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31 August 2006 @ 02:16 pm
How can I be sad with friends like these?  
I've been feeling out-of-sorts for the past few weeks, and a get-together with
some of the powerblock.

Last night, Jax, Irish, Sabs, Mikki and I trooped to Taytay to pay our final respects to Rucci's dad, Noel.
It was a bittersweet reunion of sorts. What took us so long to meet up with Rucc?

As usual, powerblock gatherings are always noisy, crazy, happy, fun - even when we're attending a wake ;)

It's always nice to catch up with this group of friends. Laging magulo, laging masaya.
On a senti note, I realize that I've been immensely blessed with this group of feople
who've known me from before, who can remind me of what I set out to be before I went out into the world. Friends with whom memories of firsts were shared, fears of the unknown were discussed, and dreams of  "10-years-from-now" were kept.

I am immensely blessed.  Where else could I have found such beautiful, talented, generous souls?
(Welcome to the mutual admiration society)

I decided to take a trip down memory lane to see pictures of the block from way before.
Here are some of the pics I got ;)
                                    
                                                                         Lantern Parade 2003 (Maputi pa ko nun!)


                                                                  Cam's Despedida (Iba pa partners ng mga tao, hehe)



Medyo recent (Last year lang)


 
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28 August 2006 @ 01:35 pm
Wow, I look like a star!  
Guess which celebrity I look like:

Click here to create your own Celebrity Collage on MyHeritage - best site for your family tree and photos
 
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24 August 2006 @ 01:10 pm
(no subject)  
The Virus

A shot was just what Leo needed.

He had been feeling out of sorts lately, lacking the appetite to get up, rush to his daily routine at the agency, or even see Candice. Food lost their favor, music became empty, his travels monotonous -  even love-making was dull. He couldn't laugh, smile, or sing. He had the symptoms, and he knew just what to do.

"I thought I had completed my vaccination, doc.All eight of them. And then I scanned my records and there it was - I had missed the 7th one."

"Tsk tsk. Good thing you were fast enough to get here. If you had waited a week longer, the effects of the vaccination - all 7 of them - would have gone to waste, " Dr. Santillan said.

"Thanks, Doc. I wouldn't know where I'd be without you. I can't even imagine that there was a time when people went through this without a chance of fighting it. Good god. The name itself is enough to send shivers down my back. Thank goodness for modern science..."

The doctor drew the long needle in as the medicine spurted. "I know what you mean. Immunity against melancholia has been touted as the most amazing medicinal breakthrough of the this decade - better even than the cure for AIDS." The doctor then inserted the needle into Leo's forearm. "There, that should complete it. I gave you 2 shots of the same vaccine, to set-off the last one you missed. You'll be free from all signs of melancholia and its relapse."

"You're a lifesaver Dr.Santillan."
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Short -story writing has never been my forte. I was inspired though, by Neil Gaiman's "Smoke and Mirrors". I just wanted to give my idea a shot. ;)



 
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19 August 2006 @ 04:50 pm
TOSP (Mis)adventures in Bicol  
Last weekend, I joined a group of friends from TOSP to be a facilitator in
Legaspi City, upon the invitation of the Student Council of the Divine Word College (DWC).
Friends were a bit concerned initially, because this was the week that Mayon had been showing a lot of activity.
But, nothing could stop me from joining a free junket, and the potential opportunity for learning. ;-)

We stayed in Bethlehem Retreat House, in Bacacay, Legaspi City. The Leadership Training Seminar was held for
about 140 student leaders from DWC, from all colleges and year levels. I've never had much experience as a facilitator in a big group setting, and this proved to be a bit challenging. After all, we never really had much time to prepare.

True to form, however, the TOSPians stood to the task, and delivered with grace. (*Cheers*). Ang galing.

