Hello! Here’s my first entry for 2009. Hindi ako makatulog kagabi kasi bukod sa bangag ako mula sa pagdiwang ng Bagong Taon, hindi ako makatulog kasi nagbe-brainstorm na ako ng mga palabas sa TV na nagkaroon ng impact sa telebisyon. So heto na!
1. Lobo (ABS-CBN)-This soap tops my list because of its bold attempt to mi drama, fantasy, and thriller while at the same time maintaining its quality, premise, and ensemble cast. I was hoping that the series would end tragically but in a good note, because it gave viewers clues that the characters played by Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual would become tragic lovers or in Filipino “Sawing Magkasintahan”, and yet it ended the other way around.
2. Ligaw na Bulaklak (ABS-CBN)-This is the second ABS produced another daytime soap for its revitalized afternoon line-up after Prinsesa ng Banyera. So far, off all the recent daytime soaps aired by ABS recently, Ligaw is the one to beat. The lead actress, Roxanne Guinoo showed her versatility as the horse-whispering wildflower protagonist, Leah, who throughout her life tried to piece together her broken family because of her father’s fatal belief about her. The series also marked the first time that the Filipinos’ love for horseracing gambling is tackled thus the industry plays a pivotal role in soap as a whole. Roxanne was successful in effectively act out her character, who grew to maturity and what was first thought to be a “jump-the-shark" scene when her true love died before the conclusion of the series became a vital point that further proven that Leah is strong of a woman. A well-written and well-acted soap indeed!
3. Kahit Isang Saglit (ABS-CBN)-This soaps markes the first time ABS-CBN co-produced a soap opera with a foreign company, Double Vision from Malaysia. What makes this show unique is the combination of production values, skills, and cinematography coming from both the Filipinos and the Malaysians. Jerico Rosales have indeed made a big comeback with this soap. Mindless if it was placed on a late slot on primetime, what matters is that the quality of the story, the characters, and the effective collaboration of two foreign media outfits equated with a high quality drama that both the Philippines and the Malaysia should be proud of!
4. I Love Betty La Fea (ABS-CBN)-The 19th country to have an adaptation based on the popular Colombian telenovela, “Yo Soy Betty La Fea”, our Better La Fea borrows elements from the original as well as the US adaptation but at the same time, its storyline deviates from the original plot. It is currently entering its fourth month on air but what makes the show stay afloat is by remaining interesting with every subplot confronted by the title character. This one also boast of an ensemble cast so it is necessary to keep all of them interesting and never go underused and overused for that matter. What I like about this series is that, it was able to effectively show women empowerment in the Philippine setting, with the Pinay Betty the epitome of such (a reflection of good moral character and strong willingness)
5. Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7)-Mas inaabangan ko ito kaysa sa Dyesebel. This adaptation of the popular komiks serial is quite interesting: a former assassin who was chosen to become a “bordado”, a tattooed warrior, who possess powers, gained from the tattoos given to him, in order to save the world from those interested on using such powers for evil. Robin’s characterization was successful in making the title character a farb cry from his past comedic and happy-go-lucky character in Asian Treasures. The subplots centering around the show’s supporting characters were able to connect themselves to the main plot, although the timeline within the show’s reality occurs on a 2-3 hour average per episode. But all-in-all, this is one of the best action-themed shows yet.
6. Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN)-I beg to disagree, this cannot be regarded as the first “Pinoy live anime” but merely possess elements of an action anime that happens to be a live series. Anyway, this show may have lasted for one-season/13 weeks, ABS was able to prove that it too could able to make an action series if given the same attention that other good rated shows have.
7. Kapitan Boom (ABS-CBN)-When Komiks returned after a months-long hiatus, it continued its mini-series format that was started with Francisco Coching’s Pedro Penduko. Although it airs weekly, Kapitan Boom was able to impress me with its believable and modest special effects, its interesting plotline, and cinematography. It continued on as a mini-komiks inspired mini-series during the airing of Varga. I’m looking forward for this character’s return this year for Isanglakas.
8. Maligno (ABS-CBN)-The TV version differentiates itself much from the 1970’s Susan Roces suspense thriller by the more emphasis given on the supposed demon child Claudine Barreto was conceived with. It definitely gave me scares with their clever storytelling (thanks surprisingly from notorious director, Wenn Deramas), and surprise twists (no wonder the yaya wasn’t killed by the white bald demon-pet).
9. Minsan Kitang Minahal(ABS-CBN)-Your Song adopted a monthly min-series format when it entered its third year on air. The first installment stars Heart Evangelista as a 30-something heartbroken entrepreneur, Erich Gonzales as her assistant in her early 20’s, and Jason Abalos as a 20-something call center agent who has a crush on heart but is the apple of Erich’s eye. The innocence of love is cleverly shown and how the characters were portrayed gave us the idea that even if love does exist, it is never enough to keep you from moving on. Jason and Heart’s characters may not ended up together at the finale, what mattered was that they were able to love even after love fails them.
10. Without You (ABS-CBN)-Another Your Song installment, it tackles one of the most sensitive issues affecting society, same-sex relationships. But as in all relationships (regardless of orientation), sometimes you need not to be selfish and let the one you love free to make his decisions. The show starred Victor Basa as the confused guy who have somehow fallen to an openly-gay guy portrayed by Joross Gamboa. Joross’s character knew that he cannot let Victor escape from his responsibilities as a father to his love child, and he knew that Victor might not have any feelings for him after-all. Fortunately, in the end, they became the best of friends.
11. My Only Hope(ABS-CBN)-Your Song by November adopted a season-long format starting with this mini-series. The show is dark in tone buut nevertheless, it gave us an idea how love can get entangled by the problems caused by the show’s different characters. Despite that, love gave a person a reason to live, a reason to hope, and a reason to be free. My Only Hope is reaching its climax, and I’m glad that Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson improved on their acting, such that they matured as the series progresses.
12. Midnight DJ (TV5)-A weekly horror series co-produced by the Associated Broadcasting Company and Malaysian production outfit, Double Vision (who gave us 3R and Kahit Isang Saglit), it follows the reins of past horror serials like Oka Tokat and Text. Season One introduced us to Patrick, (Paolo Contis) a DJ by midnight and a ghost whisperer at day. He solves mysterious cases that involves with the paranormal while he sits on deck for his popular late night radio show. The season however ended with Patrick’s death (brought about by Contis’s departure due to an exclusivity clause on his new contract with GMA). Season 2 started with the spirit of Patrick, sending a message to his girlfriend (played by Desiree del Valle) by having her dream about his replacement for his show, an common con-man played by Oyo Boy Sotto. Initially, he doesn’t have a gift of seeing spirits, he has a very sharp mind that proves to be helpful especially when lost spirits come to him themselves by showing off clues. Well, it is expected that Paolo should re-appear in the series, even as a ghost, in order to give some closure of sorts to his character.
13. Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan (GMA-7)-I chanced upon this series a few months ago and it is truly a tragic story. This drama showed us that despite making a mistake that could fatally result to the devastation of a loving relationship, that mistake somehow became a blessing in disguise. Sinuko ng tauhan ni Camille Prats ang anak niya kay Diana Zubiri bago siya namatay. Pero bago pa man siya binawian ng buhay ay hiniling niya kay Diana na huwag siyang tumigil sa pagmamahal niya kay Marvin Agustin, ang ama ng anak niya, alang-ala sa bata na walang alam sa ginawang kasalanan ni Camille.
14. Iisa Pa Lamang (ABS-CBN)-This soap has the elements of the stereotypical telenovela, but what makes this different from the others is its fast pacing, given that it only lasted about four months. During its run, it gained notoriety with its unbelievable one-liners and catfights, something that haven’t been done on any Philippine soap opera for a very long time.
15. Dyosa (ABS-CBN)-This is probably Anne Curtis’s best performance since her ABS-CBN debut with “Hiram”. I like how the production team portrayed Philippine folk characters as gods and goddesses in a Greek mythological-like setting. As of late, the show picked up steam when it is about to reach its climax and I expect that it will be maintained well until the ends of the series’ run. On a negative note, the green space on the background is obviously seen whenever the setting is placed on either “Kabanua” or “Kasamyan”. But nevertheless, I hope Dyosa keeps up the good work.
16. Dyesebel (GMA-7)-I’m not really much of a fan of this TV adaptation from Mars Ravelo’s works but I watch this because my sister hogs the TV. Another reason is that my classmate back in 1st term was in it (as the villainous Betty). Good points: the chemistry of Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera is still hot after their Marimar stint, and the main story is well maintained. Bad points: minor storylines are given more emphasis, the ridiculous appearances of the show’s sponsor as is slowly fades into a commercial break, and the timeline average for an episode last only within hours of the day. But other than that, special effects plays a critical role of giving the show a more appealing charm as a family show.
17. Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN)-I was glad that even before Angelika Dela Cruz transferred back to GMA, she was able to open up a new storyline that could explain the outcome of her character being written off, when her show was granted a second season. The second season also saw the entry of Ara Mina and Oyo Boy Sotto (who has a track record for most number of daytime soaps starred by a young actor like him as of late). That season started with the brutal murder of Mayumi Burgos, portrayed by Dela Cruz, Maningning Burgo’s (Kristine Hermosa) search for justice, and the hidden secret kept by the character of Neil Ryan Sese. I have long thought that the Burgos twin’s father was the character of Allan Paule and the father of Maningning’s lover was Sese,it was revealed that Sese’s character was in fact the father of Maningning and Mayumi. The paternity of TJ Trinidad’s character was never revealed. The series was supposedly granted a third season but creative differences between Kristine and its director forced the series to prematurely end with a few other key storylines left unresolved. Despite this, it ended on a good and somehow satisfying note.
18. Hay…School Lyf (ABS-CBN)-This is the first part of the two-month final season of Star Magic Presents. Despite lasting for a month, it showed that the true friendship is beyond looks, beyond popularity and beyond personalities. A friend is always there whenever you are in need. whatever trouble you may be in, friends stick together through thick and thin!
19. Love Spell Year 3 (ABS-CBN)-Year 3 lasted for one season when the show switched formats with Your Song and became a weekly episodic series. Year 3 also saw the change of tone when the episodes became dark. I liked the creative direction the show was heading though, because I believe this would somehow help with viewer’s maturity to not just rely on watching feel-good dramas. In addition, the dark-toned episodes are reflections of who were are in real-life: our desire to be accepted by being different, our dissatisfaction on the decisions that we make, our addiction to video games at an early and its devastating effects, our view of women’s as “dolls” to can be bought and replaced, and our inability to see beyond material things.
20. My Girl (ABS-CBN) and Ako si Kim Samsoon (GMA-7)-I couldn’t decide which of these two adaptations of popular Korean dramedies (incidentally produced by Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation-Korea) are better so I decided to make them a tie. Both have their high and low points. As in the original, they both started out light and comedic in tone, but as they progress, My Girl and Ako Si… oth started to possess the typical stereotypes of past Philippine soaps. Their plots became dramatic in tone, they both have exaggerated “the ex-girlfriend” characters (although I must give a thumbs up for Nina Jose since she started out boring and insane at the beginning of My Girl), and further deviate (lumayo masyado) from original flow of their Korean counterparts. I know that the people behind production want to infuse Filipino elements on these remakes, but it’s unforgivable that their making them a wee bit farfetched and unbelievable unrealistic (as if the original My Girl and Samsoon were not unrealistic enough). The original My Girl was created to break stereotypes on how Korean leading female characters are portrayed while the original Kim Samsoon broke stereotypes on beauty and discrimination. Both ended up with the wedding of the lead characters, Jasmine and Julian sharing a heart sign with their hands, while Cyrus married a now-thin Samsoon (which kinda seems a bit ironic, IMO)
21. Palos (ABS-CBN)-This is another action series that ABS made in attempt to regain its foothold on the genre after its not-so-satisfying take on the Panday franchise. Good points: The plot twists and the chemistry of Roxanne Guinoo and Jake Cuenca, as well as the tandem of onscreen father-and-son, Cesar Montano and Cuenca. Bad points: Since Palos could also passed off as a sci-fi series, it must at all cost abide by existing scientific theories or at least make fictional ones that somehow makes sense to the viewers. The supposed “computer chip”, the central item that drives the series, is said to contain a sort of computer virus that could infect and hack computer systems and eventually various strategic infrastructures like the stock market and the main frame of the CIA, thus being a much sought-after item. Given that situation needs a very explainable theory to justify that kind of possibility but that was never addressed thus making the series as a whole, inaccurate. Another is the annoying “leading lady” in the form of Valerie Garcia. I get that she’s supposed to be the love interest of Jake Cuenca, her character development is poor, in addition to her poor vocalization (I hate her irritating husky voice).
I have so many dramas that I wanna mention but I don’t wanna make the list longer than 21. But my New Year’s wish for upcoming dramas this year:
1. ABS should can all their soaps so that the tendency to extend them and the like won’t happen. Their canned soaps seem to fare better than the traditional “still-under production” ones.
2. GMA should once again create original productions to create variety in their primetime line-up, same goes for their daytime block. So as to not entirely depend on re-adapting existing works for television.
3. TV5 should continue what they’re doing so viewers would be able to have a good alternative to the usual TV fare offered by ABS-CBN and GMA.
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Last Entry for 2008
Here's my last entry for 2008 just so umabot sa 350 ang number of blogs ko (I'll have to recheck if I still have draft bogs though).
Barangay Arkong Bato is at its liveliest on four different occasions: 1)All Saint's Day and 2)Occasional funerals (because Arko has its own cemetery), 3)Christmas (A lot of kids and their parents are all out wearing new clothes), and 4) New Year's Eve (From December 30 until January 1, stalls selling firecrackers and fireworks suddenly appear form left to right).
On the final day of 2008,I don't know how I'd spend it except stay put inside the house, watch TV, and maybe get an afternoon nap. Boring, right?
