one minute before dawn

regenesis

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:59:00 +0000

Earlier this evening, I sat through Pan's Labyrinth as I covered my books in clear plastic. To my surprise, it was not the movie I imagined it to be. I initially dismissed it as too scary a film for my taste based on the reviews of those who have seen it back in 2006. It turned out that the movie is my kind of scary, and let me say this in Spanish as I have always been fascinated with the language and it is rather fitting:

Es tan bueno! El Laberinto del Fauno es de hecho una obra clasica moderna del dia.

It should translate to, "It is so good! Pan's Labyrinth is indeed a modern day classic." I think.

Anyway, the movie reminded me of the phantasmagorical films I favored when I was a kid such as the NeverEnding Story and Labyrinth. However, Guillermo del Toro's work is far more than a child's fairy tale. It is a dark body of work that is brilliant and poignant at the same time; a clever mesh between fantasy and reality wherein the latter is grittier, more horrific and ferocious than its fantastic counterpart. Also, Pan's Labyrinth is both sinister and scary as it presents a foreboding sense of supernatural evil juxtaposed against the actual evils of mankind.

Near the end of the movie, Ofelia, the protagonist of the story, was shot dead by his stepfather. Subsequent scenes showed that she completed the three tasks and that she was allowed to return to the Underworld as Princess Moanna. Apparently, her death was instrumental to her return.

Such is the paradox of life. Much like how we need to stumble so we may stand; sometimes, we need to die a little for us to live again.

what do you say

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:20:00 +0000

We were waiting for our lunch, my colleague and I. My phone is placed on the table. My eyes slightly fixated on the phone. She was talking about something, and I was just staring at my phone, and listening, of course.

This is not how I usually am.

Suddenly, the LED blinked. That little green light followed a steady rhythm, unlike my heart which skipped a beat upon realizing that I just received a new message.

"So?"

The SMS read. It was from a friend. My dear heart was bummed. I keyed in my reply.

"I don't know. I haven't heard anything since last night. Should I be sad now? :("

I placed the phone down on the table and went back to talking.

"So where were we?"

"I can contact some friends in Trust. It's just portfolio management. Kaya mo yun."

For a moment, I pictured myself meeting staff analysts, monitoring markets and current events, buying and selling securities and of course, reaping its financial rewards. My goodness - the money, and the things that I can do with it! I sighed.

"I can't. I think that's like taking another detour. It'll set me further away from my prospect." I said. "If I really want this, I'll have to wait it out. I'm not really the patient kind; you know that. Especially when I want something, I usually want it right away. It pains me to stay in this bleak; it pains me more to be helpless. To be honest, I really find it hard to make them like me. I'm scared that no one will."

She frowned. "Don't be. They will. They just have to..."

"Take a chance on me?" I said. My eye caught a familiar blinking on my mobile phone. I reached for it as I added, "They have to. I know that I can be the best there is and I just need that one person who will believe."

Another message received; my heart couldn't keep itself still.

in love and war: war

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 08:35:00 +0000

Over lunch, Larra shared an utterly depressing news which I had to relay to my confidants right away.

"It's just saddening. In spite of being relatively nice to everyone, I still end up having haters. Not that I care; as I have said, I would rather shine brighter or rise above everyone else everyone else than be liked. It's just frustrating and disappointing at times.

Pakak replied, "It's really like that. One day, we shall have our legions like Lady GaGa's little monsters, and they will die for our approval!"

"I have, or at least they used to be my little ponies. Now, they're starting a mutiny!"

"Hahahaha! Revolt against the queen? Crush them then!" He said.

Contrary to my friend's advice, I won't be mad; I can't, even if they said the wrong things at the wrong time to the wrong people. True, a part of me wants to get even but doing a Blair Waldorf is so juvenile; everything Gossip Girl is. Anyway, I believe that fear is normally the root of hatred, and hatred within eventually destroys the hater. What I need to do then is to just stand still, look pretty and remain better than the rest of them.

responsibility is a buzzkill

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:03:00 +0000

According to an online article published late last year, the average time an employee stays at a job is 4.4 years. I do not know if this holds true for the local setting but for the sake of this discussion, I will assume it is.

I have been a part of the workforce for years now and in that period I have had five jobs. On average, my tenure lasts for a little more than 1.5 years; only my current job broke past it and I want to attribute the longevity to a certain satisfaction that I get from select colleagues, my quasi-flexible work schedule which allows me the time to pursue graduate studies, and most importantly, the gym membership. I just cannot imagine forgoing such lifestyle.

Yesterday morning however, while taking a post-workout shower, I thought I finally came up with a decision. If it would mean that I will no longer feel the need to job hop, if it would bring back my competitive nature, if it would enliven my fading creative spark, if it would give me the sense of fulfillment I have been yearning for, then I should go and pursue what I love. In my head are vignettes of how demanding and dynamic my new career will be, the fresh faces and inspiring personalities I will be surrounding myself with, and the endless opportunities that I seemingly cannot afford to miss.

All these, of course, would entail major sacrifices. I conditioned myself that I will most likely start from scratch and receive a hefty pay cut; more than that, I will also have to bear whatever irrational disappointment,

frustration

and perhaps, anger

that my parents will throw my way.

Slowly and ever so gently, I let the warm water wash away the fuzzy feeling, the fleeting confidence I just mustered, and all the future perfect pictures I painted.

Their reality chains me to the ground so I think of lofty dreams instead. It keeps me sane. Sometimes, though, I wonder if there will ever be a time when I can actually be set free to create one that I can call my own.

when hope bleeds

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 14:35:00 +0000

Most of the time the universe throws barely noticeable hints at us; directions, or signs as one would commonly say, that might influence us how to steer our lives. Other times, it can be less subtle: "Rachel, if you keep looking for that happy ending then you are NEVER gonna get it right!" The message is so conspicuous, I'll be damned if I won't heed.

This is perhaps one of the reasons why I wasn't cheering with a great number of people when the second boy-on-boy kiss happened on Glee. It was nice but I just wasn't feeling it. Firstly, it was long overdue; and secondly, I read a spoiler about it. So instead of going gaga over Klaine, I found myself shaking and crying for Rachel Berry's scenes - the heartbreaking dialogue with Quinn, the spot-on-as-always performance of Get It Right, and the closing speech. (Can I just say that Lea Michele is so talented? I should know, I'm talented too.) All at once, I remember why I primarily associated myself with her character. More than the gold star metaphor, more than the argyle sweater, more than the passion, more than being slushied, more than being a loser in my own way, I am a Rachel Berry because in spite of all the things that I have and the deeds that I have accomplished, I feel like I'm the boy who never gets the brass ring; the boy whose good is never good enough.

