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Saturday, August 4, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
I Will try to improve this score
My Lakbayan grade is B-!
How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!
Created by Eugene Villar.Thursday, February 16, 2012
Kontrakultura: A Date with Destiny (UP Fair 2012)
I was really not in to UP Fair this year, but gym-mates Crimson and Edgar made the case that one night is fine. and since I really don't have anything better to do on a Wednesday night (thesis aside), I decided to go.
 |
| Kontrakultura: A Date with Destiny |
These are my observations for this year's Fair.
- Less Aggressive Publicity - in the previous years, you would really know that it is Fair season. Fliers broadcasting the event reach as far as Recto (even Niog, Bacoor). You can even smell it in the air. Promotion shifted online, though.
- "Inspirational" nights - I have yet to confirm this, but this is the first time that Christian Organizations bid for a night (2 nights, actually), bringing their own flavor of performance choices.
- Booths - There is a 'Mercato' feel in the food stall area. Milk Tea is in and UP Fair is not an excemption, with Moonleaf, Etchetera, and Bubbatealicious leading the helm. Chic-boy, Manang's Chicken and Juan Isawan were present. The videoke booths were absent, maybe because WOW is co-presenting. Less wall climbing and more rides like the flyer and the Space Lab. No Marriage booth :(
- Trends - Less Jumping Jologs (JJs) and JJ Sk8rbois. And thanks to 'Tangled',the attack of the Sky Lanterns! Photobooths! No Scantily-dressed Frenzy Girls and condom games, as well as those swaying cloth towers.
- Security - Better this year, visible guards, brand new fences.
I was sold to the idea that Gary V. will perform for two hours, albeit very early by UP Fair standards (8-10pm, the stars usually perform at 11am the earliest). I have some reservations, though, that it will be like an A.S.A.P/Sunday Service crossover, but it turned out quite good.
 |
| UP FAIR |
Bought my ticket on-site and was amazed by how fast I was able to secure a ticket and get inside amid the sea of people outside, a testament of how organized they are at the entry/exit points. Quest was playing when I got in to start booth and freebie hopping (Free Globe SIM and URC Products, 25+10 Globe Load promo, etc). I ended up trying Manang's Chicken for the first time and concluded that BonChon is still the chicken to beat in the Soy Garlic Category. As I finished dinner, Gary V. performed!
I rushed in to secure a spot in the JJ area, readying to be mesmerized by his performance. Sure, we see him every week on ASAP, and I happen to attend one of his solo concerts, but Gary V. in Sunken Garden is one for the annals of UP Fair. He said that he will sing songs that 'touch the heart, the soul, and keeps me going'. He started off with Hataw Na and SaYaweh, with the crowd motionless - either stunned or in an awkward position to groove with the upbeat inspirational song. he followed it up with a back2back2back2back performance of his Kapamilya teleserye themesong hits "Tayong Dalawa/Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo/Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin/Sana Maulit Muli". The mood then changed as he told the story of the lowest point of his life (and the apparent end of his burgeoning career) - the then unborn baby Paolo. This turnaround turned to be a blessing, and as he welcomed his eldest, the testimonial ended with a Beatles Medley 'Yesterday/Come Together'. He then preached about how God changed his life as he sang 'I Will be Here', 'Lead me Lord' and 'Take me out of the Dark'. He did a dance number with his son in the rhythm of 'Shout for Joy', complete with walking sticks as props, as a proper end to the party.
The afterparty did not disappoint, but it was marred by long dead air, absence of hosts, and technical difficulties. highlights include the community Videoke singing of 'Firework' and 'Price Tag' courtesy of WOW Magic Sing, the marriage proposal onstage (I died!), the spontaneous stand-up comedy ala 'I Object!' using the lyric sheet stand as props, the technically challenged Barbie Almalbis performance, the 'new look and outlook' Kitchie Nadal, the 200 wpm performance of Gloc9, Spongecola II, Gracenote, and Yeng Constantino.
Edgar was particularly happy with his last UP Fair as a student, and was rewarded with a tweet reply from Mr. Pure Energy himself.
 |
| One Happy Jiggly |
Dondie meanwhile was happy to claim his prize from an online contest, at the expense of Judd - 2 drinks from Etcetera.
 |
| Happy Dondie! |
 |
| Me, Lingling, Dondie, Kelsey |
LAST UP FAIR AS A STUDENT (CROSS FINGERS) - CHECK!
[REPOST] : A Fair to Remember
I will repost the Inquirer Article about last year's UP Fair. I was ambushed during the fair and was asked questions.
