Philippine Volcanoes to participate in Hong Kong Sevens!

i seriously couldn’t be any prouder than i am now.

i’ve seen it first hand, heard it from the players themselves about what it takes to represent your country. it takes a lot of hard work and sacrifices. it wasn’t an easy ride where you constantly aim to go to the top and ultimately to reach the goal of putting the Philippines in the Rugby map and gaining respect from all other Rugby playing nations in Asia then eventually the world…

in every game, the team battle and bleed to give glory & pride to our country.. and now all the hard work, sacrifices, dedication, perseverance, and passion they’ve put in — the team, the coaches, and all the staff has now finally paid off.. We’ve got an invite to compete in one of the most prestigious Rugby tournament in Asia, well perhaps in the whole world, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.

It was the Philippine Volcanoes silver medal winning performance in in the Borneo 7s that earned their spot in Hong Kong 7s. We’ve finally proven that the Philippines is a formidable team in the Rugby arena, a team to watch out for in the next couple of years.

Its way beyond “awesome” to be playing against top teams worldwide — New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and England. its the next best thing to Rugby World Cup, seeing our own play with these formidable teams from around the world and i can definitely say its a dream come true for everyone – the team, PRFU, and the fans and supporters as well. but i always knew, seeing the team, looking at how dedicated they are with the sport, that unfailing love of their Pinoy heritage and their country, i always knew they had it in them, the ability to take the Philippines to the top!

let me take this opportunity to say congratulations to Philippine Volcanoes and to PRFU as well. You did a great job and look at where we are now. just keep it up and we’ll definitely go a long way and i won’t be surprised if we’d be able to go and compete in the next Rugby world cup! And i bid you good luck as well. its time to shine your brightest in HK Sevens 2012! again, best of luck! keep in mind that all of your supporters will just be here, rallying with you guys towards winning!

Go Volcanoes!

 

RESPECT. DISCIPLINE.  PINOY PRIDE.

mondays will always be for Rugby!

January 28, 2012 marks the start of Philippine Rugby Football Union 10′s League (PRFU 10′s) and I haven’t made up my mind yet if i’m gunna play on saturday or what coz i honestly feel that i’m still a work in progress when it comes to playing rugby. been playing the sport for about 3 months now. I started mid August last year but due to club commitments in soccer, i wasn’t really able to focus on rugby. I went back to playing it right after my birthday in September but was forced to sit on the sidelines last October till end of the year due to injury. In one of the training sesh in Rugby, I pulled my calf muscle really really bad that i had to rest it for a while.

I came back first thing this year and to really be honest with everyone, haven’t gained top form for playing yet. I’m way too far from it actually! hence, i’m still undecided with playing this coming saturday. but i’m doin’ everything i can to shape up and to step up for it. i haven’t missed any training sessions this year and on off training days, i sweat it out in the gym, doin’ mostly cardio & some weights to convert all my fats to muscle mass and also to develop agility & endurance. Rugby training is every Mondays and Wednesdays but since it’s Chinese New Year yesterday and its a holiday, no training sesh was scheduled.

and since me and some of my Rugby teammates were used to training during mondays, we scheduled a little training of our own yesterday morning at the field near Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman. We shared the field with UP Softball team (good thing they’re gracious enough to let us use the field with them!).

we started around 8am with warm up, jogging, and some stretching. then passing drills followed. simple “hands” first — just passing the ball from player to player, no fancy passing at all. then we did the “chooky”!!! really hilarious coz we’ve got no sense of direction at all and i really am an epic fail with switching & passing. why am i so bad with directions? haha! then some defense-offense drills and line throw outs then touch rugby after. its more of a “learning” sesh coz this time, we can actually learn and grasp everything. the chill & relax environment while doing the drills makes it a more conducive rugby sesh where you can learn as much as you can, you can ask around without feeling shy or awkward. its nothing like the rugby trainings we’ve had previously (where you can literally drop dead because it was intense)  but we’ve definitely learned a lot from it.

i’ve got to say a huge THANKS to my friend Junnel. yesterday’s sesh was her idea and it was really really fun! its a breath of fresh air actually coz for the first time, we felt chill & relax while training & because of that we learned a lot from it. sometimes its helpful when during training, your back is not against the wall so to speak. you can think clearly and do the drills easily coz nobody’s giving pressure and nobody’s shouting at you all the time.

so before we called it a day yesterday, we managed to get this photo:

aren’t we all cute here!? hehehe.. good job everyone for a successful private rugby sesh yesterday! and got to say that because of you, my dream to be a referee came true! hahahaha!! =)))))))) true story: they appointed me to be the ref for the touch rugby yesterday! and i think i aced it! =)))))

hopefully we can squeeze in one private rugby sesh every week! its really fun!

till the next sesh and keep on movin’ your feet guys!

Of hardships, sacrifices, taking chances & friendships..

This maybe my last entry for this year and hopefully I’d be able to cover everything & sum it all up in this one blog..

what a ride it has been for my 2011. its one crazy but awesome ride! =) and I couldn’t ask for anything more. From getting into Photography up to surprisingly immersing myself into travelling and (the most suprising of all) Sports! Playing Rugby & soccer has got me to a lot of places already and led me to meeting the most wonderful bunch people on earth. t’was truly amazing how these sports transform lives, changes lives coz it did wonders changing mine. =)

i ended the year with quite a bang actually. i got myself involved into a National Rugby Event held in Rizal Memorial Football Stadium — the Asian Rugby Junior Championships 2011. what started as just a mere wishful thinking of being able to join & work with the Philippine Rugby Football Union became a reality when among the pool of applicants for PRFU Liason Officers, I was one of those lucky ones chosen by the board to be a volunteer.

to be honest, i had no idea what i’m getting into, i just went on with it and finished everything. there’s nothing much waiting for a volunteer well aside from ample supply of food when you’re in the hotel or the quarters. there’s no fee for effort and time, no nothing ergo you really have to mean it (being a volunteer) and you should love what you do otherwise all the crap thrown at you while doing the volunteer work can get into your head and there’s no telling what you’ll do next, you might go berserk.

The tournament started December 13 and lasted till December 17 but the tournament week officially ended last sunday, December 18, when all the participating countries Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, & Korea boarded their flights back to their home land. T’was hell week for everybody, the PRFU board, Admins, and staff and for us Liason Officers too! we’re 8 (but 9 originally. one backed out a few hours before our week started) and there were 4 participating countries including Philippines U-20 team. so the 8 of us were split into 4 groups, a pair of LOs for each team. to simply put it, our task is to make the teams’ lives easier all through out their stay here in the country. and i’d say, we did a great job doing just that! and at the end of the tournament, our charges, the teams we handle became our friends. it almost feels like a second family to me… =)

it was a tough competition with South Korea proving that they really are at the top of their game winning all their games and was hailed as the champions for this year. taking the 2nd spot was Chinese Taipei, losing just a game versus power house Korea and 3rd placers were my kids from Malaysia. And (heart-breaking to admit) 4th placers were our own Philippine Junior Volcanoes.

I saw them battling it out on the field. watched them almost cutting each other throats to just win but it totally amazed me when the tourney was over and awarding was done, we’re all back to our hotel, the teams, all of the players went out of their way to get to know other players from the other teams! its as if nothing happened. it seems like they were friends for the longest time. they exchanged jerseys, some even asked for a photo opt from other players. it was amazing to see them bonding after a do-or-die match. really cool as a matter of fact. that is what i really call ‘fair play’ =)

Malaysia & Chinese Taipei bonding with us!

see the boy in the middle & the one standing at the back, both are from the Malaysian team & the rest are from Chinese Taipei team. They were like long lost friends seeing each other again after years of being apart. i really am in awe coz just the other day they were going head to head against each other on the field. really amazing these boys are! =)

my boys with the Chinese Taipei team... =)

My boys (Malaysia) with the Chinese Taipei team. Zakiy was even wearing the jersey of Chinese Taipei. Really amazing how one sport can forge ties and friendships despite the competition it presents. =)

another amazing thing that happened to me that week was I met people who became my friends! we couldn’t get enough of each others’ company as in literally. If i’ll describe this meeting it’ll be a ‘match made in heaven’, its a perfect fit. We jived and that’s it. on the picture is (left to right) Kenny, LO for Philippine Junior Volcanoes, Nikki, LO for Chinese Taipei, & JV my ever reliable partner and we’re both assigned to Team Malaysia. =)

on this picture is Ms. Mel, Admin Manager of PRFU, Kuya Ren & Mika. Both are volunteers too for this event. Truly is an honor working for this people.

and this is the big boss, Coach Matt! the commander in chief! hey boss! =)

and of course, we’ve got our own boss, Junnel (with JV and Nikki)! Junnel is the go-to girl of everybody. ask her and fo sho she’ll be able to answer you!

and presenting! the rest of the LOs team! (left to right) Lady Volcanoe Manila Santos, Noel Villa, Kenny Gil & Jaime Leogardo. we’re the dream team!

some of the pictures during the matches..

Philippine Junior Volcanoes versus Korea

Ned Stephenson getting tackled by 2 Koreans.

go Baby Volcanoes! get that ball!

scrum!

the Malaysian team! really proud of my boys! although I wish they’d all stop smoking.. take cigars out and I’d bet they’ll perform even better! =)

Teacher Nikki’s boys! Chinese Taipei! =)

game started! of course i’m rooting for my team Malaysia! Malaysia lost to Chinese Taipei in this game but just the same, I still am proud of them, t’was a close fight and they gave their best.

trying all their best to win!

 

made friends with the Malaysian team too! But it was Zakiy (the one holding the ball) was the closest to us LOs. He loves to hang out in our room, loves talking & telling stories, very talkative. He’s probably one of the nicest people i met during the event. We miss you Zakiy! and all your stories & funny antics! :>

in that 1 week of working and bonding with these people, i’ve learned a lot. grateful to have experienced everything. i’d say i came out a better person. i was able to know my strengths & weaknesses. proud of all my achievements and extremely happy that i did my job well. i really don’t mind working hard free of charge as long as i see all my effort turned into something great. something that i’d be proud of even if i live a hundred years or so..

i always say this coz this is important and every volunteer should remember this phrase:

“VOLUNTEER NOT TO BUILD YOUR RESUME, BUT SO YOU CAN BUILD YOURSELF..”

and true enough, through this wonderful experience, I was able to build myself and I came out a whole lot a better person than I was before…

Hope you guys had a wonderful year too and may we all be blessed with a fruitful and meaningful years ahead. =)

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! =)

Asian Rugby Junior Division 2 Championships in the Philippines!

Asian Rugby Junior Division 2 Championships next week! And Philippines is hosting the event! Be there and catch the Rugby action on Dec 14 and 17, 3pm at Rizal Memorial Stadium! ADMISSION IS FREE!

yes my friends, ITS TOTALLY, NO STRINGS ATTACHED FREE! no lines to go & beat so you can get tickets, no spending huge amount of money whatsoever. all you need to do is head down to Rizal Stadium on Dec 14 and 17 and join the fun! so go & spread the word guys! give our Junior Volcanoes love! oooohhhyeaah!

RESPECT. DISCIPLINE. PINOY PRIDE.

Una KAYA: A day with my fave UFL team, KAYA Futbol Club

UFL season is almost over but was able to squeeze in one game! hehe.. good job! =)

been a supporter of the team for quite some time now and it has been a tradition for me to get to watch and see at least one KAYA FC game every season and was so elated that I was able to clear one saturday!

November 26, 2011, another great day to play footy. Sun was up and shining the whole day and that makes you want to wear your boots and play. After the errands at home, i made it at University of Makati Football Field in time for the Kaya FC game versus Nomads Auction Manila. It was instantly obvious who’d won that day with Kaya FC dominating the whole game with 3 and nothing at all for Nomads! good job team!

Una Kaya!

Prior to the Kaya FC game was Global FC, my 3rd fave team, Kaya taking the first spot followed by PHL Air Force Phoenix, and third Global FC. The players usually hang around the place so we’re able to get some pictures with them!

my good friend & teammate Leslie with her baby Misagh Bahadoran, player for Dan Palami’s Global FC and PHL National team Azkals. Got no pictures naturally coz i’m the resident photographer (since day 1 i started watching & playing football) so there. You just got to content yourself with seeing, meeting, & talking to the players, no picture at all. i’m not complaining, elated to meet & talk to players really, makes me love football all the more! oh and after this photo opt, Leslie introduced me to Will Gueridonn, Fil-German footy player who played for Azkals before and now with Global FC, also he’s a close friend of Leslie’s. i totally forgot to have our picture taken coz the Kaya FC game was about to start and the two still ain’t stopping from their little chit-chat.. hehehe..

met some PUFC peeps in the Grandstand rooting for their teams too! =)

Ultras Kaya

meet Ultras Kaya, Kaya FC’s 12th man on the field — much like the Kaholeros for the Azkals. its actually a booster/cheering squad of Kaya FC (which i’m part of although i cheer for the team in my own special way, not the screaming type sorry). Little boy in the middle is Shane. He maybe a kid but he’s the group leader when it comes to cheering & chanting. the boy has a flair for composing songs for cheer and has a good command of the drums! so adorbs! and i later found out the reason why he cheers so loud and proud for Kaya, Nate Burkey, one of Kaya FC’s key players is Shane’s coach in football. so there! can’t blame the kid, he loves his coach so much! =)

so if Shane has his football hero, I too have a few. to name a few of my local football super heroes, I admire Manong Chieffy Caligdong and his uncle Yanti Barsales. Both pure Pinoy and both proved that Pinoys can excel in football and plays better over the Fil-foreigners. with the right mindset, proper attitude, training and support, Pinoys will fly higher than anybody else. but don’t hate me alright, i admire the Fil-foreigners too coz admittedly, they’ve been a big boost to the National squad. its a team sport after all, one can’t win alone, it has to be a collective effort of a group. one of the Fil-foreigners i really really admire the most is a Chinoy from Chinatown, New York City, Lexton Moy.

Papa Lex!

He’s fairly new to the team but has proven already that he’s an asset. He plays both for Kaya FC and the National squad. He’s proud to represent the PHL and despite his busy training schedule, he still can find time to participate and immerse himself to various football causes that aims to change lives of his Kababayans. a totally selfless way to help a country almost foreign to him since he grew up abroad but still, recognizing his heritage, he’s willing to help his Kababayans in any way he can. he’s a great blogger too! its really rare to find a guy who’s good in writing and expressing his thoughts so that is one kick-ass talent i daresay. =)

more from Lexton Moy here: http://soccerpirrs.com/charity/hammering-out-the-old-drives-new-hope-ffas-new-home/

visit his blog and you’ll be amazed by this guy! =)

pondering on, i never thought i’d live and see the day of Renaissance football here in PHL. with the success of a local football league to seeing our National team play against football legend David Beckham is a dream come true for everybody, not just the team but the fans & spectators as well. i just hope we could do the same and show the same support with other sports as well. =)

till the next football adventure folks and keep on moving your feet! =)

Where will happiness strike next? The Coca-cola OFW project

i’ve watched the video a number of times already but still crying every single time! hard to keep dry eyes…

i don’t usually fall for viral campaigns as this one from Coca-cola and I’m not a fan of softdrinks either but the Ad sure did hit a spot right there.

i wanted to share this to you guys coz i know a lot can relate, lalo na sa atin mga Pinoy where almost all households have a family member who has gone abroad to seek for better opportunities. i myself came from a household just like that…

My dad was a mechanical engineer grad and already had a good paying job here in PHL after he went out of  college. He’s the sole bread winner of his own family as he’s the only one who was able to go to college so he opted to apply for another job with a bigger pay outside the country. then he met my mom, got married and had me. that time, the only option was to keep working abroad coz now he has a kid to raise and a family of his own (aside from his parents & siblings) to support, me and my mom. despite the fact that he’ll be leaving his pregnant wife, my Dad went abroad and mom gave birth to me without my dad around for support. needless to say my dad missed all the ‘firsts’ — my first smile, my first word, the first time i learned to crawl and walk on my own, the first bath, my first solid food intake, everything, even my first days in Kindergarten. at that time i thought t’was just normal, i had no idea what a dad is but i kept seeing my classmates & friends with their dads but to me it just seem normal. i never felt unlove or anything. so when i finally realized that i should have a dad or that i have one, i was already 7 years old. it was our first meeting, in 1992. i can only imagine how my dad felt at that time. it was heart-breaking actually, imagine you seeing your child for the first time. of course you want to hug her, talk to her, play with her but you couldn’t coz she doesn’t want to go with you or to even look at you. she doesn’t know you at all..

it was hard growing up with an absentee dad. i couldn’t understand why he chose to be abroad rather than be with us. i kept grudges to be honest. but when i finally understood why, i let go of all the grudges, mend my relationship with dad and from then on, i always show him how grateful i am for everything. i think my life wouldn’t be as pampered as what it is right now if not for all the sacrifices my dad made during his stay abroad.

so tonight when i get home, gonna hug Pops tight and say “Dad, i am proud & will forever be grateful that you are my daddy. this wouldn’t be our life if you hadn’t sacrificed years in Saudi, away from us..”

to all those who have family members working abroad, remember to always be thankful to them for everything. remember their sacrifices and show ‘em some Pinoy love from PHL this Christmas! =)

have a wonderful weekend everyone! =)

please always remember that i love you guys… =)

this year has been the most surprising year of my entire existence coz for this year, i was caught up with the sport that everybody loves, the beautiful game of football.

it was a whirlwind experience for me. this month marks my 6th month playing the sport and i must say that it was fun and at the same time tough & challenging. i had to learn everything from scratch. and it wouldn’t be easy without the help of my club/team, Pasig United FC.

you can see us train during weekends at RHS Field in Pasig City. This time however, get to meet the people behind the team. these people are the closest to me & has been my inspiration to always move forward despite the hurdles we face. they are like a family to me and i’ll always be forever grateful to them for all the things they’ve taught me during those 6 months i stayed with the team.

hey there rica!

this is my good friend & PCC & FEU Batchmate, Rica. She plays forward for the PUFC Women’s team. We’ve known each other for like eons but we only bonded this year over football! she’s my role model. i look up to her and i drew motivation from her. she plays really well and always determined to win every game. i admire her passion for football and i must say that its contagious, you can’t help yourself but to train & move around when you’re with her. whenver i have doubts & second thoughts about playing, i talk to her and she can instantly take back to the right track. she always reminds me why i’m here, why i play and why i should keep on playing. i think she’ll be a great coach someday. we also shared fond moments in Rugby too! i really miss playing footy with her. =)

say hi to our midfielder Leslie!

just loving this candid shot of our midfielder Leslie Laya! looking candid while admiring a Volcanoe from afar! haha! i never thought that i’ll ever bond with this girl. she’s way too ‘kikay’ and ‘conio’ for me or so i thought.. yes she’s kikay but in a very funny way. she maybe conio but she can get along with people from all walks of life. i admire this girl. she looks like a lady but thinks like a man & commands like a boss. you can never boss her around. she’s tough, ready to go on a fist-fight when asked, even in the middle of the game. more importantly, she’s a fierce & loyal friend to everyone.

me & Capt. Lorie (in light blue shirt)!

i owe most of what i know from our Captain, Lorie de Leon. She’s one of the first people i met in the field before entering the club. with almost 12yrs (did i get it right?) of playing football under her belt, she’s the most experienced in the team. Same with Rica, I look up to her as inspiration and motivation to constantly push myself beyond limits and excel. Very supportive and fiercely protective of her team, i couldn’t ask for any better captain than her! =)

and this is Rica’s sister, Loreta. She’s the clown & resident parrot of the group. full of stories & jokes, full of life. there’s no dull moment when you’re with her. she’s way too energetic when playing and she’s the fave of our coach! haha! And much like her sister, she’s a fierce and loyal friend too! i love her enthusiasm in life, her positivity. the outlook she has on things. its always refreshing how she view things no matter how difficult the situation maybe.

ahahahaha! can’t stop laughing with this pic! this is LA but we love calling him “Batang Moo” for being over protective with his ‘moo’ drink during PHL Azkals World Cup qualifier game in Rizal a few months back. he’s one of the few players i’m close with, in men’s team. he’s easy to get along with and ‘kaladkarin’ din! you can just take him anywhere. he’s also one of the seasoned players in the team, plays well athough i have to say he’s a little lazy. he’s used to playing 11-a-side games that’s why you really can’t count on him to run as much as he can when playing but the guy is good. just needs a little push i guess. lately, he’s been missing a lot of trainings & tourneys so i hadn’t had the chance to talk to him again. maybe one of these days we get to talk again.

haha! i’m so fond of these boys that’s why i wanted pictures as big as this! hahaha! this is Joel ‘The Ditcher’ Simplina! he earned the monicker ‘ditcher’ coz there was one time when we got invited by Sky Cable in a viewing party in Dillinger’s, Greenbelt. To make the story short, he ditched us, nada, a no-show! haha! but he was able to redeem himself when he started to show up regularly on trainings & tourneys acting as one of our official photographers. it was just recently when i get to talk & bond with Joel. it all started before our IUFC tourney. we asked him to coach our new keep in time for the IUFC Cup and he never thought twice and said yes in heart beat. Being a keeper & a fielder himself, he was able to train our keeper & shared everything he knows. and it turned out great for the Women’s team as we were able to hold goals out during the games. And that really earned my respect for this guy. you really can count on him in times when help seems to be out of reach. and more recently we discovered that he can actually sing! good job! )))))) but seriously, he’s a friend you really can count on during tough times.

our Coach Jong

Our Coach Mike

lastly, our Coaches, who loves to scold us at every given opportunity! joke! )))))) the man behind the team. the go-to-guy. brother to most of us & father to our baby booters. the force. putting it simply, it really means a lot when somebody believes in you in times when you don’t even believe in yourself. that is why the coaches are around. they give you a boost & much needed confidence. they’re there to help you out in every way they can. =)

given the situation we are in, i wanted you guys to know that i owe everything i know in football from the club, from the team and i’ll always be grateful for that, for building me from scratch. its a true honor playing and representing for you guys and i’ll never regret the day i stepped in to RHS Field and into the club for there i met the most wonderful bunch of people there is.

Sipa, sige! =)

VOLUNTEER not to build your resume, but so you can build yourself…

ok, admittedly, i’ve been neglecting this blogging site these past months. apologies. caught up with everything happening in my life all at once. i’m not complaining though. its just that i’ve got less time to sit down, contemplate and write. so while i’m still chill at work, i might as well write a few words and update you guys with what’s happening in my “too boring” life.. =)

this month has been the toughest especially for our kababayans in Northern Luzon. The areas Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan & most provinces in the North like Aurora was widely devastated by Typhoons Pedring & Quiel. Being a tropical country, typhoons & cyclones are not foreign to the islands of the Philippines and an average of 3 to 5 typhoons hit the country every month. However, like what most of you know, no matter how you prepare yourself to the onslaught, nature is well just too unpredictable and unstoppable.

When something like this happens, it triggers emotions and brings back so many memories…

been there done that. that’s all i can say & more than anyone, i can totally relate to our kababayans from the north. I was a victim too. Last 2009, Typhoon Ondoy came to the Philippines and Metro Manila was one of the hardest hit areas in the country. more than 300 people died. Me & my family was fortunate enough to survive.

we tagged Pasig as “the Venice of Asia” and you can see in the picture why. The water was more than waist deep at the time i took the picture.

so instead of cars, jeepneys, & tricycle,  we have boats moving people & stuff around.

this is my barrio, Pinagbuhatan where water in some areas were as high as 10 feet tall. i was waiting for my ride home. since i’m working, i had to evacuate and temporarily live with relatives in Sumilang, Pasig. This photo was taken at the time that i was about to go home & visit my family. My mom & my dog decided to stay in our neighbor’s house so they could keep watch of our house. while my dad, old & ailing has to evacuate to my grandmother’s house in Ugong. My cousin (dad’s side) who doesn’t have work at that time, accompanied mom at home. i had to go home every week to check on mom and my dog’s condition and of course, flooded as it may be, i miss home.  =)

viola! my ride home! see, i have to save money for the family and i just couldn’t afford to get a boat ride home which costs around Php120 to Php150, one way. so i have to be creative & resourceful, asking for a free ride on a 6-wheeler truck was I think the most awesome thing i did back those days. =) walking is an option too but it’ll take me 2 hours to get home by walking (a total of 2.7km from Pasig Market to our Village) so i favored free rides instead.

on the way home, i saw these guys, hanging out on the bridge. they actually asked for a photo opt so i gladly obliged. i was just in awe. despite the conditions we were in, people from Pinagbuhatan managed to smile. hopeful for a brighter day next.

home sweet home! haha! its waist deep water outside our house. that’s my pinsan there, trying to figure out how to move around the water. that little house is our tindahan.

that’s my dog bodie who reluctantly learned how to swim when the house was still flooded. bodie also learned to make use of the make-shift bridges i built so we can walk above the water. =)

experience thought me to be strong amidst struggles and showed me how to be compassionate to others. it always feels good to give back especially when you know what it feels like to be in the same situation as them. so when our HR called for volunteers who wanted to help ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya Relief & Rescue operations, i didn’t think twice. i immediately enlisted myself to help & serve my kababayans in need. Right after work at 6pm, me & a couple of friends from the office, went straight to Sagip Kapamilya Headquarters in PBB Concert Hall, ELJ Drive. We repacked relief goods non-stop till wee hours of the night. it was such a liberating and fulfilling experience. and i met the most interesting group of youth who also enlisted themselves to help.

these are the students i was with during my sagip kapamilya duty. From Philippine Ling Nam Athletic School, these kids are proud martial artists (Wushu) and fire volunteers too! no wonder, when they were able to get their hands on the goods, they never let go. just went on packing mode with no plans of stopping even for just a drink. energetic kids with big hearts. i was in awe to see the spirit of volunteerism alive and in action with these kids. i used to think that our youth, especially the generation after mine are just plain hopeless, with lives going out of control and wasted. but look at them, doing something worthwhile and important on their free time. real role models of the youth today.

tired but still up to the task at hand! we were able to finish 400 sacks of relief goods that day which was distributed to 4,000 families in Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan. good job to the kids, they were as fast as lightning in repacking goods!

we were about to go live on TV Patrol here.

like what i said, its always nice to give back. i know how it feels to be in that situation and during those times, people lent me a hand too so i’m doing the same and giving back the favor. tired as i may have been, I packed those relief goods with a smile knowing that i’d be able to help a family start rebuilding their lives.

