I haven't finished with my re-reading of American Gods. But with my current job, I realized how insightful Gaiman's book actually is. I thought of American Gods as modern mythology, a brilliant way of putting together differnt gods from different cultures. But my exposure from IPs made me realize how important they really are for giving a group, a culture a sense of identity.

IPs are rich in culture because of their costumes, their traditional instruments, their rituals. Many of them continue to wear their native attire with honor and dignity, a badge of who they are. We urban lackeys on the other hand lack rituals in our lives.
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Let me continue with this some other time... di ko ma-construct eh. But I do have a point to make, okay. :D

CULTURE

Part of the conversation I had with Rowie last night was about indigenous peoples' culture. Mainly because my exposure for the past week has been with them. Rowie also had a chance to do a story on the Mangyans while she was with Probe.

Anyway, for the last days, I was indexing the available curriculums we had designed for the IP communities we were servicing. Many of the materials we had actualy showed promise. While I was doing the indexing, I realized that most of what organizations like us were doing was introducing the IPs to the modern world. Of course, there is the conscious effort to maintain their tradition and culture. I just got into thinking though... how come there is little effort from the government to make Filipinos more aware of their culture, of their roots.

I think one big reason why we have the tendency to be colonial is because there isn't much rootedness in our culture. No true appreciation of what we have culturally. I remember back in grade school, we study the costumes, the instruments... but never in a way that would make us see its value to us as Filipinos. For me it was just something I had to memorize for the sake of passing my exams.

If we can just make a curriculum that makes the MAKABAYAN subjects truly makabayan. Instructional materials and teachers that could make children see the beauty of their country, of their heritage. Learning their literature and understanding its value.

Iyon. Dami kong naisip. If I should teach grade school kids or college kids. Write a thesis on it (I hope to take my masters in Filipino Lit (or maybe sociology) in two to three years. *fingers crossed*) or write kids books (I think I can get grants for that). Nothing to take seriously at the moment, but something to eventually think about.

SHOPPING!

Had a nice day with Rowie yesterday. Late Lunch at Cafe Breton (first time ko!). After doing errands, we window-shopped like there is no tomorrow. I love shopping with that girl. When I shop alone, I just look at a dress, ogle and leave. With Rowie, we try the clothes that catch our fancy. Which just makes going around the mall fun, despite the tiresome exercise. Hehehe!

I discovered this nice, nice blue shiny, shimmery long dress in Maldita that just made me look so nice. The dress didn't go out of the store with me, but at least I have another idea what would look good on me.

Hanging around at Starbucks was a great way to end our date. Love, life and dreams as she appropriately puts it. From fearless forecasts for next year (I think I'll be getting something next year. Hehehe!) to things we can do for the future to "ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country" (we both love the Philippines!). Strange ending the night with a beso, though. Hahaha!

And I'm glad she liked my gift, too! Yey!

Labs you, too, soul sister!

Found out one of my long time-crushes was top 20 on the Chemical Engineering boards. Woo-hoo! Guess where I found out? His testimonial on friendster. Mwahahah!

ON "NEW" PHONES and TEXT STALKERS

Got a phone for my other sim. An 8210 model for P1500. Not bad, di ba? Considering that I was only able to pay P500 muna. Except the keys are too small and I don't exactly have the daintiest of fingers to type in messages with speed. But slower texting would mean less texts. Do you get the logic of that? Basta.

Anyway, the smart sim I am using was the ones left behind by the Koreans. I will be using it for work since some of the provinces I go to do not have Globe coverage. At the same time, after my first experience with "text stalkers" from one of the communities I visited, I don't want them bothering my "family and friends line."

What is a text stalker? Someone who just saw you, gets your number, introduces himself, texts and texts and texts you like they have unlimited load. Once you tell them to stop texting, they call you instead. Argh. I decided to group them together under the label "asungot" with just a beep for a ring tone because I still do not know how to assign the silent tone. (So obviously, I don't tinker with my phone much dahil hindi ko alam! hehehe!)

