Natapos din ang UP event at ang seminar/writeshop with NCCA.

I'm still not sure what's my next assignment.

December 1 na, pero ang bleak ng prospect ko ng Pasko.

Teka, buong mundo naman yata, ganun ang pananaw sa ngayon.

Tsk tsk tsk.

Saka na ang wrap-up sa parehong events dito sa blog ko.

***

Meanwhile, napansin ninyo ang buwan tonight? Para siyang nakangiting labi. Mga mata ang dalawang makinang na makinang na bituin. [Hindi pala iyon mga bituin. Naibalita sa TV na ang dalawang makikinang na objects ay mga planetang Venus at Jupiter.]

Parang sinasabihan ako na "Huwag ka mag-alala. God is good all the time."

Mula ang larawan dito.

Anything?

Naipadala na pala ng sis kong si Jay ang mga picture nung nag-dinner kami with some of his friends, kasama pati si Kuyatot. Eto ung friend ko na based sa Singapore at nagbakasyon lang dito. Haha! Antagal bago na-send ng lola through email. Busy daw kasi siya sa work.

 Si Jay ung naka-dark blue at mukha ng Singaporean. Ung nasa gitna na naka-red (or maroon?) ay ang sikat na photographer na ito.

2 Said So

Hindi ko na na-post ito kagabi kasi late na ako nakauwi.

BELATED HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY KUYATOT KO!

We started our day early. Pero dapata sana earlier e, late lang ako nagising. So past 7 AM na kami nagkita sa 7-11 Balagtas. Tapos diretso na kami sa palengke dahil ipagluluto ko siya ng lunch. Pagkadating sa house sa Pandi, pahinga muna.

Simple lang ang iniluto ko kasi may plano siyang mag-dinner na lang kami sa labas kasama si Nanay (niya). Nag-experiment akong lutuin ung kinain ko sa Orchid Garden Suites. Mabuti at nagustuhan naman niya!

Pagkatapos makapahinga, wrestlingan naman kami! Haha! As in wrestling, hindi ung censored ha! Haha!

Ang sakit tuloy ng katawan ko after. Siya rin daw. Nakatulog kami pagkatapos ng aming match. Naulan pa naman sa Pandi kaya masarap talaga matulog.

Church kami kinagabihan. December 4 din kasi ang pagkakatatag ng Malolos Cathedral kaya dun kami nagsimba. Sinundo muna namin si Nanay sa bahay.

Ayun, ginabi kami lalo kasi me program pa after mass. Pinasinayaan ni Bishop ang lighting ng Simbahan, courtesy of MERALCO people. Tapos bliness din ung bagong structure sa Chapel of the Saints.

Pinalagpas na namin ung cultural presentation sa may patio. Dinala kami ni Kuyatot sa paborito niyang kainan,  sa Sizzling along d riles. Masarap na ang pagkain, mura pa! Waaah kabusog sobra!

Ayun, kaya ginabi na ako ng uwi. Sayang at di ko nadala ang digicam ko kasi ginamit ng kapatid ko. Ang pangit naman ng shots ko sa cel at mukhang nagloloko na kasi ito.

Belated Happy Birthday uli, Kuyatot ko!

3 Said So

Jepoy Soriano has just had a group exhibit last November 30 at the Blanc Gallery (Mandaluyong), entitled TutoKKK: Krisis, Kalunasan… Anong K Mo? He has already exhibited at the Cultural Center of the Philipines (CCP), and currently works for the Manila Bulletin.

Rhodge: When did you learn to draw?

Jepoy: I started drawing crude pencil portraits of my sisters when I was in grade three, then imitated drawings from Marvel trading cards during my fifth grade.

Rhodge: How did you start working with the Manila Bulletin (MB)? 

Jepoy: I applied four months after graduating. Though the hiring then was over, I still went on and tried to pass my application letter and resume to the company. Luckily, they still replied. After some interview, I was hired on-the-spot as a casual artist. And the rest is history.

Rhodge: Did you have any difficulty with senior artists at MB in introducing your new art style, new points-of view?

Jepoy: Not at all.

Rhodge: After being the art editor of MB's travel magazine, what's your next project with them?

Jepoy: I am not sure. Let’s just say I’m optimistic!

Rhodge: How can you classify your art? What type or genre? What styles do you incorporate with your work? 

Jepoy: I’m a social realist.

Rhodge: Who are your influences in painting? Who do you look up to?

Jepoy: Alfredo Esquillo, Dansoy Coquilla, etc…

Rhodge: Do artists, like you, always think visually, in pictures?

Jepoy: Mostly, yes. But the initial images in my mind are usually just half of what I always finished. The ideas keep on coming as I work until I am finally contented.

Rhodge: Do artists like you always adhere perfectness of things? Should all things must be "bright and beautiful" just to please you?

Jepoy: Nope, I think it’s the imperfection of someone or something that makes it more beautiful. Imagine if everything is perfect… boring di ba?

Rhodge: You have always been the quiet boy during our high school days. How did you overcome your shyness to become an emerging artist now?

Jepoy: I’m still an introvert. I think it also helps as I express my feelings and thoughts not through words but through art.

Rhodge: Are you currently single? Exclusively dating?

Jepoy: Exclusively dating.

Rhodge: What is your type of girl? Dapat ba artist (or artistic) din siya?

Jepoy: She doesn’t have to be an artist, but she should  at least appreciates art.

Rhodge: Describe your courting style. Have you made a portrait of the girl you are courting as a gift?

Jepoy: Nope. I don’t court. I like a relationship that has evolved from friendship.

Rhodge: As a painter, how are you as lover?

Jepoy: Hopeless romantic.

Rhodge: Definitely, you need to devote time with your craft, or your artistic career. Has it been a reason for a girl to get jealous with your craft?

Jepoy: Not at all.

Rhodge: Tell us about your biggest heartbreak.

Jepoy: No comment.

Rhodge: I see. Stereotype na sa artists na mayroong mood swings. Ganoon ka rin ba?

Jepoy: I guess I’m one of them.

Rhodge: You've been a choir member during high school. You really have a good singing voice. Did you try to pursue a singing career?

Jepoy: Nope.

Rhodge: Do you still have any hidden talents? Can you cook? Can you dance?

Jepoy: I bake.

Rhodge: What are your indulgences?

Jepoy: Painting, Internet, and toys.

Rhodge: What is your greatest fear?

Jepoy: Rejection.

Rhodge: You've come from a big, conservative family. Have your parents and siblings been supportive of your chosen craft?

Jepoy: I’m lucky they are all supportive of me ever since.

Rhodge: What frustrates you most with regards to your craft?

