The Year in Review

Time: 4:12 p.m.
Where: In the study table.
Now Playing: "Perth" by Bon Iver.

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2011 has been a great year for me but the year had some highs and lows, pros and cons, and other than that, there were events featured this year that made all of us remember what happened during the year of the Metal Rabbit both locally and internationally as far as I can remember.

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January 2011:

When the Egyptians starting to make a rally for liberation, for change against then-Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak after 30 years in position. The rebels protested for the whole month. The AFP corruption was talked about in the Senate and all month long, it was on national television. Former AFP Chief Angelo Reyes, Garcia and more were involved in the said anomaly. Col. Rabusa and Heidi Mendoza were the state witnesses. Japan won the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar after beating Australia, 1-0 with Tanadari Lee's goal at extra time proving to be the match winner for the Blue Samurai.

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February 2011:

When Egypt moved forward and forced Mubarak to step down. the Tahrir Square in pure jubilation that month. Angelo Reyes committed suicide because of the problems involving the AFP corruption. The Azkals made an impression to the Filipino football fans when they first played in front of home crowd in more than 15 years in the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod for the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers against Mongolia. Philippines won 2-0. Talk N' Text won the 2010-11 Philippine Cup when they defeated the Brgy. Ginebra Kings in a best-of-7 Final series, 4-2. Jason Castro and Jimmy Alapag were named co-MVPs. Nonito Donaire won the WBC/WBO Bantamweight belts after knocking out Fernando Montiel in the 2nd Round. Indie rock band Arcade Fire won the Album of the Year, and Lady Antebellum won 5 Grammys. After Egypt, the nations of Bahrain, Yemen and Libya also protested to step down their respective leaders.

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March 2011:

When Japan faced their worst disaster in centuries. The Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures were gushed by the tsunami with a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake. More than 20,000 victims counted and radiation levels were high as the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power plants collapsed. The Azkals made it into the Group Stages of the AFC Challenge Cup by beating Mongolia in the aggregate score of 3-2. The Azkals lost to Mongolia in the second leg but made it enough for them to go to Myanmar for the Group Stages. They eventually made it to the Elite 8 of the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 after being Runner-Up to their group with a win and two draws. The Middle East uprising continued.

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April 2011:

Young teen actor AJ Perez was found dead after the car he and his dad were in was crashed into a bus in Tarlac. India won the ICC Cricket World Cup after beating their rivals Sri Lanka. Libya on a hostile regime with cities divided with the rebels and Moammar Gaddafi's forces and supporters. The Army was also involved in the shake-up.

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May 2011:

Manny Pacquiao won convincingly against Shane Mosley via unanimous decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Justin Bieber went here to the Philippines for a one-night concert. After ten years of finding, Osama Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan and Americans on a long term euphoria. When Manchester United was on top of the perch with 19 Premierships, beating Liverpool's 18th but suffered a loss in the UEFA Champions League Final against Barcelona, 3-1.

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June 2011:

The Azkals started their 2014 World Cup against Sri Lanka. They drew 1-1 with Nate Burkey cancels the first Sri Lankan goal for the Philippines.

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July 2011:

The Azkals made it to the second round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers by beating Sri Lanka in 5- aggregate as the Philippines beat Sri Lanka, 4-0 in the second leg. They would eventually face the mighty Kuwait in the second round of the qualifiers and the Azkals lost on the aggregate score of 1-5 in the hands of the Al-Azraq at the last week of the month. when Kobe, D-Rose, CP3 and the rest of NBA Smart All-Stars visit Manila for two exhibition matches between the PBA All-Stars and the Smart Gilas. When Amy Winehouse was found dead in her home in London.

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August 2011:

When Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber won VMAs in the MTV Video Music Awards. Gaga first introduced her alter ego, Jo Calderone who was featured in her music video, "Yoü and I". Smart Gilas made a strong finish in the Jones Cup.

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September 2011:

When the Smart Gilas boys made their best FIBA Asia Championship finish after 24 years, back in the final four. They beat Chinese Taipei in the last 8 before bowing down to Jordan and Korea Republic for the Final 4 and battle for third respectively. Marcus Douthit proving to be the best player for the Philippines.

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October 2011:

When the Azkals had two FIFA international friendlies. First against the Lions of Singapore. The match was at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore and the Philippines lost 2-0 against the Singaporeans. The other friendly was held here in the Rizal Memorial Stadium against Nepal, that is also part of the Elite 8 in the AFC Challenge Cup in March 2012 and have a higher rank than Singapore at that time. Philippines beat Nepal 4-0. After months of riot and hostile, the rebels found Mommar Gaddafi and killed him due to wounds and so as his sons. That ended the 30-year regime of Gaddafi and Libya started anew. Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs lost to battle pancreatic cancer, aged 56. iPhone 4S was released to the market. When Ramgen Revilla was killed inside his home. His siblings were pointed to be the masterminds of the crime. When Charice's father was stabbed at his home in Laguna.

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November 2011:

When Manny Pacquiao faced Juan Manuel Marquez for the third time. It ended with another controversial victory for Manny in a majority decision. Marquez proclaimed he really won the fight but after the fight, there was a viral video released on YouTube on Marquez stomping Manny's lead foot for several times and the reason Manny can't do power punches without any leverages. Syrians protesting all-month long and violence occurred in every riot. The Ramgen Revilla case was the talk of the month.

