All I Want for Christmas

[Updated as of 11/16/08]

At the risk of sounding demanding and kapal-mukhs, I have compiled a wish list (for Christmas, my birthday, or any-random-day). To follow the list is optional anyway, so it's not like I'm imposing anything on anyone. *grin*

I made a similar list for my birthday last year...wala atang sumunod. The ones I've crossed out were supplied by me. Hahaha.

Anyway, I am just throwing out my wishes to the universe. Universe, ikaw na ang bahala sa akin. :)

Camera stuff

• Canon 430EX flash Upgrade ko na rin, kung hihingi rin lang ako: Canon 580EX flash. Whee.
• Canon 50mm 1.8 prime lens (bought one for myself!!! Whee!)
• Canon lens cap for a Canon 18-55 lens (Bought one for myself in HK)
• Polarizer filter
• Canon battery grip (Returned to sender)
• CF cards (1 or 2 GB)
• Light Studio installer (pirated OK lang. Haha)
• Tripod
• Compact digicam (for the time na hassle magdala ng malaking camera diba). Sony Cybershot or Canon Ixus 800 maganda. OR The Olympus Waterproof camera thingie! That is so cool!

Kikay stuff
(A girl has the right to be kikay sometimes. Haha)

• Benefit "That Gal" Skin Brightening makeup primer (recommended by Mia. It's the best!)
  
• Benefit 10 (Bought one for myself at Incheon airport)
• Revlon Bare It All Lustrous Lotion
• Revlon Bare It All Lustrous Powder
• Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey
  
• Clinique Quickliner for Eyes (w/ smudge sponge at the other end) in Black/Brown
• Clinique True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer in Sunswept
• Clinique True Bronze Gel for Face
• Body Shop bronzer balls, or the bronzer stick-brush combo thingie
• Translucent Loose Powder
• Lip plumper. Haha! :)
• Mascara w/ eyelash comb
• Oh. And maybe a large kikay bag to put all of the stuff in. :))

Fashion

• Black and gray / Navy blue and gray striped hoodie from Bayo (size 10 ata)
• Gray-blue winter jacket from Topshop (I don't know the style name...but I have a pic! I'll post it soon), size 6 or 8. (Christmas gift in 2007)
• Skinny jeans from Wildflower (I'm a size 28), dark blue or black (bought one for myself. Hehe)
• Bandeau bikini top (I'm a size 34B), with matching bikini bottom narin, kung nasa budget nyo. Hehe.
• A big, black, slouchy, leather bag.

Bookworm Essentials

• Stardust by Neil Gaiman (The book. And the DVD if it's already out!)
• The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (I had this book before, but I lost my copy. I want it back!) (Thanks Rhys!)
• The Museum at Purgatory by Nick Bantock (Lav! How did you find out about this wishlist? Thank youuuu!)
  
• The Gryphon by Nick Bantock
• Morning Star by Nick Bantock

Miscellaneous

• Ugly Betty seasons 1 & 2 (kahit pirated, masaya na ako dun. Pero shempre, no to piracy *ubo ubo*)
• White iSkin Evo silicone protective cover for my iPod Video (kung gusto niyo akong bigyan ng bagong iPod Video, 80gb, ok din. Wahaha!)
• MacBook. (mamahalin ko habang buhay ang makakapagbigay sakin nito. Haha!)
• 2008 Starbucks Planner (I have decided that, due to lack of funds, I will not aspire to earn a planner this year. Goodbye Christmas tradition! But if someone's willing to give me one, I will not object to that!) (Don't need one anymore. Am using a Sunlife Planner).
  

WILD

Nuninooo...

My flight to CDO is in 3 hours. I have to leave the house in an hour. I haven't slept yet. I can't take a quick nap because I know that it will be anything BUT quick. Can't risk missing my flight. That's 3k down the drain. Haha. :) I have an hour to kill...and I can't think of anything to do except blog. And I can't even blog properly because I feel so groggy. So pardon the nonsense. It's the drowsiness talking.

It's raining hard outside. White water rafting in THIS weather? WILD. Hahaha. :) Man, I hope the weather cooperates when we get there!!! :( My mom made me watch the news last night...Iligan City (where we're going) is in a state of calamity. Floods everywhere, people dying, homes destroyed, TYPHOON level...Ano baaaah. And I'm still going. Hehe.

Oh well. Mia, what a way to see you off. Even the rain gods are crying. :D Let's hope the tequila saves the day. ;)

Stardust

This movie is dreamy, inspired, inspirational, fantastic, and truly out-of-this-world. :)

Perfect for a (hopeless) romantic like me. *sigh*

Yvain: "You know when I said I knew little about love? That wasn't true. I know a lot about love. I've seen it, centuries and centuries of it, and it was the only thing that made watching your world bearable. All those wars. Pain, lies, hate... It made me want to turn away and never look down again. But when I see the way that mankind loves... You could search to the furthest reaches of the universe and never find anything more beautiful. So yes, I know that love is unconditional. But I also know that it can be unpredictable, unexpected, uncontrollable, unbearable and strangely easy to mistake for loathing, and... What I'm trying to say, Tristan is... I think I love you. Is this love, Tristan? I never imagined I'd know it for myself. My heart... It feels like my chest can barely contain it. Like it's trying to escape because it doesn't belong to me any more.
It belongs to you.

And if you wanted it, I'd wish for nothing in exchange - no fits. No goods. No demonstrations of devotion. Nothing but knowing you loved me too. Just your heart, in exchange for mine."

* * * *

Waaaah. Panalo talaga. :)

My cheesiness is reborn. Hahaha. :)

Happy Birthday, Seastarrrr!!! :)

(more pictures)

I love you, always and forever, sister. Hahaha. :)
HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY!!!

Don't be in any hurry to grow older hah. You have your whole life stretched out before you. Everything will fall into place, in time. I promise! :) Tignan mo ako, hindi pa rin...Hahaha. Pero in time din, in time. I have faith! Mwah!

Bingo

I think I took my "drunk and happy" statement just a tad too seriously.

This week was crazy. I was out with friends every single day. I've been feeling really restless lately...like something within me is struggling to break free. Waha. Ayan tuloy, para akong ibon na pinakawalan sa hawla...nagwawala. Haha. :)

Tuesday – Had dinner with mah girls at Heaven N' Eggs, Market! Market! Then accompanied Di and Lez to their card-reading session at Xocolat, Serendra. :) Tested Zac out, and took crappy pictures. Haha!

