Stop. Look. and Listen.

This Ad from the Concerned Artists of the Philippines says it all. :)

Tiff: "Bong bong tanggalin mo damit mo."
CSA people: "Tiff ah!"
Me: "WHAT?!........."
Tiff: "Hindi hindi I mean 'yung jacket mo!"

B. C. P.
Stoplight.

I call for PGMA do to the right thing.
Resign!

After Miting de Avance

True to my word, three days after, I am back! This time, I went with a lot more hungry stomachs to fill. I am predicting Summer classes would be really be great with Amici in reach. :))

I went to Amici after the Miting de Avance of UPCSA with Alvene, Austin, Bryan, Carlson, Chris, Danne, Don, Donald, Edric, Harrell, Harroun, Hazel, Ivan, Jarvin, Joey, Joseph, Kester, Kim, Laureen, Madie, Merri, Merryan, Paopei, Pats, Sarah, Scott, Sheena, Tasha, Tiff, Wendy and Yao. Did I miss someone? That's a lot of hungry CSA people. :))

AMICI Tomas Morato

Pizza, Pasta, Gelato

A new Amici, most probably a franchise of the famed Amici di Don Bosco, opened yesterday at the Tomas Morato area, on the ground floor of the building where Ratsky is.

My family ate there today, and we were greeted well by the very lovely manger and staff of the restaurant.

We were on our way to Greenhills for church, when my brother spotted the restaurant, and vowed, pleaded to eat there on our way home, since he hasn't eaten in Amici ever. So that's the story why we ended up there.

Anyway, as always, you can't go wrong with their pizza and pasta selections.

We ordered Spaghetti Aglio Olio E Pepperoncino (Php 160), Ai Quatrro Formaggi - four cheeses (Php 270), Fruttii di Mare - seafood pizza (Php 270) and they ordered a Lechon Kawali (Php 165)

After dinner, your visit wouldn't be complete without ordering their Gelato. We had Sans Rival (a new addition to their yummy list) and Mint with Chocolate (a certified 3 thumbs up)

The manager said that the place can seat up to 105 people.

I'm sure I'll be back in no time! :)

I want a Twisted 8! :)

I remember last time when Tiff, Cams and I won ourselves a copy of Jessica Zafra's Twisted Travels. And since then, I've been a follower of Zafra's blog. And here's another one of her Twisted tales that would definitely engage you and make you laugh.

Melo Villareal of Manila Freelancer is giving away 8 copies of Jessica Zafra's new book, Twisted 8: The night of the living twisted, signed, sealed, and will be delivered. :P

Elections

Nakagugulat na pagpasok mo pa lang sa college ng NCPAG, lahat ng tao'y bumabati sayo ng "hi Brian", "hello", "kamusta?", at kung anu-ano pa.

Ay, aba siyemre at oo nga naman, dadatal sa iyo na, "eleksyon na nga pala." At iyon nga kung bakit ako pumunta ng UP ngayong Wednesday, para sa CEB meeting. :))

So we extended the deadline of filing of COCs until 6:30pm today for Undergraduate and Graduate students. (Fair, para wala nang masabi..ok?) And we'll deliberate tomorrow morning regarding the candidates. We'll be releasing the official not yet final list by 8:30? 9:00? am.

Other dates to remember:

Feb. 21 (Thurs - 4pm) Deadline: Filing of Protest against Candidates
Feb. 22 (Fri - 12nn) Release of Final Official List of Candidates
Feb. 22 - Mar. 1 (Fri-Sat) Official Campaign Period
Mar. 01 - (Sat - 12nn) Last day: posting campaign materials
Mar. 03 - (Mon - 2pm) Students' Convocation (Miting de Avance)
Mar. 03 - (Mon) Deadline: Submission of Official Poll Watchers
Mar. 04 - (Tues) ELECTION DAY
Mar. 05 - (Wed) Announcement of Election Results
Mar. 07 - (Fri - 5pm) Last day: Filing of Election Protests
Mar. 10 - (Mon) Release of Decisions
Mar. 17 - (Mon) Oath-Taking of New Student Council Officers

Please exercise your right to vote. :)

Is it Time?

Since Saturday, I have heard of the efforts of past cabinet secretaries and similar officials calling their present counterparts in the Arroyo administration to resign, and "come clean." It's the first time I saw of this, manifested as an advertisement, in today's Inquirer.