I am fortunate enough to be surrounded and loved by the best kind of people, but sometimes I wonder if it will ever be enough. Maybe if I stopped trying then I won't have to count how much longer it will take.

on eng501m

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:36:00 +0000

Truthfully, I have come to love my English class. I almost considered not pursuing my graduate studies when I found out that I was required to take the subject. I was crushed. The idea that I need to take a refresher is so retarded. It was so embarrassing. I talked to a couple of people and their rationale behind the misfortune knocked a bit of sense to me. More importantly, I was reminded that the ultimate purpose in seeking higher education is far more important than pride:

"Class, why are you taking your Master's degree," our Marketing Statistics professor asked. "Is it not because you want better and higher-paying jobs?"

"Para magka-love life," the class chorused, or at least my group did.

We are a crazy bunch. The adjective loud, in its non-flamboyant context, would best fit us. One time, I made a remark about the room being a bit warm. "Why is it so hot in here?" I asked.

"Because hot people like us have congregated inside," Pakak answered. "Gusto mo yun?"

However, I have a different set of classmates in English. I came in early on the first day of the term. I anticipated the fresh, young and hopefully, awe-inspiring faces that I will be spending fourteen meetings with. Imagine my dismay, and I will have to stop because I do not want to be mean. Saying that none of them are visually appealing or at the very least, fun, regardless if one is just being honest, is still rude.

I shared the sentiment to my friend and he said, "It's like you're in..."

"Limbo. I know," I said. "It's stressful. I'm so pressured to make sure that I get top grades just to prove to myself that I don't belong there."

While it takes me an hour or two to come up with a draft of a blog entry, the professor gives us 15 minutes to whip out an academic essay. Last week, she asked us to do a contrastive definition of fission and fusion. It was a bit challenging but it was fun. I got a 4.0, and another note to improve my penmanship. I should keep that in mind in case the world decides to go back to producing handwritten publications.

This is the upside. I get a chance to go back and re-learn the basics of writing. It is quite helpful because in my opinion, in the world that matters, grammar is still king.

I have never been this focused in class since high school and it is probably because of the general shortage in worthwhile distractions. So much for the ultimate purpose. It is saddening but I figured I would prefer someone who is rather eloquent anyway. I am kidding, of course.

following instructions for dummies

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Ice creams are not exactly good for my diet but I figured that the longer I hold off my craving, the more I will be consumed by it; consequently, the more I will over consume. Plus, I was given this bottle of Smucker's Magic Shell that I have wanted to try for weeks now. It is the chocolate topping that hardens when drizzled over ice cream. The two make for pretty good and valid justifications as to why I brought home a gallon of Double Dutch ice cream two Saturdays ago.

With three scoops of heaven in my cup, I reached for the chocolate topping bottle, flipped the lid open, and poured a hefty amount of syrup all over the ice cream. However, the process and presentation was not as magical as I thought it would be. It took a couple of seconds before the chocolate hardened. It was eternity for a boy like me. Also, there was an oil-like fluid that flowed out of the bottle prior to the supposed content. I still ate it anyway. Halfway through, I took a slight interest in reading the text at the back of the bottle. It read:

Magic Shell works best when SHAKEN VERY WELL, BEFORE EACH USE, turn bottle upside down and shake well for at least 20 seconds. If Magic Shell BECOMES THICK and does not flow easily, or IF OIL SEPARATION OCCURS, run the bottle under hot tap water for up to 2 minutes, shaking occasionally. DO NOT REFRIGERATE. If refrigerated or stored in a cool place, Magic Shell will harden. Run under hot water until Magic Shell turns liquid. Store at room temperature.

The label explained everything. It was my fault the magic did not happen but it was all good. An ice cream is still an ice cream regardless if it is served with Smucker's Magic Shell topping or not.

It got me thinking. Apparently, using Smucker's Magic Shell is complex enough to warrant verbal instructions, while other pressing matters such as coping with loss, mending hearts, soul searching, finding connections, post-date follow ups and other life crises are left to our internal intuitive knowledge. They do not come with absolute dos and don'ts so I figure they ought to be handled in the simplest, least stressful way possible.

in search of a good read, pt. I

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 13:20:00 +0000

Good books are rare gems but time and technology made it possible for quality reads to be more common than they were. In the vastness of the Internet, writers and dreamers alike claimed anonymous space where spontaneous emotional outpourings are encouraged, displays of literary prowess are appreciated. Their mere existence is acknowledged; their significance, validated.

Web diaries have become one of my constant sources of material. It is a part of my daily regimen to sift through my bookmarks, go through each post, and in the process, update myself on the intricate lives of virtual strangers. I would like to think that we're more connected than we think we are.

Naturally, I am curious. I love to know what goes on in their heads. I want to see firsthand how they perceive the world. Blogs are their avenue for unrestricted thought transfer, straight from writer to reader. Their writings capture and immortalize the myriad experiences of life. In turn, reading them gives me insights and knowledge I would not normally learn.

Over the years, I have amassed links that caught my liking. Literary geniuses whose words flourish like stars on a hot summer night. Writers who takes the most mundane of things and transform them into a body that is most certainly appealing. Those who invariably throw in $10 words, those who successfully pull off pop culture references, or those who make stream-of-consciousness entries - they are all impressive. Eloquence is such a turn on. However, nothing is as stirring than a work that is genuine. That's one character that most lack. Good thing there are a few that I have luckily stumbled onto.

Then life happened. Career, academics and more of life made it impossible for me to appreciate the blogosphere as much as I used to. While I miss writing, I actually miss reading quality material more. Where are the wordsmiths when you need them.

last valentine's

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:46:00 +0000

Rent, the Musical is the first play I have seen since college. I watched it with the King on Valentine's Day last year. I had our tickets reserved ninety days prior to the set date, and my good friend Bom, who was one of the producers behind the special production, gave us the best seats in the theater. We sat front and center, and Marc Cohen, as I would like to see it, was just a hug away.

Now unlike the King who knows the musical by heart, I know zip. So while he sang and emphatized, while the rest of the audience laughed when this girl mooed, I remained still, mesmerized. I tried to take it all in but the aesthetically pleasing element of the play was a bit distracting. As of this writing, I can barely remember a scene but ask me about the lead and I'll tell you that that he was so cute. I mean good of course, as in I-want-to-be-like-him-when-I-grow-up good, and/or cute. Thinking about it makes me feel like I'm seventeen again.

But this is not about Rent, and this is not about the King. It is not even a love story. I am not going for a romantic thrill. Still, allow me to share what happened after.

It was a nice evening so the King and I decided to go home by foot. We talked about the musical, and Marc Cohen. We caught up on so many things like month-old stories that we have yet to tell each other. It was just like the old times. Then again, that's always how it is with the King. I would have wanted to have dinner so we can chat longer but he had to go home, so we called it a night.

I was already in my room, a few minutes into an in-depth googling about the play's ensemble, Bom sent me a message. She thanked me for coming. In turn, I congratulated her for a successful investment. It was a sold-out show. Then she said something like, "I don't mean to pry and you don't have to answer if you're not comfortable, are you two together?"

I can't say that I was surprised. Clearly, going out on Valentine's Day wasn't the most well-thought plan but I am pretty sure we were anything but romantic. I opted to ask, "What made you say that?"

"You have a certain glow. You were perky and bubbly. I haven't seen you like that before, and I am so happy for you. If you want to, you can invite him to my wedding." She replied.

