a yuletide message

And so another year passes; a very full year with lots of ups and very few downs. A year of blessings and laughter. A year of love and life.

Angelo, one year and five months old now, is growing up to be a mischievous and healthy little boy, bringing so much joy and a few headaches into our lives. Mommy Day and Abuelita regale us with stories on the little boy’s antics every single day. Mama Rosan and Papa Marno dote on him and play surrogate “yayas” when they come over on Sundays. Daddy Tony makes time to visit his first grandchild and has lots of fun playing with Angelo.

We have been busy this past month preparing for our company’s annual Christmas party themed “Christmas in Paris.” Being part of the committee, we had to plan the layout and design of the area as well as do the decorating ourselves, which definitely took a lot of work. Toni almost single-handedly recreated the Eiffel Tower out of Styrofoam, with the help of Mama Rosan and her AutoCAD plotter. Thanks to Papa Marno and his 6-wheeler truck, we were able to transport all our decorations and materials to our party venue.

Allison was promoted to the Training Department last August and she has been handling back-to-back training classes, which she doesn’t mind doing at all. Toni will hopefully be graduating in March of 2008 and will start working for an Architectural firm within next year.

Our Christmas Wish is this… that we find time to sit back and thank the Lord for the blessings that we have received this year, and be optimistic for more blessings that 2008 will bring.

Happy Holidays!!!

May You and Your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With love and prayers,
The Corteses

final dose:
our 2007 Christmas card.

 

posted by A.Cortes on 9:58 PM under

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reason to believe

And it's been a long december and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass

No matter how many times you may consider it cliche -- 'tis the season to be jolly. (tralalala..lalala..♪)

Filipinos, they say, are known to celebrate the longest Christmas season compared to other races in the world. Even if it is yet to be proven, we have long been boasting of that undisputed statement. Innate in most pinoys is probably the happy disposition. No matter how terrible one's predicament is, there is always room for us to show gladness.

Despite the circumstances, through the ups and downs that we went through this year - here's hoping that this merry month of December will be a good finale for the Corteses for the year two thousand and seven.
It's the first week on the last month of the year, and we still have a long way to go. For the parties that we need to attend, as well as the parties that we need to organize and decorate for, this will be a long December, but definitely in high hopes not to be a cold month.

Talked a little while about the year
I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower
It's been so long since I've seen the ocean...
I guess I should

final dose:
pictures are from last year's holiday season

 

posted by A.Cortes on 5:16 AM under

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my new 'do

my mom had always wanted my head shaved as soon as i turned a year old. on the other hand, my dad wanted to let my hair grow long like his. this has been a long, drawn-out battle between my parents, and i just watched in the sidelines. until one day...

yup, you guessed right, my mom won the battle. my hair was shaved off on november 4, 2007, right after hearing mass. we went to ayala, and stopped by salon de rose for my 1st ever haircut. dad had his hair cut as well, although not quite as short as mine.



i like my new hair. it took a little getting used to, but i took it all in stride. dad says this will be my first and last haircut in a loooooooooong time, but knowing my mom... she will have the final say, methinks.

final dose:
view more cute pictures in my site

 

posted by A.Cortes on 3:39 AM under ,

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where the heart is

Waking up at four thirty in the morning after a night spent over-indulging in beer was not really easy for me. As soon as I got out of bed, I had to rush to pack some clothes and a few necessities, intentionally ignoring to take a shower, knowing it will only let people wait for me longer. As I arrived at the meeting place, I felt the need to buy my recent addiction - premium roast coffee from McDonald's, the only means to perk me up for a two-hour drive to the south of Cebu. The thought of not being able to bring wifey and little boy along for a day of team building dampened my spirit for the long-planned trip.

In the hopes of getting at least a decent vacation, I let my body rest for most of the two-hour commute but my mind was left in the city. As we were in the town where ampao (rice crispies) is the delicacy, rain poured really hard and continued until we arrived at the location.
Rockwalled Resort is situated in the municipality of Dalaguete, a southern rural town of Cebu. Save for the view of the serene clear waters of Tañon Strait, I would not recommend the resort for those who want to enjoy the beach and the sand. Nestled on a cliff, one needs to go down for about 70 steps to enjoy a dip in the pebbly waters. If not for the games, karaoke and beer, I would have locked myself in a room to sleep until we return home.

