Forced to steal

The cars were jostling against each other as if trying to own the road for it was midnight -- the only time when the roads of Manila are not clogged of vehicles. Beep! A red filthy car horned at us because we crossed the unrecognizable difference of the sidewalk and the thoroughfare. Who would? With all the cars parked at the supposed pathway of walking people and the vendors who owned the remains of the road -- it's impossible not to march along with the automobiles. Powerless to complain, we just left "his" road and penetrated the skimpy footpath.

Meanwhile, my friend started to divulged ludicrous stories about the party whilst walking -- trying to be nice and appreciative, I did laughed. It somehow made me forget the mishaps of the previous occurrences.

Everything was fine as we are nearing towards our target place when a girl that's probably the same age as mine approached me for some money. I swayed my head -- telling her no. Persistent as she was, her voice started to grew louder saying "Palimos Kuya!! Palimos!" 

My friend started to give me alarming stares and decided to accelerate our stroll. However, I didn't feel any adrenaline rush within me -- maybe because I do have a good faith in humanity. Nonetheless, this belief started to be shook off as three youngsters approached us at the back. One of them placed his hands at the strap of my bag pulling it against me and another one trying to put his hands inside it. It was crazy. I'm not really feeling any danger at all but because of my friend who became so vocal against them stealing -- I felt the need to be. 

Imagine it. The lamp posts-- thank goodness are all well lit and there are so many cars along the road. Some people were also along the vicinity yet none of this stopped them from attempting to rob us. They continued pulling the strap but with all my might -- grabbed it successfully and placed it near my chest -- hugging it. Then, something made me more petrified. A group of young guys that seems to be their friends are on our right side -- carefully staring at their prey probably planning their next move. 

This made me sense the need to run and did it as they become more aggressive. We managed to leave them but I'm not really sure that we're that fast or they just gave up running. Whatever's the reason, I'm thankful that we're safe.

To be honest, the bag is just full of clothes and some inexpensive stuffs but the thought of getting robbed is something that I don't want to experience. 

Despite managing to avoid a tragedy, I still felt troubled for it made me realize how awful our society is -- making young people steal. It's a great slap towards the government and even us ordinary citizens that compels us to do something to change the situation.

The thought of danger lurking along the streets of our country is alarming. Even so, the thought of our youth doing untamed acts because of poverty is a way more terrifying.

The Baudelaires are back!

Am I the only one who's excited for the upcoming Netflix TV show called 'Series of Unfortunate Events'?! Like literally, I'm dying of hysteria because of this!

All 13 Books

   

2004 Movie Poster

If you're not aware, the Netflix produced program is based on a novel series spanning of 13 books -- all written by Lemony Snicket. You may be wondering why this series is so special to me (to us if you're into it) and it's because it  was the first novel that I've been addicted to and I'm literally dying to see it in motion.

Yes, a movie was made based on this series back on 2004 but it only showcased the first three books of the series. It was however, discontinued for an unknown reason. (Low sales, I guess?)

Violet and Klaus with Count Olaf

Undoubtedly, Emily Brown who played as Violet Baudelaire  killed the thing but the whole movie itself is kind of a bit disappointing -- especially for us, Lemony Snicket's fans. Nonetheless, we still don't cast our hopes out that the fate of this series would be the same as that of the movie.

Emily Brown as Violet Baudelaire

We're still clueless as to who the cast would be and to when's the exact date of the release but it's definitely something that we're all waiting for. Though, as I've known -- the series would be shown this 2016! Still a long wait but huh -- who knows? It might get shown this year.

The Baudelaire Children

Only one thing's for certain, we loved the books and it has been a big part of our lives. Nevertheless, we're all rooting for this show to be awesome like Sunny Baudelaire! (Love that kid)

A teaser was released recently by an account named Eleanora Poe on Youtube (Gosh, the series haven't start yet but they're already leaving subtle clues) linked below:

What are your thoughts? Would you think that it's also be shelved like the movie or it will surpassed it? Don't forget to put your comments below! :)

What to do this vacation

Or should I say what I'm doing this vacation

Okay -- perhaps you're wondering why it's still my vacation and that I should have been sleeping now instead of blabbering on this blog. LOL.  To tell you the truth, yes, vacation mode is still on and no -- I still sleep late even if I have classes. HAHA. It's because my school shifted its academic calendar to August - May in line of the ASEAN Integration. So much of that, let me share to you what I've done so far since I'm still in the no homework lifestyle.

