Echoed Thoughts

Sometimes, to love yourself means to not care about the calories

2011-06-09T22:11:00.002-04:00

Bad day. I'm tired. I didn't get enough sleep. Got relationship issues on top of that. It also rained pretty hard and the carpet outside my door is soaked. I do not need another crappy thing to end the day.

Good thing there's Ben and Jerry's. They sell heaven for a price of $7.59.

Ben & Jerry's Banana Split (front view)

"Three scoops of ice cream atop a split banana..."
I picked Vanilla, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Cherry Garcia.

shot on the side

"...hot fudge, caramel, fresh whipped cream..."
The hot fudge feels good on the lips. The cold ice cream together with and the warm fudge play tricks in your mouth.

drippin' - rear view

"... and your choice of two toppings. It's a boatload!"
I got four! Walnuts, pecan, Oreos, and M&M's!

Now I can go to bed.

The Pleasure of Doing Nothing

2011-06-08T19:33:00.006-04:00

Two years ago when I got my first job right off college, I remember telling my boss during a company standard regular one-on-one expectations discussion that I did not want to be not doing anything. I said I'd find being idle at work boring (and I still feel that way), and I told him that I did not want to be treated like a "new" hire. If there was going to be some form of initiation for juniors, I was basically telling him to go ahead and not take it easy on me. And I was not doing that to impress him. I seriously just do not like being useless. I guess it was the drive speaking being fresh from college and all, and finding my first official work exciting but what I know now is that I was eager to put my name to the test. Right at this moment, I still feel that way.

Green Bean, Greensboro, NC

See, I think I work hard and that's a personal need. There is a level of self-fulfillment when I get used up. I get tired and somehow that's a pleasing feeling. And I have never really given thought as to why I am that way other than realizing, or more like accepting, that this is just who I am. I am also aware that people can perceive that differently, just like a piece of news. Depending on what people know, or what they think they know, and what their experiences are, a piece of news can mean anything. I have talked with people who disagree with this attitude. I have heard people maneuver contrasting cliché about work and living life to the fullest to basically just tell me that there is a whole big world of fun out there that I'm missing out. What these people don't understand is that happiness, regardless of shape and form, is happiness. It is a non tangible scientific thing. It is personal yet universal. Personal in the sense that I get to define what makes me happy, sometimes not even by choice but by experience. Universal in the sense that happiness is not isolated only to people who own a 500-acre back yard. There is no "standard". It is measurable, yes, but only by the person experiencing it. It is not or should not be comparable. It is an experience. And when people experience something over and over, it also then becomes skill.

The other reason why I like to work hard is because it heightens my senses for the opposite - for when I'm not doing anything. When you're thirsty and you don't have access to anything to drink, by the time you finally do, it's rewarding. Drinking which is nothing extraordinary, suddenly becomes an experience you recognize and want. A simple can of Diet Coke, which you probably had over and over before, somehow just tastes better! Suddenly it's not just the soda that you can get for a dollar in a machine. It's the elixir of life! You instantly appreciate the way the cold can feels in your hand, the popping sound when you open. It tastes sweeter, and better, and you get to experience it all over again. Diet Coke, or at lest how you experience it, has been redefined all because you were momentarily deprived of it.

Downtown Greensboro, NC

The purpose of this post is not to prove to "those people" that I'm missing out on anything. I'm not gonna say that I spend (or used to spend) my entire weekend wakeboarding, and then I got a concussion mastering the kicker, and then weeks later I passed out after hitting my head on the water by trying another trick (people with a brain injury shouldn't be doing sports for while unless they have a death wish), and then drowned (water was getting through my mouth and to my lungs), and basically would have died, had my friend not seen me floating head submerged five or ten minutes later. Oh Well, I think I just did. The point really is: happiness is personal. Some people seem to think that's present outside work, at least I think that's how some people see it. I on the other hand, just seem to find it both at work, and when I'm doing an extreme sport, or just when I'm just sipping macchiato in a coffee shop somewhere. The art of finding happiness in the sunset creeping in through your window sounds gay but it is happiness. Happiness is personal and I think we should just respect how people experience it differently.

X-Men: First Class - A Movie Review

2011-06-06T18:48:00.002-04:00

I have never bought a single Marvel comic book (or any illustrated novel for that matter) in my life. But X-Men was a HUGE part of my childhood. I grew up not missing a single episode aired Friday nights on TV, played with the action figures, and in countless occasions engaged in arguments with friends about things like which types of mutations and superpowers are the best. And so to say that I wouldn't have any expectations on the X-Men films would really be next to impossible. There were a couple of inconsistencies in X-Men: First Class. Did I like it? Nope. I loved it.

