Happiness is a Backpack

"She's not a girl who misses much..."
- Happiness is a Warm Gun (Lennon/McCartney)

"Backpack, backpack!"
- Dora the Explorer

Last year, I mostly traveled with a suitcase, the first time I did so after oh-so many years (okay, maybe not that many)--- and it did feel strange. I had mostly travelled using a backpack even though I would be gone for weeks. The convenience of using a backpack is pretty obvious: even though it's a burden on your back it makes you more mobile horizontally, vertically and all its directional possibilities.

When I first started using a backpack in a, well, "backpacker" sense I was in my mid-20s, finally liberated from the fears of independent travel thus courageous enough to go on what I used to call back in college as "Lonely Planet-ing". Now, in my early 30s and after a year of suitcase traveling, I am faced again with the prospect of having this thing on my back, scaling mountains (literally) and exploring places I haven't gone to before.

A mark of a real sexy leg: a splatter of mud,
feet wrapped in hiking shoes.

Am I excited? Hell yeah. Scared? Even more.

I am worried about the physical requirements of going outdoors, to be honest. I am not hardcore; I just like to do things and it is my ambition. Preparation is important; I have gone on hikes where I suffered because I wasn't physically prepared. Heck, I threw up in my sleep when I was on Mt Kinabalu and I've noticed going heady in the first thirty minutes of any climb because of altitude sickness. My problem now is, yes, I am anything but prepared.

I don't sound very encouraging.

I will be off to the mountains very, very soon and I am SO excited. But I have to say that everyday realities have dampened this excitement because I have been too busy that I haven't even packed yet. The backpack hasn't been dusted off, the shoes are still caked with dried mud. I am far from being a proper explorer because I have been too anchored. I feel like I am being thrown off into the unknown, into this familiar place of not knowing.

Then again maybe that is the entire juice of happiness: you will just realize it while in the middle of it. It is not necessarily marked by anything. Maybe, when I make my way up north, freezing on a bus, the wave of relief and wonder will just hit. It's like that moment of carrying heavy load on your back: you'll notice that amidst the pain the prize comes in the form of experience that cannot be easily contested. It's in the miles you cover, the places of immersion, the universe suddenly rolled into the marks you make on your map.

Sometimes I cannot help but roll my eyes every time people remark this statement when a vacation ends and they go back to the daily grind: "back to reality". Why do they consider such experience a mere escape? Do we go on adventures to "get away" from our lives? How come it is not part of reality?

To be honest I don't want to think of these moments of adventures as compensation. It's part and parcel of the entire picture. It's also the reason why you breathe, it's not just a reason why you have to work.

But anyway. Funny how a friend told me to "relax" while I'm away. I told him it's going to be far from relaxing. I can just imagine bruises, cuts and moments of screaming my head off and complaining why I subject myself to these things--- and then afterwards I complain why I do not do it most of the time. It's like that song that goes, "So I walked under a bus, I got hit by a train, keep falling in-love, which is kind of the same... and it felt so good, I wanna do it again". A masochist's theme? Nah. I call it luurrvvee.

Besides, if I want to relax, I have a comfy couch in my living room and my Y Tu Mama Tambien DVD to keep me entertained.

I am no longer fat, but I am still voluptuous

Damn you, ca-lo-rieeesss!!!

This is a shameless post. But then again, why should I be ashamed especially if I want to share something that a LOT of people are probably trying to, say, solve?

This time, I am going to talk about weight.

I was a stick insect. I was one of those kids who weighed eighty pounds at almost five feet. I was thin before I hit puberty that neighbors suspected I had tuberculosis and even my aunts and uncles muttered "malnourished" at the sight of me. Seriously. I was that thin that my eyes seemed big and everybody called me kuwago (owl). I used to run to my grandmother and cried because teasing was so mean among kids, and I wasn't so sure if kuwago was less offensive than kabayo (horse) which they called my neighbor Cheryl. My lola had to point out that they called me kuwago because I was smart and had high grades, and that my other playmate was a bigger kuwago than I was (count on my grandmother to make me feel waaay better).

When the teen years hit I started to have, say, more flesh. I can still remember when this happened: it was the week I returned to school after missing out on two weeks of schoolwork due to chicken pox. See, I had chicken pox to thank for: not only did I gain a bit of weight, but at that time I discovered the wonders of Chin Chun Su which our househelp prodded me to use so I would avoid potential marks due to the pox. Ah, that "pearl cream" that flooded the Chinese drugstores! Chin Chun Su was so popular it can probably beat different variations of glutathione in the ass. And it's waaaay cheaper too!

Going back to the weight. Anyway.

