How to Survive a Layoff from Gym

Ever since I decided to lift weights for P.E. during my 3rd year in college, I was hooked. I've got good results thus, I have good grades as well. Since I love the changes/effects it had on my body, I didn't stop. I still lift weights even when I'm reviewing for my board exam. After I passed the board exam and was looking for my first job in Manila, it became impossible for me to have time to go to gym plus I need to save since I was by myself and had to budget everything for the time being until I find myself a job. So I had to stop lifting weights.

After I was hired by Panasonic, I was able to go back to the gym because they have the facility. I was able to go back in shape. Then I resigned because I need to go back to school, unfortunately I was not able to do so because of some reasons I can't disclose. Anyways, I stop going to gym again. Then I tried to be a call center agent and my schedule became worst. Upon knowing that there is a certain program between Texas Instruments and Tesda, I had to resign once again to avail the rare upportunity to become a Process Engineer at Texas Instruments (TI) in Baguio City.

I was accepted at TI and I found out that they had a gym for employees so I decided to visit it and try to lift weights once more. Yet my schedule make it impossible for me to have a regular visit to the gym so my body remain so slim and the tones were less visible. After the program ended, I went back to Manila. This time I decided to relax for a while and try to look for a job later on. My activities were less tiring and I do not move a lot but my eating habits are the still the same. I didn'y notice that I'm gaining weight gradually until the lass three months I noticed that I am becoming fat. I'm losing my shape and my muscles are covered with fat. I became less active and I find it too tiring to do just anything. Even playong badminton didn't help because I find it too expensive already so I don't play much. My abs were covered with fat and my tummy are huge and sloppy. Asif that's not enough, my face become too oily and pimples begin to appear not only on my face but on my back as well. Yuck. This is too much. This is insame. I don't wanna be fat and ugly. I had to do something.

Then, my mom called me on my mobile telling me she's going to Manila and I have to meet her. I was excited and yet so nervous. I'm so afraid what would be her reaction is. She's used to see me on my best form and not this ugly fat creature. Well, I have no choice but to meet with her. When we saw each other I can see that she's quite shocked at what she saw but remain silent. Then she informed me that we have to wait for her kumare because she scheduled a dinner for all of us. While waiting for her, I decided to go to the loo to check for my appearance thinking this situation is so awkward and so embarrasing. At the doorway I saw her but I pretend I haven't and headed straight inside even if I hear her calling my name. That was rude but I must check what I look like first.

Upon facing the mirror, I lose my confidence. I am a disaster. A face even a mother won't love. Sigh. I decided to wash off the excess oil on my face and went out to meet them all. The dinner went ok. Afterwards, me and mom have to send her kumare and her son (with his gf) to their vehicle. Then my mom said goodbye and it's time for me to send my farewell as well. Then my mom's kumare whispered, "Ayaw na pagpatambok ha. Taba na kaau ka ba. (Don't get too fat. You are so fat already.)" I felt that all the blood left my body, I was completely embarrased. This is not good. This is pure humaltion beyond compare. It took all my strenght to smile at her remark and she bid goodbye leaving me felt like dirt.

Then came the Holiday Season. Christmas and New Year Celebrations had come and go. Yet my body fat stayed and even growing more. I did all the cooking and had to taste all the food I prepared and of course had to eat (a lot) since I do love my cooking. Luckily, my dad, brothers and sister love playing badminton so we play almost everyday, except on the 31st of December and the 1st of January, since I went home from Manila last December 19th. I did help because I was able to burn some stored fat yet that was not enough.

Last night, I saw my old copy of Men's Health Magazine dated February 2003. In the cover I saw the words "GET BACK IN SHAPE! SEE RESULTS IN 14 DAYS!" and I thought I should see that article. So browse the magazine. I saw an article there entitled "The Next Action Hero" featuring actor Jerry O'Connel who was required to hit the gym for his role in Kangaro Jack movie. The article includes burn rate, food fighters (clean food, protein all day and 20% rule). Also included here is a simple 7-day workout schedule because most people go to gym makes a mistake by concentrating on one area of the body and stressing it too much until the muscle doesn't have the chance to recover and it's too late. Also some other areas are left neglected.