All Saint's Day today.

Had to wake up early so I could go with my brother to his office so we can go together to the cemetery in the afternoon. I could have gotten more sleep instead and met up with him at the cemetery but this is more convenient. Plus I get to use unlimited internet. Mwahahaha!

Anyways... honestly, I do not believe in trudging along with the rest of civilization to the cemetery on this daysince we regularly visit my dad, it's just like any other visiting day for me. Except with the cemetery having a more fiesta-like atmosphere than usual peaceful park that it is.

Nice to have Joey Ayala blogging na rin. :)

Went to the wake yesteday. Didn't think I would cry especially since he was cremated so I wouldn't see his face. But syet, when I saw his picture... it was just so Chairman. So Mr. Suave. So just like what he would do if he saw me... I cried. Ick.

But the AVP they did was nice. Showed pictures and clippings of Chairman. Saya! Gwapo ever.

Made a promise on his grave, too. This is usually an unsafe practice as they might come back to you if you do not do well. But I made it a safe promise. "Because you believed enough in me to let me go to do service work, I will try my best to do well. Help me out, okay? And you can come with me, if you like. You said you always wanted to go to the boondocks. Come with me once in a while."

Hay... my grandpapa....

Finally got my check from CCP. And just a few measly bucks are left as I had to pay my bills.

I passed by Bibliarch yesterday before meeting up with friends from advertising who I would be going with to the Chairman's wake in Alabang. So much for paying the other small debts I have... I just had to ask when the next shipment of Neil Gaiman's The Wolves in the Wall will be. The salesboy just had to tell me that they had the last copy on the shelf and the other only copy was just bought that afternoon. Argh. Napabili tuloy ako. Tsk!

Haven't read it, but have scanned through it. Dave McKean who did the illustrations (and also for Coraline) can give Nick Bantock a run for his money.

Happy birthday, Rowie!

With her new ibook, I'm sure life is a bit more convenient. Side story, Mike was overflowing with excitement about getting her the ibook he called me last Saturday just to have someone to tell. (Mike, I am absolutely touched you thought of me!). I got excited for him and for Rowie as well, especially his voice was quivering a bit. Hehehe!

He had a prediction he wouldn't be able to last till today. True enough, he gave it saturday night.

It was indeed a sweet, sweet gesture. So Rowie... you better get that thesis starting. As i will not be able to contribute anything intelligent, I shall just give you moral support. (Shall I do Blue Eagle spelling with three sommersaults and a half twist? hehehe!)

I finally get hold of a copy of Smokes and Mirrors. Tristan sent it to me through Eric S. who went there for a training. Good friend Chiqui rides along (cheapskate! heheheh!) by signing it, too. Sana si Gaiman na lang pumirma. Hehehe!

Anyways... at least I have something to read when I go around in Bukidnon. That is if there is electricity. But before that I have to finish American Gods and The Pilgrimage.

Totoy Avellana was known to be the King Eagle. Well, I didn't know that. I knew he was the brother of Lamberto Avellana who I think is a national artist (tama ba?) and he was the father of my dad's good friend.

At Avellana we fondly called him Chairman. He, for me, was the real Mr. Suave. Swashbuckling and debonaire even at his 70's. I loved seeing him walk from the elevator to his office, with a slight swagger, not from drunkeness but from confidence. For an old man, he was quite cool, once he asked me to put his magnetic earrings on. He smokes like a chimney and drinks coffee like water, just like your typical advertising executive.

When there wasn't much to do in the office, I'd hie off to his. He'd regale me with his stories of Ateneo legends, film legends, the good old advertising days... I knew he was fond of me, giving me trinkets from his trips. When I left for JVP, we had a long talk (he even made me cry) and told me he is letting me go because I was going to do something good. That if I left for another agency, they would never allow me to resign. He got a little blue figurine pot from his shelf and gave it to me as a parting gift. It was something like 40 or 50 years old.