Jepoy: Lack of materials. I have all the ideas and concepts in my mind, but sometimes I need an appropriate medium to easily convert those ideas to tangible works.

Rhodge: You are from Libtong, Meycauayan, Bulacan. Can we see in your works that you're a true-blooded Bulakenyo?

Jepoy: I guess, yes. My works are converted poems to paintings, I really believe that I’m poetic on my works which is very Bulakenyo. It is also evident on most of the titles of my works, which consists of rhymes and metaphors.

Rhodge: Currently, what is your most-valued possession? A paint brush perhaps?

Jepoy: My Iron Man action figures collection, It’s my portal to boredom nowadays.

Rhodge: Give us your TOP 10 of anything (things you like to do, cravings, anything!).

Jepoy: 1. Japanese Foods
2. Graphic arts
3. Painting
4. Iron Man action figures
5. Comet & Quasar (they’re my seasonal clay characters which appears on Fun Page Section of MB)
6. Old school cellphone
7. PC
8. Sidelines
9. Collecting miniature wine bottles
10. ebay

Rhodge: What are you currently working on? Can we expect a one-man show any time soon?

Jepoy: I’m far from having a one-man show. I still have to enhance my socialization skills to further promote my craft. I think I still need to gain lots of supporters and sponsors to hold an individual show.  I’m not bold enough to go on my own.

Rhodge: What is your mantra in life?

Jepoy: Less is more (though it doesn’t apply on my toy collection).

Rhodge: With all your accomplishments so far, how will you introduce yourself to us now?

Jepoy: I’m not really comfortable introducing myself to people so I’ll just say: I’m Jepoy Soriano, just google my name on the net if you want to know more about me… Hehehe!

4 Said So

Currently playing sa cutie MP3 ko: the new albums of Sarah Brightman and Kyla.

Hindi ko masasabing Christmas album lang ang bagong album ni Sarah Brightman na "A Winter Symphony". With this album, she celebrates the joy of winter, welcoming the season with all its glory.

Magkahalo ang sobrang galak at sobrang lungkot sa mga kantang isinama sa album. The music is "twinkling" and "sparkling." Feel na feel talaga ang wintertime.

Her crystalline voice sparkles throughout the album. Her rendition of "Happy Christmas (War is Over)," "Silent Night," "Amazing Grace," "Ave Maria," and the rest of the songs just simply gives me the chill. Pure, exquisite chilling experience.

I particularly like "Colder Than Winter." This song is so sad, sad, sad.

The songs included in the album are: Arrival; Colder Than Winter; Ave Maria (duet with Fernando Lima); Silent Night; In The Bleak Midwinter; I've Been This Way Before; Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring; Child In A Manger; I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday; Amazing Grace; Ave Maria (Gounod composition); I Believe in Father Christmas; When A Child is Born; Carpe Diem (duet with Marco Frango); Happy Christmas (War is Over).

***

I've realized na may maganda at kakaibang ginawa pala si Kyla para sa latest niyang album na "Heart2Heart". She concentrated not only sa nakilalalng genre niyang R&B, kundi nag-fuse din siya ng jazz, at more on the piano as accompaniment.

She breathes new life sa old songs na "Heart to Heart," "I Miss You," "Old Friend," at ilan pang revivals sa album na ito. I just the song "Tahan Na," na I believe na pilit ang music na inilapat sa kanta. 

The songs included in this album are: Heart to Heart, I Miss You, Old Friend, Love on a Two-Way Street, I'll Never Give Up, Stay Awake, I'll Be Over You, You Make Me Feel, Drive, I Can't Tell You Why, Tahan Na, Misty Glass Window, Bus Stop, Back in Time (duet with Jay-R), Ribbon in the Sky, My Grown-Up Christmas List.

***

Happy birthday sa nag-iisang dyosa, si Xam!

***

Congrats nga pala sa Batch Aranya ng LIRA!

***

Mamaya ay ikakasal na ang high school friend ko na si Shirley. Wow, parang kelan lang e nangangarap lang kami ng mga ganitong eksena.

Kinuha niya akong host para sa reception program, kaya mega-kaba din ako, just like the bride. Haha! Buti kasama si Kuyatot na aalalay sa akin. Hehe.

Anything?

"Without the G!" Ang sabi sa amin ni Shirley. Haha! Hindi daw niya kamag-anak si Jollibee.

Finally, nakilala ng ilang miyembro ng FAMILIA ang kaniyang lucky husband, si Juan Boboyo, Buboy ang nickname. Sinabi namin ke Shirley na suwerte siya't nakadale ng bata-bata.

"Rhodge, friend talaga kita. Waaah! 30 years old na kaya yang si Buboy!"

Tawanan lang kami.

***

Present sa FAMILIA sina Grace, Rizalene, ako, at si Kuyatot (maaga siyang umalis). Me bago kaming ka-FAMILIA, si Buboy. The FAMILIA is getting bigger (ung number ha, hindi ung body size! Haha!)!

Yehey!

***

May I quote 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 verses 4 to 8:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

To Juan and Shirley, the best of all wishes!

***

Inggit kami ni Kuyatot. Haaaaaayzzzzzz!

More photos ng kasal sa Multiply site ko.

Anything?

CCP features 62 writers in “Spirituality and Healing” book

10 December 2008, Pasay City – The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) announced today that 62 writers are included in the annual literary anthology Ani. Ani, which means harvest in the Filipino language, is a project of CCP’s Literary Arts Division. For its 34th issue, Ani focused on the theme “Spirituality and Healing”, the book launching will be held on December 17, 7:00 p.m. at the CCP ramp.
 
The 62 writers who submitted prose and poetry featured in Ani 34 are Kris M. Alingod, Mark Angeles, Lilia F. Antonio, G. Mae B. Aquino, Carlos A. Arejola, Edgar Bacong, Isabela Banzon, Janet Tauro Batuigas, Gil S. Beltran, Herminio S. Beltran, Jr., Kristoffer Berse, Jaime Jesus Borlagdan, Nazzer C. Briguera, Catherine Candano, Desiree Caluza, Nonon Villaluz Carandang, Dexter B. Cayanes, Jose Jason L. Chancoco, Joey Stephanie Chua, Kristian Sendon Cordero, Genaro R. Gojo Cruz, Mario L. Cuezon, Maureen G. dela Cruz, Rodrigo V. Dela Peña, Jr., U Eliserio, Dennis Espada, Filipino L. Estacio, Rogerick Fontanilla Fernandez, Raul Funilas, Nena Gajudo-Fernandez, Jeneen R. Garcia, Luis P. Gatmaitan, Fernando R. Gonzalez, Erwin C. Lareza, Jeffrey A. Lubang, Nestor C. Lucena, Melba Padilla Maggay, Perry C. Mangilaya, Noahlyn Maranan, Francisco A. Monteseña, Ursula B. Nelson, Wilhelmina S. Orozco, Chuckberry J. Pascual, Noel P. Pinggoy, Dinah Roma-Sianturi, Hope Sabanpan-Yu, Joseph T. Salazar, Romel G. Samson, Aida F. Santos, Rakki Sison-Buban, Beverly W. Siy, Jason Genio Tabinas, Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr., Vincent Lester G. Tan, Dolores R. Taylan, Enrico C. Torralba, Gerardo Z. Torres, Joel H. Vega, Gina Verdolaga, Santiago B. Villafania, Ana Maria Yugalca, and Manuel Zacarias.

