New Page

I just added a new page here in my blog. It’s called Gleanings. It’s actually from the weekly flyer of our church Word Of Hope where they discuss something about a random stuff, related to religion or faith of course. I’ve been wanting to post some for the longest time now, because I’ve read some really good ones. Until recently I thought of adding it into a new page instead, so that it would be much easier to view.

Anyway, I will start to update it every week when we go to church. And I’ll look for the ones I really like, too. I hope Mom kept those.

The HP madness

All these years, I thought that I’ll be contented with just watching Harry Potter movies. I didn’t had the time to read the books then, nor had the money to buy them. I love the movies, anyway. It’s one of those that I eagerly wait each year. So yes, I was contented. But not until our office had a Book Fair last week. They had a promo for a set of 6 books at a cheap price, buy one take one! Good thing a friend got interested to buy one, so I volunteered for the take one haha! We just shared for the entire price, para tipid!

I was actually thinking of reading the sixth book right away, because that’s the one to be shown soon. But I decided to run a marathon instead and start with the first book. And oh how I love it! I am already halfway and I couldn’t put it down. Now I know why it’s such a hit. Next plan in mind, buy dvds of the movie! But I want to finish at least the first two books first before doing that. I really hope I can finish the rest of the five books. I have until July anyway. Wish me luck. I can’t wait!

Falling Slowly

I am currently in-love with this amazing song. Kris Allen did a version of this a couple of weeks ago when they did the Movies theme. It sounded so familiar the first time I heard it, then a friend told me that it was an Oscar winning song titled Falling Slowly, from the movie Once. I actually liked Kris’s rendition eventhough I haven’t heard the original one nor have I seen the movie. And when another friend sent me an mp3 copy of the actual song, I fell instantly! Great, great song!

Glen Hansard - Falling Slowly

I don’t know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can’t react
And games that never amount
To more than they’re meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We’ve still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You’ll make it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can’t go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I’m painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It’s time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We’ve still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You’ve made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I’ll sing along

*************

I especially like the bold and italicized part. Haay, such a killer! I’m lovin’ the melody and its words. Adam Lambert’s Mad World is also on repeat mode in my player, but I like Falling Slowly much better. Now that I love Adam and Kris’s Idol songs, I’m wondering what if they became the last two standing in the Finale?! Hmmm, a thought to ponder on, don’t you think? Especially that Top 5 is just right around the corner. Anyway, I won’t get tired listening to both songs, most specially Falling Slowly hehe! I can’t wait for American Idol later. Gotta doze of so that I can watch it. And yeah, probably the movie, too. Ciao.

Porto Laiya, part 2

Been quite busy over the weekend. Had a great time with friends splashin’ around yet again. I am definitely feelin’ the summer heat! Anyway, I will post about that in the coming days but for now, here are Porto Laiya’s amazing and picturesque views. With these welcoming your day, who needs Facebook?!

Ok, those are just teasers. The next ones are my favorite. Ready?

and my two most favorite shots:

Seeing these amazing views always make me wish to be back there. I know I will be. I’m just not sure how soon, but pretty sure there will be another family gathering around the corner to be held here since my tita already bought a part of the resort. That thought actually brought me back a couple of years ago, when I dream of buying my own island. A beach of some sort. Anyway, see you at the next summer post. Gotta doze off. I wish to dream about that island I’ll be having soon hehe!

Porto Laiya, part 1

Few weeks before the holy week, Pop and I have been planning for our summer getaway. We initially chose to go to Baguio, but our schedules didn’t meet up. Then came this one time that a cousin and I was able to chat over YM and she told me that her mom, my auntie, just bought a part of a resort in San Juan, Batangas. After that, I right away texted Pop and told him to ask auntie if we can go there instead. Few days later, Pop informed me that it is already set and that we’ll all go there the next weekend. The mere thought of going to the beach after Zambales (December last year) made me excited, I even tagged my best bud Nhinz along because Mom & the twins won’t be able to join us. So one Saturday morning, we all headed to Batangas, with two vans filled with eager people with smile on their faces anticipating to catch summer’s bright rays.

The roadtrip we had was great! Mainly because of the music courtesy of my mp3 player. Here are some of the memorable and funny ones I remember:

> Let’s Get Out Of This Town, Carrie Underwood – feel na feel ko lang ang pag get out sa town haha!

> Overdrive, Eraserheads - daming nag sing along haha! Even si papa haha! sympre relate kaming lahat sa “Magddrive ako hanggang Batangas, tpos magsswiming duon sa beach..” hahaha!

> I Didn’t Know I Was Looking For Love, EBTG; Desperado, Eagles; Inspector Mills, America; Lost In Your Eyes, Debbie Gibson – Wala lang, super sing along din ang karamihan specially ang mga thunders hahaha!

> With A Smile, Eraserheads – Tawa kami ng tawa nito kasi imbis na smile, eh super laugh ang nangyari kasi eto ung naligaw kami. Namali ng liko at napunta sa dead end haha!

> Ligaya, Eraserheads – Eto na ung nakita na nmin ung daan, so maligaya na kaming lahat!

> Give Me The Green Light, John Legend – Super traffic naman nito sa SLEX kaya we were all wishing for a green light.

The song list includes the ones going back home, mostly those when we got lost haha! Anyway, going back to our destination. The moment Pop rolled down the car’s windows and we felt the cold morning breeze, we all came into one conclusion, “Batangas na! Amoy beach na!”. But not long after, someone blurted out, “Hmmm, amoy tae na! Tae ng kalabaw!”, we then bursted into laughter. Few moments more, we finally arrived in Porto Laiya! The place is amazing. The views were very picturesque. I will post the nice views on the second part, this entry will disscuss mainly on the happenings first. Of course, being the camera whores that we are, Nhinz and I cant help but take pictures right away!