"What?! No! Haha. We're just friends." I answered back. But wow, I have a certain glow. I thought.

The King sent me a message later that evening. "Fredison Lo."

"I know." I said smiling to myself.

one night

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 06:34:00 +0000

The room was quiet even with our slow rhythmic breathing, and the silence was only broken when the sheets rustled as I turned to my side to face him. A soft stream of moonlight spilled through the window and illumined his form – arms up behind the head, eyes closed; his chest rose and fell in a steady beat. I watched until he spoke.

"Tell me something."

"What about," I asked.

"What will you miss most about this?" He said. "About me?'

"I can't believe you're asking me that." I said feigning disbelief.

"No, no." He turned to face me. His right hand reached for my arm. The fingers brushed against my skin. I looked into his eyes. It shone with a certain warm radiance. His lips curved to a gentle smile as he said, "Just humor me, please?"

"Does it have to be just one?"

"No, but don't give it much thought. Just say what's on the top of your head." He said as I felt his hand at the side of my face. "Here, let me go first," he added. "I will miss the way you say 'I know'." He grinned as he leaned forward. "Ang arte-arte kasi."

"I know!" I said as I laughed.

"See." He smiled.

"Right, but that's it? That's all that you're going to miss?"

"Of course not. I'll miss a lot of things. I'll miss your voice. You know how much I love hearing it. Salita ka nga."

"Ewan ko sa'yo!"

We both laughed.

"You know, I might even miss you." He grinned, delighted at his teasing. "But I won't. We don't have to miss each other."

"We don't?" But what about...

"We don't." He whispered as he held me in his arms, and as he closed the space in between, I tried to hold my heart in mine.

laying the armor down

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 13:05:00 +0000

Maybe if you have been a little more perceptive to notice that I am indeed acting differently, and maybe if you were a bit more curious to make a follow through, and maybe a little more sensitive to your response when I told you that I was highly annoyed (because that is what we do - we promised each other that) then you'd know that I am still hurting.

If only I didn't feel so abandoned then I would have reacted in some other way.

You said you don't want to but if you'd look back and reflect on how it all started then perhaps you'd realize that your methods not only taught me how to be more independent (which I am thankful for) but also, as a side effect, slowly pushed me away and made me feel less open to you; then you and I would not be in this battlefield, waging a war that neither of us is bound to win.

We are both stubborn, but even I know when to yield.

There are things, persons that are worth more than pride.

generations: almost there, but not quite

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:13:00 +0000

The original plan was to make your blog a proposed soundtrack based on my favorite entries of OMBD, but the holiday rush got my hands full so I decided to just pen down an exposition.

I met Mak three years ago, through a friend. I was clueless of what the blogosphere was about before him. Consequently, over coffee, he urged me to make a blog of my own.

So, the next morning, I decided to visit his blog first to check out how this exciting "blogosphere" worked. And upon seeing his writings, I thought, "Damn. Do I really have to be this prolific?" His texts (and subtexts) were very engaging and it seems like he never runs out of topics at all. He talks about music and love and video games and comics and math and life and pop culture and life principles - and made sense. Some posts riddled me, but they sure caught my interest.

Basing on the early entries, I could say Mak is a cerebral writer. One can grasp how deeply the author conceives his thoughts and flow, and how the author would carefully pick the words and the style that would suit the mood.

But as an emotional person myself, I would say that I like his more recent entries. Melancholic and honest. Self-perceptive and cathartic. Analytical but intuitive. The substance may have been more tender, but his style remained as sharp as nerve endings.

As I worked my now forgotten blog, he continued encouraging me to write. I swell with pride when he comments on my entries and how he agrees with my idea. You know, like a mentee getting praised by a mentor. True enough, he was one of my very few followers.

Sometimes, it's just nice to interpret the worldview the way OMBD does it.

I agree with some online writers saying that most of their kind exudes a different personality of what they are in real life. The internet and Blogspot are often used to reflect qualities and life experiences that may not be as parallel to what is true to the one behind the computer monitor.

Mak, however, as I have personally known him has remained faithful to what he writes. Sometimes, the only thing I need to be updated with his life is through reading his blog.

As a friend, Mak has been a witness to how I blossomed in certain aspects of my life. He introduced me to other things like travel, bars and how-to-have-fun-on-a-late-night-Saturday-just-sitting-on-a-Starbucks-couch. We talked of things that I sometimes cannot talk of with other people - and he is the only guy I can talk to in pure English over coffee. Hahaha. With him, I can be brutally honest with my opinions with anything or anyone - because he would do just the same.

So far, Mak has been the most fabulous friend I ever had. Fabulous in every sense of the world.

Hey Mak. Happy Blog Anniversary. Write more next year!

And just in case you've forgotten, happy second anniversary to our friendship. Our coffee, videoke and movie get-togethers keep me sane. More to come next year!

See you soon!

*******

To my multi-talented friend Sensei Jery, whom I could talk to about anything for hours on end – I miss you too! Let’s have coffee soon!

generations: diary of lazy john

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:45:00 +0000

Every time I thought of how I would put you into words, an image would always pop into my head.

At hindi dahil sa gorgeous red hair na me sariling buhay yan but because I see you in her. Hahaha. Weird ba? You're like her because I think you've got everything. You've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty. You've got whozits and whazzits galore. Hahaha. Wait, baka mapakanta pa ako dito.

Just like her you want to explore the world, could be stubborn at times and will do anything for someone you fancy. But the most admirable trait that you have in common is the fact that you always got your friends' back. Yun lang dapat they wouldn't get on your bad side or else magiging Ursula mode ka lang. Hahaha. (Kidding!) I think the moment in the lagoon is so you because it's so grand and so romantic at alam ko kung gaano ka kadalagang Pilipina. Ching! Hahaha.

You may have lost your voice but I know someone will eventually break the spell!

*******

Dude?! This is a first! Haha. My good friend Lazy John did surprise me with this one. I usually associate myself with some other Disney character other than the Little Mermaid. Oh well, as long as I get an ever after.

generations: sugar coated rants

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 10:35:00 +0000

(Transcript to follow.)

*******

T2, as I fondly call her, is perhaps one of the sweetest girls I've met online. We've come a long way since our Planet Puto days, our MS Paint challenge and our trip to Enchanted Kingdom. Those little things will always be remembered; your friendship, valued.

generations: dreaming inside the closet

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Its MakMak, Bitch!

I really don't know how to start this blog entry. Long overdue? Super tagal na nya nire-request sa akin ang mag guest writer daw ako dito sa blog nya.

Honestly? Hindi ako nagbabasa ng blog nitong kaibigan kong ito. Bakit? English kasi. Nakakadugo ng utak. Isa sya sa mga blogger friend ko na grabe kasi magsulat. Yeah yeah, I know, may mga tagalog syang entry pero ano kasi? Basta. Alam na niya yun.

