Got Balls?

L.A. Lakers lead the Western Conference vie to the Finals (3-1) against the defending champs, San Antonio Spurs. I'm not really keen on cheering for Kobe and his honchos (I'm a Dallas fan... go Nowitzki!) but I would want to see that famed, classic rivalry match between L.A. Lakers and Boston Celtics relived. I actually will even put my moolah on Boston when this happened again.

The last championship meeting was in 1987 where the Lakers won and Magic Johnson grabbed the MVP trophy. I want to see Boston snatch back the bragging rights this time with the "Big Three" - Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. The Celtics leads the rivalry's championship record with 16 against the Lakers' 14.

On the other hand, the Eastern Conference bout is at 3-2 in favor of Boston but the Detroit Pistons still has a big chance to even it out as the next game will be played in their homecourt.

San Antonio's Tony Parker on the free throw. His wife, Desperate Housewive's (Nice catch, Red!) Eva Longoria, (or at least a lifesize cardboard figure of her) cheering from the Lakers' sideline! Laughtrip!

Tigidong Tigidong Tigidong

1. How's your heart lately?
healthy naman. mahilig ako sa tuna na may Omega 3.

2. When was the last time you went out?
kaninang umaga... out of the house.

3. What was the latest movie you saw?
The Other Boleyn Girl

4. The last place you went?
kubeta

5. Miss someone?
syempre. kama ko.

6. What made you smile today?
yung text ni Bubung tunkol sa guard sa LRT na kumakanta ng "time, i've been passing time... watching trains go by"! hahaha laugh trip.

7. The last time you fell in love?
bago ko i-type ito

8. What is your status right now?
sa Friendster? domestic relationship. kung ano man yun.

9. Did you dream last night?
opo. nakaka-iyak.

10. What were you doing this morning at 7 am?
press snooze. then go back to sleep.

11. What were you doing this morning at 10 am?
nangungulit ng kaopisina hanggang sa mairita

12. what were you doing this afternoon at 12 pm?
bumibili ng pagkain, habang nangungulit pa din ng kaopisina hanggang mairita

13. How many piercings do you have?
dalwa

14. What do you want to do today?
mangarap ng gising

15. What do people think about you?
tanong ko sa kanila mamaya

16. Things you need to do everyday?
eat. sleep.

17. The last thing you said to one of your friends?
burger! burger! burger!

18. The last person who called you?
*tumingin sa celepono* lola acelds.

19. What can't you live without?
pagkain at tubig. trick question?

20. What song(s) is(are) in your head now?
Tigidong

Yung Isang Dalagita ni Manang Boleyn

The Other Boleyn Girl
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

The story is about two sisters who, motivated by their family's ambition, compete for the affection of King Henry VIII of the House of Tudor.

Mary Boleyn, younger of the two (at least in the film), becomes the King's choice despite her being married to a local commoner and the family's designs for her sister Anne Boleyn to be the pick. The drive roots from the Queen's inability to give King Henry a male heir which eventually leads him to seek for a concubine. Mary eventually gave birth to a male heir but by that time Anne, who didn't stop furthering her ambition to enamor the King, was already able to finally snatch the monarch's special attention. Henry VIII disclaimed his son to Mary and blindly sued for Anne's love.

Taking advantage of the situation, Anne plotted for herself to be the legitimate Queen of England which substantiated after compelling the King to do crazy stuffs (i.e. turning from the Catholic catechism and dethroning his own wife, Catherine of Aragon). However, all the comforts that came with it was short-lived as Anne Boleyn, after giving birth to a daughter, miscarried another daughter that triggered marital problems with the King similar to that of the former Queen Katherine's.

Complexities turned into more problems and even into incest which ultimately caused Anne Boleyn's death sentence. She's the mother of the last monarch of Tudor... Queen Elizabeth I (a female heiress, after all the King's quest to have a male successor).

The storyline, although patterned in this factual period in the House of Tudor, is a mishmash of historical inconsistencies added to give a cinematic appeal to the plot. I think, it produced the intended effect. Dramatic points in the movie are compelling and the script-works involved are done fairly well. I have something against the pacing as often it jumps over supposedly long periods of time without good transitionary scenes. It makes the film seem to be rushed, overshadowing the superb acting-job made by most of the casts.

Speaking of, Scarlett Johansson (Mary Boleyn) and Natalie Portman (Anne Boleyn) - sans my total crushness on her - did a terrific portrayal of their roles' supposed personalities. The innocently naive Mary and the ambitious headstrong Anne. Throughout the film, both actresses have been skillfully in character that you can feel what the roles should convey. Eric Bana (King Henry VIII) borders on mediocrity while Anna Torrent (Catherine of Aragon) performed strongly but lacks exposure. Another performance to take note is of the Boleyn son, George (Jim Sturgess - Jude in the Beatles film "Across the Universe"), whose supporting role produced a good chemistry with his sister Anne on the film.

The production is of no question. Great costumes, nice settings, and the overall quality of reliving the Tudor era of England is there. Excuses aside for the Victorian geeks who might have seen flaws on the accuracy of the sets.

In all, it's a great film to capture the heart. The ending seems a bit dragging but the meaning is there. It may not be of classic status nor as comparable to other movies built around the Tudor controversies but it sure is inspirational and moving to watch.

Seven out of ten.

Batangenyo Dialect

Nakalimutan ko na kung kanino galing ito but after a nostalgic visit back to my hometown in Lipa a couple of weeks ago (after several years!), patok talaga sakin ito sa laughtrip. Proof na dialect ang Batangenyo! Hahaha...

*****
Airplane Crashes in Batangas
An airplane crashed at a town in Batangas.

MEDIA: Manong, pakilarawan po ang nangyari.

LOLO: Ala eh, nakow, garne ga utoy...

Kakaalmusal ko laang, gayak ako'y sisinsay sa kahanggan, ay natan-awan ko yaan sa alapaap ay nagsisilab.

Bago sumirok ng papagay-on na kala mo'y papatak. Ginagaling na laang at sa sukalang areh sumugba, ay kung sa kabayanan ga, ay di panay mga utas!

MEDIA: Ho?

*****
Vehicular Accident in Batangas

MEDIA: 'Lo, kayo daw po'ng saksi?

LOLO: Ay uwoh! Ika'y pumarne dine sa silong. Kung ako pa naman ang dadais sa iyo para magsalaysay ay sulong!

MEDIA: 'Sensya na po sa abala.

LOLO: Ako'y naka-ungkot laang dine at karakaraka'y ako'y nagitla sa busina.

May mag-inang hasing-hasi pa ng paghihikap ay gab-eng gab-e na! Bakin ga aring dyip ay saksakan ng tulin??? Ay di ako'y palakat na sa mag-inang di naiingli!

Aba'y maiipit na'y naka-umis pa! Kainaman… Hayown!

Sa pag-iwas ng dyip ay sumalya sa tarangka, tiklap ang tapaludung lasa ko'y kawangki ng nilamukos na kiche. Pagkakabugnot ng drayber! Ngalngal e!

MEDIA: Ano raw?

*****
Now here are the words used and what I recall of their meanings... (i'm not sure with those stuffs with "?")

garne = ganito
gayak = bihis
sisinsay = titingin(?)
kahanggan = ?
natan-awan = nakita
nagsisilab = nag-aapoy
sumirok = bumagsak
papagay-on = pa-ganito
papatak = mahuhulog
ginagaling = mabuti
sukalan = forested area
sumugba = ?
utas = patay
pumarne = pumarito
dadais = lalapit / didikit
naka-ungkot = sitting in a stooped manner
karakaraka = maya-maya
nagitla = nagulat
hasing-hasi = nagmamadali
paghihikap = paghihikab
gab-e = gabi :)
palakat = sigaw(?)
naiingli = ?
naka-umis = ?
kainaman = expression of scorn
sumalya = bumangga / tumama
tarangka = compartment(?)
tiklap = tiklop
tapaludo = funnel(?)
lasa = tingin / tantsa
kawangki = ?
kiche = tansan!
pagkakabugnot = pagkaka-galit
ngalngal = reklamo(?)

