***

* Limang araw na lang, nasa Boracay na uli ako... magrerelax at mag-iisip... ng ano? hmmm...
* Iisipin ko pa if it's a Deal or No Deal... wait ka na lang sa text ko...
* Sanayan lang talaga... kung ayaw, di wag!
* Mag-Manila Ocean Park ata kame ng Ts... sige ok lang sa akin... tagal ko na gusto pumunta doon... as in nun binuksan pa lang yun gusto ko na agad pumunta...
* May meeting ako with Chot Reyes sa Tuesday... met him before already pero group meeting yun eh sa dati kong office... this Tuesday, one-on-one meeting kame... wag sana ako mastarstuck...
* Was in deep slumber sa kasagsagan ni Frank last week... only to wake up na disastrous pala ang bagyong yun... I feel sorry for those who lost their homes and their loved ones...
* Parang trip ko pumunta Lucena at Lucban sa Quezon... Queenie, yayain mo ako!!!
* Sana ma-approve yun request ko na fund for GP2WC Team Building...
* Nagpaplano na kame for our Christmas Party... at kaloka... yun venues na tinatawagan nun team member ko January pa lang daw may nagrereserve na!!!
* Katamad sa office, ala masyado trabaho...
* Tomorrow pa ang sweldo... nadelay daw ang Fund Transfer from Citibank to Metrobank
* Out na daw si Mae Flores sa Pinoy Idol... okay lang... hindi ako nanonood nun...
* Pero excited pa din ako siyempre sa Kim Sam Soon...
* Early bets ko sa PDA si Liezl, Apple, Ross at Miguel... gusto ko si Bea kahit brat, sosyal na brat kasi... medyo feel ko na may sayad si Laarni... si Bugoy, hmmmm... sige type ko yun loveteam nila ni Hans...
* Book 2 pa lang ako ng Narnia... bagal!!!
* At natatae na ako... Babush na muna!!!

Excited Ako…

My viewing habit every night will be changed come Monday when “Ako si Kim Sam Soon” starts. For the past couple of weeks I am glued with Pinoy Dream Academy of ABS since I don’t find any interesting GMA shows nowadays. You got it right, I’m not a fan of that hot-tempered-mermaid-turned-human (gave her this pseudonym because of her recent You Tube scandal). The Pinoy Idol contestants are also boring for me; the only contestant I know by name and face is Mae Flores (who, if not to her being a former competitor of Sarah Geronimo and Mau Marcelo in one talent search where the former won, her name wouldn’t really rang a bell).

“Ako si Kim Sam Soon” of course will be top billed by my idol Regine Velasquez. I loved the original (Korean) “My Name is Kim Sam Soon”version. I tried watching as many episodes that I can back then for I find the girl who played the role really funny and entertaining. Now that there will be a Pinoy version, it stirred my interest; and of course, to know that it would be Regine who’ll play the part made me more engrossed. I watched all movies of Regine and while people may think she is not fitted for the role, I may say otherwise. Not just because I am a fan… but because she has this innate talent in light dramas and comedies and for sure, the role of Kim Sam Soon will just be an extension of her natural acting abilities as a comedienne. You may say that GMA may not have chosen the perfect actress for the role, but for me, having Regine isn’t a bad pick at all.

People were also worried that Mark Anthony Fernandez as Cyrus will not hit it well with Regine for initially, they do not have chemistry. Well, the truth is Cyrus and Kim Sam Soon in the original version does not have chemistry as well. All they have are their comic wits and punch lines and a little and not smorgasbord romantic angle, just enough for some “kilig factor”. Yes, Regine and Mark aren’t click for now, but it was the same when Regine was paired to Aga Muhlach in “Dahil May Isang Ikaw”. And come on, let’s give Mark this chance! His mistakes from the past are no longer with him; he has learned from it. We also can’t deny that Mark is a good actor; he won’t be a Fernandez for nothing.

I am not from GMA so this one isn’t a promo material. I also wouldn’t convince you guys to watch the show if you don’t want to. If “Ako si Kim Sam Soon” will make it big or not I wouldn’t really give a damn! All I know is I am a fan and here’s a show that I will watch without thinking much about its would-be ratings (that’s GMA’s piece-of-cake anyway). In the end, ratings to me are just figures. In my heart, I know what a nice and entertaining show is!

Here's to Kim Sam Soon! Bake a good cake for all of us, your would-be-viewers!

