LAST POST FOR 2008

2008 was definitely a fruitful year for me. I've had a number of great moments with my career, with my social life (for the first time in quite a long while I've entered a club again). While my lovelife's still a dud at the moment, I'm not as desperate as I was a few weeks ago.

Anyway, I'm not here to post about me. I'm supposed to write about the Best of 2008 and the things to look forward to in 2009!!! Yeah, this is a pop culture post full of geekiness. So turn away if you're not into what I like. It's a little bit quirky and cheesy.

Let's start with the Best of 08.

BEST MOVIE

This one's a toss-up for me between Iron Man and The Dark Knight. Both were really good films. One was over-the-top fun, while the other was a classic in the making. But I guess I'll have to hand this one to DC if only because of Heath Ledger's awesome AWESOME performance as the clown prince of crime. But even if you take that away, The Dark Knight still has a very engaging story, full of twists and breathtaking action scenes. Plus brilliant performances from everyone involved.

RUNNER-UP: Iron Man

BEST PINOY MOVIE

Hands down, I give this title to A Very Special Love. The other day, on my off I bought a few DVDs of films shown this year, and this one was probably the best I've seen this year. I know it's kind of jologs to some of you, but I don't care. I know a girl from UA&P who's like so addicted to John Lloyd Cruz, it's disgusting. Anyway, I don't think anyone would disagree that the two lead stars had chemistry. The story's really quite shallow, but I admit, I enjoyed all the cheesiness.

RUNNER-UP: Ploning

BEST GAME

No questions here... I LOVE Grand Theft Auto IV. If my Xbox hadn't brokedown on me again a few weeks ago, I'd probably still be playing this game. Rockstar Games really created a fully immersible game which you can play without following the story. I mean I could spend hours just driving around the city and just listening to the fm stations. But of course, you'd want to know the fate of Nico Bellic and his dumb ass cousing Roman. I haven't finished this, but I'll be buying a new Xbox 360 next week, so hopefully this time I'd be able to complete the GTA experience.

RUNNER-UP: Gears Of War 2

BEST OF TV

When I made two posts about it this year, I think it's obvious that the tv show you SHOULD be watching (specially if you have friends) is How I Met Your Mother. Ted, Barney, Robin, Lily and Marshall made my unemployment days seem productive for me. It's hilarious, it's touching, and I can so relate to the kind of friendship these people have. Even if it seems over-the-top, what I'm seeing is still realistic.

RUNNER-UP: Pushing Daisies

PINOY TV

Yeah, I'm still able to watch Pinoy TV, and as gay as it may sound, I was an avid follower of Iisa Pa Lamang. If only because of the very entertaining banters between Claudine, Cherry Pie and Angelica. I wasn't able to fully follow the show as I was in New Zealand for the most part, but I think one time I found a blog that details all the memorable quips that was thrown in the show. I like the "desperate housewife from hell" and the "outbitch and karma" lines. Hilarious!!!

RUNNER-UP: My Girl

BEST COMIC BOOK MOMENT

Marvel had a very good year in 2008. Their Secret Invasion event was very successful sales wise. They were able to launch a lot of well-written titles like Iron Man, Guardians of the Galaxy and Deadpool. They were already on a roll, but come December they dropped a huge bomb by having the villainous Norman Osborn (Green Goblin) take control of the world's foremost security task force effectively making him, ruler of the world. Along with his buddies Dr. Doom, Loki, Namor, The Hood and Emma Frost, together they make up what people dub as 'Illuminaughty'. That is SO cool!!!

RUNNER-UP: Bucky as the new Captain America

BEST IN MUSIC

I haven't been listening to the fm stations lately, and haven't been watching MTV or Myx lately, but there are some songs that I was able to listen to which I found was awesome. Coldplay's Viva La Vida was one of them. I'm not sure if it's something you can dance to, but I love the beat to it. Normally, I'm into the lyrics of the song, but this one I'm not sure I understand what it's about. I don't mind, I still think the guy who made this song's a genius. Great song!

RUNNER-UP: I'm Yours and basically anything Boyce Avenue covered.

BEST IN NEWS

In a year that was full of controversies, crises and war. I don't think anything could beat the moment a man of color became the President of the most powerful country in the world. It's history in the making. I'm not American, but I'm proud to have lived during the time a great change happened. Of course everyone's waiting to see if he is good on his word. Hopefully this new era will usher in better days for everyone, not only in the US, but here in our country as well. Now only if we could have our President start doing her job and stop trying to lengthen her term. Sigh.

RUNNER-UP: Anything involving Sarah Palin.

BEST IN SPORTS

Nope, no Manny Pacquiao here. I still think he's overrated. This year, I'd say it would be The Beijing Olympics. Eventhough no Filipino triumphed in any of the event we're in, that's fine. If there's one place where you can find a lot of nations competing yet still being friendly with each other, it'd be in the Olympics. Plus, history again was made this year with Michael Phelps hoarding most of the swimming gold medals in his category.

RUNNER-UP: San Beda Red Lions winning its 3rd consecutive NCAA Championship!!!

LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2009

What's not to look forward to in 09?

TV's got the return of Jack Bauer in 24, and the latest season of Lost.

MOVIES has a lot to offer specially next summer with X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Transformers 2 and of course Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince!!! Not to mention, Dan Brown's Angels & Demons film adaptation will be shown next year.

GAMING also sees finally the release of probably MY favorite horror franchise ever... Resident Evil 5!!!

COMICS has me drooling over Iron Man: World's Most Wanted, War of Kings and of course the climax and conclusion of the villain's Dark Reign!!!

Good bye 2008!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! again...

SA BILANG NG TATLO

Wala na akong nagawang tama. Siguro panahon na para tapusin ang lahat ng ito.

Sa bilang ng tatlo.

Isa.

"As you all know, everyone's affected by this crisis. Even America. Unfortunately, one of the companies that's being hit hard by this event is our account. We're only given until the end of this week before our account becomes dissolved. I'm sorry guys. Some of you'll be floating, and I guarantee you, I will work with HR so that you'd find a program as soon as possible. But for those who are not yet regularized, I'm afraid there's nothing we can do about you. I WILL try to find a program who's in need of people and see if we can put you there. But for now, you'll have to speak with HR."

Putang-inang buhay to oh, call center na nga lang ang trabaho ko, mawawala pa! Bakit kailangan ngayon pa?

Ganun ba talaga ako kamalas?

"Eh paano na yung mga babayarin natin? Sunud-sunod na dumating yung bills sa kuryente, sa ilaw, sa telepono!!! Alfred paano natin babayaran yan?!" sambit ng nanay ko. Nakikita kong inutil ang tingin niya sa akin. Tama ang hinala niya na wala siyang mapakikinabangan sa aming mga anak niya. Lahat kami talunan.

"Nay ano magagawa ko, hindi pa ako regular!!! Malamang mas papaboran nila yung mas matagal na dun sa kumpanya! Maghanap muna kayo ng mauutangan."

Dalawa.

Humihithit si Teresa ng huling stick niya ng yosi. "ayoko na Alfred. Nagsasawa na ako."

"Nagsasawa saan?"

"Dito. Sa atin. Wala naman patutunguhan tong relasyon natin diba? Hindi ko kayang hintayin na makaipon ka bago mo ako pakasalan. Hindi ka naman nakakaipon. Puti na ang buhok nating dalawa, nandito pa rin tayo. Ayoko ng ganun!"

"Ano ba Teresa, sa tingin mo gusto ko na ganito lang tayo? Akala mo ba wala akong ginagawa?" Teresa, wag ka nang makisali sa mga problema ko please. "Teresa, ikaw na lang ang nag-iisang tama dito sa buhay ko, wag kang mawawala, please!"

Hindi nagsalita si Teresa. Umalis na lang bigla.

Pagsara ng pinto, alam kong hindi na siya babalik. Hindi ko na siya makikita.

Wala nang tama sa buhay ko.

Sa mga oras na ito, ang itutok ang baril na ito sa gitna ng mga mata ko ang nag-iisang tamang gagawin ko sa buhay ko. Tatapusin ko na ang lahat. Tutuldukan ko na ang lahat dito sa madilim na kwarto. Wala rin namang nagmamahal sa akin. Ayaw ko nang masaktan. Hindi ko na kaya.

Pihitin mo na ang gatilyo, Alfred. Tapusin mo na. Sabi ng demonyo sa utak ko. Tatlo na. Sige na.

Rrrriiiiiiiiiiing! sigaw ng cellphone ko.

Putang ina, bakit ngayon pa.

"Hello..."

"Alfred, si Dan 'to. I heard, may problema ka daw..."

"Dan, hindi ko na kaya..."

Tatlo.

Click.

**********

I know, not necessarily the best post to end the year. But let me assure you, contrary to how the lead character in my story, I am feeling great. I don't have any suicidal tendencies or anything. I'm fine.

