September

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…at least, for me. Bring on the BERs. Today is the start of my favorite month out of the twelve: September. Why? Forget about being poor and busy, I love September because there are only five days in this month that there’s no reason to celebrate. Imagine that. From September 1 to 30, it’s non-stop partying and paloozas. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but everyday still calls for merriment.

Mum’s birthday is on this month. Bes is also a Virgo. Tits and Lolo Teban who’s having their party up above. Colo, my AmBoy cuz. And a whole lot more. Like I said, this month doesn’t come cheap, but not one boring minute passes by.

I don’t know. But karma, be it good or bad, hangs out with me every September. It is in this month, in those 22 Septembers I’ve been through, that I have experienced lots of memorable moments and situations. No details. You’ll just have to trust me. Har!

And of course, September also marks the beginning of the holiday season. Well, in the Philippines at least. I’ve already seen a couple of parols and lanterns being sold in the streets and fat Santa figures ridiculously grinning at me as I pass by my neighbor’s house. Yay! Next thing you know, it’s snowing and presents, presents, presents. Right, maybe the latter, but still…I’m freakishly excited! (--,)

E is for Envy over Eraserheads

People might say that I have no right to write about last night as I wasn’t even there. As if my being color green isn’t enough…but everywhere, everybody’s talking about, what it seems to be, the event of this year, possibly, this century: the Eraserheads Reunion concert. Okay, so I won’t look like an idiot, I won’t go into details. As always, just my two-cents worth.

The reunion rumors started ever since they disbanded but was strengthened last year. As early as the last week of last month, different means of acquiring passes, tickets, inclusion in guestlists are circulating around the web…all with one common denominator: they’re free. After a tobacco company decided to sponsor the whole event, things are looking good for every fan out there. Until the moralists decides to rain on our parade and forces the company to pull out of the event as they are not being good role models. Please! With just a few weeks remaining, news reports are inconsistent. Some said it’s canceled, some said it will definitely push through. Well, I didn’t exactly lose my interest, but I just didn’t make the effort. Big effing mistake!!!

August 30, 2008, The Fort open grounds, 8:00 p.m. What many thought to be impossible and will be but a dream…became a reality. The Philippines’ Fab Four: Ely Buendia, Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro, and Raimund Marasigan, graced the stage once again, together, and performed as The Eraserheads. In true rock fashion, the E-heads prepared a two-set session with 15 songs from each set and a 20-min interval between. Sure the concert was cut in half as Ely Buendia was rushed to the hospital for stress and fatigue (the guy underwent heart surgery last year and his Mom passed away last Thursday and he played for two hours or so, straight), nevertheless, “surreal” was the word people used describe that night.

Lots of my friends were able to score VIP passes, so I can imagine their experience. And I didn’t have to. They were more than willing to rub it in my face last night as I settled for a session with them after the concert. Amidst their long faces and disappointment, I can see that witnessing half of this glorious event was more than enough. The trio of Gemm, Eunice, and Odette (yeah, they clicked…haha) related to me every detail of the concert from the magnificent countdown to the celebrities beside them to what bitin feels like. And then we learned that the rest of the E-heads decided to hit Saguijo to continue their reunion by playing some songs from their second set, with Aia De Leon of Imago and the Dancel Brothers taking over vocal duties. We could’ve...no, we should’ve been there. Double sigh! Yes, I’ll shoot myself now. Now, I’m settling for clips from YouTube and blogs from people who were lucky enough to be there. Stupid, stupid indolent me.

To the rock gods, if there is going to be a Part 2 of this One-Night only event (hah) rest assured that I will be there, whatever it takes. Please let there be a part two. Trust me, I will not miss it. \m/

Pics from Odette and Eunice

Mortality

At the risk of seeming emo, one’s mortality is now being questioned in my circle. So much death this year--one, a friend a few months back; another, a colleague’s mother; and just yesterday, a close friend’s father. Except for the mother, it all happened so fast, without warning, they’re just lifeless. So sad, really. My friend and the dad just slept and didn’t wake up anymore. Are bangungots the in-thing cause of death right now? Sure, it’s easier to die without knowing that you’re about to: no pain, no pity, no live goodbyes…you’re just gone. But the hardest thing about leaving the human world is leaving your loved ones. I feel for their families who are now in the state of grieving.

