Archive for » September, 2009 «

:(

Author: joane Sep 30

It’s been a very very hectic week. I barely noticed it’s already Thursday. Even though I get home so late from work, I still had the time to log on Facebook, Inquirer, Philstar, Google News (hell, even PEP) and check on what is happening with my friends, and everyone in the Philippines.

The aftermath is much worst… floating corpses, swimming crocodiles from nowhere, devastated homes, crowded evacuation centers, kids pulled out from muds, death toll rising…

It’s heartbreaking to see these news…

My heart goes to all Ondoy/Ketsana victims. :(

I compiled some shout outs from in my Facebook from today back to Sept 27, where it all began… I’m reposting them all here – help ways, inspiring (but sad) stories of heroism, messages, links, information dissemination, etc… Guys, I hope you won’t mind..

Ivy Mallari PRAY,DONATE,VOLUNTEER..no amount ,no help,aid or assistance is too much or wasted..everything counts.lets do our bit everyone.

Sweet San Pedro RT @iamsuperbianca: UNICEF has an anonymous donor who will double all
the money raised for ondoy victims. donate here: http://bit.ly/MZnug

Claren Vizcarra Torres Truly the Filipino rises to his finest self during trying times, the
more trying the times, the finer the rising. Or it is in times of
disaster that the Filipino ceases to be a disaster, thinking of others
first before self.

Roynel Bae Help over 300,000 Filipino victims of Bagyong Ondoy by donating to Red Cross. Txt RED<space>5/25/50/100/300 to 2899. Ex. Txt RED 50 to 2899.

Erwin Miranda Aurella RT @alexderossi RAISE THE ROOF BENEFIT CONCERT FOR ONDOY VICTIMS full details here: http://bit.ly/1M3yxZ. Come out and help.

Erwin Miranda Aurella RT @ANCALERTS We just talked to Supt. Nereo Torrecampo of PNP Cainta. He says the crocodile has been captured since weekend.

Erwin Miranda Aurella

REPOST: Around 300 Persons with Disabilities in TAHANANG WALANG HAGDANAN in Cainta need mattresses, blankets, toiletries, food, drinking water and ANTIBIOTICS FOR UTI, betadine, saline and gauze for pressure sores, because most of the residents are s…pinal cord injury cases who were soaked overnight on flood waters. Pls help them out too.

Ivy Mallari

Ivy Mallari Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. To donate, text RED and send to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart). You can donate 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 300 pesos.

Ivy Mallari we should all be thankful that we have survived the storm. this prayer written by a friend is truly moving beyond words.

Ivy Mallari MISSING PERSONS DATABASE now online http://bit.ly/2DohA

Ivy Mallari Rescue Operations 1. National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) (+632-9125668, +632-9111406, +632-9115061

Billy James Fontanilla “Be your own hero.” – from the new movie Whip It

Marvin Natural

Iris Orprecio

Pray without Words

Lance Laure

Heat waves, drought, increased hurricanes, and massive sea-level rise – these are just a few of the devastating impacts of global warming. And though there is a lot of bad news – the good news is: it’s not too late! We can implement solutions, b…ut we need to act fast and we need our government to take the lead.

Iris Orprecio REPOST: Please include sanitary napkins, women’s underclothes and infant milk in your donations for typhoon victims. Women and children have special needs that are often forgotten in disaster situations. Thank you very much; please pass and repost.

Nielsen Oliva Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger… A brotherhood of man… Imagine all the people… Sharing all the world

Rj Pilapil wishing and hoping for better things…

Mapet Lopez PLEASE REPOST – Finally the RED CROSS is accepting donations via Paypal. Please send your gifts to give@redcross.org.ph. Thank you mga kababayans!

Billy James Fontanilla Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. To donate, text RED and send to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart). You can donate 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 300 pesos.

Sweet San Pedro REPOST: Help needed at Payatas. Corpses all over….lacks media attention. Please repost so others can also take action :( #ondoy

Jenn Soriano BTI Money Transfer at Level 3 of Lucky Plaza waives remittance fees for ABS-CBN and GMA charities to help the victims of Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy). Please help

Jeffrey Ocampo

Billy James Fontanilla The government said that PAG-IBIG members have 90 days to apply for the Calamity Loan Program #ondoy

Marvin Natural is helping out by making sure the brewery recuperates and jobs won’t be lost. Covered in mud and soaked in sweat, we can get through this.

Sylvie Valenzuela Kahit ilang bagyo pa ang dumating..babangon at babangon ang pinoy. God bless us all especially all the victims of Ondoy.

