Miss Brouhaha Universe 2011

No, I'm not going to create my own version of beauty pageants. It just so happened that on Tuesday, 13th of September, will be the 60th version of the universal beauty pageant happens here in our planet, Miss Universe.

The Miss Universe official logo
(courtesy of Miss Universe)

I don't understand myself but whenever the months of May to September, I am so glued to the television just to watch Miss Universe. It was always being televised on RPN 9 (good old days, right?) every morning, since it was live via satellite from the United States. What I always want in the whole scenario of the beauty pageant was the parade of candidates from 70 to 80 countries (excluded nations who were Muslims; they were not allowed to join these kinds of pageants because of... Well, I don't know!). They will say something about themselves: their names, age and where do they live, and they will wholeheartedly broadcast the name of their country. You have to wait for at least ten minutes just to see these gorgeous ladies from around the world. Before, they do the parade per continent, starting with the North America, down last to Africa. Right now, they were doing it alphabetically, starting with Albania down to either Zambia or Zimbabwe or Yugoslavia (oh, sorry, this country never exists nowadays).

Aside from the shouting of their personal information is the sashaying of their national costumes. With that, you would know the beauty of their country by the way they muse themselves with different designs and colors of their costumes. What I always love are the national costumes from Asian and Latin American candidates, specifically China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, India, Thailand and of course, the Philippines, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia. Other candidates from Europe and the Americas were always the same design and costume every year, especially in Europe. There were some candidates, in their national costumes, have used their own flag colors, just to represent it. Like France (with the colors blue, white and green), United Kingdom, U.S.A., and many more, they were using their flag colors just to flaunt their country. Nowadays, the Miss Universe gives credit for the women who have bestowed their culture as Best in National Costume.

Venus Raj, 22, Philippines
(courtesy of wallyibong,blogspot.com)

Another thing that I love about watching Miss Universe is choosing their Top 15. In the good old days, they were choosing 10, then they made it to 12, and they had also reached Top 20. Everybody is glued in the boob tube to witness who will make to the top, just a mile away to the crown. Last year, after eleven years, the Philippines was able to put herself in the Top 15. The whole nation were really in happiness, because the day before the pageant, a very sorrowful hostage taking had happened in Manila that shocked not only the whole country, but the whole world. Good thing, Little Miss Sunshine here, named Venus, tilted the Philippines into another dimension by bringing home the bacon. Even though she only lasted as 4th runner-up, putting again the Philippines into the map of beauty queens steered our girl and gay friends of hoping and vying for the crown.

Speaking of runners-up, there were Filipinas, who joined Miss Universe, had able to land in one of the winners of the said beauty pageant. Recently, it was Venus who became 4th runner-up. Eleven years before her designation, Miriam Quiambao became 1st runner-up in Miss Universe 1999. Desiree Verdadero became 3rd runner-up in Miss Universe 1984, same goes with the late Rosario "Chat" Silayan who was awarded as 3rd runner-up. In the 1970s, Rosemarie "Chiqui" Brosas chosen as 4th runner-up in Miss Universe 1975.

Waaaaah!!! I won! I won! I won! - Mpule
(courtesy of tpmum.com)

The choosing of who will become Miss Universe terrifies me a lot. To be so honest, I am always getting nervous for the announcement of winners, for no reason at all. If five has been chosen, there will be of course, 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st runners-up. The last name that will be called will be the 1st runner-up and automatically, the last candidate on stage will be the newly-crowned Miss Universe of that year. Before they announce it, the host will tell the most important note, which is if possible the current Miss Universe did not fulfill her duties, the 1st runner-up will takeover. In short, the winner will be dethroned (think of abduction). Different kind of emotions have been shown by the winners, either by shouts or no reaction at all. I remember in 1999, the year when Miriam Quiambao fought her country in the pageant. She was named 1st runner-up and automatically, the last candidate is declared Miss Universe, and that is Mpule Kwelagobe from Botswana. Interestingly enough, it was the first time the country of Botswana swooned into the pool of Miss Universe and luckily, they won! The very funny scene of shouting and distorted face of the queen has been shown to almost all of the crowd in the venue. Despite her not-so-glamorous emotion towards her win, she became a titleholder, a history-maker and of course, Miss Universe.

And who could not forget, two beauties from the Pearl of the Orient, were crowned as Miss Universe. In 1969, Gloria Diaz, known for her petite body and witty answer (it was the same year when Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin historically landed via Apollo 11 on the Earth's moon.) was chosen to become Miss Universe. After four years, in 1973, Margarita Moran was also hailed as that year's Miss Universe. Since then, we were waiting for the third Filipina who will become the one. It has been four decades when we won our last championship in beauty pageants. Well, patience is definitely a virtue.

The Folk Arts Theater, now known as Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas
(courtesy of designkultur.wordpress.com)

Being a venue for the Miss Universe is as grand as the Olympics. I heard from some reliable sources that the Miss Universe Organization, the owner of the said pageant bearing its name too, were also choosing the best city or country to become the official venue of the pageant. In 1974 and again in 1994, the Philippines was able to become host of the pageant. History told us that former First Lady Imelda Marcos asked the construction firm of the once-glamorous Folk Arts Theater to finish it as early as possible. It took only 90 days, or three months to finish the said venue. The pageant also held in the morning, to make way for the evening broadcast of the pageant in the United States. This kind of opportunity have shown to the world how beautiful the host country is, telling the audience about some tourist spots and the culture and people inhabiting the place.

They are so into it...
(courtesy of iamapv.blogspot.com)

Watching Miss Universe is like watching a Manny Pacquiao bout, or a UAAP championship. I, myself, am counted as one of the traditional viewers of the beauty pageant. It really makes me happy seeing gorgeous women in their national costumes, swimwear and evening gown. It also makes me realize that the Miss Universe is not only about the perfect vital statistics, the perfect walk and the perfect beauty on the outside but also about the talent, intelligence and congeniality of the candidates. Since then, I always look forward to watch an episode of Miss Universe from start to finish. Last year, I was really excited to go home just to watch the primetime telecast of the pageant. I saw how great Venus Raj was in the pageant. The moment she was called in the Top 15 was made me outstanding and a bit nervous. And these girls, I mean boys, showed that the Filipino are not only into basketball and boxing, but also to beauty pageants. When Venus Raj was called by the host, they jumped into the air, shouted their lungs out and cried with happiness. Two of the greatest designers in our country today were part of these viral video that had 3 million hits on YouTube, and they were Veejay Floresca (who does Bianca Gonzalez's gowns) and Martin Bautista (who does gowns of Kris Aquino and Charlene Gonzales). For them, it was an annual tradition to watch Miss Universe together with their friends and last year's version was the most thrilling, exhilarating and tremendous outcome they had shown to all. Well, they are only four of the millions of viewers of the pageant around the planet. Imagine Miss Universe being televised in some of the moviehouses, coliseums, stadiums and even open areas, just like the Manny Pacquiao fights? Who will be mostly of the members of the audience? Of course, you know who they are!

Let us do hope that our candidate, Shamcey Supsup, would surely bring home the crown from Brazil. Yes, aside from her extraordinary beauty, she has 100% fully-loaded wit to inspire the judges (Lea Salonga happens to be one of the judges for this year) and choose her to be the next Miss Universe. I have a work on Tuesday so probably I could ask my bosses in my company I am working to excuse me because I will watch Miss Universe! Haha, I'm just kidding.

Good luck and toodles!!!

photos courtesy of Google

Anew...

A simple title for this simple blog post...

Facebook had launched a new interface for their photos. And also Blogger, which I think, far better than the old one. A new month was here, September, the first of the so-called "ber" months, in which it clings us to Christmastime. A new family member was added to our institution. For my new age, I need to think anew. It seems that my life has been so dull, nothing has been changed for the better, and worst, I really felt useless. It is now. The time that I need to change for myself. I need to change, I wanted myself to be better!

