Just Typing Out Loud

Stuck in a moment (and you can't get out of it)

2009-09-29T00:08:00.000+08:00

I'm not afraid
Of anything in this world
There's nothing you can throw at me
That I haven't already heard
I'm just trying to find
A decent melody
A song that I can sing
In my own company

You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And now you can't get out of it
Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
~”Stuck In A Moment” by U2

I’m a firm believer of the “keep moving forward” maxim so I never thought there will come a time I’d be able to totally and literally relate to this U2 track. Haha!

I actually started to write this post aboard a Victory Liner bus in EDSA. We’ve been on the same spot near the National Printing Office for more than an hour already and I was getting bored.

Haay, deciding to brave the heavy rains to go home to Pampanga was sooo not a good idea. Haha! I knew there was a typhoon and all but I share the rest of the country’s surprise and didn’t think the rain would be this bad.

Read more...

A Time For Everything

2009-09-21T02:00:00.000+08:00

For quite some time now, I feel like I am always running out of time. This really sucks because technically, I should have ample time for all the stuff that I want to do, may it be for my studies, for Aguman, for my downloaded shows (haha!) or for my other personal errands or plans. But alas, I find myself often not being able to do all that I need do in time. Although, I was still able to finish the more important tasks like reports just in the nick of time, but not without much hassles.

Click here to read more.

US TV Series Worth Watching

2009-09-19T23:42:00.003+08:00

Brothers & Sisters
Desperate Housewives
Ugly Betty
Grey's Anatomy
The Big Bang Theory
How I Met Your Mother
So You Think You Can Dance

30 Rock
Fringe
Ghost Whisperer
Gossip Girl
Glee
Psych
Supernatural
True Blood

So here you go, here are my personal favourites and I am going to tell you why so. Hopefully after, you will give them a try. I can borrow you my DVD-R collection if you’re interested, hehe!

End of an Era

2008-06-08T20:50:00.007+08:00

I have moved to a new blog: http://jrldizon.blogspot.com.

For those who still visit here even if I wasn't able to reciprocate the gesture for the past months but still want to be linked and still be blog buddies, just drop by the new blog. I removed all former links (except those I personally know), para fair. Not that I'm saying my blog is a prime real estate spot for blog links, hehe.

After 230+ posts and 43,800 hits (most of which were probably mine, as I check on my blog every now and then for any new comments or tags when I was still engrossed on it), it's been great typing out loud here. So now, let's pretend that you're a fan and that you've been waiting for me to write again. Haha! So here's a little preview.

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When I created my first blog back in 2005, coming up with the perfect URL for it was a struggle. In the end, I managed to come up with a nick that stuck with me, even outside my blog circle.

So when I decided I wanted a new blog, choosing the new URL was such an arduous task. Not to mention the pressure (mostly from myself, haha)!

‘kingofchocolates’ truly represented who I was, even if I failed to live up to the expectation of some who actually hoped I would post about the best sweets in the world. Hmm, now that I think about it, I actually never had a single post about chocolates! Anyway, it was catchy enough and to think that it took me a long time to come up with it, I knew it might take extra longer to produce a new and better one. Read more...

Again, it's http://jrldizon.blogspot.com.

Blog Leave

2008-04-28T17:05:00.003+08:00

It's no biggie, really. I don't even know why I am announcing it. Siguro papansin lang, haha!

If you care to ask "bakit?", well, I want to take a break from typing things out loud. Something's been weighing me down, and I can't seem to be able to write properly. I am unsatisfied, uninspired.

Kapag naayos ko na ang dapat ayusin, I will be back. I will write again. I will blog again. I will blog hop again. Who knows, I might create a new blog. Or maybe just launch a new look. I don't know, I am still undecided. Wala lang, for a fresh new start.

I think David Cook should win American Idol

2008-04-23T03:08:00.001+08:00

To be honest, I never liked David Cook at the start of the latest season of American Idol. I think he is too cocky, he isn’t even that talented or good-looking. Until he sang Mariah Carey’s Always Be My Baby!

(I know, this post is week late, but hey, humor me and just read on still, will ya?)

David Cook isn’t even my type (as an American Idol, okay?). He’s a rocker, I’m more of a pop, R&B and country music fan. I don’t even like most of the songs (or arrangements for that matter) that he has performed so far in the season. Well, except two songs – All Right Now performed in the Top 20 semifinal round and like I said, Always Be My Baby during the Top 7 week. I am a reluctant fan actually. Not because I still have doubts on his talent but because I feel ashamed to be rooting for him and to claim that I am a fan. I never believed in him in the beginning. I even wanted him to not make it to the Top 12. And now I have eaten my words! Haha! It doesn’t feel right to passionately root for a guy whom I dismissed just a few months ago as just another white rocker dude. (Yeah, it’s absurd, haha! But hey, I am this passionate when it comes to American Idol. I take my fanaticism seriously!)

This renewed appreciation of the other “David” and other “Cook” in the Top 12 started when he sang a few lines of Rihanna’s Don’t Stop The Music during the Idol Gives Back episode. And then the week after, he put a different but equally wonderful spin on Mariah Carey’s Always Be My Baby. (Gosh I can never say it enough, can I? Haha!)

David Archuleta, Ramiele Malubay, Michael Johns and Carly Smithson used to be my favourites to win American Idol this year, but hey, even guys are entitled to change their minds, right? Hehe! Obviously, even if I am still a great of theirs, Ramiele and Michael cannot win anymore for they have been eliminated. As for Carly, I don’t think she’s gonna win or if I’d like her to win it all. Granted that she’s talented and that she’s got the big voice, but I think we’ve got enough of American Idol divas. As for little David, well, I still think he’s a brilliant performer. I like most of his song choices. And his style is more into my taste. He is even a very nice person! But my interest in him that started with his passioned audition with John Mayer’s Waiting On The World To Change has waned over the past few weeks. I have realized, aside from being young and being guy, he doesn’t bring much anything new into the table. And that’s where David Cook comes in.

He’s a rocker. And he’s a guy! Looking at the past American Idol winners, there are more female winners. Just for the sake of variety and balance, David Cook should win, haha! And I don’t think the producers are gonna have problems with him selling records, unlike the last white guy who won American Idol. And he cried on live television! This rocker dude has a personality and a heart!

Having said this though, if David Archuleta wins, I wouldn’t be surprised or will I be so pissed off. His winning wouldn’t be so bad. Actually, I may want David Cook to win, but if most of the Top 12 this year will release albums eventually, I will most likely listen to Carly’s, little David’s, Brooke’s, Michael’s or even Kristy’s.

Let’s see what will happen.

"Universal" USB

2008-04-06T15:59:00.008+08:00

“Everything can be connected to a USB these days”. This was my realization when I accompanied a friend to a branch of CD-R King just last week. Well, of course, technically and obviously, ‘everything’ is an exaggeration. But if you visit a computer and media shop near you, you will be surprised of the things that come with a USB plug these days.

Most techie gadgets can be connected to the USB ports of our laptops or personal computers which makes it more convenient for us to organize our ‘techie lifestyle’. Music players, digital cameras, cell phones, flash drives, etc – all of these can be readily connected. While there are some devices that cannot be directly connected to USB ports, there is a wide array of port adapters available that guess what – can be USB-connected. Indeed, the universal serial bus lives up to its name.

It’s one thing for almost all modern and technological gadgets to be connected to USB ports, but it’s another to have everyday ordinary appliances similarly connectible!

While my friend was busy buying blank DVD-Rs and other stuff, I busied myself by looking around the diverse merchandise hanging on the walls and displayed on the store’s shelves. I saw the usual array of flash drives and portable music and video players. Then there were the other USB devices – USB LAN, USB sound card, USB infrared, etc. Then I saw the USB paper shredder, USB warmer, USB massager, USB desktop fan and USB fridge. I almost laughed out loud in a mixture of amazement, surprise and disbelief. I wasn't exactly surprised about the technology and innovation behind these devices but more on the novelty of the ideas.

UPPER LEFT: the USB desktop fan; UPPER RIGHT: the USB fridge;
LOWER LEFT: the USB massager; LOWER RIGHT: the USB warmer/cooler;

So I began to wonder what would be next in this new trend of ‘technological’ innovations.

Now that we have a USB paper shredder, can a USB sharpener, USB liquid eraser and USB scissor be far behind? For more office productivity and efficiency, huh? Haha!

How about a USB coffee maker? Now that would be a great boon to workaholics!

In my case, I’d love to have a USB cell phone charger because most of the time I multi-task using my laptop and cell phone at the same time. It’s such a hassle when I’d have to use both at a time when my cell phone is charging a few feet away from my workstation at my room.

How about a USB mini-ATM? Just connect to the internet and it can be up and running. But, duh, who would replenish the bills every now and then? Haha!

Since there is already a USB desktop fan, why don't we take a step further and create a USB mini-aircon? Haha!

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I find it annoyingly funny it when people call any USB device as “USB” only. This happens most commonly when people refer to their USB flash drives. “Wuy, pahiram naman ng USB mo.” When any of my friends make the mistake, I politely correct them and explain why. It’s like one of those practices we Filipinos have where we use a popular proper name to refer to a common name (i.e., ‘Colgate’ when we mean toothpaste, ‘Xerox’ when we mean photocopying machine, etc).

How about you? Any ideas for a future USB device that would be beneficial to your lifestyle?

PS. The future USB devices I described were completely a product of my own imagination. I am not sure though if any of these actually exist already. Who knows? hehe!

Longest bus ride ever!

2008-03-21T23:12:00.002+08:00

Permanently living in the province but studying in the city allows me to take a bus ride at least twice a week. I get to go home on weekends.

During my freshman year, the bus ride (from the Cubao terminal along EDSA to the San Fernando intersection) took at least 1.5 hours. But as the NLEX underwent many improvements through the years, the travel time was gradually shortened. When they repaired the old NLEX, the trip was cut to around 1 hour. And when the brand new NLEX was opened, the trip was cut to 45-50 minutes – barring any traffic jam along EDSA. (It wasn’t exactly a ‘new’ expressway though, because technically it was the same road. But the new NLEX was brought about by extensive and expensive renovations throughout the entire stretch of the expressway. Not to mention a brand new management). I would normally spend the trip sleeping while listening to music with either my mp3 player or cell phone.

Throughout the years, there were instances when the bus ride would take longer than usual due to many reasons – like unfortunate vehicular accidents or mad rushes because of holidays. My bus ride home last Saturday was devoid of any mishaps or delays – but it felt like the longest bus ride ever! The reason is very embarrassing actually, but I would share it anyway – I wanted to poop! Haha! Wait, correction – I didn’t want to poop, not in the bus, at least, but my stomach did, haha!

It was 10 minutes after my orgmates and I boarded the bus and it was already along the Munoz intersection along EDSA when I first felt the pangs of unexpected and violent bowel movement.

I wondered what I could’ve eaten to upset my stomach and intestines. I had lunch at a French food function by some HRIM students. We had onion soup, veggie salad, beef with mashed potato, crème brulee and iced tea. I have eaten all dishes before and it never caused me any problems.

The pangs started getting stronger as we finally entered NLEX. I literally uttered, “Hoh my gad!” ala Janina San Miguel in my mind, haha!

As I controlled the, erm, “contractions”, I started weighing my options. I could ask the conductor to stop by the nearest CR so I could relieve myself but since he was in the middle of issuing the passengers their tickets, everyone aboard will definitely hear about my plea. But if I try to keep it all in until I get home, I might embarrass myself more by you know, shitting on my pants. Ewww! Haha!

I ended up pooping at the Jollibee near the bus stop in San Fernando. Yes, my friends, I managed to suppress the explosion the whole trip. Thank God there was running water, tissue and soap at the Jollibee rest room! Whew!

I survived the trip by continuously praying the WHOLE time – I pleaded for God’s mercy and love and “postpone” my bowel movement until I get a decent rest room! Haha! I was consciously awake the whole trip, for I had to constantly have my ass in check for if I fall asleep, I might lose concentration and open the “flood” gates to my own personal hell, haha! I tried counting the number of emergency phone booths I see on the expressway to veer my mind away from my dire situation. But alas, I lost count when one contraction went quite violent, haha!

Most of you may think it was a huge gamble on my part. I would’ve easily solved my problem by approaching the driver and conductor and ask for some consideration which they probably would’ve given with full understanding. Besides, I may have embarrassed myself by doing so, but I would embarrass myself more and even inconvenience my co-passengers if I pooped on my pants, right? But each time I saw a road sign that signals an approaching gas station, my stomach was miraculously calm. So each time, I decided to stretch my luck, hehe.

It was a very embarrassing situation and I shamefully admit, it wasn’t my best moment, haha! But it was a learning experience.

First of all, if prayers can move mountains, it sure as hell can postpone bowel movement. I lost count how many saints I asked to intercede for my ‘cause’, haha! I know it’s kind of foolish that it took me this kind of situation to learn that Christian lesson but to be honest, that was the first amusing realization that came to my head as I sat on my emergency “throne” at Jollibee.

Secondly, I may have been lucky that day, but for the rest of my life, I can’t always rely on luck – especially if I actually have control of the situation. I could’ve simply asked the driver to stop at a gas station for a few minutes, but instead my fear of embarrassment got the best of me.

Thirdly, now I am afraid to take a trip to France! If the French-themed cuisine I had for lunch was really the culprit last Saturday, then I wouldn’t want to spend half of my French vacation inside the rest rooms, haha!

And by the way, no, hindi ako napatilis. Haha! Promise! Out of gratitude to Jollibee, I ordered a chocolate fudge sundae. Haha!

5 more instances that made me realize, I've become an adult

2008-03-09T16:23:00.002+08:00

6) I have started to appreciate old music. When I was a child, my young ears would always be in revolting mode whenever Papa was in control of the stereo. Alan Jackson. Engelbert Humperdinck. Tom Jones. The Carpenters. Yahaaak! Haha! Of course, you wouldn’t expect me to like these artists back in the time when I thought New Kids On The Block were coolest singers on Earth! Papa’s musical taste is mainly folk or country music – genres that a pop fanatic like me thought I could never ever appreciate. But now, I have seriously re-considered.
Of course, I still cannot bear to listen to the likes of Alan Jackson, Engelbert Humperdinck and company, hehe, but have learned to appreciate modern country music. Carrie Underwood’s winning stint on American Idol Season 4 sparked my interest on country music. And the rest is history.
Another illustration of this happened just last month. I had just woken up and my Ate had a playlist of old songs on her computer. Normally, I would comment, “Yuck ate, ambaduy ng pinapatugtog mo!” Guess what I blurted out? “’Te, sino kumanta nyan? Pahingi ng mp3..” Haha! The theme weeks on American Idol further bolsters my appreciation of music that became popular before I really knew what good music is.

7) Many of my friends have gone abroad or are going abroad.
Now this is a sad fact. I have 2 very close friends who are already abroad. And 2 more close friends are leaving this month. And all four of them will be together in Singapore! Waaaa!
Obviously and admittedly, I feel left out. But I am not going to be dramatic about it for I have accepted my situation a long time ago. But if I won’t be with a friend for quite a long time doing something I should also be doing myself already, it still feels melancholic.
I have part-time job of being a tutor though. So in its own little way, it helps ease the frustration of not being able to earn my own money yet, hehe. At least I get to receive a helpful amount of salary each month already.

8) My mom has asked me to buy her a bag.
And speaking of salaries – my Mama recently made a request that sent shivers to my being. She wants me to buy her a bag! Haha! “Duh, Ma, hindi naman kalakihan ang sweldo ko sa pag-tu-tutor no..”
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have reached the age, apparently, when it’s my turn to buy my parents some materialistic stuff, haha!
She says I have one year to save a little portion of my salary to buy her a bag. I know it’s just a bag. It probably wouldn’t even cost more than a thousand. (Are ladies’ bags even that cheap? Oh, I don’t know!). But to me, doing so is really some sort of milestone of coming of age as a child! I dread the day she's gonna ask me to buy her a sofa set, haha! I hope it won't be soon, for I definitely cannot afford it. Yet.

9) I have become a little more conscious of my health.
Now if only I had enough extra money to go to the gym. It’s not that I want to build a “body to die for” to get “the ladies” (Seriously, most of the time, I think this is the reason why most guys build sexy bodies). I just want to shed off some excess inches on my waistline. My main motivation and reason? So that I can wear some of my favorite pants again! Grabe, yung iba talaga, di ko na kasya!
And of course, I also want to be healthy. I don’t have dangerous vices like smoking or drinking. But I need to start watching what I eat if want to stay healthy, strong, fit and all those traits that adult health products emphasize on.
I buy Men’s Health every now and then. My roommate once complained, “Kuya, bakit di na lang FHM ang bilhin mo. Mas maraming sexy girls dun..” Clearly, my roommate is misguided! Haha! Did he actually think I buy MH because of the sexy models? I reasoned out, “Hindi lang naman sex ang habol ko sa magazine na to no. There’s lot more to being a man than knowing how to please a girl..” I explained further that I was mainly after the health articles than the sex tips.

10) I am no longer the student but the teacher.
Well, to my younger friends, that is – which for the sake of discussion I will call ‘kids’, hehe.
I have blogged many times before that I myself am amazed at the advices I am able to give out to a wide array of problems so I am not going to dwell on that anymore.
Once, a young orgmate texted me just after midnight – “Kuya, teach me how to grow up..” I was stumped, haha! Then I really pondered about it – how did I “grow up” myself?
I ended up telling him to surround himself with mature people, haha! I think one of the main reasons why I matured faster than kids my age was because I hung out with older friends quite a lot in college. I literally and figuratively had “ate” and “kuya” figures who helped me ‘discover’ (more like ‘taught’ most of the time) stuff that “I don’t know”. And now that it’s my turn to be the “kuya”, I always think of them as my role models.
Actually, I think I take the “kuya” role too seriously, for I feel like I “epal” too much sometimes, haha! But what can I say, I just want them to realize what they are doing and to know the consequences if they want to be stubborn about things.

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So there. Again, I am not saying that I am that matured already. I recognize the fact that I still yet have a lot to learn in life. I am just taking it one year and one experience at a time. Besides, no real mature person would boldly declare “I am matured”, hehe!
Plus, in life, the ‘real world’ seems to be ALWAYS the next stage in one’s life. You know, back in high school, teachers would warn us about college and tell us they are preparing us for the real world “out there”. But come college, our professors would start telling us, once we’re working, that’s when “the real world” happens. And then when we’re already working, they’d say “the real life starts when we settle down..” Yada, yada, yada. So clearly, it’s a never-ending cycle until the day we die, haha!

5 instances that made me realize, I've become an adult*

2008-02-25T01:37:00.002+08:00

*But it doesn't necessarily follow that I am a mature adult at that, haha! This is really supposed to be a Top 10 list, but as I haven't finished expounding on the other five, enjoy these first five entries and tell me if you agree or disagree.

1) I became more and more interested in cooking. For someone who loves to eat and consider it as one of the better forms of therapy on any kind of problem, I sure prefer to eat something delicious or special all the time. I know I am a Kapampangan and I am supposed to be a good cook. So I hate to admit that I am no good cook – at least not yet. Of course I can cook hotdogs, boil noodles and cook rice without burning it 90% of the time, but when it comes to staple Filipino and Kapampangan dishes like adobo, nilaga or sinigang, I am an ignoramus.
I love experimenting with the simplest ingredients I could scavenge on our refrigerator and easily cook with the microwave or the stove. For as long as I have garlic powder, some eggs and butter – I can whip up an ordinary hotsilog into something extra special and something you wouldn’t find in any carinderia around. There was even a time when I experimented with canned tuna, eggs, cheese and potatoes which led my 3 nephew to boldly exclaim that between me, my sister and brother-in-law, I am the best cook of them all, haha!
And now that I am one of the oldest at our apartment in UP, I am always in-charge of the ‘cooking’ during those times of the week where we’ve almost maxed out our weekly allowances that we’d have to resort to ‘tipid’ meals at home. I wrote cooking in quotation marks for what I do is not really cooking – what we only have is a mini-oven-toaster. But thanks to my experimentation skills, I manage to put something extra to our de-lata meals. None of my younger housemates dare to take over the ‘cooking chores’ (they don’t know how to cook potatoes with our minimal facilities). They’d rather sit and wait for to serve the food at the dining table. Of course, they contribute afterwards by washing the dishes.

2) When my friends tell me I’d be a ninong to their kids! Phew, I thank God for my seriously attached friends that it hasn’t happen yet, haha! But it’s a constant inside joke among my friends.
Just this week, my sister tells me that a younger cousin of mine got pregnant and is going to get married soon. I wasn’t really shocked, given the previous transgression of that young cousin of mine. But it dawned on me – a cousin way younger is gonna get married! My gard! The same girl who used to cry a lot whenever we play when we were little just did the unprotected fandango with her older boyfriend and got herself knocked up! Yikes! I, on the other hand, am slowly but unintentionally following the footsteps of Evan Baxter, haha!
On a serious note, whenever I hear of relatives or friends my age (or even younger) who get married already, I can’t help but realize – although I am far from being ready, I am already on the marrying age! And I don’t even have a serious girlfriend.. (Weeeh, as if naman non-serious gf, meron.. haha!)

3) I have started imagining my own place already. Like I mentioned before, I am only the 2^nd oldest housemates in my UP apartment, but I am the overall manager. I compute the bills, arrange the different household chores and remind each one of their chore designation for the week – all the time. I also make sure they pay up on time lest we be evicted from the apartment we’ve had for almost a decade already! (There were earlier batches of UP Aguman housemates before us, they were orgmates as well. When one housemates moves out, we recruit another orgmate to move in, and so the cycle goes).
Weirdly enough, caring about cleanliness is something I don’t practice at my Pampanga home (sorry Mom!). But when it comes to our apartment, it’s a different kind of story. I have no choice, if I don’t worry about our apartment’s state, no one among my younger housemates will. It’s a natural consequence of being old (relative to my peers) – I am forced to think about these adult responsibilities.
Since I am the pseudo leader of our apartment, I pretty much yield more power than the rest of them, haha! And sometimes, I find myself thinking about how I will be when I get my own solo apartment when I am working already. And how much fun it would be!
Being big brother to my housemates entails another necessary role – I lend them money when the ‘kids’ use up all their weekly allowance already. Well, I don’t really have a bigger allowance (it’s the opposite actually). Let’s just say I am better in managing my expenses. Plus, being the manager of the apartment, I built up a savings fund for all of us for emergency purposes. I did this by collecting P30 on top of our individual monthly bills. So I don’t really use my own money all the time.

4) I have toned down my shopping habits. My mom always told me, save up for the rainy day.. always! (ala KC Concepcion, haha!). I never really paid much attention to her reminder, for I’ve always thought my spending habit was quite normal. I mean, I don’t really spend more than what I can afford. But eventually, I have realized, I shouldn’t be spending on stuff that I don’t really need, even if I can afford them.
So now, gone are the days when Christmas shopping galore is a must. I only managed to wear something new last Christmas because the money I used to buy the new apparel was more like a pasalubong from my parents instead of a Christmas shopping fund.
I actually envy my younger orgmates, allowance-wise. I am obliged to live on a P1000 weekly budget, while most of them have P1500 to spend. Apparently, my parents have no concept of inflation rate – P1000 has always been my weekly allowance, since I was a freshman 7 years ago! Haha! That why I kind of cringe deep inside when I hear complaints of not being able to save. I’m like, “Grow up kid! You have a more flexible allowance than most students these days. Better start learning how to send your money wisely.”
I know someone who is able to save a considerate amount from his weekly allowance. Good for him, right? The catch though is that he spends all of his year-round savings in blitzkrieg fashion during Christmas – buying new clothes, pants, shoes and all other material things that he probably already have. Well, he is young after all. Just like me before, sooner or later, he will realize buying stuff to give others (or just saving it if you’re not that thoughtful, hehe!) is more fulfilling than buying stuff purely for oneself.

5) I've taken elections more seriously. Well, it’s not like there are elections every month, eh? Haha! Since I reached the voting-eligible age, I’ve experienced 3 national elections: the 2004 presidential and 2007 midterm and barangay polls. I took the 2007 elections more seriously than the other two. The barangay elections are a joke for me, I don’t even know the candidates. I only voted for 2 people because they were recommended by my brother-in-law. I didn’t completely fill up my ballot because I couldn’t bear to accidentally vote for the wrong people.
Meanwhile, back in 2004, I think I was too naïve to have voted wisely. Having said that, I still think that my choice for President then remains to be the best President we never had – Raul Roco.
As for the 2007 Midterm elections, I made sure I was as informed as possible on the platforms and personalities. Thanks to modern technology like blogging and podcasting, I was able to listen to the interviews of the candidates even if I was never around to attend any of their political rallies. Besides, I’d rather listen to these legitimate interviews than attend rallies that would feature more entertainment numbers (that aren’t really entertaining) than sensible discussions of platforms.
And now, in UP, the University Student Council elections is coming up. I now linger by the Campus Issues threads at www.peyups.com again to know who the student leaders I should be voting for - or shouldn't be voting for. Sadly enough, the political bickering on our campus elections is no different from the circus we witness come election time in our country.

TO BE CONTINUED

Blogs Galore 19: Black Valentine

2008-02-16T02:18:00.005+08:00

I know I just said on my most recent post that I hate blogging about my daily activities. But hey, we contradict ourselves all the time, anyway, haha! So here are some thoughts on my Valentine Week for 2008. I wanted to wear black, for more Clear Black Valentine, haha! Pero wala, nasuot ko na nung Tuesday, nawala sa isip ko. Well, my February 14 top was still 1/3 black, hehe!

OL 4 LUV
I’ve always been a fan of the ASAP singers so I knew I just couldn’t miss the concert of Sarah Geronimo, Erik Santos, Rachelle Ann Go and Christian Bautista. And my, it was really mind-blowing.
Their opening number was the old Color Me Badd song “All For Love”. Memories from my childhood went back, haha! It was roughly 15 years ago when I first heard that song courtesy of my sister’s cassette copy of their album. Then they danced to Justin Timberlake’s “Lovestoned”. Yes, ‘dance’ is the operative word. And yes, that included Christian Bautista. You gotta hand it to the guy. The effort is there, haha! If I would describe his dancing skills, I would say “the whole is not the sum of its parts”. He can do the steps individually. But when ‘put together’, that’s when he seems awkward. Christian is a funny dancer indeed, but oh well, I am not a good dancer myself so his effort to not let his lack of good dancing skills limit his performances made me appreciate him more as an artist.
They all sang individually, with duets with each other for the transitions. They all opened (their solo sets) with non-love songs: Rachelle performed Nicole Scherzinger’s “Whatever You Like”; Christian ‘danced’ to Usher’s “Caught Up”; Erik belted out Queen’s “Somebody To Love” and Sarah sang Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop The Music”. After which they sang their own medleys of different genres of love songs. My favorite mind-blowing performance would have to be Sarah and Erik’s power duet of soul-R&B love songs (Boyz II Men, Babyface, Brian McKnight, etc). Poohquiao was their guest to provide more comic relief, while the four singers prepared for their final set. His impersonation of Mike Velarde was just so spot on – Amen! Haha!

LEFT: From left to right - me, Kevin, Acey and Ate Maan, my Ol 4 Luv buddies. Bong took the picture. RIGHT: It was around 95% filled. Notice the significant void in the Patron area. Eventually, in the middle of the show, more people filled the void.

I watched it some orgmates (Ate Maan, Acey, Kevin and Bong), so no, I was not on a Valentine’s date, hehe! Acey is, as another orgmate has said, officially my concert buddy because I also watched the Westlife concert back in 2006 with her. Ate Maan and I have always been fans of ASAP/Kapamilya singers so. As for Bong and Kevin, well, aside from the fact that Kevin was a big fan of Sarah Geronimo, it was both their first time to watch a concert at the Araneta. We all really had a wonderful time. Naturally, since Ate Maan and I were older than the rest of them, we sang along to more songs that the kids, haha! We even had this unofficial mini-game were we guessed the title of the songs being performed. I can’t wait when ABS-CBN will air the said concert on TV soon.

VALENTINE DINNER
After our weekly organization meeting, my orgmates and I decided to all have dinner together, since it’s Valentine’s and all. Well, at least those of us who were single and dateless, haha! As always, we all had a great time. Since there were about 20 of us, they rearranged a number of tables and seated us at the function room. There were other diners around us, some of them were couples. But being the noisy Kapampangans that we are, I think we were able to “OP” them, haha! We kept chanting the made-up love teams in the group. We even paired up Jill with Nichols, our waiter, haha! It all started when I made a comment about him having a slight aura of Dennis Trillo. Jewel concurred with my observation. Jill, who was listening nearby, uttered, “Actually, gwapo siya..” Thus, the Jichols love team was officially born, haha!
So there, we were romantically dateless but we didn’t let it stop us from having fun on this day of the year where we celebrate love.

LEFT: Kamusta naman ang Valentine long table namin, diba? Hehe!
RIGHT: The Jichols loveteam, bwahaha!

CHEVER*
We are 6 guys in our apartment, 3 on each of the 2 rooms. My 2 roommates have girlfriends. The boys in the other room, they all have ‘chevers’. So that leaves me as the sole cheverless guy in the household, haha!
Actually, I don’t mind at all. I mean, I’m way past the stage in adolescent (or even adult, in my case now) life wherein not having a date takes its toll on my self-esteem. But a comment from one of my housemates kind of made me think about it. “Ikayung kids, panga-chever yu balat! (Kayong mga bata, andadami niyong chever!)”. Then one of them answered, “Wapin, kuya, ika mu ing ala (Oo nga, kuya, ikaw lang ang wala)”. Wala akong nasabi, haha!
I realized, I do kinda miss that ‘loving feeling’, hehe. I know that my love life’s record is saturated with unrequited love but before the agonizing heartbreaks, the ‘kilig’ feeling period was actually good while they still lasted.
I miss looking forward to see someone, wanting to do things for her, summoning the courage to sort of ‘ask her’ out without knowing for sure if she’s gonna say ‘yes’, etc. Of course, it feels great when the feeling is mutual, but even when it wasn’t, the ‘kilig feeling’ was definitely worth the heartbreak after. Well, I could probably just say so now because I am now completely okay with those horrible periods of my life, haha!
These days, I am pre-occupied in ‘helping others’ get the girl of their dreams. (Ne Mike? Haha!). Like what I’ve mentioned on an old post, I am utterly amazed at the advice or pointers I am able to give out. Sometimes, I don’t even remember what I say, haha! I would have diba-kuya-you-told-me-before moments with my ‘advisees’! It makes me laugh sometimes when I wonder how the hell these kids believe what I say when I myself can’t even get my own chever, hehe!
So for the meantime, my daily sources of kilig moments are my chevering friends. I don’t know, maybe it’s suffice for me while I wait for own perfect turn at chever. Or even true love! Naks, haha!
Pero teka, hindi naman ako nakakapaghahanap, paano na yun? Walang panahon. Waaaa! Haha!

