Blinded Item

Got word from my friend. Darn. He didn't accept the invitation to join the competition. Sayang! He had a good chance pa naman... I think he got psyched with the thought of cameras hovering, shooting everything that they say or do. Personally, I think it was a wasted opportunity. It's not the money really, but the experience of doing something as joining a reality show that could open doors to all sorts of good things.

Oh well... maybe there're other good things in store for him...

The next heartthrob perhaps? haha.

Blind Item

I was waiting for Hamza to pick me up from the dental clinic the other day when I got an unexpected surprise from a friend. It usually only takes about five to ten minutes for him to get there even when he's coming from Crossings at Sct. Borromeo/Panay Ave., but today, he was taking extra long. When I inquired about athe delay, he said he was with a friend, and they'll be picking me up. Imagine my glee when I saw him. Dang, I haven't seen him for ages! He and I met way, way before I even knew Hamza, which I think dates back in high school; we were schoolmates in college, and now, he's friends with my hunnybunchkins and the cousins.

"Mataan (it's like saying "I swear"), you haven't changed the day I met you in high school," he said. "What is it that you do?" I didn't know whether to take it as an insult or as a compliment at first, but I took the latter. High school meant about fifteen-seventeen years ago, and if I look that youthful even at my age (I'm twenty-nine), with a hubby and kid to boot, I think I might be doing something good!*laughs*

We went to Starbucks Timog for some coffee. He and Hamza were actually supposed to have some before picking me up, but my appointment ended earlier than scheduled, so I tagged along even though I don't take the hot, caffeineted drink; I'm not gonna pass up the chance to have some of their yummy treats!

So, we talk. And Hamza breaks the news. Our friend here might be coming out on a tv show that's like one of those aired in the States. It'll be aired sometime next month in one of the sister stations of this giant tv network. He said it's not yet sure that he's going to get in, but I think he's a shoe-in. The exciting part of this contest is that the winner gets the chance to go to the USA and join THE show. You know, the one whose logo is that of a silhouette of a man, running with a briefcase on one hand? Yes. That's it.

Now, as to who this friend is... All I can say is that he's everybody's friend. I'll let you know who he is when the show starts to air on channel *bleep!*.

My Encounter With An Artista (Celebrity)

I'm in the middle of writing two blogs right now (my mind usually wanders while typing and I end up writing yet another blog), but I have to write this down while it's still fresh in my mind.hehe.

It was past four in the afternoon when Hamza, Raja and I got to Quezon City from Las Piñas where we spent the night there at my in-laws place. We had decided to make a quick stop at Crossings Department Store to buy some groceries and pay the phone bill at a nearby Bayad Center.

Hamza and Raja went up to the third floor to pass the time while I paid for our bill. He bought Raja another Matchbox/Hotwheels toy car because the little boy was promised by his father that he'd get a matchbox from him. I went out the building to the Bayad Center to pay the bill and went back in to do a 'mini-grocery' as we call it just to replenish some stuff we need for the kitchen (bread and what-have-yous). It was nearing Iftar and I was in a rush.

While waiting in line to pay for my purchases, I saw an actress. It wasn't really much of a big deal because I oft see celebrities at the coffee places in Crossings who hang out or to do grocery shopping. But this particular artista was different because I often ogle at her stuff online. Please do not get me wrong here, I am not a voyeur and I am most definitely not a lesbian, no offense, my dear sisters. I am talking about her online shop on Multiply, Stellar01. Ok, I'm getting ahead of my story. Backtrack.

So there I was, waiting in line when I see her, Chynna Ortaleza, owner of the online shop http://stellar01.multiply.com which I frequent to check on the latest updates whenever I go online (which is everyday.hehe!). She was with her mom, I think, and they were talking. I was on the other line, silently wishing that the line would go a little faster as we needed to go home to prepare the food for Iftar. I caught her eye and smiled, she smiled back at me. And I lifted the pendant necklace I was wearing to show her I bought one of her babies. That must've made her happy, because she showed her mom I was wearing it and I said, "I was the one who bought four", referring to the necklaces I bought from her. I actually bought five but who cares? She remembered. Probably because of my countless queries. hehe! She further told her mom I lived in the Scout area (she even remembered the street) and then said to me, "We live nearby, we're from New Manila." I was a bit dazed and awestruck as the little conversation was going on. I mean, I was dazed because I was hungry and the rumblings in my tummy were really getting to me, and awestruck because she was talking to me. I even forgot to say my name. ngeee.

When they had paid for their purchase, we said our goodbyes and I went on to unload the stuff to the counter. I was wary of the curious looks I was getting from the other customers. Let them be. I was too hungry to mind it. I rushed to the package counter to leave my bag when there she was with her grocery cart, depositing her groceries. So our little chat continued. I had told her that I was going up to the third floor and we was in a hurry because we had to break fast at home. And so our conversation shifted to fasting. It was a short conversation, but it was pleasant. We parted ways again, and I met up with Hamza and Raja. I know I should have said something about her stuff, how I really like them and all, and gotten a pic with her but again, I was too hungry it didn't even cross my mind. Sayang nga eh. But it was all right.

Later that night, I was browsing through sites on Multiply when I got a personal message from her. It was a delightful surprise because I wasn't expecting anything and I had meant to leave her a message first to say thank you and it was nice to have met her. She beat me to it! And so I replied and thanked her for being nice and all.

She's actually kind and down to earth. I usually have this vision of celebrities acting bratty, high and mighty. I guess she proved me wrong. It was cool to have met an artista who didn't have any airs in her, who's just like any average jane... But she'll never be an average jane...

She's already Chynna O.

She's already Stellar.

Glad to have met you, Sis! See you around.