wat r u luking at?!

the end of an era

2007-10-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

oh how i miss blogging!

fortunately or unfortunately, i have been really busy these past few months that i refrained from updating my blogspot. school can totally cut ties.

these four months got me to thinking that maybe i should just quit this. and i will. :'(

***

last week, i went to cavite to visit my uncle who's a us navy based in japan. he went here for a short vacation and by the time i saw him, he had only one day left here in the phil.

i was reluctant to go there as my mom and i were not in good terms. oh what else is knew? turned out, my mom's pregnant again, this time with her eighth child. i mean, come on! who wants eight children these days when everything just seems tough? and we're not even talking about my mom's condition.

if she were rich, had a decent job, had a millionaire boyfriend, and were bathing in money, then by all means, she could produce all offsprings she wanted. but my mom has neither of those conditions i mentioned. she's broke, has no job, has an addiction to gambling, and is stuck with a good-for-nothing boyfriend. and they still have the audacity to pop another baby?

don't get me wrong. i love my mom to the bones. but it's just extremely frustrating that everyone's rooting for her, everyone wants to see her well, and she ignores all these, and still manages to mees her already fu(ked up life! i just hope she straightens up, thinks of all the lives she's dragging into this mess. there is hope.

***

there was this one relative i really did not know who that was in cavite when i had visited. he's a frail man around his 50's and has dark skin. my cousin tambe and i were joking around in front of her father (my us navy uncle) when the unknown relative butted in and said, "alam mo ba, ang mga bakla, hindi tinatanggap sa langit?"

I gave him the look which exclaimed, "well, i really don't care about what you think!"

i shunned the man, but it was too hard to shun what he said.

two things:

i know several gay guys have been told that, and now i know how it feels.

i want to go to heaven. and i am hoping my sexual preference will not be the final consideration if i should move to paradise or not. because i am happy with my sexuality. you can judge me with my actions and my speech. but spare me from condemnation, just because i am this.

***

i was not allowed to enroll last wednesday because i was considered an irregular student--the very first time, and what a time to come, when i am already in my last sem as a journalism student?

our thesis adviser gave me and my groupmates a grade of "incomplete" as we failed to revise our thesis on time.

i've also seen my grades and i had mixed emotions. i was happy because i did not incur a grade of 3 in any of my subjects. there were rumors circulating that if you had gotten a grade of 3 in any of your subjects then you could kiss your dreams of getting any of the latin honors goodbye. getting the grade of incoplete, i was told, will not affect my chances. so i am still hoping that once our thesis adviser releases our grade, he would not give us 3 or lower. i was sad however because i still did not make it to the dean's list this sem whereas most of my classmates did. don't get me wrong, i was really happy for them, especially those who made it for the first time.

and i am also looking at the brightside. well at least now, i have an idea of how well i should do in the coming second--and last--semester.

wish me luck!! sana hindi na talaga ako tamarin!

***

also last wednesday was the culminating day of inkblots 2007. the fellowship night capped the three-day event, participated in by students from schools in metro manila, to as far as cagayan, bicol, palawan and general santos. beat that!

after the delegates had eaten and left, the staff, including the amihans and my epal self, proceeded to eat. the food was delish, as always.

the following morning, i found myself sick with an upset stomach.

i had never been that sick for a while. my stool was watery (sorry for the details), and i had to be rushed to the hospital. the doctors subjected me to different tests to find what's wrong.

one test was really painful. i felt violated. i'll spare you the details. gross!

my doctors considered confining me in the hospital but changed their minds and allowed me to go home and just rest, instead.

turned out it was acute gastritis, and i was not the only one suffering from it. i had been told half of the v staff were also in pain.

good thing, we're all fine now!

***

yes, i will be quitting this.

but i am moving forward.

this is the end of my blogspot era. it had been a special experience. i had this baby for a couple of years. i was even close to being suspended from school because of this.

but it's time to move on.

however, i would like to thank those who have been part of this tiny web space. thank you to aika and rafael, two of the best web designers in the world for taking care of my blog's aesthetics! thank you to my links. and most especially, thank you to my readers, who were patient enough to spare some time to read all the bs i dished out!

this is the end of an era.

i'm moving to multiply! see you there.

-end-

fin

2007-06-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

PBB has just crowned a new winner. And it was no other than the very lovable Bea. It was bittersweet finale for me. Just like almost everybody else, I hated Wendy. But I was rooting for Gee-Anne, and she only placed 4th.

lovable. bea is this season's big winner.

My fave. I rooted for Gee-Ann all season long.

And while I hated Wendy ever since she entered the house, I felt a little pity toward her when she got booed all night long. The people were relentless. Payback was a beyotch. And maybe, she deserved it.

***
The UST Women's Volleyball Team has made it to the finals of the ongoing Shakey's V-League. Hurrah!!

It was an uphill climb for the Tigresses, who started erratically in the eliminations, but swept all their games in the semis to emerge number one going into the finals. They will be facing the tough San Sebastian squad.

I am proud of these girls. I am hoping they'll do their best in the finals, and eventually win the crown.

Bad news, though, for the UST Seniors Men's Basketball Team. Jojo Duncil, who led the Tigers in the extra period to stun the fancied Ateneo Blue Eagles, has decided to go PRO.

UST has lost a vital cog to its 2006 championship team. But you should not take Duncil's going pro by just face value. Rumors circulated that he has already 25. And in the UAAP guidelines, no one is allowed to play after reaching the maximum age of 25.

His age is still in question because there are two Jojo Duncil birth certificates making the rounds. The first one, UST's copy, says Duncil was born in 1983, thus he is just 24, and still eligible to play. The other, maintains that he was born in 1983 and is already 25.

Darryl Basa, one of my faves in Team B, is taking the last spot vacated by Duncil. The other rookies are Rum Perry Scott, Kashim Mirza, Hector Badua, and Soriano.

Will UST be able to defend the crown with the loss of Jojo, and the return of De La Salle?

We shall find out. The UAAP Season 70 starts on July 7. UST will be playing its first game at 4 p.m. on July 8, Sunday, at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay, City, against UE .

***
I know I have not been updating my blog lately. I have been too busy with school and other activities. School's been running for just three weeks now, but I already feel tired and uninspired. This has got to change.

Just last Tuesday, I, together with the rest of Journ Soc officers, went to Quezon City, Tiendesitas, Eastwood, and Makati to look for a venue where we could hold our annual acquaintance party and the 2007 Mr. and Ms. Journalism.

I was a contestant last year, but this time, it's gonna be different, since I am in charge of the contest. Pray for me so that I would be able to do a good job.

Besides being busy, I think blogging's been sort of passe now. I am thinking of transferring to Multiply because it is the "in" thing. But this is my baby. It is going to be difficult to leave it.

***
Speaking of multiply, the multiply account of the UST Journalism Society is now up.

So to all journ students, alum, teachers, and friends who wanna stay connected, just add our multiply account.

click here to view.

come on. don't be shy!!

Smile naman d'yan. God bless us all!!

he is my hero

2007-06-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

You and i may not be extremely close. I may not understand you at times, and you may also feel the same toward me.

But for working really hard from the day you learned you and mom were going to have me up to now to be able to send itoy and I to school, for sacrificing and going abroad to provide us with better things, for taking us to different places each time we're together, for taking care of me when I am sick, for always telling me I can do whatever I set my eyes onto, for understanding each time I tell you I did not make the dean's list (again), thank you, daddy. You are my hero. I love you.

Happy Fathers' Day to my daddy, to my lolo, and all the great dads around the world!!

Smile naman 'dyan. God bless us all!!

time flies

2007-06-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

I couldn’t believe it. It seemed just yesterday when I graduated from high school. I was teary-eyed as I bid my school and my classmates goodbye.

And now, I am in my senior year as college student. Shocks, time really flies.

I could still remember how I walked through the streets of Lacson and España to get to St. Raymund’s Building; how I made a quick stop at a nearby convenience shop to get some m & m’s; how I sat together with Aika, Jenny, Aianne and Rea at the back; how AA pulled a prank on all of us; how we arranged our seats alphabetically as our first teacher, Barney, arrived; and how we accompanied Hershey, whom I initially found “epal”, to buy her ballpen in a nearby bookstore, and then went home walking.

Many things have happened during my stay in college. Some bad, some ugly, but all the great things outweigh every negative thing that happened.

I came to class a little late today. I was not expecting that our teacher would be there already. I was welcomed with shouts of excitement by my classmates. I entered the room with confidence—very different from the way I did back in first year.

In one year’s time, I will (hopefully) be graduating. I better make this year special for me and the people around me.

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

not good enough (shux, i'm getting used to this)

2007-05-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

I feel really down. It has been blow after another blow.

Kinukulit ko lahat ng tao na kakilala ko na ipagdasal ako, n asana matupad ko ‘yung pangarap ko. I have also been praying really hard for it. As in. I started praying for it since the holy week. I included it in my petition when I was doing the Passion of the Cross. Every time, I pray at night, I always pray for it. Every time I pass by a church, I pray for it.

I did not tell what my dream was to anybody for the fear of jinxing it.

But no success.

The truth is, I want to be UST’s courtside reporter this coming UAAP season. Ever since I entered college, I wanted to be “it”.

I thought that this year was my time because I already have enough experience, and enough knowledge about the UAAP, and I believed that Donna’s term of two years has ended.

So I took my chance, and submitted my resume last May 1.

After “he” left me, I found more reason to want to do it. I thought to myself that I needed to do it to regain my self-esteem.

But after almost a month of waiting, I got no call.

So I called ABS sports this afternoon before I went to San Juan to cover the V-League games. At sobrang nalungkot ako dahil sinabi sa akin na tapos na ang auditions at nasa final screening stage na sila.

I was destroyed.

Am I not even good enough to take part of the auditions? Am I that ugly to not even deserve a call? I would have understood if I did not make it to the final screenings because I sucked at the audition. But to not even take part of it? That is something else.

Hindi ko naman papasukin ‘yan kung alam kong di ko kaya eh. I know I can do better than those who are already doing it. It was one of the reasons why I quit V. It was one of the things that I really wanted to do. It was also the biggest reason why I wanted, and worked hard for, to do my internship in a sports section of a major broadsheet. I immersed myself to basketball and volleyball--the two most popular UAAP sports. I even talked to someone who’s been doing it to give me tips. Modesty aside, I can write and speak well. Kaso…hayyy..

I was not good enough for the man I liked. I could accept that. But being not good enough for something I really wanted to do, for my long-time dream, for something I prayed really hard for, and am willing to work hard for, is something else. That is extremely heartbreaking.

I cried. I wanna cry. I hope this streak ends sooon.

PS. Smile naman d’yan (I’ll try). God bless us all.

unwanted.

2007-05-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

He has made it clear. The feeling was not mutual. I was the only one who felt in love. He did not feel the same.

It sucks when you pour in your emotions; you love someone like you have never loved anyone before, only to learn that there is nothing you can really do to make that person love you back.

I waited for him—something that I never did to most guys that came my way if I sensed that it is getting nowhere. I thought he was worth the wait, after all, I would not love someone this much all the time. Besides, I wanted to love maturely. I did not want to just give up all the time if I learned that I am not getting anything.

It hurts. I am hurt. But what can I do?

We talked last Sunday after I heard mass. We ate at Yellow Cab. That was what I wanted—closure. But at the back of my head, I was worried I might cry. I was almost in tears while hearing mass.

I tried my best to “convince” him that we were perfect for each other. All the while, he was listening but seemed apathetic. There was nothing.

It was another guy, he told me two Sundays ago. But he no longer feels anything for this guy after he found out that he was just cheating on him, and in fact already had a boyfriend. The guy was not hard to love, he said. After all, the guy was almost perfect. He said he was extremely goodlooking, rich and intelligent. I said to myself, come on, rub it some more.

He told me that he was just planning to be single for a very long time for the fear of it happening again. He said he realized that he would rather be neglected than be fooled. Bobo ka ba? Those two are not your only options. You deserve someone better. You still have me as your choice. I would have made you feel that those two were never your options, anyways!!

We ended our conversation without me crying. In fact, we even laughed most of the time, sitting on a sidewalk with sidecar drivers sleeping in their sidecars in front of us. We parted our ways with us remaining friends. Shet, madami na akong kaibigan. Pero makalipas ang anim na buwan nang paghihintay, wala pa rin akong syota!

I felt that, although I loved him strongly, it was going to be easy for me to get over him. Fuck other guys, I guess. Fuck all the guys I want this summer break. Date other guys, watch movies with other guys, eat out with other guys, walk along the streets of España with other guys. What was going to be difficult was to get over my self-esteem issues. On the back of my head, someone tells me that I can never be good enough for a guy I like. And although I fake a lot of smiles and laughter when I am with other people, I know deep inside, that I can never fake what I feel when I lay down in my bed by myself.

But I know I’ll get better.

And maybe, just maybe, even if we’re now “just friends”, I can still fuck him in the future. I hope he’s still a virgin when that time comes.

Hehehe.

***
Extras:

1. I have just seen the Oscar-nominated movie Little Miss Sunshine. It is very entertaining. And although the movie touched a few heartstrings, I was expecting more from it, I guess. Still, I encourage everyone to watch it.

2. UST defeated La Salle in four sets in the Shakey’s V-League last Tuesday. Impressive. Today at 1 p.m., UST will face Ateneo. Be sure to watch it live at The Arena in San Juan.

3. I am doing just fine with my ojt. This is supposed to be my last week but I convinced my editor to allow me to extend my internship until next week.

4. Blake and Jordin squared off in the finale of American Idol. It was not a good show. AI’s losing steam. Jordin is like to win the show, but I hope Blake stuns her. Nakipagpusatahan kasi ako sa ibang mga taga-V na siya ang mananalo. Hehehe sampum piso din ‘yun noh. But whoever wins, I don’t care. Wala na si Melinda eh.

5. It’s starting to rain these days. I feel happy about it. I was ecstatic when I heard thunders. Iba ‘yung pakiramdam kapag kumukulog sa panahon ng tag-init. The other day, I slept with the rain pouring, but woke up with my body drenched in sweat.

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

when will (insert subject here) ever learn?

2007-05-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

For the first time, after three weeks of training in the sports section of the Philippine Star, I got published today.

Woohoo!!

Check out a copy of Star today. My article’s on page A27. Hahaha, it’s a pretty small article, but I am not complaining. Because I got no one to share it with and I went there without Sir Joey or any other trainer.

Again, woohoo!!

So this is how it feels. I did not tell anyone that I got published when I learned about it. But to my surprise, some people, especially my family noticed it. My mom even texted me to say that my lola asked one of my cousins to go back to the nearby market, which is about 10 Km away, even if it’s already late, just so she could purchase a copy of the Star. Hahaha, sweet!!

For the last time, woohoo!!

***
The story I wrote about was the then ongoing Jr. NBA tournament in Makati. I attended the event’s culmination today featuring the semifinals and the finals matches, and other side contests.

The tournament was participated in by champion Ateneo, runner-up San Beda, semifinalists UST and De La Salle Zobel, and other schools like De La Salle Greenhills, Don Bosco Makati and Mandaluyong, University of Perpetual Help, Elizabeth Seton and many others.

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a bunch of really cute players from the participating schools. The only catch was, the league’s oldest players were only 14 years old. Hehehe. I know, I have the makings of a pedophile.

I would like to thank the organizers of Jr. NBA for being really accommodating.

***
It has been five days since the elections. Most winners have been proclaimed by now, while the counting for the senatorial elections still continues.

The elections were declared “relatively peaceful” by the PNP. But can the same thing be said about the counting?

I don’t think so. And I know you share the same notion.

The Disastrous: A precinct in Batanngas was burned killing a teacher. What kind of person would do this? For sure, his soul is not being burned in hell.

The Depressing: Teachers who facilitated the elections last Monday voiced out their disappointments in different canvassing areas and city halls after not receiving half of their promised salaries immediately. These teachers were already preparing early morning of Monday, endured the sweltering heat, and tolerated hunger. They deserved to get their salaries right away. One teacher put it best, “Masyado naming pinapapababa ang sarili namin. Pumipila kami dito para sa napakababang halaga.”

The Crazy:Q.C. Congressman-in-the-running Bingbong Crisologo made a scene in the QC city hall early Wednesday because he felt that he was being cheated. He tried to destroy the glass doors of one of the rooms because he was not allowed to enter the room by the guards.

The Abnormally Normal: Cheating’s still rampant especially in Muslim Mindanao. Political Dynasties are still very much alive. Yuck.

The Stupidly Funny:One winning Pampangga mayor was interviewed on the radio some days back. He was very confident that his partymates, including their gubernatorial bet would win. I was bored, until..

Radio Announcer: Kumusta naman po ‘yung senatorial race diyan?
Mayor: Maayos naman po.
Radio Announcer: Sino na ang lumalamang?
Mayor: Hay nako, 12-0 po dito.
Radio Announcer: Pabor po kanino? Sa administarsyon o sa oposisyon?
Mayor: Ah sa Team Unity po.
Radio Announcer: So wala pong makakapasok diyan sa oposisyon?
Mayor: Ah meron naman po siguro.

Huwaw!! 12-0 nga. Hahaha!!

The Inspirational:Pampangga has a new governor in the person of Fr. Panlilio who defeated Pineda, wife of the purported jueteng lord Bong Pineda, and outgoing governor Mark Lapid. Expect changes in Pampangga.

The Good News:Chavit Singson and Victor Wood are no way near the Magic 12 in the Senatorial Elections. Manny Pacquiao trails Darlene Custodio by thousands of votes in their native General Santos. Good choice.

The Bad News:Alan Peter Cayetano is still pretty much in the running to become a senator. Dayumn.

The Outright Wrong:Melinda Doolittle was booted out of American Idol leaving the overrated Jordin Sparks and the mediocre Blake Lewis in the finals. Come on, America!! When will you ever learn?

Smile naman d'yan. God bless us all!!

un tributo para las madres (a tribute for mothers)

2007-05-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

Today is mothers’ day.

I have mentioned in this blog how close my mom and I are. Although we live separately, she knows everything about me—even my sex life. Hahaha.

So I went to Cavite last night to be with my mom on this very special occasion. And I realized that this year is her 19th mothers’ day.

She may have been involved in different issues, especially her “addiction” toward gambling, but she has been a good mother. She accepted me for who I am. And she has taught me so many lessons.

It was just years ago when she taught me the alphabet, how to read the clock and how to spell. But now that I’m already 19, my mom is teaching me new lessons. She has taught me that life is not easy, and that nothing’s permanent in this world. But the best lesson that my mom has taught me was how to pray, and its importance.

So to my mom, happy moms’ day!!

And to all the mothers out there, happy moms’ day to you too. You surely have made this world a better place.

***
Tomorrow’s election day. Finally, after two months of campaigning will halt. Unfortunately, mudslinging will still continue. After all, nobody loses in Philippine elections. Every one of those who “lost” were just, uhm, “cheated.”

Since I did not register to vote for tomorrow’s elections, I would not be able to practice my right to suffrage. Instead, I would like to implore the readers of this blog, who are also registered to vote, to please vote for these people, because these are also the people that I would have voted for had I been able to register:

1. Joker Arroyo
2.Francis Pangalinan
3. Chiz Escudero
4. Loren Legarda
5.Edgardo Angara
6. Manny Villar
7. Ralph Recto
8. Migs Zubiri
9. Mike Defensor
10. Ping Lacson
11. Richard Gomez
12. Noynoy Aquino

Yes, I would vote for Richard Gomez had I registered. He is smarter than what people deem him to be. He is actually smarter than the other actors who have previously won their seats in the Senate. I would have also wanted to vote for Cesar Montano, had I not seen his performance in that debate organized by GMA 7.

As you might have noticed, the distribution of my favored senatorial candidates is 5-5-2 administration-opposition-independent.

Just like Aika , I liked how the administration clearly presented its platforms. The opposition on the other hand, might have felt overconfident that they would get majority of the seats that they did not need to present their platforms clearly, but only assure the people that they would continue fighting the Arroyo administration. Philippine politics is one of the messiest. It is also one of the stupidest.

I don’t know if it’s just me, or have you noticed that the acronyms made by the opposition and the administration using the names of their best were just, uhm, terrible—insults to the Filipino’s intelligence. Boo!!

Again, I implore you to not vote for Alan Peter Cayetano. Records show that, among the congressmen running for Senator this election, he is the least effective. He got his 15-minute of fame by fighting Mike Arroyo, which is a decent cause on paper. But being a senator takes more than just that.

Also, do not vote for Chavit Singson. Everyone knows he is a dirty man. Filthy. Also do not vote for Victor Wood, for, well, obvious reasons.

Too bad for Pichay. I guess he will not be “planted” in the senate this year, even if he spent millions and millions of pesos for his campaign. He promised to fulfill the wishes of the Filipino—too bad he could not fulfill his own wish of winning as Senator.

***
I saw Celine in Philippine Star’s main press office last Wednesday. To say that I was star-struck was an understatement.

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

celeb chever

2007-05-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

Britney Spears has recently held a series of “comeback” concerts in several House of Blues in California. Spears got entangled with numerous scandals starting from her separation with wannabe-rapper husband Kevin Federline to shaving her hair, and entering a rehab for about a month.

Britney Spears: Staging a comeback?

I am a Britney fan, I wouldn’t deny it. I could still remember how I argued with my cousins, who were mostly Christina Aguilera fans, that my idol was the better one. Britney was more popular. She sold more records. She was the pop princess, set to take the crown from Queen Madonna. And then she hit rock bottom.

I was disappointed by her past actions. But the news of her “comeback” excited me, and a multitude of other Britney fans. And although, most of the people who got to see her less-than-20-minute show, were ecstatic, critics panned the show. They said that Britney Spears, in usual fashion, lip-synched her way throughout the whole show. She also did not really interact with her fans, saying only, “Thank you for coming.” And although I believe that Britney’s concerts could have sucked, I say, give her a break. She just came out from rehab. Do you really expect her to be in her top shape after going through all the things she experienced Come on!

Several nights back, I got to watch some of Britney’s videos, including some of her VMA performances, in youtube. Doing that endeared me back to the girl. She might still be rough around the edges, but I know she could pull it off in the near future. If Mariah could do it, why could not she?

***
I have a new celebrity crush. Woohoo. He is a Scottish singer. I got to know him because his song, Last Request, got significant airtime from RX, my favorite radio station. I did not really give a damn to find more about him. I was already contented with listening to his song which was incredibly amazing. Things changed when I saw his video. The guy was cute. Oh yeah, his name’s Paolo Nutini.

Click here to watch him perform his song Last Request live. Amazing. Amazing. Amazing.

P.S. After a week of desk job in the Philippine Star, I’ll finally be covering my first PBL game tomorrow. I am not complaining with desk job given to me by Star’s Sports editor. I did plenty of journalism-related things in my desk job week unlike in the previous company I worked for.

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

yes, i am in love (insert hearts here)

2007-05-05T11:21:00.000-07:00

In the past few years, my relationships only lasted a month. It was depressing—being with guys whom I can only love for a month.

This time, it’s different. I have been dating a young guy for more than a month now. And although we are not officially a couple, I can say that I am extremely happy when I am with him. He is cute, intelligent to the point of being nerdy (he loves to study haha), rich and really nice. I just hope that whatever we have continues for a longer time or get even better in the future. He is a special, young man.

Yes, I am in love.

***
We watched Spider-Man 3 last night, making it the first Spidey movie I watched without my dad. It was my favorite among all the Spidey movies. It was very entertaining—Toby dancing and Kirsten singing. James Franco also got more exposure. I loved that guy. Hahaha. His and Tobey’s weight gains were also very noticeable.

Spider-Man 3: Entertaining

The movie is nice because it showed that Spiderman is not perfect. He also has flaws. He lets anger and fame get the better of him. He becomes cocky and impulsive.

This installment—believed to be the last—also got the best villains. Sandman was extremely cool. The young green goblin seemed stronger than his father. And the venom, was, well, scary especially his fangs. Hahaha. I suck at this. But I just did not get how the venom was destroyed. I was expecting that Peter Paker’s prof would have found they key to annihilate venom because he had the chance to study it. I was wrong. It only took one of Green Goblin’s weapons and a bunch of metal bars to defeat venom. Corny.

I also hated the breakup scene between MJ and Peter. It was soooooo cheesy. And for the first time in the movie, I sensed that they were just acting.

***
Today, I also got to watch the movie Blood Diamond. It was a gripping drama about the Civil War brought about by greed of diamonds in Sierra Leone. It starred Leonardo de Caprio as diamond smuggler Danny Archer, Djimoun Hounsou as fisherman Solomon Vandee, and Jennifer Connely as journalist Maddy Bowen.

Blood Diamond: Gripping

The movie was amazing. Di Caprio was at his best. Forest Whitaker was probable really awesome in the Last King of Scotland to have beaten Di Caprio in the Best Actor race in most of the award-giving bodies last year. Hounsou was superb. I totally felt his pain in his search for his son who was converted to become a child soldier. And the child soldiers delivered the chills. It was riveting to see these kids carry guns and kill their own countrymen for no reason at all.

The movie tells the audience in the end that Sierra Leone is now in peace, but there are still thousands of child soldiers in Africa.

***
Woohoo, napalayas na rin si Wendy sa Big Brother. Imbiyerna talaga ‘yung babaeng ‘yun. Masyadong inggitera. Hahaha. Buti nga napalayas na siya. Si Bruce din epal. Grabe umemote. Hahaha!! Yuck!!

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

going sporty

2007-04-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

I started my ojt at Phil. Graphic this week. I was excited at first because finally, I would have something really worthwhile to do this summer.

However, when I got there I was not really happy. No one attended to me on my first day because the staff members were busy as it was their deadline. So I just familiarized myself with the style of the publication and realized that their style is not my style. I was also not in my best behavior because I slept at work, although technically, I was not really working. But I was still sorry for having done that.

Going home is also tiring. Graphic is located in Pasong Tamo, Makati. I live in Sampaloc. I need to ride a bus going to Nagtahan to go home. However, when the buses reach Pasong Tamo, they are already full. So what I do is ride jeep going to Ayala, and ride a bus there. Easy? Not really because the loading and unloading system in Makati is complicated.

But I must say that there have also been good times in Graphic. I got to visit our old neighborhood, which I already posted in my previous entry. There were also a couple of cute guys at work.

Needless to say, I was not happy with my stint in Graphic. So I applied in other publications no matter how hard they tried to tell me that they no longer have vacancies. I also devised a plan. Since the news sections of the broadsheets were already full, I tried entering their sports sections. But PDI informed me that it no longer accepts interns even in the Sports section. Star initially told me the same thing. But I still tried.

Today, I got to talk to the Sports editor of Star. He told me to report in their office on Monday. I was extremely elated. Hopefully, they would accept me.

Wish me luck. I really want to do this.

Also pray for me so that I may be able to fulfill one of my long-time dreams. I will be doing one of the first steps next week.

Go, Ivan!! Kaya mo’yan!! Rhymes. Hehehe

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

P.S. Naka-dsl na pala kami. Hahaha sosyal!! I love this day.

yesterday

2007-04-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

Just when I was about to lose hope about my ojt, with all of my classmates already starting theirs, good news came.

I was going back and forth to Makati this whole week to follow up my applications in Business Mirror and Philippine Graphic. The HR that attended to me yesterday was a bitch. I was about to give her a dose of my own katarayan but I controlled myself as my ojt was on the line.

She informed me that Philippine Graphic will have no vacancies until May, and told me to just call the HR the next day (today) to know if Business Mirror still accepts interns. Earlier today, I was about to call the HR division when I found out that I lost the paper that bitch gave me. So I scanned the directory Tanikala lent me. I was not successful at contacting the Central HR, but I was successful at talking to Phil Graphic’s very own HR. She told me that one of their interns would end her stint today, and that meant that they would have an opening. And so I grabbed the opportunity. I would start working on Monday!! Yehey!! I am sooooooo happy for myself. Finally. But there is a catch. Ms Jenny, the HR, would not allow me to wear jeans. She also told me to wear polo shirts. I have not asked her if I could wear shirts that have no collars and khaki pants. Corny noh? Pero mas maigi na iyon kaysa naman malapit ng mag Mayo, wala pa rin akong trabaho.

***
One of the biggest reasons why I wanted to work in the Pasong Tamo area, Phil Graphic, Biz Mirror, and PDI are located there, is that I grew up in that place.

So yesterday while I was waiting for the news from the bitch, I decided to visit the place where I grew up since it was just nearby.

I could not remove the smile from my face. The whole place was different. But it brought backs memories of years passed. I went directly to the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart where my family and used to go to to hear mass. While I was praying, I could not control myself as I got teary-eyed. I was emotional. It was the first time I have been there after a very long while. The big statue of Jesus Christ atop the church overwhelmed me, so did the church’s 2nd floor. I was surprised that the health center and the mini graveyard were still there. The plaza was renovated. And sadly there were no more calachuchi’s. I was hoping to see some of my childhood playmates but they were nowhere to be seen. I am sure most of them already transferred homes. I also did not like what the new owners of our old house did to the building. But nevertheless, I was happy to be back, even for a shirt while, to what I used to call “home.” Yesterday, I relived my yesteryears.

***
Does this “man” even have honor?

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez should be ashamed of himself. He thinks that he should always open his mouth and react each time something happens. And what makes things worse? He is an alumnus of my alma mater, UST.

Yesterda, he opened his mouth again, this time reacting to the death of U.S. Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell. Gonzalez blamed Campbell for walking alone, saying that “she was careless.”

He should step down from his post. He does not deserve his position. He is a very despicable man. I wonder if he even has friends.

Resign, Mr. Secretary. You are good for nothing.

The Justice Secretary is a very unjust low-life.

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

P.S. Sanjaya got the boot from Americal Idol yesterday. Sa wakas!! Selebrasyon!! Woohoo!!

hope springs eternal even for ojt-less ivan

2007-04-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

It’s unofficial yet, but really quite obvious that in the whole 3jrn1 class, I am the only one who’s left without an ojt yet .

I have been working harder these past few days to follow up on the companies I have applied for. Yesterday, I went back to Philippine Graphic and got a waiver. I rode the bus on my way home. And I was standing practically the whole trip. This was the first time, after a very long time, that I had to stand up in a bus. Good thing traffic flowed smoothly. But boy was it really hot—even in that air-conditioned bus I rode in.

Today, I delivered the waiver to the Business World office so that our practicum adviser could sign it. I saw students from the other class doing their internship there. And again, I was pressured. I mean, how could these companies not hire me? Modesty aside, I prepared a decent resume. So again,

media companies, hire IVAN ANGELO LUCERO DE LARA. He is a talented individual. He can be a fantastic addition to your company. So what are you waiting for? Contact him. NOW.

Tomorrow, I will go back to Makati to return the waiver to Graphic and also submit my resume to Philippines Free Press , and ask if Inquirer still accepts volunteers in the upcoming elections. I will also follow up my application in Summit Media and hopefully they will hire me. I will really love to work for Summit Media’s FHM, T3, Seventeen, and Preview or ABS-CBN Publishing’s Metro, Maxim, Metro Him, and Chalk (in those orders.) So knock, knock, ABS Publishing and Summit Media, please hire me. Accept me as your intern. I am also hoping that one of these days, I’ll get a call from the Philippine Star to be part of their second batch of interns. Some of my classmates are well on their way to finishing their 200-hour practicum. So wish me luck!!

***
Early this morning, I was heating hard-boiled eggs in the microwave. I did not know it was such a stupid idea until one of the eggs burst out. Cleaning the microwave was tough. Just imagine. And then, I heard a radio ad. It was about one of my long-time dreams. And now I know how to get to the first step. Kinda.

I will not disclose what that long-time dream is for the fear of jinxing it. In fact, I have not told anyone about it yet. Hehehehe. So wish me luck please. I am really passionate about this.

***
Please, all registered voters, do not vote for Chavit Singson. We all know what a dirty man this guy is. He hogs the limelight each time he has the chance to do so. Remember his participation in the Ducat kidnapping? He also reportedly gave out money during one of his campaign sorties. So if you still care about our country, please do not vote for that despicable guy.

Please do not vote for this filthy guy

Smile naman d'yan. God bless us all!!

work(shop)/intern(ship)

2007-04-12T11:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was finally reunited with my Varsi friends. I was extremely happy upon seeing them once again. It was the first time, after a very long time, that I have seen all of them in one venue.

The incumbent staff and the new recruits were required to attend journalism workshops. Yesterday, they were scheduled to take news writing under Sir Ian, and advance grammar under Sir Aids. Since I was close with Sir Aids, I decided to sit in during his lecture. It felt weird seeing new faces, and not seeing the older faces I was with a year ago.