Watching a movie based on a story that’s been told and followed so many times is like reading the Bible. The only way to appreciate it is to get the message. And X-Men: First Class gets that – it retells the story and sends the message to its audience. Pretty simple. The film is 130 minutes long – enough to chronicle “the beginning” in the right pace and in the process no key character roles were reduced. X-Men: First Class is ultimately just about that – how the first class of mutants came to be, how heroes and villains got defined, and how Professor Charles Francis Xavier was able to assemble his first group of students. It is less about showing off and more about the narrative. By showing off, I don’t mean less visual effects. As a matter of fact, I don’t think there is a single frame in the film that does not, in one way or another, showcase the mutant abilities of each of the character in the story. There is a big solid chunk of visual effects, flashes, and levitation, so fans who are expecting those types of digital tricks will not be disappointed. What the film is also able to do is live up to its name and purpose. Who are the First Class? How did it all start? These are the questions that the film answers. It’s not the kind of film that was created to intimidate, and show off, which is an easy mistake Hollywood makes by putting superheroes in a paradigm and equating superpowers to millions of dollars of visual effects. This film encompasses human emotions (the human side of the mutants), history, and not to mention multiple continents.

The Cast

I like the fact that they didn’t use “big” celebrities to play out the roles of the mutants in this film. People who watch X-Men do so not so much because Hugh Jackman is going to be in it (for the record I think Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine is superb), but because they already love X-Men to begin with. It is the kind of story that people already have an attachment to; there is an assured audience who will reach out to it and so there is really no need to do promotions through excessive all star casting. I believe it is partly for that reason that actors like Kevin Bacon and James McAvoy were, in the eyes of the viewer, able to slide right through their characters discreetly in the film. It is certainly easier for the audience to see past through the names and engage with the characters that the actors portray when the film credits is not the list of the highest paid celebrities in Hollywood. I also thought Michael Fassbender did a great job in portraying the younger bitter Magneto. He had a sort of Jason Bourne quality in his acting for this role but with more range. I think he did Magneto justice by showing enough emotion to show where the pain and anger is coming from but not too much so as to depart from the vengeful and heartless Magneto that most people came to know.

The Theme and Setting

X-Men: First Class - Nazi Concentration Camp Scene (trailer snapshot)

X-Men: First Class spans from the height of the Nazi Germany in the 40’s until the US-Russia Cold War in the 60’s. With that, there are numerous historical events that the film can play with. The first scene in the film is set in the Nazi concentration camp which is a recreation from the scene in first X-men movie where the young Magneto bends the gates when the guards separate him from his parents. I thought this scene was classic and powerful from the first time I saw it. What I would have loved in this franchise is a little more stretch and intensity. A sullen and eerie musical score would have brought this scene to the next level. Also when Sebastian Shaw (played by Kevin Bacon) forces the boy Magneto to magnetically move a coin in his office, the killings that happened shortly after should have been made a little more brutal. Of course, I was not expecting a Quentin Tarantino type of gore; I know Century Fox had to keep the movie child-friendly. But I thought the killings were merciless at best but they were not evil in the Nazi sense of the word. This falls a little short when compared to the first scene in Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds’ End which, amidst being a Walt Disney franchise, shows pirates – men, women, and children – on the process of being hanged while The Pirate Song was sang somberly in the background and everything was in slow motion. That is ironically more intense.

JFK's televised speech - Cuban Missile Crisis (trailer snapshot)

Amidst the 60’s setting, the film had several allusions and references to issues confronting present times. Issues like being different and societal acceptance are a key theme throughout the film. “Mutant and proud” is repeatedly uttered by the characters. The film also focuses on the art of forgiveness, and the philosophy of anger and revenge.

The Humor

I think this franchise incorporates humor more than any of the other previous X-Men films. And that is a good thing. X-men: First Class essentially shows mutants in their teens and so humor is an easy and almost necessary accessory. There is a scene where the members of the First Class were introducing themselves and their mutant abilities to each other. That had a lot of laughter packed in it. Professor X and Magneto as close friends rounding up mutants, and going to a strip club was also fun and light. There are also a couple of cameo appearances from characters in the previous films.

All in all, this is definitely a great movie for kids and for those who worship Marvel and X-Men. I’m not sure how avid comic fans are going to receive this franchise but on the first night of showing, critics are already giving positive Box Office forecasts on this film for the weeks to come. If you haven’t already watched it, make sure you do. This is definitely one of the must see films of 2011.

