the.gipster

This was how I moved on..

2009-07-17T12:37:00.004+08:00

Friend: May pag-asa ba in the first place?
Me: I dunno.

Come to think of it, "I dunno" shouldn't have been my answer before.
It should have been "Wala".

Coz I remember a friend saying:
"If someone likes you, then this someone will do something about it."

'nuf said. That just sums up everything that I need to hear and know.

It's All in the Green Pill

2009-02-22T13:39:00.003+08:00

Running purely on approximately 2 pitchers of margarita, four hours of sleep, a throbbing headache and a wandering mind, I was off to Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn to meet Jill and the others with an unexpected company. Unfortunately, my nagging hang over would have to take a back seat for the next few hours. I was in a more pressing matter.

We met Francis who was sitting in his room, anxiously waiting for the right time before finally dressing up and leaving for church.

A couple of feet away, Eddah was busy putting detail after detail to make her day the picture perfect day in her life.

The breezy morning ushered the hot, humid afternoon tagged and capped with a cool fun night. It was a pretty long day which didn't really decide to cap off until 10pm (at least for the photographers).

It wasn't all perfect. But it doesn't really matter if there were little bumps along the way.

What's important is that at the end of the day, everyone in all shapes..

And in all ages..

Was happy.

I found mine in a pill, of Advil. Thanks Jill!

How My Jaw Dropped on the Floor

2009-01-12T14:34:00.002+08:00

I've been here for a week now (with 26 days left before packing my bags home), and my mind doesn't seem to have settled here yet. Looks like my mind didn't board with me on those planes heading here in Canada. And with the bad, bad desire to be in Manila in the soonest time possible, I tried keeping things Manila-esque close to me.

The closest thing authentically from Manila would be those that I read from publications in Manila. And the best stop for me would be the Philippine Daily Inquirer. And upon opening the lifestyle section, I think I wanna go kill someone. Go figure:

"CHRISTMAS Day. At the back of an SUV. My friends and I had decided to drive to Tagaytay for dinner. While our car braved through the traffic, my friends were laughing and shrieking about Jiff's exploits with someone who had a very inappropriate piercing. It was a fun conversation, one I would have otherwise joined; but I was too busy learning how to make takoyaki with Cooking Mama."

-- lifted from Super!

But then again, I love this gal a lot.
And I think I would go kill anyone who'd dare lay hands on her.

Okay, nagulat lang ako. :D
Moving on.

Margarita please..
Isang pitsel!

Flying Out (yet again) to Canada

2009-01-03T09:32:00.011+08:00

It's 5:30 am, I am sitting here at Gate 15 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport with David Archuleta accompanying me while waiting for my time to board for my plane heading out to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong will be my jump-off point before I go enter Canada through Vancouver. By the time I reach Vancouver which is like 16-18 hours from now, it's still a 2-hour wait accompanied by a 5-hour flight before I reach Toronto. God knows how long this route I am taking. And by the time that I hop into my third plane, my body's gonna be screaming for a SOFT BED!!!

******

8:30 am and I'm here at the Hong Kong International Airport, sitting right next to the transfer desk. I have been wanting to check into my next flight and get a decent breakfast before finally grabbing a quick snooze while waiting for my 12:40 pm plane. I wanna give my body some sense of rest before a 12-14hour beating of air travel. But the inavailability of the information of my next plane is holding me back at the moment. I guess it's a little to early for that.

The amount of how I dread this day and the sleep deprivation I have given myself (for a ~~really worthwhile~~ cause i thought was worthwhile ~~, with the help of Ruby~~) has overpowered my sense of fashion (if I can consider myself as having one). Everything I am on right now goes together except my shoes and socks. Black (rubber) shoes with white socks. To me, it looks like a get up of a grade school boy again lost in the center of Hong Kong's vast international airport. Pfft!

*****

19 hours after I left Manila, I find myself lounging here at the Vancouver International Airport waiting for the last leg of my travel to Toronto to start boarding. We landed on a gloomy morning here in Vancouver and just a couple of minutes after arriving, it started snowing covering the already snow-washed grounds of the airport with another centimeter or two. It sounded fun and interesting experiencing snow for the first time. But for the past weeks I have experienced this, I think I have grown indifferent to it. Maybe more like hating it with a passion. There's really not much I could do but loathe (yes, I loathe a lot in times like this) and suck it up, close my eyes and wish..

.. That I have a soft bed I could rest my back and head on
.. That the margarita I was drinking on the night before I left Manila didn't run out
.. That time could've stopped right before the date changed to January 3 or it could've jumped right away to February 7.

A Beginning by the End

2008-12-29T22:31:00.006+08:00

After a long, long, looooong haitus from I think almost everything (blame it on my out of the country work assignment) I like and love doing, I guess I am back. Today, 3 days short of the New Year, I've been privileged enough to go and get my hands dirty once again and take some of those momentous photographs in a couple's life. I don't pretend to be a master of this. Nor do I really go after what I juice out from it. I'm all just for the love of putting and immortalizing what I see into the confines of a 2D plane.

I'm pretty far away from what the masters do. All I can do is point, shoot, learn and shoot some more. Learning is fun when what you put your mind into is something you're really interested with. And with someone like the "master" taking the lead, working on-site wouldn't really feel and sound like work at all.

I Don't Look Old Enough

2008-10-28T19:08:00.004+08:00

God knows for how long me and my friends have been debating that I don't look my age. A number of people will agree and a number of people would say otherwise. I have a couple of experiences in my belt to prove that I myself could still pass as a college student. Moreover, I have several experiences that'll prove that I don't look like I'm of legal age.

I remember vividly when I was 21 that I was held by the doors of a cinema somewhere in Manila to be ID'd. The movie was R18 and seems like people from the movie house just don't believe that I was 21 during that time. Well, I think they just wanna make sure that I was 21. Being ID'd to be sure you're of legal age is one thing. But assuming you're something that are not is another story.

Last Sunday, together with a couple of friends, we found ourselves with nothing else to do at 7pm. We decided to just grab dinner and watch a movie to cap the night off. It's not your typical exciting movie since we ended up watching "High School Musical 3". I have nothing against the movie, it's just that at this age, I think movies like that should be left to the younger crowd.

Our night took a pretty funny turn when we queued up to buy tickets for the movie. Our friend Leia was the one who bought the tickets while Claire and I stood on the side computing how much we have to split amongst each other. Claire suddenly blurted out that it was Cdn$ 11.50. That confused me. A sign said that the Adults' Rate is more than that. We had a teeny wheeny debate and ended up laughing when Leia handed off our ticket.

We were sold STUDENT tickets! We thought.. Maybe they sold us STUDENT tickets coz it's High School Musical (which is weird)? Or maybe because the three of us don't look so old at all.. =)

That just proves (again) I could still pass a college student! LOL

I am a Mac

2008-10-26T23:31:00.004+08:00

It began 2 years ago when I started eyeing one of the hippest gadgets in town -- a Mac. Apple came a long way before it became hip and an eye candy. I think their effort and their wait was all worth it.

After two years of waiting, salivating, dreaming, wanting and itching to get my hand on a Mac that I can call my own, I finally got the change and resources to go out and buy myself one.

No word can express the amount of excitement I got when I entered the Apple Store over at Yorkdale Mall. The store was packed with people -- many of them we're sampling Apple's latest offerings while some bought themselves some stuff from the store. I even say a good number of newly released MacBooks flying out from the store.

At the back of my head, I knew I will be one of them in a couple of minutes. So I approached one of the sales assistants and expressed my intent to buy a laptop.

"Would you want to talk about it to learn if it has all that you need?"
"No, thank you. I think I already know it does."

That was a snobbish answer. LOL. In a few minutes, the sales associate came back to me, carrying the laptop and stood right next to a product display table. He pulled out a trusty device and started scanning the item and my credit card. In a matter of minutes, purchase was done without the hassle of queueing up in line. How cool was that?!

*****

Every new gadget should always have a pretty good reveal. It shouldn't suppose to be a production number, but for me, it seemed like it was one.

I took home a small heavy box.

Pop the box's lid open and
the new Macbook Pro jumps right at you.

"Designed by Apple in California"
..for me!!! LOL

Everything I would need for my Mac.

Ladies & gentlmen.. Drum rolls please..

The New Macbook Pro..

The chicklet keys.. the wide glass trackpad..
The two-tone, slim design..

Gawd! I love the my new toy!

Thought Bubble

2008-10-04T10:31:00.001+08:00

Who would not want the heart-warming feeling of meeting and knowing someone who'd be nice and willing enough to share and draw out a plan to spend time with you. Nothing feels good compared to being wanted, being appreciated, being thought of.

What would you do if one day you find yourself in such situation and with a blink of an eye, the bubble pops? What would you do if you realize that all of it was all but pretense?

But then again, it's all but a thought, a hypothetical question, a question that I wish to be answered all just for the purpose of discussion.

Warmest Welcome I Could Get

2008-09-14T21:30:00.005+08:00

During my last visit, I never expected that the welcome we'd get would be as cold as ice. But this time, at least, there was a tinge of warmness from at least one of our colleagues. She was nice enough to pick us up from the airport and drop us off to our hotel. She even created a little sign for us:

Thanks Rita!

Checking In

2008-09-14T12:20:00.002+08:00

The time that I have spent in my current project flew by so fast without telling me that it has been two years since this all began.

Two years ago, I sat on a plane with 3 of my colleagues embarking in an adventure in Canada. Our city of destination didn't generate that much of a buzz and some of the people that were familiar with the place even called our destination, Mississauga, as Missi-suck-a or Missery-saga. I'm not sure if I can blame them. I don't have enough information to side or go against them.

But who cares? I'm was in Canada. And the opportunities to explore were waiting for me to grab.

*****
Fast forward two years, I am on my to the airport to embark on a new adventure in Canada in the same accomodating city of Mississauga. My colleague and I couldn't be excited more than anyone. I for one is excited in doing the things I wasn't able to do before.

Unlike my first trip to Canada, my flight itinerary this time would be quite tiring and pretty long. I would be taking the Manila-Hongkong-Vancouver-Toronto route. Based on computation, It would more likely a 24hour trip with 18-19 hours in the air.

*****
I'm currently here in Hong Kong, enjoying the view, enjoying the beautiful airport this country has built for itself. Sayang walang ganito sa 'Pinas!

A couple of hours ago, I got passed Philippine Immigration and dang! I think that was the most nerve-wrecking experience I had with an Immigration Officer in Manila since I started travelling abroad.

When I approached the Immigration Officer, I bubbly greeted her "Good Morning!" She just looked at me and made a faint sound trying to acknowledge my greeting. I handed over my passport and waited for her to process it and request for the documents she would need. Then she blurted out, "Oh ito lang?! Nasan na ibang documents?!"

I asked politely, what documents she was looking for. I didn't want to hand her over every single paper work I have since she has not asked for anything specific. She answered my question by bitching out, "San ka ba nagtatrabaho?! Patunayan mo nga! Pakita mo lahat ng documents mo. Akin na."

At 5:30 am in the morning, she was cranky, bitchy and sounding as if she's going through menopause #3. I held myself back and thought that if I bitched back, I know I wounldn't be allowed to pass. So I smiled and handed her everything I have, which in my best judgement I think she needs.

Well, at least that's over now. I'm out. The next thing I would need to worry about would be Canadian Immigration. I still have 12hours to relax before worrying about it.

*****
That 12hour flight felt like forever if you're sitting on a chair that returns to the upright position (by itself) a few hours/minutes after reclining it. Bad trip! No wonder I keep on sleeping reclined and then finding myself sitting upright again in a couple of hours! GRRRR!

Just got passed Canadian Immigration and that was the most relexed time I had with an Immigration Officier. The officer was quite nice and even made the encounter a little more comfortable for me.

He kept on asking things about Manila. He asked about the weather, the food, the sceneray, you know, stuff. At first it was all but a one-question-one-answer conversation which eventually led to a lot of suff when he started talking about his Filpino friends. It even came to a point that I learned he loves pancit! Dapat nagbaon ako! LOL

2hours kill before flying to Toronto. 2hours to relax before stressing out in that cramped space in the plane again.

*****
It's 12:20am here, Sunday, Canada Time. We have just checked into our hotel and all I can think about is lie on my bed and get a really good rest from the freaking long trip. Hell to I care about unpacking! I want my rest. Hopefully jetlag doesn't haunt me as much as it haunted me the last time around.

Putting the Gloves On

2008-06-29T23:19:00.001+08:00

Right after Jill whispered to me that I really have got do something regarding my weight.. That was the time that it really alarmed me. No-Rice diets will be ineffective if I wouldn't be coupling it with any physical activity.

I'm no gym addict nor do I think I will be. But times are kind of harsh and I think I have to accept that at least, I have to be in the gym for some exercise my body has been crying out for.

Thanks to a couple of my teammates (who were also dreaming of losing some weight), we were able to find a suitable activity for the three of us -- boxing. I know.. It's last thing that'll ever come into mind, from me and even from those people who know me. But from what I have heard, it's a cardio workout which I think will be very much beneficial for me.

Last Saturday, my teammates and I signed up for a class in Elorde Boxing Gym and spent our entire Saturday morning there. After our warm-up stretches and exercises, each of us was assigned a trainer. It was a one on one session and thankfully, my trainer was a little nice knowing how novice and exercise-deprived my body was. He took me lightly (which I'm sure will change in due time) and gave me a little leeway in the exercises. With all but less than a day in the gym, he was able to teach me a couple of moves, and made sure I was able to do them correctly.

I was taught how to jab, do a straight punch, an upper-cut move, etc. We practiced in slow motion with all but hand gloves on me. But a couple of breaks after, I was given the chance to the training gloves. No one told me that they were heavy!! Punching with the hand gloves on was fun. But with the added weight of the boxing gloves, wow.. now that's a work out. Not to mention, you would have to swing 'em in succession. That really strained my muscles and really tired me easily.

My muscles may hurt right now but something tells me that I'm going to enjoy this when the time comes. I can't wait to go back to the gym and do all everything all over again!

__________
** Photo by Digital Owl

Credit Me Not (Reprise)

2008-06-04T22:31:00.000+08:00

I sought advice from close friends and some superiors around the office on how I could possibly file a complaint in a diplomatic manner. I came up with this email:

Hi,

First of all, I would like to express the fulfillment that you have given me by choosing a couple of my pictures for use in the project's client buy-off presentation that was created a number of weeks back. Even though I only saw the draft, I believe that a couple, if not some of my pictures making it to the presentation was more than enough fulfillment on my side as a contributor. That opportunity to help out was priceless. Again, thank you!

On another note, last week, I saw a colleague of mine holding a company branded "notebook". Correct me if my information is wrong, I believe this notebook was given away as freebie for potential applicants in a recruitment activity held over at Makati. It was such an honor to have a couple of my pictures make it to print and carry the company's branding.

Unfortunately, to my dismay, I think the marketing material given out didn't bear any information regarding the contributors. Being one of them, I believe the rights governing my intellectual property were violated through publication of the pictures without any credit.

I do believe that the company promotes and holds up to its core values in every endeavor that it puts and invests its interests on. But looking at this situation, I think it has failed to promote one -- Respect for the Individual. I am not seeking any big form of recognition, nor am I asking for any remuneration for this contribution. All I am after for is all but the due credit to my name for my contributions.

The marketing materials have already been printed out and given away. Damage has been done and there's not much that can be done about it. That being the case, I would like to express my big disappointment on how my efforts were treated and how these contributions came out to be.

And in a short while, I got a reply from the concerned party:

Hi Giff,

First of all, I would like to thank you for bringing this to our attention. I completely understand and agree with your sentiments. We should have requested for your permission to use your photos and we should have given you proper attribution in the notebook layout.

I could not express enough my sincerest apologies for this oversight by me team. I couldn't do anything more right now (as the notebooks have already been printed and distributed) but to give you my commitment that such instance will not happen again to you or for other internally sourced photos. We will see to it that proper attribution is made and that we seek sign-off from the photographer to utilize the photo/s.

Again, I'm very sorry about this and thank you for raising this issue. This is a wake up call for my team to careful with such details.

Best regards,
Country Marketing & Communications Lead

My rights were violated, so I filed a complaint with my superiors backing me.
I filed a complaint, and all I got is a written a apology.
I want to continue the fight, but my superiors ask me to be pacified by it.
Sh*t. Talo na.

Good to know though, lessons were learned by both parties --

(1) they (the marketing people), of all people in THE FIRM, should give due credit to their contributors (well, HELLO, they should know that right from the very start, DUH!);

(2) as for me, think twice before taking on another request (or maybe never get involved anymore) from the FIRM to contribute for any other activity similar to this (time until they do their job properly). Hindi lang sila ang may kaya magpublish ng pics. pfft! Badtrip!

Credit Me Not

2008-06-02T23:32:00.000+08:00

A couple of weeks back, I received an invitation from one of the senior managers in THE FIRM (that I was closely working with) to help out and contribute in putting together a presentation that will be used for a client buy-off (the actual deal closing).

And my participation in this effort -- to take pictures about the life in and around THE FIRM to support the around the clock work and customer support THE FIRM can offer.

A few shots after, I was able to produce around 100+ photos for them to use. And the following day, I saw a draft of the video presentation that they have put together. To my surprise, I saw a lot of my pictures were used. I couldn't have been happier having a lot of my work chosen.

Just like any video presentation, the credits rolled at the end. Good thing though it didn't flew and roll as if people watching the video can read 100 words per minute (just like some silly videos I've seen in the past). The credits came and gone without a mention of all the contributors in the presentation including me. I thought it was ok, so I just shrugged off the recognition due to us.

Fast forward a couple of weeks after, a colleague of mine was raving on the fact that one of my teammate's pictures was on a "notebook" that THE FIRM was giving away as freebies to potential applicants.

Apparently she has a copy of that notebook. While we were all browsing and looking at the pictures in the notebook, I saw some of my pictures in it:

I didn't have one picture published..

Evidence #1

Original Picture #1

Nor did I have two..

Evidence #2

Original Picture #2

But I have three pictures in the notebook..

Evidence #3

Original Picture #3

PUBLISHED WITHOUT ANY CREDIT.

