my trip to divisoria

yup, i went to Divisoria today. i am quite thankful that the weather cooperated with us so it wasn't so difficult commuting from our place to the treasure trove that is divi. it was a looong ride alright but we got there safe and sound.

our first mission was to find some probable items for souvenirs. we got off i think at m. de santos street and just asked directions so we could get to tabora, where most people go to purchase their knick-knacks. we entered the NDDC bldg. on the corner of Tabora and Sta. Elena. grabe! ang daming laruan pala dun, also mga things that you'd need for a party (e.g., poppers and balloons).

next, we went to Divisoria Mall, which was nearly adjacent to the NDDC bldg. mas nahilo ako! here you can buy almost anything (bags, shoes, clothes, cellphones, cellphone accessories, fashion accessories, figurines, etc... i can go on and on.)

after lunch, we headed off to Yangco Market along Ylaya Street to canvass some cloths. i learned that the reversible satin that Veluz suggested costs P120/yard at 60" width. same with two-tone shantung. RTW Piña-Jusi Barongs for kids cost P500 for sizes 2 to 12 and P550 for sizes 14 to 20. as for Jusi Barong naman (for kids), it's P450 (2 to 12) and P500 (14 to 20). they also accept made-to-order jobs.

we also checked out some sinamay bags for the give-aways. you can get the ordinary 5" square bags for P10/piece if you buy them in bulk. you can also request that they be dyed according to your color motif. i'm inclined to get the sinamay with gold threads interwoven and have it dyed to a deep wine red color. very elegant! :)

just a word of caution when going to divisoria, don't wear any jewelry so you don't attract any snatchers! believe me, pati fancy, pinapatulan na rin nila. well, actually they can't really tell from afar if it's fancy or not so don't take any chances. if possible, use a belt bag or body bag to put in your stuff. just bring cash, ATM cards (just in case you need more cash for the shopping!), hand sanitizer and tissue. that's about it. you don't need to bring other things because your hands will definitely be full after all that shopping. ;)

On La Herminia
speaking of cloths, I emailed Arlyne of La Herminia to ask for directions on how to get to their place in Muntinlupa. I am due to purchase from them my piña silk some time after my first fitting with Veluz (which is this Sunday na pala). She replied that i go instead to the Philippine Trade and Trading Center (along Roxas Blvd., near the World Trade Center). They will be one of the exhibitors there as it is National Science and Technology Week on July 14 to 18, 2005 (9AM to 5PM).

CENOMAR/Documents Update
I still haven't paid the fee at Union Bank. due to the bad weather last Tuesday, i had to postpone the errand. i have instead requested my mom to do it for me tomorrow because i will be busy at the clinic and have no time to do it myself. i have already prepared the authorization letter that our helper will present to the courier as i am sure that i won't be at home when it is delivered.

i was informed today that joseph's documents have already been received at the central post office of Parañaque. but since it was sent as registered mail, i have to pick it up personally. these documents, by the way, include the Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) application form, filled up and signed by Joseph. This we have to submit to the Australian Embassy in Makati, together with the processing fee. the certificate is then issued after around 15 minutes.

since i have been granted a Special Power of Attorney by Joseph, i can claim this certificate in his behalf. i intend to do this probably next week. once the CNI is obtained, we will submit it to the municipal hall of Parañaque for our marriage license application. i hope to finish all these civil wedding requirements within the month so we will be issued the marriage license on the first week of August at the latest.