiday safe house in Gleane Street for the 2007 Elfin Christmas Party. Immediately after dessert, the singing commenced and it appeared that the no-end-in-sight eating, well, had no end.

Every Elfin had a chance to belt out a song, and in end, the videoke carrier Tess, the unstoppable Ada, “Proud Mary” Adel, and indefatigable Aida pressed on. Their voices were lifted up to the storm clouds and caused what the New York Times Weather reported as “…Snow overnight gave way to rain on Sunday in the New York City area, even as much of the Northeast was hit by snowstorms that delayed air travel ...The day was mostly gray and drizzly with on-again, off-again rain and sleet in the city...”
Ref: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/16/us/16cnd-storm.html?ref=us&pagewanted=print

Elfins hit the 20-year mark!

Come 2008, all Elfins are officially 20 years old – able to drink, make merry and yes, make decisions on our own, but not yet able to drive or vote. Seriously, we have been friends for such a long time, like a prison term where we will never be on parole (did I say that?). In spite of all the beauty secrets shared, infectious laughter, and the health issues raised, these pictures prove that we are NOT GETTING OLDER at all. Denial is very strong and if we all keep at it, we will soon believe it ourselves. Here’s to the gorgeous chicks!

Don't forget to click on the picture for an enlarged view of the photos!

2007 Elfin Kris Kringle

Disclaimer to the 2007 Elfin Kris Kringle Genealogy: The PocoNews is an equal opportunity / affirmative action publication. We also do not encourage animal testing, cloning of animals or the cloning of other Elfins. Therefore, these next pictures which highlight the genealogy of the Kris Kringle will NOT identify who is the “mother Elfin” or the “Elfin child” for fear of age discrimination. The publisher would like to leave it to the imagination of the viewer.

Zeny C lobbies for Kris Kringle / Secret Santa reform and wins!

Excitement and a strong sense of mystery are what drove Zeny to push for Secret Santa reform in the 2008 Elfin Christmas Party already being planned at the 2007 Elfin Christmas Party. Her suggestions, as well as Aida’s, when combined will raise every Elfin’s expectations at the 2008 Kris Kringle but not their budget.

The reforms are:
1. Gift cards and cash, checks, gold bars, or any representation of money - are excluded from the wish list.

2. Only “tangible” gifts are allowed and the gift(s) will come from a Wish List.

3. The Wish List of every recipient is now expanded to a list of 5 items. This will give the recipient the gift that he/she wants PLUS that excitement and strong sense of mystery I mentioned earlier. Sounds exciting and mysterious……………

4. The giver will now have to shop for presents keeping within the Wish List and the budget to be determined by the Elfin Board of Directors and KPMG. Now that really sounds exciting, mysterious and official….

5. All gifts will be wrapped please, so that we can heighten to the excitement and mystery. Please see Aida’s level of excitement rise...(picture above)

Schedule of 2008 Winter / Spring Elfin Activities

Mark your calendars, please:

January 26, 2007 (Sat) – 2nd Elfin Digital Literati Class to be held at Deanna’s crib from 1:00 – 7:00 pm. Please confirm by email or call Deanna at 212-662-5486. This is serious stuff. Please email your “wish list” of topics to cover at the class. No singing, please.

May 17, 2007 (Sat) – Spring get-together at Ada’s Taj Mahal palace. Lunch at 1:00 pm. Singing is allowed. Please ask Ada for your song availability or to confirm your attendance.

Isda Best, Pusit to the Limit, Hipon Coming Back...

PINOY SIGNS
Posted outside a house in Jaro, Iloilo:
HOURSE FOR RENT, FULLY FURNACED
(Boy, it must really be hot in there.)

On a glass window of a photography shop in Cabanatuan:
WE SHOOT YOU WHILE YOU WAIT
Posted at a construction site in Mandaluyong:
BAWAL OMEHI DITO, ANG MAHULI, BOG-BOG!
On the fence of a makeshift parking lot in Pasay:
PARKING PEE: P10

Printed on a streamer in front of a gym in Lucena City:
We Almost Have Complete Set of Gym Equipments
(Now, how's that for truth in advertising?)
In a supermarket in Baguio:
FRESH FROZEN CHICKEN SOLD HERE
Outside a flower shop along Avenida Rizal:
WE SELL ARTIFICIAL FRESH FLOWERS



