I scream for ice cream

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I scream for ice cream. 

UST Lovers' Lane

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You don't need a lover to walk along the "lovers' lane" 

#walangforever

Magnolia Place, Quezon City

We visited my Tita at her condo unit today and decided to take a dip in their pool. (I would like to apologize in advance for this would be like a photo dump.)

Pool place 

Wow! I would like to buy a unit here someday. Really, I love how strict the security, plus, the place is nice and quiet. It's also a low-rise building so if you don't like tall condominiums, then this place is for you.

A shot inside Daphne Building's balcony 

Something really embarrassing happened while my cousin and I we're about to swim in the pool. Actually, we're already immersed in the water when that happened; we forgot to take a shower first before diving. The lifeguard called our attention asap and we're instructed to clean ourselves first. (As if we're dirty. Lol. Hey, but I think it's cool that they really maintain this policy)

Me and my cousin 

Ashamed of our actions, we decided to just take pictures instead.

The failed candid shot

Smile!  

These kids are really good in swimming that's why I'm a bit shy to flaunt my swimming techniques for it's no match to what they're doing.

Some random people

Awkward shot with my mother

My mother tends to close her eyes whenever we're taking a picture; that's why out of the three shots we made, only this one with my blurry hands is the most decent one.

Note: 

My tita has a furnished unit here with two bedrooms, one comfort room, a kitchen and a living room that's for rent. (Short term only) If you're interested, you can contact +639177062520 or ednatorres_heart28@yahoo.com

The place is 15 minutes away from Trinoma and SM North Edsa. 

[Tandang Sora Ave, Novaliches, Quezon City, 1116 Metro Manila]

Well, that's all for today. Sorry for this random post. Hahaha!

Literary: 11:59 | A story of a failed expedition

11:50

The scorching sun shines bright as it dreadfully drains the life out of me. How stupid I am to believe that two hours would be enough to traverse the cruel roads of the metropolis. And now, because of my callowness, I'm bound to suffer the misfortunes I've brought into myself.

"Enough of the blame game." I sneered aloud while running along the trails of a Spanish-Inspired lyceum; a hall of knowledge that manages to defy the prowess of time despite being the oldest extant university in Asia. The surroundings somehow alleviate my weariness -- making me reminisce the fun moments I had here with my friends.

11:54

I continued walking and snubbed the fact that I'm already swimming in my own sweat. The good thing is -- I'm now here in front of the main building; a large clock that resides upon the top of this venerable architecture reminded me how much time I have left.

11:56

I gushed towards the entrance -- ignoring the guards that didn't even glanced at me; maybe it's because I'm wearing a yellow shirt with a tiger print on it. Seriously. As I go on, the wooden staircase made a creaking sound as I laid my foot on it. Perhaps it's normal, for no one even noticed.

11:57

"Yes!" I yelped as I saw that there's no line in the window I'm supposed to go into. While walking towards it, I smiled at the old lady that's manning the window and gave her a claiming receipt. She looked at it and directed her lips towards the other window. Disappointed, I bowed as I sign of thanks and rushed towards where she's steering. As soon as I reached it, the guy behind the window grinned at me while pulling the venetian blinds down. Glad I didn't smiled back, I looked at my wristwatch and saw 11:59

Message to my OFW Father

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My life spent without my father probably outweighs the moments that we've been together.


However, it never hindered him to show us how much he loves us.


22 years of working overseas, far from your family, is never an easy thing. In fact, it is a living proof of how great you are for persevering all those hardships. And for that, I'm forever grateful.


Thank you, Papa. Happy Father's Day! Konti na lang, kami na magtratrabaho para sa inyo nina Mama. 

Stik-O Obsession

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It started when I was a kid; the period of my life that runs around having fun in simple things and just treating the world as a large playground. Ten years ago, while soaking myself under the noontime sun with my friends, I happened to see a very eye-catching plastic jar of wafer sticks. The cylindrical wafer has a spiraling line around it, a design that is probably an illusion or a hypnosis that makes all kids go gaga about it. Piso isa, a price that almost all kids can afford by asking their older fellows. And until now, I think it's still that cheap but it has been smaller, I guess.

This addictive food never fails to remind me of my childhood. Sino bang bata ang hindi nagpretend na humihithit sila ng sigarilyo gamit ito?

And wooooh!  I'm glad I never lost connection with it. It's still part of my life and it has been a very effective companion every time that I'm studying.....

I love Stik-O, an obsession that would probably last until I have kids whom I can pass this undying love.

PS.
This is not a paid advertisement.

The root of all fears

We all have something that we're afraid of.


Even the bravest man on Earth has perils that can make his tail fall short. Regardless, fear, should never be compared to cowardice. Instead, it should be looked as way of life: a reality that compels us to believe that we're not invincible.


What is your fear?


Me?


