Brand X

Going Back

2012-03-26T04:54:00.004-07:00

Twenty fifth of March, Sunday. The date of our community’s Recollection. It was held in Vincentian Hills Seminary (now, Vincentian Hills Retreat House) in Angono, Rizal.

That single day of our time to be spent away from our busy lives and reconnecting with God had some extras that came with it. The experience was great since I had my last recollection or retreat, like, more than six years now. The prayers, the time with God, and the time to essentially share the love to the people with you. It was humbling and spiritually healing. Being with friends in that event was amazing! It got us closer and more “solid” in our relationship with each other and as with God. Going back and reconnecting with Him was so refreshing.

As the Recollection was about to come to an end, I went down for a break then just stood at the garden in the middle of the “U” shaped building. I looked around; every parts of the Seminary and the over-looking garden behind me.

Suddenly, it began to have colors. It swiftly becomes bright and alive! I saw images of so many people walking around, and I can hear the laughter of kids playing and adults chatting. I looked behind me and saw the monkey and the owls. Yes! This place used to be adorned with flamboyant personalities and occasions!

During the eighties, there were a lot of Seminarians and Priests that roam around; playing sports, watching TV, gardening, playing music, and me, together with my brothers and friends, played with them. We were part of the Knights Of the Altar, and this place was our lair on Sundays. And the special Catholic Masses (like December and Holy Week) were celebrated extravagantly; with plays and garden set-up. We even slept at the dorm during “Simbang Gabi” so we don’t have to walk early in the morning. It was so revitalizing seeing these pictures and remembering those times!

Then I came back to the present; seeing the unclean and unrestored parts of the building, the broken down homes of the animals, and the gloomy silence of the place. There were less people who come in the Seminary, so few that they can just fit in the main Seminary in Quezon City. The life in this place is gone. But my heart felt so light.

Those were the days - the times when I enjoyed Sundays so much and looked forward in being with God.

The Recollection made me go back to God (well not that I was really “lost”) and back to the Seminary that has been a bright part of my childhood.

In this time of so many struggles, God called me to be with him again in the place where I used to play around and talked to Him. It was a great experience remembering how much fun being a kid that trusts Him so much as a Father. It was a great feeling going back.

Photo: by owner

Liebster Award: Heart Melting

2012-01-08T20:43:00.001-08:00

Last December, I got a tweet from one of the bloggers saying she just voted Brand X as one of the three of her most favorite blogs. I googled 'Leibster' for its meaning and found out that the meanings or synonyms are: nicest, sweetest, dearest, lovable, etc. Wow! A nice meaning for a word that sounds like a very expensive seafood dinner.

I'm so happy to have received this award; knowing that there are people enjoying my blogs even if I didn't pay them or sent death threats for them to follow me. Hahaha.

I only received three awards from other bloggers and this is probably my favorite because it reminds me that I'm successfully sharing positive and happy things - which is actually my intention.

Thank you so much Caryl of Soliloquy for giving me the "favorite" award even if your blogsite is way better than mine. You're the best!:)

**********

Now to pass this award (as it is part of the 'tradition'), I will be awarding this to two of my favorite blogsites. It's hard to choose and there are so many bloggers I follow that I'm really fond of reading. It just so happened that they didn't fit the criteria for this award. So the award goes to...Shanghai rolls please...

Tadaaaa!!

Jay Valente of Valenteism
Ramon Taguchi of One 'mon Syndicate
Romz of To Fit In A Miniskirt

Here's the criteria; recipients of this award must:

pass this on to three of your favorite blogs
these blogs should have less than 200 followers
let them know about the award
link back to the blog who gave you the award

I hope a lot of bloggers will be inspired by this award and continue to write good stuff!

Congrats guys!!

Sound of Music: My Ratatouille Moment

2011-12-11T18:45:00.002-08:00

Remember the scene on the movie RATATOUILLE when the critic Anton went back to his childhood memory of his Mom cooking for him, after he took a fork of the dish ratatouille? Did you ever have that same feeling or experience? I just did last Saturday when I watched the musical play SOUND OF MUSIC in Resorts World.

I remember when I was a little kid, every morning after waking up, I will get the Betamax and play the musical movie, Sound of Music, then play it again after eating lunch. Watched it everyday like a junkie shoot a dose in his veins. I really loved that movie and the immortal song it has played; sang the songs every time I felt like it. It was nostalgic. Then as I grew up, and VHS, VCD, and DVD have made the scene, I never had the chance to watch the movie again.

When I found out about the musical play, I immediately asked my Mom if she wanted to watch it with me.
I got really stoked when we got the tickets.

On D-Day, we went to resorts world on time, and man I was giddy.

When the first song started, then the second song danced in the air, I had goose bumps and I was teary eyed…the Ratatouille moment! Even my childhood crush Cris Villonco (the first time I saw her was when she was featured in the TV series 5andUp) played as Maria Rainer.