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December 2011:

When Sendong/Washi hit Northern Mindanao and Western Visayas, killing thousands and destroyed homes and livelihood. As of now, donations and pledges still on the way. The Azkals faced the MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy along with David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. Philippines lost 1-6 versus the MLS Cup champions but that doesn't matter because this event is for the boost of Philippine football. Starstruck alumni and Star Magic talent Tyron Perez was found dead inside his car in Valenzuela City. Egypt and Syria again on the uprise.

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That's all I can remember what happened in 2011. May I wish you all a Happy, Happy New Year! Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012! Here we go, another year to experience and add to our history. Just seven hours away as I make this blog.

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Time: 5:58 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "Madder Red" by Yeasayer.

My Best Albums of 2011

Time: 11:40 p.m.
Where: In the study table.
Now Playing: "Don't Stop (Color on the Walls)" by Foster the People.

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The 2011 music industry has some great highlights either in mainstream or the underground scene but nonetheless, here are the albums that I found interesting this year:

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"Angles" by The Strokes.

After a five-year hiatus, which Julian Casablancas had his solo album at that duration, The Strokes are back with "Angles". I found the album pretty much the same with the previous 2 albums yet it has a twist. I found "Under Cover of Darkness" a great track to listen to and so as "Machu Picchu" and "Taken for a Fool".

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"The King is Dead" by The Decemberists.

A nice way to start the year with a new album from the indie folk band The Decemberists. After decades of making music, I found this new album not as good as the previous ones yet I think that the songs in the album are underrated and worth to listen to. "Down by the Water" is one of my favorite tracks from the said album.

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"Torches" by Foster the People.

I've heard of Foster the People in early 2010 since they released their EP and "Pumped Up Kicks" is one hell of a track. I was just eventually shocked when this song hit the mainstream and the band itself. I just remember MGMT's days with "Oracular Spectacular" on how the listeners love their songs. 10 tracks of single-worthy, catchy, and psychedelic music. Other songs like "Waste", "Warrant", "Call Me Want You Want" and "Helena Beat" did give some bats and made me dance randomly. Yeah, first album to be remembered.

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"Zonoscope by Cut Copy.

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This is one of my most anticipated albums. Whenever there's a Cut Copy release, I've always come to hear it as early as I can and the album turned out to be great. Reminds me of Kraftwerk and The Cure in one album. "Take Me Over", "Need You Now", "Where I'm Going" and "Blink and You'll Miss a Revolution" are my personal favorites to the album with also has the most interesting and creative album art but I still think that their 2008 album, "In Ghost Colours", is still their best album.

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"21" by Adele.

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This album is definitely a stronger attempt than Adele's debut album, "19". More feeling, soulful, and emotions. "Rolling in the Deep" is just one hell of a song. Catchy yet I can feel the song within the lyrics. "Chasing Pavements" from "19" is good and with soul, it's such that "21" has more vocal power to emphasize emotion. "Set Fire to the Rain", "Someone Like You" and "Rumour Has It" are the tracks that catches my attention and they are great songs to listen. As Adele puts her age in her albums, I feel that the more she matures along with her musicality and composition. A very strong contender for Album of the Year. No doubt.

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"The King of Limbs" by Radiohead.

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Well, when I first heard the 8-track album, "The King of Limbs" by one of the most influential alternative rock acts Radiohead, I was expecting much more from this probably because Thom Yorke and the gang had problems with making the album but the tracks like "Lotus Flower", "Little by Little" and "Bloom" are totally eargasmic and unique just like 1997 all-over again. I'd say, although with the end track "Separator", I knew that there will be more to come to Radiohead to somehow stick this album to a whole new one. They are not done yet folks!

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"Bon Iver, Bon Iver" by Bon Iver.

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Well, Justin Vernon has one of the soothing voices I've ever heard and he and the rest of Bon Iver continued with their critical success with this new album. Not only critical success but commercial success as well with the album garnering 2nd in the Billboard 200 during its release week last June. The one of the critically-acclaimed songs of the year, "Holocene" is really an amazing track, no wonder it was praised by music critics like Pitchfork, NME, and more. Other tracks like "Perth", "Calgary", and "Hinnom, TX", which obviously are places (some are fictional) yet catches me away and felt like I've been into that place, fantasy or reality. The album was nominated to the Best Alternative Music Album of the 54th Grammys in February next year and Bon Iver have 3 other nods like Best New Artist and Record of the Year and Song of the Year for "Holocene". Good luck next year, Justin.

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"Thank You, Happy Birthday" by Cage the Elephant.

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After the success of their first and self-titled album, including my favorite track in the album, "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked", Matt Shultz and the rest of Cage the Elephant are back, welcoming 2011 with a blockbuster album, "Thank You, Happy Birthday". The band became serious now in making great music this time and with this 12-track album of pure awesomeness, includes "Shake Me Down", "Around My Head" and "Aberdeen", I would say they can be a serious contender to the category this year IMO, yet the album is a bit underrated. Like Bon Iver's latest album, the album has peaked into the no. 2 slot in the Billboard 200 this year just only behind "The King is Dead" by indie folk band The Decemberists.

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"Hurry Up, We're Dreaming" by M83.

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Anthony Gonzalez continues to amaze me with his previous works and now with M83's new release, "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming", my head goes banging to every beat of each of the two CDs and like I was in a different universe, CD after CD. The combination of electronica with some lo-fi with some dream pop tracks with a little saxophone in some tracks is really something. "Midnight City", "Steve McQueen", "OK Pal", "Claudia Lewis" and "Reunion", just too many tracks to love from this epic album. I would be thrilling to say that this is one of the best albums I heard this year and probably, in my whole life. Just epic.

