Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Philippine Banknotes: The New Generation

 
Nung malaman kong pinalitan ng Tarsier si Gloria sa likod ng 200 peso bill, natawa talaga ko kasi comedy. Hehe. Isipin mo ba namang palitan ang picture mo ng picture ng Tarsier. Akala ko pati nung una yun lang ang pinalitan, yun pala lahat ng perang papel binago ang design. Although may mga nagki-criticize sa bagong design ng pera, para sakin maganda naman sya. New and improved. Pwedeng pang-marketing dahil ang mga renowned wonders ng bansa ang naka-design sa likod. May pitong enhanced counterfeit features, mapa ng pinas, at pinabatang mga pictures ng mga leaders natin sa harap. Bagets na bagets. Hehe. Nakakainis lang dahil naalala ko yung naipon kong mga perang papel na 'JD' ang code. Nanakaw lahat! Ngayon tuloy mahihirapan na kong makakuha ulit nung mga yon dahil iibahin na nila. Hmp. Anyway, excited na ko makita ang bagong design ng pera ng personal. It's a history. Ang alam ko nagbigay na ang BSP sa mga bangko, at meron pa tayong 3 years bago ma-phase out ang lahat ng mga lumang pera.

T'is the season to be jolly!


Nakakatuwa ang pasko noh? mga ilaw... mga dekorasyon... simoy ng hanging malamig... simbang gabi... mga pagkain... mga party... regalo... caroling... 13th month pay(yun yun eh!, haha)... It's like everyone's happy. Everyone is busy. Everyone is preparing. Ibang excitement talaga ang dala ng pasko. But you know, what I love most about Christmas is the spirit of sharing and giving. Hindi lang of material things but also giving of your time, of your presence, of your forgiveness, thanksgiving and appreciation. Di ba ang saya?! At ang lahat ng ito is brought by LOVE. The word that made flesh, JESUS - the real reason why there's Christmas.

So if you think you don't have any reason to be happy this season, just think of how much love Jesus has for you. More than anything... it's more than enough. He believes that you're to die for.

Have a merry Christmas! ^_^

Thursday, November 18, 2010

A Christmas Present

 
Nung bata pa ko, excited talaga ko kapag mag-papasko. Ang dami kasing pagkain. Madaming regalo, madaming pera (haha), tsaka parang lahat masaya. Parang may magic na dala ang pasko. Naalala ko pa nun, gusto kong nakukuha nun eh yung kulay ube na pera, o kaya kapag regalo naman gusto ko laruan, ayoko ng damit. Hehe.

Divisoria time! Tuwing magpa-pasko talaga sumusugod kaming buong pamilya sa Divisoria para mamili ng mga pang-regalo sa mga inaanak, pamangkin, at iba pang kelangang bigyan. Makikipag-siksikan at makikipag-tawaran talaga kami dun para marami kaming mapamili at mapagkasya lahat ng kailangang bilhan ng regalo sa bonus ni daddy. Hehe. Nakakapagod but at the end of the day, it's always been a fun adventure para saming pamilya.

Nagka-caroling pa ko nun, kasama yung mga kaibigan ko. Bato, lata at ang aming mga crystal voices eh solb na! Meron pa nga akong hindi makakalimutan nun na experience, one time nag-caroling kami sa mga kapit-bahay, ako yung taga-lyre (haha, nag-effort pa kong magdala ng lyre) tapos nung kumakanta na kami sa pangalawang bahay, nagulat kami kasi bigla kaming sinabuyan ng timba ng tubig na may langis-langis pa yata! Pahiya tuloy kami. Salbahe! Ayun, syempre nagalit yung mga nanay namin sa kapit-bahay namin na yun. Hmp! Lasing pala.

Tapos nagsisimbang-gabi din ako nun. Pero gabi talaga yung simba samin nun, mga 7 or 8PM siguro. Sa bisita lang kasi yun. (Bisita ang tawag samin sa mga maliliit na simbahan or yung mga chapel) Sa bayan, dun yung pang-madaling-araw. At ako pa! hindi ako sanay gumising ng maaga kaya samin lang ako. Haha. Pati nakakatuwang magsimba nun kasi magkikita-kita kayong magkaka-klasmeyt dahil kayo-kayo lang din naman sa baranggay ang magsisimba dun.

Noche Buena, yum! yum! Ang sarap ng ham, ang walang kamatayang spaghetti, keso at tasty (pan bread), bbq, sopas, fruit salad at kung anu-ano pang paboritong handa kapag pasko.

Pero sabi nga nila, everything's really changes. Ngayon hindi na ko nakakapag-simbang gabi. Siguro yung pagsisimba nalang ng Christmas Eve kasama ng pamilya. Hindi na rin ako nanga-ngaroling. Lalong lalo ng hindi na ko nakaka-pamasko, yun ang pinaka-masakit dun eh! Haha. Ako na yung obligadong magbigay kasi daw may trabaho na ko. Unfair! Tapos ngayon parang nakakahiya pa kung isang ube lang ang ibigay mo. Haaayyy iba na talaga ang panahon. Pero nagpupunta pa rin naman ako sa ibang mga ninong at ninang ko kapag pasko. Syempre nakasanayan na. Mas maganda ng puntahan mo sila kahit matanda ka na kesa naman dahil sa nahihiya ka eh hindi mo sila pupuntahan. Naintindihan nyo ba? Ang gulo ko noh? Haha.

Pati kung dati gusto ko ng perang ube at laruan, ngayon gusto ko perang blue tsaka trip to HongKong. (Abusado??? Haha) Syempre joke lang yon. Yung HongKong ah, pero yung perang blue syempre totoo yon. Haha. Wala, syempre habang tumatanda tayo at nagkaka-isip, naiiba naman talaga yung gusto natin (oh yung mga madumi ang utak dyan, hindi yun ang ibig kong sabihin) More of sa family matters, sa career, sa health, love life, sa future, yung mga ganun. Di ba? Pati kung dati eh yung mga gusto natin magkaron kapag pasko eh nanggagaling sa iba, ngayon iba na. Kung wala kang kamag-anak na mayaman na nasa ibang bansa para ibigay sayo yung kung ano man yung gusto mo, then ikaw mismo yung magi-strive na makuha yon. Pero ang importante eh dapat isa-isa lang. Hinay-hinay lang. Generous naman si God, ibibigay nya yan.

Sa ngayon, wala pa kong maisip na christmas gift na gusto ko. Hmmm, ano ba? Siguro gusto kong mabayaran lahat ng utang namin. Tsaka gusto kong makapasyal kami nila dadi sa kung saan pwede. Para naman marelax-relax sila. Yun lang. At isa pa pala, (kala ko ba one at a time??) Hindi Christmas wish naman to. Sige na! Hehe. Sana mapagamot ko na yung mata ng kapatid ko next year. Ayun. Ikaw, anong gusto mong matanggap ngayong pasko?

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Birthday Climb at Mt. Balagbag

Friday ng gabi nung maalala kong may climb pala kami kinabukasan. Haha. Wala manlang paghahanda. Basta gumising nalang ako ng 5AM para maligo at mag-ayos ng gamit. Bumili nalang ako ng 2 Litro ng mineral sa 7 Eleven  para pambaon. Bumili nalang din kami ni Aldino ng 1 Kilong bigas, de lata, cup noodles, at lutong ulam para pagkain hanggang kinabukasan. Walang plano-plano basta kung ano nalang ang pwede. Hehe.

7AM nung umalis kami ng Robinsons Pioneer papuntang Tungko. At pagdating don, waaaaahhh! may naramdaman akong hindi maganda...nag-aalboroto yung tyan ko! Eeeeee.. Ang hirap kaya umakyat kapag ganun ung pakiramdam. Buti nalang at palengke yung binabaan namin at may Jollibee. Alam na! Hehe. Bumili na rin ako ng gamot at ininom agad para hindi magtagal pa.

Bus papuntang Tungko, Jeep papauntang bundok, at tricycle sana papuntang jump-off. Pero mas pinili naming lakarin yung pang-tricycle sana para daw pang warm-up. Lakad....lakad....lakad....lakad... ang layo pala! Haha. Buti nalang at madaming tindahan yung madadaanan pauntang jump-off, may panday-an pa! with FULLS! *falls* Ehehehe.

