Top 10 Lessons Learned for 2006

2006 is the best and worst year of my life. Worst -- because really, the worst things happened to me in all aspects of my life. Betrayals, failures, failures and more failures. But, having said that, best -- because indeed, there's the calm after each storm.

Each year in our lives is rich in all kinds of experiences that will always teach us a lesson or two. For the year that is about to end, here's what I feel are the most valuable lessons I have learned. Some lessons I learned from what people around me went through. Some I had to learn myself for the first time. While some, I guess I had to re-learn them time and time again. =p

*The list is in alphabetical order. Half are positively-worded, half are not. The phrasing isn't entirely mine -- some I derived from websites, some I received from forwarded text messages.

1. On betrayal..
Even best friends are capable of duplicity (Smallville). Sadly, it's human nature they say. And as a corollary, not everyone on your set of so-called friends are true. Believe me, some people are that good at feigning, pretending and lying -- until you see their true colors.

2. On chances..
Everyone deserves a second chance. (And in my case, even a third, hehe!) But it will always be a case-to-case basis. Some things just won't never, ever change for the better.

3. On faith..
Pray and pray until you die. Literally. Why? Well, don't you feel in times of extreme desperation that you just want to die, to just disappear off the face of the earth because you feel you can't handle it all anymore? Well, just pray. In times of extreme desperations, in times when you don't know what to do anymore, all you can do is have faith -- pray. Pray for strength, for hope, for answers, for wisdom, for patience, for His grace.

4. On forgiveness..
Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong, for the weak can never forgive (Mahatma Gandhi). To do so takes a lot, especially for wrongs that cause pain that's deeply ingrained. The whole lot harder it is when you didn't deserve the wrong that has been done to you, right? But again, it takes a strong sense of what is right. To forgive is what is right. To make it a little easier, forgive others for the sake of yourself. You don't need to carry the heavy burden of anger and resentment for the rest of your life.

5. On losing..
We always knew what we had, we just never thought we would lose it. It's "we don't know what we have until we lose it" in a different and better light. Cherish the things that truly matter.

6. On love..
Love is supposed to make you happy, not stupid. Jennifer Love Hewitt knew better when she sang that 'love will show you everything'. But Dr. Cristina Yang hit the home run when she retorted to a disillusioned patient that 'love has its limits'.

7. On resentment..
Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die (Cindy Clabough). The quote says it all. =)

8. On revenge..
The only people to get even with are those who have helped you. The world would be a much much better place if this kind of revenge is what happens all the time. It's comforting to know that while SOME of your so-called friends aren't true, the rest of them are. For the the support system they provide, I am deeply grateful.

9. On time..
Time is all that anyone needs (Grey's Anatomy). Time flies. Time waits for no man. Time heals all wounds. All any of us wants is more time. Time to stand up. Time to grow up. Time to let go. And lastly, the time to do what must be done.

10. On truth..
The worst about being lied to is knowing you weren’t worth the truth. Sometimes the straightforward truth can save you the pain brought about by a coward lie.

Make the most of the rest of your 2006, everyone! ^-^

And all the things that break you
All the things that make you strong
You can't change the past because it's gone
And you just gotta move on
Because it's all lessons learned.
From every tear that had to fall from my eyes
From everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night
From every change life has thrown me
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart
I'm grateful, for every scar
Some pages turned, some bridges burned
But there were lessons learned.
-- Carrie Underwood - Lessons Learned

Top 10 Thingies for 2006

I am sure that you're initial reaction to my title is, "Huh? Ano daw?" Haha! So to help you out:

thingy (plural thingies) (synonym thingamajig) noun: a word used when the proper word for something is not known

For this post, the thingies I will be referring to are all hobbies, events or trends (not necessarily new) that if encountered years from now, will automatically remind me of 2006.

10. Watching movies -- alone. I really don't mind. It can be an advantage really, I can watch movies that I am ashamed to invite my friends to because I don't want to be branded jologs, haha! Kidding! But seriously, I usually do this when I am bored, and often it is a spur of the moment. The movies I watched alone in 2006 are: Close To You, Hostel (so not worth it!), Ice Aga 2 (so worth it!), American Dreamz (not worth it), The Devil Wears Prada, You're The One, The Guardian and Inang Yaya (the best one!).

9. An upsurged interest in cooking. I am a Kapampangan, and yet at 22, I still don't know how to cook that many dishes. Although, I tried and succeeded in cooking spaghetti for my org, remember? Hehe! I haven't duplicated that success so far though, but I really want to try the creamy mushroom rice recipe on the December spread of our Kusina-bilidad Calendar, hehe! When I have enough time already, maybe after I graduate, I will learn how to cook one basic dish at a time!

8. US TV Series marathons! (For a related previous post, read here). Grey's Anatomy. Desperate Housewives. Heroes. House, MD. Prison Break. Lost. Smallville. I actually feel I am close friends with these people, hehe!

7. Trends in forwarded jokes. 2006 saw at least 3 different waves of breeds of forwarded jokes, all made possible by Globe Unlimitxt. First, there was the knock-knock-sort-of jokes where everyday words or phrases morph into people's names or lyrics of songs. Second, there was the quotes from inanimate objects or weird characters. Lastly, months before February, pick-up lines or romantic punchlines seem to be the latest trend in SMS forwarding.

6. American Idol / Philippine Idol / Pinoy Dream Academy. These are the reality TV singing competitions that I religiously followed. I even refused to attend social gathering all for the sake of major episodes of these shows, hehe! Only my American Idol bet Katharine McPhee didn't win it all. =p

5. Jogging! (For a related previous post, read here). Since November, I've been jogging around the UP Diliman oval at least once a week to jog and try to shave off my tummy! Hehe!

4. Rifts with people. This was the worst year of my life, when it comes to relationships with my friends. Wait! Correction -- with my so-called friends. But, gladly, it's over now. It was definitely painful, but nevertheless, now I am armed with lots of lessons learned. And I'll stop at that, hehe.

3. Renewed faith. Personal and academic supertyphoons lead me back to my Creator. In terms of numerous miracles, I guess 2006 is the best year of my life. =p

2. Starbucks. I am officially addicted. I just had one before dinner, hehe! Haay, damn attractive planners! Hehe! (For a related previous post, read here).

1. Blogging! Bloghopping! Because of my blog and my blogging, I am Times' Person of the Year! I have met quite a number of decent online buddies (I am even textmate with some!). I received a $30 check. I was forced to informally learn HTML and CSS (who knows, someday this may be professionally useful to me). And most important of all, I was able to express myself freely, through a free and hassle-free medium at that (well, not counting the electricity and internet bills, hehe), something we should all do, don't you think?

Top 10 Songs of 2006

Five days to go, before we welcome 2007. And it's that time of the year again wherein we reminisce the best (and sometimes even the worst) of all sorts of things. So from now until the end of the year, I will be making a list of things. For my first year-end countdown, here's my Top 10 songs from 2006. Please note that this is based on my personal taste. Whenever I hear these songs, I will almost always stop what I'm doing and sing along with them, hehe!

10. Carrie Underwood - Jesus Take The Wheel
It's Season 4 American Idol Carrie Underwood's first single which gained popularity here in the Philippines around March 2006. I have a personal attachment to this song as it surfaced on the airwaves at a time when I was going through a rough time myself. At first, I thought a Christian country song which screams 'Jesus' with its title alone won't gain enough acceptance in the Philippine market, but I was glad that it decently charted on the music channels like MYX.