There were still times I would visit him at the office. Or go there for his birthday.

The last time we talked (on the phone) was last year, on my birthday. I promised to meet with him after I finish my rounds. But I never got to. Just got so busy or lazy. But I thought of him often. Wanted to call him, but I lost his calling card.

When I didn't have work, I planned to visit him at the office but never got to because I didn't have money (though it only took 8 bucks to get there). Until I heard he was in the hospital, but I never got to visit him because it was in Alabang. So now that I was here, I promised to pass by the hospital after we visit my dad in the cemetery.

But he passed away last night. Never got to have lunch. Never got to visit him. Tonight maybe. A bit too late...

Chairman... I'm sorry. I hope you forgive me.
I love you, okay? You were a grandfather to me.

Hail to the King Eagle! Fly high!

When I got accepted for the Children's Program Officer post, I thought it was just because there was little choice. But one of my co-workers based in Cotabato told me about those who applied in Davao, there were plenty! I suddenly feel so proud... considering my weird resume. Hahaha! Grabe, pressure.

Found Parokya and Rivermaya members on Friendster. Woo-hoo!
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I was reading through the files of the areas I will be visiting in the next two weeks. Excited na ako. I just love going to indigenous communities.

=====

Gotta scoot. Somebody has to use the internet.

Manila... Manila... I keep coming back to Manila.
Then I will return to Davao next Sunday. One more flight and I finally get a Mabuhay Miles card. Yeh, baby!!!

Off to Manila this Sunday. Yipee!

But I think I am getting the flu. Boo!

Just came from Cotabato Thursday night. Actually it was a tour of the peace zones or sanctuaries of peace declared by GMA and Hashim Salamat sometime during the middle of the year. There were Muslim, Christian and Lumad participants. The end objective of the Lakbay-Aral was to come up with a peace statement that would be sent to the GRP and MILF for their peace talks.

My role was once again documentation, but this time it was mostly photo-taking.

I wish I could write a better entry on this for now, but it is early in the morning. So, forgive me.

The whole thing was an enriching experience for me. It opened me to the Muslim culture and gave me a chance to observe their rituals and devotion. I became aware of their life as evacuees, and even experienced it for two nights because the participants were made to sleep in makeshift tents. This was to have the people understand what it was like to be a "bakwet." And boy was it terrible. Mosquitoes kept biting and buzzing around. I barely got to sleep. There was no easy access to bathroom and water. That time I had my period. Go figure how hard that was!!!

It was also an eye-opener experience for the Lumads to interact with the Muslims. They had the impression of the Muslims being scary and aggresive. But being with them for three days, the saw these were also a hospitable people proud of their heritage as any culture is of their own.

The best part was everyone agreed how much war can destroy many lives. Where there are no winners and it is only the innocent people who are losing. Seeing these people sought peace because they knew war moved me in so many ways. I was so thankful of my good life. I was so thankful for having the chance to see who the people are on the news and how real their experience are. It was wonderful seeing peace workers doing everything they can to restore peace. It was even more great witnessing these people acknowledge that they must work for peace and not rely on other people to do it for them.

Hay... anyway I hope to capture a better picture of my experience with an article I am to write for JVP. This is just a patikim.

It was a wonderful experience. Glad to have gone through it. I survived!!!

Masaya kapag mabilis ang internet!!!

Forgive me...

but I just can't stand the baby-ing I am getting at home. I am just not used to it anymore. I do not like it all. It stresses me out. Naiinis rin ako sa sarili ko for not appreciating it. I do except sometimes it goes overboard. Calling me when she gets off from work to see if she can fetch me. Or telling me to drink my milk. Or saying magulo sa Cotabato when I tell her I am going. Argh. STRESS LEVEL!!!!!

But I love my mom, okay? I really, really do. Pero waaaaaah! pa rin.

