Ang Yabang Ah!

Yey! I'm in the big league!! Wohoo!

Maging Akin Ka Lamang/Two Tumbs Up!

Maging Akin Ka Lamang:

      Tinawagan ako ng mom ko sa cellphone. Gulat ako sa kanyang sinabi. Tanong kais iya kung anong model ng Digital-San Lorenzo Ruiz na Nikon ang gusto ko. Sinabi ko sa kanya kung ano pagkatapos, sabi niya, titignan ng firend niya ung tungkol sa model na iyon sa Columbia-Sm Megamall. Medyo naging tense bigla ang pakiramdam ko matapos ang tawagan.

      Kinagabihan, kinilaro na sa'kin ni Mommy na plano na niyang bilhin ang DLSR cam na gusto ko, lalo na rin na magagamit ko ito (higit sa lahat) sa akin pag-aaral. Masaya rin ako na matapos ng matagal na paghihintay ay magkakaroon rin ako ganong klaseng camera (at least matatapos na rin ang paniniskita ko dala ng sobrang inggit hehehehe!). Ayoko kasi matulad ng iba na dahil sa uso ay nagpapabili sila nito; ine-earn ito at ginagamgamit sa wastong panahon.

       Kawawa rin naman kasi iyung mga talagang propesyon o buhay na ang pagiging photographer. Kung ako ang nasa kanilang posisyon ay marahil damdam ko rin ang kanilang pananaw na maski'y sumigla muli ang interes sa larangan na ito, dala lamang ito sa uso at hindi dahil may passion sila sa ganitong klaseng obra.

-------

Two Tumbs Up!:

      I happened to bump myself with an old grade school friend of mine, Ryan Tumbocon while I was on my way home from school this afternoon. We saw each other amidst the large crowd commuting along the Monumento area in front of Araneta Square. We both wave at each other and smiled then wen on our separate ways.

     This guy also happened to be featured in CSB's Filipino-language lifestyle magazine, "Karilyon". And way even before that, he was also featured in a number of television programs (The Correspondents[?] and Y-Speak among others) and even on commercial years ago (You guys remember that Promil ad where a little boy raised his hands and said many things to his teacher much her amazement)?

      He's actualy a well-known guy since time I could remember. A child with a gift of speech, he possesses such great potential that right after its discovery, the rest, as they say, is history. And I only knew that when I watched that special episode of Y-Speak months ago!

       I first met him when I transferred to my new school in Malabon on July 1, 2002. He was somewhere behind me in line and I said to him my "high school" name, Jaime (which I came to be known throughout my 5 years in SJA). He was also a transferee from another school, Ateneo Grade School. He was one of 6-St. Mark's top students and was potentially a threat to our batch's Top 3.

 All of us in class became friends with him, but that era was short-lived.

      By second quarter of 2002, he was accelerated to his now-present high school batch. We still see him here and there but it grew increasingly seldom as the months, then years, go by. Even when my batch were already in high school, we all felt distant from Ryan, who was able to regain lost ground and rose to become an officer (VP during his last year) in the Student Council.

    It was no doubt that he returned to the Ateneo to pursue his college studies. I forgot what course he undertook but at first thought, I was thinking as if it'd be easy road for him to survive the jungle that is college. It was only on that Y-Speak episode had I understood his plight as well as those who were deemed as "gifted" becaus of their excellence in different fields while tey were young.

Before, I always see him as one lucky guy. because of what he has, it would have been easy for Ryan to get what he always wanted in life. But after watching Y-Speak, I know see him as a very grounded person, a person who is just as normal as every one else in the world. Him being gifted does not stop him from becoming a normal teenager trying to get a life. I hope he as well as the rest of the 6-St. Mark clas would be able to reconnect after all these years.

:):)

Photoshop Set: Manny de Mano

Cartoon character created using Adobe Illustrator

The CSB Experience 2: Possible Comgrap Portfolio Concepts

I have several ideas floating in mind over the conceptualization of my printfolio. I'm still in brainstorming mode so if you guys could suggest to me some ideas, that'd would really help! :):)

BTW, I wanna model!

1. CSB-themed
-Being a student of CSB, I could present my portfolio as a work made by a student being molded by the school into a future member of my probably profession.

2. Professional
-This one is I guess the more serious thing. Shots could be taken either at the picturesque rooftop of AKIC, the post-modernist SDA, or the greenery of Main's Plaza V. I could realy pose AS a REAL MODEL, or at least give justice to what I'm trying to bring about, the professionalism I should show in my work. Although I need tips on these stuff.

3. Homebuddy
-Whoever is willing to work for me as  my photographer should be willing to go to my place up north. I'm thinking the rawness of my talent thus my portfolio should very well be forgiven for it's still raw. What matters is that the talent is there. There's a lot of places in the North that are worth every shot. It gets better if you can get better shots during the late hours of the afternoon, just as when the sun is about to set.
------

For my portfolio, I have some raw files that could end up as part of my portfolio since they were long done and I still have their original files in Photoshop. But I'm thinking of having 60% of the portfolio composed of newer works.

There's this idea that I have in mind about making a promotional poster out of one of my ongoing blog series on Multiply (guess what it is), another is having to Adobe Illustrator-ed one of my best facial shots, the one taken during my family's Ilocos trip last year. I also want to make a movie poster out of my past Comgrap works, Sketchpad. Maybe I should look for two people, a guy and a girl willing to do thing for me. Hmmm....

Comments, suggestions are pretty much welcome, please do let them in!

Dalampasigan...Bow!

DALAMPASIGAN
ni James Habitan


Munting dalampasigan,
ika’y aking kaibigang turing.
Nariyan ka lamang,
tuwing ako’y naghihinagpis.

‘Di nagsasawang
makinig sa mga problema ko,
Ikaw lamang ang
nakakaintindi sa’king sitwasyon.

Gumagaan ang aking kalooban,
sa bawat agos ng iyong alon.
Aking nadadarama
ang katahimikang iyong dulot.

Kahit sa kaunting panahon
na nakalaan lamang sa’tin,
Lagi mo’kong hinihintay
sa aking muling pagbalik.

The CSB Experience: Help and Suggestions

    Guys, I'm in need of suggestions on coming up with a concept for my printfolio CD cover for my Comgrap finals. The general idea is that it should reflect something about me being a "freelance artist"/ about my "production company". My printfolio is a compilation of my best works "vectored" and "rendered", either printed or burned inside a CD (the CD itself hasnto have a design itself, just the same as the CD cover)

The CSB Experience 2: Terminal Hiatus/Loaded Guns

       Guys, I won't be able to blog for next few weeks since I'm going to be a lot busy this upcoming finals weeks come December so I better make this one quick!!