VOLUNTEER not to build your resume, but so you can build yourself. =)

Modern day heroes with BIG HEART & GOOD CHARACTER — Philippine Rugby Team Volcanoes

i always thought that the “heart” makes an athlete great but i was wrong.. it takes the combination of good character & heart that make great athletes. you may have the heart to train hard, compete and build an iron-strong will to win but without a good character to go with that heart of yours, it’ll be nothing. a good character that makes you want to go out there, share what you know about your sports, and give back to the community — you’re doin’ it free of charge and all because you want to do it & you care. not because you can earn money from it.

for a sports junkie & fan like me, the quest to find the true & certified sports heroes is a never-ending journey. in the advent of sports here in the Philippines, a lot of teams, clubs, groups are sprouting out like wild shrubs and mushrooms. you can easily go “ga-ga” on one of them and fall trap to whatever charms they may have without even asking yourself if you should be following & supporting them or are they even worth your effort and time or are they really the heroes we can look up to as role models??? I’ve been on that loop for a long time now and for years, I’ve been looking for that true sports heroes. Admittedly, i easily get charmed by painstakingly good looks but relationship would turn sour the moment i see right through them.

so what really makes a great athlete?

a great athlete is someone with a “BIG HEART” that can form an iron will to train, play, & win. someone who believes in winning even before it happens. someone who can pull through despite the problems s/he faces. it is someone who’ll push forward to achieve his dreams & goals & will not just let go of it, never allow it to just fall apart. S/he is someone who uses all those defeats to propel him towards his goal.

a great athlete is a man of “GOOD CHARACTER.” Someone who unselfishly shares his talents & skills. You can see the willingness to teach and share what he does best without expecting anything in return and finds happiness and solace when teaching/sharing. It is someone who genuinely shows love, appreciation & care for his supporters no matter how little (in numbers) of them there is. someone who stays humble & grounded despite being in the midst of limelight & fame. most importantly, s/he is someone who doesn’t see his sport as a “million-dollar” career where he can earn a lot of money. he plays because it is what he really wants to do and that is where his mind, soul, & heart lies.

my constant quest for that great sports heroes brought me to Rugby. you wouldn’t really think that the sports rugby is crafted for us Pinoys. its a rough & very physical sport where players are mostly bulked up, brawny, & built to be crushing machines. Pinoys are average-built, most are just of average height of 5 feet, lanky and doesn’t have enough muscle mass to be a rugby player but to everyone’s surprise, Pinoys woke up one day seein’ for the first time in Guadalupe area, the official Rugby players of the country — the Philippine Volcanoes.

beyond those good looks & almost god-like bodies are men with high-caliber skills when it comes to playing Rugby. As one writer puts it, they’re the real deal athletically as they have put the map of Philippines in Asian Rugby. Just two weeks ago and before my legendary encounter with the team, they were preparing for the Shanghai 7′s. it is the preliminary for the prestigious world wide tournament, Hong Kong 7′s.  Sadly, the team didn’t make the cut. They finished in 7th place, a step behind the goal of finishing 6th to qualify for the Hong Kong 7′s. Looking beyond this big disappointment, Philippine Volcanoes have proven a lot. They defeated the reigning champions in Asia, South Korea, with a score of 19-14. Then went on demolishing Rugby teams from UAE (24-7) and Thailand (22-0). Unfortunately, they conceded to better teams Kazakhastan (12-5) and power house China (24-10) which finally earning them the 7th spot on the tournament. Having beaten South Korea & their resounding victory on their last game versus Thailand (where they didn’t even allow the team to score even just a single try), they’re sending a clear message across all continents in Asia: Philippine Rugby Team VOLCANOES means business and in full throttle to win as many games as they can and eventually, getting the chance to play in the Rugby World Cup.

its not only their superb Rugby skills  that earned my respect for this team, it is their undoubtedly humble & down-to-earth character & personality that won my heart. Turns out that these lads are far from the way they were presented in the ginormous Bench billboards across Guadalupe (which was taken down to give way to the request of the city mayors). On the billboards (if you happen to see them), they were projected as “Alpha male jocks” who seems to be full of themselves and cares nothing more than the fame and attention they get from playing the game and starring on that billboard. Hell yeah. i’m so wrong this time! i was surprised to meet the nicest, well-mannered & grounded bunch of gentlemen last August 23.

You really can’t judge a book based on its cover…  really… i was actually thinking of meeting players with “diva-like” attitude during the meet & greet but surprise! surprise! the diva wasn’t there! they came on time, joined us for merienda and immediately mingled with everyone in the room. it felt like meeting an old friend to do some catchin’ up, telling stories to each other and all. you can see that they’re genuinely interested with you as you are to them. they’re warm & very accomodating, trying to answer each and every question thrown at them even if they’ve answered it already a gazillion times. the boys are witty & full of humor as they made fun of each other & teasing their newly appointed team captain Jake Letts that instead of being big & brawny, he has small frame much like that of an average Filipina!

All of them have one pure Filipino parent making them eligible to play and represent the Philippines in the Rugby arena. And they endearingly call each other as “brothers from another mother” — a proof that their brotherhood as a team & as friends is strong as ever.

Despite looking more foreign than Pinoy, you’ll see in them the “never-say-die” attitude of Pinoys. The one that never breaks to pressure but bends & sways like a bamboo in life’s challenges. you can see a strong sense of nationalism too among them. Choosing to represent the Philippines over countries where they came from (even with the money & fame they can get from there) says a lot about them being proud to be called Filipinos. To represent a country plagued with unnerving politics (even in sports), corruption, and lack of proper government support is one daunting task. All of them have regular day jobs, even accepting extras so that they’d be able to save funds and use it to fly out here and compete under our flag.  They save up leave time from work so they’d be able to train with the team and join as many tournaments as they can.  it really takes a true Pinoy to endure sacrifices as many as that and that just makes me truly proud of them! it really doesn’t matter if you get nothing , not even a single cent from the government & even if your kababayans don’t take notice of your achievements.. the team loves the sport, takes pride of being Filipinos & representing the country, so they just brush it all off, put a brave face on and ready to take any opponents in a heart beat. =)

just when i was on the verge of giving up on finding that true sports hero, i met these lads. it’s funny how fate works that when it already seems impossible to find them, here are the Volcanoes. They proved that their sports are not just a “million-dollar” career. they proved that they are not just better athletes playing their best in every competition but they’re also better person just doing their best to share their talent & give back to a community almost alien to them since they didn’t grew up here. they are all out there doing greater things other than just moonlighting events & endorsements or aiming to get the world cup. they went an extra mile and went beyond what is expected of them. When everybody’s expecting you to be a better athlete, show them that you’re not just an athlete excelling in your chosen sport; you are a better person, able to do greater things not just for yourself or the team, most importantly for your kababayans and your country, making a difference and changing lives — and they did just that. =)

now i think that the quest is over.. i finally found the true sports heroes of my day..  and its been an honor meeting them & i’m even more proud that i’m training with them. its something i’ll bring with me, & something to talk about to my kids & grand kids.. something i’ll bring with me till the day i die.. =)

Philippine Volcanoes, proud & true Pinoys! the role models we’re all lookin’ for.. =)

My 2 day trip to Pundakit, Zambales

It has been months now since I’ve gone to Anawangin Cove in Pundakit, San Antonio, Zambales but hey I still want to write about it on my blog coz it was my very first unplanned travel and I’m very proud of it. We survive the wilderness!! Wooohooo!! Rock on!!! I’ll try uploading some of the pics then I’ll continue my story… ^_^

In the cove, you really can’t do much. No electricity, no phone signals… Just you, the lush greens & the majestic view of the sea. You have plenty of time to think, sleep, bathe in the warm water or even goof around if you’re with your friends. You can just lay around all day, doing nothing (or even wear nothing ^_^). You’ll have plenty of time to think or clear your head. That’s the magic of being in a nice, secluded & not crowded part of the Philippines.. hehe…

pine trees on the shore The first thing that caught my eye when I got there was the pine tress sprawled around the cove. Hmmm.. Interesting coz its like Baguio met Boracay halfway! I have a lot of pictures wala kasing magawa but to take photos... hehe...Its a 3-hour drive from Manila (that's possible if you're not gonne get caught up with the traffic so better set off early, around 4 or 5 in the morning or for those taking the bus, there's a 12am ride to San Antonio Zambales at Victory Liner Caloocan). Its fun if you'll go there by bus coz there are several stops, one in San Fernando Pampanga & the other one is in Olongapo City. You'll see places & faces of people along the way...So there, I wouldn't elaborate much of my trip last summer but I'll be traveling again, maybe this coming christmas or by next year & this is where I'll post every travel destinations that I'll go to! So for the mean time, please indulge with the pictures I've attached in this email.mag-isa sa dalampasigan

Bitter-sweet…

Like most of the kids, I have dreamt of going to Enchanted Kingdom (babaw noh?!). Then the day of going to Enchanted came. My friends at work bought us discounted tickets & have the trip scheduled out of the blue.  I didn’t expect that one day I’ll be able to go there, one, I don’t like rides but I sure love traveling & visiting places & two, since I don’t like rides, what would I do if I’ll go to EK (alangan naman na tumunganga lang ako, sayang naman yung binayad ko sa entrance fee).

So to cut to the chase, we went there, tried all the rides & done everything there is. Then after the rides, we went to Tagaytay for dinner. While eating, we shared a lot of laughs & stories. Just one adjective to describe what we felt that day, HAPPY. But at the back of my mind, it seems that we’re having so much fun that it felt like we’re never gonna be that happy again. So ayun, to cut the story short… May nangyari ngang di inaasahan.. hehe… Anyways, the trip was fun.. I’m gonna share some of the pics from our EK trip…

the album cover...

The shot was taken from EK, one of the establishments there… Cute! Parang album cover ng isang banda…

saya lang lumipad!

taken from one of the rides. Good thing JC didn’t want to try the ride so siya ang official photographer… hehe…

If I’d ever had another chance, I’ll do this again with the same set of people I’m with… <naks!>

Here comes Christmas!!!

Alas! Christmas is almost here! Just 67 days more & the air will be filled with carols, gift-giving, loving & sharing… ^_^ originally, I plan to be the ms. scrooge for this Christmas. I know you’re asking why. I’ve had loses in this life that made me not believe in Christmas anymore. You know, the pain of losing someone you love can sometimes make you angry & tendecies are you’ll depart your self to the real world & you’ll hate the real world if you see them celebrating & not empathizing to what you feel. But I realized that I still have my family (mom & dad) to celebrate with. I guess it’s time to let go of the negative feelings & start fresh. Actually, I have a thousand reasons to celebrate! So there, I decided to hit the mall & start buying Christmas stuff & gifts… Of course, I went there with my friends (para masaya) & can’t help but to take pictures of things related to Christmas! Yey! Its Christmas!!

mirror, mirror on the wall! who

(Di pinalampas ang salamin!) If there’s a will, there’s a way, so we used the mirrors inside the mall so that we can take pics where all of us are included.

I love the idea of white christmas tree with black decors!

That’s sean, my friend from work… hehe… fascinated with that white tree…

golden christmas balls!

labo ng image sa golden christmas balls e, yun sana gusto ko ma-achieve… haiz..

patterned after the comedianne POKWANG!

Kamay sa baba!! sounds familiar?? & looks familiar too!

So there, why be a scrooge if you can be happy. Punish yourself & be miserable this yuletide season or be happy with whatever you have & let go of negative feelings & feel the Christmas spirit? Well, I definitely prefer the second one! Happy Christmas!

spooks & goosebumps crawling in…

Have you ever felt that though you are alone yet it feels like someone’s with you or watching your every move?? Been in this kind of situation a thousand of times & it becomes intense during this time of the year, Halloween… Hay, but what can I do? This is my gift, to see the dead & have the ability to talk to them. It runs in the family actually, my grandma has it, my mom also has it, & me & my younger cousin also has that ability. See, it’s in my blood… So to jumpstart the Halloween celebration, I’ve taken some pics to match the occasion. Last friday, me & my co-workers went on for shopping. There’s a big sale at SM Megamall so after the meeting with Globe Telecom, we went there to look for good finds & of course to buy…

Mr. Grim the reeper is here!

This is me & sean with Mr. Grim the Reeper… hehe…

Meet Joanne

Meet Joanne & her very cute babies! Hehe… Peace! I have other pics… Please, indulge… ^_^

Mr. Grim is so popular these days...

Well, this one, its just JC, wanting a new phone..

Though I’m bound to get a lot of goosebumps & bizarre stuff every halloween, it is the one day that I don’t want to miss. Its fun to be scared sometimes… hehe.. plus it is the only time that I can actually remember my departed love ones & say a little prayer for them… Welcome! Creatures of the Night!! HA..HA..HA..

time to go… or is it???

I am so fed up. I want to give it up. It is taking so much of my time. I have been a martyr for its sake. I am scared I have changing needs. I will let go soon. I am sorry I need to do it. I have to love my self more. I have future plans. I hope they will understand. I hope they will not think ill of me because when I was with them, they owned me.

They can feel my coldness. I have reached my saturation point. I want to breathe and experience relaxation without worrying obligations. Was it even so? There were no formal papers. They assumed I will be always there for them.

I hope they realized the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

What am I talking about? This is not yet the right time to detail my concerns. But something is brewing deep inside.

If it happens, I’d like to say I am deeply honored to have worked with it and for them. I will only recall the best positive memories. I want to wave my hands farther from the rest without excess baggages.

…all hollow’s eve…

It’s holloween 2008!!! I’m getting all giddy… hehe… chocolates & sweets pouring… kids wearing costumes & shouting trick or treat!!! hay, wish I was a child again so I can join all the fun…

trippin’ on a huge rock…

what’s with me these days??? out of my league… off-track… most of the time I’m just drifting with my thoughts…

sure, sure… I’m just lazy… that’s what I’m gonna tell myself but honestly it’s more than just being lazy… life for me these days is getting a lot boring… still same old stuff I’m doing… hardest part is, I don’t have the guts to embrace change… I guess I’m scared out of my wits even just imagining that I’ll be doing something different… Crap! I’m the one insisting on change but I can’t seem to step my foot forward…

not exactly…

as the title goes… i’m not exactly sure if this is what i want… if this is the path i wanna take… to be honest i’m not happy with the way things are going… i’ve discovered a lot & when i think about it, all the changes that happened in the past were not coincidence at all… it was something that was planned & carefully put into action… now they have successfully taken that one out…

nevertheless, this thing i’m talking about is new journey, might as well try it out, see if things will work out… or if it is even worth seeing at all…

back to my happy place…

hay, tama na nga ang drama… tama nang for one day, i’m crying over spilled milk…

“whatever, major loser…” whatever you plan, i leave it all up to you… you’re such a pain in the ass that i don’t want to associate myself with you… do whatever you want to do, say whatever you wanna say… i’ll leave it to karma, one day you’ll realize that you gained nothing from selfish moves you’ve made…

so moving on… i’m planning my next vacation… (salamat!! sa wakas, summer again!!) time to unwind & give myself a well-deserved break…

but the question is where to go?? hhhmmm.. bohol & boracay is definitely on the top of my list then second would be beaches in zambales… next is ilocos… so that’s the top three…

i heard that bohol is pretty much like boracay… white sand beaches and all minus the crowd & gimmicks in bora… so if you’re looking a *peaceful* but equally beautiful place, then you should be packing & going to bohol… don’t forget loboc river, you can ride the raft, trodd along the river, eat while the rondalla is serenading you, then at night you’ll enjoy the little showcase of fireflies…

zambales, however, would be nice coz its accessible (just a few hours away from Manila) but it’s not as beautiful as boracay or bohol… pero sabi nga tama lang… the number of islands that you can visit is also a plus, you have capones, potipot even anawangin if your trip takes on island hoping… love to treck? try going to Mt. Anawangin, from brgy. pundakit, it’ll lead you straight to anawangin cove… hhmmm lots of activities to do here in zambales…

ilocos is not bad either… aside from beaches, you have historical sites, duty-free shopping, old churches, food, food, & lots of food (definitely love ilocandia’s delicacies ^_^)…

e puntahan ko na lang kaya lahat?? i think that’s even a better idea… ^_^ damn my work, aabsent ako ng isang buwan to travel!!! wahaha!! no one can stop me!! try & you’ll die!

Ganda noh??

i’m so missing this…

Hay… with all the hassle & bustle, run-arounds, traffic, stress, & pressure IN THE OFFICE… can’t help but wish that I’ll be out somewhere, in the beach, basking in the sun… just stuck there, away from everything… haiz… i miss the beach… =’(

 

nasama si kuyang bangkero...

 

this was taken last year… we went to anawangin in pundaquit, zambales… kakamiss!!

ahay... sarap balikan...

 

so serene… imagine yourself, lying on the sand alone, just doing nothing… ^_^

just give it a rest…

i think i’ve had enough…

i just want to give it a rest…

i’m not happy anymore…

i hate to admit it but i want to give it all up…

i want to let go…

i’m letting go…

soon…

coz i’m tired…

and if i’m not tired, i’m sick of it…

i want to run away, never look back, never to return…

i’m at my happiest

well, i am at my happiest today… =) a first this past two months.

no worries, no pressure, nothing at all!!!

so sana di na nga siya makabalik… magCRASH sana ang eroplano!!! bow!!!

Back with vengeance!!!

i’m back!!! after a year of being dormant (what, with all the fuss & drama at the office, I couldn’t even open my SNS sites), I finally found the time to blog again!!! yey!!! hay, wordpress… I miss you so much… I solemnly swear that I will never leave you again… hugs!!!! ^_^

Zambales 2010

exactly 3 years ago, i went to this place called Pundaquit, in San Antonio, Zambales. I was shaken with awe with what I saw… clear blue and green waters… its really crystal clean that i can see what’s below… scenic landscapes with Mt. Anawangin in view, rock formations, & the 2 other islands located there, it’s really gorgeous and breath-taking… i vowed to myself that given time, I’ll go back to that place & let myself escape away with its magic…

after 3 years, i finally got that time i’m asking… I was able to go back to this magical place of Pundaquit and spend 3 blissful & worry-free days of vacation there… hay, this is life… =) 

goofing around anawangin river w/ gerry

we have this raw unedited pics of mt. anawangin and the river… we’re actually just playing around with the camera and see if we can get good shots… i guess we did… =)

raw unedited pic of mt. anawangin & the river...

i’ll post all the pictures next time (all 150 of them) so you can fully appreciate what i’m talking about with regards to Pundaquit… until next time… =) 

back again!!! and as promised, i’m posting additional pics of Pundaquit, Zambales… I have to thank my good friend Bong Tamayo for these really great and cool pics… kudos to him & lighto 3, his nikon D5000… hehehe…

I’m still dreaming of going out of town again… hopefully before the rain starts this july, we can have another adventure with litho 3… I’m enjoying immmensely the free photography lessons I get from Bong, learning a lot from him =) so without further ado, here are the pics we have of Pundaquit, Zambales…. enjoy… =)

anawangin at mid day...

it may not look like it, but its scorching hot when bong took this picture. we can’t even stand on the sand without having our feet fried… but looking at this pic, its all worth it… =

sunset at pundaquit...

you wouldn’t believe if I say that its already dark when bong took this picture but with the help of lighto 3, he managed to snap this shot, the wonder of the slow shutter on 100 iso… lo and behold, a wonderful pic of sunset at pundaquit. =)

the majestic Mt. Anawangin

another route to anawangin cove is this mighty mountain. the 5 hours trekk will take you directly to anawangin… i wanted to try & conquer this mountain but bong and gerry doesn’t want to budge a bit… shame on you guys!!! hehehe…

of course we couldn’t resist the urge to take our own pictures even though we love the view so much… =)

kuya gewi & me!!! ^_^

using Mt. Anawingin and the river as the backdrop, Bong took our picture, Kuya gewi & me, sitting on the wooden bridge… =)

emo at the beach!!!

bong’s experimenting with lighto 3 and used us as his guinea pigs (not that i’m complaining)… sample of slow shutter shot on 100 iso… =)

sunset at the bay...

this one is very promising… bong’s really got the eye…

pundaquit, almost sunset...

our home while we were in pundaquit...

this is where we stayed… wild rose beach resort… the owner of the place is really really cool!!! mama tess is amazing, giving personalized service to each & every guest… she’s really like a mom to everybody… very cool… =)

though i’ve been to pundaquit twice in this lifetime, there’s still much to explore… and the locals there are one of the warmest & hospitable people i’ve met… its nice to know that somewhere here in the islands of the Philippines, you can actually find something amazing… =)

The Bucket List

I’m not yet dying but just in case God decides to take me home with him, I prepared my own bucket list… These are the things I wanna do and achieve in this lifetime or to simply put it, the things I want to do before I die… =)

1. Learn how to swim

2. Learn how to drive

3. Learn at least one martial arts. I may choose from the following: Karate, Kung Fu, Wu shu, Jujitsu, Muay Thai

4. Take my guitar skills at least two levels up

6. Form a band

7. Sing with my band and do a concert at the “Big Dome” – Araneta Stadium

8. Learn to play drums

9. Learn to play the piano

10. Go back and sing with my former choir

11. Compose a song

12. Finish my novel/s

13. Learn to cook at least 5 gourmet meals

14. Take up and finish my master’s degree – Film

15. Travel around the Philippines. I want to go to each and every vacation spots known to makind. I don’t want to miss anything, even the most expensive vacation spot, Amanpulo. – work in progress.. will travel to palawan or somewhere south next year.. =)

16. After traveling my own country, I want to travel around the world! Visit each and every continent, even Antartica or the Iceland.

17. Conquer Mt. Apo and climb Mt. Fuji and Mt. Everest.

18. Take a picture of the Eifel Tower

19. Eat ice cream while looking at the penguins in antartica

20. Buy my fave sports car, a black, silver, & red porsche

21. Direct my very own movie

22. Be a part of a major film production, I’ll do anything, any job given, even just a prod assistant

23. Interview Johnny Depp

24. Have a cup of coffee at Starbucks with my idols: Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, et. al – all my fave directors

25. Buy my DSLR and learn digital photography – March 12, 2011!!! yey!

26. Learn to surf and be able to surf in Hawaii or Miami

27. Get my very first tattoo – a cross on my thumb in black & white

28. See the aurora borealis

29. Experience snow

30. Meet my heroes in writing: Neil Gaiman, Nicholas Sparks, Paolo Coehlo, J.K Rowling, et. al

31. Be able to eat the most expensive ramen in Japan

32. Get voice lessons

33. Own a beach house in Palawan or Boracay

34. Own a ranch in tagaytay

35. Take up aeronautics and be able to fly a plane

36. Travel to the outer space, maybe go to the moon

37. Spend at least 3 days with the monks in cambodia or nepal and learn their sacred ways

38. Grant my parent’s wish of going abroad

39. Meet Wolfgang Puck and maybe learn a thing or two about cooking from him

40. Learn how to bake

41. Travel in the Carribean aboard a luxury cruise

42. Join a mission for a cause of UNICEF

43. Be a part of a major theatre production

44. Go cliff diving while shouting at the top of my lungs

45. Eat hotdog sandwich in the streets of New York

46. Trek the amazon river =)

47. Learn to play football/soccer — Done! playin it baby!

48. Learn to play Rugby — Learning it! still, work in progress.. got tons of Rugby stuff to learn but happy I’m doin’ it. 

49. Learn to row, wants to a paddler someday!

Almost done. Can’t think of anything I left out. My bucket list… All the things I want to accomplish before I die… =)

Glee plays Madonna!

what comes into your mind when we say MADONNA??? – that’s Will Shuester asking his glee kids of their opinions about doing a madonna ensemble… and yes, the glee kids loved madonna!!! even the cheerleader coach sue sylvester paid homage to the pop and famous gay icon… =) the vogue rendition of Jane Lynch character Sue is just plain hilarious! i was laughing hard the whole time i’m watching it… her sneers here and there suggests she couldn’t stand every second playing dress up in Madonna clothes. The madonna episode aired yesterday in one of Solar Entertainment’s channel, ETC (4pm, Philippine time)… but for those who wasn’t able to watch, you can catch it up on weekends (saturday & sunday) on ETC or Jack TV, there are re-runs of Glee though i’m not sure what time exactly it does air on the cable channel…

among all the madonna covers they did, i particularly like the glee boys’ rendition of “what it feels like for a girl…” – nice to know that the cast & crew of glee appreciates & respects women… its a breath of fresh air really coz for as long as i can remember, discrimination towards women still exist and for the song to be sang by a bunch of handsome guys & a gay (well i’m pretty sure kurt knows what it feels like to be a girl ^_^)… wow… its amazing… =)

i even like the dialog after they sing the song… puck didn’t want to sing the song & definitely doesn’t want to be a girl or just to even know what it feels like to be one, he likes being a dude… but finn pointed out to puck he likes being a dude coz its easier being a dude… no hassle, your position in the society is already established, a display of bravado scares & intimidates other people, you don’t have to push & fight just to prove something… but for us girls, treated as the inferior gender, we have to fight to the death just to prove something, just to make you guys see we’re worth something… we have to learn to assert ourselves all the time… sad but its the reality of being a girl… but then again, with all this shows that empowers women, its really a great feeling knowing that at least somehow we’re given importance, respect, and appreciation… kudos to GLEE!!! keep it up! =)

in the dark…

this week’s episode on America’s next top model – vampire fetish!!! tyra decided to have a little romance with the creatures of the night who lust for blood, vampires… what is it with vampires that makes them very sensual and irresistable??? they’re sexy and mysterious and when the girls of ANTM was intstructed to pose, bam! they all hit the mark! thinking about it, if you imagine yourself as a vampire, it is really easy to be sensual, sexy and mysterious. its easy to think that i’m a vampire, alluring and sexy… i’m oozing with sex appeal… hehehehe…

to be a vampire, is one of my fantasies… i wanted to be one & see if i can charm my way with people… i also love the lifestyle, awake and active in the night & sleeping during the day (i know for a fact that i am nocturnal, active in the evenings and somber during the day) not to even mention the clothes, kick-ass designer clothes!!! leather and everything luxurious, ooohhh how i love to try to wear that… hay i wanted to be one, even just for a day… =)

are you scared of the dark? you better be… coz your next… *wink*

afraid??? better be... coz your next...

Escape to Baguio

cold air.. strawberries.. the original ukay.. these are the things that remind me so much of baguio. Now that its scorching hot here in manila (reaching 38 degrees celcius, you can fry eggs literally on the floor under the sun), my mind is toying with the idea to go and visit baguio again.. 

last may 2009, i got so burnt out with work, so i decided to hit the road (with a bunch of old airheads & my mom) & head to baguio just to cool down a bit, lessen my stress and spend some quality time with my mom.. and man, i did have a blast! i didn’t enjoy much of my company but what i did enjoy is the tour… =) we toured around the city – PMA, Burnham Park, Baguio’s local market, the original ukay market, good sheperd convent – the home of the incredibly delicious taro (ube in tagalog), we went to the chinese temple up in the northern part of Baguio, Benguet. I took the liberty to light some incense and pray to the gods so that bad luck and bad spirits will keep at bay. then we headed straight to La Trinidad, an area where they harvest fresh flowers, berries, and some veggies…  

i normally wouldn’t want to spend time with the company of oldies but i couldn’t afford to let this trip pass… its been years since i set foot to baguio so going back feels great… =) 

picture session at session road

my patience was tested while trying to get a snapshot of “session road” signages… man, it was hard! out of 40 shots, i just managed to salvage this one… =’( try not to capture photos while riding a car and your driver drives like a maniac!! amf!!! 

lion's head

you’ll know your in Baguio when you see this – the famous lion head.. marcos, the former philippine president also had his head displayed at the entrance in Baguio.. 

my beautiful mom! most say i look like her... hehehehe...

i love this picture.. wish i could freeze mom exactly how she looked in this pic… aylovet! =) i like traveling with my mom, she’s very talkative & you wouldn’t get bored when you’re traveling with her. When I was a kid, I’m not much of a traveler coz easily get drowsy & nauseus up to the point that i vomit. but my mom is so persistent & wanted to get rid of my motion sickness, she took me to every travel she can book every summer or even months when i should be at school but instead, she’ll excuse me from my classes & will take me to only God-knows-where places.. at first i have to admit that i hate it when she’s forcing me to go but eventually it started my love affair with traveling… =) 

pink church at baguio

Lopeze's hall of fame at baguio's PMA academy

my frustration: be a PMAer ='(

after highschool, i so much wanted to enroll myself at Philippine Military Academy but when my mom & dad found out about my plans, they were furious so I ended up taking Mass Comm instead… =P 

mi familia =)

my tita-ninang & mom

cute couple ^_^

cute couple again! ^_^

this was time when i discovered my love for photography, so i’m trying super hard to take some good shots out of my point-and-shoot camera.. and the subject is really cute, a couple praying at the pink church, its a given, I couldn’t help but get a snapshot of this… =) 

Chinese Temple at Benguet

chinese temple - main

On our last day in Baguio, we went to the Chinese temple there. I actually begged my mom to go there coz I really want to light some incense & pray to the chinese gods, hoping for a better and clearer future for me & family… not to mention that i have to get rid of some bad spirits lurking around the office… hehehehe… 

here’s what i got from the chinese temple, its not much but i like it… i particularly love the picture of the lily i took just outside the Chinese temple… =) 

not sure if this is one of the gods or a hero... whatchathink?

lilies of the valley...

one lily...

chinese temple - view from the bottom

tres marias =)

my baguio escape was a one-week trip so we have like a day spent in the rest house, we just cooked, eat, stroll around the neighborhood, etc… 

bagong gising! =)

 ah alas, i still miss baguio.. hopefully i can go back then maybe, just maybe, mom will allow me to head straight to sagada for another round of adventure (i smell spelunking & caving! ^_^) 

so until then… =) next stop… hopefully Sagada…

hanging coffins at Sagada...

highway to hell! yeah! \m/

highway to hell

imagine myself, listening to this while driving my customized 1967 chevrolet impala black… cruisin’ either north or south… going to a beach somewhere far from here to relax… wow! sarap… kick-ass ang dating!!! aylovet!!! =)

truly UNDAUNTED

Produced in time for the celebration of the 80th birthday of Lopez Group chairman, Oscar “Manong Oskie” Lopez, the musicale Undaunted immortalize the story of the Lopez family, how it survived trials through time and how they’ve put up the Lopez empire we know today. Throughout the phoenix-like falling and rising of the Lopez fortunes, family members were guided by the following distinct values: a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit; business excellence; nationalism; unity and team work; a strong work ethic, integrity; social justice; and an over-riding concern for employee welfare and wellness – which up until today is evident in every business endeavor the family has. The powerhouse cast includes great theatre actors and actresses lead by Mr. Audie Gemora, Jake Macapagal, Mayen Bustamante-Cadd, Stella Cañete, and many other talented singers and artists.