*Chever means, err, actually, I don't know exactly how to define it, haha! Daanin niyo na lang sa context clues, ehe.

Why I don't blog about my everyday life..

2008-01-30T00:20:00.000+08:00

.. Ewan. I just don't feel like it. My life is pretty interesting (at least for me), but I don't think it is interesting enough for other bloggers.

Something interesting does happen to me every now and then. In fact, as they happen, I somehow wish for a fleeting moment that I had a digital camera to capture the moment and blog about it when I get home. But alas, once I am in front of the laptop, I lose the drive to do so.

I have this sort of blogging principle to not blog about what I wouldn't want to read on other people's blogs. So does this mean I don't like reading personal sharing from other bloggers? On the contrary, actually. I actually enjoy reading everyday stories from my links. But I only read those personal accounts whose lives are actually interesting for me, haha!

Blogs of the people whom I personally know are a different case. Most of them just blog about everyday events in their lives but I don't get bored because these are people I actually know in real life. Reading their diary-type posts is even more convenient for me for it allows me to catch up with their lives, especially for those whom I've lost touch with.

I scanned my 200+ posts some weeks ago, and I realized I did have a few personal posts. Re-reading them gave me a harrowing realization, they're such a bore, haha! Which is precisely what I am worried about -- the shelf life of a personal post is quite short. The posts which I excitedly publish thinking it would entice the blogging community will be quite outdated in a few months time. Unless of course, if I write really really well, in which case my writing skills will save the day. Once, I tried to putting a funny spin on my personal posts to make my uninteresting life events more amusing and entertaining that they actually are. But alas, I can't make them amusing enough without sounding gay, haha! (Why do gays, and baklang girls seem to have the monopoly on comic punchlines?!).

I know I am not supposed to think about what other people will think about my blog, but the problem is, I don't even feel like sharing any minute and irrelevant detail at all. Anyway, the truth is, I don't feel like blogging as often as I used to. Maybe it's just a phase. Wala na rin naman halos nag-cocomment at bumibisita. Well, kamusta naman, tinatamad na rin ako mag-blog-hopping. Grabe! Ewan talaga.

PS. Actually, I wrote this, just to update this blog. Naiinip na ang aking mga natitirang fans, hahaha!... Clearly, I am delusional. (^^,)

23 Philosophical Questions

2008-01-15T19:52:00.001+08:00

This tag by a friend is long overdue, haha! Anyway, I just chose 23 questions to answer. (Why 23? Nothing really... 23 ang edad ko, paki mo?) I tried to be witty but I think I failed, hehe! You be the judge. But I did answer some questions seriously.

What is the meaning of life? Life is what you make it. Yaak! What a cliché. Hmm, but seriously… Ano nga ba? Err… Life is the hell we have to go through in order to be able to savor the experience of heaven in the end.

If a tree falls in a forest with no one to hear, does it make a sound? Of course it does. Duh! It is the sound of silence. Haha!

What is the fundamental flaw in human nature? Pride or greed? Neither – it’s stupidity. It’s not knowing or realizing the more important things in life.

Would you kill one person to save a thousand? However, that one person is the most important human being in your life. Would you still do it? Nathan Petrelli, is that you? Haha! If in that ‘thousand’ PGMA, Erap and their respective partners-in-crime are included, then I wouldn’t save them at all!

Are men naturally polygamous? This I haven’t tested myself. Wish ko lang.. haha! Monogamy nga, olats na, poly pa kaya?

Are women naturally competitive with other women? I think everyone is naturally competitive with everyone else.

"If all the world's a stage and we are merely players..." what game are we playing? The SIM City 4! Haha! In fairness, 2 simoleons ang bahay namin, hehe!

Have you been accused of being a genius? All the time. If only they could see the frequency of 5.0s on my class cards, then they would think twice.

In a society where everyone is "entitled to their opinion", what place is there for Right and Wrong? Edi pag-botohan na lang. Mga Kapamilya, ang gusto ni Big Brother, kayo ang mag-desisyon!

If it was never illegal, would you have killed someone by now? Oh yes! Quite a number of them actually. Mga salot sa lipunan. As is seriously, the world will be a better place without them.

Does everything in the world have an opposite? If no, give an example. “Yes” na lang, para wala nang sample sample.

How do you define personal honor? Personal honor is… erm… ah! It is your set of principled values and being true to them with minimal compromises. ABS-CBN, on a current ad, called it integrity. Whether the station itself indeed has one, is another story, hehe! Go Kapamilya!

How would you describe the color blue to a blind person? Haven’t I heard this from a beauty pageant just recently? Anyway… Blue is the color of your energy. Ay wait, amber pala yun! Uhm.. Ah! Blue is the kind of light that has a wavelength of 400nm. Oha, oha! Haha!

How will you prove that genuine love exists? I mean, human have survived on earth for this long, right? So there.

What is the greatest unsolved mystery on earth? Bakit ang mga bakla, hindi naman nanganganak, pero dumadami. No offense to gay people out there, because I have gay friends. Pero yun nga, bakit nga kaya? Is it hereditary? Hehe!

Given infinity, will all that is possible eventually happen? Why not, chocnut? Who among the living right now can verify it when it actually happens anyway?

Is it better to be uncertain about something forever, or know the truth and be very hurt through all your life? Hurt is a relative word. Hurt can be controlled to a negligible magnitude with the right amount of healing and the right kind of attitude. But questions due to uncertainty will forever be, well, questions.

If you saw a yellow ball but everyone told you it was purple, who would you believe? If no, what would you do to prove your side? Who says I want to? I don’t have an obsessive fondness of either color, anyway. Buti pa sana kung blue.

Is education the filling of a pail, or the lighting of a fire? Education is the labeling of the pail or the fire. Learning is what fill the pail or what lights the fire.

Is a lie a lie, if everybody knows it is? A lie is a lie, regardless of who knows it. Malay ko ba kung in denial lang ang lahat! Bahala sila.

Imagine yourself experiencing a car accident. What happens and how does everything look like after the accident? I will live, but I will be in a coma for months. My family and friends will visit me everyday. They would always tell me stories about what I am missing, wishing I was conscious to put a funny spin on things. And then there will come a time when they would really need my badly for an advice. They would cry at my bedside and their tears will miraculously wake me up. Tapos paggising ko, babatukin ko sila, “Natulog lang ako nang matagal, anu-ano na pinang-gagawa mo! Ayan kasi ayaw mong makinig sa akin, yada, yada, yada..” Oh diba, kahit naka-coma, updated sa chika! Haha!

Do you ever wonder if you're already dead and this is just your life flashing before your eyes? Not really. But if ever, my gard! What a life I had pala! No wonder I am already dead, hehe!

Should the conservative Christian husband of an atheist woman allow her to have an abortion if there's a chance the kid might grow up and turn into a gay Mormon? Teka, san ba nakatira ang pamilyang ito?! Haha! Love one another na lang, para walang problema.

Just Quoting Out Loud

2008-01-04T21:59:00.000+08:00

I first had a cellphone when I graduated high school. Back then, having one was still some sort of a status symbol. But since I will be away from home for college (and since it was uso, haha!), I was finally able to convince my parents to buy me one after two years of prodding. Funny how I remember the main reason I had in mind when I first tried to ask for a cellphone back in sophomore year -- I wanted to play Snake and Memory during my free time, haha!

I wouldn't exactly say that I was a heavy texter. When I first had a cellphone, my monthly budget was P250 -- the smallest prepaid card denomination back then. Then the P250-card was phased out so adjusted my monthly texting budget to P300. Even when the AutoLoad Max service was introduced, I still opted for prepaid cards because I figured, the cumulative total I would get to spend would still be the same. So prepaid cards were the wiser choice for me -- may free texts pa. If ever I would consume all the amount before the month ends (which rarely happens), I wouldn't load up til the 1st day of the next month. It was a self-imposed regulation so as to not overspend on texting. My text-life was going along fine until they introduced unlimited texting.. Wushu, haha!

I have been a Globe Unlitxter since the promo was introduced way back in 2005. Aside from the convenience it affords me when trying to communicate with friends, orgmates or classmates, I also have fun receiving and forwarding quotes of all kinds. But I am not the annoying type who would forward like 5-10 messages within 30 minutes. I choose what I forward -- only the really funny jokes and really sensible quotes on life and/or love.

Normally, my sources for the stuff that I forward are my fellow Unlitxters. But ever since they canceled the 5-Day Unlitxt service last December 14, forwarded texts of good quality have been scarce.

So during my free time (read: before I go to sleep, lying in my bed at 3 in the morning, haha!)I try to compose my own forwarded texts. The texting circle's reception of my quotes was quite amusing and overwhelming, not to mention unexpected, haha! Each time I would forward these texts, more than the usual number of people would react for different reasons -- kesyo natatamaan, nakaka-relate, or may kakilala sila na pwedeng tamaan or makaka-relate. What's even more flattering is when some of my friends would forward it back to me after a few days, probably forgetting that it was I who sent the same forwarded text to them.

"The One That Got Away"

Such an 'aww'-inducing label we refer to people who once meant everythng to us.

But did they really mean as much?
For if so, why did we lose them without a fight? Why did we let them walk away, just like that?

Whose fault is it anyway? That one who got away, or us who let them let go of us?

Surely, we don't wanna bump into each other 19 years after and realize, it's them we've been really missing..

all along..

************************************************

"Rekindling old flames"

If it didn't work out the first time, do we really think it might just this time around? Well, after all, we don't know for sure what we've got til it's gone.

The challenge is to pick up from where we left off. But how do we re-ignite the sparks that were lost?
As the old saying goes, 'where there's smoke, there's fire'.

But I say, 'play with fire, you get burned'.

************************************************

"Timing is everything"

Or is it?
When the universe moves heaven and earth to conspire against you and your 'the one' to meet at the right place at an exact time, can you do anything to stop it?

But in the times that you can, will you 'just do it' or take your time?

Take note, when you rethink your moves too much too long, blaming it on wrong timing or the universe is just an excuse.

For no man with balls lets his woman wait too long..

************************************************

"Thank You"

We can mean it, but we can also blurt it out by default.

It can be hurtful when not said too often. But when heard unexpectedly, truthfully and humbly, it can make a whole lot of difference.

It's weird really, how we yearn to hear it from other people, when we don't say it as often as we sincerely should ourselves.

Remember, a little genuine appreciation every now and then can touch other lives in more ways than you can imagine.

************************************************

"Wrong decisions"

Mistakes, that's what they are. Some are rectifiable, some are not.
Either way, we must accept and admit it's not one of our best moments and move on, whilst learning the lesson it brings with it.
But what if our unwise decision proves to be painful? Or worse, seems to be irretractable?

Can we still make it right? How?

The best option remains to be, above all, to do what is right..
And not just what will make us happy..

************************************************

If and when you receive these forwarded texts, tell them you know who made them.. Feeling sikat! Haha!
Tell them I do accept orders for quotes for different emotions and situations, haha!

Starting Over...

2008-01-02T17:57:00.000+08:00

..Doing so can be quite hard sometimes. Vestiges of the past, whether good or bad, can bog us down. How do we move on? How do we start?

Actually, I don’t know myself.

STARTING OVER. What I do know though is that a new year has started and what it brings with it is a chance to start over. It’s that time of the year that is perfect for different kinds of New Year’s Resolutions. When people start behaving differently, other would automatically think, “It’s a new year after all”. It’s a little unfair, if you ask me. I mean, what if that person actually thought that it’s about for him or her to be a better person. Can we not give him or her the merit for wanting to be a better person just because he or she want to be so, and not just it’s the New Year and making resolutions is the “in” thing to do.

And speaking of resolutions, I don’t have any for I am not a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions. Of course, it’s not because I am a perfect person already and I can live without any positive change in my life. I just don’t feel like having one just because it’s a New Year.

What I do though during New Year’s is to look back on the year that was, which is pretty much customary for TV shows (year-end specials) and radio stations (year-end countdowns).

LOOKING BACK. The year 2007 for me was not exactly kind to me. But I am not about to point blame to anyone but myself. While there are factors that was beyond my control, still, everything I did was a result of my decision, no matter how big or small.

Having said that, I am not losing hope, and it’s not just because the last month of 2007 was easier on me (it was my birthday and the holiday season after all). I just choose to see beyond the bad things that happened, like I always do each year.

Tragedies, of all sorts, happened to me and my friends. Dreams shattered. Plans failed. Relationships scarred. There were many nights that were quite emotionally hard for me. But I survived it all.

So to end my first post for 2008, I came up with some fun awards to highlights the best times of the year. NOTE: These don’t sufficely sum the best of the year, but it’s fun to give these awards anyway, haha!

Song of the Year – Umbrella by Rihanna
This isn't necessarily my favorite song of the year, for that awards would go to, err, gosh, I can’t choose! Just choose from these 19 other songs I listed in my Multiply. I chose this song to represent the year 2007 for me. For if there’s one year that I really felt how valuable my friends are, it is this year. If 2006 was about betrayals, then 2007 is about sticking together, through thick and thin.

When the sun shines we’ll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be your friend
Took an oath I'mma stick it out 'till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we still have each other
You can stand under my Umbrella

Hobbies of the Year – Tennis & videoke
I can't choose between the two, haha! Both hobbies have been the constant activity of choice when it comes to unwinding for most part of the year.

Movies of the Year – Transformers & One More Chance
Two very related movies, huh? Haha! I watched Transformers in the cinemas twice for obvious reasons – I’ve been quite a fan when I was a child and it was a great action movie. Meanwhile, I watched One More Chance thrice. I only meant to watch it twice, but I gave in to my orgmates prodding for the third time in the condition that they will subsidize my ticket. But of course, it’s also because the movie was painfully entertaining, hehe!

TV Series of the Year – Brothers & Sisters
What can I say, sarcastically witty family drama is my thing. Runner-ups would be Gossip Girl and Ugly Betty.

Chocolate of the Year – Truffles! Specifically the new Hershey’s Truffles and Lindt Lindor! My gard! The heavenly chocolatey goodness just explodes in my mouth! Haha!

Overall, 2007 wasn’t a good year for me, but I have many reasons to hope that things will get better this 2008. It’s the Year of the Rat after all! Hehe! In this light, let me end this last one award..

Lesson of the Year – If there's a will, there's a way. Coming up with excuses all the time betrays the truth behind our actions, or lack thereof. (And this is my friendly, unsolicited advice to you, Albania Panama Canada and Jordan Venezuela Croatia (^^,)).

A Birthday Letter

2007-12-26T23:53:00.000+08:00

Dear Jesus,

First of all, hey, hey, hey, Heyppy berthdey! (a la Eugene Domingo in Ang Cute Ng Ina Mo).

Sooo, how was Your birthday? This is like Your 2040^th birthday right? Nevertheless, I hope You had a great day. Because I sure as hell had a great time on Your birthday.

Before, I used to didn’t like that my birthday is so close to Yours, because more often, my birthday and Christmas gifts were like a 2-in-1 package. But of course, now that I am older and know better, (and most especially this year in particular), I am so lucky that my birthday served as a kick-off party to this year’s celebration of Your special day. Since my birthday, things have always been on the up-side. And now that Your actual birthday is over, the fun things doesn’t seem to be simmering down. So, thank You so much for that.

Since I have already determined my Christmas wish weeks ago, allow me to just thank You for a lot of things.

Let’s start with my Christmas ‘loot bag’. Like I said in my Christmas post, I have more new clothes than I actually need. I know that weeks ago, I told You that I am not really that excited about doing some Christmas shopping for myself. I mean, if I used to consider it of utmost importance to have some new clothes to wear for Christmas, I am happy to tell You – not anymore. But when my orgmates and I went window shopping last week, I just couldn’t resist. The purple top just kept calling my name from its sorry rack, even when I tried to ignore it, haha!

Then of course, there are the chocolates and other sumptuous food treats! Gosh, I never thought there will come to a point in my life where slowing down on eating chocolates even if there’s lots in the ref will arrive. I am not sure if whether it’s because of the enormous amount of chocolate intake, my system kinda undergone a withdrawal syndrom or, I finally learned to control myself (meaning, another sign na nag-mature na ako!). Well, I sure hope it’s the latter, haha!

As for the Filipino tradition of Noche Buena, well, Noche Buena kung Noche Buena! Whereas before, my best participation in the preparation is helping out with the desserts like fruit salad, leche flan or ale ube, well, this year, I prepared a main course! Whoa! *Alleluia please* It is my first time and with the help of internet instructions and a quick question from my chef-friend Jigs, I was able to cook Alfredo sauce, all by myself. So while my sister went out for some last-minute shopping and my Mom and Dad were having a pedicure/manicure at the terrace, I was busy whipping cheese, milk and cream over the stove. My Dad was very skeptic of my culinary intuition and skills, but imagine the look of victory and vindication on my eyes when he finally tasted it and loudly admitted – “Ba Rex, kalinamnam na ning gewa mo!” Haha! My garlic bread turned out to be the biggest hit, as far as my nephew Justin is concerned. Even though I just kind of quickly carelessly tossed the bread in the pan with melted butter and garlic powder, for him the triangular piece of garlic bread was so good, he sandwiched it between two more slices of bread. (Oo, mga kaibigan, ginawa niyang palaman ang garlic bread!) It sure felt more fulfilling to share a feast with your loved ones when you know they’re enjoying something that you prepared yourself.

The Christmas Eve Mass wasn’t so bad either. The priest who delivered the homily was kinda corny, haha! But nevertheless, it was strangely amusing to see old neighbors – as in the ones you only get to see at Church once or twice a year, Christmas and Easter.

Then there came Your birthday itself, Christmas Day. Now You do know, this is a day I sort of dreaded because it is the one day in a year where relatives would keep pestering me with acads-related questions like “Eka pa magobra (Aren’t you working already)?” or “Kapilan ka mag-graduate kanyan (When will you be graduating)?” And my, this is the bad year to be asked that question! Lord, I know I am not supposed to care what other people think, especially relatives whom I only see during the holidays. I am sure, they only ask such questions just for small talk, because we don’t really have something interesting to talk about. But I hate to have to explain EVERYTHING so I won't, but by not doing so, they would certainly think of the usual cliché reason why a person is unable to graduate.

So how did it go then? Well, despite my efforts to maintain a low-profile key and hoping my nephews’ antics will steal the limelight from everyone else in the room, I was still able to get a total of four graudation-themed questions. Hmm, maybe wearing the visually attractive purple top I bought at Landmark was such a bad idea for a Christmas attire after all, hehe! Good thing though, the excruciating moments of having to answer “No” passed by quickly enough and I was able to go back to obscurity in no time at all. More luckily, only one uncle dared to ask why for yet another reason for the marching delay (with his wife commenting, (“Baka nag-loko siya”). And my Mom came to my rescue. Whew!

On the up-side (gee, this season, there is ALWAYS an up-side, haha!), despite my age and due to my non-working status, I was still able to receive P800 worth of aginaldo, haha! Again, thank You for that. Well, thank You as well for the thoughtfulness of my two nephews, Jasper and Justin who, at the start of the day, took pity in me and gave me P200 and P100 respectively, dahil “nakakaawa ako, walang nambibigay sa akin”. Haha! So that would’ve brought my total to P1100. But of course, I returned Justin’s P100 to my sister and just told Jasper to treat me to Starbucks (of the 3 brothers, he had the biggest total, that’s why he’s feeling so generous).

Then came the bonus news! My org will have another gift-giving shindig on the 29^th, so I will have a chance to do something fulfilling after all, yey!

So that’s just about it – all that happened to me on Your birthday, Jesus. It was Your special day, not mine, but I definitely shared in all the fun.

I feel so blessed this Christmas that, during our way home, my heart broke as we passed by an old lola, in the middle of the highway, stopping the cars and asking for some alms. By the time I recovered from the aching shock, she was already a hundred meters away, being escorted out of the highway by a policeman. If there’s something I don’t understand, it is why can't all people just be happy on Your birthday. But of course, Your party on earth just doesn’t work that way. I just hope that when I joined my orgmates in a gift-giving activity to the less fortunate, in some way, somehow, I am able to pay my blessings forward to those who lack even the most basic resources of Christmas spirit.

Well, this is all for now. I will try to write another letter come New Year’s. For sure, I have a year’s worth of stuff to talk about, haha!

Again, happy, happy birthday! Thank You so much for allowing me and my family and loved ones to merrily celebrate Your day with You.

With much love and gratitude,
Rex

PS. Please don’t take back the fun times too soon, too fast. I sure know, by the law of gravity, what comes up, must come down. I wish that whatever big problem I will soon face, the memory of this fun month will help me weather it. I realize for certain that big problems are inevitable, and that the world will just make one after the other, momentarily pausing to at least let us savor our victory after each problem. And it’s not like the happiness I have right now is already at its peak for my life that I am so ready to die, haha! Not yet, please, not just yet.

Perfect Christmas?

2007-12-24T02:35:00.000+08:00

For some weird reason, I’m feeling jolly about this coming Christmas. But for days now, I have been trying to figure out why so, to no avail.

Is it because for many years now, the whole family is complete since my parents came home from Bahrain for the holidays? Of course, a complete family during the holidays is always a cause for a festive celebration. I don’t mean any disrespect to anyone who would read this and will be spending Christmas with a parent or loved one abroad, but since this has been luckily happening for almost a decade now, it doesn’t really bring something that special to the table.

Is it because materially speaking, I am prepared? Well, I have more new clothes than I actually need and a new pair of Nike rubber shoes. There’s lots of food (chocolates, Christmas delicacies, etc) in the refrigerator that I fear I wouldn’t get to enjoy my new pairs of pants due to a renewed bulge in my belly. In short, my happiness meter when it comes to materials things is definitely way up there.

Is it because the different events that led up to it were very conducive in feeling the Christmas spirit? It started with my birthday weekend, and continued to the last week of classes for December 2007, to the Lantern Parade, to the Videoke night with college friends, to the spontaneous night out with high school friends, and finally to the Noche Buena shopping with my mom and sister, which promises quite an upper middle class family feast! I mean, after all those fun-filled activities with loved ones, who wouldn’t feel euphoric? I feel like I have enough supply of endorphin 'til after the New Year’s.

Sometimes I wonder, if I’d take away all the material gifts I have received, would I still feel as good about this coming Christmas? Of course, it’s not like I would test this hypothesis, haha! Who would want to take away the good things you already have!

I have yet to do something ultimately selfless this season. A gift-giving to the less fortunate by my organization would’ve been a perfect opportunity for me, but alas, for some valid reason that turned out to be invalid after all, I wasn’t able to make it to the fulfilling activity.

So despite having a complete family, wearing new clothes, eating lots of good food, I am still in search of something that will make this Christmas truly memorable not only because of the gifts I received, but also and mainly because of something that will make other people’s Christmas more memorable, through me.

Because really, sometimes, it kinda sucks to be so blessed, and see other people get so much less than what they actually deserved and simply dreamed of.

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But on a lighter note, still, have a Merry Christmas! Enjoy the company of your family and friends this holiday season. I mean, after all, what's the point of having new clothes if you're alone and no one will get to see them? Haha! Joke! Don't fail the be thankful and give more attention to the more important things in life this Christmas.

22 + 1 = 23

2007-12-18T23:06:00.000+08:00

This is my 23^rd birthday post, which, apparently, is many days late, haha! Well, pardon me, I haven’t really found the proper time to reflect on this momentous milestone in my life. Besides, I honestly thought this birthday will be an uneventful one. Why? Let me elaborate.

It is my “23^rd birthday”. Of course I am thankful for the past year of life, even if it was yet another struggling one. But really, there’s nothing special about the number 23. Well, unless of course if you think that it's the first odd and prime number birthday in the line of 20 which therefore makes it quite special, then clearly, you’re an eccentric person! (Doon sa nakaisip ng numerical significance na ito, peace tayo, haha!)

I have not prepared anything special on my birthday. Unlike my 21^st birthday (which is a gentleman’s debut), I will not reserve 40 seats at Kenny Roger’s. Unlike my 21^st and 22^nd birthdays, I will not treat my friends to Starbucks in order to complete the required number of stickers to get the limited edition Starbucks 2008 Planner. In short, I have no budget to treat my friends to something. So yes, it will have been an ordinary day.

What’s the truth behind my no-budget drama? Well, I didn’t really ask for a "birthday bonus" from my parents. Because I don’t know how to justify such budget, given the ordinary circumstances. Plus, I have this major thing that makes me feel mortified to even sweet talk my way into a birthday bonus.

As for not aiming for the Starbucks planner, well, just like what a close friend said, “Nag-mature na ako!” Haha! The 2008 planner is not worth it -- the design is not that impressive, the freebie is JUST a pencil, more stickers are required, the Christmas flavors are not that enticing and for some reason, my taste buds are no longer in awe of the unique Starbucks blend.

So in short, I have resigned to the fact that my 23rd birthday will just be a simple one. I've realized that it's not the gifts that should make or break one's birthday. If I'll receive a warm and touching text message greeting or a birthday card, that would've already made me very happy.

But wait! There's more! What actually happened was a different story.

On the eve of my birthday, I was at an orgmate's apartment, doing some orgwork. It will be used on the org party next day (yep! On my birthday!) so I knew I will turn 23 there. As my phone's alarm clock struck 12 am, Michael, Jen, Kevin and Felipe greeted me a happy birthday. Felipe even went further by greeting me a 'belated' happy birthday, haha!

As I finished nostalgically recounting to my young orgmates how my past six birthdays in UP went, I got the surprise of my life (well, at least the 23rd year of my life, haha!). Out of nowhere, my closest AguGirlfriends -- Maan, Di, Pie and Fergie -- appeared on the door with balloons, candles and a box of goodies in tow, singing the Happy Birthday song. Mind you, these girls live on Katipunan, the other side of the UP campus, so their sweet gesture at 12 midnight is quite an effort.

It was a complete birthday party package. Aside from the balloons and the box of goodies (which turned out to be a box of Cello's donuts shaped with the letters of the phrase "HAPPY B-DAY WEXIE"), they even had loot bags for the guests! And the best gift of them all? The birthday card, in which they wrote long and heart-warming birthday messages.

They went home back to Katipunan at around 1.30am. I went home to my own apartment at 2.30am. And as I tucked myself into my bed, I was wearing a big smile in my heart, knowing that the would've-been ordinary birthday just turned out to be an extraordinary one.

The rest of the day was just simply great. While it is true that the surprise I got at 12mn was already the major highlight of my birthday, its euphoric effect lasted throughout the day.

In the evening, my organization had a party. No it wasn't for me. It was Aguman's anniversary last December 12 and the party coincidentally scheduled on my birthday was the culminating event. Although I must admit, it kinda also felt like it was my party, haha! My committee's efforts the previous nights was worth it, because our committee's representative won the contest that night -- yet another reason to have a happy birthday.

Since I and my other orgmates were still in celebratory mood (I because it's my birthday, and they because of the success of our orgweek), we decided to have a drink at Starbucks. There were more than 15 of us so it was such a bonding blast. We played the Skittles Game (a game were you answer questions based on the topic of the color of the Skittle candy you pick from the bag), so there was definitely a lot of laughtrip moments. It was also my first time to try out the Starbucks bagels, and my, it did not disappoint.

There was more bonus for my birthday -- I went home with a Goldilocks half-cake and a peach wine (they were both gifts from orgmates which they gave during our org's party). But of course, more importantly, I ended my 23rd birthday with lots of fond memories that hopefully, will last a long time.

My 23rd birthday definitely trumps my 22nd birthday, simply because it was more meaningful. No amount of panlilibre could beat the love (in different forms -- words, text messages, gifts, haha!) I received from my family and truest friends.

LEFT: What we ordered at Starbucks. The frappe and bagel I ordered is at the center.
RIGHT: The Cello's Doughnuts shaped "HAPPY B-DAY WEXIE. Pati yung dash, edible! Oreo-flavored pa nga eh!

For more pictures, click here.

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Did somebody important forgot my birthday? Yeah, quite a number of them actually, haha! But I don't really mind. I am sure they have a perfectly good and valid reason for doing so. Otherwise, it means I am not as important to them as I thought which is something I don't really mind as well. What's the point of having lots of friends, when you only need true ones? And those who are sweet enough to prepare a surprise on your birthday, haha!

I actually learned a lot of simple but important lessons on my birthday, but I am gonna bore you with them on the next post, haha!

Which feels worse?

2007-12-09T03:50:00.000+08:00

To feel worthless, without a purpose? Or to be a huge failure when you try to be significant? You tried and tried, but you just died..

To be so all alone? Or to just want to be left all alone? Even if you don't really want to be alone..

To be surrounded by a lot of people and still feel lonely because not one of them really cares? Or to be surrounded by people who seem to care, but to not really feel that they do? They only act so caring when they need something from you..

To be under-appreciated? Or to get used to being under-appreciated? Even if it gets more tiring and tiring each day..

To know that you cannot help a friend? Or to realize that in doing so, you forget to help yourself? There's only so much you can put your mind into..

To know fully well that someone dear to you has changed? Or to see that someone dear to you pretend that he has not changed? He even has the impudence to pretend that he still cares..

To not know what to do? Or to know what to do after all, but it's not really what you want? Heck, you're not even sure of what you really want..

To perpetually pray, hope and wish for that one special thing that may never come? Or to finally realize that it really isn't meant for you? Who knows, maybe you don't really deserve it..

