Pre-Natal Jitters

It's only one month before my birthday and I feel the stress already of having another digit added to my age. Come July 16, I will be officially 26 years old! 0_0 

OH MY GOD!

26! I AM TURNING TWENTY-SIX! 

I never realized this aging process could happen so fast.

Backtrack 10-15 years ago, I always say to myself that I wanted to grow up fast and get out of school because when I get out of school and be in my 20's already, I'll already have a job. When I get older, I can already buy the things that I want. When I get older, I can already go to places where I have never been to yet.

Flash forward to 10 years after, it seems that almost all of the things that I thought would happen actually happened. 

Now that the 1st quarter of my life has already passed, I cannot help but ask myself, "What have you done significantly in the 25 years of your existence?" 

Uhmmm... Get out of school? Have a decent job? Help send money back home? Help send my siblings to school? Travel to places that I have never been to yet? Buy the things that I want?

Probably, these can be valid answers to my question. However as I age more, I realize that getting old is not easy. It is not what I thought it would be. True enough, I now earn my own money, I now buy what I like, I now can go places. But it does not end there for me.

Somewhere in me, it wishes for me to get older and age more because probably, ten years from now, I can already buy some grand things, travel more frequently outside of the country, help more people and become much wiser. I came to realize that this yearning of mine to get older never stops. I always wanted to reach the next level because for me, years from now, I will be better than I am now. For me, the future is brighter than what it is now.

It is always about what will I be several years from now. The focus is always the then and not the now. I have fixed my stare on the prize set forward without stopping to look at where I am now. Am I running the right track for my prize? Am I on the right race to my future? All I ever care is the goal in front but not where I am currently standing.

As I begin the next quarter of my life, I should come to terms with myself about what I should be doing NOW. I already know the prize that I want that is waiting at the end of the road which is several years from now. What is left for me to do is to sow the seeds that will bear fruit to that prize. I should start doing those little but impactful steps of making those prized goals a reality as I near the finish line. I should begin doing those things that will help me reach the end of the line. I believe that life is a race, but never a competitive race. Some might argue with me. But from my perspective, life is a race to personal happiness and fulfillment. It is a race to greatness in the eyes of your God, of your family, of your friends, of your countrymen and of yourself. 

Now, more than ever in my life, is the best way to start making my life complete - a life where I will be fulfilled and satisfied with whatever I do -  to help more people/children, reach for financial freedom, join more civic and cause-oriented groups, be more patriotic in my actions, serve my God, family, friends, colleagues, bosses and myself well, and do the things that I have always wanted to do which some might think are ridiculous and crazy. Life is never about the end, it's the journey you make. And as I continue to travail the paved and sometimes uneven track of life, I relish the thought of more smiles, tears, laughters, sorrows, joy and pain that will come along my way. More emotions to make me more alive.

And now that this fresh start is coming soon, I indulge myself in the remaining days of the first quarter of my life and reflect more on the bad, the good and the learnings that I made along the way. These will help guide me in my new journey to a life of greatness and bliss.

HRSS Memories at the 24/F Office

Just recently, we had a major seat relocation in the office. This has been brought about by the changes in the organizational departments and realignment of services. My team is affected by the major seat adjustments and we are to vacate our current workpods at the 24/F. We were to relocate to the 23/F of the building. To jumpstart the event, a small program was prepared. I was tasked to do a video presentation of the fun HRSS memories that we usually have in the 24/F. As a result, I created a 3-minute video of all the compiled pictures and events that we had in the team. Thankfully, OneTrueMedia has been very helpful in producing this beautiful tribute.

Please watch. ;)

Rekindling the Moves

Ever felt being detached from someone you love for a very long time and finally, one day, you become reunited again?

This was what I felt when I participated in the Philippine HipHop Dance Expo 2010 at Gateway Suites, Gateway Mall, Cubao. I used to be a member of the dance group in UP Mindanao way back when I was still in college. I used to perform during university events and dance concerts. Dancing always makes me feel happy. Whenever I dance, I feel that I am free to be myself and to express what I feel in the form of my body gestures through dancing. This was what I call my 'catharsis' way back then. I remember that everytime the 'UP Hell Week' is over, I am so much excited to go to dance rehearsals. It allowed me to vent out my frustrations over my exams and release the stress that piled up due to the heavy examination week. I also remember my first dance concert. The preparations were so tiring because we had to do daily practices that extend to past midnight already. Then we still had to go to practice again during weekends. This was a struggle because our campus is in a secluded place, so far away from the metro. Then from the highway, we still had to ride a 'habal-habal' to go inside the UP campus which is 30 minutes away. So going home every night was a challenge. Not to mention, we still have classes every morning because we are not exempted from attending it just because we are preparing for a dance concert. We had more than 10 dance production numbers for that concert and I remember that I had around 6-7 production numbers that I am a part of. So, I had to rehearse 7 different dances all together. But even if it was very physically, mentally and emotionally challenging, all these things disappear the moment you hear the audience clap because they enjoyed your performance. That is one of the most wonderful gifts that a performer can get - being recognized for a beautiful presentation on stage. And this is how I feel everytime people love the dances that I perform. Not to mention, it's an added plus if they scream or yell your name while your performing because it boosts up your performance adrenaline.

