Feeling like 'Miss Philippine' in Bangkok

By Karen Galarpe

Note: This has been in my draft folder for the longest time (2010). Just discovered it again today. Posting now to share this funny incident wherein I felt how it was to be a beauty queen for a few seconds. haha!

My close friends know I have to eat on time. If not, I would either get hyperacidity or hypoglycemia, wherein my hands would get cold and clammy, my heart would palpitate, I would feel faint, and I would just curl up, be quiet and need a piece of candy as a lifeline until the episode passes.

That is why I always have some emergency food with me: candy and crackers, mostly. Once, when I pulled out some crackers, tea, and some more crackers from my bag, my seatmate at work said, "Ay, ang daming baon," then we both laughed.

Last month, I found myself in Bangkok to cover an event for the online publication I work for, and I stuffed my bag with some emergency food.

I'm glad I did, because the ride alone from the airport to the hotel was about an hour through Bangkok's famous traffic -- "worse than Manila's", someone said -- and I haven't had my afternoon snack. So I gobbled up one candy after another while the rest of the media people I was with slept in the van.

The next day, we were supposed to ride a tourist bus to take us to Chao Praya River where we would dine in a ferry boat while navigating the river, passing by important landmarks such as the King's Palace, etc.

So I had a snack before the 5 p.m. call time. I ate fruits from the welcome fruit basket, some crackers, and even the bread roll from the plane which I tucked in my bag "for emergency."

Things were OK until we got caught in Bangkok's famous traffic. I was eating crackers and candies already on the way, but could feel the hunger still.

It took us almost 2 hours to reach the pier, and by then my energy was at a low point.

We were having buffet -- hurray -- that means faster access to energy-giving food.

Alas, we were escorted to a small air-conditioned function room below deck. Though the ferry was big, one could feel the boat swaying and I felt I would throw up anytime soon.

So I ran out, told my hosts I am getting dizzy, and they said they'll put me in a taxi which would take me back to the hotel. I just nodded while one of them  talked in Thai to the driver.

On the way back, I was just praying that I wouldn't faint. I was in an unfamiliar place and the driver could only speak Thai.

I munched on some more crackers, had some more candy. Traffic, as expected, was again bad, though it was worse on the way to the ferry earlier.

Midway back to the hotel, I was already curled up in a fetal position and just eating the crackers like a mouse (I can't eat as I felt like throwing up, so I would eat it little by little). I knew I had to put something in my stomach for the energy and to prevent hyperacidity.

We reached the hotel, finally, at around 9 p.m. I was surprised I could still walk. I headed to my room and promptly called room service for a cup of hot soup and a ham sandwich -- the lightest meal I could see on the menu.

In my pajamas, I just curled up in bed. Had no appetite at all anymore.

Then the doorbell rang and as I opened the door, the room service man greeted me with, "Good evening, Miss Philippine! How are you today?"

For the first time in 2 or 3 hours, I smiled. But of course, how can you not smile when someone equates you with Venus Raj? hahaha

So I said, "Oh, I'm sick. I don't feel well."

The man said, "You don't feel well? You go to the doctor?" He sounded concerned, while wheeling in a cart which serves as a table, topped with a pretty red rose and my order under a silver cover.

I shook my head and said, "I'll be OK."

And he parked the cart in front of the TV, took the silver cover with a flourish just like they do in the movies, to reveal [drumroll] ... tadah! My ham sandwich. The consomme soup was in a pretty little bowl with a cover too, and seeing everything look so nice made me feel a little better already.

He said he'll come back later when I'm finished. I thanked him.

Since it was already 9:30 p.m.  by that time, I couldn't eat much anymore -- nalipasan na ng gutom. I finished the soup, took 2 little bites of ham sandwich, and nibbled on the french fries, smiling to myself. "Miss Philippine!" hahaha

Tomorrow would be a better day for this Miss Philippine, I thought. But first, rest and beauty sleep on the agenda.

Have a great day!

BOOK OF THE WEEK: Reading these days "Gilda Cordero Fernando Sampler", a collection of some of her essays, short stories and speeches. Her writing was so flawless, and her essays are my favorites. Such a talented writer. I've seen her in some events before, and now regret not having the guts to have had a photo taken with her.

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Will reread in honor of one of the best Filipina writers, Gilda Cordero Fernando. I love her writing. She will be missed. 💔#gildacorderofernando

A post shared by K Galarpe (@kgalarpe) on Aug 26, 2020 at 10:20pm PDT

VERSE OF THE WEEK: As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. ~ Proverbs 27:19

Nakikiprobinsiya

"Be my laydeh..." Martin Nievera crooned as I entered the bus, this first bus I saw with a "Dau" sign on the dashboard, on EDSA near Munoz Market.

