Styricpriestess

Once in a lifetime - Enigma

2012-02-12T04:37:00.000-08:00

"Cuando noche esta, te esperaré

Quiero volverte loco esta noche

Con la luna llena, te esperaré

Hoy morirás entre mis brazos

Y nunca soñarás de algo mas"

Book

2012-01-22T05:59:00.000-08:00

Dispositivo de conocimiento Bio óptico Organizado: BOOK!Un producto revolucionario.

Mi último adiós [ Antología de poesía filipina]

2012-01-15T00:39:00.000-08:00

¡Adiós!, patria adorada, región del sol querida

perla del mar de oriente, nuestro perdido Edén!

A darte voy alegre la triste mustia vida

y fuera más brillante, más fresca, más florida

también por ti la diera, la diera por tu bien

En campos de batalla, luchando con delirio

otros te dan sus vidas sin dudas, sin pesar

el sitio nada importa, ciprés, laurel o lirio

cadalso o campo abierto, combate o cruel martirio

lo mismo es si lo piden la patria y el hogar

Yo muero cuando veo que el cielo se colora

y al fin anuncia el día tras lóbrego capuz;

si grana necesitas para teñir tu aurora

vierte la sangre mía, derrámala en buen hora

y dórela un reflejo de su naciente luz.

Mis sueños cuando apenas muchacho adolescente

mis sueños cuando joven ya lleno de vigor

fueron el verte un día, joya del mar de oriente

secos los negros ojos, alta la tersa frente

sin ceño, sin arrugas, sin manchas de rubor

Ensueño de mi vida, mi ardiente vivo anhelo

¡Salud te grita el alma que pronto va a partir!

¡Salud! Ah, que es hermoso caer por darte vuelo

morir por darte vida, morir bajo tu cielo

y en tu encantada tierra la eternidad dormir

Si sobre mi sepulcro vieres brotar un día

entre la espesa yerba sencilla, humilde flor

acércala a tus labios y besa el alma mía

y sienta yo en mi frente bajo la tumba fría

de tu ternura el soplo, de tu hálito el calor

Deja a la luna verme con luz tranquila y suave

deja que el alba envíe su resplandor fugaz

deja gemir al viento con su murmullo grave

y si desciende y posa sobre mi cruz un ave

deja que el ave entone su cántico de paz

Deja que el sol, ardiendo, las lluvias evapore

y al cielo tornen puras con mi clamor en pos;

deja que un ser amigo mi fin temprano llore

y en las serenas tardes cuando por mí alguien ore

¡Ora también, oh Patria, por mi descanso a Dios!

Ora por todos cuantos murieron sin ventura

por cuantos padecieron tormentos sin igual

por nuestras pobres madres que gimen su amargura

por huérfanos y viudas, por presos en tortura

y ora por ti que veas tu redención final

Y cuando en noche oscura se envuelva el cementerio

y solos sólo muertos queden velando allí

no turbes su reposo, no turbes el misterio

tal vez acordes oigas de cítara o salterio

soy yo, querida patria, yo que te canto a ti

Y cuando ya mi tumba de todos olvidada

no tenga cruz ni piedra que marquen su lugar

deja que la are el hombre, la esparza con la azada

y mis cenizas, antes que vuelvan a la nada,

el polvo de tu alfombra que vayan a formar

Entonces nada importa me pongas en olvido

tu atmósfera, tu espacio, tus valles cruzaré

vibrante y limpia nota seré para tu oído

aroma, luz, colores, rumor, canto, gemido

constante repitiendo la esencia de mi fe

Mi patria idolatrada, dolor de mis dolores

querida Filipinas, oye el postrer adiós

ahí te dejo todo, mis padres, mis amores

voy donde no hay esclavos, verdugos ni opresores

donde la fe no mata, donde el que reina es Dios

Adiós padres y hermanos, trozos del alma mía

amigos de la infancia en el perdido hogar

dad gracias que descanso del fatigoso día

adiós dulce extranjera, mi amiga, mi alegría

adiós queridos seres, morir es descansar

Acento

2012-01-15T00:25:00.000-08:00

No sé si hablo en español así. La diferencia es que yo no hablo español como lengua materna. He estudiado la lengua hace dos años ya y sé que tengo un acento un poco diferente. Me encanta el acento de mi profesora,que es de Cuenca, y intento imitarla.

Blondie - The tide is high

2012-01-14T23:36:00.000-08:00

One of those rare occasions where the cover is better than the original.

Canon in D Major

2012-01-11T07:57:00.000-08:00

Failed attempt. Angel Piano application downloaded free from the Android market.

Linguaphile

2012-01-06T19:45:00.000-08:00

¿Porque aprender español?

