2009 Rodelicious Awards

The year is almost about to wrap up. But before it does, I want to announce the categories for the first ever Rodelicious Awards, the most prestigious, most coveted and most abso-freakin-lutely delicious award-giving body in my universe.

As follows is a partial list of the categories and the awards that are at stake this year. This list of categories is intended for the author's workplace side of his universe. (Whether there is a next installment of the categories is still yet to be seen, depending on his appetite for writing.)

1. Ako! Ako! Lagi na Lang Ako! AwardThis is given to the most conceited people around. Feeling pinagiinitan. Or feeling pinaguusapan lagi. Or laging target ng mga projects. Pasensya na po, trabaho lang. At least for the last one.

2. Umayos Nga Kayo Diyan AwardThis award goes to two or more persons or groups of persons who always choose to oppose. Yung tipong ultimo kulay ng papel whether off white or beige, pagtatalunan. Hay. Ikaw ba naman ang umattend ng meeting na laging referee ang role mo. Utang na loob, umayos kayo.

3. Bibo si Daddy, Bibo din Kami AwardI will give this award to the teams na talagang isinasabuhay ang quality objectives ng grupo. Credit should be given to the lead, pero nonetheless, kung hindi nya nakukuha ang cooperation ng team, wala din. At dahil jan, tuwang-tuwa ako sa inyo. Kudos.

4. Highblood Moment of the Year AwardSa trabaho, hindi maiiwasan ang mga eksenang nakakapagpataas ng dugo. Pasaway na katrabaho. Emails na hindi maganda ang choice of words. Ugaling nakakairita. Naku, mukhang andami kong pwedeng i-nominate. Haha.

5. Suspense-thriller Moment of the Year AwardMga pagkakataong nagiiwan ng bitin feeling, na hinaluan ng mala-roller coaster na emotions. Yung mga eksenang naghihintay ka ng specific na announcement na maaaring makaapekto sa yo, at hindi mo mawari kung kelan darating ang anunsyong iyon, kung darating man. (Teka, ako lang ata ang nakaka-relate dito.)

6. Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder AwardEto na ang panahon para koronahan ang mga taong ang drama eh absent kung absent. Walang paki kung may mga project na hindi matatapos. Or schedule ng audit, pero itutuloy ang bakasyon sa Palawan. In fairness, matagal nang naka-book ang flight na yun, as early as March. (Nag-explain daw ako bigla. Haha.)

7. Ginawa ang Salitang Angas Para sa Akin AwardAngas na nagkatawang-tao. Whether positive or negative ang implication, para sa inyo ito.

8. Ang Dali-dali Lang Niyan AwardPara sa mga taong kung makapag-comment tungkol sa trabaho ng ibang tao eh kala mo kung sinong superhero. Madali ka jan! Eh kung ikaw kaya ang pinaglalaba, pinagpaplantsa, pinagpipintura ng kisame at pinagme-memorize ng alphabet ng pabaligtad habang nagkakandirit pero naka-high heels! Tumigil ka.

9. MI ang may Hawak ng Solusyon sa Lahat ng Problema AwardHindi ko alam kung anong droga ang nasinghot ng ibang tao, pero hindi po totoo ang sinasabi nilang hawak ng team ko ang lahat ng solusyon. Hindi kami kailangang um-attend sa lahat ng meeting, kase for all you know, umaakting lang kami. (Obviously, kase puro kami artistahin.) Minsan may tinatawag tayong common sense. Gamitin natin ito.

10. Pramis, Draft ko Lang Ito AwardBakit nga ba may mga emails tayong nare-receive na feeling natin eh aksidente lang na napindot ni sender ang SEND button? Merong punong-puno ng tantrums. Merong isinulat ng ubod-emosyonal na galit. Merong mala-formal theme ang dating, yung tipong pagbalik ng titser sa estudyante eh para na syang coloring book kase andaming kulay pula. Pero ganun pa man, maraming salamat sa inyo, kase hindi matatawarang tuwa (at katakot-takot na tawa) ang naidulot nyo. Hindi nyo lang alam.

Nomination is now open. Hurry now and send in your nominees!

To send in your entries, just type AWARDS<space>[CATEGORY]<space>[Nominee]<space>I am such a gullible person<space>[Favorite color]<space>[Favorite day]<space>[Enumerate all 7 dwarfs]<space>ON and send it to your seatmate's mobile number. Bahala kayong mag-away pagkatapos.

the good in goodbyes? yes, there is!

flashback, may 2, 2002. i wrote the article below and emailed it to my office friends. the next day, around 3 people from other divisions na nakasalubong ko told me, "i liked your article." it was apparently circulated among my friends' network of friends as well. that should have felt good, however, it was not enough to cover the sadness of the announcement that day: the company that we're working for is closing down.

that news simply meant we had to say goodbye to a lot of things we've come to enjoy, love, and live with. especially friends. for an ambitious undergrad who's about to lose his job, this also brought the fear of the unknown.

fast forward, august 2009. i would say that the lowest times of your life could bring out the best in you. but i guess, only if you would allow it.

sharing this with you guys. i'm tempted to edit this to improve on some parts, but decided to keep it as is. i just took out the lyrics part.

*.*.*.*.*.*

7 Years

Have you heard of South Border's latest release, entitled 7 Years? If not, just read the lyrics below. It's a sad song about a love affair, which, after counting seven long years for its existence, it had to end. A classic example of the saying that everything, either good or bad, whether we like it or not, really must end.

It is but timely that I write about (and share with you) the longest affair I have ever had. Yes, it's been seven years too. My affair with Innodata started March 27, 1995. Or maybe a few days earlier if I should count the days allotted for the exams, the interview and the contract signing.

I could still remember the essay question in the exams: "How do you see yourself in 5 years?" Blame it on the youth's idealism, my answers were more of the assertive type. Not just because I wanted to impress the people at the recruitment section, but because I was really full of high hopes with this then would-be relationship. Luckily, at least 80% of what I foretold I was able to achieve. Among others, I was promoted, I am earning a 5-figure salary, I am self-sufficient, and somehow, apart from meeting my needs, I was able to obtain some of my wants. On the contrary, I am still single today and I have yet to finish my college degree.

If only to give credit to whom it is due, what I have become today and what I have achieved I attribute to my having an affair with Innodata. Would you believe me if I said I was wearing a 29-inch waistline denim when I first reported for work? Seven years after, I am proud to say that my waistline is 5-inch larger, thanks to the daily doses of MTP's and the now-defunct Recto's viands. I can only imagine my taste buds holding their placards asking for a
change in my diet. <smiles!>

When I was seven years my junior, I was only equipped with the most basic knowledge in computers. I barely knew that there are a lot of ways to create a document other than WordPerfect. I was not even told that a mouse is not just a synonym for rodent. Was I that ignorant too to think that adobe was merely a type of brick or clay? Or that AC/DC (ACDSee) is just a colloquial term for a bisexual?

