welcome to my life

A Certain Kind of Sadness

2012-02-29T18:39:00.000+08:00

A sad and twisted thought
Came upon my mind
Something so sadistic
That should be left behind
I thought about those
Who have died so soon
And of what I was doing
That day they met their doom
And I thought about myself
About my problems and my tears
Living with all my pain
And my tormented fears
And I noticed something
Something that didn't seem right
Something that makes one cry
And makes you shiver in the night
Everytime you smile
Another child cries
Everytime you're happy
Another person dies
When everything is going right
When it's the best day of your life
Someone out there has had enough
And is picking up that knife
Everytime you have someone
Another person is alone
Everytime you feel loved
Another child is on their own
When your parents are hugging you
And showering you with kisses
Some child out there is being beaten
By parents who are making death wishes
Everytime you see the light
Another child only sees the dark
Everytime you are healthy
Another person cuts a fresh mark
So remember this and be grateful
The next time you have a good day
Because another someone, somewhere out there
May be dying in some way.

One of a kind

2012-02-29T18:20:00.000+08:00

How cool is this? Only 7 people in the world have this type of eyes and skin tone. Beautiful.

Our Twilight

2012-02-29T17:45:00.000+08:00

I abhor the twilight
With its murky shadows and cold obscure moon
I dread the night
When the sun I cannot see
And its breeze with a promise of gloom
I cannot fly nor can I see
The sky turns as black as death
Blind and listless, struggling to be free
Choking through its depth
You came through the haze
Like a panther, moving stealthily
You enveloped me in thine embrace
Consolingly... Soothingly...
Breathing words of warmth and solace
You made me see through the dusk
Now these fears I could face
I finally saw through the mask
You taught me, enlightened me
The sun sets to rise again
Now I wait anticipatingly
For the coming light to set in
Waiting for the day anew
I basked in the warmth of twilight
For it was because of you
I have grown to love the night...

Cherished Goal

2012-02-29T17:39:00.000+08:00

It's been a while since I've posted something here. It's been crazy at work. Right now I've found the time to think and wonder how my life has been. Have you ever asked yourself, "What the heck am I here for?" You go through life day by day, striving for things that may or may not be yours for the taking. Maybe it's mid-life crisis, but I've been spending much time these past months thinking of the things that I've missed, and things that I should still do to tell myself that I, indeed, have LIVED. People do different things to have that feeling of accomplishment. I have this friend who made a list of everything she must accomplish before facing the big 3-0. Brazilian wax, nude photoshoot, silent retreat, bunjee jumping, sky diving, scuba diving, etc. These may not be great feats for others but for a simple girl, means a lot. I do not have a concrete list, nor do I hope to accomplish these physical things. I am an ordinary girl and I know the practical limitations of my life. Therefore, I do not have dreamy and impractical ambitions. However, there has always been a void -- always something that is missing -- that even at the peak of your success or happiness in life, there is that certain part of you that is unfulfilled. Maybe what I yearn for, as most people do, are things that would say that you mattered. That for the length of your existence in this world, you made a difference. To aid people in need and leave my mark on their lives. I only pray to God that my desire be fulfilled and that I become competent enough to act up to the cherished goal of my life -- selfless service to the suffering humanity.

Names

2011-03-09T01:02:00.001+08:00

I never really liked my name that much. I would have preferred a more feminine name were I given the choice. But names represent so much more than just words to call you by. It represents what people would remember of you someday when you have already passed and left your work to be commemorated. That is why we should work in protecting our names by living a life worth remembering about.

In the movie industry, artists take up screen names so that their name alone has an edge and is noticeable by the public. I have compiled the real names of some of the most popular figures in Hollywood, idolized by many and whose names are close to people's hearts.

Lady Gaga = Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta
Jon Bon Jovi = John Francis Bongiovi
Nicholas Cage = Nicholas Coppola
Brad Pitt = William Bradley Pitt
Angelina Jolie = Angelina Jolie Voight
Tom Cruise = Thomas Cruise Mapother IV
Vin Diesel = Mark Vincent
Eminem - Marshall Bruce Mathers III
Sylvester Stallone = Michael Sylvester Enzio Stallone
Robert Pattinson - Robert Douglas Thomas Pattinson
Mel Gibson - Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson
Shakira - Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll
Woody Allen = Allen Konigsberg
Stevie Wonder = Stevland Morris
Charlie Sheen = Carlos Irwin Estevez
Muhammad Ali = Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.
Julie Andrews = Julia Elizabeth Wells
Tony Bennett = Anthony Benedetto
David Bowie = David Robert Jones
Boy George = George Alan O'Dowd
Cher = Cherilyn Sarkisian
Nat King Cole = Nathaniel Adams Coles
David Copperfield = David Kotkin
Kirk Douglas = Issur Danielovitch
Bob Dylan = Robert Zimmerman
Enya = Eithne Ni Bhraonain
Michael J. Fox = Michael Andrew Fox
Whoopie Goldberg = Caryn Johnson
Cary Grant = Archibald Leach
Hulk Hogan = Terry Gene Bollea
Engelbert Humperdinck = Arnold George Dorsey
Ice Cube = Oshea Jackson
Elton John = Reginald Dwight
Tom Jones = Thomas Woodward
Diane Keaton = Diane Hall
Michael Keaton = Michael Douglas
Chaka Khan = Carole Yvette Marie Stevens
Bruce Lee = Lee Yuen Kam
Courtney Love = Michelle Harrison
Madonna = Madonna Louise Ciccone
Barry Manilow = Barry Alan Pincus
Marilyn Monroe = Norma Jean Mortenson (later Baker)
Chuck Norris = Carlos Ray
Prince = Prince Rogers Nelson
Winona Ryder = Winona Horowitz
Susan Sarandon = Susan Tomaling
Jane Seymour = Joyce Frankenberg
Sting = Gordon Sumner
Tina Turner = Annie Mae Bullock
The Undertaker = Mark Calloway
Sigourney Weaver = Susan Alexandra Weaver

Yawn!

2011-03-08T19:48:00.002+08:00

Yawn! Yawn! Yawn! Yawn! Yawn! Yawn! Yawn! Yawn! Yawn! Yawn!

Try reading those words over and over or watching the images of yawning for a while and you'll find yourself yawning as well. What is the reason behind that? There have been so many discoveries of today causing technological advances and yet a simple thing as a yawn still baffles the most renowned scientists. What is a yawn? Yawning is said to be the body's way of controlling brain temperature so that we can think better. The brain is said to cool down due to an influx or outflux of oxygen that yawning provides. Sleep deprivation can also raise body and brain temperature so there can be a connection between yawning and sleepiness. That is maybe why a cold shower also alleviates yawning. Others claim that it is caused by chemicals in the brain that affect emotions, appetite, and other phenomena. However, what explains the contagious effects of yawning? When you see somebody yawn, see pictures of yawning, or even read the word yawn, you have the involuntary impulse to yawn as well. Nobody has ever fully explained the cause of yawning as being infectious. Some say yawning may have evolved in early man as a way of signal to set up sleep schedules or it may be some kind of thought process that signals the brain to yawn. Recent research however, suggests that it indicates the emphatic ability in appreciation of other people's behavioral and physiological state. Whatever reason, yawning is very relaxing and it gives us a feeling of happiness and contentedness. Come to think of it, maybe this is also a very effective way for very tired mothers struggling to put their little devils to sleep. So go ahead and yawn to your heart's content. Or should I say to your brain's content? Hope I have not made you yawn too much while reading this though. =)

AHHH CHOOO!

2011-03-08T18:40:00.002+08:00

Have you ever experienced sneezing while your eyes remain open? I would guess not. This is because the eyelid muscles along with the chest muscles, diaphragm, muscles on your vocal cords, and muscles at the back of your throat are the ones who work together to form the sneeze. In the early days, sneezing was believed to be a means for the body to drive out evil spirits. Now however, we know better. Sneezing is a reflex that expels mucus containing foreign particles and cleansing the nasal cavity. It is a convulsive expulsion of air from the lungs through the nose and mouth. It may also be triggered by a full stomach or a viral infection that can very well lead to the spread of disease. In addition, it may also be triggered by the sudden exposure to bright light. About 1 out of every 3 people are called photic sneezers. This is an inherited trait and these people are more sensitive to light which ultimately triggers their sneeze. Isn't it irritating when you feel the need to sneeze but then suddenly lose it? Why not try to face the sunlight next time and maybe that may solve your problem. It is also a common misconception that the heart stops when we sneeze. It really doesn't but it just feels like our heart changes beat because pressure is created which may alter the intensity of its beats. The longest attack of sneezing that has been documented was that of Donna Griffiths from England who sneezed for 977 days from 1981 to 1983. Now, would you not be grateful for your "occasional" sneeze?

Did Man Really Land on the Moon?

2011-03-08T04:07:00.001+08:00

Looking through the vastness of the heavens, one can't help but feel very insignificant. But then I think that mankind has been able to land on the moon, and it becomes quite real and gives me
hope that we are one step closer into unraveling the mysteries of the universe. But is it real? Did man really land on the moon? On May 16, 1990, Ralph Rene, a 47 year old American from New Jersey, became obssessed after watching the footage of man on the moon. "How can the flag be fluttering when there's no wind on the atmosphere-free moon?" He investigated Apollo moon landings, NASA films, photos and reports and reached an astonishing conclusion... America had never put man on the moon. It was the conspiracy to end all conspiracy theories. It was said to have started on 1961, when Russia was leading the space race leaving a panicked America behind causing President Kennedy to propose to put a man on the moon and secured that plan with 40 billion dollars. Seven Apollo ships headed to the moon, with Apollo 13 being the only one who had not made it. The only proof according to Rene that these ships landed on the moon were the known rocks which could have been created through a lab, the TV footage wherein NASA did not provide direct link up that networks had to film it from a TV screen in Houston (so that nobody could examine it says Rene), and the photos which were perfectly exposed and sharply focused. Not a single shot was blurry or badly composed as one would expect with the astraunauts' conditions and unaffected by intense cosmic radiation on the moon. This last proof was also examined by award winning photographer David Persey and he claimed that the shadows on the photos could have only been created by powerful spotlights. But then, the only light source on the moon was the sun. They also said that the American flag and the words "United States" were also always brightly lit when everything around it were in shadow, and the still pictures do not match the film footage although they were shot at the same time. There were also the questions regarding the walls of the Lunar landers that took the astraunauts from the spaceship into the moon. It was said that the walls were not sufficient to protect humans from radiation and that the astraunauts should have been fried from such exposure. There were so many more allegations that given their evidence, actually boggles the mind. If these allegations are proven true, it would only mean that man never landed on the moon. Either way, these testimonies inspires sorrow. Because whether man really landed on the moon or not, it shows man's greed, destructiveness and constant need for power.

Harana (Serenade)

2011-03-07T01:17:00.000+08:00

We Filipinos are conservative when it comes to wooing. Basically, the guy still initiates the suyuan, an old fine tagalog word that indicates a man's declaration of his love by overt action,verbal or otherwise. Usually it's non-verbal - singing, glancing or stealing glances, services - and indirect. However, Filipino men have evolved in their wooing ways. You seldom, probably never, see a modern Filipino man standing by a girl's window singing to her as you would in the olden times. Even the song "Harana by Parokya ni Edgar" narrates how nervous a common man is these days to serenade a girl they really like. That was why my attention was captured a while ago, as I was watching an advertisement on the television about this highly ingenius business. The HARANA.PH . It is a professional serenade and surprise service in the Philippines which allows clients to send the traditional "harana" in memorable and creative ways. The client may choose seasoned artists to visit their loved ones on location and serenade them.(although, seasoned artists may cost much more compared to their regular performers). They also cater to occasions like weddings and birthdays. The regular package would include 2-3 songs, a message to be read by the artist, a special gift, and the instrumentalists and event organization. Every event would also be recorded on video to document all the memorable moments. Prices start from $125 and would also vary depending on the clients' preferences on how the serenade would be enacted. Imagine how romantic it would be to be sent a "serenade" by your guy or to propose to your girlfriend in this very unique way and even have your "idols" singing your songs. So guys out there... Let's go back memory lane and take a lesson from our ancestors on how to really "woo" a woman. Spice up your relationship and give your loved one the meaningful celebration they deserve.

The World's Worst Prophecies

2011-03-07T00:23:00.002+08:00

I would like to share with you these predictions that I read about somewhere which quite amazed me. They are about highly influential people/organizations that had helped shape our world as we know it today. It would make you realize that you never really know what fate has in store for you.

1) Theoretically, television may be feasible, but I consider it an impossibility! A development which we should waste little time dreaming about.
- Lee de Forest, 1926, inventor of the cathode ray tube

2) I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.
- Thomas J. Watson, 1943, Chairman of the Board of IBM

3) It doesn't matter what he does, he will never amount to anything.
- Albert Einstein's teacher to his father, 1895

4) It will be years - not in my time - before a woman will become Prime Minister.
- Margaret Thatcher, 1974

5) This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.
- Western Union internal memo, 1876

6) We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.
- Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962

7) Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?
- H. M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927

8) 640K ought to be enough for anybody.
- Bill Gates, 1981

9) Louis Pasteur's theory of germs is ridiculous fiction.
- Pierre Pachet, Professor of Physiology at Toulouse, 1872

10) Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.
- Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949

11) We don't need you. You haven't got through college yet.
- Hewlett-Packard's rejection of Steve Jobs, who went on to found Apple Computers

12) King George II said in 1773 that the American colonies had little stomach for revolution.

13) An official of the White Star Line, speaking of the firm's newly built flagship, the Titanic, launched in 1912, declared that the ship was unsinkable.

14) In 1939 The New York Times said the problem of TV was that people had to glue their eyes to a screen, and that the average American wouldn't have time for it.

15) An English astronomy professor said in the early 19th century that air travel at high speed would be impossible because passengers would suffocate.

16) Airplanes are interesting toys, but they have no military value.
- Marshal Ferdinand Foch in 1911

17) With over 50 foreign cars already on sale here, the Japanese auto industry isn't likely to carve out a big slice of the U.S. market.
- Business Week, 1958

18) Whatever happens, the U.S. Navy is not going to be caught napping.
- Frank Knox, U.S. Secretary of the Navy, on December 4, 1941

19) Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau.
- Irving Fisher, Professor of Economics, Yale University, October 16, 1929.

