The Year that was 2010.. Finale

And now for my own Year End Review...

Ah, 2010, the year that has seen my ups and down. It sure was a year to remember for good and bad.

This was the year where I went to more gigs than ever before starting with Ferry Corsten at Nokia Theater in February all the way to Kaskade at Pacha in November. Lets see, I believe I went to at least 10 gigs this year and a couple where truly memorable. ASOT 450, Electric Zoo, Andy Moor, Matt Darey and John O'Callaghan, Andy Moor and Ronski Speed, and Markus Schulz. I was also glad to be able to meet some of the finest DJs around - Ferry Corsten, Markus Schulz, Roger Shah, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Andy Moor (who gave me his drink), M.I.K.E., DJ Eco, The Thrillseeker, John O'Callaghan, Fedde Le Grand, Filo and Peri, Matt Darey and Marco V. The most memorable would be meeting Matt Darey, thats when the GTV crew was born. To all the DJs who came and grace NYC with their djing abilities, THANK YOU and keep on Trancing!!

This year was also the year that i finally was able to go on a vacation after 4 years of taking none. I went to Vegas with "the Boys" hoping to catch the "Pacman" fight but the fight was moved to Dallas. Oh well, we still had a great time partying it up at Haze nightclub, relaxing at the MGM pool, eating at Craftsteak and Bouchon. To the Las Vegas crew, we sure partied like a G6

Also this summer, I finally went to the beach after.. umm.. I dont know for how long. It sure was a needed break and relaxation even though Pt. Pleasant was packed the day we went. I got a tanned, got stuffed with seafood and got home all tired - just like an ordinary beach day. Thank you to the Pt. Pleasant crew and more beach trips the new year.

To Guggenheim, MAD and Whitney, thank you for those private viewings.

I went to a lot of events this year as well from tastings to festivals. And the good thing, it didn't really cost me that much. To Johnnie Walker, Dewars, and Macallan, thanks for having tasting sessions. And to Lexus, thanks for a great event at Marquee.

For all the ups, theres always downs...

I started the year with a really bad right ankle sprain that happened in late 2009 which prevented me from running for awhile. And I vowed to myself not to get hurt like that again. But on Halloween, I was in an accident and fractured my sternum. Doctors told me that it will take 6-8 weeks to heal and even though its heal, the doctor highly recommends that I take it easy working out. Those six weeks were brutal as I feel so weak seeing people running or doing stuff that I would normally do. And its also the reason why I miss most of the gigs in November and December. Well, its been always eight weeks since the accident, I could do the normal things I usually do but I could still feel my sternum is not completely heal. Of course, having a cold is not helping at all. And I was hoping to begin the New Year healthy, I guess I wont. But I'm just happy I'm alive since the car was totaled. If it was a different circumstances, I would probably be not writing this.

Also, this year I knew people who loss someone dear to them and its heart-breaking when it happens during the holiday season. I know how hard it is to lose someone dear to you since I lost both grandmas in a span of a year and I was pretty close to them. We just have to continue living our lives and at least try to continue the legacy that they have started.

Well I'm still single, my last relationship was about 2 years ago and ever since that time, I have not really found the girl that I'm looking for. Maybe I have become too picky. At least my mom is not bugging me that much anymore on when am I going to have a girlfriend. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm afraid to be in a relationship, it's just every girl I went out with, I just can't get over their flaws - not that I am perfect. I'm pretty sure I have flaws too.

Ok, enough for the sad parts..

This year, it was a privileged to be part of the Forty Under 40 club. The Forty Under 40 is awarded to individuals, under the age of 40, who have made great strive not only in business but also in community service. This is the second year in a row that I have gotten an award that I could truly show off (even though I don't). Hopefully, I could make it three years in a row.

I always had a chance to see my best buddy from college this year after 3 years. It sure was great reliving the good old college days. Hopefully your work will bring you back here and hopefully you will get the suite again with the spectacular view of Central Park.

The VIP at Knicks-Heat game - wow, that was an awesome experience that I would never forget. Met with some Knicks Legends, watch the game on the Luxury Suite with all the food and drinks possible, got a chance to meet some of the current Knicks player. And of course, being able to stand in Center Court of Madison Square Garden. That is definitely one of my bucket list. Thank you American Express and Momentum for picking me.