Note: I've written all of these in my to-do-list this vacation and to be honest, I haven't been consistent in doing all of them.

1.) READ BOOKS
So far, I've read two books this past month (I know it's slow). Namely: To All the Boys I've Loved Before (Yes, I know its gay) and its sequel P.S. I Still Love You (That's why I'm into using PS in my previous posts if you noticed) both authored by Jenny Han. Those two books are really fun to read. In fact, I find them cute in a way that the storyline is so simple but still hooking. Believe me, I shouldn't have finished reading it if it isn't good.
Currently, I started reading the Harry Potter Series which I plan to finish before school starts.(I skipped reading Veronika Decides to Die because there has been a problem in my e-book but hopefully I can finish it as well)

2.) DIET (SPECIFICALLY, LESS RICE)
Cross that out.

3.) EXERCISE 2X A DAY
That, I failed. Still, I'm trying and proud to say that I don't let the week end without bursting that fat.(I do random dancing, push-ups, curl-ups, sit-ups etc.)

4.)   LEARN MORE IN PHOTOSHOP AND VIDEO EDITING APPS
I know the basics but I still want to know more. And to have something to brag about this list, this one, is being done well. (I’m now good in fontsy type of editing)

5.)  LEARN MANDARI 

Ni hao ma? "Wo hen hao, ni ne?"
That's some of the mandarin phrases I've learned so far through watching tutorials on Youtube. Yes, it's effective and FREE.
I want to learn Mandarin because it's the most used language in the world right now and I guess it can help in my career someday. Also, they say it's one of the most challenging languages to learn and that's why I chose it to be my third tongue. If there's a term like that -- because I love challenges!

6.) STUDY FOR YOUR FUTURE SUBJECTS
No..This one is something that's impossible to do. May the Lord grant me the strength to face accounting again. LOL. On the serious note, this one is the one we should prioritize more. Really, we need to use our time wisely and preparing for the upcoming war (school) would be the best way be productive.

 7.) BE AMBIDEXTROUS
I'm a left-handed person and living in a right-handed dominated world is hard for me because I have to deal with right-handed stuffs all the time. It's the reason why I want to learn using my right hand in writing and doing other things.
Also, they say that it also improves your motor skills and the brain itself because it makes it work more. You know -- the right and left hemisphere thing connection with our hands?

Life is a continuous process of learning and that, being far from school, should never be a reason to stop doing so. That's why I try my best to acquire new skills while I'm still not busy with school works. Plus, you don't need to enroll yourself on workshops and all because there's so many things you can learn on the internet!

And there you go -- the things that composed my to-do-list this vacay! Hope you got some ideas that you can use in making your own to-do-list if you're still on the vacation mode.

Literary: Pee-noise

Pee-noise

Robin Renz Salvador

Perfumes won't mask your ugly scent

Neither those words you use to drape yourself

Thy name equates with lies and myths

Your mouth is home to unending deceit

An elegant palace is where you live

To which I made with hands that limp

Your power lies within the weak

It is me to whom you owe your pith

I love you, I praise you

I give it all to thy

Despondent as it is

  You deceive me to be 

 For a price you pay

 A single nickel and dime

I took part in your deception 

Convinced that my hunger would die

Yes I am destitute -- but you are desperate

You made me believe that you're my deliverer

Fool as I was, I clung to your arms

Without turning back to know who you really are
 

Naive of my gift
I snub the future

Just to survive this day
 I drank your poison

Numb today
 Dumb on May

Behold our unfolding
 In the hands of a liar

PS. 

Made this in a half of an hour

Burst of feelings while watching the news

Literary: Crows

I just watched the finale of  Game of Thrones' season 5. Appalled by Jon Snow's death, I made this poem in his memory.

Crows
Robin Renz Salvador

Failure I was to reach the sunset

Yet never did I felt the woe

Neither was left by hope and sorrow

Crows cry with me as I buried it all

In this circus of uncertainty

Everything's fragile

The light may mean life

But tombs never meant twilight 

I know it's not the end

The stars smiled at me

Ill-fated I was

Hopeless I'll never be

PS. 

