“Sino na ba kumanta ng Sunburn?”

di naman masyado sunog ah

“Sino na ba kumanta ng Sunburn?” My daughter asked me this morning, she’s trying to mock me because my face is all red from sunburn and it stings too! Sure, I always joke about wanting to get a little tan, and I always get excited each morning when I see the sunrise, “Sa wakas, muling mahahagkan nang marahan ng araw ang aking mga pisngi nawa’y magdulot ng kaunting pamumula na tila bagang rosas na nahihiyang sumibol!” I habitually recite that to the one seating next to me in the office every morning or was it myself? Now, I’m not really sure where I got that, for all I know I could’ve made it all up.I would like to be sun kissed but it seemed like I got more than a kiss ― I looked like I made love with sun. Waah!!!

siempre dapat kasama ko nephew ko (kamay ng nanay ko yan ha)

I got burned in Apalit yesterday but before I got there I got lost in Monumento, I often go to Cubao every time I go to Apalit but yesterday morning I wanted to try something new so off I went to Monumento, I got lost but eventually I found my way. Happy ending pa rin. One thing is sure though my skin got burned and it hurts a lot but I feel like a new person inside. I wish to keep it that way; I better stay away from my weakness! “I wish I knew how to quit…”

Rewind to a week ago, I was told that I looked maputla, “Naaarawan ka pa ba?” people often ask me. I answered “Not anymore and I like it that way.” It’s true, I like it the way it was, maputla. But secretly I think I looked better with a little color on my face but maybe it’s just my imagination. Wehehe…

So for now, I might as well enjoy(?) my one day love affair with the sun. Shh… you better not tell my mother…I’ll be singing Sunburn the whole day, I hope she doesn’t notice… pero sino na nga ba ang kumanta ng Sunburn?

I never thought I’d say this but I have been watching not one but two telenovela’s lately… o, ha! Sino ngayon ang makakapagsabi na hindi ako nanonood ng telenovela?

The first story is about Stefania, she was abducted from her family when she was a child, the perpetrators wanted to make money out of her so they tried to sell her but she resisted, she never ate, she did not communicate with them, a part of her died the day she was taken from her mother. Years passed and still she defied them, she must have figured that she didn’t have anything to live for. It’s a miracle they did not kill her.

Until one day, she was rescued from her captors, she was put in a place where she can relax and recuperate, and she needed all the help she could get. She was skinny and underweight, she was in her teens when she was rescued but her weight was like that of a child. She was adopted by a French doctor and his partner, Veronica, they gave her everything that she could possibly need but she was not responding. It seemed like the only thing she ever enjoyed was the nightly massage Veronica gave her every night to soothe the wounds and scars she got when she was still in captivity. The wounds on her skin were getting better and better each day but her wounds inside did not. After a year of trying to bring her back to life she finally responded, they didn’t have to force feed her anymore, she took all her vitamins without any struggle, she was cooperating, at last. So, the good doctor decided to bring her back to the place where she once lived, in Albuquerque, Mexico, it will surely help her, they thought.

The journey was long, even the Columbian government joined the group to ensure Stefania’s safe trip. When they arrived, a young man was waiting for her (eto na ang pinakahihintay ng lahat o baka ako lang… ang leading man!). He was young but definitely older than Stefania, not particularly handsome but he could be if you could find the right angle, oh, alright, who am I kidding, he’s good-looking. He had wavy hair, he had a slender and willowy body, his name was Umberto Pelizzare, I’m not really sure about his surname but it sure sounded like it. When Stefania arrived, he was waiting on the shore, I can tell that he was anxious to see her but, surprisingly, he did not approach her when they came ashore. Hmpf! pa-suplado pa sya!

Stefania was afraid, she did not like the place at all; maybe she had forgotten all about it, she was mote at home with the four corners of her room in the city. She was afraid of the vast and endless horizon in front of her.They were back to where they started. The couple was devastated, it looked like moving her to the place where she was born was a bad idea after all. Days passed and Stefania showed little progress until Umberto stepped in. “It’s about time,” I thought to myself, “masyado naman kasing pa-suplado ang drama ng leading man na ‘to eh!”

