Lola

Three weeks ago, I Photoshopped a picture of you to pass as an ID picture. It was very hard for me. Mama didn't even peeked at the printed photo of you. Hindi niya kaya.

It was Independence Day of 2011 when I last saw you back in your colorful house in Zone 3. You managed to cram a lot of goodies to for me to take back to Manila. (It costed me 900 pesos for extra baggage!) I hugged you and said 'Bye la, lab you' and then trotted to the airport. I was then contemplating on doing this My Week with Marianita stunt of mine for the next year (It started in 2010 when I showed up unannounced in her backyard and ended up staying with her for one week). 2012 did not materialize, unfortunately. This 2013, My Week with Marianita will involve sending you off to your new abode beside Hermogenes, whom you longed to be with since 1996.

I only have fond memories growing up near you. Weekend mornings nabuburyo ako sa bahay kasi wala na akong mabasang libro didiretso na ako sa inyo para magbasa ulit ng libro at yung pinakabago mong Showbiz Horoscope comics. Sa gabi naman, pag ABS-CBN yung palabas sa bahay didiretso ulit sa inyo para manood ng GMA kasi fan ka rin ni Eugene, ni Recca, ni San Goku, at marami pang iba. Pagpasok at pag-uwi galing school nagkikita tayo kasi iisa lang yung daaanan papunta sa bahay. Lagi akong may baong joke tapos tatawa ka kahit hindi ko alam kung na-gets mo.  Ang 'Beatles' Room mo ang naging tamabayan ko sa bahay mo. Ang cool kasi! Doon ako nagbabasa ng imported books mo na circa 1960s. Tapos di ka magagalit kung nagkalat yung books, hinayaan mo akong i-expand ang imagination ko, and for that I thank you. :) 

Nung umalis ako para mag-aral sa Diliman ang regalo mo sa akin ay tuwalya na Harry Potter na gamit na gamit ko nung tumira ako sa Kalai. Alam mo talaga yung taste ko. Nung nagsipaglaki yung mga apo mo, you opened up an honesty store where kids can buy goodies and spend time with you na rin para hindi ka masyadong lonely.

Ang Beatles Room ni Lola

Lola's Honesty Store for Kids

Tapos ang busy-busy mo lagi! Hanep buhay sa Handicraft - junk food wrapper fillings para sa unan, Banig na gawa sa Buri, at kung anu-ano pa. Ikaw din ang resident Alteration Station ng Dagomboy. 

Naiinis ka nung kinukunan kita kaya gumanti ka, kinunan mo ako ng picture habang nilalabhan ko yung mga damit natin. Tapos nung umuwi ako galing sa isang lakad nakatupi na yung mga damit ko, Nanay ang peg! Nung nilasing ako nung mga Hayskul Klasmeyt ko (Hindi na ako iinom ng Tanduay maliban sa Tanduay Ice!), hindi ka nagsumbong kay Mama kahit napuyat ka kakahintay sa akin at sinukahan ko ang sala mo at yung duster mo.

Mami-miss kita, La. Sayang di na kita ulit mabibilhan ng gatas at iba pang groceries. Sorry po kung hindi natupad yung pangako kong lalabas tayo ang mag-Babalinsasayaw pagbalik ko (kahit hindi ka kumakain ng manok)

Lab you, kita kita nalang.

127 Hours

I finally had an intense talk with my adviser. Hope I can make this para maka move-on move on din

Travel 2013: BATANES! (Push na to!)

 

Good thing I was on the weird side of the internets and ran into an introductory sale of AirPhilExpress to BATANES! Less than 3k BALIKAN!

 

 

Well sana hindi ako ulanin. Tsaka mabayaran ko to sa 7-11 bukas, or mamaya!

 

 

WEEEEEE!

 



True Happiness Ended Since It Started

The leaves outside my window
Rots with wisps of yellow
Under the tree where it was once a part
Endured the days that they're apart

-

Hustle and Bustle,
And ideas that rumble
Please cooperate!
Please, I'm running late!
In these trying times,
Never be pleased with 'Just fine'
Encourage thyself to push
Succumb to pressure!
Success is in the imminent future!

-

Everybody Knows
Now
Don't You dare try
End what was in the first place
Dead.

