All the Good Things in Life

Saturday Morning - "All the Good Things in Life are Not Ours"
I went with the Shak crew up North to Pampanga to ogle at the static display of US Marine Corps (USMC) aircrafts. A contingent of the USMC and the US Navy camped at the former Clark Air Base for some reasons. Whatever it is, we're jez thankful that they let us fondle their toys. Well, at least some of them!

One of the fighter pilots (I named Captain Coldheart) was being grumpy when we started fiddling with his F18. It was not that we can actually break something when all we grabbed were God-knows-how-thick plates of jet armour! Si Pol kasi eh. He actually joked the pilot that he'll gonna hump the F18 and that its butt looks nice. Baka nagselos si Kapitan. Haha.

The younger crew chiefs of the bigger planes were nicer and cool. They at least have an ounce of sense of humour. We even had pictures with em and goofed around with some. I'll post the pictures as soon as I'm done hunting down Plim's Multiply account... demmit!

Attendance: Jake Pokiemonster, Chilly Arvin's, Obi Doo, Pork da Ork, Plim Klepto, Jumping Johnny + GF, IPMS Boys

USMC aircrafts in display: F18 Hornet (jet ni Tom Cruise), Sea Stallion (yung helicopter sa Transformer, si "Blackout"), Super Cobra (maangas na helicopter), C130 Hercules (meron din tayo nito), C130 Specter Gunship (Hercules na maraming baril, yung malaking eroplanong bumaril kay "Skorponok" sa Transformers), Huey choppers (meron din tayo nito), smaller Chinook version (yung helicopter na parang poodle)

Philippine Air Force aircrafts in display: Huey choppers (dating piloto nito tito ko), S211 Marchetti jets (dating piloto nito tatay ko), Broncho (mukang tutubing dalwa ang buntot), and a smaller heliopter that I forgot the name (mukang mas maliit na tutubi)

We left the base before lunch and headed to Angeles City for Aling Lucing's cantina, which boasts to have created the original sisig recipe. Being the sisig lover I am, I munched with mucho gusto as I exchanged thoughts with the boyz regarding the dish. Unanimous decision... their sisig is just damn good.

No consensus was taken when the Great Maw suggested to try the Friendship Highway to Subic (buti naman!). This guy will drive to Pagudpod anytime when you tell em - the ultimate roadtrip buddy! Instead, we rushed further North to Dau to visit the infamous military surplus market... known to most airsoft players as a haven to buy cheap-ass, orig japorms materials. Despite crashing my budget yet again, I came out of it with an olive green Camelback hydration backpouch and a Multicamo-pattern shirt.

*****
Saturday Night - "All the Good Things in Life are Not Always Present"
Because of the roadtrip, the boyz were dead tired and it was only Arvin that I managed to goad to go to Bozz Beef's birthday.

Happy Birthday, Geloman!!!

It could have been crazier if only more boyz from the Shak have attended. I wish that me singing has more than compensated for their absence. Haha. Lotsa food available (BBQ for the win!) and a keg of barley juice for merriment. Yes, it's the beer that made me sing. Tsaka konting pilit, syempre. Buti na lang may nakipag duet sakin kaya hindi ako masyadong nahiya - si Tinay, she's soooo cool and cute. Made me stay with the mic for a couple more songs. Hehe. Nahihiya pa ko kumanta ng lagay na yun? Haha.

Occasional Beer!
L-R: Me (sporting the thickest Abe Lincoln beard I was able to muster in my life), Gelo, Arvs

Maraming pumunta, grabe. I can imagine my own bash to have this diverse of a crowd. Like I told Gelo, iba talaga pag madaming circle of friends.

Pondering that, I came up with a list of my own tropa Circles (reasons I can never hold such a party without bankrupting myself):
* airsoft teammates and peers (Team Screaming BB's, Apocalypse, OZ, etc.)
* elementary friends
* highschool friends
* college friends
* former officemates in HP, basketball teammates in HP/P&G/M-base, trek mates, Justice League-HP
* current officemates, QA Test Team
* Shak boyz (Bozz Gelo goes here), hobby friends
* neighbor friends (we've changed address four times... gypsy!), mga kababata
acquaintances I've known through relatives and other friends

*****
Sunday Night - "All the Good Things in Life are Bound to Expire"
Eto pinaka badtrip sa lahat.

Regular tambay mode kami sa shop ni Mang sa Virra when I learned from Fluffy that passports should at least be 3 months over the expiration date when travelling abroad. My passport's due November 5! I have no freakin idea about it! And even bought dollars already for the supposed trip to Bangkok. So, the tropa just dined at Mien San then I rushed back home to inquire stuffs for it.

Confirmed... I can't push through with the flight. Aray! Double uppercut, when I learned that our passport will now use the machine-readable system which takes time to process! Waaapak!

