I Can Make It Through The Rain...

Posted by special_child at 11:55 PM on December 2, 2004 as a favorite post.

It's really a bad way to start December. Really bad.

Haven't you noticed that there's always something bad happening in the Philippines less than a month before Christmas? Now we have a super typhoon to bug us.

As much as I wanted to talk about everything that made me happy or tired in the past days (like watching Alexander with Mito, having the deadlines of projects fast approaching, being frustrated in searching for contestants for the Carol Fest - which, unsurprisingly, no one heeded to - and then cancelling it later because of the lack of participants, and doing oh so many papers), I just can't take it that we had four storms pass the country in two weeks. And now Yoyong is slashing the cities like crazy; I think I can't recall any storm that registered a Signal No. 4 other than Rosing from way back.

I can't help but feel affected as I watch the news. I feel sad that some people still remain unconcerned as to what's happening with our fellowmen.

Well, it really is a joy that there are no classes (anything that extends the deadlines of my projects is a joy to me), but having no classes for us may mean having no shelter for some families, having no clothes for some people, having no rest for rescue and relief volunteers. Worst case: having deaths in the family due to these calamities.

I just hope people still pray for the safety of these people. Be thankful that our houses hold still, that we have clothes and protection, that we are safe. That's all I can say about it. A prayer helps in ways you can't even imagine.

This is what I can share for now... take it as a comfort song. Just now, the song is literal.

Through The Rain
performed by Mariah Carey

When you get caught in the rain... with nowhere to run...
When you're distraught and in pain... without anyone...
When you keep crying out to be saved
But nobody comes and you feel so far away
That you just can't find your way home
You can get there alone
It's okay, what you say is

I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again on my own
And I know that I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid I hold tighter to my faith
And I live one more day and I make it through the rain

And if you keep falling down, don't you dare give in
You will arise safe and sound, so keep pressing on steadfastly
And you'll find what you need to prevail
What you say is

I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again on my own
And I know that I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid I hold tighter to my faith
And I live one more day and I make it through the rain

And when the rain blows, as shadows grow close don't be afraid
There's nothing you can't face
And should they tell you you'll never pull through
Don't hesitate, stand tall and say

I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again on my own
And I know that I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid I hold tighter to my faith
And I live one more day and I make it through the rain

I can make it through the rain
And I live once again
And I live one more day
And I can make it through the rain
(Yes you can)
You will make it through the rain


Top Ten Comfort Songs (as of yearend 2004)

10. "Yesterday's Dream", performed by Lea Salonga
9. "One Friend", performed by Dan Seal
8. "Can't Take That Away", performed by Mariah Carey
7. "Stay The Same", performed by Joey McIntyre
6. "The Greatest Love Of All", performed by Whitney Houston
5. "From A Distance", performed by Bette Midler
4. "Heal The World", performed by Michael Jackson
3. "Hero", performed by Mariah Carey
2. "If We Hold On Together", performed by Diana Ross

-and... (drum roll please)-

1. "Somewhere Out There", performed by James Ingram and Linda Ronstadt


Promise. Masarap ang may kayakap sa mga ganitong panahon.


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. The top comfort song is for times when I'm lovestruck. I remember this is the song my soulmate and I used to sing in high school. Kung kilala nyo sya.

Currently enjoying "Through The Rain", performed by Mariah Carey.
Currently deciphering "Abhorsen", written by Garth Nix.
Currently feeling desolate.

20 kid/s drank Promil®

We Will Go On Beyond Goodbye

Posted by special_child at 03:15 AM on December 12, 2004.

Thank God and Studio 23 for the Philippine free TV premiere of A.I.: Artificial Intelligence.

For someone from ComSci, I have not seen it ever. That's why I have to thank Studio 23 because I had the opportunity to watch it. Tsk tsk tsk... now I have to concentrate back on studying and making papers. Full steam ahead! Finals week starts tomorrow... ack.

