Trip Wild(life) Christmas Party 2012

I have the loveliest bunch of friends in the world. Why? Because look at us, aren't we adorable?

SM Youth: Fashion Radar with Bjorn Bedayo

Jani (who is usually behind the camera) and I with Bjorn Bedayo (who is also usually behind the camera).

The ignorance and bliss of being younger.

One day, an even older me will probably laugh at this.

Mang Rudy's best friends

A while back, I found online the most heartwarming story about a man who lived in the streets and took dogs in. 

To Dugan

Our sense of mortality can grip us in many ways. When it does, we find that what we once perceive to be permanent can seem so temporary, transitory.

***

My earliest memory of you was caught in photographs. When we were little, you visited us. We were playing in the basement of the house– you, me, and Camille, on that inflatable boat. You were always fun, I thought.

My congratulations to Lej and why this semi- sucks for me.

Last weekend, Lej invited us to lunch to celebrate the college degree he had just earned.

Lej thanking God for the food on the table, and also that piece of paper he worked his butt off for 7 years, I bet.

Sunday Funday

On a lazy Sunday afternoon with friends.

 Jayce, who is of course impeccably dressed, and me, donning the most presko outfit I could find in my closet.

Falling in love

A while back I found this text online and fell in love with what it said.

And now, a video adaptation.

This video is a school project we shot and edited. Music borrowed from Regina Spektor. Author of the text unknown. Mikey Aggabao as the girl.

Happy Birthday, Jassie!

 We love you! 

Sky Flakes with my Father

My father was worried this morning. “How will I get inside the house later?”, he asks. On a Wednesday morning, the conversation continues like this as I rush out to catch my 8 a.m. class. Honestly, I had no time for the chit chat as I hit the snooze button one too many times this morning, but I welcome the morning chatter. The house has become lonely, it has only been me and Tatay this whole week.

An old candid shot of Tatay.

 It’s funny because my father refuses to bring house keys. Literally, he needs someone to open the doors for him. Since my mother, who usually opens the doors for us, has been away for most of this week, our lives have continued on in this confused peaceful fashion. Whether or not we are having the defrosted adobo for the nth time as supper is a  detail that we now have concerned ourselves with. The talk ends with me saying “Yes, Tatay. I will be here by the time you get home, don’t worry.”

It’s not that he’s not capable, no, on the contrary! My father is a very capable man. An accomplished lawyer, a loving husband, and a wonderful father– my family lives this comfortable life because he built it for us. He has done great and wondrous things in his personal and professional life. 

But, he never makes himself dinner. I once came home to him munching away on Sky Flakes at 9:30 p.m. because no one was there to make him dinner.

With good reason, I suppose. When we were younger he insisted he was going to cook us the best shrimp meal ever. What he served would get you drunk in one bite– the ‘Nilasing na Hipon’ was really ‘lasing’. Looking back, it was probably the first time I believed that less alcohol would've made for a better decision. We laughed it off.

Another of his attempts at feeding his then young kids ended with a melted tupperware inside a microwave, and a mini fire scare. Again, we laughed it off. Yes, I guess he really doesn’t cook for reasons that are very clear now. 

My mother told me that he made breakfast for himself the other day. Toasted pandesal, she said. A feat considering that this morning, I left him with a breakfast of Sky Flakes with cream cheese.

Its funny and I crack these jokes, but I am my father’s daughter. It is 8 p.m., also, I have not had dinner. Hand me those Sky Flakes!

Sometimes I worry. What do we do when the adobo runs out? 

Simple. Call Nanay, we will always have Nanay. 

But really, even if she isn’t around, I would cook for my father. Always, and any time he’d need me to.

He gets grumpy when he’s hungry.

Tatay, please laugh that last comment off.

ANTM models in Boracay!

Because it's not everyday that you find America's Next Top models frolicking about. 

Allison Harvard (ANTM cycle 12 runner up) and Dominique Reighard (ANTM cycle 10)!

The day Maria Ressa said my name.

At the 8.45 mark.

Read on about the whole newscast here.

Meet Mang Rudy

Two days in my internship and feeling a little more tired than I'm used to. Before going to bed tonight, on one of my earlier bedtimes, I found myself scanning through Facebook. It wasn't long before I found photos of this man named Mang Rudy.

Living in a kariton and often found along E. Rodriguez corner Banawe, this man cares for 16 dogs and 2 cats.  Whether it be scavenging for food from fastfood chain dumps, or working as a parking attendant and collecting recyclables,  Mang Rudy finds a way to feed these animals he took responsibility for.

According to the photos, Mang Rudy finds an affinity to these lost dogs. He sees himself as a stray. With no plans in the future, he just takes it one day at a time and struggles to keep all 18 members of his family happy and well fed. He is pictured above with his favorite dog-- a blind dachshund he rescued.  As was pointed out in the photos,  all of the animals looked extremely happy and healthy.

Mang Rudy sleeps in the same spot the dogs do. Yes, that is his pillow one of the dogs are on.

I love dogs, and sometimes I feel sick when I see dog owners neglecting their pets. This man sets an example to all of us. It doesn't take much to love, but it takes a lot of commitment and responsibility to take care of these guys. What he's doing is no easy feat. (We have 8 dogs at home so I know!)

I am amazed at in awe at how much good can be in a person. 

(I feel compelled to run to Quezon City and offer to help this man, but I can't so I settle on writing this in hopes that someone better equipped to do something takes notice. Now excuse me while I ball my eyes out, again.)

All photos from Facebook user Jason Querma. See the whole album here. Visit The Rudy Project website.

*I just found this heartwarming story online, have not actually met or seen Mang Rudy myself.

The Great Mr. John Lesaca

It was a great surprise when I came home Saturday afternoon to find John Lesaca setting up in our backyard. He was kind enough to play a little something for us and family members who've visited from the States. It's always beautiful to hear live music, so much better when the one playing is a master violinist. By the end of his performance, not only clapping, but also, screams and cheers could be heard.

 Thanks, Tito John!

Red Horse Muziklaban 2012 TVC

Check out Red Horse's new TVC for Muziklaban!

I'm on fangirl mode.

Trip Christmas Party 2011: United Nations

As mentioned earlier, I spent the weekend with friends for our annual Christmas celebrations. Oh good god, the hilarity that ensued! This year's theme was United Nations. I can say with full conviction that my friends are very good sports. Everyone (I mean EVERYONE!) came with costumes drag queens would be proud of. Achieve!

I wonder what the people in the house next door were thinking when they saw a bunch of kids(?) pouring out into the lawn, all costumed up at 10 p.m.

I am so blessed to have these people in my life.

And now for the costumes..... 

Ms. Africa

Mr. and Ms. Peru

Mr. and Ms. Spain

Ms. Morocco

Ms. Puerto Rico

Mr. and Ms. Japan

Mr. and Ms. Hawaii (Not a country/nation, but don't ask. Haha!) 

Ms. Hungary

Grecian/Spartan pair

Ms. France, Cheska's "substandard compliance costume"

The winner of the night: 1/2 of the USA couple.

Here's a photo of almost everyone from Charm. Check out Mr. Korea (in the green) and his silly hat.

We missed a few other friends, we still have next year, yeah?

In Photos: Chris' Surprise Party at Mulligans