10-Minute Warning CXCIII

Tonight, I really don’t want to write another Minute Warning post; I’m supposed to publish a new Watch post. The upcoming post is about a famous YouTube video related to my hero, Dave Grohl. But when I was drafting, I got a message from someone I met recently, and I must admit: getting messages from her is the highlight of my day.

Pardon me, my readers… oh, right. Pardon me, my only reader. Thanks to her, this Minute Warning post is all you get tonight. But at least my shadow heart is feeling a different kind of light, a comforting kind of light. And trust me on this: that’s something I haven’t felt in a long time.

Anyway, about my birthday plans: it’s exactly a week to go before my special day, and finally I have the day planned out! I’m going to my favorite cafe, and plan the next year ahead by writing in my new Moleskine daily planner. I will also have lunch there, plus I will drink my favorite affogato in the whole world. After that, I might look for a Blokees Deadpool figure at the nearest toy store. (Though I’m not sure if I’ll buy one.) And in the main event, I will meet my family and two of my closest friends at a modern Filipino restaurant, and we will have a glorious feast. (Take note: the restaurant is Michelin-certified.)

My ten minutes are not up yet, but that’s all I can say for now. See you in the next post, and happy weekend!

Ω


A part of 14 Days of The Deranged Writer (2025).

Header image: Suvan Chowdhury of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.

Updated November 29, 2025.

30-Minute Warning XXIX

How was my day yesterday? It was long but nice!

The day started with my cousin Risa graduating from college. We celebrated the occasion with a tasty Filipino lunch at Abé. She deserves her degree because I have seen her study for many hours over the past few years. Congratulations, my cousin!

After the celebratory lunch, I had another weekly affogato fix at my favorite spot Satchmi. I enjoyed my favorite coffee/ice cream combo at my favorite seat and then updated my journal. Now my week is complete.

After my journal writing, my other cousin Jake and I went to Greenbelt 3 in Makati to watch the main stage of Fête de la Musique Philippines. Fête PH is celebrating its 30th year, which is awesome! And the musical acts we saw: Jason Dhakal and Lustbass, Jose Miguel, Sinosikat?, Dwta, and Jewelmer Jazz Band. (I hope I typed their names right.) It has been a while since my last gig, and I spent my time listening and swaying more and taking fewer photos. That’s how I know I enjoyed the show that much.

My Younger Brother followed and watched Fête for a while, and then we looked for a ramen restaurant for dinner. We checked out Ramen Kuroda first, but they are about to close. We checked out Kenji Tei, but they were about to close also. And then we checked Ippudo, and they let us in. Yes! The third time’s the charm indeed.

And how was the dinner? After enjoying our mildly spicy ramen and Coke Zeros, our stomachs and hearts are full. We gained the energy to go back to Fête’s main stage and watch a few more acts: Morobeats (I hope I wrote that right) and Dilaw. In my opinion, the latter gave the best performance of the night. I should listen to their songs more.

After watching Dilaw, my Younger Brother and cousin Jake went home… but first, we had to stop by the nearest 7-Eleven and buy some Jack and Coke Zero and sweet corn chips. After coming home, I started writing this post and gulping the Jack and Coke Zero I just bought.

Happy weekend to all!

Ω


Header image: Gül Işık of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2024.

Song of the Moment XIV: Odette Quesada’s “Friend of Mine”

In today’s post, let me simply share the ultimate song about unrequited love – something I can relate to.

You tell me about the love you’ve had
And I listen very eagerly
But deep inside you’ll never see
This feeling of emptiness
It makes me feel sad
But then again I’m glad

Odette Quesada’s “Friend of Mine”
Odette Quesada performs “Friend of Mine” on the Wish USA Bus last September 2020.

That is all.

Ω


Header image: Marta Nogueira of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2024.