For most of my life I was pretty toned and slim. I wasn't thin-thin --- my younger sister got the "thinner" gene. I was fit because I was active. When I started working, I was a member of Slimmers World and then Fitness First; I actually HATE running but I pushed myself to go on the treadmill. I made it a point to climb at least one mountain a year. I went to as many travel-adventures as I could. My muscles were awake. I was burning, burning... and why does it --- what's the word --- BUUURN!

Well, until I got older. And quit the gym because I would rather watch 30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray than go on a spinning class. Ka-bam.

My advocacy is No Carbs Left Behind.

Of course, MANY people had to remark that I got fat even though I am not fat or say, "overweight", by definition. Yas, ang taba mo!!! Yas, tumaba ka ba? Yas, bakit ang laki ng hita mo? Yas, I didn't realize you have BOOBS! Huh. My friend Liz actually had to tell me several times of that fact: I wasn't fat, I just used to be way thinner, which is, really, a kinder way to say that I've gained massive weight. Fine, I gained at least ten pounds in three years. Satisfied? When I was hospitalized and I was on steroids I gained so much weight that I weighed more than Bridget Jones on a bad day. Satisfied?

The thing is --- why sit on my ass and complain and feel sorry for myself? It will eventually amount to another ten pounds!

Of course, in addition to the fact that it felt strange for me to look in the mirror and see myself, well, growing, I was concerned for my health. It's the usual complaint: I was heavier thus I felt heavier. Moments of struggling to breathe. My knees were starting to ache. I was scared to climb a hill. I like to read health articles and it usually scares the shit out of me (like they're my horror fix). And man, the torture of being told by certified, uh, persons of mass that I was horizontally challenged! Oh, my mental and emotional health!

The quest to at least keept at it was through efforts of working out at home. I have a couple of DVDs on yoga, pilates, and Tae-bo Jam! But man, it was hard. I love to eat and I love not to exercise. My post-work routine was cook, eat and then lie on the couch to watch TV; I even pushed myself to survive through the junk on the tube until I get to the real junk which is the paparazzi TV show TMZ before it hits midnight (which I luurvve). Still, I my Body Mass Index was a few knots from the "overweight" line!

But something happened this year. Oh, how life can change by one small thing: I let my cable get cut.

Can you believe that the lack of television has, at least, contributed to my weight-loss program? Since I live alone I can do whatever I want --- and yes, that includes prancing around naked, theoretically speaking --- one of the things I like to do is when I get bored, I roll out my yoga mat and pop in a workout DVD!

Yes. I admit. I do Yoga-Flex with Kathy Lee, Tae-bo and Turbo Jam with Billy Blanks, and even Kristin McGee's MTV Pilates workout. I am a fan of Hip-Hop Abs --- I always make it a point to have a date with Shaun-T and the gang at least thrice a week. I see them more than I see my family and friends!

I am not saying I have significantly lost weight but with the rate I am going right now I am going to need new pants in less than a month and I can prance around in a string bikini for all I care. I actually lost weight, interestingly, after I got out of the hospital, when the steroids were tapered off. But then again, prior to that event I was already on my regimen: I actually started last March. See? The pounds I shed off didn't seem obvious until May, two months after I started it. It does take a lot of work and discipline. And it takes time.

It is indeed a struggle, especially if your body's wheels are no longer in its former form. I have been also changing my diet, and that too, was crucial albeit quite difficult. Basically, it's simple: eating less rice and carbs. I also control my portions. Drink as much water as I can. Drink more green tea, eat more fruits and vegetables. Cut down the junk and fast food, especially soda. I don't deprive myself of sweets, but when I really have to, I prioritize a small bowl of mixed fruit from the supermarket. Oh, and I haven't smoked a puff for more than a month. Yay!

The secret, I guess, is to make it a habit and then make a lifestyle out of it. When I feel like it, which happens at least once a week, I go meatless for a day. For example, I have a cereal drink in the morning, my favorite vegetarian banh-mi at Wabi-Sabi for lunch, my mixed fruit for snacks and then a simple lettuce-tomato-carrots-cucumber salad and a fruit in the evening. When I eat pretty heavy during the day, say, I did go for a cheeseburger, at least a cup of rice with meat, and maybe a doughnut, I try to "cleanse" it by having green tea in the evening and then I go hip-hop abs-ing in the evening and then yoga to cap it off. I also like to walk; there was a time last May when I went home to the Manila house from San Antonio Village in Makati on foot. Seriously. I did get a very bad blister because I was wearing flats, but did it get my heart pumping!

By my estimate I have probably lost at least five pounds since March. That's not much, but considering  I work full time, thus I sit of my ass most of the day and I am NOT on the Biggest Loser.  Not bad.

