New Year's Party 2009

It's good to see how things have changed with your college buddies. As for me, I was lucky to have seen them last night with the help of Third's (my blockmate and kumpare of 10 years) constant nagging of a get-together. Fortunately, 6 were available that night, so we decided to meet up.

It was good to see that we were able to build our respective careers. Two were into development work, the other media, the other into the legal career, and the other in pharmaceuticals, and with me in financial services. Despite our career differences the common denominator prevailed: We were bred by the best University in the country, bearing the inculcated principles of integrity and excellence.

But of course, another two great values that we also share are the value of good fun and camaraderie. :) And we exhibited those values in our one-night-only KTV Christmas Party. We reminisced the good old times when our tummies were flatter, our problems lighter, and our challenges easier.

See how things have changed among my Devstud brethren:

Before (Circe 2000)

December 29, 2009 (L to R: Me, Third Espero, Brian Novero, LJ Castel, Carrie de Guzman, Alvinne Pamintuan, Nikki

Circa 1998

Today

"Napakahirap malimutan and saya ng dating samahan. Kahit lumipas na ang ilang taon, magkakaibigan pa rin ngayon."--Sa'n Na Nga Bang Barkada, Apo Hiking Society

Long-distance Connection

I am now officially involved in a long-distance relationship... I honestly do not know how to handle this, but I sure will find a way to do so. I just have to keep myself busy and look forward to the happier days when all things will go back the way it used to be. I am now beginning to understand my situation and slowly trying to see the positives in this negative.

I thank God for the vast technological developments. With plenty of options to communicate, the sadness somehow subsides, the loneliness somewhat disappears.

Countdown

Another countdown begins. Today I sent my lady to the airport to work in the States. I'll be counting another 350 days to see her again.

So what's in a year? A year is simply:

1. 12 visits to the barber

2. 26 cinema changes

3. 1 NBA season

4. 52 Church sessions

5. 12 paydays

6. 1 Valentine's Day, 1 Easter Sunday, and 1 Halloween

7. 1 Birthday

8. 52 Friday Madness nights

Wish I could borrow Adam Sandler's remote in Click so I could make a fast forward to December 2010. But of course, stupid fantasies aside, I will have to make do with the reality of having to wait for 350 days. I just have to keep myself busy with work. Sanity check as well from time to time.

Save the Date!!!

Finally! Floyd Mayweather Jr. found his balls and is now ready to take on a REAL challenge in Manny Pacquiao! This will be a classic battle between the reigning pound-for-pound king versus the pretty boy! This will truly be a fight to remember for all eternity!

I sure hope Floyd will be a pound-for-pound guy as he claims to be, and not some jackrabbit fighter who like running more than boxing. Let's keep an eye for his shoes. If he's wearing a Newton or a New Balance, this fight will go nowhere...

After making the world record for 7 titles in 7 weight divisions, Manny Pacquiao is ready to take on the fight of his career. What a way to end an illustrious boxing career! After this fight, after he gives the pretty boy his needed cuts and bruises, Manny can now retire a boxing superstar. He can now concentrate on acting, on his family, on politics (hell no!).

My fearless prediction in the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight: Pacquiao by unanimous decision.

Save the Date! March 13, 2010!


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Let's hope Z Gorres is doing fine now in the hospital in the States. In his recent battle with a Colombian slugger, he won the fight but suffered internal bleeding when he got knocked down in the 12th round, despite winning the fight. I haven't heard any news from him since then. Hopefully he gest back in normal shape. Though it is very slim for him to be fighting again, I sure hope he could still do things normally after this.

December 1, 2009 - Deadline!

A lot of things have passed and I have not been writing lately. :) I'll try to keep up with the things I haven't wirtten about in the past 2 months or so.

The filing of certificates of candidacy has just come to an end, with all the expectations and surprises coming into play. Just to highlight a few:

• There's Bayani Fernando who swore not to become anybody's VP ending up under Sen Dick Gordon's party.
• A flurry of stars and starlets diving into the realm of politics, an industry closely related to theirs since their offices are filled with character actors.
• Senator Jamby Madrigal finally filing for a Presidential candidacy... Nuissance?!? Nah. With Judy Ann again on her side, she might get at least a thousand votes from Juday's avid fans.
• Edu shouts "Game Ka na Ba?" for the Vice- Presidency. The Filipino people shout back: HINDE!
• Buboy, Goma try local politics. I hope Goma doesn't fence with or shoot voters into voting for him, nor will Buboy do the singing bee or buy a fabricated proclamation in Recto.
• Ate Vi and Ralph jump ships from Lakas to Liberal. And now, Luis (The son formerly known as Lucky) is totally confused on who to support.
• Ebdane bids goodbye to his Presidential hopes for lack of funds. Blessing in disguise ain't it Secretary?
• Ampatuans allegedly massacred 56 people including the family of Vice Mayor Ishmael Mangudadatu in what is believed to be the worst election related violence in the country. It's just so confusing to see a grieving Mangudadatu smiling in front of the camera beside Gibo Teodora, just a few days after his wife was massacred in his hometown. This just earmarked the Philippines as the most dangerous place for a journalist, beating the war-torn Iraq!
• ...and the best highlight of the 2010 elections is the utter demotion of our beloved President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who decides to vie for a Congressional seat in the 2nd district of Pampanga. Another first from the Philippines!

And this is just the beginning!

God bless the Philippines.