A UP Fair to remember
More than the sing-alongs or food tripping, this year’s fair will be remembered for the bittersweet goodbye to the well-loved UP band, Sugarfree
THE ANNUAL University of the Philippines (UP) fair welcomed thousands of students and graduates for a five-night concert, featuring the best artists in the local scene, as well as some homegrown bands.
“The smell of roasting isaw, the parade of bands onstage, and the rickety rides will always be experiences worth remembering and reliving,” says medicine student Krisha Borromeo of her UP Fair experience.
“Picture yourself singing along to your favorite OPM songs with good friends, under the stars. The night seemed limitless,” she says.
DLSU Manila graduate Jon Choi recalls rushing to his first-ever UP Fair. “I was on the phone with a UP friend who was screaming in excitement that Urbandub was beginning their set,” he says.
Ten minutes later, he arrived as the band was playing their second song. “I hope next year’s is just as memorable,” he says.
What else to enjoy
There are carnival rides, rock-climbing walls and numerous booths where one can get food, clothes, bags, tattoos, all sorts of trinkets, and even travel packages for really cheap prices.
“You have to know what to enjoy,” said Chris Ng, broadcast communication major at UP Diliman, who doesn’t go to UP for the bands, but for the food.
“Food tastes different in the atmosphere of a fair. I just walk around and try everything: the grilled corn, grilled squid, the Mongolian bowls. I found a stall that sells buko pandan. All the food I want is in one place, and it’s all so cheap!” Ng says.
Ng even found himself touring his Korean friends on the campus. He encouraged them to try the Pinoy street food.
Sugarfree’s last UP Fair
Electrical engineering student Philip Martinez looks forward to bumping into the people who were part of his UP life every year.
This year, though, was extra special. “We sang our hearts out with Sugarfree for the last time,” Martinez says. This year’s UP Fair was particularly poignant, since it was Sugarfree’s final performance at the fair before they disband.
Ivan Saldajeno, mathematics major at UP Los Baños, narrated his experience of joining Basagan, the first-ever rap battle tournament at the UPLB Fair, which took place simultaneously with the one in Diliman.
“Even though I lost, it was a fun learning experience that I will cherish as I venture into the mainstream rap battle league Flip Shop,” Saldajeno says.
He continues: “The most memorable event, however, was Sugarfree’s final concert at UPLB last Friday. It was rocking yet emotional. Just before sunrise, a flurry of Facebook posts, Tweets, Plurks, and even Tumbleblogs that featured the band headed by Ebe Dancel (a proud eLBizen) filled cyberspace. Our fair was the most memorable so far, and it should be more memorable next year.”
Ateneo law student Christian Rillera attended the fair just to catch Sugarfree for the last time.
“I posted a Facebook status before going to the fair that night asking what time Sugarfee was going to perform. Sir Jalton Taguibao (the bassist of Sugarfree) posted a comment saying they were going to perform at around 12. Now, Sir Jal and I have not personally met, but I added him on FB because he is a UP Association of Political Science Majors (APSM) alumnus, like me. After they performed I went backstage to introduce myself to Sir Jal and ask for his autograph. He said, ‘O, Christian!’ And I was like, oh my God he knows me! He even asked me how I was doing in law school,” says Rillera.
Sugarfree sang their most popular songs, such as “Prom,” “Mariposa,” “Overdrive” (by the Eraserheads), “Burnout,” “Hari ng Sablay" and “Tulog Na.”
Rillera recalled the experience: “While they were singing ‘Tulog Na,’ they asked the crowd to wave goodbye.”
THE ANNUAL University of the Philippines (UP) fair welcomed thousands of students and graduates for a five-night concert, featuring the best artists in the local scene, as well as some homegrown bands.
“The smell of roasting isaw, the parade of bands onstage, and the rickety rides will always be experiences worth remembering and reliving,” says medicine student Krisha Borromeo of her UP Fair experience.
“Picture yourself singing along to your favorite OPM songs with good friends, under the stars. The night seemed limitless,” she says.
DLSU Manila graduate Jon Choi recalls rushing to his first-ever UP Fair. “I was on the phone with a UP friend who was screaming in excitement that Urbandub was beginning their set,” he says.
Ten minutes later, he arrived as the band was playing their second song. “I hope next year’s is just as memorable,” he says.
What else to enjoy
There are carnival rides, rock-climbing walls and numerous booths where one can get food, clothes, bags, tattoos, all sorts of trinkets, and even travel packages for really cheap prices.
“You have to know what to enjoy,” said Chris Ng, broadcast communication major at UP Diliman, who doesn’t go to UP for the bands, but for the food.
“Food tastes different in the atmosphere of a fair. I just walk around and try everything: the grilled corn, grilled squid, the Mongolian bowls. I found a stall that sells buko pandan. All the food I want is in one place, and it’s all so cheap!” Ng says.
