RED

Boredom leads to creativity… or insanity?

Whatever.

It’s Kelly Osbourne’s fault.

 

On surprise parties and happy thoughts

Sappy – not my style, which is contradictory to my drama queen persona and so, maybe yeah, alright, I’m sappy – but only when it comes to my friends. And surprise parties.

 

Last Saturday, the 22^nd, one of my supposedly depressing days, turned out to be one of the happiest.

 

See, it was my last day at work and it was heartbreaking because I really loved my job and the people I worked with. The waterworks started around 3pm – when I was handing over my stuff… this is finally it, I thought, game over.

 

I was still sniffing when one of my bestest best office friends, Ria, dropped by. Seeing how miserable I was, she decided to take me to this posh spa place in Malate, Sanctuario.

 

So we were talking while we were having our nails done – then I noticed how she was really edgy, looking at her watch and asking if I wanted to go drinking already. She said she had texted Judd, our close friend and my PR colleague, and that he’s waiting in a bar somewhere.

 

OK, I thought, something IS up.

 

So I smiled and readily said, let’s go!

 

What bowled me over was, when we got into her car, she put a blindfold over my eyes – like really expertly! And like in the movies, I only had time to shriek!

 

But it was a happy shriek – like OMG it’s a surprise party! FOR ME!!!

 

And so we walked – me blindfolded, she holding my hand – around Malate. We were both laughing so hard! I was shrieking most of the time, and she was shouting to everyone “we’re not lesbians, she’s my best friend.” Then I’d counter, “we are! we are! she’s just shy!” Even then, I was already high.

 

We were mostly shrieking and laughing until I felt Ria let go my hand then some person touched my elbow, as if leading me forward. Then Ria yanked the blindfold and – SURPRISE!

 

OMG! I couldn’t believe my eyes! The place was packed! I thought it was just going to be a few officemates – but NO! My COLLEGE friends were there!

 

A send-off party! WOW! God, the effort (and money) that Ria and Judd must have put in for this! FOR ME!!!

 

I was so totally happy! I didn’t know what to say – I saw my former boss, John; officemates; friends from the media – basta everyone that I cared most for was there!

 

I was so ecstatic that I didn’t know how else to deal with my emotions than to drink. And boy did I drink!

 

I was sooo super smashed (the happy kind) that I forget the details now. Basta there were a lot of hooting and crying and laughing…

 

But what I do remember most is the feeling – this warm, warm feeling that envelops me every time I recall the happy faces around me; the hugs that were so openly given to me; the I’ll-miss-you’s; the I-love-you’s; the take-care’s…

 

Sigh. Now that’s a happy thought right there.

when my clock strikes three

.a goodbye letter to my ATS family.

 

And so it is official – today is my last day at work.

I’ve always known this day would come; as I’ve always imagined myself to be somewhere far from here.

I never intended to stay longer than this.

I’ve mustered indifference, and planned smartly enough to bid adieu when my imaginary clock strikes three years.

 

Who am I kidding? It’s not even that long yet.

 

But it sure does feel longer. Yep, waaaaaay longer.

 

And you know what’s odd? I wish it was.

 

Why? Then it wouldn’t be this hard to say goodbye.

 

Apparently, no amount of indifference or any degree of intelligence can stop one from falling in love… and I’ve fallen, alright – as deep as only a passionate ATS employee can.

 

See, they say it’s easier to let go when you’ve exhausted the years and jammed all the memories you can keep…  

 

And I want that. Now. Here. With YOU.

 

But not even the most stubborn brat can get everything that she wants.

 

With a heavy heart, I quit stalling my exit from this company… and from this portal as EIC.

 

And so it is official – today is my first day at work when going home means the start of another chapter in my life.

 

… and I can only hope to see you again when my clock strikes three.

Frustration

frus∙trate; frus∙trat∙ed; frus∙trat∙ing

1 to balk or defeat  in an endeavor 2 to induce feelings of insecurity, discouragement, or dissatisfaction 3 to bring to nothing – frus∙trat∙ing∙ly; frus∙tra∙tion

 

waaaahhhhh

 

today is SO NOT good.

 

hate it.

 

****

i’m one who changes moods in a snap. like now.

i’ve decided to vent my, uhm, yes, frustration, on FOOD.

lesley (yes, you Lekky), kindly count the calories in my Palabok and Turon.

 

yum. nothing beats Pinoy merienda.