He was very gentle when he approached her; he wanted to touch her but opted to just look at her. Not a word was exchanged but they understood each other. It was like that for hours… he was very patient. The doctor and his wife were looking from afar. Suddenly, Stefania made the first move, she swam to the deeper part of the water, and she looked at him as if she wanted him to follow her. And he did. Everyone was teary-eyed, Stefania accepted his friendship. Umberto was ecstatic.

They swam for hours, he was a very good swimmer. He swam beside her, he swam on top of her but what Stefania liked the most was when Umberto was under her and touching her fragile and soft body. (Singit lang ako sandali… sobrang galing lumangoy ni Umberto! Naku pag nakita n’yo maiin-love kayo sigurado.)She was calm under the waves. She was at peace, she felt like she belonged, at last. But it didn’t last long, Umberto had to leave her behind, Umberto did not have to say a word it was written all over his face, although he cared deeply for Stefania, he’s got his eyes set on a new girl and he was going to pursue her in Panama. This other girl is not like Stefania, she’s carefree and independent, she did not need any help from anyone. She can take care of herself and her child. Oh, yes! She did have a child and Umberto did not mind. Umberto was willing to trade his relationship with Stefania to be with this new girl, no matter how fleeting the encounter might be. Hay… ang pag-ibig nga naman…

My second telenovela is about Jessica, this took place in South Africa. She was abandoned by her mother not because she didn’t love her but because she was afraid of her abusive and two-timing husband. She was afraid he’d kill Jessica so she abandoned her in a place where she was sure somebody will find her.

A couple did find Jessica, Tony and Shirley; they were both an environmentalist who chose to live in South Africa. From the moment Shirley set her eyes on Jes, she fell in love with her; they treated her like their own child. Everyone was telling them that they were raising Jessica wrongly, she’s a grown woman now and still she would not socialize with anyone, she was content living inside the compounds of their house and she particularly liked spending the whole day swimming in the river at the back of their house. She was a bit heavy. Tony and Shirley tried to tell her that but she will not listen, she wasn’t worried about her weight. She threw tantrums every time they talk about her weight.

Tony wanted Jessica to find a boyfriend for Jessica; he was obsessed by the idea of it. Sometimes he’d roam the village trying to find a possible male who could make Jessica’s heart flutter. Ha-ha-ha!!! He only wanted to make Jessica socialize just like the others; he’d always say trying to justify his actions.Shirley didn’t like the idea at first but she eventually saw that Tony’s idea could be a great help for Jes.

One afternoon while the family was lazing around the river side, they saw a stout young man swimming on their river, he probably got lost, they thought. Shirley did not give him much attention but Tony was excited, this boy could be the one they’ve been waiting for. This could be the boy for their dear Jessica. His name was Charlie; they could tell that he was interested with Jessica because after the afternoon that he got lost in their river, he never stopped visiting them. Sometimes he’d come by at night when Charlie thought that they were all sleeping, he’d creep around the house and look for Jes. But Jessica was not interested with Charlie, she ignored him. She’d rather eat and hang with his dad than spend the day with Charlie. Jessica did not say a word but her actions were very clear. Charlie was distraught. He felt hopeless. He was heartbroken. No words could ever describe how he felt except he felt like dying.

Charlie did not show up for days… and then weeks, Tony and Shirley were worried but they did not know where to look for Charlie, they didn’t know where he lived. Jessica didn’t seem affected at all; all she ever did was eat. Maybe she missed him; after all, she’s just too shy to admit it even to herself and it all manifested through her increased appetite.

