da_macker

Bagong Taon Ay Mag-Bagong Buhay

2010-01-04T14:47:00.007+08:00

... current music: Foo Fighters - Next Year.

It's the first Monday of the year, at salamat sa UP ay extended pa ang bakasyon ko. Masaya sana, kaso na-realize ko na naman kung gaano kalakas ang effect sa araw ko 'pag natatalo ang Dallas Mavericks sa NBA. Yup, that pretty much sapped all the energy I had for the day. Buti first half lang napanood ko, baka hindi ko napigilang matulog na lang buong araw.

Eto 'yung mga panahong pinapangarap kong sana naha-hassle na lang ako sa trabaho... 'Yun bang nafi-feel mo na lahat ng dugo mo papunta sa utak mo kase nape-pressure ka at gusto mo maganda trabaho mo para mag-stand-out ka. Hindi katulad ng mga ganitong panahong nakakatamad, minsan eh kung saan-saan napupunta ang dugo mo kaya iba ang nagsa-stand-out. Promise ko pa naman sa sarili ko this year hindi na 'ko tatamarin at kelangan medyo active na ang lifestyle ko, pero wala pang isang linggo umi-internal bolahan na agad ako at nakikipag-deal sa sarili ko na, "hindi 'yan, ngayon lang 'yan, bukas banat na talaga."

Minsan blessing din talaga 'pag trip mo magsulat. Kahit wala ka talagang ginagawa, may ginagawa ka talaga. Hindi mo kelangan tumuwad-tuwad para ma-feel mong nabibigatan ang utak mo. Kahit jume-jebs ka pa, active ka pa rin.

Kaya ever since, ito talaga ang favorite resolution ko. Here's hoping that this year, it won't just stay na resolution na lang.

=======
Come on get on, get on

Take it 'til life runs out

No one can find us now

Living with our heads underground

Into the night we shine

Lighting the way we glide by

Catch me if I get too high

If I come down

I'll be coming home next year
=======

New Year's Resolution Take 2

2009-12-31T00:01:00.004+08:00

... current music: [ARTIST] - [SONG].

Very good, pareho pa rin itsura. Testing lang. Next year na ulit.

=======
[SONG LYRICS].
=======

She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named

2007-09-06T18:45:00.000+08:00

current music: New Found Glory - Forget Everything.

How can everyone still hate her?

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Back in college, she was the taklesa queen. Her mouth always functioned a full two seconds faster than the region of her brain responsible for her emotional intelligence. She rarely seemed to grasp the negative edge to her words - which, as everyone knew, she never ran out of. This, coupled with the fact that she exuded a near-palpable aura of arrogance; wearing a distinct smirk on her face that tells you she really couldn't care less if she had hurt anyone. She even had (and probably still has) this annoying habit of talking about you in front of everyone, including yourself.

Yes, it's all coming back to me now. Back in college, she was the dominator. Without any real effort, she managed to tame the best of minds. When she brought up a point, everyone accepted, however begrudgingly. When she proffered an idea, everyone was convinced it was an excellent one, the collective agreement of the group drowning out the small voice at the back of each individual's mind - that small voice saying there may actually be a better idea. Even when she uttered something blatantly false, something absolutely ridiculous, no one dared correct her. She was queen of the hill. She seemed bent on taking over everything - orgs, academic groups, even friends. The strength of her character was astounding. And with that personality, she was destined to never meet her enemies head-on; only to endure their false smiles and hear their dark whispers.

How could I have forgotten about it? It was just over one-and-a-half years ago. So what if a lot has happened since then? So what if we've all practically led separate lives since after college? So what if we can't even remember the last time we actually experienced her "attitude problem"? So what if we rarely see her anymore and she's virtually isolated from most of us?

How can everyone STILL hate her? For that matter, how can ANYONE still hate her?

The answer is simple. Not everyone hates her. And if there any of you who still think otherwise, any of you who still think your "101 Ways to Exclude Her During Get-Togethers" are worth a laugh during gatherings, any of you who don't actually have bad encounters with her, but continue to hate her just because you think it's cool... Do whatever you want, you're old enough to decide for yourself. Though of course, whether you're mature enough is an entirely different matter.

For certain, there will still be some people who will dislike her. Maybe their wounds just run too deep, maybe they just don't want to give her a chance, and for whatever other reason they may have. These people could not be blamed for what they feel, and no amount of explanation could possibly sway them to forgive and forget.

And so, I offer a simple piece of unsolicited advice for her: quit on them already. These people are no longer your friends, and you are merely fooling yourself if you believe otherwise. For your own sake, let go of them already. You obviously mean nothing to them now, it's only fair to return the favor. Move on. Start being happy again.

And don't worry about it. If you let us try, we can replace them.

=======
I can't remember the last time I saw you smile
It might have been around this time last year
It takes a lot of me
To get the nerve to tell you everything is okay

And what if I don't, would you even care?
Would you even care?

Forget everything that we have done
Erase me from your memory
Don't call, don't ask about me
Until the day hell freezes over
=======

The Minority Report

2007-08-29T14:02:00.000+08:00

current music: Green Day - Minority.

Baka tipong "one night only" ang dating nito, but well, I still am back. Tipong Mick Foley or Steve Austin appearances sa WWE. Natakot lang kase ako kay Loraine eh. Kelangan nga nasa kabilang window ko 'yung blog page ko, parang nakalimutan ko na 'yung format ng entries ko. Muntik ko na nga ilagay sa "current music" 'yung talagang pinapakinggan ko right now eh. Buti na lang naalala ko pa na may point nga pala 'yun supposedly, so mamaya na 'yun. Though at the rate I'm writing this entry, baka kelangan ko na umuwi before ako makaisip ng relevant music. Pero hinde, kelangan matapos ko 'to... Sabi nga ni Patricia Evangelista sa kanyang Lipton Yellow Label Tea radio ad, "Fokahs, FOKAHS!" (nakakairita, pakinggan n'yo pa.)

S'yempre ano pa ba'ng p'wede pag-usapan kundi work. I remember nu'ng UP Orientation lunch sa Shakey's España, may nagtanong na taga-UP, "How's the work-life balance in SGV?" Natuwa ako sa sagot ni GBS (HR partner), "It's good; half the time you're working, and half the time you're balanced." Funny. Too bad he's not joking... At least, that's what I heard from the "auditwhores" (ang witty talaga ni Momon).

Which brings me to TASI. It's funny how contradictory the stuff about TASI circulates sa SGV... On one side, TASI seems like the SWAT team of SGV; kumbaga sa Men In Black, the best of the best of the best; kumbaga sa NBA, Original Dream Team; kumbaga sa UP, CBA (joke lang ulit, especially sa Eng'g people. Takot pa rin ako sa inyo). Meron talagang mga nagtatanong na, "Mas mataas ba s'weldo n'yo sa TASI?" (sana lang.) or "Mahirap daw ang exam n'yo d'yan?" (basta ako nadalian, ewan ko na lang sa inyo.) o kaya nagsasabi na, "Ayoko mag-TASI, parang ang gagaling n'yo lahat d'yan eh." (kayo nagsabi n'yan ha, hindi na rin namin tatanggihan.) Not to mention the elitist / coñotic reputation TASI has had to endure ever since they heard TASI people speak English. Feeling ko kasalanan ni John Ryan 'to eh, porke American s'ya kelangan American accent din s'ya. Hindi rin naman lahat swabe ang accent, minsan nga parang British-Jamaican 'yung tunog eh. And it's not a truth that all of we are better in the speech of English more than the rate in which not everyone else is already for now we have become you and I seem that while we were certainly known to be as of the balance sheet date.

On the other side, however, is the complete opposite. I keep hearing sentiments - generally from within the TASI ranks - that we are somewhat treated like second-class citizens. Neglected, even. I remember this one time, nu'ng linabas 'yung list ng gumagamit ng proxy servers, hindi kami na-email ng nag-broadcast ng list. Tapos pagdating sa recruitment, s'yempre Audit muna... tapos Tax... tapos Executive Assistant... tapos RPS (Report Production Services)... tapos hindi ka na babalikan... tapos 'pag nagmakaawa ka nang ayaw mo malagay sa Audit, 'tsaka babanggitin sa 'yo na merong TASI. Meron pa nga nagsabi sa 'kin na mas "exclusive" ang Audit, kasi nga naman kelangan CPA ka bago makapasok, whereas sa TASI, ok na 'yung g'wapo ka o maganda (joke lang. isa lang s'ya sa requirements). Not really convincing evidence, pero you get the picture. Baka meron lang kase akong mga hindi pa alam.

Doesn't really bother any of us, though. Kase whether we're elite or second-class citizens, the long and short of it all is that we're the minority. It's been that way before I got here; it's been this way since I got here; and most probably, it's gonna be this way long after I'm gone. And like most other people in minority groups, eventually we just stopped caring about what other people thought of us. Sometimes we talk about them, we get a laugh out of it, then we move on. It's not a matter of accepting or rejecting their opinions, nor is it a matter of liking or hating these people. They can think whatever they want to think - they're entitled to it. But as long as we're comfortable with who we are, what we do, and who we are with, then we have one small, happy TASI family. It's been that way before I got here; it's been this way since I got here; and I'm sure it's gonna be this way long after I'm gone.

So, in summary, text n'yo lang ako kung gusto n'yo mag-apply dito sa TASI. Recruitment is ALWAYS ongoing. Ang hirap talaga 'pag walang HR o...

=======
I pledge allegiance to the underworld
One nation under dog there of which I stand alone
A face in the crowd, unsung against the mold
Without a doubt, singled out
The only way I know

'Coz I wanna be the minority
I don't need your authority
Down with the moral majority
'Coz I wanna be the minority
=======

Great Expectations

2007-02-12T17:45:00.000+08:00

... current music: Duncan Sheik - Wishful Thinking.

"I have discovered the secret to happiness... Lowered expectations."

I've forgotten na where and when exactly I encountered this phrase. Feeling ko parang sa standup comedy ko 'to narinig eh... Pero basta alam ko nu'ng narinig ko s'ya, natuwa naman ako. Parang na-realize ko, baka ito 'yung guiding philosophy ko sa buhay. And that's saying a lot, considering andami kong napagnilay-nilayan na quotes na narinig or nabasa or inimbento ko lang (although malamang eh marami nang nauna na hindi ko lang alam). Quotes like...

"If you're made of the right material, the hardest fall can lead to the highest bounce."
"The rain does not bore a hole in a rock through force, but through consistency."
"Praise with your heart; criticize with your brain."
"Kiss me while I'm still alive. Kill me while I kiss the sky."
"Mas madaling mahuli ang manok 'pag nakatali."
"Tatangkad din ako. Tatangkad din ako with Growee."

Basta 'yung mga ganu'n. Inspirational sila 'diba? Pero feeling ko, philosophy ko lang 'yun for the moment, kase kaka-birthday ko lang. Ganyan talaga 'pag birthday eh, laging may expectations. Dapat may cake. Dapat may gift. Dapat may dinner kayo ng family and loved ones. Dapat maaga mag-text 'yung mga friends mo (kaya mga alas-dos ka na matutulog). Dapat may presentation ang mga tao. Dapat nakangiti lahat ng taong makikita mo. Dapat buong araw may umaasikaso sa 'yo. Dapat walang makipag-away sa 'yo. Dapat senyorita / senyorito ka for the day - hindi ka p'wedeng utusan, kutusan, o ututan. Kung kakain ka, may taga-subo sa 'yo. Kung lalabas ka, may taga-drive sa 'yo. Kung tatae ka... eh foul na 'yan, ikaw na maghugas ng p'wet mo. May sumasalo na nga ng tae mo eh, wala na s'yang available na kamay.

But I digress. There's nothing wrong with expecting good stuff on your birthday. Human nature lang 'yun. After all, it's supposed to be your day. Isang buong taon mo hinintay 'tong araw na 'to eh; hindi p'wedeng lumipas na lang s'ya just like any other day.

Sige, tignan nga natin birthday ko.

1. Dapat may cake.
-- Wala. Although nabanggit yata ni Daddy na bumili.
2. Dapat may gift.
-- Wala. Although nabanggit ko yata na bilhan ako.
3. Dapat may dinner kayo ng family and loved ones.
-- Meron naman. Kasama ko si Kuya, tapos nagpa-takeout na lang 'yung iba, tinamad kase umalis eh.
4. Dapat maaga mag-text 'yung friends mo.
-- S'yempre meron naman. Germee, Rei, Alric, Dave. At may nakalimutan akong isang nag-text na "Birthday mo ba?"
5. Dapat may presentation ang mga tao.
-- Haha. Nice one.
6. Dapat nakangiti lahat ng taong makikita mo.
-- Hmmm... Hindi naman sinabing bawal ang panget 'diba?
7. Dapat buong araw may umaasikaso sa 'yo.
-- Exag naman. Kung may umaasikaso sa 'kin hindi sana ako mag-isang nakapag-PS2 buong hapon.
8. Dapat walang makipag-away sa 'yo.
-- Buti naman wala. Kung meron, grabe naman ang kapal ng mukha nu'n. Kung meron, siguro pinagmumura ko na 'yun hanggang magsumbong sa kapitbahay nila. Buti naman wala. (Sana hindi obvious na meron.)
9. Dapat senyorito ka for the day.
-- Eh pa'no ba 'yan, walang katulong nu'ng araw na 'yun. Sino magsasaing? Sino maghuhugas ng pinggan? Sino magpapakain ng aso? Sinubukan ko magkunyaring tulog pero hindi gumana.

The thing is, though... These weren't my expectations anyway. Sa mga nakakakilala sa 'kin, alam naman n'yo naman kung ga'no 'ko kababaw lang na tao. Probably a product of my upbringing. Mababaw ang kaligayahan namin lahat sa bahay eh. Basta masarap ang pagkain, walang nag-aaway, walang sirang gamit, wala masyadong lamok, 'tsaka may katulong, masaya na kami lahat. And now that I think about it, I don't see it as lowered expectations, ibig sabihin kase nu'n nagse-settle ka lang for something less - which is definitely not the case. So hindi ko na pala s'ya guiding philosophy. Oh well, at least nagamit ko s'yang intro.

At may pahabol pa pala...
10. Dapat kasama mo ang labidabs mo buong gabi hanggang madaling araw ng Feb. 9-10 kahit alam mong bawal s'ya magpa-late at mahigpit ang internal control measures sa kanila.
-- Lalong hindi ko 'to inexpect.

Sabi sa Two-Factor Theory sa BA 101...
"Benefits that are expected and are given are satisfiers.
Benefits that are expected but are not given are dissatisfiers.
Benefits that are not expected and not given are not dissatisfiers.
Benefits that are not expected and are given are motivators."

Happy birthday to me.

=======
And I try to realize
That I needn't look any further
The whole of the universe
Is plain to see
And I try not to rely
On another world or the future
The whole of the universe is a mystery

Oh no, there you go
Looked away and missed the show
How much wasted time
Will you survive?
Oh yeah, fooled again
I don't know how and I don't know when
Not much else to blame
But wishful thinking
=======

A Day At The Office

2007-02-09T16:16:00.000+08:00

... current music: Phantom Planet - Lonely Day.

Ayos rin pala 'tong Internet cafe na 'to eh. If I wasn't here, I would've already paid anywhere from P120 (my friendly neighborhood jologs DotAhan) to P480++ (kapal, P1++/minute). Samantalang dito, I get paid pa for my time. O 'diba, good deal. Kahit hindi p'wede mag-check ng mail (riiight...), mag-games (riiight...), mag-YM (riiight...), or mag-porn (RIIIGHT...) ayos lang.

Yup, I'm at the office. Sa mga hindi pa nakakaalam, I've signed with Ernst & Young Transaction Advisory Services, Inc. a.k.a. EY-TASI. Third week ko na 'to, nag-start ako last Jan. 22. Marami na 'kong nakitang mga SGV and EY-TASI batchmates, the latest being Daisy, na ka-office ko pala. Wala pa 'kong s'weldo (actually, kahit meron) at hindi ko pa natatanggap signing bonus ko (which could potentially play to my advantage... *wink* *wink*), kaya sa mga hihirit ng libre, ump n'yo lahat, mga gago. May link naman d'yan sa blog ni Jay Jay o, click n'yo lang, may tagboard rin naman s'ya eh.

Anyway, I'm taking on a very difficult task right now... Which is to wait for 5:30 to come so I can finally get out of here and actually do something that doesn't involve a computer or the comfort room (feeling ko napapansin na nilang parang minu-minuto ako umiihi). Natapos ko na rin kase subaybayan sa NBA.com 'tsaka sa Yahoo! Sports 'yung three games today, naka-swerte si Momon kay David West 'tsaka kay Ruben Patterson. Tambak bigla ako sa rebounds. Pero kaya pa 'yan, dami ko pang big man games. Tatapusin ko pa rin ang 14-week win streak ng TeamDreamCream. Kahit 8-7 lang. Ayan na nga, napa-blog na nga 'ko bigla o... Desperado na talaga.

Oh well, I kinda expected today to be like this anyway. Some guy who worked here before had his wedding today so a lot of people are out. It's become extra boring without all the laughter and the chikahan around me. Buti na lang Friday ngayon. May weekend to look forward to. May birthday pa to celebrate. Batiin n'yo ko ha! Ililista ko 'yung mga name ng mga bumati sa 'kin in chronological order 'tsaka ira-rank ko rin 'yung ganda ng birthday greeting. Isipin n'yo na lang may prize kunyari. Para naman hindi basura i-text n'yo sa 'kin.

Maybe I should blog more often when I'm bored. Kaso feeling ko mauubusan ako ng boredom theme songs. Makapag-research na nga ng lyrics.

=======
I could tell from the minute I woke up
It was gonna be a lonely lonely lonely lonely day
Rise and shine, rub the sleep out of my eyes
And try to tell myself I can't go back to bed
It's gonna be a lonely lonely lonely lonely day

Even though the sun is shining down on me
And I should feel about as happy as can be
I just got here and I already want to leave
It's gonna be a lonely lonely lonely lonely day

Everybody knows that's something's wrong
But nobody knows what's going on
We all sing the same old song
When you want it all to go away
It's shaping up to be a lonely day
=======

93%

2006-10-28T22:52:00.000+08:00

... current music: Hoobastank - Look Where We Are.

... Kasi technically, hindi pa 100%. And'yan pa kasi sila Jubal, Jaemi, Jeff, at Shalla... 'Tsaka si Jenny pa siguro, malay mo maisip n'ya bigla mag-take. Pero ayun, hindi pa talaga maku-kumpleto ang celebration hanggang pumasa na kayong apat. Hintayin namin kayo mga tsong (oo Jenny, pati ikaw), though alam naman naming matter of time lang talaga 'yun. Kasi ganyan talaga sa Whattabatch, walang iwanan.

First of all, congrats sa mga nag-top... Kay Lynne (#10), kasama na rin ang kanyang ever proud and supportive bebe... Kay Lyzet (#8), na pang-FAMAS ang iyak nang i-announce ni Valix na nasa top 10 s'ya... Kay Germee (#7), na dahil alam ko kung ga'no s'ya katalino (at ka-cute) ay inexpect ko na nandu'n kahit s'ya na yata ang pinakatamad mag-aral sa lahat (oo, feeling ko mas masipag pa 'ko sa kanya... imagine.) at lagi n'yang sinasabing napapagod na s'ya sa kaka-cram (which is absolutely true)... Kay Karina (#4), na head honcho ng aming lucky 1985ers carpool trio (with Germee) at meron pang nalalamang drama na "Tsong papatayin ako ng magulang ko 'pag bumagsak ako ng boards!" after ng Auditing Theory... Kay Gillianne (#1!!), na wala lang naman ginawa kundi dalhin lang ang pangalan ng UP at i-absorb lang lahat ng pressure - whether explicitly stated, implicitly stated, at pati na rin 'yung feeling lang n'ya pine-pressure s'ya kahit hindi naman. I believe I speak for the entire batch when I say na 1) antaba ng lalake mo, and 2) we're all lucky, proud, and honored to have you lead us in this endeavor... there's no better person for the job.

At s'yempre, congrats sa isa pang topnotcher na ubod ng gwapo, oozing with self-confidence, at medyo chubby... Malamang ni isa sa inyo walang nag-expect na magto-top s'ya, after all, andami-dami pang iba na hamak na mas magaling sa kanya... Pero ganu'n talaga siguro 'pag may tiwala ka sa sarili, hindi mo na kelangan ng tiwala ng iba. Congrats... kay Jameswil "Fred Flintstone" Yadang. Yadang-dabang-doo! (Uy joke lang 'to ha. S'ya 'yung unang random person na pumasok sa utak ko eh.)