Kaharian ng Kristal na Bungo

A sixth of our SE batch went out last night for the premiere showing of the latest Indiana Jones expansion in Glorietta 4. A gut-filling dinner followed at New Bombay. Yub yub!

Tagayan ng yogurt!

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

Henry Jones Junior is back and with a greaser kid in tow!

After getting entangled with an organized Russian archaeological crime ring, Indiana Jones was forced back to adventure from a teaching profession as he search for the mystery of the stolen alien artifact (from Roswell). Along the way, he was reacquainted with his former ladylove, Marion Ravenwood, and later on learned that greaser junior, Mutt Williams, is his own kid from her. One happy family reunion! La la la...

This happened in Peru where they were able to find the Crystal Skull in the hands of the Russian archenemy Irina Spalko. The Crystal Skull turns out to be the actual cranium of the alien specimen and Irina believes that it can grant her unimaginable psychic powers. To ensure this, she has to find the Alien Temple with the help of a barely sane Professor Oxley and the Indy Jones motley crew.

In a daring escape, they were able to break away from the Russian band snatching the Crystal Skull itself. Jones searched for the temple to return the skull to its rightful owners. Irina and his gang however caught up with Indy inside the temple as his traitor friend, Mac, left homing devices on their trail. Later on, greed for power and wealth left Irina and Mac dead as the Crystal Skull was claimed by the alien entity that owns it. The whole temple was engulfed by water, the very stereotypical 80's flying saucer whisked away, and from an elevated refuge Indiana Jones, Marion Ravenwood, and their kid exchanged cheesy remarks that screams "KIDDO's THE NEXT INDIANA JONES on SEQUELS!".

Steven Spielberg. George Lucas. Harrison Ford (Han Solo). John Williams. These are people that I so look up to and are involved in this movie. But as much as I want to toss in an all-out kudos, the film has a healthy share of major boo-boos.

There were a LOT of cheesy scenes and exchanges between Indy and Marion were reminiscent of the classical Han Solo and Princess Leia word-duels. There are scenes that din't really help the flow of the film but just a lame attempt to spark a romantic/heroic feel. It's pretty comical or engaging sometimes, yes, but most of the time it's just outright uncalled-for.

Story's far worse BUT it could be forgiveable since, yeah, this movie has tons of impractical stunts and impossible feats but it's just being true to the earlier Indy films which have an overload of that too. What's with Indiana Jones surviving a nuclear explosion locked inside a fridge? *smiles* So keep those brains on your bags and enjoy the movie only for what it's worth. I heard the script was rushed (maybe, to catch up with an aging Ford? hehehe...) so y'know what to expect.

Casting is a bit of a downer too. Aside from Harrison Ford and Cate Blanchett (Irina Spalko), I find the rest of the cast lacking. Shia LaBeouf (Mutt Williams) already looks too off for the role of a young bruiser, how much more as Indy's kid. I dunno if they intended it that way but I'd rather see a more hard-edged depiction - tough kid for a tough dad (he looks more foolish to me). Karen Allen (Marion Ravenwood) was never convincing. I think she's trying hard (THIS hard) to create that "kilig" factor between her and Indy... to a point that it's just annoying already. Really. As I said earlier, Ford did a good job. But why not, he'll just have to portray an old character of an old role. This, I dig because the script readily accepted that Henry Jones Junior has aged and it verily manifests in the movie. I sooo like the American Diner brawl with matching "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" tune. It outright date-stamped the settings to the 50's.

The cinematography rocks. The musical score too. Spielberg wanted to capture the feel of the classical trilogy and he did a good job on this one. With how the movie was captured alone, you can't really tell that this has been done more than a decade(?) after the last Indiana Jones. It's as if it is still filmed during the 80's. The limiting of the use of computer-aided graphics also contributed for this effect.

To sum it up, the storyline made it a cheesy sci-fi B-movie and the production, no matter how cool, barely justified everything up.

AND I'm sorry to myself that it has to come from me. (I love Indy *sniffs*)

5 out of 10.

No... 5.5 out of 10.

Random Stills

Random photos in my phone...

isn't she lovely?
Ces saw this pinup on a society mag and knowing how I'm going gaga over Katrina showed it to me for a snapshot.
*****

how i wish i still have a room for one more hobby... poi dancing!
Bonding moments with my bro, Sponklong, we happened at this spectacle in Mall of Asia.
*****

Grant Hill, ikaw ba yan? Haha.
One of our regular Wednesday basketball games.
*****

My team, goofing around at Seattle's Best
L-R: Jama, Ferds, Bung, Johann, Sam Milby, Erwin, Roy
*****

Spot the difference!
Teriyaki Boy - Paseo Center. I have no ballpen that time so I ought to take a pic first and answer it later in the office instead. So kiddo.

Sign of the Times

I saw this yesterday while I do the grocery...

what the...?!?
What's next... Piolo Ulam-Burger? Lolit Extra-Sweet Ham?

*****
New photo albums in my Multiply account...
SE14 Tambay Session, Part Tres (Click Me)
Team Lunch Out (Click Me)

You Got A Friend

Ninenok galing ke Jai...

Dahil tropa kita, sasamahan kita sa pag-petiks.

1.What made you smile today?
CD ni Renz Verano
2. Where is the last place you went out to eat?
Kalye215
3.Who was the last person of the opposite sex you had a conversation with?
Bubung
4. Thoughts at this moment?
hindi ka gutom, Obi... naiisip mo lang yan!
5. Do you bite your lips a lot?
nopers
6. What is more essential - a pretty face or a great body?
pwede both... and more!?
7. Medicine, fine arts, or law?
art attack!
8. how are you doing today?
fine... thank you. welcome. rotonda.
9. Best kind of pizza?
all meat. walang gulay!
10. Favorite drink?
rootbeer.
11. Do you miss anyone?
yeppers
12. What were you doing at 11:59 PM on Saturday night?
nag-aayos ng gamit pang airsoft.
13. Who do you hate?
Mystica
14. Who was the last person you had in your room?
Sponklong
15. Is your roOm clean?
never
16. Can you speak another language?
ongano, batangenyo!
17. What are you going to do tomorrow?
wake up. then go back to sleep for 5 more minutes.
18. What is in store for your future?
"clouded, your future is. hmmm." - Master Yoda
19. Who was the last band you saw live?
Rivermaya yata
20. Do you take care of your friends while they're sick?
nopers
21. Do you like to read? What was the last book you read?
yeppers. Hunters of Dune. The Camera Phone Book.
22. do you want to be alone at this point?
why not. otistik ako e.
23. When was the last time you purchased something over Php500?
last Sunday. pants.
24. What are your pet peeves?
mani sa tsokolate.
25. Favorite colors?
shades of violet
26. Who is your favorite person to have a serious conversation with?
Manong Guard
27. Where was the last place you drove?
Lipa City
28. Nickname?
Obi
29. Where do you want to go?
sa kwarto ko
30. ARE YOU INLOVE?
kapag naniningkit na yung mata mo at ngalay na ang panga sa kakangiti pero ganun ang itsura mo the whole day tapos parang may butterflies at rainbows sa paligid kahit dis-oras na ng gabi, inlab yun di ba?
31. What are you wearing?
tshirt, pants, earrings, undies, socks, sneakers, scapular, bracelet, smile
32. What brand of digital camera do you own?
N82, cam phone hehe
33.Did someone make you mad???
nopes
34. Why???
huh?
35. When is your birthday?
ika-pito ng marso
36. Who was the last person to sleep over at your house?
my dad... he's a boarder from time to time
37.How many speeding tickets do you have?
wala
38. How many kids do you want to have?
apat
39. Do you like coffee?
why not
40. Why are you doing this survey?
petiks
41. Who was the last person to call you?
chief ivan
42. Who did you last text?
mj
43. Who last texted you?
Globe
44. What does your 12th message on your inbox say?
hindi umabot ng 12
45. What are you craving?
bear hug
46. Whats the closest red thing to you?
my pimple
47. Biggest turn off in the opposite sex?
sobrang girly
48. What are you listening to?
"Grateful" by Julianne
49. Do you like anyone?
syemps
50. What can you say about your self?
hello self!