Wednesday – Gimik at Saguijo w/ AF Alumni who work around the Makati area. Tested Zac out again, and took nice pictures, thanks to the flash lent by Ku!

Thursday – Aris' birthday blow-out at Magnet Cafe, Bonifacio High Street. :) Sadly, I wasn't able to take pictures. :(

Friday – Gimik Marathon w/ the Kaladkarin Group (himala, I'm actually part of it! Haha). Dinner at North Park, Makati Avenue; videoke at Music Platinum; clubbing at Piedra (I saw Marc Nelson and Borgy! Whee!); walking around the (closed and deserted) Bonifacio High Street (at 3 a.m.!), giving ourselves a waker-upper at Starbucks, Metrowalk. Getting home at 5 a.m. Waha! Bad.

Saturday – Lunch w/ Anton at Chocolate Kiss! Pesto Pasta yummmm. :)

Kulang ko lang yung Monday, bingo na dapat ako. Hahaha. :)
Next week, pahinga naman. Need to let the beer drain from my system. Haha.

[August 28, 2007] Night out with my favorite girls. :)

[August 29, 2007] Saguijo with AF Alumni

[August 31, 2007] Gimik Marathon w/AF Alumni

Introducing "Zac!"

Hey everyone, meet "Zac," my new baby!!! Haha. Named after a famous "Zac," of course, my current eye-candy. ;)

He's a Canon 350D, by the way. :) A rebel, just the way I like 'em. ;)

To commemorate his homecoming, shempre may pictorial pa (kalandian talaga!). I don't have a CF card yet (loooser) so I can't take pictures using Zac. Boo. :( But I'm so excited to introduce him to you that I took pictures of us (our first official "couple" pics -- prenup. Haha) using another Canon. Waha. :)

We're going to be joined at the hip (or the eye) from now on, Zac and I.

Sweeeeet. :)

*Special thanks to Ana for getting this in Dubai for me!!! You are the coolest friend ever!!! Hehehe. :)

Focus...Malabo...

Do you see what I see?

Zac and his 55-200mm lens. Whee!

Party-Hearty

AF Meriendahan 2007 - Casino Night

I haven't had so much fun in one night, since...since...well, let's just say that it has been a long time. :) Me, Ms. I'd-rather-stay-at-home or I'd-rather-hang-out-in-the-mall is perpetually allergic to big events. Hence, allergic to fun. Haha.

But this was the best night ever! Or maybe it's the beer (still) talking.

Non-stop beer.
Lokohan.
Kalokohan.

Iba talaga ang "fun," AF-style.

Wanna see my night with my hot hot date (Cute niya noh? Naka-tux pa! San ka pa!)?

Click on me!

**Lahat kami jan eh lasing, kaya pagbigyan niyo na kung mukha kaming mga sabog. Waha. 

Kinikilig Ako

Hay. This is such a sweet, sweet song.

Kinikilig ako pag naririnig ko to. :)

Extra kilig when I watch the video.



It's so cute how they added flashback scenes from HSM1. You'll see how they evolved from cutesy teenagers then, to cutesy teenagers now. Hahaha. Seriously, there is a difference, especially with regards to Gabriella's wardrobe. Si Troy pareho parin outfits. Hehe.

Zac and Vanessa (a.k.a "Zanessa" haha) are the cutest couple everrrr. And the way he looks at her when they sing...aaaahhhh, I melt. Hehe. :)

And the "piano moments" are killer. Waaaah. :)

You Are The Music In Me
Troy & Gabriella
High School Musical 2

Na na na na
Na na na na yeah
You are the music in me

You know the words
"Once Upon A Time"
Make you listen
There's a reason
When you dream there's a chance you'll find
A little laughter
or happy ever after
You're harmony to the melody
That's echoing inside my head
A single voice (Single voice)
Above the noise
And like a common thread
Hmm, you're pulling me

When I hear my favorite song
I know that we belong
Oh, you are the music in me
Yeah it's living in all of us
And it's brought us here because
Because you are the music in me
Na na na na (Ohh)
Na na na na na
Yeah yeah yeah
(Na na na na)
You are the music in me

It's like I knew you before we met (Before we met)
Can't explain it (Ohh ohh)
There's no name for it (No name for it)
I'm saying words I never said
And it was easy (So easy)
Because you see the real me (I see)
As I am
You understand
And that's more than I've ever known
To hear your voice (Hear your voice)
Above the noise (Ohh ohh)
And no, I'm not alone
Oh you're singing to me (Ohh yeah)

When I hear my favorite song
I know that we belong (Yeah ohh)
You are the music in me
It's living in all of us
And it's brought us here because
You are the music in me

Together we're gonna sing (Yeah)
We got the power to sing what we feel (What we feel)
Connected and real
Can't keep it all inside (Ohh)

Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Yeah yeah yeah (Na na na na)
You are the music in me (In me)
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na
You are the music in me
When I hear my favorite song (Favorite song)
I know that we belong (We belong)
You are the music in me
Yeah it's living in all of us
It's brought us here because (Here because)
You are the music in me
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na
You are the music in me (Yeah)

My MegaDay at MegaMall

Hehe. Ang baduy ng title ko. :P

Spent the day at the mall again. :) It was my Tita's birthday, and us cousins went bowling. Whee. It's strange, though. I usually bowl with an 11-lb ball. Today, I couldn't even lift a 10-lb ball. :( I'm too weak. I need to tone my arm muscles. The office bowling tournament is coming up, and I want that trophy!!! Hehehe.

Bowling is fun!

All I Want For Christmas!

I went around the mall by myself afterwards. Hanging out with myself is always fun. :) The downside is that strange people approach me, and try to strike up a conversation. Some random dude came up to me with the most bulok pick-up line ever: "Miss, what school are you from, you look familiar." Nyaaah. In fairness, he thought I was still in college. Hehe. Ano ba, I am not a friendly person! Doesn't the scowl in my face clearly tell you to back off??? Hehe. :) Boo!

I really shouldn't be set loose inside Powerbooks. I saw a lot of books I wanted to buy! Books are my weakness! *sigh* Since there are too many cool stuff in the world, and I don't have enough moolah to buy them all, I have decided to throw my concerns out to the universe through my "All I Want for Christmas" campaign. Thanks to my handy celphone camera (the quality of which, sucks. I should post a picture of a new celphone with my AIWfC stamp), I have documented a couple of stuff that I really want for Christmas (or for my birthday, or for any occasion really).

