World Cup qualifiers: OVER. Less than a year away! IT'S THE WORLD CUP!

Time: 6:37 p.m.
Where: Study table.
Now Playing: "Life Magazine" by Cold Cave.

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After 2 years of hard fought battle, the qualifiers are OVER! Here are the 32 teams qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil!

First of all! I just simply cannot wait for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. It's that time again where the world focuses on one event, and one event only. It unites different cultures, in different countries of different races. Of course we know that. I just hope that the Philippines will get into the World Cup fever yet again.

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My picks in every confederation to be tough contenders:

AFC: Japan - Well, they are the best in Asia. I love their style of play. The Italian flare Alberto Zaccheroni brought to these lads will still be a factor to be a tough contender in the World Cup.

UEFA: Spain/Germany - I can't count out Spain yet because they are the defending champions and never in the history of the World Cup that a nation successful defends a World Cup so there's a chance of that and that's where Germany might do that. I love to support England as well but I don't know if they will continue to be the biggest disappointment team. I just hope not.

CAF: Ghana - Well, the Black Stars have been on a roll yet I don't know if they can match or jump even further on their previous quarterfinal appearance. Their mindset is to bounce back from that horrendous match against Uruguay.

CONMEBOL: Brazil - Of course the host have something to prove about and with more youngsters to bolster their line-up with Neymar alongside the Selecao, they might be the team to beat this World Cup.

CONCACAF: United States - I have a gutsy feeling that the Yanks will be more competitive in this World Cup with Kilnsmann around and the fact that they have a great record in the qualifiers but still in doubt if they can be in the group of elites.

Can't wait for the World Cup! Just less than a year away!

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Time: 7:17 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "400 Lux" by Lorde.

Nasa 'huli' ang pagsisisi: "It's my fault!"

Time: 9:49 p.m.
Where: In the dark room.
Now Playing: "Pretty Loser" by Sheila & the Insects.

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This is the day I felt left out from the rest and while everyone is making status on their Facebook or tweeting about them passing, I am so envious to them that I never had the same feeling they have right now. The feeling of success. I never felt that this semester. I was always depressed in every result but then, I had the feeling of coming back but that never happened. All I do was to keep cheering myself but I am NOT really have the sense of initiative to do it which was frustrating.

I am not expecting to pass the subjects that I may possibly in danger to fail but with this, I just hope I can learn with this and move on and focus on graduating. One of my profs somehow inspired me because he told us he was "FOREVER IRREGULAR" and eventually graduated and became a licensed Engineer. I wanted for that to happen.

I just wanted to be strong and not be affected with this but it's natural to be like 'suicidal' when you felt it the first time but not trying to be like one. I remembered what my prof said that "Grades are just numbers, just enjoy learning and grades will follow." From now on, I'll keep that in mind. :(

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Time: 10:22 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: Same song.

Here's to learn a valuable lesson.

Time: 4:53 p.m.
Where: In our bedroom.
Now Playing: "Here's Where the Story Ends" by The Sundays.

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Well, the previous semester was a disaster for me because I always felt that I am 'always' left behind and the fact that stress was always there. That's why there are times that my body can't respond to the thing I need to do. My brain says 'do it', but my body can't. That's always the case.

But with my performance this previous semester still pending, I just hope for the best and pass all of my subjects and remain as a block student. With this, I will dodge a huge bullet again and hopefully, collect myself and learn from this and become serious next semester. I got careless twice, but hopefully, not three times the charm.

Yes, the semester maybe over but I am not enjoying at the moment!

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Time: 5:01 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "Trying to be Cool" by Phoenix.

"It's not how you START, it's how you FINISH."

Time: 5:08 a.m.
Where: Living room.
Now Playing: "(Everything is) Debatable" by Hellogoodbye.

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Frustrating. Full of regrets. Annoying. A setback. Whatever you may call it, it turns out to be "that". I didn't give it my all. I should've somehow show some character out there. Make it as a part of me but then I realized, that this is a real deal. That I should regain my old studious self back.

Well, I said a month ago that I won't give up and still I have those words in me. I just have to compose myself again and everything will be alright. I screwed up once, I messed up twice but it will not be three times the let up. I will bounce back and continue it in my life. Hopefully, this mouth is not used for talking, but for making a statement out of it and show that I still got it.

Remember,

"It's not how you START, it's how you FINISH."