Another Spandex Film

Yesterday morning, after the invitational airsoft games in Bulacan was cancelled due to the weather, I remembered having borrowed an old fantasy flick from the Hairy Critter. Found it accumulating dust on my room so instead of hitting the bed again from some z-time, I rather opted to check it out. Peborit niya daw ito. Let's see...

"Labyrinth"
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

The story follows the adventure of Sarah (young Jennifer Connelly) on this freaky night when she was left alone with his baby bro, Toby. Struck with teen angst and all that comes with PMS (and her nerdy affinity with this fantastical story she kept on mumbling about), she half-heartedly wished Toby would be snatched away by the goblins to stop him from crying. Be it fueled by her imagination or a factual alternate dimension, the goblins really kidnapped Toby away and brought him into the lair of the Goblin King which was situated in the middle of a gynormous maze (if "gynormous" is really a word) and past a ragtag Goblin City.

The Goblin King, Jareth (glam rock icon, David Bowie), gave Sarah an ultimatum: complete the maze in 13 hours or the baby will become a goblin. A winding journey followed as Sarah quested to seek the Goblin King's lair. She met friends along the way that formed her shambles of a fellowship ala Lord of the Rings. Adventures after adventures, and they finally were able to siege the Goblin City and later on the Goblin King's lair itself and save the baby from IMPENDING DOOOOM (i love saying that!).

I just watched this yesterday on DVD after much prodding from my friend, the Hairy Critter, and after that I was like, "Why did I miss this back then?". But then again, I was only 5 years old and so high with Starwars to fancy any other sci-fi/fantasy film (ok... "Neverending Story" excluded).

This 1986 film was a collaboration between director Jim Henson (The Muppet Show!) and producer George Lucas (Starwars!). I heard it flopped back then but a steady following was there up until today (obviously, Hairy Critter included) which elevated the movie amongst cult classics.

There's nothing much fascinatingly moving from the storyline itself. It's textbook fantasy with mediocre, if not poor, plot. The icing comes from the fact that by that time computer animation on films is just near wishful thinking so almost all of the entire "Labyrinth" set is manually designed and crafted by the infamous Industrial Light and Magic (I.L.M.). Knowing that the movie is created without computer aid gives you the idea of how much creative-work is done and how vivid the imagination is required to come up with such an enchanting feel on every settings and puppetries. With it, I can say that the magnificent production works alone more than fill up for what the movie lacks in twists and plots.

It's also worth to take note of the very "new wave"/80's feel of the theme. I dig! And all those teased-up hair, "baston" jeans, and black spandex too. The David Bowie musical on parts of the film projects an aura of psychedelia which reminds me of the Beatle's "Magical Mystery Tour" and idol Caroll's "Alice in Wonderland". The combined mystical effect brought about by the set, the music, and the casts is what makes the movie a magical ride, in general.

Most humours are, compared to date, oddly clichés and offbeat. David Bowie makes a nice antagonist. He's scary, in a strange way. Well, in costume or not, he's hauntingly scary anyway. Haha. The young Jennifer Connelly is sooo cute. I can see why she's still making a hubbub on showbiz now after all those years. Her role in the film is pretty straightforward to portray so it should not be a challenge.

In all, "Labyrinth" is a nice family entertainment because of its aesthetics and an appreciative masterpiece for the masterminds behind it. The brilliance who was Jim Henson and his artistry was very evident on this movie. He's truly missed.

I rate it eight out of ten goblins.

Most Bestesest Week of the Year, Part 2

What capped my vacation this first weekend of May was the SE 14 Retreat. Two weeks after and I'm still too high to actually start doing "serious" work. What I thought was just this typical retreat scenario that I have in mind has actually been a very meaningful and memorable activity for me. Sabi ko "hindi ako iiyak". Not that I'm not contented with my life. Not that I have grievances that I'm not over with. Not that I wear a mask I finally wanted to let go of.

I love my life despite misgivings and imperfections. And I acknowledge each and every one of it.

Pero umiyak ako.

My mom and sib's letters did it. On the last day pa! Funny since my mom's not used to writing a letter... it's literally "kinahig ng manok". And she knows it! Somewhere in the middle of the letter was something like "...pasensya na, alam mo namang hindi ako sanay mag sulat." Kaya para akong tanga. Tumatawa ako habang lumuluha. Hanggang ngayon, my eyes well up when I remember that. I'm just too sensitive when it comes to my mom. I extra love God for the gift of her.

Hindi sila nakapunta that Sunday. But I understand why. Oks lang. I have my dad Bozz Beef (Gelo) and my (ano nga ulit tawag mo dun Gelo: "kapanganay"?!? hahaha) whatever... si Lou. Thanks sa inyo.

Thanks goes to the entire sponsoring batch, SE13! And thanks mucho too to the entire Apostolate who've worked so hard for the meaningful weekend!

SE14 is Love. Madami pa kaming pagdadaanan and I want to see my faith with God grow alongside theirs.

*****
New picture albums in my Multiply site...
SE 14 Weekend (Click Me)
First Tambay Sessions with SE 14 (Click Me)
SE14 Tambay Session, Part Deux (Click Me)
Balikbayan Bakasyon (Click Me)

100 Questions - for SE? (It's Everywhere!)

This kept me awake this morning. Official survey ba ng SE ito?

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT
left arm, for being such a reckless hyperactive tweeb back in my youngster years.

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
accumulated dirt.

3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?
i rarely snore but the people in our house says i do when i’m dead tired. i tell em to record it when they hear me snore. so far, there’s still no successful catch.

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
depends on the mood but the range goes loud rock, reggae, acoustics, local pop bands, techno, and even classic stuffs from Beatles to Fra Lipo Lippi to Spice Girls (yes, Spice Girls! me angal?)

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
i wish i knew.

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
three wishes from a pretty genie (none of this annoying, beer belly-toting, blue-skinned bloke huh?)

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
kwekwek ni Manong Fishball sa UP!

Manong Fishball's Friendster Account
8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?
my talents (hahaha how geeky)

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
5' 7" and a half

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
nopes.

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
nopes. i used to.

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
mommy groovy.

13. WHATS YOUR WORST FEAR?
meeting Madam Auring alone on a dark alley

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
shiny jet black hair (parang shampoo commercial), sabihin ko sana purple eyes pero di ba mukang clown na yun?

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF PROPOSING / BEING PROPOSED TO AT?
ideally by the shore but who knows, i love spontaneity (tinignan ko pa spelling nito, demmit)

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
coffee please.

17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
pepperoni, bacon

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Batangas lomi!

19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
any shades of violet.

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
iL try soon.

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
too lazy to reminisce right now.

22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
aba syempre.

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
nopes.

24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
nothing in particular but i love ragged tees so stuffs like Artwork’s appeals to me.

25. WHO IS THE HOTTEST FEMALE/MALE CELEBRITY?
Rachel Weisz, she ages soooo pretty well!

26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?
nopes, but i’m planning to restore our aquarium and fill it with those colorful, tiny fishes that darts around quickly.

27. WHAT KIND IS IT?
no idea.

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
syempre. how can you stop falling.

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
3.1416

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
brunettes

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?
huh, trick question?

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
ladies hahaha!

36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?
Manong Fishball is famous, no? he’s got a Friendster account with tons of friends on it.

37. FIRST JOB?
software analyst for this huge IT company (well, that’s what i say when girls ask for my job… else, i just say “sa Computer!”)

HP-loving on top of Mount Manabo
38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
can’t remember, but most likely i did.

39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOULMATE?
somebody has to make me believe these stuffs again.

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
copied the questions to a Notepad

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
yeps. almost all male Catholics should have at least one on their lifetime. :D

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
my mom’s cooking?

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
nopes.

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
a spanky new car and a first-class condo suit in Makati (mangangarap lang, sasagarin ko na!)

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?
f o u r

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Randell’s from Randal Kleiser, producer and director of the classic Brooke Shields film “Blue Lagoon” and siya din pala director ng “Grease”. Obi’s from (obviously) Obi-wan Kenobi, Jedi Master in Starwars (hoooow geeeky).