I’ve always handled deaths well. Morbidity is not in my dictionary but I believe in being prepared if God decides to summon you back home. Besides, if I go, I would wanna see who would attend my internment--what everyone’s wearing, telling, sharing, gossiping…the good stuff. Who really cares and who’s there for the free coffee and industrial-sized cookies. Good times, right?

To Karen’s Mom and Zelle’s Dad, it’s cliché to say that you guys are now in a better place, but I believe you are…looking over your daughters from up above.

Mosaic Meme

Here are the instructions:

1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
2. Use only the first page of results, and pick one image.
3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.

Questions:

1. What is your first name?
Timmy (Old School High School)

2. What is your favorite food?
Cheeseburger (Krispy Kreme Cheeseburgers)

3. What high school did you go to?
San Beda College-Manila (Red Lions)

4. What is your favorite color?
Orange (Rome Coliseum)

5. Who is your celebrity crush?
Natalie Portman (Natalie Portman)

6. What is your favorite drink?
Coffee (Woman holding cup of coffee)

7. What/Where is your dream vacation?
Ireland (Irish Landscape)

8. What is your favorite dessert?
Brazo de Mercedes (Brazo de Mercedes minis)

9. What did you want to be when you grow up?
Archaeologist (Archaeological cocktail)

10. What do you love most in life?
Myself (refer to first question)

11. What is one word that describes you?
Classic (Vintage Car)

12. What is your flickr name?
I dunno (picked a pic that relates most to what I’m feeling at the moment)

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This one’s from Jai. See, I even copied his number five answer.

I love Memes. ♥

Song Bie Beijing; Good'ay London

As China tries to solve their problem on what they’re going to do with all that Olympic-related buildings and memories from the last outing, here’s my two-cents worth on the first Olympics that I really paid attention to.

I love sports but sports never felt the same way towards me. So, the next best thing would have to be watching it from the sidelines, and that, I did, for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Greek gods are smiling side-by-side with Buddha after witnessing what may be one of the most successful Olympics in history. I wouldn’t know, but for me, score one for China! From the magnificent and left-our-mouths-hanging-open opening ceremonies, to the games and events themselves, to the turning over of the torch to the once ruler of the world, England--pretty damn memorable to me. Yes, London plays host to the 2012 Olympics.

The Philippines, as expected, went home proud. Empty-handed, but proud. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Our campaign sucked more this time around than the previous one as not one athlete got pass their respective first rounds. But hey, the Filipino people are still very proud of your accomplishments. Olympics is still Olympics. It’s not a lost cause, our journey for that Olympic gold that is. If Mikey Phelps achieved that “Great Haul of China” and set new world records while he’s at it, then nothing is impossible. Another thing worth mentioning is that the “Redeem Team” stayed true to their moniker by defeating World Champions Spain for that much-coveted Olympic gold. Their women’s team also won and took home their fourth consecutive gold medal. Shades to Lisa Leslie who I’m sure will be retiring from the Olympics. She had a good run--4 golds in 4 Olympics! More importantly, USA are yet again, basketball gods.

All in all it was a good 26-day run for Beijing. In the end, whatever the outcome of the games may be, the important thing is that world kept the Olympic spirit alive. Nations didn’t forget what they came to China for: camaraderie and sportsmanship. Now that the Olympiad has just begun, us Filipinos need to prepare for what London holds for the world.

Photo | IBNLive

That’s What I Get

I just grabbed a spoon--Meaning? Think “FRIENDS” Pilot episode--and it was smacked hard back to my face. This is why I don’t like making moves. For some reason, it always backfires and fails. Sheesh. I said I won’t be part of that heartbreak club last Friday as most of my teammates were experiencing some serious matters of their hearts. Aww, right? Not really. Hah! I’m much too arctic than that. Yeah, I’ll be the jerk who doesn’t help at all by continuously singing “Someday We’ll Know” enjoying every moment until it becomes awkward. But no.

“Do something! Ask her! Nothing will happen if you don’t do anything.” Yeah, I know! Something did happen. I feel like a douche. Apparently, requesting a mere merienda is translated as me coming on too strong. Wow. This poses as a challenge, no doubt. But, I’m not in the mood for challenges. I feel kinda insulted and dejected. It’s very rare that I offer generosity and be actually “nice” and the whole act thrown back to my face. I would’ve probably absorbed it better if I got the two most comforting words there are: “Fuck Off!!!” Cool. Didn’t know it was possible, but apparently (since I wrote about it), I ain’t that cold as I perceive myself to be.