Sa pag-akyat namin papuntang summit *helipad*, may mga nadadaan sa amin na mga bikers papunta rin sa taas. Medyo kaiba ang trail nito sa Kalisungan kasi yung dinaanan namin paakyat eh kayang daanan ng 4x4. Maluwag. Ang kagandahan dito, kahit wala ka pa sa taas eh kitang-kita mo na ang kalawakan ng kapatagan (wow kapatagan! Eh di ikaw na ang magaling sa heograpiya!, hehe) Mas nakaka-aliw pa kasi kita mo ang buong skyline ng Metro Manila. Yung mga buildings sa Libis, Ortigas, Makati, Manila at Quezon City parang maliliit na kahon na nakatayo. Hehe, ang kukyut!

Tanghalian, nagpahinga muna kami sa taas at kumain. Habang tinitingnan ko ang buong paligid at sinisipat kung nasan ang PBCom building sa mga nakatayong kahon sa malayo (yes naman! tali-talinuhan), naisip ko, bakit kaya nagsisiksikan ang mga tao sa maynila, eh pagka-laki-laki-laki-laki-laki ng space sa paligid??? Ang luwag space sa paligid ng maynila!

Anyways, after lunch, bumaba naman kami sa kabilang panig ni Balagbag para pumunta sa mahiwagang ilog. Sa totoo lang, hindi sya mahiwaga, joke lang yon. Hehe. Matagal-tagal din ang trek pababa. 4:30PM na yata kami nakarating dun kaya dun narin kami nag-camp. At dahil sa gilid kami ng ilog nag-camp, asahan na ang samu't-saring mga insekto sa paligid. Nakakatuwa lang yung mga alitaptap sa gilid ng ilog, yung ibang insekto hindi na nakakatuwa. Hehe.

Kinabukasan 8AM narin yata nung nagsimula kaming umakyat ulit pabalik. Halos ubos na din yung mga dala nami tubig. Dahil din siguro sa tagal naming nagtrek nung unang araw, tuloy masyado kaming maraming nainom at kinapos yung dala namin. Buti nalang at may batis (wow batis!) sa dinaanan namin na pwedeng inumin yung tubig. O wag ka muna magreak, hindi yun yak! Sa totoo lang yung lasa nung tubig galing don eh walang pinagkaiba sa lasa ng mineral na dala namin. Tsaka alangan namang mag-inarte pa kami eh wala na nga kaming tubig. Hehe.

Marami rin kaming nadaanan na bangin, siguro mga anim (naks! bilang na bilang, haha). Yun bang mga isang metro lang yung tatapakan mo tapos bangin na. Iba-iba din ang mukang ipinakita samin ni Balagbag, may sobrang mapuno, matalahib, may maputik, may sobrang tarik, may patag lang, may damuhan, may mga agos ng tubig atbp. Nakakalungkot lang kasi talamak sa lugar ang illegal logging at pag-uuling. Hindi naman syempre kami makapagsalita dahil baka hindi na kami maka-uwi ng buhay. Hehe. May part din sa bundok na nakakatakot. Yung parang sa mga horror movie na may mga cannibal. O kaya yung may matandang mangkukulam na sumusubaybay samin. Ahahaha. Kung ano-ano naiisip.

Iba talaga yung pakiramdam kapag namumundok. Ewan ko. It gives me a feeling of excitement na yun lang ang nakakapag-bigay. After a climb, para syang achievement. No! It IS an achievement. It IS a fulfillment. And you will really admire God's creation. Parang sinasabi nya, "This is for you.", "I made it all for you.". Ang sarap ng pakiramdam. Habang naglalakad ako sa mountainside... seeing those endless mountains... and seeing these friends with me... I felt so blessed. Dati pangarap ko lang ma-experience maging mountaineer... and now I'm living those dreams.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Tara! Takbo!

"I wanna break the world record every year until we clean the river."
-ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. Managing Director Gina Lopez


ABS-CBN is proving that they are serious in rehabilitating our river. Last Sunday, 10.10.10, the media network made history when they have organized Run for the Pasig River which Filipinos of different walks of life come together for one goal - to help save our dying river.

The event hopes to break the record of San Francisco Bay for the most participants in a footrace in Guinness. And I believe we have done it. 116 thousand out of 160 thousand participants coming from 4 different starting points finished the race. Monumental. We will have the record.

Photo Credit: Philip Sison

Oo, na-late na naman ako, but I really tried to be on-time. I'm sorry.

We leave Boni MRT station at around 4:45AM and arrived at Taft station 5:10AM. Since the road heading to Mall of Asia is closed for the event, there is no choice of getting to the starting point but to walk. Ok. No problem. Walk from Taft Avenue to MOA. So easy. (yabang!, hehe) It serves as our warm-up for the run. Hehe. The race is about to start when we arrived at the starting point. We were just on-time baby!

It's fun to be part of that event. Heartwarming to see that enormous crowd willing to help. Running side-by-side with these people and with my friends is such a wonderful experience. Thanks to Epher for helping us to be part of it. And not to mention the legendary singlet outfit, and when I say outfit, fit na fit talaga. Haha.

I know we can revive this river of ours, and it's never too late to achieve this. And maybe 2 to 3 or 4 years from now, we can bring back Pasig river to its old glory.

“Let us clean up the mess that was made before us. Pasig River is a symbol of hope and what the future holds for the country. If we manage to clean it, then we have done our jobs as citizens.”
-Ballsy Aquino-Cruz

Monday, October 11, 2010

Friday, October 8, 2010

Koreanong Pinoy

High school ako nung nananakbo kong umuuwi sa bahay tuwing hapon para maabutan ang Meteor Garden sa ABS. Naalala ko pa, naiinis ako kapag wednesday kasi cleaners cleaner ako nun kaya kalahati nalang ang naaabutan ko. Hehe. Hook na hook ang lahat don, (oh, aminin mo, nanood ka din nito), syempre bago sa panlasa. Isang babaeng mahirap pero nakapag-aral sa isang sikat na paaralan at dun nakilala ang apat na mayayabang na mayayamang lalaki na sa huli ay naging ka-group nya. Nakaka-sawa na kasi yung sa mga Mexicano. Puro mayaman-mahirap epek. Kapag mayaman, mayaman talaga. Kapag mahirap naman, sobrang hirap. Ang hahaba pa ng pangalan. At sobra sa mga romantic scenes. Si Thalia kasi masyado tayong pina-inlab sa kanya, tuloy nag-puro Mexican soap ang TV natin. Hehe.

Anyways, sa pagsisimula din ng pamamayagpag ni Shan Cai sa dos ay nagsimula na ring mag-import ng mag-import ang pinoy tv networks ng mga top-rating serye galing din sa Taiwan, at di nagtagal, sa South Korea. Kung dati, ang pang-lagay ng mga tv networks sa mga slot nila na hindi masyadong mabenta ay mga Mexican soap, ngayon puro mga Korean drama na. Hindi naman siguro yon masama. Sa totoo lang ang galing gumawa ng drama sa Korean. Hindi sila nauubusan ng istorya. At halos lahat eh unique talaga. Naalala mo pa ba yung Jewel in the Palace? yung Full House? Coffee Prince? Princess Hours? Endless Love series? at syempre ang Meteor Garden korean version na Boys Over Flowers. Hehe. Naaalala ko dati, ang primetime ng syete eh puro anime galing sa Japan. Tapos napalitan ng Mexican soap, then ngayon Korean drama naman.

Hindi naman masama mag-import ng mga serye galing sa ibang bansa. Lalo na kung maganda talaga yung programa. Ang kaso, minsan nakaka-lungkot din isipin na ang pagpapalabas ng biniling programa nalang ang mas pinipili ng network kesa sa mag-produce ng sarili nilang serye. Kung iisipin mo nga naman, mas matipid yung pagbili nalang ng rights ng serye kesa sa gumawa ka ng sarili. Ang kaso gaano ba ang sobra na? Unti-unti nating pinapatay ang sarili nating industriya, at nililimitahan ang ating abilidad na gumawa ng sariling programa.

