Jumping Over the Moon

Very Affordable Brand New LG Optimus ME P350

2011-05-24T15:58:00.006+08:00

Hello!

I am selling a BRAND NEW LG OPTIMUS ME P350 for only P 8,000.00. No swaps please.

It is an Android, touchscreen and wifi-enabled smartphone. Do visit http://www.phonearena.com/phones/LG-Optimus-Me-P350_id5104 for more details on this phone.

Text me at 0922-241-5988 if interested. Meetup at Makati area.

Thank you! God bless. :)

Ferretti Giveaway!

2011-05-08T14:10:00.001+08:00

Here's another contest for all Ferretti followers out there.

Mechanics:

1. Choose your favorite Ferretti shoe from this Facebook album [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.212684882090701.62793.207666415925881]. On Ferretti's wall, say why you like that particular pair. Tag @Ferretti.shoes and three friends in your answer.

So this is what your entry should look like:

My favorite pair from @Ferretti.shoes is _______ because _______. @friend @friend @friend Join this fun game now! Link here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.217604188265437.69742.207666415925881

2. Like this album (so that they can track all the contestants).

3. (OPTIONAL) To increase your chances of winning, follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/Ferrettishoes) and our blog on Google Connect (Ferrettishoes.blogspot.com). You can also blog about this contest.

Twitter = 1 entry
Google Conntect = 1 entry
Blog = 3 entries

Post your username and link below in the comments here so they can tract the contestants.

There will be two winners chosen randomly, and they will win the shoe they like (if it's available in their size). We will contact the winner on how she can claim her prize. Contest ends on May 17, so join now!

Orig, Brand New and Sealed iPOD Nano 4th Gen 8GB

2010-06-16T21:21:00.004+08:00

I am selling a SILVER ORIGINAL, BRAND NEW AND SEALED IPOD NANO 4thGEN 8GB.

Size and weight
Height: 3.6 inches (90.7 mm)
Width: 1.5 inches (38.7 mm)
Depth: 0.24 inch (6.2 mm)
Weight: 1.3 ounces (36.8 grams)

In the box
* iPod nano
* Earphones
* USB 2.0 cable
* Dock adapter
* Quick Start guide

Capacity
* 8GB
* Holds up to 2,000 songs in 128-Kbps AAC format
* Holds up to 7,000 iPod-viewable photos
* Holds up to 8 hours of video
* Stores data via USB flash drive

Accessibility
* Spoken menus allow listeners to hear many of the names of menus, song titles, and artists without viewing the screen.
* An alternative large font can make menus easier to read.
* A high-resolution LCD display with adjustable contrast and backlight settings makes it easier to read in low light.
* Captions in video are displayed when they are present using a legible, high-contrast white-on-black font.

Display
* 2-inch (diagonal) liquid crystal display with blue-white LED backlight
* 320-by-240-pixel resolution at 204 pixels per inch

Audio
* Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
* Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
* User-configurable maximum volume limit

Headphones
* Earphones
* Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
* Impedance: 32 ohms

Video
* H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

Input and output
* Dock connector
* 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack

External buttons and controls
* Hold switch
* Click Wheel

Battery and power
* Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery
* Playback time
o Music playback time: Up to 24 hours when fully charged
o Video playback time: Up to 4 hours when fully charged
* Charging via USB to computer system or power adapter (sold separately)
o Fast-charge time: about 1.5 hours (charges up to 80% of battery capacity)
o Full-charge time: about 3 hours

Environmental requirements
* Operating temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
* Nonoperating temperature: -4° to 113° F
(-20° to 45° C)
* Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
* Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 m)

The price is just PhP7000.00. NO SWAPS PLEASE.

Contact me ASAP at 0922-241-5988. Thank you! :)

Brand New and Original Black Ray-Ban Classic Wayfarer Sunglasses for Sale

2010-06-05T23:51:00.006+08:00

Product Description
Ray-Bans Polarized Original Wayfarer Sunglasses represent the ultimate marriage of iconic high style and advanced optical technology. These glasses polarized lenses cut reflective light coming off of fresh snow, water, or the chrome on your ride to reduce eye fatigue and improve vision. In addition to 100% protection from reflected glare, the Wayfarer provides complete UV protection to preserve your peepers. The lenses superior scratch resistance and high rigidity mean you will be sporting these classics for many years to come.

Product Features
* Frame: Polycarbonate
* Hinge Type: Alloy
* Lens: Polycarbonate
* Interchangeable Lens: No
* Polarized: Yes
* Face Size: Medium, Large
* Case Type: Soft
* Nose Pads: No
* Arm Pads: No
* Recommended Use: Blocking glare, looking cool

I am selling a brand new and original black Ray-Ban Classic Wayfarer Sunglasses (Model: 0RB2140, Color: 902) for just PhP 6,500.00. Regular price is around PhP 8,000.00.

Contact me ASAP at 0922-241-5988 if interested. Thank you! :)

Only Beautiful Hair From the New Best-Ever Sunsilk Completes My Fashion Statement

2010-05-30T22:04:00.049+08:00

A person's crowning glory is her hair.

Unfortunately for me, my crown was not something to be glorified. My hair used to by dry, damaged and frizzy. My classmates and friends even tease my hair as "walis" or "buntot ng kabayo". Yes, that was how BAD my hair used to be.

My hair has been damaged from a lot of styling. For instance, during school pictorials and during other events, it gets styled with curlers, straightening iron, heavy hair creams and styling sprays.

My hair has been further damaged during my being a student nurse because it always has to be in a tight bun through the course of the day. It was a very strict requirement in my College. Moreover, my hair has been exposed to too much pollution here in the city and an awful lot from the sun because of our community immersion.

Styling, tight buns, pollution and sun exposure? Major boo-boos to my hair!

I try to "hide" my damaged hair by just continuing to put it in a bun or by putting on caps. Sadly, this is a vicious loop because the means I do to "hide" my damaged hair just damages it even further.

I need to do something. I do not want to always look like this, right?

I have tried a variety of hair products. I have even tried switching shampoos. However, I have never been entirely satisfied. I have always been envious of people who, just after hitting the shower, could just pull off an amazing hairdo. I have never been that girl until I met (drum roll please)...

SUNSILK Co-Creations, astonishing products of Unilever Philippines. :)

SUNSILK has really gone a long way ever since its establishment in United Kingdom in 1954. There is more to SUNSILK Co-Creations than just new, pretty and sexy packagings. An amazing revolution in daily hair care started when SUNSILK worked hand-in-hand with the world's top hair experts to come up with a line of shampoos that suits every hair type. This kind of partnership is a wonderful breakthrough that would undoubtedly make people proud of their hair once they start using this new line of products. Partnerships were made with:

- Rita Hazan, Color Care Expert from USA Sunsilk Vibrant Color contains amino screens that intensify hair color. It also has UV filters that protect hair from damage.

- Thomas Taw, Dry and Damage Expert from UK
Sunsilk Damaged Hair Reconstruction has Olive Serum Nutri Complex that professionally works on hair surface and layers flaking cuticles. This improves hair texture and makes damaged hair smooth and healthy.

- Yuko Yamashita, Straight and Smooth Expert from Japan
Sunsilk Silky Smooth & Manageable's Keratin Yoghurt Nutri Complex competently lines hair strands thus protecting hair from harsh humidity.

- Ouidad, Curls Expert from USA
Sunsilk Defined Curls is enriched with Hydro Elastin successfully encloses moisture within hair strands since it acts as a hydration barrier.

- Teddy Charles, Shapes and Lengths Expert from France
Sunsilk Straight Perfection contains Aqua-lysine Complex which bathes hair soothingly. This ingredient also lines hair strands thereby taming frizzy and unruly hair.

- Dr. Francesa Fusco, Hair Fall Expert from USA
Sunsilk Hair Fall Solution has Soya Vitamin Complex that efficiently strengthens and fortifies hair fibers from their roots all the way to their tips.

- Jamal Hammadi, Shine Expert from USA
Sunsilk Stunning Black Shine exposes hair's innate shine with itss Henna Mica Complex that takes away dirt effectively from each hair strand.

With my damaged hair, I am currently using SUNSILK Damage Repair Co-Created with Thomas Taw. Even as I am doing my shower, I can actually feel my hair being expertly cleansed, repaired, and much more, nourished as I massage it on my hair. My hair almost reaches my waist but amidst that length, I just use an ample amount of shampoo for my hair to lather well. It is unlike other products that you would have to put tons and tons into your hair before it starts to bubble. This one's really economical, I swear. With SUNSILK Co-Creations, just a few drops and you're good.

During my first use of SUNSILK Co-Creations, I was shocked to experience that when I ran my fingers through my hair after having my shower, it had no tangles. It was so much easy to comb. My hair felt softer and smoother. Furthermore, it looked healthier and shinier. Another great thing about this shampoo is its inviting smell. My hair smells great after showering and it stays the same that way throughout the day. I am totally satisfied with the results.

It is very affordable, even. For just around P87.75 for a 500ml bottle of SUNSILK Co-Creations shampoo, I am able to get expertly cared hair. No need to get costly hair treatments from spas or salons. SUNSILK Co-Creations is enough for my hair, and I believe, for yours too! My family and friends love SUNSILK Co-Creations as well!

I am now a whole lot bolder to style my hair because I know that SUNSILK Co-Creations will be able to restore and rejuvenate it.

Whether I am at home...

On the road...

At the mall...
At the restaurant...

At the park...

At work...

Or just about anywhere...

... SUNSILK Co-Creations really completes my fashion statement!

Whether I am wearing shirt+pants, a dress, a uniform or whatever, having good hair adds an extra "oomph" to my aura. A great fashion style is nice but pairing it with striking hair by SUNSILK Co-Creations is many notches better. What is a sassy dress when your hair is a mess?

SUNSILK Co-Creations has undoubtedly made me look more beautiful physically. Do not get me wrong that I do not value inner beauty because I do. I really do. Cultivating BOTH your inner and outer beauties is good practice because doing so would make you FEEL better. Just like what I feel now.

Being beautiful gives me a sense of empowerment, fulfillment and esteem. I have been more confident to hurdle challenges posed by academics, relationships and life as a whole. For instance, I felt so blessed to become the 8th placer in the 2009 Nursing Licensure Examinations. Yes, I am a Registered Nurse. And this June 2010, I will be taking up Medicine to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a medical doctor. Yaaay!

Furthermore, my sense of beauty inside and out makes me handle my relationships well especially with my family and boyfriend.

Nowadays, I receive a lot of praises with the way my hair looks. And I am so much thankful for that.

Yes, a person's crowning glory is her hair. Long or short, wavy or straight, colored or not, what matters is how you care for it so that you LOOK and FEEL good.

I have even created a poem to thank SUNSILK with the amazing hair transformation it granted me. Just like my other compositions, this is an original and was not derived from any existing work. Hope you appreciate this one, dear friends:

Unremarkable, frustrated and not-so-confident, I used to be
My hair and mindset before were not to be proud of, really
It was as if I was just a plain and poor little duckling
With regards to the right style and attitude, I had no inkling.

But after a series of realizations, I decided to make a change
I tried a lot of shampoos, conditioners - what a range!
Hair makeover, yes, that was what I tried to do
Unfortunately, my damaged hair remained damaged, boo.

Then I met SUNSILK CO-CREATIONS and my hopes went up
That my hair would NOT be the way that it was - total flop
SUNSILKhas made my hair prettier, stronger and healthier
This line of products, I cannot change for just some other.

SUNSILK CO-CREATIONS has been very important
In being a more beautiful me which which is what want
I now feel even more pretty and confident
This change has been truly, for me, heaven sent.

SUNSILK Co-Creations. For expert-touched and salon-quality hair.

Like Sunsilk's Hair Experts Facebook Page. Just click HERE.