My Upcoming Jaunts

Can’t wait for the July 4 US Independence Holiday. Since our project is working for a US-based client, we will be off on that day. Like many employees of many American companies here in the Philippines, we usually take advantage of the few holidays that the US has and this one’s a sure pleasure as July 4 fell on a Friday which meant we will then have a long weekend.

Me and my good friends Ryan and Grace planned of going to Boracay. It would be Ryan’s third while my and Grace’s second visit in this paradise. While few people were saying that it’s quite too late for it’s already the rainy seasons, we don't really give a damn. After all, the weather now is really unpredictable and we're hoping (and certain!) that the sun will be up in its nicest face on that weekend. Good weather or not, we’re ought to go… for we believed that we needed the time to breathe and relax, after all the messes that we recently stormed, both from our personal lives and our works.

Grace wrote in her blog site that she’ll be there and wouldn’t really mind how she’ll behave… whether she’ll get drunk or do some crazy shams, she wouldn’t really care. I doubt! This girl, even if she sometimes have the tendency to be more lunatic than me, still have a lot of good senses intact in her veins. Ryan of course is the most virginal amongst us, who’ll probably just take a peek on the good-looking hombres he will see and will surely take some stolen shots of their astounding bodies. As for me, I would probably just be with them, take lots of pictures of myself, the site and the people around… and would probably steal some quiet moments for myself. Boracay is a good place to heal a wounded soul. Awww, here comes the drama again!

Other colleagues in the office opted to go to Bohol on that holiday and asked me for the itinerary I had when I went there last 2006. Unfortunately, I already deleted it in my office desktop. It’s good though that I gave it to a colleague before when she went there and asked for my assistance. I heard the trip is now planned and settled so I wish they would enjoy Bohol the same way I loved my stay. I told them that the place is such a good tourist spot; from the City Tour of Tagbilaran to the beaches of Panglao Island. I remembered how me and my best friends Yeth and Jingle promised to go back to Bohol, which up to now isn’t happening. Never mind... if any of them can't go with me, or my other friends, family members or colleagues, I can go there by myself! Yes, alone! Hahaha...

And speaking of my two trip buddies, the year wouldn’t be complete if our feet would not wander around. And call it whatever-term-you-could-think-of, I will be with them in Boracay (What?! Bora again?!) on August 28 till 29 and from there we’ll proceed to Bacolod to celebrate a fiesta (not sure if Barangay’s or Town’s) with Jingle’s family. We’ll be in Bacolod up to August 31. My first time in another dream destination.

I am now getting excited to go in all these trips! Alright, alright! My New Year’s resolution of limiting my expenditures and out-of-towns has been broken as I will be spending much again. I wouldn’t explain myself for I am guilty. For now, all I know is that I needed a breather… a pacifying relief to my tired mind and body. Who knows? I might bump with that one soul I’ve been longing to see in one of these trips.

Getting ready to pack my stuff… and can't wait to paint Bora red!!!

It's Dad's Day Today...

Admittedly, I am not close to my Dad. To add, I am not as well close to my Mom. I believe that amongst my siblings, I am the most detached to both my parents. Not that we built walls amongst us, it's just that I was raised to be self-reliant, me being the third child in a brood of six. They said that middle children like me are the ones who are more independent and I completely agree. I always proclaim myself as a self-made man.

Since we're not that showy of our emotions and feelings, this day will just be another ordinary Sunday for us. Mom and Dad will be in church doing their Sunday Church duties, my siblings will go to their respective walks and appointments and me waking up late and head to my internet cafe at lunch time. Nothing extra special.

But somehow, I wished there is something today. We may not be too expressive of our feelings but it would have been better if we spend this time as a family paying the man of the house a tribute. I don't know why I suddenly envied families who celebrate these events as celebrating a grand feast in their household. Now that Dad is quite old and is sick, I wished me and my siblings would do something for him today.

I do not have a perfect Dad. I know he had his fair share of faults and mistakes during his early years. I have heard of stories of him philandering before. But again, that was before. The Dad that I have today is still the very same imperfect person, but have matured and grown to deliver his role as a father in the best way he could. Imagine raising six children in good manners acceptable to society (I am the juvenile delinquent of the family, if I really am!). Imagine raising a family with you being a small-salaried employee of a government agency which funds allocated by the national government are all the times limited, if not insufficient. Imagine how a poor guy like him, with no good education at all was able to send five kids in school and now diploma holders and working. Since he has improved a mile from his old ways, I can only appreciate his efforts of being the best father that he could be now that I am all grown up!

