A conference of ‘happiness researchers’ - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20101218-309614/A-conference-of-happiness-researchers
share ko lang 'to. may contributions kaming tatlong co-workers/friends - details sa last paragraph. =O)>

mas gugustuhin ko pang magjakol nang may intensyon kaysa kumantot nang walang direksyon.

palagay ko naka-zoom lang yung camera dun sa December 2010 photo. you look fine, and that's the bottom line. =O)>

my first tattoo: StarMan

i had my first tattoo done earlier today. i had been thinking of getting one since last year, but due to a lot of things that i needed to get out of the way, ngayon lang ito nangyari. may ilang designs akong ini-consider, all of which ay balak ko ding ipalagay lahat – but i had to choose one because i believe that my first tattoo should have a personal significance. i have always said that i am a professional wrestling nerd/geek – i go out of my way to watch matches on TV/the internet, get the latest news, analyze storylines, read articles, and even play pro wrestling video games. and speaking of video games, pro wrestling for the japanese family computer console/american nintendo entertainment system was one 8-bit/old school game that i was only able to play once in the original famicom console. why is that so? first, pro wrestling was one of the more expensive game cartridges back in the day – mga 500-600 PhP ang presyo niya – and second, yung mga tapes namin sa bahay, with the exception of mike tyson’s punch out and castlevania, were the cheaper but still entertaining ones like popeye, mappy, donkey kong jr., super mario bros., adventure island, gradius, zippy race, tag team pro wrestling, and wrecking crew. the one and only time that i was able to play the famicom pro wrestling game was during a visit to our neighbor eric’s house. out of the six playable characters, i chose starman, and eric chose the amazon. needless to say, i got such a bad ass-whooping in that 2 out of 3 falls match that we never played the game again. to elaborate, i got several kicks, punches, clotheslines, backdrops and brainbusters – but i never took it personally, hahaha! that was in 1989, as far as i can remember. before playing the game, i had read eric’s nintendo magazine and that’s where i first saw a short article about the game and the six playable characters, plus various screenshots of them in action. with all due respect to the amazon, i always thought that starman was the coolest character in the game. fast forward to 2007, our original famicom console and cartridges have become a thing of the past, but thanks to game emulators like fceux, i have been able to play pro wrestling again and finish it, as well as take screenshots in my PC. the starman design was taken from a screenshot after i pinned the great puma (the game’s boss character) after a match to unify our 2 titles, that’s why starman wears the video wrestling association title on his waist and holds the video wrestling federation title (that he won from great puma) above his head. i modified starman’s colors to make his tights and mask white and his boots yellow gold, as opposed to his original pink bodysuit, blue trunks and blue boots – just to make him look like an old school luchador. and that, in a nutshell, is the aesthetic aspect/reasoning for the design i chose for my first tattoo.

for the philosophical aspect, pro wrestling as a part of popular culture can be likened to a soap opera, a movie, or, when i look at the bigger picture, life itself. i am making an analogy that i am a wrestler, and my life is the game/storyline. each day is a struggle, a challenge to give my best effort in spite of obstacles and adversity - like a wrestling match. ultimately, we are uncertain if we are booked to win or lose our matches, but we can always choose to give a 5-star effort every time – so that regardless of results, we could say that we tried our best. i can accept losing, but i will never love it – and i believe losing with honor is better than winning without it. but i also believe that someday, God will give me that hard push and book me “to be the man.” and if that means that i have to “do the job” and make sacrifices, then i will accept. i will keep working and trying until i get over, until i become “the one” – and i will not give up. oo, para sa akin, ang buhay ay parang wrestling.

going back to getting my first tattoo, i emailed my inquiry as well as my preferred design to P&P Tattoo last November 12. i waited for a reply, but after two weeks there was still none, so i decided to send a message through yahoo messenger last November 26 (friday) – wala namang mawawala kung susubukan, di ba? the secretary, Ms. Ebby did a wonderful job in facilitating/setting up my appointment, so i was both excited and nervous as i awaited November 29. on Saturday, November 27, it was my birthday so i kept busy by eating, watching Forgetting Sarah Marshall, answering birthday greetings, reading Foley Is Good (a book written by then 3-time world champion Mick Foley given to me by my cousin Noel), sleeping, grilling meat, drinking beer, sharing stories, and preparing take-home goody bags for my friends. the following day, i spent time watching the WWE Survivor Series 2010 and Monday Night Raw replay as well as surfing the net. this morning, i got up before 10 am, surfed the net a bit before taking a bath and proceeding to Makati for my appointment. i arrived a bit early at P&P because i didn’t want to be late for my 1 pm appointment. i didn’t know who would be the artist, so i just sat on the couch and read one of my books while i waited. While listening to Eat Bulaga! on the TV, Mr. Ron Poe arrived with a companion and said: “Patambay, ha?” to Ms. Ebby. as it turned out, Ron Poe worked on my 8-bit starman design while i kept reading and some more clients and visitors arrived. he asked me a few questions about the design, such as would it be the same size as the print-out, and where do i want it done, while working on the stencil. Ms. Ebby then gave me a form that was sort of a contract of which the terms and conditions i had to comply with, initial and sign, as well as provide a valid ID. as Mr. Jake Cuerpo and Mr. Myke Sambajon arrived, more clients and guests hung out at the shop also. when Mr. Poe called on me, i was quite nervous as i got my bag and proceeded to sit on the chair at his work station. he set up his equipment and then proceeded to lay down the stencil on my arm. he asked me if i was nervous and i said a little bit because it’s my first time to get inked. he told me that it would not be possible to make the starman design’s tights and mask white so he suggested that we go for gray and i immediately agreed – because i believe that the artist always knows better when it comes to color. he also told me that he was going to do the red parts first, so i just put my arm on the platform and watched Ron ink me. the first few jabs of the needle felt like my skin being scraped like a blade, but the pain was tolerable – at least i didn’t scream, because that would have been quite embarrassing (and probably hilarious). from time to time, Ron asked if i could take the pain, and i said yes every time – i guess i was too busy being amazed at how this artist was placing art on my arm – it was like starman was coming to life. it may seem silly to some, but that was what’s going through my mind while i was getting inked – and i also realized that i had a decent tolerance for pain. after Ron was done, i looked at my arm in the mirror and was in awe of his work – a StarMan 3:16 moment, if you will. Ms. Ebby then took a picture of my tattoo – i guess it would be posted in their gallery – and afterwards, i asked if she could take a snapshot of my tat using Nanay’s camera as well as a picture with Mr. Ron Poe. as i paid for their great services, they told me how to take care of my tattoo for the next few days, and to call them at the shop if ever there’s a problem. Ms. Ebby then proceeded to tape a patch on my tattoo, and they told me that i could remove it after an hour. as i said goodbye, Mr. Poe humbly said that he hopes i could come back again some time. as an answer to that, i say: yes i will.

after all, the bleeding and the pain was all worth it. trust me.

i am grateful for all the friends and well-wishers who gave me their time - even those who didn't make it last night but nevertheless texted/called/sent messages. i asked for so little, yet you gave me so much. this fucking hangover is worth every damn second. maraming salamat.

napaisip ako kanina after watching the news at ANC. sabi ni Tony Velasquez: "minekaniko ni monico ang makina ng minicar ni monica." sabi naman ni Pinky Webb: "ang makina ng minicar ni monica ay minekaniko ni monico." *nosebleed and brain-freeze*

StarMan vs Great Puma: Best-of-9 Series to Unify the VWA and VWF Titles

this is a video i recorded using the FCEUX Emulator, the Pro Wrestling for NES/Famicom game, and Windows Movie Maker.

my wrestler of choice, StarMan, is the Video Wrestling Association (VWA) champion and has completed defending the belt against Fighter Hayabusa, Kin Corn Karn, Giant Panther, The Amazon, and King Slender. i have uploaded these matches in my YouTube channel, and just in case you want to watch them, here's my link: http://www.youtube.com/user/lambanogpusher

StarMan now faces the Video Wrestling Federation (VWF) champion, Great Puma in a Best of 9 series in order to unify the VWA and VWF titles. in the normal game, there is only one match to unify the belts, with the player being given a rematch if he loses the first match. in this case, i made up a storyline in which the two combatants face each other in 9 possible matches with the stipulation being a race to get 5 wins - whoever accomplishes this will be the unified VWA and VWF champion. i have posted the 9 matches (separately, of course) in my YouTube channel and did this project as a music playlist/video tribute of sorts.

again, this is the pro wrestling geek in me writing. i even went as far as re-arranging the sequence of the matches, depending on the endings, for a supposed dramatic/climactic build-up - i even made a run sheet to get things right, as i didn't want any mistakes. i don't really expect everyone to like this project, but this is just something i am passionate about - if some of my friends are into photography, outdoor activities, coffee, koreanovelas, or harry potter, then i guess i'm just the token professional wrestling nerd. and as weird as it may sound, i enjoy doing a project like this every once in a while because it makes me feel good and alive.

i do not own the songs i have used in making this video, and i am not making any illegal profits by posting this. thus, i have rightfully acknowledged each track used in the last two slides of this work.

song credits: artist-song

Breaking Point-One of A Kind (Rob Van Dam's WWE theme)

White Zombie-Thunder Kiss 65

Adam Morenoff-Break the Walls Down (Y2J Chris Jericho's WWE theme)