Herminio S. Beltran, Jr., CCP Literary Arts Division head and Ani 34 editor, wrote in the Introduction, “Reading the compilation of poems and prose in this year’s issue, there is indeed a close connection between creative or imaginative writing and spirituality, and with it, healing.” “It is as if the act of writing, and with it, reflection and meditation, is itself spirituality, which brings about healing, first in the writer, and consequently, the reader,” Beltran continued.
 
For inquiries on the next issue of Ani, which will delve on the experiences of the Filipinos in general and the Filipino writer in particular as members of the Asian community, please send an e-mail to aniyearbook@yahoo.com.
 
For inquiries or to schedule interviews, please contact Betty Uy-Regala at the following numbers: 0906-2604175; 832-1125 local 1706 (CCP Literary Arts Division) or email aniyearbook@yahoo.com.

Anything?

Will be meeting the deans of Architecture, Fine Arts, Arts and Letters, and Music by 11 AM. Post-prod meeting ng Creative Industries team.

Wala si Sir Elmar, nasa Baguio for his NCCA commitments.

Gudlak at hindi niya pa nai-email ang reports ko mamaya.

Hahaha huhuhu!

Nagkairingan pa kami ni Kuyatot about this. Hay.

Sabi nga ni Bi: Bahala na si Batman...

Postscript: Tumawag si Sir Elmar ng 11 AM na, nasa jeep pa lang ako pa-UP. Nagbigay lang siya ng instructions sa mga gagawin ko sa meeting. OK naman ang naging daloy ng meeting, although napulaan pa rin ako (kami) ni Ser Rio.

May Christmas gift pa si Ser Rio sa mga dumalo sa meeting. Salamat po sa cookies!

Exciting ang mga plano ng Creative Industries team para next year, pero hindi ako masyado natuwa. Hay.

Anything?

Christa De La Cruz is currently the poetry editor of the Malate Literary Folio of DLSU-Manila. Kasalukuyan pa rin siyang nagsisipag para makapagtapos ng napiling kursong BS Chemistry. Bisitahin ang kaniyang Multiply site para sa mga bagong balita tungkol sa kaniya.

Rhodge: First question: In-expect mo ba na makukuha mo ung poetry editorship sa Malate? Have you always dreamt of getting the coveted position?

Christa: Hindi. Kasi nung bumalik ako sa Malate matapos mawala ng dalawang taon, graduating student na dapat ako nung time na yun. So ang alam ko, isang taon na lang ako mamamalagi sa Malate bilang staffer. Tapos nung 5th year ako, ganon din ang kaso, akala ko graduating na ko. Hanggang dumating sa oras na simula na ng training at pagpili ng magiging editors at nalaman kong may mga bagsak akong subject at madedelay na naman ako. Kaya eto, sumubok ako sa training at selection ng editorial board. At sa kabutihan (o kasamaang, haha) palad, poetry editor na ako ngayon.

Rhodge: In a way, blessing in disguise pala ang pagbagsak mo sa ibang subjects. 

Christa: Parang ganoon na nga. Dagdag pa doon, nakakasali pa ako sa mga workshop ng Malate dahil estudyante pa rin ako.

Rhodge: Great! How's it like to be the poetry editor of Malate?

Christa: Sobrang mahirap. Dahil una, mas mawawalan ka na ng oras na magsulat dahil kailangan pagtuunan ng pansin ang mga miyembro ng poetry staff. Ilang beses pabalik-balik ang mga revision nila sa akin. Pangalawa, kailangan mas marami kang basahing mga manunulat kahit yung ayaw mo dahil iba-iba ang interes nila at kailangang maintindihan mo ang estilo nila na impluwensiya rin ng mga binabasa nila.

Ah meron pa, andoon din yung kailangan na ng professional distance, o kung ano man tawag don. Haha!

Rhodge: Ano ang basehan mo sa pagpili ng mga tula para sa poetry section? Ikaw ba ung ma-teknikal sa pagpili ng tula?

Christa: Sa pagpili ng tula, inuuna ko muna ang mga technical. Pero minsan, depende rin sa tula. Kasi naniniwala rin ako sa, "What works." Basta kung tagumpay ang tula, yun na yun.

Minsan mahirap din kasi halimbawa isang tulang surrealist, eh hindi ko naman masyadong gusto yun. So di maiiwasang maging subjective, pero ang ginagawa ko, nagpapatulong na lang ako sa ibang editors tungkol dito.

Rhodge: Paano mo naman nalalamang tagumpay ang isang tula?

Christa: Paano nalalamang tagumpay, hmmmm. Teka.

Rhodge: Like, ikaw ba ung pag tumayo ang balahibo mo sa batok, maganda ang isang tula...

Christa: Pag nadama ko yung karanasan na gustong iparating ng tula. Pag napunta ako don sa sitwasyon na yun sa pagbabasa lamang nito.

Siguro ayun, parang first category ang pagtayo ng balahibo na tinatawag. Tapos second category na siguro yung mga technical.

Or technical tapos pagtayo ng balahibo. Basta silang dalawa dapat. Kasi yung pagtayo ng balahibo, subjective yun eh. Eh dapat objective rin.

Rhodge: Sino-sino ba ang mga paborito mong poet? Filipino man or foreign poets.

Christa: Well, sa Filipino, Benilda Santos. Allan Popa. Sa foreign poets, Adrienne Rich, Margaret Atwood.

Rhodge: Ano sa tingin mo ang maiko-contribute mo sa poetry section ng Malate under your term?

Christa: Siguro yung mas pagbibigay pansin sa mga nagsusulat sa Filipino, mas marami akong maituturo sa kanila. Dahil mas marami ang nagsusulat sa Ingles, at ang mga naging editor ay halos Ingles lahat ang way ng pagsusulat. At sinisigurado ko rin na tuwing meeting ay nagbabasa kami ng Filipino na manunulat, kahit Ingles ang wika.