If you can, please read it, and criticize.
My own two cents:

1. "...all Jun Lozada did was to confirm what we already know." - Then why on earth didn't/ don't you EXPOSE what you know. Help out. Don't give all the burden just a person. Corroborate! Testify! I take it you know of fraudulent deals and activities involving Graft and Corruption. You know something, but you keep it to yourself, now, how does that appear?
   
2. "Unmoderated Greed" - What does this mean? We allow greed, having kickbacks and money corrupted, but in moderation? Well, I guess we can't contain this, not with our present culture and mindsets. I am angry! This should not be the case, but I guess it's better than nothing?
3. I'm surprised Karina David, whose term in Civil Service Commission just expired, signed this. This means, at least to me, that she confirms everything. She just didn't do something to expose all of what she knows during her time as Chair of CSC. Now that it's over, and I'm no longer connected to governemnt, let's support the call? Ganun ba 'yun? (Well, that's how I read it)
4. As I said, and as Ma'am Boncodin said, "they're barking up the wrong tree."

Serve the People

Had dinner today with Uncle Peter at Kamay Kainan in TriNoma. Buffet for around 240 only. We stuffed ourselves up with delicious signature Filipino dishes until we're about to burst. I recommend this resto to you guys. Unluckily, I didn't bring my camera with me, so no pictures this time.

Got this pasalubong from Shang Hai. It reads, Wei Ren Min Fu Wu (serve the people) with Mao's head. I just hope I won't be mistaken to be part of CPP and get caught by the military when I use it around UP, or elsewhere :))

I bought the recently released Coke Zero while I was waiting in Landmark supermarket. Yehey! Now, i'm just in the look-out for the Coke Classic with SM Logo (if it's available to the public) :)

Matatalino. Matatapang.

So technically, I had no class today.

My ArtStud professor didn't show up. I am excited for our field trip to Sagada this weekend (err..so quit trying to force me to go Sarah..:P I might suddenly change my mind..:o haha).

My Accounting professor, Emilia Boncodin, former Department of Budget and Management Secretary, had this interview with Korina Sanchez in her office, and came out 3:30pm or so. She just ended up telling the class of what they talked about (after some persuading we did). All the while, I was outside, listening in to what they're saying. (The interview can be seen right now, 6pm at ANC, they have replays late in the evening)

She explained to us the procurement system of government, where it is open and transparent. She blames it on us, Filipinos, because we let this thing happened. We weren't "extra extra extra to the infinity" careful.

She told us that "ang mga pinag-aaralan ninyo, mga binabasa ninyo, wala 'yan. Those things you'll learn if you go into the bureaucracy." What she can say is that, "never second guess the bureaucracy." She's angry at those people who keep on criticizing the government, the bureaucracy. She continues by saying, "you don't know what it is to be in the bureaucracy. Unless you actually been in the bureaucracy, you don't have the right to say those things."

She also said that she's sympathizing with Secretary Neri. She knows that he's a good man, but right now, he can't really get out of it already. "He boxed himself in."

She didn't sign the plea of the past cabinet secretaries, calling for the present cabinet secretaries, undersecretaries, etc, to resign. According to her, "they're barking up the wrong tree." Others shouldn't suffer for the mistake of one, or the few. "Wala naman silang kinalaman." She adds, "You know, there are a lot of good people in government. The sad thing is the ones who're not good are always the ones being seen and featured."

She ended by saying that "someday, you will make that choice." You will have to choose "one way or the other." There's no neutral. You have to choose. I really love what she said today.

On a lighter side of things, a lot of people noticed my shirt, and commented that it's nice, and they want one. It's from Pepetee. I now feel that the 300 I spent, was kinda worth it. :)

Crazy or Genius?

My uncle just messaged me and showed me the text in the application TextEdit. I never knew this existed in my MacBook until today. I was amazed, really! :) I took a screen shot of it:

Dear Kate,

Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them, disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things.

Take Care,
John Applessed

Familiar much? Here (YOU have to see this):

Fire Away!

And so yesterday was Valentines Day. They say that it's only as good or worse as you make it. Yes. Flowers, chocolates and all these gimmicks filled the academically hallowed halls of the premiere state university.
Joey, Mik, Hannah and I attended Ariel's buffet lunch function at the College of Home Economics function room. I love the carrot soup and the chocolate fondue!
I found this around the Chinese Student Association's tambayan at AS 101. I find it really amusing. Good one, I say. :))

That evening, I had a very good talk with Don about life. Haha! I should talk to you more often. And, lets plan that road trip real soon..Yea?

Went to the fair with Don, Charles, Ainna, Thea, Tiff, and a lot more CSA dudes.

