Hats off, 2010! Cheers to 2011!

Happy 2011, everyone!

A lot of my friends are posting "THANK YOU 2010, HELLO 2011" on their walls and I asked myself: What did I do with my '2010'?

Okay, 2010 has been very good to me.

1.I did not have a near-death experience, I actually had the craziest ride, happiest time!
2.I graduated from College, got my diploma on time.
3.I experienced bumming around while looking for a job (it sucked). But I learned to be productive by editing photos in Photoshop and Lightroom so, from nothingness to being productive!
4.I enrolled myself in Filmmaking and I could say it's a big turning-point of my life. I learned to appreciate films more.. and more.. and then some more.
5.Had the craziest vacation in our hometown. (Ilocos Norte) with relatives and friends!
6.I AM NOW A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN BECAUSE I PRACTICED THE ACT OF VOTING! MALINIS NA PAGBOTO AT PAGPILI NG MGA KANDIDATO! :)
7.Got wasted at a party.. but it was awesome! :)
8.Had a rocky relationship. :(
9. Got my heart broken :( :( :'(
10.Appreciated my awesome and legendary friends MORE!
11.Appreciated the things I could do alone.
12.Spent time with parents just sharing stories on the couch.
13.Tricked my mom to let me do her make-up.
14.Did not lose a phone, a wallet, a key, etc. (THIS IS A BLESSING YOU KNOW!)
15.HINDI NA-HOLDAP!
16.FELL IN-LOVE AGAIN :) :) :)
17. Wrote my very-first screenplay (About to shoot it on 2011!)
18.Got employed!
19. Earned my very own cash
20. Brought expensive gifts for others.
21. Made my parents proud.


There were so many things and it would probably take me a month to finish everything. I consider them BLESSINGS! :) Even the times I was so down and hopeless. It changed me. It changed a piece of my life and that beats nothing!

Whatever mis-haps, whatever crazy strange thing, whatever happened, I will always be grateful that one way or another, I experienced those. It's important that we learn from them.

I hope and pray that 2011 will be a wonderful year for me, for my family and for my friends! :)

HATS OFF, 2010! CHEERS TO 2011! :)

Tears shed on a funeral.

Gone too soon.

Today, I attended a friend's funeral. We are really not that close but I always see her since we were kids. Her uncle is a close friend of my dad and mingling with their huge family wasn't hard. They are very dear to us and I could say we treat them as our family too.

She's dear to her cousins and relatives. She's known for being 'bungis-ngisera, walang kaarte-arte, at mapagkumbaba'. She throws funny jokes, and smiles a lot. To her mom, she's a precious gift and to her siblings she's a very loving sister.

I never thought I'd be affected this much but I say to myself that the sadness that transpired in the funeral served a good force for me to write this down.

Ate Meng, 24, a mother of two sweet angels and a good wife of Kuya Charles, died because of Dengue. The relatives told us she had Grade 4 Dengue. She stayed in the hospital and fought for her life in the ICU... but eventually surrendered and lifted everything to God.

Her mom, Tita Joy, suffered so much pain. In pain to see her daughter being CPR-d (i don't know how the experts call the past tense of CPR but yeah, she was) and finally having to decide to cut it out or continue. Ate Meng fought, she had her own battle but things were too fast.

I don't personally know her husband Charles but I saw them couple of times. Quiet couple but always sweet and thoughtful of each other. They had kids at a very young age, two sweet angels Charline (6y/o) and Catherine (turning 1 this Dec25). When I saw Charles the other night at the wake, he looked sad and exhausted. I often find him staring blankly at something. And I told myself, what if I am living the life and carrying the sadness he has right now?

Things start to flash in my head, countless sad, drifting things I could think of and a tear fell down from my eye. I said to myself, I am never strong with this kind of thing. Losing a loved one is hard. We thought break-ups are hard but this one is harder. When breaking up, you have this hope that you'll see him/her again, or someday you'll be back in each others' arms.. but with death, I can't explain it, but it's heartbreaking... and you have nothing.

When we attended the final mass, the priest kept on saying things that have something to do with Christmas. But what's moving is the part where Tita Joy spoke in front of everybody for her message and simple memories of Ate Meng.

Half a second, she's sobbing in front of everybody. She said, "...Sanay ako nagpapatawa, hindi sa ganito." It's true. She's a happy person and it's hard to see a mother who lost her daughter at a very young age. She had these messages from her children from the States. The messages made us cry. Charles did. Lots of times.

Charline did too eventually. I saw in her eyes that she's trying to understand everything, all the sobbing from the people in the room. Her aunts told her, "Wala na si Mommy mo, nasa heaven na.." and Charline just cried her heart out while hugging her Daddy Charles. It was really a heartbreaking thing to see.

The final blessing was another sad thing to see. Everybody was crying but what really caught my attention was Tita Joy. She kept on saying, "I love you anak, I love you so much. I love you Charmaine!" She said that many times with tears on her eyes.

I never thought I'd cry that much. I felt the love and sadness, the urge, the wish "IF ONLY WE COULD TURN BACK TIME.", the regret "IT HAPPENED TOO FAST." and the most moving words "WE WILL MISS HER."

It was hard for Tita Joy to accept that her daughter's gone now but I know Charles and her share the same pain. Charles loved her so much and he probably worries the future... I was told that Ate Meng usually waits for Charles at the doorstep of their house every night at sabay sila mag-didinner. She serves him and she's a very good wife to Charles. Paano na ngayon? When Charles gets home, who would wait for him at the doorstep? Who would hug him so tight? Comfort him? Who would help him with raising up the kids? These are probably the things Charles would surely miss about Ate Meng...

When the cremation was over, I found Charles staring blankly at the legit papers he has on his hands and he stared at Ate Meng's urn. I saw the sadness. I saw the pain.

I am sure the wounds would heal and they all would move on...

This experience thought me so many things. We could be gone in a blink of an eye and it would also be too late for us to thank all the people who loved us so much, that's why we must cherish everything before it's too late.

Ate Meng, you will be surely missed! Rest in peace.



PS.

..so when I die, I want everybody to wear white. I want a wide photo gallery near my coffin or chapel. I want an AVP and a mini movie where of course, ako ang bida. I want dim lights and the mini movie just keeps on playing. I don't think I want to be cremated but I'd surely love to get a regular visit from my loved ones. I want singing sessions at the wee hours para naman lively. I don't know but if you guys see this blog when I'm dead, please do these things for me.. kundi mumultohin ko kayo!

12 noon thoughts.

I'm waiting for the clock to tick at 12noon. LUNCH BREAK!

I am currently craving for food (as always). It's Thursday today and articles about FOOD have just spread the sheets of Philippine newspapers. And honestly speaking, they are also one of the factors of my cravings.

I would like to eat a slice of pizza.

Meat lovers pizza from Pizza Hut!

Are you familiar with the double delight promo you could get in Pizza Hut food stalls? I always look for that whenever I am on-the-go but starving. I usually eat it on the road, just to put something in my belly. I don't go for the Hawaiian pizza. I find it weird to have a pineapple on cheese, tomato sauce, and meat. Hahaha! MAHILIG AKO SA MAALAT, sorry!

I also want a Ziti to pair up with my pizza.

Ziti meatball from Aveneto

Pasta! Oh my! This one is so good for my tummy. Haha! I love eating pasta with lots of cheese and tomato sauce! Plus, of course, let's not forget the GARLIC BREADS! Random fact, I pair the garlic bread of Banapple with catsup! I find it yummy and it even tastes like pizza. Go try it some time! I am not kidding! Hehe!

I also want to have a Salisbury Steak

Red Ribbon's Salisbury Steak!

This one is really a must-eat! Its juicy burger patty is so yummy! The buttered corn and carrots also! And hmmmmm I won't forget the Mashed Potato with gravy! Haaay nakakagutom!!

For dessert, I think I would love a Banoffee Pie.

Banoffee Pie from Banapple!

This slice of cake is so yummy and it is worth the wait. Stuffed with bananas and cream, it could surely make your taste buds crave for more! It's cheap also! Big serving too!

