Of Love and Other Demons

30 day photochallenge: Day 6

2011-08-31T21:39:00.002+08:00

Lookie lookie! Day 6 is here! And day 6 is....

A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day

The only person that I'd love to trade places with is no other than Ms. Jolie.

8 Reasons why I'd love to trade places with Ms. Jolie

UN ambassadress. Opportunities to help are endless! Plus, I came across a blog that she has donated over $1 million to Doctors Without Borders and she and Brad Pitt have created the Jolie-Pitt Foundation with the purpose of eradicating rural poverty.
Inks! Inks! and more inks! I soooo love her body art.
A temple in Angkor, Cambodia (the place where she adopted Maddox) has been renamed in her honor.
She has very healthy reproductive system. Seriously, giving birth to twins and still have that shape.
Speaking of which, she is a SUPERMOM. How could you raise a lot of kids and still do filming. Yes, I understand she pays $$$$$ for the nannies but still how come she still manage to hang-out with her kids? Toy shopping and all!
Gorgeous in leather, long gown, cocktail, boho. Name it, she gorgeous at it.
She gets to work with Johnny Depp, Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Antonio Banderas, and Denzel Washington
I get to shag one of the hottest men in the world. (`nuff said)

30 day photochallenge: Day 5

2011-08-30T10:34:00.004+08:00

A picture of your favorite memory

that is what Day 5 is all about.

Well here goes my favorite memory...

Welcome to Zoobic Safari!

My Achi was able to save a date for our trip and no typhoon could stop us from invading Subic!

On this trip I have learned a lot, may it be historical our just plain natural science.

Toki the toucan.

We are actually preparing for the zipline when we notice this cutie.

The turtle lover in me wanted to buy this honey.

Unfortunately, I have to let it go..

*sniffs*

Our version of blood compact.

OrangeJuice, Tequila, and Achi.

~SoulSisters~

30 day photochallenge: Day 4

2011-08-29T08:09:00.004+08:00

*dreamy*dreamy*haaaaaayyyyyy*dreamy*dreamy*

Me and OrangeJuice

And here comes my day 4!

A picture of your favorite night

My favorite night and my most memorable night would be the night I heard Brandon Boyd singing my favorite tunes, LIVE!

Last July 23, I flew to Manila to visit my cuzies and to watch Incubus' concert. Their concert is on the 28th of the same month and it'll be held in Araneta Coliseum. Yep I went there 5 days ahead - just to prep up meself. *wink*wink*

As days come near, I couldnt help but get giddy and excited like a little girl. It was a dream come true for me! Yay! But ohhhh! The tickets! I didnt expect that i wont be able to get hold of it early. Sold out from general admission to VIP. But we got lucky cuz my Ate Tin, manage to get us tickets for upperbox. (Thanks Ate :])

On the day of the concert, Me and OrangeJuice became endorsers of Colgate and Close-up, yep, killer smile it is. We smiled, and smiled, and smiled more. You know the feeling when you are stuck in an island and then a monstrous thing is running you? Nope, that's not the feeling that we felt. But the feeling that you will be seeing your dream guy who will be singing for you, take off his shirt, and make you happy all night. Yes! That magical feeling is what we felt!

Yes, I still have that same feeling every time I look at the pictures, the concert clips, and the music videos. Lovely.

30 day photochallenge: Day 3

2011-08-27T09:52:00.002+08:00

Welcome to my Day 3!

A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Yes, I am one of those girls who fell in love with McDreamy! *dreamy eyes*

Aside from him, one thing I like about this show is I’m learning a lot of medical terms and procedures. From this show I have learned how one person struggles so hard to be one of the chosen few and become a resident doctor of Seattle Grace. Although that doesnt mean that they didnt have time to have fun. They sometimes go to Joe’s Bar to vent out their weariness and frustrations against the Nazi, a patient, or even their love life. Yep, they are still human so they still manage to sneak out some “little but naughty” FUN. They even do it on their sleeping quarters or Stockroom - just dont tell the chief.

Battle of the sexes

2011-08-26T16:43:00.002+08:00

There’s a rumor going around that says MEN are stronger than WOMEN!

Oh Please!!

Can you carry a 7 lb. baby in your belly for 9 months? Can you cook, clean, and talk on the phone at the same time? Can you burn your forehead with a curling iron and not complain? Can you walk all day in 5” heels? Can you cry all night then wake up the next morning like everything is okay?

Remember guys, women are only helpless until her nail polish dries :)

Put this on your facebook wall, reblog on tumblr, and retweet on twitter if you are PROUD of being a WOMAN!

photocredits

30 day photochallenge: Day 2

2011-08-26T10:53:00.003+08:00

It’s been awhile since I last posted for my 30-day challenge. I know its supposed to be posted daily but unfortunately I flew to Manila for my vacation. So here goes my day 2! :)

A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

Meet my half-sane, half-insane amiga Rida!

Rida and I have been friends for almost 8 years now. We met in High School, Junior year to be exact. We are part of the teacher’s enemy, semi-gang, semi-smart, awesome, rock-cum-reggae group called Rasta Babies. Rasta Babies is the secret group where only elite and highly intellectual beings are accepted. I intend to discuss further what are the mission and vision of the said group but it would be out of the topic.

So going back, Rida and I had a lot of things in common like making boys cry, studying, reading odd stuffs, piercings and body art, and as well as eating. Yes, eating and eating and more eating. Oh yes, dont forget skipping classes: chemistry, geometry, physics, and algebra. We love showing up and hittinghigher grades during exams. We love the feeling of slapping our lazy teachers with A+. That’s just us.

And though right now we maybe miles away, Rida will always be my bestie. And yes, I miss her.

Good morning! :)

2011-08-13T10:57:00.003+08:00

Have a yummy breakfast everyone! :)

Where did all the GENTLEMEN go?

2011-07-27T11:28:00.002+08:00

… a question that remains to be unanswered. Where did they all go? What happened to the gallant men of the society? Vanished with no traces?

My aunt and cousin went to Greenhills yesterday. We travelled through LRT. As the train stopped on Betty Go – Belmonte station, an old man and his wife went in. The bus wasn’t really crowded but there is only ~~one seat available~~. As expected the old man gave the seat to his wife. He looked around for an available seat but all was now taken. There were actually 7 male species seated comfortably on the train. I was expecting one of them to offer their seats to the old man. And like what they say, never expect so you’ll never be disappointed. Yes, none of them offered their seats.

When the train was approaching Gilmore station, the recording announced its next stop. Included in the announcement was the simple reminder to offer seats to old persons, handicapped, and pregnant women. I keenly observed if one of the 7 male species even heard the announcement. Sad to say, they were also deaf. The old man and his wife get off the train at J. Ruiz. Yes, no seat was offered to grandpa.

On our way home, we rode the jeepney plying AFP housing. It was raining hard so we were actually lucky to be the first passengers. About 30 minutes later, the jeepney was full. The province girl in me was expecting that we’d go straight to our destination – that the driver, just like in our province, would have at least a little concern towards his passengers. Again, expectations leads to frustrations. The jeepney driver loaded more passengers. Yes, we are overloaded. And to my amazement, all who boarded the jeepney were ladies. And two of them, since they were the last to board, have no choice but to stand on the jeepney stairs – an action that was supposed to be done only by men. Woman empowerment in a different and wrong aspect. The five ladies kneeled down on the jeepney floor. They don’t have a choice. The GREAT MEN inside the jeepney just stared at them. In amazement, I must say.

You may ask me, if I am so concerned with grandpa standing on the train or even the ladies kneeling on the jeepney floor, why do I have to wait for someone to offer a chair? Why not offer my own chair?

If you’re a man reading my post, you may think I’m a man hater. Ranting over these little things and blaming them to the male species. (no, I was never a man hater.)

If you’re a woman reading my post, you do understand that like you, I’m wondering what happened to chivalrous men of the society. Where did all the gentlemen go?

Chivalry n.

1. The medieval system, principles, and customs of knighthood.

2. A. the qualities idealized by knighthood, such a bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry towards women.

B. A manifestation of any of these qualities.

Gentleman n.

1. A man who combines gentle birth or rank with chivalrous qualities

2. A man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior.

Is chivalry really dead in our modern world?

Ask yourself young man.

30 day photochallenge: Day 1

2011-07-20T21:59:00.003+08:00

My first post for the 30 day photo challenge on Facebook!

A picture of yourself with 10 facts.

tadaaaah!!

here's my 10 facts:

born under the starsign Virgo

photographer by heart

(I just love taking pictures!)

Pet lover!

(turtles, snakes, dogs, cats, fishes: name it, I loveeee it!)

Always online

(pwn3d by technology)

footballera

(i love playing football. Had my dream come true when I played soccer for our college)

Booklover

(I lost count on how many books I have read. And no

w that I have kindle, life is going to be 101x fun!)

Musiclover

(Music gives you happiness and sadness... a

nd it also, it also HEALS YOUR SOUL)

Chocoholic

(ahhhhh... my best friend!)

Waterloo: Math!

(Dont ask me why!)

Weirdness Overload

(I couldnt count on my fingers how many people have noticed how weird I am. I have this child-like fascination over cute stuffs, itsy-bitsy little stuffs, weird looking items, and some sort. Im just born like that. Deal with it!)

30 day photo challenge

2011-07-18T11:35:00.002+08:00

Alrighty! I created this tumblr account for a year now and you could just imagine how I’ve been occupying such space on the worldwideweb with zero activity. And since I’m not really that active on blogging (lost the motivation again), I’ve decided to challenge myself with the 30 day photo challenge. 30 day photo challenge started on November of 2010. Now the facebook entertainment community have a growing population of 249,251 and counting. Below are the list of photo challenge a challenger must do. Go ahead. Feel free to try.

A picture of yourself with 10 facts
A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
A picture of the cast from your favorite show
A picture of your favorite night
A picture of your favorite memory
A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day
A picture of your most treasured item
A picture that makes you laugh
A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
A picture of the person you do the most f*kced up things with
A picture of something you hate
A picture of something you love
A picture of your favorite band or artist
A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
A picture of something you want to do before you die
A picture of someone who inspires you
A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
A picture of your biggest insecurity
A picture and a letter
A picture of somewhere you’d love to travel
A picture of something you wish you could forget
A picture of something you wish you were better at
A picture of your favorite book
A picture of something you wish you could change
A picture of your favorite day
A picture of something that means a lot to you
A picture of yourself and a family member
A picture of something you’re afraid of
A picture that can always make you smile
A picture of someone you miss

Follow them on Facebook and join the 30 day photo-challenge: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-30-Day-Photo-Challenge/167720576582719?sk=wall

Faith

2011-05-05T18:19:00.005+08:00

Once, all villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer, all people gathered and only one boy came with an umbrella.

That's Faith. ♥

I kissed April goodbye

2011-04-30T20:48:00.016+08:00

Bright, sunny day to end April - me and my friends decided to go trekking to Mambukal Mountain Resort.