Next of all, kung merong congrats, meron rin dapat thanks. S'yempre unang-una kay God, na walang sawa na bine-bless ang batch namin dahil walang sawa rin kami nagdadasal sa Kanya... Kahit kelan never namin Siya narinig na umangal na, "Nako, naka-bilog na naman sila... Sana magpa-pass the message lang." Actually, buti na lang, nakakatakot kase 'yun kung mangyari talaga... Next, salamat ng marami sa mga reviewers sa CPAR, lalo na ang Room 4 reviewers na sila Reynaldo "Pichi-Pichi" Ocampo (Auditing Theory / Problems), Atty. Dante "Inspirasyon ng Masa" dela Cruz (Business Law), Dean Hilario "Everybody Sucks; AIM Rulez" Tan (Management Advisory Services), Atty. Jack "Huwag Mo Nang Itanong" de Vera (Taxation), Pedro "The Non-Depreciable Love Machine" Guerrero (Practical Accounting Problems II), and the legend himself, Conrado "Ngiting Kabayo" Valix (Theory of Accounts / Practical Accounting Problems I). Salamat rin sa iba pa naming favorite reviewers na sila Chris "Joint Venture" German (P2), Tom "Crush ng Bayan" Siy (TOA / P1), Chris "Joint Venture" German (P2), Atty. Tristan "Johnson's Yata Yan" Lopez (Tax), Chris "Joint Venture" German (P2), Emong "Tito RAOMO" de Leon (P2), at si Chris "Joint Venture" German (P2). Sa aming mga dear reviewees, Wala talagang tatalo sa Mother CPAR. Chris "Joint Venture" German (P2).

Of course, hindi namin p'wedeng kalimutan ang mga professor namin sa UP who laid the groundwork for our success. Kahit ga'no kagaling ang mga reviewers ng CPAR, hindi pa rin kami makakapasa kung mahina ang foundation namin... Aanhin mo pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo, 'diba? Kaya we extend our gratitude towards the men and women who made it all possible...

For Business Law and Taxation...
Atty. Wilwayco, for seven days of ObliCon...
Atty. Encarnacion, for a total of two smiles for the whole semester...
Atty. Orfanel, for the early-morning and evening news reports (both in class and on GMA-7) and constantly keeping us guessing whether you're in a good mood or not...
Atty. Santos, for teaching the other class (hindi ko kilala eh)...
Atty. Sagana, for showing us what utter mastery of Law means... and based on three days' attendance, I'd say you're the man...
Atty. Calapatia, for the 1960s trivia and showing us the lighter, easier side of Tax... and also for helping me hone my impersonation skills, even without you knowing it...

For Auditing/Accounting...
Ma'am Debbie Chua, for delaying our agony 'til 99.2...
Sir Jo Flo, for inspiring and motivating Sir Peds...
Ma'am Rico, for not walking out on our class (kase hindi namin s'ya prof)...
Ma'am Cleo, for the Gordon's Gin note cards, the unbelievably fun Auditing classes, and the test bank questions...
Ma'am Trina, for exclusively providing our batch with three of the best taught classes in BA and for effortlessly earning our respect and admiration with that unique brand of tough love...
Sir Dave, for being the unofficial "daddy" of our batch and teaching us boys how to reconcile being a wacky, warm-blooded male while still being a respectable all-around nice guy...
Sir Peds, for knowing the capabilities of our batch more than we ourselves do, and pushing us hard until we recognize that you're right about us... and for being the only one who can get away with (and be loved for) legitimately evil and cruel acts...
Ma'am Dani, for being the unofficial "mommy" of our batch (bagay talaga sila) and being patient with us even though we're uncontrollable sometimes... for cheering with us during the good times, crying with us during the bad, and always caring genuinely for each and every one of us...

And for Management Services... Everybody else, I guess.

Sorry for dragging on and on, but I still have one last thing to say to my batch... We have dealt with a number of issues during our five years in the college, both internal and external... From not warming up enough to a majority of our BA batchmates, to being blasted and backstabbed by others, to being viewed as a batch that lacks unity, intellect, initiative and leadership, to the great X & Y divide, and even to the lack of communication during review... It seems that with our pre-board track record, our batch is a strong candidate for worst BAA batch ever.

But those very issues that we have dealt with are the same issues that we have survived (or did not really mind at all). Sabi nga sa commercial ni Dwyane Wade, "Fall down seven times. Get up eight." (Although gagana lang 'yun 'pag ang starting position mo ay naka-fall down. Sige, try n'yo pa.) Resilience. Toughness. Surviving adversity. Conquering challenges. Ganu'n naman talaga batch natin eh, parang bidang Pinoy... Nagpapabugbog muna sa umpisa, tapos biglang i-wa-100% passing rate 'yung boards. Kahit antagal ng kwento, happy ending pa rin.

And so to my beloved Whattabatch, isang malaking congrats sa ating lahat. Gusto ko sana tayong tawaging "best batch," kaso parang out of character, masyado tayong humble for that. I hope this experience brings us even closer as a batch. Tama na lahat ng kaguluhan. Happy-happy na lang sana tayo lagi. Sana walang kalimutan... Let's all keep in touch pa rin. At kung magkita-kita tayo sa work, magyayaan tayo kumain o sabay umuwi. O 'diba, sweet.

Nag-survey nga pala ng mga pumasa sa board, tinanong kung ano 'yung biggest reason kung bakit ka pumasa...

Sagot ko, "Kasi taga-Whattabatch ako."

That's 1 out of 52. Let's go for 100% one more time. GO WHATTABATCH!

=======
I still remember the time
When this all felt like a dream
So completely out of reach
Frustrating

We kept our nose to the grind
Make the days turn into weeks
Hoping time will heal the pain
Of waiting

Now it seems so long ago...

Just look back on how far we've come
We've made it somehow, look where we are now
All we've done, our battles won
We've made it somehow, look where we are now

And the best is yet to come
'Cause our story is not yet done
=======

Buhay Commute

2006-07-21T18:21:00.000+08:00

... current music: Bob McGrath and the Anything Muppets - People In Your Neighborhood.

Malamang naman alam n'yo na, pero sasabihin ko na rin... Malapit na ang first pre-boards namin. Nakakatuwa talaga reaction ng mga tao 'pag nababanggit pre-boards... Kulang na lang parang 'yung sa cartoons na parang inuubos 'yung kuko sa kakakagat. Not saying they're wrong, of course. Feeling ko nga ako lang 'yung gagong hindi kinakabahan eh. Pero sabi nga ni Sir Guerrero, relax lang, mas mahirap 'yun sa actual boards... Which proves na... well... 'wag ka dapat kabahan sa boards, pero medyo kabahan ka sa pre-boards. Oo nga 'no. Sige na nga, kakabahan na nga 'ko.

I've been meaning to blog about what review is like... Pero parang ayoko muna. Hintayin na lang natin after first pre-boards. Para kung bagsak, mas masaya mang-insulto ng tao. At kung sakaling sa Tax lang ako bagsak, LALONG mas masaya. Wahahaha.

Anyway, naalala ko lang 'yung dati kong gustong isulat pero nakalimutan ko kase nangati 'yung paa ko (eh sa sobrang kati eh). Siguro kase parang nabanggit ko sa past entry ko 'yung mga epal na tumitingin sa tina-type ko sa blog. Kaya naalala ko rin 'yung times na ino-observe ko 'yung mga tao sa LRT, sa jeep, etc. At iba 'yung "observe" sa "silay" o "titig". Which reminds me of a question na tinanong ko dati kela Janrich 'tsaka Jeff Vinluan... Tinanong ko sa kanila, kung meron silang nakasabay na sexy na magandang babae, saan sila uupo... Sagot ni Janrich, sa tapat daw; si Jeff naman, sa tabi. Si Janrich bale, mahilig tumitig 'tsaka sumilay... Si Jeff naman, he prefers bodily contact over optical satisfaction, i.e., may pagkamanyak s'ya. Ako naman sagot ko, depende kung nakalugay o naka-ponytail... Kung nakalugay, du'n ka sa tabi n'ya na mas malapit sa driver; kung naka-ponytail naman, du'n ka sa tabi n'ya na palayo sa driver. Isipin n'yo kung baket...

Pero nalalayo na naman ako sa iniisip ko. 'Pag nangati ako nito, wala na naman... Like I said kanina, hindi mo rin talaga mapipigilang mag-observe ng tao kung commuter ka, at kung normally wala kang gustong gawin habang nasa jeep ka or LRT kundi magpa-cool at makinig lang sa MP3 player mo. Share ko lang ang iba't ibang general personalities na napansin ko over six years of commuting. Kung commuter ka rin, malamang na-meet mo na rin sila. Ah sige, umpisahan na natin 'yan...

1. The Fighting Couple
Babae at lalake, magkasing-edad halos, pareho pa ng school, sabay papasok ng jeep, magkatabi pang uupo, karga pa ng lalake 'yung pink na bag ng babae... Yiheee... Mukhang sila. Kaso baket gano'n, parang hindi sila nag-uusap, tapos ayaw pang magtinginan... Poporma sanang aakbay 'yung lalake, pero ii-ilag ng babae 'yung balikat n'ya... Matagal na walang imik... Tapos magbabayad para sa dalawang tao 'yung lalake. Biglang magbubukas ng bag 'yung babae, babayaran ng pamasahe 'yung lalake. Maya-maya, maririnig n'yo nang nagsasagutan, hihina-hinaan pa boses, tapos titingin-tingin 'yung lalake sa mga pasahero sa paligid para tignan kung may nakakapansin, s'yempre patay-malisya lang ang mga tao... Ayon, away pala sila. Mag-ingat kung nasa tapat ka ng lalake, 'wag ka magpapahalata na nakikinig, kase ikaw ang una n'yang iche-check.

2. The Defenders of the Light
Eto ang mga anghel na naka-disguise na mga medyo matatandang lalake at babae na ang sole purpose sa borrowed time nila sa Earth ay pagalitan ang mga driver para sa kapakanan ng ibang pasahero...
'Pag masyadong mabilis magpatakbo, "Manong, bagalan n'yo naman, may mga batang nakasakay!"
'Pag masyadong matagal nakatigil na naghihintay ng pasahero, "Manong, larga na, nagmamadali mga pasahero mo!"
'Pag sobra maningil o kulang manukli, "Manong, wala naman dugasan!"
'Pag ayaw maniwalang estudyante ang isang nagbabayad, "Manong, may ID nga o!"
'Pag may pumapara pero hindi tumigil agad, "HAYOP! BINGI! (in sign language)"
'Pag pangit 'yung driver, "PANGIT!"
Minsan ok lang, pero 'pag sumobra parang gusto mo na lang sila itapon palabas ng bintana eh... Tanungin n'yo si MJ Patag, may nakasabay kami dating ganyan na nakakaasar.

3. The Closet Bandistas
Best observed with Sandalan ng 6CycleMind, Torete ng Moonstar 88, and any Cueshe song. Ang bait nitong mga taong 'to, nags-stage ng impromptu benefit concert sa jeep. Pero s'yempre sa imagination lang nila. Tingin ka lang sa paligid, kumpleto ang banda... 'Yung malikot ang kaliwang kamay na tina-try i-simulate 'yung guitar solo, 'yun 'yung lead guitarist... 'Yun namang steady lang na nagst-strum with his right hand, rhythm guitar... 'Yung sumasabay sa beat with tapping of several fingers (bass drum = thumb, snare = index finger, others = labu-labo na), drummer... Tapos s'yempre, 'yung pa-subtle pang nakatingin sa labas ng bintana pero hindi mapigilang mapapikit-pikit sa kaka-emote, walang iba kundi lead vocalist (and if the song calls for it, s'ya rin 'yung backup vocals). Pagbigyan na sila, malamang sa jeep lang sila sisikat. 'Wag kalimutang pumalakpak pagkatapos ng kanta.

4. The Cramming Nursing Student
Kumbaga 'pag nasa LRT ka, maiisip mo para silang mga Koreano sa UP. Andaaaaaaaaaaami nila. 'Yung iba, relax lang... Pero ang marami sa kanila, may hawak-hawak na mga notes, nagbabasa ng libro... Though hindi ko alam kung baket, pero parang lagi kong napapansing binabasa nila tungkol sa pregnancy... Kaya nga alam ko na ang posisyon ng bata sa loob ng placenta 'pag may nakalabas na daliri sa pusod ng nanay. 'Yung iba naman, may hawak na sample exams... "Question 34. What is the appropriate dosage of Diatabs to be administered to a pregnant woman suffering from severe halitosis? (a) tatlong banig, to be dissolved in 355mL of GSM Blue (b) yes, because it is definitely not 'no' (c) risk-adjusted discount rate > IRR > weighted average cost of capital (d) the correct drug is Flintstones Chewable Vitamins, not Diatabs." Tapos magtataka ka, 'yung sagot sa isa (a), 'yung sa kabila (d). 'Wag ka na lang umangal, hindi mo rin naman alam 'yung sagot, 'diba?

Ayun. Kulang pa 'to, next time na lang 'yung iba... Baka gusto n'yo kong tulungan, text n'yo lang ako kung meron kayong maisip na iba.

=======
Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood?
Say, who are the people in your neighborhood?

Well, they're the people that you meet
When you're walking down the street
They're the people that you meet each day
=======

The Day I Cut Review

2006-07-07T18:12:00.000+08:00

... current music: Simple Plan - The Worst Day Ever.

Bago na muna ang lahat, mabuhay ang MemCom sa isang swabeng AO/AP! Hanep, aircon, first time! (Oo na, poor lang kami.) Dati ko pa naman ina-anticipate, pero iba rin pala feeling ng alumnus sa AO/AP... Hehe... Kahit panget, cool pa rin, alumnus eh. Medyo hinanap-hanap pa nga ng katawan ko 'yung trabaho (actually nautusan), naging lightsman at garbage collector pa 'ko ng hindi oras... Though ok lang, naka-delihensya naman ng pancit. 'Tsaka nakaka-miss humirit, kinakalawang na utak ko sa kaka-review. Take note, iba ang "review" sa aral... Madali mag-review, pero hassle mag-aral. Siguro mas nasasarapan pa 'kong amuyin 'yung mga libro ko. Nakaka-high 'pag amoy bagong-bili eh. 'Pag ginamit ko na talaga 'yun, mawawala na 'yung amoy. Ayon, so kumbaga, araw-araw ako nagre-review, pero parang hindi pa 'ko nakakapag-aral talaga.

And recently nga, dahil naaaaaapaka-responsable kong reviewee, na-decide ko lang basta na 'wag pumasok. May dahilan naman... Late na rin ako nagising, so tinamad na 'ko. (Baket, hindi ko naman sinabing maganda 'yung dahilan a.) Muntikan na nga eh, sinita ako ng tatay ko... S'yempre ayoko naman magsinungaling. Buti na lang 'yung tanong n'ya, "O, hindi ka papasok?" Kaya oks lang magsabing hinde. Ngayon kung ang tinanong n'ya, "O, wala kayong pasok?"... Well, kahit ayoko magsinungaling, gagawin ko siguro. Alangan naman pumasok pa 'ko, mga 730am na yata 'yun. Wala na rin ako maaabutan nu'n... Siguro Tax pala... Shet, 'wag na lang nga talaga.

'Kala ko solb na. Pero 'ika nga ni Ma'am Dani dati, "'Wag kayong ganyan, ang karma naka-FedEx na." [Iba ang magaling magturo sa magaling humirit. (Joke!)]

So wala nga pala kaming katulong nu'ng araw na 'yun. Naknangtokwa. Kaya pala hindi na-bother ang tatay ko nu'ng sinabi kong hindi ako papasok. Kung tutuusin, wala naman talaga masama du'n... Saing, hugas pinggan, pakain sa aso, linis ng konti, ganun... Pero kasi, kung pumasok lang sana 'ko... Haaaay.

Ok na sana, solb lang kahit katulong ako for a day. Kaso nu'ng naghuhugas na 'ko ng pinggan, linapitan ako ni Daddy... "Mak, nakita mo na ba 'yung kwarto mo?" "'Yung sa taas? 'Yung ginagawa?" "Hinde, hinde, 'yung kwarto mo ngayon... Baha kase." Malabo, pero shet, totoo pala. Nothing spectacular, medyo ankle-high lang naman, tapos may medyo malakas na tulo. Pero kase kwarto ko 'yun eh... Mabasa nga lang 'yung sahig hassle na magpunas, bumaha pa kaya, tapos tuloy-tuloy pa 'yung tulo. And since wala kaming mop, punas-piga hanggang matuyo. Astig pala 'pag nagka-paltos ka sa ganitong paraan, hindi mo mamamalayan wala na palang balat 'yung kamay mo. Ahaaaay pakshet. Kung pumasok lang sana 'ko...

Pagkatapos ng janitorial services, naisip ko naman medyo magpaka-productive, kaya lumabas ako ng bahay para mag-aral. Sa may malapit lang, sa ChowKing Parola lang, malamig kase 'tsaka parang gusto ko ng buchi. Siguro mga 15 minutes pa lang, suko na 'ko, walang-wala talaga 'ko sa mood mag-aral... Feeling ko na-realize ko rin kase na hindi ko kayang sagutan 'yung Auditing Theory nang hindi nagbabasa ng kahit ano. At almost the exact moment na tatayo na 'ko para umalis, biglang bumuhos ang ulan. Wala na, sinasadya na talaga ni Lord 'to. Siguro kung may buchi pa 'kong natira, binato ko na 'yung g'wardya.

One-and-a-half hours and two more orders of buchi later, medyo humina na rin 'yung ulan at nakauwi na 'ko. Parang gusto ko na lang matapos 'yung araw, baka hindi pa makuntento si Lord at dagdagan pa 'yung karma ko eh. Nice talaga. Walang-wala akong makitang magandang nangyari nu'ng araw na 'yun. Kahit 'yung allowance ko for the day, nasita... Hanggang bukas na raw 'yung baon ko since wala akong pasok. Tanong pa nga sa 'kin, "O, papasok ka ba bukas?" Oo na, gets ko na... Andaya naman, hindi lang naman ako 'yung inaatake ng katamaran sa review... Lalo na kung Tax lang.

=======
It's 6 AM
The clock is ringing
I need to spend
An hour snoozing
'Coz I don't think I'm gonna make it

I punch in
I'm still sleeping
Watch the clock
But it's not moving
'Coz everyday is never-ending
I need to work I'm always spending

'Coz I feel like I'm living the worst day over and over again
I feel like the summer is leaving again
I feel like I'm living the worst day
I feel like you're gone
And everyday is the worst day ever
=======

Babalik Ka Rin

2006-06-30T18:32:00.000+08:00

... current music: MxPx - Doing Time.

Oo nga 'no. 'Yung last post ko, JPIAn pa 'ko a (awww). Hindi naman sa nangangarir ng review... Wala kaseng Internet sa bahay eh. 'Tsaka actually, feeling ko parang andami-dami nang nangyari kaya parang gusto ko lahat gawan ng post. Kaso nga lang, feeling ko parang andami-dami nang nangyari kaya nakakatamad. At isa pa, hassle mag-blog 'pag andito 'ko sa internet cafe sa labas ng subdivision... Andaaaaaaaming tao. Nakakairita lalo na 'yung mga nakiki-usisa sa ginagawa ng may ginagawa. Ampapanget nilang mga pakshet sila, sana matae sila bigla sa mga pantalon nila tapos lumayas na lang sila habang pinagtatawanan sila ng lahat. Ambabaho pa, hindi man lang lumayo-layo ng konti... kahit sa may Tawi-Tawi lang para hindi na namin sila maamoy. (Ayon. Umalis na rin sa wakas 'yung dalawang gago sa likod ko.) Pero sige, para mahabol ko na once and for all, bigay na lang ako ng rundown ng past three months, starting from my last post.

Game.

(1) Became an official UPJPIA alumnus.
'Ika nga ni Oracle sa Matrix, "All good things must come to an end." Ay wait, "All things that have a beginning must have an end" pala 'yun. O basta, ganun na rin 'yun. Miss ko na ang mga JPIAns... Excited na 'ko mag-AO/AP!

(2) Became an official UPCBA alumnus.
Real world, here I come. Wala nang BA comfort zone. BA comfort room na lang. (Always remember, kung tatae ka, sa 2nd floor CRs mo gawin. Walang istorbo, walang makakaalam.)

(3) Became an official UP alumnus.
Baket kelangan mahaba ang speech? Init-init na nga eh, wala naman nakikinig. Marine biology ba naman ang topic. I mean, marine biology yata, hindi nga ako nakikinig eh. Basta kuha medal. Tapos.

(4) Attended Mico's grad party (and some gay guy's birthday party).
Hanlupet ng Kamikazee! Hinawakan ako ni Jay sa baba!!!! Aaaaaaay!!

*Hassle, may nagbabasa na naman sa likod ko. Pabugbog ko kaya 'to sa mga kabarkada kong drug addict... Ma-text ko nga...... Seryoso, ite-text ko na talaga....... Hihintayin pang bunutin ko cellphone ko eh....... Aba talagang matigas ang bwakananginang --- Ayoooooooon.

