Backtracking 2011.

Just in time before 2011 officially ends!

So. Here's how my 2011 went according to my iPod that I baptized Cole.

This isn't like those crazy yet brilliant mashups done by DJ Earworm (2011, but nothing beats the undisputed 2009 mashup). I don't think that I have the skills to compete with something like those.

This list isn't really arranged according to how often this song was played over and over, and also not restricted to 2011 only. Some of these songs have been a round for a few years now but it made such a huge impact in my year that I felt it fit to put them here.

One thing I'm sure of  about the songs in this list is that these are the songs that sure did make this year hella bearable.

Thank you Jesus for the gift of music.

Au revoir 2011. You will always be remembered.

Right now as I type away on this keyboard, fireworks are making noise somewhere far away, but still near enough for me to hear them. It just goes to show that the world isn't big enough for me to feel that a new year is , really, just around the corner and that I'm not the only one aware of that.

With that said, 2011 was crazy. Maybe for you it's not, but for me? Oh hell yes. Rest assured, 2011 will be the year that, whenever I look back on it, I'll say with a smug smile, "Oh, that year."

I've been depressed for what I felt was the longest time ever in my life in the first half of the month. Like , seriously. I won't dwell into that any longer because, apart from that dark moment being in the past, I can't help but to actually be thankful for that experience. 

The past few days, I couldn't help but reminisce of how much of a nausea-inducing-heart-pumping-make-me-close-to-tears rollercoaster ride it's been--and trust me, I'm not that much a fan of rollercoasters.

Okay, so see? This is why I don't doodle that much. "HIGHLIGTS." SMH.
2012 resolution: Doodle some more.

Photo Blog: The Ballet Project

In some way, people would attach themselves to other things, other than people. We have toys, 'blankies', imaginary friends, 'yayas' and everything else that we just seem to can never let go of. We just tend to overlook this at times. For us who have been dancing together for so long, ballet will always be our first love.

I can't even count how long we've all been dancing; the story of how we individually started turns out different for every person, every time. If I remember correctly, my sister and I started when we were young: I was three or four then, and she was a year older than I was. At first it was all about making pa-cute onstage: blue bird, magician, firefly, flowers.

I got to a stage that I got tired of it, but eventually I found my way back and falling in love with it all over again. 

Cheers to more than 15 years of dancing... and I think there's more to come!

There's more after the break...

On Happiness Sans Technology

Note: Something, again, from my Creative Writing class. But then again, this is more than just an exercise for me. I forgot about the assignment the night prior we were supposed to submit it, so naturally, I procrastinated--like any other good student. It started off as mush, but sooner or later, I sort of felt the gravity of what I was typing away. What I was writing woke me up and I knew that I had to justify what I felt about the subject: Happiness. What is happiness? What makes someone happy? How can a person be happy today?
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What is happiness? The things that make people feel happy vary from one person to another. For one, it might be something as simple as spending Friday night curled up in bed with a good book, on the other hand, for another, it might something as extravagant as being treated out to a shopping spree or a spa.

People may disagree on a lot of things, just as well as they may agree to some things--and happiness is no exception from that.

Now if a person would be asked the question: "What makes you happy?" What will he or she say then? Will it be a car? That new and latest gadget? That dress or coat fresh from the "New Arrivals" rack?

How about that job? His son or her daughter? That happy dream last night? That promotion? That much-anticipated marriage proposal?

With the gradual takeover of technology today, a lot of people have already forgotten what it means to be 'simply' happy. All those latest gadgets are means of entertainment, fun, connection, and all those other flashy functions that they advertise to make these things sell. All of a sudden, money has become something of a necessity for a person to achieve happiness. That is one common mistake that most people make today: happiness is something that should not be achieved; it is something that should be felt.

Photo blog: Profiles and then some.

I brought my family's DSLR to school with me for my photography class. Admittedly, I complained first because I was already carrying so much of my school things that I thought a DSLR was, well, too much.

I didn't think that I actually missed holding a camera, so in the end, I took advantage of it! Apart from my photography class, there was sort of an event at school today: it was the Junior's (3rd year college) Week, or something like that, and the third-batch representatives gave the students of Assumption College a treat.

The local band, Ernville invaded Assumption today as well as--drum roll, please--Kean Cipriano!

Nah. I'm not really a fan, to be honest. I've only seen his name appear every now and then on Vice Ganda's tweets (now that's the person I really want to meet!).