Mambukal Resort is about 31 kilometers east of Bacolod and is surrounded by therapeutic sulfur springs, leisure trails leading to waterfalls, streams, lush valleys and hiking trails leading up to Mount Kanlaon.

It was a "no-plan: we're just bored" outing, so we are really not sure what's in store for us. The boys werent even prepared so they decided to buy some "gears" in the nearest market. As for us girlies, we went shopping for basic stuffs like chips, water, and more water!

Our first stop: SM Save More - Libertad.

COUPLE A: Tarah and James

COUPLE B: Tequila and Phael

After our breakfast and prep sessions at Save More, we are now ready to face the challenge.

Welcome to Mambukal Resort!

Now let the trekkin' begin!

Inside Mambukal Resort, you will find lots of amenities like sulfur bath, swimming pool, bathhouse with spa, boating lagoon, butterfly garden, rock climbing wall, and slide for life.

They also have their food court with 5 different concessionaires. We decided to have our lunch taken out since we want to have it on the 7th falls. And since the trail for 7th falls inside the resort does not allow bringing of food, we took the other way - the longer way. The road less traveled. It was actually an hour and a half walk compare to the one inside the resort, but we dont have any choice.

I'm giving credits to this guy since he never gave me a single flower before.

Not that I blame him for not doing it, I'm just not a fan of cutesy, fancy, flower-giving tradition.

What a scene!

GameCocks farm on top of the mountain

Thirst quencher

And we're so glad for this cute water bombs we bought in Save More. For 5 Php each, it helped us get through the tiring walk under the sun.

So what's the 7th falls looks like?

You need to check it out by yourself. :) Trust me, it's worth it. Although I could not assure you that you wont get....

Blisters! x_x

Lunch Time!

We arrived around 1:30 PM, and gosh we are starving and tired. So we prepared our lunch (which we bought from the food court inside the resort) and ate sincerely. Ahhhh!! :)

After eating, we decided to take a dip. The water is very cool and the sound of it is so relaxing. I love it there! Serenity. Pollution-free. Heads up though: take it easy with the slippery rocks.

We left the 7th falls around 3 Pm and trekked down to other falls. Along the way, wild flowers caught my attention.

And though we hiked the other way, Mother Nature never failed to amaze me with its beauty.

After 20 minute walk, we arrived at the 6th falls. The 6th falls is less crowded but surely caters for the daredevils. It is 12 feet with strong current and only few would dare ump from the high cliff.

And one of them is...

Phael: My knight in shining aluminum foil with a daredevil attitude.

This part of the 6th Falls is about 12 feet high.

After satisfying his thirst for adventure, we hiked again to check out other falls.

3rd Falls.

After about 5:30, we decided to pack up and fix ourselves. Its time to go home. But before leaving the resort, we decided to drop by the Butterfly Garden.

The Butterfly Garden is located near the Boating Lagoon. Admission Fee is 20 Php. Inside, you'll find taxidermies of different butterflies, beetles, and other insects. Life cycle of butterflies are also shown in diagrams as well as its anatomies.

Taxidermy of Beetles and Butterflies.

And of course, you get a chance to have a close encounter with these beautiful winged creatures.

Us and the butterflies. ♥

Indeed, time flies so fast when you are having fun. We left the resort around 6 PM.

Tired but happy.

We finally made it to Bacolod around 7 PM and decided to have dinner at McDonalds. I really had a great time with Tarah, James and Phael. This is actually our post monthsary celebration. Yay! We're 6 months and counting.

Our next stop: Silay!

Hours from now...

2011-04-23T20:36:00.004+08:00

Hours from now I will be celebrating something special... ALONE.

The mere thought of it make me feel sad already.

Empty. Shallow. Sad.

For Nanay

2011-03-08T21:32:00.005+08:00

Perhaps you whispered a prayer for our late grandmother. Or perhaps you sent a lovely card or sat quietly in a chair. And perhaps you spoke the kindest words as any friend could say. Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much for whatever part you have done, during the time of our bereavement.

To tell you honestly, standing here in front of you is never easy. Much more I have a hard time putting all my grandma’s good traits to writing. I don’t know if I could give justice to what she overcame in her lifetime. I know we are all grieving today for we all lost a great lady. But I know wherever she is now she’s happy and contented with what she left us. And I know somewhere in a place called heaven, she and Tatay Pering, together with my Tito Job are having a good time celebrating their special reunion with God.

Nanay Pat was a mother, a sister and a friend to all of us. I’m sure each and every one of you here today has something to share on how my grandmother touched your life. And I, as one of her granddaughters, have my fair share of that good and loving memories.

When I was young, my cousins and I would spend our summer vacation in Nanay’s house. Like any other kids, getting dirty was fun for us and bath time ruins the moment. Nanay would always look after our hygiene and would run after us when bath time came. Nanay was one of the vainest person we know. She would teach us how to take care of ourselves, and how to thank God for the blessing of good health. And I know the rest of the granddaughters would agree, that one of the traits we got from our beloved grandma was vanity.

As I was growing up, Nanay would give simple reminders like: “Cat, indi magpagab-I puli.” Or “Cat, halong magtabok, tan-aw gid sa kilid kag kilid.” She never fails to tell me how to be careful and be wary when I’m riding a jeepney or when I’m going home. Nanay would also tell me how to look after my parents, especially Mama, when we are going home late at night. She would always say: “Kung wala si papa mo, updan mo guid si mama mo ha. Ikaw iya bodyguard.” And I know that its not only me, who would hear those constant reminders. For I know, whenever my cousins call overseas, she would say: “Cge lagi kayong mag-ingat dyan at magdasal.” Or “You always take care over there and pray.” In her cute tagalog and English accent.

For us staying here in Bacolod, Sundays were the best part of the week. It was something to look forward for, since Nanay would cook lunch for us after church. Nanay was the best cook ever and I know some of you could attest to that. Chicken curry and chicken-pork adobo were some of my favourites. If you are on a diet, it is not a good idea to go to nanay’s house on Sunday. The word Delicious would never suffice how delish the meals she cooked.

On the last months that she spent with us, Nanay would always find a way to make us feel loved. She would always say; “I love you todo-todo without preno.” And if our family would have a tagline, I’m sure that’s one of those. Till her last breath, nanay would look after us and would fondly say “take care, cause I care”.

Nay, wherever you are right now, I want you to know how much we miss you and how thankful we are to have you. We will never forget the values that you taught us. Thank you for showing us how important we are to you and making us all feel loved. Ma miss ko guid ang mga tugon mo kag ang paangga mo nga “ Day, palit na ta day diaper”. I would miss that toothless smile and that old lady in the picture with a rockstar hand gesture. Nay, salamat guid sa tanan especially for giving birth to the best father in the whole world. Thank you for being an outstanding mother to him, and for bringing him up as a responsible and loving man. He is what he is now, because of you. Thank you also nay for taking care of my sister Arah, cause without you, inday belle would not turn out to be an amazing sister and a loving daughter. Without you as one of her inspirations, the sickly, premature baby Arah, wouldnt fight for her life. And Nay, without your kind words and affectionate touch, my brother Ricky wouldn’t be a sensitive man as he is now. We may no longer see you but you will always be in our hearts. We will always be thankful that we knew a special lady like you. And we would always be proud that our nanay is a Rockstar. And yes, we love her todo-todo, without preno.

Dark Chocolates makes me happy

2011-03-01T17:19:00.003+08:00

March 1, 2011 - I was so exhausted after a long day at work. So I decided to drop by at SM for some "cheer-me-up" treat.

Studies have shown that dark chocolates can help reduce blood pressure slightly and improve endothelial function. Aside from that, it can improve cholesterol level by decreasing oxidation of low density lipoprotein, the so-called "bad" type of cholesterol and raising high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol. And like any other chocolates, it stimulates endorphin production (which give a feeling of pleasure), contains serotonin (which acts as an anti-depressant), and other stimulants like caffeine and theobromine.

Nah, I'm not that health-buff monster that is so concerned with all of that facts about my precious gelato. All I wanted was to energized after that 8 hours shift. And yes, that simple dessert did its job. :)

6 days from now...

2011-02-27T07:00:00.004+08:00

27 February 2011 – Yes. 6 days from now I'm going to deliver the most difficult speech I made in my 23 years of existence. I dont know if I could stand tall in front of everyone without shedding a single tear. 6 days from now, I’m going to delivery a eulogy for my grandmother.

Seven days ago, my grandmother passed away due to massive stroke. I don’t know if I could consider myself lucky being able to witness her last minutes with us. It was a combination of emptiness, sorrow, and comfort - ambivalence. Witnessing that part of her life was never easy. I felt like a shallow, lifeless person, standing beside her deathbed. I saw that same emotion in every face of the person, who, like me, witnessed her last minutes. A part of us died with her.

Phone calls were non-stop. Beeping of the life-support machines were non-stop. Tears were non-stop. Everything was non-stop. It felt like the time was fast forwarded 7x than the usual and I was left there, standing stagnant. All I wanted to do at that very moment was to hug Nanay – hoping that I could stop her from leaving. Writing this down and reminiscing what happened that day is as difficult as you could imagine.

When the ECG results gave a straight line, I finally accepted that Nanay is not here anymore. I could touch her, but she couldn’t feel me. I could kiss her, but she couldn’t kiss back. I could tell her how much I love her a million times, but she could respond back. I could no longer hear her say: “I love you todo todo without preno”. My only reconciliation was the thought that finally, Nanay and Tatay together with Tito Job, is finally together – forever.

As I count the remaining days that I could see her face through that crystal covering, I don’t know where to start and how to write that special speech dedicated for her. I don’t know if I could give justice on describing her as a strong warrior of God, a loving mother, and a caring grandmother to all of us.

6 days. I have 6 days. And I know in my heart that 6 days is not enough to write that special speech. It will never be enough.

Purple

2010-10-24T13:30:00.013+08:00

October 24, 2010 - Just when you thought nobody is worth it, someone comes along and did something stupid.

"I hate the way you talk to me, and the way you cut your hair. I hate the way you drive my car. I hate it when you stare. I hate your big dumb combat boots, and the way you read my mind. I hate you so much it makes me sick; it even makes me rhyme. I hate it, I hate the way you're always right. I hate it when you lie. I hate it when y
ou make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry. I hate it when you're not around, and the fact that you didn't call. But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all."

This is the sonnet that Kat Stratford (played by Julia Stiles) created and dedicated to Patrick Verona (played by Heath Ledger) in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You.

The movie was adapted from Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. In the movie, Patrick was the notorious one. Kat, on the other hand, was the smart girl who doesnt care what her schoolmate thinks about her. But no matter how mean Kat was, Patrick was able to tame the shrew. And Kat fell in love with the notorious Patrick. And I know, Kat didnt see it coming.

Like me, I didnt see it coming as well. I didnt thought that I would be able to find someone who would dare tame the shrew in me. I never thought someone would stay after finding out a lot of things about me. He made me feel special and wonderful. He made me feel good about myself. More than that, he made me feel that I deserve to be love - that I have the right to be loved.

