Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Mistress

Ah. I know you are now thinking of Sari and JD. But wait, I am not a movie critic. I mean, not as of the moment. I don't think I have enough bullets to fire a really persuasive review. I also don't think I watch movies that often. Yes, I watch Tagalog movies a lot. Tons of them. The romantic type, filled with cheap, cheesy lines which become an instant talk-of-the-city where people try to muster and give it their own version (ala jd or sari). As if they are auditioning for the role? Uhm...dont get me wrong. Let me clarify that I also watch Hollywood movies. The hunger games? Yes I did. But the Tagalog films are dearer. I don't really know. It must be that when it rained patriotism, I was fully drenched of it and many get into my blood! Even with songs. And singers. And...okay. I know you are convinced. So i stop here.

My family's story has some element of "The Mistress". The notable difference though is that my mom befriended my father's other woman. And that they bore a child, Pipoy, who is of the same age with me. I can vividly recall that during birthdays, they came and gave us gifts. We played balloons. We were friends.

As far as my recollection, my childhood memory did not include confrontation that we seen in movies. The kind that Hilda Koronel delivered in The Mistress, "Layuan mo ang asawa ko. Tagalog yan para maintindihan mo." None at all. According to my mother, it was my Lola, Papa's mother, who went ballistic and acted like Hilda Koronel. My mother kept it. She remained strong. She did not make a hell out of it.

I was in dumaguete over the weekend and Pipoy and I met. We had coffee and we talked about my work in Bacolod and his work in Saudi. He just arrived from the Middle East after a two-year contract. By the way, he is a Mechanical Engineer. And I think he looks very similar to Papa. We don't see each other frequently so when that opportunity happened our storytelling will be in chapters.

We are a family. Growing up, Papa's other woman is my Auntie. And that's how I call her. No awkwardness. No aloofness. No insecurities.

And we are happy about it.

Friday, September 28, 2012

I waited 28 Years to finally wear a Sash in Silver Glitters!

I was not just surprised! I was astonished and to some extent bewildered. Why me?

The night became mine. Yes it was in my favor. I was walking up in the clouds with a smile thinking, oh yeah people thought I am Cool! So I must be cool!

Thank you so much!

Is it the smile I wear every single moment everyday?

Is it my boundless friendliness?

It is my way of striking a conversation everywhere?

Is it my saying hi and hello to everyone?

Is it my scandalous laughter?

Whatever it is, Oh yeah, I am COOl!

Don't Judge Me because I am a Judge...

Thank you to all STI administrators and faculty for inviting me as Chief Judge in their Essay Writing and Impromptu Speaking Contests! It inspired me to be even better!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Evaluation and I, The Big Journey!

I arrived in Bacolod just in time for the contest season! Thank God I did not miss The Stage Time.

This year, two contests are held for the Midyear Convention in Tagaytay this October, the Speech to Evaluate and the Humorous Speech Contest. Of course you know very well that I did not join in the Humorous category. But of course I am not giving up! Who knows next year...

And then I realized that I have a long standing relationship with the evaluation contest! It's been 4 years!

Records show that, ahem, pls dont read further...

2008 - area champ
2009 - area champ
2010 - area champ
2011 - i did not join
2012 - area champ

Area 33 just loved me so much! Thank you! Hahahhaha!

At the Grandiose Manila Hotel!

Phantom of the Opera at the CCP

That day,sept 1, 2012, is the day when IBC 2012 ended. And it coincided with the date when we watched the musical at the CCP. Its funny how life reveals some surprises! Lee bought the ticket not knowing that IBC will end on August 31. Thank you very much to friends who made me happy or happier after some great challenges that life gave me.