Ok guys and gals FEMALE mag quoted my age as 25. They’re actually on the spot on that – I’M 25 FOREVER!! 

I’m really not big on birthdays. I usually spend it on my own. I contemplate, I recall, I reflect, I talk to myself, eat on my own, I try to appreciate the tiniest and most humble things in life, I try to chat with strangers – the tuktuk drivers in Thailand, the cab drivers in Dubai, the Chauffers in Colombo, the tricycle/trike driver in Manila, the normal dude on the street. It’s what really life is all about. Trying to know the most humble and simplest of people from all walks of life and how they’re coping in their daily living.

When I was much younger until my University days, I used to read all the letters I receive from all over the world and friends I met from camps and gatherings from different Philippine provinces. I used to get all excited coming home and asking my Mum If the Postman delivered something for me. It was really nice receiving pictures, letters, packages even though it is from your own country. The feeling of excitement knowing that thousands of miles away someone really cares for you and thinks of you. I still miss those moments. Naturally, the cyberworld has changed all that and honestly, it lacks the personal touch of relaying a message as it was when I get my letters handwritten by my friends from various parts of the world. Personally, I’m not a fan of forwarded messages. Don’t read ‘em, don’t like ‘em. I hate chain letters with all its threats when and if you don’t forward it. C’mon, gimme a break life isn’t dependent on some lucky chain letter propagated by some believers of lucky charm or religion.  If you’re a friend, the least you could do to another friend is at least “SAY HI, HOW ARE YOU?” Not some forwarded message that’s not from you. You’ll be remembered as sweet and not a BEE-YATTCHHH!

Back to my 26th Birthday. I spent countless of Spa treatments in Phuket and I’ll say it again and again, If you ever come to Phuket, never miss to visit Nanai road and look for HIDEAWAY. It’s a little rundown and more meek than your normal chic spa spots in Thailand. But it’ll be really a pampering treat for you and your partner. As for me – never was alone in my adventure there. I had a funny experience when I got into the sauna with some people already in there – a naked Aussie dude with his semi-naked girlfriend. It was hillarious. I wish to share more with you about this couple but – let’s keep it to your imagination til it really runs wild.

What’s classic about this last trip to Phuket: a) My Jungle motorbike got chained/locked by the cops. Paid Bht.300 to unlock it, the cop was nice to me. b) I missed my morning flight. c) The hotel fax is broken so I couldn’t get my new ticket on the spot. But, it all worked well in time for me to catch my flight to Singapore.  Probably, the last bit of my unlucky encounters before I enjoy another fresh year after my birthday.  Everything’s alright so far.  Well, the best present I got this year would be my Singapore Citizenship plus the envelope given to me by the Commisioner of Oaths that says “ORGAN DONATION TRANSPLANT ACT AND YOU.”

Thanks for your greetings (if you did greet me). It’s just another year for me. Nothing really hot or exciting as my second parents  Glenn & Ruth tell me “Mario, it’s just another year that’s all.”

Finally, here are my life facts when you’re at my age: (well, for me at least)

1) You massage your scalp/head every now and then in the hopes of it’ll grow more hair and that you’ll have a healthier scalp. Jon Bon Jovi believes that too.

2) You have all sorts of ointment/oil at home for different body aches. At times – pills as well.

3) You fall asleep halfway while watching just one DVD at home.

4) Redbull doesn’t work anymore to get your little cousin alive and kicking. You need the Matrix pills if you wanna be a cassanova-kinda-lovebed-conquistador!

5) Fact that hurts – your skin shrinks past this age like mine.  So, trying to stay healthy and eating greens, veggies, & fruits is something you try to enforce in your daily living.

6) You’re confused whether you wanna stick to be a fashionista, a sloppy Dad, or a hot or lousy boyfriend. I’m still confused!

7) When you have children, if you get lucky with your Wife at least twice a week – you’re one lucky bloke!  If you’re getting three or more, share me your secret!

Your kids scream your name anywhere/everywhere when they see you as “DADDY!!!” And there’s no way that you can say to anyone that you’re single!  To some babes – that could be a turn-on actually. “Ooh, that’s Big Daddy…” A little dangerous sometimes especially for those who wear their wedding rings and go club/bar hopping. Heard from a galpal that some gals in town do bet on guys who wear their rings and how long it’ll take for them to (ahem) carry him home! 