And this weird feeling that I never felt since I was born, made me feel excited and inspired. So this is LOVE. And this is what makes life worth living. :)

.This was totally unplanned matching outfit.

Dear Bee,

Faith. Trust. && Pixie dust. That's all we need for now. I am now ready to face this crazy thing they called LOVE. I am not ready to break down the walls I built for year even thought it would make me vulnerable. But I could careless because I know you will do me no harm and that you will take care of me. You opened my eyes and made me see that life is beautiful when it is shared with someone special. I ♥ you and I don’t care what they think. I ♥ you for the man you want to be and I ♥ you for the man you almost are. Let's just enjoy this ride and have fun. :)

Maybe I know, somewhere deep in my soul

That love never lasts
And we've got to find other ways to make it alone
Or keep a straight face

And I've always lived like this
Keeping a comfortable distance
And up until now I had sworn to myself that I'm content with loneliness

Because none of it was ever worth the risk

But you are the only exception

You are the only exception

And I'm on my way to believing...♥

Identity Lost

2010-10-04T07:40:00.003+08:00

Healing the Soul of the Nation
by Marlene Aguilar

When I was growing up I was told in school that my country was colonized by Spain, for a period of over 330 years. We were then colonized by the U.S. for 46 years and occupied by Japan for 3 ...years. School also taught me that I should be grateful to Spain because the Spanish gave the Philippines European civilization and religion. Unfortunately most Filipinos still believe this. That is why the Philippines is still in the dark age. How did my people come to believe these lies? I do not see how any people could understand colonization in these terms. The Spaniards came to my country. They murdered our men, raped our women, stole our lands and enslaved those who survived. They damaged our cultures beyond repair. The Spaniards came to the Philippines, as they did in other countries, to rape, murder and plunder. And in school I was taught to be grateful because Spain had given me their religion and their so-called civilization. This is like asking the Jews to be grateful to Hitler.

Imagine a group of armed bandits storming into this room right now, raping you, slaughtering you, and stealing everything of value. When they are finished, they tell you, the surviving victims, “Here is our civilization and religion. Be grateful.”

I thought the Philippine education system had changed from the time I was a little girl. Recently I started to read the Philippine Constitution in a textbook by Hector S. De Leon, 2005 edition, that is given to today’s students at the Universities of the Philippines and Ateneo. On page 12 it says… and I quote:

“The demerits, however of the Spanish administration were more than offset by its merits.

(a) The Spanish rule, when viewed in the broader light of global colonization, was generally mild and humane. The Filipino people were not brutalized. Spaniards and Filipinos intermarried and mingled socially. Slavery and tribal wars were suppressed.

(b) It brought about the unification of the Filipino people. The diverse tribes were molded into one people, under one God, one King and one government, and out of their common grievances against Spain, blossomed the spirit of nationalism; and

(c) Spain uplifted the Filipinos from the depth of primitive culture and paganism and gave them the blessings of Christianity and European civilization.”

End of quote. “Spain uplifted the Filipinos from the depth of primitive culture and paganism.” How can Spain call the Filipinos primitive when they were the ones who came here to rape and murder? Who is primitive? My forefathers honored the moon, the stars, the earth, the mountains and the trees. What is wrong with that? Don’t you honor god when you honor nature?

If to become Christian means to slaughter my mother, my father, my brothers and my sisters, I would rather be pagan.

Spain did not give the blessing of Christianity to my forefathers! They were told to convert to Christianity or die! That is what Spain did to many countries all over the world.

I believe that our problem in the Philippines today is not lack of money nor too much greed and corruption. This is not the root of our problem. Rather it is first and foremost a lack of identity. An individual who cannot grow up with an identity can never be confident, and can never know success. The Philippines is full of individuals without identity, without confidence. The Philippines is suffering from an identity crisis. I believe this is what makes this country a poor nation.

Filipinos often complain about the problems of the Philippines comparing this nation to China, Japan, Singapore and the USA. We cannot make this comparison. There is no comparison. These nations have not been raped and plundered like the Philippines. None of these nations have suffered foreign domination for almost 400 years!

The Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated on July 4, 1946. We have only been an independent state for 60 years. We cannot expect this country to heal in such a short period of time.

Our soul has been damaged by continuous foreign control. But we can fix this. We can change the future. It is up to us. I believe our only chance for survival and progress is to raise a new generation of Filipinos aware of their rich culture and noble heritage. For the past ten years I have been publishing books to defend and promote Philippine art and culture. I believe that some day soon there will be a cultural revolution that will inspire the Philippine cultural renaissance. I believe there are many Filipinos like me who will make a difference, who will make this happen.

There is hope. As long as there are Filipinos like me, like my brother Freddie Aguilar, our national artist Napoleon Abueva, Alwin Sta. Rosa, Mita Ong, Rafael Cusi and all the artists here tonight who love the Philippines and are willing to take a stand, there is hope.

I believe that the Filipino artists are the flame keepers of our rich culture and heritage.

I believe that together the Filipino artists can heal the soul of this beautiful nation.

Mabuhay ang sining Pilipino!

Maraming salamat po!

Speech by Marlene Aguilar
Publisher / Author
Yin and Yang by Cusi Book Launching

30 thingamabob on my September

2010-09-01T07:22:00.008+08:00

1 September 2010 - September is here! Yeeehhhaaa!! I feel like a little kid every time September kicks in. September just depicts a lot of things - holidays, Halloween, weddings, baptisms and the usual. –Ber months (may also mean BEER month) is just something to look forward to, and September is just the beginning.

So on the last day of August, I got lazy and decided to write my 30 thingamabob to make my September special.

Redecorate and redecorate more.

I always wanted to redecorate my room. Maybe now is the right time to do a little feng shui and embrace the new aura:)

Capture precious moments

Here-a-click, there-a-click, everywhere-a-click-click. I want to revive that other part of me. I miss taking pictures! So Imma doing it again. Just capture anything random ♥♥♥♥♥

Read at least 5 books.

Fiction or Non-Fiction. a century old or contemporary. It doesnt matter, so long as it's entertaining. :)

Go trekking!

I miss doing this! I have to do this again.

Finish 2 350-piece puzzle.

So my sister Belle sent me this huge box of landmark puzzles. It has been lying in my room for a month now. It contains 10 puzzles with different number of pieces, with 350 as the minimum and 1000 as the max number. And since its my first time to engage in the huge, puzzling activity, there's nothing wrong with taking the smaller step and start with the minimum.

Make some random stranger happy

Awhile ago I said that -Ber months depicts holidays. I dont have to wait for Christmas to give love, right? So better start early since Santa might add me on his good girl list.

Blog like there’s no tomorrow

I'll try to make it as updated as possible :)

Take parents to a very nice, extravagant dinner.

Simply because THEY DESERVE IT ! :)

Go out of town.

Explore and appreciate God's creation. Those are the two goals I intend to achieve.

Learn vanity.

Get fit. Make-up application. Wax. Massage. Scrub. The usual vanity fair.

Get wasted.

For once, I want to try losing all the inhibitions. Party! Party!

Go 24-hour media free.

In a world of WiFi and social networking, where people talk on walls and tweet like birds, it's kinda difficult to go media free for 24 hours. Totally media free. This is quite a challenge since the moment I wake up, I wash my face with Facebook, brush my teeth with Twitter, babble on the phone for breakfast, and exercise my thumbs for SMS. And dont forget to add TV and DvD marathons! Whew! Quite a challenge indeed.

Play a sport

Basketball. Volleyball. Billiards. Pingpong. Capoeria. Whatever pops-up first, I'm willing to try.

Plant a tree

Planning to do this once a month. (Paging Rina Rose Pacete)

Watch a Tagalog flick.

I rarely watch Tagalog flicks because they have same usual ending. And they usually have same storyline - an ugly duckling who turned into a lovely swan (TAKE NOTE: When I say, lovely swan it meant fairer, beautiful face and skin which you dont see in slums), who happens to be the poorest girl in town (this is the difficult part to believe of the story line. THINK! how can a pretty, ever gorgeous, pimple-free, with model-like body, live in the poorest of the poorest slums? I'm not degrading or I'm not saying that just because someone lives in slums doesnt have the right to be the gorgeous, pimple-free with hot body chick. But seriously, can we not think of the appropriate face value for the character? Commercialism must have sucked out our creativity on how to play and base everything in real life.) made the richest man fell in love with her. Of course the parents disapproves the love story because they prefer this other beautiful but rich girl for their son. So the keeps flowing with "You and me against the world theme." Then, the antagonist decided to do something desperate to have the man of her dreams *insert the ugly looking GOONS here*. So they planned this evil "Kidnap the main character" plan. Poorest girl got kidnapped and who do you expect to save her? Of course the rich kid himself, who happens to know how to fire and shoot guns. Hero saves the heroine, hero and heroine run, hide, run, duck, promise to stay together forever and ever in a cheesy way, fire guns, then comes to a point where the antagonist shouts - thus the arguing part. and then, you know the ending. Of course the antagonist dies, or begs forgiveness, but the whole point is, parents accepts poorest girl and they live happily, ever after.

And you may want to insert somewhere the sing and dance number. Although I couldnt deny the fact that we, Filipinos, couldnt come up with a better film. There's Serbis and Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros and other award-winning films. I wish we could do films like these more often and not the usual commercialized movies (and they wonder why the Movie Industry is slowly dying). Hopefully, on the next Tagalog film that I'm going to watch, everything is worth it. talk about moolah and time.

Update planner and stick to it!

Birthdays, appointments, notes, reminders. STICK TO IT! NO RESCHEDULES!

Kiss a stranger

This sounds fun! *Evil grin*

Visit Lola Azon, Lolo Lydio and Tito Job.

So I could thank them for giving me such wonderful parents. And as for Tito Job, its to tell him, that even if I cant remember who he was, he still have a special place on my heart. :)

Give praises.

Praise can be a powerful form of encouragement. Who doesnt want to be praised?

Have a movie marathon.

Preferably Foreign independent movies. It's all about INDIE.

Delete. Edit. Upload.

Pictures. tons of pictures to work on and share to the world how survive this harsh world with a smile. :)

Write a wishlist.

And make it come true if possible.

Get involved

Be a volunteer to the organization I believe in. Advocating it will be the best part.

Reflect on my greatest weakness, and realize how it is my greatest strength.

As what Tony Boot would say "Believe in yourself and be confident"

Hug 50 special people.

Hugging is good medicine. It transfers energy, and gives the person hugged an emotional boost. You need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth. A hug makes you feel good. The skin is the largest organ we have and it needs a great deal of care. A hug can cover a lot of skin and gives the message that you care. It is also a form of communication. It can say things you don't have words for. The nicest thing about a hug is that you usually can't give one without getting one. ~Unknown

Learn a new dish

Cooking! Yay! I wish I could survive this! Good luck pots and pans, youll gonna get charred. x_x

Reformat gizmos.