The complete happiness of my childhood, the endless laughter of no worries as a child I remembered. It was a grand emotional influx. The happiness I felt that night was inconceivable. The Ratatouille moment.

Photos by: owners

Sculpture: An Art That Surprised Me

2011-11-25T05:18:00.002-08:00

Since I was a child, I was exposed to different kinds of art. My Dad is a profound painter and musician, my Mom sings and used to write articles for magazines and newspapers. My eldest brother used to paint and act for PETA, and my second eldest is a tattoo artist. Same with most of my uncles, aunts, and grandparents, all are into visual arts, music, and literature. Arts have been a part of me growing up in a family of different talents. But there is this art that I’m familiar with but haven’t actually witnessed one in the making. The art of sculpture.

Sculpture didn't actually capture my interest since I find it a bit boring (this is just me speaking), I never really paid attention to this art..

When I visited Davao last October, I stayed with a family friend of ours. We visited his sister’s house and introduced me to his brother-in-law, Mr Harold Soriaga, later on. At first look, he looks like a regular guy who is one of those who hunt to survive in the corporate jungle. You wouldn't expect him to be this profound artist. Seriously! If you meet a confident, high-ranking, Mechanical Engineer Chinese guy…what would you expect? Or am I just stereotyping?

Going back to the story, I got stunned when my friend took me to Harold’s art underground base. As I was going down the stairs, a really magnificent art welcomed me at the entrance.

It took me, like, fifteen minutes just staring in admiration! Now this sculptures got my attention big time! It is so great, in fact, Harold even studied the real body measurements and calculates it in ratio. Wow!

I checked out some of his other works as well.

He has this pencil art of Ate Jolla's face (wife of Harold) that is so amazing, and when I took a closer look, I was astonished to find out that the whole face drawing was composed of small drawings of Ate Jolla’s faces in different angles! Harold is a talented man indeed.

I enjoyed exploring his lair. Before stepping out of the room, I just couldn’t stop thinking how exciting it would be to see his exhibit. All those sculptures…man!

Art is really a blessing from God; it is a manifestation of his great power. If you look around you, everything is art. We, the world, and the whole universe are works of art.

Look at women! They are the magnum opus sculpture of our Lord. I so love women, I got one. A real masterpiece. My Mom.

God Spoke and Poke

2011-11-21T19:56:00.001-08:00

For the last few weeks I’ve been full of worries. There’re some family issues, problems with finances (I’m calling out to those people who has utang, pay me!), and some problems that somehow fretted me. I always thought that these issues are so big and it’ll take time before it could cave in. Distraction gushing from me interrupted a lot of my activities. I was blinded by it. My mantra that I got from the movie “Three Idiots” which is – all is well – can’t seem to help, and sometimes I even forget to say those three magical words because of the drama: "I’m covered with the blanket of despair."

Last Sunday, I was invited by some close friends of mine at their house warming party. The food was great, we had the best laughs, a lot of "booosh" and "pah" (inside joke), and the never ending remember-the-time-when stories during our college days. We had a grand moment; time swooped without us noticing.

As me and a close friend of mine was on our way home, I still had the aftershock of our “party” and didn’t realize I was still smiling. Then it just struck me that God is giving me snippets of things that would make me smile to tell me that I should not worry at all.

So then I realized that I was not paying attention. Again. I let my problems take my whole view, resulting to me failing to see the bigger things behind, at the side, and above it. After grasping these thoughts, my attention adverted to the photo album of my friend in facebook entitled “More Reasons to Smile”. It is precisely true. We should find reasons to smile more often because we have a big God and He won’t let His sons and daughters to be left in peril. The phrases, “Everything will be alright”, “All is well”, “Don’t worry, be happy” and “The sun will shine after the rain” are all spot on if you are conscious and not blinded by setbacks.

When we are faced with problems, we tend to be blind, and just focused on the wall in front of us. But hey, if you are having a hard time, God has a way to poke you and tell you, look behind the wall! Appreciating small things that God gave us is appreciating big things that He’s about to give. Saying thank You is a great way to start and end your day.

Angono Fiesta Celebration

2011-11-20T18:58:00.000-08:00

The celebration of the Feast of San Clemente also known as Higantes Festival is nearing. The ala feast of San Juan wherein basaan is done happily and aggressively hehehe. Starting November 19 (which just passed by hehe) there will be bigger events that will happen (refer to the website of angono for details), with some side tracks as well. There will be other organizations in Angono that will have their own mini events – but I’m not sure if I should call it “mini” since some other events are also big and sponsored.

The young artists of Angono, the Neo-Angono Artists Collective (NAAC), is one of the few organizations that will be having a series of events together with the main events of Angono. There will be public art displays: the body painting and the tattoo competition, installation arts, henna, etc. The group will alsobe producing their own gig with a lineup of bands that are from Angono and outside.

I will be announcing more of this schedule in my blog or in the upcoming blogsite of NAAC, (which I’m still working on the last few bits of details) tatakangono.blogspot.com.