I must say I thought the ending was when the aqua-copter was trapped under the Ferris Wheel, but I thought wrong. The ending showed how a "child" longs for a mother. I was moved by it, actually. I suddenly looked at my mother, sleeping on her bed, and it striked me that I haven't said "I love you" to her... maybe I did before, but I don't remember anymore. The sadder fact is... I don't know why.

Maybe it's because I express my love and not merely say it.

Enough of the dilemmas. I'll just post the theme song of the movie, which is incidentally included in my Christmas 2004 playlist, Of Voices And Sounds.

For Always
performed by Josh Groban and Lara Fabian

I close my eyes
And there in the shadows I see your light
You come to me out of my dreams
Across the night

You take my hand, though you may be so many stars away
I know that our spirits and souls are one
We’ve circled the moon and we’ve touched the sun
So here we’ll stay

For always, forever
Beyond here and on to eternity
For always, forever
For us there’s no time and no space
No barrier love won’t erase
Wherever you go is to know in my heart
You will be with me

From this day on
I’m certain that I’ll never be alone
I know what my heart must have always known
That love has a power that’s all its own

And for always, forever
Now we can fly
And for always and always
We will go on beyond goodbye

For always, forever
Beyond here and on to eternity
For always, and ever
You’ll be a part of me

And for always, forever
A thousand tomorrows may cross the sky
And for always and always
We will go on beyond goodbye


Top Ten Good Error Messages On The Brand New $2500 Computer You Just Bought

10. "That URL was not found because frankly, I didn't try hard enough."
9. "If you continue to type that way, you'll get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome."
8. "The server is not really down, it's just mildly depressed."
7. "Normally I would complain, but I'll let that rough disk insertion slide this time."
6. "Don't worry... I'll clean up that beer stain."
5. "It's not a virus, it's an STD (System Transmitted Disease)."
4. "Remember Einstein, it's point then click. Point then click."
3. "That General Protection Fault is not yours."
2. "You're using MS Word 5.0, and that's a weenie version so why don't I upgrade you for free?"

-and... (drum roll please)-

1. "I hate to tell you this, but you have already seen that version of the Pamela Anderson video... may I suggest another?"


I edited the version already. I can't think of a Top Ten list, so I got this from the Internet.


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. I like the last line of "For Always". I'd like to say that to some people. I hope you know what I mean.

Currently enjoying "For Always", composed by John Williams.
Currently deciphering "Abhorsen", written by Garth Nix.
Currently feeling sentimental.

2 kid/s drank Promil®

Advanced Merry Christmas!

Posted by special_child at 02:19 AM on December 16, 2004 as a favorite post.

I took this day just to get some rest, hang out with my friends, and buy gifts and giveaways for Christmas. It's that time of the year again, and I just can't help but sigh as my wallet became empty again after a few days. My allowance for the week is already exhausted as of the moment. I dunno where to get my fare and allowance for tomorrow!

Anyway, we also watched Christmas With The Kranks earlier today, and it was kinda mild but OK in terms of comedy. Moral lessons are learned, yeah. But I want to read the book where it's based from (look at the Book of the Moment if you don't know the answer to this). So now I'm just content at watching the movie.

I just hope that millions of Filipinos who are now weeping for the loss of their idol and "king", Fernando Poe, Jr., can still have a merry Christmas. I just don't want to react on it, but they have every reason to be sad. As I quote former senator Loren Legarda-Leviste's words, "He is a legend." And it's true. Another quote sprang up from the program, mentioned by Gelli de Belen: "Para ang isang tao ay mahalin ng marami, asahan mong hindi matatawaran ang kanyang pagmamahal sa kapwa." (For a person to be loved by many, expect that his love for his fellowmen would be unmatched.) Leave them as they are. Just offer a prayer for FPJ and his family and friends left to face the next years of their lives without his guidance.

Ah... that's it. Back to studying. I need a huge score to pass. Chow.