Hello there DEFRAG. Hello there REFORMAT. Goodbye JUNK FILES.

Write a letter.

Communicating - the old school way.

Say goodbye.

I just think it's about time to understand what "Let go" means.

Live. Love. Laugh.

Because that is the best part of living

Facebook Quiz

2010-08-08T07:18:00.003+08:00

I got bored and took some silly quiz on Facebook entitled...

Do You Fall In love Too Fast?

and the results states that...

Maldita Tequila ...

You do not exactly fall in love very easily. It does take a little bit of time for you but when you see someone you think is cute, you start liking them and try to see what he or she is like on the inside.

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

and all I could do was grin.

Verbatim notes and smiles: FBStats #0001

2010-08-06T17:11:00.006+08:00

To make me feel you really love me, first, you must accept me... dont try to change me... dont judge me... dont judge the people who are close to me... cause i only give back love if the love given too me is worth

~Prince Dark

08/06/2010

4:49 PM

*There was something about Prince Dark's facebook status made me smile. And in my heart I can say that this describes me on how I love and how I wanted to be loved.

Who owns the turtle?

2010-08-04T16:49:00.008+08:00

INSTRUCTIONS:

There are five houses in a row and in five different colors.

In each house lives a person from a different country.

Each person drinks a certain drink, plays a certain sport, and keeps a certain pet.

No two people drink the same drink, play the same sport, or keep the same pet.
The Brazilian lives in a red house
The swede keeps dogs
The Dane drinks tea
The black house is on the left of the white house
The black house owner drinks coffee
The person who plays polo rears birds
The owner of the yellow house plays hockey
the man living in the house right in the centre drinks milk
The Canadian lives in the first house
The man who plays baseball lives next to the man who keeps cats
The man who keeps horses lives next to the one who plays hockey
The man who plays billiards drinks beer
The German plays soccer
The Canadian lives next to the blue house
The man who plays baseball has a neighbor who drinks water

++++++++++++++*
Go ahead and tease your brain. Figure out who owns the turtle.
And if you think you know the answer, go ahead and leave a comment...
Who knows, you might get a prize ;)

Sh!tBr!x 101: No more TV guesting for you.

2010-08-03T17:19:00.005+08:00

No wonder they said Wowowee is more fun than Pilipinas: Win na Win

Rafa: Why oh why?

2010-08-02T15:55:00.004+08:00

Why do you have to be the replica of the guy I want?

Music-lover (and I quote: "Reggae never fails!")

Long-haired, neat guy with a pretty face

Capoeirista! (that explains the gorgeous, tempting abs)

Athlete

Nature-Lover

Bookworm (we have read and have almost the same book list! yay!)

Loves black and red (just like me)

loves potatoes :)

Dear Rafa,

Thank you for adding new meaning to the word "Greek God" to my life. Thank you for making me happy by just existing. And thank you for the afternoon dates. :)

Love,

Tequila

Verbatim notes and smiles: SMS #1000

2010-08-02T15:42:00.006+08:00

f drinking redhorse s a sport.. im sure, varisty na ta!team captain ko! halong da coach ha.

~ Lara Marie I.

07/31/2010

9:43 PM

*This SMS made me smile :) Thanks Lar. I miss you.

25 hours. Drama, life and party!

2010-08-01T05:06:00.008+08:00

August 1, 2010

5:36 am

Whew! I just realized that I was wide awake for almost 25 hours.

And this is how it happened.

3:00 AM - Good morning July 31! Wanted to sleep more due too cold/rainy weather, but then again, I just couldnt do that. So I have no choice but to RISE and SHINE :)

3:58 AM - Prepping up for the "Talk Show". As always, we are forced to be friendly, professional, polite and spontaneous. You just have to embrace the challenge of accommodating the "SCREAMING LIVE AUDIENCE". Life and the drama it brings.

4:05 AM - hmmm.. free time. and around this time Ryan would ask "What time is your break?" heheheh.. that's his favorite part.

6:30 AM - Hello there, Pantry. What do you have for me today?

6:45 AM - Lights, Camera, Action! Show time again...

8:00 AM - Ryan: Cath, what time is your next break? as always, excited with the break. hahaha

8:45 AM - Donna: Cath, Ry let's eat na. I'm hungry. (pero ga diet na sa ha. kever lang. hahaha)

Cathie: Ry, kat ta Ry.

Donna: hala ay, si Ryan lang ya ginhagad ya. (super emotera ang tiya mo)

Cathie: echosera. *pisga b**bs ni Donna*

8:47 AM - Pantry: anetch avail na jumoy lafangera purposes? (Si "Kelly" na nagtudlo sa akon! hahaha, that's why I ended up ordering Cheesedog sandwich with Cheezy sauce. I know, ka rigna. so next timeframe please! :) )

9:00 AM - Went back for the "Talk Show" alone. Ryan and Donna are still on free time, so I dont have a choice but to do the "Talk Show" alone.

9:03 AM - Ryan: I'm stressed! I'm stressed! I'm injured. I want to go home. I'm tired. :(

10:30 AM - Neil: mang, dala mo ang birth certificate mo kag bill?

Cathie: yes, pang.

*Neil super hingagaw sa salakyan kag mag alert sa iya business.

(NOTE: damu ni sa kwarta, palibre kamu sa iya! hahahah)

10:45 AM - Cathie: Ry, si "Kordaps" bala kag si "Text-text Artista" pareho batasan no?

Ryan: gani man. Katalaka ma na sa ila man.

Cathie: ugtas mode naman eh no. Basta ya, kever kever erase jumoy na ko daun ya ah. budlay na.

Ryan: hambala pa. ako daan tak-an man ko mag join na ya sa ila.

11:00 AM - TL Soleil: You and Ryan will join the cheerdance ha. Or else...

Cathie and Ryan: Yes, TL

11:02 AM - Ryan: hala cath, i dont know how to dance.

Cathie: You are not alone, mah friend! :)

BOTH: waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa... suicide!

12:00 NN - yey! 30 mins. 30 mins.

12:10 PM - Mother Superior Seth arrived.

(for sure wala ni sa tulog. hehehe)

12:15 PM - Chika chika with Ms. Jenn. :)

Ryan: what if our legs will be on our neck while taking calls?

Ms. Jenn: try ta na bi. ala Kim Chiu. heheheh

(*NOTE: this is what happens when 3 people get bored. We became IMAGINATIVE in our own ways. :) )

12:30 PM - *toot*toot*toot* OUT

12:35 PM - Pantry mode

12:50 PM - To watch or not to watch?

Ry: If its not queuing, let's watch Salt, Cath.

Cathie: ok ah. then We will buy mojos, then 1L fit n' right?

Ry: ok ah.

Cathie: mother Superior, do you want to Join us?

Seth: ok but I have to do this pa. what time will you watch haw?

Cathie: 1 pm

Seth: can you just wait for me? 1:30?

Cathie: ok :)

12:59 PM - Ryan is concentrating on the phone. Praying for something that would make his life easier.

1:00 PM - All smiles na si Ryan. Out ya na mo. hahahahha

1:05 PM - Alay Lakad 2010

1:10 PM - foood... fooood... we want food!

1:12 PM - Hello there, Robinson's! Check lang ang aircon kay daw kainit na gd.

1:15 PM - Cathie: Ry, hotdog!

1:20 PM - Ryan: free seating ang Salt. yehey!

Cathie: while waiting for Mother Superior, let's eat at Calea, Ry.

1: 30 PM - Ryan: too much love will kill you ♪♫♫♪

1:35 PM - Mudpie is LOVE

1:50 PM - Ryan: Cath, Let's buy mojos. :)

2:00 PM - Ryan: Si Mark! Si Mark! (Sulod Shakey's na ha.) *hurriedly went out to call Mark*

2:05 PM - Mother Superior Seth arrived. :) (yehey! It's movietime!)

2:07 PM - Mark: Are you guys going to watch Vice Ganda concert later?

Ryan: nope. I dont have a ticket

Cathie: I'm going somewhere later.

Mother Superior Seth: *silent mode* (gutmea na siya)

2:15 PM - Still no sign of the food Mother SUperior Seth ordered.

2:17 PM - Yay! Mother Seth's food is here! *paid using a debit card*

Waitress: Card ni sir?

Mother Seth: Yes

*waitress left*

Ryan: *imitates waitress* Card ni sir?

Mother Seth: indi, sinsilyo.

2:20 PM - Mark left to meet his mom. As for us, It's movie time! :)

2:21 PM - Ryan: too much love will kill you! ♪♫♫♪ *pause* Damn last song syndrome!

2:30 PM - Movie mode!

2:40 PM - *Inside the movie house*

Mother Superior Seth: look bala the mojos its so dako!

3:30 PM - Mother Seth: kagwapo sang men sa likod!

Cathie: *looks behind* Yes bala!

Ryan: *no comment, doesnt want his foodtrip to be interrupted*

4:00 PM - Movie is done. And we all had fun! Ryan meet up with his sister. As for me and Mother Seth, we are on our way to SM. :)

4:40 PM - Went to Gaisano City to meet up with my Ma and Pa. Grocery Time!

6:00 PM - Time to go home to prep up for my brother's belated birthday celebration. :) It's gonna be food trip again.

7:30 PM - I received some text from some friends on a night out.

8:00 PM - I hurriedly made an excuse to go somewhere else. Brother feels bad, that I know for sure. But then again he waas nice enough to say "Go ahead, let's meet up later."

8:17 PM - I received a text from "Kuya Andrew": love, mit me @ Cafe Bob's b4 u go 2 fudpark.

8:20 PM - I meet up with "Kuya Andrew" and he gave me my fave! Minty White Chocolate. And he said sweetly: "I know you're not going home later. Have some coffee. and be careful ok?

8:25 PM - <3<3<3>

8:30 PM - I hate akward moments. I just HATE it. HATE is definitely in the air.

8:35 PM - Cathie: Cge gd Bordz, gatungi gd todo.

8:40 PM - SH*T! Humiliation at its best! I feel so humiliated. I hate it! Thanks for the drama kid! Linti buh!

9:10 PM - Laugh trip with Bordz and Bryan. As always, pamantay eh noh.

10:00 PM - Red carpet entrance si Jang2, Curly and some of the boys.

10:30 PM - Si Benj ga amot pamantay. TARGET: tupad lamesa nga ga kiss. hahahaha

10:32 PM - Bordz noticed what me and Benj are doing again and decided to join in.

Bordz: Matyagan ko sa inyo daw may piatos kamu da nga gina ubrahan nyo script ang tupad lamesa ba. hahahaha

11:00 PM - Bash and Ace and the hot chicks. hahahaha.. Gale ha. ambot na lang. yes na lang ko. Then we started talking about Bash's "TEXTMATE" hahahah. Pity the girl.

11:12 PM - Kita ko si "Rockstar Ex". yehey! Then we started to have a little chit-chat about the past. Shet! hahahha chessy!

11:30 PM - Cathie: Kita mo to ang guy sa punta?