Claren Vizcarra Torres They need volunteers and more relief goods to pack. Whitespace is in Pasong Tamo Extension across the Mead Johnson office.

Whitespace Pasong Tamo

Billy James Fontanilla Xoom is offering fee-free money transfer to the Philippine National Red Cross. just use the coupon code “HELPONDOY”. valid til 10/09/09

Billy James Fontanilla TxtPower – now accepts donations via SmartMoney 5577514418667103, GCash 09179751092 and Paypal.

Jovey Alerta

Let’s help the victims of Typhoon Ondoy! This relief drive is by Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) in partnership with Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philippine National Red Cross For cash donations, please deposit to: account name: INQUIRER ONDOY… RELIEF DRIVE peso acct no.: 111-112002660 dollar acct no.: 111-132000158

Joanne Mabuloc Para po sa mga gustong magdonate para sa affected families ng bagyong Ondoy, pumunta lang po kayo sa UP-Diliman CAL New Building at ibigay kay Prof. Roselle Pineda or sa guard ang inyong donations.=)

Nielsen Oliva

To all Pinoys in SINGAPORE, if you would like to help our kababayans affected by the floods, the drop-off point for relief goods is: Afreight Cargo #03-09 Lucky Plaza Orchard Road Contact Person: Maureen Schepers 6235-1011/91117855. Please pass this …info to fellow Filipinos and Non-Filipinos who would like to help

Rica Leyco Pls donate to the RedCross. For Smart, please text RED <10,25,50, or 100> to 4483. For Globe, please text RED <5,25,50,100 or 300> to 2899.

Jenn Soriano For Pinoys & Pinays in SG, we can drop off relief goods (for those affected by typhoon Ketsana/Ondoy) at Afreight Cargo, #03-09 Lucky Plaza, Orchard Road. Contact Person: Maureen Schepers 6235-1011/91117855.

Kate Cator for those who want to volunteer and take part on relief operations or donate at Manuel Villar Foundation, please call Joy San Diego of Vistaland at 0917-880-23-17 for details. Thank You!

George Palmiano shouts “bangon Pilipinas bangon!”

Ralph Ong House of the Senate Donation: 1.5 million / Typhoon Ondoy damage: 109 million / Cost of running for president: 1.5 billion / Filipino bayanihan spirit: priceless

Zayin Rodriguez expo centro cubao, “TULONG BAYAN” need more people for packing of relief goods – found in tpc

Sweet San Pedro donation drop-off points (http://twitpic.com/jhth9)

Claren Vizcarra Torres Relief operation centers are running out of bags. Bring those too if you’re planning to drop off goods.

Bevz Sapon Repost : Attention! Policemen needed in Provident Village Marikina. As of now there are robbers all over the place trying to break inside the houses. There is no electricity, the place is like a ghost town and is covered with thick mud. Please re-post , please be alert if you are in this area.

Roberto B. Figueroa Jr.

remembers this song … I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen and it’s still raining as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper throu…gh the rain, “I’m with you” and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.

Gideon Laungayan To my friends here and abroad, let’s help…

Billy James Fontanilla as per Bayan Telecom: Bayan is offering free calls in all its telecommunication centers in Metro Manila

Marvin Natural

Lance Laure it’s not too late to save our planet.. we just have to act now…

Riasa Aguilar-Guirnela would be out volunteering if not for the mandatory 2 – 3 month rest that she has to do. Would now resort to cleaning the closet for clothes to donate. At least I can still do my part. So people, please DONATE AND HELP :)

Kathleen Laurice Siy Hey STEPHENIANS! Want to help victims of typhoon Ondoy? Contact Ms. Louise Yao at 09228999915. You can: 1) VOLUNTEER to pack relief goods for victims by going to SSHS Elem Lobby starting 8AM TOMORROW (TUE). 2) DONATE canned goods, clothing, blankets etc. PASS THE NEWS.

Irene Orario Lorico

is calling out to my lucky family and friends na hindi naramdaman ang lupit ng bagyong ondoy… baka may mga pwede pa kaung itulong a lot of people lost everything, let’s do our share… lumang damit, goods, anything, you can bring them to mcj p…arish or mcdonald’s… let’s help one another, and appreciate how lucky we are to have just passed this calamity safely…

Jenn Soriano China donates $10,000 to PNRC for the victims of Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy)

Mel Enriquez

Sweet San Pedro ondoy victim directory and evacuation sites

Marco Tabago

Hello people. Let us get the attention of Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/ContactUs.aspx) to put a banner/direct link in their home page where international visitors may donate through Credit Card or PayPal. I’m sure there are pl…enty of people who will be willing to donate money on impulse once they see the banner. Please repost.