I'm a little confused on the fact that THE FIRM preaches and stands by one of it's principles of "Respect for the Individual". And yet, the haven't demonstrated it in anyway through this uncredited publication. I don't see any respect from this. I don't think my rights as a photographer/contributor were upheld by not crediting my contribution.

I don't claim my pictures are of really high quality. Though that is the case, I don't think nothing's wrong asking recognition for this. I am not asking for a big recognition nor am I asking for additional remuneration. All I wanted is a single line at back stating my contribution. I don't think it's hard to acknowledge people who have helped out (in a way) in this endeavor.

If I would get a bump on my monthly salary, then I think I would shut up. But since that is unlikely to happen, I DEMAND being credited for this.

Back to school.. in the Kitchen, Task #1: Salmon

2008-05-12T23:57:00.000+08:00

Gone are those days when I would wake up early in the morning where I don't have to drag myself out of bed to attend a class.. on a Saturday morning (discounting the 10 instances where I tried pulling it off almost a year ago by enrolling myself in French class).

That all changed when the opportunity to attend a very inviting and (I think) interesting course came my way -- Cooking.

Last Saturday, I was given an opportunity together with some of my friends Jason, Giles, Fifi and Ruby to attend a Discovery Course offered by the one and only Center for Culinary Arts (CCA).

Just a brief background, CCA's Kitchen Discovery Course was initially exclusive and is a pre-requisite course to all those students who want to apply in any of CCA's diploma courses. It is a course geared towards verifying your interest in culinary arts. Building on that mantra of "discovery", they started offering it to the public to better introduce them to what culinary arts could do for them.

This was one perfect excuse to go back to school, for a day.. and get the chance to choose the best classmates I think I ever had at this day and age -- my friends.

******

Me and my friends met up at CCA at around 9am. A short registration and attendance check, and we were on our way to our classroom to begin:

The 8-page material we would be working on
for the entire day.

A couple of brief self-introductions broke the class' ice and Chef Menoy Gimenez. "toque-ed" away with his lecture. Chef grouped us into 3 groups and were given the task to go over our recipe for the morning and discuss amongst ourselves how we were going to proceed. I was lucky to be grouped with Jason and Giles but later realized that we might end up with boils in hands or maybe ruin our recipe since neither of us can be called domesticated in terms of um.. cooking. Good thing though, we were with Ian, who's a mom of five, has a good working knowledge on our battle for morning --

Caramelizd Salmon with Orange-Shoyu Glaze
with Sautéed Mixed Vegetables, Soba Noodles
Lemongrass Beurre Blanc, and Balsamic-Soy Reduction

Chef Menoy "toque-ed" says food should be:
Clean, Zen-like, Appetizing

We were grouped into three: The cooks (Left),
The students (Bottom), The Newbies (top)

We the newbies were trying to figure out
our strategy for our mouthful recipe.

To add a little more pressure, we were led to the kitchen into our working tables and were given the goal to prepare and complete our recipe before 12noon, just in time for lunch.

GULP! Ito na ang lunch natin? =( Galingan natin teammates!!

I felt like I was in a pressure cooker -- prepare and come up with an EDIBLE product by morning's end.

Chef Menoy demonstrates how to cut
vegetable shillings correctly.

Our vegetable shillings cut to perfection.
They ain't cooked yet, but they already
look tasty.

Chef Menoy lectures the class in the most
interesting way -- beside a knife and a boiling pan. ;)

Giles prepares the Balsamic-Soy reduction
sauce of our dish

While Laarni marinades our salmon in a
ginger-sichuan peppercorn-OJ mixture

On other hand, Jason and Ian prepared the
Lemongrasss Beurre Blanc sauce of our dish

After marinade, our salmon got a sugar-pepper
treatment on top (meat side) to get that sugar-crusted
look and taste

In between pans, and while waiting for our
sauce reductions to finish, we can't help
but satisfy some of the camera whores in us.
(L-R) Ian, Laarni, me, Giles and Fifi.

Jason points out to Laarni which
side of the fish needs more frying.

Unlike any other instance where you would want to receive all the credit you can get, in this class, I lowered my expectations and at least hoped to hear and know that what we did was edible enough to be eaten. :D

Chef Menoy wrapped up and gave his evaluation in the dishes the different groups produced. For some of us who were first timers, not bad. The dish was really tasty and really good.

I love how the color of the vegetables compliment the color and the taste of the sugar-crusted salmon on top. This just brought my confidence level a notch higher and I can't wait to attempt and cook this on my own! :D

Next stop, dessert.

Diet-Diet-tan

2008-05-11T23:14:00.000+08:00

Over the years, I have constantly struggled getting myself into the zone of being described as "of medium built". I was so getting tired of being described as um.. thin. Believe it or not, I graduated college with all but less than 100 lbs to lug around the metro.

For majority of my existence, my body has decided to keep and maintain itself at 100. But as age got hold of me, my body gave in and started cooperating in my long time dream of gaining weight.

From 100 lbs, I am roughly at 135 lbs these days. My friends will argue and object that I weigh heavier than that but I am not listening. The weighing scale says I'm roughly at 135. So yeah, that's what I'm believing!! :)

The weight gain was good for some time until my bulging belly raised the alarm and caused Jason to react. He mentioned that it's a little disturbing already. Thus, the birth of being called "pudgy" came into play -- no thanks to Pam. Pam's description didn't alarm me. The belly did.

So, playing as my personal nutritionist, Jason decided to help me out and get into a program to reduce my belly size. He introduced me to his No-Rice Diet program that he was following. I never believed in diets until I tried his suggestion. So I got into the diet and in just a short while, I shed some of those pounds.

Unfortunately though, just after 10-12 days into the diet, I got sick. So I had to drop the diet and get my health back on track. I think my body went into a shock and retaliated on me. In just a few days or so, I'm back to where I started. Back to 135 something pounds.

Gallery: La Lune

2008-03-29T03:26:00.001+08:00

The enigmatic moon charmed me last night to try and dabble in some lunar photography.

Err.. I don't think I have the skill and equipment yet.

Someday perhaps.. :D

Holy Week 2008

2008-03-27T11:43:00.000+08:00

It was a little reminiscent of a trip I had a month ago, I was on the car with some friends -- Chrie, Fi, Francis and Giles -- driving south at 3am in the morning to meet up with Rollie and his family.

The only difference was that the metro was more like of a ghost town than an urban jungle. Well, what would you expect, it was Good Friday.

Imagine this, the metro was so empty that our drive from Bicutan exit up until the Petron Gasoline station in SLEX only took 10 minutes!! I initially estimated 30, but according to the display in Francis' car, we covered that much in 10 minutes.

We arrived in Anilao a little past 6. And the first thing we did was grab a pillow and head off to bed to catch up on some precious sleeping time -- most, if not all of us, haven't slept yet.

As soon as we woke up, we started doing our "rounds", photo op rounds on our side of the beach and retreated back to bed to get some more sleep.

Children playing on the raft near
the resort we were staying on

At Nightfall, things started picking up. People started acting weird from the super charge they got from their (almost) all day sleep.

Francis singing his heart out

After the sun has completely set, you would see the little lights from a distance. Clustered and distant lights would inspire one thing -- long exposure shots..

The other side of the beach at night

Group shot less Fifi

It pretty got creepy when we started capturing ghosts on ~~film~~ sensors..

A ghost appearing beside me

Chrie apparently felt the ghost and freaked out

The ghost didn't really creep us out. Hence, we continued enjoying the night more with our camera, the darkness and the LED light in our hands. And what did we get? Light paintings..

An angel on earth **

The devil wears yellow, go Cory! **

A street fight **

__________
** Camera sponsored by Chrie, Colorsplash flash sponsored by Francis, LED light sponsored by Rollie, Craziness by everybody

Gallery: Anilao, Batangas

2008-03-26T23:19:00.000+08:00

Plagued with boredom and left with nothing else to do during the long Holy Week break, we (Chrie, Fifi, FG, Giles and me) invited ourselves to go join Rollie and his family for a weekend in Anilao, Batangas.

Yes, but of course, this is all but an excuse for us to meet up and fill up our calendar similar to what Pam, Jill, Ruby (and J?) did with theirs since we all didn't get the chance to plan something else for the long break.

While Pam and Jill trotted and ransacked the streets and shops of Hong Kong, and while Ruby scoured the province of Dumaguete for um.. men, we were in Batangas enjoying not only each other's company but as well as the ~~beach~~ sea, fantastic food, and of course the unparalleled hospitality of Rollie and his family..

Thanks Rollie!

Office Bloopers

2008-03-24T23:06:00.000+08:00

This morning, I have a teammate (let's call her AL) who was talking to our teamlead over the phone. Seems like they were discussing what to do with the new resource that just joined our team today..

Team Lead: blah blah blah..
AL: OK na. Binigyan ko na sya nung checklist of items na gagawin niya.
Team Lead: blah blah blah..
AL: Teka.. Teka.. Ulit. Ulit. BLURRED ka.

Err.. She was talking on the phone.. Bakit blurred?!

*****

I was in a conference call a couple of months back with AL. We were on the phone talking about a big project that both me and AL will be heading. Our counterpart just finished discussing the tasks to be accomplished. Towards the end of the conference call we were throwing questions and clarifications to our counterpart so as to be clear and be sure that we were on the right page. Towards the end of the call..

Counterpart: So, do you still have any questions?
Me: As for me, I don't have any other questions. All's good.
Me: How about you AL? Questions?
AL: Actually, I have one last question.
AL: (looooooong pause)
AL: Which I actually forgot just now.

TOINK!

*****

Going back a little further, I was assigned to Canada with 3 other resources. And in these 3 resources, AL was one of them.. We were in Niagara Falls trying to take a group picture. Since there was no one who could hold the camera for us, we set it up to self-timer.

Resource 1: Oh dali na, pose na kayo dyan. Timer ko na lang to 10 seconds.
Resource 2, AL, and ME: (poses)
Resource 1: (presses the shutter button and runs to his position)
Resource 2: Ayan na!!

(camera beeeps.. 10.. 9.. ... 3.. 2.. 1..)
CLICK!

AL: Uy! Ulit!! Ulit! Nakapikit ako!!
Resource 1: Bakit natin uulitin? Eh nakashades ka naman?!?!

GOODLUCK!

Gallery: Fuego Point

2008-03-21T01:16:00.001+08:00

It's a sickness of mine to plan and hope on the things around me to their utmost detail. But no matter how I try, these details do not always come to pass most especially on times I badly expect them to be. I have been trying to live with it. But I wish I have at least some control with it.

Come to think of it, the details I have in my head both happen and do not happen for a reason. No one really knows who decides on that and what are the reasons they happen for. Looking at the instances that I got disappointed doesn't really make sense.

But looking at the entire picture does.

A first: Pre-Nuptial Shoot

2008-03-21T00:51:00.001+08:00

More than a week ago Jill invited me to accompany her in a pre-nuptial she's covering. And since the shoot was gonna be in Punta Fuego, I didn't think twice about tagging along.

I have never been to Punta Fuego and I have never been to a pre-nuptial shoot. You can just imagine how the excitement built up towards the day of the shoot.

In as much as I would like to shoot stuff for myself, I got myself busy assisting and shooting with Jill and Jason (Jill's second cam). I wasn't really supposed to shoot with them, so I just tried getting out of their way. Thus, I got shots of the couple usually with their backs on me or are either too far from me. Nonetheless, I was quite satisfied with my shots. Not bad for someone who was just tagging along.

Jill though scared of heights braved her fear for the shoot..

The masters shoot, I take notes from afar..

At some point in the shoot, we went to a place they call as the fuego point (I'm not sure). It was one of the rocky cliffs which was overlooking the sea. It was a bit cloudy which pretty much gave a good drama for some of the pics I took home with me.

The fuego point

A speed boat drives by fuego point

Mariah's Single -- Ken Lee

2008-03-14T08:43:00.000+08:00

In 1994, Mariah Carey released a third English single entitled "Ken Lee" from the album Music Box based on the original version of Harry Nilsson's song.

According to Wikipedia, this became one of Mariah's most soft rock-style productions showcasing her voice from high to long notes in the entire song. It has been said that this song remains the biggest hit outside the U.S. having been largely successful across Europe.

I'm pretty sure you don't remember the song, maybe the music video could help stir things up.. Don't you just love her?! Mariah Carey, I mean. :D

Wishing for Spitzers in Manila

2008-03-13T20:31:00.006+08:00

It came as a shock to me when I read about Gov. Spitzer's involvement, more so his VIP membership, in the Emperors Club. This is not the first time a US public official has been indicted of such moral charges – Pres. Bill Clinton for one was involved in one. The list would go on, but that's another story.

With the wire-tapped evidences coupled with bank transfer trails, the governor is likely to plead guilty in court. Two days after such allegations came out, Gov. Spitzer resigns from office and told reporters, and I quote, "I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the people's work."

And in a People Magazine interview he said, "I am deeply sorry I did not live up to what was expected of me."

Gov. Spitzer may have done wrong, but he has earned a little respect from me – not for his short-comings but for what he did in response to it. Admitting one's mistake is humbling, but voluntarily vacating an office that dictates and requires transparency, morality, integrity and honesty from its occupants is far humbling enough to earn respect.

Sana minsan, may mga pulitikong maruning ding umamin ng pagkakamali dito sa Pilipinas. Minsan lang naman, is that too much to ask??

__________
** Photo courtesy of NY Daily News

F*ck Off!

2008-02-27T23:45:00.000+08:00

Late this afternoon, I received an SMS from someone..

Huy, musta na?!

Out of good will and the desire to be nice everyone who remembers and bothers to key-in (or select) my number from their phonebook, I replied in an accommodating manner,

OK naman. Ito, tumataba. Ikaw, musta?

I thought it would have been enough to kick off a good conversation with this someone since it has been sometime since we have last talked. To my surprise, all I got was:

Ok lang din naman.

That bothered me. I thought I didn't make enough effort to be accomodating enough. So tried flexing some of my congeniality muscles and SMS'ed back,

"Good to hear that. Anong bago seio? Long time no talk ah!
Musta ang weekend mo? Ano ang sa atin at napatext ka bigla?"

To my dismay, my efforts of starting a conversation didn't really took flight. But instead I got a cold reply,

"Wala lang naman."

That tipped me off so I replied back,

"Um.. sorry ha. Naistorbo ata kita."

And wonder of wonders, I got a very accomodating response..

"K."

WHAT?! I was controlling myself not to text back just to convey my parting message.. F*CK OFF and get a life! Sheez!

Gallery: Up, Up and Away!

2008-02-18T08:37:00.000+08:00

Two weekends ago, me and some of my friends hatched a plan to head out north of Manila to have a Weekend of Everything that Flies in the 12th Hot Air Balloon Festival

For most of us, it was going to be our first hot air balloon festival. You can just imagine how excited we were to see those hot air balloons rise to the air. I have already planned the pictures in my head that I have yet to compose on site. I was d*mn excited..

Since we weren't staying somewhere close to Clark Field, Pampanga, we had to meet up really early (say about 3 am) and drive up before the balloons take off between 6-8 in the morning.

Luckily, we arrived on time. As a matter of fact we arrived and as Ruby coined it, "madilim, malamig, at walang balloons."

Without sleep and armed with all but the last jolt of sugar rush from a nuggets meal we ate before we left, we watched the early morning sky get decorated for a few breath-taking minutes with balloons that we could only dream of touching and riding.

How Hard Can Ironies Get?

2008-02-04T23:17:00.000+08:00

It has been weeks since my friends have constantly ~~asked~~ pleaded me to join them in Boracay this coming Valentines. It was a perfect plan if not for the pending Vacation Leave I have filed two weeks ago. I never heard anything from it, thus I considered it denied.

Today, without making a follow-up on the status of my request, I have learned that my vacation leave has been granted. Imagine how my heart jumped knowing I could join Pam and the others in Boracay for 4 days in Nami, with a yacht ride in the agenda.

But there was a kicker.

Yesterday, despite my current condition (I had a running nose which never stopped err.. dripping with snot), I decided to tidy up my room. I then remembered to look for the good amount of money that I placed somewhere in my mess so that I could keep it properly.

To my dismay, I can't remember where I placed the friggin' money! It was 12 midnight and I had this urge to turn my room upside-down to look for that money!! But to no avail, I didn't find my money. I decided to sleep it off thinking I might remember where I placed it.

The sun went up and down.. still no freaking memory where I placed the money.

Now, I do have management's blessing to go on a vacation on Valentines. I just dunno how I am supposed to do that without any funds in my hands. Bummer.

*****

bea: sayang giff!
bea: check your labada
bea: or maybe you used it na, and you just forgot
bea: was it cash?

giff: yes, it was cash.. hay.. 2 days na ako naghahanap

bea: you can also pray to St. Joseph
bea: when you lose things.
bea: maybe it might come up, or then, you just might remember where you put it.
bea: or used it.

Ok. Now, I gotta pray for lost money to come back.. :(

If Only

2008-01-20T19:19:00.002+08:00

t.. the rain hasn't decided to supply us with water enough to drink for a year
.. mud was never a combination of soil and water
.. mud never saw shoes as the hottest "must haves" in town
.. we were given the chance to eat lunch
.. boat rides never meant you and your equipment have to get wet
.. we didn't have to cross an overflowing river to get to the church and back
.. we didn't have to deal with some people who has a certain attitude
.. we were treated the way our job description stated was
.. we were treated like people and not just the guy/girl with a camera
.. instructions were given in a tone that doesn't suggest ignorance
.. requests were given out in a pleasant tone and not in a commanding one
.. I was less shaky when taking pictures
.. I was able to execute the simple instructions given to me correctly
.. I maximized the opportunities to shoot before I lost them
.. the bunk bed that was left for me to sleep on was not in between couples
.. the island where we left our bags in wasn't guarded by dogs twice my size
.. getting your stuff to head home didn't require braving a litter of dogs

then, I think, it would have been one of the first experiences that would surely make it's mark on 2008. Well, it did leave a mark. Too bad, it was just on the far side of the spectrum.

There are events we attend that usually leaves a mark in your life. You're lucky to be in one. What more to be in a position that helps define it. I have always thought of life-defining events as big (even though with a limited budget), picturesque and perfect in its own right. But of course that always depend in heaven's mercy.

