Thankful

I really can't believe that my blog post about my recent trip in Manila would have more than 800 page views 12 hrs after its inception. I am also constantly receiving positive feedback from that particular post, and I am thankful for that.

More so, Google AdSense has finally approved my blog after 10 attempts. Really. I almost gave up, but thank God I didn't.

Now time for serious blogging. Let's get it on. Gonna earn a lot from it. I can feel it.

Huyeaaaah!

The Youth Today

Hi. You said ask anything. So anyway, what is the reason behind the growing profligacy among today's youth? :) (thedorkasaur)

Technology has already made several changes to the society. It has made our lives easier and more accessible. Although it has made our lives prone to the dark forces - forces that made the lives of others in peril.

But how about the youth? It’s the other way, my friend. I’m pretty sure that each and every one of us will undergo this stage, the stage of being a youth. It is a preparatory stage before entering adulthood. In this stage, each one of us will start to experience different things which can help to mold our emotional character. We start to realize something and carry it to our own principles in life. If we compare the youth today and the youth yesterday, it doesn't really spell any differences. They may have different interests and views in music, arts, politics, history and other relevant things but the thing is, they have this same notion of acquiring all the things they wanted even if it is not really important to their life

Sometimes, we fail to discern good things from bad. There are still flaws. Our very own principles would soon be compromised.

At first, we start to experience different situations in life – either good or bad situations in life. We get happy whenever the situations are good; otherwise we try to look for good solutions. Likewise we start to work things out. Ideally, if we look for a good solution for that certain predicament then our principles start to get its own shape. In real life, it is sometimes the direct opposite. You see, we sometimes wanted to straighten things up, even if it doesn’t need to! Thus, we are wildly extravagant. We are spending too much effort and energy to insignificant things. We start to think that what we are doing is always right, even if it’s relatively wrong to the eyes of multitude. We start to become reckless to things around us.

Nevertheless, we are prone to vices and some dark forces. We often think that these are the best ticket to euphoria. We fail to realize that these things will destroy our precious lives little by little. Time is relative but it’s still the same story.

Despite these, I am still confident that the youth will outgrow its decadence, material or non-material things.

Some Tidbits and Updates of my Life after Graduation

Just four months ago, I marched and received my diploma from our dear Chancellor, smiled on millions of cameras and got teary-eyed while singing the UP Hymn wholeheartedly. On that moment, I really can't believe that I am about to embark on a new journey. Yeah, a new chapter of my so-called awesome life.

For four years, I struggled studying in UP. During my first year in college, I really got jealous to some of my classmates who were far more awesome and more intelligent than me. It's not that I'm complaining that I didn't come from a prestigious science high school, but I guess that's how life worked.

Little by little, I finally overcome this jealousy and learned to accept of my physical and mental capacities wholeheartedly. I know this sounds surprising knowing that I am a loquacious type of person - I underestimated my own capabilities and talents. There were days when I always think that I didn't deserveto become a UP student. But, I realized that having that kind of mentality would surely bring me down - both physically and mentally. That's why on my sophomore year, I switched to optimistic mode. Yes, it made me feel better. Whenever problems arose, I always think of this mantra, "In every problem comes with a big solution, no matter how bad it is."

Looking back, I once dreamed to become a Neurologist. It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision when I chose Biology as my first choice in UP. I was inspired by House MD and Grey's Anatomy. But, months before my graduation, I thought that pursuing a medical career won't bring me happiness. Mentally I can still endure another four to five years of studying medicine but physically? Nah. No matter how hard I try to convince myself to study medicine, I cringe.

No, don't get me wrong, I am not frustrated with my decision of not taking medicine. In fact, I am happy with the things I do right now. I just had my first job interview at a big pharmaceutical company three weeks ago but did not make it to the final cut. But that's okay. My family has been always supportive with my endeavors. Right now, I'm starting to take blogging into the next level. I got inspired with some of the prominent netizens from Davao Bloggers. They told me that I really have a big potential of earning a good amount of money through blogging. I was moved.

I am still considering of working as an Air Traffic Controller together with my uncle. The qualifying exam will be scheduled on the last quarter of 2011 or early 2012. Anyway, blogging and aviation has always been my passion as well as photography and traveling.

Lastly, I have gained 1.5 kgs. Kudos to me!

Freshmen-Torch Night 2011

Yesterday, I went to UP to meet up with my beloved batchmates and to attend the most awaited event of the academic year - Freshmen Night spearheaded by the University Student Council with the help of the different student organizations of the university. Every year, UPMin holds this spectacular event to welcome the freshmen students. With a theme, ‎"Iskolar ng Bayan, Paano Ka Naiiba?" student leaders hope that UP students would take part of our goal to serve the people.

The event started with the presentation of the bands. It was great to witness raw talents of some UPMin students! Too bad I didn't have the chance to buy their album.

The event officially started at around 8 PM. It started with the passing down of the responsibilities by the sophomore students as "mga Iskolar ng Bayan" to the freshmen through the traditional and symbolic passing of the Torch.

You Win or You Die

Game of Thrones
Base from George R.R. Winston's A Song of Ice and Fire
Creators: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss

Kings, queens, knights and renegades use schemes and swords to battle for the throne.

Honestly, I am not a big fan of movies or TV series that contains themes or elements from the medieval times, until I finished watching the tenth episode of Game of Thrones. The TV series is based from George R.R. Winston's A Song of Ice and Fire.

