A GIRL'S BUCKET LIST

Bibliophile

2012-02-27T15:09:00.000-08:00

from: jessicarulestheuniverse:
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore has just won the Oscar for Best Animated Short.

I saw bits and pieces of the Oscar, because, let's face it, it's a bit of a snooze after the red carpet fashion and when you can predict winners based from this year's list.

I was never a fan of shorts. But hey, why did I MISS THIS? Halfway between bawling with my eyes out and wiping the snot forming on my nose, I realized that the Oscars got it right: this movie tugged at the very core of my heartstrings. I love the characters in the story (especially Humpty Dumpty!). I love how the story introduced the significance of each characters in the story. I love its cheesiness, and it isn't that overpowering to me. I love how in the end Morris achieved his ultimate dream, and share that opportunity to someone else.

It allowed me to reflect on the gift of reading: how I received it from my Father, how I nurtured it with my endless hunt of books and coming up with reading lists a tad too long until I have to get in there and read each and every one of them, how it brought me comfort through my darkest and happier times, how boos comforted me through my lonely dorm nights, and how I pained when I have to part a book to another person only to find they do not share the same respect I bestowed on them, and how I ache on those times that I have to throw away beloved copies because they are such in a very bad shape or lost them somewhere in a trip.

But damn, this movie taught me something else. The world is BIG. It takes a lot to visit and enjoy its nooks and crannies. But I don't have to fret on going further when all I need to do is turn a page and see the world your way.

So thank you Papa, English Reading Primer and Edith Hamilton's Mythology. You ignited that fire.

from Shooting Stars Mag

I will name my kid Alexander/ria

2012-01-16T08:17:00.000-08:00

...because of that famed legend about a secret, most significant and massive collection of books.

I have been in looove with books since I can remember (and thus explains most of the blog's posts, lol). I remember those school-issued reading primer and elicited orgasmic praises from my grade school teacher with my rousing arousing oral readings of how Pilar delights at seeing Bantay run and jump. I remember finding a mothball-smelling copy of Edith Hamilton's Mythology at my grandparent's farm in the middle of a acre of rice paddies, not minding how one can have snakes as her hair as opposed to listening to AM radio kissy love scenes.

I recently had an epiphany after making the connection of my habit of buying books not necessarily because I was following a trend (you cannot find Meyer's vampire books on me, promise), or I feel a compulsion to buy (weelll, that IS another topic I will discuss at a later time because I think my soon-to-be husband completely disagrees).

Because I am close to entering another chapter in my life, I now know how my love of books would manifest in my goals for a better life.

But first, let me recount the bucket list, because I only had roughly 10 months instead of a year (thank you "medical issues"):
1. Run a marathon. Erm. Praaaamis, I will pull my fiance's leg to join me on this before we wed.
~~2. Come out first and say someone you like them~~. Check. Hey JB :)
3. Schedule and actually have an appointment at a luxury spa. Fingers crossed, I will a week before THE Day :)
4. Form a band and release an EP. Hmmm. I'm getting a Melody Gardot vibe.
5. Write a literary piece and have it published. In the works. Yey :)
6. Create a podcast show about music. Currently discussing it as it is our dream project :)
~~7. Create a 7-piece wardrobe collection from thrift shop pieces.~~ Nevermind. High-end fashion is now in the mass market.
8. Re-learn a new language. I might as well re-learn one. Toss coin for tweaking my Spanish or relearn Niponggo.
9. Join a creative arts contest. I think I'll progress on this when I get pregnant. From what I hear, emotional shit hits the ceiling fan when you're pregnant.
~~10. Visit historical sites in Metro Manila~~. I "passed by" historical sites enroute to my actual destinations. Will that count?
11. Learn a new sport. I'm injured, so maybe chess?
12. Record a 7-song compilation with my former band. Dang this is hard. But we've managed a dinner last year :)

Soo, here's some additions:
13. Create a reading list of managerial books to be finished at the end of every year.
14. Invest in a mass book collection.
15. Invest and start up a hole-in-the-wall resto cafe.

I am especially excited about the 14th, because I have been slowly keeping tabs on my books rather than "losing" them to friends and acquaintances. I'd even want to have a color-coordinated bookcase like this one for my new home:

Manolo For the Home, can we be friends?

I have already been racking up a list of books that I must have in my possession, even considering our future kids:

1. Curious George - Because he's lovable, curious, playful and dares the world.
2. Edith Hamilton's Mythology - I cannot remember for the life of me whom I endorsed my yellow-paged copy
3. Bible, King James Version - Although I'd probably be a smart publisher and will also buy the condensed version for the kids
4. Philippine manga - Yes, and they're underground slowly being introduced to the mass market. Thankfully I already have a few, and because I have been missing comic cons as of late, I will have to make special trips to Cubao for these.

and so a new year begins, albeit late for everyone's, but a tad week early before the Chinese new year.

Happy New Year folks :)

10 Things To Do If I Can Get To Do It This Weekend

2011-12-16T11:36:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of doing lists, here are the top 10 things I could do if my good but stern doctor lift the mandatory bedrest rule:

1. I could have partied all night in my Doc Martens tonight at 1951 Adriatico with the Flippin Soul Stompers

2. I could have accompanied the fam and join the urban throng in mad-rush Christmas shopping, including experiencing horrendous traffic along the way

courtesy: coolbeanmommas.com

3. I could have joined my peers to a food trip all-nighter at Mercato Centrale's last Saturday picnic of the year and pig out on Big Bob burgers and Manang's Chicken (mmm...)

courtesy: azraelcoladilla.com

4. I could have made my promise to my fiance true and trot with him to Greenhills and look for that stall that sells mod clothing

courtesy: travelphilippineisland.com

5. I could have invited my sister out this week for a healthy treat and a much-needed sister bonding at Jamba Juice for that to-die for chunky strawberry parfait

6. And haunt every Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf to finally claim my last affogato freebie coupon from my CBTL planner to share with my sister cause the last cafe barista said the dessert isn't readily available in some stores

courtesy: from their Facebook Page

7. Poke a friend to see Fully Booked's screenings this weekend (Kuya Mark??)

courtesy: Fully Booked

8. And while I am at it, haunt this book and let my benefactor (fiance) pay for it as my Christmas gift (hahaha)

Buy it in Amazon too. Just read Tim Burton's turning

it into a movie.

9. Wrap unwrapped presents. Will need to seek help from Real Simple.

Oh how I love to repeat these expressions this Christmas.

10. Simbang gabi. Morning weather is not gonna do good for my swollen leg.

courtesy: philippinereporter.com

In the meantime, I wish our cable operator somehow manages to convince cable channels to showcase more Bruce Willis action films. James Bond is cool, I get it, but his coolness is passé to me.

Holy Crisis

2011-12-16T10:40:00.000-08:00

From my latest stash comes a haunting book that chilled my core, a bit, and it's not because of the weather.

Finished this in two days, Morgan Llewelyn's The Elementals is an astonishing read about man and his relationships and battles with Earth.

The book is a 4-part series; each story relates how a group of people fight a natural event. Seen through the eyes of 4 different protagonists, it also showcases how we are but only custodians of Earth, and how Earth responds with the elements: fire, water, earth, air.

It was a welcome break that I stumbled on this book from one of my fave haunts because I have been fascinated with European History thrillers, but the book certainly entertained me while I am in a coach potato state due to my latest accident. And what timing, because I read this scary news of a fact that pretty soon the Mayans may have gotten it right.

But then again, the main theme of the book wasn't disasters, or apocalypse; it is every ending that people see in these armageddon, blockbuster movies: hope.

Camping is a Must

2011-12-15T00:34:00.000-08:00

...and with the extra time I can afford lying down, why not, with Cinema One?

This is not an advertisement, nor is another introduction to Jessica Zafra's campy point-out to the Philippine cinema then.

While I prefer Bruce Willis and Will Smith action movies my "comfort food" to a long plight of recovery, I occasionally flip channels to Cinema One, where they serve camp speciality in the wee hours of the morning and the dead hours of the afternoon (siesta time).

You'd get your heart's fill of ST movies, action films where all-denim outfit in a 32-degree weather was in, and loads of Weng-Weng skits.

courtesy: plucktoyou.com

Anyhoo, I do not have a smart-ass thing to say to end this, cause my dura mater is squelched.

How Filipinos Celebrate Christmas

2011-12-14T11:31:00.000-08:00

You know it's Christmas here when:

1. You see people practice those Lito Camo/Yeng Constantino/Willy Revillame/Cali Swag District remixes - intermission numbers in the most inconspicuous of places:
a. Mall salespeople practicing at a terminal space near the mall
b. Security personnel of a posh condo swaying their hips at a function room
c. Group of ladies renting space in an unused space inside an office building

courtesy: RADIOPANIEKZAAIER KEIHARD DE #1 HC WEBRADIO

2. People mad-angry about their 13th month bonuses/performance incentives/bonuses, they shop like it's the end of the world. It is uncommon to see someone armed with at least 15-16 bulging shopping bags in almost any mall.

courtesy: AlbusHotel.com

3. You can never have too many new clothes for every party or Christmas occasion, that you smell faintly of musk from the store's airconditioned storage room because wearing it right away is okay because you can mask it anyway with perfume or probably it's a new stock (you wish that no other consumer other than you had tried it on, deodorant stains and sweat and all).

courtesy: lonelyreload.com

4. Kiddos wailing unrecognizable Christmas songs: they're now 10-15 seconds long, lyrics are now replaced with spur-of-the-moment heteronyms no thanks to laziness and station ID jingles, and ends with an enthusiastic We Wish You A Merry Christmas plus loud-banging your door for their much-deserved fee.

Ang babarat ninyo, thank you! courtesy of Talismancoins.com

5. There can never be too many gift-givings this Christmas. As they say, it is better to give than to receive. So you're list also includes your entire office department plus your 3 barkada throngs plus your sibling's significant others and their families...and the list goes on and one, you rival Santa's.

"Who is this guy again?" Courtesy of german-business-etiquette.com

Hay, we have no bounds do we? If people are more friendlier and nicer this Christmas, what more are Pinoys, who are known to go all out?

Pain Management

2011-12-14T09:29:00.000-08:00

...and so the final verdict was laid down by my good but stern doctor:

3 WEEKS BED REST.

Damn. All weekend plans down the drain. Finances for the first month of next year in peril. Plus I will have an awful lot of time to do stuff lying down.

And it's Christmas.

Thank you nasty bruise, among other things.

I would have shown the rest of my bruises but they're kinda R-rated.

Lessons picked up from this otherwise grateful outcome of a nasty accident of which I tell people (my Mom included) I cannot prevent 'cause you know this isn't like your regular cold or flu ano ba:

Never descend a dark flight of stairs half-asleep, with armful load of fragile stuff with you.
If stairs is near a window, check if the stairs are wet
Insist in installing step stoppers, regardless of how fugly it'll look
When someone tells you to not come to work, don't go to work.
Otherwise, do not sleep on the top floor; or
Will make sure next house/apartment/condo will only have one floor; and
THANK GOD for HMOs in times like these.

In the meantime, the word spinner like me is having a difficult time convincing my boss otherwise to consider my situation in the following weeks.

There's no pain like this pain. :(

Ooh, ooh, book in progress!

2011-10-31T11:14:00.000-07:00

Thank you uber-looong weekend. I feel like it's Saturday still.

So, because of the frequency of my book haunts, I got inspired to concoct an idea for a novel. Not sure what category it should fall under, but it is a mystery, just like this damn clue I'm giving you. I'm pretty sure when this will come out, there will be talk from readers (yeah, the two of you) about how in the world I came up with such.

Anyhoo, ever since my boss introduced this to me, I came to learn the hidden value of this software app called Trello. If you're the guy who secretly is clueless on how to tackle things, then this is the way to go.

I love checklists and trackers, my boss commented that he's scared of my spreadsheets lol. Anyhoo, here's my project tracker. Come to think of it, why didn't I created one for my wedding?

I love you organizer magic!

Hmm, I think it's because I am still in holiday mode. Tomorrow then, mwahaha.

Wardrobe Malfunction

2011-10-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

I threw a heapload of clothes in a plastic bag. It did made a dent to my otherwise meager of a closet.

But then, I began to have flashbacks of the days of my thrift store shopping with my then-housemates. I even made a convert out of a true-blue fashionista who found haven with ukay.

