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