August 24, 2011

Ever Heard of Profundity?

Heads up, I'm not making this post because I love it but I do think Angeline is a very talented singer. This is not necessarily to criticize her party or anything for that matter but merely to express insight.

I was supposed to make an entirely different post from this one but this apparently made my day so I'm not gonna waste my time, shut up and publish it. Swag.

Last night, a friend asked me if I knew this song which had really amusingly ridiculous lyrics. I didn't know/haven't heard. He told me the singer was the one who sang the recent song with the word "pangarap" in it. I figured it was Angeline Quinto.


This morning, as I was listening to a certain FM radio station, a song played. "May gusto ka saking mahal. May balak kang agawin sya." With just those two lines, I was already like, "WTF? What's up with these lyrics." Then I immediately remembered what my friend asked me about. Then I figured it was this song.



No offense (but I do know it's gonna be kind of offensive) but I think the lyrics have 0% profoundness in them. Just like what my friend said, it's awkwardly straightforward and extremely understandable to the point of artistic and poetic sacrifice.

Many people may not mind that but when I heard it, I literally smirked with disbelief. For a serious song, the lyrics are very inappropriate. However, I recently discovered that this is only a revive, or a remake, whatever goes. The original artist would be Jeremiah. 1990s. I was like, "That explains everything."

Many people can relate to the song. No questions. The overall arrangement, melody, and musicality are quite good. But writer of Rebecca Black's songs, is that you?

We all know we can make anything we like. No arguments about that. But He didn't say "Go to the world and create bullcrap." (Now that was just mean, that was so not me.)

August 23, 2011

When I Was a Kid... (#2 - Bubblemaker)

#2

When I was a kid, I used to love those bubble-making liquids inside differently shaped containers which you can buy in kiddie stores. When I ran out of them, I used to steal mouthwashes and use them as an alternative. They make breat bubblemakers. But when the mouthwashes also run out, I industriously persevere creating the bubble-making liquids out of detergent soaps -- which, unfortunately, were not very efficient bubblemakers.



Whenever I got those original bubblemakers from the stores, I am extremely thrifty of them. I only blew bubbles whenever I feel the utmost need to so as not to consume the liquid immediately. However, being a kid myself, I eventually become tired of it. I would then leave it somewhere, still with plenty of it, hanging. :|

August 22, 2011

Rafael's Farm

Before my graduation day, I still had 4 days to force myself to be excited for the once in a lifetime event -- that is, for people who won't be venturing in another major again (because of the trauma college brought). So I invited (was it me or someone else? Let me get back to you on this) Jovelyn and Bem for a visit to Rafael's Farm.


Located in Babatngon, Leyte, Rafael's Farm isn't your typical farm which you see on television shows or movies. A 20-30 minute ride from Tacloban city, it's like a luxurious rest place of natural bliss which has an exquisitely beautiful natural setting perfectly suitable for wedding receptions, debuts, and the like.

The place also has this seemingly Spanish-inspired restaurant at the center of the paradise-like haven which caters high-end Filipino cuisine. A gorgeous tree house which is obviously professionally made sits on a huge tree located at the rear part of the farm.



The place is not a hundred percent complete yet but I know it's gonna be even more amazing when it's completely done.

August 18, 2011

When I Was a Kid... (#1 - Rainbow)

I decided to start this series entitled "When I Was a Kid..." for the good reason that from time to time, these distinct memories from my childhood pop up in my mind and are mostly immature misconceptions. These situations may be influenced by adult supervision, peers, the natural flow of the environment, or self regulation. Or whatever. Nevertheless, I already have this summary in my unsophisticated brain and I felt the need to publish them for all you cool readers to know and if you find it similar with their childhood experiences as well.

#1

When I was a kid, I always thought pointing at a rainbow will actually make my finger/s rot. As a child, rainbows are magical. Admit it. It's a huge wonder how rainbows are formed when I was a naive kid. Even now that I'm absolutely legal, I still stop and stare at the thing with impulsive sparkles in my eyes still wondering God knows who makes them. Oh, did I just answer that?

