Maligayang Bati Ting!

NOTE:Isang pagbibigay pugay sa isa sa mga pinakaimportanteng tao sa buhay ko.

(Naks! Isang round naman diyan! Pa-dinner ka naman!)

Si Kathy Zabala Guanzon, nakilala ko siya sa likod ng SM carpark aka Quezon City Science High School noong 2nd year high school kami. Magkaiba pa kami ng set of friends noon. Naging close ko lang talaga siya noong naging magka-group kami sa isang malaking project (parang celebrity ang dating natin…hahaha:)) sa subject namin na Research. Hindi namin inakala na kaya naming gumawa ng “artificial wood” mula sa plastic bags at sawdust. Ito ang produktong muntik nang tumalo sa ecowood ni Ernie Baron. Isipin niyo, mga batang walang kamuwang-muwang lang pala ang tatapat sa kanya! Umani ang proyektong ito ng maraming tagumpay dito sa Pilipinas, maging sa ibang bansa. Kaya’t mula sa hirap ng pagpupuyat para matapos lang ito, hanggang sa kaligayahang dulot ng tagumpay, ay nakasama ko siya. Doon nagsimula ang isang pagkakaibigang hindi ko inakalang aabot ng kung ilang taon at magiging ganito kalalim.

Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang sleepovers, gimik, inuman, eat-outs, at kung anu-ano pang lakwatsa, kami nagkasama. Birthday ng kung sinu-sino, dalaw sa kisay noong bagong graduate pa lang kami. Minsan naman, wala lang, magkikita lang kami para sumaya at mag-alis ng tensyon. Marahil dahil sa lagi naming pagkikita ng barkada kaya naging halos magkakapatid na ang turing namin sa isa’t-isa. Masaya lang kami kapag magkakasama kami. Kahit na napupunta sa seryoso paminsan-minsan, kaya naming pababawin ang kahit anong bagay. May mga jokes kami na kami lang ang natatawa at nakakaintindi. May mga karakter na kami lang ang nakakakilala.

Alam ko na maraming gumugulo sa isip niya ngayon. Quarter life crisis, ang sabi niya. Lahat naman yata nang tao sa henerasyon natin ay dumadaan diyan sa ngayon. Huwag kang mag-alala, dadating din ang mga nararapat sa buhay mo. Nalilito ka man sa ngayon, alam kong maaayos mo rin lahat iyan. Natuwa ako nung sinabi niya kanina, na ang tanging aspeto lang ng buhay niya na sigurado siyang ayaw niyang mabago ay ang mga kaibigan niya. Ganon din kami Ting. Alam ko na sa puntong ito, wala nang pwedeng sumira sa pagkakaibigan ng Biocares. Magkaroon man tayo ng ibang priorities sa buhay, alam ko, magkakaibigan pa rin tayo. Habambuhay na talaga ito, tulad ng sinusumpaan ng mga ikinakasal, sa hirap at ginhawa.

Ting, dalangin ko na balang araw ay mahanap mo ang iyong sarili, at mahanap mo ang tunay na kaligayahan.

Pero para sa iyong kaarawan ngayon, sumayaw muna tayo sa saliw ng...

“Happy… I’m feeling so happy… I’m gonna be happy…Can’t you see I’m happy now”

Maligayang Bati Ting! Itaas mo!

Which Goddess Are You?

Each of us has aspects of all seven goddesses in her personality. Some women may have more Demeter than Athena, some more Aphrodite than Hera. But to achieve a healthy balance we all need to integrate characteristics of each of the goddesses into our lives. By identifying the qualities of the goddesses in yourself, you can recognize needs you have left unfulfilled; by attending to those needs, you can become happier and more self-confident.

I took this test at women.com. Here are the results:

You scored 25% Hestia
If you embody the qualities of Hestia, you understand the value of having your own sacred place, whether it's an actual room or simply a time of day when you free your mind of busy thoughts and experience peace of mind. There's no doubt this place is at home -- where you feel the most joy. Home is your sanctuary. You are at home with yourself wherever you are, though, and no matter whom you are with. You know that the meaning of your life springs from your spiritual center. This brings you a great sense of security. You do not crave attention or material possessions; you nurture your friends and family with your unconditional love.


You scored 16.7% Hera
If you possess many of Hera's qualities, you tend to find fulfillment in relationships and look on marriage as a permanent union. In marriage, you feel no sense of frustration or resentment, because you are an equal partner with your spouse. You are confident and have no trouble asserting your authority in and out of the relationships. You seek men who are self-confident and successful, because you are comfortable with the concept that you can be fulfilled through him (and him through you). As long as your partner honors the marriage as much as you do and appreciates you, you will be happy. If he doesn't, you must concentrate on your own growth and discover an identity independent of him.