And if I'll eat dinner, I would surely have a Chicken Breast Parmigiano.

Chicken Breast Parmigiano from Banapple

Yes, I am such a Banapple fan! Hahaha! But this one tastes so good that I always recommend it to people. Chicken fillets topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese! I tried cooking like these at home! So convenient and my mom loved it! It's so yummmmmmmmy!

I wish I'm an expert in cooking! I wish I could cook some like these in the future! I love to eat kasi hahaha so I should know how to cook! Plus, Axle loves food too! Don't ya worry, I will cook these! Hahaha!

It's 12noon! Time to hit the pantry!

Eat moderately,
Jonah.

Jonah: Sa Pelikulang Pinoy

So I was reading the newspaper today and I have met the column about the 7 Cinema One Originals that will be shown in Shangri-la Theaters on November 10-16. I am so excited for it!

And then I came across with this article (of which I cannot remember the title anymore) that states that the rate of Filipinos "na nanonood sa mga sinehan" increased by 23%. First thing that entered my mind is the possible influence and amusement brought by 3D.

I have watched movies in 3D. My first encounter with 3D cinema was when we watched Toy Story 3. The experience was outstanding! Sure I can enjoy the movie either way but watching it in 3D format's way better (and expensive? haha) but the experience was worth it!

Another encounter I had was when we watched Streetdance 3D. It's a dance movie that I enjoyed as well. Another one is Step-Up 3D. These movies really made me happy (and extra intergalactic happy because it's in 3D! haha!).

I suppose the thrill that 3D movies give its audience must have influenced and persuaded more people to watch films in movie houses and not on their couches. Meaning, people found a concrete and valid reason to watch in cinemas and not buy pirated dvds on the streets of Quiapo. Watching films in cinemas may be quite expensive. Movies in 3D formats are twice the price of regular screenings, but the popcorn tumbler, soft drinks, and the experience compensate everything!

Sure, pirated dvds are cheaper and more convenient to use. There are so many perks: You can avail 4-5 dvds in just 100 bucks. You can watch it on a daily basis, whenever and wherever you like. Another thing that may be listed as a 'pro' is that it saves your pockets.

I am no-advocate of original dvds nor of pirated dvds. In my own opinion, I think it's okay if you purchase pirated dvds as long as it is NOT A FILIPINO-MADE MOVIE. Our nationalism should come into play in situations like these. SUPORTAHAN ANG SINING AT ANG PELIKULANG PINOY!

I am a film-lover and a movie-goer. (Dating Movie-Goer, ngayon Filmmaker, Mowelfund 2009) It is only normal for us to search for some movies that serve as a textbook for our craft and it is also normal that we cannot find all these in the usual and common video rentals or video houses. We, in some way or another, purchase pirated DVDs. (Please do not be a hypocrite!) Another refuge we could turn to is the Torrents. Downloading must be the last resort because it is time-consuming and megabytes-related.. even gigabytes! Hahaha!

People who are reading this: Philippine Cinema died along with Fernando Poe Jr. and Rudy Fernandez who, legendarily, made tons of movies in a year. Filipinos always trusted their craft, their way of revealing different characters on screen and I bet it would not hurt that much if we create another legendary figures in Philippine Cinema. We have to REVIVE it. We NEED to.

Let us all support people who make movies especially PINOYS who take all kinds of pains and excrete gallons of sweat para lang mapaganda at MAIPAGMALAKI ang pagiging PINOY. If you have time, make an effort to support them. This coming November, let us make time to visit Shangri-la's cinemas and see the different emerging breeds of Cinema One Originals.

Kita kits!
-Jonah

The work and all that jam.

This should be called the WORKING GIRL's column. LOL!

So I'm blogging about my current work situation. I am the new Media Relations Officer, yo! Haha! My job description is to dispatch and monitor Press Releases of our clients. We do the 'charm' of Red Ribbon, Delifrance, Bistro Ravioli, Unilever, Shell Philippines- to name a few.

At first it was hard because I have to read different newspapers and magazines EVERYDAY to see if our press releases were already published! And I am glad to say that I am getting the hang of it. It's a nice experience because I am usually fascinated with reading through the internet and not the sheets, but now it's different because I do both! Haha!

Another fascinating thing I do here is the regular 'rubbing elbows' with different editors from different publications. Those who write for Lifestyle section, Entertainment, Business, and the like! It's like I do meet-ups and charm those big names we see on the paper everyday!

Well, some editors are busy so they just ask the guard to receive Press Releases for them. Some are extremely cheerful and warm when they know someone from a PR company visits them. We usually exchange smiles, comments, and simple kamustahan.

I admire their writing, especially those in the Lifestyle section. Their writing inspires me so much and knowing that I could visit them anytime gives me more confidence that someday, I could consult them when I write my own creative stuffs.

Having a work like this taught me how to be independent and ma-PR (malamang!). I am usually the reserved type of person and I don't talk that much unless we're in the I-know-you-and-you-know-me stage. It also taught me how to arrange my thoughts whenever I talk on the phone and interact with people in the business. It made me smile 90% more and talk endlessly about random stuffs!

Enjoying the work and having a good salary is a good equation. Of course, I cannot wait for the 15's and 30's of every month! having your own hard-earned money gives you the joy of being independent and responsible child of your beloved parents. NAAAX! hahaha!

Till here,
Jonah.

The times that tried our souls.

Did you ever have that movie that made you sit still? Well, I just did.

"When the action is over and we look back, we understand both more and less. The times that tried our souls." -Evelyn

These lines definitely got me the act to write my thoughts down. I never thought I would be moved this much.

It was one of the boring nights at home. And just because I am a movie freak, I saw this beautiful movie made by Michael Bay. The only war picture I loved (and adored) was HURT LOCKER by Kathryn Bigelow.. not until today. I have discovered one of the Hollywood's treasures and that is PEARL HARBOR (2001).

I know I'm a little late to see this movie but it really was one of the most amazing movies I have ever seen! I learned so much about it and I believe I was moved and I was inspired.

I learned so much about America's history and how December 7 of 1941 brought the Great America to tears, defeat and the need to surge forward to seek Victory. America's history is rich with valor and enthusiasm. I should not be surprised because for all we know, IT IS THE LAND OF THE FREE, THE HOME OF THE BRAVE.

In this movie, I have learned so much about brotherhood and valor. The two courageous young (and extremely charming) pilots had sacrifice so much of their lives to their beloved country and countrymen. Just like any other person, Rafe and Danny went through all the hardships an Army Air Corps' pilots would have but their bond went beyond the oath... they treated each other like brothers- from the beginning up to the end.

Another thing that's amazing in this movie is that it was able to incorporate romance into action and suspense. I have seen lots of TV series and movies that could mix them all up- Dear John, Prison Break.. to mention a few. But this movie has given me a different perspective, a different twist to experience. Who would ever wonder that two different men who treated each other like brothers could love the same girl? At the same time and the same place..

RAFE and EV.

Their love was extraordinary. Rafe found love in the middle of the hospital filled with aspiring heroes-to-be. It started out with a simple conversation and they both fell for each other. Ev is a very charming nurse (Kate Beckinsale literally has the looks!) and Rafe is a hot pilot (Ben Affleck's eyes could say much!).. together, they are like winners to genetic lottery or in other words, CHEMISTRY (hahaha!). But who would ever thought that Rafe would be one of those missing men in the middle of the battle and Ev was left alone, crying her heart out? See, that's what I am talking about. This movie has lots of surprises!

and that's where the story about DANNY and EV started...

Danny is the bestfriend of Rafe and it pained him also to know that he lost his bestfriend in the battle. Danny saved Ev's drowning and breaking heart. He made him believe that just because someone dear to her passed away, her heart should not be filled with sadness because good things shall come her way. And it did.. they both fell in love during the process of letting go with the past. It was cloud nine for them not until Rafe, still alive, showed up.

Rafe and Danny's friendship was put to test. If I were to be asked, this part of the movie was unexpected. I did not see it coming, not even a bit. And so, it made me love the plot even more!

I would love to share few lines I remember from the movie.

