Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Happpy New Year!!!

So busy as usual. I'll be updating soon.

For the meantime enjoy the holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Guys!
Publish Post

Friday, December 19, 2008

Happy birthday to me!

Since its my 30th birthday tomorrow, I am sharing with you, 30 random facts about me:

1. Ayoko ng oil. Nandidiri ako pag nakaka hawak ako ng oily products like baby oil, cooking oil etc. Ayoko nag huhugas ng mga ma oil na kasangkapan. Lagi ako pinapagalitan ng mommy ko dahi lagi akong tumatanggi mag lagay ng oil sa buhok nya or lagyan ng oil yung buhok ko nung bata pa ako. Bwisit din ang aking oily face.


2. I don’t eat kinchay and ampalaya. Amoy pa lang nila nasusuka na ako. No matter how good the food is, pag may kinchay or ampalaya, I don’t eat.Pinaghihiwalay pa ako ng mommy ko ng karne sa Ampalaya con Carne pag nag luluto cya. Bago nya ilagay yung ampalaya, magtatabi na cya ng karne con karne for me.Spoiled brat!


3. My lowest grade in college was 2.25 which I got from the dreaded ES 12. University scholar ako for 10 semesters, meaning I’m mayabang.


4. I can’t sleep pag hindi naka tuck-in yung damit ko at hindi ako nakakatulog ng nakatihaya, kailangan naka dapa at naka tagilid lang.


5. May mga briefs ako na tuwing special occasions ko lang ginagamit.Hehehe. I bought a neon pink for my birthday; a neon yellow for Christmas and a neon green for New Year.


6. Hindi ako nag su suot ng plain red. Feeling ko kasi hindi bagay sakin dahil maitim ako.


7. Pinaglihi ako ng mommy ko sa pusit. Kaya daw ako maitim.


8. Sobrang sensitive ng ilong ko dati. Parati akong may sipon dahil sa paglanghap ng mga usok sa kalye. Parati akong may dalang bimpo dati na sinisingahan ko. Salamat sa tulong ng medisina at nagamot cya. Ngayun pepper na lang ako na ha hatching.


9. Nagka meningitis ako nung two weeks old pa lang ako kaya extra careful sila sa akin. Bawal mauntog or matamaan ang ulo ko. Pero I still became hard-headed.


10.I stand 5’10 and ½ and weighs 162 lbs as of this writing. I have a kickass smile.Asa.


11.I love to travel.I love the barrio life sa mga provinces. Nothing beats simple and traditional way of life.I love the Northern Provinces – Ilocos, Baguio, La Union, etc.


12.I’m the 7th child and the bunso. I have 4 older brothers and two older sisters, I all love.Gender order: Boy-Boy-Girl-Boy-Girl-Boy(Leroy)-Boy(Me).


13.I’m a fan of documentaries – Probe, I-Witness, Reporter’s Notebook, The Correspondents. I hope to do one someday.I hope.


14.I’m a human rights advocate. I swear. Hindi lang halata.


15.I’m really matakaw. Taob ang mga eat all you can at fiestahan sa akin.But luckily hindi ako tumataba. Fast metabolism, they say.


16.I became a proud father at 21 to Lemuel Cairo Benedicto who’s turning 9 come December 22. There were 2 false alarm pregnancies.Scary.


17.I was romantically linked to a college professor during my college days who’s 5 years older than I am. We still flirt occasionally via mail (She’s now married).Hehehe.


18.My favorite subject was Social Studies – Filipino Culture, Philippine History, Geography, Pop Culture, Current Events, Sociology, Anthropology, Archeology and any other things associated with it. I also love Literature.


19.Neighbors used to call me “Balat”. I have one sa pisngi ko and 4 more sa iba’t ibang parts ng katawan ko.


20.Maraming beses na akong muntik masagasaan dahil tatanga-tanga ako minsan at pagdalos-dalos.Minsan nag a out of the world ang utak ko.


21.Lagi akong may dalang bag dahil lagi akong may dalang libro pag umaalis ako, tsaka ballpen. I’m a bookworm.


22.I’m ¼ Kapampangan, ¼ Ilocano, ¼ Batangueno and ¼ Pasigueno.May dugong Rizaleno and Manileno din ako according to my parents.


23.Madali akong magsawa. Ayoko ng monotonous life and job. Ayoko rin minsan ng walang ginagawa.


24.I used to join the annual procession pag Good Friday. They call it “Paso” in Pasig. Yung mga naka itim believed to be mourners of Jesus’ death.


25.I was barely one year old nung una akong naka punta sa USA. Malamang wala akong natatandaan nun but it has something to do with my Meningitis.


26.Wala akong ka art art sa katawan. Hindi ako magaling sa Art classes. Hindi ako magaling mag drawing at mag color. I can’t even draw a straight line.


