The UST Grand Alumni Homecoming 2009

God of all nations

Merciful Lord of our restless being,
Sweep with your golden lilies;
This fountain of purest light;
Trace with the sails of the galleons
the dream beyond our seeing
Touch with the flames of your kindness
the gloom of our darkest night.
Keep us in beauty and truth and virtues
impassioned embrace
Ever your valiant legions
Imbued with unending grace.
Amen.

Did you sing just now?

Did the song made you reminisce the great times you had at the hallowed halls of our beloved alma mater?

Do you well up with pride at the thought of once again passing through the historic Arch of the Centuries?

If your answer was yes to 1 or all of these questions, then don't wait for the quadricentennial celebration on 2011! Join this year's Grand Alumni Homecoming (see details on the poster below)

Onward to 400!

7-Eleven's PANALO'TTO!

If you think the Big Bite Challenge gave away huge money, wait 'til you get a load of this!

That's right! Prizes totaling up to Php7,000,000! Just looking at all those zeroes makes my head spin! All you have to do is to collect receipts that amount to Php50 and above and you get a number (at the back of your receipt), keep them and try to match and combine them. Winning combinations will be announced every Wednesday, which will be posted in all 7-Eleven stores and at www.7-eleven.com.ph.

Match number combinations announced online or in stores to win.

• 3 out of 5 numbers nets you Php5,000
• 4 out of 5 clinches you a cool Php10,000
• 5 out of 5 will make you richer by Php500,000!

What’s more, they’ve pledged to donate a sum of money to ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. for every top prize winner. Not bad eh? So I make sure I purchase at least P50 whenver I buy stuff there now hehe

YesNoMeh giveaways!

Ok, this is a pretty late entry because I've been really busy. I intended to do this last week and promote this contest that JC and Lizz have over at their new blog, YesNoMeh. As it is now, there's 2 days left of the contest, but what the heck right? You have 2 days to join. And if you happen to catch this late, then head on over anyway, it's a really cool blog. I'm sure you'll have fun anyway.

Now, since I'm not inclined to post so short an entry, might as well join (hehe...)

1. What is your favorite beauty ritual?
This one's really quite easy. Whenever I need to do something important, like attend a wedding, deliver a lecture, or go on an important date (or at least that's what I'd do if I ever find myself going to an important date), I keep myself unkempt for a week or 2 before that particular day (I grow my beard, hair, and moustache on purpose, but I still take a bath and keep myself clean of course). And the night before, I take a nice hair cut, shave off my facial hairs, and trim my nails. Not much of a beauty ritual, but that is mine. And I tell you, the difference is staggering. I lose a decade with this strategy--after gaining it first sure, but still right?

2. Why is grooming important?

My answer on question no. 1 of course is related to my answer here. The main reason I do what I do before an important event is to emphasize the effect of grooming. Grooming is important, nay, requisite to civilized life! There's a reason why the personal care industry is a billion dollar industry, because we all need it, one way or the other. Never mind makeup or those add-ons, but hair and skin care? Can't do without it. Unless you wanna look like

Louis Winthorpe III after he got played by Duke & Duke.

My take on love stories (and romantic comedies for that matter)

I must've seen dozens of romantic comedies both foreign and local. Certainly more than I'd normally care for, but they do know how to suck you in. They reel you in with the a variety of overworn cliches that still makes you wonder "Hmm... that could happen to me, let's see how this one turns out." Even though we know deep in our hearts that probably all possible permutations of love story beginning-endings have been used and re-used.

I've just finished watching (500) Days of Summer¹ and I can't help but think about relationships, falling in love, you know--all that crap. No, I'm not bitter--at least not in the guy-who-got-dumped sense, I'm merely thinking aloud. (And please no one start the "but there are a lot of different kind of loves" bs, you know very well that that's not what I'm talking about here.) Watching these films, they make you explore all kinds of possibilities.

"Aww... now that's just crazy, sure wish that would happen to me though."