The two factors that stressed out in the article are frequency and intensity to simplify the trainings needed for by the body. In the article, you can find out that freguency is a simple matter of knowing how often you can stress your muscles. Jorgen de Mey, gym instructor for the action hero stars, says that the bigger the muscle group, the more time it needs to recover. "Your legs, for example, needs 5 to 6 days to recover; if you stress them more than that, you're putting your body under too much strain. It will start to break down," he says.

Intensity, on the other hand, is more difficult quality to pin down because most of us doesn't know the amount we can actually take. And most people, de Mey says, working intensity means sacrificing form. Well, this has been a good input for me so far. So I browse more thinking how I took this magazine for granted in the past with the amount of information that I could get from it.

I also came across with an article entitled "Who Will Build the Best Abs?" This article is about triplets who have the same body type but different workout routines and have been compared who will show the best abs at the end of 8 weeks. The one who won the competition is the one who is doing the most to combust fat. Yes, the one who concentrated on his abs didn't win, in fact it only makes the abs bigger but didn't burn nor reduce the body fat at all so still you can't see any good results. The winner, on the other hand, combines cardiovascular and strenght training that's why he got the best results. The cardiovascular training helps reduce body parts and the weights helps building muscles. But according to the article, cardio training is for overweight men but once you're fairly lean, your body doesn't respond as dramatically to burning a few hundred calories in 30 minutes. So for best results addtional weight training, along with some occasional high-intensity sprint workouts, would make a difference for most of us.

Now it's time for the Get Back in Shape (New Year's Revolution) part of the magazine which includes the How to Survive Layoff article. I've been anticipating for this part of the article because I really want a come back. To get my shape and form back. I started reading. I somehow felt sad because according to the article if the layoff is more that 6 months my status would be a biginner once again. Sigh. I have to think of my body as a completely deconditioned blob of ectoplasm even if it doesn't look quite bad to the naked eye - well double or triple bad news for me because it's pretty scarry for the naked eye.

Fortunately, a certain Juan Carlos Santana, a trainer and owner of Institute for Human Performance, believes yu can easily get back to where you are once belonged in 12 to 18 weeks, as long as you stick to a disciplined schedule. One must have firm goal. So I think that I have to have a goal and stick with it to get back in shape. For example, as stated in the article, during the prime of XFL career (4 weeks) you did squats using 225 pounds, and assuming you want to become strong enough to work with that kind of weight again. Below are some routines that will help us to get back on shape:

First 4 to 6 weeks: Work up to 60% of your final goal for 8 to 10 repititions. So by the end of this period, you want to do squats with 135. Where you start is up to you, although 40 to 50 percent is a safe choice.

Second 4 to 6 weeks: Work up to 80% of your goal to 6 to 8 repititions. So you start this period using 135 pounds and end it using 180.

Third 4 to 6 weeks: Start with 80% and end with 100% of your goal for 4 to 6 repititions.

Well, I'll be back in Manila 3 days time and I'm going to head straight back on the gym the next day of course with a goal in mind. I'll try what I've read in the articles and of course ask the gym intructors what program would best fit me because I don't want to get to big and become bulky. I just want to stay fit, slim, and well toned.

Let's go to articles which concerns proper food and diet this time. I came across an article entitled "Slimming Lessons" by Thomas Incledon, M.S., R.D. In here he discussed 9 dietary rules that he presented years ago and made revisions. Here are the following rules:

To lose weight, you must cut calories: You still have to eat fewer calories than you burn if you want to lose weight. The perfect weight-loss diet is the one you can live with, whether you cut fat, carbs, or some combination.

Use whey to cut waist: Protein-rich food put more distance between hanger pangs. And the fuller you feel between meals, the easier to avoid binges. The best food for appetite destruction: whey protein.

Meat kills fat: When you eat, your body has to expend calories to digest food. Protein causes inner fiber to burn the hottest, followed by carbohydrates, followed by fat.

Remember these letters BCAA: Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and the branched-chain amino acids - leucine, isoleucine, and valine - are the best of the bunch. BCAAs are as close to magicfoods as we'll gonna get. They help you recover from hard workouts by reducing the protein breakdown within your muscles.

If it's fryin', you're drying: Don't eat junk foods. Ok?!

Food goes farther with fiber: Fiber's effect is opposite of snack foods'. When you have fiber in your stomach, food takes longer to enter the bloodstream, and your blood-sugar level stays steady. You'll have a more consistent energy supply and less between-meal hunger.