Oscar Gutierrez & Mad One-Booyaka (Oscar Gutierrez, a.k.a. Rey Mysterio's WWE theme)

Shadows Fall-Fury of the Storm (Rob Van Dam's WWE theme-used for a short time only)

Killswitch Engage-This Fire Burns (CM Punk's WWE theme)

White Zombie-More Human Than Human

Faith No More w/ Boo-Yaa TRIBE-Another Body Murdered (Samoa Joe's ROH theme in his early matches)

Powerman 5000-Nobody's Real

no matter how much we try to break down some walls, new ones are built in their place - be that as it may, at least we try our best to reach out.

sa opisina, may internet pero wala masyadong trabaho. sa bahay, walang trabaho pero wala ding internet dahil sira ang telepono. at hindi rin maitawag sa PLDT na sira ang internet kasi nga... sira ang telepono.

game show host: sa basketball, ang “chest” at “bounce” ay mga uri ng…?contestant: pass! game show host: ito ay pwedeng gamitin sa backstage ng concert o kaya sa sinehan para makapasok nang libre. ano ito?contestant: pass!game show host: kumpletuhin ang phrase na ito. Battle of Tirad…contestant: pass!game show host: kumpletuhin ang sentence na ito. Finished or not finished, ____ your papers!contestant: pass!game show host: CONGRATULATIONS! NANALO KA NG JACKPOT NA 1 MILLION!contestant: *NAGTAKA AT NAGKAMOT NG ULO KUNG BAKIT SIYA NANALO*

to whom it may concern: Carlos Celdran and David Celdran are two different people, tanga.

a silly conversation i thought of several hours ago: person 1: this lake is so pristine. person 2: pristine as in pristine hermosa? person 1: no, pristine as in pristine reyes.

sinilip lang kita, nag-hang na ang PC ko. ganun katindi ang dating mo sa akin.

at the back of my mind is this song

this is a song by one of my favorite bands, Ash. sobrang nagagandahan lang talaga ako sa kabuuan niya, from the lyrics to the melody to the music. i think that Tim Wheeler and Charlotte Hatherley had a great guitar harmony here. siyempre, solid rhythm section pa rin sina Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurray. sana bumalik sa kanila si Charlotte (wishful thinking). i won't tell you that this is a good song, you just have to listen and be the judge yourself. bottomline is, i love this song. =O)>

Shining Light

Ash

Roman candles that burn in the night,

Yeah, you are a shining light.
You lit a torch in the infinite,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
Yeah, you light up my life.

You have always been a thorn in their side,
But to me you're a shining light.
You arrive and the night is alive,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
Yeah, you light up my life.

We made a connection,
A full on chemical reaction,
Brought by dark divine intervention,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
A constellation once seen,
Over Royal David's city,
An epiphany you burn so pretty,
Yeah, you are a shining light.

You are a force
You are a constant source,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
Incandescent in the darkest night,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
Yeah, you light up my life.

We made a connection,
A full on chemical reaction,
Brought by dark divine intervention,
Yeah, you are a shining light.

A constellation once seen,
Over Royal David's city,
An epiphany you burn so pretty,
Yeah, you are a shining light.

These are the days you often say
There's nothing that we cannot do,
Beneath a canopy of stars
I'd shed blood for you.

We made a connection,

A full on chemical reaction,
Brought by dark divine intervention,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
A constellation once seen,
Over Royal David's city,
An epiphany you burn so pretty,
Yeah, you are a shining light,
Yeah, you light up my life.
Yeah you are a shining light,
Yeah you light up my life.

purple kush: revised, 10-3-2010

i posted this revised version on my YouTube channel earlier. here's the link and a short write-up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy9VF0LcY38

this is a revised version of purple kush - a video i made a week before - with a basic structure. i decided to do this with a clean tone, i.e., no overdrive effect, as i like to have it as stripped down to the basic as possible. my playing still sucks, but this isn't final yet so just cut me some slack.

Tags: lakpue drug conspiracy theory no structure breakaway group Gising Pa! music

purple kush

posted this on my YouTube channel earlier. here's the link and a short write-up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ya0UIfulZ0

this is another song idea but i haven't decided on the final structure yet. i was just tinkering with this E chord and somehow came up with a rough pattern. i couldn't come up with a title so i decided to use "purple kush" - i've been playing this game in Facebook called Pot Farm and it's the highest strain of marijuana that i've unlocked - i have no idea if it's a real variety or just a fictional one. anyway, i put two different rough takes together - the first was unplugged as i was just tinkering around, and the second was done with an amplifier and overdrive effect (the effects settings was just done on a whim, with no reference whatsoever)

drafts lakpue drug conspiracy theory no structure breakaway group Gising Pa! music

Sunshine, i miss you...

welcoming the new, but keeping the old

pa-pampam ang import function ng Multiply albums kaya i had to do this the hard way. ito yung album na inupload ko sa Facebook kanina lang:

just a few snapshots of my guitars and amplifiers:

Dimitri (my old reliable RJ Stratocaster)

Pot-Pot (my old Dean Markley K20BX amplifier)

Juno (my newly-acquired Fender Stratocaster)

and Nicky (my newly-acquired Dean Markley K20X amplifier)

i bought my new babies from Packy, and it was worth every centavo. =O)>

p.s. the album title was based on a speech by Dr. Steve Rood on SWS' 25th anniversary celebration - i myself have been with the institution for about 10 years now.

para kay Jhen

nai-text ko na ito kanina, pero i decided na i-post din dito para pwedeng lagyan ng picture.  have a meaningful one, Jhen.  =O)>
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hindi ko alam kung paano ito gagawing kakaiba,

pero sana tuloy-tuloy ang mga biyaya

mo at hindi mo na kailangang magtanong kung: “may kanin pa ba?”

sana ay di ka na masaktan

nang kasing saklap ng: “lintek na spageti yan!”

kagabi ay kinausap ako nina Funshine Bear at Piolo Pascual,

ang sabi nila: “pare, si Jhen ay espesyal.”

hindi man nila sinabi nang literal,

pero sa panaginip ko, yun ang kanilang ini-usal. 

so, before your inbox is full,

i would like to wish you a great 3-0,

if that’s cool with you. 

but deep inside, i know that no celebration

can ever be as wonderful as you. 

these rhymes may be lame – and the lameness part is probably true –

but i’d write over and over again, only for you. 

if i seem like a corny rapper or a wack MC,

let me end this for now with a simple

“Happy Birthday, Jhenskie!”

p.s. yung pictures sa collage karamihan ako ang kumuha, pero yung dalawa sa Ilocos, kuha nina Doni at Ronnel.

galing kay Nanay

nagulat ako sa text ng Nanay ko kanina lang.  share ko lang sa inyo.  para formal writing style, i.e., yung mga shorthand at jejemon-isms ay inedit ko.  here it is:

’Nak ngayon ko lang nabasa sa internet yung mensahe mo sa akin noong birthday ko.  Sobrang natuwa ako sa ipinaabot mong mensahe mo.  Alam mo kung ano yung pinakagusto ko sa ugali mo?  Yung pagiging mapagmahal mo sa amin ng Tatay, hindi ka madamot at maalalahanin ka.  Alam mo na mahal na mahal kita at ina-appreciate ko lahat ang pagiging mapagbigay mo sa amin ng Tatay.  Ang maigaganti ko lang sa iyo ay ang lagi kong pagdadasal para sa safety mo sa araw-araw at lagi ko din dinadasal n asana makahanap ka na ng faithful na girlfriend at mamahalin ka ng tapat at totoo dahil kapag nasasaktan ang anak, sobrang lalong masakit yun para sa akin.  Muli, anak, maraming salamat at love na love kita – alam mo yan.  Mmmwaah!

naantig ang puso ko.  alam kong cheesy at emosyonal, pero kahit papaano ay naibsan ang pagkalungkot ko… paminsan-minsan kasi ay naaalala kong wala nga pala akong ka-parehang babae – sorry boys, hanggang friendship lang talaga tayo.

pero gaya nga ng pinaniniwalaan ko, lahat ng bagay may panahon.  may panahon ng paglalahad, may panahon ng pagtatapat, may panahon ng paghaharap.  at ang mga panahong iyan ay darating.  hintay lang.

para sa mga hindi nakakaalam, ang mensaheng tinutukoy niya ay ito:

http://lambanogpusher.blogspot.com/2010/07/para-kay-nanay_8116.html

kapag nag-carbo loading ako sa aking puso't isipan, sigurado akong ikaw lang ang nilalaman.

Para kay Nanay

ika-62 na birthday niya ngayon - ang isa sa pinakamahalagang tao sa buhay ko.