I was suppose to audition for this musical but I got worried that I might not fit this to my busy schedule with work and couldn’t commit 100% of my time. So I ended up watching it instead last April 28 together with my officemates. Being part of the Lopez conglomerate for three years now, I was, of course intrigue and interested on how they’ve put up so many businesses through the years and how they keep each business running, not to even mention that I wanted to see the whole production, and man I was not disappointed. All in all, the production was good though of course as with other theatre-produced plays, there were still mishaps and miss – like the ever-so-long “dead-air” at the start of the play. I guess it was planned and included in the run but nevertheless, the audience got so bored that the  actors already lost the audiences’ attention. On the other hand, let me commend the production designer for doing a job well done in designing the stage. i particularly like the panel they’ve created to stand as a “projector.” The design was an absolute delight because of the several purpose it served. The movable stage was also one of the fun things in the set. Again, kudos to the designers for thinking out of the box and designing a stage that can cater to a lot of uses. And finally, one of the things that really amazes me is the fact that most of the members of the ensemble are employees from the various businesses of the Lopez group. Would you imagine that… it only shows that these employees are both competent in doing office works and to acting, singing, and dancing in a theatre production. It’s really amazing…

Girls of ABS-CBN Interactive

 Also, I have to say that Sir Domi’s performance in Undaunted was amazing! We’re not only there to watch but also to support one of the managers here in ABS-CBN Interactive, Sir Domi Espejo! He’s part of the Undaunted’s ensemble and truly that night, he showcased his singing and dancing prowess… Galing! =)

super uber to the highest level tired today!

slept so late yesterday night.. then woke up at 6am, had to jog with my dog… did like about 20 rounds of walking and 5 runs today… finished jogging at 8am… forgot to eat my breakfast instead rushed out of the house giving away red roses to all the mothers in our village in time for mothers day (not that i’m running for presidential seat or something, just want to make the mothers smile including my own) … after giving aways tons of flowers, went out of the house to go to the local market to do “pamalengke” then after that, had to run some errands for mom… was able to get back to the house at 11:30 in time for lunch but haven’t got the time to eat because of HATAW… need to upload/update contents ASAP.. so i didn’t eat both breakfast and lunch, instead i went online uploading contents for HATAW service…  i was able to wrap things up for HATAW at 3pm i guess, had to go back to the house to do the laundry and up until now, i haven’t finish it yet (piles and piles of unwashed clothing was left cluttered in our living room) coz i had to go out and visit my aging aunt who’s celebrating her 80th birthday today… but before that i had to drop by the local panciteria, both 3 big bilaos of pancit, 1 gallon of ice cream, and 1 bilao of rice cake (puto in tagalog), then off i went to my aunt’s house… of course i couldn’t leave right away, i had to wait for everybody else to finish eating pancit (a matter of respect and courtesy for my aunt and guests), so at 6pm i was rushing out of my aunt’s house, scouring the whole village for a computer shop coz i had to update HATAW again… i ended up in this God forsaken hell of a shit hole computer shop in Rosario, no aircon, connection is a shit, can’t even access boungiorno because the connection is crap, but i had to bear it coz i already paid for an hour worth of surfing the net… fuck this life… really… i mean it… >.<

Road Trip: The beach wonder of Quezon Province, Borawan

while i’m not yet sure if our Borawan trip will push through, i’m hunting down articles about the place since I discovered about it in one of the episodes of Bayan Productions’ “trip na trip.” Internet articles are scarce and very rare but fortunately I was able to find a “how-to-get-there” article from sexy nomad (interested? all you have to do is google her name, c’mon and google it baby!). I find it easy to go there by commuting (based on sexy nomad’s blog), well all you have to do is to ride the bus bound to Lucena City then ask the manong kundoktor to drop you at the heart of the city in Lucena. From Lucena, a 1-hour drive/travel by local jeepneys there and you’ll find yourself in Padre Burgos, Quezon. From Padre Burgos, its 30 to 45 minute boat ride to Borawan. Where to stay? Well you can just camp out in Borawan if your on a tight budget but there are several resort/hotels there like Villa Anita or Tamarind Tree Resort. If you’re a big group, I can suggest Tamarind Tree Resort (rates starts at around 2k/night stay there) but if you’re just a couple of misfits traveling, I suggest you book in Villa Anita (rates starts at around P800/night of stay, good for 2 people). Food is really not a problem since you can buy anything in Lucena city, drop-off point is the local market, so cheap food options, not a problem! =)

I can’t help it but to look for pictures too! Aba kailangan makita ko muna kung maganda siya talaga… =)

fisherman in the middle of nowhere... =P

mountain ranges on the background

This is it!!! BORAWAN!!! =)

majestic blue skies at Borawan

Indeed, there’s so much to explore in the Philippines. I think one lifetime of exploration is really not enough… =) so I’m fervently hoping that our trip this june will push through… let’s conquer QUEZON!!! Borawan, here I come!!! =)

Artie can dance!!! with Jollibee!!! =)

OMG!!! Its Jollibee on GLEE!!! hehehehe… buti pa si Jollibee sikat na!!! =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL9ULZywByo

love at first sight… =)

when i first saw i knew it was you all along… hehehe… that’s my way of describing how i fell in love with a car… i first saw it in Transformers 1, the chevrolet camarro or more popularly known as “bumblebee” – one of the autobots and protector of sam… how i loved that car that one day i’m dreaming of owning one, chevy in yellow, same as the one on the movie…

but something caught my eye today… on the third installment of the movie transformers, michael bay is bringing in the newest member of the autobots family: The Ferrari 458 Italia… now i’m definitely in love with this ferrari… haysss… when can i own one!?

kick-ass Ferrari 458 Italia

aylovet!

Got nothing on you baby…

i hit the bottom hard this past few weeks… mom got sick w/ paranoia, imagining herself sick with heart failure or something so i had to rush her twice to medical city coz she couldn’t breathe right… And because of that i got stuck at our house for straight 3 weeks now, it got so bad that even me, is now spiraling down to the drain so to speak and currently under stress and depression (you can’t blame me really, what with getting stuck w/ a grouchy & anti-social father and a psychotic, neurotic, & wheezing mother, really life is depressing at home). all my plans were cancelled because of mom (mt. pinatubo trekking, photoholic viaje del sol, roadtrip to borawan, beach-bumming at magalawa, zambales, & my trip to cagayan valley with the barkada), even a stroll at the mall is not allowed since we have to monitor her so-called “heart ailments.” I even stopped writing because all my time was eaten up by my neurotic mother who’s deluded of being sick that well in fact we all know she wasn’t… my stress & depression got so bad that i reached the point wherein i didn’t want to eat or do anything fun, I just kept myself busy with household chores which by the way is not helping… then one day, i decided to open my laptop, its been eons since i last saw my lappy, and went online… i browsed for an hour or so then stumbled upon the blog of my favorite DJ on monster radio RX 93.1, DJ Gino Quillamor (its geekygangster.blogspot.com, i had the biggest crush on this guy, he’s just so cute!)… i browsed through it not really reading coz i wanted to get a feel of it… then i saw some interesting posts there. i started reading until i found myself deeply absorb on his articles.

I never been this hooked with someone’s blog, even the ever so famous blog of chico garcia (chicogarcia.wordpress.com) failed to hook me up. but with gino, i was so intrigued by this strong emotion he’s pouring into every article he wrote. i was also intrigued because of the fact that this guy has so many insecurities in life which was by the way surprising because he’s very good-looking, and his body issues & emotional ramblings about not being in a relationship is really mind-boggling i dare say… i’m looking at it this way, if am in his shoes, i think i’ll be the most confident and happy guy in the whole world. i got good-looks, killer smile, humor & wits rolled into one, i have that unfailing american accent when i speak english, i am famous for crying out loud coz i am a DJ at the coolest & hippest radio station in town and i host a lifestyle show for a cable company. these characteristics are way enough for someone to be just content and thankful that he is gino quillamor… but then again, his issues are very mind-boggling and intriguing… just imagine if i live everyday feeling insecure, incompetent, depresssed, & imbicile all the time… i may be dead at the age of 25…. i pity him honestly, i thought my situation right now sucks big time but here is someone who has everything and yet still feels deprived and incomplete… just sad… wish i could help him out… somehow…

now, come to think of it… i’m still way blessed coz i don’t feel incomplete or anything to say the least… i don’t have to live my life ranting about how imperfect my body is, that i’m way too fat to have a boyfriend or whatever, that i am alone and lonely… i’m comfortable with who i am and happy with what i have… really, how can one person have so much loathing to every single imperfection there is in life??? it’ll be better if you’ll focus your energies on better stuff rather than ranting about something unimportant and whining unnecessarily…

Gloomy gloomy day! >.<

PAGASA said that rain will come on the 2nd week of June but we’re just on the first week and it’s raining cats and dogs already… now its a gloomy day all day… *sigh…

but on a lighter note, this is a relief to the scorching heat brought by the sun and a thirst-quencher to the drought brought by the El Niño… but i terribly miss summer… beach-bumming, sand, the sea… hayyysss… =’(

then it just happened!!! =)

for the first time in years, i can finally feel my heart beating again… i can finally feel air in my lungs… my head is clear as a crystal….

for the first time in almost a decade, i can smile on my own again… enjoy doing things on my own, not minding if i’m with someone or not… now i can watch & enjoy movies alone or watch tv alone, be able to laugh out loud, stroll the mall alone, enjoy eating on my own… its safe to say that i’m well on my way to recovery… acceptance sinked in then realization that its really not meant to be… that i’m not happy with him anymore as much as i used to be… i’m not looking forward to seeing him, hearing his voice on the phone or reading text messages from him… now it doesn’t even make sense why i had to be there for him all the time & why i love doing favors for him… i’m not his mom, i’m not his sister, or even his house-help… i am his friend and asking me to do stuff for him, do this and that, is way too much and out of my league… i cannot feel the spark anymore when we’re together, his charms has no effect on me and our chemistry is not there anymore… now he’s just another guy friend to me, nothing more, nothing less…

after a decade, i am alive again… free and eager to explore the world… with a smile on my face, i can go out to the world and tell everybody i’m ready to fall in love again… =)

i’m so loving this new found freedom… and i have so many people to extend my thanks to… to my ever supporting barkada; bong, gerry, mami kat, charm, sheila, chellay, isis, joseph… thanks for putting up with me after all this years of whining & drama… without you guys, i couldn’t make it out alive… thanks and you know i love you all guys! =)

laugh trip…

i should get better hold of my “funny” self… this laughing and smiling alone thing is getting out of hand!!! hehehehehe… not that i’m complaining but when people see you laughing or giggling and smiling from ear to ear alone, they’ll think you’re crazy!!! nevertheless, i’m so loving this new me… =)

ok on my way back to my office, i saw several stuff that had me laughing on my witts… first is a boy who had a love affair with hotdogs! there was this boy in our cafeteria who, i swear, looooovveesss eating hotdogs. he had two jumbo hotdogs stuffed inside his mouth and another one he’s holding on his right hand… eating much!? hehehehe… then while i was walking out of the cafeteria to the convenience store located inside our building, i saw this bunch of college students giddy taking their pictures on a blank wall near umagang kay ganda studio! i couldn’t help but smile because it’s like a flashback, my past unfolding right in front of me, i was reminded how naive i was back then during my college days, even more giddy than these kids. i remember me & my barkada gate-crashed here in abs-cbn one time, without appointment to whomever, all for getting a close-up look and interview with various news anchors… hehehehe… miss the good ‘ole days when i’m not jaded as i am now… then lastly, i saw this gay, making funny gestures and comments near the stalls in our mini tiangge… when i looked closely, the gay very much resembled Pokwang!!! speaking of really funny stuff! hehehehehe… =)

the art of saying goodbye

the hardest thing for me to do is to say goodbye… saying goodbye to anyone; a friend, a relative, a family member, even to my worst enemy… basta, you get the picture, i’m not one of those people who can just say “bye” turn their backs and go… so now while i’m at it, i decided to write and try to decipher “again” how to say your goodbyes coz in the days to come, i’ll be saying the word once again and maybe will be using it again on the months to come… ergo, i definitely have to learn how to say it, without breaking anyone elses heart or mine…

they say that nothing is permanent in this world other than change of course… so by changing & constantly evolving, we’re saying goodbyes to old ways, people, things, or anything that belongs to our past. we do this so we can move on without baggages. that “moving on” part to accomodate change, that, I understand perfectly. at one point in our lives we definitely need to let go then move forward. i myself have experienced that just last week and honestly, it felt real good but then again, thinking about it, when i bid goodbye at that moment, it felt like its choking me to death… its like a thousand knives piercing through my heart and the realization that for half a decade, i stick to it like a gum and now i’m finally letting it go… man, it was hard… but how did i do it? how the hell was i able to pull it through then put myself together? thinking of it i guess, i just understood that time that the best thing to do (for the benefit of me) is to let go and say goodbye… seeing myself, wounded & hurt for so long, i guess that made me let go… ergo, the key is for us to understand to the best of our abilities that saying goodbye is the best thing to do… it’ll help us improve ourselves and our lives…

so putting everything into context of what will happen the following weeks and months, i guess i should be thinking that this will be for the good of everyone… though i’m not really that close to the one leaving, i can still feel the void… not seeing that person everyday & not making my life as miserable as hell, that’ll be a big change… again, let’s think that it’ll be for everybody’s benefit… =)

ayan, i think next time i’ll be saying goodbye, it’ll be as easy as breathing… =)

Pinoy Big Brother Teen Clash of 2010

I was never a fan of Big Brother here in the Philippines but just lately, curiosity got the better of me so I decided to watch… and found out that life inside Kuya’s (Big Brother’s) house is very amusing, intriguing, and entertaining at the same time… As the title connotes, current housemates are composed of talented and cute teens from all parts of the Philippines and across other countries as well (we have the teenternationals). I’ll just mention  a few of them whom I’ve came to know while watching PBB this past days – we have Ivan, Fretzie, Tricia, and Devon – belongs to the Pinoy Teens group. Then we have Bret, Jenny, Anne, Ryan, and James – they belong to the teenternationals group. I can’t remember each and everyone of them but if you’d like to know more about them and the rest of the housemates who got evicted already, you may visit http://teens3.pinoybigbrother.com/News.aspx or http://abs-cbn.com or you may google the official multiply site of Pinoy Big Brother… =)

It was too obvious that these kids wanted a shot at stardom. Meaning, most of them are genetically gifted. TRANSLATION: Most are good-looking… And yes, they act a bit out of character so people will notice they’re there. It’s a bit annoying really but can’t blame them, this is there one-way ticket to fame so might as well do everything there is to stand out from the crowd so to speak. What’s another thing that is annoying about them, they’re all “pa-cute” meaning all are trying their very best to project themselves on the camera, sometimes it’s way over the top already – in other words – OA na! But really, when you’re stuck in one big house with nothing to do, you’ll be sucked up to doing something nonsense like making pa-cute or making fun and a total idiot of yourself.

but then things change when you get to know the character behind every name. You get to understand where they’re coming from because of their life stories, now you’ll know why they’re acting that way. I particularly like two of the teen housemates – Ivan and Ryan. Ryan is pure korean but he lives here in the Philippines. He’s funny and full of humor, the one trait that I like about him. He always have a reason to laugh at anything. Sometimes he can make people laugh by doing nothing at all (nakaktawa kasi mukha nya eh!). He takes life a little less serious. On the other hand, Ivan is the more serious one. OC (obssesive-compulsive) on almost all things, he wanted order to everything. He owns the most clean and managed cabinet. Aside from being OC, he’s also charming, good-looking, or gwapo in tagalog. He’s one of the “genetically-gifted” among the batch. I like him because he has the same name with my ex-love of my life and…… i can see myself in him…… the loner type, not talking much, keeps to him/herself, would rather sit and read or something rather than mingle with crowd, has obssesive-compulsive disorder, favors order and management on almost everything, the good son… He’s so me!!! So naturally i gravitate towards him… 

hay now I wish i’m 16 again… i wish to go back to my younger years, never getting old, where everything is plain and as simple as passing your exams to get a grade of 85… just simply enjoying life. I have to admit, though I’m already 20 something now, I feel I am stuck at age 16… the way I think, the way I move, from decisions in life, everything, i feel like I’m still 16 years old. I still enjoy video games, anime, cartoons, teeny-boppers shows, twilight, anything teen… hehehe… I guess for some, it’s too embarassing to admit but for me I love being a child or a teen again… life is way simple back those glory days… *sigh… wish i can go back in time and be a kid again… or better if i’ll be 16 forever… hehehehe… speaking of “peter pan” syndrome. =)

If you’ll just believe…

“Don’t stop believing…” Mr. Schuester said this phrase I think about almost a hundred times in GLEE… he wanted the GLEE kids to believe in themselves and believe that whatever dreams they may have, it’ll come true.

Last night, GLEE fans all over the Philippines tuned into their television to watch the season finale of the show. And I should say, the cast & crew of GLEE didn’t disappoint their fans. the finale was definitely a blast! =)

So if you weren’t able to watch, here’s what you missed: Finally it’s regionals and New Directions will be performing songs that will tell the story of their “journey” as members of the Glee Club, then the day of regionals came and the GLEE kids gave the performance their best shot but to no avail, they didn’t win… and much to their frustration, they didn’t even place second and their arch-nemesis Vocal Adrenaline won and became the champion and then Quinn gave birth to a healthy baby girl… so that’s what you missed on GLEE’s season finale… =)

it would have been just another teeny-bopper series but then again GLEE is much, much more than that… I dare say that every episode is very much inspiring and emotionally moving, especially this season finale. real-life stories and characters, i think is the charm of the show. it gained fans and popularity because the characters and the plot of every episode is something that is very much close to what is happening in real life so naturally, we all can relate to it and that makes it close to our hearts.

so here i am, inspired to write about what i learned from season finale. as much as you want life to be perfect, it isn’t… as much as you want everything to be fair, hasn’t anyone told you that life is not fair? as much as you want life to be just full of happy smiles and nice people, it’s not and will never be… there will always come a time when you’ll trampled and pushed by unfortunate events & annoying, devilish people around you.. you’re bound to fail (most of the time) and people will tell & show you, no make that rub on your face how useless you are, an imbicile among them.. you’re not perfect & you’ll never be, you’re fat, you have like thousand gallons or whatever of cellulites in your body, you look like you’re the long lost twin of a zombie in zombieland and people will laugh at you because of those imperfections.. but hey, you don’t need to be angry, or weep, or just stay on the ground when they pushed you. the GLEE kids, their life is far from perfect: Finn, a super jock, popular, good-looking but grew up without his dad and is in dire need of someone to look up to and be his role model of how to be a man, Rachel, sure she can sing, a power-belter in fact when it comes to reaching the highest of all notes, she also is pretty (but sometimes overly obnoxious) but she didn’t grew up with her biological parents. She didn’t knew them in fact thus there’s a missing piece in her being. Quinn, she’s pretty, popular as her ex-BF Finn but she has parents who can’t understand her and then she got knocked up by a sorry ass-loser Puck and got her pregnant. Now all her fame & glory is a thing of the past, she’s now known as the “irresponsible girl who bent down, got a good fuck then got pregnant by a nobody.. Puck, who’s strolling junior high in bravado, throwing kids in trash cans because he thought it’s the coolest thing in the whole world but when he loses his mohawk, he’s not that scary anymore, not to even mention how can he take pride on the wrong things he has done out of idiocy.. Mercedes, yes she’s another power-belter when it comes to singing but then again who wants a black girl? nobody, nobody wants a black girl even if she’s good at singing.. then there’s artie, a guy full of dreams in life but lacks the feet that will give him the ability to walk and do the stuff that he wants to, he’s crippled forever and there’s no way he’s going to walk again.. but what do these kids have in common aside from all these mishaps in their life? HOPE.. they may not be the luckiest people on earth but there’s this enormous hope in their hearts that one day, they’ll be able to conquer whatever problems they may have. hope is what fuels their soul to go on and continue singing through life.. THEY BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES, in their abilities and the things that they can do. People may look down on them and tag them as sorry loosers but they never ever cease to believe in themselves and believe that they can do things way beyond what they’re really capable of. they constantly push themselves to learn and excel in the things that they do, to deliver what is expected of them and more. and i guess it also helps that there is one constant person who believes in them and that’s Mr. Schuester. If this one person believes in you, in what you can do, so why can’t you believe in yourself and stop doubting your abilities? Last is they DREAM.. they all dream endlessly.. they aren’t just content with what they have, they’re aiming big! they’re going out of their comfort zones to follow that dream and for me, it’s the bravest thing you can do to get what you want and what you deserve in life..

i guess it all goes down to believing in yourself no matter what.. never lose that tiny bit of hope there is in your heart and dream big and make it into reality.. you can’t let anyone get to you, in your head and tell you that you’re not good, you’re nothing but a second rate, trying hard imbicile… you can’t allow that… only you, yourself (and no one for that matter) is allowed to say that you’re not good enough, other people, they simply don’t have the right (damn them to hell).. you maybe stuck in the darkness and eternal rutt but just remember to turn on the light.. that ray of light - hope – in you coz in the face of darkness, internal conflicts, and animosity (not to mention the pigheadedness of the people around you), hope is a powerful ally. in the most abysmal darkness of being a loser in life, this hope shines a light, however dim, to help you keep going, even if it’s just a day at a time, in the hope that better days lay ahead… so dream big, aim high, and never stop believing in yourself… =)

learned a lot from GLEE and looking forward to the next season… keep us inspired! =)

run forrest! run!!!

going to University of the Philippines today… to run to my heart’s content!!! hehehehe!!! let’s just say it’s my way of releasing stress… and boredom… and of course attempting a 180 degrees turn of my lifestyle (from drab to active & fab)… maiba naman! tara! let’s run!!! =)

healthy schedule!!!

going to UP again today to run… Q.C Circle early morning tomorrow, at 6am for a session of taebo & running again… this definitely is a 180 degrees turn of my lifestyle… no more pigging around!!! =) go! run! and have fun!!! =)

Teen Big 6!!! woot-woot!!!

coolest bunch of kids i ever met... =)

yesterday was a bit of a riot my friends but i’m glad that i was blessed with the chance to meet Pinoy Big Brother Teen Big 6 in person. Yes, I met Ivan, Bret, Ryan, Fretzie, Devon, & James yesterday here at the office and it was a blast!!! These kids were coolest kids I ever met, always smiling though crowds of people from different ABS-CBN departments piled up for the photo opt. It was insane! I tell you, as in… hehehe but of course  I wouldn’t miss the chance to get a picture of my fave teen housemate, RYAN!!! =)

Me & Ryan!!!

i look ridiculously giggly while they’re taking my pic… hehehe… what can i say, i’m all giddy & energized but then again i was “kinikilig” but trying to supress it… nakakahiya kasi!!! hahahaha!!! but i love him for hugging me… =P so after this picture was taken, got heaps of migraine attack from trying to supress my adrenaline & endorphine rush!!! hahaha!!! what a day…

then my officemates also grabbed their chance, photo opt with these kids… they’re all adorable really… and very down to earth so i’m hoping they wouldn’t change… that fame won’t get into their heads… they’re all so young so somebody should guide them and keep them grounded…

Fretzie & Ate Maricar

Pretty Fretzie with my officemate Maricar… She’s really pretty & mabait so no wonder Bret is head-over-heels for her… =) they look good together by the way, Fretzie & Bret… =)

Fretzie & Zsazsa

Fretzie & Mona

Fretzie, Ivan, & Sir Rex

the coolest boss with the coolest kids in town!!! =) hehehehe… I so miss Sir Rex… =)

ahhh... Bret with I don't know who...

this guy… don’t know who he is but i can tell he’s happy with Bret on his side… =)

Bret & Ate Maricar

I don’t know if its just me or what but Bret looked pale… almost as white as Edward Cullen… hehehehe…

Bret & Mona

Bret & Zsazsa

This one is a dream come true! hahahah! peace… But don’t they look good together? Bagay!!! Sorry Fretzie… =P

Devon & Mona

Devon is like the epitome of a true pinay… morena, height is just the average… black beauty they say… =)

Devon & Maricar

She’s also mabait & very accomodating… always wearing her warm smile… =)

Devon & Zsazsa

James & Zsazsa

A dashing dude indeed! hehehe… can’t deny that this kid really looks good (and can break so many hearts for that matter) but he’s cool. We asked him for a photo opt while he was eating his pizza but he gladly obliged… =)

Ayan winner smile! =) perfect!

ui!! kinikilig si Mons!!!

Another dream come true!!! hahahaha!!! good thing these people don’t have a wordpress account otherwise they’ll kill me for my comments here… hehehehe…

yun naman oh! winner!

I was supposed to inform Sir Rex via twitter that the kids were here in the office but I was surprised that he heard of it already… hehehehe bilis ni Sir Rex sa balita… =P

Ivan and Zsazsa

Now this guy, parang lagi syang nagugulat. He’s jumpy… like he couldn’t believe that he’s now being hounded by an army of screaming girls from all parts of the Philippines. And mind you, he ate a lot… hehehehe…

Ivan & Mona

Ivan & Ate Maricar

Ivan is my second favorite teen housemate coz like what I said from previous post, I see myself in him… he’s like male version of me. Always quiet, rarely talks, keeps to himself a lot, shy most of the time, the good son… so like me… hehehehe… though i have an aversion with his name… but i like him just the same… =)

And last but definitely not the least, the korean guy who won the hearts of the filipino people because of his funny antics inside the PBB house, Ryan Bang!!! He’s really cool man!!! to the nth power! We ask him to do this short endorsement of one of our game, WarRock, and the script was written in english. He said I’m not good with english!!! then one of the assistant said, then we’ll do it in tagalog! Ryan blurted out, I’m not good with filipino din!!! Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!!! then we all laughed!!! hehehehe… really really funny guy… it feels good to finally see him in person… =)

love! love! love!

his famous chuvachuchu hand sign...

i heart this guy!