(5) Played PC and PS2 games.
Natuto ako mag-DotA sa kapatid kong bata. Adik pala 'yung walanghiyang 'yun. Kaya pala kamukha na n'ya si Barathrum. Tinapos ko 'yung mga hindi ko natapos before, either nawalan ng oras or nagsawa... Splinter Cell, Metal Gear Solid 3, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006, Suikoden IV and V, Final Fantasy X, NBA Live '06 Dynasty Mode (s'yempre New Jersey Nets). At s'yempre and'yan rin ang mga old, reliable PC games, Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction, Counter-Strike, 'tsaka Heroes of Might and Magic IV.

(6) Had to go to several job exams / interviews.
Namely, Ernst&Young TASI, JG Summit, P&G, IBM, Credit Suisse. Nope, no offers yet. Discontinued TASI application.

(7) Went to my first UPJPIA activity as an alumnus.
Counted naman 'yung SAG Tambak Workshop 'diba? 'Tsaka nagbayad naman ako sa pizza eh. Sarap pala maging alumnus, p'wede mo gaguhin 'yung present EO's (s'yempre in a friendly, positive, light-hearted way. hindi naman 'yun tipong parang ano......... *wink* *wink*................................... mwehehehehehe.)

(8) Went to Galera with batch friends.
With Germee, Momon, Crystle, Ana, Loraine, and Marj. Yeheeeesss. First time. SHET SOBRANG INEEEEEEEHHHT! ABOT SINGEEEEEEHHHT! (See Loraine's and Crystle's blog for details) Bakla na kung bakla, pero ayoko mag-banana boat. Secure naman ako sa pagkalalake ko eh. Baka mapatili pa 'ko 'pag sumakay ako du'n.

*Speaking of bakla, ica-clarify ko lang na 'yung Jay sa #4 ay 'yung lead vocalist ng Kamikazee. At 'yung "baba" ay chin.

(9) Met up with Ateneo High School friends.
Kahit anong mangyari, hindi talaga malalaos ang basketball, birthday ni Toge, at s'yempre si Prado.

(10) Had a night out with the BAboys.
With Momon, Janrich, Jacob, Sef and James. Inom, bilyar, DotA. The usual... Yup, the usual lang.

(11) Got a 4GB iPod Nano.
Sa wakas. Alam ko namang hindi ako dudugasin ng sarili kong ina eh. Wala naman akong ibang hinihingi. Tutal tumagal naman ako ng 3rd-5th year na hindi nagpapabili ng damit. Fair naman 'diba...

(12) Family home under major construction.
Sa mga nakapunta na sa bahay namin, naaalala n'yo ba 'yung sala at 'yung pagkarami-raming sofa? Wala na 'yun lahat. Magpapalagay ng 2nd floor eh. Sumisikip na ang bahay, tumataba na kami lahat. Basically, sa kanya-kanyang kwarto muna kami nakatira ngayon, 'yun lang kase 'yung may bubong eh. Kaya rin pala walang Internet. Estimated date of completion: November-December. Estimated percentage of completion: 50-55% Calculated Gross Profit Rate: s'yempre wala, hindi naman kami 'yung nagco-construct eh.

(13) Became a temporary Miami Heat fan.
Nets ako s'yempre. Pero natalo ng Heat. So nag-Clippers ako. Pero natalo ng Suns. So nag-Suns naman ako. Pero natalo ng Mavs. Shet, malas rin talaga 'ko. Buti hindi ako pumupusta. Naisip ko nga kumampi sa Mavs kase gusto ko Heat mag-champion. Buti na lang hindi naman nag-hold ang trend. Pero sorry sa mga Heat fans... Mukhang malabo mag-repeat ang Miami.

Ayan. Three months in a nutshell. Hindi ko na sinama 'yung pumayat ako tapos tumaba ulet (kase hindi naman nangyari). Wala na 'kong utang! Makaka-post na ulet ako nang maayos. Woohoo. Hanggang sa muli!

=======
I remember times I had
Some were happy, some were sad
Memories of me and my partners in crime
Throwing up a thousand times

I never did homework after school
Did all the things I thought were cool
Went out every Friday night
I still do and I'm alright

You gotta stick together
With who you are and who you know
You gotta remember
Where you've been and where you wanna go
=======

Turnover Speech

2006-03-25T20:39:00.000+08:00

... current music: 3 Doors Down - Be Somebody.

(Edited version ng speech... Pero wala namang nagbago sa essence.)

I have always rooted for the underdog. With the exception, perhaps, of Manny Pacquiao and Stone Cold Steve Austin, rarely have I cheered for the crowd favorite. I did not watch Samurai X because of Kenshin Himura, but because of his unbelievably strong (and in accordance with the stereotype, a bit stupid) sidekick Sanosuke Sagara. Michael Jordan could score 50 points in a game, but it was the three-pointers of Jud Buechler and Steve Kerr that made me a huge fan of the Chicago Bulls. I could go on and on with more examples, but to cut the story short, as Manu put it in his convocation speech, "I am for the ordinary man."

You might be asking yourselves, "Why root for the underdog, when it's so easy to go with the fan favorite?" The answer is simple, really. Underdogs have something to prove; favorites do not. Underdogs are easier to please and motivate. And more often than not, the underdogs are the ones who exceed expectations.

My successor before you today is an example of the people I have always rooted for. He is an underdog. And I believe that has been the trademark of our beloved committee. MemCom has always been a committee of silent workers and roleplayers. And this is what made me fall in love with this committee right from the start. Mami-miss ko most of all ang mga commeet namin na nagmumukhang lamay... Although recently nga ay nagiging parang 15-minute break na s'ya. In my 3 1/2 years sa MemCom, I have encountered, enjoyed, and loved its various personalities and characters. And I assure you, there are only two types of people in this committee: those who deserved recognition, and those who deserved recognition but did not get such. These are the people who did not quite have JPIA as their lives, but have contributed their time and effort in service for this org.

And so, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize to these unsung heroes... ang pinakamalabong MemCom co-chair na si Yhca... last sem FP people, "tanders" D-Max, Mei and Karina... veteran PEP co-chair Jacob and COMELEC chair Lynne, our latest recruits... to the oldest MemCom co-chair last semester (oo, matanda na s'ya), everyone's nanay and kid sister at the same time, Ivy... my partner in crime, former FP Log Head and MemCom co-chair, and the Logo of UP URK himself, Momon... my best friend and ka-dynamic duo sa MemCom, five-time EB plus ConstiCom Vice-Chair, former Mem Chair Germee... and one of the most talented and hardworking people I have had the privilege of working with; and most importantly, one of the kindest people I have had the honor of being friends with, former MemCom co-chair and SAG Chair Jihan. I apologize if it seemed that JPIA did not value your contribution... I apologize if it seemed that you were forgotten... I apologize to all of you, because you did not get the recognition that you deserved.

In behalf of MemCom, I apologize humbly for our shortcomings. And in behalf of JPIA, I thank you profusely for being part of this organization.

Going back to your incoming VP... I remember what former VP for Liaison, Anton Ng, told his successor, John-Drew Reyes, during their turnover ceremony. Sayang at nag-EO ka agad. Sayang ang isang taon na nakapag-EB ka sana. Mami-miss mo 'yung mga gabing nakikipag-bonding ka lang 'pag planning sem, nakiki-chismis sa iba at nakiki-intriga... Basta 'yung mga bagay na nagagawa ng EB lang at hindi ng EO (although...). Even though there is also that feeling of regret, the more overwhelming emotion is of pride. Pride that you found it in your heart to step up... Pride that I have helped, in one way or another, instill in you the passion to serve this org... And lastly, the pride that I have witnessed the birth of one of the greatest underdog stories JPIA has ever seen. And I encourage you to write that story well... So that when you look back at the end of this great journey, you can be as proud of yourself as I am of you right now.

To Richard, the incoming VP for Internal Affairs... Congratulations and God Bless.

=======
What they say
What they know
What they think won't ever bring me down
This life is mine and I am my own

'Cause I'm trying to be somebody
I'm not trying to be somebody else
This life is mine I'm living
Don't you know me
I won't ever let you down
=======

Kulang Lang Sa Tulog

2006-02-25T07:04:00.000+08:00

... current music: Incubus - Redefine.

Bago mag-umpisa ang lahat, I would like to greet the newest reader of my long-forgotten blog - ang Mommy ko. Grabe, hindi ko alam kung magiging proud ako o hinde... Dahil sigurado mas techie at advanced ang nanay ko kesa sa kalahati ng mga nanay ng mga nagbabasa nito (amounting to approximately 2-4 moms)... At oo nga pala, pa'no nga pala n'ya nalaman blogsite ko... Shet. Malupit pala mag-"research" ang nanay ko (Crystle, magkakasundo kayo ni Mommy). Konti na lang baka ma-discover na rin n'ya ang amateur porn site ko (bago kayo tuluyang masuka, clarify ko lang na sobrang joke lang 'yun.)

Isa pa palang segue - who can explain this statement: "Conducting a feasibility study is like going to an accounting class without the sex." Wala lang. Brainfart lang habang nakasakay sa tricycle. P'wede rin s'yang maging malupit na brain teaser, pero actually walang k'wenta 'yung sagot.

Anyway, as the title suggests, isa itong pagmumuni-muni sa BA 129 experience... Aminin n'yo man o hinde, sa tagal-tagal nating na-hassle ng feasib, marami tayong business skills and concepts na napulot mula dito...

Natuto tayo mag-survey...
"Uy, ano ginamit n'yong risk-free rate, market risk premium 'tsaka inflation rate? 'Tsaka sabihin n'yo na rin pala 'yung bangkong inutangan n'yo 'tsaka 'yung lending rate nila. Thanks!"

Natuto tayo mag-ratio and multiplier analysis...
"'Diba pito du'n sa sinurvey natin nag-yes? Bale 7/8... 87.5% 'yun... times 400 na required sample size... 350... O 'yun, sulat mo na 'yun sa market study... Lagyan mo lang ng 'approximately' o kaya 'we have estimated' para hindi masyadong marumi konsyensya natin."

Natuto tayo ng equipment capacity planning...
"'Tsong, hindi tayo p'wede mag-type agad lahat, kulang computer natin..."

Natuto tayo mag-task specialization...
"Ako na nga lang mag-E-Excel, anlabo ng format mo eh."

Natuto tayo mag-forecast...
"Matatapos na tayo by lunchtime ng Friday."

At mag-sensitivity analysis...
"Optimistic na pala 'yung lunchtime. 'Yung most likely, mga alas-dos na. Pessimistic, next year."

Mag-industry benchmarking...
"Parang masyadong mababa ang NPV natin 'tsaka IRR... Lagpas 200 million 'yung NPV nila Ana eh... Tapos IRR nila Gillianne 80%... Wala na ba tayong magagalaw na costs?"

Mag-conform sa business laws and regulations...
"Mag-declare na lang tayo ng malulupit na dividends, tapos mag-appropriate tayo ng R/E for expansion purposes. Sobra-sobra na R/E natin eh..."

Mag-window dress...
"Ayusin na lang natin 'yung layout 'tsaka kapalan na lang natin 'yung papel para mukhang may content."

Mag-error correction and restatement...
"Nako, na-print mo na 'yung F/S? May kulang pa 'ko du'n eh..."

Mag-contingency planning...
"Sige, magpa-bind na kayo sa SC. 'Pag wala pa kayo ng alas-kwatro, magmamakaawa na 'ko kay Ate Nella."

At higit sa lahat, mag-competitor analysis...
"Ilan pages 'yung inyo?"

God bless sa lahat ng nagf-feasib! Walang kakabahan... Tandaan n'yo lang ang lagi natin sinasabi sa sarili natin habang gumagawa ng paper...

"Hindi naman n'ya babasahin 'to eh."

=======
I'm sick of painting in black and white
My pen is dry, now I'm uptight
So sick of limiting myself to fit your definition

So must we demonstrate
That we can't get it straight?
We've painted a picture
Now we're drowning in paint
Let's figure out what the fuck it's about
Before the picture we painted chews us up
And spits us out
=======

After Jordan, Pippen and Rodman...

2006-01-10T21:38:00.000+08:00

... Here comes the new Big Three. Go Nets!

A-Wan, A-Tu, A-Tri!

2006-01-05T20:41:00.000+08:00

... current music: New Found Glory - This Disaster.

Never thought I'd be doing this again, but since I'm stuck here sa computer shop waiting for my brother... Subukan natin muli. Sino pa kaya nagbabasa ng blogs ng mga tao? Marami-rami na rin ang tinatamad mag-update. Sabi na nga ba fad lang ito eh. Hehe.

Anyway, tapos na first 123 exam namin. Yeheeeesss... One down, five more to go. Tapos finals na. Tapos 'yung totoong finals na. Hehe. Hindi naman. Feeling ko high morale ang mga tao ngayon. Wala namang nagmukhang stressed du'n sa exam eh. Hindi katulad nu'ng dati, masyadong high-strung ang mga tao. Lalo na 'pag may mga sobrang lakas pumindot ng calculator. O kaya 'yung uga nang uga ng armchair. Hah. Wala 'yun. Kung tutuusin s'werte na nga kayo eh. Kayo ba, may nakasama na kayo mag-exam na inaaway 'yung exam paper n'ya? As in minumura 'yung papel n'ya ng sobrang lutong? Tapos, in between the invectives, nagpe-pep talk ng sarili. May maririnig ka na lang bigla na mga, "You can do this!" 'tsaka "Yes! Yes!" Minsan nga bigla pang bumanat ng "You da man!" with fist-pumping action eh. At hindi pa 'yan ang pinakamalupit. Wala kayong naabutan na kumakanta ng Pop ng 'NSync habang nag-e-exam... Take note: hindi sumisipol, hindi naghu-hum. As in KUMAKANTA. At fan ka man ng 'NSync o hindi, sigurado maiirita ka dahil "Dirrrrrty Pop!" lang ang alam n'yang lyrics ng kanta. Well, mas ok na siguro 'yun, kesa naman gawin n'ya 'yung vocal instrumental ni Justin Timberlake sa dulo. Isipin mo nag-e-exam ka tapos bigla na lang "Bmp-chiki-bmmp-chiki-bmp-bmmmp!" Ahaaaaay putang ina.

But I digress. Actually ang point ko du'n ay 'yun nga, meeeeeeeeeeeeedyo do-able 'yung exam. By do-able I mean na sa loob-loob mo ay feeling mo papasa ka, pero baka ayaw mo lang aminin sa iba at sa sarili mo dahil natatakot kang masaktan. Parang... parang love. (Yihee.) Or p'wede ring mental/attitude problem. (Yihee.) Or eating disorder. (Yihee.) In any case, I'm sure pare-pareho lang ang iniisip ng mga tao. Na hindi pa ito ang 123 na ine-expect natin. Patikim pa lang 'to. Kumbaga sa movie, trailer pa lang. Kumbaga sa competition, trial question pa lang. Kumbaga sa basketball, 'yung mga bench ang pinasok. Kumbaga sa beauty contest, 'yung mga suwanget 'yung sinali. You get the picture. Try ko pa mag-isip ng analogy, pero mamaya na.

Pero ang weird du'n, imbes na nagpapakasaya, nagkakatuwaan, at nagsisipagdasalan ng Joyful Mysteries ang mga tao, for some (including myself), iba 'yung nangingibabaw na emotion. In one word, sayang. Related na rin du'n sa libo-libong analogy ko kanina, alam kasi ng mga tao na malabo na maulit ang ganitong exam. At hindi rin naman nakulangan ng oras sa pag-aaral. Nakaka-frustrate lang na parang gets mo naman 'yung pinag-aralan, wala naman problema sa pagturo, hindi naman pinahirapan 'yung exam, and yet... Haaaay. I guess wala naman ibang p'wedeng sisihin kundi si Jubal. Wala lang. Kesa naman sisihin ko sarili ko diba.

Sige, bawi na lang. (Sus, lagi naman eh.)

Ayun pa. Kumbaga sa UP, hindi CBA.

(Joke lang. Lalo na kung taga-Engineering ka. Takot ako sa 'yo. Talo naman kami sa Awitan eh. Sorry na.)

=======
So incomplete
Your stare is cold unlike anything I've ever seen
So incomplete
Your body is tired and falling apart at the seams
I won't deny
I took the part in never wanting you back
I won't deny
One day you'll need me, need me

All my life, I've been looking for the answers
To the questions you never asked
And we never planned on this disaster
When will I let it go
=======

Rendezvous: A Speed Dating Experience

2006-01-04T21:54:00.000+08:00

[LTO_boys06_rulz_4eva]

2005-11-03T02:07:00.000+08:00

... current music: Eraserheads - Overdrive.

Before I get to my main topic, hindi ko gagayahin libo-libong graduating CBA students (siguro less than 20 lang pala) na ginamit ang blog nila upang humingi ng testimonials. Lalo na 'yung style ni Crystle na sa Friendster na idiretso para two birds in one stone 'yung testi. Hindi talaga. Hindi ko gagamitin ang blog ko para sabihing kelangan ko ng testimonial para sa Guilder Annual CD namin. Hindi ko sasabihing ok lang kahit short lang 'yung testimonial, pero mas ok kung mahaba. At lalo nang hindi ko babanggitin na i-email sa 'kin sa da_macker2001@yahoo.com 'yung mga testimonials na ginawa n'yo para sa 'kin. Salamat ng marami. Deadline nga pala November 6.

Anyway, ayun. Galing ako sa LTO kanina para kumuha ng student's permit. Astig. Ako na yata 'yung pinakamatanda du'n na student's permit ang kukunin. At para daw hindi ako mauto ng mga fixer, s'yempre nagpumilit pang sumama ang nanay ko. Dyahe. Buti na lang maganda nanay ko. On second thought, hindi rin pala. Parang gusto kong pagduduraan 'yung mga lalakeng tumititig. Ning-ina nila. Pero s'yempre dura lang dapat. Eto lang ang klaseng away na pantay-pantay ang lahat ng magkakalaban. Lalake o babae, bata o matanda, malaki o maliit, marunong dumura. Hindi nadadaan 'yan sa bruskuhan, tapos kelangan lang i-develop ang muscles sa bibig, na kaya naman ng lahat. Pero ang malulupit palang mga kalaban d'yan, 'yung mga bronchitic at merong respiratory disorder. Ambigat ng buga n'yang mga 'yan, may halo kaseng plema. Medyo parang si Reptile sa Mortal Kombat.

Anlabo na pala. Anyway, tinry ko sundan 'yung colorful illustrative steps in obtaining a student's permit. In fairness, malinaw naman s'ya. Kaso lang hindi nakalagay du'n na parang Choose Your Own Adventure 'yung mga pupuntahan mong windows. Tokwa. Mahilo-hilo ako du'n. Anlabo pa nila lahat, hindi coordinated ang mga activities. Hihimatayin sila Ma'am Dani at Ma'am Aileen nito. Baka mapagawa ng document flowchart sa inis.

Pero sa awa ng Diyos, ayun, nakapag-fill out naman ako ng form at nakapagpapirma kay tsip. (Sino ang leader ng mga patatas? Edi si Potato Chip! Weeeeeehh.) Tapos nu'n picture-picture na, tapos hinihintay ko na lang matawag 'yung pangalan ko para magbayad sa Cashier. Buti off-peak, hindi masyadong mahaba ang mga pila. Actually, wala palang pila, kase wala pang natatawag para magbayad. Hindi namin maintindihan lahat ng mga kapwa ko kumukuha ng lisensya kung baket parang wala yatang nangyayari. Sarap nga upakan nu'ng nasa Cashier, biglang tinawag 'yung parang barker. S'yempre umasa naman kami lahat na makakapagbayad na kami. 'Yun pala magpapabili ng Sprite sa canteen. Naknangtokwa talaga.

After an extremely unreasonable amount of time, nakapagbayad na 'ko at nagpapirma ulet kay tsip, na walang anu-ano ay biglang sinabing, "Bente." sabay abot ng pulang lalagyan ng lisensya. Ayos sa raket. Kaya pala marami kaming ganun na nakakalat sa bahay. Pagkaabot ko ng bente, nag-one-liner na naman si tsip. "Window 8." Akala ko tapos na sa wakas ang aking half-day LTO adventure. Meron pa palang huling hirit.

Pagdating ko sa Window 8, walang tao. Hintay lang daw, may darating. After mga 20 minutes, may dumating ngang lalake. Tinanong ko kung ano gagawin dito. Hintay lang daw, down lang ang computer. Sige, hintay naman ako. Maya-mayang konti, sumilip ako. Rine-restart 'yung computer. After mga 10 minutes, silip ulet. Tinataob na 'yung casing. Kinabahan na 'ko. Maya-mayang konti, sumilip na ulet ako. May hawak nang computer chips 'yung lalake. Namputsa talaga. Sa wakas, may nagbilin sa 'ming babae sa kabilang window na kunin 'yung kopya namin ng resibo tapos bumalik na lang next Wednesday para makuha 'yung permit. Kaya naman pala hindi kami kinakausap nu'ng lalake sa Window 8, technician lang pala s'ya.