To feel that you don't deserve to get anything? Or to discover that indeed, you don't deserve anything? Because it looks like you're not going to get anything..

To be a parent and see your child in great pain? Or to be the child who knows you have caused your parents a great pain? I mean, seriously, who cries the most tears at night?

Train of thoughts 3: Makati Standoff Edition!

2007-12-02T03:27:00.000+08:00

I am sure that by now, you all know what Trillanes and friends have done over the dawn of the long weekend. If you wanna know more, click here for the Inquirer.net's coverage of the Makati standoff.

But for this post, I just wanna share my thoughts. It will not be an organized essay, because I do not know enough details in Philippine politics to rival the editorial opinion of the major broadsheet columnists in the country today.

*Where was I when I learned of the standoff? It was already 3pm and I just boarded a bus on my way home to Pampanga. The bus TV was on and it screened the ABS-CBN coverage. I was actually surprised because Pampanga commuters like me know that Bataan Transit buses have always been Kapuso, haha!

*My overall thought on the matter as I finished the pizza kariman I bought to serve as my on-the-go lunch: what the hell was Trillanes thinking?! Apparently, other people shared the same thought, so imagine my amusement when an article of the same title (well, sans 'the hell') was featured on the Inquirer front page for December 1.

*I didn't really pay attention to the events that was unfolding during the rest of my trip home. I figured I would read about it on the newspaper the next day anyway. Besides, I didn't really think it was a cause of alarm for me. All I knew was that Trillanes and friends "took over" the Peninsula Manila Hotel (or is it Manila Peninsula?) and (newsflash!) were demanding for PGMA's resignation. I didn't really know who was with him. So when I switched on the TV in the evening and saw Bibeth Orteza boldly declaring that she was proud to be a Filipino right now, I thought she was one of the good guys and that there's more to Trillanes 'stupid gimik'. Only to realize later on, as I continued to watch the news and get more details on the day's events, that Trillanes' staging was what it really was: a stupid one.

*Did Trillanes (and friends) actually think that by holing themselves in a posh Makati hotel would actually encourage the middle class to join him? We all know how pivotal the middle class' participation is on the success of any uprising or mass demonstration, right?

*He even had the gall to invoke his 'duties' and 'powers' as a Senator. Did he actually think a huge percent of his 11 million voters would actually join them at Makati? Did he actually think he was popular enough to lead another People Power Revolution?

*Political analysts say the AFP's approach and handling of the standoff was an overkill and that the treatment of the media after Trillanes surrendered was uncalled for. I agree. Yun lang masasabi ko, haha! Like I said, I am not trying to be a big-time political columnist here.

*By now, you may have received the text joke about the funny lessons learned from Trillanes' recent stunt. Na pwede pala lakarin ang Makati City Hall papunta ng Manila Pen.. Na kasya pala ang tangke sa hotel.. Na nakakatakot si Ces Drilon kapag hindi naayusan, haha! In the end, the recent Makati Standoff was actually a hilarious showcase of misguided patriotism.. albeit with serious implications.

*I am sure, one of the major question for the aftermath is: Why did Trillanes and friends fail? I am sure, most columnists have given their take on this, and I couldn't agree more to most of them. But here is my personal view on the matter.

First of all, hassle na pumunta pa ako na Makati. Pauwi na ako ng Pampanga eh, long weekend pa. Bakit ako magpapagod na lumuwas pabalik ng Makati?
Secondly, I never voted for Trillanes in the last elections. Yes, I agree that PGMA is one of the worst kind of leaders the country has had in the post-Martial Law era. Yes, our country is in dire need of moral revolution, especially in the government leadership. I sympathize with their cause, but I do not agree with their actions.
No matter the desperation or exasperation of the current administration, holing oneself up inside a commercial and public establishment is and never will be justifiable. Mag-rarally ka na lang, mang-iistorbo ka pa ng mga kababayan mo? Tapos biglang isisgaw ni Bibeth Orteza on national television that she was proud to be a Filipino? So being a Filipino is about disrupting peace and order in the country's top commercial district? It's just so wrong on many levels -- economic, err, teka, economic lang pala, haha!
For me, no single person in Philippine politics today has enough moral ascendancy and integrity to lead an unconstitutional change of executive leadership in the country. (If it were Raul Roco, I would've considered joining a rally. Pero patay na siya. *Sad*
So what do we do now? The safest (and legal) bet would be to wait for the 2010 elections. Wala eh, nanalo na ang mga trapong pulitiko (whether or not they were actually voted by many people by virture of stupidity or these trapos just cheated is another issue). For the meantime, we all need to be vigilant, and not run out of hope and sense of country.

Early Christmas Cheer! (Year 2)

2007-11-26T19:06:00.000+08:00

It's that season once again - a season of love, peace and all things mushy and good, hehe! And for the second year in a row, Christmas cheer took over me early on and much like last year, I have no idea why! I mean, there's is really nothing different on the coming Christmas, nothing that would set it apart from previous Christmases.

Again, for the second year in a row, I decorated our humble apartment at Quezon City. From hanging garlands with Christmas balls and flowers, we now have snowflakes! I chanced upon a site where you can design snowflake patterns and see with just one click how your design would look like. I also downloaded snowflake patterns by other users which I used in producing the snowflakes for our living room wall, with the help of an orgmate (a frequent apartment visitor) and a housemate.

LEFT: Our apartment sala, with the partially finished decors
RIGHT: View from below of the hanging Christmas garlands

Two weekends ago, my sister and I shopped for new Christmas decors for our home at Pampanga. And my, was it a very happy feeling! Haha! It was fun rummaging around the whole National Book Store for the best decorations that our budget could afford (the budget was generous enough to allow for lots of creativity!). We had a target budget and I forgot to bring a calculator, but fortunately, my Math wizard of a nephew came with us. So I dictated to him the rounded off prices for him to sum up, haha! I must admit, it was one of the best shopping experience I've had in my entire life. You're probably laughing at my kababawan, haha, but really, I immensely enjoyed looking for the best buys for Christmas decors. Hmmm, was it because I was not shopping for myself but for my family? Wushuuu.. haha! Mushy much!

LEFT: I formed a Christmas Tree 'landscape' out of snowflakes at the wall of our sort-of hallway.
RIGHT: The Christmas garland at our dining room. Identical garlands are placed at our living room windows.

For close-ups of the snowflakes and more shots, click here

So! Will the coming Christmas be as cheerful as it's supposed to be? Hmmm... No special someone (not that I mind), so no romantic happiness for me, haha! No definite budget for Christmas shopping, so no material happiness for me! As far as I am concerned, I have no bitter enemies recently, so no happiness-brought-about-by-forgiving-someone-this-Christmas for me, hehe! Hmmm... sana na lang, madami akong pasalubong sa parents ko, haha!

The "One More Chance" Post

2007-11-16T23:13:00.000+08:00

I watched One More Chance last Wednesday, on its first screening day. Baduy na kung baduy, wala akong pakialam, hehe. I watched it with 3 orgmates (mind you, we were three guys and a girl, an unlikely combination indeed for a romantic movie, a local one at that!).

Anyway, this post will not be a technical review of the movie. Let’s just say that the movie pushed me to ponder on a lot of things – relationships (of the people around me, sa tingin ko makaka-relate sila, haha!), my own lovelife (or lack of it, hehe!) and love in general, and the inevitable pain that comes with it. As I write this post, I have the theme song, I’ll Never Go by Erik Santos, played on loop, for ambiance enhancement, haha!

The movie is a good one, well worth my money (syempre, Star Cinema eh! Go Kapamilya, haha!). What I liked about it is that it is a matured love story, a far cry from the horrendous show, Abt Ur Luv. (Yahaak talaga, it makes me cringe to even think about that show!). The characters from the movie belongs to my own age bracket, more or less, that’s why it was all the more appreciated by me. I’m about to turn 23, I am not getting any younger, and definitely, I have no time to play around and engage in teenybopper relationships. That’s why it comes as no surprise that the most meaningful line from the movie for me is this: It takes grown-ups to make a relationship work.

It made me think: is lack of maturity the main reason why relationships break up eventually, no matter how much love is there? Well, I have witnessed personally that love isn't always enough (and in the movie, you will see why). Quite ironic that when we comfort and talk to our friends who are having problems with their own partners, the question we always ask as if the answer to it is the only thing that matters is this: Mahal mo pa ba?

I couldn’t really say I could relate to the situation portrayed in the movie, but I was really able to feel the pain because some people really close to my heart (friends ha, hindi chever, hehe!) who could directly relate. I am there when my friends cry their eyes out. I am there when they say how painful it is. I am there when they tell me how hard it is.

I've never had a serious relationship in my whole life, but that’s not to say I haven’t fallen in love (wushuuuu, haha!). Being the one who is eternally single, I've been linked to a lot of my girl-friends. Yung iba may basis, yung iba wala. Yung iba totoo, yung iba trips lang, haha! Which begs the question, why am I single after all this time? Is it really a case of not having found ‘the one’ yet? Is no girl good enough for me? Or am I not good enough for any girl? Hehe! Of course, a few girls have sparked my interest. On most cases, it my feelings weren’t reciprocated (awwww..) and on some, it’s not them.. it’s me. Haha! Whatta cliché!

On the it’s-not-them-it’s-me cases, my dictum is this: kung hindi ko rin kayang panindigan, huwag na lang. Oo, kikiligan ako, kikiligin kami, kikiligan tayong lahat. Pero pagkatapos nun, ano na? Napakagwapo ko naman para manloko, diba?

Like I said, love isn't always enough… at least for me.

So am I commitment-phobic? Nah, I hopefully don’t think so. Every now and then, I do think about seriously having that ‘someone’ in my life. But when other equally important factors come into play, I know that my current choice is the right one for the moment. I will not risk other people’s feelings for personal gain (at love), most especially because these ‘people’ are most likely people I am good friends with. No, it’s not a case of “I am not willing to risk the friendship for fear of rejection”, because I personally believe that a genuinely sincere friendship can survive that kind of challenge. But it’s more like “I am not willing to risk the friendship for lack of certainty”. For if and when I decide to cross that bridge of from friendship to love, I think I at least owe to the other person to be sincere.

So did I cry in the movie? I would’ve, really… but laughter got the best of me because my friends (the two guys I was with, and not the girl) were already crying and I can't help but laugh, haha!

Epistaxis kung epistaxis!

2007-10-31T02:40:00.000+08:00

Last weekend, my org, UP Aguman, successfully held the Pautakan 2007. It is an annual quiz show for high school and elementary students. I was a contestant myself back in my high school years. Anyway, one of the things that sets our quiz show apart from other quiz shows is that before the contest proper, we always ask the contestants some tension-reliever questions. Just silly, funny and mundane questions that we hope would elicit a humorous response from the kids.

From the previous years, we've asked questions like this:
*If you were an animal, why would you be a cow?
*If time is gold, what is silver?
*Ano ang paborito mong hotdog?

Oh diba, kagaguhan lang talaga? Haha! This year was no exemption. Here are some excerpts, my comment are italicized:
Quizmaster: Kung tatlo na lang ang buhok mo, ano ang mas gusto mo, sama-sama o hiwa-hiwalay?
Contestant: Sama-sama na lang po, para matibay. Oo, tapos itirintas mo, para kikay..

Quizmaster: Kung ikaw si Jinky Pacquio, sino ang gusto mong kumanta ng Lupang Hinirang sa laban ni Manny?
Contestant: Si Ara Mina na lang po, para masaya! Aba, ke-bata-bata, chismosa, haha!

Quizmaster: Kung ililigtas ka ng isa sa mga Zaido, bakit si Aljur o si Red Zaido ang pipiliin mo?
Contestant (from Aljur Abrenica's high school): Syempre, wala kaming choice no.. Errr, kasi syempre, galing sa school namin, proud kami.. Pero sa hitsura mo, parang hindi ka masyadong proud? Haha! (Note: I graduated from the same school, bwahahaha!)

Quizmaster: Kung kamukha mo si Kokey, ano ang gagawin mo?
Contestant: Hindi na po ako lalabas ng bahay!

But this particular question was the best for me!
Quizmaster: Kung papalitan mo ang pose ni Oble, anong pose ang ipapalit mo?
Contestant 1: Errr, naka-spread din po ang legs..
Quizmaster: Aba, mala-Jumping Jack, no?
Contestant 2 (from Aljur Abrenica's high school): Siguro ano na lang po, dumudugo po yung ilong..
Quizmaster: Ganon? Haha! So may fountain effect ka pang nalalaman ha? Sorry, UP can't afford that, haha! Grabe, sa sobrang katalinuhan, tulad ni Inday, nag-no-nosebleed si Oble, bwahaha!

FYI, Aljur Abrenica's high school, my very own alma mater as well, was the Champion. Oha! Oha! And no, the winner was not determined through text voting, hehe!

A true leader does not give up on his flock

2007-10-30T22:52:00.000+08:00

I read from somewhere that there are six types of leaders: 1) Political - kings, governments, etc; 2) Military - generals, heroes, etc; 3) Social - leaders of reform, activists, etc; 4) Cultural - artists, musicians, philosophers, etc; 5) Economic - leaders of industry, CEOs, etc; and 6) Religious - high priests, popes, etc.

"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things."

~Peter F. Drucker

If you ask me, there only two: one who leads to be recognized and one who leads to serve. Unfortunately for us Filipinos, we have more leaders of the former kind than the latter.

Take for example, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. While watching the evening news yesterday, I had one realization: that in effect, GMA is worse than Erap. Why so for me? Allow me to code switch for more impact, hehe: Si Erap, ninanakawan ang mga Pilipino. Si GMA, ninakawan na ang mga Pilipino, nang-gagago pa.

I could argue though that Erap made a fool out of the masses by still pretending all this time that he is innocent. So yes, nang-gagago din siya. But the thing is, Erap's clout is only applicable to the uneducated masses and a few rich people who are just as gago as him. But GMA, oh, don't get me started on her, haha! She had the gall to pretend to be something else other than what she really is: a cheater, corrupt and a disgrace to all Filipino leaders. Her (office's) press releases, official statements or explanations on all controversies / issues hounding her administration makes me sick! Does she really think she could fool people - as in even the educated middle class (and upper one at that)? It's one thing to cheat in the elections. It's another bribe people with millions. But to execute and pardon a convicted corrupt leader just to stay in power? Gard, she needs psychological help.

Back in my high school, we were taught to be servant leaders. Well, at least our teachers and superiors tried to. When you're in senior year, you are supposed to be in-charge of the student affairs of the school, right? I mean, as a senior, you are the logical choice to be the officers of student groups or clubs, team captains of sports teams, the lead editors of your school paper, etc. But in my senior year, I kinda laid low. While the rest of my classmates who were also running for honors like me ran for multiple leadership positions in multiple clubs and student groups, I only chose to run in one club and I even lost -- just because my friends in that club were having lunch during the election, hehe! Why didn't I join the bandwagon of running for leadership positions just to up my extra-curricular activity grade and up my chances to be the Valedictorian? Dahil ayokong makipag-sabayan sa mga pumapapel, wala namang binatbat.

I hated the way my classmates would run for officership just for the sake of having a 'position'. Imagine someone who can't even get his subject-verb agreement right in his sentences, and yet he won as the president of the English Club. Imagine someone who smokes (outside school grounds, at least) and yet he's an officer of the Junior Drugwatch club, which by the way, promotes abstinence from drugs and smoking. And the list of ironies goes on and on.

In college, thank God, it was a different ballgame. This time, extra-curricular activities had no bearing on my grade. (Not that I paid particular attention to my grade, hehe!). In fact, my extra-curricular responsibilities took its toll on my acads. But when I honed my leadership skills in college, I knew I wanted to be the leader for the right reason -- I wanted to serve.

And I simply knew I was the best. Haha! Joke! Noble na sana eh no, naging conceited pa?! Haha!

While the UP culture helps shape its students to the right kind of leaders that our nations will need someday, may nakakalusot pa rin. We (UP students) all know that not all Student Council candidates aim to serve the student body. We all know that some students only join organizations and eventually lead in those organizations just for curriculum vitae purposes. In fact, my own organization is not exempt from these kind of leaders who are only driven by their desire to be famous or recognized instead of being driven by genuine concern and passion to serve, to make things better. Pero ganun talaga, may mga ganoong tao talaga.

So what do we do? Well, we are in a democratic country, so to a certain extent, we can do something about it.

As I type this post, my right index finger is stained violet because I voted in the Barangay Elections yesterday. I was reluctant to 'waste' my time on vote for people I don't even know, but I voted anyway. For the Barangay Captain, I voted my brother-in-law's candidate. I trust Kuya Dennis' judgment for Kuya Dennis himself is some sort of leader in our community here so he knows better. As for the Kagawads, well, my strategy was to vote for all the women candidates. I am not really super passionate about women's rights but I figured, we should have more women leaders. Ayoko naman na puro mga lolo ang mga iboboto ko para sa Kagawad, diba? I know that I didn't take the elections as seriously as I should, but believe me, when it comes to Presidential Elections, I do make it a point to have an educated choice, especially in the elections last May 2007.

Let me end my thoughts on leadership by encouraging you to register and vote during our elections. We have a huge voting population and it is not as wise as it should be just because educated and young people like us feel it's too much hassle to visit our local Comelec offices and get ourselves registered. Kaya nananalo ang mga gago eh, kasi walang bumoboto sa mga matitino. If you are of age and you're not yet registered, please make sure to register yourself in time for the 2010 Presidential Elections (sa 2009 pa yun, pero wala lang, para aware kayo, hehe). Let us make sure that leaders like GMA will not be elected anymore.

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I'm back! Well, at least I hope to be. The truth is, I didn't want to have a serious topic for my sort-of-comeback post. But I just really wanted to share these thoughts of mine. Mayroon kasi akong kilala na mag-reresign soon eh, baka sakaling ma-enlighten siya, hehe! Sana si GMA yun, kasama ng lahat ng tuta niya at ni Erap. So while a true leader does not give up on his flock, kung hindi ka naman talaga leader in the truest sense of the word, edi huwag ka na lang mag-lider-lideran, diba?

Yet another post just so no one could say I am on a blog leave..

2007-10-14T03:40:00.001+08:00

“Silence is a kind of therapeutic communication. But sometimes, it turns out to be non-therapeutic. Why? Cos in your silence, someone feels neglected..”
~Forwarded text message

..Which I think soo applies to this blog of mine, haha!

Well, I am not really silent because I am not exactly on blog leave. But come one, a weekly frequency of updates is not a good sign. And whenever I do update, it’s not the type of content I would shortlist for my “Best Of” compilation when I reach my 300^th blog post milestone, haha!

My hits agree on this. I'm averaging way below my average this time last year. So do my comments. I’d have to wait for days to be able to read new ones, haha! And what’s surprising, I couldn’t care less! Whereas before, I would worry if my post was so boring or uninteresting that my readers wouldn’t dare share their own two cents worth, hehe!

The truth is, it seems like I kinda ran out of ideas to type out loud lately. Maybe I kinda got bored with my own style. Whereas before, I’d do something or experience something and at the back of my mind, I’d say, “I am so gonna blog about this!” But these days, not so much.

Maybe it’s a mid-life crisis for my blog? Haha!

I’ve ran out of intriguing topics to write about. I've ran out of intriguing real-life friends to write about, haha! Or maybe, there are actually many intriguing things to write about but I just don’t care. I don’t want to share the same old ranting, it kinda feels lame for me. I wouldn’t want to share my everyday adventures or misadventures either, because it’s the same old stuff. Same old..

Maybe I should just switch to having an advice column for a while, just to make things interesting around here, haha! Just send in your dilemmas or problems (except financial ones) to my email: jrldizon@gmail.com. Your emails will be treated with confidentiality of course. Haha! This is so pathetic. Haha! But hey, is it such a bad idea?

Here’s to hoping I would be able to think of something creative in the next few days!

Blogging from Baguio Citeeh!

2007-10-06T17:17:00.001+08:00

Last time I was here was in the summer of 1998. Back then, my sister just graduated and was still unmarried. The trip was made possible by Mom's membership in our parish's CWL. Fast forward to October of 2007, I find myself in Baguio again. This time, I already have 3 nephews and this trip is made possible because of my nephew's excellent performance in his Kumon Math lessons -- he will receive a gold medal award tomorrow at the awarding ceremonies for all gold medalists from all Kumon centers in northern Luzon.

So how is it? Soooo effing cold, haha! Sobra! We all know the city has an exceptionally cold climate due to altitude reasons, but this day (weekend) is extra cold -- it's raining, hard. The moment I stepped out of the Genesis bus, I felt like I was in a giant refrigerator! A thick fog surround us. Syempre, nabana naman ako, haha!

We arrived 3 hours ahead of our check-in time at the hotel that Kumon arranged for us to stay in. So we had lunch and killed time at the famous SM City Baguio. Finally, I witnessed first hand the fuss about SM Baguio's architecture, because all these years, I kept hearing rave reviews about it from my friends who to go to Baguio.

If and when I can afford it, I do love traveling, but for some reason I don't share the same fixation about Baguio City. Sure I realize that it's the summer capital of the world and all that jazz. Ever since my grade school days, I was taught that it's a world class tourist destination. Not that I disagree, but the thought of bathing in freezing water turns me off, haha, even if I am well aware that heaters have already been invented in this day and age.

Anyway, this Baguio is too short for me to enjoy it to the fullest. To make it worse, like I said, it's raining hard. It sucks to know that I traveled all the way to Baguio just to stay indoors, haha! Hopefully, tomorrow's weather will be better. But in fairness, thick fog covering the mountain tops is quite breath-taking.

A Change Is Gonna Come

2007-09-29T02:06:00.000+08:00

“If along the way, you act like you're someone you're not, pretty soon that’s who you become.”
~High School Musical 2

I'm sure you’ve heard of the cliché “the only thing constant in the world is change”, yada yada yada. But has anyone – whether a friend, a family or a mere former acquaintance – actually told you, “Uy, anlaki na ng pinagbago mo!?”

In order not to sound too preachy or condescending about this ‘topic’, I asked two good friends to identify what changes I have undergone as a person throughout the years. Here’s a summary of what they’ve told me.

STUDENT ACHIEVER. No doubt, this is one of the biggest changes I’ve undergone over the years. According to my friend, I epitomized the dream student a teacher could ever ask for. But now, not so much, haha! I am not the academic juggernaut anymore. Early on in college life, I realized that there are far more important things in life than good grades. But, not being able to do my best is a different matter.

PRUDENT AND PENNY-WISE. Well, I wasn’t exactly what you would brand as “kuripot”. But I owe my early fiscal maturity to my Mom who let me have my own ATM account at the age of 14. Not that there’s lot of money in it to splurge with, haha! She always emphasized about having at least a few savings for emergency purposes. I don’t get my allowance on a per-gimik basis – I get a regular monthly amount instead. The setup is still the same these days, but now I feel like I am too impulsive when it comes to buying – even on grocery items, haha!

A BRAT NO MORE. We use to call him “RK”. Oh well, actually, he is, up to now, a rich kid minus the “brattiness”. I still remember him pouting and brandishing his gloomy face in the house when he can’t have what he wants right away, may it be a cellphone or a laptop. Back then, he even had a better cellphone than us. What a brat! Now I know he has realized already that he cannot have everything right away. More than that, I know he now understands that he cannot have everything. These are the exact words of my friend. Her words say it all.

COMPUTING ATTITUDE. I remember having a fight with a good friend over a favor he asked of me which I didn’t give because for some reason beyond me, “it was unfair”. I guess that rift was the turning point of my ‘computing attitude or in Tagalog, ‘pagiging makwenta’. So these days, I am the ever giving friend and Kuya for my little brothers and sisters. Naks, parang ambait ko talaga, haha!

CHORES GALORE. I used to be the bunso of our apartment so I had room to be carefree. But not anymore. I am practically the landlord, bossing around my young housemates to accomplish their tasks, with deadly threats to boot for any failure to do so, haha! Quite ironic really, for when I am back at our home in Pampanga, I regress back to my childhood days, back when Mom would continually nag me to clean my room.

IN SUMMARY. The ranting and brat Rex has long been gone. He’s going through a lot but he chose to be silent about it and face it head on.

So what’s my personal assessment of myself? Well, I would like to think I am wiser these days. (Sige, na, pagbigyan niyo na ako na magyabang, haha!) In fact, for guy my age, I feel like I have experienced a lot of stuff an ordinary 22-year-old wouldn’t have experienced yet. And to think I haven’t had my heart seriously broken yet! (You see, I feel that at my age, having one’s heart broken should be the most painful experience of one’s life so far, and not be dismissed from college for up to 4 times, hehe!).

For me, it’s the stuff that we go through that changes us. (Okay fine, this realization is pretty obvious, haha!). I am just lucky (credits to my parents who definitely raised me well, I think, haha!) that despite the big stash of bad experiences I’ve had, I emerged a better person each time.

But that is not to say that right now, I am the best that I can be (waw, Mutya Buena’s song just started ringing through my ears). For I have yet to emerge the ultimate survivor completely. The ideal process would be to continually change and improve, for life never runs out of tests and experiences that shake us out of our comfort zones.

“Change… We don't like it, we fear it. But we can't stop it from coming. We either adapt to change, or we get left behind. It hurts to grow and anybody who tells you it doesn't is lying. But here's the truth: sometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. And sometimes, oh sometimes, change is good. Sometimes, change is everything.”
~Grey’s Anatomy, Season 4, Episode 1

Blogs Galore! 18: Current Events Edition

2007-09-23T01:39:00.000+08:00

U-NIBERSIDAD NG PILIPINAS! U!

It's been a week, so by now, I am sure you all know that UP won (over UST, FEU and the rest of them UAAP schools). Of course, I am proud of them. Considering our 0-14 record in Men's Basketball, at least in another highly publicized UAAP event, UP won.

I am personally surprised at the 0.5 point difference between UP and UST. I thought given UP's almost flawless ruotine and kick-ass attitude and UST's incomplete pyramid and weird lack of energy, UP will win by a mile. I say that UST's Salinggawi Dance Troupe's lack of energy is 'weird' because for the past years, I must admit (even if I hate to, haha!) that UST SDT has always been fluid and graceful with their routines. Never mind the issues of lack of originality -- UST SDT is a dance troupe indeed, so magaling talaga at magandang tingnan ang pag-galaw nila as a whole. But this year, I felt that the grace and fluidity that has always been a trademark of UST SDT was missing. Is it just me, or they looked so tense and a little down-trodden during the rest of their performance because of the 'fall' early on their number?

Now about the 'UST SDT Photo Scandal'. 'No comment' na lang. It's like Malu Fernandez all over again, albeit in a lesser degree. The more people comment, the more the issue gets out of hand. But if ask me if that offensive photo changes the way I perceive UST, well, the answer is NO. I have friends from UST, and UST has its own moments of glory as an educational institution. Stupid behavior from 5 UST students cannot (or must not) ruin the reputation that UST has built in its 400 years of existence. What I don't like though is when our own schools' academic excellence records are dragged into the issue (which should be totally irrelevant, by the way). UP is UP. Period.

But anyway, since our Pep Squad won FAIR AND SQUARE, we're entitled to a year's worth of bragging rights, right? Hahaha!

ABSOLUTE PARDON OF ERAP. WHAT THE?!

What the hell is the Arroyo Administration thinking?! A judicial process is still going on (there's still the appeal to the Supreme Court by the Estrada lawyers), so why is Malacañang so excited? Obviously, it's an issue of political survival for GMA. Haaay naku..

My take on this? Absolutely and definitely no pardon whatsever for me. Don't I have compassion in my heart to spare for an ailing and 'respected actor' and 'public servant'? Well, think of all the poor people that the huge money that Estrada illegally amassed could have helped. You should know by then that you're barking at the wrong tree. Ask Estrada himself instead (and his slutty mistresses).

His followers are delusional. They should not be allowed to vote, for they don't exercise wisdom* when they do so.

*I used the word 'wisdom' instead of intelligence, so as not to belittle uneducated people. Wisdom in choosing our leaders can be acquired even without the help of diploma, right?

FRAT ISSUES

So, here's my super late thoughts on Cris Mendez's death.

For us UP students, it's a common knowledge that hazing exists (in varying degrees) in certain fraternities' initiation rites. Yes, that holds true despite the law against it. Heck, there's even a university rule that bars freshmen from joining fraternities and yet, these (some) fraternities actively recruit freshies.

I don't know what Cris Mendez's reasons were for agreeing to join the fraternity, but considering his age and background, I am sure that he fully knows what he was getting into. I am not saying it's his fault that he died, of course. His only fault is that he trusted the wrong people.

My provincial organization has always been enough for me -- in terms of personal relations, training, etc. So I never felt the need to join a frat. And it's not like a fraternity would be sane enough to recruit someone as 'physically-challenged' as me, haha! (I was scavenging my brain for the proper English word for lampa, but to no avail, haha!).

Premiere Week

2007-09-19T21:51:00.000+08:00

'Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la. And no, I'm not talking about Christmas (although on second thought, the 'Ber months are already here!). For US TV Series fans like me, this week and next week will be quite a hectic week -- it's one season premiere after another for our favorite US TV shows!

DRAMA
Brothers & Sisters, Season 2, Sept 30, ABC
It's currently my #1 favorite US TV show. It's well-written, the ensemble cast is equally amazing and entertaining. It's a family drama, so expect a lot of mushy issues to come up. But this is not your American version of our hard-core drama teleseryes. I actually love the way they handle the dramatic scenes -- it's mushy enough to thug the strings of your heart, but subdued enough to not come across as scripted (although we all know it's scripted). This is pretty much Grey's Anatomy, with all the wit, humor and drama, sans the convoluted love lives that tend to be annoying, especially in the past season, hehe!
Grey's Anatomy, Season 4, Sept 27, ABC
The past season was too gloomy for me, a lot of characters have been killed or written off. But I am not giving up on Grey's yet. It's still my #2 pick. I do miss my Seattle Grace gang (as if close kami no? Haha!).