Nanay, para ito sa patuloy na pag-cheer sa akin noong sportsfest namin nung kinder kahit na kulelat ako sa takbuhan.  para ito sa pagsama mo sa akin sa panonood ng Duplex, Champoy, Joey and Son, John & Marsha, TODAS, Iskul Bukol, A-Team at Knight Rider noong 80's.  para ito sa mga words of encouragement tuwing nababasa mo ang mga grades ko.  para ito sa mga madamdaming sulat tuwing may retreat kami nung high school.  para ito sa lahat ng pag-aalaga mo tuwing nagkakasakit ako.  para ito sa pagpapakilala mo sa akin sa musika nina Neil Young, Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, at Joey "Pepe" Smith.  para ito sa pagsuporta mo sa mga bagay na ikasasaya ko.  para ito sa pagiging cool mo, ayon sa mga kaibigan kong nakakakilala sa iyo - ang sabi nila sa akin: "Ang cool ng Ina mo."  para ito sa mga take-out na pinapa-baon mo sa kanila tuwing birthday ko.  para ito sa mga pag-cheer mo dati para sa UE tuwing kalaban nila ang UP.  para ito sa pagbirit mo tuwing nirerenta mo ang paborito mong videoke machine.  para ito sa mga bonding moments natin tuwing nanonood tayo ng WWE, TNA, UFC at Pride FC dati - at sa mga pagsigaw mo tuwing may KO, Submission, may nahahataw ng steel chair sa ulo o kaya nama'y tinatamaan ng Sweet Chin Music ni HBK.  para ito sa mga instant updates tuwing hindi ko gaanong nasusubaybayan ang mga soap opera sa TV.  para ito sa mga times na niyayakap mo ako noong umiiyak ako at heartbroken dahil ipinagpalit ako ng girlfriend ko sa iba.  para ito sa pagiging masaya mo tuwing bumibiyahe ako papunta sa iba't ibang lugar.  para ito sa matiyagang pagluluto ng baon ko tuwing may pasok - at sa paminsan-minsang pagluluto ng baon ko kahit walang pasok.  para ito sa pagdadasal mo tuwing umaalis ako ng bahay.  para ito sa mga pang-iintriga mo sa akin tuwing tinitingnan mo ang mga pictures sa camerang pinapahiram mo sa akin tuwing naglalakwatsa ako.   para ito sa lahat ng naituro mo - mula sa paglalaba, pagluluto, hanggang sa pakikipag-kapwa tao.

para ito sa pagtuturo mo sa akin kung ano ang tama.  para ito sa pagtuturo sa akin kung paano magmahal hindi sa pamamagitan ng paulit-ulit na pagsambit ng "i love you" kung hindi sa pamamagitan ng pagsasakripisyo at pagiging mabuting ina.  Nanay, para sa lahat-lahat, tandaan mo po lagi na mahal kita - hindi man ako vocal masyado, i want you to know that you're the best mother that i could ever have.  i love you Nanay.

hindi na raw magwawaldas ng pera... aba, dapat lang - kasi sabi mo, halos wala nang wawaldasin eh.

Dreamscapes: the documentary (well, sort of)

as the title suggests, this is a documentary of the song "Dreamscapes," with the music being Kiko's idea and the lyrics and melody by Alex. i originally posted it here back in March 5, 2009.

here are the lyrics:

Dreamscapes

as soon as you're alone, you never have to worry 'bout the monsters in the closet and the nightmares you've been keeping to yourself.
I don't know how you do it but I never can, never can reveal it, yeah

and yeah I can't do it like you, yeah
yeah I can't do it like you, yeah
I can't do it like you, yeah
I can't do it like you
do it like you do it now, you do it and you do it

Keep away from trouble.
The dreamscapes are illusions but they are all true, all are true inside of you.
Never let me see them. Your eyes are terrifying, they are so untrue, but they're enough to burn me and

yeah I can't do it like you, yeah
yeah I can't do it like you, yeah
I can't do it like you, yeah
I can't do it like you
do it like you do it now, you do it and you do it


p.s. the cover photo was taken by Alex Agena.

here's the link to the video in my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1JByWdujiM

Bob Hope? Have Hope.

i had quite a difficult time with this particular video as i incorporated notes, thoughts and recommendations to the documentary itself. they forced me to play the intro/main lick almost throughout the whole song. Alex did the vocals and rhythm/lead parts in of the verses and chorus, while Kiko did bass duties. the cover photo was taken by Alex, by the way - i originally intended to use some of his sketches as cover art, but maybe i'll do that in the future. nothing much to write here, as the text are embedded in the video itself - which had a total run time of almost 30 minutes. i lifted this excerpt from a previous post as a brief description, as well as the corresponding link:

http://lambanogpusher.multiply.com/video/item/129/Have_Hope_Session_3

"this is another song penned by Alex, entitled DMZ GMZ Song in his original YouTube demo. i don't know what his title for this song really is, although i suggested "Bob Hope." he entitled this jam "Have hope," obviously. they forced me to play the main lick - i used Waya, my Cebu guitar for this "sabit-sabit" experience. Kiko did the bass duties using Pepe, my bass, plugged into my amplifier Pot-Pot. Alex did vocal duties and played "pogi guitar" using Kiko's Ibanez. this video was recorded using Alex's Nokia phone - as to why he placed the camera near my balls is beyond me - go ask him yourself. obviously, this is still a rough take - maybe we'd be able to record a more decent version in the future."

these are the lyrics from Alex:

Sometimes it's easy to break down than fight for your life,
dooroorootdoootdoomdoom.
They say, it's easy to fade, away, than burn out damn right.

You can't deny it.
Got to be it.
You cannot let us down.
Have hope, dooroorootdoootdoomdoom.

Baby, you have to got to climb now, out of that hole,
dooroorootdoootdoomdoom.
Let me take away the pain now and save you from yourself,
dooroorootdoootdoomdoom.

here's the YouTube link: http://youtu.be/3P8Axs9JgpY

just had a YM conversation with bespren Alex, and can't get over "The Amir of Rap" moniker... as in hagalpakan kami sa katatawa! Carlos Agassi, this is your fault.

it's Like Hate but don't get it wrong

i've been working on this documentary video of Alex's song "Like Hate" all day and managed to finish just a couple of hours ago. i couldn't post this on YouTube or Facebook because of their restrictions so Multiply was the best and obvious choice. when i first heard this song, i thought it stood out from Alex's compositions at that time - the first acoustic version i heard was posted on his YouTube channel on February 16, 2009, and i got hooked. we jammed the song on February 22, 2009 (a Sunday afternoon) at Kiko and Mai's house - it had been a while since we last played, sometime in August 2005 to be somewhat accurate. i wrote about this session in one of my posted videos:

http://lambanogpusher.blogspot.com/2009/02/like-hate-session-alex-kiko-and-mic-2_6637.html

i have been making documentary videos of some songs because i want to tell the story of how we channel some of our creative / artistic energy and frustrations through this outlet called music. i admit that we probably suck big-time, in addition to not having any handsome members whom the girls could swoon at - at best, Alex resembles Dante Basco (of Hook, The Debut and Take the Lead fame) while Kiko is a deadringer for Craig Montoya (of Everclear and Tri-Polar fame). on second thought, maybe a couple of girls would swoon at us, if given the correct amount of alcohol. even if we don't have enough chops talent-wise, i get very excited every time we're able to get together and make original music / songs, as it's more fulfilling than being able to play your favorite cover songs - after all, it's OUR material, not somebody else's. the three of us also had this agreement that any composition by any of us should not be restricted to any particular genre - a no limits perspective if you will - basta original material, walang diskriminasyon. by extension, i really appreciate and respect artists who make and perform their original compositions dahil ginagamit nila nang tama ang talento nila.

again, i'm proud to share this low-fi video with all of you - in all its DIY glory - thank God for making punk rock influence our lives. i've also included Alex's lyrics below:

Like Hate

I keep wondering what's this all about. I keep on messing things based on what I need to say.
The morning clock has done its ticking, the train has stopped to pick the mob,
the jeeps and bus have all departed and I am left to steal your love.

I've consulted all the freer gods. Power left them nothing but human race is here to stay,
the heartbeats are all ablazing, the souls have known to dance and sway
the fiery love you never knew is now raging on and raging still like hate, hate. hate.

Oh Manila I can't figure out. You have scared the luck I keep locked inside the heart of me.
Your churches never smell but ruins, your streets are filled with and grief.
And I'd been left to rot and wander, still in love with you and yet I hate, hate, hate.

Though we know in time, though we know in time.
You'll be mine, you'll be mine. And we always hope
till the sacred day, sacred day.

here's the YouTube link: http://youtu.be/2P75nkatEWc

galing kay pinsan: "If you spell Chuck Norris in Scrabble, you win. Forever." DIGS!

a song called Drown

i tried uploading this video earlier in my YouTube channel, but i had to make a shorter edit as the original exceeded 10 minutes. here's the original version, the URL of the YouTube edit, the original write-up as it appeared on my channel as well as the tags:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6P_tCFhdwA

this song is a pet project of mine, with the idea for the music starting as early as 1999 during my college days. along with my friends Alex and Kiko, we tried to make a basic arrangement of this song, with my chord progression, Alex's melody and Kiko's additional guitars. i told Alex the story about this girl friend i liked so much that i felt like i was drowning in her, and then he wrote the most amazing lyrics that hit the bull's eye - it was like he read my exact thoughts, how i was feeling. of course, he wrote in his channel that he's dedicating it to his "one," but i still say that he wrote my exact feelings in his lyrics. here's the original link in Alex's channel, as well as the lyrics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oiEvzaZ9ks

Intro

Verse 1:
Here I go again, I'm taking a path where no one else would go. I know it's killing me.
Just got my broken heart refixed for me. Well I don't care, when you are there.

Refrain 1:
I'm drowning in you. Swirling deep in your pool.
I'm lost but not a fool. I'm drowning in you.

