sarap din sana basagin ang mukha ng mga nambabasag ng trip, no? :D

pakyu

I might be too late to convince people to vote for Stand UP at this point. But if there's any indecisive soul out there that gets to read this before he or she hands his or her id/form 5 to vote, I hope this can sway you to the red side, even just a little bit.

You may have your reasons for voting your own colors, but I really hope you considered the long term and overall effects of your party's platforms.

I hope you considered how concrete their plans of actions are and are not just made of fluff or just speak of things such as uniting the student body and whatnot. What student council does not aim for that, really? Look for concrete plans and projects. Look for proactive people you see all throughout the year. 

I hope you considered how the council would take action against the problems brought about the lack of government support. The petitions and dialogues - honestly, I'd like to think everyone does that. Stand UP doesn't just take it out to the streets at the first sign of trouble. Of course we go through all those dialogues and petitions, or whatever peaceful means we could. It's just these people refuse to budge. I hope you thought of what lengths your councils would go through to get things done. Given the situation that the government really does not listen, would these people in blue and yellow lower their pride and actually go to a rally for these causes?

I hope you didn't just consider how the council could benefit you and your college. I hope you considered that probinsyano incoming freshman who had his hopes of making his future brighter, but couldn't because he couldn't afford the best education. That way, the rich just keep getting richer and the poor just keep getting poorer. Now what kind of society would that be? It's not the kind of world we want be part of when we graduate from the university.

You say that the problems we are trying to solve are too far from the concerns of the college. How can you say that when there is almost a billion pesos worth of budget cut on education? (And I say "almost a billion" because our efforts of rallying this November actually did something). How are we supposed to move as an entire system? It's fucking alarming. Iskolar nga tayo ng bayan, kaya hindi pwedeng concerned lang tayo sa mga isyu ng unibersidad, kundi ang mga isyu ng bansa. We don't need to look too far, because of the budget cut on education. Think of a number of the university's biggest problems and how they could be solved - the solutions point to greater state subsidy and financial support from the government.

This is the premier state university of the country. We are highly esteemed students of the nation. This is not your usual student council elections. This could actually affect Philippine society in general. The pressure is really on. It's something higher than ourselves.

Whether you think we are Iskolars ng Bayan or Iskolars Para sa Bayan. Here's to hoping your student council (especially the chairperson) has his or her head and heart in the right place. On my part, I can confidently say, Jemimah "GEM" Garcia and her slate is more than capable for this call.

I've said my piece. The vote is still yours. Vote wisely, Isko.

Love is a risk. Take it.

Stupid entry ahead. 'Tis the product of kasabawan and an unusual attachment to my dog over the past few days. You have been warned.


Don't you sometimes wish that  your pet could talk?

I don't know if it's just Mojo, but he has this stare. That look where he's trying to tell me something he can't say, well, because he obviously can't talk.

A lot of times I wish he could talk. That puppy dog stare he gives can be very cute, but sometimes quite unsettling. The loving pet owner in me would like to know so I could give him more of his needs, but most of the time I would just like to know what the eff he's looking at.

He also has this habit of burying his head under covers when I'm not giving him much attention. He sighs while I'm listening to loud music. He wraps himself around my leg when I leave the house. He looks away whenever I undress. I guess these things already tell say a lot without him having to say a word. He makes these funny almost-talking sounds (you know, like how a baby is trying to talk when he can't) when he really wants something.

If Mojo could talk, these are the things he'd most likely be saying:
Yes, I meant a lot to be in caps. He'd more or less say it that way since he's a hyper little one.


FEEEEED MEEEEE!!! (a lot more often than we'd like)
Turn of that crap music!!
HA! Took your spot! (on the bed)
*insert piercing scream here* (in the midst of thunder or fireworks)
Where HAVE you been?!
I MISSED YOOOOU!
Stop. tickling. me. I. just. want. to. SLEEEEP!
GO AWAAAAAY!
I'm bored.
I'm cold.
Uhh, awkward. (when he's in the room while I'm dressing up/down)
But I don't wanna sleep in my doggy bed!
I don't like you.
WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU AND WHY ARE YOU IN MY HOUSE?!
Take me with yoooou!
Ew, Pedigree.
*insert argument on why he should be allowed to eat table food here* (in which I will disagree to anyway)
...but mom lets me eat that!
PUH-LEAAAAAAZEEE!
Nooo, I'm camera shy!
OMG BATH YAY!
Mmm, my balls are delicious! (As said by Seth Meyers on SNL's Weekend Update)
Moooom, hide me! I pooped in the living room and Kuya saw it!
I don't wanna eat that anymore. The milk made the dog food all mushy.
O HAI SPARKY!
How YOU doin? (He's quite the play-dog)
Flea alert!
MOM'S/DAD'S/KUYA'S HOME!
Where's my ball?
Belly rub, please!
WTF are you doing? (Whenever I make silly baby noises around him)
OMG BACON TREATS
MIIIIIIINE!!!!
Just give me the damn treat, woman!!!
Ano ba yan, puro nalang sit pinapagawa mo sakin! (oo, marunong din siya magtagalog)
Habulin mo 'kooooo!
ANEKANEKMEL?! (at hindi rin pwedeng hindi siya mahawa sa gay lingo ko)

among others.

