Bye 2008

Just like everyone else in my blogosphere circle, I’m also bidding 2008 goodbye with a few recall, some resolutions, and maybe some reminders to self for a hopefully better year ahead.

And though I want to put a blow-by-blow account of the year that was just like what I did last 2007, I’d rather choose the highlights.

July: Diagnosed with Bell’s palsy. It was the biggest emotional and physical turn in my life so far. But as they say, crisis brings out the best in people. I learned that no matter what you look like, those who really care won’t mind. Nixlove, mommy, family and friends proved so. Indeed, life is good when you have people like them around.

And of course, Nixlove and I celebrated our 4th anniversary He loved me even with my twitched smile and grumpy attitude…I couldn’t have been more thankful

August: Had a blast at the wedding of Nixlove’s sister and officially recovered from Bell’s. My recovery was indeed fast, thanks to the therapists at the Medical City.

September: Another test for me this year. INQUIRER.net breaking news decided on a reshuffle and plucked me out of the Camp Crame beat, where I covered over two years, for my own growth. They were right.

October: Nixlove’s birthday!

December: My birthday! Turned 23, treated Mom and Nixlove to an Italianni’s buffet.

As for the coming year, I will try my best not to stress myself too much on the wrong things like traffic, congested network, what-have-you’s. I will try to save more (a must!) for the future hihi

Career improvements might also be in place so I guess I’ll just play it by ear.

I believe 2009 will be my year, I will make it happen. Hope all of us will have a great year ahead!

Great find

I recently got myself jelly lens because getting a lomo camera seems impractical. And although jellies cant really equate lomo’s wonderful images, I think it can do the trick for now.

The lens is priced at 500 in www.inthepink.multiply.com and I decided to get one before my birthday because Nixlove and I (mostly I hehe) were planning a ‘photoshoot’ at Serendra before my birthday, just like what we did last year.

Unfortunately, I caught flu and had to rest for a couple of days–was even on sick leave on my birthday! So there, I’ve only discovered the wonders of this lens recently.

Here is a sample shot (pardon me, I took shots of myself first. :p)

Sorry I look weird in that photo.

I promise to post more landscape and scenery pics soon.

Christmassy

Even after getting done with my Christmas shopping and finishing the grocery for Noche Buena goodies, I have yet to feel the real spirit of Christmas. Hmm.

Yes, I love the mall’s human traffic; the December breeze (which made me ransack my closet for useful blazers I rarely use); and the Filipino yuletide jingles. But, well I really hate it when they play Let it Snow or Dreaming of a White Christmas because hellooooo we don’t experience SNOW here–these songs are just so out of place.

There are some things missing. Is it because the glow of the good old days are starting to fade or is it because I’ve grown older to be too happy about Christmas?

Anyway, putting up a wish list better do me good. haha Since wish lists are mostly for children who still believe in Santa, I might as well hang that Christmas socks-at least digitally, in this blog.

In no particular order:

I want this! The Polaroid PoGo printer

“By connecting PoGo to your digital camera or cell phone camera, you can make 2” x 3” prints of your pics in less than a minute. Think of it as the next step toward giving instant gratification to impatient shutterbugs.”

(only $89, available at Yahoo online shopping, haha)

Well, I also like this one: Book of Buffs, “A compendium of fascinating hobbie sand unusual leisure-time activities, plus all the practical information you will need to join in the fun. By the editors of The World Almanac.”

Available at Avalon.ph for only 500!!! haha I really find it hard to shell out money for books nowadays, especially since I recently brought 7 in the past month

I also like this: Why doughnuts have holes; the science of everyday life. hihi I’m not keen on learning about physics but I’m really interested about how things work.

Also the worst case scenario: “The indispensable, indestructible guide for surviving life’s sudden turns for the worse.” And also “Life: The Odds, and how to improve your chances of: marrying a millionaire, winning an oscar, being elected President, being possessed by Satan, etc” By Gregory Baer. Really cheap at Avalon.ph!

Hmm. Another wish, I want to have most of my pictures printed and placed in an album or a box, just like the old days. It would be really nice to have a hard copy of the photos Especially when if the photo is this:

Well, hmm, a wish list isn’t that important after all.

