For this fun photo op, Direk Andoy Ranay instructed Eugene "Uge" Domingo to lie down on the ground in front of the Beijing National Stadium.

The structure was built in time for the 2008 Olympic Games, to which China played host. Direk Andoy says: "Ako 'yong excited kaysa sa kanya na pumunta diyan. Napanood ko kasi 'yong Olympics sa TV, e. Napanood ko kung pa'no ginawa 'yang mga structures na 'yan sa Discovery Channel."

The stadium, according to the official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic games, en.beijing2008.cn, was modeled after a nest to symbolize "a cradle holding the hopes of mankind for the future.

That's why the structure is popularly known as the Bird's Nest.

(YES! June 2010 issue)

 In Beijing, Uge  and Andoy managed to have only this one picture of the two of them taken together.

Direk explains why: "Kasi ako ang kukuha sa kanya, siya kukuha sa akin."

But this shot was taken by the two of them holding the camera inches away from their faces. 

(YES! June 2010 issue)

 Direk Andoy did a mini-fashionesque shoot on the stadium grounds while waiting to reconvene with their tour group.

To save on luggage space, Uge usually brings only a few clothes. She also opts not to pack toiletries. "Pagdating na pagdating namin," she says, "una naming ginagawa, maghanap ng convenience store. Hindi kasi ako nagdadala ng mga tubig, shampoo, conditioner..."

Direk butts in: "Kailangan may Lysol lagi. Adik siya sa Lysol, e." He reveals that she has a habit of spraying Lysol on everything—her clothes, the hotel room, and especially the toilet.

On this trip, she couldn't find a store that sold her beloved Lysol. "Alam mo kung ano'ng ginamit na lang niya?"

Direk asks. "Iyong incense stick na lang!"

(YES! June 2010 issue)

The travel buddies did not pass up the chance to take the Hutong tour. According to thebeijingguide.com, Hutongs are narrow streets surrounding the Forbidden City that are lined with traditional courtyard homes. Here, Uge is posing in front of one of the structures in the Hutong tour.

"Iyong Forbidden City, do'n nakatira ang emperor at saka 'yong pamilya niya,"

Direk explains. "Bawal pumasok ang mga normal na tao. So 'yong mga Hutong, parang dito sa atin, parang barangay, parang maliliit na community."

(YES! June 2010 issue)

Uge's backdrop is the massive Forbidden City, the imperial palace of the Chinese monarchy in the 15th century.

Inside the palace, she followed the tradition of touching the nine lucky doorknobs, which supposedly brings good fortune.

Since the Beijing sojourn coincided with the Holy Week break, Direk and Uge also practiced the traditional visita iglesia, visiting a Catholic church whenever they arrived at a new place, including on Good Friday. Plus, they went to Mass on Easter Sunday.

(YES! June 2010 issue)

Direk Andoy and Uge's first order of business in Beijing was to see the Great Wall of China, considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It took them an hour to climb some parts of the wall.

"Diyos ko talaga!" exclaims Uge. "Nilakad namin pataas, very steep."

"Great Wall talaga!" Direk seconds. "Mararamdaman mo talaga 'yong ‘Oh, my God!' Itinayo ito para sa mga kalaban nila sa bundok! Sa bundok talaga. Part pa lang 'yong nakita namin, kasi marami pang ibang parts 'yon."

(YES! June 2010 issue)

This was Uge's signature pose throughout the trip—arms outstretched. When asked why, she answers: "Gusto ko, laging ganyan. Iyong parang nabili ko na."

Direk adds: "Parang pine-present niya, gano'n... Parang siya 'yong nagpagawa."

(YES! June 2010 issue)

Since they did not have any other companions with them, Direk Andoy and Uge shared one hotel room with two separate beds during their trip.

Direk reveals: "Hindi kami puwedeng magkatabi, kasi malikot siya. Ang likot-likot niyang matulog. Mag-uumpisa siya nang nakaharap sa akin, kasi nagchichikahan pa kami bago matulog. Paggising, ibang-iba na ang posisyon!"
 

