March Madness

March has been really a mad and crazy month for me! It became synonymous to words such as fun, friends, enjoyment, adventure and accomplishments. So I thought of creating a post that will mainly discuss on things I’ve been busy with, events, occasions and personalities that made an impact on my life, my family’s and some others too for the past thirty one days. Sounds too serious eh, but the ideas I had since last night were all funny and unserious haha! Impact may sound a little bit too heavy but I think I would include some events that the whole Philippines and probably the whole world too are aware of for the past month.  Politics? Nah. I don’t think I will be touching politics this time (or ever)hehe. New updates on gadgets or what’s hot in technology is also interesting, but I am not that much updated when it comes to those. Probably if finally I’d be able to provide a new cutting edge laptop or the newest hip mobile phone for myself. But what I will be discussing below are just simple things that brings joy to simple human beings like me haha! Those that made my month, a sort of recap.  On how well it went.  I will be doing this every month, and there’d be a yearly thing too haha.. So, to start things off..

The early summer fever. I have spent the first week of the month beachin! Of course, the Galera getaway tops this list of recapitulation. I won’t go into details anymore since I have already posted two of the 3-part series regarding that haha! It was a good way to start the summer, and it looks like I’ll be beachin for more the entire season (number of plans from friends are piling up as I compose this entry).  And just after an awesome Galera weekend, I went swimming with some friends and the twins tagging along.  It has been a yearly thing for that group of friends of mine to go swimming during holy week, and we’re three years running. We chose to go to Bulacan this time, since we’ve exhausted all the resorts in Montalban haha! The next beach/swimming escapades will take place next month with yet other group of friends.

At Club Royale, Malolos Bulacan

Malubay on American Idol top 12. This is the month where the final 12 finalists were revealed after several weeks of battling it out on the semi-finals.  And this is the time where our very own Ramiele Malubay also made it to the most coveted list! The whole country raved, along with the Filipino community in the US.  But our girl’s first two weeks at the finals had been rough.  She’s been getting not-so-good comments from the judges because of the equally not-so-good performances she’s giving.  You don’t wanna know how some online people are bashing and picking on her on forums! It’s baaad! Anyway, I just hope she’ll start defining herself as an artist and pick songs that will really showcase  her amazing singing voice. Goodluck, Ramie! I still love you no matter what they say hehe..

The Ken Lee craze! My oh my, never had I been so addicted to youtube til came Ken Lee! hahaha.. The first time I watched her now-so-famous 4million+ hits video, I just couldn’t stop laughing! Even my twin brothers and my mom nearly ran out of breath.  Her voice kept on singing in my head, i tell yah! My friends and my boss had the same story haha. And the next thing you know, she’s already on the news and became an instant sensation! We just can’t get enough of Ken Leeeee!!

Pacman & Janina. Another victory for our Manny Pacquiao indeed! I haven’t seen the fight because I am at work.  Some say that it was “cooked” (luto! haha), but just the same, it was another winning moment for him during Philippine politics trying times.  He was then coined as PGMA’s savior, because he always converts the public’s attention everytime the President is facing major political issues.  And then came Janina San Miguel, a 17 year old runaway winner of this year’s Binibining Pilipinas whose answer to the pageant’s final question made a big noise and controversy.  She’s now the country’s favorite laughing stock, the subject of all this ridiculuos email and text jokes circulating around. But what this girl Janina didn’t know is that she actually made a lot of people realize that all of us, especially the youth nowadays, should focus and practice more on our vocabulary and speaking skills.  And the more revealing truth here is that the quality of English education students are getting now has become poor and really bad.

