Thursday Literary Class

ANG PARANG LOVE STORY NG DALAWANG MAGAGALING NA MANUNULAT

"Kung payabangan lang naman ang usapan, hindi hamak naman na mas maganda ang blog ko," sabi ni Writer Number One sa kanyang katabi sa opisina na si Writer Number Three. "Mabuti ka pa na pina-follow mo ang blog ko pero yung isa diyan, akala mong napakagaling magsulat, eh ewan ko lang kung bakit hindi pina-follow? Siguro nuknukan ng inggit sa akin dahil maraming nagbabasa ng blog ko. Mabuti na lamang talaga at hindi ko binabasa ang blog niya!"

"Easy ka lang! Blog lang yan, huwag mong masyadong dibdibin. Hindi naman sukatan ang pagkakaroon ng follower eh. Ang importante, maraming nagbabasa sa iyo! At saka, isa lang siya, ano ba naman yung pina-follow ka!" marahang bigkas ni Writer Number Three.

"Ah basta! Mas maganda ang sa akin!" yabang muli ni Writer Number One.

Biglaang napadaan sa harapan ng kanilang cubicle ang pinariringgan ni Writer Number One na si Writer Number Two. Walang kaimik-imik ang binata ng umupo ito kasama nila sa kanilang lugar. Kinamusta ni Writer Number Two ang napapabalitang bagong blog post ni Writer Number One.

"Balita ko maraming natutuwa sa binasa mo ha! Saan ka ba kumukuha ng mga inspiration mo?" tanong ni Writer Number Two.

"Siyempre sa lahat ng aspekto ng buhay, sa pag-ibig, sa kaibigan, sa pamilya, sa mga lugar na napuntahan ko na, sa mga totoong tao na kilala kung talaga ako, puwede ring sa iyo, o sa kanya, o sa kapwa ko manunulat. Kahit saan! Kaya nga sa tingin ko ang galing-galing kong magsulat kasi maraming nagbabasa ng mga sinusulat ko, may kuwenta man o wala!" ani Writer Number One.

"Pero matanong ko lang, ilan na ba ang followers mo sa blog mo?" muling tanong ni Writer Number Two habang umiinom ng kanyang kinuhang kape.

"Aminin ko kakaunti pa lang, mga nasa lima pa lang. Pero hindi ba ikaw na rin ang mismong nagsabi na wala sa followers yan kundi nasa mga nagbabasa ng blog mo yan!" yabang ni Writer Number One.

Napapansin na ni Writer Number Three na nagkakaroon ng munting tensyon sa pagitan ng dalawang magaling na manunulat. "Eh ikaw, saan ka kumukuha ng mga ideya mo pagdating sa pagsusulat mo? Napapansin ko kasing lagi kang nagsusulat tungkol sa mga bagay na nangyari sa buhay mo?" tanong ni Writer Number One.

Sambit ni Writer Number Two, "Tama ka nga! Laging tungkol sa aking buhay ang mga sinusulat ko sa aking blog. Gusto ko kasing malaman ng lahat ng tao kung ano ang mayroon sa aking buhay na maaaring nangyayari or nangyari sa buhay nila?"

Tanong muli ni Writer Number One, "Eh paano kung nasayang lang ang isinulat mo dahil ni isa sa mga mambabasa o ang mga followers mo eh hindi nakaka-relate sa post mo? Sayang naman ang mga letra!"

"Wala na akong magagawa roon. Kung hindi sila natuwa or nakadama ng aking mga pighati, kaluwalhatian at kasiyahan sa aking isinulat, okay na ako roon. Ang importante sa akin at sa blog ko ay may naidagdag akong magandang ideya na puwede rin naman nilang maakibat sa kanilang buhay," sabi ni Writer Number Two, habang nakatitig ang kanyang mga mata kay Writer Number One.

Sumingit si Writer Number One, "Para sa akin, mas gusto ko pa rin kung ano ang itinitibok ng isip at puso ko. Kung ano ang nakikita ko, ganoong klaseng ideya ang isusulat ko. Gusto ko lahat ng mga taong nagbabasa sa akin ay natutuwa at natututo sa mga isinulat ko."

Nagtanong si Writer Number Two, "Paano kung hindi rin sila natuwa sa isinulat mo?"

Sumagot ng medyo inis si Writer Number One, "Wala na akong magagawa roon. Kung hindi nila gusto, masaya na rin ako dahil nailabas ko sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulat kung ano ang gusto kong i-share sa lahat. Alam ko na darating din ang araw na mababasa nila ang isinulat ko at siguradong magiging bukambibig nila ito!"

Biglang nagkaroon ng panandaliang katahimikan sa pagitan ng dalawang magagaling na manunulat. Biglang winakasan ni Writer Number Three ang tensyon, "Guys! Mas mabuti pa na tigilan na natin kung sino ang magaling, sino ang dapat maging followers at sino ang mga nagbabasa. Iisa lang ang pakay natin, ang magsulat ng ayon sa puso't damdamin natin. Wala yan sa dami ng nagbabasa o sa dami ng sumusunod sa bawat galaw mo o sa kung ano ang laman ng mga isinulat mo. Yan ay nakadepende sa gustong basahin ng tao. Ang tanging ginagawa lang natin ay mapasaya ang lahat ng mga tao pagdating sa ating malilikot na utak."

"Writer Number Three! Sandali lang at may itatanong ako sa iyo!" sigaw ng kanilang boss.

"Sandali lang kayong dalawa ha! Huwag kayong magpatayan!" pag-aalala ni Writer Number Three.

Tumingin sa kawalan ang dalawa. Nagpatuloy sa pagsusulat si Writer Number One habang tinatapos ni Writer Number Two ang kanyang kinuhang kape. Tumingin kay Writer Number Two si Writer Number One at unti-unti niya itong kinausap.

"Bakit hindi mo ako pina-follow sa blog post ko?" tanong ni Writer Number One.

Napangiti si Writer Number Two, sabay tingin kay Writer Number One. "Gusto mong malaman ang totoo? Dahil hindi kita kayang sundan. Napakagaling mo kasi pagdating sa pagsusulat. Saludo ako sa iyo, sobra! Nahihiya akong i-follow ka dahil ayaw ko na sinusundan ka lang, tinitingalaan ka dapat ng lahat!"

Napapikit sa sobrang kahihiyan si Writer Number One. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang gusto niyang sabihin. Sa kanyang pagkakataon naman, nagtanong si Writer Number Two kay Writer Number One, "Eh bakit ikaw, hindi mo binabasa ang blog ko?"

Napatungo na lamang si Writer Number One. Nahihiya ngunit malakas ang loob niyang sabihin ang totoo. Tiningnan niya muli sa mata si Writer Number Two. "Kasi hindi ko kaya na nababasa ko kung ano ang nararamdaman mo sa bawat pagsusulat mo. Inaasahan ko na kasi na puros lungkot at pighati ang laman niyan. Ayaw ko siyang basahin dahil malungkot ka. Sana sa mga darating na araw na magsusulat ka, lagi na lang masaya para nakikita ko sa iyong mga salita na masaya ka!"

Parehong ngumiti ang dalawang magagaling na manunulat. Iba man ang kanilang istilo at laman ng kanilang pagsusulat, nagkakasabay naman sila sa tugtog ng kanilang sayaw, ang paligayahin ang lahat ng kanilang nagbabasa.

"Pasensya ka na't naging mayabang ako!" ani Writer Number One. "Hindi ko na kailanman gagamitin iyun bilang excuse sa kung bakit pakiramdam ko na walang natutuwa sa akin. Kailangan kong maging humble dahil hindi lahat ng tao nakakapagsulat ng ayon sa kanilang nararamdaman."

"Pasensya ka na rin kung nakalimutan ko!" sambit ni Writer Number Two. "Hayaan mo't iibahin ko na ang istilo ko sa pagsusulat para maging masaya ang mga mambabasa ko, at isa ka na roon!"

"O, bati na kayo?" tanong ni Writer Number Three. "Tara na't magsulat at alam kong maraming naghihintay sa atin!"


Hopefully you would like this. I know it's in Filipino but when you write, it doesn't matter what language are you using. The bottom line is you've shared what you have inside of your heart. Few days from now, The Brouhahas is one year old! Thank you so much for your unrelenting support!

Toodles!!!

Some Things To Ponder On And Other Brouhahas

Live from my blogsite to your computer, it's another round of successful, unsuccessful and somewhat-successful brouhahas courtesy of the past things that happened to me, to you and to all of us living in this pretty-please planet called Earth.

This moment is going to be a different one because I will not add some titles to the brouhahas that I will be presenting to you. Instead, I'll be writing here some serious quotes that will relate to my brouhahas. I am too fond of reading and contemplating to some of the words that the great and noble people had uttered while they were living. Many of us have inspired through those words and some of us even portraying it. Others might not understand but through experiences that happened to their lives, there they go understanding the real meaning of the quote. I always look forward for new words coming from the likes of my favorite writers Paulo Coelho, Haruki Murakami and Kahlil Gibran. Same goes with other philosophers and big time personalities who has so much in their lives that they've uttered those words of wisdom. Even my very beautiful friend becomes our own Confucius because a certain event in our daily lives has an equivalent quotation from her.

A quiet mind is all you need. All else will happen rightly, once your mind is quiet.

- Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

My very good friend, as I fondly call him dude, was for the longest time tried to be very serious, very quiet and very focused on what he is thinking about. I was so scared at first because it was my first time to see him this very quiet; knowing him as very ecstatic and sometimes naughty. He had to choose (I don't want to explicate further) of the chances the people from our institution presented to him. I still don't know his answer for those chances but until now, he is still needing for a concrete answer. He did a "divine intervention," and still, he didn't know the answer. If I am in his shoe, I need to see the consequences both the good and the bad. If I was being compromised, that's a different story. If I was chosen because I have the guts, then it is a good kind of story. For you, just continue doing that kind of intervention; it will really bring a lot in you. I believe that sometimes, you need not to show or even to talk about what you have in you. It is maybe important if you just contain it to yourself and if you're ready to show it, that's the perfect time. Good luck!

