raimonet

Alter Ego

2006-05-05T11:12:00.000+08:00

I visited Tenchu's website and I found this entry about superheroes. I took the test and check out the results here.

Why Green Lantern? Is it because I came from Benilde? [Laugh-laugh-laugh!] Click here to take the quiz. ¿?

Embrace Summer

2006-04-29T20:52:00.000+08:00

Yup.

This is the new layout. "The!" (as in "DUH" with "th") It's not actually a new layout. It's just a new header. LOL!

Anyways. I just posted this entry just to test if it's really working. After laying it out, I found out that the header has spaces in between rows in Mozilla. Darn it! I tried adjusting the style of the <td> but I still can't figure out how to make it appear like there's no space, well in fact wala naman talaga! Hehe...

Why "Embrace Summer?" Hmm... First of all, I got the idea of embrace from Urbandub's album. And I thought of why not "Embrace Summer" - it's fun and exciting, so let's enjoy the season. It's so simple but I kinda like the idea of embracing summer. It makes me feel like I'm still a student who's having a vacation break.

Uhm...

What's new? We have PBB 24/7 already after a 3 day delay of its installation. I'm happy with it tough it sucks when they're only showing one boring shot in the PBB house. Makes me fall asleep. I'm planning to subscribe for another 24/7 here in my room. Maybe next week. My sister paid for this one, which is installed in our parent's room. This time, I'll pay P1k+ for my own entertainment (since my brother [slash] roomate is a certified Kapuso).

My college friends and I had plans of eating out on May 1 since it's Leeohra's birthday the following day. However, there's a conflict with our skeds so we can't push through with that.

This is one boring entry. I wanna watch a DVD. Maybe later. ¿?

My Music Chop Suey

2006-04-27T08:04:00.000+08:00

Most of the time, I enjoy pop music more than any other music genres since I was a kid. My first music idol was Gary V. though (to be honest) I can't recall myself at 3 years old singing "Di Bale Na Lang" in the 80's as my parents would tell me whenever we backtrack my childhood.

In the early 90's, I started to become a Mariah fan as influenced by my brother. Aside from playing songs like "Emotions", "Without You" and "Hero", I also liked Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" album. Gerard, my childhood playmate and I would play Jackson's tape while eating our afternoon snacks.

In my high school days in San Beda, pop was still my favorite with an introduction to RnB as Mariah launches her "Butterfly" album. I must admit, I'm a BSB fan too - even up to now!

My Glee Club days were pretty stuffed with choral music. We sang songs in a cappela, which taught me the basics in music appreciation. In our annual concerts, we performed 15 songs like "Carmina Burana", "Back to the USSR", "Larger Than Life", "Ikaw", "Humanap Ka Ng Panget", "Man In The Mirror" and "One Day More". Glee Club was more than just a choral group. It gave me a bigger picture of art per se.

Now that I'm older, I'm beginning to like different genres. I enjoyed listening to soundtracks of "Titanic", "Pearl Harbor" and "The Lord of the Rings" as it trully captured my senses, teaching my emotions expressed by a brilliant orchestration of thoughts. In 2002, Mabel, a college blockmate and Blithe-ster introduced me to Eminem. For someone like me, who's very much into pop, classical and choral music, I never thought I'd be playing rap music in my CD player.

But I was hooked. I liked Eminem's "Without Me" that I spent hours figuring out how the whole rap thing goes.

Just recently, with the popularity of American Idol, my sister bought Carrie Underwood's CD. It's a new genre to us and for me, I really have to have an open heart (and ears) to feel the beat and the groove of this new sound. "Jesus Take the Wheel" is a great song and I beleive everyone can relate to it 'cos in one way or another, we all come to a point where we need assistance and guidance. And thru this song, it tells us we can surrender everything to God and that we'll just follow His will.

Bucky Covington and Kellie Picker are two of the southerners in American Idol 5. Their type of song is usually "odd" to the ears of many. I won't deny the fact the sometimes I don't like the sound but I think slowly but surely, I'm starting to like it (selectively liking it).

Now, here's a plug.

A couple of years ago, I remeber Jamie Cullum's "All At Sea" was being played at RX. It was one of the requested songs and I liked it. It's about being one with yourself. It's about giving time for yourself to compose and reflect, which was one of my thing then. I bought his "Twentysomething" CD and I was not wrong at all about my early review about his music. It's fun and hip with the feel of Starbucks coffee as Jamie hits the high notes with his soulful (husky) vocal.

He has a new CD out now entitled, "Catching Tales." Again, it's fun to listen 'cos it talks about mid-life issues. I personally like "London Skies" and "Photograph." The melody's so easy to follow and Jamie's vocal rage is not that high so I can easily sing with him in the car!

"21st Century Kid" and "Oh God" also caught my attention while driving as I was playing it for the first time. If you feel like listening to a Starbucks kind of music, buy this album and I hope you'll love it.

Alright. I now have a wider range of music genres. I can go from pop to rnb, from rap to soundtracks and from OPM to jazz. So far, I'm not yet a a big fan of hip hop (e.g. Nelly), dance (e.g. Billy Crawford) and chillhouse (ang dami nun). I'm not closing my doors 'cos who knows, I might be playing Hed Kandi soon (as introduced by Ricky and cousin PJ)! ¿?

Lost in Space

2006-04-26T00:19:00.000+08:00

I Reflect

I didn't go to work since 'twas my sister's MBA graduation in San Beda.

It felt good to be back on a summer day when the yellow flowers 'er scattered on the grounds of the school. But 'twas sad to realise that I had no friends to talk to since there's no Glee Club anymore in the campus. I went to the quadrangle thinking that they may be somewhere but when I checked the Music Room, it was locked.

The plywood stage set up for the College graduation was still there. Our names were still displayed at the back then I started to bring back those wonderful high school days. We used to get some chalk and proudly display our names thinking that we're making history and that people would see this in year to come. I searched the place for a small piece of chalk. I was lucky to got one somewhere. I wrote "Raimon Gonzales" below my name that I wrote 5 years ago. Most of the names were already faded, telling me that things are different these days and that there's a life ahead but there's still something to look back for a time of laughter.

I also bought a bottled water at the canteen, now known as the Snack Bar. To protect my voice I used to request and say, "Mineral... di malamig." But now, I just picked one from the tray.

Of course, I was the photographer of the day for my sister. I tried taking some good shots but I realised that I wasn't really in the good mood to experiment. There was the attempt buy I simply lacked the feel of doing it.

We stuffed ourselves with seafood at Crustasia in Power Plant.

I didn't want the day to end. I wanted to have more time to experience so many things. I wanted to extend the day. I wasnted to prolong the time since I feeling like I'l being deprived by circumstances to enjoy time per se.

I Pause

Right now, I feel like I need some time to do my own stuff. I feel like dealing first with my issues before I could entertain other people's cries. Uh! I have so many issues lately. I'm encountering another thing to ponder all day long that may result to a week-long of self-pity, a month-long of anxiety attacks... Time will tell when this will end.

I see things that I admire. I admire 'cos I apprecite. I appreciate 'cos I know what I lack. I idolize 'cos I know my limitations. I do all these things because I want to be somebody else. I like a part of me but I want to change a part for me as well. I want to revamp myself but time is always my concern with regards to my issues. Time defines the possibilities of things and I'm worried about it. I don't know why.

Before I end this entry, let me share this to you. Some paranormal experts say that those who think too much about so many things are those who are most likely be a target of entities from the other dimension. That's according to them. On the other hand, I don't know if I'm categorized to this. These days, my peripheral view's getting more and more active. Last time I saw the pants of a man beside me but no one's around.

As I'm writing this blog, maybe someone's at my back. Uh! I'm too sleepy to add more here. Ciao! ZZzz... ¿?

Last Weekend

2006-04-19T19:22:00.000+08:00

Ths blog is becoming glommier each day! Black background - so bare! It lacks pictures and color.

I'm now designing a new template for my blog. I wish I'll be able to finish before the month ends since it's going to be my summer layout. I figured that it's really hard to do the layout using Notepad. Hmp! Naman! Back to basics ba ito? Since last month, I've been planning to go to UM to buy a bunch of installers. Hopefully, there are new ones.

Yeah, I've been chatting (thru email) lately with Ven and Doe after we ate out last Saturday. Thing's changed already. We have different views about the future, our carrers and our ways on how we plan to achieve our goals. Before, our talk was purely based on our group reports, our school activities and our thesis defense! Now we talk about our lives after school, which is kinda off sometimes 'cos I'm blindly making my way out to a better carrer.

Of course, love life has always been an issue to talk about. We've been meeting people we potentially hoped to be "the one" and I have my own stories to tell about it. I just hope we mainatin the communication 'cos there's really a possiblity of finding an end in friendship when there's a sudden stop in the "kumustahan sessions" with each other. Yes, distance makes friendship more meaningful and it brings you closer but still, I'd like to stay close with them once in a while. (Blithe 'kada's worth keeping...)

It's summer and I'm also hoping for a long vacation at the beach. Everybody's going back and fourth to Puerto Gallera and Boracay these days. In my case, I'm going back and fourth to the house and the office everyday! I wish we (Blithe) could still meet up next month in time for Leeohra's birthday. Gosh! We're turning 22 this year. ¿?

How I Hate Goodbyes

2006-04-17T10:14:00.000+08:00

It's now official. Mitchiku's out. She just came to office to surrender her ELID, temporary ID and ATM. She dropped by to our area to say hi and empty her pedestal. Just a few minutes ago, I saw her leave. In fact, I couldn't look closely to her as she trashed her rubbish notes and bag her Starbucks mug.

Last week, I thought of making a short but touching video of her stay here at ePacific, highlighting our fun-filled memories of course! That was my plan for the four-day vacation.

Yesterday afternoon, I thought I won't be able to finish everything. I couldn't concentrate. My mom and my sister were watching "Little Manhattan." So I had to stop and watch the movie first. 'Twas cool and fun to see kids (at 10 and 11) learning what love is all about. Though 'twas odd that at 21, I still have no clue how it is to be loved by someone (other than my family).

I slept when the closing credits scrolled up. After dinner, I was on the verge of saying to myself, "Ok na. Kahit 'wag na. Tutulog na lang ako." But I still turned on the laptop, sorted the pictures needed and downloaded Christian Bautista's "Nais Ko".

At 2am, I was through with it. I tried playing it in the DVD player we have in our room but it didn't work. The player exclusively plays pirated DVD's! LOL. While editing the whole video, there was a part of me saying, "Good luck" while there was a part of me saying, "Why did you chose to leave?" I sorta wet my eyes a bit but I chose not to be affected by the whole present.

Surprisingly, I didn't had a hard time waking up. At around 5:15am I was up already. Then at around 6:10am, I was on my way to Oritgas.

I ate breakfast at Joliibe alone as I was playing different love-sucks-big-time themed kind of songs like, "Be Without You" by MJ Blige, "Somebody to Love" by AI5's Elliott Yamin, "Unbelievable" by Craig David, "Penny and Me" by Hanson and "Afterglow" by INXS.

Now I'm back here, doing the same old stuff and dealing with the same old itchy feeling in my crotch. And I'm still missing something. I'm emotionally unfulfilled and unsatisfied by a brief experience of how it is to be appreciated and valued.

Tonight, I expect to by playing Yasmeen's "When Will It Be Me". I ponder, I wonder about it. ¿?

A Bitter-Sweet Farewell

2006-04-12T08:07:00.000+08:00

Someone has to say goodbye.

We all have reasons for leaving and moving on. I respect that. Half of me is willing to let go while the another half is clinging to expectations. I wish it would be easier for me to deal with it though I know that I'd be dwelling on my memories, a series of what-ifs and a medley of hopeful thoughts.

It seems simple but I still cannot comprehend my emotion. Others take things in a positive way but I wonder why I cannot find happiness in another turning point like this. I wonder why I'm pulling someone from leaving to discover other things. I don't think I'm being selfish. That's not my motive. It's all about missing someone, feeling and experiencing lonesome days without a "seatmate."

It sucks to think about it as I look at the empty chair beside me. No more chit-chat about our lola, no more email chat about anything under the sun, no more exchange of drawing and simple notes of hi's and hello's... These and more are the things that I'll miss.

She's driven to do what she think is best for herself an I have no intentions of pulling her back just for mere companionship. The best thing that I can do is to support her. Surely I'll miss her as she leaves officially today, though she's been absent for the past few days.

But why am I so sad?!?! (My goodness...) Most likely, I'm afraid of losing the opportunity of having her everyday and spending time with her even though she's too busy to hear my cries or too uncomfortable to understand my blog (LOL). It's tough.

I had unfortunate times before when my friends and I lost communication. Then after a few month, we no longer talked. I'm just scared that it could happen to us and it all depends on the circumstances if we could still get in touch with each other. I just hope she's still willing to be my confidant... a distant confidant -- untouchable. ¿?

Pulsating My Tenure - Part II

2006-04-10T09:55:00.000+08:00

Who can survive months of feeling oppressed and belittled? Who can accept being servants of uncouth and ill-mannered employees who are labeled as the "money makers" of the company? Who can last months of being attacked by UFI and UCI (Unidentified Flying Insects & Unidentified Crawling Insect)?

I've been pretending that I'm fine even though I know hundreds of whatever-insects are crawling all over me for the past 10 month, 8 hours a day, 6 days a week. I've already disciplined myself to accept that it's part of my job to get used to that itchy feeling while doing my working. It's the nature of the company. I rant but people seem not to care. The don't listen, they don't respond. They neglect.

They have plans and promises. But there's no action.

Imagine small insects crawling into your clothes, to your neck, arms even in your undies, rimming your privates!

This is too much. People expect me to do my job and finish it within the allotted time. But I'm sorry. I cannot take this anymore. I already lost everything I had especially my patience.

I've always been dedicated to do my tasks when I was in college. My friends would ask me to create a Flash presentation for a group report. In weeks or even days, I could finish one, prepare for our report and do the spiels with them.

It wasn't impossible if you have the interest and the enthusiasm to make things happen. That was the power the pushed me to my own limits.

But what happens when you don't have that kind of power? You wake up each morning, thinking about work. Work becomes an obligation for money. Yes, we work for money. But the difference now is that I lost the excitement to do more work for my professional development. I lost the anticipation of a brighter future with the company. I lost my chances of being promoted. In the Ladder of ePacific Success, I've already reached the topmost step. Nothing's up there but air - a vaccum that pulls me out of this place I once thought would compensate me well.

Now, I have bigger plans. It is no longer boxed here in the office because life is my workplace now. ¿?

Pulsating My Tenure

2006-04-04T08:14:00.000+08:00

I've been contemplating lately on what to do next. I've already accepted that I'm still preoccupied for planning so many things but not accomplishing any. Perhaps I'll remain this way for the months to come, now that I'm facing another turning point in my life.

I chose not to blog (again) 'cos I thought I should sort things out first before I put my reasoning online. I chose not to talk about it 'cos I'm afraid that people close to me may not take me seriously.

Leaving another employer is frustrating. After being retrenched nearly a year ago, now I'm planning to leave my second employer. I'll be "celebrating" me 10th month on the 15th and I'm still a probie. They promised that we (together with an officemate) will be regular employees after our perfomance appraisal on our 6th month in the company. Last November, our superior evaluated us. During those days, I had a number of plans for myself with the company. Now that our regularization's clouded by hesitation and doubt, I might as well plan my career outside the company instead of waiting for nothing but lame promises. I'm starting to hate ePacific management. [Why? I don't even have an company ID! FYI.]

I'm becoming to realise the advantages/benifits of my previous employer. Yes, they retrenched us but if there's one thing I like about the company is its facitilies. I've talked to my Ttech friends and we all agreed that nothing beats Ttech's facilities. Unlike in this company where there is an ecosystem of bedbugs in the carpet and swivel chairs.. [Sighs] I just wanna let go of this. It used to be a precious gem to me. Now, it's like an ordinary stone in the streets that I can throw away anytime I want. I just need certainty and assurance - security.

Starting all over again won't be easy for me. I saw myself dealing with new people when I first entered Orient Square. It wasn't easy as 1-2-3. People are unpredictable no matter how we know the circumstances and no matter how familiar we are with awkward situations. Relating with people for the first time is an uncomforable activity that I really have to deal with all the time. It's a pathetic moment when I'm in a crowd of whoever while I'm wanting to fit into the group. It's natural, I guess. It takes time, for sure! Again it's cliche to quote people but I guess I still have to rely on this one. "All things are difficult before they are easy." Like Ricky told me before, it's a "good mantra!"

Moving forward a vast future is an exciting yet sorta fearful endeavor for me. I've plans that I'm still uncertain if I could do it or if I could be it.

For now, I'll just wait and see. Then I'll come back with a surprise. ¿?

Terrible Nightmare

2006-03-29T20:02:00.000+08:00

'Twas noon and I couldn't stand it anymore. I wanted to do my stuff to finish early but my eye lids kept on shutting down.

I took a nap, which I thought would give me a good rest but it actually ruined my day and my outlook on how I would drive my way home.

I had this worst nightmare (so far). I was like it happened right in front of me. There was no trace of dream. It look real and authentic like it was presently happening.

I was heading to my place around Makati to San Andres area. I was taking my time and just practically chillin' in my car playing some sounds I like when I suddenly stopped for some reason, which wasn't clear to me. I stepped on the break so fast that my face slightly hit the wheel. I felt the pain in my two front teeth but it wasn't broken. Of course, I got scared and I feared of losing my teeth because of that.

I even managed to pump up some gasoline afterward and then passed by Nakar Street in San Andres. It looked like San Andres to me. Maybe it didn't look exactly like San Andres but I think it was implied that I was driving my home in that area.

Gently stepping on the gas, I wasn't really in a hurry going home (like a first time for me). No car or any obstruction was in front of me but again I suddenly stopped like I hit a massive "invisible" vehicle in front of me! I saw myself facing the wheel again, hurt. The windshield was broken and the hood and bumper was really trashed by the accident. I was shaking and was in great confusion on what to do next. I couldn't even think clearly. My hands were shaking as I opened the door. I panicked until a guy in the neighborhood approached me and offered assistance. I felt my two front teeth were shaking like it was broken. Then it all fell down on my right palm. Remember how it feels to lose a tooth when you were younger? It looked like the same but the feeling and the sound of my teeth breaking into pieces caused all the worries I had. It was odd to notice that my mouth was full of peanut butter (with my teeth in it).

I check myself in the mirror and I saw my "grin" with a space right at the center; I just lost my two front teeth.

It looked so simple when you hear stories like these but it was a fearful moment for someone like me who accidentally hit a taxi at 15kph and then a few months later slept while driving hitting a jeepney in front of me. Aside from that, I slightly broke my front teeth when I was eating puto using a fork! That's the reason why I got so scared seeing that scene in my dream. I've said this a thousand times, it looked so real.

A thought crossed my mind when I saw myself in the mirror. "Nabungi ka nga ba talaga?" Then I suddenly moved my lower lip realising that it was all a very very very bad nightmare.

Of course, I panicked and I didn't know what to expect when I go home in the afternoon. Because of this, I didn't go to Elorde in QC this afternoon. I got scared... so scared to drive. ¿?

A Bucket-full of Thoughts

2006-03-22T21:35:00.000+08:00

I've been out of this site from more than three weeks and that was because of my daily practice of preoccupation!

For the nth time, I've been very keen to do so many things in one day but with 8 hours of work and an hour drive home, my nights were very limited. I wanted to blog but I wanted to rest. I wanted to watch DVD but I wanted to watch Pinoy Big Brother instead (cheering for my so-called cousin, Bianca). It seems to me that preoccupation's like my shadow. It follows me whereever I go and it absorbs me no matter how I try to be focused.

I just have too many options and plans but I couldn't find time to think and deliberately set my priorities. I know the things that I have to do but I admit - I'm too lazy. It's a lame excuse but I admit it. Simple things really matter a lot and I usually ignore these things. As a result, I have a list unaccomplished obligations.

Sometimes I just want to stay at home, chill and listen to music or watch DVD. I want a break from the people who're just too much for me. But I have to consider my career, my future and the matters of the heart [ahem].

I believe that there's time for everything but I like what I said, I can't think. I'm too preoccupied; I'm too cluttered with thoughts of doing things perfectly and achieving it all. I do things for myself. Perhaps it's about time to think about myself more than thinking about other people. It's not being selfish or anything. It's just that I think I need more time for myself - to correct my being and release the bad side of me before I could face people. It's weird to hear about a plan like this but I guess at some point in your life, you stop and think, right? I think that's my situation right now.

Believe me. I have a bunch of thoughts waiting to me to be "touched" and discussed with myself or thru this blog. Due to time contraints, I just couldn't find the right time and motivation to do it.

I may be talking like crazy here like no one listens or understand me but I don't care. I've come to realise that this is my own hideaway. I appreciate others visiting and taking time to read every entry but I'm fine knowing that I'm my only avid fan and reader. This is my outlet... without this I think I won't stand the thoughts in my mind. That's why I greatly treasure this.

LOL. This is one entry that has no concrete direction. The only focus in this entry is that I'm confused. ROFL.

Btw, I hate goodbyes. People come and go. It's cliche to hear that and it sucks to hear all the age-old advices on letting go and acceptance. I just like someone but I still cannot define if I really like her. But I hate to see her leave. I hate to know that there's a possibility that we won't see each other again or a possibility that friendship finds its way out of our relationship.

It's hard to say this. It's difficult to stay true to your words. It's hard to commit and it's ever harder to accept rejection and the truth. First of all, I like her but I dunno if I like her for she's great or if I like her 'cos I feel so lonely. Fuck confusion. Fuck uncertainty. Fuck dilemma.

One things for sure. I hate to see her go and leave me behind her memories. It's too schmaltzy to say this but I'll surely miss her. Perhaps things will be clearer to me once she's gone. Is this a sign of an upcoming breakdown? LOL. I just want her to be happy. If leaving makes her happy... it sucks but I'll try to smile on her last day.

I'll miss her smile. I'll miss her laughter. I'll miss her drawings. And I think she's the first person who said that I'm a "great" friend and someone who believed in me.

Yes. It's risky. I fear it a lot. I want to say it but I just can't prepare myself for the worst reaction. Oh my... [whatta bad ending...] ¿?

Last Year's Best at the Oscars

2006-03-06T09:30:00.000+08:00

I have mentioned by bets and the winners were already announced. Here is the final list of winners.

Winner
Bet

BEST PICTURE
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
MUNICH

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Philip Seymour Hoffman - CAPOTE
Terrence Howard - HUSTLE & FLOW
Heath Ledger - BROKBACK MOUNTAIN
Joaquin Phoenix - WALK THE LINE
David Straithairn - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
George Clooney - SYRIANA
Matt Dillon - CRASH
Paul Giamatti - CINDERALLA MAN
Jake Gyllenhaal - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
William Hurt - A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Judi Dench - MRS. HENERSON PRESENTS
Felicity Huffman - TRANSAMERICA
Keria Knightley - PRIDE & PREJUDICE
Charlize Theron - NORTH COUNTRY
Reese Witherspoon - WALK THE LINE

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams - JUNEBUG
Catherine Keener - CAPOTE
Frances McNormand - NORTH COUNTRY
Rachel Weisz - THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Michelle Williams - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

ANIMATED FEATURE
HOWL'S MOVIENG CASTLE
TIM BURTON'S THE CORPSE BRIDE
WALLACE & GROMIT IN THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT B

ART DIRECTION
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA B
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

CINEMATOGRAPHY
BATMAN BEGINS
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
THE NEW WORLD

COSTUME DESIGN
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA B
MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
PRIDE & PREJUDICE
WALK THE LINE

DIRECTING
Ang Lee - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN B
Bennett Miller - CAPOTE
Paul Haggis - CRASH
George Clooney - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
Steven Spielberg - Munich

FILM EDITING
CINDERELLA MAN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
CRASH B
MUNICH
WALK THE LINE

MAKE UP
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA:
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE B
CINDERELLA MAN
STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH

MUSIC (SCORE)
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN B
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MUNICH
PRIDE & PREJUDICE

MUSIC (SONG)
"In the Deep" - CRASH
"It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" - HUSTLE & FLOW
"Travelin' Thru" - TRANSAMERICA

SOUND EDITING
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WAR OF THE WORLDS

SOUND MIXING
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA:
THE LION, WITH WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WALK THE LINE
WAR OF THE WORLDS

VISUAL EFFECTS
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA:
THE LION, WITH WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
WAR OF THE WORLDS

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN B
CAPOTE
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
MUNICH

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
CRASH B
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
MATCH POINT
THE SQUID AND THE WHALE
SYRIANA

¿?

Last Hunches Before the Oscars

2006-03-06T02:32:00.000+08:00

I just watched "Walk the Line" and "Capote" this weekend to have a better judgement as to what movie is more deserving to win the coveted Oscar prize.

"Brokeback Mountain" again proved that it's as tough as a proud soaring mountain in the Best Picture category. For the past months, it has been the most talked about movie sentationalized by media, film critics and even moralists from east to west. Different countires have banned the movie in their territory, basing their judgement on some moral concerns. However, film critics are still raving for the movie's achievement. Many have given the movie its director, Ang Lee and the cast awards and praises for the ambitious work in the industry and successfully making a classic movie.

The Independent Spirit Awards awarded "Brokeback Mountain" Best Picture this weekend again proving that it might win the Oscars aside from winning a series of Best Picture trophies before. Philip Seymour Hoffman also won the Best Actor award for portraying the role of gay American writer, Truman Capote, which also solidifies his Oscar win just hours from now. However, the charming portrayal of Reese Witherspoon as June Carter in "Walk the Line" wasn't the Indie's favorite. Felicity Huffman in "Transamerica" playing the role of a gay man won the Best Actress title.