Una buena pregunta. Todo empezó cuando decidí a estudiar otra lengua extranjera. No pensaba sobre los beneficios de saber otra lengua ni los beneficios en el empleo aquí en Filipinas. Solo por la razón que tenía que estudiar otra lengua. Preguntaba a mi prima que es licenciada en Historia y ella estudiaba frances y español en la universidad. Ella me recomendó que aprendiera español. Así que me inscribí en el Instituto Cervantes, pensando que el español sería la más fácil para aprender en comparación con las otras lenguas.

La verdad es que al principio no me gustaba el sonido del español. Pensaba que era muy fuerte y no sonaba bonito como el francés y el japonés. A pesar de que me gustaba estudiar otro idioma distinto al español, seguí estando matriculada en el Instituto Cervantes. Empecé a ver películas españolas y empezaba a apreciar la lengua y su cultura. Me sorprendió mucho descubrir que el aprendizaje de una nueva lengua no hay tal cosa como una lengua más fácil de aprender. Hay que encontrar dificultades en el camino.

Tin Tin Shop

2012-01-06T05:27:00.000-08:00

I chanced upon this store in Chinatown earlier today when I was looking for affordable clothes and shoes in the area. Although it looked very interesting, I didn't go inside since the shop was already crowded. I wonder if the price is as enticing as the products. Hmmm....I'll find out next time.

QR Code

2012-01-03T04:19:00.000-08:00

I now have a QR code. Yay! :)

Out-of-boredom Photos

2012-01-03T02:26:00.000-08:00

Sickness and boredom don't really go together. That mixture sucks. So here I am, sick and bored with only my mobile phone to perk me up.

Ennui

2012-01-02T07:06:00.000-08:00

2nd day of the year and I'm still down with fever. Since there's nothing for me to do inside the house, I tinkered with my phone's FxCamera app. It's a pretty neat application where you can do lots of things with your phone's camera. Oh well, I know these photos won't make it in the Nat Geo website but taking random pictures somehow helped alleviate my boredom. For no special reason, my favorite subject for today is my little red pin cushion. Well, there you go folks. This is the product of me being sick and bored.

Hello 2012!

2012-01-01T00:41:00.000-08:00

After spreading cheer and goodwill, I greeted the new year with a blast - in bed with high fever. Naturally I got bored. I live a bit far from the city center so I was not able to caught a glimpse of the fireworks display from my bedroom window. Nonetheless, I took my camera and took some random pictures inside my room. I know it's not a good way to start the year but it's better than moping around. Happy 2012 everyone!

Oldies but goodies.

2011-12-06T01:27:00.000-08:00

Saw this video while I was browsing oldies songs on youtube. Amazing! The iconic Petula Clark is just amazing. This song brings a lot of childhood memories. I remember I used to complain when my parents would play oldies songs because they made me feel sleepy. I still remember my father's reason when us kids would complain about it. He said that it was "their turn" to listen to the songs of their generation and that they only get to listen to it once a week (for some reason, Sunday is the only day in the week where radio stations play songs from the yesteryear in my country). And besides, my parents have the opinion that contemporary music is totally rubbish. They'd start comparing the music in the 60's, how the artists back then were real artists in every sense of the word. But anyway, I'm glad that they did it even though it was "forced" to us kids to listen to oldies songs every Sundays. The outcome was that my older siblings and I acquired our appreciation for the early music as well as the contemporary music which we listen to.

Book worm

2011-11-28T08:37:00.000-08:00

Book worm mode again. I've received the 3 Spanish novels I ordered online. Until now, I'm still amazed that a local online bookstore offers Spanish novels/books in their catalogue. :) These books basically reminds me of the Venga a Leer series in my old textbooks. Leer para comprender.

Jolli

2011-11-15T05:56:00.000-08:00

Not sure if Jollibean is a clone of Jollibee. Font style and color are the same. You could mistake it at first glance as the logo of the happy bee. I miss their delicious palabok and mais con yelo ice craze. Tony Caktiong Tan should bring the happy bee here. Oh well, just my wishful thinking.

Happy Birthday to me!

2011-11-14T06:24:00.000-08:00

10th Nov - Another year older hopefully another year wiser.

Soliloquy part 2

2011-08-31T07:25:00.000-07:00

Today, as I walked in solitude (ironically) in a theme park, a strange emotion filled my being. It started in a slow pump of emotions until it swirled and drowned my entire being. I was fighting my tears back as I walked through the crowd. Definitely not an ideal place to unwind when you are alone. It has been my habit these past days to talk to myself. I may sound lunatic but I am perfectly sane, thank you very much. Every time I think about my family, my friends and all the things I left behind in my comfort zone always make me a little bit sad. Now you're feeling it but it's normal, they said. We'll see. This too shall pass and so the old adage goes.

Solitaire's the only game in town.

2011-08-21T07:27:00.000-07:00

An expat, new in town, you have friends but they have different schedules. So you end up exploring the town on your own and end up being bored and being alienated. How bad can it be?