For my article on the previous X-Men films, click here.

Food Politics

2011-06-01T23:05:00.006-04:00

I drove by Back Yard Burgers to try out their Junior BYB. While I was waiting for my order, this red bottle caught my attention.

Back Yard Burgers, High Point, NC

Yes sir, it is!

Pretty neat marketing stuff.

The End of Oprah Era

2011-05-31T20:22:00.003-04:00

On Oprah's last show, "who will be there? Nelson Mandela?

The reincarnation of Michael Jackson? God?"

- Richard Zoglin (TIME)

25 May 2011 - The Last Oprah Winfrey Show

Sweet Oprah, Thanks! For making my 25 years and the world I grew up in

a time and place tolerant, and loving of ideas. Cheers!

Last Monday in May

2011-05-30T21:33:00.002-04:00

An Old Wooden Chair
(a Memorial Day Poem by Roger Robicheau)

Green Hill Cemetery, Greensboro, NC

An old wooden chair, out on the porch

Shaded by trees, the sun couldn’t scorch

A child loved to play, not far away
When tired this chair, was where to stay...

As the years passed, the chair bore no change

But the small one did grow, adding new range...

Off to the service, such great pride did show
Protector of freedom, youthful brave glow

A loved one of course, now guards this chair
Holding fond memories, each one so dear

With prayers to God, dear mother does wait
Till her brave one's home safe, a want so great

That now empty chair, shaded by trees
If it could just talk, starting with "Please..

In Memoriam

2011-05-29T20:51:00.002-04:00

"You can’t experience being alive without realizing that you have to die, she thought. But it’s just as impossible to realize you have to die without thinking how incredibly amazing it is to be alive. "

— Jostein Gaarder (Sophie's World)

Green Hill Cemetery, Greensboro, NC

I have always admired cemeteries and old stuffs. I think that anything on earth that stayed from history is a treasure. Whether they represent life, or death, something wonderful, or bad - they all tell us a story about how humanity lived. I particularly find graveyards artful not only because of the worn out stones and statues. It's also the names of all these the strangers and the dates and years that are engraved alongside them. Walking through these markings is like walking back in history and getting flashes of the kind of time and place that these people once lived in. The idea that you can immediately imagine stories or develop questions in your head by just looking at these names that are actually stranger to you is stimulating for me. I find the contrast between the old stationary and meaningless markings on tombstones and the sense of life that you acknowledge when you're in the middle of all of it amazing. I think that there is some level of sanctity on the idea of burial as a ritual. I think burial, regardless of religion or culture, is a human expression of love.

The Best Burger

2011-05-27T23:00:00.008-04:00

Screamin' Nacho Burger, Buffalo Wild Wings, High Point, NC

Italian and Thai. Those are my usual favorite foods. I'm not really so much into sandwiches or burgers. I think they're too mechanical (or greasy, or huge) to be called "food". But boy, is the Screamin' Nacho Burger at Buffalo Wild Wings in High Point, NC heavenly or what? If that's not a good burger, then I don't know what a good burger is! It's the best burger I've ever tasted! It's like the familiar Mexican flavors made love with Southern BBQ seasonings, rolled over fries and snuggled in between warm buns then gave birth to the Ultimate Spanglish baby burger. Just awesome.

Salud!

Let me tell you why

2011-05-27T18:53:00.002-04:00

The long months of silence was because of several things. While I was out, a lot of historical events happened - Egypt rose up against their former government, Libya followed, there was the Royal Wedding, and Bin Laden got killed. Also I almost... well, died.

It started like this...

and then 4 months later...

Oh well, a day in my life. Glad to be alive!

Get Well Soon Mr. Steve

2011-01-17T21:24:00.009-05:00

photo taken from iphone spies

Apple CEO Steve Jobs sent the following email to all Apple employees yesterday, 17th Jan 2011:

Team,
At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.
I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.
I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.
Steve

Steve Jobs had a surgery in 2004 after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He also took a six-month leave of absence in 2009 to undergo liver transplant. This year, no official reason for the medical leave has been given, or for how long. But for the mean time, Chief Operating Officer of Apple Inc Tim Cook will oversee operations in Steve's absence.

Just a Day at the Office

2011-01-09T21:14:00.001-05:00

photo by Anne Colvin

Today, I got promoted. Ha!

Happy New Year's!