Sa pagdaan ng panahon, siguro sa dami na ng na-import ng Pinas sa South Korea na drama eh halos naubos na nila yung mga pedeng bilin (haha) kaya nakuha na nilang mag-remake ng mga nauna nilang bilin. Ang problema, sana hindi nalang nila nire-make dahil unang-una, naiiba ang istorya at ang pinaka-masaklap, pumapangit. Hayyy. Ilan sa mga yun ay ang My Girl, All About Eve, Only You, Kim Sam Soon, Lovers in Paris, Full House, Stairway to Heaven at mukang gagawin nila ang Jewel in the Palace na si Claudine daw ang gaganap. Ahahahahaha. Sori natawa ko pero nakakatawa naman talaga kasi.

Eto huling-huli na pramis. Last Monday, nag-pilot episode ang Imortal sa dos. Wala akong masabi kundi, NAKAKAHIYA. Para syang Twilight + Harry Potter. Vampires, Wolves, Mother gave the ultimate protection to her daughter by giving-up her life and so on. Wala na ba talaga tayong maisip na bago? Hey creative writers where are you??? For IDOL, nice try but no, hindi click. I know we have lots of potentials in this industry. We have creative minds like of Koreans. Our vast cultures could be our source, or our glorious past. I know we could do more, we could do better than this. Now here, dapat ko naman bang sisihin si Shan Cai dahil pina-inlab nya din tayo sa kanya at nagsimula ang lahat ng 'to?

Monday, October 4, 2010

Isang araw sa bus sa EDSA...

Tinanghali na naman ako nagising. Nakasakay sa bus at pupungay-pungay ang mata. *twink *twink. Pagka-upo ko sa bus, napansin ko agad yung ads na nakalagay sa ulunan ng sandalan mga upuan. Ads yun ni Sarah Geronimo para sa Robitussin. May komiks. Binasa ko. "Ang salitang bagyo ay nagsimulang gamitin noong 1911 ng ang isang tropical cyclone ay tumama sa Baguio at nagbuhos ng 46 cubic meter ng ulan sa loob lamang ng 24 oras blah blah blah". Sa isip-isip ko, "ay ang galing. nice info." Maya-maya andyan na yung kundoktor...

Kundoktor: San po?
Ako (wala pa sa wisyo): Sa Baguio...
Kundokotr: huh? (nabigla)
Ako (biglang nataranta): Ay! baguio tuloy!! Sa Ayala lang pala kuya. Haha.
Kundoktor: hehe.

Dala ng hindi paggising ng maaga. Mapapa-punta bigla sa Baguio. Ehe.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Let it Snow!

"Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight.
Walking in a winter wonderland."
Weeeee! magpapasko na ulit! Nung maliit pa kong paslit, nagtataka ko kung bakit walang tag-lagas, tag-sibol at mga nyebe sa Pilipinas. (dala ng panonood ng remy, heidi, cedie at nelo. haha) Tag-init at tag-ulan lang ang meron tayo. Ang akala ko tuloy napagkaitan ang Pinas. Hehe. Pero habang lumalaki, napagtanto (wow napagtanto!) ko na ang geographical location (at may ganun ganun pa!, hehe) pala ng Pinas ang dahilan kung bakit wala tayong nyebe.

Eh bakit ba gusto ko ng nyebe??? Dati, kaya gusto ko ng nyebe, kasi naiinggit ako kila cedie dahil nakakapaglaro sila sa yelo. Pero ngayon, kaya gusto ko ng nyebe eh dahil naiinggit ako sa mga kutis ng mga koreano na ang kikinis at walang pores. Dito kasi sa Pinas ang bilis mong manlilimahid dahil sa init. Haha.

Last Friday, nag-fellowship (nag-bonding) kami ng mga brothers at sisters namin sa SFC sa napaka-tatag na amusement park sa Manila - Star City! At isa sa pinaka-nagustuhan kong attraction ay ang Winter Funland na dating kilala na Snow World. Syempre ako naman sobrang excited dahil dati pinagtya-tyagaan ko nalang ang refrigirator para kunyari winter. Haha. Once kalang pwedeng pumasok sa Winter Funland, kapag lumabas ka na, hindi ka na pwedeng pumasok ulit. Pero no worries dahil one-to-sawa naman kapag nasa loob ka na. Kahit maghapon ka sa loob okay lang. But I doubt kaya mong tagalan ang lamig. Hehe.

Bago ka pumasok ipapa-plastic yung mga phones at cams na dala mo. Bawal kasi mag-picture sa loob. Tapos bibigyan ka ng makasim-kasim na jacket, na sa una eh hindi mo isusuot dahil tapang-tapangan ka na kakayanin mo yung lamig sa loob wag lang masuot yung jacket na yun. Pero kapag pumasok ka na, goodluck naman sa'yo. Kapag nasa loob ka na kahit gano kabaho yung jacket na binigay sayo talagang masusuot mo eh, at pagtagal-tagal, sinasabi ko sayo, yayakapin mo pa yun ng husto. Haha.

Pagpasok ko, ang una kong ginawa ay ang unang pinangarap ko. Gumawa ng snow ball at binato sa snow man! Haha. Pero grabe talaga, ang laammmeeeegggg. May 2 sculpture (igloo at train), pine trees, reindeers, polar bears, isang kunyaring bahay, dalawang mascots, at ang pinaka-masayang attraction sa loob... ang slide! Wooohoooo! Sobrang nag-enjoy talaga kaming lahat dun. Lalo na si ate Bench at kuya Jap na muntik ng hindi lumabas sa Funland dahil sa ka-adikan sa slide. Haha.

It's really great na merong snow attraction tulad nito sa Pinas, not to mention ang skating rink ng MOA. And it's really been a great day for all of us. Ang saya maging bata ulit!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Bukayo turns One

Woah! 1 year na yung blogs ko!!! hehe. Nakita ko lang ung first post ko September 4, 2009. Grabe ang bilis bilis bilis bilis bilis talaga ng panahon. So much things happened. At parang dumaraan lang ang lahat ng hindi mo namamalayan. Bukas makalawa bente singko na ko... trenta... kwarenta... singkwenta... at siguro hindi ko rin mamamalayan, malapit na rin akong mag-take flight.

Okay wag muna nating pag-usapan yan. Hehe. Marami-rami na rin pala kong nasulat. Ninety-Two! Hindi na masama. Kaso medyo tinatamad akong magsulat nitong mga nakakaraang panahon. Ewan ko, siguro may mga ganung time talaga. Napagisip-isip ko, matagal-tagal na rin pala nung huling nakipag-kulitan ako sa mga kaibigan ko sa Bulacan. Masyado kong nagpapaka-busy dito sa Maynila. Totoo pala talaga na may timespan lang sa buhay mo na makakasama mo yung mga tao sa paligid mo. Maraming kaibigang nawawala...dumadating. May iba, madalang magkita pero nandyan pa rin. *senti mode* Kaya habang nandyan pa sila, enjoyin mo lang...and show your love. Wag kang gagawa ng mga bagay na pagsisisian mo sa bandang huli at ikakapahiya mo. Do everything in love.

Marami din namang masasayang bagay. Bagong opportunity. Bagong experience. Bagong environment. At minsan, pati ikaw nababago rin. Well ganun naman talaga siguro. But just be wise sa mga magiging decision mo. Never forget those people that has been part of you. Lagi ding tatandaan na we're not living to work, we're not living to eat, we're not living to be rich, to be wealthy. We are living to serve. We are living to love. We are living to help. We are living to prove that we are worthy of God's promises. Always seek God's guidance. Dance. Be righteous. And have fun! (^^,)

Sabi nga ni brother Bo at wish ko din para sa lahat, May our dreams come true!
“We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts not breaths; in feelings, not in figures on a dial. We should count time by heart throbs. He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.” -Aristotle

Monday, September 6, 2010

Strike Two!

I should be more alert and cautious. Wala ng ligtas sa panahon ngayon. Stealers. Pathetic.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Gloomy Monday

Yesterday, the Philippines has once again got the attention of the world. I was truly sadden as I've seen the images of the tragedy happened last night. I know everyone does. I almost cried when I see this woman crying in despair, and the police trying to gain her trust and escort her to the emergency exit of the bus. It really broke my heart. I do not understand why such thing has to happen. All I know is, everyone of us wanted these hostages to be freed safely.