47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
uber sophistication

48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU MISS ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
kranky old teachers and brothers

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
uh hello? may shampoo na ba sa anit?

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
yeps. maangas.

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
beef! shawarma! burger!

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
i rarely say “NO”. haha.

53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?
not really.

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
syempre! para dalwa na kaming flip sa mundo! woohoo!

55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?
napag-uusapan yan.

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
syemps.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
i shoot people with my airsoft guns… sa actual game naman :) but seriously i have TONS of outlets to vent on.

One of our team's airsoft invitational tour in Pampanga
59. WHATS YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE?
to either be a politician then hop into showbiz or be an actor first so i can run for a government position. haha!

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
Micromachine cars and G.I. Joe action figures, tsaka yung latang truck na may pull-strings.

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?
*checks* 486… sim and internal memory combined

62.WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?
hindi ko inabot yan… i don’t think iL like him though even when it’s purple

63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
minsan, yeps.

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
macaroni.

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
natural. koboy (how do you translate that in English?). sweet. funny. adventurous. has a cute smile that matches her chinky eyes… oh men, killer yan.

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NAMES?
Randell. Obi. Obs. Bi (sinasagot ko ito ng “yes, baby?” hahaha).

67. Sino nag-bura ng number 67??

68. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Doraemon. Spongebob. Ula, Ang Batang Gubat.

69.WHATS THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?
don’t mind them.

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
choco marble.

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
fortunately, yeps.

72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?
nopes.

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
dinner with the SE14 dudes.

74. WHAT'S THE FASTEST YOU'VE EVER GONE IN A CAR?
130+ kph in Pangasinan

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
yeps… spread the love!

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
hillsong playlist… thanks Roch!

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?
tubig.

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
*checks* it’s Hairy Critter of da Shak.

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
smile.

80. WHAT DO U LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
write. read. paint.

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?
nuts.

82. FAVORITE MONTH OF THE YEAR?
march and December!

83. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?
yeah… Peter’s Butter Ball! \m/

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?
yeps yeps.

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?
it was black. ngayon anit na lang siya. hahaha.

86. EYE COLOR?
black hole black. yes, it can pull you unto me. hahaha.

88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
MikDonelds, Oody’s, Burger King, Greenwich!

89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Something Fishy!

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
why not.

91. LAST THING YOU WATCHED?
the morning Ayala rush hour, with all those people passing hither and tither.

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
birthday ko, syemps.

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
guitars. bass guitar. some keyboards. bamboo flute, hehe.

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?
none. i don’t mess with politics. i just want to heckle from the sidelines.

95. KISSES OR HUGS?
yeps, both please.

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
relationships. (wushus! hahaha.)

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
tuna pie.

98. DO YOU HAVE A LOW SELF ESTEEM OR A HIGH SELF ESTEEM?
sakto lang.

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Idiot’s Guide to Jesus, Hunters of Dune (sci-fi), The Camera Phone Book

100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE:
ano yan? nakakain ba yan? hahaha!

Most Bestesest Week of the Year, Part 1

Filed a leave from work for April 28 to 30 and May 2, and apprehensively delegated this harder-than-usual project to my team knowing that after a nine-day sabbatical, work will pile heaps on my desk.

BUT the week has been very very well worth it!!!!

Saturday (April 26)
It was my sister's birthday. Happy birthday, Cheng!

Sabi ni Toto, "Peace y'all brotha in the hood yo, Bronx style ghetto!" Haha.

I headed to the airport to pick up Bonita and his Koya Toto. Boi has been a very very good friend since we were this --> (",) <-- small and the last time she was here was like 8 years ago already! Too bad they have to move to NY for good. Toto's a good friend too and their youngest sister Ava is Cheng's bestfriend. Galing, right?

We then went straight to Lipa where a huuuge banquet was waiting in Mataas-na-Kahoy (it was also Toto's birthday the next day) and y'know how celebrations were in the provinces... it should be a feast! Imbitado ang buong Pilipinas pati ang lolo ng mga lolo nilang lahat! Plus, we contacted all our gradeschool classmates for a reunion. So ayun. Reunion, birthday, salubong party rolled in to one.

Attendance (Batch 97 - FABES): Emon, Ichie + 1, Baje, Ako, Jojo, Choi, Cezar + kid, Alex, Larry, Leah + mate, Joanne, Elsa, Lloyd, Pene + 1, Bonita

Uber reminiscing followed with Saint Mike's Light Barley (San Mig Lights) in tow. Class dismissed at around 2AM.

L-R (but go figure how): Jo, Choi, Ichie + 1, Alex, Pene + 1, Elsa, Cez + 1, Joanne, Baje, Lloyd, Leah + 1, Emon, Larry, Obi, Boi

Sunday (April 27)
For personal reasons, I din't stay at our house in Batangas. During my stay in Lipa, I was at Ate Minette's house. Thanks, te Minette! She's Boi's older sister.

For the same reason, I was never able to visit Lipa for like two years already and a LOT changed. So to catch up, I met up with highschool friends Jai, Wends, and Teta. It rocks to see these people again. La Salle-Lipa is LOVE!

Si Jai, partner-in-crime ko nung HS. One crazy git. He's the one who got me into prose writing (we started with mystery-adventures ala Hardy Boys/Sherlock Holmes). Wendy was the class president and I was the vice for one of the best section I've had in HS... Casino 306! Thus coined because almost all of the class was suspended because of gambling (Lucky 9 sa calculator!)... I was excluded! My smiling-cute-and-cuddly worked wonders for the FSC brothers. Wa-epek lang talaga yun kay Brother Dodo (asa La Salle-Greenhills na daw siya ngayon) kasi suki ako nun sa pag-gunting ng buhok ko pag nahuling mahaba! Haha. Si Teta was me and Jai's nanay back then. Now, she's a mom for real. We're proud of you Kristine!

Ayan. Sausage fest daw si Wendy. (Me, Wends, and Jai)
Monday (April 28)
Maaga pa, sibat na agad kami papuntang Domestic Airport nila Bonita, Toto, and te Minette. We flew to Cebu in a Cebu Pacific airline with Kuya Reden, their bro. He was the captain of that flight. Angas. Coincidentally, Yuki and April were on the same plane. Both has been my tambay-mates back in Sydney.

We stayed at Kuya Reden's suite in Day's Hotel. Lunch was at Grand Majestic Resto with Sir Rhymus (I love saying that... so Victorian) and family. He was my dad's underclassman back in the military flight school. He also toured us around the area from the old Coron Street up to the infamous Vicente Sotto (canister-up-the-wazoo) Hospital. That night, we went clubbing.

Enjoying the view at Fort San Pedro(?)
Wednesday (April 30)
Boi's been sampling the foods that she missed, from Jollibee to Greenwich to Aling Nene's (?) Siopao! That day, we went mall-hopping. First stop: Greenhills - shopping spree ensued. Then, we transferred to the Makati area where hopefully nobody from the office saw me (I told them iL be in Batangas the whole time).

Thursday (May 1)
I was texting my team back in the office as early as 8:00AM (yes, sa opis namin... sobraaang aga pa ng 8AM!) para mangamusta kung buhay pa sila hehe. I was sniggering to myself when one of em replied that it was a holiday. Labor day nga pala haha. Bopols.

Anyway, we drove to Talisay, Batangas. The original plan was to go to Tagaytay and see what we can do there but Koya Joel (who drove for us) thought it would be better to get up close in the crater instead of looking at it from Tagaytay. So from Talisay, we hired a boat to Volcano Island, then from there we did horseback ride up to the crater. Along the way, I was able to have some chit-chats with the locals and realized that I could actually propose a climbing expedition here with my mountaineering mates. That would be a cool prospect, we'll see.

Friday to Sunday (May 2-4)
Singles Encounter Weekend at Angels' Hills, Tagaytay!

Go, Jericho! Go!
Those days have been another set of awesome fun to complete my most bestesest week of the year, so it deserves a separate journal entry. Bukas na lang.

For now, I'm waist-deep with unfinished work here in the office, each clamouring for my preoccupied attention. Masyado pa kong high from the SE Weekend to really do anything full-focus.

Whew!

Got Balls?