"Comfort me through all the pain and be my laydeh..." Martin seemed to serenade me as I plopped on a seat I had all to myself. It's almost the same. Like being transported back in time, I told myself, as I surveyed the inside of this generic bus I can't even remember the name of.

Red curtains shielded us passengers from the sun's harsh rays. Backpacks and plastic bags were stacked overhead. The seats were covered in plastic. There was a TV overhead behind the driver, but it was turned off. The bus smelled old. The word 'kitsch' stuck in my head.

Then came Ric Segreto singing "Lovin' you oh-oh is such an easy thing to do..." and I relaxed. I've been through this before, something like more than 20 years ago, on a bus on the way out of Metro Manila with 80s music from cassette tapes. I was on one of my "nakikiprobinsiya" trips back then, like now.

Continue reading on GMA News Online

A non-Thai relaxing massage in Thailand

They say you haven't been to Thailand if you haven't seen the reclining Buddha (Wat Po), got on a boat on the Chao Praya River, bargained in the night markets, rode the tuktuk, and had a Thai massage.

Well, in the 3 visits to Thailand I have made over the years, I've done them all, except for the Thai massage.

This year, I got the closest thing to it, though--a non-Thai massage. It was an hour-long aromatherapy massage which was so relaxing and memorable, I would have had it again the next day, and the day after that, or every day even, if it were possible.

Our hosts, the amiable people of Goodyear who were launching new tires then, billeted us members of the press at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, a beachside place by the Gulf of Thailand, some 3 hours away from Bangkok.

It was a wonderful resort hotel, with the cool waters of the swimming pool winding around the villas leading down to the infinity pool a few meters away from the beach. The casitas with their red cushions strategically placed around the pools looked so inviting for those who want to lounge around, curl up with a book, and sip a refreshing drink in between dips to the pool.

 Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa. Photo by Karen Galarpe

Our hosts asked the 4 of us from the Philippine press if, after the event at the racetrack that day, we wanted to have a massage at the resort hotel's Aspadeva Spa or go to the night market. We chose the massage.

So on our 2nd night, we were booked for massage service at 9 p.m. The spa receptionist had a message for us: eat light for dinner. So I just had caesar salad and fish fillet from the buffet table at the resort hotel's Black Restaurant.

It was there that a Goodyear executive, about to have his dinner, warned us not to get the Thai massage as it turned out to be more uncomfortable and a bit painful than relaxing for him. And so when we trooped to Aspadeva Spa from Black Restaurant, we said we're having the Aroma Fusion Massage (2,100 baht), not the Thai massage, for 60 minutes.

The gracious lady at the reception area gave us a choice of massage oil, letting us get a whiff of three kinds of massage oil. One was lavender, which was calming, another was lemon, I think, and then orange. We all chose orange.

My massage therapist, Wen, led me to a private massage suite which had its own changing room with a dresser. A couple of red silk robes, disposable underwear, and slippers were ready.

Wen then got a basin with warm water, and bathed my feet in it while I sipped cold lemongrass tea. She asked me where I was from, and when I said Philippines, she said people from the Philippines are friendly. Then I got on the massage table face down, and found myself looking at a bowl of floating flowers placed strategically in my line of sight.

I told Wen what I like: hard strokes on the upper back, light massage on the legs, hard strokes on the soles of my feet. She would ask often if the pressure was okay.

I felt the hard knots on my upper back being loosened, the tension being addressed. Ah, This is what massage is all about, I thought. It's healing those aches and pains. It was so good I didn't want it to end.

But it had to, after 60 minutes. Back at the reception area, we were given hot ginger tea and a warm face towel. And as we sipped our tea, we all had smiles on our faces. We may not have been yanked and twisted away here and there via a traditional Thai massage right in the heart of Thailand, but it was such a great way to end the night. Can't wait to have such an experience again.

BOOK OF THE WEEK: Four years ago, my friend Richelle gave me the slim book Handle With Prayer by Charles Stanley. It took a long while before I got to read it finally recently, but I felt it was the right time. It tackles topics such as why our prayers are not answered, how to pray in the will of God, fasting, and praying for others. A book certainly worth reading.

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:14

Zip lining at 80

Can't resist posting this photo here. That's my mom on the left, at 80 years old, on a zip line last month at the Picnic Grove in Tagaytay. Beside her is her friend.

Imagine that! What do you think you'll be doing at 80? Would we still be alive when we reach 80? :D

So whatever's on your bucket list, go for it! Enjoy life, but stay safe!