Count on calcium: Dairy and other calcium-rich food help you stay lean, prevent osteoporosis, and possibly prevent colon cancer according to nutrition researchers. A cup of milk will do which contains 300 milligrams because the recommended intake is up to1,200 ml only. But remember too much calcium may increase the risk of prostate cancer.

Alpha males use omega-3 fats: Less risk of heart desease and diabetes and reduce inflammation throughout the body. If you can't each fish twice a week, try eaggs with high omega-3 (can be found in label on the tray).

Make a plan: Include the following on your plan:

1) Meals and snacks are based on some lean protein source.

2) More meals are better than fewer. Ideal is 5 or 6 meals a day.

3) Low-fat and high-fat diets can both work, but one that cuts almost all fat is doomed.

4) Eat best carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Well, there are a lot of things to do and remember but one step at a time will probably do than doing nothing at all. I am not going to promise anything but I'm going to do my best to get back in shape. I'll keep you posted for the progress of my combat to lose weight and stay fit once agian.

Neil Gaiman and Fully Booked Comic Book Contest

Earlier on the month of December, I was informed by a friend that Fully Booked and Neil Gaiman is having a Comic book writing contest and he told me that he wasn't sure of the guidelines so I have to go to Fully Booked to ask for it. I totally forgot about it because I'm too busy preparing my things and ticket to go home to the province for the Holidays. Then, just this very moment I decided to open my blog and put some entry before the year ends, I decided to greet friends through their blogs. I came acros Gerry Alanguilan's blog and I saw a link of the contest. I then remembered what my friend told me so I tried to open the site but I just can't register because it always says "Page Cannot Be Found." So I decided to try to join the contest by going to Fully Booked and register there by myself in person instead of registering online.

I want to try to join and try my luck. Who knows I might win! Hehehe. Though I know that it would be a very hard competition because they are really talented Filipinos out there waitting to be discovered and Contest and Opportunities like this will showcas the "Totoong Galing ng Pinoy,"

Even if I will not make it or won't be able to join, I will still try to make the best of it and try to create a good story.

Below is the guideline that I've saved from one of Gerry's blog readers. Just click this link for the Contest Guideline. Wish us all the best!!! Go Pinoy!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

All of us wear red. My parents, my brothers, my sister, Tata (our scholar) and even Kutchie and Thomas the bears. This is for good luck according to my mom for the year to c0me. We enjoyed our simple New Year Celebration because we are complete once again unlike last year when I have to go back to Manila after Christmas because of work. It just feel good to be home.

Our simple celebration started with pressing the horns of our vehicles, using the torotot, jumping for growing tall, throwing coins inside the house and hugging and kissing each other while greeting Happy New Year to each one of us. Then, the confettis were thrown and the wine drinking. Then we ate. After that we take pictures and drink some more wine and beer.

We do have a great time and all of us enjoyed even if our celebration was simple. What's important is all of us where there and we are Happy and blessed by God.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

Profile Viewed 122 times!!!

I just opened my friendster and checked my profile and I noticed that it has been viewed 122 times. Woah, this is the first time for me to actually reach the 100th mark and it exceeded by 22 views. Well this might be someting normal for other who were viewed beyond a thousand but this is unusual for me. Hmmm, maybe because it Christmas and they just remembered me. I hope so. Hehehe, let's see if I can maintain this number even if I think I would.

Durian Ice Cream

One of my all time favorite fruit is Durian and Durian ice cream is my all time favorite ice cream. Way back in Manila, I just can't locate Durian Ice Cream and even if I look anywhere there's no available one. Even in hotels whenever my parents visit me in Manila, they still don't serve that flavor. I would tell my friends about it, how it taste and how it makes me feel so happy. They got curious even those who didn't like the fruit because of the smell wanted to taste the Durian ice cream. Until one day I was informed that Durian ice cream is only available in Mindanao. That's when I stopped looking for one.

Upon arriving at Davao International airport, I was fetched by my parents and we headed straight at VIctoria Plaza Mall. We met my sister and my tita. I find them near the Guess Kids stall and saw them eating 2 pints of ice cream. My sister was eating Halo-halo flavored ice cream and my tita was eating DURIAN flavored ice cream. Woah!!! I told my tita if she would have me her ice cream because I've been craving for it for years!!! She gave it to me knowing I miss it a lot. The first taste was heaven. The moment it touches my lips I felt I was in cloud number nine. It's just so amazingly taste so damn terrific for me. I finished eating it in a minute so I thought. I just love it.