I just wrote this because this was what's on my mind earlier. Now I didn't want the idea to escape me so I immediately posted it here. I'll try to post one more time before the year ends to at least end on a more positive note, and not a somber one. I guess I haven't written any fictional stories for awhile now.

Promise next year I'll try to write more positive posts. Just indulge me with this one.

NGAYONG BAGONG TAON...

- ako ay magsisimula na talagang mag-ipon.
- bibisitahin ko ang mga lugar dito sa Pilipinas na di ko pa napupuntahan (Boracay!!!)
- papayat na talaga ako... promise!!!
- magiging masaya ang love life ko...
- mareregular ako sa trabaho ko. At pagbubutihan ko ang ginagawa ko.
- makikipagkita ako sa mga blogger friends ko!!!
- magsusulat ako ng mas maraming posts na may katuturan.
- di na ako magiging suplado.
- matututo akong tumanggi sa mga gastos na di ko naman kailangan.

Tumatanda na ako. Kelangan naman siguro na matuto na akong mag-isip para sa kinabukasan ko. Simula ngayong 2009, ika nga I'll start acting my age na. Wala na munang impulse purchases. Bawas-bawasan ang mga comics, video games at bisyo ko sa buhay.

Hopefully 2009 will be as good to me, if not better as 2008.

Happy New Year everybody!!!

2008 YEAR-END REPORT

It's that time of the year again... I'm sure simula ngayong araw na ito, marami nang maglalabasan sa blogosphere ng mga yearender posts ng mga tao. Hindi ako magpapahuli, at makikisali ako.

Last year, during these times, uso yung mga manghuhula na nagbibigay ng prediksyon sa mga taong pinanganak sa kanilang zodiac signs. Ang karamihan sa sabi nila, na ang mga taong katulad ko na ipinanganak ng year of the dog eh hindi masyadong papalarin ngayong taon.

Actually, maniniwala na sana ako, dahil honestly I really didn't start the year right. I hated my job, and after leaving it, was jobless for a few months. Ala talaga... feeling ko, wala akong pag-asang makarecover.

Pero nung dumating yung second half of the year, things started to pick-up. So ngayon, nais kong ilista ang 5 highlights ko ngayong taon.

5. BLOG HITS
Believe it or not, wala talaga akong pakialam sa numbers. Pero noong time na wala pa akong trabaho, itong blog na ito talaga ang pinakanakakuha ng mga benepisyo. Dati, hindi ko magawang sulatan to. Pero ngayon... Actually, natutuwa ako, na kahit iisa pa lang ang talagang blogger na nakita't nakausap ko, eh dito sa blogosperyo eh marami akong naging kaibigan. Na kahit walang kakwenta kwenta kong opinyon eh binabasa at kinokomentuhan ninyo. Maraming salamat, nakakataba ng puso yung simpleng malaman mo na may nagbabasa ng post mo. Nung isang araw nga, di matanggal yung ngiti ko sa mukha, nung makita kong, sinearch sa google itong blog ko.

4. CARLSON MOMENTS
Carlson ang pangalan ng account na hinawakan ko as a Supervisor noong isang taon. At kahit na mahigit na isang taon na akong wala sa kumpanyang pinagtatrabahuan ko, eh minsan lang akong maging absent sa mga moments at celebrations na nagaganap. Laging masaya yung mga araw na lumalabas kami, sabihin nating, manunuod lang ng A Very Special Love o kaya'y inuman at videoke. O kaya'y tambay lang sa Food Choices sa Glorietta, memorable na sakin yun. Dahil siguro sobrang malalapit na sa puso ko ang mga naging katrabaho ko noon, kaya't hanggang ngayon eh hindi pa rin kami tuluyang maka move-on kahit wala na kami sa Carlson. Mamaya, reunion namin... malamang madaming happening nanaman dito sa bahay ulit.

3. BUSINESS CLASS
Nakasakay na ako ng eroplano, maraming beses na. Pero, noong August 23, noon palang ako nakasakay sa Business Class Seats ng isang eroplano. Oo na't karamihan ng inihanda saming pagkain ay puros keso. Nakakatuwa kasi at least hindi Goldilocks mamon at Zest-O ang kinain namin sa buong biyahe patungong Australia. Tsaka may free movie pa. Sobrang nakakaaliw. Parang pagkatapos nun, ayoko na ulit sumakay ng hindi business class.

2. DAY ONE SA BAGO KONG WORK
Kung nasubaybayan ninyo ang blog kong ito ngayong taon, alam ninyong sobrang torn ako sa trabahong pinagpipilian ko. Iba talaga ang gusto kong pasukan na trabaho noon, at nang mag-unang araw ako sa Kumpanya ng Langis na pinapasukan ko ngayon, hindi ko iniisip na tatagal ako doon ng mahigit sa isang linggo. Hinihintay ko lang ang tawag sakin nung Marketing Company na gusto ko talagang pasukan. Pero bago pa man matapos ang unang araw ko doon, may pangyayaring talagang magbabago ng isip ko. "the 4 of you have been chosen to do the training in New Zealand."

1. NEW ZEALAND
Halos isang buwan din ang pinalagi ko sa bansang iyon. Pero sobrang napamahal na ako doon. Lahat ng tao ay friendly. Ang linis ng paligid. Ang sarap ng Ice Cream. Ang lamig!!! Sabihin man nating ang snow lang na nakita ko, eh yung sa bundok sa kalayuan, kahit na winter noong dumating kami doon, eh ayos na yun. Hindi matatawaran ng anumang bagay sa mundo ang mga naranasan ko sa bansang iyon. Hanggang ngayon, sariwa pa rin sa isip ko lahat ng nangyari sa amin sa loob ng 24 na araw ng pananatili namin sa Aotearoa (lumang pangalan ng New Zealand). Dapat kasi nag TNT na lang ako doon. Lolz

Anim na araw na lang at matatapos na taong ito. Sobrang excited ako sa mga mangyayari sa akin sa susunod na taon. Sana maging kasingbait sa akin ng 2008 ang 2009

ANG 'DATING' DAAN

Oo na, ang corny ng title. Wala akong maisip eh.

Nakikipagdebate ako sa sarili ko kung kelangan ko bang sumulat ngayong tungkol sa rules of dating. Medyo matagal-tagal na rin akong nawala sa sirkulasyon na iyon, at tila'y hindi na sanay na lumabas na isa lang ang kasama. Usually kasi mga kabarkada ko lang ang kasama ko pag umaalis kami. Salingkit ba. So nakalimutan ko na kung paano nga ba kung dalawa na lang kaming lalabas ng kadate ko.

Kung nabasa mo ang post ko kahapon (iscroll mo na lang pababa pagkatapos mong basahin nito... o basahin mo muna yun bago mo ipagpatuloy ang pagbasa nitong post na ito), malalaman mo na noong Sabado ay lumabas akong kasama si Cee. At malalaman mo rin na hindi masyadong naging successful yung date naming iyon dahil lumabas kami na may sakit ako.

Nagkakausap pa rin naman kaming dalawa hanggang ngayon sa awa ng Diyos. Ngunit ito ay marahil dahil sa usapan naming magkaibigan muna kami at bawal munang mag-isip ng kung anu-ano tungkol sa pagpasok sa kung anumang dapat pasukin. Pero siguro, kung walang ganung usapan, malamang ni ha o ho, wala nakong maririnig sa kanya.

At dahil ayaw ko naman na kayo'y makaranas ng mga ganung pangyayari sa buhay niyo, at para na rin marefresh ako sa rules of engagement este dating... eh naisip kong magsulat ng tungkol dito. Eto eh aking gawa-gawa lamang, kaya kung sa tingin niyo ay flawed ito, gumawa kayo ng sarili niyong Rules of Dating.

WAG PIPILITIN KUNG HINDI TALAGA KAYA
Oo na, matagal ka nang walang sex, este date, at ito ang unang pagkakataon na ikaw ay makakalabas kasama ang isang taong pinagkakagaanan mo ng loob. Pero kung may sakit ka, at kailangan mo talagang magpahinga, eh magpahinga ka. Huwag mong pipilitin ang sarili mo, dahil hindi ito makakabuti para sa inyong dalawa. Number one, kung ikaw yung tipong humahalik sa unang date, yung kasama mo siguradong hindi ka hahalikan nun. Takot lang niyan mahawahan mo, diba? Walang masama na magreschedule (wag lang paabutin ng 3 reschedule). Mas maganda ang kalalabasan ng date niyo kung pareho kayong masigla.