A freshie no more! My twin brothers really enjoyed their first year in school, my alma mater San Francisco High School.  They both are part of the special section and are active members of the school’s most prestigious program, Special Program for the Arts.  Joshua is in Theater Arts, while Jeremiah is in Dance Academy.  I remember during enrollment time when they were both hesitant to enroll because most of their elementary friends are in a different school.  But now, they seem to have found more friends and extremely enjoying being part of the school’s special section.  Joshua, as a neophyte in theater, is actually doing good in his acting. We’ve watched their school plays and mom and I agreed he has the makings of a good theater actor. Because of that, he received two medals commending his good performance! Jeremiah, on the other hand, seems to love dancing now and has lost weight because of everyday rehersals for shows.  He also got high grades, but failed to make it on the Top 10, even if he got an average of 91%, because competition is too stiff on a special section. So, now that they’re awaiting their sophomore year, I bet it will be more exciting and fun for them!

Joshua and his two medals

Jeremiah and his dance buddies

I miss highschool!!

Triple Treat! Just recently, two of my friends LT & Mei had a joint birthday celebration. And since a friend of ours (Arden aka Alpha of Radio1) is graduating from college, our get together also became his post-graduation bash! A night of three occassions! We had fun three times over! We met over at Trinoma, had dinner at Gerry’s and of course coffee conversations after.  I was short of cash that day, so I planned on going without any gift for them. But thanks to Imkimi, an online portal where you can do fun stuff to your photos, I then thought of a last minute gift and made them a personalized card with our pictures on it! Thank God they loved it hehe.. And what better way to do this blog entry than doing it today, the actual day of Mei’s birthday and Arden’s graduation! I actually made it a point to do it today haha.. Cheers, mah friends!!

dinner at Gerry’s

At Starbucks

Mei, Ninzky, me, LT & Arden (standing)

The picture I made into a greeting card!

_________________________________________________________________

So that’s how I spent and enjoyed the March that was.  And from the looks of my upcoming April schedule, it would be more exciting! I’ll be meeting up with some elementary classmates at Pampanga, get together with some present & previous workmates, and go to my birthplace Cagayan De Oro City! Yey! I just hope that it will all sail smoothly and everything will work out according to planned.  Have a great summer vacation to all!

Galera getaway, part 2

And the saga continues…

Sorry, I won’t be able to provide the “Ang Nakaraan..” section.  Just kindly read the first part for a refresher, hehe..

Unfortunately, no one in our group dared to take pictures or video of us sleeping.  That’s why as much as I wanted to post a drunk-while-sleeping image of me or anyone in our team to start off this entry, I don’t think pushing my luck would even be an option.  Well, probably because most of us were too wasted after the vodka and three pitchers of the uber great concoction Mindoro Sling.  And yes, we’re all busy snoring our butts off after a crazy and fun Galera day! Before wrapping up the day last night, our TM reminded us that call time for our banana boat ride is 6AM.  That was, I think, about 2AM when she blurted it out.  Which is why I was not that positive we’ll make it on time.

Anyway, I actually had a nice uninterrupted four-ish hours of sleep.  I made it to wake up past 6AM, but of course the others did not hehe!  My friend Len, who I think got drowned into sleeping is already awake when my alarm rang.  Since most of our groupmates are still fast asleep, we decided to roam around the area on that beautiful early Galera morning.  Armed with our camera, we won’t let this moment pass without a photo op haha! Here are some of the shots we took of, well, ourselves haha!

Batuhan moments:

Our tubig moments:

and Henna moments, haha:

After the photo session hehe, me & Len had breakfast at a restaurant called Paul’s Place.  I am not kidding, that’s the actual name of it.  We didn’t bother asking breakfast from our groupmates since most of them are probably still in Dreamland.  Few moments after stuffing our tummy with a round of coffee, toasted bread, bacon strips, fried eggs, and pansit bihon (my, we’re not hungry!), we continued looking for pasalubong(s).  We’ve been buying stuff since the first day to avoid the rush.  I will post pictures of the ones I bought as pasalubong on the latter part of this blog hehe!  So after finally completing the list we have, we headed back to our room to find out that our groupmates are already gearing up for our banana boat ride! On our way, we then grouped ourselves into two, yung mga magpapataob at yung mga hindi haha! Of course I chose the former! Never would I let myself suffer to miss this one! And true enough, it was one helluva ride! Our voices got worn out because of screaming out loud, but heck, we soooper enjoyed it! Too bad I didn’t bring my camera with me, or had Len took pictures before and after the ride coz she’s preparing her things at our room that time.  I will just probably edit this entry once I got myself some pictures from my friends, or probably make another part (hopefully the last one haha) for this saga hehe!