If you are near our beloved town, you are very much welcome to visit this grand event. We will be happy if we could share our culture, our arts, our passion, and our celebration with you.

photos by: owners

Oh C'mon Man...Not Again?

2011-11-16T00:53:00.000-08:00

GRAAH!

I’m not really a fan of complains and whining, but this bug really BUGS me!

First off, one of the main reasons why I rested blogging last few months ago was because of the bug or the glitch in the system that I can’t comment on any blogs I follow, worst part is...I can’t even comment on my own blog! Now that was fixed, HALLELUIA! But here comes the creepy crawler again.

Two of the blogsites I really itch for seems to be missing in my “blogs that I follow” every time! I keep on adding them again and again for the nth time for crying out loud! The next time I will check my blog? Poof! They’re gone again, and I have to go to the whole process of adding them again. Jeez man! I mean…these two blogs pa talaga! Argh! I am SPARTA!! – Huh? Hehehe.

Anyways, I hope blogger.com does something about this, it’s starting to really piss me off. Please admin guys, work on this one. If you won’t, well, I want you guys to know, not that I'm threatening you, but I happen to have relatives in Siquijor…and I tell you guys…no one in the Philippines messes with the folks in Siquijor. Don’t try me! Whew!

Sorry for this negative post :)

Be Still: An Art Exhibit

2011-11-10T22:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I went to see an art exhibit, in which one of my closest friends is a part of. He was the exhibit. No, just kidding. If you have read my blog about a friend of mine who is a painter, well, that’s…him. Joseph Christephen “Jay” Valente. It was not a grand exhibit but it was nice. Jay introduced me to the other contributing artists in the said exhibit, which is titled “Be Still”. The other artists are nice, they are sociable animals and I can say they are all “conartists” or “conyo-artists”.

There were different styles of painting: dark ones, cartoony ones; and there were mosaics as well. I later found out that the artist of the mosaic was the babe I was checking out (no picture of her, argh!).

But one thing I can say to the exhibit. Awesome.
(I'm beginning to over use the word "exhibit" haha)

One of my closest friends also was there, Carl “musca” Cuezon, the guy who got hitched in Davao (my previous blog entry). We had fun taking pictures and talking about some of the paintings. As usual, we were all laughing and makulit the whole time. I had fun on the few minutes I spent there.

Jay had to go to church after a couple of minutes I arrived, so me and Carl went to Seattle’s Best in greenbelt to have coffee, to chat, and to wait for Jay. We started off with the very recent topic, “Ondoy” pffft! Then eventually developing our conversation to what is happening and what are the plans for this month (me and Carl will be turning 30 at the end of this month, by the way).

We then head off to take the bus. Went home. Hit the hay. It was another short but ecstatic time of the day.

Photos by: Jay Valente

Davao Experience: My Short Stay In The City

2011-10-28T05:31:00.000-07:00

The green durian and its yellow gummy soft tissue that scares a lot of non Dabawenos, the brown and white, with black tiny prints, of the mean-looking Philippine eagle, and the grumpy, ‘angas’ look of the Dutertes...Ok, that was not part of the ‘colors of Davao’.

Yes, Davao is a very colorful city, complete with different shades and hues. A kaleidoscope. A colorful painting hanged in a mono toned wall.

It was my first time in Davao and I was not expecting anything. Although I was exaggeratingly excited that I had a hard time sleeping the day before my flight, I wasn’t expecting that much. All I had in my mind was, I was going to my best bud’s wedding, and meet some of my friends that I haven’t seen for the longest time. And that I got…hahaha.

Well, it wasn’t so bad since I only had three days and two nights.

My flight was 12noon so I have to be in the airport before lunch, hence eating a very-expensive-but-no-good-pizza at the airport, pfft! But the gelato was super nice though.

My flight was delayed for 40minutes…and I say BOOOORIIINGGG.

Finally, after hours of flying, I'm in Dabaw! Davao’s airport is nice and clean.

JayJay aka pugak, our family friend, picked me up at the airport to drop off my things then headed to SM davao.

I also met fellow blogger of the U-blog community, Unni, for the first time and feeling close na kami hahaha. We talked about a lot of things: blogging, Korean stuff, and things in Davao.

We then head off to Matina Town Square or MTS to have dinner and T5! I had a good laugh with Pugak and his wife Tin, Aref and his wife Ivy, and Gagart.

We had a nice halo-halo at aleng foping’s (I’m not sure, forgot the name).

When I was in Dabaw, I was really pampered by my friends, they drove me around and making sure I was doing well or I’m not bored, and dropped and fetched me to where ever I needed to go.

Arnold aka gagart picked me up and treated me at Rancho&Reef buffet for an awesome lunch!

I had a grand time, and I will pay them back when they come this November to visit Manila.

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I envied my friend, Jay aka komrad (holding the camera), who came to Davao a day earlier because he had more time to go around…even went to a gallery with the couple, Carl and Yan. Damn!