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"Wounded Rhymes" by Lykke Li.

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Lykke Zachrisson a.k.a. Lykke Li once again proved that she's one to look out for this year of music. When I first heard her first single for "Wounded Rhymes" entitled "Get Some" late last year on radio, I like the upbeats yet the lyric of the said song made me think like she's singing this song to me with humility yet I don't 'get some' issues with it because of the composition. "I Follow Rivers" was somehow caught my attention like when I first heard "Little Bit" in her first album, "Youth Novels". Surprised that Glee covered this song and "Love Out of Lust" was just amazing. Kind of a dreamy-erotic themed album yet again from Lykke Li but music-wise, great.

Merry Christmas! (2011 version)

Time: 2:38 a.m.
Where: In the study table.
Now Playing: "Diet Mtn Dew" by Lana Del Rey.

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First of all! Merry Christmas to all of us! Maligayang Pasko sa ating lahat! Well, it's a great 12 hours for me since the afternoon of Christmas' Eve up to now, almost dawn of Christmas Day. At the start of Christmas week, I really didn't feel the Christmas fever although there were kids flocking around every block, Christmas caroling and Christmas lantern to be seen in every street. Maybe I was just missing on something that this year never had. Hmmmmm...

Anyway, as every year, I always go to this Christmas event called "Christmas Kantata/Cantata" where all of the choirs from different parishes showcased their Christmas songs to the audience and it was relaly not a contest or anything. Just pure showcase. All of them were great and somehow gave me a feel that Christmas was really around. After that, went to my last of the nine masses (Christmas Novena mass or Misa de Gallo/Simbang Gabi)and the last one was really great. I mean by great, it was planned really. At first, the lights were off and I can feel the atmosphere inside the church. People singing until the lights went on again and I saw the 'Baby Jesus' and family replica and the ange,l floating and descending to what we call 'sabsaban'. Probably, it was rare to be in a mass that made it so special with props and everything to feel that it's Jesus' birthday.

After that, went home for 'Noche Buena' or Christmas Eve feast (A version of Thanksgiving but Christmas-realted. LOL) and pray for the blessings and for the victims of Tropical Storm Sendong/Washi, and may they have hope after that traumatic moment. It seemed awkward though here. Instead of hearing Christmas songs around, I heard loud horns everywhere but yeah, 2012 is coming. So I think that I could buy some of that horn! Feeling like I am in Rizal Memorial Stadium with those loud high-pitched horn! :D Cheers with some Tanduay Ice and again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

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Time: 3:23 a.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "No Surprises" by Radiohead.

Dream Cup!

Time: 12:46 a.m.
Where: Living room.
Watching: Wigan v Arsenal match.

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It's really awkward that in the world of football or even in any other team sport that a club team and a national team go head-to-head but wow, it was really a great night I had and Filipino die hard football/soccer fans had. Yeah, LA Galaxy came here and beat us, 6-1 but the real winner is the fans and Philippine football. It was really an intimidating atmosphere in the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. I saw the match on TV because of the obvious reason. The ticket prices were really high. High or low, I admit, I wouldn't come because I can't commit myself but I would love to come really. I was really stoked and waited for this exhibition match for a long time since it was announced around the last week of October. I was really imagining Emelio 'Chieffy' Caligdong and David Beckham facing each other on the wing position or Phil Younghusband running towards Landon Donovan that can play defensive midfield but more of an attacking midfielder. With those high pitched 'vuvuzela-like' trumpets or whatever it is, I can feel the atmosphere even though I was watching on TV. Wore my Philippines away kit I bought during the World Cup qualifier first round match against Sri Lanka and really ecstatic about this showdown. Anyway, the recap of the epic match.

Phil Younghusband (L) and his childhood hero, David Beckham (R), on the same pitch together that night. Amazing. Just a dream come true for the younger Younghusband.


Beckham was just having a great show for us. With his signature trade mark (not really but it's his forte), the bending free kick, was seen in the Rizal Memorial Stadium as Beckham scored for the LA Galaxy in the 20th minute. After 18 minutes, Magee scored for the visitors, the goal was like the same Beckham did but on the bottom left corner. Phil Younghusband continued to counter after that second Galaxy goal and he did it for 3 minutes and he got rewarded with a goal of his own for the Azkals, beating A.J. DeLaGarza! I was really screaming at that one! That was the halftime score, 2-1 in favor of Galaxy.

                                         Courtesy of ABS-CBN

Second half, it was really a great start for the Galaxy and a bad spell for the Azkals as Robbie Keane scored that smart goal of a set piece with Beckham leading it with a corner. Cristman scored an excellent goal from a counter but his second, I wasn't really impressed with the referees, it was just OFFSIDE! The future assistant manager/coach of the LA Galaxy, playing his last games with the team, Gregg Berhalter, scored a penalty. That wrapped the epic match up. It was a really disappointed second half but yeah, I really enjoyed the match. Beckham, Keane and Donovan had a great game. Beckham and Keane on the score sheet but Donovan contributed two assists. Bruce Arena's men prevailed against Michael Weiss' squad. They were really the better team.

Beckham (R) do the bendin' in the Rizal Memorial Stadium with Guirado (L) and Porteria (C) watching the famous bend shot.


This match is by the way shown around the United States on FOX Sports and FOX Soccer and some other parts of the world on The Filipino Channel so it is a great exposure for Philippine football.