Still raving about the banana boat ride that we had, we all went back to our room and prepared for lunch.  Some spent the last hours by making the most out of the place by last minute shopping and of course swimming yet again! Like me, coz I might count months or probably years before coming back again.  Hopefully with my family and other friends.  So, after feasting on our fiesta lunch, we all prepared to leave and pack our things.  Though it really made us sad, and we all felt so bitin spending just two days at the beautiful island.  Checking all the final stuff and securing our valuables, we all made our way to wait for our boat.  I will definitely miss Galera.

to be continued…

while waiting for our yet another nerve-wracking boat ride!

Untitled

 

Kung ibig mo akong makilala,
 lampasan mo ang guhit ng mahugis na balat,
 ang titig kong dagat—
 yumayapos nang mahigpit sa bawat saglit
 ng kahapon ko’t bukas.
 
Kung ibig mo akong makilala
 sunduin mo ako sa himlayang dilim
 at sa madlang pagsukol ng inunang hilahil,
 ibangon ako at saka palayain.
 
Isang pag-ibig na lipos ng lingap,
 tahanang malaya sa pangamba at sumbat
 may suhay ng tuwa’t ang kaluwalhatia’y
 walang takda—
 ialay mo lahat ito sa akin
 kung mahal mo ako’t ibig kilalanin.
 
Kung ibig mo akong kilalanin,
 sisirin mo ako hanggang buto,
 liparin mo ako hanggang utak,
 umilanlang ka hanggang kaluluwa—
 hubad ako roon: mula ulo hanggang paa.
 
Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo

Stumbled upon this beautiful poem from a friend’s Multiply page.  Wala lang, ang ganda kasi, that’s why I thought of posting it here.  Hope you won’t mind, Peewee! Where did you get it, anyway?! And what’ s the title? ;o)

Galera getaway, part 1

I do not intend to put the “part 1″ but if in any case I get lazy to finish this blog and thought of doing another entry for it, then it will definitely serve its purpose.  Ok, so last March 7 & 8 was one of the most momentous part of my life haha!  I finally made it to go to Puerto Galera with my team Aqua Koalas.  We actually won a  contest and thought of spending the prize money by taking this trip (it was our driving force that’s why we won hehe).  It was an early Friday morning and we’re all so freakin excited!  Packed with a camouflage travel bag along with a highschool friend Len, the rest of the team made its way to the Batangas Port.  All 24 of us with beaming smiles on our faces as we head to the paradise island.  But just after about 30minutes when our boat sailed and made its way to White Beach, the smiles turned into contorted faces, and the laughters into grunts, as most of us felt dizzy because of the big waves hitting our vessel.  Others tried to avoid it by sleeping while others found themselves already throwing up. I also felt a bit dizzy, but not that much, because I know for a fact that I am not that type na “mahiluhin sa byahe” so to speak.  Well, that’s what I thought! (find out in the latter part of this blog haha!).  So after an hour and a half of that one helluva boat ride, we made it!

After settling down and seeing the place, it was all worth the nerve-wracking and gut-wrenching boat ride! It was indeed a paradise! It was breath taking! The sun’s heat was just right, not that strong to burn our sensitive skin haha!  And now that we’re on the island, the non-stop photo op continues! hahaha.. Here’s one of the picture taken as soon as we arrived:

We just can’t help but be amazed! I am extremely in awe! “Can’t believe I am now here!” Ok, too much drama haha.. Cut it and get straight to the fun part! ;o)  The first thing we did was to snorkel!! So off we went, all 12 of us, coz the other half were busy preparing food for lunch.  We boarded a small boat, and in a way went island hopping too! When we got to the area where we’ll snorkel, most of us were afraid to jump off the bangka.  But after seeing the oh so lovely underwater site, we all raved!! It was soooooo beautiful!! Like the ones you see on movies or travel shows, only this time it’s you yourself in the ocean seeing it with your own eyes. Too bad no one had an underwater camera, but it was more like this : minus the one in the suit of course hehe.. After a few moments, I felt something bit me on my feet! I looked down to see what it is, a sea urchin! My feet bled, but it doesn’t hurt that much.  I can still walk, anyway.  And it was nothing, compared to the utmost happiness I felt while snorkeling! After that, we all agreed to try it again some other time, and that we’ll include snorkeling in the Hobbies & Interests part of our Friendster profile. Here’s a picture of mommy euge, yumi & me enjoyin our snorkeling experience:

We spent the afternoon just chillin haha, after lunch.  Some took a nap, strolled around more, and of course kwentuhan.  When the sun is gradually setting, we made our way to the far most side of the island where a cave is located.  Some friends have gone thru the cave a year ago, but it is now prohibited to go inside.  So we just continued our photo op all the way! And when we got back to our place, of course we all gave in on going wet and wild haha, since the sun has already set and won’t do any harm to our Belo-maintained complexions (wtf!) Before having our dinner, my friend Len and I decided it’s time to get ourselves tattooed.  Henna, that is.  So we went to a henna place just outside our hotel room. Len had a cool-looking cross on her right back shoulder, and a butterfly on her left ankle.  I, on the other hand, had a tribal design inked on my left hand. Cool! haha..

Len’s henna   and mine!

on our way to the cave

just beside the prohibited cave

Come night time, after dinner, of course it’s time for some boozin! Yeah! haha.. We first had Vodka Cherry while having fun on the sand, grouped in circle with the absence of a bonfire.  Having fun, fooling around, laughing out loud like there’s no tomorrow.  And not to mention the undying photo op which makes it a bit harder for us since it’s already night time.  But heck, even with that “hindrance” and with some alcohol in our system, never did we stopped capturing each moments of our first Galera night! After, i think, two bottles of vodka cherry, we decided to go to a bar and try out the Mindoro Sling.  We heard that it’s really good so might as well try it.  The team agreed that we’ll just have a pitcher.  But after finally learning how good that drink was, we ordered another round! This time, the laughs were more roaring, the stories more eye-widening and ourselves looking more funnier than ever! We’re at the brink of being wasted to becoming a disaster, yet we still managed to have another pitcher haha! And when at last we “tried” to go back to our rooms, it took a lot of hard work just to pick our slippers off the sand and walk barefeet.  Good thing we didn’t woke up our fast asleep roommates when we get it in and no one shouted back asking for a duel! It was a crazy day!

to be continued…

our buhangin moments

(wrong camera date on the 2nd & 3rd pic haha!)

The Mindoro Slingers hehe! ;o)

Ramiele Mabuhay!!

Yes! After 3 AI seasons, another Filipino made it to the final 12! The last ones were of course Jasmine Trias and Camille Velasco, both from the 3rd season. But never did Pinoys cease to appear and make it on the show after that. Sharon Galvez, a former member of the now defunct singing group Smokey Mountain, made it to the top 50 on the 4th season. Jose “Sway” Penala was on 5th season’s top 24, and AJ Tabaldo just last season at the top 24 too. And now, we are so raving for RAMIELE MALUBAY!! (Pronounced as “mah-loo-bye”.  Attention, Mr. Seacrest!) I do hope our girl would make it to the finale! And will eventually be the first Asian American Idol! I bet she’ll get all the support from millions of Pinoys all over the US. Just when you thought Idol had it’s all time low last year, the show got more exciting! Indeed it’s the most talented season, and a Pinoy is definitely in! Amazing!