If I had one more night to live... I'd wanna spend it with you.- Evelyn

Having the thought of living your life all over again- from the beginning up to the end- with the same person? At some point, I did. It was when I fell in love and literally did not think of anyone else but him. I could not even imagine myself having a relationship with someone else.. even to the hottest crush I have on the list! I guess it is because you are satisfied and happy with that person that nothing else and no one else can compare with.

Ma'am, please, don't take my wings.-Rafe

It sounds unusual but these lines moved my heart. It was when Rafe was having that slim chance of being a pilot in the Army. When he uttered those words, it brought me to realization that WE SHOULDN'T LET SOMEONE, OR SOMETHING TAKE AWAY OUR ASPIRATIONS. We should not give up, nor give in. If he wanted to do more than the flying, then Rafe must have his 'wings' and I'm glad Ev did not take it away from him.

...all I ever wanted was for us to have a home and grow old together, but life never asked me what I wanted.-Evelyn

This is all true. When life gives you lemon, you're supposed to make a lemonade right? But what if you DEMAND tequila and salt instead? Life is unexpected and life can get freaky sometimes. All we gotta do is hold on and learn each step we go through.

Now I'm going to give Danny my whole heart... but I don't think I'll ever look at another sunset without thinking of you... I'll love you my whole life.-Evelyn

This line brought me to tears actually. I do not know why. I haven't experienced it but I saw the sincerity and the hurt between them. It was true love for them but because of some inevitable circumstances, they had to give up their faith that one day they will be reunited and fall in love again. It hurts so much for Rafe because the thought of Evelyn waiting for her kept him alive in the battle and it brought him home but it was too late for the both of them. Evelyn had let go of the past and believed that Rafe is dead and so she had to move on. If only time stood still and Rafe did not go to Britain... if only.

And so, to end this writing, I have to impart to you some words to ponder on...

When the action is over and we look back, we understand both more and less.

Contemplations.

I write when I'm happy, I write when I'm sad. But today, I'm writing for a new reason: REALIZATIONS.

It is true that when you're quiet, you come into a haven of different realizations. Some are evil, some are good.. or sometimes, some are dirty. Hahaha! (I know you guys get a good laugh on this one!) But after those realizations and contemplations, you somehow get lost or get in the right track. Well, today, I am lucky because through 'these' relaizations, I was moved to be a better person.

Number 1, opportunities come and go but what counts the most is that you grab it when you want it (and it's for the common good) or let it pass you by if you're not really into it. Two simple things to do. ACCEPT and REJECT. No complexities.

Number 2, your partner cannot be with you all the time and you have to accept the things that he can do without you. You were born on different time, different places, different days...It wouldn't hurt that much if you do things differently. What's important is that you grow together and you, two, do not grow apart.

Number 3, learn not to sweat the small stuff. Small stuffs have the tendencies to grow big, if and only if you will let them. When it did not hurt your feelings, let it go.

Number 4, if you hate a person, never let him/her get into your system. The more you hate him/her, the more you make him/her powerful. So if your hatred hits 101%, let it go. Be kind to animals, remember? LOL!

Number 5, prayers are powerful. I learned today, from a random status in Facebook, that when praying, we must not beg.. we must BELIEVE. And that alone will make our prayer powerful.

And last but not the least, my passion is on fire. I believe that MAKING MOVIES do have a calling. If people do believe in your capability and creativity, it convinces you (so much) to push through with the project. I have realized that making my very own movie is a blessing. SOON. :)

So there.

I BELIEVE that my name will soon appear on the big silverscreen while you guys are eating popcorn of taking a sip of your favorite drink. Who knows, with 3D glasses too?

Always a believer,

JONAH :)

I love you.

There are things that can be changed if only we will bother to ask.

Today is the 883rd day of one of the most-valued relationships I have. It never stopped, and I hope it would never end. We must all believe in second chances. If we sucked at the first try then, we must not lose hope to try again. If and only if you know that it's all you've ever wanted..

We did some things for the sake of finding ourselves. You chose to love yourself more, to explore things you wanted to try, make friends with time.. Never ever regret it because you did yourself a huge favor.. and that is to change.

I am happy right now because I know I made the right decision. This is all I have ever wanted. I held on to it for so long. Just like a kite, flying wild in the vastness of sky.. He pulled it and now it has found its way back. I will hold it again, and together, just you and me.. we'll make it fly.. higher than before.

I am lost for words, but I love you.. each and every day.

One More Chance does happen, if only we try. :)

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

I spent the day writing a screenplay for Cinemalaya next year *crosses fingers*. I have done several screenplays before but this one is different. It’s about LOVE. It’s funny though because I just came from a heartbreak. So saan ko kukunin ang pagka-mushy ko sa mga bagay-bagay? Need I explain? Hahaha!

Nakakaloka ang mga pangyayari kung PAG-IBIG lang ang pag-uusapan ha.

Examples:

• my friend who just got her heart broken for the last three months is getting back with his boyfriend, (oo na, Applet, ikaw na masaya! haha!) SILA NA ANG GETTING BACK TOGETHER.
• and another friend who has been ‘vacant’ for a year has finally grabbed her new love life. SIYA NA ANG MAY BAGONG BOYFRIEND
• Another friend, who has been in a terrible heartbreaking situation are trying to mend the broken gap between her and her ex-boyfriend. SILA NA ANG “LET’S FIX THINGS AND GET BACK TOGETHER… SOON”
• A friend of mine is head-over-heels with her friend and they are kind of dating now. SILA NA ANG MAGIGING MAGBOYPREN-GERLPREN.

So I was like, WAIT LANG HA! BAKIT LAHAT GANYAN? Hahaha! When I finally joined the “broken hearted club”, everybody started dating and getting a relationship. DAYUUUM! And my friend said, “Dude, I waited for this… for 2 long years, remember?” It was like, “In your face, Jonah! In yer face!!!” Hahaha and I was like, LMAO! Hahahaha!

It’s so nice to see people in-love… or just smiling because they think they are. And in finding love, or the so-called “LET’S-TEST-YOUR-PATIENCE” stage, everybody could just write on a piece of paper: YOU + ME= shit, bagay na bagay! TAYO NA LANG! Hahahaha!

Well, the truth is, finding love ain’t easy. I remember a quote sent by my friend that says: “I WANT TO LOVE A GUY WHOSE HEART HAS BEEN BROKEN SO HE KNOWS HOW IT FEELS AND WON’T BREAK MINE.”

Truuuuue enough! Let us never close our hearts and minds to finding new love.

So going back to the screenplay I am writing…

It brings me to good old days where I was leaping with joy. I wonder though. When was the last time I got kilig just because I am in-love or maybe got a random note from my better half…The answer is: well, quite a long time now. (insert straight-faced smiley here haha!)

(Ok guys, if you are reading this, getting small notes or short letters indicating your love for us is way sweeter than giving us bouquet of roses or gallons of chocolates. The letters, we could keep forever.)

Pero aminin natin, when we are in our cloud nine state, lahat ng mangyari sa atin, significant. Like kunwari,

• number ng anniversary niyo nasa isang malaking sticker, mapapa-“AWW” na kayo sa isa’t-isa..
• O mas gawin nating simple.. kapag kumain kayo sa fast food chain, Mcdo, KFC, Jollibee, etc. Pag yung anniversary date niyo yung binigay na number ng waiter or kahera, sobrang matutuwa kayo.. minsan pa nga pipiktyuran niyo! AMINAN NAAA! Hahaha!
• O tapos kapag 12:01 na sa cellphone niyo paunahan pa kayo mag-greet ng “Happy Monthsary!” Pahabaan pa nga minsan, puro ILABYU, ILABYU! Hahaha!
• tapos kapag nakikinig kayo sa radyo/mp3/iPod, biglang pinatugtog yung ‘theme song’ niyo, lalakasan niyo! Ano, tama ba? Hahaha!