There was non-stop rain, even until I was back in the city. I eagerly went to fetch wifey at the office, got home, drove back to JY square and unfortunately got stuck in traffic caused by the strong winds and rain of typhoon Lando, which stunned the whole province.

That was last week.

Unsatisfied with the turn-out of the much needed vacation, Wifey and I went to watch the Cebu Guitarfest 2007 last Friday at the Outpost.

Nothing beats a loving life partner, enjoying a night of great music in the company of good friends over a case of Red Horse. The three-night event showcased the very best guitarists of Cebu. A proud Cebuano can indeed boast of the booming Cebu music scene. In between the guitar riffs and the beer drinks, I won an event calendar when I correctly enumerated three guitarists who joined the event.
As the night progressed and the dosage of beer got to me, I(unfortunatley) ended up forgetting to bring the calendar home. You may call it winning or losing, but for the two guitarists we personally know, Jaan Quijano and Raul "Gaw" Luche, a salute to the great skill and commendable talent you both have. I hoped to be a good bassist, but I had to let go of that dream when I let go of my bass guitar.

You can name different ways of relaxing, each has his own preference. I definitely have "re-established" how I want to chill.

final dose:
i realized that i do not need to travel far to unwind.
i can do my unwinding right here.

 

posted by A.Cortes on 3:42 AM under ,

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some time off

We've been wanting to share updates, news and happenings ever since the last dose we posted. Unfortunately, as it always is, the hectic schedule and workload do not give us enough time to come up with a comprehensive post.

I'm just taking time off right now to at least share some insights of how we, the Corteses are doing so far.

So let me share what had happened within the one month blog hiatus:

By mid to the end of October, wifey and I were busy with the preparations for the company's customer service week. She was assigned to take care of the program while I had my hands full with the floor decorations as well as creating the horror booth that we named Bahay ni Lola. Despite all these, we had a blast attending Halloween parties left and right, plus some drinking sessions to boot.

By the first week of November, we were busy with a lot of reports, paperworks and liquidations, but still managed to accommodate a good friend who visited us from Manila.
As early as now we have already been brainstorming and planning for our company's Christmas and year-end party. I'll definitely be busy again with the decorating towards the end of this month until early December. Wifey will have to concentrate on organizing the venue lay-out and the flow of the program as well as coordinating with other committees.

With regard to news about the little boy, we had him attend our company's Halloween party, where he dressed up as a rock star. We had his hair styled to a Mohawk which complimented his shiny black trench coat very well. Thanks to wifey's sister, Audrey, for little boy's entire "look."
While we were occupied with office stuff, we made sure that little boy would attend parties and be occupied as well. He enjoyed three consecutive children's birthday bashes toward the end of October. And just last week, we had little boy's hair shaved off. Unfortunately, we weren't able to bring our camera when we went to Salon de Rose, so we were not able to document his first haircut.

Sad to say that after all the work, wifey and I managed to visit our favorite massage spa only once. It got me raring to have a long break once all of these tasks are done.

It ain't in my nature to complain lest I'll look for another job. I am content that my work challenges my abilities and limitations, and the fact is that my job can well support my family.

final dose:
hopefully we can share more doses on all these events.

 

posted by A.Cortes on 3:50 AM under

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on this given sunday


The moment the news flashed on the television set was the moment I was and still am grateful for the place where I live. I heard myself whispering praise to the Almighty, thanking Him for putting my family and I in the island of Cebu, but subconsciously, my eyes showed disappointment towards whoever was responsible for this havoc.

Rather than naming names based on speculations, simple decency demands that we pay sincere sympathy and condolence to the families and friends of the victims, and say a solemn prayer for the innocent lives that were shattered.

Deeply saddened by the tragedy, on this given sunday --- we offer our prayers.

final dose:
therefore will we not fear.
though the earth be moved.
He is our hope and strength

 

posted by A.Cortes on 12:48 AM under ,

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old drawings, new aches

Despite his body shivering from cough and colds, he continues to draw inspiration with every flip of the page of the book he has been diligently reading of late. The story of Howard Roark keeps him set on his ultimate goal.