... Okay, it probably wouldn't make much of a difference if he could talk, but a bathroom break warning would be great, though. Really great. Please.

The past few weeks with my favorite people have been no less than amazing. It just dawned on me that we've already gone through so much together in a span of almost four years.

You know how you sometimes think of how different life would be if you'd have gone to another college? I dare not think of the possibilities anymore, because if I did, I wouldn't have met these amazing people (that goes for the rest of the Cineaste family and close UP friends as well).

Never have I seen a group so talented, fun, loving, supportive and accepting. I look at the new members and feel content knowing that they'll get the same, seeing how bonded they are now. Nakakataba ng puso. It makes me feel glad and old at the same time, really, knowing that I was in their shoes some few years ago. I also saw how we grew in number and in many other ways. More people are embracing the film enthusiast in them. The org events and celebrations keep getting bigger and bigger. The more the merrier. More energy, mas happy. Hehe. :) I really couldn't be happier with this org. My only wish that the following Execom and members take care everything we tried to build since ever since.


In light of our September events, I'd like to wish my beloved org a big big happy happy 26th birthday, and an even bigger THANK YOU for bringing us together, and helping me grow as a person and as a filmmaker. Somehow, the notion of "honing your craft as a filmmaker" through membership comes to a close second to me now, because I've learned so much more in terms of living my life, with the people I love with me.
 

And there she sat, cigarette in hand, while she watched the cars speed by and asked music to give her the answers.

So you failed! Alright, you REALLY failed. You failed, you failed, you failed… You failed! You failed. You failed, you failed, you failed.. YOU FAILED! You failed, you failed you failed, you… You think I care about that? I do understand. You're an artist, man. Your job is to break through barriers, not accept blame and bow and say "Thank you, I'm a loser, I'll go away now. Oh, Phil's mean to me. Wah wah wah!" So what? You wanna be really great? Then have the courage to fail big and stick around. Make them wonder why you're still smiling! That's true greatness to me.

Claire Colburn, Elizabethtown

I've been seriously trying to keep my chin up despite everything (or every one) putting me down.

I'm so thankful for films like this that remind me what of what really matters. I'm also thankful to have a Claire Colburn in my life - someone who is ridiculously supportive no matter how shitty I feel.

 It's been a tough couple of weeks for a lot of us, mainly because of conceptualization for thesis proposal (or lack thereof) and midterms. I definitely am not alien to occasional emotional breakdown (a.k.a. tiwang moments) at times of stress and pressure, but I'm glad there are things that kept me from exploding. 

Last week was kind enough to technically be a 2-day school week for me, as Thursday (August 19) was declared a holiday and my only Friday class was cancelled because my professor was out of the country. This gave me the balls to allow myself to let go a bit. It's always good to go back to your roots when you're stuck in a rut, and I guess I'm finding my way there by reconciling myself with:

1. Writing (hence the recently more active LJ account. Hooray!)
2. Music

In the middle of my so-called soul searching, I remember promising myself to take more time to enjoy live music. And so I did. I went to two gigs last week. 

Tuesday, August 17 - Jim Bean at Mag:net Katipunan


I wouldn't have gone if my friend Reggie didn't text me that she was going. I hadn't seen her in the longest time, so she was my main reason for going. But of course, besides getting to see her and a few high school batchmates, the epic bonus there was the great music. 


It simply amazes me how Neil and By are still at it. I've known them to be in the band scene since high school, and as a lot of those bands hung up their guitars or mics, they're still going even with different bands and/or bandmates. Of course, they are better than ever, playing their own gigs, and I couldn't be prouder.


Thursday, August 19 - Johnoy and Kakoy at 70s Bistro

That day being a holiday as well as seeing Neil on Tuesday gave me no excuse to miss Johnoy and Kakoy. Neil had been texting me since forever to watch this band, and now I finally know what the buzz is about.



I simply ADORE Johnoy's soothing vocals. Think of the relaxing vibe of Jack Johnson and the smoothness of John Legend's voice. Kakoy's guitar solos make my jaw drop. They performed a number of covers and gave it their own character, and their originals could definitely stand on their own. If this kind of music would replace the overplayed amateurish acoustic covers dominating the airwaves, I would be very, very happy. Their setup is simple with just an acoustic guitar, and electric guitar and a harmonica - but they definitely know what they're doing. My words will always be an understatement in describing how amazing this band is. It's just one of the things you'll have to experience for yourself.

My first Johnoy and Kakoy experience would be really hard to forget - as they were about to call it a night, the audience was asking for more, and I opted to shout out the title of one of my favorite songs. Needless to say, my request was granted, and I was shedding tears upon hearing his angelic voice sing to Elton John's Tiny Dancer. 



I've said it once, and I'll say it again: Nothing, absolutely NOTHING beats the high of listening to music live. I'm pretty sure that happy buzz was 99% thanks to the music and 1% thanks to the alcohol. Haha! Either way, it's a great way to help find oneself again. 



Amateurish photography by yours truly. :p