Ukay today is so passe, I blanch at the price tags they attach to "labeled" items. Obviously fake LVs and Hermes for 5k? Really, I can spot a fake.

Besides, I dig androgynous clothing in non-colors. Mod clothing supplies the color in my drab staples.

So tonight, I dream of this wardrobe that somehow the upcoming weather will be forgiving for me to wear it.

This is her sh*t, she says.

This and more pictures at manrepeller.com

Rules of Public Commuting

2011-09-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

Back from a super loooong hibernation. This is really bad because:

1. I ran out of creative juice to fill out my kaizen to write at least once a week.
2. I got too many brilliant ideas but do not have the time to write them, or
3. I ran out of creative juice and got zilch ideas

They say an average person writes when they show off or they rant, or in some cases, wanted to be significant. I am "inspired" to write, because I like to rant, no thanks to a Filipino trait embedded with the help of a 333 year-old tyranny del Espanol.

So, like your average reasonable person that I think I am, the one reason why I think I favor public transportation most of the times is because it's cheap to get around, and I do no own a car. People get cabs when a. Payday comes, or b. running late for work, or c. bajillion other circumstances as long as your pockets can support the fare. But in any other day, whether you have storms like Ondoy threatening to seep into your recently washed white Advans, or you're in the middle of an unknown street in the belly of Manila and would like to get out, familiarity is comfort, and you begin to do spirit fingers to hail that colorful jeepney.

My experience with public transportation just minutes ago brings me to a realization: you can never be choosy with the vehicle. You can sit in front where the only elbows you might be rubbing be that of the driver's or another commuter, you'd probably have a few hours to live due to that funky air-conditioner that spews air that was probably meant for the tambucho.

Anyhoo, since I'm a grownup now, I have reckoned to the washroom after work not just to "powder my nose" like the salesladies in department stores usually do, but probably douse myself with cologne, fix my flat hair, and make sure I do not scare people with my face that goes shiny shimmering splendid even after a few minutes of blotting.

So before piling in lines waiting for godot at the transportation hub, you may want to consider the following before boarding one:

1. Wear long sleeves please. I hate body sweat mixed with oil.
2. Slap on a fresh application of roll-on. For the love of God.
3. If your work requires sweating, please do change into a fresh shirt before going home. We can smell you just fine.
4. If you're having a fight with your wife, or cheating on her with another, or if you have a "booking", please conduct your calls discreetly. Promise, everybody hears you, even if you whisper.
5. Ditto with texting. Even if you're ambidextrous and have the fastest thumbs in the world, we read them with our peripheral vision quite clear, even if we do not want to.
6. Bring your own headset. Not all would like to hear another Justin Bieber song from your mobile phone.
7. If the driver asks if any of the commuters will be dropped off to an offroad, and someone answers, you may only express a sigh of irritation IF the jeepney's route isn't usual. Otherwise, shut your trap. This is not a private vehicle.
8. I don't have a problem looking at people. But urbanites feel that staring is freaky. So don't stare.

Otherwise, I didn't experience any of the things tonight, thank God. Too bad, I got a smelly driver.

Jeepney tales the dark. From bulatefreak.multiply.com

1st Mod and Soul All-Nighter at B-Side Makati

2011-07-18T13:39:00.000-07:00

Anticipating a weekend gig as awesome as the much-awaited first ever Mod and Soul All-Nighter at B-Side Makati made the days before longer than I had hoped to be.

We arrived full of fish and chips during The Sleepyheads set. But I heard it was awesome :)

The Sleepyheads, credits from their Facebook Page

I was looking forward to the Go-Signals set to bring me back to The Jam, but I heard Mel (lead singer/guitars) was recuperating, so get well till your next gig!

The Go-Signals' album sleeve, in stores soon. Exciting!

Awesome DJ sets took me back to the past courtesy of Shane Cosgrove, Bea Wong, Chie Castañeda and Renaissance Man Bing Austria.

Didn't grab too many pictures, but took so many videos my partner's phone cam can afford.

Photo grabs from my good friend Mae :)

And since I was like the unofficial videographer that night (that's my shoulder action right there), posting videos of awesome performances that night here.

Flippin Soul Stompers doing "Tainted Love" with Mae of Shuffle Union

Until recently (and with Bea's recent fascination with horns), I decided to feature the awesome horn duo of Eldie and Dante of Flippin Soul Stompers in almost all of my videos.

Flippin Soul Stompers do "Soul Finger"

Shaky cam action there, because you try capturing the videos and not shimmy to the beat in this heat.

Eldie later joined Steady Movin' Beat's ska set and ripped apart one of their covers with his mad tooting.

SMB EP Version 2 out now! Check out their other sets in this Youtube Channel

I sort of met a first-timer at the gig who was kinda "shocked" with the whole fusion concept. I explained that the goal was to slowly introduce enthusiasts in genres influenced by soul to the soul crowd and music. It may not be the atmosphere you seek for in Wigan Casino, but it is a milestone for people to realize and pay homage to soul in this Western culture-plagued and forever eternal identity-in-limbo society in this metro. If you think about it, it would ultimately be the glue that would bond genres together, and hopefully reshape the perception of real-good music.

I truly believe that music is best enjoyed when not taken too seriously. So it's a wonderful thing to see the new paying homage to the old, and that's what Twice the Panic did, wrapping up at the wee hours of the morning. Got this song playing over and over my head, thanks to their awesome set:

Mr. Day, Tears of Joy courtesy of Youtube

The 1st Mod and Soul Dance Party was hosted by B-Side Makati, The Collective.

Want more Soul? Manila Soul All-Nighter celebrates its First Anniversary! Check out this link for more event details.

Read This! When Kambia Elaine Flew In From Neptune

2011-06-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

I'm afraid. This is guesswork, but her out-of-this-world stories, her way of thinking about the world, her raggedy lithe self is letting me conclude on what her secret that I do not wish to happen to any child in the world.

A powerful read, When Kambia Elaine Flew In From Neptune has been gripping me in the throat, as I am being narrated to by a young daughter weary and worried about her mother and her sister's volatile relationship and her odd relationship with Kambia Elaine from next door. I am both at awe and pity at the haplessness and strength of women in the ghetto, as they try to keep their heads up high and keep their children without unworthy husbands in one of the poorest suburban areas in their metro.

How Lorie Aurelia Williams was able to capture the rawness and honesty of the characters is beyond me. They literally jump right out of my paperback copy.

I'm still reading, so I do not want to tempt myself with the summaries strewn all over the Internet, or share what I think Kambia's secret is.

Get yours at Amazon.

I Survived Toycon Fair 2011

2011-06-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

Sweaty, tired but unscathed.

The 10th Anniversary of Toycon Philippines managed to harbor all three function halls of SM Megamall and took Saturday by storm literally as cosplayers, toy collectors, toy and costume enthusiasts and the curious trekked and lined up for the much anticipated event. We were even lucky to actually line up and get in with the P100 event fee in under 20 minutes.

I mean, who wouldn't get discouraged with this line?

A little girl was forced to be an unwilling scalper when she tries to sell her unused ticket because she was way pass her curfew and her mom was practically instructing her to come home (I have to eavesdrop to her conversation with an unsuccessful buyer). A die-hard collector whom I assumed was a veteran in the business (he saw his other "colleagues" while lining up), was super impatient he bought the 2-day ticket when one-day tickets ran out and couldn't wait for the next batch of one-day tickets (Chismis: My partner told me he was dj-ing for this well-known local band because of its band leader who was a known member of a disbanded popular 90's band who got brouhaha with their reunion concert because of their sponsor. Okay, I think that's obvious so I'm gonna stop :P).

Upon entering, the first thing that welcomed us in the face were more people. Actually herds of 'em. So we went left, and squeezed in some aisles, and my partner, being the eager beaver, forgot his idea that we should eat first before we look around, and began to look around for toys he might buy on every stall. I quickly reminded him because I was irritated and I am beginning to get more irritated because I hate crowds and of my mild claustrophobia.

So we hunted for food in this wild jungle. And voila, I was successful!

Our Daily Bread: Japanse custard cake I forgot what it's called

Deadma. I ate it anyway.

Plus two hotdog sandwiches and cans of sweet carbon drinks later, I took a good overview of the place and noticed that the fair layout was downright horrid. I wasn't a happy camper when the collector's exhibits were splayed all across the three halls. I guess the prime spots were near the entrance, which was a terrible idea because there was no space to walk anymore and crowd control could have been achieved if sponsors stalls could have stationed their stalls near the stage, which was good except there was one good section of the entire area blocked off for dressing rehearsals, which was blocking the exits and proven to be a nightmare for some cosplayer contestants who have to walk a block-worth of steps in their heavy and hot (literally) costumes. I felt sorry for the guy in geisha slippers and see-through white stocking bodysuit with a cloud covering his erm, privates and another guy dressed in a carton Gumby suit minus the color green. I wouldn't appreciate if they could have handed out like a map of sorts so people who do not naturally follow events or communities like CUA could easily navigate the place and will not contribute to unnecessary traffic.

Anyhoo, I had fun anyway because I love events like this :D. I may not be as hardcore as some people can be, but I have been to the last few events like this, and I love the experience every time. Although I have to admit, most of the toys displayed and sold were too commercial for me and my partner's tastes. But again, this is not eBay.

So I made friends with a Kermit.

And tried to get Dumbledore's attention.

(Note: He wasn't looking my way because he's so dizzy with the attention he's been getting from people. YES, he is not from Madam Tussaud's collection, but an actual, real-life model dressed up as Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series and he's pissed, tired and hungry I guess with all the non-stop requests for photo ops. I recall a group of stall managers freaked and shrieked at the sight of him and ran after him for a photo op, LOL.)

And then after a few rounds (only because we were tired and sweaty and have to go to this coolest event after if you got soul), we were able to grab sweet finds.

Because his birthday is only days away, he got Tony Montana.

And I got the coolest baubles!

Chanelling Man Repeller

And because this was Rizal's year, someone paid homage to him and made him look like Christina Aguilera's latest album effort, which was cool by the way and this statement made no disrespect for the coolest personification of the Filipino nor to the multi-octave singer/songwriter/actress.

So this is why I didn't drop by to check out this event I know these freelancer guys are gonna go massive even without my charming presence, haha. Hence, the reason for this blog (NOT!).

Child-like with your love of cosplay, anime, and toys? Join the wonderful community at Collectibles Unlimited Association here.

My Papa is the Best Dad in the World because...

2011-06-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

...he introduced me to the wonderful world of reading.

Ever since I can remember, it was my dad who taught me my a-e-i-o-u's. I remember reading the words "fish", "apple" and "boat" from purchased reading books I receive as my treat every time he comes home from work. He was intense as any teacher could be, and though he rule with an iron fist sometimes, I do not remember getting sanctioned because he saw my potential.

He was also creative with the teaching process too. I remember him one tricycle ride ago, when we owned one, and he was manning it and I rode shotgun. He began to read and point a few posters and signs and then told little me to read whatever text I could find with my peripheral vision with aloud. And for every street message, he'd try his best to correct me if I'd say it wrong. I still find myself till this day reading (not aloud though) signs, posters, banners or anything that my eyes catch on, and am thankful because I do not get typically lost in a foreign location.

My reading habit became voracious in high school, and if you happen to be enrolled in a school that adopts a science curriculum, reading is key. Although I barely escaped arduous chemistry and math subjects, literature, history and knowledge-based subjects were a joy, as I have the tendency to retain trivial knowledge from the books I read.

The more trivial the books were, the fascinating and the more intrigued I was to devour it. The passion became unhealthy and funny in some episodes when I began to hog bathroom time because taking Number Two requires reading at least 3000 words-worth of text (and being the sensible elder sister I am, the rest of my siblings followed suit) which made my time-conscious Papa more furious.

When someone credits their parents for their degree, I credit my Papa for giving me the most rarest gem that only a few are privileged to enjoy, and many take for granted. Reading gave me the power of information, which had lead me to many places, acquired other talents with it, and made me a better person.

So thanks Papa. We may not have much, and may not have the privileges as other well-supported people have, but I have been ultimately blessed by you for giving me a special gift.

Happy Fathers' Day!

New Stuff

2011-06-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

WOW, it's been a month, huh. I guess because of my increasing habit to procrastinate, I have been putting off blogging for almost every reason I could come up with.

But because I have been inspired by so much my happiness has been overflowing-ly satiated within "blog blackout", I am not gonna let the opportunity to share my happiness pass.