Chorus 1:
Hey hear me out
Hey hear me out
There is no next time
Hey hear me out
I'm freezing like a fool. I'm drowning in you.

Interlude

Verse 2:
Hey there listen girl I know you will say what can never be. Like a day without a sun, like a
dream without a space, yeah
But what I'm trying to say is that you are the fire that's burning me inside. It's all right.

Refrain 2:
I'm drowning in you. Swirling deep in your pool.
I'm lost without a clue. I'm drowning in you.

Chorus 2:
Hey hear me out
Hey hear me out
There is no next time
Hey hear me out
I'm freezing like a fool. I'm drowning in you.

Chorus 3:
Hey hear me out
Hey hear me out
Hey hear me out
Hey hear me out

Chorus 4:
Hey hear me out
Hey hear me out
There is no next time
Hey hear me out
I'm lost but not a fool. I'm drowning in you.

Outro

Tags: drown 3:16 ok family computer breakaway from a breakaway group Gising Pa! music

p.s. this one's for her, the one who moves me, she who is one of a kind...

Resurrecting Golden Girls from the Grave

this is the first song i heard from Alex and Kiko sometime in 2004, and i immediately got hooked in its melody – like a Last Song Syndrome thing. the lyrics were written by Alex and the music was written by Kiko – and while this song had been criticized for lack of structure, to me it can be a sleeper hit by a not-so-handsome pair of guys who could easily pass for Dante Basco and Craig Montoya. after i heard it back then, i immediately wrote down the chord progression on a piece of paper so that i could learn to play it myself. about five years later, armed with the only surviving recording of the song, Alex and Kiko tried to reconstruct the song – recalling the music and lyrics while repeatedly listening to the recording which was a couple of minutes away from completely dying. i provided rhythm guitar work on the 4th take – the only good take, by the way – while Alex did the vocals and Kiko did lead guitar work. ironically, Kiko was the one messing up on the first three takes, probably getting pressured by the rolling camera. the following notes about the song’s history were written by Alex in his YouTube channel:

“this is an attempt to resuscitate golden girls from the grave. golden girls was the first collaboration made by this group and the song is approximately 2-3 years old. it was criticised for lack of structure and merit thereof. the original song was recorded using a software so we could put in another track for the second voice.

the origin of the song itself came from our decrepit landlady who is trying to hold on to her glory days as a sort of sumptuous society girl in her own right, what with her skimpy attires and vaudeville-like make up while on the verge of fighting it out with father time. the lyrics itself doesn't really makes sense. i think it was part influenced by the fungi-filled odor of our room in evangelista coming from the horrendous shoes and eat-me-i-want-to-die medyas of a person we're just gonna name g-force.”

here’s the link of the good take as well as the lyrics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aSXbYq18Dk

coming out of nowhere calls of bleak and blue swirl like candlesmoke
and we can feel serenity giving up our safety valves
heart that seeks the same old breeze
causing our hearts to beat in one causality

we are one, none still none, we are sons of salt and slush
no one knows but you and me
we can plead reality
and we can feel serenity
giving up our safety valves
heart that speaks the same old breeze
melting our souls to beat in one causality

Tags: golden girls from the grave aling norma 3:16 g.i. fun g-force lakpue drug conspiracy theory no structure breakaway from a breakaway group Gising Pa! music

the win doesn't make you great... it's the struggle that does.

SWS Bangkok Teambuilding June 9-13, 2010

ito ang isa sa mga resulta ng aming mga pagsasakripisyo - isang biyahe papuntang Thailand. sayang nga lang at hindi kami kumpleto lahat. ganunpaman, enjoy kami sa mga (mis)adventures sa ating ASEAN neighbor dahil magaganda ang tanawin at mababait ang mga tao.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010: bago kami umalis, todo-panalangin ako sa pag-release ng DFA sa aking pasaporte – June 9, 2010 kasi ang alis namin at nagsadya na ako sa passport division upang makiusap na mai-release ang aking dokumento kung hindi ay magbabayad ako sa isang bagay na hindi ko mapapakinabangan / ma-e-enjoy. nag-apply kasi ako for passport renewal thru a travel agency at sinabi sa akin ng liaison officer na imbes na after 10 working days mare-release ang passport ay 12-15 days in actuality dahil ganun daw ang kalakaran kapag nag-agency ka instead of filing an individual appointment. ganunpaman, nag-effort pa rin ako dahil hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit after 12-15 days pa ma-re-release ang pasaporte ko gayong PhP1,200 din ang ibinayad ko sa DFA. dala ang sulat na pirmado ng aking boss at kopya ng aking e-ticket pati ang printout ng webpage nilang nagsasabing ang fee na PhP1,200 = 10 working days ay nagsadya ako sa passport division at matiyagang naghintay na tawagin ang aking pangalan. sa awa ni Bathala, tinawag ako bago mag alas-12 ng tanghali para i-release ang aking pasaporte – paliwanag pa ng tauhan ng DFA ay hindi raw sa lahat ng kaso ay nire-release ang pasaporte kahit pa may kopya ng ticket. sa loob-loob ko naman: “putang-ina, eh kaya naman pala ninyong tapusin within 10 working days, bakit kailangan pang makiusap sa inyo? i-pu-pull out lang naman ninyo, hindi pa ninyo magawan ng sistema – sana hindi kayo mag-guarantee sa webpage ninyo kung hindi naman possible, di ba?” – pero siyempre, hindi na ako nagmatigas dahil mas malaking katangahan kung hindi ma-re-release ang pasaporte ko dahil sa pag-aangas. maraming salamat din kay Ms. Aileen Jeremias (ang liaison officer ng agency) para sa assistance. naka-leave ako buong araw pero bumalik pa rin ako sa opisina para magbayad ng dolyar at ikuwento sa mga kasamahan ko ang good news – siyempre, maraming-maraming salamat sa Kanya at sa iba pang ipinagdasal ako. umuwi na rin ako kaagad para makapag-pahinga kasi papasok pa ako kinabukasan.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010: pumasok pa ako nung umaga para magtrabaho. nagsabay kami ni Kuya Cerry papuntang NAIA Terminal 3 mga alas-4 ng hapon para ‘wag ma-traffic – 9:35 PM pa ang flight namin, pero nanigurado lang. nauna kami sa mga kasamahan naming at naghintay muna sa iba bago mag-check in, pagkatapos ay nagsikain na ng hapunan. palibhasa’y maagang nag-check in kung kaya’t naka-tambay pa kami bago ang flight – sound trip lang ang libangan ko sa isang sulok. nang umalis kami ay maayos pa ang weather sa Pilipinas, pero bago kami mag-landing sa Thailand ay malakas ang ulan kung kaya’t mauga ang eroplano.

Thursday, June 10, 2010: lampas hatinggabi na kami nakababa sa Bangkok at sinundo kami agad ng aming mga tour guides. matapos manggaling sa immigration at kunin an gaming mga bagahe, binigyan nila kami ng magagandang garlands bilang welcoming gift. ihinatid nila kami sa aming hotel na hindi naman kalayuan sa airport, at matapos kunin ang kanya-kanyang key cards ay nagsiakyat na kami sa aming mga kwarto para matulog. roommate ko si Vlad at hindi rin kami nakatulog agad kasi ang palabas sa HBO ay Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay kaya pinanood muna namin ang mga kagaguhan nina H and K bago magpahinga. matapos ang ilang oras ay almusal na – buffet style ito kung kaya’t food trip to the max ako. panalo ang fried rice with shrimp, breaded chicken, ham, bacon, pork sausage, chicken sausage, spinach roll, fish roll, at mushroom omelette. napaitan ako sa passion fruit juice kung kaya’t nilagyan ko siya ng isang toneladang asukal samantalang nilagyan ko ng artificial sweetener ang aking tsaa. pinakiramdaman ko lang ang pagtawag ni Mayor habang tumitingin-tingin sa paligid ng hotel. para lang akong nasa Pasay o Cubao kasi halos wala naming pinag-iba ang kalsada sa unang tingin, pwera na lang sa orientation ng kalsada – right-hand drive kasi ang mga sasakyan sa Thailand. nag-meeting lang kami ni Mayor sa kwarto pagkatapos ay sinundo na kami ng aming mga guides sa lobby ng hotel. nagbiyahe kami patungong Royal Grand Palace (Wat Phra Kaew) at binaybay ang kahabaan ng mga highway. nang makarating doon ay naglibot-libot kami at nag-picture taking. na-realize ko rin na iilan na lang kaming second-timers na natira sa office – nag-Bangkok na kasi kami noong 2001 matapos ang Senatorial elections – sina Dr. Mangahas, Tita Dâ, Ate Jen, Kuya Cerry, Leo, Vlad, and Me. samakatuwid ay kabilang na ako sa mga veterans / elders, hehehe. afterwards, pumunta kami sa Vimanmek Royal Mansion (Castle in the Clouds), ang pinakamalaking building na gawa sa golden teak. hindi na ako nakapag-picture dito kasi bawal sa loob at saka naubusan na ako ng battery sa Royal Grand Palace pa lang, kung kaya’t pagbalik naming sa hotel para mag-freshen up / mag-ready para sa dinner ay nag-charge na lang ako ng battery – samakatuwid ay wala din akong picture sa condo unit nina Ma’am Thetis (asawa ni Dr. Mangahas). ganunpaman, we all had a great dinner at their place at yung iba sa amin ay nag-swimming pa. special mention yung ginatang sago at melon na may arnibal – naka-tatlong bowls ako sa sobrang sarap niya kaya nabundat ako. tinamad akong mag-swim and had a couple of beers instead habang nakikipag-kwentuhan kina Ms. Josie, Ate Chel, Jingle, Daldin, Tita Germie at iba pang kasamahan sa field. nagpasalamat si Dr. Mangahas sa lahat ng staff sa pamamagitan ng isang simpleng speech matapos ang dinner – and this gesture of appreciation is one thing that keeps us going and gives us the extra strength to go on with our profession. of course, the trip to Thailand is also a nice thing. sayang lang at hindi kami kumpleto – mas masaya sana kung nakasama lahat. after the dinner ay bumalik na kami sa hotel para magpahinga dahil maaga pa kami kinabukasan.