Universe, it's all up to you!

A book on how to make books. Hehe.

One tough cookie! Shirt by Seventeen, Cinderella

Zac Efron. :) Ang makapagbigay sakin nito for Christmas, superhero ko.
Pag yung Rolling Stone Magazine lang, sidekick. Wehehe. :P

* * * *

Speaking of Zac Efron, I saw the Hairspray promotional poster in the cinema area...Bakit naman mukha ni Zac Efron ang tinakpan diba? Bakit hindi yung kay Nikki Blonski? Hehehe.

Watched A Love Story again today with my Tita and my sister. Tip lang: do not watch a drama movie in Megamall! Hindi ka makakapag-emote. The crowd there is so different, they laugh at all the wrong things, it totally ruins the emo moments. Haha. And it's super annoying how they squeal whenever there are kilig moments on screen. Ano baaahh. :P

So there. My very colorful, eventful day in MegaMall. :)
Next weekend is another long weekend!!! GMA, wag mo babawiin!!! :P

I Need Inspiration

My family and I went to Shangri-La Plaza to watch Rush Hour 3 supposedly. We ended up watching Bourne Ultimatum instead. Random anectode from my mom:

Mama: May kasunod pa raw yan ah.
Everyone else: Huh? Talaga?
Mama: Oo. "Bourne Free."
(Wahahaha. Give her a round of applause everyone.)

No trip to the mall is complete without a couple of trips to NBS/Powerbooks. They had a sale, which was completely useless for me anyway, since I have zero funds nowadays.

Had a couple of star sightings in Powerbooks too: Jessica Zafra (we were looking at the same sale bin! Waha!) in her perpetual black garb, and Julius Babao, who looks smaller in person. Hmmm.

Found this really cute book in the Art/Architecture department: Portfolio of Inspirations.


"Creative people" each have their own page wherein they would disclose what their work processes are, what inspires them, and how they translate their inspirations into their work. It is the coolest book everrrr. Malapit na Christmas guys. This is part of my wishlist. It is available in Powerbooks Shangri-La. Hehehehe. Shameless plugging!

What an artist's inspiration notebook looks like

Quotable quote from an artist

There's this other book called Mute: Just Pictograms. A book of little icons/graphics that speak for themselves. Ang cute ng mga concepts! I'm going to try to figure out how to do these in Photoshop. They're so cool. :)

Why are there so many nice books in the world?
Why are there books sales NOW when I am currently low on funds?? Hay.

Kung hindi lang nakakahiya na magpicture sa Powerbooks, I would have taken a picture of every page in those books. Waha!

Tear-jerker

Oh my gaaaaaaad.

I just finished watching A Love Story.
Here in Eastwood.
By myself.
And I cried buckets.
*hikbi*

Of course I tried to keep from crying.
My mascara was going to run.
Stupidity right there, deciding to wear mascara when I knew full well that I was going to watch a tear-jerker. Waha.

Pero di ko na talaga mapigilan.
Especially during this poignant scene when all three of them were in the same room, and Tell Me was swelling in the background. Kailangan ba talaga i-up yung volume ng kanta while they're showing Maricel Soriano crying her eyes out? Kailangan ba talaga???

Damn that song. My tear ducts succumb to the power of that song. Haha.

Aga: Are you ok?
Maricel: Kailangan ko maging ok, diba? Para magawa ko ang tama.

Yon. Sa lahat ng nagtatanong sakin kung ok ba ako, yan ang sagot ko. First sentence palang, panalo na.

And finally, I heard a quote from Angelica’s character that’s worth blogging about…

Angelica: Alam mo ba na hindi ko pinagsisihan na pinaglaban kita?

Waaaaah. Ipaglaban mohhhh.

So many good lines. Somebody transcribe this movie already!!!

* * * *

With the risk of spoiling the ending, can I just say that Aga’s beach house is so not tropical architecture? Why build a modern structure on a friggin’ beach anyway? It totally ruins the landscape (not to mention the seascape). Haha. Huling hirit na nga, tungkol pa sa Arki. Oh well.

If I want an Aga-esque boyfriend, maybe I should be a doctor and hang out at Lago de Oro (like in the movie). And then I will prey on good-looking, accident-prone wakeboarders, and tell them when they wipe-out:

“It’s ok. I’m a doctor. I’ll take care of you.” (sabay give them my most Maricel-like smile)

Or, I should go wakeboarding, and hope that the doctor who will take care of me when I wipe-out (which is sure to be often) is one good-looking guy. "Ow, my ribs! Take care of me! Take me home!" Wahahahaaaa. Yeah, that would definitely be easier than going to med school. :D

That was a good movie. Watch it!
Call me! I'll watch it with you!!!

* * * *

By the way, I stayed up late last night watching High School Musical 2.
What a difference eh? From feel-good teeny-bopper flick to Pinoy movie with lots of dramz. Haha.

Can I just say that my ultimate goal in life is to marry Zac Efron? Hahahaha. Ok, my ultimate ultimate goal is to marry Prince William and be Queen of England, but I need to have a fallback, you know. Haha.

Zac Efron is so adorable when he's begging. And singing. And skipping. And jumping around. And making pa-cute faces at Vanessa Hudgens. Ooohweee. :)

His solo song/dance number is so gay though. Waha! It's so Broadway-y. So very spirit finger-y. Haha. But he makes up for it in the last song number with Vanessa. Their duets are so kilig, my heart melted 3 times during the whole movie. Haha. *sigh* Oh to be high school again and have uncomplicated kilig. :)

Dancing the Night Away

Tonight, my room is temporarily converted into my own personal club.

Club music is blaring out of my speakers (The Way I Are and Please Don't Stop the Music are the popular choices), and I am jumping around my room like a maniac, my arms, legs and hips trying to keep up with the beat.

My realization: I look like a complete idiot. Hahaha. Why, oh why, don't I know how to dance??? Waha! Good thing nobody can see me. Unfortunately, I have full view of my failed attempts at "cool dance moves," thanks to the mirror covering most of my bedroom wall (yeah, a whole wall. That's vanity for you).

