JAPAN: Just Always Pray at Nippon

Time: 7:43 p.m.
Where: In my bedroom.
Now Playing: "My Girls" by Animal Collective.

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Just shocked. I was just greatly shocked on what happened. You see, when you often heard the news that Japan was hit by an earthquake, you always said to yourself that it's no big deal because they are prepared, construction-wise, and well-organized in terms of what to do and what not to do. They are a developed country and used their garnered status to implement these kinds of preparation because they know that their country is an earthquake-prone one. Like the Philippines, Japan is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and we belong in the so-called Ring of Fire where most active volcanoes found and with different plates.



Saturday afternoon, I was listening to the radio, in FM, while I was listening to some great modern alternative music, they announced that Japan was hit by an earthquake... again. Why again? Because they just hit by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake last March 9, two days after that great 8.9 magnitude earthquake and the powerful tsunami along. When I heard the news, I said to myself, "It's nothing", "Wala lang yan", "Pretty normal to them", pero when I saw on TV lately, I said to myself again, "Oh. My. God." I just remembered that my cousin is in Japan right now and I wonder how she's doing right now. I just merely wonder and yeah, even everything famous in Japan you know was questioned for the likes of Maria Ozawa, the Pokémon animation team and other famous persons I know in Japan.

The rice field turned into a debris field, a pile of junk, a wave full of cars, roofs, houses, everything washed away in Sendai in Miyagi prefecture. Many lives lost and a long term of recovery ahead of them unless if every country pledge some assistance to them. If you notice the family picture below, you will be touched after seeing this picture on the aftermath. It's like where are these two Japanese after the quake and tsunami? Reminds me when I watched Anderson Cooper 360 yesterday and he saw a wedding picture. You read or know that kind of feeling? Pure grief. Where are there two or the others? Just take a look.



Added to that is the continuing blast in four of the nuclear power plants near the Miyagi prefecture. It is very dangerous to get near the nuclear power plants, it'll cause more casualties. That's why the world is asking again, should we put nuclear power plants in your respective countries? There are other ways to get power in my opinion, we should not rely on the nuclear power plants.Just pure chaos right now in Japan.



I am just so shocked and I didn't expect this to happen, actually everyone of us didn't expect this to occur at all. Majority of us can only do to help Japan recover is to send their prayers to the victims, and to the entire nation of Japan. We a catholic country after all. So, my sympathy and prayers to island nation of Japan.

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Time: 8:22 p.m.
Where: Still in my bedroom.
Now Playing: "Paris is Burning" by Ladyhawke.

25.

Time: 4:29 a.m.
Where: In my room.
Now Playing: "Lotus Flower" by Radiohead.



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Well, it was 6 years before I was born, there was a huge change in the people's eyes that they see the future will be bright and to see that future was for Marcos to step down after 21-year reign. They were tired of poverty, of corruption, of stealing, of conniving, and all of that. It was a peaceful protest, yellow everywhere and it all ended as part of history that used to be followed by other countries such as Germany, Czech Republic and the recent Egypt. Bahrain, Yemen and Libya continues to do the same thing but yeah, it's sort of violent compared to our revolution that the world saw first. Democracy.



I wasn't born before 1986 but since I was a kid, I know the true story of what happened from the 1980's up to the day of EDSA I Revolution. It was all about Ninoy vs. Ferdinand. Ninoy had to sacrifice his life for the good of the country and yet, this country is a free country.

I just want to ask one thing though, after 25 years of making history, what happened to our country after 5 administrations. Did we obtain the "change" that we were looking for 25 years ago? Yes, four administrations tried but I must say, the possibility is in its little chance. Yes, the peso is higher, inflation rate goes on a rose, major commodities in all-time high, tuition fees in a major uprising, and stuff. It just worsen what the Philippines was before. Two pesos is to one U.S. dollar, 2nd most advanced country in the 1960's next to Japan, low prices of the major commodities and all of that.