Anyway, as the title says, this is a photo blog--my very first, in fact! Carry on, carry on.

This is the photo I submitted for my photog class. I feel I could've done
better but I didn't know my way around campus yet so
I don't know which part of the campus held the
most beautiful subjects to shoot.

New Girl

Note: This is what I wrote for our first activity in my first meeting at Creative Writing class. We were asked to write freely. And write freely, I did. 

It's not that easy. Being the new girl? You'd probably see her wandering aimlessly in the campus, from one place to another, she always sits at the back of the class, and she's the only on not in uniform. She sticks out like a sore thumb in a sea of blue skirts and white polos, in her denim jeans and her pair of bright, red shoes.

But as much as there are setbacks to being the "new girl," there are perks:

Number one! Nobody knows who you are. You can start fresh. A clean slate. And every other cliche quote there is on changing your image. You can easily manipulate how people see you to be. So if you were a psychotic murderer, or an activist, or someone highly praised, well, congratulations. Because here you can be as normal and ordinary as you want to be. Same idea goes to those who are naturally quiet, waiting for the right opportunity to burst out in flash mob dance style.

Number two! Everything is new. Apart from a fresh batch of school supplies, new clothes, new bags, and image, maybe, something to look forward to are new people--students and professors--as well as challenges and experiences to meet head on. It's not everyday that you enter a campus wherein the women's comfort rooms are more than the men's. At one point, you can't help but ask, "Are we girls that chatty and noisy?" Or when the professors address the whole class it's "Okay, girls" and not "Okay, everyone." There's also learning something new--in the sense that, yes, you are taking up the same subjects you've already had before or that you are familiar with, but under a different professor in a different institution where pretty much the lessons and teaching technique ares, well, different. People have varying perspectives; they think and feel differently about one issue to another. Aren't you curious to know what that is? Aren't you going to at least try and figure it out?

There's probably more to these perks and setbacks that I've mentioned above. But hey, give me a break, I'm still in my first week. Sooner or later, weeks will turn to months, at the end of my first semester, it'll be another one and before I know it, I've reached a year.

For now, I'll be relishing my "new girl" status for as long as I can before I blend in and get swallowed in the sea of blue skirts.

First Day High. Take Two.

Don't underestimate the power of randomness. This week I've had urges to randomly burst out in a song, specifically the one from Zooey Deschanel's new series, New Girl. "Who's that girl... / Who's that girl..."

My very first school week is finally over! Happy to say that I somewhat survived. In all fairness, I like my classes despite being demoted back to freshman status. Not to mention, having a class in Statistics again (Read: EW.)

I won't go through a lengthy rundown of my schedule or classes. Because honestly? Some classes bore me to sleep.

Though I will tell you why, from now on, I'll be looking forward to Fridays. And it's not because it ends my very-early-(7:45 AM EVERYDAY)-very-busy-and-hectic school week.

What's the future of language altogether?

One of my biggest pet peeves would probably be the misuse of the literary language. Language is a powerful tool that is in control and can change the course of history. To get it out of the way, probably one of the factors why this is so is that I developed an appreciation for at an early age. Growing up with Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop, and other creations of legendary Dr. Seuss really piqued my interest with L/literature. And that continued on as I grew up when I started writing (first on journals and attempted fan fictions/novels, then later on, weblogs) and further expanding my capacity for the written word. I took that all the way through college, thus explains why I took up a degree in Literature.

I honestly had a difficult time reading this. How about you?
Via Facebook.

So forgive me when I was irked when I saw a lengthy complaint (picture on the left) on Facebook which used words that substituted the letter |g| with the letter |q|, like so: 'nakakapaqod' instead of 'nakakapagod'; 'sayanq' instead of 'sayang', 'nqa' instead of 'nga' and so on. I saw nothing wrong with the use of grammar, for as far as the grammar of Taglish (hybrid of using the Tagalog and English language in one go) goes, it's pretty easy to manipulate. There was nothing wrong with the way the person transcribed her complaint (as in not LiKe T|-|!$), and if you look closely, there are some lapses wherein the person correctly used |g| in some of her words (spot: 'ng' and 'lang'), but still - of all the mistakes to commit (I'm still hoping that this is an error on the part of the keyboard), why the fuck something like this?

Brando Boyd

We got a dog! He's a Mini Pinscher given to us by our eldest brother (fun fact: I'm the youngest of six siblings with a pattern B-G-G-B-G-G), Kuya Jay. 

