ASAP Rocks Dinagyang

10:24:00 AM ivannejuare 0 Comments

As part of the Dinagyang celebration this year, ASAP Rocks held a live show at the Iloilo Sports Complex. They brought over a hundred stars to grace the event. Me and my friend Nadz was so thrilled about it. So we decided to go there, despite the fact that there would be thousands of people who feel the same way we do. The main reason why I wanted to watch ASAP Rocks is because CHRISTIAN BAUTISTA will be there. I don't care about the others for as long as Christian Bautista is there. So here's what happened to us throughout the day:

Well, we wake up more than 30 minutes late from our wake up call. We have to move as fast as possible. By 9 am we were falling in line in Jollibee to buy our breakfast and lunch. We then rode a taxi since we really don't know the exact location of Iloilo Sports Complex and expecting that it will drive us exactly to the place. A few meters outside the sports complex, there was a 'No Entry' sign, so we rode a 'sikad' to bring us to the sports complex. Wait, here's a twist. As soon as we were dropped off by the taxi, the 'sikad' drivers told us that food and drinks were not allowed inside the area. Gosh! We're both so hungry and we can't eat the food we brought. How bad! So instead of throwing our food like what others did, we left our foods in a store and the storekeeper agreed to guard it for us(of course, there would be some payment later).

Many people went to see the celebrities. So we have to try out luck against them. From the entrance gate, people are pushing each other, just to get inside the sports complex. Like most events like these, injuries cannot be avoided. Anyways, We were in the bleachers part, which means that we are TOO FAR from the stage:( But at least, we can seat down and we also enjoyed the shade. From where we are, all we can do is have a guessing game of who the celebrities are. In fact, Nadz said that its like we are listening to a radio because we don't have a clear view.Even before the middle part of the show, we decided to leave because we're really hungry and tired,

After what we've been through, I am still happy. At least I got to see Christian Bautista, even if I was too far away AND I heard his voice live. I would have regretted not coming to ASAP Rocks especially if I had the chance to see him and I took it for granted.

From the Sports Complex, we walked until we reached SM(it wasn't that far after all). We strolled and ate frozen yogurt from California Berry.

The Dinagyang Fever

4:44:00 PM ivannejuare 0 Comments

Iloilo City is best known for the Dinagyang festival. Millions of tourists come in Iloilo to see what Dinagyang is all about. And of course, I shouldn't miss the fun!

As part of the celebration this year, they collaborated with FDCP or the Film Development Council of the Philippines to hold a 3 day Iloilo Film Fest, of which the indie films Red Shoes(my favorite) and Himpapawid are part of. And their last offering is EMIR, which actually gave the event a well deserved closing. So far, it had the longest line of movie goers. The director, Chito Roño, together with the Jhong Hilario and Dulce, were present to grace the closing program. And I have to agree, that Jhong is indeed the Sample King, as what Showtime had labeled him, because he gave the audience a really really GOOD sample.He really have that excellent tumbling skills! Moving on, the film was nice, but some parts were dragging. Anyways, I still enjoyed it.

Because the film was too long, we only saw the last contestant for the fireworks display Too bad though. I really wanted to see ALL the entries. But the last entry was enough for the finale because it was so beautiful. After watching the fireworks display,we had our dinner and went to Plazuela to stroll around. There, we saw a really good place for children:the LITTLE MARTIANS. How I wish I could also play there. It looks really fun and cool. The place have nice and modern facilities. I think the kids will have a great time playing there.

We were supposed to hang out with our ex-roommate but we had a little problem, so we decided to party on our own. We went to Small Ville, not to dance till we drop, but to eat frozen yogurt. It was really yummy, and it went well with the crepe. I want to eat there AGAIN, some other time. While eating our foods, we played a game(I don't know what it's called though). It was my first time to play it but I think it went well. I'd love to play that game again.

We had a long night. We've got tons of stuff to do but we manage to have a great time. I wanted to see some of favorite actors today and watch the tribal dance, but I'm not in the mood to squeeze my body through the crowd, so I guess, I'll enjoy my day surfing the net.

Oh, last night was nice, nut just because I have fun with my friends, but also because I saw too of my ex-crushes.haha. I exerted no effort spotting them.

Next Please

2:59:00 AM ivannejuare 0 Comments

I wasn't really enticed to watch Himpapawid (Manila Skies). Among the films that are included in the Iloilo Film Festival, it was the one which I have the faintest idea of what it is about. At first, I thought of not watching it. But eventually, I watched it(I wouldn't have written this entry if I haven't!) and realized how much I would miss if I missed it.

The story of the film was actually about the usual things that happen to poor people:they would send their children to Manila in the hope of giving them a "better future", some would resolve to acts of crime such as stealing and hijacking, and some will have thoughts on giving up their insanity and hope. Another issue that was highlighted in the film was the love for family:some would go on hijacking a plane just to see their ill father, and some will send their children to a distant place called Manila, even if the money that will be used was of unsure origin. People might say that I've seen a lot of films about this things. But what was unusual about the film was how it was presented. The story was usual but was given a different approach. The story itself is a combination of the news about peoples life. Another thing that made me love the movie was that camera used is so nice. It made the film even more interesting. But my favorite part of the story was when the lead character Raul, and 4 other OFW to be(who were fooled) went to take revenge on Mr. Fernando, but they were eventually defeated and tortured and the twist on the last part of the story.