For our Chinese friends, we shared your bereavement. The sorrow that you are feeling right now is the same sorrow we Filipinos are also going through for what had happened. We are sorry. We never wanted anything like this to happen.

Our deepest condolences to our Chinese friends.

Let's continue to pray for the soul of those who lost their lives in the tragedy, for the comfort of the departed, for the healing of the casualties, for justice and for the restoration of world trust, especially the damaged friendship of the two nations.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

A Dream within a Dream within a Dream...


inception\in-ˈsep-shən\ n.
The beginning of something, such as an undertaking; a commencement.

Q: What is inception?

A: Inception is the act of invading someone's dreams for the sole purpose of planting an idea. It is the opposite of extraction, which is the process by which one gathers important information from the subject’s subconcious. Inception is thought by some to be impossible because the inceptee's mind has an uncanny ability to trace the planted idea back to the person who planted it. For example, if someone tells you “Don’t think about elephants,” you may think of elephants, but this fails as inception because the originator—the person who ordered you not to think about elephants—can be traced as the source too easily.

Last Thursday, after one month of hitting the silver screen, I got a chance to watch Inception in Shangri-La. Yehey! Hehe. What makes me interested in this movie is the concept of having the ability to penetrate into other people's dream. And if you think that is not so mind-blowing, in this movie, Leo DiCaprio did actually penetrate into Cillian Murphy's dream within a dream whithin a dream. How genius is that?!

The movie is a little complicated but understandable. It has been delivered in a motion picture that is easy to follow. It was great! Really. What I love most in this movie is, you really have to think. At ang nakaka-aliw pa eh sabay kayong nag-iisip nung mga characters to solve the puzzle and to unveil what is ahead. Sabay kayong magugulat at maiinis sa mga revelations. It has a lot of twist from the beginning til the end, mapapa-isip ka talaga.

It was very new and unusual story for me, that you can actually change people's mindset and/or perception by planting an idea into his mind, by penetrating into his dream and do your mess into it. And what's interesting is, they can draw a world that breaks the law of gravity and physics. Cool!

 

It's my first time to watch in Shang Cineplex, dahil akala ko eh sobrang mahal ng sinehan sa kanila. Syempre naman kung higit na mas mura sa SM eh di dun ka na! di ba! But last thursday, hindi nakisama si SM. Only one of their 12 cinemas ang alloted for Inception. *sigh* Ok sige! Hindi na ko magrereklamo! Alam ko namang 1 month ng pinapalabas ang Inception kaya ganon. Sori naman! Hehe. Ang kaso, 9:30PM pa yung susunod na screening! eh mag aalas-syete palang! My gulay! Anong gagawin ko sa mall for 2 hours eh wala naman akong interes nung gabing yon kundi manood! (Arte lang, hehe)

So ayun, since inimbayt daw si Aldino nung friend nya sa Shang para manood ng awarding ng Ateneo Art Gallery for Contemporary Arts (wushuuu, parang tunay!), dun muna kami tumuloy. At sa di inaasahang pagkakataon eh tinanong na din namin si ate na hindi ko alam kung bantay ba talaga sya sa customer service o isa syang agent ng colcenter dahil hindi matigil sa kachi-chismis sa telepono habang kami ay nakatunga-nga sa harap nya at naghihintay, kung magkano yung ticket nila at anong oras yung susunod na screening. Sa sobrang importante nung chinichismis nya sa kaibigan nya eh hindi na nya nakuhang ibaba yung phone at basta sinenyas nalang nya na P185 yung ticket. Wow! akala ko mga P350 ang mga tickets nila! Hehe. At ayun, since mas maaga ng 30mins ang showing sa kanila kesa sa megamol, dun nalang kami nanood. Atleast yung 2hrs na bakante namin (7PM palang non) eh ipapanood nalang namin ng awarding nga nung fren ni Aldino.

Ateneo Art Gallery: Ang yayaman ng tao. Bagay na bagay kaming 2 ni Aldino sa lugar. Haha. Bakit kaya kapag mayaman, makikita mo agad sa balat nila na mayaman sila. Tapos kakaiba yung mga damit.Pati iba yung aura.
Shang Premiere Theatre: Sobrang naaliw ako dito. Sa Premiere theatre ng Shangri-La yung Inception, at nung pumasok kami ni Aldino, ang nasabi ko nalang ay, "wow pang-mayaman!" hehe. 88 seats lang meron ang Premiere theatre, at nung nanood pa kami eh halos 1/4 lang yata yung occupied. It would really make you feel na ikaw lang at yung screen sa harap mo yung nasa room. And not to mention, the image quality and the sounds! Superb!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

So quick!

Nadukot sakin yung phone ko just this morning. My first time na manakawan...and I'm not proud.

Hindi ko ba alam kung bakit sa dinami-rami ng mga naririnig kong mga nadudukutan eh hindi pa rin ako naging alerto. Sa dinami-rami rin ng mga modus na napapakinggan ko sa TV eh hindi ko pa rin natandaan. Siguro dahil na rin sa hindi pa nga ako nawawalan kaya din siguro hindi ko pa natututunan ang mag-ingat sa gamit kapag nasa public places. And now it happened...

Kaninang umaga, bago ko umalis ng bahay, madeded-bat na yung phone ko. Pero naisip ko na wag ko na lang i-charge at sa opisina nalang para tuloy-tuloy ang pagcha-charge ko at para na rin tipid kami ng kuryente sa bahay, haha. Bago ko lumabas ng pinto, muntik ko pang makalimutan dalin dahil naaliw ako sa pinapanood ni ate Lez, hehe, pero ayun nga nakita ko at nilagay ko sa kaliwang bulsa ng pantalon ko na usually dun ko talaga nilalagay (oh, may idea na yung mga mandurukot dyan).

Habang nag-aabang sa crossing ng bus pa-Ayala, may 2 bus na rin siguro akong hindi sinakayan dahil sobrang siksikan. Pero nung pangatlo na eh sumakay na rin ako dahil baka ma-late na naman ako. Usually, kapag tayuan, gusto ko talagang mapunta sa gawing dulo, kasi medyo maluwag-luwag dun kumapara sa harap na ang sikip-sikip na eh ang dami pang bumababa at sumasakay. Pero this time, hindi ako maka-diskarte na makapunta sa bandang likod dahil sa sobrang dami ng tao sa may harapan. Nung nagba-baba na yung bus sa Boni, medyo madami yung pasaherong bumaba. Tapos merong lalaki sa likod ko na medyo sumiksik sakin akmang para makapag-bigay ng daan sa mga baba. Then medyo na-wirduhan ako kasi bigla nalang syang sumabay sa mga bumababang pasahero.

Dahil marami na nga ang nakababa, nagkaron na rin ako ng pagkakataon na makapunta sa bandang likuran ng bus kung san maluwag. Tapos kinuha ko yung wallet ko sa bag para kumuha ng pambayad at nilagay ko nalang sa kaliwang bulsa ng pantalon ko. Nagulat ako kasi ang bilis ko lang malagay yung wallet sa bulsa ko. Dahil usually mahirap yun isuksuk dun dahil nandun yung phone ko. At yun, kinapa-kapa ko. Until I realized...nawala na yung cellphone ko.

Bigla-bigla naalala ko yung lalaking bumaba sa Boni. Kaya siguro sya sumiksik nung una eh para i-distract ako. At nung time na bigla nalang syang naki-sabay sa mga bumababa eh nagtagumpay na sya sa pagkuha ng phone ko. Na-amaze lang ako of how he have done it so quick. Hindi ko manlang naisip.

Nalungkot lang ako dahil may mga taong kailangang magnakaw o manggulang sa kapwa nila. I didn't know kung ako man ang dahilan niya. Naawa nalang ako. He might gain something out of stealing, but in fact, he lose himself by doing such thing. Hindi ko na pinanghinayangan yung phone ko, well it's just a phone. Mahigit 1 year ko na rin naman gamit yun, at medyo hindi na ko natutuwa sa mga bugs ni Ericsson. Hehe.