"Hey! That's me! Totally me... except I don't live in NY and don't have a fancy apartment while totally not working."

"She's just like that bitch who dumped me for my dad's boss..."

Never mind that 80% of them will never happen in real life or that the 20% that do aren't even worth watching. We like finding people to identify with. See our situations mirrored on screen. I think we watch fantasy films for things would never happen, and love stories for things we wish would actually happen. And I don't know, maybe they do for some people. For all I know, maybe some of these films are written by people who's had those things happen to them. Maybe drop dead gorgeous ladies actually fall for supposedly-smart-yet-poor-and-underachieving men they just meet at a bar.

But while I can suspend belief while watching, I really can't after the end credit rolls. I know enough (at least I believe I do, which is same enough that it doesn't make a difference) to realize that these things don't happen--at least never to me. No one's out there just waiting to turn my life around. No sassy girl waiting to screw with my mind and make me fall head over heels regardless. No Rapunzel just waiting for me to rescue her and live happily ever after.

I didn't write this to dissuade anyone from falling in love. By all means, go. This is just a little reality check. If you want love, you better find it, because it sure as hell not going to fall into your lap. If you want an adventure, go read a book, or better yet, plug yourself into the matrix and see how far the rabbit hole goes. Inasmuch as you can identify with one of the characters in a Nicholas Spark novel, love stories are often simple and straightforward. Most of them aren't screenworthy, but who cares right? It's being in it that matters. Not how it might appear to anyone else.

I suppose that's why I still don't understand love. And while I wonder if I ever will, love stories like these will continue to reel me in.


¹ I've never written a good movie review before and I don't expect to suddenly become good now, so I'm going to do all of you a favor and not review this film. What I would do though is to say that you probably should watch this delightfully different film with its cleverly told story. Good script, interesting characters, and sufficiently humorous that it won't be a complete waste of time even if you aren't you know... into love.

Introducing: Cory Bread

Translation: (Top) A very special tribute to the one and only mother of democracy and first female President of the Philippines and the whole of Asia. (Bottom) President Cory Aquino, thank you very much!

Ok, so they didn't actually just introduced this bread today (it's been there for a couple of months now), but I only saw it today. I'm really not sure what to make of it. It's a curious tribute to be sure. I'd think they're trying to ride the fad except they didn't really advertise this much. So I suppose if the owners of Julie's Bakeshop really felt compelled to remember former President Corazon Aquino, then I imagine this is as good a way as any.

Cory Bread, P5 each

I was intrigued enough that I bought one earlier to try and it's really not bad. Quite good actually, if you like these sort of things. It's essentially caramelized bread with a flavoring common to baked bread that I don't quite know the name of--yellowish in color that looks like grounded bread, anyone? As for it's size, it's just a bit smaller than my hands (6 by 4 inches I reckon). I'm not sure if it reminds me of Cory, but it's creative enough to catch your attention. And for P5 each, I don't see how I can complain about it.

Special screening: A Journey Home

The film will be shown on November 21, 2009 at the UECP Main Sanctuary.

The show will be open for everyone.

You can get your free tickets at the UECP Pastor Office (2511621)

Or you may contact me by leaving a message here or messaging me.

PS In case you want to go there directly, here's instructions on how to go to UECP.

Officially addicted to Dezaato Pan

In case you haven't seen this place yet, Dezaato Pan is a new bake shop owned by the same people who brought us Tempura (Teriyaki Boy rip off--albeit my preferred version), Karate Kid (Tokyo Tokyo rip-off), Flavors of Asia (Superbowl of China rip-off), and now this (Bread Talk rip-off.) Ripping off other restos isn't new in this country and doesn't piss me off as say ripping off films does. Mainly because you still have to work on the taste of your food, and make sure they're better (and maybe even cheaper), and on this aspect, these people almost always manage to do a decent job.

Here's my favorite, their Kani and Corn Roll Bread for P45.