Ganon talaga kapag in-love eh, walang pinipiling lugar at panahon. Kahit numero lang yan, sobrang importante sa inyo. Oh well, enjoy and savor the moment while it lasts. (SARCASTIC? hahaha)

Yung sa sinusulat kong stroya, nakakakilig. Yun pa lang nagpapakilig sa akin ngayon. (Tsaka pala si Jake Cuenca at Xian Lim) Which is nakakatawa dahil, hello, storya lang yun! Pero kahit papano pwede na. Tsaka nakaka-inspire din. You can find love in different places, different situations. Like Ashton Kutcher in A LOT LIKE LOVE movie. Imagine, he was just wiping his dirty polo when a girl came knocking. Sa eroplano yun! Nakakatuwa lang coz people find it in strange places.

I won’t put myself into someone who’s in-love shoes, because, I shall admit, I already forgot the feeling.. Yung feeling na “Shit, in love ako, I know!” Siguro in time, when I get the feeling ulit, it would be a whole-new experience. Getting a new relationship? Definitely not. Hindi pa muna, MALINAW YUNG MUNA HA, ako bibitaw hangga’t mayroon pa akong nararamdaman. Let love die a natural death, ika nga nila. There is nothing cute with baggage while entering a new relationship. So hinay-hinay lang. Antayin mo yung panahon na kapag nakita mo siya wala ka na nararamdaman at maiisip mo na isa nalang siyang ordinaryong tao.

• Yung hindi ka na apektado kung may makita kang picture na may kasama siyang iba,
• o kaya hindi mo na inaalala kung kamusta na siya, kung ok ba siya, kung nasaan siya..
• Sige, gawin nating mas simple. It is when you forget the urge to text/call him… to ask if things are okay.
• Tipong hindi mo na rin inaantay na mag-appear sa inbox mo yung pangalan niya.

Kapag wala ka nang pakialam sa mga bagay na yon, PWEDE KA NA PUMASOK SA BAGONG RELASYON.

Well as for my friends who are giving LOVE A SECOND CHANCE and another kick-ass celebration, I am happy for all of you. I know the pain you have been through and all the hopeless romantic nights you surpassed. LOVE IS SWEETER THE SECOND TIME AROUND so give it your best shot!

For my friends who are not yet in-love, okay lang yan. Take care of your heart, love will find you. And when it does, give in.

For my friends who are curing their broken hearts, let it rest for a moment, it will learn to love again.

For my friends who think they are in-love, be careful. Your heart is fragile. Let it not reach the ground, let somebody catch it. Hindi pwede yung “I WANT YOUR LOVE, I DON’T JUST WANNA BE FRIENDS”. Dapat sure ball, ok?

For my friends who are reading this, hello, alam kong sasabihin niyong andami ko na namang alam! Hahaha sorry, feel ko lang mag-blog. Ganon talaga kapag Bum.

“In my own opinion, the best thing you could do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty.. what have you.. the right person will still think the sun shines out your ass and that’s the kind of person worth sticking with.”- Mac MacGuff, Juno.

Words can hurt but so does SILENCE.

I am writing this because I keep questioning myself when should we hold on and when should we let go?

It's a hard question to answer but since I am bothered, I might as well share it with all of you who might be reading this 'bothering' blog entry.

HOLDING ON.

You hold on because you are happy, you are satisfied, you feel safe, you are loved. Bakit pwede rin naman mag hold on kung naniniwala ka na may pag-asa pa diba? Kahit alam mong you guys are not really in a relationship.. okay, let me be specific, yung tipong hindi na kayo pero alam mong meron pa, kung kakayanin lang. In that case you're not happy, malamang kasi you'll spend time wondering WHAT IFs and in the process, you will feel lonely.Sa kaso din na ito, you are not satisfied. Malamang kasi you don't get to see him that often, unlike before. Here, you do not feel safe also definitely because anytime he might hurt your feelings. Last but not the least, you won't feel loved. Ikaw lang ang todo bigay, pero siya, steady lang... pwedeng papansinin ka, pwede ring snob lang. WORDS CAN HURT BUT SO DOES SILENCE. Ang hirap diba? So when do you hold on? When should you?

LET GO.

You let go probably because you're unhappy, you're hurting, you're unloved, you're not satisfied.. or worse, you have found someone new.. someone new who could make you HAPPIER, who would hurt you LESS, who would LOVE YOU MORE and turn that SATISFACTORY LEVEL to EXCELLENT LEVEL. Ganon ba? So what will happen to the relationship you were into? What will happen to you? What will happen to your partner?

They say the hardest part of letting go is not because you want to, but because you have to. But lately I have realized, parehas lang mahirap at masakit eh. Parehas kayong takot tanggapin ANG MGA PWEDE PANG MANGYARI. And you have to let go kasi... bakit nga ba? Kasi ayaw mo na? Ayaw mo nang umasa at masaktan? Let go ka na kasi alam mong masaya na siya.. sa iba? Let go ka na kasi wala nang magagawa yung pag-aantay mo? Kailan nga ba nagiging madali ang letting go? Pag nakahanap ka na ng bago? Wala naman kasi akong nakitang quote na GIVE ME REASONS TO LET GO diba? Mayron yung GIVE ME REASONS TO HOLD ON, or to LOVE YOU MORE.. Ang hirap naman sagutin nito.

mapunta naman tayo sa MOVING ON.

Ito siguro yung pinaka-masayang stage. Yung tipong masaya ka na at tanggap mo na ang mga nangyari. Wala ka nang bitterness at wishful thinking. Masaya at magaan na ang pakiramdam mo. Wala nang alinlangan kung the next day ba eh babalik siya o kakausapin ka. "THE HELL I CARE basta masaya na ako" ang drama dito. Pero... kailan nga ba dapat mag move on? Kapag nakapag let go ka na? O makakapag move on ka lang kung may MAKIKITA KA NANG BAGO?

Ang hirap sagutin ng blog na toh, at alam kong medyo hindi maayos ang construction ng ideas hahaha! Magulo rin kasi ang utak ko ngayon. Hindi ko ma-distinguish kung saan sa tatlong yan nabibilang ang sitwasyon ko but nonetheless, kaya ko pa naman.. keribels pa. Dito papasok yung sinasabi nilang EVERYTHING HAS ITS OWN TIME, pero you have to make TIME the RIGHT TIME. Let everything surprise you. Make friends with TIME.

Huwag nating pilitin. Let me endure and enjoy the beauty of pain. It only means nagmamahal/nagmahal ako ng totoo... kasi masakit. Let me expose myself to pain, pero syempre not too much haha! Sabi nga nila diba, ang taong mabagal mag move on, mas mabilis naghheal.. dahil step-by-step ang pagtanggap niya sa mga pangyayari.. so hayaan niyo munang maging PAGONG ako sa sitwasyon na ito.. di natin alam ang pwede mangyari..

Last but not the least, kapag malungkot kayo sa gabi, tipong nag-iisa lang kayo at namimiss niyo yung 'taong yun', magdasal lang kayo.. Sabihin niyo "Lord, patulugin niyo na po ako para makalimutan ko na yung nararamdaman ko." Tapos, bilang ka ng 1 to 1000, kung di parin epektib, bilang ka from 1000 to 1. Ewan ko lang kung hindi kayo makatulog! Haha! Tapos kung pag gising niyo naman, tapos naalala niyo yung 'taong yun'.. sabihin mo sa sarili mo, "Miss ko nga siya, ako ba miss niya?" O para masampal ka ng katotohanan. Haha!

Hindi madali ang mag move on, lalo na kung ang dami niyong pinagsamahan at kung bawat lingon mo sa bahay niyo, sa kalsada, sa mall, eh siya naaalala mo. YOU REALLY HAVE TO HELP YOURSELF. Ikaw lang ang makakapag-padali ng lahat.

Tsaka, sa mga katulad kong naniniwala at idol si Popoy at Basha ng ONE MORE CHANCE movie, medyo tamaan kayo. Totoo ang three-month rule. JOKE! Hahaha! Ibig kong sabihin, nangyayari talaga sa tunay na buhay yung istorya nila. Yung SANA AKO NALANG, AKO NALANG ULIT! hahaha epal ni Basha! Taray ni Popoy, trapped between two lovers! Pero diba nga, kahit ano pa pinagdaanan nila, naging sila parin. Kahit napunta na ng Qatar si Popoy at madami nang naitayong building si Basha, sila pa rin nagkatuluyan.