Desprin: Finishing touches on my "Tonal Values" plate before deadline tomorrow.
Partdes: 1) Powerpoint Presentation about Bisrock and, 2)Ayala Museum Visit with corresponding finals report about it.
Comgrap: Group TV Show/Movie Posters (I need a wacom pen and an Adobe Illustrator Program) and Printfolio Finals Project. Both I need to present before my prof and his accomplice.
Colrend: 3D Art Using three 1/4 Illustration Boards (supposedly ONE Master Illustration Board) with any thing that can be used as a medium.
Frehand: 10x15 Illustration board covered with color pastel on its back and 3d art on its behind.
NSTPCWT: Journals

:):):)

The CSB Experience 2: I Was Autistic Then I Was Dyesebel then I Was a Victim of Man-Rape!

       Hehehe! I hate my NSTP classmates. I just can't believe that they're going to make a fool out of me, would you believe it?  I was an autistic then I was Dyesebel then I was a victim of Man-Rape! Bwhehheheh!

"Autistic": We had this activity wherein we were all expected to do a group tableu/mini-play of sorts. The group who was facilitating the activity had this first idea in mind. We were to recreate a scene wherein there a street kids loitering around the....street (of course) and they'd be taught by a group of volunteer teachers. This one was my choice, being an "autistic" boy as described by Pax. I wasn't supposed to be an autistic child though because I was acting like as if I have cerebral palsy (which pretty much explains the "Aoghh...aoghhh...aoghhhh...") or even polio (for me not walking). Hehehe!

Dyesebel: This was all a mistake. I was raising my hand so I could let the guys knowing I wanna be the lost boy stranded on a sinking ship crying out for his mom. But they had other things in mind and made me DYESEBEL! I had to sing like her (what horrible lyrics!), act like her (mermaids in the Dyesebel Universe walk by kneeling and not showing their tails to make it look as if they're floating). And I have to carry a lying-down Chris heheh!

Man-Rape Victim: It was their idea, not mine! And how come I get to be raped by a guy? I was hoping a guy could get raped by a woman for once. Marlon is my man-raper male edition while Katriz is my man-raper's accomplice. They DID "raped" me in a way...I was screaming like hell!

Glad that's over with :)

The CSB Experience 2: Official Third Term Schedule

So here's my schedule for the term as of 2:10pm today. I won't be planning any revision anytime soon until Monday. Mukha heto na iyon by January next year!

My Daily Meal

Heto na halos kinakain ko madals sa tuwing may pasok ako weekdays and Saturday. Hindi ko lang nasusundan kung may outing ang family o kaya may manlilibre sa'kin.

1. Breakfast: Cereals/Oatmeal/Tuna and Milk

2. Lunch: Chicken (Roast, Garlic, Sinigang, Adobo, etc), Veggies, Fish

3. Dinner: Chicken, Beef, Pork, Fish, Squid, Shrimp, Vegetables, and Pasta.

Usual merienda: Banana, banana bread, fruit juices, water, any fruit (if at school), Biscuits and chocolate Milk (if at home)

Photoshop Set: Illustrated before Photoshopped

I think I'm getting the hang on Adobe Illustrated. Judge them, they're no books!

The CSB Experience 2: Na-Eh-Eh Ako!

Sino sa inyo magiging kaklase ko sa mga sumusunod? Mukhang balik uli ako sa late na late na class:

Course      Unit(s)    Section      Status     Day      Time          Room         Faculty
 DESKPUB   3.0     DMA3         Open      T      14:45 - 17:45   A1109
 DESNCON   3.0     DMAE        Open      M     14:45 - 17:45    A701  
 FOTOGRA   3.0     DMA8         Open      W     09:00 - 12:00    A1116     OFRASIO, DOLLY
 NSTPCWS   3.0     DFS6         Open      S      09:00 - 12:00    A912
 PROFES1     3.0    DFS4         Open      W     14:45 - 17:45    A918      RIVERA, MINA
 SONDESN   3.0     DMA1         Open     M      11:30 - 14:30    A1014     *BOLO, HENRY
 TECHDRW   3.0     DMA2        Open      T       18:00 - 21:00  **A-S.LNGE CALOPEZ, RAMERO

Ang sarap pala kung DL ka kasi nakakapag-Early Enrollment ka! Hehehe!

*Track leader of the MMA Audio track

**Student Lounge
 

The CW's 90210 (Review after 10 Episodes)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

Hehehe, after ten episodes of watching The CW's 90210, I'm now ready to make my post-premiere review on how the show is going.

So far, 90210 has maintained its momentum on keeping up with the different stories it had unraveled since the Wilson stepsiblings' transfer to West Beverly High School. One of the siblings Dixon recently entered to a relationship with Erin "Silver" Silver while his sister, goody-good girl Annie is now in a relationship as well to Ethan Ward although in secret because he recently broke off (for the second time) with bad girl Naomi Clark (the not-so-sixteen year-old-looking hoodlum in curls). The Wilson patriarch, Harry, was surprised to know that his ex-high school fling (Naomi's mom Tracy) had a son with her and that she hired a private investigator to locate their child, much to the dismay of Harry's wife Debbie who want Tracy to be out of their lives completely. Meanwhile, "sniff-and-lick" druggie Adrianna Duncan almost died after having an overdose from "Coke" and had recently entered rehab. Helping her recover is Navid Shirazi who finally proved his usefulness in the series. After directing the school play, Brenda Walsh decided to leave Beverly Hills for the time being while Kelly Taylor, after receiving a phone call from ex-flame Dylan McKay, decided to take his son for a vacation with his dad.

For the plus points:
1. I finally get the chance to appreciate the character of Navid because he's been a dormat character for pretty much the first quarter of the show's first season. I just hope that the writers would be able to keep the dynamism infused to Navid throughout the show's run.
2. "Hithit-at-tikim" Adrianna was recently given series regular status after public interest towards her grew. I like how within ten hours, this particular character grew and made viewers understand the kind of situation that she is. Being a former child star with an aggressive stage mom as her manager, it's hard to imagine on what she's going through right now.

The climax of her addiction to cocaine on the 8th episode was artfully done well and it was made in good taste! While it's too early to tell if she's going to leave her past as an addict behind completely, I expect a lot of twists going on around her especially that boost given to the character needs to stay as long as possible.

3. Unlike the original adaptation where there weren't much of a storyline given for the Walsh twins' parents, Jimmy and Cindy; those of the Wilson's have one. Given that the number of premarital sex and teenage pregnancies have been on the rise for the past 10 years I think it was a good move to put this issue into light, especially on how the thought of having another sibling affected not only Harry and Debbie but also to Dixon and Annie. Since the missing kid appeared at the end of Episode 10, this ought to make an interesting plot for the characters to resolve.

4. I could also see an early friction of ideologies between Harry, who's the principal of West Bev High, and the campus "crush ng bayan" teacher, Ryan Matthews. This conflict would culminate in a decision on how the school should be run, especially how Harry handled the drug trade problem (even having to hired a teenage-looking female cop in disguise who got the hots for Mr. Matthews). I would like to see this dwell on further in order for the show to remain realistic.