Swerte na rin ako at ganun lang ang nangyari, wala ng panunutok ng baril o patalim. Pasalamat na rin talaga ko at hindi yun snatch, dahil baka ma-trauma ko kapag ganun. Buti na lang din at ma-dededbat na yun. Atleast kelangan pa nya ng technician para mabuksan yun dahil my security code. Ehehe. Nakakainis lang dahil kung kelan nakabisado ko na yung number ko sa sun tsaka pa nawala. Haha. Tapos kaloload ko lang nun na 1month unlimited nung Friday. Huhu.

Now I've learned my lesson. Hindi ko na ilalagay sa kaliwang bulsa ko yung phone...sa kanan na. Haha, joke! Basta alert lang kapag madaming tao. Pero mas maging alerto kapag walang tao. Di ba! Di ba! Phone lang yun. Mapapalitan at mapapalitan. Makabili nga bukas ng BB. Wow!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Larger than Life!

SFC Metro Manila Conference: One Heart


This is my second time na maka-attend sa MMC. This time, it was held at the Rogationist College sa Silang, Cavite. And ofcourse I am expecting to feel the same feeling I felt nung una ko yun ma-experience sa MMC Christ Pursuit sa Baguio last year. Sana lang.

I don't know what happened. From the time I arrived at the venue on Friday night until Saturday, I'm feeling......sad, I felt lonely, empty. Nothing in the MMC excites me. Neither the praisefest nor the sessions or the merchandises or the events or the workshops. I'm bored. No, I'm not used to it but.....there's something missing. At first iniisip ko, siguro dahil we have small numbers of delegates kaya ganun. I even blamed it to the venue na feeling ko kasi masyadong maliwanag at exposed sa labas kaya hindi ko masyado ma-feel yung activity. I know it's weird pero ganun eh.

At one moment of Saturday morning worship, I found out what's missing. Neither the venue nor our numbers aren't the reason why I'm feeling lonely and sad. It is me. I think I lost Him. Jesus. I cannot feel His presence anymore...and I don't know why.

Saturday morning, after the praisefest, I attended "Heart made to Worship" workshop. Not because I wanted to attend that workshop but because that's the last workshop that have available slots. Sabi ko nalang sa sarili ko, "hmm ok lang kesa walang ma-attenan." So ayun, kahit pano may mga natutunan din naman ako (haha, ang sama). But there's one part of the workshop that really strikes me. It's when Bro. Kirby Llaban give us a group activity where each will prophecy (to listen to God's word or message [doesn't necessarily mean you will hear the voice of God])  and tell it in the group. I closed my eyes and turned my heart to God. At the time some words poured my mind, then also I started sharing it with the group. I believe the Lord said, "Do not be tired my child. For when the times you cannot feel my presence. I assure you that I am there." It was as plain and as short as that. That confirmation from God gave me courage to strive more in service. But after hearing those words.....again....I lost Him. It's like He just answered the phone for a moment then suddenly hunged up.

At the end of session 3 is the Holy Hour. Up to that time I'm expecting God would again confirm to me that He's not giving me up. It could be a feeling, or an event, or words, or a sign, or an embrace, or a song, or an image....anything! But no. Nothing comes. I looked around me and I see people crying...praying. I know they're in His glory that time. But me....I'm lost. That time, I bowed my head, closed my eyes and uttered, "Bakit hindi kita maramdaman Lord?". I waited for a response....and there's nothing. I'm losing hope. As I opened my eyes and looked up, I saw Jesus' image in the screen... bigla ko nalang nasabi, "Lord....nami-miss na kita." And by then, I started to cry.

Truly, this MMC is far different from the Christ Pursuit. Based on my experience, the last year's MMC is full of fun and heartwarming. This time, it was more emotional and spiritually mature. I believe God had just put me into a test. He maybe want to know what I'm going to do when He made me feel He's not there. Maybe, He's just want to observe my thoughts and my action in those times. I realized...I'm so selfish. I keep asking myself what God could give me, or what else can I expect from Him, or "Is God giving me His best?" when the real question should be, "Am I giving God my best?".

At the end of this conference, I admit that I didn't enjoyed it that much. But this conference isn't about enjoyment. It's about renewal. A reminder. It's about realizations. Letting us know what God wants for us. Bringing us closer to God. And the message is loud and clear. When we feel we are lost, call Him and He, without doubt, will come to rescue. God's love for us is everlasting and extravagant. No sin is bigger than His loving heart. When we come to a point of not feeling us beside Him, believe that He's there. He confirmed it.

"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
" - Isaiah 41:10

Never doubt His words. Because His words are eternal. And He is faithful. We just need to listen, to trust and to believe.

Friday, July 16, 2010

The Egg

This is really really a must read piece! Hindi ko alam kung anong magiging reaksyon ko at kung anong naramdaman ko after reading this story. But sure it somehow reminds me that showing goodness to others is showing goodness to yourself. Don't stop reading kung feeling nyo boring or kung meron kayong hindi nagustuhan sa sinabi. Naramdaman ko din yan habang binabasa to. I know there are some points here that maybe contradicts our belief. Pero hindi naman 'to for religion or it doesn't even challenges one. Anyway, it's really worth reading. Just read the whole texts and see for yourselves.


The Egg
By: Andy Weir


You were on your way home when you died.

It was a car accident. Nothing particularly remarkable, but fatal nonetheless. You left behind a wife and two children. It was a painless death. The EMTs tried their best to save you, but to no avail. Your body was so utterly shattered you were better off, trust me.

And that’s when you met me.

“What… what happened?” You asked. “Where am I?”

“You died,” I said, matter-of-factly. No point in mincing words.

“There was a… a truck and it was skidding…”

“Yup,” I said.

“I… I died?”

“Yup. But don’t feel bad about it. Everyone dies,” I said.

You looked around. There was nothingness. Just you and me. “What is this place?” You asked. “Is this the afterlife?”

“More or less,” I said.

“Are you god?” You asked.

“Yup,” I replied. “I’m God.”

“My kids… my wife,” you said.

“What about them?”

“Will they be all right?”

“That’s what I like to see,” I said. “You just died and your main concern is for your family. That’s good stuff right there.”

You looked at me with fascination. To you, I didn’t look like God. I just looked like some man. Or possibly a woman. Some vague authority figure, maybe. More of a grammar school teacher than the almighty.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “They’ll be fine. Your kids will remember you as perfect in every way. They didn’t have time to grow contempt for you. Your wife will cry on the outside, but will be secretly relieved. To be fair, your marriage was falling apart. If it’s any consolation, she’ll feel very guilty for feeling relieved.”

“Oh,” you said. “So what happens now? Do I go to heaven or hell or something?”

“Neither,” I said. “You’ll be reincarnated.”

“Ah,” you said. “So the Hindus were right,”

“All religions are right in their own way,” I said. “Walk with me.”

You followed along as we strode through the void. “Where are we going?”

“Nowhere in particular,” I said. “It’s just nice to walk while we talk.”

“So what’s the point, then?” You asked. “When I get reborn, I’ll just be a blank slate, right? A baby. So all my experiences and everything I did in this life won’t matter.”

“Not so!” I said. “You have within you all the knowledge and experiences of all your past lives. You just don’t remember them right now.”

I stopped walking and took you by the shoulders. “Your soul is more magnificent, beautiful, and gigantic than you can possibly imagine. A human mind can only contain a tiny fraction of what you are. It’s like sticking your finger in a glass of water to see if it’s hot or cold. You put a tiny part of yourself into the vessel, and when you bring it back out, you’ve gained all the experiences it had.

“You’ve been in a human for the last 48 years, so you haven’t stretched out yet and felt the rest of your immense consciousness. If we hung out here for long enough, you’d start remembering everything. But there’s no point to doing that between each life.”

“How many times have I been reincarnated, then?”

“Oh lots. Lots and lots. An in to lots of different lives.” I said. “This time around, you’ll be a Chinese peasant girl in 540 AD.”

“Wait, what?” You stammered. “You’re sending me back in time?”

“Well, I guess technically. Time, as you know it, only exists in your universe. Things are different where I come from.”

“Where you come from?” You said.

“Oh sure,” I explained “I come from somewhere. Somewhere else. And there are others like me. I know you’ll want to know what it’s like there, but honestly you wouldn’t understand.”