During the course of the past seven years, I was introduced to Bill Gates (not personally, though) and his Microsoft. No, they were not third parties to the affair. They merely acted as accessories to it. I have learned that one need not be a nerd to be able to use a computer. I have gained basic knowledge on how to utilize softwares such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and lately, Outlook. I have learned to reach out to others faster through e-mail. I have met virtual friends through mailing lists and even tapped my knack for writing. This one, for example.

I admit, just like in most relationships, there were times of trials before when I felt that I wanted to get out of this affair. Pressures would come every now and then. Thus, every now and then, too, I am tempted to break free. But my love for Innodata have always taken the best of me that is why this relationship still exists up to now.

The past year saw the most tumultuous stage of this affair. Nevertheless, I kept holding on, hoping against hope that we will overcome the problems that we were experiencing. I even consented to travel to another facility just to help the organization in transfering its projects. I traded one semester (my last one, supposedly) in school just for this purpose, keeping in mind that I am doing this because I love my job.

Despite of all this, I could sense that nothing has changed. Or maybe there was, but not for the better. What was a beautiful love story before just turned out to be a suspense-thriller now. Lately, it has become a roller coaster ride for me. After all the loops and turns, I am pretty sure the ride will end, but I just can't predict when. And I am more sure that I will endure the ride, so until then, I will remain holding on.

Believe it or not, I am not a pessimist. I just know trouble is near when I see the early warning signals. Will this affair finally end after seven years? Probably. I could see it coming. But then, whether this affair will end sooner or later, I am thankful that it ever existed for seven long years. At least, it was not a one-night stand.

@>~ @>~ @>~ ~oOo~ ~<@ ~<@ ~<@
                 RODEL & INNODATA
                       1995 - 2002 (?)
@>~ @>~ @>~ ~oOo~ ~<@ ~<@ ~<@

P is for Palawan

...at P as in Pugante din. oo, pumuga (tumakas) ako sa ISO surveillance audit namin sa office last week para mag-Palawan adventure.

in fairness naman sa akin, this Palawan trip has been conceived months before the audit sked was finalized. i even alerted the concerned (ehrm, bosses) that i am on scheduled VL on the dates that they were considering for the audit. patigasan na lang ng ulo ang labanan, sa isip-isip ko.

anyways, as i have committed naman, i ensured that i've got my assignments (for the audit) covered before i go on leave. photo-finish yung review (and re-writing!) and approval ko ng procedures, guidelines and forms. mga 80 plus lang naman yun. tapos ibinilin kay essen to represent the team during the audit. (i even got periodic updates on the audit through SMS while i'm away. thanks essen!)

bukod sa audit, mejo kinabahan din ako na baka hindi rin ako payagan magbakasyon ng panahon. panay kaya ang ulan until monday, the day before ng alis ng grupo. not to mention, dalawang low pressure areas ang nagbabadya at that time na maging full blown typhoons. pero sabi ko nga, patigasan na lang talaga ng ulo. hangga't hindi cancelled ang flights, tuloy ang lakwatsa.

day 1

we spent day 1 with the subterranean river tour immediately pagdating namin ng palawan. the tour costed us Php1,500 each, inclusive of the boat rides, the permits, the driver and tour guides, and the buffet lunch. (da best ang chicken adobo nila, swear.)

the subterranean river really deserves to be acknowledged as one of the new 7 wonders of the world. it's a breathtaking experience with nature and its wonders. the paddle boat ride into the cave takes around 40mins, but only up to about 1.5 km inside, then back to the cave's entrance. mejo tinakot lang kami nung nakasalubong naming isang paddleboat, sakay yung bangkero at dalawang turistang babae. "magandang hapon sa inyo. anim po kami kanina." tinanong ko tuloy yung bangkero namin ng, "kuya, saang part dito ihuhulog yung kasamahan para magbawas ng sakay?" so far naman, kumpleto naman kaming lumabas.

we had a hearty dinner naman at bilao at palayok. the menu composed of seafoods and native dishes sa abot kayang halaga.

just before hitting the sack, we took a dip at the hotel's pool. we stayed nga pala at moana hotel, which was a few steps away from the airport. very convenient.

day 2

the itinerary for day 2 was the hunda bay tour. the package costs Php1,100 per head and includes, again, the driver and tour guides, the boat rides and entrance fees and the buffet lunch.

bale yung tour is composed of cruising around the islands, tapos stops sa tatlong islands, namely, starfish island, snake island and pandan island. along the way, we were introduced to luli, yung islang lumulubog pag high tide at lumilitaw pag low tide. reminds me of charlene gonzales during her Miss U Q&A.

starfish island was called such dahil marami daw starfish. true enough, nakakita naman kami ng anim. marami na nga yun. pero mas marami akong nakitang jellyfish. feeling ko magpo-protesta sila later on para baguhin ang pangalan ng island.

yung snake island naman ay tinawag na snake island dahil maraming snakes. nah, korteng snake kase sya, although that is better appreciated if you have an aerial view of the island. pero na-appreciate ko yung tigil namin dito dahil for the first time, nakapag-fish feeding ako. saya-saya. andaming isda, iba-ibang specie, iba-ibang size, iba-ibang kulay. and yes, we found nemo there.

yung pandan island naman, muntik ko nang pagkamalang starfish island. dito kase talagang maraming starfish pero yung specie na maliliit at payat. pero it was really as if nakatingin ka sa langit dahil andaming stars. ayaw mo man silang apakan, hindi mo naman maiwasan dahil sobrang dami talaga nila. anyways, ang kwento sa min, dahil daw dun sa maraming wild pandan naman kaya pandan island ang pangalan ng isla.

we were back at the hotel by 4pm. for lack of something worthwhile doing, napag-tripan naming pumunta sa katapat na salon ng moana. nagpa-hand paraffin si abby, nagpa-footspa si donna, at nagpa-highlights kami nina tracy at mae habang si jetroe naman eh busy sa kaka-picture. pero astig yung salon ha, kase may free drinks ang customers nila.

for our dinner, we explored rizal avenue at kumain sa 7B plates. again, seafoods and native dishes ang kinain namin. in our tinarantado-ng-adik look, dahil hindi maganda ang kinalabasan ng highlights namin. sobrang nabusog naman kami, pero pagdating ng hotel, nakuha pang tumungga ng isang the bar vodka. plakda sa bed pagkatapos.