Ipagpaubaya na natin ang LOVE STORY natin sa itaas, siya ang nagsulat non, tayo lang ang magpapaganda.

-JONAH

The big turning point.

This would be perhaps the saddest blog I’ll ever make.

I never knew heartache until today. Maybe because I have been so happy for the past two long years of my life. I have never cried much, never missed someone this much, never thought of someone this much.. never.. not until today.

It has been a nice round for two hearts who really love each other until the end. They have never been broken nor taken for granted, they just have to part so each other could contemplate… could grow. Trees are planted far from each other so they could grow. At least, that’s what I have to think for the moment.

Before this thing happened, I did pray to God to give me guidance, to enlighten ‘us’, to encourage ‘us’.. “LET GO and LET GOD.” That was my perspective because I was trying to hold on but it pains me so much.. so much that I had to spend long hours of contemplating. And now, that my prayer has been answered, I am more than grateful to say that my faith in Him grew stronger. Maybe this is not yet our time, but I believe this is not yet the end.

What we see in the movies, really happen in real life. Well, most of them, I could say. As for dramatic scenes where two lovers have to part and say their sweetest and hardest goodbye, the rain will start to pour down or the sky will look dull. It did happen. I always thought that rainy days make me happy but in the past few days, it made my days and nights gloomy. Everything reminds me of him. It felt like the sky cries with me too.

When I browsed my hard disk and saw pictures of us together, all smiling for the camera or just stolen shots our friends took, it made me miss you more. The times.. all the crazy things that transpired on those days. It’s rewarding to see that in all the albums I have in here, I WAS WITH YOU. Happy and lovely. I do not have plans of deleting them or putting it somewhere that I could not see because truth be told, I LOVE LOOKING AT THEM.. even though it hurts me a little. The biggest files, biggest folders, will always include OUR PICTURES. ALWAYS.

Our story, the one we made right after our good friend introduced us to each other, will always be a happy memory to me. All the surprises from the dinner cruise, monthsaries, birthdays, valentines day, anniversaries down to the graduation gift you gave me. I will keep them, I should.

I do not know how to put an end to this because honestly it pains me still but I have to think of happy thoughts.. happy days.. for now. Because sometimes love means letting go when you want to hold on tighter.

Telling the truth sometimes hurt but what more does a lie do?

I don't like the idea of posting some personal matters online but it's nice to hear people's reactions about it. Basically, it's also a way of updating the people close to your heart but far in distance. If you can't tell it straight, you post something relevant to it like a post about something sad, something painful, and the like. So for you, who changed your profile picture, hello. :)

You, making our picture as your profile picture, is a nice gesture. Our picture edited from how it was before. From colorful-now to black and white... from vivid to blurred.. from what was before to what is now. It pains me, it makes me sad..

Photography people say Black and White photos suggest the viewer to look deeper into the photo to look for the meaning.. what's in the surface without the color. Ika nga nila, "MAS MALALIM". In relation to us, I guess, we are now in the stage of looking deeper into ourselves, asking if this is what we really want and if this is what is bound to happen. We are black and white. Relevant to each other and resembles a different meaning when put together.

In Film, blurred objects suggest meanings. The blurred objects aren't that important to the frame. Objects are blurred to emphasize on the real subject of the frame. As for us, we are blurry. Literally in that sense. We do not know where our relationship is taking us. We let go of our identities and let the most important subject, our heart, work for us in the frame. Do we still love each other? It pains to think about this right now.

What happened really taught me a good lesson. Telling the truth sometimes hurt but what more does a lie do?

When you're sleeping with a broken heart, waking up is the hardest part.

When you're sleeping with a broken heart, waking up is the hardest part.

Tonight, I’ll cry myself to sleep.

I never thought that it would be this hard to conquer all the things that have been putting me down lately. All the worries, the sadness, and the like. I always used to have a back-up plan for everything but unfortunately, this time, I don’t.

I’m pretty sure of what I want to happen: end this, save myself from being lied on again. What scares, or what worries me are the things that would happen if we are not ‘together’ anymore. Yes, it’s scary. I used to be with him for like what.. 2 years and 3 months now. That’s a big risk, but I have to take this step to save myself from all the hurt he’s been putting me through. :( I now have to face a new day, waking up without his messages flashed on my phone.. waking up not expecting anything from him.. anymore. :( I guess the lyrics “When you’re sleeping with a broken heart, waking up is the hardest part.” I should, I shall surpass these.

It hurts to be cheated on. It hurts to know the truth. It hurts to trust the person you love when in the end you’ll know, in one way or another, they have broken it. It hurts to feel like you’re the last person to know the truth. It hurts. It really hurts.

I have to save my better self for the one who is worthy of my trust. I have to stand-up for myself. I have to.

The trigger of the story: My film class

“Writing is personal, it has to be.” Those words came from my notable lecturer Clodualdo Del Mundo, a scriptwriter.

I always have been a fan of the movies and being in his class exposed me more to beautiful movies here in the Philippines and abroad. I was inspired even more to write stories and become more detailed in explaining the scenes I have in mind.

Trigger. You must have a trigger to write a good story. What story do you want to tell? From there, you’ll know where you could get your stories. The trigger starts it all.

Did you know the 6-word story made by Ernest Hemmingway? Yes, it took him only six words to tell a story. He said, ” FOR SALE: BABY’S SHOES. NEVER WORN.” Filling the gaps, you could tell that there has been an anticipation for a baby but perhaps due to some unfortunate events, the baby did not make it out... alive.

I am very much excited with all the stuffs I am going to learn from my classes in the coming days.

Tonight, he gave us an assignment. We must write ideas for our Short Film and Full-Length Film. This is a productive day, I could say!

We watched 9 Films today and did two screenplays in 50 words!

1. Blue Angel

2. Baraka

3. The Bicycle Thief

4. Biyaheng Edsa

5. Ten Minutes Older

6. Story of the Water

7, The Color of Paradise

8. Touch of Evil

9. The Virgin Spring

If you would like to know the stories, search it on the net. Haha!

Had fuuuuun today!

Inglorious Basterds

Written and Directed by the legend himself, Quentin Tarantino.
The man responsible for Pulp Fiction as well.

I thought this movie features a comic flow of events. Like, I know the spelling of Bastards, if Quentin meant that, so I wondered why the A was replaced by an E. Haha! So I guess that has nothing to do with the movie. LOL!

Five chapters rolled in one to tell a story of Jewish vengeance. This was all fictional but nonetheless told a story that revealed how cruel fighting and killing people were before. I admire how Quentin put together all the stories. He touched a very sensitive subject in world’s history, particularly that of Jews’ and Germans’. The first chapter was really significant and I thought the story in chapter one wasn’t that relevant not until Emmanuel showed up in a cinema house in Paris. The second chapter, an introduction of the Inglorious Basterds, is where the handsome hot Brad Pitt appeared. He is still sexy even in military uniform but I was bothered by the way he spoke in the movie. He sounded like a cowboy-turned-into-a-Nazi-hater. Seriously! Can somebody comment about this? Lol! Here, the plot was somehow tragic because the soldiers tend to ‘unscalp’ the Nazis they were able to kill in an encounter. Unhumane. The third chapter, The German Night in Paris, where the only survivor in the Jewish family that was murdered in chapter one appeared. Soshana Dreyfus, appeared German-like woman. She now owns a cinema where lots of German movies were shown and she is hiding her true Jewish identity. Her fancy meeting with a soldier led to her biggest plot of revenge to all the Nazis. In chapter four, the Operation Kino was proposed and everything led to a bloody encounter of fake Nazis and the original ones. In this chapter I could say, I was totally stunned by the actress’ beauty and was totally confused by all the accents. Last but not the least, Chapter five, The Revenge of the Big Face, was the best part! It showed the vengeance plot Soshana and her partner Marcel have been planning. Imagine a big revenge being shown in a big screen where people from different parts of the world watch. Must be outstanding! LOL! It was successful and Aldo’s masterpiece on The Jew Hunter was really rewarding!