Yesterday, I was carefully following the steps in the High School Musical Dance-Along. Wahaha! Ang corny ko talaga foreverrr. My sister was laughing at me the whole time I was attempting that "Getcha Head In the Game" dance sequence. I thought I did ok during the step-by-step lesson. But when they switched to half-speed, then to full-speed, I was flailing around like a freak. Haaaaah, crazy. :)

Stress can make you do crazy things. Might as well make sure that they're crazy, fun things. :)

Dancing is fun. And Rihanna has got it right when she says: "I gotta get my body movin', shake the stress away." It works! It's a good workout too. I was red in the face (out of exertion and personal embarrassment) within minutes. I reckon I might have lost a couple of pounds right there. Haha. I wish.

Ika nga ni Baz Luhrmann: "Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room." In my case, it's my bedroom. And shakin' my booty (even if I look like I'm having an epileptic attack while doing so), makes me feel oh-so-freeeeeee. Haha.

Whee. Fun. :)

I wish I knew how to dance. That would be soooo cool.

"She's a maniac, maniac on the dance floor. And she's dancing like she's never danced before."

A Love Story

I am so looking forward to watching A Love Story, starring Aga Muhlach, Maricel Soriano and Angelica Panganiban. 1st day palang papanoorin ko na to. Baka mamaya makita niyo nalang ako sa news, kakalabas lang ng movie house giving my testimonial about the movie:

The fanatic: "Ang guwapo ni Aga!"
The romantic: "Bagay sila!"
The cool-kunwari: "Great movie. Watch it."
The psycho: "AAAAAAAAAAAH! Ang gandaAAAAAHHHH!!!"

Wahaha. :)

Trailer palang naiiyak na ako. It's Joey Albert's fault.

Tell me
Where did I go wrong?
What did I do to make you change your mind completely?
When I thought this love would never end
But if this love's not ours to have
I'll let it go
With your goodbye...

Hehe. Sorry, baduy ba? :D




Some quotable quotes I got from watching the trailer:

Aga: "Mahal mo ba ako?"
Maricel: "Sobra. Kahit alam kong hindi na tama."

Aga: "Mahal na mahal kita! Akala ko sapat na yun para makalimutan mo kung tama to o mali."

Maricel: "Ayoko na ng may kahati ako. Kaya hindi na kita kayang mahalin."

"Ang babae, parang bulaklak...wag mong pipitasin kung sisirain mo lang."
(yan ang winner!)


Magbabaon na rin ako ng tissue. Waaaah. :(

Delirious

I am going to starve today.

I left my baon at home (2 pieces of corned beef pandesal that are too big anyway, so I can't really eat them properly because of my sore jaw).

I don't have any money on me (Lemme count...40 pesos worth of bills + 20 pesos worth of coins = 60 pesos. Just enough for my fare going home tonight. Wow).

I don't have any money in my ATM account (I wiped it all out to pay for my horrendous credit card bill last month, brought about by this).

Yesterday, after eating chicken joy, half-rice and palabok (all free, care of the product presentation here at work), I weighed myself and gleefully saw that I am back to my college weight! Busog ako pero college weight parin! Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles! Waha. That's saying a lot, since I was thin as a stick during college. Want proof? :D

If you want to get thin in a span of 2 months (15 pounds, yeah), here's my secret: 1. Get depressed. 2. Be emotionally imbalanced (it helps curb your appetite). 3. Do not eat anything that reminds you of what got you depressed in the first place (which is pretty much everything). 4. Get your wisdom teeth removed.

Sure ball yan. Waha. :D Disclaimer: Once you start doing some (or all) of the above, it's hard to pull yourself back up. It's a definite black hole. Make sure someone's around to support you...or to give you a slap in the face when you're being a drama queen. :)

Anyway, when my swollen face has improved, I have to exercise. Tone the abs for a bikini-worthy body come November. I'll be hitting the waves in the Land Down Under, and I plan to make a splash. Ohmygod. For the first time in my whole, entire life, am I about to have washboard abs? Or is it too much to wish for?!? Hahahaha. Sorry, I'm sort of delirious today. It's the hunger, see.

Somebody save me. Fooooood. Somebody give me some foooood. Something easy to chew please. Haha.

"Productive" Monday

I stayed home today, because of my swollen jaw (caused by another wisdom tooth extraction). I look like I came straight out of a chipmunk cartoon (Alvin, Simon...Theodore!). Not good for walking around Makati.

I woke up this morning, my whole body (yes, including certain internal organs, specifically the one located in the left chest cavity) feeling like lead.

So I stayed home. And I thought I would be productive today. :)

Being productive, meaning: I sat on my butt the whole day and added new pictures to my Multiply site. Haha. I wanted to fix my layout, too. But the Adobe Photoshop is in the PC upstairs, and I'm tamad. Besides, the altitude might cause the arteries in my gums to explode (don't quote me on this, this has no medical basis).

Go check 'em out:

Random Nothings
Blast From the Past - College Edition

Recognize the effort, people. I had to go dig up my old CDs to get my (already) archived pictures from the land of no return. And I'm frustrated since I haven't had any eventful stuff in my life to warrant any new pictures. That's coming soon, though. I hope. Hehe.

Anyway, since I don't have anything better to do than to sit in front of my laptop the whole day, I thought I'd go check out my daily horoscope. I like it. Here it is:

"There is a stillness in the air, and things are finally settling into place in your personal life. Therefore, this is not a good day to move around and stir things up again. Let sleeping dogs lie, don't revisit sensitive issues, and just enjoy where you are in life right now. You'll be getting introspective about yourself, which is a good thing -- it will help you see things in the right perspective and realize how much you've grown in a relatively short period of time."

Hell, yeah I've grown. I am awesome. I am strong. I am woman.

I sure hope you're right, oh lucky stars. :)

Ok. Back to bumming. Gotta love it. :)

Dapat nag t-shirt nalang ako

Expectations are for fools.

I am a fool.

A fool who has wasted a perfectly good outfit on a Friday night spent at home.

Dumdedumdumb.

Switchfoot Live In Manila!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!

Switchfoot is having a concert here in Manila!

When: September 10, 2007 (Monday)
Where: Cuneta Astrodome
Tickets: Prices range from PhP 250 (gallery) - PhP 1400 (moshpit)

Ang mura noh?

AAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! I love Switchfoot.

I will definitely watch this.

StairMistress

I have a new exercise regimen.

Instead of waiting until the weekend to get an hour of "walking" on the treadmill, I figured, why not do my walking here in the office? *grin*

So 2x a day, every lunch break and afternoon break, I use the stairs.