One day, Tony went to the market to buy fresh vegetables when he heard about a young male killed by a farmer. He was trespassing they told Tony, that’s why the farmer killed him. Nobody knew who the young male was so they took a picture of him, lying dead, swimming in his own blood and all. Tony took a good look at the picture; he trembled when he realized that it was Charlie. He felt anger, he felt his knees weaken. When he got home he showed the picture to Shirley without saying a word. She took a good at look at it and then cried. He was so young; he was just starting to live. It was so unfair to have his life taken away by an ignorant farmer who didn’t know any better. They haven’t told Jessica yet, they’re not sure if she’d understand it.

Hindi patapos ang teleserye ng buhay nila, mabuti na lang maganda pa rin ang schedule ng pasok ko sa office, hahaha!!! Mapapanood ko pa rin sila linggo-linggo. Teka, sino ba niloloko ko?! Sawang-sawa na akong gumising ng maaga!!! Grr…

And, I probably should mention that the two stories happened in real life. They’re true stories. And that Stefania is a dolphin, the other girl is a Humpback whale and Umberto is a real man (buti na lang).

Jessica and Charlie are hippos

Confessions of a Teacher's Pet (for a day)

I attended a seminar in Makati last Thursday, The Guerilla Graphic Design. I would love to talk about the seminar but I wouldn’t want to bore anyone to death so instead I’d be talking about the teacher, he was funny, smart, talented and really, really passionate about his job, who wouldn’t, I think being a graphic designer is a really cool job. He’s also a writer and I just found out about it now, he’s also a singer, before the seminar ended he ask us to check out his website, www.soundclick.com/xmanila, I bet he composed all his songs. Really talented, that guy.

I was seated on the right side of his table, the nearest to him, I felt like a teacher’s pet. I didn’t like it but I had no choice my eyes are really bad nowadays, I brought my eyeglasses with me just in case, but I had no intentions of wearing it. When the lecture started, he started to ask questions about Photoshop, I knew the answer but I didn’t dare raise my hand but nobody was answering so I sort of mumbled the answer, soft enough to be a whisper but loud enough for him to hear, to my surprise he understood, my answer was right. Before I knew it I was answering almost all his questions correctly, like a really good teacher’s pet would. I was never the teacher’s pet in school but that day, I was, and I liked it. Ha-ha-ha!

When we had our first break, everyone was eager to get out to have their coffee breaks including my officemate, I was the second to the last who got out of the room because, as usual, my things all over the place, I had to tidy up first, kakahiya naman. But before I headed for the door the teacher offered me a half of his snack, grabe na ‘to! teacher’s pet na talaga ako! I said, “No, thanks.” I struck up a conversation instead, ayoko naman na magmukhang suplada, kahit sobrang nawiwiwi na ako, buti na lang pumasok yung assistant nya kaya may dahilan na akong lumabas.

He was giving out a seminar voucher at the PCCI (where he also teaches), so he asked us to drop our calling cards in a bowl, I didn’t have a company calling card so I asked my officemate to give me one of his cards, I erased his name, cellphone number and email address and wrote mine instead. Messy talaga at nakakahiya. But I guess, luck was on side that day, umuwi na yung unang pangalan na nabunot so they had to draw out another name, he had a hard time reading the name on the card, “Baka ako na yun?” I thought to myself. Voila! Ako nga!

I suppose, it solidified everything, teacher’s pet nga ako that day!

I saw him on Tomb Raider, boring. I watched The Invasion because of him, he was dull. I watched him on Layer Cake by chance and he blew me away! I was floored. I fell in love with him instantly. Good, decent and conscientious roles never really worked for him, in my opinion. He’s electrifying when he’s bad. He’s so gwapo when he’s punching people in the face. Or maybe it’s just me? He’s got me so mesmerized I can’t even look at him without feeling guilty!

You must know by now who I’m talking about, right? Yup, it’s Daniel Craig, the meanest, the baddest, the toughest and the most scandalous James Bond ever existed on film. Finally, they’re showing the dark side of Bond! I get all giddy when he’s looking straight at me the camera but watching him is making every part of my body ache, literally. Have you seen those stunts? He rarely needs doubles; he does almost all of his stunts. Man, he’s sick. Just the way I like it. Ha-ha-ha!!!