Soo, as my boss is going to make me take the fitness program we have at the office, I am now gonna make myself write at least the beginning and the end of each week so I'd be able to reflect on all of my "inspirations", which would then fuel me to write more, and then at least write one off of my procrastination list.

So as early as the first week of June, I have begun my panic attacks for my beautiful sister, who is to give birth supposedly any time.

So what should have been a week of anticipation spawned into a 2-week suspense mode for me and the rest of the family.

So in the afternoon of June 15th, a twin package came:

And it's not what you think.

Eeeh! Cuuute! Thank you EBay!

Hokey, back to anticipating.

Thanks to technology, I and my younger sister felt like we were physically holding our breaths together with the rest of the family members via mobile and Facebook as they ushered my sister to the hospital after dinner. Though her water broke, my sister told me though that it was going to be a very long night (she is a staff nurse, after all, so she speaks from experience).

Attempted chances to speak to my ailing sister who was in labor already, a hundred and seventy one exchanged SMS messages with Mama and my youngest sister, and hours till 12:47am, June 14th later, the world welcomed beautiful 8-pound Summer Ale.

Cutie pie!

So ecstatic! Can't wait to go home, I already bought tickets! See you home doll!

Soul Revving Up North: 2nd Baguio Soul All-Nighter at Clockwork Lounge

2011-05-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

After a very tiring week, Baguio was a welcome recluse for my partner and I. We were particularly excited with the 2nd Baguio Soul All-Nighter happening at Clockwork Lounge.

We were super excited, we bought our power outfits waaaay before the event: me in my plaid trench from Magarbo and my partner in his Muji long-sleeved button down shirt:

My partner felt so good in his shirt he'd rather brave the cold. Was able to afford to dance outside too:

Blurry shot here. He was in motion and I've got freezing hands.

The 2nd Baguio Soul All-Nighter coincides with the sophomore gig of Mute on Megaphones. Love their Plan B cover here:

Gotta work on my videography skills. Try working it out on a small pub with roomful of people and in super-dim lighting conditions on a camera phone. Trust me, we might have the same output.

Soul night carried on Saturday evening with an eclectic showcase of performers. I missed out some of the bands but one band caught my ears.

Calling themselves Skydive Academy, this band played a lovely mesh of soul, funk, blues with servings of hiphop, with a little dash of improv. Gotta love people with passion.

Not familiar with their songs but I was bobbing my head every time.

Something was clicking in my head while I was listening to their set. And then I thought they had a little bit of the guys who made Nickelodeon's Hey Arnold!'s theme song:

Bea Wong, Twice the Panic and the legendary Bing Austria of Flippin Soul Stompers kept us all Friday till Saturday dawn with Northern Soul music.

Full-body massages and a deep sleep later, we all met to celebrate Bing's birthday at Zios. Before that, of course, we went back to the pub and tuned in to Manila Soul Club Radio hosted by DJ Soul Dad Allan Raymond.

We had the most fulfilling meal ever. Check out their monstrous, 22-inch pizza with over-the-top toppings:

And I ordered this lovely lasagna dish that doesn't look like lasagna because it is smothered with cream cheese and thick, red sauce topped with 2 pieces of toast the size of your face:

I swear, Baguio got it right with the food serving. Now all they got to work on are customer service and the state of their public comfort rooms.

Regardless, I have never gotten tired of Baguio. It really has its charm my partner and I always leave with heavy hearts and shed actual tears.

Catch Flippin Soul Stompers on their May gigs here.
Tune in to Manila Soul Club Radio happening every Sunday, 2PM here.
Clockwork Lounge is located at Casa Generosa, Upper General Luna, Baguio City 2600
Zio's All-In-One Shop is located at II Military Cut-Off, Baguio City 2600.

Look Who Headed North for Soul-Searching

2011-05-07T10:45:00.000-07:00

Soul Boy says hello from 50's Diner.

Thanks Soul Girl Bea :)

We just paid a visit to the mass favorite 50's Diner Baguio at Upper Gen. Luna for some cheeseburgers and fries. As we all know, their orders are insanely mutated. Who doesn't love BIG servings?

The 2nd Baguio Soul All-Nighter may be over, but tonight's crowd at Clockwork Lounge Baguio is oblivious to the Pacquiao-Mosley fight tomorrow. So far, we've been witnessing proper jamming sessions from underground acts one after the other.

Check this blog for updates and videos soon :)

A Mother's Daughter

2011-05-07T09:39:00.000-07:00

How do you become a Mother? You know you are a mother when you begin to be responsible for a life. You are a mother when you nurture, show affection to and try to protect them from the world that is harsh and cruel.

The true test of a mother is for her to make sure the one she is responsible of fares better than her.

But what mothers forget is that we, their children strive to be become them.

My name is Rizza, and I am my mother's daughter.

I am a mirror of my mother, and I hope what she sees is good.

My mother is beautiful. That is mostly because she has the nicest smile in the whole world. My teeth has long ago betrayed me, and I have a very uncooperative upper front tooth. So when people who mattered say I smile nice, it is because I learned it from her. People forget how to smile these days, but not my mother. A genuine smile is crinkly around the eyes' edges and the corners of your mouth supposedly push the apple of your cheeks to actually show them. My mother's smile is a perfect example.

My mother is smart. She may forget the littlest things, and even to a point she'd unconsciously blab a secret you wish she didn't in front of a group of people, but she knows how to play her cards in social situations. She has lots of friends whom she values the most, and although some break her trust, she never wavers loyalty even if it means being wrong in the end. Because the most important thing that she accomplish is for us to learn a valuable lesson from her every time.

My mother is a career woman. She has a Master's degree in Public Administration, and the perseverance to enter law school even if it means challenging her tendency to forget and filling out their bedroom and every other wall space of our home with manila paper-full of transcriptions from school books.

My mother loves her family. She sacrifices, sacrifices, sacrifices, even if it means having to have her heart broken each and every time. She carries and marches on with her battles wounds, both physical and emotional, to a point that she'd space out for a bit because she needs to forget a bit so she can still soldier on the family's trials.

I am my mother's daughter. I looked like her back in college. I do not wear makeup often and try to be as compassionate to compensate for the inner and outer beauty that I need to emulate from my mother. I am a smart-@ss even if don't mean it. I try to build my career by garnering more work experiences so I can at least achieve half of what my mother was able to reach. I cry, ache and do effort to resolve every situation my family is compromised.

I hope I am doing fine, Mama, so you could be proud of me. And I will not stop until I am YOU.

Happy Mother's Day. I love you.

Hats Off to the 2011 William-Kate Royal Wedding

2011-04-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

I forgot until later from a text from my partner-in-crime that today was Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding day.

Was able to catch a repeat of the actual ceremony at Studio 23, just right the part where the bride is doing here bridal walk.

The first few seconds already made me a believer in the following:
1. The couple is truly in love;
2. I love UK/British/English weddings for their simplicity;
3. Kate is a simple and regal woman and would make a good queen;
4. Prince William is going bald (somebody should give him some Rogaine please)

Eee! I was truly fixated with the HATS! Ooh, I'd love for everyone to wear hats on my wedding day.

I'd have our elder ladies rock this on:

This one's for my moms:

I'd have our godmothers wear either:

Understated hat for the bridesmaids:

Photos from celebuzz.com

I am also fixated with Pippa Middleton's overall look, and the kid who frowned at the Royal Kiss:

Photos from celebuzz.com

Wishing them a happy marriage!

Walked my Way Into Lenten. Thanks, Mel Gibson's Passion

2011-04-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

How was last week for you?

If you opted to travel with family/children/friends/significant other/concubine/fling/someone-you- dragged- because-you-got-an-extra-ticket to the beach, chances are you'd thought to yourself you're fair much at home because of these wonderful, cumbersome sight around you:

Photo courtesy of cocomangas.com

I, on the other hand had pretty much checked off my Holy Week Checklist.

1. Attend a vigil mass

It was Tuesday, and as of the previous mass we attended, the priest told us that there was going to be a short play afterwards. And so we did, and several other people in an otherwise dense church that day.

2. Watch a play related to the Lenten season

Our local parish hosted a "short play" about God's 10 Commandments (Sampung Utos ng Diyos) right after the vigil mass we attended. It turned out to be around 2 hours and 30 minutes long, and with a bare music score, I thought the play was a series of skits.

Besides the grueling heat from the weather and klieglights and the army of mosquitoes feasting on my limbs, I though the first production was a success because of the kids' superb acting skills.

3. 14 stations of the Cross

Visita Iglesia had a serious meltdown Thursday when their server wasn't able to handle the number of site visitors. Maybe they could consider cloud services?

Right after work, I and my partner in crime had our pilgrimage at the nearby Bonifacio High Street. Walkway 2011 is a Church Simplified event that aims to bring Christ and the people in their own way: bare and simple.

There were 14 stations spread across Bonifacio High Street, and each had a simple anecdote and a call for action.

I helped a child earn his meal here,

saw how I truly love my families here,

felt guilty with my shortcomings here,

thought how I didn't trust Jesus when I know I should have,

and got afraid of the darkness here.

My partner had a real moment when he tried carrying the world's burdens.

We both left refreshed and a little lighter. We also took two red beads as nice souvenirs to get by, I'm thinking of converting it into a necklace.

4. Watch a Lenten season-related movie

Jesus Christ Superstar was a perennial fave here in the family here. Any Webber-Rice collaboration is two thumbs up for me. Plus Ted Neeley as the falsetto Jesus is awesome!

Photo courtesy from Wikipedia

We opted to watch a second movie about the temptation of Christ, but it might change whatever mood we were in, so we opted with Mel Gibson's artful showing of the last hours of JC.

Photo courtesy from Wikipedia

Interesting note: I always thought the devil was played by Madonna, but it was her doppelganger pala.

From Rosalinda Celentano's Wikipedia page

5. Fast on Meat

Bracing myself with a "banig" of corticosteroids and my colloidal lotion, we fasted on meat and feasted on anything but meat: fish, shrimp, crab, squid. All except for fish were my skin allergy triggers. Until Saturday night from an exhausting 11-work day and I urged my equally hungry partner to trek to the nearest Chowking and eat Chinese food (With meat. Sorry Lord :P)

Did you crossed off your list? What did you missed out?

I Flippin' Soul Stomped My Way to a Great Saturday Night

2011-04-25T12:03:00.000-07:00

How does one spend a Saturday night?

EASY. After a grueling 11-hour work, I capped my night with an All-Nighter in Manila. Unique to the usual night club scene, Manila Soul Club introduces the Manila Soul All-Nighters once a month to re-introduce obscure, Northern Soul music to the masses.

April 16 saw the club's 7th All-Nighter, and had us stomping till the morning with a full lineup of bands and house sets:

Came in late and missed some of the band and house sets. Boo for me but I have to grab dinner okay? Try wolfing down KFC's Double-downs in a jiff I tell you.

Photo courtesy of Nathaniel Lee

Although the night was just starting, Shane Cosgrove, Mike Cons and the Soundblasters had already set the mood with follow-up sets of unadulterated Northern soul and ska music.

Strayguns came up first with a rocking set of punk ska. video
Pinstripe Rebels ushered us to a new wave era with a heavy mix of covers and originals. video

Mutes on Megaphones, a multi-piece band aptly from the North, showed some acid jazz love and more soul in their uber-short set (ergo, we want MORE!)

By the time we were passed the "wee hours of the morning" hallmark, people were buzzing about good friend Bing Austria's new band.

And they didn't disappoint. Presenting the Flippin Soul Stompers!

I just realized we covered their first-ever gig! Not band who just practiced one time the morning of that Saturday. And with an impressive mix of band members (formers of bands Tropical Depression, Rub-A-Dub, Put3ska), I can't wait to catch their next gig on April 27th!

Check out photos of this event here.
Follow Manila Soul Club on their Facebook page and on Twitter.

YOUTUBE VIDEO: Winning via Head Butts: Pacquiao versus Hatton in Fight Night 2011

2011-04-09T09:13:00.000-07:00

This Saturday night concluded with PS3 fun. Played fandom faves Marvel VS CapCom, NBALive 2011, and this surreal game called Fight Night.

It was obvious which boxers should be chosen.

Presenting an alternate, controlled reality of what could have been the Pacquiao - Hatton fight. Pacquiao won because of too much random button pushing by clueless PS3 players :P

How To Remove Rubber That Got Stuck By Superglue From Your Skin

2011-03-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, weird title. But eye-catching.

