My new baby...APPLE!

People, I just want to share my new baby...
13 inch MACBOOK 2.16 ghz
still inside the simple and very lovable apple box packaging.

So much excitement while opening the box...

I bought this from California with the help of my very good friend Jesus Carlito Picache.

What are the specs of this apple?

• 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 1GB memory
• 120GB hard drive¹
• Double-layer SuperDrive

Ships: Within 24 hours

Free Shipping

$1,299.00

I'm really happy that now I have this baby. I couldn't ask for more. I really owe Carlito for buying this for me because if I bought it here in Manila this is more expensive. Just be careful lang in buying refurbished MACBOOKS, they are cheaper but there's no guarantee on the specs. I suggest better buy brand new than settling for lesser price.

Mae Javaluyas

Mae Javaluyas is a night owl. All the while I thought Mae was a call center agent because she works at night. I was wrong. She works for MEGASPORTSWORLD somewhere in Malate. They where my first customers after my long summer vacation.

I rendered this photo in black and white with nice black twirl on top to match the avant garde look of the couple.

They allowed me to take pictures and they both gave me their best smiles.

Mae was with her boyfriend Eric...

I don't remeber exactly what they were celebrating, but I'm happy that a lot of girls nowadays surprise their boyfriends in a unique way.

We all enjoyed the night and I always find time to include myself in at least one photo.

Thanks for dining, Mae and Eric. It was great chatting with the both of you.

Moroccan Herb Chicken

This is my famous and tasteful Moroccan Herb Chicken. Marinated with several herbs and spices then grilled with butter.

As time goes by, I learn to classify where my cooking concoctions fall into. My Morrocan Herb Chicken falls into the herby marination category. My Chicken Kebabs are marinated more on spices and condiments. And my Chicken Satay is more on malt, ginger and citrus. Now I can differentiate one from the other.

I'm glad to learn new things with every new dish I prepare.

To constanly improve my cooking & food styling is my daily goal.

Claire Cruz

Doña Clarissa Cruz, is a certified account executive that jumps from one agency to another. Her career path from DDB to DYR to SAATCHI and now TBWA has given her a lot of experience. Contrary to her career, she is very faithful when it comes to her lovelife. Through thick and thin and through sunshine and rain, I'm glad to see Claire and Rex still together, getting better and stronger.

I'm glad that Claire and Rex finally tried The Artist Chef. There are some friends who feel awkward if I will be the waitress, cook and dishwasher for the night. I always tell them that I don't mind at all. I'm happy with what I'm doing. Good thing that this couple didn't feel that way.

This dinner night was really for Claire because she was celebrating her birthday. I know men in general are not mushy but it's pretty cool that Rex participated well. :p

The participation of Rex went beyond my expectation when they danced together with the music I played. Sweet dance performed by the couple while the three of us were laughing out loud. I captured the moment with my camera (with their permission, of course).

I know they enjoyed the dinner and the night together. They are so full that Claire took home the Goat Cheese Spring Rolls I prepared.

Rex was my teammate in DDB Makati during my stay there. My fellow Art Director now turned into an ACD. He is the alcoholic of the SMART Group--that's our common joke about him. And because of that I served him my famous Blackbeer Float with Honey during the dinner. Cheers to you Blackie!

They are blessed with a beautiful daughter and her name is Maxine.

Oh well this photo is my souvenir photo to prove that Rex can really be a jackass at any given photo opt. There's a take two of this photo, the one I posted above with the menu they chose.

Thanks Claire and Rex for dining and thank you also for the Tuna Empanada you gave me as pasalubong. How sweet...awww...

Boracay Revisited!

It was four years ago when I last visited the famous Boracay with the DDB people. I went to Boracay last summer with Reggie and his cousins. Things have changed on the island but so have I. I return not only as an Art Director, but also as the Artist Chef. :-)

Gazing at the beautiful sunset and glancing at some scenes that are still the same through the years. Then again, a lot of things changed for the worse. It's too crowded and the improper garbage disposal makes me sad.

With Carrone, Donna, Lorraine and yours truly, The Artist Chef.

Powdering myself with the soft and white Boracay's sand. I can't help but smile because of the new red Calvin Klein shades that replaced my old red eyeglasses.

I posed in this same spot at Waling-Waling Beach Hotel back in 2003.

We had fun eating at different restos in BORA like, Mango Ray restaurant, Hawaiian Barbecue, Gastof & Michel's Crepe. But I had so much fun with Manana and Cafe Mediterranean. I just love mexican and mediterranean food.

I'm glad that Cafe Mediterranean invaded Boracay already.

This photo was taken at Jonah's where Reggie and I ordered their famous shakes. After we finished the shakes Reggie fell asleep and then this butterfly landed on his shoulder. I immediately got the camera to capture the moment then Reggie woke up with this reaction...

I always see photos of couples in gettyimages and other stock photography sites with poses somehow similar to this. I just had to have my own version!

This is Reggie having skimboarding lessons with the very nice kiddo.

This is my photo opt with the local Boracay kid. Thank you kiddo for being nice and for patiently teaching me and Reggie the ways of skimboarding.

Nice to relax and take a nap in front of the beach ... 'til my next Boracay visit.