The downside, however, is that there have been tendencies for perfection, if you know what I mean. Sometimes it felt that it is not enough, like I need to lose more weight. I still look at my thighs with murder in my eyes. I slap my small belly for existing and I always check the state of my arms. It's not really psycho but for me, that's motivation. I have plans to run this weekend for fitness' sake because even though I have been working on my core, endurance is something that I really need to work on. The truth is, weight management does not stop; you do not really do it for the weight, it has to stick with you, as much as possible, for life.


Besides, let's admit this one true thing about weight management and body toning, this objective that unites us all, this one bit that keeps us going and shell out those moollahs, the Benjamins, the anda: it all boils down to what Kevin Spacey says to this gay couple in American Beauty:

I want to look good naked.

Pinning, aka Visual B(H)oarding

I discovered Pinterest during this dramatic period in my life, reminiscent of those Derek Zoolander moments where his perfectly bone-structured face tilts up to the heavens and asks, "Who am I?"

This dramatic moment, actually, was spent mostly watching cooking shows and wishing that I have that job where all I do is go out, plan for dinners, get-togethers and socials, shop for food, cook in a shiny The Hamptons-type of kitchen, and put stuff in my oven as I strut around in a low-cut dress, looking a bit like Giada, as pretty as Nigella, and as sosyal-ly domesticated as Ina. Oh, and with the high talent fees and royalties, of course!

However, being wishy-washy can get boring so I resorted to actually thinking of something practical, and then I suddenly remembered these heaps of self-help stuff, from The Secret to The Purpose-Driven Life. As I had no plans to read (was in a TV watching phase), I decided to go the more creative route and reconsidered this thing called vision boards.


I've actually heard a few vision board stories which normally goes something like, 


I decided to put together a picture of my life, so I saw picture of this house and I pinned it on the board, and after x-years, without realizing it at first, I have been living in this same house!


That's basically the gist. The main point is, I guess, if you put it on the board, you are kinda willing it. Something like conspiring with the universe --- if only the universe can understand what that board means and is cooperative, HRMPF!


Anyways--- maybe the universe was conspiring because the next thing I knew, I was signed up for Pinterest and I started hoarding... I mean, Pinning!


What I actually love about Pinterest is that it gives you the opportunity to look at the pins of other Pinners: your access to information by way of images have become more astounding. I have seen tons of ideas for fashion, design, food, and some products. I actually love visiting the Humor boards because I normally get a kick out of the stuff people come up with which normally comes in memes and hilarious Someecards.


I started my board "For the Home" (how typical) as I initially saw many pins on home ideas. I think, through this exercise, I managed to find out what I really like. There's a touch of eco-friendly and modern, but I don't want to miss out on classics like inner courtyards, rustic brickwork, ironworks, vintage chandeliers, and French windows. I must say everything is on Pinterest. So far.


There was an issue though. Apparently, the "earlier" Pinterest functioned more like a marketplace which means if you pin anything, Pinterest has the right to sell it. I think Pinterest got the entire idea twisted, but then they revised their terms and conditions. Another matter was copyright infringement: this excerpt from an article from the Northern Arizona News explains,


The newly updated terms and privacy conditions, which go into effect on April 6, explicitly explain how content will be managed and copyright will be handled. In regards to “re-pinning,” the terms state that, depending on the individual account settings, users can “display, reproduce, re-pin, modify (e.g., re-format), re-arrange and distribute your User Content on Pinterest for the purposes of operating and providing the Service(s) to you and to our other Users.”


Of course, the issue here is that, if I pin it or repin it, do I claim ownership of the work? The problem is that when pinning many users do not credit their sources, especially the artists who made them. Another problem is that, for example, I found a pretty picture that I wanted to pin and it turns out that the picture I saw was uploaded by someone who does not own the picture, hence, the link of the picture I pinned goes to that, say, "illegal" source. It's pretty confusing.


I understand the consequences of such practices, but hey, this is the Internet. This is the whole point: accessibility. I guess, in order to make this social media effective, we need to instill among the users the importance of citing sources, aka saying something like, "Designed by..." or "Photography by..."

Anyhow, at the moment I am loving the website because it is like Reddit for those who like visual things. And of course ---

And with Pinterest, you start having serious thoughts about grammar. More than twice.

Cupcakes and Traffic and the Circus

As we were about to wrap up our most recent Sunday, aka Father's Day 2012, dark clouds and thunders rolled in. The rains were pretty horrifying; it was pretty strong. Good thing our family had already gone home post-affair and pre-crazy weather: the baptism of my niece and then a brief F-Day sweet snacks at Slice at the Bonifacio High Street, in that pretty new and slick end.