“Oh,” you said, a little let down. “But wait. If I get reincarnated to other places in time, I could have interacted with myself at some point.”

“Sure. Happens all the time. And with both lives only aware of their own lifespan you don’t even know it’s happening.”

“So what’s the point of it all?”

“Seriously?” I asked. “Seriously? You’re asking me for the meaning of life? Isn’t that a little stereotypical?”

“Well it’s a reasonable question,” you persisted.

I looked you in the eye. “The meaning of life, the reason I made this whole universe, is for you to mature.”

“You mean mankind? You want us to mature?”

“No, just you. I made this whole universe for you. With each new life you grow and mature and become a larger and greater intellect.”

“Just me? What about everyone else?”

“There is no one else,” I said. “In this universe, there’s just you and me.”

You stared blankly at me. “But all the people on earth…”

“All you. Different incarnations of you.”

“Wait. I’m everyone!?”

“Now you’re getting it,” I said, with a congratulatory slap on the back.

“I’m every human being who ever lived?”

“Or who will ever live, yes.”

“I’m Abraham Lincoln?”

“And you’re John Wilkes Booth, too,” I added.

“I’m Hitler?” You said, appalled.

“And you’re the millions he killed.”

“I’m Jesus?”

“And you’re everyone who followed him.”

You fell silent.

“Every time you victimized someone,” I said, “you were victimizing yourself. Every act of kindness you’ve done, you’ve done to yourself. Every happy and sad moment ever experienced by any human was, or will be, experienced by you.”

You thought for a long time.

“Why?” You asked me. “Why do all this?”

“Because someday, you will become like me. Because that’s what you are. You’re one of my kind. You’re my child.”

“Whoa,” you said, incredulous. “You mean I’m a god?”

“No. Not yet. You’re a fetus. You’re still growing. Once you’ve lived every human life throughout all time, you will have grown enough to be born.”

“So the whole universe,” you said, “it’s just…”

“An egg.” I answered. “Now it’s time for you to move on to your next life.”

And I sent you on your way.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

The Lost Jewel

WOW! Hindi ko alam na meron nagkaron pala tayo ng ganitong simbahan sa pinas! Stunning!


Feels like Europe right? This is the old Oton church of Ilo-ilo. One of the architectural achievements of the colonial period. In a form of a Greek cross, it is one of its kind in the country as it was the only one with such a plan and architecture blending Byzantine with Gothic and classical elements. This structure that would have been one of the most majestic churches of the country was spared during the second world war, but it was destroyed by an earthquake in January 1948. So sad that it has never been rebuilt.


Its interior reminds me of Old English churches which chairs are arranged horizontally aligned with the side walls. I didn't know why those chairs aren't facing the altar...weird. Hehe. Interesting that we once had this kind of church architecture that I only seeing in classic english movies such as the "Shadowlands". I dreamt of such jewel standing on our own land. Not as a "copycat" of western architecture, but a symbol of our glorious past.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Heroistic

Just got this "RARE" photo of our national hero from skyscrapercity (my favorite forum site for manila's history, people, destinations, architectures, developments, etc.). Yes! I know, kahit ako nagulat at natawa dahil ibang-iba pala ang itsura ng ating pambansang bayani compare sa mga nakalagay sa libro at sa mga monumento nya. No offense sa mga maka-Rizal ah. I have nothing againts him. Ilang taon kaya siya dito? Medyo hawig pala sya ni pacman. Ehe.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Maluwag pa! Maluwag pa!

Napaka-gagaling mang-uto ng mga kundoktor sa maynila! Kapag sumasakay ako ng bus sa Makati, siguro isa lang ako sa maraming nagogoyo ng mga kundoktor. Sasabihin nila maluwag pa, maraming upuan, tapos pagsakay mo tama nga sila, maluwag pa sa gitna para tumayo! Ang nakakainis pa, hindi ka na pwedeng bumaba dahil bawal bumaba sa sakayan. Kunsensya mo pa kung maging pasaway ka at bumaba ka dahil mahuhuli yung bus at ma-aabala yung mga sakay nila.

Madalas din kapag pumapasok naman ako, pilit na sinisiksik nung mga kundoktor na yan yung mga tao sa gitna. Sasabihin, "Boss maki-usog po dun sa likod oh at naaaapaaaakaaaluwag pa dyan.", Wow manong! Naaaapaaaakaaaaaluwag ba kamo ng bus nyo? Ano yan MOA??? Feeling siguro nila mga gummy bears yung mga pasahero nila na lumiliit habang sinisiksik. Eh kung kayo kayang mga kundoktor ang isiksik ko ng husto sa isang bus at ng maintindihan nyo kung anong pakiramdam!

Meron pang ibang kundoktor na kunyare concern na concern, "Konting urong naman po dyan sa likod oh, para makasakay naman po yung iba at makapasok din (sa trabaho)." Hay kuya 'wag ka ng dumrama dyan dahil hindi effective!

Ang nakakainis pa sa mga yan, ang baiiiiiiittt bait bait nila kapag sasakay ka. Pero kapag bababa ka na nako! Sila pa yung galit! "Paki-bilisan naman nung mga bababa dyan oh!" Manong aba! Paano naman magiging mabilis maka-baba eh halos wala ng daanan sa gitna dahil puno ng tao na pilit nyong siniksik! Meron pa, "Oh, mga bababa ng megamol! megamol! megamol!" Kuya Shangri-La palang! Ang layo pa ng megamall! Tapos, kapag hindi ka umimik nung nagpapababa sila ng megamol sa shangri-la at dun ka bumaba sa babaan ng megamall, sila pa ang galit. "Nakoooooo! kanina pa sinabing megamol eh!" Nakaka-inis! 'di ba Monch??? Haha. Madalas nararanasan ko yan kapag pauwi ako ng Bulacan. Wala pa kami sa terminal ng Five Star sasabihin nung kundoktor, "Oh yung mga bababa ng Baliwag! Baliwag! Dito na po!" Gusto ko nalang sabihin, "Ay nalipat na pala yung terminal ng Baliwag, mas lumapit na sya."

Hindi naman ako yung tipong gusto kong bumaba sa saktong sakto. Ang sakin lang, may mga tamang babaan naman. Sana sundin naman nila yon. Isa pa, konting respeto naman. Lahat naman tayo nagtatrabaho. Lahat tayo kailangang kumita. Pero sana 'wag tayong maka-sarili. Isipin din natin kung mabuti pa ba yung nagagawa natin o hindi. Hindi mo naman ikakayaman yang pangsi-siksik at pang-aabala sa iba.

Sana lang din kasi maging maayos yung pasahod sa mga driver at kundoktor para hindi sila ganyan. Kung meron lang siguro silang fixed na sahod at allowance at hindi sila kaparte lang ng kumpanya eh hindi naman siguro sila magkukumahog at ipagsisiksikan hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang espasyo ng bus nila yung mga pasahero. Sabi ko nga, isipin din natin yung kalagayan ng iba. Hindi ang sarili lang natin.

Kayo? Anong pinakanakaka-stress na nararanasan nyo sa bus???

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Fire or Ice?

Nakakainis pa din si Bella! Selfish pa din sya! Hmp! (Affected??? hehe)

Hindi naman ako Team Edward at hindi rin naman ako Team Jacob. Wala. Nakakainis lang dahil ayaw mawalan ni Bella. Gusto nya pareho! Hindi nga pwede eh! Sabi nga sa I Miss You Like Crazy, "Isa lang ang puso mo, kaya dapat isa lang ang laman nyan."At hindi lang yon ah! Harap-harapang nakikipag-harutan sya sa dalawa! (Eh bakit ba kasi masyado kang affected?) Wala! 'Wag syang magrereklamo kapag nag-two time yang si Edward at si Jake ah!

Anyway, about the movie, hindi yun yung ine-expect ko na movie. Hindi sya kasing-ganda tulad ng inaasahan ko. Hindi naman sya pangit pero...basta may kulang. Ang pangit din ng pagkamatay ni Victoria. Nung napatay nga sya ni Edward bigla kong naisip, "Ay, ganon lang sya namatay??? Patay na ba talaga sya? baka naman mabubuhay pa???" Haha. Ang tagal-tagal naman kasi ng pinaghintay ni Victoria for revenge tapos bumuo-buo pa sya ng army tapos mamamatay lang sya na parang hindi manlang nahirapan si Edward. Hayy ewan!