Sometimes they're there, most of the time they're not. They're like hard to reach celebrities who are arrogant enough to come and go and don't even care about how their spectators would feel about their intermittent presences. Integrity is what they're afraid to lose.

Nobody ever personally told me that in line with popular belief, there is a mischievous leprechaun of some sort at the end of these rainbows bearing a huge pot of gold. I guess this is purely western (duh, leprechaun) and considering the fact that the Philippines won't be able to afford the gold. Not to mention I only heard this at television shows and kiddy books. Whoever made up this story wants children to be hungry of wealth and dirty old men who are green and epitomizes dwarfism.



It was so amazing seeing a rainbow that I usually had these strong urges to even go out from the classroom in the middle of a teacher's discussion of lame verbs and practically waste my time gazing at the fart-like gas. Wow... I usually tried to run and follow the rainbow expecting that I'd actually end up feeling it up close. But I never did. This is one of the most drastic disappointments I had in my childhood.

Out of pathetic curiosity, I'd point at the rainbow for an accurate nanosecond and quickly withdraw so as not to risk my tiny sausages from getting rot as the mysterious myth says. However, it was indeed possible to point at the rainbow without your fingers dying. As the very popular urban legend trick goes, after pointing at the colorful arc, just lick those fingers good and they'll be just fine. So I did. Every time. And hey, it actually worked!

I have not the slightest idea why I was very amused by rainbows as a child. Heck, I am not even a fan of colors. All the more reason not to like them. But yes, I usually dislike anything colorful. In fact, my top three favorite colors are white, black and grey -- all of which cannot be found in the interesting color wheel. Well, the colors which I normally like can never be found there, such as purple, aqua, silver, scarlet, pink, (wow, sounds like a set of sluts) and I can go on forever. Perhaps my fascination of rainbows way back then had a significant implication of what I am now.

This is yet another wonderful thing in life that can't ever be bought. So, did you lick your fingers too?

August 17, 2011

Live It. Love It. Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is one of the most visited places for tourists in Asia. At least that's what I know. Not to mention the massive amount of Filipinos going there everyday to and fro. Maybe because it's so near and budget airlines are very accessible? No wonder many of the Hong Kongers learn Tagalog unaware. Exaggeration.

Well, here is a bunch of places in one of two special administrative regions of China, the other being Macau. I suggest that you visit these places because they're worth visiting. Why else? In my part, I am not a lone traveler. That being said, I brought along my cousin and my mom which was supposed to be there for a convention. I love having company during my travels. It's a lot more fun that way. And safer. ;)



The public transportation in Hong Kong is largely similar to Singapore's. I even think they only got the same producer or something like that. It's really the same. Really. The tapping galore, the utter convenience, both countries drive on the left, and simply how the transportation exteriors look like. Only that Hong Kong has these double-decker trams in the middle of the streets (pink vehicle above) which Singapore doesn't.





The Victoria Peak is the highest mountain on the island proper, but not in the entirety of Hong Kong, an honour which belongs to Tai Mo Shan. The actual summit of Victoria Peak is occupied by a radio telecommunications facility and is closed to the public. However, the surrounding area of public parks and high-value residential land is the area that is normally meant by the name The Peak. It is a major tourist attraction which offers views over central Hong Kong, Victoria Harbour, and the surrounding islands. You can go up there via the Peak Tram or the bus. Going up there, it's really cold and the scenery is breath-taking.



We rode the Disneyland train which was so fancy, I felt like a baby while I was inside. The windows were Mickey-shaped and there were glamorous Disney character figurines inside the train; and the seats, sofa, baby. Inside the theme park itself, you will really feel like, 20 years younger. So that made me an infant while we were there. My favorite was the "It's a Small World" ride because it was a really perfect and happy world inside. Guess what, there was a Filipino version of the It's a Small World song and there was, like this "Filipino section" of the small world where Filipino dolls were dancing some folk dance inside this cute nipa hut.



We went to the Avenue of Stars and Ocean Park. I rode the Abyss ride where you're brought really high up in the air that's as high as a skyscraper (you can practically see the entire country from up there, shitters) and suddenly zooms you down with unexplainable speed. The feeling was deadly but in a good way, though.