Quentin already amazed me with Pulp Fiction but this movie… this movie… amazed me more! I wonder where he gets all the amazing plots. I have watched Valkyrie, another movie with Hitler in it, but this one is different especially how the chain of events led the people involved from chapter one get a very significant and outstanding evening. I love how Emmanuel said her part… “I have a message for Germany… that you are all going to die. And I want you to look deep into the face of the Jew who’s going to do it! Marcel, burn it down. My name is Soshana Dreyfus, and this is the face of Jewish vengeance!” Nice, nice, nice!

The setting, the plot, the shots, the characters… everything! Superb!

A Perfect Getaway

Strangers. Killers. Paradise Island.
Plus Milla Jovovich.

I remember the same sexy woman who starred in the .45 movie. Bad, rebellious and hot. I thought this movie was different but it all came down to my senses that Milla is a very flexible actress.

This movie went beyond my expectations! I do not normally read the summary on the back cover or on the internet because every movie is a story to anticipate. For me the title and the poster says a part of the story already and upon seeing the cover photo and the title of this movie, I already thought of struggles, fighting, lots of killing and chasing. I have watched the movie Touristas and I expected this movie to be something like that but as the movie goes, I saw different.

The story told the lives of different couples who go trekking and wandering on their honeymoon days. Set in a very nice part of Hawaii: trails, rain, rainbows, hunting, waterfalls, mountains… all the beautiful natural resources that a perfect paradise island could have. The couples were enjoying the time of their lives without any hint of worries and just like any other couples who were in their honeymoon, I expected Milla and her partner in this movie to be lovey-dovey in the plot. They never failed me with their actions and words not until the last 30 minutes or so of the movie. The transition and the twist of the movie really left me aghast. Outstanding! Plus, the sweet proposal that came after was really sweet.

As for the shots, all that panning really told a part of the story: Chasing. Lots of chasing! I wonder how they do all the running in the forest. Must be tiring… but it’s all worth it! The chasing and all the struggles the couple faced in the movie really contributed to the beautiful ending.

I find trekking very exciting but upon seeing this movie, I’ll probably won’t go trekking on my honeymoon! Hahaha! However, having a sweet proposal on a sunset, by the aerial view of the beach during a trekking would be very sweet. Awww…

Speak now or forever hold your piece.

Shutter Island

Perhaps the most mind-boggling movie I have ever watched!

The film was based on the novel “Shutter Island” by Dennis Lebane. I haven’t read the novel yet but I can say that Dennis must have had lost of imagination and connecting plots in mind when he made the story. Outsanding! This psychological thriller really made my day.

Set in Ashcliffe, an asylum for delusional criminals, this movie boasts a 1950’s setting. The cars, the clothes, manner of speaking, decorations, interiors, etc. I wonder where they got all the water to make an artificial rain, or should I ask, was it real? Also, the huge waves that crush against the shore, all those rocks and tall trees… for real, existed?

Leonardo DiCarpio portrayed a role of a delusional mad man who was in denial that he had indeed killed his wife in 1952. I could say that the plot was made not to confuse but rather make the viewers think of the possible ways the story can progress. I salute the people responsible for the screenplay! This movie was really a heart-pounding and mind-boggling suspense thriller!

I am a fan of suspense and mind-boggling movies or television series just like Prison Break and this movie reminded me also of the codes and similarities of events shown in Prison Break. The linkages and flow of events really affected everyone in the movie and it was really evident that all the hard work put into it really paid off. The scenes, the thrills, the portrayal, the story, and all the effects were really made to create a connection between the story and the viewer.

However, the effects used in the movie also reminded me of the movie The Lovely Bones. The apparition of Teddy’s wife and children, all the symbolic figures they used in the scenes, really added up some shiver along the movie. Nice job, directors!

I have to rerun the movie with a friend, I guess, to fully criticize some linkages and stories injected in the story because I was expecting someone, not Leonardo, to be the culprit. I already had that mindset not until the twist happened that somehow contributed to the dramatic and symbolic ending.

It is really a nice movie, go and get a copy.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

At first I thought my 4-year old nephew should be the one watching this movie but it turned out that I was the one who enjoyed the movie even more than my nephew.

I was never a fan of Greek Mythology. Sure, I did a part in our High school literature class but I swear nothing got stuck in my mind after that module. (Hahaha! Sorry Ms. English Teacher!) but after watching this movie, I was gradually oriented to the usual stuffs of Greek Mythology: Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. The official brotherhood! Hahaha! Chiron, the trainor. Medusa, that sexy body Uma Thurman has (don’t forget the deceitful eyes and wiggley hair). Athena, the one with the sexy gorgeous shiny hair. Hermes, the messenger… I have lots to talk about but I’m saving my ass to be corrected if I say something wrong in this blog. LOL! I admire how they put together the real world we live in and the world the gods live in.

The movie was really good and I admire how the screenplay, all the characters, were compared to the modern day people. I don’t know if I should believe what Chiron said in the movie… that gods interact with normal people once in awhile and somehow produce babies that become Demigods: you know, half-god, half-human. Creepy! But nonetheless, the story was very unique and I loved it.

The main character, Percy Jackson, really reminded me of Zac Efron. Uma Thurman, Medusa in the movie, really boasted her never-fading beauty and good acting! The actors, when put together, assemble a very nice movie. The effects shown in Hades’ kingdom were awesome! All the fires, the magic, the screaming, the struggles of people being burned in hell… everything! Although the effects shown in Percy’s revenge, like the waters coming out of the water tanks, were disturbing. Did not seem real but the actors coming out of it wet was somehow average. It was good.

I learned so much in this movie. Giving values to your gifts and using it for the common good is really rewarding. We might not be gods who have power over events but we always have choices to choose from… we just have to make sure that it’s for the better.

The Hurt Locker

The only movie that made my dad glued on the couch like a statue all throughout the movie.

Bombs. Bombs. Guns. They were everywhere.

I was once intrigued by this movie because I heard that Kathryn Bigelow, the movie’s director, won an Oscar so I hurriedly got a copy and watched it. At first, I thought it was boring and all I will see is war freak military men shooting at terrorists.

I did not know that things like these happen in real setting. I know that bombs do exist and wars are never-ending in the Middle East but this movie made me realize that “Hey! They do exist and this is what happens.”

How could someone risk his own life wearing only a piece of heavy jacket while cutting the wires of a suspected bomb? “Disarming” bombs would be a nice term and it might explode any minute. How could someone have the guts to do that nerve-shredding job. And how could someone love a job description that entails 365 days of discovering bombs, cutting off bomb wires, running away from exploding bombs? What is the image that gets into his head? A human turned into a bomb sniffing dog who sits on bombs that he detects? Well, someone in the movie did. He even risked the joy of having his family just to save lives and to make a name in history. Staff Sergeant James, for him, war is a drug. He survived the war with his body and soul intact.

I also saw in the movie how the military men deal with their day-to-day lives during a war. I saw the struggles of people who want to have a normal life but because they were faced with instances like these, they can’t even take a hold of a normal life… even just a touch. Did you know that there were actually human bombs? Terrorists make people wear bombs like vests and they could explode any minute… even while praying. Sad, isn’t it? This movie also reminded me of Valkyrie, only that it wasn’t Hitler on the big screen but bombs that need to be put off.

Who wants to get hurt or to die while doing their job?
Powerfully realistic, action-packed, unrelenting and intense.

The title says it all: The Hurt Locker.

The Blind Side

Based on the extraordinary true story.

Here, I saw the real impact of discrimination and racism in a colored man. An African-American teenager struggled to find his own identity and he found it by the help of someone not of his color. Sandra Bullock played a very interesting role in this movie. She was powerful and realistic. She and her family drove the African-American to discover and hone his own potentials. She helped him find confidence and gain new friends like a normal person in the neighborhood.