day 3

we never really got to decide beforehand what to do on day 3. una, the city tour costs Php600 per head, tapos half day lang. parang hindi makatao. ang una naming usapan was we will explore the city by ourselves, sasamahan na lang namin ng tapang. over breakfast though, we decided to hire a van (with the driver syempre), pero wala nang tour guide. tutal wala naman kaming kahilig-hilig makinig.

after our busog lunch at mang inasal, dumating na yung sundo namin at direcho na kami with the tour.

we went to crocodile farm (kung saan pinagalitan kami nung tour guide naman nila dun dahil late daw kami. malay ba naming may oras pala ang pagpasok dun), to iwahig penal colony (at namili ng ilang pasalubong na produkto ng mga inmates dun), to ex-speaker mitra's ranch (kung saan kami inulan habang nagpipiktyuran), to baker's hill (kung saan nakahiga lahat ng mga characters on display like bugs bunny, snow white, et al dahil baka daw bumagsak sila sa lakas ng hangin kase nga umuulan. ang bukod tanging hindi nakahiga eh yung piratang nakalambitin sa bintana), to baywalk (kung saan tyinaga din naming magpiktyuran kahit inuulan kami) at sa cathedral (kung saan nagdasal naman ang mga kasama ko na wag nawa kaming ulanin paguwi namin ng manila the following day). come to think of it, naging Php250 per head lang ang cost namin. maraming salamat sa surf at naging wais kami. ambait pa ni kuyang driver.

ang 3rd dinner namin was at sari's baryo, kung saan matatagpuan ang pinakamalaking palayok sa buong palawan. (tingin ko lang.) nilubos-lubos na namin ang seafoods at native na motiff namin. the kare-kare was superb.

again, a short dip in the hotel pool bago lumaklak ng gsm blue naman this time.

day 4

our day 4 was kinda laidback. hindi na kami sabay-sabay gumising. abby and i had breakfast at jollibee tapos direchong tiangge-tiangge to buy the pasalubongs. mejo nahirapan akong mamili dahil bukod sa budget, i was also concerned with my baggage dahil naka-no check-in baggage ako na booking sa plane.

when we got back at the hotel, siya namang alis ng mga kasama namin to do their shopping. sinamantala naman namin yung mga huling oras sa pool, until lunchtime. tapos we had lunch at pizzito, na nag-se-serve ng pizza in cones. gusto ko sana syang i-try kaso nabusog na ako sa pizza at pasta na inorder ko.

by 3pm, we were at the airport already. our flight was delayed dahil kasagsagan ng lakas ng ulan sa manila. our original ETA in manila was 6pm, pero past 7 na kami nakarating. the good thing about it was that wala na ring ulan pagdating namin.

overall, the entire trip was quite pricey to think na discounted na yung airfare. ayoko na lang mag-compute. but then again, i would say that the experience was great, and i would not mind spending kung mag-e-enjoy naman ako once in a while.

~waiting for the next pugante adventure...~

kapitan sino

Rating: ★★★★
Category: Books
Genre: Other
Author: bob ong

this is the first time that i'll be doing a review. pinilit kase ako ni paul. at nagpapilit naman ako. hehehe. btw, thanks paul for informing me about the release of this new book.

i have always been trying to avoid writing reviews for the longest time. for me, the difference between a plain blog entry and a review is that the former could be as easy as relating an experience, such as a trip, a get together, a quiet time. with the latter though, you tend to give out more about yourself to your audience in the virtual world that is the internet. i don't know, ayoko lang sigurong masyadong maging open, lalo kung hindi naman lahat ka-close ko. (labo!) asus, kaya pala andaming kong pictures na nakahubad sa internet. hahaha.

anyways, it must have been some simple twist of fate that the first review that i'll be doing is about one of my inspirations when it comes to writing.

(warning! if you are not prepared for more spoilers about the book, stop here.)

dalawang taong sikad ang nakaraan mula nung lumabas yung pulang aklat ni bob ong. macarthur, that is. oo, ganyan namin tawagin kaming mga alagad ni bob ang kanyang mga akda. according to kulay. green, yellow, black, white, orange, red.

now comes his latest. kulay pilak this time, na pinamagatang kapitan sino.

true to what the author said in his white book, there will be a time na magsusulat sya ng libro na hindi ka-kontemporaryo ng mga nauna nyang libro kung saan mala-blogging ang style na ginamit nya, at kung saan din talagang minahal sya ng mga supporters nya dahil sa estilong ito.

samakatuwid, kung ang hinahanap mo sa libro ni bob ong ay yung mga tipong abnkkbsnplako o ang paboritong libro ni rodel, este, hudas, then the silver book is not for you.

the silver book tells about the beginnings and the endings in the life of a superhero. kung papano nya nadiskubre ang mga superpowers nya, kung paano nya ito pinilit na gamitin para sa ikabubuti ng mundo, at kung papanong ang powers na ito din ang naging dahilan ng kanyang kasawian. (ayan, spoiler alert!)

ang setting ng kwento ay late 70's hanggang 80's. dito sa bahaging ito ng libro nya ipinasok yung mga kakulitan kung saan mas nakilala si bob ong. kumbaga sa radio station, bigla mo na lang maririnig ang mga salitang, "hitback! (echo: hitback! hitback!)" or "where were you(!) when this song was... no. 1! (echo ulit: 1! 1! 1!)" habang binabasa mo yung libro. (a friend of mine read the book kasabay ko. hindi sya maka-relate kase mid-80's sya pinanganak. kailangan pa nya akong tanungin kung ano or ipakanta sa akin yung lyrics na binabanggit ni pareng bob sa libro.])

gaya ng orange at red books, isa itong nobela. or tipikal na kwento. may simula. may introduction ng mga characters. may plot. may climax. may ending.

at gaya pa rin ng orange at red books, hindi sya basta nagtatapos sa isang tuldok. kung susuriing mabuti, sa kabila ng mga sad endings ng mga librong ito, nagiiwan din sya ng palaisipan sa mga mambabasa kung papaano magiging applicable sa kanya-kanyang buhay at pananaw sa buhay ang mga pangyayari at ang mga sirkumstansya na nakapaloob sa mga kwentong ito.

in other words, maaari kong ihalintulad ang mga akdang ito sa mga akda ni rizal. payak, pero may malalim na leksyon, kahulugan at pakay.

maiksi lang ang kwento. kayang-kayang basahin sa isang upuan lang. unless mangawit ka at gusto mong tumayo. or humiga ka habang nagbabasa tapos bigla kang nakatulog. that doesn't count then. sa sobrang iksi ng kwento, mejo nabilisan lang ako ng konti dun sa development ng characters. hindi masyadong nabigyan ng bigat yung importansya nila. but then again, kwento ito ni bob. sino ba ako para mangialam. nakikibasa na lang e.

overall rating ko for the book, 4 stars. na-capture nya yung ideal values na dapat isabuhay ng isang taong marangal at may malasakit sa kapwa at sa kapaligiran, while at the same time, gusto nya ring ipahatid na kung walang pagkakaisa, ang isang mundong maayos at walang gulo ay isang kathang-isip lang.

