Memories of the Vortex
Room at the Picasso Suites
My first apartment was at Blanco Center on Leviste Street in Salcedo Village, Makati. Apartment 914. I shared the place with two guys who toiled in the corporate universe. How we (and our respective egos) managed to cram into a railroad flat, I have no idea. For one thing our tastes in music diverged wildly. One liked music from before 1800, one liked showtunes and Madonna, I liked grunge. Yet we managed to coexist in relative peace.
A friend noted that our apartment looked like the one in David Lynch’s Eraserhead. (This is called foreshadowing.) There was even the occasional crackling lightbulb on the fritz in the hallway. I thought the architecture was very Soviet asylum. I imagined axe murderers lying in wait behind the heavy wooden doors. Of course I felt right at home.
Years after moved out, I started hanging out with people who had also lived in Blanco Center. We were next-door neighbors, except that we were there at different times. Literally Everyone has had a Blanco period. The other day Noel and I ran into his friend who had lived in my old apartment, 914. Blanco was truly the Vortex of the Universe.
Blanco Center is now the Picasso Suites serviced apartments. It has been thoroughly redone and is much, much grander than my old building; art exhibits are held on the ground floor and there is a good restaurant. When Patrice of the Volcanoes was in Manila he stayed at the Picasso and I had a peek. The rooms still have the railroad flat shape, but they don’t look like my old apartment at all.
In my last year at Blanco I was hit with a staggering rent increase. At first I thought all the tenants had gotten the same increase, then I found out that only I was paying more. Turns out that the landlord had read a magazine article I’d written in which I described the building’s Eraserhead ambience and Soviet asylum architecture.
I tried to explain that the description was meant fondly, and that I never mentioned the name of the building. He gave me the “Oh you young people when you get older you will learn that you can’t go around saying whatever you think” speech.
“But I like this building,” I pointed out. “I don’t think it’s ugly. You want ugly, look at that building across the street.”
“I own that building too,” the landlord said.
End of discussion.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
December 14th, 2010 at 06:44
I confess that I was a former Blanco resident.
My whole life depended on the building. I had my laundry done at Lavandera Ko, rented R-rated B-movies (on VHS format) at the video rental store, and regularly ordered ‘room service’ pork sinigang with extra rice from that small cafe (name escapes me) by the building entrance.
My pet tortoise, which had a ghastly yellow face and a band-aid on a cracked part of its carapace, lived in my small balcony.
A friend of mine screamed her way through the hallway of Blanco when a huge rat, foraging through the leaking garbage bags at every doorstep, ran towards her at torpedo speed as soon as she stepped out of the elevator. She never visited me again.
Another friend of mine met Lorli Villanueva at the elevator and offered congratulations for her fantastic performance in Oro, Plata, Mata as though the film had just premiered.
Enter: sound of crying tiyanak from Eraserhead.
December 14th, 2010 at 08:15
Is that who I think it is on the picture???
December 14th, 2010 at 09:26
“I don’t think it’s ugly. You want ugly, look at that building across the street.” – hahahaha!! brilliant! this could be a perfect scene for a movie..i remember one of john mayer’s song..
December 14th, 2010 at 10:17
hi! good am :)
This is a little late. i havent been reading the posts lately. Sorry Ms. Zafra its off topic but i think i could volunteer to get the twisted 9 copies for the pool. I think i could do it on Thursday (Dec 16) pero lunch break po ( i can avoid the rush hour/xmas traffic and i usually work until 9). then the pool could just get it from me. i work here at makati so i think thats ok. they could get it from me on any weekday (not on weekends & not on the coming up holidays please!) just arrange it with me kahit through txt. i work near greenbelt/landmark/glorietta so very accessible.
if you could only deliver on afternoons, you can deliver it tomorrow then i’ll get it on thursday lunch break. btw do i have to pay for it all first (Abono) or do i collect for everybody then just wire it to your account? how much is a copy? that would be 20 copies nalang kasi avignon is out.
Pool members! reactions please!!!! :) of course you could just wait for the bookstore copies, but those wont be signed by Ms. Zafra :)
oh! i like the post nga pala. is this the same place you mentioned in that freaky article wherein someone was asked to retrieve something from his/her place and when the friend opened it, the room was empty? then they went back, this time together with the owner and when they opened the room it was completely occupied. or do i have it on vice versa :) matagal na ata yung article na yun :)
anyway :) God Bless! :)
December 14th, 2010 at 10:30
I was told that the landlord has since died. I bet (hope?) that he’s stewing in a warmer section of hell.