That night, we attacked the famous Night Market and we got kinda lost at first. It's like a first class Divisoria, bright and packed with shoppers from all over the world. By the way, I got to drink this awesome juice called Ribena (which is not sold in the Philippines) and I died because of its awesomeness. The taste is like heaven even if I haven't gone there yet.

When we were about to go out from the MTR station, two dudes walking beside us were talking loudly in Tagalog. I guess they weren't expecting people around them to understand what they were actually talking about. I think they were backbiting some chick or whatever I forgot because I wasn't really paying attention to their conversation, but it was obvious that they were making fun of a person. Then I suddenly barged into their lives and asked, "Excuse me, anong oras nagsasara yung MTR?" (what time does the MTR service terminate?), and it was obvious that they were kinda shocked up the ass and one of them reluctantly replied, "ahh, errm, 1AM, 1AM...", while trying to get to the side, awkwardly giggling to their humiliation.

The Hong Kong International Airport versus me. As one of the largest passenger terminal buildings in the world if not the largest, it gave me a bit of trouble. I generally got exhausted through the journey from the check-in counter to our gate. See, you have to walk and walk and walk, stride, prance, go up escalators, go down them, ride an INDOOR TRAIN, dive your way, and I can go on forever before you get to see your plane. Yes, a rich airport it may seem, it will also give you a rich exercise. It really is true what they say. "It's not just about the destination, it's also about the journey."

So be warned.

Six Simple Steps to a Better Life According to Me

(1) Be passionate about life. Living life is priceless and work hard to survive it. You have a unique, great life full of marvelous experiences and all. To waste them might be the worst thing you can ever do. You should know what you're doing and you should be happy that you're doing it. Otherwise, don't do it at all. Success is not about becoming rich, living to the expectations of others, nor is it having an easy and comfortable life. It's about fulfilling what you aim to reach and being satisfied by what you achieve.

(2) Maintain the humor. Being serious helps, sometimes. Being passionate about life would normally take a lot of seriousness. But always keep in mind that a jug of endorphin plays a huge role in making your life brighter, more fun and interesting. Produce them abundantly by being funny in one way or another. Tell jokes and take jokes. Don't be conscious about your jokes being corny. People who can't take jokes are worse. I dislike people who are like that and those who are inappropriately serious most of the time. Making people laugh is one of the best feelings.

(3) Be kind, thoughtful and loving. People love nice people. Chances are, most of the people around you will most definitely like you if you're vibrant and your disposition has candy written all over it. Well, not everyone will feel that way. Maybe 1 or 2 individuals whom you had a rough time during your past life, so never mind about them. Everybody knows we can't please everyone. You don't live to do that, too. You can only do so much and it's for the people who care. On that very note, try to decide on doing a good deed every single day to anyone who matters to you no matter how simple it is. Smile at everyone until those worthy wrinkles appear beside your lips at the end of each day. You'll even feel good about aging.

(4) Do something creative. Become a literary writer maybe? That's just a suggestion. Even I can't do it. But seriously though, waking up one morning, getting dressed and making something unique and worthwhile makes sleeping at night a thousand times more comfortable and waking up the next day an assurance. Not only that, you will become proud of yourself because you never expected that you, a simpleton, can do something more amazing than how amazing this sentence has so many amazing words. Always remember that each one of us has an artistic side. So, enrich yours. You may not realize that yet but if you try and you are determined, nothing will stand your way. Everyone is talented in so many different ways and you are not an exception. If they can do it, so can you.

(5) Be spiritual. For the record, I personally am not that spiritual. Being spiritual, helps a lot. But I guess don't overdo it because it has bad effects on one's practical and rational principles, at least from what I can observe. While I was attending a certain mass one Sunday afternoon, I realized, again, how the sermons of priests (not all priests are like this, sadly, some are hypocrites) make you want to become a better person other than how you already are (not to mention how comfortably good I felt inside that church because the ambiance was great). It's amazing if you think about it. But yes, praying, attending mass, contemplating, doing all those spiritual things truly makes you a better person.

