NO STRINGS ATTACHED

(Ashton Kutcher , Natalie Portman)

"No strings" means no jealousy, no expectations, no fighting, no flowers, no baby voices. It means they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, in whatever public place they want, as long as they don't fall in love. The question becomes- who's going to fall first? And can their friendship survive? 

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13 ROUND FRUITS

Filipinos borrow many traditions from the Chinese, and the idea of letting go of bad luck/bad spirits and ushering in good luck for the coming new year is the overall theme for Filipino New Year celebrations. Come late December, fruit vendors set up their stalls in more convenient locations so that people can get easier access to round fruits. You see, preparing 13 different kinds of round fruits (apples, watermelons, oranges, kiwi, etc) during New Year’s Eve is said to bring good luck and prosperity to the family for the coming year. Why 13 round fruits, you ask? 13 is a lucky number to the Chinese, and the fruits’ round shape resembles coins. Hence, wealth and prosperity. Eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight (one for each month of the year) is also said to bring wealth and luck. 

(source) 

 So did you do this last New Year's eve =)

GREETINGS!! =)

Let's see if I'll be able to write a new year blog entry. In the meantime let me post these photos instead =)

BELATED MERRY XMAS AND

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

REGINE MADE ME CRY

I was able to watch Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid’s wedding special entitled “A Duet to Forever” on GMA7 last Sunday night. I really looked forward for it since it’s the wedding of two of the most prominent singers in the country!

But what I really got excited with is the time where in they would have to say their wedding vows to each other. I mean, wedding vows, these are composed of words coming from the bride and the groom… coming from their hearts. Those aren’t dictated by the priest, those aren’t read on the bible, those are words that they wrote themselves, and with that you would be able to feel just how much love they have with each other. And with Regine’s vow, no doubt about it, she knows exactly how lucky she is.

I saw myself drowning in tears as I continue watching the wedding vow part, damn, I was literally laughing at myself. My mom is with me in the living room, but she is sleeping. Lights are closed, I am hugging a throw pillow, and then “sniff… sniff”, my gawd, I can’t stop crying! I was even checking my mom every once in a while to see if she’s looking at me. But you know what, I am grateful that I only got to watch it on TV, with only myself to notice me. Coz much to my dismay, I ALWAYS CRY ON WEDDINGS. Let me describe it in Filipino… ‘walang palya!’, haha! Yeah I can’t remember a wedding I attended where in I didn’t drop a tear or two.

I was able to coordinate 3 weddings already, I am not the organizer for the whole event but I am part of the team, and just imagine a coordinator, someone who is supposed to walk from every corner of the room to check if everything’s okay, will suddenly stop… stare at the couple… smile, and then whoala, cry. And when reception comes, if the onsite video happens to have an oh so dramatic music, again, I would cry. Tsk weddings, why you wanna make me cry huh? Haha!

I don’t cry sad tears, I don’t envy couples, I don’t pity myself. I cry because weddings, for me, are moments of hope. And if I may go back to Regine and Ogie’s wedding, I cried so hard on Regine’s wedding vow because she indeed gave me hope.

Regine Velasquez, as we all know, also shared a roller coaster love life. She was even caught between the regine-ariel rivera-gelli de belen triangle. We would often see her sing, sometimes get to watch her on film, or star in tv shows, but we would also sometimes wonder… when the hell will she get married, she’s getting old! I remembered asking that couple of years ago, I mean she’s like Mariah Carey (again? haha), divas who almost forgot that you cannot actually marry musical notes. Well of course not until Nick Cannon showed up at Mariah’s doorstep. And Ogie Alcasid, well, their musical notes touched each other’s lives =)

Regine was tagged as a stealer when she and Gelli de Belen had a conflict because of Ariel Rivera. And then some people judged her negatively once again when they knew about her and Ogie’s relationship, since Ogie was popularly known to be the husband of Michelle Van Eimeren. It wasn’t a smooth journey for Regine on the love department, and the more I saw myself in her. I was claimed as a ‘bf stealer’ too, and just for everyone who can’t relate to this situation, sometimes we too are victims of circumstances.

“Tinanong tayo ni pastor kung bakit tayo magpapakasal, mas madali daw kasi maging single… pero hinde. Nung dumating ka sa buhay ko, pagod na ko… at malungkot na ko.”