I fear having regrets. There’s nothing that scares me more than waking up in the morning, and realizing how awful my decisions were; to make things worse, knowing that I can never turn back time to make all those mistakes right again.


And for that, I believe that my fear is the most fearful one.


Isn’t it possible that all fears are somehow rooted from having regrets? I mean, a lot of people are scared of death. Others are terrified of losing someone. And, Augustus Waters, is anxious of oblivion. If you’re going to look at it in the perspective of someone who’s trying to prove my point, all of these correlate with the fear of not being able to go back.


Death is the endpoint of life here on Earth. So, in experiencing it, one can never have the chance to do things he thought he should’ve done while he’s alive.


Losing someone, be it by death or separation, means that you cannot be able to make your lover feel the way you should’ve treated them: an affection that you know they deserve from you.


Meanwhile, oblivion connotes nothingness. It’s like managing to finish the journey of life but at the end, you discover that out of all the ups and downs you've been through, the finish line is not the same as you thought it would be. In fact, you discover that there is nothing in it.


With that, fear, no matter what it is, is a painful reminder that this world is not a place of pure bliss. Regrets, on the other hand, is the discernment that you’re not been able to enjoy that tiny bit of happiness that this place offered you. Hence, putting them together is the worst nightmare one could ever have: fear of having regrets. This patch of words can be metaphorically compared to a fuel that makes all other fears ignite; spilling it before it reaches the engine can somehow alleviate all our fears, making us powerful, but still, not invincible.

Face of Asia, an AsNTM Cycle 3 Finale Overview

Photo Courtesy of AsNTM Twitter page

What is the face of Asia?

I've been pondering a lot about that after watching the finale of Asia's Next Top Model Cycle 3. It is because the judges were all in awe of the winner for they say she has this modern face of Asia, apparently a look that a top model should have. Additionally, they also used those words to describe the past season's winner, Sheina.

I have nothing against the results and I think Gani, really, has what it takes to be a great model; I also know for a fact that the panel knows what the modeling world is looking for.

But really, what is the face of Asia?

Asia is a very diverse continent, spanning of more or less 50 countries, with distinct cultures and a rich history. We also have a very wide range of race that connotes our varying physical features. Although unique from one another, I believe that all of them are beautiful.

Because of this, I think that it is not fitting to stereotype the face of Asia into one description. We must stop boxing the idea of Asians into one line of race. (Be it Chinese or Southeast Asian look)

Consequently, shows like AsNTM should be more sensitive in using these kinds of classifying words which says the Asian face always have to be chinked eyes and exotic sculpted face. It may be their preference to choose their winner but it must never be the sole definition of an Asian face. Nonetheless, instead of picking the one who has this face that they're looking for, I hope they'll just pick the winner by looking upon their skills and not only their physical attributes.

In my opinion, the best way to describe the face of Asia is to look at it as a face of people with distinct characteristics but unified as one. So, let's just celebrate the beauty of diversity!

P.S.

Peace and love

How to survive LONG LINES

We all hate waiting. It is for a fact that all humans have this impatient bone in our bodies that we just can't let go.


I, for a one, is a living evidence. And I just experienced it today.

While I'm on my way towards the university's accounting dept., I happened to walk by a FREAKISHLY LONG LINE of people; they're all looking tired and sweaty. I feel bad for them for having to go through that situation. Then, I realize, as I was nearing to my destination, I'm about to be one of them.

I have to. But hell no, I'm not doing it. I'm not gonna go towards the tail of that line and wait for eternity.

I was about to leave when I pondered about the challenges I experienced to get here today. The troubles of waking up in the morning, traveling from Bulacan to Manila, and facing the ever famous, MANILA TRAFFIC. All of a sudden, I realized that I didn't confronted all of it to accomplish nothing today.

Fast forward. I did face it and I'm proud to say that I successfully avoid giving up to that long line.

How? I did several things while I'm on that line and I guess you can get some ideas from them in case you're stuck in a long line.

These are some of them:

1. MAKE A CHECKLIST 
Yes, since it's like your time wherein you're not busy surfing the web or watching the TV. Why not make it productive? Plan the things that you needed to do for a week. Or even plan where you're going to eat after this ruckus. Trust me, the thought of food during these times is a MUST to survive.

2. READ YOUR EBOOKS
I know for a fact that I'm not the only one here with unfinished novels. Books that I should've read ages ago which I didn't because I'm not that bored yet to have time finishing that book. Now's the perfectly boring time to do that because you have no other choice but to do so.

3. USE YOUR PHONE FOR GAMES/SURFING 
A cliche. No need to explain.

4. CONTEMPLATE ABOUT THE MEANING OF LIFE 
Really, this one's really effective. I've spent an hour doing this and it really eats up time. Try asking if what you're doing right now is really you should be doing. ARE YOU REALLY LIVING YOUR LIFE THE WAY IT SHOULD BE LIVED? Are you living it to the fullest and not holding back? It also helps to fight insomnia perhaps, because instead of doing it before bed, you've done it while waiting in line.