SHOPPING IS NOT EQUAL TO DATE
Unless mahilig din magshopping ang kadate mo (siguro pareho kayong lalake, o babae), hindi magandang date activity ang shopping. Ilang beses ko nang naisulat sa blog na ito, na ang mga lalake hindi gustong umiikot sa loob ng malaking mall para maghanap ng mga bagay na walang kinalaman sa kanila. Kung gusto mong maulit ang date ninyo, manuod na lang kayo ng sine, o gawin mo sa ibang araw ang pamimili ng mga kikay kit, belt at dresses. Dahil kahit ngumingiti sa'yo ang kasama mo. Sa loob-loob nito, hindi na mauulit ang date ninyo. Saka niyo na utuin ang mga lalakeng sumama sa inyo magshopping, pag kayo na.

HINDI MASAMANG MINSAN IKAW NAMAN ANG MAKIKINIG
Rules of Dating ko lang ito, hindi lahat ng sinusulat ko dito ngayon eh mga napansin ko sa lakad ko noong Sabado. Ika nga, naka-generalize ang lahat ng ito. This rule applies sa mga taong self-centered at narcissistic. Huwag naman ganun. Alam ko na kung gusto mo ang isang tao, gagawin mo ang lahat nang maimpress siya sa'yo. Natural lang yun, walang masama dun. Pero wag naman to the point na palagi na lang ikaw ang nagsasalita. Ipakita mo rin sa kasama mo na interesado ka sa kanya. Tanungin mo siya ng mga hilig niya, kumusta naman ang araw niya, o kaya nama'y tungkol sa pamilya niya. Unless pipi yung kadate mo, hindi maganda na ikaw lang ang nagsasalita.

Pero, hindi rin maganda na palagi lang siya ang pinagkukuwento mo. Yung tipong sa kakatanong mo sa kanya tungkol sa buhay niya, pwede nang ikaw ang sumulat ng liham kasaysayan niya sa Maalaala Mo Kaya. Tapos siya walang alam sa buhay mo. Give and take lang yan.

PATUNAYANG CHIVALRY IS NOT YET DEAD
Ipakita niyo sa mga babae na chivalry is not yet dead. Oo, gusto ng mga makabagong babae na pantay ang turing sa kanila, pero hindi ibig sabihin nun na ayaw na nilang pinagbubuksan sila ng pintuan o kaya nama'y tinutulungang magbuhat ng bag o mga pinamili. Kung magandang first impression ang hanap ninyo, walang kwenta ang mga magagandang kwento ninyo sa sarili niyo kung lumalabas na hindi kayo considerate kapag kinakailangan. Kung sa tingin ng babae ay OA ang ginagawa ninyo, okay lang yan. Maaaring hindi siya yung tipong nakakaappreciate ng effort. Makakahanap rin kayo ng ganun. At least masasabi ninyong sa mga date ninyo eh gentleman kayo... kahit sa totoong buhay eh manyak kayo.

TANDAAN ANG MGA BABAE MADADALDAL
Kung ayaw ninyong maging tampulan ng chismis kung yung kadate ninyo eh nasa circle of people you know, pag may date kayo eh behave lang kayo. Marami akong kaibigang babae, at nagkukuwento talaga sila kapag hindi nila nagustuhan yung nangyari sa lakad nila. Kung nag-enjoy yang mga yan, quiet yan, kunwari di sasabihin, pero pag konting pilit bibigay din. Pero pag badtrip ang lakad ninyo, kahit hindi niyo tanungin idadaldal niyan!!! Kaya mag-ingat kayo, and make sure na lagi kayong best foot forward sa mga date ninyo. Pansinin niyo, pag maganda ang labas ng date niyo (kunwari officemate mo kadate mo), iba ang tingin sa inyo ng mga nasa paligid niyo. Pero pag panget, wala, kuliglig lang ang maririnig mo.

CHRISTMAS WEEK NA

At dahil wala naman masyadong nagboblog na ngayon dahil maraming nag-hiatus sa blogosperyo, at wala rin naman akong topic na maisip isulat ngayon. Magkukwento na lang ako. Tutal naman punung-puno ng aksyon ang weekend ko. Hindi nga lang aksyon na inaasahan ko.

BIYERNES... 80's CHRISTMAS PARTY
Ang pinakahihintay ng halos lahat sa opisina namin... ang Christmas Party!!! Ito ay ginawa sa Chili's sa Greenbelt. Naging matagumpay naman ito... Medyo maraming kumarir sa 80's theme namin. Medyo hindi ako masyadong tumayo, dahil maraming tao dun na hindi namin kilala at nakakahiya ang suot ko... jumper!!! Buti na lang wala akong cap, kundi nagmukha akong si Bondying.

Ayos naman siya... nakapag-uwi ako ng P200 na gift certificate sa Max's Restaurant!!! Yay!!! Sapat na kaya ito para makabili ako ng pang Noche Buena at Medya Noche namen?! Biro lang... Pero sa totoo lang, mukhang mas tahimik ang Pasko namin ngayon kesa nung nakaraang taon. Na para sa akin eh mas makakabuti para sa aking mental health.

SABADO... ANG DATE
At dahil paguran at puyatan ang drama ko noong Biyernes, Sabado ng umaga ay nagkasakit ako. Just in time para sa aking date with Cee!!! Ako po ay nilagnat. Pero syempre hindi papayag ang lolo niyo na maudlot ito dahil ilang buwan na rin akong hindi lumalabas upang makipagdate!!!

Kaya noong gabi ring iyon, kahit na late na ng gabi at medyo sinisipon at inuubo ako, eh dagli akong sumugod ng Mall of Asia para ituloy ang date na ito.

Obviously, hindi masyadong naging maganda ang kinahinatnan ng lakad na ito, dahil limampung porsyento ng date na ito, puros bahing at ubo ko ang maririnig ninyo. Syempre hindi nangyari yung inaasam ko na magshare ng milkshake at magsubuan. Sino ba naman ang lalapit sakin, na tulo uhog, di ba?!

Kung ang tanong ninyo eh kung may kasunod pa itong date na ito? Hindi ko alam. Sa tingin ko naman eh medyo maayos naman ang lakad ng usapan namin. Nag-effort naman ako para maging isang gentleman, at hindi ko naman ata siya hinawahan.

Lilinawin ko lang... Hindi ako umaasa na magiging kami ni Cee, dahil bago pa man kami lumabas, eh napagkasunduan naming, wala sa usapan ang magstep forward muna. Friendly dates lang. Pareho kaming naghahanap lang ng mapaglilibangan, at hindi ng sakit sa ulo. Okay?!

LINGGO... HOLD-UP
Bumisita ang pinsan ko at ang pamilya nila sa bahay namin dahil ang Uncle ko mula sa probinsya ay dito magpapasko. Kasama nila ang pinakauna kong pamangkin, at dahil mabait ako na Tito, at dahil masunurin siyang bata at Kuya lang ang tawag niya sa akin, eh nahold-up ako.

Tatlong daan lang naman. Sabi ko, pambili niya ng shorts, pero knowing him... mukhang sa RF Online lang mapupunta yung binigay kong pera (kung anuman yang RF Online na yan).

At babalik pa yun sa Pasko para arborin ang nag-iisang gameboy ko. Hindi ko alam kung mabibigay ko, dahil remembrance ko yan mula sa isa kong dating katrabaho na nakita ko sa commercial ng Mcdo dati. Iniisip ko kasi, kung sumikat yun baka pwede ko ibenta ng mahal yun.

Ano pa ba, syempre as usual umiral ang pagiging chismoso ko, at kahit pa binisaya ang pamamaraan nila ng pagsasalita ay talagang pinakinggan ko sila at pilit iniintindi. Tungkol sa mana nilang magkakapatid, kung hindi ako nagkakamali.

Napaisip ako. Buti na lang, hindi ko magiging problema ang ganyang mga bagay kung sakali. Ang tanong nga lang, pagdating ng panahon na yon, may mamanahin pa kaya ako?! Hmmm....

LUNES NG MADALING ARAW... CHISMOSO
Papasok kanina, sa fx na sinasakyan ko... Puros maton at mukhang mga sanggano ang mga nakasabay ko... Nakakatakot dahil sa tanang buhay ko, eh hindi pa ako nakakaranas na mahold-up. Walang nagkakamali, dahil mukha daw ata akong nagdarahop. Tsaka tama sila, dahil hindi ako mahilig magdala ng pera. Kadalasan ay isa o dalawang daan lang ang laman ng wallet ko.

Anyway, so yun nga, sa likod ako ng fx nakaupo dahil medyo may kalakihan ang mga nakaupo sa harap at gitna, at ayaw kong masiksik.

Noong una, wala akong pinapansin sa mga kasabay ko at balak ko talagang matulog. Pero nung napansin kong medyo lumilikot yung mga taong nasa gitna, wala na akong nagawa kundi tingnan kung anong nangyayari sa aking harapan.

