Vacation in Covelandia

Time: 11:43 a.m.
Where: In the living room.
Now Playing: "Coastline" by Wunder Wunder.

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After five years, we went back to Covelandia du Labrador, Hotel and Resort in Labrador, Pangasinan. We never forgot the first time we got there and now, this time, it's more memorable. We brought my uncle's family from my mother's side in the vacation. We did have much fun than before because my father wasn't there in the first time but he experienced the fun the second time around and indeed it was fun when you're complete. I even met my classmate/friend from college. We went to the Hundred Islands and it was really an adventure before finding an island to stay in. We cap off the vacation by experiencing the sea near Covelandia. It was really a fun experience.











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Time: 1:38 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "My Shadow" by Keane.

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.

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.

"Papa" + "150": Be inspired by Rizal and our dads.

Time: 3:25 a.m.
Where: In our bedroom (people here are asleep).
Now Playing: "Nothing in My Way" by Keane.

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"Papa"

Today is the 19th of June. Six billion people knows that this day is Father's Day, where this day is especially made for our dads, because they are an inspiration to their children, including me. For their dedication on work or whatever they do best in order to give their family members whatever they need. They fill what's missing and I'd say, I can borrow the phrase "Moms know best" and changed it to "Dads knows best... too!" Not only moms. Actually, "Parents know best". Both of them. Some times, there are misunderstandings in our family, that may lead to a broken family if there is no communication between the members, I'll still try to make it up to them.

Anyway, my dad is still sleeping and I am a usual vampire but yesterday, he made us "Sinigang" and it was delicious. He is like the cook of the house, but yeah, my mom kept saying every time that she is the best cook in this house. LOL. That was just naturally what she's saying pero alam niya na gusto niya talaga luto ng Papa ko. My characteristics of my father? He's a joker, magaling sa mga banat. Well, I always see my father's humor in reunions and slightly in home. He can be serious at some times, but that serious as in, in vital situations, when he helps the three of us in our need. Minsan naawa din ako sa Papa ko kasi he's like a "Houseband" kahit nagtratrabaho siya but I do lend him a hand in daily chores pero siya sa mega weekend chores. Hindi kasi siya sanay na may tumutulong sa kanya even if we insist na tulungan siya. He always kept saying na "Magpahinga lang kayo, ako nang bahala". Even at his mid life, he's still doing the tough laundry, fixing eletronic appliances and stuff. Nakuha ko sa kanya ang pagiging sporty, I mean not physically, but being a huge sports fan. We both love basketball, PBA siya, NBA ako pero we're both Lakers and Gin Kings fans pero pag sa ibang games na hindi involve ang fave teams namin, I oppose what Papa supports. LOL. I am a huge fan of football a long time ago, Manchester United is the club to be exact (Take that Liverpool, City) pero it seems my dad likes it too since he saw the Azkals in action. Football was not that popular here when he saw the Azkals.

So, I am not that type of person who expresses affection in any place, especially here in the Internet world but I know he knows that we love my Papa and Papa love us. Again, Papa, thanks to all and Happy Father's Day.

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"150"

We see Jose Protacio Rizal in monuments, parks, textbooks and in the Internet. We are all familiar on his story, on what he did for our country. Because of his heart-wrenching words in his novels, poems and other forms of literature, he fought the Spaniards and after that, led to "The Revolution". Yes, we know all of that but after almost two centuries, did our country change? I mean in the aspects of economy, system and stuff. Why did I even ask this question? Because of Rizal's dedication to protect the Filipinos, also because of his mind, his words and his actions. "Sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa", ito ang dapat nating gawin. Rizal serves as an inspiration for a long, long time and we must not answer that we know Rizal that he is the guy in Luneta Park, the guy in the textbooks or the guy in school paintings, we must be proud that we are Filipinos. For me for example, I can be proud that I am a Filipino by buying Filipino-made products, supporting our local movie industry, following the rules, regulations and laws of the country and doing some good deeds, either small or big.

If Rizal fought for our country by doing those vital things step-by-step and sacrificed his life in order for the people to think that we can step out of the shadow and move as a nation. That Rizal blood in us is why we have this People Power, in 1986, and soon followed by other countries like South Korea, Tunisia, and recently, Egypt. We, Filipinos, are very expressive to issues and we fight for the right to freedom. That's why we are passionate because of Rizal. Today is his 150th birth anniversary. So make it special, do something good to help our country. Rizal might be happy. If Rizal lives at his 30's at this generation, we might witness a cruel world that he can change.

Maligayang Kaarawan, Rizal! ¡Feliz cumpleaños! Rizal!

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I'll make a blog on the Azkals' World Cup dream probably next week. Can't wait on their match.

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Time: 4:16 a.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "Get Some" by Lykke Li.

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A Family Reunion is a great idea.

Time: 9:47 p.m.
Now Playing: "The Hardest Part" by Coldplay.
Where: In my bedroom.

The feeling of the compilation of the members of one's clan or one's family is truly one of the best highlights of our life. It gives us the uplifting that someone really cares about you because the family's name is not only by one, is by multiples. Even thought you have problems or downfalls, you have the rest of the family to help you and don't ever say that nobody loves you.

Moving along... too emotional. What a crybaby. Anyway, yesterday, August 8, we had a family reunion in Los Baños, Laguna... where one of my uncle lives. They hosted the said reunion and actually, they started this thing last year and I think it will be an annual event for our family.

It all started when my grandmother to my father's side, passed away (R.I.P Grandma Juling), and after the burial ceremony, we took a grand picture with the whole family wearing the immaculate white tops, a symbol of peace. There's talks of a reunion all of a sudden and it came into a reality.

I must say the family reunion this year was doubled compared to last year's reunion because many of us or unanimously of us attended, it's nearly completed, plus the fact that my family was complete. Last year, my father and I were the attendees representing our family. Nothing's different if I compare the reunion of last year to this year's.

The fiesta-type of celebration like some drink-o-holic station outdoors, foods galore indoors with some chit-chat of their memories, not just the usual chit-chat, others are chatting each other on Facebook, which is kewl. Literally. I mean it. We brought our laptop together with my uncle's set of laptops, which is totally rare. I played with my fellow cousins, while playing my own game with my gaming friend outside Los Baños, he's from Batangas right now, beat him good. Nobody cares.

It was a day of bonding, picture-taking and celebration that we shared on that day. It was fun while it lasted. There's rumours of a swimming event this Saturday, which is another reunion extravagant, that I heard but I'll dig it to that for sure with our family.

I can't wait for another reunion next year, we should do this every year for a living. Without this family reunion, I must say, our lives will be a piece of nil souls.

Thanks a lot.

Time: 10:25 p.m.
Now Playing: "Rebellion (Lies)" by Arcade Fire.
Where: Still in my bedroom.