The story goes that this little guy has been walking around their house until it eventually found its way inside their home. My brother was willing to take care of him but they already have another dog, their husky Malou (another beautiful dog), to take care of. So he decided to give Obet (yeah, don't ask about the names my family gives to the pets we've owned. We've had Bubbles, Badong... and the list goes on) to us instead. 

Obet was more than welcome to our family but I told my other brother, Niño, that I really wasn't fond of the name Obet. So he decided to change Obet's name--to Brando. 

Full name: Brando Boyd (Reantaso)

Nickname: Brando

Breed: Full-bred Mini Pinscher

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from my three nephews!!
(T-B) Luis (as a soldier), Diego (as Fred Flinstone), and Don (as a gladiator) :)

Philippine Fashion Week

So for the whole week, editors of noted (fashion) magazines, celebrities and their beaus, fashion bloggers, photographers, stylists, trendsetters, and 'fashionistas' alike and in their own right charged on to SMX for the Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

My very first experience with this was while I was still an intern for STATUS Magazine. At first, I really wasn't that excited because, personally and honestly, I don't have that eye for fashion. It's not really one of my strong points. But it was a privilege to go in the name of STATUS Magazine.

There were perks: seeing the designers' remarkable collections, front row seats for most of the shows (Read: half-naked male models, up close. Yummy), easy access, early entrance. I wouldn't call it VIP treatment but it was definitely fun to have my first PFW experience like that.

And of course there were downsides: Running from one show to another, getting pictures from the photographers, processing, watermarking, blogging/writing... all in high heels. It was a crazy whirlwind blur last season. But come to think of it, I wouldn't really call it a downside since I had the time of my life even for just that one week.

 My internship ended three months ago but I still maintained that close relationship with the people that I've met there - even though I don't get to party with them most of the time. My fellow intern, Zoe (thebandaiddiaries), was already absorbed as part-time. They invited me to attend Fashion Week with them, but with lack of funds, I could only attend one.

And that one day, they asked me to dress as Tinker Bell, for they randomly decided to declare the sixth day of Philippine Fashion Week as Peter Pan Day. Read more for photos!

Full Stage

STATUS Magazine
August 2011

When they're not managing tattoo parlors or art galleries, hip-hop band MISYONARYO sends good vibes through music, making it a point to "spread positive vibes, friendship, peace, [and] love to everybody," says vocalist Kodah Godarzi.

What are you waiting for? Move.

Underneath the video, the caption says.

"3 videos, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras, and almost a terabyte of footage... [All] to turn 3 ambitious linear concepts based on movement, learning, and food... [Into three] beautiful compelling short films... A trip of a lifetime. Move, eat, learn."

This has been probably the most effective way of the utilization of media and world wide web in showing people how to live. If you haven't come across this yet, even if it went viral on Facebook and Twitter, click through to educate yourself.

Leaves of Grass

STATUS Magazine
 August 2011

Note: This was published in STATUS Magazine's August Issue with--yup!--Cassie on the cover. Check out her cover story written by Loris Pena on STATUS Magazine's website under their Features section (http://bit.ly/qwnYbI). And if you didn't know, frontman for Incubus, THE Brandon Boyd was also in the issue! Interview by--die hard fan and was over the moon when she found out Brandon was her assignment--Reena Mesias (http://bit.ly/oO06SM). 
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As VETIVER's music teems with acoustic instrumentations and lyrical themes of travelling, the songs from their fifth album, The Errant Charm, are just as balmy and intoxicating as the scent of their namesake grass itself.

Self-imposed To-do List.

My parents left for the States yesterday morning. For one month, they'll be visiting our relatives across the country like we did five years ago. Only, I'm not with them (as my mom jokingly chided, "Tuition or ticket, your choice.").

Which means two things: one, I'm completely left with the house; and two, I'm completely left alone in the house.

The difference between the two? While the former means that I can do whatever I want and can all day everyday, it backfires on the latter because sooner or later, I'll be bored once I finished doing whatever I want and can all day everyday. And I'm alone.

Siblings have either work or school, and my classes start on November. I really have a lot of time in my hands, and days are pretty long when you run out of things to do. So, I've decided to make a list. A list that would make me productive in the coming minutes, hours, and days spent alone in the house.

Don't worry mom, I won't wreck the house, I promise. Maybe just my room.

In High Spirits

STATUS Magazine July 2011

Note: Published in STATUS Magazine's July 2011 issue.