There were some epic moments during the match. When David Beckham was substituted in the 75th minute, Becks immediately removed his kit/jersey and gave it to one of the VIPs that night, Manny Pacquiao. David was happy to see Manny in there and he was excited to get off the pitch to see Manny. There were many celebrities in there and fans was just crazy about the match. One hour after the match, fans still flocking in the stadium, waited for something epic.

Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao with their little souvenir from David Beckham

After the match and logged in into the Internet, the match was trending on Twitter worldwide using the hashtag #AzkalsVsLAGalaxy and that's how Filipinos are, up-to-date and really many netizens here. Fans online enjoyed the match but some aren't. Not because of the result but the hate of the Azkals and football in general.

                                     Courtesy of trendsmap.com

It's so sad to see this. I know, this country's main sport is basketball and I am also an avid basketball fan as well but with these basketball fans bashing and trolling and saying nonsense against the Azkals. They always blabbering about Azkals being arrogant, Azkals being handsome, Azkals being popular, Azkals having half-Filipino players and promoting football here. They always compare what the Azkals can do and what the Gilas/basketball can do. I wonder when will this be stopped. I mean it's really unnecessary for things like this. I think this is a country where "crab mentality" + "racism" occurs 24/7. I believe if "crab mentality is an Olympic sport, we will win Gold easily. They kill the joy of avid football fans here where all we want is for football to become popular here like basketball but they want basketball to be really our sport and they don't want football in their sight and I don't want that. I believe this sport can really unite us especially when we further excel. With these basketball fans saying this things, if we get into the World Cup one day, they will be football fans as well.

But still, it was great day for Philippine football, a great day for the sport and hopefully with this, we can invite more clubs here, especially European clubs, I mean big time clubs like my favorite club, Manchester United with Wayne Rooney, or Real Madrid with Cristiano Ronaldo or Barcelona with Lionel Messi. It was a dream after tonight, it turned to reality. I won't forget this day, December 3, 2011! It is really a 'Dream Cup'!

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Time: 3:55 a.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Watching: Aston Villa vs. Manchester United

Trilogy.

Time: 8:45 p.m.
Where: In my study table.
Now Playing: "Midnight City" by M83.

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One of the best rivalries in the history of boxing. From Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, to Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales. Now, it's Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. Well, Sunday morning, November 13th, I watched the fight on PPV for their must anticipated third fight but first, I got to see the undercards before the main event. Well, I was impressed with the upsets and some dominating wins. In the first undercard, young prospect Luis Cruz who was undefeated before the fight got beaten by his much experienced opponent, Mexican challenger Juan Carlos Burgos and suffered his first loss for the young Puerto Rican. Next, the Mike Alvarado vs. Breidis Prescott fight was amazing. Prescott, who made a name for himself with his famous win against the mighty Amir Khan around 2009, was dominating the whole fight when suddenly, a re-surging Alvarado hit the Colombian with stunning upper cuts in the late rounds that the referee had to stand in between and stopped the fight. Alvarado with a come from behind victory against Prescott. Now, the last undercard was also exciting. The first fight of Timothy Bradley against one of the veterans of the sport, in the name of 40-year old Cuban Joel Casamayor, who also fought Juan Manuel Marquez for whole 12 rounds. Bradley was dominating the rounds until he knockdown the older Casamayor in Round 6 and later in Round 8, the referee seen enough the fight and gave the win for Bradley with some stunning hits to the body of aging Casamayor. He may probably retire now.

Now, the main event, Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez. Part three! Pac-Man vs. Dinamita, Boxer-puncher vs. Counter-puncher. Speed vs. Technicality. This is what this fight is about for the last seven years spanning. Before the third, I will recap what happened in the previous two fights. They first met in 2004 for Marquez WBA and WBO featherweight titles where Manny dropped Marquez three times but Marquez was resilient and won almost the rest of the rounds. "Fire against fire, down the stretch!" called by HBO commentator Jim Lampley. The decision, "DRAW." I remember, one judge admitted that he should've scored the first round 10-6 in favor of Pacquiao because three knockdowns was scored by the other two judges. The said judge was the one who scored the fight even, 113-113. That way, it could be a win for Pacquiao. In my opinion, Marquez won that fight by a single point.

The second fight happened in 2008, again, for Marquez's world title, this time, in the super featherweight division, the WBC 130 lb. belt! Marquez was aggresive and read some of Pacquiao's moves yet in round three, Manny dropped Marquez again to the canvas. Some analysts say Marquez was getting knockdown by some of his opponents it's because of the imbalance progress of his body where he can enhance his body to being freakish yet his legs are still that small, including his thighs and it can't support the huge body. He did recovered to those knockdowns easily it's because he was off balanced and not suffered some serious blow. Continuing to the recap. After the knockdown, Marquez showing the same resilient attitude like the first fight, fought like there's no tomorrow. At Round ten where Manny hit Marquez with an awkward left that almost dropped Marquez to the canvas and on the final round, the fighters continued to exchange blows. The decision, "SPLIT DECISION to Manny Pacquiao." Probably that third round knockdown proving to be the difference to the said fight.

Now, this brings me to the third fight, the trilogy. When I watched the whole fight. I felt nervous because honestly, I had huge expectations for the Pac-Man because with his weight now, he still carries his speed with him and with his speed, he builds power, that's why he was able to beat opponents larger than him but this time, I don't know what happened. I commend Marquez though and he is still the same fighter, the same Kryptonite for Manny. He easily read Manny's next moves, as they exchange throughout the fight, Marquez had more serious blows yet Manny had some too. For the first time, I saw a slow start for Manny. In the early rounds, he was measuring Marquez's capability yet Marquez, at the other hand, already knew what to do early, as Marquez connected with some wild rights to the Pac-Man's head.