Easily similar to any Bread Talk has to offer but this one's much much better, the bread's is soft enough to make it easy on the jaw, but sufficiently chewy that it allows you to eat and not just inhale food. I love that it's overflowing with floss and the kani and corn baked into the bread gives it a special flavor. And you know what else makes Dezaato Pan better than Bread Talk?

30% off after 7pm! Is that cool or is that cool? Even French Baker makes you wait til closing time!

Of course they have a lot of other things to offer too. Their selection of gelato looks awesome--haven't tried it though. They offer coffee and other designer drinks too. And they look really classy--easily a good alternative to Starbucks or Coffee Bean. They've only have a few branches though (at least as far as I know), I've seen one in Banawe (besides Tempura), one in T. Morato (at Thompson Square) and at SM Mall of Asia., but do check them out and see if you agree with me.

7-Eleven's Big Bite Challenge Final Match (Finally!)

Last Saturday (November 14), I just witnessed one of the most exciting and gut-wrenching finish to an event I've eagerly anticipated since last August. No, I didn't get the dates mixed up, I'm not talking about the Pacquiao vs Cotto fight. I've always known that Pacquiao will win. No, what I'm talking about is the now long delayed 7-Eleven's Big Bite Hotdog Eating Challenge which I was too chicken to join myself.

Man! Look at them down those hotdogs!

Already twice pushed back, this historic event in the Philippines ended in the same fashion, with the audience's collective breaths' held while sitting at the edge of their seats. The finals started quite simply enough. All 25 finalists were there, and they all look ready. Comedic duo Ariel and Maverick made sure no one got too nervous by poking fun at everything. The finals was quite straightforward enough. Each contestant was given 10 minutes to eat as many hotdogs as they can from a tray that has 50 hotdogs. The one with the least remaining wins. Oh, and they weigh the leftovers, use a complicated formula to determine how much they did not in fact eat, then subtract it from their official score.

50 hotdogs sure looks daunting huh?

Boy was it exciting! At the end of 10 minutes, there appeared to be a clear winner with 14, 2 people tied for 2nd with 13, a guy with 12, another one with 11, 2 with 10 each and 4 with 9 each. After the official count though, they put rolled back the guy with 14 (Kyle) back to 13, took off 10 from the other guy who had 13, thus giving us a 2 way deadlock for 1st and 2nd, another tie for 5th and 6th then a 4 way rumble for the last spot with a cash prize.

Kyle De Guzman's official number got rolled back down by 1 to 13.

Leopoldo Quinto Jr. ties Kyle with 13 amidst the cheers of his fans who went to watch him

I will skip the other tie breakers except to say that while most were enthusiastic during the initial round, most were just about sick of hotdogs during the tie breaker round. In the tie-breaker round, they're given 5 hotdogs, and the fastest to down all 5 wins... except it's not as easy as that. Turns out after downing 13, these guys can't stomach 5 more. So the clock kept ticking... Kyle wolfed down 1 right away but needs a breather before he could continue, Pol having cold sweats now manages only a measly bite on his first. This went on for 6 minutes until the judges mercifully called a time out to renegotiate the rules.

They're just about ready to sick up right there hehe..

The 2 contestants knowing fully well that they can't go any further engages in deep discussion colluding to split both the top prize and the 2nd prize which net each of them a respectable sum of P325K a piece. The judges says no however. They wanted a decisive finish. so they gave them 3 more minutes. The guy who manages to eat the most in 3 takes home the top prize of P500K.

At that, Pol just went wild and wolfed down 1 right away virtually tying Kyle in less than 30 seconds. Over the next minute, he manages 1 more and is now in the lead. Kyle desperately finishes his 2nd to catch up. At the 1 minute mark the crowd just went wild, and Pol as if gaining energy with each scream, just beasted Kyle out of the P500K.

(The winners from left to right) 2nd prize winner of P150K, Kyle De Guzman; Grand prize winner of P500K, Leopoldo Quintos, Jr.; and 3rd prize winner of P75K, Edwin Duque.

Congratulations to all the participants and winners, well done! To 7-Eleven Philippines for bringing this exciting event to our country, thank you! And to all who missed it (like me), there's always next year!