Geraldine Malagueno please donate, Petron gas stations also accept donations.

Mart Jayvi Talampas To my US-based friends and former classmates, please send your donations for the victims of Typhoon Ketsana to any American Red Cross office. My fellowmen need your help.

Michelle Lardizabal Ondoy on Wikipedia: It was worse than Hurricane Katrina
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Storm_Ketsana_(2009)

Tin Malonzo-Torres About to go to bed. I hope tomorrow’s a better day for the still flooded areas of metro manila. Goodnight everyone

Rizzabelle Reyes is very grateful to God after surviving the storm. First time to experience a calamity like this and it brought the family together. Lost some things due to the flood but im happy that we are all safe now.

Marvin Natural

Vanessa Vargas

reposting from Marvin:
Hi
everyone. I’m sure most of you are aware of the flood disaster in the
Philippines from Typhoon Ondoy. For those abroad and would like to help
in some way, it’s easy to contribute for relief by donating online
through A…yala Foundation. Go… to http://www.af-usa.org/donate_now_form.asp
and select Philippine National Red Cross from drop down. Let’s help
flood victims. Please forward this to your friends too. Thank you.Read More

Billy James Fontanilla Yoko Ono, Kutcher, Demi Moore, Coelho, Fred Durst and many more tweeting to help RP. Humanity at work. Someday, we will return the favor.ü

Erwin Miranda Aurella Update: ABS-CBN needs volunteers for Sept. 28, 29 & 30. Shifts are 8AM-12NN; 1:00-5:00PM and 5:00-9:00PM. Call 924-4101 loc. 2603, 2579, 4759.

Che Iglesias UP’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs accepting donations of relief goods (canned goods, medicines, cooking utensils, soap, cleaning implements, blankets, water, etc) starting tomorrow. Please help by disseminating this info. Contact 928-2947.

Sweet San Pedro

RT’s: (1) if you want to volunteer, just go to Balay Expo Center in Cubao, Edsa cor McArthur, 8AM onwards; (2) If you live near the Katipunan area, please send your donations tomorrow to Ateneo college covered courts. Food, water, clothes, medic…ines.; (3) for those in the south: drop donations at the ATC concierge, call 8422782 or 7721860. or help pack donations 10AM at st. james church

Eunice Eugenio Watching the news is really depressing… I just hope and pray that we could all recover from this unfortunate experience.

Maria Carina Bauza

To the 1.6 million Philippine Facebook users: Please donate 100 pesos each and we’ll raise 160 million for Red Cross rescue and relief. Red Cross donations through SMS: text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe, amount can be 100 or 300) or 448…3 (Smart, amount can be 50 or 100). Guys, please repost. Thanks!

Iris May Gamboa KEEP THE HOPE ALIVE! Donate to the Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Text RED <space> amount to 2899 (Globe) and 4483 (SMART). The service only accepts the following amounts: 10, 25, 50, 100 and 300 Php. (2.50Php. added text charge)

Iris May Gamboa

is praying hard for those who are gravely affected by the floods in Manila and neighboring provinces, for all who lost their homes and loved ones, and for all the volunteers helping our brothers and sister out there… Sana magtulungan po muna, saka …na magsisihan kung sino ang may kasalanan… Where we can donate and help out:Read More

Billy James Fontanilla RT @juliusbabao Here’s a message to the government after what has happened- “It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark”

(to be continued later… these are shoutouts from Today (topmost) to Sunday Sept 27, my fingers got tired from copy-pasting, and also needed to rest my eyes from searching for Ondoy-related shoutouts. I know.. I like doing it the manual way)

As much as I wanted to volunteer and act, this is the least I can do in this site… at this time…

Thank you to all the people who helped in their own little ways. Cheers to all the people who care. Bayanihan rocks!

Category: Social Studies  One Comment

“Every little bit counts”

Author: joane Sep 28

With a lot of rains coming in and out of my home country every year, and most people, including myself, are probably just cool about it because of the thought that it’s just rain, it’ll go away soon. It sucks… but it will go away. It is so unexpected that the rains that I thought of just some regular thing that comes and goes, would be this catastrophic.

Images grabbed from various emails and social networking sites.