I go down 10 flights (my warm-up), and then I go 10 flights back up! Geeeenius. Haha.

I'm improving, too. Yesterday, I was already wheezing on my 2nd flight back up. Today, I didn't start wheezing until the 5th flight. Heehee. Tomorrow, if I'm not too tired, maybe I can eliminate the wheezing altogether! Haha. Asa.

Yeah. Burn, baby, burn.

In a few months, I'll be so sexified, you won't believe it. Haha. *sigh*

Next step: Resist Ruffles temptation (Pretty hard when we've got about a dozen bags at home! My mom just came from Duty Free shopping. Waaah).

Happiness

Enough of my gloom-and-doom entries. I think it's about time some sunshine invades these gloomy blog pages. Hehe.
Now this video is sunshine in a bottle. :)

OK Go - On Treadmills

If there is such a thing as instant-silly-happiness, thizizit. Cheered me up, for sure. Haha! Watch it!

I want to be a robot

I coerced my seastarr to accompany me to the mall once again (3rd straight day in row!).

Friday: Eastwood City to eat at Teriyaki Boy and to watch Sandwich and Hale (for free!).
Saturday: Power Plant Mall to take advantage of the sale; Glorietta to have dinner with Diane and Lez at Italianni's and to watch Fantastic Four (finally) with my sister.
Sunday: To eat at CPK and to watch Transformers.

My mom's reaction: "Aalis nanaman kayo? Bakit ba hindi ka mapakali???"

This, accompanied by an exasperated look which slowly gave way to a look of realization, and finally to a look of submission. Instant permission. That's the only good thing that has come out of this, so far. Hehe.

And so, my sister and I went to the mall (Shangri-La Plaza this time) with the intent of watching Transformers...

Gaaaaah!

TRANSFORMERS is the coolest movie EVER!!!

My mouth was literally hanging open the whole time. Those alien robots make being mechanical look so cool. I want to be a robot. Hahaha. I want to watch it again!

Josh Duhamel is HOT. And Shia LeBeouf is quirky-cute. I should've staked my claim on him during his Even Steven days. Now, after his awesomely funny portrayal of Sam Witwicky (gotta love that name), everyone's going to want a piece of him. Haha.

And the moment they inserted Linkin Park's song at the end...that was genius. Ahhhh. Ahluvit. :) Have I mentioned that I want to watch it again?

I got strangely sad, though, when Optimus Prime (or was it Megatron?) said "One shall stand, one shall fall." Dagnabit. Even robot action movies make me sad.

* * * *

And since I was in a mall, it goes without saying that I felt compelled to put a dent in my savings yet again. Hay. Last na toh, promise.

As a kit-kat present to myself (and as a misguided act of rebellion), I bought something that is the anti-thesis of my existence: A new, "rugged-looking" watch (at 50% off, at least!) from Time Studio. Something that symbolizes this strange, new phase I am going through...this strange, new me (the operative word being "symbolize"...Very different from "represent").

It's kinda rocker-bordering-on-biker-ish: thick, black leather strap embellished with stainless steel chains (tasfefully done, ha, and not too OA. I haven't gone over the edge yet), and a small, round, silver watch mounted on the strap. And the clincher: a playboy bunny (the logo, not the person) emblazoned prominently on the watch face. Ahahaha. I look so cool. Trying hard to look cool. :D Trying hard to look different.

* * * *

Today, it's back to work. Back to the nitty-gritty. Back to realizing that I have saved none of my latest salary. Back to doing monotonous tasks which thankfully keep my mind on track. Back to my boring life...the most exciting event of which is having a rebel watch. Ha. How pathetic. :)

Is it so hard to believe then that I want to be a robot? Hehe.

Retail Therapy?

I had some retail therapy today at the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell. Sale eh. Gotta take advantage of that! :)

• I bought this cute, asymmetrical black top with silver stars at Mango (50% off!). Perfect for nights out. Though I really can't imagine myself having a gimik night any time soon. Helps to be prepared, though.

• I bought another black top, this time at Zara (regular price, though). It has this art work in front, of a 20's-era couple. It's my I-feel-like-a-rocker-chick mood shirt.

• And i bought a white top, also from Zara. It has some words (etched in silver) that say: More Love Because It's Good and It Makes You Happy. Haha. Can't argue with that. Bring on the luuuuurve. *sigh* It's my optimistic shirt. Gotta wear it when I'm depressed so that I exude an image of sarcasm – I mean, happiness.

• I also bought fashion tape from Beauty Bar, just because I had to. The top I wore for the day was very "accident-prone" if you know what I mean. Maybe I should have bought 2-sided tape at National Bookstore instead. That fashion tape is horrendously overpriced! But desperate times call for desperate measures (and desperate measures do not let money get in the way).

* * * *

So...did it work? (The retail therapy, not the fashion tape)

Eh. Not really.

Instead of mending that big, gaping hole in my chest, I just acquired an even bigger hole in my wallet. Boo. :( I hope I don't regret this when the credit card bill comes!

Thanks to my seastarr, by the way, who has been patiently accompanying me to my spur of the moment escapades. :) Dahil sayo, nauubos pera ko. Hahaha. Just kidding. Mwah.

First Time

Lifehouse has done it again. :)

Their new single, First Time, is something that could fit perfectly into a romantic comedy (which is a good thing, by the way). Its melody exhilarates you, sweeps you off your feet and brings you along for the ride...just like being inlove for the first time. Hay.

Never mind that listening to it makes me puke because my vivid imagination sees it being sung by an imaginary antagonist. Never mind that.

If you're in the zone, though (the zone being the happy place), this is a very nice song.

Here are the lyrics. Download the song and drown yourself in its sharp sappiness. :P

I love you, Lifehouse.