The cast members were perfectly selected. There's Eddard Stark (played by Sean Bean) who wanted to serve his kingdom the right way. Moving southeast, in the kingdom of Pentos, Daenerys Targaryen (played by Emilia Clarke) was forced to marry Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), the warrior-king of the nomadic Dothraki tribe, in order to please his greedy brother, Viserys Targaryen (Harry Lloyd). And oh, let us not forget the treacherous and ambitious Lannisters (played by Nikolaj Coster Waldau, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey and Jack Gleeson).

Despite the medieval theme present in the Game of Thrones, people would still love it and even crave for more since the elements were well represented in today's time. There are people who hunger for power and wealth. There are people who die because they were doing the right thing. More so, there are people who suffered from different kinds of injustice.

Expect violence, intense sex scenes (though unlike Spartacus, the sex scenes of Game of Thrones are just beautiful), blood and gore (beheading is their favorite sport, actually), frontal nudity and incest in this show. But despite these, the cinematography is superb, not to mention its opening theme, beautifully arranged by Ramin Djawadi. Very creative.

The show is wonderfully produced by HBO. The second season will be aired this spring 2012.

Off to read the first book of A Song Of Ice and Fire!

Strange Past

It will be always really awkward whenever you bumped to a person who used to be your lover. It's been five years. Both of you were young when you first met. It was high school. It all started with a simple tease by your classmates.

Then, the rest was history.

Ironically, you seemed to be uncomfortable with her despite the fact that you didn't have any forms of communications for the past five years. The approach was cold. Very cold. It is as if you don't know her. Apparently she doesn't know you either.

And the cycle of life goes on and on. Both of you started as strangers. Soon, you become friends. Then, the relationship blossomed and both you entered a romantic relationship. Everything went well until something messed up. Both of you fought constantly.

It was a bitter ending.

Five years had passed and once again both of act as if you don't know each other. It was pretty obvious. Both of you can't move on.

Can't move on.

Can't fucking move on.

Of First Days

Everyone seems excited about their first day at school tomorrow. You know, I always look forward for that specific day. It is the day when I can finally meet my friends and classmates. It is the day when I can meet new set of professors/instructors. And the most important thing is, it is the day when I can finally meet and stalk my crush… again.

Just kidding!

I remember when I was younger, my parents will buy me new school stuff - shoes, uniform, Cattleya notebooks (I despise Jolina-Marvin notebooks), socks and etc. Everything seems to be in order during the first day, but as the school year progresses, everything will be different. Pens get lost and uniforms lose their buttons.

But today, at the current state of my life, everything’s different. I won’t deny that I still can’t get over from the fact that I am already a college graduate. I won’t deny that I miss school, especially college. I may not have the opportunity to become a student again (aka med school), but hey, maybe I wasn’t meant for it. I always welcome every opportunities that may come in my life.

Well, I have already embarked into a brand new adventure. As the cliche goes, life goes on. We have to move on.

And always remember kids, value your education.

Summer Madness

So far, Summer 2011 has been the most exciting summer breaks that I've ever experienced. Usually, I spend my summer breaks at home, surfing the net all day, all night. It's an exasperating activity, I tell you. More so, I'm this type of person who really wants to explore different places and witness their different cultures and heritage.

I always crave for an adventure.

This summer, I had the chance to visit various places from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

1) Zamboanga City, Philippines

Located on a peninsula at the western part of Mindanao, Zamboanga City enjoys a calm climate since it is located outside the typhoon belt. Over the years, the city has become a melting pot of different cultures due to its geographical region. The city is relatively small compared to other major cities of the country but I guarantee that every traveler will enjoy his stay at the Asia's Latin City. Chavacano is widely spoken in this city followed by Visayan.

Places to visit: Visit Paseo del Mar. There's a LOT of food here, countless restobars and so much more. I recommend visiting this place during sunset. This is a perfect place for both young and old people. It has one of the best sunset views in the country. If you want to experience Zamboanga's Hispanic history, visit Fort Pilar, located just beside Paseo del Mar (Calle Valderoza). Pasonanca Park and Aviary is also a great place to hang-out with your friends and family!

2) Guimaras Island, Philippines

Located approximately 5 kilometers off Iloilo Port, Guimaras is an island filled with vast plantations of mango trees (their mangoes are very delicious) and pristine white sand beaches. We got the chance to visit the underwater caves and the pawikan sanctuary (I even had the chance to hold them... and they were heavy). The island hopping costs around 500-600 pesos per hour. It's quite expensive but the trips were all worth it. Don't forget to say, "Namit gid!" whenever you eat their mangoes!

3) Angeles City, Pampanga (Fontana Leisure Park)

This trip was sponsored by VYLH (Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health). I, together with my co-delegates from Luzon, NCR, Visayas and Mindanao clusters attended the first national leadership congress at Fontana Leisure Park, Angeles City, Pampanga. The place was really big and beautiful. We stayed in a one-story villa and I must say that the villa caters the needs of a traveler. It has one TV with cable connection, a centralized air-condition unit, and it comes with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms (with hot and cold shower). Although most of us didn't like the food, except on the last day of the congress. More so, some of the waiters were a bit clumsy. But overall, the services were not that bad and the place is fabulous! 3.5/5 stars!