SISFIRE - UP FAIR!

• Dalandan Soda rocks! Love the Sax!
• Bought two shirts from Pepetees.
• Watched Ainna, Tiff, Thea, Chris have henna tattoos.
• Rocked with the crowd until around 11:30.
• Chitchat with The DonTCha on the way home. (I hope Charles' friend wasn't weirded out with us...)
• Super Duper Thanks Don, again! (I'll libre you next time!)

Rakestra 2008

And so last night marked the first UP Fair that I ever attended! :) Alvene, Charles, Chris, Clea, Don, Thea, Tiff and I went last night to Rakestra: Lost in Oblivion, the UP Fair, sponsored by Beta Epsilon.Alvene, Chris, Clea and I went ahead of "The DonTCha". We ate a very sumptuous dinner: 3 Liempo, 1 Chicken BBQ, 1 Siomai, 1 Calamares, very refreshing Buko Pandan juice, and NY Fries with Garlic Parmesan and Red Chili Pepper dips. (Oh, not to mention, they ate KFC while waiting for me)

This is one of the moments when we all hoped we've brought cameras with us. In the end, we just settled looking for a very bright place to take our photos with Clea's camera. Sad. But it worked, at least.

Charles, Don and Tiff and Thea followed after. UP Fair Shirts are cool!

(Photo by Raisa)

It was definitely way better than Xavier fair. It was way better than ICA fair. It's just really different. It rocked! We all joined in and tried to squish our way among the crowd, to go near the front. The bands were okay, but what really struck me the most, and made my night was Urbandub, accompanied by no other than the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra. This is the celebration of music. I love it!

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the JJs (Jumping Jologs) really enjoyed themselves. Sheesh. First time to see them in action. They amuse me! ;)

We all went home after (a little before 1am), except for Chris, who "attended a meeting", and went back 4am. What a night! :)

Thanks Chris for the birthday libre!
Thanks Don for the ride home!! :)

What better way to spend UP fair, but with CSA! :)

Filipino People

To: The Citizens of the Republic of the Philippines

Why don't we do something about the "Philippine Political crap" we are all talking about rather than condemning and bitching about what we don't really understand fully?

How many times have we complained about our leaders?
Let's ask ourselves, have we cooperated with the initiatives they are undertaking for the betterment of society? Do we even care to know and read about the issues that hound us?

How many times have we blamed the voting public for our leaders?
(At least they go out and vote!)
Let's ask ourselves, have we went out of our way to register and vote? Have we educated the voting public on picking the "right choice"? What have we done to prevent bad leaders from being elected?

How many times have we said we're tired of corruption?
Let's ask ourselves, how many times have we paid the MMDA traffic officer to let us go when we get caught? How many times have we resulted to bribing and putting grease to avoid lines and processes?

How many times have we clamored for change?
Let's ask ourselves, do we even try to change the wrongs in our own backyards? In our schools? In our work? In our community?

DO WE EVEN HAVE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM?

Well, oftentimes, it's easy to blame others.

Oftentimes, it's easy to excuse ourselves and be apathetic to all of this.

But you, Filipino People, do not have the right to be bitching around, when you yourself do not even give a damn, and care about the topic.

Fulfilling

It's really so nice that you can actually do something and make a small but lasting impact to others. :)

Kim, Laureen, Kester, Pats, Alvene, Harrell, Joey and I went to Gawad Kalinga to help build houses, as part of the service activity of our organization in UP, the Chinese Student Association. It was really really fun. Bonding!

HEADLINE 1: CHILD LABORER! CALL BANTAY BATA 163 A.S.A.P.!
HEADLINE 2: LOST PROPHET, MOSES: PARTING OF THE RED SOIL

After the build, we all went to eat lunch at Bacolod's Chicken and BBQ near Ever Gotesco, Commonwealth. After lunch, we had desserts upstairs (cake galore!). I love the Avocado cake I ordered. I'll go back there for sure. :)

Chinese Students Join Nation-Building

The University of the Philippines Chinese Student Association participated today in building houses at the Gawad Kalinga Central, UP Village, as their annual service activity to cap-off their week-long celebrations of Chinese New Year/ Culturals week.

An 8-man team led by, no less than their President, Kimberly Ong, shoveled and dug through soil and rocks to clear out the site, where the foundation of the house will be built.

Kimberly says that, "We do this service activity annually so that we can bridge the gap between Chinese and Filipino people; and so that we can also break certain stereotypes people have about us (Filipino-Chinese students)."