So! To start the week off:

Slice at the BHS

I'm a little cupcake, hear me roar.

I was pretty glad that my sister remembered a dessert place we could flock to other than the usual coffee shop --- and what I mean by "the usual" my eyebrows are pointing at those Western franchises with caffeinated concoctions that normally taste the same (but we are pretty addicted to, unfortunately).
Slice offers the usual pasta, sandwiches, soup, etc. but the main highlights are the sweets, particularly the cupcakes. It was nice they promote the cupcakes according to their health benefits like the presence of fiber, antioxidants, and other great stuff. The calorie counts are left out, of course, haha.

I must say that the cupcakes seemed healthy: they have a good dose of selections with fruit or vegetable cake base and toppings and stuffings. My parents loved the Banana Berry and Morning Glory and my sister in-law had the Pineapple-Carrot Surprise which my two year-old niece, surprisingly, went crazy about. I went the chocolate route and had the Choco Madness which was supposed to be good for me because chocolate is an anti-oxidant and a good pick-me-upper. My four year-old nephew chose the Chocolate Stirrer after pointing at this chocolate bar with a stick in the display case; this turns out to be a sort of milk-and-dessert plate, served with a tiny pitcher of warm milk and you're supposed to stir in the "stirrer" until it melts or you can always opt to bite the bar and finish it off with the milk. Messy and fun and healthy. Many articles have underlined the health benefits of chocolate like in this article from The Huffington Post.

We pretty much enjoyed our snacks, the place was cozy but full, and the waiters were apologetic naman should certain orders get delayed. Cupcakes are at around Php70-80 a pop, which doesn't seem bad but they're pretty small. We enjoyed the coffee but my brother complained his drink (I think it has some "lava" word in it) was too sweet for his taste. I definitely loved the wooden chopping board-like serving trays for the coffee, and I thought it would be lovelier if the cupcakes joined the drink on the platter.

I was just surprised that the cakes were pretty expensive. I remember the cakes, like the blueberry cheesecake, at Php 290. I would have liked to try it, but would I want to order something at that price if I could get a sandwich instead? I thought it wasn't practical, I could always get my cake fix elsewhere. I would definitely go back though should I am around the area for a treat. I just hope they have free Wi-fi. Free wi-fi in commercial establishments should be a law :-D

But You Didn't Have to Cut Me Off

... IDIOT.

Nah, not necessarily crazy about that Gotye tune (it's not bad, it's just FINE), but I keep thinking of this meme every time I encounter douchebags on the road. Which is, in this fine, fine city of Metro Manila, EVERY TIME.

Discipline on the road and that typical road courtesy are SO DAMN HARD to find in Metro Manila. Why? Because many drivers here are not properly trained. We let people drive as long as they can manage to make a vehicle to run. That's it. You can buy your license from a fixer lurking around the Land Transportation Office, and I haven't heard of an actual drive test ANYWHERE in the Philippines. There you go.

I almost had an accident because I was going straight to cross the intersection and I was on the left lane, and then suddenly this guy on a motorbike, out of nowhere, takes a LEFT. What an idiot, if I ran him over, will it be my fault? Many drivers do not use their blinkers properly and ALMOST ALL PUV drivers are inconsiderate when it comes to loading and unloading people. It seems like they only switch lanes WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT and they do not care if there is a long line of vehicles behind them as long as they get to wait for potential passengers. Unbelievable.

Frankly, I am just pissed that we have morons driving on the road. I hope they can be a moron somewhere else, not where lives are at stake. What happened to this proposed (?) law where PUV drivers will be given a proper salary so they do not have to zigzag through the traffic just so they can get the first dibs on the chance of having passengers because they earn according to quota? I thought that was supposed to be implemented this May. And it was supposed to be MANDATORY. How come it seems nothing has changed?

As usual, in this country, I won't be surprised if it is all forgotten or it is shelved because the politicians have already declared a cause for votes but didn't really do anything about it. Again, we are sufferers of national ADHD.

The Rebel Circus on Jam 883 --- rebels to go?

Speaking of ATTENTION... my sister and I arrived at work today as Scotty and Sasha of Jam 883 were wrapping up their morning show The Rebel Circus (sans Show Suzuki). The spiel went as I turned off the engine and we were about to get out of the car when suddenly they mentioned about leaving by end of June.

Are Scotty and Sasha Leaving Jam 883?

We were kinda astounded. My sister and I looked at each other and thought, WHY? WHERE ARE THEY GOING? Why why why? Are they getting married? Are they leaving the country? Is Sasha --- OOOH --- pregnant? Is Scotty --- GASP --- deported?