Mas gusto ko pa rin yung New Moon. But I would still watch the Breaking Dawn.Wala, para lang matapos ko yung series. Hehe. Hindi naman ako talaga fan ng vampires at wolves. Lalo na ni Bella! (Bitter, haha)

Friday, July 2, 2010

Sunnyside!

Hindi, hindi 'to tungkol sa pagluluto at lalong walang kinalaman 'to sa pagpiprito ng itlog. It's about Toy Story 3!

I never became a fan of Toy Story, but sure I'm a fan of Disney. Wala, dahil siguro hindi ko rin naman na-try panoorin dati sa movie house. Eh nung Wednesday night, hindi ko ba malaman kila Bebe kung bakit bigla nalang nila naisipan manood ng muvi. Habang ako ay nananahimik sa bahay eh bigla nalang nagtext tong si Bebe na manood daw kami ng Toy Story. Ako naman nagreply, sabi ko wala na kaming maaabutan kasi past 8PM na nun (actually nagdadahilan lang ako, haha). Tapos napagalitan pa ko. Kanina pa daw yung text nya na yun. Eh sori naman kasalanan ko bang ngayon lang naresiv ng fone ko??? Haha. Hindi pa nasiyahan at tumawag pa talaga. Nung una ayoko talaga. Unang-una hindi ko naman trip panoorin yon. Pangalawa, hindi yun nakasama sa budget ko. Pangatlo, manonood na nga kami ng Eclipse, ok na yun. Pang-apat, ayoko narin talagang lumabas ng bahay. Pang-lima.... hinde, wala ng pang-lima. Haha.

Nandung dinahilan ko na yung ginagawa ko, na wala akong budget para don, tapos eh kasi umuulan... eh wala. Bigla nalang kaming napunta sa broadway at binanatan ako ng mga makabagbag-damdaming mga linya na pang-academy awards. At ayon, effective. Napa-sama na ko. Haha.

Natuwa naman ako kasi first time ko manood sa 3D! Hihi.. Yun nga lang may kamahalan talaga, pero ano pa ba magagawa ko? Haha. Siguro magdadagdag ka ng P100 sa presyo ng 2D theaters para sa 3D. Pero iba pa rin ang IMAX sa 3D theaters. Sa IMAX P350-P650 yata ang price depende sa movie. Anyway, ayun hindi ko nalang inisip yung binayaran ko (alam nyo naman ako, hehe) at in-enjoy ko nalang ang panonood.

Nung unang beses na sinoot ko yung 3D glass, na-amaze naman ako kasi ang galing! (haha, kinilig bigla?) Advertisement palang yung pinanood ko ah, hindi pa talaga yung movie. Haha. Tapos nung eto na, nagsimula na yung movie, hindi pa rin sakin mawala yung amazement kasi para talaga syang nasa harap mo at malapit sayo. (Sori naman, first time lang) Habang ako ay sobrang excited, bigla nalang bumanat itong si Monch na, "Ano pa pinagkaiba? (ng 3D sa 2D), parang wala naman." Ay gusto ko talagang tumambling! Hehe.


Nakakatuwa lang kasi parang ang lapit-lapit mo sa mga characters. Para talaga silang nakalabas sa screen. I just can't imagine kung ano pa yung mai-ooffer satin ng technology in the future. Pano pa kaya sa henerasyon ng mga apo natin? Baka pwede na rin nila mahawakan yung pinapanood nila. Anyway, I really enjoyed the movie. It was great as other Disney movies. Naaliw pa ko kasi may toy dun na kamuka nung laruan ko dati... si Chatter Telephone! Meron akong ganun! (So ano?) Wala naalala ko lang, hindi ko na kasi yun nakikita. Kaya pala kasi na-donate na sya sa Sunnyside Day Care. Haha. Isa pa pala, alam ko na kung bakit bigla nilang naisip na manood ng Toy Story. Kasi kasama pala sa cast si Bebe! (si Bonnie) At gusto nya kaming sorpresahin! Haha. Bebe magkano TF mo don??? Magpakain ka naman!

 

Mamaya we'll be watching Eclipse! Excited na ko... hehe... (^^,)

Monday, June 28, 2010

Aldino Greetings (Bati)

Yun oh! Kasabay ng pag-graduate namin bilang SFC eh nakilala ko silang makukulit at magugulo na mga ka-batch ko. At kasama nga dun si Aldino a.k.a. Mayor Herbert Bautista. Haha. Bakit Herbert??? Eh kasi nung una palang namin syang makita sa CLP nila Monch eh para na naming nakita si Mayor Herbert. Ehe.

Anyway, isang taon na rin simula nung makilala ko 'tong si Aldino at maka-group (household) ko sa SFC, sa isang taon na yun, kahit pano marami na rin kaming napagsamahan. Nakita ko na yung ibang side ng emotions nya, pati ibang ugali. Lover boy. Maraming kalokohan. Napaka-adventurous! Kunyari healthy living at nagpapaka-active lifestyle. Haha. Walang paglagyan ng energy. Ewan ko ba dito kay Aldino, nabo-bored yata masyado kapag walang activity sa loob ng magkasunod na araw. Lahat na yata ng "run" gustong attenan. Masyadong kaladkarin. Kahit saan mo ayain payag, hindi manlang magpakipot kunyari at magpa-pilit manlang. Haha. Hanga ako dito kay Aldine kasi ang galing-galing sa mga kalokohan. Ang daming nalalaman! Ang bilis mag-isip ng mga kwento at alamat. Ang galing mag-segway. At in fairness may potential maging script writer, hehe.

Minsan ko lang 'to nakitang nagalit... at galing umarte ah, effective! Medyo kinabahan din ako kasi nun ko lang sya nakita na ganun. Ehe. (Oh sige na ikaw na artista!)

Kahit na parati mo kong inaasar at nakisali ka pa sa pang-iinis sakin nung thursday!!!!!!! (hmp!) Eh natutuwa naman ako dahil nandyan ka kasama namin. May you continue to be a good friend to everybody and may the Lord be always with you! More girls to come! Ay! Years pala, more years to come. Haha.

HaPpY Birthday Aldino!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Maximum!

Waaahhhh! Sobrang bilis talaga ng panahon. Di ko namalayan 1 year na pala since we've started serving the Lord through SFC community. And here we are, still in the pursuit of Christ. Sobrang masaya ko kasi maraming nabuong friendship, at marami din ang naging active sa SFC sa batch namin. Thankful din ako sa mga leaders namin na sobrang supportive, kay kuya Jao at Ate Weng na Team Heads nung time namin at syempre sa mga ka-batch ko for the friendship and love.

I know that this is just a start of our journey...of our fight. I pray to God na sana walang bumitaw, even myself.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY SFC MAXIMUM!


Let's keep the fire burning to its MAXIMUM! (^^,)

Monday, June 21, 2010

Build on Christ!

After the Paco Park and Luneta tour, tumuloy na kami sa Quirino Grandstand para sa talagang pakay namin kahapon - ang maki-celebrate sa Couples For Christ's 29th Anniversary.

Habang kami nila Aldino eh nagpipicturan sa palatandaan ng KM. 0 sa tabi ng mga sasakyan sa kahabaan ng Roxas Blvd., (nakaka-hingal mag-explain, hehe) nakita na namin sila Andrew na kalabaw, Ay malapit sa kalabaw pala! Haha. (may dalawang statues ng kalabaw sa harap ng Luneta, dun) At ayun, binigyan na kami ng pins ni Ate Rizza at tumuloy na kami sa grounds. **Hillsongs Playing**

Pagpasok namin, na-excite na naman ako dahil first time kong makita ang barko ng MFHRI (Manila Floating Hotel and Restaurant). Ang lakkeeee. Well, hindi sya kasing laki ng Titanic pero malaki pa din sya. Masaya na ko sa ganun. Oh sige na, para na kong bata pero bakit ba! Hehe. Sa TV lang kasi ako nakakakita ng barko. Oo nakakakita din naman ako sa Manila Bay pero ang lalayo nila kaya maliit. Haha.