I remember the time nung una kaming magmeet. Common friend namin ni Doc Ced itong si Mak. Matagal na syang blogger. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, nauna pa sya sa akin mag-blog, meaning, MATANDA SYA SA AKIN at MATANDA NAMAN TALAGA SYA!!! LOL.

Birthday ni Doc Ced nun. Nagpa-dinner at hindi nagkuripot. Nagkakausap na kami dati nun ni Mak pero hindi sa blog kundi sa PLURK o kaya yung kapanahunan ng Yoville sa Facebook. Dun kami puma-party gamit ang mga SIMS namin.

Naging close lang kami nito nung pinaalam ko na sa blog ang tunay na ako at nung nalaman kong nagbabasa siya nung bago kong blog. Ilang beses na din kaming lumabas nito at ilang beses ko na rin namang napayuhan at nacyber-untog ang taong ito. Bawal pag-usapan at bawal itanong kung bakit. Sa aming dalawa na lang iyon.

Napakawalang kwenta pa rin nitong blog entry ko para sa anibersaryo ng blog mo. Pero gusto kong sabihin na napakalalim at ang saya ko dahil nakilala ko ang tao sa likod nitong ONE MINUTE BEFORE DAWN blog. Tuloy tuloy po nating basahin ang mga adventures at mga sinusulat ni Mak dito sa blog nya. Matuto tayo sa mga kwento nya at pakikipagsapalaran. Yakapin ang mga bagay na makabuluhan na mga isinusulat nya dito.

Happy Anniversary OMBD at congrat sa tatlong taon ng pagsusulat. :)

JPY DEE :)

*******

I wasn't able to greet my friend earlier this month when he celebrated his "first" year of blogging. So let me be the last one to give a shout out to jDee and DITC - Happy Blog Anniversary, bitch!

resolution: 2011 must do's

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:15:00 +0000

The new year has settled in and the excitement of the moment has long passed. Nevertheless, let me share the goals I have set to achieve this year.

QUARTER 1:
- 82 happy days
- 39 gym visits
- 13 Church visits
- Target weight: 148 lbs.
- 3 units of graduate school; no grade lower than 3.5
- Read 3 books
- Watch 20 movies
- Travel: Manila Ocean Park, The Farm (Batangas); Isdaan (Tarlac); Indonesia
- Go back to writing
- Get seven hours of sleep daily
- Spend Sundays with family
- Hang out with my brother more often
- Meet new people, preferably smart and witty ones
- Smile
- Live in love
- Save
- Avoid eating at Jollibee and McDonald's
- Buy a MacBook Pro

QUARTER 2:
- 82 happy days
- 39 gym visits
- 13 Church visits
- Target weight: 145 lbs.
- Read 3 books
- Watch 20 movies
- Travel: Angono/Binangonan (Petroglyphs and Art Museums); Acuatico Beach Resort; Boracay/Zamboanga; Hong Kong
- Donate blood
- Join a mountain climb
- Hire a PT
- Overhaul my wardrobe

QUARTER 3:
- 83 happy days
- 39 gym visits
- 13 Church visits
- Target weight: 143 lbs.
-9 units of graduate school; no grade lower than 3.5
- Read 3 books
- Watch 20 movies
- Travel: Avilon Zoo (Marikina); Caliraya (Laguna); Corregidor (Bataan)
- Enroll in a driving school
- Join a marathon
- Invest

QUARTER 4:
- 83 happy days
- 39 gym visits
- 13 Church visits
- Target weight: 140 lbs.
- 9 units of graduate school; no grade lower than 3.5
- Read 3 books
- Watch 20 movies
- Travel: Villa Escudero (Quezon); Bicol Road trip; Enchanted Kingdom (Laguna); Singapore
- Organize an outreach
- Enroll in Spanish class
- Buy an iPod Touch or iPod Nano

I am so looking forward to having a productive and an extra festive 2011!

looking back: 2010

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 11:40:00 +0000

In 2010, I went to the church for a total of 54 times, and I spent an aggregate of 152 days at the gym.

In 2010, I was happy for 298 days; the rest, I'll charge it to experience.

In 2010, I recorded all these and more.

Day 316
On the third day, I was forced to come out of my silent retreat. I had a class that evening so social interaction was inevitable. True enough, the block ended up having dinner at Pancake House in Boni High Street and it was a riot as usual. NJ mentioned that he would introduce me to a friend of his. "Look him up," he said. I did and the cogs in my head started turning. I thought, "I will do the introduction myself." There is a certain liberation that came out of my silence.

Day 10
"I had fun too. Let's make it a whole day affair next time," I replied to XR's message. Indeed, the breakfast-turned-brunch went well. He laughed at the word affair. I knew he would. I get XR like that. What I don’t get is the "effortless" comment his girl friend said in reference to the Christmas gift I gave XR. Jealousy is such an ugly trait. I didn't want to go home yet so I called up Striker and asked him out for dinner.

Day 89
"If you know what you are looking for, makikita mo yun in one form or another, sooner or later. You are a beautiful person, and I’m telling you it's normal - what you’re going through," Striker said. Later that night, I dreamt of XR and the King. It was weird.

Day 283
Our argument spilled over from last night. MT said a lot of harsh words. Hurtful, hurtful words. I don't even know why I tolerate this. The sad part is that I can't talk to the one person whom I need right now.

Day 237
I received the sweetest message from MT: "Yes, I'm happy. May MAKulit kase eh. Haha. But seriously there are many many things that have drawn me to you and not to the others. I have to thresh out some of those things pa nga. Haha. But there's only one thing that's keeping me in my current state. That's you (pasok: long sigh). :D" Eeeehhh!! Kilig, kilig.

Day 267
The team's first presentation for the Integrated Marketing Campaign class went extremely well. Our classmates commended us for a great job. I don't think any other group can top that! Haha! I feel so proud and accomplished. I love being a student again!

Day 130
OMFG! I will never vote again. It was hell! Ugh.

Day 111
So there we were, standing at the left side of an otherwise busy intersection. It was deserted this time. It was just us. Alone, together; the red pedestrian crossing light looming on the other side. Much as I felt like I'm dying from kilig, I couldn't stop myself. After all, we were just a few inches away from each other and I would be damned if I don't do it. I turned and glanced at you and ended up giving you a Hey-I-sorta-know-you-and-I-hope-you-acknowledge-this-since-you-kinda-know-me-too-type of nod and smile. You nodded back, and I melted. Kilig, kilig. ADMU20, you are love.

Day 204
I followed my friends out of the place when a hand held me by my waist. The stranger pulled me closer. He took my hand as he whispered, "Stay." I turned my head to his side and flashed him what I would I consider a cute sly smile. "Can't," I mouthed as I let my hand slip from his. I moved through the crowd and out of the club. It all happened in under five seconds but it felt like it dragged on far longer, at least in my head anyway. I went home a happy kid; hung over but happy nonetheless.

Day 153
OMG! I saw Green today. Totally nomnomnom! Haha! Anyway, I got the pants I had made for Bom's wedding this afternoon. It is perfect. I just have to find a purple long-sleeved shirt and I'm all set. I think I'm more excited than the bride. Haha!