Hayun, yung dalawang kuya na nasa gitna, patagong naghaharutan. Noong una, iniwasan ko talagang umupo sa gitna dahil mukhang mga holdaper yung nakaupo sa gitna. Nagulantang ako sa nakita ko at nagising. Si unang kuya, yung nasa gitna ng tatlong nakaupo dun eh pinapalakad ang daliri sa likod ng katabi niya. At ito namang isang manong pinipisil pisil ang hita ng katabi niya.

At dahil distracted na ako, pati si lolong katabi ko eh pinansin ko na rin. Di naman siya talaga lolo. Siguro mga tipong 50's na ang edad. Ang napansin ko sa kanya eh tingin ng tingin sa cellphone niya. Eh di syempre naintriga nako...

Kaya nang may dumating na text message sa kanya, dagli akong nakibasa. Buti na lang farsighted si lolo, at kelangang nasa baba ang phone kaya easy access para sakin. Ang text message ni Laura (basa ko sa text... di ko sure kung yun yung name niya)

"Paano kita makikilala? Ano ang suot u?"

Ay, makikipag eyeball ang lolo mo!!! Hindi ko kinaya!!! Nasuka ako sa loob-loob ko. Ang harot ni lolo... Ang harot ng brokeback construction workers. Tapos ako walang kaharutan... Tulog na si Cee.

KWENTONG PASKO
At dahil nung Biyernes at Sabado, ay medyo nasa bahay ako ng mga 7-9pm. Naghanap ako ng mga nangangaroling. Napansin ko kasi na ngayong taon parang ang trend eh non-Christmas. Sa kalye namin, 2 o 3 lang ata ang bahay na may mga Christmas lights. Lahat wala... Madilim. Ours included.

Noon, September pa lang makakakita ka na ng mga naggagandahang ilaw na umaadorno sa mga tahanan sa village namin. Pero ngayon, sobrang kakaunti na lang. Dito mo mararamdaman ang krisis. Lahat talaga todo tipid.

Tapos, nasabi ko sa ibang kumento sa blog na binibisita ko, na wala ako masyadong naririnig na nagkakaroling. Napansin ko nung Sabado at nung Linggo, marami rin pala... Hindi lang sila dumadaan sa bahay namin dahil takot sa aso namin.

Si Figaro kasi, eh kahit askal eh malaki, at mukhang kayang lumapang ng bata... Kaya hayun, walang dumadaan sa bahay namin. Ayos na rin yun... At least di nababawasan ang barya ko.



Sisikapin kong magsulat ng marami ngayong linggo, kahit walang nagbabasa... Para naman magkaroon ng kaunting activities ang blogosperyo... Pero kung hindi ko magawa iyon...

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR SA LAHAT!!!

BIRTHDAY GIRL: SHAMITO

This is my post birthday gift to one of my close friends and one-time housemate. And this is also the first time I'll feature one of my ex-housemates in my blog. But if you've been missing out on my other featured friends, just click on the names below, or alternatively, click on the link above the comment field to see who I've featured before.

Jaja
Francis
Sugar

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FROM ACQUAINTANCES...
The first couple of weeks that Shamai started taking calls on my account, I thought that this girl was not going to stay long with the company. She always looked tired, harassed and drugged at work. Her eyebags were really big, she had unkempt hair and she's always caught sleeping.
I can't really talk to her, because she's being handled by a different Team Leader at that time. So I just kept my opinions to myself.

Actually, for almost the entire duration of our working together, we never were close. I know her, because she became one of my agents, but other than that, she wasn't included in my usual circle of friends. So for most of the three plus years we've known each other, we weren't actually really friends. More of acquaintances.

Then, the whole kidnappings happened.

No, not the criminal type of kidnappings. These are a group of my agents who call themselves "party peeps." They usually go out drinking in bars or going out of town to party. Shamai's one of the willing victims of this, or perpetrators perhaps. To say that they've been pains in the behind is an understatement... I could've terminated all of them... but then again, I became one of them. Another willing victims of the party people.

...TO HOUSEMATES
Last year, when my account was moved to Marikina, I thought that I'd resign right away. I actually wanted to leave the company the moment I found out that my program was one of the lucky ones that's being transferred. But my kidnappers had this bright idea that we all live together. It was tempting, so I agreed.

Moving in with them, I got to know Shamai a little bit more. I think there was an effort there for us to get to know each other more, because among my four other housemates, she was the one that I didn't hang out much with.

So for the four months I lived with her, I really found out alot... a lot of things that turned me off... JUST KIDDING!!! I don't think I'm allowed to spill some negative things about this girl, as she knows alot of stuff about me as well. And her boyfriend (uyy... I can use the term already...) might clobber me if I blew the whistle.

For like 3 weeks, all 5 of us housemates slept in one room (the sala), so I know how strong Shamai snores. It's very loud... trust me.

She was really a good housemate. She knows if a person is bored and will cheer you up. She hates dull moments, so you won't get bored when you're with her. From knock knock jokes to "use the ___ in a sentence" games, she'll start that just to get the ball rolling. And if you're her friend, you'll never feel you'll be out of place even if you're with her other friends. I think I know almost all of her teammates and batchmates from her current job, which is always great to widen your network.

You know it's nice to have girls as housemates. They always volunteer to wash the dishes. So that's always nice. She doesn't cook that much, they left that for my guy housemates. Shams was actually the one who told me that the fried eggplant's skin is not to be eaten... after I devoured like five of them already. I think all 5 of us, and even our other friends share one common interest... to eat. I think during our one-year stay in one house (I often visit our apartment even after I left), all of us gained weight.

What I really like about Shams is that she's game with anything. I think that's the reason why she's part of the party peeps, ask her to go to Quezon, she's there. Enchanted Kingdom, present. Glorietta for a movie, there. Visit our ex-colleagues in Marikina, count her in. A birthday celebration of your friend's acquaintance's cousin, even if she knows no one... she's still there. In tagalog... kaladkarin.

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END
Four months later, I had to leave, and a few months after they also had to move on to something better with their lives. Suddenly, the One House family was no more. It's really difficult to keep up with everyone else when you're miles away, but Shams is the only person I see almost regularly now.

She followed me to my other job, where she's working now. The good thing is that it's only in Makati, so we're only a few buildings apart. And during the days when I was working the day shift we often see each other so that she could treat me to a movie or free food.

She's actually the first person I talked to other than my mom when I found out that I'll be going to New Zealand. She was even kind enough to lend me her mom's digicam for my almost month stay there.

I'm looking forward to you following me here in my little gas station Shamito!!!

TAKEN
Sorry guys, Shams is already taken. As one of the willing kidnap victims, I was one of the few people who witnessed the love story between her and Hansi. I'm not sure if I have permission to tell their story as it's got a lot of twists to it, similar to that of a television dramas.

Now she says that Hansi is lucky because Shamai has almost everything a guy looks for in a woman. She's appreciative, generous, patient, understanding and is not insecure. I don't know if it's true, but the guy seemed satisfied. I'm not sure if she is though (joke!!!).

I find it funny sometimes when they fight, because they're in a semi-long-distance-relationship, that they can 'not see' each other for weeks at a time. And what Shams usually do is have me or another friend text the other if there's something they wanted to tell. And oftentimes, she loses her appetite. You see, before she was a tabs (what we call our weight-challenged friends), but after their first fight, she's lost a lot of weight.

But seriously, I like hanging out with this couple because I don't really feel like a third wheel whenever I'm with them, so that's nice. You don't get that with other couples.

It's been awhile since I last saw Shams, I haven't got the budget to go out of town, and I think they know that. But we'll be seeing each other again along with our other friends next week. So I'm very much looking forward to that.

Belated Happy Birthday Shams. I'll see you on the 26th!!! Bring food!!!

BATTLE OF THE SEXES: SPECIAL EDITION

Actually, ang totoo niyan, wala lang talaga akong maisip na title para sa post na ito na maikli. Mahahaba an naiisip kong title. At dahil tungkol ito sa mga makabagong kalalakihan at kababaihan, eh naisip kong ilagay ito sa ilalim ng Battle of the Sexes banner.

Dahil special edition ito, hindi ito talaga yung tipo na paglalabanin ko ang dalawang kasarian katulad ng mga nakaraang BOTS posts. Dalawa lang naman ang tanong ko ngayon...

BUHAY PA BA SI MARIA CLARA?
AT MAY MGA LALAKING TUNAY NA MAGINOO PA BA TALAGA?

Ang Pilipinas sa matagal na panahon ay kilala bilang isang konserbatibong bansa. Pero ngayon, napapansin ko na ang pagiging konserbatibong ito, lalo na sa mga taong kaedad ko, eh lubusang nawala na. Sa totoo lang, matagal ko nang napansin na wala na talaga, ngayon ko lang naisip na isulat.