Minus points:
1. It's sad to see that Jessica Walter, who's playing "Hip Lola" Tabitha Wilson was demoted to recurring status. I love seeing her in scenes where she get to say such witty lines, and is pretty much of a comic relief. But given still of a lack of an ongoing storyline dedicated to her, she'll only be seen on scenes where she is most needed (mostly concentrated within the Wilson mansion).

2. Again, the realism of the show is still not seen among the younger actors especially on how they deal with their ongoing love triangles and the like. A) Dixon-Silver is still playing safe on their relationship especially that the former is still pretty much have a lot of 'first times' yet to be met. B)Naomi's reaction towards the blooming relationship between her ex and half-sister Annie is b*tchy in the sense that she has too much insecurities around herself. Yes, I know that she has a lot of things going on around her, but the way she's acting is so not how a sixteener should act. C) Annie's being too naive among her other traits is what pulling her down as a character. Not a good thing if she is supposedly the one of the main central characters in the series. I just hope that her being a 2D character would end once she bore the brunt of Beverly Hills life. Among all the characters she's the weakest. I won't be surprised if Shenae Grimes, the girl who portrays Annie Wilson, is being compared as a "carbon copy" of Shannen Doherty, who played Brenda Walsh in the original.

3. Another aspect that needs to be given more emphasis on is having 90210 remain a teen-oriented show not only in terms of how young the characters are, but also in terms of how they deal with their lives as actual teenagers. I'm looking for something as extreme as date rape, sexual harassment, cliques, peer pressure, and student suicides as well as not so extreme as actual classroom conversations, high school dilemmas, basketball,prom, actual involvement from the school administrations, an existing student council girls talking about how big their pimples are, and even barkada trips among other things.

Over-all, 90210 improved in some aspects but there are other sectors they need to improve on. If the producers want to show issues that truly affect the youth then they should show it. What I'm seeing now is what the original BH90210 looked like in their later seasons in the setting of tis first season. I'm looking forward on how the rest of the 24-episode season would fare.

Got LSS with RJs

It's been going on around me quiet recently. Maybe because it really caught my attention whenever I hear them being played on the radio that eventually got me LSS all over my body.

A few months ago, I was able to record airchecks, DJ spiels, stingers, and jingles from several radio stations that has online web streaming. The jingles, in particular, really took my fancy on. As some of you may know, many of the jingles we hear on the radio are imported from the United States. They are actually produced by several production companies who engaged in producing jingles for products, television and other media platforms. 

If you grew up listening to radio or have somehow knew the presence of past and present stations, you may have noticed that the station jingles being played at different FM stations are sung by an almost complete ensemble of voices. Jingles you hear in Kool 106 (now Dream FM), 99.5 RT, Campus Radio WLS-FM, and even WRR 101.9 For Life! Even up to know, despite the lessened dependency of US-produced jingles here in the Philippines, many stations still play them (like Love Radio, Yes! FM, and WRock).

The recently-resurrected 99.5 RT also have its own set fo jingles produced from the US. Most of them you could still hear them playing during weekends (The 24k Weekend). 

Radio jingles, especially the longer ones, are somehow can be seen as forms of a song or because they have lyrics where people can sing along with as well as a refelction of not only the kind of programming (music and talk, etc) that a station has, but also the kind of listeners that they target. WRocK for one, has jingles that reflects office-going listeners who, despite their hectic work schedule, still have time to relax and get mellowed by songs that really sets the mood.

Even to me, I can't help but place the lyrics of these jingles as my status on YM, Facebook and just last week, Plurk. So here's some of them:

1. "Feel the rhythm going on...you're the music that played in devotion..."

2. "Come fly away...on a means of a song (Rhythm of the city)"

3. "You're the music you hear on the radio, the spirit in the song..."

4.  "The Rhythm of the City, starts me in the morning...The Rhythm of the City got me feeling alright...and the Rhythm of the City, without any warning..."

5. "The City's got me running but i ain't losing ground. the music got me humming, moving through the sound...Metro Manila's like a lover, you're always in my heart....The rhythm rocks me to and from, it gets where I want to go...Move me, move me...Rhythm of the City 99.5 RT!"

6. "Any where, Lite rock favorites can get you there. Take on music everywhere..."

7. "Just like a (print), you're always there with a song to share..."

8. "You get enough with the lite...start the morning with a song..."

9. "It's late at night the music is all low...lite rock on the radio!"

10. " Manila's light is shining bright..."

11. "All day long, song after song Manila's light shines bright"

12. "I could never leave you I listen all day long. You understand my feeling you play my favorite songs..."

13. "Meetings reports a million things to do. Everyday you play the songs that help me make it through..."

14. "The Philippine's original Lite rock radio...Ninety six point three W-Rock!"

Compton Used To Be My Best Friend (A Story of a "Know-It-All Guy)

I never imagined myself of having had a very sad childhood nor even necessarily a happy one. You know when you expect so much and ended up being disappointed? I think that was how I felt when I was younger, and even up to know I still have that feeling of emptiness. It's as if something is missing; either it's me not doing something about or it's someone else's.

Back in the day, I only had too few a friends. I have two best friends, Michael and Carlos since Junior Casa days back in SMMC. I'm also friend/frenemies with the likes of Zack, Jamelle, Mangga, Ashley, gerard, Marlou, Cheche and Marvin. But never do I really have a large circle of friends ( a small one I do have, composed of my old buds from grade school).

12 years ago, a 25-volume set of encyclopedia was delivered to our home in Valenzuela. It's a collection of books under the name "Compton's Encyclopedia". I fell in love reading it of course, driven me curiosity towards history, culture and geography. I first started with Volume 2-A where my fancy got tickled with pictures of bodies in layers under the category "Anatomy". Later, i would switch my attention to Volume P1 where I would aalways flip to page 115 to read a feature about the Philippines. Sooner after, i started reading all of the 25-volume set. Hehehehe.

One consequence maybe is me having to know a lot of stuff coming from those books, on topics too "nosebleeding" for my age group. Thus, I ended up trying to argue against my classmates during class, pointing out 1)where is North, 2)Czechoslovakia is but now two countries, 3) the names of countries, territories, isles, seas and oceans. Thus, giving me the reputation of a "know-it-all".

This continued even when I was in US for a year although I tried not to overreact at times. But because I was way apart from my beloved Compton, I grew to realize that I also need friends in the flesh, those whose shoulder I could cry on, tell stuff what's going on, or even share the silliest of my secrets. That's why I never became too much dependent on material sources of knowledge.

Back home, I had a pretty bad start when I transferred to a new school. Instead of being tagged as a "know-it-all", I was now being notoriously known as the "serious-overfriendly-gentlemanly-wholesome-walking almanac/cheat code". I can't help myself but help people in need, it's in my nature to do so although I grew to become shy at certain aspects.