80's baby, 90's made me.

2011-08-07T12:15:00.000-07:00

Thoughts to ponder: When talking about technology, I've found myself using the phrase "Back in my day" in those conversations. Imagine growing up with the internet. That can't be a proper childhood.

Bonnie Tyler Live Total Eclipse of the Heart 2007

2011-08-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

Once up on a time there was a decade called the 80's. When singers didn't need to take their clothes off, when the show was their voices, when the evil device called autotune was not yet invented by mankind. Although I had vague memories of the 80's, still I'm proud of being part of that generation - the golden decade!

Eartha Kitt - Je Cherche un Homme

2011-07-31T09:39:00.000-07:00

Moi aussi. Very applicable in real life. ^^,

Celebración de El Día E 2011 en Manila (Filipinas)

2011-06-24T12:18:00.000-07:00

La celebración en manila durante el día e.

Facebook mania!

2011-05-14T12:43:00.000-07:00

He escuchado por la primera vez esta canción en un podcast y me hizo reír.

Corregidor - The Island Fortress

2010-12-19T09:55:00.000-08:00

Corregidor trip with ICM friends, 11 December 2010.
Corregidor is a small rocky island in the Philippines about 48 kilometers west of Manila which is stragetically located at the entrance of Manila Bay. This island fortress stands as a memorial for the courage, valor, and heroism of its Filipino and American defenders who bravely held their ground against the overwhelming number of invading Japanese forces during World War II.

Also known as "the Rock," it was a key bastion of the Allies during the war. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines in December 1941, the military force under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur carried out a delaying action at Bataan.

Tagaytay/Caleruega Weekend

2010-12-05T16:29:00.000-08:00

My Insituto Cervantes friends and I have been planning for the longest time for a weekend getaway. We've chosen Tagaytay since it's just a 2-hour drive from Manila. It took us about 3 hours for the photo ops (cam whores haha!) before we were able to have our lunch at Leslie's. The scenery overlooking the crater of the volcano was just peaceful and a good stress buster.

I can't wait for our next destination! Next stop is Corregidor. A small island located north of Manila which was famous in history during the second World War. ¡Vamonos!

2010-11-18T05:02:00.001-08:00

Mañana por la mañana mis compañeros de clase y yo vamos a tomar el examen de DELE (Intermedio). Dios nos bendiga. ¡Podemos sí!

Spanish language in Philippine media.

2010-11-18T04:31:00.000-08:00

Hola a todos. ya tenemos noticia por la red que está en español
http://e-dyario.vibalfoundation.org

También, os invito a escuchar Filipinas Ahora Mismo, se emite de lunes a viernes entre las 8 y las 9 pm, hora de Manila, a través de las siguientes frecuencias de radio:

DZRM Radyo Magasin 1278 AM Metro Manila
DXMR 1170 AM Zamboanga
DWFB 954 AM Laoag
DWRB 567AM Naga
DYLL 585 AM Iloilo
DYMR 576 AM Cebú

Pelicula-Pelikula Spanish Film Fest 2010

2010-10-10T06:15:00.000-07:00

Movies I've watched:

Que Se Mueran Los Feos

Celda 211

El Secreto de Sus Ojos

La Mujer Sin Piano

Tres Días Con La Familia

First week of October and my money is already gone.

2010-10-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

Event for the past days:

Friday, Oct. 1 - Spanish Film Fest
Saturday, Oct.2 - Spanish Film Fest
Sunday, Oct. 3 - Spanish Film Fest
Monday, Oct. 4 - Food trip
Tuesday, Oct. 5- Galéon Andalucía
Wednesday, Oct. 6 - Received my DELE Diploma (yay!), Food trip and Galéon Andalucía
Thursday, Oct. 7 - Food trip
Friday, Oct. 8 - Food trip, Spanish Film Fest
Saturday, Oct. 9 - Spanish Film Fest and Food trip

Suma total: No tengo ni un duro y he aumentado de peso.

Madz sing Comme D'Habitude at St. Vincent Ferrer, NYC

2010-10-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

One of my fave renditions of The Madz.

Just a thought.

2010-09-20T04:02:00.000-07:00

Since the former President Gloria Arroyo has reinstated the Spanish language as an obligatory course in the tertiary education, I wonder what President Aquino's plans are since it was Mother Dear's administration who abolished the language as an obligatory course.

Soliloquy

2010-09-20T00:08:00.000-07:00

Where did the weekend go? I am yet again, facing another mundane day. Monday means back to the mine salt, offering salutation to Dear Old Capitalism. Where is justice when we needed it most?

FILIPINAS: sung by trio los panchos

2010-09-18T00:03:00.000-07:00

Muy orgulloso por ser filipino.

Filipinas Ahora Mismo y el Instituto Cervantes Manila TVE News Flash

2010-09-17T23:42:00.000-07:00

What the muck.