FANTASY / ACTION
Heroes, Season 2, Sept 24, NBC
It's X-Men on TV, minus the spandex costumes. So Peter and Nathan blew up after all, up up in the air that is. So what happens next? Brothers & Sisters may be my favorite show but this takes the cake when it comes to suspense and making me look forward to Tuesdays for a brand new dose of Heroes. I wonder what Veronica Mars' star Kristen Bell's powers gonna be.
Prison Break, Season 3, Sept 17, FOX
And Michael Scoffield and friends are IN PRISON YET AGAIN! Geesh.. Haha! Well, it won't be Prison Break without the steel bars! Bad news though, Dr. Sara Tancredi will not be back for the new season. There goes the only rose among the handsome thorns, hehe!
Smallville, Season 7, Sept 27, The CW
Season 7! Could you believe that? When will this series end? Haha! The truth is, the only reason I am still following this show is out of curiosity -- how young Clark and young Lois will end up.
Ghost Whisperer, Season 3, Sept 28, CBS
I know this is not as popular as my other choices, but so what. I am into these kind of shows, hehe! Because I like the way Melinda (the lead character) helps people with their loss and the ghosts with their unfinished business.

COMEDY
Ugly Betty, Season 2, Sept 27, ABC
Given DH's less than remarkable story development the past 2 seasons, UB has taken over the #1 spot on my favorite comedy-drama series. Not to mention that there are a lot of eye-candies here, haha!
Desperate Housewives, Season 4, Sept 30, ABC
I miss the good ol'Housewives days. Ergo, the first season. This show has failed (at least for me) to surpass its first season in terms of story and comic content. Susan (the supposed main lead) has become more annoying than ever! I'm am still gonna watch it though, because the other characters more than make up for Susan's shortcomings in terms of character substance. Besides, I miss forwarding text messages of quotes from this series, hehe!
How I Met Your Mother, Season 3, Sept 24, CBS
This is the only sitcom on my Must-Watch List these days, hehe! Considering the fact that I am a fan of Friends, it must be the barkada dynamics and antics that has endeared me to this extremely hilarious show! Besides, I am really curious, who the mother is, haha!

Haaay, torrents galore na naman nito! Haha!

There is justice in the Philippines..

2007-09-12T10:47:00.000+08:00

.. after all. Yey!

Wala lang, gusto ko lang i-share. Here's to hoping that this will not adversely affect the way of things in our country.

For more info about this news, click here and here.

Michael Fajatin meets his match

2007-09-09T21:51:00.000+08:00

If you don't know who Michael Fajatin is, well, let me introduce him to you..

Ano kaya reaction ni Arnold Clavio sa Live Report na yon? Haha! I am not sure when this news was, but I am certain it has been more than a year since I first watched this hilarious video.

And just recently, a Miss Teen USA finalist gave Michael Fajatin a run for his money!

Oha! Wala akong masabi, hehe!
A few days after, Miss South Carolina guested on an NBC show to talk about her final question debacle which by then, has already spread throughout American blogs and the Youtube. If you wanna know how she answered the question the second time around, click here.

Unpopular Opinion 5: UAAP Men's Basketball is overhyped

2007-09-08T21:32:00.000+08:00

All views and opinion expressed by this blogger does not in any way reflect that of blogger.com or the whole blogosphere for that matter. Whatever bold statement read here should not be taken as the omnipotent truth. This blogger only wishes to share his opinions of the way things are in this universe, of which he is entitled to. If you don't share his opinion, you are very much welcome to share yours. But don't in any way hate this blogger for whatever opinion he has that is opposed to yours, for he does not in any way imply that he alone is right and that everyone else is wrong. Respect is valued here, as much as your opinion is, whatever it maybe.

Okay fine, the Fighting Maroons suck -- big time most of the time. But so what if UP has a 0-13 record in Men's Basketball? Life goes on for us UP students. It's not like we're counting on divine intervention or something, haha!

I don't want to proceed in basketball discussions because frankly, I am not a regular follower of the sport and the side issues attached to it. Neither am I an ardent Maroon fan (with the exception of the UP Pep Squad probably). If the Maroons win any game, "Yey!" If not, "Oh, well.." Certain victories are sweeter than the rest, but frankly, despite being an Isko myself, I have resigned to the fact that sports is not one of UP's strength as an education institution.

That's why I hate the way UAAP's Men's Basketball is overhyped.

It is televised via Studio 23. TV and newspaper news crews cover it more than the other sports. Thus, its players (especially the exceptional ones) are far more popular than other UAAP athletes. There are many factors why so -- sponsors, sponsors and sponsors. It's a chicken-and-egg case for me -- more people follow the competition so naturally, the news people cover it extensively. But since more news media cover it, the people have more opportunities to follow it.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against basketball. In fact, back in my elementary years, despite my personal knack for it, I was quite the avid fan of the Alaska Milkmen, especially in 1996, their grand slam year. I never was able to watch a game live for economic and geographic reasons. But that didn't stop me from making a bond paper size cardboard sign that shouted, "Go Alaska!" and waving it in front the television. I was also a huge fan of the Pampanga Dragons when they won the first ever MBA Championships.

What I hate though is the way Men's Basketball sort of represents the rest of the UAAP because of the lack of media coverage in the other sports. I am fully aware that UAAP Basketball's fans are not only limited to the students of the 8 participating universities. I am sure high school students and college students from other colleges or universities who share a similar passion for basketball are fans too. But do all of them know that there actually other sports competitions in the UAAP other than basketball?

When UST won the title at the expense of Ateneo in the 69th Season, that game hogged the evening headlines. Together with the rest of the country, we all heard that UST bravely won the basketball title. But did we ever learn that UST not only won last season's basketball title but also the Overall Title in the Seniors and Juniors Division? Last year's overall title is UST's 19th in the past 20 seasons (the other one was UP's, back in Season 1997-1998). Which bring their total to 34 Overall Championships. Very impressive right? More impressive than a basketball championship, if you ask me, for the latter just contributes 15 points to the university's total score in the league standings (UST had 331 points VS UP's 254 points).

How about my alma mater UP? We were actually 2nd overall last year and the other year (Wiki has no information on the older seasons). In fact, in the last season, we were the Champions in Girls' Swimming, Men's Swimming and Women's Judo. UP was the 1st runner-up in 10 other competitions. For the current season, while the men's are the bottom-dwellers with 0-13, the Lady Maroons actually share the lead with Ateneo with an 11-1 record. Do you think, UP sports (as a whole) would still get a lot of flak if its success in other competitions were also publicized and had more exposure? I don't think so.

Just the other week, I learned something about the relation between perception and substance from an alumna of my org in UP. And I can't help but relate the lessons I learned in UP's pathetic basketball campaign (at least in the men's division). Just because we suck big time in the highly televised games, it undermines the rest of our athletes in terms of perception. Ateneo and La Salle however, just because they are 'rich' universities, they are stereotyped to be well-trained players (a generalization I am guilty of myself).

So what's my point then? Haha! Well, I just want other sports to be televised as well, not only for the welfare of the winning teams in those competitions but also of the sports themselves. I think that in its own little way, a bigger awareness of the other sports helps in promoting that sports to us Filipinos. I feel we are too obsessed with winning an Olympic gold in basketball even if we actually have higher chances in other sports.

_____
This year's Cheerdance Competition will be on September 16, 2007! Go UP! Haha! *cough* bitter sa UST! *cough*

U-nibersidad ng Pilipinas!
Matatapang, matatalino
Walang takot, kahit kanino
Hinding-hindi magpapahuli
Ganyan kaming mga taga-UP
U-nibersidad ng Pilipinas! U!

Well, except in men's basketball. Haha!

Definitely not running for honors

2007-09-01T22:25:00.000+08:00

This is not a graph of the Dollar-Peso exchange rate the past few months where the lower the value, the stronger the Philippine Peso gets. It's how my GWA* (General Weighted Average) plunged through my n-years at UP Diliman, ehe.

They say that a picture paints a thousand words. Well, here's a quick recap of the story behind the 'picture'.. (Click the picture for a larger view)

1) It's my first sem ever in college and obviously, at UP. Incidentally, it's also the highest point of the graph, haha! Back then, it wasn't my strategy to excel in my subjects that consisted of GEs (General Education, UP's term for minor subjects) and a 5-unit Math major. Of course, I studied for my exams and I aimed for above average scores. But I never aimed for the highest marks the way I used to back in high school. I figured back then, I am but a small guppy in a sea of science high school aruwanas, how could I possibly stand out? Haha! I also decided that I am done with trying to meet other people's extreme expectations (read: receiving honors / medals). Looking back after 6 years, do I regret it? Yes.. Haha! Because it was my one and only chance to be a College Scholar (UP's own version of a Dean's Lister), and I didn't even grab the chance. Looking at the empty fields of my resumé for 'Honors Received' in college, of course, I do regret it.

2) I finally had a EEE major -- a introductory programming course. That sem, I tried to outdo my first semester performance, but alas, my first real taste of hard core programming (my programming lesson back in high school are so easy!) and Chemistry did not cooperate. I redeemed my Math self-esteem that sem though with a 2.0 in my first Calculus course (I got a 4.0 in my college algebra and trigo subject, thank God I managed to pass the removals back then).

3) It's the school year where I was my organization's officer -- my first major extra-curricular responsibility in college. One can assume it affected my academic performance, but really, to produce a 2.50 average for a year where it's 85% majors for me is not an easy feat.

4) My first DROPPED subject -- Math 157 AKA Discrete Math Structures. Primary reason for the surrender? It's the professor, hehe! Dr. Hermo is probably the most feared but famous Math professor in UP in recent memory. But he sure was one of the best mentors. Mabagal lang talaga ako pumick-up, haha!

5) First 5.0 -- EEE 103 and EEE 51. 103 is an introductory course in electrical engineering and 51 is a subject of complicated and convoluted electric circuits. I am just thankful I'm through with those. It's my first time to be a disappointment, at least academically, to my parents so telling them (they're abroad) was a challenge. The reaction was way better than I expected though. :)

6) I was the President of my organization this school year. Yes, yet again, it did affect my studies which bore another DRP and the said 5.0s. After my term, I decided to 'retire' from the leadership business.

7) More 5.0s for me, but it's also my first ever 1.0 on a 3-unit subject -- Psych 101. Wow (sarcastic), a 1.0 on a free elective, haha!

8) My first ever 5.0 and DRP free semester in 3 semesters! But before you say I have redeemed myself, I almost did not achieve this minor achievement. I actually had two 4.0s that sem which I both luckily passed.

9) Dark Ages. The steep decline should say it all, hehe -- a deep hole from which I have to save myself from as of yet. It was the worst year of my life but if I look back at this point in my life someday, I know there was a good reason behind it. You know how your room gets even messier while you try to clean it? You know, the brief period where you put out all your stuff in the open to decide what to and what not to keep, and arrange them properly from thereon. That's how I want to look at that stage of my life.

10) To end on a brighter note, I'll focus on my 4 fruitful summer terms -- all of which were DRP and 5.0 free. At least, my summer sacrifice weren't for naught. :) Notice how my GWA would minutely increase after each summer term.

Obviously, I am barely the achiever that I was back in high school. When I finally graduate from college, I would receive nothing else other than the fake diploma the Engineering Dean would hand to me (the real diploma will be released MONTHS after, haha!).

Do I have regrets? Of course, I do. But not over the medals or honors I would have received if I made the conscious effort to focus entirely on my acads (and probably perform better). Friends would always dish out the patented excuse that after all, "mahirap naman kasi talaga ang course ko -- Engineering ako, CoE pa..". But it's an excuse I would rather not use, and I myself wouldn't deem reasonable (if I were on the receiving end of the excuse). I can't even invoke the classic Starstruck excuse where "tinry ko naman po ang best ko" because deep in my heart I know I didn't.

But what's done is done. (Cliché excuse na naman, hehe!) I would have to live with the consequences of my mistakes, but at least as I go on with life, I have ways to redeem myself and realize my true potential. Wushu, may mga ganoong statement? Hehe!

At least I had a full college life -- and this is an excuse I would always stand for. With 'full' being defined as something that was designed to teach me some things I wouldn't have learned any other way, and made me a better person. Like I always say, better grades only make me a better student and a better son, but not necessarily a better person.

*Not to be mistakened as my Semestral GWA. Each point in the graph is an updated, overall and as-of-this-sem GWA. My semestral GWA is another story. I would need a deeper Y-axis, haha!
*GE GWA: 1.80, so kahit pala based on minors, hindi pa rin ako Cum Laude, haha!
*Eng'g GWA (subjects required for all Engineering students, regardless of specialization): 2.72
*EEE GWA (all my actual majors): 3.22. Oha, bagsak na bagsak, hehe. Andami kasing 5.0 eh. May mag-ha-hire pa kaya sa akin?

200 and counting

2007-08-28T02:08:00.000+08:00

Featured posts:
1. Top 10 stupid things that Friendster users do
2. Top 10 signs that my folks are home indeed
3. Anger Management
4. The butterflies on my coffee cup*
5. Top 10 most jologs songs that we used to like back in high school

Bloody Thursday

2007-08-26T23:59:00.001+08:00

About a week ago, I noticed a bond-paper size advertisement for a blood donation drive that will be held at UP Diliman. Of course, such blood drives are no strangers for us UP students. At least one organization will hold such in a month, in partnership with the Philippine National Red Cross. Anyway, the teaser enumerated the many benefits of donating blood: knowing your blood type, being prioritized in case you yourself would need a blood transfusion someday. But the reason that really caught my attention was this -- you would be able to produce new red blood cells. Haha!

Despite the attention the teaser solicited from me, it never really convinced me to donate blood. Not that I have a phobia of blood, needles or pain. I guess what made me hesitant was stories of donors that would feel dizzy or sick afterwards. Not that I am generalizing, for I know that dizziness is a case-to-case basis. And that's exactly why I refuse to donate blood for the first time -- because I don't know what will happen to me after. Besides, I've always thought I am not exactly a very healthy person myself. My own blood might even jeopardize a person's life, haha!

But last Thursday, I agreed to donate blood for the first time (an orgmate was a member of the organization that set up the blood drive last week). I figured, even if I get dizzy after the process, I don't have anything important to do that night anyway. Besides, the blood experts will screen my eligibility anyway, so there was no harm in trying.

I finally verified that my blood type is A. Fergie, another orgmate who donated blood for the first time as well, went first. Being the crybaby that she is, well, she cried! Haha! Even before the Red Cross person inserted the transfusion needle. While waiting for my turn, I wasn't really nervous about the idea of a needle being inserted in my inner elbow. I do know how to handle a little pain. What bugged me though is what would happen to me after I donate my blood. The fat girl that was wincing beside Fergie after her donation wasn't helping to calm my nerves, haha!

The prick from the blood test was way more painful that the one for the transfusion. The Red Cross person said it's because the needles they use for the blood tests are the cheap ones, haha! I thought I would feel my blood gushing out of vains, but I didn't. I didn't feel anything at all. Fergie and I both felt light-headed though, after they drew our blood.

All in all, the experience itself was pretty okay. My friend even said I should donate every 3 months because it turns out I am a healthy donor. Hopefully, the 450mL blood I donated will help save a life soon and will not go to waste. Dugong-bughaw yata ako.. Haha! I didn't get a single cent for my donation (kaya nga donation eh, hehe!), but the Red Cross people gave me an 'bottomless' glass of iced tea and a few biscuits. Hopefully though, this little noble act of mine will merit good karma. :)

Train of thoughts 2

2007-08-21T16:40:00.000+08:00

*I am so loving tennis! This morning, we played tennis yet again. It's my 5th time to play already and this morning we had a different trainer. Jun was our third trainer and by far the most challenging one. His forehand and backhand drills were quite fast-paced. Before, we'd have 10 shots per turn, so when it's not our turn, we have enough time to rest and recharge. But Jun implemented a 1-shot-per-turn policy, haha! So ayun, takbo kung takbo, ikot kung ikot. Add the fact that he intentionally throws the balls farther so we are indeed forced to really run for the ball while maintaining the form and executing a splendid follow-through. Of course, we're not successful all the time, haha! Just to spice things up, we (me, Michael, Bong and Kevin) introduced a bet in our tennis lessons. The one with the most ober-da-bakod shots will have to pay for the drinking water for everyone. (Ober-da-bakod, as in lumagpas sa grounds ng tennis complex grounds ang tira, haha!). As I've never had that kind of shot, I was quite confident I wouldn't lose. But it turned out, it was a quadruple tie -- all of us had ober-da-bakoded the ball twice.

*The looooong weekend we had last week is taking its toll already. There are make-up classes left and right. Oh well, as if I'm affected, haha!

*I was able to watch High School Musical 2 already. I was able to download a torrent last Friday. Well, it was a complete cheesefest, as always. Good thing I love cheese, haha! If you could just get over the fact that it's HSM, and that it's from Disney, and that it's so teenybopper, and that it's for children and teenagers, and that you're probably in your 20s already -- well, you can actually enjoy the movie for its songs. But oh well, that's just me and it isn't suprising that I am able to appreciate because I'm a pop music lover.
If you want to listen to the songs, click here.

*I also watched A Love Story last Monday. The moviehouse was so jampacked that the moviehouse crew prepared monobloc chairs for those who couldn't find any seats. The age bracket of the crowd is quite diverse, although I must point out that most of them are lolas and lolos, haha! And I watched it alone by the way. Haha! I don't mind really. Okay lang, kahit naman yung katabi kong babae, mag-isa lang. Uuuuuy... Yikes, did I just uuuuuy-ed myself? Haha!

BFF

2007-08-17T20:49:00.000+08:00

“Sinong bestfriend mo doon?”
“Syempre, ikaw lang!”

Saang commercial na nga kasi galing tong sikat na dialogue na ito? Ewan, ice cream yata yun.

Pero kung ako ang tatanungin, hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko, haha!

Sa aking St Scho days (Kinder to Grade 2), dalawang tao lang ang naalala kong naging matalik kong kaibigan. Pero sa pagkaka-alala ko, hindi kami nagtawagan ng bestfriend o kung anu pa mang kadramahan. Hindi ako naging maswerte na magkaroon ng pirming kalaro o kaibigan sa school.

Sa elementary DBA days ko naman, mayroon akong 3 maituturing na barkada at mangilan-ilan pang kaibigan. Pero wala pa rin akong best friend. Sa high school, ganoon din. May ‘main’ barkada ako, at marami pang kaibigan pero wala rin akong ‘best friend’. Apat kami sa barkada – ako, si Dennis, Tots at Gamby, pero mas close sina Tots at Gamby. Malamang silang dalawa ang mag-bestfriend, mas una silang naging close eh. So by Pauli’s Exclusion Principle, kami ni Dennis ang partners-in-crime? Haha! Hindi siguro!

Mas madami akong friends sa college kaysa high school. Naturalmente, mas madami kang makikilala sa college eh. O pwede rin na dahil nag-improve na ang ugali ko at nabawas na kahit papaano ang kasupladuhan ko, hehe! Pero syempre, may iilan din akong mga nakilala noong high school na nanatiling matalik kong kaibigan hanggang ngayon (pimping Jigs & James, hehe!).

Palibahasa, mas madalas kong maka-bonding ang mga college friends ko, kaya’t sa tingin ko mas kilala nila ako. Pati mga baho ko sa pang-araw-araw na buhay, alam nila, haha! Pero ngayon, ang mga dating kuya at ate ko, wala na. Nakapag-move on na sila sa mga kani-kanilang careers at ako lang ang natitira pa sa UP. Haha! Kaya ngayon, ako ang kuya ng lahat. Halos singkwenta rin ang mga nakababatang kapatid ko ha.

Hindi talaga ako mahilig mag-bestfriend. Para sa akin kasi, kung kaibigan ko ang isang tao, kaibigan ko siya. Wala nang discrimination kung best friend ko siya o hindi. Basta ang issue sa akin ay ang kung gaano kami ka-close o kung gaano na kalalim ang pinagsamahan at ang pagtititwala namin sa isa’t isa. Ayoko ko kasi yung ituturing kong bestfriend ang isang tao tapos syempre, mag-eexpect ako na ako din ang bestfriend niya. Eh paano kung hindi? Ala ngan namang sabihan ko pa siya ng kakornihan na, “Wuy, magmula ngayon, tayo na ang mag-bestfriend ha?” Kulang na lang eh sabihin ko na, “Oh paano, tayo na ba?” Diba? Haha!

Sa loob ng dalampu’t dalawang taon ko sa mundo, marami-rami na rin akong nakilalang tao. Yung ilan, naging kaaway ko, pero mas marami, naging kaibigan ko. Mayroon din na akala ko kaibgan ko, hindi pala. Ginamit (at ginagamit) lang pala ako.. (May ganoon? Haha!). May iilang maswerte na nakilala ko nang husto at naging importanteng bahagi ng buhay ko. Naks, anlalim.

Wala akong bestfriend, pero mayroon akong tinatawag na 'friends for different occasions'. Ewan ko lang sa inyo ha, pero ako, marami akong hilig o trip sa buhay. At hindi lahat nun related. Mayroon akong fine-dining friends (Jigs & James, kayo to, haha!), videoke friends (Garahe pips!), Starbucks friends (groupmates!), Aguman friends, muni-munihan friends, high school friends, tennis friends, volleyball friends, online friends, EEE friends at marami pang iba! Syempre, hindi naman ako close sa lahat ng mga to, pero ayokong line-labelan kung sino ang mas importante. Kanya-kanya naman silang papel sa buhay.

Isa pa, ang kaibigan para sa akin, parang kapatid lang. Palibhasa kasundong-kasundo ko ang kaisa-isang kapatid ko, kaya ganoon ang tingin ko sa mga barkada’t kaibigan ko – na ang tanging kaibahan lang ay hindi mo kasama sa bahay ang mga kaibigan mo.

Hindi naman sa pagbubuhat ng bangko (at malayang kumontra ang mga real-life friends ko na magbabasa nito, haha!), pero seryoso akong kaibigan. As much as possible, hangga’t kaya ko, nandoon ako para sa kanila. Pero hindi ako naghahanap ng direktang kabayaran o kapalit. Kuntento na ako na kapag ako naman ang nangailangan ng tulong, maasahan ko sila. Ganon naman talaga sa buhay diba? Give and take... Hindi naman pwede na take ka lang nang take. Yung tipong mabait ka lang kung may kailangan ka.

Pero ako, kahit simpleng appreciation lang, okay na. Pero importante sa akin ang utang na loob, dahil yung mga taong wala nito ang mga nakakasakitan ko ng loob. Pero sabi nga ni Ali Sotto sa interview niya sa Startalk, “If you did it out of love, you won’t regret what you did for them..” And yes, that is tantamount to saying that I do love my friends… like I’ve said, like my very own brothers and sisters. And hey, even siblings fight, right?

Pero, having said that, hindi pa rin ako mahilig sa labelling tulad ng pagtawag sa isang tao ng ‘bestfriend’. Hindi rin ako trying hard maging cool na bibigyan ko pa ng official name ang barkada ko. Ang superficial kasi ng dating eh – may pangalan nga, walang kwenta naman ang mga pinagsamahan. (Or maybe, akala lang nila, napaka-cool nilang people na kailangan pa nila ng ‘name’?) Gayunpaman, sinasabi ko sa mga friends ko na mahal ko sila, na importante sila sa akin, at proud ako sa mga pinagsamahan namin – pero tuwing birthdays lang nila noh, haha! Besides, actions speak louder than words. You don’t have to announce to the world all the time na friends kayo. You just act like real friends that you really are, without much fanfare.

Basta’t marami akong totoong kaibigan, keber kung sino ang best at kung ano ang tawag ko sa kanila, diba? Kailangan ba may best? Kailangan ba may pangalan? Eh bakit, magpapa-recognize ba kami sa Office of Student Activities? Hindi naman diba? Haha!

Train of thoughts 1

2007-08-12T22:03:00.000+08:00

Inspired by one of my favorite artiks on the Sunday paper of the Philippine Daily Inquirer called Rushes, here's a bulleted list of my current thoughts.

Much ado about..
*Angel Locsin. Come on, sigurado ako, you've all heard of Angel's switch to the Kapamilya network. Looks like someone's giving Kris a run for her crown as the most 'controversial' person. Whether being 'controversial' is a good or bad thing, well, ain't it obvious? Well, Angel, good luck na lang sa pakikipagsabayan mo sa mga Reyna at Prinsesa ng ABS-CBN. As if you'd get to read this..
*Toni Gonzaga and her bf. I only get to watch TV during the weekends and yet for that brief moment of the week, I managed to achieve my yearly dose of a celebrated celebrity relationship. Overload talaga! Just so you know, Toni Gonzaga is my kind of girl. It's sad to know na wala na akong chance sa kanya, (duh, as ip.. haha!). But it's interesting to note that Toni waited for 23 years to have a boyfriend and that Direk Paul is 'an answered prayer'. No wonder I don't have a lovelife, because I am not praying for it, haha!
*a bogus kid blogger. If you're an active hopper of the blogosphere, you've probably encountered this certain blog by a certain teenager on not-so-kiddy topics. It's not an X-rated blog, you silly green monster. It's just that how could a teenager teach EVERYONE on the blogosphere on how to make money online. Shouldn't a kid of that age be busy with PlayStation or Gameboys? Now rumor has it that the kid's dad is really the one blogging, and is just 'using' the kid as a (publicity) stunt. Hmmm.. Sabi ko na, there's something fishy about that kid. Naaalala ko pa, he even left a message on my tagboard a few months ago, nagpapaturo ng Photoshop. Na-flatter pa naman ako, akala ko nabilib siya sa amatuer header ko. It turns out, that kid tagged ALMOST everyone for help in Photoshop. When I check the 'influential' blog, I was weirded out by the topic. What could a kid possibly know about making money? Is he even old enough to own a credit card? Haha! Poor kid.. Shame on the dad! Kung totoo yung chismis, hehe..
*A Love Story. So sino ba talaga ang kabit? Si Maricel Soriano ba o si Angelica Panganiban? Up to now, no one outside the production team behind the promising movie has a concrete idea. My guess based on the trailer, Angelica is the wife. But who knows, this might have a Dreamboy kind of twist? But I love Dante Rivero's line in the movie: "Ang babae parang bulaklak. Huwag mong pipitasin kung paglalaruan mo lang.." Ahem AHEM!
*High School Musical 2. Kamusta naman ang Disney Channel? Linggo-linggo yata e nirereplay ang HSM1. But there are add-ons. First there was the 'Sing-Along' version, where the lyrics of the songs performed were flashed on the screen (as if naman hindi pa memorized ng mga fans ang mga kanta, diba?). And then there was the 'Dance-Along' version tonight. I watched it with my nephews. And yeah, Jasper and I tried to learn the steps to "We're All In This Together". But we both failed miserably to follow the instructions, haha!

*Our vice-governor, Yeng Guiao is picking a word fight with our governor, Fr. Ed Panlilio. The issue is that since the Provincial Board (headed by Yeng Guiao, because he's the Vice Governor) failed to decide upon the appointment of two provincial administrators within the 15 days alloted by the Local Government Code from the date of appointment. Thus, the two provincial administrators were already 'confirmed' due to the technicality. And now, Yeng is calling Panlilio as 'bastos' and 'arogante'. Diba sa basketball, mainit talaga ulo ni Yeng Guiao? Hear, hear, Yeng Guiao.. Hear, hear.. And this is their third row since June, si Yeng lagi ang may reklamo..
*The rains have come. So mukhang mabisa ang mga rain dances at pagdadasal sa mga misa last Sunday, haha! So guys, kalkalin na ang mga jackets at payong ninyo. You don't wanna be trapped in a major and sudden downpour these days. And speaking of jacket.. Malapit nang magka-jacket ang org ko sa UP, at ang design ko ang napili, yey! Eto oh:

Para kaming PEP Squads, no? Haha!

TriLiPer*

2007-08-10T23:17:00.000+08:00

Linggo ng Wika is coming up very soon. So I guess, I should be blogging mainly in Filipino than in English, as a sort of way to celebrate the occasion, more than the usual Filipino side comments. Starting now…

_________
Bilang isang probinsyano, tatlong lengwahe ang alam ko – Kapampangan, ang aking lingua franca; Filipino, ang national language nating mga Filipino; at English, isa pang ‘official language’ natin. Pero syempre, hindi ko naman sila ginagamit nang sabay-sabay, diba?

Kagabi, napagtanto ko kung gaano ka-weird ang pagiging ‘tri-lingual’ ko.

Syempre, sa bahay, Kapampangan ang gamit namin. Pwera na lang kapag kinakausap namin ang mga tatlong pamangkin ko – kasi Tagalog ang gamit namin sa kanila. Bakit? Ewan ko nga ba. Kasi nung baby pa lang sila, halos Tagalog kasi ang mga magiging kalaro nila sa kalsada namin, kaya para hindi na rin sila mahirapan, ayun, sinanay na sa Tagalog. Maliban na lang kapag napapagalitan na sila. Alam na alam mo eh, kasi nag-ka-Kapampangan na sina Ate Joi o Kuya Dennis kapag kinagagalitan nila ang mga tsikiting.

Pero ako, lumaki ako nang marunong mag-Kapampangan. May proof ako eh. Napakinggan ko kasi ang mga voice tapes ko sa tatay namin dati, at nag-ka-Kapampangan ako. Tsaka isa pa, may ilang taon din na sa amin nakatira ang lolo’t lola ko, kaya sanay talaga ako sa Kapampangan.

Hindi ko naman maalala kung paano ako natutong mag-Tagalog. Sabi naman nina Mama dati, kinakausap din nila ako ng Tagalog sabay ng panonood ko ng TV (Batibot and the likes), kaya hindi naman ako nahirapan mag-adjust sa mga kaklase ko nang pumapasok na ako sa school. Pero syempre, may mga iilang pagkakataon pa rin na Kapampangan word ang nagagamit ko sa mga sentences ko. ‘Slip of the tongue’ ba. Kunwari, imbes na “Mag-ingat ka, maiipit ka sa pinto!”, ang masasabi ko, “Mag-ingat ka, masisipit ka sa pasbol!”