The new recruits looked promising. There were those who reminded me of other staff like Ate Kris and Ate Cam. There were also new fags and I was teasing Ketch that he was now the queen. He could boss around the fag staffs. Hahaha. I would have done it with pleasure had I still been part of the staff. But fortunately or unfortunately, I no longer am.

Up to this point, I still have regrets resigning from V. But maybe it is just because I have nothing to do just yet. No company has called me yet for my internship, while most of my classmates are well into their ways to finishing theirs. And maybe, once I start my ojt, and the rest of my plans for this summer, I will no longer miss Varsi’s workload. But I know I will still miss my Varsi friends.

Yesterday was a riot. I had fun bitching on the incumbent and the incoming staff. And I was super glad I attended the workshop. But more pleasing was that I got to spend time with my Varsi Kada.

***
Sanjaya’s still alive on American Idol. Crap. He should have been out of it since week 1 of the semifinals. However, surprisingly, the really queer Sanjaya din well in last night’s competition. Haley Scarnato got the boot. Well-deserved.

***
Now that I have already mentioned the fact that no company has called me yet for my internship, let me plead.

I have submitted my resume to ABS-CBN, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Philippine Graphic, Reuters, AFP, Summit Media, and Solar TV. Attention to these media companies: You are missing on a very promising student-journalist. Hire me as your intern, please!! Hehehehe!!

Hire Ivan Angelo L. de Lara as your intern. He will be an outstanding recruit. You may even absorb him after you see his work. He is serious. He is already tired of just sitting at home instead of working for your company.

Smile naman d'yan. God bless us all!!

Holy Thursday

2007-04-05T10:26:00.000-07:00

Today, my dad and I did our yearly Visita Iglesia. We went to 7 different, nearby churches and did the 14 Stations of the Cross. Prior to doing this, my dad and I had a heated argument last Sunday after I accompanied him to do the grocery. We agreed to meet outside the mall after I make a quick stop over at Gonuts Donuts to get my brother some donuts. As usual, there was a long line. After more than 5 minutes, I was finished with my purchase so I proceeded to the taxi bay where my dad and I were supposed to meet. I was just about to step out of the mall when my dad shouted, “Ang bagal bagal mo kumilos.” Of course I was shocked. He repeatedly told me that I moved to slow while we were inside the taxi. I explained to him that there was long line but he did not listen. I was fuming mad already. I did not talk to him for at least two days. So it was nice to finally be in peaceful terms with him again today, especially because he’s leaving on Sunday.

Going to the different churches, I saw many things. I saw different families and barkadas doing their own Visita Iglesia. This made me appreciate more what my dad and I were doing, and our family. May pamilya pa nga na sabay-sabay kumain sa labas ng kotse nila eh. Nakakaaliw sila tignan. They were not eating in a fancy restaurant, but they looked happy. They looked satisfied with the food they were sharing with each other. I also saw people lying in the streets. All throughout the Visita, I was praying to God and asking Him for so many things. But seeing those homeless people made me realize how lucky I am to be living inside a home, to be eating three times or more a day, and to being able to go to one of the most prestigious schools in Asia. Having to walk for several kilometers was tiring, alright, but it was fulfilling. Because as I meditated through the Stations of the Cross, I realized all the hardships Jesus had to endure just to save mankind.

***
I had this very weird dream early this morning. It was about my last ex and one of the suitors I “busted”. In my dream, the two of them were already together. That made me sad because my ex looked happier with him than when he was with me. Haha!!

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

school's out!! woohoo

2007-03-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

Woohoo!! I know I have been saying ‘finally’ in my posts too often but this time it’s different. I have never been too excited to say it than today, because FINALLY, school’s over.

This semester has been extra difficult. Because I had my sight on entering the dean’s list again after failing to do it for the previous two sems by a mere .03 point. I have also promised myself that I will graduate cum laude. I know, it is a tall order. But I am gonna do it for myself, for my family, and for God. I want this to be my thank you gift to myself and the others I have mentioned.

***
This week has been one of the longest weeks of my life. I served as the editor in chief of our class paper, Thomasian Chronicler, for our finals in our copy-reading and lay-outing class. It was work, honey. I thought it was going to be easy and I felt really guilty because at first, I was just delegating my classmates their assignments. But it turned out that it would take more than just that.

It was exams week but I stayed up to the wee hours of the morning, not to review, but to edit my classmates’ articles. I would then wake up early to review for my exams. I could not risk not reviewing. Remember, I had to do well.

Today was our scheduled submission of the publication. It still had kinks until the very last minute. Thank God, when we had finished printing the paper, our professor was still not in the campus.

Although not perfect, Thomasian Chronicler still made me proud because it’s 3jrn1’s baby. We worked hard for it. The paper has also brought out the best and worst in me.

I know, I have scolded some of my classmates, shouted at them, called them names, felt irritated and many others. But those were brought out by stress, sleepless nights and anxiety.

I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the people I have hurt. I hope you understand. And again, classmates, thank you for making one of my dreams come true—one dream that I was all set to perform in V, but I had to let go because there were still more important things I had to do.

Nga pala, ‘yung mga bayad niyo ha!! Hehehe!! See you on clearance day!!

***
Another exciting project that we did last week was our fashion catalogue for our photo journalism class.

I thought it was going to be easy since I am familiar with the assignment, having been exposed to a lot of fashion magazines and fashion spreads in newspapers, and of course, America’s Next Top Model. Yeah right!!

However, our prof had another thing in mind. He wanted us to do a catalogue of native wear.

So here are some of the pictures we took:

Jewel’s one-angle pose is very popular among our classmates. Haha!!

This is my favorite of Ja-Ne. The girl’s got technique.

I took the pics above but they never made the catalogue. Sad. I still believe that these are two of the best pics of the girls.

Siyempre dapat kasali ako. Tanikala took this shot.

In the end, our group only got 85. I still believe we should have received a higher grade. Our classmates shared the same notion.

I now have time to sleep without worrying!! Yehey!!

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

pautakan turns 30; meeting callalily

2007-03-06T22:38:00.000-08:00

Varsi held the 30th Pautakan Quiz Show yesterday. Pautakan is the longest-running inter-collegiate quiz show in I don’t exactly know where. And yesterday was my first time to witness it. The Faculty of Arts and Letters, having won the title for five consecutive years, have been installed to the Hall of Fame and incidentally was not allowed to join the quiz show this year.

So The Faculty of Medicine and Surgery won the title in the Group Division while the representative from the College of Nursing took home the crown in the Individual Category.

Congrats to the winners and savor your titles for next year, our Faculty will be back. Hehehe!!

***
Although I am no longer part of Varsi, I still pursued with my assignment of inviting the band Callalily to perform in the event.

Inviting the band was stressful because I had to make sure that things went smoothly. Plus it was also my first time to sign a contract naming me as the show’s producer.

The band was scheduled to perform at 4:30 PM yesterday, but due to some delays caused by protests from contestant and a member of the panel arriving super late, the band had to wait for almost two hours.

I was really embarrassed because they arrived on time. But they were really nice most especially the band. Those who irritated me more were the members of their entourage, surprisingly. But the band and their road manager were really nice.

So while they were performing, I cannot help but be amazed by the band and be proud of myself as well. I managed to pull it off. Kean, their vocalist, was an amazing singer. Lem is a really superb drummer. Ang galing. Alden, their lead guitarist was also outstanding. Aaron, the look-a-like of Yael’s older brother was pretty quiet. While Tatsi(?) that tall guy with the long hair, looked better in person. Hehehe.

I accompanied Kean, Alden, their roadie, and a member of their entourage to dinner hosted by Varsi. Unfortunately some members of the band had to leave early because they had other appointments. Alden talked to me all throughout his dinner. He was really mabait and he was really smart. And Kean? Need I say more? The guy was a total hottie.

Now, I can say that I am a big Callalily fan. I might as well buy their album. Hehe. Too bad I did not even get to take a picture of myself with them.

Callalily—amazingly superb. A bunch of good-looking, nice, and really talented guys.

***
The UST Journalism Society elections were held last week. I already told you that I was running for Public Relations Officer. And fortunately, I won.

I would like to thank all those who voted for me, most especially my classmates who really supported me. Thanks, guys!!

Last Sunday, as I attended the Mass, I prayed to God that I might never waste the chance given to me by my fellow Journ students.

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

ramblings after a hiatus

2007-03-01T20:47:00.000-08:00

Yeah, yeah. I have been on a hiatus for quite some time. I have been really busy these past few weeks with our thesis, our newspaper, our projects, and all those things. Add to that the fact that blogspot changed settings so that kinda discouraged me to get my posts flowing.

Another reason is that I am busy campaigning for myself as I am running for JournSoc PRO. I thought it was going to be easy since my perception of a PRO’s job is just to fix the bulletin board. But hearing what the others who are running have to say, made me realize that I am in for a really tough job. I have to be serious with this so as to perform well for the Society and not waste the trust the students will give me.

Wish me luck. And if you are a member of the UST JournSoc, please vote for me. Hehehe!

Vote for Ivan Angelo de Lara as JournSoc’s PRO!! Thanks!!

***
Still on the topic of elections, the national election is fast approaching. And it’s sickening to see the faces of politicians on television and on spaces, free or not, where they can post their faces.

I was not able to register as a voter since I was still guessing whether Chacha would be approved by the country’s lawmakers and consequently, no elections should be held in 2007.

Please do not vote for Lino Cayetano. Media coverage showed how active he was in criticizing the Arroyo government. But other than that, records showed that he was not really an effective lawmaker.

***
As I am typing these, my lola’s watching Sana Maulit Muli. Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson are sickening. They are not really that good looking. And puhhhhleassse, they do not have any talent whatsoever.

Season 2 of Pinoy Big Brother has already started. It opened with only six housemates because, according to the producers, they did not want to crowd the house. It’s about time—and it’s only fair—that they field in the other housemates because it’s already getting pretty boring. More housemates mean more exciting dynamics in the house.

***
Because of my being busy these days, I have not been able to really think about boys, or an interesting love life. I am surprised. I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

leaving/arriving

2007-02-06T10:13:00.000-08:00

I have left Varsi. I passed my resignation letter last Saturday just when no one from the Editorial Board was in the office, nor was our publications adviser.

I left with a heavy heart. I may have not been the most responsible member of the staff, but I believe I have invested so much in the publication—my time, my effort, my talent, cutting down my sleep time, and not really having a social life among others.

I am also saddened because I am leaving the friends I have made behind. The most rewarding thing I have gotten as a Varsi staff is my new-found friends. They are an amazing and talented bunch of people. Never did I really expect in the beginning that I would make that many friends especially because we are not from the same colleges, courses even. But as fate had it, I have become close to them. They made my stay in Varsi more bearable, and leaving Varsi more difficult.

(more about them in upcoming posts)

My Varsi kada are the people whom I am going to miss now that I am no longer part of the publication.

After my Research class today, I talked to the E.B. I explained to them the reasons why I resigned. It was easy talking to them now that I am not a member of the staff anymore. Before, I was reluctant talking to them. Now, I would not mind saying hi to them if ever I bump onto them in the campus or anywhere else for the matter.

***
My dad’s arriving a few hours from now. He’s been away for eight months. I am excited and scared at the same time. Now that he’s coming back means that I have to behave well again. Hahaha.

I think we are going to have a problem with my sleeping habits. But I will try to sleep earlier now that he’s here again.

I am fervently wishing that he comes back safe and sound.

I love my dad!!

***
Daniel Radcliffe gas left his squeeky-clean image as boy wizard Harry Potter. He is now starring in a play where he is required to shed some skin. And boy is he yummy.

Are you asking for proof? Here it is.

Daniel Radcliffe is all grown up

***
It’s been very cold these past few days especially at night. In the morning, I find it really hard to take a bath because of the low temperature. But I am not really the one to complain because I love the cool weather. That’s why I abhor summer—I cannot take the heat.

Another thing I abhor is the unexpected rate increase of the UNLIMITXT services of globe. Just imagine paying 80 Pesos for four days when you just used to pay 50 Pesos for 5 days. That is plain exploitation, extortion even. That is very unreasonable. I want to use Sun once again.

***
We won against the Economics Volleyball team today. Finally I got to play. I figured in an accident though. Naumpog ‘yung tuhod ko, as in umpog talaga, sa sementong sahig ng sports complex. Ouch!

Thanks to kuya who took advantage of me while shaking my right foot and leg. Hahaha, joke. He was a good setter, by the way.

***
Catch Nelly Furtado’s new video Say it Right and Fallout Boy’s This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race. Both videos are really cool and the songs are catchy.

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

The Attack of the Hams

2007-01-30T07:55:00.000-08:00

Undoubtedly, Maging Sino Ka Man is one of the most popular local soap operas today. It features four famous young star(let)s entangled with/by/in love. Because of its star power and decent storyline—a very rare combination in local soap operas today—, Maging Sino Ka Man enjoys a huge fan base, especially among my classmates.

But there are some things/ people I find problematic in Maging Sino Ka Man. The biggest one is Smokey Manaloto. Smokey is quite effective in comedy. But in the heavy drama that MSKM is, Smokey is such a ham. I swear, I just cringe each time I see scenes that have Smokey in them. I hate Smokey. I hate how he cries. I hate how he attacks his character as Eli’s brother. I hate the way he is sooooo over-acting. He is just not effective. The audience should be sympathizing with his character, yet, I, as part of the audience, am not really sympathetic to him. Instead, I want to kick his face.

Smokey Manaloto-Ham!! Ham !! Ham!!

Recently, Smokey’s ka-o.a.-an has been rubbing off to John Lloyd Cruz. The latter’s slowly becoming a ham.

And have you noticed how Sam Milby has capitalized on his popular line “I never said that I love you”? Now he seems to be syllabicating each time he delivers his line. Just imagine him saying these the same way he delivered the aforementioned line. “Jacky, I am horny. I want to have sex with you, on the other hand, after seeing your huge arms, I decided to have sex with Piolo, after all, he’s hotter.”

The only things I really look forward to in watching MSKM are Christopher de Leon’s and Chin-Chin Gutierrez’ acting and Anne Curtis’ Australian accent each time she speaks English.

***
Goodness gracious. News has it that Manny Pacquiao’s been included to the Administration Ticket for this upcoming May elections. The good news? He is not (yet) included in the senatorial lineup. The bad news is he has the choice to run either for a seat in the lower house or a mayoral position in General Santos. His mother has already said that if Manny decides run, she would not support him. His kababayans have also expressed their disagreement with the election plans of the people’s champ.

Please, Manny, think. Politics is definitely a bigger fight compared to the ones you have had in the boxing ring.

***
“Minsan, para maging masaya, kelangan mong manakit ng kapwa,”—Chin-Chin Gutierrez’ Corazon to Sam Milby’s JB in Maging Sino Ka Man.

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all.!!

crushing absence

2007-01-19T08:03:00.000-08:00

I feel really weird these days. I don’t know. Maybe it is because I am already 19. And in less than a year, I will officially be leaving my teen years behind.

When I was younger, I used to have a big crush on Donna Cruz. I can still remember how I would gush every time she sang “Kapag Tumibok Ang Puso” in That’s Entertainment. I also used to have a crush on my playmates—both boys and girls. We would play around the house, in our room, on the streets, and in the playground.

But ever since I moved here, I no longer went out to play. I would just go out the house to go to school, or to go somewhere else, but never stay outside and play with kids my age. So that erased the chances of my having a crush on anyone in our neighborhood. After all, I though that the kids here looked mabaho. Haha.

But whatever our neighborhood lacked in cute guys galore, school made up for. High school was fun. There were plenty of cute guys. What made the sitch better was that the girls were separated from the boys. I had crushes on guys from all year levels. But there were guys who really stood out—those whom I went gaga for.

It was also in high school that I learned that there are guys who are just for sex, and there are guys whom I can take seriously. But do not get me wrong, I did not lose me virginity until I was 18.

Three years into college, I find it really weird how topics about crushes do not really appeal to me; how, when asked who my crush/es are, I cannot easily tell the answer.

Yeah, maybe it is because I am 19. And I have, somehow, matured a little bit. Before, when I see a cute guy, I could say that he is my crush. But now, when I see a cute guy, I go, “ok, he’s cute,” and that is all. I no longer stalk somebody the way I used to back in high school. Or maybe it is because I study in UST, and countless gorgeous men walk in the halls and streets of our campus, so it’s become ordinary for me to bump into someone cute.

where has all the saccharin gone?

Or maybe it’s because I have now set a high standard for love, and for the man I will love. High standards on love mean high standards on guys I will have a crush on.

Whatever, beyotch!!

***
“Ladies, I have here a bachelor—he has hazel eyes, long hair, and a very big dick,” –Nicole Richie’s public announcement in a supermarket about a 10-year-old boy she was babysitting in A Simple Life.

***
Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

nueva oficina, new addiction, lumang campus

2007-01-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

Good News: After decades of considering Room 112 of the Main Building as its office, the Varsitarian transfers to its new home at Room 105 of the Tan Yan Kee Student Center .

I must admit that I am impressed with the office’s features. It is definitely more spacious than the old office. Each section now has a computer. The News section has two, not to mention all computers have flat screens. The Ed Board have their own private offices within the office, so does our Publication Adviser. We have a huge conference room. The lounge area will also be very comfortable for visitors, and for staff members who will be staying overnight. We also have this mini library, a pantry, and our own restroom. In short, it is an upgrade. And I dare say that V has one of, if not, the best student publication office in the country. Sir Ian even said that our new office is better than that of the Philippine Star’s.

All these upgrades made me want to extend my stay in Varsi even for just one more ish . I want to experience the place for a longer time. Hayyy, but I already talked to my dad about my quitting. He seemed happy when he heard about my desish. Hahaha. My mom also seemed to go with my dad’s opinion.

After all,

I sometimes feel that

I am no good to Varsi;

that I

have disappointed

too many

people;

that I am

the one who

slacks off most

among the staff;

that all I do

is make noise,

make some people laugh

and irritate the rest.
Hayyy. Hahaha!!

***
OMGosh. It’s offish. My body’s adapted to my new sleeping cycle. I now sleep regular at 5 A.M. or later. Nakakainis!! It all started last Christmas Break. Of course I made full use of the free time I had. I stayed up super late thinking that I can wake up until whatever time I want to. But this time, it’s different. The classes have begun. I now stay up late to finish many of my readings which I have to do again because the Prelims week is just in the corner.

But I also have to admit that sometimes, all I do is waste my time. My body’s so used to it, it’s beginning to feel ok. With that slacking off comes my new addiction to the show ambush makeover . The title pretty much explains how the show goes. It is one of the stupidest makeover shows in the boob tube today because the “style agents” do not really know anything about the personality of the individual they ambush to make over, thus some of the people they intend to help end up being victimized with a style they do not really want, or a fashion that does not really make them happy, but it is very entertaining. Kaya kahit 3:30 A.M. ang show, hala sige nuod pa din ako.

***
Rap, Ketch and I went to Ateneo and UP-D a couple of days ago to get some awards of well-known Varsi alum to be featured in our upcoming exhibit. It was a tiring, yet fun experience. It was my first time to go to Ateneo and to UP. Buti na lang, pamilyar sila Rap at Ketch sa area. The two campuses are huge as they are far from Manila. I may be wrong but I noticed that not all buildings in Ateneo have guards but the students wear their id’s all the time it’s amazing. I was kind of disappointed to see a few cute guys in Ateneo. Maybe they were not informed that I was arriving that day. Hahaha ilusyonada.

UP is huuuuuuge. Pero kapag pinagtabi mo siguro yung LB at ‘yung Dil campuses, wala masyadong pagkakaiba. Para talagang probinsya. Hahaha. Pero mukha din siyang isang malaking komunidad. I also got to see the Statue of Oblation in person for the first time.

With all modesty aside but without thinking twice, I still prefer the UST campus over the two campuses in Katips .

***
“Yes, I am a slut. But I am the best slut in town.” –Anne Curtis’s Celine to Sam Milby’s JB in Maging Sino Ka Man.

***
Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

Transit

2007-01-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

I got to watch Click two nights ago. I was puzzled each time I heard people say that the movie made them cry because I knew that the Adam Sandler starrer was a comedy, something that can even be classified as slapstick. But I was mistaken. Aside from delivering the antics Sandler is know for, the movie also moved me and made me cry.

The movie makes you realize how time flies by, and of course, the more obvious lesson that the family should go first.

I was particularly touched in the scene where Sandler’s character repeatedly watched his father say I love you to him in their last encounter. The scene where Sandler also saw his mom at the former’s son’s wedding was also moving.

Adam Sandler in Click, a touching comedy.

Also, I got to watch the Phantom of the Opera. I was not really impressed with the movie. It did not have the pizzazz I got from watching Chicago, or even Moulin Rouge. The costumes were amazing, but the production numbers lacked the wow factor. Emmy Rosum, however, was impressive. Last year, I was amazed when I learned that Emmy Rosum was also Jake Gyllenhaal’s love interest in the movie The Day After Tomorrow.

I also watched Domino starring Keira Knightly. I am sooooo going lesbo over Keira. Personally, I think she is one of the hottest female stars in Hollywood today. I was planning to watch Domino in theaters last year, but good thing I did not. The movie had some elements which I appreciated—the scenes where Keira pulled the hair of her co-model who bumped her, and when Keira hit the nose of her sorority upperclassman, fine performances from some of the supporting cast, and the cinematography was also awesome—but overall, the movie was blah. Keira’s leading man, is super hot though.

“I am sure that tonight in my bed, it will be my pussy you’ll be thinking about,” Keira Knightly to Lucy Liu.

On the topic of movies, 2006 saw a lot of great films. Films like the Return of Superman, Pirates of the Caribbean 2, raked in the goods at the box office. I was not able to see both films in theater. But I watched Superman in video, and slept in the process.

Animated movies like Ice Age 2, Cars, and Happy Feet delighted the kids, and the kids at heart.

The only local films I was able to watch were Sukob and Manay Po. The former was awesome, the latter, uggghh.

Controversial films like the gay cowboy drama Brokeback Mountain, the novel-based the Da Vinci Code, and the comedy Borat were also big hits this year.

The supposed last installation of the X-Men series was also show this year, so as the movie that relied on the Internet for its promotion—Snakes on the Plane.

My top 4: Brokeback Mountain, Happy Feet, X-Men III, and Click.

***

I will be celebrating my New Year in Cavite. This is the first time I am going to this in years. The last time I did this was I think, back in 2000-2002.

What I hate about the New Year festivities are the firecrackers. I despise each time I hear those tiny stuffs explode especially here in our neighborhood where even kids get to light firecrackers. I also hate the canyon-like boga.

These firecrackers, needless to say, are dangerous. They have caused fires in Ormoc and Marikina, which claimed dozens of innocent lives.

Of course, indiscriminate firing of guns is another problem. This should also be stopped as this is more dangerous.

The government should really be strict about this.
In Davao, Mayor Duterte is very strict about the use of firecrackers and gun-firing during the New Year.

Celebrate the New Year safely, people. There are other ways where we can joyfully welcome 2007 without possibly hurting ourselves, or other people.

***
Now that 2007 is just hours from reach, I cannot help but reminisce about the year 2006. This year was so memorable for most of us.

I learned, discovered, tried, experienced, gathered so many things this year.

Thank you and goodbye, 2006.

Hello, 2007!!

Happy New Year, everyone!! Here’s to wishing good luck to you and your family. To myself, good luck to you, too and your family.

Hayyyy sana mas swertehin pa ko sa lahat ng aspeto sa bagong taon na ito!!

Smile naman d’yan!! God bless us all!!

P.S. I was supposed to post this a couple of days ago, but because photobucket was not working maybe related to the Taiwan quake, I postponed my posting.

Christmas Chorva

2006-12-26T04:28:00.000-08:00

So how did your Christmas go?
***
Finally, my HS friends and I got to see each other again. It has been a year since we last saw each other. Emil, Ian, Dexter, Carmen, Cristine, Vanessa and I had our exchange gifts at the mall.

We also went to G-Box and sang our hearts out. I missed that. We used to do that often back in HS. I was surprised at how few now go to that Videoke section of G-Box.

Ian, Emil, Dexter and I later went to Verve in Malate. We were originally planning to go to a gay club but every gay club was full that Saturday night. So we settled with Verve. Good thing we did.

There were so many cute guys in the bar. I heard they were part of SOP boys. Hahaha!! I flirted with them!!

***
One day before Christmas and I still was not done with my Christmas shopping. So I went to SM San Lazaro to buy gifts for lola, mom and Itoy.

There I met with my mom who was borrowing money from me so that she would be able to buy my siblings gifts. She is already working but it just so happened that she has been handling too many expenses in Cavite especially because Lolo’s been hospitalized.

I lent her P3,000. She said that I no longer need to buy her a Christmas present. She told me I saved her from going back to her old habit of going to Casinos to find easy money.

***
Also on Christmas eve, my first Havaianas pair was broken. The strap of the right one got disconnected from the base. I was extremely sad. It was my first pair. I had it even before Havaianas became so famous in the Philippines. Now, I heard from my mom that our “new-rich” relatives in Cavite are soooooo proud of their Havaianases they are soooo funny. I cannot wait to see them and the OA pride they take of their flipflops.

So yesterday, after hearing Mass, I went straight to Robinson’s to buy a new pair. But Rustan’s was closed. So I decided to just go to my last ex’s place to bring him his Christmas present. Good thing he was there. He told me he celebrated his Christmas alone because his roommates went to their families’ homes. He was still so cute. He still has those gorgeous arms. I would not deny it. I missed him. And I was soooo happy to see him again.

We hugged as I said goodbye. Aside from that, nothing else happened.

***
Today, I bought my new pair of Havaianas. I chose a black Brasil. Black Havaianases are so versatile I love them. It cost me 795 bucks.

***
Hindi ako tigang ngayon. Wehehehe.

Merry X-Mas everyone. Few days left til we say goodbye to 2006.

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

christmas parties

2006-12-21T22:26:00.000-08:00

The nice thing about my Christmas this year is I got to be a mall rat for 5 straight days. Why? Because I can. I had to.

I have been doing my Christmas shopping lately. Thanks to my dad and to Varsi for funding it.

***
Last Tuesday, the class had its first taste of how it feels like to have a class Christmas party after our three years of stay in UST. It was thought of by our adviser but the class had everything to do with it. We divided ourselves into groups that would bring the food. Jewel, Jane and I brought puto. Sobrang nagpakiharap pa kami ni Jane par lang makabili ng puto. We were supposed to buy the assorted puto we saw at Goldilocks Laong-Laan that Tuesday morning. But when we came back in the afternoon, it was already taken. So Jane, Rap, and I went to the España only to find out that they also did not have the assorted puto. We later went to Sm San Lazaro to see if they have it there but they did not. We ended up buying the puto that was already available in both the Laong-Laan and España branches.

The party was awesome. Masaya pala. We played different parlor games won by Aaron and Jane, Clara and Gian, and Joyce. Our adviser also gamely participated.

***
I was soooo lazy to come to this year’s Pasakuhan. It did not really create that big buzz. Still I came last Wednesday, and good thing I did. Sponge Cola performed. But the KJ that the priests were, they ordered Sponge to cut their performance short as it was already 10:30. According to them, it was already “late”. Rap and I decided to stay in school for a while after the event. But the guards had to ask the students to leave as it was already “late”. So Rap and I went to the Baywalk. We ate at Shakey’s then went home. Ang dami naming napagkwentuhan.

Rap during our “date” at Shakey’s.

***
Our Varsi Christmas party last night was also fun. As usual, we had pageants as sideshows. We were divided into three groups. I belonged to group 2. I was also chosen as the group’s representative for V-Struck, a talent show of sorts. Kerwin and Warded were our representatives for Mr. and Ms. Varsi. I spoofed Kris Aquino in a game show called Brief or No Brief. I had fun doing that. In the end, I only came in second, thanks to Jenny’s better showing. Wehehehe. Warden and Kerwin were named Mr. and Ms. Varsi. Our group won the over-all title.

I received a jacket from Ate Maje for our exchange gifts. I was no longer surprised to get it because I had to add another 500 bucks just so she can buy it. Hehehe.

After the exchange gifts, some people already went home. I stayed together with my Varsi friends. We had our light and serious talks. I was soooooooo touched when I got to talk to Ate Kris, Ate Mj, and Kuya Lawrence. They were convincing me not quit. Kuya Lawrence even asked me what it would take for me not to quit. I told him I was not worth it.

Over-all, it was an awesome party. I will miss this kind of party next year because I will no longer be part of Varsi. Sucks.

Myla, I, Raye, Celina

Ketch and I

Smile naman d’yan. God bless us all!!

P.S. There are three more days before Christmas.

can i still be merry?

2006-12-06T03:45:00.000-08:00

Before turning 19, I wished to have a boyfriend on my birthday. I almost had. He was adorable, cute, engaging, and good at “it”. But we could only hang on for just a month. And so, four days before my birthday, I broke up with him—through Friendster. Up to this point, he refuses to talk to me.

Now that Christmas is nearing, I wish for a boyfriend whom I can be with this Yuletide season and beyond. I thought that Santa Claus has heard me out this time. He gave me someone who has the same facial structure as Chris Tiu’s. He has these chinky adorable eyes. We watched Happy Feet together last Friday. I was watching a cute movie with a very cute guy, what more can I ask for? He lent me his jacket and held my hand when I felt cold. He even treated me for dinner. But now, he seems to have lost his interest for some reason I do not know. Maybe I was not good enough to deserve someone like him this Christmas. At least I can say, Santa played a joke on me this Christmas.

***
I have already made up my mind. After two more issues, I will be leaving Varsi. Varsi has taught me a lot of things. I improved my craft in/through Varsi. I have met so many wonderful, sometimes even despicable, people in/through Varsi. Varsi has a lot to do with my growth not only as a journalist, but also as a student.

But after 8 issues, I can no longer say that I am still happy with my V stint. It has taken its tall on me. I do not feel happy with my relation with the E.B., I am getting tired with how things are going, I am already tired, there are other things that I can do with Varsi, and there other institutions outside from V can also provide me ample training on my way to becoming successful (haha). Leaving saddens me. But I know in my heart that it is already time to go.

After all, “he” already said that me getting the news editorship next year is impossible. That just gave me one more reason to leave.

And yeah, one of the things on my to-do-list once I leave Varsi is to get some effing serious love life. Hehe.

***
Ate Agnes is leaving us. She will leave on the 14th, go back to her province in Mindanao, and then be back to Manila some weeks later to work. This time she will be working on an establishment where she and her family can stay together.

She brought this lady in the house. That lady is supposed to replace her. But she is sick, and she complains a lot. She does not do her job systematically. Most importantly, I do not trust and like her.

Good thing, she is leaving. My lola already asked her to.

Personally, I’d love Ate Agnes to stay. She is already part of the family. My lola treats her like her own child. One of these days, I’ll try to convince her to not leave us.

Smile naman d'yan!! God bless us all!!

o beware

2006-11-30T02:55:00.000-08:00

reming's just hours away from reaching manila. and i hope it is not as damaging as milenyo. i hated milenyo. as long as reming only brings in strong winds, big rains, and no blackouts, then we're good.

but can i really order reming to do just that? of course i cannot. i can only wish. so it is very possible that soon enough, manila will be filled with darkness once again. wahhhhh.

ingat na lang tayong lahat.

Smile naman dyan. God bless us all!!

an open letter for the iconic manny pacquiao

2006-11-18T07:48:00.000-08:00

Dear Manny,

Later, you will face the biggest fight of your life against your toughest opponent to date—Eric Morales.

The whole nation will again pause to watch you either beat your nemesis or get some beating yourself.

Win or lose, your face will be all over the papers and the television—you will edge out even the handsomest man in the world in number of TV appearances and newspaper exposure all over the world in a single day. Speaking of handsome men, Tom Cruise is in Italy right now marrying a less hot version of Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes. But heck, I am sure TomKat, and even the Pope, in Rome will tune in to watch that boxing match.

face of an iconic filipino

Should you win, the whole Filipino nation will be in jubilation. President Macapagal-Arroyo will issue a congratulatory statement. She had a great week, what with the capture of Gringo Honasan. The rich politicians who are with you in Las Vegas right now will also be elated. They witnessed a great match, using their own money or not, and they even got media exposure. Cristy Fermin will also be happy because she can interview you “exclusively” for the buzz.

Your sponsors will also be happy, because u allotted bigger spaces for them in your trunks than what you have allowed for the Philippine flag. After your win, sponsorships will again pour out. You are one happy man with a fatter pocket—your ugly kids can now afford plastic surgery. Kidding. But seriously, your youngest child is lovely.