2010-12-31T07:08:00.002-05:00

2011 Badge: "New Year. New Beginnings. New People. Better Life."

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

2010-12-20T22:52:00.002-05:00

Ask me what my favorite Christmas song is and I’d instantly say that it starts with that the line. Ask me what my favorite Christmas moment is and you’re going to have to give me time to think.

I don’t know if I’m a Christmas person exactly. Don’t get me wrong; I love the presents and the cold season which really always helps me sleep better. I love the food, the nonworking holidays, and the reunions with family and friends. But these things aren’t inherently Christmassy, are they? I mean, it's given that these things are present during Christmas season but not exclusively. Christmas or not, I always love getting and giving presents, or sleeping in late during cold mornings, or eating – a lot at that. Maybe I just didn’t get enough traditions growing up? That could explain why nothing makes me abosuletly look forward to Christmas each year. Or perhaps I’ve gotten old? And so the simple reasons for Christmas joy have lost their meaning.

I recognize that Christmas is an internationally observed holiday and generally, the celebration of which may not necessarily have anything to do with religion or lack of thereof. Tons of people each year seem to laugh more and act merrily during Christmas. What about during the rest of the days in the calendar? Shouldn't presents be an ordinray part of life? I mean as simple a thing as leaving a yoghurt in the fridge for your roommate, or giving someone a pen for the mere reason that you want to - wouldn't these things make the days of our lives a little more special? Eating cheesecakes (not calorie-free, if that variety even exists), or snuggling, or getting massages after a hell of week at work - these things are pieces of Christmas that can be spread all year roud.

I don't mean to be bleak, or argumentative. This isn't me trying to be a nonconformist either. As a matter of fact, I'll leave an open eye when I meet Christmas this year. Maybe there are holiday clues I am missing? Afterall, this whole rant might just be about some Christmas puzzle I have yet to figure out.

And then it all boils down to the missing semen sample

2010-12-16T09:47:00.003-05:00

Justice is really so much more than just about the truth. After 15 years of being in prison, Webb et al. were released last 14th of December by the Supreme Court because the prosecution cannot prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. I grew up with this highly sensational crime. I was in second grade when Jessica Alfaro testified against Webb. I know exactly where I was and what I was wearing when the RTC granted a reclusion perpetua ruling for the accused back in 2000.

Below is the case time line as researched by philstar.com

June 30, 1991 – Night of the murder

Oct. 20, 1991 – Five Vizconde slay suspects arrested
Five suspects in the killing are arrested: Ben Baydo, the alleged mastermind, Angelito Santos, Rolando Mendoza, Robert Barasso and his brother Bellardo Jr.

June 14, 1993 – Vizconde Massacre solved; ‘brains,’ three others fall
Police finish investigation of the Vizconde case with the arrest of the suspected mastermind and three other suspects, two of them policemen.
Arrested are engineer Danilo Agwas, the alleged mastermind; SPO3 Angel Viaje, PO3 Rodolfo Colado and Ruben Pineda, a civilian.

July 16, 1993 – DOJ dismisses case against second batch of suspects
The case against the second batch of suspects was based on extra-judicial confessions of accused Rodolfo Collado and Angel Viaje who claimed they were tortured by Parañaque police while under detention.

Aug. 16, 1995 – Fifth Vizconde suspect yields
Another principal suspect in the 1991 Vizconde Massacre surrenders to the police. Michael Gatchalian, 27, is the fifth suspect to be placed in police custody after Hubert Webb, Peter Estrada, Pyke Fernandez and Miguel Rodriguez.

Aug. 21, 1995 – Biong surrenders to NBI
Former Parañaque policeman Gerardo Biong, charged in court as an accessory to the murders, surrenders.
Biong was dismissed from the service by the National Police Commission in 1993 after he was found guilty of bungling the investigation by causing the destruction of evidence at the crime scene.

Dec. 14, 1995 – Webbs’ laundry woman new Vizconde witness
A former laundrywoman for the Webb family takes the stand as a witness for the prosecution. Mila Gaviola’s testimony centers on her claim that she washed a bloody shirt belonging to Hubert Webb, the morning after the murders.

Jan. 6, 2000 – RTC judge hands down verdict on Vizconde massacre case
Judge Amelita Tolentino hands down a 186-page decision declaring Hubert Webb and his co-accused Michael Gatchalian, Hospicio Fernandez, Peter Estrada, Antonio Lejano and Miguel Rodriguez guilty and sentences them to life in. They are also ordered to pay the Vizconde family P3 million in damages.
Biong is found guilty of tampering with evidence and sentenced to 15 years.