M.Y.O.H.

henaku. nakigulo ako kagabi sa rockwell dahil sa tsinelas addict na si jay. sabi ko dati, hinding-hindi kikita sa akin ang havaianas na yan. jusko, tsinelas for one-kiyaw?! hindi makatarungan!

pero hayun, when in rome daw, do as the romans do. palusot ko na lang yan. natuwa naman kase talaga ako dun sa Make Your Own Havaianas event na yan. kaya hayan, my first pair of havs, black sole with red strap, with matching nationalistic pins: philippine map, Noypi and bora (basta beach sya, anubah.).

i wore them kanina during the service management workshop. when it was my time to present our group's output during the workshop, nag-side comment si taselle ng, "with his new slippers." na kinorek ko naman ng, "with his new, customized and personalized slippers." haha.

sa sobrang pagkamangha ko, may tina-target tuloy akong isa pang combination. royal blue sole with orange straps. aren't you reminded of something? haha.

glue boards and tracking powder

if they are movie stars, they'd be my favorite loveteam. baka nga ipagtayo ko pa sila ng fans club.

teka, masyado atang cheesy yun.

ang point ko lang naman, both of these items have been my mightiest weapons in getting rid of house pests.

actually ang talagang target ko lang eh yung mga daga. ewan ko ba kung bakit may factory yata ng bubwit dito sa compound. at ang mas nakakainis nyan, matatalino talaga ang mga daga. they learn their lessons easily. once mag-succeed ka sa isang strategy at may mapatay ka sa mga kasamahan nila, the next time, hindi na yan uubra with the rest of the pack. kailangan mong maging creative with your next strategy, otherwise mabibigo ka lang. or worse, they start strategizing about their revenge on you, your food, your shoes, your clothes.

i wish i could say that to some people too. (ganda ng segue ko no? haha.) i just want to make a rundown of some personalities na gusto kong idikit sa glue boards or painumin ng tracking powder shake. sobrang nakakairita na minsan.

1. mga taong maiingay. kumakanta ng pasigaw. naguusap ng pasigaw. nagpapatugtog ng music ng sobrang lakas. wala naman tayo sa raon, di ba?

2. mga freeloaders. hindi na kailangan i-explain.

3. mga spoiled brats sa opis. (niño, fill in the blanks. haha.)

4. mga paligoy-ligoy kausap, that you end up getting confused and later on pag nagkamali ka ng intindi, kasalanan mo pa.

5. mga malabong kausap.

6. mga taong atache case. (mga atat. yung hindi makapaghintay.)

7. mga paimportante. lalo na kung hindi naman kagandahan.

8. mga palautos. (abby, pramis, hindi ikaw ito. haha.)

9. mga taong nagsasampay ng kilikili nila sa balikat mo habang nagsisiksikan kayo sa loob ng mrt or lrt. eeewwwness!!!

10. mga mapanghimasok sa civil status. bakit kase pinoproblema ang pagiging single ko at 25. (uhm, 8 years na akong 25 as of this writing.)

11. mga taong nagpapaabot ng pamasahe sa jeep at a time na kakailanganin mong punasan ang kahabaan ng upuan gamit ang plastado mong office slacks para lang maiabot mo sa drayber yung pamasahe nya. (hindi ko talaga natiis nung isang beses, sinagot ko yung aleng mukhang masungit ng, "eh hindi ko rin po abot e." ayun, sya ang nagpunas ng upuan.)

12. mga hindi nagiisip. oops, that was a bit cruel. rephrase natin. uhm, mga hindi nagiisip. (ay, ganun talaga e. may tao talagang ganun, lalo sa trabaho.) ang sarap nyong regaluhan ng iodized salt sa pasko.

13. mga german na pa-baby. (managers na sobrang dependent.) sabi nga ni marya, "i don't need a parasite!"

14. mga feeling close. oo naman, nagkangitian lang tayo kahapon, uutangan mo na ako ngayon. sobra ka naman. (eksadsh lang.)

15. mga GG. hindi po isda yan. yung mga gwapu-gwapuhan at ganda-gandahan. yung mga tipong kung makaarte, kala mo kung sinong beauty queens at hunk actors. (may salamin sa harap ko habang tinitipa ko yang part na yan.)

16. mga reklamador. nyeta. nung pinanganak ka nga, hindi kami nakareklamo eh.

17. mga langaw sa ibabaw ng kalabaw. hay, nakakatakot ang mga ito.

18. mga kontrabida. or, nagbibida-bidahan.

19. mga masahistang tamad. at magaspang ang kamay. (haha. may kasama pang lait.) pressure ang hanap ko sa masahe, hindi gaspang ng kamay. try mo kayang pa-footspa ang kamay mo? haha.

20. mga chismoso at chismosa. hindi po totoo yung chismis. wala po akong sex video, pramis. wala pa, as of the moment. lol.

naku, mamumulubi pala ako kung lahat sila bibilhan ko ng glue boards at tracking powder. i guess all we need to do is to learn how to co-exist.

pero ganunpaman, gusto ko pa rin i-wish na sana wag tayong magkasalubong.

kapendicitis

no, there's no typo there.

for lack of a known medical term, i am coining a new word to call my sickness. if it indeed is a sickness in the medical world.

kapendicitis. n. a condition wherein a stubborn person, despite having unpleasant symptoms of hypertension and abnormal uric acid levels, refuse to shy away from coffee, which has been identified as a major source of these symptoms. adj. form, kapendicitic.

bakit nga ba ang hirap umiwas sa kape?

a. sabi kase ni tweety de leon, rich daw ito sa antioxidants. somehow, may mga certain websites na nagsasabi ng ganito din. unless pinaglololoko lang nila tayo.

b. ikaw na ang maupo sa desk sa office na katabi ng coffeemaker. san ka pa? wan-plas-wan-ikwals-tu, ika nga.

c. magkaroon ka ba ng mga kaibigan na sugapa sa kape, alangan namang hindi ka pa mahawahan. sabi nga ni ai-ai, "tell me who your friends are, and i will tell you who my friends are." tapos kitakits tayo sa suking coffee shop.

d. tumataas kase ang sweldo taon-taon. (yihiii. parang totoo.) may additional resources para pambili ng hindi-ko-maipaliwanag-kung-bakit-mahal na kape ng suking coffee shop. (at kasalanan pa ng salary increases tuloy. wag nawa itong mabasa ng boss ko.)