You're much better than fireworks. They'll all over in a moment, and you're going to stay for a fortnight.

- Kate Ross, Cut to the Quick

Last Saturday, I was with my dear buddies watching the 3rd Philippine International Pyromusical Competition held at the SM Mall of Asia. The venue was jampacked! People from all walks of life were all present to witness the greatest show in the sky. It was an international event joined by different countries around the world showing their glibness on fireworks. At that time, it was the battle between China, which was the brainchild of the fireworks display and the Netherlands. It started really, really late because of a show but our waiting time really paid off as we watched the fireworks display of China. It was an astounding performance; define nerve-wracking and hair-raising fireworks display from them. It really has something to do with their invention, the gunpowder. We went home straight but while it was traffic along Roxas Boulevard, we saw the pride of the Netherlands and they were also good. The last leg of the competition will be on March 17 and maybe we will watch it. It will be between Italy and the Philippines so everybody should not miss it. But I would surely hate the audience and the people!

Oh you hate your job? Why you didn't say so? There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar.

- Drew Carey

Of course, I'm not going to do that. For this week, I did an exam that I really don't like doing. It was probably the most difficult examination paper that I've created since the beginning of my teaching profession. I used to teach this kid who has no reception at all: visual, language and all. I was asking my co-teachers on what am I going to do with him as his exam. The heaviest part of all, it is Filipino, the subject that is very impossible for this kid to comply. I don't know, for others it is the simplest exam but for the one who is doing it, I'm telling you, IT'S NOT! Luckily, he survived my examination paper and he even got a good score.

Never take a person's dignity: it is worth everything to them, and nothing to you.

- Frank Barron

Respect is the issue here and it has different angles, perspective and meaning. Respect for elderly, respect for each other and respect for all. One example is my best buddy being ridiculed by his student (a former student of mine) in front of his students. He hated the gesture so much because not knowing by the student that he's forgetting stepping beyond the boundary between himself as a student and the person being poked fun as a teacher. Another incident of not showing some respect of our students to their teacher is not greeting them even though they've seen their teacher eye-to-eye and his/her presence. I was at our library together with my students when a bunch of students went in and created a much irritating noise. They did it without even greeting me and noticing my presence inside of the place. I was really pissed off and I said these words, "my gosh, it seems that there's no teacher around here!" Because I am not their teacher, no respect was being shown and they were showing me who the hell am I! I still remember their faces and if ever I'll be joining the bandwagon, I'll see them there! This incident is really a blow of disrespecting woman. Some men (I didn't use the word gentleman because they were not showing it!) were cracking jokes about my good friend telling her this funny, yet belittling nickname. Because of that, my good friend had a feeling that it was about her. Knowing for her very strong personality, she battled back to her colleagues in which respect was already forgotten. Good thing she was like that and because these men can actually do those things to her, everything falls into place according to their naughty job. If you want to be respected by others, you have to show your respect towards other people and it will all goes back to you. But for those people who are trying to underrate you, I think there should be a way to fight back not physically but showing them what you got. In that way, respect by others will be flourished to you.

The art of politics consists in knowing precisely when it is necessary to hit an opponent slightly below the belt.

- Konrad Adenauer

When you hear the phrase "below the belt," are you defining it connotative or denotative? According to Wikipedia, it is mainly used in combat sports like boxing, martial arts, and some sort of refers to all the area of the body that lies below the line of the opponent's navel including the genital area, legs, and crotch. This phrase can be figuratively to describe anything which is considered ABUSIVE, OVERLY HURTFUL or PLAINLY UNFAIR. Nowadays, there were some jokes, considering them as "half-meant" might lead to a truthful one. Yes, it may be funny to others but hurtful to them. Statements that are considered funny remarks, might be a serious one for some sensitive persons. A joke about a certain situation which was led them to an embarrassment would turn into a disaster of being pissed off and a fight. If it is a matter of showing credentials, talents, recognition and luck, you are way better than these "pea-brained" individuals. Why are you going to steep down to their level if you are much higher than them, maturity-wise! They are the people who are considered nonsense and what they only do are also nonsense. I don't know if I am pertaining to somebody or to a group but if this is about you, then sorry! You just hit me or us below the belt!

What we anticipate seldom occurs, what we least expected generally happens

- Benjamin Disraeli

Expecting or anticipating something to happen to my life is my loveliest hobby of all. And since it was the best thing I am doing, it is also the time I was crying because I expected something. For instance, I was hoping that I will be part of this grand event in our institution. But yes, I wasn't being chosen to do it for I really don't know reason. I'm just taking it as an excuse; maybe it is the perfect time for the others to grace the event since I was always being tapped to do it. But this event is different, I may say. For me, I am representing the institution, I am representing the whole event, all eyes are on me. Whether a mistake will happen or not, still I can manage to lose it. But yes, they didn't give me a chance to do it. I am really so much in pain! Whenever I think of it, I become teary-eyed and boasting my confidence even though the people might not into it. My newfound friend told me that I should try it next time but I guess there will be no next time. Because of this incident, call me immature, but I want to try my luck to another institution in which my capacity of becoming an educator will be noticed. I still don't know; there are chances that I am doing my best but it was unacknowledged. I know it sounds too sour but that is what I am feeling right now. I am still waiting for another one. If that will never happen, I know already the answer. It's time for me to move up and live what I desire and do what I want!

Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.

- E.L. Doctorow

Few days from now I will be celebrating the first anniversary of my blog and I just want to make some realizations that it is really hard to begin a post and really easy to finish it. Along the way when you write, you'll come up with new ideas. You'll explore brand new ideas that would surely be enticed by your readers. It is not about how many followers your blogsite have but how you touch the lives of your readers by your posts. Now, I don't know if they have got anything from it but for the span of almost 12 months writing here, I know I did good.

That's it for this week, more brouhahas in the coming days (whether I feel remarkable or not!).

Toodles!!!

Thanks to Thinkexist.com and Brainy Quotes for the wonderful sayings.

5 Thank Yous for My Darling Julie Girl

Julie Ann Cory Hernandez Dionisio Jimenez, my kapatid and I know that until forever. My kapwa Iska from the very prestigious Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and now my co-teacher and my loving kapatid. She has a Cory on her name, maybe because during the time she was born out of this world, the world was rejoicing by how the Filipinos fought without bloodshed during our People Power Revolution. It was still a highlight during that time, and the snappy presidency of Corazon Aquino, known by many as President Cory, therefore her name has that. Interesting, right?

Now, you are my next station, my next target to be praised and my next love to be written here in my blog. I am so thankful to have you as my friend, as my co-teacher and absolutely, my kapatid that will surely last a lifetime! Five thank yous for you; the thank yous that I want to tell you not by means of saying it in front of you but by means of feeling it. How can I do it, just read these all!

THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THAT YOU REALLY CARE - Especially the time that I was so down because of my career, my "lovelife," and my family. Thank you for always brightening up my lowly and lonely days. I really don't know but when the time that I have my own problems, one of the people that I would surely go to say it is you. I know that you will say almost everything just to make my mind ease the pain that I am holding on. Same thing as what I am doing to you, we are doing to you. If you're on your lowest, what we do is we are lifting you up, cheering you up and putting a smile on your face because that's what we do. And thank you for showing that you really care for me!

THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BELIEVING IN ME - You always say "you're so great!" to me and for me, it brings me chills and ignites my mind to go forth. But there were times that I stop and quit. And thanks to you because you believe me that I can do it; I can finish the task that I am doing, just like what happened to me recently. I know that there will be a new and better one coming so I need to just simply believe in myself and thank you for always believe in me! Thank you for saying that I am always great!

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING MY DEEPEST, DARKEST SECRET - And only the two of us know it. Thank you because after I asked you if it was awkward, you haven't shown any awkwardness with it. Thank you for being a true blue fan of what's in me right now. I shouldn't put any more details with it because it might spill out and might be the cause of trouble but again kapatid, thank you for keeping my deepest, darkest secret! Ssssshhhh!!!

THANK YOU FOR THE ADVICE AND REMEDIES WHENEVER I AM WEARY - And you are one of my chosen friends that understands what I am feeling right now. It seems that whenever I am always on a situation to where to go and to what shall I do, you're always giving me some advice that is very helpful to me. The last time that I told you about my problem, you were the bright sunshine of my life, you had the best solution I've been looking for and you are the wind beneath my wings (hahaha!). I just want to thank you for the advice and remedies whenever I am weary and you know that!!!

And lastly, THANK YOU FOR THE FRIENDSHIP - Very simple. The first time I saw, I thought you were a nagger type but I was so false. I was trying to make friends with you before but because our job needs to focus on our students and school works, we didn't have much time to share. Luckily, because of our dear friends, yes we became not only friends but brothers and sisters! I am so glad because you are part of my life now, and same goes to you as I am the number one godfather of your sunshine, Summer! I know that our friendship, without our institution will go forth because we are considered brothers and sisters, and we truly mean it!

I so love you, my darling Julie Girl! Thank you for the entire friendship that we have ever since. I'll make sure that I'll be truly treasure you. Thank you very much!!!

And yes, happy birthday to you!!!

Here we go!!!

This is friendship known as brothers and sisters!!!

Toodles!!!

Sabadabadabadoodlelilooloolaloolabrouhahas

I am so tired, I feel so expired but for this whole week, I gained so much, not of course with weight but with somebody whom it made me a bit exalted and uplifted. And that's why I am here writing again because of you and you and all of you guys who are so happy reading my posts.