In a bowling center in Congressional:
PARKING FOR COSTUMERS ONLY
In a restaurant in Cebu:
WE HAB SOP-DRINK IN CAN AN IN BATOL
On the glass wall of an eatery in Panay Avenue near National Bookstore (but this was a long time ago):
WANTED: WAITER, CASHIER, WASHIER
In San Andres, Manila:
NO URINATION ON THE OVER WALLS
In a classified ads section:
WANTED SALESLADY, 20-25 YEARS OLD, PROBABLY SINGLE
Outside a sari-sari store in front of Green Valley in Baguio:
NO CRIDET
In a building in Cubao:
NONE ID, NOTHING ENTRY
Outside a videoke bar in Pampanga:
WE MAKE MODERN ANTIQUE FURNITURE
The name of a laundry shop in Bo. Kapitolyo in Pasig:
CINNAVON
On the gate of a house in Tarlac:
COLD ICED BUKO 4 SALE
Posted outside a beauty shop in Laguna:
WE ALSO DO FULL BODY MESSAGE
In Tiaong, Quezon:
ROAN'S CONTRACTION SUPPLIES
Outside a shoe store in Pangasinan:
WE SELL IMPORTED ROBBER SHOES
In a restaurant in Baguio:
WANTED: BOY WAITRESS
Names of Philippine business establishments
If you still speak some Filipinos, you might enjoy the humor;
otherwise, pass it on to your Filipino-speaking friends.
The humor gets lost in the translation…
Bread Pitt is a a bakery.
Maruya Carey is a a fast-food place selling turon and maruya in Greenbelt, Makati
Caintacky Fried Chicken is a an eatery in Cainta, Rizal.
Mang Donald's is a a burger joint at the Naga City plaza.
Candies Be Love? Can anything be sweeter than this?
Doris Day and Night is a a 24-hour eatery.
Babalik Karinderia is obvious.
Holland Hopia is owned by Mr. Ho.
and next-door neighbor Poland Hopia is owned by Mr. Po. in Chinatown
Miki Mao is a a noodle house.
Tapsi Turbi is a a tapa house.
Cleopata's is a a manukan and bakahan.
Goto Heaven is obvious.
The Fried of Marikina is a a fried chicken house.
Wrap and Roll is a a lumpia outlet at the Quad, Makati.
Pansit ng taga-Malaboni is a a panciteria on Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong.
Side-saki is a a side street eatery beside Mandarin Oriental in Makati.
Let's Goat-Together is a kambingan-cum-beer garden.
Meating Place is a a meat shop.
Meatropolis is a another meat shop.
Isda best,
Pusit to the limit,
and Hipon coming back
are entrees on the menu of a seafood restaurant.
Cinna Von is a laundromat.
Pier Carding is a a tailoring shop in Pier, Manila.
The Way We Wear is a boutique.
Curl Up and Dye is a a beauty salon.
Goldilooks is a barber shop.
Bote Nga Sa 'Yo is a used bottle shop.
Goldirocks is a gravel and sand shop.
Fernando Pe's Box Office Hits
is a video rental shop in Palawan.
Leon King is a Video Rental in Las Piñas.
Memory Drug is a clone of Mercury Drug.
Petal Attraction is a flower shop near UP Diliman.
Susan's Roses is a flower shop, but of course!
Maid to Order is a maid-placement agency.
Singalong Sing-along is a karaoke bar in Singalong (where else?).
Signs seen on jeepneys:
A commuter is a jeepsetter
Pull string to stop driver.
God knows Hudas not pay.
Don't get close to me, get close to God.

Joyeux Noel! Merry Christmas!

This is a local Nativity Scene - Arles version taken from our trip to "Vincent Van Gogh land" (Arles, south of France) in January 2007. Take note of the local Arlesian woman (with the three kings), some school boys and milk maids in the horizon. Come one, come all!

Thank You to One and All!

We wish to thank everyone for coming to the Christmas gathering, bringing their treats and more importantly their presence.

1. Tess and Beck-Beck for bringing the videoke. They take this apparatus with them wherever they go, making them the de facto life of the party.
2. The patience of Job exemplified by the quiet presence of Gus. He stayed on, and on, and on while not really leaving the dining table at any point of time. Does your ankle bracelet limit you to within 5 feet of the dining table?
3. To Liz who remained dignified all throughout the party and avoided wrestling with Proud Mary Adel and other aspiring signers when it comes to singing with not one, folks but TWO microphones. When I grow up, I want to be like Liz.
4. To Zeny Calibag and Elvie, who cooked meals / desserts that reminded everyone that there is truly no place like being home in Manila during the holidays.
   
5. And most of all to Ceny Santiago, who allowed us to ransack her place.

Restuarant Review: Pistahan

On December 11, 2007 (T), Isabel and I met for lunch at Pistahan, a Filipino restuarant on 1st Avenue between 13th and 14th. Pistahan did not disappoint. The food, though it had a more continental twist to it, was delicious and fresh. I will try the tapsilogs and all the other "-silogs" that are served at all hours in the restaurant.

Above is New York Magazine's review of Pistahan. Click on the image to enlarge the review.

A Little Levity: Questionable Website Names

This is from a comment on David Pogue's blog (ref: New York Times). It's funny, though! Check it out.

1. A site called 'Who Represents' where you can find the name of the agent
that represents a celebrity.
www.whorepresents.com

2. Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice
and views at
www.expertsexchange.com

3. Looking for a pen?
www.penisland.net

4. Need a therapist?
www.therapistfinder.com

5. Italian Power Generator company
www.powergenitalia.com

6. Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales:
www.molestationnursery.com

7. Computer software, etc
www.ipanywhere.com

8. The First Cumming Methodist Church. www.cummingfirst.com

9. Art designers:
www.speedofart.com

10. Want to vacation at Lake Tahoe?
www.gotahoe.com

Me? Just concentrating on my mussels!