Should you lose, the whole nation will weep. But they will soon send statement that they are still proud of you. You will still get your victory parade. But little sponsorship will flow in.

Finally, Manny, in your game tomorrow you will be interviewed by foreign press. You can speak better English than Morales. But do not be over-confident. And next time, please bear in mind that the word “laban” as in your “laban” against Eric Morales has other English counterparts other than “fight”. Next time, try using “match”, “bout”, and “battle”.

Good luck

Yours truly,
Fabulous epal

Smile naman d’yan!! God bless us all!!

18 + 1

2006-11-13T07:49:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, I’ll be turning 19. Time flies. One more year and I am no longer a teenager.

Being 18 was absolutely fun. But it has also taught me a lot of lessons.

18 memorable lessons I have learned as an 18-year-old:

1. Being 18 gave me lot of liberties. I can now watch R-18 movies in the cinemas without having to lie. I’ve also been guided with the same philosophy each time I go out. Hey, I am not covered by any curfew. I can stay late.

2. Although, I am already 18, my dad and my lola still think I am their soooooper young baby. The fact that other people worry about me instills in me the value of responsibility.

3. My parents really love me. They may have been separated for a long time now, and I may not be living with any one of them, but they never made me feel that they do not love me. And I actually knew this even before I hit 18.

4. I have not been part of the Dean’s list for a year now. And that sucks. But I have learned that being part of the dl is not the end-all, be-all of my being a student.

5. Sometimes, your friends in high school stay in high school. You just realize that you have less and less time to spend with them. Sometimes, no matter how badly you want to see each other, your plans to go out and bond just do not materialize.

6. Being part of Varsi is not as easy as being part of any other school paper; it is definitely tougher than being a member of your high school paper.

7. Being part of V requires a lot of things. It is very demanding. And coming up with the paper is not as easy as it seems—researching, interviewing, writing, revising, no sleeping. In short it is a labor of love.

8. There is life outside Varsi. Camilled told me so. And yeah, I feel it.

9. The Philippines is an extremely hot country. Miski tag-ulan, mainit.

10. Falling in love is fun and tricky. On my 18th year, I’ve been into two serious relationships on my 18th year. But the two lasted for just one month. I really loved my last ex. But hey, things won’t always go my way.

11. Sometimes, flirting is much more fun than falling in love. Because at least in flirting, you do not really risk your heart. In the past year, I cannot even remember how many flings I’ve had. I even stole some guy from his ex, only to tell him that I do not really love him. I am just interested.

12. Sex is definitely fun. I only tried doing it this year. Before I was just curious with how it felt. But now that I already how it feels like, I definitely enjoy it.
13. Some people think that I’ve become haughtier ever since I became part of V. The truth? I do not think that I’ve become haughty. I may now come across as someone who knows it all each time I correct some of my classmates’ works. But in all honesty, I don’t do it because I want to embarrass someone. I am not perfect, and I do not think I have any right to do it to anyone. I still have the same kayabangan I used to have before. It is just that I have learned so many things from V. So the next time you tell me I am mayabang, take a look at yourself first.

14. Feeling indifferent toward the people you do not like is definitely easier than hating them. At least you do not carry the burden of hatred in your heart.

15. Some people whom you consider your friends are not really your friends. At one point in your life, no matter how seemingly close you are to these people, they can just stab you in the back.

16. No matter how tough life can be, I still am luckier than more people in this planet. Some of them do not even get to eat nor study. So I might as well lessen my complaining.

17. The mind is powerful. So is the heart. God is sooooooooooooooooo good.

18. Ang buhay, parang ako—Maganda!!

Happy 19th birthday, self!!

***

Today, I placed 1st runner-up in the Mr. Journ competition. I was sooo close to bagging the crown but I know God has other plans for me. Congratulations, Val, for winning the Ms. Journ title!! I am very proud of you.

Smile naman d'yan!! God bless us all!!

basketball moves, moving forward, movies, moving on

2006-11-10T11:30:00.000-08:00

This is going to be text heavy.

I am here stuck at home doing my sports magazine article while everyone’s partying at the free concert being held in the sports complex to celebrate the Tigers euphoric victory in Men’s Basketball. But I am not complaining. After all, I am not that ecstatic over the concert only that I am missing my chance to see the gorgeous vocalist of Callalily for the Nth time. But I am fine. There will be other chances. And who knows, we might just end up together? Kidding.

I am doing a feature on UST captain Allan Evangelista . Sobrang makwento siya kaninang umaga habang kinakausap ko siya pagkatapos nila magensayo. He gave me more than what I expected. He was an above average interview, actually.

I also got to see some of the Team B and reserved players practice. There were a few standouts. Of course, I already liked the Basa guy since the first time I saw him. He is also cute, by the way, except the hair. The Mirza guy also shows a lot of promise. He is tall and lanky, so as that tall American, white guy. There was also this short Caucasian-looking guy who plays really well. Scott is of course a very promising guy. I am pretty sure he will be fielded in next year as back-up for Japs and Jun. I also got to see Derick Hubalde. Hot!! It was also nice to see Warren play again.

***

UST has a new rector in Fr. Arceo. Many expect him to continue what Fr. Tamerlana Lana has done during the latter’s term. I expect him to do a good job.

UST ranked 500th in the world’s top universities according to a survey. I really think that UST deserved a higher ranking. Maybe the people, and some organizations, including the one that funded the survey was just used to UST being number 4 in the Philippines. But I disagree.

Fr. Arceo said in his inaugural speech that sometimes, people equate cheapness with low quality. True.

Good luck, Fr. Arceo. See you in my future interviews. I hope you won’t give me a hard time. Hehehe

***
My classes started last Tuesday. Out of our supposed 540 minutes of classes, we only spent 20 minutes. And that’s only during our final class.

Now that the classes have begun, I am going to miss what I used to do during the sembreak. Stay up until 5 or 6 A.M. and wake up late in the afternoon to do my writing chores.

I am also going to miss watching the vcd’s and dvd’s I rented at Video City.

During the Sembreak, I have seen quite a lot of movies. And here is their ranking:

1. Closer - stars Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen. It is an amazing movie about chance encounters. The actors were all amazing. Portman and Owen won Golden Globes for best supporting actress and actor, respectively, for their performance. It was also nice to see Julia Roberts play a character that is outside of her comfort zone. She was the only one who did not show some amount of skin in the movie. I loved Owen’s and Roberts’ confrontation scene when she announced that she was cheating on him with Jude Law.

2. The Talent Mr. Ripley - stars Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, and Cate Blanchett. The movie tells the tale of Tom Ripley, a poor nobody who went the extra mile just to be somebody—to the point of killing people who oppose him. The good thing about the movie was that it made me side with the bad guy which is Ripley. I wanted him to kill the people who were against his plans. Fine performances from all the above-mentioned cast including 2006 Oscar best actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

3. A Very Long Engagement - star Audrey Tautou and Ulliel _____. I have long been wanting to watch this movie. It showed in the Philippines, I think that was the same time when the Phantom of the Opera was also shown here. I did not get to see it because I was busy and I did not have enough money. Tautou was very effective. This is her movie. Ulliel is very hot. The whole ensemble also gave amazing performances including the girl who killed all the men that hurt her “Angel.” The story-telling and the cinematography were also superb.

4. Hostel - a very grotesque movie. Grabe. Yun nay un.

5. Cube 2: Hypercube - I got interested to watch this movie because I got to see the first one in a film showing back in high school. The movie is also grotesque, but the first one was wayyyyyyyyyyyy better than this.

6. Final Destination 3 - I liked the first one, and I liked the second one better. But this one is not as good as the first two. The first death scene was not as grotesque as the first two. The ensuing deaths were predictable. I kinda liked the female lead, very pretty. My favorite death was that of the two “hot chicks” in the tanning bed.

7. Bring it On 3 - I liked the first one, I did not really like the second one. But the third one? It is the worst among the three. It stars Solange Knowles, Beyonce’s younger sister, and a Britney Spears look-a-like, whose character is named Britney. The “villainess” was a Sarah Michelle Gellar dead-ringer. The script was baaaaaaaaaad. The guy who played the jock was fugly compared with the previous two. And what was Rihanna doing in the movie? Basta pangit talaga ‘yung pelikula!!

***

Today is our montsharry.

Tomorrow, I will break up with him.

“Muli na namang umihip sa akin ang hangin ng pag-iisa.”

Smile naman d’yan!! God bless us all!!

nov. 6 rambling

2006-11-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

may pasok na kami ulit bukas.

second semester, baby. last sem, i did not make it to the dean's list by just .03 point. well this semester, i am planning to get back to the dean's list even if i have to juggle my studies, my writing chores, and my ojt. i am also planning to have fun because after this semester, i only have one year left in ust. i am also planning to stay from a few people, especially to those who disguise as my friend/s, or those who try to be nice to me, but in reality are just a bunch of well, i cannot find words to describe him/her/them. i am also planning to do well in varsi, especially now that leaving it is not really on my mind.

i am excited after a long while. i am gonna make this semester a good one.

***

i feel so forsaken by someone i really love(d). i am gonna leave him. when? of that i am not sure.

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

gimik

2006-10-29T08:35:00.001-08:00

I was so disappointed last night. You see, my friend Emil and I have been planning to go to Malate even before the Sem Break started. We have not seen each other since the start of the classes. I was all set and excited to go when Emil said that he “cannot” go because the two of us were the only ones going. He wanted some more company.

We went to Malate this time last year. He said that he is afraid I might not enjoy again because of his being KJ. Malate is such a fun place especially during this time of the year—Halloween. Trick-or-Tricking is not really a common practice in poor countries such as ours. But Malate is different. Everyone dresses up for the occasion. You will love the drag queens parading in their “scary”, colorful costumes.

***
I have seen my grades. For the second straight semester, I am not on the dean’s list. And for the second straight sem, I was only .3+ short of making it. Unlike last sem when I was really disappointed, this seam I learned to accept it. I was even more thankful because I got higher grades than what I expected to get especially in subjects where I underperformed.

My grades also made me realize what I failed to recognize last sem—that I can make it to the dean’s list even if I have Varsi, and other activities on the side if I just try. I will just have to study harder next time. Give more time to studying my lessons, and less on leisure and other senseless activities.

***
Speaking of Varsi, we went on an outing-slash-retreat this week at Ricky Reyes’ Golden Sunset Resort in Calatagan, Batanggas.

The place sucked compared with Caylabne. The tap water tasted like salt water, so did the water from the pools. The food wasn’t that outstanding either. The rooms were not special. But who am I to complain? I did not spend a single cent to get there.

But what I really enjoyed during my stay there was, of course, the company of my Varsi friends. It has been a long time since we had that much fun together.

Here are some pictures:

Ang dahilan kung bakit akog nagkasipon—si Ketch!!

Chillax at picture-picture muna bago mag-swimming

After ng initiation night. Lito, lito sa puso ko!!

The other pictures are at http://photos.yahoo.com/hotlipzivan_12

***
May bagong bagyo na naman. I hope it’s not as bad as Milenyo!!

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

Internet, inkblots, irritating behaviour

2006-10-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

Noticed how often I use the word “finally” to start most of my entries? Well at least to make things different now, I started this entry with the word “noticed”. But my next paragraph will start with the word

Finally!! After 3 weeks, I now have Internet access at home again. I have been wondering why each time I try to connect to the World Wide Web, the window says there was no dial tone when our two phones were working perfectly. It turned out that the cord the connects the cpu to the phone was the problem. Anyhow, I am really happy right now because I’ve got Internet again.

Because I had no Internet access at home for the past three weeks, I was not able to write about the championship of the UST Men’s Basketball squad. Ja-ne, Jewel, and I were present during the three Finals games to support UST no matter how busy we were and how difficult purchasing tickets was. Heck, we were present in most of their games. And I cannot help but feel proud about the Cinderella story the Tigers were able to pull off.

But three weeks after being crowned UAAP basketball champs, the Tigers are somewhat rubbing me the wrong way right now.

They exude this new air—no not the air that actually draws you closer to them, but repels you. It might just be me, but I dare say that the Tigers are a change team—and not in a good way.

Jewel had this experience with a Tiger who sent her a text message that he has a naughty side. He said that he had been on a “sex leave” ever since the season started. I am not going to name this Tiger but what he said definitely put him on a different “spin” in my book.

I heard that this same Tiger flirted with a dozen girls during the Tiger’s victory party at Malate, not minding that the girl he supposedly likes was in the venue and was keeping a close high on him.

The Tigers were also invited by Sir Lito during the 2006 Inkblots for Quinito Henson’s sports writing lecture. They were given first-class treatment. They were seated in front. But that was the Varsi staff members’ biggest mistake because some of the Tigers had the balls to sleep during Henson’s lecture. Kaunting hiya naman!! Nasa unahan pa man din kayo.

Some people may go against what I have written here, but hey, we are all entitled to our own opinion. Also, bear in mind that I am not generalizing. There are still some Tigers who gained the championship, but never lost their decency.

***

Speaking of Inkblots, its eighth edition was a success. There might have been kinks along the way, but all-in-all, everything was fine. I met a lot of new people from other schools. They were fun to talk to.

I was also able to meet the biggest personalities in the world of journalism. Damn, I met media heavyweights Charie Villa, Jiggy Manicad, Ruel de Vera, Sandra Aguinaldo, Manuel Quezon III, Jess Abrera and many others. But the best thing was I got to seat beside my idol and inspiration, Maria Ressa.

Eto pic namin o, together with Sir Lito.

Si Sir Lito, ako, at si Idol

I am planning to have the layout of my blog changed. Hello, Rafael?

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

effing milenyo, effing blackout. good thing ust won.

2006-09-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am still alive after the storm Milenyo hit Metro Manila. It is the first storm in ten years to hit MM directly.

Although I love it when it rains,I did not love Milenyo. For one, it was the cause for the suspension of classes from Thursday to Friday. Game two of the UAAP Finals Men’s Seniors Basketball was also postponed. I was scared the whole afternoon that the gusty winds may blow our house. But the worst effect Milenyo brought was the blackout . Nakakairita. Ilang araw walang kuryente sa bahay namin!! I am pretty sure most of you also did not have electricity for a number of days. Some of you may even be experiencing that predicament up to this very moment. Sobrang nasubukan talaga yung pasensya ko. Walang malamig na tubig pang-inom. We also did not have running water. Kaya aaminin ko nung Thursday, hindi ako nakaligo . Kahapon naman super tipid ako sa tubig panligo.

Kaya ganun na lang ang tuwa ko nang paggising ko kaninang alas-kwatro ng madaling araw, matapos matabig ng ulupong ko kapatid ‘yung baso ng tubig ko at mabasa ako, dahil may ilaw na !! Woohoo, Thank God.

I texted Jewel immediately asking her if she had gotten Ja-Ne and I better tickets for today’s game. She said, she was almost 100% sure that her friends from Batanggas are not watching the game so we can have better tickets without lining up in Araneta early in the morning. And Luckily for Ja-Ne and I, Jewel’s friends decided not to watch the game.

Fast-forward to the game, I was feeling really optimistic that the Tigers would win game 2. The Eagles took Game 1 and could possibly have taken Game 2 and the Championship. But God had another plan. Jojo Duncil, Allan Evangelista, Anthony Espiritu were the usual suspects. Surprisingly, Jun Dizon stepped up his game. But the guy who really carried the team, aside from the crowd hehehe, was Dylan Ababou. It was D.A. Day. It has been a long time since nice guy Dylan brought out his A-game and what a time to bring it!

Sa Lunes, magkakaalamanan na. I am actually feeling really confident. But my confidence for the Tigers is not enough to win UST its first championship since 1996. Coach Pido Jarencio’s wards will have to work harder, perform better, and think tougher on Monday. This is the time of their lives—they might as well put it to good use.

I am going to be there supporting UST, and possibly watching my school get the championship.

Thank you, Lord, UST won today. 1 4 UST!!

Smile naman dyan. God bless us all!!

addict

2006-09-27T10:32:00.000-07:00

i have a confession to make.

i am a tiger fan and a uaap addict. prior to the start of season 69, i was already feeling excited. now that the basketball games are about to draw to a close, i have found several reason for my over-eagerness along the way.

in my 1st two years as college student in ust, i saw the mens basketball team being butchered by other squads. i was not excited. on my 1st year, they placed 7th. on my 2nd year, they finished at 6th.

and now, look at where the tigers are--in the finals. although we lost game 1 in the series, i am still keeping the faith, and i know a lot of thomasians are.

addict. ako dahil madami kaming ginagawa sa school, pero never akong nagmintis ng game ng ust.

addict. ako dahil nung 1st two years ko sa college 4 games lng ata napanood ko ng live. pero ngayong season 7 games na ang napapanood ko ng live.

addict. ako dahil pumila ako sa napakahabang linya noong isang araw sa gym para lng makakuha ng kahit gen ad tix. pero in the end i failed, dahil nung nasa mismong window na kami ng mga kaibigan ko kung saan ngbebenta ng tickets, dun nman nilagay ni mrs francisco na sold out na lahat ng tickets.

addict. ako dahil tumawag ako sa lahat ng schools na kasali sa finals maliban sa ateneo, para lang icheck kung may tickets pa sila.

addict. ako dahil willing akong pumunta ng feu fern campus sa diliman kung sakaling may tickets pa sila.

addict. ako dahil nagmakaawa ako sa feu student kong kapatid ko na hindi ko naman kinakausap madalas kung pwede niya akong ibili ng tickets sa campus nila.

addict. ako dahil nagpunta kami ni ja-ne sa feu campus at nagmakaawa sa guards kung pwede kaming bumili ng tickets.

addict. ako dahil sumipsip pa ako kay feu coach bert flores baka sakaling bentahan nila ako ng mas magandang tickets bukod sa gen ad. in fairness to those who sold us tickets, they said they were rooting for ust.

addict. ako dahil, hindi ako nakuntento sa gen ad tickets at chineck tlga ang ue campus kung meron pa sila.

addict. ako dahil pupunta ako sa araneta ng maaga bukas para lang bumili ng mas magandang tickets.

addict. ako dahil kung 2loy man ang games bukas, kahit malakas ang ulan susugod ako.

addict. ako dahil memorize ko n halos lahat ng cheers ng ust, pati ng ibang schools, maliban sa nu. hehe.

addict. ako dahil bka bumili ako ng tiger headband o kaya gumawa ng banner bukas.

addict. ako dahil kahit sabi ng ibang tao, ako daw ang malas sa ust, nanonood pa din ako. in fairness naman, nabreak na yung curse n un.

basta madami pa akong manifestations ng pagiging addict. ko sa tigers at sa uaap.

mamaya ang game 2 ng finals. nangangamoy game 3 ito, if u know what i mean.

at mamaya, magpapaka-addict. ulit ako!!

kitakits sa laro mamaya!! woohoo!!

go uste!!

black gold, black white; black and blue

2006-09-14T03:50:00.000-07:00

It has been four days since the 2006 UAAP Cheerdance Competition. Aika and I were already at the Araneta Coliseum as early as 11 A.M. The contest was slated at 2 P. M. but we did not want to commit the same “late” mistake we had last year when we arrived at the venue just 5 mins. before the start of the competition and we had nowhere to sit.

This year, just like in all UAAP sports, la salle is absent for the CDC. They are not really suspended since the cheerdance is not considered as a UAAP sport, but they still opted not to join.

Even with the absence of DLSU, the Araneta was filled to the rafters. As in SRO crowd. Aika, Joyce, and I had a tough time getting back to our sits after the going to the restroom a few minutes before the competition started. It’s the fault of the hosts. They should have allotted a bigger space for the UST supporters.

Anyhow, everyone knows by now that the UST-Salinggawi Dance Troupe and the Yellow Jackets bagged their 5th straight CDC title. I love SDT and YJ!! They are followed by the FEU pep , which gave me a scare because they really performed well this year. UP came in third.

***

My classmates and I are a bunch of busy people. We have to come out with a magazine and a community paper. We have to accomplish a survey. And we have to train hamsters.
As for me, I still have Varsi on the side.

Earlier this afternoon, my magazine groupmates did a makeover on Clara and Joseph. We succeeded although Joseph did not want to get a new hairstyle. I will post the pictures later. You should have seen those two. They are really cute!! ^_^

***

The billing for the final 4 is now revealed after my beloved UST defeated Adamson 84-71. Great game, guys. Jodun is back, finally!!

So this is the schedule on Sunday.

2 PM Eagles vs. Falcons
4 PM Warriors vs Tigers

I am definitely going to watch the games on Sunday, no matter how busy are. Watching the games relieve me from all the stress brought about by my very hectic sked.

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

cursed

2006-08-27T07:02:00.000-07:00

This week has been a rollercoaster-ride for me. And I am not a fan of roller coasters.

It all started a heartbreak. I thought that this guy I met was going to be “it”. Although I am not looking for someone whom I can spend the rest of my life with (I am too young to do just that.), I am looking for someone whom I will be with for a long time. There comes a time when I get tired of playing. There comes a time when I do not look for just sex. This is the time. I have known the guy for just a short time, and yet, I fell for him. I thought he was an amazing guy. Until I realized that he had not been to honest with me. In short, I was fooled—again.

I cried hard the whole of Tuesday—the day I realized it was all just a lie. I cried myself to sleep. I cried upon waking up. I cried before eating.

I have cried for two straight days. That is why on Thursday, I went to watch the basketball game pitting UST against FEU . Good thing Ja-ne and Jewel accompanied to watch the game with me. You see, Varsi people have always stopped me from watching the game. They believe I was the jinx. Each time I watch, UST loses. But I still went. I did not mind if UST would miss the services of JoDun and Jun Cortez. I did not mind if UST would likely lose to FEU. Good thing, I did not give a damn. UST won the match. It was the first game I watched live that UST won. Yes, it was my first time in my three years of college life.

Now, the guy who fooled me and I are back on speaking terms. He sent me a letter on Thursday night apologizing for what he did. Here are some excerpts:

i know that ur not ok, and its all my fault.i just make u feel miserable.lonely.and stupid. i take all the blame now, it just gone flat on my face.you can say anything to me now.ill catch it all.murahin mo na ko! please.

Ivan im so sorry. im very sorry. the only truth in me is my feelings for you.totoo yon. mahal na mahal kita. di ko lang alam na aabot ito nang ganito ka kumplikado.aabot sa point na even i will fall on my own imagination.di ko alam na mag mamahal ako at in return may mag mamahal din sakin.
kala ko after a few days wala ka na at wala na din ako, hindi pala iyon ka dali.

am at school kanina,depressed pa rin. pinipilit kong tumawa sa mga joke nila but it seems bland.then naalala ko nanaman ung ginawa ko sau then my tears just run down.shit.umiyak nanaman ako without knowing it.sa school pa.i rember our conversation.our plans.ur joke about uod! am still laughing if i remember it. and i always will.

We’ve told each other that we are going to fix things. I am expecting him to be honest this time. I used to love the guy—the guy he told he was. Now, I am giving him another chance. Maybe we’ll end up as friends. Or maybe I’ll hate him the rest of my life. Or maybe he’s the one I am looking for.

Woohoo, today UST avenged its first-round loss to Ateneo which murdered the Tigers. I did not watch the game live. I was afraid Atenedo will have another blow-out win agains UST. But to my surprise, and I guess to the surprise of all Thomasians and Atenistas, the Growling Tigers dealt the Blue Eagles their first loss in nine outings. No sweep for the Katipunan-based squad this season.

The win was very important because a loss would have pulled the Tigers, who were seating at third place prior to today’s match, to the 5th spot. Maganda ang nilaro ng mga Tigers kahit na wala sila Jodun at Cortez, at ngayon pati na rin si Espiritu. Lahat sila may Typhoid Fever. There must be something wrong with the food the Tigers are eating. Tsk tsk.

I’ve already thought the Tigers’ chances to a final 4 slot were going against God’s will. I, together with many Thomasians, was already losing hope. But after three straight wins, the Tigers may just be able to clinch a place in the final 4. That will please me—after all, it only takes a single basketball game to please me after a heartbreak.

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

P.S. Pahabol!! Please make sure to get a copy of the latest issue of the varsitarian!! Akin yung banner story eh tungkol dun sa nursing leak eh!! hehehe!! laking pagod ang pinagdaanan ko para lang matapos yung istoryang iyun!!

look-a-like, leak

2006-08-15T10:30:00.000-07:00

It’s been a long time since I last blogged. I have been very busy these past few days I could not even reply to my friends’ online messages, or watch high school reunion on dvd, or watch the other dvd’s Ketch lent me.

The last time I blogged was when UST defeated UE in their first encounter. UST was sitting in 3rd place back then with a 2-1 win-loss card. Now UST is at the bottom of the heap with a 2-5 win-loss card.

Enough of that. Ever heard a relative or a friend say you look like someone? I have. And the list of celebrities they compare me with ranges from the wow-do-I-really-look-like-him up to the hala-ganyan-ba-ko-kapangit types.

This is my picture:

Ivan

Tapos eto naman daw ‘yung mga ungas na kahawig ko (sabi nila ha!! Hindi ko!!)

***Rain***
Sobrang dami ng tao ang nakapagsabi sa akin na kahawig ko daw itong Koreanong ito. It all started with my cousins in Cavite who told me that I look like Full House’s Justin. I was not watching full house that time so I did not have any idea who Justin was. Until the time came that Full House became so popular. Noon ko lang nakilala sa Rain. Last night, I went to the class of Mr. C to deliver all the papers he was supposed to edit. His students started saying Rainier—obviously coming from Rain’s character’s name in A Love to Kill. It must be the eyes and the nose.

Pero sabi ni ate Palo, sabi daw nung kaibigan niya, mukha daw pinagwapong tae sa Rain. Hahaha!! Siguro mukha din akong pinagwapong tae!! Haha!!

Rain

***Marky Cielo***
Madami-dami na din ang nakapagsabing kamukha ko si Marky. Hindi ko alam sa kanila. May nakapagsabi na din na kahawig ko daw si Iwa Moto. Hahaha!! Tang ina, ilusyonada!! Lol!! Does that mean, pang-starstruck ako? Hahaha!! Tang ina ulit!! Basta ako, crush ko si Marky.

Marky

***Jeremy Marquez***
I have been going out with someone as of late. When we first met, he told me kahawig ko daw ‘yung anak ni Joey Marquez. Akala ko naman yung babaeng anak. ‘Yun pala si Jeremy. Hahaha!! It must be the nose and the eyes. Pero mas type ko si Alessandra kesa kay Jeremy. Hahah t-bird!!

Jeremy

Eto ba hindi ko kamukha? Hahaha!!

Naima

***

Banner story ng “V” ngayon yung Nursing leak article ko. I have been monitoring the events ever since the controversy started. And I cannot help but feel attached to the story.
Alam ko na ‘yung pasikut-sikot ng kwento. At mahal ko na ‘yung storya. Kaya naman hindi ako basta-basta pumapayag na makipag-collab dun sa mga taga-V na gusto makipag-collab. Sorry, guys.

The people from the College of Nursing (CON) have been very good to me. At sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila. They entertained my ambush interviews. They supplied me with all the documents that I needed. They invited me in a close-door meeting. They updated me with what their next move is. Ang bait.

Today, the people from CON and other schools braved the rains to get their sentiments across. At nandun ako.

This is the first rally I have ever attended. At hindi ko pinagsisisihan ang pagpunta dito. Aside from the fact that going to the rally was essential to my report, I believe in the cause that the CON is fighting for.

The integrity of the exam is not in question, it is gone. Madaming taong may kasalanan ang nakalusot. Pati mga kakayanan ng mga nurses natin ngayon ay nasasaalanganin.

Masyado nang nanging komersyalisado ang propesyong nursing. Kaya naman madaming nursing schools na mababa ang kalidad ang nagsulputan.

Madami pa ang mangyayari sa nga susunod na araw, at aabangan ko ‘yung mga pangyayaring iyon.

Sa isang forum na dinaluhan ko, sabi ng isang estudyante, “Hindi naman ako nandaya eh. Kampante ako.”

Sabi naman ng isang guro, “Iyan ang palagay mo hija. Pero ‘yan din kaya ang tingin ng mga magiging pasyente at amo mo sa iyo?”

The scam that rocked the Nursing Licensure Exams will undoubtedly pose a big threat to the public healthcare.
Makonsensya naman!!

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

unbelievable with a capital U

2006-07-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe this. Just last Thursday, UST upset FEU 90-87. By that time, I already knew that UST is up to something amazing this season.

Thanks to the efforts of Jojo Duncil, Jervy Cruz, Japs Cuan, Dylan Ababou, Allan Evangelista, Anthony Espiritu, Jun Cortez and Co. , UST is growling loud in season 69. I was also sure that more students will watch the next game of UST. True enough, UST supporters trooped the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to watch the game against UE today. Sabi ko, lakas naman ng loob ng mga ‘to. Di naman mananalo ang UST sa UE eh. UE is, of course, the favorite this season.

However, in a series of surprising(?) events, UST upset(?) UE. The last time UST defeated UE was during Christian Luanzon’s time against UE’s KG Canaleta.

Now, the growling tigers and their supporters are riding high. I am very proud. Hehehe!! Sobrang natutuwa ako. I am now in love with Jervy. The guy’s a monster. Brilliant recruit. Sobrang galing nya. As for JoDun, hahaha whata monicker, he’s been very consistent. Si Dylan has been very silent in their last two games. Pero he keeps on delivering the goods whenever they need them. Jemal was not a factor in UST’s last two games due to his injury. We’ll see how things go when he’s back. I think he will see action against Ateneo . Japs is a thrill to watch with his spins. He’s been playing good ball so far this season. Pero sa tingin ko masyado pa din syang mataas magdribble. Evangelista, Espiritu, Taylor, Gile, Canlas, Dizon, Cortez, provide amazing support. Nakakabilib. I have yet to see A.C. Marquez play.

I am sure pati si Allan K, er, Coach Pido is very happy with the way things are going for the Tigers. But the Tigers should not be complacent. Three games pa lang ang nilalaro nila at 1st round palang ito. Remember UP’s exclusion from the Final 4 last season despite a fantastic jumpstart in the first round?

This season is an exciting one. No team’s really a shoo-in in the Final 4. Proof? FEU lost in all 3 of its outings. NU just shamed the Tamaraws yesterday. Let’s see how things will hold up for the Tams as they face the Eagles this Thursday.

UST’s wins against FEU and UE further solidified the Varsi belief that I am the jinx. People think that whenever I watch the game live, UST loses its game. We shall see.

***

Speaking of Varsi, I have already met six of the seven new staff members. Quite an exciting batch huh, especially Hershey and tooooot.

Tip (warning?) lang dun sa mga bago sa News. Bawal magmaldita. Dahil kung maldita kayo, mas maldita ako. Bwehehehehehe.

***

Happy birthday sa napakabait at napakalaki kong kaibigan sa V, si Raye!! Hehehe!! God bless u!!

***

It’s raining cats and dogs again in this side of the world. Dahil dun, suspended ang classes, all levels, sa Metro Manila bukas. Bwahahaha. I guess makakanood talaga kami ng Ms. Universe. At ng SONA. Hahaha!!

Smile naman dyan. God bless us all!!

stres

2006-07-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

I have been de-stressing myself for the past 3 days. I did not show up at the office since Saturday. And it feels great—getting yourself some rest from all the pressure that being part of V brings.

Four issues done and I am still not sure if I am happy with what I am doing. Two Saturdays ago, I felt really sad when Ralph, Angela and Jacky dropped me off at the office. I had fun prior to them leaving me. It’s been a long time since I spent that much time with the three of them. I miss my friends. I miss Jewel, Ja-Ne, Clang, Joyce, Aika, Aianne, Jenny, Bangge, Hershey, Dale, and the others. I miss spending time with them. Of course, we spend a lot of time inside our classrooms, but I still miss spending time with them. I just do.

I also miss my high school friends. I do not know what’s going on with all of them except for Emil who I constantly talk to on the phone. But I miss going out with those people.

The thing is, I hate routine. Being part of V was my way out of the routine that I used to when I was just a plain student. I just used to go to school, study, spend some time with my friends, go home, rest, study, and sleep. The next day is the same old story, unless something exciting happens. But now, even being part of V is a routine. The constant hunting for news stories, the constant revisal of articles, the constant pressure to beat the deadline—everything’s just so constant.

But I still have to give it to my friends in V—Camille, Rap, Tanikala, Rieze, Ketch, Raye, Myla, Celina, Tonying, and some of my bosses —who never fail to brighten up my day. They have this power that convinces me to stay and stop thinking about quitting. Oh I love working with those people. I love those people.

