Arnis Induction

A couple of action shots taken by moi (sorry, amateur! amateur!!).

After one sem (and for the others, half a sem) of training, ordinary UP students can do the following.

Mabuhay ang UP Sangkil Karasak!!!

A Poem I wrote waaaaaaaay back (I was about 12), haha!

My voice belongs in my voice box
A little box so pink
It enlargens when I drink hot water
But if cold water, then it will shrink.

That's why I never drink cold water
Though God knows I'd love to sip some
I miss cold water so very much
It's an obsession.... so gruesome!

Since I now have a bad cold
I can't sing at all, how sad!
The fact that I can't produce a note
Makes me feel very, very bad.

STARDUST : A Classic Fairy Tale

I don't understand why STAR DUST received low ratings from critics. I guess it's because it was based on a book... ever notice how fans of the book will always give the movie a low grade because the movie is NEVER 100% faithful to the book?

I love the movie. I love, love, LOVE it so much, I want to watch it again!!?! Call me shallow, uncritical... whatever you want. I'm not a picky movie-goer. I watch movies to be entertained. And STAR DUST certainly more than does the job.

I left the movie on a musical high (all hail ILAN ESHKERI !!! the new demi-god of soundtrack compositions). True, the movie was good on its own... with the fantastic special effects and the great plot. But, I've said this and I say it again: THE MUSIC MAKES THE FILM.

Can you imagine the TITANIC without James Horner's music? Without MY HEART WILL GO ON?

Didn't think so. ;-)

Back to topic. I left the cinema on a musical high, but also filled with such happiness and optimism. I believe in L.O.V.E! The glistening, rainbow-covered, pink aura surrounding the idea of it. Of candle-lit dinners and a romantic violin concerto playing in the background. Of the hero taking a bullet meant for his beloved and dying gladly in her place. Of soulful eye-gazing and hand-holding, underneath a starry sky and surrounded with all of Mother Nature's glory.

It's nice to believe in an idea. Idealism tempered with realism is the best mix, I think.

~ ~ ~

Funny how my favorite love song is also the most beautiful sacred song I've ever heard.

Then again, God's love for us IS the best romance story ever told.

PANUNUMPA

Ikaw lamang ang pangakong mahalin

Sa sumpang sa'yo magpakailan pa man

Yakapin mon'g bawat sandali,

Ang buhay kong sumpang sa'yo lamang alay,

At mapapawi ang takot sa 'kin

Pangakong walang hanggan

Ikaw lamang ang pangakong susundin

Sa takbo sakdal, liwanagan ang daan

Yakapin mong bawat sandali,

Ang buhay kong sumpang sa'yo lamang alay

At mapapawi ang takot sa 'kin

'Pagkat taglay lakas mong angkin

Ikaw ang siyang pag-ibig ko

Asahan mo ang katapatan ko

Kahit ang puso ko'y nalulumbay,

Mananatiling ikaw pa rin...

At mapapawi ang takot sa 'kin

Pagkat taglay lakas mong angkin

A few pics taken during finals week / Our reunion with Denden

I have a new favorite tambayan: the Main Library! I spent three whole mornings cramming for that #$($&)#*)($*()#*$)(#*)($*)(#*()$* Bio exam ... Arrrrrgh. Never mind... *I just want to forget*

I felt comforted, sitting in one of the many desks in the Social Science section... surrounded by fellow UP students cramming for their respective exams. Misery loves company indeed.

Try the vendo machine's hot milo (only 12 pesos). I'm addicted to the stuff, I swear.

Do you ever get the feeling...

... that you know absolutely NOTHING?

... that we would all be better educated if we didn't have to attend classes, and just read good books all day?

~ ~ ~

It's almost the sem break. ALMOST. It's so near, I can TASTE it.

~ ~ ~

I need to read more.

My Chamber Recital

Start:	Oct 16, '07 6:00p
End:	Oct 16, '07 7:30p
Location:	Aldaba Hall

Everyone is invited! :) We will be performing 13 excerpts from J.S. Bach's Secular Cantatas (namely, the Coffee Cantata, the Wedding Cantata, and the Peasant Cantata), as well as Manuel de Falla's Spanish song cycle, SIETE CANCIONES POPULARES.

Hope to see you there!

The Training Room / My Grade 1 students / and other random pics

It seems like I'm on a picture taking spree... "Must! Collect! Memories!"

Here you'll find pictures of an empty training room, my oh-so-cute-and-talented grade 1 students at their Culminating Activity (aka Portfolio Night), a picture of my favorite dish at the Alumni Cafe, and some shots inside KNL Elementary School.