Tapos yung mga natutuhan ko sa LIRA, naibabahagi ko rin sa kanila.

Sinusubukan ko rin na hindi sila maging sheltered masyado kaya't dinadala ko sila sa kung anu-anong poetry reading at event.

Rhodge: Wow! At least you allow them to learn more. Walang selfishness.

Christa: Tama.

Rhodge: Maraming salamat sa time mo!

Christa: Sige, salamat din!

4 Said So

Naganap ito nung Sabado ng gabi. Present ang mga sumusunod: Kath and Emong, Ergoe and Nanoy, Xam, Medel, Pam and Siquey, Van and Maki, Claire kasama si Ayn. Me special guest appearance ang aking Kuyatot, na pagod na pagod at kakagaling lang sa Xmas party ng Filipino Sign Language class niya.

Nag-dinner muna ang ilan sa amin sa Oyster Boy Metrowalk. Tapos nag-videoke na sa Blue-Blend KTV na dating Su Family KTV.

At paano naman kami nag-celebrate? Ala-Korean siyempre!

May libre pang cake si Xam dahil post-birthday celeb niya. Salamat sa Blue-Blend KTV!

Triple celebration pala kasi me jowa na si Xam! Congrats sa inyo ni Nurse C!

12:30 AM na kami natapos at talagang namalat ang boses ko kakakanta. Pero masaya naman! Hehehe!

2 Said So

You are Cordially invited to: Counterpoise at OneWorkshop Gallery

A Collaboration by Jojo Ballo & Cathy Lasam


Beauty in Balance, Eloquence in Equilibrium at OWG

The OWG Creative Center proudly presents “Counterpoise,” a collaboration between Jojo Ballo and Cathy Lasam, easily two of the most exciting artists to emerge on the local art scene in recent years. Opening on December 17, 2008 at the One Workshop Gallery, “Counterpoise” showcases a series of artworks presenting artworks in modular pairs. Each artists’ unique brand of creativity in theme and artistry in technique shines through with every pair—Ballo with his mandala-making and painting, and Lasam with her paper-folding and sculpture.

 
Action, Reaction

 Derived from the Old French term for counterweight or counterbalance, the word “Counterpoise” sums up equivalent opposing forces that maintain equilibrium. As different as their individual bodies of work may seem at first glance, Ballo and Lasam have reached a state of counterpoise with this collaborative series centered on the Yin and Yang concept found in traditional Chinese philosophy. “The concept of Yin and Yang in Chinese philosophy describes how seemingly opposing forces in the natural world are actually bound together… giving rise to each other in turn,” Ballo explains. “We both do abstracted works, with rather complementing ideas and concepts. In a sense, I think our work is fairly similar in that we let our viewers glean their own meanings from the work and not the other way around. Our artworks work visually well together, using similar formats, while still being distinct from one another.”

 Despite being fully aware of a creative mind’s need for identity and individuality within today’s saturated arts community, Lasam and Ballo recognize the value of engaging in collaboration. Their process of exploration into two different mindsets and personal histories resulted in an expansion of each artist’s personal beliefs, which led in turn to the creation of the works for “Counterpoise.”  “Our process was kind of an action-reaction thing,” Lasam shares, “where one made a work consistent with our agreed theme then the other worked out a reactive artwork from that. There was constant updating between both artists on what we're currently working on. How each work looks visually so we can 'react' with a work of our own accordingly. We spent a lot of time talking about the works, making studies, throwing ideas around and working out how the concept can be executed at its best.”

 
Mandala Master Meets Paper Paragon

 Jojo Ballo is an architect, artist, poet, and former curator and gallery manager who has held six one-man shows and participated in several group exhibitions at venues such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Art Center in SM Megamall. Known for his abstract paintings on both canvas and ceramic, Ballo’s recent work is centered on the creation of mandalas. “I found that there was something very grounding about organizing and creating an artwork around a circular format. Consciously or not, because of its very shape, the artwork makes me more attuned, more introspective.” For “Counterpoise,” Ballo’s acrylic-laden brush tackles the yin, or the dark, feminine principle of the Yin-Yang philosophy.

Interpreting the yang, or light, masculine principle, is Cathy Lasam, an artist and teacher who is an award-winning cum laude graduate of the College of Fine Arts in UP Diliman. Her exhibition credits include solo and group shows at the Cultural Center of the Philippines , the Museum of Arts & Sciences at the University of Sto . Tomas, the Museo Arte de Contemporaneo Ateneo in Yucatan , Mexico , and the Gallerie Gavarni in Paris , France . Lasam’s paper creations employ a highly intuitive process with a distinct deviation from origami’s mechanical model-making. “My final forms are wholly dependent on my active creative decisions, which create works which are one of a kind. It is through this that I aim to remove paper form its original context, elevating it beyond craft and into an art form in itself.”

Though “Counterpoise” is their first collaborative effort, Ballo and Lasam have worked together on several art-related projects, participated together in several group exhibitions and are both working partners in their own art services firm. After spending about one year in the making of “Counterpoise,” both artists hope to one day exhibit another collaboration involving sculpture.

“Counterpoise” runs until January 17, 2009 at the One Workshop Gallery, Ground Floor 2241 La Fuerza Plaza II, Don Chino Roces Ave. corner Sabio St. , Makati City. Gallery hours are from 10am to 7pm daily except Sundays. For inquiries, call or fax 819-2074, e-mail inquiry@owg.cc, or visit www.owg.cc.

Anything?

Badtrip.

Ako kasi ang kasama ng nanay ko na magbukas ng tindahan sa palengke. Potah ang ginaw-ginaw-ginaw pala! Frosty!

E naka-pekpek shorts lang ako at manipis na t-shirt. Talbog si Eva Fonda. Prosti!

Ayun, nanigas ang lahat sa akin. Including un. Haha!

Kainis lang, wala masyadong pogi sa palengke ngayon. Bakit kaya?

Siguro nagsi-simbang gabi muna sila bago mamalengke.

Ligawan blues pa naman pag simbang gabi. Hehe.

Si Kuyatot talagang nagsi-simbang gabi at nakukumpleto niya un. Ang pursigido nun e. Sana matupad ang wish niya.

Ako, mas nais ko pang mag-stay in bed. Ganitong bed weather pa naman. Hehehe.

Mula ang larawan dito.

4 Said So

It's good to see old friends again. Mabuti at nagpunta ako sa launch ng CCP-Ani 34 kagabi. Mabuti rin at sumunod si Kuyatot, na kahit stressed out sa work e nagawa pang maging official photographer ko. Salamat Kuyatot!