I know that in the office, there are those whom I irk because of my being talkative and being noisy. Maybe they think that I am all noise, no substance. I cannot blame them. After all, some of them are just so perfect.

Tomorrow, I will start reporting in the office again. Wish me luck. I will need it.

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

P.S. Ano ba yan?! One month na since nawala yung cellphone ko at hanggang ngayon, di pa rin sya napapalitan!! ^_^

sporty spice

2006-07-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

So Italy won the 2006 World Cup. It was a battle between to “blue” teams—the azzuri and les bleus. The azzuri’s prevailed after they outscored team les bleus in penalty shootout. Well no one really expected the two teams to face off in the finals except of course the Italians and the French. Hehehe!! Sabi ko na nga kasi mananalo ang Italy eh!! Mas madami kasing lolo dun kesa sa prominent lolo from France na si Zinedine Zidane!!

Over-all the World Cup was a success. Sobrang dami pa palang cute players bukod kay David Beckham at isa na ito: si Fernando Torres ng Spain.

Fernando Torres: Muy Gwapito!!

I was actually rooting for them before they lost to France in the quarterfinals. I guess Spain will just have to wait for 4 more years to see if they can get hold of a World Cup in 2010!!

In Wimbledon, Tennis’s biggest grand slam, Roger Federrer won his 4th straight title after he defeated Rafael Nadal in 4 sets. They are both hot in their own ways. Gwapo!! Hehehe! You get to decide who’s hotter!! Hehehe!!

Rafael Nadal, Muscle kid

Roger Federrer hot, hot, hot!!

Finally, after a year, UAAP’s back!! Sobrang excited ako pre-season pa lang. People are saying that UST has big chance to land a spot in the Final 4. UST’s chance comes from the fact that there are only 7 teams competing this season after DLSU was suspended, and the fact that UST has some amazing recruits this season—Gervy Cruz, Mel Gile, and AC Marquez. In their game against U.P. yesterday, Gervy was the top scorer. Mel Gile provided the defensive stops for the team. Jemal Vizcarra’s also back. Pero too bad, mukhang mag-eexit sya agad after the accident he got himself into yesterday. UST lost to UP 90-92. Pero ayos din lang. Sinwerte lang UP!! Hehehe!! I am keeping my faith!!

Nanood ako ng live at ang daming cute na friends nung de Asis. Nakita ko din ang machong machong si Bruce Quebral!! Bwehehehe!! Daming cute talaga na nasa venue. Kakaiba talaga yung feeling kapag nanonood ka ng live kesa nanonood ka sa TV. Pag sa TV mo pinapanood yung labat, you get the plays instantly because they are explained by the sportscasters. Pero iba pa din talaga pag live. Kapag nakikicheer ka ng live. Kapag naririnig mo yung drums. Kapag nakikita mo yung reaction ng players kahit na commercial. At kapag may nagsasabi sa iyo kinabukasan na pinakita ka sa TV!! Bwehehehehe!! Pinakita daw kami ni bosses Kalai and Nascel!! Hahaha!! Katuwa naman yun!!

Ahhhhh basta, kahit ano man ang mangyari sa Thursday, I am keeping the faith!! 1 4 UST!!

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

hahahaha!! ano yan, joke?!

2006-06-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

Ever got these text messages or got your friends share them with you in person?

Kung…
………
………
………
fu

Some…
………
………
………
Milby

The Bench…
…………….
…………….
…………….
Chi Code

Or

Knock Knock!
Who’s there?
Uod!!
Uod who?
Uod mga kamatid nayo ng magamaama!!

Funny no?! Hehehe!!

When life throws you jokes, you are caught off-guard. You may find life’s jokes funny but I know you will agree that, most of the time, these jokes are not really meant to tickle your funny bones but make you realize that hey, life can punch harder than Manny Pacquiao.

We had our elections last Thursday. Joyce is our new president. I think Joyce will do an awesome job. Hershey did a great one last year. But Joyce’s election was not really the biggest surprise, well that is as far as I am concerned. I was voted to be our class’s representative to this year’s Mr. Journalism. WTF!! I wanted to join last year (my classmates did not vote for me, they were still sane then as they voted for Paolo.) but damn, I did not expect to get voted this year. Valerie is our Miss Journ. Nice choice, eh. Although Clang aka Olyn aka Claudine wanted herself to be it. This early, my classmates already gave me their word that they would come to support us—promises of banners and all. I feel confident. Sana walang iwanan sa ere!! Hehehe!!

***
Last night (Friday), I went on a date. My date and I met on Buendia and ate at Wendy’s. That was the first time I met with the guy. He was a laid-back kinda guy and a bit showy at the same time. After eating, we said our goodbyes. I rode the FX home because it was still early (around 10 PM). After getting off the FX and walking home, I realized that my cellphone was not in any of my two pockets where I normally put it, nor was it in my bag. I searched my bag but it turned out to be a futile exercise. My phone, together with all my contacts, all memorable text messages and all pictures, is gone. Hayyyyy!! Ang life talaga kapag nagbiro!! Madalas di nakakatawa!!

You have been informed. I lost my cellphone. Wala na naman ako sa sirkulasyon. Hayyyy!! Hayyyy ulit!! Isa pang hayyyyyy!! Sige isa pa hayyyyyy!! O tama na!! Hayyyy!!

I am now accepting donations from kindhearted individuals, civic groups, non-government organizations, and rich tycoons. Kung gusto nyo bigyan ako ng bagong cellphone, hanapin nyo lang ako sa UST AB Building. O kaya sa Varsitarian office sa Main building. O di kaya’y tawagan nyo ako sa bahay 7428783!! O i-message nyo ko sa Friendster o kaya sa YM hotlipzivan_12@yahoo.com Maraming maraming salamat!!

Hayyy life, next time wag kang ganyan magbiro ha!! Naiiyak ako sa joke mo eh!!

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

PS: Popular TV producer Aaron Spelling is dead!! For those of you who do not know the last Mr. Spelling, he is the producer of TV hits such as Charlie's Angels, Beverly Hills 90210 and Charmed. He is also one of the richest men in Hollywood, even the World. Spelling, 83 died Friday following a stroke. No more life's jokes on the powerful Mr. Spelling. He will be missed!!

sino ang tatay mo?!

2006-06-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

The first week of classes has just ended. And contrary to the popular Kamikaze ditty, I am not having a first day high, or a first week high in this case. I feel very tired and very low.

I am not exactly sure if I get to please you, me dear fans, and I know you’re very few, with my topics that seemingly revolve to my stint as Varsi writer. But I cannot help it. Being with Varsi for a little more than just two months now made me realize how far I can go. And that is not very far, I think.

It’s hard work. I, together with the other writers, gathered our materials early on. But we still ended up submitting our articles late. Please, do not put all the blame to us. I know that you know what I mean.

Nakakapagod. For the past week, I have thought about quitting. And until today, I am still not sure. I have thought of the reasons why I joined Varsi: 1) because I love to write; 2) I want to continue being part of my school’s official publication; 3) I wanted to gain new friends; 4) I wanted to break my routine which was going to school and going straight back home. In the past to months or so, I fulfilled what I wanted to do. I even got more. Being a Varsi writer has many perks: monthly and semestral allowance, connections with teachers and other contacts, fame, and trips to many places. But when I thought about it, I still can get those things without being part of Varsi. Although I know it will take me much longer. I do not know if I am just on the adjustment period for thinking about quitting this early. Maybe it’s the rebel or the bitch in me that tells me to quit. Or maybe it’s the fact that I do not anymore get to relax, watch tv, sleep, and enjoy myself the way I used to. Last Thursday, I planned on going home late to stay at the office and finish my work. I left the office at 4 A.M. but still was not successful in finishing my work. I have so many complaints, please forgive me.

Damn it, I belong to the premier student publication in the country and I still do not make sense!!

Tomorrow is Fathers’ Day.

A father’s worth, more often than not, is judged based on how well he provides for the family. Just that. But let us see our fathers in different ways. They are there to help us when we have problems. They are there to discipline us when we commit mistakes. They are there to take care of us when we are sick. There are just so many a father can do. And I am proud to say that although my father gives primary importance to his being a provider, he is definitely better than Superman.

Happy Fathers’ Day,
daddy!! I love you!!

And Happy Fathers’ Day to all dads in the world!!

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

A rainmaker, cream puffs, Eng'g kuya, and Eclai: rambling of a bored epal who misses blogging

2006-06-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

Forgive me, but what you will read here are just pure ramblings of a bored epal who misses blogging.

Rambling #1: I miss the rain. For two consecutive nights last week, heavy rains poured. You should have seen the smile in my face. I did not mind walking in the wet and almost flooded streets of Espana. I did not care. I longed for cold weather this whole summer—which I know was stupid since it’s supposed to be hot during summers. Duhller?! For three days now, the god of rain has not done anything but give me false hopes. I played hard with Marc’s rainmaker but all I got were lightning and drizzle. O dear rain, please come visit us more often. Hey, I’ve got some apostrophe going on in that sentence. Bwahahaha!!

Rambling #2: Last Saturday, we had a Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Varsi office. The celebrant was animated. He gave all of us hugs, and the girls, kisses. Something wrong was running in my mind that time. Sorry. Bwahaha. But that was not the only naughty thing that I did during that time. Sorry. To show remorse, I ate three cream puffs. Bwehehehe!! Just kidding. But the cream puffs were, uh, delicious, the finest I have tasted in a long while.

Rambling #3: Speaking of Varsi, our superiors are in Palawan for their planning. They are staying there for four days. Kainggit. I have always wanted to go to Palawan. I have always wondered how it feels to ride a plane. Sige, maghihintay na lang ako!! Bwahaha!! Because they are out of town, we, the new comers, are left here in Manila to do our articles and tantantananan… clean the office. Sounds like fun? You bet!! It really is fun. I am not being sarcastic. Konti lang yung tao sa office, pero nakakamiss din sila. May kuyang taga Eng’g na pumunta sa office kanina, nagtatanong tungkol sa pictures nung Pautakan. Ang cute nya!! Gwaveh!! Tapos sobrang soft-spoken!! Nahiya siguro sa akin!! Joke!! Hahaha!!

Rambling #4: I went to Cavite last Sunday and stayed there until Monday morning. I missed my siblings and my mom. Eclai’s classes started last Monday and I was happy to have funded most of her school needs. Haha!! Thanks na rin kay daddy!! My mom told me that the setup will be different now that Eclai’s back to school. Mom said that Eclai helped her a lot during her summer break. Eclai took care of our younger siblings. She also helps mom in cleaning the house. She even washes her own clothes. Tears almost rolled down my face because I could not help but be proud of my little sister whom I love very dearly. I just hope that she remains good and unaffected of their situation.

Pasensya na namiss ko lang talaga mag blog. Kaya nag blog ako kahit na wala naman talaga akong maisusulat. Hehehe!!

School starts next week. Am I excited? I am gonna find out soon!!

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

P.S. Shiex!! Wala pang bagong rector. Kung ganun, feeling ko di na naman ako kuquota!! Kaaser!!

nagaamplaya sa american idol

2006-05-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

WTF may be used to express shock. I am not surprised by this year’s American Idol results but I am still going to used it. WTF? Taylor Hicks won.

I am big fan of Katharine and I want her to win. With all objectivity, I can say that the producers and the judges of the show have not been objective. I dare say that it is a TV show, not a talent competition.

First case in point, the producers of the show wanted a male winner all season. They built up the images of Chris, Taylor, Elliot and Ace. I know the producers thought no matter what they do, they cannot make Kevin or Bucky win.

Second point. Before the finale, the judges, especially Simon, were already vocal that they think Taylor will win. Not wanting to end up being wrong and looking stupid, they made sure that they give Taylor good reviews. The three, MOST especially Paula, are stupid.

Third point. Song choice my ass. I have been following American Idol since its third season. What the two remaining contestants do in the end is sing two songs of their choice and the same song which will be the first single of the new American Idol. But this year was different. They gave the two different singles. Supposing Randy was right that Taylor’s song was more beautiful than Katharine’s, then Kat was cheated then and there. But I still stand by what I said, the judges, including Randy, are stupid.

Fourth point. When Elliot was booted out, the producers made sure that Kat would look bad. They showed Kat’s and her mother’s merry faces when many people think it was not the right thing to do—be happy when someone’s booted out. But I doubt that they are happy because Elliot was eliminated; they are happy because Katharine reaches the final 2.

Fuifth point. Even last year’s finale was not fair. They made Bo Bice sing 2 gospel songs which are undoubtedly not his forte. Favoritism.

Overall, this season of American Idol is a forgettable one. Taylor’s awesome, but Katharine should have won. Arghhhh.

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

I Wish This Is Not The Last Stand

2006-05-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

If you have not seen X-Men III: The Last Stand (you have to see it) yet, then you have two choices: read my blog or pass it out. What you will lay your eyes into in 5 seconds contain spoilers:

1. Jean Grey is still alive, this time, very dangerous as the Phoenix. Turns out, she has been repressing her alter-ego for a long time because Phoenix is dangerous. The Phoenix brings out the vixen in Jean Grey.

2. The “cure” to mutation was found. It comes from a young mutant named Leech who can repel mutant powers permanently.

3. New mutants are introduced in this film and are killed in the end because they belong to the “evil” side: Callisto, Spike and that other butch-looking mutant. Juggernaut and Multiple Man are also in the movie but I am not sure if they are killed. Shadowcat and Collosus are still on the “good” side but this time, they are given more airtime and are also more exciting. The Beast is also in the film.

3. Jean Grey kills Cyclops, or at least the movie wants us to believe just that. I refuse to buy this one. If the producers decide to do a new X-men movie, which I hope they do, then it will not be a surprise to me if the gorgeous James Marsden reprises his role.

4. Ben Foster, who plays Angel, was “underused” in this movie. The producers and Director Brett Ratner should have capitalized on Foster’s good looks. They are not gay, I guess.

5. Halle Berry, who plays Storm in the trilogy, is more exciting in the third installment that how she was in the earlier two. Her hot new do helps a lot. The real Halle should lose the curls and go back to her short locks.

6. Mystique, played by the sultry Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, loses her powers in the middle of the movie in an attempt to cover Magneto’s back, literally. He becomes human again and is forsaken by Magneto. Guess who else loses her powers? Anna Paquin’s Rogue. She gives in to the pressure that she cannot touch her boyfriend Iceman without hurting him. She goes to the city and gets herself some doze of the cure. Find out later who else “loses” his powers.

7. You can stop reading now if you think you have had too much, already.

8. The most poignant part of the film? Professor X gets killed. He was annihilated by the Phoenix in the "battle of the brains". I was shocked. But will Patrick Stewart return, if and when the producers decide to make another X-Men movie, to revive (double meaning, double purpose) Charles Xavier? Who else dies in the film? Find out later.

8. Magneto loses his powers in the battle. He was given a dose of the cure by the Beast with the help of Wolverine. But in a span of just about five minutes, the director makes us think that Magneto, now staying in a facility for old people, has not really lost his power. I think Sir Ian McKellen is overexposed these days. He stars in two big films this summer: the da Vinci Code and X3. But what can we do? Magaling ang lolo nyo eh!!

9. In the end, Wolverine kills Jean Grey to “save” her. Hey that’s how you “salvage” people in the Philippines. The world has a lot to learn from our third-world country, don’t you think?

10. Overall, it was a “Wolverine movie”. Hugh Jackman was virtually in every scene. A move to promote his spin-off movie “Wolverine” which might be shown in theaters next Summer. Totoo, may Wolverine movie talaga!! Hindi ito joke.

11. Overall, Rush Hour director Retner, who took the job from Bryan Singer, did a pretty good job. Film critics might say that X2 is better than this one, but I enjoyed the third installment more. Moreover, X-Men III: The Last Stand is far better than the Da Vinci Code. So if you are in the dilemma which movie to watch, and have only enough money to see one movie, I suggest you see X3.

12. I want Katharine McPhee to win American Idol.

Anti-climatic, huh? It’s not my fault, you had a choice.

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

controversies and making history

2006-05-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

The Da Vinci Code is undoubtedly one of the most controversial films this year. Following the movie The Passion of the Christ and the documentary Gospel of Judas, Ron Howard’s movie adaptation of Dan Brown’s best-selling novel discusses the life of Jesus Christ. And the whole Catholic world is on its toes for two very different reasons—some are very eager to watch it while the others are quick to challenge it because they think it will shake their’s and others’ faith.

I saw the movie last Sunday at Gateway in Cubao. The movie is banned in all cinemas in Manila and Manila Mayos Atienza backs the order. Manila cinemas exhibiting the movie will be reprimanded. At 10 am, many people had already fallen in line to be part of (hi)story. Who are you kidding? Some people not watch the movie because they are fans of the novel (some, including myself, have not even read the book), much more fans of Tom Hanks or the relatively unknown French actress Audrey Tautou. Some of these people watched the movie because they did not want to be left out in the latest buzz. Just imagine hearing your office mates or classmates talk about it and there you are looking stupid and have nothing to share.

The actors did a splendid job especially Tautou who played Sophie and the gorgeous Paul Bettany (he, not Hugh Grant, is definitely the yummiest British actor known to Hollywood world) who played Silas. But aside from that, there are no more praises I can think of. I also overheard my brother talking to his friend in the phone saying the movie was not faithful to the book. To those who read the novel, watch and figure out for yourselves. The movie is forgettable; no wonder it received lukewarm reviews from movie critics. It was a thriller that did not really thrill me. But if you have some bucks to spare, or are too bored with your lonely lives, or do not want to look stupid in front of your colleagues, watch the movie. Please forget my unparallel sentence construction. ^__^

I dare appeal to the moralists who want the movie banned, watch the movie. You are being extra stupid because aside from not being able to relate with your colleagues who have seen the movie and talk about it, you are already judging it when, in fact, you have not even been able to see the movie. Chillax!! Be reasonable.

***
Congratulations to Oracion, Emata and Garduce, the first three Filipinos who have reached the summit of Mt. Everest. I am not sure, though, if I got your names right. Next time, please don’t fall prey to the trap of the two warring networks. Share with each other the triumph of conquering the highest peek in the world and being Filipino. This is not a victory for the Kapamilya’s and the Kapuso’s. This is the victory of the entire Filipino Nation.

But being Pinoy is, in many instances, equated with being controversial. I read recently that a wife of a mountaineer is claiming that her husband (I forgot the name), was the first one to reach the summit—yes, ahead of Oracion. Hayyy!! Abangan na lang natin ang susunod na kabanata!!

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

tao lang: i make mistakes and i learn from them.

2006-05-18T09:07:00.000-07:00

My spirits are low. Since being part of V, I have always been consistent in saying and writing that wrorking for the paper is not an easy task. Gathering your materials, putting them to writing, waiting for your editor to check them, revising them, then waiting for the approval of all your editors are all too arduous. But I am not the one to complain. I applied for this. And I look at the experience as a challenge where I can also learn a lot.

Having your editors correct your work may seem painful for others. Being edited can crush your ego and your belief that you have talent. I admit I feel that too. But most of the time, I consider it a learning experience. I see to it that I thank all my editors after they correct my works because I learn a lot from them. They know better and more than I do. But what I read hours back crushed my heart.

“If you want to stay as V staffer, you better shape up.”
“You can laugh and make fun in the office but make sure that you enter the corrections accurately.”
“Your article is prima facie evidence of carelessness and indifference.”

Those remarks did not hurt me. Having overlooked at some of the corrections I was supposed to enter was my fault. What hurt me was this:

“Take your work seriously.”

Excuse me. But I am taking my work seriously . I regularly come to the office with the main purpose of working, not mingling with the other staffers. Socializing with them is only secondary. I sacrifice the time that I should be spending with my dad— who only returns to the Philippines during our summer vacation— just to go to the office and work. And you think I am not taking my work seriously? You think that I am not taking my work seriously because I overlooked some of the corrections? Please, give me a break.

Tonight the selection committee deliberates on who gets the ax and who stays. If I get the ax, it will be painful. I will be bitter but only for a short time. After all, I will take with me all the lessons I have learned from my editors and from the other writers. I will also take the memories of going on an outing with the V staff in Caylabne and spending 3 days in Caleruega for the retreat. I will also take with me the relationships I formed with the friends I met in V. The biggest regret I will have is missing on doing a lot of things with my dad this summer to go the V office and take my work seriously .

Hours back, I prayed to the Lord. Do not let this destroy my spirits. This is only a challenge.

Please understand why I am writing this. I was and still hurt. But this, too, shall pass.

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

isang pasasalamat

2006-05-14T09:08:00.000-07:00

Being a mother is never easy, well at least, that's how i see it. Some people think that mothers' day is a bit over-rated but hey, a day honoring our mothers is never enough for all the love they have given us. So to all mothers out there,

happy mothers'

day!!

And to my mom, I love you kahit na matigas ulo mo!!

smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

o kamon

2006-05-12T08:21:00.000-07:00

kamusta naman?

may bago ng layout ang blog ko!!

woohoo!! yehey!!

pansinin nyo sya!! indian-inspired ang drama

at todo-level up dahil may flash na sya ngayon!!

at mas maayos na rin ang fonts!! yehey di na tayo mahihirapan magbasa!!

tsaka di nyo na kelangan mag navigate!! nasa isang page na lahat!!

mejo wala pa syang tagboard pero malapit na rin yun!! hintay lang ng konti!! hehe

lahat ng yan ay gawa ng napakabait

at napakagwapo(?) kong kaklase, ka-varsi at kaibigang si rafael!!

salamatzki rap!!

isa lang masasabi ko!!

o kamon!!

Smile naman dyan!! God bless us all!!

holiday varsitarian style

2006-05-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

I am back from a holiday!! It is Sunday and I will be off to work again tomorrow. I have to cover the CollAsia event tomorrow night for Circle and then do some legwork for News the rest of the week. Deadline’s on Friday. Hectic, noh?

Because of all those things I still have to do, I cannot help but wish that we were still on a holiday. Puro sarap at saya lang. Hehehe!! But then again, life is not a bed of roses, so is Varsi. You will really have to work your butt off to last.

Yun na nga, kagagaling lang namin sa outing mula Lunes hanggang Huwebes sa Caylabne Bay Resort sa Cavite. Hearing the resort’s name, one might think that it is one of those chipipay resorts in Cavite. But once one gets there, one will know the he is mistaken. Caylabne is fabulous. It has a beach, a marina, two swimming pools, a creek, different sports amenities, and dozens of air-conditioned cottages complete with kitchen, ref, telephone, bathroom and television. Ang problema lang dun sa lugar ay yung food. Di sila ganun kasarapan!! Hehehe!! Pero sino ba naman kami, para tumanggi sa libreng pagkain? Hehehe!!

It was nice being in Caylabne. I really got closer with the people I work with in Varsi. Todo bonding kami ngayon. Kasi unlike nung retreat sa Caleruega, mas fun yung mga activities namin ngayon. Mas nakapag-bond kami. Mas masarap din ang tulog dahil aircon na at mas malaki yung kwarto ngayon. Sobrang lawak din ng lugar kaya di mo pipilitin na maglibot sa ilalim ng init ng araw.

We did not just chill when we were in Caylabne. Caylabne was also the venue for the annual V-sports fest. All the staffers are divided among three tribes- Gothic, Bodoni and Itals.

*** Gothic vs Bodoni vs Itals ***

The V-sports fest has been running for a long time now. The battle among the three tribes has always been fierce. And it was fiercer this year.

I got drafted by Gothic. With all objectivity I can muster, I can say that Gothic is the winningest tribe among the three. Galing noh? Hehehe!! I was really happy when I got picked by Gothic.

The three tribes fought it out in different events: basketball, volleyball, swimming, badminton, billiards, cheering, pretty boy, bad girl, and Ms. Caylabne. After three days of intense competition, only one tribe emerged victorious. Hala!! Nagtaka pa kayo? Syempre Gothic!! At ito, Grandslam na kami after winning the general championship for three consecutive years. Bragging rights for one more year, what can I say? Hahahaha!!

*** Last Night, on being a slave and being helpless ***

Our last night in Caylabne was reserved for the outgoing’s rite where we pay tribute to all the outgoing staff members of V. It was a memorable night especially for the outgoing staffers who have been working together for a long time. It was a symbolic night, as the incoming and incumbent staffers honored the outgoing staffers. Masaya na sana ang lahat eh, nang bigla akong nakatanggap ng text galling sa kapatid ko. May problema pala sa Cavite. I felt really guilty and helpless because there I was in Caylabne enjoying while my mom and my siblings were trying to make ends meet in Cavite. I could not help but cry at that moment. Sobrang wrong timing pa dahil akala nung iba, ang dahilan ng pagkabalisa ko ay yung announcement ni Kuya Erick na sila na ni Ate Taz. Hello?! Hello ulit?! Hehehehe!! Di talaga yun yung dahilan sana maklaro na. Nakakahiya kasi eh hehehe!!

After airing my feelings to Ketch bakla, who was very kind and very accommodating, we went to the tent where the rest of the outgoing’s rite was to be held. There, all the outgoing staffers remembered all their memorable moments in their stay in V. Meanwhile, the incoming staffers functioned as servants. It was exhausting dahil di kami nakatulog nung hapon. Nagpractice kasi kami pra sa incoming staffers’ performance. Pero it was also touching at the same time as we got to witness the outgoing and incumbent staffers while they reminisce. Pinatulog kami nung mga superiors namin ng 3 am. Natapos sila mga 8 am na!! Grabe!!

Kinabukasan, uwiaan na!! Hayyyy I am going to miss Caylabne. I love(d) Caylabne. I cannot wait for the mid-year outing!! Hehe!!

Eto nga pala yung pictures:

the whole news staff upon arrival at Caylabne

bodies beautiful. new and old friends taking a break from swimming.

Gothic tribe pageant representatives. Stand-out tlga hehehe!!

the fabulous epal chilling under the sun. kamusta nmn un? hehehe

the whole Varsi staff braving the heat of the sun just to pose for pictures.

Go find your princes while I play with frogs!! God bless us all!!

P.S. Woohoo!! Charitai’s also back in the Philippines. I am so happy!! But she told me that she is not going to stay for long. She will be leaving for the States this June. I cannot wait to see her again.

Watch out for a surprise!! Maganda ang surprise na ito!! Thanx in advance, rap!!

ecstatic

2006-04-23T01:44:00.000-07:00

Ecstatic- yung feeling na sobrang high sa kasiyahan.

When was the last time you felt really ecstatic? Me? Just now. Well it’s kinda an extension of how elated I as when I found my ID last Friday. Why am I ecstatic? Our computer’s working again!! Sa wakas!! You see, our computer is not an ordinary, er, normal computer. In order to open it, you will have to twist the fuse on the avr while pressing the switch on the cpu a number of times. You will have to do both simultaneously. Talk about dexterity and reflexes. For a week, it did not open. I decided that it’s time we ask help from the ever efficient computer-repair guy, Kuya Erds. Pinalitan nya yung power switch sa cpu!! Ang saya!! Bumubukas na sya ulit. And so far, I do not have to do both switching and pressing just to open our computer. Wahehe!! Sarap ng feeling!! Sobra!! Namiss ko ‘to!!

***

I am really worried about my “stint” as a Varsi “writer”. The job is not easy. It’s summer and everyone’s on vacation and it’s difficult to talk to school officials. I just want to bribe them if only money could make them talk. But the problem is they are a gazillion times richer than I am. My quota is to write 3 news items for this issue. I have finished one and it is ready for publication. The second one, I am still revising. One of our editors wants another angle. The third one, I still have to figure out. It’s gonna be tough considering that the issue’s gonna come out on Thursday. He he!! Lagot ako nito!!

Bakit ba kasi news ang pinili ko? Mukhang mas masaya magreview ng pelikula sa Circle section. Mukha ring mas masaya ang makipagusap sa mga taong interesante at gumagawa ng ingay sa kani-kanilang larangan sa Features section Mukha ding masaya makipagusap sa mga athletes sa Sports section. It’s too early to complain. The best thing to do is just work on my news stories. Please, help in reminding me that that is the best thing to do!! (“,)

Share ko lang!! Can you just imagine kung ilang pages ang inabot ng news ko bago makarating sa aming publications adviser? Wahehehe mukha na syang thesis sa sobrang kapal!! (‘,)

***
Rap, yung blog ko ha!! Hehehe!! Do not disappoint me, please!! Thanx!!

Go find your princes while I play with frogs!! God bless us all!!

scar(r)ed

2006-04-04T08:04:00.000-07:00

Scar(r)ed. The news came as a shock to me as it did to my high school classmates. Jaime, one of my HS classmates committed suicide dawn of Saturday. We do not know the reason(s) why he did it. But we are not in the position to judge him. Not only because I am scared to talk about him, but because I also do not know the facts, and I was never the one to judge people who commit suicide.

Jaime is one of those guys in high school who never got in trouble with anyone. He was always cool with anything. He never got mad at anyone, not even to those who tease him. He was such a nice man.

Jaime, wherever you are right now, may you rest in peace. We are constantly praying for you.

***
On a lighter note, I am now part of the Summer Staff of the Varsitarian. I really do not know if it is a lighter note since being part of the Varsitarian is not in anyway light. Being part of the Varsitarian is a dream come-true. No kidding. It is one of the things I set my eyes onto when I entered college. I took the entrance test last year and luckily I passed. The specialized exams followed and it was no piece of cake. It was tough. It made me doubt my skills. It made me think if Journalism is really for me. I passed the test and then came the interview. At the interview, I was asked light questions mostly. They even made me sing our high school hymn. Hehehe!! The same night I received a text message congratulating me for being part of the Varsitarian.

Being part of the Summer staff of the Varsitarian serves two main purposes: 1. to train those who passed; 2. to evaluate those who passed if they are worthy to be part of the staff come June.

This is no walk in the park. It is serious business. And when I say serious, I mean serious. But it also has its benefits. I get to meet many people in the process of gathering data; Lunch and merienda during our summer workshop are free woohoo; There are also some kuyas in the staff another woohoo!!

I don’t know if I should be happy because I am spending my summer doing worthwhile(?) activities instead of watching dozens of dvd’s. Hehe!!

Here’s to a bright future in Varsi.

Go find your princes while I play with frogs. God bless us all!!

picture-picturean

2006-03-29T05:43:00.000-08:00

Picture-picture. Tapos na nga ang Academic year 2005-2006. Next year, 3rd year na kami. Hehe!! I know I am stating the obvious but we still don’t know. Anything is possible!! Hehe!!

Dahil tinatamad ako magusulat, paniniwalaan ko ang kasabihang, “A picture paints a thousand words.” Itong mga larawan na ito ay ilan sa pinaka di ko malilimutan.

Enjoy!!

1st Sem:

the good ol’ days

falling out. I don’t wanna spill some more.

surprise before Charitai’s departure

ang kajungulan ni Hershey. Sila lang tuloy ang may picture nila Aika at Ebe. Hehe!!

2nd Sem:

donuts for everyone. Yum!!

ja-ne at ako walang magawa nun gab week.

whatever pleases you, ma’am. Hehehe

field trip woohoo!!

mga nagmamaganda

cast ng salvation for dummies

walang significance! Gusto ko lang pagtawanan natin si Ralph!! O sige tawa na ng malakas!! Hehe!!

go find your princes while I play with frogs. God bless us all!!

ps. thank God umulan last night and today.

closing time

2006-03-25T07:35:00.000-08:00

Closure. Do not get me wrong. I have not been in another failed relationship. I do not know. This is one of the times when I get apathetic when it comes to love. Anyhow, before this becomes an FHM-worthy introduction, let me begin with my business.

What a relief!! School’s finally over and it is vacation time again. Can you believe it? I have not updated my blog for such a long, long time because I was busy with school works. Thursday last week, we had this musical as part of our requirements in English. It was successful- we had the biggest audience compared with our counterparts from the other classes. It felt great seeing that large crowd line up for the show. Thanks to the teachers who required their classes to go watch the show and thanks to my production staff who invited as many people as their powers would allow. Speaking of the production staff, I am going to repeat this again- you are the best people to work with. You are all a-w-e-s-o-m-e. You made work seem like play. The actors also did a fantastic job embarrassing their selves on stage.

some of the production people- very tired but still all smiles.

Then came the finals week. It was as hectic as hectic can be. I know that if I still want to be part of the dean’s list then I would have to make up a lot for all my complacency. Hopefully, with the help of God, I did a great job.

