A memory of my childhood just popped the other day... it was long ago when I first had an assignment in nursery. I can still vividly remember how excited I am to color things... I love crayons. My first set of crayons were 8 colors (red, blue, orange, green, brown, black, yellow and violet). then I saved up my money to buy the 16 color set... then the 24 color set... my favorite color was bluegreen.
About the assignment I was talkin about a while ago, we were asked by our teacher to color pages of the book - I remembered there is this particular cat that I colored in blue green. My mom and dad told me "O bat ganyan nilagay mo? wala namang pusa na ganyan ang kulay!". As if my mind was just different back then... I realized that oh... I need to change this... so I hurriedly colored the bluegreen cat with red orange...
I'm not good in following outlines... I always color befyond what is necessary... Siguro bata pa lang ako ayoko na ng may mga sinusunod na linya hahahaha... at hirap talaga ako dun.
A thought came to me within this past week. How come when we were young, our parents, teachers, relatives tends to train us to develop our talents and yet they don't want us to pursue it fulltime. Ok let me elaborate...
Remember the first exercises we were asked to do was to draw, color, dance, sing, write, read... I can still recall that there are even activities where kids are allowed to draw many things and color it within the day... and yet when you get a bit older and you say to your parent " Dad, mom... gusto ko magfinearts..." (Sometimes the case is similar to people who wants to pursue dancing, playing instruments and acting on stage etc. most of the time to people who wants to pursue a career on the arts and its realted fields)
Most parents would say no...
I was just glad my mother and father agreed to what I have decided. Now you can see me. I'm a fine arts graduate from the University of the East CFA major in advertising arts. I tried taking a graduate course in UP Diliman about Art Theory and Criticism (And I'm having second thoughts about it at the moments so I took a leave).
I also loved literature (poems, short stories, novels... plays) but the visual arts just embraced me more than the other arts. I also loved singing and dancing (I was a member of the school choir and dance troup when I was young - belive me I can even dance tinikling... and have sung the national anthem in our school several times)
I just feel sad whenever I hear someone that would love to study the arts but was never given a chance due to some reasons. (Parents, income, this big dillema on artists that doesn't earn anything). When I became a teacher in UE and I see students who are in another college with talents for the visuals arts... I can't help but ask "Why didn't you tried taking Fine Arts?".
Pakialamero kasi ako. As a person from Singapore told me "Do you always have something to say on everything/anything?" (ian: yeah - hehehe)
The funny thing sometimes is that some people from the other college even tells us (fine arts) that we would have a hard time finding work... and it's funnier to know that the reason why fine arts graduate like us usually ends up with no work is because people from other courses are taking "our work" hahahahah (biglang nagsulputan ang mga graphic artists, illustrators etc....)
I am happy that I made that choice years ago... I just hope that you guys... people reading this... if you know an artist in training (your kids, nephew, niece, friends...) try to encourage them to go with their dreams...
Sometimes its the people around you and their encouragement that makes the difference!
To all the artist... by profession and by heart... just live the life filled with wonderful works of art!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Do not color beyond the outlines!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Ang aking Cebu-Bohol Trip
The 13th of September, 2008 was the first time I celebrated my birthday on land, over the seas and up in the sky. My Cebu-Bohol trip has begun. My dad dropped me off to the new NAIA 3 Terminal. The airport was so nice. I actually missed pat more because my ticket has her name also in it… thinking what could have happened if she was just there beside me and joining the trip. My seat is located near the windows again wohooo! It was amazing that the flight was on schedule and we arrived at Mactan Airport very prompt. It was like a gift that there were free maps and travel guide in the airport and it was so useful (I haven’t got the chance to buy maps this time. It was just a big disappointment to me that the first security guard in the airport that we asked regarding the taxi bay was a “kasabwat” of the “mapagsamantalang” driver. The driver was asking to bring us to SM for 300php (So kontrata ito). We just went up and found a taxi that charges by the meter.