2010-09-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

I am a living proof of the the famous qoute "Youth is wasted on the young." Undecisive, don't know what to do with my life. I'd say down with capitalism!!! j/k :p

It looks like I will be doing the profession which I have been avoiding - teaching. I'm from a family of educators. While growing up, people always had this notion that I, too, will follow my family's tradition of going to the academe. But I don't think I have it in me. Teaching is a calling, it's a passion and I don't think I have it. Well, considering the state that I am in, I really don't know what I want in life. Oh boy, I sure have serious personal issues.

t.A.T.u - Stars w/lyrics

2010-09-03T20:37:00.000-07:00

I love this song. I really must continue learning Russian.

2010-08-29T20:07:00.000-07:00

When Euro came along, I was phased out of circulation.

2010-08-29T00:08:00.000-07:00

"Fortunately analysis is not the only way to resolve inner conflicts. Life itself still remains a very effective therapist." - Karen Horney

Hosea -- Come back to me - Gregory Norbet, OSB

2010-08-18T05:07:00.000-07:00

Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin - MADZ

2010-08-16T01:02:00.000-07:00

Mahal, pangako sa iyo
Hindi magbabago
Ikaw lang ang iibigin ko

Kahit Ikaw ay lumayo
At masaktan ako
Asahan na 'di maglalaho

* Ang pag-ibig ko'y tanging sa'yo lamang
Kung kaya giliw dapat mong malaman.
Minsan lang kitang iibigin
Minsan lang kitang mamahalin
Ang pagmamahal sa'yo'y walang hangganan
Dahil ang minsan, ay magpakailanman.

Minsan lamang sa buhay ko
Ang 'sang katulad mo
Ako rin ba'y iniibig mo
Dinggin puso'y sumasamo
Sinusumpa sa'yo
Ikaw ang tanging dalangin ko. (*)

Minsan lang kitang iibigin
Minsan lang kitang mamahalin
Ang pagmamahal sa'yo'y walang hangganan

Dahil ang minsan, ay magpakailanman.
Dahil ang minsan, ay magpakailanman.

No tengo ni un duro

2010-08-14T22:23:00.001-07:00

Los duros desaparecieron otra vez. Ahorrar, tengo que ahorrar. :(

2010-08-10T05:45:00.000-07:00

Yo no puedo más! No tengo ganas de trabajar y estudiar. It's the same old feeling once again. Is it because of the weather? Bleak and gloomy.

Why backwards talk Yoda?

2010-08-06T00:06:00.001-07:00

Backwards talk Yoda, ever wondered have you?
Like him I do. Really do. Nice old man he is. Comprehend I couldn't, talks the way he does why.

Any idea you have?

Like him I want to be. Speak this way I do because wiser than I actually am I sound.

Listen To The Rain - Evanescence

2010-08-05T23:29:00.000-07:00

When tears fall, they are not mere water but of blood which not only obscures our sight but also oppresses our heart. When rain pours, it washes away all wounds and would help us cry without people realizing that we are crying from pain and from the harsh realities of life. We drench ourselves with the all the heartaches and suffering at the same time we are enveloped by the rain as it slowly creeps and nurtures our very soul and shield us from all this earthly suffering. Letting us rejuvenate and to see things in a different light. Making us grow, cleanses us from all pain, from all suffering. So just listen to the rain as it lulls us to oblivion.

Mystic Diversions - Quedate

2010-08-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

Me encanta esta cancion. :)

Hate Mode. Again.

2010-08-05T03:54:00.000-07:00

Im in a really pissy mood. I hate everything I see on tv and everything I hear on the radio. Aside from the hate feeling, I also feel sad. When negative emotions are suppressed over a period of time and has built up, I think I am entitled to blow up. But I'm not the kind of person who involves other people with my negative emotions. Thank goodness for blogging coz I can vent all my emotions here. Blogging's the only thing that keeps me going these days. But I am not a writer. When something is on my mind I don't feel the need to write it down. I've never kept a journal. When I write it's forced. I struggle to explain myself properly. I wish we could all just hang out- I'm much wittier in person (haha! bleh!).
Anyway, there's this song that's playing in my head right now, which I think is appropriate with the way I feel.

"How could this happen to me
I've made my mistakes
got nowhere to run
The night goes on as I’m fading away
I'm sick of this life
I just wanna scream
How could this happen to me"

Back to the topic, oh yeah, I'm still in the hate mode.

Have you ever felt this way?