Upon arriving at Kidapawan I requested for mom to buy a whole galon of DURIAN ice cream. We bought one and it didn't last a day.

Palengke Day in Kidapawan

My parents and I went to the public market to buy food and stuff that we were not able to buy earlier for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Since it's market day some other vendors were displaying their stuff along the streets and they were a lot them and a lot of buyers too. The next pictures shows the different kind of tuyo or dried fish that can be found in our market place here in Kidapawan. Most of the tuyo shown in the pictures were not available in Manila. The Manileños won't even believe me when I told them the different varities of tuyo that we offered here in Kidapawan because they told me that those kind of fishes are to vailable to be made into dried fish - like Lapu-lapu. I told them that we do have them and it's expensive too. I told them that I would bring some in Manila after the holidays when I'll be back.

Anyways, while touring the palenke I was able to find the finger-like carrots that I've been looking for too long back in Manila. So I bought a lot for salad. I love those kind of carrots because you don't need to slice them just prepare it nice and clean and put it in your salad and alas it's ready to be eaten. Hehehe I did ate a lot of salad during the Noche Buena.

Frogs (Frog Prince), Snoopy atbp...

Me and my mom displayed some of our collections for the New Year Celebration. Maybe for good luck and being prosperous for the year to come. First, we take out our Frog collections from the cabinets and displayed them in our sala. Well for those who didn't know, I love frogs. I just like them, though the live version were not appealing to me. My friends in college knew that I love frogs. They even give me a Baki for a nick name which meant frog in visayan dialect. I don't know if I just influence my mom or she just love them too because she collects them too. Hmmm, maybe I am a Frog Prince after all but I don't need the princes cuase I'm already handsome as you see hahaha. The prince part? Hmmm, i might need a princess for that in the future I think.

Second, I also displayed my Snoopy Collections. All of them were toys that come with the McDonald's Happy Meal. Hehehe I remembered that I would even bought Happy Meals for my friends just to complete my collection. My favorite Happy Meal is the Burger McDo Happy Meal and I would exchange the burger McDo for a regular Hamburger because of the onions and pickles even if I would wait for a couple of minutes just to prepare them. My little brother, Spikey, plays with them all the time thats why some of my Snoopy's lost their hats. :(

Lastly, all the stuffed toys in our house wearing red color were also displayed. That's why we had to change Kutchie's clothes and have him wear his red rain coat instead. All our dog and horse toys and figurines were also taken out from the cabinets to be displayed.

That's my brother Spikey with Thomas the bear. Both of them wear red for the New Year celebration. Well, I hope we all get the luck that we needed for the year to come and of course God's blessings and guidance as well.

Gonzales Reunion

Last Dec. 29, 2005, my mom's side of the family (Gonzales) decided to meet up after a very long time. Though some were no able to attend because of the "distance" we were still able to have the time of our lives.

Me and my brothers and sister left the house at about 5:55pm because it's raining and we were waiting for our dad to fetch us and send us to Don Henri's Bar for the reunion. After the rain is gone we decided to go ourselves because we were already late. Of course, we were afraid to be scolded adn be late to the party. My sister, Labing, says (trying to copy our tita Even's expression) "Pagkatibay jud ninyong mga bataa oi." Which means we were so tough of not following her earlier instructions to be there as early as 4pm. We laughed though we were a bit scared because we don't want to upset her.

Upon arriving at the area and saw our tita Even, she just greeted us casually. We were stunned because we didn't expect that kind of reaction from her. We were imagining of a more scarry type of greeting but she was so friendly. Then, we told her about what we were expecting and she just laughed at us.

Then the program begun and we were introduced to the different members of the family. We ate a lot. My, there were so much food. I ate a total of 12 fresh lumpia hahaha. Yes, I just can't have enough of it. Then we played videoke and the highest points received will win. My brother Epy won the game. Then all picked their songs and we ended at about 2am the next day.

We had so much fun. And we all hope that next all other members of the family will be able to make it this time.

(11)

11 soars to heaven...

We belong there...

Fly high beyond the sky...

Reaching heights...

Together free...

This secret journey we have to take...

Leads us where we must be...

Entangled w/ each others might...

We're set to be where we should be...

11 means a starting line...

Hope to be where we should be...

Happy Birthday Michelle and Christian

Happy Birthday!!!