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO, HAY NAKU

We are already used to the politicking by (who else!?) politicians. But when you see it happen in the Church, it makes the world a bit sadder. Clearly, there were some "political struggle" with a few members of the ECIP-Mindanao group. My work mates were discussing it a bit after the conference. I am still new so I couldn't see the reason why there has to be. I guess I am just too naive to think this but this is how I think...

Why should we (as NGOs and church groups) have to clash with each other when we have the same goals? We all want to help the indigenous communities, so why should be there resistance with the participation of others for the sake of personality?

Ang hirap ipaliwanag pa sa ngayon kung ano ang politikal sa mga kampo, pero nakikita. Sayang lang ang magandang pagkakataon na magtulungan. Sa ngayon, pipilitin ko munang gawin kung ano ang nararapat. Ayokong makain agad ng sistema lalo pa't naniniwala ako na magandang pagkakataon itong trabaho ko na makagawa ng mabuti.

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THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO, "NAKS!"

I met several bishops of Mindanao in the conference. They are so adorable. They were more fathers than they were priests. Well, they are fathers except they are bishops. Huh? Hahaha! You know what I mean. There was this one bishop who kept patting me on the head like I was a twelve-year old kid. Maybe he thought I was a practicumer or something.

The other bishop just impressed me with his simplicity. One of the priests arrived riding this japanese four wheel drive, I forget which, complete with driver. Bishop Eti, the chairperson of ECIP-Mindanao, on the other hand, came to Davao riding a bus. And he went back to Butuan on a bus again, an ordinary non-aircon bus at that!!! Some of you may feel any guy could do that, but this is a bishop. Some bishops have the tendency to act like the world should kiss their feet instead of their ring. He was also making a lot of jokes and knew a lot about the staff of Tabang Mindanaw.

It felt good knowing that I may be working with this kind man. This man who knows how it is to be a true leader.

Let us pray that more people in the church be like him. It might just make better people of us.

THEM WONDERFUL MISSIONARIES

I love foreign missionaries. Especially when they speak our language. There were two Italian priests and another Irishmen. When they were giving their points, they spoke fluent Bisaya. You could also see their passion for their charism and vocation. They had deep love for the indigenous Filipino people they were serving. They were more simple than the local priests. They were clad in tribal beads and threadbare shirts. One of them wore a red tubao the whole time. (Note: careful with wearing red tubaos in some areas of Mindanao because for some tribes in means you have killed a person already. Something I learned from JVP).

My favorite for the conference was Fr. Fausto (since he was the only one I got to interact with). There was always a ready smile on his face. Fr. Fausto kept making fun of me because I was always sleepy during the conference. He also invited me to go to Arakan Valley where he was assigned for a visit. Hopefully, I could go one day.

Fr. Peter was probably the oldest among the lot. He's the one in red tubao. He also wore a tribal vest over his shirt most of the time. The insights he gave to the group were often wise, probably the product of many years of living with his tribal community and working for them. I am in awe with this man.

The Irish priest, Fr. Brendan, reminded me somewhat of Edward Norton except they don't look like each other. Must be the nose and hair. He doesn't talk much but my jaw dropped when he finally spoke. His accent was barely there. As if he was born and bred here in Mindanao. Amazing! I think because of that I had a slight crush on him. Hehehe! (Too Keeping the Faith!)

Fifth day at work.

The first three days were a bit boring. Most of what I did were in preparation for the Episcopal Commission on Indigenous People-Mindanao Cosultative Conference (whew!). Yesterday and today were the actual conference.

Guess what I was supposed to do during the conference proper? Document. Nothing out of this world, you may say. Piece a cake, you may say. I too said that to myself when I was assigned the task Monday. Except when Wednesday morning came, it dawned on me the people who will be attending the conference will all be speaking in BISAYA! Aaack!

More or less, I can understand the language and even converse lightly. Except this time, I have to listen to the issues they are talking about and make sure I get it all right for the minutes of the meeting. Yaiks! Thank God for tape recorders.

