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The BoB Couples

Published terribly early in the morning of April 30, 2007

From the same set of photos taken at the UP Sunken Garden just after iBlog3, here’s another set featuring two couples (multiply mirror) from the Band of Bloggers. This should be a pleasant surprise for Marc, Sharms, Rico, & Sasha as they are now in Bohol for some R&R.

That’s one set of photos down, several more to go.

Addendum: These photos and those of the BoB ladies wouldn’t be good enough if it weren’t for Eugene and Rico who were game enough to take on the reflector fill duties. Thanks guys!

9 Replies· 2007.04.30

Five on Friday: Reasons & Apologies

Published in the late evening of April 28, 2007

Last Friday I promised that there will be a late Five on Friday post for today, but it seems I couldn’t think of a good list to work on. Here’s five reasons why:

1. Farewell Dinner. Soulhunter, my good friend from our office and constant boxing mate, is leaving for another company. It was just appropriate for us to have a big, sumptuous dinner with our regular lunchmates, share a few goodbye stories and then some. Though he’ll just be a few minutes away, I know we will all miss him in our workplace. I’ll be reading even more of your blogs now.
2. Tulad Ng Dati. I had to rush from the Friday dinner to Megamall to watch “Tulad Ng Dati” with Joey and Jonas. Us being recently nostalgic with our high school batch’s activities, we felt a strong connection with the fictional drama loosely based on the lives of the members of rock legends The Dawn. I think there was at least one scene I felt like crying. Yeah I’m one big crybaby.
3. Pisay ‘96 Radio. After the movie, we felt the strong urge to proceed with the mini project we planned during our coastal cleanup project: a podcast/radio show! Using the spare pisay96 domain a friend was keeping, www.pisay96.net is now online! And our first stab at online radio/podcasting is now ready for consumption. Promise the next one will be looser and funnier.
4. Mizuno Gift Checks. The laugh–til–they–cry ladies of Mobile Philippines, Upper and Eva, gave me complimentary Mizuno gift checks. I had to go all the way to their Magallanes branch this afternoon because the checks were expiring on Monday. Sadly, I couldn’t resist a good pair of sneakers that I ended up coughing up cash to add to the checks.
5. Victory dinner. Another high school batchmate is doing something big today: a dinner celebration for passing the bar! Congrats to Atty. RE Ramirez, I’m off to your place in a few minutes!

My list of alibis and excuses for missing the mark, my apologies. I guess there you have it, my Five on Friday list for this week. On a Saturday.

3 Replies· 2007.04.28

Playful Ayel

Published in the early evening of April 27, 2007

Five on Friday will likely be a few hours late again as I have to catch a friend’s dinner treat and then the night’s last full show of the Cinemalaya 2006 Best Film “Tulad Ng Dati.” For now, here’s a set of photos (multiply mirror) of my very handsome pamangkin.

6 Replies· 2007.04.27

Faux Productivity

Published in the early evening of April 25, 2007

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve had this habit of keeping a list of things I need to do. My little “To-Do List” comes in many incarnations; it used to be short notes written at the back of a gas station receipt, though now it has transformed into an electronic text file that I keep and update in my gmail account. Briefly, tasks were also self–addressed emails so I have no reason not to miss them.

But now there’s problem.

In the past few weeks, I’ve tried a combination of my task listing techniques. Unfortunately, it only leaves me with an inbox full of unread messages and a text file exponentially growing with the list of things I need and want to do. This goes for all personal projects and goals as well as work–related deliverables — I can hardly put the right effort to finish them all. It seems I’m now in the business of making a task list, instead of actually completing tasks.

I’ve taken the suggestion of saying “No” — declining and not doing tasks that aren’t absolutely necessary. Somehow, it works to a certain degree, but still not good enough. The “now mentality” also fails me miserably I think I could qualify for the world’s greatest procrastinator award, if someone actually gets to making one. Tomorrow.

Are there any productivity tips you can share to help?

9 Replies· 2007.04.25

Five on Friday: Surprise Date Spots

Published in the wee hours of April 21, 2007

I’m running late as we’re leaving for Pangasinan in less than an hour. Yes, this entry’s missing my regular Five on Friday post by a few minutes, so this better be good.

So let’s talk about dating. Specifically, little date spots you can take your sweetest thing to, on a whim, in the spur of the moment.

1. Moomba Mother Ignacia St. near Roces Ave.
   Jobarclix will kill me for sharing this. Moomba is this nice restaurant/bar at the end of Mother Ignacia Street, almost where it intersects with Roces Avenue. On weekdays, various local indie acts play relaxing music for most of the evening, setting the perfect mood for couples and friends just passing the night away.

   It’s quite hard to explain, but the ambiance of this place is so perfect for a nice date. The music’s not too loud, the food is good — all you need is your perfect company for the night. In fact, this place has a lot of history among our friends that it seems a relationship cannot start without passing the Moomba stage.