A very hectic schedule came done because of our Sports Festival. I wasn't even so sporty unlike the others, students and teachers, who did a long way. Basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, chess and relay games had been successfully staged, thanks to all of the teachers who actively helped to make it happen. Though there were some instances of misunderstandings and changes with the rules and regulations of each games, still it turned out real good. For five days, I was playing badminton and volleyball, with a bit of basketball. Ever since I was made, I never tried playing basketball, not even once. When I was still young, I used to own a basketball; I also even had a ring for shooting. But because of so many outer influences, I didn't gain much enthusiasm with it and I left it to others. For volleyball, I also tried to play when I was in elementary. I even tried to join the varsity but I didn't make it. Admittedly, I am so much scared with the ball. Nowadays, I am trying to regain myself in playing that sport but not as professional and as gruesome as other players. I was listed, together with my best buddy, to join the exhibition game of volleyball of teachers. What we did, we just played badminton at the Grade School grounds. Though we also tried playing volleyball but not as grand as what they were doing. For me, I do not take badminton as a competitive sport unlike my good professor-friend, but as mere kind of game to lose weight. I also asked my friends if we could have badminton and they were so obliging to play with me. Last Monday, I don't know but I really feel so good with playing it. I was doing smashing, dropping and instant hitting of the shuttlecock. If there's only an exhibition game of teachers with badminton, I would surely raise my two hands and play like a professional (read "like a" professional!). Still in my childhood days, I used to be a chess master. I even tried to beat my uncle and my neighborhood friend for this type of game. But when I was growing up and maturing, I forgot almost everything about the game of chess. The moves of the pawn, the rookie, the queen, the bishop, the king and the tower (?), I forgot them all. They have said that the game of chess is only for the intelligent people, but then I think I am not already part of the chess club.

For four days, I've hosted the relay games of the Grade School division. And I've seen almost the entire students of our institution and they were all cute, gorgeously-looking, naughty and even mighty. They already knew the concept of winning the obstacles that was why they were all eager to win the game. Also in our game, there were some complaints, misunderstandings, and changes of rules but, they were all part of it. A game will never be a game without blow-ups; think of a very sumptuous food but without taste because you didn't add spice in it. After all, the students were really happy and filled with so much joy and excitement in whole of them.

Last night, I've watched Unofficially Yours starring Angel Locsin and John Lloyd Cruz. As a John Lloyd Cruz follower, this was the first time I saw him doing a very daring act. The movie is like No Strings Attached and Friends With Benefits. I understand their relationship, the girl was haplessly romantic then so she doesn't want to have a serious one. The boy is truly, madly, deeply in love with the girl, in which he had a one night stand one vacation time. They were doing sex but no relationship at all. But the boy has the feelings, the girl doesn't have. It is really complicated and away from the camera, or in real life, nobody would surely do that and would surely follow that principle. In the movie, Mackie (played by John Lloyd) is an example of a person who wanted to have a new life, which is by means of finding his new love of his life. He wanted to have a new direction, no more mistakes, no more second thoughts, just to have a perfect life with his one and only love. He was also a person who would do everything for the sake of love. His character studied in UST prior to UP because of his girlfriend. Then he transferred to CEU from UST because of his another girlfriend and he even shifted to dentistry just to be with the girl, in which he was left behind. Cess (played by Angel) is already fired up with the game of love. She had the same venture with Mackie when it comes to it. She almost forgot her own life just to be with the man she truly loved. They met an accident in Cebu and after that, the boy that Cess loves fell out of love with her, by means of accepting an offer as an architect in New York. Really interesting in the movie, they were both writers of Manila Bulletin (I think in their lifestyle section) and he even got interviewed the former boyfriend of Cess named Vince. There was a scene that the former boyfriend told to Mackie his past relationship. It was also the story which Cess told to Mackie prior to the interview. He got really antagonized and he punched Vince. What the former boyfriend said that he didn't even feel regretful on what she did to Cess. At the surface of the story, it was just a plain love story started on a different note, which was a "one night stand." Later in the end, after more than a thousand miles of patience waiting of Mackie, Cess gave in and loved him in return. They were singing VST & Co.'s "Ikaw Ang Aking Mahal."

The premise of the movie, do relationships really need an official status. As friends, you should not be. If more than friends like love, yes there should be. If that would happen to me, it would only be a one big blow. I don't want to settle for a person in which no love is being returned. And doing that "thing," call me conservative but really it should be done if you're so much for it. And yes, I never imagined John Lloyd Cruz and Angel Locsin doing that steamy love and bed scenes. I also saw so many symbolism of love from the film: the difference between the sabaw and the malaman. For sabaw, there's nothing really special, plain and simple, no oomph, kick and adrenaline; it is nothing. The malaman has everything in it, the liquid, the vegetables, the meat, the added flavors and so much more. Just like in a relationship, no feelings and no commitment but they see each other and they make love; that's sabaw. The malaman has both the feelings, the commitments and the joy of falling in love. Another thing was when Mackie changed his entire career from dentistry to a writer. Is it really true that for you to become a better person and to let go of the past is to change a bit of you. Nevertheless career, or love, or even religion, if you want to draw a blank to a person, you have to do it.

I've known my latest weight measurement, thanks to the kiosk inside Mercury Drug which it only cost me P5.00. In that technology-advanced kiosk for knowing your measurement, you would know your height, weight, blood pressure, and body fat mass index. I was really staggered when I saw my results that I am 195 pounds heavy. Imagine, just 5 pounds and I can be part of The Biggest Loser! The average weight according to my age, which is 24-25 is from 120 to 150 pounds. I need to lose more than 40 pounds just to have an average weight! I was really worried because I could have the best of ailments especially in heart, in my gastrointestinal system and I could also be a victim of diabetes. I am a rice person, no doubt about it. I could even finish at most three rounds of rice if the viand is devilish and mouth-watering. I don't have too much exercise and my lifestyle is most outside and not inside. This is really a wake-up call to me. I am considered an overweight!

Now what to do? I need to listen to some of my friends about their regimen in losing weight and maintaining their weight. I need to focus on what I'm eating. I need to hug more vegetables, fruits and proteins, not carbohydrates and those dreadful fats. With protein, maybe take it lesser than what I used to take. Exercises, I'll try to do it every morning but I don't know, I am too lazy to achieve it. I'm wanting to do something more worthwhile like joining marathons and playing badminton with my loves (calling my dear friends!). And if I do that, 40 pounds and even more will be shed off my body and I will feel lighter than before!

And these are the things that I am so much into this week. Let's face it, I am big, I am not a sports enthusiast and I am a huge John Lloyd fan and these made my week so humdrum yet with so much excitement! Especially the time that I was talking...

Thank you for reading!

Toodles!!!

BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNE CURTIS!!!

It is my love's birthday!!!

Happy 27th Birthday Anne Curtis!!!


You are almost everything!!!

You are the sexiest!!!

You are the most amazing!!!

You are the loveliest!!!

And for us, especially to me, you are NO OTHER WOMAN!!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNE OJALES CURTIS-SMITH


I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

What A Lovely Week And Other Brouhahas

This week, for me, is considered a very special one. And yes, since I am an entirely private person when it comes to more personal reasons, I'm afraid I need not to share it with you guys! But I'm still going to share some things that happened to me, to my family, to my friends and to each and everyone of us this week. While I am listening eagerly and wholeheartedly to my super love, Adele with her live rendition of my newest joy and temptation, Set Fire To The Rain, I'll be giving to you some brouhahas!

VALENTINES DAY 2012 - And I celebrated it according to my taste and distinction. I don't really know how will I make it. It just so happened that I bought seven roses and I gave to my seven beautiful friends (you know who you are, ladies!). I was going to the canteen during that time when two of my best friends stopped me and told me if I could buy flowers to them since they didn't have their Valentinos. That day was also the Teacher's Day celebration so our own SBO put up a booth for the students and to the teachers. Here's the way how did I give the roses to my friends: I went to the High School Department and five of my friends are luckily all there. I was waiting for the other teachers to go out of the faculty because it was way too embarrassing (do you imagine me doing this? I don't think so!). Then, after other people went away, I told them that I'll be singing to them a song. Intentionally, I said that I would sing to them a song of Adele entitled Set Fire To The Rain (hahaha, most favorite!) but I gave the flowers while singing the song Flowers by Sweet Female Attitude (I give you flowers, in a pouring rain, living without you is driving me insane. I give you flowers, I make your day, the tears I've cried...). They told me that during that day, I was their Valentino. Beat that, huh! (Hahaha!) And then next, I went to the Grade School Department and good thing, another friend of mine was there. She was busy checking her papers and many people are still inside of the lounge so I waited. After so, I called her and gave my rose to her. I didn't sing to her a song because she was busy. That evening, she sent me a message thanking me for giving her a rose. And of course, the last one was from Saudi Arabia. Through Skype, I gave her the flowers and said her appreciation. And we started our conversation, together with my best buddy. Originally, I only wanted to buy two roses, just for the two of them, but then I remembered I needed to give seven, and that was it. I know for a fact that they will never ever imagine me giving flowers to a girl, but to be so true to myself, it was really from my heart how much I love them as my friends. Yes, friends, is there anything else??? Hahahaha!

THE VOW VS. UNOFFICIALLY YOURS - Love is in the air at the moviehouses. By tomorrow, I will be watching The Vow starring Channing Tatum and my super favorite Rachel McAdams. If only I could have someone to be with me, sharing a seat at the movie theater and watching this beautiful flick, but reality check, I don't have (sounds bitterness!). Anyways, it is a story of a couple in which they met an accident. The wife (played by Rachel) started to have an amnesia and incidentally, she could only remember what happened on her five years before the accident. Sadly, her marriage to her husband (played by Channing) was not part of her memories. Now, how could that be? Interesting right! And also Unofficially Yours starring Angel Locsin and John Lloyd Cruz. The story has the same concept with another romantic flick 500 Days of Summer, but the thing is, their relationship started with a one night stand. John Lloyd's character is so much in love with Angel's character but the latter is not really into the former. The question from the trailer, do relationships really need an official status? I don't know because I never had one. For me, I would of course have to have a status in our relationship, but you should not put it on Facebook to shout it loud!