The first day got me into third-level-stress (basta mataas!). I didn't know what the participants were driving at during some discussions. My documentation was crippled mostly filled with ellipses. The one handling the recorder forgot to press the record button at a very important discussion. Wah!

But my Davao boss liked the summarized version. There were a few revisions were made but he said it was a job well done. :) I promised to finish it by tomorrow because I don't think I have a choice anyway. I leave for Cotabato Sunday afternoon. My stay there would last from four to six days. After Cotabato, I go back to Manila. So I may not have the time to do it anymore. Anyway, it is best to get it over and done with while everything is fresh.

First week, survived. Except I still have work for half-day tomorrow.

I miss Manila though. Davao still feels a bit strange.

It's weird being a daughter again, meaning being told what to do. But mom and I are handling things okay for now.

Still, it ires me when she tells me to comb my hair, wash my face or brush my teeth. Uh, mom. I'm 25. I know these things. But yeah... lambing lang. Still... ack.

I did something crazy today.

It was lunch break. It still is. I was itching for internet since this morning. Since we finished lunch early, I had a crazy notion of walking around Davao City in midafternoon. Where was I to go? Where there would be internet. Did I know where that would be? Nope. But I walked. In the noontime sun. It was fifteen minute walk before I got to find an internet shop. Luckily, I didn't sweat yet. On the way back, I'll take a jeep already.

I am entertaining the thought of walking home or at least, half the way. Except later it will be rush hour.

OCTOBER 13 is always my favorite day of they year. I love the month of October and I like the number 13. That's the basic reason for it. I will super love October 13 if it falls on a Friday.

Except it is already October 14 today. hehehe!

Friendster is funny.

I was just browsing through pages of my friends' friends. Came across Blue Eagle players. Came acroos DLSU players. Wesley, Tenorio, Kramer... they are on Cardona and Yeo's friendster list. Interesting. I wonder who friendster-ed whom.

Even if I often travel, I have always disliked packing. Choosing which is important to bring along and which has to be left behind. Stuff like that.

This time I had to do four re-packings. I fear excess baggage, man. And it might just happen. Ick.

Good thing I will be coming back again. I can bring more stuff then. It was just sad having to leave my books behind. I did bring my two Death comics, my three Paulo Coelho books (the other one is with my cousing). Artemis and Harry plus Roald Dahl and Neil Gaiman books had to be left behind. They were to makapal.

Shucks.

I'll be sleeping in a different house tomorrow. Namamahay pa naman ako. Except my house tomorrow is supposed to be home, too.

Nyak. Kinakabahan na ako. Nyak.

MOVIE REVIEWS

1. UNDERWORLD

I may be the only person who did not like it. Or maybe I came in the theater as a com major rather than a person wanting to be entertained. To summarize my thoughts on it, it would have been a better movie without the love story (just like Titanic). I wish she just killed whatzisname so I could just be spared the cheesy lines and cheesier stares. I mean if I wanted a love story, I could just watch How to Deal again or flip through the DVDs at home. I would even sit through Serendipity which I didn't like much either.

The action sequences were good but there wasn't anything original about it. You've seen it in the Matrix (including Selene's costume) or Charlie's Angels. At least the Angels were more fun. The music didn't help much, unlike Blade who was able to sell the movie through the scoring.

I did like the part where they resurrect their elders, a nice twist for a vampire race to survive. The vampire vs. werewolf plot isn't new though. Our very own Whilce Portacio had that plot for Wetworks already.

The ending suggests a sequel. That would be more interesting than this one, I think.

2. HOW TO DEAL

For a Mandy Moore movie, I like it. Not a big fan but in fairness, she did well. The story attempts to put some depth on teen-age dilemmas and avoids being stuck to teeny-bopper love alone. It has angles on teen-age pregnancy, "kissing friends", divorce, re-marrying, getting married. Good enough. Entertaining enough.

3. AMERICAN PIE: THE WEDDING

I love the American Pie series. This girl ain't no fan of toilet humor and green jokes, but the American Pie just does it so well. I am generous with my guffaws.

