Monday, May 18, 2009

Yihee

Love makes the world turn upside down. I just realized that some people do crazy and weird things when they are in love. Haay. But I really find them funny, sweet, and kilig for some reason. Okay, I'm watching too much Koreanovelas. HAHA. So what? :)

Friday, May 15, 2009

Ano Kaya?

Just recently, there is a commercial slash advocacy campaign that features the different celebrities and other famous personalities such as Chris Tiu, Charice Pempengco, Maxene Magalona, Luis Manzano, Angel Locsin and Ely Buendia. They talk about their plans and promises to help our beloved country, the Philippines. I personally think that this is a brilliant idea because they are the role models of the Filipino youth of today. They could easily encourage the youth to become active in nation building, so they would be able to contribute something good to make the country a better place.

Change can happen if we only become responsible citizens of this country. Because of this commercial slash campaign, many Filipinos are now becoming more socially aware, active and involved as they make a stand and perhaps "take real actions" in changing the society. On the other hand, like everyone else, I'm hoping that this has nothing to do with the 2010 elections.

Since I'm taking up early childhood education, this is my pledge: Ako mismo ay magsisikap ng mabuti upang maging isang magandang ehemplo sa mga kabataan. :)

Note: I've also heard that you'll get the dogtag if you register in the site or if you write on the wall of commitments. Oh well, I hope so. The dogtags are totally cute. ;)

*Happy Birthday Paolo and Happy Wedding Anniversary Auntie Nene and Uncle Romy. And special thanks to Minka. Thank you so much for the award. :)*

Sunday, May 10, 2009

A Mixture of Fantasy and Reality

Upon reading an article in The Philippine Star some time ago, I got inspired to write my own list of Top 5 favorite books and reasons why I love to read them all over again.

1. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint- Exupéry

This is the very first book that I've read when I entered high school. Our English teacher required us to read this one. I thought that this book is just like the other children's book but I proved myself wrong. It is beautifully written and I actually learned something relevant from it. It all started when an airman accidentally met the little prince, when a part of his engine broke down in the Sahara Desert. The little prince approached the airman because he wanted him to draw a sheep. From then on, they became friends and the rest is history. This story is interesting because the characters are interesting too. They will make every reader appreciate the simple things in life and see "what is essential is invisible to the eye". This book will totally make you think and reflect a lot. Trust me.

2. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

When we were in our senior year in highschool, we had to choose a book to read for our mini-thesis. I chose The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. I did not regret reading this book because it enabled me to understand why mothers act and behave in such ways. I realized that a mother's love for her child is truly "unconditional, selfless, and irreplaceable". It touched me in a way, and I'm thankful because it helped me love my mother more. Plus, I learned something about the Chinese culture. By the way, I craved for moon cake and other Chinese food for a week after reading the book.

3. Penny from Heaven by Jennifer Stockholm


Unlike the other two, this one is not required. I bought it last year because of my resolution to read at least 3 books every summer break. After I finished reading it, I found out that we can really find real happiness through our family and friends, and even in simple things like dreaming about eating a butter-pecan ice cream and spending a Sunday dinner with the whole family. Penny really keeps me "glued" because her life, as an eleven year old, is very intriguing. Why does her favorite uncle live in a car? What is the reason why her mother's and father's family are not talking to each other? Why does her Nonny always cry when the name of her father is mentioned? Hmm. I discovered something about the Italian culture too.

4. Eggs by Jerry Spinelli

My brother was laughing at me when he saw that this one's for 9-12 year old children. He told me that I should not read Eggs because for heaven's sake, it is a children's book! BUT, I've got the last laugh, thank you very much. From this book, I learned that friendship is not always a one-way road. We have to give something to our friends in order to fill what is missing in their lives. Appreciating them for who they are is one big step for them to feel loved, special, and happy. And vice-versa.

5. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

The Harry Potter series is my all-time favorite! Well, Harry Potter is not all about magic, spells, wands, flying brooms, witches and wizards. I think that J.K. Rowling wants us to look beyond and think outside the box. Harry Potter and friends teach us how to be brave in every challenges that come our way; how to love unconditionally; how to become responsible in the actions that we do; how to make choices; and how to treasure and trust the people in our lives. I consider the characters as role models (yes, even Fred and George Weasley, just in case you're wondering) because they have the behaviors and values, which can make us become a better person.

I love reading books like these because they bring me to unknown yet fascinating places where I can learn about different cultures and life's important lessons.

So what's yours? :)



P.S. Happy Mother's Day to your wonderful moms and Happy Birthday my dear friend, Kat Reyes! :)

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Promises are not meant to be Broken

So as promised. Today, I'm sharing with you the photos that my friends and I took when we had our summer getaway in Calatagan two weeks ago. I did not bring my camera with me as we splashed and swam with the waves because I was afraid it might get wet. ;)

Some of the pictures are grabbed from Tasha and Maryse, thank you very much.

The first few pictures belong to my friends: Mye, Maryse, Lo, Nikki, Cheska, and Raymund. We really enjoyed the beach! We had so much fun! These are the moments while we were having some fun under the sun. However, we missed our other friends: Sab, Mau, Icca, Kat, Trish, Ocha, Danielle, and Sylvia. They had their own reasons and we understood why they were not able to come with us. Oh well, I hope that next time, we will be complete. As the old saying goes, "The more, the merrier!"

This is the "most exciting part of the sea" by the way. All of us loved this place because we were able to swim with the waves. The waves were so strong. They (the waves) can bring you to the shore in a short period of time. ;) We were like surfing without a surf board. :)) On the other hand, we had to walk on the pathway to be able to reach this place. We walked very carefully because it was very slippery. I had my Ms. Universe moment here on my way back to the shore. Ouch. :/

The last set of pictures is my favorite. I like the shots here. It is like bringing out the inner "photographer" in us. Capturing every precious moment. Plus, they show how much we enjoyed the day. And oh, before I forget, the girl wearing a bikini top and boardshorts is Tasha. I missed her too (she shifted course, that is why). Good thing, she was able to be with us on this very special day.

Like what Maryse said, "Sa uulitin!". :D



*P.S. Thank you for waiting patiently for the pictures. And Happy birthday to our dearest Auntie Sari!*

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Power Punch

After two rounds, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao won the boxing match against Ricky "Hitman" Hatton. Knock out. Everything happened so fast. Hindi ko ito inaasahan.

(The moment: The very powerful punch that totally knocked out Hitman.)

Honestly, I am not a big fan of boxing but I tried to watch this much awaited event with my aunties, here at home. I actually prayed for Mr. Pacquiao because I wanted him to win again. Well, my prayer (and everyone else's; I'm pertaining to the Filipinos, by the way.) was worth it because God heard it. But, I felt bad for Mr. Hatton because he seemed unconscious after Mr. Pacquiao hit him on the face. I'm glad to hear that he is okay now though.

Congratulations Mr. Pacquiao. You made us all proud! :)



*Photo retrieved from http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2009/05/04/pacman-had-the-perfect-punch-and-ricky-hatton-didn-t-even-see-it-coming-115875-21330698/*