27.Color blind ako, which is a bad thing. I can’t distinguish black from blue.


28.War freak ako nung bata ako. Mahilig ang mang away, mang asar at mang bully. Ngayon, hindi na ako nang bu bully at nang aaway pero sobrang lakas ko pa rin mang asar.


29.I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) when I was 22. I’m cured now, don’t worry.


30.I had three serious relationships and countless flirships.Hehehe.Joke lang!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Happy birthday (Kuya) Leroy!

(Kuya) Leroy,

Happy 32nd birthday!

Thank you for being a good brother and bestfriend!

I love you!

Yan-yan

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

UP Oblation Run


Nagulat ako sa mga comments ng mga tao about the UP Oblation Run held yesterday sa Diliman. I suppose they aren’t from UP.

FYI, Oblation Run is being done as a way to protest their sentiments about current issues which are inevitable as these issues affect the Filipino youth and every Filipinos I guess. Being the famous UP Oblation statue as the model.

Isang tradisyon na nag-ugat sa isang malalim na adhikain at mithiin, ang pag uncover sa hubad na katotohanan.

Walang kinalaman ang liit o laki ng kanilang mga ari. May nag comment kasi na bakit pa sila tumatakbo e ang liliit naman daw ng mga pototoy nila at dapat daw ay hindi sila nag susuot ng mascara kasi it only means na kinahihiya nila ang malilit nilang pototoy.

Ayus sa paliwanag, halatang narrow minded at parang made in china ang utak. Hindi tumatakbo ang mga members ng APO para ipangalandakan ang kanilang sandata bagkus tumatakbo sila sa ngalan ng mga tao upang ipahayag ang kanilang mga hinaing sa mga napapanahong issues na karapat dapat talakayin at bigyang pansin, sa taong ito, ang Charter Change at pangangalaga sa kalikasan. Sinong tanga ang magpapakita ng maliit nilang pototoy para sa wala?

Atleast they did something to call the attention of the people and make them aware of the issues that matter to us kahit estudyante pa lang sila. They made some sense you know.


Photo from Philstar online.

My head's in a jam!

Kahit sobrang busy, hindi ko pa rin cya maalis sa utak ko. Di ko pa rin cya nakikita since the grocery incident. Kulang na lang doon ako matulog kasi araw araw ako andun at different times hoping to see her. Kaso bigo ako sa ngayun.

Four days from now will be my birthday at cya ang gusto ko birthday gift.Hehehe.Kahit name and number lang ok na sakin.

Eto ang kanta ko sa kanya now. I miss you kahit di mo alam.Hehehehe.



My heads in a jam
Cant take you off my mind
From the time we met
Ive been beset by thoughts of you
And the more that I ignore this feeling
The more I find myself believing
That I just have to see you again

I cant let you pass me by
I just cant let you go
But I know that I am much too shy
To let you know
Afraid that I might say the wrong words
And displease you
Afraid for love to fade
Before it can come true

Like a child again
Im at a loss for words
How does one define
A crush combined with longing?
Longing to possess you oh so dearly
Im obsessed by you completely
Ill go mad if I cant have you

I cant let you pass me by
I just cant let you go
But I know that I am much too shy
To let you know
Afraid that I might say the wrong words
And displease you
Afraid for love to fade
Before it can come true

I cant let you pass me by
I just cant let you go
Let me say the things and say the words
To let you know
I would rather say the awkward words
Than lose you
Or for love to fade
Before it can come true

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Dear Leroy

Leroy’s getting married on Saturday, the 13th of December so I’m writing him this letter.


Dear Leroy,

I’m happy for you and I will forever be. I know that this is all you’ve longed for – a family life. Alam mo naman siguro na ako ang number one fan mo and I’d be more than happy to see you walk down the aisle and start a new life with the love of your life, Belle. Sooner or later, madadagdagan na naman ang headaches nina mommy and daddy pag nagka anak ka na.Kiddin’.

This sounds a little bit selfish but I know you’ll understand. Part of me wanted to let go of you but another wanted to hold on. You’ve always been a good (I say better) brother to me.I can’t even recall how many countless times you’ve shielded me from the harsh world. Ikaw rin ang unang natutuwa sa kung ano mang maliit o malaking achievements ang nagawa ko at ikaw rin unang taong nagtatanggol sa akin.

Naalala ko nung bata tayo. Lahat ng bagay sabay tayo. Maligo, matulog, kumain. We even shared the same room and literally grew up together. We’re always a pair. Naalala ko kung paano natin asarin sina Ate Trish and Ate Daph. Lagi din tayong napagkakamalang kambal dahil lagi tayong parehas ng damit.Kahit sa anong laro magkakampi tayo.