BACKSTAGE AND ALL - Our Grand Music Recital of our institution was really a successful one. The kids were really good in their music performance, most especially those who were playing musical instruments. I don't know much about them, but with what they did and what they had were truly amazing. I was only at backstage and tried to listen to their pieces and they were all the best! I just remembered something about the backstage of the Insular Life Auditorium and I'm afraid I can't share it to you! Leave it to me! Anyways, the kids were truly inspiring and if only I could try to put on a special power and try to
beat them using my ability to play musical instruments and to have a very beautiful voice.

ADELE IS LOVE, LOVE IS ADELE - I am a true blue fan of Adele right now. She has a very powerful voice, a down-to-earth performer and of course, a very lovely face. Yes, we know that Adele has a gaining weight but, as what I feel right now, I don't care! And we don't care if we're big. I only love some of her songs and not all of it, but it still pinches me to buy her album, 19 and 21 and her newest, Live at Royal Albert Hall. I heard her very first song through Ellen and she sang Chasing Pavements (should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements!). To be so honest with you, I don't know the meaning of some of her songs but her literature makes it a bit interesting to tune into. Set Fire To The Rain is my next love (but there's a side to you that I never knew, never knew... all the things you say, they were never true, never true... all the games you've played, you would always win, always win...). I also love Turning Tables (next time I'll be braver, I'll be on my own savior when the thunder calls for me... next time I'll be braver, I'll be on my own savior standing on my own two feet). I don't know what turned me to love Adele. Aside from winning six Grammys (and that includes the major awards, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Album of the Year). Way to go, my love! How I wish you could visit the Philippines and delight me and the rest of your million fans here with your music! And for this time, I would say and suggest that I'll never be considering this as a talks**t!!!

Here you go Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm proud and happy to say that I am inspired, I mean, my brouhahas!!!

Toodles!!!

Let me give you the lyrics of my favorite Adele song, Set Fire To The Rain


I let it fall, my heart,
And as it fell you rose to claim it
It was dark and I was over
Until you kissed my lips and you saved me

My hands, they're strong
But my knees were far too weak
To stand in your arms
Without falling to your feet

But there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew.
All the things you'd say
They were never true, never true,
And the games you play
You would always win, always win.

[Chorus:]
But I set fire to the rain,
Watched it pour as I touched your face,
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name!

When I lay with you
I could stay there
Close my eyes
Feel you here forever
You and me together
Nothing is better

'Cause there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew,
All the things you'd say,
They were never true, never true,
And the games you play
You would always win, always win.

[Chorus:]
But I set fire to the rain,
Watched it pour as I touched your face,
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name!

I set fire to the rain
And I threw us into the flames
Where it felt something die
'Cause I knew that that was the last time, the last time!

Sometimes I wake up by the door,
That heart you caught must be waiting for you
Even now when we're already over
I can't help myself from looking for you.

[Chorus:]
I set fire to the rain,
Watched it pour as I touched your face,
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name

I set fire to the rain,
And I threw us into the flames
Where it felt something die
'Cause I knew that that was the last time, the last time, oh, ohhhh!

Oh noooo
Let it burn
Oh oh ohhhh
Let it burn
Oh oh ohhhh
Let it burn
Oh oh ohhhh

For You It's Valentine's Day, For Me It's Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Sounded with bitterness, right? Well, the hell I care!

For an almost three decades of my whole, perfect life, I never experienced how to love somebody. For no reason at all or for I really don't know the reason at all on why I am considered, "single" and "ready to mingle." I've seen so many people that they were so happy up to heavens and continuing falling in love with their most special one. I've seen also some people whom they only tried once, failed and never did the same way again. I've seen also most of the people who have more than one companion, for I don't know the reason why he or she has the fall in love with two persons. Love is a crazy value that everyone possesses. But in reality, yes falling in love makes you a bit crazy, and makes you a bit complete. Now, let's go back to myself, did I really think of trying to fall in love, or to ask somebody to go out, or even felt what others are feeling? Well, I did!

Yes, my dear readers, yours truly fell in love and twice. But those "twice," were really an epic fail! The first one, call me very arrogant and hopeless, I was being used by a user, especially because this person became my weakness (no pun intended!). The other one, I like this person but I keep on telling myself that I don't want and I don't like. In short, I like and hate this person. I had a mistake once and never to do it again for the second try. I tried to write here in my blog sometime last May of 2011 about my ideal date, my ideal day with my special someone. I don't want to bring out the best in me by saying I could consider myself as a boyfriend material (or the other one, hehehe!), but if that person, that perfect person comes to my life, I would surely love the person I am right now with all of my heart!

Ideal date, hmmm... I'll just ask if this person is free and okay to go out with me. Since I have a car, a family car I may say, I'll fetch her a la school service and while on our journey, we will talk and talk and talk (can you imagine doing this with your date?) about almost everything. We will laugh, we will listen eager to each other, we will share what we have on our minds, and yes, we will think of the food that we will take or the movie that we will watch. According to my Mama Kris, it is not ideal for the first date to go watch movies. Well, I made a different setting, why not ask the person that I will be inviting for a coffee? Sounds too old but why not? Ask this person to come with you and have a joyride? Going to the scenic Tagaytay or just going anywhere in Manila is an enjoyable experience with your date. Suddenly, the MMDA traffic endorser or anyone who have seen you not following traffic rules, it is probably another experience. I'll ask my date if it is okay if we could eat at Jollibee, or better yet, McDonald's? For a better budget, why not go to Kenny Rogers or Sbarro. For an even better budget, why not on a restaurant? Then another round of chit-chats. With these, I would surely know the person from head to toe. 

I don't know if I am really an ideal date, or an ideal partner. I am not seeing myself going out with somebody whom I really don't know, unless this person became my friend first. As what my dear friend said, it is better to make friends with an opposite sex first rather than asking or even begging for a girl just to make her as your date. That's the first part of the process of courtship as what I've seen from them. After so, if the first date will have a "sequel," and another "sequel," that's the perfect time for you to ask if it is okay to court or not? If yes, congratulations, if not, oh no! If that would happen to me, it would be okay, at least I've tried and I made myself a bit proud because I did it. There's a bit embarrassment but that would soon be erased. 

What would be the feeling if I have that special someone sitting right next to me? Am I going to wrap my arms around this person? Am I going to feel really, totally in love? I don't know? But maybe I am going to be the happiest person alive! I am taking good care of this person that God gave this person to me. We're not going to talk about our future lives, counting all our possible kids, thinking of the perfect color of our house, and the kiss that we will do after our officiating priest ask us to kiss! I should stick to what I am believing on, "focus on the present!" Focus on what you have today, focus on what this person is wearing today, focus on what are you both eating, focus on your own relationship and not about his or her former relationship and your future family. 

Are we still going to celebrate our anniversary? For me, I would suggest no! Why? Think of the expenses, think of the time, think of yourself and think of everyone's expectation. It is okay to count for the days you've been together and not for the years you've been together. For me, the anniversary is just another Valentine's Day or Christmas Day that should be treated a simple one. I don't know but according to my friend, the years are just plain Hindu-Arabic numbers that need not to be remembered. What should be remembered are the fruitful and not-so-fruitful days you've had and surely with those you'll gain experiences and lessons. It is okay not to have an anniversary, but of course, do not forget the birthdays and Christmas!

And then, the hardest part of all is sometimes you were both fighting, then patching things up but still no reconciliation is happening that leads to breaking up. I've read a beautiful quote that when you are in love, the happiness is felt during their first days but the sadness and awkwardness will be felt to its last days. I had friends whom they had more than one kind of relationship but still, they were looking for the better one. I don't like also the idea of getting married and suddenly, you'll soon break up because of a very petty reason, they were no longer in love with each other. For me, if I found you, you are the first and definitely, with all God's grace, must be the last! The feelings, the emotions, the gifts and all should be given to just one person and one person and that will probably be you! You'll surely feel how to be messed up with your former relationship. Finding for a new one seems to be the best remedy, but I don't know if that's really true. For me, if ever that will happen, I will surely never, ever fall in love again. I thank God for loving this person but I know God has other plans for this person and for myself and I would rather not to fall in love again. 

But the magic of love in real life is not your typical romantic-comedy, or romantic-drama or fantasy-romance movies you've seen either in the big screen or in the small screen. Writers will not make you some cheesy lines to say to your loving partner; it should come from the heart. Directors will not ask you kiss your partner passionately or truly in love but it should come from the heart. And the producers will not pay for you just in case your relationship tilled the box office but again, it should come from the heart. The magic of love is in your hands. I, myself, ready to fall in love (well, again?) but I don't have the guts to follow my heart. I should ask the writers to give me a very beautiful line just to say this to the person I want the best. I should ask the directors to tell me the right acting just to say the lines and make feel the love I have to this person I really, really want. And I should the producers to give me an income to buy almost everything this person I want so bad wants! 

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day but for myself, it is just an ordinary Tuesday, February 14, 2012. For those who have their love, well take good care of each other. Your partner is surely a fragile one and holds a fragile heart. For those single like me, so what? Let's have fun too! I remember my feng shui for this year for the rabbits, "2012 could be a roller coaster of interesting dates and several different relationships." Why not? But do I have the guts? Well, I'll try tomorrow. There's no harm in trying...

Happy Valentine's Day to you! To those two people whom I fell in love with, well, Happy Valentine's Day. And to my crush, eeeeee... Expect something tomorrow...

Toodles!!!

Ten Things I Love About This Girl In Which Her Birthday Is February Tenth

Signature pose??? Why not!!!

Belated happy birthday kapatid!