Allan Lumba, also known as the one-man band MULTO, is more freaked out by cockraoches than his namesake. But he's not really talking about the floating specters when he thought up his name.

Having spent most of his life in San Francisco, it was only when he moved to the Philippines that he started learning Tagalog, and one of the words that struck him was "multo" (ghost). "I always loved the idea of haunting," he says, "the way the past can never really be left behind." Like most ghosts, too, he was uncertain where to move forward to.

When's it my turn?

I just heard news that one of my closest friend in high school gave birth to a healthy baby boy a few days ago. At 20, she has a son already. But, mind you, in this crazy generation, she's pretty lucky to have her loving boyfriend (I know the guy) and her parents (pretty cool parents, if you ask me) to have her back through this pregnancy.

She probably had the most awful timing when she told me she was having a baby. It was around two months ago when she told me that--no, not yet--that a priest from our school died that day, Father Andy. Practically growing up hearing Father Andy's masses, going to confession, and the hundreds of Cloud 9 and medallions we all received every year for more than 10 years of my stay in San Beda-Alabang, it was such a big shock to our small community that we lost a great person.

I asked about the details to his wake and she replied "The wake would be on Friday sa Mendiola, and Saturday sa Bene. By the way ninang ka na."

I was like, teka--ano daw? Fuuuuuuuu--

Musings of a Bum One Year in the Making.

The 8th of October of last year holds some sort of significance in my twenty years of existence in Mother Earth. Even though I don't look a day over 14, I graduated from college that day. I was reminded by a status made by my friend, blockmate, and fellow literature junkie that we reached our, ehem, anniversary of being an alumni of De La Salle University just last weekend, asking, "So, kamusta na ang buhay one year after grad?"

Let's see what I've achieved so far, shall we?

Soul'd Out

STATUS Magazine June 2011

Note: This is a short feature I wrote and was published in STATUS Magazine's June 2011 issue. I just felt like this deserves a rightful place in my blog. I once told myself, as a means of pep talk, that someday, my name will be out there where everyone can see. I achieved that somehow, and this is just the beginning, I tells ya.
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"Audiophiliac" isn't even enough to describe TIMOTHY BLOOM. It has come to a point when he'd steal his parents' keys to the car just so he can surf through radio stations.

The Ropes to Being "Astig."

One of my favorite places to get lost in will always be a bookstore.

And it was in those moments, probably about three months ago, that I was scouring shelf after shelf for which book, which author will be my mind's next victim. One book caught my eye, and it happened to be Tweet Sering's Astigirl--a sort of compound word for the word 'astig' (which would mean 'cool', 'hip', etcetera in the Philippine context), and the word girl, simply put.

It caught my interest immediately but I was saddened when I saw the price; I simply couldn't afford it at that time but I swore that one of those days I will have that book in my hands.

Today was that day.

Good bye July!

So I just realized it's yet another end to another month in 2011. Truth be told, it hasn't been my month. Failed job interviews, quarrels here and there. And I've literally been bummed about it. But, it's all in the past now. That's why I'm psyched I'm a few days away from August!

Of the written word.

I studied Literature for college. And it was during that time that I learned and was taught how powerful--and extremely beautiful--words are. It can take you to different places and different times, and make you feel different emotions all at the same time. I've always wanted to do something just as beautiful with words. Whether it's as sweet and smooth as Shakespeare's or as dark and chilling as Edgar Allan Poe's. But to be able to produce something as moving as what they have done, finest achievement there is.

I believe introductions are in order.

I decided to create another blog where my thoughts (and maybe rants, every now and then) will be expressed and read. I need to sort out the posts that I write apart from my Tumblr account.

Like I need to sort out my life right now.

I guess introductions are in order, then.

Art in Fashion and Vice-Versa.

Note: This is an old post from my Tumblr which seems like eons ago, but when I read back on it, I had a moment where I thought that, 'Hey, I can be a writer.' Something you should know about me: I have low self-esteem, so that moment for me was a good thing. Anyway, enjoy. ;)

Fashion, in its composition when dissected, is art: it has color, structure, shape and design. So far, the only difference between the two is that the former can be worn while the latter is meant for display. But even that is possible today. Who says that you can’t wear art?

Standstill.

Maybe I’m at this point in my existence where my life comes to a standstill—but that’s just ridiculous. I’m just 20 and I’m running out of things to do? Come on. That’s just plain crazy talk.