 

ok, now I’m sleepy.

 

****

it’s just so elusive, this ‘thing’.

fuck it.

 

one more Turon, please.

 

****

fuck.

 

****

pardon my french.

Taken in by Magni

Rockstar Supernova. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8.30 am, with primetime encore same night on Star World.

 

I caught the live episode this morning. Magni did STP’s Plush. Man, am I hooked.

 

Yes, I arrived late in the office again. Sue me. >:|

Going to odious lengths for love

Desperate? Or downright stupid?

 

I just read a story on Yahoo! News about a woman who dialed 911 to hook up with a guy. C’mon I’ve heard of dating services but this is ridiculous.

 

Apparently, 911 police thought so, too.

 

See, the woman initially called 911 for a legit cause – and naturally, a policeman came to check on her concern. Immediately, she thought the officer was HAWT.

 

And after the incident, she decides to call 911 again – but this time, to ask for the policeman’s name, apparently hoping she may get him to come back to her house. And he did… but only to arrest her for “taking up valuable time from dispatchers who could be taking true emergency calls.”

 

The woman was then charged with “misuse of the emergency dispatch system,” and sentenced “to a year in jail and a 6,000-dollar fine.”

 

Wow. I know I’d do for love what I won’t normally do, but this.is.stupid. REALLY.

 

But then again no one is really sure what goes on in another person’s mind.

 

This story now sorta reminds me of an anecdote I heard some years back.

 

There was this man who attended a funeral. He saw a woman and immediately fell in love. Just as he was about to make his move, another man suddenly appeared beside the woman and kissed her.

 

The next day, that man who kissed the woman was found dead.

 

Naturally, the killer was caught by the police. Question is, why do YOU think the man committed the murder? Now, think real hard before you answer – as if trying to get inside the killer’s mind…

 

Now, most of us would say, it’s jealousy that pushed the other guy to kill his “rival.” But, for the killer, his reason was simple: he killed the guy so that there would be another funeral where he would get a chance to see the woman again.

 

Genius? Out-of-the-box? Or plain psychotic?

 

And if you’re one of those who just whispered “YES! I knew it!” to yourself, and figured out why the killer committed the crime, then do me a favor, will you? Click on my Contacts and delete yourself from the list – you’re one of the ingenious, SICK minds who walk the earth, ready to coldly plot and actually execute a murder over the most mundane of things… even over something as fleeting as love.

Leaving

Tomight I attended what is is my ;ast of the countless parties onboard SuperFerry.

And boy, am I smashed.

I am currently taking amu cup fi coffee as advised my by, uhm, me ..as advised mby me.

I lveo suepfery people/. They’re the coolest.

I just dropped by here to mlcok my offecui and I forgot my la[ptop so I was thinking I should write something in mUlyipky.,

 

Why am I doing this?

Yep. I ma leaving a company that I love – asgain!

 

I lveo working here.

But I’m going.

It breaks my heart.

 

Im gonna miss all of you.

 

Off to dubai now/

 

Bye.

Pacman, Superman and... don't kill me, man!

I’ve said before that I am neither a boxing nor a Pacquiao fan. But like the next Pinoy, I love seeing my fellow countryman fight for national prestige. And since I never doubted our boy, Manny to win over the now-surely-sore-and-pitiful Oscar Larios, I opted to do something more “strategic” that fateful day Sunday when the whole of Philippines was either glued to the TV or crammed at the Coliseum – I went to the mall.

 

Yep, the smartest thing to do in Manila when there’s a Pacquiao fight is to go out and travel – the traffic is great! Manila roads have never been so clear – it was almost a picture straight out of Twilight Zone!

 

Even the malls, which are usually jammed on a Sunday, were eerie-ly people-free – well, except for me and my friend and a few others… you get what I mean, right?

 

Now, why would any self-respecting patriot go to the mall when the “new” national hero has an important boxing match to win?

 

Two words: Superman Returns.

 

So, OK, I did recently say that Spider-man’s the bomb, but man, Superman is like… a bigger bomb! And although that’s surely the lamest analogy you’ve ever heard in your entire life, I DON’T CARE!

 

Ah, Superman.

 

Spoiler alert: if you haven’t seen the movie and would like to know details for yourself, like Superman has a kid with Lois Lane, STOP READING.

 

Ay, puke! Naku, sorry!

 

=~/

 

Uh, ok, buh-bye. Up, up, and away!