I totally heart this guy!!! next to the Philippines very own funny guy Sir Ramon Bautista… hehehehe… what a great day it has been yesterday… =)

Syempre, we wouldn’t end the day without taking our own pics!!! hahahaha!!! what can i say, we’re our own paparazzi… So while waiting for the teen housemates, we posed for some fun pics in the meeting room…

girlfriends!!!

my classic j-pop pose!

ayun oh! nagpapacute naman pala... =P

i look mataray daw on this pic...

our busy, busy, busy sched of meetings!!!! =)

silence…

its been a while since i last posted my entry here in wordpress… now wordpress, tell me… does the future holds something for the two of us??? haha! too much drama! =) sorry… this is what i get from spending so much time watching telenovelas & vampire diaries… but what else can i do? i spent such a loser weekend & was stuck at the house, and at the mercy of the DVD player… so i gave in… hehehe… =P

today i visited the blog site of my eternal crush, Gino Quillamor… and for the first time in months… i am disappointed… he hadn’t post anything since last june… =’( why so silent? writer’s block? i miss him and the rantings of his demented mind… hope to see him writing again soon… i guess he’s too busy playing Star Craft 2… hehehe… =)

so what else is new to me??? nothing… life is just as silent as the night… now i’m gettin’ bored and is in dire need of something else… how about gettin’ into a relationship or something… well at least it’ll be good enough to transform me into a pathetic suicidal baffoon… erase that last thought…

just random thoughts crossing my mind… =)

pushing myself to the limits…

I’m trying so hard to control my hunger… Sometimes it feels like I’m going through hell, sitting with a bunch of people eating…. And sometimes it feels like any moment, my hunger will come out like the monster it once has been & would kill just to feed… Everyday is a constant struggle & I need to summon every ounce of my strength to keep me from eating…

Sounds familiar? I know right…. Sounds like a line said by Stefan Salvatore of Vampire Diaries or Edward Cullen of Twilight but nah, its just me… All me… =P

About 2 months ago I started running & went into diet mode so I’d shed weight… Running’s not that much struggle although there are days that I’m so not into it but I go through it just fine. However, carving out my diet proves to be the hardest thing to do! Now I can relate to Edward Cullen & Stefan Salvatore, 2 famous vampire characters who refuses to feed on human blood & opted to drink blood from animals because they didn’t want to be a monster they were once… I’m really trying hard too, to contain & control that monster called hunger & every minute that passes, I feel like I’m about to lose control… May God help me… hayyysss… =’(

Spell UNFAIR…

these past few days has been the hardest for us Filipinos.. anger and sadness is felt just about anywhere.. i have been involved with campaigns to promote the philippine tourism & needless to say i’m one of those devastated when the hijacking of hong kong nationals happened. now we’re back to square one and all the efforts utilized to promote the philippines is wasted but this sentiment is beyond the point now. i guess every Filipino is heart-broken for what have happened the other day. but what is truly heart-breaking are the comments & reactions of people from different nations and from that of the chinese people. i understand that they are angry & frustrated because eight of their own people were dead and the killer is a Filipino but don’t you think its way below the belt to view it as the fault of one is the fault of many? that because the killer is a Filipino that you’ll view all of us as such? to tell us that we’re insensitive bastards and we feel no remorse for what has transpired the other day? that our president is not sincere in asking for forgiveness, saying countless apologies, & begging for understanding just because you caught him smiling while looking at the crime scene? please, i’m begging you people to cut us some slack and give us a break…

i’m not belittling what happened to those who were killed by Mr. Mendoza and i am terribly sorry about it. i feel for those who have lost their loved ones coz i’ve been through that exact same thing when I lost my grandfather who is a policeman in a robbery assault and when my cousin was killed by a bullet shot point-blank on his head and i know that something as brutal as that will be hard to forgive and forget but it was just so unfair of you to think so much ill of us… it’ll be UNFAIR for those Filipinos working abroad – in your household – just to feed their families here in the Philippines who got fired because their employers got pissed off… two Filipina DH reported to the Philippine embassy in Hong Kong that they were fired because their employers were totally pissed and one even said she had to beg, kneel and bow down her head, pleading that she maybe spared because she has a family to feed… it’ll be UNFAIR for those Filipinos who work hard keeping your house clean & tidy, cooking your meals, cleaning the bathroom, assisting you and your kids, treating you like our own kin to be harassed and called by different insulting names… it’ll be UNFAIR for those Filipinos working in a company in your foreign land, contributing to the revenue and sharing his/her ideas for your company to be insulted and trampled with your rubbish… it’ll be UNFAIR for those Filipinos who were also exploited in foreign lands, killed through accident or by intention by foreigners or those who have experienced terrible situations that put their lives in jeopardy like the innocent Filipino family strolling in a market in Hong Kong who got splashed with acid by lunatic and it was later on proven that the perpetrator is a Hong Kong national… it’ll be UNFAIR to those Filipinos who have experienced RACISM at its finest to be called insensitive & imbiciles by those racist people who have exploited them… it’ll be UNFAIR to those Filipinos working in your hospitals saving the lives of your people or to those working in your schools teaching and molding your kids, imparting their knowledge the best that they could… it’ll be UNFAIR to those Filipinos who got raped by foreigners, stripping them off of their dignity as human beings… now more than ever, we Filipinos around the world are fearing for our lives because of the threats you throw at us and given a choice, we will not leave our country just to work for you and put our lives in danger… we would have opted to work here & serve our own, be with our own…

i can go on and on with the list of maltreatment against us. this page may not be enough to list everything thrown at us… i think we’ve had enough, we’ve gone through  a lot in the foreigners’ hands and have endured a lot of racism from them and these protests, this calling of insulting names, these campaigns againts us is way too much… it’s too much to ask from people who have suffered in your hands… we are begging for your forgiveness & a countless times said our apologies & acknowledge our faults and yet it is apparent that we are not heard and you will never listen…

its just sad that it has to come to this… nobody wanted that bloody ending in the hostage crisis and nobody in this nation wished any ill towards foreigners who visit our land… i just hope that Filipinos will be able to pull through this tough times.. and that our president is strong enough to withstand this… i am praying that every Filipino around the world may be safe from any inhumane acts against them… God, please help & guide us… may our strength and resilience endure everything… may our loving and caring spirit remain and be not broken… may the fire of hope remain with us that after this storm, there’ll be a better and brighter tomorrow…

matapobreng mayaman…

let me start by saying… WALA PA AKONG  NAKIKILALA NA LA SALLISTA NA MABAIT, MAKATAO, AT MAAYOS KAUSAP…

just the other day, my patience was tested by a bunch of airheads from La Salle. Me & a group of college friends went to the big dome (araneta colesium) to watch the UAAP cheerdance competition. by tradition, reservation of seats is not allowed coz the cheerdance is the 2nd biggest event (next to senior’s basketball) in UAAP and reservation of seats will pose problems when thousands of people will be watching the event and cheering for their school. ergo it has to be on a “first come, first served” basis. it was 3am sunday and my friends were already there at the big dome so we can get tickets and be able to secure a decent seat. at 12noon, ticket booths opened and the crowd went wild. you can taste anticipation, tension, and excitement in the air, not to mention that it was scorching hot that day, a bit around 37 degrees celcius i think… so to cut the story short, we’re able to get tickets and seats. it is a norm that you should sit in the area allotted for your school and lucky for us, we found a seat on upper box a, near the boundary of the area allotted to La Salle and FEU. i have to point out that although it was the “boundary”, we made sure that we sit in the proper area, not invading anybody elses place or something.. we’ve finally settled. so while waiting for the cheerdance to start, we chatted to keep ourselves busy and to do some catching up coz its been a while since we last saw each other. After a while, maybe 20 minutes or so, a woman (at hindi lang siya babae, isang palengkerang babae) approached us. I think she’s in her forties or fifties, i’m not sure but she looks like an old hag, same like the witch in snow white, a very rich witch i dare say coz she’s proudly flaunting her hermes bag and she’s conversing in english and even asked us in english in a very cocky, rude & brute manner… “excuse me, what’s your seat number?!?!?”  me and my friend didn’t answer; instead we brought out our tickets and hand it over to her, then she said… “see, wala kayong seat number, standing na kayo! this is our seat!” she’s even hurrying us to get out of there so they can sit already… we just looked at each other (coz we’re dumbfounded) and i shouted, “oh, di raw natin ito seat, umalis na daw tayo!” without another word, we all stood up and went at the other side. I even remembered charlie saying, “sige na, wag na kayo magsalita. lumipat na lang tayo…” i have to admit that i wanted to go back and confront her, make her understand that seat numbers are really not relevant in events as big as the cheerdance, its on a first come, first served basis. if you want a good seat better be there as early as 3am… but on the second thought, arguing with her was totally pointless and will be the most stupid thing to do… i am educated and i shouldn’t be acting around like a stupid person shouting and having a row towards anyone just like what she did… ayokong i-level ang sarili ko sa ganun.. and aside from the fact that she looked scary as a witch and i don’t want to talk to her and end up having nightmares because of her… so we went to the other side quietly..

on the other side, all of FEU students gathered there but there was this 14 people (i think) who got misplaced… La Sallistas again!!! arrrgggg!!! its not a big deal actually, seeing them there, staying in a close proximity with them (kahit na nagngingitngit na ko sa galit), not until this one lady from that La Salle group went out and called for a marshall and one of the event organizer. she was complaining out loud that the place was supposed to be for La Salle and they wanted FEU to clear out the place & leave. leave the place?!?!?! i couldn’t believe what i’m hearing… its echoing inside my head and making my veins pound! why the hell should we leave???? evidently, it was allocatted for FEU, our drummers were all there, our boosters, some members of our squad, professors, administrators, people from FEU management, students and their parents & siblings, FEU banners were there so why the hell should we leave? it is our place!!!  A member of the FEU pep squad tried to defend us saying that this area’s for us. we all refused to budge a bit coz clearly it is an act of DISCRIMINATION and we’ve had enough of it already! hindi pa nakuntento ang mga taga La Salle na ito, they even went as far as calling the police. Aba eh gusto pa ata kaming kaladkarin palabas ng Araneta!

grabe!!! just because they’re rich & they’re the host school for this year ergo they have the license to harass & discriminate people?!?! really, what the fuck is wrong with you people?!?! just because they are from this so-called “prime” school they would just do whatever they want & get whatever they need in a snap!?!?! seriously, have you people gone mad???? haven’t you heard of the word humanity? humility? respect for people? pakikipagkapwa-tao? these are values that should be ingrained in that thick skull of yours since it is a fact that you are from a catholic school. you do bible readings, catechism, catholicism is a big part of your curriculum as early as kinder school so what the fuck is wrong? haven’t you learned a thing? most of the teachers and professors in your school are priests or brothers of a congregation, haven’t they taught you well? well enough for you to act like human or to just even pretend that your humanity is still intact? i was and still extremely disappointed… it just proved to every people present in the event and who have witnessed how you guys practiced your “influence” and “power” to harass those people whom you believe to be from the so-called “lower” circle, the ones you brand as “squatter” that you’re nothing but a bunch of airheads, using bravado & your money to get anything & to get away with anything.. yeah that’s you, loud, puno lang ng yabang pero walang galing… well, some of you can be smart but i’d rather be humble & humane that everybody around me loves me, than be an arrogant fool, rich and a smart-ass maybe but everybody thinks of me as a jerk and wouldn’t want to be close to me, for them i’m an annoying asshole, cocky and irritating and they all want me dead…

i pity you guys, money is not everything… fame & power is pointless… arrogance is nothing… you don’t know a thing about respect ergo you’re not entitled for it.. you don’t know a thing about life therefore you’re not deserving of it..

BATO-BATO SA LANGIT ANG TAMAAN, GUILTY!!!

my biggest battle..

my biggest battle – to conquer my own fear of failing at it big time..

sunday’s the day but i have yet to convince myself that i’ll be able to conquer that 5km run.. and to top it all (and i hate to admit it even to myself), i feel lazy and a bit under the weather lately.. i always felt that running is not the sport for me… i am 100% sure i’m not made for running.. so what pushes me whenever i run? wala.. nothing inspires me, nothing pushes me, i’m doing it just for the heck of doing it..

major, major FAIL… =’(

ako’y nasasaktan…

nasaktan ako dun sa narinig ko.. pero deadma.. nagsimula nung linggo, naulit uli ngayon.. pero deadma pa rin.. isang araw, sasabog na lang ako at manunumbat.. pasensyahan na lang sa tatamaan.. minsan, matuto tayong maging sensitibo sa mga bagay-bagay at sa pakiramdam ng ibang tao.. para naman sa akin, di lang dapat bigay ka ng bigay.. ako kasi ang tipo ng taong ibibigay kahit ano basta kaya ko.. dapat siguro matuto rin akong magtira para sa sarili ko..

TUYO!! ONLI IN DA PILIPINS!!!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2210707&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=129231660431299&id=1036778399

Only in the Philippines!!! Tuyo! One of staple food here in this part of world… Actually, a handful of tuyo is already considered a feast for people living in a third world country..

Oh & before anything else please like this page & pic!!! You have to like the nat geo page first before liking the pic.. Thanks so much guys!!! =) ciao!

one hell of a weekend for all hollow’s eve…

i had one of the worst weekend in my entire existence! grabe! i didn’t get a chance to rest for one bit! and come november 2, may pasok na!!! i hate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it all started last friday. i watched the social network with my friends bong & gerry.. we’ve been waiting for this movie, the ratings are good, reviews & feedbacks were good too. We’re film junkies you know and if we hear that a movie’s good we’ve got to go and see it for ourselves. i for one definitely love movies and a frustrated film director and actor (planning to get MA on film) so i really have to watch this one come hell or high water.. so we decided to watch the last full show.. 9:40pm we settled in the movie house and waited for the movie to start. and then finally we’re watching it.. BOOM!!! after watching the movie, i couldn’t form any coherent thought. this was the very first time i watched a movie that is nothing but a very looooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnggggggg narration of whatever shit that happened to zucherberg, the founder of facebook. its nothing but blah.. blah.. blah.. blah.. blah.. for a good 2hrs plus of the movie runtime. at one point i got so bored that i drifted off to sleep.. my mind literally went into shock and was so numbed that i couldn’t come up with anything to say about the movie.. for the record this is the first time that i slept while watching a movie, haven’t experienced that one before. call me whatever (stupid, dumbass, etc) but i just don’t like that movie.. i mean knowing the story & shit of the founder of facebook wouldn’t make any difference in my life right? will i be rich too like them? will i be as famous and as kick-ass like them? will the stock market improve? will the economy boost up? the answer is a big no.. so to sum it up, i didn’t enjoy the movie but i enjoyed the company of my friends… its been eons since i last saw kuya gewi & i miss bong terribly…  yun na lang yung pampalubag-loob dun at least we get to spend time together.

then saturday morning.. saturday’s really hectic.. i wasn’t able to jog because we’re going to divisoria. for those who didn’t know what divisoria is, its a place where you can find the cheapest stuff in the planet. prices starts at P2.50 & there are really a lot of good finds there if you know where to go. I slept late friday night, actually it was saturday already, 2am when sandman came & let me get some zzz’s. iwoke up at 5am to prep up for divisoria trip with me mum, my tita edith & kuya coco.. literal na humihiwalay ang katawang-lupa ko sa kaluluwa ko dahil sa antok! grabe… i couldn’t feel my feet and my brain was drifting off to somewhere else… but we were able to get everything we need. i enjoyed the trip coz my 800 bucks went a long way, got a lot of great stuff from divisoria and i’m planning to go back sometime this november. after divisoria shopping, we ate at this chinese restaurant found in one of the streets of divisoria. i had to admit that i was a bit skeptical when i saw the place. parang di pa nga ok kumain, parang di masarap at di malinis ang gawa but when i interviewed those people eating there, they all said it was good and this restaurant has been there since 1980′s pa ata or something. basta it’s super old na. even the old chinese elders na dumadaan doon, they’re all recommending that resto.. it turns out, tita edith knew the place. they often eat there when they visit divisoria so she’s assigned to order the food and surprise! surprise! it’s good!! soup lang ang kinain ko but i felt like i ate a full course meal dahil sa sarap niya.. and prices of meals there are reasonable. di masyadong mahal and worth to buy naman.

after divisoria, we went to the cemetery. we have to clean & prep up lola & lolo’s grave.. this is the part where i felt really sad.. why? this cleaning & visiting the dead on november 01 used to be a family thing for us. all my mom’s siblings were there & all my insans where there too. like a reunion, we clean the grave together, make plans for the next day, november 01 together, then we all go there together but know its just me & my mom.. just the two of us.. nakakalungkot talaga.. and all my other cousins & relatives just don’t seem to care anymore.. really really sad.. hay.. =’( after the cemetery, me & mum went to the mall, nagpasama pa magshopping ang nanay ko… dami pera ni mama… hehehe..

so saturday super haggard ako ng bonggang-bongga!!! as in.. when i got home i just took a bath then drifted off to sleep.. i wasn’t able to watch series or any horror flick (like what i plan to do) because i was super tired and i can barely keep my eyes open.. hayzzz..

then sunday, i had to run! i’m itching to run so again i woke up at 5am and started running. kebs kung umuulan ng bongga sa pasig! i ran and i was able to go around the city.. in all fairness, i enjoyed running under the rain.. it relaxes you, soothes you, and it clears your mind.. after 2hrs of nothing but running under the rain, i went home and prep up for my trip back to the cemetery.. now it’ll be me & my dad’s turn to go there. we stayed there for a good 3hrs. wala naglinis lang, nagkwentuhan kami ng tatay ko, bonding time kumbaga..  after cemetery, went home & did the laundry.. so again, i was so tired last sunday & wasn’t able to watch.. again…

monday!!! ayan, monday nakipagpatayan kami ng siksikan sa sementeryo!!!! waaaahhhh!!! as in literally… then we stayed there the whole morning. my mom decided to stay home and to my surprise kaya pala nagpaiwan, gusto magluto. she cooked ginataang bilo-bilo while my tita edith prepared turon & some banana fritters – so ayan, yan ang handa namin ngayong undas… =)

there… that’s everything.. kapag naaalala ko, napapagod ako ulit! )) though my weekend had been hell, there were things that i enjoyed immensely… my unprecedented bonding time with my dad – this rarely happens to us coz we’re really not that close so this bonding time really is such a blessing… =) i enjoyed mom’s ginataang bilo-bilo (kahit konti lang nakain ko since i have to watch my calorie intake) – this too rarely happens to us coz mom is not the typical “domestic” mom, i mean she rarely cook, you can’t see much of her in the kitchen since its one of the things she hated, cooking & doing the dishes. that’s the reason why at a very young age i was forced to learn how to cook decent and edible food, mentored by my late lola of course. i enjoyed my run coz like what i said, running under the rain clears your mind.. its yoga for me… =) and lastly, i enjoyed my trip to divisoria & my bonding time with tita edith and kuya coco – again like what i said earlier, i rarely see my relatives so this is a real treat for me… =)

ironic that i wasn’t able to rest and my jam-packed weekend had been hell but i’m loving every bit of it… =)

hell week… but i say its fun! =)

one thing i hate the most is bitching around my parents… hold your horses guys, i’m not in any way disrespecting them or what.. all i’m trying to do is scaring them out of their wits so that they’ll follow all the things that i say.. true, MAHIRAP MAGPALAKI NG MAGULANG!!! dada doesn’t want to drink his meds for hypertension & mum’s doesn’t to help me with my dad.. parehong matigas ang ulo kaya they left me with no choice… i have to be the meanest anak in the whole world for them to get scared and follow my orders… sabi ko pag sila nagkasakit ng malubha di ko sila kayang alagaan at gagawin ko ipamimigay ko na lang sila sa hospicio… ewan ko na lang kung di pa matakot yung dalawang yun!!!

i was so stressed and deprived for complete sleep this whole week because of my “other” job… ang hirap talaga kumita ng pera… at ang hirap ng buhay kapag ang sweldo mo ay sweldong pang janitor…

my novel’s nearing its end… i’ve been working on that novel since 2006 so its 4 years in the making… i think i’d be able to finish it this year.. will publish it here in my wordpress account…

i’m going to medical city tomorrow to meet my new OB… Need to consult & see if I’m baby-ready!!! )) joke!!! i just need a follow up consultation for my hormonal imbalance…

watched harry potter thursday night with friends.. All i could say is this 7th movie is by far the greatest movie made in the harry potter franchise… galing ni David Yates! kudos!

found something… rather someone interesting… i’m amused… & entertained… though i’m not gonna share what or who’s entertaining me… hehehe… sorry…

so that’s a wrap up of my weekend my friends! stressful but i’m not gonna complain about it… =)

so that’s the wrap up for me this week!!! =) hay stressful but i can say its definitely fun!

the biggest irony…

that person has all the things i hate the most in this life..

came from my rival school – i hate their guts for putting us in shame last UAAP senior basketball finals..

rich – rich people are senseless ‘matapobre’ who knew nothing about life..

arrogant – magyabang kung meron ipagyayabang, di yung puro salita lang..

and its as if fate is playin’ a game on me.. of all people, why chose me? why did cupid chose me???? o_O well i guess all i’m left to do is evade the arrows as much as i can right… try not to get hurt alright… happened already at wala akong balak mag take two! hinay-hinay baka mabangin mahirap na… hehehe… =P

random thoughts this morning…

i woke up today feeling a bit different than other days of waking up and drinking my coffee.. and its somehow surprising that today, for the first time in weeks, i’m thinking clear.. its like waking up for the first time in years of slumber then finally you just knew what to do with your life. i admit that at 24 years old, i’m still not sure what to do with my life.. i’m pretty much at lost when you ask me where i would be in the next couple of years.. well at least now i’m not that lost, i think i found at least 1/8 of the path i’m supposed to take in this lifetime..

well aside from waking up on the right side of the bed, i’m inspired with needtobreathe’s song, ‘something beautiful’..

in your ocean i’m ankle deep.. i feel the waves crashin’ on my feet.. it’s like i know where i need to be… but i can’t figure out.. no i can’t figure out…

well the line literally tell how i felt this morning.. i miss the beach.. i miss traveling.. i felt the urge to take a leave and just go somewhere where there’s water, sand & sun. well of course reason sank in and i couldn’t argue with myself anymore about going to some remote beach and leaving all my work behind. i knew i had to be realistic. if i wanted a peaceful holiday, i have to finish everything.. but here’s the thing, i’m pushing my 2011 trip and no one, i repeat, no one can stop me alright… and this time i’m spending every penny i have for this trip.. batanes, palawan, boracay, bataan, quezon.. i’ll see you this summer! =)

just how much air i will need to breathe.. when your tide rushes over me.. there’s only one way to figure out.. will you let me drown, will you let me drown..

well for weeks now, someone caught my undivided attention. not that he’s super cute or handsome or what have you but i like his simplicity and childishness.. i like our easy conversations. it feels like i knew him for years but to tell you honestly, i just knew him for a few days… but yeah, talking to him was like a breeze.. its like i can tell him anything and everything i want. so needless to say i have to test if that feeling of mine is mutual.. but i didn’t like the outcome.. it turned out he’s just a kid and liking somebody & going out of dates is the least of his priorities.. so i had to stop making ‘papansin’ coz now its clear that this is going nowhere.. well maybe he’ll enjoy playing PSP or going out with his mom more than going out with me. again, major fail but kudos to me coz i was able to tell way before i fell to the trap of liking someone who’s not even interested in me. and bravo for that!  so again, the quest continues until i find that ‘perfect match.’

and the water is rising quick.. and for years i was scared of it.. we can’t be sure when it will subside but i won’t leave your side, no i won’ leave your side..

i had a row with me dad. i guess raising up and looking after aging parents is really really tough. dad told me something that i didn’t like and at that time i was suffering from severe stress due to work and my right hand was aching like hell, it was after my blood work up at the medical city, and the doctors there required 3 big vials of blood to be extracted from me so they could run some tests. end result, i shouted at my dad and we had a one big fight that night. i didn’t want to say i’m sorry but i have to, i knew it was wrong to just shout at him like that so i had to say the sorry word but what’s painful is that i played the ‘you’re not really a dad to me’ card. but i didn’t mean it, its just that everytime we fight, all those resentment, anger, and frustration because dad left when i was still a new born and i didn’t grew up with him will just go out of the closet and the next thing i knew all hell breaks loose. but i promised myself & mom that its just anger, i’m still his kid and he still is my dad even though he’s a total pain in the ass.  i still love them with all my heart and no matter what, i’ll be by their side.. guess i need to mend things before christmas.. =)

in a daydream, i couldn’t live like this.. i wouldn’t stop until i found something beautiful..

i have so many things to be thankful for. work, though my salary is but a junk and work is just a pain in the ass, its still work, at least i get to earn something. well better than not earning at all. family, they maybe two ‘makulit’ aging people but they still are my parents and they loved and will continue to love me unconditionally no matter what. and of course i have friends. i maybe the only child but i’m not really alone. i consider my friends as my siblings. i have good friends whom i can really count on in times of crisis. these friends are always by my side come hell or high water and they’ve never let me down, not one bit. they’re the ‘stick-together’ type. they’ll be with you no matter what. i also have the ‘not-so-good’ friends. these are friends who are just there by your side when life is all fun and will bail out on the times that you need them the most. they are the types who don’t give a shit about how you feel, will do whatever they like, whenever they feel like doing it. they are those people who can’t help but be a bitch and pain in my ass if they want to and only cares for themselves.. some people may consider these friends as a curse. its like a bad karma going after you but for me, i still consider them my friends. they’re hard to understand but at the end of the day you’ll realize all those nasty stuff, its them, its how they are. i want to be a true friend and a good human being so i’m loving every bit of those nastiness and will just be quiet and patient with these ‘not-so-good’ friends of mine.. no matter how nasty they get, i’ll stick around.. i still am a true friend through and through.. so continue to find something beautiful in them.. =)

i could just go on and on and on with writing down my thoughts but i have to work.. there’s tons of work i need to finish so until the next entry.. continue to live, to laugh, and to love.. life’s too short to be wasted with worries.. and just smile no matter how tough life gets.. =)

 

SPELL EFFORT…

ok.. let’s all spell the word E-F-F-O-R-T…

i slept at effin’ 3am last night just to wrap his gift and to write a decent note for him then i’ll hear nothing.. not even one effin’ thank you!!! what the mother fucker is he thinking?!?!?! o_O

now i wish i hadn’t done that… i look ridiculously stupid!!! what the hell am i thinking?!?!? really.. i almost faint due to lack of sleep and now all my efforts are unappreciated.. hay nako, this won’t happen again.. AYOKO NA!!! if i could take back all the gifts, i would and for the record the pen i gave him is expensive ha! nako talaga naman!!! arrrggggzzzz!!! kainis!!! sana ako na lang gumamit… if i only knew…

now i’m not just PISSED! i am terribly disappointed and disgusted with him! kung pwede lang pa-salavage, pinasalvage ko na!!! amf!!!

not vacation yet!!!

middle of the week tomorrow.. as usual, i’m stuck in the office, doing paper works while most of officemates have gone home and some are now enjoying a good night sleep.. i don’t want to go home just yet so i chose to stay here.. why didn’t i want to go home? at home, i’m just sitting around doing nothing ergo my mind wanders off somewhere and i’ll just be thinking about him.. so i decided its better for me to stay here in the office this late doing paper works so i’ll get my mind off him… but apparently, i can’t seem to figure out a way to take him off my mind, working or not working…

oh well, ano pa bang magagawa ko, 3 weeks na syang tumatakbo sa isip ko sana one time mapagod naman sya at tumigil ng bongga! )

its not yet the end of the week but it feels like it… today’s the last day here at the office (except me of course) but i’ll be here till the 23rd. i have to finish some stuff before the year ends so papasok pa ko till thursday. then thursday i’ll be attending the simbang gabi here in our little chapel. so technically ang start ng vacation ko ay 24th… i’m not complaining though… i love work! (plastic..) seriously, i love working… but i’m just saddened by the fact that i won’t be seeing him anymore… =’( hay, di ko man lang nabati ng merry christmas… stupid me really…

now, to recap what happened to me this past few weeks…

.. i was able to roll out a project before the year ends and it really feels good but i have to re-think of my career path next year… i’m on a road that i’m not supposed to take and the path where i should be was long lost and forgotten.. so sana next year i’d be able to find my path again.. would really really love to start studying film or culinary arts next year so i can start building the career that i really want to pursue..