2010-08-05T03:52:00.001-07:00

* feeling "not good enough" because one can't find a job that is at one's academic/intellectual level
* frustration with relationships, the working world, and finding a suitable job or career
* confusion of identity
* insecurity regarding the near future
* insecurity concerning long-term plans, life goals
* insecurity regarding present accomplishments
* re-evaluation of close interpersonal relationships
* disappointment with one's job
* nostalgia for university, college, high school or elementary school life
* tendency to hold stronger opinions
* boredom with social interactions
* loss of closeness to high school and college friends
* financially-rooted stress (overwhelming college loans, unanticipatedly high cost of living, etc.)
* loneliness
* desire to have children
* a sense that everyone is, somehow, doing better than you

Then dudes and dudettes have no fear. It's normal after all. It seems that there is such a thing as "Quarter-life Crisis." According to our friendly Wikipedia, these emotions and insecurities are common in an adult's life which occur shortly after a person enters real world.

Had I known that the first was the last.

2010-08-05T03:48:00.001-07:00

Had I known that the first was the last
I should have kept it longer.
Had I known that the last was the first
I should have drunk it stronger.
Cup, it was your fault,
Lip was not the liar.
No, lip, it was yours,
Bliss was most to blame.

-Emily Dickinson

Nature

2010-08-05T02:30:00.000-07:00

La naturaleza y yo.

miraculum

2010-08-05T01:55:00.000-07:00

Currently at the hospital with mother. Doctors have successfully performed laparascopic surgery.
The procedure was done in time before complications with the intestine could occur. Otherwise doctors will have to perform another surgery.

FIVB 2000

2010-07-05T04:38:00.000-07:00

Russia at it's peak. I love the old team - Sokolova, Godina, Artamanova, Safranova, Vassilevskaia, Ticshenko, Godina and Belikova.

Divine Comedy

2010-06-29T21:53:00.001-07:00

Erap at Noynoy's inauguration?! Hindi nakakatuwa. Erap as Noynoy's ally?! Booo!
Ikaw ba ay mabuting Pilipino? Noel Cabangon, you should have told Erap about it. After all he was seated near you when you performed at the Quirino Grandstand.

Next in line.

2010-06-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

What has life to offer me when I grow old?
What's there to look forward to beyond the biting cold
They say it's difficult, yes, stereotypical.

What's there beyond sleep, eat, work in this cruel life
Ain't there nothin' else 'round here but human strife
'Cause they say it's difficult, yes, stereotypical
Gotta be conventional, you can't be so radical.

Chorus:
So I sing this song to all of my age
For these are the questions we've got to face
For in this cycle that we call life
We are the ones who are next in line
We are next in line.

What has life to offer me when I grow old?
What's there to look forward to beyond the biting cold
'Cause they say it's difficult, yes, stereotypical
Gotta be conventional, you can't be so radical.

So I sing this song to all of my age
For these are the questions we've got to face
For in this cycle that we call life
We are the ones who are next in line
We are next in line
Oh-hoh, we are next in line.

Bridge:
And we gotta work, we gotta feel (we gotta feel)
Let's open our eyes and do whatever it takes
We gotta work, we gotta feel (we gotta feel)

Let's open our eyes, oh-woh

And sing this song to all of our age
For these are the questions we've got to face
For in this cycle that we call life
We are the ones who are next in line

Sing this song for me
Sing this song for me

Feel Like Dance by Globe

2010-06-25T06:46:00.000-07:00

I'm an 80s baby but grew up in the 90s. I ♥ the 90s! The songs, dance craze, tv shows...ahhh! The best! :)

Luchando para sobrevivir.

2010-06-18T06:52:00.001-07:00

La vida solia ser mas simple. Quiero vivir, pero no se a que lugar ir, no se. Hay que luchar para sobrevivir. Pero es dificil sin motivacion. Sin embargo por dificil que sea, tenemos que ser optimistas aunque es un poco dificil para hacerlo.

Here comes the rainy season.

2010-06-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

I l♥ve the rainy season in the tropics.

Hate mode.

2010-06-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

I'm pissed off. I hate the world today. Blogging seems to be my only outlet. Can't find the right words though. Or maybe I'm just a friggin taciturn? Everything and everyone seems to be f*cked up.

Premio Zobel, Filipinas.

2010-06-12T07:01:00.000-07:00

"La luz contra el horizonte,
bajo el sol de la mañana,
desde la cima del monte
lejos del mundo y del mar
que fea la tierra llana
prefiero volar."

National Day

2010-06-12T06:58:00.001-07:00

Happy Independence Day Philippines!

Ang mamatay ng dahil sa 'yo.

José Rizal, heroe nacional de Filipinas.

2010-06-09T02:58:00.001-07:00

Dr. José Protasio Rizal-Mercado y Alonso-Realonda (Calambá, 19 de junio de 1861 – Manila, 30 de diciembre de 1896). Médico, escritor y héroe nacional filipino.