2. Dencio’s Ayala Heights, Balara
   Now how can a Dencio’s branch be romantic? This one’s different though: it’s on top of a building overlooking the Capitol Hills gold course, where you get a bird’s eye view of the posh subdivisions nearby and of course, Marikina Valley. This without driving to Antipolo or Tagaytay.

3. Chocolate Kiss Bahay ng Alumni, UP–Diliman
   This should be a cliche for most UP–Diliman grads, but this place is still fancy enough for a quick dinner. The food is very good, especially their famous cakes! If you’re in luck, there are days when a guitar duo plays live classical music, and if luck is raining down on you, a piano–violent duet. Who knows, maybe they could play your (and your partner’s) cheesy theme song. And this just within UP, less than an hour’s drive from anywhere in Metro Manila.

4. Starbucks Tagaytay
   If you’re buying the girl of your dreams a cup of coffee, it might as well be special, right? Take her to Tagaytay! This line still makes me smile: “Coffee naman tayo, sa Starbucks — sa Tagaytay.”

5. Boracay Philippines
   You’ve got to have a lot of madness in your mind to pull this off: pack a backpack of clothes for you and your girl and fly off to Boracay for a getaway weekend! Just sit by the shore and watch the last light of day tell the story of the picturesque Boracay sunset. As night falls and the full moon shines upon the oneness of the two of you, dream the night away.

Now I sound cheesier than queso de bola. It’s either I’m sick or I’m in love. Or maybe I just need a good excuse for a late Five on Friday post. I don’t know, you tell me. And do share your date ideas, okay?

But wait, we all know it isn’t really the place but the company, right? That I’m sure of. Really.

17 Replies· 2007.04.21

In the fields

Published in the late afternoon of April 17, 2007

From the same set of photos from our high school batch’s medical mission:

This weekend, April 21 & 22, Pisay ‘96 will be at the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan for an Earth Day coastal cleanup. We are looking for volunteers who can lend a hand and somehow make a difference for the environment. Needless to say, we will definitely have fun as we’ll probably go island hopping the day after! Game?

Third photo taken by Joey. Models: Sherwin, Joey, Lloyd, Markku, Joy, Michelle.

9 Replies· 2007.04.17

The BoB Girls

Published in the late afternoon of April 15, 2007

I was at iBlog3 yesterday and enjoyed the wonderful talks from fellow bloggers, as well as the in–the–sidelines small talk in between (and during!) sessions. With the conference being at the UP School of Economics, we knew we had to take pictures at the Sunken Garden, just a few steps away from the venue.

Instead of posting them all, here’s just the first set: The BoB ladies!

I’m sure you’d all agree how lovely Sasha, Sharms, Aileen, and Gail are in these photos! Up next: the couples!

15 Replies· 2007.04.15

Five on Friday: Inspirational Books

Published at around evening time of April 13, 2007

Continuing the “Five on Friday” series I started last week, I’m doing a list of inspirational fiction that are I keep on remembering and re–reading no matter what other books I come across. In this installment of the series, we’re talking happier thoughts instead, just as Karla, Aileen, and Amanda suggested. Drama is so over–rated.

1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

   Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.

2. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

   One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.

3. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

   If our friendship depends on things like space and time, then when we finally overcome space and time, we’ve destroyed our own brotherhood! But overcome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now. And in the middle of Here and Now, don’t you think that we might see each other once or twice?

4. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

   One must find the source within one’s own Self, one must possess it.

5. The Red Badge Of Courage by Stephen Crane

   Within him, as he hurled himself forward, was born a love, a despairing fondness for this flag which was near him. It was a creation of beauty and invulnerability.

So that’s my list of books that somehow managed to inspire me through the years. Of course it doesn’t include those I haven’t read yet, and I refrained from listing two books from the same author for my top 5, where certainly another Coelho would’ve made the list.

What are your favorite inspirational works?

11 Replies· 2007.04.13

Pisay ‘96 Medical Mission

Published mid-afternoon of April 10, 2007

Similar to the Streetkids Christmas Party we had last December, our high school batch had a medical mission at Lubao, Pampanga last February. I’m not gonna explain nor justify our efforts, instead I’m gonna plead for support and progressive ideas as we take bolder steps to making a difference.

Of course I took photos (mirror @ multiply), pardon the fact that they’re a little over a month late.

(Photo credits: Markku Seguerra, Sherwin Sayson, Joey Climaco)

7 Replies· 2007.04.10

The Blog Awards on Blog-O-Rama

Published in the late afternoon of April 9, 2007

Hello pinoy bloggers. We’re on the Manila Bulletin! Here’s a scanned copy for those who love to save trees.