My Dad isn't special but to all of us, his kids, he is indeed a hero. And yes, I may not be his best kid and I may not be his favorite but I will always be proud having him as my father...

Happy Father's Day, Papa! I love you...

Ako'y Maglalayag

Susulat ako... susubukan ko uli...

Hindi ko alam bakit nahihirapan ako ngayong humabi ng kuwento. Malungkot ako, oo, pero hindi naman sapat na dahilan yun upang pumurol ang utak ko. Ang totoo, ramdam ko namang hindi naglulugaw ang pag-iisip ko. Nakakapagtrabaho pa naman ako ng maayos kahit na kung minsan, may katamaran akong kumilos. Nakakusap din naman ako ng matino. Hindi ko lang talaga alam bakit naglalayag ang diwa kong mapagkatha ng mga sulatin. Hindi ko alam... at ayoko ding alamin.

Naiisip ko ngang minsan hindi kaya nababaliw na ako? Hindi kaya nawawala na talaga ako sa katinuan? Natatawa ako habang nalalaman ko din ang sagot. Kung ako ay nababaliw, bakit ko tinatanong kung nababaliw na nga ba ako? Kahit labu-labo ang isiping naglalaro sa utak ko, batid kong hindi pa din ako nawawala sa katinuan dahil kaya ko pa ding alamin kung alin sa sanlaksang nagririgudong isipin ang higit na kailangan kong pagtuunan ng pansin at dapat kong gawin. Ang labo! Ang gulo! Hindi ko talaga mawari ang sarili ko...

Marahil, ang kailangan ko ay pahinga... kailangan ko ng isang payapang mundo pansamantala. Malayo sa lahat ng kapagurang binabata ko sa kasalukuyan, malayo sa magulong daigdig na aking ginagalawan, malayo sa lahat ng pait na aking nararanasan.

Kailangan kong paglayagin ang aking diwa sa kawalan, upang mahaplos ng hanging magbibigay ng katahimikan sa kaluluwa kong tila naliligaw. Kailangan kong magpatangay sa agos ng lahat ng emosyong umaalipin sa akin ngayon. Kailangan kong ipikit ang aking mga mata at namnamin ang lamig ng gabi, ang init ng araw at ang kung anumang pakiramdam sa kanilang pagitan.

Marahil, iisa ang kasagutan... kailangan kong buuin ang sarili ko... na akala ko nabuo ko na dati... na akala ko handa na muling sumugod sa laban ng buhay...

Sa ngayon, hayaan nating liparin ang aking pagkatao patungo sa isang dimensiyong hindi mo at hindi ko alam kung saan... at sa aking pagbabalik, muli kong hahawakan ang pluma... upang muling humabi ng kathang magmumula sa sanlaksang karanasan... sa diwa kong sana sa huli'y muling magliwanag... patungo sa kung saan ang lahat ay mahusay...

Iyan na muna sa ngayon... ako muna'y maglalakbay.

Hayyy

Hayyy... try ko bukas... baka ganahan ako magsulat...

What's my say?

The PBB Teen Edition Plus is now over and Ejay Falcon of Mindoro was hailed as the Big Winner. It may be remembered that he is not in my list of Big Four early on in the show. And since my two other bets, Rona and Jolas were casted out leaving only Robi and Beauty on my list, I gave Ejay one of my vacated slots. But then again, not for the Top Prize. I still believe (and call it sour graping if you say so), Robi Domingo is the best teen in Big Brother's House this season.

Last night was indeed a disappointment to me. Never have I been so supportive of my bet , not even during Bea Saw's time. When the show started and I saw that Housemate B was leading with just a slight edge over Housemate C, I picked my phone again and voted for Robi (I knew right then that Robi is Housemate B; I've been doing that for many days already, sending around 10 text votes for Robi). From that very moment up to the voting's last minute I thought I sent around 50 text votes for Robi, but I only got 10 confirmations for these votes. I thought it was just a slight glitch, that my text votes are still in and that I will receive the confirmation later. But lo and behold, nothing has been sent. And by then, Housemate C (which I also know was Ejay) was already leading. And yes, eventually the guy from Mindoro won!

Let me first say that I don't have anything against Ejay. I know that he has shown and learned many things inside Big Brother's House. But to say that Ejay has toppled all the housemates, that to me is not a rightful claim (at least, from my own point of view).