9. Natalie ft Justin Roman - Where Are You
Having discovered the song back in Valentine month of this year, this song couldn't be any more fitting! Powered with a soothing romantic melody and easy-to-sing-along-with lyrics, I think it's the singledom's perfect national anthem, hehe!







8. Katharine McPhee - Think
On the last season of American Idol, I was absolutely inflicted with the McPheever! I rarely place bets with my friends. But when it was between Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks for the Finale, I had one with a very good friend who was on the Soul Patrol. The prize? A large bar of a Cadbury chocolate of any variant upon the discretion of the winner. Kamusta naman na hindi ko pa nabibigay yung chocolate, hehe! Anhirap kasi hanapin nung gusto niya -- White chocolate with almonds. =p














7. Sam Milby - Close To You
6. Rocksteddy - Smile At me
These two songs might as well be fused into a single entry and be called the Close-Up songs, hehe! These songs and their commercials are so catchy, right? (Well at least for me!) They actually made me choose Close-Up over the #1 world's dentists-approved Colgate, just because of the romantic angle attached to the toothpaste. Only a true-blue love grinch won't say 'Awww' to the "I love the rain" scene, right?


5. Kelly Clarkson - Because Of You
Seems like all songs entitled Because Of You turn out to be hits. When I first chanced upon the title more than a year ago, I actually thought Kelly Clarkson revived the staple Keith Martin song. But no, it was an entirely and much much better emo-song. I really love the 'I never strayed too far from the sidewalk' part because it's so, uhm, weird but nevertheless meaningful? Hehe!




4. Stacie Orrico - I'm Not Missing You
I also award this song the Most Difficult Song To-Sing-Along-To Award, hehe! I just looove the rhythm. It took me more than two weeks to be able to decently sing along with the song, hehe!







3. Nina - Someday
Now this is a sorry love song that I could totally relate to, but it's not to say I remain bitter after too (read: two) many heartaches, hehe! I think this song is friends with 'I Will Survive'. =p







2. Jojo - Too Little Too Late
In terms of melody alone, this is my #1, but it lost on the personal attachment criteria. I am a huge fan of Jojo, who for me is one of the most under-rated but extremely talented singers today. But alas, it's a song I can't relate to, hehe. But dang! She's so pretty in this video. Woh!





1. Kelly Clarkson - Walk Away
The artist, the beat, the music video, the lyrics, the attitude -- this song is the overall best for me this year. I will never get tired to listening and singing along to it -- very much like the fans as shown on its video. I really love part where she shouts 'Hey! Hey! Hey!' then softly whispers, 'just walk away'. Hehe!





Runner-ups: Kamikazee - Narda, Bamboo - Truth, Itchyworms - Seasons Of Smiles, Yeng Constantino - Hawak Kamay, Rascal Flatts - What Hurts The Most

Ngayon ko lang napansin, sans for Rocksteddy and Sam Milby, puro divas and divettes ang Top 10 ko, hehe!

Have a Merry and Meaningful Christmas!

Shining shimmering decors.

Delicious food feasts.

Super saccharine desserts.

Well-thought-of gifts.
Sige na nga, even the not so well-thought-of ones, hehe!

3-digit or 4-digit aginaldos.

Fun parties with friends and family.

Soothing and soulful carols.


Having these can make an extremely merry Christmas, right?

BUT, don't forget to cherish the blessings that truly matter this season.

Alam niyo na kung ano ang mga iyon. =p

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Whatch your Chrishmash wirsh?

This phrase is so famous these days, isn't it? And for some reason, all the cute kids I see all seem to named Andres, hehe!

So Wekshie, whatch your Chrishmash wirsh?

For myself: Focus -- on the right things, on the right magnitude. It's just that when I am all ready to devote my time on some important matter at hand, fate has a funny way of messing everything up, hehe, distracting me with, uhm, let's just say 'trivial' stuff.

For my Ate Joi: that she find what she's looking for. Naks! (She reads my blog so I know she'll see this). I know she has dreams that's been on hold when she started her family about 8 years ago. I pray that she gets the chance, that it's not too late to chase these dreams. Ganoon na rin kay Kuya Dennis, hehe.

For my parents: that they enjoy their vacation here in the Philippines, hehe. With my 3 little nephews' antics, I have no doubt they won't enjoy themselves.

For my country (and its people na rin siguro): (Naks! May ganito talaga? Wuy, seryoso to guys, hehe) that incompetent leadership, misguided principles, poverty and natural disasters stop raping and tearing her into pieces. (Aaaaa, nalulunod ako sa lalim, haha!)

For my friends: Hmm, hindi ko an siguro ilalagay dito. Kasi hindi niyo naman sila kilala, hindi niyo rin mage-gets ang mga hirit ko sa kanila. Wirsh ko na lang in general for them, is that we would all still be friends when we're way way older.

Two days to go before Christmas, I am lucky to so blessed. I have a Mommy, a Daddy and a whole lot more, what more could I wish for?! Hehe! But seriously -- I DON'T HAVE EVERYTHING, but with what I have, I can't complain at all. How I wish I did had everything, just so I can give the excess to everyone else. And mind you, I know a lot of people who are in need.

Top 10 signs that my folks are home indeed

FYI, it's just me and my sister's family here in the Philippines for most of the year. Papa works in Bahrain and Mama lives there with him. And it's been like this for the past 8 years. There are advantages and disadvantages, of course, but I'll save that for another post.

Anyway, so last December 13, my folks finally arrived home for the Christmas holidays, the 3rd consecutive time in 20 years that our whole family is complete! Yipee, right? Well yes. But the thing is, I have grown used to them being not around so during their vacation, the changes that their existence around the house can be quite amusing and sometimes, annoying, hehe! Home is very different when they're around. Here's 10 reasons why:

(In order, based on my own criteria, hehe!)

10 Our Mazda 323 becomes too small for us. We have 2 vehicles -- the said Mazda car and an old (and I mean 1.5-decade-old, but well-maintained) owner jeep. But of course, in times of travel, who would want to use the owner, right? It's like we're participants in a car-stuffing contest! We're 5 adults and 3 kids all in all. Kamusta naman kung sasama pa ang kasambahay namin diba? Haha!

9 I can't just leave the house. Without parents that constantly monitors my whereabouts, I am almost completely independent. All I have to do is just inform my sister whether I will go hoome or not. The time is never an issue, hehe! But not when my folks are here. Not that they're strict. But now, I have to at least, by default, 'ask for permission'. Unless they have planned for us to go somewhere, I am always given the go signal.

8 We visit my grandma more often. Apung Mila (father's side) is my only surviving grandparent. Apung Berang, Ingkung Val and Ingkung Pinong have all beaten her to St Peter's gates. Understably, Papa visits her quite often at Sta Rita, his hometown, given that he's not 100% sure that on their next vacation, our lola would still be around. My visiting rate for Sta Rita of less than 2/year accelerates to 1/week when Papa's around.

7 We get to have seafood for ulam more often. Apparently, heart complications runs in my father's bloodline. And he was no exception. That's why he's been on a healthy less-meaty diet for years now. And since he's the boss, hehe, he gets to dictate what food we eat. And so I am re-acquainted to Mr Hito, Mr Bulig and Mr Insert-Native-Fish-Name-Here in mind you, a lot of ways, not just the prito-style.