9) Sleeping 8 hours a day is a luxury. 

10) At my age, you runout of things to say. 

Big hugs to you wherever you maybe!

Truth is, the dating game isn’t really that easy. Girls do have to kiss a lot of horrible toads before they get their real Prince…or not! Guys have to kiss a lot of she-toads too before they get their Cinderellas…or NOT! Life isn’t just fair! The real gorgeous ladies end up with alien-lookin-dudes while the handsome boys do end up with witches! You don’t believe me? Try sitting on one of those orchard bench and you’ll realize I’m telling the truth here. Hah!

Getting into it is a lot of headache, heartache, and often will burn a hole in your pocket. So guys, here’s the perfect stuff I got for you for V.Day – tips from David De Angelo. Read on and advance happy V.Day, try not to be a prick and you’ll get lucky one way or the other!

DOUBLE YOUR DATING Tips by David De Angelo

Women have a basic program when it comes to men that are potential romantic interests. It says, “If he chases me, run. If he doesn’t chase me, chase him.”

Of course, this is a big generalization, and it doesn’t always hold true… but it’s true enough in most situations.

If you call a woman all the time, she’ll probably not call you. If you take a woman to dinner 4 times in a week, she probably won’t be inviting you over for dinner at her place. On the other hand, if you go out with a woman and she has a GREAT time with you, then you don’t call for a couple of days, or maybe you call once for 3 minutes to tell her that you’re busy and make plans for a few days later, SHE WILL BE THINKING ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME.

Women have other little hints that they look for to see if you’re interested in getting into a relationship. Do you talk about having kids? Do you ask about her family and relationships with them? Do you answer HER questions about these things in a serious way, as if you’re being interviewed? Are you acting stilted and nervous, as if something huge is depending on her liking you? Do you call a lot and get her gifts? Do you check up to see that she’s doing all the time, even though you don’t know her that well?

All of these things are hints that women use to tell how “relationship minded” you are with her.

I’m not a believer of myth, not any myth at all. But for the sake of my Chinese family and for my Chinese pals, I share with you the GOODLUCK and the BADLUCK according to its ancient beliefs.

The following is a list of beliefs that vary according to dialect groups / individuals.

Good luck

• Opening windows and/or doors is considered to bring in the good luck of the new year.
• Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to ’scare away’ ghosts and spirits of misfortune that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.
• Sweets are eaten to ensure the consumer a “sweet” year.
• It is important to have the house completely clean from top to bottom before New Year’s Day for good luck in the coming year. (however, as explained below, cleaning the house after New Year’s Day is frowned upon)
• Some believe that what happens on the first day of the new year reflects the rest of the year to come. Asians will often gamble at the beginning of the year, hoping to get luck and prosperity.
• Wearing a new pair of slippers that is bought before the new year, because it means to step on the people who gossip about you.
• The night before the new year, bathe yourself in pomelo leaves and some say that you will be healthy for the rest of the new year.

Bad luck

• Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck amongst some Chinese. The word “shoes” is a homophone for the word for “rough” in Cantonese, or “evil” in Mandarin.
• Buying a pair of pants is considered bad luck. The word “pants”(kù) is a homophone for the word for “bitter”(kÅ­) in Cantonese. (Although some perceive it to be positive, as the word ‘pants’(fu) in Cantonese is also a homophone for the word for “wealth”.)
• Washing your hair is also considered to be washing away one’s own luck (although modern hygienic concerns take precedence over this tradition)
• Sweeping the floor is usually forbidden on the first day, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year.
• Talking about death is inappropriate for the first few days of Chinese New Year, as it is considered inauspicious as well.
• Buying books is bad luck because the word for “book” is a homonym to the word “lose”.
• Avoid clothes in black and white, as black is a symbol of bad luck, and white is a traditional funeral colour.

Whatever your beliefs are, some of these made me really laugh to my stomach that it hurts! But, as I say, whatever makes anyone happy – I’m also happy! Let’s bathe on pomelo leaves soon!