Antecedentes familiares
Séptimo de los once hijos de Francisco Rizal-Mercado y Teodora Alonso, prósperos campesinos de la ciudad de Calambá, en la Provincia de Laguna. Es mestizo de ascendencia malaya, china, y española. Por parte china descendía Domingo Lam-co, un mercader llegado a Filipinas desde Amoy, China, a finales del siglo XVII. Lam-co se casó con Inés de la Rosa, mestiza de ascendencia china y malaya. La madre de Rizal, Teodora, era bisnieta de Lam-co e hija de un mestizo malayo-español.

En 1849 el Gobernador General Narciso Clavería publica un edicto disponiendo que la población indígena adoptase apellidos españoles o de resonancia española. La norma, de carácter administrativo, se daba a efectos de censo civil, catastro, servicio, política fiscal, etc. Lam-co, cual comerciante que era, escogió el apellido "Mercado" para indicar su profesión. Tal fue el apellido que emplearía Rizal hasta su ingreso en el Ateneo Municipal de Manila, institución jesuita (hoy Universidad Ateneo de Manila) donde prosiguió sus estudios de grado medio. Poco tardaría el joven estudiante, maduro y con especial nivel de conciencia, en arriesgarse políticamente al criticar con clara valentía el deficiente y teocrático gobierno colonial español. Por entonces, su hermano mayor Paciano le exhorta a cambiar su apellido por "Rizal," derive del palabra "ricial".

Educación
Conocido como "Pepe" por sus padres, hermanos, y parientes, Rizal comenzó a ser instruido por su madre. Era un niño lleno de curiosidad acerca de cuanto veía. Estaba junto a su madre una noche y observó una mariposilla que, volando en torno a una vela, acabaría por quemarse. La madre aprovechó entonces el ejemplo para advertirle al niño lo que podría sucederle a uno si se dejaba cegar por el exceso de sabiduría.

Tras recibir en 1877 su título de Bachiller en Artes por el Ateneo Municipal de Manila, Rizal continuó su educación en la misma institución con vistas a obtener el grado de topógrafo, agrimensor y asesor de propiedad fundiaria. Fue en la Universidad de Santo Tomás, gestionada por la orden dominica, donde inició su carrera en "Filosofía y Letras," en la que confluyen Filosofía, Literatura, Latín y Humanidades.

Cuando supo que su madre se estaba quedando ciega, se inclinó por el estudio de la Oftalmología, comenzando sus cursos de medicina general en la citada institución dominica. A fin de cursar la ansiada especialidad, dejó Filipinas para estudiar en Europa, con la fuerte oposición de su padre. Su primer destino fue Madrid, en cuya Universidad Central de Madrid convalidó asignaturas de su universidad filipina, tanto de medicina como de filosofía y letras, y acabó graduándose cum laude. Después, trabajó por unos meses como asistente de oftalmólogo en una clínica de París, y después se fue para Heidelberg, Alemania donde trabajó como oftalmólogo.

Legado
Al parecer, la lealtad de Rizal para España no tenía entonces fisuras. Rizal, lejos de ser un revolucionario, era un joven de clase burguesa que más bien ansiaba reformas administrativas para Filipinas, entre ellas la equiparación del archipiélago a provincia española de pleno derecho, con el correspondiente fin del estatuto colonial y, sobre todo, de la sofocante tutela que las órdenes religiosas ejercían sobre la vida social del país, impidiendo modernización y progreso. En Madrid, como líder del movimiento de estudiantes filipinos en España que hacían propaganda para que Filipinas fuese conocida y respetada en sus reivindicaciones, Rizal contribuyó con artículos para el quincenal La Solidaridad, editado por algunos de sus paisanos malayos como Marcelo Hilario del Pilar, Panganiban, López Jaena, Lete, primero en Madrid y luego en Barcelona. El ideario de la publicación era el siguiente:

* que Filipinas fuera una provincia de España, y no una colonia (razón por la cual es también considerado por algunos como héroe nacional español, habiendo en España varias calles con su nombre).
* que Filipinas obtuviese, por tanto, representación parlamentaria en las Cortes Generales;
* que las parroquias regentadas por sacerdotes españoles fuesen gradualmente cedidas al clero nativo;
* que se concediese a la gente de Filipinas libertad de reunión y de expresión;
* que se estableciese la igualdad legal entre la población malaya y los españoles.

De haberse llevado a cabo tal programa, las obras de Rizal (en especial sus dos novelas, Noli me tangere y El filibusterismo) hubieran podido publicarse en Filipinas, pero las autoridades de las islas intuyeron que tales reformas comprometerían los privilegios de los colonos españoles. Por tal razón, vuelto a Manila en 1892 se le acusó de subversión por la fundación de un movimiento cívico llamado Liga Filipina, condenándosele a exilio temporal en Dapitan, Mindanao.