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Time: 5:14 a.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: none

Mall of Asia Arena experience

Time: 11:49 a.m.
Where: In my room.
Now Playing: "Tonight, Tonight" by The Smashing Pumpkins.

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It was my first time coming the SM Mall of Asia Arena yesterday and it was fun coming there maybe because of my excitement coming for the very first time. Last year, I came to the Smart Araneta Coliseum for the first time and I felt the same experience but there's something in MOA Arena that I was more thrilled than my experience in Araneta 10 months ago. Maybe because of the modernized facilities or the atmosphere or maybe it's just me.

Inside the General Admission section, I saw different colors from different schools with different objectives. Some came to watch and cheer and some came to raise their hearts out with their passionate chants along with oozing sound of their bass drums. This is what the UAAP is all about. Passion and drive to success.

The opening was very nice. I never thought the host Adamson, my school, pulled it off. Very nice opening indeed. Starting with the Invocation and the National Anthem with our chorale performing them with goosebumps. Followed by the performance of every school in a multi-themed dance-off. Very entertaining and superb dance moves by every school. It was a great opening over-all. Probably one of the best openings I've seen from all of the NCAA/UAAP. With all due respect to the previous host schools of course.

I just hope that the Adamson University will give all they got in different disciplines of the UAAP this season and prove that they have that UNAWAKANAHIMO spirit! Soar High Falcons!

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Time: 12:03 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "Undertow" by Warpaint.

Ang Lakas ni Habagat

Time: 10:35 p.m.
Where: In my bed.
Now Playing: "Carry On" by fun.

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Horrible day. Grabe. I was about to flip out when I just about to escape, crossing the street and suddenly, tumataas na ang baha. I had to balance myself to a parking ledge para lang makasakay ng bus. Medyo hindi abot ng binti ko ang entrance ng bus, buti nagmabuting loob ang konduktor to help me out. I breathe heavily when I got in at nakita ko sa labas ang mga kaganapan sa labas and it was not good at all.

May mga taong nastranded, mga pedicab na hindi makaalis sa baha at mga taong nababasa dahil sa mga dumaraang mga truck at iba pang malalaking sasakyan. Masakit din sa ulo yung heavy traffic. It took me two and a half hours just to get home safely and quickly tuned in to the news. Mas malala pa daw ang sitwasyon sa Espana at Sta. Mesa. Buti at medyo humina na ang ulan pagdaan sa Skyway.

Although the Ondoy experience still kicks me in where I had to stay in the bus for 14 hours with the extremely slow pace of the bus, almost not moving for hours, no food, no water and I had to urinate in the middle of Coastal Road that day, I thought that I will suffer the same fate pero hindi naman gaanong malala.

With this, I hope that the government will continue to have more plans in flood control especially in this part of Manila where flood is no stranger here.

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Time: 10:57 p.m.
Now Playing: "Sabotage" by Suede.

#ThankYouSirAlex

Time: 9:52 p.m.
Where: In my bedroom.
Now Playing: "Glory, glory, Man United"

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26 years, 1497 games, 893 wins, 38 trophies, 13 league titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 2 Champions Leagues, 1 chewing gum.

I am still stunned and gutted about this development. I don't know why the reason of his sudden retirement which is unexpected, it just suddenly came out without any rumors about it. He said that he has done so much for the club which he did and it's about time. I respect Fergie's decision but Manchester United is not the same without Fergie in there so for the next manager, has the big shoes to fill in and for sure will never emulate Fergie's achievements.



For almost 27 years of managing the club, he made drastic changes to the club and the sport of football in general as the club attracts more supporters because of the tradition of winning of the club. That's why I am a fan of this great club because of its glorious history and the culture mentality of being "more than a club".With Fergie, investors have also interest in the club and it is part of the New York Stock Exchange in August of last year but with Sir Alex sudden retirement, I wonder how will it impact the clubs' shares. I admire his professionalism and encouragement on young footballers to be part of the history. I mean, he produced the best players United can have from Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Edwin van der Sar, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo up to Wayne Rooney along with his unprecedented achievements. I really admire this guy and when I heard the news about it, I feel like losing a grand dad because he is affectionate to his fans dearly and I am one of it that is greatly affected by this. As of now, it is still trending as #1 on Twitter (#ThankYouSirAlex). This is a proof of how much the world love Sir Alex and we will never forget his accolades.