Sa wakas, natapos na rin ang LTO adventure ko. At wala pa rin akong student's permit. Pero nakakatuwa lang kase nagkaro'n ako ng mga friends. Nagsimula 'yun sa Cashier pa lang. Pagkatapos nu'n sama-sama na namin kinakausap, inaaway, at minumura (except ako) ang mga taga-LTO habang linalakad ang aming mga papeles. Siguro pare-pareho lang ang pagkamuhi namin sa LTO kaya ambilis namin mag-bond. Kaso lang naiilang talaga 'ko everytime tinatanong nila sa 'kin kung ano kinukuha ko. Lalo na 'yung mga sinasabi lang, "Pa-renew?" Gusto ko sana sagutin, "FINEX ka?" Wehehe. Uy joke lang ha. Sabihin n'yo na naman mayabang ako. Pero ang hirap siguro kung wala 'yung mga 'yun. Kase kung hiwa-hiwalay kami nagsi-angal, baka hindi kami umubra. And aside from that, s'yempre mas masaya at nagkaro'n kami ng mini-barkada. Nag-iisip na nga 'ko ng p'wedeng pangalan ng e-group namin eh. In the words of Momon, "I know I left LTO with more than just a receipt for a student's permit." Naks. Bulsyet.

Konti na lang lisensyado na 'ko. Kelangan ko na lang talaga matuto mag-drive...

=======
Magda-drive ako buong taon
Magda-drive ako habang buhay
Magda-drive ako hanggang buwan
Plis, plis lang turuan n'yo akong mag-drive

Gusto ko matutong mag-drive
Kahit na wala akong kotse
Gusto ko matutong mag-drive
Kahit na walang lisensya
=======

A Tale Of Two Reunions

2005-10-30T23:58:00.000+08:00

... current music: Blaine Larsen - In My High School.

Double reunion for me yesterday... We went to Pateros for our family reunion (mom's side) kase it was the birthday of my favorite ninong, Tito Ely. Nakakaaliw lang, kahit hindi ako close (at medyo naiirita minsan) sa relatives ko sa mom's side, malaki rin pala ang impact nitong taong ito sa akin. Nararamdaman ko talaga 'yan 'pag Pasko... s'ya kase pinakamalaki magregalo. Malutong-lutong at mainit-init pa 'yung perang binibigay nu'n. Parang ansarap isawsaw sa suka. And by the way, para sa mga taong nakakaalam, si Tito Ely rin pala 'yung sinasabi kong may kasalanan kung baket walang kakwenta-kwenta sa 'kin ang EK at hindi ako makasakay sa mga rides. Wala naman akong tinatanim na galit sa kanya. In fact, malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa kanya dahil meron akong valid excuse sa aking pagiging duwag.

Around mga 9pm, nagpalusot ako sa mom ko na tumawag na sa 'kin ang mga kabarkada ko from high school at pinapapunta na 'ko sa A-boys reunion. S'yempre unang sasabihin ni Inay, "Kelangan mo pa ba pumunta du'n, anak?" Pero ready na 'ko du'n, so medyo automatic rin 'yung isasagot ko, "Mommy naman... Ngayon na nga lang kami matutuloy eh... Isipin n'yo na lang, malaki ang naging bahagi nila sa buhay ko... Sila ang mga taong nagpabait sa 'kin... Alam n'yo naman kung ga'no kalaki ang attitude problem ko dati, pero tignan n'yo 'ko ngayon... Man for others na 'ko, Mommy. Man for others." Kaso lang pumayag na s'ya agad pagkatapos ng "Mommy naman..." kaya hindi ko nakumpleto 'yung speech ko. Siguro sobrang convincing ng pagkakasabi ko, or p'wede ring sobrang baho na ng hininga ko du'n sa pinulutan naming itik. Either way, basta gumana. At hindi pa 'ko pinayagan mag-commute, hinatid pa 'ko sa Tierra Pura. Lakas ko talaga sa Nanay ko. Sana nga lang s'ya na rin 'yung naghatid, kase panay ang sumbat sa 'kin ng Kuya ko habang biyahe eh.

Marami-rami pa naman akong inabutan pagdating ko sa bahay ng kabarkada ko. Kung tutuusin, 'yung mga regulars pa rin sa mga occasional A-boy get-togethers ang pumunta. Pero astig kase andu'n 'yung mga bihira ko makita... Si Aldo, UST med student, na ngayon ay gupit panromansa na pero ganu'n pa rin kalaki ang katawan... Si Caloy, valedictorian namin, INTARMED, accomplished pianist and composer, at higit sa lahat ay kapatid ni Koodei... at ang paborito kong si Rocky, na tila naging pang-Maalala-ala Mo Kaya (or p'wede ring Eye-To-Eye) ang buhay.

As usual, nag-teacher bashing na naman kami at nam-backstab ng mga taong wala sa reunion... The usual stories na talagang hindi naluluma... 'Yung panahon na binato sa ulo si Victor ng itlog... 'Yung panahon na sobrang crush ni Bate 'yung Religion teacher namin at dino-drawing pa n'ya na sexy anime character... 'Yung panahon na nagka-amnesia si Prado... 'Yung panahon na may mga tinawag si Victor sa klase na "degenerate bastards" at tinawanan lang s'ya... 'Yung panahon na binato ni Sonny si Bate ng eraser kase sobrang ingay habang Homeroom session... 'Yung panahon na umamin si Prado na tatlo 'yung testicles n'ya dahil sa peer pressure (mahirap i-explain)... 'Yung panahon na nag-away si Bate at si Victor over Indo Chips... 'Yung panahon na nag-away si Bate at si Prado over another classmate's cousin... Nakakatuwa talaga dahil natatandaan at natatawanan pa rin ng mga tao. Kahit silang tatlo lang 'yung paulit-ulit namin pinag-uusapan. Teka, naisip ko lang, hindi pala namin binackstab si Prado, kase andu'n s'ya sa reunion.

Sa uulitin, mga tsong. Sana mas marami naman next time, tapos out of town tayo. At kung may basketball pa rin, next time talaga hahabol na 'ko, promise.

=======
They'll be doctors, they'll be lawyers, teachers and warriors
And they'll live out their dreams, big and small
And they'll struggle with their jobs, with their husbands and their wives
And they'll talk about the best days of their lives

We laugh, we cry
We fall, we fly
Sometimes we wonder why we're even here
We pass, we fail
And only time will tell
If we'll ever make it through these teenage years
=======

Pagawa Ng Writeup

2005-10-28T00:48:00.000+08:00

... current music: Edwin McCain - Write Me A Song.

I just remembered, wala na nga pala 'kong dahilan para hindi mag-update ng blog. Kaya eto, mag-u-update na 'ko... After all, mukhang babaliktad na naman ang sleeping hours ko, with the overnight AR + MemCom post-planning seminar kahapon. Akala ng Info sila lang ang may karapatan mag-overnight chorva. Kung ang Info may mga overnight inuman, kami may overnight... ano... umm... chorva! Sa'n kayo ngayon?! Congrats nga pala ulet sa mga chairs ko at salamat ulet sa ancestor kong si Mia Dilao, CPA, for the helpful comments and suggestions, especially sa AR.

Naka-chat ko si Roma kanina, mukhang hassle na hassle na s'ya sa Guilder one-liner, moniker at writeup. Sabagay. Ako rin nga pala dapat. Though at least may moniker na 'ko, at madali lang naman mag-isip ng one-liner... Ang mahirap s'yempre, 'yung writeup. Hindi kase sa 'kin 'yun eh. S'yempre ayoko naman maging basura ang writeup ng mga kaibigan kong nagpapagawa sa 'kin. Mga tipong...

Blah-blah is very good friend and friendly to everybody. She is very good in academics, especially in her Accounting subject where she scored 85 in the finals, after her score was adjusted due to many corrections in Part I. So good, she can be an assistant professor! She is also very good when it comes to playing bridge - in fact, she is my idol! Hehe. She is a very dependable groupmate, unlike other people who are not dependable. I wish I never had groupmates who were not dependable. Go Blah-blah! I wish you a very good life and I hope we see each other again, or just talk on the phone, or text me! She is a very fast texter, you know!

Ops, tama na pala. Baka may mga nag-eedit na d'yan bigla ng ginawa nila. Subjective naman ang pagka-basura eh. Kanya-kanya lang 'yan... Kung kunyari kuntento na kayo du'n sa writeup kanina, edi hindi na basura 'yun. Pero mahiya naman kayo sa gagawa'n n'yo. Pagtatawanan ng maraming tao 'yung writeup n'ya... Eh pa'no kung panget pa s'ya sa grad pic n'ya... Tsk tsk... Ga-graduate na nga lang, maba-badtrip pa. At kasalanan mo 'yun.

12:48 am na, wala pa 'kong nasa-start na writeup. Buti na lang staff ako, ie-edit ko na lang 'yung gagawin ko.

=======
She said
Write me a song
Fill it all up with words
Like 'brilliant' and 'heavenly'
Make it sound just like me
Just like the first time 'I love you' was heard

And now write me a song
One that makes all the girls cry
And the old women swoon
At the sound of my tune
And the hearts of the lonely will fly
=======

Oo Na Mayabang Na

2005-10-15T09:34:00.000+08:00

... current music: Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue.

(Hah! Tignan natin kung mapapansin ni Crystle na nag-update ako...)

Nag-sink-in na naman kagabi na unti-unti nang natatapos ang college life ko. Last application process ko na pala. Sa apat na taon ko sa JPIA, na-experience ko lahat ng posisyon na p'wede sa application process - applicant, co-chair, chair, at VP. Kumbaga, beteranong-beterano talaga. Kung p'wede lang na next year na maging alumnus consultant, ok lang sa 'kin. Although ok na sigurong ganito 'yung ending, sobrang nakaka-touch ang presentation ng new members. Ultimo 'yung pag-present ng batch project muntik na 'kong maiyak. Kaya mahal ko talaga 'yang app process eh. Pagpasok ko pa lang sa JPIA, alam ko na kung saan ako pupunta at ano ang gagawin ko. Meron sigurong ibang tao na makakapagsabing sobra silang na-inspire sa application process, pero wala pa rin makakatalo sa pagka-inspired ko. Congrats ulet sa new members ng JPIA, especially sa Best Applicants for this year: Jan, Micha, Sarah, Leo, Joshua, Lica, Mark, Stan, Jonz and Charie! At s'yempre, mas congrats pa sa MemCom EBs ko for the first semester...

Ivy, for being the surprise everyone loved... The mother and sister figure everyone needed... And the "refreshing" co-worker Chad was looking for. Buti na lang at madali kang hatakin dati for co-chair, bangag ka pa nga siguro from 142 exam. Salamat at nag-enjoy ka sa EB experience mo.

Jihan, for being the kind, hardworking veteran everybody could rely on. Alala mo pa ba nu'ng tinawagan kita during delibs? Tinatanong ko lang sa 'yo kung sino kilala mong pwedeng magco-chair, akalain mong ikaw ang nag-volunteer... Ambait-bait mo talaga. Hehe. Salamat at congrats rin sa pag-chair mo ngayon. I know you'll do an excellent job.

Berna and Richard, for being the dynamic duo of MemCom. Salamat at lumipat kayo, kahit galing kayong magkaibang committee. You remind me a bit of Germee and myself. You guys have amazing chemistry, and you complement each other very well. Sayang at hindi kayo nag-AOG as a pair, malamang kahit tumayo lang kayo du'n at kumain ng spaghetti kayo pa rin ang ipapanalo ng judges. Thanks for the spirit you bring to the committee. 'Wag na 'wag kayong lilipat. Subukan n'yo lang, babalikan ko talaga kayo.

Lotte, for finally taking up the challenge of being part of the Executive Board. Buti na lang at nagpa-readmit ka, matagal-tagal ka pa tuloy sa JPIA. May panahon ka pa para ma-adik. At kung akala mo hindi ako gaganti sa 'yo sa lahat ng pang-aasar na ginawa mo sa 'kin, nagkakamali ka. Wehehe. Galingan mo sa FP, 'wag ka magpapa-OP.

Chad, for possessing the same wavelength (and body fat index) as your VP. Pinasaya mo kami lahat sa MemCom, mukha ka kaseng taga-perya. Thanks for your valuable insights, for being an open-minded (minsan) critic (lagi) who isn't afraid to speak his mind. Marami kaming natutunan sa 'yo. I know, more or less, decided na ang future mo... Pero kung meron pa rin kahit konting possibility na hindi matuloy 'yun, try mo pa rin i-entertain 'yung possibility. Don't shut it out completely yet.

Karren, for teaching me the lesson I needed to learn the most. Thanks for focusing on the bigger picture, for not letting your attitude towards the committee affect your attitude towards the organization. For the benefit of JPIA, I hope you realize your full potential sa Externals. But never forget the lessons you yourself have learned in MemCom.

And lastly, Kats, for being the tough person that you are. I admire the remarkable growth you have displayed both as a person and as a JPIAn; the open-mindedness and maturity in dealing with all the criticisms thrown your way. You have shown everybody what you are capable of doing, and people, whether they like you or not, will recognize you for the asset to the organization that you are. You are a leader - I have always believed in that. And now the rest of the org believes as well... Basta bawasan mo pagka-keser mo. Hehe.

Go MemCom! It's been a great first semester! I enjoyed working with each and every one of you guys. Proud ako sa inyo lahat. Endpoint tayo!!

=======
I remember the look in your eyes
When I told you that this was goodbye
You were begging me not tonight
Not here, not now

We're looking up at the same night sky
And keep pretending the sun will not rise
We'll be together for one more night
Somewhere, somehow
=======

Oo Na, Mayabang Na

2005-09-13T23:32:00.000+08:00

... current music: Barenaked Ladies - Pinch Me.

Medyo matagal-tagal-tagal na rin pala since my last post. Thanks to our BA 191 class for "forcing" me to update my blog after more than a month of inactivity. Pasensya na sa mga fans ko, hectic eh. In fairness, with all the stuff I've been saying about how busy I've been this past month, consistent naman s'ya sa hindi ko pag-blog. Baka sabihin n'yo kasi sa 'kin, "Eh 'kala ko ba ang busy-busy mo, bakit may time ka pa mag-blog?" Kaya ayan, ultimo nga Internet hindi ko na rin masyado inaatupag. Ngayon ko lang na-experience na lagpas 100 ang new messages ko. At recently ko lang nalaman na lumabas ang tatlo kong High School classmates sa KFC-Starbucks commercial, at na-feature ang love story ng High School kabarkada ko sa Maalaala Mo Kaya. Nabuhay na muli ang A-Boys e-group dahil sa mga new-found showbiz personalities na ito, at wala man lang akong kamuwang-muwang sa mga nangyayari.

Anyway... September 13 na. Two days to go before what is possibly the biggest day in my entire college life... And needless to say, medyo kinakabahan ako... I feel as though I'm not as prepared as I thought I should be. Para na rin siguro pampatanggal ng kaba dati, iniisip ko na lang, "Kami lang ang makakatalo sa 'min." Astig. Yabang 'no? Ok lang 'yan, basta ba hindi overconfident eh. 'Tsaka 'yun naman nga ang papel ko eh... From a positive perspective, I'm a morale booster; from a negative perspective, mayabang at maangas lang talaga. Either way, I feel like I'm a natural for my "role." Kupal kung kupal, but hey, at least I'm with the good guys.

Ayun lang muna. Still lots of preparations needed, mostly psychological. Try ko nga matulog nang maaga, in accordance sa words of wisdom ni Dean. Still waiting for her pep talk, though. I wonder when we'll actually see her. Sana after na lang ng contest... Ehehe.

=======
It's the perfect time of day
To throw all your cares away
Put the sprinkler on the lawn
And run through with my gym shorts on

Take a drink right from the hose
Change in to some drier clothes
Climb the stairs up to my room
And sleep away the afternoon

It's like a dream you try to remember but it's gone
Then you try to scream but it only comes out as a yawn
When you try to see the world beyond your front door
Take your time, 'cause the way I rhyme's gonna make you smile
When you realize that a guy my size might take a while
Just to try to figure out what all this is for

Pinch me, pinch me
'Cause I'm still asleep
Please God tell me that I'm still asleep
=======

The Last Full Show

2005-07-24T22:39:00.000+08:00

...current music: The Rembrandts - I'll Be There For You.

One of the saddest things for a graduating student is that last BACBACAN 1. I'm definitely going to miss seeing all those batches thriving in such a highly competitive atmosphere... The basketball and volleyball games where you get to spot the college's best athletes... The parlor games where everyone, regardless of height, weight, and utter lack of athletic ability, can join in and have fun... And of course, the all-important cheering competition, where all batches showcase the product of all their days and nights spent training and practicing their routines, amid the frenzied cheers of their batchmates. One whole day of competition, all in the spirit of fun.

Kahit 'yung susunod na araw nakaka-miss rin. 'Yung tipong paggising mo ansakit pala ng katawan mo at wini-wish mo na lang na kalbo ka kase hindi mo maiangat 'yung braso mo para mag-shampoo. Tapos 'yung tawa mo parang asong nasisinok kaya pinipigilan mong tumawa sa mga joke ng kaibigan mo. Kaya ayan tuloy, sa sobrang pagpigil lagi kang nauutot. Mas nakakahiya 'diba. Hindi mo naman ma-defend ang sarili mo kase wala kang boses, kaya tumatakbo ka na lang sa banyo para umiyak. Pero hinding-hindi ko aaminin na nangyari sa 'kin 'yon.

And to think na I almost didn't want to participate... Ang busy kase ng buhay ko ngayon, at hindi ko made-deny na araw-araw akong pagod at kulang sa tulog (kahit hindi halata sa mukha). Nu'ng una akong in-approach para sumayaw, tinurn-down ko agad... And everytime I had to explain myself to someone kung baket hindi ako magch-cheering, sumasakit ng konti ang loob ko... But at the same time, I still wasn't willing to make sacrifices for it.

And then one day, after attending my first practice day about a week before BACBACAN, it just hit me. Shet, last na 'to. What the hell was I thinking? Ngayon ko pa ba iiwan ang pinakamamahal kong batch... Bobo ko talaga. Selfish pa. At naisip ko rin, ang kapal ng mukha ko magreklamong busy ako, eh si Jacob 21 units ngayon with 118 tapos si Ana full load tapos may FinEx at ACPACI pa. Kung tutuusin pala, walang-wala akong lusot. Tsk tsk. Ayun, medyo na-excite na 'ko. Pinaggagawa na namin lahat... Nagsayaw na 'ko, nag-stunts pa, nag-ayos pa ng boys pyramid, at s'yempre paulit-ulit na pinractice ang favorite kong new skill - ang cartwheel! Kung marunong na lang talaga 'ko sumayaw, p'wede na 'ko maging star male dancer. Naks.

Hindi ko alam exactly kung bakit, pero parang ito 'yung pinakamasayang BACBACAN para sa 'kin. Siguro kase nga last na... Siguro kase nga hindi na play to win at nagpakasaya na lang kami. But whatever that reason may be, I'm happy that my last BACBACAN 1 turned out to be a very memorable one. Congratulations to our batch reps Ana and Jacob (yihee. joke.)!

And to the rest of the Terminals... We may not be the best batch in the eyes of the rest of the college... Hell, let's face it, they might even be calling us losers behind our backs. But this is the batch of losers I fell in love with, and if being part of this batch means being a loser as well, then I could very well be the happiest and proudest loser there is.

Huling taon, huling banat. Go Pip Year!

=======
No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows what it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the mess with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I'm best with you

It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year, but...

I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
'Coz you're there for me, too
=======

Parks & Wildlife Forever

2005-07-20T21:57:00.000+08:00

... current music: Hoobastank - Lucky.

It's that time of the rainy season again... the mid-July JPIA Applicants' Outing. Unarguably, ang pinaka-hassle pero theoretically ay pinakamasayang project ng MemCom (and for the applicants na rin siguro). Just like any other first semester MemCom project, apat na taon ko nang nae-experience ito (laging sa Parks & Wildlife). At nakita ko rin ang Applicants' Outing from four different perspectives - as applicant, co-chair, chair, at VP. Astig. Veteran na veteran ang dating. Kaya ko na siguro maglakad nang naka-blindfold around Parks & Wildlife.

Pero kahit veteran na veteran na 'ko, iba ang experience ngayon. Kung dati ay parang pinagt-tripan kami ni Papa Lord, ngayon parang bawing-bawi Siya. Ganito kasi ang nangyari nu'n...

Sa start s'yempre panget. Pagpasok pa lang namin sa Parks may problema na... 'Yung traditional assembly and cheering grounds ay rine-renovate at ginagawang parang Bird Watching location. Although sabi ni Chad ay kahapon lang talaga nag-start 'yung construction, meron pa rin akong hinalang hindi nag-ocular ang MemCom (huli kayo balbon!) Ayan na, umpisa na ng pressure situation. Wheeeee.