Nevertheless, the "know-it-all" image still haunts me today in college, which ultimately led me to a heated argument with my fellow blockmates which I never wanted to happen in the first place. I still have the tendency to over-react and sometimes could get carried away but that time, I was in the middle of a depressing state after being put myself to so much pressure. 

It was when I let go of the extra weight did I achieved amends to those whom I have hurt. 

Hate to admit it but sometimes, I'm envy people who are able to have friends in such a level that a trust between each other is firmly established. I do have such but given that my closest of friend are too few, I still want to make myself close to people I've already know for a long time.

Thus I decided not to make myself to attached to a barkada (because my own barkada are already distant as it is).  I wanna make myself more open to the people I made friends with. Although I don't want to be called a  guy with KSP, it's not wrong if you're friends with one barkada, as well as friends to another. I don't have a clear best friend this time in college but I have tons of friends whom I always greet, talk, and see whenever I'm in school.

I'm still eager to achieve the kind of friendship that will solidify trust given to me and vice versa, that when you know that he or she is always there for you, you have that special feeling of something very special to them.

Thus the reason I dumped Compton for good because I know I'm better than this! I don't wanna be seen as a reclusive book worm but rather an all around guy.

The CSB Experience 2: Farfetched

I know this one is really really weird so here it goes: 

Milkshake

[Repeat x2]

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard,

And their like

It's better than yours,

Damn right it's better than yours,

I can teach you, 

But I have to charge

I know you want it, 

The thing that makes me, 

What the guys go crazy for.

They lose their minds, 

The way I wind,

I think its time

[Chorus x2]

La la-la la la,

Warm it up.

Lala-lalala,

The boys are waiting

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard,

And their like

It's better than yours,

Damn right it's better than yours, 

I can teach you, 

But I have to charge

I can see youre on it,

You want me to teach thee

Techniques that freaks these boys,

It can't be bought,

Just know, thieves get caught,

Watch if your smart,

[Chorus x2]

La la-la la la,

Warm it up,

La la-la la la,

The boys are waiting,

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard,

And their like

It's better than yours,

Damn right it's better than yours, 

I can teach you, 

But I have to charge

Oh, once you get involved,

Everyone will look this way-so,

You must maintain your charm,

Same time maintain your halo,

Just get the perfect blend,

Plus what you have within,

Then next his eyes are squint,

Then he's picked up your scent,

[Chorus x2]

Lala-lalala,

Warm it up,

Lala-lalala,

The boys are waiting,

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard,

And their like

It's better than yours,

Damn right it's better than yours, 

I can teach you, 

But I have to charge

I find this rather funny because I never thought that this catch phrase came from a movie many had watched for how so many times. At first we thought of this as a Jisney original because really we never knew how she got it in the first place when she first uttered the word in class back when we were all in one block.

A year later, me and some of the DV1 guys who happens to be classmates in NSTP watched this movie called Mean Girls which stars Lindsay Lohan during her pre-DUI days. There was this particular scene which caught us surprised. Jisney's signature "So fetch..." line came from that movie! Hehehe, we were all speechless really. No wonder it sounded so familiar.

Didn't saw that coming!

Jaime and the Quiapo Expedition

Tagal na pala akong di nagbo-blog kaya I'm starting one right now!

I heard a lot of stories about Quiapo, Manila's former business district and formerly the very prestige that is Manila. I heard stories about its famous church, its people, its vendors, and its shops. Add to that are stories of theft, criminality, and syndicates. No wonder this now-urban jungle is a frequent place for TV documentaries, news shows, dramas, and movies. 

A few days ago, I had the perfect opportunity to visit this very mystic place since I have the intention to do so. I asked my mom's permission if I could go to Ramon Hidalgo Street, Quiapo to check out its photography stores which are well-known for selling vintage and new SLR cameras at affordable prices. I took one of my day-offs to go there, especially that I was then on my way to CSB to return something from switch@csb.

I stopped at the LRT Carriedo Station and went downstairs. To my amazement, I saw the tip of Avenida Rizal, a combination of traffic, market, and people. Traces of Lito Atienza-architecure still remains despite the de-pedestrianization on that part of the avenida by Mayor Fred Lim. Old buildings that probably dated back in the 1930's-1950's housed several tianggge markets, ukay-ukay stores and bargain shops. These buildings in my opinion looked so old and down that they are totally in need of restoration and intensive repairs. It so sad to see that the current occupants have little disregard to this one grandeur buildings which are reminiscent of pre-war Manila where Rizal Avenue even used to have a long tranvia line (think San Francisco, CA, USA).

I walked on these very busy street fronting Escolta where tons of people from all walks of life can be found right there. Some vendors selling CD's are plaing loud Christmas music while our Muslim brethren are selling clothes, accessories as well as caps and hats.

At the tip of that busy street I finally saw in my two eyes, QUIAPO CHURCH! Yes, the very church that attracts thousands of devotees come January, two weeks after Christmas and a week after New Year's Day.

I noticed though that there are three branches of Greenwich in the area, one of them I went inside to take relief inside their restroom. I came out smelling like Hawaiian pizza.

 Turning around to R. Hidalgo, I looked for every store there that sells camera. I was looking for those that sell Nikon D40 camera since i heard that they are cheap, affordable, practical, economic, and is still of high quality when used. There stores that sell D40's at Php 27000 (Konica), others at 24k (...Weekend?), but the cheapest that I could find was the D40 sold in Columbia for only Twenty-two thousand smackers.

How I wish my dad would allow me to go there once I have the money enough to buy one. Fortunately, Fred told me that Columbia has another branch in Megamall for which they sell a D40 on the same price as the one in Hidalgo. 

Surely, I will get my hands on that camera!

St James Academy 4

Intrams

St James Academy 2

FUn RUn

St James Academy 1

CAT Graduation

Photoshop Set: Illustrated before 12

1st time to use Illustrator to Vector mah Face! Criticize it....Embrace it...Be Open-minded about it.

The CSB Experience 2: The Infiltration of Guillermo Tolentino's School of Thought

This one didn't occur inside CSB, just somewhere over the rainbow. I don't know if you know Guillermo Tolentino but he's one of the most iconic pillars of Philippine Art. But in this case, i'm going to use his name a s a representation of the actual person that I will not mention for today's post.

Last week, it just came over me the idea of getting into Tolentino's school of thought one of these days but factors prevented me into getting there until just now. 

Less than 3 hours ago, I managed to secure my entry into the school. While inside, I somehow got a bit lost along the way. Fortunately, Iwas able to found my destination within the school grounds of Tolentino's school. I went to the fourth floor, aasked the clerk about a certain something and there I have it!: A copy of Geny Lopez and the history of ABS-CBN which is incidentally is also the history of Philippine Television and  part of Philippine Radio's own.

After more than a  hour, I have to leave the place since I can't read the really really big book in its entirety. After that, I ate lunch at this place where the students of Guillermo Tolentino's school of thought would often converge and meet up.