Hopefully, this will be the last time I blog about my crushes simply because I’m getting too old for it. Hindi na bagay. Ouch!

She likes her tea hot but she lets it cool down before she drinks it. She likes to stockpile books she knows she’d never find time to read. She often buys stuff she doesn’t need and claims she will need them someday. She loves to paint but just couldn’t find the time. She likes to stay home and not go out for days. She likes to sleep all day. She loves to watch the sunrise but just too lazy to get up early. She loves the rain but she doesn’t own an umbrella, ever. She loves white shirts but she stains them every time. She loves to wear pajamas all day. She doesn’t know how to sew so she buys new clothes instead. She can’t live without cable T.V. She claims that she’s not the jealous kind but she’s just too afraid to show how she really feels. She’s very caring but she finds it hard to show. She can be sweet if she wants to. She can be friends with everyone but considers only a few as her true friends. She only talks to people she really likes. She’s strong-willed but she has one weak spot. She laughs easily. She’s silly. She’s stupid. She giggles like a schoolgirl. She’s mature and yet she never lost the child in her. She’s fragile and she breaks just like a little girl. She cries for no reason at all sometimes. She doesn’t talk much when she’s hurting. She complains a lot but doesn’t really mean it. She loves to cook but she doesn’t like to wash the dishes. She hates doing the laundry but she’d scrub the bathroom anytime. She loves to sing when she’s alone. She can’t dance even if her life depended on it. She can’t run fast enough even if her life depended on it. She can’t solve a simple math problem even if her life depended on it. She loves impromptu shopping! She always runs out of clothes to wear. She always runs out of shoes to wear. She loves dogs. She hates cats. She’s terrified of rats. She’s not afraid of ghosts. She’s suspicious and yet she’s gullible. She’s wise and yet she’s foolish...

Who is she? Well, I like my tea hot…

Around five years ago, Balong wanted me to buy him a puppy for a pet. I told him a puppy is a big responsibility so I bought him two Malayan box turtles instead. But after a few months the turtles got tired of us, I think, they went missing, we looked for them in the bushes and under the roots of the coconut trees but they weren’t there. He cried the whole day and he made me promise to buy him another pet. I promised, of course, but I didn’t keep it. Having two kids is more than enough for me to keep me busy the whole day!

Fast forward to early this year, his obsession for a puppy resurfaced again, he begged and cried for it pero hindi pa rin ako pumayag, siempre!

Knowing that crying and begging won’t work with me, he now uses different tactics to torment me hoping that I would give up one day. Here are the list of animals he kept as pets:

Kuhol
My mother went to Alabang one day to buy tilapia and bangus, she only buys her fish in Alabang and she only buys vegetables in Divisoria or Quiapo. Why? I don’t know. It boggles me too. Anyhow, she brought home fresh kuhol one day and Balong asked for a few pieces and made it his pet, he fed them with bread and vegetable every day. He loved them with all his little heart could give and when they died, he was heartbroken. He told me so.

Tilapia
My mother only buys live tilapia so he gave one to Balong but the poor fish lasted only a day.

An egg
He wanted to have a chick so he asked me to buy him an extra large egg from the market. I told him he had to sit on it softly so the chick inside won’t get cold just like any hen would do. And he did! Ha-ha-ha!!! But he got tired of it after two days so he asked me to cook the egg na lang.

Hermit Crab
He brought it home from school.

Chick
He bought it for five pesos from school. I hated it that chick. He would not stop chirping, then, one day it disappeared. I had nothing to do with it. I wasn’t even at home when it disappeared. But we all imagined that it jumped from the terrace and died or some cat might have ate it. Poor chick.

After watching Ratatouille last week from Disney channel, he’s now super obsessed with having a mouse for a pet! “HINDI PWEDE!!!” I cried and screamed, “Alam nyo naman na sobrang takot ako sa daga, hindi pwede. Maglalayas ako ng bahay pag nag-uwi kayo ng daga ha, kahit puti pa yan! Hindi joke yan!”