Dec. 15, 2005 – CA upholds ruling on Vizconde slays
The Court of Appeals (CA) upholds the decision of a Parañaque City court convicting Webb and the others accused of the massacre.
The CA also upholds Judge Tolentino’s ruling finding Biong guilty as an accessory.

Jan. 3, 2006 – Cop in Vizconde case seeks verdict reversal
Biong asks the Court of Appeals to reverse its decision.
Through his lawyer, Biong said the claims of star witness Jessica Alfaro that he had worked as a driver-employee of former Sen. Freddie Webb were based only on gossip.

Nov. 17, 2006 – SC grants Vizconde appeal more time
The Supreme Court grants the request of the CA for more time to review the pending motions for recommendations of those convicted for the massacre. Capital punishment was abolished earlier in the year.

April 22, 2010 – Supreme Court orders DNA testing in Vizconde slay case
Supreme Court orders the reopening of the case and grants the request of convicted killer Webb for the forensic examination of evidence.
In a resolution unanimously approved by the justices during their summer session in Baguio City, the SC grants Webb’s request for the DNA testing of the semen specimen taken from the body of rape-slay victim Carmela Vizconde.

April 23, 2010 – NBI executive orders physical inventory of evidence
A National Bureau of Investigation official has ordered a physical inventory of evidence in the Vizconde murder case following the SC’s order to reopen the case. But three days later the NBI admits it does not have the semen taken from the body of Carmela but that it had turned it over to the Parañaque RTC in 1996.
Earlier, the Parañaque court’s staff reported to the SC that the specimen is not in their custody.

Nov. 29, 2010 – Vizconde cop now a free man
Biong walks out of the New Bilibid Prisons a free man. Biong, 60, was among the 124 prisoners freed from NBP following the recommendation of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

Dec. 14, 2010 – SC acquits Webb, 6 others in Vizconde massacre

Following legal technicalities, the SC ruling is final and executory and the case cannot be reopened. Webb and others except for Filart and Ventura who are still at large cannot be tried for the same charges. However, at the end of the day, Webb et al. are not innocent. The high court did not declare their innocence in the ruling. The prosecution simply failed to prove their guilt on the multiple murder charges. And as they say, anyone is "innocent unless proven guilty."

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

2010-12-14T08:32:00.003-05:00

Wikipedia says that worries are "thoughts and images of a negative nature in which mental attempts are made to avoid anticipated potential threats. As an emotion it is experienced as anxiety or concern about a real or imagined issue."

photo courtesy of http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/

But what's the difference between worrying and just simply caring about something? I guess caring is never negative in nature, is it not? You only care about something real whereas worrying can take on nonexistent issues as subjects. When you worry, you experience anxiety. Thoughts start to swim in your head and they become very unsettling. And since you get to decide what to think of, worrying ultimately is a choice - which means anxiety becomes a choice, and being troubled also is a choice. Worrying then is nothing more than creating your own problems. And since caring and worrying are two different things, not worrying doesn't mean not caring.

I've been told a lot of times that I worry a lot. But today, that's going to change.

Handpicked Quotes: Brothers and Sisters

2010-12-13T07:33:00.003-05:00

"You know what I think? I think you can feel whatever you want. So stop worrying about whether conservative women should sleep with 20-year old or what the dean of family values thinks of you. Live."

--- Kevin Walker, Brothers and Sisters (season 5 episode 9)

When Obligation Trumps Politics

2010-12-10T20:22:00.004-05:00

The Philippine's alignment with China in the Boycott of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony

Exactly how much is a country willing to stand up for its ideals? It is one thing to declare love for democracy; it is entirely another to stand up for it. The former only takes words. The latter challenges you to prove it.

photo courtesy of http://www.adannews.com/

Early October this year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced their decision of awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for 2010 to Liu Xiabao for "his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China." Liu is a Chinese literary critic and professor who advocated for fundamental democratic reforms in communist China. He was one of the writers behind Charter 08, a manifesto initially signed by over 350 Chinese intellectuals and prominent human rights activists which among other things demanded for constitutional amendment, separation of powers, guarantee of human rights, election of public officials, freedom of assembly, expression, association, and religion in PRC. In December 08, 2008, two days before the official release of the charter, he was arrested and later on sentenced with 11 years imprisonment for charges of "inciting subversion to state power". He has already been sentenced to jail three times from 1989-1999 for his involvement in human rights movement. Liu is currently detained in Jinzhou Prison in Liaoning Province but his arrest and loud call for democratization has brought an even deeper international pressure on the Chinese government for a long due political restructure and respect for human rights. Since it's writing, Charter 08 has gained over 10,000 supporters both inside and out of China. The Chinese government has early on declined support to Liu's Nobel nomination. When the announcement was formerly made, all blogs and news articles relating to the event has been censored in China.