..i’m still clueless whether the feeling is mutual.. i’ll have to admit i really really as in really like him but i don’t think he likes me as much as i like him to like me… ang gulo!!! ) but seriously, he’s not easy to read… but this past 2 days i’m observing him and found out that… basta, nahuli ko more than 3 times… still the question is, like nya kaya ako? that’s for me to find out..

..sometimes nakakapagod din na magpapansin ng magpapansin kaya time out muna since bakasyon naman.. hehehe.. let’s sit back and relax habang bakasyon.. =P

so there.. looking at it parang sa kanya na naubos ang buong week ko ah.. o_O haha! this is not good.. malapit na ko mabangin! ) yun lang.. it’ll be a stressful bakasyon for me but i can say i’m up for the challenge! let’s get it on! =)

weekend!!! =)

i’m ending my week early today.. i’m blogging early coz i’m gonna be out of the office early too, dinner & movie night tonight with my college friends so i really have to be out early… it was suppose to be a get-together scheduled tomorrow but i won’t be able to make it so they just cancelled it out and instead we’re goin’ out tonight.

got so much to think about this week & lots of stuff to do at the office.. luckily, i was able to finish the reports just in time though i still need to wrap up a post-mortem report for one of my projects..

what am i thinkin’ about this week? lots of stuff fills my mind lately.. mostly about career & that someone sitting over there (i know right! i shouldn’t be thinking who i’m thinking about, sorry can’t help it!!!). career.. i wanted to pursue another path but i just couldn’t pluck up courage & just leave.. i’ve been in limbo for 3 years now going to 4 (now i should kill myself for letting this go on that long).. but i promise myself, i’ll have to do it next week, do or die! its now or never! let’s start next week…

someone asked me to go out & watch a movie with him, didn’t answer yes, said i have to think about it.. my weekend’s jam-packed again! i’ll be in binangonan tomorrow helping out my tita – they’ll be transferring to their new home (yes, sa malayong bundok ng binangonan rizal!). i have to be honest that i feel terribly sad about them leaving us but happy at the same time because finally they’ll be settling down in their own home! guess i’ll just visit them often (now thinking of buying a car so i can go there as often as i want).  sunday is a ‘running day’ so i’ll be up early and running then will do household chores.. after that will go to church w/ mom.. then it’ll be monday again.. oh and i can’t wait for summer.. been planning a trip for days now… =)

so that’s a wrap for me!  happy weekend everyone! now if i could just pull the time and make it faster so this day will be done & over with! =P

another random thought…

i was scanning my playlist & a certain song caught my attention. because i’m into so much of RNB these days, I haven’t listened for it for a while.  it’s lee dewyze ‘sweet serendipity’. i plugged my earphones and hit play. and funny that while its playin’ on my playlist, MYX suddenly aired the video.. so i was thinking ‘what’s up with that?’ maybe someone’s communicating with me all along.. a higher power’s sending me a message ( well i’m definitely hoping to hear some good news coz i’m stuck in rut these days) and been calling my attention for the longest time. and once again, i am inspired by the song.. =)

“i ain’t got no car.. and i’ve got one pair of jeans.. they’ve been stretched too far and now weak at the seams.. i can’t say what’s next coz i’ve got nothing on my sleeves.. but i don’t loose my head coz it’s really not up to me..”

this line translates to me literally.. since my tito moved further south (to the mountains of Binangonan, Rizal) i’ve been planning to buy me self a car, not necessarily brand new, just a second hand working car coz I want to visit them as often as I can. problem is i ain’t have any money to buy a damn stupid car.. hay but the dream still lives… if i can’t buy a car (just for now), i can run as far as binangonan to see them! =)

oh and yeah, got 2 pairs of over-worked jeans.. i have the means to replace them or to buy 10 more pairs but i just don’t want to.. i’m comfortable with just the two of them and i wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world (well maybe I’ll trade it for 1 million dollars then maybe after that i can buy a car). much like a comfort blanket for me… =)

i’ve been thinking about career moves this past few days.. i’ve been plotting my moves, not just for my career but also trying to plan my life but i just realized that ‘hey, i can’t really say what’s next simply because i don’t know what’s gonna happen next!’ it really make sense right coz sometimes no matter how hard we plan for our lives, it never turned out the way its suppose to turn out not to even mention that the days ahead might be numbered (topic over lunch & merienda: end of the world). so might as well just let it be, enjoy the ride and embrace wherever life will take me coz really its not up to me… =)

And I’m doing just fine, I’m always landing on my feet.. In the nick of time and by the skin of my teeth.. I ain’t gonna stress cause the worst ain’t happened yet.. Something’s watching over me like Sweet Serendipity..

i get stressed out so much just by thinking what am i gonna do next but now i think i should just give it a break.. whatever will happen will happen, like it or not (right guys???).. what else can go wrong?? what more damage will it take?? i think i’ve already risked a lot just to get here because of one sole purpose so now i have to fulfill that purpose..

i don’t ask for a lot.. no nothing more than what i need.. because i love what i got, no need to play the lottery.. i just want to be strong and at the end of the road, i don’t want to hold on.. i just want the strength to let go..

i really should know when to give up.. recognize defeat and accept if it is already a lost cause.. how can i ever move on if i’d be hoping that everything’s alright even if it isn’t.. like with work.. i always whine and complain that this ain’t the field i want to work in. i have a lot of excuse for not taking the next train to my next destination but now that i’m yet again a year older, i should really be thinking about the things i want (emphasis on the word want) to do.. i’m running out of excuses and time, i’m not getting younger and each year that i spent stuck in whatever i’m doing right now equates to tons of guilt for not pursuing the things i love. i envy my friends who have the courage to just let go and do whatever they want.. now i can see that they’re happy & content. i guess i’m just afraid that i might end up losing everything that’s why i learned to just stick with whatever.. being the sole bread winner for the family, i have a lot of obligations that i need to prioritize over my dreams.. but thanks to the song, i finally moved to my first step.. i know my mom & dad will understand.. the line also applies to my ever zero love life.. i know, i know.. getting old and all yet i haven’t experienced anything in that department. believe me i tried.. to laugh, to love, then afterwards cry.. para na nga akong baliw! unfortunately it didn’t turned out well.. maybe its something that’s not for me.. i think i’m fated to be single for life. i takes some getting used to but i’ve already made peace with it.. i’ll just try to do everything in this lifetime (travel! travel! travel!) then that’s it!  =) now, all i want is the strength to just let go… =)

set sail without a destination.. just see where the wind will take you..

so i’m just letting everything fall into place.. bahala na si batman! i’m bracing myself and will just enjoy the ride.. =)

things i learned this week… =)

its one hell of a riot this week but i’m lovin’ every bit of it! as in!

i started the week with a new found love for RUNNING!!! i don’t know what got in me but i just feel like i can run a thousand miles now.. just for this week, i ran 4 times.. can’t believe it coz i used to be so “tamad” to run.. hehehe.. just sayin… =)

ok, so last Feb 09, Team Philippine Azkals (our football team) went head to head with Blue Wolves of Mongolia and they won!!! now, i’m not just in love with running, i also fell for Football! i wanted to learn so bad that i’m scouring all webbies just to find a school for football where i can enroll & learn how to play the game. i’m not aiming to play professionally but i wanted to at least experience playing the game & know everything about football.. now, i’m really shocked.. i already said i’m not a sports buff and i shy-away to anything related to sports but now i’m totally loving it, especially football.. guess i got so inspired by the team Azkal hunks James & Phil Younghusband and Neil Etheridge.. hehehe.. =P

yesterday, i was doing my weekly competitive scan & found this article on one of the websites that i’m scanning: http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2011/02/worlds-best-sandbox-2011-by-butch-j-jimenez.html#more. it was an article by Mr. Anton Diaz of ourawesomeplanet talking about getting a free calendar from Mr. Butch Jimenez. I saw the actual calendar and the pics on it and it was really awesome!! pictures of different beaches here in the Philippines (and Amanpulo is included! yeah, Amanpulo!!), children with their warm & welcoming smiles, and other scenic view of our country. It says on the article if you want a copy, you can email Mr. Butch Jimenez, and its for free, no strings attached. So I just found myself composing an email to Sir Butch, talking about my love for photography, beaches & travel as well then asking for a copy if he still has a spare one to share with me. I’m not expecting a reply really but when i opened my email this morning, I saw a reply. i was thrilled!!! haha! i can get a copy of that beautiful calendar! it says on the email that i can coordinate with Sir Butch’s secretary so I can get a schedule to fetch the calendar. i answered right away, thanked him for the copy (and for being so accomodating & friendly on email) then i found out he’s from PLDT. coincidentally, my cousin is working there too so i asked if he happen to know someone by the name of Dennis Cerrer (again, not expecting for any reply at all). he replied and said, he doesn’t know my cousin but would love to meet him one day. after a few minutes i received another email by the name of Menardo Jimenez Jr. and the email domain belongs to PLDT. this email said: “hey dennis, i got an email from your cousin and she’s asking for a copy of my calendar.. regards, butch.” the email was sent to Dennis Cesar Cerrer and Sir Butch cc’d me.. apparently Sir Butch took the liberty to find my cousin and emailed him. Got so surprised when my cousin sent back a reply acknowledging me as his cousin and asking for a copy of the calendar too! such a small world!! i got so curious and googled Sir Butch’s profile. and to my surprise, i found out that he’s a big boss in Smart Communications (that explains the ‘sandbox’ theme!). he’s the senior vice president for the retail business group of PLDT. i was actually talking to the big boss (something i haven’t done before!)!!! so i immediately checked the emails i sent (thank God for the sent folder) and see if my grammar was ok, if my english was good, if my sentence construction is flawless & faultless and thank God it was! and i’m loving the fact that i constructed the email with utmost respect to the one i’m sending it.

two things i learned from this experience, courtesy & respect. you should always have it, never loose it. always give it to people you meet and people you talk to (either personal or via the web or something). coz really you never knew who you’re talking to, right? let’s take for example a situation in the workplace. you’re just a level 1 (very ordinary) employee working on reports needed by the bosses. you know you’re good at what you do and people say you’re smart. one day, you woke up feeling so important because everybody’s asking for your report, saying they needed you (or the report or whatever), then you suddenly felt that the world in the work place will cease to exist if you’re not gonna do your report. what you did was you by-passed several bosses and sent your report straight to the Director. think about it, just because you know you’re good and you feel indispensible, you now have the license to do that to the bosses? pagbali-baliktarin man ang buong mundo, empleyado ka lang, boss sila and being a smart-ass does not give you the license para mangbastos ng boss..

never feel superior to other people, remain as humble as possible at all times. got my parents to thank to for raising me up inculcating in my mind that if i want people to respect me, i should respect them as well.. in tagalog, mabuting pakikisama at respeto sa kapwa.. that’s all you need… =)

Again, pakikisama at respeto.. that’s the important thing.. =)

oh & somebody with no manners asked for my help yesterday & he didn’t even said thank you after getting all the things he needed from me.. manners people, where are your manners???

so that’s the wrap of my week! =)

i survive VALENTINE’S DAY!!! o_O

ok.. today i realized i can’t go on “hibernation mode” simply because i can’t (coz i’m not a bear) and no matter what i do, the world will just go around just the same… so instead of sleeping all the frustration away or sulk and stay bitter for all eternity, i went out with the CMG girls, ate lunch at the posh restaurant in our building and spend the afternoon coffee break “cam-whoring” at starbucks! its a fun, fearless, and fab afternoon with the girls.. =)

ahhuummm… i can’t quite figure out what it is that turned me off v-day.. maybe because after 24 years of waiting, i’m still single (and don’t have a single clue why..) or maybe i just had this firm belief that we should not celebrate love (ng bonggang-bongga) because its valentine’s day.. everyday should be a celebration of love not just this one (awfully) commercialized day of february..

i believe that every girl, no matter what age they’re in, deserves flowers and not just because its v-day or something and i do believe that we’re entitled for love.. everybody deserves it.. =)

i just don’t think that we say the word “i love you” enough. so please don’t forget to say it again on each of the remaining 320 days of the year.. =)

manyak monday ay este manic monday pala!!! :))

i accidentally put the word manyak (and left it there intentionally) and i blame it on DJ Sam YG! haha!

i still am caught up with the “football” fever that hit the nation last February 09 and haven’t been back to my normal “bumming” around self. Since that day, I realized I wanted to play football and I wanted to play the sport badly. I had this delusion that I can go pro with the sport (wow, yan ang nangangarap ng mataas!)! but reality is, i might not be able to do so.. 2 hurdles my friends: i need to put myself into shape and i need to have the determination to run miles without stopping or getting tired and wheezy then going to being catatonic.  currently, i still have to loose about 34kilos more of body fat & my determination to run is waning. i’m having the hardest time to wake up in the morning and run or run after work (coz by then i’m dog-tired).

but somebody said to me that in life, we must have a goal that is as compelling as winning a championship bout or something. He also said that we have to look at life as something like climbing a mountain. we do not hesitate halfway to the summit but keep our eyes and  minds focused on the goal: to reach the top.  so i’m gonna try the sport out and see where it’ll take me.. =)

i’m also looking forward to buying me self a brand new DSLR, a Nikon D5000. i was wary at first because the price is way too much for someone livin’ in a meager salary but mom & dad is supportive and that’s the only key so that i can enroll for MA on film next year. now i see it as an investment. investing for my future so i won’t get stuck in this rut, so i’d be able to change my course (career-wise i mean).

happy that i’m movin’ forward, it may not be with my career but at least i’m movin’ to the next best thing in life… =)

and oh PS folks, this is the reason why i need to learn football so freakin’ bad!!!

Gorgeous lookin' guys playin it rough on the field.. =)

haylab them!!!

i go for the kuya.. =)

got a lot of determination and motivation now, are we eh… )

my week and to the one & only PRINCESS of the group.. ^^

i’m dog-tired today.. super drained (to the last drop) of energy.. had tons of stuff to do this week (some i finished, some i didn’t but will work on it first thing on monday)..

i’m still over-crazed with the sport football and still wanting to play and go “pro” on the sport (kapag keri ko na, hehe). and now i couldn’t deny it any longer that i adore our national team in football, the Philippine Azkals. i follow them like a maniac! haha! this is the first time that i got bitten by the craze & went “gaga” over something or someone.. hehehe.. well what can i do i just heart them & adore everything about them.. dreaming of one day i’ll be able to play football with them..  *wishful thinking*

so while following them around, here are some of the pics i got… now i can see girls screaming! haha! (don’t own the pics alright so peace..)

its jason de jong! =)

heart him! hehe.. pwede bang mag-aaply na GF??? )

early morning run

the younghusband brothers!!! =)

hay i just love them.. *blushing*

well this week ain’t just an “AZKALS”-filled week.. About two weeks ago, we learned about the resignation of one of my friends here in the office. it came as a surprise really and today is her last day.. it really pains me seeing my friends go of course but i always look at the bright side.. i see that she’s happy with her decision leaving the company and i can even see a very promising future for her in her new company.. i just wish her good luck and hopefully we can still find time to do some “girl bonding” and to hang out, eat, drink (maybe), and do some catching up like what we used to do here… =)

to Princess Poblete, former Consumer Marketing Group member, former ABSi employee, and always, a good friend of mine, promise me that you’ll stay grounded no matter where your new path will take you.. remember your dreams, all your aspirations in life and achieve it to the best of your abilities.. never give up, always remember that anything & everything is possible with courage & determination. please know that you’ll be missed.. days here in ABSi will not be complete without your towering heels, vavavoom outfit, and your signature laugh and smiles. also remember that you’ll always have a home here in ABSi and we’ll always be here for you.. =)

we’ll miss you, the one and only PRINCESS of the group! until we meet again… =)

oh shoot! just snap out of it!!! :))

alright, you caught me red-handed.. i admit that me heart got broken (no, make that shattered into pieces) coz the one AZKAL i adore the most has admitted that he has a girlfriend.. yes, James Younghusband is taken, officially (for the record, many heart-broken girls went beserk and went even farther by attempting to commit suicide) it would have been easier to accept (include forgive & forget) if he went after a celebrity perhaps or an athlete maybe but from what i heard the girl is just like most of us, a fan-girl who’s been trailing the team and buying for a chance to have her picture taken with James (pinagpalit nya ko sa ganun lang! charot! haha! eh nakuha naman pala sa picture)..

truth be told, i made peace with it just today. hehe.. took me two freakin’ days to calm down and get hold of myself (before i even try to hunt her down & kill her with my own hands! gorry-much??? hehe!). it’ll take some gettin used to i have to admit but i’d say i’ll get by just fine (ayan, mona ha, me official statement nako! hehe!). so officially, i’m done with it.. =)

now, moving on to better stuff (something worth my time), i officially embraced summer. i plotted my schedule for Summer 2011 and found out that all my weekends are full, well at least until April. haven’t even have the time to sched a run (goodness!). i totally accepted that football will just be a dream and i geared myself towards a new sport.. these past few days, my feet had been aching like hell and our family doctor said its running taking toll on my foot. so i need to do a sport that is low impact and would allow me to heal & relieve stress on my feet so now i’m going to indulge myself into swimming!!! since i love the beach so much i think its about time to learn how to swim… =) but the lessons will have to wait, i have to go on the planned trips first before anything else.

here’s the sched:

march 26 to 31 – Borawan Escapade with college peeps. We’re heading south this time. Off to Padre Burgos, Quezon (life-long dream realized!)

april 09 - Tito Jun’s birthday bash! We’ll go fishing at Isla Talim in Rizal province. I’m excited since i’ll be learning this very peculiar but interesting sport.

april 15 – La Union Trip with the CMG girls! Excited for this one too! This will be my first time to try surfing! i just hope i survive in one piece.

also, i’ll be getting my first ever DSLR!!! woot-woot!!! we’ll get it next saturday, march 12. I’ll be purchasing a Nikon unit, just not decided yet if i’ll get D5000 or D3100.. hay, my summer is full-packed! happy! happy! =)

oh and one more, meet another dashing dude from the Philippine Football Team. Say hi to John Patrick Hinrichsen! Hi Pat! nice to meet you! he is a versatile attacker who can play both effective midfielder and an aggressive and up-front striker. he’s half filipino, half german, mom is a pinay from Pagadian city while dad is a german. at a very young age, he’s already a professional footballer in Germany before his stint here in the philippines. isn’t he adorable? ^_^

loving the dimples! =)

and found this pic worth laughing at on the internet. i used to be a neil etheridge fan but after hearing that there is a “bromance” going on between him & Simon Greatwich, i bailed out! haha! judge for yourselves ladies… =P

bromance alert!!! lolz!!!

i just couldn’t wish for a better summer than this.. this is the life man, this is it.. it may not be perfect but its something worth living…

23 days to go & i’ll see you in Borawan.. now, i’m outta here! good night!

LIFE IS INDEED A ONE HELL OF A TRIP! =)

and its friday!!! & the AZKALS new recruit.. =)

and its friday!!! i love fridays really although i have to say my weekend is jam-packed yet again. so let’s start the recap of the weekend.. =)

i’m uber glad that i was able to finish everything. All the stuff that I need to work on was settled this week and kudos to me! =)

tomorrow, i’ll be off to my grandma’s house in Tanay, Rizal. Me & me mom will visit her. I also took this opportunity to sched and try to run. My right foot was aching like hell for a few days now but I think i can go on & try running tomorrow. i love running in Tanay coz the air is much fresh there than what we have here in Manila plus i love the view of Laguna Lake and the nearby Sierra Madre mountain ranges. it really clears my mind and the site is soothing to the eyes.. =)

this week, many hearts (of girls & boys alike) got broken when James Younghusband finally announced that he’s taken.. now why does everybody else suddenly felt “taken for granted??” hehe.. let’s just be happy for AZKALS midfielder and move to the next cute AZKAL just hangin’ around the corner.. *wink*

like the many times that my heart got broken, i rely to music to get back on my feet again and for this week, i’m on LSS mode with a song from a local OPM band named Eevee. the song is titled “Larawan.” let me share a part of the lyrics so you guys will know why i’m attracted to the song… =)

Pwede ba kitang

Makunan ng larawan

Kahit isa lang

Para merong ala-ala

Ang ating nakaraan

Ngunit mayron…

Kang ibang minamahal

Kung kaya’t ako’y

‘Di mo pinapansin

Sa larawan na lang kita mahahagkan

Sa larawan na lang tayo magpakasal

Sa larawan na lang, baka pwedeng legal

Dahil dito sa mundo, bawal..

for the record, the song played over and over again in my MP3 and i love the comforting effect it has on me.. =)

and i did say let’s all move on to the next cutie AZKAL hangin’ around the corner right? ^_^

i heard from the news last night that a new AZKAL recruit is in town. Actually, he’s not officially part of the team yet since he has to prove himself first before anything else. ok girls, brace yourselves for the new AZKAL hunk!! Presenting, ANGEL ALDEGUER!! (sorry for the pic, medyo malayo ang kuha & credit to the owner of this pic)

the "angel" who'll be there to get us a few goals in the field.. ^_^

this hunk may not speak english but he’s loaded with a deadly arsenal of talent and skill in football. He’s a Filipino-Spanish striker who’s been playing football since 6 years old. Born in Malaga, Spain to a Filipina mother who hails from the province of Isabela and to a Spanish father. this 6 foot 3 shaggy-haired gentleman plays forward for the Spanish third division club, Deportivo Ronda and also tried out for other football powerhouses like Atletico Madrid and La Deportivo de Coruna.

Angel is given 4 days to impress Coach Weiss and finally lettin’ him in to the team. The National team is currently processing his Philippine Passport in the event that he get drafted in the team officially.

Another cutie in the group, all the more reason for us girls to support the Philippine Football Team AZKALS… ^_^

and that’s the wrap of my weekend! i thought it’ll end in a sour note but finding an “angel” sure did make my week complete! =)

nothing beats the heart of a warrior…

(Ok, since I didn’t have any get-away-to-a-vacation article yet, I’ll start with my very first sports article today! Woot! This will also serve as a practice for my future part-time job of contributing to a sports column… So please be kind to animals and here goes nothing folks! Brace yourselves and enjoy the wild ride!)

The “underdogs” in every literal sense of the word… Just imagine: an under-funded and unappreciated football team trying its best to thrive in a basketball-loving and hugging archipelago, comprised of a mix of locals and half Filipinos who grew up overseas and whom haters tagged as the “half breeds” trying desperately to fit in. That’s just how hard a life of an AZKAL can be. Countless unforgivable names were thrown at them but the Philippine National Football Team AZKALS gave nothing less but sheer passion and dedication to the sport and love for their Filipino Heritage. They may not be all pure Filipino by blood, at least half of their lineage are and most importantly, whole by heart. Moved by one vision and fueled by perseverance and determination, the Philippine Football Team AZKALS, as they are more affectionately known, have come from being zero to heroes all in a blink of an eye. The change was brought about by the December 2010 game when Team AZKALS brought the reigning champs Vietnam to their knees with a 2-0 victory at the AFC Suzuki Cup, enabling them to qualify for the semi-finals and the rest, as they say, is history.

They were not able to snag a win in the semi-finals but they sure did win the hearts of their kababayans not only in the Philippines but everywhere in the world. The long and dreary drought of lack of support is over and everybody seems to want to take part and give support to the team in any way they can. Well, until you see the myriads of screaming, giggling, and tumbling fans (you get the picture???) then you’ll understand the impact the group has made in a span of months. You’ll know that the team started something that will stay in all of us for a long time if not forever, the love and appreciation for the sport football. If this is not a “rags to riches” story then tell me what it is. I saw an article/interview with the captain of the team, the 27 year-old center back, Aly Borromeo. He was asked to recount any event that almost had them rethinking about playing under the Philippine Flag and he frankly said “Now, where to start?” then laughed heartily of the mishaps they’ve experience before. He remembered a game in Iloilo where all they’ve got is the plane ticket going to the province and nothing else. Arriving at the airport, the team didn’t know the venue of the game and was quietly thanking God when somebody showed to pick them up. “The driver just left us in the middle of nowhere in Iloilo and we didn’t have the slightest idea where we’ll stay for the duration of the game.” The Captain recalled. Tragic as it may seem but that’s how they’ve earned the moniker “AZKALS” which in Filipino language literally translates to “asong kalye” or a mongrel let loose in the streets. It was a name given to them as an allegory to the team’s then “survive-on-your-own” status.

On a first look, they may seem to be just the typical bunch of players who got famous because of their undeniable good-looks but Team AZKALS proved to be more than just a face (well sometimes we wonder if good looks is a requirement for any individual who wants to get recruited in the team). All players are one mean and lean machine in the football field. Almost all of them, especially the Fil-foreigners, started playing football at the tender age of five and were trained professionally overseas or were even recruited by top football teams in America and Europe. Same is true with the grass root or the home grown players who have been playing the sport all their life.

It is indeed a 360-degrees turn around and these days, aside from seeing them on the field training, you can also catch them in numerous events, or see them on magazines, broadsheets, television and even billboards, advertising a certain product or re-telling the story of the National Football Team. They’re indeed famous and admittedly, they can give John Lloyd Cruz or Derek Ramsey a run for their money as the AZKALS are invading every known medium of communication there is. Thanks again to their dashing and charming good looks and undeniable great skill in football. Fame matched with debonair skill is indeed powerful and anybody may just get caught up with all the hype and mayhem brought about by it. True enough, great power comes with great responsibility. It is now apparent that they’re not just football players; they are now certified public figures and role models to the younger group of the population and to those who wanted to get into football.  Good thing though that these gentlemen are way grounded than anybody else, not letting fame and popularity get inside their heads and feed their ego. It is also a blessing that the captain of the team knows how to keep his charges sane amidst all the craziness that the public attention has brought about. He never fails to remind them of their sole mission. In one of his magazine interviews, he said and I quote “I am here to bring Football to the general public. I no longer play for the sake of fun and we players are definitely not playing for ourselves anymore. We are here for all the people that have worked so hard over the years to develop the sport in this country. We are here to inspire future players so that the popularity of the sport does not die with this team. Philippine football has been around for a long time but only now that we are finally getting the attention that we deserve, which will ultimately help further push the sport.”