En el lugar de su exilio, Rizal fundó una escuela y un hospital. Mientras tanto, en 1896, el Katipunan, una sociedad clandestina abiertamente independentista, inició una revolución inspirada en ciertas frases patrióticas sacadas de las novelas de Rizal. El joven doctor, que para redimirse de su exilio había obtenido del gobierno español una plaza de médico de campaña en Cuba (entonces también insurrecta), fue arrestado a bordo de la nave que le llevaba a España. Devuelto a Filipinas, se le acusaba de haber instigado la revuelta separatista.

Muerte
Por instigación de las órdenes religiosas (i.e., dominicos y franciscanos), Rizal fue esta vez acusado de asociación ilícita con otros revolucionarios. Convicto por sedición, fue condenado a ser fusilado en el paraje de Bagumbayan (ahora Parque de Rizal), dentro de Manila. En la víspera de su ejecución, escribió un poema titulado Mi último adiós, así como una carta a su íntimo amigo y colaborador alemán Ferdinand Blumentritt, en la que afirmaba

Querido hermano, cuando recibas esta carta ya habré muerto; mañana a las 7 seré ejecutado, aunque no soy culpable de rebelión.

En la madrugada del 31 de diciembre asistió a una misa con Josephine Braecken, una joven belga que había decidido acompañarle durante el tiempo que había durado su destierro, y con la que contrajo entonces matrimonio. Antes de su ejecución, pidió que no se le vendaran los ojos y que le fusilaran de frente; lo primero se le concedió, pero se le negó lo segundo, por considerársele traidor. Con todo, antes de los disparos Rizal se volvió hacia el frente; caía así, mostrando convicción en su propia rectitud.

Rizal es miembro de la generación más señera de los grandes nacionalistas filipinos, junto con sus paisanos y compañeros Andrés Bonifacio y Emilio Aguinaldo. En la actualidad existe un monumento en el sitio donde Rizal cayó, modelado por el escultor suizo Richard Kissling, autor de la estatua de Guillermo Tell. En el monumento a Rizal se lee lo siguiente:

Quiero mostrar a quienes privan a la gente el derecho del patriotismo que sí sabemos como sacrificarnos a nosotros mismos por nuestros deberes y principios. La muerte no importa cuando se muere por lo que se ama: la patria y los seres queridos.

Obras
* Noli me tangere (1886)
* El filibusterismo (1891)

Poemas
* Mi último adiós (1896)
* A las Flores de Heidelberg
* A la Joventud Filpina

Zarzuela
* Junto al Pasig, (1880)

http://www.joserizal.ph/

Standing through War and Earthquakes/Baroque Churches of the Philippines

2010-05-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

The explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines in 1521.His name was Ferdinand Magellan, known for his voyage around the world. He claimed the islands of the Philippines as a Spanish colony.Missionary priests came to spread the Catholic faith.Many churches were built throughout the country. Four of them were inscribed as World Heritage in 1993.The churches have survived several earthquakes and wars, and are known as Earthquake Baroque due to their strong quake-resistant structures.This pyramid-like building is the Church of San Agustin in Paoay in the Northern Luzon.Construction started in 1694. It incorporates many architectural features from Latin America, which was also colonized by Spain at the time.Typical Latin American motifs such as the sun are used as decoration.As The Philippines are affected by earthquakes, the buildings have some unique features to cope.These 2.5 meter-thick supporting buttresses were built around the church as protection. from the impact of an earthquake.The material used to make the wall is also unique. Pieces of coral were used along with regular brick for construction. Coral is said to be twice as strong as brick. This church has been hit by two giant earthquakes in the last 300 years but owing to its quake-resistant structure has remained intact.Architectural techniques brought from Mexico and Spain bloomed in the Philippines, making great buildings like this church. By combining different techniques this church stood strong in the earthquake of Intensity 7.There is another church in Manila whose quake-resistant structure saved it from wartime bombing. This is the Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustin in Manila, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. Japanese and American forces clashed here in 1945, and most of the buildings in the town were destroyed.Remains of walls from destroyed buildings are left in ruin around the church.The Church suffered a direct bomb blast which left holes in the wall but the building itself survived. The secret behind the buildings bomb resistance can be found inside.Inside the church building there are many buttresses supporting the building and placed to absorb impacts from outside.These are the churches known as Earthquake Baroque.Different cultures from Spain, Latin America and the Philippines met here during the colonial era and created a remarkable cultural heritage.

Mi Palabra Favorita (Para El Dia E)

2010-05-13T04:05:00.000-07:00

Mi palabra favorita es RECHINAR. Eligo esta palabra porque rechino mis dientes mientras duermo debido al bruxismo. Por eso me encanta esta palabra porque es especial y esta me describe.

Y tuya? Cual es tu palabra favorita?

El Original Himno Nacional

2010-05-11T04:32:00.000-07:00

Tierra Adorada

Marcha Nacional Filipina por Jose Palma

Tierra adorada

Hija del sol de Oriente,

Su fuego ardiente

En ti latiendo está.

¡Tierra de amores!