I left the school sometime past the hour of 1 or 2 pm and here I am now , typing to you the events occurred.  :+)

Reality and Dreams: Dila

This one was a bit too late so just before I completely forget what I saw in my dream, I'll tell you guys about it right away.

A few nights ago, I had this dream wherein I was found myself back in the US after so long a time. The dream itself was a bit fuzzy but all I could remember clearly was this guy I knew then, his name is Kendall, was in it.

So Kendall is a year older than me and by now, he's in first year college. We really don't know much about each other except that he lives in the same neighborhood as I (or so I remembered) back in Falls Church seven years ago. 

I knew him as a wee bit of a meanie and a bully-ish kind of fellow. He was also a member of this circle of duly-recognized "Patrollers", so everytime I go to and from school in a school bus, I could hear him yelling at young violaters. One phrase I could very well still remember what he used to say whenever he's on-duty "GET OUT FROM THE AISLE!!" (Aisle is pronounced as "Uh-y'all" hehehe!

Back in my dream, so I met him somewhere in Falls Church and then he tried to talk to me, trying to reconnect, even though there's really nothing to reconnect about considering we were not really much friends with each other; only connection was him being a classmate of my good friend, Abe, who's now in his 3rd year at Ateneo de Manila.

He spoke to me, he started conversing with me, yes. But the weird part about it is that he's talking to me in FILIPINO! To make things clearer, he's speaking to me in TAGALOG na TAGALOG na walang pag-aalinlangan!

Some of what he said were like this: "Oh, kamusta ka na?", "Naalala mo pa rin ba sina...?", "Balita ko nasa college ka na, totoo ba iyon?". Things like that!

Not only was it very awkward that I had a dream about one of the most unfriendliest people I know on the face of the earth, it's him speaking to me to language he most likely won't understand in reality that made it all the more weird.

Is there some special meaning with regards to this? I already have a record of dreams ended up being true to life (albeit it occurs in places not shown in my dreams initially), so it may be a sounding possibility that this one may see the light of day as well. Where and when, only God could tell.

侮辱或涵义？

種類の侮辱か含意。 彼は私達のものはであるが、彼が外国人の仕事を愛顧するもの軽視する。 彼はテレビのよい物を認める標準の最高を余りに有する。

少し前に、考えの議論はDLSU-Mからの私起こったと私の友人の間に増加しなさい。 それは私が彼によって誤解された信じる主題上の私達の意見を表明することの精神にだけあった。しかし私は彼が意味した何を私があるので私は余りにこの主題の後ろの実質の土に気づくにはべきであること私がこれをいかに言うか、理由、CSBのマルチメディアの画学生驚きだった。

私がまだマルチメディアの画学生の視点のトピックを見る位置にないが私はちょうど私達が媒体(テレビ、ラジオ、映画、等)の分野の私達の仕事を批判することを継続したら虚心でありよいよ来る信じない私達に今あるものが以来のTV競技場の既存の分野の進行中の改善である。

しかし彼はのDLSU-Mの人"の学生として、それを言った; De La Salle (-) [聖者の大学] Benilde" 私は彼が彼自身そう言ったように、"彼のポイント(広告の専攻学生があっている彼)がつかめるべきである; 私は、であるCSB学生意味する。 単語'を作りなさい; De La Salle Benilde' "を言う部品を意味しなさい; De La Salle"。

全く表面の穿孔器、私は理解することを彼がちょうど言ったことをによって彼の含意を試みた。 彼はことを"の一部分として意味するかもしれない; De La Salle" Benildeanが彼がLasallianとして持っている同じ視点を共有するべきであると同時に私の意見(彼に従って)。 しかし私は自分自身に尋ねる: 彼はなぜこれら二つの明瞭な学校が学生のための同じ理想そして視野を共有するべきであると考えるか。 彼がCSBの学生のについて知らない、私はDLSU-M学生であることについてのどちらかを知っている多くの事がある。

私が信じるように、La Salleマニラは他に類似したほとんどのコースの従来の大学、である。 確実一般教養科目の大学は等量設計および芸術の私の自身のCSBの学校に多かれ少なかれであるが、まだ、それぞれは他と別の方向を取る。 CSBは、彼が想像できるよりより多くの方法で同じでないDLSU-Mである。 どんなCSBが以外"として記述されているか; 学習者centered" 施設は、Benildeの学生学校に十分に私達の特性を表現するために私達を防ぐ服装規定があっても、より多彩、独特、より独立している。

本当に、UAAPの季節の間に、Lasallianの学校の残り、またCSBはそこに特によい相棒Ateneo deマニラに対して凹む時はいつでもDLSU-Mの緑の射手を支えること常にである。 大学はまたそれらがかつて重要部分大学のだったが、意味しない根を私達が"として永久に知られていなければならないことを見、永久に感謝している; La Salle"からのその学校;。 CSBは異なる敢えてするそれ自身"としてだけ知られている学校がちょうどLaのSalleの学校として識別されないようにしない; Benilde" 確認されるべきそれのためのDe La Salleの一流の必要無し。 CSBがDLSU-Mの場所を取ったNCAAの経糸ガイド、私達は"として単に知られている; CSB" DLSの頭文字引いて(専門事項しかしそれの主題は学校が来たもの)だった知られていることを。

すべてのBenildeansへの共通の考えはその"である; De La Salle" ちょうど姓はあり、CSBの過去の加入をDLSU-M内の大学として示す。 しかし私達の名はあり、"ただある; Benilde"。 従って私達の母学校と視点を共有するCSBに専有物の心があれば、必ずしも一致し彼らの目で私達が見るほしいと思うものに必要性はなぜか。

私達がMMA学生として教えられている何を広告学生が、権利同じでなくてもよろしくないので彼に何が教えられたか。 彼はことをI can'信じる; tはどんなhe'か見る; それにもかかわらず私を指すことを試みる彼が彼で投げられるよい原料を見損うこと媒体で一般に示されているひとつひとつの事を見る、またsしかし彼は決して変更のための彼の視点を開発することを試み。

彼は彼にそのような物があること彼が彼のいわゆる高水準を有したけれども私が確信しないようにそれらを判断した。 彼はそれにもかかわらず彼のポイント彼があることを意識するには彼が余りに偏られることを証明するのに代りに外国人の仕事を使用した。

1 La Salleがあるまた1のBenildeがある!

The CSB Experience 2: Fatal Projects and Exercises from Comgrap

I might even die just be reading what we are to do on the last few weeks of Comgrap! Even now, I still don't have my own copy of the Adobe Creative Suite package. I'm still looking for an authorized distributor even if I have all the chance in the world to buy a fake CS master premium. I want the real one from Adobe but I need to know where in Manila do they sell Adobe CS programs legally and how much per package.

Here's an email sent to me by Sir Hansel Lou Gonzales:

//Exercise 07
Logo Reconstruction (DONE!)