I realized while using superglue for something, I think I dropped a teeny-weeny bit of it on the sole of my right house thongs (Aussie slang for "slippers", so don't get any ideas.

Anyhoo, it looks like this.

Looks gross, I know, but I have been running errands all day and didn't even bother to think on how to remove it.

So, while I am hundreds of miles on air later while flying back for a homecoming of sorts, I hope I have an epiphany.

And because I post this online, I wouldn't mine showing a personal aspect of me 'cause I need help getting it OFF.

Any ideas? I'm all ears.

No More Left Feet with Microsoft Kinect

2011-03-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

Yep. I was the noisy one, laughing voraciously not because I cannot believe Ron my team mate actually danced, but because dancing by Kinect looks fun!

Emotional Food Shopping at BGC Mercato Night Market

2011-03-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

Carrying the burden of a bad, unresolved fight last night plus around 11 hours of frustrating but fulfilling work, I braved the light shower and walked from our office to the nearby mall. I was hoping that it was still open because the first thing that came into my mind was a big serving size of chocolate cake.

Notice a cluster of people trudging towards two white tents - one was closed, and the other was kinda open.

Later did I realize that BGC Mercato Centrale has changed shifts 'cause they just gone vampirish :)

Credits: purposedrivenchef.com

Like a shark on a feeding frenzy, I explored the open tent first. It took me only two circles until I saw some delicious personal-size cakes on sale. Decadent and Chocolate moisture cakes for 100 bucks? I grabbed the top samples in a mad rush and forgot to note the store's name (damn).

I spied chicken and lasagna, two of my favorite food. I also spied baby back ribs and dozens of fat sausages on the grill, and my mouth begins to water.

Yet, it took me four more circles plus a visit to the indoor tent that I settled for a quarter-pounder for my partner in crime who I have a spat earlier on, and a jumbo order of beef kebab for me from a very nice Middle Eastern dude that looks like a homey caricature. Didn't forget my side dish of cheese potato balls.

Of course, I left in a huff as the rain seems to suit my mood of the entire day, I didn't even take pictures :(

Even though the umami-aroma combination of kebab and burger wafted up my nostrils during that silent ride in the car, I felt heavy.

Finally broke down after settling the food and hugging my partner in crime. The food turned cold, but I enjoyed my emotional eating.

After we downed almost a thousand calories' worth of my food purchases, the chocolate cake was the best thing to cap my rather unfortunate day.

Thank God for chocolate. Mmm.

Puffy eyes with "puffy" cake

Same Sex Marriage in PH approved, but on a condition

2011-03-01T20:20:00.000-08:00

... that they do not make love.

That's the surprising stand of the Philippine Catholic Church on LGBTs and the issue of same-sex marriage in the PH.

Huh. Ano kaya yun? I'm not trying to be the devil's advocate here, but isn't that pointless? How do you encourage or support LGBTs when you specifically take out the one purpose of having a relationship? What do you expect them to do come intimate time? Bat their eyelashes at one another?

It's either you disapprove, or at least consider doing extensive reconsideration about your position about it. Maybe focus on the rampant promiscuity here to preserve conservatism in the Philippines? Strengthen the moral values of people via intensive electives people have a choosing to take to get spiritual recognition and revalue the sanctity of relationships and marriages?

Well, I'm about out of ideas, but what do you think about this crazy decision?

Photo from Gay-Answers.com

Where Am I Calling From?

2011-03-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

...is actually a popular question asked my many to customer service hotlines. Perhaps they are too irritated with the person they are speaking to and would like to imagine where the dunce agents are living to justify their dumbness over problems they seem to cannot resolve, or simply because they are on a tirade against outsourcing jobs to other people they think they do not deserve to have since they are far more better than the ones they're talking to. Perhaps there are a lot of reasons.

But I am anticipating for 2nd Avenue's showing of Outsourced!, a promising TV comedy series that centers on the world of outsourcing:

Photo from the Wikipedia entry Outsourced

I bet call center agents here has already seen it/are seeing it/will be seeing it. The series was based on a movie of the same name, so they've already got wind of it.

As a former call center employee, I'm sure there's gonna be call cliche situations on this one. If there isn't any, well, I'm sure this series is going to get some attention anyway.

Attention Geek Friends on Video Editing:

2011-03-01T11:35:00.000-08:00

... I have a raw video captured on the latest HTC phone that when load it in my netbook, my RealPlayer shows it in a vertical position.

Partner is bugging me to sleep it over in the next second or two 'cause its the wee hours of the morning and I have work later.

Burning question is, is there a FREE, QUICK, ONLINE or DOWNLOADABLE BUT VIRUS-FREE video editing platform I could use to make the following clip upright?

P.S. That's me in the green dress dancing with my partner in the white jacket :P

Please flood my comments section with helpful suggestions :)

I made my feet swollen at 5th Manila Soul All-Nighter at B-Side

2011-03-01T11:16:00.000-08:00

...because I was wearing boots while dancing. Err, not a good idea if you have duck feet :)

While I recovered my pain in my lower extremities, I relieved the superb sets that I and friends were able to capture on video.

The videos may look as if I was in a mosh pit, but ganyan kame ka-close ng bands, lol.

Nah, I used my partner's built-in camera in phone and the feature autozooms while recording video a few inches.

I came in late, so I was only able to witness one-third of an otherwise magnificent set by the feisty Mutes on Megaphones.

Photo courtesy of Maki Valdez

In between DJ sets, I planted myself right smack in the middle of a mosh pit to document excellent sets from Steady Movin' Beat and The Go-Signals:

Steady Movin Beat: The Specials' Blank Expression at 5th Manila Soul All-Nighter, B-Side Makati

Steady Movin Beat: The Specials' "Little B*tch" at 5th Manila Soul All-Nighter B-Side Makati

The Go-Signals' awesome cover of "Eaton Rifles" by the The Jam live at 5th Manila Soul All-Nighter

The vids are all grainy but what do you expect in a dim-litted club for drama? I noticed it had baroque touches so I guess they're excused for the dark setting.

I could have posted more but bagalia jackson ang Internet connection. So check out our Youtube channel for updates :)

Went home almost 6am downing cold milk and hotdog sandwich combo for faster sleep and resolving nasty ulcer pains while on REM mode.

I'm a Killjoy with Movies via Wikipedia

2011-03-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have noticed that I have this obsessive-compulsive routine to look up movie plots while watching movies.

My itchy fingers typed and looked for the wiki entry of Empire Records, the movie I am currently watching now while waiting for some videos taken by phone to be uploaded on Youtube:

I haven't watched Case 39, but this would have been my second time reviewing the movie plot on Wikipedia ever since it will be shown on HBO first Sunday of March (I think) and plays its trailer on high rotation:

Earlier, I watched Chicago because of two things:
a. a local show asked the following question at a question-and-answer game - How many Oscars did Hilary Swank has?
b. Okay, irrelevant to the movie, but I was wondering if Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger won Oscars for their roles (turned out the former did and the latter won it for her role at Cold Mountain).

Maybe because I like happy endings. Maybe I don't want the feeling of having the rug pulled right under my feet. Or maybe I have a sudden interest with the characters in the movie (especially if the characters are real-life). Whatever the reason, my portable netbook and unlimited access to the Internet has satiated this odd habit of mine.

P.S. I just realized I've done a research subject trifecta here: all films starred Renee Zellweger in it.

P.S.S. Loving the word "trifecta" :P

Feisty Hathaway Breaks Oscars Stiffness With "Shaking Rump"

2011-02-24T09:25:00.000-08:00

I saw this video on Perezhilton and boy, it made me fell in love with Anne.

from Hollywood Reporter

Tried looking for the Youtube version but can't find any, as this may be just released. Nonetheless, she is getting burned to even agreeing to the creative of this ad.

Critics, please get a grip. Kudos to the team who were able to come up with it, and to Anne (and James Franco, who is also doing a stunning job marketing himself ergo marketing Oscars) who played her part well.

I now have high expectations of the Academy Awards. It's time we catch a break from the string of comedian-hosts. Then again, my fingers are crossed and hope Anne and James deliver, as they have always.

A High Price on Creativity

2011-02-17T08:31:00.000-08:00

There is too much brouhaha over one designer's flop with a client.

Screencap courtesy of Spot.PH

Two cents'? This is obvious evidence to an old practice that not just only designers, but also other artists do.

We've heard stories about well-known singers and musicians ripping off lyrics, melodies, and even whole songs from other less-known, obscure, but sometimes even more famous singers and musicians. I've heard some painters signing off their apprentices' work and passing it off as their own. Plagiarism is even evident in the Supreme Court, for goodness' sake.

I am truly scared for this generation, and I am still, technically, considerably young. Long ago, we've got brilliant people who produce creativity by their own selves.

We live in the age of convenience where everything should always be on demand, reachable and consumable.

In this case, should we blame it to this generation who consumes too much, or to an artist who exploits this need?

I actually like some of the designer's stuff, so I don't think he's a fluke. It's just sad that he'd thread on an old practice that he, of all people, should have avoided in the first place.

Creativity is not a demand nor a commodity. It's a rarity of an expression that can be translated into something physical. So unless you're God, it's okay to have creative block 'cause you can't force it.

Maybe it's the money, or the business, but stuff like that always get to surface and will eat you alive. So maybe, I dunno how the hell will he able to recover this

A Window Display

2011-02-13T05:47:00.000-08:00

Caught this scene while walking home from a hectic day at the office.

And to think this store was located on a prime spot of a posh community shopping district. I'm not sure how parents will explain their kids with this.

Tiny Darth Vader Conquers Volkswagen

2011-02-05T18:41:00.000-08:00

Instant Classic! The kid actor is so brilliant!

What To Do When You Win 82 Million Pesos (US 1.850 Million)

2011-01-31T11:20:00.000-08:00

I watched this local Sunday Magazine show and was acquainted to a mega Lotto millionaire.

Dang, he won 82-friggin' million pesos. And in a span of six years, that amount of money went nil.

He made very bad and impulsive decisions. How could someone lose 82 MILLION PESOS?

If I were wiser, and happen to win that ridiculous amount of money, I dreamt about forming a venture capital firm.

Stumbled upon a very interesting read. TechCrunch -- Should You Really Be An Entrepreneur?

Met a somewhat famous beauty contest winner/model whom I was chatty with over some meetup last week. She seemed out of place in the meetup, people stopped paying attention to the very special guest speaker in the room. My bosses went smitten, I had almost all of them pushing me to have a chat with her for some publishing material.

Dang, if she can do it, I can. Now, let me place my bets on that Lotto ticket.

Obsessing Over Oddities

2011-01-28T10:52:00.000-08:00

I cannot recall a single toy that I have once fussed and obsessed over during my childhood. My sister had a fascination with porcelain dolls, my youngest brother and sister were collectors of anything anime (yeah, also that Pokemon kind).

I remembered fawning over this,

and this

(Okaaaay. I know my family totally disagrees. I DID obsessed with this, LOL)

Stumbled upon Oddities.us, a proclaimed entertainment site that upon first glance, I'm pretty sure some hardcores will find this as their newest obsession.

I have yet to grasp th overall concept and purpose of this site, but this surely satiates a particular niche. The website's aesthetics is clean, a much welcomed breather from other artwork sites that focus too much on the website design and layout. Typography and layout allows the content to be highlighted to its full, marketing potential.

A little birdie told me that items in the website can be ordered through them and shipped to your local address in two weeks. Well damn! I am dying for some Elfish handmade jewelry!

Another website, Geekolodeon.com, promises to showcase gadgets, artworks and tech news. Honestly, I have yet to know whether the site follows the same purpose as with Oddities, but I just fell in love with this Zelda pin:

(Photo courtesy of doll-haus)

Same visual aesthetics as with Oddities, but I am looking forward to the time where I'll be able to distinguish the two :D

These sites are the brainchild of a group of acquaintances I have been familiar with within the Philippine tech circle. The site's still in its first baby steps, but the recent site visits and Facebook likes sure worth the birthing pains.

What's your obsession?

Privacy Settings

2011-01-26T11:23:00.000-08:00

Damn, I have too many apps!

Facebook Developers, is there any way you guys can shorten the way how to delete the massive,spam apps that's swarming my Facebook account instead of deleting the app ONE BY ONE?

After all, you guys panicked me with this.