As boring as it may seems, the only thing that I could be proud on how i spend this very noisy last day is that my whole family is here. We just had lunch together which I guess was the rarest time that all 6 of us in the family are complete for lunch. And fortunately, we're going to be complete tonight for dinner.
We don't follow the traditional paputok-paputok thing where we have bogas and super lolos and taking them out outside to make noise, we're realy not into that. But for this year, we may have an opportunity to do one "inside" the house. My dad recently bought a firecracker, I odn't know which kind, and is planning on using them up outside on our roof deck.
In a few hours, we'll be closing all our windows as we expect people to start flickering all their fireworks as the time clocks down to midnight. Gotta be safe than sorry right?
It's been a relatively god year for me, for family, and for my friends. I hope that this year is going to be better, not just fo me, but for the Philippines.
Wish for the whole year? I hope people learn from their mistakes and unite for progress.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Barangay Arkong Bato is at its liveliest on four different occasions: 1)All Saint's Day and 2)Occasional funerals (because Arko has its own cemetery), 3)Christmas (A lot of kids and their parents are all out wearing new clothes), and 4) New Year's Eve (From December 30 until January 1, stalls selling firecrackers and fireworks suddenly appear form left to right).
On the final day of 2008,I don't know how I'd spend it except stay put inside the house, watch TV, and maybe get an afternoon nap. Boring, right?
As boring as it may seems, the only thing that I could be proud on how i spend this very noisy last day is that my whole family is here. We just had lunch together which I guess was the rarest time that all 6 of us in the family are complete for lunch. And fortunately, we're going to be complete tonight for dinner.
We don't follow the traditional paputok-paputok thing where we have bogas and super lolos and taking them out outside to make noise, we're realy not into that. But for this year, we may have an opportunity to do one "inside" the house. My dad recently bought a firecracker, I odn't know which kind, and is planning on using them up outside on our roof deck.
In a few hours, we'll be closing all our windows as we expect people to start flickering all their fireworks as the time clocks down to midnight. Gotta be safe than sorry right?
It's been a relatively god year for me, for family, and for my friends. I hope that this year is going to be better, not just fo me, but for the Philippines.
Wish for the whole year? I hope people learn from their mistakes and unite for progress.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
A Look Back to 08
It is a time for New Year Resolutions and new beginnings. Welcome to the 2nd look back to the year 2008 as we countdown the top 25 entries filed under J-Blog during 2008. Let’s start the countdown as we welcome the new year! (Dates are set in Philippine Standard Time and are based on chronological order).
1. A Year after Campus Jan 20
-The death of Campus Radio saddened not just me but a whole lot of people who fell in love with LS-FM’s popular format. Can’t even believe that there are those who kept on bashing Campus , pati mga DJ’s hindi nila tinantanan!
2. Ang Gabing Tinawag Ko ang Buong Malabon at Navotas Feb 8
-Ginabi ng uwi bunso ko kasi may practice ang buong section niya ng sayaw para sa darating na Intrams. Kaya tumawag ako sa lahat ng mga taong maari makatulong sa’kin. :D
3. What If I Joined the The Team? Feb 21, Apr 6, Dec 28
-This was written in three parts, the last one being posted just recently. I was planning on joining CSB’s taekwondo varsity but was disappointed on the outcome.
4. So Sick May 1
-I was only in my first week in summer class when a fever took me down, making me miss a few days worth of classes and quizzes. It had an effect on my final grade a week later.
5. Singkwentay Sais, When History Repeats Itself Jun 5
-This was under the Reality and Dreams blogs series. I wasn’t exactly dreaming that time but I had a sense of déjà vu because I felt a repeat of past events that time.
6. Being in Blumentritt the First Time Jun 6
-Well it's true.First time kong nasa Blumentritt. It was scary yes but it’s never too late to take a risk going there, right?
7. YMing with an Airchecker Jun 10
-When Campus 99.5 was still alive, I got to YM’ed an Airchecker from Campus Aircheck Batch 5. I think his name is Miguel from Letran, I wish he and the rest of the aircheckers a very fruitful new year!
8. Meeting Up With the Omani-raised Girl from Oman Jun 13
-I think I mentioned about a Girl I met during orientation back when I was just starting out with Year 1 of The CSB Experience, I only realized that my classmate was the Omani-raised girl I met a year back.
9. My First Manila Day Holiday/Weekend Jun 23
-Manila Day 2007 was on a weekend so I never really had that Manila Day-feeling yet until the next year when it fell on a school day.
10. Inside The Black Box Studio with Dawn Zulueta Jul 5
-3 things: 1) 1st time being on SDA’s 6th floor, 2) 1st time being part of a taping of a show, 3)1st time to meet up close and personal Dawn Zulueta and Boy Abunda.
11. Tour de Manila Aug 5
-The Good Earth Plaza next to the Carriedo LRT station was on fire so I was forced to take a jeepney ride while going to school. Fortunately, that jeep led me to take an unwanted tour on unexplored parts of Manila.
12. 107 Clutter and Panic on the Es-Ay-Es Aug 7
-That was when the SIS was all clogged up and all of us under 107 were having a difficult time encoding our schedules.
13. Eating Benildean Fish Fillet at the Z-Square Aug 8
-Fred’s cousin and I sneaked inside La Salle Manila to have lunch at the popular caf, Z Square.
14. When You Know That He's/She's A...Aug 22
-Nilista ko ang mga side professions ng mga naging kamag-aral ko, kasi unbelievable na pumapasok pala sila ganong mga trabaho.
15. Jaime and the Boni Adventure Sep 2
-This is the day when 99.5 RT returned on air and I took up the courage of visiting a station such as that in Paragon Plaza in Reliance.. However, before I could go inside RT, I found myself inside Magic 89.9, the room next door.
16. Aymadi-El Sep 2
–This was when I found myself becoming a dean’s lister for the very first time.
17. One August Morning Sep 6
-Every once in a while, I would often write poems especially when I’m in the mood of doing so. Same thing can be said when I was inspired of putting this one up because of “One August Morning”
18. Concluding the Court Drama Sep 18
-an update on the case of my almost stolen I-Pod, the suspect surrendered herself but failed to appear in all the meetings called upon by the discipline board. I just hope she gets what she deserves!
19. Networking? Sep 18
-A warning to anyone who’s being persuaded to join into this business: The people who are into this will brainwash you into mindless money-oriented zombies!
20. Na-USTe Ako ni Will! Oct 24
-Microcosm proved to us that it is indeed a very small world, that was when I met former Thomasian Will Valeriano who happens to be a former blockmate of Dianne and Nikko DS in USTe.
21. The Last Exile, Dapitan! Oct 26
-I took the time going around UST after submitting my brother’s requirements for his upcoming entrance examination. That was when the school was in the middle of a sembreak, I felt like I was in Europe with every period-inspired building I see in every corner of the royal and pontifical university.
22. The Infiltration of Guillermo Tolentino's School of Thought Nov 11
-Can’t believe no one read this blog as of now. I was referring to a certain someone and her unnamed school. I coined her as Guillermo Tolentino, a conservative thinker. Hehehe
23. Si Jeco Na-USTe! Dec 21
-This happened during the 2008 Paskuhan in UST. Nagkawalaan kami nina Raymond at jerico. Hindi namin matanggap ang text ng isa't isa kasi ang daming tao sa USTe kaya nakakabanggaan ata ang mga mtext messages ng mga naggo-Globe at Smart. Sun ang nanaig kahit may buwan. Buti na lang nagkita kami bago ako sumuko't uuwi na lang. May libreng concert pa si Bamboo!
24. James' Series of Unfortunate Events Dec 26
-The unluckiest streak I ever had in recent memory. As if, the days’ leading up to Christmas is a day’s worth of a nightmare. And it’s all because of that dumb bird who dumped its puke on my hair!
25. Bicycle MIA For 2 Years Dec 26
-This was a long delayed entry commemorating the loss of my bicycle back in 2006. And it’s all my fault!
So here you go: My top 25 blog entries written during 2008 Anno Domini. Merry Christmas and a Happy Happy New year to all of us!
1. A Year after Campus Jan 20
-The death of Campus Radio saddened not just me but a whole lot of people who fell in love with LS-FM’s popular format. Can’t even believe that there are those who kept on bashing Campus , pati mga DJ’s hindi nila tinantanan!
2. Ang Gabing Tinawag Ko ang Buong Malabon at Navotas Feb 8
-Ginabi ng uwi bunso ko kasi may practice ang buong section niya ng sayaw para sa darating na Intrams. Kaya tumawag ako sa lahat ng mga taong maari makatulong sa’kin. :D
3. What If I Joined the The Team? Feb 21, Apr 6, Dec 28
-This was written in three parts, the last one being posted just recently. I was planning on joining CSB’s taekwondo varsity but was disappointed on the outcome.
4. So Sick May 1
-I was only in my first week in summer class when a fever took me down, making me miss a few days worth of classes and quizzes. It had an effect on my final grade a week later.
5. Singkwentay Sais, When History Repeats Itself Jun 5
-This was under the Reality and Dreams blogs series. I wasn’t exactly dreaming that time but I had a sense of déjà vu because I felt a repeat of past events that time.
6. Being in Blumentritt the First Time Jun 6
-Well it's true.First time kong nasa Blumentritt. It was scary yes but it’s never too late to take a risk going there, right?
7. YMing with an Airchecker Jun 10
-When Campus 99.5 was still alive, I got to YM’ed an Airchecker from Campus Aircheck Batch 5. I think his name is Miguel from Letran, I wish he and the rest of the aircheckers a very fruitful new year!
8. Meeting Up With the Omani-raised Girl from Oman Jun 13
-I think I mentioned about a Girl I met during orientation back when I was just starting out with Year 1 of The CSB Experience, I only realized that my classmate was the Omani-raised girl I met a year back.
9. My First Manila Day Holiday/Weekend Jun 23
-Manila Day 2007 was on a weekend so I never really had that Manila Day-feeling yet until the next year when it fell on a school day.
10. Inside The Black Box Studio with Dawn Zulueta Jul 5
-3 things: 1) 1st time being on SDA’s 6th floor, 2) 1st time being part of a taping of a show, 3)1st time to meet up close and personal Dawn Zulueta and Boy Abunda.
11. Tour de Manila Aug 5
-The Good Earth Plaza next to the Carriedo LRT station was on fire so I was forced to take a jeepney ride while going to school. Fortunately, that jeep led me to take an unwanted tour on unexplored parts of Manila.
12. 107 Clutter and Panic on the Es-Ay-Es Aug 7
-That was when the SIS was all clogged up and all of us under 107 were having a difficult time encoding our schedules.
13. Eating Benildean Fish Fillet at the Z-Square Aug 8
-Fred’s cousin and I sneaked inside La Salle Manila to have lunch at the popular caf, Z Square.
14. When You Know That He's/She's A...Aug 22
-Nilista ko ang mga side professions ng mga naging kamag-aral ko, kasi unbelievable na pumapasok pala sila ganong mga trabaho.
15. Jaime and the Boni Adventure Sep 2
-This is the day when 99.5 RT returned on air and I took up the courage of visiting a station such as that in Paragon Plaza in Reliance.. However, before I could go inside RT, I found myself inside Magic 89.9, the room next door.
16. Aymadi-El Sep 2
–This was when I found myself becoming a dean’s lister for the very first time.
17. One August Morning Sep 6
-Every once in a while, I would often write poems especially when I’m in the mood of doing so. Same thing can be said when I was inspired of putting this one up because of “One August Morning”
18. Concluding the Court Drama Sep 18
-an update on the case of my almost stolen I-Pod, the suspect surrendered herself but failed to appear in all the meetings called upon by the discipline board. I just hope she gets what she deserves!
19. Networking? Sep 18
-A warning to anyone who’s being persuaded to join into this business: The people who are into this will brainwash you into mindless money-oriented zombies!
20. Na-USTe Ako ni Will! Oct 24
-Microcosm proved to us that it is indeed a very small world, that was when I met former Thomasian Will Valeriano who happens to be a former blockmate of Dianne and Nikko DS in USTe.
21. The Last Exile, Dapitan! Oct 26
-I took the time going around UST after submitting my brother’s requirements for his upcoming entrance examination. That was when the school was in the middle of a sembreak, I felt like I was in Europe with every period-inspired building I see in every corner of the royal and pontifical university.
22. The Infiltration of Guillermo Tolentino's School of Thought Nov 11
-Can’t believe no one read this blog as of now. I was referring to a certain someone and her unnamed school. I coined her as Guillermo Tolentino, a conservative thinker. Hehehe
23. Si Jeco Na-USTe! Dec 21
-This happened during the 2008 Paskuhan in UST. Nagkawalaan kami nina Raymond at jerico. Hindi namin matanggap ang text ng isa't isa kasi ang daming tao sa USTe kaya nakakabanggaan ata ang mga mtext messages ng mga naggo-Globe at Smart. Sun ang nanaig kahit may buwan. Buti na lang nagkita kami bago ako sumuko't uuwi na lang. May libreng concert pa si Bamboo!
24. James' Series of Unfortunate Events Dec 26
-The unluckiest streak I ever had in recent memory. As if, the days’ leading up to Christmas is a day’s worth of a nightmare. And it’s all because of that dumb bird who dumped its puke on my hair!
25. Bicycle MIA For 2 Years Dec 26
-This was a long delayed entry commemorating the loss of my bicycle back in 2006. And it’s all my fault!
So here you go: My top 25 blog entries written during 2008 Anno Domini. Merry Christmas and a Happy Happy New year to all of us!
End of J-Blog No. 349!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Alyssa Place @ Merville Subdivision, 90210
Hahaha! Gumana na rin sa wakas!
Went to Alyssa's place down south to celebrate the end of Finals Week!