"In the spirit of the Chinese new year, we should learn to share what we have with others, especially the less fortunate. But of course, this does not mean we help the less fortunate only during the Cultural Week. We should help them as much as we can," she adds.

After the build, which lasted from 8am to around 11am, they were all introduced to Engineer del Rosario, Project Manager of the site. He shared with us the vision on Gawad-Kalinga and his vision of the community in the area.

"Here in GK, there is no difference between the rich and the poor. Lahat pantay pantay (Everyone's equal)," said Engr. Del Rosario.

He also stressed that what the volunteers are doing is a sacrifice one can do as part of nation-building.

"You are now part of the 1MB or the Isang Milyong mga Bayani", Engr. Del Rosario explains.

He said that one doesn't have to be dead to become a hero. It is better, according to him, to do something heroic, like building houses and sharing your talents in GK programs to "the least of your brethren" when one's still alive.

Laureen Lukban, PRC head and project organizer, said, "People think it's hard, and it is. It takes hard work. But you don't have to push yourself (in building a house). That's why it's better when you have other people with you because you work together; and that's what makes it fun!"

Celebration!

• 121 went just like a breeze. It's the first time I didn't feel like sleeping in class.
  
• We rushed (5-10 mins) a report of a classmate on income taxes and other taxes because our teacher wanted to watch the Lozada Senate inquiry/hearing. Yes, we all went to the CPAGE downstairs to watch it in their TV. Perfect timing. I don't know with you, but this is why I hate the Arroyo administration and especially Abalos and FG! (what "colorful words" I can say of them)
• It was my lucky day. JACKPOT! First, it was like I was the only student in about 30-student filled room. "Marami pang vacant seats dito oh..Mr. Ong, transfer to the front. Pati yang katabi mo. Nakoo..I'll call you first sa recitation." Second, quiz! Yes. Internal Revenue Allotment (I think I got the answers right) Third, "Mr.Ong, please collect the papers of your classmates" Fourth, "Di ka pa tapos Mr. Ong. Akala mo ha.. So Mr. Ong, What's IRA?" O_O My God! This teacher really LOVES me! Fifth!!! Akala n'yo ah, pagkatapos ng 151, gigimik kayo...lagi na lang kayong gumigimik, diba Mr. Ong?" WTH! Haha! "Mayaman yang si Mr. Ong. Akala n'yo kita naman sa mukha sino 'yung magimik." I just felt really loved that time! :|
• College Electoral Board voting was postponed to Monday. I have to make my essay now. Pray for me.
• Barbie, Reg and Rog forced me to go to Trinoma and finally have a complete BFFL outing, "where it all started." Lets just say I gave in? (I know! I repent!) Kent went with us. Too bad, Tenai wasn't able to go, so in the end, we weren't complete.
  
• We watched Cloverfield. It was one hell of a roller-coaster ride. Literally? My head spun and I felt dizzy after. Don, if by different you mean it makes your head spin round and round the whole duration of the movie, then yes it's different. Sorry Kent..next time would be better. :))
• CSA Org Picture Taking! Take 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...
  
• Lion Dance, Wushu and Fireworks...Fireworks was REALLY GOOD! Pao Pei, next time warn us when lighting fireworks, ok? Dangerous much! And don't light the finale first? But it was all great! Yehey! :)
  
• Ate dinner with Pats, Sarah, Mark and Merryan at Max's QC Memorial Circle since my parents suddenly decided to eat out and pick me up at around 8pm. o_O But, thankfully, people were up for a dinner, even if it's just Jollibee? :P

pictures will follow soon, hopefully..

Red Shirt Day

• Gong Xi Fa Cai!
  
• UPCSA Org shirt arrived today. It's more than what I expected, which is good. Cute!
• Tried to do Accounting 1 HW with Barbie, then Tenai...but failed.
• Lucky Coleen already did her HW! What a relief! o_o
• ArtStud - continued to dissect and discuss "Greenbelt" and "SM Megamall" and their meanings. Played with toys. Yes, small wooden blocks and action figures. Val Fig kinda got the hang of it. Wow! Fought with Joyce, because her action figure was copying my action figure's wardrobe! "Gaya-gaya ka kasi! Suntukan na!"
• Ate 2 monays for lunch.
• I went to NCPAG to pass my Accounting HW, and to look at the SC room for my name in the College Electoral Board nominations. Vote for me! :)
• Went back to AS to play Frisbee with Tim. I miss Frisbee! Maxi and Pats followed. I haven't played for quite some time! (And I'm not as good as you say Tim) Let's do this again! Enjoy!! Let's form a team! Yeahboy! 3 more girls! Anyone interested?:P
  
• Kakarmahin ka rin! Enough said. Reminder: CSA: Please be careful where you leave your stuff at the tambayan! I can't emphasize enough. Take care of your valuables.
• UPCSA had its Dimsum-Eating Relay around a little past 4pm. It was a success!
  