More assessments regarding the past school year on later posts. ^_^

My brother has just graduated high school. It was nice to see the improvements in the school particularly in the gym. Sosyal, bumuga ng laway yung electric fan!! Hehehe!! Congratulations to my brother and all the graduates of school year 2005-2006. Good luck in your future.

minus daddy who took this picture- itoy, mommy, eclai and the fabulous epal

Go find your princes while I play with frogs. God bless us all!!

on different things

2006-03-12T04:53:00.000-08:00

ON Friendship, on trust, on discord.

The issue involving Ralph, Hershey, Angela, Aika, Rap, and Dale is nothing new in the class. I am not involved in the fracas that is why I do not think that I have anything to do with. I am on my perennial role as the nosey classmate, always there to take in all the gossips. Hehehe, but I promise, I keep all the dirty secrets to myself. Those which the source does not want me to share with others, I do not share.

It just saddens me that those people involved are my friends, and they all used to be good friends too. It’s amazing how in a short span of time, every thing changes, relationships get tainted. I just wish that these guys think it over. They should consider the fact that they were once good friends and that many are affected because of their “misunderstandings”. I just wish that in time, all wounds get healed, all mistakes forgiven, all relationships restored.

ON Stress

On second thought, I do not think I am to say all these for there are also people in the class that I don’t get along well with. There are those who used to be really special to me but are not as close to me as they used to be. I guess everyone goes through fallings-out. Doing this play in English can work in two ways. One, this play can improve our bonds, and provide us dozens of UBE’s; or it can bring about more friction in the class. Lately the latter has been prevailing. Based on what I have been hearing from the people close to me, they get upset because of different situations. This play can irritate us or bring out the best in us.

But I have to say this. Yesterday was stressful. I woke up early for our rehearsals/photo shoot/ panel board-making. I lacked sleep and I was still tired from our trip the other day. I easily got irritated. I am sorry to all the people I shouted at, especially those who did not deserve it. Yesterday, I prayed to God to help me get through all the stress. God helped me. At the end of the day, I realized that I am not the only one who was working my butt off. The people around me were also working very hard. I am most grateful to the members of the production staff. Indeed, you are the most talented, most flexible, most patient people.

ON Our exposure trip, Kajungulan

Sa wakas, natuloy din yung RC trip namin nung Thursday. Grabe ang daming pinaghirapan nila Hershey, Aika, Jenny at Ralph para matuloy yun. Pero sabi nila si Paolo daw yung nakapagpapirma sa dean. Basta dapat lahat sila pasalamatan kasi sobrang nagtiyaga sila para matuloy yun eh.

Kumusta naman yung trip? Masaya siya dahil mega bonding kami. Ang paborito kong part kapag may mga ganyang trips ay yung time nyo sa bus. Todo kwentuhan, tawanan, landian at shempre kainan. Tsaka kahit college na kami todo baon parin kami kapag field trip. Para paring elementary. “Nagsawa ako sa pagmumukha ni Rizal,” sabi yan ni Jacky nung Friday. OO ganun din yung naramdaman ko. Nagsawa din ako sa pagmumukha nya. Pero shempre in fairness, ang galing galing ni Hershey maging tour guide. May promise. Hahaha!!

Kahapon, super naging close kami nila Jacky, Jewel, Ja-ne, at Clang, Sobrang mahal ko itong mga babaeng ito. Sobrang espesyal sila sa akin. I love yah, love yah, love yah!!

E2 yung mga pictures, maki usyoso na lang kayo.

the whole class at rizal shrine

ang reyna ng bulletin wars at pinakamagaqndang hayop sa balat ng lupa... sunod kay dale hehehe

j.lo's in the making, guess that ass

ang barkadang against jungolz hehehe

Go find your princes while I play with frogs. God bless us all!!

P.S. ang tagal ko palang di nakapagblog noh? Sobrang busy kasi tlga eh hehe!! Namiss nyo noh? Hehehe!! Malapit ng dumating daddy ko!! Malapit na rin ang bakasyon yeheh!!

damn it

2006-02-24T08:42:00.000-08:00

I do not know what is happening in our country right now. I do not really know what’s in it for the politicians who want to take it a mile further just to stay in power. Are they in it for the money? The fame? The prestige? Those things shall perish once they die. And their souls will burn in hell.

The President is one tough lady. She is small but you can sense the toughness in all 59 inches of her frame. But this is enough. She has done so many stupid things for the country. This also goes out to all our politicians today. Let all those who have clean consciences stay in power and please God. Let all those who just serve themselves, and their political parties be ousted, be struck by lighting. Let their souls burn in hell.

If things continue to go this way, the National Telecommunications Commission shall control local TV and radio stations. This shall affect all citizens. Our freedom to free speech and expression shall once again be compromised. But this will affect people like me more. I am a budding (bading) journalist. Hopefully, in two-year’s time, I will be graduating. As if the labor problems in the country are not yet worst, if PGMA will turn into another Marcos, then that will definitely make my journalistic ambitions on hold. Damn it!!

Let our politicos be models to our student leaders at school. The elections are now over. Start doing your jobs, people. Greeting the students is not part of your job. Again, the elections are over. Stop acting stupid. Do not follow the footsteps of these filthy politicians. Be public servants, do not be politicos.

JournSoc’s election is fast approaching. I just hope things will get better. The outgoing president and some other officers did not quite fare well. The acquaintance party was a bad one. The place rocked, but the food was not fine. The bulletin board is one of the worst there is in AB. The President did not even show up in the Journalympics and the AB unity games to support the Journ team. Biggest project? The Jrn shirt. No wonder our batch has no love for the queen Lilliputian.

I was the Student Coordinating Board President back in High School and Elementary. But I was more frustrated with how I performed back in hs. We (the officers) could not push through with our projects because we did not get any support from the administrators, much more from our own moderators. There was a time when I was about to consult with PTAC the unreasonable price increase in our canteens. But my own moderator stopped me from doing so because the directress was upset. Damn in!! I enjoyed high school but that was because of my classmates, friends and teachers. What I did not enjoy about it was how corrupt the system was in our school. It still is, based on the stories I hear from my brother. It was only now that I am in college that I realized the difference between Student Council and Student Coordinating. Ours was meant to kiss the butts of the administrators and serve the students at the same time. Some teachers even complained that we did not organize a Teachers’ Day for them. As if admin butt-kissing and serving our co-students were not enough pressure yet. But my being SCB President is over. I am happy. But looking back, it still frustrates me. And I apologize. If I could only turn back time, I would know what to do. Damn. Had I known that I would suck, then I would have not run in the first place.

This should be the lesson to our politicos. Stop butt-kissing. If you know that you would suck or that you suck, then resign. Or do not run in the next elections, if there will still be elections.

Go find your princes while I play with frogs. God bless us all!!

v-day

2006-02-14T06:27:00.000-08:00

Today is Valentine’s Day.

Damn it!!

Haha!! What’s wrong with Valentine’s Day, you ask. And you still do not know by now. You must be one of those lucky people who are in a relationship right now!! Or you must be those naïve young ones who do not give an ass to V-day. V-day is that day that reminds you that you are single- and you are miserable.

Damn!! Walking in the catwalk today I have seen heart balloons placed beside those bulletin boards announcing who the successful UST applicants are saying, I love you alleanah!! Then I saw really cute kuyas carrying bouquets of flowers. It was difficult controlling myself not to ask them if those were for me, and yes, we can get married the next day.

UST students are very creative when they want to say something to their loved ones. Aba, aba, may nagfefeeling na kuya pang nangharana kina Val at Jacky kanina. Kamusta naman yun? Pero yung iba naman, sobrang nageffort para lang isulat gamit ang rose petals ang gusto nilang sabihin. I love you lang naman yung isusulat nila Bakit di nila itry isulat yung supercalifragilisticexpialidocious gamit yung rose petals. Tignan natin kung di sila mawindang kapag ginawa nila yun!!

Sobrang gasgas na rin yung bibigyan mo yung girlfriend mo ng flowers with matching chocolates. Next time, try nyo naman magbigay ng Christmas tree sa February. Samahan nyo na rin ng Christmas lights. O kaya Christmas ball!! ^_^

Now you know, who’s sourgraping!! Hahaha!! The bitch who stole v-day.

Nah, nah. Valentine’s Day is a special day. You do not need to have a lover to appreciate this day inasmuch as you do not need to be single to be called loveless. Mabuhay ang mga single sa V-day!!

At mabuhay din yung cute na presidential candidate ng dekada!! Ang cute nya. Nakalaro na pala namin sya sa volleyball nung journalympics. At nakalaban na rin sya ni Gian sa badminton. Cool!! Promise iboboto ko talaga sya, kahit na wala syang gawin sa student council!! Haha!!

Bryan Villoria’s also cute. Manny Pacquiao, stop speaking in English!! Mukha kang trying hard!!

Si Mr. AB bakla? Pinagkakalat po yan ni Dale de Vera!!

Hahaha!!

Go find your princes while I play with frogs!! God bless us all!!

of tragedies and losses

2006-02-08T04:54:00.000-08:00

Four days since it happened, the ULTRA stampede is still the talk of the town. What had happened was truly tragic. What is happening after the stampede may even be more disastrous. Pointing fingers and washing hands are not the solution to this problem. Practically, we may all be blamed for the disaster.

Yesterday, the fact-finding committee investigating the stampede released its statement. The head of the committee and DILG Undersecretary Marius Corpuz could not bear not to give his comments against ABS-CBN. I think what he did was unethical since they were supposed to be unbiased in their investigation.

Early this morning, I was listening to DZMM. The radio broadcaster Neil Ocampo was interviewing Mr. Corpuz. You can see traces of partiality in Ocampo’s questioning. He was interviewing Corpuz in a way that he would seem as if he were the lawyer of ABS-CBN. I can understand Ocampo because he works for channel 2 and what Corpuz said was really hurtful- but he should still bear in mind that he is a journalist. Reserve the judgment. But one can also not help but hear traces of dishonesty in Corpuz’s answers. He was obviously lying. Scrap it!!

Yesterday, I read in the newspaper that the mayor of Pasig was washing his hands clean. He said he was not at fault for what had happened. According to him, ABS-CBN was purely to be blamed. You can accuse the station for poor organization of the event. But I do not think the mayor was in his right mind when he said that he was innocent. The tragedy happened in his city. He sure knows what was happening before the stampede occurred. He surely has an idea how many people were already there.

Stop pointing fingers. Stop washing your hands clean. Start acting!!

This has been a weird week. I do not know. Last Monday, I was pulled out of the show I was hosting. I know. I know. It also came as a shock to me. I do not remember doing anything wrong for me to get scrapped. I felt jittery the time I started hosting the show. But I guess that was normal. demmit it was my first time!! But they- they were doing it for a longer time than I was and up to this point, they still produce a bad script. I am disappointed. Had I known it was my only chance to prove myself then I would have done a better job compared to what I had already done. But when I carefully thought about it the other night, I realized that I should not look at it negatively. Maybe God has other- and I hope better- plans for me. He has always been good to me. And I know that no matter how difficult life is, and no matter how bad I act sometimes, God will always be there.

During Journ class today, another awful thing happened to me. I am partly to be blamed for it, I admit. And no, I am not blaming anyone for writing a bad paper. I am ok with criticisms for I know that I am not that good. I am mediocre most of the times. Most of the times, I can be really bad- just like now. So please stop accusing me that I am egoistic and that I am too proud. Because you do not know how much I have improved from what I was when I was in grade school and in elementary. I am glad that you apologized and I accept your apology. The water is already under the bridge as long as you and I are concerned. I cannot say that though, with the other guy concerned. See how bad I have written this one?

I missed blogging. I have not updated my blog for a long time. And this is what I come with, huh? Hehe!!

This has been a weird week. And I would like to thank my friends for sticking it out with me.

Lord, big thanks too!!

Go find your princes while I play with frogs. God bless us all!!

star-struck

2006-01-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

Star-struck- that’s how I felt when I saw Bianca Gonzalez.

I should have watched the Backstreet Boys concert last night at the Araneta Coliseum with Ralph and Angela. But because of the many things that had happened in the past few days, we did not get to. Instead, we settled for the USTv Awards held at the Medicine Auditorium.

***Backstreet’s Back!!!****

I grew up listening to the songs of the Backstreet Boys. I was never that rock chick when I was growing up. I can still remember how the BSB songs were such a hit in production numbers during Elementary. I can still recall how my female cousins would swoon each time they see BSB on TV and how I secretly did the same. Hehe!!

During high school, my admiration for the boys grew fonder. I loved watching their videos and was ready to defend them from my female cousins who started to become N SYNC fans. I used to play their black and blue album everyday without fail that my dad also got used to hearing their music. He even told me that if the BSB were to come, we would watch their concert. But for reasons already explained, BSB went to a hiatus. Because of this, new acts sprouted and I came to like them more than I like BSB. Soon, I already did not care if the BSB were still to reunite. But this year, they are back. And I realized that I am still a fan although not that big of a fan anymore. I still enjoy singing their songs with my classmates even if we’re on the streets.

I hope they will come back to do another show soon.

The fan that I am, I am making the Backstreet Boys, kuyas for the month of January.

BSB. I loved watching their videos and was ready to defend them from those who liked other acts more.

***USTv awards***

The USTv awards last night was a blast. But this year, UST has made it a bigger deal asking those who will come, even those who will just watch to wear their formal attire. Fortunately or unfortunately, I and my classmates did not know this until we got hold of our tickets courtesy of the heartbroken Banana Girl.

GMA 7 took home most of the awards. Thus, the station was named Most Awarded TV station. I still think the name of the award comes with an undertone. I refuse to elaborate. Many celebrities came- Charo Santos, Iza Calzado, John Lloyd Cruz, Diana Zubiri, Hale, Rufa Mae Quinto, Daphne Osena, The Going Bulilit Kids to name a few. But the most blog-worthy of them all is Bianca Gonzalez.

I started having a crush on Bianca when I first read her blog. I told myself- this girl is something. She looks great. And this girl is also intelligent and very humble. These traits make her more beautiful.

So when she sat in front of me and my classmates, I grabbed the opportunity to have our picture taken. Grabe!! Naloka ako!! Ang ganda nya!! Please don’t hate me for being a lesbian!! Haha!! Joke!!

This is our picture:

Aika, Moi, and Bianca. Bianca looks great. And she is also intelligent and very humble.

Next gig: Livre 2006!!

Happy birthday jenny lei!!

Go find your princes while I play with frogs. God bless us all

harsh comments

2006-01-13T07:44:00.000-08:00

one of the many things i hate about myself i how i lack control of the things i say.

words are very powerful they can make the people around you or hurt them. Today, I hurt a few people because of my harsh comments.

I am guilty. No denying of that one.

To my classmate whom I have hurt today, I am very sorry. I know you might not be reading this but i apologize for that comment i gave while we were in class. I did not know the whole story. I am in no position to say anything like that even if i meant it as a joke.

Ate Agnes may very well be the subject of most of my jokes. Sometimes, I find it unbearable to talk to her. Today, I texted her asking her to bring my umbrella at 3 pm. 3 pm came and she was not there. i called her asking if she received her message. Irked by the way she spoke, I shouted at her not minding of the people around me and her feelings. I got so vexed I sent her a text message saying, "ate mababaliw ako sayo." It turned out that I sent the text message asking her to bring the umbrella to another person. Thus, she did not really receive the text message.

When i got home, she texted me her reply to my mababaliw comment. It read, "wag kang mag-alala malapit na akong umalis d2, di ka na mababaliw sakin.

My consciene still bothers me up to now.

Sometimes, just because I am surrounded by mean people, I think that I have to be extra mean even to those people who are nice to me. There's nothing fabulous about it- just plain kaepalan.

To the people whom I have hurt today and in the past, and to the people whom I will eventually hurt in the future, I am sorry.

God bless us all!!

TV star

2006-01-10T02:37:00.000-08:00

TV Star- ako yun!!

Last year, I auditioned to become a host for TOMCAT. TOMCAT is the official cable channel of UST. I did not write about the experience because there is always a possibility that I might not get the part. But the audition was tough. They had me introduce myself in a creative way (to which I said, “This is the whiteboard. Bakit ang whiteboard white, pero ng blackboard hinde?” –yak!! ), answer questions, pretend as if I were interviewing people, read the news. It was made tougher by the fact that I as nervous. You see, when I was in high school, I never had to audition to get in an organization that I like to join. There were screening tests but that’s about it. Except for the Glee Club where I auditioned to become a member of. I flunked it--- twice.

Last Friday, an Executive Producer of one of the TV shows of TOMCAT asked me if can host this coming Monday (yesterday). I said sure. But she said that I was only going to be a reserve since they encountered a problem with their original host. I thought it was ok. Last Sunday, she confirmed to me that we are to push through the following day. We are going to visit the make-shift workshop in Calookan of one of the costume designers of Etheria. I was excited. I kept on imagining what I was in for. The next day, I dropped by the TOMCAT office to meet with the EP and get the script. There, they told me that I am already part of TOMCAT- that I actually passed the audition and that they will just determine the show I will be hosting. Then the EP told me that she was planning to make me a regular host of the show- make a tandem out of myself and the original host. Ayayay. TV star na ako???

In the afternoon, the cameraman and I went to Caloocan to do the interview. The make-shift workshop was tiny but the owner’s creations were nothing short amazing. He is one of the most brilliant persons I have met. You see, I do not watch Etheria. But during the interview, I got enough reason to at least give the series a little more appreciation.

Unless there will be problems, the show will air Monday at 11:30 A.M.

Finally, I am done with my English Prelims. I can stop memorizing now. Last night, I had some difficulty sleeping because the words from my speech kept on recurring in my mind. Sixteen cousins… tantamount to spitting on that sacrifice…Filipino diaspora… borderless world… we give back… quarter-of-a-million seafarers… richer in every sense of the word… whatever opportunities… snow outside….

Thank you, Lord for helping me with my endeavors for today.

Go find your princes, while I play with frogs. God bless us all!!

2005-2006

2005-12-31T09:58:00.000-08:00

Goodbye, 2005!!

Welcome, 2006!!

happy new year, everyone!!

Lola, Itoy and I have just finished our New Year ’s Day dinner. I am so full. I have eaten a lot. Before eating, we welcomed the New Year with a prayer led by my lola. I miss my daddy. I wish he were here. I also miss spending the New Year with my mom, my siblings and my cousins. These past few years, I have spent the New Year with only my lola, sometimes also with Itoy. I miss having to spend it with many people. The last New Year I spent in Cavite was in 2000.

i miss spending my new year with these guys!!

Anyways, 2005 is so gone. Well at least in this part of the world. So many things have happened this past year- some bad, some awesome. Who could forget the supposed wiretapped conversation allegedly between PGMA and former COMELEC Commissioner Garci that rocked the administration and the foundations of our laws? I guess PGMA is so glad 2005 is over. Other key personalities in politics? Congressman Francis Escudero and Susan Rocess led the opposition in their attempt to bring down PGMA. They got help from former Arroyo allies like the Hyatt 10, former President Cory Aquino, and some members of the Liberal Party. But amid all these, the Filipino people proved to be resilient. We managed to do well in 2005. The Philippine Peso is considered as the best-performing currency in Asia. Thanks to the help of OFW’s. Thank you, daddy!! Many Filipinos also made waves abroad. Lara Quigaman was named Ms. International. After losing to Eric Morales in the beginning of the year, Manny Pacquiao rebounded by winning his second bout. The Morales- Pacquiao rematch is slated January 2006.

The big news abroad? Hurricane Katrina devastated some parts of the United States. Iraqis voted for their first parliament after the regime of Hussein was toppled down.

In sports, the biggest news is undoubtedly the triumph of the Filipino athletes and the Filipino people in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games held here in the Philippines. The Philippines bagged its 1st over-all championship in the biennial meet. 2007’s host Thailand placed 2nd while 2003’s host Vietnam was 3rd. The SEA Games was not spared from controversy after Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra accused that the there was cheating that happened in some of the games. He later apologized for his ridiculous comments. Brat!! Speaking of controversies, this year, DLSU admitted that it fielded 2 ineligible players- Mark Benitez and Tim Gatchalian- in its Men’s Basketball squad. Different measures have been taken by the school and its officials. But the case is far from being solved.

In entertainment, 2005 saw the comeback of diva Mariah Carey. Thanks to her latest album containing the smash hits It’s like that, We belong together and Shake it off, Mariah’s fans and even some haters began to love her again. Hollywood couples Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, and Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey got separated. In the local scene, OPM bands shone the brightest this year with bands Hale, Sponge Cola, Sugarfree, Orange and Lemons, Bamboo, Parokya ni Edgar and Rivermaya creating the biggest waves.

My favorite movies of 2005? Locally- produced Nasaan Ka Man and Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, and International hits Star Wars 3: the Revenge of the Sith and Peter Jackson’s take on King Kong. Pinoy Big Brother was also a big hit in the Philippines.

But the biggest event of 2005? You guessed it, I turned 18!! Haha!!

I am wishing everyone a blessed, safe and happy 2006!! Sana lahat tayo maging masaya sa taon na ito.

Happy 2006, everyone!!

Go find your princes while I play with frogs. God bless us all!!

kuyas of december

2005-12-27T08:16:00.000-08:00

Rock stars- yummy beings that can sing and/or play.

Rock bands have dominated the music scene this year. This is not evident only in the Philippines but also in other parts of the globe. Green Day has been very big in the United States today so have been My Chemical Romance, Good Charlotte, The Killers and Simple Plan. In the UK, they have Mr. Gwyneth Paltrow aka Steve Martin and the rest of Coldplay making waves. The Australian band INXS is back with a new lead singer in the person of JD Fortune who won the talent search Rockstar: INXS. Sorry Mig Ayessa fans, but JD is a total hottie. I was rooting for Marty during the Finals. Apologies also go to INXS fans and the group itself, I don’t think they are gonna make it that big they’re too old compared to the other bands that are younger and fresher. Don’t get me wrong, Aerosmith and U2 still rock!!

Because of this phenomenon, I am gonna pay homage to some of these rock bands by naming some frontmen Kuyas of December. I chose the frontmen because they are the most noticeable members of the group, and if you have a good-looking frontman, no matter how bad your music sounds, you’ll still sell, and finally because I am not that familiar with “other” members of the band. Plus the vocalists I am gonna feature are not really from rock bands. They are more of pop/rock bands. But hey even Britney Spears calls herself a rock star. My apologies to rock aficionados, I am a neophyte!! ^_^

*** Jason Wade ***

Jason Wade is the vocalist of the group Lifehouse.

Few lines from the song Blind go out to my good friend Ralph Gregor. I miss you, girl!!

I would fall asleep
Only in hopes of dreaming
That everything would be like is was before
But nights like this it seems are slowly fleeting
They disappear as reality is crashing to the floor

After all this time
I never thought we'd be here
Never thought we'd be here
When my love for you was blind
But I couldn't make you see it
Couldn't make you see it
That I loved you more than you'll ever know

*** Alex Band ***

Who does not know Alex Band?

I am one of the thousand girls and boys who went crazy over Alex Band. He has just one of the sexiest voices in the rock scene. His voice sounds better if you’ll hear acoustic versions of their songs.

The following lines of Stigmatized are dedicated to Dave and Rea.

If I give up on you I give up on me
If we fight what's true, will we ever be
Even God himself and the faith I knew
Shouldn't hold me back, shouldn't keep me from you

Tease me, by holding out your hand
Then leave me, or take me as I am
And live our lives, stigmatized

While these lines are dedicated to JP and Trish

I can feel the blood rushing though my veins
When i hear your voice, driving me insane
Hour after hour day after day
Every lonely night that i sit and pray

Tease me, by holding out your hand
Then leave me, or take me as I am
And live our lives, stigmatized

I don’t really know if those lines fit the two couples. Nagdudunungdunungan lang!!

*** Adam Levine ***

Adam Levine is the sexy frontman of the band Maroon 5

Adam’s super sexy, isn’t he?

These lines are dedicated to myself. Haha!!

I don’t know, I just feel good each time I hear this song.

Beauty queen of only eighteen
She had some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her
She always belonged to someone else

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
She will be loved

There, the Kuyas of December. Other rock cuties are googoo dolls vocalist John Rzeznik, Daniel John of Silverchair, Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, The Killers’ vocalist, Audioslave’s drummer and so many more.

But Filipino rock demigods are not to be outdone. You have Spongecola’s Yael and Armo. Their drummer has really nice arms. Champ of Hale is cute although I still think that he cannot sing. Ali Alejandro of Mojofly is adorable. Miro of Stonefree is super sexy. I find the vocalists of Dictalicense and 6Cyclemind handsome. Marc Escueta of Rivermaya is ultra gorgeous. Ira of Bamboo is yummy. I still think that the bassist and the drummer of Join the Cub are cute.

Kung may alam pa kayong rock star cuties paalam nyo sakin ha!! Thanx!!

Go find your princes while I play with frogs!! God bless us all!!

xmas break b talaga?

2005-12-26T07:38:00.000-08:00

Bequest- gift; wala lang parang sya lang yung pinakamalalim na word na synonymous sa salitang gift dito sa MS Word.

Merry Christmas, everyone!! I know it is a little late but hey, even I get late greetings. Nah!! My computer’s back from it’s day-off. I don’t know. I think this computer has a mind of its own. It does not work when it does not want to. May day-off nga sya!! Minsan 2 days pa. So din a day-off yun. Days-off na!! Ang corny!! Hehehe!!

on christmas eve with nothing else to do but wait

Have been reading Bob Ong recently. Because just what I have mentioned before, it is only during vacation time that I get to read books that are not text books. Well this Christmas Break isn’t totally a break. I still have many things to accomplish. Nakakapagbasa lang ako dahil tinatamad pa akong umpisahan yung mga dapat kong gawin.

Just to remind me kung ano ang dapat kong gawin this break, isusulat ko na. You can skip this part. But the epal-fan that you are, I know you’re still gonna read this one. Your call.

1. I have a journal review to finish for Philo.

2. I have to start reading the paper we are to edit in Philo.

3. I have to interview someone for Journ. Just so you know who I want to talk to, here they are: Angelo Suarez, Patricia Evangelista, Fatima Soriano, Franzen Fajardo, Celine Loperz and Matteo Guidicelli. I want someone really famous. Of course I would not include myself. Why not? OO nga noh!! Kidding!! So if you’re on the list, don’t be shy to contact me 09226417215/ 7428783. This might just be your biggest interview. Haha!!

4. I have to write that interview; make a personality profile/ character sketch for Journ.

5. I have to interview a less privileged person. Of course I would not include myself. Why not? Oo nga noh!!

6. I have to transcribe that interview for Sociology.

7. I have to a make a graph for Math.

8. I have to review in Philo for our quiz on the first meeting next year.

9. I, together with my group mates have to a documentary about Rizal for RC. I have to be extra patient. Charon is our group mate.

There. Looks like it’s going to be a fun break. Who am I kidding?!!!

Anyhow, these things are not going to spoil the Christmas spirit. This year, I spent my Christmas with Lola, Itoy, Ate Agnes, my titos and titas and my cousins. Dad’s still abroad. When he called us yesterday, I can sense that he is not happy celebrating Christmas away from us. It’s difficult when you are not with your family during special days like these. That’s why I always tell my friends to treasure each moment they have with their families especially with their parents.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Go find your princes while I play with frogs. God bless us all!!

P.S. I have already forgiven my ex. But I told him that I have not forgotten what he did to me. Hayyyy the things Christmas makes you do!!

I have almost forgotten, this day last year, a tsunami has struck different countries in south asia and south africa. Crashed by the tsunami are countless properties, thousands of lives and millions of dreams. The fabulous epal pauses in remembrance.

christmas break

2005-12-22T07:55:00.000-08:00

Christmas break- it is supposed to be.

I know, I know I have not updated my blog for quite a while. I have been busy these past few days. Besides, there was really nothing to blog about. Sorry if I had kept you waiting, my loyal fans. Bwahahahaha!!

Anyways, I am now enjoying our Christmas break. I better enjoy it because it’s quite short plus we have loads of assignments to accomplish this vacation. Those teachers- they give Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch a run for his money. Kidding!!

I am done with my Christmas shopping. I got myself some new clothes and yehey, an automatic umbrella. I am so proud of myself. Haha!! I also got myself a new hilite- red. It’s Christmas, what can I say? I have also bought my gifts for some of my loved ones. I tried my damndest to buy cheap gifts but I still ended up spending more. I am broke. :(

Two days ago was Paskuhan. Paskuhan marks the beginning of the Christmas break and more importantly, it signals that Christmas is near. Last year, Paskuhan was a blast. The parade was amazing and Rivermaya performed. Rico Blanco and Co. was amazing. This year’s Paskuhan is quite dry- sign of the times, maybe. Still bands performed but the biggest act was just Join the Club. I also did not get to watch the parade. I was late because of that damn parlorista. My hilites took so long to finish. Good thing I witnessed the fireworks and the actual lighting of the Christmas tree and the decorations at the lovers’ lane. Overall, this year’s Paskuhan may not be the grandest but I am still happy because I got to spend it with my awesome friends. Besides, UST’s still the prettiest during this season. I was riding the LRT last Saturday and passed by one of the schools in Taft- the school’s so dry.

This year’s Paskuhan may not be the grandest but I am happy because I spent it with my awesome friends. Photo courtesy of Aika

I finally got to watch Mean Girls yesterday. The movie was really funny. But I am still not a fan of Lindsay Lohan. The Plastics kinda reminded me of myself and some of my friends in school. We are not as mean as them but hey, we’re prettier. Haha!!

the plastics. gretchen, cady, regina, karen.

mean girls? Ja-ne, Jewel, Moi and Jacky.

Today, I went out with Emil (again!!) to watch Peter Jackson’s version of King Kong. I actually had some reservations watching the movie since I am already becoming broke. Huhu. But we proceeded. Good thing we did.

I must say that King Kong is my favorite movie of 2005. It elicited various reactions from me and from Emil. We feared the dinosaurs. The chase between the raptors and those herbivorous dinosaurs (sorry, I am not that familiar with dinosaurs) was exhilarating. We marveled at how King Kong defeated by his lonesome the T-rexes that wanted to eat Anne (the beautiful Naomi Watts). The other creatures and the natives were all scary. The scenes between Naomi and Kong were beautiful especially that one when they played in the snow in New York. The transition of King Kong from a wild beast to a lovable giant was heart-warming.

The acting was also awesome. Jack Black was superb as the desperate and selfish director- he makes you want to hate him. I did not know Adrien Brody had such great physique. His nose still destructs me. Naomi was very beautiful. Ang gara, nag cartwheel sya!! Haha!!

Overall, Peter Jackson did a fantastic job in this movie. C’mon people, move your asses. You still have time to watch this movie before the Metro Manila Film Festival starts. Trust me. It’s better than Harry Potter. And some critics say that it is actually better than the original King Kong.

King Kong. My favorite movie this 2005.

Go find your princes while I play with frogs. God bless us all!!

reality

2005-12-09T06:10:00.000-08:00

One of the latest and biggest reality show to hit the Philippine shores is Pinoy Big Brother. Pinoy Big Brother is an adaptation of a hit reality show from the Netherlands. Ok. So who’s interested with the introduction? No one!! So I will cut the crap. PBB is now drawing to a close with only 4 housemates left- Cass, Nene, Jason and Uma. Tomorrow night, we will know who among these 4 shall be declared the Big Winner.

So who will win? I have a feeling that it will boil down between Nene and Jason. But I think Nene has a slight advantage over her other competitors. This claim was proven by last week’s eviction night. Nene had a lion’s share of the votes as compared to Jayson’s 3rd place finish.

Nene- will she be the first ever Big Winner?

Who do I want to win? At first, I was also rooting for Franzen. But now that Franzen’s out, I want his best pal Jason to win. Jason is uber ( hey I have not used that term for a long time now. I guess it’s dead.) funny. Unlike Nene, Jason has a bigger shot for stardom.

Jason- my personal choice.

Every fan (fan talaga?) of the fabulous epal knows how addicted I am to Survivor. I have been watching the series from its first season until now that it is on its 11th season. Can you imagine? The 11th installment of the big daddy of today’s reality shows takes place at the Mayan ruins in Guatemala. Just today, the final 4 has already been revealed. Stephenie, who was sooooo popular at losing in Palau last season, is back in the game and faring well this time. Rafe, the gay wilderness guide is also in the final 4. Also in is the former beauty queen turned sports radio show host, Danni. Lydia, a fish monger and the least athletic of the 4, has also squeezed her way in. I guess the winner shall be announced on Monday afternoon although Studio 23’s saying that it will be on Friday. I am gonna stay put.

