Fab Five. ;)

These past few days, my page was filled of different bonding activities that I have had with my friends. Spending time with them is one of my favorite past times, indeed. It doesn’t matter how short or long we share each other’s time, what important is the value of making every moment possible just to be with each other.

In my twenty one years of existence, I may have not lived impeccably but I know I have made a genuine decision in my entire living. And that is, choosing who my friends are. If I were to be asked on what is the most memorable chapter in my life… without hesitation I will surely say, HIGH SCHOOL days.  I might have regret some of the events in my teen age years but I will not be this way if not because of those.

You are not completely human if you were not able to enjoy or passed through the happenings during those four years. Definitely, those were the times when you don’t have to worry much. Ooops! Did I just say it right? Less worries during HS days? Maybe when it comes to your studies, you could expect pampering and spoon feeding but in terms of the people surrounding you, Jeez! You could even be reigned as the University’s Most Popular! Rumor has it. Hearing a lot of grapevines and gossips, that will surely make you known.

However, not all youngsters celebrate popularity in an awful way. Some were being pursued by admirers while others excel in academics and sports. Whatever way you reached popularity or whether you were just part of the minority, one thing is certain— most of us found our best friends in this stage of our lives.

I’m proud to say, I found mine and we were able to keep the friendship going even years passed by. J

During Jemi's 21st bday. (from left) Me, Louie, Lorraine, Aira, and Jemima

Stereotypes.

"Hindi lahat ng sa tingin ng marami ay tama, dahil hindi batayan ang bilang ng naniniwala para sabihin mo sarili mong tama rin na maniwala ka."

Isa yan sa mga bagay na napatunayan ko habang nabubuhay ako. Sa maraming pagkakataon madali tayong madala at mahigit ng sitwasyon lalo na kung ang mga tao sa paligid natin ay iisa lamang ang sinasabi. Hindi man natin gusto ay nadidiktahan tayo ng iba siguro dahil malapit tayo sa kanila o nasanay na lang tayo na maki-ayon sa pangyayari. Minsan ganyan ako. "Kung anong gusto ng iba, sige doon ako." Hindi rin naman kasi masamang mag-compromise. 

Pero ang ayoko... 'yung stereotypes.

Nagiba ang pananaw ko simula ng nakilala ko ang kaibigan ko na ito. Isa siyang frat man. Actually, hindi ko alam noon na frat man siya. Nalaman ko lang sa isa pa naming kaibigan. Noong unang pagkikita namin hindi ko siya kinakausap, hindi pinapansin. Ganun ako e, minamata ko lahat ng tao lalo na kung unang pagkikita. Mahirap kasi magtiwala. Hindi ko basta basta binibigay 'yun. Hanggang dumating ang pangalawa at ikatlong pagkikita, narealize ko mabait naman pala siya. Katulad din namin, masayahin siya. Sabi nga noong sa amin, di siya umubra sa kakulitan ko. Madaldal siya tulad ko, pero mas madaldal pa rin ako! Habang tumatagal, gumaan na pakiramdam ko sa kaniya. Katulad ng iba kong kaibigan, gusto kong lagi siyang nakakasama. Hindi pala siya tulad ng iniisip ko. Hindi tulad ng sinasabi ng iba.

Taliwas sa kaalaman ng marami. Hindi lahat ng kabilang sa frat ay mga duwag at masasamang tao. Na kaya nila piniling mapabilang sa grupong ito ay dahil kailangan nila ng karamay sa lahat ng bagay at may reresbak sa kung ano pa mang susuungin nilang away. Pero matapos ang isang pangyayari na nasaksihan ko kamakailan lamang, napatunayan ko hindi lahat. Hindi tamang isarado natin ang ating isipan na para hindi sila intindihin at paniwalaan. Tao rin sila na may pinagdadaanan. Minsan sila pa 'yung handang isuko ang sarili para ipaglaban ang tinatawag na samahan. Handang magsakripisyo para sa kapakanan ng kapwa kaibigan. Hindi lahat sa kanila ay duwag, maaring naiinspire silang maging matapang para maging kasangga ng iba. Hindi sila masasamang tao, katulad rin din natin sila. Normal, may buhay at grupong handang ipaglaban. 'Yan ang natutunan ko sa kaniya. 

Huwag tayong manghusga sa bagay na hindi naman talaga natin nalalaman at naiintindihan. Lahat tayo may istorya. Saka lang natin maiintindihan 'pag sibukan nating malaman.

Approved!

Yesterday afternoon I was out the whole day to support my frenxip on her thesis defense. Since my newest hobby is photography, I volunteered to be her official photographer. She said that this is one of the momentous events in her life, and I could have not miss the world for it. Along with us is her mom who have shown big support from stuffs like driving and buying foods. Of course, Aira (frenxip #2) is also present who acted as Lorraine's note taker. 