Sa school na ako natutong mag-English nang maayos. Palibhasa stage mother ang nanay ko at honor student din siya, kaya ayun, chinecheck niya lahat ng assignments ko at ultimo grammar talaga pinakikialaman pa niya. Kaya salamat sa Diyos, lumaki naman ako ng may ‘good command of the English language’.

Eto na ang weird na part…

Sa pakikipag-usap sa ibang tao, Kapampangan at Filipino ang gamit ko. Syempre, depende sa sitwasyon, kung Kapampangan ba ang kausap ko o hindi, o kung nasa Pampanga ba ako o nasa Maynila. Madalang lang ang English. Syempre no, baka isipin nila, matapobre ako, bakit naman ako mag-i-English diba? Pwera na lang kung nag-rereport ako dahil natural, English ang gagamitin ko.

Sa pagsasalita sa entablado o hosting, mas prefer ko ang English, with a little code-switching. Syrempre, MTV generation yata ako, kaya ilang taon ko ring pinangarap ang maging VJ. Kaya dati, pa-English-English ako sa harap ng salamin, haha! Pero syempre ulit, depende sa program diba. Kung pormal ang okasyon, straight English as much as possible pero kung keri lang ang mag-Tagalog, edi yun na lang.

Sa pagsusulat naman, ah, mas gamay ko talaga ang English. Ewan ko ba kung bakit, pero mas naipapahiwatig ko ang nararamdaman ko sa English kaysa Filipino. At sa tingin ko, mas malawak ang word bank ko sa English kaysa Filipino (although pwede ring factor na sa totoo naman, mas maraming English words kaysa Filipino words). Halata naman dito sa post na ito diba? Ilang beses ko na bang ginamit ang salitang syempre – 7 na beses na. Eh kung English ang post na ito, I could’ve used, ‘of course’, ‘oh well’ o ‘well’, ‘but’, ‘naturally’, ‘certainly’, etc. Maiisip ko agad ang mga words na yun. Creativity-wise talaga, mas ‘at home’ ako sa English. Hindi kasi ako marunong ng diretsong Tagalog kung ‘conversational’ ang mood ng sinusulat ko. Laging nagmumukhang pormal masyado. Eh sa English, kaya ko maging conversational, technical o formal sa pagsusulat. Gayunpaman, sa Tagalog, kabisado ko naman ang basic grammar rules. Tulad na lang ang tamang pag-gamit ng ‘ng’ at ‘nang’. Oha! Pero mahirap mag-proofread, haha!

Narinig ko na to dati: “One thinks using his mother tongue”. So kapag nag-iisip ako, Kapampangan ba or Tagalog ang ginagamit ko? Hinde. English talaga. Sosyal, diba? Oo, seryoso! (Oh diba para ko na rin sinabi, ‘Seriously!’) Hindi ako nagmamagaling o nagpapaka-coño, pero more on English talaga.

Kapag nagdadasal ako, English din gamit ko. Syempre hindi naman purong English no. Edi sinapok ako ni Lord sa pagiging pretentious ko. Kapag hindi ko na maexpress sa English, saka na ako mag-ko-code switch to Kapampangan. Tsaka feeling ko kasi, napapractice din ako, tutal si Lord lang naman ang nakikinig, so kahit magmukha na akong engot sa kaka-Englishing, hindi naman ako mapapahiya sa Kanya.

So ang ibig sabihin ba noon, bilang Pilipino, hindi ko mahal ang sariling wika natin? Hindi naman siguro diba? Hehe! Eh sa mas sanay ako sa English eh. Eh bakit, kapag ba nag-iisip ako habang nag-eexam sa thermodynamics, electromagnetics o digital design, Tagalog ba ang gagamitin ng utak ko? Hinde diba? Haha!

So bilang recap lang: In speaking to other people, I converse in Kapampangan or Filipino. Pero sa pagsusulat at pag-iisip, English. Abnormal ba iyon? Kayo ba, anong gamit niyo?

*TriLiPer: Trilingual person, you know, just like TriNoMa.. Yeah, yeah, corny, hahaha!

Thy KINGDOM come!

2007-08-04T01:34:00.000+08:00

If you care to read the 'About Me' in my left sidebar, you would know that I blog from an HP laptop. And the picture to the left displays my 'workstation' in my room. If you would notice, the table is for kids, haha! This used to be the table that my nephews would use to do their Kumon assignments. But since switching to PLDT myDSL, I had to move my 'workstation' and had to snatch their table. As you can see again, I even use their mini-chairs! Haha! (Segue: dati nga, sa taba ko, saktong-sakto lang ang puwet ko sa chairs, tapos kapag tatayo ako, sumasama pataas yung chairs). 'Kingdom' is the name I gave my reliable laptop of almost 2 years. Actually, I used to call it 'Ethan', a name I've been fond of since I was a child. But I renamed it a few months ago when I had to reformat. Why? Rex means 'king'. And since my laptop is practically a piece of me, so there, 'kingdom' -- a place a where a king lives and rules. It is pretty much a witness to how OC I am -- something I never really accepted until recently.

Let's start with the log-on screen, which I personalized and change every 2-3 months. I only have 2 user accounts. The first one's my own, expectedly called 'kingofchocolates' and a guest account for other people who would borrow my laptop (usually, housemates, orgmates, etc). Although lately, no one borrows mine anymore. For some reason, my other housemates would rather borrow Mike's laptop (another housemate). Maybe, because I use mine all the time anyway? Haha! A laptop is quite an expensive necessity, so I'm a little finicky with whom I lend my laptop to. It's an iron-clad rule for me not to lend it over night. And rarely do I let them borrow it for hours (like if they have to use it in their respective classes or bring it to some other place).

By the time one logs in and sees my wallpaper, one would already surely know that I am a geography enthusiast. I don't display my own pictures, for I am rarely a sight to behold, haha! I use beautiful sceneries or landscapes which I download from Wiki and other sites. So that I get to view something refreshing as I work or play with my laptop. That's why I want a clean desktop -- no shortcuts or files or whatsoever except for the Recycle Bin -- so that I can view the wallpaper in full glory. You'd notice Kingdom sports a black skin. Nag-papanggap na Vista, haha! I was wary of desktop skins because I know it eats up a considerable amount of precious memory. But a few weeks ago, I got envious with a someone who had a new laptop with a licensed Vista. Not that I'm a big fan of Windows (I'm quite neutral with the war between Windows and open source), *switching to coño mode* but I felt like my licensed XP was nalaos, because everyone else was drooling at the Vista laptop. Feeler siya, it's not even HP. Haha! So as not to be outdone, and sort of 'visually' forget that I still use XP, I used a skin. (Pretty childish, no? Haha!)

Another testimony to my fondness of geography are the names of my hard disk partitions: Philippines (C), Norway (E), Ireland (F) and Australia (G) -- countries I would like to visit someday! Except Philippines, of course, duh. I use it for patriotic reasons. Wushu. And just to be consistent, my flash drive is named Bahrain, and the memory card of my phone is named Netherlands (I used an N-country, N90 kasi eh, haha! Corny!). Weirdly funny, eh? Well, there's more. I named the hard disk partitions of the one I used to have on my old PC (which is now mounted on my sister's PC) Canada and Singapore.

Norway is for ALL of my mp3 files. As of this writing, there are 4325 of them, haha! They are all named in this format: Artist - Title (emphasis on the white space before and after the dash). The ID3v3 and ID3v1 tags of the mp3s must be consistent with the filename as well. I have 5 subfolders: one for Christmas songs, one for American Idol live perfomances, one for OPM or local songs, one for Westlife songs and one for all my playlist files. My live performances from Pinoy Dream Academy are under the OPM folder.

Ireland is for My Documents. I redirect all my files to this partition as a precaution. So that if and when I suddenly had to reformat and I haven't backed my files up, I wouldn't have to worry, they will be safe and intact on their partition (same with my mp3 files). Australia is for my other files: Installers, Games, movie files, TV series videos and my Limewire download folder. Before I transfer all my new mp3s to Norway, I edit them out first and convert their bitrates in this partition.

Similarly, the files on My Documents are quite organized into their respective folders: Aguman, EEE, UP Diliman, Blog, Textfiles, Webpages, Lyrics, Harry Potter, My Pictures (the pictures of which are also organized into their respective subfolders), SimCity 4, etc! I hate clutter in my folders.

So there.. ganito lang naman ako ka-OC! Bwahaha! Nako, wait till I tell you how I 'organize' my phone -- the messages, the contacts, the text groups, the mp3s.

But the greatest irony behind my OC-ness with my laptop and phone is that it doesn't apply to the way I keep my personal things in my room and my bed -- my real life 'kingdom'. Let the pictures of the current state of my room speak for themselves.

Thank God my mom doesn't read my blog, or else sesermonan ako nun kahit nasa Bahrain siya! Haha!

Nice shot!* Yeah!

2007-07-29T00:23:00.001+08:00

Back in the days when the tennis world's great names were Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, I was an avid follower of the racket sport. I think it's roughly the same time when we started to have cable television at home and my dad would lord over the remote control and watch ESPN. Having no choice, I would earnestly watch with him with a little hope that the match would soon finish of my dad would simply fall asleep already, haha!

I learned to enjoy and love the sport, even though I actually never played it -- considering that tennis is not the kind of sport you can play in the streets or in your garage and that its gear is quite expensive. Although back in 1997, I was able to improvise with the situation.

You see, back then, the lahar craze (or rather, the fear of it, hehe!) all over Pampanga has not subsided. Each typhoon would bring about vigilance for lahar alerts. As we can't simply leave our house, my mom had our things (appliances, furniture, etc) evacuated to our relatives in Porac. San Fernando is relatively safe from lahar rampage but if and when we are not spared, we wouldn't have to worry about our important belongings. So for almost a year then, we didn't have a refrigerator and we slept on mattresses. Our living room was wide open sans for a bench and an old and small television cabinet so I played tennis against the wall of our sala with a tennis ball that I procured somewhere and an old tennis racket (it was so old that its shape was the old-fashion one, very similar to the shape of a badminton racket). Of course, I was only in grade school back then so my wild and creative imagination and my measly equipment was suffice to satisfy my tennis itch.

My interest in tennis eventually waned as I grew older and got busier with high school and explored other more feasible hobbies and interests. Eventhough my dad managed to buy two Prince tennis rackets back then, due to the lack of posh tennis courts in our middle-class subdivision, they remained unused all these years. Until last Wednesday!

A few weeks back, my housemate Mike blurted out of nowhere, "Kuya Rex, mag-tennis tayo.." I replied in surprise, "Err, sige.. may tennis rackets ako.." I never thought he was serious but our tennis plans pushed through last Wednesday and my Prince rackets finally saw daylight and debuted on an actual tennis court.

We played at the UP Tennis Club courts besides the Engineering building. Funny how it took me seven years to try playing there, for I pass by it at least twice a week all my college life. I used to think it was an exclusive court and that it's not open to the students or to the public. But thanks to a blockmate, I was able to inquire some playing details.

I was with 3 other orgmates and we are all first timers. At first we tried playing by ourselves, thinking it's as simple as badminton. But no! Our 'game' was so messed up, that instead of playing tennis, it seemed like we were playing fetch, haha! We would hit the ball at a seemingly random direction with random amounts of force. So our balls were all over the place but our playing court. We were so bad that a club trainer took pity on us and volunteered to offer his services (with pay, of course) for some much-needed tennis lessons, haha!

So how did I do? Well, I don't mean to brag but if it were a PE subject, I would get roughly 1.25.. Oha! Haha! Yabang! Apparently, I'm a natural. Haha! Kidding aside, in fairness to me, the trainer kept using me as an example to my playmates on how to one's forehand shots correctly and efficiently. But of course, I have my fair share of bloopers. The four of us had so much fun that we were able to convince other orgmates to play with us this next Wednesday. From an original group of 4, we are now at least 12, haha!

The trainer had to leave after about an hour or so of lessons. We thought we knew enough to finally play a decent game of doubles. But we were so wrong! Our game messed up bigtime yet again, though there is a marked improvement. We were able to return the ball for at least two times, before it 'dies', hehe! So we had to call it a day.

I hope that on our next lesson, we will already learn how to serve. I'm quite excited for I've been wondering all these years if shouting makes a significant difference whenever I watch pro players serve the ball, haha! ^_^

*This is what the trainer kept telling us, every now and then. Isn't he so encouraging? Even if some of our shots went over the tennis club fences, into the trees as you can see from the pics above, haha!

Sa wakas! Senior ka na!

2007-07-23T23:13:00.000+08:00

It's UPCAT Season once again! And I've been getting a lot of hits for "UPCAT Tips". So I'm posting another piece I wrote for my org's survival kits for high school students in its CEER.

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Sa wakas! Senior year na! Surely, you were so looking forward to this school year. Bakit naman hindi diba? Kahit sumingit ka sa pila sa canteen, walang mag-rereklamo. At kahit pinakahuli kang dumating sa service, sa may pinto ka pa rin makakaupo. Kung ikaw pa ang pinakasiga, sa may harapan ka pa laging nakapuwesto. You get the prime roles during co-curricular activities. Mas malamang kesa hindi, ikaw pa ang Champion sa Intrams. At sa gabi ng prom, ikaw ang pinaka-maganda / gwapo. In short, ikaw ang bida at boss ng campus.

But, like Uncle Ben said, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’. With more and better perks, comes more and harder requirements and duties. Not to mention greater expectations. Andyan ang mas pinahirap na algebra at trigo; makikilala mo na si Engels, Smith at Marx; magiging idol mo si Newton; not to mention ang iyong sort-of thesis, atbp. Kamusta ka naman diba? Idagdag mo pa ang mga iba’t ibang entrance examinations at career orientation. You are practically driving into a rotunda of your life. Whichever avenue you turn to (ie, the course and school you’ll choose) will practically define the rest of your life. Kaya naman, there should be no room for mistakes. No pressure, right?

Your last year in high school is definitely a turning point in your life. It should be the best year of your high school life. Nasa iyo na yan if you’ll make the most and best out of it. If there’s a year where you can be yourself with the least inhibitions, it should be your senior year. Without breaking the school rules naman ha. Don’t make too many enemies din. If you want to change for the better, start now. Keep in mind that your reputation until you graduate to your peers will stick until you start your own families. Unless, of course, if you’re the type who’d still see each other in college and thereafter. Come to think of it, when batchmates whom you never talked to come across your yearbook and see your page, they’ll will think: ‘ah eto yung school snub nung high school!’ I'm sure you’d prefer ‘eto yung laging naka-smile at very friendly’ diba?

Siguro di ka na rin makahintay to get out of high school. You can't wait to get out of the clutches of your principal’s rules. You can't wait for college where you’ll have more freedom. Pero, the thought of you and your barkada going to different schools probably makes you anxious. You’ve been with them all these years of growing up from being kids to being adolescents tapos ngayon ay magkakahiwalay na kayo. Oh well, talagang ganyan. Kahit naman sino na-feel ang nafi-feel mo ngayon.

At the end of the day, eto lang ang ma-aadvise namin sa iyo: enjoy your senior year or should I say the rest of your high school life. What they say is true: that you won't feel the importance of something until you lose it. Feeling mo, ang 8 months to your March graduation is too long for a wait. Subalit ngunit datapwat, pustahan tayo, come January, kung hindi lang importante ang magkaroon ng high school diploma, you wouldn’t want to get out of high school. By this time, you feel like you're having the time of your life. Feel na feel mo na ang pagiging Senior. More so, while you still can get a perfect score sa quizzes kahit nung lunch break ka lang nagbasa ng El Fili, seize the chance! Dahil malay mo, pagdating ng college, kahit mag-sunog ka pa ng kilay, babagsak ka pa rin. While you still always have the weekends for gimiks, treasure all those free time. When you’re in college, free time to just rest is already in itself a valuable treasure. Siguro ngayon, halos i-fast forward mo ang oras para makatuntong ka na sa college. Easy ka lang. Dahil believe me, kapag nasa college ka na, the freedom you were yearning for will make you wish that you were back in high school, where you have nice teachers to tell you what to do.

Di mo ba napansin na your teachers are always telling you to learn to be more independent as preparation for college? Kesyo you’ll experience the ‘real world’ daw when you’re in college. It’s absolutely true, except for the fact that the ‘real world’ is always the next level. Sa college naman, the ‘real world’ is the professional world, where you’ll have to earn a living for yourself. In short, kanya-kanyang oras lang iyan. Lahat ng ito ay kailangan pagdaanan, dahil lahat ng experiences natin sa bawat stage ay magagamit natin sa susunod na level. Magsaya ka habang nasa high school ka. Pero syempre, don’t neglect your studies dahil may effect ang grades sa magiging course at university mo. Don’t worry, pasasaan at ga-graduate at magiging college student ka rin.

What makes mature people?

2007-07-18T01:57:00.000+08:00

Is it their age?

Nah, I don’t think so – at least not entirely. I’m sure you have at least one friend or you know someone who thinks beyond their years. And I am not talking about accelerated geniuses like Mikaela Fudolig. (In case you haven’t heard her, she graduated summa cum laude with an average of 1.099 at age 16 last March at UP Diliman and is currently a Physics instructor at UP Diliman as well – yes, teaching students who are at least one year older than she, hehe!). Being a ‘smart aleck’ either is different from being ‘matured’. As for me, well, I’m 22. Relative to the average college student, I guess it’s safe to say I’m matured. I mean, come on! Can’t seven years of college instill some maturity in you? Hehe!

Is it their degree of independence?

In a way, I guess. But I think the more appropriate term for this is that pwede ka nang mag-asawa. I can’t cook a proper meal. Yes, I can fry hotdogs, eggs (whether it be a sunny-side-up or an omelet), bacon. I can whip up a special ‘fried rice’, a creamy dish of garlic potatoes. And I can cook rice the old fashion way – without the help of a rice cooker. But when it comes to ‘real’ food like sinigang, adobo, nilaga, etc. Ha! My family would die of kidney failure or UTI, if not starvation. As for ‘maintaining a house’, I guess I’m pretty okay. Living in an apartment in college has been a good training ground for me.

Is it with the amount of responsibility?

Well, definitely not only with the amount of responsibility but with how well they are carried out. Having responsibility and being responsible are two different scenarios. But I suppose one won’t get more responsibility if one is less accountable and dependable.

Is it with their experience?

I think more than anything, experience is certainly a gauge of maturity. The more you experience, the more things you learn, right? And the more things you learn, the better you are with ‘life’, right? But I’ve read somewhere that mature people don’t go pronouncing that they are matured. I guess humility also comes with the matured territory.

Am I matured then? I modestly admit I’m not. (My answer was not influenced by the last two sentences in the previous paragraph, hehe! Yes, all matured people are humble about their maturity but not all who are humble with their maturity are actually matured. Who knows, they really are not matured, hehe!) I have so much in life that I have yet to learn. Life is a continuous and constant learning process.

I’ve heard in Desperate Housewives that inside each of us is an everyday battle between good and evil. Quite, true right? But I feel it’s more like a raging battle between the child and the emerging adult in us. Maturity is a great deal of effort! There are times when I want to do something impulsive and more often than not, it’s something stupid or childish. But when I rethink my actions, I realize that such actions are not at all for the matured. You remember how when you were a kid, you are always told that you cannot always have what you want? That still very much applies until you get older! Maybe not in terms of buying which toys or eating out. But when it comes to your everyday actions or decisions, there is a constant dilemma of choosing between what you want and what is proper. It becomes more complicated – there are times when personal satisfaction is justified and when sacrifice and consideration for others is warranted. Knowing when is when, I think, is the challenge. I suppose when you always give in to your inner child, that’s when they say tumatanda ka nang paurong.

Erap: Guilty or not guilty?

2007-07-15T21:37:00.000+08:00

The answer to this question does not in any way provide a conclusion to this political issue involving former President Joseph Estrada and his plunder trial which aptly deserves its label as the “trial of the century”. Either verdict by the Sandiganbayan will not in anyway prove anything that will help our country move forward. The pro-Estrada camp will surely not take a conviction lying down. The same is true for the ‘other side’ in case of an acquittal.
When EDSA II happened back in 2001, I was too young to take an active part in it, much less fully comprehend what is going on back then. All my young mind could fathom then is that Estrada is the ‘bad guy’. Anyone present with the rest of the crowd gathered in EDSA clamoring for his removal from office is obviously one of the ‘good guys’. It is supposedly as black and white as that. Unfortunately, in reality, there is too much gray area in the myriad of issues, whether political or economical.
If acquitted, it will send a wrong message to our people and the rest of the world that crooks in this country can get away with messing with the government coffers. It would mean that Estrada was not a crook, therefore nullifying the very purpose of why EDSA II happened in the first place. Estrada’s ouster will be justified no more. Should we let Estrada continue his unfinished term as President then? It would come to show that the maturity that our judicial system showed when Estrada was arrested in 2001 was merely pre-mature, and a sham one at that.
If convicted, the member of the civil society that formed the very core that led to the success of EDSA II may feel vindicated and that justice is finally served for the Filipino people. But do we actually expect the Estrada family and their supporters to peacefully accept the decision and move on with their lives? Considering their defensive reaction to the controversial “Erap: guilty or not guilty – Kailangan bang may gulo?” print ads, I wouldn’t be surprised if another ‘EDSA’ is launched by the opposition – the very last thing we need right now. For sure, there will be negative repercussions to the economy, national security and the political arena.
I am no lawyer so I don’t claim to be an expert on the technical legalese and neither am I familiar with the specifics and detailed events in the 6-year plunder trial of Estrada. But I think I know enough to believe that we have suffered enough from too much polarity in Philippine politics.
Take the recent elections for that matter. It has been dubbed as Round 3 for the Estrada VS Arroyo fight. If you’re not on GMA’s side, you might as well be on Erap’s then. They insist that a vote for the Team Unity candidates is a vote for GMA (and the legitimacy of her presidency) whilst a vote for the Genuine Opposition is similarly a vote for Erap. But hey, can't a voter like me choose to vote for certain candidates for being who they are – what they personally stand for, their proven track record and their platforms – and not for whom they are affiliated with? Of course, I cannot deny that their party affiliation affected my choices. I, for one, personally believe that GMA cheated her way into the presidency three years ago, so any candidate who insists that she never cheated definitely suffered major minus pogi points for me. Heck, I refused to vote for her in 2004 just because she has better chances of beating FPJ and stuck it out with Roco because I believed back then that he’ll make a better President. So definitely, I hate the way being anti-GMA is equated with being pro-Erap. For being pro-Erap is definitely the last thing that I would ever be.
And how about the justices who are in charge of Estrada’s plunder trial, in whose hands the verdict lies and in effect the immediate future of our country as well? I personally don’t know much about them. But it’s really pathetic how this early, their decision is already doubted even if it has not been released yet just because one (or most) of them is banking on a huge promotion in the judiciary branch of our government. This early, regardless of the impartiality they may or may not show with their pending decision, their judgment is already tainted with black propaganda. Sour graping much in advance for the Estrada camp? So if they decide for a conviction, they did so because they wanted to please GMA (and get the promotion), but if they decide for acquittal, it means they were fair?
Personally, I think Erap is guilty. It’s not rocket science – how can he be innocent and genuinely pro-poor given the expensive mansions, endless stories of womanizing, drinking and gambling? And these days, his close allies are insisting that Erap is a changed man – spiritually most especially. Really now? If Erap was innocent and a good person from the beginning, what is there to change then? Couldn’t it be that guilt has finally sunk in? It really amazes me as to how the Estradas have convinced themselves that their family dynasty’s brand of leadership is the answer to this country’s problems. And they actually have the nerve to call foul over the Mahal Kita Pilipinas newspaper ads? Bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan pikon.
If Erap gets convicted, for sure, GMA will milk the situation to gain popularity and redeem her reputation, like it’s even still possible. To GMA, this I have to say – you’re just on the same league as Estrada. The only difference being you make it seem that despite the extra-judicial killings, issues on cheating and jueteng payoffs, you are able to show how hard-working you are. Whether your efficient or not is another story. Like what Conrado de Quiros has said in his Inquirer column -- Free Erap? Just jail Gloria.
It takes an authentic servant leader to uplift the lives of the Filipino people. Unfortunately, the one we’re stuck with for the next three years is not exactly the best example. So is the one who’s on trial and claims to be so as well. Looks like we’re stuck with two evils for options. The only consolation is at least one is in jail already.

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I was supposed to join an essay-writing competition at school with the title here as the very same topic. But I wasn't able to finish organizing my thoughts on the matter, so I didn't push through with passing an entry. It turned out, on-the-spot contest pala siya, hehe. I finished it anyway, without the pressure of a competition, ehe. Hindi ako nag-mamarunong sa pulitika natin. But I am definitely not an ignoramus.

Top 10 most jologs songs that we used to like back in high school

2007-07-09T03:53:00.000+08:00

For the first half of this 'hitlist', kindly click here first. Then go back here. Hehe!

5. MANDY MOORE - Candy
Rex: I actually like Mandy Moore the most compared to her teenage bubblegum pop colleagues like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera & Jessica Simpson. I do watch her silly and corny movies up to these days! Haha! She was like 14 when she released this song. What’s with the trying-hard-to-be-sexy pouting?! Haha!
Jigs: Mandy Moore here is like the Paris Hilton of the 90's.
Rex: At least she doesn’t have any sex video with Wilder Valderama or Andy Roddick, haha!
Jigs: Just look at those lips, and her non-existent breast! Plus, seeing her dance was weird. Over acting much?!
Rex: Haha! I second the opinion! She looks like a stick man! Trying to project her flat chest (which isn't so flat these days, at least). Do you know that she abhors her first 2 albums? She said she'd refund anyone who'd come up to her and tell her they bought her CDs.
Jigs: I would believe that actually. Ipa-refund mo na ang albums mo! Hahaha!
Rex: Oo nga eh. Sana lang makabangga ko siya one of these days. Anyway, she's releasing a new one soon. This is her last chance to redeem herself as a musical artist. Sayang, I love her pipes pa naman.
Jigs: Back to her song, the chorus has a gawky line, "Swear it to me, like sugar to my heart". Can sugar swear to your heart?!
Rex: Haha! Tell me about it. Tapos the car was painted apple green pa talaga. Candy-ng candy! I guess it just goes to show how a wholesome girl who defied the dumb blond stereotype can still be considered jologs, just because she was too young to stand up to the bubblegum pop machine operators!

4. THE MOFFATS - Miss You Like Crazy
Jigs: Ugh, this was one of the most painful to watch. There's nothing worse than puppy love that went wrong. Ang drama ng kantang ito!!!
Rex: Oo nga, ewan ko ba sa iyo bat nagustuhan mo to! I'm thinking the current TV disaster that is Abt Ur Luv (And Ur Lyf 2! Bwiset!) was based from this video, haha!
Jigs: Don't judge me Mr. boyband fanatic! Another thing about this song, as if a teenager will write in a letter the line "can't you see how I feel, can't you see that my pain's so real" (shivers).
Rex: And don't get me started with the stupid highlights!
Jigs: Well, those highlights actually became famous because of them. The video's actually about how sad they are despite all the fame they're getting. You can't honestly tell me that a bunch of teenagers will be, "so down when your love's not around" even if their wildest dreams are coming true. I just don't buy it!
Rex: Weeeh? Pero you bought the album?
Jigs: Sadly, yes...
Rex: Hahaha! Yahaaak!
Jigs: Shut it
Rex: I never actually liked The Moffats, out of all the boy bands. At least their playing of the instruments is a minus in their jologsness? Haha!

3. WESTLIFE - Bop Bop Baby
Rex: Oooh, my favorite pop act of all time.. I'm hurt that they're #3..
Jigs: Ugh, they deserve this position, this boyband is the worst of all.
Rex: Dahil dapat #1 sila! Haha!
Jigs: They can't dance, they wear similar outfits and they're gay! Most of them anyway.
Rex: Hoy ansama mo! Only 1 of them is gay! And they can dance, I watched their concerts twice... haha! Halata bang addict?!
Jigs: What you witnessed was barely a concert. I bet they lip synched. That's one problem I have when watching a Westlife video, it’s so obvious na naglilip-synch sila, especially the lead singer.
Rex: Heh! Tumigil ka! Anyway, speaking of video. What's with the video of this song!?! "When I call you at home and he answers the phone or I get your machine" sings the lead Musketeer, but the setting of the damn video is the Medieval Ages! Stupid title! Stupid video! Pero in fairness, catchy beat. But what the hell does 'bop bop' mean? To think this one was written by the boys themselves... haha!
Jigs: Yeah, the video was sooo wrong and didn’t make any sense at all. Masyado kasing ambitious ang video. I also think that the bop bop part was filler lyrics for the song. Wala na silang maisip na lyrics... How sad.
Rex: And knowing now that one of them is gay, re-watching this makes it more hilarious as the gay one pretends to be knight in shining armor, haha!
Jigs: 5 guys for 1 girl is just a weird ending. I wonder who gets the girl and who gets the rest of the guys. Hahaha!
Rex: Oh I know.. The gay one gets the rest of the guys, haha!
Jigs: Jeez, we can keep at this till next year, let's just agree that Westlife is jologs and that is that. Hahaha!
Rex: (sings) "Ooh da bop bop jologs, please! Don't let me go…"

2. A1 - Like A Rose
Rex: I really used to like this love song way back in high school. But these days talaga, di ko na masikmura, haha! This boyband video is just so wrong on many levels! The video is so girly for a boyband. It's full of roses… and it's shining shimmering splendid!
Jigs: This has got to be one of the cheesiest videos I have ever seen. The overlapping images and projecting videos on to their bodies is just plain stupid! The lead singer looks sooo gay. And as for the way he sings and acts, he might as well be wearing a Miss Universe gown!
Rex: Grrabe ka naman! Haha! Malamya kasi ang pagkagwapo ng lead vocalist...
Jigs: Tapos parang Christian song pa siya if you listen to it carefully. And this song would seem better if a girl sung it. Well, apparently a girly girl is already singing it!
Rex: Well, a boy singing a girly song in a girly video with a girly title is absolutely jologs!