A 2008 Yearender on the Land of Radio
It's a repost from another website where I first put up this countdown of sorts. :D
January
-Radio GMA head, Mike Enriquez terminated most of the original Barangay LS DJ's from their jobs and were replaced immediately. This was in lieu of ME to fully transform WLS-FM into a masa station. This also makred the death of Campus Radio in LS. Only Hot Lips Leeza and Dan the Man from original Campus Airforce were retained.
-RJ 100’s flagship show, RJ Online, was renamed “RJ Sunday Jam”. It still airs on RJTV, which now carries programs from Solar Entertainment’s former cable channel, 2nd Avenue.
-The "Morning Zoo Crew" was brought to Max from Magic 89.9.
-Kellybites Nites started airing on 103.5 Max FM.
February
-During the UP Fair 2008, it was announced that the Campus Radio brand will return on the airwaves but in a different frequency, which caused speculations on which exisiting station are the former LS DJ's going to take-over.
-A text message sent to me from an LS-FM DJ finally confirmed that 99.5 HiT FM is the one that'll undergo a reformat (DWRT's 2nd after it's first reformat from being 99.5 RT)
-DWTM's flagship morning show, Good Times, was spun-off as a magazine/lifestyle show on Studio 23. The spin-off is hosted by Magic 89.9 DJ's Mo Twister, Mojo Jojo, Andi9, and Grace Lee.
-92.3 xFM was rebranded "XFM 92.3 (Lite'n'Up)", returning the frequency to the smooth jazz sound its has known before as 923 Joey before from the previous ambient/chill/electronica sound introduced by xFM.
March
-On Holy Week, HiT FM bade listeners farewell with a bang. Slyde was on deck for most of the day, followed by the Homerun, and finally the Brewrats.
-On Easter Sunday, Hit became 99.5 Campus FM, with John Hendrix and Jimmy Jam greeting listeners on the strike of dawn. They also introduced an extended, weekend-long version of LS-FM's Retrojam, "Campus Classic Weekend". Some of the Hit jocks were retained but others were transferred to other stations.
April
-Auditions were announced for the latest batch of Campus Aircheck.
-April also marked the return of the "Top 20 at 12", still hosted by station manager Triggerman.
-Controversial blogger, Brian Gorell, was interviewed by Good Times with Mo, Mojo, and Grace Lee
May
-Campus 99.5 started a talent search called “So You Wanna Be a Star”
-Campus FM was renamed "Campus 99.5"
June
-June 12, Rico Blanco's comeback single, "Yugto" was first played on selected stations (I FM, Max, NU among others). Prior to the premiere of the single, a teaser of the song was played, inciting listeners' curiosity.
-Campus 99.5 brought back its Technologic updates
-Max FM started its series of program re-scheduling.
July
-Campus brought back FrontdotCenter, with its featured artist of the month, Chicosci.
-Rock-It Launcher was also revived, featuring the launch party of Itchyworm’s latest album held at Café Rallos.
-Campus aired a special which is all about David Cook
-An online flame war was ignited by fans of the nighttime shows, the Brewrats (Campus) and Boys Night Out (from Magic 89.9) in PinoyExchange.com.
-Logan’s Alley was revived on Max FM.
-Max FM DJ Carl McFly, became the new host of long-running OPM show, Tunog Kalye. He replaced Drei Ball who eventually left Max for good.
-RJ 100 got itself a new DJ, veteran Baby John (or is it Papa John?), who now graces RJ’s 6-9am morning slot weekdays.
-Yes! FM became automated.
-Yours truly, James Habitan, made his radio debut in DZMM's youth show, U-Talk.
August
-A rare crossover edition of BNO and the Brewrats was aired in order to pacify its followers fighting online in PinoyExchange.com.
-Campus 99.5 as a format was axed by the management and a weeks-long music-automated hiatus started following its untimely demise.
-Rumors online starting circulating, saying that the owners might bring back 99.5 RT.
-96.3 WRocK celebrated 20 years on the air under its popular lite-rock format.
-Dream FM was spared from the recent reformat of its sister TV channel, the ABC-owned TV5
September
-Last song played by DWRT-FM before the eventual format switch was “Change the World”
-99.5 RT (The Rhythm of the City) returned on the airwaves, bringing back old DJ’s coming from RT and Hit. One jock from Campus was retained.
-King DJ Logan resigned from Max FM.
-News broke out that the former jocks of 99.5 are planning on bringing back the Campus format by establishing new station.
-107.9 U Radio’s studios were raided upon orders of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) due to alleged non-payment of due fees. The matter was settled in court and the station was back on air.
October
-KDL and the returning Tina Ryan resurfaced on RT as an on-air tandem (“Reunited”).
-News broke out that the Manila Broadcasting Company acquired 96.3 WRocK Manila from ACWS-United Broadcasting Network. The station began a still-ongoing transition period.
-However, ACWS-UBNi retains control of its online streaming site and has since then aired an online version of the old WRocK in Hayag.com. The online streaming now goes by the name “Wrock Online”.
-Magic’s nighttime program, BNO, was given a suspension order from the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) which lasted for 90 days until early December.
November
-DWRK (96.3 Wrock) transferred to its new home in Star City, Pasay City from its former home in FEMS Tower 1, Osmena Highway, Manila.
-Jam 88.3 was awarded Best FM Station in the 2008 KBP Golden Dove Awards.
December
-Magic 89.9 made changes to its weekday line-up following the departure of several of its DJ’s.
January
-Radio GMA head, Mike Enriquez terminated most of the original Barangay LS DJ's from their jobs and were replaced immediately. This was in lieu of ME to fully transform WLS-FM into a masa station. This also makred the death of Campus Radio in LS. Only Hot Lips Leeza and Dan the Man from original Campus Airforce were retained.
-RJ 100’s flagship show, RJ Online, was renamed “RJ Sunday Jam”. It still airs on RJTV, which now carries programs from Solar Entertainment’s former cable channel, 2nd Avenue.
-The "Morning Zoo Crew" was brought to Max from Magic 89.9.
-Kellybites Nites started airing on 103.5 Max FM.
February
-During the UP Fair 2008, it was announced that the Campus Radio brand will return on the airwaves but in a different frequency, which caused speculations on which exisiting station are the former LS DJ's going to take-over.
-A text message sent to me from an LS-FM DJ finally confirmed that 99.5 HiT FM is the one that'll undergo a reformat (DWRT's 2nd after it's first reformat from being 99.5 RT)
-DWTM's flagship morning show, Good Times, was spun-off as a magazine/lifestyle show on Studio 23. The spin-off is hosted by Magic 89.9 DJ's Mo Twister, Mojo Jojo, Andi9, and Grace Lee.
-92.3 xFM was rebranded "XFM 92.3 (Lite'n'Up)", returning the frequency to the smooth jazz sound its has known before as 923 Joey before from the previous ambient/chill/electronica sound introduced by xFM.
March
-On Holy Week, HiT FM bade listeners farewell with a bang. Slyde was on deck for most of the day, followed by the Homerun, and finally the Brewrats.
-On Easter Sunday, Hit became 99.5 Campus FM, with John Hendrix and Jimmy Jam greeting listeners on the strike of dawn. They also introduced an extended, weekend-long version of LS-FM's Retrojam, "Campus Classic Weekend". Some of the Hit jocks were retained but others were transferred to other stations.
April
-Auditions were announced for the latest batch of Campus Aircheck.
-April also marked the return of the "Top 20 at 12", still hosted by station manager Triggerman.
-Controversial blogger, Brian Gorell, was interviewed by Good Times with Mo, Mojo, and Grace Lee
May
-Campus 99.5 started a talent search called “So You Wanna Be a Star”
-Campus FM was renamed "Campus 99.5"
June
-June 12, Rico Blanco's comeback single, "Yugto" was first played on selected stations (I FM, Max, NU among others). Prior to the premiere of the single, a teaser of the song was played, inciting listeners' curiosity.
-Campus 99.5 brought back its Technologic updates
-Max FM started its series of program re-scheduling.
July
-Campus brought back FrontdotCenter, with its featured artist of the month, Chicosci.
-Rock-It Launcher was also revived, featuring the launch party of Itchyworm’s latest album held at Café Rallos.
-Campus aired a special which is all about David Cook
-An online flame war was ignited by fans of the nighttime shows, the Brewrats (Campus) and Boys Night Out (from Magic 89.9) in PinoyExchange.com.
-Logan’s Alley was revived on Max FM.
-Max FM DJ Carl McFly, became the new host of long-running OPM show, Tunog Kalye. He replaced Drei Ball who eventually left Max for good.
-RJ 100 got itself a new DJ, veteran Baby John (or is it Papa John?), who now graces RJ’s 6-9am morning slot weekdays.
-Yes! FM became automated.
-Yours truly, James Habitan, made his radio debut in DZMM's youth show, U-Talk.
August
-A rare crossover edition of BNO and the Brewrats was aired in order to pacify its followers fighting online in PinoyExchange.com.
-Campus 99.5 as a format was axed by the management and a weeks-long music-automated hiatus started following its untimely demise.
-Rumors online starting circulating, saying that the owners might bring back 99.5 RT.
-96.3 WRocK celebrated 20 years on the air under its popular lite-rock format.
-Dream FM was spared from the recent reformat of its sister TV channel, the ABC-owned TV5
September
-Last song played by DWRT-FM before the eventual format switch was “Change the World”
-99.5 RT (The Rhythm of the City) returned on the airwaves, bringing back old DJ’s coming from RT and Hit. One jock from Campus was retained.
-King DJ Logan resigned from Max FM.
-News broke out that the former jocks of 99.5 are planning on bringing back the Campus format by establishing new station.
-107.9 U Radio’s studios were raided upon orders of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) due to alleged non-payment of due fees. The matter was settled in court and the station was back on air.
October
-KDL and the returning Tina Ryan resurfaced on RT as an on-air tandem (“Reunited”).
-News broke out that the Manila Broadcasting Company acquired 96.3 WRocK Manila from ACWS-United Broadcasting Network. The station began a still-ongoing transition period.
-However, ACWS-UBNi retains control of its online streaming site and has since then aired an online version of the old WRocK in Hayag.com. The online streaming now goes by the name “Wrock Online”.
-Magic’s nighttime program, BNO, was given a suspension order from the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) which lasted for 90 days until early December.
November
-DWRK (96.3 Wrock) transferred to its new home in Star City, Pasay City from its former home in FEMS Tower 1, Osmena Highway, Manila.
-Jam 88.3 was awarded Best FM Station in the 2008 KBP Golden Dove Awards.
December
-Magic 89.9 made changes to its weekday line-up following the departure of several of its DJ’s.
J Pics Best Pics: Pasko sa Malabon
Yes! It's back with a vengeance!
Habitan-Sibucao-Roque-Qoquia-Vito
I Wanna Watch A Movie (J-Review Special)
Starting December 25 until the first few weeks of January every year, all cinemas in the Philippines are required to show nothing but all-Filipino movies, entries for the annual Metro Manila Filmfest-Philippines.
For the first 17 years of my life, I haven't watched a single filmfest entry in theaters unless they get to be aired on cable. It was only January of this year was I able to watch my first filmfest movie, Shake Rattle & Roll 9.
For this year, the current line-up of entries are watchable, unlike in past years that there's only a few films worth watching. I haven't watch any of these movies yet but here's my initial reviews on each of these films:
1. Ang Tanging Ina Ninyo Lahat-The sequel of the 1st Tanging Ina movie and a follow-up to the spin-off television series. I'm not sure how the 2nd movie would be able to give fans the lowdown of what happened after the events following Ina marrying John Estrada's character and the absence of several key caharacters (Juan, Fortia, Sixtus, etc). But given the premise that Ina became president of our country, for sure it'd be able to produce a lot of laughs as well as give emphasis to the importance of family.
2. Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After-This TVJ starrer takes places after the events of the original 1980's situational comedy, "Iskul Bukol", when the Escalera brothers were reunited 20 years later. Most of the original cast remained intact. Wala pa ako mundo when it was still on air but knowing the trio that's Tito, Vic and Joey, I'm sure that this film would be able to generate the same kind of response that made their sitcom a hit.
3. Baler-There wasn't any Philippine period film that was able to at least match the quality and success accomplised by the 1998 filmfest entry, Jose Rizal. But based from the good reviews Baler has been getting (including members of the historical community), this is one period movie I'm sure going to watch. One lowdown I guess would be the character of Jerico Rosales. He's too "kayumanggi" to be a Spaniard but he could still pass as a "mestizo" soldier from any of Spain's former colonies (but the date was set around 1898, and Spain by that time had already lost most of its colonies).
4. One Night Only-good news: This movie received an award for Best Original Story, thanks to director Jose Javier Reyes, who's also a well-known screenwriter who was able to produce a remarkable number of screenplays adapted into film and television. The bad new: The story may be promising, this movie may also possess the same kind of tendency that Reyes' other non-romantic comedies have, they start off good but gets confusing in the middle until becoming totally lost in the end. I've watched his two recent films, Kutob and Matakot Ka sa Karma, and my impresson was "what?". Alam ko na may nais sabihin si Reyes sa mga pelikula niyang thrillers at sex comedies, pero siguro naman puwede niyang hindi masyadong palituhin ang mga manonood. He could go beyond the tried-and-tested formula, but he should at least maintain the interests of viewers.
5. Desperadas 2-Every one knows that Desperadas is inspired from the US series "Desperate Housewives", hence the title but people should give this film a chance since the story is far different from the series.
6. Shake Rattle and Roll 10-This is the tenth installment of the popular horror trilogy franchise. They usually follow a certain format: "Shake" is a mellowed, sometimes comedic and safe episode, kumabaga "patikim" pa lang. "Rattle" is medium-done and tender, just the right fright but almost ends on a good yet risky note. "Roll" is where the fun begins and ends, and the film finish with everyone spooked up! My New Year's wish is for a MMFF with only one entry coming from Regal Films instead of a whole army of films produced by Regal tycooness, Lily Monteverde (Why do people call her 'Mother' anyway?)