-

So
I
Now
Convince
Everybody

-

It's
True!

-

Since there is a need
To end this
Array of words
Remember that this fits of fury
Tests your
Endurance and
Dedication

Dulaang UP's Collection: A dark look into a future of greed

I rarely spend time watching plays, and most plays that I have seen were the 'required ones' performed by the Dulaang UP, churning out reaction papers for GE's back when I was an undergraduate. This time, I was invited to watch the first run of 'Collection', a play written by Floy Quintos and directed by Dex Santos. I was sort of engaged after watching it so I decided to blog about it.

I am familiar with Floy Quintos as a judge in Pinoy Pop Superstar, introduced at that show as a director, but that was about it. I never knew that he is also playwright until I was required to watch St. Louis loves dem Filipinos (the musical) back in 2005 - my first encounter with DUP. Incidentally, I was also required then to watch Atang and Shock Value. I enjoyed the drama and realism of Louis and Atang, the glamour and shock value of Shock Value, but the relatable futuristic tone of Collection sets it at another level. It looks into a future of greed, firmly rooted to the mistakes of the past.

The idea of having a 'National Commission on the Disposal of Philippine Patrimony' that hands out pieces of historical heirloom to those who have money and doles out the proceeds via a national lottery is interesting, and serves as the jump-off point for conflicts. Here, we meet Carlo the auctioneer, who pioneered the business, the bubbly Helena who runs the NCDPP as some sort of a postmodern and no corruption version of PCSO, the wealthy Manolo who treats patrimony as objects for his next attraction, Tatiana the jeweler who uses the auction as an occasion to flaunt her jewels, and Alphonse the artist that will stop at nothing to acquire his next source of income-generating inspiration. Soul-Searching Dr. Stephen Yan was later flew in, and with Gus, the idealistic(and possibly gay) grad student, hilarity ensues. The sale of the Banaue Rice Terraces for 100 Million and the teasing the next item to be bid brings them all together.

Gus serves as a real link of the audience to the rest of the characters: glamourized and exaggerated versions of wealthy people who differ in motivations in bidding for the ivory image of the Virgin of the Lost Souls. He questions the motives of Carlo and the whole system in extension, because his gut is telling him that there is something wrong. Carlo, fed up with Gus' accusations, and hyping up his next item, reveals the mysterious background of the image - its relationship with the mystical La Hermana Augusta Beata.

Here we are treated with a lavish retelling of the image's past, with main characters taking on roles that somehow connects with their counterparts in the future. There are some scenes in this part where its a bit too long to get the point across (or maybe it was just me getting the point early on). The retelling ends with an unfortunate event with the Hermana that hounds Carlo.

The biggest travesty that is the bidding caps the play, as we see an imagining of a situation where humans are so absorbed with greed. In the end, the audience is haunted with a feeling that the future presented here is indeed realizable.

It is by far the most compelling comedy I've seen from DUP. The ensemble cast connects with the audience well. I have to give them credit for memorizing all those lines! The play does not rely that much on the visuals (though the visuals/set display in the play was just stunning) but on the "text" of the play. For a lack of a better term, the play is "text" heavy, but worked well for the comedy.

There is still a big room to iron out the kinks (we watched the first performance so the characters' energy may stride as the run continues). The mics were inaudible at some point, overpowering music, blocking, or some talk to fast for the audience to digest the lines. I find the glue holding the 'soul-searching' theme together lacking. I can't connect Manolo's with the rest of the characters. If only this theme was made more prominent and consistent, then the intertwining realities between the past and the future could hold much more weight.

I think that it has lots of good stuff that it is very hard to wrap it up. So I end up feeling wanting. for more. I encourage you to watch 'Collections' because it is a piece of engaging entertainment you can only access at the Guerrero Theatre.

:D

I want to win a Sony Xperia P!

I'm a sucker for contests and since I lost my Android phone I want a new one...

You can have a chance to win one too! Visit http://www.yugatech.com/contests/yugatech-giveaway-own-this-sony-xperia-p/

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.

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 ON

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.

From: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/2bu/2bu/view/20110226-322248/A-UP-Fair-to-remember

A UP Fair to rememberCate de Leon 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

February 26, 2011 

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.”

©2011 www.inquirer.net all rights reserved

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