think rainbows

There is this Sony Xperia P giveaway on YugaTech and i saw it on a tweet posted by Abe Olandres on Twitter. And I am joining!

I have always wanted to try Sony's new phones for quite some time already but I just don't have the funds to do so. So I am hoping that lady luck smiles on me for this giveaway. I have always liked Sony phones mainly because of their camera. I have a k750i phone also from sony and I really love the camera quality. And since the sony xperia p boasts of a 8mp camera and based on reviews it is good, I would love to experience it for myself.

It's been a while since I haven't had a new phone, and I've always wanted to try android phones. A Sony Xperia P would be perfect. It looks good too, doesn't it?

Wish me luck! Here is YugaTech's review on the Sony Xperia P.

I've always talked about basketball when the UAAP starts, but now I think it's time to talk about something else regarding the UAAP as well. I think the UST Volleyball Team and the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe deserve a post here in my blog as well, even if volleyball is still at the 2nd half of the UAAP, and the cheerdance competition is not until September.

For the UST Volleyball Team, both men's and women's, I know they're both going to be missing important players on their rosters. Not sure who among the men's team, but for the women's team, it's goodbye for Rhea Dimaculangan, the awesome setter of the UST women's volleyball team. Her replacement though, Loren Lantin, has shown that she can also work wonders for the team during the finals against the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the Shakey's V-League. She may not be as good as Rhea yet, but I'm pretty sure she'll still improve in the coming days. I just hope they're all ready when the volleyball season starts, and I hope that UST will be able to make it to the finals still, and possibly, another championship for these volleyball players and the school. :)

Together with the basketball team, Salinggawi's season practically starts as well since they'd be doing halftime during basketball games. One shocking news before the UAAP season starts is that Ryan Silva, the awesome choreographer/coach of the UST-SDT since 2002, and the 5-peat architect as what they call him, won't be calling the shots anymore for the multi-titled dance squad. It is saddening since we've been used to Silva's ways, but maybe also a blessing in disguise since we'll be able to see something new and fresh from the Salinggawi Dance Troupe. I'm sure this wouldn't change their fighting spirit or the will to bring back the crown to Espana. Whoever will be calling the shots for Salinggawi now will have a hard time filling in those big shoes as the team's choreographer, but I know and I really do hope that they will still do their best. What I think SDT has to work on for the cheerdance competition are their tosses and lifts and all that kind of stuff. The UP Pep Squad can do it and make it look so effortless(yes, I can see that even if I'm a loyal UST-SDT fan), so why can't the Salinggawi do it like that? I know they can bring the crown back to UST. I'm sure it has been missing the Salinggawi too.

So right now, that's all for volleyball and cheerdance. I hope to see the Salinggawi perform on Saturday and give a good performance. And I hope that all the teams from UST do well in their respective competitions. Go USTe! =D

Time for another very biased post! Which just means, time to talk about UST and the Tigers according to Dindin! :))

UAAP season's starting on Saturday, and UST's UAAP campaign also starts on Saturday! But before all that, I would like to share my thoughts on how I think and I wish UST would fare this season. Not just in basketball, but in volleyball and cheerdance as well.

All in all, I would like UST to do really well this season. Not just bag another General Championship at the end of the season but to be able to do it with flying colors. Meaning, that our athletes perform really well for this 75th season of the UAAP. Other schools have been wanting to win that General Championship too, and this year's host school NU would surely be at the top of UST's to-watch-out-for list when it comes to the General Championship this year.

As I've mentioned, this Saturday, UST would also be starting their UAAP basketball campaign as they will be facing the FEU Tamaraws in the second game of the opening day double-header. First game would be the host school, the NU Bulldogs, against the UE Red Warriors. Now comes the basketball talk. =D

It's that time of the year once again! The 75th season of the UAAP is set to start this Saturday, July 14, at its new home at the Mall of Asia Arena. As this year's hosts, NU is expected to give an awesome show during the opening rites. Together with the other 7 participating schools, Adamson, Ateneo, De La Salle, FEU, UE, UP and UST, every UAAP fan, myself included, is excited once again to see what unfolds in the UAAP this year.

It's not just the new season of the UAAP we're all excited for, but also the new venue that the UAAP will be in. The newly-built world class MOA Arena which is just like other NBA arenas in the US is ready for the UAAP wars. Most of the basketball games, and most probably the cheerdance competition will be held here, giving UAAP fans some fresh experience, and giving the athletes some inspiration to do even better as well. Of course, the host school is expected to go all out and perform well, but given the intense amount of competition over the years in the UAAP, expect the other participating schools to go all out as well.