Conned by a Coño

2011-01-26T09:55:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer (01/29/11): Ookay, so maybe I wrote this in haste and I was upset, hungry and tired.
Never met my buyer, but my partner-in-crime said the buyer was kind.

Decided not to delete this because I don't want to take away the feelings I poured out on this one. But I deleted any traces of identity of the buyer for privacy purposes. And hopefully this serves as a reminder for those who have all the intentions in the world to hurt people.

...and I can never get over it. But will be after this post.

Don't you hate it when you schedule something and that someone pesters you that he/she will come to the agreed time a few hours before the agreed time, and lets you wait hungry and tired for over an hour without any call or SMS and when I dial the number used for the contact it says that it was a wrong number and how could that be because I received several messages from that bjkbdkbcnbfcibne!!!!

It's a good thing our meeting place was at a very upscale and airy community center a few blocks from the office.

Bad thing was I was hungry and lugging an item that person supposedly expressed to buy from me.

So I googled that God-bless-you-I-could-have-used-a-vile-adjective of a person and lo, I was inches away to posting that person's entire face and contact details (real name, phone number, physical address) so I hope hackers could make that person's virtual life a living purgatory.

It's a good thing I held back. I am not stooping to a cyberbully's lows.

So the Internet is a very powerful, nasty tool. Plus I have nasty skills. I hope you don't mess people who would like to earn a pocket of change or two.

Impaktitaaahh!

The Bookworm and the Kid

2011-01-24T08:52:00.000-08:00

I cannot recall a plaything that I super love when I was a kid. All I remember were the three volumes of encyclopedias from half-suited peddlers. And Nancy Drew. And Hardy Boys. And The Babysitters Club. And Sweet Valley High. And R.L. Stine. And The Exorcist.

Perhaps that is why I love my partner-in-crime. :D

So, thank you my dear sister, for truly you know me the best.

Received this wonderful little gem Sunday afternoon at Glorietta Activity Center:

People knowing this side of me knows I am a true Jessica Zafra fan. Her musings laced with sarcasm in idiot-free literature are like Van Goghs to me. I bought every published work she has, and only two survived because of people in my close circle tend to borrow it and forgot to return it, and forget me (I hope not).

It's almost the end of the month, and I promised myself to read more this year, and the only books I have left are The Martians by Kim Stanley Robinson and Michael Moore's Dude, Where's My Country? (Yep. I think it was book first before that much-buzzed documentary).

So I took my partner-in-crime's arm and motioned him to look for book sale stands for my February reading list. Since there was none in the area, we went to the nearby National Bookstore.

I went crazy with the book sale. Purchased three additional gems at a grand total receipt of P155. Not bad eh?

Second from top to bottom: Greater Thank You Think by Thomas Williams, When Kambia Elaine Flew In From Neptune by Lori Aurelia Williams, and The Bellini Madonna by Elizabeth Lowry.

I discovered two things after this hunt. First, I am getting better at detecting gems by reading blurbs. Second: I am extremely obsessed with European literature.

My partner-in-crime was too happy to oblige to my whims. He was smiling all evening when he got an unexpected gift from my sister too:

Monskey Spinface Toob in Black.

He has now joined the others in a very crowded section, er shelf. We need to expand the storage soon.

The Big Bad Theory on Blogging

2011-01-24T07:41:00.000-08:00

Read Chuvaness's blog about a serious accusation that is fast rising to be a trending topic in the Philippine blogging community.

Thoughts (although I really don't have to say something about this, but really I am pounding my lithe fingers on my dear netbook with eyebrows that can rival Belle Flores's)

1. Social media marketing at 120-friggin'-thousand pesos A MONTH? Networking and the right kind of social media tools would only cost you zero. If you really want to have your marketing taken cared of by somebody else's, freelancers can do the job for you for much, much, MUCH money. Besides, it's a RESTAURANT. The amount demanded does not even call for that kind of amount to market it.

2. Big Bad Blogger, if he really is who he is, shame on you for extorting that kind of money. Shame on you for extorting money at all.

3. Big PR Firm, if they are who they are, wtf? Do we have a Better Business Bureau here in the Philippines?

4. I have been writing for the longest time ever since I learn to read. Blogging is similarly writing, although it has a personal touch to it. As people and fellow bloggers have already shared, you do not accept gifts, cash or any form that satiates an agreement in exchange of writing glowing reviews that you could not even convince yourself loving it and it shows in your reviews.

5. I may not be in the same league as Big Bad Blogger and other prominent bloggers out there, but I guess there is that very teensy, weensy line in blogging that you cross. If Big Bad Blogger indeed wants to make a living, perhaps we need to imagine putting him up in a stake, throw hay and set him/her on fire. However, there may be an ounce of truth to Big Bad Blogger (since he/she hasn't said a word), and that maybe his experience wasn't as pleasant as the first time, and that the restaurant may have failed to notice that or neglect to provide that information.
Nonetheless, we always hate people who take advantages in these situations. Perhaps we do not blame the blogger, but the restaurant may chalk it up for improvement and report the PR firm who extended that ridiculous offer to DTI.

This is bad for the blogging community. I hope this issue dissipates for the best.

The Baguio Escapades

2011-01-19T08:28:00.000-08:00

The day after Baguio hits its first one-digit degree weather, my partner-in-crime and I went off to Baguio for a much needed vacation, plus we have to attend to a family affair: we were both godparents for his best mate's kiddos.

Despite teeth chattering, it was a birthday treat well-spent (even if I zeroed my ATM out of cash, huhu).

We were your not-the-usual tourists: I've been here about four times and my partner spent about 6 months tending to their bar that went bankrupt.

Visited the resurrected bar Clockwork Lounge (thanks to his best mate), hunt for toys and what-have-you at the famous ukay-ukay stores, and visited coffee shops. Oh, and the mall. And dated at Burnham Park (don't have photos 'cause pickpockets were apparently high and mighty in the vicinity). Ate too much at 50's Diner and the nearby carinderia beside a famous mall.

We discovered a few things we'll keep in mind the next time:
1. Bring plenty of pairs of socks.
2. Take one Bonamine and you'll zonk out the entire trip.
3. Don't drink too much water unless you wanna suffer the fate of the comfort rooms that resemble urinals from the Middle Ages (and the smell too.Ugh).
4. Shawls are the best accessory. (Brrrr!)

So giddy, I'm missing Baguio already. I promised myself that I'd settle here. The big city's making me fussy.

4th Manila Soul All-Nighter Happening at B-Side, Makati, January 22nd

2011-01-19T07:02:00.000-08:00

The 4th Manila Soul All-Nighter is happening on the 22nd at B-Side Makati.

With performances from these people, I'm sure I'll be seeing a lot of people dancing like this:

DJs:
Shane Cosgrove (United Kingdom)
Chie Castaneda
Mike Cons

Featuring:
Steady Movin’ Beat and Juan Pablo Dream

With a special screening of Soul Boy at 8pm, why would you miss it?

You shouldn't miss Northern Soul music at its finest. Get yourself invited here.

Drought is the Beginning of Something

2011-01-10T07:31:00.000-08:00

I ought to change my attitude this year.

I am a serious procrastinator. This year, I am resolved to create the first draft of a write-up that I am intend to publish in physical documentation (i.e. book). Whether it has to come out of my pockets, I don't care.

My Bucket List Number 9 has left me at limbo in daydream land about creating my first publication. I mean, I've spearheaded publishing many literary folios for my college publication house, but never have the guts to publish my on-the-whim-literary-musings.

Somehow, I already have the creative direction now. I just hoped I'd follow through.

Last Night in Baguio

2011-01-10T05:20:00.000-08:00

We shared a full jug of Kryptonite here at Clockwork Lounge Baguio. This "original" house drink is refreshing indeed, very welcoming after all of those hard drinks that I have tasted in years. It is to note though, that the bar owners promised me that this will not deceive my state of mind, and my footsteps to home once we finished it.

That will remain to be proven, later.

One Fine Chilly Afternoon

2011-01-08T01:36:00.000-08:00

I had a heartwarming capuccino with two mini-cookies on the side and a popsicle stick as my coffee stirrer.

I am spending Part 1 of my much-needed vacation at PNK cafe here in Baguio City.

I have always dreamt of having my own cafe/watering hole. I love the charm of old and quirky.

I have already pledge a sum of my lotto winnings (if I ever win in this lifetime) to establish a watering hole, and probably migrate to this wonderful city for good.

Keeping my fingers crossed. In the meantime, I'm preparing my body to adjust to the drop in temperature here as we await for sunset.

27 - A Birthday Post

2011-01-03T08:40:00.000-08:00

I'm officially a year older.

Since I'm broke till my next paycheck, I have been overanalyzing how I should spend my birth day with an empty wallet. GG snapped me out of my wits and told me we can celebrate it in gazillions of ways without actually spending a buck.

We have internet access, and I am a serious couch potato. So, we are planning to do a Harry Potter Movie Marathon (provided we get the other "shared" movie files downloaded in super speed) while raiding the fridge, cupboard for snacks.

Plus Mommy gave me a sparky shawl in deep green, perfect for our upcoming getaway 3 days from now.

Bought and cooked instant spicy canton noodles from th nearby store (from borrowed money, hehe), used a packet of orange powder juice for drinks, and was only 2 minutes shy till 12 midnight.

12:01. Officially 27 with pancit canton by Mim for long life. Happy birthday to me!

12 seconds later:

Okay, Harry Potter time! :D

Yahoo! News: Expedia stops selling American Airlines tickets

2011-01-02T20:19:00.000-08:00

I worked as an online travel agent for my previous account for this company. I have mixed feelings working for this company.

It was one heck of a "first job" experience. Lasted four years of mistakes, triumphs, heartaches and team bondings over buckets of San Mig Light on nights after work.

I wonder how this cost-effective move will affect the travel agency. From what I got from my previous customers, AA is a favorite.

Expedia Stops Selling American Airlines Tickets

– Sat Jan 1, 2:45 pm ET

NEW YORK – Expedia Inc. has stopped selling tickets on American Airlines flights, the latest twist in a simmering pricing dispute between American and travel websites.

"Expedia has chosen to no longer offer American Airlines fares on its website," American said in an statement posted on its website. "Customers looking to compare flights or fares online should visit other travel sites such as Kayak.com or Priceline.com for the most accurate and up-to-date information."

The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline has said that it would like to sell more tickets through its own website, as paying to have its flights listed on sites such as Expedia can be costly. Airlines have to pay a commission every time people search a particular flight, look up a fare or book a trip.

American, which is owned by AMR Corp., also claims it can offer more personalized packages such as hotel and flight deals to fliers who purchase tickets directly from the airline.

Expedia's removal of American flights marks an escalation in a months-long dispute between the airline and various travel sites. Last month, American Airlines pulled its flights from travel website Orbitz, saying consumers could just as easily buy tickets from American's website and "we won't have to pay as much for it."

Last week, Expedia made American flights more difficult to find on its website, an apparent response to the airline's decision to drop Orbitz. Expedia warned that it "cannot support efforts that we believe are fundamentally bad for travelers."

Experts have cautioned that while American might save money in commission fees, its sales will drop if its flights don't appear on travel sites such as Orbitz and Expedia. About a third of Americans book their tickets on independent travel sites.

Analysts have added that only smaller airlines such as Southwest Airlines Co. can get away with selling tickets exclusively on their own websites, as these airlines already have a reputation for offering cheap fares.

Bellevue, Wash.-based Expedia did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on Saturday.

Stalemate

2010-12-01T10:35:00.000-08:00

So I got bored eventually, and it shows the time stamp from my last post. It seems that I could not satisfy myself in doing something fulfilling that I began to reassess "me" and started on igniting my passions, aside from writing.

And I began to focus on the most obvious: books.

Ever since I was tutored by Papa (name for my dearesy Dad), reading has opened my eyes to the universe. Born in a small city way down south of the Philippine map, I have always known that the world is big through reading.

I surpassed reading levels on those "Run Bantay Run" (I supposed the more popular name used in English reading books at that time was "Spot") even before completing nursery. And knowing how voracious my appetite was at reading, my parents subscribed to every other encyclopedia archive peddled in the streets by suit-wearing salesmen in tropical weather. And if there was a lack of "fresh" reading material (I do not, almost rarely, read books/encyclopedia/novels/comics/newspaper/any reading material I have already read), I remember succumbing to reading recycled newspaper that were used to wrap dried smelly fish or ceramic ware. So if you happen to have some written content in your clothes, I will begin to read it as a Pavlovian effect.