Manila just turned into some kind of a huge body of muddy water. These are the streets that we pass by everyday… Nobody’s spared… Even the rich and the famous have to go up their roofs, and swam the muddy waters. :(

I am thankful that my family is unharmed. I pray for those lives greatly affected, and the homes destroyed. I will continue praying for everything to get better. :(

As I search for explanations, and look for people to blame (the government, as usual), I stumbled upon this article at the Inquirer. It suddenly dawned on me that there is no one in specific to blame… Those words that I used to read, and then say, “uhm, ok”, but not act because I would always think that nobody does them anyway. But after this tragic story in my home country, about the Great Flood destroying the homes and lives of my kababayans, I should start acting now. In my own little way, there should be something else that needs to be done, maybe not in a spectacular way but still relatively important, to prevent this from happening again in the future. :(

I admit to not being an advocate of Environmental stuffs. I admire those people doing great things for Environment protection. But me… none. I realized that I never wanted something disastrous as this would come out for me to care for nature.

If only I paid more attention to my Science subjects in school, I could have understood it far better. This article made it clearer.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20090928-227246/Why-did-the-flood-rise-so-high-and-so-fast

The third factor is global warming, the name everybody has heard of but rarely understands. Simply put, global warming is caused by the carbon dioxide that is produced by vehicle exhausts, cooking and other forms of burning, exhausts from factory machines, etc. and which forms a veil, the so-called “greenhouse gases,” around the earth that prevent the sun’s rays from bouncing out. This heat trapped in the earth’s atmosphere heats the planet gradually. The extra heat melts the ice caps that hold a big part of the earth’s water. The melted water raises the level of the world’s oceans. The rising seas submerge low-lying islets and coastal areas.
The trapped heat also evaporates water from bodies of water and stores them in the clouds. Cooled, the clouds drop as rain. The rains that dropped on us two days ago could have come from these clouds caused by global warming.
Paradoxically, the global warming that causes too much rain to drop in some areas also causes droughts in other areas, so that agricultural produce, which is dependent on water, is diminished.
So if global warming is not stopped soon, the Philippines will cease to be a country of 7,000-plus islands. Many low-lying islets on the planet will disappear. Also, there will be widespread famine because of reduced harvests.
So everybody has to pitch in to stop, or lessen, global warming.
How do we stop it? By reducing the emission of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is the product of any form of combustion—by vehicles, by cooking fires, by factories, by heavy use of electricity because power plants burn so much fossil fuels, and by many other innocent-looking actions that we assume are a part of modern living.
There are many ways we can reduce global warming. Read the newspapers, they will tell you how. Do not think that you are only one of billions of people on earth.
How can what I do make a difference? many ask. Yes, it will make a difference. Small acts, when repeated billions of times, can save the earth and us all. Every little bit counts.

The third factor is global warming, the name everybody has heard of but rarely understands. Simply put, global warming is caused by the carbon dioxide that is produced by vehicle exhausts, cooking and other forms of burning, exhausts from factory machines, etc. and which forms a veil, the so-called “greenhouse gases,” around the earth that prevent the sun’s rays from bouncing out. This heat trapped in the earth’s atmosphere heats the planet gradually. The extra heat melts the ice caps that hold a big part of the earth’s water. The melted water raises the level of the world’s oceans. The rising seas submerge low-lying islets and coastal areas.

The trapped heat also evaporates water from bodies of water and stores them in the clouds. Cooled, the clouds drop as rain. The rains that dropped on us two days ago could have come from these clouds caused by global warming.

Paradoxically, the global warming that causes too much rain to drop in some areas also causes droughts in other areas, so that agricultural produce, which is dependent on water, is diminished.

So if global warming is not stopped soon, the Philippines will cease to be a country of 7,000-plus islands. Many low-lying islets on the planet will disappear. Also, there will be widespread famine because of reduced harvests.

So everybody has to pitch in to stop, or lessen, global warming.

How do we stop it? By reducing the emission of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is the product of any form of combustion—by vehicles, by cooking fires, by factories, by heavy use of electricity because power plants burn so much fossil fuels, and by many other innocent-looking actions that we assume are a part of modern living.

There are many ways we can reduce global warming. Read the newspapers, they will tell you how. Do not think that you are only one of billions of people on earth.

How can what I do make a difference? many ask. Yes, it will make a difference. Small acts, when repeated billions of times, can save the earth and us all. Every little bit counts.

Category: Social Studies  Leave a Comment

*FEELING* Turista

Author: joane Sep 24

A little photo dump… :)

As you all know, my friends Jun and Kel went to Tokyo this silver week. They got engaged by the way, as you may see in my last post.

These are some photos of our tour. I might seem as an expert but I was actually feeling the same way as they are because I haven’t enjoyed touring Tokyo as this one.