Nag vacation leave na ako ng siyam na araw. Ready na lahat para sa trip namin ni Fluffman na dapat sa Biyernes na. Even, struggled to do the necessary arrangements so my team's responsibilities will be worked on in my absence here at work. Tapos with something as menial a detail as an expiring passport, di ako matutuloy! Waaaah. November 2 naman uuwi na kami e, hindi pa expired ang passport ko nun supposedly. Pero hindi daw pinapayagan yun ng Immigrations. I can pull strings so I can go through our local Immigrations pero magkaka problema pa din daw pag dating sa Thailand airport. Badtriiiiiiip. I just realized too that my multiple entry Australian visa has expired just a month ago too. Bah. Details that I just remember when needed... and most of the time, screws me up!

Now what to do for 9 gloomy days???

Lamentation.

Journey Diary

Saludo para sa lahat ng lakwatsador

Finally got the pictures of our Mount Cinco Picos expedition from Mandric and hopefully (despite cramming to finish my pre-vacation work responsibilities*) I could start writing here the stuffs from my trek journal.

* my 9-day Bangkok trip this November will most likely push through and I have to make sure that I've arranged the necessary contingencies at work in my absence.

Blogging along the trail (1st day, halfway along the assault to the 1st peak)

Zipped on a waterproof pocket, I traversed the way up to Mount Cinco Picos and back with my handy dandy violet notebook and a pen. Since I never really fancied a wrist watch, I incessantly bugged my mates for the time whenever I felt like writing an entry along the journey. Once in a while, a curious soul will ask what I was writing and have to explain it was a journey diary for my blog over again. Now, some of em might have already been waiting for me to post it here.

Konting konti na lang matatapos ko na yung draft.

Blogging by the stream (2nd day, a quarter of the trek back to Cawag jump off)

*****

Thanks to Mandric, Miss Paz, and Ogie for all the pictures taken on the trek. Grabe sandamakmak! Puno harddisk ko!

Haha.

A Gaiman Break

Masakit ang katawan dahil sa pag akyat ng bundok, nakuha ko pa ding mag lakwatsa Linggo ng gabi. Pambihira. Elibs ako sa sarili ko sa paggala. Texted the Fluffman and I arrived at the Promenade just in time for the film showing of "Stardust". Dropped by at da Fortress in Virramall afterwards then dragged the boyz off to Mien San for dinner (para maiba). Field trip to check out a real-life F18 fighter jet was scheduled this coming Saturday. Hindi pa ko nakakapag-pahinga, may bulakbol na naman. Bozz Gelo's birthday pa in the evening!


Stardust
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

Adapted from the fantasy novel of the same title by Neil Gaiman, Stardust is a romantic fantasy with hints of comic relief. It's about a young prince - Tristan - who grew in the world of his "normal" human father, in a small town at the edge of London... a town, just stone's throw away from the Wall which divides the territory of mankind and that of the magical land of Stormhold.

What started as a normal life became a wild ride of an adventure for Tristan Thorn when he ventured past the Wall and into the land of Stormhold in search of a falling star in the person of Yvaine (Manila-hating Claire Danes). The star was supposed to be a proof of devotion for his beloved Victoria but it turns out that the quest will lead him to fall in love with Yvaine instead (dumb English bloke... Vicky's hotter, fool!)

But he's not the only one searching for the falling star. Along came the powerful witch Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), who craves for the heart of Yvaine in exchange for eternal youth and Prince Septimus, uncle to Tristan and contender to the throne of the dead King of Stormhold, which he can only ascend if he finds the ruby gem worn by Yvaine.

Exploits continued until the final battle on the witches' stronghold when Lamia and her cohorts captured Yvaine and Princess Una, Tristan's long-lost hot mom. Of course, as every heroic stories, Tristan was able to save her and the couple, as they say, lived happily ever after as King and Queen of Stormhold.

The plot is unquestionably hooking.The humorous parts have been an entertaining addition. The story was well-balanced in terms of phasings and plot development. These all contributed to a very awesome movie worthy of classic status. I dunno why it din't make that much hype in the market but what I thought was just another mediocre fantasy film was actually a unique magical treat that has a touch of everything on it... fairytale romance, witty comedy, epic clashes, and hints of mystery.

On the casts... well, there were exceptionally good actings for some of the roles but most of em has performed just passably. Not that it'L ruin a good story. Spectacular performance goes to Robert de Niro (Captain Shakespeare) who has been very convincing both as a reputably cunning pirate captain and a kind-hearted closet "whoopsie". His transition to both roles is flawless - talk about being a pro. Mark Strong (Septimus) and Michelle Pfeiffer (Lamia) - even her other two witch cohorts! - din't look striking enough as antagonists. But maybe the director intended it that way. It's not a hardcore action fantasy after all.

FX and cinematography is just right. Use of computer graphics is realistic and produced the intended effect. Scenes were mellow when it should be and dark when the situation calls for it. Musical score is so so.

I haven't read the book by Neil Gaiman but watching the film is enough for me to assume that it's another brilliant masterpiece. I heard there were deviations in the movie (I think it normally happens when adapting book stories into film) to make it a bit more fairytale-ish and cater to younger generations. I was opting for a better finale and the ending was one of the changes made from the book (as I was told) but all in all it doesn't affect the overall impact of the movie. Refreshing. Delightful.