And I am glad they decided to end it with a wedding. I mean the last two has always been about getting some. At least, this movie ends with love as the key to a beautiful relationship. Of course, sex is still there. But then the boys have graduated from college, and we could expect a bit of maturity. And let me emphasize on A BIT.

Jim still embarrasses himself much. Much, much, much more actually. And Stifler continues to spice things up. The other two (Chris Klein is absent without explanation) didn't do much in the movie, though. But then it is about Jim's wedding.

There are a lot of gross incidents as usual. But watch out fir Stifler's showdown. Hilarious!

It's not as funny as the first two, but this one I think has more heart. I actually like the Michelle-Jim love story. And oh, I love her wedding dress! Makes me get one for myself. Minus the groom, though. Hehehe!

If you are up for a good laugh, watch!

I want to answer this Friday Five.:)

1. Who is your favorite singer/musician? Why?
For those who follow my blog, they would know it would be Joey Ayala, Noel Cabangon, Gary Granada, Bayang Barrios and Cooky Chua. They are all just music geniuses. These guys sing from the soul and not for the money.

And then there is Parokya ni Edgar and Rivermaya and the original Eraserheads. The music of my reckless college youth. Wit and humor and angst.

Smokey Mountain. I wrote a whole article on why already.

2. What one singer/musician can you not stand? Why?
Cheeky girls. Stupid songs. They are worse than Las Ketchup. At least, Asereje was fun for a while.

3. If your favorite singer wasn't in the music business, do you think you would still like him/her as a person?
Yup! Noel, Joey, Gary et al are all good people.
I think the same goes for Parokya and Rivermaya.

4. Have you been to any concerts? If yes, who put on the best show?
Lots. My favorite would be the one with Apo Hiking Society in Ateneo. They are just so funny. And the one with Tropical Depression, again in the Ateneo. They were great. I loved dancing to them.

My first Fete de la Musique was fun too. I danced in the rain while listening to Makiling Ensemble. I love them too but I'm not an avid follower.

5. What are your thoughts on downloading free music online vs. purchasing albums? Do you feel the RIAA is right in its pursuit to stop people from dowloading free music?
If I had the money I would purchase albums instead of downloading. If it's free music, then they shouldn't be able to do anything about it.

So much for answering stuff intelligently. I'm in a bit of hurry because my chinese soap is coming up. Hehehe!

FRIDAY FIVE!

1. Do you watch sports? If so, which ones?
The only one I really follow is UAAP (surprise! surprise!) but I enjoy watching gymnastics and swimming especially during the Olympics. I don't watch soccer much but I look forward to the World Cup (since Quint, one of my JVP partners, loves soccer so much).

All the Hogwarts quidditch houseteams. :)

2. What/who are your favorite sports teams and/or favorite athletes?
The Ateneo Blue Eagles (but of course!) and usually the UP Maroons (that loving the underdog attitude) when they aren't against us.
For athletes, I love our starting five for this season, Gec Chia, Macky Escalona and Johann Uichico (simply because he is still a gawky cute kid. hehehe!) Is the bias showing? I hope not. Hehehe!

Paeng Nepomuceno.
Bata Reyes.
Ronaldo.
Just a note: I do not know much about these athletes. I just like them better than others.

3. Are there any sports you hate?
Cricket. Try transcribing interviews of the players with Hindi, British and Italian accents. Hell. At the same time... it lasts for days! Euw.

4. Have you ever been to a sports event?
UAAP is a sporting event, right? For the past two years, thanks to Bok and Erik, I have been able to watch many games live.

5. Do/did you play any sports (in school or other)? How long did you play?
I used to be in the Track and Field varsity team for one year. Got to compete in UAAP. Just wanted to get a varsity jacket, which I lost din naman. Karma I guess for wanting the jacket before wanting to represent the school. In high school we play basketball every afternoon but I'm not part of the team. But I love playing badminton the best, though I haven't played in years and years. And never with a net yet. But that is probably the only sport I am good at.