 

Superman who?

So, ok, everyone’s going gaga over Superman and his elaborate return. But, hey, this other hero ain’t takin’ it sitting down!

 

Spider-man.

 

His coming is not until May 4, 2007, but he’s sure making his presence felt!

 

Watch the cool teaser trailer here.

 

Woohoo! Go, Team Spidey! Can't wait.

on efflanes and wacky friends

You guys know Garfield & Friends? Yup, that cartoon that used to air on channel 5 every afternoon? I miss that. Anyway, I remember the song there…

 

friends are there to help you get started, to give you a push on your way. 

friends are there to turn you around, get your feet on the ground for a brand new day. they'll pick you up when you're down, help you swallow your pride when something inside's got to break on through to the other side.

friends are someone you can open up to when you feel like you're ready to flip.

when you got the world on your shoulders, friends are there to give you a tip.

friends are there when you need them, they’re even there when you don't.

for a walk in the park, for a shot in the dark, friends are there. 

and friends will care for you-u-u-u-u-u-u!

 

Well, this song – it’s stuck in my head! It’s like playing over and over and over and over… in tune with the following scenes:

 

Me sending SMS to my friends: Guys, before naman pumunta si Jat sa Dubai, punta tayo Mall of Asia.

Wacky Friend1 (WF1): Ha? San pupunta si Jat?

(Uhm, diba Dubai nga.)

 

WF1, chin up, really smug, walks up to a grocery store attendant: San ko makikita yung Boy Bawang – yung GARLIC FLAVOR?

(O-K)

 

WF2: ano ibig sabihin ng efflanes?

Me: Ha? Ano yun? Pano yung sentence.

My cellphone beeps: People often say: “Kung Kayo para sa isa’t-isa, kayo talaga…” Such a cliché! Don’t they realize that w/o effort, there are no efflanes?!

Me: ano ba?! Joke to: effort, as in airport; efflanes, as in airplanes!

(slow)

 

Me: Bumili ako ng software!!!

WF3: Ha? At san mo naman gagamitin ang mga bulak at tissue?

Me: Huh?

WF3: Software! Soft. Ware. Mga bulak at tissue, hindi ba?

Me: Ay, tanga.

(adik)

 

Me, emo mood: Pare, ang hirap talaga pag may problem no? As in torture!

WF4: Sinabi mo pa!

Me: Lahat apektado, physically, emotionally…

WF4: Mindically…

Me: Huh?

WF4, galit: Mindical! You know, pertaining to the mind!

Me: Gago, mentally!

(hahaha)

 

Nye! Going bulilit. Going bulilit. =D

last of the echo series

So, ok. You guys must be bleeding in the ears (or in this case, swelling in the eyes) by now with my echo news.

I just love him.

*sigh* Jericho Rosales.

 

Please, just this last time…

 

Pacquiao the Movie premiere.

 

Since I slaved for a week, playing PA to the cast and crew of the said movie, while shooting aboard the brand name that puts nice heels on my feet (I really can’t say “puts food on the table”), SuperFerry, I was fortunately given a deluxe seat at the premiere.

 

Together with my uber-cute officemate, Judd and his equally uber-cute friend Paui, I walked the “red carpet,” wearing my lucky pinstripe pa-cute suit with flirty skirt, plus my Kamiseta shirt with this shimmering butterfly accent. Boy, did I look “important!” tee-hee.

 

So, I watched the movie, right? Nothing significant there. But, sure, OK, it was good. Jericho gave a stellar performance as Pacquaio blah blah blah…

 

After party. Italianni’s restaurant. Rubbing elbows with the artistas. Golly. =D

 

Echo: hey!

Me: hey, you!

Echo: thanks for coming!

Me: no prob. Hey, congrats, ha? You were awesome *flirty smile*

Heart suddenly appears. *dang*

Echo: awww. Thanks! *leans closer for a peck on the cheek*

Me: MWAH!

Heart, looking like a porcelain doll, smiles at me.

Me, under my breath: damn you.

I smiled back.

 

I could definitely get used to this shizz.

Ah, the life of a socialite.

 

Haha. Yeah, right.

On press cons and raging hormones

I used to be over the other side of the fence...

 

Before I became "corporate," I was part of the often-misconstrued-highly-controversial-sporadically-upright-mostly-corrupt-but-always-colorful world of Philippine MEDIA.

 

Midja 'ko. Matapang. Mayabang. Mareklamo.