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I'm looking for some job opportunities abroad, in teaching of course. I don't know if I still have some chances of becoming a true-blood, full-fledged educator in another educational institution. If a possible, perfect job opportunity abroad will knock on my doorstep, why not to grab it! Besides, I already have three years of teaching experience and I truly believe I have the guts! But this attitude of mine is I really hate so much! Laziness. Yes, I'm too lazy to apply. I have too many reasons why I am really not into applying. One is I don't have enough money to spent. When you say job applications in another country, it means placement fees, working visa requirements, seminars, tickets and accommodations, a lot! Second, there are a lot of choices. Countries like the United States, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and so much more has careers and I don't know what to choose. Yes, I could have a greater career here in teaching, since there are lots of good institution sprawling around the metro but who wants to settle for less, right? Aim high for your career, sadly enough, you need to fly and serve the people whom you cannot share your own culture.

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I need new sets of clothes. My wardrobe needs a total makeover because most of my clothes are with me since, imagine this, college! I can actually buy lots of stuff from stores but the thing is, here we go again, I don't know where to shop. I'm still confused whenever I only got to visit a store, to buy this or not to buy this. Instead of purchasing, I'd rather head to the nearest restaurant and just eat! Maybe, it's time for me to reward myself in a different way. I need to buy clothes or anything that will best suit me. Instead of thinking the best foods to be tasted, why not think of the best wardrobe that might add good looks to me. I am a type of person that I really don't take risk in managing clothes, since I'm not into it. Why should I buy a P1,000 worth of polo if I can only wear at least once or twice. If there's a sale, I am barging in, but not too quite, hahaha! But for this time, thanks to all fashion magazine and my fashion icons, I am ready to step out to the catwalk!

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I had a hiatus of fulfilling my dream to become a student. Whenever I see students, whether college or graduate school students, I always dream of maybe one day, I could also be like them. I really miss the time that you are always in a hurry finishing all the required tasks by your college professor. I like the idea of being crammed; a day or two before the said deadline then you are in fast-paced condition finishing the project or a term paper for a certain subject. When you're in a cramming situation, your mind runs too fast and you are thinking the best of your mind, and that makes me having a good grade. I was asking my colleagues how much money will I spent just to study. Some says it's too costly to afford. But there are lots of means to make tuition fees cut in half. If I will pursue it, I'll be asking for some scholarship grants just to study ably. I'll be taking it slowly but indeed surely! And afterwards, I can now use it as my credential if not to some colleges and universities (I'm also considering teaching in colleges and universities) or to abroad. But before thinking it, I need to get inside an admission office, and ask what suits me to become one.

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Part of my talks***s before was to catch a concert, whether local or foreign act. Soon, it will be happening but I don't know when or how? I was thinking of watching a local act at the end of the month, just alone. It would be a dream come true to me, going inside of the Smart Araneta Coliseum. In my entire life, I never had a single chance to get inside of it, not even a peek. And also, I would love to try watching a foreign act, but I don't know where will they put it. This worldwide phenomenal group will again stage themselves in our country, and I wanted to count myself in as their crazy member of the audience. These two things will happen with success if I will save up for it. Of course, I will!

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After my birthday, I needed to change for myself. Concentration is what I really need! I was totally done with my hullabaloos before about love, decision and all. Because of these wacky things, I made myself in a whirlwind situation, which makes my life not on a certain point. And now, I need to think about myself, my whole personality. Enough of having a "blah" life, I wanted to be a superstar, not just a superhero!

Ziegrey, start your engine and please, enjoy every single moment of your ride!!!

Toodles!!!

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24 Happenings on my 24th Birthday

Today is so special, it is my 24th birth anniversary (parang kay Dr. Jose Rizal lang!)

First time kong magse-celebrate ng birthday ko na may pasok. Before kasi laging advanced birthday celebration together with my students and my co-teachers. At paminsan-minsan, natatapat pa sa Linggo ng Wika celebration ng aming institution. But, things have changed, and it is okay. I celebrated it with my dear students and my new colleagues. Despite of it, ang dami pa ring bumati sa akin coming from the different departments, and sobra akong natuwa talaga! Honestly, I was expecting a surprise but nothing happened. Nevertheless, why should you expect a nice surprise from a special someone, if having a new age being added to your life is indeed, surprising! With or without surprise, I may say that this day is very special to me!

Let me share the twenty four things that happened today, which is my birthday!

ONE - I woke up early for no reason at all. Sadyang nagising lang ako not because I am excited to go to work, but according to my body clock. I opened my computer to do four kinds of quizzes for my kids, both in English and in Filipino.

TWO - I already reached the institution I've been working. May nakasabay akong co-teacher but she hasn't known any information that today is my birthday. She was really clueless, but it's okay. Ang kapal ko naman kung ibo-broadcast ko sa kanya na, "uy, birthday ko, greet mo ako!"

THREE - I was really moved with the gestures of my co-teachers sa aming group (Intermediate/High School). They wrote "Happy Birthday Sir Zieg" on my whiteboard and my students hid themselves at the back. Siyempre, nag-astang nagulat ako, but truly I was really touched! I hugged my kids tight and they greeted me, "Happy Birthday!"

FOUR - We had our flag ceremony upstairs. At first, we did the morning prayer, followed by the singing of the National Anthem, and the Ann Arbor hymn, followed by the song "Lord, I Offer My Life!" and calisthenics. After that, again they did a wonderful gesture of singing "Happy Birthday" just for me! Sobrang sweet talaga ng aking mga anak!

FIVE - I stayed with my kids! Para kaming family, ako ang parent, sila ang aking mga anak! We had so much fun talking and talking, though some of them were fighting in petty form. I told them that we'll stay at the library and we'll have our classes there.

SIX - Pagkapasok ko sa library, binati ako ng aking pinakamamahal na kapatid/kaibigan na itago na lang natin sa pangalang Justin Bieber. The normal things he does to me, pinapalo-palo, sinasaktan, tapos tinulak pa ako sa computer kaya may nasirang isang unit (all of these things are only joke!). Afterwards, his students also greeted me "Happy Birthday!" with smile and hugs.

SEVEN - While I was checking the seatworks of my kids, tiyempong pumunta mismo sa aming building ang aking mga dating anak! Sobrang nakakatuwa because they did not forget me! Super touching!!! Since ayaw kong magbanggit ng name, itago na lang natin sila sa mga pangalang Pia Dapito, Hannah Joya, Chelsea Triana, Alanisse Sabugo at Andrea Tolon!

EIGHT - I checked my Facebook account, and almost a hundred na ang bumati sa akin!!! Well, thank you so much!!! I was thinking of saying thank you to each and everyone who greeted me!

NINE - I also checked my Twitter account, hoping for a greeting from my love, Anne Curtis. As usual, of course, and what could I expect, nothing! Period!

TEN - I went to the canteen to have a late recess! I saw my dear friend na itago na lang natin sa pangalang Miss Australia! Siyempre, binati ako ng bonggang bongga! Since, they have a stall at our canteen, nakakatuwa because her mom gave me my favorite, tuna pesto!!! Wala nga lang tinapay! Thank you po!!!

ELEVEN - My kids from the Third Group also greeted me! Super sweet!

TWELVE - I went to the canteen to have my lunch and of course, a bunch of kids greeted me! Sobrang sweet talaga nila!!! Isang bata, itago na lang natin sa pangalang Ilog, as usual binati ako! And also with the same people who greeted me. And marami pa; they were my former kids! Gosh, how much I miss them!!!

THIRTEEN - We had our faculty meeting and laking tuwa ko because the whole teachers greeted me and sang me the "Happy Birthday" song! Sobrang nakakatuwa! My dire wish, "mahuli na si Hoo Lee Kha!!!"

FOURTEEN - While we're having our meeting, we had our snacks and they thought na galing sa akin ang pan de coco at juice! Hehehe, how I wish!!! Well, salamat na rin for the compliment!!!

FIFTEEN - I went to my tutorial and the father of my kid, literally pulled him just to greet me Happy Birthday. How sweet!!!

SIXTEEN - My tutee, Matthew, also greeted me on my birthday!!!

SEVENTEEN - I went to the faculty lounge of my former friends just to have some chit-chats. Nakita ako ng aking kaibigan and of course, kumanta siya ng bonggang-bonggang "Happy Birthday" na sinabayan pa ng isa! Sobrang tuwa ko! I know that today is really my special day. Afterwards, we talked about the plans for the Foundation Week.