Medyo makulimlim na nung nasa grounds na kami ng Quirino Grandstand, medyo lumalakas na din ang lumalamig na hangin, ramdam na namin na uulan pero we're still hoping na hindi magtuloy. Sa mga ganung pagkakataon lagi kong naiisip na hindi hahayaan ni God na may mangyari na makakasira sa mga gawain para sa kanya as He does all the time. So nung mga oras na yun prenteng-prente ako na hindi talaga uulan, because all of us there believes. But then...

At one part of the program, unti-unti nang pumatak ang ulan. Napatayo na kami ni Ate Rizza sa pagkaka-upo namin at ginawang pang-silong yung binili naming sheet para upuan sa damo. Yung iba naki-silong nalang sa tents at yung iba, nagpayong. That moment, the rain is still tolerable and I still believe that God will stop the rain and let us go out again. Pero hindi yun ang nangyari, the rain had worsen. Yung lakas na kahit nakapayong ka na eh mababasa ka pa din. Nung time na yun naki-silong na din ako sa tent hoping na makakatakas ako sa lakas ng buhos ng ulan, pero hindi din pala.

Nasa bukana lang ako ng tent dahil marami na ring nagsisiksikan sa loob. That's why sa bawat ihip ng hangin kami ding mga nasa bandang harap ang nababasa.  That time the organizers have decided to temporarily stop the program at pasilungin muna ang mga members until the rain is tolerable. As we pray the rosary, medyo naging emotional ako. I don't know why. I just felt that I'm not alone. I'm with these people. Still holding on. Inspite of trials and challenges, we still serve, we still hope, we still believe. Maya-maya unti-unti ko ng naramdaman na pinapasok na ng tubig yung sapatos ko. Nagbaha na sa buong grounds dahil sa ulan. Basa na rin yung pantalon ko, kahit yung damit ko. I'm shivering in cold. Gusto ko ng umuwi. But after a moment, naantig talaga yung puso ko nung makita ko yung isang pamilya na sobrang dikit na dikit na sila sa isa't-isa para lang maka-kanlong sila sa dala-dala nilang payong, with the parents enclosing their children to their arms. It was warm. That was love. And they never give up. So must I.

At the end of the day, I never asked God why He let such thing happen. But I realized that God gave us the rain that night for us to see His message. That whatever trials and hardship and failures we may face, all we have to do is to hold on to each other, work together, and TRUST in Him. Because He is at work at us. He has a plan. It is a test. In spite of it we all haven't given up. We stayed. It's why we are here. We are FOR Christ. Built by His love. Build on Christ.

"Lord we are your children, 
Chosen and called by your Name 
With one heart and purpose we gather 
To glorify you and proclaim 
 
That you Lord are our sure foundation 
We will not be afraid 
When the storm comes we will not be shaken 
For by your hands we are saved"

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Rizal Park

After namin sa Paco Park, tumuloy na rin kami sa Luneta para naman um-attend sa 29th Anniversary ng Couples For Christ sa grandstand. We're lucky na malapit lang ang Paco Park sa Luneta at pwedeng lakarin. Just like the other historical landmarks of Manila, sobrang natutuwa ako kapag napupunta ko sa Luneta. Although, nakalimutan ko na nung huling pumasyal ako don, nakikita-kita ko din naman yon kapag napapadaan ako sa lugar sakay ng jeep or bus.

[Lecturan ko muna kayo ah, hehe] Luneta, commonly known as Rizal Park is a National Park of our capital and of the country. It's good to know that during the American Occupation, Daniel Burnham do the Master Plan for the City of Manila and made Luneta as the center of the Philippine Government patterned after "The National Mall" of Washington D.C. Yes! Daniel Burnham is also the person who master-planned Baguio City, that's why the city's central park is named after him -  Burnham Park. As planned, lahat SANA ng government departments, bureaus at agencies eh itatayo sa paligid ng Luneta in neo-classical architecture (exactly like U.S.'s capital). Sa totoo lang, nasimulan naman talaga yung project, but only three units were built: the (1) National Museum (Formerly the Legislative building), (2) Department of Agriculture (now housed the Department of Tourism) and the (3) Department of Finance (currently the Museum of the Filipino People). Pero sayang, as in sobrang sayang at nakaka-lunkot dahil hindi na natuloy ang original plan ni Burnham para sa Manila dahil sa pagsimula ng World War II kung san halos walang natira sa Maynila. Even the City Hall is not spared during the war and most of the structure has been destroyed. Simula non, Mr. Quezon created a new Capital for the country outside Manila which was named after him - Quezon City.

(Luneta, Bird's Eye View)
(The National Mall, Washington D.C.)
(The OLD Agripana Circle)

The saddest part is, hindi na nga natuloy ang plano ni Burnham para sa Luneta, hindi pa din nakuhang ayusin at malinis ng agency na namamahala sa park yung lugar. Yes medyo malinis naman pero...hindi sya gaanong name-maintain. I don't know. Yung relief map walang tubig, panay lumot. Yung fountain hindi manlang gumagana. Oo siguro malakas kumonsumo ng kuryente pero hello! It's our NATIONAL PARK! Mas okay na sakin na gastusin yung pera na binabayad sa tax para ipanggasta sa fountain kesa mapunta lang sa bulsa ng kung sino. At sana  magkaron manlang ng taste ang nagme-maintain, may mga swan na bato sa tabi-tabi??? PINK na National Museum??? At sana tanggalin nalang nila don si Lapu-Lapu at dun nalang sya sa Cebu. It's Rizal Park in the first place. Not Rizal ang Lapu-Lapu Park. Hayyyyy. Bakit ganyan??? Anyway, para naman maintindihan nyo ko, here are some pictures of Luneta.


Address: Km. 0, Roxas Blvd., Manila

Paco Park

Unti-unti, we're finally getting to visit the places we wish to go. Una ay nung nang-gulo kami sa Laguna at nilubog ang aming mga sarili sa napaka-lammmeeeeeggg na tubig ng Majayjay Falls. And just yesterday, nakarating na rin kami sa Paco Park that is also part of our list. Hurrraaayy! Bakit ba namin naisipan magpunta ng Paco Park??? Well, sisihin nyo sina Allan Alvarez at Mia Samonte. (Ngak! Sino ba yun???) Sila Bea at Lloydi sa "I Miss You Like Crazy". Ehe. Sobrang na-mesmerized kami ni Bebe nung makita namin yun sa movie at pareho agad kami ng naisip, "Dapat makapunta ko dyan! (dahil baka nandyan pa si Lolo Yuli)". And we did!

Paco Park is originally NOT a park, but a burial site of our grandparents nung mga panahon pa ng mga prayle, eletista, principalia, indio at gobernadorcillo. Completed in 1820 and has been converted into a national park in 1966 during the term of President Diosdado Macapagal. (So ano namang makikita dyan???) The park has two circular walls containing the niches. On top of it is a walkway. Nakakatuwa kasi kapag nandun ka eh para kang binalik sa lumang panahon beacuse of the old structure. It has also the dome-shaped chapel of San Pancratius at tha back that is commonly used for weddings. Even though most of the remains that rests in the park that was once Manila's municipal cemetery has already been moved, some still remained. Katulad na lang ng mga labi ng tatlong paring martir na sina Mario Gomez, José Burgos and Jacinto Zamora. And it's interesting to know that Paco Park is the original burial site of our national hero, Jose Rizal until it was moved to its final resting place beneath the monument at Luneta. Hehe, sori ah, mahili talaga ko sa history. Di ba nga?


Well anyway, hindi man namin nakita si Lolo Yuli don at hindi man kami nakapsok sa loob ng chapel (dahil kasalukuyang may kasal), sobrang natuwa din naman ako dahil sa wakas eh nakapunta na rin ako kasama sila Bebe, Monch, Mark, Luvs, Aldino at Dith sa lugar. I'm always been fascinated by the old structures in Manila. They're just simply wonderful to see. Malamang natuwa din sila, malow-bat ba naman ang kamera ni Aldino. Haha. Sana next time makasakay na rin at sa Pasig Ferry at makapunta sa Walled City. 

Address: San Marcelino & General Luna Sts, Manila
Tel: 302-7381 Fax: 302-7182