Mangilan-ngilan na lang talaga ang mga taong naniniwala na ikakasal muna sila bago talaga ibigay ang kanilang sarili sa mahal nila. Minsan nga, naiisip ko ang mga taong ganito na lang mag-isip eh yung mga taong panget na walang pag-asang makahanap ng syota... Pero naprove na akong mali iyon.

Hindi sa mababa ang tingin ko sa mga taong handang maghintay, actually saludo ako sa kanila, dahil kaya nilang makatiis ng walang nangyayari sa kanila kahit na ang lahat ng makikita mo sa paligid eh puros suggestive sa sex. Naisip ko, kung nagsasariling-sikap ba sila?

Itong mga batang ito ba, lumalabas pa para makipag-date. Sa sobrang advanced ng teknolohiya natin ngayon, marami pa bang dumadaan sa mga ganung ritwal, o dumidiretso na sila sa kwarto pagkatapos magkita? Kinikilala pa ba nila ang mga kinakasama nila?

Naisulat ko ito, dahil ang isa sa mga pamangkin ko eh nabalitaan kong nahihilig nang makipaglaro sa mga babae. Kakatungtong lang niya ng katorse ngayong taon kung hindi ako nagkakamali. Ayokong makialam dahil hindi kami gaanong close nitong batang ito. Pero nakakagulat lang talaga. Kunsabagay, halos ilang taon rin lang naman ang naging lamang ko sa kanya nung una akong nagkaroon ng karanasan.

Hindi ko alam kung kasing-edad niya ang babae, pero feeling ko kung ganun man ay maling-mali. Sa pagkakaalala ko sa mga kapitbahay namin, noong mga kaedad namin sila, eh puros laro pa ang mga ginagawa namin. Mas bata man kami nang makakita ng mga video at litrato ng mga nagtatalik, eh hindi pumasok sa isip namin na gawin iyon (well syempre hindi sa isa't-isa). Pag nag-uusap kami nun, tungkol sa kung ano ang usong pelikula, sapatos, damit, mga laro. Pero ngayon, ang mga bata iba na.

Pagtanda kaya ng mga batang ito, eh matututo silang maging maginoo? Sa panahong iyon ba, eh may babaeng Maria Clara pa? Sobrang tanda ko na ba, at namamangha ako sa mga napapansin ko?

Ewan ko ba. Ngayon, dalawa lang ang kakilala kong nasa age range na 21-25 na birhen pa. At least sila lang ang honest na nagsasabing wala pa silang karanasan. Lahat ng kakilala ko eh naging maligaya na at one point in their life.

Ang babata na kasing magsimula maging aktibo ng mga tao ngayon. Ganun din naman siguro noon, pero dahil laro pa ang inaatupag ko, kaya siguro hindi ko siya napapansin. Noong nasa kolehiyo ako, nagugulat ako, noong tumatambay kami ng mga kaklase ko sa may yosihan na may mga high school students na tahasan kung maghalikan sa mga corridors. Take note, ang San Beda noon ay all-boys pa. Parang, sa liit nung mga batang iyon, naisip namin, kung tuli na ba yung mga yun, at ang lakas ng loob nilang gawin ang mga yun.

Ayokong mangaral dahil wala naman akong karapatan. Unang-una dahil ginagawa ko rin naman yun. Ang kaibahan lang naman, eh noon mahabang proseso ng pakikipagdate ang ginawa ko, bago ako nakahome run. Although di na masyado ngayon... hehehe. Hence, the question.

Siguro, naiinsecure lang ako, at baka maunahan pa akong magkaanak ng pamangkin ko. Shet, pagnagkataon magiging lolo na ako!!! Siguro, kelangan kong makealam sa batang ito... Sa totoo lang, may pamangkin na akong may anak na... Pero mas matanda siya sa akin. Tsaka medyo malayong pamangkin ko yun. Pero pag itong pamangkin kong binata ang nagkaanak, yun ang hinding-hindi ko matatanggap!!!

SENTI MODE: ON

Been listening to alot of songs recently. I turned my senti mode on a couple of days ago... Well not really, work's actually a bit slow these past few days and I've fallen asleep one time because there was no work coming in. So to keep myself awake I just open Imeem and listen to some songs to get me energized.

Thing is, the songs I'm listening to... they're really slow. It should be depressing, but in a strange way, I'm actually feeling better listening to these types of music. I don't know. It's the old soul in me I guess.

I'd really like to post the songs themselves here in my blog, but I don't really know how to. One day, I'll try to study how to make this blog look better.

Here are the songs I'm listening to these past few days... Just search Imeem for these songs if you don't know them.

BRIGHT LIGHTS - Matchbox 20

This song's quite old. But I like the message of the song. Apparently the girlfriend went away to the big city to find herself, so now the guy is asking her to come back. The message and melody, plus Rob Thomas' vocals are just amazing. I love this song.

STAY - Carol Banawa

If you've been following my plurks, you know I have this song play over and over for a good part of my day. Considering that this is Carol's song for her dead brother, and I can't really relate, I'm actually surprised that I liked it. I'm not really sure why I like this song. Maybe I just miss Carol Banawa.

BUTTERCUP - Mike Plana

This is the slow and acoustic version of the popular new wave song. It's been months since I first heard of this song, and it was only yesterday when I finally found it in Imeem. I love his version because the song is very easy on the ears. Relaxing. And it's something that's new to my ears. Nice date song.

STARS - Switchfoot

I thought I've been listening to slow songs, and wanted something a little bit livelier. I heard this from the radio the other day, and it got stuck on my head. I really don't like the band, but I love this song. It reminds me of some of the happy days from my previous work. Not sure how songs trigger these memories, but I like it that it does.

SOBER - Kelly Clarkson

This song, I've been hearing on the fm, but only found out about a couple of days ago. I think this is a moving on song, so in a way I can relate. I'm listening to this song while writing this, and from what I'm hearing it's about the girl trying to say she's doing okay even if she's really not yet over the guy. Yeah, this song is emo, but I don't care. I like it, even if it's a girly song.

STARLIGHT - Muse

Yeah, this is so last year!!! But this song's nice. I like the beat of the intro, and it's not the type of song you'll get tired of listening to. It's not really a great song if you listen to it, I don't even think that the lyrics makes any sense, but I just love the beat. This is sort of my new Tubthumping. My wake up song.

I think I need to go out this weekend!!!

2 KWENTONG WEEKEND

Medyo maraming kaganapang hindi masyadong kaaya-aya ang naganap sakin noong nakaraang weekend. Yung taong sinulatan ko ng 'Goodbye Letter' noong nakaraang buwan eh nagpaparamdam nanaman ngayon.

Hindi ko masyadong idedetalye ang mga kaganapan dahil baka maging emo nanaman ako. Pero sa totoo lang, medyo napipikon na ako.

Hindi ko alam kung nananadya ba ang tadhanang gaguhin ako o kung kami ay 'meant to be' talaga. Seryoso, malapit na akong mapikon.

Nag-aaya nanaman siya na lumabas kami kasama ng isa pang kaibigan. Wala lang catch up on things lang. Lampas isang taon na rin kasi nang huli kaming magkita. Hindi ko rin naman kasi nasabi sa kanya na di ko kayang ipagpatuloy na friends lang kami, dahil iba talaga ang nararamdaman ko sa kanya.

Ang plano ko sana, ay umoo sa imbitasyon niya, tapos indianin sila pagdating ng araw na tinakda. Ang mature no?

Hay, sinabi sa akin ng isang kaibigan ko na " lahat ng scheming, pretending and wishing means na in the end, you're still hoping--which means niloloko mo yung sarili mo na kaya mo na to let it go"

Tanga. Yun lang ang masasabi ko sa sarili ko.

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On a lighter note, nung Linggo, laban nga ni Pacquiao diba? At dahil gustong maging tight ng pamilya ko, eh niyaya niya ang mga pinsan at tita ko na sa bahay na manuod ng fight dahil sayang naman yug inorder nila na puto para sa bisita naming umalis noong Sabado.

Di ako masyadong naging interesado sa laban dahil alam ko na kung sino nanalo bago pa man ito magsimula.

Ang nakakatuwang panuorin ang mga opinyon ng mga kamag-anak ko tungkol sa labang ito ni Pacquiao... Talagang hindi sila nagbukas ng radyo, at ayaw ng spoilers, gusto mapanuod nila mismo yung laban. Sabi ko nga, manuod na lang sila sa sinehan, pero ayun nagkukuripot. Mas gusto nilang gumastos maghanda para sa mga bisita kesa manuod sa sinehan ng LIVE.

Round 6 pa lang.