In Round seven or eight, I think there's Manny had his blood underneath inside his mouth while Marquez had his head getting red due to the power punches Manny landed with the previous exchanges. In the final round, Manny again slowing down and Marquez grabbed the opportunity to somehow win the round. In my scorecards, I had Marquez winning 115-113 or seven rounds to five but when I heard Michael Buffer's voice, I felt nervous and did the "Sign of the Cross" that I wish Manny will win this and he did win via MAJORITY DECISION, 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112.

I was screaming and pumped my chest and kept saying yeah, along with 3,000 people in the Muntinlupa Sports Complex. Yes, I was happy, but not as happy with the previous results. I was not convinced yet we can't blame Marquez for being good and still the Joe Frazier of Manny. RIP to "Smokin" Joe Frazier though (1944-2011). Before the fight they offered a ten-bell count for Mr. Frazier, a sign of respect for one of the best heavyweights in the world. Now, after the fight, I felt joy but some sympathy to the die hard Mexican boxing fans but yesterday, I have a change of heart slightly when I saw the video Marquez stomped Manny's foot to the key rounds Marquez won.

I know it's natural when the fight is between the southpaw and orthodox but doing it repeatedly for six times is inexcusable. I know Tony Weeks, the referee of the trilogy, was focused from below the belt line above but I don't understand how come Freddie Roach, Manny and the rest didn't call that. I know Manny's nature was not to whine during the fight because he is a warrior and warriors don't do bitchin' but we have to call it to make sure the fight is clean. Now, I believe Manny win this convincingly now it's a Majority Decision or draw and two decisions in favor of Manny. Yes, the split decision in the second fight really described the fight itself but not this one where Marquez the more dominant one by stepping on Pacquiao's strength, by tweaking his foot a bit and stomping it so Manny can't go directly at Marquez and the dynamite can explode with power punches with those counters.

My message to Manny, you claimed this win for us but this time, let this be a wake-up call to you when you fight Marquez again for the fourth time. This is not the first time that two boxers had a fourth installment. Marquez's younger brother, Rafael Marquez fought Freddie Roach's fighter Israel Vazquez and first fight to Marquez, second and third to Vazquez and last year, they fought again for the fourth time and Marquez won. So far, Vazquez had some eye problems while Marquez suffered a loss to Japan's Toshiaki Nishioka last month and probably it may be the last fight of his career but I wanted a fifth fight that will setttle it all! For the last hurrah!

But yeah, back to Manny and Juan Manuel again. When the third fight ended, and Manny announced as winner, I was not thinking of Mayweather next, it should be Marquez again for the fourth time. Mayweather knew that Manny has a huge weakness and thanks to Marquez who is a great technical boxer and a counter-puncher like Floyd. The difference between Floyd and Juan Manuel is, Money has defense while Marquez just keep going forawrd which he slightly capitalized against him last September of 2009. I will look forward to the fourth installment and hopefully, Freddie won't overtrain Pacquiao again and Marquez will not stomp Manny's foot. Let the QUADROPOLOGY happen. Because it's so EPIC, I have to make a new word for the fourth fight.

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Time: 12:03 a.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "High and Dry" by Radiohead.

19.

Time: 8:04 p.m.
Where: In the study table.
Now Playing: "Money" by The Drums.

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I am not imitating Adele though because of her albums entitled with her age on it when she made that certain album for the likes of "19" and the recent success of her album, "21", again, which was her age when she recorded that album. I am a fan of her music though but it's totally off-topic to this blog entry. The title is my current age right now and I suddenly felt like I am getting older now. I mean, the more you age, the more you have responsibility in your life that eventually, you'll get a job, you'll help your aging parents to give back to them, love life, having your own family. Wait. I am to fast forward. Probably, I am one of the persons that is totally scared of responsibilities and stuff. It's like... I feel... like a kid. Haven't matured a bit. I know... I tried but I think that just one year away at 20 and I won't be a teenager anymore that cements that I can't goof around no more.

But I know that is life, problems will come and you'll try to figure it out for yourself or with a little helping hand. Also, decision making is a must now. I am also scared to fail in making crucial decisions sometimes probably because I am too independent. Probably, I shouldn't think these for a moment though and it'll just cause me too much pressure for a little bitchin' in life and celebrate my simple yet special day today.

While I was busy surfing today, thanks to the SAMistas and to my ultimate crush, Sam Pinto for making me a birthday fansign this year. Truly made my day. For their treat this year, they served me a simple yet scrumptious black forest cake with pansit and lomi. Yeah, I just want a simple celebration and nothing fancy like the others have these days with karaoke and drinking pee-like beer. Just me and my family. :) LOL, didn't drag my friends to come to my place. Hahaha! Tomorrow, we'll watch "Praybeyt Benjamin", featuring Vice Ganda, as their treat for me. He/She... yes, he is just one of my favorite comedy acts here in the country. That's why last year, they surprised me to watch "Petrang Kabayo". I think it was shown late October last year as well, just five days before my actual birthday if I recall. Sam Pinto was also in the film as well that made the movie perfectly bonus, with comedy and some fatal attraction with my ultimate crush. LOL.

I guess that's my special day for today. I just hope that come next year, when I am 20, I will have a different mindset, different mentality and just go with the 'good flow'.

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Time: 12:16 a.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "Money" by The Drums (on-repeat).

Gaddafi.