A principled and determined man, such is his description about the star of the novel.
Roark's character is egocentric yet calm, something he has always wanted to achieve.
Boastful but brilliant, Arrogant yet a genius, he remarks even more about Howard.

In between the morning coffee and the time to get ready for work, he and his life partner share different but interrelated comments and views about the story. He concedes when it comes to a tone of argument, she has read the book three times compared to him, who is still about to go halfway through. Quite interesting though how he speaks bluntly on topics which he is knowledgeable about. He relates the plot, the characters and the scenarios to the same industry he wishes to belong to someday soon.

She is glad that he has finally found time to be interested in the book she has long been talking about and been pushing him to read. He feels the same joy, although regretting not being able to read the book earlier. He can't wait to finish the whole read, she can't wait to watch the motion picture version of the story with him.

until he finishes -- he continues to be more inspired with every turn of the page, not minding the annoying cough and colds.



final dose:
architecture is not a business, not a career, but a crusade and a consecration to a joy that justifies the existence of the earth. - Henry Cameron.

 

less than a hundred

There is a growing number of environmental advocacies and a growing population of environmentalists. Everyday, we are reminded about environmental awareness, to be eco-friendly and are even encouraged to do our share in helping resolve or minimize these environmental issues.

I don't intend to join any environmental groups, although I do support the same cause as Jack Johnson through his music. I believe one can always find different ways to help.

In architecture for example, there is what we call adaptive re-use which is described as the conversion of a facility or part of a facility to a use significantly different from that for which it was originally designed while still keeping some of the historic value; like for example -converting a railroad station into a shopping mall or a post office into a rail station. Adaptive re-use in architecture is more or less like recycling.

Topics like these sometimes tend to sound uninteresting so let's go straight to the point so it won't bore you.

Let me share my own way of helping...

I created a downlight luminaire which costs less than a hundred pesos and is made from recycled materials. A Luminaire is a complete lighting unit, consisting of one or more electric lamps with all of the necessary parts and wiring. (Pronunciation: -m&-'ner)

the materials:


handle cap = P 8.98
socket outlet = P 8.00
#18 flat wire = P39.75
5w round bulb = P14.50

TOTAL = P71.23


other materials:


empty plastic bottle
2ply tissue paper
adhesive (elmer's glue)
latex paint




here's the procedure:

  • Connect the wires needed for the light holder as well as for the power plug, make sure you know how to connect electrical wires properly.
  • Cut the plastic bottle into half or into the desired size you want, this will act as the lamp shade.
  • Make a hole as big as the light holder on the bottom of the plastic bottle.
  • Cut holes in the plastic bottle in any order you want it to be.
  • Paint the plastic bottle with latex paint (enamel paint doesn't work with plastic).
  • Make paper mache out of tissue paper using a ratio of 1 scoop of glue to 3 scoops of water.
  • Cover holes with the paper mache, make sure paper mache is applied in the interior side of the bottle. Leave to dry.
  • Connect light holder and plastic bottle lamp shade together.
my sketches:


my down light luminaire:



It may not be totally environment-friendly because of the use of latex paint and the plastic bottle. But consider this as recycling materials for adaptive re-use instead of dumping it in the trash bin.

final dose:
little boy likes the effect so much, he now uses it as his night light.


 

posted by A.Cortes on 3:43 AM under

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i think therefore i am


This is Rene Descartes' famous line, which I have encountered over and over, in many different languages and in many different words. This is also reiterated in "The Law of Attraction" which is THE (greatest) SECRET the world has ever known.

As long as you think (of whatever the hell you want to think), you are. You are what you think, and what you think is you. So if you think about abundance and prosperity... YOU ARE ABUNDANT AND PROSPEROUS. Sounds too simple to be logical, huh?

Well, The Secret says that the Universe works by one law, and that is the Law of Attraction. Like attracts like, and having positive thoughts will pull positive things towards you. This law is working, whether you know about it or not. Now that you do, realize how powerful you actually are.