So who will win? The former survivors and now bloggers are almost unanimous in saying that Rafe’s gonna take home the million. Rafe used to be and under-the-radar-player but his intelligence and strength has taken him this far. But these traits can also lead to his demise in the game.

Rafe- strong and intelligent. Will he be this season’s Sole Survivor?

Who I want to win? There is no question about it- I want it to be Danni. I have been rooting for her this whole season. The last time my ultimate favorite (meaning my favorite from beginning to end) was Ethan- way back in Survivor 3: Africa. Danni has remained the ultimate UTR castaway this season. But you should not be fooled because this Southerner has got beauty, brains and even brawn.

Danni- beauty, brains and brawn combined.

NO matter what the outcome will be, all in all, this season has been fantastic, what with the kuyas joining the cast?

Jamie- this season’s bad boy- paranoid, untrustworthy, nonetheless very handsome.

Blake- too strong for survivor, too hot to forget.

Brandon- this cowboy makes me want to star in our own Brokeback Mountain. Hehe!!

Go find your princes while I play with frogs. God bless us all!!

Champions.

2005-12-07T08:32:00.000-08:00

Champions- victorious; people with big hearts.

For less than two weeks, the Philippines hosted the 23rd Southeast Asian Games. Last Monday, the biennial sporting meet came to a close with the Philippines lording over the medal tally.

One Big Heart. One Heritage. One Southeast Asia. The 23rd SEA Games.

The Filipino athletes have trained hard for the games so as not to disappoint their countrymen who will be watching the games. That is why they deserve the over-all crown. It is just unfair how Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and other Thai sports committee officials can accuse the host of being unjust and of cheating the results of the games. There are reports that Thaksin is in hot waters now in Thailand because there are many problems in his country that he cannot solve so he diverts the public’s attention by giving ridiculous comments about the games and its officiating. Thaksin is a megalomaniac- he wants to get the credit for most of his country’s progress but does not want to be blamed for his nation’s failures.

This may come off late, but I would like to congratulate all the Filipino athletes who participated in the games and gave their best. You are the Philippines’s source of pride. You showed to the Filipinos, Southeast Asia and even to the rest of the world that it is possible.

Cecille Mamiit, I enjoyed watching your games. You know how to work out the crowd. Eric Taino and Ms. Salameda, both of you are impressive.

The Younghusband brothers and the rest of the RP men’s football team, you may have fallen short, but most of you are cuties anyway. Join show business!!

Miguel Molina, you look like Chinggay Andrada. You are super sexy with your long hair. I enjoyed watching you and your gorgeous arms. I also enjoyed watching the other hotties from the Men’s Swimming Team particularly James Walsh. I missed Ernest Dee.

Miguel Mendoza, are you gay? You look like one.

The RP boxing team, way to go, you outclassed Thailand in the medal tally.

Sheila Mae Perez, you are the next golden girl after Nora Aunor. Hahaha!! The rest of the diving team was also superb. Victor Paguia Jr. is hot, hot, hot.

Japoy Lizardo, way to go Japoy. You are still cute despite the fact that the pimples that you have consider your face home. Sorry, but I think you last opponent deserved the gold medal more than you did. Prove me wrong next time, will you?

The rowing team, you guys are just fantastic. Sweep, sweep!!

Wushu? Wushu!!

Arnis, I cannot believe that Vienam’s tied with us in the field. Work harder. Still, congratulations.

Women’s Volleyball Team, congratulations. You got the bronze. It will be fun if you’ll beat Thailand at home in 2007. The Vietnamese are really pretty.

Men’s Volleyball Team, excite us next time, will you?

Chess? Tsk, tsk.

Athletics team, congratulations, you fell short but you did superb nonetheless.

Go Ten Kok? I heard you say the people can hang you if the Philippine Athletics team will fall short your prediction of 10 gold medals? Guess what, they got 9!! Hahaha!! Is someone gonna get hanged? Hmmmm.

To all the athletes, I am sleepy, I cannot mention you all. But you guys know that the Filipinos are very proud of you. You are this month’s fabulous epals!!

To the volunteers, you showed to the rest of Southeast Asia the Bayanihan spirit.

To the heads of the different committees, please stop politicking. Do your jobs. Stop stealing from the government. Stop stealing from the allocation for the athletes. If you will, resign; give your posts to those who are younger, more honest and more deserving.

To Thaksin- you are a brat. Kiss our athletes’ asses- they worked their butts off to achieve this feat.

To the private sector, you were of great help to the Pinoy athletes. You aided their needs.

To the government, give credit to whom credit is due. Give the incentives these athletes deserve.

To the Filipino people, aren’t you just proud?

Go find your princes while I play with frogs. God bless us all!!

2005-12-04T05:35:00.000-08:00

Blossoming- pagdadalaga. Ano naman ang pagbibinata?

***Maxi’s Blossoming***
Yesterday, Ian, Emil, Emil’s gay friend Trisha and I watched Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros at SM Manila.

Maxi and his beloved kuya Victor

The story follows the life of young Maxi played by Nathan Lopez who lives with his crooked father and older brothers in the shanty. One night after playing beauty contest with his other gay friends, Maxi was almost harassed by two teenagers on one dark alley if not for his knight in shining armor, Victor- a cop who saved him from the hands of his aggressors.

Maxi learns to love the goodlooking cop played by JR Valentin. But his father disproves of Maxi’s feelings because the cop is an obstacle to their corrupt but thriving business. Things got more complicated when Maxi’s eldest brother killed a 16-year-old boy.

In the end, Maxi’s father dies and the former learns to forego his admiration for the cop.

All in all, the story was very beautiful. You get to relive the feeling of how it is to fall in love for the first time. You laugh with Maxi and sympathize with him as well. Although his father and his brothers are criminals, you just adore them- they are, in many ways, better than other families. They pray before they eat. They watch movies together. Most importantly, they love Maxi. They do not treat Maxi badly because he is gay. They love his being gay. They treat him like a real girl.

But just like any other digital videos, Pagdadalaga’s weak points can be attributed to its technical aspects- cinematography, editing and the other works.

Other than that, Pagdadalaga is a movie worth your time and your money.

My favorite scenes in the movie are the beauty contest scene and the day Maxi learned to let go of his feelings for his kuya Victor and ignores him on his way to school.

***Ivan’s Blossoming***

I have let go oh him. I guess it is really pointless to enter a relationship because you don’t want to hurt that person and not because you love him. There are several reasons why I decided to just be friends with him and not take it on to the next level: one, I really do not love him. The last time I got into a relationship with someone I do not love, I ended up getting cheated. The nerve; Two, he was always late each time we would see each other. He always has reasons; three, I got attracted to one of his friends the first time I saw him; Four, there was another man whom I like better and could be loving right now; Finally, I am so busy with my studies.

His friend told me that he cried when I told him that we are just to remain friends. I do not know.
God only knows when my true prince charming would come. But for now, I have three choices- concentrate with my studies; continue looking for my prince charming; play with frogs.

Go find your princes while I play with frogs. God bless us all!!!

the babies who would be kuyas

2005-11-24T21:20:00.000-08:00

Babies- young studs!! Yeehah!!

I must admit that one of my favorite shows is Mga Anghel ng Walang Langit. In fact, I voted for it in the USTv survey. I am just amazed at how the young bidas of the show can act that way. They are very good at what they do.

Young stars. Here in the Philippines, seldom do we find young stars who are big in their youth become bigger when they grow up. Aiza Seguera and Nino Muhlach are of course the perfect models of the aforementioned statement. Child stars in the U.S. have bigger mortality rate rate Maricel Soriano and Vilma Santos are exceptions.
This month, I am featuring child stars from the Hollywood who are presently babies but will become kuyas in the future. For sure!!

***Daniel Radcliffe***

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wholesome now, hopefully not in the future!! haha!!

Undoubtedly, Little boy Daniel is the biggest young superstar this season, what with the much-awaited release of the latest installment of his starrer- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. “I am such a loser, I have not seen Harry Potter yet. “ I have heard Ralph say. I guess I am also a loser. Yup, I have not seen HP yet but I am going to watch it on Saturday with “he”.

Back on Daniel. It’s incredible how our young Harry has grown. 5 years into the HP series and we have seen how Daniel transformed from a skinny boy to a skinny taller boy. Hehehe!! I know everyone just wishes they can be Daniel’s girlfriend. A magic wand may help them or maybe some love potion. I am just disappointed because he is still super wholesome!! Maybe in 3 years when the boy has gained more muscles!! Haha!!

***Jesse McCartney***

Jesse McCartney, punk'd and beautiful

This boy, a hailed musician of his generation, is one of the hottest young stars today. He may not be the best singer, but his every single will be sure-fire hits, thanks to his female fans, mostly teens and tweens, who gaga over him. I am pretty sure that his fans made sure that they did not miss the punk’d episode featuring their idol getting punk’d by the oh-so-cute Ashton Kutcher. The sitch: The driver of his limousine, an accomplice, “accidentally” hit an almost dozen bikes. Jesse was already nervous because you know how bikers love their bikes and how huge some bikers are. The driver of the car behind them, another Kutcher partner in crime made sure he aggravated the situation by shouting at the already-panicky pretty boy. The real action came when some big bikers came and threatened the limo driver and Jesse. The boy almost cried!! Haha!!

***Aaron Carter***

I'm all about Aaron Carter!!

It all runs in the family. BSB cutie Nick Carter’s super brother Aaron may be younger but he is not half as cute, half as hot as Nick. He is cuter and hotter.
It was during BSB’s prime when Aaron, then just a 7-year old aspiring performer entered the scene. His passport to fame? Nick. He had a hiatus for a few years and when he came back his fans went crazy one more time for the Aaron Carter in puberty. I can still remember how kilig I was whenever I would hear his song I’m All About You. I was first year HS then. I refuse to elaborate.

The cutie performer was reportedly one of the reasons why Hilary Duff and Lindsay Lohan do not get along well.

But now, where is Aaron? Heck, where is Nick? Have the Carter’s become has-beens? Hayyyy some young stars never shine that long.

Why talk about those catty young female stars Lindsay, Hilary, Ashley Simpson, Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen when you have guys like Aaron, Jesse and Daniel? These 3 babies who would be kuyas just keep us wanting for more.

Go find your princes while I fined my frog. God bless us all!!

frogs

2005-11-22T19:00:00.000-08:00

I am in a dilemma right now. You see, I have long been wishing to have a new boyfriend. It was even included in my birthday wish. A week before my birthday, I met Guy A. He’s the same age as I am. Then I met Guy B. He’s 21 years old. Then Guy C came into the picture, he is 29. Old!!

Of all, Guy A is the most consistent. But I know in myself that I like Guy B more. He’s sweet and hot but I think his time will just be divided between me and his work. Guy C is totally out of the picture.

Just yesterday, Guy B called me. I was sleeping. He told ate agnes that he is my bf and asked her to wake me up. That was what he told me. I am just not sure if he were telling the truth. While talking to him, I totally thought that he lost it. He was saying that I already told him that we are an item, that I am doing nothing but hurt him, that he’s crazy for me. Later, we figured out in a fight. We always fight when we talk. He said that nothing’s gonna happen between the two of us because we always fight. I am gonna call him tomorrow.

Should I go safe with Guy A because he’s more consistent even if I know in myself that I do not like him that much? What if he were a prince? What if he were prince but just not mine?

Getting into a relationship just for the sake of getting into it is futile. But it is fun. I know that I must not hurry more because, after all, I am only 18. But I miss the feeling of having a boyfriend by my side. I miss having someone I can love and fight with at the same time.

Hayyyyyyy!! Froggie asan ka ba? Gusto na kitang gawing prinsipe!!

Go find your princes while I find my frog!! God bless us all!!

PS

Franzen got the force eviction from Big Brother. Di ba dapat may kapalit siya katulad nung nangyari ka Bob?

All the rumors circulating than Franzen’s gone nuts were, I think, a case of bad editing. Did the crew do it intentionally?

I just wanna shut the hell out of Uma’s mouth!! I mean it.

I want Jason to win. Vote for him come the time he needs your support.

i am 18

2005-11-18T23:55:00.000-08:00

I am 18. I know this may have come off late considering that I turned 18 Monday. But the numerous things we had to do in school prevented me from writing about my 18th birthday.

***Friday, November 11***

Just after my PE class, I made way to FIX Dapitan. I had long anticipated this one because I already looked stupid with that long hair meshed by that FIX Stick I bought the weekend before. After I got my haircut, I went to another parlor to have my hair dyed. Yes, for more than 10 years, I have had gray hair on my head it’s been a trademark. My dad stopped me from dying it before but now that I am 18, maybe it’s time to break rules once in a while. Hehe!!

I had my hair dyed black. I was so happy to see the result. It was something new and I love looking at it in the mirror.

bagong gupit. bagong kulay.

***Saturday, November 12***

I was scheduled to meet my friends this day. We all met at the Rajah Sulayman Park in Malate and went straight to Kalipay- a restaurant located at the baywalk. You see, the bay has played an important role in our high school lives. When we were still in hs, we considered the bay as our barkada’s rendezvous. The bay was a witness to our ups and downs; our triumphs and defeats; our joys and pains.

We had dinner. After that, my pocket was almost empty and my eyes already closed due to lack of sleep. My friends told me that it was still early. It was like 11 PM. So I told some of them to come with me to Starbucks. After having my peppermint frap, we decided to dance the night away since we were already in Malate.

We went to Club Calif. They danced and got drunk. I was in my usual behaved self. Promise!!

I met this really cute guy. But I knew right from the start that nothing’s gonna work out between the two of us.

We had fun. Dexter and Cathy, especially.

i soooooo missed this guys. barks, thanx for coming. thanx for the friendship. thanx for everything.

***Sunday, November 13***

I got home 4 AM and got surprised that lola was still awake. She told me she awoke 2:30 AM and got worried because I was still not home. She warned me that if I’d want to go out next time, I would have to ask permission from my dad already. Ooooh that’s gonna be extra tough. I am 18!! Well, almost!!

I went to the Santisimo Rosario Parish 7 PM to hear mass. I was very ecstatic when I saw that some of the lights in the lovers’ lane were already lit. They were, as always, magical. I listened carefully to the homily of the priest and learned a lot of things which I can relate to my life.

He met me after the mass. He accompanied me to SM San Lazaro. I was to buy my Bio book and Gonuts Donuts for the whole class. But the book I was looking for was not available in NBS and the donuts in GD were almost out of stuck.

We decided to go to Rob Ermita and buy there the GD for my classmates. He helped me carry them and almost walked me home. I do not know. I am just not that sure about him up until the moment I am writing these things.

I almost fell asleep while doing my Journ paper.

*** Monday, November 14***

It’s already 12 midnight and my sooooper good friend Emil was one of the first persons who had greeted me. My mom called me to greet me happy birthday. Inaway ko sya. Inaway ko sya dahil di parin sya umuuwi.

Right after I gave the phone to my brother, I cried. I cried because I am 18. I am 18. My mother has played a vital role in my life. And it’s just so sad that she’s turned out this way; that she still continues to mess up now that I am already 18 years old and that she, herself, is not getting any younger.

I cried and my brother saw me. He gave me something that made me happy, somehow. He handed me a new pair of Havaianas and greeted me happy birthday. That was one of the most touching things my brother has ever done for/to me considering that we are not that close anymore. I turned my phone off that night because I wanted to rest.

Daddy called. My lola woke me up. I talked to my dad. He greeted me Happy Birthday and asked me how things are going. I told him that I went out with my friends the other night and that I am giving donuts to everyone later. I miss my dad. I know how painful it is for him to be somewhere else while here we are celebrating the important parts of our lives.

After 5 hours of sleep, I prayed and thanked God that I am officially 18. It has been a rough ride. But I know that I am luckier compared to other people even if my life has rough edges here and there.

Aika helped me carry the boxes of GD to our classroom. Expectedly, they sang to me the birthday song. Hahaha!! Inexpect talaga. Just imagine what my reaction would have been like had they not greeted me!! Hehe!!

We enjoyed the GD before our Philo class. Alfredo had a piece of it, gave me a hug and greeted me Happy Birthday.

donuts for everyone!! hafei virthdei!!

Jacky treated me to KFC. I went home and ate some more for lunch. I took a nap.

We had a modest dinner.

Lola left for her ballroom session.

Mommy called and said she wants to see me. I told her she can just go here.

He called and said he wants to give me something. I asked him if he can go with me to NBS Recto to look for the VCD for our Philo class. Alas, NBS was already closed. He walked me home again and handed me his gifts- assorted chocolate bars. No Snickers. Haha!!

When I got home, mommy was already here. She immediately noticed that I had my hair dyed and told me that she was considering dyeing hers in the future.

I did not really talk to her the whole time she was here. She called us after she had gone. She told me that she was very proud of me dahil lumalaki akong mabait at responsable kahit na ganun yung nanay ko. I told her to just go home to Cavite and take care of her other children.

I spent the rest of the night watching Sisters Act 2.

I am 18 and it was a BLESSED birthday. It may have been obvious in my eyes that some things are missing but hey, I am lucky because I continue to live. And I remain to be the one, the only fabulous epal.

Go find your princes while I find my frog. God bless us all!!

2005-11-09T22:32:00.000-08:00

In 5 days- time, I will be celebrating my 18th birthday. And let’s admit it; come

our birthdays, it is more fun to count all the gifts that we have received than the

years we have aged.

This year, I know that it will be great if I will receive a new phone, a jewelry

set, a new wallet, an iPod, a new hankie set, shopping spree, trip to Hong Kong, a

box of Leonidas chocolates, new pairs of Havaianas, cash. But I am sure I have a

slim chance of getting any of those. These are difficult times. So I am wishing for

some other things- things which money cannot buy. But those who will give me gifts

aforementioned will be very much appreciated!! Hehe!!

1. a new love- I know it is uncharacteristic of me to wish of a new love, but I am

not wishing for it. I am actually praying that one of these days, a new one would

sweep me off my feet. This time, I would not want to enter a relationship even if I

know that I really don’t love the guy. I want the next one to be special. And I want

it to last.

2. good grades- God has granted me this one last sem. I hope that with the help of

hard work and God willing, I will be able to achieve the same feat this sem and for

the rest of my college life.

3. peace of mind- I want to get some good sleep at night. I am tired of having to

worry about so many things while I lay down in my bed.

4. health and safety of my family- this is on top of my list when I pray. My dad

works abroad. I just want him to enjoy his job and not be burned out. I do not want

him to get into trouble. My mom lives in Cavite but she has been missing for more

than a month now. I just want her to realize how messed up her life is and try her

damndest to change for the better. She has 7 children. 5 of them are still very

young and are staying with her. Please, mommy, wherever you are, I just hope that

you’ll come back to your senses. Please. I am praying hard for this. I also pray for

my lolas’ and my lolo’s health. I also wish that my siblings will always be good

boys/girls and not be affected by all the things happening to us. I am also praying

for my health and safety. I also hope that all my loved ones- friends and other

relatives- be kept from harm.

5. lasting friendship- I love my friends. No matter how bitchy and how selfish I can

get sometimes, I love them and I hope that they realize this.

6. world peace and prosperity- I know that among my wishes, this is the most

difficult to achieve. It is so easy to wish for myself and the immediate people

around me, but I know that there are more people who experience more difficult times

than I do. I remember how hard I cried at the eve of my 17th birthday after watching

Kontrobersyal feature people who have no money to buy themselves and their families

food that they resort to eating things which they get from garbage cans. Some of

them even sell these things. I also wish that by the time I turn 19, terrorism has

already been eradicated. I also wish that social justice is already effective. Hey

dreams are free and dreams can come true!!

Go find your princes while I find my frog!! God bless us all!!

2005-11-05T00:34:00.000-08:00

Adolescent love- no matter how ugly the relationship turned out to be, it will always makes you

smile in recollection.

This year’s 3-week sem break is about to be over. On Monday, the 2nd sem starts. I must say

that I enjoyed this sem break a lot. I slept whenever I wanted to. I stayed up until I can. I used

the internet until I was tired. I watched different movies. I got my social life back thanks very

much to my very good friend Emil. We went to many places- the mall, restaurants, stores,

movie houses we even got to experience Halloween in Malate.

I also got to read two books this break. You see, I am not that interested in reading books

during school days because: 1.) there are so many things to do; 2.) I have read/ been reading so

many things already; 3.) I’d rather sleep during my free time. But since it’s sem break, I have

more time for myself. I got to read two books this time of the year- Jessica Zafra’s Twisted V

which was written and compiled some 5 to 6 years ago and Paolo Coelho’s Na margen do rion

Piedra en sentei e chorei. That made me sound intelligent, didn’t it? Hehehe!! Ok, sick man. It is

BY THE RIVER PIEDRA I SAT DOWN AND WEPT in English.

***Jessica’s Twisted***

Alright, alright. You can take that apostrophe s up there whichever you like- as a contraction of

Jessica is twisted or the more naïve possessive Jessica’s Twisted book. Banana girl aka the girl

who has been flirting with her ex the whole sem break introduced me to this book last year

when we were asked to do a report on movie reviews. The memories of that report still elicit

some laughter. I remember how I almost did not let Hershey say anything. Of course that was

done unintentionally, or was it? Hehe!! Sorry banana girl.

Well back to the topic, I did not read the book instantly but on one night that I was left with

nothing to do, I decided to scan the pages and I enjoyed the book so much. Jessica is the funnier,

smarter, more in-your-face, more relatable, less glamorous Carrie Bradshaw. I do not really

know if I should compare the two. Heck, I do not know who will be more insulted once they get

to read this one. Carrie or Jessica? Well of course Ms. Bradshaw can’t read this because she is

fictitious. I digress so much don’t I? Well since then, I have asked Hershey to lend me some

more Twisted books. I have read 3 of which is now 7 pieces of Ms. Zafra’s mind and ass.

***by the River Piedra, I sat down and wept***

River Piedra was less than what I had expect it to be but I still like it.

Before last sem ended, I have heard than many of my classmates have already read Coelho’s

River Piedra and many of them actually liked it. That’s why I told myself that I cannot let the

break pass without me reading the much-talked about book by the famous Brazilian author.

I actually had high hopes prior to reading the book. I was expecting that I would cringe and I

would cry. I thought that it was a very sad story. I have imagined that the piece was loaded with

lines mushier than anyone could think of when they are in love or when they are heartbroken.

The book was a story of two adolescent lovers. They got separated. Pilar, the girl, decided to

stay in their small town, while the boy decided to travel, study and live his life outside the town.

They moved on with their lives but kept their communications lines open. They have not seen

each other for 11 years until one day Pilar was invited by her friend to a seminar he is

conducting.

They see each other again for the first time. The two have grown to be very different people.

Pilar is studying and is working for the government but still lives in the same small town where

she grew up while the guy is now a Charismatic leader who has traveled the world and has a

“glorious” destiny waiting for him. The guy was very vocal of his feelings about Pilar. He still

loves her. But Pilar kept her guard. She was afraid that the moment she feels the same, he

would just leave her. But of course in the end, love prevailed. No matter how hard the situation

is for the both of them, him-having to deal with his gift; and her- having to deal with her own

issues, they still ended up in each other’s arms.

The book may be less than what I had expected it to be but I still like it. There were so many

good parts- kilig parts in the book. I felt the kilig when he said that he would fight for Pilar's love

and Pilar is worth the fight. I loved it when he said that he loves Pilar upon returning to her the

medallion that she had lost, I loved it when Pilar thought that he was gone but found out that he

had been looking for her the whole time.

There are also a number of lines in the book that I liked so much. But these are the lines I can r

elate to the most:

“But love is always new. Regardless of whether we love once, twice or a dozen times in our life,

we always face a brand new situation. Love can consign us to hell or to paradise, but it always

takes us somewhere. We simply have to accept it, because it is what nourishes our existence. If

we reject it, we die of hunger, because we lack the courage to stretch out a hand and pluck the

fruit from the branches of the tree of life. We have to take love where we find it, even if it means

hours, days, weeks of disappointment and sadness.

The moment we begin to seek love, love begins to seek us.

And save us."

Hayyy!!

The biggest mystery of the book is what is the name of the male lead character? Why was he

not given a name by Coelho? Please, if you know the reason, shed some light to this confusion.

Go find your princes while I find my prince. God bless us all!!

Thanatophobia

2005-11-01T06:43:00.000-08:00

We all have our fears. Many may be claustrophobic or those who are afraid of close

spaces. Some may be afraid of open spaces- those whom we call agoraphobics. We may

know of people who are afraid of different animals like ophidiophobics or those who

are afraid of snakes; musophobics or those who fear mice, or herpetophobics who are

frightened of reptiles. I am sure no one wants a partner who is afraid of sex or a

genophobe. Some people may even have the weirdest horrors- clinophobics or those who

are afraid of going to bed; pogonophobics or those are terrorized by beards or by

Dale. Some may even fear phobia itself or are phobophobics. According to a survey

shown in Fear Factor during their second season, most Filipinos fear height or are

acrophobics. Well in my case, I am Thanatophobic. I have a morbid fear of death.

There are two different reasons why I fear death: I love living and I do not know

what will happen after I die.

I am only 17 years young. But this early, I already get goosebums whenever the

thought of me dying comes to mind. It may be a difficult life especially here in the

Philippines where we take bad news as breakfast and some more bad news as midnight

snack but I love living. I love the fact that when I live, I breathe. Even if

Manila’s air is suffering from pollution, nothing beats the moment when you wake up

in the morning and take your first breath. It relieves me to know that I am taking

air again- a good sign that I am alive. I love the fact that when I live, I get to

travel. I get to see places that I have not seen before. I get to go to school

riding a pedicab or a jeep. I can go to the mall to buy my stuff or to watch the

movies with my classmates. I get to go to the CR and see all the cute boys who are

staying in the corridor. I get to travel through the television- see the Statue of

Liberty or the Eiffel Tower and know that an island-nation Vanuatu exists even if I

have not been there. I get to travel through the internet- travel at other people’s

homes or other people’s lives even. I love the fact that when I live, I am able to

meet new friends. I love it when I have a new acquaintance. There is excitement in

knowing the person. There is thrill in the thought that when our friendship does not

work out, we can always resort to backstabbing or trash-talking. I love it when I go

to the mall with my friends. I love it when I have friends in school. I love it when

I can have fun with my buddies and talk to them about my problems at the same time.

I love the truth that when I live, I am able to love. I love it when someone new

comes in. I love it when someone sweeps me off my feet. I love it when I get to kuya-

spot in the campus with my friends. I love it when I get to talk to someone over the

phone with a smile fixed in my face the whole time we were conversing. I love heart-

breaks. I love it when I become bitter. I love it when I get over. I love it when I

get even. I love it when I move on. I love it when I know my family loves me. I love

it when they know that I love them.

Another reason why I am afraid of dying is I do not know what will happen when or

after I die. Death, for me, is synonymous to uncertainty. Just who would give his

testimony on how it feels to die? Are we assured of heaven? Heck, even if we are

assured of heaven would we know our loved ones’ names if we see them there? If we

die, do we get to travel the outer space? Do we get to race with meteors and comets?

Would we burn if we come close to the sun? Or as biology would have it, are we

doomed to decomposition by those low-lifes? I have so many questions. And that just

proves my point that I am uncertain with how death is like.

I admire those people who are not afraid of dying. Those who can say dead-on that

they are fine with dying the very moment I asked them the question. What bothers me

more is the thought of how will I die? Will I die in an accident? Will I die in my

sleep? Will I be murdered? One Friday on my way to school, I was riding a pedicab

when it collided with a taxi. Good thing the collision was not that strong or else I

would have gotten into an accident- an accident that could turn into something

disastrous, lethal even. I want to die beautiful.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to die yet but I also do not want to be immortal.

This also worries me at night. Just how would it feel if you were still alive until

the day the sun is about to go off?

My mother may be right, I am paranoid. One of my classmates may be correct too, I

have little faith. But I cannot help but be scared at the thought of dying. My life

may not be perfect but I love living and other people my age may be ready to face

death but that is not going to help. I have thanatophobia and I have a morbid fear

of death. Well at least I don’t fear sex. Or do I?

*** Have a Peaceful All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day ***

Today is All Saints’ Day and many people have already stormed cemeteries in

remembrance of their loved ones. I just hope everything is fine out there especially

that many motorists tend to get really irked by the heavy traffic. Enjoy your lives.

Be patient!!

*** Holloween***

I was in Malate last Saturday with Emil. The whole strip of bars in Malate was very

lively because it was filled with the dead- oxymoron, figure of speech, do not take

literally- because it was the openning of Bed- a gay club in the gay capital and

most bars were already celebrating holloween. I have never seen so many gays in my

life. I have never seen so many cute/hot/cool gays in my life. Fab!! Just Fab!!
*** PBB ***

Sam may be the cutest housemate, and he may have made it in my Kuya List of October

but he's got bad taste; hello? makipaglampungan ba kay CHX at malungkot ng maalis

yung bruha? Hello? So please, vote for Jayson!! PBB will never be the same if he'll

go. So please vote for him!!

Go find your princes while I find my frog. God bless us all!!

the fabulous and the not so

2005-10-26T23:30:00.000-07:00

Fabulous epal- a civil rights fighter.

Annoying epal- a no-talent “star”

Today is clearance and enrollment day. I got only 3 hours of sleep maybe due to excitement to see my classmates whom I have missed badly in the two weeks that we have not seen each other. I do not know if the feeling is mutual.

***Clearing the Smoke***

I admit I was nervous going to school to get my clearance especially after Hershey called me last week to tell me that many got low, if not flunking grades in NS. Fortunately, I passed all my subjects this sem. But when I got inside the room, there were already many faces that I can’t paint. It is so sad to see my classmates this way. One of the problems, and I have already written about it here last summer is that AB has no consultation day for students and teachers to meet after the finals to discuss how their grades are computed. You just get surprised that you freakin’ failed the class of your freakin’ professor.

***Aaron, I will miss you***

The saddest part of it all is that many of my classmates will no longer be there next sem. Charity is going to Canada and the States for the whole of next semester. But seeing more names highlighted in that 2jrn1 sheet was upsetting. Most especially seeing Aaron’s.

you will be missed, Aaron.

I definitely did not expect what happened to Aaron. I know that there is always a possibility that he’ll get low grades for his multiple absences, but what happened to him is just too much. That guy is special. He was one of the first guys I clicked with during the first days of classes. He is always full of life, jolly and noisy. I will miss him and all his hirits. Andyan sya palagi para makipagkulitan at makipagharutan sa akin. Di sya mabilis mapikon. Nakakausap ko siya tungkol sa sports. Heck, he is the most sports-inclined in the class, I must admit. I was touched by his story about his mother when she knew of what happened. Aaron, I will miss you; You will be missed by the whole class!!
Good luck!!

***Enrollment***

Enrollment is always a tedious process to go through. Just imagine the long line you have to endure in order to get to the Seminary gym. Tapos bigla mong malalalaman na ang lumalabas lang sa computer ay dalawang subjects. Tapos biglang malalaman ng classmates mo na kulang yung pang-down payment nila.

My legs were painful after the enrollment. But at least I got my workout today.

After the enrollment, Jewel, Clang and I went to the church to say our thanks. I thanked the Lord for helping me pass all my subjects this sem. I thanked Him because nothing happened to me today. I thanked Him for guiding me all throughout the sem.
I also prayed for my classmates who will no longer be there next sem. Heck, I even prayed for the most annoying epal in the class.

Thank you, Lord for granting me one more of my wishes!!

***Fabulous Epal of the Month***

Rosa Parks is dead. She was 92.

rosa parks will forever remain one of my idols and a certified fabulous epal

Rosa Parks’s story is one of the mot memorable for me. She is a black American woman from Michigan who inspired other African- American citizens to fight for their rights in the US where they were/are considered as a minority. She did this by refusing to give up her seat in a bus to a white American guy.

She got arrested after what had happened. African- Americans boycotted the bus for a year until Parks was freed.

In her old age, Parks continued to works as a seamstress. There was news that came out last year that Rosa Parks had problems paying her rent.

Rosa Parks will forever be one of my idols. She fought for her right even though she was/is considered a minority. Representative John Lewis of Georgia told CNN: “By sitting down, she was really standing up for all Americans.”

With reports from AP

***Annoying Epal of the Month***

Luis Manzano used to be on of the yummiest bachelors in the country. That is, until he joined show business.

Luis Manzano- yummy hunk before, annoying epal now

He is one pretty boy, but just like many young “stars” today, his looks is his ticket to fame.

I just get irritated every time I see him on TV. He cannot act. Puhleeezze. He is like a talking corpse in Kampanerang Kuba. Casting him as Pablo is just one of the stupidest calls made by the show.