So let the cam-whoring begin…

AIRPORT

I’m their Tour Guide. Service starts @ the Airport. ;) The guys are Tokyo-first timers. These people are Jetsetters too, they came from Manila a few days before. Then they’ll be flying again to US, maybe later…? Or they’re probably watching Black Eyed Peas first before flying. I dunno. They have to update me first. But there are no signs of exhaustion. I love touring these guys. They rock! :D

First Stop: Shibuya

Wherelse can you see the lights, the fabulous people strutting their butts out @ 11 in the evening, where the streets are still exuberant… and the people still bright and shiny. I love this place. So I took them first for a super late dinner here. Just set the Tokyo mood alive and kicking by letting them experience the 3 minutes of life at Shibuya Crossing ;)

Second Stop is my house at Omori. ZzzZ boring.

Next Stop: Tokyo Tokyo!

Tokyo Station…

The Tokyo Imperial Palace…

Imperial Grounds/Park/Whatever…

Tokyo Buildings…

Tokyo! Tokyo!

Tokyo tour won’t be complete without goofing around Japan’s cradle of power – the Imperial Palace.

So we went here making fun of ourselves in front of the camera and doing weird poses. We must be missing Bioman and friends. Btw, the other day, I watched Shaider, the first episode… nothing really special – just reminiscing the good old days.

Ahm, that one on the left is our winner shot c/o Jun ;)

The Highlight: ODAIBA

Yeah this is the highlight. But let me grab the spotlight for a while. Hehehehe. This is where Jun and Kel got engaged, with me jumping over and over again, while clicking the camera.

Nightlife: Roppongi

Do I need to say more?

Or should I just let this photo do the talking? :D

Ok, here’s the thing,

Nightlife is a must at Tokyo.

We’re supposed to go to my fave club but I had to choose Muse for practical reasons. Maybe next time we’ll go to Harlem/Ageha. But Muse was once unbeatable at the top of my club-faves anyway, so it’s OK.

Stop looking at my boobs. I know they’re perfect in this picture, hehehe.

… Alright, go ahead, look all you want! ;)

Last Stop: Shopping @ Ginza, Akihabara, Ueno

Awww.. The trip is too short. :(

Actually we went back to Shibuya for another night life. But we didn’t last till 12 because the friends have to wake up so early in the morning (with me) so we can fully utilize the free breakfast at Shinagawa Prince. :)

I’ll post more pics once I get the others. I really had fun when this two people came to Tokyo. When they left and when eventually I had to go back home, I felt so bored. *sigh*

Category: F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Tokyo Drift, Unleash the Party Animal  3 Comments

The Proposal (Tokyo Style :D)

Author: joane Sep 22

It was  my favorite spot at Roppongi Hills. I was “lost” one summer afternoon – I was looking for the Roppongi cinemas where I’m supposed to meet my friends to watch Transformers. Then I gave up finding it, got tired and took a seat at some big bench. Then I looked straight. There was the gazebo, the Tokyo tower, and a hundred images playing at my mind. It was a nice spot. Since then, when I feel like emoting my hearts out, I always go there, drink coffee, look at Tokyo Tower, and think.

Then last night, I found myself at the same spot again. This time, I was with my friend Kel, our first girl talk together since her engagement the other night. Nope, this post is not about me. Most especially, this is not about my engagement. This is Kel’s engagement, as told by a friend.

Overlooking Tokyo Tower, Kel started to share how his boyfriend, Jun, proposed.

Joane: OMG Kel… you’re getting married…

Kel: Oo nga eh… (yeah…)

I was fishing how Jun said the words. So I asked.

Kel: Sobrang nagulat talaga ako. Kinukulit ko pa nga sha nun, sinasabi ko kasi, “pagod na si Joane, parang gusto na niyang umalis.
(I was really surprised. I was even pressuring him to go like I was telling him, ‘It seems that Joane wants to go already.’)”

*Joane laughs*

Kel: Tapos yun, he said, “Me sasabihin ako..
(then he said…)
Pero mahina di ko narinig nung una.
(But I couldn’t hear what he first said.)

But wait, there’s another flashback… let’s start at the morning of the engagement – Sunday, September 20, 2009, at my place, where the couple stayed for their first night. We were all getting ready to transfer to their hotel at Shinagawa Prince. I was checking the net for time tables of the trains, etc. for our city tour while Kel was in the shower. Jun approached me and checked what I was doing. And then suddenly, he told me something like this,

Jun: Joane, me sasabihin ako sayo, pero secret lang natin ha.
(Joane, I have something to tell you. But it’s a secret ha)

He was whispering while looking back and forth to the direction of the shower where Kel was. I suddenly got nervous. I got scared that the thing that Jun would tell me might turn out to be something bad. Like, I was hoping that it’ll rather be a prank or something else to make fun of Kel when she goes out. :lol: , than any bad news or secrets. Then he said,

Jun: Mag propropose na sana ako kay Kel ngayon.
(I’m planning to propose to Kel today.)