L.A. Lakers lead the Western Conference vie to the Finals (3-1) against the defending champs, San Antonio Spurs. I'm not really keen on cheering for Kobe and his honchos (I'm a Dallas fan... go Nowitzki!) but I would want to see that famed, classic rivalry match between L.A. Lakers and Boston Celtics relived. I actually will even put my moolah on Boston when this happened again.

The last championship meeting was in 1987 where the Lakers won and Magic Johnson grabbed the MVP trophy. I want to see Boston snatch back the bragging rights this time with the "Big Three" - Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. The Celtics leads the rivalry's championship record with 16 against the Lakers' 14.

On the other hand, the Eastern Conference bout is at 3-2 in favor of Boston but the Detroit Pistons still has a big chance to even it out as the next game will be played in their homecourt.

San Antonio's Tony Parker on the free throw. His wife, Desperate Housewive's (Nice catch, Red!) Eva Longoria, (or at least a lifesize cardboard figure of her) cheering from the Lakers' sideline! Laughtrip!

Tigidong Tigidong Tigidong

1. How's your heart lately?
healthy naman. mahilig ako sa tuna na may Omega 3.

2. When was the last time you went out?
kaninang umaga... out of the house.

3. What was the latest movie you saw?
The Other Boleyn Girl

4. The last place you went?
kubeta

5. Miss someone?
syempre. kama ko.

6. What made you smile today?
yung text ni Bubung tunkol sa guard sa LRT na kumakanta ng "time, i've been passing time... watching trains go by"! hahaha laugh trip.

7. The last time you fell in love?
bago ko i-type ito

8. What is your status right now?
sa Friendster? domestic relationship. kung ano man yun.

9. Did you dream last night?
opo. nakaka-iyak.

10. What were you doing this morning at 7 am?
press snooze. then go back to sleep.

11. What were you doing this morning at 10 am?
nangungulit ng kaopisina hanggang sa mairita

12. what were you doing this afternoon at 12 pm?
bumibili ng pagkain, habang nangungulit pa din ng kaopisina hanggang mairita

13. How many piercings do you have?
dalwa

14. What do you want to do today?
mangarap ng gising

15. What do people think about you?
tanong ko sa kanila mamaya

16. Things you need to do everyday?
eat. sleep.

17. The last thing you said to one of your friends?
burger! burger! burger!

18. The last person who called you?
*tumingin sa celepono* lola acelds.

19. What can't you live without?
pagkain at tubig. trick question?

20. What song(s) is(are) in your head now?
Tigidong

Yung Isang Dalagita ni Manang Boleyn

The Other Boleyn Girl
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

The story is about two sisters who, motivated by their family's ambition, compete for the affection of King Henry VIII of the House of Tudor.

Mary Boleyn, younger of the two (at least in the film), becomes the King's choice despite her being married to a local commoner and the family's designs for her sister Anne Boleyn to be the pick. The drive roots from the Queen's inability to give King Henry a male heir which eventually leads him to seek for a concubine. Mary eventually gave birth to a male heir but by that time Anne, who didn't stop furthering her ambition to enamor the King, was already able to finally snatch the monarch's special attention. Henry VIII disclaimed his son to Mary and blindly sued for Anne's love.

Taking advantage of the situation, Anne plotted for herself to be the legitimate Queen of England which substantiated after compelling the King to do crazy stuffs (i.e. turning from the Catholic catechism and dethroning his own wife, Catherine of Aragon). However, all the comforts that came with it was short-lived as Anne Boleyn, after giving birth to a daughter, miscarried another daughter that triggered marital problems with the King similar to that of the former Queen Katherine's.

Complexities turned into more problems and even into incest which ultimately caused Anne Boleyn's death sentence. She's the mother of the last monarch of Tudor... Queen Elizabeth I (a female heiress, after all the King's quest to have a male successor).

The storyline, although patterned in this factual period in the House of Tudor, is a mishmash of historical inconsistencies added to give a cinematic appeal to the plot. I think, it produced the intended effect. Dramatic points in the movie are compelling and the script-works involved are done fairly well. I have something against the pacing as often it jumps over supposedly long periods of time without good transitionary scenes. It makes the film seem to be rushed, overshadowing the superb acting-job made by most of the casts.

Speaking of, Scarlett Johansson (Mary Boleyn) and Natalie Portman (Anne Boleyn) - sans my total crushness on her - did a terrific portrayal of their roles' supposed personalities. The innocently naive Mary and the ambitious headstrong Anne. Throughout the film, both actresses have been skillfully in character that you can feel what the roles should convey. Eric Bana (King Henry VIII) borders on mediocrity while Anna Torrent (Catherine of Aragon) performed strongly but lacks exposure. Another performance to take note is of the Boleyn son, George (Jim Sturgess - Jude in the Beatles film "Across the Universe"), whose supporting role produced a good chemistry with his sister Anne on the film.

The production is of no question. Great costumes, nice settings, and the overall quality of reliving the Tudor era of England is there. Excuses aside for the Victorian geeks who might have seen flaws on the accuracy of the sets.

In all, it's a great film to capture the heart. The ending seems a bit dragging but the meaning is there. It may not be of classic status nor as comparable to other movies built around the Tudor controversies but it sure is inspirational and moving to watch.

Seven out of ten.

Batangenyo Dialect

Nakalimutan ko na kung kanino galing ito but after a nostalgic visit back to my hometown in Lipa a couple of weeks ago (after several years!), patok talaga sakin ito sa laughtrip. Proof na dialect ang Batangenyo! Hahaha...

*****
Airplane Crashes in Batangas
An airplane crashed at a town in Batangas.

MEDIA: Manong, pakilarawan po ang nangyari.

LOLO: Ala eh, nakow, garne ga utoy...

Kakaalmusal ko laang, gayak ako'y sisinsay sa kahanggan, ay natan-awan ko yaan sa alapaap ay nagsisilab.

Bago sumirok ng papagay-on na kala mo'y papatak. Ginagaling na laang at sa sukalang areh sumugba, ay kung sa kabayanan ga, ay di panay mga utas!

MEDIA: Ho?

*****
Vehicular Accident in Batangas

MEDIA: 'Lo, kayo daw po'ng saksi?

LOLO: Ay uwoh! Ika'y pumarne dine sa silong. Kung ako pa naman ang dadais sa iyo para magsalaysay ay sulong!

MEDIA: 'Sensya na po sa abala.

LOLO: Ako'y naka-ungkot laang dine at karakaraka'y ako'y nagitla sa busina.

May mag-inang hasing-hasi pa ng paghihikap ay gab-eng gab-e na! Bakin ga aring dyip ay saksakan ng tulin??? Ay di ako'y palakat na sa mag-inang di naiingli!

Aba'y maiipit na'y naka-umis pa! Kainaman… Hayown!

Sa pag-iwas ng dyip ay sumalya sa tarangka, tiklap ang tapaludung lasa ko'y kawangki ng nilamukos na kiche. Pagkakabugnot ng drayber! Ngalngal e!

MEDIA: Ano raw?

*****
Now here are the words used and what I recall of their meanings... (i'm not sure with those stuffs with "?")

garne = ganito
gayak = bihis
sisinsay = titingin(?)
kahanggan = ?
natan-awan = nakita
nagsisilab = nag-aapoy
sumirok = bumagsak
papagay-on = pa-ganito
papatak = mahuhulog
ginagaling = mabuti
sukalan = forested area
sumugba = ?
utas = patay
pumarne = pumarito
dadais = lalapit / didikit
naka-ungkot = sitting in a stooped manner
karakaraka = maya-maya
nagitla = nagulat
hasing-hasi = nagmamadali
paghihikap = paghihikab
gab-e = gabi :)
palakat = sigaw(?)
naiingli = ?
naka-umis = ?
kainaman = expression of scorn
sumalya = bumangga / tumama
tarangka = compartment(?)
tiklap = tiklop
tapaludo = funnel(?)
lasa = tingin / tantsa
kawangki = ?
kiche = tansan!
pagkakabugnot = pagkaka-galit
ngalngal = reklamo(?)