Dobol Trobol

This is not a movie review. Well, not in its entirety. Today is a holiday so Mum asked me to spend the day with her. Sure. Only I had already planned this movie date with Dad today. Here’s an idea: why not make it a family day, right? Only I can find amusement in my parents’ separation. Anyway, so both parties agreed and I initially planned to take them to TriNoma so it’d be something new for all of us. Yeah, we ended up in Glorietta as usual.

Like I said in my tribute blog for Dad, he likes Tagalog stuff and no contest really on what we’re going to watch--the “epic” movie of Dolphy and Vic Sotto, the two most prominent comedy giants of our country’s entertainment industry: “Dobol Trobol: Get Redi 2 Rambol.” Yeah, it sounds cheesy and it is…but you cannot take away the fact that it stars two institutions that made names for themselves by making everyone laugh. I liked it, really.

The story revolves around rich businessman Mac (Dolphy) who left his wife because she’s a bitch and decided to work at his best friend’s resort as an all-around guy. Arthur (Vic Sotto) really just came out as this jobless nice guy who saved Mac’s BFF from holdapers, and in return, the guy gives him a job in his resort as Mac’s assistant. The two quickly hated each other to the point of sabotaging and playing tricks on each other--why? They never did say. I guess Dolphy didn’t want to share the comedy throne to his so-called protégé. In comes the beautiful and future ex-girlfriend of mine, Boni (short for Bonifacia played by Riza Santos), unica hija of Mac who wants nothing more but to see her parents get back together and hopes that things return to the way they were before, oh, and she thinks Arthur is “kinda cute.” Okay. Slapstick, toilet-humor, some use of CGI--not really the finer points but Dolphy’s quick use of witty adlibs and seeing Vic Sotto being slapped a couple of times made it work for me. It’s not that “epic” and “grand” comedy movie of the century as it was supposed to be…but hey, I grew up laughing with these fellows. I respect their efforts nevertheless.

Wrong choice of movie when you’re out with your Mum and Dad who are not together. Key line: “unica hija who wants nothing more but to see her parents get back together…” Did the writers of this movie knew my family’s situation? Cruel bastards! While I may not wish for that to happen and certainly laughs at the concept, watching it with both of them sure was awkward. The idea certainly played tricks on our minds. “Is he thinking the same thing?” “Was it really my fault?” “Am I really worthless?” Dramatization. Sheesh. I’ve already made my peace that I have a mom and a dad, but not parents. Both of them looking out and wanting what’s best for me are more than enough anyways. Should’ve just waited for “For The First Time.” Hahaha! Only I can find amusement in my parents’ separation.

Now, if only I could take Riza Santos to introduce to them and ask for their blessing…(--,)

Fall 2008

It’s that time of the year once again where you wish you’re a bum and free of responsibilities--Fall Season! For everyone’s (and my own) benefit, I present the 2008 Fall Primetime TV show schedules. At least, schedules of those that I watch. It’s gonna be an awesome September, I guarantee you. I so cannot wait. With Gossip Girl welcoming the fall season most definitely with a bang and Ghost Whisperer being the last, certainly not the least, to premiere its latest season. Also, two new shows to look forward to: 90210 and Privileged, both from The CW network. Click the pictures to watch their individual promos and trailers.

Gossip Girl
Season II (The CW) – September 1, 2008

One Tree Hill
Season VI (The CW) – September 1, 2008

Prison Break
Season IV (FOX) – September 1, 2008

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Season II (FOX) – September 8, 2008

House, M.D.
Season V (FOX) - September 16, 2008

Supernatural
Season IV (The CW) - September 18, 2008

Heroes: Villains
Season III (NBC) – September 22, 2008

How I Met Your Mother
Season IV (CBS) – September 22, 2008

Dexter
Season III (Showtime) - September 28, 2008

Desperate Housewives
Season V (ABC) – September 28, 2008

Chuck
Season II (NBC) – September 29, 2008

Dirty Sexy Money
Season II (ABC) – October 1, 2008

Ghost Whisperer
Season IV (CBS) – October 3, 2008

90210
(The CW) – September 2, 2008

Privileged
(The CW) – September 9, 2008

Well, there you have it. Lost is not included in the mix as its latest season is scheduled for January/February of 2009. The CW Network ruled primetime this season with its overwhelming roster of shows. We’re in the Philippines, how exactly are these going to be of use to us? Online streaming is god! How can you not be excited?