* * * *

First Time
by Lifehouse

We're both looking for something
We've been afraid to find
It's easier to be broken
It's easier to hide

Looking at you, holding my breath
For once in my life
I'm scared to death
I'm taking a chance letting you inside

I'm feeling alive all over again
As deep as the sky under my skin
Like being in love, she said, for the first time
Maybe I'm wrong, I'm feeling right
Where I belong with you tonight
Like being in love to feel for the first time

The world that I see inside you
Waiting to come to life
Waking me up to dreaming
Reality in your eyes

Looking at you, holding my breath
For once in my life I'm scared to death
I'm taking a chance letting you inside

I'm feeling alive all over again
As deep as the sky under my skin
Like being in love, she said, for the first time
Maybe I'm wrong, I'm feeling right
Where I belong with you tonight
Like being in love to feel for the first time

We're crashing
Into the unknown
We're lost in this
But it feels like home

I'm feeling alive all over again
As deep as the sky under my skin
Like being in love, she said, for the first time
Maybe I'm wrong, I'm feeling right
Where I belong with you tonight
Like being in love to feel for the first time
Like being in love she said for the first time
Like being in love to feel for the first time

For Good

I've only started reading Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire the beginning of this month. I also have the Wicked Musical soundtrack on repeat in my iPod.

It's a very witty story: it redefines good and evil, and gives you a view of the paradox that surrounds it. I haven't advanced substantially into the book yet (but I've read enough to know that it's not a children's book - parents beware), but I have heard the whole soundtrack a few times already, so I have an idea of how the story will turn out. One song in particular caught my attention (and caused a sentimental ache in my heart in the process. Hehe): "For Good." It's the 2nd to the last song in the musical. Shows you how sad the ending is. :( I have it on repeat now as I write this.

You can apply this song to friendship or love, or both. It's very sad. Kinda like "I Love You, Goodbye" but in a mutual sense (excuse me while I get a tissue. *sniff*).

Listen to it, please. Listen to the whole soundtrack so that you can better appreciate the story. Listen to the song so that you can hear for yourself the sadness of its melody (sorry about the mushiness, I think it's the hormones). Listen to iiiiittt. :)

Excuse me for now. Magsesenti muna ako..."Because I knew youuu..."

My goal is to be able to watch the musical within the year! Puwede kaya yun? :) Somebody send me tickets to the States...or to London! :)

* * * *

For Good
by Elphaba (Idina Menzel) and Glinda (Kristin Chenoweth)

(Elphaba) I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
For both of us - now it's up to you...

(Glinda) I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba) It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

(Glinda) Because I knew you

(Both) I have been changed for good

(Elphaba) And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

(Glinda) But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

(Both) And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda) Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba) Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

(Both) Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

(Glinda) And because I knew you...

(Elphaba) Because I knew you...

(Both) Because I knew you...I have been changed for good.

Musing Out Loud

Is it considered tacky for a woman to drink in public by herself?

Those girls in Grey's Anatomy do it all the time at Joe's.

Hmmm.

Hehe. That would be pretty interesting.

Soundtrack of My Life

If a movie of my life was made, this will be it's soundtrack.

Cool. I enjoyed doing this. :D

* * * *

RULES:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Media Player, iPod, Winamp etc.)
2. Put it on shuffle.
3. Press play.
4. For every question, type the song that’s playing.
5. When you go to the next question,press the next button.
6. Don’t lie and pretend you’re cool.
7. When you’re finished, tag some other people to do it!


A. Opening credits:
Can We Talk by Code Red
"Can we talk for a minute
Girl I want to know your name"
It invites the movie-watchers to try to get to know me more, I guess. Haha.

B. Waking up:
Wishful Thinking by Duncan Sheik
"Listen to the waves,
Everything communicates
Will it ever be
Anything more than wishful thinking?"
Very reflective song. Gets the brain cells working very early in the morning.

C. First Day of School:
100% Pure Love by Crystal Waters
"You saw a brand new high, thought that you could fly"
Very perky, very energetic song. Perfect for the first day of school!

D. Falling in love:
I Want You Back for Good by Take That
"Whenever I'm wrong just tell me the song and I'll sing it
You'll be right and understood"
Hindi bagay. Not really a "falling in love" kind of song. More like a "desperate for you to fall back in love with me" song.

E. First song:
Moon River
"Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way.
Two drifters off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see."
Romantic, idealistic song. :)

F. Breaking up:
Shiver by Maroon 5
"I shiver when I hear your name
Think about you but it’s not the same"
You can interpret it differently, if you want.

G. Prom:
Ugly Girl by Fiona Apple
Hey. I didn't look that bad during my prom. Haha.Ok, so there's an ugly duckling storyline going on...

H. Life:
You Sexy Thing by Barry White!
"I believe in miracles
Since you came along you sexy thing."
And then, the ugly duckling becomes a swan? Haha! Parang "She's All That" nyek!

I. Mental breakdown:
For The Love by Drew Sidora
Yes. Love can make you breakdown. I'm not going to contest that! Haha.

J. Driving:
With Him by Babyface
That's the best way to drive. :)

K. Flashback:
Pass You By by Boyz II Men
"A thousand days have passed
And nights gone by"
Live life with no regrets. :)

L. Getting back together:
Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?
Look up the lyrics on the internet. If you want to get back with a woman, you have got to know these things! Hehe.

M. Wedding:
Never Gone by Backstreet Boys
"Never gone, never far. In my heart is where you are..."
I always knew that these boys would be part of my wedding, in one way or another. Haha.

N. Birth of a child:
Bend and Break by Keane
"Meet me in the morning when you wake up...I'll meet you in the morning when you wake."
Perfeeeeeect!!! Awww. :)

O. Final battle:
Bridge Over Troubled Water
"When darkness comes
And pains is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down."
Dramatic!

P. Death scene:
Wash Away by Vertical Horizon
"His eyes are tainted, staggered is his breath
Oh God, he's addicted. Addicted to death."
Morbid. Pero bagay na bagay!

Q. Funeral song:
The Last Time by Eric Benet
*sniff* Kung di pa kayo umiyak sa burol ko niyan...

R. End credits:
Truth Hurts by Usher
Yeah, it does, but it has to be told! Hence, my life story. Haha.

* * * *

Ang galing. Blockbuster ang movie ko. Or kung hindi man, bebenta ang aking OST.
Buwahahaha. :) Fun.

One Simple Act

Yesterday, one day after election day, I found myself looking for the telltale indelible ink on the fingers of the people I encountered. Sadly, most of the people I saw had clean fingers. It disheartened me because it meant that only a few people voted last May 14.

Wait. Scrap "disheartened." I was annoyed. It irked me even more so when I heard my boss criticizing the senators who've made it to the "Magic 12" in the unofficial results. "Ano ba naman ang magagawan nun?" "Puro tanga nanaman ang mamamahala satin." "Walang magbabago sa sistema natin." All that after I heard him say (loudly and proudly) that he wasn't going to vote "kasi para san pa? Mangungurakot at mangungurakot rin ang mga yan."