The wedding day of Carl and Yan.
It happened in Immanuel Baptist Church, a small church that fitted all the family and friends of the couple.

Carl the groom

Yan the bride

The official photographers were also friends of mine hehehe.

The ceremony was cool because the pastor was really good…he had sense of humor and he shared a good sermon.

We then went to the reception, Waterfront Insular Hotel.

my first and only attempt in planking bahahaha

The reception party/program was awesome! I had fun just watching, taking pictures, and listening. I was so into the program that even the food wasn’t successful in grabbing my attention.

Met fellow Sillimanians as well.

Oh! There was this doctor chic at our table that had me distracted, but that’s basically it.

After the awesome, fantastic, and full of fun reception (first time I enjoyed a reception that I stayed until the end), I had to say goodbye to my friends at the party. When I got out, boom! All the beautiful women in Davao were there! Then I found out that Bonnie Bailey is having a concert. Me, and my photographer friends stayed at the entrance to check out all the people coming in. Oh yeah! We had a great time looking at these bebots! Then finally we left to meet Pugak and Tin at Q bar. Then home.

My last day was a short day, woke up mid morning. Pugak took me to the place where I can buy the candies, then went back to his parents’ house to have lunch and watch the Donaire fight with the boring opponent. Bid my goodbye, then off to the airport.

My short experience in Davao was amazing even if I wasn’t able to go around the tourist spots. It was memorable. It was my first time, but it definitely won’t be my last. I’ll be seeing you again Davao!

The Girl Named Saab

2011-10-16T23:55:00.000-07:00

Blogging is one of my favorite hobbies since I have an amor for writing and composing besides painting and drawing. I may say I'm not really good at it, but what the heck, I love doing it. There is an intense urge for me to write and share what I think or imagine, or just the plain ideas that I have. I also get inspired by the people I usually follow and who has a talent in writing.

There are a lot of bloggers that I really admire, writers that have remarkable talents in writing and showing things thru their writings. Awesome people who catches not just my imagination and interests but also to a lot of readers. One of these people whom I like following is Saab Magalona.

Saab is, yes, the daughter of my idol master rapper. Every time I read her blogs, it gives me the feeling of being there. Although the photos helped, her skills in writing in a very simple way makes it so authentic and gives a shot of emotions. These are the characteristics of the bloggers that I enjoy following (besides those photobloggers that are awesome), and keeping me stoked to read more of their works

I'm trying hard to follow these bloggers, to at least go near to their level. By knowing that someone is reading my blog, and I have shared it successfully, that makes me happy!

OK OK OK...my main purpose of this blog is to let you know that I actually have a big crush on Saab Magalona. Hyuk Hyuk Hyuk!

Photo by: owner

ODK! O Diyos Ko!

2011-10-16T22:44:00.000-07:00

Wah! He's back! I'm back!? Yes...Ronster has decided to write a blog after a long hibernation. What could be the reason behind this?

First, let me explain the reason behind the hiatus of this blog. I honestly got upset when BrandX got infected by a bug - I can't comment on any of the blogs that I follow, and even my freakin' blog!. Second reason was because I got so busy and my priorities were set (blogging was not at the top 5 hehe). Ok, now, the third one...I firmly accept that I was kinda lazy...hek hek hek.

Well, I was supposed to delete this untouched-for-almost-a-year blogsite of mine, if it wasn't because of my friend who insisted defeated me in an argument, I finally decided, 'OK I will not delete this and can still be active whenever I wanted to', so here it is.

I think the freakin' bug is still here, and if I get really pissed off, I will delete this and well...I would probably make a new BrandX or just focus on my wordpress accounts.

So there you go, I hope you guys are still with me on my rants, crazy imaginations, random topics, and oinking thoughts about things I'd like to share. Topics that are "anything goes", generic matters of life, hence my blog site...BRAND X.

Art Gallery: Jaime Ponce De Leon

2011-06-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine, Mr. Jaime Ponce De Leon, or Popong as we know him, has an art gallery (furnitures and paintings) at Corinthian Plaza infront of Greenbelt 1 Makati City. He is a known art collector, with a collection of great paintings from well-known artist from the Philippines and abroad. He has been a good ambassador and curator of arts in the Philippines, and one of the passionate supporter of local paintings and art as a whole. He is an artist himself working as a professional interior designer, with a line of prestigous clientele.

Hope you guys can visit his collection and meet this guy. He's one of the people who is very deep yet fun that I know of.

Photo by: Popong Ponce De Leon

Artist Joseph Valente

2011-06-07T23:14:00.000-07:00

Ah, the fresh smell of my blog. I haven't been active for a couple of months now in blogging since I had so many things to do. I only had time to read blogs of the people I follow but didn't have a chance to post new entries. I can smell the old cabinet-smell of my blogsite, the dusty smell with a soft cobweb stench.