Friday, June 11, 2010: medyo maaga ang wake-up call dahil kailangan pang bumiyahe papunta sa floating market. siyempre nag-karga na ako nang husto sa breakfast dahil sa medyo mahaba-habang biyahe. natulog na lang ako sa bus habang nagsa-soundtrip dahil bitin ang tulog kinagabihan. nag-stopover kami nang mga dalawang beses sa mga gasolinahan upang mag-CR break at mamili ng mga pagkain / abubot. one thing na napansin ko ay malilinis ang mga CR nila at malakas ang tubig, kung kaya’t hindi ka masyadong mag-a-alala kung tawagan ka ni Mayor nang biglaan – at pati ang bus namin ay may built-in CR kaya di ka praning sa paggawa ng either code 1, code 2, or both. nang dumating kami sa man-made canal, nag-group kami para sa bawat bangka – kasama ko sa bangka sina Marco, Tintin, Vlad at Kuya Cerry. medyo nanibago ako dahil parang humaba ang biyahe bago kami makarating sa floating market. pagdating doon ay nagsimula na ang shopping ng sangkatauhan – ibinili ko ng batik shawls si Nanay at t-shirt naman para kina Tatay, Noel, Kuya Wowie at para din sa akin. natuwa ako sa isang brown na aso na nakadapa sa bungad ng isang tindahan – akala ko nga nung una ay rug lang siya, pero nang gumalaw siya ay nakumbinsi niya ako na totoong aso siya. pagtawid sa kabilang side ng palengke ay nakapamili pa ako ng t-shirts at pamaypay mula sa isang matandang ale na binigyan ako ng discount. pagkatapos ay nakita namin ang isang mama na may kasamang baby elephant na ginagamit niya para pagkakitaan sa pamamagitan ng pagkuha ng pictures ng mga turista kasama ang alaga niya. friendly naman yung baby elephant, kinalabit pa nga niya yung braso ko na medyo ikinagulat ko kasi malamig yung laway niya – pero medyo naawa ako sa kanya kasi mukhang pagod na rin siya dahil medyo mataas na ang araw at mainit na sa paligid. matapos mamili sa floating market ay bumalik na kami sa bus at pumunta sa Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo kung saan nag-lunch kami bago nanood ng Crocodile Show, Magic Show at Elephant Show. medyo nakakaawa din ang mga crocodiles kasi pinapalo ng kahoy sa ulo para sindakin ng mga trainers. idol din si Manong Magician kasi kahit luma na ang mga tricks niya ay nadala sa showmanship at napahanga niya kaming mga audience – siyempre okay din ang assistant niya, maganda ang rapport at chemistry nilang dalawa kaya matindi ang audience impact. matapos ang magic show ay elephant show naman – nagsimula sa narration ng historical and cultural significance ng mga elephants at natapos sa elephant soccer at feeding / picture taking. kanya-kanyang pasikat ang mga elephants nung mag-soccer sila at naka-costumes pa – especially yung isang naka-jersey ni Wayne Rooney ng England na nagpaikot ng hula hoop sa trunk niya. nung feeding naman, 10 Baht ang bawat tumpok ng saging / sugar cane na kinain naman ng mga elephants nang buong gana. nakapag-pa-picture pa ako hawak ang tusks ng isang elephant for 20 Baht kaya lang sa ibang camera kasi mahina na ang baterya ng camera ko. matapos yun ay namili pa ako ng ilan pang t-shirts at damit para sa kapatid kong si Michelle bago nag-picture taking sa crocodile exhibit kung saan kung anu-anong pose ang ginawa namin sa mga naka-display na buwaya. nga pala, nagpa-picture din ako kasama ang dalawang Bengal Tigers na mukhang nagutom pa yung isa nang makita kung gaano ako kataba. siyempre, medyo kinabahan ako nang umungol ang loko at halos kumaripas ng takbo matapos ang aking 100 Baht snapshot. pagkatapos ay dumiretso kami sa Gems Gallery kung saan nanood kami ng short film tungkol sa paggawa ng mga brilyante at tumingin-tingin sa mga alahas na ipinagbibili doon. namili ang ilan sa amin pero ako’y nakuntento na sa pagtingin-tingin. pagkagaling doon ay dumiretso na kami sa Pearl of Siam Dinner Cruise para mag-dinner. habang naghihintay ay nag-picture taking siyempre tapos kung anu-anong kakulitan ang pinag-gagawa namin. nag-souvenir photo ops din kami with a girl dressed like a princess – siyempre kinuha ko yung picture ko kasi minsan lang naman yun. pang-asar lang talaga kasi talagang dead batt na ang camera ko kung kaya’t wala akong nakuhang picture nung gabing iyon. ganunpaman ay panalo ang tsibog especially the spicy prawns, pork medallions, and the red chestnut-like things in coco milk na may langka. in addition, maraming magagandang babae that night – may isang grupo ng mga Chinese-looking ladies na mukhang yuppies, may dalawang magagandang waitresses at pati yung female dancer nila, maganda (she reminded me of a friend i met back in college). umulan din pala nung gabing yun kung kaya’t yung mga guests sa rooftop ng ship ay nagsibaba. other than that, it was a pretty great day. after the cruise ay bumalik na kami sa hotel to take showers and get some sleep.

Saturday, June 12, 2010: Independence Day sa Pilipinas, anniversary ng surfing trip sa San Juan, La Union / most memorable stay kina Mamita (Juskonaman!), at ikatlong araw ng aming tour. mas maaga ang wake-up call kaysa sa nakaraang dalawang araw kung kaya’t hilo pa ay nag-almusal na kami. bumiyahe kami patungong JEATH War Museum in Kanchanaburi – JEATH stands for the nationalities of those involved in the construction of the Death Railway: Japanese, English, Australian, American, Thai and Holland. bawal mag-take ng pictures sa loob ng museum kaya sa labas lang ang mga kuha namin. sa loob, we saw pictures, newspaper clippings as well as paintings of the brutalities noong panahong ginagawa ng mga POWs ang Death Railway. pagkagaling doon ay pumunta kami sa riles na dumadaan sa Khwae River kung saan nag-picture taking bago sumakay sa tren. ibinili ko din ng dress si Ally (pamangkin ko kay Kuya Wowie) at bumili ulit ako ng t-shirt ko. medyo mahaba ang biyahe at mainit dahil hindi ginagamit ang mga electric fans sa tren kung kaya’t cold towels na lang at snacks ang panlaban namin sa init, at siyempre picture-taking. may iba sa amin na nagsitulog, yung iba kinunan ng pictures yung mga nagsitulog, at yung ilan naman sa amin ay nag-pictorial ng “labas ang ulo sa bintana ng tren” series habang binabagtas ng tren ang mahabang kabukiran at mga ilog. nang makarating kami sa aming patutunguhan ay nag-lunch na kami – first time kong makatikim ng Tom Yum soup at medyo hindi ko kinaya ang anghang pero masarap pa rin siya. mabuti rin at may fried chicken at beef with vegetables kaya hindi naman maanghang lahat ng ulam. after lunch ay ibinili ko si Gelo (pamangkin ko kay Michelle) ng damit at pati si Rommel (bayaw ko, asawa ni Michelle at daddy ni Gelo). medyo nagkaroon ng kaunting problema dahil nagkasakit si Ate Babes pero naisugod naman siya sa ospital ng aming mahusay na tour guide, at sinamahan muna siya doon ni Ate Chel habang kami naman ay dumiretso sa Elephant farm kung saan sumakay kami sa mga elepante at nag-bamboo rafting sa ilog pagkatapos. medyo nakakaawa ang elepante namin kasi pinupukpok ng parang martilyo na may kawit para sumunod… sana lang hindi siya palaging nasasaktan nang ganun kasi nga masakit naman yun – ikaw kaya ang hatawin nang ganun, hindi ka ba magagalit? pagkatapos noon ay nag-bamboo rafting kami at nagsama-sama pa kaming mga miyembro ng heavyweight division sa isang raft. kabit-kabit ang mga rafts namin na hinila ng isang bangkang de-motor at iniwan kami nang medyo malayo sa pampang. nag-sagwan ang designated guide namin pabalik, pero mukhang nahihirapan siya kung kaya’t tumulong kaming mag-sagwan nina Vlad at Ate Jen – dito ko nagamit ang natutunan ko sa CDO adventure ko nung nakaraan, hehehe. matapos ang rafting ay binalikan namin sa ospital sina Ate Babes at Ate Chel – na-food poison daw si Ate Babes marahil dahil sa kinain kinagabihan – may beef kasing medyo rare ang pagkaluto kaya baka hindi natunawan nang maayos. pagkatapos ay tumahak na kami pabalik ng Bangkok at nag-stopover lang sa gasolinahan para mag-CR at bumili ng pagkain. nagbantay na lang muna kami ni Ate Alma kay Ate Babes habang nasa labas ang iba, at inilipat namin siya sa upuan sa may likuran ng bus para maka-unat ng paa habang nagpapahinga. habang pabalik ay binantayan siya ni Ate Chel samantalang ako naman ay taga-paypay niya. pagbalik ng Bangkok ay nanood kami ng puppet show sa Traditional Thai Puppet Theater (Joe Louis Theater) na isang teatro / museum. featured ang Ramayana – isang Indian epic tale – sa presentation na iyon. nagandahan ako sa presentation, although siguro biased ako kasi medyo inclined ako towards the arts kaya na-appreciate ko yun – anyway, it was a unique and educational experience for me dahil may music, dance at history / culture. pagbalik namin sa hotel, kanya-kanyang lapag ng mga gamit sa kwarto at dumiskarte muna ng dinner – nag-KFC kami nina Vlad at KC (Kuya Cerry) at nakita din namin doon sina Mear, Micko, Leo, Joan and later on ay dun din kumain sina Anchi, Jingle, Daldin at Ate Babes na medyo okay na nung mga oras na yun. pagbalik namin ng hotel ay naligo ako bago matulog, kaya lang ay hindi naman ako nakatulog kaagad sa hindi ko maipaliwanag na dahilan kung kaya’t nanood na lang ako ng TV hanggang antukin ako – mabuti na lang at relaxed ang wake-up call namin kinabukasan dahil free day / shopping day naman iyon.