Do these guys have any idea we are loving them now after Hillary left the Scotty and Hillary whats-that-morning-show-called? And that they're the only morning radio show we like to listen to?

But anyway, we had to get out of the car and pay this nice parking manong in yellow for a day's worth of occupying space in San Antonio Village in Makati.

Life goes on. As usual.

(Blind) Patriotism?

We love this flag.

When I heard that Manny Pacquiao lost the game last Sunday I was immediately disappointed. I think it's a natural reaction: I am not a boxing fan but I have somehow been rooting for him although I am not too sure if politics and preaching go together with punching. But anyhow, I had to know why he lost, if this Bradley person was better than him, and if it was a fight that should topple him from a string of victories.

Apparently not. A lot of people are crying foul.

It has been a few days after the fight and a lot of people are still talking about it. I can just imagine the regular Dhong still bellowing curses and, if the viral photo was real, Mommy Dionisia would still be recuperating from a fainting spell after the defeat. Jokes have come and gone about Birkins and luxury cars, but what the heck, according to a computation I saw on Twitter (was it ANC?), every time Pacquiao makes a punch he makes more then FOUR MILLIONS PESOS which he would get post-fight. Whoa.

Of course when Jessica Sanchez lost I was as disappointed. I thought Philip Phillips was good but not as technically good as Jessica, and I am not saying this in manner of blind patriotism, a term that I have been seeing a lot lately (yes, from Jessica Sanchez to that controversial Ba-yo ad). She is just a lot more talented than the white guy with guitar, but then again Jessica Sanchez did not have the entire force of the website Vote for the Worse behind her which apparently has been claiming the victories of all WGWGs in the past five American Idol seasons.

Naturallement, a lot of Filipino people cried foul. Some even dragged China into the issue. Chinese daw si Jessica Sanchez? China voted daw for Philip Phillips?


Offensive. Proud. Defensive. People have been calling us "Flipinoys"; I saw a lot of that in YouTube comments, usually from people outside this country. Why? Because we like to claim madly, we defend too passionately, we get offended too blindly. Of course I felt somehow offended, but in others' defense, oh but it's true. It's supposed to be Pinoy pride. Is it? What is it? How is it Pinoy pride?

We celebrated the country's Independence Day yesterday; yesterday morning I watched mostly animated features on cable (Megamind and Ice Age), in the afternoon I went to a meeting, and in the evening I was mostly channel surfing between cooking shows and confrontational reality TV-shows until I fell asleep to Terminator 2. Of course, as most holidays go, I did not have to, say, pretend that I had to do something, say, holiday-related yesterday. None of us watched the celebrations on TV. The shopping malls were obviously crowded. Life went on, but not necessarily if we are on TV.

How do we really carry our flag? I think this is an important thing to ponder. Do we do this at a celebrity level: support Paquiao like mad, defend Jessica Sanchez, etc.? Or do we get insulted when someone makes a remark about our country and our race, ie Terry Hatcher's character in Desperate Housewives, Claire Danes, etc.? Do we get angry at the guy and his crew who made the video 20 Reasons I Dislike About the Philippines but then love them again because they made 20 Reasons I Love the Philippines?

If we get offended, are we patriotic? We are free because we wanted to, we are free because we defended it. Several times. After fighting for our independence, do we have to fight again for pride?

Symbiosis somehow comes to mind.

If you prick us, do we not bleed?
If you tickle us, do we not laugh?

Back in high school each student was told to recite this quite famous monologue from Merchant of Venice. This episode was pretty memorable: believe me, almost 50% of the class kept saying "If you prickle us..."

And of course, in true Pinoy fashion, all we could do was laugh. I won't be surprised if jokes are made out of it or if China, somehow, is dragged again into the issue.

Manila Turns Musical this August

News have been raining left right and center as to what to watch out for in this incredible city by means of concerts, plays, etc. August is turning out to be a pretty interesting month with THREE BANDS invading these borders that will likely rock the hunger and the purses of enthusiasts. To quote my sister, "Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang kinabukasan ko"... we are going to be hungry, social outcasts and temporarily broke before and after such magical consumption. But who cares?!!

So Skyflakes diet, let's kickeeettt!!

1. THE SMASHING PUMPKINS (yes, I am SCREAMING!!!!)

My dearest James, Billy, Jimmy and D'arcy. 