Religious join farmers in hunger strike

By Thea Alberto
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:37:00 12/15/2008
Filed Under: Agrarian Reform, Politics, Religion & Belief, Religions, Churches (organisations)

MANILA, Philippines — Two Catholic bishops and several nuns and priests have joined farmers in their hunger strike to urge Congress to extend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, whose effectivity will end this month.

Catholic Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action-Justice and Peace, said Monday a hunger strike was their last resort, after attending rallies, lobbying at the Senate and the House of Representatives for the approval of Senate Bill 2666 and House Bill 4077 respectively.

“Marami na kaming ginawa. Nag-lobby na kami, nagmartsa na kami, nakiusap na at gumawa ng mga sulat, nag-publish sa newspapers parang walang nakikinig [We have done a lot of things. We have lobbied, marched, pleaded and wrote letters, had our pleas published in newspapers but it seems no one has been listening],” Pabillo said, lamenting what he said were merely promises of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to grant the farmers ownership of agricultural lands.

FULL STORY HERE: INQUIRER.net

Post-rally

Having covered countless rallies, it was hard not to get bored writing about protests. But the Dec 12 Makati protest was somehow different, in a good way I guess.

It was a big protest but I never felt really tired at all. I can attribute it to the weather–not too sunny, not too gloomy, and filled with December breeze; or to my pair of Alice crocs that feels like I’m walking on pillows; or the fact that my office is just near, I need not bring my laptop just to be able to send photos and videos.

Well it could also be my post at the rally. I chose the backstage and I was right. It was an all-access area and you can choose the best talking heads.

My favorite part? Of course Juana Chacha’s performance! Juana Chacha (Mae Paner in real life) is indeed a fast rising Youtube star! She’s in our most viewed videos and story in the site as well.

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Check it out here:

No Wanna Chacha (video)

Story here:

‘Juana Change’ blasts Charter change

By Thea Alberto
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 20:38:00 12/12/2008

Most Read

MANILA, Philippines — A comedienne whose performances on the video-sharing site Youtube as “Juana Change” are fast becoming a hit had anti-Charter change protesters at Friday’s interfaith rally in Makati City initially taken aback when she appeared to make a pitch for amending the Constitution.

Juana Change (real name, Mae Paner) pretended to be a lawmaker pushing Charter change in exchange for money, an apparent spoof of allegations the administration has been bribing lawmakers to support amendments to the Constitution, ostensibly to extend President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term.

CONTINUE HERE

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OTHER RALLY STORIES:

Protesters nab police ‘infiltrator’

Protesters reject Charter change

Pacman

I was never a fan although I have always taken pride in being a Filipino every time he wins.

Only recently though, when I covered his metro motorcade, I discovered Manny Pacquaio has a distinct charm when he is off the boxing ring.

No, not the kind of charm politicos have, oh heavens forbid. But Manny has the masa-magnet former president Joseph Estrada had. It is of the contagious kind, the one that would make you giddy.

Pacquiao went around in four cities. And because I needed to take photos and videos, I had to join the entire motorcade. Luckily I got the most enviable position, along with the industry’s best photographers (bola haha), and took a seat (if that’s what I should call it) at the truck in front of his float. It was one of the most fun coverages I ever had recently! Watching him bask in confetti as people from all walks of life chant his name will make you feel like a champion too.

I instantly admired him during the motorcade. The public’s response was heartwarming, it makes you want to forget all the problems hounding this country. I’m thankful for Manny that day for he was able to unite Filipinos and make us happy.

Oh by the way, did I mention I got a mini-gloves from Pacman himself? haha. will post a picture of the cute keepsake as soon as I can

Anyway, click on this if you want to see the story published in INQUIRER.net regarding the motorcade.

Pacquiao feted in Metro Manila

Twilight madness

I’m not yet into it and I’m preventing myself: just like how Edward prevents himself from falling inlove with Bella. haha:)

Unlike Harry Potter, undeniably my all-time favorite, I waited for the Twilight commotion to die down before reading the book. hehe I find it weird to be part of the Twilight bandwagon But now I’m almost done and I can say I did not waste my time.

I might be able to catch the movie soon and at least I won’t have to share the movie house with screaming teens.