I forgot all the scariness and suddenly my heart was filled with joy. I was shrieking OMG OMG over and over again the whole time. OMG! I then also started to look at the direction of the shower just to check out if Kel could hear us. And of course, I was hoping Kel did not hear anything. I asked Jun if he got the ring. He said yeah, he’s been keeping it all the time.

By the way, these are just brain dumps. That’s typically how everything flowed. Right when I got home (today, Tue Sep 22), I hurriedly went to my MACyGay to type the beautiful story of my friend’s engagement. For two days I’ve been keeping these memories in my brain. It’s torture to keep something to yourself and you have no way to share it to everyone. But I think I was luckier than my other friend, Rica (who kept the secret for about a week?). Hehehe. Cheers to that.

Then we started the tour. We walked pretty far the whole time. Walking drained us out. But what the hell, we were tourists. Though I’m their official tour guide, I felt like a tourist too. :lol: Jun told me that if he couldn’t do it today, or in Tokyo, he would do it in the US instead (since they’re also bound to US for work).

Excited for the Ferry

Then we went to Odaiba, for the FUJI TV, the Rainbow Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty (we were only able to see the back though). I was excited to get there too because I’ve never been there. At the station, while Kel was still in the restroom, I was telling Jun how careless he was because he left the ring at the bag that Kel was carrying. He was hoping that Kel would not notice. But he was very confident that Kel won’t bother to open the bag because it’s a camera bag. So it’s full of camera geek stuffs. So Kel won’t bother opening it in the CR.

We booked for the ferry, for a little cruise at the Tokyo Bay, passing over the Rainbow bridge, and the Tokyo buildings… And OMG, I almost blew the secret (hence, I could be accused big time of being careless too).

Kel brought a video cam to capture the little ferry boat sail away while we watch over Tokyo Bay. I then shouted out, “Yehey, gagawa ako ng vlog! (Yehey, I’m gonna make a vlog!)” I never made any video blogs yet. I only made videos of myself playing my guitar, but no video blogs yet. So I thought, that would be the moment for my first video blog. It was the perfect setting.

The Perfect Setting. Jun is just busy capturing images.

I then went in front of the camera and, started to say something like, “Hi! This is my first vlog! And we are cruising at Tokyo bay.. This is my friend’s boyfriend, Jun. (I went to Kel, while Kel was doing some twisting action of the camera).. and this is my friend, Kel.” And then I stopped. I almost said, “… AND THEY’RE GETTING MARRIED!!”. Damn that was so close! I stopped my vlog attempt right there because I was out of words. Panic attack hehehe.

I was wondering if Jun could do it. The setting was already perfect. The cruise. The Bay. The Bridge. The Lights… It was just after-sunset. And our spot was great. When the boat started to stop at the other-side pier, I gave up the idea that I’d be seeing Jun propose.

Indoors. Perfect Setting = Gone.

Indoors. Perfect Setting = Gone.

We decided to go indoors on our way back to the pier because it was cold already (autumn’s here). So the perfect setting for everything was gone. When we got out of the boat, I was really tired… perhaps they are too. We left Jun somewhere to set up his camera for the view of the Rainbow Bridge at night, while Kel and I took off somewhere to look for coffee or any hot drink, which unfortunately were out of stock at that part of Odaiba. I was implying to Kel that we have to go in the mall or go back to Shinagawa or anywhere to have dinner. Then, we went back where Jun is to tell him that we are going back. Jun was bragging his photo of the rainbow bridge and was telling about some exposure and other camera jargons. He did took a really beautiful photo. Then, I said, “Ayan nakasetup naman yung tripod, dun kayo bilis picture-an ko kayo. (Go there quick, I’ll take your photo since the tripod was set-up already)”

The two went to the SPOT (it was a long stretch of fence overlooking the Tokyo Bay and the Rainbow Bridge and the Tokyo lights), and I forgot what already happened, all I could remember was that I was busy taking photos, and swearing at how ugly my photos were… The couple’s backs were already facing me, they were facing the VIEW. And then there… right in front of one of the world’s most beautiful, Jun was already on his knees…

I was shouting OMG OMG OMG (I could not hear what they were saying)… while clicking and clicking at the camera… and my tears were almost coming out… When they were already hugging each other, I hurried to them and hugged them both (sorry I’m so extra but I couldn’t contain my happiness already, hehehe)…

As Kel was saying,

Kel: Ayun, nabigla na lang ako, he’s on his knees na, saying, “Will you marry me?”
(I was stunned, he was on his knees already, saying, “Will you marry me?”).
Tapos nilabas na niya yung ring.. hehe
(Then he pulled out the ring, :) ).