To end this, let me quote something from the movie(though this might not be the exact words):

May limang klase ng tao:may mga manloloko, nagpapaloko, ayaw magpaloko, naloko(not so sure of this), at mga gumaganti.

Ang Sapatos:Isang Rebyu

10:05:00 PM ivannejuare 0 Comments

Aanhin mo nga ba ang sapatos kung iisa lamang ito at nawawala ang kanyang kapares?

Hindi ito tungkol kay Cinderella. Kundi sa pelikulang RED SHOES. Isang indie film na pinangugunahan ng ilan sa mga mahuhusay at batikang aktor sa industriya. Ang pelikulang ito ay umiikot sa buhay ni Lucas, sa mga mahalagang tauhan sa buhay niya at pati na rin sa isang pares ng Red Shoes na ninakaw niya mula sa koleksyon ng dating unang ginang na si Imelda Marcos.

Talagang maganda ang Red Shoes. Hindi lamang dahil sa istorya nito, kundi dahil na rin sa mga aktor na gumanap. Napakagaling ng kanilang pag-ganap. Makatutuhan ang pagbitaw nila ng linya. Sa katunayan, ilan sa mga ito ay tumatak na sa aking isipan:

"...Sobrang mahal!"

"Kanan para sa katarungan. Kaliwa para sa pag-ibig."

"Like mother like daughter. Like father like son."

"Hindi ko iiwan ang Republika ng Pilipinas."

"Tama ako, nakatungtung ka nga sa marmol...at ikaw nakapatong sa akin."

Hindi ako nagkamali nang sabihin ko na maganda ang Red Shoes. Hindi ako nanghihinayang sa oras na iginugol ko upang manuod ng Red Shoes, sa halip na mag-aral ako. Walang dudang nagustuhan ng mga manunuod ang pelikula dahil ito ang nakatanggap ng pinakamalakas na palakpakan sa lahat ng mga pelikulang ipinalabas ngayong araw. Sa kabuuan ng pelikula, nagkaroon ng maraming reaksyon ang mga manunuod: may mga napaluha, may napatawa, may kinilig, may napamangha, at may nainis.

Mabuti na lang at nagkaroon ng libreng panood sa Iloilo Film Festival. Salamat sa mga taong nasa likod ng nasabing okasyon. Sa tingin ko, isa itong matagumpay na okasyon.

Sa Red Shoes, nabanggit ang isang karanasan ni Rizal: Nang minsan mahulog ang isang pares ng kanyang tsinelas/sapatos sa ilog, hinayaan niya rin raw tangayin ang isa pang pares nito dahil ayon sa kanya, aanhin mo pa nga ba ang sapatos kung iisa lamang ito. Nagtapos ang Red pelikula ng hinagis ni Lucas ang Red Shoes sa ilog. Nakuha naman ito ng isang bata, ngunit hinagis niya ng kaliwang pares ng sapatos at ibinigay ang kanang pares sa lola niyang iisa na lamang ang paa. Hindi ba tila isang kontradiksyon ang katapusan ng Red Shoes sa sinabi ni Rizal?

Napag-iwanan na nga ba AKO?

4:38:00 PM ivannejuare 0 Comments

Nasa ikalawang taon na ako sa kolehiyo at ilang buwan na lang nasa ikatlo na. Masaya ang buhay kolehiyo. Pakiramdam ko, para akong isang ibong nakatikim ng sarap ng sinag ng araw at simoy ng hangin sa malawak na himpapawid pagkatapos ng ilang taong pagkakakulong sa loob ng hawla. Malaya akong gawin ang bagay na aking naisin ng walang magagalit at pumipigil sa akin. Ngunit paminsan-minsan, sa aking pag-iisa, may mga bagay na hindi mo maiiwasang isipin. At minsan, nakakalungkot man, ay kailangan mong tanggapin na hindi sanay ang iyong pakpak sa paglipad kasingtaas, kasingbilis o kasinghaba ng ibang ibong sanay na sa malawak na papawirin.

Sa isang balik tanaw sa nakaraan, minsan magtatanong ka: ano na nga ba ang nangyari sa iba kong kasamahan? Sa paglipas ng panahon, marami na rin ang mga pagbabago sa kanila. May mga gumanda at gumwapo. May lalong gumanda at gumwapo. May sumeksi. May tumaba. May sumikat. May nalaos. May gumaling sa pag-awit at pagsayaw. At may iba rin na tila wala masyadong pagbabagong naganap. At isa ako sa kanila.