INDIgenous leading the prayer

Poster Boy: Xam

Kris and Pilar Berse

Sinanwiched namin ni Xam si Papa Kris

Some contributors of Ani 34: Jeffrey Lubang, Romel Samson,

Dexter Cayanes, Kiko Monteseña, Mark Angeles

Nakisingit lang kami ni Xam: Kris Berse, Sonny Villafania,

Jason Chancoco, Kiko Monteseña, Mark Angeles

Xam with the next Cutie ng blog ko, Jason Tabinas

Christa De La Cruz

Mark Bagain Schwab of LIRA Batch Aranya

Kuyatot reading my Ani copy

Mao dela Cruz

The Berse couple with the Cutie (Naging estudyante

pala ni Mareng Pilar si Jason sa Ateneo.)

Iyn of LIRA

Wasi (Erwin Lareza sa tunay na buhay)

Kiko Monteseña

Sabi ni Xam ilagay ko na jowa niya si Wasi (Erwin Lareza

sa tunay na buhay). Bahala na daw kung magalit si Dai.

Parang type ko rin ilagay si Kris Berse sa Cuties

ko, kaya lang di na siya single....

Mark Angeles

LIRA connection: ako, Mao, Christa, Mark, Jason

Class Picture

*More photos sa Multiply site ko. Tsaka dito pa.

8 Said So

Migs the Manila Gay Guy is finally back!

Ang ganda namang Xmas gift nito!

Ang sabi niya sa entry niya: "...Given the reality of this world, and my experience of it as a blogger of 2+ years, I would say I need to evolve to someone more firm, someone who can take more control of myself and my blog. Blogging does not just require time, it can sap one of energy. As I continue this online endeavor, I keep this in mind."

Salamat sa pagbabalik mo, Migs!

***

Sabi ko kay Kuya Jayson, wag na niya akong ikuha ng Starbucks planner. Nakabili na ako ng daily planner ko from Pandayan Bookshop. Mura lang, 20 pesos. At gudlak, Disney princess ang design. Haha!

Ang choice ko lang kasi, Disney princess character or Barbie character. Nung naisip kong Disney princess character na lang, me choice pa uli akong ginawa: Tinkerbelle ba o si Cinderella? (Kainis kasi walang Snow White.)

Siyempre, nanalo si Cinderella. Blue ang background niya at ang ganda-ganda-ganda ng pagkakaguhit sa kaniya.

Ang tagline ng planner: "I believe in Fairy Tales." Para feeling prinsesa ako buong taon this 2009!

Yahuu!

***

Pero malungkot pa rin ang Yuletide season for me. Wala pa rin akong nabibiling regalo para sa friends and family ko. Hayz. Wala pa ring budget. Hayz.

Di bale, kasama naman sila sa prayers ko. Dun na lang ako babawi.

7 Said So

May bibingkahan sa baba ng apartment namin pero hindi ako nagkakaroon ng chance na bumili.

Hmmm....

Baka kasi pag umuuwi ako galing sa tindahan, wala akong dalang pera. O kaya busog na ako kasi umo-order si Mommy lagi ng makakain mula sa carinderia. Favorite namin ang sopas. Minsan, pancit bihon ang dini-deliver sa amin ng baklitang serbidor. Baklita siya kasi teener pa siya. Hehe.

Kanina, lugaw. Siyet, ansarap na comfort food talaga ang lugaw na mainit with matching budbod na bawang at spring onion leaves. Ung lugaw kanina, sa presyong 10 pesos, may kasama ng piraso ng boiled egg at 2 chicken bits. Panalo!

Sa Noche Buena, lagi naman kaming naghahanda ng sopas. Ung ibang kaibigan ko, hindi na raw naghahanda pag Christmas Eve kasi nakakatulugan na lang daw nila. Susme, parang ka-guilty na hindi kami magluto for Noche Buena kasi me lulutuin naman. Pinakikinabangan namin ung mga tira-tira pag nire-repack namin per kilo ung macaroni, spaghetti noodles. May mga natitira kasi, na hindi na naman na namin mare-repack pa dahil kulang na sa timbang. Un na ang pinagsasama-sama namin para pang-spaghetti or sopas nga. Tapos dekwat na lang kami ng gatas, or iba pang ingredients sa tindahan rin. Hehe.

Pag nakaluto na, gigisingin namin ang parents namin kasi sila na ung nakatulog na. Tapos kainan na!

4 Said So

Ang ganda ng episode ng Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho kagabi! Puro food for Noche Buena ang topic!

Bukod sa the usual food na inihahanda natin tuwing Noche Buena, na-feature din ang iba't ibang traditional food ng bawat rehiyon. Ngayon ko lang narinig ang Brazo de la Maestra ng Bulacan, o ung parang leche flan pero ulam ang sahog na gawa sa Quezon.

Ang creative talaga ng mga Pinoy pagdating sa pagluluto!

Hayz, napansin ko puro cuts pala mga daliri ko ngayon. Paano ba naman, nagluto ako ng kalabasa kahapon. Madalian. Nakaidlip kasi ako tapos nagising ako past 11 AM na. Hihiwain pa lang mga gulay. Hate na hate ko pa naman ang paghihiwa ng kalabasa kasi ang tigas nito masyado. Pasado 12 noon na ako nakatapos sa pagluluto. In fairness, masarap naman siya. Hehe.

Para sa breakfast ngayon, nagluto ako ng version ko ng kangkong ala pobre. Me sukli kasi akong 5 pesos nung bumili ako ng hotdog at kikiam. Naisip ko na me konti pang oyster sauce sa bahay. So bumili ako ng tangkay ng kangkong.

I got my idea of this ulam when I dined sa isang Thai restaurant. Meron silang kangkong dish, pero medyo spicy. Naisip ko, aha, medyo madali lang itong lutuin! Sinubukan ko at un nga, nagawa ko naman. Hehe.

Si Kuyatot din mahilig magluto. He taught me this simple malunggay dish na me itlog. Na nung niluto ko dito sa bahay e sold-out sa tatay ko pa lang!

Sa tingin ko, ang pagluluto ko ang dahilan kung bakit ako mataba ngayon. Haha!

4 Said So

Galit na galit siya sa mga batang nagka-carolling.

Anlakas ng tahol niya at mega silip pa talaga siya sa may bintana para tahulan ang mga kawawang bata.

Sana naman hindi nato-trauma ung mga bata. Tsk tsk.

Kahit anong pigil namin ke Luna, talagang nanggagalaiti siya sa galit.

Siya talaga ang Grinch ngayong Pasko.