Kaharian ng Kristal na Bungo

A sixth of our SE batch went out last night for the premiere showing of the latest Indiana Jones expansion in Glorietta 4. A gut-filling dinner followed at New Bombay. Yub yub!

Tagayan ng yogurt!

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

Henry Jones Junior is back and with a greaser kid in tow!

After getting entangled with an organized Russian archaeological crime ring, Indiana Jones was forced back to adventure from a teaching profession as he search for the mystery of the stolen alien artifact (from Roswell). Along the way, he was reacquainted with his former ladylove, Marion Ravenwood, and later on learned that greaser junior, Mutt Williams, is his own kid from her. One happy family reunion! La la la...

This happened in Peru where they were able to find the Crystal Skull in the hands of the Russian archenemy Irina Spalko. The Crystal Skull turns out to be the actual cranium of the alien specimen and Irina believes that it can grant her unimaginable psychic powers. To ensure this, she has to find the Alien Temple with the help of a barely sane Professor Oxley and the Indy Jones motley crew.

In a daring escape, they were able to break away from the Russian band snatching the Crystal Skull itself. Jones searched for the temple to return the skull to its rightful owners. Irina and his gang however caught up with Indy inside the temple as his traitor friend, Mac, left homing devices on their trail. Later on, greed for power and wealth left Irina and Mac dead as the Crystal Skull was claimed by the alien entity that owns it. The whole temple was engulfed by water, the very stereotypical 80's flying saucer whisked away, and from an elevated refuge Indiana Jones, Marion Ravenwood, and their kid exchanged cheesy remarks that screams "KIDDO's THE NEXT INDIANA JONES on SEQUELS!".

Steven Spielberg. George Lucas. Harrison Ford (Han Solo). John Williams. These are people that I so look up to and are involved in this movie. But as much as I want to toss in an all-out kudos, the film has a healthy share of major boo-boos.

There were a LOT of cheesy scenes and exchanges between Indy and Marion were reminiscent of the classical Han Solo and Princess Leia word-duels. There are scenes that din't really help the flow of the film but just a lame attempt to spark a romantic/heroic feel. It's pretty comical or engaging sometimes, yes, but most of the time it's just outright uncalled-for.

Story's far worse BUT it could be forgiveable since, yeah, this movie has tons of impractical stunts and impossible feats but it's just being true to the earlier Indy films which have an overload of that too. What's with Indiana Jones surviving a nuclear explosion locked inside a fridge? *smiles* So keep those brains on your bags and enjoy the movie only for what it's worth. I heard the script was rushed (maybe, to catch up with an aging Ford? hehehe...) so y'know what to expect.

Casting is a bit of a downer too. Aside from Harrison Ford and Cate Blanchett (Irina Spalko), I find the rest of the cast lacking. Shia LaBeouf (Mutt Williams) already looks too off for the role of a young bruiser, how much more as Indy's kid. I dunno if they intended it that way but I'd rather see a more hard-edged depiction - tough kid for a tough dad (he looks more foolish to me). Karen Allen (Marion Ravenwood) was never convincing. I think she's trying hard (THIS hard) to create that "kilig" factor between her and Indy... to a point that it's just annoying already. Really. As I said earlier, Ford did a good job. But why not, he'll just have to portray an old character of an old role. This, I dig because the script readily accepted that Henry Jones Junior has aged and it verily manifests in the movie. I sooo like the American Diner brawl with matching "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" tune. It outright date-stamped the settings to the 50's.

The cinematography rocks. The musical score too. Spielberg wanted to capture the feel of the classical trilogy and he did a good job on this one. With how the movie was captured alone, you can't really tell that this has been done more than a decade(?) after the last Indiana Jones. It's as if it is still filmed during the 80's. The limiting of the use of computer-aided graphics also contributed for this effect.

To sum it up, the storyline made it a cheesy sci-fi B-movie and the production, no matter how cool, barely justified everything up.

AND I'm sorry to myself that it has to come from me. (I love Indy *sniffs*)

5 out of 10.

No... 5.5 out of 10.

Random Stills

Random photos in my phone...

isn't she lovely?
Ces saw this pinup on a society mag and knowing how I'm going gaga over Katrina showed it to me for a snapshot.
*****

how i wish i still have a room for one more hobby... poi dancing!
Bonding moments with my bro, Sponklong, we happened at this spectacle in Mall of Asia.
*****

Grant Hill, ikaw ba yan? Haha.
One of our regular Wednesday basketball games.
*****

My team, goofing around at Seattle's Best
L-R: Jama, Ferds, Bung, Johann, Sam Milby, Erwin, Roy
*****

Spot the difference!
Teriyaki Boy - Paseo Center. I have no ballpen that time so I ought to take a pic first and answer it later in the office instead. So kiddo.

Sign of the Times

I saw this yesterday while I do the grocery...

what the...?!?
What's next... Piolo Ulam-Burger? Lolit Extra-Sweet Ham?

*****
New photo albums in my Multiply account...
SE14 Tambay Session, Part Tres (Click Me)
Team Lunch Out (Click Me)

You Got A Friend

Ninenok galing ke Jai...

Dahil tropa kita, sasamahan kita sa pag-petiks.

1.What made you smile today?
CD ni Renz Verano
2. Where is the last place you went out to eat?
Kalye215
3.Who was the last person of the opposite sex you had a conversation with?
Bubung
4. Thoughts at this moment?
hindi ka gutom, Obi... naiisip mo lang yan!
5. Do you bite your lips a lot?
nopers
6. What is more essential - a pretty face or a great body?
pwede both... and more!?
7. Medicine, fine arts, or law?
art attack!
8. how are you doing today?
fine... thank you. welcome. rotonda.
9. Best kind of pizza?
all meat. walang gulay!
10. Favorite drink?
rootbeer.
11. Do you miss anyone?
yeppers
12. What were you doing at 11:59 PM on Saturday night?
nag-aayos ng gamit pang airsoft.
13. Who do you hate?
Mystica
14. Who was the last person you had in your room?
Sponklong
15. Is your roOm clean?
never
16. Can you speak another language?
ongano, batangenyo!
17. What are you going to do tomorrow?
wake up. then go back to sleep for 5 more minutes.
18. What is in store for your future?
"clouded, your future is. hmmm." - Master Yoda
19. Who was the last band you saw live?
Rivermaya yata
20. Do you take care of your friends while they're sick?
nopers
21. Do you like to read? What was the last book you read?
yeppers. Hunters of Dune. The Camera Phone Book.
22. do you want to be alone at this point?
why not. otistik ako e.
23. When was the last time you purchased something over Php500?
last Sunday. pants.
24. What are your pet peeves?
mani sa tsokolate.
25. Favorite colors?
shades of violet
26. Who is your favorite person to have a serious conversation with?
Manong Guard
27. Where was the last place you drove?
Lipa City
28. Nickname?
Obi
29. Where do you want to go?
sa kwarto ko
30. ARE YOU INLOVE?
kapag naniningkit na yung mata mo at ngalay na ang panga sa kakangiti pero ganun ang itsura mo the whole day tapos parang may butterflies at rainbows sa paligid kahit dis-oras na ng gabi, inlab yun di ba?
31. What are you wearing?
tshirt, pants, earrings, undies, socks, sneakers, scapular, bracelet, smile
32. What brand of digital camera do you own?
N82, cam phone hehe
33.Did someone make you mad???
nopes
34. Why???
huh?
35. When is your birthday?
ika-pito ng marso
36. Who was the last person to sleep over at your house?
my dad... he's a boarder from time to time
37.How many speeding tickets do you have?
wala
38. How many kids do you want to have?
apat
39. Do you like coffee?
why not
40. Why are you doing this survey?
petiks
41. Who was the last person to call you?
chief ivan
42. Who did you last text?
mj
43. Who last texted you?
Globe
44. What does your 12th message on your inbox say?
hindi umabot ng 12
45. What are you craving?
bear hug
46. Whats the closest red thing to you?
my pimple
47. Biggest turn off in the opposite sex?
sobrang girly
48. What are you listening to?
"Grateful" by Julianne
49. Do you like anyone?
syemps
50. What can you say about your self?
hello self!