December 14th, 2010 at 10:53
Evan: Sorry i just read your suggestion. I dont have a facebook account :) may nagrespond na ba sa ibang mga pool members? i could also go with your idea kung may na arrange na pala, late na kasi yung suggestion ko. Thanks!
December 14th, 2010 at 12:13
winnerific: Okay, pick up 20 copies for the pool on Thursday between 12 and 3 at Wild Ginger in the basement of Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati. 20 copies x P100 = P2,000.
Thanks! We are running out of copies so this is perfect timing.
By the way, the other people in the pool are probably awaiting word in the original post, not in this new one that has nothing to do with their books.
December 14th, 2010 at 12:13
Akyat-Bahay Gangster: The stories I’ve heard! Maluluma ang Chelsea Hotel.
December 14th, 2010 at 12:23
brewhuh23: Hindi nauuntog si Patrice, ergo high ceiling.
December 14th, 2010 at 12:44
#9 jessica — Aba oo nga no?
December 14th, 2010 at 13:20
jessica and winnerific, I have posted notices in the original post and in “Help, all my photos are blurry” so the following (who signed up with the pool) could read winnerific’s suggestion on how to pick up their copies. Hope this helps. Thanks.
# 4 Ron Tab (5 copies)
# 30 brainchild (2 copies)
# 36 tigerstalker (3 copies)
# 52 angus25 (2 copies)
# 63 tala (2 copies)
# 65 the Orbiter (1 copy)
# 72 Evan (1 copy)
# 96 winnerific (2 copies)
# 98 sirius black (2 copies)
December 14th, 2010 at 14:07
ok po. i just wanted to ask first if it would be possible on that date and time before announcing on the original post.
So Ms. Zafra, I’ll give the payment (2,000.00) to the cashier at wild ginger? Hay, sana magbayad ang mga pool people :)
December 14th, 2010 at 14:27
I’m glad that this is now the Picasso Suites and that Blanco Center is no more. The latter was really a blight on the landscape of Salcedo Village.
In my view, the conversion was undertaken so well that there are absolutely no traces of its previous sordid and squalid incarnation. Even the shot above does not remind me of how the old rooms were. It looks just like any tasteful serviced apartment in any city in the world.
JZ, you should recount some of those stories that you heard. (Since you are now beyond the old landlord’s reach, there should be no risk of consequences.)
December 14th, 2010 at 14:40
Good Afternoon!
To the following people part of the pool:
# 4 Ron Tab (5 copies)
# 30 brainchild (2 copies)
# 36 tigerstalker (3 copies)
# 52 angus25 (2 copies)
# 63 tala (2 copies)
# 65 the Orbiter (1 copy)
# 72 Evan (1 copy)
# 96 winnerific (2 copies)
# 98 sirius black (2 copies)
I will be getting the books on Thursday (Dec 16, 2010). To retrieve your copies, just post a schedule when and where we can meet, as long as you’re in the greenbelt/glorietta/landmark area. I’ll be available 8-5 if you’re willing to walk to our building :) Of course, lunch breaks and after 5 hours would be most convenient. I could also post my number here if it would be really necessary but for now just write away on the comments section. Please confirm if you would still go with your order. 1 copy=100 pesos ok! Confirm early so if you plan to forgo, maybe Ms. Zafra could still cancel yours. Thanks and God Bless!
Ms. Zafra, I’ll post one of this here since your confirmation for delivery is also here. I also posted on the “Help all my photos are blurry” post and the original one. Can I also make a request? Can you address the books I’m buying? one to my name and one to “Abbey”. Thanks! :)
December 14th, 2010 at 15:20
winnerific: Thanks sa pag volunteer. I can get my 3 copies from you thur afternoon or fri lunch. I also work near the greenbelt area so makukuha ko agad sayo. Please let me know which day you prefer. Here’s my number, 09062975523. Thanks again.
December 14th, 2010 at 16:19
wow, i can’t believe it. i loved my Blanco days too!
was a former Blanco resident – 916, 2nd floor (i forgot our unit number because everybody in the 2nd floor when we stayed there don’t lock their doors so you can literally just apartment hop), and 510.
miss those days
December 14th, 2010 at 16:34
I’m cool with this. :-) So do we just meet at Rockwell, winnerific? How about the others?
