We did it!
Noemi and I made history, and so did our daughters Monica and Marielle (Jane, did you?). We were among the first in the world to get copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7), on opening day—12 o’clock midnight in UK (7 am Manila time). Oh yes, there is a story behind this.
There was no question of getting the book, I am sure it will be available in all National Book Store and Powerbooks branches. The issue was—M and M wanted to have the books by opening time. Noemi and I, the soft-hearted moms that we are, were sweet talked by our girls not just to get the books, but to get the book on opening day, nay on the opening hour.
It was a good move for Noemi and myself, who were not able to make reservations earlier (Jane placed hers months ago). I sent Monica to NBS in Katipunan yesterday afternoon to place a reservation for 2 books (1 was for Marielle, since Noemi was in an important meeting). We were safe—we had the reservation. Next to think about was the expected queue on opening day. Noemi and Marielle were there among the first 25 in queue, while we came before 7 am. This is what we call team work, good coordination.
We left M and M to stay in line. They easily clicked—one thing in common they have is their passion for anything Harry Potter. Another thing in common? their youth, I could see myself in them many years back when I was very young. Noemi and I were like stage mothers, taking their pictures. I am sure M and M will remember this for the rest of their lives. Why, they grew through the last 10 years reading Harry Potter, saving money for the books, queuing on opening day to get their copies, watching the movies. Now this is the last book, at least, that is what author J.K. Rowling says. It’s the end of an era, Monica says. She watched the HP5 movie last only last night, and guess what? Boyfriend Christian slept through the latter half.
A few days before, Monica has always evaded talks about Harry Potter, even watching the news, so as not to hear any spoilers—she calls the latest leakage the worstt of crimes, spoiling the happiness of millions of people, kids and adults alike, by giving away the plot and juicy tidbits. Whenever she saw elder brother J. Angelo (she spoiled the ending of The Sixth Sense for him a few years back), she would cover her ears and say “LALALALA”, as J. Angelo already knew the ending of the book. Where is Monica now? Holed out in her room, in style, in aicrconditoned comfort, digesting each word, reliving each scene, short of saying “Do Not Disturb!” Last I checked on her, 5 hours after buying the book, she was on page 359, almost halfway.
Oh mothers! What we can do to make our daughters happy. This is not spoiling them, though, call it literary pampering.
Find out who else among our blogger friends made history:
Harry Potter dragged me out of Bed by Aileen
What does Harry Potter have that I don’t? by Marc Villanueva
Our Harry Potter Day by Jane
Harry Potter- Yes we waited until 12 midnight to buy the book by Liza
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by Julie
A piece of Potter history by Gannsdeen
HURRY! Get your copies now from National Book Store, Powerbooks and Fully Booked stores!
Next to grapple with? UAAP Ateneo vs La Salle at the Araneta. How to get tickets? Gosh! another struggle!
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37 responses so far ↓
Aileen Apolo // Jul 21, 2007 at 10:59 am
Got mine at that ungodly hour too this morning haha
SexyMom: ha ha ha Aileen! so miguel was happy?
noemi // Jul 21, 2007 at 12:31 pm
hehe for the love of our daughters
SexyMom: true! true!
Kongkong622 // Jul 21, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Great for M and M!! I was at Trinoma last night and many fans were already bugging the salesclerks. Despite the big tarpaulin saying that they would be open at 7 a.m.
As for the ADMU vs DLSU game…I’m pulling strings na lang..hehehe. Heard the director of alumni affairs of one of the schools (can’t say eh) has all the good tickets. I will also try Araneta on Monday. But all this only if I can resched my trip to Bulacan on Thursday. Malas, nagkasabay pa
SexyMom: i heard from Ganns that the queue in Trinoma was soooo long. Fans should have known that sales would be strictly allowed only at 7 am. as to uaap tickets, araneta’s ticketnet booths will open at 9 am on thursday for general admission tickets.
Harry Potter Book 7 Finally Released » Touched by an Angel - A Filipina Mom's Recovery Notes // Jul 21, 2007 at 12:50 pm
[...] Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Book 7 by Dine [...]
Cai // Jul 21, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Wow, I must admit, it’s envious, being one of the first to have a copy.
I’ve read all the books but I do not own one. Haha.. Maybe this time when ‘raket’ permits…
SexyMom: you can wait for the paperbacks, they’re only about P300 something.
chateau // Jul 21, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Oh my, what an adventure haha.. All for the love of adorable daughters. Monica is so beautiful, Dine!
Been so busy lately, with hubby away.. He comes back tomorrow, yipee!
Good luck with the UAAP tickets…
And yes, I miss you too
SexyMom: miss you, too, Chats, by now hubby must be back. yehey!
tofubaby // Jul 21, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Ahihihihihi! Just got our copy an hour ago. My hubby sweet talked me to have his turn to read first. So here I am blogging my time to keep myself from grabing the copy.