Time: 7:23 p.m.
Where: In my room.
Now Playing: "Fire" by Kasabian.

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While I was busy playing FIFA 12 yesterday, and using TweetDeck at the same time, I just saw a tweet that somehow shocked me but not really surprising. Mixed. By the way of shocked, because it's all of a sudden, by way of not surprised that people of Libya had hatred of him throughout the years. Moammar Gaddafi was killed yesterday and I saw the amateur video just moments ago. It was severely brutal and totally manhandled Gaddafi. With people punching him, stabbing him, and he was like a vegetated man. I am somehow sad because of the people of Libya chose to kill him and not suffer, I mean, they should've not kill Gaddafi, he should suffer more in the prison but they let them suffer and eventually died by wounds especially in his head and body area where he was smashed by something heavy in his head and shot a the body. I mean that was brutal for what I saw in Al Jazeera, and Al Arabiya.

42 years ago, Gaddafi step up as Libyan president and the people of Libya helped him to get in that position by ousting his predecessor. 42 years later, he was killed by the civilians who had a huge hatred on him for 2 decades. I can compare Gaddafi to two people, Osama bin Laden and Ferdinand Marcos. The longest reigning president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, who spent 21 years on the Malacañang Palace, he did a tremendous job as president. Because of him, we had highways and the implementation of the MRT and LRT that made our country at that time the most advanced country behind Japan. Also, because of him, we lost some of rarest Gold that could eventually make our country rich with that huge amount of resources, it was like finding a oil depot. Also, because of him, corruption started to be a way of life in the political world and people wanted for Marcos to step down and he did because of the mighty People Power we started. Yes, I didn't exist when the revolution started but every Filipino knows the story behind the EDSA People Power. Now, Gaddafi and Osama. They both did a devilish thing that people from all over the world couldn't forget. We all know what happened on 9/11, right? Ten years after, Osama was found in Pakistan and killed. Euphoria was suddenly felt in the streets of U.S. of A! Same for Gaddafi. He was the Public Enemy # 1 on Libya and he was pummeled, crushed, and just brutally dismantled by the anti-Gaddafi men. I was saddened on how those people just manhandled Gaddafi yet I was happy for the people of Libya that they can liberate themselves and start over again what they missed in the world community.

I just wish that here in our country, we will learn this valuable lesson especially to the powerful men of the country. Our president, senators, and so on. Like what the famous Spiderman saying goes, "With great power comes great responsibility."

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Moammar Gaddafi (June 1942-October 20, 2011)

Time: 10:12 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "How Deep is Your Love?" by The Rapture.

The Legacy of Steve Jobs

Time: 12:26 a.m.
Where: In the desk of the bed room.
Now Playing: "Don't Stop (Colors on the Walls)" by Foster the People, on iTunes.

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Well, I am one of the persons who envies my friends that has an iPod, or an iPhone, or the latest iPad because I know that it'll accompany me to my daily life. Like for the instance of the iPod. I am passionate with music like everyone else so I gotta listen to my favorite bands and keep those new releases in. Plus, if I have one, I can scrobble it directly to my Last.fm account. If I have an iPhone, I could do it all in one gadget. I can text, call, play apps, play music, play video, surf on the net and more. I had an experience using an iPhone with my college friend Sean and it was cool. Same goes if I have an iPad, it's like the miniature laptop if you ask me. All you gotta do is slide, plus it's convenient. That's how Apple products catches my attention all these years especially with new releases.

So, I heard yesterday morning that the co-founder and former CEO of Apple Steve Jobs passed away. Well, my initial reaction was shocking because I haven't received any news from him lately since he unveiled the iPhone 4. When I heard he was battling Pancreatic Cancer for seven years, I was like... all these years of presenting latest from Apple, the man behind the popular black shirt with jeans while on Apple HQ, was all this time suffering yet he was still doing his therapy and Jobs had a liver transplant back in 2007.

Here it is. The young Steve Jobs and the old Steve Jobs. What is the difference? In my opinion, nothing. No comparison. Steve Jobs just grow old but he still have that creative mind of his and made people convenient with their daily life. He's like the Thomas Edison of the modern era if you ask me. He's truly one of my inspirations.

Jobs helped us to make our lives easier through his creative mind and with a heart of wanting to see the world a better place. It's his passion in technology. Since he invented the Mackintoshhome computer and I was astounded with that when I saw the video of him releasing Mackintosh. The personal computer speaks for itself . That's what I saw in my two eyes. Even though it's old. I was amazed because at that time, there were no forms of communication, besides television to people, telegram and telephone, but Jobs and the other 1984 men changed it, for the sake of the bright future ahead of their time. They even edges the 1989 version of the home computer. That was astounding.



I remember when I watched on CNN on October 6th, that was a Thursday, they featured a video wherein Steve Jobs was one of the speakers for Stamford University's commencement exercises on 2005. Included to his speech was his views on death. The video below.



Steve Jobs physically maybe gone but people felt like he's here with us by using the Apple products he invented throughout the years in the modern era like the iPod, iPhone, and the iPad. Steve Jobs is one of my inspirational people. He had a tremendous contribution to the technology world. Thanks a lot for everything. RIP Steve Jobs. You left your mark on our desks, on our ears and in our hands. Thank you for bringing the future to everyone of us. You are a visionary from Apple to the whole wide world. I may not have any of Apple's products but I feel every people that somehow touched their lives with an iPod, an iPhone or iPad. iSad! iPray!

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Time: 2:39 a.m.
Where: Still here at the desk, mourning.
Now Playing: "Best I Ever Had" by Vertical Horizon, on iTunes.