Pinsan 1: Alam niyo, luto itong laban na ito... kasi win or lose si dela Hoya, millions ang mekukuha (ganyan siya talaga magsalita).
Tatay: Anong luto, papayag ba na magpabugbog yan si dela Hoya ng ganyan, wasak ang mukha kung luto yan (avid fan siya ni Pacquiao... as in!!!)?
Pinsan 1: hay naku, ok lang yan, kaya ng 1 million dollars na ayusin ulit yung mukha niya.
Tatay: Hindi... Hindi kayang lokohin ni Pacquiao ang mga Pilipino...
Pinsan 2: Lam niyo Uncle, sa US may mga mob na nagdedesisyon kung sino ang mananalo o matatalo... Binayaran nila yan si dela Hoya para magpatalo... alam mo naman ang powers ng mga mob mob na yan...
Ako: Panalo si Pacquiao, 8 rounds. Sumuko si dela Hoya.
Tatay: Loko, di susuko si dela Hoya, sabi niya sa interview niya, igaganti niya lahat ng pinatumba ni Pacquiao.
Ako: Okay...
Pinsan 1: Uy, patay na daw si Marky Cielo?
Tatay: Sino yun?
Pinsan 1: Yung artista sa channel 7...
Nanay: Bakit daw?
Pinsan 1: Hindi ko alam eh... basta binalita lang...
Tatay: Ah talaga...

Hindi na ako manunuod ng mga laban ni Pacquiao kasama ang pamilya ko...

BATTLE OF THE SEXES ROUND 4: KAMA

RULES: Okay, as you all know I'm just a guy, so most of the things that you'll be reading would be input of MEN (not boys). You are free to disagree and post your ideas on the comments area. If you want to answer with your own post about the subject, and you want me to post it in my blog, e-mail your reply post at jao_224@yahoo.com and I will post this in my blog with your name as a guest writer. I want this to be interactive, so hopefully you'll leave your comments right away. And please, don't be violent or threatening with your posts/replies. Let us all be civil here.

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Ang tanong: Sa mga babae at lalake, sino nga ba talaga ang mas horny?

My take: Ang mga lalake ang obvious na panalo dito kasi alam naman ng lahat na kami ay madalas magdesisyon gamit ang ulo sa baba.

Pero, ang tingin ko dyan, kaya lang kami ang madalas na napagbibintangan eh dahil ganyan eh dahil ganun ang perception ng publiko. Pero sa totoong buhay ang mga babae, ay sadya talagang mainit. Hindi lang halata, dahil sa girl talk lang ito napag-uusapan, at hindi sila kasing ingay kesa pag ang lalake ang mag-usap tungkol dito. Sadyang mayabang lang talaga ang ilan pagdating sa aming mga naconquer.

Pero grabe ang mga babae pagdating sa kanilang mga girl talk... "girl, iba talaga, alala mo dati, pademure ako, pero ngayon, ako na kumakalabit kay M..." ganyan ang mga naririnig ko kapag sumasabay ako sa mga babae kapag lunch.

Meron pa akong isang nakadate nang nakaraan, sa sinehan, siya pa ang nandadakma... Ano ba yan?!

Tapos sa bus, minsan kapag nasa likod ako ng mga magsyotang PDA, sila pa yung nakikita mong ngumangatngat ng tenga ng kasama nila.

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Di nako magtatry na idefend ang mga kalalakihan, kasi sigurado na namang talo kami. Ginagawa ko lang even ang playing field. Kung di kayo sang-ayon sa mga sinusulat ko... Let me know.. Opinyon ko lang po ito.

BIGYAN NIYO AKO NG KAHIHIYAN

At dahil magpapasko na, eto nanaman ang mga balikbayan moments sa aming tahanan... This year, ang bisita namin eh ang pinsan ko sa mother side na galing Saudi. Syempre pag may mga ganung moments, puno nanaman ang bahay namin ng mga kamag-anak na hindi ko kilala o huli kong nakita eh wala pa akong ulirat.

Syempre di mawawala ang mga wow-I-miss-you-pero-di-ko-ipapahalata kind of comments tulad ng:
"Wow ang laki-laki mo na, naaalala mo ba nung bata ka, ako naghuhugas ng pwet mo pagkatapos mo tumae?"
"Ang taba mo na, dati parang tingting ka lang, ano na nangyari sa'yo?!"
"Ang pogi mo naman hijo, may gelpren ka na? Kelan ka mag-aasawa? Bakit di mo gayahin si Kuya ganito mo, may anak na ngayon?"

Gusto ko silang lahat walk-outan nang matigil na ang aking kahihiyan. Lalo na pagnagpapabibo ang nanay ko para ibida ako, ayoko nang ikwento kasi ito'y mga bagay na hindi dapat malaman ng publiko.

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Heto ang mas matindi, sa bahay ng mga magulang ko, meron kaming mga atribidang mga kapitbahay. One time, etong si Ate nagdala sa bahay ng irereto sa akin para gawing gelpren. Hindi sa nanghahamak ako, pero mas maganda pa yung katulong namin. Hindi sa papatulan ko yung katulong namin, sinasabi ko lang.

Graduate daw siya ng EAC. At proud na proud itong si dalaga. Syempre super build up ako from my ina, at lalo na atang nahulog sa akin itong si Criselda o Cris for short.

Mabuti na lang at inaya ako ng kaibigan kong lumabas nung araw na yon. Kaya di na ako nagstay pa sa bahay. Nilayasan ko sila, at sabing itetext ko si Criselda kahit di ko kinuha yung number niya.

Sinabi ko sa nanay ko na sabihan si Ateng kapitbahay na kung ihahanap ako ng syosyotain eh yung medyo may dating naman at hindi yung kung sinong nakasalubong sa kung saan. Hello, may standards din naman ako?! Di ako pumapatol sa anak ng undin!!!

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Naiisip ko tuloy, parang gusto ko na ulit magsarili... Magrenta ng apartment, nang hindi nabubulabog ang buhay ko ng mga ganitong eksena. Hay.

MY TOP FILMS: COMIC BOOK ADAPTATIONS

I already posted some of my favorite comic book adaptations before, but from that time, a lot of new films came out that I decided to post it again.

So yeah, the comic book adaptations are proving to be a very financially rewarding genre, and now they're making these kinds of films left and right. I'm looking forward to alot of them (Wolverine, X-men: First Class, The Avengers). It's not just because I'm geeky that's why I love them, the thing is, it actually appeals to everyone. I don't know a girl who hated Iron Man. I know a couple of guys who started reading Batman comics after seeing The Dark Knight (although I think he's confused with what's happening in the title right now).

The comic book genre is not just about superheroes. Acclaimed and award-winning movies like The Road To Perdition and A History of Violence all stemmed from the minds of comic book creators and were originally told in this medium. So yeah, comic books are not just for geeks.

Anyway, this is the updated list of my favorite comic book films.


10. STARDUST
Not all comic book adaptation needs to be about action and heroes and villains. Ghost World is proof of that (has anyone here in the Philippines seen that film... it's cute). But it could also be about love, and fantasy and falling stars and evil witches. This was one of my favorite films of last year. Neil Gaiman wrote the original story, and Michelle Pfeiffer is in it too. I have not yet read the book (I have every intention of doing so when I have budget to buy one). It may have been adapted from a book, not sure if the comics or the book came first, but the point is, it was done as a comic book, so there.


9. SPIDER-MAN 2
Some say that this is better than the original film. I'd tend to agree, it's just that the original film was really fresh when it first came out, that's why for me it's higher on the list. But the one edge it has over the original Spider-man is it's villain. In all aspects for me, Dr. Octopus is much better than the Green Goblin. Admittedly, this film is a whole lot campy, but I don't mind it. It's a film targeted mostly for the kids, so that's fine. I remember watching this movie, and the cinema was full, this was during the time when people prefer watching the film in the cinemas rather than at home with their pirated copies.


8. WANTED
I'm not really sure if I should put this movie in this category, as the only thing similar with this movie from it's comic book counterpart is the first 5 minutes. The rest came from the brilliant mind of it's director (whose name is Russian and I can't spell, let alone pronounce). The comic book is about a world ruled by supervillains, while the film is mostly about fate. In the series, Eminem and Halle Berry were the basis for the looks of Wes and Fox, while we have and James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie as replacements. That was so cool. I loved this movie because it was very smartly written, and the action scenes were just jaw-dropping. One of the cooler movies of the year.


7. BATMAN RETURNS
I really liked Michael Keaton as Batman. I know he's not as good looking as George Clooney or Christian Bale, but his Bruce Wayne is quite believable. And his brooding Batman is much better. I kind of had a problem with Bale changing his voice when he's in costume. But anyway, why did I put this here? One word: Catwoman!!! Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle... sexiest bitch I've ever seen. I loved the whole "I'm Catwoman, hear me roar!" I think the first time I walked my dog was to this film. Yeah, I'm sick and twisted, but it's Michelle Pfeiffer!!! In a cat suit!!! "YOu know a mistletoe is poisonous when you eat it, but a kiss is more dangerous if you mean it" one of the best lines of the film. And oh yeah, there's Penguins here. Who hates Penguins? The animal, not Danny Devito.