One of the best SM malls that I have been to was SM City Cebu! Loved it! The moment I saw FRENCH BAKER on our roaming in the mall, I already decided to have lunch there. I just missed eating in that place – Baked lasagna there is the best and their rolls are now very tasty!
Right after lunch we went to the department store and I bought a new black umbrella, black sandals and a nail cutter… (The search for the pension house comes next)
The City reminded me of Manila – Quiapo-Avenida part of Manila… lalo na ang Colon Street (Sayang wala akong pictures of the street due to some matters). The Taoist temple is quite similar to the one found in Baguio City too.
:: The Church and Convent of Sto. Niño (Madaling mahanap at siyang tunay na maaalala mo ang Quiapo kung saan pipilitin rin ng mga vendors na bumili ka ng bulaklak at kandila at tutusukin/tutusukan/kakabitan ka ng kung anu-anong stampita at pins)
:: The Church and Convent of Sto. Niño Museum (sa paghahanap sa Magellan's Cross na nasa mapa ay napunta kami dito - interesting exhibit sayang di pede magpicture sa loob)
:: Magellan’s Cross (Sa wakas ang nakatagong Shrine na ito ay nasa loob pa pala - right after the School Building sa side ng Basilica - mahirap magpicture dito in fairness lols - I miss Kalai hahaha)
:: Metropolitan Cathedral (Hindi masyadong ornate at medyo modern ang architecture details sa loob - mostly faux ang mga detail sa labas pero convincing from a distance)
:: The Cathedral Museum (Pwedeng mag picture sa first floor only)
:: Taoist temple (Tandaan bawal kunan ng picture ang mga Gods and Goddesses sa loob ng temples)
Cabu City Tour Album 1 and Album 2
14th of September, 2008: We booked for the earliest possible ferry to Tagbilaran. The moment we got there we directly went to the Bohol Tourism office and took our chance in renting a van for 3000php to give us a day tour that they call “The Chocolate hills tour”. It was sulit! Lalo na if marami kayong magjhahati-hati sa coist. Since dalawa lang kami ayun 1500php each pero ok lang kasi car rate yung siningil sa amin ng aming driver/tour guide na si Mr. Manuel “Awe” Gamit, kahit na van ang sinakyan namin. Mayroong Fare matrix ang mga nag-aalok ng tour at similar naman sila sa isa’t-isa at since accredited sila ng Tourism office ayun dun kami sumakay. Sobrang luwang ng van na pede kaming magpagulong-gulong sa loob na dalawa. (How I wish I was with someone special- weheheh). After a quick take-out sa Mcdo (na may wifi) ay derecho na kami sa aming road trip to see the tarsiers and the Chocolate Hills bago maglunch sa Loboc River Cruise. Alng the way ay napaka-educational ng mga facts and tidbits na shinare sa amin ni Mang Awe, amazing talaga with matching numbers ang mga facts. (Napatambling ako lalo ng malamang dating seaman siya at nalibot na niya ang maraming parte ng mundo- buti pa cia nakarating na sa Spain… hmmm)
:: Tarsiers Encounter: Alam ko po sensitive sila at nocturnal – minsan naiistress agad at nagpapakamatay, di ko sila dapat hahawakan pero mapilit s
i manong… kaya ayun ngumiti nalang ako. Isa itong tourist spot na sinadyang ilagay on the way to the Chocolate hills para hindi na maistorbo ang wild reserves ng Tarsier na out of the way sa mga ibang tourist spots. Ang nasa isip ko nalang since nocturnal ang mga tarsiers… kumbaga ang mga tarsiers na nakita ko ay ang mga Call center agents nila na nag graveyard shift – so mas mataas ang sweldo nila sa ibang tarsiers on the other side of the island baka nag starbucks sila bago mag gabi lols… (O joke lang to- wag seryosohin hmm)
:: Chocolate Hills sa Carmen: Iniayos na rin ang viewing deck na ito na tumalo sa mga steps ng Taoist temple na pag na off-balance ka or nadulas- tsk tsk tsk gudlak nalang sa pagpapaship ng bangkay mo pabalik ng Manila. May isa pang lugar kung saan pedeng i-view ang mga ito pero out of the way. Nakakatuwa kasi mega explain si Mang Awe about the Chocolate hills and the formation of the Bohol Island bago pa kami makarating dun (We loved him talaga!). Medyo mahirap magpicture sa mgandang spot at ang tanging paraan ara magpapicture ng walang naka-obstruct sa view ay magpapicture sa mga photographers doon na may gamit na DSLR (opo- drools) at magpaprint ng wallet size photo na 50php each. The only thing na maganda dun sa offer nila ay kukuhanan ka din nila ng picture with your digicam kaya ok lang. May mga concept concept pa sila na shots na talagang nakakaaliw.