5. THINK OF YOUR LOVED ONES 
A bit related to no. 5. Well, ask yourself if you're treating them right. Or are you taking them for granted? Been there, done that. It's the biggest mistake you'll ever do in your life if you let them go without giving them what your heart really wants to give them. (Your parents, perhaps)

6. TRY NOT TO SLAP THAT GUY WHO TRIES TO CUT LINES 
Really? I experienced this today and believe me, It's really annoying. Seeing them do that without even thinking of others who sacrificed  just to be decent enough not to cheat is so EXASPERATING. It's never an excuse that you're in a hurry, jerk. We all are. 

And these are the things I did to avoid dying during waiting for a long line.  It worked for me and I guess you can try doing it in case you need to survive long lines.

PS. I'm still not done with that business.

Something that Filipinos should be really proud of

    While I was browsing my Facebook feed, I bumped into this article from Rappler about the Rohingya refugees and how the Philippines offered shelter for  them. (You can go to this link for the full article: Rappler: The Rohingya and the port of last resort)


    The article managed to bring out the Filipino spirit within me. As you see,we Filipinos are always bombarded with news about crime and corruption, to the point wherein we lost our confidence for our country's future. However, reading news like this makes me feel that there's still something within this nation that makes it admirable.
   The Rohingya people are considered as the world's most persecuted group. They are victims of an oppressing world that wants to exile them for they have a different faith and culture. In spite of this, the Philippines is the first nation who offered its doors for them. This act served as an instigator for other countries to do it as well. 


    Yes, we may not be as rich as those developed nations and there's still a long way for us to achieve that spot. However, I am proud to say that this country comprised of more than 100 million people can contribute a great legacy that this world should emulate. Truly, an action like this proves that being part of this chaotic yet developing nation can't stop our benevolence towards others. And that's something that Filipinos should be really proud of!

How UPCAT broke my heart

                 The end of my third year high school life was nearing when the topic of college admission tests was brought. A flock of loud, enthusiastic friends of mine were talking inside the room during break time. “I want to study in UP!” Honey, my classmate, said. And so, the rest of the group shared where they want to spend their life as a college student. UP, Ateneo, UST, and La Salle were the common names you would hear from them. One even said that he would take all the entrance exams of the big four universities and choose the school where he would pass. Then, my best friend asked me, “Robin, how about you? Where will you study?” I was caught off guard. I never thought of thinking about it. I can’t respond. In fact, I don’t even know the answer.

                   Looking back at those times; I am really mesmerized on how things turned out to be. Truly, God has plans for us and He will make them come true in the least expected ways.

               The summer vacation has ended but I still don’t know where I would go for college. My friends are now preparing their UPCAT application forms; they asked me if I want to join them in passing their papers and I said yes. You might think that I’ve already decided to choose UP but no, I’m only pressured by the people around me and so with my parents who believe that an education in UP would be the best for me. Hence, we went to UP Diliman to pass our forms and this is the start of how I fell in love with the Philippines premier university. Walking along the wide roads of UP and breathing its fresh air made me realized the answer to the question I’ve been longing for; this where I want to study.

               Time flew fast and the day of the examination came. I did my best, bringing my prayers and dreams with me as I conquer the “hardest entrance exam” of all. I’m not that confident with my answers but I do believe that if this is God’s plan for me, he will give it to me.

                 And again, time passed by.

                The cold breeze of the air and the swirling joy of the people were felt. It’s that time of the year again where festive lights and colorful decorations were set along the streets and houses of every Filipinos. Who would have thought that during this season, when I was expecting to receive gifts, a heart break would come to me instead. The UPCAT results went out at the least expected moment. Some says that it was a Christmas gift from UP but it was not the case for me. Rather, it was a bomb that deteriorated my dreams. I failed. And it was the worst Christmas for me.     

                     At the lowness of my life, there came another spark of hope. My aunt told me that other UP campuses were accepting reconsideration applications. Luckily, my exam grade was 2.27, a grade that can even qualify to UP Diliman, as what my research tells me. So, I tried and went there with my mother despite the people telling me it was impossible. I know it is but it wouldn’t hurt to try, right?

                    This is the point wherein a man tries to make himself believe the impossible because that’s what his heart tells him. And yes, it was never possible. They rejected us... but it wasn’t the end of my fight. The day after that, I went to UP Manila to apply there instead. I filled up a reconsideration form, indicating the courses I’m planning to take. The problem is, I’m really not that interested with the list of the available courses they gave. But who cares? It’s still UP. Ergo, I continued.