1. BACKSTREET BOYS - Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)
Rex: Taddaaaa! I must say, this is Jigs' pick... so he's more jologs than me, haha!
Jigs: Syempre the mackdaddy of all boy bands HAS to be the most jologs ever! And I can't believe I really enjoyed listening to this song!
Rex: Yeah, me too!
Jigs: Now, this video basically sums up what boy bands do. Look cute, sing together anywhere (on the street, on the beach while walking, in a forest, etc.), exaggerated hand movements, at least two members who rarely sing, close ups with the other members at the background, and sing reeeeeaaaallly cheesy love songs with rhymes at every line – in the rain no less!
Rex: With matching glorified synthesized drum beats pa. Para akong nanonood ng macho dancer movie!
Jigs: Hahaha! That's what they basically are without the fame.
Rex: I think it's interesting that only Nick Carter doesn't go completely topless here.. Dito yata nagsimula yung chismis na bading daw siya, haha! Pretty much like the rumor that the Spice Girls were transsexuals.
Jigs: I also don't like how boy bands sing about unconditional or martyr love. They're the alter egos of today's Emo.
Rex: Yeah.. Kasalanan nilang lahat ito.. the undying profession of love or eternal broken-heartedness.. Eh paano sila hindi paglalaruan ng babae, eh mukha lang sila boy toys, haha! And how's the 'maglupasay sa ulan' dance routine? Kailangan talaga umulan habang naka-pajama sila? Way way worst than their chair routine in As Long As You Love Me, hehe!
Jigs: Hahaha! I would like to think we all learn from our "jologity" but it seems, boy bands, especially the Backstreet Boys wish to proliferate their jologsness.

Ladies and Gentlemen, you just suffered through ten of the cheesiest, nastiest and catchiest songs we ever had the displeasure of liking during our high school days. Thank you for bearing with us despite our irritating rants and criticisms. Nostalgia got the best of us, and that is never a good thing. On the other hand, this collaboration was truly a pleasure. Tell us what you think is the “jologiest” song you’ve ever liked and why. Who knows, you could be just as jologs as we are. 'Til our next joint post!

Just harshly typing poetic chaos out loud (ano daw?!),
Rex & Jigs

*To download the songs (nako para namang napaka-cool nila diba? Haha!) click here.

Wikwakwokwok!

2007-07-01T23:14:00.000+08:00

That is the sound of a transforming Transformer (ano daw?!). And it's now my message tone! Hehe!

Obviously, I join the scores of people who immensely enjoyed Transformers. I was supposed to watch it this week with orgmates. But I was considerably idle last Saturday so I was itching so much to finally watch it. The ultra rave reviews I read on the forums further weakened my EQ, haha!

It was around 4pm, so understandably, it was SRO at the cinema where I watched the movie. I was standing at the back for about 90% of the movie. But I didn't mind, for the movie I was watching was definitely breath-taking.

You see, I am not really a hardcore cartoon or comic fan of the Transformers. But deep in the dungeons of my childhood memories, I know that I used to watch the cartoons. But I have already forgotten the plot and even the characters. Only the names Optimus Prime and Megatron got stuck in my stock knowledge storage. So the past few days, I've been catching up on the Transformers history. So that when I'd watch the movie, I wouldn't be completely clueless.

When it comes to superhero movies, I prefer ensemble casts (X-Men, Fantastic Four, etc) than singular heroes or heroins (Spider-man, Superman, etc). I like the way different characters offer something different that contribute to the kick-ass-ness of their adventure. That's probably why I like Transformers way better than Spider-man 3 and Shrek The 3rd combined.

The effects are truly impressive -- the robots, their transition to battle mode, the explosions, the fight scenes. It is safe to say that the true stars of the movies are the robots themselves (dapat lang diba? Hehe!). But the human cast were a great support. Plus, I like the way they inserted humor on various parts of the movie. There was this one particular scene in the movie that was so hilarious. I won't say which one, but if you watch it yourself, you'll know it's the scene I am talking about, haha! Ansarap niyang gawing wallpaper! Just watching it brings forth adrenaline rush. The only minor thing I didn't like is that some parts are too fast-paced, my eyes and brain could barely catch up with what's happening

I don't discuss any story detail from the movie that I liked, lest I spoil you my dear reader, in case you haven't watched it yet. Plus, you're probably sick and tired of blog posts like this raving about the Transformers, hehe.

Basta, watch it! It is definitely worth the expensive movie ticket these days. Pirated copies won't give it justice at all. In fact, it's so good, I'd watch it again on the big screen. And after you watch it, you'd wish your car would transform itself, too, haha!

PS. And I love the way the romantic angle between the human leads was ONLY given THAT MUCH emphasis. This is not A Walk To Remember, anyway, haha!

PSS. Megan Fox is soooo hoooot! In a butt-spanking kind of way! Haha! Shia, on the other hand, aptly portrays the regular guy who gets the hot girl.

Purrrr or Raff?

2007-06-27T23:37:00.000+08:00

I am a first and foremost, a dog person. Ever since I was little, I have developed a certain sympathy for dogs. I would really cry whenever one of our dogs had to be killed. Quite ironic, if you consider that I felt grief but never cried when my gradpa (mother's side) and grandpa (father's side) died. And I would be all excited to go home from school whenever there's a new puppy around. I would be really upset (up to now that I am old) if I'd see a poorly taken cared of dogs on the streets. And I would really drool over cute puppies, even if they are just askals and are barking madly at me.

But lately, my affections (and all my nephews' as well) has been caught by this cute kitten. Apparently, Jasper (my nephw aged 8) saw her at the waiting shed at his school and decided to bring her home simply because syempre, nakakaawa siya, walang nag-aalaga sa kanya. Awww, is my nephew a social worker or PETA President in the making? Haha! Jasper baptized his cat "Chuckles". To be honest, I don't know where he got that posh name, haha! Well, they drink Chuckie at school, I am not sure if there's a connection.

And now, after 2 weeks of feeding and nurturing the kitten to a decent state of health, here she is! (Don't look at the bulge that my abs have made, haha!)

Chuckles is quite adorable and mabisyo. Imagine, she sleeps on pillows or our beds. She has her own cat food. So yes, she looks forward to a good domestic life, thanks to the innocent mercy of my nephew, hehe. She is so playful! She 'attacks' anything that moves or lies around -- the doormats, slippers, our feet as we walk around, paper lying around and being blown off by the electric fan, etc. Her tail is equally amusing. It sways like ballet dancer all the time. If you hold it down in the middle, the rest of the tail still sways. I think it has a life of its own! And I don't she already has a self-concept, because she would attack her own tail and her own image in a mirror.

During her first few days, she would shit at the back of our living room television. But eventually, she learned to shit in the backyard instead. And just like any other pusakal, she would dig a small hole first, shit into it, and covers it with soil she unearthed herself.

Before Chuckles, we have 2 dogs, the father & daughter tandem of Bruno & Ashley (off-white Labradors). I never developed a strong bond with Bruno because when we acquired him, he was already a grown-up and horny (his sperm is used quite often, hehe!). Well, he is nice. But his saliva stinks too much! Haha! Same goes with Ashley. And their shit is so smelly! I gag whenever I get near them to serve their food. While Bruno is sweetly affectionate, Ashley is unruly! She never cuddles, she just likes to jump all over me -- she and her big dirty shit-ladden paws, haha! Another irony, compared to the local askals, these two act like they don't have breeding. =p

I prefer the askals we acquired from barrio relatives that we had when I was younger, because they seem neater, more well behaved and more intelligent than Bruno and Ashley. They won't shit on their places whenever their tied on their leash. They would wait for us to free them before they would scamper to the backyard to relieve themselves.

So now, my dilemma is, I am starting to doubt the dog person in me. Oha, anlaki ng problema ko, haha!

Between Bruno-Ashley and Chuckles, I'd definitely choose Chuckles. But I kinda miss the licking and the cuddling with dogs. Plus, Chuckles won't respond to any of our calls. How are you supposed to call cats anyway? Do you say, coooo... coooo.. or tshk, tshk tshk? Or you hiss like swisiwswisiw? Haha!

Anyway, I still think I'm a dog person deep inside. I mean Chuckles is only the 2nd cat I have grown to love (the first one was an old cat of my uncle's, because he's a cat person. I would play with his cat whenever we'd visit), compared to Blackie, Brownie, Spot, Choco, Chop Chop, Clinton, Hammie, (another) Brownie, etc. Besides, I don't feel guey inside when I see stray cats on the alleys, haha!

For now, I think it's safe to say that I am an all-creatures-that-are-cute person. You see, there was a time when I wanted baby polar bears for a pet, haha!

Click here for a video of Chuckles, battling it out with a toy stuffed dog, haha! Man, she's fierce!

The butterflies on my coffee cup*

2007-06-26T03:21:00.001+08:00

Of all the Starbucks shops I've been to, the one is SM Pampanga definitely has the worst crowd! Aaargh!

You see, I am an avid customer of Starbucks. Proof? Well, I gobbled down 21 frappes for two straight Christmases just to get their posh planners. And yes, I do fancy signature brews of coffee. But I am not the rich kid type who visits so often that he already has his own mug at his favorite shop and is on a first-name basis with the baristas and the guard. Let's just say that Starbucks for me and my friends is pretty much like a movie. You know, it costs so much, even if you can actually consume one at home at a cheaper price (pirated DVDs = instant coffee on sachets). But you do it anyway, because it's a chance to hang out with friends and besides, the high price is sort of worth it. Nothing beats the big screen and Dolby Surround speakers especially on effects-ladden movies, right?

Starbucks Katips is unofficially my favorite shop -- mostly because of geographical reasons. It's the one nearest to UP. I even review for exams there, when I have extra money to spare. It's a room full of chatting people but the ambiance is conducive enough for Ateneo and rich UP students. It figures, the branch is near two of the leading universities in the country.

In terms of visits, Starbucks SM Pampanga would come in second. But gawd, I hate the ambiance there. That's why I usually take out my frappe and go home. (Malapit na rin naman kasi yung jeepney terminal). Why? Well, it's really not Starbucks' fault, it's the crowd's. Especially on Saturdays, it's teeming of preppy teenage kids. They actually dress the part. The girls wear Havs for flip flops (which are probably fake). The boys wear shirts under their polos and even raise the collar. It's very trendy actually. (Think Avril Lavigne). One would think these kids are from the metro. But alas, if only their non-flawless and ordinary faces didn't betray them. And to top it all off -- they lie around the couches for hours, without even ordering a single shot of espresso. And that is what pisses me off! Especially when there are no other seats available. Just like last Saturday.

There was this group of girls seated on a table and there was this one boy seated on the other table next to them. He's probably courting one of the girls, haha, because instead of facing his own table, he sat facing the girls. And yes, he came in (and eventually walked out) and didn't order anything. There was even a Japanese guy who looked like a business man. How can a decent customer like him (and a foreigner at that) stand for minutes on end just because some kids wanted to show off and raise their socio-economic status by 'sitting' on a Starbucks shop? Where's the justice in that?! Haha! Okay, mababaw na ako kung mababaw. Nakakainis kasi. So sobrang inis, napa-code switch pa ako. Haha!

The teenage boy left and so I was able to occupy the table next to the group of preppy girls. Judging from their table which lacks from used tissue or coffee cups, not one of them ordered anything from the shop. And I eavesdropped a little on the girly conversation. It turned out that they were waiting for someone else. (Read in conyo manner, please, haha!) Siguro they like thought it would be sosyal to wait and meet up at Starbucks instead of the food court noh. Because syempre, that place is full of jologs. Unlike here, the people who sit and eat here are so sosyal! Syempre, Starbucks!

Aaargh, trying hard preppy teenage kids annoy me immensely! And it's not because I am already old, haha! I hate the way they strut their butts off as if they know and have experienced everything life has to offer already. Ask them and the worst of their problems would probably be as superficial as to what they will wear for prom or whether or not they would date the equally retarded school jock. And they had to thrash Starbucks. That was the end of the line... haha! Joke. These kids should worry about their grades which will affect their performances in entrance exams which they must nail in order to get into decent colleges or universities with decent courses. Because if not, what does the future hold for them? For the country? The youth is the future of the nation, right? Haha! Yun yun eh, para may social relevance ang mababaw kong reklamo, haha!

Anyway, seriously, aside from showing basic resto courtesy, these social climbing kids should know their place in society. In Tagalog and in a teleserye contrabida tone, dapat marunong silang lumugar! (Evil laugh). Joke. What I meant is, these kids should not pretend to be someone they are not (socio-economically, in this case). If one cannot afford expensive things (food, in this case) like Starbucks or say Sbarro, why pretend that you can? Just because you can get away with it (I mean, as if the friendly Starbucks baristas are gonna shoo you away), it doesn't mean it's okay.

As for me, I know that Rockwell, no matter how glamorous the place is, is never gonna be my place (well, not until I get rich myself). For now, I am contended with SM or Robinsons. I guess Trinoma would be cool as well. Mabuti na lang at hindi ako mukhang dugyutin, haha! And I would never walk in a restaurant and not order from their menu. If the food is too expensive, I wouldn't eat there in the first place. Or instead of bottled mineral water or their special brew of iced tea, tap water na lang for drinks, haha!

*Thanks to Jigs for the title

Rrregret

2007-06-25T03:55:00.000+08:00

If I were to put the old me back in high school and the current me (still) in college, I would think that they are two different people. When I look back at what happened all these years, I am overwhelmed by the realization that I've been through a lot. Well, don't we all say that, right? But no. This isn't one of those self-serving emo posts. Well, this may border on the emo side, but this is definitely not self-serving. Neither is this an attempt to hide the ugly consequences of my various missteps and glorify the lessons I supposedly learn. Wala lang, gusto ko lang talagang mag-comment sa sarili kong buhay, hehe.

You know the cliché question on talk shows or even beauty pageants that inquires what part of your life you would want to change. And then the guests or the contestants would finish it off with the corresponding cliché answer. "I wouldn't change anything because all my experiences helped me to be the better person that I am now." Well, the cliché answer is a cliché for a reason. But what if, you're not necessarily a better person after all those mistakes and experiences?

I, for one, deeply regret a few things in my past (most of which are lumped the past 2 years). If I were asked the cliché question, my answer would definitely be not the cliché answer. I guess I still haven't reached the point where I realize the purpose of those mistakes and experiences. Oh yes, I definitely learned a valuable lesson or two from them. And geez, I had to learn some of them over and over and over again. I already let go of whatever anger I suffered. But I haven't recovered either. For countless times, I can't help but question whether I deserved it or not. As expected, the answer remains elusive.

But life goes on. Another cliché, eh? But it does. Even if we don't want it to, haha! The world will not cease to revolve and rotate just for my heartaches. (Wushu.. andrama!). The least I could do is try my best to keep up.

"Make it a rule of life never to regret and never to look back. Regret is an appalling waste of energy; you can't build on it; it's only for wallowing in." ~Katherine Mansfield

Would I be forgiven if I can't help it? Besides, this regret that I have only serves to remind me of the things that could go soooo wrong when I don't get a hold of what true and what's important.

On the bright side, I survived, didn't I? I haven't recovered yet, but I am still 'alive and kicking' and I am getting there. I only have utmost gratitude for the things and people that helped (and are still doing so) me get there. Mahirap nang mawalan ng utang na loob. Baka pulutin ako sa kangkungan, haha!

PS. Sorry for a mushy post as a comeback from my hiatus. Yan ang naidudulot ng pag-uupdate ng alas-4 ng umaga! Haha!

Ask The King! Yet Again

2007-06-09T03:19:00.000+08:00

INSTRUCTIONS: Ask anything! And I will summon all the power that I have to answer your question. Anything goes. You can ask for my opinion on something. You can ask a hypothetical question. You can ask a beauty pagaent question! Or one of those controversial forbidden questions that Mo Twister asks, hehe! You can even ask for a completely objective advice, haha! =p Or maybe ask anything about me. I will edit this post to write my answers to the questions as I read them.

This is the third time I am gonna do this. For the first installment of answers, read here. For the second installment, read here.

Anyway, I would have to go on a short blog leave. Gawd, I used to find it corny when bloggers announce a 'blog leave' or a 'blog hiatus'. I used to think it's just a maneuver to attract attention, haha! And now I am doing it. Anyway, my real world is a whirlwind of stress and agony and I don't wanna bore you with it. So you just might as well throw in those interesting questions for me to answer! I'll update the answers here as you ask. I had 12 questions the first time, then 21 on the second. Come on, all you fans of mine, wherever you are! If you even exist. Let's break the record, hehe..

PS. Ask as many questions as you can. Thanks!

The answers!:
26. What do you think is the single most defining trait that distinguishes a Kampampangan from other ethno-centric groups here in the Philippines?
We Kapampangans are most famous for our great-tasting cuisine. But if you want to spot a Kapampangan in a crowd, choose the person with the loudest voice or the most talkative one. Most likely, that person is a Kapampangan. Unless of course, if he's gay -- for we all know that our gay friends ARE always loud and talkative, regardless of region of origin, hehe! Mas lalu na kung grupo pa yung maingay. Most likely, Kapampangan sila. I should know, me and my orgmates are always have something to talk about, lalu na kapag nasa jeep kami at papunta somewhere. It's like we have our own world at wala kaming pakialam kung sensitive man ang pinag-uusapan namin, kasi hindi naman naiintindihan ng ibang tao, hehe. (June 17)

25. Sino at ano si Rex?? Some things na di alam ng tao about you? ~Jochie
Hmm.. There's so much to tell then, hehe. Here's the link to my Johari window. (June 16)

24. Wala lang, na-curious lang ako. Mahilig ka bang mag-dasal? ~Someone
You probably read the Depression prayer I posted before this one and the St Jude Novena I have on my right sidebar. What defines a prayer anyway? Does it have to be the usual standard ones or a well versed ones? I consider talking to Him as a prayer, and since I often talk to myself and Him, then, I guess you can say, "mahilig ako mag-dasal". But I am not the preachy yell-if-you-love-Jesus type at all. (June 16)

23. Can you really say that you love a person if you don't have experiences of it before? Kasi, how will you say na love na pala yung nararamdaman mo kung 'di mo pa siya naeexperience dati? Parang wala kang pagbabasehan. ~Kebs
Apparently, love is one of those things that you'd just realize you're feeling already. Napatunayan ko na yung chismis na, "You'll just know". Hehe! Basta, you'll just know. I think the signs differ for different people.

22. Kapag binasted ka ba ng isang babae, pwede pa bang magbago isip niya? ~Jay
Oo naman. You see it in the movies. I know some people. Case to case basis naman talaga. Sometimes, the attraction is there at first, may ibang mga dahilan lang bakit nabasted yung guy. Tapos eventually, mapapatunayan ng guy yung worth niya. Pero kapag walang attraction sa simula pa lang, nako, mas mahabahabang kayod iyun. Not impossible, but definitely not an easy mission. (June 16)

21. Masama ba talagang tingnan kung ang isang tao na ang tingin sa iyo ay kaibigan ay liligawan mo? ~Jay
Hindi naman. But it's stupid and useless, me thinks lang naman. Eh ayaw nga diba, bakit pa ipipilit. (June 16)

20. Puwede ba talagang "upgrade" ang "friendship" to "love"? ~Jay
Oo naman. Personally, lovers are friends, diba? When I am forced to define love, I would say, "Love is friendship with lust". Pero isang malaking BUT -- it's not always wise to upgrade friendship to love. Maraminh factors, timing, compatibility, among many others. (June 16)

19. Do good things really last? ~Jae
Just like everything else, no. Sayang no? Hehe. Based from experience and a testimony to Murphy's Law, what could go wrong, will go wrong. I just try to savor the good moments, while they last. Sometimes, I lump them together to increase their overall effect, hehe. Kunwari, mga sunud-sunod na gimik. Or when you're in a good mood, don't do anything that you know will ruin the moment as long as you can help it. On the bright side, bad things don't last either. Diba? (June 15)

18. Have you tried to build a wall around you just to know who among your friends will try to break it? ~edgar
I would have to say NO as well. But the thing is, I have this default network of walls, hehe. Only those who are able to break it can be my friends. The inner the wall you break, the closer we are. Oha. (June 14)

17. What's the thin line that separates flirting from courting? ~Maan
That's easy. Gusto mo example pa eh, haha! Definition by juxtaposition namu! Flirting is a word that starts with an 'a'. While courting is a word that starts with a 'j'. Hahaha! Joke.. Flirting and courting involves the same actions. It's the intentions that differ. (June 12)

16. Talaga bang halos lahat ng magaganda eh inipon sa Pampanga at Tarlac? ~Jay
Haha! Good observation. A proof of that is that we seem to have produced more beauty queens and artistas than any other region in the Philippines outside Metro Manila. Although Cebu might beat us when it comes to producing singers, hehe! Sa totoo lang, I have no idea why so. Maybe because of Clark Zone? Dahil maraming nabuntis na local women ang mga US soldiers? Hehe! (June 11)

15. Gaano katagal bago pwede ligawan ang isang babae na hiniwalayan ng matagal niyang kasintahan? ~Jay
I don't think there is an exact time limit. But personally, I think 1 month is too soon. Although case-to-case basis din yan. Courtship is not an exact science anyway. Some people think (myself included), they have a good grasp of the science, pero sometimes, things blow up in their faces, haha! If for sure, kung ayaw sa iyo, wala kang magagawa. (Based from what I observe from my friends' experiences) Being aggresive works for some but not for all. It's the same with being too eager. I personally think dating in our culture is harder. Unlike in the Western culture where hook-ups (serious and casual ones) can be easily started by buying a hot girl a drink. Pero sa atin, mas marami pa rin ang pa-Maria Clara (and more often than not, they're the ones who are the bigger catch) kaysa sa mga 'game'. Pero ganun siguro talaga. Us guys have to work harder to prove ourselves, kasi nga these girls are so worth it. (June 11)

14. Kung pwede pa isa, sino ang Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs para sayo? ~Coy
Oh, I've heard of this one. Pwede separate post na lang? Hehe. By the way, for my personal info, see my About Me on the left sidebar. Ayan, linipat ko na sa taas para sa iyo, hehe. Hindi nga naman kita sa ilalim. Anyway, YOU are on my Top 10, if ever. Why? Syempre, emerging trend eh. And I like your speaking voice, pang-DJ. Oha, hehe (June 10)!

13. Finally, what country would you most like to visit (other than Ireland )and why? ~Jigs
Expectedly, Scandinavian states, New Zealand, Switzerland for the magical landscapes. Singapore for the shopping. Maldives for its beach. South Africa for its animals. Japan for the bullet trains! Italy for its pizza and pasta! And the United States (Los Angeles and New York) and the United Kingdom for Hollywood and my favorite popstars, haha! (June 10)

12. What nationality would like to be other than Filipino? ~Jigs
Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Kiwi, Irish, Danish or Swiss. Why? Aside from the magnificent landscapes and sceneries in these countries, they're known to have a disciplined society. They're not that powerful like the US, France, Germany or Russia, but who cares? Most powerful countries are arrogant and half-abusive to Third World countries anyway. Plus, the I hear that the cheese in the Scandinavian countries are delicious, haha! Not to mention the chocolates in Switzerland, haha! (June 10)

11. If you were to name a country what would it be? ~Jigs
Oh I don't know. How about Beauford? Kaya lang, it sounds more like a city than a country noh? Kingsland? Nako, parang pangalan ng building. Haha!
Speaking of a name of a country, what if the Bangsamoro Republic would became a separate country from the Philippines? Imagine if it joins an international beauty pageant. It might go like this, "The first runner-up is.. Venezuela... Bangsamoro! You are the new Miss Universe!!" And if we have the Binibining Pilipinas, would they call their local qualifying pageant as Binibining Bangsamoro? Not that I am demeaning our Muslim brothers in the south and their Muslim culture. It's just it sounds interesting, doesn't it? (June 10)

10. Being a geography buff and all, what country do you think has the most interesting name? ~Jigs
Honestly, speaking, I don't have much background info of the the etymologies of the names of countries. So I don't really know which ones are interesting, as most countries are named after its local people / tribes anyway. Pero kung sa pronunciation (that's why I always enjoy the introduction of countries during beauty pageants! Haha!), I always lurve saying the hard ones: Tanzania (tan-zeyn-ya, not tan-za-nia) or Liechtenstein. (June 10)

9. What is the E-word? ~Elma
Experience. Pero hindi yung tipo ng experience na tinutukoy ni Jay. Yung green experience. Haha! Pwede rin 'egg cell'. Kasi, kung may anak siya, mas malamang kaysa hinde, hindi siya baog. (June 10)

8. Ano ang pinakaiinisan mong ginagawa ng mga bloggers? Hehe! ~Poli
When ask for link exchanges but they don't visit, comment or even tag sa blog mo. That really annoys me. Hindi ko nga pinapansin eh. Apparently, hindi nila nababasa eto sa sidebar ko: "For link exchanges, well, just come by here often, and I'd be glad to link you up. The Golden Rule applies in the bloggosphere too, you know. =)" And when they code switch so much when they narrate their activities for the day. Naiisip ko kasi kapag ganoon, "Oh so? Eh ano naman kung ginawa mo yan?" Pero kung may pag-mumuni-muni after or may kasaling lessons learned sa post, buti pa yun. Ayoko ko kasi nang wala akong value na nakukuha sa isang blog. Gusto ko, either matawa ako sa post or matutunan ako from that person's experience. (June 10)

7. Makikipag-siping ka ba kay Madame Auring kapalit ng 500 milyong piso? ~Poli
Honestly? Hmmm.. P500-M.. Hmmm.. OO! Haha! Pero pwedeng makipag, you know, muna ako sa iba? Ayoko naman na ang pers taym ko ay kay Madam Auring, haha! Tapos, pwedeng naka-blind fold ako? Tapos hihiga lang ako, bahala sila kung anong gusto niyang gawin sa akin. (June 10)

6. Kamusta ka na?! ~Rob
Everthing sucks but I am doing just fine, hehe! Nako, mali.. certain things suck lang pala (baka sabihin ni Lord, exag ako). Still alive! And blogging.. and stuck in college.. *sigh* As for you blog-related questions, I have no idea, haha! Nakakainggit nga ang mga iba nating kakilala sa bloggosphere na puro .com or .net na ang mga URLs! Haha! After a year, eto, .blogspot pa rin tayo, hehe.. (June 10)

5. Bakit kaya, nakakatuwa kang tao? ~Mats
Hahaha! Ikaw lang naman yata ang natatawa sa akin.. Wushu, pa-humble pa eh no. Seriously, err, ewan. Syempre, I try to joke around, tease people, throw punchlines here and there. Madalas, lalo na sa mga kakilala ko, 'headshot' daw. Sapul na sapul daw ang mga hirit ko. I like it when I am able to make people laugh. But I don't consider myself as a comedian or someone who constantly provides comic relief in a say a party or gathering. Pumapunchline at humihirit lang talaga ako every now and then.. (June 10)

4. Pinakamabigat na problemang pinagdaanan mo sa UP? ~Jochie
To be achieve the 'dismissed' status for many times. And the waiting for the results of the appeal is ALWAYS agonizing. Studying in UP is the best and worst thing that happened to my life. But someday, when I look back on all of this, I won't regret a single thing. Okay, maybe I will regret a few things, hehe. Like being a buddy, a friend and a brother to certain people. It's personal, don't ask. I know someone who knows someone who knows them and they read this blog. Hehe! And syempre, yung mga times na sana hindi ako nag-cram. (June 10)

3. Is the King inlab? ~Din-din
Haha! A very direct question. And the direct answer is NO. Walang panahon. Haha! Pero kung sa ganda lang, andaming maganda sa tabi-tabi. Basta, may panahon para sa lab lab na yan. May aayusin lang ako. =) (June 9)

2. Kung ang comment mo sa isang blog ay no comment, comment pa ba tawag dun? ~Jay
Nako, Philo 11 question na naman, haha! Hmm. Using 'NO' is just a negation of something diba, but it doesn't mean that something does not exist. Putek, corny answer to a corny question, haha! (June 9)

1. Ok lang ba na manligaw ng single mom? ~Jay
Frankly it's not an issue for me. Basta ba gusto mo yung girl at seryoso ka. Ngayon kung hot mama pa siya, edi mas astig! Haha! And since she's a mom already, it means she doesn't lack in, you know... the E-word. Haha! But yes, the extra child makes the situation more complicated. I guess para ka na rin nanliligaw ng dalawang tao, yung hot mama at yung anak. Teka?! In-lab ka na naman?! Grabe, wala akong masabi! Buwan-buwan na lang ay inlab ka, hehe.. (June 9)

In times of depression

2007-06-06T01:19:00.000+08:00

About 3 months ago, a very good friend of mine (good enough to be a sister, neh 'Te Maan?), gave me a prayer pamphlet. Here's the prayer, in might come in handy for you. Maybe not now, but someday, who knows.

PRAYER FOR HEALING*
IN TIMES OF DEPRESSION

I am terribly depressed, dear Lord, and I need your help. I come to you trusting in your great love for me and believing you will not forsake me now. Help me, Lord, I am hurting badly and struggling. I am very tired, afraid and discouraged. I feel so lost and empty with no sense of direction in whatever I am doing and where I am heading.
Everything around me seems to be dark and gloomy. My present situation and thoughts about the future all seems hopeless. Nothing seems to lift my spirits any longer. Even those things and activities that used to bring me joy all seem dull and meaningless these days.
I humbly beseech you now, Lord. Please let me feel your loving presence, your loving care and concern, all your tenderness melting my pain and all my feelings of worthlessness. Let your powerful presence touch all areas of woundedness in my heart and in my spirit. Deliver me from my fears, my anxieties and all my negative feelings. Hold my hand during these trying moments in my life, Lord. Lead me to the right path, the right places, and the right people who can be your instruments of healing and love.
Lord, I need your strength now to keep my sanity during moments when I feel like I'm losing my mind and just giving up. Help me to believe that this situation is only temporary and things will be better soon. Help me to be able to cope, especially during moments when I feel so desperate.
Take care of my loved ones during these times when I feel unable to care for them. Give me the grace to understand your purpose behind this suffering that you have allowed me to experience trusting that all things always work out for good for those who love you and those whom you call for your purposes.
Jesus, my Lord and my God, You are my refuge, my Hope, my Strength and my Divine Healer. Please heal me and have mercy on me. Deliver me from this depression and after I have been healed. Let me bring you glory and be a witness to your love and heling power for others. I pray all these in Jesus' name with Mary and all the angels and saints. Amen.