9 gulamans.

Trek Well Done

Team AIM...
Standing (L-R): Ric, Odie, Obi, Mike, Leo, Tata, Kher, Paz, Jay, Ogie, Chris
Seated (L-R): Dan, Ayn, Alfie, Vic

Three ladies...
Eleven gents...
Two local guides...
Two days and a night...
Three peaks...
ONE common goal!

Thanks God we made it safe from our Mount Cinco Picos expedition! It was such a grueling challenge but the will to conquer was strong in our hearts. I set upon the climb half-unwell and emerged from it with severe body aches, but none has distracted me from my sense of fulfillment and joy of spirit.

I'll be getting the photos from Mandric soon and together with those, will make a blog post drawn from my personal trek journal which I wrote while on the actual journey, itself (wary not to get my pen and little notebook wet from several river crossings we traversed).

For now, let me thank the following for a trek well-done!

* Team AIM, of course! Such a wonderful crowd. That was a great climb, and hopefully I'll see y'all again next time. Balingkilat naman, dare?!? Sana makasama na si Mher, DD, Angel, and the rest of the former Justice League-HP next time!

* Fluffy, for the bag... that I messed up. Dee Dee, for the 'uge tent! Pwede mag bowling sa loob, man. Ayn & the Flash, for the i-Pod. Astig ng mga mood music ko, feeling ko nasa pelikula lang ako na "action".

* The two local "kulots" that have been our trek guides. Sana may Friendster kayo para maipasa namin yung pics nyo at makamusta from time to time.

* Mike! Who made the local arrangements for us and for this climb to actually happen. You're the MAN.

* again... God, of course! Because we've been safe all throughout. And, it din't rain when it looked that it will. And, I din't give up when I thought I will. And, for making everything exactly as it was to give us all just the right mix of fun and pain to experience nature at its best!

* sa mga nakalimutan ko pasalamatan... belat! bleh! bleh!!

Un Pelicula Españolas

wow. nagamit ko yung alt-164 sa ASCII.

Like most of my lakwatsa, this came unplanned. Skizzo (whom iL call Marquito from hereon... will explain later) texted me last Monday regarding the ongoing 6th edition of the "Pelikula". It's an annual Spanish film festival, showcasing movies from Spain and Latin America and sponsored by Instituto Cervantes of Manila. That night's film screenings were "Los Ultimos de Filipinas" and "Ciudad en Celo".

I intended to go home early that day to paint my miniatures but a good film and my eternal wanderlust is more often a recipe of shattered schedules for me. Work has been craptastically clingy last Monday, though, so we were late for the screening of "Los Ultimos" when we arrived in Greenbelt. Lumamon na lang muna kami, since "Ciudad" was not up until 9pm.

Guy talks, ensued between me and Marquito. The type that girls talk about kapag sila-sila lang din. Hehe.

We went back to Greenbelt just in time as the patrons of the earlier film were already coming out of the cinema. We recognized a few prominent faces but most of them belongs to the more mature generation. "Gurang" sa Tagalog.

"Ciudad en Celo" or "City in Heat" is por solo adulto (for adults only) but when I was watching the movie, I can't see why it is so. Not at least compared to our local pito-pito "sexy" films that could easily tip it to X rating. There's a brief breast exposure but was done in good faith of the movie and in fact inserted on one of the many humorous parts of the film.

After the film showing, I more than immediately agree that a conversational movie, shot in limited settings and with few main characters can still be brilliant when driven by a genius script and storyline. My bucks hadn't went to waste.

*****

Ciudad en Celo (City in Heat)
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

An Argentinean film, the movie is generally comedic with a touch of romance. It reminds me of one of my favorite romantic movies "Love Actually" with the fact that the plot jumps randomly around and develops into a more coherent pattern as the film progresses. And by the fact that it doesn't even have a complicated storyline but remains interesting as you watch along, says a damn LOT.

Enter the casts. The story basically revolved around this group of friends who were in their early midlives. One of them (and a cool character) was Marquito (Marcos). The happy-go-lucky dude with a quick wit when it comes to pretty chicks. Eto yung, kung may mamanahin ako sa napanood ko, yun yung mga linya ni Marcos. Di ba Jai?? Hehe. Then there was Sebastian (Sebas), who really din't appear so much in the film but whose death made a big impact on the story arc. There was Duke, the oldest of the group and most of the movie was set on his coffee shop, Garllington. And then, Valeria and Sergio... former couples during the group's younger years.

It's a funny movie in an entertaining way. The Greenbelt THX cinema was rumbling with laughter on most parts of the movie and some laughable scenes were stuck in my mind until now. Don't get the wrong idea about the hilarity, though. This is not our usual slapstick or knockout comedy scenarios. They're simple fun and even exacts a hint of wit on their punchlines. The more serious dimension of the story, on the other hand, was engaging and encourages anticipation. It's rare for a movie of such simplicity to be not dragging.