Not another crap

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Bar-b-q

I just love eating street food. Now I like to eat bituka ng pig, bilog, tenga, and pork's meat barbecues. I just can't help eating it. I love how those barbecues were being prepared. Like fishballs, whenever I saw a stand where they sell barbecues, I usually order. I make sure that I dip it in vinegar for a long time to enhance the taste before I eat it. Maybe these foods are one of the reasons why I'm gaining weight rapidly. Well, what can I do I just love them.

MKWD Family Day

We attended the Metro Kidapawan Water District Family Day. We were early because my Mom had to prepare the gifts for her co-employees and mga inaanak. The event started w/ a mass and then speeches from VIP's and employees with high positions. My mom gave the opening remarks, followed by our city mayor and so on and so forth. Then different numbers given by different employees and their families followed. Then there were games like volleyball, trivia questions and some parlor games. Then giving of gifts and rice.

As you can see in the photo above, the event was held at the basketball court. See how colorful the huge umbrella's. I feel like we're in a world quidditch match. There were also vendors who gave their pop corns, cotton candy and ice cream for fee (the MKWD management already paid for it all). It's so much fun.

I played volleyball and I don't know how to play the game anymore. It's just too hard for me to control the ball. I'm much too strong for it. Even if I didn't exert effort in hitting the ball it still went outside the line. We lost. Hehehe but we had a very good time.

I'm glad that I attended the event. Our family were given the second place for the most number of complete members of the family. The winner have 10 children plus two parents and they are complete.

I look forward for the nest year's family day.

Oh no it's Johnny!

Finally we met. I wen to where Johnny's working yesterday to see him and return his comics. Well he's the same Johnny. It's funny though because he's from Manila and has to work in Makilala and Kidapawan and I'm the one from Kidapawan but have to work in Manila. Hehehe. It's really nice to see him again after months of not hearing from him. Hehehe.

Johnny gave me a shirt too. Thank you for the shirt.

I first met Johnny from the very first Komikero meeting that I attended. Incidently, it was also the groups first anniversary. I'm not the only firstimer there, Raipo was there as well.
Back to Johnny, he's a very funny and intelligent person. He cracks jokes out of thin air. It's so natural for him. He's straight forward and very himself. There's no one like Johnny or anyone who might have resembled him. One of the kind.

He seldom put things seriously, in the meetings that I encountered him, but when he's serious.... He's still funny.

Well, never have a dull moment when he's around. I wish you all the best man.

P.S. He's vegetarian...

Snake attack!!!

We saw a snake in our backyard the very day I went home from Manila. Me and two of my brothers captured it and put it inside the "plangana" and then covered it so that my dad will release it the next day. We had a hard time capturing it because we're afraid to be bitten by it. We use to rods w/ hooks and entangled the snake carefuly so that we won't hurt it. I'm glad we handled it well.

The snake is about a meter and a half in length and about 3 inches thick. It's a cobra and it didn't strike at anyone in particular at all. I think that it's much more afraid to us that us with it. It's a very nice experience and a very nice welcome for me.

Later that night I send an SMS to my friend and he told me thatI should try to play lotto because I might win and I told him the story and he gave me what numbers to pick.

I was also told by our neighbor that it brings luck. I hope so I may have a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to come.

Airport blues atbp...

My flight going to Davao is 10 am so by about 7 am I headed to the airport. It took me a moment for me to travel from my place to the airport because, strange as it may seem, the traffic was light.

Upon arriving at the airport I was shocked at what I saw. The queue is so long and we even have to extend the line beyond the airport premises. Most of the people there were already complaining. many flights have been delayed. There's just so many people waiting in the line to enter the pre-boarding area. Never did I saw that crowd in the airport before, maybe because of the Christmas rush thing. There were as much foreigners as Filipinos there. Most of them going to Boracay, Camiguin and some places in Mindanao. Some of them complained but most of them take the issue lightly.

There was one incident that two people argued because on of the lady make singit in the queue so she was sita by another lady whom she cut across because of inserting ahead of her. They were quarelling so loud and most of us are watching the scene forgetting our aching legs because of standing too long in the line. It became some sort of entertainment. It was cut short by airport people because all those who have 9 am flight have to go first and the other lady was on that flight. Luckily for the lady, who inserted the other behind her didn't complain. Even all of us knows that she's not originally on that line. After the complainant leave, the lady starts talking things that she's there all the time, that if she had no baggage she might have fist fight with the other lady and etc. So we just smiled pretending we didn't hear her.