     

But it’s not just all smiles for our 21 year old Florida belter. Just recently, racy pictures of her has been posted on the internet telling bad things about her. This is probably what Ryan Seacrest wants Ramiele to talk about after singing Against All Odds, asking what the inspiration is behind the song. But Ramiele won’t go there, she just plainly referred to it as some “stuff” in the past and that it’s TMTH. Clearly, it’s a case of what Pinoys would call “paninira”, a bad publicity, the last thing an Idol hopeful need. But to hell with that, and to those schemers! She has great talent, very promising and has the makings of an excellent artist. Issues like that are just part of being a star. Inggit lang sila!

Anyway, let’s just give in to the excitement of the show. I am in my utmost elation everytime I watch it, especially this season has the most talented batch. Aside from Ramiele, I would love to see David Archuleta  on the finale. I love this kid! Never fails to amaze me. My other picks would be:

           

   and 

Too bad Asia’h Epperson got voted out! I believe she deserves to be at the top 5! Anyway, let’s just all wish them luck, especially Ramiele! This season’s top 12 offers much promise and they all deserve to be there, it will be just the votes that will make them stay longer in the competition.

So, to our girl Ramiele.. We will all be waiting for your more improved performances. Show the world how big Filipino talents are! You definitely make us proud!  Ramiele, Mabuhay ka!

I’m an Idol reject

Well, not that Eddie Gil type of reject haha.. Ok, so yeah I auditioned last February 21, 2008 for Pinoy Idol. Not because my family and friends have been persuading me to join any singing contest for the longest time now, but because I felt like having an Idol experience at least here in our country.  I’ve been very hesitant to join at first, even before, because knowing Filipinos, what they’ll probably look for is more on the looks and not the singing voice itself.  I was hoping that being a licensed franchise of Idol, Pinoy Idol would somehow, like American Idol, get raw talents and will not be judgmental on looks and well, in my case, size.  But I was wrong. After waiting on long lines piled up with thousands of hopefuls, and complying with their requirements, I don’t think we were given a fair chance to showcase our singing talent. What they did first was group us into 5 and  hold an initial screening in a room where someone (I prefer not to give his name) will judge you. None in our group made it, and same with other hundreds/thousands more I suppose, though I heard some with really great voice. And the worst part for me was that I wasn’t able to finish the line of the song I was singing! How would that person know that I can somehow sing well when he didn’t let me finish a single line of the song? Well I guess, that’s how it is here in the Philippines. Unless you really look like a standout star, you won’t get their attention. That’s why I was a bit disappointed. An officemate of mine who also auditioned surprisingly shared the same story. He has heard some really good ones from their group, but didn’t even made it to the initial screening. Well at least in his part, they were lucky enough not to be assigned on the room we went to and was given the chance to sing the whole chorus of the song they’re singing. In my case, not even a single line! Grrr!

But I somewhat saw that coming, I just really tried it out for experience. And I enjoyed the time I spent waiting in line, making new friends and sharing strories. So I still consider it a worthwhile experience. It was really nice meeting these people:

Arnie and me while waiting in line

Inside SMX

And here’s one more thing.  I would like to include here in my blog the nice messages I have received from friends after I told them I didn’t made it. It’s really great to have people who are still proud of you even if you feel like a failure, aside from your family of course. Here’s how my group message went:

“Heya! To the few ones I’ve told about my Pinoy Idol audition (and to those na ngayon lang malalaman hehe) guess what?! I didn’t made it! haha.. Wala eh, hinahanap ata nila yung artistahin na at standout talaga. But it’s ok, I enjoyed the experience naman! Thanks for your prayers and support ha.. (smiley)”

And some of the replies…

from DEMA - “Ha?! Bakit? Sa screening? Pabayaan mo na! It’s their loss! Proud pa rin ako sayo friendship. At least you have the guts to join! Isipin mo na lang na kaya mo, pero di ka lang nabigyan ng chance.”

from JAYJAY - “Ganun? Ok lang un Paul, experience lang. Ikaw pa rin ang magaling for us!”

from VICKY - “Ganun! Mga pangit sila!!”

