I entered college in 1999, more than 10 years ago. Back then, I had promised to keep in touch with my friends who were going to other colleges. It seemed easy, mobile phones were starting to get more trendy and cheaper. Prepaid mobile services were just starting to get popular. But it wasn't really that easy. Subscribers from one network couldn't send messages to subscribers to other networks. Calls were expensive. Internet connection was mostly dial-up, slow, clogged up the landline phones, and was expensive. While I had a mobile phone and a relatively fast internet connection at my cousin's house where I stayed, not a lot of my friends were in the same mobile network or didn't have email addresses. I did manage to keep in touch with friends in the same network. All the time. Until mobile networks decided to charge for SMS. As for friends abroad, I sent them ecards. That was trendy back then. Haha! And yes, I did send my friend in Baguio some snail mail every now and then. LOL! Back then, I made an email group and a website for my batchmates. It was so we could keep tabs on everybody. It was…
Category: hobbies and interests
The Script’s Breakeven
I know I said I will try my best not to be emo this year. And I'm trying my hardest. But indulge me for a moment. I am sick and it's a gloomy Monday afternoon. My friends reminded me of The Script and this song is precisely how I feel right now... (And yeah, also a bit of The Man Who Can't Be Moved.) No, a man has not broken my heart again. Not yet. Just that I can totally relate to this song. :) Needless to say, I'm still recovering from my last heartbreak and I can't help but feel like I was and still am at the losing end. I'd like to think he wasn't the best part of me, but he certainly gave me plenty of reasons to be happy about. Most of which was how much I could depend on him to be on my side. All the time, no matter what. I'm not sure if he's happy right now. Or if he's better off without me. But I'm hoping there will be better days ahead for me. And for him. Because even if our hearts didn't break evenly, we both deserve to be happy. Here's…
Bautista’s Bakak
Not content with taking majority of the awards in the 5th Mindanao FilmFest in 2009 for his film "Sandugo," Ronald Gary Bautista entered two films for the 6th Mindanao FilmFest. And once again, Bautista and his Studio Beta Productions took home four trophies. His film, Bakak gave Bautista his second Best Director trophy, the Best Guerilla Film Award, and the Best Film Award. According to the jury, composed of this writer, Teddy Co of the NCCA, and local artist Rudolph Alama, Bakak's technical excellence and innovative story-telling set the film apart and make it stand out from the other films of the festival. Bautista and his film represents the future of filmmaking in Mindanao, one that is creative, excellent, and deserving of accolades from both the critics and the viewing public. Bakak tells the mysterious events that happen when a teacher and his students enter an allegedly haunted building and not all of them survive the excursion. Through the use of a first person point of view in the story-telling, the viewer feels like he is involved in the film. While the film does not highlight Bautista's technical expertise, it shows how Bautista can excellently execute a film. The first…
The Last Day by Marilyn Scott
In my old blog, I posted the lyrics to one of the songs I really liked. That was in 2005 and I haven't really updated that blog in four years but the post still gets some comments because apparently a lot of people like the song and have been looking for a copy of it. The song is "The Last Day." Back then I thought it was by Hourglass, a little known band I had watched play the song on Myx. But I have been informed that the song is originally by Marilyn Scott. The song is a bit too sentimental and talks about living one's life to the fullest and shooting for one's dreams. Here is the song: And the lyrics... THE LAST DAY by Hourglass If today were the last of all days Would it change how you feel, who you are? Would you rise for a moment Above all your fears Become one with the moon and the stars? Would you like what you see looking down Did you give everything that you could Have you done everything that you wanted to do Is there still so much more that you hold Follow your dream to the…
Red Rebel Productions’ Eva
Another film in the 6th Mindanao Filmfest that really grabbed my attention and held it was Red Rebel Productions' Eva. Fueled by a simple storyline and strong performances by Ruben Gonzaga and Rochelle Venuti, Eva tugs at the heart of the the viewer. What held me captive was not just the story or the acting skills of the actors, but the excellent production value. The cinematography, sound editing and musical scoring, as well as the editing of the film were all beautiful and seamless. And for that the film won the Best in Production Value Award. With a solid storyline, good actors, and great production value, Eva was also awarded as the Best Workshop Film and was a contender for Best Guerilla Film and Best Festival Film. Congratulations to Red Rebel Productions for the awards and a great film!
First Step to Fitness (And to a Sexier Ria)
I'm a vain person, no use denying that. When I diet it's usually for vanity's sake... to wear my clothes better or so I can attract more aholes into my life. LOL! But my recent struggle with my health added 20 pounds to my already overweight body and made me realize that fitness and health should be a major concern. This year I'm aiming for a fit and healthy body. I'll try to have a better and more balanced diet, and I'll attempt to go to the gym to work out. THE HORROR! I abhor going to the gym or doing most forms of physical activity. I don't like getting sweaty or wearing gym clothes. Rawrrr! But for vanity and for fitness, I'll do it this year. I'll start with a once a week walking around the oval and running on the treadmill routine. My first day will be on Monday, January 10, 2011. This will just be the first step. I hope to get back to belly-dancing and maybe do more and longer cardio workouts. I hope this will improve the condition of my cardiovascular, respiratory, and immune systems. I currently weigh around 140 pounds. At only 5"1, I…