Fashion Avenue

Time: 9:54 p.m.
Where: In the living room.
Now Playing: "Waste" by Foster the People.

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This is the first I felt so euphoric. So happy when I saw Alodia Gosiengfiao and her sister, Ashley Gosiengfiao very close, in the flesh when they were about to get out of the mall. They were like twins when they were side-to-side in. But first, lemme tell the rest of what happened, starting from the top. We waited to SM Muntinlupa with my friend, for two hours in order to see them in the flesh. So, my long time friend, Cedric, did some soundtripping while playing our favorite pastime, playing Pokemon. I just remember that one of them used to play Pokemon and that's Alodia. LOL.

After two hours of wait, we got to see Alodia and Ashley performed one of their best sessions. They performed one of my favorite songs from my favorite British pop punk band The Ting Tings' "Shut Up and Let Me Go". Ashley sang this song. Not familiar with what Alodia sang earlier but I am sure it was Japanese. Lastly, they performed "Super Bass" originally sung by Nicki Minaj with Ester Dean on the rapping part. I saw their video creating the cover which was good and seeing it live was paid-off, they were good in performing live. Bad start yet, bumawi sila. :)

Here's how my me and my friend captured the performed song. Low quality on the video, long story on how my friend captured it pero the sound quality was quite good.




Now the main focus was on the fashion show for the FASHION AVENUE clothing line and I saw some stunning designs of the clothes that was sorted into different places of the world such as Paris, New York and more. I was still looking on Alodia because she was stunningly beautiful at that night, no portrayals whatsoever, just pure her. I mean, she didn't portray an anime character like the famous Haruhi Suzumiya, one of my personal favorites, but tonight, she was being herself. Ashley was also elegant with her tops and black boots, if I am not mistaken.

After the fashion event, all people were on a ruckus. Just piling and following the two into the new store. Everyone was all going bananas at that point, including me, as a huge fan of both of them. Screaming, bribing those security guards just to let us in. Parang nasampahan kami ng Temporary Restraining Order kanina. Yes, I have scoliosis but I fight to the guards just to have some decent position and somehow to let us in after being bumped and crushed a lot, yes, not good for my health but I kept it clean just to see those human living dolls. Some got lucky because they saw both of them early because they bought some clothes with receipts and they need receipts just to see, meet and greet the Gosiengfiao sisters. If I only knew that buying their products and showing the receipt will make us get pass and get some personalized autographs, sweet greets and some bragging rights. I was so close of buying one of their tees but when one man said, this was the last batch. I was very very disappointed with the organizers. Seriously. I can't blame the guards that were pushing tremendously so hard but with picking only few to barge in to them and more of us got unlucky. Didn't get my dream to somehow have both Alodia and Ashley some autographs, pictures and greets with them. I know, it's such a shame but we got some things to do before they left, we acted like a paparazzi chasing famous stars on the way home. Not exactly all the way to Capitol Hills, but just outside the mall.

I am sure Ashley and Alodia remembered me because I was the guy with the bonnet. I was "moonwalking in front of the two gals". I was wearing a red shirt, a Manchester United kit to be exact, because I am huge fan of the football club, with an "Aon" in front because that's the club's shirt sponsor so I know they would recognize me. Headgears sure are getting the attention, sometimes. This is the proof but I did a stupid move that I can be sure for being disappointed and I cried about this back home. It was like a very suicidal reaction and expression I had. I accidentally deleted Alodia retweeted. She retweeted my tweet and I just deleted it accidentally. Not intentional because I want a retweet really badly when I got home. I was thinking of that. When I go home, I will send Alodia some tweets and she retweeted and then, I was gonna select the "favorite" button and then, there goes, "deleted". I was screaming on the house and getting crazy. That's how crazy I was this day. I kept tweeting Alodia and she didn't respond, probably I spammed a lot for the greediness on getting that retweet once again. I failed. Too much regret talaga. ;(

From having a euphoria from the start of the day, ended with a big regret. September 25, 2009, one of the worst days of my life because of Typhoon Ondoy/Ketsana, September 25, 2010 was one of the greatest days of my life when a huge family buffet and some fun time along. September 25, 2011, one of the best and one of the worst days of my life. Mixed emotions. You can tell by reading this blog again on how my day went through. Good night and I hope I can sleep and move on with this. Being a fanboy of my crushes sometimes kills with too much obsession, like this. Obsession kills. I can be a fan pero with limitations dapat, wag lubos lubos because in the end, you will have a great depression when you didn't get what you want. Chances are pero not this time. :) Time to move on.

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Time: 11:31 p.m.
Where: Still here, alone with the rest asleep.
Now Playing: "Waste" by Foster the People. ("Looping it. Try hearing this song because the lyrics somehow involves my day")

Cheap Shot!

Time: 8:11 p.m.

Where: In the study table.

Now Playing: "Good Life" by OneRepublic.



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What just happened this day? Well, I'll let myself to rewind my day first. We had our family bonding together by doing what we did years ago, jogging, and playing badminton. Makes a lot of work out, fitness and health awareness plus, the bonding time we had. After that, we had a sort of extraordinary breakfast then went to the Church. Then, we went home and my father and I kept talking about the much anticipated bout between Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz. Too much hype here though because we Filipinos wanna make sure that Mayweather would win to somehow inch closer to the megafight we wanna see and waited years to somehow manage this bout. Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather. I said I wanted Mayweather to win for that megafight to be negotiated but I root for Ortiz to have a knockdown only so that it may have some preview on what will happen to Pacquiao vs. Mayweather but it never happened. It's such that Mayweather was too defensive and picking his shots.