EIGHTEEN - We went out already, talked about this mysterious person on Facebook. And went straight to SM Southmall with my best buddy, just to do some canvassing!

NINETEEN - We ate a light snack at McDonald's munching our favorite Crispy Chicken Sandwich. Kung puwede lang umulit pero hindi. Bawal sa akin ang manok! But still, I'm eating it! Makulit rin ako, right?

TWENTY - Nag-try akong tumaya sa lotto. Yesterday, I wasn't able to win because my numbers did not match correctly. Now, I'm trying my luck to win millions of peso, not only for myself, but for my whole family!

TWENTY ONE - My best buddy and I went on separate ways. I need to go to SM Muntinlupa early to buy my handa. Since medyo low budget ngayon, I only bought a cake roll from Goldilocks, Selecta Hersheys ice cream, Andoks roasted chicken and my Dad's specialty, pancit canton, na parang yung mga pancit sa 168 sa Divisoria, sa sobrang sarap!!!

TWENTY TWO - I texted all my friends who greeted me today!!! Super happy for what they did to me! They made me felt so special!!!

TWENTY THREE - I non-stop thanked all of my Facebook friends who greeted me today! No words can describe my friendship to them! It's not about how many people greeted you, but the thought of remembering the most important day of the year, my birthday, and;

TWENTY FOUR - I ended my birthday with a prayer of gratitude and thanks, through the Rosary!

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln.

I know that a 24-year-old guy or girl is already a marrying type, or if not, whatsoever, it's just a mere kind of number. What is important is how you grow from the inside, by means of being a matured one and an intellectual one! I know myself that I am thinking of the best thing I could do, and I need to start it today!

Again from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much for sharing your life to me!!! Thanks for the wonderful friendship and camaraderie!!!

Toodles!!!

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Five Churches, One Prayer...

Five churches, one specific prayer...

Allow me to create a theme for my birthday pilgrimage this year. How did I start this? Last year, I was only buying my personal things in Makati when something entered on my mind. I went to SM Megamall just to pray the rosary at the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord. And then, my mind said, I wanted to do a pilgrimage-like deed, in which in line on my birthday. Last year, I was about to do five churches just to contemplate and if luckily, hear mass, but I only got four.

This year, I really prepared because I might be successful. I chose my five ultimate, favorite churches only located here in Metro Manila, wherein I will say my prayers (by praying the four mysteries of the Rosary) and hearing mass at the last church. I was a bit successful but not quite went okay, but it was really fun.

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

First, I went to Manila Cathedral. Before I went there, I really, really need to use a restroom just to withdraw something. I tried to use jeepney en route to Manila Cathedral, but I was really shocked when this mode went inside of South Harbor. The journey I took was kind of creepy, but with it, I didn't mind. I took the Anda Circle, and I walked towards Intramuros, plying Palacio del Gobernador, and finally at the cathedral. I went inside of it and I was grandiosely awakened by its holiness. The cathedral is known for being air-conditioned but since there's no special occasion; they only let it closed. The cathedral's ceiling is really high, and the stained glass are gorgeous. The altar was simply adorned with the statue of the Immaculate Concepcion, so happened to be its patron. I said my first set of Rosary, using what is for today, the Sorrowful Mysteries:
          1. The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemani
          2. The Scourging at the Pillar
          3. The Crowning with Thorns
          4. The Carrying of the Cross to Mount Calvary
          5. The Crucifixion and Death of the Lord Jesus Christ
I intended my prayer for my Mom. Her health condition went worse again this past few days because of highly-susceptible condition called stress! As of this writing, she is now super okay! But we already discussed and disclosed that she will now take the leap of undergoing surgery just to get rid of her mass at her left ear.

The altar of San Sebastian Church

San Sebastian Church was my next destination. From the cathedral, I reached the Manila City Hall and went walking through SM City Manila. There were jeepneys in front of it and then I went through. The journey was also the same as what I take whenever I go to St. Jude every Thursday. After loading off from the jeep, I was really happy because the church is open and about to prepare for the mass. I also saw some students doing practices for their sabayang pagbigkas. I went inside of the church, and still, I was a bit astonished! Who would have thought that the church that I visited was a renowned work of Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (think of the Eiffel Tower in Paris). It is the only church in Asia which is made entirely of steel. The looks of the interiors are a bit rusty and spooky, but the elegance of the whole church is indeed glamorous. The feel inside of the church is breezy, thanks to the opened doors at the left side of the church. I said my second set of Rosary, this time, using the Glorious Mysteries.
          1. The Resurrection of the Lord
          2. The Ascension of the Lord into Heaven
          3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles
          4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
          5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
I intended my prayer for my family to withstand the troubles were facing right now. I also asked to make ourselves not only strong but tough. With this, we would surely know our problems will diminished if we will do something and of course, pray.

The huge altar of Santo Domingo Church

I walked from San Sebastian Church to Mendiola to Recto and took a jeepney ride to Morayta and then took a brisk walk to España. I saw an FX taxi, with SM Fairview on its front. That's the correct route because I'll be going to my next church, which is also one of my favorite churches, the Santo Domingo Church. When I was in fourth year high school, our school was celebrating 35th anniversary and in line with that, we were gathered to do a pilgrimage in different churches around Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Our first stop during that time was Santo Domingo Church and I may say, it is huge and astonishing. The church may look small outside, but when you get inside, it is like an auditorium or a music hall with numerous pews and large altar in front. I don't understand myself; I came all the way from Muntinlupa just to visit this famous landmark in Quezon City. I was in awe when I entered the church. I was really entering this church, in which I just only saw last Holy Week for the Seven Last Words! I was really moved with it. I said my third set of Rosary, but unfortunately, the church was also conducting one. Still, I go on on my own using the Luminous Mysteries.

          1. The Baptism of Jesus at the Jordan River
          2. The Self-Manifestation at the Wedding at Canaa
          3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
          4. The Transfiguration of the Lord
          5. The Institution of the Holy Eucharist
Same with the first two, I intended my prayers to my friends who were always supportive, caring and of course, understanding. No more words can describe my friendship to them, and their friendship to me!

The altar of the Shrine of Our Lady of EDSA

My fourth favorite church in the metro was I think, the smallest I have ever seen, and yet very modernist in structure and design. This is also the venue for another important occasion in the country, the EDSA Shrine. But getting there is really challenging, well that's the part of pilgrimage. I used the MRT and took Ortigas station. From the station, I walked for at least 10 minutes to the said church. It was a bit tiring and also polluted, but I was really guaranteed with the church. It is air-conditioned, small, dimmed yet the ambiance was peaceful and calming. I was really worried because it was already 6:30 in the evening , I might not catch the mass for the last church. Still, I continued my praying. I used the Joyful Mysteries, making it like a living rosary.
          1. The Annunciation of Angel Gabriel to Mary
          2. The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth
          3. The Birth of our Lord
          4. The Presentation of the Child Jesus at the Temple
          5. The Finding of the Child Jesus at the Temple
I intended my prayer for myself. I need to love myself more than anyone. I need to think first about myself, for my own good and probably it will done to others. My only dire wish for my birthday is to have not only good but the best health, best wealth and best peace of mind.

The closed Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord at Megamall

I was a bit of disappointed because the fifth and last church that I've visited was already closed. The mass was already ended so the people from the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord in SM Megamall needs to close the whole church. What is so special with this church? Aside from its location which is on the 5th floor of the Mega Atrium, it was also gained its popularity through the mall-goers. I never attended the mass, so I just went inside of their another spectacle, the Adoration Chapel. The smaller chapel can also fit many devotees and it can also be the venue for some mass. But again, for my part, it would not be pushed through because it was finished. I just contemplated and said my gratifying words to Him for giving me a wonderful life. I also said my wish, but I cannot share it to you or else, it might not granted.

Five churches, one prayer! How I wish my prayers would be granted. But it should not be like that. You are praying because you are talking to Him. And that's what I did today, I wanted to thank Him for giving me another year of extravagance. I do hope we could withstand the trials were facing nearly to our heads. I'm not asking for a return for what I did, but it is really a heartfelt joy for doing it so.