Diretso ako sa may parking lot information center or whatever para magtanong kung p'wede pagamit ng Tea House at Fishing Village, para na rin makasilong ang mga tao. Nagtanong ako, pumunta raw ako sa Visitors' Center at du'n mag-inquire... Diretsuhin ko lang raw tapos first building sa left. Malay ko bang pagkalayo-layo pa ng "first building sa left"... Kahit mukha na 'kong gusgusin (more than usual), pasok lang ako. Hinintay kong matapos 'yung tao sa desk, sabi sa 'kin nu'ng sa may parking lot, si Ma'am Vina daw 'yun. Meeeeeeedyo matagal-tagal rin, kasi may lalakeng nauna sa 'kin, nakikipag-chikahan pa. Hintay naman ako...

Ma'am, good morning po. From UPJPIA po ako, org po 'yun sa UP... Ah, eh... Kase po every year dito po kami nag-o-outing at semi-sportsfest for our applicants, medyo tradisyon na po s'ya. Kaso lang po hindi namin alam, 'yung amphitheater pala under renovation, kaya wala po kaming mapag-assembolan. Magtatanong lang po sana kami kung p'wede gamitin 'yung Tea House 'tsaka Fishing Village...

Nako... May nagpa-reserve na nu'n eh. Whole day 'yung reservation.

Ay ganu'n po ba... May maisu-suggest pa po ba kayong ibang lugar?

Medyo naiihi na 'ko sa kaba nang biglang may dumating na lalake, at sa isang mahinang tinig ay sinabing...

Vina, cancel na kami...

Feeling ko natakot sa 'kin 'yung lalake dahil nakatanga't nakatitig lang ako sa kanya, baka akala n'ya gusto ko s'yang pagtangkaan. Sandali lang tuloy s'ya nakipag-chikahan kay Ma'am Vina. Pagkatapos nu'n ay in-offer agad sa 'kin ni Ma'am Vina 'yung Tea House 'tsaka Fishing Village. PhP500 daw total. Bubunot na sana 'ko ng wallet (at tatawad dahil PhP400 lang ang dala ko) nang sabi n'ya...

Teka lang, tawag muna 'ko sa Supervisor... Pagbayarin ko pa ba kayo, eh mga estudyante lang kayo, ang hirap pa naman ng buhay ngayon. Sandali lang ha... Sabihin ko na lang muna kay Tirso payagan na 'yung mga kasama mo sa Tea House 'tsaka Fishing Village. (dials number) Hello, p'wede kay (name of male supervisor na nakalimutan ko)? Ay wala s'ya? Eh kay Pines (spellcheck please)? Sa'n pumunta? Sige, tawagan ko na lang du'n.

Minsan lang gumana ang utak ko, pero proud ako't gumana ngayon. Naalala ko sabi ni Nhey dati, hindi na lang sila stockholder sa Parks, supervisor na ang nanay n'ya... Tapos siguro, since wala 'yung lalakeng supervisor, baka assistant supervisor 'yung hanapin (or basta kapwa supervisor)... Nakatulong rin 'yung pangalang "Pines," baka sakaling may connect sa "Reines." At dahil du'n ay naglakas-loob akong sumingit...

Ay Ma'am Vina, may kilala po ba kayong Mrs. Reyes? Alam ko po supervisor s'ya eh... Pero ka-org po kase namin 'yung anak n'ya, si Reines. Hindi lang po namin kasama ngayon, nag-aaral po yata.

S'werte, kilala nga n'ya. And although sinabi ko lang na ka-org namin si Nhey (salamaaaaaaaaat!) at wala naman akong sinuggest na course of action, feeling ko gets na n'ya. S'ya na lang raw ang kakausap, 'wag na raw magbayad. Wheeeeee. Pagkatapos nu'n ay ako naman ang chinika n'ya at sabi n'ya ay magco-college na raw ang kanyang anak at gusto yatang magkaro'n ng sports-related course sa UP (God bless po sa anak n'yo Ma'am). I ended up giving her my full name dahil hahanapin daw n'ya 'ko sa list of board toppers. Naks. Pressure naman 'yun.

Ayun... Halos hindi ko na napansin na medyo malayo-layo rin ang lakad from Visitors' Center papuntang Tea House sa tuwa ko. Pagdating ko ay sakto lang na paumpisa pa lang ng Cheering, na kinarir ng lahat. Palipat-lipat ako ng activities - trivia, silent pass the message, yes or no - pero sa bonding session ako nag-stay kase s'ya 'yung pinakamasaya, lalo na't kaming tatlo nila Janrich at Garma ang nagfa-facilitate (yabaaaaaaang). Bitin nga 'yung bonding kung tutuusin eh. All in all, enjoy s'ya at worth the hassle ang lahat. Lalo na't nu'ng kagabihan ay meron kaming na-receive ni Jay na text from Jean, an applicant (excerpt lang)...

Nag-enjoy po kami sa Outing... Ang saya po mag-apply sa JPIA!

Congrats sa MemCom for the Applicants' Outing!! To Kats, Ivy, Jihan, Berna, Richard, Lotte, Chad and Karren, wala nang masyadong problema 'yan, sisiw na ang rest of the semester! Woohoo!

=======
Before, I couldn't get a break
Never had a chance to make the impressions I want to
But now it falls right into place
When I get to see your face
Then there's nothing that I can't do

No more dark days, only sun rays
No more hard ways with you today

You make me feel lucky as I can be
You make me feel lucky as I can be
=======

Nalulunod Sa Straw

2005-07-17T18:26:00.000+08:00

... current music: 6CycleMind - Tunay.

Yaaaaay! My second TaraRun overnight! Kahit medyo late na 'ko nakahabol dahil umuwi pa 'ko from BACBACAN practice, ok lang kase may Pajero pa rin namang masasakyan. Medyo masikip nga lang... Napapagkamalan na nga kaming mga monobloc tables and chairs na nagsasalita sa likod eh. Pero walang problema 'yun, basta ba makarating du'n sa overnight, kahit ano gagawin ko... Kahit hindi aircon 'yung sakyan kong kotse, ok lang. (Feeling ko hindi na lang ako pupunta kung lalakarin ko lang.) Parang may soiree pagpasok namin kela Owen (na medyo "welcoming" ang pagbati sa 'min), andaming tao... Astig. I knew right then and there, magiging memorable na naman itong gabing ito.

Kung medyo ico-compare-and-contrast mo lang, may KAUNTING pagkakaiba sa TaraRun overnights na napuntahan ko... Dati pinag-aawayan namin 'yung dalawang electric fan at tatlong mattress sa boarding house nila Bauza; ngayon pa-aircon-aircon na lang kami, and although nag-aagawan pa rin sa mahihigaan ay lagpas nang tatlo ang mattress. Dati puro tape at cloth numbers ang pagsasawaan mo; ngayon matutulala ka na lang (parang ako) sa dami ng straw at PowerBar numbers. Dati medyo siksikan ang assembly line; ngayon multi-level na ang workspace at meron pang Circle of Quality na pinamumunuan ni Jik.

Pero kahit mukhang nag-improve ang quality of life ngayon, hindi pa rin mapapantayan ng PowerBar TaraRun 3 overnight 'yung last year... Because last year, we were graced with the presence of the Legend himself... The one and only Mr. Legacy... N-N Caneba.

S'yempre joke lang 'yun. Sa totoo lang, ang essence ng TaraRun overnight ay wala sa ganda ng lugar o sa pagka-advanced ng equipment o sa dami at sarap ng pagk - ay teka, 'wag na. Just like any other overnight JPIA workshop, isa lang ang pinapatunayan ng TaraRun overnight - pagod ka man at walang tulog, masarap magtrabaho 'pag kasama ang mga kaibigan.

Congrats sa JPIA, especially PEPCom, for the highly successful PowerBar TaraRun 3! To Owen, Rach, Daryl, Jeff, Anie, Marife, Klek, Jovanne, and all others who made the event possible - bilib ako sa sipag at tiyaga n'yo. And in the words of Miss Question-and-Answer Daryl herself...

Sa mga nandaya, kunsensya n'yo na po 'yon! Malalaman at malalaman rin po ang ginawa n'yo!

=======
Umaga na naman, kaibigan
'Di mo na kailangang mag-alala
Kahit ano pa ang kahihinatnan
Ng balak mo sa buhay mong mapag-alala

Kahit saang sulok pa ng daigdig
Kahit humina na ang pandinig

Hindi maaaring hindi marinig
'Di papayagang ika'y magipit
Saan mang landas ako'y mahahagip
Tunay na tunay
Tunay na tunay
=======

White Polo & Khaki Shorts

2005-07-12T21:42:00.000+08:00

... current music: Deftones - Back To School.

Anak ng hassle talaga sa buhay... Bawal kami mag-PS2 ngayon, kinumpiska ang mga controller. Parang gago kasi bata kong kapatid, maghi-high school na sinusubukan pa ring isahan mga magulang ko. Nagpapa-parents' signature kasi dapat sa notebook para ma-verify ng teacher na nakita na 'yung score sa quiz. Etong mautak kong kapatid, buburahin 'yung nakalagay na score tapos papalitan ng 93+ tapos ipapapirma. Ambobo talaga. Edi nakita 'yung bura. Hindi na lang kasi mag-aral... Masyado yata 'ko tinutularan. Actually hindi rin pala, kasi kung tinutularan talaga n'ya 'ko, hindi s'ya mahuhuli. S'yempre master ko na 'yan, dinaanan ko rin 'yang pressure na 'yan eh.

Sa maniwala kayo't sa hindi, model student ako dati. In terms of academics lang, of course. At mataas rin naman pala ang PE ko. 'Yung conduct ko 'yung meeeeeeedyo tagilid. Eh 'yun pa naman 'yung mas importante sa grade school ko. Mas proud sila sa mga disciplined, goody-goody graduates kesa sa mga matatalinong gagong katulad ko. To which I say, ulol nila. Kung proud na proud sila sa values formation program nila dahil feeling nila sobrang life-changing and effective, edi sana walang mga basagulerong fratboys du'n na linggo-linggong nae-expel. And besides, mas gusto ko nang maging gago kesa mapagkamalang bakla o patay na bata. Ganun lang naman 'yung mga social classes nu'ng grade school eh. Medyo madali pa ang choices.

I remember dati, gabi-gabi ako tine-test ng dad ko or mom ko sa notes ko for the day. Astig 'yun... Alam ko 'pag enumeration 'yung question gusto nila in order of appearance sa notes talaga. 'Tsaka 'pag paragraph or sentence 'yung kinopya ko, kelangan sakto. Siguro du'n na rin ako natutong mag-bullet points, mas madali kasi kabisahin. Sobra 'yung pressure to excel, at lalong sobra 'yung pressure to top. It got to a point na 'pag naririnig kong parating 'yung car ng dad ko, didiretso 'ko sa kwarto para matulog. And then it became worse... Pagtagal hindi na 'ko makatulog, nasusuka na lang ako. Traumatic nu'ng Grade 3 ako, nalaman ko Top 2 ako... Pinagtaguan ko parents ko nu'n... Hindi ko lang maalala kung gusto ko sana lumayas, pero basta parang ganu'n na 'ko mag-isip.

Strangely though, nami-miss ko 'yung mga panahon na 'yun. Ever since high school kasi wala na silang paki sa acads ko eh. I've since learned to set my own standards and develop my own study habits, lalo na since naging regular, low-profile student na lang ako. S'yempre enjoy ako nu'n, pressure- and stress-free na, sarap pa ng high school life, tapos satisfied naman ako sa graduation honors ko. Pero 'yung competitive spirit nawala talaga... Wala na 'yung adrenaline rush 'pag makikita mong naka-post 'yung grades tapos titignan mo kung highest ka, or 'yung excitement 'pag naka-rank 'yung exam scores tapos gusto mo name mo 'yung unang tawagin. Nakakaaliw lang ma-feel ulit na parang 'pag iba 'yung highest, parang amplastic ng dating 'pag chini-cheer mo s'ya.

Labo, ngayon ko pa na-tripang magpaka-GC at competitive. Medyo too late na yata. At wala na rin sa image ko... 'Yun bang mukhang pa-easy-easy lang. Parang patagong magaling. Naks. Sino ba'ng linoloko ko...

=======
Stop that, quit!
All that, quit!
Who ruined it? You did!
Now grab a notebook and a pen
Start taking notes
I'm being everyone who's on the top
You think we're on the same page
But, oh we're not

Push back the square
Now that you need her, but you don't
So there you go
'Cause back in school
We are the leaders of it all
=======

Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas

2005-07-10T04:28:00.000+08:00

... current music: Eraserheads - Minsan.

Shet, bakit gising pa 'ko... Nagkamali ako ng tulog, hindi ko kinontrol ang body clock ko... Ayan tuloy. Galing kasi ako sa Networks overnight kung saan naging sobrang productive ako at nag-contribute ng approximately 1.8 ideas and 0 articles bago ako nakatulog nang maaga. Pero ok lang, naabutan ko pa ring dumating si Networks legend James Gesmundo. Pero teka, kami na nga pala ang titirahin nitong mga 'to. Hmmm... Patay tayo d'yan.

At dahil nga Networks overnight 'yun ay merong mga nakalatag at nakakalat na mga past Networks issues. Yehey. Nakakuha 'ko ng mga issues namin three semesters ago, nu'ng Print Editor pa 'ko. Sinubukan ko basahin sila lahat ulit... From the BACBACAN 2 Behind The Scenes article to the Sat School adventure of Jerrycell dela Cruz... Sinubaybayan ko ulit ang mga editorial ni EIC Bukang, ang Random Thoughts namin ni Dione, ang Mr. Heart ni Boss Rey... 'Yung mga letter to the editor pinatulan ko na rin, kahit pineke ko lang 'yung isa tapos 'yung isa totoo pero sobrang labo.

Nangiti na lang ako nu'ng nabasa ko na 'yung mga chika bits, pati na rin ang semi-controversial yet highly accurate Love Web. Parang ang weird siguro sa ibang tao kung mababasa nila 'yun. Pero s'yempre may halong amusement, alam mo man 'yung mga chika du'n o hindi. At may halong gulat na rin kung wala ka talagang kaalam-alam.

Wala lang. Nakaka-senti. Habang nagbabasa 'ko, unti-unting bumalik ang nakaraan. 'Yung panahong nainis sa 'kin si Karina kase first time yata sila na-publicize ni France... 'Yung mga panahong Aimee-James, Choc-Ana / Judy, at Janrich-Nica pa ang kantyawan... 'Yung panahong lumipat si Janrich from PEP to Externals... 'Yung panahong nahuli namin ang pinsan kong kumaripas ng takbo papuntang Xerox room tapos sa men's CR para sa isang bagay na hindi ko na lang babanggitin. Ligawan man o tampuhan, pagkapanalo man o pagkatalo, mga bagay na nakakatuwa man o nakakalungkot, bigla kong naalala lahat.

Shet, matanda na nga 'ko. Isang taon na lang (sana), graduate na. Napag-iiwanan na talaga 'ko ng panahon. Nauubusan na rin ako ng kakilala sa BA. Nakakalungkot, malapit na 'ko umalis... If I can only take all the memories with me... If I can only make sure that I would remember every single detail... Then maybe I wouldn't be this sad... Pero s'yempre hindi eh. Meron talagang mga maiiwan, meron talagang mga malilimutan, gustuhin ko man o hindi.

Hassle... Ganito pala 'pag medyo nabawasan ang pagka-busy, masyado na naman lumilipad ang utak ko. Buti na lang antok na 'ko... Aaral pa 'kong CorpFin mamaya... I guess mas ok nang maging nerdy kesa mag-senti ng ganito.

=======
Minsan sa may Kalayaan
Tayo'y nagkatagpuan
May mga sariling gimik
At kanya-kanyang hangad sa buhay

Sa ilalim ng iisang bubong
Mga sikretong ibinubulong
Kahit na ano'ng mangyari
Kahit na saan ka man patungo

Ngunit ngayon
Kay bilis maglaho ng kahapon
Sana'y 'wag kalimutan
Ang ating mga pinagsamahan

At kung sakaling gipitin
Ay laging iisipin na
Minsan tayo ay naging
Tunay na magkaibigan
=======

Good Cop / Bad Cop?

2005-06-30T23:08:00.000+08:00

... current music: Gin Blossoms - My Car.

Kakagaling lang namin ni Kuya sa McDo nu'n, kumain na kami ng dinner kasi pareho na kaming gutom. Malamang hindi kayo interesado dito, pero kumain s'ya ng 1-pc. chicken meal tapos ako the usual big time cheeseburger meal. Nagpalibre sa 'kin kuya ko, nawala daw kasi wallet n'ya. Anlabo nga eh. May pera pa rin naman s'ya. Pero ayun, linibre ko na rin, sakto lang ang bayad at nakapag-unload pa 'ko ng mga barya.

Anyway, binababaybay namin ang kahabaan ng Katipunan Ave. at nasa may tapat na kami ng Mini Stop nang biglang may marinig kaming sumutsot sa 'min. MMDA. Ayun naman... 'Kala ko pa naman wala nang tao du'n, after all, mga 10pm na yata. Shet. Naisahan kami du'n.

Bos, ano po ba violation namin?
Ser, bawal po ang hindi naka-headlight 'pag madilim. Hindi kayo makikita n'yan. Violation po 'yan.

Isa pang malaking shet na pagkalagket-lagket. Medyo tinotopak kasi 'yung headlights ni Kuya, pero sobrang bihira naman talaga sumpungin. Hindi nga namin napansin na namatay eh, for sure naka-on 'yun nu'ng pagkaalis namin sa McDo.

Pasensya na po, tinotopak lang po 'yan eh. Bihira lang naman po sumpungin. Ipapagawa ko na lang po bukas, hindi ko lang po talaga alam na matsatsambahan ako ngayon.
Ser, hindi ho p'wede 'yan, malinaw na malinaw po ang violation n'yo eh. Patingin na lang po ng lisensya.

Ikatlong shet.

Nako bos, kakawala lang po ng lisensya ko kanina. Nawala ko po wallet ko eh, nadukutan po yata 'ko.

Hayop 'yung pulis, parang pating na nakaamoy ng dugo. Alam mo 'yung boses na parang concerned pa ang dating, pero alam mong hindi ka pa rin papalusutin. Parang ganu'n 'yung tono n'ya, ang sarap hambalusin.

Nako po ser, mabigat po 'yan. Kanina po faulty headlight lang, ngayon nadagdagan pa ng driving without license ang violation n'yo... Pasensya na po sa wallet n'yo, pero explain ko lang sa inyo, superbisor ako ng MMDA dito sa Katipunan, hindi ko po kayo p'wede pakawalan kasi sa totoo lang, 'yang mga driving without license talaga ang gusto mahuli ng MMDA eh. Impoundable ho ang sasakyan n'yo d'yan. Aabot po kayo ng mga PhP1,500 dahil may seminar pa po kayong kelangan...

Ang haba pa ng sinabi n'ya. Parang rehearsed na rehearsed ang linya. May sinabi pa nga s'yang parang 3 months in prison... Pero hindi na namin napansin masyado kasi alam naman namin 'yung point nu'n lahat eh.

E bos, ano po ba p'wede namin gawin?

Kahit medyo sigurado naman akong plastik lang, natuwa pa rin ako sa sinabi ng MMDA.

Ser, alam ko ho tingin n'yo korapsyon at kotong 'to, pero sa totoo lang nakikipagtulungan lang po ako. Hindi ko rin naman ho kayo gusto ipakulong 'tsaka isyuhan ng official violation. Medyo bata pa po kayong dalawa, ginagabi na rin kayo, pare-pareho lang po tayong pagod 'tsaka umiiwas sa istorbo. Kasi gusto ko rin ho pag-alis natin dito, wala hong samaan ng loob.

Magaling, magaling. Kaya pala s'ya superbisor, smooth talker eh. In that very instant, nawala ang idealism ko. Sabagay, uunahin ko pa ba isipin ang bansa natin... S'yempre personal gain na 'yan. After all, win-win solution nga naman. Walang talo. Parang Wowowee.

Meron na lang ho ba kayong limandaan?

Pero nga dahil wala kaming pera pareho, hanggang PhP325 lang ang nabigay namin. Pagkatapos nu'n, sabi n'ya sa 'min mag-hazard, emergency vehicle raw kami. In other words, wala na kaming perang panlagay. Paalis na kami nu'ng maisip naming sumaludo. Kinawayan naman n'ya kami at sinabihang mag-ingat.

Tama s'ya. Wala ngang samaan ng loob.

=======
Streetlights on, the night air's cool
I'm driving right past my old school
I'm looking for some face I can't forget

I'm thinking back on things I've done
I can't forget the stupid ones
It seems I do my best by accident

What's that sound, what's that song?
What's this street I'm driving on
In my car
In my car
=======

Bedtime Stories

2005-06-29T21:56:00.000+08:00

... current music: Eraserheads - Kama Supra.