Now here are my hunches for this year's Oscar awards.

I have already plotted by bets before and I believe I'm sticking to that.

LEAD ACTRESS
Reese, like what I said, was charming in the movie "Walk the Line". She performed well, sang well, and so on but the whole role (for me) didn't give much exposure for her to win the Oscar. Plus, I have a theory before that Oscars may has a tendency to snub lead role actresses coming from movies under Musical or Comedy category of the Golden Globes.

Nicole Kidman in "Moulin Rouge" was my bet but she didn't win the Oscar. Halle Berry in "Monster's Ball" won the award instead. Renee Zellwegger was the darling of most critics and actors to win the Oscar when she played Roxie in "Chicago". She went home empty-handed; Nicole Kidman in "The Hours" won the title.

With a sort-of "weak" role of Reese in "Walk the Line" the Academy might be giving the award to Felicity instead because of a more challenging role as a gay man preparing for a sex-change surgery, which is really a complex role to handle. I want Resse to be happy (winks); I've seen her movies since I was in high school and I sorta admire her as an actress (slash comedienne). However, my vote still goes to Felicity.

LEAD ACTOR
For the lead actor title, it is clear that it's a duel between Heath Ledger in "Brokeback Mountain" and Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Capote". But Joaquin Phoenix in "Walk the Line" is also a tough actor to beat. I've seen the three films (I haven't seen "Hustle and Flow" and "Good Night and, Good Luck) and I can say that I'm still sticking to my previous vote. It was late at night already and I think I got bored watching "Capote" but I enjoyed "Walk the Line".

I do not know Johnny Cash and Truman Capote and I have no reference as to who they were until I watched the films. So I cannot say who did the a better job between the two in portraying a non-fictional character. Hoffman was consistent with his mannerisms as a Truman though I only liked his acting at the latter part of the movie. Plus I think there's something wrong with the directing. I may be too sleepy that's why I'm reviewing the movie this way. LOL.

On the other hand, I liked "Walk the Line". Both actors, Phoenix and Witherspoon did great.

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jake Gyllenhaal in "Brokeback Mountain" is up against George Clooney in "Syriana" and Matt Dillon in "Crash". It's a big fight. I think it's anybody's game among the three.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Michelle Williams in "Brokeback Mountain" was a surprise for me. I really hope she wins this award. But the favorite in the category is Rachel Weisz in "The Constant Gardener" who was said to portrayled a role better than Ralph Fiennes. On the other hand, a dark horse contender may also bag this award. Amy Adams in "Junebug" received an award in Critics' Choice Awards and Independent Spirit Awards.

PICTURE
Some say that "Crash" might be going home with the award. But I'm fine with that if that happens. It's a great movie teaching everyone a very important lesson; a lesson not only to learn but to apply. "Brokeback Mountain" speaks about love as a "force of nature". Many criticized it from the beginning but it proved its worth by bringing home the Best Picture trophies in most critic groups in the US even in UK's BAFTA.

DIRECTOR
Ang Lee, the director of "Brokeback Mountain" is now a tough one to beat in this category. After receiving countless awards plus a Directors Guild of America Award, he'll surely be a big winner later this morning (Manila). However, the Academy has always been unpredictable. He didn't win the Best Director award for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and the award was given to Steven Soderbergh for "Traffic." But still, I believe Academy will favor his work. A possible winner would be Steven Spielberg (sigh... the greatest).

I'm now in the office. I just saved my blog early this morning and I just finished the whole thing here. It's sad that I won't be able to see it live but I'll be fine refreshing the pages of Yahoo and Oscar.com. [Sad face]. ¿?

First Time

2006-02-26T02:14:00.000+08:00

I've never heard it from someone
Sincere words that I'm a great person
I've never felt it this way
Thoughtful gestures of concern and affection

I've never thought she'd understand me
A smile that cheers me up when I'm down or sleepy
I've never thought she'd see me as a confidant
The cries and the laughter shared with simple notes and drawings

I've never realised my worth
Appreciation of my gifts and potentials from a Wonder Woman
I've never seen myself this way
Stares a lot in no where

I've never liked a person so close to me
Releasing my pains and frustrations so easily
I've never had an art buddy
Understanding my insights in a fantastic remedy art could offer

I've never found a match that suits me best
Counseling thoughts in issues of life and our dreams
I've never memorized a face
Seeing more than just beauty and intelligence

I've never stumbled upon a person so inspiring
Given Gift -- more than a treasure, more than a gold
I've never loved a person
I find comfort, bliss... 3($+@$Y! ¿?

In Love or Lonely?

2006-02-14T00:32:00.000+08:00

"Pwede bot?!"

It'd like to believe that I'm in love. Nowadays, my actual state of mind deals with my emotional gymnastics with life and living.

It's hard to face my days knowing that I'll be going home all by myself with my stuff sitting on the passenger's seat. As much as possible, I don't want to talk about it. As much as possible, I don't want to explain things for I'll end up crying. And the moment I talk, there's no guarantee that you could stop me from talking. I have a lot of things in me and when given the signal to talk, I would.

I'm becoming very emotional lately. It's not an act or whatsoever. I believe that I'm discovering my thoughts and day by day I'm understanding my inner senses more and more.

These emotions define my moment as it dictates my body to respond. Thus, I end up singing, crying and blogging. It's amazing to be inclined with emotions though there are times that I'm "emotionally tired" of dealing with it. But these days, I can say that I can still manage.

Fine... Fine... Fortunately for me! But I still can't drop the issue that I feel lonely at night and when I come to realise that they may be too good for me. It's an anxiety that I can't seem to resolve and take away from my system. Yes, I believe but I anticipate. Thus, I become reserved and afraid to take the risk. Yes, it's cliché to say that it's a challenge for me to pursue it but I'm too shy to be romatic, too scared to be rejected and too tired of being the doer but never the receiver (for the nth time).

Alright. This is a confession that I'm starting to like someone but my anxiety's too powerful for me to control it and take over the situation. I wish I'm too dense to feel the pain so that I could easily take the risk of loving (and end up hurting).

See? I anticipate the gravity of pain brought by the effort of love and affection. It's sick to think this way but how do I resolve such issue before I can decide which way to go? I see inspiration in the air but behind that glimmer is a competition -- a big threat that makes me think I'm smaller than a bedbug! It's a tough job to be the "newbie" -- an intuder. I'm not here to intervene but how do I deal with it when my heart says, "I like her." while my mind says, "It's complicated."?

Doctor Love, are you listening? I need certainty. I'm too afraid. How do I go through this?

Happy Valentine's Day. ¿?

Where Should I Be?

2006-02-10T09:06:00.000+08:00

Up to now, even though I already have a job, I still can't figure out "what lies ahead"?

Yes, I've planned my way here and now I'm planning my way there. But I need some certainty as to what do I really want to do 10... 15... 25 year from now. Will I be making websites for the next 5 years? Will I be writing stories, philosophies, poetry and essays for the next 10 years? Will I be releasing my first novel 15 years from now? Will I be making a movie in 20 years? Who knows? I'm still clueless...

Question is, how do I start?

I found this online quiz from Herbert. Here are the results.

I'm just surprised to know the answer to my question, if I'll base my destiny/future to this online survey. I answered the survey honestly and picked the best answer in each item. And the results simply show that I'm into arts -- making it, doing it and living life with it. It's a part of me already.

My art may be as different as the arts of others but I still consider my creation as art, may it be my blog, my literature, my artworks (digital) and so on. I think this could be my primary tool for my future and other weapons would be my attempt to verbalize my insights on certain issues concerning people, people's emotions and behavior.

The funny part of the results is bottom part of the list! :) I have no plans of having a profession in that nature. LOL. ¿?

Sa Bawat

2006-02-07T09:18:00.000+08:00

Hango sa tunay na pangyayari sa opisina.

Sa bawat gapang
Marahan at mabilis
Sa bawat kagat
Maliliit at marami
Sa bawat pasok
Malalim at malapit
Sa bawat hagod
Mainit at malikot
Sa bawat tusok
"Hmm..."
Sa bawat ikot
"Tsk... Puta!"
Sa bawat palo
"HHhhuuu!"
Sa bawat dikit
Matalas at madiin
Sa bawat kamot
Mapula at makati
Sa bawat yamot
'Lang hiya kang surot ka! ¿?

Review: Transamerica (2005)

2006-02-06T19:58:00.000+08:00

3.5
Written and Directed by: Duncan Tucker

Felicity Huffman .... Bree/Stanley
Kevin Zegers .... Toby
Fionnula Flanagan .... Elizabeth
Elizabeth PeÃ±a .... Margaret
Graham Greene .... Calvin
Burt Young .... Murray
Carrie Preston .... Sydney

Genre: Drama
Language: English
US Premiere: December, 2005
US Rating: Rated R for language, sexual content, nudity and drug use.

We're not perfect. We can enumerate odd things about ourselves, about other people. It's a common notion. People can make fun of you, tell you how awful you look like, pin point every inch of your imperfection and simply ridicule who you are without respect. It's a terrible world, isn't?

Despite these limitations, may it be physical attribute, mental capacity or knowledge, we still strive to become someone different. We want to transform ourselves now from who or what we are to a self we all want to be. We're not uncovering truths here. We're just improving our present for the much-awaited better life ahead, right? We, just want to be happy. But the fashion we do things for ourselves greatly differ.

PLOT
"Transamerica" tells a story about a man who will be undergoing a sex change surgery. Yes, he's gay, defining his happiness thu surgery. Sounds peculiar? His name is Bree (Huffman). He's living alone telling people his family is dead. Known by his folks as Stanley, he moved away from home for college and from then on, shut the door to his parents. Years later, he prepares for his surgery.

Traveling thru America, he stumbles upon a young prostitute named Toby (Zegers) who accompanies him all the way to Los Angeles.

ACTING
I'm not a fan of "Desperate Housewives". I've seen it probably a couple of times but I didn't really stick to it every week. I heard about Felicity Huffman playing this role in ET, I think last December. At that time, her performance was already an Oscar buzz.

That caught my attention. And when I saw clippings of her with all the big lips and heavy make up, I was really wowed. What a transformation?!

It was like seeing a different "woman" in the movie. She really looked like a man playing like a woman. Well, thanks to the make up committee but without it, there's no doubt that she can still play the role of Bree. She changed her voice to make it more realistic and dramatic, which greatly changed her persona for the character. As Stanley's taking some pills, his voice slowly becomes soft and woman-sounding. In short, she's like a lonely drag queen who tries to live a happy and fulfilled life with a mission for himself - to be happy being a woman. The only support that she's receiving is from his therapist, who guides him through the process of sex change.

With her (Huffman) acting, you can already see Stanley's anxiety, his frustration of being born a man, his loneliness without the support of his family and his vision of wholeness with himself. I can translate his (Bree/Stanley) emotions with her (Huffman) actions and expressions. Bree just wanted to be happy. (Now I'm having trouble with my pronouns!)

Her winning moment in the movie? The hospital scene right after her operation.

Kevin Zegers is Toby in the movie. I remember him from "Air Bud" - the teen film about a boy and dog playing basketball. LOL! His performance was also remarkable. He reminds me of Emile Hirsch who can breath like the character, talk like the character and live like the character. He just presented a different person apart from being the Kevin Zegers back in "Air Bud". It was his breakthrough performance playing a young male whore.

I think playing what they call "gender-bending" roles or homo roles is probably one of the toughest roles they could ever get in Hollywood. I think many would reject an offer and if one dares to accept it and performs very well, then that's a great accomplishment of an actor. If everyone's declining to play the role and you've done a great job doing it, then you're a good actor. You're above all of them. Don't you think?

Many actors won the Oscar playing a role of a homo like Tom Hanks in "Philadelphia", Hilary Swank in "Boy's Don't Cry" and just recently Charlize Theron in "Monster".

I'm happy for him. He just proved that he's not just a teen star of Hollywood and that there's "more than just a pretty face" (as they would always say it).

LESSON
The movie's all about knowing who you are and how the society sees you. It's about self-recovery from the awful past. It's about knowing who you are and who you wanna be. There's a slice of determination in pour hearts that will put us to where we want to be and where we should be. And there's also a slice of courage to go an extra mile.

Oppression shouldn't be practiced. Discrimination is still evident in the society as we are all guilty of it. We all impose the norms to the society just like the Church. I'm not saying I'm against homosexuality. And I'm not saying that I'm pro sex change. As a matter of fact, I'm very clueless after watching the film.

Are we here to change the world? I may be wrong on this but I believe that we should change ourselves first before we change others. This reminds me of Michael Jackson's "Man In The Mirror". There's a better world out there is we start from ourselves. Let us just pray for internal absolution to our problems and anxieties. Let us not judge other people for who or what they are because they may be doing the same thing to us. Bottom line: the Golden Rule. We can preach but let us remember that there's free will. Let's also pray for happiness of oneself, of others and of mankind. May we find peace by doing this always.

RECOMMENDATION
Watch the movie. It's a revelation of another social issue. Let's laugh at ourselves before we laugh at other people. (That's what I've learned).

Hope Felicity wins the Oscar! Â¿?

Writers Commend 'Crash' & 'Brokeback'

2006-02-06T08:32:00.000+08:00

"Crash" and "Brokeback" solidified thier chances of winning Best Original and Adapted Screenplay respectively at the Oscars on March 6th (Manila).

"Crash" won the Best Original Screenplay while "Brokeback Mountain", being the front runner at the Oscar race won the Best Adapted Screenplay at the Writers Guild of America. Previously, both movies won in their respective Screenplay categories at the Golden Globe Awards last month. This clearly tells us that the competition for Best Picture and Screenplay Oscar may now be a toss between the two.

Directed by Paul Haggis, "Crash" tells an intertwined drama of a society's practice of bigotry and xenophobia. It received raves from movie critics in mid-2005 but was still an big Oscar bet later in December. "Brokeback Mountain", directed by Taiwan-born director Ang Lee is about a tale of forbidden love between two men keeping their affection for two decades. The movie caught the eyes of many spectators and received raves not only from movie experts but also the viewers in many parts of the world.

Matt Dillon in "Crash" is nominated for Oscar Best Actor in a Supporting Role for playing a cop oppressed by discrimination who happens to be a bigot himself. "Brokeback Mountain" stars Heath Ledger is nominated for Best Actor in a Lead Role while Jake Gylenhaal and Michelle Williams are also nominated for the Supporting slots.

Oscars statuettes will be handed out to the winners on March 6 Manila Time. ¿?

The Screw

2006-02-03T09:46:00.000+08:00

Yes, I was wrong.
Yes, I have sinned.
Yes, I'm not perfect.
Yes, I screw up a lot!

But why am I unhappy?
Why do I have to suffer?

No, I wasn't blind.
No, I wasn't drunk.
No, I'm not a psycho.
Yes, I screw up a lot!

But what am I unwell?
Why do I have to suffer?

Yes, I have KP.
Yes, I am fat.
Yes, I'm gaining weight.
Yes, I screw up a lot!

But why am I uncool?
Why do I have to suffer?

No, I won't deny it.
No, I won't rely on you.
No, I know I'm brave.
But [still]... Yes, I screw up a lot!

But why am I lonely?
Why do I have to suffer?

Yes, I want peace.
Yes, I need answers.
Yes, I want to be free.
Yes, I hate it when I screw up a lot!

But why am I so vague?
Why do I have to suffer?

No, I can't smile.
No, I can't laugh.
No, I can't wink.
Yes, all I know is to screw up.

But why am I so volatile?
Why do I have to suffer?

Yes, blame me for I am to be blamed.
Yes, judge me for I am to be judged.
Yes, punish me for I am to be punished.
Yes, Alas! I screw up a lot.

But why am I so repetative? [smiles]
[Laughs] Why do I have to suffer? ¿?

I'm Bangga

2006-02-02T18:42:00.000+08:00

Just minutes after five, I went to the parking lot alone and remembered I didn't have money left for the succeeding days of the week. I withdrew some cash from my ATM and headed to the Shell station near Emerald to pump up gas and to have the tires checked. With no one to talk to, I readied myself on my way home listening to RX Tea Time.

Passing thru the busy Shaw Blvd., I found myself half asleep while the left arrow was burning red. But I woke myself up keeping my senses alert and alive. In a matter of seconds, I just realized that my eyes were closed and I felt a big bang near me as it vibrates thru the wheels. "Oh my God! Oh my God!", I told myself several times as I was coping with the situation.

People were looking as me as I panicked. I just hit the jeepney in front of me. I went out of the car as the jeepney driver and I checked each other's vehicles. I asked, "May sira hu ba sa inyo?" and he replied, "Wala! Eh ang tibay-tibay nito eh!" as he emphasized the back of his jeep. "Sa 'yo ang me sira!", he added. He even asked me what happened but I think due to the frightening experience and the frustration of hitting another vehicle, I just left - shocked of what happened.

At the back of my mind, I was thinking of the expenses once I have it checked and repaired. Also, I thought of what could have happened if I was driving too fast in a highway then I fell asleep. I wondered what could have happened if I hit a passer by. Now I'm wondering what's next after this? Blood and broken windshield all over me?

Maybe I'm exaggerating things but I'm really upset of what happened. I was really sleepy this afternoon and my officemates were very much aware of that. I couldn't stand an hour without closing my eyes for a couple of minutes. I couldn't even drink coffee or softdrinks to keep me awake since I have some stomach issues that I can't even explain.

Now I'm worried. I don't know if I can handle the wheels for the next few days or months. Oh my... Â¿?

My 2006 Oscar Bets

2006-02-02T11:25:00.000+08:00

This year's Oscar awards is more interesting that last year's. Last year was kinda boring with heavy topics but not-so appealing tales about euthanasia in "Million Dollar Baby", which won the Best Picture title and bested big contender, "The Aviator". Biopics were a hit last year with a winning performance of Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles in "Ray". 2006 Oscars is more interesting as directors and producers are more aggressive and more courageous to tackle timely and controversial issues like same sex relationship in "Brokeback Mountain", bigotry, racism and xenophobia in "Crash", the murder of eleven Munich Olympic athletes in "Munich", lifestory of American author Truman Capote in "Capote" and CBS broadcaster Edward R. Murrow's stand against McCarthyism in "Good Night, and Good Luck."

The nominees were out a couple of days ago and we're just a month away from the opening of the envelopes. Critics, press and viewers are all eager to know the big names and the big winners of a one big Oscar night.

For now, here are my bets and I'll hopeful they'd win on March 6 (Manila).
Win
Threat

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Philip Seymour Hollman - CAPOTE
Terrence Howard - HUSTLE & FLOW
Heath Ledger - BROKBACK MOUNTAIN
Joaquin Phoenix - WALK THE LINE
David Straithairn - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
George Clooney - SYRIANA
Matt Dillon - CRASH
Paul Giamatti - CINDERALLA MAN
Jake Gyllenhaal - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
William Hurt - A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Judi Dench - MRS. HENERSON PRESENTS
Felicity Huffman - TRANSAMERICA
Keria Knightley - PRIDE & PREJUDICE
Charlize Theron - NORTH COUNTRY
Rezze Witherspoon - WALK THE LINE

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams - JUNEBUG
Catherine Keener - CAPOTE
Frances McNormand - NORTH COUNTRY
Rachel Weisz - THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Michelle Williams - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

ANIMATED FEATURE
HOWL'S MOVIENG CASTLE
TIM BURTON'S THE CORPSE BRIDE
WALLACE & GROMIT IN THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT

ART DIRECTION
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

CINEMATOGRAPHY
BATMAN BEGINS
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
THE NEW WORLD

COSTUME DESIGN
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
PRIDE & PREJUDICE
WALK THE LINE

DIRECTING
Ang Lee - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Bennett Miller - CAPOTE
Paul Haggis - CRASH
George Clooney - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
Steven Spielberg - Munich

FILM EDITING
CINDERELLA MAN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
CRASH
MUNICH
WALK THE LINE

MAKE UP
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
CINDERELLA MAN
STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH

MUSIC (SCORE)
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MUNICH
PRIDE & PREJUDICE

MUSIC (SONG)
"In the Deep" - CRASH
"It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" - HUSTLE & FLOW
"Travelin' Thru" - TRANSAMERICA

BEST PICTURE
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
MUNICH

SOUND EDITING
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WAR OF THE WORLDS

SOUND MIXING
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, WITH WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WALK THE LINE
WAR OF THE WORLDS

VISUAL EFFECTS
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, WITH WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
WAR OF THE WORLDS

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
MUNICH

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
MATCH POINT
THE SQUID AND THE WHALE
SYRIANA

[Fingers crossed] ¿?

'Brokeback' Leads 2006 Oscar Noms

2006-01-31T22:08:00.000+08:00

The nominees were announced Tuesday, January 31 at 8:30PM Manila Time by Academy President, Sid Ganis and Oscar winner, Mira Sorvino.

The gay cowboy drama, "Brokeback Mountain" topped the nomination list with eight nods by the Academy including Best Picture. Other contenders in the Best Picture slot are "Capote", "Crash", "Good Night, and Good Luck" and "Munich". It's a sort-of a surpise for "Munich" to appear in the list since it's not one of the talked about movies by the press. The Steven Spielberg film wasn't even nominated for the Golden Globes just a couple of weeks ago. The Academy once proved that Spielberg's certainly is a brilliant creator of timeless tales regardless of theme.

"Munich" tells the hunt for the murderers of the 11 athletes in the 1972 Munich Olympics, which stars actor, Eric Bana. "Crash" surely is another great contender of "Brokeback" and "Munich" after winning the Best Ensemble category at the recently concluded Screen Actors Guild Awards. "Brokeback's" race to the top Oscar wins is still uncertain after ending the SAG Awards night empty-handed. Ang Lee's "Brokeback" stars Heath Ledger (Ennis del Mar) as a young ranch-hand who falls in love with a fellow ranch-hand (slash cowboy) played by Jake Gyllenhaal (Jack Twist) in the summer of 1963. The romance was a sensationalized movie after winning several Best Picture titles in Boston, New York and Los Angeles. Ledger was also named Best Actor by some distingushed groups and now wins his first Oscar nomination.

Leading the nominations isn't a guarantee of a one big Oscar night. Academy members still has a month to finalize their choices. The British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) is scheduled to announce the winners on February 20 (Manila), which may still change Academy votes.

Jake Gyllenhaal wins his first Oscar nomination for "Brokeback Mountain" together with co-star Michelle Williams for playing Heath Ledger's wife. Gyllenhall's up against George Glooney in "Good Night, and Good Luck", Matt Dillon in "Crash", Paul Giamatti in "Cinderella Man" and William Hurt in "A History of Violence". Williams may still have a tough time in this category with Rachel Weiz in "The Constant Gardener" winning both the Golden Globe and the SAG Awards this month. Also nominated for supporting actress are Amy Adams in "Junebug", Cahterine Keener in "Capote" and Frances McNormand in "North Country".

The Best Actress in a Leading Role category may still be a duel between Reeze Witherspoon in "Walk the Line" and Felicity Huffman in "Transamerica". Heath Ledger's a hopeful bet for the Oscar Best Actor slot though he has a great competition with Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Capote", playing the role of American gay author, Truman Capote, who won both the Golden Globe and the SAG Awards. Both are in competition with Joaquin Phoenix in "Walk the Line", who won Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes, David Straithairn in "Good Night, and Good Luck" and a surpise nomination for Terrence Howard in "Hustle & Flow", booting out off the list Russle Crow in "Cinderella Man".

If Ledger wins the Best Actor title, he'd be the youngest winner at 26 in the said category. Currently, the youngest Oscar Best Actor winner is Adrian Brody in the movie "The Pianist". Back in 2003, he was 29 when he received his award.

Director Ang Lee's back with an Oscar nod hoping to get it once again after winning the Directors Guild Awards. Still he's up against Steven Spielberg in "Munich", Paul Haggis in "Crash", Bennett Miller in "Capote" and George Clooney in "Good Night, and Good Luck". But winning the DGA just a couple of days ago is close to an Oscar win!

"King Kong" and "Memoirs of a Geisha" failed to win the hearts of the Academy for the main category slots though both have nominations for the technical categories. There's no front-runner for the two movies since they're up againt "War of the Worlds" for Visual Effects, Sound and Sound Editing.

"Brokeback", after winning Best Screenplay at the Globes and winning the Producers Guild Awards of America, may be a sure win for Best Adapted Screenplay. The movie's in competition with "Capote", "The Constant Gardener", "A History of Violence" and "Munich".

John Williams may be winning this time for his score in "Memoirs of a Geisha". He was nominated for the two Harry Potter films and for "Catch Me If You Can" but didn't win an Oscar for those films.

For a complete list of nominees, visit www.oscars.com. Winners will be announced on March 6 (Manila). ¿?

Review: Crash (2005)

2006-01-31T11:37:00.000+08:00

3.5
Written and Directed by: Paul Haggis

Don Cheadle .... Graham
Sandra Bullock .... Jean
Thandie Newton .... Christine
Brandon Frasier .... Rick
Mat Dillon .... Officer Ryan
Ryan Phillippe .... Officer Hanson

Genre: Drama, Thriller
Language: English
US Premiere: May 6, 2005
US Rating: Rated R for language, sexual content and some violence.

Everybody's guilty of discrimination. We all have our own judgement in many things but can we really control such? Are we all free to judge everyone? Or is it's just an inate trait that normal people have. Does color matter to all? Should it be?