It did not finish successfully because of time, but it was fruitful and of course, successful. I'm surely doing this a day before my birthday (I don't care if there will be classes or work). If I could visit more than five churches, why not! All because of Him, that's why I'm doing this!

Why don't you do this too?

Toodles!!!

Sorry for the pictures. It's blurred because I only used a camera phone.


Advanced happy birthday to me!!!

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In Cinemas, August 31, 2011

Ang taray!!!

My birthday, August 31st falls on Wednesday, and here in the Philippines, most of the films are being premiered in the middle day of the week. I was really happy because six movies will be starting rolling their films at the movie houses on my natal day. I'm not sure if I can watch all of these films, since most of them are not my type of movies that I watch. But I guarantee myself that at least three out of these six films will definitely feast my eyes, not because of the actors but because of their warm-loving stories to tell.

P'WEDDING TAYO, P'WEDDING HINDI - by Star Cinema, which stars my two favorite comediennes, Toni Gonzaga and Eugene Domingo. I don't have any idea with their story, from the title and film poster itself, it seems that it is about a wedding, done in good and bad tastes. Toni's wedding might be a perfect one, while Eugene's not.

Anyway, what's important with it is that, it has two outrageously funny women in our entertainment industry, and I guess, I'll be making my tummy ache again because of them.







TRUST - directed by David Schwimmer (is he the one from Friends?). It stars Clive Owen and Viola Davis (actually, they are the only two that I know from this movie). According to its synopsis, it is a story of 13-year-old girl who met a 15-year-old boy online. But the boy's real age is 30 year old, mocking himself to the girl. And then, they did the thing which was supposedly not to be done with a teenager. In that incident, a lot of things had happened, including investigation, counselling and so much more.

I'm not sure if I'm going to watch this because it doesn't interest me well, but I think it is a good film. Based from the reviews that I've seen, it is "one of the most acclaimed films of 2011." Well, let's see it, next year on cable. Hehehe!

COLOMBIANA - released via Viva Films. It fronts Zoe Saldana, from the surprisingly 2009 hit Avatar, and Michael Vartan, from my another favorite movie Monster-in-Law. It is a story of an assassin who had a very tragic childhood memories of seeing her parents being gunned down. She grew up to become one of the elite assassins taking down gangsters and other bad-ideal persons in their area. The only objective of her becoming an assassin is to reach the mastermind who abducted her parents.

I'll probably watch this because I have an inclination of watching action films, in which women are the action stars. Think of Angelina Jolie of Mr. and Mrs Smith, Salt and Wanted; Milla Jovovich of the Resident Evil franchise and Uma Thurman of Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2, they are really going to bring down the house with their action skills and handling the gun. And now, I could include Zoe Saldana.

DEEP GOLD - directed by Michael Gleissner. It stars so many actors and actresses that I do not really know. Anyway, I've seen its film trailer when my friends and I watched "Ang Babae sa Septic Tank" in SM Southmall. We were really hesitant in watching it, but at the same time, it feels good because they've filmed it in our country, the majestic Philippines. According to Wikipedia, they used Cebu and Palawan as their location, and probably a good choice!

We were also making some "okray" reactions because it will be shown in 3D! How's that! Well, another milestone for our country, and another movie to be watched... On cable, next year!!!

ZOMBADINGS 1: PATAYIN SA SHOKOT SI REMINGTON - We've seen its trailer last year. I was with my friends watching Mama Kris Aquino's thriller Dalaw. When we've seen it, we were all criticizing it at first because it is not truly mainstream. But we were all shocked (not only the three of us) because it is a funny movie, not just a horror one! We told to ourselves, we'll surely watch it.

It stars Roderick Paulate (of course!), Janice de Belen, Eugene Domingo (my favorite), Lauren Young (from Mula Sa Puso) and Martin Escudero (as the title role, not Zombading but Remington). It's a story of a boy (Remington) who always crack jokes with a gay (Roderick Paulate). Afterwards, he was being cursed telling that when he reached a certain age, he will become a full-fledged gay. But there's a twist, some gay men in their town has been targeted and being rid out by someone. Later on, the whole town has been swarmed by many zombies who were actually gay, thus being called Zombadings. Scary isn't it? I don't know, but after watching it, I guess, it's not only scary but also horrifying!

BAD TEACHER - Stars my favorite Charlie's angel, Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel (from How I Met Your Mother?) and the ex-boyfriend of Cameron, Justin Timberlake (how weird is that!). It's a story of a worst teacher in the whole of Chicago who curses her students, consumes alcohol, smokes marijuana and shows movies to let herself sleep during her class. She wants to quit teaching just to marry her very rich fiancé but she was dumped by him leaving her alone. Then she meets her substitute teacher, played by Justin, and tries to win him too, knowing that he is also as rich as with his former flame.

It seems that most of the films to be shown during my birthday are very close to my heart (well, it is for you to say it, hahaha!). I'm not as bad as Cameron's role here but being teacher can be funny most of the times. But I think it is really hard to become one, because you exemplify the best of the society. And yes, we're humans and we need to take the back seat by doing a lot of things normal, happy people do. In short, just watch the film and go judge her! Hahaha!

There you go, the six films that will hit the box-office by storm on my birth anniversary. Now, what should I watch, and where should I watch these films (as what I've written earlier, I'll be only watching three films, who are so close to my heart, well I don't know?). I think these films will be on top of the charts because they chose to premiere on my birthday! Hahaha! Just kidding!

See a movie and toodles!!!

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English 101: Idiomatic Expressions Galore!!!

Last Tuesday, I went upstairs just to have some catchy talk with my best buddy. We're both majors in English and we love having a quality time chatting about the world of English language (ergo, we rock English!). He shared me of some high-fallutin' idiomatic expressions that I never heard of before. He was really making the negative comment whenever I choose the wrong idiom on his prepared quarterly exam. And with that idea, I am so imbibed to introduce to you some idiomatic expressions that we usually hear, read and experience while talking to somebody, or even reading a novel and of course, if it could happen, experiencing it.

By the way, what is an idiomatic expression?

IDIOM - came from the Latin word idioma, which means "special property. Also from the Greek word idioma, which means "special feature, special phrasing." Also idios, which means "one's own." (1) It is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the word which it is made. (2) An expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up.

a chip on your shoulder - being upset on something that happened in the past
    A person who always has a chip on his shoulder cannot move forward to the future.


a doubting Thomas - a skeptic who needs physical or personal evidence in order to believe something.
    I am so worried about your latest project that I am becoming a doubting Thomas.


all in the same boat - when everyone is facing the same challenge
    All of the teachers are in the same boat, especially when finalizing their grades.


beat a dead horse - to force an issue that has already ended
    The people in our community have created a hearsay because somebody beat a dead horse on an issue.


bite your tongue - to avoid talking
    I told you my secret so you really need to bite your tongue for them not to know about it.


can't cut the mustard - someone who isn't adequate enough to compete or participate
    My daughter can't cut the mustard every time she joins the beauty contest.


crack someone up - to make someone laugh
    I'm such a comedian because I'm cracking someone up whenever they have problems.


cry wolf - intentionally raise a false alarm
    My co-teacher became a cry wolf after telling to us about the photobooth.


dead ringer - 100% identical; a duplicate
    My sons are really a dead ringer whenever their classmates see them at school.


dog days of summer - the hottest days of the summer season
    Last April, we've experienced the dog days of summer with a temperature of 38 degrees.


down to the wire - something that ends at the last minute or last few seconds
    The shopping time at the boutique downs to the wire before its closing time.