Sheeeeeet... Have to squeeeeeeze time for blogging. Kakapagod talaga. The good news is that I think nasasanay na 'ko paunti-unti sa buhay ko. The bad news is mukhang ang average sleep time ko ay 3.36 hours per day. The better news is napapapayat ako ng puyat. The worse news is bawal nang ma-late sa training. And to think na nu'ng Tuesday ay nagising ako ng 9:45am for our 9am training. Buti na lang basic concepts pa lang. 'Tsaka hindi pa nakakahiya maging lowest sa quiz. After all, pasado naman, tapos magagaling pa mga kasama.

Hindi rin nakakatulong ang mga subjects ngayon... Kung 3-4 hours lang ang tulog mo tapos kelangan mong pakinggan ang litanya ni Lola Valcarcel after lunch time ng MTh, at meron pang araw-araw na Lolo Clemente, kelangan mo talagang dura-duraan 'yung kamay mo para hindi ka makatulog. Kumbaga sa Star Wars, resistance is futile. In fairness, medyo ok naman si Lolo, interesting naman ang kanyang mga factoids at meron naman s'yang mga patok na jokes at hirit, na sobrang bumebenta kay Yhca at sobrang hindi bumebenta sa Psych major na katabi at... uhm... "tinitignan" minsan ni Jeff. Pero sabi nga ni Janrich (na may kotse na), kulang sa class participation eh. Wala masyadong humihirit... And that's saying a lot for our block.

Sabi rin ni Janrich (na may kotse na talaga), napapansin n'ya daw lately parang antamlay ko, 'kala n'ya may problema or something. Siguro sa puyat nga lang talaga. Usually kase 'pag mukha akong bad trip or matamlay, sandali lang 'yun at may mabigat na dahilan. Kung napapansin n'ya 'yun on a daily basis or whatever, puyat na nga talaga 'yun. Hindi naman ako madalas ma-bad trip, hindi rin naman ako malungkot, wala rin naman problema. Kung tutuusin nga, happy-happy ang buhay ko ngayon eh. Sayang lang at hindi nare-reflect masyado kung ga'no 'ko kasaya. &=^{D}

Congratulations nga pala sa PEP at MemCom para sa isang astig na Applicants' Orientation / Acquaintance Party! Salamat rin sa lahat ng members and applicants na pumunta! Andami natin kanina! Go Kats, Ivy, Jihan, Berna, Richard, Lotte, Chad at Karren! Walong project na lang! &=^{p}

=======
Sampung buwan na akong hindi natutulog
Kasi naman, ang ingay ng aming kapitbahay
'Pag gabi, disco house at videoke
Kaya't sorry na lang kung wala sa aking sarili
Mahal kita, pero miss na miss na miss ko na

Ang aking kama
At ang malupit kong unan
Ba't 'di ka na lang sumama?
Hihiga tayo at kakanta.
=======

In The Name Of The Father

2005-06-21T03:58:00.000+08:00

... current music: Collective Soul - Shine.

It's been a while. Things have started to get really busy, and I'm beginning to experience some symptoms of the burnout I had last semester. I now have 30 units of academics to handle, 8:30am - 7pm, four days a week, to go with my household and org duties. I just HAD to suggest having everyday training sessions... Should have asked the profs first how long a session lasts. I had one-and-a-half hour sessions in my mind... The profs had three-hour sessions in theirs. Stupid me.

Now I keep feeling that I don't deserve all of this... That I bit off more than what I can even fit inside my mouth... There's that part of me that says I'm a perfectly average student being asked to meet above-average expectations. I'm no model student. I'm no master of time management. I can't even budget time for my regular subjects. This could be my only shot at immortality, and I know these things don't come easy. But to be asked to participate in an event of such importance, in an endeavor of such magnitude... Jesus... It's like Erap being President all over again.

I remember someone telling me before, "Bilib ako sa 'yo kase bilib ka sa sarili mo." And I guess that major strength of mine helps fuel my lack of confidence. I know myself too well... Or at least, well enough to know that I can't give my best effort with all the stuff going on in my life right now. I can't spread myself too thin... But on the other hand, I can't sacrifice anything. You see, I am left with no real choice but to trust myself, just as other people have placed their trust on me. I am scared that I will let myself down... I am scared that I will let these people down.

I only wish for one thing, though. Let me handle it in my own terms, with my own strength, with my own capabilities. I only wish for the reassurance that I will get through all of this. You know me best, after all.

It's been a while. I hope You haven't forgotten about me yet. Amen.

=======
Give me a word
Give me a sign
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find

Lay me on the ground
Fly me in the sky
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find

Oh, Heaven let your light shine down
=======

I Love This Game

2005-06-15T21:42:00.000+08:00

... current music: Smash Mouth - All Star.

Nakaka-internet na 'ko! Sa wakas, may silbi na ulit ang desktop computer namin. Hinding-hindi na 'ko muli magpapa-alipin sa aking Inay para lamang iuwi n'ya ang laptop n'ya! Mwahahaha! Kapal rin ng mukha ko, parang inaalipin talaga 'ko eh 'no... Sa Sunday ko na nga pala ulit makikita si Mommy, punta s'yang Thailand. Ay shet, baka hindi n'ya kami napag-iwanan ng baon... At kung meron man, hindi ako p'wedeng mag-additional budget request... *sigh* Ano ba 'yan, ansama ko na talaga mag-isip... Pati magulang ko binabalak ko nang isahan. Tsk tsk. Hindi na yata 'ko p'wedeng maging government official sa lagay na 'to... At least hindi naman ako nagnanakaw, dinadaan ko sa diplomasya. Naks. Next week nga magf-file na 'ko ng petition for allowance raise.

The Pistons won. Spurs bulok. Feeling ko 4-2 na 'to. I have a question nga pala... Has there been a Finals series that went the full seven games tapos the home team always won? 'Diba 'yun 'yung theoretical basis ng 2-3-2 format? Eh hassle kaya kung nasunod talaga 'yun, tapos naging 2-3 na... Sobrang lupit na momentum nu'n, three straight wins tapos one win to go... Oh well, in theory nga lang naman lahat 'to...

I'm now looking over Michael Jordan's and Scottie Pippen's career stats nu'ng medyo bata pa sila, 1989-1992. Grabe, lupit... The pair averaged around 14 rebounds, 12 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks, and 50 points per game in that four-year period, missing a total of only seven games between them (six from Jordan). And the best thing about it is that except for the points, approximately 50-50 sila sa stats. Parehong balanced attack. Swabe. S'yempre kaya i-duplicate 'yung stat totals na 'yun, pero most of the time it's one guy getting the boards and the blocks tapos the other guy gets the steals and the assists, free-for-all na 'yung points. Pero hindi ganun ang Jordan-Pippen combo. Jordan and Pippen (at Rodman na rin) forever! The 1990's Bulls forever!

On a side note, walang k'wenta 'tong araw na 'to dahil na-sideline ako ng isang masakit na ulo. Lumipas ang araw na wala halos ako nakakausap at nagbabad lang ako sa SmackDown! vs. Raw kasi gusto ko i-create si Stone Cold, si Goldberg at si Brock Lesnar. Sayang, wala talaga silang movie 'tsaka entrance music kahit ano pa gawin ko. Pasukan na naman bukaaaaaaas... All problems na naman sa Tax... Wala pa 'kong yellow shirt...

=======
Well, the years start comin' and they don't stop comin'
Fed to the rules and I hit the ground runnin'
Didn't make sense not to live for fun
Your brain gets smart, but your head gets dumb

So much to do, so much to see
So what's wrong with taking the back streets
You'll never know if you don't go
You'll never shine if you don't glow

Hey, now, you're an All Star
Get your game on, go play
Hey, now, you're a rock star
Get the show on, get paid
And all that glitters is gold
Only shootin' stars break the mold
=======

Independence Day

2005-06-12T22:58:00.000+08:00

... current music: Hoobastank - What Happened To Us.

Nagkakatamaran na yata ang mga tao ah. Chineck ko lahat ng linked blogs ng friends ko, less than one-third 'yung nag-post in the last four days (7-of-23). Pasukan na kasi siguro. Oh well... Wala na nga 'ko halos ginagawa sa Net, nabawasan pa. Enjoy pa naman magbasa, gagaling magsulat ng mga tao. Especially liked Leng's cheesy entry. Tumagos talaga sa taba ko. Pati na rin ang mga taking-you-every-step-of-the-way na nobela ni Manu. At s'yempre si rookie Momonyak. Kahit trying hard maging nakakatawa. Haha! Joks lang Nomnoms. Big fan na 'ko ni PockmarkMan, kahit anti-Pistons pa 'yan.

Sumuko si Tyson kanina kay Kevin McBride. Haha. Balik-balik pa kasi eh. Malamang malaking benta 'yung laban na 'yun, but what the hell, it was still fun seeing the great Iron Mike sitting flat on his butt, waiting for the ref to help him up. Sheesh. Ako na nahihiya para sa kanya. Kung ako sa kanya mag-bouncer na lang s'ya sa isang sikat na club or something... Main attraction pa s'ya du'n. Though meeeeeedyo kahiya pa rin.

(Impromptu EOs virtual meeting in progress. At ba-biyaheng langit daw muna si Owen. Kadiri.)

Ultimate longkatuts ako kanina. Out of action si Inang, may stitches sa fingers. Si Kuya naman gumimik yata. Wala rin ang mga tita ko... Buti na lang merong mga easy-cook na food. Mas hassle pa 'yung paghugas ng kawali pagkatapos. Ang hirap pala maging mabuting anak... Hindi man lang ako p'wedeng humingi ng s'weldo. Pero mukhang negotiable na yata ang baon ko. Yipi.

Independence Day. Alala ko tuloy ang ilustrado conspiracy theory ng friend ni Sir Orfanel... The lesson being Filipinos were too hungry for freedom... Because Filipinos were too immature to recognize that they were not ready to run the country themselves and still needed to be led toward the right direction. Pati na rin ang "bloody revolution" theory ni Orfanel mismo... He says the country needs a long, hard-fought, bloody civil revolution so we would learn and value the real meaning of freedom and democracy... That apparently the peaceful revolution, probably the one thing that we've always been proud of in terms of national politics, turns out to be our undoing. Much like what happened during the Martial Law, it's a one-time experience, after which you prevent it from happening again at all costs.

Shet, tama na. Nagf-feeling intellectual na naman ako. Dapat talaga hindi ako nag-iisip 'pag holiday eh. Makatulog na nga.

=======
Remember, they thought we were too young
To really know what it takes to make it
But we had survived off what we have done
So we could show them all that they're mistaken

But who could have known
The lies that would grow
Until we could see right through them
Remember, they knew we were too young
We still don't know what it takes to make it

What happened to us?
We used to be so perfect
Now we're lost and lonely
What happened to us?
=======

Kaming Mga Boys

2005-06-11T01:49:00.000+08:00

... current music: Eve 6 - Here's To The Night.

Dami ko nang utang na entry. Was supposed to have an entry about our Joaquin Cunanan & Co. business / exposure visit but I eventually lost the mental thread. Sayang, interesting pa naman 'yun. Didn't expect that it would last more than three hours, though... Made me think about how much I would enjoy making fun of a bunch of college org officers having their office tour. Not all accountants grow up to be humorless pricks, after all.

Three days into class and my study habits haven't the slightest hint of improvement. I'm not asking for much, just the patience to leaf through my readings. Hell, I'm not even asking for a brain so I can understand them damn lessons. The way I'm going, baka maabutan na 'ko ng bagong Presidente bago 'ko magtino.

News of the potential coup d'etat spread to our BA 164 class, kaya parang biglang nagka-tendency ang mga tao na magsama-sama. Sayang nga eh... Had Sir Orfanel taken Mico seriously the first time around, alas-sais pa lang tapos na sana ang klase. And with our patented Orfanel delaying tactics, that would mean next meeting pa mags-start ang lesson. Though part of me doesn't really see it as a delaying tactic... Oddly enough, I'm quite interested in his conspiracy theories. Feels like being granted access to matters of national security.

Anyway, dahil nga parang ang sarap bumarkada kaninang gabi, nagka-pig-out bonding session tuloy with the boys. The same old issues with exciting new twists, though not entirely surprising. Ang cute lang, we all have our little bits of wisdom to share with each other... Lalo na't napunta sa babae ang usapan. Biased kung biased, but I guess there are some things only guys would understand. Or maybe if girls started looking at things from our perspective. 'Kala mo kung sino kaming mga experts mag-usap, hindi rin naman. Pero nakakaaliw lang kasi kahit hindi naman kami lagi nagkakampihan, at least nagkakaintindihan. Awww... May isang taon pa naman, pero mami-miss ko 'tong support system na 'to. Sana eventually, lahat kami mag-succeed *wink* *wink*.

=======
All my time is froze in motion
Can't I stay an hour
Or two or more?
Don't let me let you go

Here's a toast to all those
Who hear me all too well

Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
=======

First Day Fu*k

2005-06-07T22:53:00.000+08:00

... current music: Parokya ni Edgar - First Day Funk.

Kaka-excite, first day of school na naman kanina. Sa educational life ko, it was my 21st first day. Wala lang. Excited lang talaga 'ko kanina pagpasok ko. Although buhay UP pa rin ako nu'ng summer, s'yempre iba 'pag pasukan na talaga. Same old Ate Nella, same old Xerox room, same old third floor back lobby-slash-JPIA tambayan extension, halos same old block Y... 'Yung kakaiba lang 'yung 3/F janitor, naka-party hat habang nagwawalis. Ang galing nga eh, nothing and nobody seemed to skip a beat from last semester. 'Kala mo hindi lumipas ang dalawang buwan.

Maaga-aga pa rin ako pumasok dahil may Freshie Block Welcome. Shet, pangatlong Block Welcome ko na 'to... Antanda ko na talaga. At least, superior ang dating, wala nang hiya-hiyaan, hirit lang ng hirit, pa-cute lang nang pa-cute(?!). Sana hindi sila masyadong natakot sa 'kin. Naalala ko tuloy nu'ng freshie ako, may muntik na 'ko agad makaaway sa Human Bingo. Ipa-sign ko ba naman sa "mukhang mayabang" eh. Tsk tsk. What utter lack of diplomacy.

Lahat ng TF professors ay pumasok kanina... and they seem to be quite an interesting bunch. Wala ang mga nanay at tatay naming katulad nina Sir Dave, Ma'am Dani, Ma'am Esguerra... Medyo nag-widen ang generation gap ngayon, with Lola Lina the Controller at si Lolo Domeng the Marketer. Para ngang "The Mummy" tapos "The Mummy Returns" eh. Pero oks lang, kahit pa'no ay cool naman sila pareho. Though it still doesn't change the fact na mas mataas pa ang age nila sa score ko sa fourth exam ng 118. (Not funny, lalo na't una ko s'yang nakita habang nagf-finals.) Si Sir Orfanel pa rin ang Law prof namin, and cinonfirm na ng RVC na si Ma'am Calapatia pa rin sa Tax namin. Ma'am Alava rounds up the roster as our BA 191 prof. Sana walang hassle sa kanila...

Back to school na! Lord, sana magtino na 'ko... Pipyear na 'ko, huling banat na 'to.

=======
Itaas ang kamay, iwagayway
Salute the prof at sabay kaway
Mag-classmate high-5 lang kayo
Now don't be shy, kwela skwela 'to

Just raise your hand kung may sagot
If you don't know the answer, eh di lagot
Just erase the board, at magsayaw
Lagyan ng funk ang pag-galaw - sayaw!

Let's do the funk
Let's do the first day funk
=======

Huling Hirit Ng Summer

2005-06-05T23:27:00.000+08:00

... current music: Dishwalla - Opaline.

(Shhh... EOs virtual meeting kami ngayon. Pero nakikinig talaga 'ko, promise.)

Anyway, naging bahay ko halos ang Glorietta kahapon... 1.5 hours less than a full half-day. Labo nu'n ah... Basta mga 12nn-10:30pm 'yun. Had to give up Madagascar for A Lot Like Love kase napanood na ng kasama ko. Pero oks lang, maganda naman 'yung movie! Ang cute nila pareho... Enjoy s'ya; even made me think about such mature, important stuff as marriage, destiny, keeping love alive across time and distance, planning for the future... Magaling, magaling... Feels nice to lose myself in thought once in a while... At s'yempre mas masarap dahil kasama si labidabs (at hindi nananampal). Yiheeeee.

Around 6:30pm ay mineet ko si Dino sa may Food Choices, and after a while ay nagulat ako't nakita ko sila Marj, Riza at Bauza... After isa pang while ay dumating na rin sila Ben at Pez. Halo-halong mundo na ito... Lovelife, college, org, HS barkada... Woohoo. Nakakahilo. Baka mamaya, hindi ko mamalayan ka-holding hands ko na pala si Dino... Shiyet kadiri.

Around 11:30pm ay dumating kami sa despedida ng HS friend ko, si Micko, sa may Tierra Pura s'ya nakatira... S'yempre medyo nakakain na, so puro kwentuhan na 'yun. Ang galing... Hindi talaga naluluma ang mga HS stories. Kung tumawa kami parang wala kaming kaalam-alam eh. At dahil sa tawanan ay inabot na naman kami ng gutom so napakain na naman kami aroung 3:15am... Shet, sarap ng roast beef... Anyway, come to think of it, ang alam ko lang ay punta s'yang States for grad studies. Wala akong kwenta, wala akong kaalam-alam sa particulars. Kukumustahin ko na lang s'ya sometime.

Around 4:00am ako nakauwi... Sarap buhay. Definitely my best college summer ever.

=======
Summer dies here and so could I
Somewhere underneath
Where the ground is made of stars
And everything unclean
Your opaline is everything I see
Your opaline brings me to my knees

Without you I am nothing
Without you I can't believe
This gilded place has everything
But this comfort is not what it seems
It is not what it seems
In between is everything I need
=======

The Road Less Traveled

2005-06-03T23:16:00.000+08:00

... current music: Hoobastank - Same Direction.

Napanood ko ulet 'yung Daylight ni Sylvester Stallone kanina. Astig talaga... Feeling ko ako na yata ang biggest fan ng movie na ito. Kahit ilang beses ko na napanood bentang-benta pa rin sa 'kin... Ang galing rin kase ng pagkaka-develop sa characters. Medyo naiiyak pa rin ako du'n sa part na kelangan nilang iwan 'yung parang Negrong guard o police o whatever. 'Tsaka du'n rin sa part na namatay 'yung lola sa arms nu'ng lolo... Grabe, naisip ko lang sobrang lungkot n'ya siguro... Kakawala lang nu'ng aso nila, symbolically killing her son again... Tapos basang-basa pa s'ya at lamig na lamig... Tapos ano... Umm... Panot pa 'yung asawa n'ya. O 'diba... Sa'n ka kukuha ng energy to face a life-and-death situation kung ganu'n ang nangyayari sa buhay mo... How sad...

At dahil nasa topic tayo ng mga kalye ay napa-flashback sa utak ko ang nangyari kahapon. Pauwi na kami nila Momon at Jacob nang magka-issue kung pa'no uuwi... Ay teka, singit ko muna 'yung part na chinika namin si Teena about RVC and other stuff. Matagal-tagal rin 'yun... Natalo ko pa 'yung high score n'ya sa Bounce. Anyway, ayun na nga, nagka-issue kung sa'n kami dadaan. Si Jacob, sa EDSA talaga ang daan; ako, inclined ako towards Katipunan kase sobrang layo 'pag EDSA; at si Momon, ok sa kanya either way. Siguro nag-carry-over lang ang trip namin ni Momon na i-convince si Batch Rep Jacob na 'wag na mag-BACBACAN, pero nagkampi ulet kami ni Momon. This time nga lang, ginagatasan namin ng C2 si Jacob para samahan namin s'yang dumaan sa EDSA.

Tumagal ang usapan at ang asaran. At akala ko bibigay na si Jacob with Momon's argument na 'pag sa EDSA ako dumaan, mas mapapamahal ako by P15.00... Na sakto namang price ng isang maliit na Apple C2. But in the end, after much bargaining, mag-isa si Jacob na pumuntang EDSA tapos sa Katipunan kami ni Momon. Wala lang... Feeling a little guilty, lalo pa't parang paasa effect kami... Mukha pa namang seryoso na si Jacob... Pero nakakapagod rin kase talaga eh... 'Tsaka may kahati ako sa guilt. (Si Momon kasi eh!) Sige na nga, para wala na 'kong atraso, magba-BACBACAN na 'ko... Nood lang ha.

=======
Whenever I step outside
Somebody claims to see the light
It seems to me that all of us have lost our patience
'Cause everyone thinks they're right
And nobody thinks that there just might
Be more than one road to our final destination

But I'm not ever gonna know
If I'm right or wrong
'Cause we're all going in the same direction
And I'm not sure which way to go
Because all along
We've been going in the same direction
=======

Walang Angal 'Pag Libre!

2005-06-01T14:01:00.000+08:00

... current music: Brian Bauza - Jam ni Genie.

