because my article is one week late

Monday, June 25, 2007

This is a bad habit I've acquired.  When asked to write something–a script, an article, an essay, or whatever–and I couldn't, for the life of me, get started because I can't think of a good opening line, I dawdle.  I tinker with my Friendster account, I bloghop, I organize then reorganize my hard drive files, I browse through my photos, I read, I update my organizer, I daydream.  And so my thoughts wander until I find myself writing about something else.  One week after my deadline (I'm so sorry, Janus!), I still couldn't think of a freakin' opening line for a travel article I'm supposed to be writing.  So I dawdled again.  For no particular reason, I decided to visit an old friend's now-defunct blog.

After reading (and reminiscing at the same time), I emailed her and asked…is she happy?  I really wanted to know.  Not because of plain curiosity but because I realized she was the one bold enough to stray away from the conventional choices back when the rest of us were either "steady" with our lives or simply contented to be in our comfort zones.

It was her choice to change.  And it wasn't your simple I'm-getting-a-new-haircut-new-image change.  Or I'm-transferring-to-a-new-company change. .  It was the I'm-leaving-everything-behind-and-moving-forward-to-a-totally-different-world change.  Continents away change.  And again, it was her choice.  In my case, extreme events jolted my status quo and forced me change.  It wasn't my choice.  Because everything was good.  Work was exciting.  I had my family.  I had my circle of friends.  I earned enough.  I had plans of traveling.  I was doing fine.  I was okay with my life.  But maybe fate deemed it mediocre.  So she decided to give me a big kick in the ass.  And while I've known for a long time that permanence is a fallacy, I somehow find myself still yearning for that comfort zone back.  Which is frustrating because I know I'm never gonna have it back.  I know I have to make myself a new one. But I'm deathly scared.  Of moving forward to the unknown.  Of leaving things behind.  Of moving away from the people and places I've known my whole life. Or maybe I'm just being stupidly sentimental most of the time.

Maybe the key is not thinking.  Just doing.  No more meticulous planning.  Just executing.  Maybe one day without warning I just might decide to fly off to a place where my past can't haunt me because it has no place there.  Maybe one day work will be light years more exhilarating, I'll have more friends, I'll earn way more than enough, and I'll really start traveling the world.  Maybe one day I won't be afraid of letting go anymore. 

It's been an hour since I turned this laptop on.  I've managed to write a four-paragraph entry which basically says that I'm an emotional coward.  I still don't have my opening line.  Nothing in my blank Word document has changed.  But I have.  And those greater things that are meant for me?  Give me a little more time and I'll be ready to embrace them and face the thrilling unknown head on.

music junkies rejoice!

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

The long-missed Fete De La Musique is back! 

MANILA, Philippines—The French spring season draws to a close next weekend with Fête de la Musique, the international music festival that is celebrated simultaneously in 120 countries around the world. Since it was first held in the festive streets of Paris in 1982, the annual sonic soiree has seduced both artists and listeners, who come together each June to proclaim the gift of music.

On Saturday, June 23, Fête plays host to thousands of Filipino music fans at Malate, where four stages will be set-up to accommodate 130 bands from various musical genres: Universal Stage (Plaza Rajah Sulayman, Roxas Blvd.), Rock & Alternative Stage (Remedios Circle), Hip-hop & RnB Stage (Adriatico St. cor. Nakpil St.), and World Music & Electronica Stage (Ma. Orosa St. cor. Nakpil St.).

Scheduled to perform are Radioactive Sago Project, Up Dharma Down, Orange & Lemons, Drip, Sound, Chillitees, Paramita, Juan Pablo Dream, Chicosci, Kapatid, Bagetsafonik, Salamin, and Stonefree, among many other talented local acts. Festivities will begin as early as 2 p.m.

-Paolo R. Reyes, Janine Cuenca-Dario, Inquirer

 

Yahoo!!!  See you Saturday!

la independencia

Saturday, June 16, 2007

June 12, 2007.  Kawit, Cavite.

A century and nine years ago, the Philippine Independence was declared at this very place. 

(So while the "Birit to the World" contestants were busy showing off their, ehem, videoke skills during the Smart Pinoy Roadshow Cavite leg, I sneaked away and went shutterbuggin'.  I had two nemesis–the sweltering heat and Ixy's almost empty batt.  Luckily, I was able to take some pretty decent photos before my beloved digicam went "put put.")

 

 The home of Emilio Aguinaldo

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

The Philippine Flag

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Proclamation

 

 

 

 

A tribute to Aguinaldo

 

 

 

real love is…

Sunday, June 10, 2007

…loving someone not because of but despite of.

a big applause

Friday, June 1, 2007

Back in college, we were but writers, editors, photographers, and graphic artist for The LaSallian, the university's official student publication.  Years after, these people are taking a shot at their dreams.

Chester will soon be flying off to Singapore to work with Imaginary Friends Studios.  He'll be "making comics, video game concept art, and other stuff that are equally as geeky-yet-cool."

Tuldok, meanwhile, is a group of very talented artists–Ramon, Ayeen, and Ben (have I forgotten anyone?)–who have devoted themselves to cultivate and raise the bar of Filipino animation.  Did I say they're very talented?  Check out their website and blog to see how good these crazy people are.  And on June 3 take a peek at their trailer which will be featured on Digital Tour, Studio 23, at 10pm.  That's this Sunday already, so don't miss it!

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Hats off to you guys!