While no official statement has been given as to why no Philippine delegate can attend the ceremony, a lot of intellectuals are thinking this has to do with giving in to Chinese pressures. China is the Philippine's third biggest trade partner. And with the recently highly publicized hostage drama in the country at which eight Chinese nationals ended dead, supporting the Nobel would be in bad taste. But whether or not this is an implicit move to not upset China, it sure sends the wrong message. The Philippines has had its own long fight for democracy. One would think that the word has gained sanctity even. Giving in to any form of pressure in order to salvage relationships and throw away sacred ideals is mournful and reductive. Life calls for everyone to make a stand everyday. And standing up for democracy is one call that should never be ignored.

Lago de Oro Wakeboarding Experience

2010-12-04T23:11:00.018-05:00

My friend Carlo and I have been planning to try wakeboarding at Lago de Oro in Calatagan, Batangas for a while now but it was just yesterday that the chips have finally fallen where they should. We left Dasmariñas at around 7AM after taking a healthy (okay maybe not so healthy, haha) breakfast at a fast food. There ordinarily aren't too many buses for Calatgan so we took the Nasugbu bus. From Robinson's Dasmariñas, the trip would pass by Tagaytay, and then through the perilous road to Nasugbu, and then Lian. I don't know if it's the gravity or the driver had too much coffee, but our descend from Tagaytay which is 2,100 feet above sea level toward Nasugbu was, well, very exciting. Carlo is from Batangas and he said that his usual homeward trips would generally be described by fast bus driving. Our bus driver had driven in the wrong lane one too may times, overtaken small and huge vehicles, and avoided an incoming bus and overtaken an automobile in split-second. And to add more style, he had classic "senti" songs playing in the background.

Snapshot from Google Maps

When we arrived at Lian town square around 9AM, we walked to the jeepney station just right around the public market for the final ride to Calatagan. This last ride took a solid 30 minutes.

When we finally got in the Lago de Oro, we could immediately see the pros flipping and gliding through the water from the entrance. Then I thought, "Holy shiz!" The day was mildly hot and the setting was generally okay. As we walked toward the reception, the resort's adequately sized pool was crystal clear and there were spacious parking areas. The resort is also set right in front of South China Sea. Carlo had said that there are only two wakeboarding sites in the Philippines and the other one's a government-run facility in Camarines Sur which is quite bigger compared to Lago. We didn't want to waste any time so we went ahead and inquired on the rates. The weekend "Walk-in" rates are a little higher but we decided to take the whole-day session. We were given resort baller IDs, session tickets, and head gears. We changed into our boardshorts right away and walked to the wakeboarding area. We put on our life vests the then game was on!

For beginners the first few tries are the toughest part. I for one had literally no idea what was going to happen - how strong the pull of the cables will be, how to maintain balance (when I can't even really ride a bike, haha), how to position my legs, and arms. So the introduction part to all these factors is kind of like the threshold; you keep trying until your brain develops familiarity. I'm not a pro to be discussing techniques let alone styles, but if you already have a good balance, and surprisingly I did (haha), I would say that wakeboarding becomes more of a strength sport. I was able to stand full on the board on first try while being pulled by the cable. The tricky part is, the cables in the beginners area are supposedly attached to sensors so the tension changes depending on the consistency of your pull. So relying on the cables for balance would not be a good idea. The general instruction was: do not pull on the cables, extend your arms, find your balance and then that's it, maintain that and don't move. I've seen people who get catapulted, and dragged through the waters. That was fun enough, haha! But if you get to experience them, well, there's pain definitely but still, it was fun! The idea really is to position your board such that it becomes parallel to your skating direction. If you position your feet in a way that you and your board are directly perpendicular to the force of the pull, the force of the water against the board is also at a maximum. So the end the result is the water will be pushing your feet back hard and the cable pulling your arms forward. Also since this requires familiarity, you cannot just stand on the board and wish for luck. You have to consciously know what you're doing; it's the only way to train your brain what to and what not to do. Carlo's been giving me reviews on my trials. He'd say, "You're putting too much of your weight on your lower back when you're taking a turn. Transfer it to your thighs", or "Move your arms sideways when the cable tension starts to disappear." These kinds of inputs are necessary because you don't actually know your shape and from when you're out there. So it's good to have a wakeboarding buddy around.