This Year I met a lot of new friends, especially those who are in #TranceFamily. It all started during ASOT 400 and the family just exploded! Even DJs started using the hashtag on Twitter. I've talked to most of you and even met some of you. It sure was a fun 2010 from ASOT 450 to Electric Zoo. I am so glad to be part of this family, as the song goes "In Every Beat We're Closer." To the original members of #trancefamily down newest ones, we have to make new memories in 2011. And of course for the #GTV crew, more fun times together! Keep on trancing everyone and see you during ASOT 500.

The year saw me tweet a lot, I don't know if thats a good thing or not but without Twitter, there would be no #Trancefamily

And now for more thanks....

To my buddies for the Night Outs in the city, we always paint the town whatever color we want to and most of the time, we all have a good time.. KAMPAI!!!!

To the family who has been treating me as a member of the family. Stay strong during this time of trial and tribulation. You have always help me out from the day I've met you and I am here to always help out in which ever way I could.

To my colleagues who always look out for me - even though we all held different position, we all still treat each other equally. And for that I give you Thanks.

To Twitter, even though you have sent me to #twitterjail a couple of times, I still need to thank you because if its not for Twitter, there wouldn't be #trancefamily.

And to those who will read this last blog post for the year 2010, thank you for reading it. It sure has been a journey filled with good and bad memories. Time to make new ones in 2011.

Now stop reading this and go have wicked time ushering in 2011!!!!

Dewar's Tasting Event

I've been meaning to write about Dewar's tasting event that I went two weekends ago but got tied up with work and then the mine rescue came about. I guess, better late than never...Last Oct 7, I had a chance to join other whiskey lovers to be part of the Dewar's tasting event held at Chelsea's Milk Studios. It sure was a truly good experience learning the history of Dewar's and even had a pleasure of making my own blend of scotch whiskey.

The night started with cocktail hour where guest were treated to various hors d'oeuvres such as Mozarella and Tomatoes, Chicken Sliders, Beef Sliders and so much more. And you got to wash the finger food down with your choice of either Dewar's on the Rocks, Dewar's Smash and Dewar's and Ginger.

Dewar's Smash

Dewar's on the Rocks is basically Dewar's 12 Blended Scotch Whisky on the rocks; Dewar's Smash is a mix of fresh mint, simple syrup, seltzer and lemon with Dewar's White Label; and Dewar's & Ginger is a mix of Dewar's White Label with Gingel Ale. I decided to give Dewar's Smash a try and it was pretty good. Very smooth and tasty - almost similar to a mojito.

Then our emcee, who is one of Dewar's ambassadors for which I cannot remember his name, announce that it was time for the tasting event. He asked everyone to line up near the curtain and the Dewar's ladies led us in to our table. The tasting room had tables that fit 8 guest and setup in a semi-circle with screens at the back of the room showing Dewar's history and another screen up front. Once seated, each guest have have 5 glasses filled with drips of Scotch and water, and 5 test tubes containing different flavored White Label whiskey (Honey, Fruity - Citrus, Floral, Vanilla and Smokey - Peat). I even had a chance to smell the peat when our ambassador lighted and allow us to smell the smokey flavor.

The Dewar's Drink Ambassador started off by telling a brief history of Dewar's. He even taught us two Gaelic words, one of which is "Slaandjivaa" which is Scottish Gaelic for cheers. After few more Dewar's facts, we started the tasting. We had a chance to try Dewar's White Label again after which our ambassador asked us to nose each whiskey flavor and then asked us to blend our own scotch whiskey. I used smokey as my base flavor and mixed in some honey and floral. I would say my whiskey came out nicely.

Next up, the ambassador allows us to taste one of the rarest Dewar's whisky - the unaged blend and of course, the Dewar's 12 that is unavailable for sale and is the drink of England's Royal Family. This 12 year old Scotch comes out of the still and then poured back into the still for continued aging. Of course, we also had a chance to taste the finished version of Dewar's 12 which is pretty different from the unfinished one. The night then ended with how you really should have your scotch - a glass of Dewar's White Label with a singular ice cube.

After the event, Dewar's gifted each guest a gift bag with a set of Dewar's etched glasses.  Looks like all I need now is to get a bottle of Dewar's

Dewar's Fact: Dewar's master blender is a female. Yes, you see it right, Stephanie Macleod is the first woman and the seventh master blender in Dewar's 160 year history. The reason, females have a better sense of smell.


Dewar's website