Lagi ko siyang minemention dito sa blog ko bukod sa iba pang mga kaibigan at taong napakalapit sa buhay ko. Iniwan niya kami (of course not by means of kung ano man ang iniisip ninyo) last year because of a great need to herself and to her family, and also because he needs to jump over from teaching to another work. Hindi pupuwede kasi sa kanya ang salita ng salita, pero naku, kung alam niyo lang.

Sobra ka naming namimiss, especially the whole gang and your High School gang and your HSBC gang! Sana nga talaga makauwi ka na dito sa Pilipinas para happy na at party-party na rin! Anyways, this is my way of giving a present to you. In the tradition of bringing the lives, either private or public, of my good friends to the world through the Internet and the good vehicle is my blog, ay ito ang aking natatanging blogpost sa iyo na talagang I really know na magiging happy ka sa akin. Hindi ako magbibigay ng tribute sa iyo dahil sa tatlong dahilan: una, hindi ka pa naman patay para bigyan ng isang honor or tribute; pangalawa, hindi ka naman big star hindi tulad nina Anne Curtis at ang hate na hate mong si Kris Aquino; at pangatlo, dahil hindi ka dapat pinaparangalan, dapat kang minamahal ng lubusan. Terey diba! O siya, let's begin!

Here are the ten things I love about this girl, and tiyempong ang birthday pa niya ay February 10 (pero ang post ko na ito ay ngayong Sabado, February 11!)

Namimiss mo ba ang galaan ng Monday?

10 - NEW DEFINITION FOR THE WORD "KAPATID" - The very first day that we met was May of 2010, magkasama pa sila noon ni Rachela habang kumakain ng lunch. Then ako kasama ko si Andrew sa canteen. Hanggang we had a share of fun and laughter, napag-usapan namin ang tungkol sa mga buhay-buhay hanggang sa may sumama na sa aming iba like sila Sir Chris and si Juanito. Natatandaan ko pa na pinanood namin siyang mag-demo teaching, kasama ko pa noon si Andrew. Ang lesson niya, sobrang pambata, nouns! Siyempre kami ni Andrew feeling Grade School so recite kami ng recite. In fairness naman magaling siyang magturo knowing that he came from a different world, which was call center. While we were at the lobby ng aming institution, habang nagkukuwentuhan kami ay bigla na lamang niya kaming tinawag na "kapatid." No, we're not related at hindi kami galing sa iisang ama o ina. After she baptized us as being her "kapatid," nalaman na rin namin na siya siguro ang dahilan kung bakit kami nabuo at naging tunay na hindi lamang magkakaibigan, kung hindi, we're like really brothers and sisters. Since then na nabuo kami (at feeling talaga namin, hindi kami mga teachers), nagkaroon ng bagong kahulugan ang salitang "kapatid."

kapatid (noun) - turingan ng magkakaibigan na halos magkadugo, at wala ni isa man ang makakapaghiwalay. as coined by Marie Lyrize Agoncillo (2010).

At Starbucks Coffee Intramuros branch (so far the nicest branch!)

9 - STARBUCKS COFFEE MEETING OR BUKO SESSION - Siya ang pasimuno ng minsan naging puntahan namin at "expectation meeting" namin tuwing Friday night (or minsan pa nga Monday or Thursday, habang kalagitnaan ng "work week"). Nagsimula ito noong nagkayayaan Thursday night last 2010. It is between me, Lillyput, Rachel, Sir Phil and si Andrew. Bagong bukas lamang ang Starbucks Coffee malapit sa may PCJ sa loob ng BF Homes. Siyempre, dahil bago nag-try kami and in fairness naman, maganda ang ambience. Nagkaroon kami ng tinatawag na "buko session," again coined by her. Anything and everything under the sun napag-usapan namin iyun habang umiinom kami ng mga frappucino, cold coffee, Signature Hot Chocolate, hot coffee, green tea at kung anu-ano pa ng Starbucks. Since then, natuloy na kami hanggang sa halos lahat na sa amin ay nakasama na. Paminsan-minsan, may nakikita kaming mga students namin, pero siyempre hindi namin sila pinapansin dahil may sarili kaming "buko session." Marami pa kaming mga session na hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan na kasama siya tulad ng:

1. nagkuwento si Juanito tungkol sa kanyang nakaraan (kumpleto kami noon!),
2. kinailangan naming mag-Starbucks para lamang maglabas ng sama ng loob sa alam-niyo-na,
3. nagpapunta siya sa Starbucks para lamang humingi ng tulong tungkol sa Quest (na dati niyang hawak noong nasa amin pa siya),
4. shi-nare niya sa amin ang tungkol sa sakit niya sa kanyang vocal chords at kinailangan niyang magresign December of 2010 (pero good thing hindi natuloy!)
5. pagkatapos namin siyang i-surprise sa church nila noong 2011 at sinabi niya sa amin ang tungkol sa pag-alis niya (second attempt niya!)

Dito naganap ang tinatawag naming "Batukan" episode!

6. pagkatapos ng Campus Tour 2011 namin at pumunta kami sa Starbucks Coffee Intramuros na para sa amin noong time na yun ang pinakamagandang branch ng Starbucks sa Maynila (at nagkanda-ligaw-ligaw pa kami para lamang mahanap siya!)
7. unang buko session namin ng School Year 2011-2012 at wala na siya sa school (siya lang naman ang nagyaya courtesy of her car pa; nagsastart na siyang mag-drive noon)
8. pangalawang buko session namin na kung saan naganap ang "batukan" between her and our own Confucius, Theresa
9. sa second buko session pa rin namin noong kinukulit namin siya na tumaba siya lalo dahil naging official "BUM" siya noong mga panahon na iyun. Naka-black siya noon, pero ang neckline, puma-plunging na lang ng ganoon
10. huling buko session namin kasama siya (pero bago nangyari yun ay kumain muna kami sa Brooklyn Pizza; sort of Despedida na niya)

Marami pa kaming mga buko sessions or buko sessions lang niya na iba ang kasama niya or buko sessions na kami lang at hindi siya kasama. Sana kung makauwi ka man, makapunta tayo sa Starbucks sa may Pedro Gil na kung saan napakaganda ng view ng Manila Bay Sunset, tama Rachela? Hopefully soon and more chika, more fun!

Isip ka ng expression mo na puwede mong masabi diyan?

8 - NASA-SAD AKO AND OTHER EXCLUSIVE LYRIZE EXPRESSIONS - Whenever she's sad and lonely, or sometimes hindi niya nakukuha or naa-avail ang gusto niya, lagi niyang sinasabi ito: nasa-sad ako! Tawa kami ng tawa dahil talagang signature expression niya yun. Puwede naman niyang sabihing nalulungkot ako or I'm sad, pero kailangan talagang nasa-sad ako. Part na ng kanyang daily vocabulary or everyday interjection ang kanyang expression na yan; walang kapantay at walang katulad. Tanging siya lang ang nakapag-isip na masabi iyung linyang ito. Bukod pa diyan, marami pa siyang expressions na nasambit sa amin, na siya lamang ang naka-imbento na if possible, puwedeng mapasama sa mga dictionaries or thesaurus at mapagbigyan pa siya mismo ng mga grammarians and lexicographers.

nasa-sad ako - nalulungkot ako, hindi ako masaya
namatay ako - nagulat, nagulantang, nasorpresa
anobers - ano ba
tomo - tama, correct, right, approved
alam mo na - sikretong malupit or statement na ako at siya lang ang nakakaalam
nasestress ako - nahihirapan na ako, naiinis na ako
haaaaaay - buntong hininga
hingang malalim - relax
ganyanan na - magkalimutan na
keribels - okay lang
iskwa - pangmahirap na ugali, walang breeding na ugali, at ang pinakanakakaloka sa lahat
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaabbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbccccccccccccccccccddddddddddddddeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeefffffffffffffffgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiijjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjkkkkkkkkkkkkkllllllllllllllmmmmmmmmmmmmnnnnnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooooppppppppppppppqqqqqqqqqqqrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrssssssssssssstttttttttttttuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuvvvvvvvvvvwwwwwwwwwwwwwwxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyzzzzzzzzzzz - her own version of the English alphabet (uncut version!)

At iyan ang namimiss ko sa kanya, sa twice or thrice-a-week naming pag-uusap either sa Facebook chat or sa YM, hinding-hindi mawawala ang mga salitang iyan! More Lyrizesms soon!

Presenting the diva and Lougee Basabas
(este sister niyang si Lyanne!)

7 - MAY BOSES THEN WALA - May isang session kami noon na kung saan totally nawalan siya ng boses. As in nawalan siya ng boses. Dahil singer at TV host (hehehe), lagi niyang kailangang magpahinga at less intake muna ng mga bawal na food or drinks, most especially Starbucks Coffee products. Pero ang lola mo, masyadong makulit, hindi mapagsabihan, ayaw makinig, nawawalan lagi ng boses. Dahil pero rin kami ng talent pagdating sa pagiging "talk show host," read madaldal, hindi maiiwasang hindi siya mawalan ng boses. Umabot din sa point na kailangan niyang tumigil na sa pagtuturo because mapapasama pa ang kanyang vocal chords. Noon, may nakita sa kanyang nodules at kung hindi pa niya ito papansinin, puwedeng umabot sa pagiging tumor at baka maging cancer pa (kung kilala niyo si Chad Borja, famous for his song "Ikaw Lang," nagkaroon siya before ng cancer sa tonsils or sa vocal chords kaya rin siya natigil na kumanta). Before siya magturo sa aming institution, almost two years din siyang nag-work sa HSBC sa may Northgate Cyberzone sa Alabang, at doon din walang tigil din siya kung dumaldal sa kanyang mga co-workers and dear friends. Pero pagdating sa pagkanta, isa na yata siya sa may pinakamaganda at pinakamalamig na boses. Pinakinggan ko siyang kumanta one time sa kanilang church last 2011 at sobrang napakalamig at napakaganda. Nagkaroon din siya ng pagkakataon na kumanta noong graduation party ng aming kapatid na si Sir Chris and of course, Julie. Basta, may time talaga na nawalan siya ng boses!