***

Happy birthday nga pala ke Nanay (mother ni Kuyatot)! Mwah mwah mwah! Pasensya po at kinulang ang budget ni Kuyatot at hindi niya kayo nadala sa Tagaytay. (Last year, dinala ni Kuyatot si Nanay sa Baguio. Un kasi ang wishy-wishy ni Nanay sa kaniya. Siguro kapag bumuti na ang sitwasyon ng ekonomiya e madala na siya ni Kuyatot sa Tagaytay naman. Ang hilig ni Nanay sa malalamig na lugar, parang hindi nirarayuma! Hehe.)

Happy birthday din sa aking dear friend na si Engelbert! Pa-blow naman jan!

4 Said So

It’s Christmas! Kaya ang ibibigay kong regalo sa inyo ay ang interview ko with another Cutie!

Paolo Jerome Cristobal is currently a junior student of San Beda Alabang, taking up International Studies major in Tourism. He is busy balancing his time with family, school, poetry, his literary org, sports, and the gym. Find out how he does it with so much ease (or sometimes, miss).

Rhodge: Ready for the interview?

Paolo: Ye ahh!

Rhodge: How old are you now?

Paolo: 20.

Rhodge: Akala ko 18. You look like you're 18! Haha! Nabanggit mo dati na you're still a kid inside an adult body....

Paolo: Ah, I did not say I was 18, but yes, I am a young person inside a big person pero I'm doing my best to cover it up na.

Rhodge: Kasi...

Paolo: I'm getting too selfish already. So I think it's time for me to look outside of me and share. Share, share, share. Hayih!

Rhodge: How come na you're getting too selfish already? Sa paanong paraan?

Paolo: Hmm...Siguro in a way that I think more about myself. Uhmm..I'm overly sensitive and take my life too seriously. Really seriously that I overanalyze everything.

From a simple comment like a "You look good!" I would outwardly say thank you and smile, but deep in my head I'm doubting if the person is making bola or talking sarcastically or is telling the truth. I want to change..Yun yun.

Rhodge: I see. But what do you think is the bright side of being a "person inside a big person?"

Paolo: I get to enjoy myself... (Hmm... It seems like I am contradicting myself already.) But in a way yes, I look for ways to improve myself...But I tend to forget about the outside world and get lost in my own sea of thought.

By the way, you look good in that hat… Haha! Saan yan?

Rhodge: Yung picture ko sa YM? Hehe. Thanks! Nambola ka pa jan! Hehehehe! Sa Baguio 'yan.

Paolo: Woohh… Sa Flower Festival...

Rhodge: Yup yup! Anyway, you mentioned before about a monkey stuffed toy you own....Can you relate how you ended having the toy monkey...

Paolo: I think it found me... Cliche ‘no? Haha!

Actually, I found it lying around… Alone. Literally alone dahil wala na yung iba niyang kind. Tapos sobrang cute! We were in Tiendesitas, tapos I found this cute monkey tapos I showed it to my sister. She thought of buying it as a gift for her inaanak na pinsan but I told her I found it first. Haha…

So I pleaded to my mom to borrow money so I could buy it. I just said that I have to have that monkey. In the end, my sister bought it. I felt bad, but she made up her mind to give it to me as a gift and she bought something else instead. Sobrang nakakahiya yun. Pero in a way, weird.

Okay, so I still have a soft spot for stuffed animals --- pigs, elephants, bears, and monkeys. Para bang that's something na ayaw kong mawala...It connects me to my inner childhood which is always found in my heart. Well, my heart is in my memories, and if I have time, I write them down to remember.

Rhodge: Ano-ano ung mga stuffed toy na meron ka ngayon?

Paolo: Hmm…Just that monkey. Dapat may lion pa pero hindi natuloy yung exchange gift namin. And the star that is left in my care. (Nakuwento niya before na sa younger brother niya ung star toy -R.)

Rhodge: About your writing activity... Kailan ka nagsimulang magsulat ng tula?

Paolo: Kailan ba ako nag-start sa poetry writing? End of January and first of February.

Rhodge: This year lang?

Paolo: Well, yeah. I started reading the Camphor Chest, and then it followed with me absorbing myself over the Filipiniana section reading UP Likhaan

Rhodge: And then...

Paolo: I was looking at some pictures when something struck me.. a need to write something down... A poem about a picture. About it being like a mosaic and related it through imagery.

"The cathedral with its butterfly-like wings..." That's one of my favorite lines from my first poem.

Rhodge: Hmmm... It’s called ekphrasis.

Paolo: Wow! A new big word!

Rhodge: Being inspired by a painting, photo, sculpture...

Paolo: Ah...Yes...

Rhodge: Hehe. I met you sa lecture ni Sir Paolo Manalo sa Filipinas Heritage Library...

Paolo: Ah…You’re that big guy....

Rhodge: Hmmmmp! Big guy talaga… Grrr....

Paolo: Haha! Then I left kaagad kasi nahihiya akong kumain, so I excused myself and proceeded to Mall of Asia with my family instead. Pinayagan na nila ako nun eh. Haha!

Rhodge: Mula sa lecture na iyon hanggang ngayon, you think you have progressed with your writing activity?

Paolo: Siguro, a mile. Pero I still have a lot to learn from this journey, the process.

Rhodge: It's a nice word for it, a journey....

Paolo: The experiences are a real treasure. What is a journey...blah blah blah...Haha!

Rhodge: Hindi ba nakakaabala ang pagsusulat sa iba mo pang gawain, like school?

Paolo: Baligtad yata. Hindi ba nakakaabala ang school sa pagsusulat...Haha yes!

Well, mali-mali naman kasi yung priorities ko eh. So ngayon inaayos ko sila...One step at a time.

Rhodge: Nakuwento mo before that you failed some subjects sa school...

Paolo: FA kasi...

Rhodge: Anong FA?

Paolo: Western History. Well, it was one of my best subjects...I enjoyed the subject so much I forgot that it was a class. I know that my grade should've been around 82-85.

Rhodge: E ano ang nangyari?

Paolo: Tapos sumabit yung lower prerequisite na hindi dapat ako bagsak. Sumabit yung Asian History kasi FA na ako sa Western History...Haaaay!

Rhodge: At hindi naman ito dahil sa pagsusulat?

Paolo: Hindi naman...hmmm...Well, kasama na rin yata yung org.

Rhodge: Literary org?

Paolo: Yeah. Mahirap i-manage lalo na kapag first time

Rhodge: You head the org (Red Quill Writers Guild)?

Paolo: One of the heads. Ako yung lower head.

Rhodge: Ano-ano ba ung mga activity ninyo sa org?

Paolo: Hmm...mga study group...Pero medyo nahihirapan kami dahil hindi lahat ng member ay nagsusulat.

Rhodge: But they appreciate poetry/writing or baka naman nagpapa-cute lang sila sa iyo, lalo ang mga girl? Hehe!