Tip: Magbaon ng maraming sunblock or paying – sobranmg init dun! Green ang chocolate hills pag hindi summer – kung nais Makita ang mga burol na ito na kulay tsokolate ay pumunta ng summer.
:: Tigbao Hanging Bridge: After seeing the wonderful Chocolate hills and climbing those hundred steps, we are on our way to the Loboc Ricer now. Before we head to our lunch in the floating restaurant we had a stop-over in the Tigbao Hanging Bridge – though I didn’t even tried crossing to the other side due to two reasons: a. I’m afraid of heights and b. there is a swarm of super/hyper excited people that hurriedly cross while we are just in the ¼ of the bridge. (Kahit pang sabihin nila na matibay yun… yari lang ito sa kawayan at bhaka sumobra ang weight niya at di makayana- ako pa naman ay di marunong lumangoy- basta)
Day 2: Ang Chocolate hills at mga Tarsiers
14th of September, 2008: Right after visiting the Chocolate hills, tarsiers and the hanging bridge we continued to the next activity – The Loboc River Cruise. Mang Awe (our driver/tour guide for the Chocolate Hills Tour) suggested that we dine in the Riverwatch floating restaurant because the buffet there was delicious.
:: Loboc River Cruise: The eat all-you-can buffet is priced at 250php plus an entrance of 50php. I suggest that whenever you are travelling it is good that you have smaller bills with you all the time. There are several floating resto in the small pier. The buffet served was mostly Filipino dishes (Barbequed pork, Fish, squid, fruits, rice cakes, fried chicken…). The food was good but the drinks were not unlimited (Bottled water and soft drinks are served at 30php per small bottle) good thing we have our bottled water with us that time. It’s a bit hard to take pictures while in the resto because if you want a picture against the Loboc river view you need to use flash photography (I don’t use flash in my camera shots as much as possible because it takes details away from a picture and it eats the natural color). 
The Loboc river cruise was wonderful. Again it’s an experience better shared with your closest friends, family or loved one. The food is also delicious but of course my parent’s cooking is still the best (heheh). There are also performances in and on the sides of the river prepared by different barangays (The resto itself has a live band that performed a variety of songs that caters to all the passengers). We get to see small waterfalls in the end part of the river. We shared our table with a couple from Hongkong that was visiting the Philippines for a day (See picture). It was a great experienced!
:: Loboc Church and Museum: It was a Sunday, saying kasi sarado ang simbahan that time and we didn’t have the energy to walk to the museum to check whether it was open or not. The sun’s rays are scorching already. I just had a chance to take a picture of the famous church from the outside and a sneak peak of the inside through shots from its windows and doors. (This is one church that I will check again when I get back to Bohol.)
:: Baclayon Church and Museum: One good thing with Mang Awe is that he tells us whenever there is an entrance fee to the place that we are going, the exact cost and tips and tricks. The church reminded me of churches in Taal, Batangas. Their museum is also interestingly filled with artifacts and old stuff. (I still wish we had a stop-over in the Albuquerque Church also). Most of my shots inside the church is a bit shaky because I haven’t been using an tripod plus there is a meeting on-going the moment we came in and I just can’t disturb them by using flash photography. Another thing: Mang Awe is good in taking pictures!