Top Ten Songs Playing on my Winamp

10. "What You Waiting For?", performed by Gwen Stefani
9. "Lose My Breath", performed by Destiny's Child
8. "Always Be My Baby", performed by Mariah Carey
7. "Wherever You Are", performed by South Border
6. "Wag Na Wag Mong Sasabihin", performed by Kitchie Nadal
5. "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing (Remix)", performed by Anne Hathaway
4. "Lost Without Each Other", performed by Hanson
3. "If The Feeling Is Gone", performed by Kyla
2. "Shoot The Moon", performed by Norah Jones

-and... (drum roll please)-

1. "CCS Culminating Night 2004 Performance (Killing Me Softly, Crazy For You)", performed by Catch 2t5 Songers (and courtesy of Janine)


"Marry Christmas..." - Ismael Maningas, Ph. D. (after a term of Christian morality with him, he still strikes through with words )


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. I hope I finish printing and arranging the Christmas playlist for 2004.

Currently enjoying "Jingle Bells", performed by the "movie choir".
Currently deciphering "Skipping Christmas", written by John Grisham.
Currently feeling busy.

8 kid/s drank Promil®

Bittersweet

Posted by special_child at 03:04 AM on December 17, 2004.

There are a lot of things to say about this day... but to sum it up in one word... well, you have to look at the title.

It all started with that exam. And I think I can't pull it off. I just hope divine intervention would save me from this disastrous term. If not for all that's happened with my mom, I wouldn't have performed this dismal.

I just looked forward to the hour after the end of the exams - the External Affairs Christmas Party! It was nice to see everyone again in Bacolod Chicken Inasal for a celebration. It was sweet, because almost everyone was there, eating and laughing. We were a BIG family, and it was nice to be their head. It was bitter, because for one, Ms. Jean had to leave the college. We shared our sentiments; some shed tears. She is really a nice person, and it's heartbreaking that she'd leave us.

We also exchanged gifts, and I got a nice cap from Gladys. Thank you!

That's it. I'll be leaving for Tagaytay in less than 18 hours. I'll be there the whole weekend for the term-ender retreat for FORMDEV. It's a nice thing Yahoo! Mail is at 250 MB already. My email wouldn't be overquota. Hehehe...


Top Ten Reasons For Me To Celebrate This Christmas To The Fullest

10. I have to divert myself from the thought that I'd fail at most 3 of my subjects.
9. After this term? Ha! You're crazy if you're an ST major and you won't say cheers to the end of this term.
8. Thesis season begins next term.
7. I have to sing Christmas songs - one of my favorite genres.
6. The thought of making playlists to give out to my friends is nice.
5. FOOD!
4. This is the last vacation before fourth year; summer's dedicated to practicum.
3. Gifts!
2. Just plain being happy.

-and... (drum roll please)-

1. It's the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ!


To a particular person: thanks for letting me know you arrived home safely. I appreciate it. Ohayo gozaimasu!


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. Thanks also to Mito and Tina for lending their talents in creating the cover for this year's playlist.

Currently enjoying "Starbright", performed by Kenny Loggins.
Currently deciphering "The Hobbit", written by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Currently feeling relieved.

2 kid/s drank Promil®

Long Post For A Long Weekend

Posted by special_child at 02:28 AM on December 20, 2004 as a favorite post.

The weekend was soooooo much fun.

The trimestral FORMDEV (Formation and Development, a course in CCS) recollection was scheduled last weekend, and it was the first time that we left Friday night. So many mishaps happened prior to it, with me ending up late (as usual... 6 was the call time; I arrived 6:30 in front of dear old Gox). Putting the past aside, we arrived at La Salle Villa by about 9. It was so picturesque, considering that all the stars were out and the moon was smiling like that "Can't Smile Without You" commercial. Hehehe...

That night I met the newbies that are also part of Batch 4, just like us. I got the chance to do the things common for a FORMDEV recollection: talk to people and catch up with everything that's happened, eat my heart out (totally), play Pusoy Dos and bluff (didn't get the chance to play tong-its or pekwa, both of which are my best card games), drink Milo with milk at 2 A.M., tinker with the piano, enjoy the cold night without a jacket on (brrrrrrrrrrrr... Tagaytay + Christmas = COLD), and hear the different stories of Brother Ceci.