Another Spandex Film

Yesterday morning, after the invitational airsoft games in Bulacan was cancelled due to the weather, I remembered having borrowed an old fantasy flick from the Hairy Critter. Found it accumulating dust on my room so instead of hitting the bed again from some z-time, I rather opted to check it out. Peborit niya daw ito. Let's see...

"Labyrinth"
Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert! Spoiler Alert!

The story follows the adventure of Sarah (young Jennifer Connelly) on this freaky night when she was left alone with his baby bro, Toby. Struck with teen angst and all that comes with PMS (and her nerdy affinity with this fantastical story she kept on mumbling about), she half-heartedly wished Toby would be snatched away by the goblins to stop him from crying. Be it fueled by her imagination or a factual alternate dimension, the goblins really kidnapped Toby away and brought him into the lair of the Goblin King which was situated in the middle of a gynormous maze (if "gynormous" is really a word) and past a ragtag Goblin City.

The Goblin King, Jareth (glam rock icon, David Bowie), gave Sarah an ultimatum: complete the maze in 13 hours or the baby will become a goblin. A winding journey followed as Sarah quested to seek the Goblin King's lair. She met friends along the way that formed her shambles of a fellowship ala Lord of the Rings. Adventures after adventures, and they finally were able to siege the Goblin City and later on the Goblin King's lair itself and save the baby from IMPENDING DOOOOM (i love saying that!).

I just watched this yesterday on DVD after much prodding from my friend, the Hairy Critter, and after that I was like, "Why did I miss this back then?". But then again, I was only 5 years old and so high with Starwars to fancy any other sci-fi/fantasy film (ok... "Neverending Story" excluded).

This 1986 film was a collaboration between director Jim Henson (The Muppet Show!) and producer George Lucas (Starwars!). I heard it flopped back then but a steady following was there up until today (obviously, Hairy Critter included) which elevated the movie amongst cult classics.

There's nothing much fascinatingly moving from the storyline itself. It's textbook fantasy with mediocre, if not poor, plot. The icing comes from the fact that by that time computer animation on films is just near wishful thinking so almost all of the entire "Labyrinth" set is manually designed and crafted by the infamous Industrial Light and Magic (I.L.M.). Knowing that the movie is created without computer aid gives you the idea of how much creative-work is done and how vivid the imagination is required to come up with such an enchanting feel on every settings and puppetries. With it, I can say that the magnificent production works alone more than fill up for what the movie lacks in twists and plots.

It's also worth to take note of the very "new wave"/80's feel of the theme. I dig! And all those teased-up hair, "baston" jeans, and black spandex too. The David Bowie musical on parts of the film projects an aura of psychedelia which reminds me of the Beatle's "Magical Mystery Tour" and idol Caroll's "Alice in Wonderland". The combined mystical effect brought about by the set, the music, and the casts is what makes the movie a magical ride, in general.

Most humours are, compared to date, oddly clichés and offbeat. David Bowie makes a nice antagonist. He's scary, in a strange way. Well, in costume or not, he's hauntingly scary anyway. Haha. The young Jennifer Connelly is sooo cute. I can see why she's still making a hubbub on showbiz now after all those years. Her role in the film is pretty straightforward to portray so it should not be a challenge.

In all, "Labyrinth" is a nice family entertainment because of its aesthetics and an appreciative masterpiece for the masterminds behind it. The brilliance who was Jim Henson and his artistry was very evident on this movie. He's truly missed.

I rate it eight out of ten goblins.

Most Bestesest Week of the Year, Part 2

What capped my vacation this first weekend of May was the SE 14 Retreat. Two weeks after and I'm still too high to actually start doing "serious" work. What I thought was just this typical retreat scenario that I have in mind has actually been a very meaningful and memorable activity for me. Sabi ko "hindi ako iiyak". Not that I'm not contented with my life. Not that I have grievances that I'm not over with. Not that I wear a mask I finally wanted to let go of.

I love my life despite misgivings and imperfections. And I acknowledge each and every one of it.

Pero umiyak ako.

My mom and sib's letters did it. On the last day pa! Funny since my mom's not used to writing a letter... it's literally "kinahig ng manok". And she knows it! Somewhere in the middle of the letter was something like "...pasensya na, alam mo namang hindi ako sanay mag sulat." Kaya para akong tanga. Tumatawa ako habang lumuluha. Hanggang ngayon, my eyes well up when I remember that. I'm just too sensitive when it comes to my mom. I extra love God for the gift of her.

Hindi sila nakapunta that Sunday. But I understand why. Oks lang. I have my dad Bozz Beef (Gelo) and my (ano nga ulit tawag mo dun Gelo: "kapanganay"?!? hahaha) whatever... si Lou. Thanks sa inyo.

Thanks goes to the entire sponsoring batch, SE13! And thanks mucho too to the entire Apostolate who've worked so hard for the meaningful weekend!

SE14 is Love. Madami pa kaming pagdadaanan and I want to see my faith with God grow alongside theirs.

*****
New picture albums in my Multiply site...
SE 14 Weekend (Click Me)
First Tambay Sessions with SE 14 (Click Me)
SE14 Tambay Session, Part Deux (Click Me)
Balikbayan Bakasyon (Click Me)

100 Questions - for SE? (It's Everywhere!)

This kept me awake this morning. Official survey ba ng SE ito?

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT
left arm, for being such a reckless hyperactive tweeb back in my youngster years.

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
accumulated dirt.

3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?
i rarely snore but the people in our house says i do when i’m dead tired. i tell em to record it when they hear me snore. so far, there’s still no successful catch.

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
depends on the mood but the range goes loud rock, reggae, acoustics, local pop bands, techno, and even classic stuffs from Beatles to Fra Lipo Lippi to Spice Girls (yes, Spice Girls! me angal?)

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
i wish i knew.

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
three wishes from a pretty genie (none of this annoying, beer belly-toting, blue-skinned bloke huh?)

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
kwekwek ni Manong Fishball sa UP!

Manong Fishball's Friendster Account
8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?
my talents (hahaha how geeky)

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
5' 7" and a half

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
nopes.

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
nopes. i used to.

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
mommy groovy.

13. WHATS YOUR WORST FEAR?
meeting Madam Auring alone on a dark alley

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
shiny jet black hair (parang shampoo commercial), sabihin ko sana purple eyes pero di ba mukang clown na yun?

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF PROPOSING / BEING PROPOSED TO AT?
ideally by the shore but who knows, i love spontaneity (tinignan ko pa spelling nito, demmit)

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
coffee please.

17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
pepperoni, bacon

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Batangas lomi!

19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
any shades of violet.

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
iL try soon.

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
too lazy to reminisce right now.

22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
aba syempre.

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
nopes.

24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
nothing in particular but i love ragged tees so stuffs like Artwork’s appeals to me.

25. WHO IS THE HOTTEST FEMALE/MALE CELEBRITY?
Rachel Weisz, she ages soooo pretty well!

26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?
nopes, but i’m planning to restore our aquarium and fill it with those colorful, tiny fishes that darts around quickly.

27. WHAT KIND IS IT?
no idea.

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
syempre. how can you stop falling.

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
3.1416

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
brunettes

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?
huh, trick question?

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
ladies hahaha!

36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?
Manong Fishball is famous, no? he’s got a Friendster account with tons of friends on it.

37. FIRST JOB?
software analyst for this huge IT company (well, that’s what i say when girls ask for my job… else, i just say “sa Computer!”)

HP-loving on top of Mount Manabo
38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
can’t remember, but most likely i did.

39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOULMATE?
somebody has to make me believe these stuffs again.

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
copied the questions to a Notepad

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
yeps. almost all male Catholics should have at least one on their lifetime. :D

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
my mom’s cooking?

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
nopes.

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
a spanky new car and a first-class condo suit in Makati (mangangarap lang, sasagarin ko na!)

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?
f o u r

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Randell’s from Randal Kleiser, producer and director of the classic Brooke Shields film “Blue Lagoon” and siya din pala director ng “Grease”. Obi’s from (obviously) Obi-wan Kenobi, Jedi Master in Starwars (hoooow geeeky).