As early as today, tickets are almost sold out in all sections. According to the SM Tickets website, the only available section is the General Admission area. Luckily I was able to secure lower box tickets for the opening on Saturday, so to every UAAP fan out there, see ya! :)

P.S. Other UAAP-related posts after this! :) (mostly UST-related probably =P)

I just turned 24 last June 25! I can't believe it, it's only 1 year less than what I thought then would be the marrying age for me. Now I don't think about the "marrying age" factor anymore. Will find a boyfriend muna. :))

The reason for the title is, I just finished watching two episodes of Running Man earlier today. Yep, I'm back to my daily routine of watching Running Man. Daebak! Anyway, that's not the main point of this blog entry...I haven't been blogging much again! *sigh* I will try to make up for it; and since the UAAP is almost here, looks like I'll be updating this more often again...yay!

But before that, I'd like to share with you guys something that I've just thought about over the past few days. Today is June 22nd, and in three days I'll be turning 24. I seriously don't feel like I'm 24. Well that's a good thing right? I mean I know I've matured in many aspects and all that but I just don't feel my age. Age is just a number, ain't that what they say?

So once again, just like I always do, I'm pretty much anticipating the day of my birthday. June has always been like one of my favorite months of the year aside from the holidays probably because my birthday falls on June. The excitement level for this month is higher than other months (except the holidays of course), especially when the 20th arrives. I'm just always excited for my birthday. But sometimes I get too excited that I start thinking about the things that are going to happen, or more like I start hoping about the things that are going to happen. I start thinking about who's going to greet me, how they're going to greet me, if I'd ever be receiving gifts, etc. Yes, I think too much, I admit it.

I love surprises, I love giving them, and I'd love to receive one. I always think of ways to surprise friends for their birthday or other events, then I sometimes get the feeling that no one's willing to do it for me. Emo! LOL. Anyway...it's just always been one of my dreams, to be surprised on my birthday, but not to the point that I'm pleading and desperate for one. So I always hope for it whenever June comes, but I just always disappoint myself because it never actually happens. Haha! I almost always tell my friends that I'd love to be surprised. Maybe they just don't get the underlying message it brings: "Surprise me please!!!" But I'm fine with it anyway, whenever my birthday comes and all hopes are not met, at the end of the day I'm still happy, and just look forward to another year of hopeful thoughts and wishes. Still thankful that I get to celebrate another birthday with my family, with my friends, everyone greeting me and remembering me even if it's just for that day. At least I know they're still there.

So now I just wait for my birthday once again, and see what happens. There's not much anticipation this year compared to last year, but I'm still excited for the food. =)) Better not to expect much so as not to disappoint yourself, right?

P.S.
I would also love to receive a bouquet for my birthday and that locket that I still would love to have. =))

When I resigned from work, we decided to visit Mindoro and our relatives there once again after almost 5 years of not being able to. It was in exchange of not going to Panagbenga this year which we have been doing since 2010, and since it would also coincide with the town fiesta. Unfortunately Kuya couldn't come because of work, so it was just me and my mom. It was a fun trip, but it wasn't how I expected it would be. I didn't even get the chance to swim although we went to different beaches. All in all I was happy that we were able to push through with the trip, but I wasn't satisfied.

I wanted to go back as soon as possible, and while summer isn't over yet. I wanted a different experience, and since we don't know when we'll be able to visit again after this trip, I really wanted to do it. After much thought and much debating, luckily we were able to go again, but still without Kuya. I was determined to make it a different experience this time, and I think I achieved it. From the moment we got there, it was all family, and just pure vacation. I was at the beach almost everyday. Although there were times that I missed some things(from past visits there) and wanted more, I settled myself with what was there and I was okay. It was fun, definitely much better than the first one.

It wasn't just fun which I got from our stay in Mindoro this time. Aside from that, being the observer and over-thinker that I am, and through conversations with some relatives, I had a lot of thoughts and realizations. It was also something that I really wanted to do while I was away from Manila. Not just about what I am going through right now but life in general as well. I really didn't get the chance to have a one on one with nature because I feel like they didn't want me going by myself anywhere. But I still got my fair share of muni muni since I had a lot of free time while everyone else were either doing something or asleep.

...is Phillip Phillips!

Well, I am disappointed that Jessica didn't win but I am not that surprised that Phillip won. I mean c'mon, Kris Allen won over Adam Lambert, Lee Dewyze won over Crystal Bowersox...so what's new? I mean not that I'm saying that they're not good and they don't deserve to win, but their runner-ups are just better. Just like what I've read from some articles over the net, American Idol has become more of a popularity contest, and white guys with guitars are very appealing to teens which is probably the majority of the American Idol audience.

I thought the whole grand finale show was good. My favorite performances though has to be J.Lo's performance, Aerosmith's performance, and of course Jessica and Jennifer Holliday's duet. J.Lo was so hot and sexy while Steven Tyler totally rocked out; Jessica and Jennifer brought the house down. I think people even forgot about the Fantasia-Mantasia performance. Jessica is just so awesome, and I really do hope they make her awesome records that would really show how great she is. Can't wait for her singles!

Congratulations to Phillip Phillips for being Season 11's American Idol. I like him ever since his auditions and now he's won, so that makes it a little less heartbreaking that Jessica didn't win. =))

'Til the next season!