Philadephia Experiment - Cover Up?

2011-03-06T04:04:00.002+08:00

I am a sucker to mysteries, myths, and the unsolved.. That is why I became very interested with the story of the "Philadephia Experiment" also referred to as "Project Rainbow". The experiment was an attempt by the US Navy during the WWII to create a ship (U.S.S Eldridge) that could not be detected by radar and invisible to enemy detection. The plan was to generate massive electromagnetic fields which would bend light and radio waves around the ship, making it invisible to enemy observers. It was said that the experiment was tried on animals that caused death and deep burns and despite it, the US Navy still proceeded to try it on humans.

The day of the experiment, The electromagnetic field generators were turned on and the U.S.S. Eldridge became nearly invisible. Everything was fine for the first few seconds, but in a blinding blue flash, the ship completely vanished. Within seconds it reappeared hundreds of miles away in Norfolk, Virginia and was seen for several minutes. It disappeared from Norfolk as mysteriously as it had arrived, and reappeared back in Philadelphia Naval Yard. What begun as an experiment in electronic camouflage, ended up as an accidental teleportation of an entire ship and crew to a distant location and back again in a matter of minutes. However, when they examined the ship, most of the crew were violently sick, missing, and five men were said to be found fused to the metal within the ship’s structure. According to legend, most of the crew members eventually went insane, but a few retained their sanity only to face further situations. One man sat down to dinner with his wife and child, but then got up from the table, walked through the wall, and was never seen again. Two other sailors were also said to have simply disappeared into thin air and never seen again. Another crew member vanished in the middle of a fight, shocking his opponent. All of these incidents are said to have had witnesses. Another side effect was of the men getting ‘stuck’ and unable to move or interact with anyone for long periods of time. According to specialists, this phenomena was said to be a hoax and there is not much information found that isn’t tainted with doubt and speculation. There were 2 main witnesses who claimed the occurence of these events. One committed suicide (Carlos Miguele Allende) and the other was deemed unfit (Al Bielek).

Could any of this have actually occurred? What really happened in Philadelphia on 1943? Has the US government been lying all these years about their technological capabilities and how they have been using them? The questions and mysteries remain...

Photography

2011-03-04T21:18:00.000+08:00

It is very liberating to be able to express yourself through your work. More so if you could capture those emotions and relate it to your audience. A good photograph is not only looked at - but looked into. In my opinion, I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it. A photograph is memory in the raw. I am an amateur in photography and planning to pursue learning more about it. So that when words become unclear... I shall focus with photographs... =)

Dreams

2011-03-04T19:51:00.001+08:00

Even with our advanced technologies, the human brain remains an enigma. Countless phenomena are still unexplained, and one of these are dreams. Dreams are one of life's most fascinating and intriguing mysteries. The stuff of legends, myth, and scriptures. There are different beliefs as to what dreams are. Some say they are voices from beyond and others say it is your own soul communicating with you. Specialists see it as one's own subconscious mind aiding his conscious mind to go through the events of his life. Dreams are vehicles from which your mind communicates ideas, warnings and health issues. Dreams are very efficient. They can address multiple issues all in one story line. They may warn you of health dangers, predict the future, point out personality flaws, or solve a current problem. I have listed some of the most common characters in our dreams and their meanings according to dream specialists. Just bear in mind that your own perceptions of your dreams always take precedence over any definition.

1) animals - They symbolize our own traits, good and bad. When you see an animal in your dreams, it usually represents a bad trait as it is far easier for us to accept and watch an animal doing something negative than to take credit for it ourselves.

2) automobiles/vehicles - It usually reflects the direction you are heading in life or your body. The condition of the vehicle might give you an idea of your health. Therefore, flying a jet in the sky with a song in your heart would be a rather good dream. =)

3) children - A child represents something new, different, and joyous. A child may represent a new phase in your life or a new project as well. It may also symbolize innocent parts of one's self.

4) clothing - When you get into different moods, you tend to choose different clothing. For this reason, clothing symbolizes your mood or state of mind. It may also reflect your attitude. Take note of what you or the other people in your dream are wearing and you would get more clues as to the dream's meaning.

5) death - Any dream that refers to dying or funerals pertain to change. The change is usually dramatic and major or can be changes in your life attitude and emotional balance. It may also symbolize confronting fear and threat.

6) buildings - These usually points directly to a specific area of your life. Dreaming of being in an office may pertain to your working environment. A bathroom may point to your general health and hygiene and the kitchen in your eating and nutrition. To dream of your childhood house however, tends to be a reflection of your life today. A dream of chaos in your childhood can indicate great disturbances in your life either now, or soon.

7) people - People in dreams most commonly reflect important aspects of your personality. These traits are the ones you should enhance or eliminate. You should ask yourself what traits you like and dislike in the characters you dream about and look for those traits in yourself. You might be surprised to find a match up.

If you want to read more about dreams, visit DREAM SITE

Sweet dreams everyone! =)

Are you single?

2011-03-04T04:07:00.004+08:00

Are you single? The start of the year can be somewhat of a downer if you’re lonely and looking for love. Must I be reminded that I still don’t have a ring on my finger or someone to make vacation plans with?! While you might be the most fabulous single girl on the block, we all have our moments of insecurity when we wish there was a guy around to warm up those cold nights. With the start of the year, however, maybe it’s time to stop sulking and start showing off how amazing you are, single or not. In fact, it is the perfect time to turn inward, pay attention to your own needs, and act with class and confidence. Out with the old, in with the new. It’s time to toss away those self-defeating habits and try on some new, more affirming attitudes and behaviors. This goes for your dating style as well as all other areas of your life. Are you hoping to meet a nice guy but only hang around at trashy clubs or dive bars? Want to get in shape but still haven’t signed up for that gym membership? You can’t make room for the things you want until you give up the things that aren’t working. Take action to try something different even if you end up failing. Moreover, go out and spend more time with other singles. Sure, you adore your married best friends and happily attached co-workers, but do you have enough single cronies in your life? Whether we want to admit it or not, singles and non-singles can lead very different lifestyles. It can be affirming and empowering to have other unattached gal pals to bond with when everyone else is having date night. Finally, you must do what you do. You’ve heard this before, but it merits repeating. Go live your life for you! One of the greatest things about being single is the freedom. After all, your married pals probably can’t skip town for the weekend or study abroad in Spain for the summer without factoring in a husband or boyfriend. This really is the time to indulge your every wild dream and tiniest guilty pleasure. Once a man arrives on the scene, compromise becomes your mantra. Since nothing is more important than you, give your single life some props and just be your fabulous self. The added bonus? No man can resist a confident, self-sufficient, and optimistic woman. Maybe the saying that you find love when you stop looking for it is true after all.

Friends

2011-03-04T03:49:00.001+08:00

This is the most hilarious series that I just loooove to watch over and over. It is set in New York City and chronicled the lives of six best friends as they went through the ups and downs of romance and career from the confines of their local coffee shop and some pretty fabulous Manhattan apartments. What differentiated it from other sitcoms and made it a bonafide hit was the unique chemistry of its cast. The neurotic clean freak Monica (Courtney Cox), her endearingly hangdog brother Ross (David Schwimmer), the none-too-bright actor-wannabe Joey (Matt LeBlanc), the sarcastic computer programmer Chandler (Matthew Perry), the new-age free spirit Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), and the reformed spoiled rich girl whose influential fashion sense launched a thousand hairstyles Rachel (Jennifer Aniston). Every line and quip really tickles one's funny bone. Thumbs up to the cast and crew of Friends!

Greys Anatomy

2011-03-04T03:49:00.000+08:00

One of my favorite TV series. The main character Meredith, started off as a first year surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital, the toughest surgical residency program west of Harvard. She and fellow first year interns Christina Yang, Izzie Stevens, George O'Malley and Alex Karev were students yesterday... Today they were doctors. And in a world where the job training can be a matter of life and death, they are all juggling the ups and downs of thier own personal lives. The five interns struggle to form friendships in this most stressful and competitive atmosphere. It is a very inspiring program that makes you laugh, cry, and sigh. I for one, cannot get enough of it. It makes you learn so much more about medicine, surgeons, and life in totality.

Imposing moral standards on others

2011-03-04T03:47:00.001+08:00

When we impose that others must conform to our idea of what is right and acceptable, we only show that we ourselves are unsure of our own principles. Someone who is sure of himself allows others to be themselves. Every person has his own ideology and it is plain arrogance to surmise that our own belief is the only appropriate alternative. Being unstable in character causes a person to prop himself up and force others into his mold. You learn more when you look into other perspectives and even develop yours in the process. In a relationship, you don't demand that your partner must be a carbon copy of yourself. After all, you don't get harmony when everybody sings the same note.

Writing

2011-03-04T03:41:00.001+08:00

I've had this passion for writing ever since I can remember and I sometimes wonder what's inside people's heads if not stories? Writers literally create new worlds from scratch. Our aim is not to copy actuality but to modify and recreate our sense of it. Like actors, a writer invites a reader to watch a performance in his own brain. For me, writing is exploration and it often suprises me on where the journey takes me. I have also come to realize that writing is the most direct contact possible with the part of myself I thought I had lost, and which I constantly find new things from. Through it I can speak about things that are important to me and somebody listens. My purpose in writing is to entertain myself first and other people secondly. There are so many things in this world and so many things to write about. Writing is only boring to people who are probably boring themselves. Or maybe, it is a cop-out... An excuse to live perpetually in fantasy land, where you can create and watch the products of your own head. Be that as it may, the reason one writes is not the fact that he wants to say something. One writes because he has something to say.

Billiards

2011-03-04T02:01:00.001+08:00

I learned how to play billiards while in school, ironically, while I was NOT in classes. It is a sport recently becoming more and more popular in the Philippines especially after the continuous victories of international players Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Jango" Bustamante. Their legendary wins prompted many Filipinos both young and old to play billiards. There are three main types of billiards: carom billiards, pocket billiards (also known as pool), and snooker. Carom billiards is played with three balls, a cue ball and two object balls, on a pocketless table; scoring is by caroms only, i.e., by causing the cue ball to strike the object balls in specified ways. Pocket billiards is played with 15 object balls and a cue ball on a table with six pockets; the essential object of the game is to cause the object balls to enter the pockets. Snooker is similar to pocket billiards, except that it uses 21 object balls and smaller pockets. In earlier days, it is considered as a man's sport since billiard tables are most oftenly found on bars and men's clubs. Recently however, more women are involved with the game and in fact in fair competition with men. It just takes a steady hand, strategy, and geometry familiarity in order to play this very enjoyable game.

The Art of Being Alone

2011-03-03T00:56:00.000+08:00

Many people abhor being alone. They get easily bored and they try to find something better to do with their time. Most people even avoid eating out alone since it may prompt pity from others that you are someone who cannot find anyone to eat with. But being alone is sometimes a rare gift especially in this noisy crowded world. We must learn how to relax and tune-in to our inner selves. Certain people find special happiness just sitting alone in a park, walking alone by the beach, or having coffee alone in a shop. I admit I am one of those people. Although I do love parties and crowds, I find it soothing to be by myself at times, assessing life and basically thinking about things that have come to pass or things that are yet to happen. It is in these solitary moments that we can reexamine ourselves and replenish our inner strengths.

Thinking = cooking?

2011-03-03T00:42:00.000+08:00

Thinking is like cooking. Sometimes you turn up the heat to expedite cooking but in the end, the food is not as flavorful as it was supposed to be. Many dishes taste better after long, slow cooking. Therefore, whenever you are faced with a problem, it is better to let it "simmer"in your subconscious for a while and go about your normal activities. Stressing yourself to come up with answers on the spot may work at times, but it can become quite exhausting. Turn to your subconscious mind for help. Like a stove in low flame, you can place your problem and finish the "cooking" process more effectively. Many scientists and artists made their best work and discoveries while doing daily mundane tasks like while on a bath, taking a hike, or just somewhere else other than the desk. So cook it up, take a break, and find the answers.

Does he like me or is he just being nice?

2011-03-03T00:18:00.001+08:00

Every person and situation may be different, but there are some universal signs to know if a guy really likes you or if he's just plain nice.

He stares at you. If you find him looking your way, see if he's really staring at you or merely looking your way, or maybe cross-eyed. Maybe he's a credit investigator or something. Try to find out.

He asks personal questions. Asking the time or the date does not count unless he asks several times in an hour. If he asks questions like, "What do you like for your birthday?" or "Are you looking for a boyfriend now?" it could be a sign, unless he has a geeky brother and you could be in for a set-up.

He compliments you. If he says, "You remind me of my mother", take it as a compliment unless he hates his mother, in which case he may have emotional problems. When he says, "You don't need to diet, you look great", especially if you're 4'11 and 200 lbs, then it's a significant compliment.

He does extra helpful things. If he helps you finish your sandwiches, think again. Maybe he's only interested in your sandwich. However, if you needed to submit a report and he doesn't mind working until 3am and still has to go home in a shanty town where you get shot for smiling, then this guy is not just in love... He's crazy.

And you're crazier for not knowing he likes you.

Dieting makes you dumb?

2011-03-02T23:50:00.000+08:00

Dieting makes your thinking less than razor sharp, according to the Institute of Food Research Laboratory in England. Researchers took a group of healthy women who were trying to shed a few pounds and tested their mental quickness on tasks like hitting a button in response to certain words. On the days they were dieting, the women performed worse than they did when they were not. Why? The reasons are said to be psychological. You're worried about losing weight right away and it consumes a lot of energy and mental space. Researchers, however, say that once you get used to the diet, your normal "smarts" should return.

Chris Medina in American Idol...

2011-03-02T17:14:00.003+08:00

I heard about this story from a friend who is a fan of American Idol. This video is of Chris Medina, a contestant with a great voice but a tragic story. A story that inspired me to believe that real love and commitment do exist. Chris has been with his girl Julia for 6 years and were engaged to be married until two months before their wedding, when Julia had a car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. They even had the video of his proposal at Starbucks where Julia had worked. After the accident, everything changed. But Chris went on with the engagement, stuck by her side and became, as her mother related, her number one caregiver. In interviews, Chris quotes, "I was about to make vows just two months from the accident – through thick and thin, 'til death do us part, for better or worse," he said. "What kind of guy would I be if I walked out when she needed me the most?". Touched and inspired like everybody else of his story, Rodney Jerkins wrote a song for him entitled What Are Words . It is a powerful song about making promises and fulfilling them, about telling someone you love that you’ll be there and having them be able to count on you because you said it. Because the words that you say really mean something.