Pag napapagalitan tayo nina daddy ikaw ang sumasalo sa akin kahit ako ang may kasalanan. Ikaw ang nag tuturo sakin sa mga assignments.”Isusubo mo na lang, ibibigay mo pa sa akin” would be an understatement. Without you I am nothing.

We share everything including secrets. Ikaw ang unang nakaalam na magiging daddy na ko, remember? Sobrang worried ako nun and I don’t know how to tell mom and dad pero sinabi mo na “everything will be alright”. Thank God, mom and dad understand me just like they always do. You’re the first one to comfort me during the darkest days of my life.

Idol nga kita sa lahat ng bagay. I know you’re not perfect but I always look up to you because you have strong sense of direction (which I don’t have), determination (I’m trying hard), great sense of humor (we both do, hehehe) and focus (I miserably failed on this). You are always the fine lad next door.

Ikaw din ang nagturo sa akin mag try mag yosi.Umamin ka! Ok lang yun, hindi naman tayo na hook at hindi naman nalaman nina mommy and daddy yun (dito pa lang). Ikaw rin nag yaya sakin nun manood ng XXX betamax tape. Ikaw din ang may kasalanan nung isang beses na umuwi tayong lasing na lasing. Nawala ang lasing natin nun sa galit ni daddy.

I know things will never be the same again.Kahit sa bahay muna kayo titira pansamantala, alam ko mag iiba na lahat. Ofcourse hindi na ko pwedeng matulog sa kwarto mo or pumasok anytime I want to. Mahirap na, hehehe.

Mababawasan na siguro yung time natin together. Ung mga walang tulugan/talk-athon natin, the late night TV marathon, drinking session and some bashing moments.

But thinking twice, OK na rin kasi hindi na ako ang magiging taga tikim ng mga recipes na niluluto or bine bake mo pag hindi masarap.Hehehe.Joke lang.

You know what, I think I will never be the same me. I will look the same outside, but deep inside, I don’t think so. But because you’ve taught me everything I needed to know and learn, I know I will be strong. Afterall, we’re just a wall apart. I know you will still be there for me. Needless to say, I will always be here for you, alam kong alam mo yan. Remember, we’re a pair!

So after 32 years of being single and worry free, here you are, about to start a new life. I can only hope for the best. You deserve every single blessing from God above.

I wish you and Belle good health, content life and a well bonded family.

I will still be the brother and bestfriend that you are to me.


Love,
Bunso

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Pinoy Smart Savers


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Update, update

I’ve been very busy for the last few days. Daming dapat gawin kaso kulang naman ang time. Can I ask for 36 hours a day this Christmas?

December 4, Thursday.Dated my kababata/lifelong friend/demi-sister for lunch. I’m so happy for her and Kerwin.Imagine magkababata kami and they ended up with eachother.Sobrang ganda ng love story nila at witness ako dun since bata pa kami. Happily ever after indeed!

Nung hapon, I decided to stalk my crush. Baka by some stroke of nature, mag kita ulit kami dun sa grocery. Of all places sa grocery pa. Ang kulit ng love story namin pag nagkataon.

But I was dead wrong. I spent an hour and a half sa pag ikot sa grocery kaso wala cya. Hindi ko cya nakita. I’m so lonely. I ended up buying a loaf of brown bread.

Kinagabihan, pumunta akong Ortigas for a stag party with Leroy. My lifelong friend and demi-brother, Kerwin & Annie (my other lifelong friend) got married last Saturday, Dec 6. Inom kung inom. Sakit ng ulo kinabukasan.


December 5, Friday. I got 3 hours of sleep. I have to be in UP before 9 for the Writers’ Day. I’m excited because finally I’ll meeting up this uber cool writer/fellow UP alumni/fellow YB contributor/email & YM buddy. She’s indeed uber cool. Had lunch at Mang Jimmy’s. Best tapsi, still.

Met some highschool buddies sa Katipunan after lunch for our charity project. Discussed and finalized the details and responsibilities. After that, sinundo ko ang anak ko and two nephews sa school nearby.

Mga 5 PM na kami nakauwi tapos after 30 minutes alis na naman for dinner sa bahay ng pang-apat kong kapatid (wedding anniversary). I left past 7 to meet the UPeeps to discuss our annual Christmas Party. Nakarating ako ng Macapagal around 8:30 and I was late. Discussed things and agreed for Dec 30 party.We ended around 11:30 PM.

December 6, Saturday. Got home around 12:30 AM. Tired, dead tired. Hoping to sleep, Kerwin called for some preppy talk. It’s his wedding day today and he is still awake. He can’t sleep. We had our usual talk. It’s a good two-hour talk. We were able to look back and reminisce our good old glorious and not so glorious days. Kerwin will forever be the best demi-brother and Annie will forever be the best demi-sister.