But after college, the dancing has stopped. After moving to Manila, I lost the dancing. Cathartic activities for me were replaced by mall-hoppings, travelling, photography and others. But even if there are a myriad of leisure activities that replaced dancing, my body still looks for it everytime I hear a very good dance music. My body still grooves to the tunes and itches to make some cool dance moves.

So when the opportunity for me came to join the Philippine HipHop Dance Expo came, I immediately grabbed it. I tagged along my officemates who, I knew, were also dance enthusiasts. It felt so good to finally dance again and learn new dance moves from super cool hiphop dance instructors. Seeing young and old dancers together made me feel that I belong. It was very energizing to finally dance again and see if I still got it. I know I still got it and can still improve what I got if I do this more often. My officemates and I had so much fun and we learned so much from the convention. Hopefully, this will be a start of a new and better relationship with music and dance once again! :)

Series: Glee Season 2 Episode 1

Glee Hell-O episode

Finally, after the long wait.

Certified GLEEk! :)

2011 Solo Backpacking: Why Not?

The Cebu Pacific Seat sale season is back and they are slashing 70% from the regular air fare for all domestic and international flights.

Since the travel period is still next year, I had myself pondering on where I wanted to go, with emphasis on the word 'I'. Well, I had long wanted to be a solo backpacker and do a Southeast Asian backpacking trip. Since I cannot easily tag some of my friends along and bringing my family of 7 (including my grandmother) to an international flight can possibly mean temporary bankruptcy for me (since I am planning to take them all to a Palawan trip next year also), I decided to have a shot on it alone. 

So what did I do? 

Out of a 60-second impulsive decision, I decided to book myself a Manila-Ho Chi Minh flight on Feb 14. 

Why Feb 14? 

Well, I figured out it will be the best reason that I'll have to bail me out of the Feb 14 hullabaloos. And from the looks of it, I'll still be wearing black on that day. So, why not? Feb 14 on a plane to Saigon is not a bad Valentine's date idea.

I'm planning to do a Ho Chi Minh-Siam Reap-Phnom Penh-Bangkok tour and planning to get back on the 19th of Feb. Still haven't booked the return flight on the 19th, though. I am still not sure whether to take the return flight to Manila from Bangkok or still from Ho Chi Minh. Just need to make sure that my itinerary will allow me to tour the cities well enough and determine where it will take me on the 19th for my return trip back home.

As of writing, it'll be a 6 day trip alone. But I would be more happy to have travel buddies on this trip. Like they say, the more the merrier. :) 

There will be more than enough quality time with myself for a 6-day backpacking adventure. But I'm sure that it'll be fun to know more about what's out there. 

Can't wait to visit and explore the places and take pictures and eventually blog about 'em. 

Well, just a few more months and were already in 2011. So let's just wait and see. 

Ciao! :)

PROFILES: Roxanne Grace Camaclang

This is a long overdue post already.

I have promised Roxanne to write about her since last month but haven't had the chance to do the feature article on her. :))

Since you are going on to a new journey in your life, I am making this for you. More of a late birthday gift and despedida post for you. :D

Roxanne, Rox, Roxer - these are just the names that i usually use to call her. The name 'Roxanne' is of Persian origin and its meaning is 'dawn' (of the dead... lol.. joke!). In history, 'Roxane' (another derivative of Roxanne) was the Persian princess married by Alexander the Great during his travels of conquest.

Much like a princess, Roxanne is a priceless friend! 

So how did I get to know her? Hmmmm... I'm sometimes not too good with memories, especially first encounters. But if my memory serves me right, I got to meet her first when we went to watch the Chris Brown and Rihanna concert at the Fort last 2008. Bro/Bryan introduced me to her.She was with Cay and Ross and I was with Bro that time. I thought we wouldn't really click because I thought she was a snob (well, i thought right.. ahahaa.. joke lang). After several meet-ups and Friday dinner and movie nights with the group, I got more chance to open myself to Rox and found out what a true jewel she is (naks!).