A lot of sharing happened and a downpour of secrets were revealed. But as one of the profs (slash faci) there said, "Nothing leaves the Villa. Whatever you hear, leave it here." Hehehe...

There was also the exchange gift (thank you Lorraine for that "Louis Vuitton" pen), and another sharing of nice words. Thanks to those who spoke such wonderful things about me. I can never thank you enough; those words, aside from the fatty foods I ate during the weekend, made my heart jump.

I was sad that I missed the opportunity to travel to the other hill with some of my companions. Well... maybe next term. Hehe...

I really wanted to detail everything that had happened, but most of them are "unspeakable". And besides, I'm still burning CDs for the Christmas playlist 2004 to be shipped out later.

So thank you all for being there and making my weekend happy. And may we make a difference in FORMDEV this coming term!


Top Ten Things That Happened In La Salle Villa That Made This Particular Recollection Memorable

10. Kuya Raymund gave the facilitators a copy of "The Purpose-Driven Life" and a new book for us who have read it already. Thanks to him, I have something new to read (which will get The Hobbit its shelf space back).
9. Three guitars and a piano. Need I say more?
8. There were smaller tables as opposed to the 2 long tables before. This made me able to sit with different people through different courses.
7. Many do not know the name of the snack served Sunday morning (it was banana fritters, commonly known as maruya). I kept reminding them the term. One even said it was palitaw.
6. Bluff is fun, especially when played with: a prof that looks like Harry Potter, someone who doesn't know how to play bluff, and a sacrificial lamb (calls Bluff! at the wrong time, thereby getting the most cards).
5. This is the first time ever that someone wanted to get beer at 2 A.M. I dunno if the plan pushed through; I was there when they suggested it. And I don't like beer.
4. This is also the first time that we went there Christmas time. Damn it was SO cold. I forgot to bring my jacket. But it was worth it.
3. Never had I seen such a long and widely-joined sharing. Lots and lots of topics were discussed, predominantly about each and everyone's lovelife. Hehehe...
2. The "hot seat" (or "hot spot" as Lorraine termed it ) gave us the opportunity to speak what we feel towards the person sitting there, and vice versa. It was also the venue for the exchange gifts.

-and... (drum roll please)-

1. The First Official FORMDEV Love Team. With Renz on the side playing the traditional wedding march theme. Kudos!


As I said when we arrived back in dear old Gox a few hours back, "OK... back to reality!"


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. A few hours and I will determine my fate. I just hope I can face it well.

Currently enjoying "Jeepney", performed by Sponge Cola.
Currently deciphering "Be A Great Friend", from the small book series.
Currently feeling fulfilled.

5 kid/s drank Promil®

Yeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Posted by special_child at 01:31 AM on December 22, 2004 as a favorite post.

Jumping up and down in the middle of Gox Lobby has never been this meaningful.

The bottom line is (and I trust my friends' words for it) I passed all my subjects this term. That's all that matters. Thanks to everyone who prayed for me! And thank you Lord!

I was kinda hesitant to go to school and face my course cards. This is the first time I felt that way. I went to Becky's first to get a box of toffee bars before coming to school. But everything went fine.

And yeah... the playlist is out. Of Voices And Sounds is the Christmas playlist for 2004. I gave a copy to my friends, and for those people who haven't received a copy... well, meet me anywhere anytime during the first day of third term. Hehehe... I only had limited copies on CC day because burning did not finish. So I'll ship out more by next year.

After the long course card day, I went to Taguig for our annual high school Christmas party (I hope I'm right in giving it the term annual). Even though I ended up staying only for an hour and fifteen minutes, it was fun. Thanks, by the way, to: Ange for the mug, Steve for the pin, JL for the CD, and everyone for just plain being there and making me happy!