What would you do if you were in his position? It takes great love and faith to continue fighting.

"The night has a thousand eyes, And the day but one; Yet the light of the bright world dies, With the dying sun. The mind has a thousand eyes, And the heart but one; Yet the light of a whole life dies, When love is done."

Risk

2011-02-27T02:00:00.001+08:00

"You can never cross the ocean unless you lose sight of the shore"

A very helpful excerpt provided of course that you would be riding a vessel and not swimming, because in that way, what is the use of losing sight of the shore when you won't last swimming to cross the ocean anyway? Risk is good... Risk takes courage... Risk can make you succeed. But in taking risks, you would also have to weigh the consequences and be aware of what you are capable of in order to achieve success. There is a difference between risking because you have the courage and risking because you are stupid or simply do not care. In business, the bigger the risk, the bigger the returns you get when you succeed. But businessmen do not gamble away money and assets just for the hell of it. It takes certain amount of research coupled with intuition to back up these risks. When you risk, it is better to expect the worst so that when you don't get to win, you would be ready to face the losses. In life, you take every kind of risk. You risk being hit by a bus when you cross the street, you risk heartbreak when you commit into a relationship, you risk side effects when you drink your medicine... But of course you don't cross the street when the light is green, you don't commit yourself to a well-known rake, nor drink medicine without consulting the doctor. Like everything else in life, risking has its merits... provided that you respect its limits.

Marriage

2011-02-27T01:24:00.001+08:00

What is happening to the world! Everybody is getting married! I say this maybe because it seems that I'm the only one who isn't. How many women around the world envisioned their perfect wedding? I see my perfect wedding as standing by the beach in my flowing spaghetti-strapped white dress with garlands in my head and white tulips in my hands. I walk down the aisle to the sound of "Standing Right Next to Me by Karla Bonoff" being sang by the choir and my dream man waiting at the end (probably with tears in his eyes caused by happiness) all the while gazing at me with love in his eyes. The sun setting in the horizon as the wind carries all my fears, all my disappointments, all the loneliness of the past from my chest. And voila! that's it. We live happily ever after. End of story. Yeah right, that's not how marriage works. Marriage is not a one-time choice you make. You don't just think on it and say "yes" to the proposal and expect everything else to work out because you've already made your choice. In a marriage, you make choices everyday. The children are whining, the house is in shambles, you meet your gorgeous neighbor, you suspect your husband is cheating, bills need to be paid and you fall short on cash... The list goes on and on. There will always be someone more perfect who will come along. There will always be an opportunity of a better life that will present itself. But you make the choice of staying and committing yourself to the marriage. I have heard a very moving speech on a wedding I attended. The bride said that she was sure she found the right man because he is her "anyway man." That no matter what happens, no matter what hurtful things they might say, no matter what imperfection she might see in him, she loves him "anyway". That is marriage. It is committing yourself to the person you love and continuously loving him no matter what. It is a decision you make everyday through good or bad times. It is a lifetime choice.

no arms... no legs... no worries

2011-02-27T00:08:00.005+08:00

video part 1
video part 2

I would like to share with you this video about one of the most admirable men I have come across with. Far from ordinary, a man from Australia born with no arms and legs. He went beyond rising to the challenge that fate has dealt him and inspired thousands of people. I cannot help the tears from falling...

We are bereaved when others taunt us... But what degree of mockery did he withstand?
We grumble about things we cannot buy... But what use are things when you don't have the means to use them?
When we are ignored by loved ones, we get broken... How much more rejections has he faced?
We curse life, we curse fate, we curse God... Yet the man who has most reasons to do so embraces life... Preaches hope... Advocates faith.

Love on the internet?

2011-02-26T03:15:00.002+08:00

Online dating is big business, and growing more and more in credibility every year. Surveys claim that 50% of single people believe they will meet a suitable partner this way. The stain from dating agencies seems to have gone, and more people are attracted by the advantages of online dating. This type of dating provides the privacy to look around from the comforts of their own home and not needing to go to an actual dating agency office, which in turn would take a lot of courage. Of course, there are many areas of life in which the internet seems to be taking over like classified ads in selling cars, finding houses, and planning holidays. But the boom in online dating is not simply a more efficient and flexible way of doing things that we would otherwise have done. It reflects an essential shift in how people are encouraged to think about their personal relationships and organize their personal lives... with intimacy acted out in public and subject to the norms one might associate with buying a car, a house, or a holiday. The fashion for finding “love online” represents a redefinition of what we mean by “love”. No longer is love a spontaneous emotion, an extraordinary state of being, a necessary evil on the path to self-fulfillment. Rather, it is remolded as a therapeutic practice... Something to be planned and managed in the way one might plan and manage one's career, in the awareness that it might not last forever and moving on is no bad thing. People seeking love online might not be looking to develop an emotional CV, but that is what the process sells them. Search a guy, interview, and hire.

how do I talk to women?

2011-02-26T02:35:00.000+08:00

Are you the type of person who blanks out when faced with your crush? Do you sweat like crazy when a woman you like sits next to you in a bar? Unlike popular opinion, it's actually pretty easy to approach women and initiate conversation. The problem is being able to continue the conversation and get them interested in what you have to say. As you probably know, once you run out of things to say, the conversation is finished! Bye bye romance... Potential lovelife... poof! So what's the solution? Well the truth is it's simple to find topics of conversation. All you have to do is ask a woman a few questions about herself then relate them to stories from your own life. As you probably know, women LOVE interesting and funny stories. You can take advantage of this trait by relating events from your past and tying them up to her own experiences. The best way to get started is to craft your own stories. No matter what your life has been like at this point, you've probably had atleast a few interesting stories. The important thing is to put a humorous and higher status slant on each story. A great story should follow the same format and presentation as a great joke. Obviously your goal is to craft these stories WELL before you meet women. In fact, practice them enough so you can build drama and humor each time you tell them. Now when you're talking to a woman, you can literally "fish" for conversation topics. Simply ask women questions about her background and interests. Then look for topics which you can relate to one of your stories. All you have to do is demonstrate the common thread between your experiences and her life. This type of conversation works well because you're relating something from your own life to something she has done. Furthermore if you tell your story well, you can demonstrate core traits like humor and high status. In addition, since you're making a connection to a shared interest, it'll increase your chances of developing rapport. It's human nature to like people who are similar to ourselves. So a woman will like you because your stories will show how much you have in common. So if you want to increase your conversation success, then I recommend you craft a few interesting stories from your own life. Then when you first meet a woman, you can latch on to her experiences and relate them to the exciting things you've done in your life. Ofcourse, nobody likes a liar and women can smell miscreants so you must tell real stories about you because anything less and you would be cheating yourself in finding the right woman for you . You may not know it, but maybe that woman you’ll sit beside the bus next time might be THE one and you would want to be ready for it.

beauty or brains?

2011-02-26T01:49:00.002+08:00

If you were given the choice, would you choose to be beautiful but dense? Or an ugly genius? What is really more essential in life? Would it that this question be asked in a beauty pageant, the typical answer would be that the mind makes a person seem more beautiful. But does society in actuality really believe this? Beauty impels attention, but so does a bright mind. Jobs demanding beauty are as well paid as jobs requiring intelligence. People make fun of physical flaws but also look down on idiocy. Maybe on that score, an idiot may be less affected because he does not understand the mockery he's being subjected to. As a result, he has less reason to acquire insecurities and self-doubts. But on the other hand, being beautiful instigates vanity whereas quick thinking and wit endears a person to others. So which then is better? Being dumb enough and not knowing you're the butt of jokes or being too smart thus assimilating just how your ugliness matters? Pretty ugly pictures of each right? Both may be positive traits but encourage intimidation and negativity. Maybe that is why there is a balance to life. A lot of white is overly bright whereas an abundance of black gives darkness. So next time you see a gorgeous girl or an Einstein replica, don't go pointing at the heavens and cursing fate... Think a moment... Everything at the extreme is detrimental. =)

Jobs

2011-02-25T23:01:00.001+08:00

People regard jobs in different perspectives. Most people see it as a means to earn money. Some to find fulfillment... Some to have power... And for some lucky few born in the higher echelons of life, to just pass the time. For most of us lucky enough to have the means to finish our studies and get degrees, landing a decent job is the ultimate goal of the years we've spent studying our asses off. As a student, I did my best to earn good grades but never really grasped the idea of the "real world" looming at the end of my university life. The "real world" is full of the pressures of proving yourself, of competition, of politics in the workplace and diverse people with conflicting interests. In our country, where job opportunities are scarce and two out of three Filipinos are unemployed, you go through rejections and disappointments that the weak of heart would surely concede defeat. Cutthroats meander the corporate world that you always have to be at the top of your game and be steadfast in your goals. You work your hardest but still sometimes you get beaten. You move on, work even harder, and learn. Until the time comes when your efforts are rewarded. It is the sweetest thing to receive a raise for a job well done; to be praised by superiors for great performance; to earn the respect of your colleagues; to simply reap the fruits after a tough grind. People often say, "it is only a job". But our jobs define us. Our performances, our goals, our drive, our priorities define who we are and how we view life itself. It does not matter what kind of job you have or how much money you earn but the important thing is how your job makes you feel and how a job molds you as a person. Two persons who earn little may be molded by a job differently. One may stay content and one might be motivated to strive harder. One may hate serving others and one might be honored by it. How you view your job defines you. That is why it is important to find your niche. Find something you know you're good at and somewhere you know you would be happy in. A job is not viewed as work if you enjoy what you're doing and feel duly rewarded and "seen" for your efforts.

Hundred Islands

2011-02-24T00:30:00.000+08:00

A trip to Hundred Islands National Park and its home, Alaminos City, is a great diversion from the hustle and bustle of the busy, urban life. Definitely one of the highlights of Philippines’ ecotourism, it is about 7 hours away north of Manila. The long drive was definitely worth it by the time we got there. On our way to Lucap, we passed by the San Jose drive to view the old colonial houses in the area. We booked a room at the Maxine by the sea lodge which I can say is rather decent with air conditioning, two queen-sized beds and cable tv. We arrived around 1pm and spent that first day enjoying the view of the islands from a far while relaxing by the sea deck at Maxine's. We bought some souvenirs by the Lucap Wharf and visited the Pantalan lighthouse; "pantalan" meaning pier or port. While we sit by the port talking, I was able to capture the amazing sun set view. We had dinner at Maxine and I must say I was disappointed because I was expecting much from the good reviews about the place and the food turned out a little bland and much too pricey basing on the lack of taste and flavors. The next day, we got up before dawn to capture the sun rise and partook of our free breakfast. The breakfast was a big improvement as compared to dinner since we chose the Filipino style breakfast consisting of one viand (longganisa, bangus, tocino, etc..), 2 eggs, rice and juice. We boarded our rented boat around 7am to start our tour of the islands. The nearest islands from the Lucap Wharf are Sulpot Island, Monkey Island, Abad Santos Island and Hernandez Island, which are all 15 to 20 minutes away. The major (and developed) islands, Children's, Governor's and Quezon can be reached after a 25 to 45-minute boat ride. Our first stop was the Quezon Island. It is one of the most developed islands and is known to have the best swimming beach. (personally, I would prefer the more fine sand and secluded beach of the Governor's Island) Quezon Island is the best destination for families as there are two dining pavilions and grilling areas. There is a bridge that leads to a viewing deck on the other side of the island and a giant clam and coral nursery close to one of the dining pavillions. We snorkeled near the island where giant clams can be seen and it was remarkable! We passed by the Children's Island and Turtle Island on our way. Children's Island was amply named because of its shallow waters mostly knee-deep, making it safe for children. It is also mostly for budget travelers as it consists only of screened bedrooms with electricity, fresh water and linens. Kerosene lighting is provided for after 12 midnight. We continued on and went spelunking on Cuenco Cave which is also ideal for campers as it provides big spaced shelter where travelers can pitch their tents. Of the 3 major islands, my favorite was the Governor's Island. It is the only island there who keeps a guesthouse ideal for family use. We took the hundred or so steps up to the viewing deck where you can behold the majestic view of the hundred islands... It was breathtaking. There is also the popular Pinoy Big Brother house situated at the middle of the island giving a great view of the shoreline and nearby islands as well. The beach at Governor's island was like a dream. Very secluded and picturesque with fine white sand and great rock formations. You could also have a shot at scuba diving since Alaminos houses great marine life and equipments and lessons are being offered on the governor's island It was a trip really worth the effort and money. No doubt about it, Hundred Islands is truly an awe-inspiring beauty to the ones who experience it.

Club Balai Isabel

2011-02-23T19:52:00.000+08:00

It was my birthday that day and my friends and I were looking for someplace near just to unwind and be together. I scanned the internet and came up with this amazing resort with breathtaking views. We booked for an overnight stay. When we got there, it was as it seemed on the photos.. beautiful indeed! Lush vegetation welcomes guests as soon as they enter and it offers an up-close and personal view of the lake and its world-famous volcano. This picturesque setting makes it a popular wedding and pre-nuptial photoshoot destination. We were given a room in the Orchard Lane with 4 double beds and a kitchen. The clubhouse is at the heart of the resort and looks out over the infinity pool and the lake and volcano beyond it. The resort offers numerous big-sized pools, all situated to provide a great view of the taal volcano. It is also great for company outings and large corporate gatherings since they offer needed facilities and function rooms. Water activities are also available like kayak and jet skis and a trip to the taal volcano by motor boats. We lolled by the pool, basked in the serenity of the place and I must say that our mere overnight stay was not enough. The only thing I could impart a negative comment on was the food served at the restaurant. It was really bland and pricey. However, the resort allows guests to bring their own food and each room is equipped with a kitchen and needed utensils. This place for me is a perfect getaway and I must say.. brides to be.. take it down for your future weddings.