Shen's Addiction's Fab Blogversary Giveaway

2010-03-31T21:32:00.003+08:00

Shen's Addiction is celebrating her 2nd blog anniversary and is giving away fab prizes. Click here to join. =p

Win 1 of 5 Neutrogena Deep Clean Wave Cleansers

2010-03-20T19:55:00.002+08:00

Click here to know more about the promo hosted by Jean and Rosz.

HOTSHOTS flame-grilled burger meals for FREE

2010-03-13T19:06:00.002+08:00

Click here to know more about Hit A Bargain's promo for you to get a HOTSHOTS flame-grilled burger meals for FREE. =)

G2 Give-a-way II

2010-03-05T22:55:00.002+08:00

Generously Greedy holds a generous contest!

Head on to his blog entry to know more about this amazing giveaway. =)

Wander With Alice

2010-03-05T01:19:00.008+08:00

This artwork is my official entry to Azrael's Alice in Wonderland Limited Edition Pocket Watch Contest (thanks for this amazing giveaway).

I so looove the pocket watch that is why I took the time and effort to create this entry. If you would like to join the contest like I did, just click here. Oh, and if you are having difficulties seeing my artwork, please click my blog entry title "Wander with Alice" or click here.

Reminding you, guys, that Alice in Wonderland starts showing in Philippine cinemas on March 4, 2010. What are you waiting for? Watch NOW! =p

Here is an extra treat for you, before I forget - Avril's music video of the song "Alice".

Beautynomics Turns Four

2010-02-17T13:22:00.002+08:00

Here are the prizes up for grabs from Beautynomics.

Haircare
One winner gets 1 gift pack
4 Schwarzkopf Essensity Gift Packs ( includes a shampoo, conditioner, and texturizing mud ) - oh, I promise you’d love this ! They smell heavenly, the texturizing mud is the best I’ve tried so far - instantly makes your hair looks soft. Like naturally soft.

Fragrance
1 bottle of CK Euphoria perfume - as a CK loyalist, this is definitely an amazing addition to the CK fragrance line - the king of fragrances!
1 bottle of Kenneth Cole Black perfume - too yummy to resist. I’m so tempted to keep this to myself to give to my beau!

Skin Care Loot
( 1 winner for each item )
1 pc PCASkin C-Quench Antioxidant Serum
1 pc. Sunforgettable Perfecly Clear Retractable Brush
1 pc. Obagi Sunblock
1 pc. Colorescience Tote Bag
1 pc. Glytone Facial Wash
3 pcs. of House of Obagi Gift Certificates worth P 1,000 each

Cosmetics
Three sets of Avon Cosmetics gift pack - 1 Eyeshadow Quad, 1 Avon Glazewear Lipstick, 1 Supershock Mascara or Curlacious Mascara
Three sets of Charm Makeup Brush Set that consists of Dual Fibre brush, 2 eyeshadow brushes, and 1 concealer brush

Simply visit http://www.beautynomics.com/blog/2010/02/10/beautynomics-turns-four/ for complete contest details. =)

Happy, happy anniv, Beautynomics!

Philstar

2010-02-09T14:16:00.001+08:00

Visit Philstar at http://www.philstar.com/

Win PhP5000 worth of Fully Booked Gift Certificates

2010-01-31T11:12:00.001+08:00

Three easy steps to win:

Answer the very short survey in http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GWSCS6X
Tell your friends about it through blogs/ facebook/ twitter, etc. indicating the blog site: http://winthegc.wordpress.com/2010/01/15/three-easy-steps-to-win/
Link your post to this comment section here.

Rules and Guidelines:

The contest starts on Jan. 20, 2010 and ends on Feb. 15, 2010 (11:59pm).
The winner will be randomly drawn from the surveys and I’ll double check first if you did the post about the contest in your blogs/ facebook/ twitter, etc.
Don’t forget to put your email address in the Registration form in the survey because that’s where you’ll be contacted.
One entry per person.
The winner will be announced on Feb. 16, 2010.
This contest is open to Metro Manila residents only.

myfameandfortune.com

2010-01-30T14:15:00.004+08:00

Your "road to fame" starts here.
Be seen. Be known. Be discovered.
Visit http://www.myfameandfortune.com now. =)

Kotex Giveaway from Beautynomics

2010-01-19T14:25:00.003+08:00

When faced with life’s choices, you stick to your guns. Nobody tells you what you
can’t do, or what you can’t have. You’re in the driver’s seat and you’re not going to apologize for your choices.

You may go this way or that. Or have it both ways, just because you’re you. It’s not fence-sitting if you get exactly what you want. One thing is for sure, you will settle for no less than perfect.

You are a Kotex Luxe woman, and you never compromise.

Kotex Luxe is the first ultrathin pad that gives you BREAKTHROUGH FUSION TECHNOLOGY combining dryness and softness with just 1 pad. No more compromises!

With Kotex’s launch of their new ultra thin Luxe pads, there will be 15 packs to be given away to Beautynomics Philippine readers!

How to join? It’s pretty easy! Here’s what you do :

1. Blog about this contest, and link back to http://beautynomics.com/blog
2. Share what are the things in life that you don’t ever compromise?
3. Kindly post a comment in Beautynomics with the url of your blog entry.

Deadline of submission of entries : January 23, 2009
Raffle Draw Date : January 25, 2009

Click the blog title or here to join.

Goodluck!

Peyups. Wee.

2006-10-25T23:16:00.000+08:00

I realized just NOW that the article I submitted eons ago in Peyups was approved. Eons ago na talaga. June pa. =p Ngayon na lang kasi ako ulit nakavisit dun. Haha. I feel so proud. Plus it generated about 27 comments pa. Wah. Saya talaga. =p

Click here to read my article. And make a comment, if possible. Tenki. =p

Four Days to Go

2006-10-25T21:26:00.000+08:00

I was in front of the computer one time while my dad was watching Sis. Maureen Larrazabal was on the show, and I overheard her saying (as a message to her special someone): "Favor naman. Pwede wag mo kong saktan?"

Kailangan pa ba yun? Kung mahal ka naman kasi ng tao, you need not ask him a favor as such. Diba?

Postscriptum: Gumana na sana MMS mo.

Five Days To Go

2006-10-25T18:59:00.000+08:00

[Kahapon pa to dapat.]

I am enthralled to see how people would dress up on my debut. Actually, parang mas na-eexcite ako makita yung mga grown-ups (Naks naman. Ang ganda ng euphemism na ginamit ko. =p). Yung mga ka-age bracket ko kasi, given nang alam nila pumorma ng glam rock and roll. Eh yung mga grown-ups, ewan ko lang. Exciting talaga. Mmmm. =p

Tumaas na pala platelet count ni dear brother. Salamat sa mga nagdasal for him. =p

Kaninang madaling araw, may nalaman akong sad na balita about and from my bestfriend. Tipong "Oh? Weh? Talaga? 'Di nga?" yung na-elicit sa'kin na reaction nung kinwento niya yung events. Naapektuhan ako, seryoso. Paggising ko nung umaga, ni-wish ko na sana panaginip lang yung lahat ng nag-transpire nung dawn. Na sana hindi totoo. Na phony lang. Pero hindi eh. Hai. =c Parang nung gabi lang, sobrang saya ko at ever-present ang smile sa labi ko. Sabay poof. Nung madaling araq ay biglang ganun.

Postscriptum: Ang hirap kapag yung taong mahal mo ay nasa harap mo na pero hindi mo man lang mayakap.

Six Days to Go

2006-10-23T17:35:00.000+08:00

*My brother has an intermittent fever. It started last Friday when he came home from his field trip. His highest temp was 39.9 degrees Celsius. Yesternight, we rushed him to the hospital and had him seen by a doctor. They did a platelet count, CBC (complete blood count) and routine urinalysis. After waiting for two hours, the lab results demonstrated that what he has is a plain fever. His platelet count that time was 208 x 10^9 /L (low but still in the normal range of 150-300 x 10^9 /L). He was prescribed no more that paracetamol, which he was actually taking already since his fever started. Earlier today, Mommy brought him again to the hospital for his condition to be followed up. With the second blood test, it was shown that he now has a lower platelet count of 186 x 10^9 /L. Aww. Let's pray that he has no dengue after all, and that he recovers as soon as possible. We have to monitor him 24/7.

*I already posted the pix I took during the ADPCN National Convention. Just scroll down and look for the post 'Toxic-Toxican'. =p

*Already finished the lineup of songs for my 18 Roses. Wait. Haven't really. Daddy is not a fan of I Need You by Leanne Rimes so I gotta look for another song that his generation knows well (peace, Daddy!). =p I ended up with Now and Forever by Richard Marx.

*I just realized Bagsakan by Parokya is fun. Daddy requested me to download it. Hm. Dad's choice of songs sure makes me befuddled. =p

*Jantoi and his gang already uploaded their award-winning Parasitology 10 case presentation. Check it out!

*I'm thinking of designing blogskins. Hm. =p

*My head is aching now. Damn. =c

*I feel so restless, but I do not want to do the things I am SUPPOSED to do. Hai.

Postscriptum: I am missing you beyond human measure.

New Layout

2006-10-21T17:34:00.000+08:00

Haha. I've got a new layout.
And I love it. =p

Toxic-Toxican

2006-10-19T22:34:00.000+08:00

It's been quite a while huh.

*I was exempted from taking the finals in all my subjects. Happy happy. God is so good.

*I was chosen as one of the delegates in the previously held 5th National Conference of Nursing Students held at Manila Hotel. The event was sponsored by the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing (ADPCN). The theme was "Pinoy Nurse Education.... Impact on Global Marketability..." My P2,000.00 registration fee was paid for by my very beloved college, UPCN. Aww. Thanks, UPCN. =*

Ate Aila (dear buddy!), Ate Kat, Ate Pebbles, Ate Emy, Ate Ja, Ate Har and Ate Pam were with me. The conference officially started one hour late at around 8:30am with a Thanksgiving Mass. The celebrant was so vibrant, and I was not bored with his homily at all. How I wish all our parish priests are like that.

Then came the speakers. The keynote speaker, Rev. Fr. Rolando dela Rosa, OP (sabi ni Ate Aila, di raw dapat i-omit yung OP ever), surely had the ears and eyes of the crowd. His speech was mainly about nurses as professionals. He showed us who the unprofessional nurses are using photoshopped images to depict his ideas better:

- the Nurse of Tomorrow (the nurse who's always in a hurry, but always late)
- the Enterprising Nurse (the nurse who only wants to earn)
- the ABH Nurse aka the Anywhere-But-Here Nurse (the nurse who's always dissatisfied)
- the Cheerful Robot (the nurse who's so used to routines)
- the workaholic (self-explanatory)
- the newsmonger (the gossip)
- the hoarder (self-explanatory again)
- the addict (you know what this means, don't you?)

The next speaker, Dean Borromeo, explained to us points on how to increase the Pinoy Nurses' marketability.

Mr. Allan Morrel gave education and career opportunities for Pinoy Nurses in Australia. Naisip ko lang na sana wala nang ganito. Ang dating kasi parang nag-aadvertise pa ng pag-alis ng nurses sa Pilipinas. Ang onti na nga lang ng mga natitira rito weh.

Dr. Nemuel Fajutagana's speech was mainly about testwiseness.

During the "Heart to Heart" Forum with Dean Carmelita Divinagracia, the ADPCN President, many questions/sharings were raised by the students. Mabuti sana kung may sense lahat. Good luck nman. Magbibigay ako ng mga blind item, EXCLUSIBO (The Buzz?)!