Elvis has left the building - the show has come to an end; it's all over
    Elvis has left the building with the Shakespearean play shown at the CCP Main Theater.


everything but the kitchen sink - almost everything and anything has been included
    I think our English teacher included everything but the kitchen sink in his quarterly exam.


finding your feet - to become more comfortable in whatever you are doing
    I am finding my feet in teaching special children during my English and Filipino time.


flip the bird - to raise your middle finger at someone
    Tony flipped the bird to his long-time ally, Bill.


funny farm - a mental institutional facility
    Almost my entire stay at this funny farm brought so much problem to me.


get your walking papers - get fired from a job
    My father got his walking papers away from that disorganized company.


give him the slip - to get away from; to escape
    I gave my husband the slip just to have some fun with his friends.


he lost his head - angry and overcome by emotions
    Since he lost his head, he can no longer retract his utterances anymore to his former friend.


high on the hog - living in luxury
    I'm dreaming of living high on the hog with signature brands and luxury cars.


hold your horses - be patient
    I need to hold my horses whenever I face my naughty students.


in the heat of the moment - overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment
    I always end up smiling while in the heat of the moment with my crush.


keep your chin up - to remain joyful in a tough situation
    I always keep my chin up whenever troubles comes along the way.


knee jerk reaction - a quick and automatic response
    If somebody tickles me whether at my waist or on my feet, I always feel a knee jerk reaction.


know the ropes - to understand the details
    The president of the class needs to know the ropes about their latest project for the school.


let sleeping dogs lie - to avoid restarting a conflict
    The member-teachers of the organization will let the sleeping dogs lie for them to move on to their meeting.


let the cat out of the bag - to share a secret that wasn't supposed to be shared
    Mario let the cat out of the bag to his best friend because he knows he trusts him so much.


make no bones about - to state a fact so there are no doubts or objections
    The valedictorian made no bones about her report so her teacher did not ask her too much.


New York minute - it happens very fast
    Every morning, my father is always on a New York minute in preparing his breakfast.


no holds barred - no rules of conduct, you can do anything
    In our basketball game, we play it with no holds barred that is why we're on a big fight.


off color - look ill
    Therese is off color today so she went to the clinic.


old flames die hard - very difficult to forget old things, especially the first love
    My good friend used to talk about his old flames that can die hard and he won't get rid of it.


on a silver platter - giving something very easily
    The best actor award was given to him on a silver platter.


parrot fashion - learning from word to word
    My students understood the functions of nouns because I taught it in parrot fashion.


pay peanuts - the salary is very low
    My current employer pays us in peanuts, therefore, I need to find a new job.


place in the sun - a place for wealth, happiness and whatever somebody is looking for in life
    Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte is my favorite place in the sun.


poetry in motion - beautiful to watch
    The whole opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in 2008 is poetry in motion.


queer street - someone in trouble, especially financial
   Our family is now on a queer street so we need to move doubly.


queer the pitch - destroy or ruin a plan
    We need to queer the pitch about the destruction of our place, therefore we could stay here longer.


raincheck - an offer or deal that is declined right now but willing to accept later
    The role of being gay was a raincheck by an award-winning actor, but surprisingly, he changed his mind.


Rome was not built in one day - wanting something to be completely properly, then its going to take time
    The selling of our property in San Pedro will not be like Rome built in one day, so we need to wait.


sitting shotgun - riding in the front passenger seat of a car
    My best buddy is always the sitting shotgun in our every month road trip.


smell a rat - to detect someone in the group who is betraying the others
    I am smelling a rat in our meeting right now. If I were you, leave the vicinity once.


spitting image - the exact likeness or kind
    My students in SPED are spitting image of my former students in the regular school.


the whole nine yards - everything; all of it
    You have to take the whole nine yards just to make her say "yes!"


to steal someone's thunder - to take the credit for something someone else did
    I really had a huge argument because she was able to stole someone's thunder and that's our film.


use your loaf - use your head; think smart
    May I remind you that this is an oral examination so you really need to use your loaves.


water under the bridge - anything from the past that isn't significant or important anymore
    Our petty fights were all water under the bridge, and when we look back, we just laugh real hard.


when pigs fly - something that will never ever happen
    I will surely win the grand prize in the lottery when all of these pigs fly.


Here you go! Idioms that you can use in your daily life, well if you can! Have fun using English 101!!!

toodles - goodbye or good riddance!!!

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Uy Ano Ka Ba, Matulog Ka Na! A Different Brouhaha

I'm not yet sleepy that's why I'm doing blogging at this time.

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Ang daming pumapasok sa isipan ko in which I don't understand. Ang dami-dami naming napagkuwentuhan ng kaibigan ko. I was really shocked kasi ang dami niyang vinent-out about the things that he really hates in their kingdom (the KINGDOM that I'm talking about is the KINGDOM -- no need to elaborate!). I was eagerly listening to him and everything he says are really, really true. May mga bagay talaga sa mundo na masyadong unfair. What should we do with the unfairness, napakadaling sabihing "iwan" pero "mahirap talaga!" For instance, ang dami kong kilalang tao naging unfair sa akin, pero until now kasama ko pa rin, kadamay ko pa rin, best friend ko pa ring maituturing. Sa bagay, friendship doesn't need a back pay. For as long as you are a good friend, you'll have a good way ahead. Basta, kung unfair man siya sa akin, at least I am on the good side of our friendship, regardless of his or her unfairness.

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I know that money is the root of all evil, but it is also the main source of our own problems. Nakakainis talaga kapag nagkakaproblema ka sa pera na hindi mo alam kung saan ka makakakuha at kung saan ka makakahagilap. Parang ngayon na lang, no signs of pay day, siguro sa susunod na linggo pa. Tapos yung kakarampot mo na suweldo, tatapyasan pa dahil sa utang. Tapos yung matitirang pera, kailangang tipirin. And of course, as of my everyday cycle, gagastos na naman sa pagkain and afterwards, uuwing luhaan dahil ubos na ang pera. I was really wishing na sana makapag-ipon ako at makagastos ng hindi masyadong malaki. We had a heart-to-heart talk with my friend at talaga namang ang dami kong nalaman tungkol sa pagtitipid. It was really a big blow when he said these words to me, "nagtrabaho ka pa kung hindi ka naman makakapag-ipon." Aray, gusto kong mahulog sa kinalalagyan ko. If only those words could kill, I was already dead! Lifestyle ang tamang sagot diyan. Kung ang lifestyle mo ay masyadong magastos, tiyak wala ka talagang maiipon, kahit 10% ng suweldo mo. Kumain ka na't lahat-lahat, dahil naisipan mong kumain ulit, kakain ka na naman. Ang tiyan naman ng tao may limitation naman. Ewan ko ba, I'm so tired of thinking what to do with my money. Gusto kong mag-ipon, saving for a gift that I am wanting to have. Dito ko na lang susubukan ang sarili ko if I handle the money properly! Kung kailangang maging kuripot, gagawin ko, ma-achieve ko lang ang dapat kong ma-achieve. Good thing, hindi uso sa isang ordinaryong tao ang tinatawag na "lifestyle check," or else, bagsak ako!

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Honestly, I really don't want to share this pero I can't help it...

Huwag na lang, baka pagtawanan pa ako ng iba...

Baka sabihin, masyado akong nag-aassume...

Assumera to be exact...

I'll just keep it for myself...

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Kung magkakaroon man ako ng iPad 2, mala-love ko ito dahil sa tatlong bagay (probably madagdagan pa ito kung magkakaroon man): Angry Birds, iBooks at FaceTime. Dati gusto ko WiFi na iPad 2 lang, pero mas mabilis ang internet kung naka-3G ka. Kapag 3G, puwede mong lagyan ng SIM card tapos magpapaload ka and everything's perfect, ang taray-taray mo na! As a teacher, I could use it as a learning tool. As a somebody, I could use for it nothing. Para saan nga ba ang iPad 2, walang pamporma lang, pandagdag ng abubot sa bahay. Kung baga, dahil mayroon sila Vice Ganda, dapat mayroon ka na rin. Parang ganito lang yan eh, bakit ako may Twitter. According to Mo Twister from his morning show Good Times, ang Twitter ay para lamang sa mga artista. News and information. Lahat, PANG-ARTISTA, period! Si Anne Curtis, may Twitter account, almost one million na ang followers niya, at ISA ako doon. Kapag tinitweet ko siya, para lang akong isang butil ng alikabok na hinding-hindi niya mapapansin. So what's the point of tweeting your friend. I could really say that Twitter is not for me, lalo na sa akin na napakadaldal. At ito pa, usong-uso sa Twitter ang NICE TALKING. Kaya nakakawala ng gana, para kang timang, magsasalita ka, everybody's busy. Ano kaya yun? Kaya hindi siya parte ng iPad 2 ko in the future!