7. Magkaibigan-Any MMFF is never complete without seeing a movie starred by longtime movie vets, and this year is no different. Magkaibigan is a movie produced in dedication to the late actor, Rudy Fernandez, whose best buds, Jinggoy Estrada and Christopher De Leon, share the title roles of best friends. People guessed it right when they know that this movie is going to garner at least one of the top plum awards, the Best Actor Award. I have nothing against the actors nor the movie which I guess is pretty good, but I wish that the filmfest won't always be dominated by oldtimers.
8. Dayo-The first fully animated film entry since "Animasia" and "Ibong Adarna" (was this movie a filmfest entry, please do correct me). Unlike other films, this movie took 2 years to make. Based from the behind-the-scenes footage, i like the cast of voice talents (no feeling dubbers), a good mixture of child innocence to professional theater actors to good-timed comedians. No feeling dubbers whatsoever. As long as they are able to do jsutice to the characters given to them I'm fine with it. But when there comes a time for another Pinoy animated film sometime in the future, they ought to also cast people who have take voice acting a profession. This one is what I'm really dying to watch.
My top 3 picks for movies I'll most likely going to watch would be:
1. Dayo (Because I support Philippine animation)
2. Baler (Because I'm a History Buff)
3. Tanging Ina Ninyo Lahat (Because I've already watched the first movie and the TV series. The sequel would complete my happiness).
For the first 17 years of my life, I haven't watched a single filmfest entry in theaters unless they get to be aired on cable. It was only January of this year was I able to watch my first filmfest movie, Shake Rattle & Roll 9.
For this year, the current line-up of entries are watchable, unlike in past years that there's only a few films worth watching. I haven't watch any of these movies yet but here's my initial reviews on each of these films:
1. Ang Tanging Ina Ninyo Lahat-The sequel of the 1st Tanging Ina movie and a follow-up to the spin-off television series. I'm not sure how the 2nd movie would be able to give fans the lowdown of what happened after the events following Ina marrying John Estrada's character and the absence of several key caharacters (Juan, Fortia, Sixtus, etc). But given the premise that Ina became president of our country, for sure it'd be able to produce a lot of laughs as well as give emphasis to the importance of family.
2. Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After-This TVJ starrer takes places after the events of the original 1980's situational comedy, "Iskul Bukol", when the Escalera brothers were reunited 20 years later. Most of the original cast remained intact. Wala pa ako mundo when it was still on air but knowing the trio that's Tito, Vic and Joey, I'm sure that this film would be able to generate the same kind of response that made their sitcom a hit.
3. Baler-There wasn't any Philippine period film that was able to at least match the quality and success accomplised by the 1998 filmfest entry, Jose Rizal. But based from the good reviews Baler has been getting (including members of the historical community), this is one period movie I'm sure going to watch. One lowdown I guess would be the character of Jerico Rosales. He's too "kayumanggi" to be a Spaniard but he could still pass as a "mestizo" soldier from any of Spain's former colonies (but the date was set around 1898, and Spain by that time had already lost most of its colonies).
4. One Night Only-good news: This movie received an award for Best Original Story, thanks to director Jose Javier Reyes, who's also a well-known screenwriter who was able to produce a remarkable number of screenplays adapted into film and television. The bad new: The story may be promising, this movie may also possess the same kind of tendency that Reyes' other non-romantic comedies have, they start off good but gets confusing in the middle until becoming totally lost in the end. I've watched his two recent films, Kutob and Matakot Ka sa Karma, and my impresson was "what?". Alam ko na may nais sabihin si Reyes sa mga pelikula niyang thrillers at sex comedies, pero siguro naman puwede niyang hindi masyadong palituhin ang mga manonood. He could go beyond the tried-and-tested formula, but he should at least maintain the interests of viewers.
5. Desperadas 2-Every one knows that Desperadas is inspired from the US series "Desperate Housewives", hence the title but people should give this film a chance since the story is far different from the series.
6. Shake Rattle and Roll 10-This is the tenth installment of the popular horror trilogy franchise. They usually follow a certain format: "Shake" is a mellowed, sometimes comedic and safe episode, kumabaga "patikim" pa lang. "Rattle" is medium-done and tender, just the right fright but almost ends on a good yet risky note. "Roll" is where the fun begins and ends, and the film finish with everyone spooked up! My New Year's wish is for a MMFF with only one entry coming from Regal Films instead of a whole army of films produced by Regal tycooness, Lily Monteverde (Why do people call her 'Mother' anyway?)
7. Magkaibigan-Any MMFF is never complete without seeing a movie starred by longtime movie vets, and this year is no different. Magkaibigan is a movie produced in dedication to the late actor, Rudy Fernandez, whose best buds, Jinggoy Estrada and Christopher De Leon, share the title roles of best friends. People guessed it right when they know that this movie is going to garner at least one of the top plum awards, the Best Actor Award. I have nothing against the actors nor the movie which I guess is pretty good, but I wish that the filmfest won't always be dominated by oldtimers.
8. Dayo-The first fully animated film entry since "Animasia" and "Ibong Adarna" (was this movie a filmfest entry, please do correct me). Unlike other films, this movie took 2 years to make. Based from the behind-the-scenes footage, i like the cast of voice talents (no feeling dubbers), a good mixture of child innocence to professional theater actors to good-timed comedians. No feeling dubbers whatsoever. As long as they are able to do jsutice to the characters given to them I'm fine with it. But when there comes a time for another Pinoy animated film sometime in the future, they ought to also cast people who have take voice acting a profession. This one is what I'm really dying to watch.
My top 3 picks for movies I'll most likely going to watch would be:
1. Dayo (Because I support Philippine animation)
2. Baler (Because I'm a History Buff)
3. Tanging Ina Ninyo Lahat (Because I've already watched the first movie and the TV series. The sequel would complete my happiness).
Sunday, December 28, 2008
The CSB Experience 2: What If I Joined the The Team? A Conclusion
Wegh, late na late na to since nung bakasyon! Okey, so hindi ko pa kayo nabibigyan ng follow-up kung ano ang nangyari sa supposedly meeting namin sa coach ng taekwondo varsity ng CSB.
Nung araw na magkikita kami, hindi ako pinayagan ng nakakainis na manong mukhang aktibista ng visitor desk sa DLSU-M. Doon kasi kami dapat magkikita kung saan, nagsasagawa siya nung panahong iyon nang training sa members ng varsity.
Since, nandoon rin naman ako sa area, plano ko namang hanapin ang nawawalang course card ko sa ngayo'y dating opisina ng SDA sa 7th floor. Nung nandoon ako, sinubukan ko na lang na i-text ang coach para malaman niya na hindi ako pinayagan na pumasok ng La Salle. Nagreply siya, sinasabing hindi rin siya makakapunta (o parang ganoon ang nangyari kasi tagal na).
Hindi nagtagal, tumawag siya sa cellphone ko para kahit papaano ay magkaroon na kami nang linawan. Binigay ko sa kanya ang mga detalye na may relasyon sa pagiging dating atleta ko noon. Kaso, nung nalaman na niya, heto na ang naging paliwanag niya na talagang ikinagulat ko:
Ayon sa kanya, ang hindi blackbelt ay hindi maituturing opisyal na miyembro ng varsity. Maari ako sumali sa training nila, wala akong matatanggap ng mga pribilehiyo gaya nang paunang enrollment, at iba pa. Parang may mali nga lang, kasi may kaibigan ako na nagsasanay para maging miyembro ng arnis varsity pero kahit hindi pa siya opisyal na bahagi ng varsity (mga under 'probation' kumbaga), meron na siyang mga ganong klaseng pribilehiyo. Ang labo 'no?
Matapos kong malaman, nagpasalamat na lang ako sa kanya dahil sa oras na inilaan niya para sa akin ukol sa planong ko sanang pagsali sa varsity.
Sayang talaga ang pagkakataon. tsk tsk tsk.
Nung araw na magkikita kami, hindi ako pinayagan ng nakakainis na manong mukhang aktibista ng visitor desk sa DLSU-M. Doon kasi kami dapat magkikita kung saan, nagsasagawa siya nung panahong iyon nang training sa members ng varsity.
Since, nandoon rin naman ako sa area, plano ko namang hanapin ang nawawalang course card ko sa ngayo'y dating opisina ng SDA sa 7th floor. Nung nandoon ako, sinubukan ko na lang na i-text ang coach para malaman niya na hindi ako pinayagan na pumasok ng La Salle. Nagreply siya, sinasabing hindi rin siya makakapunta (o parang ganoon ang nangyari kasi tagal na).
Hindi nagtagal, tumawag siya sa cellphone ko para kahit papaano ay magkaroon na kami nang linawan. Binigay ko sa kanya ang mga detalye na may relasyon sa pagiging dating atleta ko noon. Kaso, nung nalaman na niya, heto na ang naging paliwanag niya na talagang ikinagulat ko:
Ayon sa kanya, ang hindi blackbelt ay hindi maituturing opisyal na miyembro ng varsity. Maari ako sumali sa training nila, wala akong matatanggap ng mga pribilehiyo gaya nang paunang enrollment, at iba pa. Parang may mali nga lang, kasi may kaibigan ako na nagsasanay para maging miyembro ng arnis varsity pero kahit hindi pa siya opisyal na bahagi ng varsity (mga under 'probation' kumbaga), meron na siyang mga ganong klaseng pribilehiyo. Ang labo 'no?
Matapos kong malaman, nagpasalamat na lang ako sa kanya dahil sa oras na inilaan niya para sa akin ukol sa planong ko sanang pagsali sa varsity.
Sayang talaga ang pagkakataon. tsk tsk tsk.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Hehehe HOAX nga! No To Pinoy Twilight!
I knew it, hoax! Before posting any news on a domain that is meant to be viewed in public, better to verify if it's true and it is from a reliable source. Ang tanga ng writer ng Yehey!:
ABS-CBN remake of “Twilight” a hoax!
Cathy informed Buzzbox her schedule is heavy as she has to finish principal photography and post-production of the John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo starrer “A Very Special Love 2,” Star Cinema’s Valentine offering, before she could work on a new project.
This led Buzzbox to inquire from the talent managers of the actors in the unofficial cast if they have been casted for specific roles. Anjie Ureta, manager of Chin Chin Gutierrez who will do the role of Esme Cullen replied, “As of today we have not received information or inquiry regarding ‘Twilight’ remake for Dos.” Becky Aguila, the manager of Joross Gamboa as Jasper Hale and Empress Schuck as Angela Weber, texted, “Di ko alam. Wala pang sinasabi.” Veronique del Rosario, the manager of Nikki Bacolod as Victoria answered, “Wala pang offer.”
Could this don’t-know approach be a ruse? I got this idea when Carlo Orosa, the manager of Karylle as Rosalie Hale, originally answered “Wala pang official.” When asked for a clarification, replied, “Can’t be revealed yet.” Could it be the whole project is still a top secret and people in the know were asked not to talk about it. This may be similar to the information embargo ordered by ABS-CBN top management for “I Love Betty La Fea” as to the actor who would play the role of Armando. This turned to be John Lloyd Cruz which Buzzbox correctly second-guessed.
There are strong reactions from ‘Twilight” cult fans that a petition for ABS-CBN not to proceed with the project is on-going. The petition centers two issues: ABS-CBN’s lack of ability to do justice to the novel and Rayver not being fit to do the Edward Allen part. Before they do this, they have to find out first if the buzz is for real or a hoax?
Save the effort and hate words, guys! Buzzbox clarified with ABS-CBN Corporate Communication Head Bong Osorio and after checking with ABS-CBN Television Head Cory Vidanes categorically stated: “There is no plan for ABS-CBN to remake ‘Twilight.’”
----
Gagawin Mo?
Gagawin Mo?
by James Habitan
Dahil ginagawa ng yaya mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil ginagawa ng tatay mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil ginagawa ng mga kamag-aral mo sa labas ng eskuwela, gagawin mo?
Dahil hilig gawin ito ng mama mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil libang na libang ang barkada mo dito, gagawin mo?
Dahil depress ka, gagawin mo?
Dahil stressed-out ka sa trabaho, gagawin mo?
Dahil frustrated ka, gagawin mo?
Dahil mabigat ang load ng term paper mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil ginagawa ng boyfriend mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil pati matalik mong kaibigan ginagawa niya iyon, gagawin mo?
Dahil binasted ka ng kasintahan mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil iyon ang ginagawa ng asawa mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil sosi tignan, gagawin mo?
Dahil sosyal gawin ito, gagawin mo?
Dahil pati lolo mo ginagawa niya 'to, gagawin mo?
Dahil ang laki ng problema mo sa buhay, gagawin mo?
Dahil tiniraydor ka ng bespren mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil gusto mong tumakas, gagawin mo?
Dahil sa peer pressure, gagawin mo?
Dahil hindi ka cool kung hindi mo gagawin, gagawin mo?
Dahil ginagawa ito ng nakatatandang kapatid mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil ginagawa ng idolo mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil nais mong mawala ang sama ng pakiramdam mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil gusto mong umiwas sa responsibilidad mo, gagawin mo?
Kahit alam mo na masama, gagawin mo?
Dahil gusto mo, gagawin mo?
by James Habitan
Dahil ginagawa ng yaya mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil ginagawa ng tatay mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil ginagawa ng mga kamag-aral mo sa labas ng eskuwela, gagawin mo?
Dahil hilig gawin ito ng mama mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil libang na libang ang barkada mo dito, gagawin mo?
Dahil depress ka, gagawin mo?
Dahil stressed-out ka sa trabaho, gagawin mo?