 

I loved every minute of it.

 

Five-and-a-half years later, perhaps because of the tiring hours and meager pay, I jumped ship... or rather, went onboard. I'm now with this shipping company. Still in Communications, but more strategic in approach (read: bland).

 

Nevertheless, I still love press conferences or, what is usually called press con. Even now as I'm part of the ones who organize such things for the media, I still love press cons. And why not? You get to take home freebies, eat great food (most of the time), and meet interesting people!

 

And you know what's better than a press con? A MOVIE press con.

 

Recently, the cast of Pacquiao the Movie went onboard SuperFerry for, you guessed it, a press con! Yup, Echo (Jericho Rosales) was there again, but this time, he seemed "normal-looking" beside his co-stars, Polo Ravales (shriek!) and Jay Manalo (double MEGA shriek!).

 

I was starstruck multiplied by 100! I mean, I've always had a crush, well, more like an obsession - OK, the sex-nymph kind - on Jay Manalo. C'mon, who wouldn't want that... that mola?!

 

Sadly, though, I was too busy preparing the shizz for media, setting up the interview section for TV people and running around everywhere to have my picture taken with THE sex god of all time. But hey, Polo's ok, too - if you saw past the height, that is. He could've been bigger a celebrity if he was a few inches taller, that guy. Oh, but what hot guy he is, I tell you! That body, man… wow. Whew. I can only imagine Ara Mina's delight when…

 

Oh, jeez! I better shut up.

 

Cold shower. Now.

 

Pictures here, people!

Pacquiao the Movie presscon

June 21. in theaters nationwide.

The Marketing plan that is Brown

I read the book. I watched the movie.

 

Yep. The Da Vinci Code.

 

I took it all in – the hype, the drama, the lie. Oh, am I the embodiment of a successful Marketing plan. Me and a gazillion others.

 

You remember The Blair Witch Project?

 

They (as in, Marketing people) had it plastered all over the papers that some college students were missing in the woods and upon investigation only a video tape surfaced. The tape was said to be a documentary, filmed by the students, which showed their “frightening ordeal” as they were stalked by an invisible-but-hair-raising-presence. The “news” said the investigation went on for years until the mother of one of the missing got in touch with this film outfit to piece together the video tape. And so The Blair Witch Project was shown.

 

After a few weeks, an announcement was made saying that part of the Marketing plan of the “movie” was the hype about the missing students. Then shortly after, one of the “missing students” was seen in some MTV awards show.

 

Of course, all these were made known to public after the whole world was shaken by the “documentary” and needless to say, after the movie producers pocketed tons of money.

 

Marketing 101, ladies and gentlemen – controversy spells money.

 

Now, Dan Brown. Ah, this era’s author of authors.

 

Google him and you’d find 116 MILLION entries about him. Now, if that’s not an indication of his popularity, then I don’t know what is.

 

Another hint of course is the bandwagon following his name.

 

Yes, those who fan the fire, so to speak.

 

Me talking about him is already an indication that his Marketing plan had worked! I mean, I’m from far-away Philippines, a third-world country for sure by his American standards, but here I am, affected and actually discussing his book (well, not totally his book per se).

 

Bravo, Brown, you have indeed hit one of the sore topics that provokes reaction: Religion. Of course, this is coupled with real talent. The Da Vinci Code is undoubtedly a good read.

 

And part of good Marketing is spotting what franchise would sell. If it weren’t a good book, the whole of America wouldn’t have participated in making the movie a blockbuster, like a campaign that again would put them on top of the list of the best Marketing practitioners in the world!

 

And because of all the brouhaha that is Brown, America has made more money no Filipino movie can ever make in a million years.

 

You’ve got to give it to America – their Marketing skills is da bomb, man.

 

Of course, there are other “every day truths” that are expertly fed by Americans to the whole world as “proper” and “right” that are conveniently immortalized through movies – that it is an American who first landed on the moon (Apollo 13, et al), that America is THE most powerful nation in the universe (Independence Day, et al), that “made in America” is best (watch TV and you’d know what I mean)…

 

And you know what eats me? It’s that I fall for this Marketing shizz every time – hook, line and sinker. Me and a gazillion others.

reformat

My usually trusty computer conked out.

IT says the system’s been infested with virus.

Time for overhaul.

 

So I gave them my laptop Saturday.

Today I got it back, good as new.

 

Purged of all the bad stuff.