And with fame also comes controversies. This is something that is inevitable. There ain’t a famous personality I know that hasn’t tackled any controversy in their career. For the heroes of this story, perhaps the biggest controversy in their career would be one, their love life (what, with all the girls wanting to be their girlfriends) and second would be their Filipino lineage.  Let’s not delve into the first one to avoid drama. Perhaps the second one will be less likely to attract craziness. It is quite obvious that a large part of Team AZKALS comprises of Fil-Foreigners tapped across all parts of the globe and needless to say it will attract unwanted attention from critics (you cannot please everybody, right?). It has been a subject of many debates since World War 1 (Nah! Just Kidding folks!) if we should allow Fil-Foreigners to play for the National Team. Obviously, these Fil-Foreigners shine more than the home-grown ones. For one, they’ve been trained professionally abroad so naturally, they have this aggression and edge among other players. We cannot also deny the fact that the Philippine Team needed them and their skill to be able to snag a decent place in the international football scene. If we are dreaming of eventually getting into the world cup, then we have to have them, period. But think about this, these Fil-Foreigners are after all still very much a Filipino, well at least half of their lineage is. Let me just quote the words of a famous musician and artist Mr. Jim Paredes of APO Hiking Society; “You don’t have to be in the Philippines for you to be called and considered a Filipino. Being a Filipino is not just by blood, it is but most importantly by heart.” And if these gentlemen chose to love and honor their Filipino lineage, who are we to say that they don’t have the right to represent the country?

Team AZKALS did more than just representing our country in the football arena. They roused us Filipinos to football consciousness and made us realize that we can actually excel in the sport given the opportunity, proper training and support from the government and the private sector. Their story was way beyond inspiring, it is motivating and setting everybody in motion, especially the young ones to go out there and start learning the sport. And parents, being aware of the sport, are supportive of their kids if they wanted to get into the sport. I can attest to this for I too have been caught up with Football craze. I’ve been talking to my parents (but still convincing them though) expressing my desire to learn and be able to play the sport. Bottom line is, the Philippine Football Team AZKALS has brought so much pride to us Filipinos and they’re definitely a breath fresh air because for the first time in record history, Filipinos were not cheering for another Manny Pacquiao or Nonito Donaire Jr. or perhaps tiring themselves to yet another basketball game (same old, same old) in the big dome. For the first time, we are cheering for a new sport, a new team, another youngblood, a batch of hopefuls, who have nothing but a bag of courage, determination and skill who for sure, will bring countless victories and honor to our country, Philippines.

The Philippine Football Team AZKALS

and back to regular programming… =)

Philippine Team AZKALS was defeated by the Mongolian Blue Wolves in the 2nd leg of the pre-qualifier game held at Ulan Bator, Mongolia.. team said they have the hardest time adjusting to the cold weather conditions in Mongolia.. gettin’ cold.. cold..

but what the heck, what else can we do.. so let’s just forget about the lost game and let’s all move forward..

and now back to regular programming…

and because i got so depressed yesterday and was extremely disappointed on how the AZKAL game turned out, i decided to hang out with friends to discuss the things we need to settle for the Quezon Trip.. we’ve settled some bills for the resort accomodation and did a checking of the budget we alloted for the trip. and just to make sure that everything is settled, we discussed the things that we’ll bring, everyone’s given a list of the things s/he would bring. here’s the list:

BITBITIN

JANNET
-First aid kit
-nylon string (panali ng tent baka hanginin just in case)
-lamp / rechargeable light
-sanitizer
-lutuan – small kaldero

BONG
-sound sys.
-nylon string (panali ng tent baka hanginin just in case)
-swiss knife
-Flashlight
-Duyan

CHELLAY
-Garbage bag
-Panghugas ng mga kaldero/sponge/dishwashing ekek
-posporo/lighter
-flashlight

GERRY
-swiss knife
-flashlight
-ipod (touch yan ha!)

————-
CHIP iN STuff
- sun block – chip in and bili malaki – bong na bibili

————

tents good for 3 or persons – Tentative
umbrella / raincoat – Optional

——-
THINGS TO BRING NG KANYA KANYA
- clothes for 4 days / Swim wear
- goggles
- camera
-CHaRGERS
- malong / sleeping bag
- personal stuff ( toothbrush, tooth paste, shampoo, soap,)- -
-Plastic pang basa ng kung anoano at proteksyon sa basa
- shades
- insect repellant
- utensils (spoon and fork)
- Water bottlesa
- swiss knife – gerry and bong

among the four of us, i’m the one who got a long list of things to bring and i don’t have any idea why.. )

after this Quezon Trip, I’ll post a blog about the place coz really, articles are scarce, you can’t even find a decent one to take on as a reference.. just wait for the post, i promise that it’ll be as detailed as doing a thesis or something.. =)

9 days to go and we’re off to Quezon Province!!! =) definitely can’t wait..

sunny beach BORAWAN

handa ka na bang MAGBUHAY-FUNGUS??? :))

2 days to go and we’re off to Padre Burgos, Quezon!!! woohoo!!!

but before anything else, lez ze blog first!

ok, the plan for this Quezon trip is: Day 1 – camp out in borawan or dampalitan island. Day 2 to 4 – check-in to The Tamarind Tree..

i have to be honest that its been a while since i last experience a “camp out.” last was when i was still in highschool. my good ‘ole camping & hiking days (mejo naging busy when i was in college so had to stop going on travels).

what to expect when you’re camping out in the wilderness??? Marami. Actually, you should expect that everything will come your way so better be prepared. mosquitoes? yes and plenty of it. be not surprised if you’ll wake up inside the mosquito lair! ) seriously, there are a lot of mosquitoes outdoors and lots of other bugs too! so better stuff your bag with repellents. no comfort rooms? of course! ano to? hotel? when you camp out, don’t expect the luxuries of a comfort room. just do your thing there, but make sure not to spoil the water source alright! sun too hot to handle? yes, especially at noon, it’ll be scorching hot i tell you. there’ll be no fans there, just the breeze of summer air. and if you run out of luck, there’ll be rain: yes, that’s one of the misfortune of living in the tropics, weather’s too unpredictable so be ready to get wet, the tent may not hold off the water if its a major pour down. no mobile phone signal, a possibility? oh yes, especially if you’re going to far-flung places, it is a possibility. no electricity?? yeah that too is definite. bawal din po ang MAGINARTE.. whine & complain, you’ll be thrown out of the boat and into the middle of ze pacific! haha!  :))

camping out is like going back to basics, less every little known comfort that we have in our urbanized world. but that’s the beauty and adventure of it! now, if you can’t live without these comforts, i tell you, camping is ain’t for you buddy… *wink*

2 days to go.. hello Quezon! =)

"aplaya" in padre burgos, quezon

INVICTUS…

“I am the master of my fate… I am the captain of my soul…” These were the lines I remember the most. These were the very words spoken by one of the greatest man that ever existed in this world; South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela. He is one of my political heroes. I look up to him and admire his philosophies in life as well as his leadership style. And yesterday, I stumbled upon a movie about Nelson Mandela and how he reunited his country, Africa, the movie INVICTUS. While many believed that Africa has gone to the dogs and hope is but a vague dream for its people, Mandela stepped in and led his people towards change. And to everybody’s surprise, Mandela used the sport Rugby to bring unity to his nation. Yes, the method is indeed intriguing and peculiar but very effective I daresay because sports, like music, is a universal language. It transcends any barriers known to humankind. If you happen to know me a year ago and would ask me if I watched Invictus, I would answer a straight, in your face and resounding “no.” I have no interest with sports so even though the movie featured the life of my hero, I’d never dare to try and watch it. Thing here is, I get bored with sports. I don’t understand the terms used, the rules of any game, and the very culture and foundation of it (I apologize to my PE teachers, didn’t learn a thing from you guys!). It really bore me to death I tell you. It’s like a different and alienating world for me. Then just this year, I got the biggest surprise of my life when one day I woke up with a new found appreciation of sports particularly FOOTBALL. So needless to say, I took time to learn the sports by the book (wasn’t able to play but I plan to someday). I read articles, books, magazines about the sport to get myself familiar with the terms and rules of the game. Then little by little, I fell deeply, madly, and obnoxiously in love with football.

This new found love affair for football was even hyped up at fever pitch when I saw the movie Invictus. Oh and for those who didn’t know, Rugby is like a close relative of Football or Soccer. The movie discussed how one sport united a weary and torn down nation of Africa. It tackles how one sport was able to bridge the gap and how it was able to break all the boundaries of races and differences. It showcased how one sport can spark the light of hope; give courage to people when everything seems lost. It was really amazing how the then president Nelson Mandela united his countrymen through Rugby. Africa became one nation. There’s no black or white, rich or poor. Everyone’s all and the same. The South African Rugby team also reminds me so much of my country’s own football team: The Philippine Team AZKALS. They are similar in more ways than one. Our national team, same as with the African team, was once am underdog. Nobody cares whether they win or not. It’s as if the team never existed at all. And both of them climbed and thrived hard to get to where they are now. The only difference is that Team AZKALS   haven’t competed and won a World Cup title but I’m sure they will, someday (let’s keep the dream alive!). I have to point out that though we haven’t competed in the World Cup, the performance of the AZKALS in the AFC Qualifier is very promising (after beating the powerhouse Vietnam last year and qualifying for the next year’s AFC Challenge Cup) so I am hopeful and confident that they can get us there.

I just hope that we can emulate the example of Nelson Mandela and Team Africa. They both have a dream; they know the goal to reach. Against all odds, they pushed through and they never let go of that dream, they held onto it as if it is their sole lifeline. They didn’t allow for it to just fall apart. All those defeat, they used it to propel themselves towards the top of the chain. They take every criticism positively and turn it into fuel, feeding their passion to win. I also admire the cohesion of the team; it’s a brotherhood like no other; all for one, one for all. The team, upon Mandela’s suggestion, also immersed themselves to the “Real Africa.” They had this one day of training with the poorest of the poor kids of Africa and they saw first hand the current status of the country then they started thinking of what they can do to make a contribution, to see change, to leave a mark and most importantly to make a difference. In the team’s mind, Rugby is now not just a million-dollar sports career where you’ll be able to earn tons of money, it is a higher calling. Something you can utilize to make the lives of other people better. The team didn’t just become a better athletes but a better people as well. And in the end, everything paid off; Team Africa won their World Cup.

I am dreaming that one day, we can do the same. United through one sport – and FOOTBALL that is. As for our National Team, I hope to see them one day doing greater things other than winning the Football World Cup. Like what I said, being an athlete is not just a million-dollar sports career. It’s more than that and we should always keep in mind that we owe it to ourselves to always go beyond what is expected of us. When everybody’s expecting you to be a better athlete, show them that you’re not just an athlete excelling in your chosen sport; you are a better person, able to do greater things not just for yourself or the team, most importantly for the betterment of your country.

Believe and make a difference… =)

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

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

Gone for the Weekend: The Roadtrip to Quezon Province…

I make it a point that every year is a travel year for me. After all, life is too short to just stay at home and do nothing. It started back in 2009 when I decided to just abandon anything work-related (got burnt out so bad!); hit the road with a bunch of old air heads and off we went to Baguio, the city of pines. 2010 is just another good traveling year for me too and it was a bit new since for the first time I traveled with my friends from college. We went to Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. It wasn’t my first time there. Last 2008 I was able to sample the beauty & mystic of the islands of Zambales with friends from the office. This year is extra special since our destination is one of my dream destinations. In fact, it was listed in my bucket list, to be able to see & experience Borawan, an island situated in Padre Burgos, Quezon. I first heard of the island about 2 years ago in a local travel TV show Trip na Trip of Bayan Productions and since then I fell in love with it and was dreaming to set my foot there. It took us a while before we were able to pull this trip off since the island is practically a virgin island. It was rarely visited by tourist and locals. Internet articles were scarce. There were just a few articles available and you can’t even call it as decent source of information. But it suits me just fine. I don’t mind the long travels and countless walks I should make and I take pride as one of the very first who set foot and visited islands such as Borawan. There’s a certain thrill in conquering unchartered terrains and undiscovered island and I guess that’s what draws me to Borawan, to be the very first to see the island. I’ll try to be as detailed as possible but if you guys know anything about the island and how to get there, I’ll gladly accept any additions and/or corrections. =) Day 1: March 26, Saturday at JAC Liner in Kamuning, Quezon City Our travel starts at JAC Liner in Kamuning (near GMA 7’s building). There are several liners that offer trips from Manila to Lucena Town Proper but we chose JAC Liner. Their buses are clean and spacious, fare is reasonable enough (at P218), and they offer free WI-FI to their passengers, not to even mention that their crew & the drivers are very courteous and always make it point to assist their passengers (especially those who carry heavy luggage). Trips start as early as 2 in the morning and the last trip is at 12 midnight (kindly take note of the time to avoid hassle). We boarded the bus at exactly 5:30 in the morning and the bus was on the roll at exactly 6 in the morning. It usually takes 3 to 4 hours before you reach Lucena. We opted for an early ride so we’d have time to scout the place, look for transportation to take us to Padre Burgos and of course to shop for our food. You’ll pass by several towns along the way to Lucena: Laguna, Sto. Tomas, Batangas, and then several towns in Quezon province. The bus will take you directly to Lucena City Grand Terminal. In the terminal you’ll find everything that you might need. It houses almost any transportation towards to any destination, fast food chains, pasalubong stores, and most importantly, clean comfort rooms. After a quick breakfast in Jollibee, we split the group into 2. Gerry & Rachelle took care of finding transportation to Padre Burgos while yours truly and Bong went to the local market of Lucena to buy food and supplies (You can find jeeps in the terminal that will take you to the local market for a fare of P8). Clock hits 1pm, we were able to find a jeep that will take us to Padre Burgos and we’ve completed our supplies list, then we’re off to hit the road. Travel time from Lucena to Padre Burgos was a bit long, we’re on the road for an hour and 45 minutes before we reach Padre Burgos town proper (you’ll know you’re there when you see the QCRB Bank in Padre Burgos). Then it’ll be a 15 minutes tricycle ride for P10 each to “aplaya” where we’ll take the boat ride to the islands. In aplaya, we met Kuya Ote the boatman who’ll take us to the very first island we’ll visit and where we plan to stay for the night, Dampalitan Beach. You can rent boats starting at P800 to P2,000 depending on how may island you want to visit or your haggling skills. We got our boat for P800 and Kuya Ote agreed to takes us to Dampalitan then pick us up the next day and will take us directly to our rented resort. It took us 30 minutes before we reached Dampalitan. In Dampalitan beach we met Ate Eileen, the island’s caretaker. Take note that there are several fees you have to settle: P30/head for the island entrance fee, P200 to P250 for the tent depending on the size of the tent that you’ll be pitching there, P200 for the rent of the table, and P40 for clean fresh water you can use for food preparation, etc. We have the island practically all to ourselves since it’s already Saturday and people who visited Quezon were off to Manila again. What I love the most in these undiscovered islands is the peace that it offers. Nothing’s more precious to me than having the quiet and peaceful time to think, rest, and meditate. Now if you’re the kind of person who digs peace and quiet then I definitely recommend Padre Burgos. Dampalitan also offers a good backdrop for the shutter bugs. It offers good view of the sunset (given that the weather’s good when you go there) and a picturesque view of the island in the afternoon. The island dwellers and their pets are also a good subject for your pictures.

Here are some of my works of art, taken from Dampalitan Beach… =)

dusk at the island

this photo was taken on our first day there in Dampalitan. it was a bit gloomy, no sun at all and it was drizzling a bit… but i couldn’t pass up the chance to take pictures..  =)

boat in the water

I was doing some test shots, I scanned ALY and I saw this.. reminds me of the super old Bench commercial, remember Richard Gomez??? In briefs, rowing on a boat in the middle of the sea… hehe.. it was near dusk here…

dampalitan shore

here’s a sample pic with adjusted exposure compensation (about 1.7 I guess, couldn’t quite remember)… it’s almost 6pm when i took this picture, did some adjustments then viola! it looks like its dawn not dusk.. hehe..

high noon at dampalitan beach

this was taken the 2nd day at the beach.. luckily, sun was up that time so we took the opportunity to take pictures..  it was low tide that time and when its low tide in Dampalitan, you can see foot bridge made out of sand, shells, & rock… follow that path and you’ll end up in a little island in the middle of the sea where you can actually take pictures of endless sea and horizon… =)

dampalitan in black & white

high noon but i turned it to black & white… =)

mah good friend gerry in the middle of the sea

did i already say that we practically have the island all to ourselves? yeah said it and its true! haha! see, i can’t find any subject worth taking a snap at so here’s gerry & euran.. =)

kamusta sa abs??? )

ala bench scene! haha!

i couldn’t just upload everything here since most of the files were as heavy as 18MB…

ok.. to sum it up, here’s the total cost of our first day in Padre Burgos (including fares, food, and all, computed per head, for a group composed of 4 people);

P218 – Bus Fare (Manila to Lucena)

P70 – Breakfast at Jollibee (in Lucena Grand Terminal)

P16 – Jeepney fare (Lucena Grand Terminal to Local market and back)

P35 – Jeepney fare (Lucena Grand Terminal to Padre Burgos Town Proper)

P15 – Tricycle fare (Padre Burgos Town Proper to Aplaya)

P200 – Boat Rent (to and from Dampalitan beach)

P30 – Entrance fee at Dampalitan Beach

P60 – Tent Pitching fee

P10 – Potable Fresh water

P50 – Table rent

P156 – food budget for overnight stay at the island

Total: P860

For the food, Ate Eileen can cook for you but the price will depend on what you want to eat and the food will depend on whatever’s available that day. =)

ok, got to get back on working on my reports so day2 of the Quezon trip will have to wait.. =) till the next post!!! keep on moving your feet!!! =)

gone for the weekend: the roadtrip to quezon province… part 2!!!

my apologies! it took me so long to work on padre burgos part 2! got caught up with work & my other love, football! got training sesh every weekend ergo got no time to update my quezon blog. but here’s part 2, day 2 of our Padre Burgos escapade!!! enjoy! =)

Day 2 at Dampalitan Island, Padre Burgos, Quezon…

day 2 was pretty much a very relaxed & “chill” day for the four of us. i woke up early, around 6am or 7am i guess and pretty much just stared out to the sea and the endless horizon. there’s nothing more special than being able to spend hours relaxing, doing nothing, and immensely enjoying the beach. everything it offers, the calm & tranquil waves, air rushing through your hair, and the smell of the sea. =)

look at my view from my make shift duyan i called top-top, bought him when i was in pundaquit, zambales last year for P300 bucks.. =)

duyan view.. i just feel swag.. =)

its also a sad day for us since we’ll be leaving our camp at Dampalitan Island & will head to our (extra posh and extra mahal) hotel resort in the mainlaind, the Tamarind Tree Resort. Mixed emotions actually. We’ll leave Dampalitan to head to another adventure so yeah part happy & part sad..  but before we head to the tamarind tree, we decided to take some time to get some good shots. the weather’s good & all sun-shiny on our 2nd day, great day for cam-whoring! hehe.. so after eating breakfast (more like left-over food from last night’s feast), we went out & snapped our cameras away!

dampalitan island in high noon! fierce! =)

while standing on the “islet” in the middle of dampalitan beach, couldn’t help myself but take a picture of this majestic view… =)

my camera Aly just loves Kuya Gewi!!! =)

kuya gewi & his abs.. pogi points for that! haha! )

ok, lemme explain.. got nothing else to take pictures at alright so here's mah foot! )

after our photo op, i went back to my “chillax” mode while sitting on top-top my duyan. got nothing to do but still wanna take some pictures so i took a snap of my left foot..

our SWAG camp!!! woot-woot! tent is huge! you can fit 8 to 10 people inside! hehe… on the words of mah good friend Bong when asked how to describe our ginormous tent: “Pwedeng magfootball ang Azkals sa loob!”

(uh-oh!) no, i'm not sleeping.. just takin' a break! )

eerrr… that’s me there! no, i’m not sleeping! just taking a break before we head out to the sea! =P

i borrowed some pictures from mah good friend Bong Tamayo so you’ll get to see the beauty of the place, really great place to take pictures! =)

balsa in the beach.. =)

lunch & dinner for us!! cheers!

adobo & magic sarap (magic sarap??? o____O) for lunch, dinner, & breakfast!!! hehe.. oh and we got purefoods hotdogs too!

tomatoes & onions as side dish.. sweet!

and match it with ensaladang kamatis!!! this should be ensaladang mangga but forgot to buy mangoes!! epic fail!! )

Bong's magic sinaing!!! cheers!

sinaing or cooked rice in english.. this is bong’s specialty. he cooked rice since lunch & dinner yesterday till the next day! mabuhay ka bong! )

you can see here that we didn’t bring any cooking utensils, not even a portable stove. one word baby.. IMPROVISE!!! hehe.. but you have to bring your own kaldero so that you can cook rice decently.. or if you’re too lazy to bring one, find a bamboo in the island & use it as an alternative for the kaldero..

sayin' our goodbyes to Dampalitan!

gerry, me, bong, & chel

and with pictures above, we say goodbye to Dampalitan Island! till we meet again… =)

Kuya Oteh fetched us at around 1pm, high noon but it was an easy boat ride! thank God for the unpredictable weather of Quezon, we’re spared from the scorching rays of the sun and was greeted by drizzle & lots of rain clouds arriving at The Tamarind Tree Resort. Tamarind Tree Resort is the only beach resort that has close proximity to beach & the islands, very accessible so even though the price is a bit high than normal, we booked our accomodations there so we can stay close to the beach. We arrived there late lunch time but still decided to take a bath, head out & look for something to eat for lunch.

here are some of my first pics during our stay in The Tamarind Tree Resort;

our kubo named "Eugenia"

This is our kubo, stashed near the beach, on its sides are plants & lots of Banana trees (so that explains the ginormous mosquitoes invading our hut!). I have to make a separate entry about the resort but i have to say that the place was wonderful, even the staff, they’re very accommodating & friendly. we even made new friends while we’re there! the place is safe & well-guarded, very relaxing & pretty quiet especially at night so if you wanna take a break from the hustle & bustle of manila, this is the place to be! oh and one thing i immensely enjoyed in the place is the private pool inside the resort. well we practically have the place to ourselves and because of that, i feel swag when i was there! hehe..

the road less traveled..

this pic was taken just outside the Tamarind Tree’s gate.. and manong walking down the road adds drama to the pic..

tamarind tree beach front

see the tamarind tree beach front.. although i don’t reco that you swim in the beach front, the water’s a bit murky as there are hordes of fishermen that go there everyday so there..

flowers galore outside the tamarind tree resort! =)

ok so for day 2 of the Quezon trip, we just paid for our lunch in a carinderia & our dinner courtesy of Tamarind Tree Resort. In the “Al Fresco” dining (a.k.a carinderia), P50 is enough for a good meal (provided di ka patay gutom when you eat), there are several carinderias in Padre Burgos so eating won’t be a problem. For our dinner, we shed a bit more (well maybe not a bit). Paid P550 for a full course meal of rice, sunny side up eggs, tocino, & longganisa, plus juice good for 4 to 6 people and we get to dine in the posh Dining Hall of the resort while watching the pilot episode of captain barbel in GMA 7. Ate Ayreen, the secretary or Peng the manager can assist you. the food they’ll serve may depend on what’s available that day.

A total of Php 187.50 spend for day 2 at Padre Burgos, Quezon! not bad.. hehe..

i still have to get back to work mah friends but i promise to complete the four-day entry of our Quezon trip A.S.A.P! so until next post! keep on moving your feet! =)

Azkal Hero Yanti Barsales Retires from International Football (via Roymondous)

One of the PHL footy players I admire the most because despite his age, he plays really well and who Angel Guirado endearingly calls “Grandpa”.. Sir Yanti Barsales retires from International Football.

You’ll be missed Sir! Saludo po ako sa inyo!

Madamo gid na salamat Manong Yanti! =)

Yanti Barsales confirmed last night after the Air Force clinched the UFL title that he will be retiring from International football. He is starting to find the schedule too difficult to cope with: “I’m tired…” he said, still with a huge smile after winning back to back championships with the Air Force. A professional as always, Barsales noted that “I’ve spoken to Dan [Palami, the National Team manager,] about it but at 38 I’m struggling [to keep … Read More

via Roymondous

gone for the weekend: the roadtrip to quezon province… part 3!!!

Day 3 of our Quezon Escapade! =)

The weather in Quezon is a little bit erratic last march (what with the earthquake & tsunamis! its an ever-changing world!). Well, weather’s really tricky for tropical countries like the Philippines so our day 3 was a bit of a drag. It’s our BORAWAN day. The original plan was to head straight to Borawan after breakfast & spend whole day there but the weather got a bit crabby. It was foggy & rainy when we woke up & the temperature is quite freezing (even so when you’re in the water)! We decided not to push through the Borawan trip in the morning since its zero visibility when you’re in the sea, rescheduled it after lunch instead. so with nothing to do in the resort, we took our photog gears and went out to do a PHOTOSHOOT! hehe..

cameras, check! tripod, check! reflector, check! here are some of the photos we’ve got from that Photoshoot in The Tamarind Tree!

a cup in hand you know its worth your while.. =)

our prelude to breakfast, COFFEE! if you’ll look at it closely, Kopiko is our coffee of the day! hehe.. just 3 cups coz one kid is not a coffee addict. oh and its P15 bucks per cup at the tamarind tree resort!

mangyan na nagkukuko...

i love stolen shots like this. so there, caught gerry while trimming his toe nails! haha! that’s before we head out for breakfast (as if naman makikita ang kuko sa picture! hehe).

swag band cover!

i know right! epic photo courtesy of my good friend Bong Tamayo! woot-woot! =) i look ASTIG & feelin’ swag in this picture! taken at the Tamarind Tree Resort Grounds, in their posh garden overlooking the sea.. (so that explains where we’re lookin’).

i completely forgot about our time swimmin’ at the Tamarind Tree Resort’s beach front. Although again, I’m not recommending that you try swimming there as the water is a bit murky. But if you’re not squimish, by all means, go and have fun together with the talangka, snails, & fishes there.. hehe.. here are some of our pics; oh & see that two little island laying there in the backgound? They call it mag-asawang bato, two islands married to each other. these two islets used to be too close to each other but through time & by the power of tectonic movements of the earth, the two islets went farther from each other.

chel, gerry, & yours truly.. =)

chel, bong, & me.. =)

yeah that’s mah good friend Bong who owns some of the pictures here.. a great friend & a good photography teacher! madamo gid na salamat bong! everything i know in photography, i learned it from you! =)

diyosa ng dagat! kabowg!

and presenting mah good friend Chel: the Goddess of the sea!!! lookin’ fierce in ze middle of ze sea!