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31st of August is my birthday and I think hindi konaman kailangang mag-celebrate with matching cake, friends, socialization and everything. Mas gusto ko pa siyang i-celebrate with God, by going to Mass. For the second time, I'll be doing a birthday pilgrimage, kung baga, version ko siya ng Visita Iglesia. Limang paborito kong simbahan dito sa Metro Manila ang pupuntahan ko. Nagawa ko na ito last year, pero hindi siya successful; naabutan kasi ako ng ulan, so I wasn't able to finish it. Matatapos na rin ang novena ko kay Our Mother of Perpetual Help at kay St. Jude Thaddeus. This coming week, pang-walo ko na at sana hindi matigil, just like what happened before. Kung kailang pang-walong novena ko na kay St. Jude, na-stranded ako, kasama ko mga kaibigan ko, sa SM City Manila. Kay Our Mother of Perpetual Help naman, kinailangan kong pumunta ng ospital for my Mom. So hindi ko na natapos. Ayaw kong maudlot ang lahat, I want everything to be finished! Sa birthday ko, simple lang. Ayaw ko ng may handa, kasi masyadong magastos. Bibili ng bagong damit, sapatos, why not? But to celebrate it with my family and my friends, that's for me is the simplest pero rock na celebration ng birthday ko!

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Ano bang namimiss mo? Yung iba, childhood days. Then yung iba, love of their life. Of course yung iba, family. Ako simple lang, mga kaibigang masyado ng busy sa lahat ng bagay. Hindi naman ako nagtatampo, kung baga, I'm just making pitik lang to you because you haven't talked to me for a very long time! Pero yung iba, kapag tinext mo, kung hindi matagal sumagot, hindi na talaga sasagot. Sa bagay, hindi lang naman ako ang kaibigan mo, marami pa kami. Uy, I'm not making parinig, pero sana lang... Nakakamiss kasi eh. Sayang ang pagpapaload ko ng P30, or ng P50 or minsan pa nga P100, tapos maga-UNLIALLTXT 25 pa ako for one day. Magtetest ako, walang reply, or kung mayroon man, tatlong oras bago ko ma-receive.

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Ayan lang po at maraming salamat sa pagbabasa!

Toodles!!!

Bakit "Da Best" Ang Mga Commercials ng McDonald's?

Nakakain ka na ba dito?

Sa bawat lugar dito sa ating mundo, palagay ko may nakatayong McDonald's na kinakainan ng sinuman sa mundo. Dito lang sa Pilipinas, lalo na sa Metro Manila, napakaraming nagsulputang mga McDonald's ang nakatayo, mapasaya lamang ang bawat Pilipino, mapamatanda man o bata, mapalalake man o babae, mapamahirap man o mayaman, mapa-estudyante man o nagtatrabaho na. Kahit sino yata, napakain na ng restaurant or fast food chain na ito! Ang tanging gusto ko lamang sa McDonald's ay ang kanilang kakaibang mga commercials na napapanood natin sa TV. Kahit ang pinaka-brand nila ay tungkol sa pagkain, ang kanilang opus ay laging tungkol sa kung hindi man, values para sa pamilyang Pilipino, more on the youthful side ng mga Pilipino. Narito ang ilan sa mga commercials na kinuha ko from YouTube na talagang tumatak sa akin, or kung hindi man sa akin, sa ating lahat, at palagay ko, na napag-usapan niyo ng inyong kaibigan, kabarkada, ka-opisina, o karelasyon.

Note: Ang mga kinuha kong "video" ng mga commercials ng McDonald's ay tungkol lamang sa magagandang asal, kumbaga ang mga ito'y seryosong halimbawa ng mga commercials ng McDonald's.

FIRST LOVE - Shown in 2009. Isa na ito siguro sa pinakamalungkot na commercial na pinalabas ng McDonald's. Tungkol ito sa "first love;" nagkita noong sila'y mga bata pa sa McDonald's at nagkitang muli ng pagkatapos ng mahabang panahon. Ngunit, sa pagkikita nila, may asawa na ang kanyang "first love," at kahit hindi man sila naging sila sa huli, alam niya na siya pa rin ang itinuturing niyang "first love." Ang tanging nagpaalala lang sa kanyang "first love" ay ang pagsawsaw niya ng French fries sa sundae. Ang nagpaganda pa lalo sa commercial na ito, ang paggamit ng awiting "Ang Huling El Bimbo" ng Eraserheads, na aakalain mong, parang nangyari noong panahon ng kanilang kasikatan, na ngayo'y nagbabalik-alaala sa kanilang dalawa.

LEARNINGS - Hinding hindi talaga makakalimutan ng sinumang umibig ang kanilang "first love." Masakit man dahil hindi kayo ang nagkatuluyan, magmimistulang isang magandang alaala ng nakaraan kung ano man ang naramdaman.

TWEEN - Shown in 2010. Nagustuhan ko itong commercial ng McDonald's na tungkol naman sa unang"date" ng isang "tween" (mula sa Wikipedia, preadolescence, that is, the stage between middle childhood and adolescence in human development, in the range of 9 to 12 years old). Ang twist sa istorya ay ang pagsama sa kanya ng kanyang mga magulang. Nagmistulang "stage parents" ang kanyang magulang dahil hinatid pa siya sa isang branch ng McDonald's. Inaya niya (siguro) ang kanyang kaibigang babae para sa isang "date" at noong oras na para bayaran ang kanilang in-order na pagkain ay saktong walang dalang pera ang batang lalaki. Nagulat na lamang siya dahil sinabi ng nasa counter ay bayad na ang kanilang pagkain. Ang nagbayad: ang mga magulang ng batang lalaki.

LEARNINGS - Kahit ano pa man ang mangyari sa atin bilang mga anak, nandiyan pa rin ang ating mga magulang para tayo'y gabayan at alagaan.

BFGF - Shown in 2011. Nagulat na lamang ako dahil ito pala ay na-ban o ipinatigil ang pagpapalabas. Marahil sa kadahilanang hindi angkop sa bata ang pinaka-tema ng commercial na ito. Tungkol ito sa dalawang batang nasa parke. Nagtanong ang batang babae kung siya ba ay "girl friend" na ng batang lalaki. Sumagot ng hindi ang batang lalaki dahil masyadong mahirap sa kanya ang magkaroon ng kasintahan. Masyadong "demanding" ang pagkakaroon ng "girl friend," na tipong kung ano man ang magustuhan ay kailangang pagbigyan. Ngunit, ang tanging hiling lang pala ng batang babae ay bigyan siya ng French fries ng batang lalaki. Sa huli, pinagbigyan din siya at marahil, naging sila.

LEARNINGS - Hindi nga talagang angkop sa kanilang edad ang ideya tungkol sa pag-ibig pero sa pagkakataong pinakita ng commercial na ito, kailangang malaman ng sinumang umiibig na may hangganan kung ano ang kailangan ng isang umiibig na babae, sa isang umiibig na lalake at ganoon din sa kabaliktaran.

KAREN - Shown in 2002. Sobrang naaalala ko itong commercial na ito. Dahil din sa commercial na ito ng McDonald's nakilala si Karen delos Reyes, na naging artista ng GMA 7 (kung natatandaan niyo siya, naging parte siya ng programang Click na ipinapalabas tuwing Sabado). Tungkol naman ito sa mag-lolong kumain sa isang branch ng McDonald's. Umorder ang apong si Karen ng pagkain nila, habang ang kanyang lolo naman ay naglalaro. Natatawag niyang Gina ang kanyang kasamang apo na si Karen, dahil na rin sa kanyang katandaan kaya nagkakamali siya sa pagtawag ng pangalan ng kanyang apo. Ngunit nabawi ang inis ni Karen dahil habang ang kanyang lolo ay naghihiwa ng kanyang "hamburger," ang kalahating iyon ay para sa kanyang pinakapaboritong apo, na si Karen.

