Make no mistake about it. War is coming. With all its glory. And all its horror. That's my SMS tone. Uh huh! I've been very excited to see and play this game, StarCraft II. In the summer of 1998, I spent my vacation in Manila. With three guy cousins. I spent more time in arcades than in stores. And eating instead of shopping. One of the things I learned that summer was how to play StarCraft. I instantly fell in love with the graphics and the game's story. I was eager to finish the campaign so I would know how things ended for Raynor, Kerrigan, and the Duke. All through college, until my third year I played StarCraft with my friends through LAN and through the Battlenet. I wasn't a good player but I kept at it. Then, came WarCraft III: Reign of Chaos and WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne. I also learned Age of Empires, Red Alert, and many other games. And finally, DotA and now, League of Legends. But StarCraft will always be StarCraft. I was super excited when I first heard news that StarCraft II will finally be released. Sometime. Maybe in a year or so. That…
Category: hobbies and interests
Poker + Blogging Skills = TV Show
When I heard that a local poker tv show is on the works and they're looking for a host, I didn't hesitate. I WANTED TO BE PART OF IT! Yes, I wanted to host the show, but I wanted to be part of the production more. Having played poker for more than two years, and being a blogger / writer / PR consultant, I thought I had the credentials to be part of the show. Two nights ago, I went to the production company's office to audition, telling the director I would also be interested in being a writer for the show or as part of the production team. Yesterday morning, I received a message that I have been chosen to be part of the team. WOOHOO! And that there would be a meeting and technical rehearsal at around 3 pm. Ooops! I had a workshop/dinner with my friends. I wen to the workshop/dinner but left for about an hour for the meeting at the poker club. Met the two hosts, Carol Smith who has been a poker player and a former DJ. I told the director that she would be the perfect host. And I'm happy they agreed. The…
Travel with M&Ms
Who doesn't love the chocolate that melts in your mouth? It used to come in just two varieties: Plain Milk Chocolate and Peanut. Now, M&Ms chocolates come in Crispy and Orange. And in some countries, in my favorite Dark Chocolate. M&Ms would like to go with you on you travels with premium items which you can redeem by buying and eating your favorite M&Ms and collecting the packages for redemption. Everytime you buy an M&Ms (listed on the poster above), you earn a number of points. The more M&Ms you enjoy, the more points you earn. You get to enjoy chocolate and you get better rewards. Can life be sweeter? For 7 points, you get a cute M&Ms Luggage Tag. It's cute and unique, a good way to spot your bag on airport carousel. I want the green one with the pink luggage. Quirky. By collecting 40 points, you get a Sling cum Messenger Bag which is convenient to carry and can fit all your travel essentials. I'm eye-ing the blue one. To keep you warm during land, air, or sea travel, collect 80 points to redeem an M&Ms Foldable Blanket. When it's folded it looks like your favorite M&M.…
MFAT: Soccsksargen Summer Safari Day 2
This is a very late post. I know. I'm sorry. :P But better late than never, right? May 30 was Day 2 of the first ever Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour: Soccsksargen Summer Safari. The day began early for the participants as we woke up from our comfy beds at the Ice Castle Experience. Our gracious hosts Avel and Orman Manansala together with Donna Congson fetched us very early. Why? To have our breakfast at Dolores Farm Resort en route to Lake Sebu. Most of us lacked sleep, but nobody complained after seeing the very beautiful Dolores Farm Resort and the yummy breakfast they have prepared. Aside from the bangus, sinangag, and itlog combo meal, they served deep fried tilapia and hot native chocolate. I love Tilapia. Bow. And I was overly (AS IN OA!) excited to see the very pretty deep fried tilapia. And the hot native chocolate was a the perfect drink to complement the meal. Aside from breakfast, we toured the Dolores Farm Zoo. It freaked me out by most of the participants enjoyed it. Sorry na, I'm not an animal lover. Our next stop? The Seven Falls of Lake Sebu. It was breath-taking. Literally and figuratively. We…
Ateneo Human Knights Film Festival
I was invited to the press screening of the Ateneo de Davao Human Knights Film Festival. The Human Knights Film Fest is the public screening, competition, and awarding of the film projects of the Communications majors under AdDU Faculty member Ronald Gary Bengil Bautista. Gary Bautista is himself a multi-awarded indie filmmaker, having won numerous awards in the 5th Mindanao Film Festival for his film Sandugo. Bautista taught and mentored his students for a semester and the Human Knights Film Festival is the culmination of their class for the second semester of SY 2009 - 2010. First up was dramedy Tick Tock by JP Curay. Tick Tock is a Bisaya film by Cinesthesia Films, produced by Abby Araullo. It stars Jessa Mabasag as a girl with only 24 hours to live. The catch? She is young and a virgin. LOLS! The film is funny and a bit sexy peppered by of course, some drama. The second film was more serious and darker, Hatsu Tamo, a Japanese language film by Jap-Fil Hashiko Nagasaki. It is an emotional suspense movie. My favorite among the four films was Thy Will Be Done by Kristian Somera. It is produced by Carmelle Jumawan and stars…
Davao Noontime Toastmaters
My friend, Brendel, recently asked me if there is any humility left in me. And I told her, I admit to not knowing things when I do not know anything and I rarely do things I am not good at. The very next day, I attended a meeting of the Davao Noontime Toastmasters Club. I though I was a good public speaker. I though wrong. Attending the meeting was a very humbling experience. I was scared out of my wits and stammered and stuttered the entire time. FAIL! For about two months, my uncle, Rene Lizada has been inviting me to join their Toastmasters meeting. But due to different events, illnesses, and other reasons, I was only able to attend last Friday. According to their site, Toastmasters is "a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations." Toastmasters clubs hold regular meetings in which the members are all tasked to speak in one way or another. There is a Toastmaster of the Day, Formal Speakers, a Table Topics Session, a Light Interlude, and Evaluation. When I attended last Friday, the featured Noonie (Noontime Toastmaster) was Advanced Toastmaster Rene Lizada. He's an…