e. kakaiba ang motto ko sa buhay pagdating sa pagkain. "ang buhay, dapat pinapasarap, hindi pinapahaba." i wonder kung yung mga taong inaabot ng otsenta anyos dahil maingat sa kinakain nila kung masasabi ba nilang na-enjoy nila talaga ang buhay nila.

sagot ko: all of the above. pero if i will put weights on the answers, letter e will definitely come first.

i would not consider myself a coffee addict. in fact, malakas ang self-control ko pagdating sa mga cravings. sadya lang talagang matigas ang ulo ko. i-differentiate natin.

adik: may mga kaibigan ako na hindi magkandaugaga sa paglaklak ng kape kapag disyembre. hindi dahil sa malamig ang simoy ng hangin. kundi dahil sa gusto lang nilang makakuha ng libreng planner. imagine, pagkakagastusan ang kung ilang baso ng mamahaling kape para sa planner! tapos hindi rin naman ginagamit. di ba napakalalang pagka-adik nyan.

matigas ang ulo: makakaramdam ng masakit sa katawan. magpapa-BP. magpapa-check up. at pag na-confirm na mataas na cholesterol at uric acid levels ang dahilan ng mga kung ano-anong nararamdaman, dededmahin lang. or at least, treat the resuls lightly by continuing to partake of a huge amount of coffee on a daily basis. ako yan.

nag-research ako ng konti sa web about coffee, its chemical components at kung anong pwedeng idulot sa katawan. swak na swak. kumbaga sa SOCO eh nakorner na ang salarin. ang problema nga lang, hindi willing yung biktima para ipakulong ang suspect. parang rape with consent. which is fair. bakit mo nga naman bibitayin ang suspect kung wala namang reklamo?

well. siguro i just need a paradigm shift para talagang makaiwas ako sa kape.

or maybe i just need a lovelife. sabi nga, love, like coffee, can also be addictive. baka sakaling pag may ibang kinahuhumalingan, mawala ang atensyon ko sa kape.

on second thought, ang kape, pag sawa ka na, pwede mo nang itapon agad-agad. walang konse-konsensya. at lalong-lalong hindi ka nya i-na-nag.

my goodness. how can you resist something as beautiful as this? can somebody just hit me in the head, please?

google me

Go to Google and do the following:
1. Follow the directions for each question.
2. Answer with the first thing that makes sense.
3. Tag 20 people who deserve it.

| thanks to camille for this. Ü |

Q: Type in "[your name] needs" in the Google search.

A: rodel needs to improve his articulation, looks like dun sa guy sa mulangaw na mulawin
(dati na 'to e. yes it is, i am need to improving my articulation in the speaking or talking. very much.)

Q: Type in "[your name] looks like" in Google search.

A: Rodel looks like many of the handsome guys from Bokod, Benguet in face, complexion, body..
(obviously...)

Q: Type in "[your name] says" in Google search.

A: rodel says: bakit di moko subukan textmate tayo
(hehe. late bloomer lang ako talaga.)

Q: Type in "[your name] wants" in Google search.

A: rodel wants to attend training course about welding in manila
(oo, yan talaga dream job ko. mag-welding. at dapat ang training sa manila lang. hindi pwede sa pasay.)

Q:Type in "[your name] does" in Google search.

A: Rodel does not dance as well on a car as, for instance, the kids in “Fame!”
(but you have to see me dance with a pole. i'm sure, you'll forget those kids!)

Q: Type in "[your name] hates" in Google search.

A: Teams Rodel Hates. No teams have been selected yet.
(of course not! that's not true! i have selected them long time ago! uhm, we're talking of cps teams right?)

Q: Type in "[your name] asks" in Google search.

A: Rev Rodel asks Chris & Sureka to take their vows.
(oo. kung sino man sila.)

Q: Type in "[your name] likes" in Google search.

A: Rodel Garcia is a renowned writer. Rodel likes to compose articles about this field.
(yesss. premonition?)

Q: Type in "[your name] eats" in Google search.

A: rodel eats cake fast.
(no i don't. mas mabilis akong kumain ng mani.)

Q: Type in "[your name] was arrested for" in Google Search.

A: Rodel was arrested by authorities at his home for rape charges
(huwaaat??? i am the victim, not the suspect!)

Q: Type in "[your name] loves" in Google Search.

A: RODEL LOVES "QUEEN B"
(ahahaha. may code name pa. bading na bading ah.)

Q: Type in "[your name] was killed by" in Google Search.

A: Walang mga resultang natagpuan para sa "rodel was killed by".
(at talagang tagalog ang ginamit kong language. hehe.)

kuya, x?

nag-lunch. naligo. nagbihis. naglakad. sumakay ng fx.

in about 10 minutes ng biyahe, sabi ni manong driver, "quiapo, meron?"

"meron, pero dun sa may overpass." ako.

bumaba ng fx. naglakad. umakyat sa overpass. naglakad ulit. bumaba.

ilang hakbang at isang liko sa kanto, nandun na ako sa pakay ko.

flashback. a few weeks ago, nahigaan ko yung eyeglasses ko. nabali yung frame. not to mean though na lahat ng mahihigaan ko, mababali. hindi naman ako ganun kabigat. flashback out.

so there was i, namimili ng bagong frame para sa salamin ko sa isang optical shop along paterno street in quiapo. kumbaga sa celfones, etong area na ito ang greenhills para sa eyeglasses. singganda, pero hindi singmahal, ika nga.

"matatapos ba sya today, ate?" sabi ko dun sa attendant.

"ok lang ba mga 5pm?" si ate. at um-oo naman ako.

with an hour and a half to waste, i decided na mag-iikot-ikot na lang ako. kesa naman balikan ko pa kinabukasan.

first stop. raon. naglipana ang mga electronics appliances. at may manaka-nakang dvds din. nakakita ako ng satellite dish, na minsan nang kinuwento ni essen over lunch. hit daw ito ngayon sa kanila dahil nakakasagap sila ng cable channels. for free. or at least, walang cable subscription na kailangan. astig.

"jan ka muna ha, babalikan na lang kita next time." promise ko dun sa isang satellite dish. naramdaman kong tinatawag nya ako habang papalayo ako.