Take note of the musical score too. It added touch to the already very "latina" settings. It could be a bore to those who doesn't appreciate the genre but if you're not up to such, then just focus on the story itself.

To describe the movie in two words: simple and brilliant. Ten gulamans.

Right Under Your Nose

I was on a taxi earlier this morning when I heard this incredulous news. A police car was carnapped right in front of its own precint without any of the coppers knowing it.

If they can't even safeguard their own bits how could you entrust your own safety to them??

Ganun na ba sila katatanga ngayon?!?

I'm still on the hopes that they can gradually move from their typecast image... but with such things as this, how?

Going Ermitanyo

A week to go before our assault to Mount Cinco Picos. Here's the funky part where my habitual procrastination kicks back with a hurt. Now, I only have a week to go to prepare everything up... wahoow!

Eto yung freaky sa last Management ek-ek workshop namin. We were given a written sort of "psychological" exam that will reveal our management behaviours and tadah... huli sa results na ako yung type na happy-go-lucky at mahilig sa cramming.

(Gadaldal, lumayo na ang kwento. More on the Management Development Workshop pag balik ko galing bundok)

Saturday, I met Odie, Mandric, and the Flash at Starbucks - Petron Dasma for the mountain trek shopping spree. First stop: Conqueror - Rob Pioneer. Dan got himself another bag and a mini burner while the others ponder on the things to bring. Bumili ako ng thermal socks. After mucho scouring of the store, we headed to Montanara - Farmer's Plaza in Cubao. Not much stocks unlike in Conqueror but it was there that I bought my hydration pack.

Humiwalay na kami kela Dric and Odie, after that. Me and the Flash checked the Gateway some more. Talks on setting up a tropa monopoly of overseas work in Singapore ensued. Me, still indifferent on leaving Mother Land for big bucks abroad.

Next stop: Parksquare 2, Makati. There was this trek store where I bought a fisherman's hat and a head lamp. Tapos, we headed straight to Adidas - Glorietta were I had the biggest purchase of the day... an Adidas Climacool Hellbender 4. Sounds like a high-tech laser gun to me but it's a water shoes. I'm anticipating that it'L be soggy this weekend.

We also checked Coleman and they've got cheaper prices on outdoor jujus. Tinawagan ko Mommy ko. She confirmed we still have my dad's sleeping bag so I don't need to buy. We just munched up on Mikdonelds then parted ways. Dumiretso ako ng Virramall to meet the boyz of da Shak. Fluffman brought his Montanara backpack for me... classic 75L design. It held boast over my own backpack in terms of places gone and visited. Fluffy will beat me two-folds kung lakwatsa lang din kasi ang pag-uusapan.

Currently, there are already 23 participants for the trip and we will climb in three groups.

What I already have for the activity:
*arm sleeves with UV protect - yung ginagamit ng mga tricycle driver para proteksyunan ang mga porselana nilang balat
*sleeping bag - camouflaged pa yung sa akin tas ang tatak ay Sasoon (Sa Soondalo!)... har har corny. galing kasi ito sa tatay kong militar.
*tent - iskwater na lang ako sa tadpole ni Dee Dee. tangena dee, walang gapangan!
*non absorbent shirt - gagamitin ko yung sinusuot ko sa airsoft. may tatak pa ng Team Screaming BB's.
*thermal jacket - dalhin ko yung pinang-rapelling kong jacket from Sydney.
*food - kalkal na lang ako ng kung anong de lata sa fridge namin.

fridge (n) - tawag sa ref ng mga konyo (Source: Diksyunaryo ni Lolo)

*16-LED head lamp - para sa mga tamad mag hawak ng flashlight. japeykers. sa bangketa lang binili.
*fisherman's hat by "Lagalag" - pampa-angas ng japorms... para maging kamuka ni Lito Lapid. bigote na lang ang kulang at ilang kabit.
*thermal socks - pagka-mahal mahal na medyas. mas madali daw matuyo at kumportable sa paa. mas kumportable kesa sa Tatsam ng Baclaran.

Tatsam (n) - TATlo, SAMpu. "Ang tatlo ay halagang sampu". Kahit anong bagay na nabibili sa gentong halaga. (Source: Diksyunaryo ni Lolo)

*sapatos na pang-basa - Adidas Climacool Hellbender 4. may butas ang mga swelas (drainage system) at may kulambo (mesh) sa paligid. pag suot mo, parang ang sarap magtampisaw sa baha.
*i-Pod - hiram lang. naniniwala pa din na ang i-Pod product line ay isang malaking marketing ploy.
*hydration bag - isang malaking tetra pack. 2 liters.
*hiking bag - bag na kasya sa loob ang tatlong unano.

Pinag iisipan ko pa ngayon kung bibili ako nung synth pants na nagta-transform sa shorts. I really want to hike on shorts but it's always cool to have a contingency once the environment got too punishing for my erotic legs. Nyahaha. iL pay a visit at the Parksquare 2 again maybe Thursday.