When it's time of boarding of passengers, we hurriedly went to the airport bus to send us to the plane. One of the passenger of the same flight that I'm in was the 2nd runner of Close Up to Fame. What a flight.

Upon arriving the Davao airport I saw the lady who inserted herself in the line, she was on the same flight as I have. Hehehe luckily I'm not the one she cut short in the queue because I will probably do what the complainant did and so much worst.

I was fetched by my parents, my tita and my sister. Then we went to Victoria Plaza and NCCC Mall to buy equiptments for our bar. Then we went home.

My Wall

I redecorate my wall because I got tired of looking at it with paint only. I just put my pictures, my drawings and my comic collections (mostly signed by artist and # one issues). There it goes, I hope you'll like it too.

Maybe next year I might redecorate it. I still have to think for a new design. Maybe about hobbies or about natures. Well, it's still too early to think for now.

For now, I'm quite satisfied with it. As I open the door, it's the first part of my room that you can see. It relaxes me a lot. So I'm happy with it.

I Love Chocolates!!!

Last Oct. 15, 2005, I went to Robinson's Manila to meet my parents and I saw the Red Ribbon Choco Festival. I saw two fountains that pours chocolate instead of water. A lot of people were there and most of them, I'm sure, loves chocolates. Excluding my dad who didn't like it. I don't know why though, he just don't like it. Anyway, since I love chocolate I came a little bit closer cause I really want to see it so near. But people were not allowed to see it that near because it might get dirty and it's super hot daw. So I just took pictures instead. Sigh. I really want to taste it. So I ask my mom instead to buy me a choco moist cake and a choco bar. Hehehe.

Taft Station when it's Wednesday

The picture shown above is what you're going to expect at MRT Taft station during Wednesday at rush hours. People just come and go because during Wednesday people go to Baclaran church for novena. Most, if not all, of these people are devotees of the Virgin Mary. They, including me, are asking help for Mama Mary to grant our requests.

What I do to avoid the rush? I go to church early in the morning. Above picture shows how empty it is during early hours. It's our big secret, ok?

Aeon Flux

The Story: In the 25th century, a rampaging virus has forced the remnants of humanity into the seclusion of a final city. There is great political conflict within, however, and this is the story of an acrobatic assassin, Aeon Flux (Theron), whose latest target is the government's top leader.

Me says: I'm going to watch this movie simply because I've been following the cartoon series in MTV. Yes, I'm going to compare which among the two versions is most appealing for me - action and story wise. It's going to be released on the big screen soon so I hope that I won't be disappointed.

Fish Balls, Chicken Balls, Squid Balls...

I've been eating a lot of streetfoods lately. Everytime I pass by Aurora St., or anywhere I can find Manong cooking those lovely and delicious chickenballs, I can't stop but pick those which are ready to eat using a stick. Then I dip it all in vinegar and then dip it again in their special sauce and alas I ate it all.

Yummy!

Indeed I find it delicious really, most of the time I could eat 16 pieces of chicken balls. I don't know really what's in it but I just love it. I also noticed that everytime I stay there and pick those mini balls, people would often come and pick some as well. Or if I saw a person picking, I just can't help it but pick some myself as well. Hehehe. It might seem odd but people love them.

There are occasions when I buy those in malls or supermarket and even fried it myself at home but the taste seems different. I just don't like eating it that way. But when I'm in the streets it just so delicious. Maybe the place where to eat it has something to do with it. The ambiance maybe hehehe.

Hmmm maybe later I might find Manong and try to eat as many chicken balls as I could. Ciao.

The Claw

I'm on my way home riding a jeepney when suddenly a hand (obviously from a man trying to have a free ride) appeard near the jeepney entrance with one finger having a nail which looks like an eagle's taloon. At first I was starled because it appeared out of nowhere and then I thought that since it's a rare circumstance that you could find something like that so I took a picture of it. Hehehe, the person who owns the claw didn't know that I took a picture of his hand. Well, I didn't saw his face anyway.

Food Feast @ Pan Pacific

Aren't those delicious?! Yes, I ate a lot during a breakfast buffet. The reason why is that I got a little disappointed because the buffet is good for two persons and I'd been calling friends to share it with me. Unfortunately no one wanted to have breakfast with me that day. Either they're busy, they have work, or they don't reply at all. Thus, what I did is I ate a lot, as much food that would fit my stomach.