Her so-called High School Loves

6 - IKAW NA ANG MISS CONGENIALITY - Hindi ko alam kung ilan lang ako sa mga matatawag niyang "community." Why community. She doesn't have only friends thus she has COMMUNITY, meaning ang dami-dami niya kasing kaibigan. From his former school noong nasa Saudi pa sila (prior to this), noong nag-high school siya dito sa Pilipinas, which happens to be our institution, noong nag-college siya sa La Salle, noong nag-work siya sa HSBC, noong nag-work siya sa amin, mga churchmates niya, lahat na. I don't know kung ilan sila or ilan kami, basta siguro hindi bababa ng 500 friends. Kung baga sa Facebook, ang dami mong "likes," kung baga sa Twitter, ang dami mong "followers." If ever you'll join the Miss Universe, you'll surely get the Miss Congeniality award! Yun nga lang, hindi ka kasama sa Top 5, even Top 15, special award lang. But because you were chosen to become Miss Congeniality is you are so special to us (ako na ang sume-segue ng ganoon!)

Ganyan silang mag-pebots. Soon,
ganyan-ganyanan tayong tatlo!

5 - "KAPATID" CHATTING - Noong nandito pa siya sa Pilipinas lagi kaming magka-chikahan niyan over the phone. But before I call her, kailangan ko pa siyang i-text kasi ang lola mo, paminsan busy or kumakain, or umaalis ng bahay nila or may kausap na iba and all that. Tanda ko pa ang landline nila (siyempre, hindi ko puwedeng i-broadcast mahirap na!). Pero ang nakakaloka, hindi kami same ng network ng landline, PLDT kami, BayanTel sila (how cheap! Charot!). Nakakaloka lang din kasi siya lang ang kausap ko siya sa landline, inoorasan niya talaga kung nakakailang oras na kaming magkausap. Naloka raw siya noong una dahil umabot kami sa mahigit dalawang oras at puros walang kakuwenta-kuwenta naman ang aming pinag-uusapan. Bukod pa kay Andrew at kay Mark, siya lang din ang nakakausap ko noon sa phone. Kapag may problema, may kailangan akong itanong, or kung mayroon siyang problema, magte-text na yan sa akin at sabay magda-dial na sa aming telepono at usap galore na kami! Ngayon, since wala na nga siya dito (sa mundo, charot!) sa Pilipinas ay mabuti na lamang at may Facebook chat or Yahoo! Messenger and Skype (na hindi ko naman nagagamit!). Kapag feel ko siya kausap, suwertihan na kung naka-online ang lola mo sa Facebook. Or else, gumagamit kami ng Yahoo! Messenger at iba-buzz ko na lang siya doon! Sa Skype, I tried pero I failed. Mayroon dapat kaming Skype session last week pero hindi ko natuloy kasi naging busy ako sa pagbili ng mga anik-anik. Anyways, wala na rin naman siyang magagawa dahil wala siya dito (hehehe!)

Kaps, if you only knew how much I miss our own version of "call center!" Gume-graveyard shift tayo na talagang hanggang 12:30 ng umaga ang chikahan. Hindi ko rin makakalimutan ang bonggang-bonggang pagkanta ng kapatid mo ng "...kunin mo na ang lahat sa akin, huwag lang ang aking mahal..." at sinabihan mo siya ng "... alam mo yung may kausap ako!" Sobrang dami kong tawa noong gabi na yun! At yung paminsan-minsang "tawag ka ulit! Maghuhugas lang ako ng plato!" moments mo over the phone at sabay magte-text ka ng "tomorrow na lang tayo usap!" Ang saya mo lang! Chat-chat na lang tayo! At least walang ganoong kantahan at hugasan ng plato ang magaganap!

Gulantang ka siguro kung bakit ito. Natatandaan ko kasi yan ang
first uniform mo at sinabi mo yang katagang yan!

4 - ITA-**E KO 'TO NG BONGGANG-BONGGA! - Nang marinig ko sa iyo to, doon ko naisip na you're not the person whom I used to think of. Akala ko dati, since La Sallista ka, taga-BF Homes ka, middle class kayo (hehehe, hindi ko talaga sinabing upper class!) at graduate ka sa institution natin ay may pagka-sosyal ka. Ikaw na ang nanonood ng sine sa ATC, namimili sa Terranova, nag-Hong Kong kasama ang family, nag-aral sa Saudi for quite sometime, natuto mag-drive with A1 Driving, ikaw na ang sosyal. Pero noong narinig ko talaga ito sa iyo first day of classes noong School Year 2010-2011, ikinaloka ko yun ng bonggang-bongga! Yun yung time na pumunta tayo sa burol ng nasirang husband ni Teacher Carina at mukhang sumama ang tiyan mo at may kailangan kang ilabas. Hindi ka aware na malapit ka kay Teacher Carina at noong hindi mo na talaga kaya, nasabi mo itong mga linyang ito: "grabe guys, hindi ko na talaga kaya! Pagkauwing-pagkauwi ko, ita**e ko 'to ng bonggang-bongga!" unknowingly to you na nasa harapan mo lang si Teacher Carina (I don't know kung narinig niya iyun!). Maganda ka kapatid, walang talo doon, but after you said that, hmmm... Maganda si Lyrize, oo... Pero 'pag nagsalita...

Pero I'm so proud of you as the way you hosted our commencement exercises last year! Ang galing mo doon! Bumawi ka rin afterwards!

Krispy Kreme forever!!! Alam mo yan!!!
(Sana may ilalagay pa akong isang picture na yung
sa recent na "pangungulit" pero huwag na lang!!!)

3 - BATUKAN, PRANGKAHAN AND KRISPY KREME - Part 1 muna tayo, which is the Batukan episode. Mayroon kaming buko session noon sa Starbucks PCJ. Nag-uusap-usap kami tungkol sa pagiging ninang at ninong sa mga magiging anak ng aming mga kaibigan. That was the time na pasimula pa lang ang pregnancy ng aking mahal na kapatid na si Julie Girl. Noong nagkaroon na kami ng usapan tungkol sa mga inaanak, tiyempong natanong namin si Theresa na kung siya ba just in case na magkakaroon ng baby, kukunin kaming mga ninong at ninang. Siyempre, positive naman ang sagot ni Miss Confucius. That was also the time na paalis na si Lyrize sa aming institution. Noong medyo umiinit ang discussion pagdating sa pagiging godparent, nagkaroon ng matinding "batukan" sa pagitan nilang dalawa ni Theresa. Nagulat kaming lahat dahil ni isa sa amin wala pang nakakagawa ng ganoon. Nag-sorry naman siya, don't worry.

Part 2 is the Prangkahan episode. Hindi niyo lang alam kung gaano siya ka-straight forward pagdating sa mga opinion, advices at kung anu-ano pa. Kapag nagsalita siya at may nakita siyang ayaw, or worse naiirita siya, sasabihin niya kung ano yung nararamdaman niya. May instances nga na nagkaroon siya ng kaaway. I understand kung bakit siya nakapagsalita ng ganoon dahil makulit nga naman (of course, I don't want to write it here, mahirap na!). Naku, napakatapang niyan at siguradong walang lalaki (and even girls with a man's heart) ang magkakamaling saktan yan! Hay naku!

Part 3 is the Krispy Kreme episode. Siyempre yan ang "weakness" namin, lalo na ang original glazed doughnuts nila! Sayang lang kaps, hindi mo naabutan ang Festival Supermall branch nila. Baka this Wednesday, doon kami mag-try after ng recital namin! Masarap na masarap ang doughnut, alam mo yan! Lalo na noong na-try natin ang Krispy Kreme sa Bonifacio High Street, ikaw ang nag-drive at nag-park! Ang taray nakakarating ka na ng C5 at Taguig! Ikaw na talaga ang dakilang driver ng pamilya mo soon! Kung uuwi ka man, alam mo na kung saan ka didiretso, well after ng Starbucks, because nothing beats the sweetness of Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnuts!

Kailangan ang shades, terno sa abaya! Mix matching ba???

2 - MUSHKILA KATIR, ABAYA AND JEDDAH SAUDI ARABIAH!!! - Nababasa ko 'tong Arabic word na 'to sa Facebook kapag nag-uusap silang dalawa ni Juanito. Hindi naman ako na-inform na mga Arabo pala 'tong mga kapatid kong ito! Anyways, childhood days until pre-teens at ngayong professional life niya ay kadikit na ng buhay niyang ang KSA or Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (I tried to ask her kung ano ang ibig sabihin noong nakasulat sa flag nila). May nakuwento siya before noong nasa Saudi pa siya at nag-aaral, keribels lang sa kanila ang tumambay sa ilalim ng "scorching" sun! Akalain mo yung nagpapa-tan ang lola mo habang nakasuot ng uniform! Together with her friends sa kanilang school sa Saudi, sige ang daldalan nila at talagang "they're talking and sharing anything and everything UNDER THE SUN!" May mga pictures din siyang naka-abaya. Yan yung sinusuot ng mga babae, any nationality, sa Saudi Arabia. Since masyadong conservative Muslims ang mga tao doon, kailangan nilang magsuot ng abaya for respect, privacy and decency. Mahirap nga naman, diba! Ngayon hindi ko alam kung saan siya exactly nakatira sa Saudi Arabia pero super happy siya dahil naging maganda naman ang life niya doon. Siya lang naman ang nagna-night swimming, nagwa-WiFi at namimili ng kung anu-ano sa mga shopping malls diyan. Siya na rin ang nakabili ng mga murang gadgets! Ikaw na ang tume-techie ate! Pero kami dito sa Pilipinas, bukod sa pasalubong ay mayroon pa kaming isang hinihiling sa iyo, na sana umuwi ka na at dito ka na lang sa atin. Call me selfish, pero mas magiging okay naman ang life mo dahil nandito ka. Malapit ka sa family mo, sa ENTIRE friends mo and all! Pero we're so happy dahil safe ka diyan, happy ka and of course, you still feel that you were loved by all of us!

