of cookies and Pinoy Pride

Sem break is starting to get boring but I’m still enjoying the free time. I went back to the gym today and Alej bought me cookies! I finally found THE PERFECT COOKIES because I am a cookie monster. I mean, I LOVE COOKIES. I keep craving for the ones at Spiral because the shortbread cookies and those chocolate chip ones were just perfect cookies. I bought cookies before at Pricesmart because they looked yummy packaged with Christmas ribbons and stuff and I thought they were calling out for me. When I tasted them after I bought a jar, it tasted horrible…like they were on the shelf for so long. I think they were (old) Delifrance (stale) cookies. So when we bought a tall plastic cupful of assorted cookies from Sugarhouse, I wanted to do cartwheels because they were so good and they were really fresh! I felt guilty for doubting the girl who sold me the cookies from the Sugarhouse kiosk. My bad!

Anyway, if you’re not living in Manila (or in Philippines, in general) then you’re probably not aware of the Pinoy pop culture craze– there are Philippine flag t-shirts everywhere, the iconic three stars and a sun, the flag colors, anything about the Philippine flag you name it they got it. Pinoy pop culture is taking the public by storm…at least the younger generation. I think it’s cool because these products– t-shirts, necklaces, caps, bracelets, etc. are making their way abroad. I heard that Francis Magalona’s company who sells t-shirts with the Pinoy pop culture theme has made it’s way to the United States and it’s selling like hotcakes there, better than the sales they make here in the Philippines! My cousin Gino loved the Pinoy themed shirts and when he found out that Adidas made a limited edition Philippine flag jacket, he wanted one so bad. Alej wants one so bad too but they’re always out of stock. I heard you have to be on a list to get to the goodies and it costs so much too! But the other Pinoy pop culture merchandise like Team Manila t-shirts and accessories and other products are local buyers friendly because they’re affordable.

I think it’s great that nationalism is sinking in amongst the younger generation through the availability of these merchandise. Although they’re just t-shirt designs or whatnot, the sentiment is still there. For my brother-in-law, for example, who likes these Pinoy pop culture merchandise…he does not just like the stuff (t-shirts, accessories, etc. with the Philippine flag design), he feels a certain kind nationalism by wearing “PINOY PRIDE”. And it’s great especially when these products are making its way to Pinoys who live abroad like my Cousin Gino who feels very much Pinoy even if he’s already a U.S. Immigrant.

Anyway, I’ve babbled too much already. Now onto the photos!

He was (one of) the 3rd anniversary gift from Alej. He's cute and he eats a lot!

we found this at the mall today on the way to the gym. It's a good find! Alej got me one too.

This was Alej's main gift for our 3rd anniversary...matching two-tone gold rings with our names/date engraved inside. And no we're not engaged. Haha!

...because Alej has good taste.

And yes, WE ARE PROUD TO BE PINOY.