THINK... AND BE.

 

posted by A.Cortes on 11:39 PM under

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F.R.I.E.N.D.S. the blow-by-blow

The six of us, Monica-Justin, Maica-Stephen, Alli-Toni, all went to Tabuelan over the weekend for a much-needed time-out from the city... and we had such a blast! It was the next best thing to the perfect getaway. The perfect getaway would have been the exact same thing, minus the expenses.

Saturday
8:00am - met up at Chowabungga, I.T. Park, breakfast
9:30am - boarded a van in the North Bus Terminal, for Tabuelan
11:30am - van dropped us off right at our front gate, in Tabuelan
12:00nn - the drinking started, while rice was cooking
12:30pm - lunchtime!!!
1:30pm - 4:00pm - swimming, sun-bathing, drinking, pictu
re-taking
4:00pm - 6:30pm - grilling, frying, cooking rice
6:30pm - dinnertime!!!


*** after dinner, i slept. i couldn't help it, i was totally dead to the world. i did wake up at 1:00am though... toni was gnashing his teeth beside me, in his sleep of course. i didn't quite sleep as well afterwards. i couldn't make him stop that awful noise inside his mouth.

Sunday
7:00am - cooking breakfast
7:30am - eating breakfast!!!
8:00am - swimming, sun-bathing, drinking, picture-taking
11:00am - cooking lunch
11:30am - eating lunch!!!

12:30pm - packing up, preparing to go, shelling out money for the expenses

2:30pm - the van finally picked us up... methinks the driver was watching the Pacquiao-Barrera fight, that's why he picked us up two hours late!

4:30pm - van dropped us off right at our front gate, in Cebu this time


*** we stopped by Liloan to buy kinilaw and fish, and we ate this at home, Toni's and my home. they all wanted to see Angelo, especially Stephen, this being his first time to see the little boy.

final dose:
It was such a fun weekend.
If only we could do this more often... like... once a month?

I love you guys...

 

posted by A.Cortes on 3:09 AM under

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F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Rembrandts - I'll Be There For You


So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your jobs a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
And it hasn't been your day, your week, your month,
or even your year but..

I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
'Cuz you're there for me too...

You're still in bed at ten and work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast so far... things are goin' great
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
Oh but she didn't tell you when the world has brought
You down to your knees that...

I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
'Cuz you're there for me too...

No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows
What it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with
Make it through all the rest with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst I'm best with you, yeah

It's like you're always stuck in second gear
And it hasn't been your day, your week, your month,
or even your year...

I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour
I'll be there for you
Like I've been there before
I'll be there for you
'Cuz you're there for me too...




Monica is
PHOEBE BUFFET

Justin is ROSS GELLAR

Alli is MONICA GELLAR-BING

Toni is CHANDLER BING

Maica is RACHEL GREEN

Stephen is JOEY TRIBIANNI



 

posted by A.Cortes on 2:09 AM under

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building a foundation


Building a structure requires a rock solid foundation. It is this foundation that makes the edifice stand and hold its ground, for without it --the structure's downfall. One would always admire the Colosseum of Rome, still mighty and proud after all these years. Makes me wonder about the Romans' method of construction, but then again I would believe that the Colosseum was built on a firm foundation, and with the use of the best materials available during that time.

Like the need to go to preparatory school, the need to study for a final exam, to rehearse before a presentation, to warm-up before a game, to pray and get ready for the unknown, a relationship needs to establish its own foundation as well. Friendship is always the best foundation in any given relationship (you may contradict that, but this is based on my experiences).

One typical night when wifey was reading a novel and I was watching the late night news on television, wifey opened up and just said. "Good thing we were really good friends before we got married." and added, "At least if ever our marriage gets rocky, we can always hold on to our friendship.

Oh these words... the words from a wife that made the husband stare blankly in silence at the ZTE scandal headlining the news.

Wifey, followed up with a question. "Love, did you settle?"

Whew! and so let's not watch these oh so boring news reports of killings, scandals, racial slurs and showbiz non-sense.

Television OFF. Heart-to-heart-talk ON.