After the photo shoot, we head out to the sea again and the next destination is no other than the famous BORAWAN baby! After eating our lunch, we met with our master bangkero Kuya Oteh & headed out to Borawan. The term Borawan was coined to describe the island. The island is a combination of white sandy beaches of the famous Boracay & the mighty & beautiful limestone cliffs of Palawan, hence the term BORAWAN.  It’s a bit disappointing since Mr. Sun decided not to show himself on our Borawan day and the sea seems to be a little grumpy that day as huge waves kept coming in, but being resilient as we were, we pushed through and still managed to capture some decent pictures in the island. You can actually camp out in Borawan but of course there are fees that need to be settled. There are small huts there; some are small while others are big enough. 3 to 4 people can sleep inside the big ones. Rental fee ranges from P350 to P600 depending on the size of the hut you’re renting. It’s a surprise too that no entrance fee was collected from us, just the P350 rent for the nipa hut near the beach. And here are some of our Borawan pictures:

small hut

this hut cost around P350. too much??? well you can haggle the price, it’ll now depend on how good you’re haggling skills are.

ohhaiithurr Bong!!

the hut at the back cost around P600, again prices will depend on the size of the huts plus your haggling skills.

really relaxing...

look how blue the sea is..

limestones..

see the hut there on the side? walk a little further and you’ll see the make-shift comfort room & bathroom for guests. its really not much but at least you can do you’re thing in peace.

just another hut

i'm on the top of the world! taking pictures!

that’s kuya gewi tryin’ his luck on snapping good pics on top of one of the limestone boulders there..

chillin' out..

it rained a little while we’re in Borawan. We all went for cover.

this is Borawan!

and with the pictures above, we say goodbye to Borawan… until we meet again…

so for day 3 Padre Burgos escapade, we shell out a total of Php416. Here’s the break down;

p15 for the coffee (individual)

P50 for breakfast (individual)

P850 for the boat rental going to & from Borawan (divided by 4 so do the math)

P350 for the nipa hut rental (divided by 4 so do the math)

P50 for lunch (individual)

For a whopping total of Php416 over-all spend. Not bad actually for day 3… extremely satisfied with the turn-out. But i plan to go back since we weren’t able to explore the limestone cliffs, do some climbing & rappelling here and there & we weren’t able to visit the cave in the middle of the boulders there. For those who wanted to explore the cliffs, you have to bring your own climbing & rappelling equipment, flashlights, first aid kits (limestones have rough edges that can cut through skin), and all things needed for climbing as there were no equipments available in the island. even the resorts there do not offer climbing trips to Borawan.

think i have to pause here.. i need to get back to mah work & finish the reports.. so until next post! and keep on moving your feet!!! =)

gone for the weekend: the roadtrip to quezon province… prelude to Part 4!!!

lemme explain: i had to do this prelude to give way for Kuya Gewi’s birthday narrative & to tell a little bit about The Tamarind Tree Resort. This article was actually a promise to Manager Peng for a job well done when we were there. They’ve been so accomodating & friendly so in turn, we want to make an article about the resort.

on the evening of our Day 3 stay in Padre Burgos, we celebrated Kuya Gewi’s 25th birthday!!! wooohooo! funny that whenever we travel, it’ll always be scheduled on Gerry’s birthday so really, almost all our travels are extra special because of his birthday. =)  due to time constraints and scarcity of resources (too far from the city, hence no malls), we had to do improvisation. we bought little cupcakes from a nearby sari-sari store in Padre Burgos along with one small white candle, red horse, junk food for pulutan, and etc. the little cupcakes will be kuya gewi’s cake and to make it a little festive, we have to have beer & pulutan.

just after lunch, we went to a sari-sari store and bought all the things needed for Kuya Gewi’s celebration. 3 Red Horse mucho (well maybe 4, i couldn’t quite remember), tons of junkfood, cupcakes & candles, that’s all we need for tonight’s festivities. Guys you have to remember that there’s a corresponding corkage fee for the food & beverages you’ll take inside the Tamarind Tree Resort. Php200 that is. So limit the food & drinks that you may want to take inside (just a friendly reminder for everybody). Our original plan was to celebrate Kuya Gewi’s birthday in the beach front so we won’t have to pay for the corkage fee but it rained that night so we all decided to just hang out at the Dining hall. Manager Peng was even kind enough to let us stay till late in the evening using the hall and he even help us settin’ up the table for our little inuman, let us use the pitcher & glasses there.

our little birthday celebration was simple but memorable… =)

the birthday boy!

our improvised cake & the birthday boy! woot-woot! =)

see, there's manager Peng! hey there Mr. Manager!

Here’s manager Peng and the rest of the gang posing with the cake! =)

Boo!

that’s Kuya Gewi tryin’ to scare the shit out of me! haha! but it didn’t work. i’d say its an epic fail! hehe.. can’t help ourselves but to tell scary stories coz the night’s dark and its raining with a few thunder on the sides, really creepy night.

caught yah! haha!

this was how we ate & celebrated the night away! =)

oh shoot! lasheng na! haha!

i look like i’m sober but i’m not.. just pretty sleepy i guess, its BED WEATHER! haha!

kwento-kwentuhan...

so while killing the time, we started to chit-chat about life, all our plans and all the things that we want to do. being his chika self, Bong couldn’t quite help himself and ask Peng to share some stories with us as well.

Our manager Peng may look like a plain & just an ordinary guy working in a resort but wait till he tells you his story. He came from Lanao, a province rich in muslim culture in Mindanao. He shared how was his life like growing up and living in Lanao. i was just fascinated of his culture, of his birthplace, just full of history & culture. But more than that, I can definitely say that manager Peng was one of the most courteous & honest manager & people i met. really, the guy returned a ring that cost at staggering Php300,000 to its proper owners without expecting anything in return. that for me is the truest essence of honesty.

kudos to mr. honesty! =)

kudos to Rosifel Gregorio! hands-down to your honesty! =)

honesty is the best policy!

nothing beats honesty, respect, & courteousness! mabuhay ka manager Peng! ikaw ang aming IDOL! =)

sometimes the most interesting thing when you travel are the people you meet along the way. Not just the destination but also those you bump into. you hear so many stories and you also learn from them. =) this is one of the few things that kept my foot moving to wherever…

and as promised to our good manager, lemme tell you something about the Tamarind Tree Resort.

The resort was named as such because of the Tamarind Trees planted around and inside the resort parameters (there’s plenty i tell you). like the one in the picture!

the tamarind tree.. in literal sense..

when people go & visit Borawan, they prefer to stay here in The Tamarind Tree Resort. It may be a bit pricey but nothing can beat its proximity/closeness to the islands you want to see. Not to even mention that the kind of service you’ll get is worth every penny you’ll pay (i swear to God, it is!). Thinking about it, the only thing i can complain about this place will be the olympic-sized mosquitoes! but that’s it! other than that, the place is quiet, cozy, secure, and relaxing and it’s a major plus that the staff here are extra friendly, very hospitable, courteous, and respectful to all their visitors.

our crib!

our “kubo” or nipa hut is quite spacious, more than 4 people can actually fit inside the hut. it has a very traditional & very Pinoy feel in it.

swag frontyard!

and here’s the view from our hut: the swag frontyard! after the gate there, you’ll step into the resort’s beach front. =)

our quarters

here’s how it looks like inside our sweet quarters! the mattress are perfect for the summer, super presko! )

the swag mangyan dance!

oh & don’t mind kuya gewi and his mangyan dance! he’s just shooing the bad spirits away!

and this is our swag bathroom! after the dampalitan camp, i went straight for this bathroom for a much needed bath! haha!

kayak!!!

you can rent this kayak if you want to try your luck on it. i’m just not sure if there’ll be a guided kayak activity or something inside the resort.

pool!

presenting: the private swimming pool!!! woot-woot! =)

 

smaller hut

one of the smaller huts in the resort, perfect for honeymooners. =)

Full House

if you plan to go there and take the whole baranggay with you, you may opt to just rent this house. Priced at Php10,000 per day of stay, it can house a maximum of 40 to 50 people. now if you’re composed of 50 people, it’ll be just Php500 per day of stay per head. not bad eh. another perk of this house is that you can do & bring anything inside, without the hassle of paying the corkage fee. and that’s just swag! hehe…

see some of the view of this house;

front porch or veranda

 

room no. 1 of 50! hehe

one of the rooms inside the spacious house at the Tamarind Tree Resort…

dining area

the posh dining area and on the other side is the kitchen where you can cook anything you like.

kitchen

and this is the dainty kitchen!

veranda view

veranda view of the house. you can see the beach & lots of tamarind trees. quite serene actually.

for more info, price/rates, and reservations, you may visit http://www.thetamarindtreeresort.com/ and http://thetamarindtreeresort.wordpress.com/

and that’s about it for the prelude of our 4th adventure day in Padre Burgos. oh and by the way, our 3 days, 2 nights stay in the Tamarind Tree resort was priced at Php6,300, we just divided it into 4. All of the expenses in this trip was included in the pegged budget of Php5,000.

off to our Day 4!!! woohoo! but i have to get back to work again so it’ll have to wait a few more days. so until the next post & keep on movin’ your feet!!! =)

Araw ng Independensya at Kalayaan: Mga kabayanihang nagbibigay kahulugan sa pagiging Pilipino

Ang panulat na ito ay alay at magsisilbing paggunita at pagpupugay sa darating na araw ng kalayaan ng mga Pilipino.

Ngayong umaga, ako at lahat ng empleyedo sa aming kompanya ay nagkaroon ng isang maagang selebrasyon para sa araw ng ating kalayaan at sa ika-150 na kaarawan ng ating pambansang bayani na si Gat. Jose Rizal.

Ang Philippine National Team Azkals

Puno ng damdamin ng pagiging nasyonalistiko ang selebrasyon kanina. marahil, karamihan sa aking mga kasamahan sa trabaho ay maituturing kong mga makabagong bayani ng ating panahon: ang mga tagapagbalita ng ABS-CBN, sa radyo man o telebisyon na matiyaga at masigasig na nangangalap ng balita para sa bayan… ang mga empleyado sa aming ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. na masipag na nagaabot ng tulong para sa mga kababayang nangangailangan.. a buong samahan ng mga empleyado sa ABS-CBN na masipag at buong galak na hinaharap ang kanilang mga gawain sa opisina araw-araw… ang mga artista ng aming istasyon na napapanuod natin araw-araw at nagsisilbing inspirasyon sa karamihan… sila po para sa akin ay maituturing din na mga bayani…

nakadagdag pa rito ang pag-awit ng ating pambansang awit at ang makahulugang panunumpa para sa bayan kasama ang mga itinuturing ding makabagong bayani sa larangan ng isports, ang Philippine National Team AZKALS, na naghahanda para sa kanilang susunod na laban ngayong Hunyo.

nagkaroon din kami ng pagkakataon na gunitain ang nakaraan, muling alalahanin ang mga nagawa ng ating mga bayani, di lamang ni Gat. Jose Rizal, para ang ating lahi ay maging malaya. at nagkaroon din ng pagkakataong alalahanin at magbigay-pugay sa lahat ng makabagong bayani ng ating panahon.

nawa’y ang lahat ng ating kabayanihan, maliit man o malaki, ay manatiling nag-aalab at maging inspirasyon para sa mga susunod pang henerasyon.

mabuhay ang lahing malaya! mabuhay ang lahing Pilipino! =)

dahil ako po ay nagpupunyagi at kasama ako sa lahi ng di padadaig, na ako po ay Pilipino, sa puso, sa salita, at sa gawa… =)

gone for the weekend: the roadtrip to quezon province… Part 4!!! last na toh!!! :))

admittedly, it took me a while to wrap this Quezon Blog up but i’m immensely proud of it. much like traveling, blogging too is a journey that takes you to a thousand steps before you reach your destination and then looking at what you have achieved, you’ll be able to say to yourself that its all worth the wait. =)

Day 4 of our Padre Burgos Adventure! woohoo! last na toh! =)

Our 4th and last day was shall i say bittersweet… i remember thinking about how i miss manila, how i miss my dog & my mum & dad and how am i gonna make it in time for the Philippine Team Azkals match airing on studio 23. i just couldn’t wait to get home at that time. but deep in the recesses of my heart i am sad for leaving such a wonderful place like Padre Burgos and was secretly wishing i still have time to explore it coz i tell you there’s just a lot of places and beaches to go there, 4 days ain’t just enough.

i couldn’t quite remember if we had our breakfast coz my heart was just breaking because i’m about to leave padre burgos but i remember we managed to squeeze in another rounds of photowalk with Manager Peng, we headed to what I call the “Full House” also owned by the owners of the Tamarind Tree resort. then i remember after our photowalk, we head back to our hut, decided to swim our last on the pool. after swimmin’ we took our baths and packed our bags. now’s the time to go…

we checked out of tamarind tree resort at 1pm. actually, it was supposed to be at exact 12noon but Manager Peng and Ate Aireen were kind enough to let us extend so we can better wrap all our stuff up. Manager Peng even accompanied us till the bus stop and helped us carry our luggage around. before we depart, we had one last photo opt with the Tamarind Tree Resort staff. Good people full of good vibes! keep it up guys! =)

The Tamarind Tree Staff Peng and Ate Aireen! mabuhay po kayo!

and with the picture above, we say goodbye to our friends from the Tamarind Tree Resort!!! keep up the good work guys and until we meet again! =)

we head towards Lucena city in a van. sun was up with vengeance on our 4th day so its hot like hell that day. Van fare priced at Php50 from Padre Burgos to Lucena City. its one cool ride. We managed to nap a little as it took us 2 freakin’ hours before we reached Lucena. Van stopped at SM City Lucena so its really convenient, we don’t have to run around like headless chickens looking for something or some place to eat. To stay true with our Quezon Adventure, we opt to eat at Buddy’s! and boy i enjoyed that Pansit hab-hab after days of dieting in the island! haha!

Welcome to SM City Lucena! civilization leggo! haha!

welcome to SM City Lucena!!! haha! we missed civilization so much that we all accessed WI-FI, checked our emails, facebook, and twitter! tweet-tweet yowza! haha!

Buddy's!!! oooohhhh can't wait!

Since we haven’t eaten breakfast and lunch yet and its nearing 3pm already, we decided to dine in Buddy’s! We chowed down one whole plate of pansit hab-hab, porkchop, sisig, sizzling dishes that i can’t remember what, oh and there’s lumpiang sariwa! man, this is life! haha! i guess we’ve been into forced diet when we camped out in the islands!

Pansit hab-hab!!! or Pansit Lucban! ah basta masarap!

this is mah fave! Pansit Lucban!! woohoo!

 

we chowed this all down! haha! sorry naman! gutom lang ng bonggang-bongga! =P

ilaw sa Buddy's

last picture before departing Buddy’s! Photo credits goes to Bong!!! Galing talaga! =)

after eating, we headed to town’s local market to find some pasalubong for our family & manilenyo friends. we heard that there’s a store down town called “Villa Mater” that houses a lot of different pasalubongs so we went there.

from down town Lucena with love.. =)

i couldn’t quite remember the streets but Villa Mater is one tricycle away from SM City Lucena, you just have to tell the driver or ask the driver if he knows the place.

mabuhay ang kilusan!

this is one of the adventures that Quezon has to offer! haha! =)

lucena street full of stores

the place was a street full of pasalubong stores so buying is not a problem as long as you have the money! hehe.. its quite pricey too..

the ever famous longganisang lucban and pansit hab-hab noodles!!!

after hoarding pasalubong in Villa Mater, we went back to SM City Lucena just in time for our bus ride. we ended our day and our trip with a bus ride to Manila. its pretty emotional when we started our travel. we boarded the bus at exactly 5:30pm, just as the sun sets in Lucena. pretty dramatic and i remember i was a bit teary-eyed coz now its legit, we’re leaving Lucena already. I failed to snag photos on our manila bus ride, i was just exhausted that day & just slept all through out the journey. tired i may be, i was immensely satisfied with our Padre Burgos adventure. now i can have it checked on my bucket list. i was even proud that i am one of those who “first” set foot to the island of Borawan. even prouder with mah group! coz they survived days in wilderness! ahaha! good job guys! and i’m looking forward to our next adventure! say Mt. Pulag eh? Haha!

ok let’s sum all our expenses up for Day 4:

P50 – Van fare going to SM City Lucena

P120 – P150 – Budget for food at Buddy’s

P15 – tricycle fare (P60 divided to 4)

P218 – Bus fare (Lucena to Manila)

Total of Php433 for day 4!

And to sum everything up, let’s compute all our expenses starting from day 1 to day 4 (including accomodation).

day 1: P860

day 2: P187.50

day 3: P416

day 4: P433

accomodation: P1,575 (a total of P6,300 divided into 4)

with a grand total of Php3,471.50. 

We have a budget of P5,000 for this trip. The remaining P1,528.50 was used to buy pasalubong in Villa Mater. Sulit! haha!

i always say this whenever i wrap up my travel blogs. we only live once so might as well do whatever we want to do and go to wherever we want to go! we’ve got one chance in this life, so live it!

Now I wonder, where will be our next adventure? Keeping my fingers crossed that its gonna be the highs of Mt. Pulag or the the mighty Kota Kinabalu… hehe.. so till the next travel-adventure post and KEEP ON MOVING YOUR FEET GUYS!!! coz life is one hell of a trip! =)

PHL Team AZKALS got stomped on a friendly match versus UFL All Star Players

Cheers from the “Kaholeros”, crowd energy and enthusiasm, & with visits from BUBBLES PARAISO, MICHELLE MADRIGAL and other “rumored” close friends or girlfriends of some of the team members of the PHL Team Azkals didn’t boost the team’s game play (ok, this is legit coz i saw them standing in the grandstand last June 05). 10,000 spectators, fans, & followers were shocked & dumb-founded when the UFL All Stars team lead by Azkals Jerry Barbaso and UFL main men Mark Hartmann, Eric Dagroh, and Izzeldin El-Habbib stomped the PHL AZKALS and gave them a 3-4 loss on a sunday game last June 05, 2011.

its shocking indeed as spectators and fans were expecting a dominant game play from the National team. Instead, the PHL Azkals were the ones dominated by UFL players’ display of good game play, quick thinking and being a smart-ass inside the pitch.

UFL League’s top scorer Izzeldin El-Habbib from Sudan and member of Global Smartmatic FC struck the goal that closed the winning streak of UFL over the Azkals. Eric Dagroh of Ivory Coast who also plays for Global and Mark Hartmann of Loyola Meralco Sparks assisted in bringing the UFL team to victory.

Like Coach Weiss, I too was disappointed by the game turn out last June 05. They lost the match they shouldn’t have lost. But looking at the other side of the coin, I can say that we still can see a “win-win” situation here. the game revealed the problem of the National Team: Cohesion and poor defense. Cohesion in game play will surely be one of the biggest problem when working with a team that’s mainly composed of imports. To build cohesion, the team should be attuned to playing and practicing together. Now with players coming in from different parts of the globe and coming in the last minute of practice or tune-up games, they’ll be having the hardest time building cohesion.

Now with the defense: the Jason Sabio and Aly Borromeo tandem in the central defense was definitely a mistake and needed to be looked at, again. They lack the chemistry of working as partners and can’t read well the moves of each other. Hence, this is a partnership that will not work. Almost all of the goals by the UFL team that day was the by-product of the errors committed in the defense. In the 40th minute, Borromeo miscontrolled a routine Greatwich back pass, allowing the UFL squad to get the ball easily. Then UFL winger Floriano Pasilan, Jr. completely wrong-footed Jason Sabio and passed the ball to striker Eric Dagroh, who turned towards the Azkals captain with ease for the opening goal. In the build-up to the second goal, Sabio should have been given a yellow card for manhandling Mark Hartmann just outside the box. Hartmann got his sweet revenge though with a perfect curling free kick to the top right corner, beyond the reach of any goal keeper, even with Barclays Premiere League standards like Neil Etheridge. The third UFL goal came as a surprise from a routine UFL throw in, Sabio managed to mis-hit a header back to his own then the ball fell effortlessly to the waiting feet of Eric Dagroh who did not think twice and scored with his right-footed shot. Oh and evidently, PHL Azkals can’t solely depend on Neil Etheridge to save all the goals by the opposing team. Neil may be the third choice goal keeper of  Barclays Premiere League but he is not impenetrable. With the right attitude, proper coaching, and smart-thinking, any player can actually get past a ball off Etheridge’s hands. thus, the back four should also be equally reliable in defending the goal.

But on a lighter note, the Azkals defeat also brings into the light some realizations we might have just passed on: The UFL players have quality among its ranks and it was evident during the game as the Azkals were faced with a strong, determined, and motivated opposition, even if team UFL did not have the benefit of even a single training session before the friendly match. We overheard Coach Rudy del Rosario saying to the UFL team “Wouldn’t it feel great to score against Neil? Against the team? Show them what you’ve got!” If that’s not proper coaching & morale boosting then tell me what it is. UFL’s win validates the quality of players in the group so i guess on the next recruitment phase, we can look into UFL pool of players. we might just get the greatest treat and discover better grass root players in the roster. it also shows that Pinoys are getting good at football as some of the UFL star players that day were Pinoys and this should give us a lot of hope that one day our team will be an all-Pinoy, Pinas grown, kick-ass team. we won’t be relying much on the imports. it’ll be just all home-grown.

and it felt better that we’ve got beaten in a friendly match not in the actual World Cup Qualifiers. at least we got the time to look into the blind spots and re-think of new game strategy that might work in favor of us. So really, its a win-win situation for us. agree? agree! =)

off to the more fun stuff of that day, i was there last June 05 and was immensely rewarded as i got the liberty to roam around and take pictures! thanks to our friends from UFL-LBC and to LBC CorpComm Head Sir Jocel! mabuhay po kayo!

meet the mighty KAHOLEROS!

KAHOLEROS with soccercentral.ph team

meet the KAHOLEROS, the official cheering squad of Philippine Team Azkals. I’m awed with their determination, they’ve been cheering the whole day last June 05, as in literally cheering their hearts out in UMak. Saludo po ako sa inyo!

Blue-haired fanatic! =)

and meet the Blue-Haired Fanatic who took up the challenge of hosting the event that day!

PHL Team Azkals

and here’s the team stretching and warming up for the game. this was the closest i can get to the team. got quite a scare there when hordes of bouncers and marshalls paraded in front of us, the media. haha! thought i’d get into trouble..

our super heroes! haha! agree?

this is one of my prized shots that day. the ball just adds the drama in the picture and the sky is quite perfect. =)

ikaw ang aking super hero! =)

another one of my prized pictures that day! like a scene from Power Rangers although all them are wearing red! hehe! =)

here’s Oj Porteria, Ian Araneta, Yannick Tuason, and Nestorio Margase doing their passing and receiving drills.

this was taken just before the match. here’s simon greatwich, jason sabio, coach josef malinay, & misagh bahadoran..

its Phil! =)

and my friend here got so lucky that she was able to ask phil younghusband to join her in a photo opt! lucky girl indeed! and this makes me hate that i’m the resident photographer! haha!

hey James! look here!

and here’s the ever elusive introvert James Younghusband! trying to hide from the camera eh? haha!

and here’s James Younghusband, Misagh Bahadoran, & the El Capitan Aly Borromeo with the Azkals-Global Football School kids! ang swerteng mga bata!

from left to right: Reserve Keeper Eduardo Sacapano & Christopher Camcam, Azkal’s new kids on the block Nathaniel Burkey, Oj Porteria, James Rochiltz with Yannick Tuason and the new Fil-dutch defender Paul Mulders. my apologies, i don’t know the name of the last guy – i think that’s islam ahmed, not sure though. and at this point i was quite scared at Oj coz he’s looking at me like i’m a lunatic trying to get their picture! hehe.. see the fierceness in his eyes? scary guy! aahaha!

Sir Patrick Ace Bright!

and this was taken after the game. most of the players just disappeared out of thin air! just vanished! POOF! and wala na! haha! but we’ve got the rare chance to have a photo opt with El Hombre dela Hora Sir Patrick Ace Bright! for those who don’t know the man, well let’s just put it this way, Sir Patrick brings the Azkals closer to the fans! and we love him for that! Mabuhay po kayo Ser! =)

yours truly and Manong Chieffy Caligdong! =) finally a picture!!! haha! and swerte because manong chieffy is one of my football heroes! true Pinoy! Madamo gid na salamat ‘Nong Chieffy for the picture! i know your tired but it was nice of you to grant us a photo opt! mabuhay ka! =)

the game was also a tribute to Sir Yanti Barsales who just recently retired from the International football scene. june 05 marked his last day as an Azkal. but sabi nga nila, once an Azkal, always an Azkal so i guess he still is and will forever remain a part of the team. this just makes me sad coz manong yanti’s one of my football heroes too! i admire him coz despite his age, he plays really well and can take on a younger player in a heart beat!

madamo gid na salamat Manong Yanti for making the whole Philippines proud!

Homeless World Cup team Pilipinas

the event also gave the spotlight to the Homeless World Cup Team Pilipinas (man! we should think of a good nickname for them too! that name was just a mouth-full!). This is the team with their coach Sir Rudy del Rosario who’s also a former Philippine Football Team Member. Sana we can also give the same support we give to the Azkals to them since their representing the country to the Homeless World Cup happening in Paris this year. Oh and i admire these kids, super simple lang sila. we saw them in MRT guadalupe station after the event, just taking the train. that for me is just astig! =) 100% pogi points for you boys! mabuhay kayo! =)

so there… it was definitely a fun day for me. a lot of realizations, feasted my eyes on game strategies which is by the way helping me a lot coz i’m playing football as well, playing the defense for Pasig United FC, so really its just one hell of a super fun day for me! hope you guys enjoyed the pictures!

until the next football post! and let’s just keep on loving the game! =)

Tough world out there…

it’s been a month or so since i started playing football. i was lucky enough to get drafted in my local town’s football team, Pasig United F.C. Trainings were great coz in a span of a month, i’ve learned a lot about football, strategies, and game play but more than that, the sport teaches you discipline and how to be a team player. And part of bonus i got from playing is that football helps me to keep my weight down. its really a good work out coz almost all of your major muscle groups are working and at the same time, your mind also functions in synch with your body since you have to think of game strategy. In fact, in Germany, the mind is said to be the “third leg” – meaning you’re not just out there to kick the ball, you kick with purpose and it should contribute to your team’s game play.