If we try to commemorate what just happened 25 years ago, we can still remember that we fought for it and we continue to fight for it. I was referring to the major problems we need to surpass, for the sake of our people and our Motherland.



Well, if you have dreams you want to obtain, or changes you want for our country for the good of the many, why don't you just be inspired and take a look at the EDSA Shrine. Just imagine how hundreds and thousands of people rushed for one goal. Democracy and Change.

Thank God I Am A Filipino!

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Time: 4:53 a.m.
Where: In my room.
Now Playing: "Little Lion Man" by Mumford & Sons.

Double A's.

Time: 12:41 a.m.
Where: Outside the house.
Now Playing: "Little Bit" by Lykke Li.



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So, it's Valentine's Day today and yeah this week is much of my exciting week for me and I don't know if this week will be as exciting as the weeks coming, especially the birthday week for the common types. So, this recent week I am describing is the rise of Philippine football as I watch the Azkals in action. Grabe, all Filipinos have that football fever and as an avid fan of the sport which I witnessed games from my favorite club, Manchester United, the 2010 World Cup and more, I am proud that we, the football crazies of the Philippines, will not hide from basketball crazies which are the dominator in the sports fan nation.



We always see jerseys of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and the never-ending jerseys from SK competitions. I love basketball, actually, it's one of my first sports to love but suddenly, I found football and the fans are nuts for goals and I found it entertaining. I see that basketball fans don't like football because it's 90 minutes of waiting for goals compared to basketball, they score easily and fast-paced. Pinoys like pacing games, like boxing and basketball and when they watched the Azkals, in sari-sari stores, in tricycle stations or terminals, where a normal basketball fan is found here, probably, they see the beauty of football and I see the sport growing and yeah, probably some group of children playing the sport where the mini basketball courts used to be. I am proud that I love football and I am all football. That's why I am wearing my jersey every Sunday to go to the Church and eventually to the mall and people chatting about my jersey like they say, "Hey, that's the latest sponsor of Manchester United, AON." Not out loud but murmuring and I was like, yeah, I saw some football fans around and I am proud about it. Even Koreans noticed it for they are hardcore football fans themselves. Come on, Park Ji-Sung is one of the fullbacks of MANU and is a Korean himself.



I see Neil Etheridge as one of the force in Pinoy football for he is with Fulham, one of the elite clubs in the English Premier League now. For basketball fans, it's like the most watched football league, like your NBA. I see football a growing sport and thanks to the Azkals win over Viet Nam in the AFF Suzuki Cup last December, the fan bases are continue to grow until we make it to the World Cup (hopefully).

First "A" is the word "Azkals" and the second "A" this week is "Arcade Fire". I am a huge fan of Arcade Fire. Why? Because their music is totally unique. I easily understand the meaning each of the tree albums they have as of now (Funeral, Neon Bible, and The Suburbs) although the songs are way deep and compared to mainstream music of today, it's easy to understand because the message is direct and I don't like that. I mean, they sing "love me", "you're the one", "I'll not choose, only you", I mean that's the common words I hear in most R n'B songs.



For "Funeral", the album means of a tragedy in the building between the neighborhood. As for "Neon Bible", it expresses the anger to adults. They face strict people and want liberation and as for their latest album "The Suburbs", I feel that this album is their best because of its unique concept, they feature the suburban teenagers of America today, involving them is drugs, early teenage pregnancy, and fraternity wars. Anyway, "The Suburbs" received hichly-acclaimed reviews from different music organization including Pitchfork Media and Billboard which they put the album as the Top 2 Album of the Year 2010. Because of these achievements, "The Suburbs" is one of the nominees for "Album of the Year" and Arcade Fire will face the mainstream stars Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Eminem, and Lady Antebellum. They are huge underdogs, I meant of Arcade Fire but I am confident that they will bag the gold.

Go Azkals and Arcade Fire.

