I took my one and only excuse to look like a million bucks, and to NOT wear the same t-shirt and dirty jeans that I've been wearing for a week, when I was assigned to cover the Philippine Independence Day Ball at the Hilton last night.

I had to make some adjustments to the dress and sew certain areas of it, because it was prone to wardrobe malfunction a la Janet Jackson. I've had this dress for more than a year. Finally wore it.

Because every when do I get the opportunity to look flash? Even if it's for a bunch of people at least 20 years older than me. I even fixed my hair.

So Michelle picked me up, we got to the Hilton in time for the flag ceremony, I got my free ticket, set my tripod and camera, pressed the "record" button and... realized my camera didn't have any tape. And remembered that I had left the tape on my desk.

Pakshetputcha. Mother of all mistakes in my correspondent career. Panic, panic. Called my filmmaker friend Carl, because he just MIGHT be in the area, and just MIGHT have a mini DV tape with him. But Michelle ran across the street to Woolworths and found some for me. HAY SALAMAT!!!! I owe you big-time.

So at ball's end, me and Michelle did the 30 minute drive back to the suburbs to bring tita Reggie home.... and drove back to the city right after hahaha. We ended up at King's Cross, Sydney's red light district. It's like Malate.

Went to some club, and shared a drink. Everyone was so young and I didn't like the music. Geez, am I that old?