- Student1: Sana po, next time ay sabihin po sa letter sa school namin na ang outfit ay kailangang semi-formal kasi po galing pa po kaming (insert name of a faraway land here) tapos wala po kaming dalang mga ganong damit. Dito pa po tuloy kami sa Maynila bumili ng mga murang ganito (turo sa dark red na polo).
Comment q: Duh naman. National conference yung pupuntahan mo, hijo. Tsaka diba, sa Manila Hotel yung venue. Baka kasi iniisip mo na glam rock and roll and kailangan mong outfit.

- Student2: Uhmm. Maaaam. (after 110 eons) I really don't know what to talk about because of the many nursing issues nowadays.
Comment q: Bakit ka pa pala tumayo at pumunta sa harap no?

- Student3: You see, many Filipino nurses undergo culture shock when they reach the USA. Is it possible for ADPCN to make a program with which Pinoys could avoid such shock and be prepared better for their being employed abroad?
Comment q: What. A. Damn. Suggestion.

- Student4: Ano po ba dapat mas pagtuunan ng pansin? Yung knowledge base o yung practicals?Comment q: Siguro ikaw.

Ang sakit sa brain (in the figurative sense, of course).

Nga pala, ang weirdo kasi ang nakalagay sa menu sa table namin, we'll have pork tenderloin for lunch. Sabay fish fillet ang ni-serve. Anu kaya yun?

On the brighter side, anyway, nanalo pala q ng PPDr nung conference sa bunutan. Haha. PPDr is Philippine Pharmaceutical Directory. Yey. =p Here are some of the pictures I took.

Baked Alaska - the same dessert we had during our Grad Ball in Manila Hotel

My dear buddy

Wacky dear buddy

My brand new PPDr

*I met Eljohn yesterday to give him my debut invitation. Nothing has changed with him, really. He was still as tactless and as talkative as he had always been. Okei lang. Mas qt naman siya nowadays. Hehe. =p He was so kind enough to bring me a plastic cup + lid + ice + straw upon my request. Ginamit ko yung mga yun para mainom ko naman nang matino yung nabili koing buko sa L. Guinto cor. Pedro Gil bago pumasok. Salamat, Eljohn. =* Syempre, nagkwento siya ng Masci stuff kaya tawa lang kami nang tawa dun sa CN Batcave. Hehe. =p

Yun lang muna. Sana maupdate ko to nang mas maaga next time. Naman. =p

Postscriptum: "Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there" (Drive by Incubus).. We can get through this..

Playing Up

2006-10-15T15:14:00.000+08:00

Here's something I played up just this weekend. The original picture came from our 7 Endless pictorial in Paco Park eons ago. Supposedly, 'Desire' yung nipoportray namin dyan. Good luck naman. Hehe. =p

Lingerie Hunting, Etc.

2006-09-27T23:09:00.000+08:00

After ng extension ng Micro lab namin, nagpunta kami ni Chi sa Rob para maghanap ng gift for Mommy. Birthday niya kasi on September 28 (Happy birthday, Mommy. Hehe. =p). Parang ilang eons kaming umikot-ikot dun pero wala kaming mapiling matinong mabibigay. Flip flops, bags. Wala. We came very close to buying a pillow with the words "World's Sexiest Mom" from Humor Post. Sabi ko, pag wala talaga kaming ibang makita, yun na lang. Sabay, sa ikalawang pagtahak namin sa High End Wing ng Rob, biglang "Eureka!" Naka-isip na kami ng mabibigay na, ugh, matino? Lingerie! Tamang regalo talaga yun dahil sexy pa rin naman si Mommy after all. Hehe. =p

Dapat talaga, bibili kami sa isang specialty lingerie store sa labas ng Rob Department Store. Pero ang phony ko kasi mali pala yung spot na inaakala kong tinatayuan nung store na yun. Sabi ko kasi sa 3rd floor. Yun pala, nasa 2nd floor (ata) yun. Eh since nakatayo na kami sa tapat ng 3rd floor Department Store and dahil nagmamadali na kami kasi pinapauwi na agad ako ni Mommy, dun na lang din namin naisipang maghanap.

Unang saleslady na napagtanungan:
Pouch: *smiles* Hi, miss. Saan po yung lingerie niyo?
(after 17 years)
Miss: Haa? A--nooo yuuuuuuuun?
Pouch: Linge--
Chi: *duh expression* Yung mga bra at panty?
Miss: *'thinking' expression starts* Haa? Di ko kasi alam eh. *'thinking' expression continues*
Pouch: Ah, cge po. Tenkyu.

Good luck sa thinking expression niya.

Pangalawang saleslady naman:
Pouch: *smiles still* Hi, miss. Saan po ba yung mga lingerie niyo?
Miss: Yung pang-babae?
Chi: *duh expression ulit* Oo?
Miss: Sa 2nd floor.Pouch: Tenkyu ha.
(pagtalikod)
Pouch: Hahaha. Duh.
Chi: Duh. Hahaha.

Ang harsh namin. Pero diba. Sana naman kasi alam ng lahat ng saleslady kung ano ba ang silbi ng lingerie sa mundo. At kung ano anong gender class ba ang gumagamit nun.

Speaking of 'duh', nagiging favorite word namin siya ni Chi nowadays. Duh. =p Hehe.

Nga pala, nakahanap din pala kami ng matinong lingerie in the end. Congrats to us. =p

Anyway, bakit nga pala nag-extend kami sa Micro lab?

Micro lab was fun today. We actually did blood typing (yet again. We first did this procedure last sem during our Nursing 3 lab. Thanks, Ken, for the blood sample), hematocrit count (Thanks still, Ken.) and urinalysis (Thanks, JJ, for peeing for us. Haha. =p). Amazing kaya yung hematocrit counting kasi after mo iprick yung isang group member (Ako yung taga-prick at si Ken yung ni-prick.) ng isang lancet na sobrang scary at ipiga ang dugo sa dalawang capillary tubes na kailangang i-seal after using PlastoSeal, ilalagay mo sila sa isang centrifuge machine chuva. Ang galing talaga. Parang sa CSI. Yun kaya yung pangarap kong trabaho. Somehow. =p Naalala ko tuloy bigla si Paul Porras na isang Mascian. Pangarap niya rin kasi yun. =p
Dun sa urinalysis naman, dapat ako talaga, ehem, yung magdo-donate ng urine sample. Kakagaling ko kasi sa UTI, and it was the doctor's advice that I have urinalysis after my medication just to be sure. At ung urinalysis na ni-recommend niya ay di ko pa rin nagagawa until now. So yun ang root ng aking pag-vovolunteer. Nung una, payag na sina Ken. Pero after a while, sinabi nila na wag na lang ako kasi baka positive pa ako sa maraming aspeto ng urine assessment at mahirapan pa kami sa pag-analyze and all. Oo nga naman 'no. So nag-end up na lang na si JJ ang nag-micturate for our group. Hehe. =p Ang saya din pala kasi napasa namin yung papers relating to our day's activities on time kaya may +10 kami sa kung anumang Micro Unknown na medyo mababa ang score namin. Malaki-laki na rin kayang bonus points yun. Na hindi mo mapupulot o masasahod mula sa langit.

Wala nga palang pasok bukas dahil sa birthday daw ni Mommy. =p

Postscriptum: Ikaw kaya talaga yung di nakatiis nung Tuesday! Duh. =p

(Insert Whatever Title You Want Here)

2006-09-27T23:07:00.000+08:00

Kanina ko pa to sinulat nung nag-aalab ang damdamin ko. Now, I'm so okay. Haha. =p

It's funny how I can still quite hold this pencil I have amidst my shivering hands. Perhaps it;s not really my hand that shakes. It's my soul, I guess.

It's funny how my throat hurts how I keep my tears from falling, and my whimpers from being heard.

It's funny how I use reverse psychology on myself.

It's funny how I fool myself things are okay. When in fact, they are not.

Shit happens.

Postscriptum: Speechless.

Nas'an Na Si Toby?

2006-09-24T15:06:00.000+08:00

Toby Centeno is my second cousin who resides in Bulacan. And I haven't seen him for eons. And I can't remember his face well. And I gotta find him before my birthday comes.

I searched him in Friendster but my attempts were futile. I looked him up in Google, and I found one result that appeared relevant. Blog siya ng isang Toby Centeno. Pero sa profile niya dun, taga-DLSU Manila siya. Pero sabi ni Daddy, taga-Letran daw ang tunay na Toby sa pagkakaalam niya. Waah. Nag-tag ako pero di naman nag-wowork nang maayos yung tagboard niya. So wala din. =c

Hai, Toby. Magpakita ka na. Pwede?

Alam ko namang pwede na lang tawagan sina Tita Marla. Pero parang ang saya at unique lang lasi ng feeling na mahanap ko siya on my own through the internet. Diba?

Postscriptum: Mag-eenjoy si Sam sa newly-painted cage niya. Congrats. Mas mamahalin ka
niya. At mas magseselos tuloy siya sa'kin. Raar. Haha. =p

Catching Up

2006-09-23T18:59:00.000+08:00

Too many things have happened. And I just don't know where to start. Ganito na lang. Para di ako masyado mahirapan, I'll just jot down my random thoughts about stuff that bombarded my life recently (and not so recently, for that matter):

*Natapos na ang duty ko (clinicals and community). Grabe. Sobrang ang saya ng feeling. It's like I've been through hell and back. Ang arte ko naman. Second year pa lang ako pero ang kapal na ng apog kong magreklamo. Oh well. That's really what I feel. Ang toxic. Parang teflon.

*Naging vitamins ko ang Norfloxacin. Por Diyos, sana huwag na maulit.

*Kasabay ng mga duty na nabanggit ko kanina ay ang pagsisingit sa aming (my batchmates) tight skeds ng Nursecissism06 practices. I really can't really describe what kind our presentation is. Halo-halo kasi. A concoction of everything. And for that reason, we decided to call it "art". Bongga. =p Pero kamusta naman yun. Mabibilang lang isang kamay yung mga araw na mayroon kaming matinong mga practice. By matino, I mean may nahihita kami. Good luck. Oops. Yung piece na ginamit para sa "art" namin ay pinamagatang Un Sangre (One Blood) ni Ayeen. It depicts the 7 Endless (inspired by Neil Gaiman) which makes all men man. The 7 Endless are Destiny, Dream, Desire, Despair, Delirium, Destruction and Death. Ako nga pala si Death. Rarrr. =p Sabi-sabi, bagay daw talaga ako sa role ko. Kasi it's like I represent famine. Toink. Haha. =p

*Natapos na ang Nursecissism (O, kitam? Dami ko na talagang di nakwento. Poor soul. =c). From others' feedbacks, mukha namang nagustuhan nila yung performance namin. Kung gusto niyo ng pics, puntahan niyo ang multiply account ng pinakagwapong, pinakamachong, pinakamalakas ang appeal at pinakamabait na hearthrob ever to walk this planet. =p We were the third placer pala. Ayon kay Ayeen (Ui, astig yung phrase na yun wah: alliteration.. =p), may rumors daw na nagustuhan ni Prof K yung pinakita namin. Sana. =p Sir, by any chance na napadaan ka dito sa blog ko (how I wish), patotohanan o pasubalian niyo naman ang rumors na yun. Tenkyuuu. =p *In fairness, nagstart and natapos yung Nursecissism ON TIME. Ang galing. =p Overall, it was one helluva talent showcase. Enjoy talaga. At for the first time, 80% ng program ay nakaupo ako nang maayos sa audi chair kaya nakapanood ako nang mahusay. Last Nursecissism kasi (at Tea Parties) na rin, nagpeperform ako para sa mga orgs ko (Saliwan and Maskara) aside from our batch presentation. Ngayon, hindi na dahil nga sa ka-toxican na dinudulot ng acads. Wait, nagperform din pala ako for Maskara somehow dahil ako yung nag-dub kay Corazon sa aming satire na ang titulo ay Tagas. Gaya nga ng sinabi ko sa end part ng play, abangan niyong lahat ang English version nito: The Leakage. Ehem, ehem.