(YES! June 2010 issue)

The vast Tiananmen Square, adjoining the Forbidden City, gained international media attention in 1989, after pro-democracy student demonstrators were massacred here by the military.

Tiananmen means The Gate of Heavenly Peace in Chinese, according to thebeijingguide.com website. It was originally the gate leading to the Forbidden City.

Uge, here taking a walk on Tiananmen, says she was overwhelmed by the tourist sights in China.

"Damang-dama mo na importante sa kanila 'yong tourism, na maipakita sa buong mundo na ‘Ito ang kultura namin, na-preserve namin.' Nakakainggit! Sana tayo rin. Maganda ang bansa natin. Kayang-kaya natin 'yan kung mabibigyan talaga ng sapat na panahon at saka budget."

(YES! June 2010 issue)

Direk Andoy and Uge had dinner at the famous Din Tai Fung restaurant, a branch of the original Taiwanese restaurant of the same name.

The resto, known for its dumplings, has been named one of the world's top ten restaurants by The New York Times.

Uge, who does not eat pork, is all raves for Din Tai Fung's seafood dimsum: "Napakasarap!"

(YES! June 2010 issue)

This shot was taken in the shopping district, where Uge and Direk shopped for the Japanese clothing brands Muji and Uniqlo. "Komportable kasi, e," Uge says of Uniqlo clothes. "Kapit na kapit sa balat na bagay sa weather natin. Manipis na cotton, 'tapos ang ku-cute ng mga kulay. So paglapag na paglapag namin, 'yon na agad ang una kong tinanong sa tour guide namin, kung merong Uniqlo."

(YES! June 2010 issue)

Direk and Uge had their pictures taken in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. The obelisk is dedicated to the memory of the first U.S. president, George Washington.

(YES! June 2010 issue)

"Andiyan siya sa Bryant Park," says Direk Andoy of Uge's beautiful artsy photo. "Piniktyuran ko siya do'n kasi ang ganda ng mga chairs. Sabi ko, ‘Upo ka diyan, parang naghihintay ka lang. Empty seats, gano'n. Walang nakakasama.'"

Bryant Park, in Manhattan, New York City, is the venue for the annual fashion week, where designers show their new collections in runway shows.

(YES! June 2010 issue)

With Uge at the Union Station in Washington is her friend Ross Santos (left).

Direk and Uge had taken the train from New York City to Washington, D.C.

The two thought that their tickets would guarantee them coach seats, but since it was the holiday season, a lot of commuters were traveling with them.

They ended up sitting in the train's bar area.

(YES! June 2010 issue)

This fountain is in New York. Direk Andoy says he and Uge have a customary ritual to signify the start of their regular vacations: "Meron kaming favorite na 'sinisigaw pagka nasa airplane na kami: ‘Break na tayo!'"

The two long-time friends live in the same condominium building in Metro Manila, but can't seem to get enough of each other.

(YES! June 2010 issue)

"Of course, ang iconic na New York Public Library," says Direk Andoy. "Sabi ko, ‘Piktyuran mo ako dito!' Kasi napaka-iconic nito. Dito tumakbo si Carrie sa Sex and the City."

He's referring to the scene in the movie Sex and the City, where the main character, Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker), ran down these stairs in her haute couture wedding gown.

(YES! June 2010 issue)

Behind Uge is the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington. "Pangarap ko kasing makapunta diyan," says Direk Andoy. "Ang pinakagusto ko talagang makita diyan ay ang Hope Diamond, which is the biggest and the rarest diamond in the whole world."

(YES! June 2010 issue)

Uge is seen here at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. The memorial was built to honor the 16th U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln.

It was the dead of winter, the temperature was in the negative degrees Celsius, and the actress wore four layers of clothes.

(YES! June 2010 issue)