Sleepy but can't sleep. Soul still restless.

My last 30 minutes of waiting for Erik, I spent lying down on one of the benches of the Ateneo while staring at the Friday Fool Moon (that is my other character name aside from Valkyrie). At a certain point I came to the realization that I AM COMFORTABLE WITH MY SOLITUDE. It was nice to realize that.

There maybe guys that would often lead me to sleepless nights but there is not much fear of being alone. Blessings are abound even if there is no one to share it with. As long as there are fool moon's to make your nights or a moment with God to make you realize everything remains beautiful, it will all work out.

Another realization for the night: LIFE'S BEAUTY LIES MOSTLY IN ONE'S PERSPECTIVE. People will look at the same situation differently. It will just matter which perspective you plan to take, how you want to look at things. You can choose to pick out all the negative things and focus on that or see what could be beautiful and learn from there.

It was a nice, solemn moment with me. I was actually happy with the waiting. :)

You are Trinity, from "The Matrix."
Strong, beautiful- you epitomize the ultimate
heroine.


What Matrix Persona Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Hey. I got published on Inquirer's on-line Youngblood. :)

We met with Ganns the Father, too. The proud daddy that he is, first thing he handed out to us was this cute picture of Nathan James having this silly smile. Cutie!!!

WHEN WAS THE LAS TIME YOU DID SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Thanks to Toni, just today. My bro and I sometimes go to Timezone for some games. But never did I try to play with that dancing thing using the hands simply because I'm embarrassed. Well, finally I got to do it today with Toni's encouragement. She rocked! Did everything right! I, on the other hand, sucked big time. But I had so much fun embarassing myself in front of the Poveda kid. I also got to try Time Crisis of which again Toni ruled! Same with the Daytona Racing Game where she beat both Dennis and me. I had a higher score in basketball though. Tee-hee!

Thanks for the free games, Toni Girl and Dennis Boy! I may suck big time, but I had so, so much fun. :)

Last night, I had to pay homage to Noel Cabangon in 70's Bistro. There is much I want to write but do not have the energy to. Anyway, I dream to bring him to Davao and let him know how much fanbase he has there.

what decade does your personality live in?


quiz brought to you by lady interference, ltd

Princess Leia

A strong-willed herald of causes against injustice, you passionately strive to right the wrongs around you.
Somebody has to save us, kids!

The season-ender of Ally McBeal is so eerily similar as my season ender here in Manila.

SUGAR RUSH

Nirvana. Amor. Baba
Heaven. Love. Gump?
Dark chocolate.
Orange zest.
Hazelnut extract.
Fasten your seatbelts for 160 kph of sugar-rush.
4th gear conversations.
Neutral territories.
Reverse psychology? Not at all.
1.5 liter ice tea refills.
Passenger seats with no drivers.
Rev the night up with memories
and stop for a pose.
Go home at midnight.
Another time.
Another dose.

October 2, 2003
1:02 PM
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you know who you are my sugar-rush friends! :)
corny poem but from the heart yan. hahaha!

RANMA 1/2 is just the funniest thing in the world. Re-runs have been playing on AXN and it never fails to make me laugh. I want a RANMA 1/2 shirt!!! Anyone know where I can get one? Or anything Ranma 1/2 for that matter.

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JAG is my friend. It has always been my favorite jeans ever since. For the past months, I have been looking for jeans. Except I was trying to be all kuripot so I had 500 for budget. I tried Bench and Human, but it all fit wrong. I had enough last week and proceeded to Jag. And I got two pairs that fit just right. Especially the straight cut one! It was just so comfortable, I could wear it to sleep without being bothered.

I also have a new friend in shopping in YRYS. If you look through their displays, you'd think all their designs were too trendy but I got nice, classic blouses at bargain prices (even compared with Bench, Penshoppe and Kamiseta). That still wasn't on sale when I got it. Though Bench and Penshoppe remain to be my favorite underwear stores.