:: The Blood Compact Site: Sanduguan is a contract/agreement that is signed with the hour of using blood that seals the agreement. This was the actual site of that special event. It closes after 5pm so better not be late. There is a gift shop beside it and they sell cheap trinkets and key chains.
Quick brush-up on Philippine History: It was in Bohol were local chieftains Datu Sikatuna of Bool and Datu Sigala of Loboc performed the Sanduguan or El Pacto de Sangre with Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi back in the 16th century. The sanduguan or blood compact was a pact of friendship sealed in blood.
It is touted as the world’s “first treaty of friendship between different races”. The guys supposedly drank droplets of each other’s blood mixed in with wine. A monument marks the spot where the blood compact was made. It is located along the road with a spectacular view of the sea.
Day 2: Mula Loboc hanggang Sanduguan
I spent the night in Panglao Island. The Chocolate Hills tour was a bit draining because of the heat of the sun. After freshening up we hurriedly checked the beach and walk to the Bohol beach Club shoreline. Took lots of pictures before we get back to the room and charged everything (mobile phones and digital camera). We had dinner at the Dumaluan Resort resto beside the beach and it was delightful. The food taste fine but not so special and over-priced. Sayang di naming nakita yung kainan sa Dumaluan Beach Resort 1 (Mas mura ang pagkain dun dahil public beach yun- I suggest dun kayo kumain if ever dito kayo pupunta).
Personally, I felt that this particular beach was great but certain sadness filled my heart. I just can’t help thinking about being alone. I was supposed to share this view and trip with Pat. We 
planned this trip from day 1… oh well I think we will just do it again next year. The beach felt like it was meant to be for lovers- the peaceful shoreline, the “you and me against the world” feel and the lovely night looking at the stars… furthermore, I think it would be very nice to go back here with someone special nect time (aheheheheh)
We had dinner while listening to a very talented lounge singer/performer. She was a lounge/jazz/bossa expert. We stayed in this beach resort until almost 12nn the next day. We haven’t experienced an island hopping/dolphin watching due to the time constraints.
Bohol Beach Club was just steps away from where we stayed. The morning after our check-in (September 15) We just took more pictures of the beach and ate breakfast before we roam around the Tagbilaran city in the afternoon.
Day 2: Panglao Island Album
At last after 2 hours of traveling from Panglao to Tagbilaran we arrived at Garden Café. It was the place suggested by Billi and the food was great! Their pasta and onion rings are to die for. Busog talaga! Right after our super meal we walked to St. Joseph’s Church (One of the most beautiful church I have been to). We walked through the plaza and took some pictures as we walked to the National Museum (Bohol Branch- of course picture-taking is not allowed). We rode a tricycle to the pier and then head to a hotel near the Mango Square. We rode a jeep to IT park- the Walk and ate at Casa Verde and had a quick meet-up with Bong (DJ of Pier One in the Walk).
Day 3: Tagbilaran to Casa verde album
My last day in Cebu was filled with more adventure. Finding the Mactan shrine was a very challenging thing to do. Too bad we haven’t got the chance to see Shangri-La Mactan, a famous old port in Cebu, and museums in the city. Oh well I’ll just have to go back to Cebu-Bohol again soon.
September 16, 2008 was a day filled of mixed emotions...
Loved Bohol and Cebu!
:: Mactan Shrine - from Mango Square (I just remembered I never took a picture of the streets and alleys that we walked/went to/from) to this Shrine we just boarded series of jeepneys asking along the way. I think it is good to buy pasalubong here in the stalls along the shrine kasi medyo mura.
:: Hotel Le Carmen - This is the last place we stayed in. Sinundo kami ni Billi at ciempre nagpichuran
:: Ayala Center Cebu - Dito naganap ang aming bday bash ni katty at kung anu-ano pang bagay. I bought a few stuff along the department store bago kami dumerecho sa airport. I also met Sheena here!