Before the defense began, Lorraine was so busy rehearsing and me, Aira and Mark were busy chatting. In the middle of our joyful conversation, we found out that one of us is currently experiencing a problem. I don't know but I really felt sad when I heard about the story. No matter what happens my friend, you can always rely on us. But like what we have told you, it's better to tell the truth. Shout out! If they were in your position, I believe they will understand. :)

Any way going back to Lorraine's defense...

The panelists arrived at around 3 o'clock pm. My friend is stuttering in her Intro but she was able to run through it successfully. It was a calm and long discussion with the panelists. With that picture, I remember my thesis days just a year ago. In our school, we have a different procedure. We have two oral defense, one for proposal and another for the final. Lorraine is lucky. The room is filled with three intelligent critics who incidentally argue in a very cool manner--that lessens the jitters. The discussion took more than an hour and it ended well. The two panelists already signed the paper in a condition that Lorraine will make the necessary revisions to be noted and checked by his editor. Two thumbs up frenxip! Approved! ;)

After the long standing, finally we can eat and have a little photo shoot. Let's see what I have in here...

(from left) panelist 1, editor, lorrraine's mom, lorraine, panelist 2

Three lovely friends. (from left) me, lorraine and aira. :)

"Finally, no more sleepless nights." hehe

Happiness Brought By The Curls

(From left) My best friend, Lorraine and me, having our hair digi-permed

                                 

Always ready to try new things, that's what we are. We're inseparable, and we have this undeniable bond. Since High School we are proud of being dreamers. Together with our other bff's, we used to plan our future. From the simple things of going in a salon together, shopping when we already have our works, being partners in a business and building our own families together. Those are just some of the dreams that we have in mind. And step by step, we will run our lives for it.

Just this October, we thought of having sexy curls. We did some research on where to have a good digital perming. I even asked my twitter and facebook friends if they can recommend me a salon that offers affordable and yet awesome perms. Fortunately, some of them replied and they all recommended a similar salon--Tony and Jackey. Immediately, I did checked it on the Internet and I was amazed by what I saw. So I updated my frenxip (that's what we call each other) and poof, date scheduled! Good thing that Tony and Jackey Salon has a branch in Alabang. 

When we arrived there, they checked our hairs and afterwards they washed it. We spent three to four hours 'til our perms are done. From shampooing, we sat down on a Octopus-like machine then a treatment was applied on our hair which they call hair manicure. Seriously, it was a bit boring and you would feel a rumble on your stomach due to hunger. Haha. :D Lucky that we asked someone to  buy something for us. Our bellies were saved by the bell. Then it's done! Curls achieved. Uhm. Wait. If you guys will visit Tony and Jackey, I suggest look for Ms. Daisy. She's my stylist.

Medium waves. Thanks to Tony and Jackey! :)

All Eyes On You

I can't think of a good title that will suffice this entry. Well my eyes are all on you. I could even start a fire and eventually melt an ice on you. (Ano raw?) I have not managed this blog for a long time. I thought of writing again to ease this boredom. 

Yes! Oh I mean no. I am unemployed for a month. But actually both good and bad feeling. I had finally took a rest since I started working even before I graduated--that's the good part. And the awful one is POVERTY. My savings are starting to be burned out. To think, Christmas is very soon. How about the parties that I often arrange? I'm still gonna attend on some but maybe, less budget on where are we gonna celebrate. But I have no problem with my high school buddies. Mababaw mga 'yun, we can just sleep over on someone's house, movie marathon and have simple exchange gifts.

I am eyeing for the job that I dreamt of ever since I was young. To Travel, To Write and To Meet People. All in one. That is to be a writer. :) I'm not gonna give up until I reach that dream. I can't just wait here, I should do something. You dream job, my eyes are all on you!

No Regrets. Just Pure Love.

I remember my first day in College. I wore my eyeglasses just to see a clear vision of my new surrounding. I approached the two young ladies in front of the door and asked them "Ab Comm din kayo?" And then the three of us entered the classroom. Beside me is a guy who is wearing a blue shirt. He sleeps in the class, I guess... he is a loner. So I took a glimpse in the other sides of the room. I saw many beautiful faces but how come I can't see a man who will catch my attention. Well, majority of the class are girls. No wonder.

On the next day, I still join the company of the two nice girls. Our first shared snack was superthin biscuit. We sat in the staircase near the L bldg. and started talking about our lives. I never thought that this would be the start of our friendship.They were just strangers and then instantly we can't last a day without each other. The chinita girl laughs like a witch, very irritating! While the other one is so reserved and quiet (noong una lang pala). Eventually, one was added in the group through a funny encounter. It's Comm Theory subject and that lady came in late. Fortunately, there is a vacant seat beside me. Then our conversation started this way:

She : May nakaupo dito?
Me : Wala. May assignment ka ba?
She : Ha? May assignment ba? Pakopya!
Me : Okay. (smiles)

Haha. I will never forget that moment. Imagine, we're not even close yet and she already copied assignment from me. This is truly a unique start of friendship! :) So buo na ang F4. We often visit the library not to read books... but to look at the pictures of the desserts and menus in the recipe books. There was a time when the librarian caught as laughing in the corner and we're screwed! We never came back in the library after that incident happened.