Rizal

2011-02-23T19:03:00.000+08:00

There are so many places and must-sees in Rizal that I have yet to explore. One particular visit took me to the

Thunderbird Resort in Rizal which is a few miles outside of Manila. It is a Mediterranean-inspired hotel that isn't really that big but has some of the facilities needed if you're a leisure traveler. They have a casino which is one of its main attractions. Their rooms are quite big and spacious as compared to hotels in Manila and they offer suites with 2 double sized beds. There is also a golf course (east ridge), a driving range, clean pool with a round pool jacuzzi type, a little playground for kids, pool restaurant and free wifi (intermittent connection in the afternoon). They also serve really great food and breakfast buffet. One thing that separates the staff at Thunderbird was that they were all super hospitable and accommodating. It is a resort that purports first class treatment. Thumbs up to Thunderbird Resort Rizal.

Antipolo

2011-02-23T18:43:00.000+08:00

Antipolo is one of the nicest place near the Metro to visit, whether to hang out on the popular bars dotted along the city, chill out on coffee shops overlooking the great view, or visiting the numerous resorts the city has to offer. I've been to Antipolo countless times,one of which was to visit the Villa Cristina resort which I could say is a disappointing experience. It was very fortunate that I had really enjoyed the company I was with or I might consider the outing as a waste of time and money. We checked in for an overnight stay then and it was indeed a big place and has a nice view overlooking the whole metro since Antipolo is set in high altitude. The view was indeed astounding, but the pools are not as great as I expected and were only open until 11pm. They only have about 3 pools, big in size but are not very clean when we got there.
The hotel rates were reasonable, though I have to say that the hotel room is not very clean, the toilet bowl is stained, and the shower floors are not as presentable as others I have seen. The bed sheets are not as “white” too. I felt as if there was something in the sheets that kind of made me feel itchy at times. Not to be too demanding, but the first thing I noticed was that the room is not very spacious, there was no television, the cabinets were not clean because we found some tissue left-over when we opened them.
Talking about the resort, it is clean as a whole, leaving out the details of the hotel rooms of course. The cottages would have been a great place if you are not very particular where you would be able to leave your things unattended. As a whole, the Villa Christina Resort and Hotel is an acceptable place to relax, enjoy the view and be with good friends, but more preferable for a day tour excursion.

Subic

2011-02-23T17:59:00.000+08:00

I have been to Subic a number of times and been to White Rock Resort twice. That first time, our annual company outing was held at White Rock and I was really excited to go since it has great reviews and seems like a very nice place. The sights were wonderful but our place was not that impressive. The hotel itself was quite simple and comparing to accommodation prices, I felt as though it was not adequate. We also had to wait awhile before our rooms were prepared which infuriated most of us since the place we were asked to wait was scorching hot. Though it is an open field, the trees and plants were not enough to make it a cooler place. As for the beach, it is very clear and inviting. I dipped my feet through the water and felt it calming my nerves. Since it is noon time, I did not take the risk of swimming under the hottest sun. The sand was fine and white as advertisements boast. There is a vast range of water activities to choose from like banana boats, jet skis, and kayaks and a lot of entertainment to occupy yourself with. Overall, it is one of the best places to visit in Subic especially for beach bummers like me.

Corregidor

2011-02-23T17:20:00.000+08:00

Corregidor is one of the best historical spots I've been into. The place itself is scenic and very well maintained and they have preserved the original barracks and mortars used during the war. We took a short ferry ride at the docks near CCP and arrived in Corregidor around 8am. Tranvias (named after the electric trams that criss-crossed Manila before the war) were waiting for us as we alighted to tour us around the place. There used to be a bike rental shop on the island, before the one-two punch of injury liability and the Asian Currency Crisis of 1997 shut it down. Bikes are still welcome on the island, provided you bring your own. We were assigned one tour guide per tranvia to walk us through history and explain the story behind the place. The first stop on the tour was the Middleside Barracks, a large military barracks made up of two three-story buildings which was referred to as the Middleside Barracks because it was constructed in the middleside sector of the island. Personnel of the 60th Coast Artillery Regiment and the 91st Philippine Scout Coast Artillery Regiment were billeted in these barracks. It was also briefly occupied by elements of the 4th Marine Regiment upon their arrival in Corregidor on December 1941. We were able to snap a few photos and then went on with the tour. Battery Way was the first gun emplacement that I saw on the island. I was able to climb around on the guns and go into the ordnance storage facilities. An interesting bit of trivia that I learned while on the tour was that there used to be a railroad network on the island which was used for transport of all the ordnance to the different batteries. Battery Hearn was the finest gun to see on the island for several reasons. First, it was the largest gun on the island. Also, when the Japanese captured the island from the American forces they took a photo of their troops standing around the gun to be used for propaganda. Battery Grubbs and Battery Crockett were known as "disappearing guns" because they could disappear from sight after firing. After seeing the major batteries in Corregidor, we headed to the part of the island known as Topside. It is the highest geographic sector on the island where the terrain elevation above sea level ranges from about 400 feet and higher. Topside is said to be the nerve center of the island fortress. It is where you will find the ruins of the Mile-Long Barracks, Post Headquarters, Cine Corregidor, and a number of buildings previously used as quarters for bachelor officers as well as the senior officers of the garrison. All the major gun emplacements are also located around this high ground. The parade ground, a small golf course, the old Spanish flagpole, and the reconstructed Spanish lighthouse are similarly located at Topside. The more recently constructed buildings and structures that are now found at Topside are the Pacific War Memorial Dome, sculpture of the Eternal Flame of Freedom, and the museum. By noon, we were all famished and we ate our lunch at the Corregidor Hotel and the food was actually really good, although it might have tasted that way since I was extremely hungry. After lunch we drove up to see the site of a former Japanese Cemetery. The American forces created the cemetery when they recaptured the island from the Japanese in WWII. After 40 years of jungle growth, the exact location of the cemetery became unknown. In 1985 a photograph of an unknown American GI standing at the entrance of the cemetery was found in Oregon, and historians and archeologists were able to pinpoint the cemetery's location. With the permission of the Filipino Government, the remains were exhumed and returned to Japan in 1986. Today the site is a Japanese Memorial Garden. Also, a great 10-foot statue of a lady Buddha stands at one area representing fertility. We also went up to see the Spanish Lighthouse. From here I was able to have a view of Corregidor Island, Manila Bay (sight of the famous Battle of Manila Bay fought between the US and Spanish naval forces), the South China Sea, Bataan Peninsula, and Cavite. The final stop on our tour was the Malinta Tunnel. Construction of the tunnel took about 10 years. The tunnel has been dug through solid rock and offered complete protection from artillery or air attack. Command communications and medical units were located there. The tunnel was originally designed to house huge quantities of ammunition, food and supplies, and an underground hospital with a 1,000-bed capacity. The location of the tunnel beneath Malinta Hill made it ideal as a bomb-proof headquarters for the embattled Filipino and American defenders of Corregidor during World War II. During the siege of Corregidor, a number of shops and storage areas were added. The tunnel complex was described as damp and poorly ventilated and except for the hospital, it was not designed to quarter humans. Although it was safe inside, morale of the personnel was lower than elsewhere in Corregidor. Our tour guide also told of the story about the Japanese soldiers caught inside the tunnel. American troops barricaded the tunnel trapping the Japanese with no other option but to surrender. The Japanese, valiant and fearless to the end, committed suicide by bombing themselves and destroying most of the laterals of the tunnel. Overall, although pretty exhausting, the trip to Corregidor Island was awesome. I have learned so much about history and empathized with the hardship that the Filipino and American troops went through during the war. I would recommend the trip to any age group as it has something for everyone. The trolley makes it easy to travel for the young and old. If given the opportunity to come back, I'd like to try to stay overnight at the hotel and spend two days there so I can explore more of the island as there were tons more we were not able to explore and do.

Lobo

2011-02-23T16:05:00.000+08:00

There are many resorts and must-sees in Batangas and one place earning more popularity is Lobo. The place is accessible and just about 2-3 hour drive from Manila. You can loll about beaches with flesh-white sand and clear waters. Though only a few barrios have unearthed the beauty of its shorelines, the coastline of Sawang, Malabrigo, Olo-Olo and Soloc are where pleasant beaches can be found. Far from the daily pressure of your work, you can put in some adventure to that busy lifestyle as you visit the far and beyond viewing the beautiful shoreline and sceneries aboard motor bancas that are available for rent. Certain beaches are suitable for snorkeling, diving and underwater photography. About fifteen meters from the seaboard, water is clear, and one can view a fish at knee-deep waters. Different sea creatures can be sighted at shallow waters. Flying fish hopping in harmony is a common spectacle. Although the roads leading to Lobo are bumpy, and resorts in the area are quite undeveloped, one should consider visiting Lobo as a perfect retreat for beach lovers aiming for a quiet break.

Zambales

2011-02-20T01:43:00.000+08:00

If you still aren’t in on the secret, there are actually beautiful and cheap beach getaways in Zambales. Most popular of these islands are the Anawangin Cove and Nagsasa Cove.

We love these beaches because they’re just three to four hours away from Manila, very cheap to go to, great to photograph, not a lot of people know about them which means they’re technically unspoiled, and because they’re just simply beautiful. Don’t know what to expect from these Zambales getaways? The more popular among the two, Anawangin Cove is a favorite among campers and mountaineers. The beach soft, grayish white sand (your feet will sink as you walk along) with dark greenish blue waters (which was not salty at all and tasted like freshwater) and surrounded by palm trees and imposing mountains much like the landscape you see in Switzerland. Waves are usually strong here especially at noon, but we were blessed with calm waters during our visit. There’s an undercurrent here too which is the main culprit for the reported drowning incidents. However, there are absolutely no facilities in these virgin islands. No electricity, drinking water, and no signals on cellphones. You have to be ready with your own supplies if you're planning on staying the night. If you don’t mind paying a minimal fee though, you can access the area with a makeshift shower and a water pump that you have to share with other vacationers. You ask me, what is the fuss all about? The scenery here is not something you’d normally see in the Philippines. The lovely combination of the pristine beach, the lush mountains and the surrounding palm trees create a secluded vibe. Behind the beach is a beautiful lake, which is home to small fishes and which rare birds frequent. Now although less popular than Anawangin since it’s farther, Nagsasa Cove is way more beautiful. Light blue waters with hints of light green matched with glistening grayish white sand will greet you as you approach the cove. The beach is calm as well, with most parts of it cold. On both sides of the beaches are majestic mountains. A lush forest faces the beach as well, its trees producing a gentle yet whooping descending sound when the wind passes by. Just like Anawangin, no facilities are to be expected but there are some houses inhabited by locals where you can ask for some kind of assistance. The scenery is exceptional here too. From the beach, you can see the various mountains surrounding the cove, the clouds overhead adding to the charm of the scenery as they form shadows over the mountains. An even more beautiful lake is a must-visit here, which provides an exceptional view of a mountain with stunning slopes, an imposing beauty in the seemingly secluded area. As in Anawangin, palm trees dot the area below the mountains providing a beautiful rustic scenery that’s really very unique in our country . The mountain is the center of attention in Nagsasa Lake, in full view, standing in all its glory for vacationers to see. Anawangin and Nagsasa Coves are best for camping trips since there are no resorts in the area. However, you can stay at nearby resorts in the town of Pundaquit and rent a boat to take you to the beaches. A getaway filled with fun and relaxation. You really must try it.

Time Will Come

2011-02-17T22:08:00.000+08:00

Everybody has problems. Everybody has bad times. But do we need to sacrifice our good times because of this? Sometimes we need to be introverts or be emotional about the things that bother us. Why? Because it's normal. Besides, in that way, we can think and come up with a better plan. Not all the time should we be happy especially when things are not the way we expect. But don't lose hope, and don't give up. We should not ignore the yin-yang principle.
There is always time for everything. :)

Hope for the Cruel World

2011-02-17T21:54:00.000+08:00

There are times that I sit in a park and look around me...I see people of different age hurrying along doing their normal day to day activities. I observe them portraying different stations in life with their wardrobes or even the way they carry themselves. Everything seems in order. The world seems peaceful. But the media discloses how bad the world turned out to be. They make you witness crime after crime that sometimes you can hardly cope up. You cannot begin to imagine such a thing can be done nor can you swallow the fact that you are within the same circle as these animals that God actually created to be human beings. They come up with various ways to raise themselves above others, ways to intentionally harm others, ways to use another for their own benefit regardless of who, how, when, where and why they do so. From rich and powerful individuals to poor and lowly commoners...they have their own ways of being ruled by the devil. I know of someone who shamefully used her power to her own advantage. She unwittingly dangled her name to probable disgrace when found out but she was blinded by vanity, by money. She failed to care for the teachings, she ignored what is right, she disregarded the norms of the society. She and her family may have enjoyed the fruit of the dishonesty for a few months but now is paying the debt with humiliation and damage in reputation for the deed cannot stay unknown. No secret can be left hidden for so long, there always is a leak. The wicked will do everything to succeed, they will use everything and say anything to win. And they usually target the weak, and abuse the righteous. Types of crimes are known in varying classifications depending on their style, "budol-budol gang", "dugo-dugo gang", "akyat-bahay gang"...probably differently called in different languages but they all are the same - CRUEL, SELFISH, SINFUL, ROTTEN, EVIL!

Majayjay

2011-02-15T20:46:00.000+08:00

I never understood why people love camping. You forego the simple comforts of a nice bathroom, of the easy way you cook food atop the stove, and the softness of a real bed. These are the very reasons I decided to take a day tour trip instead of sleeping over as my office mates have planned when we went to Majayjay Falls. I've never heard of it but I was told it was quite famous. Little did I know, the trip takes up half a day, one way. We had to take a long bus ride and two short jeepney rides. By the time we got there, it was already past noon and we still have to take the twenty-minute hike into the falls. As we alighted, there were several rooms for rent scattered, mini market and stores, and tents for rent. The way into the falls is pretty easy as some of the trail has already been cemented due to the frequent tourists visiting the place. We set our tents up, cooked the food we bought from the nearby market, and dipped into the very cold water of the falls. By that I mean freezing cold but fresh all the same. Our teeth were chattering when we emerged from the water but it was refreshing after our dusty ride. Dusk was fast approaching and campers began to get their camp fires going. We amused ourselves with conversation and drank-in the solemnity of nature. There is total stillness and silence and a feeling of unreality which only the mountains provide. It is enjoyable sitting around with friends beneath the camp fire and feeling the cool earth beneath the tent. In the middle of the night however, the stars started disappearing and clouds became overcast. We fear of rain because we were very close to the river and the current is getting pretty strong. We were also closeted on the other side of the water that we would be trapped in case the strong current rises. We decided to pack up and rent a room offered at the start of the trail going into the falls. It was pitch dark and all we have are weak flashlights. It was a terrifying trek back due to the strong current and because I cannot see much of the trail. Paranoia also sets in to some as branches everywhere makes a person with an overactive imagination very apprehensive. We spent the night on one of the rented rooms. The next morning, we visited the sights around the falls and took pictures. In a way, it was a nice place because it brings you closer to nature. However, it has to be better maintained to preserve it and not be destroyed by tourists who frequent the place. My rating? 5 in a scale of ten being a great place to visit.