December 15th, 2010 at 00:19
# 14 winnerific
winnerific, would it be okay if you can give me your mobile number for ease of communication? our office is located along ayala avenue; i can give you my payment by tomorrow during lunch break perhaps either at greenbelt or landmark. thanks!
December 15th, 2010 at 00:31
Hi, I messaged Evan at Facebook, but I think there are more details with winnerific’s suggestion. I can help you go to Rockwell, nakakahiya naman kasi, hehe, or I can just get my copies around 5PM Thursday, if you’d rather do it alone. :)
December 15th, 2010 at 01:11
By the way, I don’t think there’s too much harm in posting my mobile number here for that purpose. Here it is: 09152998597.
December 15th, 2010 at 09:15
tigerstalker: Hi! I think I prefer the Friday lunch sched. If you’d like to meet at Greenbelt, thats fine, just tell me the place. I’ll text you tomorrow when I/we get the books. Heres my number: 0949-612-4035. Three (3) copies checked! Thanks!
December 15th, 2010 at 09:24
Evan: I think it would be ok if a few of us pick up the books – right Ms. Zafra? :) I’ll wait for you and the others if they want to get their copies themselves at Wild Ginger. For the others, I’m willing to pay for their copies first, just so to facilitate the pick up. If you plan to go there on Thursday lunch contact me so that I/we will know if we’re still waiting for anybody. Heres my number: 0949-612-4035. Thanks!
December 15th, 2010 at 09:30
sirius black: Hi! I think it would be better if I receive payment when I have the books already. I dont like the idea of holding other peoples money :) Just text me tomorrow when and where you want to meet. Post your number here so i can contact you or just contact me. Check out my reply to tigerstalker and Evan for my number. 2 copies checked! Thanks!
December 15th, 2010 at 09:40
angus25: Its actually fine with me if people would also like to get their copies on Thursday at Wild Ginger. So you’ll be going there? Just text me if you would or post a comment here. Check my reply to tigerstalker and Evan for my number. 2 copies checked! Thanks
December 15th, 2010 at 10:08
Ms Zafra :)
Is there a designated person at Wild Ginger to accept the payment? there are reactions from the the pool already :) Yeay!
December 15th, 2010 at 13:17
winnerific: BAD IDEA TO HAVE PEOPLE CLAIM THEIR OWN COPIES. The 20 books for the pool will be in a single package for one person to claim from the staff at Wild Ginger on THURSDAY 16 DECEMBER AFTER 12 NOON. We need ONE NAME so the staff knows whom to give the package to.
December 15th, 2010 at 13:19
i slept at the picasso twice already since our head office in makati is just walking distance from here. but it’s really weird and annoying that they refer to “deposit” as “full deposit”, then asking for the entire amount upon your check-in, and refer to that amount as full deposit.
December 15th, 2010 at 13:49
Hi winnerific! Friday around lunch time is okay with me. I’ll wait for your text tom when you get the books. I think I’ll be in the Greenbelt 5 area on Fri, maybe we can meet up sa may Pepper Lunch if okay lang sayo. =)
Sirius and angus25 are you okay with Fri? Lunch time?
December 15th, 2010 at 13:56
uhm ok. That would still be me. Sorry. My mistake :) I think my profile has my name already.
Pool members!
Back to the original plan po :) Just contact me on how you could get your books! :)
December 15th, 2010 at 21:02
Hi, I suggest that winnerific should claim the books at Wild Ginger while the rest of the pool members (for those who are free on Thursday) wait nearby (10-20 meters away?). That way, the staff wouldn’t have a headache (but winnerific will?).
# 24 winnerific: Yes, I will be there. I will send you a message. :)
December 16th, 2010 at 00:36
# 28 tigerstalker: Hi, I’ll meet winnerific on Thursday lunch. :)
December 17th, 2010 at 14:07
Ms. Z: Thank you for the books! i’ve distributed all of it. It was actually easier than I thought :)
sirius black, tigerstalker, evan, angus25: thank you for getting your books. it was nice meeting all of you. tigerstalker, sorry i almost forgot your change :)
Ron Tab, brainchild, tala, the Orbiter: Sorry i didnt get your books. I couldnt wait for your confirmation anymore. Para “safe” lang. I hope you understand :)