Benj: yup.

Cathie: migo ko to sang una. Sang high school ko. hahaha

Benj: ti pila kamu katuig?

* I was really surprised when Benj said it. hahah. Gapati siya nga makalab-ot ko tuig in a relationship.

11:33 PM - Kid: type mo na sa?

*Nice try. Akward. Error. Failed.

11:40 PM - Manong's Gf called me. x_x

11:45 PM - Manong called me. A bit upset na. A bit mad na.

12:00 MN - Alert sa Sorriento. Another set of drinking sessions with Manong and his friends. Below Zero please!

August 1, 2010

1:00 AM - Off to Club North!!

1:30 AM - Hmmm I saw lots of friends partying. :)

2:00 AM - A lil bored with the party. Off to MO2. Yay!

3:45 AM - Ham and Cheese with Tanduay Ice is the best combination ever!

3:50 AM - hmmmm.. Casino Filipino. Its Black Jack time and slot machines! I so enjoyed the slot machines. And watching some small time skank with their old and wrinkly big daddy. Realizing that the best equation for casino is sl*uts + slots machines.

4:30 AM - Enjoyed playing blackJack and Gypsy's Magic. `Now its time to go home. but before that.... Chowking food trip first in Lacson.

5:30 AM - Finally I'm home! But I'm not sleepy yet. Maybe I was too upset and too humiliated to sleep. I hated that part of the night.

6:00 AM - and still glued to facebook and blogger. Typing what happened to me. Aw shite! Drama and life.

missing you

2010-07-19T09:36:00.001+08:00

27 words

2010-05-31T06:24:00.002+08:00

God our Father, walk through my house and take away all my worries and illnesses; and please watch over and heal my family.

In Jesus' name. AMEN

Not bad enough.

2010-05-18T18:50:00.002+08:00

May 18, 2010 - Today, I received so many phone calls. It's my first day to do the talking. For 6 hours, I have to babble about loose coax cable, ipconfig, operating system, one moment please, and outages. Tiring but fun. I was actually looking forward for this day. the day when I have to learn things on my own, and do things on my own, and solve things on my own. ON MY OWN.

Well, I'm not much of a people person. I tend to become shy in meeting and talking to someone new. I guess that's what I love about this job. You get to talk to people you havent met. You just talk and talk and talk. No other awkward niceties. Just pure business. :)

Let's see how long would it take this job to wear me out.

Top 10

2010-04-03T15:02:00.004+08:00

Top 10 Reasons Why FB Drives Me Nuts
by: Mademoiselle Hazel Atilano

Once in a millennium, FB lifts me up. For instance, when friends and former students remember that I exist, or that April 9 is my birthday, or when some cerebral neanderthal posts a comment of philosophical value on my wall. More often than not, FB just gets my goat the second I log in. Here are the reasons why:

No. 10: Those "virtual" farm gifts which include virtual cherry trees, virtual cows, and virtual dogs, among others. And an invitation to harvest somebody's virtual crops??? Then again, what can I expect from this virtual world?

No. 9: Those stupid updates, like "Marky found a sad Ugly Duckling on their farm. Oh no!" So freakin' what????

No. 8: This preposterous photo tagging, which is really nothing but some person's approximation of your personality, which actually amounts to nothing (just a waste of time). So freakin' what if I'm the "wallflower" at parties or the "Obnoxious B!t+#" among us???

No. 7: Profile pictures that DON'T look like the closest resemblance of your profile, because it's either too abstract or too absurd.

No. 6: More stupid quizzes, like HOW GAY ARE YOU? WHICH FILM CHARACTER ARE YOU IN REAL LIFE (WTF???) ARE YOU A FAITHFUL LOVER? (Would you say otherwise?) What's next? ARE YOU MORE PHOTOGENIC IN REAL LIFE?

No. 5: Social Interview Questions like, "Does Hazel look good in her profile picture?" wtf?! OF COURSE I DO! / and "Who is hotter, Hazel Atilano or you?" OF COURSE I AM! Are you freakin blind???

No. 4: Photos of someone's virtual pet kissing your virtual pet. That's freakin sick, man!

No. 3: Relationship Status: It's Complicated. This is utter nonsense. If it's complicated, it's not a relationship; it's an ISSUE, people. It's something you need a shrink for. You're either SINGLE or STUPID.

No. 2: Yoville, Farmville, Pet Society and other manifestations of our collective hidden desires and unanswered needs. If we think these will make up for all that we can't achieve in real life, then we don't really exist; we're just characters in a Wachowski Brothers' sci-fi flick called "Matrix."

No. 1: FB being used by egotistic/egocentric politicians who seek free self-promotion. No need to expound.

So, why am I still on FB, if it drives me crazy? If you've been tagged, you're one of the few reasons why. So, keep me sane.

*got this Note post from Ms. Hazel. Ms. Hazel is my professor for 2 literature classes, 2 major subjects, 1 research class, and minor in French. *wink*wink*

Good morning

2010-03-25T07:26:00.005+08:00

Voltes V

2010-03-20T21:10:00.006+08:00

March 18, 2010

Dear Mr. V Young,

After a night of mishaps, I realize I only care for you as a friend. You are too young for me. And I am smart enough to feel your insincerity.

xOxOx,
Tequila

P.S.
I enjoyed the sweet lies and sweet moments though but I guess it wasn't enough.
It WILL NEVER be enough.

a reason to forget. a reason to love French class!

2010-03-17T09:32:00.007+08:00

March 17, 2010

Mon "Mr. Hot Body" jamais le plus cher,

Wow! La nuit dernière était un enfer d'une mésaventure. Vous balancez mon monde. Juste quand j'ai cru qu'il arriverait seulement dans ma fantaisie la plus sombre. Vous êtes un enfer d'un homme que je n'oublierais jamais. Et que l'endroit bête qui surgit sur le centre de la ville. Vous étiez un tel chéri la nuit dernière. Je n'ai jamais cru que vous faites une telle chose. Vos lèvres étaient les plus douces. J'ai senti le ciel quand il a touché le mien. Et vos bras qui ont emballé autour de moi, m'ont fait se sentir fragiles et ont chatouillé la petite fille dans moi. C'était magnifique.

Mais comme qu'ils disent, de bonnes choses ne durent jamais . Le nôtre, en fait, n'était pas supposent pour arriver. C'était juste une affaire de coup de celui. Et avec juste un craquement de doigts, son parti. Et il est que nous voulons arriver. Parti. Juste une nuit d'être ensemble. Je devine son assez, qu'une fois dans ma vie idiote, bête, surprenante, je vous avais. Nous nous avions.

J'espère que cela ne ruinera pas l'amitié entre nous. J'espère que vous resterez le même. Je sais ce qui est arrivé était une belle faute. Mais n'inquiétez pas, donnez-moi juste un peu plus de jours et je le traverserai. J'espère que vous faites le même. Souvenez-vous de la note courte que je vous ai donnée à l'hôtel ? Vous devriez le traverser et oublier chaque chose parce qu'il est que vous devriez faire. J'espère que nos sentiers ne passeront pas pour maintenant. Ne moi recevez pas mal, je suis toujours un ami. Votre meilleur copain de Mafia. Donnez-moi juste une semaine ou deux pour traverser votre existence et votre odeur. Gardez s'il vous plaît votre promesse de notre petit secret. Vous savez combien j'aime mes amis. Surtout cette fille vous avez eu l'habitude de savoir. Gardez donc votre part équitable de l'affaire. Je sais que vous êtes l'homme assez pour faire ainsi.

Je vais manquer votre visage, votre baiser et votre étreinte.
Vous êtes merveilleux, en effet.

xOxOx,
Tequila

P.S.
Nope. Je n'offre aucun rapport romantique avec toi. Amitié juste.

ink spill

2010-03-15T20:50:00.004+08:00

March 15, 2010 - I am totally thrilled with this whole event. I couldn't believe I made it though the whole process. It was tough penetrating the system. I seriously didnt believe I would surpass each challenges placed on my plate - talk about self-esteem.

But my friends, mentors and family believed in me. They knew I would pas. And without their encouragement, I would probably gloom and think negatively of my capacity.

And today, I couldnt find enough words to thank God for this wonderful blessing. Little by little I'm starting to pave the right way. Gone are the days when childish acts and nonchalant dreams ruled my world. Now, its time to face the real world and embrace real challenges.

I would like to thank the following people who supported me on this unexpected event.

to University of St. La Salle: for hosting that event.

to Jojo ang Danielle: for convincing me to try and fill up the form.

to Eli Jon: for enlightening me. and for the moolah. :)

to Rina: for just being there :)

to Ms. Fauna: for giving me the numbers of important people.

to my beloved Team Intermittent: for the past two (or three) weeks, you made every day and every night of my life memorable and exciting! thanks a bunch! I cant wait to see you again. :)

(l-r) Yana, Camille, Mommy Ellah (we call her Sexy Mommah), Mich, Mommy Jean, Rhea, Mommy Carmilla, Mommy April, Charleston, and Tintin
(not in picture but in our hearts): Charm, Mark, Big Daddy Dennis

P.S.
Keep guessing what's this ink spill all about :)

Last night

2010-03-13T09:16:00.001+08:00

Last night...
it was so beautiful I could choke and die

you wouldnt know what it means unless you're part of it

This is not goodbye

2010-03-11T06:50:00.006+08:00

March 11, 2010 - I received a bad news last night. And I didnt quite expect it would come too soon. My friend Bebe died.

Bebe is a young, carefree 12-year-old girl who used to come to our house and help her Mom do our laundry. She's the diligent girl who would clean and sweep our backyard without being told so.If there is one thing I could not forget her, its her coy smile every time you asked her about crushes and life. Like me, she have this thirst to learn a lot of things. She's a smart girl. And sporty too - she loves badminton. And though she was deprived with all the luxuries in life, and sometimes deprived from playing as well, Bebe didnt complain that life was tough.

At a young age, Bebe was diagnosed with meningitis. I dont know when for all I was, she was too young to have such disease. But I guess, no one is too young or too old for this disease. It was just hard to accept that a young, happy, and smart girl would die too soon. . .

Bebe with my Sappho

For Bebe,

Sweet child... I will miss every thing about you. From your being industrious to your being carefree, happy self. I wished we saw each other for the last time, but I guess it wasnt meant that way. I know you are in a happier place now and I know that in there, you can do what you have been deprived of. You will never be forgotten for the moments we've shared are marked well in my heart.
Give my regards to my Lola Azon and Lolo Lydio, I know youll meet them there. I will miss you Bebe.

P.S.
Can I see you in my dreams?

Hugs and Kisses,
Manang Cathie

the ONE that got AWAY

2010-03-10T05:10:00.005+08:00

March 10, 2010 - Fave article. Fave article. Fave article that made me sigh.