//Project 03
Personal Logo
Design a personal logo, bring scanned studies next week for approval.
6 Logo Design Studies to be made. ( Your own personal logo)

//Exercise 08
Vector ME

//Exercise 09
The Type

//Project 04
Movie or TV Show
Your group is tasked to design and conceptualize the look for a new
movie or tv show. conceptualize a good theme for your movie and agree
on an appropriate title.

Requirements
Costume / Character Design
Posters (Main and Supporting Character Posters)
OBB(Movie Title/Logo layout in A4)
Concept Paper(Minimum 2 pages)
Presentation

Prepare as many artworks and presentation materials as necessary
(Sample: bookmark, movie ticket, invites, stickers etc.)

//Finals Project
PrintFolio
Your job is to create/design a portfolio that would best market your
talents and creativity as an artist. (could be you as a freelance
artist or you have your own design studio)

Show off your talents and skills in graphic design through this
portfolio material.

You may use 50% of your previous projects in the subject to be
included in the portfolio. Concept and works that you will use should
be approved first. You may also create new artworks to be included in
the printfolio.

The portfolio SHOULD NOT be a collection of all of your works but
should serve as a teaser or sampler (6-10 artworks only)

Try to think out of the box and avoid the conventional brochure
layout, make your concept as creative and original as possible.

Expectations:
Photo Manipulation, Digital Painting, Logo Design, Overall layout and
proper use of the medium(photoshop/ illustrator)

Specifications:
Output - Printed/Mocked- up
Size - Depends on your chosen format
Format - its up to you to decide if you want it portrait or landscape,
you may change the print format if you have a more creative layout in
mind.
Others - create also a cd sticker, cd case or pocket, business card
(2x3.5inches) all in 300 dpi and your design should be incorporated in it.

The CSB Experience 2: Belediging

Up till now, I still can't memorize the alma mater hymn of CSB...Ang kabisado ko lang kahit papaano ay ang sa La Salle. Hehehe, buti na lang nakita ko nito sa internet para at least ma-post ko dito's kabisaduhin ko sa tuwing binibisita ko ang Multiply ko. :D

Raise your voices, sing your praises

Hail, Saint Benilde!

Pride and honor, we proclaim

To thee, oh, Saint Benilde!

A teacher of the Christian youth,

A prudent man of God

Inspire us in a life of prayer

As we learn in truth and love.

Raise your voices, sing your praises

Hail, Saint Benilde!

Pride and honor, we proclaim

To thee, oh, Saint Benilde!

Insulto sa Aking Kolehiyo

Not long ago, a discussion of ideas occurred between me and a friend of mine from DLSU-M. It was only in the spirit of voicing out our opinions over a subject which I believe was misunderstood by him. But I was surprise that, how do I say this, reason out that I too should be aware of the real dirt behind this subject since I am, what he implied, "an MMA student" of CSB

Although I'm not in a position yet to see the topic in the viewpoint of a multimedia arts student, I'm just being open-minded believing no good would come if we would go on criticizing our works in the field of media (TV, Radio, Movies, etc.) since what we have now is an ongoing improvement of an existing field in the TV arena.

But he, the DLSU-M guy, said that as a student of "De La Salle(-)[College of Saint] Benilde" I should see his point (him being an Advertising major), as he said so himself, " I mean, you are a CSB student. Make the words "De La Salle Benilde" mean the part that says "De La Salle.""

Medyo suntok sa buwan iyon, as I tried to understand his implication by what he just said. He may have implied that as a part of "De La Salle" my views "daw" as a Benildean should share the same viewpoint he has as a Lasallian. But then again I ask myself: Why does he think that these two distinct schools should share the same ideals and visions for its students? There are a lot of things that he does not know about being a student of CSB, nor do I know either about being a DLSU-M student. 

As I believe, La Salle-Manila is a traditional university, with most courses similar to others. Sure their Liberal Arts college is more or less an equivalent to CSB's own School of Design and Arts, but still, each takes a direction different from the other. CSB, is unlike DLSU-M in more ways than he could even imagine. Other than what CSB is being described as a "learner-centered" institution, the students of Benilde are more more colorful, unique, and more independent, even if the school has a dress code which prevents us to fully express our individuality.

Sure, during UAAP season, CSB as well as the rest of the Lasallian schools are always there to support the DLSU-M Green Archers especially whenever they are pitted against good ol' Ateneo de Manila. The college also look back at its roots and is forever grateful that they were once an integral part of the university but it doesn't mean that we have to be forever known as "that school from La Salle". CSB dares to be different, it doesn't allow itself to be identified soley as a La Salle school, but a school known only as "Benilde" with no De La Salle name needed for it to be recognized.  Heck, even in the NCAA where CSB took DLSU-M's place, we are known simply as "CSB" sans the DLS initials (a subject of technicality but that was what the school came to be known).

A common belief to all Benildeans is that "De La Salle" is just a surname, signifying CSB's past affiliation as a college within DLSU-M, but our first name is, and only will be, "Benilde". So why the need to share viewpoint with our "mother school", if CSB has a mind of its own, and doesn't have to agree necessarily to what it want us see in their eyes?

What was taught to him as an Advertising student doesn't have to be the same as what we are being taught as MMA students, right? He believes that I can't see what he's trying to point me but nevertheless he never tried opening up his viewpoint for a change as well as seeing every single thing being shown on media in general that he fails to see the good stuff being thrown at him. 

He judged them as if he had "high standards" yet I'm not convinced that he has such. He instead used the works of foreigners to prove his point nevertheless he's too biased to realize that he is.

There may be One La Salle, but there is also One Benilde!

96.3 WRocK Metro Manila

This is for all the fans, listeners, and non-listeners of the Philippine's Original Lite Rock Radio.

The CSB Experience 2: The Early Show

            Probably by next week, I will be able to encode my schedule for third term earlier than the rest, for the first time FINALLY! YES! YES! I’m happy to know that I’m also a Dean’s Lister for I incurred a GPA of 3.125 yehey!

            So here’s the subject I’m planning to take next term:

1.     NSTPCWS=National Service Training Program-Civil Welfare Service

2.     SONDES=Sound Design in Multimedia

3.     FOTOGRA=Basic and Digital Photography

4.     DESNCON=Design Concepts for Multimedia Arts

5.     DESKPUB=Desktop Publishing

6.     TECHDRW=Technical Draw and Drafting

7.     PROFES1=Design Professions and Code of Ethics

 

Good thing that Sir Dave approved them all, I’m just hoping that I’d be able to pass the prerequisites I’m currently taking now like Frehand and Comgrap. But by the looks of those future subs, I’m guessing I’m in for a rough ride.

The CSB Experience 2: The Clever Fool and the Task of 5 Froshes (Jamer Connection 2.0)

Update on that previous post about my transccript and the transcripts of my fellow HS batchmates in CSB being needed by the CSB Registrar. I need to have mine submitted as soon as possible since my status in the College of Saint Benilde was listed as "temporarily enrolled". 