After eating I loved the feeling of being able to eat at your heart's content. I really loved each type of food that I put in my platter. I can only eat like this everytime my mom visits me here in Manila. This is also the way of telling me that she misses me, I think. Thank you mom. Hoping for another feast like this one.

Well, the next time I invite one of my friends to have breakfast with me, I hope there will be one who will be available because it would be much fun to have someone eating hearthily with me.

Redesigning Ian's Friendster Account

I play around with my friend's (Ian) friendster account. Above picture is the result. Ian who's working in Qatar like it though so I think it's ok. Redesigning his account took me less that 20 minutes. Hehehe. He's sending me gift this Xmas direct from Qatar.

HS Reunion Host?

Since 2002 we've been having our HS class of 1997 reunion and every year we voted for a host. Last year we voted Earnest as our host under the St. James class. Then later this month I've been receiving texts and e-mails informing and asking me regarding reunion as it is me will be the host for this year. At first it seems that they're just making fun and joking around 'til almost all of my batchmates are asking me and taking it all seriously. Their reason is that my parents open a bar in our province and they (our batchmates) suddenly decided that having the bar and all that, it would be best for me to be this years host. That's simply outrageous. How am I supposed to come up a money to spend for the food and drinks and the rent dor the place were in fact I'm jobless right now and the only reason I have money to spend is because of my savings from previous job and from my freelance job. I already told them to stop those nasty roumors. Gosh. Ok, I told them that if they wanted to use our place then the least I can do is to convince my parents to let us use the bar for a day for our reunion and the rest of our batchmates have to contribute for the food and drinks, and yeah I'm willing to be the host and I'll come up with a program to make it more special. But to spend all the expenses by myself, there's no way I can agree to that and even if I want to, I still don't have the resources. Well, if they insist, I could'nt care less if we have a reunion or not. Sigh.

Redesigning My Sister's Friendster Account

I redesigned my sister's Friendster. Well of course, for free. In the background you'll see the pictures of her favorite singer: Melanie C.

Butch Resigned...

Yes, Butch already submitted his resignation letter and will go home on the 15th of December in Davao. I know the reasons why he resigned but I do not have the liberty to share it here. I hope that he will be able to find another job that suitted him best. More power kaibigan...

P.S. Look at his picture, can you see the sign on the upper rightmost part... maybe that's a clue... hehehe...

Ruel & Mylene

Two of my members of ArtCo (when I was the president then) became a couple. I'm so proud of them. Both are talented in drawing, kind and always on the happy mood. Both of them have Japanese relatives. Life is full of surprises... More love...

Andy Sings from the Heart

Andy texted me yesterday announcing that he won 1st prize on a singing contest. He said that he's going to represent Davao in a "Search for a Star in a Million" like format contest. Wow, finally he had the courage to join and eventually won the contest. You go Andy!!! Make us proud!!!

Someday I'll be gone

It's seemed so sad to hear these words coming from a love-one, from a partner or from a friend. Last night we were discussing a lot of things, mostly random, until we came to a topic about us. She told me that someday she had to go abroad and work there and eventually the two of us will lose contact and eventually end up not being together but with some other person's arms. She's so sure and seemed so confident that this has to be the path that both of going to take. The only way - separate ways. That fate brings us together for a reason to make us both realize what we want in life and therefore, we must work hand-in-hand to attain what fate has in store for us. I was shocked and seemed that it's the end of the world. I'm totally blank. I felt numbed all over.

After a while, I thought about the things she said and come to realize that if it's the way things should happen, then so be it. Let it come and I'll wait for it realizing that I'm going to lose the very person that makes my world go round. The person that ticks my body clock.

I am very happy with our relationship and couldn't ask for more - maybe longevity or even forever. Yet I know, deep within me I believe her. I believe every word she says. It's been so clear that I refuse to see it. To recognize it because I'm so afraid I'm going to lose her.

Most of us pictures ourselves having our own family and all that. We jump from one relationship to another trying to fill in the blank faces of our wife or husband for that matter, Trying to find the perfect fit. Until we forgot the very essence why we look in the first place.