(See, I even look like I know what I'm doing. Buti na lang magaling akong mambola. Hahahah)


(Oops, or maybe not)



What made the trip more memorable, apart from the crazy antics, the inspiring presentations and the warm company of
the DWC community was the wonderful moments shared with my co-facis: Johncy (the other rose in the group), Edson (our PDI journalist), Braggy ( si Tito Atty), Jeff (Mr. Performer), Angel (Ang Marino), Bandoy (The New Vet Med), and Tony (our tour guide).
(With Mayon in the background)
I'm so looking forward to the next one! Sorsogon? Romblon? Sounds fun!
 
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31 July 2006 @ 04:07 pm
And the Cycle Goes On  
It scares me how fleeting a year can be.
The term "it felt like it was just yesterday" never felt more real to me until last Friday,
with the AMCI 2K6 Acquaintance Party.
WOW. Has it really been one year?!

Here are some of us 2K5ers last Friday:

 
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22 July 2006 @ 02:43 pm
UNWRITTEN  
Not really being much of a music fan, I rarely gush about songs or artists or albums.
I don't talk much about things I don't have an opinion about.
With music, as with most things in my life, when I find myself liking something, I really like it a LOT.

I heard this song on the radio once and I got the chance to listen to it in full today.
I was telling my sister that it makes for a nice grad song.
Nice nice. I probably like it because it reminds me so much of high school.
Magaling din pala si Natasha Bedingfield.

"Unwritten"

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with eyes wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, oh, oh

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
 
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11 July 2006 @ 08:06 pm
You just have to earn it  
There are things in your life that just fall on your lap without much effort. Opportunities like being invited to so and so conference, speaking
as a facilitator in workshop X, being awarded as Best in _____. You don't wish for them; heck, you don't even know they exist, yet somehow,
things just fall into place once you've accepted these opportunities.

Such was TOSP for me.



When I was called to be a Finalist, I was studying in Singapore under a Scholarship Program. The thought of not accepting the invitation to join the Formation program was strong, since it would be too expensive for me to go back. (Wala pang budget airlines). My parents decided to be impractical (thank god for them) and so it came to be that I was inducted into this crazy circle of characters - my TOSP family.

Accepting my part in the family did not happen overnight. It didn't take place when I emailed RFM to tell them I was accepting the invitation.
I didn't become a member of TOSP when I joined the formation. Neither did it happen when I did not receive the award in Malacanang.

Being part of TOSP happened when I chose to. Being a TOSP is not a distinction that's awarded to you - it's a responsibility that you have to fulfill -
even on bad hair days, on PMS periods, or other moments of extreme self-loathing

And this weekend, the Formation Program was a testament that more than anything,
my choice is not an easy one. Thank god that I am part of this group of people who remind me of who I am - and
who I want to become.

It's impossible to leave any TOSP event without feeling better - about one's self, about our nation,
and about MY place in it.

(And it doesn't hurt that we get to spend the formation in the wonderful vacation home of the Concepcions in Tagaytay)
 
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17 May 2006 @ 02:32 pm
Where on earth is this?  
Yes, this is not a view from the moon or another planet.



This shot was taken at the highest mountain in South East Asia, Mt. Kinabalu.
A group of friends from AMCI and I climbed last March 18-19.



I'm really proud to have been part of this trip.
Who would've thought that in less than a year after my first climb EVER,
I would reach the highest summit in SEA?
Amazing.
 
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11 May 2006 @ 09:20 pm
I miss my sister!  
My sister made this for me

I've been missing my family lately. I've been living on my own for almost five months already, and I've only gone back home a few times. I miss Clar most especially - she's the one I could trust to hear me out in the midst of her ceaseless study sessions, frog dissections, and fly experiments. (Eew).

So I was really touched when she sent me these photos. Maybe she was just bored. ;) But I sure am touched. You just gave me a very wonderful birthday present dear. Mwaah. :)
 
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02 May 2006 @ 11:07 pm
Traveler's Itch  


Countries Visited



Out of the vast wonder of the great world, I've only been able to visit the countries marked in red in the map above. That's 6 countries out of 193. Dismal. At the rate I'm going, if I can visit 3 new countries every year, it'll take me 62 years to fill this map with red marks. Oh man, I've got a long way to go.