As a (possbile) contender for the Oscar night on March 7 (Manila Time), "Crash" caught my attention as it briefly displays the day-to-day lives of people discriminated in one way or another. It's a movie of different stories of the lives of Americans intertwined in one tale about one's worth, one's prejudice and the one's definition of respect.

PLOT
"Crash" tells the story of how people handle the issue of racism, bigotry and xenophobia not only in a particular region or by a particular race in the society. These three heavry words are the main focus in the film. It informs the viewers that everyone's discriminated and that we can find a discriminating factor in everyone of us. In the movie, it asks people whether we should or we shouldn't discriminate at all. The maserpiece shows people the gravity of of this global problem. It affect people's lives and lifestyle. Everyday (especially in the multi-cultural America), people deal with this for ages. And in many parts of the world, we are all guilty of this.

The charaters in the film aren't directly related with each other but with the circumstances that they face, they have no idea how small the world is. A bigot may be oppressing a particular group while he's being discriminated by another bigot. This is how we may the game without us realizing the fact that we are all connected.

ACTING
Superb acting by Don Cheadle, Mat Dillon and Thandie Newton. Good casting that would surely win an Oscar nomination.

LESSON
How often do we discriminate? Once we were opppressed, we look for an outlet - a subject (we think), who's weaker or incompetent. We pass the oppression we experience to others resulting to a medley of oppression of mandkind. We ruthlessly manipulate people with our power, might and money to win the respect that was taken away from us by others. We're all guilty of this act as we do this most of the time. We pin down people by their color, their race, their features or by their status in life. We label people, tag them with foul names insulting their character and race.

Many should learn from this. It's a moral teaching to the viewers. It's all about kharma, it's all about the golden rule. It's that simple. Let's live harmoniousmly.

RECOMMENDATION
I recommend this movie to all. We can all relate to this movie. It's a masterpiece about us, the society who's very opinionated about people's color, race and culture. We all have to see this film. It's an important film of the 21st century. ¿?

Why oh why?!

2006-01-16T08:51:00.000+08:00

We can't please everybody. That's a fact. And yes, we always have a choice whether to follow criticisms or not. But what if almost everything your are is being criticised by many. Are you suppose to give in?

I am an individual just like anybody else. I have my choices, my wants and needs as well as my likes and dislikes from my type of music to the clothes I want to wear and even with the hairstyle I'm planning to copy. Can I have liberation in this life? I need space. I need identity. I need my own name. I owe it to myself.

The length of my hair doesn't affect my work, my life, my personality and not even other people's lives. The clothes that I wear isn't disturbing at all. I don't go out with a clown-like look or a funky Japanese pop artist. But why do you question my style? I don't question yours. I respect what you want and the choices that you think you're right. I just wanna be the one I wanna be.

Sometimes I ask myself, who am I with all misconceptions about me? Am I who I am? Am I the one they think I am? Or once again in my life I am misunderstood? But why do people want to change me? It's hard to argue because I'm pretty sure I can hurt people with my words, insult them with the tone of my voice and disrespect them with my anger. But with all the hurts that I'm receiving I'm trying to logically analyze the situation, remain calm and rationally solve the skirmish.

I don't wanna be mad, angery about people's wants for me. But how can I handle the anger. I'm filled with unreleased madness that's slowly but surely could consume my total santity. I'm not perfect. Sometimes I can no longer fake emotion. It think anger releases tension. Am I right or am I just twisted lately?

I have my own pointers to change about myself, I know my duties for this life (at least for myself). But please, don't lecture me about the hairstyle I want because I'm 21, not 12 (in case you forget).

Set me free, somehow. ¿?

Awards Season

2006-01-14T10:34:00.000+08:00

Hollywood's now preparing for another series of awards given by distinguished groups to honor last year's best. I've been very busy these days reading reviews by critics from around the world as to what movies are in competition.

Watching awards shows live for the past three years wasn't hard for me. I just had to wake up in the morning and turn on the TV. Things are different this time. I'm still up early in the morining but I'm no longer locked in my room waiting for the announcement of winners. I'm in the office! Nonetheless, I still have the internet to keep me informed in realtime. (Though watching it live is more thrilling.)

Here's a list of important dates (Manila Time):

Jan 17 - Golden Globe Awards
Jan 20 - Announcement of the BAFTA Nominees
Jan 23 - Producers Guild Awards
Jan 30 - Directors Guild Awards
Jan 30 - Screen Actors Guild Awards
Jan 31 - Announcement of the Academy Awards Nominees
Feb 9 - Grammy Awards
Feb 20 - British Academy of Film and Television Awards
Mar 6 - Academy Awards

My pick every year is the most talked about movie. When "Titatic" was the talk of the town, I hoped it would win Oscar's top prize. And when Chicago made viewers applaued inside the theaters, I bet it would bag the Oscar Best Picture!

The controversial gay cowboy movie, "Brokeback Mountain" is the Oscar front-runner this season. With its complex issue about same sex relationship, people were stunned to see the movie. Some say it's an awakening experience [to see the film] while others weren't surpised. Most of the Holywood press were impressed by Heath Ledger's acting as Jake Gyllenhaal's lover. One even said, "it's beyond acting"! After seeing him in movies like "10 Things I hate About You", "A Knight's Tale" and "The Patriot", probably many were shocked to learn that he's playing a gay role in the movie (unlikely choice, isn't?).

The story's about a secret love between to ranch hands in the mountains of Wyoming. Director Ang Lee's back with a "different" tale of love after being booed by many critics for his work in "Hulk" with Eric Bana playing the green-colored superhero. Lee said that he thought his career ended after "Hulk" but with the attention he's receiving for the past couple of months, the Taiwanese-born director responsible for the success of "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon", he's surely back on track.

Other contenders of "Brokeback" is "Capote", the biopic of American author Truman Capote. Philip Seymour Hoffman also plays a gay role in the movie as Truman himself. It is another controversial film that tackles homosexuality - indeed a challenging role for any actor. Possible movies in competition are "Crash" - about the global issue of racism, "Good Night, and Good Luck" - about the CBS broadcaster, Edward R. Murrow, "Syriana" - about oil politics and "The Constant Gardener" - an adapted thriller set in Northern Kenya.

Steven Spielberg's "Munich", which tells the hunt for the murderers who killed 11 athelets at the 1972 Munich Olympics may no longer be an Oscar contender. It may be a controversail film with all the criticisms of many groups but not as controversial as "Brokeback" and "Crash".

After winning several awards and nominations from distingushed groups from around the world (see this long list), I go for "Brokeback Mountain", even though I haven't seen it. Winning these awards and reading the reviews of the viewers made me to bet for the movie. We'll see... ¿?

Distracted

2006-01-09T09:00:00.000+08:00

For the nth time, I'm preoccupied! I have a lot of things in mind, things that I want to accomplish but I just can't find time to do it.

I miss my schedule when I was still in college - flexible unlike these days. Working for eight hours seems like a new thing to me lately. The stress of facing the PC's consuming my energy. I wanted to sleep all night and I even thought of skipping dinner!

Time is truly precious. I value it a lot especially now that I spend most of my time doing things for the company and no longer for myself. I no longer talk to myself and conserve with my own conflicting judgement, which is a must! I no longer verbalize my thoughts and emotions and I have no time to unwind. For the past days, I planned to do my stuff at night but like what I said, I was just too tired to face anything at all after dinner. As soon as I rest my back after an hour-long drive, I snooze for a couple of minutes, sometimes hours. Main point: Ineed a break.

After six days of working in a week, I choose to rest on Saturdays. Sometimes, I go the the mall alone - spending my oh-so-precious time for myself to satisfy my lost needed bliss. But most of the time, I go home to rest, sleep, watch DVD or just simply carefreely enjoying the warmth of the house.

I wanted to watch a movie but I couldn't find the right time. I wanted to shop but I still have to consider my weekly budget.

It's awards season once more! It's actually one of the things that causes my preoccupation lately. I'm want to buy DVD's of the talked about movies in Hollywood. Reading news articles and movie reviews makes me more hooked at this season's film awards. This Saturday, I want to check for DVD's at Makati Square (hehehe).

I just hope I'll find ways to resolve my stressfull issues and find a reason to remain calm, positive and happy. ¿?

Changes In My Life

2006-01-02T19:45:00.000+08:00

It may sound pathetic these days when most of the people are trying to overhaul their lives every January starts. People list their new year's resolution and in some cases, they tend to forget about it once they realize that they're back in their old habits.

Time's changing and I may be also changing without me realizing and accepting such changes. Aging yearly is something scary for me. I'm no longer the kid who's always thinks of himself and doesn't care about the future or the present. I'm no longer the teenager who's main responsibility is to pass all my subjects and go thru college in four years. I'm done with that. I'm now, twenty-one years old.

More responsibilities come our way and it's such a great leap of faith, knowing that we could make a change if we aim for it. We plan life. We plot the path to the future and this is the moment when I should take things seriously because this could make or break my dreams and aspirations in life. And in order to make my dreams come true, I should make my own move. Things don't happend without lifting a finger. As a matter of fact, the first moves are usually the most frightening thing to do. We all know that, 'All things are difficult before they are easy.' But what's the the use of planning or dreaming without pushing oneself to the limit, to do the best just to fulfill the desired satisfaction. Yes, I'm afraid. I'm just anxious - all because of rejection.

That's constant. I heard before that if I'm ready for triumph and success I should also be prepared for failure. It's tough to prepare for that dreaded moment. But both cannot exisit without the other, right. It's the proper balance of life.

For now, I'm trying to plan my year by listing some important things that I should bring with me wherever I go. These things serve as my vow to myself for this year and most likely for the years to come. Here are some of my vows.

The Changes In My Life:

1. Clear your mind with bothersome questions of the past.
2. Be thankful for the blessings God has given you; even the simplest blessing counts.
3. Learn from your mistakes and put your learnings into action.
4. Remember that guilt can kill your mind so better not punish yourself from the wrath of sin.
5. Keep in mind that God always has a plan for us; hang on to Him and He'll make sure you're safe.
6. Be inspired to do good and to do your best always as you follow your dreams; aim high.
7. Value eternal hapiness rather than false bliss of wild impulsive deeds.
8. In time sof trouble, pause and think; many times in the past you made wrong decisions without thinking right.
9. When in doubt... stay focused. Pray that you choose the best option.
10. Learn how to seoarate your thoughts from your amothers; they're dirrerent. Emotions are the bodily reactions from your thoughts.

These are just 10 of the vows I spontaneously listed before going to bed this morning. Hopefully I'de be able to fulfill these vows to achieve my goals. ¿?

Review: Undertow (2004)

2005-12-30T10:31:00.000+08:00

2.0

Directed by: David Gordon Green

Jamie Bell .... Chris Munn
Dermot Mulroney .... John Munn
Josh Lucas .... Deel Munn
Devon Alan .... Tim Munn

Genre: Drama, Thriller
Language: English
US Premiere: October 22, 2004
US Rating: Rated R for violence.

Another promising young actor comes from UK by the name Jamie Bell who starred and won awards for his performance in the Academy Award® nominated film, Billy Elliot in 2002. As a young actor, we can already see his talents and potentials to be an Oscar winner few years from now, given a great breakthough performance from a renowned director.

PLOT
Undertow tells a story of a family of three; John Munn (Dermot Mulroney) lives with his two sons, Chris (Jamie Bell) and Tim (Devon Alan) in Georgia. They secluded themselves from the rest of the neighborhood, fixing their backyard and farmhouse all-day long. The eldest son, Chris (Bell) is know as the problem child while Tim (Alan) has some health problem.

It was a typical day for all of them as they do their respective chores when a visitor came. It was John's brother straight from prison, Dell Munn (Lucas). Dell stayed in their house trying to re-live the past with his brother. The children found it awkward to have an outsider in ther house until their uncle finally got what he wants. He then unveiled the main reason why he came back, which ended in a bloody blow with his brother.

ACTING
The actors did well in the movie. The set design and make up should also be commended 'cos you can already smell them from their appearance, which is a plus! One not-so-good reaction in the film is when the brothers found out that their father's dead in their living room. They didn't show the right emotion of seeing your father's murder. They didn't even cry or shout in disbelief. They just ran away. And in their journey to the city, they didn't feel the pain of leaving home and losing the father while being chased by their uncle.

LESSON
It's all about man's desire for money and fortune and the things people could do just to achieve it. It's really pathetic when you're so into bad vices, violence and revengeful motive. It's like one's very much possessed to do bad things for the love of money.

I don't like the ending though. It's too melancholic for the family to have too many casualites! LOL. But I give Jamie Bell another two-thumbs up for his performance as a native American. He even had an American accent in the film.

RECOMMENDATION
It's good to see the film. It's not a must-see film but if you feel like going to the countryside and live in a farmhouse in less than two hours, try to watch the film. The idea it to feel and live with the characters in the movie and deal with their problems at the same time. ('Cos that's how I watch movies. I try to experience their lives by knowing how it is to be like them). ¿?

Review: Imaginary Heroes (2004)

2005-12-29T10:03:00.000+08:00

2.0

Written and Directed by: Dan Harris

Sigourney Weaver .... Sandy Travis
Emile Hirsch .... Tim Travis
Jeff Daniels .... Ben Travis
Michelle Williams .... Penny Travis
Kip Pardue .... Matt Travis

Genre: Drama
Language: English
US Premiere: 2004
US Rating: Rated R for substance abuse, sexual content, language and some violence.

With all the young American actors of today, I personally like Emile Hirsch above all. His performance in his movies like "The Emperor's Club" and "The Dangerous Lives of the Altar Boys" shows real emotion and unspoken thoughts than can be easily understood with his body language.

PLOT
I found Imaginary Heroes in his filmography several months ago and I wondered how the story developed. It's a tale of the lives of the Travis family torn apart by the tragic suicide of their eldest son, Matt. Emile plays the role of Tim Travis as the confused son of Sandy Travis (Sigourney Weaver), who plays as their drunken mom. Like anybody else, Tim has unanswered questions in life, relationship and bothersome truths. The aftermath of Matt's suicide caused a lot of circumstances with their relationship with each other. All were in denial, trying to cover up the hurt, the sorrow and the anger of a loved one's death. Their father, Ben Travis (Jeff Daniels) secluded himself from the people around him, punishing not only himself but the members of the family as well.

ACTING
The actors did a good job playing their respective characters and Dan Harris (who's in his mid-20's) should also be commended for teriffic storyline. As a young writer to make such heavy concept of a family crisis, he has a great future ahead. There's no doubt about Sigourney Weaver's acting skills and style. Her grace in portraying the role simply adds color to the story as supported by the young actor, Emile Hirsch, who's only 20. Brilliant performance for everyone though it's not enough for an acting nomination.

LESSON
Most of the time, we do not speak the truth. It's sometimes symbolic or implied and most of the time, we run away from it, hide it and ignore it. It's something that haunts us and it kills our mind as we deal with it. We need affirmation in times of trouble and they are these imaginary heroes that we have in mind. We're enveloped by bitterness especially when in denial. Dealing with such crisis is sick and finding ways to solve such is everybody's problem. It's about transparency, honesty and truthfullness in our words and actions. It's a declaration that [maybe] we all have angsts in life.

RECOMMENDATION
It's a so-so drama about a family. When you're free, try to watch it. It's not really a must-see movie. It's short to being average, actually. But it's fun with all the bitterness they have in the movie. ¿?

Christmas Get Together

2005-12-26T23:33:00.000+08:00

We had a pre-Christmas-party party last Saturday afternoon at our old house in Sta. Ana. Right after office, I rushed to our old house for another bountiful lunch and unending fun and laughter with office staff and messengers.

After eating, I met up with Gerard, a childhood friend who lives just next to our old house. We had fun telling stories of our childhood days, the toys we played, and the Michael Jackson songs that re-lived the hits of the past. I went inside and saw his mother who didn't even recognize me. It was so good to see them once again after (roughly) ten years. The last time I went inside their house was in 1994 (?), I think.

It's cool to meet up with old friends and to recall the good and bad times. I hope to reunite with other Road 6 kids.

In some cases, time is not a barrier of friendship. Sometimes, you can still be a friend to someone even though you haven't seen each other for a decade or two. However, it's up to you whether you still have a space for an old friend. As for me, of course!

Gerard, Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! ¿?

MY CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO ALL

Christmas 2005

2005-12-25T23:03:00.000+08:00

It was blast! We spent another Christmas with the our nephews and neices (c/o our 2nd cousins). Here are some pics of us with our relatives from the Gonzales' clan.

Here's my Christmas message to everybody. Click here [Shift-Click to open in a new window]. ¿?

What I've Missed

2005-12-15T09:09:00.000+08:00

For some reason, I stopped writing my thoughts and stopped posting my entries here. At first, I thought it was cool. I realized, I was wrong.

I lost a huge part of me without expressing myself in writing. I missed a big part of my senses when my thought were set aside without any medium to record it. But why did I stop?

I just had nothing to say - nothing to talk about the days passed. But in between those days and nights, in between those ups and downs are the missed opportunities to verbalize the resonating insights, questions, anger, depression and happy thoughts of course! First, I was afraid to admit that I was missing my blog. Day by day, I've been wanting to write but I didn't had the courage to face my site and write. I planned to overhaul the page but I suddenly changed my mind and then shut the laptop off instead. What was it the stopped me to write? What was it that hindered me to express myself in writing for the past 3 months?

Work consumed my day. I can no longer open the PC at home after dinner. I'd reather sleep than to check my Friendster account. My days changed since I started to work here at Orient Square. After I geared up my skills, ability and personality in college, I'm back in the old habbit of waking up early for work just like in high school. Adjusting to the schedule was a great challenge. In college, I could sleep at 4am and then wake up at around 11am for our 2:30pm class in Arellano Ave. (AKIC), (which is a 10-15 minute drive away from home)! Now, I have to leave my place one hour earlier to be at the office at least 10 minutes before 8.

Maybe I was just bored of doing the same blog--sharing my thoughts to a few readers. Maybe I should continue with my personal site layout. Maybe I was just sick of writing. But I came to realize the value of this blog, whether I have readers or not. What's more important is that I've found an outlet of my emotions ready to listen and ready to accept whatever's in my mind.

Now I'm here at my desk checking at the time. It's 4:35pm and I'm tired. I just want to leave and drive myself to Mendiola. Better get ready for simbang gabi. ¿?

Thank you my friends

2005-09-11T14:48:00.000+08:00

A few minutes after 12 midnight, I received a message from Buje. It was my first birthday greeting! :)

'Til evening, I received a lot of birthday greetings from GS friends, HS friends, GCs, Blithe friends, etc. It's really fun whenever you hear people greet you on you birthday though it wasn't quite the day that I was expecting.

I've encountered sadness along the way, dealt with lonliness through out the gloomy moments of my recent past and prayed for answers. It wasn't easy. Maybe up to this time, I'm still carring my questions and worries. Maybe up to this time, I'm still consumed by my anxieties and my undying desire to be the one I want to become.

Most of the time, I look forward without participating on what my present offers. I crave for my future as I passively enjoy the details of being my present. If there's one thing that I'd like to do now that I'm 21 that would be to enjoy my right and my time being young at my age, to explore depths of being me and to be responsible for all my actions. Maybe sometime, I'll list down my wishes and promises for myself. This way, I could keep track on my shortcommings (in general), my mistakes and my goals as well. I may not be able to fulfill everything but the fact that I took time to do it, I believe that's enough credit for myself for having a direction and motivation to achieve my goals. Of course, the point is to do what is listed. ;)

Still something's missing. And that makes me incomplete. Fill me in. Fill me in. Amen. ¿?

Wake Me Up... When September 4 Ends!

2005-09-03T20:12:00.000+08:00

A few days ago, I was so bothered that my bithday won't be a happy birthday for me again. Once again, I was so aggitated to face my days thinking that I do not deserve to be happy for my birthday.

This started years ago when I was still in high school. It seemed like I was jinxed on a yearly basis and unfortunately "bad luck" spotted me on or before my birthday. How can I celebrate this day if the one thing all I ask is forbidden by circumstance? Coincidence or is it just fate?

I experienced this bothersome problem with myself this week. My mind worked this way:
! Everybody insists that you're not good.
! Everybody points out only your mistakes and shortcommings.
! You have a lot of things to do.
! You have commited a lot of mistakes.
! You're so bad.
! You're a pain in the ass.
! You're not a good friend.
! You're not loved that's why everybody's running away from you.

It was tough. I wished I could be somebody else.

On my birthday, I wish nothing but happiness and it is not equated with money. I just wish others to come back and show up. Allow me to reunite my past with the lonesome today because my days were brighter before. Moving on may not be as easy an 1-2-3. But at least, I'll try to be strong. And if I have a wish now that I'll be 21 tomorrow, I wish to be happy. And I'll strive to be happy.

I pray to find my way there and be the one I want to become. ¿?

You Poked My Heart with a Needle

2005-08-16T12:08:00.000+08:00

There are some issues I should keep. I wonder why I'm in this situation. It's like I'm suppressed with my heart tied and ailing. I need sometime to put my emotions in writing and finally verbalize my own fears, needs and above all my anxieties.

My days changed when I was left in the middle of no where, thinking that I'd be able to make it, believing that I was strong enough to stand on my own. I was wrong. I learned that I was just a fragment of the strength that was once powerful enough to make my days cheerful and worry-free. The greater half proved to be my most treasured gem. No amount of money could ever replace that.

Wealth is worthless without out the richness of heart. I filled my heart with brotherhood's laughter and enveloped it with friendship's promise of forever. I hoped it would never come to an end. Thank you. You're my role model.

I came to the Orient. I found the door to a new home--a new venue for improvement and change. However, it wasn't a picturesque sanctuary. Error-ed most of the time, I drove my way to the lonely road of self-actualization. I just want to be alone--"All At Sea". My trip still continues.

I met her--interesting, fun and wonderful. The question remains. Am I good enough for you? Am I worthy to have you? Or am I too ambitious to dare to be close to someone like you? Slap my face and wake me up! Who am I?

You're an art--meticulously crafted to display the magnificent beauty of your mind and the sexiness of your soul. Allow me to dive into your emotion, ease your pain, freed you from the clutches of your sufferings. This doesn't happen every time we see people, read their eyes and understand the stitches of their shadows. I met you for a reason. But I'm just me--a social-sexual being that is capable of getting hurt. You hurt me with your words and actions.

I bless the moments we're together because I think you're wonderful but you think I'm just a sick joke! I'm hurt.

I joke around. But you've got to know me better when I say the truth. If your think I'm just fooling around, think twice. I don't know if I'm the one or if you're the one. But please, let us enjoy the "you and I" as we both look for the missing swivel chairs. Believe me when I say "Hello". Trust me when I say "Take care".

Pray that this another page of The Book of Discombobulating Ordeal finally comes to an end with a fine, perfect and just resolution that could define the "you and I" in this life. Pray that we'll all find it--the perfect swivel chair, the one that fits right and soft enough to give comfort. Console me. Console me. Console me. ¿?

The Declaration of One's Liberation

2005-08-04T21:21:00.000+08:00

I watched a couple of episodes of One Thee Hill Season One just a few minutes ago. Afterward, I removed the CD from the player and turned the player and the TV off. It's amazing to experience such serenity. No sound, no light - just a silhouette of your sight. You get to see the traces that you've never imagined before. It was one of the most peaceful 20 seconds of this whole play when all things were in good shape.

Seeing people makes me define the person I am as part of the crowd. It's the relationship that we build with one another that answers who we really are. The way we chill with our friends, the way we say "Sorry" to our best buddy and the way we handle our own madness with inevitable mishaps. The way we play life is the primary definition opposite our names. The way we think what has to be done is secondary. Our actions are obvious. Our thoughts that were written down in memory may be our invincible card to hold on. But who listen? When are we going to speak up? When are we going to make a move?

Knowing the curves and stitches of your own shadow is major a leap to letting you discover the man beneath the covers of your vintage-inspired shirt, faded denims and even your rockstar-wannabe hairdo. How many of us mastered the art of self-actualization? Or are we just masters of self-denial? How well do we know the eyee we see in the mirror? How far is happiness from your spot? Far-fetched! We know the molds of our minds. How determined are we to make a difference for us - our own satisfaction; make that optimum satisfaction.

For every damage we make to the dubious bulk of a shadow of ours, how do we patch things together and live anew for good? No one has to be blamed but the one who did it. No one is in question but us. We make the decision for ourselves. We may be influenced by the stimulating environment but the last words still depend on us. It's either we victoriously kiss fear, doubt and temptation behind or we bang our heads out with tears in a corner of our rooms.

We have a self to pull us up to the one we want to become. We have the drive to achieve it brighter that any material reward. Our minds have the power to achieve. One's liberation is a gift to oneself. Let us not hide it to finally correct the definition of "you" or "me" - "we". It's not being phoney or a suck-ass pretender. It's just we know we have to change.

liberate verb
1 to set free (as from slavery or confinement) ... see FREE
2 to set free from entanglement or difficulty... see EXTRICATE
Meriam-Webster Online Thesaurus

We owe it to ourselves. ¿?

GC Generation at 20 Meeting

2005-07-25T03:41:00.000+08:00

Last week, Sir Ton informed us about the meeting for the 20th anniversary of the Glee Club. Of course, the plan is to stage a grand concert showcasing the different batches of GC from 1986 to 2006. ;)

So he asked one representative per batch to attend the meeting in his house last Saturay, June 23. John (who's already the president of the UST Singers! clap-clap-clap!) was supposed to represent GC 2001. However he wasn't available so he asked me to attend in his behalf. Sir Ton also asked me to take some pictures during the meeting.