And thank God recycling was in. Booksale initially replenishes my insatiable appetite for reading, and GG is already complaining of my "horde" of books cramping his small bedroom.

In the advent of information technology, I am one of the few who didn't shun good, old-fashioned reading material. The smell of musky book paper churning my nose is addictive. And I have already mastered the art of reading blurbs too to pick the type of reading material I'd get lost in.

Somehow, I have been a hypocrite these past few months, so I am very sorry for my dusty, new "horde".

Read Book #6, The Sterling Huck Letters, and Lord, the author is hilarious. Just came into knowledge that I'll be able to subscribe his updated rantings in MySpace. Too bad I can't add him as a friend there, I was over MySpace a looong time ago.

Took me three days off from work to finish Katherine Neville's The Fire. I almost died when I retrieved its predecessor from my former apartment in its ruined state that I have to peel off the beautiful cover because it got wet from the roof leak. But I was super happy that I was able to stumble upon the hardbound cover at a super bargain (Php39!).

Reading both materials made me realize one thing: I like art, history, travel and letters. I should have stood my ground and demanded to be enrolled in Creative Writing back in my earlier college days.

Winner of China's Got Talent Final 2010 - Armless Pianist Liu Wei

2010-10-12T08:32:00.000-07:00

You've read it right. This guy is amazing.

"For people like me, there were only two options. One was to abandon all dreams, which would lead to a quick, hopeless death. The other was to struggle without arms to live an outstanding life." - Liu Wei

Lost both arms from an accident at age 10, Liu Wei from Beijing proves to the world that it doesn't end there. He managed to do everything with his feet and started to learn to play piano at age 19. His dream is to become a musician.

Guess that's a reality now. The 22 year-old just won China's Got Talent Show last Oct. 10.

A billion-populated China may have him lost to a whole other namesakes, but he will sure be remembered as an outstanding man who fought life and actually winning it.

All We Need Is...

2010-10-11T08:20:00.000-07:00

This shot was taken minutes ago by a friend of mine during a fireworks display in celebration of my hometown's Fiesta Pilar.

Love makes the world go round indeed. But this picture makes me want a different thing.

I want to go home now, huhu. I miss the streetdances at the pueblo (city proper) already.

Viva Senora del Pilar!

10.10.10 Run for Pasig may be...

2010-10-11T07:56:00.000-07:00

the biggest race to date anywhere, anytime. Guinness Records people, are you taking notice?

Like Ants on a long trek to a hill, by Philip Sison - The Web Magazine

10.10.10 RUN MAKES HISTORY

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - The “10.10.10 A Run for the Pasig River” made history Sunday amid a powerful show of unity by Filipinos from all walks of life.

Crowd-control estimates pegged the number of race participants at between 120,000 to 140,000 runners, event organizer Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) said.

The National Capital Region Police Officer, meanwhile, estimated the number at around 175,000, including unregistered runners.

Initial figures from SyCip, Gorres, Velayo & Co. (SGV), the country’s biggest accounting firm, placed the total number of official race starters at 116,812.

The SGV figure, once authenticated, will break Philippine marks and the Guinness World Record of 110,000 runners at the "Bay to Breakers" race in San Francisco, California in 1988.

SGV and KBPIP are expected to announce the verified figures Monday.

The fun run, which aimed to create awareness and raise funds for the massive Pasig River clean-up campaign, could also be the world’s biggest advocacy race.

“I’m really happy that the run was peaceful and many showed up! It’s 5 times the attendance last year when 23,000 runners took part in the first Run for the Pasig River. Because of the huge turnout, some participants may have failed to walk through the manual counting chutes that were set up for the auditors to physically count the number of runners. We hope to address this next year by exploring other measures like the use of race chips,” ABS-CBN managing director Gina Lopez said.

Contingents from schools, religious groups, government agencies, the police and military, non-government organizations, business sector, and private institutions made up the enormous crowd that gathered at the run’s three starting points at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA), the CCP Complex, and Ayala Avenue in Makati.

Organizers said the event was no mean feat.

ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Eugenio Lopez III, boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, and Dyan Castillejo joined the Pasig River run.

Show of force

Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, accompanied by his wife Ming, fired the starting gun to mark the foot race’s simultaneous opening.

Vice-President Jejomar Binay, Mayors Alfredo Lim of Manila and Antonino Calixto of Pasay, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, boxing superstar and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde, and Presidential sister Ballsy Aquino-Cruz also showed support for the cause.

Binay reminded the runners that showing concern for the Pasig River does not end at the race’s finish line.

“Maipagmamalaki natin ito bilang Pilipino. Pero hindi pa tayo natatapos dito dahil kailangan pa ding magtulong-tulong sa aktwal na paglilinis ng Ilog Pasig,” he said.

("We can be proud of this as Filipinos. But our cause does not end here because we still need to help out with the actual cleaning of Pasig River," he said.)

Pacquiao described the river as a gift from God that people should protect. Aquino-Cruz, on the other hand, compared Pasig River to an heirloom that has to be passed on to other generations.

“Let us clean up the mess that was made before us. Pasig River is a symbol of hope and what the future holds for the country. If we manage to clean it, then we have done our jobs as citizens,” Aquino-Cruz said.

Although the run was non-competitive in nature, KBPIP honored the top finishers of the race with cash prizes and medals made by relocatees in BayaniJuan sa Southville 7 in Calauan, Laguna. Baller bracelets were also given to all runners after the race.

Richard Sulaño and Keizel Pedriña ruled the male and female categories in the 3k race while Mervin Guarte and Mhe Ann Barcena took home the biggest prizes in the 5k race. Alquin Bolivar and Dalin Karmil dominated the 10k category.

Star-studded event

Despite the heat, the crowd still stayed for a post-race program featuring bands Kiss Jane, Frio, 6 cyclemind, ABS-CBN stars like Luis Manzano, Karylle, Melai Cantiveros, Jason Francisco, Jovit Baldivino, Bugoy Drilon, and Studio 23 hosts Arran Sese, Alex Calleja, and Juddha Paolo.

DZMM anchor Winnie Cordero hosted the 3k pre-race program with Paolo while ABS-CBN senior sports correspondent Dyan Castillejo joined Piolo Pascual and Zaijan Jaranilla in welcoming runners at the 10K starting point.

ABS-CBN Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Eugenio Lopez III also showed his commitment to the Pasig River cause by joining the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in the ceremonial 21K run, which kicked off in Marikina City.

ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Gina Lopez also recognized during the program the runners and the partners of KBPIP, including race organizers Eric Imperio, Rio Dela Cruz, and Thumbie Remigio for the Philippines’ newest achievement.

KBPIP sought to raise between P10 million to P12 million from the event to finance clean-up at Estero de San Miguel, a tributary of the Pasig River.

In 2009, KBPIP began dredging operations and relocation of informal settlers at Estero De Paco, which also flows into the Pasig River.

Lopez said in order to successfully clean the river, people must first clean water that flows into it, and change the way people look at the river through events such as the 10.10.10 run.

Sourced from ABS-CBN News, Yahoo Philippines.

I could have been the 116,813th runner, but work commitments prohibited my entire body to actually take the challenge (try working for 13.5 hours straight, you'll know what I mean). Then again, the picture actually blown me away, and I think they had enough runners making the necessary statement by running for Pasig River.

But I am not totally giving up on running though. GG's brother and the wife offered us another opportunity:

"The Real LIFE Foundation is passionate about providing a better future for underprivileged Filipinos by giving them access to a good education and transforming their communities through community service."

Proceeds from the race were supposedly going to be poured into the group's constant effort of providing academic scholarships to poor but well-deserving students.

For more information about the race, check out Race For Life 2010. If you'd like to be a spectator instead, you can still help by sponsoring a deserving scholar or donating to the Real Life Foundation's other great causes.

One amazing graduation speech from a one great alumnus

2010-10-08T11:22:00.000-07:00

Thank you social networking updates! I am so glad that my cousin posted this Facebook note on her profile.

My delay in updating my blog might as well be due to my growing lack of enthusiasm of it all. And I mean all.

My boss is sounding to be more right about juggling both school and work as a very tiring thing, as I asked about increasing my part-time hours to pay off my tuition. I have been losing my creative touch with my recent tasks for the past few weeks, and everyday, I feel that I have been using my procrastinator nature as an excuse to almost risk the things that I love and do. And the more I think about it, the more I feel like I'm stuck in a rut.

I would like to share with you supposedly a graduation speech delivered by a La Sallian engineer in one of the graduation ceremonies at the UP College of Engineering. For the benefit of some, I am going to attempt transcribing some parts that were said in our native tongue to English. I may, along the way, lose the "magic" of the speech (try asking Jessica Zafra how "easy" is transcribing a Filipino transcript to English with all of those Filipisms meshed into it), so I tried my very best to get the author's humor. Somehow, the cosmos dictates me to transcribe it and by sharing this to others like me, who are struggling to prove themselves in any field and in anything in the world today would somehow inspire them that they're not alone, and you're gonna get there, promise. :D

"Today, at our graduation rites, I brought a Transcript of Record. The student who owns such transcript studied at the De La Salle University (a school that has an 'Ivy League' status here in the Philippines). If you happen to be an undergraduate in this university, and your ID number starts at "94" and up, and if you happen to fail 15 units (credits) in one school year, you will be kicked out by the school."

"The transcript that I'm holding has 27 units (credits - Ed.) that are marked "failed". 12 were incurred by the student in just one school year. One subject holds three units. If you think about it, the student who owns this transcript I'm holding should be kicked out by failing one subject.

"This speech was not made just to acknowledge the efforts of our parents to keep us in school (financially). I did not make this speech as a political statement, or convince you to not go abroad and work here instead to help our country (from the "Brain Drain" situation - Ed.) . This speech was made for the students deemed "normal", who are just like the owner of this transcript that I am holding, because it has always been that the universities do not necessarily care about the achievements of a "normal" student. There are awards given to students such as "Summa Cum Laude", "Best Thesis Award" and "Leadership Award". But I am not aware of universities awarding students with a "Hang-on and managed to graduate despite nearly getting kicked-out during his academic stay" award just for being "normal"."

"Yes, you got it right. That is one good reason."

"If a student has a failing mark in school, especially in college, the student feels discouraged. The student would then be too lazy to study harder, and might ask himself questions like "What type of jobs should I think I'd be getting? A call center or a clerical job (Call center and clerical jobs are perceived to be mediocre - Ed.)? Why am I so stupid? If I were intelligent, I'd probably land a gig at Proctor and Gamble or to any prestigious company.""

"The road of a student who failed is very rough. Even if you'd say that it is entirely his fault why he failed, you wouldn't really know how it feels to fail at something. It is easy to say "You can do it. Just study harder", but do we even know what we're saying?"

"If a student is failing at his subjects in his university, you'd often find him laughing about it. Or, if not, he would even pride himself that he took his subject for the nth time, or joke about already earning a doctorate degree in AnMath3/Calculus/etc. because of the number of times he's acquainted with the class and the course. But a Summa Cum Laude doesn't know what a "normal" student thinks when the latter goes to sleep and realizes every time that when he wakes up the next day, he has to find himself enrolling in the same course subject he failed in the succeeding school term."

"A "Star" student never experiences the fear of saying that "Mom, I failed." A "Star" student never dreads the question "What if I'd end up working for an unheard company?" Because "Star" students are so sure of their future, their paths are almost laid out or planned out for them."

"Let's not kid ourselves. Grades are everything. Even if you turn the world upside-down, companies will never be fair about choosing fresh graduates to work for them. Sometimes, it ends up with the decision that the student has connections, but it all boils down to your transcript grades. If you're not academically good, you are going nowhere. If not, you'd go through the eye of a needle just to get to that coveted job position."

"The speech I am giving at this graduation day is for the students who failed, who almost got kicked out, or who have tried it all just to graduate and finish school. I have leveled the playing field for you just for today. Whatever they say, whether they say it's your fault why you have failing marks or you were almost kicked out because of your grades, I salute you because you have decided to not stop finishing school. I salute you that you have the guts to still face the world even if you know the world wouldn't be fair to you. I salute you that even if your transcript isn't that attractive, you have held your heads high today and you feel equally proud about yourselves."