                      A month had passed and there were the first batch of the results. Depressingly, my name wasn’t there.  At that time, UST, the only university that I’d applied for aside UP, called me. They said that if I’m not going to pass my form-138/ report card, they will revoke my slot. However, if I pass that card then it would mean bye-bye UP and hello UST. It was a battle against my hopes and my sanity. There’s no turning point. Should I still cling to my heart’s content or should I just be practical and choose UST?

                  It was a gamble. I decided to follow my heart. Absurd as it may seems, I didn’t passed my form-138. My friends and my parents’ friends said I was stupid but I ignored them. Weeks have passed by and still, UP wasn’t releasing the list of the second batch. I called and called their department but I always get the same answer. “Just wait.” But all people can grew tired of waiting, and this is the part where I felt it. If I would still wait for them, then chances are, I won’t have any school at all. Hence, I realized that there are battles that you will never win and following your heart won’t assure that you’ll be happy in the end. I am desperate. I’m broken. I’m left out. But God heard me at my worst. UST called me again, offering me a second chance. I grabbed it. And the rest was history.

                   Right now, I'm studying at the University of Sto. Tomas and I am really enjoying my stay here; this place is where I really belong and it was not a coincidence but rather a fate that brought me here. The moral is, the heart can make us to do things that we never thought we can. Blinded from reality and constricted from what we think is right, we often follow it. Doing so is not bad. In fact, only courageous people can do it. However, we must know that there will always be a point in our lives wherein we have to accept defeat and let our dreams go. It might broke our hearts but we should always remember that hearts were made to recover from brokenness. And when that time comes that we have to deal with that dilemma, God will be there to mend us. 

Donuts

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Who's the suspect?


Sometimes, we're too busy to find  the one who wronged us that we forget to see that the damage is too small compared to what's left to us. Lesson? We just need to understand that even if we find the one who took a bite on our donuts, the missing part won't come back. We might be able to exact revenge but can hurting the suspect make our donuts whole again?

Forgiveness and acceptance are the ingredients of an effective medicine for bitterness. We might not be able to acquire what's lost but we may be able to enjoy what's left.

So, the next time you want to find the suspect, make sure you're finding him to give him the bitten donut he wanted.

Come back come back to me like this was a movie

Wow! I can't believe that the last post I did was a year ago. Lol. Sino bang niloko ko? Honestly, I almost forgot about this blog. (Thank you, Facebook, for showing me the "my website” link while I'm editing my personal information) I can't even remember the email and password I used to access this blog. The good thing is, I have this notebook which contains the accounts I have in different social platforms. And voila! I'm back again!

So, why did I even retrieved this blog and write again?

Reason #1

It's still my vacation. Thanks to the academic shift of UST that I still can enjoy procrastinating up until August. Wooh. I feel like I’m one of those bourgeois kiddos who’s studying in international schools because of the new academic calendar. Just kidding. Really, I can’t figure out how can I make this vacation productive and fun as well. You see, because our vacation is not really on the summer side of the year, the vacation trips that’s supposed to be now were already spent during March – May days. Too bad, that the majority of my relatives who’s still in school has their vacation on that time in contrast to me who’s still suffering during those days. The result? I’m the one who made adjustments to join them in their beach trips. I even missed a quiz for them. *insert crying emoji here*

Reason # 2

I feel that my writing skills are starting to fade. Lol. As if I have THOSE skills. Hahaha! But seriously though, I still want to hone my skills in writing despite of me taking a business course. Hay. I wanted to take something like Broadcast Communication but because of some reasons, I didn’t. (I’ll be posting about it soon)

As a matter of fact, I dream of becoming a journalist someday and though I haven’t have the chance to take that path here in college, I’m still not giving up.

Perhaps, this blog can be a radiating source of my everlasting need for something that’s related to mass communication.

Reason # 3

I want to vent out my feelings. Have you ever experienced to classify the things you want to tell your family/friends? Like, hmm. This story is not for you. You’ll probably not be interested with this. I should tell you things about Game of Thrones instead of my drool moments with my crush. Hmmm. My parents won’t be happy knowing that I’ve cheated with my quiz in College Algebra so I will not tell them what I did. Instead, I can talk to them about my experience having the highest score in my Management quiz. You probably get it now. I want to use this blog to share my feelings without having to classify them. If you’re not interested then blah..don’t read this.

I know, this blog  is not really read by tons of people. I’m not even sure if someone’s reading this.  I mean, who cares about me? (My family and friends of course) Who cares about the stuffs that I write here? Lol. You’re probably thinking that if I know that nobody would care to read my blog, then why blog at all? I can just write it down in my laptop and keep it to myself. Well, I just want to try. I mean, I want to find out if there’s somebody out there who’s experiencing the same things I go through. I want to share what I feel and probably, inspire someone. I’ll be happy to know that I made someone felt something by reading my random posts even though it’s just a number of readers or even one person.

So that’s it for this post! Bye for now!