It was fun to meet them again. I think It was my first time to meet Kuya Imay. But I'm quite familiar with Kuya Jerome, Kuya Dennis and Kuya Marlon. It's nice to see all of us working together to put up a concert with a lot of brilliant and artisitic ideas. And the word for the day was, "Bongkang"! LOL.

Pictures... ¿?

Incomplete

2005-07-21T03:21:00.000+08:00

Do I deserve someone like you?

I had this feeling a few days back. I felt like I'm not enough for someone's time and attention. I thought that I'm insufficient to be remembered and to be valued.

Is there such a formula on how we should relate with people in such a way that they would definitely remember you, value you and even love you? My limitations are highlighted most of time. People (usually) notices only my mistakes.

One mentor taught me that I should just do good things, excel in many things especially in my craft and just be focused with my objectives in life. That way, I could get people's attention and those who rejected me before would come back. I want to make something spectacular, remarkable and timeless. And hopefully, they'd come back.

I lost it even if it was my fault or otherwise; even if it was just fate or ridiculous objection of circumstances.

This leaves me hugging my pillow at night playing Simple Plan's 'Untitled'. "How could this happen to me?" ¿?

Sa Wakas Nagkita-kita Kame!

2005-07-17T05:12:00.000+08:00

January pa 'ata last get together namin ei!

I was so happy to know about the get together when Sir Ton posted a message in our Yahoo! Groups. Ernel and I talked over the phone and both of us were excited to see the other GCAs and the present batch of GCs. Of course, Harry was there with us! ;)

Sa uulitin ah! Si BJ kase ei, aga umuwe! Hahaha! Here are some of the pix!

More... ¿?

You Turned Your Back On Me

2005-07-16T03:45:00.000+08:00

Saved as Draft

Am I a songwriter? Haha! I was just playing the 'Never Gone' album of the Backstreet Boys and I imagined them singing this song. Written below's the lyrics.

I'm actually hearing them singing this in my mind, I wonder why. Ooohhh... scary! LOL. I just thought of a scenario that a guy was suddenly neglected by his girl even though he's eager to love the girl. It's sort-of insipred by 'Mr. Cellophane' from 'Chicago'. Hahaha! Remember, Amos Hart (John C. Reilly) was the "nobody" husband of Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger). Hahaha! So for me, here's the pop version of that song! ;) I'm not yet through with the verses though.

You turned your back on me
When I'm calling for you
When I'm lost without you
And when my heart was falling apart
But you turned you back on me
When I'm here to save you
When I'm here for you
And when I'm here to wrap you in my arms
But you turned you back on me
You turn you back on me
¿?

Understanding My Condition

2005-07-06T22:54:00.000+08:00

For the past several days, I decided not to post any blog at all. I hardly visited this site as well as my Multiply site simply because I had no plans of sharing a part of me.

Many things happened. Some were good, some were bad. Most of the time, I questioned why those things should happen to me. Sometimes drastic changes are beyond our control. No matter how we try to patch things up or even to correct things for everyone's happiness, we still cannot make that change at all.

Is this just a crap? This blog served as my way of communication not only with the people who reads it but also with myself. I get to express what I feel inside and put my anxieties in writing. It helps me realize the pros and cons for me to decipher my next move.

Right now, no matter how I elaborate it, I still can't figure out my condition. Part of my is passive while a huge chunk of me is sick of being on a wrong spot. I'm doing my best to be appreciated and to be needed by people. People can also be ruthless with their judgment. All of us have that certain instinct of prejudice. We may be aware that it could hurt other people but we still do it even if we keep it to ourselves. Well, it sucks to hear this but it's true that we cannot please everyone. But what if people slapped your face with a painful criticism without knowing who you are, what are you going to do?

"Before you judge me, try hard to love me..." - 'Childhood' by Michael Jackson

Here I go again - random thoughts coming in and out of my mind. When will this thing end? Do I deserve this agitating chaos - my battle with myself. I just wish to overhaul thy life and start anew. ¿?

WassuP with Mah Life?

2005-06-16T10:43:00.000+08:00

Let me do a recap of what happened last month, ok?

Like what I've posted in my previous blog, I'm out of TeleTech since May 31st after they gave us a redundancy program since (as what they said) the Sprint account for WLNP was overstaffed. It was also stated in the contract that they'd be giving us separation pay on June 15th. Hm...

We really feel bad knowing the fact that we've already exerted effort to do well on the floor and established good memories with our friends and teammates in TeleTech. For me, I've already planned my way up in TTech from a CSR to an ACE Trainer or even a Product Trainer. But things changes on the first week of May, when they presented to us a sheet of paper saying that our stay with the company would end on the 31st. It's good that they're giving us sep pay but the goals we've planned to achieve were suddenly wasted.

On May 24 (Manila time), I went to office for my 2am shift not knowing that it would be my last day as a CSR. My co-trainees were spreading the news that we could already file a leave of absence without pay from May 25 to May 31 and that our TLs would approve it right away. You couldn't blame us; knowing the fact that they were retrenching us, we had no enthusiasm taking in calls! I messed up my calls too! :) After filling up the form, I informed Fher about it. Because of that, he changed his scheduled leave of absence before submitting it to his TL. Janice also followed. Most of us filed a leave of absence with a lot of reasons to tell and a lot of excuses as well. Well... ayaw na naming mag-call ei! :D Haha!

After that day, I spent my days at home - sleeping, surfing the net, watching TV/DVD and alike. In short, I just chill-lazed while waiting for our sep pay! :D

A week later, Fher and I went to Makati and submitted our resumes to other call centers. I became depressed knowing that I was unemployed and that I had spent my salary for food and some stuff I wanted (for entertainment purposes). Day by day, I was checking for money in my wallet and I've been withdrawing some cash to spend as I scout for a job! One afternoon, I was surfing the net when I submitted my resume to ePacific Global Contact Center at JobsDB.com. The position I applied for was for Web Designer. After few days, they called me up for an initial interview. After the second interview, I didn't receive any call from them.

Then I had a scheduled interview for a call center in Ortigas when ePacific called me up asking for another interview. One day, they were already hiring me.

I couldn't understand myself. I'm happy that I have a job offered and that they're already hiring me. But I still have this thing in me - the disappointment of being retrenched from TTech. I just had a dream in TTech. Nothing's wrong with 'em in the start until they gave us the redundancy program.

A couple of nights ago, I found a quote I saved on my phone a long time ago.

"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore." -- Andre Gide

I paused for a while and agreed to it.

Check out the pictures at http://raimonet.multiply.com/ that tell a story of my stay in Teletech. More to come - bigger and better. Thank you all! Â¿?

Pagsubok

2005-06-14T20:47:00.000+08:00

Yes. I chose not to blog for the longest time (so far) because there were a lot of things happened. Right now, I don't know how to start. Do I have to narrate everything from that start!?

I'm out of Teletech and I looked for a job in Makati and Ortigas for a CSR and Web Designer position. I'm still anxious. I don't know how to face this situation. It's like I have a present but I'm not so happy to accept it. I'm still half-hearted to leave Teletech. I don't know why I couldn't move on. Perhaps it's because I've already established my planned life in Teletech.

I still have good memories to recall. (Sighs) It's a test, really. Now I have to play again and again "Pagsubok" by Orient Pearl! Haha! :D

I'm designing a new layout so watch out for it. Thanks Phoebe for posting! :D

So help me God! ¿?

Trial & Error

2005-05-21T10:36:00.000+08:00

Alright. First of all, I'd like to start this post with an honest statement that has something to do with the content of the whole blog for the day.

I'm not a guru when it comes to life's chaos, peculiarities and unbelievable circumstances, ok? I just want to make it clear (like what I've posted before) I'm just a learned twenty-something who's trying to help people how are in need. [winks]

Odd as it may sound, imagine yourself blown by the wind into the deepest and lifeless wasteland without your consent. Then you experience loneliness, depression and paranoia as if no one could help you fly your way to the highest and most fruitful greenery. That's life. Bang! Without you realizing it, you're blown by the wind into your top-most and far-fetched goal to achieve - happiness. That's life.

Life is a cycle. And in that cycle, its circumstances are intelligently organized to show us the way to the one goal everybody wants to achieve. Others may help you while some may interfere. It's like Frodo's journey, right? And yes, we can never have it all! We have our plans and we still have to recognize the will of God. But in that saddest moments in the wasteland, when we feel like no one's listening, no one's helping you fly back up - it's a test of faith and no one should be blamed. Stop pointing fingers but start to pray. Believe that He's listening and that He's more than capable to help! Never underestimate the power of one's faith.

So for you my friend, be tough! You're tougher than what I expected you to be! In God's time, it will soon be resolved. In God's time, bro... in God's time. ¿?

My Game of Love

2005-05-06T00:58:00.000+08:00

I tried to play safe
Putting one foot forward
Keeping my aces on both hands
I bet on my irrational game
Losing, I was soon.

You were stronger
Apathetic in all things happened
Not measuring my sacrifice
You ruled
Losing, I was soon.

Playing Cullum
Bored and missed my glee
Playing Groban
Poured, blew and banged my all
You could have been my prize
You bet, I lost
My Game of Love. ¿?

Optimum Satisfaction

2005-05-01T21:29:00.000+08:00

Happiness is everyone's goal. No matter who you are, you still aim for that top-most reward of your life. Day by day, we deal with life as we make our way to find the simplest yet remarkable happiness to keep us motivated and willed.

However, the downside of life is that it isn't perfect. Perhaps, it is planed to be imperfect for it not to be monotonous - the twist and turns that makes us confused, makes us upset yet points out an important lesson.

I'm not a guru with life. I'm a twenty-something and my experiences are just embryo compared to my 92-year-old grandmother. That's the reason why I probe myself, analyze my thoughts and struggle to understand my own life.

For the past days and weeks, I found my happiness with the people around me. It only proves that I'm dependent on how people treat me and how the circumstances fit it to my life knowing that I have people around me to listen to my cries and help me understand the oddity life offers me. What matters most is that I have everyone - my family, my friends and my own self who could listen to my difficulties, my insights, my anger and most of all my hunt for a resolution to my anxieties.

I'm not strong enough to do things on my own. I seek for help. And if that's the way for me to understand life's lecture to an immature embryo like me, I'd be willing to listen and learn once more.

For now, I may be happy to be with my people but some circumstances make it so difficult for me to keep the optimism burning in my soul! These circumstances just keep me insane and pulls my motivation from soaring high. Thus, I pity myself. Though times come my way. Learning is measure of perseverance and determination. However, my skirmish today is like a ton-full of excess baggage. I feel so alone; no one to listen, no one to understand.

I drove myself to office this morning, turned on the radio looking for some mushy songs. Suddenly I felt like I lost something; the one I value the most. Others may be apathetic with my concerns, I understand. Even though I try to understand, the sadness I felt is still in me - unresolved. And yes, I felt the same way when I was there on the floor, no one to talk to, no one to share my burden. I just wish I already now what to do. I can't stop blaming myself for the mistakes I commit! I may be making things so difficult for me. I'm just clueless as to how to do things the most intelligent way. Irrationality may be my twin brother; not so healthy!

With all these ranting, I still pursue to be happy. Sadness may envelope my day but I pray to God to help me understand and cope with the situation. Thank you for being there always! ¿?

My First Try

2005-04-29T17:25:00.000+08:00

After the not-so-good results of the product training last week, I rested for two day but with endless questions and doubts embraced by fear. I didn't know what to expect, how to do it and if I could survive.

I was at my lowest point; couldn't concentrate. I was so irrational, declaring my weaknesses as I pinned myself down.

I waited for my turn to take in calls. I was out of the office, Friday and Saturday (Manila time) but the tension on how to let time pass by was my greatest ordeal. I knew my weaknesses but I couldn't mention any strength that I had with pride. I had no one to talk to; they were all busy and unavailable. Most of my friends were no longer in the office. Fher was out of the dorm for some reason I didn't know of. Thanks to Janice who taught me some tips on call flows and different scenarios. Still, I wasn't prepared.

I buddy-up with my teammates. They were good - kind to the newbie, that was me. They assisted me for me to get used to the team and the work. After lunch, Alou, our TL told me, "After lunch, you'll start to take some calls."

It was insane. I was a bit eager to start. But what should I do if I have no idea on how to assist the callers? Communication skills and spontaneity wasn't my problem. What to tell the caller was my problem! Ina, a Senior CSR in our team coached me as I answered my first call. I can no longer remember the scenario. But as far as I can remember, I did good with the opening spiel but I messed up with my other spiels as I instructed the caller with his account. After that, I messed up again, gesturing Ina that I need her to feed me answers to the caller's questions. For my first shift on the floor, I had seven calls. I was tough but again I doubted myself.

On the second day, we had system outages and we couldn't make modification on their accounts. So we had countless irate callers, questioning us about the system issue. (Sighs) I personally enjoyed it. I had nothing to do but to tell them about the system outage spiel. Hahaha!

The next day was one of my darkest days. I got pissed of my schedule and hated my work. I was looking for satisfaction and fulfillment that I didn't find in the four corners of my station. The tick-tack of the clock was so annoying. If only I could only push the time to hit 11 o'clock, I would! Then I thought of giving up, leaving everything behind me and start anew once and for all. Taking in calls was tough brought about by the lack of product knowledge. It was hell to be dumb and idiot of the system. I felt like I was the most stupid of all new CSRs. I cursed that day until my family lightened my darkened eyesight and showered me the optimism that was emptied by fear, disappointment and anger.

My teammates also encouraged me to be tough and to take the calls without any pressure. I thank them as well. My TL talked to me about my performance. She said she'd help me learn more things about the system and that I'd get used to the work. I won't forget what she told me and I'd like to quote her, "Don't take it against yourself." Every mistake that I take is just a part of my learning experience.

I can't say that I've finally found happiness in this craft. But I'm certain that 'God moves in mysterious ways', may it be with the way people think, the way people see things or the way things happen. It's how He makes things happen.

For this, I seek for God's blessings for me not to be irate to myself, not to pressure myself, not to blame myself for my mistakes (is that possible) and just to always be optimistic! I thank my family and my friends (my lil bro) for they were there during my toughest moments as I struggled to find resolution to my crisis - My Discombobulating Ordeal.

So help me God. ¿?

To Sprint Wave 8

2005-04-21T19:43:00.000+08:00

"IN ORDER TO GROW, WE HAVE TO ACCEPT CHANGE."

It hurts to leave each other and to leave our past behind, right? But the memories we've all shared as a team will truly be remembered - the Select bonding, Day 10 bonding, Day 10 Party here in my place, yosi break at the lung center and even the simplest lunch we've shared on one table. We'll always remember every jokes we shared and every error we enjoyed!

Still, we all have to move on with our lives.

We all have our own hurts but we can't keep on blaming ourselves or others. We just have to pause for a moment and pray for guidance. God has a better plan for all. We may all be hurt with what happened but this is life. No matter how we want it to be perfect, it still has an ERROR, right?

May bukas pa mga chong! May buhay pa! Good luck sa lahat! Mami-miss ko kayo! ¿?

Requiescat in Pace, Pope John Paul II

2005-04-04T09:36:00.000+08:00

I was raised and grew up knowing only one Pope. I wasn't born yet when Pope John Paul II first visited the Philippines. But in 1995 on his second visit here in Manila, I was excited to be a witness of his magnificent presence.

At 10, I may not be that mature enough to understand his words. As members of the Youth for Christ, my brother and sister were there in Luneta during the World Youth Day Celebration ten years ago. I was with my parents. We parked the car at a gasoline station at UN Avenue and walked our way to Luneta Park. Tiring it was, really.

With and upset stomach, I will never forget that day! My mother was holding my hand for security. We looked for a perfect view as we minggled with other Filipinos wanting to see the Pope. Yes, I was tired but I wanted to see him in flesh. If I could remember it clearly, since we were hundreds of meters away from the Pope, I think we only relied on a big screen near our spot.

I was sleepy and unable to pay attention to his words. I saw a child about a few years younger than I was. He asked his parents to buy him a hotdog sandwich. Envied as I looked at him, I asked Mama to buy me one. She refused to, telling me that it might be dirty and calling it street food. She was right though but she gave in and bought me one. After eating, my stomach was well -- not in a very good condition! I felt sorry that afternoon missing the whole purpose of going there (just because of a stupid hotdog sandwich). We left Luneta right away.

Losing a great man is like losing a part of you. I may not know him personally and vice-versa. But the fact that he loved the people so much is enough proof that he lived his life the best way a man could even done in his lifetime.

He had a sight for human freedom. He was a man created for a mission to unite not only the Catholics but everyone in the world. He was an instrument of peace and compassion in this generation of ours. He strengthened our faith by telling us all not to be afraid as he reached out to people, spreading peace and above all, love.

He was a father to all - forgiving and merciful. I agree to those who say that he'll be called "Pope John Paul the Great", with all the great missions he had accomplished. He was unafraid to oppose to other countries' resolution to war as he endlessly highlighted peace to all.

As he enter to the House of God, we all thank Pope John Paul II for his love and generosity as he took time to remember the needy, the troubled and the sinners of our generation and the generations to come.

Requiescat in Pace, Pope John Paul II. ¿?

The Pope

2005-04-02T12:10:00.000+08:00

For the past months and weeks, we've witnessed how the Pope struggled his illnesses. He was recently admitted to the hospital for ten days due to high fever. Just recently, he didn't appear to the crowd (personally) for the Holy Week's ceremonies last week - his first time to miss. A few days back, he was reported to be eating thru a tube caused by a number of illnesses at 84.

Before leaving the house, I checked the net for news about his condition as I included him in my prayers.

As I was finishing the modules in the training room at 3am, our trainer Ana said, "Guys, the Pope is dead. The Pope is dead." We were all shocked to hear the news. I texted my friends about the sad news believing that it was true. Since we weren't allowed to use the net in the training room I surfed Yahoo! news thru my mobile phone and verifed.

"What?" I told myself. In the Yahoo! News site, Pope was still alive but his condition worsened. I checked, CNN site to verify it once more. Still, the Pope was still alive. I told my wavemates about it. Soon, we learned that it was just an April Fools' joke in Europe - spreading stupid/crazy/bad news about the Pope's condition. I apologized to those who I informed about the "news" and explained how I learned about it.

Now, I'm still up blogging and waiting for updates. I watched Larry King Live a while ago. It's true - Pope John Paul II will be considered and be called Pope John Paul the Great. Considered as The Great Communicator, he fearlessly reached out to people. In 2000, he admitted and apoligized for the mistakes of the Church for the past millenium; persecuting Galileo was one of his confessions.

His spirit lives on. ¿?

Week it Was

2005-04-02T10:47:00.000+08:00

Well, I was tired of taking pictures everyday. So I stopped last Tuesday. I only have these Monday pictures saved.

I think, we're all preoccupied. We have a lot of things in mind and we can't seem to prioritize 'em! Hehehe... We had plans of going out (to eat out) but we still lack sleep. Darn it!

For pictures, visit http://raimonet.multiply.com/.
Nothing much happened - just a bunch of modules about the product. I have to rush to finish the remaining two assessments before proceeding to Billing. Uh! What a week it was! ¿?

Long Weekend

2005-03-28T03:54:00.000+08:00

It was a long weekend for us -- 4-day-break. But as a Catholic, I had responsibilities for the days passed. The alotted 4 days wasn't enough for me to pause for a moment to converse with God. But I will find time to thank Him for all the blessing He has given me, to say sorry for my sins and just to start a simple yet meaningful conversation like a friend-to-friend talk. I'll find time, now that I have a lot of things to share to Him.

3/24/05 (Th): Saints Scholastica and Benedict - L. Guinto, Manila
THURSDAY
I had roughly 5 hours of sleep. After eating dinner, our parents atteneded a vigin in our parish at 9PM. We left the house late an hour after. They scheduled the itinerary for the night, naming all the churches near our place. I was so apathetic when it comes to that since I have a poor sense of direction! Hehehe... ;)

3/24/05 (Th): The church near Teletech
Our last stop was the Shrine of Jesus, the Truth and the Life... (I forgot the whole/exact name) -- the church that is singled-out in Bay City near Teletech. We sang in that church for a wedding when I was still in high school. It was still beautiful - huge and grand. ;0 We enjoyed our stay there even though there were a lot of people coming in and out.

Afterward, we ate in Pancake House, Blue Wave and went home at 1AM.

3/25/05 (F): Procession
FRIDAY
We just went to our parish for the short mass and watched the procession. At night, we watched DVDs.

SATURDAY
Idle but kind-hearted.

SUNDAY
We attended the 11AM mass in San Beda. I sang together with the GC and the Alumni. It was fun to be back, doing the same things, singing the same songs and being with the same faces! Hahaha! After the mass, our aunt went back to Taipei. We went to Power Plant to watch "Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous", which was a cool film! :)

After dinner, I had a series of SMS conversation with Kim, Ernie and Al. ;)

Uh! I'm sleepy. But you can still call me Raimon! LOL! (silly) :) ¿?

Product Training: First Week

2005-03-27T15:17:00.000+08:00

We had a new sked for the week: 12MN to 8AM. Yes, we were like vampires! :D Hahaha! It was odd to be up the whole night 'til the next morning and be sleepy as everybody goes to work at 8am! I had to sleep the whole day for me to be alive by 12MN. Well, as what Denise would tell us, "Welcome to the call center industry!".

Monday Pictures »
MONDAY
It was a free day for all. Our trainers, Ana and Roz were so lenient on the first day. We just had an introduction about product training. Some raised questions, most of us were sleepy while I was about 85% alive and 15% inattentive because of the "repetative syndrome"! Hehehe...

We enjoyed the charades especially whenever we make fun of the movie titles e.g. "Trudis Liit", "Bala at Lipistik", et al. Hahaha!

Tuesday Pictures »
TUESDAY
We were busy and we hated it! We studied for the whole morning an intro to product training. Information overload it was! Most of us were just tired of listening, sick of being up early in the moring while some took a nap! Hehehe... Since we were busy, we didn't have much time for pictorial sessions. Hehehe...

WednesdayPictures »WEDNESDAY
We were still busy but we were able to manage. We took time for picture-taking and a lot of chitchats. It was an endless night of "mountain-jokes", "repetative syndrome" (c/o Bryan, Fher and yours truly), "Magna jokes" and "Agent's-first-name-laugh-trip". Hehehe... Of course, our "items" were always the issue whenever we mingle with each other! ;)

Before going home, we were suppose to eat breakfast with the rest. But Fher, Ernie, Kat and I were kinds sleepy and didn't want to stay in Jollibee. So we went home instead. Fher, Ernie and I checked Taft Ave. for an online Megalink ATM. Fher had some personal issues, that's why. Joke! :) Most of the ATMs we checked were offline. They were teasing me of being irate since I wasn't talking while walking along Taft Ave. but the truth was that I always keep my mouth shut whenever I'm tired. I wasn't irate, I was just tired, OK? hehehe...

Finally, we found an online ATM after we ate breakfast in McDonalds, Pedro Gil. We went home at 11AM.

At home, I just ate lunch and slept the whole afternoon. I woke up at 5:30PM to prepare for the Visita Iglesia. Whatta-day! ¿?

ACE Training

2005-03-19T18:48:00.000+08:00

In just two weeks, we already bonded as a team. A few weeks back, we were just strangers to each other saying our his and hellos and getting each others names. Now, we may still have a lot of stories, "items" and "bets" to share to our team but all we know is that we're happy to befriend one another!

Monday pictures »
MONDAY
We had a new schedule: 8am to 4pm for the whole week. So we really had to wake each other up early in the morning to be in the office before 8. I brought my digicam for pictorial sessions and it was really cool to take candid shots during the training.

Nothing much happened. We just continued our discussion - Speech Nuances, U.S. Studies, Client-Specific Review and preparations for the Day 10 culmination.

Tuesday pictures »
TUESDAY
I didn't bring my digicam 'cos I think the batteries were drained already. We have to buy a new one soon! Again, we just followed our old routine for the day.

Wednesday pictures »
WEDNESDAY
After lunch, we prepared and practiced our speeches for the Day 10 presentation. Alvin, our trainer headed the mock presentation.

One particular person was so quiet for some reason! :D (Ahem! Ahem!) I told her not to ruin her day. The next day, she was back and smiling! :) Hehehe...

Thursday pictures »
THURSDAY
As we were preparing for the Day 10 presentation, all of us were anxious to stand in front for the speech. Aside from that, we were clueless as to what topics would be included in the CBT (Computer-based Test).

Mak wanted to go to G4 for a shopping spree. We wanted to go but they changed the plan; they went to Greenhills instead. I was with another group (Kathy, Kat, Kim, Ernie, Al, Dru, Mommy, Ricky, Jackie, Anji and Fher). Since we were all hunger, we went to Jollibee Blue Wave before going home at 6pm.

Friday pictures »
FRIDAY
I prepared my shirt for the Ray Charles presentation. Thanks to my sister! Hehehe! :D We didn't have any lesson for the day. It was a day-filled with tests: 3-minute presentation (50%), CBT (25%) and the reading assessment (25%).

To be honest, I could have done better in my 3-minute presentation. I should have not omitted some phrases that triggered me to be too conscious on what I missed. I didn't miss a line, I just paraphrased some lines to make it simpler. We studied for the CBT to make sure we'd all pass the ACE Training. Fher wasn't in his proper mind set after his presentation. Fortunately for him, we made him realize that he still had a chance to make a good mark in the CBT and reading assessment. Ernie and I conditioned him to think positive. Fher got 95 in the CBT!