I also bought a shirt from Anonymous. Guess why Anonymous? Hehehe! Go figure. I like their clothes naman talaga. Except it's a bit more expensive than the usual stores I go to. Just goes to show how much of a cheapskate I am, huh? Hehehe! I just had to buy something from Anonymous. Buti na lang din since Ateneo lost the UAAP Championship. Hehehe!

Yes! Filipino animators make it big time!

Back in the 90's, it was only Whilce Portacio's name that rang loud in the comic book industry. Thanks to him, many other Filipinos caught up with the trend and lauched their own here in the country. I remember Alamat and Memento Mori. I haven't been able to follow anymore, but it seems the industry continues to thrive.

By the way, though I haven't seen Underworld, it's plot is similar with Whilce's "Wetworks" for Image comics, where vampires are at war with the werewolves. There was this pesky reporter in the comic he named Regine Velasquez. Then there is this wetworks charcter whose name was Joel Alonday the III, hailing from Pampanga! Cool, huh? More cool was he had arnis for weapons. Way cool!!!

FEU wins the UAAP crown. And they deserve it. They played so well and so cohesively.

Coy Banal's voice broke when asked about winning over brother Joel Banal. He said his Kuya Jo was his inspiration for basketball and coaching.

We lost. But there was no bitter aftertaste. The game was clean. The FEU team proved to be much better. Nonetheless, I salute the Blue Eagles for a job well done this season. They have brought the Ateneo community together so many times.

Gosh. Joey e-mailed me back. It was a bit longer and more substantial than the first one.

If current plans push through, we can help each other out for projects we will doing in the future. So cool!

Congratulations to FEU for drawing first blood.

Much to the sadness of many Ateneans, though. But this defeat does not taste as bitter as a loss to DLSU. One thing, FEU played really well. And you have to admit the players were still fatigued physically, emotionally and mentally from the last game with the Green Archers. Even I was still tired from that game and did not have the same energy for cheering. At the end of the game, it was nice to see both teams hugging each other congratulations. A welcome change from the last game. Both schools clapped for the other when they sang the school songs. Nice di ba?

OH.
MY.
GOD.

Joey Ayala just e-mailed me personally telling me that I was first on his list and fourth member of his e-groups. That is just so cool!

I remember the date I signed his black book. July 29 last year. At 70's Bistro. I was with Maita and Dove and Tatit.

OH.
MY.
GOD.

Ang hinihirang kong anito ng musika...

Di kaya ng powers ko.

Girls night out with Toni, Rowie and Karen. It was something I think that has been long overdue. We have not done this for quite a while. And with the changing of the times and marital status, getting together has become more difficult.

It was an interesting mix actually. I represent the happily single woman, Rowie was the happily committed one, Toni was the blissful newly wed and Karen was the wisened wife and mother. Somewhat Sex and the City-ish, except it wasn't about sex but more of the various aspects of being in a relationship or not in one. There were moments of the old giggling when we got to discuss topics on how to make babies and actual delivery.

Toni was right when she said that discussions are different when you talk with good old friends. So much has changed, yet many things stayed the same.

Special thanks to Karen's husband, Jon, for letting her stay overnight in Manila. It probably wasn't easy for him to say yes since her work takes her away from him and Ian for days. Another show of gratitude for Dennis, Toni's husby, for enduring two and half hours watching Once Upon a Time in Mexico so we can have uncensored girl talk, for taking our pictures and showing me his funky phone features. He also had the brilliant idea of an overnight on a weekend so we can spend more time... uh... talking. (Ano pa ba naman ang gagawin ng mga girls pag nakasama-sama di ba?)

I'm glad we all took time to have this night. It was weird going home earlier than midnight but then it's a tell-tale sign of the growing worlds each one of us already has. Since I am jobless and lover-less, I have the time in the world. Hehehe! But well... at this age, it has become quality-time instead of quantity-time. :)