Time: 1:15 a.m.
Where: Still in the terrace.
Now Playing: "The Suburbs" by Arcade Fire.

Ultimate Crushes.

Time: 11:56 p.m.
Where: In our bedroom.
Now Playing: "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.



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Well, I don't why pictures of good looking women always catching my attention. It's like when you see them, Cupid is near you and practice target-shooting using his bow and arrows. So, it's "Love Month" all-over again and as usual, I am single, probably because I am shy of girls or I don't know, just not used to hang with them, lack of interest similarities, that's why I think. That's why I am stuck at being single and that's why I have thirst of "girls" all of a sudden. I mean, you know, meeting one, especially if she's gorgeous. Well, I have cited some extraordinary women lately and yeah, you know the feeling of you wanna be one of "their" friends and you wish that you were born to know them or reincarnate into the person that used to be one of their best friends to actually know their interest and probably end up as her boyfriend "for life"? I am always imagining it. For real. Having my fantasies with them. Oh darn.

Anyway, I have a list of "these" people. Probably my Top 5 women that I want to be friends with probably not only by their good looks, but also we had some similarities, in music for instance or probably, I have this "love at first sight" thing.

5. Kim Yu-Na



-Well, she's cute and it all started when I was watching the Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010 and yeah, I heard much of her in 2009 but never saw her until that day where she skated the whole routine with majesty and beauty. It's like "whoa", this girl has something. Well, I am not condemning Koreans probably because I hate their Korean Pop music, but I think the women are mostly good-looking.

4. Taylor Swift



-Hmmm... I maybe not be a fan of country music but I do like her good looks and we are both bloggers. I admire her blogging style and I am considering her a popular person due to her music like the most of us do. She likes to reach to her fans by expressing herself through her songs (that are quite controversial due to her previous relationships that makes me jealous all the time) and also to her blogs, some video blogs are quite addictive to watch probably because she has videos that she mostly don't do in public like running, playing basketball and more. That's why I am one of her followers, not on her music (Well, I am trying to be), but followers of her blogs. Plus, she covered one of my favorite Coldplay's songs, "Viva La Vida" probably because she is a huge Coldplay fan and yeah, an influence, one of her influences.

3. Anne Curtis/Rhian Ramos/Gretchen Fullido







-A triple tie. Can't decide whose greater or vice-versa so I decided to rank them into a single position that will make them equal to each other and yes, different personalities. First, to Anne, probably I love her fashion statement daily and yeah, every clothes that she wear always used to trend everybody and good for her. We used to have the same taste in music. I mean, she likes independent music especially, electropop, synthpop, I'll just sum up that she likes Alternative music like I do. There. She's so ecstaticly beautiful. A single tweet of her will make me happy but so far, none. Probably, she has many followers on Twitter, the most followed Filipino user I think. Rhian, hmmm... she does look alike Taylor if she puts a blonde wig and some blue contact lenses. There. She's also cute and yeah, attractive. Gretchen, hmmm.... she's beautiful but not that as I call "sexy" but "busty" and we both like sports. It's rare to see a woman who is actually into sports. Basketball, Football, everything. She even tweeted me that she loves Cristiano Ronaldo, it's like what? Ronaldo's abs? Hahaha.

2. Victoria Justice



-She's my recent "love at first sight" person, whatever. She's at my same age group, cute, and yeah, she's so hot and good at singing. I just wish that she, you know, tweeted me. How ironic, if I want to meet that girl, I just wish to request a tweet, because it's impossible. She's half-Latina and one of my types probably she's half-Latina and everything. She's stunning and likes Coldplay. Why do I kept emphasizing on Coldplay anyway? It's not music talk here. LOL.