6 I don't have complete control of the TV remote and the newspapers. Like I said, Papa is the boss of all of us, hehe. His turn on anything always come first. On the newspaper, I don't mind, he wakes up way earlier than my anyway. But the TV, aaargh, at times it can be frustrating. Take for example last December 16. It was the Grand Dream Night of Pinoy Dream Academy, an event that me and my nephews (and our maid) have been waiting for all week. But alas, Papa chanced upon the live coverage of the local Ligligan Parol (Giant Lantern Festival) at a local cable channel. So he took control of the larger TV. So the rest of us had to settle for the smaller screen at the master's bedroom. It turned out, only Papa watched the lantern festival screening at the large sala, while the rest of us cramped on the master's bed to watch Yeng become the Grand Star Dreamer, hehe!

5 I am being nagged. Aah, the bittersweet voice of Mama, haha! "Linisin mo ang kwarto." "Ayusin mo yang kama mo." "Baluktot na naman ang mga balikat mo." "Kumakain ka na naman ng chocolates, kaya hindi na naubos mga pimples mo." "Anong oras ka na naman matutulog niyan?!" "Iligpit mo nga nang maayos yang mga gamit mo!" "Oh Reeeeex! (insert trivial pag-uutos here) " And the list goes on. Need I explain? Haha!

4 Over the table discussions are way way louder. And often I would hear the phrase, "Ang mga Pilipino talaga, (insert a hasty generalization here)..." I think I got my being opinionated from Papa. Gawd, sometimes, he knows more arguments on local politics and local news more than me, when he is thousand miles away! Haha! But you know how fathers are, sometimes they can be close-minded. If you have a different say than then, yous is usually is the wrong one, hehe. Often, Papa can be downright unfair, with his fierce bashing of the Filipino race. Well, unfortunately, he is not without a valid point, hehe.

3 There is abundance of food! -- from the stuff and goodies that they brought from Bahrain to the stuff that they buy here. Our ref is never bare when they're around, hehe! There is always fresh milk, there is always bread, there are always snack items! And of course, there's the seemingly never ending supply of chocolates. So yes, Mama's "Kumakain ka na naman ng chocolates, kaya hindi na naubos mga pimples mo" line is not completely unreasonable, hehe!

2 My nephews are in bilmoko mode. It's that time of the year that my nephews are spoiled to max. I think my folks have heard of the joke that grandchildren are a parent's best revenge to their children. Haha! Toys here, there and everywhere! Samantalang ako, *sob sob*, ako na anak nila, *sob sob*, kung anu-ano lang ang ibinili nila.. Joke lang! Haha! N90 lang naman at isang bagong Swatch watch, hehe! =p

1 I sleep on the floor. Yes, poor me, hehe! You see, our house only has 3 rooms - the master's bedroom and 2 smaller bedrooms for me and my sister. But since both my parents are away, I occupied the master's bedroom while my bedroom was assigned the maid's quarters, hehe. But when the real masters of the house are around, I cannot simply re-occupy my own room. So I am forced to contend with a matress on the floor for almost a month, hehe. This I don't mind. What I do mind is that sometimes, I can't have a personal space in the house anymore, you know, for the times when you want some quiet time.

So there! I sure hope you won't think that I hate that my folks are around, hehe, because I don't. Life is way better when they're around, figuratively and literally, hehe. Besides, during the times that I am annoyed (come on, it's normal right?), I just think of the fact that in a few weeks time, I am the boss of the house again, hehe!

Yeng won!

Well, if you've been a PDA fan, it really isn't that suprising, hehe! The signs were everywhere.

A massive hit song way months before the Grand Dream Night courtesy of Hawak Kamay.

A face that is a cross between Sheryn Regis and Maja Salvador, with shades of Jackie Aquino (Jackie who? Haha) on the side every now and then.

An early prediction/comment from the headmaster himself that Yeng has a good chance of winning this.

Her own personal debut party, all expense paid, I can only assume, by the PDA management. Geesh, this is practically the announcement of the Grand Star Dreamer, hehe!

Don't get me wrong, I am rooting for Yeng, together with Jay-R. So it's absolutely great that my top bets won the top prizes. But like people say, Pinoy Dream Academy is Yeng's contest to lose, hehe! Her win is too obvious months before the finale.

Yeng may not be the most original (style is so Avril Lavigne with a shade of Hillary Duff, face, like I said by Maja and Sheryn, and songs as appealing to the masa as Lito Camo's). But for me, Yeng is the total package -- when you weigh in the talent and personality together.

At kamusta naman, napakaliteral ng 'tuktok ng mga bituin' sa theme song ng PDA, haha! Feeling ko tuloy, may fear of heights si Yeng kaya siya lumuhod habang siya ay naka-taas. =p


Geesh, Saturdays will never be the same again. This is one school I will definitely miss.

21 + 1 = 22

As of yesterday, my header image is officially expired, hehe! To everyone who remembered, thank you so much. To those who didn't, thank you na rin, you've made me stronger. Wushu! May ganon? Haha! Joke lang.

So was it a happy birthday indeed? It depends on how I look at it.

In terms of gifts, this year definitely pales in comparison to last year. Not suprising really, because last year was my 21st, considered as a man's version of a debut, whereas the 22nd is nowhere numerically significant. Besides, last year's bash was a major one in terms of guest, so obviously, gifts were abundant, hehe! Besides again, my gifts this year are not that bad. I finally inherited my Dad's N90 (Dang! Haha!) and I finally got my Starbucks 2007 Planner. But at the end of the day, the gifts are a non-issue for me. Why? Next paragraph please.

On my birthday, I was with the best possible set of friends. (I would've added 'family', but then again, I only have one family, there's no 'best possible set of family', hehe). Nothing could top that. EVER! Hehe!

So what was my birthday wish? There's only one thing majorly important right now -- college graduation. In terms of material things, I have everything I think I NEED. Like they always say, if you don't have it, then you don't need it. In terms of friends and relationships, I think it's safe to say I'm in a good situation right now. No more immature drama on the side, no more bothering oneself with other people's problems. Hehe! So I could only hope that it will be smooth sailing towards that day I could finally wear the sablay.

Anyone but Jan Nieto!

Thanks to Jove Francisco for the Finale pic.

EDIT: Mau won! Woohoo! There is justice left in this world. =p

I voted for MAU as my Philippine Idol thru landline for 10 minutes nonstop, and I wasn't able to keep track how many votes I was able to give her. By the way, my sister (who pays the bills) has no idea, hehe!

I admit, on Loves Takes Time, Mau's timing was a bit off in many parts, especially during the chorus. But I think it was due to her effort to deliver a different version. But her Balul wasn't that bad, it was typical Mau -- amusingly trying to put soul on a weird song. But on On My Own, whoa! It was a fighting performance perfectly fit for the last performance for the night. It is the kind that will reverberate in your ears even after the show.

My runner-up is Gian. I do agree with Mr C, he is a world class act. But still, I think Mau deserves the Idol title better. His version of Westlife's Flying Without Wings had a weird arrangement, but one can still feel his signature passion in his rendition.

Aaargh, too bad Jan had to be in the Finale picture. I wouldn't comment on his own version of another Westlife song, because honestly, I switched channels during his turn, hehe. I really don't see what Mamita sees in him. He is not even that good-looking. But in fairness to him, he is indeed the most improved, because after all, like Mr C said, he started from 0. Whereas Gian and Mau started with a higher score and had less range to improve on for a perfect score. =p

In conclusion, I still believe that in the end, the good and talented will prevail in Philippine Idol. Yes, it was disastrous and disappointing on the way to the Finale with the early exits of equally class acts like Suey, Ira, Drae, Reymond, Arms, Apple and Pow. Jan, for his sake, must pray that he won't win. Because, come Asian Idol (yes, they say there will be one), he will be eaten alive by other national idols.