You posted this on your Facebook dated November 21, 2011

1 - SHE LOVES GOD AND GOD LOVES HER SO MUCH!!! - I think you deserve as what we always say "God is love, love is God!" Kapag may problem ka sa family or sa friends mo, all you have to do is to call Him! If you want to say an appreciation with what you had or what you have right now, hindi mo Siya nakakalimutan! Nakita ko sa kanya kung paano niya dine-dedicate kay God ang kanyang buhay, despite of everything that she has right now! When I went to their church twice, yung commitment niya kay God, it is really immeasurable, it is beautifully acted and very worshipful! Sa kanya ko nakita na porket Christian siya at ako as a Catholic, kailangan kong sumanib sa kanila for a change. Inexplain niya sa akin kung ano ba dapat! At lagi niya akong pinapaalalahanan na nandiyan lagi si God na gagabay sa akin sa amin! Noong time na nagkaroon ako ng problema sa family, isa siya sa mga taong tinakbuhan ko at kinausap kung ano ba talaga ang nararamdaman ko. Kapag may problema pa ako sa isang tao, nandiyan din siya para makinig at magbigay ng advice or paminsan-minsang pang-ookray at pang-aalaska sa akin! But I know God is really a good, good God because He gave me an instrument to be feel blessed, feel inspired and feel loved in the person of You! Thank you so much for giving me, for giving us Marie Lyrize Agoncillo! Amen!

Oh ayan kaps! Ito ang sinasabi ko sa iyong surprise! Medyo funny sa simula and I don't want to end this post with a very sad tune. I want to make it simple yet truly memorable post na ginawa ko for you! Three words that I will consider as my gift to you:

SORRY sa paminsan-minsang pagkalimot ko sa iyo. There were times that you need me because you need someone to talk to. Nakakatuwa lang because you made me as one of your priority friends pero super sorry kung minsan hindi kita nakakausap dahil sa le***ng trabaho na yan (siyempre joke lang yun diba!). Minsan kung naiisipan kita ng masama, pasensya ka na dahil baka isipin mo, wala akong trust sa iyo. Pero nagkakamali ka dahil hinding-hindi mawawala ang pagtitiwalang ibinibigay ko sa iyo, which in return, ay ibinibigay mo rin sa akin! Sorry kung iniinis kita, at inaalaska rin kita. Ganoon lang talaga ako kung mag-lambing!

THANK YOU for being your brother, your sister, your mother, your father, your super best friend, your chatmate, your co-worker, your friend in Christ, your ka-chikahan over the phone, your kapalitan ng letter, your katabi sa mga pictures, and your ultimate fan! Ikaw na ang isa sa mga taong love na love ako the way I write and maraming salamat dahil natutuwa ka sa mga posts ko. Wala man akong followers ay hindi magiging close to 5,500 views ang blogsite ko, and I know sa bawat pagbabasa mo lalong dumadagdag isa man o dalawa ang views ko (hehehe!) Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for making my hopes more hopeful than not. And of course, thank you for choosing me as one of your friends whom you entrust your deep, darkest secrets (hehehe!). I'll cherish all of those and same as yours ha!

AND UMUWI KA NA! Sabi na nga ba walang mangyayari diyan sa iyo sa Saudi eh! Charot! Kahit for a vacation lang, two weeks ka lang or even more makasama ka lang namin, makausap ulit kita personally and mag-kape man ulit tayo sa Starbucks Coffee PCJ or sa Krispy Kreme sa may Festival. Gusto ko ulit kitang makasama if we're going to watch films, together with our friends. Nakakamiss ang "I Do!" at super benta sa atin ang mga linya ni Janus del Prado. Ang X-Men na hindi ko talaga bet, alam mo yan! Ang Bulong na takot na takot ka and at the same time, tawa ka ng tawa. Ang Ang Babae sa Septic Tank na buti na lang may extra money pa ako noon at nalibre kita! If you'll go home for a vacation, don't be too hesitant to tell me! Baka instead of your family, kami pa ang sumundo sa iyo!

With her anak, Hatchi!!! (alam kong namimiss mo na siya!)

How I wish I could receive a very tight hug from you after you read this because I assume there were tears in your eyes finishing this very long post. And this is the testament how much I miss you and I love you as my ultimate kapatid! Alam mo yan!

I-buzz mo lang ako sa YM or mag-biglang chat ka sa Facebook if naiyak ka talaga!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIE LYRIZE CASTILLO AGONCILLO!!! IMY AND ILY!!!

P.S.: Last picture na promise, and this time tayong dalawa na hehehe!!!

Kasama nga lang si Miss A, pero this is our latest photo!!! Happy Birthday Kaps!!!
ALAM MO NA!!!

Toodles!!!

Bakit-O-Pedia???

Here are some of the nasty and out-of-this-world questions and answers that triggers me, in short, may maisulat lang ako ngayong Lunes...

Bakit laging nakahubad at sumasayaw ng pang-cultural dancer si Jun Sabayton, ang bida sa Hangal sa Luha at director ng Word of the Lourd ng TV5?


- Mainit sa Pilipinas at natural kapag naiinitan ang iyong katawan, there's a tendency na ang isang tunay na lalaki ay naghuhubad. Siguro naiinitan si Jun Sabayton kaya walang habas siyang maghuhubad at ipapakita niya ang kanyang "wonder belly." In fairness naman kay Jun, wala siyang kahihiyan pagdating sa hubaran ng damit. Pakitaan ng tiyan, keribels lang niya. In line with his cultural dancer status, magaling siya. Ayon sa kanyang mini-serye sa YouTube na "Hangal sa Luha," napakagaling kung gumiling nitong si Jun dahil siguro, considered as hobby niya or pupuwede ring weakness niya ito. Sa huli, maaaring isa niyang itong matatawag na "raw talent," na siya lamang ang mayroon sa ating lahat.

Bakit kapag biglaang namamatay ang ilaw, tumitingin tayo dito?


- Feeling ko lang nakuha natin ito sa panonood ng mga horror movies, classical man or computer-generated-imaged na. Minsan may halo pang "tsk," kapag namamatay o parang kumukurap-kurap ang ilaw. Siguro, psychologically speaking, talagang napapatingin tayo sa ilaw kapag namamatay-matay ito dahil nalilito tayo at hindi natin alam kung bakit nga ito biglang namamatay. Actually, hindi ko rin ma-gets or talagang nakasanayan na ng lahat na kapag nagloloko ang ilaw, napapatingin tayo sa kanya!

Bakit parang humirap ang Mathematics ngayon kaysa noong kapanahunan ko?


- In fairness, hindi naman ako nagmamayabang pero magaling ako sa Math noong nasa Grade School pa ako. Ngayon kasi, hinaluan na ng High School Math ang Math ng mga Grade School. Siguro ay may mga bagong technique sa Math na hindi naituro sa amin ng teacher namin. Or pupuwede ring pili lang ang mga topic na itinuro sa amin noong nasa Grade School pa ako. Pupuwede ring hindi kagandahan ang libro noon, kaysa ngayon. Or puwede ring mas maganda ang libro noon kaysa sa ngayon. The bottomline is, weakness kung weakness ko talaga ang Mathematics at ayaw ko talaga sa kanya. Wala naman akong phobia sa kanya; ang pinakaayaw ko lang ay yung mismong solving at understanding ng mga kung anik-anik na mga topic sa subject na iyan!

Bakit ako nakikinig ng True Love Conversations ni Papa Jack sa Love Radio 90.7, eh wala naman akong love life since then?


- Sinimulan ko kasi ito noong 2011 at ewan ko kung bakit. Hindi naman ako nakakarelate sa mga kuwentong pag-ibig noong mga tumatawag kay Papa Jack pero ang sarap lang pakinggan. Nakakaloka lang din si Papa Jack kaya siguro nakakatuwa lang talaga siyang pakinggan. Basta nakakatuwa, kailangan ko pa bang mag-explain?

Bakit super addict ang mga kids ko sa Angry Birds? Hindi na ba mawawala ang galit nila sa mga baboy?


- Ano nga bang mayroon diyang sa Angry Birds na yan? Cute siguro kasi ang mga ibon na yan na ang hilig mag-tumbling, tapos medyo violent sila kapag na-traject sila sa mga kahoy or salamin or sa mga concrete. After nilang masaktan, kunyari hilo-hilo ang mga ibon, biglang "poof!" Tuwang tuwa sila kapag nakaka-poof sila ng mga baboy na nakakatuwa lang din dahil may green na palang baboy. Eh siyempre, hit na hit sa mga anak ko yan dahil nakaka-addict ang mga ibon na yan. Kung pupuwede lang manguha ng isa, kaso nga lang "angry" nga sila. Hindi na nga ba mawawala ang galit nila sa mga baboy? For as long as ibabalik ng mga baboy ang mga kinuha nilang itlog. Akalain niyong mangungupit pala ang mga baboy na ito! At akalain niyong may bigote (moustache pig), helmet (soldier pig yata?), at may korona pa (queen pig yata or puwede ring king pig, pero may make-up so queen?).

Bakit mahilig tayong magsalita ng word na "actually?"


- Actually hindi ko rin alam. For English, ang "actually," ay isang adverb na ang ibig sabihin ay "in fact." Actually, nanggaling siya sa salitang "actual," na pupuwedeng may connection ito sa meaning nito na "fact," o puwede ring "real." Actually, pampadagdag din ito sa English powers ng mga tao eh. And actually, sa isang normal na taong laging nakikipag-usap na Inglisero, nakaka-fifty times tayo or even more kung makagamit tayo ng adverb na actually. Actually, hindi ko rin alam kung accurate ang data ko pagdating sa usage nitong word na ito, pero actually, wala akong pakielam!