The Coron trip with her was my first trip with their group of friends. Bro, Rox, Simi and Cay are actually the original members of the friends' circle (parang Gimik lang... jolina, ikaw ba yan? ahahaha). I was just a new addition to their 'barkada'. The Coron trip with them made me understand and appreciate Rox more and find out her very endearing personality.

The Coron Trip was followed with more trips with the group. We had the Vigan-Pagudpud-Laoag adventure, EK trips, karaoke nights at Bro's and Cay's place. Then we also watched several plays and concerts and there were the countless dinners and movie nights together. All in two years time, Rox and I became very good friends and we became more comfortable with each other. Much comfortable that she always MCs (more like making me 'kulit'... ahahaha) me everyday during office hours and we often have lunch outs and eat her favorite sisig at PacStar. :))

If I would describe Rox after knowing much about her, even if we've known each other only for 2 years, I would say that she is one of the sweetest friends that I have, she may seem very 'makulit' but deep down inside her is a very soft person who is very caring to her family, especially to her brother. I find Rox a very strong person, so strong that she can always pick a fight with anyone that messes with one of her friends. She knows what she wants and she gets it. She is a very good friend and lover. How do I know? Hmmmm... She went to SG before as a DH - all for the glory of love... (ahahaha... joke lang Roxer... :D). I would say that Rox is one of my friends who will always be dear to me because of her very good nature and good heart. (ayan ah... bentang-benta ka na.. ahahaha).

Last February 24, she just turned 24 and along with it came one of the biggest decisions that she'll make in her life.

On March 7, she will be making a move in her life. She will be making a decision that she has been wanting to do ever since. She will be moving to Singapore to find herself a better future and find the career that she deserves well.

As friends of Rox (you, I know you are reading this because I told you so.. hehehe), we are very happy for her but at the same time, we feel a bit lonely. Roxanne leaving to another country is like losing one of the petals of a beautiful red rose. Her endless calls to remind us not to be late during dinner meet-ups and her unending stories about her celebrity Twitter friends will be missed definitely. Her noisy laugh and friendly banters everytime we are together will now be replaced with silent whispers of the wind during Friday nights. Her 'kulit' moments online and even when we are together with the group will now be missing in action when she gets to Singapore. But even if she goes there, we, her friends, know that she is going to the right path in her life. In her Facebook page, she wrote, "If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere, that's what they say." We know that she (you) can make it anywhere. Be strong and we know that you are doing the right thing. You tweeted that you are having qualms going there, but we say that you can do it. You have what it takes. You just have to take the first step and the rest will be history. :)

As for our next meet-ups and Friday night outs, we know that we will now have one missing seat at the table. As for our next WOW Philippines tour, we know that we will now have one ticket less to check in the airport. But even if you can't always be with us every Friday just like before, we know that you are partying in Sentosa (sosyal!) and making more friends there in Singapore.

Wherever you may go Roxanne and wherever life may take all of us, remember that you will always be a friend and thanks for being one. 

Here's a picture to remind you of friendships that you can always come back to in the Philippines. :)

See you soon, Rox! :) (Patulugin mo kami sa sosyal mong condo sa SG... ahahaha....)

Lenten Special: Bridgemaster

I got this video from a friend and I was deeply touched with the video's message.

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that He gave up His only begotten Son."

In this season of Lent, we need to take time to reflect and recollect with ourselves. We need to honor again what He has done for us - sacrificing His Son on the cross so that we may be saved from sin.

A blessed Lenten season to everyone.

Intramuros Walk

This is a late post already but thought to still write about this.

Last February 6, my officemates and I went to Intramuros to  tour our foreign business counterparts who . This was my first time to get inside the walled city of Manila and visit the Spanish-inspired structures and buildings.

My officemates and I decided to meet at the office (Petron Megaplaza) around 8am. When everyone was already in, I then went to the Manila Peninsula Hotel to fetch Tami and Adrian, our foreign guests. We rode a cab going to Intramuros. While on the car, I acted like a tour guide inside the taxi and started blabbering and explaining about the streets and areas where our taxi passed by. :) 

It was around 930am when we arrived at the Manila Cathedral Church. We started the tour inside the Manila Cathedral Church. I got to see the tour group of Carlos Celdran. We originally planned to joined the Celdran tour but decided against it at the last minute because it was a bit pricey for us. We were all on budget mode that time. :) So to improvise, Angeli, one of my officemates, acted as the official tour guide for the group. ;)

The Manila Cathedral is a really majestic church and through time, it has preserved the Spanish colonization influences in the structure. When we went there, there was an exhibit that was going on and we were able to read the history of the Manila Cathedral Church and the Catholic Church as a whole.