Dahil frustrated ka, gagawin mo?
Dahil mabigat ang load ng term paper mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil ginagawa ng boyfriend mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil pati matalik mong kaibigan ginagawa niya iyon, gagawin mo?
Dahil binasted ka ng kasintahan mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil iyon ang ginagawa ng asawa mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil sosi tignan, gagawin mo?
Dahil sosyal gawin ito, gagawin mo?
Dahil pati lolo mo ginagawa niya 'to, gagawin mo?
Dahil ang laki ng problema mo sa buhay, gagawin mo?
Dahil tiniraydor ka ng bespren mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil gusto mong tumakas, gagawin mo?
Dahil sa peer pressure, gagawin mo?
Dahil hindi ka cool kung hindi mo gagawin, gagawin mo?
Dahil ginagawa ito ng nakatatandang kapatid mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil ginagawa ng idolo mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil nais mong mawala ang sama ng pakiramdam mo, gagawin mo?
Dahil gusto mong umiwas sa responsibilidad mo, gagawin mo?
Kahit alam mo na masama, gagawin mo?
Dahil gusto mo, gagawin mo?
Friday, December 26, 2008
Bicycle MIA For 2 Years (J-Christmas Special)
I now have every reason why I should hate myself every December 27. It was the day I lost my bike which I only had for a year. Nakakapanghinayang but its true, everything I own disappears.
I hate myself because I let it happen.
December 25, 2005 was the day when I have what I touted to be the greatest gift I ever have, next to the miracle that it is my I-Pod Nano (but I got that the next year). A bicycle was given to me as a gift from my ninong and my ninang (siblings of my mom). It's been a while since I last had one that's why I was grateful that I get to have this one-of-a-kind gift.
The next year, I celebrated me and my bike's first and only anniversary together :0. The next day, i took a whole afternoon ride with my bike, cruising around the picturesque fishing village of Coloong in Valenzuela. The place is so quiet and peaceful, nothing but the chirps of the birds and the horns of traveling non-motorized sidecars (de padyak).
The following day, December 27, 2006, I took advatange of a newly paved provincial road in Obando, Bulacan right across the border from my house so I decided to cruise there as well after I went somewhere else using my bike.
I don't know what I was thinking but I was darn surprised to see my dad (who supposedly was away for buying groceries) at home cleaning the car. I panicked, at first I thought my dad might scold me for taking my bike to just somwhere. I never knew the limits of how far I could go with the bike but the limit my dad gave me was strictly within our subdivision (which is no longer a biker's paradise than it was 10 years ago). I decided to park my bike just beside our garagedoor OUTSIDE the house and watched it over from our roof deck. While figuring out how I could bring my bike inside the house, I was there guarding it all the way up there.
But I let my guard down when I had to eat dinner with my family. Thoughts of my bike filled my head.
But it was too late.
The moment I finished my meal, I checked outside and my bike is GONE! I don't what to do, I don't know how I could explain it to my parents. It was a foolish thing that I parked it there outside! Grrr...
I asked our neighbors if the saw a bike that was parking outside our garagedoor and one of them said that she saw one of the servants from next door took it inside. We went f=there and asked the owner if they, in any chance, had his servants take my bike. He denied the allegations.
But the neighbor insisted that she saw the old man next door ordered his servant to take the bike. But we can't forcibly make him admit that "stole" the bike, without good evidence other than just witness accounts. (The old man is still alive BTW).
My kuya was the first from my family to noticed that my bike was missing, 2 days after it disappeared. I can't explain to him but the only thing that I said is that I let it happen. Eventually, my parents found out and my dad was furious. Cut the long story short, he scolded me and called me insulting and verbally-abusing (that's how my guidance counselor see it as such) names, yada yada.
The following days, hopeful that I could still locate my beloved bicycle had since then keep a solid eye on every bicycle I see on the streets, fearing that it may have been mine that they were using.
The same time, I was having thoughts of what I should have done if I was at the same scene again otehr than just parked the bike outside the house. I should have had the bike kept by one of my most trusting neighbors so that at least I know that my bike is safe with them. Or, had I did park it outside, I should have excused myself from dinner and secretly bring the bicycle inside the garage via the garage door but in a very quiet way.
And tomorrow, i'm going to celebrate the second anniversary of my bike being on M.I.A. status. Waghhh!
Ang laki kong tanga!!
[Dapat last year ko na ito sinulatsa Multiply pero busy ako noon kaya nakalimutan ko]
I hate myself because I let it happen.
December 25, 2005 was the day when I have what I touted to be the greatest gift I ever have, next to the miracle that it is my I-Pod Nano (but I got that the next year). A bicycle was given to me as a gift from my ninong and my ninang (siblings of my mom). It's been a while since I last had one that's why I was grateful that I get to have this one-of-a-kind gift.
The next year, I celebrated me and my bike's first and only anniversary together :0. The next day, i took a whole afternoon ride with my bike, cruising around the picturesque fishing village of Coloong in Valenzuela. The place is so quiet and peaceful, nothing but the chirps of the birds and the horns of traveling non-motorized sidecars (de padyak).
The following day, December 27, 2006, I took advatange of a newly paved provincial road in Obando, Bulacan right across the border from my house so I decided to cruise there as well after I went somewhere else using my bike.
I don't know what I was thinking but I was darn surprised to see my dad (who supposedly was away for buying groceries) at home cleaning the car. I panicked, at first I thought my dad might scold me for taking my bike to just somwhere. I never knew the limits of how far I could go with the bike but the limit my dad gave me was strictly within our subdivision (which is no longer a biker's paradise than it was 10 years ago). I decided to park my bike just beside our garagedoor OUTSIDE the house and watched it over from our roof deck. While figuring out how I could bring my bike inside the house, I was there guarding it all the way up there.
But I let my guard down when I had to eat dinner with my family. Thoughts of my bike filled my head.
But it was too late.
The moment I finished my meal, I checked outside and my bike is GONE! I don't what to do, I don't know how I could explain it to my parents. It was a foolish thing that I parked it there outside! Grrr...
I asked our neighbors if the saw a bike that was parking outside our garagedoor and one of them said that she saw one of the servants from next door took it inside. We went f=there and asked the owner if they, in any chance, had his servants take my bike. He denied the allegations.
But the neighbor insisted that she saw the old man next door ordered his servant to take the bike. But we can't forcibly make him admit that "stole" the bike, without good evidence other than just witness accounts. (The old man is still alive BTW).
My kuya was the first from my family to noticed that my bike was missing, 2 days after it disappeared. I can't explain to him but the only thing that I said is that I let it happen. Eventually, my parents found out and my dad was furious. Cut the long story short, he scolded me and called me insulting and verbally-abusing (that's how my guidance counselor see it as such) names, yada yada.
The following days, hopeful that I could still locate my beloved bicycle had since then keep a solid eye on every bicycle I see on the streets, fearing that it may have been mine that they were using.
The same time, I was having thoughts of what I should have done if I was at the same scene again otehr than just parked the bike outside the house. I should have had the bike kept by one of my most trusting neighbors so that at least I know that my bike is safe with them. Or, had I did park it outside, I should have excused myself from dinner and secretly bring the bicycle inside the garage via the garage door but in a very quiet way.
And tomorrow, i'm going to celebrate the second anniversary of my bike being on M.I.A. status. Waghhh!
Ang laki kong tanga!!
[Dapat last year ko na ito sinulatsa Multiply pero busy ako noon kaya nakalimutan ko]
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Pasko sa Malabon 2008 (Qoquia-Roque-Sibucao-Habitan Clan)
Lamok
Sodas and Beer
Pamangkin
The Beauty of Things
Evil Cousin Mary Louise
The Cousins
Ang Baboy Mo!
Nasaan Ako Diyan?
RedZ
A Bug's Life
Mag-Kuya
Tita
Mag-Ate
Salvaje
Britney Spears
Pics available for viewing in my Facebook account
JAMES HABITAN
What I Got For Christmas
Other than my usual aguinaldos, I also have:
Merry Christmas!
- A new Phillips earphones replacing my recently destroyed Skullcandy headphones.
- A New handkerchief
- A Filipino novel titled: "Kangkong 1896" by Ceres C. Alabado (Kuya got Daluyong)
- A picture frame
- A beaded bracelet
- Another wallet
- A lifestyle book titled "Digital Photo Doctor" from the makers of Reader's Digest
Merry Christmas!
James' Series of Unfortunate Events
Nge....Mukhanag malas ko ata ngayong Pasko. Sunday pa lang, nagiging masama na ang mga araw. Hindi ako sigurado kung baubuhay pa ako hanggang sa susunod na linggo.- Sunday: May dumapo sa'king tae ng ibon sa buhok ko pagkapasok ko sa simbahan sa Malabon.
- Monday: Sinira ng bunso ko iyung Skullcandy headphones ko nung hiniram niya nung Sunday. Naghahalaga siya nang Php2k! Nung Monday ko lang nalaman
- Tuesday: Grace period, buti na lang!
- Wednesday: Bisperas ng Pasko, aksidente kong binasag isang lababo sa banyo ng ninang ng mommy ko sa Maysilo, Malabon. Isasara ko sana iyung pinto bago ako magbanyo kaso hindi ko napansin na may nakakabit pala itong hook na kailangan tanggalin bago isara ang pinto. Pagpilit ko pa lang na isara ang pinto, di sinasadyang nahatak ko ang nakasabit nitong lababo kaya nahulog ito at nabasag! Diyos ko!
- Thursday: Hay, Christmas na Christmas, nangyari na naman. TWICE! Kakain sana ako ng tanghalian nung family reunion namin kanina sa Malabon. Umupo ako sa isang plastic na upuan at nilagay ko pagkain ko sa isang maliit na plastic na mesa kasabay ng ate ko't pinsan. I-addjust ko na lang sana sarili ko sa upuan nang nabangga ng mga binti ko ang mesa't napahulog ang isang nakabukas na bote ng softdrinks (soda ko!). Natapon, kumalat sa mesa. Nangyari uli nnung pilit ko uli galawin sarili ko.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Reality and Dreams: Sleeptalking to DS
It happened again.
This occured around 2 or 3:30 in the morning after I went back sleep from closing the gates of our house after Ate left to join her choir for the traditional 9-Mornings Christmas Mass held in Malanday, Valenzuela.
So I was in this building which I assume to be a school. I remember doing something which made my body move uncontrollably while I'm deep in my sleep. Suddenly, an old high school friend, Nikko DS, appeared and he was asking me a question. Can't really remember what he asked me nor what I answered about (I get amnesiac a few minutes after I finally woke up). But how I answered him was what made me really fall of my bed!
My mouth was moving, I was saying words, I mean intelligible words, speaking as if I'm actualy answering his question in real time. By that time I was doing that, I became aware that I was talking in my sleep! Don't know how that happened but I felt very aware that this part of my body is moving upon orders coming from my brain.
I woke up with a fright. Thinking, "Ano lang ba ang nasabi ko?".
It's been going on around me for quite sometime now, since my Prep days when I first discovered that I could sleeptalk as well as I could have strange premonitions when I'm sleeping.
Speaking of premonitions, I haven't had any for the past few months or so but when an occurance happens in front of my face, it triggers something that somehow made me remember that I may have had a vision about it. But so far, there was none. My premonitions somehow makes me some kind of a psychic, can't really foretell events but in a way knows that those premonitions may happen sooner than later. Record to date would be my "Oh my God I was in a place with 3rd Year High School students sitting on the floor and my Chemistry teacher is walking past them" vision last year which only took a day before it became a reality.
Until then, I will now put myself to SLEEP.
Goodnight!
This occured around 2 or 3:30 in the morning after I went back sleep from closing the gates of our house after Ate left to join her choir for the traditional 9-Mornings Christmas Mass held in Malanday, Valenzuela.
So I was in this building which I assume to be a school. I remember doing something which made my body move uncontrollably while I'm deep in my sleep. Suddenly, an old high school friend, Nikko DS, appeared and he was asking me a question. Can't really remember what he asked me nor what I answered about (I get amnesiac a few minutes after I finally woke up). But how I answered him was what made me really fall of my bed!
My mouth was moving, I was saying words, I mean intelligible words, speaking as if I'm actualy answering his question in real time. By that time I was doing that, I became aware that I was talking in my sleep! Don't know how that happened but I felt very aware that this part of my body is moving upon orders coming from my brain.
I woke up with a fright. Thinking, "Ano lang ba ang nasabi ko?".
It's been going on around me for quite sometime now, since my Prep days when I first discovered that I could sleeptalk as well as I could have strange premonitions when I'm sleeping.
Speaking of premonitions, I haven't had any for the past few months or so but when an occurance happens in front of my face, it triggers something that somehow made me remember that I may have had a vision about it. But so far, there was none. My premonitions somehow makes me some kind of a psychic, can't really foretell events but in a way knows that those premonitions may happen sooner than later. Record to date would be my "Oh my God I was in a place with 3rd Year High School students sitting on the floor and my Chemistry teacher is walking past them" vision last year which only took a day before it became a reality.
Until then, I will now put myself to SLEEP.
Goodnight!
The Rolling of the Chairs
Ironic, I'm already 18 years old but I'm still fond of rolling myself on wheel-powered chairs like a 4-year old boy, you know the ones you see on offices?
Yesterday was no exception, we were at my mom's temporary office inside the ECDP Building and the first I did was sit on a rolling chair. But it's not just me, but a dozen other kids who were there for the annual Christmas party. Too bad, the party proper was held on Jollibee Harrison Plaza but nevertheless, it didn't stop me from rolling like crazy.
It's really unfortunate that my old playground (my mom's true office in the DOF building) is still under rehab until later next year. It has a large enough space for kids to play around with chairs.