After we took all the 3 tests for the day, we were all computing for our grades even without our grades in reading assessment. Ernie headed us in computing for the minimum grade we need for the reading assessment to pass the ACE Training.

As Denise and Alvin, our trainers were computing our grades, we watched Lilo and Stitch and took a lot of pictures - some were sleepy, some were watching porn (ahem!) and some were just bored! Hehehe... At 5:30pm, I saw Kitty and Anji in front happy to know grades.

"Ok. Congratulations guys. You all passed the ACE Training." Alvin said. We were all happy to know the good news. We all rushed to the computer in front to check our grades. Mommy Candy got the highest grade in class. We planned to party in my place. Almost everybody wanted to go. Unfortunately, Hazel, Juvy, Jojo and Jason weren't able to join us.

[On a sad note: We thought we all passed. But one of us didn't. We all feel sorry for Lheng. We will truly miss her company in the product training that will start next week. May you have a bright future ahead, Lheng.]

Party pictures »
DAY 10 PARTY
I instructed Ricky the direction to my place. He had a car and in it were Anne, Jackie, Brett, Kitty, Anji and Lani. (Did I miss anybody?) The rest of us walked to take a jeep to Taft, sqinched our bodies at the LRT to Pedro Gil and took another jeep to Onyx. (Now, you know!) Hehehe! :D

Some were already in my place while we were buying some goodies for the party. As we settled in my place, some bought something to eat for dinner. We invited Yasime to join us in our party - Yasime Corned Beef! hehehe! :D "MOUNTAIN!" I had the Magic Sing set up for a concert series with Yasime (Kat) and Mariah slash Regine (Mak) as our guest artists! :D Hahaha! ;) We all had fun!

The "party-goers", Lani and Anne left at 10 while the rest left at 12mn. (Quiet early huh!) Even though I cleaned up the mess myself, I enjoyed the party! :) Next time ulet! :) ¿?

Teletech Training

2005-03-13T00:33:00.000+08:00

Thursday, March 3: Left, contemplating about the contract

ORIENTATION
Last Friday, March 4, after a day-long of contemplating on what to do, I went to Teletech in Pasay City for the contract signing. The HR officer, told us (I was with Al) about the orientation the next day from 8am to 12nn. All contracts and other requirements should be submitted before the first week ends. I ate lunch at home and then my mom and I rushed to get my SSS number, NBI Clearance plus all the requirement I still lacked.

I was so anxious to attend the orientation last Saturday. I knew that it would be fun to meet new people especially now in a different environment - more challenging and more competative. I was just on time. I was asked by an HR to fill up my personal details in the computer. Next to me was Yna, Jojo, Jason and Kim. I didn't know their names then but I had a chance to get their names afterward.

During the orientation

Uh! I was so bored but I just talked when Alessa and Ernie had a chitchat with each other beside me. They were with Janice, Yna, (Mommy) Candy and Kim. So I bonded with them, ate lunch with them in the break room and sat with them during the orientation proper. We already had a good converstation, talking about our backgrounds, our interests and others. After the tiring and boring orientation, we waited for another hour for the drug test. I was so pissed off to leave the office at 4pm, knowing that the orienation should have ended at 12nn!

DAY 1 to DAY 4
It was a fun-filled week with icebreakers, games, presentations, role playing and speech and accent training headed by our trainers, Denise and Alvin. It was tiring but the coverage of the training matched my interests and expectations, though I always get bored with U.S. studies. Since we were busy, we weren't able to find time for picture taking sessions but I had a chance to take a shot of this memorable consequence after a game! Hehehe...

In the tune of Jumbo Hotdog

DAY 5
Happy to be bonded with them, I spent time mingling and chitchatting from one desk to another. From my desk (with Mommy and Kim), I transfered to other trainee's desks starting a conversation. As we were all practicing the Gigantic Evil Virus before the recording, I had small conversations with Hazel and Juvy, Bryan, Kat and Al as well as with Ernie, Fher and Janice. As we let the time pass, we started to take a picture in a small group. Afterward, half of the calls jovially joined!

For more pictures, visit http://raimonet.multiply.com
We planned to meet at Petron Treats after the training just to chillax and to enjoy each others company. However, Petron Treats was closed so we moved to its competitor, Shell Select as we all squinched our legs just to fit in Mommy's jeep. We all had fun drinking, smoking, chitchatting, laughing... the word is CHILLAXING! :) Most of us were at ease to be a part of the group, opened up stories, trivias and even jokes! We ended the night with laughter and unending stories to tell. Guys, we will all pass the training on the 10th day! :) We just have to believe in ourselves and of course, perpare for the 3-minute presentation (50%), the CBT (25%) and the very famous recording of the Gigantic Evil Virus (25%)! Hahaha! :D On our payday, let's meet again here im my place! ;)

I'll bring my digicam on Monday! ;) Oh my, traning starts at 8am! We better wake each other up to avoid logging in late. Oh well guys, see you on Monday! :D ¿?

The Amazing Race on its Seventh Season

2005-03-04T22:23:00.000+08:00

Airing since 2001 on CBS and now on its seventh instalment, The Amazing Race continues to fly more teams in a race around the world, in a month or less for a grand prize of $ 1 million.

I missed the first two seasons because of a not-so-good impression about the reality show's concept. I watched a repeat of The Amazing Race 3 back in September 2002 on a Sunday afternoon, as I was browsing the cable for a program worth watching. Then I was hooked, cheered for the Riker twins (aka The Wonder Twins) and soon hoorayed for the official winners, Flo and Zach.

The Amazing Race 7 (TAR7) was aired via Studio 23 last March 3 at 10AM, showcasing the new teams ready for another adventuresome and quarrelsome season. The race started in Long Beach, California where teams made their way to their next destination, Peru. Consistent front-runner and the lifelong friends, Debbie and Bianca finished first as best friends, Ryan and Chuck lost a chance to stay in the race and were both eliminated.

So far, my bets are this week's top four teams:

Debbie and Bianca [Lifelong Friends]
Susan and Patrick [Mother/Son]
Rob and Amber [Survivors]
Brian and Greg [Brothers]

TAR7 airs live on Studio 23 every Wednesdays at 10AM after MYX with replays at 7pm. TAR7 is also aired on AXN every Wednesdays at 10PM. For more schdule info, visit ClicktheCity.com. ¿?

'Million Dollar Baby' Champs Oscars 2005

2005-02-28T10:32:00.000+08:00

The Oscars has been a much-awaited eyecandy annual event for me since Titanic sank in 1997. Now, I've grown and I'm still hooked every year, listing my bets and threats.

I've listed my picks last month and the last time I've checked, I only got six accurate picks out of twenty-two categories! Haha! ;) We'll, it was based on critics reviews, news clippings online and personal reviews whether or not I've seen the movie! Hehe!

I was betting on 'The Aviator' to win the top prize Oscar since it's the most sensationalized movie among the five nominated films for Best Picture. It was a surpise for me to learn about the news that Clint Eastwood's 'Million Dollar Baby' won the title with only four Oscars while contender 'The Aviator' finished with five. This is the first time I've watched an Oscar show with the Best Picture film not winning the most number of Oscar trophies.

Here's a pat on Martin Scorsese's back for again being forever-snobbed by the Academy. Eastwood, the crowd's well-loved and ever-deared actor-director won the Oscar Best Director.

At least, my hunch was correct with the acting awards in a lead role. The talented Hilary Swank in 'Million Dollar Baby' wins her second Oscar, one of the cleanest Oscar record with two nominations and two wins as well. She previously won in the said category in the Oscar 1999 in the movie 'Boy's Don't Cry'. This year, Swank again faced her previous front-runner contender, Annette Bening in 'Being Julia', who was also nominated in the Oscar 1999 in 'American Beauty'; Swank won her first Oscar.

The only expected winner of the show was Jamie Foxx in 'Ray', bringing back to life the music legend, Ray Charles. Foxx was up against Leonardo DiCaprio in 'The Aviator', Johnny Depp in 'Finding Neverland', Don Cheadle in 'Hotel Rwanda' and Clint Eastwood in 'Million Dollar Baby'.

Cate Blanchett's second Oscar nomination gave her an Oscar statuette as she played Katherine Hepburn in Martin Scosese's 'The Aviator'. She was nominated in 1998 for 'Elizabeth'; Gweneth Paltrow in 'Shakespeare in Love' won. This year is Morgan Freeman's four Oscar nomination and is his time first to win in the movie 'Million Dollar Baby'. Four blacks being nominated in the Oscars has been a sort-of a talk of the town lately. Well it's just a never-ending issue on racism in the Oscars. I guess AMPAS now appreciates the caliber of black actors.

The technical awards were awarded to 'The Aviator' although I'm half-hearted for them to with the Best Cinematography. I've been always a fan of 'The Passion of the Christ' and I've been waiting and hoping for it to be nominated for Oscar Best Picture. Now that it only had some three nominations for Cinematography, Score and Make Up, I wanted the movie to win all three, most especially the Achievement in Make Up. However, 'Finding Neverland' won the Best Score and 'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events' won the Best Make Up. Enough said, Mel Gibson was blessed to create such timeless art like 'The Passion of the Christ'.

'The Incredibles' won the Best Animated Feature after sweeping the Annie Awards last month. 'Al Otro Lado Del Rio', the song from the movie 'The Motorcycle Diaries' won the Best Song Oscar. I was happy to see Josh Groban and Beyonce perform 'Believe' from the movie 'The Polar Express' but I'm quite sad it didn't win. 'Sideways' won the Best Adapted Screenplay while 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' won the Best Original Screenplay.

For the visual effects category, I thought it was the moment of 'Harry' for an Oscar but 'Spider-Man2' had it and even thanked for not having a fourth part of the 'The Lord of the Rings'! 'Super Size Me', the talked about Documentary Feature of 2004 also lost that was up against the winner, 'Born into Brothels'. It was also a Spanish night as 'The Sea Inside' won the Best Foreign Language Film, with a lot of supporters like Antonio Banderas, Santana and Salma Hayek - all proud to be of Spanish race.

Beyonce should receive an award for being the Best Guest Performer! She was so brilliant especially when she sang 'Learn to be Lonely' in 'The Phantom of the Opera'.

For more info and list of the Oscar 2005 winners, visit Oscar.com. Until next year on the 78th Annual Academy Awards! ¿?

It was the Moment!

2005-02-20T16:06:00.000+08:00

Three years ago, I journeyed through time with a young man I've known in the movies. A man of courage and strength that inspired me the most in my quest in my four-year stay in the College. His name was Frodo.

Silly as it may sound, but I saw myself as a hobbit back when I was a frosh in 2001. A happy-go-luck fellow, child-like, mischievous at times, neither in the public eye or reserved, undeniably impulsive and young. It was a mission for me, not knowing if I was capable enough to face such responsibilities. Like Frodo, I took the risk just to do what is right. From then on, I followed his track in Middle Earth in my own home, my life.

Just a year ago, we had experienced a big amount of pressure on our shoulders as we started our thesis. It was a huge leap for me - a leap of faith, a leap of trust and prayer. At that time, I told God this prayer many times, "Lord, please. Sana Feb. 19 na!" because I was too afraid to face the ordeal. I was weaker than I expected me to be. Thanks to "Into the West", the Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy winner for Best Song in a Motion Picture in 2004, picturing Frodo's great will. It certainly gave me the courage to stand up and face things with much strength and will, just like how Frodo did it at the foot of Mt. Doom.

Now, I finally experienced how it is to wear a toga (since we wore Barong Tagalog on our graduation day in San Beda). Once again, I experienced how it is to be proud of myself, my sacrifices, my work and my faith. I won't be able to do these things without the help of my loving family, my friends, my mentors and above all, God.

Eager to graduate I was, it didn't take me a while to wake up at 6am with a 4-hour sleep. Without saying a word, I dressed up, fixed my hair, put on my newly-pressed attire and sprayed perfume. I looked good! Before leaving the house, we took some solo and family pictures in the living room even with our proud (maternal) lola, Nanie. The day was filled with so much joy and triumph in our own little way.

Family pic

With Nanie

I informed my GC friends about my graduation with this simple yet sentimental message:

Hey!ü Graduation ko today... Papunta na kame sa PICC...
Thank you sa lahat... Sa friendship at musika!ü

Sir Ton even replied, "Hay.... magsenti daw ba? Congrats!ü"

Cars were piled up outside the Plenary Hall. I was mixed with emotions of excitement, joy and laughter! Unending picture-takings, fun-filled exchange of stories - it was a happy day to all!

The Stage

Before

Mr. Robert Tang, Dean of School of Management and Information Technology was at the podium. He then called the graduates of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Information Services Management. Second by second, my friends handed their (sort-of) diploma. Standing by the stairs of the stage, I couldn't wait any longer. "Raimon Miguel S. Gonzales", Mr. Tang said. Wow! It was true. I just finished college! LOL. My cap almost fell of my head after I took a bow! Haha! :)

After

Singing the Alma Mater Hymn and the Hymn to Saint Benilde actually didn't give me the goosebumps enough for me to cry for joy! If it was the Bedan Hymn, I could have sang it with much pride! Hehe...

Pictures were taken, tough our digicam's battery was drained for some reason. Smiles were pictured in all sides of the hall. My family finally met the families of Isabel, Venice and Leeohra. We were all happy to finish, happy to graduate! I had a plan of calling all my Beda High 2001 batchmates for a shot or two for remembrance purposes but everybody was so rowdy, I couldn't locate them!

Friends [some, actually]

Family

My family and I ate at The Seafood Club in GB3. The food was so "divine"! (term used by Phoebe) I stuffed my belly with much food, loved it really! I had my phone repaired at Nokia Care in GB1 then I slept the whole afternoon in our parents' room. I just woke up at 7PM to join Bernice and the rest at Cabalen in G4 for a dinner party. We planned to have a Redbox Graduation Party for all but there were only 4 attendees! Sad... We just spent time with Karen's friends in Timezone.

May we all achieve our dreams and aspirations in life!

Thanks to J. R. R. Tolkien of his epic that inspired me to put my limits to the test. Your tale will always be remembered! ¿?

Grad Preparation

2005-02-18T20:40:00.000+08:00

I was so worried this morning for I still didn't have a digicam for tomorrow. My mom asked our cousin if we could borrow theirs but we still haven't received any response from them. At 5:30pm, I got an SMS from Sony Service Center informing me that I could already claim the camera in Makati.

Happy we were, my mom and I rushed to get the repaired cam (worth 9K+)! Finally, we'll now have still shotd for tomorrow's event.

I made this checklist:

Toga
Programme
5 Tickets
Digicam and charger
Perfume
Hanky

Of course, included in my list is my newly purchased eyeglasses. Last Wednesday, my mother claimed her reading glasses at Perez Optical in G4. Then I asked if I could have my eyes checked. The finding shows that I've been unconsciously experiencing astigmatism. I'm near-sighted; I thought the clear pictures that I see in my bare eyes are the perfect ones. But when I wore the glasses they gave me, there was this eyesight improvement, I call it. Things are sharper when I'm wearing my glasses. Yes, I have to get used to it. It's better this way. I appreciate the details for my sight, which is really cool! :D

Happy graduation to all! ¿?

Bright Colors may be Jinxed!

2005-02-16T22:58:00.000+08:00

I had many appointments for this day. I had to visit the derma in the morning, an interview in afternoon and a test in the evening. After the interview at 2pm, my mom and my sister had a meeting with a client so I just stayed in Starbucks at the ground floor of Standard Chartered building in Ayala. To my srurpise, Kiwi Soriano, HS batchmate and classmate in 4th year saw me as I was looking for some goodies to order.

Kiwi: Raimon!
Raimon: Uy! Musta? Ano ginagawa mo dito?
Kiwi: Nagtratrabaho... Me work ka na?
Raimon: Wala pa. Naghahanap pa rin...
Other Barista/His Friend: Yes sir...
Raimon: Uhm... One grande Mocha Frap.
Other Barista/His Friend (whispers to Kiwi): Ano name nya?
Kiwi: Raimon. (I was supposed to use my self-coined nickname, "Migs"...)
Kiwi: Kumakanta yan! (Laughs)
Other Barista/His Friend: Kanta ka muna!
Raimon: Yoko... (Laughs)
Kiwi: Sige Raimon! Alis na 'ko. Bye.
Raimon: Bye.

I stayed for a while, waiting for my mom and my sister. After a few minutes, my phone rang. It was a three-minute phone interview from TeleTech, one of the call centers present in the DLSU Job Fair. I have a scheduled exam tomorrow at 8:30 am. I have to be up by 6! Tsk... Since my next appointment was at 7pm, my mom, my sister and I went home to eat merienda.

After the exam, I was pissed off with the results. I didn't find the test difficult but as what the lady told us, "The result was negative." Duh! So far, that was the easiest test that I took and I find it difficult to understand their decision. Uh! Well, wish me luck for tomorrow. ¿?

Awards Season

2005-02-14T14:48:00.000+08:00

MOVIE AWARDS
Last week was the Screen Actors Guild Awards, which I missed. My bets were still Foxx and Swank. Gladly, both of them won their respective categories. Since SAG Awards honors the best picture title through the movie's cast, I kept my fingers crossed for "The Aviator". But I'm still happy for "Sideways" who brought home the Best Ensemble title.

Still, there's no consistent winner as to which movie would win the Oscar Best Picture two weeks from now. Scosese's "The Aviator" won the Best Film title in this year's British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA); "Million Dollar Baby" not included in the nominations. The runners-up for the category were "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", "Finding Neverland", "The Motorcycle Diaries" and "Vera Drake".

Director Martin Scorsese was again snobbed for the the David Lean Award for Achievement in Direction. Mike Leigh, the director of the movie, "Vera Drake" which tells the story of an abortionist won the award. "Eternal Sunshine" and "Sideways" won the Original and Adapted Screenplay respectively. Brazil's "The Motorcycle Diaries" may be winning an award in this year's Oscar as it won the BAFTA Foreign Language category. The movie is nominated for Oscar Best Song and Oscar Best Adapted Screenplay.

Morgan Freeman in "Million Dollar Baby" and Kate Blanchett in "The Aviator" both won the SAG Best Supporting titles. Bruno Delbonnel, cinematographer of the French film "A Very Long Engagement" won the Best Cinematography in a Feature Film in the American Society of Cinematographers Awards, beating movies like "Collateral", "The Passion of the Christ", "Ray" and "The Aviator". This may be an indication as to which movie is a front-runner for the said category on Febryary 28's Oscar Awards. "Engagement" is up against "The Aviator", "House of Flying Daggers", "The Passion of the Christ" and "The Phantom of the Opera".

Mel Gibson will be releasing a new cut to his controverisal 2004 film about Christ's last 12 hours, "The Passion fo the Christ". The new cut will feature a few minutes of edited gory scences in Jesus' life. The new cut will be shown in more than 500 theaters in America on March.

THE GRAMMYS
It's Grammys time once again. I was hoping for Josh Groban to win an award for Best Male Vocal Pop Performance for "You Raise Me Up". I thought he was up against Usher but John Mayer won the award for is song, "Daughters". I just hope music critics will soon honor Groban's music. He'll be releasing his third album next year.

He had past away but his music will still live on. Ray Charles won eight Grammys! Here's the list:

RECORD OF THE YEAR -
"Here We Go Again", with Norah Jones
ALBUM OF THE YEAR -
Genius Loves Company, with Various Artists
BEST POP COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS -
"Here We Go Again", with Norah Jones
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM -
Genius Loves Company, with Various Artists
BEST GOSPEL PERFORMANCE -
"Heaven Help Us All", with Gladys Knight
BEST INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT
WITH ACCOMPANYING VOCALIST(S) -
"Over the Rainbow", with Johnny Mathis
BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, NON-CLASSICAL -
Genius Loves Company, with Various Artists
BEST SURROUND SOUND ALBUM -
Genius Loves Company, with Various Artists

I'm happy for my fave artists to win Grammys this year. The "could-be-under-rated" Britney Spears won Best Dance Recording for her song, "Toxic". That was a surprise since Spears isn't that lucky to win a music award as compared to rival Christina Aguilera. Good work Britney!

Maroon 5 won the Best New Artist award. However, the real, pure and honest song, "The Reason" by Hoobastank was short for a Grammy award as John Mayer bagged the award for Song of the Year instead of them. Black Eyed Peas' "Let's Get It Started" won the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Astig, isn't?

Of course, it won't be complete without Howard Shore's score for "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" winning the Best Score Soundtrack Album For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media and "Into the West" winning the Best Song Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media! I'm so happy for 'em! LOTR rulez! :)

For more info on these Awards shows, visit their websites:
Oscars.com
Oscars.org
BAFTA.org
SAGAwards.com
TheASC.com
Grammys.com ¿?

Coke UK's "I Wish"

2005-02-13T01:14:00.000+08:00

I found this TV ad from Coke UK. And here's the lyrics:

I Wish

I wish I could share,
All the love that's in my heart
Remove all the past,
That keep us apart

I wish I could say,
All the things that I should say
Say 'em loud, say 'em clear,
For the whole round world to hear

I wish I could give,
All I'm longing to give
I wish I could live,
That I'm longing to live

I wish I could I do,
All the things I can do
And though I'm way overdue,
I'd be starting anew.

The girl in this UK video is Sharlene Hector, vocalist for Basement Jaxx. The song came from the late Nina Simone's song "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free", which was also recorded by Solomon Burke and the late Ray Charles. I bet you'll still choose to play Nikki Gil's version! BTW, she's the cover of the February edition of mph.) ;) ¿?

Grad Practice

2005-02-12T22:13:00.000+08:00

Uuuuyyyy! Excited mag-blog! Hehehehe...

PROBLEM
Just weeks before our graduation, my digicam, Sony CyberShot DSC-PS92 (the link is similar to my cam) suddenly broke! I asked two of our newly hired maids (who'll be leaving very soon) if they accidentally broke it by all means. But (as expected) they didn't say a word! So we went to Sony Service Center in Chino Roces Ext., Makati to have it repaired. Two days after, they called me over the phone and told me that the labor plus the parts imported from Singapore would cost us at around P9,570. OMG!

Kung kelan me special event... dun pa nasira! According to them, a major part of the camera was ruined that why melted images are displayed in the LCD. She added that it would them 2-3 weeks to fix everything. But they've already placed an order of the parts. UH! So I think I have to borrow a digicam from... maybe from Sir Ton for from Ate Teng. (Fingers-crossed!)

DATE: February 12, Saturday
CALL TIME: 8:30am
PLACE: Airport
Grad Practice starts at 9:00am, Sports Complex

That was our agenda this morning. I left the house at 8am. Uh! I don't want to elaborate more on the insignificant travel from Mendiola to San Juan and from San Juan to Taft Ave. It's useless. (Stupid traffic!!!)

So, again and again... I was late. My friends were already at DLSU Sports Complex for the grad practice. Students piled up at the 6th floor, enjoying each moment of the day. I looked for my name and seating assignment in the list of graduates and then I found my friends. Blah-blah-blah... a number of jokes, stories and memories to tell. We really missed each other's company!

SEATING ARRANGEMENT
Fortunately, we were grouped according to courses so we basically know who's seated on our sides. On my left is Gareth Derek Go of Block OOE (our block) and on my right is Bernice Margarette Joaquin of Block OOF. So we really know each other! Doanni is just infront of me and the rest are seated at the back. It's better to be seated with your friends than to be seated with a complete stranger, right? Plus, we're seated in the middle of the PICC Plennary Hall. Ayos, asa gitna!

PRACTICE
So we practiced the whole ceremony til noontime. Everyone's proud of the ever-popular Rain for maintaining a CGPA of 3.508. Hehehehe... mascot!!! Hehehe... We really enjoyed it even if it took us hours at the parking lot of the Sports Complex. We also looked back on our ROTC days! Hahaha! Funny moments of our Frosh days, the wars and the numerous quarrels of our block! :)

LUNCH
Since Red Ribbon, Kenny and Jollibee were loaded with people, we decided to eat at CSB caf. Well yes, the typical menu: Paotsin, Paotsin and more of it! :) But still I enjoyed it. I missed shark's fin a lot! Yum!!! (Plus the sweet-chilly sauce!)

INTERVIEW WITH THE DEAN
Finally, we had the chance to raise our voices to the admin about the school policies as well as the complains regarding our respective courses. Rain, Doanni and Venice stood in front of the mic stressed these points to Mr. Benhur Ong:

Our course focused more on accounting, business and management subjects and less of a technical programming one, which is a disappointment (I think for some) and a minus point on our part being considered as IT graduates
Very laxed profs to the extent of not teaching for the day/week but still attending the class for attendance puporses only
Rejected thesis topic proposal using VB; forced to learn new programming language for the thesis, which is not enough given a one-term timeframe
Uncouth and biased professors during thesis defense; thesis advisers should no longer be allowed to be a panelist in the thesis defense of other groups
OJT confusion; we're not that equipt with sufficient knowledge to create programs especially when tasked by our OJT Supervisors. Thus, some were assigned to HR Departments, et. al.

Bravo to all of you! :)

PICTORIAL
I changed my shirt for the pictorial for about 3-5 minutes in the comfort room. It took Doanni, Buje, Raine and Venice 30 minutes to finish! Uh! Afterwards, we, together with David, paid for the picture and video coverage and claimed our programme and graduation tickets! :) They gave us 5 tickets each: 1 for the graduate, 2 for the parents and 2 for guests! :) So my whole family will be there! Weeee! :)

After hours of waiting for our turn, we spent our time taking pictures from one corner to the other using different camera phones and digicams! :) Pa-post sa Muliply ng pics ah! :)

Here are some of our pictures. Click here for more.