11 Replies· 2007.04.09

Five on Friday: Songs To Cry To…

Published late at night of April 6, 2007

I’ve been putting too much thinking into my blogging that I end up hardly writing at all, so now I’m starting a personal meme I’m calling “Five on Friday.” Every Friday, I will write a list of five things on a topic I find worthwhile. If this turns out well, it’ll guarantee at least four posts in one month, or at least one post a week! That’s a milestone. Hopefully.

My first list I’m calling “Songs To Cry To…”, tracks in heavy rotation on my iPod that make me feel like sinking into a bottle of San Mig Light:

1. Kahit Na by Bridge
   Di na kailangan pang mag-isip kung tayo nang dalawa / Di sa lahat ng bagay tayo ay magkatugma / Basta’t pag-ibig natin ang siyang magdadala / Bahala na

   How can you not remember the times when you used to think that love is all that matters?

2. Stuck in a Moment by U2
   I am still enchanted / By the light you brought to me / I listen through your ears / Through your eyes I can see
   …
   And if the night runs over / And if the day won’t last / And if your way should falter / Along this stony pass
   It’s just a moment / This time will pass

   One of U2’s most beautiful songs. Honestly, the way I hear it, this is a song of hope, of trials and tribulations. But the verse I quoted above I find very interesting — about seeing the world through the eyes of someone else you held close to your heart. A story of lost love and hope?

3. Beer by Itchyworms
   Nais kong magpakalasing dahil wala ka na / Nakatingin sa salamin at nag-iisa / Nakatanim pa rin ang gumamelang binigay mo sa’kin nang tayo’y magkahiwalay / Ito’y katulad ng damdamin ko kahit buhusan mo ng beer ayaw pang mamatay

   Now I’m seeing a trend that I’ve been listening to songs of the lost love tragedy type. This cut from the Itchyworms reaches e-heads level in drama and music, one that will continue to be sung even years from now. If you haven’t heard their “Beer Lite” acoustic version, grab a copy of their CD! You’ll see the song in an even sadder and soulful light. Beer nga.

4. The Scientist by Coldplay
   Come up to meet you, Tell you I’m sorry, You don’t know how lovely you are / I had to find you, Tell you I need you, Tell you I set you apart

   Yes I really do need a cold beer right now. I’ve been listening to a lot of Coldplay (and Keane) the past week that I’ve been addicted to their sound with this song haunting my head. It’s such a shame for us to part…

5. Grateful by Julianne
   Grateful for the day you called my name / Ever since you walked into the door it’s never been the same / Mornings are brighter now, I’m not afraid / And I wake up each day with a smile on my face
   ‘Coz I’ve been in places where I couldn’t even see the light of day / And then you came

   This is a track from new local artist Julianne, who sounds different to most female local acts today. A little bit of Cynthia Alexander, lots of acoustic guitar work and all original compositions. None of the usual cover songs that most female acts have been recently fond of.

   Now here’s something refreshing, one that looks at the world in a very positive light. Like the early–morning light that promises a brand new day. Tomorrow. Hope. Listen to it, I promise you’ll like it.

Now let me share some text from Paulo Coelho’s “Like the Flowing River,” last paragraph of page 6:

Encouraged by this recollection, I pick up my spear again, attack the weeds I did not invite to grow in my garden, and am left with this morning’s one lesson: when something undesirable grows in my soul, I ask God to give me the same courage mercilessly to pluck it out.

Just a few not–too–coherent thoughts for some lenten reflection.

13 Replies· 2007.04.06

We can work it out

Published in the wee hours of April 6, 2007

To us PBA07–aware pinoy bloggers, can’t we all just agree to disagree?

There’s a lot more to talk about. After all, we aren’t the only ones blogging from this side of the planet. We’re just taking away the positive buzz with all this fuzz. (That rhyme was brought to you by the letter “B” and the number “7.”)

Try to see it my way,
Do I have to keep on talking till I can’t go on?
While you see it your way,
Run the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone.
We can work it out,
We can work it out.

A friendly game of blogger basketball, anyone?

30 Replies· 2007.04.06

Naked!

Published in the early evening of April 5, 2007

Yeah, this blog’s goin’ naked at least for today. Just plain markup without style! Why? The 5th of April is CSS Naked Day — promoting web standards for everyone. Now strip!

5 Replies· 2007.04.05

iPAP Wins!

Published in the early evening of April 2, 2007

iPAP won the “Best Plugin/Extension” special award in last Saturday’s 2007 Philippine Blog Awards! I would’ve written about it yesterday but realized it wouldn’t be so real especially if blogged on April Fools’ Day. Okay I was really asleep most of Sunday, not to mention that everyone was writing about the blog awards another entry on the subject would just go unnoticed.

The event was a success and truly a significant milestone for Filipino bloggers. To the head organizers Abe, Jayvee, and Gail, and all the hardworking volunteers, great job! And to the rest of the pinoy blogosphere, here’s to another year of fruitful blogging. Make a difference!

28 Replies· 2007.04.02