I hope he'll be resurrected my Melisandre.
Sorry if it's poorly done. I just started writing poetry.

How to watch Showtime live

We happened to be invited by my mother's friend who has a husband that's working in ABS-CBN to watch Showtime live. It was an interesting experience for I have never watched a variety show live before and it's pretty amusing to see how the show works behind the camera.

So here's my experience, hoping that you can get some ideas on how to watch Showtime live and also, what to expect.

There are three ways on how you can watch it live:

1. Walk-in 
Though it's a bid tad of work since you have to be there very early and not everyone who lined up can go inside. During my case, only 22 people were allowed to go in via raffle. 

2. An invitation from an employee there
This is how we got in.
The guards outside of the building have their list of their employee's names and how many people they invited. To get in, you have to say who invited you and voila, they'll let you in without falling in line. In our case, we have to wait a bit more because only 5 people were listed there though my mom's friend told us that she listed 6. We had to plead for the guards to let that one outcasted member of us to go inside. 

3. Studio tours
This is like the most deluxe way of watching Showtime; you're a bit more prioritized. The chance to get inside the studio first is yours thus giving you the frontline seats. To schedule a tour, we were told that you need to have at least ten people who's going to pay P180 each. Note that the payment is not for watching Showtime but for the tour around the network. (The show is free!) You can call the office at (+632) 416-3211 or 415-2272 loc 3622/3624.

I even had a picture with Sen. Miriam at the waiting room. Hahaha

After going inside ABS-CBN's building, we were directed to a cozy waiting room that's air-conditioned and has free wifi. Nice one, ABS-CBN. After that, we were entertained by a guy named Jonas and he was hilarious. By the way, it was around 8:30 AM when we got in. We waited there for about 3 hours to get inside the studio though you won't notice the time because somebody's entertaining you. (And the wifi of course)

REMINDERS:

1. No food/drinks inside the studio. You can eat in the waiting room before going in and there's a lot of food stalls there.
2. No loitering and you're not allowed to get out of the studio during the show aside from going to the comfort room of course.
3. HAVE FUN!

PICTUREEEEEE

At around 11:50 AM we were instructed to go to the studio and tadaaaa! The studio is not the way I thought it was. It's like the cameras are making all the illusions to make the studio look big in the television. Cool, right?

After we're all settled in our seats, two guys came in and taught us the Showtime song and some dance routines for their segment called RETRO BIDA.  Before the show began, a digital clock was shown in the led screen of the stage indicating the time left before the start. How exciting it was when we're counting 10 seconds to 1. By the way, I'm so happy that Kuya Kim prayed with all the Madlang Pipol before the show started.

Me and mom!

Then, the hosts entered and all were there except Karylle and Vice and I'm a bit sad because of that. I want to see Vice Ganda even once. Nevertheless, the show was still enjoyable...Duh, Anne Curtis is so fun to watch.. I love her.

The stage

During the ano-mang-lahi-ano-mang-kulay-song, the dancers were pulling people to join the hosts on the stage to have fun. Too bad we're seated at the far back. Also, every commercial break, some people had the chance to take pictures with the hosts before being stopped by the marshals .Ughh.. I was so jealous of them who had their pictures with Anne.

My mom with her amigas

I thought it would be boring to watch the show live because of the commercial break but it's not that bad because you can be entertained on how the production people prepares every segment. Damn! There's a lot of work given to these shows that we don't even acknowledge.

When the show ended, the marshals instructed us to leave accordingly.

In the end, the experience was fun because you get to see the hosts live and get the chance to interact with them without the distance being the barrier. Hello? Anne is like always asking us if we're good and if we're having fun... and it's cute. Hahaha! (So obsessed with Anne)

All people who watch Showtime should try watching it live to see it in a different way and also to appreciate the efforts that's been put to make the show as enjoyable as it is.

PS.

My mom doesn't watch ABS-CBN that much and it's funny because of how many times she pertained to "Showtime" as "Wowowee". Like, "Nasan ba yung pila para sa Wowowee?" We both laughed.