Some would get traumatized with what I was on. But not me. Things like these happen. I fell in love with this craft and what transpired during the weekend hasn't even dented or made me question my interest in it.

So yeah, BRING IT ON!

*****

Friend 2 (the driver): so you guys work together?
Friend 1 (the baptizer): not really. bininyagan ko lang siya..
Me: Yup! It was a baptism.. a baptism of fire and rain.. literally. :D

*****

Hey you, the baptizer.. you know who you are. Thank you for the experience. It wasn't the best (I know you'd agree with me on that), but it was surely an adventure I did not leave empty handed. Honestly, I wouldn't have traded anything else for it. :D

Dinner Invitation

2008-01-09T23:29:00.000+08:00

Let's have dinner tonight over at ** toot **
Be there by 1900 hours.

That was my dad inviting over for dinner at some resto. Yeah, we talk in military hours at home. YEAH RIGHT!

Minsan ang sarap batuk-batukan ng tatay ko. Kung anu-ano ang naiisip! :D

MY New Year always begins with..

2008-01-07T23:09:00.000+08:00

A family reunion.

Since time immemorial, relatives from my father side has religiously organized and attended our family reunion every January 1st. Before, it was just held at one place. As the years went by, they (my father and his siblings) decided to hold the reunion in different places thus changing the "sponsor" or the "host" for the year.

Though we get to meet every year, I still find myself lost and always in a lock down situation trying to spit out a name of a cousin or of a cousin's child which I don't really have any idea of. It's as if my cousins and my um.. cousin's children kept on multiplying.. like ~~rats~~ rabbits.

Our family reunion is not the only one that became the tradition. But also, some of the activities that my aunts and uncles has thought of since I was a kid -- hampas palayok and padukot sa bangga.

As a kid, I used to love trying my luck (yes, I consider it a game of luck) in the game of Hampas Palayok. But since I never got lucky, I stopped trying. And as the years went by, I became all but a spectator of my cousins, cousins' children and even my aunts and uncles reap the bounty of their winnings..

Towards the end of the reunion, my dad would bring out his famous "banga" and ask all the kids and kids at heart to line up before him to go get as much money (coins) they could from the jar.

Well yeah, the jar only contains coins. Before, coins were a big thing. But since they have depreciated in value, my parents got a little creative with those coins -- they marked several coins inside the jar to a certain amount where the lucky kid or kidult can exchange for a bigger, heavier denomination.

*****

With the family's therapist to be

With my favorite cousin

Flower Power

2008-01-01T21:35:00.000+08:00

The Christmas Holidays meant that our family would head out to my grandmother's house for a vacation where we would catch the Christmas Eve Mass together with all my aunts and uncles. After which, we open up all the gifts sitting by the Christmas tree which is momentarily interrupted by a call for Noche Buena.

Over the years, me and my family got ~~tired~~ lazy of all these. We have opted to just visit my grandparents on Christmas Day instead of our usual plans. Before, opening the gifts I receive from my aunts and uncles paint a pretty big smile on my face. This year, it was pretty different. My grandmother's garden pretty much made my Christmas when I started seeing the flowers that she has been taking care of.

And when there are flowers.. There'd always be a busy bee..

.. taking pictures and admiring their beauty.

A Brave Welcome for 2008

2008-01-01T02:52:00.001+08:00

God knows how much my nose hates the dust and the smoke that fireworks produce. Most often than not, I end up bed-ridden on the first day of the year with all but a facial tissue and some allergy medicine as my company while my family attends our annual reunion. This is one reason why I don't enjoy New Year's eve celebrations at home. Or maybe during the ushering of New Year..

This year, I braved up all the dust and the smoke to get a chance to take some pictures of wonderful fireworks display that most of your neighbors show off to each other.. :D

Well, I really tried my best to take some good pictures. But I was too shaky and too careful not to get my nose really irritated. I managed to take some shots. But they're shots that I think would need a lot of work and practice.

But what the heck, I at least I tried! :D

My mom and dat started lighting up LUSISes at 11:45

Dad pretty much got tired holding his lusis
and started playing with it.

A few minutes more, boredom kicked in and
he started lighting up his firecrackers

Roman candles held by my sister shoot high up in air

At the strike of midnight, the sky lit up with fireworks..

...and more of em.

..and some more.

Happy New Year! Welcome 2008!!

There's a lot to be thankful For

2007-12-31T23:43:00.001+08:00

Some days, I forget to look around and fail to see the joys that surround me. Most of the time, I have been so caught inside of me that I have deliberately received when I was expected to give.

As the year comes to a close, and I usher in the new one, let me highlight the things that have painted a smile on my face.. the things no matter how small or how big I am thankful that they have come my way..

JANUARY
... I was the official photographist (LOL) for the family's annual reunion.
... Pretty much in a hiatus from my barkada. I have decided to disappear and try to find myself. In the long run, I have found not just myself but someone else -- RED, whom I was able to call as my own.

*****

FEBRUARY
... The team that I work with in the FIRM launched it's so called English Hour which was so optimistic with its goal of providing a venue for the team to practice the language.
... Photography started to take its toll on me as I started buying additional accessories for my SLR-like camera, the Canon S3 IS. Yes, I was starting to get hooked in an addiction that I never new would be one of the most exciting things that happened to me.

*****

MARCH
... Barkada hiatus that I have bestowed on myself pretty much ended when I decided to show up in one of their gigs over at The Room Upstairs
... Mozzie started playing in places around the metro and thus started by life as an official Mozzie Groupie.

*****

APRIL
... I got the chance to spend my Holy Week for the first time in Bangkok, Thailand together with some friends from my previous project engagement. Not only did we brought home some memories, one of my friends brought back an actual engagement for herself. :)

... The project that I was working for in the FIRM decided to organize a summer outing. With my trusty S3 IS becoming the official camera of the event. LOL.
... I met for the first time.. Her all hotness, Jill -- "Good stuff, huh!"
... I got introduced into the world of lomography through DPI's exhibit of LakbayLomo.

*****

MAY
... First time in months that I got the chance to talk to RED after we broke up.
... I got my German loot bag from Cel, containing nothing less of what can be considered as wholesome.
... First movie night with Jill -- Shrek 3
... Met Ram whom I didn't know dated J some time ago. :D

... Met Ruby whom later became known as Pok or Poksie when paired with me.
... Rendezvoused with Pam over at the Ayala Museum as she finishes her race for the Nokia Soul of Manila event.

*****

JUNE

... Finally met Marge Francia from one of Mozzie's gig over at the room upstairs.
... Got introduced to Mark Parlade for the first time despite his constant attendance to Mozzie's gigs.

... I started learning French from the FIRM's language programs
... I set foot for the first time in Palawan

*****

JULY
... Hangged out in Manila Pen with Pam, and everyone else as we started at her as she devoured one giant bowl of ice cream. :D
... Got into a real date for the first time after my break up with RED.
... I got the chance to see after a long time, some friends from theatre in a house warming party where two of 'em tried hatching plans in joining PBB.
... Mozzie trots around the metro for gigs, with of course the groupies.
... I met and saw for the first time Francis play who was Mozzie's sessionist but soon became their new guitarist.
... I got Simpsonized.

*****

AUGUST
... I conquered my first mountain -- Mount Pinatubo

Photo courtesy of Ruby

... Got officially introduced to the world of lomo through Crap Shoot
... I officially got christened as gipsterph when I joined LomoManila.

Photo courtesy of Fifi

Photo courtesy of Rollie

... Went on my first lomo trip in Tagaytay.

Photo courtesy of Jill

... My team decided to go on it's most anticipated team building -- Enchanted Kingdom. Huh?!

... I bought my first DSLR -- Nikon D40x, which i sooo love right now.
... A lomo trip to China Town with Chrie, Fifi, Francis and Anna
... Planned not to plan anything for my birthday but instead got a surprise from my lomomanila family.

*****

SEPTEMBER
... Took part of LomoManila's Shoot From the Hip

... Went on a lomo trip with some friends in Intramuros
... Watched the UAAP Cheerdance competition in a box seat with Jason
... Tagged along Mozzie as they graced the opening of Porch (previously Motorsports Alley)
... Pam, Jason and I played as celebrity stalkers as we raided A.S.A.P. to accompany Tita Tess, Fifi and Chrie's mom, fulfill her dreams of meeting Piolo.

... Went on a lomo trip with LomoManila in Tanay, Rizal

*****

OCTOBER
... Celebrated Jason's Birthday
... I set foot for the first time in the paradise island of Boracay.

... Groupies supported Mozzie while they played for Tobleron's Thank You Day

... We surprised and celebrated Pammy's Birthday

... Jill, Pam, Fifi and I started shooting for our CimenaLomo Project
... The project I was working with in the FIRM decided to hold a Halloween activity for the kids.

*****

NOVEMBER
... Celebrated Rollie's Birthday
... Lomo shoot in UST campus with Pam, Jill and Francis
... Shaved my head for the first time.. ever!

Photo courtesy of Chrie

... LomoLove Too opening in Black Soup, Cubao-X

Photo courtesy of Jonas

... Took Part in Rock Ed's Sunday Silence at sunset

... CinemaLomo 2007 launches with EXPIRED as one of its entries.
... Mozzie's EP Launch over at Xymaca

*****

DECEMBER
... Lomo Palooza at Cubao-X

... Supported Gab in Parokya ni Edgar's album launch

... Got stationed at the Cubao MRT Station for Rock the Riles '07

... Supported LomoManila's Rock the Riles Exhibit

... Mozzie's Thank You Day Dinner

Photo courtesy of Chrie

... My project's Christmas Party
... Christmas dinner with old project mates

... Mitch's Shower
... LomoManila's Year Ender Party

... Surprised and Celebrated Fifi's Birthday

This year started slow. But it turned out to be one hell of a ride towards the end. My schedule may have been a little screwed up. But it was all worth the sleepless nights and the time-haggling I had in the office. It was one wonderful year that has come to pass. I do wish and pray that the next will be more than, if not the same like that of 2007.

I got fat. I got thin. I got stressed. I relaxed. I laughed. I cried. I walked. I ran. I flew. I lost some people. I met some new ones. I loved. I broke. I stood up.

Man, I'd do everything all over again.
Cheers to the life I had in 2007!!

Expired

2007-11-27T23:48:00.000+08:00

"Everything in this world has an expiration date. Even people. But the biggest question isn't when -- but what you do until then."

A film by Jill Lejano, Fifi Capicoy and Pam Pastor
Written by Pam Pastor
Photography by Jill Lejano
Additional Photography by Fifi Capicoy and Pam Pastor
Original Music by Fifi Capicoy

Official Cinemalomo 2007 Entry

"People make all kinds of changes in the hopes of changing what's inside."

"You take drastic measures keeping your fingers crossed that the world would be fooled into believing what they see."

"That you are strong... you are happy... you are OK.
You, are invincible."

"Everyone is looking for an escape. Everyone.
But until you expire, you, are stuck here."

"And the closest thing to a way out is finding kindred souls
and embracing those who understand."

"That is the only acceptable exit plan. That is the only way to expire."

DLSU List Daw

2007-11-10T16:20:00.001+08:00

I got this from Mara, a fellow ~~lasalista~~ lasallian..

(x) get caught by the DO
(x) wear inappropriate attire
(x) watch a UAAP La Salle vs Ateneo game live in Araneta Colosseum
(x) eat at AGNO
(x) smoked at AGNO
(x) hangout at a friend's condo
(x) sing the alma mater song
( ) swim at the olympic size swimmingpool
( ) have class in all the buildings
(x) use the football field

(x) hang out in ampitheater
(x) watch something during the u-breakin the ampitheater
(x) cross-enroll
( ) be a 1st honors dean's lister
(x) be a 2nd honors dean's lister

(x) get a 4.0
(x) eat in McDonalds
(x) eat in UM
(x) eat somewhere outside near the campus
(x) borrow/reserve something in the IMS

(x) get a major or minor offense
(x) go out with 5 or more blockmates during freshmen year
(x) walk around the campus with 4 or more blockmates after freshmen
(x) cut a class together with blockmates
( ) beg for a higher grade during course card distribution

(x) EAF adjustment
(x) be active in an organization
(x) be stereotyped by others according to your college
(x) get an alarm sound when you scan your id
(x) talk to your LAMB aside from LPEP

( ) be deceived by the false names of professors in the on-line enrollment
(x) pay surcharge
(x) go to the chapel
(x) hear mass
( ) visit the museum

(x) know a xerox lady
(x) sleep in the library
( ) get to know mang jack
(x) got/given something to someone during the valentines week

(x) have a class after 6:00 pm
(x) talk about someone passing by while on a bench in SJ walk
(x) study in conservatory
(x) print somewhere near outside the campus
(x) type somewhere near outside the campus

(x) cram
(x) do a last minute paper
( ) date a lasallian
(x) have a crush on your blockmate
(x) have a crush on your classmate

(x) have a crush on your professor
( ) attend a seminar outside La Salle
( ) talk to a lasallian celebrity
(x) sleep in a class
( ) have/had a lasallian boyfriend

(x) be in a conflict with a professor
(x) witness pda inside the campus
(x) use a computer in the computer laboratories
(x) be drunk somewhere near outside the campus
(x) forget your ID at home

(x) get exempted from finals
(x) stay at school till 10:00 or later
(x) actually read a whole article in the school's paper, The Lasallian
(x) took time to look at the 'Proudly Lasallian' stands in the campus
(x) thought that yuchengco restrooms are the best restrooms

(x) shifted / planned to shift
( ) read a whole book borrowed at the library
(x) eat inside the classroom
(x) get a text or call with your cellphone not in silent mode during class
(x) spend money for 1X1 ID pictures

(x) break something in the laboratory
( ) ask the library for an endorsement
(x) entered the thesis room in the library
( ) searched a professor in the DLSU website
( ) park in the beach

(x) eat siomai
(x) tasked to photocopy for a bunch of people
(x) enter a job fair in campus
(x) buy a raffle ticket, donate something, sign a signature campaign inside the campus
(x) sell raffle tickets, ask for donations, made people sign signaturecampaigns inside the campus

(x) watch something at night in the yuchengco theater
(x) make a video for a class project- i was the poster maker and script writer. yebah.
(x) make a powerpoint presentation
(x) give a very low evaluation to a professor
(x) eat inside the java cafe

(x) be pissed with a guard
(x) go to the clinic
(x) nearly reached / reached excess absences
( ) pick a popular professor for a subject
( ) be the one to make the 'mass overload sound' in an elevator

(x) buy something in the bookstore
( ) lose your cellphone

Doom or Glory

2007-11-08T00:57:00.001+08:00

During the long weekend, Jill, Pam and I thought that both Fifi and Chrie will be heading out to HKG with their family. Since we were not actually related to them by blood, Jill thought that we who were left out should go exercise and get our creative juices flowing and capture 'em in black and white film.

We scheduled a location shoot in UST last November 1. Since I didn't have my black & white film at the moment, I had to settle for my Holga loaded with a colored roll and of course my D40x. I arrived a little late for our appointment and I was left with barely an hour and a half of sunlight.

UST's Main Building, late in the afternoon.

Clouds paraded as if asking for their picture
to be taken.

The most fortunate cat in UST's grounds --
She got a Chicken Nugget dinner c/o Pam.

At the back of the main building,
in front of the main library.

UST's Main building at night fall.

Sunday, Jill invited a couple of lomopeeps to her lovely home to develop and (contact) print our films in her darkroom. I was trying to finish up my black & while roll so as I could participate. But since I was unsuccessful in doing so, I had to sit out the darkroom session. Bummer.

*****

While everybody was trying to make something good from their black and white films, I had a situation that I thought was big for me to handle. Friends (Benjie for one) have tried to ~~pressure~~ convince me to do it. But I never even had the slightest courage to imagine myself in such situation. It was a choice I had to make. It was a choice,unlike the others' black and white films and contact prints who can redo their shots, that can't go wrong. Otherwise I had to sit it out for the next couple of weeks or months should anything does.

I was scared..
I was nervous..
I was anxious..

and I was excited all at the same time...I was getting a haircut.

The buzzzzz of the razor replaced the more familiar snip-snip of the scissors (which I had a little trauma from). It channeled a different sensation on my scalp as it breezed through and traced the curves of my head. In a time shorter than the length of my wait in the queues of David's Salon, my haircut was done.

A lot of people around me were surprised to see me supporting this haircut. One particularly asked, "Hindi nga Giff, eh ang vain-vain mo sa buhok, bakit ka nagpakalbo?"

Well, maybe because of stress. Maybe because I wanted a change..
But whatever my reasons are, I don't think I am ready to tell them anytime soon.

Whether things went well or not, I sure don't have any regrets getting myself ~~in this situation~~ this haircut. As a matter of fact, I like it! :D

There's a fine, fine line..

2007-10-28T23:59:00.001+08:00

"There's a fine, fine line between a lover and a friend
There's a fine, fine line between reality and pretend
And you never know 'til you reach the top if it was worth the uphill climb.

There's a fine, fine line between love
And a waste of time.

There's a fine, fine line between a fairy tale and a lie;
And there's a fine, fine line between "You're wonderful" and "Goodbye."
I guess if someone doesn't love you back it isn't such a crime,
But there's a fine, fine line between love
And a waste of your time."

-- Kate Monster, Avenue Q

... 'nuf said. Pfft!

A Beach-y Affair -- Part II

2007-10-23T13:34:00.001+08:00

Two days after I have arrived from the beach, I still haven't unpacked my (clean) clothes from my bag. Two days after I have arrived, I was still found wearing walking shorts whenever I go outside of the house (which I don't normally do). I guess I was still on vacation mode. I guess I was waiting for something to happen -- a closure.

Two days of waiting. Two days of wondering and wandering. Two days of anticipation.. Two days of all of these when it finally came to a halt the moment I got what I have been waiting for -- the pictures of my affair on with the beach.

Compared to the instant gratification of the pictures brought about by a digital camera, I felt more excited and more attached to those that I took on film. Thankfully, they were too good (for me) to be ever considered disappointing..

*****

I was only spending two days in the beach, since I have to fly back to Manila early morning on the third day. That's just about 2 days worth of sun I could use for taking pictures. Two days to manage taking pictures with three cameras and at the same time having fun.