Tagaytay

2011-02-15T20:14:00.000+08:00

Being a tropical country, we often find ourselves craving for some respite from the overwhelming heat, humidity, and pollution of the city. That is particularly why I've always liked Tagaytay. Although I love beaches and the surf more, it is nice to visit high atop the mountains without having the tiresome trekking involving mountaineering. The cool air you get from the high altitude, the food, the serenity, the scenery, and the partying at night makes this place very popular. One particular day, some friends and I decided to go on an impromptu road trip. We visited Picnic Grove to check out the zip line. Although being a short ride, it was very exhilirating and the view was spectacular. The rush of being strapped on the harness and taking that first step onto the slide is quite memorable. After the slide, we took the cable car going back. Aside from the sights, Tagaytay is famous for the exceptional food particularly the Bulalo and the mushroom burger. Restaurants like Josephine's, Antonio's, Sonya's garden, Bag of beans, Amira, and Viewsite are among my favorites. In addition, whenever we visit the place, we choose to chill out at Starbucks which offers a great view of Taal atop their terrace seats wherein you sip your coffee with the cold breeze while listening to jazz music... Very relaxing indeed. After the slide, we decided to proceed to Calaruega which has been one of the most sought after wedding venues. It is a church atop a mountainous incline surrounded by colorful flora and fauna in an intimate and serene setting. We also visited the church of the Pink Sisters from which the nuns wearing pink habits have dedicated ascetical lifestyles and the most angelic singing voices. There is an altar in that church from which you could leave your written prayers and wishes and from which will be prayed over by the nuns. When the sun has set and dusk approaches, the night life in Tagaytay comes alive. People swarm in bars with various popular bands, others go dancing, others spend intimate moments on dinner dates, and others spend all their money in the casinos. No doubt about it, Tagaytay is a must see with diverse activities and entertainments. Done with our road trip, we headed home... Thinking about the next time we get tired of the city and come back to this great chill out haven.

Laiya

2011-02-13T15:20:00.000+08:00

Okay, so my office mates and I have been planning on going away for the weekend for how many months now and nothing has come of it. Finally, the day has come and we decided to go to Laiya Batangas because it is more accessible and only about 3-4 hours ride tops right? Wrong. We rented a van in Ortigas to drive us straight to San Juan Batangas and from there, we could take the jeep into the resort. It took us 5-6 hours because of heavy traffic, a god-awful jeepney driver who waited until every last ounce of space of the vehicle has been filled and who overcharged us when we asked to rent the whole jeep, and taking another jeep that traversed into very rocky and dusty roads. We finally arrived before sunset on Sabangan Resort. The place itself was quite small and simple. We had a little trouble with the accommodation because there's been a mix up with the reservations. Thinking that I would implode any moment due to frustration, the owner finally made special arrangements and we were given the cottage with a kitchen. It was fun mostly because of the company but I must say that I am very disappointed with the beach and resort itself. The beach was not pure white and cluttered with fishing boats and gear. That day, we went to the nearby market to buy supplies and food, cooked our dinner and relaxed. We amused ourselves by playing cards, singing songs on the videoke machine and having some drinks. I got a bit flustered because I have this weird fear of reptiles and there are tons of lizards milling about and I kept hearing the dreadful sound of "tuko!" by the trees. It was a very unsettling night for me. The next day, we went snorkeling and island hopping. It was great! The water was clear with many colorful fishes. We spent our day lolling by the beach and visiting other resorts like La Luz, which was really very beautiful and has a rather well maintained beach front. We took our dinner that day on the nearby resort and the prices are quite affordable. The morning after, we went to the barangay municipal hall to hire a guide and explore the mountains. We were planning on seeing the Naambon Falls which was said to be the source of electricity of the town. We walked for about 30 mins from the municipal hall to the foot of the mountain and it was really a very humid day. The trek up the mountain was a bit tricky since there is no definite trail and a very narrow dirt path of which one misstep leads to a hundred foot drop. I have slept very little, had a bit of a hangover, and have become dehydrated. No wonder that just when we were nearing the falls, I became really dizzy and had to stop by the shade. A few minutes more and we reached the falls. Very thin falls I must say. Other more experienced climbers continue on to reach the peak of Mt Daguldol. The trek back down was trouble-free and we went back on a more sedate pace. It was still early by the time we got back, so after eating lunch, we decided to snorkel and island hop again and see the other sights we missed the first time. We strolled along the islands, and took pictures. Going back to our resort, we passed by other groups having parties and bonfires. It was an amazing weekend even with the mishaps. You just have to pick a good resort, in this case, I must suggest La Luz. But all in all, Laiya is a good place for relaxation and a quick get away... Excluding the reptiles of course.

island cove

2011-02-13T14:23:00.000+08:00

Looking for someplace near the metro where you can unwind, take a dip, play some billiards, see some animals, pedal around and party at night? Well I have just the place. Island Cove in Kawit Cavite. Living in Cavite, I've been on this resort thousands of times and never get tired of it. As I've mentioned, there are so many things to do and this place is perfect for family gatherings, partying with friends, or plain just escaping the stressful everyday life. There are the swimming pools, sports hall, zoo, bike rentals, ktv, bar, spa, fishing village... multitude of attractions that lure both local and foreign tourists. There are 3 big pools that are well maintained and when you've visited the pool area, you can enter the zoo free of charge. The zoo consists of different wild animals and occupies a vast area that the resort offers electric-operated vehicles to aid guests while sight seeing. Guests often also opt to rent bicycles to tour the zoo. There is also the sports hall where you can play billiards, darts, bowling, or rent equipments for volleyball, tennis, basketball, table tennis..etc. For complete relaxation, there is also the superb spa and masseuse treatment place which really does have a very soothing ambiance. Of course for us Filipinos who just loooove singing, there is a KTV bar with very updated songs and offering the most delicious pizza and different snacks. However, the best part for me is the fishing village composed of floating nipa huts built smack in the middle of the sea where you can eat sumptuous food. This is a sure hit especially with the foreigners who would love to eat by the sea while being given the expression of our culture through the food and Filipino singers roaming around and playing Filipino cultural songs. Prices are affordable, however, food cannot be brought in and there are appropriate corkage fees. At night, you can watch different bands perform while having drinks and enjoying the breeze. Quite a lot to do in a day's time. More than worth the trouble of an hour's drive from Manila don't you think?

The game of life

2010-12-28T00:55:00.000+08:00

Heart attacks, auto accidents, mounting debts, work problems... Every conceivable kind of bad news lurks around the corner. No wonder we find it difficult to play the game of life successfully. Each breath we take is a gamble that we won't catch airborne viruses nor inhale dangerous fumes. From the moment we open our eyes in the morning to the time we sleep at night, our lives are filled with danger and disappointment. Think of life in terms of basketball : At times, we might put too much energy on the first quarter and end up too tired to go on the next. At other times, we feel so down and cheated that we want to just stop playing altogether. And oftentimes, we get too aggressive we incur fouls in the early going. The goal is to find a style and strategy in playing the game of life that keeps us in competition.

Kill the reminisce bug

2010-12-28T00:49:00.000+08:00

The attitude that says, "The best of times are all behind us" is demoralizing. It only encourages us to lose interest in what is in front of us and what lays ahead. You start to reminisce about the great past that can never be brought back and be saddened in the process. Nothing good comes of it. When you catch yourself wishing for the "good ol times", make it a point to stop and think of something you like and appreciate about today. Else, think of something you are looking forward to, and get motivated about it. Nothing beats today and tomorrow... So cherish it.

Backbiting

2010-12-28T00:41:00.000+08:00

You can deny having backbitten anyone, reasoning that you always intend to let your opinion of the person be known anyway. You may have created your own definition of backbiting, extending the borders of what is acceptable, to excuse your own behavior. We must realize that backbiting is unforgivable. It is the worst form of hypocrisy. The intention to hurt another is clear. How the object of scorn will be affected depends on the type of person he is. He may even emerge unmarked by your ugly efforts, but you certainly won't. You ruin you own sense of honor, trustworthiness, and credibility. Don't do it. Learn from the consequences of backbiting and banish your insecurities to eliminate the need to damage another's reputation. Improve yourself and channel your energies into productive activities. Backbiting are for people who have nothing better to do.

Let's count our blessings

2010-12-28T00:36:00.000+08:00

At the most desperate moment, when I feel that things can't get any worse, in that darkest hour of hopelessness, I take a deep breath and echo in my head what my mom always says, " count your blessings". But how do you count your blessings when you just lost your job? Have no money in the bank? Just lost the love of your life? Found out your loved one is terminal? How then could you muster the strength to count your blessings? These are the perfect times for us to focus on the good things we have. The pain or dilemma might not go away but it gives us a better perspective of the situation, calm our nerves, think clearly, and act on the problem. When I feel that the world is caving in and my tears of hopelessness are just about to fall, I look at my hands, stretch my fingers, and start to count my blessings. I can talk... I can see... I have a family... I have lots of friends... I am whole and I can cope with this minor setback. Try it... In your darkest hour, at the height of a most unfortunate situation, count your blessings... and begin with your fingers.

Believe in yourself!

2010-12-28T00:28:00.000+08:00

When you make a mistake, you curse yourself to the ground. When a friend betrays you, you are crushed and completely devastated. When you are hit by a set back, you decidedly quit altogether. And that's it. End of the world. But look again... Life goes on. One thing's for sure, the past is gone. No one can relieve it nor get it back. As much as the happiness and the triumphs of the past are gone, so are the failures and the pain. All behind us. If you will choose to dwell on the pain and insist on nursing your depression, you will waste your present and destroy all chances of building a better future. Pain, depression, fear, anger... These negative forces can render the most optimistic person doubtful of his strengths and capabilities. This is where positive thinking comes in. No amount of money, training, genetics, prayer, or persuasion can move a man to do something he thinks he can't do. Have faith in yourself. This is the core of what you have going for you. Trust yourself to remain true to your feelings, steadfast in your desire to reach your goals, and determined to never settle for second best. Believe in yourself. So that whatever life throws at you, you can catch it with strength of spirit and you can come back wiser and more at peace with yourself.

imprisoned heart

2010-12-26T21:04:00.003+08:00

I've watched a thousand sunsets pass
Yet still found yearning in these eyes
Whenever I wish for wings and fly
I soar the darkness in the skies
I've seen countless raindrops fall
Looking for you all these time
As the birds had wings to fly
How I wish, I too, had mine
The red sky burns my fate
Thus, I avoid the setting sun
In hopes that I might find you someway
I wait for the coming dawn
Searching the heavens for answers
As I watch the time pass by
Waiting for an absolution
Of the truth amidst the lies
Devastating lies that cut my wings
Lies that led me into the fall
Like angels on the verge of suicide
Forever trapped in these burning walls..

still...

2010-12-26T21:04:00.001+08:00

I fall silent into this melancholy
Hoping an end to this misery
As shattered pieces of you
Is what is now left in me
I've seen a million raindrops fall
But the answers are so few
I find nothing to suffice this desire
Still haunted by memories of you
You're beyond the reach of just a friend
So I quench my thirst of love with pain
And I subject myself to grief
Just to be with you again
I basked in your memory
As tears fall from my eyes
In hopes that I might find you
I soar the darkest of skies
I am now just a quarter
Of what I used to be
Yet a small part of you is all I need
To make myself feel complete
Now as I retire myself once more
I hope to lay my mind in peace
But in this coming dawn, I wake
And I find... You're still with me.

who I am is you

2010-12-26T21:03:00.001+08:00

Here I am... Lost...
Feeling uninvited...
A feeling of superfluous vulnerability
With emotions unwanted
Lost in a world
Bombarded with ill intentions
Lost in a self
Filled with chaotic sensations
Asking for guidance, needing strength
Unsure of what's to come
Asking help, needing love
Unsure of who I am
And you are the someone
The someone to save me from my fall
The one I prayed for and more
With whom I'm ready to give my all
Find me in my world and make me
Teach me and never let me go
Mold me.. and hold me
And if there's nothing else to make me whole
then go ahead and take me...
Go ahead and break me...
So that you can remake me
Into what you think I should be
For with you I have the chance
With you I can be free
Free to not be me
But what you'd want me to be...

Rain

2010-12-26T20:54:00.000+08:00

We were sitting by the window pane
And I know... It will never be the same again
He looked out, at the skies above
Then he looked at me, whispered softly,
"It looks like rain"
I turned so he won't see

The tears fall from my face
I tell myself it's not meant to be
It's time to cut the chase
As drop by drop, the water splatters

Drumming on the roof, unto the gutters
He quietly hummed their song
In the rhythm of the rain, he droned on and on...
I struggled to shut out the sound
To shut out the feelings inside
The love, only in him I found
Washed away by the rain... carried by the tide
He reaches for the guitar at his feet
Slowly strumming, he murmurs her name
He smiles as each note meets
Not knowing with each strum, my soul cries in pain
The time has come, the time I most fear
And I tried to smile, in vain
I whispered softly so he doesn't hear...
"yes, it feels like rain".

you won't send me roses

2010-12-26T20:48:00.000+08:00

You won't send me roses
Nor remember which dress I wore
You loathe hugs and caresses
You won't even hold open the door
Lacking a romantic soul
Your mind is much too in control
You've a fast -paced life and temper's cross
And with romantic words.. you're at a loss
People tried to warn me, now their warnings I heed
For now I know, with you, forgetting birthdays is guaranteed
In you I could find things like guts and nerve
But not the kind of things that I deserve
A true song with real melody
Someone who shows how he really loves me
You always tell me you need the time... need the energy
To be that person you've always dreamed to be
And I know it's not your fault, for with you it's inbred
So I just have to be strong, and must keep my head.
And if you should love me, please let me be the last to know
For I might settle for less... For the care you can barely show
And while there's still a fighting chance,
I must turn around and go.
For you won't send me roses..
... and roses suit me so.