Glory, glory, MAN UNITED! Glory, glory, Sir Alex! Thank You Sir Alex for all you've done!

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Time: 11:36 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "Fergie, Sign Him Up"

Football Month.

Time: 2:32 a.m.
Where: In my bedroom.
Now Playing: "Hear Me" by Imagine Dragons.

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Long time no blogging. It's been awhile but I am so excited this month of May, probably, one of my favorite months in the calendar year. So excited to see the UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. An all-German finale in the famous Wembley Stadium in London. I wanted to see Manchester United in there but I gotta admit that this year is for 'ze Germans'. LOL. They've proven so much and didn't show any sign of weakness in all competitions especially Bayern who are trying to go on a treble this footballing season. After their disappointing penalty shoot-out loss against Chelsea in their home turf in Munich for the Champions League Final, they were eager to bounce back and yeah, bounced back, BIG TIME indeed. As for Dortmund, they had a great season but with strings of injuries depleting their line-up, they still managed to rise up but with Bayern dominating the Bundesliga this season and recorded the fastest championship clinching in history, they know how to slow these guys down from Bavaria. Dortmund who were the underdogs in their semifinals against Real Madrid just overpowered them in the first leg via Robert Lewandowski's four-some (4-1) and hanging on in the second leg (0-2) while Bayern just clobbered Barcelona in both legs (7-0 in aggregate). Can't wait to see these two German giants going at it.



Another thing that I've been waiting is the UEFA Europa League Final in Amsterdam where Chelsea and Benfica will go out for the title. I've been always supportive of English clubs in European competitions like the Champions League and the Europa League but not the domestic level like the Premier League. I've seen Benfica play last year and they were a great side even beating my fave club last year in the group stages of the Champions League so it will be a good end-to-end match for sure.



Lastly is the latest development on Filipino club football where Global FC will be participating in the AFC President's Cup which would be the first intercontinental club competition that the club will join in and the first Pinoy club to do so. It is a big deal to somehow expose our Pinoy clubs to Asia and improve the status of club football here. They will also join the Singapore Cup for the first time together with the Loyola Meralco Sparks who joined the knockout tourney last year finishing as semifinalists. I maybe a Kaya FC fan but for Pinoy football, I will support them.

Exciting month for me and for the Filipino football dieheards. I guess this will be a great month. :)

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Time: 3:36 a.m.
Where: In my bed.
Now Playing: "Closer" by Travis.

Hari ng Sablay

Time: 3:22 p.m.
Where: Near Adamson University
Now Playing: "We're Coming Up" by For the Foxes.

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I am being left out to the group. I am always left behind and now, I am all alone, miserable and desperate to face these obstacles on my own. It's kind of frustrating though that there are thing that you didn't expect yet I am being hit with barrage of sucker punches from behind and all-over. Nakakainis lang talaga ngayon. Parang may naghahatak sa akin pababa pero susubukan kong lagpasan lahat ng ito. Composure lang and tiwala sa sarili. Come on Ralph. You can do it! :)

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Time: 3:26 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: Still the same song. (Stress-reliever)

Having an All-Time Low

Time: 1:41 p.m.
Where: In a computer shop.
Now Playing: "It's Time" by Imagine Dragons.

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It's really something that I never experienced before in my life as a student, or even my entire life. It's something I never suffered before and really, I was surprised with myself that how did I come up with these? It's like the feeling of my mind is not connected into my heart or my body is not doing what my mind wants it to do.

Well, I never had this huge amount of stress before but who am I to blame but myself. I just simply lost my discipline and composure. I know that failure is a mark of coming back but let's face it, it's degrading my morale at the moment that I don't know if I ever can come back again as the same person I was in the elementary and high school days where I was active as hell on studies but since I stopped for two years to sacrifice myself in order for my sister to graduate, I think I lost the momentum of the culture I had few years back. Well, as I write this blog, I am at my "all-time low" now. Degraded, humiliated and disgraced, yet I am still optimistic that I CAN DO THIS. It's just isolated that I didn't gave my best in the prelim, but when I saw that coming, I just realized that I need to wake up and be back on the game. I am so slow, but I can catch up or surpass my expectations. I just hope that I can do it all the way. I will not give up and thanks to my friends who believe in me that I can do it. Please, I cannot afford to be careless again. No more mistakes!

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Time: 1:51 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: The same song.