Ng even found himself touring his Korean friends on the campus. He encouraged them to try the Pinoy street food.
Sugarfree’s last UP Fair
Electrical engineering student Philip Martinez looks forward to bumping into the people who were part of his UP life every year.
This year, though, was extra special. “We sang our hearts out with Sugarfree for the last time,” Martinez says. This year’s UP Fair was particularly poignant, since it was Sugarfree’s final performance at the fair before they disband.
Ivan Saldajeno, mathematics major at UP Los Baños, narrated his experience of joining Basagan, the first-ever rap battle tournament at the UPLB Fair, which took place simultaneously with the one in Diliman.
“Even though I lost, it was a fun learning experience that I will cherish as I venture into the mainstream rap battle league Flip Shop,” Saldajeno says.
He continues: “The most memorable event, however, was Sugarfree’s final concert at UPLB last Friday. It was rocking yet emotional. Just before sunrise, a flurry of Facebook posts, Tweets, Plurks, and even Tumbleblogs that featured the band headed by Ebe Dancel (a proud eLBizen) filled cyberspace. Our fair was the most memorable so far, and it should be more memorable next year.”
Ateneo law student Christian Rillera attended the fair just to catch Sugarfree for the last time.
“I posted a Facebook status before going to the fair that night asking what time Sugarfee was going to perform. Sir Jalton Taguibao (the bassist of Sugarfree) posted a comment saying they were going to perform at around 12. Now, Sir Jal and I have not personally met, but I added him on FB because he is a UP Association of Political Science Majors (APSM) alumnus, like me. After they performed I went backstage to introduce myself to Sir Jal and ask for his autograph. He said, ‘O, Christian!’ And I was like, oh my God he knows me! He even asked me how I was doing in law school,” says Rillera.
Sugarfree sang their most popular songs, such as “Prom,” “Mariposa,” “Overdrive” (by the Eraserheads), “Burnout,” “Hari ng Sablay" and “Tulog Na.”
Rillera recalled the experience: “While they were singing ‘Tulog Na,’ they asked the crowd to wave goodbye.”
©2011 www.inquirer.net all rights reserved
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Valentine's Day
Vulgarly stating that I
am not bitter.
Lame
excuse for
not having to deal with
the fact that
I
never had you.
Every other moment I
still think of that
day I reckoned that I
actually loved
You
am not bitter.
Lame
excuse for
not having to deal with
the fact that
I
never had you.
Every other moment I
still think of that
day I reckoned that I
actually loved
You
Friday, January 6, 2012
The Year that was: Travel (Part 2 of 2)
Coron, Palawan (June 4 - 6, 2011)
HappEEEness 2011
 |
| HappEEEness 2011 Primer |
 | ||||
| Bithday surprise for a friend, atop Mt. Tapyas :D |
- Second installment to the HappEEEness Series, the yearly trip of EEE friends.
- After years of going to Coron, this is actually the first time I toured it!
- Memorable Birthday surprise ever - atop Mt. Tapyas! And the 700+ steps reaching the view deck = instant work-out
- Maquinit falls, Kayangan Lake, Shipwreck
- Nature fun fun fun!
 |
| Touchdown Puerto Princesa! |
 | ||||||
| Lola is still in Beatlemania (Wallpaper sa Guest Room ng Bahay ni Lola)! |
 |
| Food that I really missed! :D |
- Promo flight + free return flight :D
- Catching up on my hometown, nothing much happened. :)
Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental (October 24 - 26, 2011)
 |
| Alper, Crimson, Raven, Dondie, Kit, Robert, Hermie, Enzo, and me (wala sina Ralf at Peter) |
- First time in Puerto Galera!
- Sem ender with Ipil dorm buddies!
- Paralyzed operations in Batangas Port, thanks to our ice chest full of alcohol :)
- There is more to Puerto Galera than the beach pala, Tamaraw Falls! :D
 |
| Caliraya! |
- First Roadtrip aboard a friend's car.
- Fefi's Despedida, he was also our driver from Manila
- 4 Falls explored, Caliraya, Japanese Garden
Looking forward to my 2012 Trips! Mas kakaunti lang kasi wala na akong pera :))
- Cebu/Bohol Trip with ERG owpor (January 20 - 24, 2012)
- First owpor trip involving air travel
- Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur - Singapore (March 31 - April 3, 2012)
- 4 Days. 3 Cities. 2 Countries. 1 Epic Adventure
- First International Trip! :)
The Year that was: Travel (Part 1 of 2)
Today marks the first day of my 2011 travels, and with that, I look back to the few trips I made last year. Me, a full-time Poor-ista - the Budget Traveler. :D
Bicol Trip ( January 6 - 11, 2011)
Kalibo/Boracay Trip (March 7-9, 2011)
Bicol Trip ( January 6 - 11, 2011)
 | |
| The shy Mayon and Lignon Hill, Legazpi Airport |
- Because of Cebu Pacific promo, this trip was booked. It coincided with a friend's wedding in Naga, hitting 2 birds at one visit (with the wedding the unintentional stone).