Ang saya-saya!

"Baby DoeDoe!"

Doanni ulet!

Ahh..BUJE!

"Wid Ben!" Haha! MEAN! ;)

"Wid Deybid!" :D

With Eanna - My Frosh crush! haha! ;)

DREAMBOY: Piolo and Bea :)

O! Bagong PO5 na ba 'to??? "He! He!"

See you on Saturday! ¿?

We'll Remember Always Graduation Day!

2005-02-11T14:51:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow's our grad practice. Everybody's excited to prepare for the event that we've all been waiting for! :)

I visited the CSB website [new URL] to check for announcements from the Registrar's Office. I opened this link:

"Registrar's Office info posted
The Registrar's Office has
posted information on the tentative graduates and Summer 2005."

Weee!!! I click on the link and found a list of tentative graduates. I searched for my name by keying in my ID Number, 10156445. And here it is! Finally, my name is already listed! :)

I'm listed! I'm on Page 13!

Click here to check the list.

Click here to view our schedule.
I'm so happy to see that! I searched for my friends and BedaHigh batchmates and I'm happy to see some. I can't wait to take pictures on Feb. 19! :) Congratulations to all! ¿?

Sunday Road Trip

2005-02-10T13:51:00.000+08:00

Alright, I have to update my blog again. I wasn't able to post this last Sunday. After attending the 11am mass in San Beda and having lunch here at home, we went to Parañaque to check our age-old lot. The last time we visited the place was... I think when I was 5 or 6!

We enjoyed the ride to Parañaque, being in a not-so-far away place. After our parents "negotiated" with the sort-of a caretaker [slash] neighbor [slash] buyer, we went to G4 to buy clothes for my graduation! Weee!!! :) I, together with my friends, batchmates et. al., we'll be graduating on February 19, Saturday. [Sad it is but we left a few of our friends in school. Though they'll be marching on July, I guess.]

When we were about to leave Parañaque, we saw this eyecandy townhouse, Palm Grove by DMCI Homes. [Kila Rupert ba toh?!] It was very overwhelming. We liked the place, the pool, the clubhouse and the community. Cool place! ;)

At around 5pm, my mom bought us tickets for Richard Gere's "Shall We Dance?". I've seen this movie listed in movies.yahoo.com since last year! At first, my brother and I didn't want to watch it cos we found the plot corny. Before watching, we bought my clothes! :) I won't post pictures of my attire here, you know! It's a surprize! ;)

"Shall We Dance" was actually a good movie. It tells the story of a married man, John (Gere) who was on the verge of loving someone else, a ballroom dancer/teacher, Paulina (Lopez). Day by day, John came home late at night attending ballroom dancing lessons. When John's wife, Beverly (Sarandon) investigated, they all learned each others role and how to correct a mistake they were about to make. Some critics didn't like it, tough. Maybe I'll right a review on it. ¿?

Paint the Mall Red!

2005-02-09T19:44:00.000+08:00

Chinese New Year - everybody's wearing red, right? I've decided to wear red too, even though I'm not Chinese. ;) For those who don't know yet, I'm 100% Filipino. Di ba obvious?! Hehe...

I had a scheduled exam this afternoon at P&G in Makati. I was expecting that most of the people in Makati would wear red. Some however (non-Chinese), wore red shirt, red polo, red belt, red undergarments, and so on. But still, most Filipinos do not really follow the Chinese tradition of wearing red during Chinese New Year. So, what's my point?

I've learned my lesson. Again, I was early. My mother, sister and I (all wearing red) went to Makati at around 10:30 in the morning. They attended the 12nn mass at Greenbelt as I window-shopped for some goodies at the Glorietta mall. Being non-Chinese, I felt awkward wearing my red polo with an emroidered lion on it. After spending my idle time not buying CDs at Tower Records, I walked my way to G2L3 looking for a cheap vest to "cover up" my stunning red polo! ;)

Before I knew it, I was already in my faveorite store, HMN*. ;) To cut the not-so-long story short, I bought a black sporty shirt with a printed text at the back. Another cash out for the day - P349.75! Chiching-Chiching! ^,* I went to G4 restroom to put on my newly purchased shirt, matched with my red polo underneath it. ;) NICE!

Before going to 6750 for my P&G exam, I still had the urge to shop! "Ma-check nga ang U!", I told myself. But with a dwindling budget for my goodies, I had to leave! ;) So I left, thinking of what's going to happen in the test. "Ang daming math!!!", my friends told me last week. Err well... come what may!

Answering the application form

A long application...

But I still managed to take pictures!

For the calculations!

The TEST!

That's me...

They were right! I dunno... To be honest, I'm more excited to be employed in Unilever than to be employed in P&G, cos our family uses Unilever products, that's why! ;) "Why Unilever???" Hehehe... So, I left 6750 took a cab at G4 and attended the 6pm mass in our parish.

And me, after the 6pm mass
What a long, not-so-tiring day! ¿?

Now, is Black also Jinxed? ...Not!

2005-02-08T15:08:00.000+08:00

Since I was late yesterday for the Convergys exam, I was an hour and a half earlier today in their office. Yes, I didn't wear anything pink this time. I wore an old black-diagonally-striped polo from Penshoppe with a sort-of-a-sweater from Human* on it. After waiting for more than an hour, the exam finally began.

I won't be detailed on what happened. Well for sure, it wasn't easy. It was very tiring but I'm fine even though I didn't make it. It has nothing to do with what I was wearing, the color of my polo or the perfume I used. Simply, it wasn't for me and I'm not mad at all! ;) ¿?

Pink is Jinxed!

2005-02-07T17:18:00.000+08:00

After submitting [so far], more than 20 resumes I'm now preparing for my test schedules. Gareth and I took the Accenture test at DLSU Gokongwei last Saturday. It was a bit hard but to be honest, I'm not really interested about the results of the test c'os when the examiners had a presentation about the careers in Accenture, I suddenly paused for a moment and asked myself, "Am I ready for this? Is this my chosen career?" Then I answered, "No." to my question.

I had a scheduled Convergys test this afternoon at 3. Last night, I thought of wearing a new polo - it was a pink-striped one. I never liked pink, especially the very strong shade of pink! But this morning, I agreed that I'd be wearing the pink polo. In fact I was happy to wear it! After having lunch, I took a nap for about an hour and a half. At 2pm, I was about to leave but our driver wasn't around yet. So I fixed my things-to-bring while waiting but it was getting late. So I've decived to leave instead of waiting, doing nothing while time was running out. I took a cab and by the time I reached Ayala, it was already 2:40pm.

"Oh God! Oh God! Lord! Jusme..." I told myself. Then WOW! It was traffic! Busses were piled from Standard Chartered and perhaps up to G4! I had to be at The Enterprise Center ASAP! It was silly to be waiting inside the cab with a traffic like that! So I paid the driver P70 and I walked my way to The Enterprise.

"Ting", the elevator opened, finally I was at the 8th floor. I looked at the offices on both sides and I couldn't see the Convergys office. Then I checked; finally, I saw it. There were people, probably waiting, outside the office. Yes! I was happy to be there at last! But no one was at the reception area, so again I waited for a few seconds.

A guy came out of the office then I told him, "Good Afternoon. I'm looking for Ms. Beng." He said, "Oh I'm sorry. We're not accepting late comers."

In my mind I told myself, "What the...!? I walked my way here... and I was late!?" I was following the Benildean time in school. Standing in front of him, I checked the time. It was 2:57pm. According to him, it was 3:05pm already. I just asked him, "Uhm.. Can I reschedule my test?" He said, "Yes, they will call you up probably this afternoon." Then I filled up the registration form, left my contact number, said "Thank you." to him, and went down, pissed of what happened.

I texted my brother, sister and some friends about it. Then a few seconds after, my mom called me up. [Sighs...] If only I left earlier... Now I'm blaming my pink-striped polo! LOL. ;) I'm just... of course... not happy about what happened. I spent P140 for a back-and-fourth taxi ride getting nothing but "I'm sorry, we're not accepting late comers."

Well, yeah... it was a lesson. ;) Franz texted me, asking me why I wasn't around. He was there pala sa Convergys. I didn't know. About an hour ago, a Convergys employee called me up asking if I am free tomorrow at 11am. She even told me to be there early this time. If only I could explain my side... but I know they don't need any explanation at all. They just wanted me to be on time.

Congratulations to Venice Furio, an employed BSBA-ISM friend! ;) ¿?

The Jobseeker and the Far-Fetched Dream

2005-02-04T01:16:00.000+08:00

Funny it is. Just three months ago, I together with my thesis mates was preparing the program for our thesis defense involving employers and jobseekers. For those how don't know yet, our thesis was about online HR recruitment and was named Wireless Recruitment (WIRE) Service Module [c/o Venice]. :) Yes, just like JobsDB, JobStreet, et. al. So, define originality?!LOL! Yeah, we got 1.0 for originality, no wonder! But we passed! That's the point. ;)

So here's my story. Back then, I was still clueless how it is to be a jobseeker. Of course, I knew the basics with the help of our BUSINCO subject but I never thought it would be this difficult to find an ideal job. Wait. Did I say ideal?

Hm... Yes, as a graduating 20-year-old somebody, who grew up in Mendiola and learned how to smoke in Taft Ave., I'm very much idealistic. I have bright plans for myself, an organized career path and a far-fetched vision of what's ahead. But as what they've been telling me, "Plan your work and work your plan."

Talking about dreams and aspirations, I now look back at my high school days with the Glee Club. Sir Ton would tell me this:

[*ahem*, from forte...]
"You can't do anything without lifting a finger!"
and he'd go [fortissimo...]
"Mr. Gonzales, ang buhay hindi parang computer!
[fortississimo...]
Hindi yan pindot ka lang nang pindot, makukuha mo na gusto mO!!!
[fortissississimo...]
Pinagtratrabahuhan yan!!!"

He was right. Truly, "Nothing is beyond the reach of determination." In my own little way, I've sacrificed a lot just to prove a point and just to do what I'm supposed to do. I've sacrificed to make my dreams come true for the love of beauty, work, art and life.

Now that I have the keys for me to be at my best, am I prepared to face a new world? Am I ready to face the crowd? Have I practiced enough to perform well in my career? Yes, I'm starting my career and I'm leaving my student life in a matter of weeks. Am I done reminiscing our fun-filled experience in college? Well, I'll get over it for sure! Back in 2001, it took me two terms to get over my high school hang over! ;0

I believe that it's a Circle of Life. We start some, we end some. We gain some, we lose some. It may be difficult to start but I'll get used to it. Life itself is a test of courage and will. Challenges in life are the little questions of whether you're good enough, smart enough and willed enough to outlast! Tough, isn't?

Starting all over again is a challenge. Being a newbie sucks. You deal with a new environment, new people, new jargons, new policies, new interests and the endless oddities life has to offer. Yes, it scares me. It's tough to start but it's tougher to survive the test. Testing the water is a bit dangerous. You might get burned or be drowned by mistakes and mishaps!

Life, cruel as it may be, there's still a tiny joy in it's every injustice. There's always a rainbow after the rain, right? I may find it difficult to start my career but I know I'll find my place. I'll get used to it and I'll give my best shot, I know. It starts with a dream, a plan - now it's a direction to follow.

My destination isn't defined yet. I just wanna be happy with life, with career, with love, with God. It's everybody's daily objective that sometimes seems to be difficult to achieve and impossible to experience in our gloomiest moments. I see happiness in my chosen career and I hope I'll find my way there to my place - the life I wish to live.

Congratulations to Rainier Joseph Dagala, Cum Laude, Top 3 of the graduating batch. Proud to be BSBA - ISM Block OOE!

Good luck to us all! ¿?

It Might Be Eastwood's Baby

2005-01-31T19:18:00.000+08:00

After winning the Directors Guild of America, it might be Clint Eastwood to bring home an Oscar statuette for Best Director on February 28 [in Manila].

I feel sorry for Martin Scorsese, who is nomintated for the sixth time for Best Director Oscar. It seems that it's gonna be an Aviator-night but the Oscar Director trophy would still go to Eastwood.

Some say that whoever gets the Director trophy, brings home the Best Picture Oscar. But this wasn't always the situation at Oscars night. In 2003 Oscar, "Chicago" won six Oscars including Best Picture but the Best Director trophy was awarded to Roman Polanski, the director of "The Pianist". Starred in the film, Adrien Brody also took home the Best Actor award and currently the youngest Best Actor Oscar winner. He was 29 years and 343 days old when he received the award.

For the Best Picture award, "The Aviator" seems to be still the favorite but everyone's betting on Eastwood, not Scorsese. Of course, Jamie Foxx in "Ray" and Hilary Swank in "Million Dollar Baby" are good bets.

Spain's entry to the Oscar Foreign Language category, "The Sea Inside" won top prize in their local film fest. Another biopic telling the story of the Spaniard Ramon Sampedro, it previously won the category at the Golden Globe Awards.

"The Incredibles" swept top prizes at this year's Annie Awards beating films like "Ghost In the Shell: Innocence", "Shrek 2" and "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie". Annie Awards recognizes animated features in movie and television. "The Incredibles" also won individual awards:

Animated Effects
Martin Nguyen
Character Animation
Angus MacLane
Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
Tony Fucile
Directing in an Animated Feature Production
Brad Bird
Music in an Animated Feature Production
Michael Giacchino
Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
Lou Romano
Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production
Kevin O'Brien
Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
Brad Bird [Edna Mode]
Writing in an Animated Feature Production
Brad Bird

I'm pretty sure, "The Incredibles" will take home the prize! ¿?

My Oscar Summary

2005-01-26T02:40:00.000+08:00

Bet
Threat(s)

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Don Cheadle - HOTEL RWANDA
Johnny Depp - FINDING NEVERLAND
Leonardo DiCaprio - THE AVIATOR
Clint Eastwood - MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Jamie Foxx - RAY

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Alan Alda - THE AVIATOR
Thomas Haden Church - SIDEWAYS
Jamie Foxx - COLLATERAL
Morgan Freeman - MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Clive Owen - CLOSER

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Annette Bening - BEING JULIA
Catalina Sandino Moreno - MARIA FULL OF GRACE
Imelda Staunton - VERA DRAKE
Hilary Swank - MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Kate Winslet - ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Cate Blanchett - THE AVIATOR
Laura Linney - KINSEY
Virginia Madsen - SIDEWAYS
Sophie Okonedo - HOTEL RWANDA
Natalie Portman - CLOSER

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

THE INCREDIBLES
SHARK TALE
SHREK 2

ART DIRECTION

THE AVIATOR
FINDING NEVERLAND
LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT

CINEMATOGRAPHY

THE AVIATOR
HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT

COSTUME DESIGN

THE AVIATOR
FINDING NEVERLAND
LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS
RAY
TROY

DIRECTING

THE AVIATOR
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
RAY
SIDEWAYS
VERA DRAKE

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

BORN INTO BROTHELS
THE STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL
SUPER SIZE ME
TUPAC: RESURRECTION
TWIST OF FAITH

DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT

AUTISM IS A WORLD
THE CHILDREN OF LENINGRADSKY
HARDWOOD
MIGHTY TIMES: THE CHILDREN'S MARCH
SISTER ROSE'S PASSION

FILM EDITING

THE AVIATOR
COLLATERAL
FINDING NEVERLAND
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
RAY

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
THE CHORUS
DOWNFALL
THE SEA INSIDE
YESTERDAY

MAKEUP

LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
THE SEA INSIDE

MUSIC (SCORE)

FINDING NEVERLAND
HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
THE VILLAGE

MUSIC (SONG)

"Accidentally In Love" - SHREK 2
"Al Otro Lado Del Río" - THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
"Believe" - THE POLAR EXPRESS
"Learn To Be Lonely" - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
"Look To Your Path (Vois Sur Ton Chemin)" - THE CHORUS

BEST PICTURE

THE AVIATOR
FINDING NEVERLAND
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
RAY
SIDEWAYS

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)

BIRTHDAY BOY
GOPHER BROKE
GUARD DOG
LORENZO
RYAN

SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)

EVERYTHING IN THIS COUNTRY MUST
LITTLE TERRORIST
7:35 IN THE MORNING
TWO CARS, ONE NIGHT
WASP

SOUND EDITING

THE INCREDIBLES
THE POLAR EXPRESS
SPIDER-MAN 2

SOUND MIXING

THE AVIATOR
THE INCREDIBLES
THE POLAR EXPRESS
RAY
SPIDER-MAN 2

VISUAL EFFECTS

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
I, ROBOT
SPIDER-MAN 2

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)

BEFORE SUNSET
FINDING NEVERLAND
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
SIDEWAYS

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)

THE AVIATOR
ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
HOTEL RWANDA
THE INCREDIBLES
VERA DRAKE

¿?

Oscar nominees announced

2005-01-25T23:02:00.001+08:00

Excited I was, I even checked the time zone in US just to be on time and get the news right away. I even visited timeanddate.com to check the time in LA and in DC. All right, I was right on time for the nominations and I'm quite right a while ago with my bets and predictions! ;)

Wow! Leo was nominated! [Clap-clap-clap from Leo fanatics!] He'll face a match with Johnny Depp in "Finding Neverland" and Jamie Foxx in "Ray". Tough, tough tough! Yeah, I got it right! Kate Winslet is nominated for her performance in "The Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind". Ah! I can't say any word but tough! Imagine being stucked among great performers like Hilary Swank in "Million Dollar Baby", Imelda Staunton in "Vera Drake" and Annette Bening in "Being Julia". Now that's really tough! In another review that I was reading a couple of days ago, the name Catalina Sandino Moreno in "Maria Full of Grace" was mentioned as a good contender in the Best Actress title. Lucky enough, yes, she was nominated. I wonder how she performed in the movie and what the movie is all about...

Probably one of the actors considered for the Best Actor title was Jim Caviezel for his portrayal of Jesus in Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ". I was actualy especting it to be one of the films leading in nominations after seeing the movie least year. But the movie itself is larger than life! Definitely it's larger than Oscars!

Supporting roles? Uhm... Morgan Freeman in "Million Dollar Baby" was my bet in the Golden Globes. But I think Jamie Foxx in "Collateral" might be getting it instead. If both of them are unlucky, Oscars may give the trophy to Thomas Haden Church for the fun-filled road trip performance in "Sideways".

In my observation, the Oscars focuses on dramatic performances for the lead role category while the comedic performances are awarded to actors nominated in a supporting role. Here's a good example. Renee Zellweger in "Chicago" lost the Best Actress Oscar in 2003. Nicole Kidman, known for her portrayal of Virginia Wolf in "The Hours" took home the award. In the same year, Catherine Zeta-Jones won the supporting role category in "Chicago" playing the very bubbly, high-spirited Velma Kelly. So probably, this is Oscar awards' formula:

Lead role + Oscar winning dramatic performace = Oscar win
Supporting role + Oscar winning comedic performance = Oscar win

Cuba Gooding Jr. in "Jerry Macguire" also took home thr award as a supporting role back in 1997. I think Thomas Hayden Church in "Sideways" will bring home an Oscar. Just a theory! :)Natalie Portman in "Closer" may also be a good front-runner after winning the Golden Globes. But I think "the Oscar goes to" Cate Blanchett in "The Aviator" playing the role of Katherine Hepburn.

I watched CNN right after the announcement. The field reporter was talking about the "disappointment" of many - including me - "The Passion of the Christ" being not nominated for the Best Picture and not even in the Best Director category for Mel Gibson. But as Gibson said several weeks ago, he was not into proclaiming his film for Oscars unlike Michael Moore! LOL! Good enough, "The Passion" is nominated for three categories in this year's Oscar awards - Cinematography, Makup and Score. My fingers are crossed! I'm hoping "Passion" will win all three!

I was thinking of Howard Shore to be nominated for the film "The Aviator" after winning the Globes last week. But he's not nominated. James Newton Howard, a five-time Oscar nominee composed the score of the M. Night Shyamalan film, "The Village" is nominated for Best Score. That was a surpise. But he won't end the night with an Oscar statuette. John Debney for the movie "The Passion of the Christ" is my bet for this category. He deserves to bring home an award. I bought the soundtrack and I was really moved by the movie and the score! I kept playing "Crucifixion" and "Raising the Cross". It was like he was really blessed and guided by God to score the film beautifully. Mel Gibson may be snubbed by the Oscars this year for not being nominated as Best Director. The movie brought me back to the time of Jesus and that alone is an experience of a lifetime.

Well, that's what we call competition. In any competition, there are winners and there are losers. But for many people, I know, "The Passion of the Christ" is a winner.

The typical hand-drawn animation is so 20th century! Animators of this era are using different new techniques in animation. "The Incredibles" and "Shrek 2" are the two competing animated feature films for this year, forget "Shark Tale"!

The "Crying Ladies" are still crying, I guess after not being nominated for this year's Oscar in the Foregin Langauage category. I think "The Sea Inside" and "The Chorus" are the two films to compete. Surprisingly, "The House of Flying Daggers" was not nominated as Best Foreign though it was nominated for Cinematography.

Yes! "Believe", the song from Robert Zemeckis' "The Polar Express" is nominated for Best Song. Fortunately, "Old Habits Die Hard" from the movie "Alfie" is not nominated, previously won in the Golden Globes. But still another competition threatening "Believe" is "Accidentally In Love" from the movie "Shrek 2". Both songs were popular especially during the release of both movies. I'll find out if Josh's going to perform! :D

Still, for me the night will end with "The Aviator" as the Best Picture, Hilary Swank and Leonardo Dicaprio hopefully to win each an award . I'll be posting a summary of my bets later. ;) ¿?

Oscar's Back!

2005-01-25T18:01:00.000+08:00

After hours of walking from building to building in Makati with Venice submitting resumes, finally I'm home resting my feet! LOL! :)

As I go online, Yahoo posts a banner for the announcement of Oscar nominations, which will be unveiled in a few hours. All right, just on time for much-awaited nominees, well at least for me! :)

MOVIE
After the Golden Globes last week, "The Aviator" is now the front-runner for the Best Picture Oscar come February. However, the Globes awarded Clint Eastwood as Best Director for "Million Dollar Baby", so we can't really tell who's going home with the Best Picture nod. With all the reviews I've read, I think "The Aviator" will go home with the prize while "Million Dollar Baby", "Sideways", "Finding Neverland" and "Hotel Rwanda" may be the runner ups for the category.

ACTOR
For the Best Actor trophy, Leonardo Dicaprio may be a good contender for his portrayal of Howard Hughes in "The Aviator" after winning the Best Actor Drama trophy in last week's Golden Globe Awards. But he'll be facing tough competition against Johnny Depp in "Finding Neverland", Liam Neeson in "Kinsey", Kevin Bacon in "The Woodsman", Jaime Foxx in "Ray", Don Cheadle in "Hotel Rwanda" and Paul Giamatti in "Sideways". Other reviews were saying, Leonardo may find it difficult to win this time since being nominated for the Oscar has always been his problem for the past years since Titanic in 1998. He missed another chance when Martin Scorsese's "The Gangs of New York" we nominated with 10 Oscars in 2003 where he plays the lead role. Daniel Day-Lewis, an Oscar winner in the 80s was the one nominated in "The Gangs of New York" instead of him.

Leo was also nominated in the Golden Globes when he played the lead role in Spielberg's "Catch Me If You Can" as the Mr. Wise-Guy, Frank Abignale, Jr. but still not good enough for an Oscar nomination. Too bad for him, really!

But previously in 1994, Oscars nominated Leo for his performance in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?". The Oscar snob is what bothers Leo's fans. And I do hope, he gets nominated this time and soon enough a statuette of his own!

ACTRESS
For the ladies, it's gonna be a tough choice for me. Since [I think] Nicole Kidman in "The Birth" may be nominated as well as Hilary Swank in "Million Dollar Baby". I like them both as an actress but they may face tough competition with Annette Bening in "Being Julia" and Imelda Staunton in "Vera Drake". In 2000, Hilary Swank bested Annette Bening's performance in "American Beauty" when she won Best Actress Oscar in "Boy's Don't Cry" - one of my favorites. On the other hand, Renee Zellweger's performance in "The Bridget Jones' Diary: The Edge of Reason" may no longer be given a nomination this time.

Since comedy isn't really the highlight of the Oscars, dramatic performances of Leonardo Dicaprio in "The Aviator", Jamie Foxx in "Ray", Johnny Depp in "Finding Neverland", Annette Bening in "Being Julia", Hilary Swank in "Million Dollar Baby" and Don Cheadle in "Hotel Rwanda" are the hot picks. If lucky, Kate Winslet may also bring home at least a nomination for her role in "The Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind". Only IF!

SUPPORTING
Natalie Portman winning the Best Supporting Actress in the Golden Globes was a surprise for me as well as Clive Owen in their movie "Closer" with Jude Law and Julia Roberts. I was thinking that Meryl Streep in "The Manchurian Candidate" or Cate Blanchet in "The Aviator" would take home the prize. Jamie Foxx as many would claim, may bag at least two nominations, one in a lead role in "Ray" and another in a supporting role in "The Collateral". If he brings home both awards, I think that's gonna be the very first time an actor wins both lead and supporting Oscar statuettes. Record-breaker? Who knows?

DIRECTION
I think, Martin Scorsese's going home with a statuette this time after being snubbed with the "Gangs".