My D40x took the spotlight on the first day. But on the second day, it was time for my lomo cams (Holga and Jill's Vivitar) to take the ~~beating~~ front seat.

My day started pretty late, around 9am. I was a little disappointed in the morning knowing that I missed the break of day on the beach. I was planning to capture it on cam. When I got up, I took out my Holga and loaded it up with one of the films from my dwindling film supply and took a walk on beach to catch the morning sun.

Another day begins in paradise

Just like the other day, the beached wasn't
packed with people.

It was particularly windy that day..

..perfect to try something that I haven't done before or maybe I wouldn't be doing if I didn't have the thirst for excitement.

I changed to my swim wear and brought myself to those people who usually handle the activity that I was eyeing on. I told them that I want to do it around 11am. But right after I paid them the whopping fee (which I think is a bit insane), they lead me to board van to drive me all the way from Station 1 to Station 2 where a boat was waiting for me.

The boat I was riding on sped off far from the island..

..where we rendezvoused with a bigger, faster boat.

While speeding off to the middle of the sea, the manongs in the boat gave me forms to fill out (I think it's a waiver) and started handling me out gears that I need to put on. It wasn't long enough when they instructed me to stand by the pole at the back of the boat, get a good grip on the rod position above my head. The next thing I know, it felt like I wasn't moving anymore. My feet dangled and all I could see was water..

My feet dangled from the harness I was strapped on.

With a blink of an eye, I saw all but a thread
holding and anchoring me to the boat.

The boat dragged me forward..
a (super) chute held me up.

It was 15mins of hanging by a thread and
complete relaxation accompanied with a
spectacular view in front of you.

When I got back, I got some lunch and took a little rest from the ride. I felt queezy on the boat ride back. Nonetheless, my Php 2,500 was worth it. I had fun. Although I have heard that Puerto Galera offered parasailing for only Php 1000. Um, ok. I'm in Boracay. Rates aren't gonna be the same. After lunch, I took yet another walk in the beach before I deciding to go for a swim..

In the middle of all sea and all sand.

A bangka waiting for it's passengers.

Sailboats on parade.

Kaladkarin, Boracay style.

Beach beach beach..

..And more of it.

Time passed so quickly when you're in deep thought while at the same time enjoying the view and yourself. I didn't realize it was almost sunset again. I usually have a different sensation flowing through my body when the sunsets. At the same time, I remembered what my friend Jedd told me the other night. That is, to capture a different view of Boracay. I don't think I needed an expensive camera to do that. All I needed was my plastic camera.. :D

The grotto seen at sunset.

I went to the sea to be as close as possible
to the sailboats. Held my Holga up and took the shot.

A race to the sun.

I was satisfied with my shots. So I sat by the shore watching and feeling the waves gush through my feet (and the sand through my swim shorts) to just enjoy the last few hours (or minutes) of sun.. of the Boracay sun.

Sarap magbabad..

I wanted that pic of holding the sun in my fingers.
Pfft! More practice (using a Holga)! :D

Manila.. Back to reality.. Though it was all but some time alone, I had fun. Really, I did. Whoever said one can never have fun alone?

The sun jump starting the day at the port while it
bids me goodbye and see you again!

Gallery: Speed Out

2007-10-21T23:16:00.001+08:00

Being different amidst the vast blue sky.. the deep blue sea and the majestic blue sails doesn't mean one will be out of place. One thing is for sure, you'd blend right in..

Haaay, Boracay..

A Beach-y Affair

2007-10-21T23:07:00.001+08:00

A couple of months back, I hatched a plan to go visit once and for all the paradise island of Boracay. I think almost everyone I know has already gone to the island except for me. I can just remember how J reacted one time when he was being offered by Pam for an assignment in Boracay. J said, "Boracay na naman?!" Thoughts in my head would go something like, "Pfft! Ako nga, hindi pa nakakapunta.."

Since the island's inception or perhaps it's rise to popularity, this is the first time that I will be setting foot on it. You can just imagine how my expectations started building up in my head -- picturesque views, beautiful people, powdery sand, clear waters, etc.

The night before the trip, after packing my clothes, and all other essentials items, I made sure I had enough space in my bag to accommodate the cameras that I was planning to bring. I want to make sure that I have all the necessary means to make this "first time" of mine memorable. If not for the photographers / lomographers that I have met, I would think that packing three cameras in my bag for a trip is insane. But that's not the case right now. For this trip I brought along my D40x, my Holga and the Jill's Vivitar (whom I received specific "care" instructions for).

For this trip, it was Cebu Pacific's fly me to the island. Well, to Kalibo to be exact since Cebu Pacific offered cheaper fares compared to that of the other airlines which land in Katiklan in an airport 1.5 hours away from Kalibo. I was scheduled to fly Sunday at 3:15pm. But due to some unforeseen events, Cebu Pacific had to cancel the 3:15pm flight and re-schedule it for 5:30am the following day. It was a day late for the beach but come to think of it, there isn't much to see in the beach when I fly at 3:15pm and arrive in Boracay at around 6pm.

Sooner than I expected, I was at the Manila Domestic Airport lining up to board the plane bound for Kalibo, Aklan. I was half-awake when I boarded the plan, but the warming sun greeted and started pushing me to get a camera a take a shot:

Sunrise as seen on air.

An hour later, I was on the road enroute to the Katiklan sea port. An hour and a half drive coupled with a 15-minute boat ride, I set foot for the first time in Boracay.

Boracay Island, early morning.

As soon got settled in.. I was on my swimming shorts armed with my camera heading out to the beach ready to shoot and capture as much of the island's beauty as well as having fun at the same time.

Nothing really interesting happened in the morning. I started getting frustrated and distracted (over lunch) that I should be able to take great pictures before heading back home. I tried shrugging it off and enjoyed my lunch. After lunch, a couple of interesting things showed up..

Lone foot print in the sand.

A girl watching after her family's slippers
while I take a picture of 'em.

A girl exercising or maybe showing off to
her buffed Japanese boyfriend watching from afar.

A dog taking a swim.

A kid mastering the technique in building the
sand castle of his dreams.

Even before the weather started changing it's mood, I decided to put down my camera and take a dip in the water. It sure was hot. Really hot. I started feeling all sticky from all the sun-block that I have applied earlier. The clear, cool water of the sea was more than enough to relax and cool my sweating, sticky, hot skin.

I enjoyed the water so much that I lost track of time. The last time I checked, the sun was high up in the sky giving off that hard afternoon light. The next thing I knew, subdued sunlight started coloring the island. It brought about additional life to the island's paradise scenery.

A boat anchored by the shore.

Dogs and its' owner playing catch.

Relaxing view from where I was sitting.

Late afternoon sun started drawing
beautiful silhouettes.

Sailboats paraded the horizon despite the sun's
desire to wrap up the day.

My first day in Boracay comes to a close.

It sure was a fun (first) day in Boracay. It could have been a lot more exciting and fun if it was enjoyed with a bunch of friends. Nonetheless, some time alone in an island as beautiful as this isn't too bad at all.

Who Was Your Last

2007-10-15T19:39:00.001+08:00

Ok. Miski ayaw ko. Kelan ko gawin..
From Jason:

Rule #1: If you open this you GOTTA take it.
Rule # 2: You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING
unless someone messages you and asks
Rule #3: Answer the following..

Only answer TRUE or FALSE

Q: Kissed more than one person on top of your top friends? TRUE
Q: Kissed someone you didn't like? TRUE
Q: You like someone? TRUE
Q: Held a snake? TRUE
Q: Been suspended from school? FALSE
Q: Kissed in the rain? FALSE
Q: Sang in the shower? TRUE
Q: Sat on a roof top? FALSE
Q: Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? TRUE
Q: Broken a bone? FALSE
Q: Shaved your head? FALSE
Q: Played a prank on someone? TRUE
Q: Had/have a gym membership? TRUE
Q: Donated Blood? FALSE
Q: Had your heart broken? TRUE
Q: Broken someone's heart? TRUE

"Who was your last?" just be 100% truthful

LAST PERSON.
1. You hung out with? RYAN
2. Last person you texted? PAM
3. Last person you slept next to? Err.. I forgot. Basta it starts with a "C". LOL
4. Went to the movies with? FIFI, CHRIE, et. al.
5. Went to the mall with? RYAN
6. You talked to on the phone? RYAN
7. Made you laugh? FIFI
8. You hugged? JILL
9. You kissed? R.E.D.
10. Made you cry? ****

WOULD YOU RATHER...
1. Be serious or be funny? FUNNY
2. Drink whole or skim milk? WHOLE MILK
3. Die in a fire or get shot? GET SHOT

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY...
1. Sun or moon? MOON
2. Dark or light chocolate? LIGHT CHOCOLATE
3. Left or right? RIGHT
4. Sunny or rainy? SUNNY
5. Hugs or kisses? HUGS
6. Where do you live? Umm.. MANDLAUYONG
7. Rock or Techno? TECHNO
8. Do you want to get married? YES
9. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? TWIRL
10. Do You Cook? NO
11. Current mood? ANXIOUS

IN THE LAST 72 HOURS HAVE YOU...
1. Kissed someone? (on the lips)? NO
2. Sang? YES
3. Been hugged? YES
4. Like someone you can't have? NO

Rule #4: Repost this as, "WHO WAS YOUR LAST?"

Change Your Passwords

2007-10-08T19:23:00.001+08:00

I received an email from a colleague today requesting that I change my password in the shared application that we are using. I really appreciate the effort of reminding me to change my password since the system doesn't give out password expiration warnings. Once your password expires, that's it. You're locked out.

What baffles me is the the accompanying note that came with the reminder: Send an email confirmation stating that you have changed your password. This can be used as an article of evidence of your compliance for our security standards.

Compliance tracking, that's fine with me. But um.. Through email?

Sure, that will be cool if we were only a handful of resources doing this email confirmation thing. Put it this way, there are almost 200 resources who would be sending this email. Isn't it so much of an overkill to offer your inbox as a drop box for these confirmations? Well, if the email is for tracking purposes, and since this occurs in a regular interval, wouldn't it be wise to devise an alternative way to track these? I mean, the FIRM offers solutions to clients by streamlining their processes, developing/customizing applications suited for the client's needs. Why can't teams within the firm develop something that can streamline our own process?

Assuming resources are not an issue, our situation is very much comparable to a very skilled carpenter capable of creating masterpieces for others from the ground up and yet is incapable of building something for himself. Pfft!

Gallery: Greens

2007-10-07T23:46:00.001+08:00

It's pretty hard to imagine how most of us tend to take for granted how these things affect our lives. Without 'em..

..there'd be no wood to build with
..there'd be no paper we could write on
..there'd be no book we could read
..there'd be no rubber to cushion our fall
..there'd be no fruit we could eat

Most importantly, without 'em there'd be no air we could breathe. Pffft!

Gallery: Cushion

2007-10-07T23:26:00.001+08:00

My trip to Rizal was memorable in more ways than one. One, I was improperly dressed for our muddy, wet, rough and inclined destination. Two, my fresh-out-of-the-box-newly-purchased white sneakers got it's beating. I tuned myself out from what could happen to my shoes (thinking it might end up in a similar fate like that of my other shoes) and instead focused myself on trying to have a good time. Below are two of my best shots in my attempt to capture the running water from one of the falls that we visited:

Experience Tour

2007-10-06T23:47:00.000+08:00

And so I have heard and confirmed, Ms. Bootylicious herself has decided to include Manila in her Experience Tour for a one-nighty show on November 7, 2007. For sure, those people who like and idolize Beyonce will make all the necessary effort to grab a ticket for her show. I already have several people (whom I know) in mind who might just do that. :D

*****

In a totally different story but a related one.. The FIRM, a.k.a. my company, (yes, this is totally related, believe me) has been been constantly looking for talents, skilled personnel to augment it's workforce. I'm pretty sure Giles would be able to relate to me when I say that the company has made a lot of effort trying to encourage us ~~corporate slaves~~ employees to help out in their quest.

Believe me, they have encouraged employees by enticing them with monetary rewards, free coffee from Starbucks, free boxes of donuts from Krispy Kreme, limited edition company-branded merchandise, iPods, movie tickets, trips to Boracay / Amanpulo, etc. Kulang na lang kotse at saka bahay at lupa!!

This time around, it took a unique turn or maybe I should say a really interesting turn. I have read a notice from the recruitment team that the FIRM is a sponsor (I just don't know how much of a sponsor we were) in Beyonce's Experience Tour. And the kicker? They are encouraging employees to make as much referrals they could to get a chance to win tickets for two to Beyonce's concert.

Well, it's only now that I have heard of such marketing scheme in a company such as the FIRM. But hell yeah.. I think they made a pretty smart move to do so. Kelangan ko mag-refer! Si Beyonce yun no!! :D

Gallery: Manila Skyline

2007-09-26T09:17:00.001+08:00

This is where I grew up. This is where I'd grow old. Manila. I wonder how much this skyline will change in next couple of years. I wonder if it will ever be different in the years to come.

Hold-up Ito!

2007-09-19T23:49:00.000+08:00

A long awaited promotion means a significant bump in one's monthly salary. For some, it would mean a celebration. But for me, it would mean finally putting into action those things, those plans that I have been pushing off for quite some time.

Earlier this week, I have received an email from a very proactive projectmate saying that someone would be collecting a fixed amount (for a given promotion level) to contribute for what some of them were planning -- Thanksgiving Merienda. I was appalled with what I have read. I was trying to keep my cool and trying to keep my eyebrows from raising while I was reading the rest of the email. I can't remember the exact details of the action required from me. All I could do was react -- UH..OKAY. With a big exclamation mark.

I have nothing against sharing what I have. I have nothing against giving back a small portion of what I got with those around me. I think, the idea was nice. It's just that the way the idea was presented (through email) wasn't enticing enough for me to share. It was as if the sender was requiring me to pay up and share. I wasn't being encouraged to share. Imagine this, I was being demanded to share.

Ewan ko lang, pero yun ang pagkakaintindi ko sa email.
.And now they ask me why I was grumpy all day.. SIYET!!

The Past 4 Weeks.. (sort of) in pictures

2007-09-18T04:35:00.001+08:00

Since I have made changes to this blog, I told myself that I would update this blog as much as possible. The new feel and look of the blog just inspires me to update it just like a fifth grader so anxious to write on his new spiral notebook.

That happened for a while until I got really interested with lomography. It all began four weeks ago in a party where I was invited to, Lomomanila's CrapShoot Opening Party. I was just supposed to be there as Mozzie's groupie (since they were playing that night) but it turned out to be a baptism for me into lomomanila.

The Lomo Wall **

Rollie, Ruby, me and Chrie taking advantage
of the camwhores in us **

Outside mag:net with Jason, Ruby, Giles & Ram ***

Posing for Fifi's Girl-Power Driven Polariod Cam ***

Lomo people in front of the Exhibit's Lomowall ***

The following weekend, I got my first lomo trip invitation from the mother of all lomo (well, she's the one I coonsider as the mother of it all) -- Jill. It was one lazy Sunday and all I can think about were the different ways boredom could kill me. With all but one invitation from Jill.. Pam, Fifi, Chrie, Lele, Francis, Jason and I were on our way to Tagaytay, not for anything. What else? To take pictures.

Taal Volcano as seen from a cliff.

A feeding horse.

We had dinner at a resto named Hawaiian Barbeque

The interiors were cozy.

And had a lot of mirrors for self-portraits.

Self-portrait from the restroom.

A double exposure shot in my Canon S3 c/o Francis

The following week, even though Pam and a couple of Lomo people headed to CDO for some white water rafting, Chrie, Fifi and I didn't take being left behind sitting down. We thought of having a lomo trip ourselves to one of Manila's gems -- China Town.

Ongpin St., Binondo, Manila

Chinese goodies from a Chinese Store.

A fire truck clad in the sponsor's lucky color.

Mcdo, Binondo bears a Chinese name.

So did Starbucks Coffee. Too bad, glasses didn't
have the Chinese inscription.

"Welcome to Manila Chinatown"

Fifi and I took a stroll at the CCP Complex
while Pam unloads her CDO stories to Chrie.

Both of us tried taking a good picture
of the floating restuarant.

Pam couldn't have enough of the fountain.

Things started slowing down as my birthday week was ushered in by a ton of workload I had. I planned not to plan anything for my birthday. I just wanted to rest and make some time for myself. Apparently, that wasn't what my friends were thinking. Birthday was done. I almost fell off from the calendar, but what the heck! It was time for another lomoevent -- Shoot from the Hip, Lomo Bowl-O-Rama.

I arrived together with Fifi, Chrie and Ruby.

I played for the Blue Team -- Team HOLGA!

While Ruby played for the Green Team.

Chips was one of the big guys trying to score big
for the humble blue team.

Lomo Mother tried bowling on the side.

While Chrie and Marge wait for their turn to bowl.

Rollie was there.. But he didn't play.

Pam and Chrie having a "light-bulb" moment.

That tiring weekend raised up the flag on us to take a break and take a deep breath and receive a little wake up call from some of our corporate lives. A little work here. A little work there, it was the weekend and it was the time for us to roll once again. It was another trip to old historical Manila. We were supposed to have visit #2 to Binondo. But due to traffic conditions, we were forced to head out to a different location -- Fort Santiago, Intramuros.

The fort's facade greeted us upon arrival.

We were on a photo trip. He was on an emo trip.

The only well exposed shot I had with my Holga.

On our way out, we tried following Rizal's footsteps.

Saying goodbye to our historical past.. for now.

The following day, Monday, I found myself where all this sweet madness began -- Lomomanila's CrapShoot Exhibit. It was the exhibit's closing party. It sure may be a closing of some sort. But not for me. I think this is just the beginning for a ton more of things waiting to happen and to be experienced. :D

We are addicted -- to film.

..to alcohol.

..to blurred silly pictures.

..and to double exposed shots.

Let the booze floooooow!

Wacky faces paraded the night

..to guard the lomomanila's lomowall.

"If you can't beat 'em, confuse 'em"

Let's parteeeeeeee!

"OMG. Tapos na?!?!"

"Mommy, ang ingay."