"What then would happen to the graduates after graduation day? I don't want to go thinking what would happen to those "Cum Laudes". So over it. We all know that they will go places. But how about the "normal students? Those who have 2, 3, and nth many failing marks on their transcripts?
Maybe they'd get to have mediocre jobs. Some might be lucky, they might work in a good company. There are a lot of things that could happen. Don't lose hope. If you struggled to earn your college degree, why stop struggling at life now?"

"Think about it this way: Go back to school. Show them that if you strive hard enough, you'd go places. Try to prove them that if you do try, you'd be able to reach where they are now. You'd be able to prove that you are not stupid, you're just lazy."

"You might think I'm joking. But I'm not."

"I've been on both sides. I have experienced failing a class subject, and I was almost kicked out from school. I have experienced taking one course subject four times. I experienced getting scolded by my parents, siblings, and the many professors who seem to don't care about how the students feel when they are being reprimanded. I have experienced many sleepless nights thinking how would I actually tell my parents that I failed a subject. I know what you're feeling."

"The transcript that is in my hands, is MINE."

"What did I do when I graduated from college as a "normal" student"? I worked a little, then went back to school. I took up a Master's degree not because it is an employment requirement or for whatever reasons. I went back to school because I wanted to prove to myself that at the time that I failed, I was simply lazy."

"This is a rebellion. I raise my middle finger to every professor, over-achiever, naysayer and detractor THAT TOLD ME THAT I CAN'T MAKE IT. I raise my middle finger to every valedictory or graduation speech that only gratifies the university, those who were achievers in school or those who gratify the country when it’s supposed to be the graduate’s moment of glory. You are supposed to acknowledge EVERYONE. Even those who failed many times."

"This speech is for the students who do not have nice grades. If I was able to make it, you can make it too. It's impossible that you can't."

It's impossible that you can't be moved with that speech. The Facebook note I lifted it from gathered 14,319 likes all in 24 hours. And it's going to be my click that has reached an even number today.

This amazing speech calls to mind the last verse of a favorite poem that was my winning piece back in my younger years, which goes:

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

From fishnetdailynews.com

p.s. - Thanks to Loraine Joy Tamayo's Notes.

The Other Side of the Coin: A view on the RH Bill

2010-10-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have to take a break with my bucket list for the meantime. It is crunchtime for me now the school semester is coming to an end, and I am basically struggling to work on a feasibility project with a school mate and part-time work as an in-house writer.

I know that almost everybody has cast their opinions about the RH 5034 bill. I even posted a blog about a tour guide cum activist about his reactions about the Church' side about the country's reproductive health bill.

However, as GG and I were in a discussion about the religion sect he'd like to take, it occurred to me. There were opinions aired, even in the House about how the legislators of the bill was "marginalizing" a certain, rather unfortunate sector of the society should the bill was passed.

The bill could have come on a right time when my professor of an elective class decided to have some of my classmates report about RH 5034, and split the class into groups to debate and provide a report about the pros and cons of it. Then we were advised to write an argument piece about our thoughts about the bill to be passed as homework.

One does not need to be equipped with a law degree when you read and interpret with the contents of the bill. But it is scary that the Bill would leave almost everybody up for an interpretation. I guess that's what the scary part is. And knowing that the law is that generic (and if rumors about the law being a ripoff from a superpower's existent policy is true), then we should all be scared.

I have earlier suggested in my previous post and in my just graded homework that since the people in this country are culturally grounded with their religion, might as well that "religious consultation services" must be provisioned in the bill so that it covers all aspects of creating an informed choice?

Hmm. Funny thing, I have never found any definition of informed choice in the bill, yet it is the most scary set of words the concerned public has ever heard of. I found one here, and here, and here, yet the legislators cannot even provision a description or made a disclosure or addendum available to the public.

Going with my point here, I have always believed that my parents were right to brought me up as a Catholic and a woman of Christ. I have never swayed to join or change me beliefs because thankfully they have put a good head on my shoulders.

Sad enough, these wonderful Christian values that were imparted to me as a Catholic nowadays has been, for one, has not been made accessible for the very people that these opinion-givers have been airing to seem that they care about them: the marginalized sector. These people don't have access, or are afraid, ignorant to avail to the services that the Church gives supposedly to impart and instill their moral and Christian values. I may be a Catholic, but I seem to remember and read in the Bible that Jesus and his disciples go to faraway places were Christian values are needed to be revived in the hearts of its followers. Jesus was approachable, and welcoming, and comfortable.

I may not be part of the marginalized sector (but my wallet seems to be, sad), but Church recently shows want Jesus isn't. He doesn't judge, he doesn't chastise sinners, and he definitely doesn't excommunicate non-believers. He simply welcomes them and goes into their hearts, befriend even if they differ in beliefs, and eventually the issue of the use of natural or artificial ways of reproductive health isn't an issue anymore.

We do not chastise the government for simply doing their job. It is high time that they are now paying attention to the growing population and the indirect effects it does to our nation. The fundamental purpose of the government is to maintain basic security and peace of order. The bill wasn't created to challenge the moral values of a person. It is created to simply enact into law the much-needed services that this country needs in the name of reproductive health and population management.

The bill clearly needs a tweak, and knowing that this marginalized sector is lacking services, or rather access to shape their spiritual minds, might as well provision "religious consultation services"? After all, it is also information. Information that might be very well important and can sum up to well-rounded, and informed choices decision-makers can come up with an all-too important issue. After all, there is really no criteria on what makes a very good choice, but perhaps serving everything does give good chances of making the right one.

And that sounds better than this dog's future.

Manila Soul Sessions

2010-10-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

It was another Saturday night. But I am loving Saturdays now, especially if you're looking forward to a gig after an almost 11-hour shift.

Ever since I met the love of my live, he has introduced me to another plethora of music. And being a music enthusiast and a former member of the Tower Records employees club circa 90s (yeah, we had a real-life local version of Empire Records), let's just say I am grateful I have someone to share my appreciation to discover and listen to musical gems, and finally cleared up misconceptions about reggae music roots.

So he picked me up at work and we took a commuter's route to B-Side Makati for this gig:

Bing Austria got soul fever, and that's no thanks to those artists who self-proclaimed themselves kings, queens, princes and princesses of soul who have no inkling of what "Soul" music means and just adopt the names for marketing purposes. And I guess to correct this notion, he and some friends decided to put up a monthly production dedicated to Northern Soul.

Northern Soul exploded into the music scene at a "discotheque" in Wigan, England. Aside from being a marketplace for rare soul records and an unlikely venue for fashion shows, the place was usually packed to the brim of people dancing like this:

It was an exciting night too, because I missed Juan Pablo Dream and their performances, and some were our good friends of GG:

They played some soul train hits last night, and thanks to Sister Act 2, I came to love this song they played in their set:

Thank you Whoppee!

I didn't danced like Keb Darge, and nor did GG, 'cause we're kinda shy around people. But I am definitely gonna propose a wedding dance surprise just like this at our reception, teehee!

Tour Guide Disrupts Mass on RH Bill

2010-10-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

Carlos Celdran as of this writing is now fast becoming a celebrity.

The man who was touted as a "mere tour guide" had dressed himself as Jose Rizal and raised a ruckus in a holy mass ceremony at the Manila Cathedral Thursday last week.

I came to know this guy when he was featured, well, in a news feature show about his very passionate advocacy slash tours business. After the show, I guess I made a mental note to actually sign up for one of his exciting tour packages.

I mean, he's not your ordinary tour guide. Tour guides are stereotyped with their dress codes, and this guy is proud of donning a tall hat, Barong Tagalog, and shorts while toting his tour guide essentials.

I seemed to have agreed to his issue with the Catholic Church's stand about the country's reproductive health bill. And at one point, I have to agree with Celdran for staking his vote on our lawmakers' action with population management. Finally, our legislators is now paying attention to one of the most important issues plaguing the country today. The contribution of poor reproductive programs has contributed to outcomes such as increase in birthing deaths, the rise of HIV and sexually-transmitted diseases - contracted communities, overpopulation, poverty, brain drain, unemployment, underemployment, the list goes on and on and if you think farther enough, its impact is on a national level.

And with Celdran dressing as Jose Rizal holding up the word "Damaso" during mass at perhaps one of the most oldest churches in the Philippines, you could imagine the scorn of the Catholic Church. The word Damaso, by the way, is actually the name of one of the characters of an infamous novel written by no other than whom Celdran was trying to impersonate-- yep, Jose Rizal. Padre Damaso was a Spanish priest in the novel, and that time the Church were far more superior than the state government that time.

So, I guess I'd say sometimes the Church hasn't lost their authoritative hand over the government. Probably because hey, our ancestors have endured being under their feet for 333 years, I think it's a clear stigma why people weighs the Church's opinions greatly in state matters.

Incidentally, the reproductive health bill was a recently interesting topic on one of my classes prior to the "Damaso" scandal.We were asked to voice our opinions and write an argument piece about our side about the bill.

If I am using my rational mind right now, it has been about time the government take care of the literally growing problem of the nation. I have relatives and friends who are in the medicine and healthcare industry, and boy I wasn't spared with the horror stories that somehow they'd share it with slapstick and toilet humor. It is a reality that somehow we have to face. And it is the government's responsibility to act as protectors of the state, which is basically us as a people, and accountability must not be owned to just one religion, fact or culture.

Got a copy of the bill here.

However, I am not a law student or one who specializes laws. Perhaps listening to the Church begs the question of the necessity to curtail our freedoms in order to achieve a common, healthy goal here. And going over the bill, I have to say that the bill is raw such that certain definitions are needed to be drawn here.

Informed choice is, and should be, one of the freedoms that every one should enjoy having. But being in a country with no law on abortion, I guess it makes it makes certain actions to be treated as "moral" and/or "lawful" should the bill be enacted to law. I can't compare to having a married couple deciding on terminating the pregnancy when both wife and the baby are in serious medical danger similar to another couple choosing to use condoms because they simply are not prepared in certain aspects to bring a life into this world. And with a lack of such provisions, you think everybody now has and can retain their own interpretation of the bill if passed as a law.

And knowing the world today, the legislators might have to put in a provision that informed choice should also include "religious consultation services" as an opportunity for people to come up with well-rounded choices. I know that this may open another can of worms, but isn't it true that religion and culture does share similarities and beliefs, and it is simply appropriate that such provision allows people to truly make an informed choice.

On the other hand, I have to agree with the Catholic Church's disappointment with Celdran on airing his side of the argument at the wrong arena. But hey, in a country were people in power are run by actors and individuals who have sexual rap sheets, I guess proving a point has to be done the hard way.

Stephen Colbert Testifies In Character

2010-09-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

Only Stephen Colbert can sound silly, brilliant and wise all at the same time.

Stephen Colbert of the Colbert Report testifies to US Congress during a hearing of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Security (from C-SPAN 9/24/10 coverage). Watch his Opening Statement here:

I was completely blown away by his statement. Way to go working the issue up to the politicians the only way to get their attention: wisecracking. Way to go siding with migrant workers!

I certainly like people who know how to take a stand to people who are way over their heads. Especially if the issue is direly to be given attention to.

I especially love this politician too!

How I wish we have more of them here in the Philippines. It's funny how we have celebrities as politicians instead of the stereotype politicians we had right before Marcos brought corruption to another level, satisfying Imelda's shoe fetish. Don't get me wrong, I love Marcos, but I wish he wasn't a megalomaniac, because I, along with my father, thought he could get our country super developed.

Celebrities-turned-politicians. No wonder I don't like them. We pay for their salaries, their plush offices, their entourage AKA staff. I especially don't like this guy.

All he could think about was to shake hands with a politician-turned celebrity. Geez. If he instead shifted to turning his trip money into enrolling to an English class so he won't have his team interpret all laws from English to Tagalog (our native tongue), then maybe he'd do one right right as a member of a new breed of politicos. I have nothing against it, but does politics have time to spare to every irk or request of each member when in fact there are a lot of much-needed laws to be passed that are, ever since, in English?

Geez. Where are the true statesmen when you needed them?

Bucket List #8: Re-learn a New Language

2010-09-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Okay. I'd like to explain how this list number came to be.

I was a product of a special school for high school kids. Arturo Eustaquio Memorial Science High School has all the trappings of an exclusive school, except that the school wasn't exactly for the rich. You get in through a very rigorous exam, and like a very limited percentage can only enroll either on full or partial scholarship. I'd like to say we have the best of both worlds there, and knowing you'd have like a handful of students each different, brilliant and charming on their own, I'd say I had some of the best times of my life there.