*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*

In your life, you'll make note of a lot of people. Ones with whom you shared something special, ones who will always mean something. There's the one you first kissed, the one you first loved, the one you lost your virginity to, the one you put on a pedestal, the one you're with.... and the one that got away

Who is the one that got away? I guess it's that person with who everything is great, everything was perfect, but the timing was just wrong. There was no fault in the person, there was no flaw in the chemistry, but the cards just didnt fall the right way, I suppose.

I believe in the fact that ending up with someone, finding a longtime partner that is, does not lie merely in the other person. I can actually argue that an equal part, or maybe even the greater part, has to do with you being ready to settle down and in a way that goes beyond the little niceties of giddy romance. Commit someone in a way that goes beyond the little niceties of giddy romance.

How often have you gone through it without even realizing it? When you're not ready to commit in that mature manner, it doesnt matter who you're with, it just doesnt work. Small problems become big; inconsequentials become dealbreakers simply because you're not ready and it shows. It's not that you and the person you're with are no good; it's just that it's not yet the right time and little things become the flashpoint of that fact.

Then one day you're ready. You really are. And when this happens you'll be ready to settle down with someone. He or she may not be the most perfect, they might not be the brightest star of romance to ever have burned in your life, but it'll work because you're ready. It'll work because it's the right time and you'll make it work. And it'll make sense, it really will.

So that day comes when you're finally making sense of things, and you find yourself to be a different person. Things are different, your approach is different, you finally understand who you are and what you want, and you've become ready because the time has truly arrived. And mind you, there's no telling when this day will come. Hopefully you're single but you could be in a long-term relationship, you could be married with three kids, it doesnt matter. All you know is that you've changed, and for some reason, the one that got away, is the first person you think about.

You'll think about them because you'll wonder, "What if they were here today?". You'll wonder, "What if we were together now; with me as I am and not as I was?". That's the biggest "What if?" you'll have in your life.

If you are married, you'll just have to accept the fact that the one that got away, got away. Believe me, no matter how fairy tale you think your marriage is, this can happen to the best of us. But hopefully you're mature enough to realize that you're already with the one you're with and this is just another test of your commitment. One which will just strengthen your marriage when you get past it. Sure, you'll think about him/her every so often, but it's alright. It's never been nice to live with a "might have been" but it happens.

Maybe the one that got away is the one who's already married. In which case it's the same thing. You just have to accept and know that your memories of that person will probably bring a nice little smile to your lips in the future when you're old and gray and reminiscing.

But if neither of that is the case, then it's different. What do you if it's not yet too late? Simple... find him, find her. Because the very existence of a "one that got away" means that you'll wonder, what if you got that one? Ask him out to coffee, ask her out to a movie, it doesn't matter if you've dropped in from out of nowhere. You'd be surprised, you just might be "the one that got away" as well for the person who is your "the one that got away". You might drop in and it wont make a difference. If the timing is finally right, it'll all just fall into place somehow and you know, I'm thinking, it would be a great feeling, in the end, to be able to say to someone,

♥"Hey you, you're the one that almost got away."♥

*♥*♥*♥*♥*♥*

I was cleaning my closet when I found an old box of letters and poems that I wrote years ago,. This one is an article written by Mark J. Macapagal for Manila Times. This article reminds me of my friend Lara. Lara was the one who gave me a copy of this article. She even teased my that my love story should be entitle "EVERYBODY GOT AWAY". hahahaha. Reminiscing, this article became my time machine and traveled me back to what I used to be. I was so childish and let go easily. The weird part is, I let go every time I feel like I'm lovestruck. I feared love. Sad but true.

So if you're going to ask me which ONE who got away I'll choose? hmmmm... Maybe I'll choose the guy whom I met at a friend’s party. The guy who dropped me off in front of my house because it's 8 pm. The guy who stayed up with me on the phone. The guy who made me laugh so hard. The guy who supported my DOTA Addiction. And the guy who never cared how weird I was.

And who is this guy? Make a guess! ^^;

Bechay knows the real me

2010-01-03T10:35:00.004+08:00

January 3, 2010 - My best cuzie Bechay and I were texting about a certain guy who made me feel extra special over the holidays. Out of the blue, Bechay asked me to give it a try and make it work. I brushed the idea of doing so and told her that's not a good idea. The usual "dreamer lines" me and my best friend Rida would say. Then Bechay replied:

..hdl0k ka mgtry m0..ky my pridE ka gd ya,kg kblo q kng gka fal kna gna stop m na 8's bc0z hdlok k nga bsi byaAn ka...or shud i say xa ego mo?

Message Details:

3-jan-2010
10:00:05 am

and that text reply, shut the hell out of me. My Bechay really knows me. :)

Impossible to please a woman

2010-01-02T00:27:00.001+08:00

Impossible to Please
A group of girlfriends is on vacation when they see a 5-story hotel with a sign that reads: "For Women Only." Since they are without their boyfriends and husbands, they decide to go in.

The bouncer, a very attractive guy, explains to them how it works. "We have 5 floors. Go up floor by floor, and once you find what you are looking for, you can stay there. It's easy to decide since each floor has a sign telling you what's inside."

So they start going up and on the first floor the sign reads: "All the men on this floor are short and plain." The friends laugh and without hesitation move on to the next floor.

The sign on the second floor reads: "All the men here are short and handsome." Still, this isn't good enough, so the friends continue on up.

They reach the third floor and the sign reads: "All the men here are tall and plain."

They still want to do better, and so, knowing there are still two floors left, they continued on up.

On the fourth floor, the sign is perfect: "All the men here are tall and handsome." The women get all excited and are going in when they realize that there is still one floor left. Wondering what they are missing, they head on up to the fifth floor.

There they find a sign that reads: "There are no men here. This floor was built only to prove that there is no way to please a woman."

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-24T19:56:00.005+08:00

jesus and santa talking

jesus: alam mo naiinggit ako sa yo...
santa claus: bakit naman?
jesus: kasi ikaw inaabangan nila sa birthday ko...

Drunk Letter for a So-Called Friend

2009-12-17T08:55:00.003+08:00

i actually wrote this one last December 12, 2009. I was drunk and disappointed and losing my sanity. so allow me to bitch out a little. and learn from my mistakes. maybe after reading, you can ask yourself, are my friends REALLY my friends?

everything about this day just sucks. It sucks because reality slapped me in the face really really hard.

Some friends... why are there people who are so good at pretensions? Years ago I really thought I have found friends who are worth keeping. The kind of friends who are willing to stay by your side when youre so down, and friends who just value you for what you are. Until today. I realize I just have to lose some people who have become excess baggage in my life. Some people whom I thought worth keeping. Its just sad that I have to be broke and down and depress first, in order to realize that there are friends in my friends list who are not worth keeping.

Today, I see you as the girl who babbles negative things about me because I could not provide something for you anymore. Yes, I’m typically broke and yes, because of that I know you don’t want me to be friends with you. Its pathetic that we’ve known each other for years it is only now I realize what kind of a person you are. and since I’m drunk and a little furious about what I discovered about you stabbing me behind my back, let me bitch out something about you.

One, youre a sick a liar. You keep telling people about how you have achieved a lot of things in our high school and how youve participated in a lot of things in our org. But let me tell you this, everytime I hear you lie and boast about things that never even existed on that part of your life. You make me feel more sad and confused on why I even keep you on my friends list.

Two, you have this disgusting way of blowing your nose in public places and utterly intolerable of keeping yourself fresh. Too explicit I must say. And yes, you should even be thankful that even though I am bitching out about you and I am losing sanity, I haven’t mentioned your name.

Three, youre nothing but an under achiever who likes to stick to people of have achieved so much. Be it fame or money. How did I know? We’ll look what happened to us. After knowing that my dad is not working anymore and that I don’t have enough cash in my pocket, look where you are now? Gone far away. And what’s so new? You don’t invite me to little night outs anymore. Oh don’t give that crap that what’s the point of inviting me when I don’t even come. Hey! Listen to that crap. If we are really friends, you would know the reason why I couldn’t come and you would understand and still let me know what is going on with our CIRCLE OF FRIENDS. You would know that my parents are so strict and that I couldn’t go out and hang-out on clubs on school time. I know you know that our school end next week, so technically, this Saturday is still part of the school week. But then why would you care since I don’t have enough cash to keep you and listen to the updates of my life.

My dearest “friend”, I only have three things to tell you before I end my bitching out about you. One, I honestly trusted you and cared for you like a true friend. I even consider you as a partner, but after summer, I noticed how you have changed. You cant even keep secrets anymore and that’s why I started hating you. You told other people how I have become unmanageable? Wow! Thank you so much for telling that to people. For telling them that I couldn’t manage my life as you expected me to manage me. Im glad you told them about how I manage MY LIFE. (Yea, I hope you notice the word MY in MY LIFE.) But I hope the next time you do that to others, can you look at yourself in the mirror first and see if you have dirt? Yes, the pimples count as dirt.

You know the first time I learned about you telling that to other people, I hope you noticed you weren’t invited on my birthday, it was actually my way of telling you that I was really hurt by what you did. I guess, you didn’t get the message because you were so goddamn insensitive. And just hours ago, I called up and even checked on you to see if maybe we could hang out and fix our problem. But you turned me down. And even lie. Sleeping? We’ve been friends for years that’s why I know you don’t take siestas. Too bad you weren’t a good liar. I guess you were only good at boasting.

The second thing I’m gonna tell you is that, I am totally unhappy with what is going on between us. You keep hurting me after all that I did to you. And it cuts me that I don’t matter to you. I could not accept the fact that you did this because I couldn’t provide for you. Because as I see things, I guess that’s the reason why you are treating me like this. Maybe this time, its time for me to get up and dust myself and totally not allow you to look at me and belittle me as you stick yourself to people who can provide you with what you wanted.

Third, im gonna miss your old you. The girl I hang-out and have fun with. But this ends our journey together. I could not allow you to hurt me again. And I am full of hate and disappointment with what happened to us, but I guess that’s life. We have to learn the hard way. Goodbye so called friend. Thank you for teaching me a lesson about what true friend means.

Don’t worry, unlike you, I wont mention your name because this is only between the TWO of us. Don’t worry, we are not gonna get each other’s way. I wont pull you down like what you did. And we are not even gonna look into each other’s eyes ever again. It’s like I never existed in your life. You can do the same if you want. I wouldn’t mind at all because before you even knew it, I don’t care at all.

Goodbye Forever

something to reflect on...

2009-12-10T16:40:00.004+08:00

December 10, 2009 - Months ago, I watched the performance Kasibulan dance company in Showtime. I never thought hand mime can speak so much.

There was just something about this video that made me feel so good.

So go ahead, watch it.

And yes, it's ok to shed that tear.

*disclaimer: VIDEO posted by PINASWATCH13

external link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxEFjbSpr-A

It's a Jacob Thing

2009-12-05T20:50:00.004+08:00

My oh my!!

I didn’t seriously expect Taylor Lautner to look like that. His body is OOOHHHHsome!!!! (insert dripping saliva here). I mean, the Jacob I saw from the first Twilight installment have a body of 16-year-old wimpy daddy’s boy. But lookie-lookie now, his body is worth drooling for. In fact, he was the only one worth watching in the film. I got bored on the first 10 minutes and I got disappointed on the following one.