And installed with new, upgraded software.

IT says the system’s been smartened up.

 

Hmm. How convenient, I thought.

I say, is it time for MY reformat yet?

 

Life, reformatted.

Just think.

Sweet.

worst.date.ever.

Jesus, what have I done wrong?! The men in my life are argh! @#$%^&*()(*&^%$!!! Really, have I been that bad a child that you deem this curse necessary?! OMG!!!

 

THAT GUY MUST BE THE WORST DATE EVER!!!

 

WHY? WHY? WHY?

 

…

 

OK. I’m fine now.

 

At least I’ve stopped pulling my hair out of its roots.

starstruck

Jericho Rosales.
Enough said.

Long time, no time

Boy, have I been busy!

 

I have grueling details that I’d rather not share… let’s just say it’s been a hellish 2006 so far – work-wise, that is.

 

My personal life? Thriving as always.

 

My friends and I went to Vigan, Ilocos Sur for the Holy Week and had so.much.fun!!!

 

Those who’ve read my previous posts would know that my friends and I really find time to hit the beach every Holy Week – and this year is no exception.

 

Ahh, the beach! There’s a certain magic to it that I can’t put in plain words…

 

I love the feel of beach sand – hot and grainy. I love basking under the sun. And I love doing absolutely nothing but laze about and drink beer with my friends by the shore!

 

Sigh.

 

My friends, the beach, and beer – life is good.

 

But gawd, Vigan has changed since I first went there around 4 years back.

 

It’s now more… commercial. I was aghast to see a tiangge in the middle of “Vigan Square” (as I’d like to call it), with a line-up of food kiosks ready to serve tourists with Vigan delicacies like the “giant” yummy empanada and tasty okoy. More, there are fast-food chains like Jollibee, McDonalds and Max’s!

 

Call me old-fashioned, but I like the old Vigan better – where you have no other place to eat but the old, makeshift food cart near the church and there’s no food other than empanada and Pop.

 

Now, the place looks cluttered – claustrophobic, even. Or maybe because it was Summer and most of Manila was there.

 

Anyhow, Vigan is Vigan and the sights are still impressively old and breathtaking. I love it!

LOVE hasn’t been kind to me lately

you know the drill. in the heterosexual world—boy meets girl; girl meets boy; they fall in love; and live happily ever after. and we all know that that’s bull. what really happens is: boy meets girl; girl meets boy; they fall in love (or so they think); then boy meets another girl (or boy); boy dumps girl one; boy calls; girl one falls again; boy plays then meets another girl (or boy)… and so on.

it's boring how everything about the so-called-wonderful-emotion-that-is-love got so predictable. you love, you hurt. that’s it. there’s no other way around it. no bargains. no time-outs. when it’s there, it’s there. you can’t say, “hey wait a second, you can’t love me like that—i’m not ready, no fair!”

you just feel it, you know? it’s there… so overpowering, it’s almost tangible. yeah? so is “pain,” right? like love, you can’t manipulate it—you can’t choose which time of day you suddenly feel like dying from loneliness… you can’t tell your boss, “tears? what tears? oh, these… i must’ve poked my eye with my… eyelashes. yep, sure, it happens. haven’t you heard of it happening to anybody before?”

fuck it.

pain and happiness, i think, are universal. doesn’t matter whether you’re white, black, yellow or brown—feelings, emotions, are common. and just because i’m a woman doesn’t mean i ache more. and i know you know—this ain’t easy. you bury yourself in work. you walk aimlessly under the rain. you shop without purpose or direction—no wait, i take that back. shopping is vital. it needs apt concentration. but you get what i mean, right? i’m just aching, it sucks.

i miss him.

HDV—a love story

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

Whenever I call you friend I begin to think I understand Anything we are You and I have always been ever and ever

I see myself within your eyes And that's all I need to show me why Everything I do, always takes me home to you Ever and ever

Now I know my life has given me More than memories Day by day we can see In every moment there's a reason to carry on

Sweet love showin' us a heavenly light I've never seen such a beautiful sight

Sweet love flowin' almost every night I know forever we'll be doin' it right

Whenever I call you friend I believe I've come to understand Everywhere we are you and I were meant to be Forever and ever

I think about the times to come Knowin' I will be the lucky one Ever our love will last I always want to call you friend

Sweet love... sweet love You're the glowing light in my life The source of pride in my life Everything I do takes me back to you