__________
** photo c/o Rollie
*** photo c/o Fifi

(First) 10 Rolls of Holga

2007-09-09T12:30:00.001+08:00

After 100 years, I finally got my first 10 rolls of Holga shots developed. I had to bunch them in multiples of 5 so as I could avail of the discount when being developed. Just like what Pam has said, having your films developed is like waiting for your child to be born. Once your child says hello to the world, the no return no exchange policy takes into place. If you thought you did well, then good for you. If not, better luck next time buddy! Hopefully, lessons are learned and applied on the next good opportunity to ~~procreate~~ shoot comes.

I'm no expert in this, nor in photography. I'm still learning in both fields, not to mention, trigger happy ako. :D That being said, these are the best (I think) that I have..

..from my first lomo field trip, Tagaytay:

..from a trip to Binondo / Manila / Harbour Square:

..and from assorted shots taken to finish up the rolls:

Gallery: Office Sunset

2007-09-08T18:29:00.001+08:00

It's a Saturday and I am sitting here in my desk, in the office. Sometimes I wonder what I need to pull myself together to extend my working hours when the FIRM doesn't really offer any overtime pay.

A friend once asked me, "what keeps you sane from all the demands of your work?"

I didn't know what to answer then. But now, I think I know what. It's these rare moments that I get to catch an opportunity to take a good picture.

Sorry, My Ears Got in the Way!

2007-09-02T20:03:00.001+08:00

I am a regular customer of David's Salon in Glorietta. I came in today to get my hair done plus have my nails cleaned. Since I am a regular, I was hoping I'd catch the service of a Benjie. I prefer Benj for a handful of reasons, if not a lot. We have been friends since '97 and he has been doing my hair for two years now. Ever since he started cutting my hair I have never questioned nor complained with his service and style.

But due to a seminar that he was attending, Benj was out for the weekend. I was in dire need of a haircut, so I decided to take the risk and opt to have another stylist do my hair. I know that I don't have the most wonderful hair in the world. But I expect the same kind of service that is being given to me by Benj. I know the price I pay is not really that much compared to the likes of Tony & Guy, etc. But for a simple haircut that I just had, I think I should have just settled for a haircut by the barbershop that will only cost 40 freaking pesos.

Anyway, a GIRL stylist was assigned to do my hair. She asked me what I wanted and I tried explaining to her in detail what's in my head. When she started cutting, it felt like her hands were unsure of what she was doing. I have always been serviced by male stylists and whenever they touch my hair, I feel through their hands that they know what they are doing. This time, it was different. There's a feeling of uncertainty in her moves and in her hands. I tried shrugging it off, and thought that it's just her style of cutting hair. Just like what my mom would say, magaan lang ang kamay nun.

While she was cutting my hair, for some obscure reason that might have come from heaven, or maybe from hell, my ears decided to get in the way of her scissors to get cut. SORRY NAMAN!

I have regular-sized ears and I don't see any freaking reason why it would have got in the way of her scissors. If I am not mistaken, she tried calling her assistant (whom she kept on dismissing whenever they try to wait on her) to help her out, not in a way related to my haircut or styling hair but to actually hold a cotton ball and apply pressure in my ears to stop it from bleeding while she tries to finish doing my hair. GREAT.

I was so pissed that I wanted to get the haircut done as soon as possible. She tried doing some small talk but I couldn't help but flash a sharp stare at her conveying how pissed I am with her service. I should have gotten her name but I wasn't able to because I wanted to get out of the salon as soon as possible before I could have shaved shaved off her hair or maybe snip off her ears as well.

I used to get a good service in the salon when Benjie used to do my hair. And I don't expect a degradation of service when I am attended to by a different stylist. SH*T!

I CAME TO THE SALON TO GET MY HAIR CUT BUT NOT MY EARS.

Falling off the Calendar.. sort of

2007-09-01T16:10:00.001+08:00

Deciding to be a little different this year, I was able to convince myself not to plan anything on the only day I know I should feel special. I thought that a day without complications, a day free from the worries of work, a day I can allot for myself is all but enough to make and complete my special day. I wanted it to be quiet this time. I wanted it to be tamed.

My day started just like a normal day. Occasional text messages and phone calls didn't bother me and just made me think that everything is going as I planned.

As I was happily slouching in the sofa watching TV.. watching the The Da Vinci Code over at HBO, I received a text message from Pam telling me and apparently the entire gang to meet up for some snacks over at Conti's Serendra. Well, I just saw Pam, Jill and Fifi. But yeah, what the heck.. They're busy with work. I still get to see them sometime during the week.

Pam and the others were bugging me about my plans for the night and I never got tired of telling them that I didn't have any plans at all. Well, giving to a little peer pressure, I decided, fine.. let's have a bowling party tonight. Mozzie had a gig that night and I have to put my bowling party right after their gig since it was the gig that came first on their schedule.

After Conti's, I accompanied them to Chrie's clinic for their practice. While Mozzie was busy practicing their repertoire for the night, I busied myself browsing the net through Chrie's laptop and um.. very reliable one-bar-signaled-don't-ya-dare-move Wi-Fi service. :D

After their practice, Pam and Jill rushed out to head off to Pam's office to drop off some work. Since they were done practicing, the laptop I was starting to get too accustomed to, was seized back by it's owner. As our dentist started getting busy with her laptop, I was time to entertain myself by exploring the clinic.

Getting tired from all that net surfing and clinic exploration, we all decided to get some dinner over at McDonald's, Greenbelt 1. For some reason, Greenbelt 1 got the vote since we were planning to getting some unlimited nacho's from Chilli's after we get our dinner. Tipid mode daw si Chrie.

So we drove off to McDonald's and tried hurrying up despite the sluggish movement in the streets because Fifi was apparently in dire need of the little girl's room. I walked with Fifi to McDonald's to go get and find her moment with the little girl's room.

After I tried pointing out the restroom to Fifi, for some reason there's this function room in McDonald's that caught my attention. I saw Rollie bouncing around and trying to take pictures. I was so curious that I decided to approach him and make a little detour. I was really that curious to know what brings Rollie to Makati. When I tried opening the door, a big SURPRISE!!! couple with a lot of flashes from holga's, fisheye's and all sorts of cameras greeted me.

I saw some of my most priced friends plus some new found friends from LomoManila in the room wearing party hats with all but GUR and TI written in them. The room wasn't jam packed, but it sure did paint a pretty big smile on my face. These guys decided to throw me a surprise party. And that blew me away.

It was a ton of unadulterated fun. Games filled our night coupled with a ton of jokes and laughter. Sprinkle that with a lot of lap sitting, kissing and hugging. And you have a perfect recipe for a fun-filled night. Well, it's a bunch of grown-ups doing a kiddie party. What would you expect?!

I wished for one thing last year -- it is to celebrate my birthday in a different way, like spending it in a different country like I did before (I was in Canada then). I thought I'd feel happy feeling privileged enough to travel (for free) and celebrate it somewhere else if not lavishly. Sometimes, I do forget that I am already privileged enough to be surrounded, cared for and loved by the wonderful people around me. I can't put it any simpler, but, thank you!

Thank you Pam, Jill, Ram, Chrie, Fifi, Jason, Giles, Rollie, Eric, Francis, Anna, Zoe, Marge, Mark, Elaine for the fun filled night.. Thank you!!!

Gallery: Loop Holes

2007-08-31T02:36:00.001+08:00

After so much thinking and so much consideration of Jill's advice, I got myself a Nikon D40x. I finally got a DSLR after salivating for it for a couple of months. I was pretty anxious to put my DSLR to test and I don't think it failed me.

The team building over at Enchanted Kingdom gave me a couple of opportunities to put my new toy to the test. I'm a newbie and images like these just make me want to shoot some more.

Uh Yeah, team building..

2007-08-31T01:31:00.001+08:00

Last Saturday, my team's 9-month long team building preparation has finally materialized. One wouldn't consider this as a team building anymore, but a team event. We didn't get to hire an event's planner since we didn't really have a budget for that. Though that the case maybe, everyone was very much excited. Who wouldn't be so excited about something that has been planned up to it's single detail?

Destination: Enchanted Kingdom. PFFFT!

I was very excited for my day in EK.

A 9-month long preparation and with almost 3-4 months worth of team building budget is all but a day in Enchanted Kingdom. That's like a thousand and one ways to enjoy in the park, if you haven't been there since it's opening way back a ~~couple~~ dozen of years ago.

Everything looked pretty much the same after a decade or so. The grand carrousel greets visitors upon their entry. The benches are still located where they are 2 or three years ago since my last visit. The big big big Ferris Wheel still stands tall despite the numerous typhoons that has come our way. Nothing really changed. Nothing really new.

I thought the idea of being in the park for a team building is all what I'll have for the day. That thought was already enough for me to worry all day. I didn't really need any consolation for my day's fate. But it seemed the weather felt my disappointment and decided to sympathize with me.

That's it. It was a perfect team building. :X

The overcast sky grew darker by the minute.

Despite what was about the come our way,
they planned how they'd conquer EK.

My teamlead is a big fan of bump cars. She has this thing for getting in front of the wheel to drive and bump people. That being said, that was our first stop. Still, the bump cars failed to raise my excitement level. Add to that the rain that started pouring while we were having our ride. I can just imagine how icky we'd all feel after the rain.

So as not to waste our time in the park, we thought of trying out the covered attractions. Next stop, Rialto. Compared to the other attractions, Rialto offered something new. A new movie to rock your seats with. My teammates got a little adventurous by not wearing seatbelts during the film showing. My teammate was telling us about someone who fell from his seat in Rialto because he didn't have his seatbelt on. We thought that we try out what this guy did and try to figure out if either of us would fall off from his seat. Well, no one fell. Boooo. Just like before, the theatre's rocking chair just made me dizzy.

We all thought that the time we have spent queuing up and in the rides will make the rain stop. To our dismay, it just kept on raining. Getting from one attraction to another required us to walk under the rain. Good thing though, I was the only one who has a camera and I got the privilege of using the sole umbrella the team has. :D

Since everyone started getting wet, they decided to get well all the way by trying out one of the "wet" attractions -- Log Jam. I wasn't in the mood to get wet. Again, thanks to my camera, I got an excuse not to get wet!

I decided to watch the rain moisten the grounds
of the park.

I thought a doze of my favorite snack will cheer
me up. But it didn't.

Everyone pretty much got wet. Since it was still raining and most of the rides stopped operation, we didn't have any choice to stay put and wait for our other teammates before trying out the other rides in the park. When they all came, it was Ferris Wheel time.

Wala pa ring excitement.

My excitement was overflowing.

I thought I just drop by some experts.
Maybe they can give me some tips.

It wasn't until a couple of my teammates invited me to join them in trying out the Go Kart track and the ATV course. At first, I thought it was just going to be the three of us. The next thing I knew, everyone was on their feet to try out what the three of us had in mind.

Good thing though, the park has an ongoing promo that covers the two attractions. Normally, each attraction would cost around 200 per ride. For the price of Php 300, one can have a ride on both attractions.

We geared up as we discussed the rules of our race.

Even my manager was excited to try out the ride.

I sped off the moment I sat in the kart.

The attraction-combo pretty much made my day. Well ok, the Go-Kart pretty much made my day. Nothing else really mattered to me but the Go-Karts. My thirst for speed was all that needed pacifying for me to have fun..

We pretty got off the attraction-combo by night fall. And everybody was pretty much famished from all the chasing we had over at the Go-Kart track and the bumpy ATV trail. People were planning of heading to Tagaytay for dinner. One said that it would be nice to eat in a restaurant over looking Taal Volcano. In my head, I was thinking.. Um.. Gabi na, wala namang makikita sa Taal. Unless they have installed lighting fixtures to light up Taal. LOL. We ended up eating at the restaurant / cafeteria inside EK.

Almost everyone got pretty much the same food:
Chicken + Java Rice + 1 Side Dish

Dinner at the cafeteria pretty much capped our night. A quick look at the fireworks and we decided to call it a night.

The team. Well, those who were left.

Ending Up In Paper

2007-08-13T02:01:00.001+08:00

Philippine Daily Inquirer, SUPER.
11 August 2007, Section D1

Just when my Mt. Pinatubo madness starts subsiding, someone decided to make it a point that none of us, neither the masses would forget our experience..

Yeap, I didn't expect Pam would chronicle our trip, our fun-tabulous experience in paper. Well, good thing that the picture they used was um.. flattering. Come to think of it, decide to climb a mountain and the next weekend, you'd find your face in the paper's lifestyle section! How bad can that ever be?! Oh, just make sure you have Pam with you. LOL.

I used to buy the paper to just read what's in it, but I have never been this excited to read what Pam has got to say regarding our experience. Well, needless to say, it is yet again one well written work from Pam! :D

Conquering Pinatubo -- Part II

2007-08-12T23:38:00.000+08:00

The trek up the crater of the volcano was all but a portion of the fun that I have anticipated. The spectacular view of the crater bunched up with (as Pam wrote it) a comedy cast of trekkers were all but enough to tell oneself that the trek/trip was worth one's while.

Everyone's impulse was to rest when we arrived. But not after a couple of minutes or so, most of us were back on their feet roaming around with their cameras. Everyone just want to get every single opportunity to take a good picture of the volcano's magnificent crater before nightfall. Because by nightfall, everyone know's what's going to happen -- socials.

Mt. Pinatubo's Crater

Mark, Ti Moune & Pumba

The crater before nightfall, taken at ISO 400.

Aside from the socials, I have been looking forward with how and what our dinner would look and taste like. In our pre-climb meeting, our dinner menu was Chicken Teriyaki, Pork Liempo, served with corn and carrot nibblets. No one really brought stuff for this but our guides. San ka pa, guides na cook pa namin! I was pretty adamant that it would taste nothing far from anything that I usually have in the city. Obviously, I am no outdoor person. But to my surprise, minus the um.. presentation, it was one heck of a meal!

Dinner is served:
pork liempo (top left),
chicken teriyaki (top right),
corn & carrot nibblets (bottom left)

As soon as everyone got their fill, we cleaned up and let our guides eat their dinner before we all gather around for the second time for socials. Honestly, I don't get it why they call it socials. LOL. The truth is, inuman lang naman ang ginawa namin. But yeah, I'm pretty sure there are other stuff that happen during socials in other groups other than diving and swimming in booze. For one, I have a colleague who holds their socials with um.. group presentations. Kung doon sila masaya, edi sige lang. Basta alam ko, kahit inuman lang ang ginawa namin, masaya ~~ako~~ kami. :D

In the tent, Chrie and me waiting for the
socials to begin.

Michelle (left) seems anxious for the socials to begin.

Ruby and I both had a couple shots of gin.

More shots were passed around.
Look at Fifi's (left) facial expression --
"I am so happy to be here!!"

Ms. Suplada and Felice

Double exposure c/o Rollie.

Alkie's unite and tipsy -- Rollie and me.

Lasing na po kami.

In as much as I would like to put into writing everything that has happened after the last picture above was taken, wala akong magagawa. Everything that happened after that picture were all but a blur and um.. things I'd like to forget. Ruby, Chrie, Fi, ok, all the other trekkers were witness to that. :)

In the morning, when everyone was sober, Mark, Rollie, Zoe, Chill, Ruby, Chill and I decided to pay the cater lake a visit. Well, it wasn't all a visit for both Mark and Rollie. The two dove into the water to a have a good dip in the lake.

The inviting morning extended the lake's
invitation to take a dip.

That's um.. Me, Zoe, Chill, Rollie and Mark.

Boats were free to use. But we didn't get to use 'em.
They were all being held up together by a chain.

Chrie celebrating her first pee in the wild.

Soon, we found ourselves on the way back to camp to eat breakfast, pack-up and head down the mountain. Compared to our 4hour trek up, we were quite surprised that we were able to trek down in 2 hours. I think the rain pretty much helped us along the way. Half way through our trek down, drizzles turned into rain. I was listening to my iPod when it started raining. I was forced to secure my iPod in a Ziploc so as to prevent the rain from ruining it. It pretty much continued raining until we were just a couple of minutes away from our pick-up point. Sooner than we I expected, we were on our 4x4's again heading back to town.

All 11 of us who conquered Mt. Pinatubo (minus the guides)
were 20mins away from our pickup point.
Photo c/o Jill Lejano

My shoes swell open on the trek up.
I had to wear sandals on the way down.

I was tired, but I kept on shooting pictures of
those I don't get to see and experience everyday.

Manong driver seemed in a hurry to get us to town.

A late lunch of hot Pork Sinigang at 3pm pretty much made my day. It eased out all the pain I had on my feet. Add to that a clean shower which we had deprived ourselves from the previous day. It was 5pm and I remember it was getting dark when we were all ready to leave.

After a 45minute jeepney ride heading downtown, we found ourselves back to where we started our trip: McDonald's Tarlac. It was just a couple of hours after we had lunch and we were all lining up again at the counter to buy dinner. Not that we didn't like the pork sinigang, it's just that we all just needed some reserves that would be good to last for the rest of the trip home.

Comedy Cast of Mt. Pinatubo @ McDonald's Tarlac for dinner
Photo c/o Jill Lejano

I'm pretty much a newbie with these things -- trekking, camping and all -- but I don't think I have seen the last of me packing my stuff for the outdoors. It's only now that I start to realize that fun doesn't end where civilization does. It would be nice to know how far this "fun" will take me from here.

Last bus ride home beside Ruby

Thank you Jill!

Para Sa Iyo Ito

2007-08-09T23:53:00.000+08:00

It was February 3, 2007. Sunday. We only have seen each other for three times for less than 24 hours. I remember vividly how the television’s glare lit up your dark room. We were on your bed. I was laying on my back staring at the ceiling, thinking. You were laying on your side with your head supported by your left hand while you were looking at me. I was laying there scouring my rusty memory trying to figure out the correct answer to your question..

          “Kapag nasagot mo tanong ko, ibig sabihin,
                             ikaw na talaga. Sige nga, kelan birthday ko?”
                    “August 21?”

“Hinde. Sige, isa pang try.”
“Umm.. August 10?”

“Ano ba, August 7.”

Je jamias obtenu la droite de réponse.
Je pensai que je me se sourvins la date dorénavant.

Je ne rappelle pas des dates.
Je ne rappelle pas des conversations.
Je rapelle seulement des moments; en chaque détail de lui.