That status is also given to not just me and fellow 107 batchmates Maan, Nikko P., Justin, Gelli P., Calayag, Evan-not-my-kuya, Ali and etc. but as well as the fates of 5 108 froshes that also hail from SJA.

So far, I think I'm the only one as of yet who gave the letter from CSB requesting for my transcript to the Registrar's Office in SJA. Louie, thank God, texted me and even YMed me so she could tell me that I can now go there to pick up my transcript.

Since Wednesday is No-Class-Just-Breaktime Day, I went to Malabon to do just that. Around 1 in the afternoon, I was a bit surprised that not only do I get to receive MY transcript of records but also 5 other Forms 137, each in the name of five ID108 Jamers.

Here's the list of those 5 froshes, and I know one of them!:

1. Miko Joseph Bernardo
2. June Kirbie Naval (Another Naval in CSB, probably a relative of Revo's)
3. Diane Trixia Plata (Another Plata too?)
4. Karla Celine Roque (a Roque from Concepcion?)
5. Laine Bernadette Sevilla

The fate of my stay in CSB as well as five others is now in my reliable hands. Pray for me!

Behind-the-Scenes

Raw Footages used for a documentary produced by Marlon, Issi, and I for Philoma last school year.

This video includes funny spoofs, and possibly never before scenes not scene from the documentary.

I'm yet to get a copy of that documentary though :))

They Kiss(ed) Again for the last time (English Version)

Last October 31st, I was tuning in on the TV all-afternoon so I could watch the final episode (or the final 24 minutes of the actual episode) of They Kiss Again, the second season to the Japanese-manga-based Taiwanese drama, It Started With a Kiss.

From what I could assume (since I'm not the type of guy who would watch subbed episodes of a series in advance), Jeanie (I'm going to use their Philippine names so it won't be hard) was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease that could left her blind. What made matters worse that if the possibility of giving birth occurs, she her condition could prove lethal. She was so afraid to die especially when she learned that the old woman-patient she was taking care of, humbly named Granny, died while in her sickbed at the hospital. This made Jeanie all the more dperessed and fearful of dying alone.

Michael, her husband, came to her and assured that as long as they're together, she has nothing to be afraid off (despite the fact that Jeanie's condition is incurable). Michael promised to her that if ever they will have a child, he will take good care of him and tell him that his mother was the nicest person he ever met.

So what was their love story? In season 1 of ISWAK, Jeanie was a high school student who had a crush with the popular genius in school, Michael Jiang. She gave him a love letter but right after their meeting he ignored her. Now Jeanie just moved into a new house that was built by his widower father, but on their first night alone, a weak earthquake quickly collapsed the house. 

With nowhere to go, the best friend of Jeanie's dad, Mr. Jiang, offered his generosity by inviting them to live temporarily at the Jiang household. Unknown to Jeanie, Mr. Jiang is the father of Michael!

To cut the long story short, they became a couple by season's end and the the first series finale was marked by the wedding of the seemingly odd couple (the Boy Genius married the Naive Girl).

Season 2 picks up where the first left off, the newly-wedded Jiang couple had a honeymoon in Hawaii. As the story progresses, Michael decided to study medicine while Jeanie opted to undergo training as a nurse, just so she could be with her husband. Michael's little brother, Junjun grew unrealistically old from a young tweeny-chubby and ugly looking genius at the start of season 2 to a tall eye-glass wearing teen genius.

Season 2 ended with the Jiang couple on their way to the hospital with Jeanie holding a camera for the intention of showing it to their child (A similar thing that was made in Season 1). Despite the wife possessing a potentially fatal disease, the couple took what time was left in Jeanie's life to enjoy every single minute of it.

This was not, however, the intended ending of the author for which the series drew inspiration from. The manga was discontinued because of a tragic accident that caused the death of the author, leaving the manga, as well as all the adapation that was based from it (the 2008 anime version, the 1990's J-dorama, and ISWAK-TKA) "unfinished".

Bittersweet of an ending it is for whatever conclusion that the author may have had in mind at the time of her death, it is only her who knows how the Jiang couple's love story would have ended.

Say that you love me

Say that you care

lawfully

question: can a family sue a hospital if they are denied access to immediate health care (let's say the dad suffered a stroke) because that particular hospital is not covered by the family's health insurance, or something to that extremity?

They Kiss(ed) Again for the last time

Medyo napaiyak ako nung napanood ko ang final episode ng sinubaybayan kong Taiwanese drama series na “They Kiss Again”. Bittersweet ang ending kasi kaya naiinis ako na ganoon ang magiging kapatpusan ng lovestory ng dalawang bida.

                  Second season ito ng “It Started With a Kiss” na binase naman sa isang sikat na manga na inadapt rin sa paggawa ng isang anime at ng isang J-Drama noong Dekada Nobenta (Itazura na Kiss).

                  Sa unang season, ang kuwento doon ay tungkol sa isang high school girl na may crush sa genius na popular boy ng eskuwela. Gumawa siya ng love letter pero binasted lang siya nito. Ngayon, bagtong lipat ang babae sa isang bahay kasama ang tatay niya. Pero sa unang gabi pa lang, gumiba na ito matapos nagkaroon nang mahinang lindol sa lugar nila.

                  Walang mauuwian ang mag-ama kaya inimbita sila ng matalik na kabigan ng tatay na manirahan pansamantala sa bahay niya at nang pamilya niya. Nagkataon na ang kaibigan ng tatay niya ay ang ama ng crush niya. Naging sila sa katapusan at tinuldok ang first season sa kanilang pagkakasal. Sa second season, nagsimula naman sa pagha-honeymoon ng bagong mag-asawa at ang buhay nila matapos magpakasal.

                  Ang lalake nagdesisyung magdoktor habang ang babae ay nagsanay na maging nars. Maraming mga bagay ang nagpasubok sa katibayan ng kanilang relasyon pero nangibabaw pa rin ang pag-ibig nila sa isa’t isa kahit kung sobra sa iba ang kanilang mga pagkatao (Henyo ang lalaki=tanga naman nang babae). Lumipas ng ilang taon, biglang nagbago itsura nang nakbabatang kapatid ng lalaki (sa unang kalahati, panget na chubby boy na nagsisimula pa lang magbinata ay naging payatot na nakasalamin na henyo sa katapusan).

                  Nalaman sa huli na may nakamamanang sakit ang babae na maaring ikamatay niya’t ikabulag kung sakali magkaroon na siya nang anak ng kanyang asawa. Labis na natakot ang babe dahil ayaw niyang mamatay na mag-isa’t nalulungkot na di kapiling ang mga mahal niya sa buhay. Pero inalalayan siya ng asawa niya’t sinisiguro na magiging okay ang lahat. Kung magkaka-anak man sila, aalagaan ng asawa’t mamahlin ng lubos ang anak nila, dagdag na rin na ikukuwento niya kung gaano kabait ng kanyang ina.