The sessions stop at 1PM for lunch break and resumes after an hour. We changed into our dry clothes and headed to the restaurant for lunch. We took one of those tables by the pool. There's a variety of foods available - there are Western and native entrées in the menu. We took our orders from the native section and picked sodas for drinks. The service was good albeit it took 25 minutes to serve chicken tinola and chicken pork adobo.

In the afternoon session, all I was trying to do was get myself to make the turn. Carlo said that in the pro area, the cable pull and speed don't change during turns, which would be much easier since you don't constantly need to adjust to varying forces. In the beginners area however, if you don't make a huge swerve angle , your tendency is to sink while waiting for the cable pull to resume. Needless to say, we were able to master the turn before the day ended, haha. It's a little rough trying to maintain balance and strength when you're already tired but it was a very productive day.

By the time we left the Lago, it was already a couple of minutes before 6PM and particularly dark. The guard in in the entrance said jeepneys would no longer be accessible past 5PM. A couple of locals however gave us a free tricycle ride to the nearby barrio hall where hired tricycles can take us back to Lian. The road back to Lian was really dark. When we finally got there, we bought snacks and waited for the 8PM bus bound for Manila - this is also the last bus trip to Manila. We got lucky again. The trip back home was really more snoring and less talking. It's been a really fun and and physically exhausting day.

The sport was quite addicting. Already, we're setting our next trip back to Lago. The beginners section alone gave me cuts and bruises not to mention sunburn. The body pains become more pronounced in the morning. But hey, I am still able to make this post, so it can't be that bad, right? Below is the rough estimate of our expenses.

Damariñas to Lian                                               P   220 (bus; 2 pax)
Lian to Lago                                                50 (jeepney; 2 pax)
Lago de Oro Weekend Whole-day Session           3,000 (for 2)
Lunch (Lago de Oro restaurant)                             640 (shared)
Lago to Lian                                                            200 (tricycle - past 5PM; 2 pax)
Lian to Dasmariñas                                                  220 (bus; 2 pax)
Others (snacks and breakfast)                                250 (shared)
Total                                                                  P 4,580

This is the resort's official website: Lago de Oro Cable Ski Park & Resort
They have average room rates for overnight/day stays. They offer membership and other packages. They also accept major credit cards.

Daily Wounds

2010-12-02T21:37:00.001-05:00

"Don't blame other people for how you feel. Everything is a choice, including how you should feel about induced or inevitable situations."

--- May Paderes, 2010

Harry Potter 7 Part 1 Disappointments

2010-12-01T06:56:00.004-05:00

photo courtesy of http://elizagolightly.blogspot.com/

The fact that I even thought about re-watching it just to make sure that I wasn't just sleepy is even more disappointing. I had really high expectations for HP7 Part 1. I know the movie gave all of efforts to try to stay true to the book but the execution just was not fluid enough for me. I praised the 6th film so much because it showed hints of darkness. For the first time then, an HP film was not just a mere remake of an epic story that kids adored. There was an element of fear in it - something barely measurable in previous films. HP7 being the final installment in the series should have made the movie push for the element of fear even harder. Yes, I am suggesting exaggerations! This is supposed to be the peak of Lord Voldemort's terror and yet the story was too dragging, boring almost. Was it really necessary to make two parts for the final movie? The emotions involved in the scenes were significantly reduced - Hermione's torture, Dobby's death.

I wish Part 2 will more than make up for my loss in Part 1.

Rocky Road

2010-11-30T06:40:00.005-05:00

photo courtesy of http://definingedge.blogspot.com/

I'm not talking about the ice cream.

For a while now, I have managed to separate my actual life from writing. They say that if something is too good, it can often sweep you off your feet. I can't say that what has happened to me since May can be described by the words "too good", exactly. It would have been nice to have that as a reason for being silent this long. But no; I still haven't toured Western Europe, or been to the northernmost part of the Philippines, or tried an extreme sport. I wish I can put into simple words the things that I went through but I don't think I can without turning this article into something really tedious to read. But it has been a rocky road. I had been imprisoned by my thoughts and I was chasing after the wrong reasons for happiness.

But it hasn't been all bad. Experiences always teach us something. I have made tons of new friends which is more than what I can ask for my birthday and for the holidays. I have realigned my views, performed self-checks, and all in all thought about what "I" want. And trust me, there's a lot of it. So as a starter, I'm saying hello to writing again. And I promised myself to get more sun and fun because I'm already 24 and the only thing I'm sure about is that life is so short. And I sure as hell have no plans wasting it indoors.