Okay, first things first.
Yes! I am very happy that indeed wifey and I had this awesome friendship before we went into any relationship. It was a collaboration, a combination, of the same love for beer, a lot of admiration for Jack Johnson, the clashing of unique ideas, the food trips, the coffee talks, the adventures, on being a beach bum and of all the other things there is to mention. It was that friendship that transformed the chemistry which transpired into marriage.

I'll always be grateful for what we had before and what we have until now. To sustain and maintain the relationship would be the only constant thing a couple needs to work real hard on. Like in the previous post, I've always prayed for Strength to endure and Grace to face adversity.

Now,
I don't want to sell myself short! and most likely anyone who's idealistic doesn't want to either.
So "just to settle" would not come easy for me, much less settling when it comes to marriage. So where did that question come from? I know as years go by, there will be unending questions and realizations about one's love. It's just a matter of reassuring each other and showing one's true feelings, even if it may seem as mushy as this is leading to be.

Alright, If indeed I may have settled (which I vehemently deny), I made sure I settled for the very best. (now that's way too corny, i know... but so be it!)

A great concept of architecture can only be achieved when the structure sits on the best foundation. As one legal bill would point out, the designer is liable for any defects of his building design for the succeeding fifteen years. So if the structure goes down within fifteen years upon construction, the designer will be stripped of his license and be put in prison unless it is caused by a natural disaster. But that's with construction and buildings, what about marriages?!? A divorce, an annulment? You wouldn't want to relate it to a mere piece of paper...

Well, really now...About two years of marriage doesn't give me any credible license to write like one who knows a lot about this stuff. People might not even agree with all this yada-yada writing. So let me just include some quotable quotes to wrap things up....

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.
like love It has no survival value;
rather it is one of those things that give value
to survival.
- C.S. Lewis

we would build on a sure foundation in friendship, we must
love our friends for their sakes rather than for our own.

--
Charlotte Bronte

Friendship is love with understanding - proverb

The architect is not free, but the artist is... The architect works with his head, but the artist with his heart. In architecture as in all other operative arts, the end must direct the operation. The end is to build well.


final dose:
you can add any mushy, corny quotes, you might even share your own thoughts...
the cornier the better, the mushiest the best.

 

posted by A.Cortes on 6:02 AM under ,

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when september ends

such sweet spectacular september...

what better way to end the ninth month of the year than an overnight stay at the beach.

When I thought I'll be singing this line...
"and it's been so long since i've since the ocean"
I really didn't feel that it was a long September after all.


adios septiembre, alegrarse octubre!


all beer lovers out there,
join us in welcoming the month we oh so love.
October! --- when it all started!

cheers to a whole month of merriment,
a month we will always commemorate.



final dose:
the Corteses now accepts any donation to help fulfill our ultimate dream of going to Germany for the Oktoberfest!

 

posted by A.Cortes on 4:59 AM under ,

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My Best Friend's Wedding

I felt like Julia Roberts' character in the movie with the same title.

JL, my best friend and twin sister, since we were born on the exact same day (1st June 1983), got married exactly a month ago, 28th August 2007. It doesn't matter who she married, or why. Fact is, she's married and I'm devastated.

I know I got married first, and I know she felt the loss, and I know she realized that things would have to change between us. I realized that too, when I got married. But when SHE got married, I knew that things would never be the same. It's double jeopardy, and I just lost.

Julia Roberts didn't want Michael, her guy best friend, to marry another girl. She wanted him to marry her. Now I don't want to marry JL of course, since we're both female and are therefore unable to procreate, but I don't want her to marry. Period.

Selfish of me, huh? I'm not proud of it, but that wedding was something like a funeral, our friendship's funeral. I was made to go to the front and say something to the newlyweds... and I cried from start to finish of my very short speech. My heart was breaking. I could barely breathe, and tears were streaming down my face, ruining my carefully applied make-up.

My speech: "If anything goes wrong, I'll always be here, you come to me, okay J?" or something similar.

No, I don't want their marriage to fail.
No, I'm not trying to steal her away from him.
No, I don't want her to be miserable at the expense of my happiness.
I'm worried. I'm worried that growing up and having our own families will mean us not being a family anymore. No, I'm n
ot worried, I'm terrified!