Posting this does not make me religious. It just goes to show that I believe in the power of prayer. Especially in situations when it's the only thing I can do.

*The prayer card says it by Maribi M. Garcia

Playing big brother

2007-06-01T21:57:00.000+08:00

When I stepped into college and I was forced to live semi-independently, it wasn't much of a problem for me. For starters, I have been semi-independent since my mom joined my dad in Bahrain back in second year high school. Second, I have one of my high school barkada for a roommate in a boarding house. Therefore, the adjustment period and possible bouts of homesickness weren't a problem either. Lastly, even when I transferred to an apartment more than a year after, I still had my orgmates / housemates who served as my older brothers and sisters away from home. So yeah, living in the city has been pretty convenient for me.

Living in an apartment in college, for me, is better than living in a boarding house or a campus dorm. Of course the latter options do have perks.

For example, in a boarding house, you don't have to do the cleaning of the house or the room. If you're lucky, your landlady would even cook meals for her boarders. But alas, there's the curfew, haha! Not that I stay up late outside -- but on the few times I do get out to unwind, I don't want a curfew to impede from from maximizing the night's fun.

Campus dorms' location is one of their best advantages. The nearer you are to your classes, the better, right? But in many cases (like mine), the closer I am to the building, the greater chance for me to oversleep and be late, haha! Plus, there's the communal bathroom. I don't want to have to queue up to take a bath. But in the end, when the cost is 10x smaller than an apartment or a boarding house, yes, a dorm is the best option. Haha!

But having said all of these, apartment is still the best option for me. For a number of reasons. Let's start with the shallow and obvious ones.

*There is no curfew
*You can bring as many appliances as you want
*You can arrange or decorate your unit to your liking
*You can bring your girlfriends or boyfriends with you, inside the house
*You can do anything you want! (Well, of course, unless you live alone, you'd have to be considerate of your housemates' living quirks)

But for deeper and more personal reasons, apartment is the best option for me because simply, it's the closest thing I have for a home. There are many useful things you can learn when you live in an apartment. What are they you may ask.

First, you learn to be more responsible. Why? There are bills to pay. There are dishes to be washed. There's a bathroom to be cleaned. There's a room to be cleaned. There are clothes to be washed. See? Would you learn to do this these things if you lived somewhere else? Well, you probably have no ambitions to be a nanny, so yes, technically, you don't really have to learn these things, especially if you're a spoiled rich kid.

It gets more complicated though when you are the most senior of your housemates. By default, you are looking out for your kids.

When I first settled in my current apartment (which I will refer to as 34G, after its unit number), I was the youngest, the bunso of 34G. My older orgmates / housemates served as my kuyas and ates. I relied on them a lot but they happily looked out for me, teaching me to do a lot of things on my own in the process. I was happily secured with the setup. There was an unspoken 34G hierarchy, and the higher you are at the hierarchy, the more responsibilities you had as a housemate. There came a time when I found myself at the top that hierarchy, mainly due to the natural order of things. The older housemates, my kuyas and ates, had to move on with their lives and move out of 34G.

When the older housemates were still around, I was grateful to them but I never understood the gravity of their responsibilities. But I appreciate them more, now that they are gone. Yes, the different cleaning chores and household tasks are equally divided among us housemates, but being the 'big brother' entailed a lot more. Many times, you would have to be the 'landlord' as well, haha! I never realized that indeed, living in an apartment is pretty much like living on your own already. To stretch it even furthur, it's also like having a family of your own. You're not only in charge of the house but of the inhabitants as well. There's this unwritten task of teaching the younger ones to be more responsible as housemates and as individuals.

Many times, I felt like I am not up for the job. My former kuyas were so good, I feel like I can't live up to the high standards they've set. I feel like I can't take care of my own set of 'kids' now the way my former kuyas took care of us before. In fact, there are even times when I'm the one who 'needs to be taken care of', but alas, I only have me to look out for me.

But at the end of they, there are lessons to be learned, and I am relieved to have learned them well. Patience, indeed, is a virtue. Practicing a little more understanding can save you a lot of headaches. And that, 'kids' will be 'kids' after all. I should know better, I was a 'kid' myself before. A very needy spoiled 'kid' at that, haha!

Living in an apartment is virtually a training for the stage life wherein you're truly and fully independent. Yes, cleaning and tinkering with house stuff may seem minor problems. But in reality, they play a bigger part in making life easier and better -- in making your place a true home. You don't believe me? Ask your Moms.

日本は勝つ*

2007-05-29T12:28:00.000+08:00

If you were planning to have a trip to your favorite salon for haircut or whatever, you shouldn't have expected to find a single salon that was open for business. All your friendly neighorhood parloristas were busy watching Miss Universe 2007, haha!

So.. Japan finally won after finishing 1st Runner-up last year. The general feedback though is that Japan should've won last year instead. So the undeserved win was probably concurred by the crown, haha!

And another Asian, Korea, was also in the Top 5 and placed 3rd Runner-Up. And Philippines, for the 3rd time in a row, won Miss Photogenic, thanks to worldwide internet voting.

Wikipedia and www.peyups.com are simply the best sources for inside scoops (read: educated rumors) on big events like these, haha! Here are my random rants and raves, all of which are based on my own opinion alone, since I did watch the pageant. Plus, I have background information from the Wiki and Peyups.

*Korea was my bet. Her answer is good enough for me, but I think her interpreter didn't give her answer justice. And come on! She's mesmerizing! What a coincidence, her Final Question came from a fellow Korean, James Kyson Lee of Ando of Heroes fame, who was introduced as someone from Japan.

*USA was booed by the Mexicans, for pretty obvious reasons. First, USA fell on the floor during the Evening Gown competition and still got an 8.75, whilst Mexico got a 7.85. Gawd, a Thalia-look alike getting a 7.85? I wonder what the likes of Turks & Caicos or US Virgin Islands would get from these judges. Second, there's the political rivalry. We all know how Mexicans feel about immigration policies of the US. Rachel Smith was a good sport though, still smiling and even thanking the crowd, for the obvious lack of love, haha! But I think the crowd pressure took a toll on her answer. She was so nervous that instead of saying 'Mehiko', she uttered 'Mekiho'. The host, Vanessa Minillo, handled the situation politely well though -- "Okay, uno momento, por pabor. She was selected.."

*Yet again, the hype over Miss Philippines, Ana Licaros, was disappointing. Although, I should stress out, Ana Licaros, given her simple but elegant Filipina appeal and her excellent scholastic record, deserved the hype this time. She would've wowed the universe (yeah, even those from Krypton or the Phantom Zone) with her wit. Too bad, the support she gets from Bb Pilipinas Charities, Inc head honcho (or should that be honcha?), Stella Araneta, is quite, hmm, let's just say controversial. Rumor has it that year after year, she gets recycled gowns from Colombia for our delegate to use in the preliminaries, which in translation, is sabotage, hehe. Why not ask Filipina Monique Lhuiller (did I get the spelling right?) design the gown for Miss Philippines? Well, if you ask me, if a Colombian is our national pageant director in the first place, there must be something wrong there.

So we would have to wait another year to see if a Filipina would reign over the universe (how come other galaxies are not represented?). But if you ask me, as long as politics and business are a major factor in the Top 15 (the Miss Universe Organization, co-owned by Donal Trump, also submits scores that determines the Top 15 semifinalists), the Miss Photogenic Award (whether we deserve it or not) is all that we will get. Add the fact that we rarely send admirably worthy delegates anyway. *Sigh*

To Ana Teresa Licaros, as if you will get to read this anyway, haha, you represented our country well. Eh wala eh, lusty, porn-starry model ang hinahanap, ano ba naman laban ng summa cum laude standing mo? Haha!

*I can't speak, read nor write Nihonggo. I got my title by translating "Japan wins" at the first website for the Google results for "online translator".

Sunday Mornings

2007-05-27T23:49:00.000+08:00

Back in my Freshman year, my Sunday mornings were hellish for me, despite the usual connotation of blessedness of God's day. Because 30 Sunday mornings (most of which extended in the afternoon), were spent in ROTC classes at UP Clark.

I admit, I am not the athletic type. Sports nga di ako magaling, training pa kaya? Back in 4th year, I was saved from the more rigorous training for PMT because I was one of the Military Police. But hold your horses, haha! I became an MP not because I exhibited special strength or discipline or undergone training like the COCC cadets did, but because I paid my uniform during the 1st day of collection. Apparently, for the military person who supervised our PMT subject, money does the talking, haha!

I really dreaded ROTC training. In fact, it's the only thing that made me really anxious about going to college. It helped that during the Freshmen enlistment, I learned that I can sign up for Special Forces, the ROTC unit for UP Clark. So on Sundays, Diliman students from Pampanga and nearby provinces can report to a closer campus. That was even the year when the call for the abolishment of the ROTC was at its peak. So imagine the hopeful hatred in my heart that I had for ROTC. Haha!

Aside from the usual shallow reasons (like being under the sun, expensive gears), so why do I hate ROTC? Well, I know the purpose of ROTC. I know that we're supposed to be the 'reserve' unit just in case the Philippines courageously goes to war and our soldiers all die. I realize that my Motherland counts on me to protect her sovereignty whenever necessary and all that nationalistic jazz. But don't you think I can serve my country better with my personal talents and other abilities? I mean, I am good many things, but combat is definitely not one of them.

As if it couldn't be any more discouraging, our ROTC officers weren't necessarily the genuinely patriotic kind. They're more like bullies to me. And back then, I thought, "Putik! College na ako! Hanggang ngayon ba naman, may bully pa rin?!" One time during uniform inspection, this NCO officer (who was just my age) asked me if the way I was holding my inspection paraphernalia was the right way of doing so. Honestly clueless about what he wants me to do, I answered, "Sir, I have no idea, sir!" And then he hit me to my chest. It wasn't exactly lurching in pain after, but he obviously just wanted to show off his authority over me. So Angel Sembrano, nasaan ka man, madapaka ka! Haha!

Each Sunday morning, I felt like I was wasting my time. It was Freshman year, so I was taking up Math 17. And I am one of the (un)lucky ones to be mentored by Dr. Augusto Y. Hermosilla. I thought I'd rather catch up on my algebra and trigo skills (which would be very handy and practical considering I am an Engineering student) instead of doing push-ups and marching lousily under the sun til way past our supposed and promised dismissal time.

But of course, it's not like I can do anything about it. I am a batch too late for CWTS. Back in 4th Year high school, I was actually planning of taking up ROTC during my 2nd and 3rd year. I though back then, I would spend my 1st year adjusting to the semi-independent life first, you know, acquaint myself first with the university I would be going at. But I enlisted on freshman year anyway, because my other batchmates did so too. It's better to get ROTC over and done with, with my friends.

Having pronounced nothing but hatred for ROTC, I do have fond memories of it:
*There's always the casual kwentuhan with co-cadets before the start of formation and during the breaks. We were freshies, so our conversations usually involved our funny misadventures at Diliman.
*There was the 3x4 White Side Wall that we were required to have as our hairstyle. They check it every 3rd TD (Training Day). For the first ever checking, most of us didn't strictly follow the instruction, including me. So our abusive commander cut our hair randomly so that we would be forced to cut it the way he wants to -- higher than 3x4 even! He probably just wanted us to have a stupid hairstyle just like him. That was a Sunday, so after the training, I had to go again to the barbershop to 'repair' my hair. It would've let it go faster, if only my ID pictorial isn't the very Monday after. So for 4 years, the memories of that fateful haircut was imprinted in my ID, haha!
*Each training day was not only physically tiring for me, but also mentally and psychologically draining. It really stresses me out! So before I go home, I stop by Zagu for a refreshing pearl shake to recover. By the end of the year, I was able to taste all flavors, haha!
*My unit wasn't all that bad, actually. In reality, there was more goofing off time than actual training. That's why during TDs at Diliman at the end of each sem, we were the lousiest, haha! And I don't really mind.
*We were so lousy that I think our own commander was ashamed of us, haha! So during the ROTC Graduation Rites, instead of participating in the parade which would require impressive command of the fake wooden gun, we obliged to participate in the special exhibition instead. We were cast as the terrorists that the real soldiers would pretend to kill. I actually thought that was much much better than practicing for hours on end. Because all we had to do was run across the Sunken Garden with the fake wooden guns in tow, pretending to be these war-freak guerrillas. We pretended to fire for a few seconds, but we were supposed to be defeated so we just lied on our backs at the grass for the rest of the program.

Now, almost 6 years after, I'm just relieved that I'm thru with ROTC. In my 2nd year, CWTS was introduced and the 2-year requirement was reduced to 1 year. So just when I thought I would have to endure another year of ROTC, I was saved, haha! But, I wouldn't mind having those 30 Sunday mornings back! Mang Andres, sana mabasa mo to, haha!

This post was inspired by a similar post by Khadine! :) She has a different view of ROTC though, I think, haha!

Sparks did fly!

2007-05-24T00:35:00.001+08:00

So, my ultimate bet, Jordin Sparks, went on the become American Idol's youngest winner ever. Yey!

Call it what you want -- an assessment, critique, tribute or whatever, but there here are my random thoughts for the whole season:
*The Finale was a mismatch for me. One was the usual belter, the other was the usual performer. Well, maybe it's up to America to decide whether pipes or performing talent mattered more. If so, then the Finale was fair, until the last round -- the original American Idol song. This Is My Now was a belter's song. That's why Jordin's victory is not as triumphant as it should be for me. Blake should've assigned a different song or they could've arranged it to Blake's style.
*If I had my way Melinda should've been in the Finale instead of Blake. That way, it would've been the ultimate showdown. Besides, I think This Is My Now was written with the back story of Jordin or Melinda in mind.
*Blake might just be the runner-up, but I think if he won't compromise his musical style if he makes his album, he will follow Clay Aiken's footsteps instead of Diana De Garmo.
*Similarly, I think Jordin will sell a lot as well. She has this fresh appeal that the young music-buying public will enjoy.
*I wish Melinda or Lakisha would also be signed to record albums.
*All performances in the Results Finale should've featured at least one Finalist. The show is about these amateur singers anyway. This is American Idol. This isn't the Grammy's. I'm sure fans really miss the real talents like Gina Glocksen, Stephanie Edwards, Chris Richardson and Lakisha Jones, and yet we had more airtime of Gwen Stefani or Bette Midler.
*The presence of previous Idol winners was great treat. Too bad, one was missing. It was like the American version of the Battle of the Champions.
*For next season, the producers should feature the contestants more, in equal amounts until they are eliminated. Enough of the likes of Sanjaya. If there would be any bias in terms of exposure, it should be for those who deserve it, for those who are actually talented.
*For next season as well, they should hold auditions on more northern cities and on other American territories. How about Alaska or Guam? Or the US Virgin Islands? American Samoa? Okay, joke lang yung mga Pacific Islands, hehe.
*For the original AI song, the contestant should be given the freedom to choose the song that suits him / her.
*I disagree that Season 6 is the worst season ever. Eh kasi naman, hindi ko naman napanood ang Season 1 at 2, haha! Pero seriously, I don't think this is the least talented batch (since I started watching). I think that in every batch, at least half are actually good. Nagkakatalo na lang kung sino una natatanggal.

Anyway, ika nga ng ibang fans, the real competitions begins now. Who will make the best music? Who will sell more records? I'm betting on Jordin, Blake and Melinda, regardless of their perceived marketability, or lack of it. =p

For the meantime, I would have to contend with my mp3s of their performances and the studio version of the songs they performed, until the release their CDs.

To download Jordin's performances and full-length studio versions of her performances, including her coronation song This Is My Now, click here. Enjoy!

PINAKA-GUSTOs

2007-05-22T22:36:00.000+08:00

Just to be fair, even if life isn’t, here’s the positive counterpart of my previous post. (Note: wala na naman ako maisip na topic, haha!) Baka naman isipin niyo eh nagpapaka-angst ako masyado or galit ako sa mundo, hehe!

1. PINAKA GUSTO MONG KULAY
:: Blue has always been my favorite color. But for color combos: blue & green, navy blue & light yellow. Tsaka yung dating color ng blog ko: cool green, cool blue, cool violet and gray! Oha, cool na cool! Ehe..

2. PINAKA GUSTO MO SA KAIBIGAN
:: Una sa lahat, parang boyfriend / girlfriend lang yan, dapat may chemistry kayo ng mga kaibigan mo. Tsaka isa pa, yun tipo na kapag nakapatay ka ng tao, siya yung pwede mong tawagan sa kalaliman ng gabi, tapos tutulungan ka niyang ibaon sa lupa yung bangkay, hehe!

3. PINAKA GUSTO MO SA NILILIGAWAN
:: Err, yung gusto rin niya ako? Haha!

4. PINAKA GUSTO MONG DAMIT
:: Yung mahal, signature, preppy, bwahaha! Joke. Before college, I TRIED dressing cool. But after just a few weeks at UP, I learned to value comfort more, hehe.

5. PINAKA GUSTO MONG HAIRSTYLE
:: Edi syempre yung bagay ko! Duh! Haha! Teka, I have a previous post about this eh. Read here.

6. PINAKA GUSTO NA SINASABI SAYO
:: Na mabait daw ako. Madalang lang yun, haha! Seriously, I love it when friends thank me for something I did that wasn’t much of a deal for me. Pag unexpected, gratitude feels great.

7. PINAKA GUSTO MONG INIINOM PAG MAY GIMIKAN
:: Iced tea? Haha! Basta masarap, kahit may alcohol!

8. PINAKA GUSTO MONG LUGAR
:: Ireland! Though hindi pa ako nakarating doon, hehe!

9. PINAKA GUSTO MONG PALABAS? BAKIT?
:: Sheeet! Andami! Pero lately, Heroes and Brothers And Sisters. Heroes, kasi syempre, sikat eh, tsaka maganda naman talaga siya. Brothers And Sisters, kasi parang ansarap maging kapatid ng mga Walkers! Hehe! Marami din ako gusto sa local channels, pero walang level of addiction..

10.PINAKA GUSTO MONG WEBSITE
:: Yung blog ko! Haha! Joke. Too many too mention. Ah! Wikipedia! Kasi andami ko nababasang interesting stuff about my interests. As for blogs, I like reading the blogs of friends that I personally know – because there are things that people won’t say personally, even to their close friends, so through their blogs, I get to know them deeper and better. As for blogs of other people, basta may sense, witty, funny. NOTE: May mga mabababaw na bagay pero may sense or nakakatawa.

11.PINAKA GUSTO MONG PAGKAIN
:: CHOCOLATES! Lalu na nalusaw sa byahe from abroad, tapos nag-lalangis ng yung wrapper, dahil na rin siguro sa iba’t ibang temperature na naranasan nito. Sheeet! Ansarap nun! Yun nga lang, madumi kainin, hehe.

12.PINAKA GUSTO MONG PABANGO. BAKIT?
:: Well, I use Clinique Happy. Tsaka pala Perry Ellis 360 Degrees.

13. PINAKA GUSTO MONG PRUTAS?
:: No particular fruit. But I love apples, banana and melon on shakes. And strawberry on syrups and juices.

14. PINAKA GUSTO MONG YOSI
:: Yung hindi mausok. Haha!

15. PINAKA GUSTO MONG BINABASA
:: Nakow, andami na naman. Basta mga materials na may natututunan ako.

16. PINAKA GUSTO MONG UNIT NG CELL
:: Of all the phones I’ve had, I like my N90 the best. Syempre, pinaka-high tech eh, hehe.

17. PINAKA GUSTO MONG SUBJECT NUNG HIGHSCHOOL
:: Math, Computer & English! Because I never had a hard time of them. Haha!

18. PINAKA GUSTO MONG SUBJECT NUNG COLLEGE?
:: Sa majors: CoE 131, 111 & 23. Sa mga GE: Psych 101 & Comm 3

19. PINAKA GUSTO MONG PANGALAN
:: Ethan Karl – bata pa lang ako, naisip ko na na ito ang gusto kong pangalan ng anak ko, hehe! Muntik pa nga itong agawin ng Ate ko, haha!

20. PINAKA GUSTO MONG INUUTOS SAYO
:: Err, critique me? Haha! It’s in my blood, Kapampangan ako at namana ko sa parents ko, hehe!

21. PINAKA GUSTO MONG PINAPANOOD SA TV
:: Teka, bakit ngayon ko lang na-realize na kamukha lang ito ng #9, haha!

22. PINAKA GUSTO MONG BUWAN
:: December! Kasi birthday ko tsaka Pasko.

23. PINAKA GUSTO MONG GINAGAWA PAG UMAGA
:: I am barely awake on mornings, haha! To my answer would be to sleep, hehe!

24. PINAKA GUSTO MONG GINAGAWA PAG GABI
:: Mag-marathon ng mga TV series! Haha!

25. PINAKA GUSTO MO - MAMALANTSA, MAGLABA O MAGLUTO?
:: Magluto na lang, at least after ng pagod, may kakainin ka. I’ve always wanted to learn, being matakaw and being Kapampangan, hehe!

26. PINAKA GUSTO MONG TINITIGNAN O NAKIKITA DITO SA FRIENDSTER
:: Updates of friends? Tsaka syempre, mga testimonials and comments, ansarap mag-reminisce eh.

27. PINAKA GUSTO MONG NARERECEIVE NA TEXT
:: Witty jokes! Tsaka Chicken Soup type of text, hehe.

28. PINAKA GUSTO MONG TUMATAWAG SAYO
:: Err, wala. I’m not a telebabad type of person. Random calls from missed friends are great though.

29. PINAKA GUSTO MONG NAG EEMAIL O NAG MEMESSAGE SAYO SA FRIENDSTER
:: Not much really. Halos puro forward naman eh. May text naman kasi.

30. PINAKA GUSTO MO SA GF/BF MO
:: Wala naman akong gf o bf, haha! >> Same answer, haha!

31. PINAKA GUSTO MONG MAALALA NA NANGYARI SA BUHAY MO
:: The times when I know I did the right thing, and it made a positive impact on other people, no matter how little..

32.PINAKA GUSTO MONG NAKILALANG TAO
:: Too many to mention! My friends, sino pa ba. Ayoko na lang mag-mention, kasi baka may mag-tampo. Basta alam na nila kung sino sila.

33.PINAKA GUSTO MONG TUGTOG
:: Westlfie! Haha! Well, not anymore. See my sidebar na lang.

34.PINAKA GUSTO MONG ORAS NG ARAW
:: 6-9pm - because by then, my energy is completely up and running already.

35.PINAKA GUSTO MONG SPORT
:: Volleyball. Tapos runner-ups ang tenpin bowling at badminton.

36.PINAKA GUSTO MONG ARTISTA
:: Aljur Abrenica! Schoolmate ko eh! Haha! Joke. I actually like the likes of Kris Aquino – yeah, despite and in spite of her mistakes. But as a person and as a celebrity, probably Sharon Cuneta & Carrie Underwood.

37. PINAKA GUSTO MONG ORAS PAG TINETEXT KA
:: No particular time.. Pag bored ako..

38. PINAKA GUSTO MONG ULAM
:: Madami! Friend chicken never fails to make me salivate, hehe!

39. PINAKA GUSTO MONG LAHI NG TAO
:: Definitely, Filipinos, even if that means my chances of having blue eyes is ZERO. Haha! Basta, I have faith in our race. Maybe not on our current leaders, but on our race and heritage as a whole, I have great faith in it.

40. PINAKA GUSTO MONG NAIISIP NGAYON
:: Na baling araw, yayaman din ako! Bwahahaha! Seriously, because when I have more money, I can help other people more, kahit papaano. Kahit yun tipo lang na bibigyan ko ng extra allowance ang pamangkin ko. O di kaya, malibre ko sa Starbucks ang friends ko, kahit hindi ko birthday. O kaya mabili ko ng gamot ang lola ko. Or mailibre ko ng 2nd honeymoon ang parents ko, hehe! Or makapag-paaral ng isang batang matalino.. Yung ganun lang naman..

PINAKA-AYAWs

2007-05-21T02:05:00.000+08:00

Na-enjoy ko nang husto ang pagsagot ko sa survey na ito na galing kay Heneroso. At in Filipino pa siya. So pinost ko na rin dito. Wala rin naman akong matinong maisip na topic.

1. PINAKA AYAW MONG KULAY
:: Color combo na lang: Brown & Violet

2. PINAKA AYAW MO SA KAIBIGAN
:: Walang utang na loob / traydor

3. PINAKA AYAW MO SA MANLILIGAW O
NILILIGAWAN
:: Masyadong pa-damsel-in-distress

4. PINAKA AYAW MONG DAMIT
:: Yung mainit isuot! Lalu na kapag hindi aircon ang lugar / pupuntahan

5. PINAKA AYAW MONG HAIRSTYLE
:: Err, syempre yung di ko bagay, haha! On other people, yung naka-gel at naka-spike paharap na parang binungkal ng kalabaw sa sobrang pagkapantay ng mga linya! Nakow, that's so 10 years ago, haha!

6. PINAKA AYAW NA SINASABI SAYO
:: That I'm not good enough (even if I try).. Naks, drama..

7. PINAKA AYAW MONG INIINOM PAG MAY
GIMIKAN
:: Yung mga shina-shot. Ampait eh!

8. PINAKA AYAW MONG LUGAR
:: Basta kahit saan na kadiri at madumi

9. PINAKA AYAW MONG PALABAS? BAKIT?
:: ABT UR LUV -- kahit eye-candy ang mga artista dito, sobrang AMPANGIT ng presentation at pag-tackle nila ng love t relationship issues ng kabataan. Dapat kasi makatotohanan at may social relevance. Hindi yung pa-kornihan at pa-baduyan

10.PINAKA AYAW MONG WEBSITE
:: Yung mga bloggers na puro ranting ng mga walang kwentang bagay o mabababaw na problema. Tsaka yun AlTeRNaTe CaPs pa ang spelling at kung may anu-ano pang ,.punctuat!0n.,. Haha!

11.PINAKA AYAW MONG PAGKAIN
:: Err, hindi ko alam kung ano ang tawag nila sa Tagalog eh, basta yung tinatawag namin na 'burong isda' sa Kapampangan, yung mukhang suka ng pusa, haha! Tsaka pala hipon (and similar seafoods), allergic eh

12.PINAKA AYAW MONG PABANGO. BAKIT?
:: Yung pabango ng Mama ko. Hindi naman sa mabaho siya. Pero kapag naamoy ko sa ibang babae, ayoko, haha!

13. PINAKA AYAW MONG PRUTAS?
:: Mga hindi ko kinakain - duhat, santol

14. PINAKA AYAW MONG YOSI
:: All of them, haha! Hindi naman kasi ako naninigarilyo.

15. PINAKA AYAW MONG BINABASA
:: See #10. Tsaka yung mga gwabeh ang spelling. Yun tipong ang simpleng 'ok po' ay nagiging 'ouwkhei powh'!

16. PINAKA AYAW MONG UNIT NG CELL
:: Yung mga hindi user-friendly.

17. PINAKA AYAW MONG SUBJECT NUNG HIGHSCHOOL
:: PE! Haha! Maliban na lang kung volleyball ang sport or badminton

18. PINAKA AYAW MONG SUBJECT NUNG COLLEGE?
:: EEE 53

19. PINAKA AYAW MONG PANGALAN
:: Wala naman. Pero may mga pangalan na naguudyok ng inis kapag naririnig mo dahil naalala mo yung tao na may pangalan na ganun

20. PINAKA AYAW MONG INUUTOS SAYO
:: Maglinis ng banyo! Maglinis in general

21. PINAKA AYAW MONG PINAPANOOD SA TV
:: Anime. Mga 'Asian' shows na ang konsepto naman ng pagiging 'Asian' ay kahit na anong gusto ng mga singkit!

22. PINAKA AYAW MONG BUWAN
:: September -- kasi haggard na sa mga trabaho sa school!

23. PINAKA AYAW MONG GINAGAWA PAG UMAGA
:: Gumising itself, haha! Yung maghanap ng pagkain para sa almusal tapos wala akong makalkal sa ref namin

24. PINAKA AYAW MONG GINAGAWA PAG GABI
:: Yung tina-try kong matulog pero hidni ako makatulog.

25, PINAKA AYAW MO- MAMALANTSA, MAGLABA O MAGLUTO?
:: Maglaba!

26. PINAKA AYAW MONG TINITIGNAN O NAKIKITA DITO SA FRIENDSTER
:: Mga flooders at nagpopost ng mga 'because-you've-opened-this-you-have-to-repost-this-and-put-a-nonsense -phrase-as-its-subject!

27. PINAKA AYAW MONG NARERECEIVE NA TEXT
:: Yung mga sobrang sawi na love quotes.

28. PINAKA AYAW MONG TUMATAWAG SAYO
:: Wala naman.

29. PINAKA AYAW MONG NAG EEMAIL O NAG MEMESSAGE SAYO SA FRIENDSTER
:: Chain messages

30. PINAKA AYAW MO SA GF/BF MO
:: Wala naman akong gf o bf, haha!

31. PINAKA AYAW MONG MAALALA NA NANGYARI SA BUHAY MO
:: Nagpakaloko o nagpauto sa mga walang kwenta at walang utang na loob na tao

32.PINAKA AYAW MONG NAKILALANG TAO
:: Si *a**. So far lang naman.

33.PINAKA AYAW MONG TUGTOG
:: Mga pangit ang tono!

34.PINAKA AYAW MONG ORAS NG ARAW
:: 11am-1pm -- kasi ang init! Tsaka nakakatamad dahil kagigising ko lang, tapos lunchbreak na kaagad.

35.PINAKA AYAW MONG SPORT
:: Na nilalaro? Basketball. Na pinapanood? Football. Kung sa panonood lang eh, gusto ko naman ang basketball. Hindi lang kasi talaga ako marunong, hehe!

36.PINAKA AYAW MONG ARTISTA
:: Andami! Yung mga over-rated tulad ni Richard Gutierrez (mag-model ka na lang!) at mga has-beens na kung maka-asta parang sikat na sikat pa tulad ni Richard Gomez. Teka, bakit puro Richard?! Haha!