P.S.
I really wanna watch that J.Lo concert in November. And if ever they do get Jessica Sanchez as her front act, the more that I'd really want to watch!!

This isn't really the next blog that I was supposed to post but I can't help not to voice out my opinion on this year's American Idol Finale especially now that a Fil-Am could be the next American Idol. As I've mentioned I would just like to share my opinion on the final two's last performances hours before we all know who's going to be crowned the next American Idol.

I was and I think most, if not everyone, was expecting that Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips are both gonna go all out with their performances tonight. Did they? Or did they not? I think Jessica did. As for Phillip, I didn't feel that much vibe from him, or it could also be just because he is really a very laid back guy in the first place. By the way, this post may have bias written all over it, but really these are my honest opinions. And just so you know, I didn't even get to watch Jessica's audition, and I liked Phillip already during his auditions.

Anyway, going back...I loved Jessica's performance of Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing", but I thought her rendition of "The Prayer" was really divine. That was my favorite of the night. Her might-be first single "Change Nothing" was okay for me too. It was indeed very pop and I could already hear it on the radio. I think it will really work because as what they've mentioned, whatever she sings, she makes something beautiful out of it. If she doesn't win just because the judges said that the song didn't work, a lot of people are wrong about not voting for her.

As for Phillip, again, disclaimer, I do like him, together with Colton Dixon which I miss so much on the show. Anyway...I really didn't get his performance of "Stand By Me". It was kind of weird for me; probably it was the arrangement, I just thought it didn't work. Phillip's rendition of Billy Joel's "Moving Out" was better than his first song of the night, but I thought that his performance of the song during the Billy Joel week on Idol was much better. As for his last song of the night "Home", honestly, I didn't think it deserved the standing ovation. (Sorry!) It was just, I don't know, plain? Yeah it had originality and all that, but still. Or maybe I just didn't get the vibe of the song. I thought it was too country. Is Phillip country? I thought he was going to do a song with a vibe which is something more like his Usher or "Beggin'" performance, but it wasn't. I just think something more would've been better.

I agree that Phillip is a true artist and that he's really good as well, and that he is cute and all that, but obviously, my American Idol is Jessica Sanchez. :) And yes, it's about time a girl wins again!

I'd have to say that yesterday was yet another one of the most laid back gimmicks I've went to. Yet it was super fun and I was genuinely happy at the end of the day. We watched a movie, watched a game, and ate Korean dishes (which was a first for me). Even if we went from Manila to San Juan to Makati, I didn't feel tired at all not until I woke up this morning.

This is one of the reasons why sometimes I like going out with lesser people involved. You don't need to ask a lot of other opinions, lesser confusion, and it's easier to go with the flow of things. Especially if the people you're with are the kind of people whom you could talk to about anything under the sun. I'm just really thankful that I had that opportunity yesterday although not everything went smoothly. I really didn't even care at all.

I look forward to the next gimmicks that we'll have. I hope there's more to come. Thanks to you for keeping me company. I hope you do realize how happy you make me feel, and this isn't even the first time. Don't change, araso? :)

I haven't really been able to blog yet about one of the biggest decisions I've made earlier this year. Maybe in my previous posts I've hinted about it, but this time, it has really happened. I've resigned from work. My last day was March 16. I've been thinking about doing it since last year, and so once I decided, there was no turning back. I have been with the company for almost three years, and I'm thankful in a way for the experiences and especially for the people I've met.

Why did I do it? Because I wanted change, as simple as that. I was starting to look for something different. I'm still trying to figure out what it is, but I still haven't found it. I am happy though that now I have the time to create a different chapter in my life story. I don't know where I'll be headed next, but I'm hoping for the better. I've learned a lot of things that I know I would be able to use in my succeeding endeavors.

I feel like there's always not enough vacation, and so we just have to be content with what we're given. It is a blessing to have the time to relax, to be away from stress, and just let things be. So as I figure out my next step, as I'm nearing the end of this temporary bum life, the feeling of wanting to go on but needing to stop arises. And so as not be saddened, I have to be content, accept the things that have to happen, and just enjoy everything that life has in store.

There is fear in me, because of not knowing where I should be going. That I might not be able to do what I want to do, or it's not something that I'd love. Right now I'm trying to conquer the fear and replace it with excitement; clear my mind so as to be able to see the horizon. I always think that things happen for a reason even though the reason may be unknown. I turn to Him for help because I know He knows what's best for me. In all the decisions that I make, I seek for His help and guidance. Because at the end of the day, it'll still be Him to whom I turn to.

I started this bum life with a vacation at our province in Mindoro, and now I am ending it there as well. All I wish is that we enjoy this trip once again. Even better than the first one. And that it would make me ready for whatever I'll be facing once we get back in Manila.

So here's my thoughts about today's performances...