Kel: Sobrang unexpected. Hindi sha ma-speech, he’s a quiet person kasi. Isang tanong lang, of course I said yes.
(It was so unexpected. He’s not the type of guy who gives a lot of speeches coz he’s a very quiet person. One question, and I said yes.)

The newly engaged Couple. Kel is teary eyed here. :)

With me again. Im so eXtra :)

With me again. I'm so extra :)

Wooohoo! Congrats Jun and Kel! Advance Best Wishes! Hehehehe :)

Category: F.R.I.E.N.D.S.  6 Comments

Happy Silver Week!

Author: joane Sep 22

A very happy indeed! And I got my happy silver too! Meet my new Baby…

My Ameko Box
:)

Open Sesame!

It’s a Makeup box. :) It’s two times bigger than my dream Mac Box.. and three times cheaper!

I was accompanying my turista friends souvenir shopping at Ueno when we chanced upon this bargain bag store wherein all bags are priced 3,150 yen. All of the bags in the store have the same price. As in all of them! Even those with prices of over 10,000 yen! My friend bought a Tommy Hilfiger laptop bag, and she said, one look at the bag – it was love at first sight. It was very tempting to buy something because the bags were really cheap, and they’re of good quality. But I was holding my impulsive self, repeatedly murmuring, “I don’t need a new bag”. I said I could just go back anytime anyway. I was very happy because I successfully walked out of the store with nothing on my hand. Until at the corner of the exit, I saw the makeup box. It was love at first sight. :)

Silver Week is a 5 day holiday in Japan (Sat-Sun-Mon-Tue-Wed) for three consecutive Japanese National Holidays. There’s also Golden Week in May, also a 5-day holiday. They celebrate it every year. I’m just not sure how it was planned (sometimes it’s not consecutive days). This year, we got lucky because these perfect “weeks” turned out to be consecutive long weekends.

“Ameko” came from “Ameyokocho”, it’s the place where I bought the makeup case. Naming lifeless stuffs for no reason is just my thing, OK! :lol:

Category: Beauty Addiction  One Comment

Shiny Red Circles

Author: joane Sep 15

I bought this pimple cream/ointment/whatever in an attempt to get rid of these shiny red lumpy small circles systematically appearing on my face. Sure it did help a little by hindering the red big circle on my nose from getting bigger. But they’re still there. :cry: I discontinued using the cream after a week because it’s quite strong. It might make situations worst.

It’s like pimple season. After spending 900+ yen for the cream, I could not do anything anymore… but this. Whine.

Perhaps I’ll just continue whining until they all disappear. Sheesh.

Category: Beauty Addiction  One Comment

Be careful what you wish for

Author: joane Sep 14

And so it begins. The busy days and the busy nights.

Though I sometimes check out my horoscope at Facebook (coz it was fun) I was never really superstitious. I rarely believe in those sayings but sometimes they do come true.

Maybe it was some careless statement I made one day. I was blaming my stomach for it. Or my mouth. Either of the two, it’s related anyway. First my stomach is always hungry (or craving for something), and my mouth is also always craving for something. That’s just it, every day, at random times, whether it is near-lunch time or after lunch-time, I always had to have a bite. I was always looking for something to nibble. So I would go out and buy snacks and food and all kinds of craving materials at the convenience store in front of my office.

Then on that fateful day, I became very busy. Not that busy but enough to keep my mind occupied. And my momentum was so high that I forgot all about the cravings. At the end of the day, I commented, “I wish it would be always like this so I could save a lot of money (from buying all those food)”.

Now. It is. And so it begins.

Category: Tokyo Drift  Leave a Comment

New Moon

Author: joane Sep 13

Something more to look forward to on November… :D

Movie Trailers – Movies Blog

Category: Movies are Goodies  Leave a Comment

How to become a Superwoman?

Author: joane Sep 12

For two consecutive nights, I have skipped studying for SCWCD because 1) I was tired from work. This is the first time I found myself going at home later than 7! And oh, last night, it was 12… from the office; 2) My brains got drained due to a lot of brainstorming and designing (which I enjoyed by the way); and 3) When I’m at home and attempted to study, I have always been distracted by showbiz juices coming from all over the world.