True, true, they are no longer the original quad(ro?) whom we Gen X-ers and early Gen Y-ers fell in-love with. Who can ever forget "Today" with the catchy guitar intro and the music video where James Iha wears a dress and Billy Corgan in an ice cream man's uniform? How about "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" from the supposedly melancholic double-tape/double-CD (depending on your funds then) Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness? And then there was Adore, with the four going down to three, with my dear Jimmy Chamberlain having to retreat and withdraw due to drug problems daw? And then there was one, with a changing cast of characters who we no longer know?

Billy and... who? Let us fall in-love with you guys.

But who cares? This is THE Smashing Pumpkins. As much as we dream of a reunion of the original band members, in the meantime we can only be treated with the band that is now and the music that will forever wail in our hearts.

That's why Billy Corgan, please make sure to play tons of music from your pre-new Pumpkin era; this will be a surefire way to maintain and gain a fanbase. And... new Pumpkins, let's kick ass, yeah? We're still recovering from the new membership.

Hmm... New Membership. Potential band name.

The Smashing Pumpkins Oceania Global Tour - Smart Araneta Coliseum 
7 August 2012, 8PM

Ticket prices: VIP (limited standing); P4783 (Patron, Standing); P3733 (Lower Box, reserved seating); P1843 (Upper Box A, free seating); P1045 (Upper Box B, free seating); P583 (General Admission).

*At the moment the concert is not on the Smart Araneta and Ticketnet websites but there is a circulating contact number for reservations. Call Charlemagne at 09178334223 or 09228334223 for all sections. 


2. Snow Patrol

Oh my god. These guys, I am in-love with them in manner of reverse "absence makes the heart grow fonder" or more appropriately, the opposite of "out of sight, out of mind" which basically means I am in-love with them EVERY TIME I hear their songs. I don't care what my Brit friend says that they are some nobblybits-whatnot, I have been WANTING this band. Seriously, this band just makes Grey's Anatomy kinda more worth watching. Remember those scenes where someone is about to die, or someone is about to be killed, or someone wants to die? Snow Patrol is usually there, crooning, and you just want to WEEEEPP!

Furthermore, Scotty of Jam 88.3, a Scottish guy who's seen them a few times, declares that Snow Patrol is WORTH WATCHING. Just lookie:

Snow Patrol Live in Manila 2012 - Smart Araneta Coliseum
9 August 2012, 8PM

Ticket prices: P7420 (Patron A); P5830 (Patron B); P4770 (Patron C); P4770 (Lower Box VIP); P4240 (Lower Box Regular); P3180 (Upper Box A VIP); P2650 (Upper Box A Regula); P1590 (Upper Box B); P850 (General Admission)

Visit http://www.ticketnet.com.ph/.


3. Tears for Fears (with a band member from Fra Lippo Lippi)

My only Tears for Fears album. In casette tape.

Alright, so here is something for the hipper and older crowd: the 1980s equivalent of... ah, these guys remain to be incomparable. Of course, growing up in the 80s I was familiar with their songs but my Tears for Fears appreciation came in the early 1990s when I saw their music video "Break It Down Again" and, for some reason, I had the greatest hits album Tears Roll Down which became a "phase" in  sophomore year. I was in-love with "Woman in Chains" and "Sowing the Seeds of Love". But then again, who didn't grow up singing to "Shout... shout... let it all out!"?

Frankly, one of my videoke songs is a Tears for Fears tune... and it's not "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"!!! It's "Head Over Heels", actually :-)

Tears for Fears Live in Manila 2012 - Smart Araneta Coliseum
10 August 2012, 8PM


Ticket prices: P7920 (SVIP and VIP); 5810 (Patron); P4755 (Lower Box); P2640 (Upper Box A); P1585 (Upper Box B); P740 (General Admission)

 Visit http://www.ticketnet.com.ph/


4. Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience

Alright! This section may be quite off, but I love the Harry Potter books and I think I am going to watch this. Potted Potter is actually a condensed parody of the seven books and it has developed from a street performance into a full length play. From August 28 to September 2, Philippine Potter fans, theater enthusiasts and every Dhong, Tikoy and Manny have the opportunity to pick from the ten scheduled shows at the RCBC Plaza in Makati and just be taken away by the alohomoras to the expecto patronums.

Potted Potter - Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza
28 August to 2 September 2012


Ticket prices: P950 (Zone 3); P1900 (Zone 2); P2950 (Zone 1)

Visit: www.ticketworld.com.ph

5. Oh... AND The Phantom of the Opera


It'll be at the CCP starting August 25. Very important play, very big deal they're staging it here. Just go to the bloody Ticketworld website for information and how much you have to shell out just so you can shriek along with "All I Ask of You".


That's it, I'm overwhelmed.