Congrats Cul-Soc, especially to Krisha and Cherrie! Thanks to those who've helped a while ago!

UPfied

Clea, Carlo, Sarah, Sheena, Chris, Mark, Me

After the "God of Gamblers" UPCSA film showing, I decided to check out UPfied and the launch of AdHoc. I was convinced by the CSA people in UPJMA to stay for the night, more so when Chris told me that he'd bring me home. (Thanks a lot man!)

It was really fun to set the record, and form "UP" using people who were holding candles and sparklers. It was even better when the Centennial band played "UP Ang Galing Mo", while we were all singing along with them. Oh, did I mention that the camera of MTV was focused on us that time. Oooh! :)

The fireworks went off at around 11pm, after Nescafe Soundskool band played their last song.

Chris Ng: "Mosmordia!"
Tasha Teh: "Expecto Patronum!"
Bong: "Levicorpus!"

*Photos from Sarah Wu

Congrats Barbie and Joan for that performance! Good luck on your big day! Congrats Rog for a great night! Good luck on Glam City!

Across The Universe

WOW! You'll fall in love with this movie! I ♥ it! :)

It actually made my hair stand! This is what movies are about! As Bianca Gonzalez said, it is because of "its great power to stir every kind of emotion in you, to share powerful stories that we can grow from, and to give tribute to amazing people who we want others to know more about."

Almost over 33 songs from The Beatles incorporated in it. If you're a Beatles-fan, this will totally rock you.

Though it's quite "like an MTV of the songs", and some of the songs/scenes are out of place for me, the whole package was awesome. It brought home the message. I love the whole idea.

I tell you, you HAVE to watch it to feel it. ♥


"Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take your sad song, and make it better...anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulder. You know that it's a fool, who plays it cool, by making his world a little colder..."

Mood Swings

"Bakit ka malungkot?"
"Ako? Hindi kaya!"

Ngingiti nang papilit.
Naghihinanakit ang loob.

"Ayaw ko nga!"
Ngunit gusto naman.

Iiiyak at iiyak,
ngayong wala na.

You and I Both

In today's reflection of Fr. Johnny (Have My Eyes Seen Your Salvation?), he talks about how we see God's salvation - a "dream-come-true" or "a fulfillment of a promise."

In that way, he uses Jason Mraz' lyrics from "You and I Both" as a suggestion of how it could have been Simeon's Canticle "when he gets to cradle the Christ Child in his arms after waiting for years for some kind of sign of the salvation of Israel," and continues to suggest that we, too, can sing this song of love.

"Cause you and I both love
What you and I spoke of,
And others just read of.
Others only read of the love,
the love that I love."

I love the feeling of basking in his love.

But the truth is, reality bites. Life isn't a fairy tale. How we wish it is.

Yes, it isn't always how we dream of; it isn't always good or fair. Life sometimes can be so hard and lonely, constantly challenging us to the ends of our wits and patience.

My friends, believe me when I say we shouldn't fret. Though it can be that difficult to understand, you're not alone. Even though you think everyone around you doesn't care, He does.

My point is, if you really want to experience fulfillment and a dream-come-true, the best way is to develop an attitude of prayer. That's the best way to experience love.

Fr. Go continues with this wonderful thought about how spiritual life is 50% searching, and 50% remembering. I couldn't agree more.

Sometimes I suspect that the spiritual life is really 50% searching and 50% remembering. It's 50% searching because a lot of our prayer is really spent looking for God in the world, in the events in our lives, in the people around us, and in our hearts. It's not easy because as the mystics tell us, God is "a God who hides," and for most of us, it's especially hard to find him when things go wrong.

But the spiritual life is also 50% remembering. It's also about remembering every good gift God has given us and every promise he has kept. These are the times when we actually have seen or touched and lived what "others just read of." Prayer is also recalling all our "good times" with God, gathering our memories of the times when we have sensed God's presence and nearness in our lives, in big ways and small, times when he has saved us from danger (or sometimes from ourselves!). These are the times when we have seen God's work of salvation in us.