- Trip with Adam and Sir Jesse, dorm buddies.
- Adam and I were in for one of the craziest flights ever. We practically spent day 1 of our trip at the airport and on air.
- Our first flight was at 5:45 AM to Legazpi. It was delayed due to the weather. The folks at Manila were advised to continue the flight at around 7AM. Nearing Legazpi, the flight was cancelled due to weather conditions. It was scary. You can feel the turbulence and the attempts of the pilot to descend and ascend. The flight was abnormally long. The flight back to Manila was ironically kaba-free. Poor Sir Jessie waiting for us at the Airport.
- Back in Manila around 9:30 AM, missed rebooking for 2nd flight at 10 AM, settled for the 1 PM flight. Again, the flight got delayed and eventually cancelled. But the funny think is, our flight was the only cancelled one. PAL and Airphil was able to land 10-15 mins after the Legazpi Airport was closed due to poor visibility. Some things were not meant to be. Korina Sanchez was on this flight with us to be on location for TV Patrol.
- 4 PM - Manila, We were able to rebook (again!) for Naga this time the next day. After second-guessing, we rebooked for Legazpi. Back at the dorm, we again reverted to our Naga rebooking. Kami na ang undecided, buti na lang accomodating ang CebPac staff.
- Our 6 AM flight to Naga delayed two times, we are patiently waiting in the shuttle bus, and was nearly cancelled! Buti nalang magaling yung piloto. We were standing oblation as the plane kissed Bicol grounds.
- CWC like a Boss. Kami lang ang tao sa Beginners Pool due to inclement weather. Ang lumabas eh kami ang nagpabukas ng CWC haha. :D
- After the wedding, arduous trip to Polangui, Albay. I was sitting on a monoblock with no lumbar support whatsoever, nadidislodge kung humihinto ang bus.
- Cagsawa Ruins, Embarcadero in Legazpi City, tried the Philippines' first and only (as of the moment) across-the-sea zipline.
- Kawakawa National Park, Ligao City - toured the Way of the Cross as a pre-Lenten tour.
Kalibo/Boracay Trip (March 7-9, 2011)
 | |||||
| Free Flight! |
 | |
| Summer Fun! |
- Again, Cebu Pacific Promo with Sir Jess and Adam.
- First time namin ni Adam! wee!
- Ceb Pac Fail na naman, inoverbook ata yung flight namin to Caticlan at 7 AM, we were rebooked to a Kalibo Flight at 1 PM + 2 hr land transfer to Caticlan. Hassle, right? So they gave us free Chickenjoy and a free flight! what up!
- Long white beach with powdery sand - Boracay's main attraction. Underwhelmed ako bilang taga-Palawan ako :(
- Great accommodation deal at a discounted price at La Carmela de Boracay. tapos on-the-spot free upgrade pa. pang cancel sa airport jitters namin :))
- Ceb Pac Fail ulit: Returning flight (from Iloilo, kasi balak naming mag side trip) was cancelled! Bended the rules a little bit and asked if we can reroute from Iloilo to Kalibo instead haha. Pumayag kahit bawal upon hearing our earlier flight jitters.
- Sobrang tipid namin sa Bora haha, tapos short Kalibo City Tour. Attended Ash Wednesday sa church
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Random Ramblings
I missed writing. The creative sort. And as I opine about not writing, I decided to write.
Ah, its you
again
in this same daydream
of us, happy
sharing smiles
guffaws, actually
You knew, right?
I was pretty obvious
I guess I was just
too chicken
to tell you
There was an us
atypical from
the muvees sort
I enjoyed us
You enjoyed You and me
Now that you
are there
happy
You visit me again
making me hopeful
and dreamy
5 minutes ko sinulat, pero eto yung tipong tuloy tuloy lang, ayun dumaan lang haha.
Ah, its you
again
in this same daydream
of us, happy
sharing smiles
guffaws, actually
You knew, right?
I was pretty obvious
I guess I was just
too chicken
to tell you
There was an us
atypical from
the muvees sort
I enjoyed us
You enjoyed You and me
Now that you
are there
happy
You visit me again
making me hopeful
and dreamy
5 minutes ko sinulat, pero eto yung tipong tuloy tuloy lang, ayun dumaan lang haha.
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