For the curious, here's the list of winners:
1st -- Leopoldo Quintos, Jr. (P500K)
2nd -- Kyle De Guzman (P150K)
3rd -- Edwin Duque (P75K)
4th -- John Paul Aragoncillo (P20K)
5th -- Alejandro Villarino (P20K)
6th -- Jose Lucrecio Rivera (P20K)
7th -- Domingo Beltran (P20K)

Update: Pumpkin Beads at Wer U At

Just in case you missed and or don't have Myx.

*Replays will be at 12pm on Monday, 12:30am on Wednesday, and 4pm on Wednesday at Myx (Ch. 23 in Sky Cable).

Wer u at?

I don't know the answer to that (you may as a matter of course consider hitting the comment button and telling me), but I do know where a certain who's will be at...

Pumpkin Beads

that's my friend Kat's online gift shop

will be at

That's right, Myx's "Wer u at?"! Catch her there tomorrow, 8pm.

Using teenagers’ slang way of saying “Where Are You Now?”, Wer U At? is a show that talks about the best hangout places, bars, shops, salons - All places that teenagers frequent. The show is basically a tour on hotspots. Replays will be at 11am on Saturday, 5pm on Sunday, 12pm on Monday, 12:30am on Wednesday, and 4pm on Wednesday.

PS Any idea how one can record this?

JIV Manila Presents: Otherworldly Journeys

Prepare to be enthralled and taken to a journey unlike any of you've had before...


If you're an art collector, a JIV Manila fan, or just an art enthusiast, you'd definitely enjoy this otherworldly journey.

Otherworldly Journeys opens on November 5 (Wednesday), 5pm at the Mag:Net Cafe at Bonifacio High Street and runs from November 5 to 29. This is JIV Manila's 6th public show, so if you missed the last 5, make sure you don't miss this one. Tell your friends!

I 8 to educate! You should too!

Can you remember how you felt the last time you took a jeep then this little kid comes creeping in and wipes your shoes with his dirty rag in an attempt to solicit alms? Or when you were leaving church or the office and this small girl gives you her sampaguita presumably to get you to give her something like cash in return? I do. It never feels good. Not when I give them something, especially when I don't. I end up having a small argument with myself about what I should've done. I've always wished there was something better I can do... something that would have a more significant effect in their lives than merely giving something to sustain them for the day.

Last Thursday, I went to Sentro at Serendra for the launch of Virlanie Foundation's "8 to Educate" campaign. It's an awareness campaign in partnership with 8 restaurants situated in both Serendra and Bonifacio High Street that aims to promote and support education for street children. The campaign is quite simple, visit any of these 8 restos any time between now and December 31:

and order their featured dishes:

• Arama – Set Meal
  

I've personally visited this place, and wow was it cozy! They serve organic food and nothing about it taste yucky at all. I really enjoyed the burger.

• Cav – Valhrona Chocolate Souffle Cake
  

If you're a wine connoiseur, you'd definitely love this place. They have wine to go with almost anything, even this lovely dessert!

• Chelsea – Mac & Cheese Kiddie Meal
  

Who doesn't love Mac and Cheese?

• Cupcakes by Sonja -- or cupcakes for that matter? (check out photos here)
  
• Fu – Dimsum Platter

I love dimsum and I love their dimsum! They're steamed just right with topnotch ingredients.

• Healthy Kitchen – Monsignor James Salad

Looks healthy, tastes so good! I bet I'd be a whole lot thinner if I can have this for lunch everyday!

• Sentro 1771 – Fried Chicken Cutlets, Catfish Adobo Flakes
  

What else is there to say? Sentro's offering are always good, and these are no different.

• Xocolat – Organic Cacao drink & can

Cocoa! Need I say more?

and voila! A portion of what you paid for those dishes is donated towards Virlanie Foundation's effort to educate street children. Talk about feeling good after eating huh?