6. BATMAN BEGINS
Yeah, it took about an hour before Batman showed up, but the long wait is worth it when you finally see the guy wearing the cape and the mask. You know Falcone is going to be fucked up. Batman Begins tells the story of the transformation of Bruce Wayne from victim to vigilante in one of the best Batman movies yet. And the best news is, it's just the first part of a supposed trilogy!!! This would have been the perfect comic adaptation, only thing I didn't like was Katie Holmes being in the cast. I love her as Joey in Dawson's Creek, I just don't think she fit in the whole cast. I hope Maggie Gyllenhaal does better in The Dark Knight.


5. SPIDER-MAN
I think this kick-started the whole trend of brilliantly adapting comic books to film. This started the whole hero's origin movies. The whole build up the character so that when the hero appears in costume, you'd be in awe. With the exception of the horrible acting of Aunt May when she was attacked by the Green Goblin, I actually thought the film was well done. I watched this movie in the cinemas like 12 times. 8 of which I paid for by the way. Like I said, this film isn't perfect, but it has an advantage of being the first of it's kind.


4. X-2: X-MEN UNITED
I'm an X-Men fan, and although I didn't like the first movie, this sequel had me literally falling off my seat. I think I joined the millions of geeks who cheered during the whole assault on the mansion scene. From the appearance of Colossus, to Siryn, Shadowcat, and Wolverine raising hell with the soldiers, I think I cried because of glee. Everyone had a moment in this movie, from Mystique to Jean Grey even minor characters like Rogue, Iceman and Pyro. Oh yeah, and who could forget the most awesome opening sequence ever with Nightcrawler's attack in White House.

3. 300
Who doesn't love this movie? Us guys love it because of the action, girls love it because of the men and gays... it's just you know... it's raining men. Hallelujah! Har har. Anyway, this is the story of 300 Spartans and their part in the Battle of Thermopylae. King Leonidas leads the army to stop the Persians led by Xerxes from invading his land of Sparta. This is a very stylish film. I remember my jaw dropping in a lot of the action scenes in this movie. I have the DVD, and everytime I'm feeling emo, this is what I watch. Don't ask why.


2. THE DARK KNIGHT
While there's no doubt that this was one of the best movies that came out this year, I do think it's still only second if we are to look at this as just a comic book adaptation. Sure, we LOVED Heath Ledger's take as the Joker, and were captivated by Two Face. And while it was really fun to see that this movie had multiple climaxes, upon seeing this film multiple times, I realized this movie is actually very long. The dragging kind of long. But still, you can't take away the fact that this is a very good movie. A great example of how awesome comic book adaptations can become if done right. Great story. Pitch perfect acting. Brilliant. Just brilliant.


1. IRON MAN
The Dark Knight showed us how comic book films can be turned into an art, Iron Man on the other hand shows us what happens if a director who really knows and loves the character, is given the task of directing it's film adaptation. This movie opened 2008's summer season literally with a bang... I loved this movie, because even if it is science fiction, you'd still feel that it's possible for a man to don an iron suit. It's not the type of film where the costume magically appears (Spider-man) and it didn't take very long for the title character to make it's debut and it's just so good. Makes you wish you were born rich!!! Robert Downey Jr. IS Tony Stark!!! The best of all, this is just the beginning of the real Marvel franchise. Can't wait for The Avengers!!!

DATELESS

Kelangan ko siguro lumabas at makipagdate... May ilang buwan na rin akong hindi lumalabas at nakikihalubilo. Actually, sa totoo lang, mas matagal pa sa ilang buwan nang huli akong lumabas, para kumain o manuod ng sine na may kasamang hindi kabarkada. Hindi ko na yata alam ang mga rules of dating. Meron pa ba nun?

Hindi naman ako nagrereklamo, kasi nga hindi naman ako naghahanap. Narealize ko lang ngayong weekend, kasi wala akong ginagawa talaga kundi tumambay sa bahay.

So ano ba talaga ang punto nitong post na ito?! Hindi ko rin alam. Naisip ko kanina, isulat ang mga pwedeng gawin kapag weekends at wala kang date. Kaya lang, feeling ko pag tinuloy ko yun eh napakaloser ko, dahil ilang buwan ko na ring ginagawa yun... ang hindi makipagdate.

Di naman sa hindi ako talaga naghahanap, ginagawa ko rin naman yan paminsan-minsan. Kaya lang hindi ako nakakakita ng taong makakasundo ko. Meron akong mga katext, kaya lang parang walang kwentang kausap. Hindi kami pareho ng gusto. Taong bahay ako, siya palaging nasa labas. Feeling ko tuloy, ang tanda-tanda ko. Kunsabagay, medyo bata pa naman siya, pero ayoko ng ganun. Di ako makakasabay.

Meron pang isa, mukhang matalino at mayaman. Pero mukha ring high maintenance. Yun pa naman ang ayoko. Kaya kong makipagsosyalan kung sosyalan lang ang labanan, pero mas gusto ko yung pag kasama ko yung tao, eh pwede akong magpakajologs. Feeling ko kasi, kapag aayain kong lumabas kami nito, eh mapapasubo akong gumastos. Hindi sa nagkukuripot ako, pero ayaw ko muna gumastos ng malaki ngayong mga araw na nag-iipon ako.

Hindi naman ako pihikan. Hindi ako mapili. Wag ka lang obese, okay ka sakin. Siguro, kelangan ko lang ng matinong makakausap, yung tipong hindi takot makipagbuno ng utak.

Hindi ako nagpapakadesperado. Nag-eenjoy pa rin naman ako sa buhay ko. Easy lang, walang gastos, walang sakit sa ulo. Walang pinoproblema.

Nilalabas ko lang ang nasa isip ko.

XBOX GAMES EARLY REVIEWS

Allow me to turn on my geek mode today. This week has been tiring and sleepless for me. The culprit: video games!!! Well, to be honest it's mostly my fault because I know I have work, but I just can't resist the urge to play. It's really hard. The games are truly addicting and sleepless-nights-inducing.

That's basically the reason why the last couple of posts don't really make sense. My apologies. I haven't been myself lately. But I see some of the light now. Just a little.

Thanks to the pay I got a few days ago, I was able to buy six games, and I'll review a couple that I've bought. Now I haven't really logged in a whole lot of hours playing both games so this may not be complete, but I'll try my best to make some sense.

GEARS OF WAR 2
The sequel to one of Xbox's most groundbreaking games, this one lives up to the hype. Earth is on the brink of destruction, and the human race, extinction. The locusts have grown by the numbers and they aren't showing signs of ever slowing down. There's only one way of stopping them, and that's to go on the offensive. And it falls on the shoulders of Marcus Phenix and his ragtag company to stop them completely.

I loved the original game. It was 10 hours of gaming nirvana. It was violent. It was scary. And it has some of the most beautiful graphics I've ever seen. The original Gears of War was what got me to really love my console (I had buyer's remorse after I purchased the console). So coming in to this game, I really had high expectations. And I'm not disappointed. Not one bit.

Everything I loved with the first game are back. The sniper rifle, the chainsaw gun, destroying locusts, the awesome cover system, and the highly capable AI all make their glorious return. But what's really important is that there are a lot of new additions: you can now use the fallen enemies as shield against incoming fire, more weapons, there are bigger, and badder monsters to brutally destroy and the story is much MUCH better. This just isn't about Marcus anymore, even his partner Dom's story is in the forefront. I'm scared to find out if his family is still alive or not.

The CGI movies are breathtaking!!! You can really feel the sense of hopelessness the people have, seeing all the blood, destruction and fighting during cutscenes. The voice-acting is just superb, and if you have good speakers I suggest to plug it in and turn the volume to the max and just enjoy!!! I have the balls to do it now, as I'm playing in the afternoon and not late at night. I just love hearing the sound of chainsaw ploughing through locust skin.

FINAL WORD: This game looks, sounds and plays so good, this is the first game on my purchase that I'll try to finish first. And play again and again and again.

FALLOUT 3
Before my xbox originally brokedown, aside from murdering people when playing Grand Theft Auto IV, I was totally immersed in the world of Oblivion in Elder Scrolls IV. It was a very beautiful game. A lot of sidequests, a huge world where you can visit everyplace you can see, and a clocked playthrough of almost 100 hours. I'm not even halfway through the main story.

Yeah I know, I need to get a life.

Now why do I have to start my Fallout 3 review with another game. Well, for one, this game is created by the same people who made Elder Scrolls. And two, the game is pretty much similar to the prior, with the only difference is that Fallout is set in a post-apocalyptic Washington DC.