:: Babay Cebu - Mga huling sulyap at larawan paalis ng Cebu sakay ng Taxi at namimiss ang Malabon.
Day 4: Mactan at Kaibigan Album
READ MORE of "Ang aking Cebu-Bohol Trip"The Anatomy of Sex
“People think of arousal is an appetizer before sex. Truth is your body is in a constant state of arousal. But your sex drive is held in check by your nervous system until it’s unleash. Then your brain gets the message “This is gonna feel good”….
I just finished watching Discovery Channel’s “The Anatomy of Sex”. It was one of the most informative and scientific 40 minutes of sex talk I have ever watched. This is due to the small talks we had in the office about erections and the limp penis. The scientific reactions of both the male and female body when making love is also a topic that brought Vincent (isa pang ka-birthday ko sa office) to enlighten us with this documentary. I just quoted a few part of the documentary that I find interesting/amusing/cool -
I was supposed to write/react about it but I just had my mind in a juggle mode – I can’t seem to make a proper sentence at the moment hahaha. I have a few questions in my mind though!
A. When do you say you have reached a real orgasm?
B. Does size really matters?
C. What are the signs that tell you that you are in the “good mood”?
D. What makes a kiss good or extraordinary?
Here are some of the points in the documentary (in maroon/red).
:: A woman wants one man to satisfy all her needs. A man wants every woman to satisfy his only need.
:: We evolved various mechanisms in the face to mimic the genitals.
:: This is what sex looks like (showing 3d animation of the structure of both genitals); love is harder to picture
:: Love is chemistry. Everything is chemistry. Love is intense chemistry.
:: …the greatest sex organ of all – the brain.
:: The only primate without a bone in his penis, so how does he get’s an erections. A limp penis is actually tense… the more erect a penis the more relax its muscle actually are. The smaller a penis when limp the longer it will grow. Drugs for erectile dysfunction simply helps Nitric Oxide (the chemical released by the brain to have an erection) works its magic…
:: The clitoris has the highest concentration of nerve endings in the human body (8000) more than a half of the endings in the head of the penis.
:: How does an orgasm looks? (a visual animation vis-à-vis several images and video clips of heated scenes with scientific explanations followed)
:: Why do we have orgasms? It is a gift!
---
“Nitric oxide or nitrogen monoxide is a chemical compound with chemical formula NO. This gas is an important signaling molecule in the body of mammals, including humans, and is an extremely important intermediate in the chemical industry. It is also a toxic air pollutant produced by automobile engines and power plants.
The production of nitric oxide is elevated in populations living at high-altitudes, which helps these people avoid hypoxia. Effects include blood vessel dilatation, neurotransmission (see Gasotransmitters), modulation of the hair cycle, and penile erections. Nitroglycerin and amyl nitrite serve as vasodilators because they are converted to nitric oxide in the body. Sildenafil, popularly known by the trade name Viagra, stimulates erections primarily by enhancing signaling through the nitric oxide pathway in the penis.” (Wikipedia)
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A click, a book and the rain
Another day has passed. Today, the only thing I did was to read magazines, play mob wars and listen to Harry Potter audio books. I just finished “The Prisoner of Azkaban” this afternoon. The moment you are reading this blog, you would probably be hearing now in the background a sample of the audio book. I am now listening to the “Goblet of Fire”. I hope I can finish the seven books before my birthday next month. Thanks to my new officemate Vincent who has the same birthday as my boss and me, I now have these audio books. After the Harry Potter books I’ll be reading “The Hobbit” and the “Lord of the Rings”. It’s actually amusing, listening to an unabridged edition audio book. The story teller/narrator was a very good voice actor as he assisted me to soar and navigate again to Hogwarts and back.
I haven’t written a real blog for a while so I will attempt to write one now.