You scored 16.7% Athena
If you are ruled by Athena, you are bright-eyed, shrewd, resourceful and inventive. With friends, you are the wise counselor -- always ready with an empowering message. You are believe strongly that women can accomplish anything men can. No wonder you put so much time into your career. Athena women tend to be ruled by their head, not by their heart. You carefully guard your intimate side, protecting your emotions and vulnerability. If you want to awaken your unexpressed womanliness, you'll have to use the same passion you apply to your intellectual achievements. It's important that you work to integrate your strong masculine side with your feminine side -- bringing together your strength with your vulnerability, your creativity with caring, your intelligence with imagination. Otherwise, you risk coming off as unaffectionate and self-righteous.

You scored 16.7% Persephone
If you exemplify the qualities of Persephone, you have most likely experienced great loss in your life -- the loss of your health or your emotional or physical security, the betrayal of a friend or lover, the loss of a child, your own divorce or that of your parents. This experience has forced you to face the dark, unenlightened side of yourself (the side that blames other people or circumstances for your own suffering) and transform yourself into a stronger, more independent, more accepting and more loving person. It may have also led you down a spiritual path, and moved you to place great emphasis on inner calm and on close connections with friends. You are capable of embracing, integrating and accepting difficult experiences. Because of that skill, you offer others the gift of empathy -- you know where they are or have been.


You scored 8.3% Artemis
If you are ruled by Artemis, your independent spirit belongs to no one but yourself. Your body is vibrant, your attitude robust and your manner vigorous and alive. You are driven by physical rather than mental energy. You feel complete without a man in your life and would never compromise your essential nature for a romantic partner. You are skilled at establishing personal boundaries and enter into relationships on your own terms -- in short, you can take care of yourself. This attitude may at times put men off. But if what you're looking for is an equal, loving relationship, take some tips from Hera.


You scored 8.3% Aphrodite
If you are ruled mostly by Aphrodite, your femininity and passionate spirit are the controlling forces in your life. You tend to be charismatic and self-assured, comfortable with your body and unrestrained sexually. Men are drawn to you like bees to flowers, which satisfies your erotic nature. However, you tend not to form permanent attachments with lovers because you value your sexual freedom, which may leave you feeling lonely and even depleted once a relationship ends. To find and form a more lasting relationship, you need to add more of the goddess Hera to your life.


You scored 8.3% Demeter
If you fit the Demeter archetype, you are a nurturer and caretaker. You have a generous heart and enjoy extending your love to others. You are motivated by the most powerful of instincts -- to give life -- and selflessly devote yourself to the life you create. You feel compelled to care for all those around you, even if they are not your own children. In short, you feel the need to be all things to all people and, therefore, your own needs sometimes go unmet. You must learn to say no, and apply Artemis's sense of boundaries and Aphrodite's ability to put herself first. That way, you can give to others from an overflowing rather than a half-full cup.

Sweet Sexy Ting

Hi! nice blog...nicer than purplewarts......wish i could make my own blog too.....i dnt know how to make one......

im here at PAFID...spending quality time [chillin ewt!] with the jogsie and jambalaya.....i like jambalaya...wish we'll share more moments together...wish we can share a blog....

i am here bec. destiny brought me here.....it just happened...without me knowing it.....i will never be the same after this day...this is the day..this is the day....that the Lord has made....

i love Jogsie...but I love jambalaya more.....i dnt know why..it just happened....i know it could happen to you too...

this is Joan's blog......she's one hell-of-a-babe......just like me......

Ting

Of friendships and concerts

Last Friday, I watched the MTV Asia Aids Summit at The Fort with Ghie and Joy, two of my college friends, and Andrew, Ghie’s younger brother. The show featured several local artists and international pop princess, Mandy Moore. We went there because of her, and when the crowd was swept after her short stint, I figured majority of the audience did.

I was not really a Mandy Moore fan before, despite the fact that I watched two out of her three movies that was shown here and I love most of her songs. But definitely, I like her more than Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. She does not give the slut-impression even if she wears sexy clothes. She has this elegant way of carrying herself. I especially liked her in A Walk to Remember, the movie that was based on Nicholas Sparks’ bestselling novel, where she played a Miss Goody Two Shoes. Well, after seeing her in person and hearing her sing live, I am now a certified fan! :)

Going back to my kwento. We left the concert after her five songs, went to Ayala to eat, then we dropped Ghie’s brother at Baclaran because he’s going home to Cavite. We proceeded to a church in Mindanao Avenue. Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish, if my memory serves me right. You might ask why we had to go to a churh after a Mandy Moore concert. Well, we just accompanied Joy, who visits the church’s adoration chapel almost everyday after office (Tama ba Joy?:)).

We were at the church at around twelve midnight. We spent some minutes of silent moment with God. Afterwards, we went to the house of the ex-girlfriend of Joy’s friend. I’m not in the position to put their first names here since I am not really close to them. Friendster connections lang sila…hehe:) We spent the first two and a half hours of the coming day watching shows in cable TV while waiting for Joy. She was there to settle something. After that, they dropped me at my office/house.