All the Good Things in Life

Saturday Morning - "All the Good Things in Life are Not Ours"
I went with the Shak crew up North to Pampanga to ogle at the static display of US Marine Corps (USMC) aircrafts. A contingent of the USMC and the US Navy camped at the former Clark Air Base for some reasons. Whatever it is, we're jez thankful that they let us fondle their toys. Well, at least some of them!

One of the fighter pilots (I named Captain Coldheart) was being grumpy when we started fiddling with his F18. It was not that we can actually break something when all we grabbed were God-knows-how-thick plates of jet armour! Si Pol kasi eh. He actually joked the pilot that he'll gonna hump the F18 and that its butt looks nice. Baka nagselos si Kapitan. Haha.

The younger crew chiefs of the bigger planes were nicer and cool. They at least have an ounce of sense of humour. We even had pictures with em and goofed around with some. I'll post the pictures as soon as I'm done hunting down Plim's Multiply account... demmit!

Attendance: Jake Pokiemonster, Chilly Arvin's, Obi Doo, Pork da Ork, Plim Klepto, Jumping Johnny + GF, IPMS Boys

USMC aircrafts in display: F18 Hornet (jet ni Tom Cruise), Sea Stallion (yung helicopter sa Transformer, si "Blackout"), Super Cobra (maangas na helicopter), C130 Hercules (meron din tayo nito), C130 Specter Gunship (Hercules na maraming baril, yung malaking eroplanong bumaril kay "Skorponok" sa Transformers), Huey choppers (meron din tayo nito), smaller Chinook version (yung helicopter na parang poodle)

Philippine Air Force aircrafts in display: Huey choppers (dating piloto nito tito ko), S211 Marchetti jets (dating piloto nito tatay ko), Broncho (mukang tutubing dalwa ang buntot), and a smaller heliopter that I forgot the name (mukang mas maliit na tutubi)

We left the base before lunch and headed to Angeles City for Aling Lucing's cantina, which boasts to have created the original sisig recipe. Being the sisig lover I am, I munched with mucho gusto as I exchanged thoughts with the boyz regarding the dish. Unanimous decision... their sisig is just damn good.

No consensus was taken when the Great Maw suggested to try the Friendship Highway to Subic (buti naman!). This guy will drive to Pagudpod anytime when you tell em - the ultimate roadtrip buddy! Instead, we rushed further North to Dau to visit the infamous military surplus market... known to most airsoft players as a haven to buy cheap-ass, orig japorms materials. Despite crashing my budget yet again, I came out of it with an olive green Camelback hydration backpouch and a Multicamo-pattern shirt.

*****
Saturday Night - "All the Good Things in Life are Not Always Present"
Because of the roadtrip, the boyz were dead tired and it was only Arvin that I managed to goad to go to Bozz Beef's birthday.

Happy Birthday, Geloman!!!

It could have been crazier if only more boyz from the Shak have attended. I wish that me singing has more than compensated for their absence. Haha. Lotsa food available (BBQ for the win!) and a keg of barley juice for merriment. Yes, it's the beer that made me sing. Tsaka konting pilit, syempre. Buti na lang may nakipag duet sakin kaya hindi ako masyadong nahiya - si Tinay, she's soooo cool and cute. Made me stay with the mic for a couple more songs. Hehe. Nahihiya pa ko kumanta ng lagay na yun? Haha.

Occasional Beer!
L-R: Me (sporting the thickest Abe Lincoln beard I was able to muster in my life), Gelo, Arvs

Maraming pumunta, grabe. I can imagine my own bash to have this diverse of a crowd. Like I told Gelo, iba talaga pag madaming circle of friends.

Pondering that, I came up with a list of my own tropa Circles (reasons I can never hold such a party without bankrupting myself):
* airsoft teammates and peers (Team Screaming BB's, Apocalypse, OZ, etc.)
* elementary friends
* highschool friends
* college friends
* former officemates in HP, basketball teammates in HP/P&G/M-base, trek mates, Justice League-HP
* current officemates, QA Test Team
* Shak boyz (Bozz Gelo goes here), hobby friends
* neighbor friends (we've changed address four times... gypsy!), mga kababata
acquaintances I've known through relatives and other friends

*****
Sunday Night - "All the Good Things in Life are Bound to Expire"
Eto pinaka badtrip sa lahat.

Regular tambay mode kami sa shop ni Mang sa Virra when I learned from Fluffy that passports should at least be 3 months over the expiration date when travelling abroad. My passport's due November 5! I have no freakin idea about it! And even bought dollars already for the supposed trip to Bangkok. So, the tropa just dined at Mien San then I rushed back home to inquire stuffs for it.

Confirmed... I can't push through with the flight. Aray! Double uppercut, when I learned that our passport will now use the machine-readable system which takes time to process! Waaapak!