He is also not impressive as a comedian. His punch lines are not even funny. He just irks me in Bora.

Lucky? Yes!! He makes you want to ask, “Had he not been some actor’s and actress’ son, would he be in showbiz?”

Yucky? Most definitely!! I have got no love for this guy ‘til the day I no longer see him in my TV set.

Go find your princes while I find my prince. God bless us all.

never ending stories

2005-10-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

Never-ending stories- ano pa ba ang di nyo naiintaindihan?

This entry may have come off late but it does prove a point- 1. The topic does not generate that much interest from me as a writer; 2. I am still concerned.

With all the things that are happening in the government right now, many (notice the use of many and not most) have resorted to airing their sentiments in the streets. This is not bad at all because our right to freedom of expression is provided in the constitution. But the problem is these staged rallies affect many people who would just want to go on with their lives. After all, our right to freedom of expression is a limited right just like most of our rights. That is the reason why I agree that it is time for the Calibrated Preemptive Response or the CPR to take effect.

Two Fridays ago, bishops and high-ranking officials were driven away from Mandiola by firemen. It was supposed to be a prayer rally. As if everyone is not aware of the truth that in the Philippines, most prayer rallies are not really prayer rallies. You see in the television how those who participated in the protest complain that they were maltreated, that their human rights were violated. Ok, being driven away by water was a little harsh, but they should have followed what was written in their permits in the first place.

The following week, you see in the television that a man, later confirmed as Jamby Madrigal’s bodyguard, was caught getting his gun from the ground. What’s wrong with this picture? Everything!! When you attend a street protest, you are not allowed to bring firearms. It is a standard operating procedure- a preventive action. Not even the police who are assigned to man the attendees are allowed to bring their guns. Batuta lang tsaka shields.

You also see how Jamby Madrigal was in soap opera mode the same night she was asked if it were her bodyguard spotted picking his gun, “hindi naman yun ang issue dito eh. Ang issue dito ay viniolate ang human rights namin.” Damn!! She was only asked to answer the question if it were her bodyguard seen in the footage. After she admitted that yes, he were her bodyguard, she returns to Judy Ann Santos (who incidentally was her endorser during the campaign period) mode, “Pati ba naman maliliit na tao, aapihin nyo? Ako na lang ang apihin nyo.” Superhero? No!! A master of digression!!

***E-vat***

The Supreme Court did not accept the request for TRO against E-vat filed by some representatives. It will formally take effect staring November 1. Hayyy!! Tataas na naman ang presyo ng mga bilihin! Tatataas na naman ang presyo ng gasolina!! Tataas na naman ang pamasahe!! I honestly think that the implementation of E-Vat should have been prevented had the BIR collected taxes more effectively. Blame Marcos, after all, his regime started this large-scale corruption. Blame those fraudulent businessmen who do not pay their taxes honestly. Madam Gloria and BIR Commissioner, just make sure that the people will feel that their taxes will serve them well and will not just go to waste or your people’s pockets.
***La Salle Scandal Part 3***

This is a continuing saga and with the way things are going, this may even take longer. Two players have been accused of having spurious documents. Mac Cardona has been dragged onto the controversy. 10 students from the UAAP and the NCAA are being investigated by the DepEd. DLSU is still not done conducting its own investigation.

Could it be true that DLSU is not as innocent as perceived regarding this controversy? Mark Benitez, and Tim Gatchalian, the other DLSU player suspected to have fake documents were teammates in JRU. Could it be true that JRU has been sending feelers to DLSU that they will reveal the anomaly that’s why de La Salle admitted it for the latter to come off clean?

Could it be true that Mac Cardona also has fake PEPT results? Could it be true that he was rejected by NU’s Coach Manny Dandan when he tried out because he was ineligible? Could it be true that Dandan is lying?

Should the decision to ban DLSU come to a vote would UST vote for the former’s suspension since it, together with UP, will benefit most because they are stiff competitors for the General Championship? Is Palou of Ateneo too harsh to DLSU?

Hayyy ang daming tanong!! Nakakalok!!

***Yehey!! CHX is out***

Ayun nay un!! What is left to say?

An ganda nya ha!! Pinagaagawan sya ng mga guys- gwapong guys!! Nakita nyo ba yung suot nya nung eviction night? Akala ko ang nakasulat sa jacket nya “fashion victim”. Baduyyyyyyyy!!

Please Chx, wag ka ng mag-english!! Naiirita lang ako sa iyo, or whatever!! Hahaha!!

***Ms. Earth***

Have you seen the competition last night? I thought the children’s choir which performed during the evening gown parade was superb. They were so superb I missed the feeling of being in love!! Kaasar!!

Go find your princes while I find my frog!! God bless us all!!

seeing Emil again

2005-10-21T15:51:00.000-07:00

Seeing Emil again- includes watching an adult film, strolling at the mall until we get tired, kuya-hunting.

Being gay can be difficult and complicated but it is fabulous and fun. What makes it more fabulous is having friends who are as fabulous as you. What makes it more fun is having someone like Emil as a friend. You read between the lines.

The Nicole Ritchie in my Paris Hilton (minus the fabricated rift), Emil and I have been friends for some time now. We were classmates since 2nd year high school and since then we have shared so many things- secrets, stories, beds, food, money, memories, boys. Now that we are in college, we seldom see each other. In fact, we have not seen each other since Summer Vacation.

I was so excited to see that biatch again (Ian, Dexter, Carmen, et. al., I am also excited to see all of you. Let’s have a reunion one of these days.) and so we planned to meet at Robinson’s and watch a movie, eat, have fun, make out. Just kidding!! Yuxxxxxxxxxxxx!! Hehehe!!

***Movie Trip***

We planned to watch Masahista. We were also planning to watch Dubai but RP does not show the film for some reason I don’t know. At first, Emil was hesitant to buy the tickets. Nakakahiya daw? But he cannot resist me so he went to buy the tickets for the two of us. The movie has already started when we entered the cinema.

Coco Martin is the masseur named Iliac while Jaclyn Jose is his mother

The movie is about a masseur named Iliac (Coco Martin). He is originally from Pampangga but he had to work as a masseur in Manila to support his family- his father is a dying playboy, while his mother, Jaclyn Jose, is a patient, loving, Tocino vendor. This is where the first problem of the movie lies. Sure, having a playboy father and a mother who only knows how to sell tocnios is equivalent to having a difficult life that’s why Iliac had to work. But it was not clear why he chose being a masseur. Walang evolution na pinakita. Masahista na sya agad.

The director and writer chose the stream of consciousness technique to present the movie. This is where a problem and a very strong point lie. The death of his father is supposed to have happened first before Iliac attends to a customer played by Alan Paule. But in one scene while Iliac was giving his customer you-know-what, he receives a text message saying that he has to go home because his father is in Coma. Or does he have two fathers? Hehe!! The strong point and my favorite scene in the movie is the parallelism between Iliac attending to his customer and Iliac attending to his dead father. He dresses up the naked body of his father while he strips his customer down.

Having been shown in International Films before it had its commercial run here. The film has subtitles in it. Another problem. The translation was bad. You can also read subtitles when in fact, the character did not say anything.

Katherine Luna as the Japayuki girlfriend of Iliac is hilarious in the movie. The gay manager of the joint was also funny when he offered a customer whose masseur had an asthma attack because of baby powder, he said, “Pili na lang po kayo dito. Ito po oh. If you want hard, he is harder.”

Over-all, if you are looking for flesh, a male frontal maybe, then you’ll see it here. There are also a lot, I mean a lot of butt exposures in this film. But if you want to see a movie that will require you to think, then this is not the movie to watch. The social relevance aspect was also downplayed in this movie.

Please do not watch this film at Robinson’s Place Manila. The tickets cost 110 bucks and you expect to get decent seats. It turns out that the seats are not the cushioned ones they have in some of their cinemas. They are still the old ones with surot maybe. It can also be seen that some callboys were already waiting for customers inside the movie house. Ginawang advertisement yung pelikula para sa gains nila. Hehe!!

***Stroll Trip***

Emil and I ate at Sbarro after the movie. The foreigners who were in the line after me sure reeked. Ewwwe!! We saw Rap at Human and at Powerbooks. Rap, invite mo si Emil sa friendster ha?! Hehe!! We also bumped into Maude and Tina before we decided to go home. I miss those girls!! Maude has a boyfriend now!! I am very happy for you, girl!!

Go find your princes while I find my frog and contemplate at how much I spent yesterday!! God bless us all!!

kuyas of October

2005-10-19T16:11:00.000-07:00

Kuyas- talented species. It may be said that when you are talented, you already look good even if you really don’t look good. But these guys, they got talent and the looks that come with it. Some guys just have everything.

Matt Long

the face that will make a thousand girls sigh

This Jack & Bobby star’s looks is enough to keep our eyes glued on our tv sets while watching the series over at Studio 23 during Saturday nights. In the series, he plays the older of the two siblings Jack McCallister. One of him and his brother is destined to become US President in the future. But until that time comes, Jack is a track star in his High School. And did you know that this cutie has already gotten a shot of his rear by no one else but himself? Hmmmm, that’s one picture I am sure all of us want to have. JP, may opinion ka? Haha!!

James Blunt

this guy will make you want to imagine he is singing to you. he is beautiful.

I never found many Brit guys attractive. But this pop star is an exception. From the moment you hear him sing “my life is brilliant. My life is brilliant. My love is pure.” you just can’t get enough. Then you hear him croon “you’re beautiful, it’s true” you just can’t help but imagine he is singing to you. Then you see him strip off his clothes in his video and you just can’t help but wish he is yours. Then you see him jump off that cliff to the water shirtless, and you just can’t help but say, “ooh this guy’s sexy and he’s got talent. He is not only a singer; he is a stuntman as well.”

Sam Milby

this housemate is just the cutest and most talented.

Pinoy Big Brother is figuring well in the ratings and this guy’s one of the reasons why. This Fil-American from Surigao is a champion figure-skater, an amazing gymnast, a fantastic guitarist and an able singer rolled into one. Talk about talent!! He is unquestionably the cutest housemate- we wish we are part of the series; we want to subscribe to the 24/7 BB too see him all day and night; we love seeing him in his Close-up commercial; we were sort of jealous because Barbie was paired with him although there are rumors circulating that the former Barbie’s cradle vocalist is with Kitchie; we wanted to strangle Chx after we saw her flirt with our pretty boy. Alas, he is nominated for eviction this coming Saturday. So if you still want to see him, vote. Just type BBSam and send to 2331 for Globe, Kampamilya and Sun Subscribers and to 231 for Smart and Addict Mobile users.

And please also vote for the two other boys- Franzen and Jayson. Just key in BBFranzen or BBJayson and send to the same numbers aforementioned.

Those three guys are talented, amazing, gorgeous- qualities enough to earn them a spot for my Kuyas List for the month of October.

Go find your princes while I wish those three guys are mine. God bless us all!!

cheating's bad

2005-10-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

Ageless- my lola.

Last Saturday, my lola celebrated her 70th birthday. It is no secret how much I adore and love my lola. She was already there with me the moment I was born. I grew up with her. She has been a father, a mother and a lola to me. I can still remember how she would give me toys and things when I was younger. Undoubtedly, I was the most spoiled among all her apos. Maybe because I am the prettiest!! Haha!!

We may not be well-off but lola has always made sure that we live comfortably. In fact, she still works up to now. But of course all work and no play makes lola an aging woman. She is fond of ballroom dancing. Ballroom dancing was even the theme of her birthday bash. Most of her guests are her ballroom buddies and dance instructors. Good thing, there were kuyas who attended or else I would have fled the scene right after I see the guests start to dance their chachacha or rumba or waltz or the Macarena. Kidding!!

My lola is a hip lola. Even her guests- a total of 200- could not believe she was already 70. Well I know that she is not 70- she is only 68. But what was written in her birth certificate makes her, technically, 70. Being 68 does not change a thing about my lola. She is more stylish, more fabulous, more beautiful than most of her contemporaries- and she can’t even afford botox or face lift or any other tricks.

What sets lola different from most woman her age is the fact that- hold you’re breath- she has not yet undergone menopause!! Yes, she still gets her visit once a month!! Beat that!!

Happy birthday, lola!! I wish you all the best life has to offer- good health, longer life and genuine happiness.

*** Padaan***

Speaking of birthdays, er birthday, I will be turning 18 in exactly 4 weeks from now!! I wonder how 18 would feel like!! Regalo ko ah!! O ayan may isang bwan pa kayo para mag-ipon!!

***Pinoy Big Brother got us there***

Surprise, surprise!! This week, there are five housemates who are up against eviction- Franzen, Jayson, Cass, Sam, and Chx. Franzen was nominated by Big Brother after the former got to the latter’s nerves. Jayson, Cass and Sam were nominated by the housemates. Chx found out later that she was also nominated by no other than Big Brother. It turned out that Chx had been asking Jenny- fresh from the outside world- tons of questions about what was and has been happening outside BB’s house. Big Brother explained that she clearly violated the house rules which state that the current housemates shall not be allowed to ask questions about the outside world from the new housemate.

Toni tried to explain why Chx was included in the nomination when they already knew that she was already nominated by BB but sorry, Toni failed. She said that Chx had committed the offense at dawn and they still had to consult Endemol what they had to do with the situation. But the nomination was to be done in the afternoon. Had they announced that Chx was already nominated, then she would have not received votes anymore. The housemate/s who voted for her could have voted somebody else preventing the three-way tie among Cass, Jayson and Sam.

Franzen getting nominated just because he would not want to wake up as BB ordered them to was over the top and purely marketing strategy. The heads of the show know that Franzen can rake in hundreds of thousands of votes- as proven by his 1st nomination- that is why they nominated him immediately. BB could have just given Franzen a punishment just like what he had done in the past.

I am a big fan of Pinoy Big Brother but this is cheating!! Oh well, 5 people in the chopping block surely means more votes. Just vote for Franzen, Jayson, and Papa Sam. I don’t care about the two girls!!

***The Continuin DLSU Scandal***

I read in the papers today that there are rumors circulating that DLSU could have fielded in not just one, but 3 ineligible players in their roster for the past 10 years. What are the implications if this were true? Abangan natin ang susunod na kabanata!!

Go find your princes while I find my frog!! God bless us all!!

2005-10-13T22:55:00.000-07:00

Finally- an expression of relief after some hard work.

Today marked the end of the first sem. I have long been waiting for this day to come and finally it has arrived.

So here’s what happened the whole week:

***Ivan says adieu to table tennis***

We all know how I got to table tennis. Kung di ba naman ako pinanganak na malandi eh di sana dun ako sa basketball napunta kasama nung iba. But surprisingly, the PE Bangge, Rap, and I took was fun. I expected it to be boring but I was mistaken. You just enjoy watching the good ones and the cute ones play- there is of course a fine difference between the two, but in some cases being good at what you do also makes you cute. Hehe. There is also pleasure in dissing your other classmates. In my case, I loved making fun of that girl from Science who wore puke shorts during the whole sem. I wonder why she never got reprimanded. I also loved making fun of those weirdo’s from Music and Eng’g who were so into the game they were thinking they were masters of the sport. There is also thrill each time you return the ball to your opponent through a successful smash or a drive. There is displease in losing and bliss in triumphing. There is excitement each time Bangge and I would blame each other every time we lose. There is definite satisfaction each time you see Rap’s reaction if he can’t return the ball. Haha!! Ang daya nyo naman eh!!

not necessarily the way to return the ball pero poised parin!!

***La Salle Scandal, Hmmmm***

I was reviewing one night when I chanced with this newspaper. The sports story went like one player from DLSU was ineligible to play for the Green Archers. The item continued that he is a third year player. My first reaction was, oh my gosh!! Oh my gosh!! Then I guessed who could that player possibly be. I was speculating that it could be Ryan Arana or Cholo Villanueva or Jun Cabatu or JV Casio or Mark Benitez. I opened the papers this morning and I saw Mark Benitez’s picture. Oh my gosh!! It’s him. Well not exactly. The player is still not named but the writer, Quinito Henson said that Mark Benitez could be it. It turned out that the player under siege has fake papers and has not yet graduated from high school so he is ineligible to play. Coach Franz Pumaren already knew about this before this year’s finals game 2 started but the UAAP has not made any decision yet so he decided to let his whole roster play. Quinito Henson also wrote that if the player’s papers were not discovered to be fake, Mark Benitez, the primary “suspect” would have still not been allowed to play for the Archers next season because of failing grades. Jemal Vizcarra, can you relate?! Haha Aika!!

The whole DLSU community is not at fault here. Coach Franz believes that the people from the registrar’s are to be blamed. Mark Benitez is not yet proven guilty but I pity the guy because he is already in the middle of this controversy- his pictures are already flashed in different papers by now and he gets all these unwanted attention. Well I wonder how he is reacting to the things that have happened. Hayyyyy!!

***A New Bond***

Because this week is finals week, nagkaroon ako ng special bond sa mga notes at hand-outs ko. Dahil magkasama kami gabi-gabi at uma-umaga, feeling ko super close na kami.

Everybody would agree with me if I say that Math and Filipino were the most challenging tests. The Nat Sci exam was easy compared to what most of us have expected. The English exam was an insult to our capabilities. History exam was predictable. The Journ test was challenging. The NSTP test was not needed.

I think I faired well with many of the exams. I hope everybody also did well. We all worked our butts off to memorize, analyze and study all those things from annuities to Moh’s scale of HARDNESS. I wonder if Friedrich Moh were gay. Well he developed the scale of HARDNESS plus his surname is really malandi oh- MOH!! Hehehe!!

We all deserve a break after all the abuses our minds have gone through for the past four months and this week in particular. Have a safe vacation, classmates. Hopefully by the time next sem starts we have already gotten rid of SWEATY entities. Hehe!!

As for me, magkakaroon na ako ng social life at magbobond na kami ni Jessica Zafra for the third time, at ng aking kama!!

the whole bunch deserve break after a very stressful first sem. I will miss all of them

***A Send-Off for Charity***

Sob. Charity is gonna leave for Canada and the States. She’s not gonna be with us the whole sem next sem. That’s gonna be sad- I am gonna lose the seatmate I love talking to, the seatmate whose hair I love fixing hehe, the seatmate who I share all my kalandiaan with, the seatmate who was very patient with me although sometimes I slap her for no reason at all and sometimes she notices that I am not really in the mood, the seatmate who believes that I am gonna make it big, the seatmate who is a superstar in the making, the seatmate who is special to the heart of all our classmates.

Thanks to the help of the whole 2jrn1, we were able to pull off a mini send-off gathering for Charity today after the exam. Thinking if the gathering would be successful caused me 2 hours of sleep last night but it’s all good when it’s for Charity!!

So Charity, make sure that you are coming back the soonest possible time because if you won’t we will feel bad and I am gonna steal John from you!! Just kidding. Just be safe while you’re there!! And don’t forget my pasalubong!!

Charity is a very special girl- an opinion shared by the whole 2jrn1 class

***Bagong Pakulo***

At dahil may yes or no na ang pinoy big brother, meron na rin akong bagong pakulo!!

Hulaan nyo kung kaninong body part ito!!

Ang makakahula ng tama ay mapapanaginipan nya ang crush nya for the 3 days- lahat ‘yun ay sweet dreams, pwede na ring basots kung gusto nyo!! Hehe!!

Clue: Hindi sya si Racquel ng Pinoy Big Brother!! At sorry to disappoint you girls, hindi rin sya lalaki!! Hahaha!!

Go find your princes while I find my frog!! God bless us all!!

2005-10-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

finals begin tomorrow!!
wish me luck!!

go find your princes while i find my frog!! God bless us all!!

2005-10-05T17:32:00.000-07:00

Sayang- when you wake up late for a game and then watch UST lose to FEU.

Too bad. UST lost to FEU today in the Men’s Volleyball Championship. FEU won the series 2-0. I know UT could have done better. Maybe the cameras got the best of them. Well that was what Charity told me after game 1. The boys apparently want to be tv stars. No doubt, UST has got some cute players. Chartz would not contest if I’ll say that her Ting is one of them.

It’s about time that Studio 23 air other UAAP sports aside from basketball.

Speaking of basketball, tomorrow’s Game 2 of the Men’s Basketball finals. I seriously hope FEU takes the trophy tomorrow. Be sure to watch it because after what had happened last week, we just don’t have any idea what’s in store for us tomorrow.

Before the Final 4 series began, I had already made predictions on who will take what come the awarding ceremonies tomorrow. Now that I have seen the Final 4 series and we’re on the brink of knowing who will take the Championships, it’s about time I make some revisions.

Who I thought would snag what before:

Champion: FEU
MVP: Arwind Santos. His decision to stay and not turn pro this year is enough to make him MVP.
Coach of the Year: Dindo Pumaren
Mythical 5: Arwind Santos, JC Intal, Mark Isip, Bonbon Custodio, Edwin Asoro
Rookie of the Year: could be: Axel Doruelo, Mark Borboran, Elmer Espiritu, Jonas Villanueva, Dylan Ababou
Most Improved Player: Doug Kramer/

Who I think would win what tomorrow:

Champion: FEU still

MVP: Arwind Santos, he earned it. Ask DLSU’s former asst. team manager, even he would agree!!

Coach of the Year: Last year, the UAAP board gave it to the coach of the winning team on the last minute. This time I think the rule would still hold up so I guess it will be awarded to Bert Flores.

Mythical 5: Arwind Santos is a shoo-in. Joseph Yeo will get in because he’s from DLSU and he’s the ninja. LA Tenorio did not really step up but it’s his last year of playing so he’ll get in. JC Intal might get in. I am not sure anymore of Edwin Asoro’s chances. He is one of the most efficient players in the league but they just lost too many games. Sob.
Rookie of the Year: Bonbon Custodio. I did not know that he is a rookie that’s why he was not in my list of possible contenders for this award. Now that I know, he is my hands-down choice.

Most Improved Player: Doug Kramer although his teammate Japeth Aguilar could give him a run for his money.

Most Defensive Player: Japeth may have this in the bag. He averaged 3 blocks per game.

Worst Unsportsmanlike behavior: Hands-down!! It will go to former DLSU asst. team manager Salgago, este Salgado pala!!

I am busy today. I’ll be busy in the coming days!!

Go find your princes while I find my frog!! God bless us all!!

kabogs!!

2005-10-01T01:41:00.000-07:00

Kabog- O san ka pa? When Ivan gets what he did not expect.

It has been a long while since I wrote something about a “real-life” experience. Things that happened today are all blog-worthy. I can’t pass them up.

This day was longer than I expected. I had everything planned out the day before: go to school, prepare yourself for a quiz in natsci and philo, go home immediately, take a nap, fix youself to go to Aika’s place, watch Survivor, go to Aika’s, go to Kabog, go home at 8 PM.

But life, and its own magic wand sure made some kinks for the ironing today.

***Almost- good thing it was not quite***

I was already late for my first class which is Journ. It was obvious because I left the house past 7. I rode the pedicab, my mind was flying with all the things I reviewed late last night and then BAM!! The pedicab I was riding collided with a taxi. Mejo napatalsik ako sa driver’s seat, kung yun talaga yung tawag dun. Sumakit yung braso ko. Good thing, nothing really disastrous took place. Thank God. The trooper that I am, I just made fun of it whenever someone would make fun of it, but I tell you, that was really shocking. Di nakakatuwa.

It turned out that there were no quizzes today. Psssshhh!! JP just got someone seriously irked. I refuse to elaborate.

I went home right away to get some sleep because we were supposed to do our Computer project over at Aika’s place before going back to school to watch kABog. After watching Survivor and fixing myself, I went straight to Aika’s only to find out that our project-making was postponed.

No one from the original number of people who went to Aika’s place actually went to watch kABog except Aika and Hershey who thought of some delaying tactics. Kabog diba?

***Kuyas Galore- we are SUCKERS for SOCCER and SOCCER PLAYERS***

And since Aika and I were back to school early (the competition was to start at 4), I decided to take pictures of the football field. I seriously hoped that a game would take place. Luck was on my side that time. A football match was to be played. UST against UE.

Aika and I found this kuya. But I found him first!!

(take your picks!! But kuya 5 is mine!! No sharing!!)

While watching the game, Paolo, Jene and JP were making a banner for Chartz!! Good job guys!!

(the banana girl smells like section pride- Go Chartz!!)

We did not get to finish the game but the first goal was very lopsided in favor of Santo Tomas. I hope kuya 5 did not get hurt. He was limping when we left. Kabog diba?

***Off to the Venue- the tale of the Jabars***

When we got to the Medicine Auditorium, no green light to enter was given yet. So we were there, inhaling formalin, getting wet in a sea, err river, err canal of crowd.

(Hershey and Aika- Hot Mommas!!)

(Xam- wala sa mood magpapicture)

Kabog diba?

***kABog kayo!! We have our own Goddess of Alternative Music***

We cheered our lungs out whenever Chartz get shown. We cheered even harder when Chartz performed. Big thanks to the classmates of Jan from 2jrn2 for making those pompoms of sorts!! And also the banners!! Thanks guys for helping us support Chartz and Jan.

(Chartz with the wannabe’s)

(Chartz perfoming!! Chic and Touching!!)

In my opinion, Chartz gave the sincerest performance of all the finalists. Her getup was the most chic. Hershey even admitted that she had goosebumps while watching Chartz. I felt the same energy. I was touched by Chartz’s performance especially because I know that she is leaving next sem.

In the end, Chartz was not successful getting into the top 3. Some Sarah Geronimo wannabe got 1st place honors, followed by some cusie “kuya nga ba”, and then a journ student/ singer/ Salinggawi Dance Troupe member.

Chartz may have not managed to get to the top 3, but for us, for many people, she IS a winner- BIG TIME!! Kabog diba?

***Battle of the Bands***

Two bands performed tonight- Join the Club and Sugarfree. They totally rocked.

Hershey, Aika, and I flirted from afar with this kuya/ rock star

(join the club guitarist or bassist (I don’t know)- Hershey, Aika and I will join the club at any given time if he is the moderator!!)

A rock concert is always the bet workout for me- just imagine all the calories I shred off by jumping, dancing, and screaming. Kabog diba?

(the tired but fabulous epal with the tarp)

***Rock Star sa CR***

Just how often do you get to be inside a CR a rock star is using to change his clothes? Well that’s rare.

Luck again was on my side because after the concert, I felt the urge to unload some fluid off my body. I went to the CR and guess who was there. No other than Sugarfree’s vocalist, Ebe . I instantly screamed, Pa-autograph po!! Haha!! Aika asked if we can take pictures with him and he allowed us to. We joined him inside the room where all the guests were staying, and there we were, flashing our not so pearly-whites with that guy!! When it was my turn to get my picture taken with the guy, I asked the ever-dependable Hershey to take our picture using my handycam. I thought everything was fine until I checked the photo album in my handycam and charan- banana girl did not get the picture taken successfully.

(Hershey and Aika got their pictures taken!! Unfair!! Unfair!!)

Oh well at least, that CR’s forever gonna hold the memory that I was once there with a rock star. Kabog diba?

***Sinong Nanay Mo?***

Happy birthday to my mom!! She is now 38. My prayers go out to her. I don’t know where she is right now. I am worried. I am disappointed. I am pissed. I still love her!! Kabog diba?

Go find your princes while I find my frog!! God bless us all!!

PS: thanx to rap for providing some music to this fairy tale of a blog/ blog of a fairy tale. mr brightside was the same midi file that i used in my powerpoint presentation. it got the whole class rocking!! fancy!!

for more kabog photos click superstar

my mother part 1

2005-09-24T00:28:00.000-07:00

Ideal Mother- is not a Stepford wife, cool, understanding, loving, caring.

I do not know. I feel like shit tonight.

My mother’s still addicted to the casino. My mother’s still loves easy money. My mother still depends on my grandparents. My mother still leaves my siblings in Cavite to go to the casino. My mother still does not get sufficient amount of sleep. My mother’s still not the woman I used to know.

I still love my mother.

It just breaks my heart. It broke my heart when my mom and my dad got separated. But it breaks my heart even more to see my mom like that. She has given birth to 5 children since she and my dad parted ways.

It breaks my heart when I see my mom’s life all messed up. It breaks my heart that they don’t live a comfortable life there in Cavite. It breaks my heart to know that she has to fight with his older brother there just to get her share. It breaks my heart that she has to take care of 5 kids and an almost unproductive partner and in the process forget about herself.

You can’t just imagine the pain that I am feeling. It’s always a different issue when it’s about my mom.

All I wanna see is a mother who wants to be better for her kids. I want her to feel better. I want her to live better. I don’t want my mom getting hurt. But I know with what I have done, I had hurt her too. Shouting at her on the phone was not easy, knowing that she is borrowing money from me for the nth time was not easy.

I am heart-broken. No one breaks my heart the way my mom does. And I still love her.

Please forgive for the incoherence. I cannot find a better way to let the pain that I am feeling out.

Life sucks.

You can go find your princes. I am not in the mood to search for frogs. God bless us all.

kuyas galore

2005-09-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

Kuyas- genetically-gifted men. You can look at them. You can fantasize about them. But you cannot have all of them. Of course, I am an exemption.

These 3 guys are, for me, the kuyas of September:

Yael Yuzon

O my gosh!! Just which girl in high school or in college does not know this guy? He may not be the handsomest rocker there is, but this guy can just sweep you of your feet with the way he sings, and the way he performs on stage. I used to liked Armo better but when I saw them perform live, I discovered that Yael is 20 Centigrade hotter.

He is last seen in his band’s video Gemini. I love that song. I can’t help but smile whenever I hear them sing it. My favorite lines:

“The vacuous night steps aside to give meaning to Gemini’s dreaming. The moon on it back and the seemingly veiled room’s lit by the same star.”

But there are rumors circulating that this guy is bisexual? Bummer? Not really!! Hehehe!!

Liam Aiken

When the movie Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Event came out, I was no really excited to see it. I did not pay attention. And I did not go to watch the film.

I regretted that when I saw Oprah one day interviewing Jim Carrie who was then promoting the flick. After Jim, she interviewed the fab Meryl Streep. I was already loving the show when this kid entered the picture. He was soooooo cute. He made me love the show even more. He was just there, quietly listening to the answers of his co-stars. And there I was, blushing because of his cuteness. He plays klaus baudelaire in the movie.

You can also see him in his other films: Road to Perdition, Sweet November, and Stepmom.

Victor Basa

Have you gotten yourself a copy of Cosmo’s 69 Bachelor Centerfolds or something to that effect? Me? I yet to get myself my own copy. But since I think you have seen it at least, then Victor Basa is no stranger.

He is that guy who seemed to post nude (I doubt) with only a pail of paint covering his dingdong. I first saw the guy in a spread in the Philippine Star’s Y Style for cooler-than-cool Viktor Jeans last year. He was with Kristel who incidentally is a Journalism student in UST.

I got to visit his blog two weeks ago. This guy has got some brains too.

Sorry to bust your bubbles, but he is taken. But the girl is not really that pretty.

One word: beefcake.

Go find your princes while I find my frog!! God bless us all!!

ROAR FOR FOUR

2005-09-17T23:50:00.000-07:00

School Pride- It is when you get excited to see a game or a competition where your school is one of the participants to the point that you cannot sleep the night before. You prepare the next day only to see yourself with the rest of your friends wait for one of your companions for two staggering hours. Peace. You then go to the venue and watch the competition even if your feet are aching due to the unavailability of seats. You cheer on top of your lungs with the rest of the crowd. You raise your fist and pride.

Yes. Maybe today was school pride at its best. I have been anticipating the 2005 Cheer Dance Competition the whole season. We got the tickets the moment the distributor started selling them in Araneta big thanks to my classmates who went there just to save our asses from ticket extinction.

Cheering is such a big deal for UST. Yes, UST has won the most General Championships in the history of UAAP but all UAAP sports are not televised except for Basketball. For the past three years, Santo Tomas has not shown what Tiger Power is all about in Men’s Basketball. We looked like kittens. But every time the Salinggawi and the Yellow Jackets victor in the CDC, the Thomasians (and the ASPIRING Thomasians) think that the win is already enough to compensate for the poor showing of the Tigers in basketball and for retribution. That just goes to explain while UST has one of the largest crowd turnout in the CDC.

Last year, I was contented watching the competition in the comfort of our sala. But this year is different. I, together with the rest of my friends decided to see the competition live- in flesh. We agreed to meet at Goldilock’s at 11 AM today. I came in 20 minutes late. But lo and behold, the bunch is still not complete even if many of us have come straight from English practice. Bangge was still not there. To make matters worse, she has Jenny’s ticket. Bangge arrived almost two hours later. Miscommunication. I refuse to elaborate.