Sunday, June 13, 2010: hindi na gaanong maaga ang wake-up call dahil 8 AM naman supposedly ang alis namin from the hotel patungong Chatuchak weekend market. after a quick breakfast ay nakipag-meeting muna ako kay Mayor at saka bumaba ng lobby. napagkasunduan the night before na ang kwarto namin ay isa sa mga imbakan ng mga bagahe kung kaya’t matapos ibalik sa akin ni Vlad ang key card ay iniwan ko ito sa front desk para kung sakaling may magsibalik na naka-assign sa kwarto namin ay madali itong makukuha. nag-train kami patungong Chatuchak kung saan tumayong tour guide si Tita Dâ – magkakasama kami nina Tita Germie, Vlad, Kuya Cerry, Ate Jen, Ate Mallu, Ate Jo, Malou, Eunice at Ma’am Evelyn (Mommy ni Eunice). lahat sila bumili ng unlimited card para sa MRT samantalang ako ay single trip token lang kasi hindi na ako maglilibot pagkatapos mamili. Dapat sana ay sampaloc na lang ang bibilhin ko para kay Nanay pero napabili pa rin ako ng dalawang bag – tig-isa si Nanay at Michelle (salamat sa pagtawad ni Ate Jen) at isa pang t-shirt (yung tribal elephant design). habang namimili si Ate Jen kasama naming nina Vlad at Malou, natanaw namin si Mae at pinuntahan ko siya at inakbayan – sa gulat ay hinampas niya ko ng bote. magkakasama pala sila nina Lhen, Lucie, Omeng at Clarence. nakita ko din sina Anne at Mon na namimili sa Chatuchak bago ko balikan sina Vlad, Ate Jen at Malou. matapos mamili ay pumunta kami sa main road patungong palengke kung saan makakabili ng mga prutas, pero bago iyon ay napadaan ako sa isang bandang nagpe-perform ng mala-Carlos Santana at Jimi Hendrix na tugtugan – at ang nakaka-bilib ay mga bulag / halos bulag silang lahat. kinunan ko lang sila ng picture at humabol kina Vlad pagkatapos. grabe, that band was another priceless experience – i wish i could’ve listened more pero ayaw ko namang paghintayin sila. pagtawid namin ay kaunting lakad lang at nasa palengke na kami. nakabili din ako sa wakas ng pinakamimithing sampaloc at konting dried mangoes – mabuti at nagbigay ng discount si manong tinder sa akin. matapos ang konting hintayan ay pumunta na kami sa subway para makabalik ng hotel. maglilibot pa sila pagkatapos mag-iwan ng mga pinamili samantalang ako naman ay magpapahinga na muna, total ay tapos na akong mag-shop. bumili na lang kami ng lunch ni KC sa food court ng kalapit na mall kung saan cash card ang pambayad sa ilang stalls. umorder ako ng crispy pork fried rice, shrimp fried rice at roasted duck sa isang Chinese food counter at tinake-out na lang ito para kainin sa hotel, for the incredible price of 185 Baht – oo, matakaw na ako kung matakaw… pero pwede na, di ba? matapos kumain ay naligo ako at nanood pa ng isang sitcom na parang Korean bago matulog. nagising ako nang mga 6-ish at nanghinayang na katatapos lang ng “Napoleon Dynamite” sa HBO pero humagalpak ako sa tawa nang Makita kong “Semi-Pro” ang kasunod na palabas. matapos ang ilang sandali ay nagsipasok sina Omeng, Lhen, Clarence, Vlad at iba pang kasamahan sa kwarto para mag-ayos ng mga gamit. ka-tong-its ko sina Lhen at Omeng habang nanonood ng “Semi-Pro” at pagkatapos ng palabas ay sinamahan ako ni Lhen bumili ng dinner, and we found this affordable place called Pepper Lunch kung saan bumili ako ng beef pepper rice. tamang-tama sa budget kong naghihingalo ang presyo niya – at natuwa ako just now kasi nang i-search ko siya sa web ay may branches pala siya dito sa Pilipinas. kasi halos puro turo-turo lang ang kinakainan ko kung kaya’t ignorante ako sa mga ganung info, hehehe. after dinner ay nag-meeting lang kami ni Mayor at bumaba na ako ng lobby para mag-check out. ihinatid kami sa airport ng aming mga tour guides at matapos ang mga pasasalamat namin sa isa’t isa ay nagpaalam na muna kami sa Bangkok at naghandang bumalik sa Manila. maraming salamat sa mga kasamahan ko for working their asses off, this was truly a product of our teamwork and sacrifices. to cap off this vacation, i even ribbed myself na magpakuha ng picture sa harap ng Mister Donut store sa loob ng airport just for a good laugh – isang bagay na hindi ko siguro magagawa nang walang poot if it were three years ago. just as i knew all along, i’ve already moved on (actually, last year pa nga) and i’m in a better situation. at maraming salamat sa Kanya for making all of these good things happen, and for the great friends i met along the way.

we may not always get what we want, but i believe that we all get what we deserve.

pangangamusta: a draft love letter

may napakinggan ulit akong kanta kanina, at naisip kita. kamusta ka na? wala naman akong sasabihing kakaiba, palipad-hangin lang ito... pero habang kinakaskas ang gitara, nagbabagsakan ang drum sticks sa drum set at kinakalabit ang strings ng bass ay pangalan mo ang isinisigaw ng lyrics.

sinilip kita sa webpage mo, mukhang okay ka naman today. wala lang, masaya lang ako 'pag nakikita ka - be it online or in person. i know that this may be awkward, pero nami-miss kita. there's too much i can't say to you, at kahit gustuhin ko man ay pinipigilan ako ng possibility na baka lalong maging weird ang pakiramdam.

ayaw kitang ilagay sa alanganin, although minsan siguro ay nailalagay kita doon nang hindi ko namamalayan o sinasadya. hindi naman siguro tayo ganun ka-close, pero magkaibigan naman tayo di ba? kaya ako, nag-subscribe ako sa isang litanyang sinabi ng isa nating kaibigan: "better this way, than no way at all." oo, ayaw kong mapalayo ka... kahit pa-pira-piraso at patingi-tingi, dinadaan ko na lang sa pagsusulat, status message, pag-post ng link, videoke, gitara, at sa pagbasa at pag-like paminsan-minsan ng mga entries mo ang nararamdaman ko - i try not to overdo it, kasi baka minsan nagmumukha akong pa-pansin. if i put you in awkward situations at times, patawarin mo ako - hindi ko sinasadya.

i'm not asking you to like me. i'm just asking you to understand that someone like me can fall for you. and i'm just this guy who is "torpe-at-heart" (again, a friend coined this term) na "natotorpe sa babaeng totoong napupusuan niya" (another friend wrote something like this), at ang babaeng yun ay ikaw.

p.s. the song title in the first paragraph sounds like your name, and sometimes i wonder that maybe it was written for you. it (the song) is from an album entitled "futures."