Cheers to new beginnings!

The Long Goodbye

2010-05-18T01:51:00.004-04:00

Sometimes I ask my heart did we really
Give our love a chance
and I know without a doubt
I turned it inside out

How long must we keep riding on a carousel
Going round and round and never getting anywhere?
On a wing and prayer

This is the long goodbye
Somebody tell me why
Two lovers in love can't make it
Just what kind of love keeps breaking a heart?
No matter how hard I try
You're gonna make me cry
Come on, baby, it's over, Let's face it
All that's happening here is the long goodbye

Shanghai, China

2010-03-11T23:07:00.026-05:00

Shanghai is a nice change of pace from Manila. While my friends are complaining about the heat in the Philippines, we're freezing over here in China. But I could seriously live here though, for real.

Interesting points:
1. FB and Blogger are blocked! - I'm only able to use Facebook and Blogger at work because we're connected to a Singapore server. Anywhere else in China, these sites are blocked - bocked at the hotel, and yes even at Starbucks. (Needless to say, I'm creating this post at work, haha. It's lunch break though, so I'm not really violating anything. =p)
2. Few cable channels in English. - At the hotel, I only got CNN, HBO, and Cinemax on the loop the rest are in Mandarin including MTV and Channel V most times. But I'm sure there's some way to acquire premium subscription and add more English channels. This maybe even the push for most people to start learning Mandarin.
3. The cold and the snow? Not a bad thing at all. Cool jackets, and denims, and bags for the weather? Not a bad thing in deed. Besides, there are cheap places to shop all over Shanghai for all the winter getups imaginable.
4. The skies are gray even on a sunny day. It's supposedly spring but the skies... well, they're a little too much less blue. Probably because of the latitude? Maybe the pollution? Maybe both. A blue sky should be free. It almost sounds criminal not being able to see it on spring.

Some snapshots from my first few days of stay.

The Next President

2010-02-12T20:19:00.010-05:00

Over breakfast, a friend said she'll vote for Noynoy because, "he has the church's support so he is less likely to corrupt."

Right, because that line of thinking has worked out so well in the past.

And then some would say Gordon is in their top choice but are afraid that "voting for him might be a waste if he ends up losing anyway".

If everyone else who considers Gordon thinks that way, then Gordon would certainly just end up not winning.

There's no such thing as a "wasted" vote. Voting is never supposed to be about sending a candidate who has "clearer" chances of winning. Voting is not battling against other people and their personal choices. Voting is taking a stand according to who YOU are, what YOU believe in, who YOU think better protects YOUR rights and embodies YOUR beliefs, and will lead YOU and the rest of the country towards there. Wherever there is, as long is it's better than this and now. And by the way, drama isn't supposed to give candidates clearer chances of winning. I hope people would just look past the gagging and/or flashy campaigns. Or put labels to society and attach candidates to specific demographics. Voting is, before anything else, a personal right and obligation, your own sacred duty, yours and yours alone. There shouldn't be any reason for other people's choices to help OR force shape your own. No one else should dictate who you are or who you'll be, and what you stand for. The election is one event in our lives where being alone isn't such a bad thing. At the end of the day, it will be your personal contribution that's going to help lead the country towards real freedom.

New Year's Resolutions? Really?

2010-01-03T07:19:00.010-05:00

I never had one. Not even during my innocent years. When I was in grade school and new year's coming and people start talking about their resolutions, I usually just say a couple of things that I don't really mean just so I could sort of blend in. I'd say things like, "I'll keep my room orderly" or "I'll avoid talking back to my parents" only because all my friends have theirs and I refused to be left out. The closest thing I have to a resolution is getting a new hair cut. But even that, I do each month.

I don't hate resolutions; I just think they're pointless. If you think you're doing bad, according to your self-definition of the word, then why not change it? Why wait for a new year to start a new beginning? If you're not living up to your potentials, why not start at the exact moment that you realized it? Resolutions are for preschoolers. They're given as a homework to kids. If you're not a preschooler and you have a new year's resolution, then chances are you're one of those half-ass lazy people who want to convince themselves that they're not stagnant and/or lame. Expressing a deed doesn't make the deed half-done; as a matter of fact it isn't part of the deed at all. If you want a better life, a better relationship, or better treatment from people, MOVE. NOW. Take actions and skip the empty words. It's not cute.