You’ve come a long way. No matter how clueless I am of it right now, I am pretty sure a lot of blessings has come your way –- I wish that you are continuously showered with them, non-stop. It would have been fun to celebrate your birthday with you, but for sure the people who love and care for you won’t fail making it a blast.

Vous passerez seulement votre vignts-sept ans une fois..
Appréciez et fairrez le chaque moment de dépassement compte..

je manque tout au sujet de vous. I wish I could be there with you..
..but I know I have to let you go.

joyeux 27ème anniversaire, RED!

Conquering Pinatubo

2007-08-07T18:37:00.001+08:00

It took all just an invitation from a sheltered girl to get myself out of the comforts of civilization and head out to try the outdoors. Honestly, I never thought that this plan would materialize. I never thought I would ever do camping. I never thought I would say YES to this invitation with all but a pat on the back. But I did.

Kaladkarin nga naman.

For starters, the beautiful Jill Lejano chose the best trail for us -- Mt. Pinatubo. It all began on a Saturday morning at the 5 Star bus station in Cubao. All 15 campers (wow, camper na tawag ko sa sarili ko), were patiently waiting for the next bus ride headed for Tarlac.

We disembarked in Tarlac and had our breakfast over at McDonald's. Jill and the others were teasing Ruby to buy us breakfast. They argued that since she was the last person to arrive at the meeting place, buying us breakfast is her punishment. Nothing really happened in that conversation. We all ended up buying food for ourselves. Anywho, not long after we had our fill, we all jumped into a van to take us to this town where we our next ride awaits. Before we totally heading out far from civilization, most of us took the opportunity to complete our gear for the trek -- water.

"Bakit corporate look ka pa rin?" -- Pam

Camping newbies (except for Pam).

Pam all set with her FishEye 2 cam.

Fifi looking all groovy and ready for the ride.

Soon to be bride, Michelle, pouts for the cam.

Jill gives her version of a pout.

All set and ready for ride, the three 4x4's sped off away from the borders of civilization. 15 campers. Three 4x4's. A long bumpy ride. One fantastic experience.

Leader One's 4x4 lead the pack to the middle of nowhere.

A stream slowed them down giving us time to catch up.

Chrie gives manong driver a thumbs up for a job well done.

It felt like I was in a movie car chase watching
Leader One's 4x4 trailing behind us.

Streams kept slowing down everyone.

But not us. We kept on going and going..

..until we're in the company of all but sand and dust.

.. of lahar mountains.

..of cattle transplanted away from their barns.

..and of lahar graffiti.

We rendezvoused erm.. in the middle of nowhere to catch our bearings. A stopover would mean one thing. Pictures!!

Leader One's 4x4 came right next after us.

..Together with all our camping guides.

Chubby. Cuddly. Round. But still beautiful Jill.

The other 4x4 pulled in a couple of minutes after.

A couple of chitchat brought us all back to our 4x4's for the final 15-20minutes of ups and downs on the unforgiving terrain. But who cares? It wasn't going to end there. It was just the beginning. We disembarked at our drop off point at the foot of a small hill with a flight of stairs on it's side leading to God knows where. We all took our lunch on site and made the preparations for the trek.

Ruby and I getting ready for the trek.

Up the stairs we went.

It was a hike on the side a small hill.

After the climb, we found ourselves heading
down, preparing to brace the waters of the stream
that cuts through the terrain.

Taking a break from the trek with first time
campers Fifi and Chrie.

The terrain was good enough to accommodate us.
That's lahar in the background.

Pam and Jill trailing behind the pack.

Sometimes the terrain was good to us.

Sometimes it's a little cruel.

Leveled ground led us to the mountains' slopes.

The slopes became steeper and steeper.
It felt like it wasn't going to end.

Jill estimated that the trek should be around 2 hours. But it took us 4 hours before we reached our destination. My feet were sore and all wrinkled because of wet shoes and socks. Ruby dropped her stuff and slumped herself on the floor to rest. Pam came in with a grumpy look and immediately laid down to rest her aching back.

Most of us can barely lift their feet. Some were tired. Some were perky. Some were famished from the trek. But no one really cares. It was all worth it. The source of destruction is now a place of beauty. Enough said.

Crater of Mt. Pinatubo.

Gallery: Have You Scene It?

2007-08-01T03:58:00.001+08:00

I bought this DVD-Board game, Scene It, which is a trivia game all about movies.

I own the game and it has been two years since I bought it.. and I have never won a single game!

Hanggang game master lang ako.. :D

Field Demonstration

2007-08-01T02:57:00.001+08:00

I remember when I was still in elementary school, we would have this Field Demonstration Days. Each grade school batch would be preparing their group numbers to showcase to their guests, erm.. their parents.

I can just remember how the grade school batch would rehearse under the heat of the scorching sun with each student holding his props while the batch choreographer holds this megaphone shouting and counting to the beat so as the students can do their respective movements. If I can remember it correctly, one time I had a sombrero hat as a prop then I had the this meter-long, maybe two, stick (which I think I have hit myself with) the following year.

It sure was fun to see a lot of kids holding their props with their costumes dancing to a tune. Well, after all, we they are kids. They could care less. I thought I have seen the last of those field demos.. Right now, I'm not so sure about it.

Prison inmates do Thriller

Two FUN-tabuluos Weekends

2007-07-31T23:53:00.000+08:00

Two Saturdays ago, my sober nights ended when Mozzie started accepting gigs again. Mozzie graced Route 196 with their presence and their (as always) outstanding performance. It was that Saturday when I first saw Mozzie play with their new sessionistas, Francis and Che. Mozzie sounded good when they were 4, now that they're 6, they sound even better!!

Ruby and me patiently waiting for Mozzie to play

Ruby, pa-sweet. Giff, patiently waiting.

Ruby, the patient. Giff, still patiently waiting.

Fifi tried to keep her composure while she waits
for their turn to play.

Chrie poses for the cam to hide her excitement.

Excitement soon breaks out of control in Fifi.

The breakout affected Che. Chrie still tries to
keep her composure intact.

Pam graces the audience with their new song "Shut It".

Fifi was so sizzling hot that night everyone was
taking pictures of her.

Mozzie raps up their set with the ever ear lingering
Bolgia Six.

"I have been sober for weeks now."

*****

Vida de Malate was on it's knees when a couple of bands together with their erm.. groupies literally rocked the house with their music and a lot of ~~bouncing~~ dancing.

Last Saturday, although Mozzie had a gig in Vida de Malate, I was at the verge of deciding not to go. I was in dire need of someone to ~~go with~~ rescue me from laziness but I was not sure who were coming. I could have SMS'd some friends, but for some reason my hands just wouldn't want to grab hold of my phone. Upon receipt of J's SMS asking me about my plans for the night, I was on my feet preparing for the long night ahead together with Mozzie.

J and I arrived at half past 10 in the bar where we met up with our other friends and of course, Mozzie. Pam and Fifi were jumping around like bunnies hugging me and J when we saw them. With my relationship with Pam, her attempt to take my shirt off was all but an act of affection rather than that of harassment. I soon saw Jill who was sitting by the table giving me a nod and an offer to drink up a bottle of everyone's best friend for the night, Red Horse. Marge was standing by another table opening her arms to me offering a hug saying, Hello. Add to that a warm-welcome-"beso" from Ruby coupled with more hugging and more harassment from Pam and Fifi. Well, if that wasn't the most tiresome welcome I had, it definitely was one hell of a warm welcome.

Mobster Manila played and warmed up the crowd since they started playing their first song. Pam and Fifi were dancing like crazy in front of the band when Jill found out that it was hell fun to dance waaaay at the back. It didn't take too much time before everyone drunk was there. ~~Jumping~~ Having fun.

Mozzie played 6 songs and everyone just kept asking for a couple more after the last one was played. They sang three additional songs which I think they really came prepared with.

We called it a night after we had our stop at Hap Chang where I had this giant bowl of corn soup with quail eggs. The medium-sized bowl was waaay to much for me which in fact I was planning to order the large bowl. Although it was one of those nights that I didn't get drunk after leaving a bar, I think I got drink with too much soup to take.

It was a fun night altogether. One, I saw my friends. I had one warm welcome. Two, I heard Mozzie play. Third, I saw Jill drunk for the first time! Hehehe.. :D

Gallery: Ageless fun

2007-07-25T10:23:00.001+08:00

Kay sarap maging bata ulit..
paminsan-minsan. :D

So Yeah..

2007-07-24T11:58:00.001+08:00

Regina, pehiram muna lyrics ng kanta mo..

I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth
I have to go, I have to go

Enough said.

Gallery: Break In

2007-07-23T23:15:00.001+08:00

Once in a while, things in my head just disappear in a snap without even leaving a trace. It's as if someone just gets into my head and takes these thoughts away from me. Sana minsan yung mga ayaw mo na lang maisip ang mawala. Ang kaso, hinde.

Simpsonized

2007-07-23T18:09:00.001+08:00

Friday proved to be one lazy day for me as I spent the entire day at home. That all changed when I got an invite from Pam to catch the advance screening of The Simpsons, the Movie.

The movie isn't really that much of a big thing for me compared to Transformers, but the Simpsons was a part of my childhood. Seeing the longest running cartoon series on TV makes its movie debut is a chance I won't miss given the chance to see it. But like I said, I wasn't that ecstatic to see it.

It just brings back memories of me seeing the Simpsons air on RPN9 at around 8 or 9pm. I remember, I was even doing my shop projects in front of the TV so as not to miss out a single episode. It's a little nostalgic seeing how all the characters have stayed ageless -- Bart, still supporting that um.. spiky hair. Lisa is still this studious girl, Marge still has the tower of Piza hair-do, Homer.. um. yeah, Homer. Come to think of it, it's only Maggie who has grown.. She can now walk long distances, and yes, she gets to speak a word. YAY! Well, that took like 10 years for the producers to think about. LOL.

Now that I am ~~old~~ busy enough to keep myself from catching an episode, the series just continues to go on and on delighting some other kids. Well, the movie just delighted me that I found out in downloadsquad that I can try creating my own Simpsons avatar.

Ok, I tried. I just don't think it was an exact resemblance of me. Kasi naman yung Simpsonizer site eh down. When it gets back up, I wonder how'd they'd depict me. I wonder how'd they depict my friends! :D

Keeping it Warm

2007-07-23T17:06:00.001+08:00

Two Saturdays ago, my sober nights gave me the chance to meet up some friends from theatre. I don't really get to see them very often and last Saturday was one of those chances I wouldn't be passing on.

The twins, Kate and Kinah, who used to live in Alabang, got a place in Makati. Although they really haven't fully decorated the place, I think the two have already settled. Now, it was time a house warming party. :D

Me with Kate when I arrived at 11pm.

Benjie and GA taking advantage of the cam
and the beautiful paint the twins have on
their dining room.

Buster, whom we called Booster and thought
was gay 'coz he kept on humping me, Benjie's
and GA's foot.

The twins tried inviting as much people from our theatre group but only a handful of guests arrived. But it was still fun.

A shot with Bea while she's only a bit tipsy.

Every one got a tour of the house's second floor where the twin's room are. Kate's room was small and cozy and Kina's room was erm.. huge. I really don't understand how Kina got her's. Maybe because she's a couple of minutes older than Kate! Well, what the heck, it's their house. Hehe.. While every one smoked their fill of cigarettes over at Kina's veranda, I was left erm.. taking more pics not to mention getting my fill of gossip from GA.

A beautiful piece at the Kina's veranda.

We moved the party back to the living room (and dinning room) where people started goofin' off in front of the cam. No thanks to alcohol that was starting to take it's effect on us.

Bea cuddling the (now) chubby GA.

Bea and Benjie get's all OC arranging the bags.

(L-R) Giselle, sober. Me, tipsy. Bea, Drunk.

It became pretty much interesting when Bea and Kinah got into this heated debate about erm... MEATBALLS! Yeap, meatballs, gawd!

"Can you like at least just let those people
who want meatballs cook the meatballs
themselves?!?!"

It was so intense that only GA's loud-as-a-sonic-boom snore could stop them..

"What?! It wasn't me."

I maybe sober with Mozzie, but I don't think not with alcohol. This is bad.

Yeah, right! :D

Penn Me a Night

2007-07-20T19:25:00.000+08:00

I was supposed to meet up with Pam, Fifi, Chrie, Jill and Jason for a sober Friday night. But because of some work at the FIRM, I was held hostage for a few hours beyond the agreed meeting time. Obviously, I arrived late.

The gang was eating dinner over at Isshin hear Dusit Hotel. Even though I am so anxious to order food, I passed on the opportunity to do so because all of 'em were done eating. I don't want them to wait for me while I eat. Besides, I'm so not comfortable being watched at while eating a full meal.

The gang soon decided to grab a few sips of coffee over at our favorite Starbucks branch in Makati -- 6750. Since it was a Friday night and as expected it was full of people. This brought us in considering the option of having coffee, fine.. desserts, over at Manila Penn.

It was an over kill, but yeah.. we used to do desserts over at the Penn way back when Starbucks 6750 was under renovation. Pa-minsan-minsan lang naman. :)I tried having dinner (ang mahal ha! duh, hotel!) at The Lobby while the others ordered their fill of desserts. Jason got a vanilla milkshake. Fifi got some cake and coffee. Chri had her erm.. tea? I dunno. I forgot. While Pam.. Pam ordered the biggest dessert I've seen so far. It was a 16 ice cream scoop dessert layered with fruits and topped with marshmallows with two scoops of sherbet and a chocolate violin on top with wafer sticks sticking on the side.

Well, Pam didn't finish everything by herself. She needed our help to suck all those in. We had fun eating what she ordered. But I had fun looking how delighted she was upon seeing the dessert we were going to enjoy. :D

Palawan, in my Head - Part II

2007-07-20T17:25:00.000+08:00

Ryan and I tried booking our trip to Dos Palmas from Last Frontier Dive. Apparently, it's the same tour company our hotel, Niko's Cabanas, is working with. With a little help from them we were able to confirm our reservation. The resort is nice, the staff are friendly and hospitable, I'm definitely looking forward for another stay with them.

Anyway, early Friday morning, Ryan and I were on our feet preparing for the trip to Dos Palmas. We have been advised that a service from Dos Palmas will be passing near the hotel to pick us up. Call time at the pick up point was 6:30am.

I have been trying to get Ryan out of the room but he kept on arguing that people from the tour will call the hotel to inform us that they're already there. It was 7am. It was almost 8am and we haven't received a single call yet. Obviously, something got lost in translation.

I tried calling the tour company to confirm and figure out if the service for Dos Palmas has already passed by our hotel. Well, they did. At 6:45am. And we weren't there. So Ryan and I got into this discussion trying to point the finger at this someone who made us miss the service. Nose bleed ako dun. Talo ako sa ingles. Grrr. No one really won. It was our fault. But anyway, thankfully, the staff of Last Frontier Dive tried arranging a (speedy) ride for us heading to the port where we are supposed to grab the boat going to Dos Palmas. Finally, we're really on our way to the beach! Yay!

It was going to be a 45min ride to the island. And yeah, it would have been hell for me if it was a bumpy ride. Thank God it wasn't.

The boat's roof clad in life vests.

Ryan wore his life vest the moment
he sat on the boat.

The boat orienting its bow towards the bay.
At 8am, its a pretty gloomy morning.

We're all set for the 45min. boat ride.

The boat soon gathered speed.

We spotted manong doing his morning chores
checking his fishes.

This was the first habited island we saw.
We thought this was it.

20minutes more, beautiful cottages started
appearing in sight. Apparently, they're the
beach villas of Dos Palmas.

Dead ahead were cottages, on right side of the
island, rain clouds started manifesting themselves.

We soon caught sight of the resort's bay villas.

The boat slowed down as we approached the dock.

The welcoming committee awaits us:
Staff holding our complimentary drinks and
erm.. a some music played by the staff :D

When we docked, we were ushered to the briefing room which was just beside the grand hall where they hold their buffet. We have been told that for the day tour price that we have paid, Php 1800.00, we are entitled to the free use of the beach, snorkeling equipment, kayaks and of course the lunch buffet. All the other facilities/services will need fees from us. Note that the pool isn't allowed for us. For the resorts errm, checked-in guests lang daw. Ah.. Ok.

Sounds fair to me. As soon as the briefing was over, Ryan and I headed out and tried looking for a cottage that we can use.

We settled down in this cottage to do our
planing. I really find it's ceiling interesting.

While planning, it started to rain.

It started with a light shower.

Then the heavy rain came. It just pissed Ryan off.

We parted ways, he got a massage while I
(leaving my things in the cottage)
went to get a dip in the beach..

..and roam around.

A little late in the afternoon, the skies started
to clear. We can finally have some fun! YAY! :D

Since Ryan has been pushing me for snorkeling, I gave in. We suited up (i.e. life vests on) and grabbed our gear from this little shack and headed out to sea, errr.. bay, whatever. Well, since I didn't have the underwater cam with me, I don't have the pics. I have yet to get those pictures from him. Anyway, after snorkeling, we checked our watches, and it was time for us to prepare for departure. Booooo. Yeap, There goes my 1,800. It all just went... POOF!! No thanks to the weather!! Grrr..

A look back at the bay villas before boarding
the boat back to the city.

An inviting afternoon asking me to stay.
Babalikan kita, wag ka mag-alala!!

Gallery: Lost

2007-07-17T10:00:00.000+08:00

I can't help but feel lost and adrift at times. No matter how I stir my boat, I still end up in the middle of nowhere. Clueless of what to do.. of who I should be.. Clueless of who I am.

Gallery: Festive Support

2007-07-16T11:23:00.001+08:00

Sometimes, things around me just don't sink in instantaneously.. Just like how festive one's support for collegiate basketball can be.

Sober Nights

2007-07-16T11:05:00.001+08:00

Being sober isn't all about alcohol. It isn't about having alternative drinks, juice (for that matter), instead of alcohol. Nor it isn't even trying to get yourself preoccupied with some other things to keep yourself away from temptation (i.e. alcohol). For me, sober nights are when I don't get to have a fill of Mozzie.