Anyhoo, the downside there is that you kinda have a similar school load than that of a boarding school product. I remember starting out with 19 subjects on freshmen year, then gets increased till I recall juggling roughly 30 subjects, 2 investigatory science projects, handling school paper and school, regional and national orgs on my senior year. Very tough. That might have been why I kinda burned out sophomore year in college (sheepish grin now :D).

Out of the many subjects, we had a language elective. I do not recall the order, but we had Nihongo and then Thai. The other years, I think, had French, German, and Spanish. Our corridors surely were turning into a modern-day Babel because of practical applications. But don't ask me to do conversations because I can only recall generic greetings. =(

Fast forward to my early-Manila settlement days, I chanced upon walking a major avenue and saw cultural and language courses offerings by Instituto Cervantes. It occurred to me from then till now that I have to relearn Spanish.

My hometown was heavily influenced by the Spaniards back in the days when they colonized the entire country. Up until know, the influence is still heavily reflected in old houses, our Fort Pilar, and most obvious, our native language Chavacano.

And what great reference material! One of my fave blog haunts retells that the Spanish Film Fest is very near!

The last time I remember watching a Spanish film that I approve was Y Tu Mamá También.

Boy, it was banned since I was a product of a Catholic school. But it didn't stop me from watching it inside the school premises. Well, except for the super racy scenes, I actually cried watching this movie.

The tickets are reportedly cheapo at 65php, so good for me! Festival runs from September 30 to October 10, 2010 at the Greenbelt 3, Cinema 2. I'm grabbing the schedules right now!

Interesting note: we got a Philippine delegation! Jim Libiran's Happyland will be showing!

Didn't know that the guy from Tropang Trumpo has forayed into the other side of the movie business till now.

Bucket List #9: Join a creative arts contest

2010-09-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

My mind is currently brimming with so many ideas on accomplishing this particular itinerary.

I have always expressed my dream to be a writer. Thanks to my voracious appetite for reading and my exposure to THE greatest album ever, I have found an outlet for my super restless and receptive mind. My mind wasn't exactly in tune with what I actually say (and I have always attributed this as a weakness rather than advantage), I feel much more comfortable saying it in paper, or in this case, via typing it in a nondescript blog.

Anyhoo, I somehow just missed the opportunity to up the ante of writing, since the past years were spent mostly on procrastination.

I missed the annual contest sponsored by the Carlos Palance Memorial Awards for Literature. I'm not actually into entering contests, but I always felt like a good challenge always incite inspiration.

And what a surprising challenge it is. My friend won last year, I think. And this guy's a great literary genius, he doesn't even know it. Check out his adventures at the actual awards ceremony here. Or his brain-to-hand activity here.

With the work I am doing now plus school, I am seriously running out of creative juice nowadays. Maybe that's the problem. It's just work and school that I haven't been feeding my creative needs in the longest time.

I remember feeding myself off Jessica Zafra's brains and Heights literary folios back in college and thought that they were a refreshing take outside of the usual literature God knows why some people claim it as "leeterey-chur" just so they get to have their names published and come up with inconsistent explanations when you ask them. Quark Henares and Mookie Katigbak spoke to me like contemporaries when they had their pieces published.

I promised myself I'd create a path towards writing, although my Momma and Poppa told me they can't put food on the table (totally ripped this off from Sister Act 2).

So, a good respite from my non-existent career sprang the opportunity to go out of town with my class for a school activity. Our professor told us that we would be doing bird-watching. Brings to mind those times I tag along with Momma when she is on the job as an environmentalist.

I'm actually thinking of a concept for a new piece right now. Kinda like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but details on that in the next post on this.

In the meantime, trying to finish The Venetian Betrayal this week. I would have devoured it overnight, but work and school came over me.

Oh well, that's a baby step.

Bucket List #6: Create a podcast about music

2010-09-20T22:18:00.000-07:00

I am an avid music lover. I always have that soundtrack in my head, and I always feel like looking at the world like taking a very loooong joyride (cue in Edwin Moses's I'll be around. I always imagine myself taking a very long ride at the passenger seat of a cute Mini Cooper in the countryside, and that may warrant another blog post, so stay tuned).

I have always wanted to be a radio jock, but the closest thing that I was able to get in a radio station's cubicle was performing a short set with my former band.

So one time, my fiance and I started thinking about how we could share our like of real music (not those digital-peppered ones) one step further. We thought of creating a blog just like what our friends did that became Trash Radio Manila, and my fiance's personal fave, Pressure Drop Soundcast.

We really do not want to get way over our heads. I mean these guys are like institutions. But I guess they all started the same way I and my fiance have right now: the desire to enjoy and share the music that we love.

Currently listening to Episode 151:Aggro Time - Interview with Brian Dixon.

These guys are really good, especially when my fiance introduced me to their fourth album, aptly called IV.

Hmmm, got to get those ideas brewing. :D

Bucket List

2010-09-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

Okay, so for my own benefit (and to you readers, yes you TWO, yey), I am now posting my current bucket list. And just so I could put a pressure on actually completing them, I am set to accomplish all of them after 365 days.

If Marisa can do it with rehabilitating thrift shop dresses into fab outfits, so can I!

Okay, so here's my actual bucket list:

1. Run a marathon.
2. Come out first and say someone you like them.
3. Schedule and actually have an appointment at a luxury spa.
4. Form a band and release an EP.
5. Write a literary piece and have it published.
6. Create a podcast show about music.
7. Create a 7-piece wardrobe collection from thrift shop pieces.
8. Re-learn a new language.
9. Join a creative arts contest.
10. Visit historical sites in Metro Manila.
11. Learn a new sport.
12. Record a 7-song compilation with my former band.

Decided to do twelve because of the 12 months we have for a year.

Seems a lot, ain't it? But heck, life IS short, and I have been getting sentimental lately about the growing up.

With the work that I have been doing with the Filipino Tech Community, working on a business plan with peers at Junior Achievers, and school stuff, I hope and pray to God that I'd be able to complete at least half of them, that is unless my procrastination strikes again.

Bucket List #2: Come out first and tell someone you like them

2010-09-19T09:41:00.000-07:00

Hey you,

How have you been? I'm sure that you're rocking the gym now there, if there is one, as always.

I find that I'm doing this right now, and it feels weird. I know I may not see you anymore, except from pictures from your friends who dearly loved and cherished you.

I know it's been a while, but I have never gotten the courage to say how I feel about you. I have never gotten the courage to actually confront you and say how cute your shaved head is, and how awesome you look in your hooded jackets, and how I dream of actually inviting you to join me in a marathon so we could run together, knowing that you're a fitness buff.

I must have shut myself out knowing that I was in a relationship with one of your dearest friends, and my bestfriend has a serious crush on you...and your butt (ahihi). I must have shut myself out knowing that you favor stereotypical girls rather than weird-thinking anarcists like me.I must have shut myself out knowing that I'd rather be friends with you so you wouldn't get weirded out and we'll have those fun conversations.

I must have finally shut myself out when I heard that you got sick, so you could focus all of your energies on getting well and not get too distracted on my well-wishes. I must have finally shut myself out when hearing how you have been doing, and I, along with your family and friends who love you, can't do anything else to make it better.

It was awkward when I finally confront you how I feel. I was hoping you could hear me and I could hear what you'd say so we'd have a kick on how silly this was that I have a major crush on you too.

So here's to hoping you won't laugh at me and say how silly I am still getting major butterfly stomach flutters whenever I see your photos. I do hope you won't get awkward in me at Heaven.

Say hi to God for me. :D

Your textmate buddy and who really happens to like you a lot before,
Me

Procrastination

2010-09-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

Wow. It has been ages in blog years that I've written something after my last post. Okay, maybe because I was stuck with following the true nature of my blog, which is to post all of the things I wanna do before I die.

Okay, without emphasizing the morbidity of why I have to follow a theme to this blog, I guess I and many of you are pretty much guilty of this.

A primary reason why "routine" exists is because of this: procrastination. We often put off doing stuff that we usually would love, or what we would want to achieve or attain in life.

For example, I have been putting off joining in an actual running marathon. I remembered duking it out instead at a local gym and then not doing a follow-up afterwards because...I don't know. I simply might have kept on putting it off towards the far recesses of my brain and vowing to do it, but at a later time.

And another example: I have always wanted to save. Not just save like dropping 5php each day in your piggy bank that is ceramic and is the shape of a very cute pig so you wouldn't have to break it open because it's too cute to break it. I just can't seem to wrap my head into it (and broke the ceramic piggy bank anyway, poor thing). Creating a list that would surely work for me didn't even work. I just happen to know cheapstore finds that somehow satiate a shopper's appetite, damn.

I can't really say that I am a chronic procrastinator, but it has been a struggle everyday to juggle work, school, family, that you often find the cause to stop and get every reason for you to equate your reason to stop as to physically rest from everything that happens in your life. I don't know how some people can juggle so many things and still find the time to enjoy their life, but you tend to second-guess yourself and think that you're not them, you know?

Maybe because we are given the reason that as humans, we have the right to err, and so that brings us to the point for some to not do anything or put off something because the right to err thing really puts fear to us experiencing the consequences of being wrong.

But wow, so much for that 500-plus words of procrastination. I'm breaking one right now. :D

Americans selling taho

2010-09-10T01:12:00.000-07:00

Yep. You read it right.

Former Mormon missionaries Tory Chapman (in the white tank top) and Jason Cowdin (in the blue tank top) peddles taho on the streets of Marikina.

Earlier on, they bought a secondhand car and used it in their makeshift taxi services.

There's really no telling if they're gonna be doing this experiment for a very long time. But losing jobs from a once-known superpower nation, you may want as well do something worth reliving. :D

Check out the dudes' musings about taking oddest jobs in our country in Twitter here.

I wonder why couldn't they go into call center jobs? They could easily get jobs there as communication trainers, if you ask me.

Meaning

2010-09-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

Just out of curiosity, I typed in the words "bucket list" in a popular search engine.

Stumbled upon Urban Dictionary and found a short quip that was an excellent answer to my question:

Here's another good one too (although I am itching to correct a grammatical error right there :S) :

And as "a veritable cornucopia of streetwise lingo, posted and defined by its readers", I found some hilarious interpretations:

Now this one's the clear winner:

Bucket List #1: Run a Marathon

2010-09-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

Finally. I have taken the plunge...err step, err hop. Or skip.

Received this message from my inbox:

I am one step away to fulfill a crazy idea: to run a marathon.

I have never envisioned myself as an active person ever since I stopped playing varsity lawn tennis in grade school, and had Olympic lap swimming style exercises as a requirement for a Saturday class in high school.

But my few encounters with runners via the very large office windows of my former office had me did a double-take on that thought:

Photo by ImageShack

The marathon's in October, and it is for a very good cause. The Pasig River practically runs across Metro Manila, and it has been years as I can remember that there has been lauded efforts to bring it back from its very sad and very murky nature.

Sounds interesting? Sign up now here and join us!

Now, two things I need to focus on before the run: pay 100 bucks to get my running kit, and look for a sponsor/loaner for running shoes.

Make that three: Gotta work on my core. Currently sporting a HUGE gut. So not nice on a wet and drippy tank top =P

My First Entry

2010-09-09T07:27:00.000-07:00

Yey! I am so excited with this new change. I just created a new blog site here in Blogger!

I know. What's so exciting about a new blog? The last thing I remember, I have about one, two, three blogs, and once upon a time poured out all of my soul over a bad breakup in a blog feature for a social media site. Eew.

I'm actually thinking about deleting those to make my life easier. But I have to either set a time to transfer favorite contents from all of my three, err, four blogs before closing it down.

Wow. Sounds like a lot of work.

Anyhoo, I have been thinking about improving my writing skills. I feel like I totally have slacken with writing, that I have vowed to create a new one and have like an overall theme to it, like Marisa's New Dress a Day, or Jessica's ironic satires about cats, dashing tennis stars and politics. But as much as I like shopping and recreating wardrobes from thrift shops, or be another opinionated mouthpiece, I wanted to do something better.

I just recently got back to school after four years "resigning" from college due to uncontrollable circumstances (I'm not pregnant, nor was on a mental breakdown, nor got drugged out, thank you). Four years of doing the same thing over and over makes me realize some stuff that I have left hanging.

And so with enrolling myself this school year, I have began to fuel the daredevil in me.

I wouldn't want to be like Jack and Morgan in this movie.