I went to sleep at 3 AM and got up at 8 AM.Five precious hours of sleep. Lucky me. I was forced to wake up. Cairo went to my room and pester me. I promised him a game of badminton with my mom, dad, ate and her husband. We left around 10 (mainit na kasi) and went straight to the public market. Mom bought lapu-lapu, clams and veggies for lunch. Great lunch!

Around 1 PM, nag prepare na ko for Kerwin and Annie’s wedding at 3 PM. I’m Kerwin’s bestman. Nasa church na kami around 2:45. Hirap maging bestman. Daming picture taking at special participation. Nag paalam na ako before 7. Superman still have things to do.

Mga past 8 na kami nakarating sa Araneta for Divas 4 Divas concert with Leroy and his wife to be, Ate Belle, sister ate Trish and husband kuya Chino,mom, dad and my son Cairo. One word: SUPERB!


December 7, Sunday. Had past mid night snack at Chowking around 1 AM. Slept at 4 AM. Great day still!

Got up before 10 AM the Pacquiao-dela Hoya rematch. All of my siblings and their children were there. Para lang kaming nasa sinehan sa dami namin. 35 in all (and counting). Really big family!

Manny was indeed a champion. I really admire his determination, humility and deep faith in God. He’s amazing!

After the game followed our usual Sunaday lunch. Mom cooked a lot to feed all 35 of us. Parang fiesta minus the banderitas.

We all went to the cemetery to visit my dead relatives tapos nag Sunday mass after. I left at 6 PM tas pumuntang QC dahil birthday ng isang highschool buddy. Happy birthday, Aldrin!

Got home at 10 PM, watched the late night news and heard Marky Cielo’s (the GMA artist/Starstruck winner)dead already. Bata pa, 20 lang. Sayang kasi may potential yung bata at mukhang mabait.

Knocked out na ako by 12.


December 8, Monday. Fiesta ng Pasig! Weeee! Woke up past 7 to help my mom. Pumunta kaming palengke tapos nagluto. Some relatives, friends & kapitbahay went and ofcourse, the whole family again. Its nice to rekindle with relatives and reconnect family ties. I spent the whole day entertaining them and spent the rest of the night sa paglilinis ng bahay.


December 9, Tuesday. Hinatid ko si Cairo sa school with my mom and dad tapos nag jogging kami sa Acad Oval. I need to kasi I’ve been eating a lot for the past few days. Got home by 11 and ate lunch. By 1PM, pumunta na akong Ortigas to do some work. I’m working you know. The meeting lasted for about 4 hours so I was done by six (meeting started around 2 PM already. Met my parents and Cairo at SM Megamall. Had dinner and bought Cairo some clothes for his parties and upcoming birthday. My parents also bought some gifts for friends and relatives. We got home by 11. Andaming tao sa mall!


December 10, Wednesday.That’s today. I got up around 8. Did some work till lunch time. Ate lunch.Got back to work and finally read the blogs I’ve been following and updated my own. Later, I will try to stalk my crush again later, run some errands for Leroy’s wedding and do some shopping again. I still have a long list of friends and relatives and inaanaks na wala parang regalo. I hope to finish the shopping today since I won’t be having spare time tomorrow onwards.Wish me luck!


PS: Unedited to kasi wala na akong time to edit.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

May kras ako!



Akala ko di ko na cya makikita. It’s been a month ago since I last caught a glimpse of her.

Nakita ko cya kanina. Papunta akong grocery (I saw her once inside buying some food for lunch). I didn’t notice her at first since I didn’t expect to see her kanina. Pero God knows, during the month long hiatus, I missed her.

Tumaba siya (tinignan ko cya after nya lumagpas saken, torpe, indeed!)at lalong dumami yung pimples nya (siguro dahil sa kakaisip saken (asa pa ako) but nonetheless, cute and pretty as ever. Kumabog yung dibdib ko, feeling ko kanina 16 year old ako at first time ko mag ka crush. Di ko alam kung ano gagawin ko. Nakita nya ako kasi nakita ko cya binaba yung shades nya to confirm that it was me (I guess she missed me too, asa ulit).

Pero dahil sa katorpehan ko, I just let her passed by. I should have said “Hi!, Long time no see!”. I should have smiled. I should have taken the chance to know her name atleast. I should have flirted. But I didn’t. I was so numb and tanga to let the moment passed by with nothing happening in between. Sobrang tanga.Grrrr. Sayang. Regrets!

But I’m happy to see her anyhow. I really am, nai blog ko nga ng di oras sa sobrang saya.

Its official and confirmed, crush ko talaga cya and I’m close to falling in love, hehehe. Not yet. Crush lang muna. Whoever she is.