I'm terrified that she won't need me anymore.

 

posted by A.Cortes on 5:07 PM under

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number 3 on the third day

When I can't keep my train of thought on a single topic, this is what happens!

oh let me blame it on the weather, bad weather -- you have been really erratic lately.

After religiously taking his medicines and vitamins, finally little boy is back to his old self.

Playful. Mischievous. Energetic. A Rascal. Lively and Spirited.

Here are jolly pictures of him, on the morning he finally made a full recovery.




It was almost three agonizing days -- suffering with fever, cough and colds. Good thing his condition never got any worse. On that very same day, I gave little boy a much needed quality playtime capped with a television treat. From browsing through cartoons to watching Dora the explorer, Spongebob, Blue's clues, videos of Bible Stories, Elmo and everything that falls under kiddie shows.

After watching all this together, I couldn't help but notice that there seems to be something interesting with the number three.

So here's a little rundown of my observations.

In the show Dora the Explorer, which encourages viewers to interact and answer (not bad at all for a kiddie show), in one episode for example -- Dora asks a question about where Swiper is hiding. So she points to the first location, which obviously isn't where the little fox is hiding, points to the next location, which is also an incorrect answer, and lastly points to a third location, which for some dubious reason shows Swiper's recognizable face and tail. Other episodes of the show basically have the same concept and still has the answer on the third option. The third clue you'll find in the show Blue's Clues is also the missing link for all the clues and the most important one. Elmo of Sesame Street always counts to three before he starts to sing or dance. If it's always that way, what will kids think?

Now those are just three examples for you.

Ever imagined why trios are almost always famous? - the three stooges, the three musketeers, even the gwapings.
Players using the number three on their jerseys are also undeniably very skillful - Dwayne Wade and Allen Iverson, to name a few.
Then there are also trilogies - lord of the rings, the godfather and indiana jones.

Well, point being -- little boy recovered after three days just like Jesus rising from the dead on the third day.

Alright, three days of not being able to post any dose from us... here's our latest update, from us - from the family of three.

final dose:
why weren't humans created on the third day?
why don't cats have three lives instead of nine?

 

enough to worry about


How can I be so busy trying to come up with a blog regarding the freaking news I read about Britney Spears' custody case. My mind can't compose, my fingers key in more text in my cellphone rather than type on the computer's keyboard.

I've been checking little boy's condition every now and then through text messages and phonecalls. I feel so guilty going to work and leaving little boy at home with his awful dry cough that sounds like the dog's bark of my Uncle Boy's great dane. No I'm not kidding of how my son's coughing sounds like -- I pity him everytime he coughs because I know for sure that he is having a hard time. But what the heck, a father has to work and got to do what he needs to do.


Wifey is on a teambuilding trip in Moalboal together with her co-trainers and supervisors and won't be back until early Sunday afternoon. She also felt guilty going on the trip. Before she left early this morning, we let little boy take his medicine as well as vitamins.

Dry cough plus colds and a temperature of thirty eight degrees celcius gave us enough to worry about.
As absentee parents for the day, we prayed and crossed our fingers that our son would be alright and would recover pretty soon.

This is not the first time that we were worried about our kid, any parent probably will feel the same way. The weather has been erratic, and the never ending news about dengue has always feared us. God forbid.


When situations like these arises. I have always told myslef to have enough COMPOSURE, and a lot of STRENGTH to endure, plus a handful of GRACE to face the adversity.

Well the good news I received from Mommy Day's text message is:

Ton, nag ki-at na si angelo, pero amo gihapon gisige kuhaan og temp. ni palit ko addtnl tambal sa ubo og sip-on. at least ni kaon na cya cereal og ni inom milk. temp nya is 37.3 na lng.
And my only hope is that he'll be well enough when I get home.

final dose:

i'll get back on that britney spear's custody case when i'm more focused
on second thought, that would already be an old news, so why bother...

 

and i call him kiko


An excerpt from the article of Pepe Diokno of the Philippine Inquirer:

Save the rapper, save the world. Kids who wanted to change Earth once dreamed of becoming president. Today, our presidents are kids—physically, here, mentally, across the Pacific. So now, kids who want to change the world dream of becoming other things—like rappers, for example.