Hollie Cavanagh 
Rolling in the Deep
One of her better performances, could even be the best for me.
Son of a Preacher Man
I think she found her confidence already. She seems different on stage and yeah this was kind of better than her first song.

Colton Dixon 
Bad Romance
Rockin' performance as always!
September
I get what the judges were saying that it wasn't as exciting as they would've expected of Colton but I liked his arrangement. And it always gets to me when he does that stare right at the camera. Swoon.

Elise Testone 
No One
Just an okay performance.
Let's Get It On
There was just a lot of things going on. Just another okay performance. I'm thinking she might be in the bottom again.

Phillip Phillips 
U Got It Bad
Goosies all over. Right on J.Lo, that was sexy!
In the Midnight Hour
Oh yes, Phil, more please? Another great performance!

Jessica Sanchez 
Fallin'
Awesome. What more to say? I just love hearing Jessica sing.
Try a little tenderness
Goosies for Ms.Sanchez this time! And it was a bit of Haley Reinhart I heard right there. C'mon Jessica, give them that moment again! (I'm a bit nervous for her though, I wish she doesn't end in the bottom again.)

Skylar Laine 
Born This Way
Really good arrangement, she did great for her first song!
Heart it Through the Grapevine
It was another good performance from Skylar but I didn't feel anything special with it.

Joshua Ledet 
I Believe
I got goosies! Usually doesn't happen with Joshua but he did really good with this song. Not much screaming and all that. I liked it.
A Change is Gonna Come
There he goes again. He's good, but I really don't like all the over the top screaming and everything.

Round 1 winner: Phillip/Jessica/Skylar/Joshua (can't choose!)
Round 2 winner: Phillip

Most Improved Award: Hollie
Underperformer Award: Elise
Most likely to be in the bottom Award: Elise
Achiever Award: Phillip
Biggest hair award: Jessica (lol, just had to add that)

Let's wait and see tomorrow who goes home!

I have been wanting to blog about American Idol's performance shows but it's only now that I'm actually going to be able to do it. These are just my opinions, simple opinions from an avid watcher of the show for I am no professional singer or whatever. So I'm going to be telling you about what I think of each singer in general, and then what I think of their recent performance.

I did not fully understand what the theme was but from what I heard from Ryan Seacrest, they chose songs from 2010 up to now. That's a loooooooooot of songs to choose from. They also got Akon as this week's mentor. Okay, on to the show.

There's been a couple of times already that I feel I get too easily attached to certain people. Certain people who might have shown "too much attention" to me. I start to always seek for their attention, for their companionship, for their conversations, and simply just to seek for them. Not that I always want to be the center of attention of everybody, but once in a while, you get to like the attention given to you, especially if it's particularly just for you, even if it's just for a while. This happens, and then expectations happen; you look forward to things. I know, expectations are pretty much a no-no, but I just can't avoid it sometimes. Don't worry, I won't get mad at you for thinking that I'm selfish, because I feel that I really am sometimes.

There are times I really try not to get too close or too comfortable, but I do want to spend time with them. So how do you do it? Because I don't know how to. It takes time before I start not to expect, but usually I get hurt or pissed first before I eventually learn. "Experience is the best teacher.", ain't it?

I get frustrated, because when it happens, I know that it's not the first time that it's happened, and I can't seem to get it out of my system. I get frustrated and sometimes think that am I being too good? Am I too easily fooled? (I certainly hope not!) Am I just really selfish? (partly yes?) I continuously try to come out of this and change this attitude because I know I will come upon these kinds of people more, and I can't let this happen over and over again. One day, it will come, I will just realize that "Hey, I've changed!", for the better. :)

I know this is a late post, but better late than never!
I've already missed two concerts early this year; Simple Plan and Avril Lavigne. There is no way that I would be missing the next concert I planned to watch.

The Greatest Hits Tour with A1, Blue, and Jeff Timmons from 98 Degrees was held last February 25, 2012 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. This was my chance to see A1 live on stage. The boyband which I was totally fangirling way back in elementary/high school. I even have a poster of them which I can't find anymore, and some clippings from song hits magazines, and one of their CDs which was my most prized possession then, since CDs were very pricey, and it was a special edition too!

Of course I wanted front row seats but since I can't really afford them, we satisfied ourselves with Upper B section tickets. We were at the venue early so that we could get good seats. To say that I was so excited would be a bit of an understatement. Then it was time.

Jeff Timmons of 98 degrees was the first one on stage. He performed their group's greatest hits together with South Border, and even sang one of South Border's songs, Rainbow. I thought it was kind of weird the way the show/his set started, but nevertheless, it was still a good set from Jeff Timmons. Can I just say that he's hot? Even though he wasn't with his own group, he still gave a good performance and I'm pretty sure the girls (yes, including me) in the audience enjoyed it very much.