And then she sang Apo Hiking Society’s ‘Di Ko Malimutan’

“Naging mahirap ang simula natin. May mga pagkakataong sumuko ako, patawad mahal. Hindi ko naman kasi alam na ito pala ang sukli sa lahat ng paghihirap na yun. Mabuti na lang at hindi ka sumuko, maraming salamat.”

“I have never been so happy in all my life, thank you!”

Despite all uncertainties, I will still not get tired; I won’t lose hope on love. I will keep on praying that a good relationship will come my way. I would often tell my friends how lucky my future husband is, because I have saved a big space here in my heart to the man I will spend the most number of years with.

If the time comes where in I’ll get tired, or probably lose hope on love already, I know that God reserved a man for me, just in time to make me realize that all this waiting, and praying, they’re all worth it. Regine’s vow made me realize that years may gone by, but one day, someday, the wedding you’ve been imagining will come true. That someday I will be that bride, in front of the Lord, with my friends crying because the girl who used to cry all the time because of the wrong boys she chooses is finally facing her forever.

And just the same, I will still cry… I will cry as I utter my own wedding vow.

I will cry, still cry, because the hopes, dreams, the prayers, and wishes are finally coming true.

VINDICATED (Hubert Webb Acquitted)

( in connection to this post )

I woke up to the ear-splitting sound of our telephone ring lunchtime today. My friend called me up to congratulate me because Hubert Webb is finally acquitted. I was surprised and rushed to turn the TV on, and then there he was, on his orange shirt, sitting with the bunch of media men inside the press conference room of the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.

For 10 minutes, I still continued to surf channels and look for other news related to it just to be sure, coz honestly, it was unbelievable. It’s not that I became hopeless or I disagreed with the decision of the Supreme Court, but because the results were really sudden. Even their families aren’t prepared for the good news. But then again, if it’s good news, no matter how abrupt or surprising it is, it is still good news! =D

Just to be clear I am not related to the family at all, like what I’ve written on my previous blog related to Webb, I have always been interested to the case ever since I was 12 or 13 years old

Hubert and 5 others were given the release order at around 4pm. My mom and I watched until past 4, until Hubert finally steps out of the Bilibid prison, get into the car, and drive away to the land of the free (America?) haha! I remembered when Elizabeth Webb (Hubert’s mom) arrived at the conference room, she gave her son a tumbler with water right away for Hubert to drink. And my mom said “Pinainom nya pa si Hubert, naalala pa nya magdala ng water for her son”. It’s a simple gesture, but we find it moving. My mom and I agreed that by just looking at Ms. Elizabeth Webb’s character, you can tell that someone like Hubert couldn’t do such thing. Sometimes a mother’s love, pain and tears can speak a lot on their son’s burden. It’s always the mother who’s there to defend their son, take Hayden Kho and Jason Ivler’s case as examples. Again, just looking at their mothers, you can tell the truth of the matter. But that’s beyond the point. The reality is just so surreal, like I became hopeful on our justice system. I know many would oppose and say otherwise. But I would always be confident that the Webb’s evidences are way credible than the other party. Just to make it clear, I made sure that my opinions are substantiated prior to writing.

Seeing Lauro Vizconde’s break down wasn’t easy of course. If only the people around him helped him to move on and consider the other factors. He had closed his mind that it’s Hubert Webb. He instilled into his beliefs that the justice system is corrupt. For 15 years Hubert is in jail without enough credibility from the other party’s star witness Jessica Alfaro, but still Lauro considered the justice system unfair. For 15 years Hubert has been brave to accept all tests just to prove him innocent, but he was ignored and remained in jail. Still Lauro believe that the Supreme Court only favors those with power, when in fact Hubert being convicted took away all the family’s good reputation already.

Wherever the real suspect / suspects are, I beg you to surrender. It’s hard to accept that Lauro Vizconde will have to start again from step one. That he still has to be hopeful because if he can’t, then who else will lead this fight. That he still has to trust God despite all the uncertainties. That someone that old should still continue to fight for dear life because despite the feud between those who believe on Hubert Webb and those who don’t, in the end, we all want one thing… peace of mind for Lauro Vizconde, and rightful justice for his family. I will pray for you sir Lauro, I am happy for the Supreme Court’s decision, no doubt about it, but despite that I am also saddened thinking that the real culprit is somewhere out there… probably spent the last 15 years being nonchalant about this (just thinking of the worst)… and that sucks.