I've only played this game for about an hour and a half last Tuesday. Not because I didn't like it. On the contrary I did. But I just don't want to immerse myself just yet in the whole universe that is Fallout because I haven't incurred an absence yet at work (4 months of diligent work habit baby!!!).

You play whoever you wanted to be, you can even customize the look of your character, mine looks like an Asian, because you know, I'm one. The outcome of your abilities all depends on you. You start the game as an infant and you can be who you want to be. You can be a thief, a murderer, a hero, an assassin, absolutely anything.

I'm looking forward to continuing the story, and completing all of the quests. I'm looking forward to having my pet dog that will accompany me all throughout my journey (well, at least until I accidentally get him/her killed). This has the makings of a great game, but one that I can only play during the weekends. I miss my bum days.

FINAL WORD: Technically, one of the most beautiful games ever made. Can't wait to become addicted to this game.

SA IYONG NGITI AKO'Y NAHUHUMALING

Kung akala niyo, itong post na ito ay isa nanamang keso post, nagkakamali kayo ng bigtime!!! Hindi na ako magpopost sa ngayon ng mga kilig-kilig posts kasi nandidiri ako sa sarili ko sa mga pinagsususulat ko.

Gusto ko sana magsulat ng tungkol sa mga games na pinamili ko, kaya lang kahapon pag-uwi ko galing sa pamimili ng mga kasuotan eh hapung-hapo ako at di na nakapaglaro. Kaya ayun, wala tuloy ako maisulat ngayon. Siguro next week na. As for now, papatulan ko ang tag ni Gas Dude.

Kelangan ko lang paganahin ang utak ko ngayon dahil magtatatlong oras na akong nakatunganga dito sa opisina (kaya ko mahal na mahal ang trabaho ko). Para sa mga katrabaho ko na nakakabasa nito exag lang ito, nagtatrabaho ako!!! Tingnan niyo pa ako...

So anyway, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, ang tag ay 10 bagay na nagbibigay sa akin ng ngiti. Hmmm... mahirap kasi may singaw ako ngayon at talagang masakit at nakakaiyak kapag pinipilit kong ngumiti. Pero itatry ko. Actually, hindi siya humihingi ng explanation kung bakit ako napapangiti pag naiisip ko ang mga ito... sinipag lang akong magsulat.

1. BAKED ZITI NG SBARRO
Simula ng bumalik ako galing ng New Zealand eh sobrang laki ng tinaba ko. Kaya ngayon, bawal ang kanin, kumain ng marami at magpakabondat. So ibig sabihin nito, eh wala munang Sbarro. Pero kapag naiisip ko itong malinamnam na pagkain na ito... To hell with weight loss!!! Mmmmmm... sarap!!!

2. XBOX 360
Pipigilin ko ang sarili ko kasi baka isang mahabang post ang maisulat ko dito para lang sa xbox 360. Kung ngayon ka lang napadpad dito sa blog ko, maikwento ko lang ang maikling anecdote na ito. Simula Hulyo eh nasira yung console ko. Apat na buwan ang hinintay para lang magkaroon ng pera pampaayos lang nito, sabay malalaman ko na may shop sa Ortigas na nag-aayos nito sa halagang P1800, eh ang akala ko noon P6000 ang paayos nito. So ayun, ngayon adik nanaman ako!!! Anim na games nga pala ang binili ko kahapon!!!!

3. BAGONG DAMIT
Seryoso, hindi ako sanay na namimili ng sarili kong damit. Kaya siguro may pagkamanong ang porma ko, eh kasi dati madalas umaasa lang ako sa mga padalang polo ng mga tiyahin ko. Asa ka pang in sila sa bagong style diba. Simula nang malipat ako sa Marikina at nakasama sa ilang mapopormang kaibigan, natuto akong bumili ng damit na sakto lang sa size ko. Kasi sa Amerika, kapag large ang binili mong damit, eh ibig sabihin nun kasing laki mo si Jimmy Santos. Eh hello 5'6 lang ako. Kaya ang saya saya ko kapag nagsusukat ako ng mga magagandang damit... at nabibili ko ito.

4. PUMAPAYAT KA
Gaya ng sinabi ko nung una, pagbalik na pagbalik ko mula NZ ilang buwan na ang nakakaraan, eh lahat na lang ng tao sinabihan akong lumolobo. Kaya simula noon, todo gym at diet ako. Kaya ngayon palakpak tenga ako sa tuwing nasasabihan ako na 'uy ang laki na ng pinayat mo ah.' Isa na ring dahilan kaya mahal na mahal ko ang trabaho ko eh dahil libre dito ang gym, may trainer ka pa. Parang impyerno ang pakiramdam pag naggygym ako, pero sulit naman. Hahahaha

5. SI KRAS
Madaming nagpapangiti sakin na hindi ninyo makikita dito sa listahan na ito dahil sobrang keso!!! Pero dahil wala naman ako masyadong maisip kaya isisingit ko siya dito ngayon. Hindi ko alam ang pangalan niya, kasi wala akong lakas ng loob na makipag-usap sa hindi ko kilala pero siomai, nahuhumaling ako sa kanya. Hindi naman siya tipong kagandahan talaga, pero anlakas ng appeal para sakin. Unang-una nagbubus siya so ibig sabihin, hindi siya high maintenance. Sabay may dimples pa. Hay.

6. COMICS
Anim pa lang hirap na ako ah. Oh eto, ang isa sa mga hobbies ko. Hindi nako bumibili ng paisa-isang issue ngayon kasi mahal. So ang ginagawa ko, yung mga trade paperback na ang binibili ko. Huli man ako sa kwentuhan, at least in the know pa rin ako (may internet naman). Pwede ako tumambay sa tindahan ng komiks buong araw nang hindi lumalabas. Tatlo lang naman talaga ang kadalasang pinagkakaabalahan ko, comics, internet at pabango. Noong mga nakaraang buwan, dito lang napupunta ang pera ko. Pero kung mababasa niyo lang ang mga kwentong nilalabas ngayon... di rin mawawala ang ngiti nyo pag nakita niyo ang bida bugbugin ang kalaban niya.

7. END NG TRABAHO
Gaano man ako kasaya sa trabaho ko, wala ng mas sasaya pa para sa akin kapag tapos na ang araw ko. Yung tipong mag-gygym ka na lang bago umuwi. Tapos pag-uwi mo, maglalaro ng konting Fallout 3 bago matulog. Hay. Enough said.

8. MAHABANG TULOG
Dahil ngayong linggo, kulang ako dito ilalagay ko sa mga bagay na nagpapangiti sa akin ang isang mahabang mahabang tulog. Hindi yung tipong di na ako magigising, kasi patay na ako nun. Pero yung kumpletong tulog 8-9 hours ng tulog. Yung may magandang panaginip. Tapos di ka gigisingin sa gitna ng tulog mo para itanong lang kung gising ka (I love you lola!!!). Sobrang ganda ng araw ko kapag may ganitong tulog ako.

9. KAKORNIHAN
Sa totoong buhay hindi ako magaling sa comedic timing. Yung mga joke ko sa mga kaibigan ko eh kadalasang napagkakamalang seryoso. Siguro pag naging stand-up comedian ako wala kayong maririnig sa audience kundi tunog ng mga kuliglig, pero ang hilig kong makinig sa mga korni na jokes. Yung cellphone ko puno ng mga jokes. Tapos kung tumawa ako, parang hindi na sisikat ang buwan mamayang gabi. Ganun ako kababaw.

10. MGA EKSENA SA BUS
Hindi dahil sa manyak ako ha. Pero natatawa ako sa mga eksena ng PDA. Ewan ko ba. Hindi naman ako nalilibugan sa kanila, kaya lang nakakatuwa lang silang tingnan. Tapos maririnig mo isang minuto nagsasabihan ng 'i love you' tapos mamayamaya may maririnig mo na lang nag-aaway na sila. Tapos si lalake yayakapin ng mahigpit si babae, then si babae yayakap din naman, sabay palo sa likod. All that habang pinapanuod mo ang pirated copy ng My Only U, or Quantum of Solace.

Hindi talaga ako mahilig pumatol sa mga tags. Para sakin kasi, parang may mali kapag pinipilit kang magsulat ng mga bagay na hindi ka naman interesado. Pero naaappreciate ko na kahit papaano ay nababanggit ang pangalan ko sa blog ng mga katulad kong adik sa pagbablog. Kaya kung may nagtag man sa akin at hindi ko nagawa, sorry naman. Hayaan niyo, pag may time ako at walang magawa, papatulan ko lahat, kahit yung mga noong Hunyo pa nagtag sakin. Hehehe.

At dahil binasa mo itong post na ito... tagged ka!!! Kailangang ipasa mo ito sa lahat lahat (as in LAHAT) ng kakilala mong may blog!!!

Bwahahahahaha!!! Joke!