This movie showed how a family should be. Loving, thoughtful and understanding. One thing more I have realized is that in Rugby, you could think that your team is your family and you’d do everything to protect them. Back them up, save them, and look after them. The movie touched my heart and I am very happy that one ordinary man was helped to discover his real purpose and his real potentials.

Big Mike, I salute you!

Precious

Life is Hard. Life is Short. Life is Painful. Life is Rich. Life is… Precious.

Precious Jones will steal your heart because of the hardships she experienced in her life. I was deeply saddened by the movie. I cannot bear seeing Precious being abused by the people who are supposed to take care of him: her parents. I saw in the movie how Precious lived a not-so-ordinary life. At an early age she experienced abusive acts from her mother and she was even raped by her father. Where is CARE here? The people who are expected to take care of her, nurture her, support her, were the ones who destroy the beautiful life that awaits her. She grew up poor, illiterate, angry and unloved.

What’s more devastating is that Precious have a hard time trusting people that surround her and it’s even harder for her to accept her parents’ apology.

The Longest Journey begins with a Single Step.

A Switch to A New Vibe!

Hi, Bloggers!

I am on to a new vibe! I still write my thoughts and my realizations on this site but I added up some spice that could interest you also.

Long ago, I fell in love with the movies and everything in between. I have a wide collection of contemporary movies in our rack and I am proud to say that I watch them all- from local and foreign films, comedy, action, suspense, romance, etc. I sometimes spend a day watching four movies in a row. I love their stories and their revelations. They add-up realizations in my day-to-day life experience. I could sometimes feel that I can relate to the people involved in the movie- their story, their situation, their battle. I love the vibe movies give me!

About the new spice, I am into this routine called One Movie A Day in which I watch one movie a day and write my little thoughts about it. I write whether I liked the plot or not, if the actor’s hot, the setting was good, musical scoring, and the like. I criticize and I also ask. So I am inviting you to comment on my blogs as soon as I post them online. We could interact and exchange thoughts regarding the movie I have watched.

This could be a good practice for me to continually live my passion. I am currently enrolled in a film class and it would surely help me if I watch movies and write my thoughts about it. I write about almost everything and in the future I wish to share with you also some Pinoy Indie Films. It’s hard to find in the market due to private screening in micro cinemas, however, if I get the chance to watch one, I’ll surely post it online. Help me become a good filmmaker. Read my blogs, my thoughts, my insights… who knows you could be the one who’ll get the chance to star in my future screenplay. Hahaha! Dream big, some would say!

The longest journey starts with a single step.

Thanks!
Jonah

They Call Me "The Graduate"

The tassel's worth the hassle. Yes, indeed.

Dati super gustong-gusto ko na grumadweyt kahit alam kong medyo matagal tagal pa bago mangyari yun, and now, my tassel's on my left already... GRADUATE.

Something's holding me back though... inspite the happiness and greetings I get from people. For sure, I am going to miss the way of life I had in college. Yung tipong takot ma-late sa mga subjects, takot sa terror na prof, paggawa ng mga imposibleng assignments, pagtambay sa library... tawanan and kwentuhan with classmates, paunahan mag-sign sa attendance sheet, pagiging particular sa 15minutes or 30minutes grace period ng mga prof, pagluha sa mga productions, pagtawa sa mga itlog na score sa quiz/exam. All those petty things made my college life challenging, fulfilling, and worthwhile.

My mentors and professors who first made my stay a little scary but hella fun! You have shared so many things to us and it added up something to our knowledge. You were like our second parents who scolded us when we did something wrong and who applauded when we did something right.. but most of all, dear professors, you were the ones who imparted us essential things and nurtured us to become what we want to be. Without you, we won't graduate... and so many thanks and a big huuuug to you SIR and MAM! :)

At syempre, who would forget the people that made my college life fun and easier? MY FRIENDS & CLASSMATES. The verdict why I am sometimes late in the class, the culprit behind sa nagkaka-ubusang pad paper (one whole, cross wise, length wise, yellow paper) isama mo narin pati ang pagkakawalaan ng mga ballpen, Monggol No. 2 at liquid eraser. You will all be missed. Kakalimutan ko na yung mga utang niyo at yung mga nawala niyong gamit ko. HAHAHA!

Good Lord, this is the REAL WORLD. We are bound to take further steps to reach our goals and dreams in life... It is scary, yes. Siguro kaya natatakot din ako grumadweyt kasi more responsibilities and more expectations. Ito na yung stage na we will all get paid as to how many we can make out of something. WORK WORK WORK. Time to make a living. SCAAARY! but I know this is part of our journey, this is part of everyone's life so I might as well enjoy it. :)

I had so much fun with all of you! I wish the bonding never ends but, this is life, we have to part ways.. FOR THE BETTER. No matter what road you take, always remember what our good professor has taught us in his subject... BE PROUD THAT YOU ARE AN ESCOLARIAN.

Salute to BATCH 2010 Graduates! I love you!

How Holy was your Week?

Holy Week, as viewed by many people, is a time to visit and acknowledge the sufferings of our good Lord... but let us not deny the fact that it is, as well, the time to take few days off from work and have a BAKASYON ENGRANDE. Beaches. Parties. Souvenir shopping. Adventures. Nature trips. ETC!

I was told by my mom that when she went to mass last month, the priest included in his homily these pangarals:
"I know that it is summer time, Holy week na rin. Marahil marami sa inyo ang may mahahabang listahan kung saang mga lugar ang dapat puntahan, kung saan dapat magbabakasyon... sana wag naman nasa hulihan ng mga listahan niyo ang Bisita Iglesia. Ilagay niyo naman sa pinaka-unang bilang..." TRUE ENOUGH.

People take the chance but overlook the main essence of the Holy Week. As for my case, yes, I was able to take a few days off from the hustle-bustle of the city... in other words, I took a vacation. But I am proud to say that my family, who practice religious beliefs every single day, have placed Bisita Iglesia on our top priority this vacation. We did it in a different way though. Instead of walking from our house in QC to Quiapo, passing by 9 Churches, this year we visited 7 chuches up north- from La Union to Ilocos Norte. It was a very nice and solemn experience. Why solemn? Despite the travel time and the roads we had to take, we were able to get along with conservative probinsyanos who practice religious beliefs in solemn ways. The churches were quiet not like ones here in Manila... there were long processions everywhere and makikita talagang taim-tim na nagdadasal ang bawat isa. I am proud and happy that we did it up North!

The experience was extraordinary! Noong nasa last church na kami, it was really a relief! We were happy that we completed all the churches!

Now, how Holy wass your week?

Premos.

Hi readers. Do you believe in Premonitions? Well, I don't know if I should but I consider them in one way or another.

I am kinda worried right now coz Axle had a bad dream awhile ago. There were two girls on both of his sides. On his left was me, and on his right was a girl he doesn't know. The girl was barely like a black shadow whose face cannot be seen. In his dream, I was telling him random stuffs nonstop. When he looked at his right, he felt like the woman was keeping him from seeing her face. He was struggling to take a peek of the woman's face but he failed. He said in his dream, he can't move... he can't lift his hand, he can't talk, etc. He just felt the girl's persuasive force like the girl is asking him to look at me and never mind her. I don't know. That's how his story went. When he woke up he was quiet and dizzy. It felt like the dream was really happening. This is scary and he is bound to have a photoshoot in Tanay Rizal tomorrow. Come on, I'm really scared. I want him to be safe all throughout the shoot and the days after.

They say dreams try to reveal some messages to us, humans, and I can't seem to figure out what his dream meant. All I know is that I don't wanna lose him.. no, not in any way. :(

Promise to say a prayer before I go to sleep. I love you, Ax! Take lots of care, Love!

I love you, just so you know. :)

Okay, this may seem so cheesy.. but what can I do? Dreamsounds playlist is playing on my laptop!

I just want to post this to show how happy and thankful I am for having him as my bestfriend and my beloved. It has been two years now and I still get that kilig. (Raaaarrr! Cheesy na, sige!) HAHAHAHA! I love you Anteaus Villena :)

My Passion should push through after Graduation :)

Things that I accomplished on the net today:

I was able to upload the pictures taken last night at my godson's first birthday party.
I was able to go out with Ax and eat at Banapple.
I was able to see my friends and hang out with them.
I was able to search online some job openings.
and.. I was able to write a blog, like the one right here, after a very looong time!

