Naya Rivera - Songbird

For you, there'll be no more crying. For you, the sun will be shining.
And I feel that when I'm with you, it's alright, I know it's right.

To you, I'll give the world. To you, I'll never be cold.
'Cause I feel that when I'm with you, it's alright, I know it's right.

And the songbirds are singing like they know the score. And I love you, I love you, I love you, like never before.

And I wish you all the love in the world, but most of all, I wish it from myself.



Santana and Brittany. Awwww.

Holy Week 101

Growing up as a Born-Again Christian in a not so religious family, I'm not very much exposed to the annual celebration and observance of the Holy Week. I prefer how Roman Catholics do it especially in the provinces. People in Manila are just about the thrill of driving around with empty streets.

So when an offer to join an officemate coming home to Pampanga for the Holy Week came up like a beanstalk (from Jack and the Beanstalk), I quickly jumped the gun. It was just after I accepted that I realized how possibly dumb that was, considering I will be a visitor/spectator/observer/pet for a couple of days, as I might be a nuisance in their festivities (hello do I hear reunions?).

I just had a dilemma at that time. It's because the saints, Virgin Mary, and their traditions are so revered, that if my hosts ask me if I want to try it (e.g. kissing the cross), would I? Two points: A.) If I try it for the sake of trying, would that be (a little) disrespectful as I'm just trying something that they consider special? It's just like an atheist wearing a cross because it's a nice accessory. And I abhor this idea. B.) If I say No, would I be channeling Discovery Channel or National Geographic and act as a pure observer of the events unfolding right in front of my pupils?

My first Visita Iglesia after dark was spellbounding! Although it was like I was the odd-man out because I was with my host's relatives, visiting 7 churches around (Bulaon) San Fernando and Bacolor was very memorable. I've never had too much gooseflesh at that time from one church to another. I found it heartwarming that people still acknowledge the importance of the Lenten Season.

One MAJOR concern I had was about cameras. Devotees and visitors pray and observe silence inside the churches. If I had epilepsy, I would have a lot of attacks or episodes inside! The flash from the cameras are blinding, not to mention distracting! Holy Lord, please abolish flash photography inside! Oh, make it 2 major concerns (one plus one is two, right?). This would be those I found sacrilegious. Making suggestive poses in front of the statues of the saints and giggling? Seriously?

San Guillermo. Famous for that series with the character "Santino."

MORAL: A bus ride to Pampanga and lots of car and wheeler (aka pedicab) rides after, Holy Week 101 in Pampanga was an enthralling experience. Not to mention I need to be acquainted on how to speak Kapampangan - my dad is as fluent like how a fish swims (what a great comparison!). :|

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Inside San Guillermo's museum.

Miss Israel on Wheels

After watching Fast Five in this blockbuster season, it's no wonder that Gal Gadot is going to be creating some buzz...again.

The Israeli actress, model, and former Miss Israel (2004) has been seen in the movies Fast & Furious (she was toooooo skinny here) and Fast Five, as well as a cameo with Tom Cruise in Knight and Day. If you search her movie list it was mentioned she had a small role in the movie Date Night (which I have a copy since time immemorial) but since I haven't watched the movie, I won't mention it. Nope, even if I typed about it here, I still don't consider mentioning it. :|

Ok, this is the wind effect.

I think I have a thing for Israelis. Yes, Natalie Portman is Israeli as well. Now bask in the glory of Israel! Jesus really loves that place. Either I'm quite sleepy already or my eyes are tired from the front-row seats we had in the movie house (we didn't have any choice unless we take the last full show), I think there's a semblance between Natalie and Gal.

Tough chick in the movie? Plus points. :)

Moral: Israel, you're really fast and furious. You still got your Israeli Army going on. Life is beautiful and so are we. Oh yeah.

This one's a still from Fast Five. It's a nice movie, don't mind the story.

Birdy - Skinny Love

And I told you to be patient
And I told you to be fine
And I told you to be balanced
And I told you to be kind
And now all your love is wasted
And then who the hell was I?
And I'm breaking all the britches
And at the end of all your lines




Who will love you?
Who will fight?
Who will fall far behind?

[side: Since Birdy's still young at the age of 14, she still has her braces on and we can see it in the video and it's not really a big deal so don't mind this sentence, haha. I love her version of Bon Iver's song here, such a sad song that is nice to be played over and over again.]

May, How About You?

And I thought I'm dead, too.

April has been really kind to me, allowing me a lot of free time to blog, post photos, catch-up on my reading, watch the latest and current movies and TV series out there. Not to mention a century-full of exercise hours, so I can run around and swim until my lungs collapse.

What this blog has been missing:
- concerts of Taylor Swift and The Script (no, they didn't perform together)
- Holy Week 2011 (I was semi-adopted and fed like a suckling pig for a few days for the Holy Week)
- Pico de Loro and Boracay beach trips (including my first beach run)

Those are actually a lot already. As a pioneer of "you can have all the time in the world," I'm at the abyss as I'm eating all of my "there's no such thing as 'too busy' for something" hoopla. As I have to admit, I'm actually busy and stressed with this. When my hormones or bipolar self tries to get the best of me, my current work/tasks would shield those thoughts or possible self-inflicted drama. A distraction, maybe, but it's definitely not a good one.

I will find the time for myself this May. I NEED to.


MORAL: Find time for everything. If you can't find time, then make one.

Zac Attack!