It was perfectly said by the matriarch of the house (where the party was held): "Nakakatuwa nga kayo eh, buti hanggang ngayon eh nagkikita pa rin kayo!" And I still think that I have the best high school barkada anyone could have.

And yes... I have to admit. I am so happy to see her there. I even asked her why she was wearing a Friendster® shirt while not having a Friendster® account. She said, "Wala lang." How I wish I had more time to talk to her... not that she'd talk to me or anything; I just wanted to know her more.

If you can read this, well... I would just like to say that I enjoyed being there, and I wish we could talk more. Wanna go watch a movie with me sometime?

I went home happy, but not without some annoyance. When I waited for a ride in Pasay, I was approached by no less than 3 pimps, offering their girls to me. Like duh! I even joked with one and said, "Magpapari ho ako eh.", but I think he already left before he heard me say that. Hahaha... the nerve. Do I look like a dirty old pervert?!

Anyways... overall I am happy. I would celebrate to the fullest this Christmas.


Top Ten Most Favorite Amazing Race Destinations

10. Calgary, in Canada (AR5)
9. Vienna, in Austria (AR4)
8. Lisbon and Porto, in Portugal (AR3)
7. Venice, in Italy (AR4)
6. Marseilles, in France (AR4)
5. Australia (ARn, TMTM)
4. Dubai, in United Arab Emirates (AR5)
3. Cairo and Luxor, in Egypt (AR5)
2. San Carlos de Bariloche, in Argentina (AR5)

-and... (drum roll please)-

1. El Nido, in the Philippines (AR5)


Paalam kay FPJ, kay KC, at sa mga nasawi sa mga nagdaang bagyo.


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. Enjoy the holiday season! And do give me some gifts. I'm also attaching a picture (a first for me) that's included in the CD I got from my friend JL.

Currently enjoying "Run To You", performed by Steve dela Rosa.
Currently deciphering "Life: Century of Change".
Currently feeling enthralled.

3 kid/s drank Promil®

Holy Innocents

Posted by special_child at 01:39 AM on December 28, 2004.

In the midst of two enthralling celebrations lies an often forgotten commemoration.

I just arrived from Bulacan, where I celebrated the Christmas weekend. It was the first time we didn't take our noche buena in our home, but nonetheless it was memorable. We were kept company by children, which was very nice (even though it meant more effort).

It is probable that we celebrate New Year's Day there, but media noche is still here at home. At least I will be able to go online that time. Hehehe...

Not much details on the Christmas weekend. It's too long to share. But it was really fun.

What I'd like to share, however, was that I-Witness® documentary Howie Severino did on Dr. Jose Rizal as a commoner in Europe during the late 19^th century. It was really nice to see our national hero in a different light, and it was more touching to see different foreigners idolizing our national hero as if he were their national heroes. All this while many Filipinos express mockery toward their own national hero. Shame on you! Daig ka pa ng dayuhan. Talo ka pa ng mga taong hindi mo kauri. Kaya hindi umuunlad ang bansa. We are the innocents: unaware of how Rizal placed the Philippines on the map a century or so ago.

If there were at least 25% of the Filipino people who were that concerned for the welfare of our country after the Marcos regime, we would have already surpassed South Korea. And as common knowledge, no country has ever started with a poor population combined with a democratic form of government that ended rich enough to be out of a third-world or a second-world classification. Tsk tsk tsk.


Blogger's Note: The Top Ten List also took a break this season. However, it leaves you, the reader, a CPU-felt greeting of a Happy Christmas and a Joyous New Year ahead. It also leaves you with news that "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is already finished and is expected to ship out on the 16^th of July, year 2005.


A violence-free New Year to all!


Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud


P.S. Where are my gifts?

Currently enjoying "Peaceful", performed by Kenny Rankin.
Currently deciphering "The Virgin Suicides", by Jeffrey Eugenides.
Currently feeling bouncy.

10 kid/s drank Promil®