I will no longer enumerate my reasons as to why I think it's Robi. I also wouldn't give any explanation why I think it's not Ejay. The show has ended and both have gotten their prizes already. And even if I air my protest as to why my votes were not confirmed, there will no longer be changes in the show's turn-out.

But I wanted to share something... just this morning when I woke up around 8:00 AM, I read some 10 text messages in my mobile phone. I opened them and read that 8 out of the 10 came from 2331, which says that voting for PBB has been closed hence, my votes for Robi wouldn't be counted anymore. Hmm... something's wrong! And on my way to my internet shop an hour later, I again received some 10 messages of the same content from the same sender. I think there was really a GLITCH! Not just a simple glitch... but a major one!

I don't know how many text votes were not counted and accepted, not just from me but from the many supporters of the Domingo lad. But I am pretty sure that we all didn't give up the fight up to the last minute. Again, any protest will no longer change the turn of events. A big BUT though, for transparency and in living the station's battle cry of servicing the Filipino people, may this glitch be better explained ~ may not be specifically to me, but for the many supporters of the True Blue Atenean of the PBB Teen Edition Plus.

I am happy and contented though that Robi won as the Second Big Placer. He has nothing to prove to any of us anymore, as he said. I am still certain in saying that whatever paths Robi would choose to go, success will just be a piece of cake for him. This young guy has so much in his head! He is really a pride to his family, to his school and to the many people like me who believed and will always believe in him. Here's to wishing Robi Domingo the best! May he always be the epitome of the Filipino Youth.

Good night!

It's Jev's Birthday

Just wanted to share the e-mail exchange of my two beloved angels who are now Canada-based. It's Jev's 10th birthday on June 05 and our dear Jaja, 8 years old wrote him a message...

jel aera tobias wrote:

Happy Birthday Kuya! You know that mama loves you... and so does papa.BUT.I LOVE YOU THE MOST. I AM YOUR SISTER. Even though we fight. we love each other and that is important. if me and you were in a comic book. we would always win. because love is the number 1 power. and we share the most.YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU,JaJa

Jev's reply...

Dear Jaja,

Thank you very much. I loved the message. I love you very much too.

Love,
Kuya

So so sweet, it made me cry... Missed the kids I used to hug, kiss and send to bed!!! They will forever be my babies anyway...

Love you Jev and Jai. Dady misses you both so much!!!

Into Reading Lately...

Something weird yet positive has happened to me yesterday. Was in SM Sta. Rosa with Mom and Ejay to buy his school stuff and feeling atrocious of joining the many last minute shoppers when I checked the shelves in National Bookstore for some interesting reading materials.

Again, I would say I am not a bookworm; that habit has long died in me. I got bored of the many books there is to read. While I admire the passion of people I know in collecting books, I simply can't force myself to finish even a thin pamphlet. I remember I bought David Pelzer's The Lost Boy in 2005. To this date I was only able to finish six chapters and the book is now acquiring thick dusts in my small cabinet. Dreamt of having Harry Potter's Treasure Chest complete with all seven books, but it's still a dream as of this writing. Still wanting to have it though, not anymore for myself but perhaps for the next generations of book-aficionados in the family. I am pretty sure there will be someone soon who's gonna emerge as one.

Dunno why but I suddenly realized that reading is still a good hobby, and it's not too late to do this passion again. I really agree, all bookworms will turn into successful butterflies (suddenly remembered the big poster in our high school library!).

And yesterday while Mom was finishing her shopping list, I also decided to buy five new books. The cost of these books is really a big-ticket, but I don't mind at all. It's me who's gonna pay anyway and I have deliberately justified that if I am to spend much for Ejay's stuff I shouldn't be guilty of indulging on some little reading pleasures.

I know my five new books are all worth-reading. The first one was Lualhati Bautista's Gapo which I finished reading just this morning and it's actually my fourth time doing so, for it was also my high school book report in one Filipino subject. I also have the full edition of the Chronicles of Narnia, which I decided to buy and read knowing that a Narnia movie is to be shown on June 04. I also had Paulo Coelho's The Witch of Portobello and Stephenie Meyer's The Host. Curious about Bob Ong and his works, I bought his Stainless Longanisa as well. With high hopes, I'll finish all these books soon. And as dear Grace put it in her comment in my previous entry, thanks to the lustful “Mingaw”; for it stirred not just my sexual urges but moreover, the urge of reading and learning more.

Happy reading to me!