Saging Lang Ang May Puso Episode 5-Mt. Pinatubo

this was shot last December 26, 2009 during the RACE Mount Pinatubo Tour, kung saan ka-eksena ko sina Abet at Ronnel. from Joyce's raw mp4 file, nabuo ko ang kakulitang video na ito. hope you like it. =O))>

Y2J - My Tribute

taken by Idol Mon at Tapyah Falls, Batad, Banaue, Ifugao

Chris Jericho is one of my favorite professional wrestlers... and i've always liked his signature pose as well as his theme "Break the Walls Down" during his ring entrance. this tribute started as a "trip-trip lang" picture at the majestic Tapyah Falls... and the rest is history - well, that's what i like to think, hehehe... hindi ko rin naman akalaing naka-ilan na rin pala akong Y2J poses sa iba't ibang magagandang lugar na napuntahan ko. hero worship lang ito, i guess - but since professional wrestling is a great part of my personality/psyche, then i reckon it's more than just idolizing someone famous. i'd better stop writing here, lest my soul separates from my body because of sleep deprivation.

here's a video clip where i got the two screenshots of Y2J that i featured here:

http://lambanogpusher.multiply.com/video/item/11

I hope that the Phoenix Suns FINALLY LAY THE SMACK DOWN on the San Antonio Spurs' CANDY ASSES!

Mike Swift - Lagi Kong Kasama feat. Artstrong

share ko lang itong kanta sa inyo... i've been dealing with some bullshit dito sa workplace lately, at somehow medyo in-assure ako ng awiting ito na may nagbabantay pa rin sa akin, sa ating lahat, kahit papaano.

pasensya na, sa ganitong paraan lang kasi ako lumalaya minsan. God bless, everyone.

p. s. here's the YouTube link, if this doesn't play properly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og6SM-jsnEo

i will remember you until my memory fails me.

nahihirapang pumili kung sardinas o chickenjoy... buti sana kung lahat ng problema ko ay ganito lang ka-simple.

Bolinao Holy Week Trip: April 1-3, 2010

ang lakad na tinagurian kong "Career vs. Happiness" dahil non-stop na pagkayod sa trabaho ang inatupag ko bago ako makalaya nang panandalian at makamit ang pagkakataong makasama sila. ang mga kasama ko sa trip na ito ay sina Cher, Joyce, Meimei, Sally, Tin, Oui, Mon, Ezi at Jhen. nagkita-kita muna kami sa Starbucks Columns habang hinihintay si Kuya Henry, kaya habang nandoon ay pinagpiyestahan kami ng mga gutom na lamok. pagdating ni Kuya Henry ay nagsisakay na kami sa van at nagkanya-kanyang tulog, soundtrip, atbp. medyo nahirapan akong matulog kasi paiba-iba ako ng posisyon, pero okey lang kasi nakatulog din ako kahit paano. nagising ako nang madaling araw at nang mag-stopover kami sa gasolinahan at nakapag-unat-unat ng katawan at nakapag-CR. umaga na kami nakarating sa Bgy. Patar sa bayan ng Bolinao, Pangasinan at hindi katagalan ay natanaw ko na ang dagat at ang breakwater sa kalayuan nito. nag-almusal ang ilan sa amin sa Nipa Hut at dahil medyo hindi kanais-nais ang kundisyon ng pasilidad ay nagpunta kami sa Hansmin kung saan sila nag-stay last year. maganda naman sa Hansmin - maayos ang serbisyo at maganda ang pakikitungo ng may-ari at staff sa amin kung kaya't napanatag ako na magiging maganda ang pag-stay namin doon.

mabilis naihanda ang aming bahay-kubo kung kaya't nakapaglapag kami agad ng mga gamit at nakapagbihis ng pang-lublob attire. pero siyempre, hindi nawala ang picture-taking bago mag-bitch, este, mag-beach pala. kokonti lang ang mga kuha dito sa camera ko, at pasensya na kung magulo o malabo yung iba - hindi naman talaga kasi ako bihasa magkukuha. natuwa ako kasi hindi amoy-printer at amoy-papel ang hangin dito - amoy-dagat at presko ang pakiramdam dahil nalayo ako (kahit panandalian lang) sa stress ng trabaho ko. sa eksenang "career vs. happiness" na ito, palagi kong sisiguraduhin na happiness ang mangingibabaw.

pagpunta namin sa dagat ni Mon, nagpi-pictorial na sina Sally at Meimei kaya nakigulo na rin kami. mamaya-maya lang ay nandun na kami lahat at nag-e-enjoy sa dagat at buhangin habang nagkukuhaan ng mga picture. pag-ahon namin ay malamig na mango shake at mainit na tanghalian ang sumalubong sa amin. nakatulog nga ako nang sandali pagkatapos ng tanghalian nang masandal ako sa upuan. paggising ko, dumiretso ako sa bahay-kubo para humilata, kaya lang ay okupado na ang pwesto ko kaya nagbihis na lang ako at humiram ng unan. umakyat ako sa "tree house" at doon ko inabutan sina Mon at Kuya Henry na kapwa tulog na kaya humiga na ako sa papag at natulog na rin. paggising ko nung hapon at bumalik ako sa bahay-kubo para ibalik ang unan at kunin ang mga gamit ko para ako makaligo. pagkaligo ko ay nagpi-pictorial ang mga kababaihan kung kaya't nanood-nood lang ako sa kanila bago pumunta sa may beach para umistambay - magreflect-reflect, panoorin ang mga alon at mag-isip-isip tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay na nangyari sa buhay ko these past few years. kumbaga, parang nilasap-lasap ko yung mga bagay na pwede kong lasapin sa mga sandaling yon - dagat, buhangin, sunset, kaibigan. pagsapit ng dilim, nag-dinner na kami at naghanda para sa inuman. sa puntong ito ay nagba-back up din ng pictures ang sangkatauhan sa laptop ni Idol at nagvi-view na din ng mga kanya-kanyang "pang-profile pics" at iba pang kuha. sa kasamaang palad, walang mabiling yelo sa mga tindahan sa labas kaya medyo na-diskaril kami - buti na lang at may kaunting yelo na naitabi si Tita para sa aming session. mabuti rin at nakabili kami ng masarap na balut para pampa-swabe sa inuman. habang nagpapahinga muna nang kaunti ang ilan sa amin ay nagsimula na rin ang iba - vodka cruiser at tanduay ice para sa mga kababaihan at lambanog at iced tea naman sa amin ni Idol Mon - salamat kay Jhen sa pag-sponsor ng iced tea at swiss knife na pang-bakbak ng yelo. masaya naman ang kwentuhan namin, palibhasa kasi ay medyo sanay nang magkakasama ang karamihan sa amin. nang mapunta ang kwentuhan sa coke na lumabas sa ilong at naging sprite, kinuwento ni Cher ang tungkol sa ulo ng Gummi Bear na lumabas naman sa ilong, kung kaya't naghagalpakan kaming lahat sa katatawa. akala ko ay yun na ang pinaka-nakakatawang tagpo nung gabing iyon pero nagkamali pala ako. lalong naghagalpakan kaming lahat sa pagtawa dahil sa paghirit ng isa naming kaibigan na itago na lang natin sa pangalang "Worm" tungkol sa paglabas ng kamay ng Gummi Worm sa ilong - kayo na ang bahala kung maniniwala kayo sa sinabi niya, pero lahat kami ay abala sa pagtatawa at pang-aapi sa kanya sa mga sandaling iyon. bumaba nang bahagya ang average IQ ko nung gabing iyon dahil kay Worm - ibang klase siya, pramis. except for an unwanted guest nung gabing iyon ay maayos naman ang naging session namin. nakitambay muna ako sandali sa beach nang matanaw ko doon sina Joyce, Oui at Tin. hindi naman nagtagal ay nagligpit na rin kami at nagsipag-sepilyo bago matulog ang karamihan. medyo nawala ang hangin at naging mabanas kaya nagkwentuhan muna kami ni Joyce sa may beach bago matulog.

kinabukasan, nagising ako at kape/yosi/masahe session ang aking nasaksihan sa aming bahay-kubo. medyo masakit ang katawan ko kung kaya't nagbakasakali ako na baka pwede akong magpamasahe kahit kaunti lang. ayun, pinagtulungan ako nina Meimei at Joyce sa pag-apak-apak sa likod ko - isa siyang medyo masakit pero ubod nang sarap na masahe kung kaya't medyo inantok ako at muntik mag-drool sa unan. salamat ulit sa 2/3 ng Papaya Triad sa masarap na masahe =O)>. panalo ang almuchow naming sardinas na sinundan ng sigarilyo kung kaya't in no time ay tinawagan na ako ni Mayor. pagkatapos ay diretso na naman ako sa beach kasama sina Mon at Kuya Henry - sunburn na ito kung sunburn, pero oks lang. medyo matagal bago sumunod ang girls dahil nag-make up pa yata sila for their pictorial. nang mag-pictorial na sila eh karir na karir naman kaya nakakatuwa din. mas marami kami ngayon sa beach dahil kasama rin namin ang family ni Ezi at tatlong cute na mga bata na naging instant friends ni Meimei. iniabot kasi ni Chip ang lifevest nung batang lalake at pagka-abot ay nag-comment yung isang babaeng bulilit ng: "Ang sexy nung babae, o." kaya pagkatapos nun ay umaatikabong pictorial na kasama ang mga kids ang nangyari - nung una ay nahihiya pa sila pero sa pag-encourage ng mga girls ay pumayag din sila. humataw din si Inday, este, si Meimei sa mga "seaweed series" ng pictures na hindi ko alam kung mapo-post pero kung nandun ka ay siguradong matatawa ka. after mag-pictorial at mango shake ng sangkatauhan, bumalik na rin ako sa tree house at naligo. sinubukan kong humilata at matulog dahil medyo malakas at sariwa ang hangin. nag-caving sila pero nagpaiwan na lang din ako para matulog kasi medyo tinamad naman ako. pagbalik nila, naki-kain kami kina Ezi at parang fiesta kasi ang daming tsibog - nag-concentrate ako in particular sa sinigang na ulo-ulo, hipon at pusit tapos may panulak na malamig na coke kaya in no time ay busog na ako. after kong makipag-usap kay Mayor ay naghanda na rin ang lahat para pumunta sa light house at mag-pictorial bago mag-sunset. oks naman ang aming mga souvenir group pics largely because of Idol Mon and ang ever-reliable na si Suzie. i was content with taking pictures behind the scenes at ang medyo kinarir ko lang ay ang Papaya Triad at ang Tropang Fruit Salad class pictures. salamat din kina Mon at Cher sa pagkuha ng pics ko using my paltik camera. pag-uwi namin sa Hansmin ay nag-back up ulit kami ng mga pictures sa laptop ni Idol at nag-view ng mga ito.