"bilhin mo na ako! bilhin mo na ako!" sigaw nya. ngunit nagbingi-bingihan ko. parang yung huling eksena nina maricel soriano at jaypee de guzman sa Saan Darating ang Umaga. kaya lang walang umiiyak sa aming dalawa. haha.

next stop. quiapo church, gilid. sinuyod ko yung quezon blvd papunta sa underpass, at dahil hindi naman ako si lastikman para gawing isang hakbang lang mula sa raon, kailangan kong daanan yung hilera ng mga nagtitinda malapit sa gilid ng simbahan.

iba't ibang kulay ng kandila. may morbid black. may bloody red. may royal blue. sabi nila, a color stands for a certain intention.

sari-saring ugat. sari-saring dahon. ang pinakatumatak na label sa akin: pamparegla. jusme, sabi nga, kung gusto mo daw magkaanak, magsayaw ka sa obando. kung ayaw mo naman magkaanak, suyurin mo lang ang quiapo.

next stop. quiapo underpass. wow, underpass pa lang, mall na. andaming bisnes establishments. may tindahan ng mejas, may hardware, may gadgets (uhm, gadget ba ang flashlight?), may tsinelas, may payong, at may acoustic band. oo, magdala ka lang ng gitara, umupo ka sa hagdan, tumugtog at sabayan ng kanta. presto, may bisnes ka na. wala pang kaltas ng withholding tax at sss.

hidalgo st. ang sumunod kong pinuntahan. andaming tao. understandably dahil dito umiikot ang mga jeep na papuntang san miguel, punta, etc. at oo nga pala, quiapo ito. hindi pwedeng mawala ang mga piniratang dvds at music cds.

lakad-lakad. tingin-tingin ng dvds. tanong-tanong kung magkano. 3 for 100. ikot-ikot. tanong ulit. 3 for 100 din. lipat sa kabilang building. ikot-ikot. tanong-tanong ulit. 3 for 100 din. "hmmm. yun siguro talaga ang exchange rate sa ngayon," sa loob-loob ko. consistent eh. tingin ko nga eh may nagbabantay din sa presyo nila. saklaw kaya sila ng DTI?

nag-ikot na muna ako ulit. naghanap ako ng stall na may titles ng lahat ng gusto kong bilhin. isa yan sa natutunan ko sa trabaho. pag malaki ang volume, mas malaki ang pwede mong itawad.

as usual, pag nagiikot-ikot ako sa dakong iyon ng quiapo, hindi nawawala ang mga lumalapit sa akin para tanungin ako ng napaka-socially relevant na tanong:

"kuya, x?"

napapahawak tuloy ako sa noo ko, baka kako may nakasulat na pervert. ang nakakagulat nyan, yung ibang nag-aalok, kay babata pa. halos tumaas lang ng konti sa gasul, ayun at nagbebenta na ng mga pelikulang ang subtitle ay, bata, bata, ganito ka ginawa. yung iba naman, marami sila. hindi ko alam kung sino sa kanila ang tatay mo.

hindi ko na sasabihin kung bumili ako nung inaalok nila, at kung ilan lahat-lahat ang nabili ko. basta, ang masasabi ko lang, nakuha ko ng 30php each. nakatawad ako dahil sa volume. :)

wala pang 5pm nung matapos akong mamili, kaya i decided to have merienda at jollibee. sabay basa ng mga texts.

"gawa mo?" sabi nung isang friend ko. "dito ako quiapo." sabi ko. "namili ka na naman ng pirated dvds? isusumbong kita kay tito edu." sabi nya. ewan.

shortly before 5pm, nandun na ulit ako sa optical shop, claiming my glasses. ayan, pwede ko nang panuorin ang mga binili ko. in style. hehe.

the importance of plan B's

ironic. it's like rain on your wedding day, according to alanis.

no, i didn't get married yet. but it rained on an event that i considered important. mala-bagyong ulan pa 'kamo.

i had my first public speaking engagement last sunday. by public, i mean, pre-school kids, parents, teachers, and other mirons in the audience. (kunwari valid english word ang miron.)

i have always been afflicted with stage fright, pero during that time, ewan ko, pero i was so relaxed. kung pinagpapawisan man ako, it was not because i was nervous, but because nakahiyaan ko nang hubarin yung coat na suot ko kesehodang ma-dehydrate ako sa dami ng pawis na iluluwa ng sweat glands ko.

the moving-up ceremony started an hour late (which was still earlier than i expected). then came the usual portions. invocation. national anthem. opening remarks. welcome speech. song number. again, wala akong kanerbyos-nerbyos na naramdaman. (unless in denial ako.)

then came the introduction. (wow, ang ganda ng pagkaka-build up sa kin dun sa intro. as in, if i were a picture, baka isa na akong billboard.) and then everybody stood as i approached the podium, welcoming me with a round of applause.

anakngtokwa. hindi pa ako nagiinit na nakatayo dun, and i was barely through with my "thank you for that wonderful introduction" plastikan portion (in fairness, totoo yun sa akin. na-touched talaga ako sa intro, pramis.), ayun at isa-isa nang nagtatayuan yung mga magulang para kuhanin ang mga bagets. yun pala umaambon na. so the school principal approached me if she could interrupt, to which i obliged.

since the venue is not covered, it was time to activate plan B. the principal announced that we had to transfer to the church hall which was just a few steps away from the quadrangle. sure, it bought me additional time to polish my speech.

some 15 minutes after, i was delivering my message already at the church hall. i would like to think that somehow, i was able to get the audience's attention for the next 20 minutes or so. i even managed to inject some interactive portions with the kids at some parts.

when it was time to award medals to the kid achievers, the lights went off. which was coupled by heavy rains and strong winds. i told the principal who was sitting next to me, "bakit ganon? wala naman akong balat ah." which made her smile. apparently, it was the first time that it rained on their graduation day.

plan B again: generator. thank goodness for technology. the ceremonies went on with the support of the school's generator, until around 9pm.

i enjoyed the night nonetheless. speaking in public was quite an experience already, how much more if it was coupled with unforeseen events like rain and brownouts. at least, i didn't need a plan B to impact my audience, it seemed. because before the night ended, some teachers approached me that i delivered a nice message.

what rodel needs...

taking from joey's post. the instruction was to google [your name] followed by needs and enclosing the phrase with quotes. this is fun.

1. rodel needs to put their money where their mouth is (parang bastos. syempre where my mouth is, nandun din yung dila ko. i don't think my tongue would notice the money, as it might be quite busy.)

2. rodel needs your support (yeah. in cash please. please text me for the account number.)

3. what rodel needs now. I want to meet people who wants to do business and exporters of products from China and People willing to invest in China and anywhere (wow, sabi ko na nga ba i have a career waiting for me in the government. ZTE, is that you?)

4. rodel needs to improve his articulation, looks like dun sa guy sa mulangaw na mulawin (i am so agree to this. i am need to improve my articulation, especially tagalog languages. i am find it hard so much to speak tagalog, unlike english wherein i is very much fluency. so far, so good. so far.)

5. rodel needs a manager who will love him beyond the 30 percent cut (oo nga naman. it should be 50 percent, not 30.)