1. Sam Pinto



-Long time follower of her since her Pinoy Big Brother days. Damn, long story about her. I like reality shows because this is my "search engine" for gorgeous women, like PBB for instance and I found Cathy Remperas and her as my bets because they were stunning. After that, I started to follow her. Stalk her and even my sister and my friends know that I am so addicted to this lady. I don't know if Sam have some "agimat" or "gayuma" on every men that's why tons of opportunities she had. Commercials, movies, acting programs, guest appearances and stuff. She was like rise on the top, out of nowhere. I am always super happy when we tweet each other last year and the last tweet I received from her as of now was on my birthday and I was so darn happy about it. She even made a fansign for me. Oh darn, how I loved it. I just wish that we meet each other and probably become friends. I envy some her friends that i wish I could be one of them, as regular friends.

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Time: 12:30 a.m.
Where: Still in here, our bedroom.
Now Playing: "Phantom Limb" by The Shins.

I wanna be a Mancurian.

Time: 9:19 p.m.
Where: In my room.
Now Playing: "You Overdid It Doll" by The Courteeners.

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What a kick to start my year and it's been awhile since I blogged months ago. Well, I guess I just skipped what happened on my Christmas and how I end the year with a bang, probably because... ahh, long story but I sense that I will have a good year. Being optimistic but, you'll never tell what will happen to your future. On the topic then. Last Sunday, January 9th, I saw a kid wearing a Manchester United home jersey while on a Sunday Mass was on-going. I was quite distracted and looking on that kid. I am not an Atheist, quite religious but that was the most distracting mass I've ever attended on.


My mother heard me murmuring about that shirt and she said that I am the kind of guy who doesn't wish to them things, so, guess what? They helped me find that shirt all over the mall after the mass and jackpot. I have this on and it is perfect because on that day was a Manchester United home game in The Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford and yeah, Liverpool was our opponent.


Can't help myself to scream and chant, that's how a football game should work if you're a fan and we won. easy work for Ryan Giggs and it was my dream to wear a Manchester United jersey for I am a four years fan of United and I am continue to follow them. From the Beckham days to the Rooney and Berbatov era. I wanna be a Mancurian so bad.

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Time: 9:25 p.m.
Where: Still in my room.
Now Playing: "Undercover Martyn" by Two Door Cinema Club.

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The equation 10 + 28 +2010 = 18 is computable.

Time: 12:47 p.m.
Where: In my bedroom.
Now Playing: "It's Working" by MGMT.



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Mathematically, no but, when it comes in time and space, it is sort of computable. Making this a figure of speech for nothing. Pretty self-explanatory on that said made-up formula, making myself horrendous. Anyway, today is my 18th birthday and I must admit, I am NOT that mature when it comes to responsibilities inside and outside our household but I am getting there to be a responsible guy at all task and I am trying to be a social companion and socially healthy as well. You see, I am a type of person who is an anti-socialite, it's not that I am "the loner", it's such that, I don't feel to talk to people because we lack of similarities that's all and I want to change that, I wanted my friends to see that I am trying to know them and not the loser kid of yesterday (during high school days where I used to get yanked and bullied by other people bigger than me and screwed me up). I was totally a high-tempered person at that time because they used to tease me things that they see in me physically, which is a horrendous things to do. I wanted to change that as well, the old hot-headed Ralph, will be the patient and more confident Ralph of tomorrow, Hopefully.

Another wish for my birthday is for my family. I hope that my mother will find a way to surpass our problem. You see, I am currently in hiatus right now but I am still learning, thank you, Internet and my mom let my sister to finish college so that she can get a job and then let me go back in shape. In addition, I have scoliosis, I used to suffer something and I can't breathe normally because my right lung can't gather more air in exchange and my left is doing all the work and some back aches, that's why I am in hiatus from hard wok learning. It's sad and painful to know it last year after three terms in Mapua, one of my dream schools to enter. I just wish that my mother will be okay at all times because she's always tired at work and I understand her, a lot. Everyday, I am always thinking of things like (Did my mother already eat? Is she home already?) Questions of concern in her part. On my sister, that I hope she surpasses every single task, one at the time, grabe, kasi, sa bahay, yes, lagi ko siyang parang inaasar and she used to pummel me and parang hindi serious on her side everything she says in every experience in Letran, parang hindi interesado parang wala lang, (that's my alter ego, being a crazy dude), pero inside, I am concerned too as well kasi lagi siyang puyat, hindi na nakakauwi at laging maginagawa, halos walang pahinga. That's why I helped some of her work (I am such a good brother). And sa dad ko, Dad please, sana maibalik mo ang dati Papa na nakilala ko. Too complicated to tell and I don't want to broaden up some details. That's my wish for my beloved family. To my other one's na sana lagi silang safe.