Day 53
"Hoy, ang Coron natin – huwag kang makikinig sa mga nagsasabi na third wheel ka. Sabihin mo, "Yup!" Third wheel ka at walang masama dun, at least sa lahat ng friends ko sobrang comfortable si S sa'yo. Hindi ba nakakatuwa yun? :) Arte mo! Sabihin mo sa kanila kabit kita at alam ni S yun!" Yes, I'm just being maarte and my best friend knows it! Haha. It never bothered me one bit, my being a third wheel.

Day 364
I'm glad I went out in spite of colds and cough. I had a blast partying at the Distillery with Team Tiu. I love them! I invited Doc, NJ's friend to join us. Luckily, he was free and agreed to drop by. He is nice in person, and what I like most is that he can carry a conversation well. I'm glad we finally met in person. That's one more friend to add on my list! It's a nice way of ending the last night out of 2010.

*******

The graph shows how I fared against the targets I set in the beginning of 2010. The blue line is for my happiness, or the days that ended well. The pink line is for my body, or the days that I worked out. Lastly, the yellow line is for the spirit, or the days that I heard mass or reflected in the church.

I think I did rather well on all three aspects.

on air: 2010 year in music, pt. III

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 06:50:00 +0000

BABY
Justin Bieber feat. Ludacris
My World 2.0

You know you love me.

There's really nothing special about this piece of bubblegum pop except for the Ludacris cameo that adds a bit swagger to the tune. So one can't help but wonder how is it that when the teen pop star croons, "I was like baby, baby, baby oooh", tweens all over the world swoon.

MINE
Taylor Swift
Speak Now

You were in college working part-time waiting tables, left a small town and never looked back.

It will take about twenty or so spins before one can find the gem that hides underneath an otherwise same-sounding crossover track by pop's current golden girl, Taylor Swift. Mine attempts to put Swift in a more mature light by singing of having a drawer of her things at his place. Seriously, nobody is convinced.

SOMETHING 'BOUT LOVE
David Archuleta
The Other Side Of Down

Every night it's all the same.

Something 'Bout Love is not a far departure from the pleasant, contemporary pop music that David Archuleta's known for. His powerful vocals ride effortlessly along a bubbly groove that glosses over a rather poignant truth about love.

WHEN I LOOK AT YOU
Miley Cyrus
The Time Of Our Lives

Everybody needs inspiration.

Miley Cyrus proved her ability to carry a ballad with The Climb but she takes it a step higher with the theme from the movie The Last Song. The slightly gravelly quality of her voice combined with the well-crafted prose of When I Look At You makes for a beautiful and very potent combination.

CALIFORNIA GURLS
Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dog
Teenage Dream

I know a place where the grass is really greener.

California Gurls is Katy Perry's supposed response to Jay-Z's homage to New York, Empire State of Mind. While the latter exclaims the city's magnificence mixed with darker undertones, Perry's is an unapologetic and exuberant summer anthem through and through. Indeed, it is fun, fresh and most definitely fierce.

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
Bruno Mars
Doo-Wops And Hooligans

Her eyes, her eyes make the stars look like they’re not shining.

Bruno Mars' amazing vocals is highlighted on this piano-driven mid-tempo ballad. There is a certain sweetness and honesty on how he delivers the lines on Just The Way You Are that makes the song dead romantic instead of just plain cheesy. It's the ultimate feel-good track of 2010.

CLUB CAN'T HANDLE ME
Flo Rida feat. David Guetta
Only One Flo, Part I

You know I know how to make them stop and stare as I zone out.

David Guetta has become the go-to producer of artists who want to have a pop hit on their belt. Flo Rida teamed up with the producer for the soundtrack single to the Step Up 3D. With that said, the duo came up with a club record that is unsurprisingly more popular than the movie. Club Can't Handle Me is light, fluffy and perky – the qualities that will make it a timeless party favorite.

DJ GOT US FALLIN' IN LOVE
Usher feat. Pitbull
Versus

So we back in the club, get that bodies rockin’ from side to side.

This Max Martin-produced track feels like a last-ditch effort of the management to milk Usher's latest record. DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love may very well be a reheated leftover of Raymond v. Raymond and it may sell the artist short of the name that he has established for himself. Nevertheless, current pop radio warmly embraces songs that have a memorable chorus and slick rhythm. It is without wonder why DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love is such a hit.

WHATAYA WANT FROM ME
Adam Lambert
For Your Entertainment

Hey, slow it down.

Amazingly, Adam Lambert sounds really good on this Pink-penned track. By foregoing his usual caterwauling, he manages to make Whataya Want From Me sound so honest and passionate. The build-up to the powerhouse chorus is so effective that listeners wouldn't really mind if he pops a blood vessel screeching out the last few parts of the song.

HEY, SOUL SISTER
Train
Save Me, San Francisco

Your lipstick stains on the front lobe of my left side brains.

It's bright. It's sunny. It's quirky. It's feel-good. It's so radio-friendly. It has a high repeat value. Hey, Soul Sister is everything that pop ought to be. There is no depth to its lyrics but with Ke$ha, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry songs dominating the Top 40, who needs depth?

on air: 2010 year in music, pt. II

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:35:00 +0000

TELEPHONE
Lady GaGa feat. Beyonce
The Fame Monster

Hello, hello baby, you called I can’t hear a thing.

Riding on the spectacle that is the Geyonce tandem, Lady GaGa releases Telephone. It may not be as epic and original as Bad Romance but Telephone can still hold its own. "Can call all you want but there's no one home and you're not gonna reach my telephone," she sings, and we are reminded that when we're out to have fun, we should have fun.

ONLY GIRL (IN THE WORLD)
Rihanna
Loud

I want you to love me like I’m a hot pie.

The girl returns to her roots and delivers a certified dancefloor burner. Rihanna showcases better and fresher vocals on this Europop-inspired track. With its catchy and infectious beats, Only Girl (In The World) is tailor-made to be a club staple.

BILLIONAIRE
Travie McCoy feat. Bruno Mars
Lazarus

I wanna be a billionaire so fucking bad.

Travie McCoy spits lines that are made of pure wit and charm interjected with Bruno Mars' sung hook that is as impressive as his work on B.o.B.'s Nothin' On You makes for a timeless summer anthem.

LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE
Eminem feat. Rihanna
Recovery

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn, that’s alright because I like the way it hurts.

It is both disconcerting and ingenious to let the current poster child of domestic violence Rihanna lend vocals to a song that talks about abusive and turbulent relationships. The shock value adds to the haunting effect of Love The Way You Lie.

CAN'T BE TAMED
Miley Cyrus
Can't Be Tamed

For those who don't know me, I can get a bit crazy; have to get my way, 24 hours a day cos I'm hot like that.

It's quite difficult to understand how Can't Be Tamed be the natural progression of Miley Cyrus' music career when not too long ago she was nodding her head like "yeah" and moving her hips like "yeah" to her favorite Britney song. Nevertheless, the song is still a decent piece of pop that goes well with the current trend in radio.