See, we even have our bags on

change outfit na, hehe

with my cousins

while Pop is grilling

We later found out that it was one of my pamangkin’s birthday that same day. That’s why this sort of mini extended family reunion also became Diday’s birthday celebration. My auntie even told me that I was the “pasimuno” in this outing, because I was the one who suggested to go in this wonderful place. Yeah, I realized that too. Eventhough I wasn’t the one who organized, I’m glad it became a success hehe! Meanwhile, the sun is at its peak when I decided to go sunbathing, and I couldn’t help to bask under the sun and frolic in the waters.

with Pop and the bday celebrant Diday

Having said and done that, you can just imagine how burnt my face and arms became and how dark  I am now! But it was all good, I had a great time in the process anyway. Speaking of good times, it’s true what they say that time flies by when you’re having fun. The next thing we know it’s already merienda time and we need to pack up soon. Sad. But we all enjoyed it, and that didn’t stopped us to do more photo op’s

Ar0und 4pm after the merienda, we started taking a bath and packing up. We all wished and promised that we’ll go back with more families and relatives along. We’re all positive about that. But before going home to embark ourselves on another 4hours or so travel back to Manila, photo op muna!

the whole gang, taken by Nhinz

take 2

Ok, I think I’ve already let the pictures spoke for themselves. We all had a grand time! Although we only stayed there for around 10hours, it is still worth it. And since our tita already owns a part of the resort, which is still undeveloped by the way, I am pretty sure that more family gathering will be held at Porto Laiya. Until next time!

And oh, look what I found!

Summer Splashin’

This is actually my first summer splash for this year. It’s a bit late, I know. Compared to last year when I had the first splash the month of March in Puerto Galera. Anyway, this one is with a group of friends I’d like to call “my swimming buddies” hehe! Been friends with these guys since 1998 I think, back when a friend/neighbor of mine introduced them to me so that I can join them swimming for like, every week?! haha! Yes, we were that addicts back then. I was in high school then, and they’re in college that’s why we got a lot of spare time. But now, we only got once a year to go out and swim. We started a tradition, though. And we’re four or five years running, of going swimming during the Holy Week. Pretty cool, huh?! This time, we went to DJ’s Paradise Resort in Malolos, Bulacan. We’re supposed to go there last year, but it was closed on a Good Friday. So we had to make sure this time and went on a Thursday. And oh we had fun! A splashin’ fun!

in our room, w/my bro Mamai, She, Dema & Chy

with Dema and his baby Kurt

we hated these wristbands!

my pa-cute pose haha!

But the part we enjoyed the most are the waves! We had so much fun, and it felt good to be hit with those big and gigantic waves around. Athough, yes, it’s not natural, but it’s still fun. And although this is where I lost my beloved pair of slippers, that didn’t stopped us to frolic under the sun with the great great waves. Here are some proof:

and the Who The Hell Are Yah?! pics

and the swoooossshhh!!

It was a splashin’ fun, indeed! We had a great time, you can tell. I wonder where we’ll go next year. I hope to a beach resort, for a change. We always had to consider a friend’s budget constraints that’s why we go for swimming pools nearby. But we all want to go beachin’ one day. Soon. I know.

So long, my dear slippers!

“Never leave expensive slippers here.”

That’s what the big sign said at the wave pool area we went to last week. But I missed it. After having a splashin’ fun with the awesome waves, it’s already gone when we came back to get our slippers. Dang.

Sayang. At nakakainis! Everyone’s leaving theirs before entering that area, so I thought of doing the same. But yes, me and my friends still missed the sign. I kind of forgotten that what I am wearing is expensive. Well, that’s what the brand is indicating, but I got that on sale November of last year for my Bora trip. That’s why it is a memorable pair for me. And honestly, it doesn’t look expensive anymore. Kupas na nga yung color nya eh, I always use it. But still, matibay pa sya. Wala man lang 1 year ko nagamit, 5 months lang! Sana may sale ulet haha…

Because of what happened, napilitan tuloy ako bumili ng fake version haha! That same day syempre, ayoko umuwi nang naka-paa hehe! No choice eh. We went beachin’ in Batangas yesterday and that’s when I realized that I sorely missed my slippers. I wish I still have it with me. If only I could turn back time, oh well. Shet, nagiging emo tuloy ako haha! Damn that person who stole it! Sana galisin yung paa nya hehe!

Well, lesson learned: Read the signs! Always. Or probably don’t plan to wear expensive pair of slippers on public pools or resorts.

Birthday overload

Just a couple of days ago, two of my friends celebrated their birthdays. We all had a blast! Who doesn’t love birthday parties, anyway? Food, drinks, fun, catching up, and probably some other stuff like watching movies or having coffee after. Here are our precious pictures taken over the weekend. First, with my ultimate RX besties over at Trinoma and here at home for the extension. And then with my dear highschool friends, a sort of a slumber party here at home (again! )

Mei’s birthday bash at Giligan’s Trinoma

with Pinoy Idol Kid Camaya

extended at home

Looks like fun, eh?! And now here’s the one we celebrated just yesterday. It’s not as grand as the first one, but still we enjoyed it. The celebrant has a big love problem and she finds it hard to celebrate and be happy, but being her good friends (as always hehe), we stood by her and instead eased the pain away even for the meantime. Our slumber party did the trick.

B1 Gang, my high school friends

the celebrant, tryin’ to hide the pain haha!

I’d love to post pics of the actual slumber party when we watched dvds at the third floor, but the camera’s battery went dead. And I can’t upload some from my mobile phone, too! Anyway, it is really nice to have fun with your dearest and coolest friends. Despite some personal and emotional problems, there are indeed reasons to celebrate and enjoy life. Glad I was able to start my month with a bang!