BOOK OF THE WEEK: I finished reading yesterday Just As I Am, the autobiography of world renowned preacher Billy Graham. The thick hardbound book cost me only P75 after my friend Tinna decided to let go of some of her books. :-) From milking cows daily, Graham has gone on to inspire millions of people all over the world to make peace with God. His message still holds true today: that God loves us and has great plans for us, but sin got in the way. We can't atone for our sins because of our sinful nature. God therefore sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to take our place on the cross and wipe our sins away. But though He did it for mankind, we have to take that gift individually and open our hearts to Christ. It is interesting to read Graham's stories of the people he has met over the years and how God has guided him.

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." ~ Proverbs 2:6

The sweetness of pasalubong

On a media trip to Thailand last week, my fellow journalists and I made a beeline for the duty-free shops at the airport with less than an hour left before boarding time. Our agenda: buy homecoming gifts or pasalubong. We bought chocolates, tamarind candies, mango in sticky rice, and Thai curry in a box and headed to the gate with our loot.

Looking around, I see that rare is the Filipino who doesn't buy pasalubong for folks back home. It's more of an unwritten rule and a custom to bring home a souvenir for those who weren't with us on the trip, in effect saying, “Wish you were with me” or “Thinking of you” or “Here's a little gift to show you I care.”

It's not really the grandness of the gift that matters, rather the thought that counts, and so little pasalubong items from chocolates to little trinkets are welcomed. This is an expression of the love language of gifts. In “The Five Love Languages of Teenagers”, author Gary Chapman writes, “Gifts are visible, tangible evidence of emotional love.”

My sister remembers hugging and carrying this big white stuffed bear on the plane back home to give to her kids. A friend of mine brought home in his hand luggage two heavy little sculptures from Bangkok to give to friends. And I remember checking out maybe about three stores in Akihabara in Tokyo looking for a specific anime action figure for my son.

There’s satisfaction in buying something for a loved one, or people you care about, and handing this over personally upon arrival from a trip. The smile on the recipients’ faces is worth it.

Traveling soon? Make room then for some strawberry jam and peanut brittle from Baguio, otap and danggitfrom Cebu, green tea from Japan, coffee from Seattle, wine from California, chocolates from Switzerland, tea from China, and yes, why not—some crocodile jerky from Australia. If it fits in the bag, it’s great pasalubong. Have a safe trip!

Click here to read this article on the Smart Super Women blog.

BOOK OF THE WEEK: Walking from East to West is the autobiography of preacher Ravi Zacharias (written with R. S. B. Sawyer). It's interesting to "walk" with the well-known teacher as he recounts his life growing up in India, where he thought he was born to be mediocre. He reached the depths of despair and even tried ending his life. But Zacharias found new life in Christ, and since then, his life turned around completely. From India, he lived in Canada, and now he is a popular preacher based in Atlanta. Sad that I missed listening to him when he was in Manila for a speaking engagement a few years ago. Anyway, got the book from the bargain bin of OMF Lit shop at Il Terrazo on Tomas Morato Avenue Extension in Quezon City for a huge discount (from P250, it was down to P75) during the last sale! Worth it.

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away" ~ Psalm 37:1-2

Japan on my mind

We all gasped in horror in the newsroom last Friday (March 11) as the first videos were aired on CNN showing huge waves racing toward ricefields, the runways at Sendai airport, and homes. Cars were swept away, and bobbed up and down, the same way they did during Typhoon Ondoy.
I remember my Japanese sister-in-law Tomie saying that almost every building in Japan is earthquake-proof. This is the reason why there was no extensive structural damage in Tokyo and other areas.

But the tsunami was something else. What happened in Sendai just goes to show man is powerless against a tsunami.

Since that Friday over a week ago (March 11), I have been thinking of Japan. It's such a beautiful country with wonderful people.

May God help the people of Japan rise over this tragedy. And may the people of Japan acknowledge that though it may be hard to understand, God is in control and Lord over the whole earth.

BOOK OF THE WEEK: For my birthday last January, my mom gave me a paperback copy of Julie & Julia by Julie Powell. I missed seeing the movie version of this in cinemas, so I looked forward to reading the book. I still have 100 pages to go to finish the book, though. The concept is good: a young woman embarks on a yearlong project to cook her way through Julia Child's cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Somehow though, Julie & Julia the book hasn't intrigued me enough to the point that I want to finish the book in 3 days. It's been weeks and I'm still reading it, a few pages a day. Verdict so far: The movie (which I caught on HBO recently) is more interesting.

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm." ~ Psalm 75:3