Please God, Mama Mary, even all the angels and saints in heaven, pati na rin ang Greek god of music na si Apollo -- anyone but Jan Nieto.

But personally, MAU for the win!

Top 10 stupid things that Friendster users do

First time I heard of Friendster, I thought it was a porn site because a male friend of mine was raving about the abundance of picture of 'girls' in the website. Ang sabi ko pa nga noon, "I am not into things like Friendster." Yeah right! Now, my account is 3 years old, hehe!

So now, I have listed the 10 things that for me, are the stupidest things that people do on Friendster. This is inspired by a friends' bulletin post once, titled "10 things idiots do on Friendster."

1. Using testimonials as greeting cards
Last time I checked the dictionary, a testimonial is a favorable report on the qualities and virtues of someone. In Friendster, it has even served as a medium of tribute and gratitude. Therefore, send your greetings for all occasions using the ‘Send a Friendster Message’ feature, okay? It makes better sense, doesn’t it? No offense for whoever will remember to greet me, but I don’t accept that kind of testimonial. Thank God, nobody has dared to write me a testimonial that is actually a greeting. Hehe! =p

2. Embed large picture, graphics or thingamajigs on their profiles
Okay fine, it’s nice and cute, it reflects your personality, yada yada. But do you know how much hassle your profile brings about to your friends who only use dial-up? It takes forever to load! Not to mention that some users even embed images that aren’t suitable background images for text. Really now, it’s more of an eye sore than a visual treat.

3. tYpE iN tXt LiNgO.,,
I really wonder why people still intentionally resort to typing in AlTeRnAtE caps or in tXt LiNg0 when they have all the letters at their disposal. We do resort to improperly capitalized letter in order to type faster, right? But when all the keys are easily within your fingers reach, why bother? It’s so irritating to read texts like these! Ano yun, added design?

4. Uploading ‘ugly’ photos
Ever since they introduced the photo captions, Friendster photos have become more interesting and amusing. But again, it can be downright irksome when you read captions like, “Hay naku, I hate this picture, I’m so ugly here!” It actually screams conceitedness, hehe! Come on, you wouldn’t upload that picture of yours if you looked ugly in it, right? Get real.

5. Answering stupid surveys with uninspired answers
When surveys were the hot thing, it was fun for quite a while. But then again, the idiots had to destroy the fad by introducing boring and stupid survey questions like, “Ano ginagawa mo ngayon?” (Duh! Surfing the net!) or “Are you thinking right now?” (Isa pang duh with a capital H! Haha!) These days, funny and witty survey posts are rare as virgin butt-holes in prison.

6. Secretly and regularly viewing your ex’s or your ex’s current beau
You know, just in case, they change their status to ‘single’ again, right? Haha! Congratulations, you have the makings of a stalker. Wait, you already are! Haha! Our ex-lovers aren’t just on the receiving end of our masochistic tendencies. I bet many are those who also view the profiles of their ultimate loves who unfortunately, cannot or would not reciprocate the feeling. Awwww. =p

7. Add strangers as a ‘friend’ and not even bother introducing yourself
Or in another light, ‘paramihan ng friends’. Last time I checked, Friendster in far from being a contest. That’s why it’s foolish to think that the more friends on your list, the friendlier you are or the better you are as a person. Sometimes, strangers simply add people up for the sake of having more people on their lists. While it is true that some people do meet new friends through Friendster, others do not even have the courtesy of introducing themselves first with a simple message. You’re left wondering your butt off where you met that person when in fact he’s a complete stranger after all.

8. Picking fights through bulletin posts or shout-outs
It’s an oxymoron really when we ‘make parinig’ or release taunting statements because we know that only the so-called ‘friends’ on our list will get to read it. This is so high school, don’t you agree? It betrays our lack of courage and maturity. If you have issues with certain people, deal with them privately.

9. Reposting cursed bulletin posts / forwarding evil Friendster messages
Here’s a clarification. There. Is. No. Friendster. Tracker. As if forwarding cursed emails isn’t enough, people had to bring that not-so-sensible practice at Friendster. Believe me, your Mom will not die if you know better and ignore the damn pseudo curses. Not a single ghost, monster or soul visited or scared me in my own bedroom.

10. Posting multiple copies of the same thing on the bulletin board
In relation to the previous entry, aargh! Flooding is so annoying especially when the posted things are trivial ones. On a serious note, sometimes, the more important announcements are buried because of these insignificant rants. Twice posted broadcasts are manageable. But 5 copies? 10 copies? I believe there is an acronym for that. It has the letters P, S and K, hehe!

So there, naka-ilan kayo? Hehe! No offense to anyone who was hit head on with my entries, hehe! Batu-bato sa langit, ang tamaan, sapul! Haha!

I am not going to be high and mighty by saying I am not guilty of some of these stupid practices. I used to be guilty of # 6 and #8. Like you, I am also human. But for some of us, we’re just smarter than the rest, for we’ve learned our lessons already, hehe!

Bring yer hankies, you'll need it

I watched this movie yesterday afternoon, and oh boy, it did not disappoint. Ang oras, nahahati. Ang puso, hindi. I really love this catchphrase.

I've read somewhere that this movie is for anyone who is a yaya, who has a yaya, once a yaya, once had a yaya, or one who knows or is related to someone who is a yaya. So that's practically everyone of the Filipino population, right? Haha!

It's rated A by the CEB -- the same institution that gave Mulawin the same top rating. But believe me, CEB got it this time.

Yep, it's a tearjerker alright, but it's not the usual Pinoy drama movie where the protagonists are struck with one tragedy after another. In fact, in this movie the dilemma is pretty straightforward and simple. It even has a tinge of comedy every now and then, courtesy of the two amateur but superb kids. And it's not the slapstick kind.

Basta, watch this. Completely, absolutely and definitely worth your money.

Top 10 material things I would love to receive for Christmas!

Yes, I really had to specify the 'material' qualifier. Because come on, who wouldn't want to receive a fabulous gift, right? Haha! Even if it really isn't our birthday, come Christmas, it's like all of a sudden, whether we've been naughty or nice, we earned the right to a wonderful gift. =p

And since it's 23 days til Christmas (and 12 days til my 22nd birthday, hehe!), here's my material wishlist, just in case one of my friends would snoop around for an idea on what to give me, hehe!

In no particular order (and mind you, this is on-the-spot):

1 Starbucks Christmas coffee cannister (P385) - Well, yes, I already have one which I received on my last birthday. But, it brings back a lot of ugly memories, so I don't want to use it anymore. I literally get upset everytime I drink from it. Anyways, I want the red one with the white characters that line the bottom! Haha! Para astig, all year round, it's Christmas whenever I drink my coffee. I still can't decide between the venti size (P450) and the grande size (P385). Because usually when I drink coffee, maramihan talaga. Hindi uso sa akin yung pa-tasa-tasa.

2 Starbucks 2007 Planner (21 stickers) - Well, 5 down, 16 to go! Haha! Each sticker is equivalent to one Starbucks drink, regardless of size. The only reason I can afford this is because sinasabay ko siya kapag nanlilibre ako for my birthday. Nakapag-libre na ako, may planner pa ako! =p

3 Nokia N93 (approx P35,000) - Of course, who wouldn't want such a high-end phone, if only everyone can afford it, right? Haha! Hihingin ko na lang yun N90 ng tatay ko! Hindi naman niya naappreciate yung functions nito eh! Hehe! He doesn't even know how to type a text message! =p

4 Friends DVDs, All seasons (P???) - I've been wanting to buy these for ages. Problem is, I don't know where I can buy one! Kahit pirated, pwede na, hehe, basta clear copy. =p

5 Clothes (P400/top) - Bench or Penshoppe -- they're the only decent clothesline that I can afford. Again, it's been ages since I last window-shopped. Because I am afraid that if I see a really good top, I would be able to convince myself that it's okay to buy one, even if I already have loads of shirts. Honestly, luho na lang talaga kung bibili pa ako.