*My Chi was with me during the Nursecissism night. Salamat sa suporta, Chi. nasabi ko na naman sa'yo yun. =* Siya yung nagrecord ng performance namin na unfortunately ay di ko ma-play from his memory card. Pag ni-oopen ko kasi yung mga video files, yung audio lang nagpe-play. Gets? So may audio ng video pero walang actual video. Gets?

*Nabobother ako kung sino ba ang kumanta ng West Side dahil na-aadik ako sa kanya recently. Yun yung may lyrics na:

To my peoples if you with me - where you at

Throw your dubs in the air - and wave 'em like you just don't care
From LA to the Bay - what you say - all day... everyday... any damn day
Take a look around, we got the whole world locked down
Going on and on, it don't stop...won't stop... can't stop
Either ride or die - that's why i put it down for the westside.

Sabi ng iba, di nila alam kung sino ba kumanta nun. Sabi ng iba, mainit daw ang panahon (in short, wala silang pakialam). Sabi ng iba pa rin at ni Chi, LFO daw. Sabi ni Deane, masyado daw siyang maganda para maging kanta ng LFO. Sabi ni Eian, si Ice Cube daw. Ni-try ko siyang hanapin sa net pero to no avail kasi kung anu-anong West Side yung lumalabas. Please naman. Tulong. Ang makakapagsabi sa'kin ng tamang sagot ay bibigyan ko ng itlog (ng Fasciola. Joke. =p). Na-realize kong kanta pala yun para sa niggers nang naghanap ako ng lyrics niya. At dahil kanta pala yun para sa niggers, na-touch naman ako. Aww. Hehe. (Burbank, sobrang naiintindihan niyo ko, malamang.)

*Kaya ko lang naman nabanggit ang Fasciola ay dahil napurga (Oooh. What a very fitting word. =p) na kami sa kakahanap ng itlog sa shit. Last Friday, we had our stool unknown wherein we were tasked to find parasitic eggs in an enriched (?) fecal sample. By 'enriched', ibig sabihin ay dinagdagan na ng aming Parasitology instructors ang fecal sample ng halos lamat ng uri ng parasitic eggs (para for sure ay may mahanap daw kami). The criteria for that unknown was 40% for effort (Whew. Thanks Sir Belizario!) and 60% for 6 eggs found (So by simple math ay dapat narerealize niyo na 10% ang katumbas ng bawat itlog. =p) Makakuha ka lang ng dalawa, pasado na! Haha. =p Luckily, I found 5 eggs. Swerte talaga ang isa sa fave numbers ko: 29. Nasa Station 29 kasi ako. Hehe. Wee. Congrats to me. =p Si Geyl nga na gumamit ng station ko (2nd batch kasi siya. Ako, 1st), nakahanap ng 7 eggs! Further proof lang na swerte ang 29. Hehe. Ang chuva. =p

*Ayun, tapos na rin pala ang Micro unknown namin. That was last Wednesday. Ang gagawin naman namin dun ay i-determine kung ang two slides na pinili namin ay positive or negative for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). Parang 30% yata ng alloted time ay ni-devote ko sa pagfofocus lang dahil faulty ang first two microscopes na nagamit ko. Ang third na microscope ko was actually Ken's. Pinahiram niya sa'kin after he finished using it. Ang galing niya kaya. Siya unang natapos. =p Thank God nakahanap ako ng AFB sa isang slide ko during the last 3 minutes! Wooh. Ayus. =p

*Nag-download pala ako ng bagong theme para sa cellphone ko. Da Vinci yung name. Naalala ko lang tuloy ang isang teacher ko nung ako'y nasa Masci pa. During our lecture once, she thundered, "Stop laughing, Ortega. You can laugh until you die." Haaa? Di ko na-decipher yun kaya kung di niyo rin na-gets, normal lang yun. =p Ang contradicting kaya nung statement niya. She said because she thought that I was laughing (Yeah right, tumatawa talaga ako nung panahong 'yun.) with how she pronounced Da Vinci. She said it kasi as /da-vinzi/. Pero kasi naman. Di talaga yun yung pinagtatawanan ko. Honest. Yung joke ni Meia na katabi ko nun yung pinagtawanan ko kayaaaa. =p

*May scoliosis ako. Waah. Pray for me. Oh well, si Daddy and Mommy ay mayroon din. I've read that it runs in families. =c

Hai. Yan na muna, dears. =p

Postscriptum: Matutunaw mo ang ice sa ice skating rink. Swear. =*

New Layout

2006-09-16T22:36:00.000+08:00

Wee. New Layout. Harhar. =p

Start of something new. Tenenenen.. =p

I Have Returned

2006-08-26T10:53:00.000+08:00

Wooh! It feels so good to be back in circulation.

Feels like heaven.

After having been in hell.

Prof K, No Less.

2006-05-19T15:16:00.000+08:00

No Time.

2006-05-19T14:59:00.000+08:00

Mga Aso

2006-04-14T18:02:00.000+08:00

An Analysis of Brokeback Mountain

2006-03-31T09:11:00.000+08:00

The movie review I submitted to Prof. Flores:

Asian director Ang Lee presents a movie based on Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Proulx’s short story. Brokeback Mountain, which had its limited release last December 9, 2006 and its worldwide release on January 13, 2006, won three awards in the recently concluded Oscars for Best Director (Ang Lee), Best Musical Scoring (Gustavo Santaolalla) and Best Screenplay (Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana), aside from having been nominated for five other categories by the same award-winning body. It is also acclaimed by the BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Awards.
This film set in Wyoming tells the tale of two young cowboys, Ennis del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) who meet in 1963 while signing up as sheepherders under Joe Aguirre (Randy Quaid), a local rancher. In Brokeback Mountain where Joe sends them for work, their relationship levels from camaraderie to a deeper intimacy. One fateful night, the bitter coldness of the wind causes them to huddle together in a tent. They fall in love amidst each of their vocal pronunciations that they are not gay. At the summer’s end, they have to go down Brokeback Mountain, and must separate ways. Jack, moving to Texas, courts and weds rodeo queen Lureen Newsome (Anne Hathaway), while Ennis, still in Wyoming, marries Alma (Michelle Williams). Jack and Lureen have a son, as Ennis and Alma have two daughters. After four years when the two cowboys meet again, their feelings for one another have not changed. Ennis and Jack try to keep their secret intimate relationship, although later on, Alma discovers this bond. Ennis's marriage devolves, and Alma divorces him as she takes custody of their daughters. Jack feels that this divorce will grant them the chance to live together finally. Nevertheless, Ennis does not want to be away from his kids. Still unable to be open about their intimacy, Ennis and Jack continue to have infrequent meetings on Brokeback Mountain. Some months after their last meeting, Ennis learns that Jack has died when a postcard Ennis sent to him is returned, stamped "deceased." He visits Jack’s parents, and in Jack’s room sees two old shirts hidden at the back of the closet. The shirts that are hung on the same hanger are the ones they wore on their last day on Brokeback Mountain in 1963. At the end of the movie, Ennis cries while revealing that he hung these two shirts together beside a postcard of Brokeback Mountain inside his own closet’s door.
Contrary to popular belief, Brokeback Mountain is a high cost film with its budget being $14 million (excluding the advertisement allotment). A person who has seen the movie might cry in disbelief upon hearing this statement. There were hardly any complicated computer effects shown. The costumes of the cast were merely outfits reminiscent of the old cowboy days. Where has the money gone, then? Still, upon the moviegoer’s second glance, or second stare, rather, he may eventually realize that the sheep, together with the other animals in the movie, are enough to cost much of this budget.
There was not too much dialogue in the film. This has led people to joke that Brokeback Mountain is a silent movie after all. It is then safe to be assumed that Lee wanted to give more emphasis on the setting’s imagery and the artists’ movements than the dialogue among the characters. Unfortunately, the dialogue was not thoroughly efficient. This was primarily because most of the conversations were spoken very softly that they have become almost inaudible. If not for this reason, it could only be that the artists’, most especially Ledger’s, speeches were heavily accented. Ledger’s aim of giving a cowboy-ish accent was not thoroughly effective. It appeared more like he was muttering to himself than speaking to someone. He was eating his words to the point that a clearly articulated word “mountain” would come as a surprise to the moviegoer. The movie’s catch phrase, "I wish I knew how to quit you," nonetheless, was clearly stated by Gylenhaal. Good thing.
With regards to the artists’ portrayal of their respective characters, it will suffice to say that their acting, on the whole, was convincing and realistic. The casting was well thought of. Ledger’s and Gylenhaal’s roles were quite challenging taking into consideration the reports that several actors declined to audition for the film due to its head-on portrayal of an intimate relationship between two men. Yet, they fared well, and gave justice to their roles. Williams further proved her performing prowess particularly in the scene when she and Ledger had a violent confrontation in the kitchen. Hathaway made a shocking move when she showed top frontal nudity (although it was only for a few seconds), considering that her role in the latest installment of Princess Diaries was that of a dainty and conservative princess.
Brokeback saw Ang Lee as a chrysalis majestically emerging from its cocoon for three main reasons. Though his other directorial jobs were also met with success, this film is not like the others he has made throughout his career. Considering the films he previously directed as Ice Storm, Ride with the Devil, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hulk, it is surprising and commendable that he ventured to take on a different genre this time. The shift from action to romance, unconventional romance, that is, is quite distinct. Secondly, the fact that he, an Asian director, was able to direct and to finish a Western film shows his improvement with his craft. It depicts the cast and crew’s respect and trust in his capabilities and ideas. Furthermore, with Brokeback Mountain, he became the first Asian to win as Best Director in the Oscars. This instance demonstrates that Asians, aside from also being good actors and actresses, could also manage to be competitive and well faring directors in Hollywood. Thirdly, Lee was brave enough to portray a social stigma that haunts a selected minority scattered throughout the world.
The plot, though common in the few homosexual romantic films shown in cinema, is of relevant social significance: When will homosexual relationships be accepted for real by our society? Will they be accepted at all? The movie’s tagline, “Love is a Force of Nature” was shown with how Ennis and Jack tried to pursue their relationship even though it is considered a taboo. It depicted that nothing, not even their marriages with their wives, could ruin their relationship. The marked comparison between the dull, lethargic homes of Ennis and Jack, and the open, natural and rich scenery of Brokeback Mountain portray the interplay of their feelings. On Brokeback, they experience bliss together, whereas in their respective homes, they are not wholly happy as they constantly feel a tender longing for each other. The plot was all right save the confusing scene near the movie’s end when Lureen and Ennis were talking over the phone about Jack’s death. There was an uncertainty as to how and why Jack really died because of two reasons. One, Lureen’s facial expressions were hard to grasp, and not entirely conclusive of anything. Two, a short shot showing Jack being hit and punched to death was also shown. This boggled the minds of some movie watchers. Others were even led to speculate that it was Lureen who had Jack killed.
Amid the movie’s several flaws, Brokeback Mountain is appreciable. It is a film for the liberal truth-seekers. It is for those who want to perceive the reality that there is a small division of the world population that treats a certain ‘Brokeback Mountain’ as their haven and home, where they can enjoy freedom from criticism and ostracism. It is just that at times, this ‘mountain’ seems too hard and too high to climb.

The Pop-up

2006-03-11T16:20:00.000+08:00

I'm using Mozilla Firefox. And I have a dial-up internet connection. Whenever I get disconnected from my internet service provider, Firefox pops up a pop-up as:

Isipin mong naka-Firefox ka rin. Or kung naka-Firefox ka na, never mind this step. Tapos isipin mo na biglang lumabas sa screen yung ganyang pop-up sa screen mo. Anong gagawin mo? Anong pipiliin mong option? Ano ba ang mga option? Isa lang naman, diba? Wala nang iba maliban sa 'OK', right? 'Ok' lang? Nagsusumigaw na 'OK' lang?