It was one of those Friday nights that will be left in my memory long after it’s over. The kind that brings unsolicited realizations about life, love and friendships. Here are some:

1. Sometimes, it’s better not to cross the thin line that separates friends and lovers, if you want that friend of yours to stay in your life longer.
2. Never associate with or befriend your boylet’s past GFs or MUs, they will bring nothing but conflicts.
3. Once a chickboy, always a chickboy.
4. It’s healthy to go on a girl's night-out once in a while, and talk about boys all night!
5. The Filipinos are suckers for international stars or stars in general.
6. Mandy Moore is taller than the President of the Republic of the Philippines (But she looked like a midget from where we were standing..hehe:)).
7. Nowadays, safe sex, instead of abstinence, is promoted to avoid AIDS (Hmmm…this statement deserves to be a subject of another entry).

Makes sense, doesn’t it?

My Chaotic Schedule

I can’t seem to fix my schedule lately.

I don’t know if I should be happy or not for the way things turned out this morning. I was supposed to go to Palawan this Wednesday, Nov. 26, for a consultation workshop for the CADT (Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title) application of different areas in the Calamianes group of islands. This is some sort of meeting with the NCIP (National Commission on Indigenous People), the local government units, and other participating non-government organizations. Before this thing was scheduled, I already had a ticket for the Happy 50 TV concert on Saturday, Nov. 29. After the concert, Ting, one of my high school friends, will celebrate her birthday with us in one of the bars at The Fort. But then this Palawan event came, so I asked Wets, another high school friend of mine, to ask Jay, her boyfriend, to cover up for me.

Just a few minutes ago, I learned that the activity was postponed. The new schedule will be sometime this December, which, incidentally, coincides with our office’ christmas party. Damn the organizers! I can’t understand why they can’t seem to make up their mind. Don’t they know I have a life outside my job?! That I have, in my own small world, a calendar of events, that I organize from time to time, to be able to include my work, my friends, and my family?!

You can’t blame me. This is the second time the activity in Palawan was moved to another schedule. The very first schedule was on Nov. 22-24. Then, it was moved to Nov. 27-29. Now, they moved it again to Dec. 18-20. Aaaargh! How can I fix my schedule if they keep on moving the dates?

Well, it’s not a problem anymore, since I already talked to Wets, and she told me that it’s okay with Jay if I get his ticket. Nahihiya ako kay Wets and Jay, dahil syempre, may mga schedule din na inaayos yung mga tao. Una, I asked him to pay for my ticket na lang, kasi hindi ako pwede. Tapos, ngayon, biglang, pwede ako and I want my ticket back. Dyahe, di ba? I know he’s too nice to even think about that and Wets is so close to me I don’t even have to say “pasensya na”. But still, naiinis pa rin ako. I hate it when I set my mind on something and it does not push through. I plan way ahead of time. Malayo pa lang, iniisip-isip ko na yan. Tapos, biglang change of plans, dahil may kung anong mangyayari na hindi ko kasalanan. I know, I know, there are things that are beyond my control. Maybe I’m a control freak. I want things to turn out exactly the way I imagined them and I get frustrated when they don’t.

I really don’t know why I’m fussing right now. I should be happy because I looked forward to that concert and Ting’s birthday. I should even take this as a blessing in disguise. Kaya lang, yun nga, I was set into going to Palawan this week. I even brought clothes enough for one month because I was expecting I would not go home in Laguna this coming weekend. I even convinced myself I was not meant to see Jerry Yan and Vic Zhou in person. Nagulo ang mga plano ko.

It just makes me upset when I plan and some person, thing or event gets in the way. Minsan, parang ayoko nang magplano kasi hindi rin naman natutuloy. Parang mas masaya kapag hindi mo ine-expect tapos biglang dadating na lang.

Haay. Hectic schedule. Signs of old age.

Friendster works

Finally! I found him!

Let me start by explaining what friendster is. It is a service in the internet which essentially works like networking. You make your own account and you can maintain up to 500 friends in your group. You can view your friends’ and their friends’ pages and their friends’ friends pages. Actually, you can view the page of practically anyone who has an account. Perfect for people like me who has lost touch with a lot of people who were once part of my life.

I have been looking for him since I started using friendster. I already viewed all the pages of the people who could be connected to him. I even availed of the user search feature several times out of desperation, but still, I can’t find him.

But yesterday, Ghie, my college friend and groupmate in the subject where he was our professor, told me the good news that he found him through her student council contacts and he is already included in her set of friends.

So, I checked his page right away. And there he was, wearing the same smile that used to send shivers to my spine. On second thought, it still does. I instantly felt it, like when I used to bump into him inside the university (or other places outside). I figured it was because the aircon in our office-cum-living room is still on. But no, it was because of him, or his picture, for that matter. I felt stupid for once again letting my emotions rule over my thinking. I can’t explain it, but as the song goes, “I get so weak in the knees, I can hardly speak …”

Yes, that song explains exactly how I feel whenever I see him or whenever I communicate with him. I get lost when I come close to him, my mind wanders to neverland everytime I get the chance to speak to him. Spontaneity is one of my assets but it seems to disappear when he is around.

Am I in love? Maybe. Maybe not. At this point, I really don’t want to know. More so because he indicated in his status that he is “in a relationship”. I’m just glad that he’s back in my life again. And for now, that’s all I need to know.