6 A box of Ritter Sport Praline chocolate (P63/bar ) - Or any other brand, basta praline! The new Kit Kat Temptations Hazelnut Praline would do, at P32/bar. Oh god! I'm so salivating right now. Buti na lang kabinili ko lang nung Kit Kat kanina! Haha! I wanted to taste one, so I bought one for a midnight snack.

7 Ice Cream - Brazo de Mercedes or Caramel Banana flavor (P300) - EDIT: Ayoko na ng scented candles, haha! Comfort food alert! Haha! Wala lang, gusto ko lang matikman ang umubos ng 1 gallon in one sitting.

8 Jogging pants (P200?) - it doesn't have to be branded, for as long as it's comfortable. I'm into jogging these days, and it helps to have the right and cool gear.

9 Sony DVD-Rs (P20/piece) - Sony, kasi namimili tong DVD-writer ko eh, kainis! Anyway, I need these to burn the TV series on my laptop - Grey's Anatomy Season 3, Desperate Housewives Season 3, Ghost Whisperer Season 1 and Smallville Season 6. And I want to have a copies of House Seasons 2 & 3, Heroes Season 1, Prison Break Season 2 and Lost Seasons 2 & 3. Phew! It's as if I have no thesis project for this semester! Haha!

10 Lots of money (PPPPPPP!) - So that I can buy gifts for my family and friends. Naks! Honestly, I get the blues these days because I wasn't able to save enough money for some Christmas shopping (partly because I know I don't really need to). But more so because I have no budget for gifts for people dear to me. I really want to give them even just a little something (eg, a chocolate or candy bar). Problema pa naman, kung mag-reregalo ako, andami nila! Haha! Tuwing Pasko talaga, sometimes I wish I didn't have too many friends, haha! Anhirap i-trim down ng mga taong bibigyan ng regalo eh!

Finally, natapos din! So how about you guys, what do you want for Christmas? Huwag masyado demanding ha. Remember, it isn't your birthday. Think first what gift you can give Him, before you ask anything from Him. It's His day, nakiki-epal lang tayo sa saya! =p

EDIT: Oo nga naman, I told you guys to not be too demanding. Look who came up with an expensive list, ahaha! Actually, I don't really crave for these things. Just so you know, if I don't get them, my Christmas wouldn't exactly feel less happier. Dahil kung totoong Christmas wish lang ang apg-uusapan, hindi mga ito ang talagang gusto ko. =p

When you're in love...

Setting: the Aguman tambayan at AS
Time: lunchtime

AguGirl: Eh kasi naman, are you sure that he likes you? Has he told you?
Girl-friend: Uhm, yeah, he likes me, he told his friends.
AguBoy: Sigurado ka ba? Baka naman nagbibiro lang siya..

I was seated beside them, solving a Level 5 Sudoku puzzle. In frustration at the puzzle I can't seem to solve, I couldn't help but make a comment about the love problem they were talking about. Besides, love ang topic! Everyone has a comment on love, whether good or bad. It's the best-selling topic ever! Haha!
Mind you, AguGirl's girl-friend and I aren't even that close, we're mere acquaintances, tapos bigla akong nakialam sa love dilemma niya, haha! Basically, they were talking about this boylet of hers for 17 months already. Meaning, this boylet has not done anything at all to bring their 'thing' to the next level. But apparently, Girl-friend has high hopes that eventually, her boylet does love her and will deliver in the end.

Rex: Oo nga naman. Because you know what, (English-speaking kasi si Girl-friend, she grew up in Switzerland), when we're in love, we tend to believe on things that aren't even there. More often than not, we give meanings to little gestures that the people we love do. Simply because we love them, and we want to believe that they want us too. So we give extra meaning to their probably just friendly gestures.
AguBoy: Oo, paniwalaan mo si Rex. He's speaking from experience.
AWKWARD SILENCE.
Everyone but me: Hahaha!
AguBoy: Yes! Naka-1 point din ako sayo! Haha!
Rex: Hehe, sige na nga.. =p

Blogs Galore! 14

WOOOOSH!.. OR NOT

So today, they declared no classes all over Metro Manila for all levels due to supertyphoon Reming. Geesh, I can so feel the rain and the wind right now. As of this writing, I don't know where Reming is, or if she is even strong indeed. One thing is for sure though, she is not in the greater Metro Manila area, for not one drop of rain has fallen. Well, at least here at the UP Diliman Campus. The worst thing the skies can come up with is a very grey and cloudy natural ceiling. And even that is not bad at all. At least hindi mainit. This is one suspension of classes that I didn't like at all. Not to mention that it was in effect, uhm, stupid. I mean no disrespect for whoever suspended the classes, for I am sure they only did that because they had the general public's safety in mind, just because they were informed that there's this threatening supertyphoon .

UPDTATE: I just checked the news. As of 1.17pm, Signal #2 is up for Metro Manila. I don't know if I should laugh or what.

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MORE ON THE TWINS DEATH

Yeah, I still am not over my colleagues' tragic death. Their burial was yesterday. I really feel bad that I wasn't able to visit their wake. Haay. Our high school teacher told me that 5 priests officiated their burial mass, including our former Archbishop himself. O diba, astig! Hehe. And apparently, everyone in the church was crying and they were kissing their coffins. Oh diba, I told you guys so, the twins are, uhm, legendary? Basta, I know you get what I mean. And the tragic news was actually more widespread than I thought. Even my fellow Kapampangan students in Diliman who weren't from DBA knew about it. Apparently, Camille, the twins' younger sister, was a batchmate for many of my orgmates and other Kapampangan friends. And even they had fond memories of the twins. And for more aww-and-sadness factor, I learned that Peter had a girlfriend just 1 week before their demise. Grabe noh? They weren't even able to celebrate even a monthsary. Another interesting observation: people who search for news about their death are actually led to my humble post for them. I actually had 10 hits related to their death. I even had comments from people who knew them from the School of Economics.
To everyone who read my last post and sympathized with me, on behalf of the twins (gosh, as if I've had a recent talk with them eh no? hehe), thanks for the prayers. Though I actually doubt if they need it. They were REALLY GOOD people. They should've been up there with God days ago! Hehe!
To my fellow bloggers who are still in high school, enjoy the company of your batchmates this early. You'll never be sure who among you will not be able to make it to your batch's reunion 10 years or even just 5 years from now. Even those classmates of yours that you never really liked, be nice to them even if they're not. Because how you treated them during your high school years will stay with them for life, especially if you would go to different paths.

__________
MORE CHRISTMAS CHEER!

I've finished decorating the first floor of our apartment. Here are the pics. Credit isn't completely mine. Thanks to our orgmate Yek, for helping us out. We have trios of falling vines on all four corners of the room, hehe.

Surprisingly affected

Every morning, my phone greets me new text messages not fewer than five. Often it's the usual -- forwarded jokes or good morning quotes. But this one sent by a high school mentor yesterday morning was different, and bad -- she asked me to pray for the souls of Paul and Peter Mendoza (batchmates of mine at Don Bosco Pampanga) for they died in a car accident. When my phone alarmed the signal for me to wake up, I was hesitant because I was still sooo sleepy, but that text message jolted me into complete consciousness with the sad and tragic news that yet another Bosconian and a batchmate of mine to boot perished suddenly. This time, they were even two -- they were twins.