Oo nga, maganda naman ang aim nung pop-up na yun. To inform (Naks. Pang-comm na sagot.) Pero the fact remains na isa lang ang pwede mong gawin: i-click ang 'OK'. Yeah, right. Oo, 'OK' lang talaga. OK?

That's the sad part.

May mga instances sa buhay na wala kang ibang choice. Wala kang alternative. Walang mapagpipilian. Simpleng 'OK' lang ang pwede. Sige lang. Go. Parang ganun. Kailangan mo lang tanggapin kung ano man yun. Mabuti sana kung magandang bagay yung hinahain sa'yo. E pano kung hindi? Pano kung mahirap? Pano kung masakit? Pano kung mabigat? Pano kung mabaho? Pano kung chaka? Pano kung epal? Pano kung ayaw mo? Pano na? Pano? Wala, eh. Kailangan mo lang lunukin.

Yung tipong maalat yung asin. Yung parang mabalahibo yung shih tzu. Tipo bang ang tatlo lang yung gulong ng tricycle. Tipo bang madulas yung langis. Yung parang hindi mo mabilang lahat ng bituin sa langit o buhangin sa beach. Tipong wala sa lahat ng library sa mundo yung autobiography ni Snow White at yung mga alagad niyang dwarfs. Tipong sakang yung favorite mong manika. Yung parang hindi mo masyado makain ang papel, tussie pwede pa. Tipo bang QWERTYU ang first seven letters sa first row ng keyboard ng PC at hindi SEXBOMB.

Tipo bang iniwan ka ng mahal mo. Tipong may ibang mahal yung mahal mo. Yung parang hindi ka na niya papansinin dahil masyado na siyang lango sa bagong mahal niya. Tipo bang isa ka na lang particulate sa atmosphere sa kanya. Parang:

Bakit ganun? Ganun talaga, eh. Click 'OK' na. Sayang kuryente.

Hay nako. Ang buhay talaga, parang bato. It's hard. So hard. Tsk tsk.

Share: Na-inspire lang ako sa influx ng sad quotes sa'kin today.

Toxicity at its Finest

2006-03-09T19:19:00.000+08:00

This toxicity has taken its toll on me. Toink.

Eve's "Eighteen and Loving It"

2006-02-27T21:27:00.000+08:00

Click on the title to see more pix. =p

When the Going Gets Tough

2006-02-26T14:52:00.000+08:00

The thing I hate most about blogs is that when they do not get updated at least for a week. Abandoned. Neglected. Ignored. Missed. Unattended. Using our own language, tigang.

Argh. Look who's talking? I hate myself.

***

Grabe yung Ultra Stampede and Leyte Landslide. =c Sulat ako tungkol dito next time.

***

It has already been eons since I last posted in this dear blog of mine. Many events have already transpired that I haven't shared with you. Some of which include:

*My Yahoomail inbox was flooded with the "Ummm.. To my Batchmates.." (a.k.a. umtb) thread. It is to my relief that the thread has been cut. For now. But not for long (I guess). And this is bad.

*Eve is eighteen! She already had her debut last February 5, Sunday. It was a denim party. I/We took a lot of conceited pictures there. Ang saya, sobra. Syempre, as usual, we (sisterhood plus circle) were requested (required, actually) to show a mini-presentation. And, as usual uli, hindi kami prepared. Result: (1) Operatic version ng Bulaklak (Yes, ung sa Viva Hot Babes) complete with actions and last-syllable halinghing; and (2) Matinong version ng Torete undoing ng ka-phonihan na pinamalas namin nung kinanta namin yung Bulaklak). Buti na lang nagustahan ni Eve (hindi naman siguro nagsisinungaling si Eve nung sinabi niyang na-appreciate niya yung ginawa namin no matter how barag it was). Pag nakita ko yung video coverage nung presentation naming yun, tatawa na lang ako ng malakas. Parang ganto: Hahaha. Pasensya na kund di niyo marinig. Pag nagkita tayo, ipaparinig ko sa inyo yung tawang gagawin ko. =p Moving on. When the dance floor was opened, kanta na lang kami ng kanta. O sige na nga, medyo sumasayaw na rin kami. Hehe. Masyado kasing ang sarap panoorin sumayaw ng mga Indayog people. Hehe. =p

*Type O ako. I still remember the time during our N1 last sem na pinagalitan ako ni Prof. Recio dahil hindi ko alam yung blood type ko. Kesyo pag naaksidente daw ako at nag-run out of blood ang mahal kong body, hassle pa ang pag-boblood type sakin. Totoo nga naman yun, diba? Kaya sobrang na-amaze ako nang nalaman ko na ang blood type ko nung nag-N3 lab kami. Sabi ni Eian, ang poor soul daw ng Type O kasi ang daming may ganun. Tipo bang 'Dugo ng Masa' kaya nawawala na ang 'specialness' ng dugong O. Pero diba, type O is the universal donor. It is good to be of service. Alamin niyo na rin mga blood type niyo habang hindi pa huli ang lahat (halaaa). =p

*I just realized na may mga taong cute lang pag nagsasayaw. See leaflets and flyers for details. Period.

*Tests. Puro na lang tests. Wala bang kangkong? Ang incoherent na nito. =c Actually, that was the main reason why I haven't updated my online self lately. Tapos ang dami pang papers na pinapapasa. Papel. Papel. Puro na lang papel! Sana naman maayos yung grades na makuha namin. Please include us in your prayers. Thank you.

*Our last Histo I class (that is, February 22, 2006) was so remarkable. Comfort women related their experiences to us. Surprising. Painful. Real. Gonna write an expose about this soon.

*Ang soft (ng buhok ni Eve). Ang dulas (ng buhok ni Eve). Parang nagpasalon (si Eve). Hehe. =p Nagpa-salon nga! Wait, technically, hindi siya nagpasalon kasi home service ang pagpaparebond niya. Hidden message: Nagpa-rebond si Eve lately. Toink. Ipagbunyi ang buhok ni Eve. Hooray!

*Brokeback Mountain is such a good movie. It deviates from our comtemporary films. Watch it. Uncut. Now.

I already forgot about the other stuff I thought of telling you. How sad.

I hope that I would not be undergoing a period of dormancy again. But when the going gets tough, I got no other choice. I gotta get going (This statement is made under the assumption: I. Am. Tough.)

Share: I wish I knew how to quit you.
-Jack in Brokeback Mountain

Jar in Front of the UPCM

2006-01-30T19:11:00.000+08:00

Para Sa'yo ang Laban na 'To

2006-01-26T19:02:00.000+08:00

Natutuwa talaga ako na nanalo si Pacquiao sa rematch nila ni Morales. Ewan ko kung bakit sobra sobra na lang ang saya ko. I have never been this involved kasi sa matches niya before. Ang saya talaga. Go Pacman! Haha. As if naman may matatanggap akong balato. Oh well.

Bukod sa excitement, may ilang bagay rin akong narealize habang pinapanood at matapos ko mapanood ang match ni Pacman:

1. May commercial pala after all ang Pegasus, ang "Ultimate Men's Club". At sa super iksing commercial na yun on national television, nailahad na ang tagline nito na something like, "where you find the difference between the beautiful and most beautiful." In fairness, sana naiintindihan ng mga parokyano ng Pegasus yun. At sana, hindi biglang magtanong ang mga toddlers na nakapanood ng ad na yun sa mga ina nila (a) kung may carousel ba sa Pegasus; (b) kung pwede ba ang babae sa Pegasus.
2. Sadyang marami pala talaga ang mga products na ineendorse ni dear Pacman. Ang wide pa kaya ng range ng mga products na yun. Mula Alaxan (na mukhang ginagawa na niya yatang vitamins), Circulan at Cafe Puro, hanggang Darlington at No Fear Undies. Nagkatuwaan pa nga kame ni IT na ilista ang mga endorsements niya habang may klase kami. Haha. Talo niya pa yata si Heart Evengelista. Wag na kayong mabigla kung sooner or later magiging model na rin si Pacman ng papaya soap, facial wash o kaya naman ay school and office supplies. Iba na talaga ang mga boxer na may album.
3. Kung kaya ni Pangulong Gloria mag-"Hello Garci", kaya niya rin mag-"Hello Manny" Kaya niya rin kayang mag-"Hello Pouchie"? Malamang hindi. Never niya naman kasi ako kakausapin dahil una sa lahat, wala akong kakayahang i-manipulate ang election returns. Pangalawa sa lahat, di kami close. Duh. Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan?
4. Kung may pera ka at ayaw mong mawala ang momentum mo sa panonood ng isang phenomenal na laban tulad nito dahil sa dami ng commercials in-between the rounds, sa Powerplant ka manood. Kung medyo kapos ka sa pera pero gusto mo pa rin wag mawala ang momentum mo, sorry ka na lang. Magtiis ka sa bahay. Ganun ang ginawa ko.
5. May mga taong binabalitaan na nga ng pagkapanalo ni Pacman, ang sama pa ng loob. Ano kaya yun? Haller?
6. Hindi ko ever i-aaspire na maging boxer dahil ayaw ko madeform ang face ko (yak. ang konyo). On second thought, maski na i-aspire ko pa, hindi naman yata kakayanin ng frail body ko. Magsasayaw nalang ako. Haha.
7. Wala palang tao sa streets (i.e. mga gala) kapag may ganitong mga laban. Isipin niyo na lang ang dahilan. Matalino naman kayo, diba?
8. Ang bouncy talaga ng ring ng boxing ring. I love it.
10. Ang galing talaga ni Pacman.

Naniniwala akong ang dami ko pang stuff na napagtanto nung mga panahong yun. Hindi ko na nga lang masulat at this point in time dahil nakalimutan ko na. Medyo mahaba na rin kasi ang time na nag-elapse between the day ng laban niya at ng araw na pinost ko to. Aww.

Simula pa lang nang nagka-ulirat ako, proud na talaga ako maging Pilipino. At during times like these, lalo pa akong nagiging proud.

Pisong Kangkong

2006-01-15T21:50:00.000+08:00

Walang pasok noong araw na iyon kaya naman mataas na ang tirik ng Haring Araw, hindi pa rin bumabangon ang isang binatang itago natin sa pangalang Doraemon. Hindi naman siya nagprotesta sa screen name na binigay ko sa kanya kaya sana makontento na rin kayo. Dahil hindi pa niya panahong mamatay, nagising na rin siya sa wakas ng mga ala-una ng hapon. Tumayo siya at lumabas ng kwarto, habang inaalala yung napanaginipan niya kanina tungkol sa crush niya. Ang tunay niyang napanaginipan ay nagkabungguan sila sa 3rd floor corridor ng *** Building. Pero anumang gawin ni Doraemon, hindi niya talaga maalala yung sobrang iksing tagpo sa panaginip niya. Bale sa eksaktong segundong ito, tayo lang talaga nakakaalam ng napanaginipan niya. Pero hindi naman talaga mahalaga iyon.

Nakita niya sa sala ang Mama niya at hindi na sila nagbatian ng 'good morning' dahil:
1. Hindi na naman morning at
2. Hindi naman uso ang batiang ganun sa bahay nila.

Heto ang napag-usapan nila:

Mama: Hoy Doraemon, kumain ka na tapos magbihis agad, ah.
Doraemon: Huh, bakit naman? Kakagising ko lang kaya. Pagod pa ako.
Mama: Pagod? Haha. Joke time ba 'to? May pupuntahan tayo.
Doraemon: Sa'n naman? Huwag mong sabihing sa ukay-ukay na naman. Sinabi ko na ngang huwag na huwag mo akong isama sa pagsha-shopping mo sa ukay-ukay. Nakakadiri ang used clothes. Eww.
Mama: Hindi no. Pupunta tayo sa M**** Makati (bagong department store). Bukas na 'yon ngayon. First day nila.
Doraemon: Ah. Sige.
Mama: Nyak. 'Kala ko pa naman tatanggi ka.
Doraemon: Ang gulo mo. Maglaba ka na nga lang.