Ugh. I want to smack him on the head.

While he's saying all of the statements above, I am thinking "Puro tanga ang mamamahala satin kasi marami ring tanga (tulad mo) na walang ginawa para baguhin yon." Nakakainis.

Another post-election incident: I was talking to one of my officemates yesterday about the candidates we voted for. Another officemate of ours passed by (swaggered, is more like it), smirked at us, and proclaimed "wala talaga akong pakialam."

Kung puwede ko lang sha sakalin.

* * * *

I expected the youth - our hope for the future - to be all gung-ho about voting. Sadly, most of the young people (teka, considered as "youth" pa ba ako? Haha.) are the ones who are apathetic. I hear them echoing the statements made by the older, more mature people - "Wala namang kuwenta voting system dito sa Pilipinas. Mangdadaya lang yan. Bakit pa kami boboto?"

I know a lot of people who didn't vote. Some, because they weren't able to register. Others, because they didn't want to register. The rest, because they just didn't care. In this day and age, apathy is becoming the most-used excuse. Now that the world is becoming smaller because of technology; now that social problems aren't showing any signs of decreasing; now that we have more opportunities to be educated...Now isn't the time to be detached from everything else. We cannot claim that we are not informed, because the cold, harsh truths are staring at us everywhere we go.

I admit that I am not the most knowledgeable person out there, especially about politics and social issues. But I recognize that for change to occur, I am required to take action. One simple act makes a much clearer statement, and creates more opportunity for change, than not doing anything at all.

Voting is one such act that can initiate change. It is our right. It is our choice. It can change the world, if you believe in it enough.

"I think, therefore I vote." It makes a clear statement that voting takes an initiative to think, and therefore, to act and make a difference.

Halalan 2007

Elections may have a negative connotation for most people. The words cheating, corruption, and bribery usually come to mind.

This year, though, I've chosen to have a more positive outlook towards this year's elections.
I see this as a chance for change. Hope for the future. Improvement!

*sigh*

Let's see what the next few days (or weeks) will bring...


I think, therefore I vote.

It's blue skies ahead for the Philippine government (hopefully)!

My Personal Bubble

I never knew how particular I was about my personal space until recently. A few months back, I started to get really irritable when people here in the office frequently invaded my personal bubble.

I don't really mind if it's in a crowded area, like in the MRT, or in the mall. Of course, that's unavoidable. Here in the office, however, specifically when I'm sitting at my desk, I get very territorial.

Let me illustrate. My desk is about 1.2 meters long, and I am sitting somewhere in the middle of that length. There is approximately 1 meter (2.5 feet) of free space all around my chair. According to the diagram below, that is already a violation of my personal space. But this is Manila, a very populated place, so I can bring down my standards a few meters or so. No sense in being a prude.



So I bring down my personal space standard to 1 meter. That should be enough, right? This is an office, not Divisoria – we are not crammed in here like sardines in a can. But with all this lease-given space, my officemates don't seem to understand the concept of proxemics.

How can I tell my officemates to please stop rolling into my zone? Is it really necessary for them to roll their chairs all the way into my intimate space bubble (yes, less than 1.5 feet, as indicated by the personal space diagram)? Kailangan ba talaga idikit nila yung upuan nila sa upuan ko? As if naman maingay dito sa office. I can hear anyone whisper from 5 feet away. Kailangan ba talaga nilang basahin kung ano man ang nasa computer screen / nasa table ko habang nasa loob sila ng aking zone? Invading my personal bubble is enough, do they have to invade my privacy as well?

Am I being petty? Is it really wrong to hate it when people hover?

I've noticed that my male officemates are usually the ones who violate this. The females, who are naturally more intimate than men, know their boundaries. Strange.

There's an invisible bubble around me. Stay away from it.

AI Results Show (May 2, 2007)

Unang una kong comment...

Puti pala si Robon Thicke.

My gosh. Akala ko African-American sha. Hahaha. Parang hindi bagay yung itsura nya sa boses nya. Para kasi siyang Prince na pinaputi. Wahaha. :) Wala, nagulat lang ako.

Second comment...

Astig talaga yung Idol Gives Back. It's the biggest pop event on TV ever. And they raised almost $70 million to give to Africa and to different communities in the States! They should do something like that here. Pero hindi ata gagana yun dito. Gagawin lang publicity opportunity yun ng mga politika, at mawawala yung inspirational message nya. Boo. Boo to myself, too for not believing that it could work here. Tsk.

Third comment...

Goodbye, Phil. I knew early-on na matatanggal sha ng maaga. Pero maganda yung performance nya kagabi eh. Sayang. Kung kelan pa sha gumagaling eh dun pa sha natanggal. Oh well. Ang ganda nung background song sa tribute video kay Phil. I Stand By You by Carrie Underwood. The same song they used for her video in last week's Idol Gives Back.

Fourth comment...

SHET NAMAN!!! It's between Blake and Chris! Wag namaaaaan. :( Hu. Pero kung papipiliin ako, mas gusto kong manatili si Blake. Please please please, wag sana matanggal si Blake! I'm a Blaker! Hehe. :)

Then...the result...

Aaaaaah! Goodbye Chris Richardson. Cutie-who-looks-short-pero-matangkad-pala. I guess I was kind of expecting it after his performance last night. Between Blake's awesome, original, out of this world performance, and Chris' consistently nasal-y performance, it's expected that Chris would go home. Too bad.

And finally...

Go Blake! Blake and Melinda for top 2! Woot-woo!

Happy Non-Working Holiday

Since it's a holiday and I have a lot of time to blog, this entry will be an assortment of sorts. :D

* * * *

I've had a full morning, and it's only 8:00 a.m.

5:45 a.m. – Woke up, abruptly ending my dreams (which, to my recollection, were pretty nice)
6:00 a.m. – Left the house
6:05 – Witnessed the motorcycle in front of me topple over after he tried to take a sharp left.
6:15 – Loaded gas at Shell C5
6:20 – Arrived in Makati
6:25 – Overshot Pasong Tamo, and took a wrong turn into Osmena Highway.
6:35 – Arrived at MLV's house, gave the CD to her dad
6:40 – Drove off.
6:50 – Ordered breakfast at McDonald's Fort Bonifacio drive-thru.
7:30 – Arrived at home. Ate my breakfast.