Oh Hail the Half-and-Half

Seriously, I have no problem with ads portraying famous celebrities and "beauties" of this land as a certain-percent Filipino and the rest as something else. I mean, that's the reality. Some people may argue that Filipinos are not, say, "pure", that our bloodlines have been mixed with Chinese, Japanese, Indian and even Spanish races.

I even have to say that with my foreign-like (or pretty "foreign") last name, my family has this three-generations-old legend/joke that our ancestors were really English convicts bound for Australia that ended up in our Pacific-facing province.

Some have expressed they were offended by the ad, some even defended it. I saw a Facebook comment that it all boils down to a "mutt" discussion (haha). Heck, it's on Mashable; the issue's now raised on a web-level that Mashable readers can only understand!

When I first saw it, I thought, "Oh of course, we celebrate the obvious and that is the advantage of the half-and-half". Really. There's nothing wrong with "50% Australian and 50% Filipino" and even "30% Indian and 70% Filipino" (whoa, is this like a complicated genetic computation?), I think the problem is --- they are the MINORITY. It especially comes with a critical slap when the copy of the ad says:

“Call it biased, but the mixing and matching of different nationalities with Filipino blood is almost a sure formula for someone beautiful and world class.”


HAHA, "Call it biased.." it IS! You got that right!

I don't think that the ad is offensive at all, it is just alienating. There is that obvious preference for the "mixed" people, most especially the ones who are part Caucasians. Since college I have friends who kidded about marrying foreigners just so our kids will have the advantage here; it is just SAD and it is so true. We are not only a culture that wants to look white, we have become a culture that gives advantage to those who are not "indigenous". Why can't we just embrace and celebrate EVERYONE, including those who do not have grandparents or parents who are a lighter or darker shade of... fabulous Malay/Pacific Islander tan?!!

Yes, I remember Bayo having a 100% Pinay campaign before which I loved; I think I bought a couple of shirts because of that. Now this makes me wonder --- these mixed-race models Bayo used, where do they tend to lean towards... their Filipino side or the other side? Seriously. Answer this under oath, in the eyes of your god, whatever. I am not saying pick a side; say, are you more Australian or more Filipino or more Chinese or more Indian? Just a question. Because whether you like it or not, Jessica Sanchez is more American than Filipino or Mexican.

Seriously, who cares if you're one-eighth Spanish or whatever. So everything is all about the genes now? Gattaca? Anyone?

And while we're at it, why not revive a 100% Pinay campaign in its real mixed sense?

If you want mixed, there you go. Everybody's happy. 

Nina Simone and My Unmentionables

Since I have been in the mood to kick ass in manner of "Winterfell!", sword in hand, a shield in the other and a wolf by my side, constantly on guard for any attack, I decided to pounce on something that have been piling up for several days: the raging and almost overflowing laundry basket.

There is no joy in hand washing the unmentionables but any household chore can be addressed creatively by popping something interesting on the DVD player. Since I had my cable cut (ayayay), I have been playing Stars' Heart album and Club 8's Strangely Beautiful alternately between marathons and reruns of the likes of Y Tu Mama Tambien, Central du Brasil, Bridget Jones's Diary and Love, Actually (ah, the Brits know what to do with romance and farce). Somehow, I needed a new soundtrack last night, and my eyes managed to land on an Orocan box which contained unpacked stuff from my last stint being roomies with a Canadian boy back in oh-seven.

Oh joy! Lookie --- CDs and books which I have somehow forgotten I own: Death Cab for Cutie's Plans, Tori Amos' The Beekeeper and American Doll Posse, and albums from Toad the Wet Sprocket, Elbow and Trembling Blue Stars. There's the secondhand copy of Tropic of Cancer. Ooh, and a Nina Simone compilation I purchased in Singapore.

Nina Simone. Who can ever forget? What a kick ass woman. Now this is true jazz.

Imagine dissolving the detergent whilst singing with her cover of "Here Comes the Sun" followed by "Seems I'm Never Tired of Loving You"? How about the part where you try to rap around the lyrics of "New World Coming" as you scrub scrub scrub? And keeping yourself from lighting a match to the tune of "To Love Somebody"?

Somehow I remember this meme on Pinterest that goes something like, "Why can't John Hughes write my love story?" Listening to Nina Simone somehow makes me think, "Why can't Nina Simone play in the background as I finally meet my one true love?" Well, as life is not a movie similar to that iconic reunion between Jesse and Celine in Before Sunset whilst Nina Simone's "Just in Time" is spinning in Celine's Parisian CD player, I am just going to have to play her in my Mandaluyong-based player as I tackle not just my unmentionables but the collecting dust on my bookcase as well.