Ang huling line ay hindi talaga sinabi ni Doraemon. Wala naman siyang karampatang karapatan at kakayahang sabihin iyon. Parte lang iyon ng imahinasyon niya. At sa totoong buhay naman ay mahal niya talaga ang Mama niya.

Umalis na yung mag-ina matapos kumain ni Doraemon. Wala nang ligo-ligo iyon. Sayang kasi sa tubig, sa sabon, sa shampoo, sa libag, sa balakubak, sa lahat. Iniiisip ni Doraemon na dahil grand opening naman ng M****, maraming tao. Pag maraming tao, maraming mabaho. Pag maraming mabaho, hindi na ma-pipinpoint yung kabahuan niya. Ayos na yun. Parang ganito yun: pag ang chalk ay hinalo mo sa Brand X (na puro chalk rin naman talaga), hindi mo na malalaman kung alin ba sa mga chalk na 'yon ang bagong dagdag.

Namili sila ng kaunting grocery na pwedeng gamitin para makaluto ng ulam sa darating na linggo. Mura naman kasi talaga sa M****. Dahil unang beses palang ni Doraemon na makapunta ng isang branch nito, sobrang natuwa siya sa kamurahan ng mga binebenta rito. Ang daming mga ganitong signages:

Buy 1, Take 1!
Buy 1, Take 2!
Buy 1, Take 3!

Inasam ni Doraemon na mayroon sanang:

Buy 1, Take All!

Pero wala. Syempre. Hindi naman pwedeng mangyari iyon.

Pero sa lahat ng nakita ni Doraemon, wala nang mas nakapag-paantig ng puso, isipan at kaluluwa niya sa kangkong. Saan ka ba nakakita ng kangkong na piso lang bawat tali? Ang mura, sobra. Kasing presyo lang ng mentos na binebenta sa kalsada. Piso na rin kasi ang mga kendi ngayon - wala nang tatlo, dalawang piso. Kahit yata sa Divisoria, wala kang matatagpuang kangkong na ganun. Napaisip tuloy si Doraemon na baka plastik lang yung mga kangkong. Pero dahil medyo matalino naman siya, agad niyang napagtanto na masyadong mahal ang plastik para ibenta ng ganung halaga lang. Tama, kangkong talaga yun. Wala nang iba.

Bilang isang matinong mamimili, inusisa niya muna ang kangkong at nakalap ang mga sumusunod na impormasyon:
1. cute ito
2. wala itong blemishes
3. wala itong mga butas
4. masarap naman (Oo, tama ang iniisip mo. Tumikim s'ya ng konti. Konti lang naman. Kung yung mamon nga na nahulog at nanatili sa lupa ng 4 minutes, kinakain pa, pa'no pa kaya 'tong kangkong na maayos namang nakalagay sa crate?)

Binalita niya ang mga napag-alaman niya sa Mama niya pero hindi ito ikinatuwa ng huli. "Dapat nga libre na lang 'yan, eh," sabi ng Mama. Dahil hindi masyadong pabor ang Ilaw ng Tahanan sa Pisong Kangkong, isang tali lang ang binili nito. Nalungkot tuloy si Doraemon. "Ganito na ba ka-kuripot ang mga tao sa world," ang tanong na bumagabag sa isipan niya. Buti sana bagong PC na sobrang mahal yung pinapabili niya. Kaso hindi, eh. Kangkong! Kangkong! Kung iisipin naman, napaka-versatile kaya ng kangkong. Pwedeng gawing adobo, kapares ng bagoong at marami pang iba. Gustuhin man n'ya bumili ng limpak-limpak na kangkong, wala siyang pera kasi nga bakasyon. Normal lang naman yata sa mga non-rich kids na ma-bankrupt tuwing sembreak, Christmas break, at kahit ano pa mang break.

Sa M****, binibili sa halagang P 5.00 ang plastic na paglalagyan ng mga napamili. Sapat na ang dalawang malaking plastic para sa lahat ng napamili ng mag-ina. Lahat, maliban sa PIsong Kangkong. Kahit anong siksik ang gawin ni Doraemon sa mga nag-uumapaw na plastic, sadyang hindi na talaga magkasya yung kangkong. Syempre, kalokohan namang bumili ng P 5.00 plastic para paglagyan ng P 1.00 kangkong, di ba? Wala nang choice si Doraemon kung hindi bitbitin yung pinakamamahal niyang kangkong gamit ang kanyang kanang kamay. Nasa kaliwang kamay niya kasi ang isang bag na puno ng pinamili nila. "Shet, wa poise," naisip ni Doraemon. Kapag nakita siya ng crush niya na ganun ang itsura niya, pupulutin siya sa kangkungan. Kaawa-awang kaluluwa. In english, poor soul.

Nag-abang na ang mag-ina ng jeep na masasakyan pauwi. Puno ang lahat ng sasakyang dumadaan. Limang minuto, wala pa rin. Limang minuto at sampung segundo, wala pa rin. Limang minuto at dalawampung segundo, may jeep na! Matapos ang isang oras nilang pag-ikot-ikot sa napakalaking M****, makakaupo na rin sila sa wakas. Haay, salamat naman.

Dahil isang gentleman ang ating bida, pinauna na niya sa pag-akyat ng jeep ang Mama niya. Medyo mabagal ang pag-akyat nito sa jeep. Nang naka-apak na ang kanang paa ng Mama niya sa jeep, bigla na lamang may humatak ng handbag nito na naksabit lang sa forearm niya. Naku, ang dami pa namang picture ni Doraemon sa wallet ng Mama niya. Hindi maaari ito. Que horror! Dahil mabilis ang reflexes ni Doraemon, natusok niya sa kung saan-saan ang masamang loob na gumawa nito gamit ang hawak niya sa kanang kamay. Tusok, hala, tusok. Palo, sige, palo. Hindi na niya kinailangan pa ng background sa arnis para magawa ito. Lahat nang ito ay ginawa niya ng hindi nakatingin sa kung sinumang inaatake niya dahil nagmamadali na siya sa pag-akyat ng jeep at pagsigaw ng, "Drayber, andar na! Ano baaa?!"

Haay. Nang makaupo na sa wakas si Doraemon sa loob ng jeep, pagod na pagod siya. Kung mabaho na siya nang papunta pa lang sa grocery, mas bumaho pa siya ngayon nang ma-stress siya. Pero hindi na niya ito inalintana. So what kung maamoy ng mga kapwa pasahero yung chorva niya? Nakikiamoy na nga lang sila, sila pa magrereklamo. Aba, hindi pwede 'yun. Ganito ang isip-isip ni Doraemon. Pero mukhang natabunan ng tagumpay niya ang baho niya sapagkat lahat ng tao sa jeep ay nakangiti sa kanya at pinupuri siya sa tapang na ipinamalas niya. Nakarinig siya ng mga salitang "wow", "hero", "galing", "maswerte". Sayang, wala man lang siyang narinig na "pogi" o "papable". Pero ayos na rin. Bida pa rin naman siya kahit anupaman mangyari. Yung Mama nga niya, naku, walang pakundangan sa pagpapaulit-ulit ng kwento sa mga pasahero maski na karamihan naman sa kanila ay nakitang aktwal ang pangyayari.

Habang patuloy pa rin ang pagpuri sa ating bida, napatingin na lang siya sa kamay niya. Maliban sa utak niya, ang kamay niya na yata yung sunod na napagod sa pang-teleseryeng tagpo na naganap kani-kanina lang. Naku! Guess what, chochnut? Wala na ang kangkong! Ang kangkong, wala na! Yun nga pala kasi yung ginamit niya panghampas at lahat na sa masamang loob na nagtangkang hablutin ang handbag ng kanyang Mama.

Sayang naman. Nawalang parang bula ang ang Pisong Kangkong. Huhu.

Siguro habang si Doraemon ay komportableng naka-upo sa jeep, ang kangkong ay durug-durog nang nakahimlay sa highway at dinadaan-daanan na lang ng mga jeep, truck, taxi. Nakakalungkot. Hindi man lang nabigyan ng tribute ang kangkong.

Sadyang ganun naman talaga - ang mabubuting damo, mabilis ang buhay. Maski hindi naman talaga damo ang kangkong, applicable na rin.

Naibulong na lang ni Doraemon sa sarili, "Mabuhay ang Pisong Kangkong!"

Castor Oil

2006-01-13T17:53:00.000+08:00

Lately, we acquired a brand new bottle of castor oil. We placed it on the small table in our bedroom, and my 9-year-old cousin, Jestine, saw it.

Jestine: (Holding the bottle up and scrutinizing the label) Ay, kapangalan ng kaklase ko!
Pouch: Huh? Castor?
Jestine: (Still holding and looking at the bottle) Hindi!
Pouch: Erm, Oil?
Jestine: Hindi!
Pouch: Huh?! Eh ano?
Jestine: Charrie Castor.
Pouch: Ah.

Stupid me.

Ngarag Nitong Miyerkules

2006-01-13T17:46:00.000+08:00

Mahilig ako sa mga bato. Mahilig talaga ako sa mga bato. Sobrang mahilig talaga ako sa mga bato.

Kung iniisip niyo na isa akong adik at isang nilalang na hayok sa droga, nagkakamali naman kayo. Ibang bato naman kasi yung tinutukoy ko.Yung mga batong tinutukoy ko ay mga gemstones. Gemstones. Tama, gemstones. Yung tipong mga amethyst, citrine, quartz, etc. Sana naiintindihin niyo na ang nais kong iparating. Kung hindi, magresearch na lang kayo ukol sa nasabing topic sa Google, Yahoo, Altavista. Try niyo na rin siguro sa Friendster search nang malaman ng sangkatutak mong Friendsters kung ano ba ang pinagrereresearch mo lately. O kung balak niyong magpakasipag, sa library kayo pumunta. At kung gusto niyo pa lalong ipamalas ang kagitingan niyo, yung Dewey Decimal System gamitin niyo. Bahala kayo kung ano ang napipisil niyong desisyon. Kung wala, sige lang. Ayos lang. Go.

Yung amethyst ay kadalasang purple at birthstone ng mga pinanganak sa February. Binigyan ko nga yung daddy ko nun kasi February 13 siya pinanganak. Pero hindi naman talaga yung amethyst yung gusto ko ikwento. Hindi talaga yun. Hinding hindi.

Yung citrine naman, may pagka-dilaw. Mayroon akong maliit na ganun dito sa bahay, sa may lalagyan ng mga hikaw ko. Maganda raw yun para sa negosyo. 'Eto yung batong involved sa aking kwento. Eto talaga yun, eh. Oo talaga.

Nilabas kasi ni Ken yung malaking sphere niya ng citrine bago mag-Histo. Siguro kasing laki nun yung kamao mo ngayon. Tignan mo yung kamao mo. Ayan.

Tapos 'eto namang si James, hiniram yung sphere mula kay Ken tapos -

James: Uy, pag nag-concentrate ba ako dito nang matagal, makakalipad ako?
Ken: Hay nako (sabay tingin sa ibang dako). Pouch, ikaw na sumagot.
Pouch: Syempre, hindi. Duh.

At ikinalungkot ko yung sagot ko maski naman totoo yun. Wala na kasi yata talagang paraan para makalipad ang tao nang siya lang mag-isa. Yung tipong hindi na niya kailangan pa ng harness o kahit ano pa man.