TERRIFIED
Katharine McPhee and Zachary Levi
Unbroken

You, by the light is the greatest find.

No other contemporary love song comes as sweet and pristine as the DioGuardi-penned Terrified. It's the perfect track for those who believe in happy ever afters. However, it would've been a lot better if it got the exposure it deserves.

SOMEBODY TO LOVE (REMIX)
Justin Bieber and Usher
My World 2.0

For you I’d write a symphony.

It is rather a mystery why everyone's so caught up moving to Somebody To Love's beat when it is a fairly generic dance track done by fairly generic pop act. It shall be blamed on the Bieber fever.

PYRAMID
Charice feat. Iyaz
Charice

Stones, heavy like the love you’ve shown.

Pyramid does little to truly showcase Charice's supposed extraordinary vocals. While it fits in the mold of contemporary radio hits, Pyramid is too generic and too safe to be make a dent in an industry dominated by innovative movers and shakers.

WAKA WAKA (THIS TIME FOR AFRICA)
Shakira feat. Freshlygroundz
Sale El Sol

You're a good soldier choosing your battles, pick yourself up and dust yourself off and back in the saddle.

Shakira's music is novelty for mainstream audience so it is not a surprise how everyone seems to embrace Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) as their guilty pleasure. Justifiably, this Latin-Afro fusion is addictive indeed.

TEENAGE DREAM
Katy Perry
Teenage Dream

You think I’m pretty without any make up on.

Teenage Dream feels and sounds vintage and that is what sets it apart from the rest of the Top 40 in which nearly every damn song is follows a template of melody filled by non-sensical rhyme. Katy Perry, on the other hand, feeds us with lines that take us back to the day when we were all young, careless and in love; back when we believed that love is all there is to life.

TO BE CONTINUED.

on air: 2010 year in music, pt. I

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 03:21:00 +0000

Billboard declared 2010 as the year that went pop with the likes of Ke$ha, Lady GaGa, Katy Perry and Rihanna dominating the airwaves with their synth-driven, auto-tuned hits. It was also the year when the cast of Glee surpassed the Beatles' record for being having the most appearances on the Hot 100 by a non-solo act. Taylor Swift's Speak Now slayed with the biggest first week album sales of over a million records since 2008's The Carter III. Biebermania is still at an all-time high, and just before the year ended, Mariah released a holiday record that is sure to bring out the extra festive in everyone.

Here's the list of my top 100 songs of 2010.:

100. ALL IN, Lifehouse
099. SHAKE, Jesse McCartney
098. DON'T STOP BELIEVIN' (REGIONALS VERSION), Glee Ensemble
097. ROUND & ROUND, Selena Gomez & The Scene
096. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS, Mariah Carey
095. LAST CHRISTMAS, Glee Ensemble
094. JUST A DREAM, Nelly
093. MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING, Glee Ensemble
092. AIRPLANES, B.o.B. feat. Hayley Williams
091. MEET ME HALFWAY, The Black Eyed Peas

090. THE TRUTH, Kris Allen feat. Pat Monahan
089. REPLAY, Iyaz
088. BACK TO DECEMBER, Taylor Swift
087. TEENAGE DREAM, Glee Ensemble feat. Darren Criss
086. CRANK IT UP, Ashley Tisdale feat. David Jassy
085. WEAR MY KISS, Sugababes
084. EXPRESS MYSELF, Glee Ensemble
083. PARACHUTE, Cheryl Cole
082. TOXIC, Glee Ensemble
081. ABOUT A GIRL, Sugababes

080. GIVES YOU HELL, Glee Ensemble
079. COMMANDER, Kelly Rowland feat. David Guetta
078. VALERIE, Glee Ensemble
077. DEAR JOHN, Amerie
076. H.A.T.E.U., Mariah Carey
075. TOUCH, Natasha Bedingfield
074. LIKE A PRAYER, Glee Ensemble feat. Jonathan Groff
073. YOUR LOVE IS MY DRUG, Ke$ha
072. EMPIRE STATE OF MIND, Glee Ensemble
071. DIRTY PICTURE, Taio Cruz feat. Ke$ha

070. START WITHOUT YOU, Alexandra Burke feat. Laza Morgan
069. FORGET YOU, Glee Ensemble feat. Gwyneth Palthrow
068. MARRY YOU, Glee Ensemble
067. RUDE BOY, Rihanna
066. LIL' FREAK, Usher feat. Lil' Kim
065. BILLIONAIRRE, Glee Ensemble
064. BORDERLINE/OPEN YOUR HEART, Glee Ensemble
063. FIREWORK, Katy Perry
062. A YEAR WITHOUT RAIN, Selena Gomez & The Scene
061. BAD ROMANCE, Glee Ensemble

060. START ME UP/LIVIN' ON A PRAYER, Glee Ensemble
059. UN-THINKABLE (I'M READY), Alicia Keys
058. ONE OF US, Glee Ensemble
057. FEARLESS, Taylor Swift
056. NOTHIN' ON YOU, B.o.B. feat. Bruno Mars
055. 4TH OF JULY (FIREWORKS), Kelis
054. LOSE CONTROL, Timbaland feat. JoJo
053. YOUR LOVE'S A DRUG, Leighton Meester
052. ALEJANDRO, Lady GaGa
051. FALLING STARS, David Archuleta

050. TRY SLEEPING WITH A BROKEN HEART, Alicia Keys
049. TE AMO, Rihanna
048. GYPSY, Shakira
047. LIKE A VIRGIN, Glee Ensemble feat. Jonathan Groff
046. WE R WHO WE R, Ke$ha
045. HAVEN'T MET YOU YET, Michael Buble
044. NOT MYSELF TONIGHT, Christina Aguilera
043. 2012 (IT AIN'T THE END), Jay Sean feat. Nicki Minaj
042. WOOHOO, Christina Aguilera feat. Nicki Minaj
041. ANGELS CRY (REMIX), Mariah Carey feat. Ne-Yo

040. TIK TOK, Ke$ha
039. FUCK YOU!, Cee Lo Green
038. NEVER KNEW I NEEDED, Ne-Yo
037. IF WE EVER MEET AGAIN, Timbaland feat. Katy Perry
036. BELIEVE, Travis Garland
035. GET OUTTA MY WAY, Kylie Minogue
034. IF I HAD YOU, Adam Lambert
033. 3, Britney Spears
032. DYNAMITE, Taio Cruz feat. Jennifer Lopez
031. IN THE DARK, JoJo

030. YOU LOST ME, Christina Aguilera
029. OH SANTA!, Mariah Carey
028. UP OUT MY FACE (REMIX), Mariah Carey feat. Nicki Minaj
027. DO YOU REMEMBER?, Jay Sean feat. Sean Paul and Lil' Jon
026. WE BELONG TO MUSIC, Timbaland feat. Miley Cyrus
025. EMPIRE STATE OF MIND, Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
024. ALL THE LOVERS, Kylie Minogue
023. BAD ROMANCE, Lady GaGa
022. CRAWL, Chris Brown
021. LIVE LIKE WE'RE DYING, Kris Allen

TO BE CONTINUED.

box office: 2010 year in movies, pt. II

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 01:18:00 +0000

HERE COMES THE BRIDE
Angelica Panganiban, Eugene Domingo, John Lapus, Tuesday Vargas and Jaime Fabregas
Chris Martinez

...