SCORE & SONG
"The Lord of the Rings" is no longer playing but the sound of the musician by the name Howard Shore's still reverberating in the film, "The Aviator". After winning the Globes last week, Shore's my front-runner pick to bring home another Oscar. I'm hoping that "Believe" from the movie "The Polar Express" is gonna be nominated for Best Song Oscar. But I think "Accidentally In Love" in the movie "Shrek 2" and the Golden Globe winner this year, Rollingstone stars' "Old Habits Die Hard" in the movie "Alfie" may get it instead. If "Believe" is gonna be nominated, I do hope Josh Groban's gonna be there to sing the song! I just hope...

FOREIGn LANGUAGE
Yes, many Filipinos may be looking forward to this. Are we going to get an Oscar nod for the Best Foreign Film? Several countries submitted their entries and the Philippines' official entry to the 77th Annual Academy Awards is the film by Mark Meily, "Crying Ladies". Other film festivals abroad commended the film and Sharon Cuneta's performance. Are we gonna get lucky this time? It's gonna be another tough competition with possible nominees like "The Chorus"(France), "The Sea Inside" (Spain) which is this year's Golden Globe winner, "The Motorcycle Diaries" (Brazil) and "The House of Flying Daggers" (China). Let's just keep our fingers crossed!

VISUAL EFFECTS
Did Harry made magic last year? I think so! Many people are saying it's Harry's time to bring home an Oscar for the Best Visual Effects category. Now that "The Lord of the Rings" is finally over, it's the wizards moment for an Oscar award. Other contenders may be "The Day After Tomorrow", "I, Robot", "Spiderman 2" and "The Aviator". If Harry loses, "The Aviator" soars to get the statuette or may be Spiderman's gonna get it instead.

MAKEUP
No questions asked. "The Passion of the Christ" deserves to get the Best Make Up Oscar this year.

SOUND & SOUND EDITING
"The Aviator" is the front-runner.

DOCUMENTARY
Of course, the very contraversial Michael Moore is a front-runner for the documentary category. But as what he said in the interviews, he was planning to submit the entry for the Best Picture instead. If that's the case and if he gets lucky, "Fahrenheit 9/11" will vacate the documentary category leaving "Super Size Me" as a good bet. As I was checking Oscars.org, "Fahrenheit 9/11" is not listed among the 12 docus from which five nominees will be named for the category. Being more popular to me, "Super Size Me" will take home the Oscar.

So let's just wait for the nominees, shall we? ¿?

62nd Golden Globe Awards

2005-01-17T15:34:00.000+08:00

Last December 13, I listed my bets for the Golden Globe. Click here for the list.

I'm so happy for Leonardo Dicaprio for winning Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama in The Aviator. I haven't seen the film but with the clipings and trailers I've seen, he really exerted an effort, studied the life and role to portray the Howard Hughes in the film.

Hilary Swank also won the Best Actress title in Motion Picture - Drama for Million Dollar Baby. I can still remember her promising portrayal of Tina Brandon in Boys Don't Cry back in 1999. I'm sure she's on of the bets for the Oscars next month!

Too bad, Believe didn't win the awards for Best Song category. But I still hope it's going to be nominated for the Oscars. So here were the winners on this year's Golden Globe Awards.

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

THE AVIATOR
CLOSER
FINDING NEVERLAND
HOTEL RWANDA
KINSEY
MILLION DOLLAR BABY

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

SCARLETT JOHANSSON A Love Song For Bobby Long
NICOLE KIDMAN Birth
IMELDA STAUNTON Vera Drake
HILARY SWANK Million Dollar Baby
UMA THURMAN Kill Bill Vol. 2

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA

JAVIER BARDEM The Sea Inside
DON CHEADLE Hotel Rwanda
JOHNNY DEPP Finding Neverland
LEONARDO DICAPRIO The Aviator
LIAM NEESON Kinsey

BEST MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
THE INCREDIBLES
Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
RAY
SIDEWAYS

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE -
MUSICAL OR COMEDY

ANNETTE BENING Being Julia
ASHLEY JUDD De-Lovely
EMMY ROSSUM Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom Of The Opera
KATE WINSLET Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
RENEE ZELLWEGER Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE -
MUSICAL OR COMEDY

JIM CARREY Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
JAMIE FOXX Ray
PAUL GIAMATTI Sideways
KEVIN KLINE De-Lovely
KEVIN SPACEY Beyond The Sea

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

THE CHORUS (LES CHORISTES) (FRANCE)
HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS (CHINA
THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES (BRAZIL)
THE SEA INSIDE (SPAIN)
A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT (FRANCE)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
IN A MOTION PICTURE

CATE BLANCHETT The Aviator
LAURA LINNEY Kinsey
VIRGINIA MADSEN Sideways
NATALIE PORTMAN Closer
MERYL STREEP The Manchurian Candidate

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
IN A MOTION PICTURE

DAVID CARRADINE Kill Bill Vol. 2
THOMAS HADEN CHURCH Sideways
JAMIE FOXX Collateral
MORGAN FREEMAN Million Dollar Baby
CLIVE OWEN Closer

BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE

CLINT EASTWOOD Million Dollar Baby
MARC FORSTER Finding Neverland
MIKE NICHOLS Closer
ALEXANDER PAYNE Sideways
MARTIN SCORSESE The Aviator

BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE

CHARLIE KAUFMAN Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
JOHN LOGAN The Aviator
DAVID MAGEE Finding Neverland
PATRICK MARBER Closer
ALEXANDER PAYNE & JIM TAYLOR Sideways

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE - MOTION PICTURE

CLINT EASTWOOD Million Dollar Baby
JAN A.P. KACZMAREK Finding Neverland
ROLFE KENT Sideways
HOWARD SHORE The Aviator
HANS ZIMMER Spanglish

BEST ORIGINAL SONG - MOTION PICTURE

“ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE” –- SHREK 2
“BELIEVE” — THE POLAR EXPRESS
“LEARN TO BE LONELY” — Andrew Lloyd Webber’s
The Phantom Of The Opera
“MILLION VOICES” — HOTEL RWANDA
“OLD HABITS DIE HARD” — ALFIE

The Oscar nominees will be announced on January 25. I can't wait for it! ¿?

Ken Park

2005-01-11T18:49:00.000+08:00

1.5

Directed by: Larry Clark

James Bullard .... Shawn
Tiffany Limos .... Peaches
Stephen Jasso .... Claude
James Ransone .... Tate
Adam Chubbuck .... Ken Park

Genre: Drama/R
Language: English
Premiered: 2002
MTRCB Rating: R in most countires but was not rated in US
Banned in many countries including Australia and even France!

REVIEW
The movie started with a big bang with the horrific suicide of Ken Park. It's a big moment that may caught the viewers attention. The story started with a narration of the cast, their lives, their lifestyle and their household problems. Many times, I got bored with a series of convertation that didn't make sense to me and that Larry Clark could have directed it n such a way that it's short but detailed.

It's a story of teenagers who were all struggling for freedom and a room of their own - to do things their own way.

NUDITY
I liked Larry Clark's Bully. It's very true, real, horrific and gives you the pain in the actor's situation. But this film simply showed naked young adolescents roaming around their houses and in their rooms but doesn't actually have any sense at all. In Bully, the actors were able to present the personality of their role in the film unlike in Ken Park. In Bully, you can get the conflict right away but in Ken Park, it would take time before you get into the core of their conflict since there were too much conversations.

And it's too graphic! It's like Larry Clark just wanted to put naked kids in his movie without any reason at all. It's a porn film that showcases minors that suffers from different personal issues like drugs, family, peer pressure, sex, threesome, and the like. For me, it's OK to present frontal nudity in an art film but there should always have a valid reason for the characters to get naked for further development of the story. At the latter part of the movie, they had a threesome but I didn't feel their emotions, the weight of their problems why they chose to be in such situation. I didn't feel the gravity of their anger, their pain and their confusion for them to be who they were in the story.

Larry Clark is such a pervert.

PATHETIC LIVES
One kid in the movie was a psycho, who treated his grandparents even worst than any nerd in school! He's a true psycho that shouldn't be in their house and should be put behind bars instead. Perhaps, it has something to do with his upbringing but it wasn't explained. Plus, I didn't feel his craziness. He wasn't able to connect his feelings with the people watching unlike Brad Renfor's portrayal in Bully. You can see his anger and the pain for revenge.

It's so pathetic being in their own shoes. It's a damn devil's life where there are too much anger, too much sex, too much vices and too much problems like being happy is always a far-fetched dream to all!

LESSON
They all wanted happiness, yes it's true. It's a search for one's peaceful state but were they able to do it? They started it all like sh*ts and they ended it all like sh*ts! They didn't change. It's the same miserable life - a hell on earth. So parents, know your kids very well!

It's all about one's upbrining - the family ties, which plays a very important role in the society. The movie is all about parents responsibility on how to raise their kids and on how to cope with their problems while their growing. There was no love in their houses that might be the issue from the start. As I've said, it had a bad start and a worse ending. It's one true example of a pathetic life. A problematic life under the roof of their houses, a wrong approach to life's own chaos and a demonic line of thinking that kills one's personality, the perfect ingredients for a fine regretful living!

RECOMMENDATION
To all parents, do you really know your kids? Watch out for them.

This is only a personal review. Have an open mind. I may hate what you like and I may like what you hate. It's your decision. ¿?

Emotional Clean up

2005-01-09T13:05:00.000+08:00

I'm tired of being idle! Silly, isn't?

It's a fact that I've been dealing with since last month. Yes, the thesis chaos is over but this boredom is killing me. Free at last but I think I've reached the limits of my leisure living. I'm tired of staying at home, doing the same old stuff - cleaning the room, cleaning the bathroom, watching the same TV shows day and night, visiting all those sites from Friendster to [ahem] p*rn sites... I'm done with that!

Maybe there will come a time when I'll be needing these indispensable activities to pleasure myself once in a while but this time, I think I need a break. In fact, I don't want to stay home anymore. I want to go out with friends, have some fun time with old peeps from school and of course, prepare for a bigger challenge ahead - "the real world" as they call it!

I wanna be useful. I have big dreams and it all depends on how I handle things to get 'em. I want to end my bad habits and start anew once and for all. I just want to make things right, correct myself and clean my Temporary Files stored for ages! Excess baggage pulls me back and if it's the one thing that would hinder me to get things done, I'd be willing to give it up just to find my space, my place, myself freed from the clutches of sin.

May the Lord bless me through this journey. ¿?

Soon

2005-01-03T22:39:00.000+08:00

¿?

Our Family Goes Retro!

2005-01-02T02:02:00.000+08:00

Last October, our family planned for a grand reunion on January 1 as part of our clan's tradition at Valle Verde 1 Country Club. But this time, it's more special since our aunties from US will join us. After brainstorming for the party's theme, we've decided to go retro for the New Year! :) Families prepared for their costumes and for their family presentation.

The program started with a tribute to the elders, the sisters, Lola Monang who is 86 years old and Lola Tentay (Nanie) who is turning 92 on April. Nanie should have been there in the party but she suddenly changed her mind. She should have had a chat with her sister. Together with my cousins, we sang Ngayon at Kailanman to Lola Monang ang Lola Tentay. Before the song ended, Lola Monang was already crying. ;)

After the tribute, the family presentation started. Unfortunately, our family wasn't able to prepare a presentation due to lack of leisure time spent at home. But all the presentors did great! We all had fun watching them dance while the top Filipino novelty songs were playing i.e. Babae Po Ako and Jumbo Hotdog! LOL! :)

It's fun to have a celebration like this. ;) We now have the nine-day novena for Nazareno 'til January 9, which started yesterday before the party, also part of our family tradition.

The Venue

Ngayon at Kailanman

Aguinaldo!!!
[This was actually my last...]
More pictures...

HAPPY NEW YEAR! :) ¿?

Happy New Year!

2005-01-01T04:06:00.000+08:00

Last picture of the year

First picture of the year
[Daming paputok outside!]

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

I wish more blessings this year to everyone! God bless and Happy New Year to all! ¿?

GC Christmas Gathering 2004

2004-12-31T10:07:00.000+08:00

More pictures...

Gladly, I was able to make it to the party bringing with me a gift for the exchange gifts and two boxes of brownies for Sir Ton and Rianne's family. ;) I thought a lot of people were there already but when I arrived at around 8pm, there were only three Alumni present - Kuya Jonaf, Kuya Mohamm and Ernel. Then we just waited for others to come before we formally started the party with, whatelse... FOOD! ;)

Mr. Jun Guidote, a GC Friend and a former choreographer of the Glee Club attended the party. Marlon Mañaol, GC '91 was also there together with his family. Sir John Crisostomo, GCB '89 [tama b?] also joined the celebration. Here's a list of attendess:

GC '86
▪ Marc del Rosario
GC '89
▪ Jonaf del Fierro
GC '90
▪ Moham Candao
GC '91
▪ Marlon Mañaol
GC '92
▪ Ding Lopez
GC '93
▪ Jo Marie Jose
▪ Ardo Lopez
▪ Rommel Lindayag (also representing Rondel)
GC '94
▪ Weng Andaya
▪ Dennis Ferrer
GC '95
▪ Marc delos Santos
▪ Dennis Montales
▪ Jeff Lat
GC '96
▪ Jet Manio
▪ Eric Santos
GC '97
▪ Ren Sarmiento
▪ Delwin Bagayana
GC '99
▪ Benjel Andaya
GC 2000
▪ Richard Recto
GC '01
▪ Boboy Balantucas
▪ Ernel Mariano
▪ Raimon Gonzales
▪ Jols Luardo
GC '02
▪ Raymond Yadao
GC '03
▪ Glenn Naquila
▪ Aljury Pangilinan
GC '05
▪ Pao Azul
▪ Erwin Villacarlos
▪ Rhiz Manalo
▪ JR Quizon
▪ Bjone Favorito
▪ Jean Claude Ting

After eating, we watched the film, The Red Violin with the Glee Club and some Alumni present. Of course, the night won't be complete without endless jokes we've shares and the much awaited parlor games. ;) It's great to be part of this family. We enjoy the music we create and we enjoy each others company as we celebrate the joyous miracle of life.

After the fun-filled parlor games, we headed to the living room of Sir Ton. We had our message-to-each-other session, which didn't take a while. Sir Ton then played the music video he created as we sang, We'll Never Say Goodbye. It's great to see old videos of our concerts and teambuilding seminars in Baguio especially if the background music is our Anthem! It really brings back the memories of our GC days in San Beda. After singing, we had fireworks display, outside, of course! Then, most of the Alumni already left the place while some stayed including myself.

At around 7am, we left. Benjel, Marlo, Raymond and Aljury even watched Aishte Imasu right after the party! :) It's one of the most memorable parties I've ever attended. ;)

Kahit na magkawalay, sayo'y maghihintay. ¿?

My Christmas Prayer

2004-12-25T02:27:00.000+08:00

We were not able to watch the Montserrat Singers (MS) perform before the mass in San Beda since we all attended mass here in our parish. But I'm pretty sure they did great!

We didn't expect to see the chuch flooded with people. Even the streets were filled with church-goers. We knew that there would be a lot of people but we didn't expect to see that huge crowd! Yes, many people attended the 10pm mass but unfortunately, more people were there just to fulfill an obligation. We, my brother and sister call it simbang gilid 'cos more people were staying outside than inside the church. In fact, you can no longer hear the mass outside!

Yes, I must admit that we were quite late for the mass since it's only a few steps aways from the house. And YES, my brother and I had a simbang gilid that night. It was too difficult to enter though my mom and my sister were able to make it. My dad was one of the lay ministers.

There are two song this season that caught my attention. First is Josh Groban's Believe from the movie sountrack of The Polar Express. The song taught me to BELIVE in myself, what I can do and that I can make it if I just believe. It was my inspiration when we were about to face our defense panelists. I've shared that before and the big help that the song has given me was amazingly incredible! Of course, with Josh's voice... uh! Beautiful song, it is.

Second is Bebe Winans and Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas' My Christmas Prayer. I heard it twice in the Oprah Winfrey Show a few days back. I liked it when I first heard the melody. The second time, I was already humming it and then I liked its lyrics. It's the Christmas prayer of all. We all pray for peace in all places and even in our hearts! And with all the disasters that may come our way, it is important that we give just a little time of our day just to pray and TALK to God anything that we want to say. Yes, the Benedictine teaching - PRAYER and WORK!

This Christmas, I wish everybody happiness, success, fulfillment, clarity of one's mind and more blessings from God as we all should never forget to pray, call for guidance in our actions, words, thoughts and decisions. Let us reflect on Jesus' role in our lives. Let us not focus on the happiness brought by giftgiving but through the joy we bring to one another.

http://raimon6.fateback.com

Merry Christmas to all! ¿?

Simbang Gabi - A Call for Prayer

2004-12-24T23:25:00.000+08:00

There were a lot of challenges happened that I may not have been able to complete all nine masses. Yes, most of time I was late especially when I had company with me. But I was able to manage. I was on the verge of saying, "Next year na lang..." Since I wanted to complete it, I completed it.

Singing is just one of things I think I can offer in my own little way in thanksgiving. It's just a fragment of God's blessing and I owe Him so much. So giving Him my time [an hour of my day] is nothing compared to His compassion and love. So, why should I waste that? I was motivated to be there not only to be with my friends but of course, again, to thank Him for all of the wonderful things happened and to ask for guidance in the coming year.

A few days back, Buje told me that Doanni's mom was rushed to the hospital. I planned to visit her mom but I wasn't able to go because of the Simbang Gabi in San Beda. During the mass, I included her mom's recovery in my prayers. One afternoon, Doanni texted me informing that her mom was back in their house already. I was so happy to know that. See what prayers can do? :)

Last December 22, Ojep, one of my friends in our block texted me an alarming message. Eanna Chan's mother passed away just days before Christmas. Eanna was also a part of our big barkada back in our frosh and sophomore years. People may have changed and we may all have likes and dislikes and unending misconceptions with each other, but we went to her mom's wake in Las Piñas, setting aside all our differences. Her mom was 47.

With all the things that happened - the calamities in Central Luzon, deaths of FPJ, KC de Venecia, Dolphy's grandson, Elicia G. Chan and sickness like stroke and cancer, we are all called to pray. Let us pray for guidance, answers, strength and above all faith.

Here are some of our Simbang Gabi Pictures.

To find more pictures, click here. ¿?

Simbang Gabi - Days 1 to 4

2004-12-19T01:03:00.000+08:00

Last year (2nd Term), when I had difficulties with INCOMET (Income Taxation) I prayed so hard asking for guidance. I just wanted to pass the subject. Surprisingly, I got a 2.0, which is equivalent to 80 to 84. I wasn't expecting it since I was hoping for a 1.0 [70 to 74]. To give thanks to God, I attended two Simbang Gabi masses in San Beda. This year, it's different.

After all the trials I've encountered and surpassed for the past months and years of studying, I decided to complete all nine nights of Simbang Gabi at the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat in Mendiola. Well, what else? Of course, to thank God for giving me the strength, patience, sanity and the courage to go on and face all the challenges He gave me. I sing in the mass together with the Glee Club and some young Alumni.

I'm enjoying every part of it, being present and again to sing in the Abbey... It feels good when you give your best performance, singing the right notes, giving you whole heart and projecting your voice clearly... [Sigh] Now, here are our pics so far.

No pictures were taken on the 4th day.
¿?

Early Bets for 2005 Golden Globe

2004-12-13T22:01:00.000+08:00

I've been waiting for December 13 for the official announcement of the Golden Globe nominations for January 16. I had my bets but weren't nominated. Well, here are the nominees and some of my predictions.

Legend:
    Bet
    Threats

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
    THE AVIATOR
    Forward Pass/Appian Way/IMF Prods.; Miramax Films
    CLOSER
    Columbia Pictures; Sony Pictures Releasing
    FINDING NEVERLAND
    Film Colony Productions; Miramax Films
    HOTEL RWANDA
    Miracle Pictures/Seamus Prods.; United Artists Film Inc.
    i/a/w Lions Gate Films through MGM Distribution Co.
    KINSEY
    Qwerty Films; Fox Searchlight Pictures
    MILLION DOLLAR BABY
    Warner Bros. Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
    SCARLETT JOHANSSON A Love Song For Bobby Long
    NICOLE KIDMAN Birth
    IMELDA STAUNTON Vera Drake
    HILARY SWANK Million Dollar Baby
    UMA THURMAN Kill Bill Vol. 2

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
    JAVIER BARDEM The Sea Inside
    DON CHEADLE Hotel Rwanda
    JOHNNY DEPP Finding Neverland
    LEONARDO DICAPRIO The Aviator
    LIAM NEESON Kinsey

BEST MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY
    ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
    Anonymous Content/This is that; Focus Features
    THE INCREDIBLES
    Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation Studios;
    Buena Vista Pictures Marketing
    Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
    Really Useful Films; Warner Bros. Pictures
    RAY
    Anvil Films/Baldwin Entertainment;
    Universal Pictures/Bristol Bay Productions
    SIDEWAYS
    Sideways Productions, Inc./Fox Searchlight Pictures

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE -
MUSICAL OR COMEDY
    ANNETTE BENING Being Julia
    ASHLEY JUDD De-Lovely
    EMMY ROSSUM Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom Of The Opera
    KATE WINSLET Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
    RENEE ZELLWEGER Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE -
MUSICAL OR COMEDY
    JIM CARREY Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
    JAMIE FOXX Ray
    PAUL GIAMATTI Sideways
    KEVIN KLINE De-Lovely
    KEVIN SPACEY Beyond The Sea

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
    THE CHORUS (LES CHORISTES) (FRANCE)
    Galatée Films/Pathé Renn Prods.; Miramax Films
    HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS (CHINA)
    Elite Group (2003) Enterprises Inc.; Sony Pictures Classics
    THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES (BRAZIL)
    South Fork Pictures/Tu Vas Voir Prod.; Focus Features
    THE SEA INSIDE (SPAIN)
    Sogecine/Himenoptero; Fine Line Features
    A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT (FRANCE)
    2003 Productions/Warner Bros.; Warner Independent Pictures

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
IN A MOTION PICTURE
    CATE BLANCHETT The Aviator
    LAURA LINNEY Kinsey
    VIRGINIA MADSEN Sideways
    NATALIE PORTMAN Closer
    MERYL STREEP The Manchurian Candidate

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
IN A MOTION PICTURE
    DAVID CARRADINE Kill Bill Vol. 2
    THOMAS HADEN CHURCH Sideways
    JAMIE FOXX Collateral
    MORGAN FREEMAN Million Dollar Baby
    CLIVE OWEN Closer

BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE
    CLINT EASTWOOD Million Dollar Baby
    MARC FORSTER Finding Neverland
    MIKE NICHOLS Closer
    ALEXANDER PAYNE Sideways
    MARTIN SCORSESE The Aviator

BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE
    CHARLIE KAUFMAN Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
    JOHN LOGAN The Aviator
    DAVID MAGEE Finding Neverland
    PATRICK MARBER Closer
    ALEXANDER PAYNE & JIM TAYLOR Sideways

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE - MOTION PICTURE
    CLINT EASTWOOD Million Dollar Baby
    JAN A.P. KACZMAREK Finding Neverland
    ROLFE KENT Sideways
    HOWARD SHORE The Aviator
    HANS ZIMMER Spanglish

BEST ORIGINAL SONG - MOTION PICTURE
    “ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE” –- SHREK 2
    Music & Lyrics by: Adam Duritz, Dan Vickery, David Immergluck,
    Matthew Malley & David Bryson
    “BELIEVE” — THE POLAR EXPRESS
    Music & Lyrics by: Glen Ballard & Alan Silvestri
    “LEARN TO BE LONELY” — Andrew Lloyd Webber’s
    The Phantom Of The Opera
    Music by: Andrew Lloyd Webber
    Lyrics by: Charles Hart
    “MILLION VOICES” — HOTEL RWANDA
    Music by: Wyclef Jean, Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis, Andrea Guerra
    Lyrics by: Wyclef Jean
    “OLD HABITS DIE HARD” — ALFIE
    Music & Lyrics by: Mick Jagger & David A. Stewart

I'm more concerned with the movies! Haha! ;) ¿?

Chito S. Roño's Spirits

2004-12-10T17:46:00.000+08:00

2.5

Directed by: Chito Roño

John Wayne Sace ... Lloyd
Maja Salvador ... Gabby
Rayver Cruz ... Red
Serena Dalrymple ... Liz
Jiro Manio ... Nato
Mico Aytona ... Thor
Michelle Madrigal ... Maya
Joseph Bitangcol ... Jesse

Genre: Fantasy/Supense
Language: Filipino/Tagalog
TV Premiere Date: December 6, 2004
MTRCB Rating: PG
Official Website

REVIEW
After several weeks of Channel 2's promotional strategies, finally Spirits is so far making a good start on its timeslot. I was very much annoyed watching its trailer on ABS-CBN for several weeks, nevertheless I liked Rivermaya's theme song for this TV series, "You'll Be Safe Here". With Rico Blanco's voice, it really caught my attention. Actually, I'm now looking for an MP3 of the song but I still can't find one.

The TV series started with the traditional flashback of the past just like any other series on ABS-CBN. A tragic phenomenon in a town brought eight children to a local hospital giving them special powers. At present, they're still living but haunted by the mystery of the town's past.

Acting is not a problem. It's aired on ABS-CBN and Chito Roño's the director so I don't think it's going to be a problem soon.

