Farewell, Tita Cory

I never had the opportunity to personally meet President Corazon C. Aquino, but she and my own mother, Corazon S. Aquino, share the same name, so I am obviously attached to her. She was the first leader I ever knew (I was four years old when she became president), and I will forever remember her as part of my childhood--the People Power revolution, several coup d'etat, fatal earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, regular power failures, among all the other positive memories of my young life.

Farewell, Tita Cory, and thank you.

Standards shattered

"Age ain't nothing but a number," like the late Aaliyah once declared.

Expectations greatly disappoint; that's why most people are afraid and just choose to stay away from possibilities. Setting standards can either elevate your self-regard because of your unrealistic aspirations--that actually impress no one, except your pride--or it can burn your feelings until they harden, because of failing to live up to what you think should have been.

So what happens when you start to strip yourself of all of these expectations?

You get love. You give love. You create beauty.

I used to have these criteria about certain things, which not only limited my way of thinking, or how I feel about a particular matter, but had, in fact, led to, arguably, undesirable results. This time, taking a risk has embolden my spirit and has inspired my heart to take chances.

Standards have been shattered.

Anniversary

I remember when I was young, until around the time at the beginning of my high school years, my mother would play the loudest version of the Happy Birthday song from the music player in the living room. That was what would make me up on my birthday. (It was the same thing for other family members.) Then I would go hear Mass in Obando with my grandparents because that town celebrates its feastday on the same day. It was like Christmas for me. A very special day filled with new clothes, my favorite meal, and extra kind siblings. I wasn't used to holding a real party because my birthday falls in the middle of summer vacation--as opposed to the other kids in school who would have clowns (I hate clowns) and mascots (I'm terrified) and parlor games (I'm much too shy) after class or during recess. I bet most of my classmates didn't even know when my birthday was. Instead, I would have a special celebratory meal at home with the family, where there would always, always, always be chocolate cake for dessert. 

I can't quite remember when it all stopped--and I have a pretty damn good memory--but I guess the chocolate cake has now been converted into my fondness of cookies & cream ice cream. I rarely get to hear Mass these days, and there aren't always new shirts nor special meals for me. Occasionally, my friends and/or co-workers would ask that I treat them for my birthday (shouldn't that be the other way around, though, 'cos I'm not exactly a millionaire?) and I would give in to their request with a simple meal somewhere, but I still wouldn't consider that a proper party.  Since college, my bestfriend would usually come over to our house and celebrate my birthday with me and the family, which is my definition of a birthday celebration.

Except that this year, there was none of that, save for a simple potluck party a couple of days in advance that my old officemates insisted on staging for little old me (for which I am grateful).

Today, I just stayed home from work, paid some bills, ate tons of junk food, watched DVDs by myself, showered late in the afternoon, changed into regular, domestic clothes, and washed the dishes afterwards to keep everything clean and tidy.

Happy third anniversary to my blog, and a mandatory birthday greeting to me--hopefully it'll be happy again next year.

The Adventures of Asnallar (2008)

1. What did you do in 2008 that you've never done before?

- receive a full scholarship from a foreign government

- become a radio broadcast segment host & work with Bon Vibar (and learn how to play Tong-Its)

- visit Chico & Delamar, Arden & Christi in the RX radio booth; meet Tia Dely at a relative's wake

- meet and train under Adel Gabot, aka Lil David of K-Lite

- become a paid contributing writer for publications (Mobile Philippines, 100) plus a little spot on Billboard.com's Chart Beat Chat

- actually turn down several job offers in the publishing industry because I would not have survived on the remuneration, or lack of it

- welcome the new year in another city

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

My 2008 resolution was to improve my confidence and get that radio scholarship (see #1), & luckily that became true. For 2009, my main goal is to keep improving my interpersonal skills.  And, maintain all my websites (e.g. monthly updates at the very least).  These are not resolutions, but plans.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My first cousin (paternal side), Aisa, gave birth to her first child.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Checking out the innermost plane of the Venn diagram, I don't think anyone really close to me died this year, and thank God for that.

5. What country did you visit?

Not much of a traveller.  Hopefully someday I'll be able to visit Batanes, Italy or Israel.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

An S.O.?  Haha.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

- March 1, when I won the scholarship from the Asociación de la Prensa de Cádiz

- April 5, when Don, Angelo, Garry, Rich & I all hung out together at The Chicago Pizza Factory, after quite a while

- May 18, when I celebrated my 27th birthday at home with family, Don and Trish & family

- August 30, when I graduated from the Spanish scholarship in the morning, then from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde's postgrad Magazine Writing program in the afternoon; 

- September 20, when I visited Chico & Delamar at the RX studio

- October 12, when I gave my birthday gifts to Don at the stroke of midnight (cos we didn't get to celebrate in 2007 as he was based in El Nido)

- November 15, mini-Orgullo reunion.

- December 15, when I started my new job at Thomson Reuters.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Two: winning that radio scholarship from Spain, and funding my own postgrad course.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not getting an S.O. after being so close to finally having one? (see #6)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Flu, cough & cold since the start of Christmas week until the New Year's.

11. What was/were the best thing/s you bought?

My replacement notebook, a black, industrial-looking Lenovo; my white wifi router; and my shiny, black WD external hard drive.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

This is a strange question.  Uhm, mine?

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Bipolar & inconsistent behavior of a few people.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Family, gadgets, postgrad school tuition, food.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Getting a new notebook, magazine writing, spending time with my best friend (cos he's based here again), E=MC² release.

16. What songs will always remind you of 2008?

E=MC² tracks by Mariah Carey; Disturbia by Rihanna; Just Dance by Lady Gaga; 4 Minutes by Madonna & Justin Timberlake; Wow by Kylie; Circus by Britney; and La Camisa Negra by Juanes.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. Happier or sadder? Happier, because even though there were sad moments, this Christmastime is better than last year's (considerin').

ii. Thinner or fatter? Thinner.

iii. Richer or poorer? Poorer (2008 has been tough!)

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Be more aggressive.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Be less sensitive & stubborn.

20. How will you be spending the holidays?

With the family, as always.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

Yes, technically.

22. How many one-night stands?

If it's during daytime?

23. What were your favorite TV programs this year?

American Idol, Chelsea Lately, The New Adventures of Old Christine

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Yes, technically. (see #21)

25. What was the best book you read?

I started reading Timelime by Michael Crichton, but I haven't found time to finish it.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Lady Gaga

27. What did you want and got?

See # 1, 2, 7, 8, 11

28. What were your favorite films of this year?

The big movies!  Iron Man; High School Musical 3: Senior Year; Vantage Point; Mamma Mia

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

27 years; Dinner at home with family, my best friend, and closest friends. 

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Mo' money, mo' bling-blings, haha. No, more money to pay the bills & help the family.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Smart casual.  I am starting to get used to dressing like a mid-20s guy, and not as a college student.

32. What kept you sane?

Loved ones, music, radio, school, internet.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Mariah Carey is in the hall of fame, so... hahaha.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Free texting.

35. Who did you miss?

Some of my closest friends, who I didn't get to see much this year: Trisha, Francis, Nins, Blossom.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Josef Calida

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:

Money is important, but love is a greater thing. 

The Adventures of Asnallar

2006 | 2007 | 2008