For the past few ~~weeks~~ months, Mo zz ie has been busy with gigs here and there. And where Mozzie goes, we, the gr ou pi es follow. I would confess, that these gigs have started growing in me. Sure, for some gigs, they have sets where they sing songs that I have heard for countless times. But who cares, I don't. They can play their songs over and over in my head forever if they want to. One song's particularly playing in my head (and iPod) endlessly since Friday:

With a week that I have barely seen/heard the band play, I just can't help feel how lacking my weekend was. It felt bare. It felt lifeless (kasi walang ~~alcohol~~ Mozzie). It's quite a wait before I get to hear them play again. But until I do, I have to keep myself and my sanity together and make do with all the means I can entertain myself with like:

"So Bad" by Mozzie

Palawan, in my Head

2007-07-14T11:14:00.000+08:00

More than a month ago, I got the chance to visit the Philippine's last frontier, Palawan, with my friend Ryan. I have been anticipating the trip so much since that I have been desperately praying that the weather would cooperate with the trip. It was my first time to visit the place, and I wanted it to be perfect.

I had this picture in my mind about me in Palawan: A lot of grass.. A lot of trees.. more like of an African savannah that has gone Filipino style. I see myself riding this four-wheel-drive-mud-sticking-in-its-chassis vehicle watching the zebras roam and run around the field. Giraffes would then be spotted from afar stretching their necks trying to reach the leaves from the branches of this tall tree. Together with the zebras will be some mouse deer running in a herd as if being chased by some big predator. Yeap, sounds more like of National Graphic documentary to me.

Honestly, that is what I have in mind. I think I have been watching too much National Geographic and that kind of picture (expectation) got stuck in my head. Kulang na lang eh may Circle of Life song playing in the background, at nasa set na ako ng Lion King. Sure, Palawan has that kind of scenery lying somewhere. But I wasn't headed there. I was headed for it's capital, Puerto Princesa.

In a sunny Thursday morning, Ryan and I boarded Philippine Airlines flight PR195 going to Puerto Princesa. As soon as the plane took off, Ryan and I got busy..

Erm.. with our cams.

The flight was supposed to be an hour but after a couple of chitchat, a glance of our erm.. itsy-bitsy snack pouch, which didn't feel like a lot of time has passed, we started seeing some islands.

Sooner than I expected, the plane swiveled a little to the left, a little the right, and there it was, a smooth landing at the Puerto Princesa Airport. I always find it silly seeing and maybe knowing a ~~band~~ mosiko playing when some dignitary shows up in a particular place. I thought I'd never see myself in one. But I did. As soon as we got out of the plane, a band was playing in a corner of the airport. :D I was a little uncomfortable with it but it sure was an inviting and friendly gesture of welcoming us to Palawan. And all I heard from Ryan was, "That is nice.."

Aside from the lengthy wait for Ryan's ginormous bag, we got out of the airport in a breeze. Outside, our ride to the hotel, Niko's Cabannas, was waiting for us.

Ryan and I were only planning to stay for two nights. And our mid-morning arrival in Palawan didn't give us much time to do something else. Most of the island tours start in the morning and doing them in the afternoon wouldn't be a good idea. Since we had a couple of hours to kill before night fall, we decided, together with the friendly hotel staff, to just go on a city tour. But first, we have to get lunch somewhere in the city.

We sped off to KaLui for lunch.

Wood-carving of KaLui greeted us by the door.

The fountain's rocky bottom.

Wind chimes adorning the edges of the
restaurant's roof were greeting us, "Welcome!"

I wasn't allowed to wear my flip-flops inside.

Everyone else joined me go barefoot.

Helloooo, Momma!

The inviting table by the window was waiting.
I thought it was ours but it was for someone else.

A school of fish escaping the cook's wok
adorned the ceiling.

Clueless with what to order, we got the
house special, KaLui Special.

Ryan waited with his refreshing pinacolada.

I had a mango shake inviting me to jump in.

Erm, seaweeds were served as our appetizer.

After the appetizer was served, dish after dish poured into our table. I lost myself with what was served and didn't care about taking pictures anymore. My growling stomach took control of me and had me put down my cam. The next thing I know, it was time for dessert. Our dessert was a fruit salad topped with erm.. something sugary on top (gawd, i'm so bad with names) served on a coconut shell (err.. yun ba tawag dun?!).

A couple of minutes after we had our dessert, our tour guide arrived to pick us up from the restaurant. We thought we were the only people in the tour. But apparently, we were with some other people who were at the restaurant as well. Nothing left for us to do but wait and take pictures!

As soon as everybody was on, the tour began with a short drive around the province's capital, Puerto Princesa city. I wish I had taken pictures of it's beautifully decorated city hall. But I was tired, and a little sleepy to pick up the camera to point and shoot.

Driving a little far away from the city, we reached Plaza Cuartel. The guide mentioned something about the plaza being used as an escape route during the Japanese occupation in World War II. Honestly, I cannot remember anything the tour guide said. Not that the tour guide wasn't audible enough, it's just that my head was thinking of something else.. SLEEP.

Beside the plaza, was the Immaculate Cathedral. Good thing, someone took a good picture of it here.

It didn't take too long before everyone got tired of taking pictures, so we headed of to our next stop, the Crocodile Farm. The drive to the farm was pretty much interesting. Our surroundings started greeting us with tints of red in the trees.

We spend a pretty good deal of time in the crocodile farm looking at some of the crocodiles DENR was breeding. Lest that I forget that we had a pretty good exercise walking around the mini-zoo they had near the farm.

Our last stop was the humble butterfly farm.

Our little souvenir from the farm and tour: butterfly porn. :D

Even before we could have reached our hotel, the tour guide made a short detour to the house of the Mitra's sitting in one of the highest points in the city. The mansion has a pretty good view..

Before I could have even took pictures of the house, it was time to go. Bummer.

Our exhausting city tour was capped by a dinner in this restaurant downtown known as Kinabutch. Ryan and I pretty much ordered more than we could handle. We ended up ordering drinks, fine.. alcohol, to help us bring down what was left with what we have ordered.

After a shot of blowjob, a mai thai, and two screw drivers, I so tipsy that I can barely keep my eyes open. We decided to call it a night and dozed off to sleep as we rest and prepare for our long day in the pristine beach of Dos Palmas.

Phonebook Says

2007-07-10T23:26:00.001+08:00

Up until now, I am still trying to figure out how to answer this survey from J. While I try to figure that out, let me answer this one from Jason (again):

What's the color of your phone?
Black
Who’s the first person who comes under the letter M?
Maan, Katre's younger sister
Who’s the last person you called?
Jedd, a good friend
Who was your last missed call from?
Cel, a friend and former teammate / projectmate
Who’s the 2nd person who comes up under D?
Darwin Turaray, a high school classmate
Who’s speed dial number 2?
None. I haven't assigned anyone in this speed dial.
Who’s the third person who comes up under J?
Jacky, a former org mate from college
Who was your last received call?
Pam, Telling me she looked silly with her highlights
Who’s speed dial number 3?
None. All my speed dials are from keys 4 -6 only.
What is your background?
An animated wallpaper from Sony Ericsson that came with the phone
How many text messages do you have?
73 messages. 63 of which are protected/locked.
What does the fifth message in your inbox say?

"I would like to personally welcome you back to manila! I know you arrived already and late cuz I was tracking your flight. Heh"

It's the almost 9-month old text I received from Ryan (friend from the US), when I arrived in Manila after my 3-month work assignment in Canada.
Who’s the first person under B?
My mom. Well, my mom's name, err.. nickname, starts with a "B".
Who was your last text message from?
Pam
Name every person you have text messages from.
Currently, I have messages from Ryan, Starf**ker, Jedd, Pam, Mike, Fifi
Who’s the ninth person on your missed call list?
I only have 7 in my list. I guess the last person in the list will count:
Aris, a co-worker from the FIRM.
What does the sixth message in your Sent Folder say?

"Fine, fine.. Lol, I'm up. :) where were you this afternoon?"

Ryan was trying to wake me up by continuously messaging me in YM. Which actually reminds me, I forgot why I was looking for him the night before (his afternoon) which was actually midnight, Manila time.
Who’s the first name in your phonebook?
Abby, a teammate and co-worker from the FIRM
Who is the last name in your phonebook?
Zeny, a former co-worker from my first job
Do you have a camera phone?
Yes
Who is the last friend under G?
Hmm.. I'll be fair:
..kung friend from college, it's Giselle
..kung long time friend, it's Giles
What does the last text message in your inbox say?

"Titila yan promise patigilin ko."

A response from Pam after I told her that I am having a hard time getting cab from Mandaluyong going to Katipunan. I was supposed to watch their gig but because of the horrendous rain that poured earlier during the night, I need to skip their week-day gig, yet again.
Who is the second person under K?
Kathy, a former schoolmate from college
What is your ringtone?
An MP3 singing: "Hey your phone is ringing Hey Your phone is ringing Heeey.. Your phone is ringiiiing."

Friends nga Kami

2007-07-10T01:57:00.001+08:00

Cliché-ish as it may sound, friends do really tell something about yourself. At times, they give you an exact mirror image of yourself, of your reactions:

I write about getting distracted: "...I was trying to divide my attention between the great food and what LM was talking about..."

She reacts distracted as well:

cookiedoughjunkie: sabi ni jill si giff may date
cookiedoughjunkie: sabi ko saan
cookiedoughjunkie: so binasa ko
cookiedoughjunkie: sabay sabi ko
cookiedoughjunkie: awwww
cookiedoughjunkie: ay shet buffalo wings
gifaloo: lol
cookiedoughjunkie: nadistract ako
cookiedoughjunkie: LOL

Well yeah, we got distracted by the same thing: FOOD. :D

Overwhelmed with Attention

2007-07-09T23:42:00.000+08:00

Early in the morning, even before I have left the house for work, I received an SMS from a friend. Offering me a breather from what I have just posted. Who am I to say, NO? But of course, I said yes. :D

On my way down for lunch, I bumped into Tenten and Mike, my old projectmates. Tenten with her perky, no problem outlook in life started smiling at me and said, "Uy ha.. sino yun?" I pretended to draw a question mark on my face that but I know no matter how I try to hide it, she knows that I know what she's talking about. Later, I found out that she has spent a good amount of time in this blog. Maybe trying to salvage some clues who I was talking about here.

When I got back from lunch, I received several messages from Jill telling me how she love the new blog layout and that I am lucky enough to have spent my Saturday in Manila. One, I didn't have bug bites like they did. And two, I got a hug. Well, she's a hug addict, so yeah, my hug that night was a big deal. :D

Ruby, who didn't really say how much she liked the change I made, requested me to create a new banner for her blog as a sign of trust and belief in my abilities. It was sweet how she requested it: "Poksie, gawaan mo ako ng bagong header".

On the other hand, Giles commented how he liked what I did with my blog, with a side comment of "Haggard ako sa kanya, hindi ko alam gagawin ko". I thought he was reacting to what I posted. Nope, he was telling me his problem with his blog. LOL. :D

A First in A Long Time

2007-07-08T23:56:00.001+08:00

Ever since things went sour between me and RED, I haven't found myself in a real date. Most often than not, I would usually look for RED's traits with whomever I was out with. Well, mean as I am, I would start tuning myself out of the date whenever I have confirmed that RED's traits weren't in anyway possessed by my date. Obviously, I wasn't ready to go back dating yet.

A couple of weeks ago, I met LM in a place where "worthwhile" people are a rarity. Getting the inkling that LM was worth a try, I gave in. Sooner than I knew it, we have decided to go out on a date.

Yesterday, as I was contemplating on my ensemble for the night, I thought that I shouldn't give too much effort in preparing for the date. For all I know, it's going to end up like the others -- a disaster.

While I was dressing up, it started raining. It was as if the weather was telling me that ugly things were up ahead. But I shrugged off that thought and hurriedly got into my clothes and into a cab to meet up with LM.

Before meeting up, LM and I have decided that we'd be on a non-fancy date. I didn't have problems with that; I was on a budget and that setup definitely works for me. LM kept on mentioning something about this place in Katipunan, near Ateneo, that I am not really familiar with -- Flaming Wings.

We drove off to the place, and to my surprise, on a Saturday night, it was full of ~~people~~ students. Well it's sitting right in front of Ateneo, what can I expect?!

I would have thought it was disaster #1 for the night if not for the ~~good~~ great food that they serve, buffalo wings are their specialty. I learned from LM, who is a CCA graduate, that before regular chicken wings can be called buffalo wings, special sauces should be used in the recipe. This triggered LM to talk about sauces and marinades and mixes which gave me a hard time getting into the conversation. One, I really don't know anything about those things and two, I was trying to divide my attention between the great food and what LM was talking about. :D

A couple minutes more, the place quieted down. And I got the chance to talk and know LM a little bit more. After dinner, we decided to have a few sips of coffee. Even though Starbucks is just a couple of hops away, we drove off to Cafe Bretton in Tomas Morato for a more peaceful atmosphere. We chatted the night away with just a couple, maybe one or two instances finding ourselves in the ~~awkward~~ situation of a having nothing else to say. At the struck of midnight, we decided to call it a night.

From Tomas Morato, I could have just taken the cab to head home. But for some reason, I walked with LM towards where the car was. Inside the car, I got what I didn't expect: I heard LM utter the words "I had fun." coupled with a hug and a two kisses.

... on the cheek!

That pretty much made my night. And for the first time in months, I think I have enjoyed my date. And yeah, I think I had a real date.

*****

When I got home, I was already hoping for a second date with LM. I SMS'd and asked: Can I see you again?

LM replied: We'll see, Giff. =)

So, where do I stand? I don't know.

Changes, Changes and more Changes

2007-07-07T15:38:00.000+08:00

In a few hours, a colleague whom I was with in Canada a year ago, will be flying and landing in the US in the next 24hours. He is given another assignment: a 2-month US work assignment.

Honestly speaking, I am a bit saddened by the fact that I wasn't considered in another assignment such as this. Sure, I could try to come up with ridiculous reasons to pacify myself. I could even go ask the managers for answers. Will it be worth to ask if you already know that you'd receive a pre-fabricated answer?

Nah, I heard answers like that for several times already. Hearing another one of those answers will just make me sick.

*****

My team has already prepared for the time when two of our priced resources will be utilized by another client engagement. It came as a surprise to me that one of the new resources that just got in the team would be leaving us as well. Not that the resource is going in an out-of-the-country assignment. But it's because the resource's skills aren't needed anymore by the team (so they say).

I was a bit concerned how the resource will be notified and when this resource's last day will be. She said, he was notified through email, and his last day was yesterday.

Funny, the resource went home last Thursday knowing that he is in a team where he can consider himself welcome, and at home. The following morning, it all vanished like a bubble. Now, tell me, the world isn't so cruel, huh?

The resource and I were working on something and since it was his last day, all he could do is hand me off whatever he has finished. No proper hand-off was made. All I received was an instant message: "Bossing pasa ko na sau work ko... Rolloff na ako."

Before I could even have said anything, he was gone.

*****

I have always loved going to any Mozzie gig. Most of the time, my attendance in every gig can be counted on. Well, just don't count the times I need to pass on a gig because I am being held hostage by work.

Hearing the news that Mozzie's percussionist was quitting came as a surprise. I'm not really part of the band but the news was daunting for me to accept. What's gonna happen to the Mozzie gigs? Is it the end of Mozzie?

The percussionist may be gone. But the gigs aren't over yet. Mozzie's gig in The Room Upstairs last night was a testament to that. I may have been drunk (oh dear), but I know it was once nice gig.

*****

Just when I heard Mozzie's percussionist broke off from the band, I heard two of my college friends deciding on tying the knot. We have long teased the couple that they should already jump into each other should the other proves to be insensitive about his/her feelings for each other. We all know that they do have feelings for each other, it's just that they kept on keeping it to themselves. After so much pushing and a truck-load of teasing, they got together and now they have decided to get married! YAY! :D

*****

Finally, I've completed it! I've completed redesigning the blog. It took me a good 2 months to finish it. Not that it was hard to do. It's just that I never found the drive and the inspiration to finish it. Well, nothing to worry about now, it's done!

j'ai eu assez, la partie deux

2007-06-12T23:46:00.000+08:00

"Ano ba naman, ilang beses ko na kasi sinabi seio na tigilan mo na yan. Kapag nagkita tyo, hindi lang kita sasampalin. Ingungudngod na kita. Eh values nyo pa lang hindi na aligned, papaano pa sa ibang bagay?"

"Hay nako, there a lot of fishes in the sea. Sa sobrang dami, pati sea horses at starfishes pwede mo na rin patulan."

Honestly, tama ang sinabi sa akin. Pero yeah, natawa ako dun sa sea horses and starfishes. Hehe..

Thanks, Katre!

My Take On The First Day

2007-06-05T23:36:00.000+08:00

If J had his take on the first day of classes, Well, so do I! LOL. Ok, fine. Gaya-gaya lang ako. Hehe.. Well like J, I am quite ready for it. Let me prove why.

I got ID pictures.

Books.

Notes.

Baon.

Vitamins.

Classmates.

Oh yeah, and the bully as well!!

A Third Eye of Some Sort

2007-06-03T23:09:00.001+08:00

Being lost as I am, I am pretty much interested in learning as much as I can in photography. A lot of people might have said that it's one expensive hobby but hell do I care about that!

But right now, err.. yeah, I care about that. I'm broke. I can't buy a good equipment. Good thing I knew Jill from Pam, and from Jill, I get to know Ruby, the giggly girl I met in Rock Ed's Keep Your Promises event.

Apparently, she has a nice cam.. A Canon Rebel XT. A cam that I have been eyeing to buy. But due to certain circumstances, I am forced to hold myself back.

Watch out Ruby. Nakikita mo ba ang Third "I" ko? As in Inggit?! Darating ang panahon nasa akin na yang cam mo! Hehehe.. :D

Mozzie and the Room Upstairs

2007-06-02T20:24:00.000+08:00

The free movie offered by the FIRM didn't pin me down for the night. Right after the ~~boring~~ screening of The Pirates of the Caribbean, I dashed off to The Room Upstairs where Mozzie was scheduled to play a set for the night.