I watched the movie alone. Yea! Some “weird” stuff I do to satisfy my weirdness. So, I watched the movie alone and when I said alone, I literally and blatantly mean ALONE. Which means even if I scream, jump, run around the cinema house, no one would care or yell how stupid of me to that because just like what I said, I BLATANTLY watched New Moon alone.

There were so many things I would like to complain about this latest instalment. I mean don’t expect me to complain like other whiners who keeps comparing the 200+ something pages of book to an hour and a half movie. I’m not like that. I only have three things to complain.

One, the make-ups. I mean, hello! There’s like so many make-up line that could help produce a more “vampirish” look. The make-up artist must have been kidding when nobody even bother to check on how the make-up would look on screen. I mean if I’m ever gonna see Edward Cullen on real life I would definitely gush and say: “Hello Edward! Nice face powder, can I ask some so I could make some pancakes.” Seriously!

The second thing to complain was Bella. I know Bella’s character was sorta stupid, help-me-I’m-emo-type of teeny but to show in the flick that being emo and stupid is cool, is absolutely not advisable. Talk about riding bikes with fat, old, ugly strangers and cliff-jumping. But then I should be thankful for Bella’s stupidity because if it wasn’t for her idiocy, Jacob wouldn’t take his shirt off. Yum!

“Will you marry me?”. That was Edward’s last line on the film, and then it all turned black. I was actually shocked it ended like that. I mean it seems that after or the free 6-pack-sightings, the film ended like that? I didn’t even felt giddy like I felt o the previous one. I think Catherine Hedgewick is better than this latest director. She just know how to interpret the book and manage to combine them all in a flick. This recent one wasn’t a boo-boo. Or maybe it’s too mean to say such. But I wasn’t really satisfied. Maybe I expected too much.

Hmmm... it wasn’t actually that bad. Say 3 stars for this one. I would have given it 2 stars but because of Jacob’s free skin show, it garnered 3. Jacob! Jacob! Jacob! Taylor! Taylor! Taylor! My oh my. He’s growing beautifully and vainly.

You may ask what are the things that made me drool for Jacob aside from his god-like bod? Hmmm.. let’s see.. it’s probably his furry alter-ego. I have this thing for something furry. For me, everything furry is cute and adorable (that explains the long list of dogs I have). And I really felt for him when his wolf-self showed tears when the Emo-Bella said “Don’t make me choose, blah blah blah, it’s Edward. It was always been Edward”. Actually reading New Moon and watching Taylor Lautner’s portrayal of the said character made me a bit confuse which team I’m on. Team Jacob or Team Carlisle... err... I mean Team Edward.

And the last Jacob that really caught my attention was when he asked Bella to stay... for Charlie... for him. But you know what happened. As expected emo Bella went to see Edward with Alice and the rest is history.

Emm

2009-11-28T23:56:00.003+08:00

Dear Em,

This is the happiest day of my life. I didn’t imagine having you next to me this early. I was actually expecting you to come into my life next year. Nope, not this late year. But nonetheless, Im so glad that you are here with me now. You are here to take care and look after me now. To love me the way i will love you. Our relationship for sure will grow strong if both of us will care for each other deeply. And i know that i have learned from my previous mistakes. I will not take you for granted the way i did why my previous lovies. And i hope you are not like them, who grew tired of me and took me for granted as well.

I know this relationship is way wrong. It blossomed in a mysterious yet beautifully way. And i know my friends will say, ours was a crazy one. Not to mention weird. However, their words are nothing to me, i will fight for this love even though they say it is dangerous. I know at the end of all this troubles and negative feedbacks, you are worth it. And i know in the end, they will also like you and love you and accept the fact that you the one are for me.

Em, you are a product of a brilliant and amazing mind. But I heard from a friend once, that someone told her that its not good to stay the same, and i agree. And just like what my friend said, Change. Upgrade. Let us both change and upgrade and help each other to achieve our goals. With both of us holding each other, i know we could reach it no matter how difficult that goal is and no matter how impossible. And with the help of my supportive parents who lovingly teach us how to handle and be patient with each other, impossible is nothing.

I hope youll stay strong and youll stay with me forever. I hope no one will take you away from or find away to separate us. You are my reflection now. You belong to me. You are a part of me. And i know that in times that we are not going to be together, you will always be with me, here in my heart.

Xoxox,
Tequila

Friendly business spoofs

2009-11-24T21:15:00.006+08:00

Are you looking for a job? Are you in need of an application letter? Well, lookie-lookie dear reader, this is your lucky day for you have encountered the perfect site to learn from other people.

I am actually teaching in one of the schools here in Negros and one of my cooperating teacher asked me to help her check the papers. And nope, I’m not complaining. Actually it brought me down memory lane. And nope, I’m not sweet-talking for grades.

I know some of you played Little-Miss-Teacher. You know those little role play games where you are the teacher and you wore your mom’s heels and you wrote ABC on the wall with crayons and colored chalks, and your students are your stuff toys. Yup, that’s what I play when I was a youngin’ and there’s no need to deny that you’ve played that game too.

So going back to my paper works, I was excited to check papers that contain little life stories of the students. They were actually asked to write two letters: a business letter and a friendly letter.

And below are some of their works that made me smile and at the same time made me sad. I mean seriously, these are works of 2^nd year high school students. Well, this is not what I expect, but then, you be the judge.

NOTE: I didn’t post this one for you to laugh and judge these high school students. I posted this for us to learn from them and for us to understand and be enlightened that there is a system to be changed. That maybe through this, you can start the change in that system by helping or tutoring your siblings or other people who have difficulties.

Business letters:

Exhibit A:

Dear Mr. XXXX,

According for my reading you are looking for a business coarse graduate were in almost 21-25 yrs. old are allowed.

So, I'm 22 yrs. of age and active person that experiencing a lot of business in my aunt's bake shop last 2 yrs. when I was 2nd yr.

I really love hardworking and flexible hours that can I encounter under your control.
If ever you choosing me as one of your employeer, I really appreciate it. And I will make sure that will not be regret and trying all my best. My contact no. # 0920xxxxxxx

Closing,
[Insert sender's name here]

EXHIBIT B:

Dear Ms. XXX,

A pleasant day to you. Based on what Im heard your company looking for a store manager. i am willing to take that kind of appurtunity i because I love waking I am already 22 years of age my business course graduate is businessman Ill been already experience what is job. Im so very happy to work on your campany and Im saw willing to work and flexable hours as I can
Im [Insert sender's name here]. I am living in [insert address] i am very excited for the interview happened and I will do my best any way skills do be the one of the store manager. This is my contact no. 0909xxxxxxx I am hoping you discision good and nice

loving yours he he he

[Insert sender's name]

EXHIBIT C:

Dear Sir [Insert first Name],

First of all I would like to greet you a pleasant day. I have read the newspaper that you are looking For an store manager. And I am that person who is qualified to be a store manager. If you don't mind sir, I am a former store manager in SM city. But because of the family difficulties I was dropped out or I was fired. I am [insert sender's name here] 21 yrs of age and I am a Business course - graduate in the ZZZ school and I am a male with the height of 5'6" and i already experience to be a store manager for almost 2 to 3 years and I am a hard working person and willing to work a flexible hours

Respectfully Yours,

[Insert name here]

Friendly Letters

EXHIBIT A:

Dear L,

H!first of all i would like to great you a happy pleasant! You know already my attitude. But i will introduces my self again to you. Im E and im already your close friend. And my favorite artist is angel locsin and my favorite singer is sarah and carpenters. And my favorite song is love me for what i am. That was song of carpenters. And my favorite sports is volleyball. I like to sing in the house. And my hobbies is playing computer and internet. And i have a message to you Always take care your health. And don't forget im your close friend. And study alway.

With love,

EXHIBIT B:

Dear M,

First of all I would like to great you a "Pleassant Morning".

Konichiwa!! Best, thanks for being a good friend to me and thank you for everything that you did to me. Best, sorry for all the wrong things that I've done to you. And Best I wish that our friendship won't last forever. For me best you are the best, best, friend in our classroom... For all my friend you are really the great friend for me...

Best if you are bloody but don't be unbowed because you have faith and trust.. Best don't be change because you are the good, beautiful and great friend to me.... "More power"!!

Your Close Friend,

EXHIBIT C:

Dear B,

H!Im C I like to play Basketball and I have my own uniform for basketball and you what is your favorite play?? And I like blue colors and green and you what up favorite color?? You have a girlfriend or not yet? Hmmm!!! I have a target I mean I have a girlfriend. Bow you know Vit. Water and it is fresh to drink and it is nature drink alwayz remember drink alwayz Vit.Water Now you know!!!

Your truly, C

Except for the names of receiver, sender and contact numbers, everything was copied as it is. Verbatim, indeed. some of you maybe laughing crazily after reading this entry. I wont take it against you, but I hope after you laugh your heart out, you will realize that this is a serious matter. And maybe you can ask yourself, are these the kind of high school students we really want to produce?

P.S.

Hopefully, you're laughing you're heart out because you are PERFECTLY BRILLIANT in writing letters.

Congratulations Future Educators!!

2009-11-17T15:31:00.006+08:00

3376 DECINAL, DAISTER MARIE JABICAN
4858 GICALDE, GENICE JOY TAFGAR
5375 IWAG, EMELYN BALBASTRO
7169 MONTUYA, FRANCES DAWN CAÑIZARES
7741 PACETE, RINA ROSE DIAZ
9273 SANTISO, CATHERINE DELGADO

Nope! Those arent the list of pautang. Those are my friends who passed the Licensure Examinations for Teachers.

Congratulations mga Amega! I'm so proud of you! I know that you will become the best English teachers this society will ever have.

I miss you guys so much x_x

Teach Minds, Touch Hearts and Transform Lives

What a week that was!

2009-11-15T22:54:00.004+08:00

whew! I'm finally glad that the week is over. And hurray! I'm so happy to know that my heart still beats and that my brain still function - in short, I'm alive!

My week started with the wrong class schedules. So I have no choice but to re-enroll, and re-validate all the subjects that I wish to enroll. it was tiring because you have to adjust again to new classmates and new teachers. Plus, you have to catch up with the lessons because the new teacher wont give you a special quizzes and assignments and your new classmates wont lend you their notes because they are not copying. What's the point of borrowing one anyway?

The there's a seminar. Strings of it. Seminar for student interns. Seminar about how to's, like: how to act properly if you don't like your cooperating teacher. Or rather let's say, if you're COOPERATING teacher is not cooperating. How to write you're lesson plan, how to develop your personality and how to be professional.

Internship is like the Gas Chamber of Future Educators. You have no choice but to do even if your GPA is 1 or even if you are a consistent Dean's List or if you are the son/daughter of whoever from wherever. Its the testing ground if you're ready or not. And ready or not, you have to show them what you got. Oh! And why Gas Chamber? Well, how do I explain this one..? hmmm..

just see Chamber as the School ; where the Gas is the system and the Teachers (whether its your cooperating teacher or not) are the Nazis.

err... you get the point.