Mask

2010-12-26T20:41:00.000+08:00

I have this mask that I wear daily
Which protects me from the world, and protects me from me
Behind it I hide, what I really feel
Behind a picture of sunshine, was the shadow of what's real
I seem to lose my sanity
Oh mask.. mask.. I am tired and weary
Weary of hiding fears and weaknesses
with an illusion, a face of happiness
With a world of lies and deceit
The golden world which surrounds me
Putting up the twinkling eyes and brilliant smile
Though deep inside, a soul that cries
A thousand questions fill my mind
Countless answers I search to find
Would this hiding last forever?
Is this life, or is there something better?
How long will this darkness last?
How long must I wear this mask?

Tula para sa iyo

2010-12-26T20:37:00.000+08:00

Pinipilit kong gumawa ng tula
At makabuo ng mga salitang makata
Nang sa gayo'y sa iyo'y mapadama
Masisidhing damdaming aking nadarama
Sinubukan ko ang pagkanta
Upang sa aki'y mapalapit ka
Ngunit wari'y sintunado, wala sa tono
Kaya't sa halip na mapamahal
Heto ako't bigo sa pagibig mo
Sa anong paraan kaya maaaring iparating
Ang aking kalooban at aking pagtingin
Kapag sinayawan kaya'y iyong pansinin?
Mahalin mo kaya kung sarili'y baguhin?
Ngunit paano ko ito maipararating sayo
KUng tuwing nakikita ka'y napipipi at nabobobo?
Natutulala sa iyong mga ngiti
Mga salitang sasabihi'y naiiwan saking mga labi
Higit pang pinahirap ng aking pagiging binibini
Dahilan kaya't damdami'y di masabi sabi
Kinakailangan bang ika'y aking hintayin pa
Na kusang lumapit at magtapat ng pagsinta?
Hindi ako marunong sumayaw at kumanta
Hindi ako marunong bumuo ng tula
Ngunit pagibig ko'y tunay, buo, at nagiisa
Sana'y malaman mo, ikaw lamang, wala nang iba pa...

if you don't love me

2010-12-26T20:30:00.000+08:00

With dreams dreamt by fools
I am caught up in yesterday
Reality and fantasy
These memories from far away
A mind littered with broken dreams
And the madness of having you
A heart filled with wishes
That never quite came true
I detest myself for being weak
Cursing fate for being unkind
For you being so near
Knowing you can't ever be mine
But when I feel the emptiness
And when all my hopes are dying
Again, I would think of you
And my love would keep me trying
But I've done all I could
And everything I thought I couldn't
I am the measure of fools
Hoping for things I know I shouldn't
I hoped that someday you'd feel the same
Even if for now you just won't
But you just can't teach your heart to love me
Because you can't... if you really don't.

After all

2010-12-26T20:25:00.000+08:00

With him moving on
With him, being okay
I have given him my all
But still the one who's left to pay
How many times have I said
That soon I'd give this up
How many questions have I asked
With answers, that I should stop
How much more can I take
Before I can say I've had enough
How much pain must I endure
To break this facade of being tough
Why don't I get tired
Of acting unaffected
How long must I deny
A dream that already ended?
Can I ever accept
That he was the one who gave me up
When will I ever forget
That for him... I wasn't enough?
And why is it that after all the tears
And the pain he'd made me see
After all these time
Till now, he still has all of me.

Too much

2010-12-26T20:20:00.000+08:00

I was there to have fun
But then I saw you
You were something I didn't plan
A longing I never knew
Days passed
And this feeling grew
I became restless
Wishing for even a small part of you
I vowed never again to fall
But with you I'm at my weakest
Content with even a little glance
Would even have settled for less
You're so near, yet so far
For when I stretch my arms I could almost reach you
But you don't even know I exist
Don't even know I'm here loving you
I know I'm fooling myself
Know you're just a dream, a wish, a prayer
And that only when I close my eyes
Could you be with me forever
And now it hurts so much to see
How you're happy with your life without me there
And in your eyes I see my longing
But it's a longing you feel for her
And no matter what she lacks
The million things she might not have
I'd still give everything just to be her
Because she's the one who has your love
And I have to be content
Even if only from afar do I watch
And I have to be okay in loving you
Even if it's a little bit too much.

Faith in you

2010-12-26T20:14:00.000+08:00

My heart tells me
For you, I could give all
But my mind whispers
I'm not ready for the fall
But I can't help myself
I kept giving more
Though knowing I can't make it through
If again I go through what I did before
What is it in you?
That I'm willing to take this chance
Willing to look past shadows
And burning walls askance
Help me to feel again
Remove this callousness left untended
Take away the fears
Of a soul that never mended
I couldn't see the future
I do not know what's on your mind
I do not have the answers
I do not know what I would find
So I leave it all to fate
And hope it wouldn't let us part
And now it's all up to you
Please take care of my heart...

Life's questions

2010-12-26T20:10:00.000+08:00

They say love takes time
But who could ever say?
Who are we to know
For love moves in its own way
We love, we get hurt
Then we are never the same
And we wonder, is there really love?
Or is it all a twisted game?
We ask a million questions
But never seem to get an answer
We wait a lifetime for that someone
But is that someone really there?
Only few remain to hope
And only few would still believe
Most of us received our wounds
But few are left with love to give
We are taught that these are tests
The trials to make us tough
But is there ever an end
Who's there to say we've had enough?
We know we would only lose
But it's easier to succumb to bitterness
For how could we find the strength to fight
If in every loss... we love ourselves less?

I'm sorry

2010-12-26T20:04:00.000+08:00

I'm sorry I can't love you
I'm sorry I can't care
I'm sorry if I don't miss you
Even when you're not there
I'm sorry to forget easily
The things that we have shared
I'm sorry not to think about
The things you do or how you fared
I know you tried to reach me
And tried to make me care
I'm sorry I didn't have that part of me
For you that I could share
I'm sorry if I'm happy
And in not knowing that you cried
I'm sorry if I couldn't see
The pain you suffer and tears you hide
I'm sorry I chose the other
The one with the perfect smile
And I didn't give you a moment
Nor notice you even awhile
These are words I wish you'd utter
The reality I wish weren't true
The truth that left me knowing
That I could never be for you.

saglit lang

2010-12-26T19:59:00.000+08:00

Nakakabaliw!
Nakakainis!
Putangina .. ang sakit sakit!
Nakakaulul!
Nakakapagod!
Pait sa dibdib umaanod
Kailan matatapos
Kailan ang wakas
Ilang gabi pa ba?
Ilan pang bukas?
Itinapon na nga
Lahat ng iyong ala ala
Ngunit sa puso nandoon ka
Pati yun ba'y itatapon na?
Sinubukang kumawala
Sinubukan sa iba
Ngunit lahat sa kanila
Ikaw pa rin ang nakikita
Kaya't kahit mukhang tanga
Anu mang sabihin ng iba
Kahit gaano katagal
Heto pa rin ako't umaasa
Na may iba ka mang mahal
Sana'y kahit kaunti
Puso mo'y ipahiram sakin
Ng kahit sandali.

emoterang frog

2010-12-26T19:55:00.000+08:00

Bakit ganoon
Noo'y hindi ko nadarama
Noo'y kaibigan lamang
Noo'y hindi ko nakikita
Noo'y masaya pa
Ngunit bakit biglang naiba?
At ngayon pag ika'y nakikitang kasama siya
Ang saya'y may poot na kasama
Alam kong hindi magtatagal
Ang pagsasamahang kinaiingatan
Pagka't tayo'y di para sa isa't isa
Nalalapit ang panahon, ako'y iyo ring iiwan
Pinipigilan ang damdamin
Pinipigilan ang puso
Pagtatapat ng pagibig di mo kailanman madidinig
Pagka't alam kong ako'y di para sa iyo
Handa mang ibigay ang lahat
Hinding hindi pa rin mapapantayan
Ang iyong mga hinahanap
Na sa kanya lamang natagpuan
Kaya't tahimik na lamang na magmamahal
Sa malayo na lamang magmamasid
Itatago na lamang ang mga luha
At sasarilihin ang pagibig.

How do you know if it's real?

2010-12-26T19:49:00.000+08:00

Are the tears I cry
Not tears of pain?
Are they only to hide
My fear and shame?
Was it just a trick of fate
Is loving just a lie?
Was the yearning I felt
Just a fruit of my pride?
Was it just a moment
Or a lifetime that passed by
Does real love have questions?
Does real love ask why?
Was it just desperation
That caused my death inside?
Or can it be the real love
The same love that you denied
But I can't accept it to be real
For in being so, it would mean
It is as it was before
And I'm the failure I've always been
But whatever it was
Your memories would always remain
And in my mind, it brings me happiness
Unsure if I'd ever have again.

Lost

2010-12-26T19:44:00.000+08:00

I saw him pass by
As every eyes turned his way
Everybody heaved a sigh
And we all watched him walk away
I never thought I'd feel it
I thought it's just a game
A little time was all it took
And then I was never the same
Although I know I'm a coward
When it comes to love's games
I gathered all my courage
Just to make him feel the same
He did everything right
He made everything good
I felt what I thought I won't again
Coz he treated me like he never should
But never did I know
I fueled his friends' laughter
I was only a joke
A jest that never mattered
He never said goodbye
Never even saw me cry
I searched for answers... I asked why
For when he left, something inside me died
I wish he would insult me... physically hurt me
Anything to stop this longing
I need to hear he doesn't love me... abhors me.
To help me stop pretending
But as I look at him now
I know it is what it seemed
He never cared for me... never would
And he'll forever be a dream
So I tell my friends I'm okay
And fought to save my pride
Pasted on my smile
And made a mask from which I hide
And fervently, I pray to God
To let me let him go
Tried to summon my darkest feelings
But I could never hate him, I know
And as time passed, I found myself again
But his memory I've never forgotten
And despite my pain, I know I'd still choose
To be lost with him again.

Ang Langgam

2010-12-26T19:00:00.000+08:00

Naisip mo na ba
Kung paano ang buhay langgam?
Maghapong nagtratrabaho
Buhat dito, kayod diyan
Ubod ng bigat man ang pasanin
Hala sige, kayod pa rin
Umaasang sa tag ulan
Sila ay may kakanin
Bagama't bulag
At di nakikita ang daan
Talunan man at munti
Patuloy pa rin ang paglaban
Hindi napapansin
Pagkat iisa ang kaanyuan
Nagsisilbi sa reyna
Na wala rin namang pakialam
Inaapakan, pinipipi
Pinipitik sating damit
Ngunit buhay pa rin, kayod muli
Hinaharap ang buhay na pasakit
Kaya't pag langgam ay iyong nakita
Sana sila'y bigyang pansin
Pagkat ako'y tulad nila
... Isang langgam sayong paningin.

the unloved

2010-12-26T18:57:00.000+08:00

As I remember old times
I wish I could pretend
To be that carefree someone
And have that innocence again
But my heart and eyes were opened
And I can never go back
I must face the painful trials
And fight to keep myself intact
Yet it gets harder and harder to fight
My demons that lie within
Fighting for them, fighting for love
Knowing I won't ever win
There is always the shame
There is always the fear
There is always my voice
That no one ever hears
Why isn't there someone
To hold me when I cry?
Why is there no one
To protect me from the night?
Would this lonely solitude
Remain forever the same
Won't the sun ever shine
Always the coldness, always the rain?
I always ask myself, "why am I lonely?"
Though I have the world and I am free
Is it because I don't love myself enough?
Or just because I'm the only one who does?

is it you?

2010-12-26T18:51:00.000+08:00

Here I am again
At the brink of love
Fearing the unknown
The magic that rules the heart
Tell me stranger
Is it love we'll find
Is this need in our hearts
Or just in our minds?
You know I'm yours for the asking
If you're asking for true love
Although there's one thing I ask of you
Please, this time, don't break my heart
Hoping you'll understand
How it grows stronger.. more and more
So many things I ache to say
So please don't close your doors
I've kept my dreams of you and me
Kept my feelings deep inside
Although afraid, I pray
That you could see it in my eyes
To my heart and my soul
I'll give you the key
I can give you my all
Just please... don't let go of me.

I love you more

2010-12-26T18:46:00.000+08:00

Deep in your eyes there's a promise
I am yours and you are mine
Yet something inside me kept saying
Don't trust your heart this time
I have found my way to find you
And still, something's very wrong
I'm so afraid to take a chance again
That I can't just go along
Am I so betrayed
That my heart can never be the same?
I've run from love so long
Could my mind be playing games?
Help me look past these shadows in my mind
So it's the truth that I could see
Let me feel what it's like to feel again
And break these callouses off of me
We're worlds apart, we're not the same
And you play the game, I know
That it scares me to let my feelings show
And so afraid to let it grow
Yet I haven't the choice
I must keep my feelings strong
That I may, in some way
Someday find your song
I can't find my way out
Fearing it'll be as before
And yet somehow, I've learned to accept
That I was made.. to love you more.

for you my friend..

2010-12-26T18:39:00.000+08:00

Standing by the shore
The waves churning beneath us
The sun bids goodbye
As the shadow of the night fills the sky
You held my hand...
I watched the beauty of your face
Emanating strong masculinity
Of quiet strength
And childish vulnerability
Locked in nostalgia
Of times spent together
Good times.. cherished moments
Of shared tears and laughter
Picking me up
When I fall down and cry
Making me smile
When everyone bids goodbye
You held my hand then
As you do now
Sharing me your love
Giving me your vow
Your promise of friendship
OF forever... together
Your promise of trust
Of leaving me never
I see you now
As I saw you then
My only truth
My only strength
My only love
My dearest friend
Suddenly, she called your name
And we both know soon, it wouldn't be the same
Reluctantly, you turned her way
And I desperately wanted you to stay
I watched you walk away
Filled with pain... full of hurt
I whispered softly, " I love you".
If only you had heard.