I got teary eyed on some parts while watching the live feed of Hubert’s release, like I am watching an ending to an ambivalent teleserye. Like there’s a healed paralyzed man you’re excited to tour around, like a comatose patient lost in time, like the pause button finally played again. For 15 years and 4 months, he was in jail for something he has no knowledge of. Buildings, technology, roads, fashion, everything has changed, he doesn’t know how to drive anymore for sure. But after 15 years, one thing remained; it is hope, his family… and the truth. For everyone who commented and judged me wrongly on my previous blog, let’s just hope for the best for Lauro Vizconde. And for those who agreed with me, cheers to us. For Hubert Webb, thank you for being an inspiration. Go ahead and seize the day. Bring back the 15 years lost and shout to the world that you’re free, you’re out and praise the Lord, you are finally vindicated!!

..i just learned today that according to Article 90 of the Revised Penal Code: "crimes punishable by death, reclusion perpetua or reclusion temporal shall prescribe in twenty years." This means that 20 years after the Vizconde Massacre on June 1991, the criminal liability of the people behind it would be extinguished.

Twenty years after... June 2011... the candle of hope and justice is running out of flame, lets move quick, we don't want a teleserye without ending.

CORY AQUINO'S SWEDISH MEATBALLS

My mom tried it… ‘sabe ng mom’ di kasing gaya syempre.. haha!

Here’s a recipe of one of Noynoy’s favorite comfort foods. This was often cooked by President Cory Aquino during their stay in Boston from 1980-1983.

Turns out, Noynoy loves meatballs either in spaghetti or Swedish dishes. “Mom’s meatballs were huge!”

Former President Cory’s Swedish Meatballs

Meatballs:

2/3 kg ground beef

1/3 kg ground pork

200 g celery

50 g garlic

Carrots, finely chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl, mix the above ingredients.

Form into balls, then deep fry.

Set aside on a plate.

Sauce:

250 g button mushrooms

2 c all-purpose cream

Onions

Garlic

Liquid seasoning

In a separate pan, prepare the ingredients for the sauce.

Saute mushrooms in little garlic and onions.

Add cream and seasoning.

(from here)

..it tastes good btw! =D

THANKS!

weehee. i am nominated once again for the Philippine Blog Awards!

Only this time the category's quite awkward haha. but it's actually pertaining to this post, for a single-post category, so there you go! THANKS AGAIN PBA AND FOR THE

NOMINATION!

MUCH LOVE =D

The Philippine Blog Awards (for Luzon) will be held on December 12 at RCBC Plaza, Makati.

----------

UPDATE.

I am also nominated for this category

Now that's more like it =D I didn't won last 2008 and I am not expecting to win this year, but being nominated is more than enough! Congrats for the other nominees!

ROSARIO

ROSARIO - STUDIO 5'S ENTRY FOR MMFF 2010.

My friend tagged me this on fb. I was impressed with the prod.design =) i hope philippine cinema would continue to flourish.

"Her love and her passion will be her greatest tragedy"

ON HUBERT WEBB

The list of shows I watched tonight is a bit heavy for the soul actually.

The first one, The Final Destination (4) on HBO. I really don’t know why I am such a fan of this gruesome movie, but ever since Devon Sawa started the premonition of deaths, i just became enthusiastic with the plot. Haha. After watching it I decided to switch to Star Movies, and Drag Me To Hell didn’t ended yet. I saw myself laughing at some parts of the film, but the heck, this is one crazy movie!

And lastly, I watched Cheche Lazaro Presents: Dalawang Mukha Ng Hustisya on ABSCBN. A documentary about the Vizconde Massacre. Being a Communication student, documentaries and the like really gets my attention. And this one, i must say, is well done.

Anyway, what really struck me with the show is how it got me to sympathize with Hubert Webb. The primary suspect for the murder case. Investigations for unresolved cases and its mysteries are just some of the stories that I enjoy watching. I can still remember how this murder case became a hoopla in the 90’s. But at that time, my basis for judgment is only what I see in the television, I mean, I don’t have my own speculations, theory and logical explanations for it. The media says its Hubert Webb who has to go to jail, then I have to hate him, just because.