On to the last performer muna...
Blue was the last to perform. I was actually expecting that their set would be like the most highlighted since they're complete, and they're the last. Their stage setup was simple, unlike Jeff Timmons's and A1's which had a whole band setup. They performed the way they performed years ago and they still have it indeed. After all these years. They were singing and dancing their greatest hits to the delight of every Blue/boyband fan in the audience. I appreciated Lee Ryan's singing more after their performance. After they sang around 7 songs in total I think, their set was over, and we were all like "That's it?" They didn't even sing Guilty and Best in Me! It was super bitin but nevertheless, I'm glad I was able to see them live, and they were such a joy to watch. It was also fun singing to old time hits. And oh have I mentioned that Duncan James is so gorgeous?

Now, on to the highlight of this night for me, A1.

Since it's all over the news, I just want to say a few personal opinions about this Azkals-Cristina Ramos issue.

As we all know, it's not the first time that the Azkals have been in this kind of situation. I do not know them personally or whatever personal activities they do so I am in no place to judge the kind of personality that they have. All I know is that they play football for the Philippines even though most of them are not purely Filipino, and everything else is based on what I see and hear on the telly, and what I read when they tweet.

Thanks to all these media interviews, we now know Cristina Ramos's side of the story. How she felt disrespected with what two particular Azkals players did. I'm all about respect for women because it's something that's so important in this world, really. And I understand that what the Azkals did was really disrespectful in a way to think that she is the match commissioner, and that she's a girl. But then, can it really be considered as something as grave as sexual harassment? I would expect men's locker rooms to be in that kind of an atmosphere in that kind of situation, but I am still not sure if the things that those guys did are enough for it to be considered as such. I think sexual harassment may be a bit too much.

She's even got James Younghusband involved, the captain of the Azkals during that match, because he didn't do anything about it; and now even the whole team, because they were all laughing at it. I get the point that the Azkals have to make up for what they did, or simply be punished. After all, what they did is still wrong and higher officials can't just let this pass, because what message would it relay if that happened? And they're going against the daughter of a former President. And there would definitely be more issues to arise. (The rape issue was totally different. I personally thought that girl involved there was kinda weird.)

Anyway, she's mentioned too that she was with two other guys when they entered the locker room. I was just thinking, didn't any of those guys she was with do something to prevent this from happenning? Didn't the first guy to enter the locker room to check and see if they were ready saw that Angel was still only wearing his briefs and not called his attention and reminded him that a girl was to enter? Didn't they at least talk to the players about the way that they're behaving right then and there? Also, why didn't they call to attention the coach and the manager or the other team officials, didn't they have to be there when the inspection happens? They knew the schedule, yes, but what if some other thing came up or they weren't aware of the time? And why didn't she tell/inform the coach or the manager first about what happened before she filed any complaints or told the media about it? That part is kinda unfair for the Azkals.

These are just my thoughts. Of course I haven't been in the kind of situation Cristina Ramos was in, so I wouldn't know how it felt or how I would react. We still have yet to hear the Azkals' side too. Although just earlier Angel Guirado tweeted something about what happened. Wherever this goes, I hope it will be fair to both sides, and that this will be the last. And why does it always happen whenever the Azkals' are in the middle of important competitions? Just when they're showing good improvement. I just hope that they still do good in the AFC Challenge Cup despite of all these issues. Good thing too that they've already left before everything went out.

Good luck Azkals!

P.S.
Not being judgemental or racist or anything, but I think the attitude of Filipino men are still different than that of the foreigners. Foreigners are more open-minded, or liberated, compared to Pinoys. 

It's that time of the year once again where we witness the 'gorgeous journey' to crowning a new American Idol. It is American Idol's 11th season this year, and the talents just keep getting better and better, and the number of auditionees get so much bigger. It is both fortunate and unfortunate in a way; fortunate because we get to see and hear all these amazing talented people while unfortunate because as we know only a few can go through.

It's not enough that you're good to be able to make it in this competition. You have to be amazing, or at least be able to blow the judges' minds away even with just one line of a song. During the auditions we've seen people who are pretty good, but they don't make the cut because something's still missing. Then hollywood week came and the pressure was so intense that a lot of the contestans suddenly were fainting here and there, as we also see more talents facing the end of the line of their journey. Not everyone can be accommodated and only the best of the best can stay.

Then the contestants are down to the top 25, and the live shows start. 13 boys and 12 girls battled head to head to sing and fight for their survival, and for a spot in the final top 13. I personally liked Jessica Sanchez's and most of the guy's performances; Colton Dixon, Phillip Phillips, Reed Grimm, Deandre Brackensick, to name a few. There's a lot of very talented guys in this year's American Idol!

After two nights of perfomances, the results are in...

It was a feeling of all sorts yesterday. I had plans of going out with friends even if I wasn't really feeling okay 100%. Then it all got confusing and slowly the plan was fading out. I still wanted to go out though, at least to make something out of nothing, or at least find something that could bring me enough fun to make up for the failed plans. (And also for that UST loss which was so sad. But kudos ladies, I still love you, and will look forward to next season!)