HISTORY: (Loading history-buff mode)
Blame me because I'm guessing it was me and the first generation of DOF kids who first introduced the idea of using wheeled chairs as play things. The new-found tradition was then passed by succeeding generation and is still pretty much alive today!
Yesterday was no exception, we were at my mom's temporary office inside the ECDP Building and the first I did was sit on a rolling chair. But it's not just me, but a dozen other kids who were there for the annual Christmas party. Too bad, the party proper was held on Jollibee Harrison Plaza but nevertheless, it didn't stop me from rolling like crazy.
It's really unfortunate that my old playground (my mom's true office in the DOF building) is still under rehab until later next year. It has a large enough space for kids to play around with chairs.
HISTORY: (Loading history-buff mode)
Blame me because I'm guessing it was me and the first generation of DOF kids who first introduced the idea of using wheeled chairs as play things. The new-found tradition was then passed by succeeding generation and is still pretty much alive today!
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Complex
Every year, me and my siblings would accompany my mom to the annual Children's Christmas Party held inside the Department of Finance building. But for this year, the party was to be held, inside the ECDP building within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, for the DOF building is undergoing renovation after a massive airconditioning breakdown took place earlier this year, forcing the DOF to move its offices to the nearby ECDP complex.Fortunately, I get to see the wonderful exteriors of the complex itself. It's BSP's exterior which fascinates me more than its rather blant and unsafe looking interiors of its buildings. The exterior found within BSP is creatively planned and landscaped in good taste. There's pretty much a lot of greenery found inside the complex which, added to that the wide space provided by the wide distance of the buildings between each other inside, gives people a sense of ease and sanctity with matching wind effect.
A little piece of history I found unearthed is the ruins of what was remained of an old colonial fort called Fort Abad. Little do I know about this piece of old structure but other than the similar colonial arhcitecture it shares with the well-known Fort Santiago, it somehow gave Manilenyos an idea of what Manila was back then, as the whole stretch of Roxas Boulevard used to be one stretch of a beach extending all the way to Pasay and Cavite.
The buildings are well designed on the outside, very reminiscent of the Marcos-era architecture propagated by Former First Lady Imelda Marcos. One design that caught my fancy was the almost shoe-box like layout of each of the buildings, similar to the design followed by SM North EDSA and SM Megamall. The DOF building and one of the BSP complex building are connected via a bridge which also serves as a facade for people preferring to walk outside of the buildings.
Also an ergonomic plus are the availabiltiy of facilities/walkways for the physically-disabled like those who ride on wheelchairs.
But that leads me to the worst part about the complex, its interiors. The ECDP building is probably the best case to highlight a design gone wrong. If it looks good on the outside, it's not much of an eyesore (because unlike the DFA Building, it has a lot of green space), the inside is.
1. It smells like someone from 30 years ago smoked like crazy just before airconditioning units became the ideal alternative for electric fans.
2. The already-dim lighst are in dire need to repairs
3. Ventilation is rather mediocre or just below it.
4. The elevators looks like one of those deadly quadrelateral killing machines seen on the movie "Hyper Cube" for it looks, feels, and functions in a very unsafe way.
5. The corridors/hallways is a blah. If you were able to watch old 1980's movies starring Dawn Zulueta and Sharon Cuneta where they were working in as office girls, you may have ntoice that their working area is made out of wood. It's the same here, except that the wooden walls are in dire need of varnishing to make them at least look shiny.
6. There are few offices inside the ECDP building's 8th floor that looks so decent, but looking at my mom's temporary office (Fiscal Policy and Planning Office) there, it kind resembles my mom's previous office way before she moved to her proper office found at the more-tolerable DOF building. The only redeeming factors would be the sleek looking Fuji PC's and the cool-looking office tables.
7. Don't even start me up on the bathrooms, the male restroom is poorly maintained, smelly and lacks basic restroom necessities like soaps and tissue-filled containers. The sinks are supposed to be used for washing hands not washing dishes for crying out loud! And one of the sink doesn't work because the leftovers brought by the washed dishes had all bt cloged it up.
8. Back to the hallways, the dim lighting and the wooden walls remind me of a psycho-horror thriller where the victim is being chased by a killer while running on an endless hallway with nowhere to go.
Unfortunately, I didn't brought my camera with me that time but I do have pics of the exterior from last Friday. Enjoy!^
Coming up next: The Rolling of the Chairs
J.I.A.: Come Ol' Ye Faithful
Hahaha...buti may nakita akong litrato ng sarili ko at ng friend ko nung Grade 5. Hay...nakakamiss talaga ang Grade 5. Pero grabe, ang taba ko noon!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Jaime and the REAL EDSA Adventure
This is the aftermath of "Alyssa's Place @ Merville Subdivision, 90210".
From the side road near SLEX/South Superhighway/Skyway; Me, Sheena, Pax, and Angie took a cab and drove all the way to South EDSA where I was dropped off. I had my dSLR and my laptop left behind in Alyssa's since it was late and I might get mugged by criminal elements.
Anyway, from the south side of EDSA, I crossed the avenida by way of the overpass which is kinda difficult. I have this sort of fear of heights except that I'm afraid of wide open spaces whenever I'm in the middle of a bridge, fearing that I might fall. I could even feel my legs trembling! Hahaha!
After successfully crossing the overpass, I waited patiently near a gas station to hitch a ride on an aircon bus en route to Caloocan. It was already late past 11 and i getting a bit cold. Fortunately, I was able to ride one and seated at the front row near the aisle.
The bubs's radio is set on 90.7 Love Radio where it was airing this not so-heart-to-heart program called "TLC: True Love Confessions". Supposedly, the programs premise is for listener's to share their love problems to the DJ and the DJ would give them love advice. Problem is, instead of giving listeners an advice about love, the DJ merely laughs AT the listener and his problems with matching laugh stingers in between!
And I thought advice programs on radio aren't supposed to be comedic in any way. Grrr....
In order for me to at least drown my ears from further hearing the halakhak that was coming from the irritating DJ's mouth, I had my headphones placed on my....head and turned on my I-Pod.
As I listen to the first 14 songs from my playlist, the bus is moving along the 23.8 kilometer stretch of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue. I passed by Rockwell, Shaw, Robinson's The Forum, Paragon Plaza, Reliance, Shangri-La, SM Megamall, Farmer's Market, Gateway, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon Avenue, Trinoma, SM North EDSA, the ongoing construction of the LRT-MRT Loop, and finally MCU where I dropped myself off and walk across McArthur Highway. I bought some mineral water from Ministop Monumento since I was really thirsty. The supposedly "water" contained on a glass untouched during the party was in fact, Sprite.
From there, I finally took a jeepney ride home, arriving at 12:30 in the am.
BTW, tumawag sina Pax para kamustahin ako habang nasa bus pa ako, at tinext nila ako nung nakauwi na ako't matutulog na. Salamat at may mga kaibigan akong maasahan talaga! :D
From the side road near SLEX/South Superhighway/Skyway; Me, Sheena, Pax, and Angie took a cab and drove all the way to South EDSA where I was dropped off. I had my dSLR and my laptop left behind in Alyssa's since it was late and I might get mugged by criminal elements.
Anyway, from the south side of EDSA, I crossed the avenida by way of the overpass which is kinda difficult. I have this sort of fear of heights except that I'm afraid of wide open spaces whenever I'm in the middle of a bridge, fearing that I might fall. I could even feel my legs trembling! Hahaha!
After successfully crossing the overpass, I waited patiently near a gas station to hitch a ride on an aircon bus en route to Caloocan. It was already late past 11 and i getting a bit cold. Fortunately, I was able to ride one and seated at the front row near the aisle.
The bubs's radio is set on 90.7 Love Radio where it was airing this not so-heart-to-heart program called "TLC: True Love Confessions". Supposedly, the programs premise is for listener's to share their love problems to the DJ and the DJ would give them love advice. Problem is, instead of giving listeners an advice about love, the DJ merely laughs AT the listener and his problems with matching laugh stingers in between!
And I thought advice programs on radio aren't supposed to be comedic in any way. Grrr....
In order for me to at least drown my ears from further hearing the halakhak that was coming from the irritating DJ's mouth, I had my headphones placed on my....head and turned on my I-Pod.
As I listen to the first 14 songs from my playlist, the bus is moving along the 23.8 kilometer stretch of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue. I passed by Rockwell, Shaw, Robinson's The Forum, Paragon Plaza, Reliance, Shangri-La, SM Megamall, Farmer's Market, Gateway, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon Avenue, Trinoma, SM North EDSA, the ongoing construction of the LRT-MRT Loop, and finally MCU where I dropped myself off and walk across McArthur Highway. I bought some mineral water from Ministop Monumento since I was really thirsty. The supposedly "water" contained on a glass untouched during the party was in fact, Sprite.
From there, I finally took a jeepney ride home, arriving at 12:30 in the am.
BTW, tumawag sina Pax para kamustahin ako habang nasa bus pa ako, at tinext nila ako nung nakauwi na ako't matutulog na. Salamat at may mga kaibigan akong maasahan talaga! :D
Alyssa's Place at Merville Subdivision 90210
I Saw the Sign
Early this morning, just when me and my family arrived in time for Mass, we went inside the church and were about to take our seats. Somehow, out of nowhere, I felt something fell on my head, something that had landed on my hair. Using my right hand, I tried to feel whatever was on my hair. As I removed my hand from my head and took a good look at it, I almost yelled after what I saw: "Yaaak! Bird Poo!"
Yuck! I just can't believe it! Of all the places and of all the people that bird could have placed his "gift" to, why ME?! Good thing my mom had those wet tissue wipes so i could clean my hand and my hair. Boy, was it so creepy having a bird befall on you its manure!
Then again, I look at the incident on a different viewpoint. Somehow, it came as a blessing in a nasty kind of disguise, a sign from God. Earlier, I was having second-thoughts whether or not to attend the funeral of my cousin's lolo, humbly called "Grandpa" by Ate Lora and her siblings, that was to be held in Heritage Park in Taguig. In a way, the "poop" incident somehow made me decide that I won't be joining my parents, Ate, and Jorge to the funeral after-all.
Sooner after, me and my Kuya went home, ordered some Jollibee take-out and had my hand and hair washed clean.
What a weird and nasty sign God gave me, don't you think?
Tech Problems
Mukhang nagkakandarapa sa aking mga braso ang sangkatutak na tech problems.
1. Ayaw gumawa ng album para sa mga bagong uploads ang Multiply Photos
2. Ayaw magstreaming na naman ang Quicktime (Error -2048)
At least eto ung pinaka-main problems na hinaharap ko. Ang ginawa ko:
1. Kinontak ko customer service ng Multiply, sabi nila, gagawin nila ang lahat kanilang makakaya kaso hassle talaga kasi ang dami kong mga litrato na kailangang i-upload at siyempre puwede naman sa facebook kaso 60 pics at a time siya per album habang may hangganan kada buwan ang sa Flickr. Di gaya sa Multiply na quantity is no longer a question (as for quality, it comes with a price).
2. As for Quicktime, hindi ko ito maintindihan. dati ung Error -2**** ang pinoproblema ko pero after rebooting, okay na. Ngayon, heto naman Error -2048 ang nakakabuwisit talaga! Sinubukan kong i-reinstall uli Quicktime pero mukhang may problema: Hindi na available sa Mac OS X 10.4 ang current Tiger version ng Quicktime kasi hanggang version 10.4.9 na lang siya. Kainis! Solution is for me to have to have a total software update on Mac OS X Version 10.4 para maging compatible na siya sa bagong version ng Quicktime and other similar programs. Kung hindi ko to magawa in ASAP, di na naman ako makakainig ng online streaming on the safety of my laptop every again!
1. Ayaw gumawa ng album para sa mga bagong uploads ang Multiply Photos
2. Ayaw magstreaming na naman ang Quicktime (Error -2048)
At least eto ung pinaka-main problems na hinaharap ko. Ang ginawa ko:
1. Kinontak ko customer service ng Multiply, sabi nila, gagawin nila ang lahat kanilang makakaya kaso hassle talaga kasi ang dami kong mga litrato na kailangang i-upload at siyempre puwede naman sa facebook kaso 60 pics at a time siya per album habang may hangganan kada buwan ang sa Flickr. Di gaya sa Multiply na quantity is no longer a question (as for quality, it comes with a price).
2. As for Quicktime, hindi ko ito maintindihan. dati ung Error -2**** ang pinoproblema ko pero after rebooting, okay na. Ngayon, heto naman Error -2048 ang nakakabuwisit talaga! Sinubukan kong i-reinstall uli Quicktime pero mukhang may problema: Hindi na available sa Mac OS X 10.4 ang current Tiger version ng Quicktime kasi hanggang version 10.4.9 na lang siya. Kainis! Solution is for me to have to have a total software update on Mac OS X Version 10.4 para maging compatible na siya sa bagong version ng Quicktime and other similar programs. Kung hindi ko to magawa in ASAP, di na naman ako makakainig ng online streaming on the safety of my laptop every again!
Na-USTe Ako!: Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay/Si Jeco Na-USTe!
After card distribution last Friday, I decided to accompany Jeco and Raymond in UST for the annual Paskuhan, a Christmas fair held every year in the Pontifical University. In the past weeks, us three had already agreed as to when we’re going to meet up in UST and this is one is a perfect time to do so.I left for UST at around 6pm and texted Raymond that I’m on his way. By the time I arrived at Dapitan before 6:30 (After meeting some groovy traffic along the way), I noticed that I’m running out of cellphone load so I went to a nearby loading station to reload, unfortunately, the lady there said they’re loadless, the same with Ministop Dapitan which, unfortunately, doesn’t sell cellphone load. I don’t want to ask my mom again for additional load after I exhausted the reload I got from the day before.