I am enjoying every bit of my life as a football player and i’m thanking God for it… But i’d say FOOTBALL is a tough world for a girl like me.

first month i was plagued with injuries. first injury sustained was due to a kick in the muscle at the back of my leg on my first scrimmage. i play defense-full back so while trying to protect the goal & carrying the ball, i was looking for a teammate whom i can pass it and the striker of the opposing team just showed up and tried kicking the ball out of my foot ending up kicking my leg muscle instead. the next day after training, my leg was all beaten up and it felt like it’ll fall off any minute. glad that after two weeks, i recovered.

every after training, usually 2 days after the training, my whole body is literally in pain. after the adrenaline & endorphine have died out, i’ll feel every hinge, bone, and muscle in my body in a massive pain. i guess my body is trying to adjust to this new lifestyle. coming in from my bumming days, all this exercises, running, drills will surely take toll on my body. its also a fact that i’m still 200lbs heavy hence i’m having the hardest time running and keeping up with my mates in the team. but i’m working on it and constantly in search of ways to get myself into top form. i plan to learn swimming as it’ll be good cross training sport for me and do core exercises too. tough cores can increase your endurance and stamina in running.

let’s face it: FOOTBALL is men’s world. the sport was first played by farmers whom all were men in Europe and that’s it. women dabbling in the sport had to give their 200% just to get men’s respect and appreciation. really it was just plain tough! women have to bleed to death just to get support, attention, & respect and i’d daresay that its plain and simple discrimination. just because we are girls doesn’t mean we can’t do the things guys do inside the pitch. and just because we are girls and usually emotionally-driven doesn’t mean we can’t be tough inside the pitch. i’d say that women in my team are the toughest. guys may not want to play footy with us and may not want to share the field but we find ways to practice and play, even if there’s just 6 or 8 of us, it doesn’t matter. a ball and a space to play is all we need. i’d say that women in my team have the true heart for the game. we cannot boast a game play same with the guys as they can do all the header, juggling, hat tricks, whatever in the pitch but nothing beats the heart that truly loves the game. the heart that makes us want to play despite the challenges and hurdles game poses. the heart that is wide open and eager to learn which helps us improve. and the most important is that we have the heart that just bonded the women’s team together. i’d say that women in my team have the toughest fighting spirit there is. trainings are important to us much like the air that we breathe hence even the floods & tons of  rain water brought by typhoon Falcon was not enough to stop us training in the field last saturday. we’re even ready to be in our rashguards and board shorts just to train under the rain. we’re giving our 200% and more on every training and game that we have coz like you guys, we’re hungry for a win as well. all these snob acts, showing off, and bravado in the field just fuel our determination to win…  =)

in that short span of time i’m with my team, i can say that everything i mentioned above just makes me proud that i’m representing my hometown with them. girls, we may not be as good as other teams or even our own men’s team, just keep the fire burning. have the passion to learn everything, be determined and don’t listen to people who say we’re not good enough. never let anyone put you down, fight back and show them your true worth. and most importantly keep the love for football! i believe in you guys! we can win this! =)

keep the love for the sport burnin’! =)

oh and just because we all look nice and dandy doesn’t mean we don’t bite, so beware! hehe.. =P

Training day is busy day for Pasig United F.C.

its travel downtime for me so i’m sharing with you guys the other love of my life, FOOTBALL!

i’ve already talked about my team Pasig United Football Club in my previous posts and i wanted to share more of PUFC here in my blog.

the club is still in its infancy and to be honest, i don’t know the story behind why they’ve set up the team. i just recently joined the club, i think about 2 months ago so i haven’t heard the whole story behind it. so, i might write another blog which will focus on the club’s story but today, i’d like you to see what we do in Pasig United F.C. – Our trainings, the games, the people involved.

last saturday training, i came in late so i decided not to join the practice and to just take pictures! so with Aly (my Nikon D5000) in tow, i snapped pictures away!

i was actually surprised last saturday when i arrived at RHS football field. Lots of people, most of them kids, showed up for practice/training! finally, more people are now interested with the beautiful game. its really heart-warming to tell you honestly coz I always believed that Pinoys are cut out to play football and not basketball (what?!? are Pinoys tall? we’re average-sized Asian people, not the built needed for basketball! c’mon!). football is the custom-fit sport for Pinoys. what’s even surprising is that Pasig United F.C seems to be getting the (much-needed) attention from Politicians, spectators, Football fans, players, & coaches coz i’ve seen several people talking to our coach, 2 politicians already  approached him (sana lang magbigay po ng suporta and not just promises or whatever), one even said that we can actually go and try our luck in WFL..

and also that day, we started the training program for young football-aspiring girls! the turn out was good with Kuya Mike handling the session together with one of our players in the women’s team, Judith. well in this case its Ate Judith! haha!

one of our resident coaches, Kuya Mike & PUFC Women's team member Judith!

Training facilitators Kuya Mike & Ate Judith! =)

Ate Judith & the kiddos!

Judith and the girls gettin’ ready to do the footy drills!

and on the other far side of the pitch, little boys are having their own training sesh too! t’was really really cool to see kids train, its like seeing the future. i feel so proud seein’ the kiddos play the beautiful game! i’m sure they’re gonna go a long way from here! =’)

our little boys!

they’re adorbs!!! aren’t they cute!?

our little boys in action!

our little boys playing some footy!

what can i say, our little boys are bit advance over the girls. they’re playing scrimmages na while our girls has just started out so all drills for them. actually, if you really want to learn, its much better if you participate in scrimmages to get the feel of the game. tacticals will just follow given that you train regularly.

now movin’ on, its time for the Ates & Kuyas to play! we’ve got to train too you know to keep our skills sharp and fine-tuned!

meet the PUFC Women’s Team. Yeah I know, I know we all look nice but beware, these girls can bite! and when they do, they bite hard! haha! But on this picture, we’re not complete. We missed our Midfielder Leslie Laya and me of course, coz I’m the one taking the picture! this makes me hate i’m the resident photographer! oh well..

the lady in blue shirt & white shorts is our team Capt. Lorie de Leon! fierce isn’t she? Game face on while tryin’ to get the ball!

its women’s team versus men’s team! intense coz no one wanted to bow down to the other. papatalo ba naman kaming mga girls? of course not!

meet some of the members of PUFC Men’s team. Couldn’t get proper pictures of the boys coz they’re just all over the place! Promise next photo session I’m gonna go get some nice pictures of the men’s team so that you’ll see how good-looking they all are! =P

so here they are, PUFC boys & girls. 1st half of the scrimmage is done, so while waiting for the second half, players talk about the game. that’s Lhyle there, grinning at the camera.

and yep, that’s our Coach Jong! Watching the game and trying to gauge the team’s performance. this guy is determined to take the whole team up to that competitive level and got a lot of plans for the club. more than being our coach, he plays the role of a big brother to most of us and a father to the little ones. busy as he may be with work and other personal stuff, he makes sure that he’s looking after the welfare of the team. its just amazing how we find confidence on ourselves by just knowing that someone believes on us, on the things that we can do.. so really, thanks to the coaches for putting their faith on the team! =) so if you guys are interested to join the club/team, look for this guy. most of the time, you can find him standing in the middle of the field!

i have to say that we’re still a work in progress. still got a long way to go before we can even compete professionally in football leagues but i have my faith in my team. i can see we’ll go a long way. we may still lack superb footy skills but everybody plays with heart. everybody works hard and train hard for the team and everyone is dreaming big for the team. and i go with the words of Hope Solo, goal keeper, USA Women’s National Team: ‎”When you are playing with so much heart, that’s hard to play against.” so i really am confident the team can win through anything.

let’s all dream big and keep on lovin’ the beautiful game! sipa pa, Pasig! =)

like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pasigunitedfc

 

Let’s toughen it up for RUGBY 101! :D

If you can sum up the words FUN and TOUGH in just one, it’ll be RUGBY!!! =)

Yes my friends, you might be surprised to hear a girl trying to play the sport Rugby. I may be a girl but I’m not a softie like everyone else so when I heard that the Philippine Rugby Football Union is offering a Rugby 101 course for free, I grabbed the opportunity with no questions asked!

My mom was diagnosed with a heart problem last May 2009 and that served as a wake up call for me to start living healthy. So I ditched rice, sweets, fatty foods, & junk food and started my quest towards healthy lifestyle. I went on looking for a sport to do and decided to run. Then I decided to take it up a notch and got myself drafted to my hometown’s local football team, Pasig United F.C., been playing for them 2 months now & was lucky enough to see some footy action on a recently held Football Tournament, Laurel Cup 2011.  Trying to move around as much as I can before I turn 30, the once-a-week soccer training was not enough to quench my thirst for crunch time on the pitch. I wanted more. I want to just go out there in the field and play so I went on looking for another sport and stumbled upon Rugby.

So, together with some of my mates from Pasig United F.C. Women’s, we booked ourselves for our first training sesh last July 06, 2011. Before training, I tried to learn as much as I can about Rugby, the positions, the rules of the game, the Haka (All Blacks for the win!), and everything about it but no one prepared us for that one tough night last July 06!  Our first Rugby training sesh was facilitated by Sir Jovic & Sir Gabe. The warm up was okay but then we went into doin’ the drills and it was INTENSE! At first I thought that Rugby, bein’ classified under football too was just the same with soccer only this time you’re playing with your hands. But I had it all wrong, man, all wrong! Rugby is the exact opposite of soccer! You have everything backwards. And doin’ all the foot drills, I was running around the pitch like a headless chicken, trying to concentrate not to hit the other players and at the same time do what the coaches was tellin’ me to do. Like in Soccer, running is essential so running and foot drills tops the list when training for Rugby. I enjoyed all the foot drills but it was tough. I was forced to run 200% more than my usual run in soccer. I play defense full back for soccer so most of the time I’m just hovering around near the goal post covering the goalie, not running much on the field. I could just wait for the forwards to come to me with the ball on their feet & will just have to clear the ball given the opportunity. But in Rugby, you’re always on your toes as all of the players in the team gets to have a chance to score — oh and if Soccer calls the points as goals, in Rugby, they call it a “try,” just want to share that little info with you guys. After the foot & running drills, we went to passing. Its tough too but I’d say its a great core & upper body work out coz I had to use all my core & arm muscles to catch & throw the ball properly. The biggest difference perhaps with soccer and Rugby is that the latter is a full contact sport, expect to get bumped or bruised when playing Rugby. You have to go touch opponents and try to stop them from scoring a try.

You can tell that the coaches were dead serious with the training, even with newbies and that was something I really admire (thumbs up to that!). For every bad call that we make because we didn’t pay attention or listened to the coaches equates to 1 set of 10 man push ups! But that I think is essential so that players will have discipline and will always listen to what the coach is saying. Then everything commenced into a SCRUMMAGE! yep, you got it right! if soccer calls the matches scrimmage, for Rugby its scrummage. We’re divided into two groups composed of 15 people, after brief instruction from the coach, we do head-on collision of a Rugby game! real intense!

The second training sesh was more intense than the first one since t’was Coach Aloh Abono who facilitated the session. He’s one hell of a tough guy, I tell yah! If the first training sesh I was pushed to run more than 200% of what I was used to in Soccer, now I was forced to step it up a notch to 300% as I heard Coach Aloh talking to me & to those left out in the formation: “Ayaw nyo bilisan?! Sige dadagdagan ko pa yan!” It was crazy but a good crazy coz all that running paid off. I used to finish a 5k marathon in an hour and 15 minutes but after all those running, I can complete a 5k in 40minutes! ) and 2nd sesh turned out to be great as we learned how to do the tackle and all those tackle sessions in Rugby toughened me up as a defense for soccer! I can go head-to-head with a guy, not worrying about getting me self thrown out of the pitch. Oh and not to mention that I got my 1st 5 seconds of TV fame in Rugby as the crew of GMA 7 filmed our training for an episode of one of their sunday morning show! Really cool! =)

I’ve been to 4 sessions already and immensely proud that I was able to get out on every training sesh alive and in one piece! But seriously, I love the discipline of Rugby and I totally dig the challenges the sport has to offer. It pushes you to do good, to go out of your comfort zone, makes you constantly push yourself beyond your limits then you feel rewarded every after training, feeling proud that you did all those drills & you were able to play the rough but fun sport of Rugby! =)

oh and after a tough training sesh of Rugby, me & my mates were rewarded with.. dundundahhhh…

we get to meet & have a photo opt with one of the Philippine Volcanoes , Andrew Wolff! He’s so nice and very accomodating and so adorable too! right ladies??? great reward after a hard day’s work on the pitch!

All of us while staring at Andrew Wolff, I mean resting after the intense Rugby training at Ultra! )

goofing around after training! *on the sides: waiting for an opportunity to talk to you know who.. hehehe*

all tired but still lookin’ pretty after training! woot-woot!

me (in orange shirt & white socks) with the ladies.. i could just lounge here forever then sleep! so tired after training..

man, serious! PUFC girls are tough! to the core! as in!  We were able to finish the intense Rugby training in one piece! haha! proud of you ladies! good job!

On behalf of my team Pasig United F.C., we’d like to thank our Rugby coaches Sir Jovic, Sir Gabe, & Coach Aloh, maraming maraming salamat po for teaching us Rugby! Got to thank you guys for the patience and tons of encouragement while teaching a bunch of “super makukulit” ladies! And big thanks to PRFU for comin’ up with a great program such as this! mabuhay po kayo! =) because of you guys, we’ve got this new found respect for the sports Rugby, yes it is tough but I’d say you’ll come out every training a better person.

till the next training sesh guys! =)

Philippines finest! Meet our very own Rugby team, Philippine Volcanoes! =)

until now, I’m clueless why I’ve been so blessed this past months. I never expected that my love for football will take me to places I’ve never been to, meet people that I never imagined I’ll be able to meet or talk to even if I live for hundred plus years. And for that, I’ll always be thankful to the Man upstairs and always be in debt with the sport football.. =)

I was able to meet Team Azkals, their coaches and Sir Dan Palami of course since I started playing soccer but I was even more blessed when I started training for Rugby!

Rugby opened a lot of doors for me — met a lot of people/friends on training, trained by one of the best coaches in town (hello Coach Aloh! ), was able to trim down 20lbs with all that running in Rugby (yes, I’m 20lbs lighter because of that!).. what else? I was able to discover and let out the inner “Amazona” in me! haha! yes, definitely! I’m slow when running — like a slow poke, I tell yah and I don’t have any sense of balance but I always knew that I have this brute strength inside me.! I just lack the opportunity to show it but yeah its there! haha! And Rugby, bein’ a full contact sports, players use strength/power so I was able to utilize that brute strength and put it into good use!

AND THE BEST PART OF IT ALL — I was able to meet our very own Philippine Rugby Team Volcanoes! woot-woot! yep, along with two of my friends, met the team & their coach Matt Cullen! I didn’t get to see all, just the 12 of them but it was a blast! It’s not just a meet up, I get to dine & eat merienda with the team, I was able to chat with all 12 of them, have our picture taken and I get to take home a jersey from the team! really, really cool! :>

it all started with joining Philippine Rugby Football Union’s Rugby 101 blogging contest (now, if you guys have been following my blog, you can still see my entry). I never meant to join because the entry I passed was already made way before PRFU announced their promo/contest, though I had to edit it coz it was originally part of a very long entry.  And since it was already made, I thought, “well why not send this to PRFU. Let’s give it a shot.” But I sure am not hoping to win coz I know there are a lot of “better” bloggers over me who wanted to meet the Philippine Volcanoes and I really don’t stand a chance — my blogs are not meant for competitions/contests (still amateur, you know), it’s just an online journal containing the ramblings of the demented mind of a writer wannabe.

the next thing I knew, I found myself clicking the “send” button of my office mail! True story: I had to duck under my table and was convinced to just hide there for the rest of eternity as my email was processing the request to send the entry to PRFU. Then I later said to myself, that entry won’t make that far so why stress myself out. It may even not get the attention of PRFU and the team.

Days went by and here comes August 19, announcement day for the winners of the blogging contest. I was out of the office and don’t have any internet access until after the weekend was over. Friday, August 19, I didn’t go online to check. Saturday & Sunday, I was out in training and usually, I just sleep after a tough day at the pitch so two days went by without internet connection then come monday morning at the office, as I was browsing tons of my email about work, I stumbled with PRFU’s email informing me that I won in their contest! I think I went catatonic for a few hours then I realized I need to revert back to the email. I think I spent an hour (at least) before I was able to complete and send my reply. I was just in shock. It was surreal and the thought of meeting the team won’t just sink in! As in serious! It felt like I was dreaming! haha! But when PRFU called me, yeah that simply brought me back to earth and confirmed that I was not dreaming after all!

The meet & greet was scheduled the next day, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at Oakwood Center, ADB Avenue, Ortigas. Yes, I have work but I wouldn’t pass up the chance to meet the team so I filed a leave of absence so I’d be able to go out and meet them. =) it’s a once in a lifetime experience so even if I’m neck-deep with work, I ditched everything and went there!

This is it! *hingang malalim* LEZ GO!!! )

I’m nervous as a rabbit about to be thrown to a pit full of lions! haha! eh sorry naman! I went into panic mode the moment I saw the team entering the dining hall! you see, I have this unexplainable condition of having the hardest time talking to the male species! serious! Growing up in a household full of women and growing up without my dad, I’m totally clueless on know how to react when I’m surrounded by guys, well in this case they’re not just guys but totally gorgeous men so the moment they said “hi” to me, I got tongue-tied! haha! I’d say that the best decision I ever made that day was to take two of my chika friends with me and let them do all the talking coz as expected, my mouth was kept tightly shut during the event! I talk to them when they ask me about something but that’s about it. I was also way too distracted by their almost god-like appearance. When I say god-like, I mean they all look like Greek gods who went down to earth from Mt. Olympus, seriously.The word beautiful was an understatement when describing how this men look like (I know right, I’m now officially the envy of all the girls in the world! haha!).

Greek gods from Mt. Olympus! ay sorry mali, my bad! haha! Meet our Philippine Rugby Team Volcanoes! =)

and because i was way too shy to talk, I just took photos that day! Volcanoes, even after training early in the morning was all smiles in front of us! they’re just adorable.. =’) *sigh*

the meet and greet was truly a treat coz we got the chance to talk to them personally. the team was divided to 6 groups with 2 players together. they went around the the tables for the 10-minute interview. I just wished my chika friends asked a little bit more personal questions other than how the game is played, the Haka, Shanghai 7′s. Sayang! We didn’t get to ask who’s taken and who’s not, what’s their fave food, color, or something, or if they’ll date a fan or someone who’s not into Rugby.. alam nyo yun, I was actually hoping that the conversation will be just chill and relaxed, laid-back but my chika friends opted for the more serious questions! haha! so there.  I’d bet all my fingers that should my friends asked those personal questions and I’ll put it in here, this blogging site will crash due to myriads of girls trying to access the blog! =P

but i have to say that the team was very accomodating. they’ve been asked same questions over and over but still they graciously answer everything. another thing that I really like about them is that they’re not a snob (even on twitter or other SNS sites where you can find them), yung bang parang feeling sikat coz they’re trying their best to talk to us, small talk for lack of better word, they’re even asking questions about us, what we do for a living, our hobbies, the sports we play, someone even asked about the food we love to eat. it’s not something you’ll expect to see or hear from people with celebrity-like statuses. People in limelight are usually snobs *cough, cough, i know some people* haha! but yeah its true. and for that I give them 200% pogi points! I really think that celebs, athletes, public figures should be gracious enough to grant a photo opt or a small chat/talk with their fans coz they owe their popularity to the people who constantly follow & support them. they’re public figures for Christ sake! yun lang.. just saying.. two of the most accommodating and gracious teams I met was the Philippine Dragon Boat Team Pinoy Dragon Warriors & our Philippine Rugby Team Volcanoes! that’s the truth! and I admire and love them for that! =)

(ok, enough with commercials, haha!) funny that the interview felt like a speed dating of sorts.. hehe..

Searchee number 1, oopppss sorry!!! haha! I mean 1st batch of the interview was with Kenneth Stern & John Odulio!

–Kenny was the “madaldal” one.. I mean he was the one doing all the talking in this interview while John was a bit quiet, just giving out some points & opinions when asked. But both are charmers! our interviewers were dazzled! even the photographer if I may add! haha! Oh and if I heard it right (and if my memory serves me right) John is a registered nurse.

and here’s more of these two;

and the interviewers were charmed! i just love the look on them! classic!

Our second batch of interview was with Andrew Wolff and Rupert Zappia! =)

True Story (I guess.. But on a second thought, coming from Andrew who loves to make fun of his teammates.. errrr.. I just don’t know what to believe!): Guess why Rupert was all red on the face that day? According to Andrew, he went out to train on a hot sunny morning in the PHL and he forgot to put on his sunblock ergo, Mr. Sun left him red-faced!

– Both Andrew and Rupert was makwento and talkative but hands down to Andrew for being so outspoken. Among the 12 of them (the team captain included), he’s the only team member who spoke of how little the government and most of their kababayans took notice of their achievements. Despite being on top of their game, beating most of the best Rugby teams here in Asia and after demolishing Malaysia (with score 86-20) last June 2011 therefore establishing themselves as serious and tough contender for Asian top 5 next year, they get no support from the government. Most of their expenses when they compete or play, they had to get it from their own pockets. This really breaks me heart and I truly admire them, they just love to play the game & they take pride of representing the Philippines in any competition that they’re so ready to make sacrifices, even if it means taking a leave from their work and funding their trips just to compete.

more of these two (apologies, picture’s too dark, don’t want to use the flash coz we’re like in a middle of a conversation);

Some of you might be familiar with Andrew Wolff. He had his share of limelight as a local artist here in the Philippines, appearing on various local TV shows & movies. =)  See, our players are not just superb Rugby players! Jack of all trades!

And for the 3rd batch of the interview, we have Oliver Saunders & Chris Hitch! (thank God I can still remember all the names! haha! sometimes i’m so bad with names, I couldn’t remember everything!)

– What else can I say, both are talkative. I think Chris Hitch was the one who asked us with questions rather than us asking questions about them! :> tall, dark, and handsome types that you just love to take home to your parents and say “mom, pop, I’m marrying this guy!” yeah for real.. agree ladies? and i hear a yeah… haha!

more of these two tall, dark, and totally handsome men;

i think its all because of the sun.. blame it on the sun but I’m lovin’ the color! so Pinoy!

our fourth batch of interview was with Mark Chatting & Chris Everingham!

– Mark reminds me so much of Yannick Tuason of Team Azkals I guess because of the hair & the smile, the smile that can melt a thousand hearts! haha! and the other Chris, Chris Everingham that is, was the most charming of the bunch! he’s the guy that you can never say “no” to. You’ll probably do whatever he ask you to do.. as in serious.. maybe it has something to do with those eyes or maybe the way he talks to people — may kasamang lambing! — now if you guys can understand my tagalog! hehe.. And Chris was the one asking the three of us what we’ll do after the meet & greet but before we can even answer, the peeps from PEP.ph asked for a photo opt with him.. hay sayang! would love to join them after their game that day! =P

more of these two charming lads here;

their version of Korean pose with Leslie & Zsazsa! cute!

i’m diggin’ the hair! Mark’s “bagong gising” look! haha!

The next batch was my favorite! Here we’re with the new Team Captain Jake Letts & Jon Morales! =)

– If there’s one guy I’m allowed to take home to my parents that day, it’ll be Jake! haha! Joke! ok, ok! I’m caught red-handed! got this huge crush over him! for the record, I’m harmless. I usually admire from afar, I’m not the crazy stalker type! haha! Surprised too that his mother hails from Bicol, same with me, grand mum & mom is from Bicol too, Albay. and both of us never been to Bicol (We can tour the province, together, if you like! haha! joke!). And with Jake was Jon, that tall, dark, and handsome guy who, despite nursing a bruised lip (got it from their game versus Hong Kong University), still look gorgeous! You just got to love battle scars! And I love Jon for adding us on facebook! 100% pogi points and hugs to you Jon! =)

and last but not the least, the 6th batch of interview was with Harry Morris and Justin Coveney! =)

– This perhaps was the fave batch of my good friend Zsazsa! She’s crushing over our lawyer here (hello there Justin)! haha! If Chris Everingham was the most charming among the bunch, Justin here was the most talkative! Sobrang daldal, promise! It started during our merienda. Justin kept asking a lot of questions about us, what we do, any sports we play, our favorite stuff and the weirdest part was he’s asking about the Azkals! Nakakaloka sa dami ng tanong! And Harry was equally madaldal too! haha! He told us about his upcoming travel show which will feature various travel destinations! Best of luck to you Harry! Hope this travel show of yours will push through! =)

I enjoyed everything that day.. the food, the warm welcome, the 10-minute chit-chat with the team but this takes home the cake: I GOT ONE BIG HUG FROM THE TEAM! ALL 12 OF THEM!

And here’s the only picture of the group hug that i can never forget even if i live a hundred years.. or die then get reincarnated! )

and this officially makes me THE LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE TODAY! )

thanks guys! if i could just hug all of you back, i would although i think you guys probably won’t fit in my arms! :>

and before i wrap this blog up, let me first introduce you to… Coach Matt Cullen!

True Story: On one of the group pics of the team, Zsazsa shouted “Let’s see a wacky pose!” and all of the players said “Huh? What?” the only guy who knew what a wacky pose is was Coach Matt! He came in, joined his team and said “Ok guys let’s do wacky pose!” On field, Coach Matt was totally a different person, he’s not the cool guy, all smiles and all nice with each and everyone. He’s on his beast mode whenever there’s training, shouting at the top of his lungs and commanding the team with a voice that will scare the shit out of you! serious! On my first training day at Rugby 101, he was there. Just his mere presence it’ll scare you to death! then wait till he shouts. But hands down to him, all the success of the team says a lot about his coaching — its effective and brings success to the team. =)

Got to say a huge thanks to PRFU for making all of this possible! this is something that I’ll never forget and something to tell my grand kids that one day, I was able to meet the most amazing Rugby team of my time. And to the Philippine Volcanoes, I want to thank you guys for such a warm welcome! You’ve been so gracious and accommodating that day. I just wish we had more time talking — although I might not speak at all but I did enjoy everything. I hope to see you again one day, maybe in one of your games this December and please do remember me when I approach you guys and ask for a photo opt or an autograph. =)

oh and hands down to you guys (saludo po talaga ako sa inyo)! i admire your love and passion for the sport and for representing the Philippines. True Pinoys through & through! I always believed that you don’t have to be born & raised here in the Philippines for you to be called and considered a Filipino. Being a Filipino is not just by blood, it is but most importantly by heart… and you guys is the living proof of that! keep it up! laban lang! we’re 100% behind you guys, rallying with you in every game & supporting you all the way!

Again, from the deepest recesses of my heart, MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT PO! Don’t be strangers alright! And I’ll see you guys in your games! you can definitely count on me, shouting at the top of my lungs & cheering for you guys to win! Go Volcanoes! =)

what you give is what you get…

“Immortals, take your space over there.. Tarsiers you have your space here.. Bisons, go over there and Vipers, you can go here…” He looked at those directly staring at him, the crowd in the middle, all giddy and ready to toughen it up for another intense rugby training and he said “Ahhhmmm, you girls.. you go.. wherever…” And yes he said the word “wherever” with the hand gestures that goes well with how he views women. well in this case, women who plays rugby.

Now off to the next circuit and we hear ” Girls, girls please… DON’T TACKLE IT LIKE A GIRL!” and by this time I really had enough of this gender bias crap. its bad enough that we get all this whispers & stares on the field while training and all this crappy comments from the men’s team like “Babae kasi, kaya ang hina (She’s a girl, that’s why she’s feeble & weak)” and now we get it from the coach?? o_O

I mean seriously… We train doubly hard than anybody else on every damn Rugby training. We get ourselves kicked, tackled, battered and all bruised up on that damn field. We give more than 100% of our effort, dedication, and perseverance on every effin’ training just to prove to everyone that we are not “just girls” and push overs. Just like you, we battle and bleed on every effin’ Rugby game we get in and yet we get little or no respect at all.

As I’m writing this, I really can’t put into words how disappointed and disgusted I am with that kind of treatment. Why? Are you scared to teach us coz we might turn out better than you guys? If you can’t respect each and every girl in that damn field, well at least give some respect to the Philippine Lady Volcanoes training with us. They’re athletes same as their male counterparts. They battle and bleed to represent the country and it’s really disrespectful (to say the least) to just sush them like that, shoo them away and say “go to wherever.”

How could I ever respect a coach who’s like that? How can I respect someone who obviously don’t know the true meaning of the latter word? I don’t respect people who doesn’t respect other people, especially women. You know why? Coz for me RESPECT IS EARNED AND NOT IMPOSED. you want respect, you give respect. Its as simple as that. I don’t know how your parents brought you up but in my family, we give high regards to respect. Everybody’s brought up to show proper treatment and respect to all kinds of people we interact with regardless of race, gender, religion, or status in life.

Dude, really… Try to learn as much as you can about the foreign country your living in. Mind your words and actions. It might be acceptable to you but offensive to the people around you. Now if you really are blinded with so much gender bias that your brain  ended up not functioning properly at all and you really can’t respect us as women, please do respect us as individuals, as people who like you and like everybody else, deserves fair treatment and equality…

Live up to the creed, man.. Live up to the creed…

RESPECT. DISCIPLINE. PINOY PRIDE.

i’m sure as hell that you’re not Pinoy but please, it will do you good if you learn to respect people. until you learn that, i will never (as in ever) call you “Coach.”

Oh and lemme put a big fat emphasis on the first word of the creed which is ironically… RESPECT.