Why I don’t have a date every Valentine’s day. . .

Happy heart’s day to all of you!

Here in the Philippines, February 14 is a big day for all the lovers here in the Philippines, including me of course. A lot of people packed the malls and restaurants during this day, but as for myself, I always go home early during this day. Why? I don’t set any dates every Valentine’s Day. Even if I have a very lovely girlfriend, I don’t date her.

Why?

Because it’s Ate Tessa’s birthday today. She will celebrate her birthday with her friends and our relatives. So, I always go home early to help them prepare for her birthday. I will also surprised her with a wrist watch from Tomato. Furthermore, almost all the best restaurants and even fast food chains are full of “lovers”. I’m not the kind of person who loves to be like everybody. Those so called “lovers” dates each other and do some public display of affection on the side just to let their love ones know how much they love them.

And then what?

After a few days, they will have a public display of their quarrels and shout at each other in a public place. Hazel and I agreed to have our date on Saturday.

Happy 25th Birthday Ate Tessa! May God continue to shower you with His blessings. Thank you for being a good sister to me and also for being my mom. I love you Ate!

In the NICK of time

Let me share with you a column that I wrote for The Lance, the official publication of my beloved alma mater, Colegio de San Juan de Letran. I was the sports editor of our school paper during the SY 2005-2006. This column is part of The Lance February 2006 edition.

In lieu of the coming NBA All-Star Games in New Orleans this coming February 15-17, let me take you back to the 2006 Sprite Slam dunk contest during the NBA All-Star Games in Houston.


In the NICK of time
Nicanor Joseph S. Nepomuceno Jr.


Twenty years after the classic win by Spud Webb in the 1986 National Basketball Association (NBA) Slam Dunk contest, 22-year-old rookie Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks duplicated the said fete. These two high flying NBA players are less than six feet in height but they proved to the world that small guys can jump.

The crowd in Houston gave the 5’9” pointguard of the Knicks his much needed support and inspiration by continuously cheering for him despite missing plenty of his attempts. Robinson defeated 6’7” Andre Igoudala in a closely fought battle that needed a tie-breaking dunk to determine the winner.
In my opinion, his winning dunk is the between the legs slam that he did. The other dunk that I think really impresses the judges was when he invited Webb to the court and let him wear his Atlanta Hawks retro jersey. Robinson jumps over the 5’7” Webb and delivers his picture perfect slam. I’m very fond of looking out for the achievements of the “vertically challenged” people like myself. This is due to the fact that sometimes, I tend to be shy and stand in front of many people because I’m not too tall.

Whenever I see people that are successful in their endeavors despite their problem in height, I felt happy for them. Webb and Robinson were literally a small man in a big man’s game, but they proved that height is not always the requirement to be successful and become popular in basketball.
Spudd Webb is considered a legend in the NBA and I’m sure that every basketball fan knew him. I’m also pretty sure that he is more popular than former Vancouver Grizzlies Bryant Reeves. Reeves didn’t even make an impact in the NBA when he was a rookie and where is he now?
My point here is don’t ever underestimate the capability of a vertically challenged individual because I guarantee that our lack in height is properly compensated by an abundant talent and skills that we could do.

* * *
I wish that the entire lover’s out there had a very memorable Valentine’s this February. Yours truly had a memorable one since it is also my sister’s birthday on that day. Since it’s the month of February, I would also like to express my love to you, to all of you. I love you!

Savor the moment

Sooooo juicy and tasty....

That's Classic Savory Chicken.

That's the way I like it!

In order to escape the bomb treats in Manila, Hazel and I decided to have our date at SM North EDSA. After hours of strolling and buying gifts for Hazel's doctors (she's a medical representative). Unlike our usual dates wherein we normally eat pasta or pizza, we decided to have an early dinner at The Classic Savory Chicken. We ordered set meal A for two, which includes lumpiang shanghai, pancit, two cups of rice and 1/2 chicken.

I love the taste of the chicken because of its juiciness. Hazel didn’t like the taste of the ice tea that we ordered because according to her “It tastes like the ice tea of Wendy’s which includes calamansi.” We were so full after we emptied our plates, that it takes us another five minute or so before we asked for the bill. After that, we transferred to Trinoma just across SM North and found ourselves at the breathtaking landscape of Trinoma’s garden where we stayed and talked about all the things that transpired the past few weeks.

I really like the feeling of being in love and being with the woman that I love. I'm so happy at our bonding moments. Whenever the thought of how long we've been "lovers" (hehehe) came into my mind, I just can't hide the smile on my face.

29 and counting

Happy 29th monthsary babes! Wow! Who could have thought that we would come this far. I would like to thank you for all the things that you've done to make me happy and for understanding me on whatever endeavors I do. Thanks for making me feel special whenever we are together, for instilling self confidence in me. For cheering me up when I'm down, for making me feel and look tall in your eyes even if I'm small. hehehe..

I love you babes! Happy 29th monthsary!

A date away from bombers

My girlfriend Hazel and I are celebrating our 29th month as a couple today. I can't imagine how lucky I am to have her as my girlfriend. I'm still up right now at around 1:30 in the morning because of a text message that Hazel got while we are planning on where our date will be. The text message goes like this:

I'm CA R. Diaz ng isaf, pls. Help me 2 publish s lahat na tao pu2nta sa nabanggit

kong lugar, tomorrow phil. Time 11am. Plan A. LRT BACLARAN TERMINAL,

PLAN B. TUTBAN MALL, PLAN C. UNIWIDE QUIAPO, PLAN E. ROBINSON MALATE,

PAKI ADVICE NAMAN S MGA MAMAMAYAN NG MANILAWAG CLA PUNTA MUNA S MGA

LUGAR NA YAN KC SA INTEL.

Report namin pasabogin yan bkas para maligawang isyo sa senado 2ngkol kay Lozada.

Tanx. Pls. Pass

Whew! That was a bit long... We decided not to go anywhere near this places as a safety precaution. That's why our date later will be around Quezon city. However, I won't name the place for security reasons. Hahaha...