The twins are the fourth and fifth member of our batch to die since we graduated from high school in 2001. The first one committed suicide; the second one was murdered; and the third one was killed in another car accident. And now, the famous twins.

Why famous, you may ask. Well, for starters, they're twins named Paul and Peter, who were born on June 29 -- feast day of St Paul and St Peter. That piece of trivia alone will elicit a lot of attention. They even had angelically handsome faces that matched their quiet and innocent aura. They're effing rich, but not necessarily extravagant or arrogant ala Gretchen Barretto. As a matter of fact, they're quite the opposite -- they are the epitome of simplicity. Everyone wanted to be like them, be friends with them. I, for one, envied them a lot back in our elementary days, hehe. They had this reputation where they could do no wrong. And they seemed to be the apple of the teachers' eyes! Hehe! There was this rumor that for every medal that they get, they are rewarded with a new game piece for their Gameboy. But sadly, I am not exactly close friends with them, I am a mere acquaintances -- simply because they're my staunchest rivals on the academic honor roll.

Yeah, I know, it's silly. But that was in high school (actually, since elementary pa). Naturally, at that time I didn't know any better, I was so high school back in high school. I honestly took the competition seriously. I did hate them -- the academic kind of hatred. But as a person, or as people, I had respect for them for I know for a fact that back in high school, the twins will win over me in the battle for Mr Congeniality.

They're genuinely nice, really. Of course, given our rivalry, I never got to enjoy decent friendly relations with them. But for the times when I forgot they were my competition, like when we were cast in the same teams for different contests in and out of the school, they were a lot of fun. Those were the times when I realized that they weren't so innocent, hehe! In fact, one time back in 5th Grade, I remember Peter encouraging and cheering me on for a singing contest in which I represented our section, "Uy Joeven, galingan mo ah, dapat ikaw ang manalo!" I didn't win, hehe, for I bungled the lyrics for the 2nd stanza of my song. But see, even after 10 years, I can still remember a simple but endearing gesture from someone I never exactly considered a close friend.

In college, all three of us even enrolled at UP Diliman. Paul took up Business Economics while Peter took up Economics. And yes, even up to our college years, they were quite famous for the same reasons -- with their angelic cuteness (times two) as the main. But we never mingled in the same circles, I joined an organization and I was told that they go home to Apalit every single day, that's why they never had time for extra-curriculars. I would see time around campus from time to time though.

And now, they're gone, just like that. (My 1st runner-up is gone, Peter was our Salutatorian). It's a real shame. Once, I even pictured seeing them at our batch reunion many years from now, and laugh at each other for the bitter and stupid rivalry we had for 8 years in DBA. What surprises me really is how affected I am by the tragic news. Sure I was friendly with them, but they weren't exactly best friends or barkadas of mine. But it feels like I've lost a significant part of myself -- it really feels like I have lost actual dear friends.

It's amazingly weird how death can affect you. Here I am, mourning for people I barely cared for, realizing a lot of things which ignored before. I'm like, "God! Why? They're so young and promising." How extremely sad it must be for the family they left behind. I heard their Mom was running amok non-stop that they had to give her Valium. Imagine losing two darling sons at the same time, in an instant without any warning. How ironically funny -- they were twins from birth to death. And their younger sister, damn! Just like that, she lost two dear brothers -- two brothers whom I'm sure would've protect her from anything, especially jerk suitors. Haay, it's really sad, really really sad.

Friends, please pray for these strangers (at least to you). The world lost two really great people. I just hope that somewhere, two would-be angels have been born for them.

Early Christmas Cheer!

For reasons I can't explain, I have been bitten by the Christmas bug quite early this year. Well, for starters, I already started playing Christmas songs since the start of October. Then by mid-October, I already set my message alert tone to a Christmas tune -- The Sound Of Life by Jose Mari Chan. (FYI: I change message alert tones on a monthly basis, often based on the theme of the month). And now, for the first time in my four-year stay in our apartment, I have placed some Christmas decors in my rusty old double deck. Mind you, I used my own allowance to buy these decors because I figured that the Christmasy feeling that these will bring will be worth it. I even already bought more decors for the rest of the apartment! So I guess, you can conclude that indeed, I am looking forward to Christmas this year. And I find it really weird that I do! =p

I only have silver bead garland and a couple of blue flower bouquets.
Simple lang ang design, haller, ano ba naman kasi ang pwede mong
idecorate sa isang double deck bed diba? Haha!

I wasn't exactly a grinch just because I didn't use to look forward to Christmas in the past as much as I do now. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy Christmas -- the school break, the food, the gifts and aginaldo, and of course, the general feeling of peace and good will (admit it, come Christmas season, people have extra reasons to be nicer than usual). Add that fact that my family is complete during this time.

But this year is different, so different. Again, for some unexplainable reason, I appreciate Christmas songs more. I still want to do some Christmas shopping but I don't have the same passion for it anymore. It's like the actual superficial Christmas-related material things (eg, shopping, receiving gifts) aren't that much of a priority anymore. I just have this urge to spread the uhm, Christmas cheer? Haha! Sorry, I can't describe it. Basta! I just feel good about Christmas this December, like I have this hunch that this coming Christmas will be more special than before -- special not only in terms of better gifts or more aginaldo and the likes. Ah! It's the kind of special that is more meaningful. Naks! Multiply to that the fact that I am also very excited about my birthday this month! Haha! =p

Top 10 things I haven't done so far in my 6 years in UP Diliman

O ha! Sing-haba ng pila sa pagbabayad sa AS lobby noong Thursday afternoon ang title ko, hahaha! =p So this is the inital goodbye-UP post I was talking about just 2 posts ago. Well, it isn't as dramatic or mushy as I said it would be but I figured I'd save that for a March post, hehe! For now, I'll start with something light and amusing. Presenting:

Top 10 things I haven't done so far in my 6 years in UP Diliman -- which I may or may not do before I graduate anyway. Haha! You see, this list consist of staple things that an iskolar ng bayan would NORMALLY do during his stay at the university. Alas, in the true spirit of diversity in UP, I am not able to do all that is in this list. Heck, I don't even want to do some of the things in this list at all.

10 Join a rally.
While sympathize and agree with some of their causes, I don't like tibaks at all, hehe. I just don't like their style -- complain just about everything without offering any realistic solutions, skip classes. Lastly, I have yet to encounter an open-minded hard-core tibak. And when I say open-minded, I don't just necessarily mean someone who shares my opinion. Basta, throwing eggs is just not my cup of tea. =p

9 Make out in the Sunken Garden, Lagoon or an empty AS classroom.
Haha! Asa pa ko! For those who have no idea, the Sunken Garden and the lagoon are UP's own version of a quickie motel, haha! Go figure. So far, I haven't caugh anyone doing it -- whether on the classroom (well, hindi naman kasi ako parang guardiya na nag-roronda diba?), the lagoon or the Sunken Garden. The 'worst' I have seen is just extremely intimate hugging -- the one where you're not sure anymore where the faces of the couples are, all you see are their backs, haha!

8 Finish my enrollment in ONE DAY.
Since I have finished my last enrollment already, this is something I will never experience. Heck, I doubt if any UP student would experience this in their UP lifetime, haha! Well, except maybe during my 1st ever enrollment when I was a freshie. Back then, we didn't have to bother with the enlistment, because our schedules were pre-determined, unlike the poor freshies these days. Early on their UP life, despite the high priority in the CRS, they are already forced to face the tortured that is the UP enrollment week. (Read: with emphasis on 'week').