37. PINAKA AYAW MONG ORAS PAG TINETEXT KA
:: Wala naman. Dahil kung ayaw ko magpaistorbo, sina-silent ko ang phone ko

38. PINAKA AYAW MONG ULAM AT DI KINAKAIN
:: Yung mga pagkain na allergic ako -- hipon, pusit, clams

39. PINAKA AYAW MONG LAHI NG TAO
:: Wala naman.

40.PINAKA AYAW MONG NAIISIP NGAYON
:: Na wala na akong pag-asa...

Bus ride

2007-05-18T21:21:00.000+08:00

Riding an air-conditioned bus for at least an hour, at least twice a week has been a norm for me for the past 6 years. Finally settling in a comfortable seat without having to wait in a long line is one of life's simplest gems for a probinsyano like me.

In those 6 years of commuting to and from the country's top metro, I've never had a regular companion. Random orgmates who happen to be going home at the same time or random friends whom you surprisingly see at the terminal is the next best thing. Even this semi-regular set of 'bus-mates' changes from semester to semester.

Although technically, the bus ride home and the bus ride to Manila only differ in direction. But the destination of either trips makes a whole lot of difference in terms of the overall experience. The bus ride home feels much better -- it entails longing, excitement and a tinge of security. Whereas the bus ride to Manila involves a feeling of dread, exasperation and a little bit of hesitation.

I pass time in both rides in sleeping though. Aside from the fact that I am probably really sleepy anyway, it doubles as a temporary respite from reality. But in the few times that I don't sleep, it means it's pag-mumuni time, hehe!

These pseudo-emo moments can be crazy sometimes. Probing thoughts can be sometimes triggered by the passenger seated next to me. Usually, I wonder first why the person is making the trip. Of course, his get-up is the foremost clue. Usually on early Monday morning trips, there are a lot of formally dressed yuppie-looking people in their late 20's or early thirties with their attache-case looking bags. Their most probable stop: the MRT station at North EDSA.

Then there are my fellow students. They're easy to spot -- their huge travelling bags that probably teems with dirty laundry or take-home books or readings gives them away. The school ID they churn out for the conductor to avail of the fare discount confirms it.

Of course, there are the random people from all walks of life. Having no stereotypical idea of what they are, so I think about why they're having the trip. I wonder if they dread the trip of look forward to coming home as much as I do.

The emerald fields of rural Pampanga and Bulacan are always hopeful sights to see. For some reason, these fresh views bring a temporary feeling of hope. It completely disappears though as soon as I see the billboards in Valenzuela or the mini-skyline formed by SM Pampanga and Robinson's Starmills. For it means, in a few minutes, I would have to face the cruel outside world again. Wushu, andrama, haha!

Generally peaceful

2007-05-14T22:41:00.000+08:00

This post's title is totally the phrase of the day, haha! You'd hear this on any channel covering the recently concluded voting. Apparently, this is COMELEC's assessment of the 2007 midterm elections so far.

Well, as far as my city is concerned, I would have to agree. Elections have always been peaceful here. And as far as my precinct is concerned, there was no any hassle at all when I voted. So if ever there were problems when the precincts opened, I supposed those problems were worked out already.

I am so excited over the results, especially for the local one. Initial, unofficial and not to mention minutely partial results show Among Ed winning over Baby Pineda and Mark Lapid with a little margin. So, Kapampangans, fingers crossed!

I have never been this excited over the elections, and I think my case is not an isolated case. Like what a UP Public Administration professor said over ABS-CBN, the most extensive ever media coverage of the elections show that there is a demand for information on the elections. The public really wants to be in the know. the public is more vigilant than ever, to really ensure that our votes are properly and honestly counted. Like they say, voting and the counting are two entirely different processes. Hopefully, they match up, hehe.

So there, just wanted to post something electorally related for today. I know that our perception of the electoral process isn't very good. We have a very incompetent commission so the minor and major election-related brouhahas you hear on the news aren't surprising at all. And more importantly, its credibility is quite questionable. It is flawed, but I still believe in it, that's why I voted. It's a duty to my country, I did my part. Because if I didn't, I know I wouldn't have the right to complain if my hometown ruts in administrative hell. Educated people like us know better, so if we don't actively take part in our civic duties, we're worse than the masa we often ridicule for being stupid and gullible and for falling for the false leaders' promises.

I know I didn't volunteer as a poll watcher so I am not really actually 'guarding' my vote. But I am watching closely the influx of partial results. And I believe my prayers will help, hehe. So if massive cheating results to Among Ed's loss, naku, sasama talaga ako sa mga mag-rarally! The tibak in me will be unleashed. Haha!

UPDATE: As of 6.30pm, May 18, 2007, based on the official COMELEC canvassing at the Pampanga Convention Center:
AMONG ED PANLILIO 219,421
Lilia Pineda 218,501
Mark Lapid 210,676

Whew! A close one! Frankly, I'm kinda disappointed that the lead was that slim, because it shows that more than 2/3 of my kababayans would rather want the vice lords. But at least, the best and only good candidate won. Abak na Pampanga!

Yes to a good Kapampangan leader!

2007-05-13T22:32:00.000+08:00

Ever since I had a clear grasp of numbers, tabulation-rich events like elections, Olympics, pageants and other contests always amazed me. But elections were a different matter. I knew that the results would greatly affect the world I live in.

In 1992, my bet for President was Mitra. I think I liked him because he looked the kindest to me. Haha! But in 1998, when I had a better understanding of national matters, my bet was Raul Roco. And in 2004, when I was finally eligible to vote, he was still my bet. I was really upset that he lost. I couldn't get why people won't vote for the one with the cleanest record. Why they'd prefer the cheater that GMA was just so FPJ won't win. For me, there was a perfect alternative to FPJ and that was Roco. I really believed in his brand of leadership. So when I heard the news that he died, my first thought was, "Oh no! Wala nang pag-asa ang Pilipinas.." Of course, I know it's really not the end. Raul Roco has indeed sown the seeds of change. It's just the a matter of finding someone who would take care and harvest these seeds.

The politics here in Pampanga is another story. Back in 1995 (and consequently, 1998 and 2001), I couldn't understand why Lito Lapid would win as Governor when all he did was ride in helicopters and save people from lahar. I mean come on! He should just sign up with the Red Cross or something. His movies are bad enough, he didn't have to bring all of his pseudo-machismo in the government. I was still in Elementary, when these allegations (backed by pretty strong evidences) of corruption, mainly in illegal quarrying, ghost employees, etc, already surfaced. And yet these weren't enough to keep him from the Capitol's Office. As young as my mind was, I knew back then (1998 in particular) that the choice was obviously between good and evil, and yet, the evil prevailed.

It came to a point when the dilemma in choosing entailed voting for the lesser evil. It peaked in this year's elections where the gubernatorial bout was initially between Mark Lapid (Lito's equally untalented-actor son) on the illegal quarrying corner and Baby Pineda (wife of infamous alleged Jueteng Lord, Bong Pineda) on the jueteng corner. I would've voted ABSTAIN, but that is not an option, because there is no 50%+1 requirement for them to win. My not voting for any of them as a protest will prove futile. It was a really hopeless situation until Among Ed Panlilio came into the picture.

I am sure you have all heard of this brave priest running for Pampanga Governor who stirred up a local People Power. In fact, this amazing and noble story made it to the front page of the Philippine Daily Inquirer as the main headline. You can occasionally read about him in various political columns and even in the Letters-to-the-Editor section. I was initially disappointed that a priest had to run, because I know that my province is not lacking of capable professionals or individuals. Besides, I've always believed that the Church has been meddling with state affairs too much already, so I wasn't so sure if a priest as a Governor was such a good idea. But luckily, Among Ed is not the Padre-Damaso type. Not only is he a well-loved parish priest, he was also well-respected in the local NGO circles. He has founded and headed various socio-civic institutions. And he has a competitive platform to boot. Unlike Lapid and Pineda, who are indeed political and financial superpowers, but are lacking in integrity and innovative plans.

Last Saturday, I attended his Meeting De Avance. It was my very first political rally, and surely, it was overwhelming. I would've said it was an 'eye-opener'. But I realized my eyes were already opened, haha -- open to the fact that the time for major positive change in Kapampangan leadership has finally come. It was really fun in the patriotic sense. I couldn't find someone to go with to the rally, but since I really wanted to attend, I asked my 8-year-old nephew to tag along, hehe! Hindi ko naman siya pinilit ha, kusa siyang pumayag, at ang sabi naman niya pagkatapos, nag-enjoy naman siya.

I've always been an inactive member of the society, in the sense that I never tangibly took part in anything that helped other people's way of life. (Well, except for my Kapampangan org in UP Diliman, we have projects catered to Kapampangan students but we're never really a political group). I figured that attending was the least I could do, aside from actually voting for him. What's further amazing is that his campaign or 'crusade' as us his supporters would rather call it, is entirely thriving due to volunteerism for he is running as an independent candidate. Kapampangans throughout the province (even in the parts that were considered Pineda and Lapid country) and Angeles City (which doesn't vote for Governor because it's a chartered city), and even in abroad (Europe and USA), have all contributed financially in many different ways.

It was overwhelming because one can really feel the burning passion and sense of patriotism and integrity in the air. What's more amazing is that people with different socio-economic status attended the rally. And all of them were joined in the chanting of "Amond Ed!", raising their hands, waving their flaglets, and singing to the Kapampangan patriotic anthems. It was like a mall tour for Mon David, the international Jazz champion, and Arti Sta Rita, a local popular artistic and cultural organization, for they performed most of the Kapampangan songs and intermission numbers. It felt like more a prayer rally than a political one, actually. Quite expected, since the candidate is a Catholic priest. But what's also admirable is that even leaders from other religions and Christian sects proclaimed their support.

A paragraph from the people's manifesto:

"True, Pampanga is popular more than ever but not because of noble things like the resurgence of arts and culture brought out to the fore by talented Kapampangan artists; not even the growing opportunities for progress fuelled by the hard work and industry of its business sector. Pampanga is popular more than ever as the home province of jueteng and corruption and the seat of illegal quarrying operations. In recent years, we Kapampangans have witnessed how our beloved province and its people have fallen deep in the clutches of a debilitating social cancer that threatens to destroy every cell of our being.

Indeed, we are now confronted with a disaster – one that is more devastating and damaging than the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo; one that we cannot recover from unless we unite, cooperate and stand up as a community. Makarine na pu ing malilyari kekatamu at ali tamu puwedeng manahimik at magbulag-bulagan kabang sasamantalanan de reng mapilan ing kekatamung balen at deng memalen. (Nakakahiya na po ang nangyayari sa atin at hindi tayo pwedeng manahimik at magbulag-bulagan habang sinasamantala na iilan ang atin bayan at ang mga mamamayan.)"

I never had this much hope in the elections. I really believe in the Among Ed mantra, "Abak na Pampanga!" (Umaga na Pampanga!). Because with a true servant-leader like Among Ed in the government, the sun is finally rising after years and years on end of darkness due to corruption and lack of integrity of our provincial leaders. The only way for the darkness of this night to continue to engulf our promising province is if Among Ed will be cheated, or worse, killed.
For finally, Kapampangan, atin nakang pagpilian! (mayroon ka nang pagpipilian!).

Let me end with the last paragraphs of the manifesto:

This is not about asking Fr. Ed to be the Messiah who will deliver this province out of the rut it is in. This is not about his personal achievements, nor his personal desires to be a funnel for God’s graces. This is about a province that is at the lowest point in its history, about a people who are on the brink of hopelessness and who have been silently clamoring for changes, for better options, and for decent leaders. This is about us Kapampangans. Dintang na pu ing panaun para migising tamu at talakad para king metung a gobyernong disente, malinis at apagmaragul tamu. (Dumating na po ang panahon para magising tayo at tumayo para sa isang gobyerno na disente, malinis at maipagmamalaki natin.)

This is the time for us to unite and move together for change so that with heads held high, we can once again say, “Apagmaragul ku, Kapampangan ku!”

10 kinds of sadness

2007-05-08T01:59:00.000+08:00

Look up 'saddened' in your favorite thesaurus and you will find up to 20 synonyms. They all mean the same negative feeling, albeit in varying degrees and in varying situations. More so, sadness is also relative, which is something I learned when I read a blog post of complaints a few days ago. Add the factor that some of us are 'stronger' such that what may be distressing for us may not be so for them.

So out of the many synonyms of 'saddened', here's my personal perspective of 10 of them.

PEEVED is when you get upset after you argue with a person who just won't listen because of all his close-minded bull.

AFFLICTED is when you can't sleep even if you badly want to, especially when you start becoming ill. That's why usually, there's actual physical pain.

DISTURBED is when you know you only wanted to do the right thing but you know that in the process, you'll most probably incur a friend's wrath.

PAINED is when you remember the good ol'times with the people you once considered very good friends. But somewhere along the way, acts of selfishness or betrayal severed your deep ties with them. Nagging questions like 'what happened?' will always bring a tinge of pain. You are also pained when you realize that the person you once greatly looked up to has become a big time jerk. You feel betrayed though technically, hindi naman ikaw ang tinarantado niya. You don't know whether your 'idol' was just fooled into the dark side or worse, he was just pretending to be on the good side all along. Yun! Ganun na ganun ang 'pained'. Okay, I will stop now. Hehe!

DEPRESSED is when you just feel sad and alone, despite your gazillion friends. You feel like nobody cares, that no one listens to your 'cries' of help.

DISCOMBOBULATED is the word I use in a conversation when I want to be sarcastic or when I want to show off my vocabulary skills, haha! Ang hindi nila alam, memoryado ko lang talaga yung word, haha!

DISPIRITED is what comes to mind when I hear Carrie Underwood's Jesus Take The Wheel, especially the part where you're 'running low on faith and gasoline..' I usually feel this after make-or-break exams wherein I try to convince myself that I will still pass despite not having been able to answer 2 out of 3 problems.

DISTRAUGHT is when you've already done your best and your fate is not anymore in your hands but other people's. You're worried because you don't feel secure that things will go your way.

DEVASTATED is when something extremely tragic has happened. Like for example, if you get permanently expelled from school because you've already been previously dismissed 4 times already. Of course, a death of a beloved falls under the category of devastation.

WRETCHED is for me the aftermath of being devastated. When the dust due to the devastation settles, it is usually then when you start assessing your life. That's when you realize that everything is a mess. You don't know what to do. You are completely lost in your own life.

Of course, I don't really use these words in everyday life, haha! I had to use the dictionary to actually differentiate them. As you can see, all of them sound so negatively alike.

I realized that when we are in a low moment, we tend to have a biased view of what sadness is. We lose perspective and forget that at any given low point in our life, there exists at least one good thing to be happy about and thankful for. In moments when we feel so alone, we never actually are. More often than not, this 'I-am-so-alone' drama we have is primarily our fault anyway. Sometimes, we are just too shy, or worse, too proud to ask or accept well-meaning help from other people -- especially the more loyal and more dependable of our so-called friends.

Top 10 things I didn't like about Spider-man 3

2007-05-04T16:47:00.000+08:00

Before any of the Spidey loyalists out there would crucify me, know that while I know the very basic facts about Peter Parker and Spider-man, I am no comic book fan. I also watched a few epsiodes of the cartoon version on ABS-CBN a decade ago. But that's it. I watched Spider-man 1 & 2 and immensle enjoyed both. My expectations on Spider-man 3 were pretty high, so I was disappointed when I watched it. It wasn't a complete mess though. It's just that the annoying things outweighed the enjoyable ones.

Here's a list of the Top 10 things about the movie that annoyed me the most:
(In no particular order)

1. Harry having amnesia after the fight? For a while there I thought I was watching a local teleserye, hehe! Worse, it didn’t last long, to think that he supposedly lost 3 years worth of memory. Even Mike Delfino of Desperate Housewives who lost 2 years worth of memory to amnesia had to wait way way longer than Harry to bring back just a few scenes of his lost past. Sorry, it was a little ridiculous.

2. What’s up with the nosy butler? It took two movies after Green Goblin’s death for the loyal family butler to actually tell Harry that his father’s death is not Spidey’s fault. Geesh, if only he told Harry earlier, it would’ve saved his ward a lot of trouble. And he’d probably be still alive for Spider-man 4.

3. There were too many villains for me. It felt like 3 episodes of Smallville in one movie the only difference being that they all ganged up on him in the end. (Or not, ‘cause Harry switched sides eventually). I just feel that the villains weren’t given enough exposure for me to actually hate them. Which brings us to…

4. … insufficient character development. Like I said, new villains were introduced too quickly for me to actually feel their ‘evil’, to understand where they're coming from. Sure it was mentioned, but to the (un)wise words of Randy Jackson, "I wasn't feeling that, dawg!".

5. I’ve heard Kirsten Dunst’s voice on Dream Of Me (and she can carry a decent tune), that’s why I was surprised that they used a ghost singer in Mary Jane’s theatre and resto gig scenes. It was obviously not her voice so it was awkwardly creepy to hear her sing. (EDIT: A friend says it was actually Kirsten who sang in the movie. If it's true, I stand corrected. But it still sounds odd.)

6. I don’t really know how funny Spider-man is supposed to be in the comics, but one thing I liked about Tobey Maguire’s portrayal of Spider-man is his random comic moments (remember his 'aw, my back!' in Spidey 2?). But in this movie, it didn’t work for me. His dance number to spite Mary Jane was dragging (okay, we get the point, he's not himself, can we get on with the hard action, now?), and so was his goofy dancing in the streets. He reminded me of Taylor Hicks for a few seconds.

7. Does Mary Jane have to screech painstakingly and fall off from extremely high places all the freaking time? I mean come on! Even Lana Lang does not do a repeat performance of her mishaps. (Although, Lana Lang does ALWAYS have to be kidnapped by the meteor freaks. But oh well, that's another story, haha!). To the writers, there are other ways in order to torture the leading ladies!

8. And what’s with the stupid onlookers in the crime scenes throughout the movie who had to bring their children in with them? I mean come on! If something violent is going on, would you bring your child along to satisfy your curiosity and know what’s going on?

9. And again, what’s with Venom’s ‘ransom note’ that was like printed out of a web printer?

10. Speaking of Venom, I actually liked him more in this movie than Spider-man himself because I think he showed more personality. Topher Grace was a delight, but I think he was not right for the role of an antagonist. I didn't want him to die. I actually enjoyed it when he was being an ass to Spidey!

So there, feel free to berate me, but these are just my observations and opinions. Yeah I admit, much of these things shouldn't be a big deal. But the thing is, the movie wasn't as enjoyable as it should be, because if I was enjoying the story, I wouldn't have resorted to criticizing minor details. I would've been lost in the story of a wouldv'e-been great movie that actually deserves the hype.

Brothers And Sisters, Aren't We All?

2007-05-01T20:34:00.000+08:00

Anyone who has brothers and sisters can totally relate to Brothers And Sisters, an ABC (the US Channel, not the struggling local one, thanks to Philippine Idol's dismal ratings) family drama that is about to end its first season this in a few weeks.

Unless of course if you're an only child. Or if you have an all-male or all-female set of siblings. Or if you don't have a brother who is an Afghan war veteran. Or if you don't have a sister who is a right-winger TV host. Or if you don't have a deceased father -- whom you later discover is a philanderer. Or if you don't own a family business that might just file for bankruptcy, thanks but no thanks to your deceased father. Or if you don't have a gay brother who is 90% out of his gay closet. Or if you're surname isn't Walker and that you grew up in Los Angeles. Or I could just stop describing the characters, eh? Haha!

Seriously, this show is so compellingly good that in two days, I have finished the first six episodes. I could actually watch the 7th and 8th episode right now, if not only for my sister who doesn't share a body clock of someone from England. Ironically funny, me and my sister watch Brothers And Sisters together. Yeah, it's that good -- this seemingly innocent torrented AVI copy of a TV series served as a bonding activity for two actually-close siblings but never had the time to actually do together things that they both like.

It's official, Brothers And Sisters joins the company of Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and Heroes as one of my must-watch (or rather, must-download) US television series. It's the second TV series that got me officially and immensely hooked by its pilot. While the Seattle Grace gang is still my favorite group of TV people these days, it actually took me five episodes before it duped me into believing that I wanted to be a surgeon all over again. While I wanted to be a 'hero' by the third episodes of Heroes, it's not to say though that I wanted to be a housewife when I saw the Desperate Housewives pilot, haha! But I think, you get what I mean. Now I feel that it's so cool to have Sarah, Kitty, Tommy, Kevin and Justin as brothers and sisters!

Whenever we watch, my sister and I always would often say, "Uy, si yan ah, ganyan na ganyan siya.. haha!" whenever one of the characters or events become too familiarly closer to home. The dramatic scenes are not your typical teleserye ones. It will thug your heart not with the fluctuating volume of shouting voices during confrontations or the overplayed aping-api-ako drama of the leads, but with the wittingly spoken lines that will definitely hit home. In fact, there has been no episode so far that lacks a watery-eyes moment. That's the best thing about it, it won't make you cry but it will definitely open your eyes and touch your heart. It's an American family, but if there's anything Filipino in it, it's the fact that at the end of the day, despite the problems and the conflicts that just seem to pull your family apart, if you stick by yours, you'd be surprised at what your family can survive.

*Studio 23 is going to air it soon but am not sure of the actual schedule. So for torrent freaks, try this TV series. Yeah, it's a family drama. But if you could just get past the idea that it's drama, you'll see that you will see a piece of your own family (whatever the characters or conflicts yours actually have) in the Walker family.

Singing Sensay-syon

2007-04-29T23:02:00.001+08:00

Last Tuesday, me and my orgmates had a videoke session at a local 'beerhouse'. Yeah, I know, it's not a posh KTV lounge or at least a decent booth in an arcade but don't let the term 'beerhouse' influence you into thinking that we were in a, erm, 'bad place'. Well, it's a garage with a videoke machine, tables and chairs and they serve beer, so I called it a 'beerhouse'.

So what did I sing? Well, there's Smooth by Rob Thomas.. To Be With You by Mr Big.. This Kiss by Faith Hill.. Faith Hill?! What the! Yeah I know, but I only sang it to spite Porshe because the song reminds her of someone and it pisses her off! Haha! I tried to channel Sanjaya by looking for Something To Talk About on the songbook, but it wasn't there. Same with When The Stars Go Blue and all other songs performed in the current season of American Idol that I learned to love. That's what I love with American Idol - it introduces my to music beyond my generation, beyond my personal contemporary taste. I used to hate country songs whenever Papa used to play them back in my younger years, but thanks to Carrie Underwood, I learned to appreciate and even love country music.

We Filipinos, just to love to sing, right? Even if we're not really good at it. I am no exception. Music is my passion. Well, not in a I-know-to-play-an-instrument and I-want-to-be-a-rockstar-someday kind of way. It's just that I love listening to music - it's something I can't live without (so I guess I should've said 'Listening to music is my passion', eh?) More than 50% of the memory usage of my phone is attributed to MP3 files that I listen to whenever I'm on-the-go. I have a separate hard disk partition especially devoted to my MP3 files (because I don't want to lose them each time I'd have to reformat my laptop or in case of a viral attack on my C).

That night, I commented, "Mabuti pa si Argel (another orgmate and once a videoke-buddy), magaling mag-videoke.." A friend asked me to elaborate because I added that a good singer and a good videoke singer are two different things (though it usually follows that if you're a good singer, you're a good videoke singer, but not vice versa). I said, "Pareho kaming hindi kagandahan ang boses, pero sa videoke, nadadaan niya sa performance kaya ma-e-entertain ka pa rin.." (Yihee, Argel, this comment pimps you bigtime, eh? Haha!) That's why I love videoke sessions, it's the next best thing to a singing career. But unlike Argel, I'm not even remotely good at videoke at the very least, given the (huge) handicap that I already have because I don't even have a good voice to begin with. So, I only sing in front of my friends (whom I know would still be my friends after hearing me sing), so you could say that each of my performances is an exclusive one, haha!

But my lack of videoke talent isn't going to stop me from practicing -- I've been bugging my Dad for ages to buy us a Magic Sing (I'm really convinced it will make a difference if I have something to practice on, haha!). For we're planning another videoke session this week and I've been constantly listening to the songs I am planning to 'perform'. Yeah, this early, I already have a repertoire, haha! Pati nga yung numbers nila sa machine, nakalista na. =p

Dr. Quack Quack

2007-04-28T00:58:00.000+08:00

When I introduced myself on the stage back in my Prep graduation, I announced that I wanted to be a doctor someday. I guess it comes with the innocence -- I hardly know anyone who never wanted to be a doctor when they were little. When we were kids, being a doctor is like one of the coolest jobs (along with being a lawyer). Of course, as we grow older and as we develop new interests, we eventually realize our true calling in this world.

I lost my interest in medicine in my late elementary years. While I don't necessarily faint, seeing blood, whether mine or otherwise, makes me cringe. I realized then, being a doctor is definitely a no-no. Even if my interest in life sciences (Biology, Anatomy, etc) surged during my sophomore year in high school because of my competent teacher in Biology, I still knew that medicine wasn't my true calling.

As you all know, I took up Computer Engineering instead of a pre-med course in college. My 5-unit Chem 16 course in freshman year further bolstered my resolve that medicine isn't for me. But recently, I'm having 'second thoughts', I am starting to think that I might make a good 'doctor'. A love doctor, that is! Haha!

An acquaintance recently told me that I'm better than Joe D'Mango. I laughed at the idea. I mean come on, Joe D'Mango is way way up there when it comes to giving advices on love. And then there's the two friends of mine whose respective relationships recently ended. For the past months or so, I've been 'treating' them. One time, one of them texted me and asked, "Doc, pwede pong magpa-konsulta ulit?" And when I said 'yes', a series of lengthy text messages ensued thereafter, hehe.

Churning out advices is no big deal for me. I actually get a lot of thank-yous because of the advices that I give my friends. I mean, I have a brain that could think, it's just natural for me to have an opinion on anything. Whether an opinion of mine makes actual sense is another story, right? But when my friends tell me how helpful I was, I must admit, it feels flattering. But not to be arrogant or something - because I don't claim to be an all-knowing person, but if my mind's two cents worth turns out to be actually helpful, why not. I just feel glad to be of help to my friends. To by able my duty as a friend is what matters, and not the fact that I know more about things.

Now that I think about, it looks like I am the go-to-guy. How I come up with meaningful advices is beyond me. I actually am amazed at how I am able to advice friends of mine when it comes to their love problems. For starters, I've only been in one relationship. It was back in junior year (take note, high school pa to!), and I don't even consider it to be a serious one. Not that it was a fling or what, it's just that considering how short the relationship was, I feel that I couldn't really consider it as a decent experience of love. I fell in love a number of times after that though, but my success rate is 0%, hehe. Therefore, I am actually a loser when it comes to dating, haha!

What's more amazing in a weird and ironic but amusing kind of way is that the most of the friends I give advice to has had more experience when it comes to love. I mean, how could a perpetually single like me become a love guru to someone who's been in at least 2 serious relationships, the latest of which lasted for 5 years? Where do I get all the ideas? I don't really know. Cupid probably whispers to my ears or something. Some of my friends say that it's like I could 'see through them', that's why I almost always give sound advice. I supposedly know the right things to say, at the right time. Again, I have no idea how I do it.

I guess it helps to be a third party observer with no ulterior motive whatsoever in the situation other than wanting the best for my friends. I am capable to see things in a clearer light for them because I am not the one in love. I am not the one with feelings. Feelings, especially the love kind, clouds our judgment and defies all logic. It makes us compromise things we never thought we'd compromise.

So, if you happen to have a problem on love, just contact me at your own risk -- I give out advice for free. But know that I'm just good in theories and concepts, but when it comes to methods (in layman's terms, hearththrobs and players use the term 'diskarte'), I am just as clueless, haha!

Beach Thoughts

2007-04-24T11:28:00.000+08:00

Summer is very much equated with the beach, right? Well, I guess it's fair enough that one wouldn't trek to the beaches during the stormy season.

I've only been to the beach twice in my whole life. One in Zambales (2005) and one in Hawar Island Bahrain (2000). My beach sojourn in Zambales was with my orgmates and it was an actual resort. The sand on the beach itself was not what I hoped it would be. The sand was gray and a little rocky. Think construction sites, hehe. But the sand on the nearby island was way way better! Too bad we could stay there for a little while only. My orgmates tried to teach me how to float. Perfect venue, eh? Kamusta naman ang mga waves na humahampas sa ilong ko, haha!

My beach trip in Bahrain wasn't exactly a relaxation type of visit. Hawar is the military island where my Papa works and that afternoon, we were just driving around, sight-seeing. Since it was a military island, the only settlements present were the military camp and the plant that Papa manages, the resort hotel and some a few buildings that I really had no idea what they were. So imagine all the free stretch of sand-and-sea rendezvous at my disposal. The beach where we stopped by wasn't exactly resort material. Although the sand was smooth and white, there were pearl-sized rocks everywhere. And there were all these little baby crabs that were threatening me with their clamps. (Ke-liit-liit, antatapang, parang nag-yayaya ng suntukan, haha!). We still went for a swim though, the water was only shallow for the first few tens of meters. It was my first time and I didn't know how to swim (up to now) so I wasn't really able to savor the moment. My fears got the best of me, so it wasn't long before I 'walked' back to shore. And the school of white jellyfish ahead of me wasn't exactly welcoming, haha!

I love swimming, but beaches were never my thing. Don't get me wrong, I would enjoy going to the beach but I wouldn't be exactly jumping for joy when it comes to the swimming aspect of the gimik. My lack of swimming skills is definitely a huge constraint in exploring an unconfined and huge space of water. I would enjoy the sunset view though; and making weird structures in the sand; bonfires, if ever. The company I'm with would matter more than the quality of the sand.

I've been aching for a getaway for the past few weeks. But alas, I don't really have enough savings to do something outrageous and adventurous, like going to a faraway beach by myself (or with someone). You know, 'hahanapin ko ang sarili ko', like they always say in the movies, hehe!

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