Mula pa lang nung bata ako, sobrang gusto ko na talagang makalipad. At hanggang ngayong medyo matanda na ako, isa pa rin yun sa mga pangarap ko. Naalala ko tuloy yung kanta ng mga bulag na tumutugtog ng gitara sa mga lansangan:

"Pangarap ko'y di naabot...
Dahil sa bawal na gamot..."

Poor soul. Maski na di ako nag-dodroga ay 'di ko pa rin maabot ang pangarap na 'yun.

Kung naniniwala lang sana ako sa mga chain letter, yung power ng paglipad yung hihilingin ko. E kaso hindi ako naniniwala sa mga ganun (tignan ang aking previous post). Wala rin.

Alam ko namang maski na kumpletuhin ko pa ang Simbang Gabi sa susunod na taon ay hindi ko matatamo ang kakayahang makalipad. Ganun naman yata talaga ang paglipad, eh. Parang world peace. Parang totoo, pero hindi naman pala.

Binibining Pouch

2006-01-13T17:41:00.000+08:00

Pagkatapos ko maligo at pagkalabas na pagkalabas ko ng banyo, ang pambungad sa'kin ng mahal kong ina ay, "Sali kang Binibining Pilipinas. Pwede na naman pala yung 17 years old, eh!"

Haha. Sobrang nakakatawa kaya. Sa sobra kong tuwa, parang ginusto kong maligo na lang ulit. Haha.

Ano ba naman kasi yang suggestion na 'yan? Masyadong matayog. Masaya na ako sa pagiging Binibining Pouch. Ikaw, masaya ka na ba sa pagiging Binibining/Ginoong __(fill in the blank)__?

Weary

2006-01-11T19:23:00.000+08:00

Chained to Chaining Chains?

2006-01-07T21:08:00.000+08:00

(With my previous post, I was inspired to write more about letters.)

I used to look forward to green-letter days.

If the English language has the term 'red-letter day' to stand for a noteworthy day, I, during my childhood, have designated 'green-letter day' as a day when someone would receive a chain letter. The reason why I chose that expression was that years ago, chain letters were usually printed on green paper and arrived in green envelopes. Yeah right, the meaning of my very own invented term is quite literal. But it is so convenient and no other term could probably be more appropriate.

One time, when I saw my Mama Menchu (my deceased favorite lola) look inside our mailbox to discover that there was a green envelope lying inside and patiently waiting for it to be picked up, I was overjoyed. A chain letter, hooray! My neurons fired excitedly, sending out two messages to my other neurons. One: If I could just persuade Mama to send out one copy of the letter to me, I would be a few inches away towards my wishes. Two: If I could not persuade Mama to do so, I would just request her to add-on my wishes to hers. Oh well. Scheming, eh? However, the strategies I have managed to make during that moment were, unfortunately, to no avail. Mama Menchu never picked up that green envelope, and did not want me to do the same thing. Days passed and I kept opening the mailbox eyeing the letter curiously. It was hard for me to resist the temptation of ripping it open and following what it told me to do. Finally, the day came when I had nothing to eye inside the mailbox. The green envelope was gone. Maybe it was picked up by someone from our household (my Tito Gil, most probably) who just trashed it away. Maybe my wishes were just meant to be wishes - not to be brought to a higher level. Maybe.

My fondness and fervent desire back then to receive chain letters was rooted in my hope and desperation to have something that would make my wishes come true. This desire went hand in hand with my dreaming of spotting a shooting star across the velvet sky of the night and finding a good-hearted genie trapped in an antique lamp.That was why I cannot really grasp why my Mama Menchu did not like receiving chains at all. I mean, who would not want to take a shortcut towards one's wants? Who would not want to get what he needs simply by sending out copies of the chain letter to other people? Duh. Everyone supposedly likes the easiest way out (or in, whatever the case may be). Why, then, a repulsion from chain letters?

This question boggled me as I grew up -- grew up in a society wherein snail mail neared extinction while SMS, MMS, and electronic mail steadily flourished. Soon enough, I started receiving chain letters. Actually, they would be more appropriately called as chain texts and chain e-mails. I sticked with the letters' rules. I wished more wishes.

When I was in early high school, I received a chain letter via e-mail which said that the ghost shown in the attachment (the attachment was a 'recorded video which caught the ghost') would haunt me if I would not forward the e-mail to others. I think it also promised good stuff to those who would send the e-mail to others. Being the devoted chain letter-sender that I was, I went on to forward it to my contacts. When I was about to click the 'SEND' button, my internet connection disconnected. My prepaid net card was already empty! Poor. I was afraid that the ghost would really come and get me. I waited for midnight (thinking that I better be awake and see the ghost materialize than be asleep and give the ghost the chance to wake me up with all glory), but no ghost appeared.

With that, I gave a thought about all the stuff I was doing. Chains are just hoaxes. I have come to the conclusion that my forwarding chains was lame, foolish and wasteful. With my more mature mind, I realized that it is impossible for me to get to my wishes JUST by sending out chain letters. Things are not going to happen with that alone. Life is good, but it is not THAT good for it to be THAT easy.

When that understanding dawned on me, I have come to look at chain letters way differently. I despised them. I then did not want receiving chain letters, much more sending out the same thing to others for the 'fulfillment of my wishes'. I have managed to come up with some points (I was not able to think about when I was young) to support my stand:

*How could chains, especially those written under RELIGIOUS PRETEXTS, threaten you with bad luck after wishing you good luck? I mean, would God (whose name appears in many chains) want you to be threatened like that? No, He would not. I firmly believe that He is a just God who would not base your faith on Him simply your being faithful to chains. Being faithful to Him is much more than that, isn't it?

*"Unlimited ka naman diba," that is how chains would usually start in texts. 'Unlimited' referring to the unlimited SMS networks offer nowadays. It even precedes the promise of good luck (e.g. These angels are sent to blah, blah; These bees are money bees, chorva, chorva; God is good, blah blah...). Chains just appear to give you a superficial reason (because you are enjoying unlimited text) for you to pass on the message. One could pass it not necessarily because he believes the 'value' preached by the message but just because "naka-unlimited naman siya."

*Most people would say, "I would not lose anything naman if I pass on this chain!" Yeah right. But seriously, would you lose anything if you DO NOT pass it? No, you would not.

I have shunned many chains which I am quite sure you have received as well (I'm not just sure if you shunned them the way I did) without getting ill, without ending up dead, etcetera, after. God is good and God is fair.

I do not mean to offend people who are so into chain letter sending. Just do not expect me to support these chains stuff again.

If you do so, I would be the weakest link.

The Postman's Post, Posted!

2006-01-02T21:33:00.000+08:00

A day before New Year's eve, my brother and I were waiting for our mom's arrival by the gate upon her orders. We were ought to help her out in bringing the bundles of plastic bags full of stuff for the Media Noche preparation. Being the restless girl that I was, I tried to while away my time peering into and probing our mailbox, scooping (aside from dust and dirt) two of its only contents, and seeing to whom they were for. One was a a card from Unicef for our boarder (a conclusion I came at with the letter's outside appearance and info about Unicef written outside the envelope). My mom got something like this years ago. I wonder why Unicef did not give her a card this year. Oh well. It's not something I was compelled to devote my time pondering about.

What intigued me and elicited in me a childlike excitement was the other letter I found (recall that I saw two in the mailbox).The letter I was referring to was inside a small 5" by 3" brown envelope (much like the one wherein a worker's wage was contained a few decades back, back to our parents' teener days). I am now going to relay the words outside the envelope and inside the main 'letter' VERBATIM. The envelope had a stamped (in blue) "MERRY CHRISTMAS AND [a] HAPPY NEW YEAR" in the center, and also a stamped "FROM: POSTMAN ALLAN B. ADALLA" in its lower right corner. There was even a scribbled "ORTEGA & FAMILY" above the Christmas greeting. It had no stamp (obviously) and no seal on its flap. Upon opening the envelope, I saw a small white bond paper (1/8 of a whole sheet) cut rather creatively on its left and right edges (the edges had a zigzag design) with the following computerized words:

"To my addressee,

As Christendom and humanity celebrate the year's most important season, my family and I send you this very special greeting.
And of course to your family and love[d] ones, may the New Year bring you more happiness, success, good health and prosperity.
Merry Christmas and [a] Happy New Year.

Your regular Postman,
Allan B. Adalla"

I'm reminding you again for the nth time that the letter was copied verbatim. Believe me, I was staring at it in disbelief. Ang taray! Was it just 'our' postman who gave out notes like this to celebrate the holiday season? For heaven's sake! I didn't even know that we had a regular postman! I used to think that different mailmen brought different letters at our doorstep. I cannot even remember opening the gate for someone as Mr. Adalla. I'm a poor soul. As far as I know, it was only this year that we received something like it. It is just Amazing, spelled with a capital 'A'. I was baffled why my brother did not share the enthusiasm I had with this unexpected letter. Was it just me who never expected it? I don't know. Maybe, I am just an excitable little girl, excited by the least excitatory of the excitatory stuff there are. But it pays to be like that at certain times, doesn't it?

Even if I know that Mr. Adalla gave out notes like this not just to us but to all the families he serves, I still felt special in a way. I mean, he actually cared and bothered to do all these! Okay, maybe his wife also had her hand in doing these letters - let us be fair. That's why I felt a pang of guilt strike me alongside the exuberance I was feeling. Here I am, saying that I love to share, I love to give, blah blah, when in reality, I was not giving enough attention to the people who get my (not much) and my family's (really!) life moving. There are many other people, possibly, in your life and in mine too, we have neglected. Not knowing that without them, we are crippled. Not knowing that without them, we are nothing as well.

The letter was an eye opener literally, and of course, figuratively.

Our postman is sweet. I wish yours is too.

Share: "I'll wait for the postman to bring me a letter," a line from Lohan's latest song I do not really like, the title of which I cannot remember well (Duh, the title was too long! Why can't she choose a title like, er, "Balisong"?!) Wala lang, it just came to my mind with the topic of my entry. Hehe. =p Happy new year! It's the year of the Fire Dog pala. Swerte kaya yung may mga aso? What a stupid question.

Untitled

2005-12-30T00:38:00.000+08:00

How could I be so wrong?

A 'Psychopath's' Thoughts

2005-12-26T17:00:00.000+08:00

According to a psych test (the reliability of which, I doubt. Enk.. ) forwarded to me through text by a friend, I'm a psychopath (WordWeb says that a psychopath is someone with a sociopathic personality; a person with an antisocial personality disorder). Frightening, eh? The text I received contained the following scenario: While a girl was in the funeral of her own mother, she saw a guy whom she fell in love with right then and there. For her, he was very much like her dreamboy. A few days later, the girl killed her own sister. What was her motive? I answered the question correctly - that the girl thought that she would see the guy she loved in her sister's funeral. I was, of course, happy with my correct deduction. I was even thinking that my childhood-to-the-present devotion to Sherlock Holmes paid off with this. However, the evaluation of the answer I gave said the that whoever answers the query correctly is a psychopath! It even said that the riddle was devised by a famous American psychologist, and that many serial killers gave the answer I gave. Goodness! It then appears that it would have been better if one gave an incorrect answer. Oh well. As I have said earlier (as a defense mech perhaps. Haha.. =p), I doubt the evaluation of the test because it seems like something that screens people who have deductive powers. Haha. =p Sorry, it's just that I cannot believe that I'm a psycopath or a budding one in the least.

Try to peek at my insights listed below, and with your own faculties, assess if they are psychopathic:

*My closest tita named her little cute bear Tiny for the reason that it is (drum roll please...) maliit. But to think, tiny isn't really the appropriate term for something like a bear. You would never say, "Oh! There's a tiny bear!". Small would have been more fitting! Nonetheless, on the second thought, a bear named Small (or Smally - pronounced as 'smoli') isn't really appealing. I guess my tita just have to stick with her oh-so-small bear's name - Tiny. Haha. =p

*What should be done with guys who karir you when in fact they already have girlfriends? Simple. They should be tried in court.