Paolo: Uhm..di ako ganun. Kasi, medyo we pleaded eh... Di umabot yung count so ... Dapat kasi 15 members. Yung mga writer-friend ko medyo di aabot so medyo magulo talaga.

Rhodge: But do you enjoy discussing your poetry activities sa isang group, or you rather work alone?

Paolo: Smaller group, mga 5 -7 members. We wanted to make it a point sana na you will only become a member if you already have written works..Pero kakaunti pa lang yung mga naisulat nila eh...Either meron or di marunong. So bale ngayon offline yung guild...Although parang medyo pressured kami last sem. Tapos parang nasasakal ko rin yung mga kaibigan ko. Alam mo, I have this friend na may potential siya pero parang di ko makita.

Rhodge: Maybe mas matindi lang ung writing passion mo kaysa sa kanila...

Paolo: Well, yeah, siguro. I wanted them to read some of the best works sana...Yung mga influence ko katulad ng mga Likhaan. Sometimes cost ko pa para lang magbasa sila. Literature, friends, tapos org. Dapat yun yung mga ideals na makikita sa org. So, magulo pa rin yung isipan ko sa org. But I always think about it kahit medyo magulo. Haha!

Rhodge: Aside from writing, what other activities are you currently into?

Paolo: Gym. Arnis. Eating.

Rhodge: How many times ang work out mo? Pasensiya ha pero we (ang mga malalanding sina Rhodge at Xam - R.) first noticed your body...

Paolo: Yung bilbil? Hehe! Mga three times a week.

Rhodge: How tall ka nga pala?

Paolo: 5'11. Actually, gusto ko pang tumangkad.

Rhodge: Ganun?

Paolo: Yup! Mga 6'1 sana...

Rhodge: Sobrang tangkad na nun! And you play arnis... Hindi naman agad natatakot sa iyo ang kalaban mo?

Paolo: Uhm..I don't tell them that... At I'm still learning eh. Di pa ako marunong.

Rhodge: When did you start learning arnis?

Paolo: Two years ago... Pero I stopped practicing for more than 12 months. I just started uli about a month ago...Ay...nung October pala.

Rhodge: Ano 'yan, required sa school or talagang iniative mo?

Paolo: Trip ko siya.

Rhodge: Trip mo among the combat sports...

Paolo: Yeah, traditional weaponry.

Rhodge: You're planning ba naman to venture into kali...di ba un ang orig form talaga ng arnis?

Paolo: Arnis, kali, escrima... ang alam ko pare-pareho lang yun. But I don't have enough money to pay for training so hindi ko natapos yung training.

Rhodge: Hindi ba sagot ng parents mo ung pambayad sa training mo?

Paolo: Yung pangbayad sa monthly lang ng gym. Uhm...medyo I have to work for it eh.

Rhodge: Paanong you need to work for it?

Paolo: Clean the car or literally work in the office as a messenger.

Rhodge: I see. Maganda naman pala ung consequence. So hindi sagot ng parents mo ung pang-arnis training mo. Kahit ba nung bata ka pa, ganun sila na dapat you have to earn something they have to give?

Paolo: Yeah..Ngayon din kasi mahal yung arnis training eh. Except din ung pambayad sa training ko sa swimming.

Rhodge: Oh, you're also into swimming lessons?

Paolo: Dati. Nung bata pa kasi ako madalas ako hikain.

Rhodge: Sa body frame mo ngayon, hindi halatang hikain ka nung bata ka.

Paolo: Ganun ba?

Rhodge: Hindi halata. Nawala na ung pagiging hikain mo?

Paolo: Hinika ako last time dahil sa emo pressure eh...Diyan sa Makati super market.

Uhm...medyo nagkaroon ng small argument kami sa bahay, tapos I was restraining myself dahil inis na inis ako tapos nung nasa Makati supermarket pa ako, I felt my head going dizzy, para bang may hangin tapos nahihilo ako. Then I told my mom na I was dizzy tapos I stepped back and may naapakan akong mama. I apologized pero he returned it with "alam mo yung asar na mukha kasi masakit" look. I took it personally tapos I fainted na pala and couldn't breathe well.

Rhodge: Ang hirap pala na wala kang kasama sa mga lakad.

Paolo: Kaya naman ngayon... I drink coffee. Coffee helps.

Rhodge: Talaga?

Paolo: Yung caffeine niya raw nakakatulong sa may mga hika.

Rhodge: Hmm interesting. Pero still, you're into sports pa kahit may hika... You play basketball?

Paolo: Occasionally. Pero I don't play good.

Rhodge: Kasi sa height mo, di ba cliche na kapag matangkad, dapat sa basketball..

Paolo: Oo nga eh...asar nga yun.

Rhodge: Hahaha!

Paolo: Para bang, "Oy, laki-laki mo tapos di marunong," or yung mga lait ng ibang tao na blah blah blah. Kaya di na lang ako naglaro sa high school eh, dahil pinipilit lang ako. All I did was get the ball and pass it to my team mates, they made me the center. Tapos mga shots ko lahat puro tsamba.

Rhodge: Naku, don't worry. A close friend of mine, hindi rin marunong mag-basketball. Ang reason na sinasabi niya, ayaw niya na pinagpapawisan siya. Hehe.

Paolo: Hmm...I'm too late to learn basketball, malaki na ko eh. Haha!

Rhodge: So ayun. Balik tayo sa parents mo. Hindi ka naman nila na-spoil as a child? Ikaw pa naman ang panganay.

Paolo: No.

Rhodge: Kumusta ka naman as the eldest sa siblings?

Paolo: Hmm...wala lang..parang hindi kuya. We have our own lives...mga ganun. I'm just older pero wala lang.

Rhodge: You don't scold them pag mali sila?

Paolo: Do I? Haha..siguro..di naman kami kasi ganun eh.. Pag kuya ka, you could tease them as long as you want. Hahaha! Well, if they cry I just make them laugh nung baby pa sila.

Rhodge: Sa family mo, kanino ka mas close?

Paolo: Mom. Para kasing buffer si mama eh. Tapos ire-relay niya kay papa yung mga stuff. Kasi kay papa parang natatakot ako tapos baka magalit agad eh. Until now medo ganun pa rin ako.

Rhodge: So hindi ka nagagalit when friends tease you as a mama's boy?

Paolo: Actually lola's boy ako eh. Haha! Pero hindi naman ako ganun ngaun eh. Siguro dati, oo. Nung bata kami ang nasa bahay si lola dahil nagwo-work sila papa.

Rhodge: Lola sa mother side?

Paolo: Father side.

Rhodge: I see. Regarding your studies, bakit nga pala you've decided to take up International Studies: Major in Tourism?