Here we go and tuned in onto the fight. Rounds 1, 2, and 3 were dominated by Mayweather pretty clearly until the whole world witnessed what Round 4 had. Mayweather was very aggressive from the start of the round and kept his defensive style with the specialty of being an evasive fighter until suddenly, Victor Ortiz woke up and attacked Mayweather, cornered him and onto the ropes on the right side until he jumped shortly and his head collided with Floyd's chin. A clear headbutt. Joe Cortez, the referee of the match, gave a one point deduction to Ortiz for the said headbutt. He went to Floyd and said sorry to him with an expression of kissing his cheek as a sign of sportsmanship that he was sorry for what he did. After that, here's what happened.

Joe Cortez was just staring a the ringside where the judges' table and the timekeeper was, I don't know if he was going to say "time-in" or just doing it silently, or probably just stare at them and Victor Ortiz was just looking at the referee if the fight would continue (the wave-off thing in boxing that signals to fight or engage) and Ortiz didn't see any of it or hear the word "fight". So, he thought Cortez was still communicating with the judges at ringside. So while waiting, Ortiz gave Floyd a hug and said sorry. He was too apologetic and shook Floyd's dirty orange gloves until... BOOM! Floyd started to connect with a powerful one-two that knocked-out Ortiz and dropped to the canvas. I was like, oh, that should be a disqualification. One the slow-mo, I noticed that Joe Cortez was not looking when that controversy happened and after the first power punch, Ortiz was not defending himself anymore and BOOM received the second power punch and down he went.



My over-all analysis is this. Blame three of them. I meant of Floyd, Victor and the referee, Joe Cortez. Why blame Ortiz? Because of the very clear headbutt that somehow enraged Floyd and lead to that dirty cheap shot to him. Why blame Joe? Because that signature phrase he got that "I'm fair but firm" was not seen because he was a blind old man and there should be no excuses for that and he should not be a referee anymore. He didn't even waved off his hand to signal for the fighters to continue the match and he was staring too much at ringside. Now, when the knockdown occurred, he immediately counted Ortiz and he was like oh, a knockdown and didn't realized that he didn't signal for them to fight. It's like WWE that the referees not watching the match or getting distracted by one wrestler to punish the other one (untying the ropes, stalling the referee by having your assistant with you, then one will get a steel chair, championship belt, whatsoever to punish), then, the referee would count 1... 2... 3. Sh*t! This is boxing you old goat! Now, why blame Floyd? He kept telling his fans, "I'll give my fans what they wanna see" and he gave the fans some sh*t. About his alter ago being a douche, a coward, an opportunist. He had NO RESPECT to Victor. Ortiz hugged him for a friendly gesture and said "Oh, I am sorry for the headbutt" and Floyd responded with one-two, and Floyd said, "Oh, yeah, apology accepted" and start jumping on the corner and being a self-proclaim champion while other people thought he was a big asshole.

Many of our boxing analysts thought that Mayweather was very unsportsmanlike. Atty. Ed Tolentino said on Facebook, "Floyd Mayweather Jr. did not violate the law of boxing, he violated the spirit of the sport. For all the violence in the sport, a boxer ain't a thug. Joe Cortez should never be allowed to referee again. He claims he is "firm and fair," but he is also blind. Ortiz forgot the No.1 rule in boxing: "protect yourself at all times." Advance notice to Pacquiao: If ever you meet Mayweather, show no mercy. Beat him to a pulp." I concurred him a hundred percent. I was enraged after what saw and thought that Pacquiao should really fight this badass guy and teach him a lesson about respect and not being a sissy. I also thought that this was a fixed match. I mean, from what I saw, It was like they were all doing a show for us but a scripted show. From the commentators, to the entertainers themselves. Ortiz was interviewed and he was like didn't complain at all and he was so very happy on the outcome. It was like a bribe happened so that Mayweather will win this. Guran-DAMN-teed for Floyd. The commentators thought in the first place that it was legit while the audience kept boo-ing Floyd for what they noticed and that Joe Cortez moment where he showed his personality as an old goat and didn't look on what was happening in the ring. If I were Ortiz, I should issue Mayweather a rematch and as a fan, I would sacrifice another wait for the dream bout between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather because I really wanna see a real fight between them, and not a fluke one with WWE-style of boxing with bribing the the referees and they aren't looking at all or an Edge-like Mayweather, the ultimate opportunist and after that rematch, I just hope Pacquiao will have that no mercy attack on him and beat his black ass (no racism though, just pissed)!



Just watch this arrogant, brash narcissist Floyd Mayweather on what he had to say with HBO's Larry Merchant after the fight.

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Time: 9:29 p.m.

Where: Still here.

Now Playing: "No Surprises" by Radiohead.

Tampisawan sa Soldead.

Time: 9:36 p.m.
Now Playing: "Change Your Mind" by The Killers.
Where: In the balcony.

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It's better than never but on August 20, ten days after I am writing this, we had our Family Reunion. It's our yearly tradition to gather the clan together but this year, we enjoyed the resort and went swimming. Medyo dumami kami this year and mas marami, mas masaya kumbaga. Family reunion, the chit-chat, kamustahan, tinatanong kung ilan taon ka na and stuff. Ahhh... good times. Till next year ulit.



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Time: 9:59 p.m.
Now Playing: "All These Things That I've Done" by The Killers.
Where: Still here.