LEARNINGS - Kailangan nating mahalin ang ating mga lolo't lola. Anuman ang mangyari sa kanila, kailangan nating ibigay ang pagmamahal na karapat-dapat sa kanila.

MEMORY - Shown in 2011. Tungkol sa tatlong lolong kumain sa isang branch ng McDonald's. At habang sila'y naghihintay, nakikita nila ang mga nauuso ngayon sa mga kabataan, na noo'y uso na talaga katulad ng "checkered" na damit, ang pagsusuot ng "fedora hat" at ang pag-inom ng kape. Pero kahit sila'y napaglipasan na ng panahon, alam pa rin nila kung ano ang mga uso ngayon, katulad na lamang ng isang lolo na nagmamay-ari ng iPad.

LEARNINGS - Masarap balik-balikan ang mga bagay na kinalakihan at pinauso noon man at ngayon. Anuman ang edad, ang tanging masasandalan ay ang kasiyahang makita ang mga bagay na nagpapaalala ng kabataan.

KUYA - Shown in 2006. Isa rin ito sa nakakaiyak na commercial ng McDonald's. Tungkol ito sa isang kuya na labis ang inis sa kanyang bunsong kapatid. Sinira ang kanyang "assignment," kaagaw sa kanyang laruan at higit sa lahat, ang atensyon sa kanya ng kanyang ina ay nakukuha ng kanyang bunsong kapatid (si Zaijian Jaranilla ang gumanap bilang bunsong kapatid). Pinilit ipinapatindi sa kanya na kailangang magpasensya sa kakulitan ng kanyang bunsong kapatid. Isang araw, sinundo si Kuya ng kanyang ina at nagulat na lamang siya dahil kumain sila sa McDonald's na sila lamang dalawa.

LEARNINGS - Ang bawat miyembro ng pamilya ay may importansya at may kanya-kanyang tungkulin sa pamilya, mapa-panganay ka man, nasa gitna o bunso. At siyempre, lahat ng mga anak, pang-ilan ka man, sa mata ng magulang, sila ay pare-pareho, walang mataas, walang mababa.

BOSS - Shown in 2006. Siya ay ang janitor sa isang opisina na nangangarap na matawag na "boss." Noong siya ay kumakain sa isang branch ng McDonald's, laking tuwa niya na siya ay tinawag na "boss," matanong lamang kung may nakaupo sa isang bakanteng upuan. Mababaw man ang ibig sabihin noon sa iba, para sa kanyang nangangarap, malaking bagay na iyon na tinawag siyang "boss."

LEARNINGS - Hindi dapat hanggang sa anong mayroon ngayon nabubuhay ang isang tao. Walang masama kung ikaw ay mangangarap ng mas mataas o mas matayog, ang importante ay kailangang magsumikap upang makamit ang tanging pinapangarap.

FAMILY PORTRAIT - Shown in 2003. Ang isa sa pinaka-hindi malilimutang commercial ng McDonald's tungkol sa kagandahan ng pamilyang Pilipino. Sa awitin pa lang ni Noel Cabangon na Kanlungan ay tiyak na maiiyak ka. Tungkol ito sa isang karaniwang pamilyang kumakain sa kanilang hapag, isa sa magandang simbolo ng pamilyang Pilipino, na ipinakita ang pagsibol ng isang pamilya, hangga't sa isa't isang lumilisan ang isang miyembro ng pamilya. Habang may umaalis, ay siya namang nadadagdagan ng upuang hindi na nagagamit. May nagrebelde, may nag-sundalo, may nag-aral hanggang ang kanilang magulang na lang ang natira sa kanilang hapag-kainan. Masakit man isipin na maiiwan ang ating mga magulang sa ating tahanan, ay tiyak na babalik at babalik rin. Nagkaroon sila ng isang "instant family reunion" sa isang branch ng McDonald's at doon nila binalikan ang magagandang alaala ng nakaraan.

LEARNINGS - Ang pamilyang Pilipino, anuman ang mangyari at saan mang sulok ng mundo mapadpad ang isang miyembro, babalik at babalik pa rin ito sa kanyang kinalakihang pamilya.

SIMBANG GABI - Shown in Christmas of 2003. Tradisyon na sa ating mga Pilipino na kumpletuhin ang siyam na umaga ng Simbang Gabi. Isa rin ito sa pinakamagandang commercial na ginawa ng McDonald's tungkol sa isang tradisyon. Ipinakita rito kung papaano nagaayos ang mga kasapi ng simbahan, bago simulan ang Simbang Gabi. Ipinakita rin na pagkatapos ng bawat misa, ay simulan ang umaga sa pagkain sa McDonald's.

LEARNINGS - Panatilihing buhay ang tradisyon ng Pilipino tuwing Kapaskuhan at ito ay ang pagsisimba tuwing Simbang Gabi.

NIGHT PEOPLE - Shown in Christmas of 2009. Security guard na naka-duty sa bisperas ng Pasko, gasoline boy na naka-duty sa bisperas ng Pasko, taga-Customs na naka-duty sa bisperas ng Pasko, nurse na naka-duty sa bisperas ng Pasko at ang taxi driver na naka-duty sa bisperas ng Pasko. Sila ang may trabahong kailangan na nasa labas para lamang kumita kahit araw man ng Pasko. Kailangan nilang kumayod para sa kanila, kahit napakasakit na malaman na dapat sila ay nasa kanilang tahanan, kasama ang pamilya, at ipinagdiriwang ang Araw ng Pasko.

LEARNINGS - Anuman ang mangyari, kahit masakit man isipin na hindi kasama ang pamilya sa isang espesyal na pagdiriwang, alam pa rin ng bawat isa na ito ay pinakamahalagang pagdiriwang sa lahat, ang kapanganakan ni Hesukristo. 

Ito lamang ang mga commercials ng McDonald's na talagang tumatak sa ating lahat. Kung pupuwede ka lamang kumain habang kinukunan para sa isang commercial nila, ay tiyak na ikaliligaya mo ito ng sobra!

Kaya kapag McDo, love mo 'to! Kita kits!

Toodles ☺☺☺

Credits to the owner of the logo (rinkya.blogspot.com)
Credits to the videos (www.youtube.com)

This Sunday Morning on Brouhahas...

Oh, how I can wait to celebrate my birthday on the 31st. I hope we don't have classes because I wanted to celebrate it with my family. Yes, with my family; we'll pig out and have a good time doing chit-chatting and other stuff. Then we'll cook my favorite dishes such as my mom's dinuguan, kaldereta, menudo, spaghetti (but I still prefer her carbonara), fried chicken (though I can't have it all) and so much more! Or maybe, we can eat out, and I'm in charge with everything. I don't know how to celebrate my birthday?

BIRTHDAY NOVENAS - I'm doing two birthday novenas this year. I'm on my third year finishing my birthday novena in front of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. I started it in 2009 and thankfully, all of my prayers were awarded by Her. But to be exact, I'm not really asking for a petition to Her, I just go there as a devotee and not to ask for something. Whenever I have problems about life, specifically financial and career problems, I just go here and contemplate. I don't know when will I stop raising my hands in front of Our Mother. Lifetime, perhaps, I could say. If ever I'm working abroad (I do hope so), I'm still be Her forever devotee! Another one is my devotion to St. Jude Thaddeus every Thursday. With my dear friend, we traverse from our institution to Mendiola in Manila just to catch the 7:15 p.m. mass and novena. St. Jude Thaddeus is known for being the patron of hopeless cases. I started my devotion to Him when Mom became sick and needs to have an operation. Thankfully, through my efforts and through St. Jude's intercession, my Mom became very well and the operation was not pushed through. I was able to write it here in my blog, and yes, His miracle is really true! Right now, I am also becoming a true devotee of Padre Pio. My cousin told me about it and she said that the whatever you pray for Him, He will grant it! We tried to go to His church in Libis last week, and it is so serene and very simple. I got two letters and I'll pass a petition to Him because I have so many things to ask for. But of course, I need to do some efforts to make my petitions do come true.