Wow. Sana ganito lang kadali ang biyahe papuntang Makati araw-araw.

I was planning to sleep once I got home, but the easy drive lifted my spirits a bit, and I am not the least bit sleepy now. Hay.

Will watch Shooter and Spiderman 3 in a couple of hours. Whee. :)

* * * *

Food trip!

Roti Mum.

They're not kidding when they say that they have the best coffee buns around.
Ahhhh. So nice. I could get addicted to these. :)

They just opened a branch in Megamall (next to Powerbooks). Try it!

* * * *

I've recently been addicted to Hershey's milk chocolate. As in, papapakin ko sa office yung Hershey's kisses, or the chocolate bar. Not good for my figure. And my wallet. But very good for my disposition. Chocolate = happiness.

* * * *

Yun lang. :)

Happy Non-Working Holiday!

Statement Retraction

I would like to apologize for the wrong information I posted in my blog about the Grey's Anatomy spin-off.

Sad to say, Sean Faris is not part of the official cast (where the heck did I get that idea anyway? Darn internet spews senseless facts everywhere. Hehe). Sayang. My mind has gotten used to imagining Sean as McHottie in the series. Hahaha. :D

Chris Lowell, however, is in the cast (hurrah!), and I've got pictures to prove it. Siya ata yung resident cutie dun eh. Hahaha. Wow. :)


Check out the other promo pictures here

Music To My Ears

Silent Sanctuary had a gig at Saguijo Makati last night, and I finally had a chance to watch them (lapit kasi sa office! Buti na lang). Haven't been able to watch live band gigs in a long time (the last one being Itchyworms in Aklan), and I forgot how fun it could be. Beer, friends, live music – who could go wrong with that?

Anyway, since I'm in such a Silent Sanctuary high, I'm lengthening and reposting my CD review entry. Enjoy!

* * * *

Silent Sanctuary’s new album entitled Fuchsiang Pag-Ibig is a must-have. Sobrang sulit. And the following are the reasons why:

- Ikaw Lamang by Silent Sanctuary has been playing over the radio for several weeks now, and I never tire of listening to it. It's their first single, and the reason why I bought their CD in the first place. The way they incorporate classic instruments (violin and cello) into the contemporary rock sound is pleasantly surprising to the ears.

- Summer Song is a sweet, reggae tune that sounds like sun, sand, and piña coladas are streaming out of your speakers. The notes are light and smooth, and the lyrics are so reminiscent of summer love. This is to be my anthem for Summer 2007. Now all I need is a hammock in a beach setting, and someone to sit beside me. Ahhh. :)

- Another light, fun song is Pink 5ive. The melody is the "bop your head along with the beat" kind, and it tells the story of the elusive girl codenamed "Pink 5ive." It jumpstarts the listener with a bubble-gum happy tune, and then the happiness trails off with a slow, despondent theme. "Mga superhero'y sinungaling din..." Again, a song that showcases opposite ends of the emotional pole. :)

- Technically, “kundiman” is the Philippines’ signature love song, generally expressing the forlorn lament of a faithful lover pining for his beloved (shempre rinesearch ko pa yan). Silent Sanctuary's Kundiman is a love song that gives justice to the technical definition of the term. It is a song which uses a lot of playful lyrics, my favorite of which is "para kang unan / pinapainit mo ang aking tiyan." Hehe. But despite the use of comedic, seemingly silly words to woo the girl in the stanzas, the chorus is bittersweet in its message of devotion: "Hindi ako lalayo / Dahil ang tanging panalangin ko ay ikaw..."

- The phrase “ingat ka” is so commonly used as parting words that the underlying sweetness of its message is overlooked. The song “Ingat Ka” reminds you of that good feeling you get when someone is concerned enough to tell you to take care. It is an unexpected favorite song of mine. I guess part of why I like it is because I would want someone to dedicate this song to me when I leave for graduate studies in the future. Ang sarap kasi makarinig ng "ngiti mong kay ganda / siguradong mamimiss kita" pag aalis ka na, diba? Hehe. :)

- “14” is track number 14 in a CD with a total of 12 songs (Go figure!). Like the rest of the album, it’s sweet, it’s sad, and it rocks! The lyrics are nicely written, and knowing what “14” actually means gives it an extra kilig factor. ;) It’s the kind of song you would want to sing (with feelings, dapat) when you’re sad, frustrated, or feeling sentimental (pag gusto mong mag-emote, kumbaga...).

- One of my guilty-pleasures is Rebound, a poppy-happy sounding song with an undertone of melancholy and desperation (which is what love is, really). The way the strings are introduced right after the line "o kay bilis naman magsawa ng puso mo" makes the heart soar and sink at the same time. Beautiful contrast.

And that's what Silent Sanctuary is all about (for me, anyway). A band of beautiful contrast. Stringing together pleasure and pain; singing about the sweetness of love and the agony of it.

It's like being pulled simultaneously in opposite directions (kasiyahan, kalungkutan), and loving every minute of it. Astig talaga. :)

Buy the album. Listen to the songs (especially the ones I mentioned above). I guarantee you'll be asking for more.

*P.S. Thanks to the band for signing my CD cover at the Saguijo gig! Hope you have more Makati gigs in the future! :)

Imagine...

My Daydream...:)

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Virginia Gun Massacre

This is such a tragedy.

Why do acts of violence as extreme as this happen? What's sad is, the people who got killed didn't do anything to warrant this kind of death. They were killed because of what? Because a stranger couldn't take the pressure? Because their classmate was crazy enough to suddenly want to kill anything in his path? Because they decided to attend class that morning to learn? They were killed simply because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

I really don't understand why some people are driven into this kind of "killing spree" insanity. I don't know the exact facts, but I'm pretty sure that another US school shooting happened several years back. What could be the constant factor here? The US educational system is too difficult? Teachers expect too much from their students? Peer pressure? Bullies? The need for attention? One last hurrah – the "I-think-I'll-go-kill-as-many-people-as-I-can-before-killing-myself" kind of hurrah? I'm sure the psychologists around the world are having a field day trying to figure out the psychological reason behind all this.

Whatever the reason may be, the harsh truth is, 33 people are dead. I don't know them personally, but I really feel for the family and friends they left behind. Imagine thinking that your kid is at school and then finding out later that day that he was gunned down inside the classroom – the last place on earth you'd expect to be remotely dangerous. It's crazy. :(

Are there any more safe places left in the world?