Knowing Balong, I know that he’s going to buy one from school. He really is torturing me. He really wanted that puppy and he’ll do anything just to get me to buy him one. So, yesterday we went to Cartimar, it wasn’t planned, I had no intention of going there since it was so hot yesterday I wanted to stay home and watch TV instead but I was afraid he’d bring home a mouse so I guess it’s better that we went out to buy him a pet bird or something instead.

He wanted to scream when we got there, he couldn’t believe his eyes, “Para tayong nasa zoo, nanay!” he yelled. We saw snakes and lizards. “Wag sana yun ang mapili nya.” I secretly wished.

He was thrilled to see and touch rabbits for the first time after that a little puppy caught his eye, he approached and they played, the dog and my son were instantly friends, they connected. They played and my son laughed like he’s never laughed before. I’ve never heard him laugh like that before, it was pure happiness (I wished I brought my camera), I almost cried.

And for a few seconds I thought about giving up, just let go. Be spontaneous and actually do what I feel like doing. Don’t think just… let go… and buy the puppy. However, upon learning that the puppy is worth about eleven thousand pesos… the thought of being impulsive… letting go… and buying the puppy doesn’t seem like a good idea all of a sudden. “Balong. say goodbye to your friend na and let’s buy fish na lang.” I said. I could see in his eyes that he didn’t want to leave his friend behind but he’s a good boy, he does what I tell him to do.

He was so confused, he didn’t know what to choose, he wanted to take home all the fishes. The folks from the pet shop suggested that since it’s his first fish, we should start with one that does not need oxygen. It’s cheaper that way so I liked it. We ended up buying three fighting fishes (one for him, one for his ate Gillian and one for Aki) in three separate bowls, of course, they weren’t called fighting fish for nothing.

On the way home, he suddenly hugged me and said, “Thank you, nanay! I love you forever!”

For now, his obsession for puppy is over and done. I could sleep well anytime of the day knowing that no Ratatouille will be running around the house.

Who’s Gonna Save My Soul?

Have you seen Gnarls Barkley’s Who’s Gonna Save My Soul? If you haven’t, I beg you to watch it. It’s really good! It’s about breaking up, ano pa ba? The scene was in a diner or something, they were about to have breakfast when the girl blurted out “I need some space… blah, blah, blah… It’s not you, it’s me…”, gasgas lines. Sounds corny, diba? But listen to what the guy will say, really smart, heart-breaking, excruciating, tear-jerking lines. Ano ba?! Bakit ba ganito palagi kong pinapanood? Depress na nga ako eh… It kinda belittles every break-up video I know.

I wouldn’t want to ruin everything for you so I won’t tell you that before the really smart heart-breaking… lines, the guy asked for the waitress for an extra plate and then he took a knife, cut up his heart, placed it on the plate and gave it to her. Ha-ha-ha!

Dali na, watch it!

My arms ache, I can’t stand
still (I automatically sway when I’m standing as if I’m making a baby sleep), I get up early each day just to make sure that my he catches the morning sun. I
am so crazy about my nephew, he’s about 3 weeks old now and he’s starting to get tubby. Heck, I am claiming him as my son. I so miss having a baby in the
house. I love babies! Well, actually, I ‘m lying, I’m not too big on babies, I only like cute babies but since this is my nephew… he’s cute no matter what.

I’m not very fond of kids either; but kids like me, I try to drive them away but they won’t go. It’s true, believe it or not.

I haven’t been watching TV since he was born, I can’t stay away from him. Everyday, I hurry home so I could shower and hold him. I have more pictures with him than my sister.
Wehehe…

I know
he looks hideous in this picture but I look nice and it’s my blog so I’m posting it. ;-

My
niece, Aki and my nephew, Rap-rap. And, yes, that’s how I look in the morning,
I look like Tweety bird.

My two
boys, Dylan and Rap-rap. We’re all bagong gising.