Ano nga ba ang nangyari sa akin pagkatapos ng dalawang taong paglalakbay ko isang panibagong mundo? Nagkaroon ako ng kaibigan, at malamang, pati kaaway. Natuto ako ng panibagong mga kaalaman gaya ng paglalaro ng table tennis at bowling, at lumangoy. Tumaba rin pala ako. Sa listahan ko, mukhang iilan lang ang nabago sa akin. Kung ano ako dati, halos ganoon pa rin ako ngayon. Isa pa rin akong duwag. Hindi alam kung paano ibuka ang bibig sa klase para makilahok sa talakayan at para ipadinig ang aking ideya. Natatakot pa rin akong pagtawanan ng ibang tao Mahilig pa rin akong magsulat ng mga tula. Hindi ko pa rin alam kung paano ko gagamitin ng maayos ang aking oras. At higit sa lahat, wala pa rin akong bilib sa aking sarili.

Dalawang taon na ang lumipas ng makalaya ako sa hawla. Ngunit pakiwari ko, nakakulong pa rin ako sa tila mas malaking hawla, ang hawla ng tunay na buhay. Narito ako ngayon sa lupa, tinatanaw ang mga kasamahan kung ibon habang lumilipad ng pagkatayogtayog. Pakiramdam ko tuloy, tila napag-iiwanan na ako. At hindi ako papayag ng ganoon lang. Balang araw, ibubuka ko ang ang aking mga pakpak, iwawagaswas ng buong gilas at lilipad ng ako hanggang sa maabot ko rin ang aking mga pangarap.

I'm On Cloud Nine!

9:26:00 PM ivannejuare 0 Comments

Students fear exams for two reasons. First, they are afraid of the questions that might appear. Second, they are afraid of the results. It's really frightening to know the results of the exams especially if it's a major subject. Some students would be extremely happy to know that they passed the exams, even if there score is just a little above the passing line. And I am one of them.

Today, 2 exams were given back to us:BA 99.2 and Econ101. I was really nervous of my scores in both subject, especially in Econ because I have a low score on parts 1 and 2 of the exam. But luck was on my side. I passed both of my exams! Yippee! Thanks God! It may sound a bit silly for me to be happy with such things, but I guess it's just me. I can be pleased with a simple act and be happy with just an ordinary happenings like these.

For now, I'm on cloud 9, and I hope I would be for the rest of the week. Dinagyang's fever is on! I'm so excited with our movie marathon which will start on Wednesday and ends on Friday.

An Exhausting Day

9:09:00 PM ivannejuare 0 Comments

"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." It may sound a bit difficult to understand but it only means that our actions always have consequences...just like what happened this day.

Situation 1: My teacher in one of my major subjects asked our class to have a play about the different approaches in Management. It was given last year, but we all chose to enjoy our Christmas vacation instead of thinking or coordinating with our group mates. In the end, we ended up asking our teacher to postpone it and she agreed. Thank Heavens! The original date was January 4 but now, we would be having our play tomorrow. We have a whole week to think about it and yet we keep on postponing and ignoring it. So today...we faced a great consequence. We have to come up with ideas, given the pressure and time constraint. I hope it turns out well tomorrow.

Situation 2: My teacher in another major subject gave us a case study as a group assignment. Well, I was ok with idea of working in a group. What irritates me the most is that she never had a formal discussion of the lessons involved. Unlike in Situation 1, we were able to meet earlier, actually 2 days after it was given to us. But the problem is, we don't even have the slightest idea how to start. In the end, we ended up doing it today.

Situation 3: Well, I have a younger brother and my mom always ask me to make his projects, answer his assignments and other school related stuffs(of course, there's always a reward waiting for me). But since I studied here in Iloilo, it was significantly reduced. The problem here is, it still intervenes with my studies because when I got home I still have to make some of his projects and research for him. This is what happened to me this weekend. I spent the whole weekend doing his scrap book, which means that I didn't had time to read the books and photocopies I brought home with me.

Now what has situations 1,2 and 3 have to do with each other. Situations 1&2 are the consequences of situation 3. The most tiring thing for today is to go to 2 different places in just an afternoon for the sake of meeting with my groupmates for the play and for doing that case study. I'm really exhausted, physically and mentally. AND I haven't eaten dinner. I'm sure my stomach will be making lot of weird noises this evening.

Reflections: Well, aside from learning that actions always have consequences, I learned that some people really don't know to value their time, as well as other's. I really hate it when people come late on their appointments and moving it anytime convenient to them without even thinking if the others have prior engagements. I used to be always on time way back before I entered college. But now, I just got tired of waiting for people you know that won't show up until, maybe at least 30 minutes after the expected time. Is this really a thing for us Filipinos? I just feel disappointed at times. I'm not saying that I'm not late. What I'm pointing out is that sometimes, we should learn to value our time, especially when we have a lot of things to do and there's no sense in making any delays.

That's all for now.

Miss Immature

1:16:00 AM ivannejuare 0 Comments

I really don't know what's with stuffed toys that make me really like them. All I know is that I really want to have many many of them. Each time I see a cute one, my heart beats fast. It like I wanna take that thing home and call it mine, but sometimes, all I could do is wish someone will give it to me as a gift since I don't have a lot of money to buy all the stuffed toys I like. My mom sometimes scold me for being so childish for still wanting a stuffed toy. Yet I never really listened to her. I used to have many stuffed toys when I was a kid, but my parents decided to leave some of them behind when we moved to the province.

Anyways, here are some of the stuffed toys me and my brother have.