                  Natapos ang palabas nang magpapatingin sa doktor ang babae kasama ang asawa niya. May dala siyang camcorder para maalala siya nang magiging anak nila.

                  Nalulungkot ako sa naging ending nito kasi hindi definite kumabaga ang naging intended na ending ng mga gumawa. Marahil dala na rin ito sa hindi pagtapos ng pinagbasehang manga sa dahilang namatay ang ang awtor nito na hindi pa tapos ang manga.

Tinuring ko na lang itong “bittersweet ending” kasi kahit kung mayroong nakakamamatay na sakit ang babae, nanatili pa rin siyang matatag at makikita rin na nagmamahalan pa rin sila ng kanyang asawa hanggang sa pinaka-katapusan ng kanilang kuwento.

PInakita rin sa last episode ang mga eksena kung kalian sila nagkahalikan mula noong aksidenteng nahalikan ng babae ang crush niya noon habang tinutulungan siya sa kanilang pagsusulit hanggang sa halikan nila bilang mag-asawa.

James and the Nap in Baritan

We had lugaw for breakfast and afterwards I took a shower. We were supposed to leave at ten o’clock for the 10:30am Mass in Maysilo but my dad was taking too long at arranging all the food he bought from the market earlier. Eventually, it was decided that we’re not going to Mass for the time being so we went ahead on going to Novaliches to pay our respects for our dearly departed buried in Eternal Gardens.

                  There were a lot of people inside the cemetery already. Add to that is the mountains of trash accumulated from yesterday’s All Saints’ Day holiday. The cemetery almost looked as if it was more of a mini-Luneta Park, with families setting up tents (and I mean “camping” tents!), setting up barbecue stands and chairs, with people eating right next to the “puntod” of their departed loved ones.

                  Unlike the hide-and-seek we endured from yesterday’s Cavite trip, this one in Novaliches took us no longer than 30 seconds to find my maternal grandparents and great-grandparents’ grave. We stayed there for about an hour before heading off to Malabon for lunch at the Sibucao-Coquia-Vito-Roque Compound in Barangay Baritan (Most often confused as being a “part” of Concepcion). We had kare-kare, menudo, pancit palabok (or pancit Malabon), Boy-Ching-Woo Fried Chicken, among others. Drinks include Coke and water in a pitcher.

                  I also visited my lovely cousin, Louie. I shared to her my pre-enrollment nightmare with the rest of our batchmates in CSB while she shared her supposedly relaxing sembreak by staying at home and being a bum throughout the rest of the break.

                  I got bored because the 14-year old TV is, well, kinda old. And my pranets had it fixed on C/S 9 where it was airing a live Wizards NBA game against the Pinstons, followed by a boxing show sponsored by White Castle, then later came another set of PBA games for that day. I took this as an opportunity to take a nap at my lola’s old air-conditioned room. I was awaken sometime around 3:30pm because someone texted my cellphone asking me if we have class tomorrow. I didn’t reply because I’m too sleepy plus even if I could, I wouldn’t know because our phone line is still down=our DSL connection is also down.

                  By 4pm, we left Baritan to attend the 5pm Mass in Maysilo. Despite the heat of the afternoon, we really didn’t mind because the choir there was a cooling relief compared to the not-so-synchronizing choir we always hear during the morning Mass.

                  So that’s how I spent the holidays, visiting our dear loved living peacefully beyond the grave and our loved ones living alive and well and still kicking it.

James and the Escape to Bacoor

I actually woke up way, way early. At 3am in the morning, daylight’s yet to come out so I checked myself phone on what time it is and saw that I have one new message that came the day before. I slept way too early last night, around 8pm because I was already feeling drowsy since yesterday afternoon. I was only waiting for the final airing of one of my favorite shows, a bittersweet ending in fact (I’ll talk about that on a later post).

                  I finally got up at around 7 in the morning, my parents were already awake. My mom’s fixing herself up for today’s Saturday morning Mass while my dad (who’s going to drive my mom to Maysilo) somehow washing our Revo using the hose attached to a water-pumping water which pumps clean water to our two large water tanks found in the kitchen.

                  After they left, I ate breakfast having to feast upon that big chunk of chocolate cake they brought home last night. I took a slice and a half on a small plate and consumed it. Later, I also reheated last night’s dinner which is soured pork (sinigang na baboy).  When my dad came home he also cooked some fried squid, and opened a can of spicy tuna.

                  Eventually me and my brothers left with my dad to pick up my mom and Ate (who was in a sleepover the other night at a friend’s house) and went on a trip going down south, to Cavite.

Upon entry from Coastal Road, we turned right to Aguinaldo Highway and turned left towards this side road which would have led us to Molino, a barangay within Bacoor. Unfortunately, the road was closed for rehabilitation (Well at least Strike Revilla realized that this rugged and potholed road need to be paved sooner or later!) so we were directed to use an alternate road. This road was recently put up but up till now it has yet to be fully completed as its entrance coming from St. Dominic College has yet to be cemented (for the apparent loss of a right term).

Once in Molino, my dad had the Revo parked at the RFL Molino Mall and walked our towards my old lolo’s house in nearby Kalayaan Homes. It is still what it is years ago except potholes are starting to appear at the older roads. You could say that Kalayaan is one of those ill-planned subdivisions and villages which were put up in haste in place of once-abundant rice fields. Why ill-planned? The streets there are confusingly one way and can be openly mistaken as either a walkway or a grassy rural field.

At Lolo’s house, we finally met after a long time our relatives from my paternal side, my Tita Janet, Tito Manny H., Tito Sandy, and Tita Ana as well as my two loving cousins. We had lunch there and because since last Friday, we don’t have any phone nor internet connection, took advantage of using my uncle’s internet-connected PC to check on my email, Multiply, and Facebook.

After leaving Kalayaan, we went towards Heavenly Memorial Gardens, a relatively new cemetery where my Lolo Peter was buried seven years ago. The remains of my Lola Adelfa who died 20 years ago, was placed there from where she was buried in Manila South Cemetery in Makati City.

The problem though is that my dad had a wrong sense of direction as to where my grandparents’ grave are located, this had happened before but it took no longer than 10 minutes before we finally found where their grave is. We offered flowers and recited the Rosary before eventually leaving Cavite.

The radio since earlier that morning was set at RJ 100.3 where, for the occasion, have been playing songs from British artists and musicians nonstop at “three songs-in-a-row”.  RJ dubbed this special, “The British Invasion” that’s why I’ve been hearing nothing but British artists ranging from as young as Leona Lewis to as middle aged as Craig David (although he’s yet to turn 30 years old) to as old as the Beatles totally nonstop. I’m not sure if they would count Welsh singer Duffy as “British” right?