I like some ideas in the series but others are so passé. Actually, these ideas are quite similar to Smallville, 24 and even Nginiig! Smallville is Smallville; full of mysteries after the meteor shower. This time, their town in Spirits is also haunted my the mystery of its past. Coincidence? Maybe not. When Smallville started, Clark Kent was in high school, same with Spirits. In a commercial, they're surfing the net for info about their town's past just like Chloe's role in Smallville! ;) I think I've seen the framing technique (if I may call it that way) they're using [black background with 2 to 3 frames of the scene]. Remember 24? :)

Paz (Sandy Andolong) is Red's (Rayver Cruz) mom . She got pregnant when she found an "interesting" object in the wood with her students. She had a small something, a stone of some-sort that she placed on the "interesting" (triangular) object. Remember when Clark and his family first put the octagonal disk on Clark's ship? There was a big blast, right? I think Chito Roño's a huge fan of Superman and Smallville! I bet... I bet! :) So Paz got pregnant thru that whatever-they-call-it-object. Wait. Martha, Clark's mom also got pregnant thru the ship when she secretly place the octagonal disk, right? *Sigh*

It's good that ABS-CBN and GMA are competing with each other especially with the magic of visual effects. Yes, both are doing great but I think we still lack the technology both in movies and on television.

Before the season one of Smallville ended, they had a spring formal. In Spirits, they're preparing for a Halloween party. In Smallville, they had Remy Zero playing for their spring formal singing "Save Me", which is the theme song of the series. Now in Spirits, they have Rivermaya to perform the theme song, "You'll Be Safe Here". Coincidence? Haha! :) Hmm... Save and Safe - quite synonymous! ;)

I think they'll have a problem on how Spirits differ from Nginiig. LOL! The attack is quite the same but Nginiig is more gory, I think. But over-all, despite the carbon copied ideas I still like the plot. BTW, about the whispered "Spirits"... Did Chito Roño get it from his movie, Feng Shui?! Haha! :) Yet another recycled idea...

RECOMMENDATION
If you're a thrill-seeker, I think you'll like this series. If you like Nginiig, try to watch this. It's a teen stuff, I guess. If you like Smallville, try to watch this too. It may be mababaw for some. No wonder, it's a high school TV series. But if the whole idea sucks to you, disregard this! Haha! But still, it caught my attention. Thanks to Rivermaya!

This is only a personal review. Have an open mind. I may hate what you like and I may like what you hate. It's your decision. ¿?

The Polar Express

2004-12-08T22:06:00.000+08:00

3.5

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Based from a Book by: Chris Van Allsburg

Tom Hanks ... Hero Boy/Father/Conductor/Hobo/Scrooge/Santa Claus
Smokey/Steamer ... Michael Jeter
Lonely Boy ... Peter Scolari
Hero Girl ... Nona Gaye
Know-It-All Boy ... Eddie Deezen
Elf General ... Charles Fleischer

Genre: Fantasy/Family
Language: English
Philippine Release Date: November 10, 2004
MTRCB Rating: GP
Official Website

REVIEW
I've seen the teaser trailer of The Polar Express last summer. I thought it was an interesting film to watch. Months later, I found out that Josh Groban sang "Believe", which is the theme song from the movie. Then I was hooked with the film and the song. I started to listen to "Believe" and reflected on it. Up to know it is still in my playlist! He previously sang "Remeber" from the movie Troy and is nominated for Best Male Vocal Pop Performace on next year's Grammy Awards. Good job!

The film is based on the book of Chris Van Allsburg, who won several awards for this book alone back in 1980s. It tells a story of a boy's quest for answers in preparation for Christmas in a train ride to the North Pole. He learned a lot from books and newspaper clippings about the truth behind Santa Claus. But despite all of these things, he still wants to believe.

It's a fun film to watch with the whole family especially if you have kids aged eight and below who are all eager to meet Santa (Claus, not Santita). It's a roller coaster ride to the North Pole with the elves and Santa Claus as the host of the night. Computer Animation played an important role to bring back to life the book of Allsburg. From what I've seen in pictures, there are improvements with the color and texture in this film. Plus, Tom Hanks playing five or six roles in the movie, acting each movement and dubbed their voices too.

There are many strings of lesson in the story that may be quite difficult to understand for the kids. I liked how the conductor taught the children a lesson by punching holes on their tickets. With the time spent in a train ride to the North Pole, the children learned and experienced things that they need to understand. If I were given a chance to see The Polar Express outside the house, I'd go with them! The whole ride and the adventure is the lesson. And all the character helped each other find their answers to their doubts and concerns.

The Lonely Boy in the film looks like Haley Joel Osment from The Sixth Sense! But He's looks older in the movie. Spot the difference: Haley Joel Osment from Forrest Gump and the Lonely Boy from The Polar Express - 100% match! LOL!

LESSON

The ticket-punching
How to prepare for Christmas
It's more than gift giving
"You have everything you need, if you just BELIEVE."

RECOMMENDATION
Families with kids should see this movie. Parents should explain to their kids the lesson behind the ticket-punching, existence of Santa (again Claus, not Santita) and the performance of Steve Tyler in the North Pole! LOL! Get a copy of its soundtrack. Listen to Believe by Josh Groban included in the soundtrack of The Polar Express. I listened to it several times for me to believe in myself hours before our thesis defense a few weeks ago. It helped me a lot! Amazing lyrics... a good bet for Oscar Best Song.

This is only a personal review. Have an open mind. I may hate what you like and I may like what you hate. It's your decision. ¿?

Santa Santita

2004-12-07T11:09:00.000+08:00

2.5

Produced by: Tony Gloria
Directed by: Laurice Guillen

Angelica Panginiban ... Malen
Jericho Rosales ... Mike
Hilda Koronel ... Chayong
Johnny Delgado ... Father Tony
Cherry Pie Picache ... Sister Dolor

Genre: Drama
Language: Filipino/Tagalog
Philippine Release Date: November 17, 2004
Rating: PG-13
Official Website
Rated A by the Cinema Evaluation Board

REVIEW
I was disappointed with the film. When I first heard it, I thought it was an entry to this year's MMFF. Then I was eager to watch The Making of Santa Santita a few weeks back on Studio 23. First, I was impressed and excited to see it with Laurice Guillen as the director.

The film dragged 'til the last scene of Angelica (Malen) and Jericho (Mike). They said it's a defining role for Angelica but it wasn't. It's predictable. Jericho did a good job and may receive an award next year. The story is quite similar to ABS-CBN's Mangarap Ka with Piolo and Angelica as the lead actors set in Quiapo. I think, the plot isn't eye candy to the Filipino viewers since it didn't last that long in most movie houses. The story itself didn't expand with only a few dynamics that died down to a weaker ending. There was no tear-jerking scene in this movie. There were ideas that are quite similar to other foreign art films.

Malen is the daughter of Hilda Koronel (Chayong), who is one of the prayer women of Quiapo. Angelica's role is supposed to be mean and disrespectful to her mother, like her role in Mangarap Ka. Guillen was probably a bit cautious on how to present Angelica as a young bad girl of Quiapo. Perhaps, they were considering Angelica's image as a teenstar. I think she has some talent that could have been used for the role but was set aside. She looked like a good daughter in this movie. She sells rosaries and scapulars to the passers by the way she was told by her mother. Though she refused to do it, she had no choice but to seek for donations. Then she suddenly walked out of the house wearing a mini shirt. The intensity of her being a bad girl wasn't explained very well for her to be ridiculed by many people. Angelica didn't shine. There was no promising moment for her.

Like what I said, Jericho was good especially when his son died seeking Angelica's healing power through prayers. He was able to establish the role of Mike, a tourist driver who gives extra services to Mrs. Hoffman.

The bed scene was neatly done. You won't feel any doing-doing in your pants though. It was fake. You won't feel anything. There was no passion. Yes, Angelica showed her skin but sadly it wasn't enough for her to receive an award. Her role reminds me of Monica Bellucci in Malena - a slutty-bitchy woman who's judged by her neighbors. In this case, Angelica wasn't bad at all to be called Malen or as a neighbor called her Malendi.

Johnny Delgado (Father Tony) is a confused get away priest who was facing a controversy in his town and stayed in Quiapo for a resolution. But his alcoholism wasn't a highlight at all. There wasn't much emphasis on his vices. The story can stand alone with or without his character. When he stayed in a room just below Malen's place, I thought he's going to molest Malen but he didn't. The rest wasn't so spectacular. The scoring wasn't good. I hardly noticed it. When a highlight intensifies, you should feel it through the direction of the film and the aid of the score. But the use of choral and church-like music is passé - very predictable.

LESSON
It's a debate whether Malen was really gifted with such healing power through prayers or it was just a coincidence. It's an issue of morality whether to seek the aid of prayer women is morally permitted not only by the church but by the Catholics as well. Who are these prayer women? Are they doing this for the sole purpose of helping others through prayers or they're just like Malen who wasn't taking it seriously? (For Prayer or Money - LOL).

RECOMMENDATIONS
You may or may not watch this movie.

This is only a personal review. Have an open mind. I may hate what you like and I may like what you hate. It's your decision. ¿?

At Last

2004-12-02T01:16:00.000+08:00

Facing my responsibilities for the past months wasn't an easy challenge at all. I've sacrificed a lot of things for myself and for others. I did things the way I thought was right just to surpass the challege.

Along the way, I doubted myself and my character and I even thought of giving up everything, even my dreams. I faced two battles - the battle of facing the problems and the conflicting internal battle with myself, whether I would survive or not. It was like creating another self struggling to compete with my weakenesses, my patience, my self-esteem and my courage to fight!

I stopped posting my daily entires all because of our thesis. Now as I look back at the past, dealing with the ups and downs of the thesis chaos for three terms, I can say that I'm proud and thankful to myself for fighting a good fight and facing my own fears. It was a battle with myself that took me time to figure out what to do. I'm also thankful to God for giving me strength and the courage to do what I should do.

I always looked forward to attend mass on Sundays in San Beda. I felt this need of spiritual guidance along the way as we finish our thesis. Since I was so bothered physically, mentally and emotionally, I badly needed to pray and I was never wrong to hear mass. Every week Fr. Ed Africa, OSB reminded us [me] a lot of important things that we seem to forget. And if I can still remember, on the second week of November I was alarmed to realize God's message to me. He started the Homily with a question. He asked everybody if we know the most frequently spoken message/reminder of Jesus in the Bible. Ok, he got my attention then I started to listen.

"Do not be afraid." According to him, that is the most freqently spoken reminder of Jesus in the Bible. I felt the tap on my shoulder and I told myself that I should be thankful for God hears my prayers. From then on, I looked for reasons to survive and sang songs to stengthen my weakening mind.

I'm so happy to surpass this challenge together with my thesis mates. :) Now we can finally sing, "This is the Moment"!

That in all things, God may be glorified. ¿?

192 Hours

2004-10-23T02:04:00.000+08:00

After 24 days of working in Petron for my OJT, I finally reached my 192nd hour, about to complete the 200-hour requirement. I'm excited to finish my OJT on Monday but I'm quite sad to actually end my stay there. Yeah, mixed emotions, they call it.

This morning, I woke up at 6:30, earlier that before! Uh! I wanted to sleep for another two hours [at least] but I had no choice but to get up and take a bath. When I arrived, I opened the door to our room, looking at the office. No one was inside. So I was quite early yesterday. (Actually, I was ten minutes; five minutes at the elev!)

A part of me wanted to end it and another part of me's pulling me back for some reason. My emotions were crazy now that I'm about to end my OJT. I'll surely miss my desk, the smelly telephones in the office ('cos two of them smoke), their ID system, my PC, the food at the caf and whenever I'm alone in the room I would answer the phone saying, "Public Affairs...". I even had an experience of answering a mad client's call early in the morning (since I had no details about the oil prices of Petron - LOL, silly man!). I recall my first day when I took my first step at the caf. I had no idea on what to do, how to order food and where to pay. I was totally confused! [lol]

On Monday, I'll be submitting to my boss my OJT Portfolio containing all the things that I've created since September 20. (Check my To Do List for details.) I've been planning on how to present it since last week and after rejecting two or three proposals, I'm now satisfied with this one.

Now I'm ready to write my reaction letter. Probably, I'll be posting it here next week. For now, I'm shifting my mind to Thesis Mode. ¿?

Sony Cyber-shot® Pro DSC-F828

2004-10-19T23:49:00.000+08:00

I admit that I was sleepy this afternoon especially after eating my lunch. Fortunately, they gave me some work. I sorted and filed a bundle of Senate Bills and House Bills, which took me quite a while.

They invited me to join them in a press conference at the caf with news reporters from different TV stations. Channels 2, 9 and 13 were early. I was tasked to take some pictures of them during the press con, for filing in the library using this astonishing digital camera, the Sony Cyber-shot® Pro Digital Camera DSC-F828. With 7X optical zoom, 2X digital zoom and 8.0 megapixels, hm... I told myself, "This one is a must-have!" I was so amazed to use it! Fortuantely, I have a Sony Cyber-shot® DSC-P92, which is quite similar to DSC-F828.

After the press con, I rushed to my computer and visited SonyStyle.com to look for this digicam. No wonder, it's worth more than P50,000! Then I started to search for some techie-mala-photographer jargons. And I must say, I learned a lot after reading on some articles about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc.

For now, I must set aside my desire for DSC-F828 since I'm not yet through with my documentation that I will submit after my OJT. I have four days left in Petron, what's next after OJT? Yes, thesis. For weeks already, it has been haunting me at the back of my mind from time to time.

But there's a tagline from a well-known brand that says it all, "Just Do It". Now I have this opportunity to do my very best, apply all the things that I've learned, use my skills and talent to make things work. I'm a 20-year old guy who has big dreams. And I won't let these dreams to fade away just because of a fragment of what lies ahead.

Isigaw mo sa hangin
Tumindig at magsilbing
Liwanag
Liwanag sa Dilim
Harapin mong magiting
Ang bagong awitin
Ikaw ang
Liwanag sa Dilim
*Rivermaya: Liwanag sa Dilim ¿?

South Park

2004-10-18T01:49:00.000+08:00

I can't find my match in South Park! ¿?

Don't Let Go

2004-10-17T17:43:00.000+08:00

For more than two months already, I've been counting my days to see Josh Groban live in Manila, which was scheduled on November 21 and 22. This morning, I visited his site after posting my blog for Jasmine. I was pretty excited to look for his tour updates. I was reading some threads in the forum site and I was depressed to know about a sad news for Asian Grobanites.

A thread was named, "Asia tour has been postponed....". I clicked on it, thinking that it was just a joke. But it was official. I checked the tour dates of Josh in his site and his next tour is scheduled on November 27 in Africa. According to the thread, there was a confict with Josh's schedule and that they'll reschedule the Asian tour sometime next year. Some Grobanites in the west posted that we're fortunate enough for it wasn't canceled but was postponed. But for me, I felt sad about the news. I've been waiting for those dates since August. Now I have to wait again for another two months or more for Josh's concert here in Manila. I just hope that he'll be here on January or maybe on February for a Valentine concert.

Whenever I praise artists and tag them as my idols, I always see to it that I have a balance insight about their performance as artists. I like Josh very much. For me, he's the best artist in his genre and I'm pretty sure I'll be playing his music until I reach 70 or even older! I found this thread in Josh's forum site. A Grobanite posted a URL of Josh's AOL Live Performance, I think a few months back. I played it and I was so surprised to see him so tired and to hear his flat notes all over the place. In the middle of the 40-minute concert, I told myself, "He looks [and sounds] tired! Why?!".

I heard some major flat notes and wrong vocal support that you can actually see with his face. He was tired. I'm absolutely sure about that. He was trying to hit the right high notes and the effort was in his face! Man, this guy needs some rest! As a finale, he sang Don't Let Go from his Closer album. It was a major disaster ending of the concert. Poor guy! If only he rested for the concert! As what Sir Floy told us before, "If you're tired. Rest.".

I just hope, he'll stage a great concert here in Manila. So Josh, get some sleep. [UFC - Uy, Feeling Close!] ¿?

Jas-Mania!

2004-10-17T02:47:00.000+08:00

I have to admit that I like Camile more than Jasmine since AI3 auditions up to the Final 12. But things were crazy last night when we watched Jasmine Trias: Fil-Am Idol Live in Manila. I remembered when we watched Mariah Carey last year. The thrill of seeing an idol is actually unexplainable. It's like no word can describe your feeling, no expression can ever match your insanity!

We seated at the 15th row from the stage [Row O]. I think it was roughly 15 meters away from the artists, good enough! [Thanks to our brother who bought our tickets! :p] Of course, Jasmine's TV commercials were played for more than an hour before the concert started. It wasn't a full house but the patron seats were filled with fans! Young girls were all drooling to see Jasmine and her guests, Jay-R, Christian Baustista and Eric Santos with Jimmy Muna who did the rap parts of the concert. KC Montero opened the concert with a short spiel. Here are MY pics! ;)

She started the concert with Pink's hit song that gave her an MTV Best Female Video Award few years back, Get The Party Started. Jasmine grooved, singing as what she said, "to many 'uh-ohs'!", Beyonce's Crazy In Love. It was actually a 50-50 concert of Jasmine and her guests since she only sang two or three songs in a set, then a guest took over the stage for an intermission. Jay-R wowed the crowed with his hit songs, Bakit Pa Ba? and Design for Love and Usher's Yeah. Christian hit a more serious note when he sang Josh Groban's You're Still You and praised William Hung as he mimicked the AI3 reject's dance step of Ricky Martin's She Bangs. The people laughed and smiled when a video of Jasmine was played when she was 4 years old singing Tomorrow. :)

The guests have a common denominator with Jasmine. Jay-R's a Fil-Am, Christian's her kababayan in Cavite and Eric's a champ from Star in a Million. I was personally impressed and moved by Eric Santos' rendition of This is the Moment. It proved that he really has a place in the industry today as one of the teen pop icons. Before ending the show, all four of them proudly sang Bamboo's Noypi that was very cool! They also did a medley of some OPM duets, most of the songs were written by Ogie. Jasmine thanked her sponsors and left the stage to change her costume for the last time. She wore a white dress as she entered the stage singing Whitney Huston's I Will Always Love You.

She left the stage again and some people thought that it was over. They already left their seats when we cheered "More!". Jasmine came back to the stage singing her trademark rendition of Whitney Huston's Inseparable - her best song of the night. Before the song ended, fans ran to the stage for a photo op of Jasmine singing the last few lines of the song. My brother told me, "Punta ka na dun!" I was deaf for a moment but inside I was very much excited to walk to the aisle, meters aways from the Idol. I took some poor shots that I deleted. People didn't mind the cameraman and just ran to the stage just for shots of Jasmine at the center stage. Flowers were given to her then I took a good shot. I was totally out of my mind. I was waving my hand to her with no words coming out of my mouth! I almost had the guts of going up of the stage! No kidding! It was great! She's cute and morena!

I better ask Ate to 'sponsor' our Josh Groban tickets next month! We should have a 128MB Sony memory stick by that time. We had fun!

* bunch/ is not connected to or related to bench/ or herbench/. ¿?

About to End, About to Start

2004-10-16T17:21:00.000+08:00

Since I counted my days and hours left for my 200-hour OJT this term, I'm already anticipating my last day in Petron. I have a week and a day left but I still have to finish my work and make a documentation of it in a CD format. I'm planning to present it in a Flash presentation, presenting the layout proposal for the website, the wallpaper designs, the screensaver desgins and others. I just hope they'll like it.

I'm kinda sick of eating the same old food at the caf of Petron. So I've been texting my friends to join them for lunch even if it would cost me P40 taxi ride. Here are our pics at LKG Tower in Ayala. I'm calling all OOE peeps, if you're free, join us! :)

Now that I'm about to end my OJT, I have a number of insights to think about for the required reaction paper. I've learned many thing, things that are very much relevant - the value of education, the value of discipline, determination & dedication [3 D's] and the value of hardwork. I'm quite excited to highlight these learnings in my reaction paper. But I still have a lot of things to learn and accept i.e. the corporate culture in the office, the lingo, the pressure, the pervs, [LOL] etc. There will be more challenges ahead and I'm happy to believe that I have Him to back me up. ¿?

Recap

2004-10-11T09:18:00.000+08:00

Last week, I was praying for happiness. Did I get what I was asking for? Almost. My shoulders and my neck were killing me all week-long and that's just one part of the sad story. Did I just say sad? Well, last week wasn't actually a sad week. This time, my week was more serious than before. My week simply dragged doing computer and office works assigned to me. All the time, I was waiting for the clock to strike 11:30 just to eat lunch! Ah! Now my stomach's hungry for food as my mind's hungry for solitude.

Pervie Alert. It was a culture shock. Before leaving CSB for my OJT, all I knew was that I could actually mingle with people in a workplace like this. After weeks of dealing with the old, I'm stunned to realise that I'm not a pervert at all! I realised that there are more pervs out there who live and think by being such - daily! It's like in their system already, ruling their senses and imposing their actions to act differently. Ah! I'm so blessed! It's like I'm in a hell of pervs with a halo on top of my head! Ang bait ko pa pala!!!

Shaking. I didn't post my blogs for the past few days because nothing important and note-worthy happened. Hehe! Meron naman. Last Friday, we were doing our thesis in my place when the bed was shaking! [*(^($% Not that!] My mom was outside the room when I told her, "Ma, lumilindol!" Then we started to pray... It was crazy! Venice then called her mom and I got a pitcher of water for all. It was horrible! They left the house at 1am with some humor I shared [e.g. Frenchie Dy: "R-E-S-P-E-C-T!" and "NNNaaakkkkxxx!!!" -_- hehehe], assignment for the thesis and a memory of the earthquake. At 12mn, we greeted David as he turned 20. :) Then Mabel sent him an SMS greeting at 12:13am, something that surpirsed him. :)

Wimbledon. My family was planning of another movie marathon at Power Plant Mall. We were supposed to watch Shark Tale and Wimbledon last Saturday but we ran out of tickets so we've decided to watch Wimbledon instead. I even saw Aljury with his Trupets friends. Of course, Jackie Lou Blanco and her kids were there [again!].

Stress Relief. Fortunately, we went my father's clan's place for the baptism of our niece [my cousin's daughter], Nazarin. It was fun spending time with the kids, helping them out to blow plastic balloons! I met Julius. We had fun! We hope to see all of them here this Christmas! :)

I don't like to count how many hours I've consumed for the past 3 weeks but since a lot of people were asking me that, I did it and not I'm not happy. I didn't want to count my days, my hours to reach that 200 hours of OJT. Now I'm left here counting, dragging my days 'till October 25! [Sighs] ¿?

Idle Hands

2004-10-06T15:04:00.000+08:00

I'm completing the OJT requirements, which will be submitted on Saturday, October 16. I already told my boss that I have no agenda for the day and that I'm asking for some work. She was asking her officemate for any load they'd like to give me. But up to know, I'm still waiting for some work.

I'm not yet through with the website layout. It's actually one of my pending works. I still have to check some Javascripts for the navigation. I'm planning to create a Flash screen saver of Petron but I dunno how to publish it as .SCR file. Hm.

A while a go, Doanni, Bernice and I went to CSB to submit a form at the Registrar's Office. After that, they pushed me to go to G4 to eat lunch. Then we met this taxi driver whose IQ Level is below 50! BOBO! Hay... we missed each other with the unending story-telling and silly jokes that we've kept for weeks. BTW, our block, Block OOE's planning for a night out! I never thought that this is going to happen!:D It's true. Bati-bati na nga majority ng block. Majority ah! :D ¿?

Phat Artist

2004-10-05T01:39:00.000+08:00

Having a plan for the day makes a big difference. I had a plan yesterday as I started the day with some priorities in mind. It wasn't that difficult to be busy for quite sometime. Actually, it's good to have an objective to start up your day. That's a new learning for me. LOL! I had ideas in my mind that I was able to draw and animate. I just hope my brain works that way everyday! [Sigh]

I was able to accomplish two banners and later, I'll ask them for more work. I'm almost done with my initial requirements to be submitted on October 16. Hm... few more days, then I'm done with my OJT. Arrghh!!! But we have to defend our thesis before the month ends or probably the first week of November at the latest.

Hm. I hope that this day is going to be another fruitful one for all of us. Let's not be selfish. Let's all be happy for other people's success. [Just a thought]. ¿?

Magic Sing

2004-10-04T01:09:00.000+08:00

I had a peaceful weekend. It was relaxing to spend my time at home, avoiding the horror of Internet. Haha! Now I'm back, wondering what's going to happen this week - if I'll be happy or not. Well as what Brandon of TAR5 would always say during the 5th season, "It's in the Lord's hands...".

Last Friday, I had this need of singing. I grabbed the Magic Sing and played a few songs over and over again! I had fun being alone without hesitations, realising whatever feeling I had inside. I picked some old songs, picturing the past when I was still a kid. May favorite picks are: Closer You And I (Gino Padilla) - 3 semitones down, How Did You Know (Chiqui Pineda) - 3 semitones up, Sukiyaki (4PM) and Kung Okey Lang Sayo (Truefaith). Haha!

Some of my picks are the old ones. We better buy a new chip, the latest of course! There are times that it's fun to be alone. You can have time for yourself to unwind and to assess yourself as person, as a being and as your own friend. By doing this, I was able to learn about myself even more and be ready to be with others. ¿?

Pissed Off

2004-09-30T20:47:00.000+08:00

I was bored the whole day without the materials I need to do my work. I wanted to create a banner but I don't have the logo that I need. I tried to manipulate a poor quality picture but I almost got blind editing it.

Now, I feel so bad letting the time drag right in front of me. I wanted to achieve something and make them happy but I don't have the resources to do such. I wasn't productive at all. Oh God! What's wrong? May the Lord bless me and guide me.

Congrats to DLSU. ¿?