7 Get published in the Philippine Collegian.
Nyaks! Kahit extra lang sa picture, wala pa! Haha! Well, not that I have passed any artiks or even comments. So I guess this is simply wishful thinking

6 Be a US** or CS*.
My highest Sem GWA was 1.80, back in the 1st sem of my 1st year. From then on, it's been a rolling-down-the-hill ride, haha! =p
*CS stands for 'College Scholar', an academic award given to students who scored a Sem GWA of 1.75-1.45.
**US stands for 'University Scholar', for those with an Sem GWA of 1.44 or higher.

5 Watch a UAAP basketball game live.
As if UP wins most of the time. I am not a big fan of collegiate basketball anyway. I don't even watch the games on Studio 23. But of course, I still celebrate during the rare times that the Maroons win. Especially with the seasons were UP climbed from a 0-6 to a 6-6 record. That's when I start following the games -- when UP has the momentum and is on a sudden-death situation. But alas, whenever I try to catch their game on TV, UP ALWAYS loses.

4 Buy a UP shirt.
So far, I have 5 EEE shirts, 5 Eng'g shirts (including the now notorious Angas shirts, haha!) and 5 org shirts. I used to have a UP jacket, but I lost it at SM North. Good thing the UP Shopping Center will always be open, even for a (future) alumnus like me. =p

3 Eat isaw in front of Kalay or Ilang.
Now this is one of the really famous gimik spots in UP Diliman -- even students from far-flung campuses trek to the isaw stands in front of Kalay and Ilang-Ilang dorms. Even yuppies go there to chill out -- one would see the line of cars leading to these grilling joints, especially in the late afternoon. Anyway, I don't eat isaw. Yuck Rex, ang arte mo! Haha! It's not because it's kadiri, I just have this personal thing about eating isaw. For a clue, read this.

2 Get inside ALL the major buildings in UP.
Now this is something that borders on stupidity and amusement, haha! I mean, come to think of it, in your entire stay in the university, wouldn't be ironic to not be able to enter all the buildings at least once? I mean, it's not the case in elementary or high school where some places are off-limits. Wouldn't be fun to nonchalantly enter all the buildings you haven't been to? In my case, I have yet to enter AIT, Romulo Hall, CFA, Villadolid Hall, MBB, MSI, CSWCD, and Stat (the new building, which was formerly CSWCD). As for the dorms, I haven't been to the open houses of Narra, Sanggumay and Ipil, hehe! =p

1 Wear a sablay in a ceremony.
This entry was supposedly simply 'Wear a sablay'. But then I remembered, I have already worn one -- during my grad pic pictorial. Hehe! So I edited this entry and added 'in a ceremony'. Haay, I can't wait for the time when I would finally and officially wear a sablay and march down the aisle. Woohoo! Malapit na! But before that, I need to finish my last 20 units. Haay! Snap back to reality! Haha! =p

So there! I am through with my list. Hmm, I think I will check this piece again come March 2007, and do a post Top-10 analysis, haha! =p

Commercial Thoughts! 1: RevewMe

I have always believed that getting paid for doing what you enjoy is one of the best things that could happen to you. Passion is what drives us to do things and the fulfillment we get from it is already enough for us. But it wouldn't hurt to earn even just 'a little' while we're at it, right? Therefore, I wouldn’t mind if I earn from my blogging. At least finally, I have a valid defense whenever Mama would dissuade me from ‘wasting’ time with blogging, hehe!

Kapampangans are well-known for being noisy and opinionated. In a crowd, the Kapampangan would most likely be the noisy one, conversing with his/her seatmate, talking just about anything under the sun. We seem to have a gift for observing things that other people don’t – in short, mahilig talaga kaming pumuna at mang-okray, haha! And I am not an exception. =p That’s why this blog teems with my own personal opinion on the world around me, even the unpopular ones. After all, no opinion is wrong or right.

I have always had sponsored ads when I set up this blog of mine almost two years ago. Well, I never expected to get any from it, because I knew that my blog traffic isn't that high. I tried it out anyway in hope that someday, somehow, I will receive a $100 check, and when that time comes, the check would be a nice surprise. So far, I have $4.16! Haha! =p
I have encountered better ways to earn through one's blog. But recently, I have discovered a way that is most appealing so far -- ReviewMe.

In ReviewMe, you get paid for blogging about things that you like, which is something we always do anyway. Advertisers ‘ask’ you to review and blog about their products and that’s it! No irrelevant ads or links. No futile waiting for clicks. Just blog and get paid – it’s as simple as that. In fact, just for writing this piece for ReviewMe, I can look forward to an early Christmas treat! =p

As of 11/16/2006 11:37:34 AM...

... I am officially enrolled for my LAST semester in UP. Whoopie! =p

I am supposed to write a mushy-mushy reflection on this milestone, but I would have to defer that on another time, for I have a class that will start in 30 minutes. I need more than 30 minutes to come up with a heart-thugging composition, haha!

For the meantime, I'm gonna rant! Haha!

This is my longest enlistment and enrollment period ever! Haha! Imagine, I am a GRADUATING student and yet I had to beat the deadline for the late registration, hehe! (The deadline is today). Oh well, of course, I know the underlying reasons, and they're valid. =p Add to the irony the fact that this is my worst schedule ever! Yes, talk about a fitting finish to 6 years of ups and lots of downs at the premiere Philippine university -- the University of the Philippines Diliman. (Oh diba, ang yabang! Para akong binayaran para mag-plug, haha!)

Save the cheerleader, save the world

Thanks to my friends at EEE, I have another US TV series to watch! Drumrolls please! HEROES!

So for those with no idea, it's a new NBC drama television series where the characters have superpowers. Uhm, yeah, I guess you could say it's much like X-Men. But not necessarily. Well, for starters, the mutants don't wear costumes just yet, the story arc starts where the mutants slowly but surely realize their powers. The title of this post is a famous quote from one of the episodes. I think it's a combination of Charmed and X-Men, which I both very like. Anyway, for more info check its Wiki page.


So whose power I like the most? Naku, it's hard to choose! Each featured power has its own perks. When you can heal yourself, you're almost invincible -- nothing could hurt you. When you can draw the future or read people's minds, well, you'd never be clueless. In terms of usefulness in a combat, telepathy isn't much help. Even if you are aware of your enemy's fight plan, it only helps you on the defense but not on your offense. But since it is most useful in everyday life, telepathy has always been my favorite power. Even in X-Men, I have always admired the power of Professor X and Jean Grey. Haha! Which goes to prove how wussy I am! =p I love knowing things, because it pays to be in the know. Whether it be facts in science or technology or simple gossips from other peoples' lives, haha!

Unfortunately, I don't think any local cable channel airs this TV series so far. It only premiered in the US last September 2006. But for those with high-speed internet connection and are fond of torrents, I highly recommend this! =p

Nagpapaka-health buff

For the guys out there, do you read FHM? Well I do. But do I buy my own copies? I haven't yet, nakikibasa lang talaga ako! Haha! The last glossy magazine that I bought was a UK music magazine called Top Of The Pops and it cost P300 when it's imported here. And even that was eons ago. But last Tuesday, I bought my first copy of Men's Health. Gawd, I could hear the guffaws on your side of the internet already, haha! And for more weird behavior on my part, I jogged around the UP campus last Wednesday. Believe me, that is SOOO not me! =p

So why the sudden health-conscious mode? I am not sure. But what I know is that I've always wanted to get rid of excess tummy fats, hehe. I mean, come on, I don't drink, so I have no excuse as to why I seem to have a beer belly as this point in my life already. Last summer, because of the abundance of idle time, I started doing regular sit-ups. In fairness, I achieved some promising results. But when classes resumed in June, I didn't have time to continue the routine so my dreams of even just a shadow of a four-pack officially went down the drain.