I decided that I would wholly dedicate my weekend to a non-stop study marathon. Unfortunately, when I attempted to read, nothing reached my brains. I found myself again in that stage where my brains refuse to accept any more knowledge about JSTL and its related geek stuffs. I thought maybe a change of scenery would do the trick.

So I went to Roppongi, the club capital, where I usually spend my Saturday nights (taking turns with Shibuya :cool: ). Maybe if I go to a place where I always find my adrenalines pumping and myself jumpin, maybe.. my brains would activate.

But I didn’t study inside Flower (my now-fave club), I just spent hours at Starbucks and Doutour debugging my custom tags. The change of scenery was quite effective. At least I was able to read 20 pages..

But it’s not enough. Pressure is coming up, I need to rush up my SCWCD else, I would get confused. Because I need to do .NET at work.

If only there’s a way to separate knowledge absorption on different sides of the brain. Like .NET on the right side, SCWCD on the left, and then some small portion for Japanese. Problem is, a huge part of my brain is somewhat very good at absorbing nonsense (and dirty) thoughts. So I have a lot to work out.

Also this day, I suddenly realized that I haven’t talked to mum for quite a long time already. Maybe because of the fact that I haven’t received any more of stress-texts like, “Daughter, Chinatrust is coming to town! …Citibank is killing us! Or.. Your baby brother did something bad at school again..” Funny, I’m craving for those kinds of texts. :lol: I thought, hmm, they’re probably doing good over there already that mum wasn’t talking to me anymore. But I still called anyway just to make sure.

Turns out, yes, they are doing good at home. Mommy has a surefire way of handling stress. I like it. She sounds so cool about everything – the roof-repairs, the whiney maid, the need-for-a-dryer because it has been raining like forever back there (and it’s like climbing Mt. Fuji to ask big brother for money). I already broke the news that I’ll be home for Christmas. Mom wasn’t happy about that hahaha! Well she’s happy that we’ll be together for Christmas, but let’s admit, everybody’s rich if I’m here in Japan (not that super rich, but very much enough for everyone to be happy) So I would also be sad if I get to go home soon because my pockets would become very sad too.

Actually yeah, I was sad about it for some time. I just did a lot of meditation to slowly accept the fact that anytime from now, I am going home. (Hence the more reason for me to study so I could take the SCWCD exam anytime). Like before, there is no assurance that I’m coming back. But that would be another thing I had to worry about, or be sad about in the future.

Ok, enough of the mumblings. Back to my routine…

Category: The Geek Pretender  2 Comments

Deglamorized!

Author: joane Sep 09

Since I had again one of those panic attacks because of that red nose reindeer issue, after work I hurried to the drug store to find something that would put a stop to the red nose from getting worst, or from growing bigger (both I think are worst).

I was surprised to see that they have a special section, over the counter creams/ointments, for pimple treatment. And there are a variety of creams/ointments to choose from. After another nose-bleeding experience of explaining what I wanted, while pointing of course to my red nose and other growing red circles (which I hate) on my face, they gave me a recommendation, which I bought for 946 yen.

The saleslady/drug expert I suppose, told me that I should apply it twice a day. Morning and night. At night I won’t have any problem because I’d just be in my place, and nobody would see me except my roomate which wouldn’t also had any chance of seeing me in my now-white-glamoured nose because we don’t really see each other often. Think about toothpaste on your face. I tried that by the way, toothpaste over pimples because I heard from an old myth that there’s an ingredient in toothpastes that makes pimples go away! It didn’t work, or maybe I was expecting it to work overnight. Too much expectations so no deal!

But in the morning, I had to apply it and go to work… yesterday was OK. Since I went to work with a mask. :D In the middle of the day, the whiteness has somehow disappeared so I removed my mask and went through my day. Not really comfortable with a mask… I thought, I wouldn’t need any mask at all because the white pigment slowly disappears.

This morning, when I had my usual morning stuffs, I put the cream on my face again. Since the lighting on my room in the morning is not that bright (just recently, I only use sunshine in the morning), I could see that the white pigment is hardly noticeable. So I went to office without my mask. And when I arrived, I was welcomed with 5 laughs when I greeted-all-smiles, ”Ohayou Gozaimasu”. I looked at my table mirror, and there it was shining brightly: As if some bully kid did a free-style drawing on my face using a chalk. It was ugly! I could imagine those two Japanese colleagues in front of me are probably trying to pretend not to notice because they didn’t react. But they probably would want to go out and laugh their hearts out.

So before I could give those kids that I always see on my way to work a very good reason again to make fun of me, as they always do :| , I would wear a mask. Nasty red pimples! :cry:

Category: Bad Day  Leave a Comment
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