Nag vacation leave na ako ng siyam na araw. Ready na lahat para sa trip namin ni Fluffman na dapat sa Biyernes na. Even, struggled to do the necessary arrangements so my team's responsibilities will be worked on in my absence here at work. Tapos with something as menial a detail as an expiring passport, di ako matutuloy! Waaaah. November 2 naman uuwi na kami e, hindi pa expired ang passport ko nun supposedly. Pero hindi daw pinapayagan yun ng Immigrations. I can pull strings so I can go through our local Immigrations pero magkaka problema pa din daw pag dating sa Thailand airport. Badtriiiiiiip. I just realized too that my multiple entry Australian visa has expired just a month ago too. Bah. Details that I just remember when needed... and most of the time, screws me up!

Now what to do for 9 gloomy days???

Lamentation.

Journey Diary

Saludo para sa lahat ng lakwatsador

Finally got the pictures of our Mount Cinco Picos expedition from Mandric and hopefully (despite cramming to finish my pre-vacation work responsibilities*) I could start writing here the stuffs from my trek journal.

* my 9-day Bangkok trip this November will most likely push through and I have to make sure that I've arranged the necessary contingencies at work in my absence.

Blogging along the trail (1st day, halfway along the assault to the 1st peak)

Zipped on a waterproof pocket, I traversed the way up to Mount Cinco Picos and back with my handy dandy violet notebook and a pen. Since I never really fancied a wrist watch, I incessantly bugged my mates for the time whenever I felt like writing an entry along the journey. Once in a while, a curious soul will ask what I was writing and have to explain it was a journey diary for my blog over again. Now, some of em might have already been waiting for me to post it here.

Konting konti na lang matatapos ko na yung draft.

Blogging by the stream (2nd day, a quarter of the trek back to Cawag jump off)

*****

Thanks to Mandric, Miss Paz, and Ogie for all the pictures taken on the trek. Grabe sandamakmak! Puno harddisk ko!

Haha.

A Gaiman Break

Masakit ang katawan dahil sa pag akyat ng bundok, nakuha ko pa ding mag lakwatsa Linggo ng gabi. Pambihira. Elibs ako sa sarili ko sa paggala. Texted the Fluffman and I arrived at the Promenade just in time for the film showing of "Stardust". Dropped by at da Fortress in Virramall afterwards then dragged the boyz off to Mien San for dinner (para maiba). Field trip to check out a real-life F18 fighter jet was scheduled this coming Saturday. Hindi pa ko nakakapag-pahinga, may bulakbol na naman. Bozz Gelo's birthday pa in the evening!


Stardust
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

Adapted from the fantasy novel of the same title by Neil Gaiman, Stardust is a romantic fantasy with hints of comic relief. It's about a young prince - Tristan - who grew in the world of his "normal" human father, in a small town at the edge of London... a town, just stone's throw away from the Wall which divides the territory of mankind and that of the magical land of Stormhold.

What started as a normal life became a wild ride of an adventure for Tristan Thorn when he ventured past the Wall and into the land of Stormhold in search of a falling star in the person of Yvaine (Manila-hating Claire Danes). The star was supposed to be a proof of devotion for his beloved Victoria but it turns out that the quest will lead him to fall in love with Yvaine instead (dumb English bloke... Vicky's hotter, fool!)

But he's not the only one searching for the falling star. Along came the powerful witch Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), who craves for the heart of Yvaine in exchange for eternal youth and Prince Septimus, uncle to Tristan and contender to the throne of the dead King of Stormhold, which he can only ascend if he finds the ruby gem worn by Yvaine.

Exploits continued until the final battle on the witches' stronghold when Lamia and her cohorts captured Yvaine and Princess Una, Tristan's long-lost hot mom. Of course, as every heroic stories, Tristan was able to save her and the couple, as they say, lived happily ever after as King and Queen of Stormhold.

The plot is unquestionably hooking.The humorous parts have been an entertaining addition. The story was well-balanced in terms of phasings and plot development. These all contributed to a very awesome movie worthy of classic status. I dunno why it din't make that much hype in the market but what I thought was just another mediocre fantasy film was actually a unique magical treat that has a touch of everything on it... fairytale romance, witty comedy, epic clashes, and hints of mystery.

On the casts... well, there were exceptionally good actings for some of the roles but most of em has performed just passably. Not that it'L ruin a good story. Spectacular performance goes to Robert de Niro (Captain Shakespeare) who has been very convincing both as a reputably cunning pirate captain and a kind-hearted closet "whoopsie". His transition to both roles is flawless - talk about being a pro. Mark Strong (Septimus) and Michelle Pfeiffer (Lamia) - even her other two witch cohorts! - din't look striking enough as antagonists. But maybe the director intended it that way. It's not a hardcore action fantasy after all.

FX and cinematography is just right. Use of computer graphics is realistic and produced the intended effect. Scenes were mellow when it should be and dark when the situation calls for it. Musical score is so so.

I haven't read the book by Neil Gaiman but watching the film is enough for me to assume that it's another brilliant masterpiece. I heard there were deviations in the movie (I think it normally happens when adapting book stories into film) to make it a bit more fairytale-ish and cater to younger generations. I was opting for a better finale and the ending was one of the changes made from the book (as I was told) but all in all it doesn't affect the overall impact of the movie. Refreshing. Delightful.