It’s like the time I met with my long lost best buddy, Joseph ‘JayChris’ Valente last Saturday. We haven’t seen each other for quite some time already, only had our ‘kulitan’ on facebook chats. We had a great talk over a…not a cup coffee…but a bottle of beer, and I had the same feeling of that dusty smell of the cabinet. Like wearing a forgotten shirt, aroma of the wooden floor of your cabinet still sticking. It was the feeling of elatedness when you suddenly realized that you missed that shirt; I missed the conversation with my buddy.

We had updates of the people we knew, the things that we wanna do, all the frustrations and women involved. Ha Ha Ha. He also shared his works, although I haven’t seen them personally, but I enjoyed his paintings. His arts, if I may say, matured, since the time he was still mentoring me in painting and his works today, there was a significant change.

He recently joined the GSIS and the Metrobank art competition. He won! No, I was just kidding, at least in his world, he won. He He He He. I really love his works, and I would really like to blog it and all the updates of his paintings, or probably his future exhibits as well.

I admire his skills and talent. I admire his passion and dedication. I admire his humbleness.
I’m proud that he is my friend and mentor.

Sorry, I can't post his paintings here, but you may CHECK OUT HIS WORKS HERE: http://www.artwanted.com/artist.cfm?artid=62957

photo by: http://www.allposters.co.uk

Photobloggers! I Need Your Help

2011-04-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

I joined the amateur photo contest on our company outing, I need your help guys regarding which photo will I be sending as my entry.

You may vote by putting first, second, third, etc. The theme for this contest is "Merryment of the outing" or "catching the fun".

Thank you guys. And as I said...AMATEUR, so the photos are not that much; plus I didn't use a DSLR camera so just bear with it hehehe.

There are some photos that I like but I'm not sure if it has something to do with the theme hahahaha. Thanks guys!!

Thanks!!

Tattoo Machine

2011-04-16T00:51:00.000-07:00

Hi guys! If you, or anyone you know, are interested to get hold of a complete tattoo machine, please contact me.

Tattoo kit:

-3 tattoo machines
-inks
-needles
-tips
-grips
-foot pedal
-power supply
-box with handle

Brand new!!! All for Php12,000.00 only!! only one kit left!!

WARNING: When Drinking

2011-03-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

Please guys, if you are drunk, do not go near to those kids who're addicted to Justin Bieber! Something horrible might happen, they will do something really scandalous and you won't know until it's too late!! Please pray for me and the kids who did this.

Hi mga katropa sa blogs! I haven't been active for quite sometime now, super busy lang. On weekends I'll do backreading to visit your houses.

Forbes Richest People: Going Down!

2011-03-10T19:14:00.000-08:00

Have you read or heard the news that Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and some few are currently going down the list of the World’s Richest Man list of Forbes? If you did, you probably heard that a lot of journalists and reporters focused on the ‘who is now the top richest men’ and the ‘what they do or where they came from’ topics.

But most of us don’t know what the real reason behind this ‘down grades’. The truth is, most of these men are basically retired and have a very expensive hobby…the hobby of supporting a lot of charities.

I remember one documentary interview of Warren Buffet that he and Bill Gates have a friendly competition that who can give the most to charities, and who can be involved to the most charities in just one week, every week. He was laughing while telling his stories to the interviewer and you can really feel his enthusiasm on what he is doing. He’s like a kid telling about his adventures. Both he and Gates have donated forty plus billion dollars, to date, in different charities besides their own foundations; the reason why their riches are constantly going down.

This friendly competition inspired a lot of wealthy people in the U.S. and in Europe. Even the youngsters’ favorite, Mr. Zuckerberg, has been donating huge amount from his income in Facebook to three different charities and foundations. That’s almost a million dollars every month, by the way!

A lot of critics these people had when they got their vast amount of wealth, people threw stones at them. But now, look at what they’re doing. And who says ‘money is evil’?

Donald Trump also donates millions every month and with personal visits to different kids that he helps. This was not known to the public until one of his apprentices said it to one of his interviews because according to him he was so stunned to see it for himself. These people don’t give donations for advertising purposes, these people really do it with their hearts.

Wealth is our destiny because we are the sons and daughters of God, we should not think that being rich and wealthy is bad. You can do more with having time and financial freedom, so dream big and fight for your dreams, and be a blessing to other people like the people I’ve mentioned and those people who are doing it but we’re not aware of.

photos by owners

Kinamat And Sir Wire Tuazon

2011-03-02T22:40:00.000-08:00

Last February 26, Saturday, there was an artist night at KINAMAT RESTOBAR in Angono Rizal, exhibiting talents of different genres exclusively for the locals. As I was helping my brother and cousin Kuya Mat to set up the sound system, different artists started coming in and prepared their exhibits. I enjoyed their company; some of them are my close friends. We had good laughs and cheered with a hand holding a bottle of beer. Paintings, photography, and music will fill out the bar when dusk bites the sky. I was so stoked. And so I got drunk and wasn’t able to take some pictures of the exhibit. Arggh!

The organizer of the talent show is a friend of my brothers and cousins whom I really idolize because of his talents and personality.