SexyMom: BA has the electronic copy, but of course, reading the book gives a very different kind of high.
ba // Jul 21, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Cai, I have the text file. You like? I think my copy’s legal now since we actually own the book. Hahaha
SexyMom: ha ha ha, BA! i bet you have read in between the lines, and looked for the juicy tidbits—almost wanting to spill the spoilers to Monica.
raqgold // Jul 21, 2007 at 3:43 pm
oh, this is fun. i would definitely look forward to doing this adventures also for my daughters. i have pre ordered my harry potter 7 book via amazon, and i hope to get it this morning via the mailman!
SexyMom: oh yes, Belle said post offices had strict instructions not to release the books until Opening Day/Time.
fruityoaty // Jul 21, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Wow, 359 pages in 5 hours? Um, well she’s gotta come out sooner or later for bathroom breaks and meals, hehe.
SexyMom: By the time Monica left the house at 7:30 pm for her party at the Manila Pen, she had 2 more chapters to go, and she brought the book in her formal wear and all!
Jane // Jul 21, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Really? 359 pages in 5 hours? Did she take a speedreading course?
We just got back, Dine, and M2 is now holed up in one of the rooms with the book. I will post pics I took of the kids soon. BTW, as of this time, anong page na si M mo?
SexyMom: that was her normal reading speed—she has to read fast, being a law student, who has hundreds and hundreds of pages to churn everyday for school.
sassy mom // Jul 21, 2007 at 7:36 pm
At isa talaga kayo sa mga nagbukas ng bookstore. Hahaha! Nway, my younger sister was telling me that she was there 7am. I’ll get mine within the week.
Congrats!
SexyMom: oo, for the love of daughters!
Aura // Jul 21, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Hahahah
Lucky for M to have a mom like you!
Congratulations for being the first!
SexyMom: she is indeed lucky, ha ha ha!
Yoru // Jul 21, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Whoa~! I didn’t realize we were looking at the very first issues of HP7 at Fully Booked in Glorietta 3 today!
SexyMom: yes, when HP6 was lunched at Fully Booked in Rockwell, they even had games, contests, and free bags.
ann // Jul 21, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Hindi pa siguro alam ni tin2 ko yan dahil siguradong guguluhin nya tita nya sa pinas para magpabili. I’ll try to check here baka meron din.
SexyMom: baka ginulo na nya ang tita nya (now, now, alam ko na why i made a mistake—tintin is your daughter, remember, i called you Tintin in one of my comments?) Welcome back, Ann, more than 1 month ka din hindi nag blog!
Girlie // Jul 21, 2007 at 11:41 pm
My husband reserved one for her daughter months back,we still haven’t gotten it, but tomorrow we will, in Powerbooks mega. just like Monica, my daughter covers her ears too whenever her father attempts to make imbento some spoilers, hehe
Skye // Jul 22, 2007 at 2:51 am
P1450 for that book!? I’d rather buy a school book for that money. I really don’t understand why people get thrilled with HP lol. But I’m happy you enjoyed the series. The last movie made me cringe with the time wasted. It was just not worth it.
SexyMom: we got a 10% discount. and yes, there are millions of HP fans in the world. i myself have not read any of these JK Rowlings’ books.
cheh // Jul 22, 2007 at 4:34 am
ganun din dito sa pilahan grabe hehehe
SexyMom: it may interest you to note that there was no “pilahan” in NBS-Recto.
dimaks // Jul 22, 2007 at 7:04 am
harry potter books? sana may oras pa akong magbasa nyan, hehe.
SexyMom: i know, i know, yor urban planning studies take almost all of your time!
Kyels // Jul 22, 2007 at 9:13 am
I reserved mine too! And it’s with my pal because he collected it for me as I am out of town!
Man, I can’t wait to be holed in my room reading the book!
;D
SexyMom: hope you get yours soon, Kyels. i wonder how you will photograph your HP7 book.
Em Dy // Jul 22, 2007 at 10:30 am
Hi Sexy Mom. Just read your post. I had no time yesterday to blog. Like your daughter Monica, I too was lost in the Wizarding world yesterday. My only contact with Muggles was while lining up at NBS Shangri-La, my Muggle family and for the short time that I went to hold clinic, My Muggle patients. I had to convince myself to leave the book at home.
I agree with your literary pampering. In the house, it’s my dad who gets the literary pampering. He’s read all the previous 6 books that I buy and has just started on the last one. JK Rowling has made fans of all ages.
SexyMom: your dad must have been enjoying digesting each page of HP7! yes, i have always believed in literary pampering.
chesca (exskindiver) // Jul 22, 2007 at 1:07 pm
literary pampering.
i like the term.
you are so right though…
it is not spoiling a child.
SexyMom: thanks, Cheska, or liking the term literary pampering, i like it too.
Rach // Jul 22, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Hi Dine. You and Noemi are among the coolest moms ever! Imagine waking up early and lining up at the bookstore before it even opened. I’ve never done that before. So sweet of you to go through all that.
I still have to get my copy next time we go out. Happy reading!
SexyMom: happy reading, too, Rach!