In the succeeding days, months and years, we met and lost friends. Each of us experienced heartbreaks, losses and felt affection and inspiration. But the happiest of all is having friends who help us grow as individuals and made us realize the blessing of true friendship.  Of course, I will not forget to mention the remaining six wonderful people that I met. This tall and dark man who's like a brother to me, the intelligent lady whom I never thought I will be close with, the humorist man who never fail to tease me and make me laugh, the stunning lady who calls me Ma, the serious type man who eventually get rid of his psp and the big man who made me feel real loved. :)

I'm also thankful for the other people who came into our lives. Even though we already have our own groups now, still, they became part of my College life.

So to my friends, this entry is for you. I didn't mention names but the description speaks for your identity. You are all the reason why I enjoyed going to school, why I don't want to miss a day of photoshoots and hangouts and why I love everything about my College life.  

Click the link below!

Friends I will forever cherish. :)

A Journey Through Holy Week

The past is always associated with the present. Almost all of the beliefs and actions we have practiced and lived with are basically learned from our ancestors. It was measured to be tenacity and a priori wherein Filipinos have followed a pattern of life, a culture, and a tradition.

The Philippines is known to be a Christian country, predominantly Roman Catholic. Practices are expected to be present and perceived especially in various seasons. Filipinos are thought to be adaptive in terms of living life and one proof is the way they celebrate the Holy week or Semana Santa.

Oh Holy Month
Holy Week is commemorated on the month of April. It venerates Christ’s death and resurrection. But, there could be a thin line between how people celebrate the Holy week from the past and present.

Before, children were summoned to stay at home and families prefer to spend the lenten season peacefully in their places than having a trip outside town. Cabs and other vehicles are rarely seen in the roads.

Nowadays, some Filipinos see Holy week as a week-long vacation. Instead of doing penitence and honoring Christ’s suffering from saving us from our sins, some tend to enjoy the week as an escape and relief from their busiest times in life.

But away from these differences, similarities don’t grow apart. In fact, there is much likeness than the divergence. Several modern day Filipinos still value the practices being inherited from the past.

Valuing the Past
During Holy week, different scenes could be witnessed and it starts with Palm Sunday. The congregation bring palm leaves or “palaspas” to church which is blessed by the priest before the mass starts. This commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus to Jerusalem.

Next is Holy Monday, the beginning of the reading, “pabasa” or “pasyon”. This is a chant-like marathon of the poetic prayer-story of Jesus' life, passion, and death that begins from day until night.

Then on Maundy Thursday, people do the "Church Visit" or "Visita Iglesia"; it involves visiting several churches and pray the Stations of the Cross. It was believed that if it was your first time to do the “Church Visit”, your prayers and wishes would be answered.

Meanwhile, Good Friday is commemorated with solemn street processions, the way of the Cross, the commemoration of Jesus' seven last words and a passion-play called the Cenakulo. In some places, devotees would have themselves flagellated as a penance. Some would walk barefooted, whip themselves bloody with ropes and broken pieces of glass attached with strings to bamboo sticks and sometimes even have themselves nailed to crosses.

And lastly the Black Saturday or “Sabado de Gloria”. On this day, silence and solemnity is observed and business transactions are often entertained. Christians believe that the physical body of Jesus Christ is still resting in the Garden of Gethsemane. And when night comes, it paves way for the celebration of Easter.

Faith Not Broken

Easter Sunday is the resurrection of Jesus and the meeting of Jesus and Mary. Easter is also the culmination of the whole commemoration of Holy Week. In modern times, the mood is festive and people are busy preparing an Easter feast. Easter eggs and bunnies are the highlights of the event.

Today, Easter has become a metaphor for relief and celebration. After six days of repentance and penance, people look forward to parties and family gatherings. In some ways it is acceptable since the celebration gives value to life and is centered in the family.

But it is different in the past. In a “prusisyon”, church figures and saints are the main acts of the parade. Men and women are separated and divided into two different streets. Men follow the figure of Jesus while women follow Mary's. As they meet, all will hear the Holy Mass.

Observing Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, it is evident that people have their own ways of repenting, sacrificing, and rejoicing. Either way, Holy week is the time to remind ourselves of Christ's suffering and that He saved us from our sins and welcomed us into life's beauty.

The world has bountiful beliefs and traditions, hence, people should learn and value the past and re-live it properly in the present.