So now, for some weird reason, I bought a health mag. And there's this article that says three 30-minute cardio (walking, jogging, running or swimming or a combination of these activities) exercises a week not only improves my health but my mind as well. Studies show that it improves the performance of our minds, which may help us perform better at work, or in my case, school. And since it I have a thesis and it's my last sem, I figured I need all the help that I can get. So I started jogged the next day, hehe.

It actually felt good. Well, not that I already feel that I lost an inch of waistline already, hehe, but it feels good to be finally taking steps to look out for my health. Because I know that when I am much older, I will be sick a number of times and I don't want to regret not taking care of my health sooner.

I just hope this new health-buff twist to my character is going to be for good. I mean, I don't want to super duper hunky, I just want to be healthy, to be fit. But if it also helps make me attractive, why not! Haha!

Desperate times calls for desperate measures

When it comes to religiosity and faith, I must say that Mama brought us up very strictly, hehe. Even if the Sunday mass cards weren't mandated by my Religion teachers since Grade 3 (I studied in a Catholic School), I will still be forced by Mama to wake up early and to always fulfill my Sunday obligations. Lents for me were the worst, haha! I have to attend all Masses and ceremonies and attend all processions, hehe. Of course, as a kid, I hated it. But now that I am a grown-up, I am proud that Mama imbued us with a strong sense of faith.

Even now that she can't monitor us because she is miles away, I still always feel guilty whenever I miss Sunday masses, hehe. But don't the idea that I am very religious, because I am not. I'd rather call myself as a faithful person than a religious one. Faith and religiosity are entirely two different things. You can be religious but not faithful and vice versa. You can also be both or neither! =p

My faith and my stand on it is a combination 12 years of Catholic school education and 6 years of liberal thinking with UP. As an illustration, I consider my relationship with God as something similar to a relationship between two lovers (of course, sans the sexual part, haha), in terms of values like trust. So my personal take on Sunday masses nowadays is that it is akin to weekly visits or dates with my girlfriend, hehe. Tampuhans and LQs are also present, haha -- because I miss Sunday masses every once in a while. I also believe that I'd rather miss a Mass if something would prevent me from 'enjoying' it anyway.

Anyway, humahaba na ang supplementary post ko! Haha! The reason I am all so religious and holy in this post is because of this:

NOVENA TO SAINT JUDE THADDEUS

Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Intercede with God for me that He brings visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly - (mention problem) - and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, oh blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.

May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, and loved in all the tabernacles until the end of time. Amen. May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised and glorified now and forever. Amen. St. Jude, pray for us and hear our prayers. Amen. Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus, blessed be the Immaculate Heart of Mary, blessed be St. Jude Thaddeus, in all the world and for all eternity. (Our Father & Hail Mary)

My Mama sent me my first copy in a letter and I stumbled upon copies of it at the church in UP. I have used it many times and I must attest that I have indeed experienced the power of this prayer. I was in an extremely impossible situation (mathematically impossible, no amount of studying can save me) in one of my major subjects. I prayed this out of desperation na lang talaga. Apparently, it worked! I was given a chance to redeem myself (which rarely happens in UP EEE) and salvage my standing in that subject.

As a way to pay it forward, I should share this with other people (as stated in the prayer, hehe). So here! So for the religious and faithful alike, you should try this out. Traditionally, you should recite this for 9 times a day for 9 days. But hell, ikaw na bahala kung ilan, basta't pray ka lang nang pray! Hehe! But pray with genuine faith, because for me, it is the only thing that can fire you up to keep going despite extremely difficult and impossible times.

For the non-religious and non-believers, well, sorry you had to read this piece. I am not going to convince you try this out, because I know it's futile, ehehe. Just ignore this post and still come back next time, oki? =p

Blogs Galore! 14: Music Edition

THE LOVE ALBUM

Face To Face wasn't exactly a flop, after all there was a week back in November 2005 when Westlife held the UK #1 on both the Albums Chart (with Face To Face) and Singles Chart (with You Raise Me Up) on the same weekend. But realistically speaking, they're not as popular as before. They don't top the countdowns anymore, hehe. I really thought they would soon disband. But lo and behold, when they performed in the Miss World 2006 Final last September 30, I learned that they would release yet ANOTHER album! The question for a loyal fan like me is: am I going to get a copy? I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW, hehe! But I think my answers borders on NO, because after all, I have already downloaded all 11 songs from the yet to be released album, thanks to a British Multiply account, ehehe!

The Love Album, is another theme album for Westlife -- it features legendary love songs from decades past. So yes, it's all revival. No suprise there, hehe. I am listening to the album right now, and I must say, it's actually good. I must confess, I was actually cynical of yet another purely revival album. But now, I am actually really loving most of the songs. After listening for 2 iterations, my favorites so far are Total Eclipse Of The Heart, All Out Of Love, All Or Nothing (a boyband reviving another boyband's hit? I think this is a first, hehe) and Easy. My overall assessment is while this won't birng back the glory days of Westlife, it will be a treat for their fans.

THE HIGH ROAD
Thanks again to Multiply, hehe, I download Jojo's new album The High Road. You must be wondering who the hell is Jojo, hehe. She is the wholesome mirror image of Lindsay Lohan who is actually a far far better role model for teenage girls, hehe. And she has superior pipes to boot! =p Contrary to the teenybopper image she may seem to project, her music is far from being bubblegum pop. Of course, it is still mainly pop, but it's not the kind of pop that would make rock or R&B fans puke. Her latest single Too Little, Too Late, which thank God (because finally, she is getting the credit she truly deserves, more than what Lindsay Lohan gets) is slowly but surely becoming popular in local radio stations was my LSS for two whole months! She is that good. Well, at least for my taste, hehe.

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PINOY DREAM ACADEMY
This show is my guilty pleasure each evening! Even my nephews have noticed and commented how addicted I am to this show. When there was a temporary power interruption this afternoon, one of my nephews teased, "Hala! Hindi ka na naman makakapanood nung pinapanood mong A!" At first I didn't get what 'A' he was referring to, until he clarified it for me, "Yung ano, yung pinapanood mo pagkatapos ng Maging Sino Ka Man". Haha! He was actually referring to PDA and he called it the 'A' because on the show, the green with white spots capital letter 'A' was a prominent symbol on the screen.


Anyway, I prefer it more than Philippine Idol these days. Because you see, when I learned that ABS-CBN would launch PDA to compete with PI, even if I was a Kapamilya, I was pissed off. But with one disappointing result after another on PI, I have officially made the switch, hehe! So why do I like it? Well, I am not after the drama, I am actually after the class discussion, especially with Direk Joey Reyes. In fairness, for us music lovers (even for some of us who don't have the talent, hehe), the show is quite educational. And the marked improvement on the scholars is a testimony to that. At the start of both shows, PI was far superior in terms of talent vs PDA. But nowadays, more PDA scholars are giving the likes of Mau, Gian, Apple and Pow a run for their money. So far, my top bet is Yeng. She hasn't officially nailed the top prize yet, but she is already a certified hitmaker. My other favorites are Chad, Jay-R, Joan and syempre, Nyora Rosita! Hahaha! Panalo talaga ang mga moment at hirit niya. Take for example her comment on their November 1st Yoga treat: "Simply, deeply... relax." O-ha! =p