A graduate of Fine Arts in UP and a local of Angono, Wire Tuazon is one of the most respected artists in my home town, Angono, the artist capital. He is one of the leading members of the Neo- Angono Artists and part of the visual artists group that do paintings, photography, and installations. He has done solo exhibits abroad, and did collaborations with different international artists as well. He has already won a handful of prestigious awards and recognitions from here and abroad, and with a number of known celebrities as his clients.

Sir Wire, as we often call him, also has a good heart and has been teaching a lot of aspiring artists and taking them under his bat wings as their apprentices, for free (I’m not sure if he only does that to Angono locals exclusively). He is a fun and jolly person who always share laughs and knowledge to anyone he talks to. A profound artist that is not only caged in the walls of paintings, photography, and installations, but also has a talent in films and music.

He is married to a fellow member of Neo- Angono Artist, a daughter of a popular abstract painter from Angono, Nemi Miranda aka Nemiranda.

You can check his complete collection at www.wiretuazon.com

Photos by owners

Lusty Love

2011-02-21T20:14:00.000-08:00

There will be an art exhibit of Dandy Canalita's paintings and Jonathan Cena's sculptures on February 23, 2011, at the Shui Hilot Spa in Makati. The theme will be about the beauty of sex.

If you are interested to be captivated with the expression of love by these two artists, then you should visit the exhibit. The north meets the south and combined their ingenuity to create a beautiful imagery.

See you there!

Shui Hilot Healing Spa, G/F Tropical Palms Bldg., Perea St., cor. Dela Rosa St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Best Fighters Before Pacquiao

2011-02-21T01:37:00.000-08:00

Here is my List Series once again.
Well originally I was supposed to post a different list until Bino posted one first, grrr hehe. Oh well, just have to move on. Thanks to Axl for the suggestions and ideas.

The arcade fighting games that made significant changes in gaming.

Street Fighter – the most successful fighting arcade game and franchise. The visionary product of capcom, and the fighting game that started the craze. I even had a share of addiction to this game…I won 2nd place in megamall tournament during the early 90s (2nd place only because I got so arrogant and too complacent and I didn’t play seriously. Buti nga sakin. But I beat the champion at the friendly game with no sweat hahaha). A lot of people don’t know that there are a lot of secret moves/techniques available, (e.g. Guile wearing shorts and carrying a .45 pistol, and the hyper jackknife, the seven shadows of Ryu and Ken, and then the Earthquake shock of Blanka) these were my ultimate advantages that's why I was overconfident hahaha. This game is very nostalgic for my generation. Hehehe.

MOST POPULAR CHARACTERS: Guile, Ken, Ryu, Blanka

HIGH LIGHTS: everything!! Who wouldn’t be familiar with their powers and the infamous tiktikbulutik!?

Mortal Kombat – the second most successful game who pioneered the fighting craze. Compared to street fighter, this game is more realistic in appearance and more violent on that matter. Although the controls were different from the popular street fighter, it was accepted by the gamers and good players emerged after a couple of weeks it was released.

MOST POPULAR CHARACTERS: Scorpion, Raiden, Subzero, Liu Kang

HIGH LIGHTS: Fatality, or the gory finishing part of killing your enemy. The part that says FINISH HIM! Come here! Himbabae! And GORO!

Tekken – the basis of all the genX fighting arcade games. This popularized the way in fighting games that has no shooting powers, the fights were more realistic, and the martial arts are also authentic! Well, except for the Kazama family, though. This is the second fighting game that I got so addicted to after street fighter because of its all around game play and kickass characters.

MOST POPULAR CHARACTERS: Jin, Law, Yoshimitsu, Paul, Nina, Jack, King, Hwoarang, Eddy

HIGH LIGHTS: even though they don’t have shooting powers, they have special power hits. Mean looking characters as well.

Virtua Fighter – the game that inspired Tekken. The characters of tekken were mostly based on this game. If you look at the first Tekken game, it is just a tad better than Virtua Fighter. Although the original game was short-lived, it changed the gaming world of fighting. This game had a comeback, by the way, but it didn’t really have its mark on the gaming scene.

MOST POPULAR CHARACTERS: Akira, Lau Chan, Wolf.

HIGH LIGHTS: The boxy image produced an ‘ah and awe’ during its first release.

Dark Edge – this game is one of the so-called ‘the game of the real arcade fighter’ because of its unique and painfully difficult game and fighting style. It didn’t win a lot of gamers in the market because of its weird controls and the fast moving fighting action. It’s very confusing if it’s your first time playing the game; that’s why only the hardcore gamers were active on this game. Thus, having the elite label on your forehead if you play this (chicks dig it that time). It became popular a few months after the release of Mortal Kombat.

MOST POPULAR CHARACTERS: M.E.K., Thud, Blood

HIGH LIGHTS: it is a single view game that allows the player to move right, left, forward, and backward. Awesome action, and the first attempt of 3D fighting game by sega. Being the center of attraction if you play this at arcade centers.