Kakagaling lang sa all-expense paid (except pala pasalubong) CAP planning sem... Grabe... Para kaming patabaing baboy talaga. Buti na nga lang hindi sobrang sarap 'yung pagkain, kundi baka kung ano na nangyari sa 'kin. Ika nga ni Manu, "I have seen the light..." Kaso nga lang, too late na eh... Joke lang. Pero astig talaga eh... Saktong kelangan ko pa naman ng bakasyon. Libre na, sobrang light pa. Kumbaga, pure chilaks lang. Tumpak. Lalo na't kasama ang semi-fresh-from-the-States na walang-kamatayang laughtrip na si Bauza. Kelan kaya magiging ganu'n ang JPIA planning sem 'no... Asa pa.

Salamat sa last-minute invitation from Chair Riza a.k.a. "I M Loser" 'tsaka kay Director Nica a.k.a. "Hindi Naman Gumalaw 'Yung Gin Eh!" Naging magandang pambawi sa sakit 'yung planning sem. Ambait talaga nitong dalawang 'to. Go AR EBs! =) S'yempre salamat rin kay Director Chad na "pumilit" sa 'king pumunta nu'ng medyo "nag-aalangan" ako. Pati na rin sa aking mga new friends na sila Director Genie (na linibre ako ng sampung piso para sa souvenir), Housemate J-An and Showbiz Ian from Econ, at s'yempre ang bagong tomador ng bayan na si Aldrin a.k.a. "Mr. Pepsi Fire". Lastly, sa lahat ng iba pang pumunta - Jay Jay, Marj, Buls, Roma, Roger, Lorraine, at German - salamat sa masayang dalawang araw.

Haaaaaay... Sarap talaga ng buhay. 2 days of free-flowing free food... 2-2 pa Pistons-Heat... Tapos malapit na rin magpasukan! Woohoo! =) Madagascar date na lang ang kulang, baka p'wede na 'ko mamatay nang masaya!

=======
(with matching Oishi-Takeshi hand motions)
Jam ni Genie
Sino'ng 'di mawiwili
Pagka't sa jam na 'to
'Di kayo magsisisi

Sa Jam ni Genie
Panalo ang marami
Pagka't walang talo
Sa Jam ni Genie!
=======

Biyaheng Langit

2005-05-29T23:02:00.000+08:00

...current music: Parokya ni Edgar - Taimo Pesticide.

Still suffering a bit from the sickness that gave me hell last Friday night... Hindi ako nakatulog, inom lang ako ng inom ng tubig at unload lang ako ng unload ng sipon at plema... Eewww... Hanggang 7 AM tuloy ako nagpapatugtog, buti walang nabulabog sa bahay.

Hindi naman siguro oversharing kung sinabi kong nakaya kong tiisin 'yung sikmura ko from Vinzon's 4th floor hanggang sa banyo ng Casa de Asinas sa Cainta... Mga isang oras rin 'yun, meron pang lakad-lakad. Astig. Talk about putting the call of nature on hold... Kay Janno, Jenny, Mickey, Mela, Rusell, pati na rin kay Chadtim Yap, ngayon alam n'yo na kung baket ako biglang umalis ng mga alas-tres.

Ayan 'yung mga sarap sa buhay na tina-take for granted ng mga tao eh... Isipin mo, lagpas isang oras kumukulo t'yan mo... Iniisip mo pa, galing kang UP tapos anlayo-layo ng bahay mo, feeling mo wala nang pag-asa talaga... May naisip ka na ngang palusot kung sakaling bumigay ka sa jeep eh. Sisigawan mo lang agad 'yung katabi mo, "PARE, ANLAWAK-LAWAK NG MUNDO, DITO MO PA NAKUHANG UMUTOT!" S'yempre para iwas away at may element of surprise, sabay "PARA!" o kaya kung advanced 'yung jeep, pull the string o push the button to stop. Sinwerte ka kase napigilan mong maghasik ng lagim, pero problema pa rin kase 'tong gagong tricycle driver naman na 'to, parang tinatapat 'yung tricycle sa lahat ng lubak. Ambilis pa magpatakbo, anlamig-lamig ng hangin... Nakatayo na lahat ng balahibo mo, tapos hands on your lap at sit up straight ka na. Pero ayun, nakarating ka pa rin sa bahay... Bukas agad ang gate, takbo agad sa pinto, sinalubong ka ng pamilya mo pero tinignan mo lang sila nang masama. At sa wakas, nakarating ka sa munting langit mo... Puting-puti, kumikintab pa halos... Isipin mo na lang, nakaya mo lahat lagpasan ang mga pagsubok na 'yon... 'Diba ang sarap kung pag-upo mo, biglang bulwak lang agad sabay breathe out ng malalim sabay punas ng malamig-lamig na pawis sabay flush na rin kase baka magbara. Tapos putsa, naka-shorts ka pa pala o..

Ayan, oversharing na nga yata ako. Pero aminin n'yo na, lahat tayo ay more or less dumaan na d'yan... Nakarating man sa bahay o hinde. Anlabo na. May epekto yata sa utak ang sakit ko... Buti na lang may libreng bakasyon bukas! Woohoo! =) Makapag-ayos na nga ng gamit.

=======
Mang Juan, 'wag mamroblema
Pagka't andito na
Ang sagot sa suliranin
Ay ito... Taimo (isa dalawa tatlo Taimo!)

Tumatagal ang bisa, maamo sa kulisap (Taimo!)
Kay daling gamitin, peste'y lilipulin (Taimo!)
Kaya kumpare ko, 'wag kang malulungkot (Taimo!)
Sa bisang nanunuot, peste'y walang lusot

(Taimo Pesticide!
Sa bisang nanunuot, peste'y walang lusot!)
=======

Ang Chicken Burger Gang

2005-05-27T03:09:00.000+08:00

... current music: Parokya ni Edgar - Barkada.

Reporting live ako ngayon from San Mateo, Rizal sa house ng HS barkada ko, overnight kami ngayon! Wheeee! =) Kakagaling lang rin namin sa isa pa naming kabarkadang nakatira naman sa Xavierville... Malapit lang kela Manu, mga 2 stones throw lang (teka, parang pareho lang 'yun 'pag 1 stone a...) Tumambay lang kami, PS2 at GunBound, kain ng porkchop at Zesto dalandan soda... Hanggang 2 AM kami, hindi kasi s'ya makakasamang overnight. Tapos nu'n lumipat na kami dito.

May napagkwentuhan kami ni Augie (the host) nu'ng papunta na sa kanila, nakaka-surprise lang kasi medyo seryoso... Kami pa namang dalawa ang pinakamalakas manggago sa barkada. Napag-usapan namin kung ga'no na kahirap mabuhay... Naks, parang antanda na namin. Pero it got me into thinking na rin... Since most of my friends are now part of the Philippine labor force, medyo nahahawa na 'ko sa kanilang work- and family-oriented thoughts...

Marami siguro sa 'tin ngayon, wala pa namang major responsibilities na kelangang gampanan... Sige, aral lang muna ng aral, gimik lang muna ng gimik, girlfriend lang muna ng girlfriend... And'yan naman magulang, and'yan naman katulong. Ngayon rin, parang kahit pa'no andali ng pera... Hingi lang sa magulang, kelangan lang paghirapan 'yung pambobola at pagmamakaawa... Minsan s'werte, minsan hinde... Mga tipong...

Mommy, pahingi naman ng pera, magda-date lang kami bukas. Hay nako anak, tigilan mo na nga 'yan gelpren-gelpren na 'yan, mag-aral ka na lang muna. Sige na po, para namang andalas namin mag-date... Minsan-minsan lang naman po 'to eh. Eh baket n'yo naman kasi kelangan mag-date, araw-araw naman kayong nagkikita sa school! Mommy, summer kaya. Pilosopo kang hayop ka a. Mommyyyy... Minsan lang naman po 'to ehhhhhh... O sige na nga, eto P150. Sukli ko ha. P150 lang??? ... Sige na nga... Ay teka Mommy, 'yung tuition ko nga pala pang-summer class. Kelan ba umpisa n'yan? Sa Monday na po. Magkano? ....................... P5,891.50... Ay hinde, P6,591.50 pala, may lab fee. Sige, bigay ko na lang sa 'yo bukas. Uwi ka ng maaga. --End of Discussion--

Amang, pahingi naman po ng pera pambili ng ticket para sa org. Para sa'n ba 'yang ticket na 'yan? Para nga po sa org. Hindi kayo nakikinig eh. Pilosopo kang hayop ka a. Ahh... gets. Financial Project po kasi namin. O ano naman 'yun? Basta po, maganda ang FP namin ngayon, anti-piracy. Socially relevant 'yun, baka ma-feature kami sa news. Anti-piracy ka d'yan, eh puro pirated ang CD mo ah. Hindi naman po lahat... 'Tsaka sa katunayan nga po, dahil sa FP namin, napapabili na po ako ng mga original CDs eh. Eh sira ka pala eh, bili-bili ka ng original CD, tapos hihingi ka ng pambayad ng ticket. --End of Discussion--

Sorry, anlabo na. Masyado lang ako natuwa. Basta siguro 'yung point lang talaga ng discussion namin, 'wag muna magmadali mag-asawa... Hindi porke may trabaho na, feeling mo kaya mo na. At lalo nang 'wag magmadali magka-anak... Kung tutuusin naman kasi, kaya magtiis ng mag-asawa na mahirapan... Pero ang hirap matiis na naghihirap ang anak. Na-lecture-an nga ako ni Ate Nella a.k.a. Manang BA Guard, "Pagsawaan mo muna ang pagka-binata, para 'pag nag-asawa ka na, tali ka na sa pamilya mo." Magaling, magaling. Though, actually... hindi pala s'ya masyadong swak sa usapan.

Anyway, happy overnight sa 'min! 'Ika nga ni Dino, Hindi lang naman siguro tayo ang barkadang kahit magt-trabaho na, overnight pa rin ang gimik... At dahil ayaw ilabas ni Augie ang kanyang hidden stash... Time to do what four warm-blooded young males normally do on the Internet at three in the morning...

O, 'wag madumi ang utak. GunBound lang 'to.

=======
Eto na ang officials ng barkada
Kanya-kanyang kalokohan ang bawa't bida
Merong medyo praning, meron din namang antukin
Kumpleto sa rekado ang barkada namin

Basta't kasama mo ang miyembro ng tropa
Ang kalokohan ay hindi mawawala
Hindi na dapat pinag-iisipan pa
Lahat tayo ay dapat magsaya.
=======

Past (!) Meets Future (?)

2005-05-23T23:28:00.000+08:00

... current music: Fenix TX - Is She Really Going Out With Him.

Sa sobrang init at dahil na rin hindi pa namin ito nache-check-out completely, pumunta kami ni *ano* sa Gateway para chumill at tumingin-tingin ng kung anu-ano. Kakaaliw talaga Gateway... The proverbial diamond in the rough that is Cubao... Overlooking the fact na medyo wala pa s'yang laman, maganda naman dito kung tutuusin. Accessible pa kase nga sa Cubao s'ya... Kahit siguro taga-Pangasinan ka, isang sakay lang papuntang Gateway. And besides, I think it's safe to say na wala s'yang rival sa A-upper B market. Ok, tama na pagka-business student... Wala akong balak i-discuss ang target market at strategic location planning ng Gateway. Paubaya na natin sa BA 105 'yan.

Anyway, something interesting happened nu'ng papunta kami sa Mango. Kakaakyat lang namin from escalator, pero nasa right side kami so kelangan pa ng konting lakad kase nasa kabilang side 'yung Mango. Nu'ng medyo patawid na kami sa kabilang side, someone caught my eye... Chinese, short-haired, mukha namang mabait, hindi naman sobrang nakaporma at hindi rin naman nakapambahay, at medyo cute... Marahan lang s'yang naglalakad at mukhang chumi-chill lang rin judging sa kanyang relaxed facial expression. Medyo matagal akong napatitig sa kanya... At napatitig rin naman s'ya sa 'kin... So in short, nagtitigan kami. Papasok na kami sa store, pero dahil hindi ko talaga ma-resist ay nagnakaw ako ng mga maliliit na sulyap... At hindi naman ako nagulat nu'ng makita kong tumitingin-tingin pa rin s'ya sa 'kin.

I felt an odd sense of familiarity... Sa'n ko nga ba 'to nakita... And then suddenly it hit me. At na-confirm ko na rin nu'ng binati s'ya ng kasama ko.

Ayuuuuuuuun... S'ya pala 'yung ex... In fairness, g'wapo... Maputi... Payat... Ok tama na, nauubos na self-esteem ko. Pero ayun, of course, we proceeded to have a good time as planned. Medyo naging topic of the day nga lang yata s'ya hanggang nu'ng kumain kami. Sayang, sana pala gumawa ako ng issue, baka nalibre ako sa food... With matching bad-trip-ako-pero-ok-lang-past-na-yun-eh apaks. Hehe... =)

Umuwi s'ya mga 7:45pm, dumaan kami pareho sa Vinzon's para tumulong sa rummage sorting kahit pa'no. Kasama ko some Eng'g people, si Mela, Lawrence, Baj, at ang idol kong iron woman na si KC, na umaga pa lang ay nasa Vinzon's na. Managed to stay until around 9:30pm, pinromise ko kase sa "sarili ko" na uuwi ako ng ganu'ng oras. Besides, mangiyak-ngiyak na 'ko sa alikabok, at dugyot na dugyot na rin ang pakiramdam ko. Binayaran ko na lang 'yung utang na loob sa FOPC sa dinner kong free Chickenjoy with extra rice and large drink. 'Tsaka s'yempre, masarap lang talaga tumulong.

=======
Pretty women are walking with gorillas down my street
From the table I stare until my coffee goes cold
Look over there (where!)
There goes a lady that I used to know
She's married now or engaged to something, so I am told

Tonight's the night that I go to all the parties down my street
I wash my hair and I kid myself I look real smooth
Look over there (where!)
Here comes Annie with her new boyfriend
They say looks don't count for much and so there goes your proof

Is she really going out with him
Is she really gonna take him home tonight
Is she really going out with him
'Coz if my eyes don't deceive me
There's something going wrong around here
=======

Yuuuck... Senti na naman?

2005-05-21T23:56:00.000+08:00

... current music: New Found Glory - Ballad For the Lost Romantics.

Ok, naisip kong tama na muna ang pagka-keser ng mga post... Tina-try kong basahin ulet 'yung mga post ko, parang nandidiri ako eh. Masyadong seryoso... Kelangan ko muna itago ang sentiful, overly melodramatic self ko, nami-miss ko na 'yung shallow, happy-go-lucky self ko. Besides, hindi naman porke't hindi ka-awww-awww ang sinulat ko, hindi na s'ya memorable sa 'kin eh. Promise, memorable sa 'kin 'to. Sobra.

Anyway, natuloy ang isang masayang rummage workshop kanina... Nothing really mushy or inspiring to write about... Except siguro ang mga makabagbag-damdaming kanta ni Buls para kay Roma. 'Tsaka na rin siguro ang tambay-sa-tindahan-with-Sprite bonding namin nila Janrich, Buls, at Rach nu'ng namalimos kami ng damit, na in fairness ay gumana pa rin kahit papa'no (walo ang napuntahan naming bahay. promise, tanong n'yo pa sa kanilang tatlo. walo talaga.) Aside from that, talagang chilaks lang ang mga tao at nagpapakasaya sa videoke. Medyo light lang naman ang trabaho at mabilis-bilis naman natapos, kaya no harm no foul. Besides, we believe we have earned the right to chill out. Kumpleto pa with pizza and softdrinks. Feeling ko nga dapat nahihiya na 'ko, kaso naunahan ng gutom 'yung hiya eh. 'Tsaka ok lang, may atraso 'yan si Manu sa 'kin eh... 'Diba? =p Hehe. Joke lang.

At dahil sa videoke na 'yan ay hindi ko na siguro makakalimutan si Rosselle Nava at ang kantang "Dahil Mahal Na Mahal Kita." Dapat nga 'yun na current music ko kaso hindi ko alam lyrics eh. 'Tsaka wala rin pala 'kong mp3. Isang panawagan lang sa mga makukulit na mokong na ayaw pa rin ako tigilan - TIGILAN N'YO NA 'KO! Nakita n'yo naman ang nangyari 'diba? Hindi ba kayo naawa sa 'kin, ang sarap-sarap sana mag-videoke... Instead ay naging patay na bata ako na nakaupo lamang sa isang tabi... Nakiki-hum na lang sa music kahit gustong-gusto ko na kumanta... Tapos nu'ng pauwi, napalakad pa kami ni Janrich hanggang gate ng Xavierville. Kaya inuulet ko, tama na mga link-link sa 'kin... Siguro pag-alis na lang ulet n'ya. (Ops! Joke lang, deeeeear...) At 'wag na 'wag n'yo ko hihiritan ng gameness, kundi ipapatikim ko sa inyo 'yung half-joke, half-meant but fully painful sampal ni labidabs ko. Buti na lang makakabawi ako sa Monday (hindi sa sampal, sa date). Woohoo! =)

Hmmm... Kelangan ba one-liner pa rin ang ending ko? Hehe. Basta. Sign off na 'ko.

=======
I've grown sick, I've gotten older
I finally have an audience to ignore me
I can yell all I want
But you still, still can't hear me

I'm punching myself out
Holding in my breath
I can take this lightly
Throwing up the words that I said to you
I always do
Do what I'm not supposed to

Here's to us fools that have no meaning
I tip my glass to you
Let's toast the night away to friends
And forget about tomorrow
=======

Something To Be Happy About

2005-05-20T23:26:00.000+08:00

... current music: Erasherheads - With A Smile.

I can't sleep... Just when I can't wish for anything else but to close my eyes, shut down my mind, and let this day come to pass. Dammit, I must be cursed or something. From the time I woke up, this day has been one of depression and disappointment...

But there's gotta be something to be happy about. There's always something to be happy about.

She just got back from the States... Of course, we had to go out... I arrived at about lunchtime, but she wasn't ready to go yet. So, I checked up on the ongoing FOPC paper drive tally, and there I tried to force a smile through the bad news... I only managed to show my teeth in an oddly emotionless fashion. I guess the sadness was too infectious. Finally, after about an hour or so, we were all set to go when I stumbled on a paper bagsak workshop for FOPC... Of course, instinctively, I checked on them if they were doing fine... Turned out they weren't and they needed help. Then came my second disappointment.

Of all the people in there, I expected this one person to give me a break with the situation I'm in... Of all the people in there, I expected this one person to be discreet about the situation I'm in... Of all the people in there, I expected this one person to be sensitive about the situation I'm in... Oh well... I guess I can't expect this person to act the same way I would have acted. I'm sure there was a reason behind all of it.

Needless to say, my next disappointment was that our date was cancelled. I spent the next eight hours wondering how to find the right opportunity to say sorry and thinking about what I should do to make up for it... But it seems I couldn't properly focus my mind with the almost unbearable heat and all the action that was going on. All I knew was I felt that I couldn't explain the whole thing if I took all of the blame myself. I tried to look for another way. I was still stumped as we left for an uneventful, semi-awkward dinner... I was still stumped when I finally got home.

Now here I am, sapped of all physical and emotional strength... Trying to find comfort and solace in these honest words that I write down... Desperately wishing for the peaceful escape of sleep...

Still, I believed in one thing. There's gotta be something to be happy about... There's always something to be happy about... And then it came, without warning.

It read, "i love the current EOs that much at nakikita ko at maaaprec8 ang efforts nyo..."

You know who you are. Thank you very much... You can't imagine how much this means to me...

At the very least, now I can get to sleep.

=======
'Coz in a world where everybody hates a happy-ending story
It's a wonder love can make the world go 'round
But don't let it bring you down
Or turn your face into a frown
You'll get along with a little prayer and a song

Lift your head
Baby don't be scared
Of the things that could go wrong along the way
You'll get by
With a smile
Now it's time to kiss away those tears goodbye
=======

Speechless

2005-05-19T23:32:00.000+08:00

... current music: Green Day - Time of Your Life.

There are some things words just can't describe.

Or rather, there are some things words shouldn't attempt to describe.

And so, for the first time, I am grateful that I have nothing to say...

Only an experience to treasure for the rest of my life.

=======
Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test and don't ask why
It's not a question but a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable
But in the end it's right
I hope you had the time of your life
=======

Reason to Smile

2005-05-17T12:58:00.000+08:00

... current music: Queen - We Are The Champions.