9 gulamans.

Trek Well Done

Team AIM...
Standing (L-R): Ric, Odie, Obi, Mike, Leo, Tata, Kher, Paz, Jay, Ogie, Chris
Seated (L-R): Dan, Ayn, Alfie, Vic

Three ladies...
Eleven gents...
Two local guides...
Two days and a night...
Three peaks...
ONE common goal!

Thanks God we made it safe from our Mount Cinco Picos expedition! It was such a grueling challenge but the will to conquer was strong in our hearts. I set upon the climb half-unwell and emerged from it with severe body aches, but none has distracted me from my sense of fulfillment and joy of spirit.

I'll be getting the photos from Mandric soon and together with those, will make a blog post drawn from my personal trek journal which I wrote while on the actual journey, itself (wary not to get my pen and little notebook wet from several river crossings we traversed).

For now, let me thank the following for a trek well-done!

* Team AIM, of course! Such a wonderful crowd. That was a great climb, and hopefully I'll see y'all again next time. Balingkilat naman, dare?!? Sana makasama na si Mher, DD, Angel, and the rest of the former Justice League-HP next time!

* Fluffy, for the bag... that I messed up. Dee Dee, for the 'uge tent! Pwede mag bowling sa loob, man. Ayn & the Flash, for the i-Pod. Astig ng mga mood music ko, feeling ko nasa pelikula lang ako na "action".

* The two local "kulots" that have been our trek guides. Sana may Friendster kayo para maipasa namin yung pics nyo at makamusta from time to time.

* Mike! Who made the local arrangements for us and for this climb to actually happen. You're the MAN.

* again... God, of course! Because we've been safe all throughout. And, it din't rain when it looked that it will. And, I din't give up when I thought I will. And, for making everything exactly as it was to give us all just the right mix of fun and pain to experience nature at its best!

* sa mga nakalimutan ko pasalamatan... belat! bleh! bleh!!

Un Pelicula Españolas

wow. nagamit ko yung alt-164 sa ASCII.

Like most of my lakwatsa, this came unplanned. Skizzo (whom iL call Marquito from hereon... will explain later) texted me last Monday regarding the ongoing 6th edition of the "Pelikula". It's an annual Spanish film festival, showcasing movies from Spain and Latin America and sponsored by Instituto Cervantes of Manila. That night's film screenings were "Los Ultimos de Filipinas" and "Ciudad en Celo".

I intended to go home early that day to paint my miniatures but a good film and my eternal wanderlust is more often a recipe of shattered schedules for me. Work has been craptastically clingy last Monday, though, so we were late for the screening of "Los Ultimos" when we arrived in Greenbelt. Lumamon na lang muna kami, since "Ciudad" was not up until 9pm.

Guy talks, ensued between me and Marquito. The type that girls talk about kapag sila-sila lang din. Hehe.

We went back to Greenbelt just in time as the patrons of the earlier film were already coming out of the cinema. We recognized a few prominent faces but most of them belongs to the more mature generation. "Gurang" sa Tagalog.

"Ciudad en Celo" or "City in Heat" is por solo adulto (for adults only) but when I was watching the movie, I can't see why it is so. Not at least compared to our local pito-pito "sexy" films that could easily tip it to X rating. There's a brief breast exposure but was done in good faith of the movie and in fact inserted on one of the many humorous parts of the film.

After the film showing, I more than immediately agree that a conversational movie, shot in limited settings and with few main characters can still be brilliant when driven by a genius script and storyline. My bucks hadn't went to waste.

*****

Ciudad en Celo (City in Heat)
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

An Argentinean film, the movie is generally comedic with a touch of romance. It reminds me of one of my favorite romantic movies "Love Actually" with the fact that the plot jumps randomly around and develops into a more coherent pattern as the film progresses. And by the fact that it doesn't even have a complicated storyline but remains interesting as you watch along, says a damn LOT.

Enter the casts. The story basically revolved around this group of friends who were in their early midlives. One of them (and a cool character) was Marquito (Marcos). The happy-go-lucky dude with a quick wit when it comes to pretty chicks. Eto yung, kung may mamanahin ako sa napanood ko, yun yung mga linya ni Marcos. Di ba Jai?? Hehe. Then there was Sebastian (Sebas), who really din't appear so much in the film but whose death made a big impact on the story arc. There was Duke, the oldest of the group and most of the movie was set on his coffee shop, Garllington. And then, Valeria and Sergio... former couples during the group's younger years.

It's a funny movie in an entertaining way. The Greenbelt THX cinema was rumbling with laughter on most parts of the movie and some laughable scenes were stuck in my mind until now. Don't get the wrong idea about the hilarity, though. This is not our usual slapstick or knockout comedy scenarios. They're simple fun and even exacts a hint of wit on their punchlines. The more serious dimension of the story, on the other hand, was engaging and encourages anticipation. It's rare for a movie of such simplicity to be not dragging.