SECOND QUARTER - First quarter is over, it's time for us to face our newest challenge. Second quarter in our institution is known for being the longest, spanning three months (from August to October) and many, many things will happen. The Linggo ng Wika, in which we need to speak using our mother tongue, Filipino. When I entered SPED, I never thought I will also teach Filipino to these wonderful kids. Yes, I'm having a hard time, especially in translating Filipino to English to my students because they cannot speak. Then we have our exposure trip, and I'm so happy I'm going to meet my idol, my heart and my woman Anne Curtis in Showtime (hopefully on that date, she's there!) and other stars in the Kapamilya network. Our Foundation Day, which is also exciting to see and the Living Rosary, in which the students will perform an Interpretative Dance for Jesus. I can't wait to have long tests and quarterly exams because we're only half day in our schedules and with that, I can do everything! Hahaha!

THE WOMAN IN THE SEPTIC TANK - I might needed to write the English title of the movie that my good friends watched last Friday. Eugene Domingo, I have to say, nailed her performance here. She can do drama and comedy at the same time; I think she can only do that without pretensions. At the beginning of the film (am I doing a film review here?), you would see the realm of squatter's area in Metro Manila; how hard life is for them. Then you would see Eugene, as a mom named Mila cooking lunch for her kids (I counted it seven) sharing a pack of instant noodles. Then, she was bathing her daughter because she has to go to a certain Caucasian selling her kids to a pedophile. My goodness, a drama of a poor mother, being alone and having lots of kids and the only way she could have money is to choose one from her brood and sell him/her. You would know that that's the surface of the movie but it is not, they were actually new breed of filmmakers making a film about poverty and asking for the service of Eugene Domingo as their lead actress. The performance of Cai Cortez (the one who have no dialogues at all, only a shout), as Jocelyn, the production manager, for me was the memorable one for me. She did not say a single word, just a mumble and a smile and a shout, still she delivered it. She was not a decoration, or an addition to the story, thus she was part of the story. She was also the one who imagines their film, so maybe that's her own kind of dialogue in the film. Between Kean Cipriano and JM de Guzman, I preferred the portrayal of Kean as Rainier dela Cuesta. He did a good job as a budding director who wants to have a good-reviewed film. Unlike with JM (as Bingbong, the producer), all he ever thinks is the Kodak Theater and their film going to be the Philippines' bet for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars. Another part of the movie that flabbergasted me was the vulgar words. My goodness, if you're really a conservative type of a human being, you might cover your ears because the way they utter the words, it is really a gunshot. If those words could kill to the person they pertaining to, they're all dead. But the most important scene in the movie is their meeting with Eugene Domingo at her home (but in reality, that's not her mansion. I only saw her condo unit through YES! Magazine's July issue). According to her, there are three kinds of acting, the elevator acting, the TV Patrol acting (which I may say, her best comic stance) and the "as is, where is" acting. She was also making some suggestions, and it is really hilarious! And the sequence number 7 wherein they wanted her to dump herself in the septic tank. For her, it is perfect to do death-defying act, frontal nudity and sex scene with actual penetration (in this part, I really had a hearty laugh) and but not to make her swimming around the septic tank with feces in it. No wonder, Eugene Domingo hailed by Cinemalaya as this year's Best Actress and the movie became box-office hit in the said film festival.

WEIGHT PROBLEMS - Before, so many people are telling that I lost some weight. But now, as I do my blogging, I really think that I did gain weight again. I don't understand myself, I was craving for so many food. I always eat out, knowing that some of the foods they serve have full of cholesterol, fats and other nutrients that makes my body bigger and leaner. I need to lose weight, because I don't want to be "times ten" bigger on the TV screen, during our Showtime stint on September 20th, hahaha!

NO CLASSES - This past weeks, we only had four days of classes because of the sudden coming of the typhoons and heavy rains. For me, it is really good because I tend to do things without kids but it is really an alarming one because the lessons were moving from one day to another. The preparations were in a mishap because of the sudden suspension of classes. Last week, we didn't have classes on Tuesday. Good thing, I was able to watch Umagang Kay Ganda saying that the suspension of classes was declared in pre-school, grade school and high school only in Metro Manila. The following day, Wednesday, DepEd declared half-day suspension because of non-stop rains in Metro Manila. I think, having this kind of profession, which is teaching has both advantage and disadvantage in this kind of scenario. The advantage is, if we don't have classes, we don't have work, but we're paid. The disadvantages are (yes, I made it plural), the moving of the lessons, the numerous complaints from the parents, and of course, the knowledge of the kids that you really wanted to have but could not have because of the suspensions. The kids are having a party because they don't have classes, but for the teachers, though some they are also happy but the essence of the work is on the rocks. I'm not in favor to make September as the opening of classes, just like in other countries, because of so many reasons: the division of the quarters, the temperature of April and May which is scorching hot, and celebrating fiestas and the Holy Week. I don't know for other academicians, or faculty members, or school administrators, or division superintendents, but for me, as Teacher 2, I don't think moving to September as the start of classes is the only exodus for having these kind of problems when it comes to schooling.

And these are our brouhahas this Sunday! Hope you have a good time reading.

Let's make my blog have 2,400 views before my birthday... Please, please, please!!!

Toodles!!! ☺☺ ☺

I Imagine Clouds Are Like Eyes

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."  ~Kahlil Gibran


It bounced me off! The Kahlil Gibran-quote really hooked me, and why? Whenever I get sentimental and emotional, I'm not even feeling that I was about to cry and the tear fell down my cheeks. 


You might ask me, am I crying right now? No, I'm not. Teary-eyed, well, apparently because I am thinking of the things that makes me feel sad and apathetic. Is it because of today's weather? No, I don't think so. I do not cry together with the rain outside because I feel for the weather. Actually, my ultimate favorite season is rainy day because it replenishes dirt and of course, it makes me feel sleepy and regenerated. 


When you cry, there are a lot of things that can be the reason for it. You were disappointed because a certain thing that you want to happen did not push through. You were in pain because a special one left you without any reason. You were sad because the thing that you really, really wanted hadn't been with you. You were desperate because the wish that have been asking for to happen is still a wish. You were in tears because somebody provoked you on a fight in which, you do not want that to happen.


I imagine those clouds are like human eyes. The only thing that they could release what's inside is to let go the water that makes it heavy. Same thing with us, it is pretty difficult to stand and look forward if there's still a burden, a grudge, a heartbreak. The best move to do is to let it out, by means of crying. Afterwards, you would feel the difference. It would make you feel inspired, free and renewed. 


Why such boys don't want to release their tears? Because it makes them less of a man! Not exactly as I knew some real men cry because they felt sadness. Sadness in terms of losing someone, accepting failures and not reaching their goals. It is so hard for men to appeal their machismo because they need to grip their sentiments but a must for every men to cry because it will cause them lot of pain inside. Why such girls are known for being tearjerkers. Women cannot grip their emotions; they need to flow it out. Women primarily has the soft spot in their heart so every time they see a dramatic moment, all they have to do is to get a tissue and start crying. There are some women who can actually control their emotions, but in return, they will.


I do hope my melancholy would leave me, I need to resolve myself. If time would allow me, I want to start all over again. I hope the people around me would experience long and lasting joy and not anymore with grief. I want everyone to be positive-looking in their lives. I want to see people contented on what they have. And I want those wishes to be done to me. 


Let me finish my blog post with a poem, just to make me feel optimistic and serene.


I IMAGINE CLOUDS ARE LIKE EYES


Whenever there is rain pouring down outside
I imagine those clouds are like eyes
Shedding drops of tears from the inside
Because a sad truth was blurted upon


And then it will fall down and all's concerned
People needs a thing to cover them through
But I think, if a person is wailing down
Can you also cover yourself from loneliness


The mood of rainy days, exhibited with frown
To stay indoors, the saddest thing to do
But releasing the pain, the best way to happen
Why not cry outside, let rain drench you


I imagine those clouds are like my eyes
Waiting to drop and making everyone wet
I am in pain, broken, suffered and lost
Wish those clouds to release the mighty sun


No more crying, it will bring you morning glories!!!


Be positive and stay happy... 


Toodles!!! ☺☺☺