Francis M grew up, in his words, seeing violence and democracy being stifled. He was in Grade Two when Martial Law started—he would read newspapers, and see how little freedom was around him.“There’s anger right there,” he says, after I ask him what his early rap was about. “Back in the day, when hip hop was young, rap was used to voice out the sentiment of the disenfranchised … I didn’t grow up in a comfortable environment. I took the jeep. I took tricycles. I had my fair share of the street life. I’m a martial law baby—that’s disenfranchised right there.”

Fortunately, he took his anger and wrote an anthem for a Philippine utopia. “Every color, every hue, is represented by me and you,” he sang to 90’s trademark electric guitars and drums, inspiring thousands of Filipino GenX-ers.

read more of the article when you click this link.

Okay you can call me a fanatic, but I can't deny that he has been my idol since the release of his YO! album. I have memorized and performed the song mga kababayan when I was in 3rd grade, love his cold summer nights hit, kaleidoscope world, girl be mine, and a lot more to mention. I bought some of his albums - rap is francis m., meron akong ano, freeman 1&2, the oddventures of mr. cool and the best of francism. Watched his gigs when he performed in Cebu - at harley's entertainment, zero below, ayala cebu and mtv shows. Not only is he a good songwriter and rapper, he is also a very good host, a great photographer, a director of short films and music videos and an icon in the music industry.

On top of having a great weekend with my family -- bought wifey a new pair of shoes and bought some clothes for the little boy -- I can't be happier and more proud to finally own an FMCC shirt. I asked my friend Steve to buy me an FMCC shirt when he went to Manila to watch the Switchfoot concert, but due to his busy schedule, he wasn't able to buy the shirt I have been wanting to have. Since it was a payday last friday, I decided to finally get one from a dealer here in Cebu.



I'm sooo loving it!!!! the design is sooo cool and the material is extraordinary comfortable. It ain't a cheap shirt and it's not mainstream. That's why I'm proud to be one of the few Cebuanos to own one. I bought the shirt just in time for the launch of the 3 stars and a sun embroidered polo shirts for men and women last September 15, held at X print Trinoma in Manila.

Francis M, sure has made an impact in the things he does best — he just may not be too self-promoting. He has styled the world with Pinoy Pride, given a voice to Philippine music, and while not many may know of his achievements, most Filipinos know at least one of his lyrics.

final dose:
my friend who also loves KIKO will surely envy this
to he, the effortless, gie, palit imo.... bleeh =)

 

posted by A.Cortes on 1:23 AM under

1 Comment

is it in you?

We don't know if it is innate in everyone to be amazingly observant or it could be that unknowingly, people have the natural ability to quickly notice errors and mistakes.

It is a laughing matter -- a mispelled word, the wrong pronounciation, a hilarious picture, sights, signs and bloopers. A certain website chronicles all of these -- www.himantayon.com

HIMANTAYON: A True Story. Chronicles the limits of our humanity -- in pure, unadulterated Cebuano. We don't mean to eavesdrop, but some people are just too darned loud. Bato-bato sa langit, ang maigo, ayaw'g ka-panic!

Himantayon, is a bisaya word which we can't seem to find the english term for. To save time from browsing the web for the translation of the word, let us quote one of the definitions stated on himantayon's website.
Jam Jovir would aptly define:
“A himantayon (taken from the Cebuano root word “mamantay / bantay”, meaning “to mind, to be aware”) is someone who is always on the look out for what others do or say, and is always mindful of the events in his or her sorroundings. Reasons for this “increased awareness” may vary from gossip-gathering to playful mockery and even in some cases, social vigilance.”
We check the website as often as we check our blogsite, and every visit never fails to bring laughter.

Is it in you to be Himantayon??

Our submitted entries proudly prove we are.

Visit the site and give yourself some good laughs today, you might even get to share your own himantayon experience.

final dose:
credits to our friends HIMAN and TAYON for creating this site
and the creative Yan2x, for the site's design.

 

posted by A.Cortes on 4:25 AM under

2 comments

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