Killer Instinct – this game was one of the most popular after Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat (well, because those games were its inspiration and basis. They got a lot of cool stuff from the two previous games), it enjoyed the praise of the gamers in the market because of its first ever combo hit counter in the fighting genre. And if I’m not mistaken, they started the double-life bar. This game also had its come back.

MOST POPULAR CHARACTERS: Jago, Cinder, TJ Combo, Sabrewulf

HIGH LIGHTS: It even started the falling-out-of-the-building death of the characters, and the NO MERCY final move that is similar to fatality of Mortal Kombat. Weird-looking characters.

Samurai Shodown – one of my favorite fighting game platforms, and yes it is SHODOWN and not SHOWDOWN. It popularized, if not started, the use of weapons in the fighting game. All characters have their own weapon specialization and with special powers as well. It is a cartoony game like the Street Fighter animation, with fun instead of scary backgrounds.

MOST POPULAR CHARACTERS: Hanzo, Galford, Haohmaru

HIGH LIGHTS: pioneered in the weapon use! The use of dog as a weapon by Galford.

Soul Calibur – the game that is successful in adopting the weapon-use fighting game. It is like Samurai Shodown, characters have their own weapon specializations, however, the characters and the animation is far greater than Samurai Shodown. It also adopted the falling-from-the-building-or-stage-death. It is like Tekken with weapons. Cool game.

MOST POPULAR CHARACTERS: Misturugi, Voldo, Takki, Sophitia, Kilik, Maxi, Yoshimitsu

HIGH LIGHTS: Fairy tale-ish graphics and design. Good weapon-fighting style. Slutty female characters.

Bloody Roar – the dark horse of the pack. It may not be as legendary as the ones mentioned above, but it’s one hell of a fighting game. The fast and numerous deadly combos, the animal transformation of the characters, and the wild action, animalistic style of fighting. Totally astig!

MOST POPULAR CHARACTERS: Yugo, Bakuryu, Alice, Uriko, Long

HIGH LIGHTS: Mind busting action, fast paced fighting, and the weird and funny pronunciation of their names and animal characters: Gadooo…the Layeeeennn (Lion), and, Lonnggg…the Reeber (Leopard)

So who would like to challenge these guys for a fight? Even our Pinoy pride Pacquiao won't dare.

What Do You Think?

2011-02-15T21:28:00.000-08:00

Last night, I received a text message from Rico de Buco saying, 'Contentment are just for people who are lazy and weak.', and I truely agree.

I remembered reading a book about being confronted by reality and being hopeless. A lot of successful people obviously don't have this problem, the poorest people is aware of it but not being confronted by poverty, but the big problem here are the people in between...the middle class.

Younger people are very excited to reach their dreams, when some gets older and cannot make it in life, they lower their dreams down to a level that they would just say, 'at least meron', or, 'wag na lang mansion, maski 1 bedroom house pwede na...'.
A lot of people make creative excuses just to stay in their comfort zones and not aim for success. One of their favorite excuses is ‘I’m contented with my life now’…but the psychologist author of the book I read said that the underlying thought behind is, ‘I’m afraid to get out of my comfort zone and be rejected by people, or what other people might say.’, and, ‘well, at least there are a lot of people around me who are just like me’. Even if deep down in their hearts, they want to have more, they just don’t want to pay the price of success…they’re lazy and weak.

There is nothing wrong in aiming for bigger, and more things in life. Bo Sanchez said that our Father is a rich God, you can ask Him bigger and more things. It is just that, God wants you to work for it to know the worth of what He’ll give you.

Some people would say that ‘money won’t make you happy’, but have you thought of ‘no money doesn’t make you automatically happy’? At least having money will give you choices in life.

Money is not evil, it just magnifies who you are. If you are a bad person already, gaining more money or success could just make you worse and vice versa. The true rich people have hearts, they build foundations and help the poor. I remember what Henry Sy said before, ‘I give not because I have more, I give because I know the feeling of having nothing’.

The thin line that separate rich from poor is MINDSET. This is why poor people often get poorer, while rich people get richer.

Simple life is not bad, but if you want to have more options in life, you should aim for more, bigger, and richer life.

One Of My Biggest Regrets

2011-02-14T21:33:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of things in our life that we sometimes tend to wish that if we could just turn back time, we would definitely do. The wrong decisions, actions, and things that sometimes become baggages in our lives because it is burried deep in our brains with the sign board 'if only'.

Different people have different stories. And there are regrets that are very strong while there are some that are controllable. Recently I had my share of those biggest regrets in life, the probably once in a life time opportunity that swooped before my very eyes because of my stupid hesitation. I didn't follow my hunch, which I know it is always right, and ending up teared down in regret.

I've always been an audiophile since I was young, I listened to all genres of music except for Country Music (I only listen to Taylor Swift just because she's hot). But there are certain artists that I admire the most in every genre that I listen to. Recently, my second biggest influence why I studied bass guitar and played in a band, had a concert here in the Philippines. Deftones is the band I admire since they started. All of the bands I played with had at least one gig that we played a cover of Deftones. That's also our common ground of one of the most popular rock bands based in Cebu who are popular around the Philippines as well (guess who?).