47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
uber sophistication

48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU MISS ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
kranky old teachers and brothers

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
uh hello? may shampoo na ba sa anit?

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
yeps. maangas.

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
beef! shawarma! burger!

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
i rarely say “NO”. haha.

53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?
not really.

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
syempre! para dalwa na kaming flip sa mundo! woohoo!

55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?
napag-uusapan yan.

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
syemps.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
i shoot people with my airsoft guns… sa actual game naman :) but seriously i have TONS of outlets to vent on.

One of our team's airsoft invitational tour in Pampanga
59. WHATS YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE?
to either be a politician then hop into showbiz or be an actor first so i can run for a government position. haha!

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
Micromachine cars and G.I. Joe action figures, tsaka yung latang truck na may pull-strings.

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?
*checks* 486… sim and internal memory combined

62.WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?
hindi ko inabot yan… i don’t think iL like him though even when it’s purple

63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
minsan, yeps.

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
macaroni.

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
natural. koboy (how do you translate that in English?). sweet. funny. adventurous. has a cute smile that matches her chinky eyes… oh men, killer yan.

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NAMES?
Randell. Obi. Obs. Bi (sinasagot ko ito ng “yes, baby?” hahaha).

67. Sino nag-bura ng number 67??

68. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Doraemon. Spongebob. Ula, Ang Batang Gubat.

69.WHATS THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?
don’t mind them.

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
choco marble.

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
fortunately, yeps.

72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?
nopes.

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
dinner with the SE14 dudes.

74. WHAT'S THE FASTEST YOU'VE EVER GONE IN A CAR?
130+ kph in Pangasinan

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
yeps… spread the love!

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
hillsong playlist… thanks Roch!

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?
tubig.

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
*checks* it’s Hairy Critter of da Shak.

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
smile.

80. WHAT DO U LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
write. read. paint.

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?
nuts.

82. FAVORITE MONTH OF THE YEAR?
march and December!

83. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?
yeah… Peter’s Butter Ball! \m/

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?
yeps yeps.

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?
it was black. ngayon anit na lang siya. hahaha.

86. EYE COLOR?
black hole black. yes, it can pull you unto me. hahaha.

88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
MikDonelds, Oody’s, Burger King, Greenwich!

89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Something Fishy!

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
why not.

91. LAST THING YOU WATCHED?
the morning Ayala rush hour, with all those people passing hither and tither.

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
birthday ko, syemps.

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
guitars. bass guitar. some keyboards. bamboo flute, hehe.

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?
none. i don’t mess with politics. i just want to heckle from the sidelines.

95. KISSES OR HUGS?
yeps, both please.

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
relationships. (wushus! hahaha.)

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
tuna pie.

98. DO YOU HAVE A LOW SELF ESTEEM OR A HIGH SELF ESTEEM?
sakto lang.

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Idiot’s Guide to Jesus, Hunters of Dune (sci-fi), The Camera Phone Book

100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE:
ano yan? nakakain ba yan? hahaha!

Most Bestesest Week of the Year, Part 1

Filed a leave from work for April 28 to 30 and May 2, and apprehensively delegated this harder-than-usual project to my team knowing that after a nine-day sabbatical, work will pile heaps on my desk.

BUT the week has been very very well worth it!!!!

Saturday (April 26)
It was my sister's birthday. Happy birthday, Cheng!

Sabi ni Toto, "Peace y'all brotha in the hood yo, Bronx style ghetto!" Haha.

I headed to the airport to pick up Bonita and his Koya Toto. Boi has been a very very good friend since we were this --> (",) <-- small and the last time she was here was like 8 years ago already! Too bad they have to move to NY for good. Toto's a good friend too and their youngest sister Ava is Cheng's bestfriend. Galing, right?

We then went straight to Lipa where a huuuge banquet was waiting in Mataas-na-Kahoy (it was also Toto's birthday the next day) and y'know how celebrations were in the provinces... it should be a feast! Imbitado ang buong Pilipinas pati ang lolo ng mga lolo nilang lahat! Plus, we contacted all our gradeschool classmates for a reunion. So ayun. Reunion, birthday, salubong party rolled in to one.

Attendance (Batch 97 - FABES): Emon, Ichie + 1, Baje, Ako, Jojo, Choi, Cezar + kid, Alex, Larry, Leah + mate, Joanne, Elsa, Lloyd, Pene + 1, Bonita

Uber reminiscing followed with Saint Mike's Light Barley (San Mig Lights) in tow. Class dismissed at around 2AM.

L-R (but go figure how): Jo, Choi, Ichie + 1, Alex, Pene + 1, Elsa, Cez + 1, Joanne, Baje, Lloyd, Leah + 1, Emon, Larry, Obi, Boi

Sunday (April 27)
For personal reasons, I din't stay at our house in Batangas. During my stay in Lipa, I was at Ate Minette's house. Thanks, te Minette! She's Boi's older sister.

For the same reason, I was never able to visit Lipa for like two years already and a LOT changed. So to catch up, I met up with highschool friends Jai, Wends, and Teta. It rocks to see these people again. La Salle-Lipa is LOVE!

Si Jai, partner-in-crime ko nung HS. One crazy git. He's the one who got me into prose writing (we started with mystery-adventures ala Hardy Boys/Sherlock Holmes). Wendy was the class president and I was the vice for one of the best section I've had in HS... Casino 306! Thus coined because almost all of the class was suspended because of gambling (Lucky 9 sa calculator!)... I was excluded! My smiling-cute-and-cuddly worked wonders for the FSC brothers. Wa-epek lang talaga yun kay Brother Dodo (asa La Salle-Greenhills na daw siya ngayon) kasi suki ako nun sa pag-gunting ng buhok ko pag nahuling mahaba! Haha. Si Teta was me and Jai's nanay back then. Now, she's a mom for real. We're proud of you Kristine!

Ayan. Sausage fest daw si Wendy. (Me, Wends, and Jai)
Monday (April 28)
Maaga pa, sibat na agad kami papuntang Domestic Airport nila Bonita, Toto, and te Minette. We flew to Cebu in a Cebu Pacific airline with Kuya Reden, their bro. He was the captain of that flight. Angas. Coincidentally, Yuki and April were on the same plane. Both has been my tambay-mates back in Sydney.

We stayed at Kuya Reden's suite in Day's Hotel. Lunch was at Grand Majestic Resto with Sir Rhymus (I love saying that... so Victorian) and family. He was my dad's underclassman back in the military flight school. He also toured us around the area from the old Coron Street up to the infamous Vicente Sotto (canister-up-the-wazoo) Hospital. That night, we went clubbing.

Enjoying the view at Fort San Pedro(?)
Wednesday (April 30)
Boi's been sampling the foods that she missed, from Jollibee to Greenwich to Aling Nene's (?) Siopao! That day, we went mall-hopping. First stop: Greenhills - shopping spree ensued. Then, we transferred to the Makati area where hopefully nobody from the office saw me (I told them iL be in Batangas the whole time).

Thursday (May 1)
I was texting my team back in the office as early as 8:00AM (yes, sa opis namin... sobraaang aga pa ng 8AM!) para mangamusta kung buhay pa sila hehe. I was sniggering to myself when one of em replied that it was a holiday. Labor day nga pala haha. Bopols.

Anyway, we drove to Talisay, Batangas. The original plan was to go to Tagaytay and see what we can do there but Koya Joel (who drove for us) thought it would be better to get up close in the crater instead of looking at it from Tagaytay. So from Talisay, we hired a boat to Volcano Island, then from there we did horseback ride up to the crater. Along the way, I was able to have some chit-chats with the locals and realized that I could actually propose a climbing expedition here with my mountaineering mates. That would be a cool prospect, we'll see.

Friday to Sunday (May 2-4)
Singles Encounter Weekend at Angels' Hills, Tagaytay!

Go, Jericho! Go!
Those days have been another set of awesome fun to complete my most bestesest week of the year, so it deserves a separate journal entry. Bukas na lang.

For now, I'm waist-deep with unfinished work here in the office, each clamouring for my preoccupied attention. Masyado pa kong high from the SE Weekend to really do anything full-focus.

Whew!