 

 

Above are some of the pictures that I got from inside the Manila Cathedral Church. After about an hour, we decided to leave the Manila Cathedral Church and head off to Fort Santiago. 

The Fort Santiago was where the richest Spaniards lived during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines. It was brick-walled and you can still see the opulent design of the garden and houses inside. There were also several Fort Santiago staff who were role-playing and dressed as guardia-sibils and roaming the fort. I was able to get some shots inside the Fort and capture the scenery and garden inside.

   

It was already lunch time when we left The Fort Santiago. Since we were all starving already from the walk, we then decided to grab lunch at Greenwich.

After a sumptuous meal, we resumed our Intramuros tour and went to the San Agustin Church and Museum. But there was a wedding that was ongoing. That's why we were not able to get inside the church and museum.

We then headed off to Casa Manila which was an apartment for affluent students during the Spanish colonization. Picture taking was prohibited inside the Casa that's why I was not able to take some shots with me. But the furniture and the furnishings inside the Casa were all very intricate and grand. It showed signs of affluence and granduer. 

After a good 30 minute tour inside the Casa, we all decided to cap off our tour and went back to the Manila Cathedral Church.

Above is one of my favorite shots from the tour where it shows the grand facade of the Manila Cathedral Church. If i hadn't known, I would have mistaken it as one of the churches in Europe.

The tour that we had in Intramuros, Manila brought me back to my history and made me appreciate more what the FIlipino heroes did to emancipate our country from the Spanish rule.

Above all, our foreign guests enjoyed the tour very much and had a wonderful time. Below is a picture of my IDS team with Tami Scheben, our counterpart in Cincinnati (L-R Jeline, Tami, Christiane, me).

Below is the picture of everyone in the tour.

Mahal Kita Kasi

I happened to watch the video below from Youtube and I must say, it's very cute, funny, cheesy and 'jologs'. :)

Mahal Kita Kasi
by Nicole Hyala

Bangin ka ba? Kasi
Nahuhulog na ako sa ’yo, naman kasi
Unggoy ka ba? Kasi
Sumasabit ka sa puso ko, naman kasi
Pustiso ka ba? Kasi
You know I can’t smile without you
Pagod na pagod na ako
Maghapon ka na kasing tumatakbo sa isipan ko
Kasi naman kasi

Mahal kita
Bagay tayong dalawa
Papicture nga
Para mapadevelop kita
Hindi tayo tao, hindi rin tayo hayop
Bagay tayo, bagay talaga

Papupulis kita, kasi
Ninakaw mo ang puso ko, naman kasi
Kuto ka ba? Kasi
Palagi ka sa ulo ko
Naman kasi
Apoy ka ba? Kasi
Alab-alab I love you

Magsalbabida ka nga
Kasi baka malunod ka sa pag-ibig ko
Kasi naman kasi

Mahal kita
Bagay tayong dalawa
Papicture nga
Para mapadevelop kita
Hindi tayo tao, hindi rin tayo hayop
Bagay tayo, bagay talaga

Kamukha mo si Papa P, Papa P (Ding Dong)
P Papa P, Papa P
P Papa P, Papa P (Dingdong)

Exam ka ba, kasi
Sasagutin kita agad-agad, naman kasi
Drugs ka ba? Kakaadik ka kasi, kasi, naman kasi
Kulangot ka ba? You’re really really hard to get
Posporo ka ba? E di posporo rin ako
Para match
Kasi naman kasi
Mahal kita
Bagay tayong dalawa
Papicture nga
Para mapadevelop kita

Hindi tayo tao, hindi rin tayo hayop
Bagay tayo, bagay talaga

Pustiso ka nga, kasi
I really really can’t smile without you.

Movies: Paano Na Kaya

Minsan natanong mo na ba sa sarili mo, "Mahal ko ba talaga siya o mahalaga lang siya sa akin? Hindi ba pwedeng maging best lover ang isang best friend? "

Just when Valentine's Day is around the corner, my officemates and I decided to watch the Star Cinema movie offering for January 2010 which is Paano Na Kaya.

You would normally think that for a 'jologs' movie, this will not be majorly patronized in upscale malls. But there were a number of people in the Rockwell Power Plant Mall who were screening the movie. The moviehouse was almost full. 

With little to zilch expectations for the movie, I obliged to be entertained for the next 1.5 hours. 

The movie's storyline is a typical plot that you always see in Filipino films. Girl falls for guy friend but guy friend falls for another girl. Girl friend loves in silence while guy friend flirts with his girl. Girl friend is always there when guy friend needs him even if it means mending his broken heart. Eventually girl finds the courage to express her true feelings and guy friend makes girl friend as rebound.