"Achieved na achieved!" Agree - Yes/Yes?

SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD
Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Kieran Culkin
Edgar Wright

Get the hot girl. Defeat her evil exes. Hit love where it hurts.

It has Michael Cera on it. Plus, it features Ryan Reynolds and Brandon Routh. It successfully integrates a flashy-style-heavy imagery to a storyline that pays tribute to video games of old and rock 'n roll. It has line after line of pop culture references, which I totally adore. It is witty. It is ambitious. It is original. It's actually more ridiculous and crazy than it sounds. It's nothing you've ever seen before but dont take my word for it. Go and see the movie for yourself. Then you'll know how an epic of epic epicness Scott Pilgrim is.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler and Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders

...

It is noteworthy that How To Train Your Dragon's animation is simply superb, or breathtaking even but more than being a visual feast, the movie boasts of humor and heart which clearly sets it apart from the run-off-the-mill action-packed, adorable-character-centric (Toothless is beyond adorable, by the way) 3D animation movies. It reminds me of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - the title doesn't say much until you start watching it.

TOY STORY 3
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack
Lee Unkrich

No toy gets left behind.

I gave up my toys when I entered high school (since my younger brother claimed it as his) so you'll totally get me when I say that the last few scenes of Toy Story 3 brought back the nostalgia. I was so moved not only by the story but by the whole cinematic experience. For an hour or so, I was one with the collective who cheers for Andy's toys (and perhaps subconsciously, for what they stand for).

THE SOCIAL NETWORK
Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake
David Fincher

You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.

A lot of people mistake The Social Network for a movie about how Facebook was made. They're wrong. The Social Network is a film about ambition and relations. Its theme is universal and highly relatable. Never have I asked myself, "What am I doing (with my life at this age)?" until I've seen how the lead character put up a company that is worth about $41B today. It is the only film, in recent memory, that insired me. It's that good.

box office: 2010 year in movies, pt. I

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 01:11:00 +0000

This lists down the best movies I have seen in 2010

ZOMBIELAND
Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg and Emma Stone
Ruben Fleischer

This place is so dead.

For a zombie flick, there were not a lot of scary moments in Zombieland but I don’t think it was what the director was going for. The blood and gore, all the hiding and running and the multitude of zombies chasing after the four heroes are but elements used to deliver a rather heartwarming tale full to the brim of honest-to-goodness laugh-out-loud moments. The humor is just crazy dead on, and Bill Murray’s fantastic cameo is the cherry on top.

KICK-ASS
Aaron Johnson, Nicolas Cage and Chloe Moretz
Matthew Vaughn

I can't fly. But I can kick your ass.

Kick-Ass is what you get when you put Spider Man and Kill Bill into a grinder. You get blood, heavy action, a dose of teen angst, a couple of comic moments,a bit of romance on the side and a whole lot of spandex. If you think that it's that predictable, well you're dead wrong! While most movies of this genre would settle for entertaining the audience, Kick-Ass raises up the ante. This movie will lure you in, take you for an awesome ride and will make you leave the cinema so high that you'll be begging for some more kick-ass action.

DESPICABLE ME
Steve Carrell, Jason Segel and Russell Brand
Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud

Superbad. Superdad.

While it doesn't merit a point for plot originality (it doesn't offer anything new save for portraying Gru's single fatherhood in such a positive light), that cute little girl Agnes (aww...) and her fluffy unicorn (double awww...) made Despicable Me one of 2010's more remarkable animated movies.

PAANO NA KAYA

Gerald Anderson, Kim Chiu
Ruel S. Bayani

...

"Ayan, diyan tayo sumasablay Bogs eh, sa "kaya lang". Laging may "kaya lang". Never naging simpleng "Mahal kita, Mae". Yun lang naman ang gustong marinig ng kahit sino di ba? Bakit di mo magawa sa akin yun? Bogs, walang namilit sa'yo. Walang nagmakaawa sa'yo. Sinabi ko lang naman sa'yo ang nararamdaman ko dahil hindi ko na kayang itago yun. Bogs, sana lumayo ka na lang. Sana umiwas ka na lang maiintindihan ko pa yun. Pero Bogs, shinota mo ko eh. Shinota mo ang bestfriend mo! At nang bumalik si Anna, pinatalo mo ang lahat. Ipinatalo mo ang lahat pati ako! Pati ako pintalo mo! Congratulations. Congratulations kasi natalo tayo." This, and Gerald Anderson of course made the movie worthwhile. (I don't care if this makes my list invalid.)

INCEPTION

Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page
Christopher Nolan

Your mind is the scene of the crime.

I would like to think that the best kind of movie, one that would warrant a mention in the books, would be a cross between a blockbuster hit and an intelligent film. It seldom happens though unless Christopher Nolan's behind it. After The Dark Knight, he delivers yet again another masterpiece - Inception. The movie has layers and layers of plots that is meshed intricately with technical brilliance and visual splendor. This isn't a popcorn movie. That's why Inception is so good - one would actually need to focus and think to keep up.

TO BE CONTINUED.

reprints: 2010 year in comic books, pt. II

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 11:10:00 +0000

UNCANNY X-FORCE #02
The Apocalypse Solution

"Effortless. Know your executioners, whores of Xavier! Know that you die at the hands of the Final Horsemen!"

X-Force tracks Clan Akkaba to their base on the surface of the moon and mount a furious assault but the mission is quickly derailed when the team is attacked and overwhelmed by Apocalypse's Final Horsemen.

X-FORCE #22
Necrosha

"...Oh @#$%."

Selene's army of resurrected mutants lay siege to Utopia. The X-Men tries to fight back but their effort seems futile as they can't really hurt the undead. Meanwhile in Genosha, Selene finds out that Eli Bard doesn't have the mystical knife that she needs for the ritual so she sends his inner circle into the midst of the battle-weary X-Men to get it back.

X-FORCE #28
Second Coming

"You'll feel it, Hope. Like nothing you've ever felt before. Like a fire. and once that fire's lit... everything will change."

Cable succumbs to the techno-organic virus and explodes. The portal collapses and the contact to the future timeline is lost. Furious, Bastion flies to the bridge and attacks Hope head on. Thrown into a blind rage by Cable's death, Hope lashes out, wielding an array of mutant powers. Hope, manifesting the Phoenix raptor, obliterates Bastion and shatters the dome. The X-Men are left in awe.

PSYLOCKE #04
Kill Matsu'o

"For so long, my life has been out of my own control. Chaos and serendipity, wrapped in insanity. I have suffered. I have lost. Not just my life, but my very soul. My self. But no more."