IF

2010-12-26T18:29:00.000+08:00

If I believe in fairytales
Would all my dreams come true?
If I could learn magic
Would he wish for me too?
If there really are miracles
Would my prayers be heard?
If there's magic in the moonlight
Would he know that I cared?
If I could see the future
Would I see that we're meant to be?
If I could hold the stars
Would he look? Would he see me?
If I see a rainbow
And I follow its bend
Would I see gold?
Would I find him in its end?
If I'd believe in paradise
Would he be here forever?
If I would learn to hope
Would we someday be together?
And if by chance I could be perfect
Would I finally see?
If he'd love me enough
If he'd leave her for me?

forbidden love

2010-12-26T18:22:00.000+08:00

In secret we met
In silence I grieve
Your whispered goodbye
Like a knell in my ear
Thy cheeks went cold
And paler thine skin
That hour foretold
Both hearts sorrowful... saturnine.
Two people parted
Filled with guilt, full of tears
With hearts both haunted
Compelled to part for years
Both vows barely broken
Suddenly, I heard thy name
Our two broken souls met again
Both sharing in our shame
They know not I know thee
Know thee too well
Long, long, shall I love thee
Too deeply to tell
Hearts longing for the other
Must not love, destined to sever
Both hearts promised to others
Bound in our vows forever
For if thou were half a man
And if my essence I lack
We would have freely loved
And beckoned the other back
A love so true and pure
But could never be
A love to hold in our hearts
To cherish in our memory
And if ever I should meet again
After long, long years
How must I greet thee?
In silence and with tears.

it's tough being me

2010-12-26T18:12:00.000+08:00

It's tough to be me, no one really knows
What it's really like, this is how it goes
Waking up every morning
Staring into this face
Telling myself I'm a winner
All the while feeling disgrace
You get up because you must
And dress up to face a world
A world full of vultures
A world so big your efforts' blurred
A world where love rules everything
But which only the beauties could win
And in all these, if you don't fit in
You become butts of jokes and words obscene
You would try your best
And you would give your all
But in the end you'd still lose
And another would have it all
All these times I get so low
When I think of this world that I am in
But then I realize, it really isn't so bad
If I think how my life has been
Sometimes I wonder
Where to go and who to talk to
I would feel lost
And wouldn't know what to do
And then I would think,
"I'm not the only one with troubles to deal with"
To hell with everybody
I still have so much to do and give
It's tough to be me, sometimes life's not fair
Sometimes I'd wish for somewhere to go
And sometimes I'd wish for someone to care
But though it's tough being me
I know God has His reasons for this dare
So in surpassing them we can shine like jewels...
Precious and rare.

life

2010-12-26T18:00:00.000+08:00

With our journey long
And the road rough
It's hard to find the strength
And it's hard to be tough
But through all these ups and downs
We must learn to smile despite the frowns
We learn to love and share our pain
And help each other throughout the rain
We learn to lean when we can't stand
To give our shoulders, and extend our hand
We learn what's right from what is wrong
And that is how we find where we truly belong
And though this road is hard and it seems so long
We learn to take life lightly, each step with a song
Because it is only through life's bends and turns
That we can truly grow and we can truly learn
We can choose the road that leads to the sea
Or the road that leads to love,peace, and harmony.

It's you!

2010-12-26T17:54:00.000+08:00

I woke up
With a strange taste in my mouth...
... It was you.
I inhaled you cologne
Used your shampoo
So anywhere, I'd be with you
One day I borrowed your shirt
And then I went to work
People kept on saying, "where'd you get that shirt?
It really isn't you."
I said, "ofcourse it is!"
But that wasn't really true.
... It was you.
Having lunch with a friend
We got into an argument
She asked where I got that attitude
And I said it was new
But that wasn't new...
... It was you.
God, it's you
And here I go again
I hear the trumpets blow
I'm happy again.. I'm all aglow
Taking a chance on hurt...
Taking a chance on love...
Taking a chance for you.

last song

2010-12-26T17:49:00.000+08:00

You looked my way and smiled
So I took the chance
To feel you near for just a while
Even for just one dance
I held on to your sleeve
As my heart kept on hoping
Longing you were mine to keep
Even though it's wishful thinking
For a moment, you were mine to hold
To embrace and cherish
I just let my eyes close
And just listen to you breathe
Just let me savor your hands
As it lay on my waist
Let me drown in those eyes
Rest my fingers on your nape
I could stay this way for eternity
Dance in your arms for good
Doesn't matter if you want me
Doesn't matter if I should
For a moment, I was swept away
Filled with music and happiness
Content that somehow, someway
You held me and caressed
My heart was shattered
I was frozen through time
For suddenly, you whispered a name
A name that wasn't mine
But then I thought... neither are you.
So please, just hold me, for a minute or two
just until this last song ends
Maybe then, I'll remember
You belong to someone else.

maybe tomorrow

2010-12-26T17:43:00.000+08:00

Do you know that tomorrow
Is another great day?
New things to do
And come your way
Do you know that tomorrow
I will be with you
To guide you and follow
And help you push through
Tomorrow there'll be roses
All fragrant with dew
With all its sweetness
Remaining with you
Do you know that tomorrow
I would wake up and smile
Because each thought of you
Makes anything worth my while
How I wish it were real
How I wish it were true
How I wish I'd see tomorrow
Not alone... but with you.

someday

2010-12-26T17:40:00.000+08:00

I gazed into your eyes far away
My doubt giving way
To a feeling so strong
But which I know is wrong
I was frozen on my tracks
Confused of the jumbled feelings coming back
I searched your eyes for answers
But then, they darted back to hers
A cue that snapped me back to reality
And the painful realization, that it can't be real for me.
Though I've never loved so honestly
You remain far from veracity
Two people alike... you and me
But with divergent songs... diverse destinies..
Closing my eyes.. I see your vision dance in me
And that way you are mine.. even just through fantasy
And this haunts me..
Knowing you're not mine... and never will be.
But I go on.. and find the life for me
I go on.. and search for another melody
But forever, there is a place
In my heart, a part is yours always
And still, I'd hope for the day
That day you'll come again my way
I'll just be here, waiting to love you
If only you would come to love me too..

wishes

2010-12-26T17:29:00.000+08:00

I vowed never again
To give my heart away
Because the price of love
Is too high to pay
But you made me forget
The mistakes I once made
And I think you are worth
The risk I have to take
I adore your face, your smile, your stance
And prayed to God to give me a chance
A chance to show you all that I feel
And this dream... to make it real
But slowly.. I realized
As you looked into her eyes
That it's only a fantasy
For precious you to care for simple me
But I never give up... I still try
Because I can't seem to say goodbye
And here I am lying to myself
Can't accept this love's for someone else
Now I'm here... Wishing on a star tonight
Not for success, nor riches in life
But what my wish could only be
Is just for you to wish for me.

reveries

2010-12-26T17:22:00.000+08:00

With every drop of rain that falls
A flower grows
Beyond every darkness
A candle glows
In every someone that goes astray
Someone's there who shows the way
I believe in all my prayers heard
Every sigh, every tear, every word
For someone real to love, to care
Someone I'd find... sometime, somewhere
Are you out there alone?
Do you carry on without me?
When will my waiting end
The time that you would find me?
I don't know who you are
Doesn't matter if we're now apart
Doesn't matter if you don't know me now
You're still close to my heart
God, watch over him
The man who holds a part of me
Keep him safe, show him the way
So that someday he could be with me
But for now I'll dream
Of the time I'll be your wife
Come dream with me
As I've dreamed of you all my life.

The cynic

2010-12-26T17:16:00.000+08:00

You look at me..
What do you see?
Am I someone real? Or just a phony?
And is this world that surrounds me
A world of laughter? or despondency?
Smiling through a thousand tears
Plagued with uncertainty and fears
Dreaming of things that can never be
This someone, that hides inside of me
The darkness overcomes
And the questions remain
That search for someone
Always lead to shame and pain
But it changed, I could suddenly see
Into the night, you came over me
Like the tide, washing away my tears
A savior... to cure my years
But just as I knew... shadows never go
Days always turn to nights
And always, happiness turn to woes
And now, I know the pain
With these wounds that would never heal again
I'll always be outside... just looking in
And never again would I let them win.

our promise

2010-12-26T17:09:00.000+08:00

To the pilot of my dreams
The ace of my heart
To the joy of my life
The one I loved from the start
To the bright sun and the light
Of my soul at dawn
To the bright star like the love
Only you and I own
You were every dance
I have ever missed
Worth all the guys
I have never kissed
Every tear I've ever shed
Every wrong path I've ever led
Every valentines I've been alone
Every man I've loved and gone
Every cruelty that came my way
Every pain I had to pay
Every chance that came to pass
And those happiness that never last
Every dream that's always shattered
In losing something that had mattered
Thank you for filling
The puzzles of my heart
Thank you for giving me
Your soul, your love, your guard
Remember that the love
That keeps us together
Was a promise made
To be kept forever...

delusions

2010-12-26T17:03:00.000+08:00

You know it can never be real
But still, why do you wish it?
You know it can never be true
And still, why do you hope for it?
Love is a gamble
And it is always a game
There is always a winner
And in the end, you lose all the same
Yet here you are again
Standing right next to him
Someone so perfect... Someone so great
Something you want so badly to win.
He doesn't know, and you can never tell him
For if you do, the magic might stop
And you cannot face reality
Because the fantasy is all you've got.
So you go on with the deception
You go on with your game
You tell yourself there might come a time
Someday, he might feel the same.
And eventually, the wind will pass
And with it he'll move on
As always, you'll be left longing
As always, you'll be left alone.
And you wonder if it's worth it
To start this fantasy that soon will end
Will you treasure these moments
Knowing someday you'll be left alone to mend?
But I'm too weak to fight
Too weak to continue struggling
And so I continue to love him
Just hoping someday I'd stop dreaming...

dreams

2010-12-23T02:47:00.001+08:00

Let me close my eyes
So I can dream he's mine
So I can forget the tears
And my fears I can leave behind
I long to see
The face that's only his
So I must sleep.. help me sleep
For only fantasies can bring me this
And in this night
Sing him a lullabye
Hear my plea, hear my prayer
Let him close his eyes
And maybe then you could show him
Maybe then he could see
This someone who dreams of him
And maybe then he'd dream of me.
Let him see these hands
the hands that long to touch him
Let him feel this love
And let him hear this heart's whim
My heart's only wish
That it wouldn't be what it seems
That he would love me... Truly love me
And that it wouldn't be a dream.

what must i do?

2010-12-23T02:47:00.000+08:00

I am strong now
At least that's what I thought
But again I saw you
And there I am... Again I'm caught
It is over... I can't stay this way
And I promised I'd break away
But it happens all the time
And as always, I'd be there to stay
And now is no different
Now you're still hers to own
But my heart says differently
And that you're still mine alone
Did I just dream you into life?
Please tell me, I need to understand
I need to know who it is
Who holds my fate in his hand?
All I wanted was a melody
That someone to complete my song
Without knowing it, I found you
Someone so right, and yet so wrong
Must I close my eyes
Tell me.. Must I leave it this way?
Must I fight to make you mine
Or say goodbye and go my way?

pretense

2010-12-23T02:43:00.001+08:00

Someday will come
When I can do what's right
Someday I'll find a way
The strength to give up this fight
But for now I go around
Here... Just pretending
Playing a part with my friends
Acting as if this heart is mending
But the day comes to an end
And I go home late at night
And alone, I forget
That I have to do what's right
I need to close the door
To every memory
To every word, every touch
To all of you that's chaining me
I know what I must do
I know the road to take
But every time I think of you
It's a decision my heart won't make
Please take this hope away
Help me... Tell me what to do
Please give me a reason
The reason to forget you.

say goodbye

2010-12-23T02:26:00.000+08:00

He's the only one to do it
that in just hearing his name
My heart would beat faster
And slower all the same
But I have lost myself
To someone who can never be mine
I had lost... I am defeated
By a memory lost in time
But in his every memory
And in my every dream
Would come the pain...
Another moment I'd spend with him.
I kept on fighting... kept on hoping
Tried holding on so tough
But I have to face it... He's gone
And memories shouldn't be enough
I don't know who I am without him
For I am half of what I've been
And here I am, left in between
What is true and just a dream.
And all these nights, I close my eyes
Should I just leave it this way?
For it's the only time that he is mine
The only way to make him stay
There's another in his heart
Someone else in his memory
Someone who owns all his dreams
With nothing more left for me
And in this day's last hours
As I lay down my bed
I vow to block out the feelings
And hear the voices inside my head
Voices that kept saying
Stop these tears that you now shed
Stop the love from your weakened heart
And let it whisper goodbye instead.

if only...

2010-12-23T02:21:00.000+08:00

The sky is falling
I'm here all alone
Still thinking about him
Can't make myself move on
He carries on with life
And left me here without him
Caught somewhere in between
What is real and what are dreams
I need to give up
And would've settled for what's before
But now I'm this empty shell
Without the right to yearn for more
Come back to me
Let me relive the dream
I am here wide awake
Yet still asleep, so it may seem
Months passed... days grew
But my heart was left by time
It has stayed where he was
At the times I thought he's mine
Oh if only dreams were real
If I can be as strong as I seem
If only he couldn't hurt me
If only I could stop loving him.

infinite void

2010-12-23T02:13:00.000+08:00

Looking out at the horizon
I sat in silence
Waiting for the tears to come
Laying down my defense
Trying to conjure
Imaginary shadows
Thinking of reasons
And creating fears and woes
Thinking of concrete explanations
For this grievance... This loneliness
Confused in crying over nothing
Not knowing the root of this emptiness
For the someone one has never known
Why then would one cry?
For something one never had
How could one say goodbye?
For the absence of love
A thing I've never known
A thing I've never felt
Yet wish for one that I could own
Am I then to be judged as crazy
For my sorrow caused by nothing?
Without a real cause, real problems
Without real reasons for crying?
And now I ask myself, "which is better?"
A heart spurned but later mends?
Or this life I lead filled with serenity
But with an emptiness that never ends...

was it real?