since wala pang dinner ay tumambay muna ako sa beach kasama sina Ezi, Cher, Joyce at Meimei. tamang soundtrip lang at shadow-dancing ni Cher yun sa una hanggang sa nahaluan ng paggawa namin ng mga aso, camel, at rabbit sa pamamagitan ng anino, hanggang sa pag-iimbento ng mga song lyrics at interpretive dancing nila. medyo marami ring naglalakad-lakad at nang-iilaw ng mga isda dahil palibhasa ay low tide sa gabi. bumalik sina Ezi at Cher sa tree house at naiwan kaming tatlo nina Joyce at Meimei sa beach. mamaya-maya ay paubos na ang sigarilyo namin at dahil wala namang lighter ay bumalik ako sa tree house para makisindi at kumuha na rin ng yosi at tanduay ice sa kusina para sa dalawa kong ka-kwentuhan. kakatuwa naman si Kuya at matulungin siya - ipinakisuyo ko kasing ilagay sa ref yung mga natitirang t.i. at sinabi niyang siya na ang bahala. sinabi din niya na kung gusto na naming kumain ay pakisabi na lang sa kanya ten minutes before para maihanda na nila ang dinner namin. matapos kong i-konsulta ang mga kaibigan tungkol dito, napagkasunduan na lang na kakain na lang kami pagkatapos kumain ng staff para di rin maantala ang dinner nila. so, ini-relay ko na lang kay Kuya na pagkatapos nilang kumain at magligpit ay saka na lang nila i-prepare ang aming pagkain, pagkatapos ay binalikan ko na sina Meimei at Joyce bitbit ang t.i. at sigarilyo. out of curiosity ay naitanong ko kung paano sila nagka-kilalang dalawa - nakinig ako sa kwento nila at somehow napunta ang usapan namin sa break-up namin ng aking ex- about four years ago. hindi ko gaanong natapos ang aking kwento dahil dinner time na rin at tinawag na kami ni Kuya kaya to be continued na lang sa susunod. hindi talaga nakakasawa ang ginisang sardinas kung kaya't todo kain na naman kami - mas panalo kasi maraming tutong ang kanin kung kaya't nagkasundo kami ni Cher sa bagay na ito. humirit pa nga ako ng isa pang sinangag dahil sa sobrang sarap. after dinner, tambay lang kami sa bar nina Joyce, Tin and Oui habang nanonood ng TV. since hindi ako sure kung may session pa ba ay nanatili muna ako sa bar. maya-maya ay umakyat si Tin at bumaba naman si Meimei. naki-tanduay ice na din ako habang nanonood ng "A Dangerous Life" at mamaya-maya ay bumaba si Sally at nanood kasama namin.

matapos ang palabas sa TV, dumiretso kami sa beach nina Joyce, Oui, Meimei at Sally para tumambay at magkwentuhan. sa puntong iyon ay talagang pinu-push namin ang "love triangle" storyline kaya puro kakulitan at pick-up lines ang maririnig mo kung naroon ka. medyo sumama ang pakiramdam ni Meimei kaya sinamahan na siya ni Joyce at iniakyat sa tree house. tuloy ang aming tambay session at medyo maginaw na noon kaya kinuha ko muna ang kumot at unan sa tree house para makapagpatuloy kami. dito ako na-question and answer ni Sally tungkol sa ilang bagay na ikinuwento ko at ipinaliwanag sa kanilang tatlo nina Joyce at Oui. although medyo nagulat ako sa Q&A, hindi naman ako nag-hesitate na mag-open up kasi nga naipangako ko sa sarili ko na hindi ako mapapanisan ng laway sa lakad na ito - na by hook or by crook ay makikipagkwentuhan ako sa taong handang makinig. needless to say ay nai-share ko ang mga gusto kong i-share - at ilan sa mga ito ay mga kinikimkim ko din at kung ilabas ko man ay paunti-unti lamang at usually ay dinadaan ko sa blog, tula or musika dahil minsan din ay pakiramdam kong walang makikinig dahil busy silang lahat or dahil sa iba pang kadahilanan. basta natuwa ako kasi candid yung usapan namin at walang halong ka-pa-fall-an o pambobola - shooting from the heart lang, 'ika nga. hindi pa ako tapos magkwento, pero since madaling-araw na at medyo pagod na ay nag-decide na kaming magligpit at matulog na. iniwan ko na sina Sally, Joyce at Oui sa tree house at natulog na lamang ako sa duyan sa ibaba para at least ay hindi masyadong masakit sa likod ko. nagdasal lang ako at nagpasalamat sa Kanya for a great day and then natulog na ako.

kinabukasan, matapos kong magligpit ng hinigaan ay naki-join ako sa girls habang nagkukuwentuhan sila at nagkakape sa bar. bentang-benta pa rin ang love triangle" storyline kung kaya't parang nag-almusal kami ng puro katatawanan. since mga 1 PM ang napagkasunduang pag-alis ng grupo, napag-desisyunan na rin na ang huling meal sa Hansmin ay brunch na lang. sinamahan ko si Cher at siya ang bumili ng Ma-Ling at itlog habang bumili naman ako ng sigarilyo. siyempre, solb solb na naman lahat sa brunch at may sapat na oras pa para maligo, magligpit ng mga gamit, mag-accounting, at mag-compute ng individual contributions para sa mga dapat bayaran. matapos ang comical na group picture-taking sa may gate ng Hansmin ay umalis na kami. i personally enjoyed this trip dahil sa company ng mga kaibigang kasama, sa tanawin, at sa kwentuhan. dagdag na naman ito sa mga magagandang memories ko, definitely.

nag-picture taking ulit kami sa may arko ng Bolinao bago dumiretso sa Alaminos para mag-McDo at bumili ng mga pasalubong sa palengke. bumili ako ng daing na bangus, binilad na espada, danggit, tupig at cassava cake para maiuwi sa bahay. after Alaminos ay dumiretso kami sa Luisita kung saan kumain sila ng early dinner at namili ng DVD-Rs para sa pictures. hindi na muna ako kumain dahil sa aking "mayor problem" kung kaya't humilata na lang ako sa sasakyan habang hinihintay sila. after Luisita ay dire-diretso na kami pabalik sa Makati - nagpa-gas lang si Kuya Henry at matapos naming mag-ambag-ambag para sa renta ng sasakyan at gas ay pumunta na ulit kami sa Columns kung saan nag-burn na ng DVDs si Mon para sa lahat. inabonohan muna ni Jhen ang mga DVD-R kung kaya't nagbayad kaming lahat sa kanya. inuna lang muna niya yung kopya ni Jhen kasi uuwi pa siya sa Lipa that night. medyo marathon ang copying at nahirapan din ang laptop ni Mon kung kaya't nag-dinner na rin ang iba sa amin. inabot din kami ng closing time at pati ako ay tinawagan na rin ni Mayor kung kaya't napilitan akong maki-CR sa SB. no thanks sa sekyu na ayaw magpapasok sa akin samantalang pinapapasok niya ang mga kasamahan ko - buti na lang at napakiusapan ni Yoyce si Emon na papasukin ako kung kaya't naka-CR ako nang maayos. nagpasalamat talaga ako dun kay Emon pagkatapos kong gumamit ng CR at paglabas ko ay oks na ang pakiramdam. napagkasunduan na lang ng grupo na i-burn na lang ni Mon later ang mga kopya at ipamahagi sa mga "hampas-luffa" whenever magkita ulit. naghiwa-hiwalay na kami ng landas after our goodnights - magkakasabay sina Tin, Oui, Joyce at Cher, nag-solo si Sally, habang sabay kaming tatlo nina Meimei at Mon sa taxi pauwi. nakadating na din ng Lipa si Jhen bago pa man kami mag-alisan sa SB dahil nakasakay siya kaagad sa bus. nauna akong idinaan ng taxi sa bahay at nagpaalam na kina Meimei at Mon. nag-text na muna ako sa sangkapatolahan at kumain na rin sa wakas - umabot pa ako sa isa't kalahating episode ng The Simpsons sa cable bago mag-channel surf at maya-maya'y natulog na rin dahil sa antok at pagod.

muli, salamat sa inyo at nangibabaw ulit ang Happiness ko. sa uulitin ha? =O)>