6. rodel needs a napkin (i do! i really do! sariwa pa rin kase yung tuli ko!)

7. rodel needs to play poker with someone else besides the computer (decoding instruction: play poker = get laid)

8. rodel needs to take home some money, not for the traditional feast, but to buy medicines for his kid brother (this is my melodramatic side. hindi lang pansit ang kailangan kong iuwi. kailangan din ni rudy, my imaginary kid brother, ng gamot. he is so sick with terminal dyspepsia.)

9. rodel needs the care and assistance only ALA is capable of giving (nyetah! andami namang rodel na lovesick! kainis! tama nang ako lang!)

10. rodel needs less than a second to make 9 laps (hihi. this is an embarassing admission. oo, i'm a premature ejaculator. )

naiinggit lang ako kay joey kase wala akong ibang name. antipid kaseng magbigay ng pangalan ng tatay ko e.

translate me. please.

i have never been as happy with having my haircut and foot spa, as last saturday.

oo na, maarte ako, sabi nga ni taselle, dahil nagpapa-foot spa ako. daig ko pa raw sya. ang sabi ko naman, if you have no one to pamper, better to pamper yourself. kaya ka nga nagtatrabaho e, para may lustayin ka sa sarili mo.

i was seated at the couch of a certain salon chain, waiting for my turn to have my foot spa. i'm done with my haircut already that time.

two chinese ladies went inside. "haircut ma'am?" sabi nung receptionist. tumango naman yung dalawa. fine. so umupo sila sa katabing couch, habang naghihintay ng gugupit sa kanila.

finally may nabakanteng bading, este, manggugupit. "ma'am, halina po kayo!" pa-sweet na tawag ni bading. hindi natinag yung dalawang girls. it turns out, hindi pala sila nakakaintindi ng tagalog. at hindi rin gaanong nakakasalita or nakakaintindi ng english, except for the basics siguro. kaya ang ginawa ni bading, kinawayan yung dalawa, nag-sign language at ikinorteng gunting yung index at middle finger, sabay sabi ng, "aaah! eeh! eeh! aah! eh! ahh!" na parang sea lion.

tumili yung isang bading na may ginugupitan din that time. "bakla, intsik lang sila. hindi sila pipi!"

luckily, lumapit na yung dalawa at umupo na yung gugupitan sa kanila dun sa tapat ng salamin. "what haircut?" tanong ni bading. of course, pinilit din ipaliwanag ni chinese girl ang gusto nyang mangyari pero turo-turo at hawak-hawak lang sa buhok nya ang ginawa nya. na ikinaloka ng bading. "naku, pano ko ba gugupitan to? hindi ko maintindihan ang gusto nyang mangyari! baka mamaya makalbo ko sya!"

buti na lang, merong magjowa dun na nagbigay ng pag-asa. si lalake, hapon yata na marunong mag-mandarin. or korean ata sya. or vietnamese. or chinese talaga sya. (basta, iisang template sila. just get my point lang na pwede syang makipagcommunicate dun sa babaeng gugupitan at sa kasama nya.)

ang problem, hindi rin kayang i-translate ni mr. singkit yung requirements ni miss customer dahil hindi naman sya marunong mag-tagalog. kailangan pang i-translate ni pinay jowa naman para kay bading. sa madaling salita, nakuha ni mr. singkit yung requirement, at naipaabot na ni pinay jowa kay bading.

si bading naman ang napatili na. sabi nya kay miss customer, "cannot be! cannot be! your hair, you know, curly. you know, wavy. if we thin here... ssshhhhhhhhhhh...." while making the long spraying sound, his fingers were mimicking spider legs on the customer's hair. and finishes his sentence with, "anong gusto mong maging, diva o construction worker?"

translation: "naku, hindi pwedeng gawin ang pinapagawa mo. kulot ang buhok mo. pag ninipisan natin yan dito, bubuhaghag yan. (that explains the long spraying sound.)"

mamatay-matay ako sa kakatawa. kung ganun nga naman ang kausap mo, who needs passing 6 english subjects in elementary, 4 english subjects in high school, and another 4 in college? wala.

uy, ang laki naman nyan!

sad. i've been getting some bad reviews lately.

"parang tumataba ka."

"tumaba ka ba o sa damit mo lang?"

"mukhang napapasarap ang kain ah."

i don't know. i've been trying my best to cut on my carbs for some months now, pero mukhang walang epekto. na-notice ko rin na unti-unting sumisikip ang pants ko. (no, hindi bastos yang ibig kong sabihin.) sinukatan kami ng office uniforms mid of last year pa.

ngayon sinusuot na namin yung uniforms. ang iniisip ko na lang, nagkamali ng sukat yung nagtahi.

and as an inspiration, lagi kong pine-play sa isip ko yung mga linya sa Everybody's Free (to Wear Sunscreen):

you are not as fat as you imagine.

remember the compliments you receive. forget the insults.

enjoy your body. use it every way you can. don't be afraid of it. or what other people think of it. it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
 
do not read beauty magazines. they will only make you feel ugly.

accept certain inalienable truths.

one time, a former officemate, a well-endowed girl at that, at kilala for being taklesa most of the time, told me, "sir rodel, ang laki-laki naman ng tiyan mo!"

to which i snapped, "wala namang pakialaman! yang ANO mo nga, ang laki-laki din, pero hindi ko pinakikialaman!"

ganyan lang ang labanan minsan. gulatan lang.

bawal pumasok dito

life is strange really.

one minute, you're happy. suddenly, you're not. one minute, you're humming a song inside your head. the next thing you know, you're composing a lethal chant intended to harm others.

kadugtong ito nung valentine post ko.

after a lively night of dance music and senti love songs, joey, eyps, helene and i went our separate ways from metrowalk at around 2am. as was my habit, i always let my companions get to their cabs first so i could note down the plate numbers, taxi names and contact details. kunwari magaganda at bata sila at kailangang masigurong makarating sila ng safe sa mga bahay nila.

around 230am, i have received separate text messages from joey and eyps (helene and eyps shared a cab), telling me that they arrived home safely. good.

at around the same time, i was outside our compound's gate na rin. unfortunately, it was locked, disallowing me to enter. bad.

ganito yun. i live in an 11-door compound. the gate has 2 bolts at the inside: one of them, the upper one, pwedeng buksan from outside dahil abot-kamay sya; the other one, yung lower, nasa bandang gitna nung entire height ng gate. ibig sabihin, hindi ko sya mabubuksan from the outside. well, pwede pa rin naman kung ikaw si yao ming. or kung sawa yung isang braso mo.