2010-12-23T02:06:00.000+08:00

I sat here thinking
About a memory
Passed by new memories, passed by time
But still kept deep within me
A memory of a boy, a special someone
Of a chance that slipped by
Of the only love I have ever had
The same love that he denied
The only one whom for me was real
Who planted the scars into my soul
That never again was I ever the same
And never again was I ever whole
The boy I measured everyone against
And with whom I gave my all
The someone I thought would love me forever
The same one who failed me and let me fall
I knew it was just wishful thinking
He's just a dream that was almost real
But almost is not enough
Coz here I am alone.. He's not here still
That whom I considered once as mine
Was someone I could never have
And that what he gave before
Were just lies and never love
And now I ask, was mine real love?
Or are my tears just for my pride?
Can I ever go past these wounds?
Or must I forever hide?

nothing more without you

2010-12-23T02:01:00.001+08:00

I saw you laughing
Having fun with your friends
Your eyes were shining
Like the sun's light that never ends
Then your eyes turned my way
And without words being spoken
Your lips gave a smile
And all my fears were broken
Time was suspended
And it's only you I could see
A billion people all around us
But right then, it's just you and me.
With the world's noise all over us
And no matter how loud
Among all of those people
Your drowned out the crowd.
And in that fleeting moment
In that borrowed time
I savored the feeling
Of you being mine
But time must move on
And I must face what's true
I closed my eyes and hoped
That when they open, I'd still find you
But as they did
It is as I've known
The moment was broken
And time has moved on
The dream was over
The fantasy was through
I am now again just me
Just.. nothing.. without you.

puerto galera

2010-12-22T23:04:00.000+08:00

Are you a little low on cash? thinking of the beach? of partying all night long? well puerto galera is the place to be! I've actually been there a number of times and I never went back home disappointed. The last time I've been there, my friends and I met in Ortigas around 10am and took a cab bound to Buendia for the bus terminal. Wrong wrong move! We were assailed by all kinds of road jam. But once there, we rode the bus for the Batangas pier and from then on, our trip went smoothly. 2 hrs from Buendia, we were dropped off Batangas pier and were bombarded by various shipping line ticket sellers.

We bought tickets from the first ferry scheduled to sail (brian shipping lines) and hurried aboard. In all fairness to brian shipping lines, their ferry is sizeable and you would actually feel secure in addition to the life jackets and able-looking crew. I was a little apprehensive because it was already hours past noon and I was thinking that it would be a bumpy and wavy ride. To add to the apprehension, I just read the news the day before about ferries sinking amid these waters which quite fairly, may be shark infested (according to my neurotic mind atleast). But luckily, I was distracted by good company and snapping of photos that after what seems awhile (1 1/2 hours at least) , we arrived in white beach.

It was moderately crowded and as we embarked, I could see the curly-haired maong-wearing girl that was to be our lodge guide. We stayed at HSL beach resort (formerly Lagundian Hills) which was a great idea since aside from being cheap, clean, and having attentive employees, it is a bit remote from the bars but still at the beach front that if we prefer a little quiet time, we'll have our solace.

We stayed there for 3 days and 2 nights. We spend the days lolling around the beach, delving into the waters... Exploring the island ( well, the Tamaraw falls at least) and trying out the water rides (they offer snorkeling, banana boats, jet ski, parasailing, etc..).

The nights are oozing with alcohol and it is when we whoop it up and party. The bars and the parties are actually the main things that attract tourists especially the young to Puerto Galera, making it an affordable version of Boracay. We sampled the mindoro sling which is actually just gin and pomelo.. The kind of drink in which one minute you're okay, the next you seem like knocking at death's door.

I also enjoy the food in puerto galera because aside from being cheap, most of it are barbecued.

On that third day just a little past noon, we rode the ferry back to Batangas pier. It is really a very enjoyable place and being a beach aficionada, I plan on coming back.. well, once a year atleast.

Laoag...

2010-04-26T01:02:00.001+08:00

I never thought I was into old museums and old churches until I went to Ilocos Norte. There were tons of old churches and relics that we visited, one of which was the Paoay Church. I actually thought it was very nice to get married in such a church with its grand structure and historical magnificence. Near this church however, there is a lake with a tragic and mysterious legend. It was said to be haunted and that every night a large bell could be seen underwater and fishermen would hear it clanging. And every year, the spirit underneath the lake ta kes a life offering, one of which has been the wife of the famous Farinias. I could not shake the gloom after we visited that lake. After that, we climbed through the Cape Bojeador lighthouse all the way up the wide and steep steps that are a smoker's nightmare. It sits on the hill of Vigia in Burgos creating a breathtaking view from the top of the lighthouse. It is a bit unfortunate then though that at noontime, the lighthouse could be scorching hot. However, being in Ilocos Norte the best sight to see are the Bangui windmills. We took lots of pictures as they were spectacular 70 meter-high structures not only made to create a spectacle but are very useful in accelerating the rural electrification of the goverment. Made by Marcos, no doubt that every Ilocano I spoke with in my short stay there have high regards to the family. Speaking of which, we also visited the marcos museum with his body preserved in wax. Unfortunately, cameras are prohibited inside and if you were so much as caught using one, it would be confiscated by the armed soldiers swarming the place. The place was complete with important letters, pictures, and memorabilias of the late president and even his old presidential chair. Right across the street can be found Imelda's abode where she was still said to retire at times. There were more places to visit like Fort ilocandia and Malacañang of the North but we were sadly lacking in time as our flight was scheduled for 7pm that night and we needed to check in at the airport at 5. we tiredly but exhilaratedly drove back to the airport to await our flight. Hoping that someday, we would be able to return with longer days to spend touring and more money to indulge.

Pagudpud...

2010-04-25T23:50:00.000+08:00

Nasayaat lug ar. That is the Ilocano language for "good place".. And it truly was. Some may opt to take the bus from Manila to Ilocos but we opted to travel by air which was only an hour's ride and arrived at Laoag airport nearing noon. We bought some groceries and ate lunch at Robinsons Mall and lucky enough, we even saw Imelda Marcos dining at the food court. Afterwards, we
hired a jeep and went straight for Pagudpud. It was a couple of hours away from laoag and we enjoyed the scenic view and fresh air along the way. Arriving at our rented resort, the Villa Del Mar, I was surprised to see the beach.. it was pure white sand and the water was almost unreal.. Totally blue and clear. We were planning to relax that first day, hang around the beach taking pictures and having an early night for our tour the next day. We did that although in the middle of a relaxing dinner, we received news of the tragic intensity 8 earthquake in Chile and the warning to stay away from beaches as there was a threat of tidal waves due to the biggest quake in Earth's history. I was a lot worried since drowning was the kind of death I really do fear. We slept that night with no small amount of anxiety. The next day, all was well and the sun was shining! We went out to hear mass (which unfortunately was mostly in Ilocano language) and had our breakfast at Papa Nard's Resto. We then proceeded with the 2-hour trek to the beautiful Kabigan Falls.. All the sweating and near dehydration was worth it once you lay eyes on the falls. The water was so cold and light and the mountain air smelled so fresh. We spent about 3 hours before climbing back down and having some cold coconut juice at the foot of the mountain offered by the locals . Next, we went to bantay abot cave or what they call the "mountain with a hole". It was great to take pictures since you could see the whole ocean and feel the strong winds while standing at the edge of the cave. I thought then that I had seen the great beaches in Pagudpud but it was nothing compared to the Blue Lagoon. It was the one they call "Boracay of the North" and with its clear waters and fine white sand, I agree that it really is. Although instead of the populated and developed Boracay shores, Blue Lagoon is a virgin island and untamed. We went to see the Patapat viaduct, Agua grande, and the Patapat Natural Park. Exhausting as the day was, no one complained as it was all worth it. There were even spots we failed to visit due to lack of time and the long distances. No doubt about it, Pagudpud, even if taken the 14-hour drive from Manila would still be worth the long wait and sore backside.

Vigan...

2010-04-25T22:45:00.000+08:00

I was actually excited to visit Vigan because of the nice places to photograph especially Calle Crisologo. However, seeing as it is two hours away from Pagudpud where we stayed the night, I wasn't about to photograph Crisologo at sunset if we were to catch our flight at 5pm.. So we went there at lunch and ate at Cafe Leona, a Spanish inspired (actually, the whole town is in Spanish setting) with totally antique furnitures. Even the oven seemed to be a hundred years old. People there were totally friendly and welcoming and walking down that cobble-stoned street gives you a feeling of unreality and poignancy. It takes you back to the Spanish era and It makes you want to blend in and wear your patadyong or something. Although the Kalesa (horse-driven carriages) has become a rarity, there were tons around adding to the "spanish" feel of the place. It was delightful that even fast food chains like Mcdonalds had spanish terraces and chairs. All around us were different arts and crafts that displayed the artistic talents of Filipinos which you could also purchase for pasalubong. If you're looking for delicacies, you should buy the delectable brownies and bibingka at Marsha's or Tongson's coupled with the tupik, which is a a sticky rice with sugar concoction placed inside a bamboo. Other delicacies are okoy, chichacorn, longganisa and empanada (which was filled with the
longganisa and mostly sold as street food). Next on our itinerary was the pottery making. We watched as experienced craftsmen produce masterpieces from rubble and were even allowed to try to make one ourselves. However, I just managed to put dirt in my hands and voila, rubble it still is. Afterwards, we continued on and ended up in Baluarte, one of the best zoos I've ever been in. Sporting animals from regular farm birds to rare llamas, white tigers, ostriches and camels.. it truly was amazing. Always opting to go to the beach during vacations, it truly is refreshing to visit such a place as Vigan which is truly unique and tells so much of our culture. I would truly look forward to my next visit.

Bohol...

2010-04-25T18:53:00.001+08:00

I should tell you... I am not normally an early riser. But that day was an exception. From Cebu, we took a cab very early in the morning, disturbing the birds lounging about looking for unsuspecting worms, and hurried to the nearby port to take a ferry into Bohol. It took about an hour or two and the bit of sea sickness I had was totally worth it when we finally arrived. We took a van to tour Bohol and it’s truly an awesome sight visiting the tourist spots! First stop, we saw the popular tarsier which may be one of the weirdest animals, because apart from being cute, you’re not supposed to touch or startle them because they have suicidal tendencies. They are said to be the smallest monkey in the world and can only be found in Bohol. Along the way, we dropped by the famous Chocolate Hills, the choco-mounds-like hills wherein you have to climb quite a lot of steps to view the breathtaking grandeur. Also worth visiting is the butterfly farm wherein we saw and even petted a few colorful and unique butterflies. What amazed me more is the Bilar man-made forest. It was said that the forest was created when former students of a local school each planted a tree on what now served as one of the top spots in Bohol. The uniformity of the height of the mahogany trees and the abrupt cooling of the temperature once you enter the forest makes it quite awesome. After touring these spots, we were famished so we headed to the Loboc River for the floating restaurant. On our way, we passed by the Loboc Church and I was a little curious because there was a bridge in front of it that was only half done. I was told that to complete the bridge, the centuries old Loboc church will need to be demolished. Luckily, that has been avoided. Rumor has it that this bridge was actually never to be built at all, but should serve as a cover-up for some scheme to funnel public money to private hands. Somehow, the scheme was thwarted, and the bridge got actually built.. Or at least half of it. Well anyway, I was excited with our river cruise so we chose from the choices of food offered and chose the first float that was to sail. It was relaxing to eat while floating through the river and listening to the band playing Filipino music. We even passed by some locals who performed Filipino cultural songs and dances. It took about an hour or two and although I enjoyed the ride, I was itching to get to the beach so we asked to be driven to our resort already. I love sand, I love the sun, I love beaches… But nothing compares to the beaches in Bohol! The sand was finer than milk, and the water was clear blue and sparkling. We stayed at the Dumaluan Beach Resort in Panglao which offers great rooms and amenities but a little on the costly side when it comes to food and water activities. Every muscle in my body sagged in relaxation as we sprawled around the beach under the cool shade of coconut trees listening to the lapping of the water and watching great bodies being flaunted about in beach wear. Much of the day was spent in complete relaxation and partying at night. All in all, Bohol is probably one of the best places to visit in the Philippines.

Cebu...

2010-04-25T16:24:00.000+08:00

I was so exuberant about this trip as I've heard so much

about this place and its beautiful scenic spots. What could be more damping than a storm

on the very day we were about

to leave! Even more fascinating was that after a short 30-minute plane ride, we were greeted from rainy manila into Cebu by humid weather and a brilliant sunshine perfect for the beach. We checked into Days hotel, which was not a superb idea as it was a bit farther from the city. Excited as we were, we did not waste time hanging about and rented a van straight

away to tour us into the city. The weather was hot in the very essence of the word, far more hotter and humid than manila, it saps your

strength. The city was swarmed with jeepneys, all brightly colored and chromed out like low riders on steroids. The people speak cebuano and it is a little strange to hear vendors even more versed in English than you are. Cebu has some interesting sites, such as: Fort San Pedro, a fort from the 1560s with 8 foot thick walls and a great interior garden area; Basilica del Santo Nino and Cebu Cathedral, which houses the oldest religious relic in the Philippines brought here by Magellan in 1575; and Magellans Cross, which marks the location where missionaries first baptized Filipinos as Christains in 1521. Another is the Taoist temple, which is a must see especially for photography buffs. The entrance to the temple is a replica of the Great Wall of China. The temple includes a chapel, a library, a souvenir shop and a wishing well. The spacious balconies offer a scenic view of downtown Cebu and the awesome dragon statue.The Cebu Taoist Temple is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City. The temple was built by Cebu's substantial Chinese community, with an elevation of 300 meters above sea level. The temple is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes. After touring, we were taken on this off site resto for lunch, overlooking the beach and offering local cuisine where you were given the choice of fresh meat and fish and have it cooked the way you prefer. The only downside to the place was the visayan music that kept playing and playing disrupting the peace. After a satisfying lunch, we visited Shangrila Hotel and the beach was sensational! All white and fine with beautiful people and catching scenery, I was really sorry we did not check in to the hotel. It was getting dark by the time we were through and it was almost time for one of the reasons we came to Cebu... the skywalk and edge coaster! It was a thrilling experience especially for a person with fear of heights like me. It allows one to walk the outer rim of the hotel tower on four-foot wide walk path with no hand rails. The walk path is found on the 37th floor of the hotel tower. There is no reason however to fear since each walker will be hooked on an overhead safety harness system, the same one used in James Bond movie stunts. Trained mountaineering and rescue teams will be there to assist the walkers in order to ensure their safety. The Skywalker can accommodate ten people. It was truly an experience! Although, if you wanted a remembrance, you would have to buy their photos since cameras are not allowed inside. Anyway, after this activity, the day was done and we were completely famished and spent. We went to Mr A for dinner, a resto-bar with great food, drinks, and ambiance overlooking cebu. You can enjoy the great music with the cool night wind blowing which was totally relaxing. And that was it... Our great day in Cebu... We hurried back to our hotel to recharge for our next adventure on the nearby island. Next stop.. Bohol!