I decided to go with one of the original plans to meet up with my Mom. Then I thought we should just go out and eat, and bring one of my second cousins with us. Fortunately it pushed through, and I had fun with my cousin. He sure looked like he had a lot of fun too. =D

One of his favorites was Sbarro, so we at there but too bad his favorite pizza(Chicago White?) was not yeat ready when we arrived. He chose to eat Baked Ziti instead, and I chose this all-meat pizza which I tried for the first time. It was pretty nice, and very filling. =D Sbarro still had a Valentine's Day feel to it, thanks to that heart display right above my cousin's head.


Then we went to Timezone and let him play whatever games that he wanted to, until all the credits from the card was used up. He still wanted to play more but accdg. to the boss (my Mom), we had to go home since it was already getting late. There's always next time, Migs! =D

So I was still able to turn things around for yesterday. I guess plans with friends could just wait for next time. :)

*another late post*

February 11

Whenever there's a special occasion or a celebration with the whole family, great food will never be out of the picture. I'm lucky to be part of a family which such great cooks! (I'm not sure if I will ever be able to do what they do.=P)

This time, one of my mom's uncles (which makes him my Lolo) came here for a visit from the States since he had a class reunion to attend. This means...family reunion...and food!!

my niece's work of art

Food courtesy of my Tita, and my Mom of course. =D
Shrimp, Pansit Malabon, Fried Chicken, Bopis, Lumpia (Vegetables), Salmon(Sinigang?), Lechon, and fruits and kakanin for dessert. =D

 Since it was also almost the birthday of one of my second cousins, we surprised him with a small impromptu cake and ice cream birthday party. More food!

The birthday boy (in yellow) with his brother and second cousin.


Awesome day spent with the family, and food! =D

Next food feast: February 25, Ate Libay's birthday =D

*another late post*

Well, what do you know, New Year is ushered in, Chinese New Year passes by, and then it's Valentine's Day. Honestly, every year, I always think if I'd be spending Valentine's Day differently than the last. So far, it has always just been the same, just another ordinary day. (Except for the surroundings probably.)

This day still had a different atmosphere to it even though technically it's still an ordinary day. Early morning I keep on seeing people carrying bouquets of beautiful flowers, which made me realize when will I receive another beautiful bouquet.

At the office, some of my officemates gave chocolates to everyone in celebration of Valentine's Day. The Ferrero and the M&M's are still in our refrigerator. Thanks Alvin and Kevin!

On my way home it was the same, people with different Valentine's day gifts were all around. I decided to stay away from the mall, which was a good idea I think. We had a some sort of a special dinner at home. Mom cooked pasta and bought a cake, and I bought some roasted chicken. Perfect way to end a day dedicated to love, to be with the ones you love, and those who love you.



Mom and I also had a pre-Valentine date the Sunday before Valentine's Day. Since we were fans of the Star Wars series, we decided to watch Star Wars Episode 1 3D at the cinemas then had dinner at Joey Pepperoni, her treat this time. Thanks Ma! =D

As what they always say, Valentine's Day is not just a day for couples and the like. As long as you have the people you love around you, friends, family, partners, you can always celebrate Valentine's Day in any way. Feel the love! =D <3

*late post*

Sundays are usually rest days for us at home. But this time, we decided to go out and pig out. =D

February 5, 2012, Kuya was craving for some Papa John's pizza, so after we heard mass at Malate Church, we decided to have an early dinner at Papa John's Greenbelt branch.

Would you trade your car to start your own pizza business?

I'm not sure if it's super big news right now in the whole entertainment industry but Lucy Hale, who is more popularly known as the one who portrays Aria in the series Pretty Little Liars, is coming to Manila this week. She tweeted before that she was coming here by March, but I guess plans changed. She's here because she's the newest endorser for Bench clothing.

I didn't really know Lucy Hale that much before Pretty Little Liars, but when I started watching PLL, you just can't simply ignore her. Not just because of her unique style in Pretty Little Liars and that black hair with streaks of pink in it, but because you'll notice her as the girl who hush-es in the opening credits of the show. Anyway, to make the long story short, she may not be my favorite but I really like her and I would love to see her in person if I ever get the chance while she's here. (I'm particularly interested in her lips by the way. It always attracts my attention.)

I started following Bench on twitter today since I found out that they were doing a contest to give away passes for Lucy's event on Saturday at the SMX Convention Center. You'd just have to tweet an exact phrase to be given by @benchtm, then if you're one of the first 10 to get it correctly, you win a pass to the event. When the time came for the contest, I tweeted, and then I left the office. As I got home, I totally forgot about the contest already. It was only when I checked my twitter again that I remembered it. Good job dindin! You are one of the first 10 to tweet correctly! But your time's up!

...