In the meantime ---

A Year From Now

Inspired by this blogger that I have been reading (on-and-off) for years: she blogged My Boyfriend is a Twat but then the Twat is apparently no longer the Boyfriend, hence, she is now Learning English Again. Now, back in the motherland, things have been apparently far from a movie ending or a butterfly sequel, but the thing is, there is change.

I have to admit that I am so envious of change.

I can't help but wonder: will I look back to the past (now) in the future and realize what big a difference time makes?

I guess the best way to address the envy --- and to answer the question --- is to start now.

Copy Paste Quotes

I have been on Twitter a lot lately which explains why I have sort of abandoned this blog. And... I have to admit in a fangirl fashion (and in a temporarily deranged state) that I did pay some attention to my other blog wherein I was scheming-schmanning (more of the latter) on how to marry Jason Segel (who is now enthralled by Ms Michelle Williams, thereby marrying him now is out of the question).

I have to admit that I am also in this state of change in manner of Oprah's "Your Best Life Ever" which has, funnily and tragically, so far resulted to the very 90s-ish Bridget Jones minus the smoking (I've had a very bad asthma attack two weeks ago), the drinking (victim of watered-down cocktails), and the "this is Bridget Jones, wanton sex goddess, naughty man between her legs" kind-of dialogue.

Then again, if it has been smoke-less, drunken-less, and lack-of-shag, how is this Bridget Jones-like, eh?

I guess the only Bridget-ish in this current existence is the part where these don't exist thereby similarities come in the form of... self-help, weight-loss management, and the search for that very much anonymous Mr. Mark Darcy.

Hahahahaha. Yes, I am so fucking sick and tired.

Anyway, speaking of Twitter, I am subscribed to the Tweets of "Great Mind Quotes" which, yes, twitters about great quotes from great persons dead and alive. Mind you that I just don't retweet any quote, I just retweet those that I find relevant. Ergo, relevance shall be copy-and-pasted!

"If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it." - John Irving
"No pressure, no diamonds." - Mary Case
"Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom." - George S. Patton
"A year from now you may wish you had started today." - Karen Lamb
"Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision." - Peter Drucker
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle
"The greatest happiness is to transform one's feelings into action." - Madame de Stael
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." - Maya Angelou
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." - Milton Berle
"It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark." - Howard Ruff


Inspired yet? Inspired much!

This is a Cool Blog

This should be a cool blog.

Why? Because this is going to make something out of the expected daily grind. Because this is going to paint a picture of why Picasso saw sharp shapes. Because this is going to narrate the story of Nothing which can be graphically possible, really.

So I shall begin by writing about the weather.

It's about ten shades of grey outside, sky blue fighting in one generous corner, a cluster of fluffy clouds flirting about as they oscillate between white and silver and eeny, meany, whinny black. But at the moment the skies are nice enough to let the sun have a peek at this drenched land, which could use a bit more wetness, if you know what I mean. No, I do not ask for a flood; too busy to make some ark.

Schedule-wise it is a blank slate, save for a sudden client meeting in a couple of hours. I should be preparing self for some life-changing decision which actually boils down to me asking for a pretty long absence (with or without leave) that shall commence in less than two weeks. That's just the first step, and true to the law of sequencing (such thing?) step two shall manifest, sequitur. Good luck with that.

To make matters more interesting, here is what I've had so far (in food terms):

1. Hot Milo, small cup of.
2. Skyflakes crackers, a packet of.
3. White rice, half-a-cup of.
4. Kare-kare (stewed beef, tripe and veg in peanut sauce), a cup of.
5. Cavendish banana, one dang huge piece that it reminded me of someone.
6. Water, about six glasses so far.

On a health note, I was pretty alarmed when a colleague remarked that I might have diabetes as I threw some stupid tantrum whilst at work a couple of months ago; she said that I was obviously hungry therefore I got irritated, which can explain the potential of me being a diabetic. I had to tell her, quite nicely, that: a) anyone who is overworked and hungry will tend to snap the head out of everyone, and b) I was irritated because I had to deal with idiocy the entire night. I am sorry, but tantrums flare.

But that didn't stop me from Googling "diabetes symptoms" afterwards. Symptoms-wise... well, I have been tired and fatigued, yes. No, I don't have wounds that have been having a hard time healing. I might have been infected by something but I think I've already flushed it out of my system. Besides, I was recently hospitalized and everyone's shocked that the tests showed I was pretty normal and healthy, thus everybody wondered why I was being hysterical at the sight of a needle and the moments connecting me to an IV seemed like I was some emery bag in need of some serious poking and thrusting.

Anyhow, at the moment it seems that the three shades of blue are winning outside the battle of the Manila skies, thanks to that bloody storm finally heading out of this country.

Coolness.