(6) Take a break. I know you need to work your ass off because you're treading that damn path of yours like it's the only thing that matters. That's where you're wrong. You need to get a break sometimes. And make the most out of it. There's no unlimited promos in breaks so you need to savor them. Go away with your lover, take a quick vacation with your friends or family, treat yourself to a nice movie and dinner, or better yet, stay at home and do the thing you loved doing when you were still a kid. I know you thought about it when you read that sentence. Go do it.

And I can go on forever, unfortunately, I can only say too much. :)

August 16, 2011

Baguio

I've been to Baguio a couple times before especially when I was a kid and I could clearly remember the moment when my cousins and I were ecstatically blowing deep breathes to the air as to produce that foggy breath you see in the movies - especially snowy winters. Hilarious.

I took this photo one afternoon while my friends and I were touring the city. The streets were literally crowded. Tourists along with the citizens filled the cool city wandering around like there's no other place anymore. You can really feel the fiesta drawing nearer with the suggesting ambiance the place had. Afer all, it's the annual Panagbenga Festival.

Finally, after years, I've returned to Baguio. Since I'm already mature (?), I have greatly appreciated the place. Unlike before, I wasn't really free to do the things I wanna do in the city because I was with the whole family or I was still young to be alone in an unfamiliar city. Another thing, I also realized that strawberries can't/shouldn't be carried around for too long because they are easily squished. No wonder why they don't reach other places in the country. And they're expensive.

Here is a small list about why I love Baguio:

(1) As we all know it, the Philippines is a tropical country and there are only a few places here wherein the temperature isn't warm, or lukewarm, or hot. Therefore, I love Baguio because it's cool there. The coolness is just right. Enough to keep you cool when there's sunlight or if it's noon and not too cold to make you freeze. Well, I think night time's an exception because if you're not used to cold weather like me, you'll freeze to death if you loiter at Camp John Hay at night.

(2) The place is rich in culture and tradition. Even if it's a highly urbanized city, you can still feel the culture that they uphold. The Ifugao culture is present almost everywhere.

(3) There are so many talented people in Baguio. I discovered that there are a lot of artists in the city. My friends and I went to this park I forgot the name, and there's this wide exhibit of different artworks. They're awesome. The masterpieces reflect Baguio's way of life and natural creativity.

(4) The food is great. I have tried a lot of corn (the real corn, not the processed ones) snacks in malls and all that but those huge corns sold at the sidewalks of Baguio are really delicious. They're the biggest corns I have ever eaten, with butter and salt, I can eat a whole corn field. And of course, uniquely Baguio, they have Strawberry taho. I don't really eat taho but with strawberries and strawberry syrup, it's just something you don't wanna miss.

(5) The scenery is awesome. My photograph above is just one of the so many examples. It's like when you see them, you just want yourself stuck there, wishing that the setting would never change. It's just overwhelming in itself. Not only does the scenery make you feel amazed, it also makes you realize that so many wonderful things in life does not come in a silver platter. It usually comes naturally.

(6) There are many things that you just won't experience if you're not there. A few examples would be fresh strawberries, fresh cauliflowers, constant coolness, extensively cheap garments, pink horses, houses built on a steep mountain with a "wow-ing" view, and I can go on forever.

Perhaps the reason why I love the cold so much is because when it is, I feel cold. And if I feel cold, I want somebody to make me feel warm. For me, feeling warm when it's cold is one of the best feelings in life. Especially when you know somebody else is doing it for you.

August 15, 2011

Blogging Dilemma

I always told myself that I will never be able to make the best post in a blog. I always wanted to blog. I love writing. However, I also have strong commitment issues. I can never stick and be faithful to a blog. I have tried blogging so many times and I would always end up giving up, starting a new one, giving up again and I can go on forever. After all, I have commitment issues in almost all aspects of my life. "More than friends" relationships, decisions in life, blogging, I could go on forever. Contrary to giving up blogs, I actually have a living blog which I still use and has been in function mode over the past few years. However, the frequency of the post has become drastically meager. This is also a predicament I have to solve.

Having said all of the above, I'm not even sure if this blog will last long, which I am expecting it to. But I hope it does because I am planning to pour sincere passion about blogging to it. I want to sweat and sacrifice blood just to make myself be satisfied of it. I know it is hard considering the personality that I am but who knows, this can be a challenge.