Want to make your own  map of countries visited?

 
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02 May 2006 @ 09:15 pm
QuirkyAlone  



Quirkyalone: noun/adj. A person who enjoys being single (but is not opposed to being in a relationship) and generally prefers to be alone rather than dating for the sake of being in a couple. With unique traits and an optimistic spirit; a sensibility that transcends relationship status.
( More... )


 
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28 April 2006 @ 06:36 pm
Summer Lovin'  

Guess who had fun in Bora?
                                             

The Boracay Funship
Going to Caticlan was an almost 15-hour engagement onboard
Negros Navigation's Mother Queen of Peace. 
It was my first time on a ship so the novelty
made up for the ho-hum experience and the long wait.

Kiss the Sand
It was our (Jay and I) first time on the island of Boracay. They said we had to kiss the sand.
I wanted to but I was feeling a bit shy. ;)
To compensate, we took a LOT of photos instead.

Boracay Sunset 
Let the pictures do the talking. Although I must admit
that the sunset wasn't that heart-stopping. 
The crowd gathered on the beach did not help.


Carabao Island
In Boracay, I realized that if you want to frolic on the beach
without stepping on another human being,
you have to look for another island.
That's exactly what we did when we went to Carabao Island.
Our hour-long banca ride was well-rewarded. 

Bikini Beach Summit

                                                      I got this pick number for quite a steal in the talipapa. I never realized that I would fit in it.Hahaha. Well, the attitude helps. :-)


Paraw
This has got to be one of the most relaxing activities one can engage in in Bora.
One hour was not enough - we should've waited for the sunset...

Are we coming back soon? :-)


 
( More... )
 



 
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28 April 2006 @ 06:04 pm
It's a Bull's Life - April 16 to 30  



You will attain peace of mind this two-week period. Most of the things that have been bothering you in the past will be clarified. And if you have doubted yourself in the past, you are most confident to face the world now. Making future goals is also likely as well as planning for your birthday party. A swimming party with family and friends will be fun. Just take care and don’t overtax yourself.
 
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22 April 2006 @ 11:47 pm
The Virgin Bride(smaid)  
It was the first wedding I've really ever completed...



Usually it'll be just the ceremony, or just the reception. Never both.
But this wedding was special. After all, it's not everyday that my best friend gets married.

We were in Tagyatay by March 30, Thursday, the night before the wedding. We wanted to cram as much preparations as
we could, with as much grace and dignity as we could muster. I, being the virgin bridesmaid (never having been one before), didn't know how to multi-task the chore of being the emcee, bride's bestfriend, personal assistant, etc. etc. All that, plus handling the most crucial life-breaking matter of all: shall i wear my hair straight or in curls?

The Ceremony
But manage we all did, and beautifully at that. The ceremonies were held at Calaruega.  I was here 3 years ago for a  leadership retreat program and I fell in love with the solace and simple beauty of the church.  I knew that it would be perfect for a wedding and I was glad Mous had hers there.



Photos from http://www.pbase.com/tekgik/tagytay&page=2

In the majestic late afternoon Tagaytay setting, the wedding was held, in full view of the entourage and guests decked in their Filipiniana wear. And my best friend, true to form, stood out from all of them.  I promised myself I will not ruin my makeup by crying, and yeay, I succeeded. I guess I was too busy watchng if Mous' row of beads were falling to really notice the ceremony. Hihi.

The Reception
We then hied off to Sonya's Garden to enjoy a very healthy  4-course meal. I loved the bread, salad and wine!



   
Too bad I wasn't able to have more as I had to run to and fro the mike to get the program started. I didn't have to do much really, the special guests had the limelight with their speeches. The best was Mous' well-delivered (and I must add, very prepared, hehe) speech. Cheers cheers!

If there's one thing about this wedding that really stands out, it's that it's really a testament to who Mous and Girard are. They're both very special, very unique, very uncompromising when it comes to what they want. So even if it takes
a very uncommon, Filipino-tribal inspired wedding to express their commitment , they pursued it.

All the best guys!


 
 
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