Paolo: Gusto ko magtravel! Pero aside from that gusto ko rin walang Math.

Rhodge: Hahaha!

Paolo: After accountancy, I was left to shift on these three courses: CMS (Communication and Media Studies), Psych, or IS. I was supposed to choose CMS but I did not choose it kasi baka I might fail again. Ang trip ko kasi dito ay yung arts eh.

Rhodge: Ahhh... And then you were supposed to take up Psych...

Paolo: Ayaw ko mag-memorize ng mga mind issue. Yung mga parts ng brain. Pero sa tingin ko I could also do well there dahil I think that as a person madalas akong mag analyze ng mga tao. Haha!

Rhodge: And then you're into IS na.

Paolo: Yes, kahit mahal yung course.

Rhodge: Sa ngayon, you've been to what places?

Paolo: Isa pa lang ang napupuntahan ko. Corregidor. Tapos my restlessness led me somewhere...Where no one would believe me even if i did do it.

Rhodge: Hmm... At ano naman yan? Where did restlessness lead you?

Paolo: To the beach shore...Tapos I found this river path, puro mga bato. I said to myself pag nakaya ko itong tapusin, I could do a lot more... And I did! Nabubog lang ako pero buti na lang makapal yung kalyo ko.

Rhodge: Hahaha!

Paolo: Nung nasa gitna na ako kasi sabi ko rin na there's no turning back. Saya nga eh! Kaso I don't know what made me do it.

Rhodge: Hindi ka naman nakakita ng multo, tapos sinundan mo?

Paolo: No. Pero I guess that I was blessed then..Haha! I was just afraid na baka may mga gagambang malalaki at mga ahas na ewan eh.

Rhodge: So iyon ang fears mo talaga...

Paolo: Fear ko talaga heights. Pero I did wall climbing until I had no money left...Haha!

Rhodge: You're also into magic...

Paolo: Hindi na. Magastos eh. Sayang yung 2,800 pesos ko.

Rhodge: So you do magic, write poems, a gym buff, arnis enthusiast, quite tall... For sure girls go gaga over you.

Paolo: Right...Talaga lang, girls? Haha, I'm more of a wallflower since high school pa.

Rhodge: Ganun? Teka, what do you think is the sexiest part of your body?

Paolo: Di ko alam. Siguro yung face ko. I really don't know but since it's the face that people always see, I guess that is so.

Rhodge: So you're currently single?

Paolo: Yes, I am single. Sawa na nga akong maging wallflower eh.

Rhodge: Hindi ka naman pihikan? Ano ba ang hanap mo sa isang girl?

Paolo: Depende. Dapat maganda. Haha!

Rhodge: Maganda and...

Paolo: Uhmmm.. Marami kasi eh! Minsan trip ko yung mga mahahaba yung buhok. Tapos yung mga nakasalamin..

Rhodge: Sige, yung top 3 na hanap mo sa isang girl.

Paolo: Maganda. Mabait. At gusto ako. Haha!

Rhodge: Maganda, mabait, at gusto ka. Check!

Paolo: Haha..Matalino pa. Tsaka chinita!

Rhodge: Matalino at chinita. Check! Lima na yun ah!

Paolo: Haha!

Rhodge: Eto, give us your TOP 10 of anything (things you like to do, cravings, anything!).

Paolo:
1. I get restless if di ako nakapag-nailcutter.
2. I can't go out without bringing a book...Medyo nagiging comfort blanket ko na nga yung mga books eh.
3. Writing. I can't go out without bringing a pen or two. Kasi baka anytime I just might want to write.
4. Dreaming/Sleeping
5. Eating
6. Bago ako umalis ng bahay, it's my manner to kiss my parents goodbye or good night or good morning. I also hug my brother and sister goodbye or if I missed them. Yung sa sister ko sa likod ko hina-hug at shini-shake ko na lang siya pag nanggigigili ako.
7. Look at my face in the mirror and make linis linis it kasi may pimple and also to arrange my hair.
8. Watch the sky, heavenly bodies pati na rin yung mga curves nila.
9. Masarap harutin si Homer, ung pet sharpei ko.
10. Gym, arnis, swimming, at badminton.

Rhodge: What's your number one dream destination?

Paolo: Hmm... Madami eh. Basta masarap yung mga food.

Rhodge: OK, dream destinations pala...

Paolo: Greece. Italy. Japan. Thailand. Thai food eh!

Rhodge: Weakness mo Thai food?

Paolo: Not really... Weakness ko is food! I'd rather walk home than go hungry. Haha!

Rhodge: Mabuti hindi ka tumataba?

Paolo: Bilbil ..taba yun. Matakaw ako na mabilis mabusog eh.

Rhodge: Hehehe! Na-mention mo dati na your "favorite colors are blue and black in the 'ber months. Green and brown during the other months. Scarlet red during festival, reminds me of burning incense and moon cakes. Yum."

Paulo: My colors now are blue and black, and purple.  I see those colors as the cold weather. Purple is my color for writing, with respect to the book "Dreamweavers" by Ms. Marjorie Evasco.

Rhodge: Cool! Paolo, what is your dream?

Paolo: I want to get rich. I want to have places to live in the countries I choose to visit. And perhaps after getting rich I might want to help my other relatives by perhaps helping them, find them work.

Rhodge: What's your philosophy in life?

Paolo: Hmm… The journey of a thousand miles begins in one step.

6 Said So

MALIGAYANG PASKO SA INYONG LAHAT!

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.

In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world.

2 Said So

I'll be leaving very early tomorrow for Baguio. Hanggang December 29 kami dun ng tanghali. Sadly, hindi ko makakasama si Kuyatot kasi writing workshop un with some LIRA members.

Ansarap sana makipag-HHWW sa Burnham Park nu? Lalo't grabe daw ang ginaw sa Baguio ngayon. Icy cool!

Tsaka sana makapagpa-piktyur ako ke Madame President sa The Mansion! Parang kamukha ko lang naman si Mike Arroyo. Bwehehehe!

***

At happy birthday sa iyo, John! The boy who's scared to grow up is now 24. I'm wishing you all the best in this crazy world!

2 Said So

Baguio Trip with Sir Fidel, Mao, ako, En, Mic, Ze (gf ni En), at Repa (December 27 to December 29)

More pictures dito.

 ***

Rizalene's Birthday! (December 30)

Familia: Rhodge, Tina, honorary member na si Kuyatot, Paul Allan, Sandra, at si Rizalene

More pictures dito.

Anything?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sa Pandi, Bulacan kami mag-celebrate na pamilya.

Sana, maayos ang 2009 ng pamilya ko.

Lord, Lord...

6 Said So