Street Education with the Virlanie Mobile Unit

Of course if you want to help more, you can. Just ask any of the staff for a pledge form and they will gladly assist you. They say all it takes is P800/month to make sure that an elementary students gets uniform, shoes, school supplies, transportation, meals and even enough to cover those special projects. Sponsors may even bond with "their" child and will receive regular updates on their progress.

Never heard of Virlanie before? So have I, yet they've been helping street children in the Philippines for the last 17 years! They tell me that more than 80% of their support come from the international community. Don't you think it's a high time that we Filipinos start helping solve our own problem? Let's start doing our part now. (Click here to learn more or just visit their website here.)

Sorry for the delay, but I'm back now!

Ok, so I realize I haven't put up an entry in weeks. The first couple of weeks, we were just busy straightening up the house due to Ondoy, but I've to be honest, the last couple of weeks, I was stuck watching TV. I've been catching up on series left and right. I couldn't exactly watch TV and be in front of the PC at the same time right? It sure would be cool if I could. At least that's what I said before I discovered PLDT My DSL's Watch Pad! Now I can watch TV while I blog!

You can watch CNN, the History Channel, and even the Cartoon Network while you chat (or rather while I chat and appear cool and all-knowing). Or you can see Brilliante Mendoza's award winning works like Serbis and Kinatay whenever you feel like it without having to leave your PC! I say yay!

And using the Watchpad player, you can stay connected to your favorite sites like Friendster and Facebook! Heck you can even Twit! And you can check out your favorite celebrities from Watchpad's exclusive channels like a sneek peak at Rhian Ramos' home life in "My Life".

Ok, so I wasn't exactly a fan before this, but she sure rocked!

And the best part of all this is, it's free! All free! So sign up now!

No undoing Ondoy

The last couple of days, I've been thinking of things that we could've done differently, things if undone would made things better. Bringing the car to higher ground instead of leaving it in the driveway... moving our ground floor things to the 2nd floor instead of merely raising it 4 feet off the ground.... making a force field that would block the water's aggressive foray into our home. I know that last one sounds ridiculous, but having prophetic visions that would allow me to forsee a catastrophe of this magnitude borders on the ridiculous too. And if by some odd twist of fate I'm granted the chance to walk back to Friday night, I'm not sure I'd want to relive it all again. Make no mistake, I will if I can. I'll try to warn as many people could be managed. I'm just not sure if there's anything I can really do to change the bottomline.

Flood inside our house.... but at least we were safe and warm.

So no, I don't believe we can undo Ondoy. What we can do though is to draw strength from this. The next few nights might be hard. A good many of us would have to start from scratch. Many are still grieving the lost of family and friends. Yet the finest steel is forged through the fiercest furnace and the best diamonds are churned by seemingly insurmountable pressure.

Our door as a depth reference.

We who lived through this have the obligation to move forward and draw strenght from this ordeal. Whether it were nerve wracking moments waiting for word that your family is safe, or traversing highways that suddenly became powerful rivers; whether your house got carried off, or just the feeling of security that should go with having a roof over your head; whether you lost everything or just your piece of mind; we need to stand up and be strong. We need to take control of this situation and be the better for it.

Still, were much better off inside than outside.

There's still a hundred of things that needs doing. There are still thousands of people that needs helping. No, there's no undoing Ondoy, but we can still overcome Ondoy. We have to.

Thank you

...to family, who though they second-guess me sometimes, still stand by my decisions; and who though I disappoint them quite often, still support and love me. I definitely could never have gone on without you.

...to friends, who though I've been a jerk to them before, still remain my friends; and who though I've given wrong directions more times than I could count, still comes to me asking for them. Life certainly couldn't have been any fun without you guys.

...to people who believed in me, doubted me, trusted me, maligned me, supported me, manipulated me, and just touched me one way or the other. What else can I say? This life surely wouldn't be the adventure that is without any of you.

To my family, friends, officemates, classmates, passing acquaintances, my dear readers, and to you... yes you...

Because I don't say it often enough...