I didn't expect that I would be able to catch Mozzie do their set. The invitation read: 9pm @ The Room Upstairs. It was 10:15pm and I just got in a cab. For some reason the cabbie driver felt the urgency I had. In the next 15 minutes, I was in the room upstairs looking for Mozzie.

When I arrived, I found Mozzie lounging in the far side of the room waiting for their turn. Thank God, they weren't done yet! With a lot of waiting time still to be done, it was time for us to get our fill of ~~alcohol~~ pictures.

Chrie vocalizes as Fifi gets her fill of wine.

The ~~handsome~~ beautiful Jill Lejano graces
the cam with a smile.

Ruby hysterically laughing her heart out
all through out the night.

Ram and Marge invades the gig.

Pam, a.k.a. the producer, troubled by the fact
I found one of her tickle points.

It was quite a wait before Mozzie got their chance to play. But what the hell, the wait was worth it -- Mozzie surely made it one of their best gigs ever! Pam brought down the ~~house~~ room to its knees when she started singing our most requested song: "Oh, Lumapit Ka." Good thing it didn't took too much effort from us to get Pam to sing it. :D

Movie Night: Pirates of the Caribbean III

2007-06-02T14:13:00.000+08:00

It's pretty late for me to have caught this movie. If not for the free screenings offered by the FIRM (quoted from Mike), I would have not decided to catch the movie. Last Friday was one of the FIRM's latter screenings, and since I would have a couple of people coming with me to watch it, I decided to sign-up.

And since it was pretty late for me to see the movie, I received mixed reviews both from a couple of friends and online sources. CNN's review of the movie is headlined with Even Depp can't save clogged 'Pirates'. MetaCritic rates the movie at 50 out of 100. Jason on the other hand mentioned how the movie's not worth a second round of screening when we (Pam, Chrie and Fifi) were thinking of catching the movie last Tuesday. Pat, my movie buff friend and teammate, has admitted whole heartedly how he got bored of the movie and that he enjoyed Spiderman 3's love angles more than that of what is in the movie. Surprisingly, a teammate of mine mentioned how she liked the movie. In all of the things that she said and tried arguing about, only one thing got stuck in my head "Magaling naman si Johnny Depp."

Uh.. Ok. I think that a good actor wouldn't make a movie good.

But yeah, I'd agree with her, Johnny Depp was damn good but like what CNN said, that wouldn't compensate how my ass fused with the movie theatre's seat covering. For one, the movie was 2.5 hours long and it was one hell of a drag. I'm a little disappointed seeing myself slouching all throughout the movie as it failed in giving good blows in scenes that were meant to be big. Speaking of big, and yeah, I mean BIG. I find it a little funny how Calypso was freed from her human form. A short silly incantation brought this character into a trance where afterwards, she started growing into a 50-foot woman. And after a couple of gibberish shouts, the turned herself into a gazillion crabs. I know Calypso is supposed to be a goddess or something but I would have expected something more.

It wasn't really a waste of time. But yeah, I think it would have been wise to have spent my time on another movie. But what the heck, it was free! :D

German Loot

2007-05-29T23:54:00.000+08:00

My former teammates (and friends) pretty much got lucky in our new project assignments. This is for the reason that we have been given chances of being sent to other countries to do some some work for the FIRM.

Yas for example has been sent to Australia initially for technology transition, but is there on a long term assignment (6 months at the least) for actual work. Pat and I on the other hand have been chosen to participate in some knowledge transition activities in Toronto. In addition to that, Pat is being sent out again, this time to Virginia for another set of knowledge transition activities. Lucky for him, I think he is being immersed into a Global Career Program offered by the FIRM. And last week, Cel just arrived from an assignment in Germany.

And when a friend gets into an Out of the Country assignment it would mean a loot bag for those who were left behind. I am touched Cel didn't forget me. Well, if my constant reminders to her didn't work, I don't know what else will. LOL. And my German Loot Bag c/o Cel has an ID tag with the German colors plus a nice key chain.

I think the key chain is nice. Most especially when held close:

But when held really close. And I mean close.. It finally reveals itself. A dick. Yeap, you could even see the err.. pubic hair on it's bald head.

So yeah, if could correct myself with what I said above, I got a German Loot Bag with a German ID Tag and a Dickhead keychain!!!

Woot woot! :D

Showbiz Linggo

2007-05-27T23:24:00.000+08:00

Last week or maybe two Sundays ago, I saw what the err.. entertaiment industry has been waiting for -- Ogie Alcasid tells all. I really wonder why they call it a tell all, coz from what I have heard, it doesn't really say much, but basically just a couple of confessions from him. One of the confessions that err.. fine, I have been looking forward to is his proclamation of his love to Regine Velasquez. It's just that I really admire the two and it just annoys me to them to keep on denying what's seen on TV. LOL. Ok, that's over. I really don't care about it anymore. :D

On another note, a week after Ogie's proclamantion of love, The Buzz suddenly releases a chismis that Regine Velasquez has fallen for her leading man, Piolo Pascual. RIGHT. I wasn't born yesterday. Sure it might be a paid gossip, you know -- more like of an advertisement, but I'm pretty sure it'll work it's magic in getting the mass's asses in the movie theatres.

With or without that gossip.. I'd be one of 'em. LOL.
Though I really hate to admit it, showbiz ako these days. :D

j'ai eu assez

2007-05-24T23:50:00.000+08:00

I called in sick in the morning to cover up for the (yet again) time that I woke up -- 10:30am. Around 12 noon, I was on my feet preppin' up for work. It was a quarter past one when I was just about to leave, when I got a call from a friend. I thought it was going to be just like our usual conversation -- casual.

It was casual. It was so casual that the delivery of the news of his most recent breakup was nothing more like saying "I think I'll have a BigMac today."

The news sat right underneath my nose until it finally sank in. Gawd. A good 3 year relationship was over in just one snap. And I didn't even notice anything from him. Like I said, it was all too casual.

I would like to believe that he is too casual about it because he doesn't care about the relationship. But he's not like that. I think he is just trying to be strong and just get his life moving most especially these days now that he has several projects underway. I can never see myself in that kind of situation and then act soooo casual about it. Knowing me, I'd be one total wreck.

Which reminds me, I was a wreck a couple of months ago.
But now, I think I had enough of being a wreck.
Yeah.. moving on.

Tagged!

2007-05-13T21:28:00.000+08:00

In the entire history of my blog.. err.. I mean including those old old posts I have, which I am trying to repost. This is the first time I'd be answering a survey. Tagged by Fifi:

1. Pick out a scar you have, and explain how you got it:
I have one scar somewhere at the back of my left hand. I got it when I was a kid. It's a pretty 1 inch scar which was from a wound that was cut open by those yero scattered near our place. Good thing it wasn't rusty. Otherwise, I don't think I'd be around answering this survey.

2. What is on the walls in your room?
A wall fan.

3. What does your phone look like?
I'm using two phones alternately. One is a slim clamshell phone with a brushed metal face. The other's a black brick type one.

4. What music do you listen to?
I like anything that has a catchy melody. Right now I am switchin from Regina Spektor to Katharine Mcphee to Nina.

5. What is your current desktop picture?
Some blades of grass.

6. What do you want more than anything right now?
Get some trash out of my head or maybe get the chance rewrite everything that happened since January 20, 2007.

7. Do you believe in gay marriage?
It all boils down to the couple. I believe that marriage is a mere formalization of a couple's love and commitment for each other. People should be allowed to marry anyone they love.

8. What time were you born?
Honestly, I have no idea. What I do know is that it was somewhere in the weee hours of the morning.

9. Are your parents still together?
Yes, they are.

10. What are you listening to?
"Is It Over" by Nina

11. The last person to make you cry?
Someone with the initials of RED

12. What is your favorite perfume/cologne?
Clinique Happy and Polo Black

13. What kind of hair/eye color do you like on the opposite sex?
I'm not really particular with those.
But should it be applicable, blue eyes mesmerize me.

14. Do you like pain killers?
I have a pretty small tolerance for pain.
So yeah, bring it on.

15. Are you too shy to ask someone out?
Not exactly.

16. Fave pizza topping?
Ham and Pineapple. (Now I want a hawaiian pizza!)

17. If you could eat anything right now, what would it be?
Hmmm.. A lemon dipped in margarita.
Fine. Margarita na lang.

18. Who was the last person you made mad?
My sister

19. Is anyone in love with you?
Definitely none.

I'm tagging Chrie.

10 Minutes of Bliss

2007-05-09T23:54:00.000+08:00

For some odd reason, I decided to log myself into YM through meebo during office hours. But since I don't really get to talk to people in YM in the office, I don't really check my meebo window that often.

As the day was about to end, I got a message from RED. I would admit it brought me to a state I couldn't explain. RED began with all the formalities of starting a conversation. Until it lead to the question.. "Can I call you?"

Even before the war in my head for a decision was through, I saw myself punching in my office number in the chat window. For the first time in months, I heard RED's bubbly voice. Our conversation lasted for a good 10 minutes or so if not being interrupted by another phone call for RED.

When I heard RED's "Hello", I felt this tinge as if all the cells in my body we're excited with what we (my cells and I) were hearing on the other line. Despite my excitement, I tried restraining myself. I was trying to be careful with what I say. I don't want to abrupty end the conversation with my foolishness or maybe stupidity.

Despite all the caution I did, I still found myself being held up by some of RED's questions. No matter how much I have prepared myself for it, I ended up being cornered with all but "NO COMMENT" as an answer. It was a lousy response but that's all I have left in my arsenal to keep myself from self humilation.

That phone conversation definitely made my day.
I may not be in heaven but I was happy.

An Unexpected Message

2007-05-08T23:15:00.000+08:00

"Musta? Just thought of you. Heard Dreamgirls."

I never expected to hear anything from RED. Thinking RED would remember me is the last thing that'll ever cross my head these days. I may have constant thoughts of RED. But that's just it. Just thoughts. I don't know what to do with them. I have been doing my best to ward off these thoughts, but they just keep on coming back without any trace of ever fading.

Yeah ok, I was just trying to help

2007-02-22T23:20:00.000+08:00

Due to some things going on around, I spent some quality time at home with my most neglected part of the household -- the TV. For some obscure reason, even though I don't get to stay in the office that late, I still don't get the time to watch TV. Today broke that as I spent the entire day watching TV instead of spending those hours trying to be productive infront of my workstation in the office. For some reason, that felt good. Nope, really good.

Both my mom and sister were a bit surprised seeing me laying on my back all relaxed watching TV. There's this little shock in their faces. If I didn't know them better, things are definitely running in their heads concerning my presence at home.

Mom came home from work perky and all seeing me sooo early at home. But my sister arrived with grouchiness in her. That's pretty much normal, so I just shrugged it off.

I showed myself to the dining table when I started feeling a throbing headache.I think it was too much TV for me. To my surprise, my mom and sister were in a little errr.. grumpy discussion. Their predicament, the USB drive won't STOP when tried being stopped using the "Safely Remove Hardware" tool of WinXP.

Just like what I expected, my sister bursted out yelling at my mom telling her that she (mom) doesn't understand what's going on. I didn't really mind getting my hands dirty and just minded my own problems -- dinner: which to eat first!

Mom requested that I help out with what was going on. We tried calling out for my sister as I try to ask details about the problem. Just what I expected, my sister kept on yelling. Yeah OK! That was a good way to describe the problem. Hmmp.

I only got bits and pieces of her problem -- the USB won't stop. She (my sister) added that it doesn't open. Which doesn't open, that I don't know. So yeah, mom and I still tried talking to my sister in a calm disposition to determine how to help her. I was proposing quick solutions based on what I have. Still, we asked what she was trying to do. And still, we got yelled on.

She finally slammed her laptop's screen to close and she walked out on us with all but a couple more yells as our souvenir.

Yeah ok. I was just trying to help. Then you'd be walking out on me with all but yells for gratitude. So yeah, I bid you good luck in finishing what you are trying to do.. MOVING ON.

One Shot at a Time

2007-02-06T23:53:00.000+08:00

I have always thought of trying my hands on photography. I have tried doing this since I started owning my first digital camera waaaay back in 2003. If I remember it correctly, it was a Casio Exilim S3.

Since I got that cam, I tried teaching myself some basic concepts of photography. But since it's a point and shoot camera, I wasn't really able to shoot more creative shots. But still, the camera was able to produce a couple of good pictures. I kept on shooting when I finally grew out of my camera and thought that it's way too basic for me.

I've always wanted to grab those prosumer cameras with all the lenses, filters and all. But looking at the price tag of these equipment, it's not worth it if an ultra novice like me would use it. I don't think I would be to able to use the camera to the extent of its capabilities with so little knowledge that I have in photography.

So I got myself a cam which I think is more suited for me, the Canon S3.

The cam was flexible to be a point and shoot one as well as a function as a prosumer-like cam. I think it's just good enough to teach me the additional things I need to know. Now, I can will more pictures to put in my online photo gallery! yay!!

*****
With the desire of starting to be serious about photography, I thought that I should upgrade my camera little by little. I started browsing for the optional accessories my camera can have.

I had my eye on the telephoto lens for my cam. It's pretty much obvious that I don't know anything with cams because all the while I thought that the lens will attach to my cam in just a snap. To my surprise, I need to purchase a lens adapter before I could do fit the lens right in.

So I headed off to the nearest photo store and bought the LAH-DC20 Lens adaptor. I got it for Php 2300 in Digital Exchange in Glorietta.

Last Saturday when I bought the lens adapter, there was a photography event in Glorietta. The next thing I know, I was among the crowed, trying to blend in and trying to look at the high-end equipment some people have. Sooner than I think, I found myself buying a 58mm Sigma UV filter for the cam. Yeah, I'm a such a compulsive buyer!

When assembled, my cam would look like what photogrammer has:

I was trying to find the teleconverter lens I wanted. To my dismay, there's none available in Glorietta but in Mall of Asia. When I got to the shop in the Mall of Asia, I found out that the lens costed around Php 7200.

So yeah, my dreams for a telephoto lens will have to wait for the meantime while I try to save up for that. Hopefully, I would get the lens sooner that I have expected.

The English Hour

2007-02-05T22:30:00.000+08:00

Out of some obscure reason, a teammate of mine has rolled out, with the approval of the teamlead, an English Hour (or hours for that matter) campaign. This is in the effort of encouraging people, specifially our team, to talk and practice speaking in English.

It has been agreed upon that in the afternoons of every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the team will be required to speak in English within the premises of the team bay and all official team functions. Anyone caught speaking in Filipino will be fined Php 1 per word. But of course, there will be days when one's tongue won't cooperate with the campaign and for this reason, there's UnlimiTag. Unlimitag entitles you to speak in Filipino in the entire duration of the English hour for the day for the price of Php 50.

Initially the campaign sounded promising and professional. But with the UnlimiTag privilege up for grabs, it sounds more like of a money making scheme now. Hehe..

*****
The campaign was launched last Friday and to my surprise, I didn't realize the campaign was set to start this Monday afternoon. I'm not really a good speaker. Some say I sound American, but I realy don't. I think they just need to clean their ears more. Hehe.

I was excited hearing the entire team speak in English in our team bay albeit the sea of Filipino-speaking teams that surround us.

I thought it was exciting.
And yes it was.

When the clock struck 2:00pm, our normally noisy teambay quieted down. I think everyone was like me waiting and anticipating for the first person to speak in English. 10 minutes passed and not a single word was spoken. 20, 30, 40 minutes! Oh gawd, no one really spoke a word! I thought it was an English speaking campaign?!

Eventually a the team was forced to speak in English since we had a team function later that afternoon.

It's hard to say if the campaign was successful in its first implementation. Given that no one really spoke and that we were only able to collect Php 7. It's not much, but it's a good start. =)

*****
This was a (approximate) conversation between my team lead and the team manager through AOL IM:

team manager: (sitting far from the team bay) pwede tayo magmeeting?
teamlead: sure. where?
team manager: dyan na lang sa team bay
teamlead: sure. no problem
team manager: may iba. bakit nag-eenglish ka?
teamlead: coz we have the english hour campaign in place from 2-5
team manager: a talaga? mamaya na lang tayo magmeeting.

Full Payment Gets Fined

2007-01-30T01:27:00.000+08:00

It has never been a habit of mine to accessorise. As I may put it, physical limitations (body hair) tend to drive me away from the thought of accessorizing, most especially my wrists. Body hair usually gets into the straps of watches and on the crevices of the bracelets that I wear. And when hair gets into them, the chance of the hair being pulled to it's roots isn't far from happening. I rather not accessorize at all than scream like a girl everytime that happens to me.

On the contrary, last December, I found myself looking at the gorgeous watches on display over at the Fossil store in Glorietta. The next thing I knew, I have already instructed the sales associate to charge the payment for the watch that I have chosen into my Citibank Clear Card. Since I wasn't expecting an influx of money for the next couple of weeks, I decided to avail of the card's 0% Paylite program.

This January, as I was preparing my monthly budget, I found out that I could already pay off the entire watch from my card. I tried getting in touch with Citibank through their hotline to inquire how I could do this. I have been informed that this will be considered as a pre-termination thingie-ma-jiggie (or whatever the term is).

I said, OK. Let's proceed with that. To my surprise, the CSR informed me that I would be charged an additional Php 300.00 pesos before this pre-termination blah blah can take place.

I was like, HUH?!

Honestly, I don't get it.

If I only pay the minimum amount due for my regular purchases, I get fined through the interest rate of 3.5%. That's understandable since I was not able to pay the total amount due which obviously translates to me purchasing more than what I can pay for.

Now If I pay off the entire amount in my installment plan waaaaaay ahead of time, I still get fined. I am being fined for paying off my debt completely and on time?

I am lost. Or yeah, maybe something's really wrong with this policy.
I dunno. Enlighten me.

Back From The Grave

2007-01-02T00:02:00.000+08:00

I never thought I will find myself (trying) to maintain a blog again. I did try to maintain a blog for the past err.. year or so, but everytime the year crosses my birthday, there's this feeling and desire of stopping.

Last year as it tried crossing my birthday again, I wasn't able to find the correct motivation to continue writing thus prompting me in deciding to retire the old blog.

But as the new year ushers in a renewed hope, optimism and a new set of goals and objectives, I think it would be nice to document how I would progress with those that I have set for myself.

I'll see what happens.