We hurried to Araneta. Outside Araneta, many still took their chance if they can get tickets even from scalpers. Inside Araneta was where the action was. It was filled to the rafters. Any claustrophobic would not dare go in. There were no more seats available. No more balloons, too. Had I known that there were no more seats for the taking, I would have had taken a seat during our LRT ride. My legs ached from my non-stop jumping and cheering.

Anticipation for UST’s performance was enjoyable because many squads stepped-up their routines this season.

1 ½ hours later, it was UST’s turn. The crowd went wild. ‘Gawi’s Non-Stop cheer was hair-raising. It will take a long time for me to forget how the audience was screaming and shouting, how the Yellow Jackets beat their percussions, how that black cloth covered almost the whole of the court, how the SDT performed the cheer. It was like being in Brazil for the Carnival. It was magical.

Waiting for the results was nerve-racking. You can just feel the tension and anxiety among the audience from the different participating schools. FEU was third. The moment UP was declared 2nd, the UST pack just went crazy. Based on the Mapua cheering experience, I was scared that another school might snatch the victory from UST and we had just made fools of ourselves by expecting that we had won and by celebrating that early.

Thank GOD, UST SDT & YJ was able to ROAR FOR FOUR!!

The margin was not great. But I know the whole Thomasian Community will take it.

The stunts performed by UST during the school cheer part may not be as creative or as extravagant as that of UP’s or FEU’s, but they were synchronized. The Non-Stop cheer part was no competition. UST had it in the bag.

If I were to judge the 7 other teams based on what was most pleasing to me to the team that pleased me the least, things would have turn out this way:

2nd Place- FEU. This is the second time that I think that FEU is more deserving than UP to grab that 2nd place finish. I think that their school cheer part was the most creative. They had one stunt similar to that of UST- when they formed 4 groups then used their cheerers for an early “exchange gift”. Their non-stop cheer however was mediocre.

3rd Place- UP. Surprise, surprise, they did not go for the velvet costume this year. Nonetheless, the UP Pep Squad remains great. I am sure that had they been successful converting that one stunt they failed to convert, they would have stopped UST’s winning streak. Their Non-Stop cheer was amazing with all the booty-shaking they did and their costume ala Tina Turner.

4th Place- Adamson. They were almost synchronized, almost amazing, almost in the Top 3.

5th Place- DLSU. There was news spreading that the choreographer of DLSU for this season was a former member of the UST SDT- no wonder they have improved a lot. I also liked the fact that the boys spent more time dancing this time. I cannot see them from where I was standing but something tells me that DLSU boys, with all their heads shaved, are cute.

6th Place- NU. They had one very big mistake. I love the underdogs that’s why I placed them here. I also like the stripes in their costumes. They looked like bees/ peanut butter.

7th Place- UE. Their stunts were undeniably fantastic. They specialize in ballet, gymnastics and street. But something tells me the reason why they had different stunts for different groups was not because they had different specializations but because they cannot do it the synchronized way.

8th Place- ADMU BBB. No offense meant for the only team which had their female cheerers wear skirts (OP?). Maybe it was the pressure of going first that got the best of them. But what I loved most about this team was the flair of their percussionists- they were a sight to behold. Bring back the fat lady front liner and make her do the belly dance again!!

All in all, it was an enjoyable (understatement) show. Capoeira seemed to be the biggest trend this season. UST started the trend last year. Next year, I have to think hard whether I’ll see the competition live. The atmosphere there was just crazy but jumping and screaming was just too exhausting. At least at home, I can enjoy the show sitting down. But the problem is, I’d be the only to cheer for UST. I do not know if I can get lola, ate Agnes, and itoy to also root for Santo Tomas.

Go find your princes while I find my frog!! God bless us all!!

P.S. Survivor Guatemala is now being telecast by Studio 23 every Friday at 1 pm and at 8 pm. Aside from the new castaways (there are a new bunch of cuties and hotties this season- for girls and boys and the pretending to be of course.), Bobby John (who gained some weight) and Stepehnie from Survivor Palau are back to play. We’ll just see how the two figure out in the coming episodes. As for the premier, Stepehenie who is playing for Yaxha eneded her losing streak as her team won the first Immunity challenge. Bobby John who is playing for Nakum, got seriously dehydrated after their first Reward Challenge which was a 24-hour jungle race. Jim, the old man from Nakum was the first castaway to be sent packing.

achuchuchu

2005-09-16T23:18:00.000-07:00

tomorrow...

we shall find out if the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe can make history.

we shall see if UTSDT's ROAR FOR FOUR will be a success.

is cheerdance judgment day. sept 17, 2005, 2 pm, araneta coliseum.

go find your princes while i find my frog!! God bless us all!!

Ako ay isang proud UAAP fan

2005-09-11T00:42:00.000-07:00

1 4 UST- sinisigaw ng fans ng UST after mag free-throw ang isang tiger. Ang ibig pala sabihin nito ay I love UST at hindi one point for UST!!

Today, the UST Growling Tigers Men’s basketball team has ended its campaign for the UAAP Season 68. They won against Ateneo last Saturday but lost to the NU today. None of the two matter.

For the 3rd straight season, UST fails to enter the Final Four. But many are predicting that UST is the team of the future. And I am one of those who have high hopes. If Santo Tomas does not make it next season, I am very positive that they will make it come season 70.

Warren de Guzman and Danny Pribhdas played their last games today. They will no longer see action next season. And I am very certain that they are not gonna turn pro immediately. The two are very disappointing. As a team captain, de Guzman did not really step up. He was just there. Well at least, he looks good in his commerce uniform. But that cannot even compensate to his poor showing. Pribhdas, I think is the better scorer compared to the captain. The problem is, he is too selfish. He thinks that he can deliver all the time. He is afraid to pass the ball. Alpha male? Alpha tiger? I won’t mention. Small head, big air.

My favorite tiger would have to be Dylan Ababou. Of course many other share the same opinion especially Bangge and Clang. The guy is a promising player. He can shoot well and can also go for the defensive stop. He also has a nice attitude. Di ko sya nakikitaan ng hangin kapag pumapasok sya sa klase. Well it’s too soon to tell. Sa Filipino ko lang sya kaklase. I believe he is one of the contenders to become Rookie of the Year. Many are hoping he wins.

Among the point guards, I think Japs Cuan did the best job this season. He is not my favorite but he delivered compared to the other tiger play-callers. He is tenacious when defending and is really agile when carrying the ball. Chutzpah is the word that comes to my mind whenever I see him play. Cortez was a disappointment. He did not play with the same energy that he used to. That Crisostomo guy is the cutest. Konting practice pa gagaling din sya.

Chester Taylor and Francis Allera are big time sophomores. Man, did the two step up!! Juniors Evangelista, Dizon and Espiritu also stepped up this season.

But the biggest revelation at the end of the season is Jojo Duncil. That man has heart. He works hard and tries his best to go get that win. Who could ever forget his “ayaw ko ng matalo” line and that shoelace incident during their match against NU? Well those who did not watch the game could.

What the tigers have to do next season is work harder especially on their defense. They may not be the tallest team in the league but they can always make up with their speed and agility. Good luck next season, Tigers. Donna Llabres, I hope you savored every part of your job. I am coming to get it.

***The Others***
UP was close to making it to the Final Four this season but alas, they cannot pull it off. They would still have to wait for another year to try their luck. Abby Santos, Axel Doruelo, Nestor David and cuties Jino Ferrer and Marvin Cruz did a great job this season but their efforts fell short. I think Doruelo is a strong contender for Rookie of the Year.

Host Adamson was perked up at the beginning of the season only to see their F4 dreams get shattered after consecutive losses. I am not a big fan of this team but what I know is Jojo Hate and Patrick Cabahug were the two best falcons and that Marc Agustin is the cutest. Poor him, he got ACL. After that accident, AdU started getting those back to back defeats. Good luck next season.

The NU bulldogs may be the branded as the “punching bags” of the league but they remain an important team because they can always upset another team which is an F4 contender. Edwin Asoro is one of the hardest working cagers in the UAAP and I heard that he also leads the statistical race. It will make me happy to see him in this Season’s mythical five. He is an unpolished, rougher Arwmd Santos.

***The Contenders…Again***

Don’t FEU, UE, ADMU, DLSU just make you sick and tired? They are so good to the point of becoming boring- except for, of course, the UST upset against Ateneo and that controversial game between UE and DLSU.

So which teams do I want to see in the Finals?

In order:

FEU vs UE
UE vs DLSU
FEU vs DLSU

Why is ADMU not included? I just don’t think that this year is their year. Well I still love JC Intal, Macky Escalona, and Martin Quimson. I still find Jai Reyes adorably cute and LA Tenorio haughty and below par. Come the Finals, I believe Doug Kramer will receive the most-improved player award.

The boys from Taft are really hard-workers. They lost their star player Mac Cardona who is turning pro and Joseph Yeo has not really stepped up but they still figured in the F4. I think that the future star of this team will be Rico Meirhoffer only if he will learn to play with more versatility. Joseph Yeo is still the hottest ninja there is amid playing poorly. TY Tang is also adorable so as that Arana guy. Benitez and Cabatu are scary. Coach Franz Pumaren is still the best-dressed coach in the league. But dear Coach Franz, had you not announced that you were retiring last season, there was no doubt in my mind that the coach of the year award would have not landed in your hands. Coach Koy Banal was the more deserving coach last season.

UST may be the Team of the Future but the boys from Recto are the team of the near/er future. Both UST and UE are very young teams but UE still managed to make it to the Final Four. They are also not that far from reaching the Finals. The Warriors are really talented. Their rookies are the most promising. Bonbon Custodio, Canizares, Saguindel, Lagabala, Marcy Arellano, Palaganas don’t fail to amaze me in their every game. But I think that Borboran and the oh-so-cute Elmer Espiritu provided the fire power. The two are neck to neck (sana kami ni Elmer Espiritu lips to lips, hahahaha) for the Rookie of the Year award. Coach DindoPumaren should be named this Season’s coach of the year.

I became a fan of FEU when I got to watch their Round 1 game against ADMU live. The tamaraws are really talented and athletic. Any one of them can drive to the basket and score, most of them can play really good defense. What the other teams have to have to beat this team is a better coach. The FEU players are undoubtedly the best players in the league but their coach Bert Flores is a neophyte and I doubt if he is ready to slug it out if there is a need to especially during crunch time. I wonder why FEU did not renew the contract of coach Koy. Arwind Santos is not as consistent as he used to. Mark Isip surprisingly has an English accent. Jeff Chan is dependable. Jonas Villanueva is just the hottest.

After this season, I think these will emerge as winners:

Champion: FEU
MVP: Arwind Santos. His decision to stay and not turn pro this year is enough to make him MVP.
Coach of the Year: Dindo Pumaren
Mythical 5: Arwind Santos, JC Intal, Bonbon Custodio, Mark Isip, Edwin Asoro
Rookie of the Year: could be: Jonas Villanueva, Mark Borboran, Efren Espiritu, Axel Doruelo, Dylan Ababou.
Most Improved PlayerL Doug Kramer
Most Supportive Girlfriend: Cheska Garcia

Nakakatuwa pala kapag bakla ang nagsusulat ng tungkol sa sports no lalo na kung tungkol sa basketball? Hehehe!!

Go find your princes while I find my frog. God bless us all!!

PS. Happy Birthday sa pinakamamahal kong daddy!! I miss you daddy!!

Princess Diaries

2005-09-08T20:35:00.000-07:00

Princess Diaries

Fairy Tales- A fairy tale is a story, either told to children or as if told to children, concerning the adventures of mythical characters.These stories often involve princes and princesses and normally have a happy ending.

Finally, after so much ado, you now find out that this is all what those bulletin board posts are good for. I am the same trash using a different backdrop. The new blog design is courtesy of my favorite blog motherf**ker Aika who is now a Palanca princess. And you are definitely right!! Boasting of Aika’s achievement is definitely not what I am going to write about. I know you’re happy with that.

***Fairy Tales***

When we were younger, we were not spared from all these fairy tales. We read the books; our parents told us the stories before we sleep; we watched the movies. All these made us believe that magic is not far from reality. We believed in fairy godmothers. We loved the princesses and the princes. We loathed all the villains- from Snow White’s wicked stepmother, Cinderella’s cruel stepmother and her ugly sisters to Anastasia’s Rasputin. And who could forget about that tentacled- sea creature Ursula? We all wondered when is once upon a time. We all thought that happy endings are true.

Until we become witnesses to the harsh realities of life- the pandemonium in the streets and the Congress (can you honestly tell the difference between the two?), the prevalent poverty especially in Third World countries, musicians who don’t know how to act but are in the movies, hot babes and delicious men who have bigger breast/ biceps compared to their brains, terrorist attacks, assault to the environment, assault by the environment, rising oil prices. We open our televisions and cringe to see good things in vain. Well at least we are left with the Disney Channel.

***Fairy Tales..not!!***

Until we become victims of that thing called love.

We were made to believe that someday we are going to end up with that handsome prince or that beautiful princess (depends upon one’s preference, there are princes who want princes; there are princesses who fancy princesses more) who will complete us and put the exclamation point in the expression happily ever after.

We enter in relationships hoping that we will be able to find that person who will sweep us off our feet. We turn into cheesebags the moment we realize we now can’t stop thinking about them. We stay in one corner of the classroom with that smile fixed on our faces thinking of the last time we were with our beloved. We do things stupid and crazy just to please those people and show them how much we love them.

Until we are exposed to words such as cheating and unrequited love. Sucker? You bet.

Lately, I just found out that my last ex cheated on me. Before that, I was guilty because I was the one who broke up with him for the reason that I was no longer happy. Until that day I visited his friendster page and found out that he was already seeing someone else when we were still together!! Realizing that was not painful. It was humiliating and incredible. How could a guy his BREED be able or be the one to cheat on me?

***Of Frogs and Princes***
Judging a book by its cover is wrong. This is exemplified in a fairy tale. Once upon a time, a princess saw a frog. He gave the amphibian a kiss and poof!! The frog became a prince. Well I am not sure if the prince lost the stench of a frog.

Sometimes, we desire someone who meets our standards. Someone who is handsome, rich, intelligent, delicious, funny, talented, sweet, a real gentleman, thoughtful and many others. We are lucky if we are able to find someone who at least meets some of those qualificaitions. And because we thought that we have found our real Prince Charming, we give him our all even if it is obvious that we are the only ones who are head-over-heels and the feeling is not reciprocated. Never mind if our friends think we are crazy. We do those things for the pleasure of loving. For the sake of humanity. For the sake of one human being who in our eyes is a god. Or so we thought! Our Prince Charming has just turned into a frog.

And then for the sake of trying, or because we have developed a phobia and became followers of Andre E.’s famous song humanap ka ng pangit, we look for frogs whom we hope we can turn into princes. You’d be fortunate if you become successful at the makeover. But me? I was ill-fated with my last ex. He was a frog. And he remains to be one!! Kerchog!!

Before I thought that I found my prince in Snicker’s person. He passed my prince test with flying colors. I am just not sure if I am his princess.

***Mother Queen***

It is Mama Mary’s birthday today!! Happy birthday Mama Mary!! Thanx for saying “yes” to God’s will.

You just spent some time reading my trash!! Thanx!! Go find your princes while I find my frog!! God bless us all!!

2005-08-21T21:33:00.000-07:00

Bitches hate bitches. I am sure. I am certain. Ang magnanakaw ay galit sa kapwa magnanakaw. Bitches hate bitches. Yesterday, I came across with two articles chronicling the lifestyles of the supposed rich but anonymous. One article was about a girl who shops whenever she feels bad. She cried when her classmate back in kinder noticed that the LV bag that her mother gave her was fake. She befriended her classmate and up to now, they remain buddies and are constant shopping mates. She got mad at her high school teacher when her teacher intentionally dropped her Prada bag.

***From high school to college***

I can’t believe it. That girl was using Prada in HS when I still am not sure if I will be able to buy one for my mom by the time I turn 30.

I must say that I have transformed. Back in High school, I wasn’t really the most fashionable guy in school although I was one of the more famous people (modesty aside!!). I wore really baggy clothes (eewwe), I wore a golden tie that did not match my shirt back when Avril was still really famous (eewwe). No, no, no. I would not want to continue anymore with all my fashion crimes. Nahihiya na ako!! Haha!! Now I can’t say that I am the most fashionably fight guy in college. There are just so many people!! But I can say that I have found the style I love and I am willing to change for the better or if there really is a need for change. I can also tell if a girl/guy is a fashion victim. How? I just look at them. Tell them if they look good, shut up if they don’t, tell them that they suck if we’re close.

***Ostentatious Blogger/Queen Bulimia***

The other article was about one of the most famous and most fabulous (famous and fabulous are of course relative) bloggers in the World Wide Web. He writes about himself, what’s the latest about him, himself, what he wore during last night’s party, himself, the bitches he were with yesterday, himself, what he bought and where he bought it, and himself some more. He raves about the latest in LV, Lagerfeld, Galliano, Jacobs and many others. All his entries are accompanied with pictures (pictionaries), many of which feature him donning his latest buys. I read that he even took a picture of him and his new bag and the picture had a caption that says “don’t hate me just because my bag is your annual income.” He took a picture of a shawl/shrug which was made of rabbit fur. He wrote that rabbits are generic and they can multiply easily so he does not really care. I wanted to strangle the guy after reading those things and seeing a picture of a dead rabbit in his entry. But what endears me to this bitch is that he is fabulous, he condemns HOMOcide, and he does not write his entries just to please his readers. All those of course have reasons which make me want to still strangle him. He is fabulous because he can afford to be fabulous. He condemns HOMOcide because he is gay- he could be the next victim, and he does not write entries to please his readers because he wants to please only himself. Of course, if you can afford to buy all those things, all those bags, all those clothes, all those coats and all those friends then go splurge all you want. But remember that you could have spent your money wisely. There are so many kids out there who could not afford to go to school and you remain oblivious of their condition. Of course, you can always say that it is not your fault if they are poor.

***NO Sex and the City/That Bulletin Board Post***

I must admit that I envy him because he has the purchasing power to buy all those designer thingymajiggies but bitches hate bitches. The bigger bitch you are, the more bitches hate you. My life is no sex and the city and I am no Carrie Bradshaw. Carrie lives in fabulous New York, while I reside in poverty-stricken Manila; Carrie writes for Vogue while I can only dream of doing it; Carrie has friends and I have friends too, but they do not wear Chanel or Prada (but my friends are better, and they are real-not fictional and stereotypical characters.); Carrie’s all sexed up while I remain a virgin (ows??); Carrie has a collection of her Blahniks while I am happy with my single Chuck; Carrie’s 30+ while I am 17- and that is where the difference lies. I can make those things happen or make even better things happen. That brings me to the bulletin board entry JP posted. You are happy and optimistic and positive when you are young because you still don’t have any idea of what you do not know, or in this case of how you cannot afford a Jimmy Choo.

***Love affair with Celine/ Celine’s Hate Affair***

I loved Celine’s article last Sunday. She wrote that she couldn’t believe that after all the publicity she brought to some supposed friends, those friends would still stab her in the back. That is the curse that comes with being a constant of Manila’s or New York’s or Paris’ society pages- you do not know who is a real friend and who is just pretending to be a friend. What can I say, bitches hate bitches!!

***And Oh***

Oh, just because you can afford all those Miu Miu and Pucci, means that you are already fabulous. And oh, just because you have that Shu Uemura on your face, means that you already look like a Hollywood goddess. And oh, just because you are at every posh party in town means that you are wanted and you are a star.

Think Kris Aquino. She is rich and all that. She can afford Rajo’s and Paul’s and all that. But she dresses funny. Style Icon? Not!! Definitely not!! I have seen game ka na ba last Saturday and this gay contestant made a comment that Kris reminded him of Madonna when the latter presented a Grammy. Shiekx!! Madonna is Madonna and Kris is err.

Bitches hate bitches. The poor hates the rich. The rich hates the poor. The poor loves the poor. The rich hates the rich. The rich hates the noveau riche. The noveau riche loves the rich one fight party and hates the rich the next day. The poor does not even know how to spell noveau riche.

This is not a hate-blog. And I do not mean to be mean or to bash the lavish lifestyles of the rich and the famous or the rich and the anonymous. These are just thoughts of a 17 year old guy who is affected by the unreasonable oil price-increases but does not own a car. Let us eat cake, not your shit!!

That was all, folks. Thanx for being one with the fabulous epal!! God bless us all!!

P.S. If you want to read the blog that I was raving and ranting about, click this, and enjoy/denounce the experience, click bitch.

win.loss card

2005-08-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

Win/Loss CARD. I am back. I have already written an entry that was supposed to be published last Friday night but due to lagged Internet connection, I was not able to post it. It was about a teacher who was being “democratic” when dealing with his students who cheated and another professor who included items in the exam, which he did not discuss. They were purely evaluations and reactions but I took the incident of it being not published as a warning that I might get caught again had I put out the story although this time I think I can prove my innocence well plus I have mastered the spur-of-the-moment excuse.

Everyone who has read my post in the friendster bulletin must be very well aware of the fact that I lost my sun sim. It was a mishap that I could have prevented. In fact, I was about to prevent it but I let go of the chance to do so. The amount I loaded to the sim the night before I lost it is a sorry loss but the memories that vanished with the sim is a more sorry one. I will repeat it; can I not have 2 sim card and use them both?

I went home after pe class yesterday and opened the TV enthusiastically. I was very eager to watch the UAAP-NCAA all-star game only to see how the NCAA all-stars beat the hell out of the asses of the UAAP reps. I also did not go to church yesterday because I thought ‘gawi was performing during the 2nd game’s half-time. It turned out to be the languid Letran pep. I was disappointed just thinking about the opportunity cost. I went to the church early morning today instead. I thanked daddy Lord because he helped me all throughout the Prelims week. Thank you, Daddy Lord!!

Of course, win/loss card is a term related to sports especially to those which involve round or double round robin eliminations like volleyball and basketball. Speaking of basketball, UST beat UP today. Yehey!! UST now holds a 2-6 win/loss card. It took the tigers another extra 5 minutes just to beat the Diliman-based cagers led by hotties Marvin Cruz and Gino Ferrer (do I see myself swooning here?). The win is a great morale-booster for Santo Tomas now that the 2nd round has started. Dylan played pretty well this afternoon. What the tigers should realize and they should take this seriously is that they lack consistency and that sustaining ability to protect their leads. If only they would be able to protect their leads well and be more consistent then they will not have that hard of a time beating other squads. I hope that their winning will continue. Viva Santo Tomas!!

That was all, folks!! Thanx for being one with the fabulous epal!! God bless us all!!

2005-07-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

Juh-bee-lay-syen. Finally, after 6 outings, UST has snatched its first win in the 68th season of the UAAP Men’s Basketball. They were pitted against the lowly bulldogs. Jokes have been circulating in the community recently that this battle is the mother of all battles this season. Both teams were winless, both were hungry. UST led to as much as 21 points before half time when NU, led by the underrated Edwin Asoro, orchestrated an explosive comeback in the second half to tie the game and force the decision until overtime. At the end of the extra five minutes, UST barely escaped the bulldogs to get their first win. What these tigers should learn is to play tougher defense. They may be a short team but they can capitalize on their speed. They should believe more in themselves. They don’t get failing marks in their classes when they are absent for practice or for a game, they should deliver. Santo Tomas’ last game for the 1st round is on Sunday and it will be against the undervalued but superb University of the East. Hope springs eternal. I have predicted that UST is this season’s UP(67th season). Come on, guys. Jojo Duncil said it all, “Ayaw ko ng matalo.” Go USTE!!

Jacky’s debut at the Ball Room of the Hotel Rembrandt was a blast. She looked fabulous in her green and yellow dress. Jacky expected more to come but I told her never mind those who did not make it, but feel thankful for those who attended. Jane, Jewel, Francis, Aika, Jenny, Dale, Chartz, Jene, and myself were present and we learned so much about Jacky. According to her relatives, she is a very “kikay” lass yet very responsible. I wanted to dispute that but who am I to contest when those words came from the mouths of the very people who know her best. The highlight of the night was when Jacky talked to her mom who is in Canada via phone-patch. Feeling artista daw sya. Hehe!! But the highlight for the group was when Jenny and Dale performed a song. Todo!! But I have different highlights. There were so many cuties in attendance. But the cutest would have to be Jacky’s younger brother, Igi. Malapit na kaming maging magkapamilya ni lola Jacky. Magiging sister-in-law ko na sya!! Haha!! Happy 18th birthday again, Jacky!!

A guy called me this evening saying that a former schoolmate recommended me to him. He asked me if I were willing to commit to a part-time job with a Php 10,000 salary per month. The job is to help educate middle-aged people about preventive health. We are going to discuss the details tomorrow in Makati. I hope he is a cutie so that it will be easier to decide!! Hehe!! But who gets offered part-time jobs everyday with that salary? Ang dami kayang walang trabaho!!

That was all, folks!! Thanx for being one with the fabulous epal!! God bless us all!!

2005-07-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

Getting attached, going detached. It was an emotional morning yesterday. It was already 7 and not even half of the class is already in the room. He peeped inside the room to see if he still has students- if after the entire hullabaloo we were still there. A few were, some were to arrive late. Sisyphus, oh Sisyphus, to depersonalize or not to. It was no accident. He related and he was so attached to the essay. He was Sisyphus and we could be his rock or the gods. I believe we were the former. So after an hour of reading the essay, and explaining it, he talked to us. He uttered lines that struck our lucidity- which by the way is one of the key terms used by Camus in his essay. I could not help but feel with and for him. He told us that if he were to form an elite group of 40 people, there was no doubt in mind that he would choose us; never in his teaching career did he become so close to any of his classes except our class; among his expository classes, we are the worst; it’s hard to be professional when he already treats us family; nagpapanggap lang kami; and it’s hard not to miss our class. My eyes were misty and so were his. That was the banana we have to swallow that early in the morning. Good thing our prof for the next subject was absent- we got to rest. Hehehe!! Baka mamaya, may iba na namang masabi. I’m a Barbie girl in a Barbie world- laughing plastic, it’s fantastic. You can brush my hair, undress me anywhere, look at my panty see if I’m made in China.

Yehey!! Bati na kami ni Ralph. I finally talked to him yesterday. I let go of my pride. I did that for the sake of our friendship and for the class. I don’t want to just call the attention of my classmates about our present situation as how I see it and not make a move toward making the situation better. Masarap sa pakiramdam dahil namiss ko talaga si Chokoleit.

That was all, folks!! Thanx for being one with the fabulous epal!! God bless us all!!

2005-07-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

No, I am not touching the issue on SONA. I’ll leave the spitting, swallowing, and digesting to the experts and to the feeling experts.

No classes today. I ate tacos. I watched Game Ka Na Ba. I slept for more than 10 hours the whole day. In short, I am sure that I gained some extra and unwanted pounds today. To make matters worse, I have nothing decent to write on my blog today. Just who writes about how he gained some additional and useless pounds in a day?

That’s all, folks!! Thanx for being one with the fabulous epal!! God bless us all!!

2005-07-20T18:01:00.000-07:00

Not even mediocre. My effectiveness as your teacher is greatly diminished. I hate to be mean but even a grade 6 student can do better. Deciminate- I can’t believe it. I get a feeling that I don’t need to be with you anymore. Sounds like Simon Cowell? No, those are lines uttered by someone our class holds dear; by someone known for his charm and sense of humor. It is disturbing that he has walked out on our class for two straight meetings. But at least finally, he had set the limit. He had set his boiling point. This way, our class will take him more seriously now- I hope.

3 straight hours of no classes. I was there since before 7 only to realize that I’ll be spending 3 straight hours burning my ass on my chair, vexing Xam, and getting vexed by some mean girls-wannabes. Well at least I enjoyed spending most of my 3 hours with my classmates and I also got to sleep inside the classroom. I also taught my classmates two new songs. And they seemed to like the songs!! Hehehe!! And Hershey got to kiss two new girls!! Oh my gosh!! Just imagine getting that kiss from Hershey, of all people!! Mumog, girls!! Mumog!!

Joke time during our vacant period:
Bakit takot si Dale sa matataas na lugar?
Bakit?
Dahil may BEARtigo sya!!

I would like to thank our first and last prof today for coming to class instead of staying in the hospital to take care of his son. Had he not come, going to and staying in school today would have been pointless. At dahil pumasok sya, pointles na lang ang araw na ito!! Nabawasan ng single s!! Hehehe!! Sana gumaling na anak nya!! Sabay bawi ng ganun eh noh?! Seriously, I meant that with all sincerity.

That was all, folks!! Thanx for being one with the fabulous epal!! God bless us all!!

2005-07-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

mtv bolahan. live in: makati, malacanan, journ class!! todo na ito!!

that was all folks!! thanx for being one with the fabulous epal!! God bless us all!!

2005-07-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

Delirious. Only those who are uberly- optimistic will say that the Philippines is not in turmoil. The Peso is down. Oil prices continue to rise. The economy is still down. More and more people are becoming poor. Protesters continue to hound the streets. The government continues to lose the trust of the people. The Filipino may be losing all hope. But one thing remains to be seen- I am beatufiul. And early today, I wrote about doors. Hahaha!!

The ire of the people is set towards the government particularly Mrs. Arroyo for all the problems that the country is facing. In fairness to the lady President, she is not to be blamed solely for all these occurrences. If she is to be faulted for any of the ordeals our nation has- it is the crisis in education. Year after year, less and less people are able to go to schools. Our public school system is inefficient. Just imagine the ratio between the students and the teachers. Does that look conducive for learning? The quality of education in our nation is deteriorating. No wonder people do not know why these problems exist and just easily get swayed by other people who supposedly know better that the government is the only one at fault. Had the people gotten the education they need, then they will realize the Oil-producing countries have control over oil and its pricing. That is why no matter how the government tries, the world market still has the last say. The people would also understand why wiretapped materials are inadmissible in any judicial court. And most definitely, they will be asked to write about a topic they don’t like to write about, say, doors. Haha!!

It still continues to rain. Rain has been falling from the skies since early this morning. Ang lamig ng panahon. Sa wakas, tag-ulan na. Too bad because of the non-stop rain I was not able to watch the exhibition game between the champion tigers and the “ailing” tigers. I do not have high hopes for UST this UAAP season which kicks-off on July 9. DLSU may even be able to finally beat UST in the over-all championship. Speaking of DLSU and ADMU, my classmate once wrote about the DLSU shit. It was an angst-filled entry that if read by people who study from the “prestigious” (notice the quotation mark!! Hehehe!!) school will surely get their ire. I am glad my classmate is still alive today. It is sickening, how these two schools continue to slug it all out in many fields. Matagal na silang magkaribal. Sa sobrang tagal, nakakasawa na. That rivalry produced an image that the two are the best schools in the country. Sure they may have produced many of the countries most successful men, but I doubt that they are the best schools in town. Last night, I watched Insider and I quote Ces Drilon and Dong Puno before the show closes.

Ces Drilon: Dong, may tanong ako sa iyo.
Dong Puno: Ano ‘yun?”
CD: ‘Di ba Atenista ka?
DP: Oo. Atenistang-atenista.
CD: O, ang La Salle nagsalita na. Eh ang ADMU?
DP: Eh kasi ginagamit pa naming ang utak namin eh. Nag-iisip pa kami!!

Sick!! %$#&*^^%%$(*(!!

Testing lang:

That was all, folks!! Thanx for being one with the fabulous epal!! God bless us all!!

2005-06-28T20:01:00.000-07:00

Sick!!!!!! I have returned to school today after being absent yesterday. I was sick. I am sick. I have to behave like I am sick. Many of my classmates are sick. Many things going on in the class are sick. The news is sick. The country is sick. The world is sick.

I regret missing my class yesterday. I regret each time I miss my class. There are just so many things that I fail to take. I am glad I wasn’t absent today. Our math teacher sure is very particular to attendance. You miss passing what you are required to pass, you get zero. We watched a film today about the last emperor of Ancient China. Mahirap sabihin ang pamagat kung praning ka na baka lumabas sa search engines ang sinulat mo kapag may nagsaliksik ukol sa paksang iyon. Haha!! The film was aesthetically fantastic but a little boring sans the actor who played the boy emperor’s cuteness.

I have other things to do. I refuse to comment anymore on the issues the country is facing right now. I am sure that most of us are already tired reading about them. I just pray for Jaime Cardinal Sin’s eternal repose. Such a great man.

That was all, folks!! Thanx for being one with the fabulous epal!! God bless us all!!

2005-06-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

i am sick!! huhu!!