The Rain
The rain for the past few days was extremely crazy. I love the rain! I remember one of my most beautiful memories whenever the rain pours. (Remembering the Nescafe commercial and an incident similar to it) It’s the flood that I don’t enjoy that much. My small black umbrella that I bought in SM Makati while I’m with Randels was with Pat (Now in Singapore). I am currently using my big red Instituto Cervantes umbrella. Carrying a big umbrella and a weekend bag all at the same time is not a simple matter.
I just remembered. I don’t have any memories of my self bathing in the rain. I wasn’t allowed to go out whenever raindrops fell. I easily catch colds before. I always have umbrellas and raincoats since nursery. When I was still in highschool/’elementary I enjoyed the rain showers. “Rain = Flood = no classes” – this equation is a very well proven one here in my town, Malabon. To make things clear, our house only gets flooded whenever the flood gates are not working properly or whenever the rain falls non-stop for hours while the tide is high.
I still love the rain… It always gave me comfort that the sunshine’s warmth could never give.
Click! Click!
Several websites now offers free stuff! Among these free services are photo edits, avatars, picture storage, media storage…. You can be an M&M’s in one second and a Simpson on another, a picture can be a Warhol Masterpiece in one click or a lomo photography on another click. The Internet is making everything very easy! An ordinary photograph can be the cover of National Geographic and Vogue magazine in the same hour too!
One of the best free sites I have tried was “Photofunia” and “Face your Manga”. Photofunia offers a wide range of edits/manipulations for your pictures and makes it look like a photoshop-pro did something interesting to your picture in just a few clicks. I am even amazed of the results! “Face your Manga” on the other hand is similar to making an avatar in YM. The only difference of the application is that it makes you an anime character in a few clicks and choices. I even played with this site several times. Love ‘em all! GONNA TRY EM ALL!
I just finished Guilty Gear XX Reloaded Arcade Mode. I was using Millia Rage and after several weeks of attempting to beat I-no, I did it last night! I’m filled with happiness! At the moment I’m still addicted to Mobwars…
Aug 21, '08
READ MORE of "A click, a book and the rain"A wedding, a lecture and several dinners
Aug 7, '08 7:43 AM
My life is something that I never have imagined. At first, I never thought I’ll be a clothing designer and a teacher at this age. I was given opportunities to do the things I wanna do.
A lecture
I was blessed to be given the chance to share my knowledge and experience through teaching and lectures. 6th of August, 2008: Yesterday I conducted a lecture/seminar about “The Art of Advertising and a Note on Originality” in BSU (A similar lecture to the one I did in ADMU but more focused on the Fine Arts aspects). It was such an experience for me. I always enjoy sharing tidbits and explaining things. It was also an interesting thing to travel to Malolos,Bulacan so early in the morning (To think that I usually come to office around 9-10:30am). I’m so thankful to Mr. Jonathan Rañola for giving me the opportunity to give this lecture to his students.
A wedding
2nd of August, 2008. St Peter's Commonwealth, Quezon City. 3:30pm. Diana and Julius’ wedding was truly as beautiful as the fireworks that danced in the sky that night. Diana was my super friend on the last part of my college life. She was one of the most vibrant personalities that I have met. I was so lucky to get acquainted with her because it led to the opportunity to meet her barkada group. Diana’s group of friends is different from mine. I still can’t recall how we became friends but I’ll be forever thankful. Now she is already married and I was just swept away by the ceremony. I love weddings. I hope Diana’s smile that day would stay forevermore. See you again soon.
Several Lunches and Dinners
Since Pat is a bit emotional lately, we tried to make ourselves happy through eating out. We are trying to dine on some restaurants that we don’t usually go to. We had unplanned dinners and lunches just to chit-chat and laugh about stuff. We also have cocoy on some instances. I also had a dinner with my college friends in celebration of Mihai’s birthday. It was a buffet treat (wow). And just last Sunday I had a lunch and dinner with a very good friend in SM North. I'm so glad that I had these opportunities to meet these lovely people!
I’m so thankful for my life! Thank God for everything!
Type rest of the post here
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