I was left with two choices last saturday, to go to a place where I really wanted to go, or to see the concert. And yes, my imbecile mind told me to choose the other one. Gago talaga...as if naman mawawala yung place na yun.

Now, I'm not sure if I would ever have a chance again to see them play live. Like what happened with Incubus, I will never see them live again since they disbanded already and I also let the chance passed when they had a gig here.

All of my friends, former bandmates, former classmates, etc watched the Deftones concert...and I feel like shit.

Oh well, ganun talaga...I have to move on I guess. There's no other way. But sayang talaga, and the most dangerous line always sticks out... 'if only'.

photo by owner

Azkals' Amazing Game

2011-02-09T17:25:00.000-08:00

The Azkals vs Mongolia game was a blast! The score was 2-0 which was made by Caligdong and Younghusband over the weak defense of Mongolia. The play was very much on the side of the Philippine Team wherein almost the whole game was played half-court. The game was all show for our Team, there where a lot of attempts coming from us (grabe). I'm confident that we will go up on this AFC league and will qualify for the FIFA! Go Team Pilipinas!

The First Filipino Executive To Won the Int'l Stevies Business Award

2011-01-17T23:31:00.000-08:00

I am so busy!! grabe, no time to read posts of these fantastic people here in blogspace, and no time to post na rin. Buti na lang nakapag rest ako and pumuslit ng ilang sandali para ipost ang aking nakita na Filipino Pride ulit. So eto na po.

Article from NSE:

PROVO, Utah—Nov. 15, 2010—Nu Skin President of the Southeast Asia Region Melisa Tantoco-Quijano was honored as the Best Asian Executive by the 2010 International Stevie Awards for Women in Business. The awards recognize the accomplishments of outstanding women executives, business owners and the organizations they run.

“Melisa is an invaluable member of the Nu Skin team and highly deserving of this recognition,” said Truman Hunt, Nu Skin president and chief executive officer. “Under Melisa’s leadership, the Southeast Asian region has become the jewel of Nu Skin and is currently the fastest growing region for the company. Melisa also exemplifies the Nu Skin culture through her unyielding commitment to supporting our local sales leaders, as well as her long-standing dedication to the Southeast Asia Children's Heart Fund.”

Overseeing six countries, more than 300 employees and nearly 4,000 executive distributors, Quijano led Southeast Asia to a strong year in 2009, generating $109 million in revenue. Southeast Asia reported significant growth for eleven consecutive quarters beginning in 2008. Revenue in South Asia/Pacific was $50.2 million for the third quarter of 2010, a 55 percent improvement over the prior year.

In addition to her sharp business acumen, Quijano also serves as an honorary board member of the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Foundation of Thailand, a board member of the CHILD Foundation in the Philippines and board member of the Southeast Asia Children's Heart Fund.

Nu Skin was also recognized as a finalist in the Best New Product of the Year category of the 2010 International Stevie Awards for Women in Business for its ageLOC Transformation daily skin care products and ageLOC Edition Galvanic Spa System. Nu Skin ageLOC skin care products were awarded the Best New Product of the Year at the 2010 International Business Awards in September. Nu Skin’s Galvanic Spa features patented self-adjusting currents that, together with Nu Skin’s specially formulated treatment products, deliver key anti-aging ingredients to your skin. People all over the world are discovering that the Galvanic Spa and complementary ageLOC skin care products can give spa-like results in the comfort and convenience of their own home and for a fraction of the price.

More than 1,200 nominations were submitted to the International Stevie Awards for Women in Business, a record total for the competition, for consideration in 54 categories by organizations in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

About the International Business Awards

Nicknamed the Stevie® for the Greek word “crowned,” Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, The Stevie Awards for Women in Business and The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevie Awards recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.

Photos: by owner

Popcorns and City Of God

2011-01-12T19:14:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah! Another superb foreign movie I saw (back in 2003) and would like to share.

The title is Cidade De Deus (City of God), it is based in a neighborhood in Brazil with the same name. If you are looking for chilling violence, fantastic cinematography, good pack of independent actors, and striking story line in a movie, then this is it!

The movie is about the characters of Li’l Ze (later became Li’l Dice), Bene, Rocket (the protagonist), and Goose (one of the Tender Trio). It started out in the early years of the neighborhood, City of God, with the infamous Tender Trio hoodlums shattered the streets. The movie will then transition to the time of the main characters’ time. The story is about the three childhood friends’ journey to life in choosing the right and wrong paths. The rise and fall of an infamous gang leader.

The movie is in Portuguese but you can get a copy with English subs. It’s a high amp, fast moving, extraordinary movie. Eto ang real gangster movie!

Ang kicker? This movie is a true story. I freakin' highly recommend this movie!!

Photos: by the owners