Rach // Jul 22, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Dine, I also want to thank you for greeting Yohan Happy Birthday. I appreciate it.
Have a lovely Sunday!
SexyMom: welcome, dear. Yohan is such a cute lovely boy.
julie // Jul 22, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Have the book, Dine, got it Saturday 10:30am during a vacant slot with my tutorial sked,
SexyMom: good for you, Julie, are you happy with the ending?
teacherjulie.com » Harry Potter and the Deatly Hallows // Jul 22, 2007 at 5:53 pm
[...] a lot. Now, if only I can find the time to read my book… Here is what they have to say: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by Dine Racoma Harry Potter dragged me out of bed by Aileen Apollo Yes We waited Till 12 Midnight to Buy the Book [...]
vk // Jul 22, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Hi dine,
grabe naman dyan ano? not only there, also here….
mabuti na lang hindi masayado itong 2, pero nanood si kim sa movie for 2x, sabi ko why 2x?
kasi naka tulog din daw siya, may part daw na hindi nya nakita…..lol
grabe ang nakita ko dito….pilahan pa ano?....
feeling ko nandiyan sa Pinas na…..hayyyy
Ay oo nga, Thanks for your comments, about Sascha, thank you…...bernie n I nagsabi na lang, sana pasa siya sa 2nd time nya…..
aug, 2 ang exam nya naman, 27 n aug, 1 last nyang driving hours..
Sigi, have a nice Sunday there….....
SexyMom: haaayy Vicki, all for the love of our children. i really hope Sascha will make it in his second take.
rhodora // Jul 23, 2007 at 6:51 am
My daughter begged me to let her watch with her dorm mates though the following day was a school day. “Just this once, ma!” Yes, she wanted to see the film ahead of the others because she didn’t want to spoil the excitement of knowing the plot before even seeing it.
Hmmm… we’re both soft hearted moms, Dine.
SexyMom: i guess, most moms are, dear Rhoda. hope to see you one of these days.
ganns // Jul 23, 2007 at 11:36 am
We made history too! We bought our copy at PB Trinoma. 7:20AM and the line snaked like Nagini all around the store.
SexyMom: congratulations Ganns and Cathy for making history, too.
Angel // Jul 23, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Have they finished the book? Who survives Harry Potter or Voldemort? What’s the twist? Just kidding…I don’t want to find out yet. Have not read the book. =)
SexyMom: Monica has read the book in less than 12 hours (exclusive of the time she attended a party—she even brought the book with her—she didn’t want to hear the ending from other people in the party who have read the spoilers, he he he).
pinayhekmi // Jul 24, 2007 at 2:21 am
You two are such understanding and indulgent moms!
Has your daughter finished the novel yet? Did she like it?
Anyway, the whole HP launch has been such a phenomenon across the world. Philippines was even mentioned in the news here in our local TV stations as sharing in the HP mania.
SexyMom: yes, she finished the book, happy with the ending. We Filipinos always have our take, in movies, theaters, books, etc.
REX // Jul 24, 2007 at 2:24 am
I just finished reading an ebook that I got days before July 21, that turned out to be authentic. And the spoilers I read, turned out to be bogus.
I read all 7 books either by borrowing copies or downloading ebooks. I’m planning to buy the whole set though, though pag-iipunan ko muna! Because my nephews now know how to read and they’ve caught the HP bug because of the HP5 movie. Pangit naman kung magbabasa din sila thru ebooks, diba?
PS. I liked the Epilogue chapter. The gesture there was touching. I won’t elaborate, in fear of becoming a spoiler.
SexyMom: I’m glad you liked the book. Oh, these spoilers! but really, how come the e-copies came out even before the launch? son BA also got a copy, but he was banned from talking by Monica.
carlotta // Jul 24, 2007 at 6:06 am
i’d rather borrow the book from a friend, but then again, after all the hype and excitement, i think i’ll just buy the book instead of a new pair of contacts hehehe. it would look funny coz the only harry potter book i have is the first one. the rest i only borrowed para tipid =)
SexyMom: think again, dear! would rather have a new pair of contact lenses, if i were in your place. but then, i do not need them pala—i had a laser surgery more than 10 years ago.
Leah // Jul 24, 2007 at 9:55 am
How nice of you moms to do that. At least it was not 12 midnight. Its all worth it and for the sake of literature di ba?
SexyMom: maybe if it were 12 midnight, we would still have gone! as Noemi said, for the love of our daughters.
auee // Jul 25, 2007 at 4:45 pm
nice… I was explaining to hubby that he should queue for me at midnight but he was sick with migraine. So I woke him up early the next day & told him to “GO!” whether he’s sick or not… sama ko ‘no?
SexyMom: not really “sama”, konti lang (LOL)!
haze // Jul 27, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Blockbuster ! Were you all able to finish this thick book ? Nyay, nahilo ako sa kapal
! Worth for book collections.
Tiffany // Jul 30, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Hahaha. I went and downloaded an ebook x_x
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