so imadyinin nyo na lang. pagod ka sa gimik, mejo nakainom ka, mejo nagda-dry na ang contact lenses mo at dumidikit na sa eyelids mo, at higit sa lahat, sobrang inaantok ka na. ano kayang gagawin mo?

ako? inisip kong kalampagin yung upper bolt at nang may magising para pagbuksan ako. kaya lang naisip ko, "sibilisado ka. gwapo ka. sosyal ka. bakit mo gagawin yun? ano kah, mahirap?" sumagot naman ako ng, "alam mo, may point ka jan." nagulat nga ako, kase boses malat yung sumagot. parang hindi ko boses. masyado na nga lang patong-patong yung kamalasan kong inabot kaya hindi ko na pinansin yun.

ang ginawa ko, naglakad-lakad ako papunta kung saan habang nag-iisip ng plan B. option 1, magpunta sa nearby mot-mot at mag-check in. taga-pasay kaya ako, kaya siguradong meron nearby. ang problema, baka wala rin akong makuhang room dahil balentayms nga nun.

option 2, kontakin ang mga friends na malapit, kung sino pang gising at baka sakaling pwedeng makituloy. kaso, pa-lowbatt na ako, tapos bigla pang pumasok yung text ni Globe na tapos na ang unlitxt ko. sobrang badtrip talaga. kaya nagpunta ako sa mini-stop para magpa-load at mag-charge.

option 3, pumunta sa suking massage parlor. isang oras din yun, tapos pwede pa akong umidlip afterwards, just in time para paggising ko, pwede na akong umuwi hoping na may nagising na sa neighbors ko at nagbukas na ng gate. syempre, ultimate malas moment ko na ito kaya itodo na natin. walang available na therapist! i had to wait for one hour daw. wow men, hindi ko na ito kaya.

last option, magbabad sa 24-hour fastfood hanggang mag-umaga. umorder ng kape at sausage mcmuffin. oops, libreng promotion. at habang nginunguya ko yung sandwich at unti-unting nilalagok yung kape, bumulong na naman yung malat na boses sa isip ko. napalingon nga ako sa sobrang gulat e. wala lang. nagbonding kaming dalawa habang nagco-compose ng chant para sa aking neighbors. (hindi ko pwedeng isulat dito yung chant. baka mamatay yung magbabasa.)

ang hirap ng may neighbors na tamang praning. all of a sudden, ang mga good-natured neighbors ko, ayun, nag-implement ng curfew sa buong compound without consulting everyone. "para maiwasan ang mga nakawan," daw ang reason. i've lived in that compound for almost 10 years. way, way before anybody of them did. ni isang sampay, hindi ako nanakawan. badtrip to the highest level talaga.

saan ka naman nakakita ng security measure that would prevent entry. even yung nakatira dun mismo. kakaiba.

the following night, gumimik ulit ako. biglang-bigla, lahat sila nanay ko. lahat sila, kailangan kong pagpaalaman pag gigimik ako. before i left, nagdikit ako ng note dun sa gate, telling everyone na wag i-double lock yung gate dahil late na akong uuwi. in a very nice way. may kasama pang smiley. leche. kung gusto ko pala ng may rumerenda sa mga lakad ko, sana nag-bedspace na lang ako. nakamura pa ako. ang hindi nila alam, ang totoong sinabi ko:

"gigimik ako. late na ako uuwi. single ako kaya i deserve a life. wag nyo akong igaya sa inyo. hindi ko kayo kaanu-ano, kaya hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ako nagpapaalam sa inyo dahil lang gigimik ako. plis lang, wag nyong isasara ang gate."

followed by the deadly chant.

valentine cheesecake

'Cause this life is no good alone
Since we've become one I've made a change
Everything I do now makes sense, all roads end,
All I do is for you
- For You, Kenny Lattimore

such cheesy lines. for such a cheesy occassion.

last valentine's day, i went out on a date (date daw o!) with dear friends joey and eyps. with aiz din sana kaso nag-back out ang lola at the last minute para sa totoong date. hmp. nakikisama na sa commercialized population ha. at hindi ko pa binabanggit nyang lagay na yan yung natanggap nyang gulay the day before. haha.

but back to my story. again, i was with the two girlets, plus helene and albert(?) to watch the gig of powerhouse at aruba in metrowalk. yup, powerhouse band. ang kinarir na friendship ni... oh, never mind.

everything was fine. powerhouse's first set was lively as expected. the usual house music na forte nila, coupled with a few love songs. er, make that senti love songs, in celebration of the v-day. the other band that night (3rd avenue, if i got their name correctly) was equally good. i must admit that i did not know the band before that night, but hell, they're good. i was amazed by the male vocalist's vocal range as he belted out ewf's Time Will Reveal and Reasons. never have i heard someone sing those songs live so perfectly. they're a band to watch out for, i must say.

oops, nawala na naman tayo sa istorya. ganyan kadisorganized ang utak ko. ngayon alam nyo na. hehe. sige na nga, balik tayo sa kwento. during powerhouse's second set that night, james started singing Kenny Lattimore's For You, pero after the first stanza, may tinawag syang guy at pinaakyat sa stage. binulungan ako ni joey habang kinikilig: "may magpo-propose!" nagulat ako. akalain mong may kilig pa pala si joey, at her age! *let there be peace on earth...*

totoo nga. the guy was teary eyed as he sang another stanza of the song. in fairness, the guy had a good voice. shortly after, he started narrating about that night being special for him. and then he called his girlfriend on the stage. the girl seemed clueless of what was about to happen, with the surprise written on her pretty face.

it was my first time to personally witness a wedding proposal. laging sa movie or tv lang ako nakakakita nun. pero ganun pala talaga, the tension in the air was so real you could almost touch it. lalo na siguro kung nag-No si girl sa Will-you-be-my-wife proposal ni guy. fortunately, she said Yes in between her sobs. the couple's group of friends were jubilant. all the others in the audience somehow joined in the celebration.

the guy was in tears as well when he stood (nakaluhod sya nung nag-propose, anubeh) to kiss his bride-to-be. and then they were locked in an emotional embrace, amidst the cheering crowd. 'twas indeed a magical moment, with james continuing the song in the background. (at oo, teary-eyed din sya. lol.) it was the groom-to-be who finished the song, serenading the girl.

dati, when i watch proposal scenes on tv lalo na pag masyadong pine-play up yung dialogues, i sometimes cringe. anything na sobra sa cheese, nakakasuka. pero talaga palang ganun sa tunay na buhay. siguro this just means there is just that right time for each one of us para sa ganung moment. and that night was that couple's right time. i don't know them personally (i didn't even get their names di ba?), but i want to wish them all the best.

ako kaya, kelan ang moment ko? haha. parang malabo. asexual ako e. malanding asexual. nyahahaha.