Take note of the musical score too. It added touch to the already very "latina" settings. It could be a bore to those who doesn't appreciate the genre but if you're not up to such, then just focus on the story itself.

To describe the movie in two words: simple and brilliant. Ten gulamans.

Right Under Your Nose

I was on a taxi earlier this morning when I heard this incredulous news. A police car was carnapped right in front of its own precint without any of the coppers knowing it.

If they can't even safeguard their own bits how could you entrust your own safety to them??

Ganun na ba sila katatanga ngayon?!?

I'm still on the hopes that they can gradually move from their typecast image... but with such things as this, how?

Going Ermitanyo

A week to go before our assault to Mount Cinco Picos. Here's the funky part where my habitual procrastination kicks back with a hurt. Now, I only have a week to go to prepare everything up... wahoow!

Eto yung freaky sa last Management ek-ek workshop namin. We were given a written sort of "psychological" exam that will reveal our management behaviours and tadah... huli sa results na ako yung type na happy-go-lucky at mahilig sa cramming.

(Gadaldal, lumayo na ang kwento. More on the Management Development Workshop pag balik ko galing bundok)

Saturday, I met Odie, Mandric, and the Flash at Starbucks - Petron Dasma for the mountain trek shopping spree. First stop: Conqueror - Rob Pioneer. Dan got himself another bag and a mini burner while the others ponder on the things to bring. Bumili ako ng thermal socks. After mucho scouring of the store, we headed to Montanara - Farmer's Plaza in Cubao. Not much stocks unlike in Conqueror but it was there that I bought my hydration pack.

Humiwalay na kami kela Dric and Odie, after that. Me and the Flash checked the Gateway some more. Talks on setting up a tropa monopoly of overseas work in Singapore ensued. Me, still indifferent on leaving Mother Land for big bucks abroad.

Next stop: Parksquare 2, Makati. There was this trek store where I bought a fisherman's hat and a head lamp. Tapos, we headed straight to Adidas - Glorietta were I had the biggest purchase of the day... an Adidas Climacool Hellbender 4. Sounds like a high-tech laser gun to me but it's a water shoes. I'm anticipating that it'L be soggy this weekend.

We also checked Coleman and they've got cheaper prices on outdoor jujus. Tinawagan ko Mommy ko. She confirmed we still have my dad's sleeping bag so I don't need to buy. We just munched up on Mikdonelds then parted ways. Dumiretso ako ng Virramall to meet the boyz of da Shak. Fluffman brought his Montanara backpack for me... classic 75L design. It held boast over my own backpack in terms of places gone and visited. Fluffy will beat me two-folds kung lakwatsa lang din kasi ang pag-uusapan.

Currently, there are already 23 participants for the trip and we will climb in three groups.

What I already have for the activity:
*arm sleeves with UV protect - yung ginagamit ng mga tricycle driver para proteksyunan ang mga porselana nilang balat
*sleeping bag - camouflaged pa yung sa akin tas ang tatak ay Sasoon (Sa Soondalo!)... har har corny. galing kasi ito sa tatay kong militar.
*tent - iskwater na lang ako sa tadpole ni Dee Dee. tangena dee, walang gapangan!
*non absorbent shirt - gagamitin ko yung sinusuot ko sa airsoft. may tatak pa ng Team Screaming BB's.
*thermal jacket - dalhin ko yung pinang-rapelling kong jacket from Sydney.
*food - kalkal na lang ako ng kung anong de lata sa fridge namin.

fridge (n) - tawag sa ref ng mga konyo (Source: Diksyunaryo ni Lolo)

*16-LED head lamp - para sa mga tamad mag hawak ng flashlight. japeykers. sa bangketa lang binili.
*fisherman's hat by "Lagalag" - pampa-angas ng japorms... para maging kamuka ni Lito Lapid. bigote na lang ang kulang at ilang kabit.
*thermal socks - pagka-mahal mahal na medyas. mas madali daw matuyo at kumportable sa paa. mas kumportable kesa sa Tatsam ng Baclaran.

Tatsam (n) - TATlo, SAMpu. "Ang tatlo ay halagang sampu". Kahit anong bagay na nabibili sa gentong halaga. (Source: Diksyunaryo ni Lolo)

*sapatos na pang-basa - Adidas Climacool Hellbender 4. may butas ang mga swelas (drainage system) at may kulambo (mesh) sa paligid. pag suot mo, parang ang sarap magtampisaw sa baha.
*i-Pod - hiram lang. naniniwala pa din na ang i-Pod product line ay isang malaking marketing ploy.
*hydration bag - isang malaking tetra pack. 2 liters.
*hiking bag - bag na kasya sa loob ang tatlong unano.

Pinag iisipan ko pa ngayon kung bibili ako nung synth pants na nagta-transform sa shorts. I really want to hike on shorts but it's always cool to have a contingency once the environment got too punishing for my erotic legs. Nyahaha. iL pay a visit at the Parksquare 2 again maybe Thursday.