I also remember Jason Webb!! I remembered my friend Cello (she is Ms.Ganda, the one who sang Payong,tagalog version of Umbrella), we were classmates during our freshmen yr. in St.Paul and we would get excited to watch the progress in the Vizconde massacre, bec.I like Jason Webb and she likes Hubert Webb =) I saw Jason again on TV, and just the same, he looks adorable and cute… but of course a lot older.

All the memories I can remember about the Vizconde massacre came back. It’s not like I was involved in it, but I recall, maybe being an aspiring media practitioner as I am, I was very eager to watch all the news related to the case. I remembered hating Hubert Webb. But realizing now… was it really Hubert Webb who should be there in jail for 15 years?

The US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) certified that Hubert was in the US from March 1991 to October 1992. The Vizconde was murdered at June 30, 1991. There was even a video of him and his relatives playing on the snow with the date 1991 on the lower right corner of the screen. Lastly Hubert also requested for a semen sample of Carmela Vizconde if it would match his, since Carmela was raped before being murdered. After 13 years since Hubert requested for it, the Supreme Court finally agreed. The NBI, however, informed the Supreme Court that it no longer has the specimen and other laboratory reports, photographs and documentary evidence related to the case because it turned these over to the Parañaque RTC in 1996.

The family is very hopeful that the DNA test will be there salvation since if the Supreme Court couldn’t show the said specimen, the chances of Hubert to be released is higher.

Don’t get me wrong though, I also sympathize for Lauro Vizconde, the father of the family. How can I not be, he lost his wife and children while he is in the US. This is his fight. But then again, how can he still say that the justice system is unfair and that those with money and power are the ones who always win, when the accused Hubert Webb has been in jail for an agonizing 15 years.

I apologize for having a biased opinion, but I just based this primarily on evidences. What is Jessica Alfaro’s inconsistent statements against a certification that the accused is abroad the day the incident happened and that the accused is brave enough to challenge the court for a DNA test. I don’t know how I never considered these factors way back. Maybe because I am not that critical yet. Or maybe because Mara Clara influenced me that the underdog is ALWAYS right. I really don’t know, but so far, I am convinced that it’s not Hubert Webb.

I just hope that Lauro Vizconde would not be naive to consider all factors. I mean, would he rather have no suspect or accusing a wrong one? Whatever it is, the truth will always prevail, I believe on that. It will… in time… hopefully soon. 

update is HERE

CONDOMS AND RH BILL

NANAY: Anak? Bawal makipag-sex. Bata ka pa! Baka mabuntis ka.
ANAK: Bawal bawal ka diyan! And so what kung bata pa ako? Makikipag-sex ako kung gusto ko no. May condom naman. So hindi parin ako mabubuntis. Ang sarap kaya! Try mo!

- from tumblr.


benta yung joke!!

pero yung point? di ren.. matagal na po may condoms, langgam lang ang may di alam nun. matagal naren sinasabing one way to prevent unexpected pregnancy is to use condoms. so why blame RH bill? dahil ibibigay sya ng libre ng ilan at dahil madali na syang makukuha/mabibili? then what makes you? a freeloader? gumamit ka lang nun kase libre? ano ka purita? tsaka, matagal nang madali makabili ng condoms, sa dinami-dami ba namang nagkalat na Ministop noh!

admit it, most couple use the withdrawal/ calendar method, sabay tanong: 'sure ka nilabas mo?'.. BOOM, 9 months after.. 'feeling ko di mo nga nalabas' haha! c'mon c'mon, PATI BA GOBYERNO MAMIMILI PARA SA INYO? IT'S YOUR CHOICE, IF U WANNA GET PREGNANT, DO SO, GOOD LUCK SAYO, AS IN GOOD LUCK! =D

HELLO BOY!

DONT LET INSULT, FEAR AND GUILT HINDER YOU FROM FULFILLING YOUR DREAMS
- Boy Abunda

Just got home from an interview with Mr. Boy Abunda, but we had some drinks after so the update’s quite late, haha.
I have always admired him and his words =)

WANSAPANATAYM IS BACK!

I'm sure many of you are familiar with ABSCBN's fantasy series every Sunday night entitled 'Wansapanataym'! The show that makes values formation a lot entertaining.

Well guess what, it's back! Here is a teaser of Wansapanataym, coming this September, still of course in the Kapamilya network! Bring back FLAMES too! hahaha!

PS: I used to cry on its theme song =( haha!