Mission accomplished!

Hey readers! I am writing this blog to update you with the things that are happening in my life. First off, my graduation day is nearing. I am not excited. I am nervous. I fear what's going to happen after my graduation. Really. I have plans though! If you'll ask, I'd say I still want to study Film and Photography after I graduate from Mass Communication Major in Broadcasting :)

I have this love, enthusiasm and passion for both Photography and Film- it is the passion that developed over time. Both art forms really interest me and inspire me to do my best in such fields. I have taken subjects in our school curriculum regarding those and it moved me even more to never stop learning things about it... maybe that's the reason why I would like to take further steps to widen and enhance my knowledge regarding those.

And speaking of which, I am currently wondering what workshop will suit my needs. I need to get testimonials and feedbacks from people who joined the workshop before- if the lecturers were great, if they were able to discuss the subject matter well, if the room is good and conducive to learning, etc. I have so many questions! i can't risk money in enrolling myself to something not worthy. After all, my future's at stake!

I am undecided. I want to enroll in Digital Photography in Benilde, a short course on Digital Photography. And the film workshops of Mowelfund and Filipino Pictures Inc. I don't know which of those workshops will really satisfy my thirst for learning! But one thing's for sure. I will take both Film and Photography workshops. i just have to choose really well where to enroll. So if you guys happen to know a thing or two about those workshops, let me know. I am more than happy to hear from you. :)

If you're wondering if I am going to work soon, I'd say YES... but only if I enroll myself first in those workshops. :p Maybe on last week of April or beginning of May, I'll send out my application in my prospect companies and maybe get myself hired in a prestigous company (with a good pay) around June or July. Let me enjoy first the remaining days of being 'unofficially unemployed' after graduation. It never hurts to bum around, at least once in awhile. :)

Summerheat, yeah!

Hi! It has been a long time since I blogged about what I have been doing lately...

Well, final exams are over. We are all entitled to have some rest before our graduation practices. What excites me? Hitting the beach this Holy Week! The heat is very unbearable, dipping in cold water would sure soothe me. Hmm where to go? Maybe Ilocos? Or the much-awaited summer trip my classmates have been nagging me: Anuwangin Island in Zambales! I am excited already! :)

My schedule these past few days were really painful and excruciating. We had to do several paper works and presentations but God is good, he gave me the perseverance and now I am officially bumming around!

What am I doing? Here, blogging. Updating all my accounts and editing the pictures I have been storing for like... a week? Hahaha! Im bound to watch tons of DVDs later, mind joining me?:) I love watching re-runs, indie films, and experimental films. Fetish! :)

Oh, I am also planning to send out my resume online! So I won't add up to the Unemployed figures after graduation, so help me if you know a Media Agency that has Job Openings :)

Till here, people! Blog on :)

Full Moon.

It's full moon. What a beautiful site from the window.

I have never seen the craters of the moon up close... not until today. It's beautiful! I remember what my friend told me about the moon. Whenever she looks at it, no matter how bad her day went, she feels good. Yeah, just by looking at it makes her release all the tensions and stresses she is undergoing. Maybe that's the reason why she put a moon tattoo on her back.

She told me that the moon is every girl's comforter. Girls do more appreciate the sight of the moon than boys. It relieves them and makes them realize how beautiful the world is and how much they should anticipate the next coming days.

After all the stress in doing my Media Ethics and Media Standards assignment, I gaze through my old window and see the moon... Beautiful :)

Good night People :)

Nostalgia.

It was one of the days I usually bum at home. And just like anyone who's stuck at home would do, I watched DVDs. Others were re-runs and others were not. One of the 'others' is the movie entitled FAME. It was a nice movie... reminds me of Step-Up movie though, where students break rules for them to discover and showcase their potentials. What's moving in this movie is how the mentors inspire the students through words of wisdom. They are all in Performing Arts, of which I could relate since my course isn't far from theirs.

Each character has struggles to face with... be it in school, in their circle of friends or in their families. Those facts entirely depict a life of a person... crucial yet entertaining. I did not regret staying up late for that movie... worth every little tick-tock. :)

I watched tv with my 4-year old nephew. We watched Going Bulilit on ABS-CBN since it's his all-time favorite! I was amazed when the show featured my good old school where I spent my nursery to grade 6 years! Angelicum College of QC! The school looks different now. The buildings were newly painted and all the rooms have AC! How devastating because I did not experience that! Hahaha! The elementary grounds are different! Nicer than ever :)

The segment made me miss my elementary days but much more my elementary friends who used to stay with me at the fishpond. :) Nostalgia huh? Good old days. :)

The Apparition of Urbandub: My first Udub experience!

The group with Gab of Urbandub

The Sound Of The Giant South is gaining more recognition around the nation like never before. At the forefront of the whole movement is a band that has a record that surpasses most bands than that of the bands that have come out of the Queen City of Cebu. They are none other than Urbandub.

From the very first day that this band was formed (in the year 2000), they were destined to be something more than the ordinary. Forced to be independent due to the lack of support coming from major record companies, Urbandub released their debut album called BIRTH. Off of this album, the hit tracks "Come", "Give" and "Would You Go" launched and took their world by storm. Unique, timely and yet experimental, it was something that entertainment scenes around the Philippines needed: a kick start into the future of original music.

Urbandub is Gabby Alipe (Vocalist / Guitarist), Lalay Lim (Bassist), John Mendoza (Drummer) and John Dinopol (Lead Guitarist).

• According to the lead vocalist Gabby Alipe behind the band's name:

“

When we were just starting out..urbandub was supposed to be a reggae band...we were suppose to play reggae mixed with dub, ska, dancehall, hiphop, and rock. A perfect example of what urbandub would have been--is the song "sailing" and "eating me" --that was the style we were suppose to be playing around with--since we were suppose to be a reggae/dub band, hence the name, urbandub. But becuz of the series of line up changes--and new influences--we became what we are today! The name just kinda got stuck and we never bothered to change it. Soo there you go..the story behind the name "urbandub"

Urbandub's music video First of Summer is about a girl rebelliously going out with her boyfriend. The band later released Endless, A Silent Whisper which shows the events that happened before and after what was shown in First of Summer. Both videos were directed by Marie Jamora and were shot in 3 days.

-according to researches on the net-

I watched Urbandub's gig at CSB SDA Cafeteria! It was really a dream come true because I'm a great fan! And I mean greaaaat! Hahaha! If people say that they had them at hello, I'd say they had me in Endless, A Silent Whispher. It was the first song I heard from their album and since that day I liked their music. Urbandub is the one responsible why I liked listening to rock music. I was then a hiphop-and-rnb type of girl but when my friend lend me his earphones, I knew that my music taste has to change. My friend also gave me a gift since he knew that I liked their music. He gave me their two albums... Sabay! So I was stunned! He had them autographed by all the band members, but yeah, I never saw them play... that's the downside.

But tonight's different. I was able to meet them face-to-face, in that sense hahaha! Why? Because I was standing right in front of Gabby Alipe! Sweeeeet! Just few inches away from the strings of his guitar! Hahaha! But hell yeah, I can't help but be stunned. Na-starstruck ako. Finally, after a long wait! I always see their videos, I have it in my MP5 Player, even the ones with Franco. And kanina, wow, I can't believe that they are already in front of me! Waaaaah! I am more than happy!

I still think about it. I can't help but view the pictures we have in my camera. Tons of pictures I could say! I even recorded their performance on my cellphone hahaha! Addict much? And when we were outside, getting a hang of it all, Gab went out of SDA and smoked. He was right in front of us! We can't say a word! Buti nalang Gellie, Axle's friend had the guts to ask Gab if we could have a picture with him. Akala ko kaming girls lang, pero pati boys, sumama! Hahaha!

First time hurts? Nah.. First time's the sweetest! Hahahaha!

Urbandub, good shiiiiiit mahn!