It's been 10 months since we came to know each other and eventualy becoming a couple. Looking back at all those times, I realized that I love every moment I spent with her and I do not regret that I exerted and gave what I had to make the both of us happy. Yes, I admit that I became selfish at one point or another, but that's just how I do it. That's how I know how to make our relationship work. I also realized that the love is still there and it will last forever, but there are also a lot of things that need to be consider too.

Thus, if the time comes that she had to go away and leave me, I will not stop her. I will even encourage her to go and do waht she must do no matter how painful and hard it may be for me. For I know that sacrificing myself for a greater cause would prove that my love for her is genuine. Leaving with me only the hope that someday if it is meant for us to be together then we must be togethere. Otherwise, I will go on with my own journey and search for the perfect one.

180 kls!!!

Yes the figures are correct, I weigh 180 kls. Imagine I gained 15 kls in just less that 2 months!!! Bugger... I'm fat and most of my clothes won't fit anymore. This is bad. Not good. I have to loose fat...

Superman Returns

Following a mysterious absence of several years, the Man of Steel, Superman, comes back to Earth--but things have changed. While an old enemy plots to render him powerless once and for all, Superman faces the heartbreaking realization that the woman he loves, Lois Lane, has moved on with her life. Or has she? Superman's bittersweet return challenges him to bridge the distance between them while finding a place in a society that has learned to survive without him. In an attempt to protect the world he loves from cataclysmic destruction, Superman embarks on an epic journey of redemption that takes him from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space.

Click here for source and trailer >>>

(10)

Ten months... Love lift's us up where we belong...

Nenita in Manila

It's been 3 years since I last saw our former Engineer Chairperson Ms. Nenita Malaluan and I never thought that I would bump with her at the most unexpected place - The Presidential Yatch. Yes, I saw her again at my mom's bestfriend birthday party. I never seen her so happy and so relax. She's not her usual "business attitude" self. In fact she's a totally different person at all. She's friendly, down-to-earth and she talked a lot too.

I remember the first day I saw her was during my DOST Mathematics tutorial (given to those DOST scholars) days. Before we enter college, we scholars are oblige to undergo tutorial on English and Mathematics subjects. She was then a perfectionist, know-it-all, I'm-always-right, so-shut-up kind of person and no one messes up with her. Her class that time was so quite that you could hear the needle when drop to the floor. Everyone were so terrified at her. There was this one time, when one of the scholars bf visited her and while Ms. Malaluan was teaching, the bf kept of bothering the gf so Ms. Malaluan completely lost it and scold the bf in front of us. The bf tried to rebut but he was overpowered by Ms. Malaluan and so he left in shame. I also remember Jay-Roy (one of the DOST scholars) that he has to go and look for another route when he sees Ms. Malaluan comes his way. Hahaha. It's so much fun to recall all those tragic moments.

Now, she's connected to a different school here in Manila and was no longer working in Ateneo (de Davao University). I heard some nasty rumors as to why she's no longer connected but I do not really care because what I see now is a completely different person. She's changed so much - for the better. I do hope that she keeps up the miraculous work. God bless, more power and good luck ma'am.

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

I've seen the latest Harry Potter Movie on the opening day (Nov. 16, 2005). I've been dying to watch the 4th installment of Harry Potter saga come alive in the silver screen for so long because I wanted so much to see for myself how the casts and crews are able to interpret the book into a movie.

Having seen the last 3 films, I already know that there are a lot of editing had been done and I do not hide the fact that I've been disappointed in some of the way they do it in film but nonetheless, I enjoyed the past 3 films and come to love them as I love the books. Thus, I know that HP4 would be no exception. This time, there are a lot of scenes and characters that have been omitted like Mrs. Weasley. Ginny doesn't utter a single word. Dumbledore seemed crazy and seemed too strong for his old age (not to mention he sat on a corner of his office and tried to strangle Harry - not so magical for me) and his robe looked like never been wash for a decade or century perhaps. How about the scene where Hermione supposedly caught Rita Skeeter as unregestered animagus?! Then put her in the jar for making nasty gossips on the paper. There are a lot of things that I could mention. Sigh.

On the brighter side of the story, the way most of the characters deliver the script are more mature. The special effects are indeed special and most of the time breathtaking. Wow! The dragons, the girls from Beuxbaton, the maze but I love Voldemort the best. Ralph Fiennes is perfect for the role. He's so scarry. Even the children who are watching the flick were scared and some of them actually cried. Effective eh.

As a whole I give the film 4 stars... I do enjoyed it a lot... Great work...