I texted Raymond that I’m already in the Dapitan gate so from there, I waited. Unfortunately, Monde didn’t reply to my succeeding text messages as I was waiting for almost half an hour. I decided to look for a loading station within the Thomasian ground, at their famous food strip by the carpark. I paid the reload lady Php 20.00, told her my number and simcard affiliation. Again, for some reason, I haven’t received any text afterwards and my existing load continues to deteriorate.
The ground itself is jam-pack crowded with people that kept coming in, including outsiders like me. Not just outsiders but also missionaries asking for donations and little carolers trick-or-treating people nearby.
I was about to give up until I saw at least, one Jamer in the area, Von. Von was with his girlfriend for almost three years. I asked if he had seen Jeco or even Raymond, and he did. But the bad news, it seems like nakakawalaan kami. It was already past 8 and if the two aren’t able to show up before a quarter until 9, I have to leave.
I was seating in bench at the quadrangle and I was facing the entrance of the Faculty of Civil Law. Seated with me was a girl with her boyfriend. Because I’m so desperate, I politely asked her if I could borrow her phone to text Raymond, urging her that it’s an emergency. She lend me her cellphone and texted him right away. When that didn’t work, I went around to look for them. Von saw me again and said that he just saw Jeco and Monde and pointed them where I was just then. Coming back from where I was seating, looks like there’s n certainty if we’ll ever see each other so I looked for another person whom I could borrow a phone and, this time, call Raymond. Just as I was calling them, nagkita na kami, grabeh!
It was already past 9pm and I still haven’t eaten dinner. Just so we won’t spoil the night, we watched the ongoing concert at the UST soccer field where the last act for the evening was none other than BAMBOO!! Jeco and I brought along our dSLR’s and took pictures like crazy.
The concert was over at around 10:30, people were starting to leave pero kumakalam ang aking tiyan. We went to McDonald’s within USTe and bought myself double-cheeseburger, a large cup of Coca Cola for myself and another for Jeco who gave me money for his royal thirstiness.
Outside the Dapitan gate, we were fetched by Monde’s parents who were waiting for us, parked near an old Caltex/Chevron station. Monde’s parents drove past H. Lopez Avenue, Radial 10 Road (near Letre) and dropped Jeco near the infamous SSS office (where there was a shootout that took place a couple of years ago). I was then dropped somewhere near the loading area of jeeps en route to Monumento in Concepcion, Malabon. I took a jeep ride until dropping myself off near Francis Market, Acacia and from there took a jeepney ride en route to Paco, Bulacan (instead of Polo, Valenzuela for there were none available at the meantime). I dropped off in Panghulo (still in Bulacan) and from there, walked to cross the border before arriving finally at my house past midnight!
Remember: There may be One La Salle, there’s also One BENILDE!
The CSB Experience 2: Uncertainty (Term Ender Special)
It’s the Term Break once more, and not just any term break but my second collegiate Christmas break ever! HahaHAHAHA! Ehem….
But nevertheless, it’s another break of uncertainty for me. Yeah, I got myself enrolled for the third term and all but the recent course card distribution had me wonder if it’s still possible for me to be in Dean’s Lister status for the second straight trimester. I got two 2.0’s from Desprin and NSTPCWT but was able to have my GPA equaled to a 3.0, just enough for me to get 2nd Honor status. But I thought, would the two 2.0’s possible make me not qualify for being DL.
I just hope not, I worked very hard to maintain my grade just so I’d be able to at least become qualified for a grant (if I get to be DL for three straight terms that is). But if not, I guess that’s okay, kahit papaano ay nakaranas na rin ako kung paano maging DL.
Merry Christmas!
But nevertheless, it’s another break of uncertainty for me. Yeah, I got myself enrolled for the third term and all but the recent course card distribution had me wonder if it’s still possible for me to be in Dean’s Lister status for the second straight trimester. I got two 2.0’s from Desprin and NSTPCWT but was able to have my GPA equaled to a 3.0, just enough for me to get 2nd Honor status. But I thought, would the two 2.0’s possible make me not qualify for being DL.
I just hope not, I worked very hard to maintain my grade just so I’d be able to at least become qualified for a grant (if I get to be DL for three straight terms that is). But if not, I guess that’s okay, kahit papaano ay nakaranas na rin ako kung paano maging DL.
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Merville Subdivision, 90210
Not giving juicy details since it'd be rude.
Yey! I got invited by Alyssa and company to have a sorta "salo-salo" at their house in Paranaque, all the way down South (of Manila). So far, of all the places in South that I've been to: Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Taguig and Pasay (Pasay's right next door to CSB); this would mark the first time I'm actually be in Paranaque in general.
We left SDA at around 6:30pm with Sheena, Alyssa, Inna, Angie, Aje and their other friend. We rode in a van and traveled past Makati, and Taguig, exiting by way of Skyway and ended up turning right to Merville Exit.
Merville Subdivision itself is one whole puzzle, the van took turns left and right, down here, up there. It's as if Alyssa's place so well within the subdivision.
Arriving at around past 7, we were welcomed by her dog, Baby (or Bebe), a fluffy white puppy with a thing for rolling balls. we were then led into a very telenovela-esque house (spiral wodden stairs, a balcony upstairs over looking the yard and a G-Mik-ish neighborhood) and ended up on their green lawn yard, with their fountain dressed like a Christmas Tree.
Food on the table ranges from spaghetti to cream salad and drinks include 2 bottles of Coca Cola, one bottle of Sprite and two glass bottle filled with brandy. I don't really drink. Sheena had a bottle of Coke mixed with brandy into one pitcher.
Then it's chibugan time!
We ate, we drank, and we conversed. We took pictures of each other, playing around with my D40, Pax's own D40 and Alyssa new Canon dSLR.
Well into the night, we (or just them) shared gossip and rumors surrounding people and their lives. One of us wasn't spared and was placed on the hot seat. Kiligan grew and cheeks blushed.
Not to dwell on that any further, we were given a tour of Alyssa's crib and eventually left their house at around 10:30.
But before we left, I was forced by Sheena to drink at least one shot of Coke mixed with brandy. I did and it tasted like medicine (Now I know how Tempra became the no. 1 cough medicine choice of parents to their children).
We were fetyched all the way until somewhere near SLEX, drove a taxi until EDSA where I was dropped off. Got home safely around 12:30 am and finally laying myself to sleep.
Yey! I got invited by Alyssa and company to have a sorta "salo-salo" at their house in Paranaque, all the way down South (of Manila). So far, of all the places in South that I've been to: Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Taguig and Pasay (Pasay's right next door to CSB); this would mark the first time I'm actually be in Paranaque in general.
We left SDA at around 6:30pm with Sheena, Alyssa, Inna, Angie, Aje and their other friend. We rode in a van and traveled past Makati, and Taguig, exiting by way of Skyway and ended up turning right to Merville Exit.
Merville Subdivision itself is one whole puzzle, the van took turns left and right, down here, up there. It's as if Alyssa's place so well within the subdivision.
Arriving at around past 7, we were welcomed by her dog, Baby (or Bebe), a fluffy white puppy with a thing for rolling balls. we were then led into a very telenovela-esque house (spiral wodden stairs, a balcony upstairs over looking the yard and a G-Mik-ish neighborhood) and ended up on their green lawn yard, with their fountain dressed like a Christmas Tree.
Food on the table ranges from spaghetti to cream salad and drinks include 2 bottles of Coca Cola, one bottle of Sprite and two glass bottle filled with brandy. I don't really drink. Sheena had a bottle of Coke mixed with brandy into one pitcher.
Then it's chibugan time!
We ate, we drank, and we conversed. We took pictures of each other, playing around with my D40, Pax's own D40 and Alyssa new Canon dSLR.
Well into the night, we (or just them) shared gossip and rumors surrounding people and their lives. One of us wasn't spared and was placed on the hot seat. Kiligan grew and cheeks blushed.
Not to dwell on that any further, we were given a tour of Alyssa's crib and eventually left their house at around 10:30.
But before we left, I was forced by Sheena to drink at least one shot of Coke mixed with brandy. I did and it tasted like medicine (Now I know how Tempra became the no. 1 cough medicine choice of parents to their children).
We were fetyched all the way until somewhere near SLEX, drove a taxi until EDSA where I was dropped off. Got home safely around 12:30 am and finally laying myself to sleep.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Kaibigan
I wrote this song out of complete boredom. Sinubukan ko lagyan ng tono via Garageband, okay naman kaso di ko marecord (Loko to ah). Usually, whenever I wrote poems or songs, it indicates that I had something in mind and I had the urge to let it out.
As for this song, it's all about being a friend to your friend. No matter the circumstances that he may be in, he knows that his friend will be there always to remind that he's here to support him.
KAIBIGANAs for this song, it's all about being a friend to your friend. No matter the circumstances that he may be in, he knows that his friend will be there always to remind that he's here to support him.
1.
Kaibigan, kumusta na?
Ngayon lang tayo muling nagkita
Ano ang bago sa buhay mo?
Sabihin mo sa'kin kahit anu-ano.
2.
Pero kaibigan,
bakit nga naman
ang dami mong problema?
Kawawa ka naman.
Koro:
Hindi mo na kailangan mahulog sa bisyo
para takasan ang pinoproblema mo.
Nandito naman ako, ang iyong kaibigan,
Kuya, kadugo, at kapamilya.
3.
Kaibigan, ano ang bago sa'yo
Insecure ka lagi sa imahe mo.
Tandaan mo lamang na okay lang.
Ang tao ay di perfect kaya tayo ganyan.
4.
Isipin mo na lang,
ang magaganda.
Basta huwag sa chicks,
maba-basted ka lang.
Koro2:
Huwag ka malulong sa kagaya ng alak
Walang magandang dulot ang mga ganyan.
Huwag mo hinaan ang iyong loob,
Handa akong maging kaibigan, mo...
5.
Ikaw ang matalik kong kaibigan,
Narito ako dahil nandito ka
Huwag ka susuko sa laban ng buhay
Basta't kasama mo ako, pati na rin sila
Koro 3:
Hindi mo na kailangan mahulog sa bisyo
para takasan ang pinoproblema mo.
Nandito naman ako, ang iyong kaibigan,
Kuya, kadugo, at kapamilya.
Kaibigan....Kaibigan....Kaibigan mo ako!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The CSB Experience 2: The Grand Eyeball
Yesterday, I organized an eyeball among my co-CSB PExers just so we could be able to meet one another in person (thus the word "Eyeball"). Unfortunately, not too many weren't able to attend and it ended with three people attending the EB (myself included).
Among those who attended is a 108 CDA student named Franz and a 105 BM dude named Mac. We all met at around 12 noon in Plaza Villarosa. When we did met, we were all speeches. never have we thought we couldn't say anything in person now that we weren't online. Usually in PEx, we all have a lot to say, thus a lot of thing to type about. But then again, we introduced ourselves and we shared a little bit about ourselves to each other.
Another awkward moment is the lack of girl PExers in the already three-some EB. There was one but she's not the type who join into such hehehe.
Franz had to leave early so I was left with Mac. Mac and I had a lot of things that we discussed, usually anything about CSB in general, the PExers from CSB, and Pinoy Exchange (our section in particular). We had lunch at Tropical Hut where we continued our discussion.
Around 1 in the afternoon, I have to go back to SDA so I thanked Mac for attending the EB regardless how too few we were who attended and left him smoking outside the now-former Charlie Brown restaurant.
I hope the next time we are to have another EB, many more would come.
Among those who attended is a 108 CDA student named Franz and a 105 BM dude named Mac. We all met at around 12 noon in Plaza Villarosa. When we did met, we were all speeches. never have we thought we couldn't say anything in person now that we weren't online. Usually in PEx, we all have a lot to say, thus a lot of thing to type about. But then again, we introduced ourselves and we shared a little bit about ourselves to each other.
Another awkward moment is the lack of girl PExers in the already three-some EB. There was one but she's not the type who join into such hehehe.
Franz had to leave early so I was left with Mac. Mac and I had a lot of things that we discussed, usually anything about CSB in general, the PExers from CSB, and Pinoy Exchange (our section in particular). We had lunch at Tropical Hut where we continued our discussion.
Around 1 in the afternoon, I have to go back to SDA so I thanked Mac for attending the EB regardless how too few we were who attended and left him smoking outside the now-former Charlie Brown restaurant.
I hope the next time we are to have another EB, many more would come.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The CSB Experience 2: The Korean-Born Koreans from Korea
Weeghh, this is so late a post. Just hoping I'd still remeber what I have to say bwehehehe!
1. 3rd Term-Petwoda Madness
I have, for the first time, three foreigners as classmates (not counting those who may look foreign but somehow act more Filipino than they may seem). They're from Korea and unfortunately, I could only remember one of their names, Yu-Jin, the girl with glasses and the slimmer, smaller of the two girls (compared to her larger friend). There's another Korean girl but she's more reserved than the other two. I got along with despite the language barrier and we were all able to ace Petwoda, because we were doing nothing but table tennis, YEY!
2. 1st Term 08-09 -Philien C-Break
Jake Kim is an AB-AM student and was included in our group throughout the duration of Philien. He's really shy and not that close with the other Korean classmate who evetually dropped out from the class. He knows his limitations as far as communication is concerned but he's really willing to do his part in order to contribute greatly to our group project. The result? C-Break!
3. 1st Term-Outrageous Petwoda Divas
So far, this set of Korean classmates are the most hilarious. There's three Koreans in our dance class, 2 girls and a guy named Tom. The one of the 2 girls lost their dancing partners to somebody else during finals. Then it was decided that I'll be pairing with one of the Koreans and was included with Ron's group (him and the other girl). What really made my day was seeing Ron's partner's dress. I was definitely speechless! Think of this movie starring Drew Barrymore where she relived this certain scene in lher ife when she was turned down by her promdate.