See! I'm not really a psychopath. I'm a sociable, diplomatic and peace-loving girl. =p But I am no angel.

Share: Whenever I remember a contestant in Wowowee say, "Salamat sa mga TFC screwdrivers (instead of 'subscribers')," I really find it hard to stifle a laugh. Haha. =p

Dedicated to No One in Particular

2005-12-26T16:57:00.000+08:00

I really appreciate Pussycat Dolls' Stickwitu even if I have no one in particular to dedicate it to. But if you like me to dedicate it to you, so be it. Haha. =p Here it is:

I don't wanna go another day
So I'm telling you, exactly what is on my mind
Seems like everybody is breaking up
And throwing their love away
But I know I got a good thing right here
That's why I say (Hey)

Nobody gonna love me better, I must stick wit u forever
Nobody gonna take me higher, I must stick wit u
You know how to appreciate me, I must stick wit u, my baby
Nobody ever made me feel this way, I must stick wit u

I don't wanna go another day
So I'm telling you, exactly what is on my mind
See the way we ride, in our private lives
Ain't nobody gettin' in between
I want you to know that, you're the only one for me (one for me)
(What I'm sayin')

Nobody gonna love me better, I must stick wit u forever
Nobody gonna take me higher, I must stick wit u
You know how to appreciate me, I must stick wit u, my baby
Nobody ever made me feel this way, I must stick wit u

And now, ain't nothing else I can need
And now, I'm singing 'cause you're so, so into me
I got you, we'll be making love endlessly
I'm with you (baby I'm with you)
Baby you're with me (baby you're with me, higher)

So don't cha worry about
People hanging around
They ain't bringing us down
I know you, and you know me
And that's all that counts
So don't cha worry about
People hanging around
They ain't bringing us down
I know you, and you know me
And that's, that's why I say (Hey)

Nobody gonna love me better, I must stick wit u forever
Nobody gonna take me higher, I must stick wit u (come on)
You know how to appreciate me, I must stick wit u, my baby
Nobody ever made me feel this way, I must stick wit u

Nobody gonna love me better, I must stick wit u forever
Nobody gonna take me higher, I must stick wit u
You know how to appreciate me, I must stick wit u, my baby
Nobody ever made me feel this way, I must stick wit u

Share: Nicole Scherzinger, lead singer of Pussycat Dolls, is a Filipina. Aha. =p

Maya-maya

2005-12-25T20:22:00.000+08:00

I woke up early, about 9:00 in the morning considering that I slept at around 3. Well, at least, that is my concept of early during sembreaks and holidays. Bear with me, please. It is Christmas anyway. Hehe. =p

Because I wanted to help bring up the Filipino movie industry (Oh wow!), I suggested that my family watch a MMFF entry. And so it was. We watched Shake, Rattle and Roll 2k5 (upon my brother and tita's request) even though I really wanted Mulawin. Walang pakialamanan. Yun talaga gusto ko. Poor me, I did not like the movie we watched a bit. For me, it was just a run-of-the-mill movie - something worthy of your "Sabi ko na nga ba (yan yung mangyayari)!" Aww. =c It consisted of three parts (as we all know), and each part followed the expect-the-expected plot. No need for teasers then. After all, I can't think of a teaser that would encourage you to watch the movie.

We watched the said movie at G4, and I was really annoyed with the noisy bunch (about 10 kids and adolescents) in front of us during the film showing. They kept on shouting comments, sometimes even rude ones, the whole time! Talk about disrespect! It was as if it was their first time to step inside a dark room with a wide silver screen in front! Poor souls... Grr... Bad trip... Kung di lang Pasko...

And of course, we attended Mass.

Share: I love my pictures. Haha. =p And those of my brother na tyempuhan talaga ang kailangan bago mo makuha. Siya yung nasa pic ng post ko ngayon. Haha. =p

Kani-kanina

2005-12-25T20:19:00.000+08:00

Umaga pa lang ng Disyembre 24 ay marami nang bumabati ng "Merry Christmas" sa'kin. At maganda naman yun. It is nice to be remembered. Ang dahilan naman nila sa pagbati ng ganun kaaga ay iisa: Nang hindi ma-hassle ng network traffic mamaya. Ako naman, gaya-gaya. May point nga naman kasi di ba? Pero nung nag-strike na yung midnight at ni-attempt kong magtext ng second Christmas greetings ko sa mga friends ko at sobrang ang bilis pa rin ng pagsesend, medyo na-phonyhan tuloy ako sa ginawa kong maagang pagsesend kanina. Because MOST people (Sun users like me, especially) ay nagtext na nang maaga kanina, kakaunti na lang tuloy yung natirang mga tao na hindi nakapagsend ng greetings nila pagdating ng midnighht. Consequence: Walang traffic at all pagdating ng Bisperas ng Pasko kasi kaunti nalang din yung nagtetext. Haha. =p

Ngayong medyo (medyo lang naman) malaki na ako, parang nararamdaman konog mas masaya talaga ang pakiramdam ng pagbibigay. Tipo bang naghihintay ako sa pagdating ng alas-dose dahil gustung-gusto ko na ipamigay yung mga regalo ko, seryoso.

Kaninang madaling araw ay nag-Noche Buena kami. Marami (lagi naman) akong kinain dahil kailangan ko ng taba. Masarap. Masaya. Naalala ko tuloy yung sinabi ni Mommy kanina pag-uwi niya, "Paskong-Pasko, ang daming batang nanglilimos sa mga kalye." Aww. =c Nakakalungkot na dahil sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, many people have grown not to look forward to Christmas. Let's face it. The Filipino people have grown poorer and more meager to this day. It is no longer surprising that only a special few are able to celebrate Christmas. But Christmas would always be Christmas for Filipinos, whether or not they have moola in their pockets. Let's not allow Christmas to get to the level of being an event the mere purpose of which is to show-off. After all, there are always alternatives: Juan Dela Cruz has the bright night star overhead as his parol, the gummamela plant outside as his Christmas Tree, the tuyo as his lapu-lapu, and finally, his own heart as a gift to others.

Maligayang Pasko sa inyo, mga katoto...

Share: Sana nabati niyo na rin ng "Happy BIrthday" ang may birthday ngayon. If not for him naman, wala tayong Christmas. More importantly, wala tayo. If you know what I mean.

The Driver's Prayer - Reformatted

2005-12-22T15:03:00.000+08:00

"Lord, ilayo niyo po ako sa mga pasaherong 'di nagbabayad."

Upon riding a jeepney home yesterday, I can't help but notice the signage whose words I've written above. It was the first time I have ever seen something like it. I just have to face the fact that even if I rely on the said PUV for my everyday transportation, I was not actually well aware that a new sign has already been added to the Philippine Jeep's Interior Collection of Incredible Signs. Some of which include "God knows Hudas not Pay", "Bayad Muna Bago Baba", "Pull String to Stop" (or its somewhat suggestive Filipino counterpart, "Hilain Mo, Ititigil Ko,"), "Basta Driver, Sweet Driver" (the most overused of the lot), and many other more.

My featured statement above could and would easily invoke a smile or a laugh from people. But if we are going to try to look at it and also the first two other examples I have cited more closely (Is this for real? We' re analyzing a jeep signage?! =p), we see the the Filipino driver's plea for his passengers' honesty. I really feel bad for my (jeepney) driver when my co-passengers don't hand in the proper fare. Sadly, most of the people whom I see not giving pamasahe are policemen. Aww.

So when we encounter a grumpy driver, we can now supply at least a single reason: his prayer was not anwered for the day. If you don't want to pay your pamasahe, have someone pay it for you! Pay! Pay, for heaven's sake - and the driver's as well.

Oops. Nope, my father is not a jeepney driver. Hehe. =p

Share: I still haven't got a kid for the MMDST thingie due on January 4, 2006. I'm a poor soul. =c

Burgos St.

2005-12-20T23:23:00.000+08:00

Sa aking buong buhay ng pamamasahe sa jeepney na may biyaheng Burgos pauwi mula sa aking mataas na paaralan noon at unibersidad ngayon, akin nang na-stereotype ang mga uri ng jeep na kailangan kong sakyan:

1. karaniwang asul
2. karaniwang sira

Kapag natanaw mo ang isang jeepney na may ganitong dalawang katangian, aba, Burgos na talaga iyon.

Wala lang. Hindi talaga iyon ang pangunahin kong istorya.

Ganito kasi yun. Kanina lang ay lumabas ako upang maglipat ng mga files sa memory card ng aking ama. Hindi na nakaya ng pwersa ng bluetooth at infrared niya kaya akin pang kinailangan na maghanap ng memory card reader (na wala ako =c). Nakahanap naman ako ngunit ako pa ay napilitang magbayad ng P63.00 sapagkat umaabot na sa P60.00 ang PC rental dito sa Makati Avenue. Palakad pauwi ay nadaanan ko muli ang Burgos St.

Sa isang gabi mula Enero hanggang Oktubre, likas na maliwanag na talaga ang daang ito dahil sa mga bar na nakahilera dito. At ngayong Kapaskuhan, mas lumiwanag pa ito dahil sa mga Baratillo (aka tiangge) na nakihilera sa mga bar. Nakihanay pa ang mga kainan.

Nadaanan ko yung isang tindahan ng pagkain na nagbebenta ng lumpiang shanghai, siomai, palabok, gulaman at marami pang iba. Napabili naman ako ng siomai. Sa pananatili ko doon sandali para kumain, napagtanto ko na yung tindahan pala na pinagbilhan ko ay yung tindahang tinutukoy ng kapatid ko na nagbebenta ng lumpiang shanghai na puro wrapper lang naman. Kumbaga 3/4 sa kabuuan ng shanghai ay pulos molo lang. Molo lang! Natikman na naman kasi niya dati. Sa mga panahong nakatayo ako sa harap ng nasabing kainan, naisip ko tuloy kung ano yung sasabihin ng tindero kung sasabihin ko sa kanya na , "Pabili po ng molo wrapper..." Maiisip niya kaya ang naiisip ko?

Nakakalungkot tuloy na andami nang magugulang sa mundo.

Share: Hindi naman daw talaga nag-originate ang lumpiang shanghai sa Shanghai, China.

Bloghood

2005-12-20T21:27:00.000+08:00

Finally...

Until now (that I established a blog of my own), I have always thought that blogs were, erm, phony. Why? Oh well. Maybe, it was just a defense mechanism of mine since I did not have one of my own before.

After being prodded by my webby (what a word! =p) friends since time immemorial to set up a blog of my own, I finally gave in. On second thought, I did not actually gave in to them. There was another reason why I eventually decided to get a hit with this blog thingies. It was Nate. Dear, I'm talking as if we are as close as GMA is to bringing our country to the grave. Haha =p. Moving on, Nate happens to own a blog that I accidentally crossed while I was searching for the real reason why Mabini had a limp (Prof. Karganilla gave that to us as a bonus assignment for Histo I). I ran a lookup in Google, and his blog showed up as one of the very few search results. Thanks to him (and his Ma'am Habana's anecdote which he chronicled), I then got a hint for the answer to my assignment. I was really amazed that he had stuff like those in his blog so I decided to read his other posts, and they were oh-so-good. Haha. I noticed how he really put his heart into his writings, and how he really loved writing. With his amazing posts, I was inspired to also share my random and nonrandom thoughts (and pictures, being the conceited that I am) with all the people who would bother to take a look at them. Haha. Boom, that was it.

A start.

Share: Do you have a map? I got lost in your eyes kasi eh.. (This pick up line shows promise! Haha! =p)