Seriously, I was like WTF?! My heart went funny. It was a once in a lifetime experience to see Lucy Hale in person but I missed it. I had it, but I lost it. I didn't make the deadline; I had to email my details until 8pm, I arrived home at around 7:30-8, and I checked my twitter at around 8:30-9. It sucks big time and I really feel so bad. But it's over now. Just like what Aslan said, "Things never happen the same way twice dear one." (This is what I'm talking about. Check the P.S. section.)

Sigh, Lucy Hale, I missed my chance big time. I guess it wasn't for me. But I really want to see you in person. As well as Troian(especially!), Ashley, and Shay. I wish you'd come back here for Pretty Little Liars and bring them all with you as well as the Rosewood guys. I guess I'd just have to torture myself for now with updates about your Manila visit. Have a good one! As bad as I may feel right now, it's still more fun in the Philippines anyway.

Hugging away for comfort

Before I turned 20, I've always thought my lovelife was boring. Nothing special in it. I fall for a guy who's either taken, pursuing someone else, or who just doesn't really care at all. That's just about it. And I was fine with it. I wasn't so emo-ish about it although yes, it is somewhat sad, because the feeling's not reciprocated of course. The ultimate wish then was to have a boyfriend. (kahit nga ligaw lang! LOL.) Wish granted. After i turned 20, things changed.

It was almost everything I wanted. It was lovely, fun, I didn't want it to end. But months before I turned 22, I finally woke up from the dream. It was heartbreaking. It was horrible. You know how they say that the first cut is the deepest? I think that's really true. Lucky are those who didn't even have to go through that. Anyway, that's not the point of this post.

I snapped back to reality. I was back to having the boring lovelife. At first I had a hard time adjusting, because as shy as I am to admit it, yes I wanted a second chance with that past love, but it never happened. So I had to learn to move one. We all have to at some point, right? It took me a pretty long time, but at least I can say that I'm past that now.

I've started liking, falling for guys again who's either taken, pursuing someone else, or who just doesn't really care at all. But unlike before, it wasn't so easy to be just fine with it. It's still sad of course, but I had a different approach to it now. If before I would easily be content as long as they're there or as long as the kilig factor with simple gestures that they do is there, it's fine. But now, when I like someone and find out that he's taken or even just pursuing someone else, I would just suddenly back out. As if I could teach my heart to suddenly stop beating 'no? I would start thinking what's the use of liking him if that's the case? In simple words, mas palaban yata ako nuon kesa ngayon. I even probably had more confidence then, than now? (Or, no, that's not the case naman yata. Ay ewan.)

But I still get past the early I-like-you-but-I-changed-my-mind phase. I mean, I couldn't really just shut down what my heart feels. It will feel what it will feel, and I have to go with it; so I give in. I've missed the kilig feelings. When your crush talks to you, or texts you, or even just looks your way and he almost catches you looking at him. As well as the butterflies in your stomach when he compliments you, or when you daydream about the two of you. There's a lot more emo-ness in me these days, thinking about things like how I can never actually be with him, or how impossible this seems, and thinking about just giving up. But I don't wanna lose the feeling, so I just let it be. If I like him, I like him.

I've really noticed changes on how I approach love now, after everything that has happened. There's probably fear, or caution, but I'd like to believe too that I haven't lost hope, or rather that I won't lose hope. (And that I stop becoming so impatient.) I've always prayed for love in my heart. One heartbreak doesn't mean the end of love for me. Things may have changed but love still remains. Sabi nga ng Powerpuff girls, love makes the world go 'round 'diba? I guess I just have to do the waiting game again.

P.S.
Cupid! Next time, hit both? As in 'yung sagad sa buto? =))

Probably the saying "Love is blind" was taken from this very quote, or vice versa. We find ourselves saying "I don't even know why I like him/her so much", and I somehow find it a bit true. We may not know it consciously, but our heart probably does, especially if it makes you happy. Besides, the heart does all the feeling and the liking and other stuff like that, so it'll know. It may be wrong at times, stupid even, but hey, that's how we live and learn, right?

We may acknowledge the feeling immediately, or just ignore the truth. It's still our choice anyway. Acknowledge it because we like it even though we don't know why. Ignore it because we really don't get why, or because we don't like it at all. As for me? Go with it, don't restrict yourself, especially if it makes you happy. You have the power, by all means, to choose to be happy. Why let yourself feel miserable if the happiness is presented right in front of you? Exactly. :)

P.S.
But remember, everything has their limitations; depending on your situation. I'm pretty sure you're old enough to know when it's too much. =D

I've always found it hard to wake up early every morning, but today was an exception. I am pretty excited and pumped up, though yawning was unavoidable.

It was a fine January morning. You can still feel the coldness brought about by the cold front, or something like that. I met up with the group, and of course, you were there, smiling as always. This was pretty much the highlight of why waking up early today isn't so bad, because I get to see you. We all went to the room, did our thing, and finally it ended. There was not much to do, classes weren't about to start yet, so we all had time to hang out. Although it was obviously cold, we still chose to eat cold stuff, inside a cold place, laughing at our own stories. All these coldness didn't stop my heart from feeling so warm, just by your presence. See what you've done?