Happy day today! Started off with the usual FOPC tambay and a delightful Beach House lunch (double rice, 1 bbq and itlog na maalat) while having a decent game of Scrabble... Hindi ako last this time, at medyo nasasanay na 'ko maghanap ng mga high-scoring Scrabble words. There was a little lull sometime between 4:15 and 5:00pm, pero ok lang kase medyo nakapag-kwentuhan kami ni Nhey, at may dumating na mga bisitang alumni - si RJ 'tsaka si Farina! Sayang nga lang at hindi nila naabutan ang mga tao... Hindi ko pa sila naipaghanda ng pameryenda at palamig. Sanay kase akong si RJ 'yung sumasagot sa pakain eh. After tambay, I had dinner with orgmates sa SM North (Nhey, KC, Jeff, Marves, Mickey)... Hassle lang kase napalibre ako ng pamasahe. Nagiging mabait na yata ako talaga... Parang hindi ko maalalang umangal ako, bumunot lang ako agad ng pera... Parang gusto ko pa nga yata dapat ilibre 'yung katabi ko sa kaliwa eh... Labo, hindi naman s'ya cute... Actually, trabahador yata.

Anyway... What I'm really happy about today is that parang we're finally reaping the fruits of our labor for FOPC... Things are definitely beginning to look up, and confidence is at an all-time high. First time ko this summer nakita si Jik nakangiti... First time ko rin s'ya nakita nagtatatalon sa tuwa... At muntik na rin na first time kong makita s'ya na manlibre. But seriously, I'm happy lang na medyo nabawas-bawasan ang stress nitong taong 'to... Although hindi naman talaga n'ya kinekwento sa 'kin ang stress n'ya, ok lang 'yun... I think I know her well enough to know kung kelan ako mangungulit at kung kelan hinde. Bilib ako d'yan... Feeling ko she doesn't need my help. Sometimes nga feeling ko she doesn't want my help eh. Hehe... =)

I'm not going to deny that the bid for FOPC chairpersonship has put a lot of pressure on all of us, especially sa SAG and on our set of Executive Officers this year. Sabi nga ni Jay Jay, baptism of fire namin 'to... And we know full well its impact on JPIA. This endeavor will test the heart and define the character of this organization... There is no other way to get through this - we must meet this challenge head on. And although we can't be sure of the results, win or lose, the effort that everyone has put in is enough for us to know that we are still the JPIA that we have always been proud of. We are still the JPIA we have always believed in.

Keser na kung keser. We're going all out on this one.

=======
I thank you all
But it's been no bed of roses, no pleasure cruise
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I ain't gonna lose
And I need to go on and on and on and on

We are the champions, my friend
And we'll keep on fighting 'till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Coz we are the champions of the world
=======

Ang Manunulat na KSP

2005-05-16T23:58:00.000+08:00

... current music: Simple Plan - Perfect.

Recap of day's events muna... Isang mahabang tambay from 9:00am-5:00pm... Tinakas ko ang laptop ni Inay dahil nasa Tacloban s'ya, buti na lang at semi-kakuntsaba ko si Kuya kaya hindi naman nahuli. Nakalimutan ko nga lang magdala ng games... At dahil hindi ako 'yung tipo ng taong mag-eenjoy sa pagta-type sa Word, naging glorified Discman na lang ang laptop. After nu'n ay isang mahabang diskusyon kung sa'n kakain... Nauwi sa isang Grill Queen liempo dinner kela Manu, along with Aimee, Momon, Gladys, Roma, Janno, and KC. S'yempre hindi maiiwasan mag-bonding ng konti... Weird naman kung nagdinner kami na walang pansinan. Sana walang nagka-asaran... Masyadong relentless si Manuel.

Anyway, marami na napapabasa ng blog ko... Nakakatuwa, pero nakaka-pressure at the same time. Parang nasa Networks na naman ako... Kaso wala si Boss Rey, wala si EIC Boss Bukang, wala si co-print ed Dione, wala sila online editors Gladys and Cong, wala si Business Manager Germee, wala si staff James and Aimee... This thing's mine and mine alone...

Good. That way I won't have to share the glory with anyone.

Kase like what I've shared with some people, I can't see the point of blogging without having the pressure of writing about something interesting... Unless you don't really intend for people to read your blog, which kind of defeats its purpose... Oh well... I guess marami pa 'kong kelangan intindihin sa philosophy of blogging. Pero ok lang, kanya-kanyang philosophy naman 'yan eh. Ako basta gusto ko maaliw ang magbabasa ng blog ko. Gusto ko star ako.

Having said that... Shet, kulang yata talaga 'ko sa pansin. Middle-child syndrome ba 'to? Mga magulang ko naman kase eh... Masyado 'ko ginagawang independent... Pinapayagan ako mag-overnight kahit walang paalam... Pag nagpaalam naman ako ng mga madaling araw, "K" lang naman ang ire-reply. Pero anlabo, papagalitan ako pagdating ko. Sana minura-mura na nila 'ko sa text pa lang... At least feeling ko du'n pa lang concerned na sila. 'Tsaka at least prepared ako for the emotional anguish that is to follow.

Naalala ko tuloy nung nagtampo sa 'kin ang Daddy ko. JPIA Planning Sem from April 9-12, tapos birthday ng Dad ko April 11. Nagpaalam ako sa kanya, sabi ko ok lang bang mag-planning sem ako kahit birthday n'ya sa 11. Sabi n'ya ok lang daw, baka sa 14 o 15 na lang daw magplano ng bakasyon or lakad or whatever. Tinanong ko kung sure s'ya. Inabot pa n'ya sa 'kin 'yung pera for planning sem. Solb-solb 'diba?

Pero pagdating ng gabi ng April 10... "1 message received"... "DAD"... "SANA NAG-EENJOY KA JAN SA PLANNING SEM MO, HAYUP KA!"

Eh kung ginaganun ba naman ako lagi eh.

=======
Hey Dad, look at me
Think back and talk to me
Did I grow up according to plan?
Do you think I'm wasting my time
Doing things I wanna do?
But it hurts when you disapprove all along

And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
Can't pretend that I'm alright
And you can't change me

'Coz we've lost it all
Nothing lasts forever
I'm sorry
I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry
I can't be perfect.
=======

New Look!

2005-05-15T23:42:00.000+08:00

... current music: Dashboard Confessional - This Ruined Puzzle.

Spent a full four hours redesigning my blog... Ayan, medyo maangas na siguro tignan! Although ang weird, doesn't really capture what I wanted my blog to be - fun, easy on the eyes, and not too serious. But what the hell... Swabe si Sephiroth eh. Kung RPG heroine character ako, siguro ako 'yung tipong magkaka-internal conflict at magiging minion na lang ni Sephie. Sana naging dark, brooding hero na lang si Sephiroth tapos si Cloud na lang 'yung kalaban. Mukhang wuss si Cloud eh. Yabang ko, hindi naman ako nag-FF7.

The lyrics are from my newest favorite song, Truth of My Youth by New Found Glory. What can I say... I love lyrics, and I love New Found Glory. Astig talaga NFG... If ever maging full-time bandista ako, gusto ko tumutugtog ng NFG songs ang banda ko. Sana naman may exposure sila dito sa Pilipinas para mapanood ko naman sila live. Some people say medyo off at nakakarindi ang boses ni Jordan Pundik (lead vocals) pero I think sakto lang talaga... And I just love the teen-oriented themes of their songs. Can relate talaga 'ko.

Haaaay... Na-brain drain ako sa kaka-kapa ng HTML codes... Sana next time mag-design ako alam ko na ginagawa ko. Although I must say happy naman ako sa ginawa kong pangangapa. Ang sarap mag-bloooooooog! Salamat sa mga nag-peer pressure, nang-inggit, at nang-OP sa 'kin. Sana mas maganda blog ko sa blog n'yo.

Next time na ulet ang post, 'pag may utak na ulet ako.

=======
This ruined puzzle is beige with the pieces all face down
So the placing goes slowly
The pictures of anything other than it's meant to be

But the hours they creep
The patterns repeat
Don't be concerned
You know I'll be fine on my own
I never said "Don't go"

I've hidden a note, it's pressed between pages
That you've marked to find your way back
It says, "Does he ever get the girl?"

But what if the pages stay pressed?
The chapters unfinished?
The stories too dull to unfold?
Does he ever get the girl?
=======

One Fine Day

2005-05-14T22:56:00.000+08:00

... current music: Boxcar Racer - There Is.

Another busy Saturday... Technically started off with the party last night, nakauwi ng mga 2:00am, tulog ng mga 3:15am after email and blog... Gising ulet ng mga 7am para magsaing at maghugas ng pinggan, in other words, magpaka-longkatuts... Ligo na ng mga 9:15am after my household chores, baka sakaling umabot on time sa 10am MemCom meeting... Inabot ng mga 5:30 sa McDo Katips with Rach and Janrich... Pumuntang Rob Metro East for emergency Internet needs... And finally nakauwi ng 9:30pm. Felt strangely lonely on the way home without a functional Discman... Gotta have rechargeable batteries.

Nothing really interesting about this day, I guess.

Can't forget the date, though. =)

=======
Those notes you wrote me
I've kept them all
I've given a lot of thought on how to write you back this fall
With every single letter
And every single word
There will be a hidden message about a boy that loves a girl

Do you care if I don't know what to say
Will you sleep tonight, will you think of me
Will I shake this off, pretend it's all okay
That there's someone out there who feels just like me
There is
=======

Realizations from a Friday-the-13th Party

2005-05-13T03:05:00.000+08:00

... current music: Sponge Cola - Jeepney.

Sorry, blog. Medyo matagal-tagal rin kitang hindi inasikaso... Si Mommy kase, hindi inuuwi 'yung laptop eh.

Anyway, halos kakauwi ko lang sa isang astig na bertdey party (hababirdy Manuel!). Sarap kumain... Sayang, hindi ako nakarami ng garlic bread. Had an awesome time with the JPIAns there, lalo na ang mga "cool table" people! Although ini-issue kami ni idol President Perlado (hindi ganu'ng issue, engot.), pareho naman naming alam na hindi p'wede mangyari 'yung mga ganyang issue. Idol ko 'yan eh.

Ayun, after three rounds of tequila and a Kremil-S for Baj, nagka-videokehan na... At du'n nagsimula ang UP-Ateneo noise wars. Note: Malamang ay ini-imagine ko lang 'to... Kaya 'wag na natin gawan ng issue. Although meron talaga 'kong mga nakitang feeling ko ay semi-inis sa 'min. 'Yung mga tipong pasulyap-sulyap lang habang kausap ang mga friends... Tapos 'kala mo nakainom ng suka sa asim ng mukha. Note: Again, exag 'to. 'Wag na lang pansinin.

REALIZATION # 1: Ayokong mas tahimik ang grupo ko sa ibang grupo. Lalo na 'pag hindi ko kakilala. Parang 'yung sa mga McDo lang o Jollibee, 'pag may mas maingay na grupo naiinis ako.

Natapos ang party at medyo natuyo-tuyo na rin ang aking Rusell mark. Uwian na, buti na lang may ride papuntang Katipunan. Medyo naka-30 minutes rin ako kakahintay ng jeep na diretsong Cainta... A near-impossible task, pero I guess I was feeling lucky that time kaya hinintay ko.

REALIZATION # 2: 'Pag hinihintay ko ang isang bagay, parang mas ayoko sukuan 'pag tumatagal. Kumbaga, sayang naman 'yung oras ko na pinang-hintay, kaya hihintayin ko na talaga s'ya.

Sayang, sana may alam ako sa Psychology, feeling ko may tawag sa mga ganyang ugali eh.

Nang sa wakas ay may dumating nang Taytay-Cainta jeep, s'yempre lapit ako agad. Kaso merong middle-aged lady kaya pinauna ko muna s'ya (ambait ko). Kaso problema, etong kupal na epal na 'tong sanumamitch 'to, dumikit sa middle-aged lady kaya naunahan rin ako. Napasiksik tuloy kaming dalawang last na sumakay.

REALIZATION # 3: For some strange reason, madalas na magkatapat ang upuan sa jeep ng huling dalawang taong sasakay. S'yempre nakasiksik na sila kaya medyo magkakatamaan pa 'yan ng paa o tuhod. Minsan nga tiyan pa eh.

Pero may problema pala 'ko ulet... Dahil hindi nga pala 'ko halos napagastos, buo-buo pa ang pera ko... Ang natira kong barya, 30.50. Ang jeepney fare from Katipunan-Cainta on average ay 11.50 (minsan kase 11, minsan 12)... Tapos ang tricycle sa subdivision ay 23. Simple addition and the concept of inequalities will tell you na kulang ang pera ko.

REALIZATION # 4: 'Pag nagbayad ka ng coins na mukhang saktong pamasahe, e.g. P7.50, malaki ang probability na tanggapin na lang ang pamasahe mo at hindi ka na tanungin ng driver kung sa'n ka bababa. (Sorry Manong Driver, hindi na po mauulit.)

=======
Bumaba ako sa jeepney
Kung saan tayo'y dating magkatabi
Magkahalik ang pisngi nating dalawa
Nating dalawa

Panyo mo sa aking bulsa
Ang amoy mo'y naroon pa rin
Tawa nati'y humahalay sa init nating dalawa

Subalit ngayo'y wala na
Ikaw ay lumayo na

Naaalala ko ang mga gabing nakahiga sa ilalim ng kalawakan
Naaalala ko ang mga gabing magkatabi sa ulan
=======

Ayoko pa pumikit

2005-05-11T04:25:00.000+08:00

... current music: New Found Glory - The Story So Far.

2:12am na... Ayoko pa pumikit... May ka-chat pa 'kong nasa States... Miss ko na 'to kaya wala na muna tulugan. 'Tsaka anyway, bawal ko rin tulugan so kunyari na lang choice ko. Feeling empowered ako, para hindi magmukhang under. Kaso lang kumakain pa yata ng lunch kaya blog na lang muna 'ko.

2:35am... Sa wakas tapos na s'yang kumain. Buti pa s'ya hindi tumataba. Eh anlakas-lakas kaya nito kumain... Kaya siguro kami bagay. Nagkakasundo ang eating habits namin. 'Yun nga lang, iba epekto sa katawan. Baka for some strange reason ay sa 'kin napupunta lahat ng taba n'ya. OK lang, hindi pa rin s'ya sexy. Cute lang. O mamaya ka na, blog. May hamak na mas importante sa 'yo.

3:03am... Ayoko pa rin pumikit... Pero wala akong magawa, minsan kusa nang sumasara mata ko eh... Pero sige lang, basta naiintindihan ko pa sinasabi n'ya. Go lang ng go. Buti na lang chat 'to, sa phone baka mas obvious. Although sayang... boses n'ya rin 'yun o.

3:15am... Daddy, hindi lang po makatulog. Hindi ako nagpo-porno, tignan n'yo pa. Sige po, papatayin na po (right.)

3:30am... Ang kulet, tanong pa ng tanong kung inaantok na 'ko. Ang fishing talaga nito. Ginising-gising ako ng 12 tapos ganyan ang tanong mo... Duh.

3:46am... Ano ba... Iniisa-isa na lang natin ang mga smiley sa YM... Puro "wala lang" at "hehe" na ang nakikita ko... Obviously wala na tayo mapag-usapan... Sana ikaw magbayad ng internet ko.

4:00am... Gusto ko na matulog... Pero ayoko pa pumikit... Baka hindi ko na lang mamalayan, mawala ka bigla.

4:25am... Good night... I love you...

=======
I can't remember the time or place
Or what you were wearing
It's unclear about how we met
All I know it was the best conversation that I've ever had

To this day I've never found someone
With eyes as wide as yours
I've been searching up and down this coast
Overlooking what I need the most

Did you notice I was afraid?
I thought I'd run out of things to say
Two more hours until today
Burns this away
And it starts all over again...

The sky will never be the same again
'Til you show me how it could be
The sky will never be the same again
'Til you show me how it could be
=======

Buhay Tambay

2005-05-10T00:28:00.000+08:00

... current music: Green Day - Redundant.

Ansarap... Anlakas ng ulan. 'Kala ko ba aabot ng 42-something degrees bukas? Labo. Pero buti ngayon lang umulan, nakapag-frisbee pa kami kanina sa Sunken! In fairness, kahit unti-unti nang nalalasog ang plastic-and-rubber frisbee namin, nakakatuwa at mukhang nagiging routine na s'ya after ng FOPC tambay... Nagiging exciting na rin ang mga head-to-head matches namin kase gumagaling na kami sumalo (lalo na si KC). Nabo-bond pa kaming mga regular frisbee people. And best of all, nakakatagtag pa ng taba. With the frisbee habit, siguro mga dalawang taon na lang, p'wede na 'ko magpa-grad pic. Magpapadelay na lang siguro 'ko.

It all seems strange when I stop to think about it... I've always rebelled against the monotony of life. With the speed at which I lose interest in all things routine, I've always craved for something different... I've always made it a point to challenge tradition and improve on it... Whether huge or small, I've always welcomed change, just to break away from the ordinary.

And here I am, going to school everyday to bum around in a cramped 38-degree Celsius room for six to seven hours... Playing Sorry! and Scrabble until about the second hour when I finally get sick of both of them... Feasting on the same bland Vinzon's lasagna and gulping down about two liters of C2 in various flavors... Seeing the same set of faces, making fun of half of them and being made fun of the other half... Enduring that dreaded four-floor Vinzon's walk-down plus a four-floor CBA walk-up and walk-down...

And after all that, there's still the regular frisbee game...

You guessed it. I've always been there because of the people... Ang mga gameshow hostings ni Jeff, mga hirit ni Manu, mga imbentong Scrabble words ni Victor, mga utos ni Jay Jay, mga "eeyah" ni KC, mga kulitan ni Roma at Buls (at Trek), mga solo Uno Stacko games ni Steph, mga pagtataray ni Jik at Aira, mga frisbee games with Addie, Marves, Richard and Berna, mga trip pauwi with Janno, at sa lahat ng mga iba pang hindi ko nabanggit.

This is a tribute to all the JPIAns who carve lives out of the FOPC tambay. With you guys, the monotony of everyday is sweet music to my ears.

=======
We're living in repetition
Content in the same old shtick again
Now the routine's turning to contention
Like a production line goin' over and over and over
Rollercoaster

Now I cannot speak
I've lost my voice
I'm speechless and redundant
'Coz "I love you"s not enough
I'm lost for words
=======

The Mad Hindu Professor

2005-05-08T20:31:00.000+08:00

... current music: New Found Glory - All Downhill From Here.

Masyado pala maliit ang tiny font. Medyo wala na ang initial excitement ko... Pero kanina pa 'ko nag-iisip kung ano isusulat ko. May nagsabi nga sa 'kin, hindi naman kelangan pagandahin ang sinusulat mo sa blog... Kahit ano lang daw. Dapat daw natural ang sinusulat... Meron rin nagsabi sa 'kin, lagay daw ako ng mga everyday realizations ko. Anyway, bahala na.

Kanina, habang kumakain ako ng sinigang na baboy, naalala ko lang 'yung baliw na mukhang Hindu professor na dumaan sa BA kahapon. Naalala ko lang, nu'ng first time s'ya dumaan at dumaldal ay halos katabi ko s'ya... 'Kala nga raw nu'ng iba kakilala ko eh. He babbled something about having 12 airplanes and being a stewardess in the past... Or basta parang ganu'n 'yung pagkakaintindi namin. S'yempre nu'ng bumalik s'ya nagtago na 'ko... Hindi na 'ko nahiya kahit anlaki-laki kong tao tapos nagmamadali pa 'kong nagtago sa likod nila Aira, Jik at Steph. Nakakatakot kaya s'ya... Lakas pang makatitig... Parang may halong pagnanasa.

Naisip ko na rin pala 'to dati, pero parang minsan ansarap siguro maging baliw... Ansarap minsan na magkaro'n ng sariling mundo, wala kang paki sa iniisip ng iba... Walang pressure, walang expectations na kelangan i-meet... Hindi kelangan magpaka-plastic... Lagi kang totoo...

Parang pagtulog lang siguro. Hahanap-hanapin mo lang talaga 'pag pagod ka na.

=======
You're hiding something 'coz it's burning through your eyes
I try to get it out but all I hear from you are lies
And I can tell you're going through the motions
I figured you were acting out your part
Once again we're playin' off emotion
Which one of us will burn until the end?
=======

Wow, hindi na 'ko virgin!

2005-05-07T22:35:00.000+08:00

Astiiiiiig... Ito pala ang blog! Sa mga nag-iisip na loser ako, sa'n kayo ngayon! Cool na 'ko! Woohooo! Hehehe... Next time na 'ko magpo-post ng matino, na-excite ako masyado, hindi ko ma-organize ang thoughts ko...

Ay hinde, sige, ngayon na nga! Hmmm... Tignan natin kung ano p'wede i-share sa aking super-unbloggable life...
...
...
Kumain ako ng dalawang Big Time cheeseburger meal sa McDo Katips kanina. Napatagal yata MemCom meeting, dalawang beses ako inabot ng gutom. Ayun... Ano pa ba?
...
...
...
144 pesos lahat. Kase 2x(55+17). Naaalala ko dati, PhP39 lang ang cheeseburger meal. Ngayon, PhP55 na.
...
...
...
150 binayad ko, may sukli akong 6.
...
...
...
Umm...
...
...
Sige, bukas na lang ulet.