My dad dropped his heart and balls. I think I pressed on the gas too much. He doesn't usually fasten his seatbelt but this time he did plus held on the handle. He thought we were about to slam to the car signalling to the left (I was hoping we won't and I thank God we didn't). Well, me driving to McKinley Hill from our place in 30minutes is good enough. He told me to slow down, he told me to look right before swerving, to change lanes one at a time, to sound the horn, and a whole lot of things. Meanwhile, I listened to the radio to keep myself calm. I heard a retort about the "bigger and taller Charice (Pempengco)" and I snorted. My dad told me to focus on the road and not laugh ( @.@). Hey, I was still watching out for the tiyanaks or those pesky kids who just appear out of nowhere and hug your vehicle.


MORAL: Slow down, step on the brake pedal, and honk your horn. Check your side mirrors, they're there for a reason. No, dingbat, they're not just props!

Subic - Perfect Daytrip

February 26, 2011

Since a dear high school friend went back to the Philippines for a vacation and wedding, we desperately needed to have an out-of-town trip. It was Puerto Galera (weekend) vs Tagaytay (daytrip) vs Subic (daytrip). Guess which one won? We only had 2 places in our itinerary, since we asked Gladdylyn (the Canadian superstar) what she wants, we set our foot at Camayan and Tree Top Adventure.

Camayan Beach Resort, Subic, Zambales

Going to Subic is an arduous task if you do not have private transportation. We rented a van to accommodate everyone, passed through SCTEx (the road that never ends) and arrived in Subic shortly. Camayan Beach Resort is managed by the same people who oversee Ocean Adventure. Entrance fee is PHP 300. I think it's expensive but upon seeing the place, it's a fair price.

Definitely a swimming beach, there are huge stones you can easily avoid stepping on, the water is clear (yay), and the sand although not so fine, is white. One haunting thing about Camayan Beach Resort is their shower place. It's open and the shower is eco-friendly but not efficient as you only have 5 seconds (yes we counted) of running water before you need to press it again. Good luck rinsing seawater off your skin and hair! There are cottages available for rent at PHP 1,000 a pop and different activities available such as kayaking and snorkelling.

Swimming towards here is far, I tell you. My friend and I made that mistake and I thank God I have pride and beautiful lungs to swim back alive. Haha.

Camayan Beach Resort is a good escape when you're touring Subic or you want a decent place to relax and enjoy the sand and sun.

Tree Top Adventure, Subic, Zambales

Ha! This place is relatively near Camayan Beach Resort. Definitely the place to be if you want some excitement in your boring safe life or maybe just try something new because you consider your computer as your best friend. There is no entrance fee so you can watch your friends pee in their pants from stress or fear, or laugh your head off listening to the Tree Top Adventure crew. We were just interested in the 3 awesome-artery-popping attractions they got. Namely the Silver Surfer, Superman, and the Tree Drop.

Some people just can't do jumpshots. Haha.

The Silver Surfer is a good start because it gives you a great view of your....friend. Okay that was bull. For PHP 250 you will be flung towards the next tree while you watch your friend scream in agony. For best results, don't hold onto the handle. The wind and the height are stupendous.

Next was the Superman. You have to climb at the side then pray that the ropes are really tight and secured. You signed a waiver form in the first place so you really just can't sue them for lots of money in case you fall down, considering a miracle happened and you're still alive. This attraction's worth PHP 200 and you don't have to push yourself up to be able to enjoy it. Just relax and let the colors of the wind pull you in.

This is the attraction which garners the most squeals, laughter, and drama. The crew here are the funniest, they will make you feel comfortable then once you think you're okay, they'll drop you off like a hot potato from 60 feet. Drop it like it's hot. For PHP 150, scream (or like me, No Reaction Girl for the Day) your wits off!

Tree Drop! Gotta love 'em trees.

The Script - Nothing

Oh I wanted words but all I heard was nothing.

Oh sometimes love's intoxicating.
Oh you're coming down your hands are shaking, when you realize there's no one waiting.

I know that I'm drunk but I'll say the words, and she'll listen this time even though they're slurred. So I dialed her number and confessed to her, I'm still in love but all I heard was nothing.

She said nothing.
Oh I got nothing.
I wanted words but all I heard was nothing.

Month For Rent

I was looking for that person, who would be peanut when I'm butter. The Meredith Grey to me being Cristina Yang. The yin to the yang. The left when I'm right. Just that person who would be awesome for you to sit next to. That might have sounded cheesy or real awful, but the casual search never stopped. I thought I found that person. Well yeah, I thought I found that person and stayed with that person for a couple of months. Yet after the lockdown period, it was time to wake-up and realize that I never really found my person.

February has been a roller coaster ride for me complete with the double cyclone loops and 360-degree turns with my gut spilling out. Spending my last birthday (because I will be forever 21) with some of the coolest people ever, going to an ER because of a teammate's gas problem (aka tummy ache), betting on the roulette and slot machines, being on a road trip (and being awake at the same time) for 2 days, driving in traffic and beating the red light, swimming till my lungs hurt, and relationships culminating to changes overnight.

Things would inevitably pass but for me memories would always linger. I may not know what lies ahead but I'm pretty sure I'll take it head-on with my adventurous heart in hand.

February, you are an eccentric SoaB, you might have been both good and bad, but I tell you this: You have been crazy bad-ass. Thanks, February 2011.


MORAL: Nothing we have is truly ours.