Kim Chiu's character, Mae, gives justice to the bestfriend role that she portrays- the one who will always be there even if it means sacrificing her own interests. The friend who is always ready to wait forever to be noticed. The friend who loves silently without expecting anything in return.

Gerald's character, Bogs, is verging on exaggeration. I find Bogs' character immature and insensitive. Bogs is the typical rich-kid-with-broken-family-who-hates-mom guy. 

In the acting department of the movie, I would have to say that Kim was better than Gerald. There were moments where Kim was very natural in delivering her lines and portraying the role. I am more comfortable watching Kim in fun and sassy roles than seeing her in melodramatic scenes. Kim is just more natural when she is bubbly and funny. Gerald needs more acting classes. One thing I noticed, he seems to modulate his voice and making it sound deeper which is annoying. When there are heavy scenes, he has this squinting-eye school of acting method where he tries to evoke tears and project a melodramatic facial expression. It's just plain distracting. Nonetheless, Kim and Gerald have oozing on-screen chemistry. They are the new breed of the Jolina-Marvin loveteam of the 90's which reminds me that Jolina and Marvin also had a movie with a similar plot before.

Story-wise, I felt that the movie was all over the place. I was expecting better transitions from one scene to the next. There were several fun and 'jologs' dialogues that were used in the movie and evoked guffaws from the movie audience. Also, there were just so many characters who were included in the movie but were underutilized in terms of subplots. The movie could have stood alone with minimal supporting cast and could have focused more on the rise and fall of Mae and Bogs' relationship.

While watching the movie, I somehow felt what Mae has been feeling - falling for someone close to you but not being reciprocated with the affection that you are giving. Sometimes no matter what other people say about our stupid actions, it still does not matter because it's what makes us happy everyday. Even if it means always being the disadvantaged and looking like a fool. Mae's fault was to fall for her friend and at one point in our lives, we may have fallen for someone close to us. We were afraid to confront our feelings for fear of rejection and losing the current friendship. We find ways to convince ourselves that somehow if we wait long enough, the person will be able to realize our importance. In Mae's case, Bogs realized soon that it was Mae all along that made him complete and happy. It was Mae who makes him laugh, cry and smile about a lot of things. But sometimes, in real life, the unrequited love will forever remain unrequited and the only choice left to do is to accept reality that the love that you may be hoping for a long time will forever remain in your dreams.

Over all, the movie did not disappoint and stayed true to the friends-turned-lovers plot. But I would have liked it better if they went their separate ways and then at the end realized that they were much better persons because of what happened. It would have been more realistic if that was the ending. But hey, it's what movies are for, right? It's meant to turn our fantasies to realities.


My favorite scenes and lines from the movie:

1. Bogs was drunk because he just broke up with his girlfriend Anna and Mae accompanied him home. Totally wasted, Bogs suddenly uttered to Mae, "Mae, Bakit hindi na lang tayo?" Then Mae, without any hesitation, answered, "Eh gago ka pala eh, ikaw lang ang hinihintay ko."  Then Mae, realizing that Bogs has fallen asleep already, went to say to Bogs, "Sana minsan makita mo rin ako, kasi ako, ang nakikita ko ikaw lang. Tayo na lang. Akin ka na lang." Mae may have sounded pathetic, but that's what she felt and I empathized with her. It's really difficult to be on the losing end of the scale. :'(

2. Bogs and Mae on the graffiti wall scene. Bogs was telling Mae to get out of his life if she feels tired already being his friend. Bogs was trying to recover from his break-up with Anna. Then Mae answered him, "Oo, Tanga ako. Tanga na kung tanga pero mahal kita!" awts! Then sabay kissing scene agad! :)

3. Mae was angry at Bogs because she saw Bogs and Anna together even if they were over already and Mae was already Bog's girlfriend. Mae said to Bogs, "Shinota mo ako Bogs eh. Shinota mo ang bestfriend mo!" 

4. The firetruck scene was just way over the top, both literally and figuratively. Bogs was trying to get back to Mae but Mae declined telling him that she needed to find herself and she needs to find her life without Bogs. Bogs was asking Mae to rekindle what they once had but Mae told him that it would be unfair for both of them to continue and hurt each other more. They need to live their own lives and find their own selves and if they are meant together, then the cosmic universe will find it's way to conspire and make this happen (parang Alchemist lang). :)

5. The ending scene was symbolical for me because it marked a new beginning for their relationship. The graffiti wall was already clean and they were able to realize that they still want each other back. (sobrang cheesy! lol)