What's most challenging about it is that you are introduced to the system. With that, you'll learn how the system works, and how to be comfortable if the students greet you: "Goood Mooorning Mha'am" ; "Goooood Moooonenng, Sirr". You'll will always be t6rained on how to deal with colleagues and bosses - Your Principal and Your cooperating teacher. Well if you're fortunate enough, you wont be assigned to teachers who are too self-centered, the type of teachers that dont give their interns a chance to learn and the type of teachers that dont want their interns to develop and become AS BETTER or WAY BETTER than them. In vernacular, "Kulbaan masapawan". Other than that, consider yourself more fortunate if you are not assigned to teachers who are "EVERYBODY's FRIEND". Take note! I said, NOT ASSIGNED. Say what? What is an "EVERYBODY's FRIEND"type of cooperating teachers? These type of cooperating teachers are too sweet, too kind, too talkative, too trusting, too helpful, too loving, too supportive, too grumpy, too happy, too critical, and so on (just insert the word TOO, in every adjective you can think of.). I'm not saying being sweet, happy, kind, talkative, critical, trusting, helpful, blah blah, is bad. But the word TOO makes it different - yes, bad for that matter. Usually, cooperating teachers who are like these makes the Intern do the teaching for whole week (hmmm... good training for voice modulation, classroom management, and so on.). They also allow student Interns to do the math for the grades of the year/section they handle (which is also good, because all of us need to fall in love with Math *gags*). And lastly, they introduce the Interns to their colleagues, members of the school community, friends, and family (yup, it does happen sometimes). Maybe you are wondering why I am complaining about this when everything I have written here is two-thumbs up. Why am I really complaining? Well, remember when I said that the word TOO makes everything bad. So if your cooperating teacher is TOO kind, TOO helpful (you need her help so you can have your teaching demos) and TOO supportive and you will be teaching for a whole week, good training indeed. But what do the cooperating teacher do, aside from receiving the moolah, if we are all doing their task? If you're lucky, they sit somewhere, flip some magazine, brochures of avon, fullerlife, tupperware, natasha, msi, and so on, instead of listening to you and guiding you with whatever you're babbling. But most of the time, they go AWOL. It is during these times you'll appreciate the precious Lesson Plan. Once, I heard one of my senior Intern praise the Almighty for enlightening her to do her Lesson Plan the night before. If it wasnt for that enlightenment, her class would've been a mess. Going back, aside from the sitting with the handful of brochures, some "EVERYBODY's FRIEND" type of cooperating teacher gets TOO comfortable with you so they become TOO talkative. Take note! There goes the word TOO again. And what do they do when they are like this? They gossip with you. Everything! Everything you NEED NOT TO KNOW, becomes everything you HAVE TO KNOW. And to please her/him, you also have to REMEMBER everything she/he said because for sure the next day she/he will ask you where did you two end the convo. Or if she/he have already reached the gossip limit of her/his little memory back, she/he will ask you what's the missing sentence of whatever you're gossiping about. If these are the case you get a daily dose of SNN Morning Edition. Now, did I miss some TOOs? Let's see...

Too kind. CHECK
Too supportive. CHECK
Too comfortable. CHECK
Too talkative. CHECK
Too trusting. that's what is missing.

Now, how to know if your "EVERYBODY's FRIEND" cooperating teacher really, really, really, really, 3000000000000000000x, trust you. Well, she/he asks you to do the grocery for her, or if its a matter of hygienic crisis, s/he'll ask you to pull out white hairs from her/his precious balding hair. CONGRATULATIONS! From there you can apply what you learned bout behaviorism, constructivism and ACTIVISM. :)

Yay! Dont walk out on me yet. Look, I'm not being mean here or anything. And I'm not even saying that was a bad seminar. It was a HELPFUL seminar. It allows us how to be prepared and how to enjoy every shift and how to apply what we learned. And the bonus part was, learning how to put on make-up and dressing up well. Personality development, that is.

Aside from strings of seminar, I also have to do give attention to my extra curricular activities like being the Tactical Officer of some High School. It wasnt easy but it was fun. Its like going back to being high school and reminiscing memories with every rifle drill execution and marches. And the other way of supporting the organization, I also have to practice the narration for their Fancy Drill competition which was held at SM NorthWing Car Park. Yup! They wont the Grand Prize. Fun! Fun! Fun!

And to add load to more overly loaded activities to tend to, my 10-month old baby, Sappho Juno, also made contribution. She's a bitch, she's in heat and she badly wants to be devirginized. So I have to go meet Ms. Hazel and ask her if Sappho and her dog could do the "thing". And she agreed. (Thank you Ms. Hazel) ^_^

Finally the last confusing event. Two birthday invitations, One date, same hour. I wish I was Amor at that time so I could freely and speedily move from one place to the other. But I only look like her, minus the super aswang powers. So I have to attend the first one after the Sunday mass in the morning and the second one, at 5 pm. Yup! both of them, oh so love me that they wont accept "Friend, i cant go to your party. I'm really exhausted."

As a result of all these chaotic activities, I only accumulated 30 hours of sleep, with calorie intake of more than 5000 (thanks to the two birthday parties!) and alcohol intake of... I lost count.

So dont wonder if you see me walking like a zombies with dark under eyes and shrill, raspy voice. And no matter how chaotic that week was, and how sickly I've become, Im still glad all of ti happened. I learned a lot of things. From time management to all the how to's from the seminar. If you ask me if I will still accept the challenge of having this same schedule of events, my answer would be YES!

...but for now, my next step is to stock Fern-C in my room and snuggle with my pillows.

ta-ta! <3

♥ The Reason ♥

2009-11-07T14:03:00.005+08:00

For once, I wanna be the reason why he cuts his hair

just because I told him to do so.

The reason why he eats something just because its my favorite food.

The reason why he buys a shirt because its my favorite color.

The reason why he falls asleep while holding his phone at night.

The reason why he loves something he used to hate because I love it.

And lastly, I wanna be the reason why he smiles, laughs.

I wanna be the BECAUSE of his every WHYS..

Al Cinco de Noviembre

2009-11-07T00:00:00.011+08:00

Well I'm suppose to post this one last November 5 but I got really, really tired after the whole day affair. Fancy Drill competition has always been the life of the C.A.T Carreer of high school students. You'll definitely feel out-of-place if you haven't perform in one. And that is what my blog entry is all about.

My day started at 4 a.m, I have no choice but to wake up after 6 hours sleep. I hurriedly pack my stuff, some personal necessities and gadgets to help me document such event. I asked Dad to dropped me in the office and he pleasantly granted my request even though there's drizzle. When arrive, everybody was ready. Everybody was excited. Everybody was nervous. After a few more preparations, we left school for our one hour journey to Bago City.

Upon our arrival, we magically turned into little kids who are on a field trip. We got excited when we saw more people who will join the parade. And subconsciously, we raised our eyebrows when we saw other competitors - especially that one competing group.

Going back, The competition was divided into two parts: the Parade and The Drill Competition. I wasnt able to join the parade no matter how much I wanted. I was ordered to stay on the bus and rest because I wasnt feeling well and I have to take care of my voice because I will do the narration on the second part of the program.

After the parade, we relaxed and roam around the coliseum. We had lunch and after that, it's finally time to prepare for the most important part of the competition. We are performer #2 so we have a quick prayer, short reminders, and a little confidence boost message for the performing Junior Officers. I know they are nervous since it's their first time. But just like what an ad said they have to "Face their fears, and Live their dreams". As Luisa Medel Nationla High School exited the Coliseum Floor, the eyes of the audience are all set on the next performer: the NEGROS OCCIDENTAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (with me, as their narrator, of course!).

At first, my junior officers were doing great. They were showing off. Their snappiness in every executions made the crowd crazy. Until one mistake was made. And that caused chaos. I dont want to talk about it since that one girl who caused it made my blood boil even before the competition. And as they exit the coliseum floor for the next perform, I can see that the "Medal of Stupidity" is ready to be pinned to her. I wasn't even shock when our Senior Tactical Officer, murmured something in my ear. Something explicit to be posted here. I was glad it was finally over. I was glad I did well but i feel bad my junior officers didn't.

We watched the other performers with a heavy heart. I know my junior officers feel that they're not gonna make it on the top three. They sadly cheered for the other competing teams. And as for me, I see their failure as an oportunity for them to learn something new.

For the benefit of you, my dear readers, who wasnt able to see the 1st Bago City Invitational Fancy Drill Competition, I posted some pics and clips below for you to enjoy.

The Visayan Maritime Academy strut their stuff

Visayan Maritime Academy's Pass-in-Review

Bacolod City National High School at Present Arms

Domingo Lacson National High School: Pass-in-Review

Lopez Jaena National High School at Present Arms

Lopez Jaena National high School: manual of Arms executions

Pulupandan National High School at Present Arms

Other competing team whom I wasnt able to take snaps are Luis Medel National High School and Negros OCcidental High School. I'll try to get some snaps from friends. Probably soon you'll see how we did at the competition.

We could have done better but for now, it's better to reign at 3rd than nothing...

214

2009-11-04T22:25:00.005+08:00

Definitely not the Rivermaya song. And neither does it stand for February 14. 214 is Markie's room number. Markie was confined in Bacolod Sanitarium Hospital. For what? DENGUE.

Dengue has been one of the most deadliest disease in the country. According to statistics it killed 31 Cebuanos from January to October. Bad Mosquitos!

Aedes Aegypti: the Dengue Hemmorhagic Fever Carrier

So anyway, let me tell you more about Markie. Markie is my friend and classmate when I was still in the College of Nursing. He has always been happy and gay. And dont forget, very amiable. We haven't seen each other for almost three years. It was only until Nov. 3 that he texted me o break the news that he is in the hospital. And with that news about decreasing platelet count, I was worried. He needed blood donors. I wanted to donate but unfortunately, we are not from the same blood type. I texted him instead, and promised to visit him and help him with the donor.

On the gloomy day of Nov. 4, Jane Mae and I visited Markie in the hospital. He doesnt look well, but he can still manage to smile. He was lean 3 years ago but now he was leaner. He shared with us about what he feels, about his disease, the hospital, and our classmates who visited him. We ended up having a little reunion because one of our classmate, Renaiza, was a trainee nurse there. And of course, with me around, no moments were left unrecorded on my little click-snap-camera. :)

Sexy Markie

Markie and Renaiza

Markie and Jane Mae

Its really good to see old friends taking care of each other. Most of all, it's good to see Markie smile. We left the hospital by 8 pm. We left with a prayer and hope that Markie will do fine again. And we left with a promise that we'll keep in touch more often.

Ahhh, its good to rekindle old friendship. It's good to have friends who really care for each other. and its good to be healthy. So Markie.....

Get Well Soon, Markova!!!!

Love ya!