Meanwhile, the guy named Tom was also in our group and his partner was the FDM girl with the weird laugh. He became my partner during midterms when were supposed to do this dance steps nonstop. I got confused because he got confused and the dance was a disaster.
Do you believe in me! I'm yours, you're mine
4. 1st Term 08-09- Hartds Hyun Ho!
Hyun Ho Lee's my seatmate next to Trish and Genesis and was also one of my reporters which he covered topics under Gothic Architecture. I think he's an MMA student. I was really flattered when he commented on the hard work I put for our group presentation, saying that I really put my all in this. He also complimented me knowing a lot of things (Wow!).
1. 3rd Term-Petwoda Madness
I have, for the first time, three foreigners as classmates (not counting those who may look foreign but somehow act more Filipino than they may seem). They're from Korea and unfortunately, I could only remember one of their names, Yu-Jin, the girl with glasses and the slimmer, smaller of the two girls (compared to her larger friend). There's another Korean girl but she's more reserved than the other two. I got along with despite the language barrier and we were all able to ace Petwoda, because we were doing nothing but table tennis, YEY!
2. 1st Term 08-09 -Philien C-Break
Jake Kim is an AB-AM student and was included in our group throughout the duration of Philien. He's really shy and not that close with the other Korean classmate who evetually dropped out from the class. He knows his limitations as far as communication is concerned but he's really willing to do his part in order to contribute greatly to our group project. The result? C-Break!
3. 1st Term-Outrageous Petwoda Divas
So far, this set of Korean classmates are the most hilarious. There's three Koreans in our dance class, 2 girls and a guy named Tom. The one of the 2 girls lost their dancing partners to somebody else during finals. Then it was decided that I'll be pairing with one of the Koreans and was included with Ron's group (him and the other girl). What really made my day was seeing Ron's partner's dress. I was definitely speechless! Think of this movie starring Drew Barrymore where she relived this certain scene in lher ife when she was turned down by her promdate.
Meanwhile, the guy named Tom was also in our group and his partner was the FDM girl with the weird laugh. He became my partner during midterms when were supposed to do this dance steps nonstop. I got confused because he got confused and the dance was a disaster.
Do you believe in me! I'm yours, you're mine
4. 1st Term 08-09- Hartds Hyun Ho!
Hyun Ho Lee's my seatmate next to Trish and Genesis and was also one of my reporters which he covered topics under Gothic Architecture. I think he's an MMA student. I was really flattered when he commented on the hard work I put for our group presentation, saying that I really put my all in this. He also complimented me knowing a lot of things (Wow!).
Tagaan ta mo og Bisrock Bai!
Maayong Gab-i
Rock music ranging from heavy (metal), to commercial (emo, pogi), to indie, to glam, to lite rock.
Monday, December 8, 2008
J Pics D40 Pics: May Umu-USTe Sa'kin nung Linggo
JM: Sinungaling ka talaga! Hahaha!:))
Raymond: Narinig kita, lumngon pa ako pero hindi kita mamukhaan kasi nagmamadali pa akong dalhin iyung kapatid ko sa UST High School sa may Benavidez Bldg niyo. Bumalik naman ako para tignan kung nandun ka pa rin, wala ka na. Nagstay ako ng ilang sandali sa lugar na iyon bago umalis.
-----
Pictures I took during the latest set of entrance examinations took place in he University of Sto. Tomas last Sunday, December 7. Jorge took his wherein he's applying for a BS-IT course (sa CSB, he'll apply for BS-Information System). I left for a while around 7:30 and came back at 10:30 to bring with me my D40 since it's going to be ashame not being able to take pictures of this almost replica of a European-style oasis right inside the heart of Manila.
J Pics D40 Pics: The Lights of the City
I'm still reading the manual page by page just so I could be able to fully maximize the functions of the D40. So far, I'm trying to get good shots on night places where the lights of the city starts until the morning...the lights of the city got me glittering all right.
Taken last Saturday before attending an anticipated Mass at San Diego de Alcala Parish in Polo, Valenzuela City. The next day kasi I have to fetch Jorge to UST for his entrance exam.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Retro Jam!
Before calling it a day, I'm going to write just one entry for tonight while an electric fan is cooling my legs away from flesh-eating mosquitoes, the radio here downstairs is on frequency that's currently playing nonstop dance hits from 20 years ago while I'm struggling myself between typing my blog and brushing my teeth.
Wait a sec (Trying to finish brushing before going anywhere).............
Okay, where was I? Oh yeah!
I felt myself so attach to my laptop that there's never a day that my are glued to the LCD screen of the Mac Powerbook G4 instead of our Phillips plasma TV (missing out from my fave shows on television). My usual onlline destinations are 1)Multiply, 2)Yahoo! Mail, 3)Facebook, 4)Pinoy Exchange.com, 5)Youtube and more recently 6)Plurk.
But whenever I get bored or that there's nothing new on the abovementioned sites, I'd go blogsurfing and read blogs written by other people. If it's not the blogs, it's usuallys ome vintage archived websites with historical value (due to me being a history geek). there's this one particular vintage website that I found quite interesting.
It's an old Manila Bulletin article from its Youth and Campus section dated February 2004 (I'd be around 13 years that time and was nearing the end of my freshman year in high school). the article is an interview made by the author with former WLS-FM ( the old Campus Radio 97.1) disc jockey Joe Spinner regarding its student radio program, Campus Aircheck.
Reading this old article made me reminisce how the old LS-FM sounded like during its run as Campus Radio. Even though I'm much of a TV junkie, I also had my share of exposures from radio, growing up listening to at least 3 recognizable stations: WRR 101.9, Campus Radio, and Kool 106. Somehow, a radio counterpart to my TV preferences of watching ABS-CBN, GMA, and ABC (with some pinches of RPN, RJ and IBC then). When Kool went out of commission, only RR and LS were left (although I listened more to RR out of my then-network loyalty until it wen to commercial oblivion).
I was completely oblivious to what was going to happen to LS until only a few days past Valentine's Day 2007 when I saw a ticker airing on DZOE-TV saying something about a new station on 97.1, Barangay LS. Surprised that LS as Campus Radio bowed out of the competition and was replaced to one whose format is the tried-and-tested MASA Hot Adult Contemporary format. Nothing against 'masa stations' like Love and Yes!, it's just that we already have too much of a good thing that it's turning out to be worse. For LS's case, it's more of a downgrade if you ask me.
What really made LS-FM stand out back then is that it's all about the music that its target demo, the youth (preferably high school and college students), could easily identify with. Its programming is similar to those in other English-language stations like Magic and RT although I observed that the music they play is somehow different (due to a lack of a better term) as well as it is a less-talk station. I can't really describe it but the important thing is that it was truly living up to its name, "Campus".
I was able to familiarized myself with the names of most of the DJ's there like John Hendrix, Joe Spinner, Triggerman, Jimmy Jam and Braggy (they each have their own set of ID stingers calling out their names). Add to that are some of their well-known programs like Top 20 at 12, Infopop, FrontdotCenter, Campus Flyer and their top-of-the-hour news bulletin.
As for their Campus Aircheck program, I'd get envious whenever I hear students becoming student DJ's on LS as part of their training as Aircheckers. Although the thought of becoming one myself never occur to me but I guess it would have been a good opportunity if given. I remember back in high school, there were these two airchecker guys from La Salle around 4 to 5pm about to sign themselves off as I listened from my school service/carpool's radio whenever I'm being fetched home from school. I missed that opportunty when auditions were called in during the summer albeit the Aircheck program were now being conducted in DWRT-FM's former incarnation, Campus 99.5.
I also remember 2 summers ago, I spent two months listening to their morning programs before Top 20 (first with John Hendrix and with Joe Spinner after) and would often catch Sandwhich's song "Sugod" being played more than twice within the hour hehehe.
"Sayang" is the best way to describe the demise of Campus Radio. Its listeners displaced and went on to listen to other youth-targetint stations like RX and NU. There was a glimmer of hope when the old Campus DJ's returned on air but in a different station carrying LS's old format, but that died out a couple of weeks before my birthday before it was replaced by another old brand, RT (who successfully moved back its target market from the youth/student population to the general 18-28 youth demographic).
Even though I'm not really an RT baby then, I gave this one a chance and somehow I'm liking it (most especially during weekends). But the void left by Campus would still be there, and unless someone is brave enough to fill it up, it woul remain as such.
Weird, after reading that article, it made me appreciate the good ol' days even more as much as I appreciate the things that really shaped, not just me, but to other people as well when we were all growing up. These somehow made an impact on us so I guess, it's our turn to return the favor :D
End!
Wait a sec (Trying to finish brushing before going anywhere).............
Okay, where was I? Oh yeah!
I felt myself so attach to my laptop that there's never a day that my are glued to the LCD screen of the Mac Powerbook G4 instead of our Phillips plasma TV (missing out from my fave shows on television). My usual onlline destinations are 1)Multiply, 2)Yahoo! Mail, 3)Facebook, 4)Pinoy Exchange.com, 5)Youtube and more recently 6)Plurk.
But whenever I get bored or that there's nothing new on the abovementioned sites, I'd go blogsurfing and read blogs written by other people. If it's not the blogs, it's usuallys ome vintage archived websites with historical value (due to me being a history geek). there's this one particular vintage website that I found quite interesting.
It's an old Manila Bulletin article from its Youth and Campus section dated February 2004 (I'd be around 13 years that time and was nearing the end of my freshman year in high school). the article is an interview made by the author with former WLS-FM ( the old Campus Radio 97.1) disc jockey Joe Spinner regarding its student radio program, Campus Aircheck.
Reading this old article made me reminisce how the old LS-FM sounded like during its run as Campus Radio. Even though I'm much of a TV junkie, I also had my share of exposures from radio, growing up listening to at least 3 recognizable stations: WRR 101.9, Campus Radio, and Kool 106. Somehow, a radio counterpart to my TV preferences of watching ABS-CBN, GMA, and ABC (with some pinches of RPN, RJ and IBC then). When Kool went out of commission, only RR and LS were left (although I listened more to RR out of my then-network loyalty until it wen to commercial oblivion).
I was completely oblivious to what was going to happen to LS until only a few days past Valentine's Day 2007 when I saw a ticker airing on DZOE-TV saying something about a new station on 97.1, Barangay LS. Surprised that LS as Campus Radio bowed out of the competition and was replaced to one whose format is the tried-and-tested MASA Hot Adult Contemporary format. Nothing against 'masa stations' like Love and Yes!, it's just that we already have too much of a good thing that it's turning out to be worse. For LS's case, it's more of a downgrade if you ask me.
What really made LS-FM stand out back then is that it's all about the music that its target demo, the youth (preferably high school and college students), could easily identify with. Its programming is similar to those in other English-language stations like Magic and RT although I observed that the music they play is somehow different (due to a lack of a better term) as well as it is a less-talk station. I can't really describe it but the important thing is that it was truly living up to its name, "Campus".
I was able to familiarized myself with the names of most of the DJ's there like John Hendrix, Joe Spinner, Triggerman, Jimmy Jam and Braggy (they each have their own set of ID stingers calling out their names). Add to that are some of their well-known programs like Top 20 at 12, Infopop, FrontdotCenter, Campus Flyer and their top-of-the-hour news bulletin.
As for their Campus Aircheck program, I'd get envious whenever I hear students becoming student DJ's on LS as part of their training as Aircheckers. Although the thought of becoming one myself never occur to me but I guess it would have been a good opportunity if given. I remember back in high school, there were these two airchecker guys from La Salle around 4 to 5pm about to sign themselves off as I listened from my school service/carpool's radio whenever I'm being fetched home from school. I missed that opportunty when auditions were called in during the summer albeit the Aircheck program were now being conducted in DWRT-FM's former incarnation, Campus 99.5.
I also remember 2 summers ago, I spent two months listening to their morning programs before Top 20 (first with John Hendrix and with Joe Spinner after) and would often catch Sandwhich's song "Sugod" being played more than twice within the hour hehehe.
"Sayang" is the best way to describe the demise of Campus Radio. Its listeners displaced and went on to listen to other youth-targetint stations like RX and NU. There was a glimmer of hope when the old Campus DJ's returned on air but in a different station carrying LS's old format, but that died out a couple of weeks before my birthday before it was replaced by another old brand, RT (who successfully moved back its target market from the youth/student population to the general 18-28 youth demographic).
Even though I'm not really an RT baby then, I gave this one a chance and somehow I'm liking it (most especially during weekends). But the void left by Campus would still be there, and unless someone is brave enough to fill it up, it woul remain as such.
Weird, after reading that article, it made me appreciate the good ol' days even more as much as I appreciate the things that really shaped, not just me, but to other people as well when we were all growing up. These somehow made an impact on us so I guess, it's our turn to return the favor :D
End!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Comgrap Final 2 Projects!
1st set would be my finals project, last few (JK) is from Group Project 6...Enjoy!
Christmas Party with the Guys
| Start: | Dec 19, '08 |
| Location: | Pag-Asa, Obando, Bulacan |
J Pics D40 Pics:Rebulto
1. See how I work (Update on my Colrend final plate)
2. See how gym buddies react when they get caught on cam
3. See how the lights of the city glitter
4. And see how other people use my camera like Ate, et al (Di ako kumuha ng kahon ng posporo, balde, bentilador, mga libro, ako).
**Special thanks to the good management fo Preferred Gym (formerly ELG Fitness Center) of M.H. del Pilar St. cor. Navarette St., Arkong Bato, Valenzuela for the on-location shots they allowed me to take.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
J Pics D40 Pics: The Fifth Floor
Pa-try try uli ako sa camerang ito.
'Ika nga ng sinabi ng friend ko kamakailan: "Just play around...that's the best way to learn.."
Salamat sa napaka-encouraging na mga salita!
For the best resolution possible, check out my new Flickr site: J Pics Best Pics @ http://www.flickr.com/jbata5
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