We were all joking around, I was starting to feel jealous because of that much attention you give her. How I wish you were like that to me as well. The stories ended, we all said our goodbyes, then went on our separate ways. There were times throughout the day, I was reminiscing what happened that early morning, and thinking that I wish we'd have more hangouts like that. It was fun, and I liked spending time with you. I didn't realize, things were about to change, and I'd get my wish, somehow.

Now that I realize it, it's been 5 years...

Weird pala no, when both of you know that you have (had?) feelings for each other, but it just doesn't work out in any way. Or could it be that you both haven't given it a chance yet? One small act could change it all.

This has been big news in the collegiate basketball world for the past couple of days since it's one of the most anticipated ever since the where-will-Kiefer Ravena-go drama. It's the other JT, Jeron Teng.

Jeric Teng, Jeron's older brother, as we all know is part of the UST Growling Tigers. He's been playing for Coach Pido for three years now, and ever since Jeron entered his senior year, speculations of where he's going to in the UAAP has been circulating. It has been said of course that he would follow his brother's footsteps to Espana, but the possibility of going to other UAAP schools wasn't out of the question. With the talent that Jeron has, it wasn't surprising that even Ateneo and Lasalle are interested in him.

Jeron once scored 104 points during a game in the Tiong Lian league. (Check my post about it here.) His stats are something that you'd really want to see in your team. So when the announcement of where he was headed for college was made, everyone was all eyes and all ears. The choice: DLSU.

I first found out about it thru Jeric Teng's twitter account. Jeric tweeted: it would be weird but a challenge playing against @jeronteng next season of UAAP. :) have to work hard this offseason! 
Right then and there I knew that Jeron was going to some other UAAP school. I quickly checked Jeron's formspring and twitter accounts to see where he was headed. Indeed, it was DLSU. Jeric even tweeted about it again: @jeronteng will play for DLSU.


Jeron has been telling people up until last week that nothing was sure yet, and that they were just talking to different schools which includes Ateneo, NU and DLSU. There was no UST mentioned, so I'm not sure if UST did it on purpose that they did not recruit Jeron Teng, or there was just a better offer from the green and white. It was even mentioned at one point that the school was not talking to him. Of course I'm thinking, WHY???

Well, wherever Jeron's headed to, good luck to him. He'll also be a good addition to the Green Archers. Personally, I really wanted him to join his kuya since it would also be a big help for the team. But it would be interesting indeed to see him play against Jeric too. One thing's for sure, the upcoming seasons of the UAAP basketball are becoming more exciting, and pretty much, we'll be hearing more "Teng" during basketball games.

P.S.
I'm loyal. Go Jeric! :)

Yoboseyo! Annyeong haseyo!

This is what happens when you immerse yourself too much into Korean stuff. But it's fun, and at least I get to learn a new language. =D

How have you guys been?? Happy New Year by the way!! =D Now that we're in 2012, I know it's time for resolutions again, and new goals, reinventions, and the like. It's pretty exciting whenever a new year ushers in, but scary too in the sense that we don't know what to expect. But instead of having fear in our hearts, it's better to have hopes that this year will be better than the last.

I for one can proudly say that my 2011 has been heaps better than my 2010. I am very thankful for everything awesome that has happened during the last year. I have to put those in another post so as to remind myself of the things that have transposed in the year that was. But now it's time to say goodbye to 2011, and welcome 2012 with a big hug.

For starters, I have been telling myself that I want change in this year. There's one huge change I've been thinking about that I want to be able to accomplish within the first quarter of this year. If things work out the way I think they will, then I will be successful with it. One step at a time. Then, little by little, we'll work our way towards other changes.

I haven't really thought of the concrete goals that I want to accomplish this year, except for that change. I'm thinking though about stuff like I need to watch more movies, I need to learn how to put make-up on, or finally get driving lessons, or continue learning how to play the piano. Probably that's for another post as well. I also need to get hold of a planner yet. I realized I need one because of all the stuff that's going through my mind. I'm thinking if I'm still buying since the planner that I wanted is already sold out, or I'll just figure out a DIY planner, as suggested by a friend. It'll save me some bucks and put my creative juices to a test. We'll see about that.

Well, the first two weeks of the year has been kind of weird for me. There were problems, I got injured (ankle sprain), but there was still lots of fun of course. We got to spend time with Papa too which is really awesome. Sometimes even though how much you want a new start, some problems just carry on to the next year and you just have to face them again. Maybe just consider it like a new problem although in reality, it isn't. Nevertheless, I want to stay as positive as I could for this year. I need it for all the things that I'm thinking of doing for this year. I just need time to reflect and ponder on those things and I'm pretty sure I'm off to a rockin' year. I will also try to blog more often, and will try to finish those two other posts I've mentioned here within the week. Ciao! =D

P.S.
I want a retreat or a recollection of some sort. Caleruega, again, perhaps? :))