Psylocke learns the truth as she confronts Matsu'o. He purposefully provoked her and Jinn hoping that one of them would kill him so that he would no longer need to suffer at the hands of his tormentor - Wolverine. A battle ensues between the two X-Men with Psylocke having the upper hand. In spite of this, she gave up and asked Wolverine to just kill her so he can continue torturng Matsu'o. Wolverine walked away and left Psylocke to do what she came for - kill Matsu'o.

X-FORCE #26
Second Coming

"O... o Luh... Lord... in this... this time of need... st... strengthen... me..."

En route to Utopia, Hope is confronted by Bastion in an alley in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rogue fights the sentinel but she was no match for his power. Bastion manages to get hold of the young girl but before he can deliver his death blow, Nightcrawler teleported between them to get Hope out of the way. Bastion's hand solidified in Nightcrawler's chest cavity effectively killing the fuzzy elf but not before delivering the muant messiah in Utopia.

reprints: 2010 year in comic books, pt. I

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 01:00:00 +0000

The following are the year's top ten OMFG moments in the X-Verse:

X-MEN: STORM & GAMBIT #01

Curse Of The Mutants

"Point taken. You were completely useless in that fight. Except for giving me these unfortunate tan lines.".

Due to the medallions, Dazzler's light bursts didn't work on the vampires. To save her, Northstar super-speed-staked the lot before Emma Frost could read their minds. The latter dismisses their mission to find intel on the alleged "Vampire Island" a failure but not without making a snide comment about her tan.

X-MEN: SECOND COMING #01
Second Coming

"Everything we've been through, every death we've suffered, every tragedy we've endured these last months... it's all for this moment. For her. This is what we signed up for, X-Men. This is what we die for. Hope."

After being alerted by the Cuckoos of Cable's arrival in the present timeline, Cyclops rallies his men and sends them to their respective posts. His alpha roster which consists of Wolverine, Colossus, Psylocke, Angel, Nightcrawler, X-23 with the inclusion of Magik is ordered to look for Cable and Hope. They are to bring them back home safe and sound.

UNCANNY X-FORCE #02
The Apocalypse Solution

"Now don't just stand there awestruck by your terrific luck in women. Let's go kill this son of a bitch."

Psylocke and Angel had a tender moment before they leave for the moon, find Apocalypse and eliminate him. She told him that she joined the team to help him control the deadly Archangel. More than that, Psylocke said that after losing Nightcrawler, after everything she has gone through, she just want to hold on to something real and that was her love for Angel. Then, they kissed.

NEW MUTANTS #12
Second Coming

"Foreign Control/Mind detected. Acquiring source. Prepare to neutralize."

Deployed by Cyclops to shut down a weapons-manufacturing facility managed by Cameron Hodge, the New Mutants engages the Right in a battle. Midway, Hodge initiates a cranial transplant to a robotic monstrosity. Quickly, Cannonball orders Karma to control Hodge. The plan backfires as the enemy resists her possession. Hodge traces her whereabouts and attacks her. In the end, Karma was left incapacitated.

NEW MUTANTS #18
Fall Of The New Mutants

"Your emotions are pungent. Is that anger I smell? No... You don't have powers, do you. That's not anger... It's fear."

The New Mutants is caught by surprise as they face the long-forgotten Inferno babies. Magik is the first to be subdued. Soon after, the rest of the team fell into the clutches of the renegade group.

TO BE CONTINUED.

one minute: 2010 year in blogging

noreply@blogger.com (MakMak) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 03:11:00 +0000

It's funny how I look back on the silly little things that I wrote about only to realize how big and relevant they really are.

JANUARY
While the coming summer promises nothing, you remain confident that it will be nothing less than enjoyable. The year started quite well, and you trust that it will only get better. At its onset, you'll be ready to go beyond and travel farther, frolic from coast to coast and get sun-kissed for real.

- The Coming Summer

FEBRUARY
"Bakit ka pa bumalik?" Isa sa limampung tanong na gusto kong masabi sa iyo. I was doing fine but you pulled me back in when you walked back into my life. But you coming back made me see what I have been looking for, what I have been missing all along. You, being my ray of sunshine. You, the brilliance that I see even with my eyes closed. "Pero bakit hindi?" When all I ever wanted was to take your hand and tread on life's road together. "Anong kulang?" Hindi ko maintindihan.

- Day 542

MARCH
The tongue only speaks what comes from the heart, they say and if it comes from the heart then it must be true. However, it should be clearly understood that honesty is and will never be an excuse for rudeness and cruelty.

- Sila, Na Perfect

APRIL
Much as I felt like I'm dying from kilig, I couldn't stop myself. After all, we were just a few inches away from each other and I would be damned if I don't do it. I turned and glanced at you and ended up giving you a Hey-I-sorta-know-you-and-I-hope-you-acknowledge-this-since-you-kinda-know-me-too-type of nod and smile.

- Dear ADMUTwenty (3)

MAY
Tonight, I am unfazed by the time and tide. Basked in your desolate radiance, I whispered to the wind, "If we could be anything, we would be the nameless and the untamed - only there will never be a we..."

- Luna (That Which We Long For)

JUNE
I woke up to the sound of zippers zipping and plastic bags rustling. I turned my head towards the source and with eyes partly open, resentful of the room's brightness, I saw a half-naked man facing my side of the bed fumbling through his luggage. It was the guy who roomed with me after Brad left.

- Empire State Of Mind

JULY
You sang the next verse and I felt like warm butter. Your voice is sweet music. It’s soothing like a breeze, or a weekend getaway, or morning sex. With the moon as your spotlight, you played your instrument and performed for an audience of one with such passion - it's like everything anyone would want.

- Fourth Of July

AUGUST
More than two years ago, I came upon a truth that would alter my perception on all things love. It goes, "Do what you love and you will find someone who loves the same things. Don’t look for love, beg for love or suffer for love. Just live." So I did because I badly wanted to meet you.

- Dear John

SEPTEMBER
I smiled, effectively showing mine before going on, "Some people, no matter how hard you try, they just don't get you. So you end up feeling like you're feigning interest. Bad, no? It makes me think that connections are rarer than I imagined."

- Come In With The Rain

OCTOBER
If I could just stop myself long enough to seek forgiveness, for you, and for myself...

- Time Enough For Tears

NOVEMBER
Hindi naman ako umasa na may take away ako sa pelikula. Tama na yung makita kita. Tama na yung marinig ko yung boses mo. Masaya na ako dun. Tamang kilig ba? Yun lang naman habol ko - ma-distract. Pero akalain mo, ikaw lang pala ang makakapagbigay liwanag sa akin. Well, ikaw saka yung ka-love team mo. Biruin mo, ilang beses ko ng inuntog ang sarili ko sa pader pero walang epekto. Sabi ko na nga ba mas matatauhan ako kapag sa dibdib ng mga tulad mo ako inuntog.

- Till My Heartaches End

DECEMBER
"Mountain climbing teaches us to hold on, sometimes for dear life especially when you're in danger of falling." I remember you saying. "First travel, then struggle, finally calm - a mountaineer's philosophy."

- The Climb