Did some wishes for myself, my friends and my loved ones. Now to my extraordinary wishes (Sana matupad balang araw before I die, I am still compiling this every year I celebrate my day).

- Sana I obtain a Manchester United Home Kit.
- I wish I have a PS3 or XBOX 360 right now falling from the sky.
- Hopefully to meet every single "ultimate crushes" I had (Celebrity ones, not from my high school days, I will not enumerate them all, ang dami but I would like to mention this girl).
-And lastly, an operation to be cured on my Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

I guess that is all for now, my day is like any other day this year, like last year's, where I used to be a busy boy in all task in Mapua during that day with my Diagnostic test, I still remember that day. Well, I just wish again, to have more birthdays to come to experience life even more. Now, if you excuse me, I have some Oasis songs to enjoy. Good day to all and thanks for the greetings, Appreciated it.

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Time: 1:49 p.m.
Where: Still in my bedroom.
Now Playing: "Dance in the Dark" by Lady Gaga. (seriously, I like this song even though it's from Gaga and the only song I like from her, It's like Pet Shop Boys sound and Madonna way of singing in one).

My Hunger for Learning.

Time: 1:56 a.m.
Where: In my bedroom.
Now Playing: "Radioactive" by Kings of Leon.



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Well, it's been 10 months now of useless vacation for me since I chose to rest my body from hardwork learning in Mapua for 6 months straight and it was a sign that I was making myself late for the others and it was hard to lose grip on something I need. It's like a race to the finish where I need to cross the white line and it will be mission accomplished but my current stature, physically, mentally and probably socially are not enough to beat those other guys and got the upper hand advantage wise.

I felt like a jerk because I have this Scoliosis and dealing it for years and years and if you ask me, if you have this, it's hard to deal life. Seriously. You can't breathe properly at one time and have low condition of you're running or if your are lifting something that heavy. That's where I suffered during my first months as a college student back then.



Again, I felt like a jerk why I pushed my limitations and go to the school that can cause me too much pressure, health-wise and mental wise. A sheer embarrassment on my side to be here loafing around while I am seeing some of my friends' statuses on Facebook about their goals, heartbreaks in learning and success it it (e.g., Ang galing ko, naiapasa ko ang MATH23 ngayon pero sure fail ako sa PHY15 nito bukas kasi hindi ako nagreview). Like that. I am so envious to them and the feeling of achievement is BIG in sight.

In 10 months, I am trying to still learn. Reading some of my books on Plane and Spherical Trigonometry, Solid Mensuration and more. Also, I am learning online, some random quizzes in random college courses. Trying to exercise my brain and not to be a loser to myself because I was inspired on that blog I saw last week about a graduating student this year, and he's not just a graduating one, a Suma Cum Laude one. I read his graduating speech and said that he was one of the victims of procrastination of his high school and early college days where he used to fail. He wasn't at that point, a serious student and then he pursued harder that he deserve and now, he's at the top. A proof that education is for everyone and failing is just a natural instinct to every student. We can rise up again from the grave.

there will come a day for next year, after my sister graduated, then, it's my turn to come back. I will be back in Manila but I am NOT sure if in Intramuros Walls again or in other district. We'll see. The return is near upon me.

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Time: 2:09 a.m.
Where: Still in my bedroom.
Now Playing: "Sweet Disposition" by The Temper Trap.