Do you say it often enough? Would like an excuse to? Then sign the petition to make October 20...

Don't wait for October 20 though, thank them now!

Be part of a grateful nation. Join the rest of the country as it honors the one person whom a grateful nation will say a resounding thank you to. Visit http://www.thankyoudayphilippines.com/

7-Eleven's Big Bite Challenge Final Match

Yes it's on! There's been some changes, the finals got moved from last month to next Saturday, 25 finalist instead of just 8 (because they're really really good--scared me off in fact), MOA instead of Trinoma, but it's definitely on! Check out the details below.

So who wins the P500,000? Who'll take home the ultimate hotdog eater crown? And even more important, how many hotdogs will the ultimate champion end up eating? Find out for yourselves because you're all invited to watch! I for one won't want to miss this event. See ya next week!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!

I realize my title's a bit strange seeing as Christmas is month's away. However if you've ever tried visiting the Philippines this time of the year, you'd see that we start celebrating Christmas as early as September. And since we're within the 100 days to Christmas countdown, and I can feel the cool breeze coming in, I feel that we're well within the Christmas season.

I imagine the people at Red Ribbon are looking forward to a white Christmas themsevles because they just recently launched their newest creation...

The White Forest!


A perfect combination of white chiffon, white chocolate shavings and red maraschino cherries!

Ok, I admit, the name isn't exactly creative, but it's really quite good! I don't really like cakes in general, but I liked this one. It's beauty I suppose is in it's simplicity. A simple combination of feel good food, white chocolates, chiffon and cherries--nothing overpowering, nothing too overwhelming. Definitely a refreshing change from Black Forest. And I actually never realized that cherries actually went well with white chocolate, but it does. The only downside here is that it's not yet available in all branches. However, if you want to try it (or maybe send me one for Christmas), you may have it delivered by calling 87777.

Of course, visiting them won't hurt either, if not for the White Forest, you might consider trying some of their newer offerings. I for one enjoyed their new Spaghetti with Meatballs and Chicken with Garlic and Mushroom Roll. Definitely must tries!

99 Days to go 'til Christmas!

Happy National Physical Therapy Day!

Go give your favorite Physical Therapist a gift or something! (Hint: I'm a Physical Therapist)

Ok, so I realize that not many people are familiar with what Physical Therapy is exactly or that it actually takes 5 years of tertiary education. (Yes, I did not just fail a year.) In light of this special occasion, I thought it might be interesting to see what people actually thought about PT's. Let me know what you know or at least what you think. Please post your thoughts and maybe questions about Physical Therapy here, and I'll do my best to clarify them. Hopefully, this will be educational not just for me but also for you.

Happy PT Day!

If you want to know more about the local scene or simply interested in joining the upcoming national convention, please visit PPTA's new website.

JIV Manila Presents: The Venusian Principle

Last night, I attended the launching of JIV Manila's The Venusian Principle, it's an art exhibit. Now I'm not exactly an artist or even an art critic so I can't say I really know art. I just attended to check out some of Lizz's work (and because I'm a good friend like that) and I was afraid I'd drown myself trying to understand the "art world". I was pleasantly surprised that it was not a snotty affair at all! It was light and relaxed. The art works were fun yet evocative. It wasn't what I expected at all! Oh there were artist-speak of course, paintings I couldn't begin to comprehend, and wine.

My Little Art Place... quite cozy and relaxing right?


Rather provocative pieces don't you think?


This one's rather cool... chalk sculpture!


And we have here JC and Lizz, the artist, standing besides my favorite painting of the night...
"All that glitters"

Unfortunately, my camera really can't do these artworks justice. You just have to go and check them out for yourself. You have a month minus a day left. Here are the details:

My Little Art Place is really quite easy to find. If you're coming from Ortigas Avenue, it's on the left about 20 meters after Kink Cakes. If you're coming from P. Guevarra St., it's on the right, about 30 meters after Gold's Gym. If you see either landmarks, just park your car and walk, it's really much easier to spot it that way.