Bakit ang hilig ng mga lalaking manguyakoy?


- Hindi ko alam ang English counterpart ng salitang kuyakoy. Sinasabi nila pampatanggal ng stress, sinasabi rin nila simpleng pag-aano. Siguro psychologically speaking, puwedeng pampatanggal nga ng kaba, o nervousness, or puwede ring kailangan mo ng extra movement dahil kailangan ng circulation ng blood sa buong katawan. Siyempre, hindi naman ako Science teacher na magtuturo ng mga body systems pero may stimuli o stimulus lang na nanggagaling sa utak natin at sinasabi niyang, "hoy! Manguyakoy ka, mahirap na!"

Hopefully I answered some of the questions! Funny as it may seems, I do care!

Next week ulit, ewan na lang kung sa Lunes ulit o sa Huwebes. Puwede ring sa Sabado!

Bakit inaantok na ako?


Kasi matutulog na ako, paano yun, matutulog muna bago antukin?

Toodles!!!

My Best Buddy and Other Brouhahas

Another brouhahas to delight you, my readers!!! As of this writing, I already reached the 5,000 views on my 10-month-old blogsite. I want to say thank you for your appreciation towards my way of writing. I know most of them can be a boring one, or an interesting one; nevertheless what is important is I somehow share what I know and what I feel to you! Again from the bottom of my super big heart, I thank you!

Now, let's go to the main event of my post today. Last January 31, a very special one is so oh-so-close to my heart celebrated his 25th birthday. Yes, we as being born in the year of 1987 will celebrate our 25 glorious years. In our circle of friends, called The Fantastic Seven (gosh, you know how much I miss you guys!), he is the first one who will celebrate since he was born January.

Sir Andrew to you, Kenneth to us, but as always, he was simply
Andrew Kenneth Flores Quisumbing

We became so close during our first year of our college life. He was known before as Eric Quizon since he had the resemblance of the said actor. But for us, his really, really close friends, he was known simply as Pidol. Yes, I could say that he has the look of a superstar. He even tried (I hope you would not betray me as your friend, just sharing!) to do some auditions because he wanted to. Anyways, I remember him being so close during our ROTC activities in PLM. In making a platoon during that time, we were grouped according to our location. Both of us came from Southern Metro Manila (I live in the Emerald City called Muntinlupa, and he lives in Las Pinas). He was my classmate so he talked to me, but then he has his high school friends talking to him as well. The very first question that he asked to me, "Taga-saan ka?" I said, "Muntinlupa!" "Ah, so malapit ka sa Metropolis?" At first glance, I thought he was some kind of a rich one, a luxurious one or if not, a classy one, but it made proved wrong that he wasn't. Hehehehe! Kidding aside of course! After that, we became again very close because we already made circle of friends, still on our first year of college. He was still part of the other group, the so-called "gamers" because he was really fond of computer games, specifically MMORPG or the likes. There was also a time that he spent being with us and left his so-called "ka-gamers" because he just wanted to have some fun. And that's our friendship started.

As an ubergamer with our dear friends Cha Cha, Imee and Cacai...
(Look at the way he plays, open-mouthed!!! Hehehe peace!!!)

We're always magkasabay going home from PLM. He always takes the Zapote route while I'm taking the Alabang route. I also sometimes goes with him on his route but I'm only until Buendia. And we were walking towards Luneta or riding on our bus, millions and millions of jokes, pranks, okray and serious matters had been shared. Most of the time, we were talking and chatting about our friends, and yes, we were making fun of them but not too downing. We're also considered as phone buddies. Since he had their latest SMART BRO unlimited Internet connection while I still had the old-fashioned dial-up Internet connection, courtesy of ISP Bonanza, we were having the good time talking over the phone on what we were seeing in it. We were talking about the Friendster testimonials of our friends, the pictures of our wacky college life (back then), some news and even gruesome encounters on the Web. Aside from that, without the computer and the Internet, we were talking strangely about our family, about our careers in the future, our likes and dislikes, and even our own insecurities towards each other. We never had secrets that was never been shared, of course except with the more personal ones. The problems I had before, all of them I shared to him. When I was really down because I didn't have work, he was the first one I called to say that I badly one! When his institution, which I became part too, had an opening for new teachers, I was the first one in his mind. Because of him, I could never have a job so fulfilling like what we're having right now. I am so proud to say that since day one of our college life, I am his classmate and I am his best friend!

Together with our students Clare Audrey Halnas and Rozheanne Hilario
(I was their Grade 6 English teacher, he was their First Year English teacher)

In our institution, he was known as Sir Andrew (even my SPED students like him for I really don't know the reason?) as one of "the" greatest teachers of English in High School. When it comes to decency, eloquence, passion and substance in teaching English, he has everything in it. I always say it to myself that if ever I became a student for one day, I'll be entering his classroom and eagerly listening to him! Why not to become our coordinator soon, he has the full potential I may say, not because I am his friend but I know he has the guts to be fitted as our coordinator. But of course, if he doesn't want, then it's fine. I also learned so many things from him, from the simple ones to the greatest ones. He is one of the simplest person I've known; he can be the one that has everything since he has the confidence. But probably if he's richer than today, he'll still be the meekest person I've known ever since. 

In our circle of friends, he was known as Kenneth, sometimes Ken Ken, sometimes Kenth Cuddles and even Kenwa! He was known to be the one-liner, punchliner and grave joker! Sometimes, admittedly, he wanted to make fun to a person he was interested to make fun of but it was not really a personal punch. He knew his limitation in making jokes. And that's what we want from him, "kung makapanglait akala mo kung sinong perfect" but the truth is, it wasn't really a funny remark but a wake-up call (if that really is?) that we should be in order. He is really a shoulder-to-cry-on kind of friend and he will say anything that he wants you to do from his heart and his mind. And later on, you would realize that you should really do it in order for you to become stronger and firmer. That's Kenneth!

He is not known for being too sleepy. It just so happened he is sleepy.

Honestly, I'm having a hard time making such post like this to him, because for our friendship, it should not be put on a writing. What is important to us is to have the best of our lives! I don't understand ourselves because we really never felt "kasawaan" towards each other. For us, every new day is a new chance of sharing stories, together with the rest of our friends. That is why, I'm assume (hehehe), other people from our institution or from other league has the jealousy of a perfect friendship that seems our own kind have. 

All I could say is thank you for the wonderful friendship! Nearly 10 years of indescribable friendship can't be tamed; we are wilder than we were expected! I can't wait to have some bonding time to the next level because I know and you know, we know, that we are all in this together! Happy Birthday Kenneth!

(When you read this, don't tell me if there are grammar errata, just let it. Besides this is not as formal as what you normally does with your kids!)

Can you imagine how flexible your Sir Andrew is? This is our picture
during our PLM days!!!

Anyways, other brouhahas include:

MY JULIE GIRL'S COMEBACK - Last February 1 was her return to our institution and I say I truly missed her. She was out for 3 months due to her pregnancy and on December 1, 2011, she became a full-fledged mother to a very wonderful angel named Julli Summer! Whenever I feel heavyhearted and inconsolable, I always look up on her and she finds time to talk about what I feel. The feeling that I had before was relieved because of her words of wisdom!

A DATE NIGHT WITH AILEEN - Yesterday, Theresa, Juanito, Ms. Roxanne, Sir Ronald, Andrew and yours truly had so much fun last night at the famous Charbroiled inside BF Homes with our former colleague T. Aiz. The last time I saw her was her last day at our institution because of so many reasons, personal and professional as it may seem. She treated us with a hearty dinner and she shared so many stories from her, from her first days at her new institution down to her recent "emcee" performances. You know how much I miss you, my friend, especially our late chit-chats and hang-outs with the gang! Hopefully to see you again so soon!

DUDE'S GRADUATION - Today is my dear friend Yuan's (hehehe walang sir, not too aware of it!) commencement exercises of De La Salle University at the PICC. All of us are so proud of him for the achievement he has right now. I've known the whole (and I mean whole) story of his journey from day one to day fifty two to day three hundred seventy three down to his last day of being a MAARFIL student (that's his degree!). And now, together with his fruit of labor, which is the diploma, he is now ready to face a new challenge. In deep thought, I am also wanting to be like him as a graduate of one of the prestigious universities in our country and making my own kind of papers, analyses and of course, the dreadful thesis. I don't know, but all of his friends are looking up to him. Seems like a rags-to-riches kind of story but not really. He is very rich, very very rich when it comes to his friends (hehehehe!) Congratulations and job well done, dude!

TAGAYTAY INTERVENTION WITH THE FAMILY - I really used the word intervention because we broke away from our tradition of celebrating the wedding anniversary of my parents at home. Our family had never been too fond of going out or sort of vacation. If there's a celebration, we just wanted to celebrate it at home. This year marked their 34th anniversary and we were so happy to celebrate it in Tagaytay City, just a few kilometers away from our home (almost an hour drive away!). I didn't drive because I have never been to Tagaytay after fourteen years (yes, when I was in Grade Four, that's the first time I visited the city). We stayed at Picnic Grove but it came to my disappointment seeing so many people vying the place too. But the climate (though its hot in the afternoon) and the place was so serene and perfect place for a celebration. We just shared our stories, our jokes, our opinions and our food! The Balota household had their very first family bonding together outside and it was really memorable. Next year, maybe Baguio? Next two years, maybe Hong Kong?

There you go guys! Our brouhahas for this week!!!

Again, thank you for making my blogsite "readable by views," with more than 5,000 views!

Happy Birthday Kenneth!!!
Welcome back, Julie Girl!!!
I miss you T. Aiz!!!
Congratulations, Juanito!!!
Happy Anniversary, Mudak and Pudak!!!

And Happy 5,000 views!!! Woohoo!!!

Toodles!!!