from CHY (included dun sa nun lang nakaalam) - “Wow talaga frendship! Sayang naman kung ganun! Baket, meron ka namang looks ah!” (nambola pa! haha)

from SHA - “Ay naku! ganun naman d2! Mas sumisikat ang mga may hitsura, kahit di kagandahan ang boses! Yung mga magagandang boses tuloy na di gaanong kagandahan, hindi sumisikat. Ok lang yan, at least nakayanan mong mag audition!”

from my bestfriend NHINZKY - “Talaga pare?! Mga leche sila! Kainis yun ah, nakaka-highblood! Di bale bez, di ka lang talaga for that cguro pero for us ikaw ang pinoy idol of our lives!”

from my boss MITCH - “Oh.. It’s ok Paul.. Just continue pursuing your dreams, if that’s what you really want to do..”

from mah sistah FARAH (facebook message) –

“Okay lang yun bro! I’m sure HE’S got better plans for you!
Malay mo He’s just gearing you up for AMERICAN IDOL! Odiba?
At least when that time comes… seasoned ka na with experiences!
And don’t ever let this small snag ruin your dreams, HE gave you this talent for a reason. I’m sure God is smiling down on you this very moment because you’re making use of the gift He has given you. Either way, for trying your best – I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU “

and from MEI (by request haha!) -

“Oh well… never mind friend….Their loss not yours.. It just goes to show that still, it never fails, they were already looking for a Celebrity Material instead of you know grooming it to become a really Big or maybe a Huge Star here in Manila…. Tsk Tsk!!!

You know same old same old… But I just wanna let ya know that I’m sooooooooooo PROUD of you ….=) Nice choice of song for your audition piece huh, it really matches your vocal range weeeeee hahahaha =)… Whatever happens friend I’m just right back at yah for your next Idol moment, though I told you that we’ll audition together hahahaha…..

You’re the Best Yo!!!! Ti’l the next Shining Moment …. “

Surely my world didn’t stopped after auditioning for Idol, instead it gave me a driving force to achieve for more. And I will not ever forget this experience, and won’t stop doing what I love the most… Blogging! hahaha..

Flashback

 

A number of random thoughts has been lingering my mind these past few days. It’s like one would pass by after the other. I don’t know whether to feel bad or good having this, up until now. I don’t know if it’s mere boredom of what’s really happenin’ that led me into having those disturbing thoughts. But, what really is happening? Is something happening? Are those thing bound to happen? The answer is a dumb I DON’T KNOW!! In the first place, I wouldn’t know how am i going to react about it. Do I like it? Was it all good? Do I see myself on those thoughts? Disturbing as it may seem, still I cant define it. Maybe it’s a combination of fear, anxiety, happiness, or perhaps loneliness. Probably those visions were the things I expect to happen in the future. Or maybe not… Maybe I’m just driven with that force inside… Maybe I’m just preoccupied with what I want to happen. It’s like rummaging through a clean and organized room looking for something you don’t have; something you like to have. It’s like hybernating in the blistering cold when in fact you’ve become numb inside…  

 

What am I saying? Damned as I have become, or damned as what you’d think it is, but a sudden rush of fear and loneliness has stricken upon me, and I don’t know why. But God once said, “Fear not, my child. I am here”… That I know and believe as well. What I’m feeling right now is unexplainable. I just cant describe and define it yet. But this will come to pass, I know. It’s just that I’m too overwhelmed with what I’m feeling. Maybe I just miss my friends… the days when we’re happy with each other… the days when I fell inlove with Lea… Oh, those were the days i enjoy the most. But that was then, and now is now. I must strive hard for my future and I have to act now. Do something for it to happen. I would want to reap what i sowed, the fruit of all my hardships. I do know it won’t be easy but God promises a good life to those who work hard for it… Oh, probably thats what’s bothering me for quite a while now… my so-called life… How am i going to mold it to be a strong and successful one… The one that would make me smile and say “Damn too good, Paul. You just made it. That’ll do….”

2 November 2004