Del heroísmo cuna,

Los invasores

No te hollarán jamás.

En tu azul cielo, en tus auras,

En tus montes y en tu mar

Esplende y late el poema

De tu amada libertad.

Tu pabellón, que en las lides

La victoria iluminó,

No verá nunca apagados

Sus estrellas ni su sol.

Tierra de dichas, del sol y amores,

En tu regazo dulce es vivir.

Es una gloria para tus hijos,

Cuando te ofenden, por ti morir.

Korean Food

2010-05-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

I was invited by my friend, a cullinary conossieur, to eat in a Korean resto. I dont normally explore different cuisines (especially spicy ones) but I agreed and went to the Korean village with her. It was well worth it. :)

Ddeok Pukki - It looks like an italian pasta but it's not.

Kimbab. It looks like your typical Japanese sushi but it's not. My friend and I ordered Cham ji kimbab- tuna kimbab.

Kimchi - Spicy but manageable.

Neng Myeon - A cold soup with buckwheat noodles.

The cullinary conossieur :)

Spanish Class

2010-05-09T16:38:00.000-07:00

I remember my first day of my Spanish class. Really unforgettable. It was a whole new experience for me.

First day of classes at the Instituto.

The profesora introduced the course for beginners. She started talking in rapid Spanish but would switch to English and a little bit of Tagalog (nosebleed). At first, it sort of felt like watching Dora the Explorer on tv =) Our professor is cool and not boring. She has iterated from the start that her English is limited so we really have to make an effort to understand and listen when she talks in Spanish. We were taught on how to introduce ourselves in Spanish and the appropriate responses for each greeting. The prof also taught us classroom rules and guidelines. If the professor talks fast, we can call her attention by saying "*prof's name* Mas despacio, por favor (slowly please), no entiendo. Puedes repetir, por favor? (I dont understand. Can you repeat it please?) or or if we dont understand the word we can ask the prof "que significa...(what does it mean)" and the most important thing to say during classes if you need a health break "puedo ir al baño (can i go to the restroom)."

Alfabeto español

The challenging part is to pronounce the letters G and J correctly. These letters are pronounced with a guttural sound. Learning how to spell in Spanish is also a challenge. For example, my name Lira, in English we spell it as L-I-R-A. It is different in Spanish, however. It's more bloody. When you spell my name in Spanish you say :ele, i, ere, ah. And if you add my surname, well, it's even longer. Quite a mouthful. But it's kind of fun to say the words with lisping sound. xD
We ended the session by listening to Shakira's Tortura, which was sung rapidly in Spanish.

There are only few of us left in our Level 1 class, out of 12 there are only 5 of us who are still currently enrolled in Spanish. I wish the others have continued as well. It would have been more fun if they are still part of our class.

Poesía - Manila

2010-05-09T00:16:00.000-07:00

Manila
by Amb. Jaroslav Ludva

Por las mañanas una jovencita del levante,
Una mestiza dulce, madura, durante la siesta
Por las noches sabes a poniente mi querida amante,
He venido desde lejos para desnudarte,
Para disfrutar de tu belleza augusta.

Tus besos me llenan la boca de regusto confuso,
Hay tinola, arroz, leche flam y lechon,
Quiero conocerte sin molestar, sin abuso,
Acepto tus caprichos, a veces te pones un velo grueso,
No te faltare el respeto, no soy un miron.

Hablas ingles pero se te nota tu pasado.
Tienes gracias, honradez, tienes valor,
Tu sangre latina desde mi llegada he admirado,
Me gustas, eres mi "Dorado",
Eres un rincon de Asia con sabor español.

Manila

The Orient's youthful lass at morn
The sweet, mature mestiza at noon,
At night you taste of the West, dear lover.
From far away I come to bare you nude,
To relish such beauty grandiose.

Your kisses sate my mouth, and leave tastes of
Tinola and lechon, flavors of rice and leche flan.
I long to know you, not to molest, not abuse
I take your caprices, when at times, a thick veil you don,
A voyeur I am not, and all my respect you earn.

Though English you speak, it hids not your past.
You have courage, you have honor, you have charm.
Your Latin roots I have admired, since setting foot upon this land,
I do love you, my "El Dorado"
A lost haven in Asia with a touch of Spain.

Czech Ambassador to Manila recited his poem at the Dia Del Libro at the Instituto Cervantes, April 25, 2009.

2010-05-08T22:58:00.001-07:00

Dia del Libro

2010-05-08T22:08:00.000-07:00

DIA DEL LIBRO. It began in Catalonia where they gave a rose for every book sold during "Dia Sant Jordi". On this symbolic date, too, British poet/playwright William Shakespeare, Peruvian writer Garcilaso de la Vega, and, of course, Spanish poet/playwright/novelist Miguel de Cervantes died in 1616. In Manila, in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes de Manila, it was a celebration of books, culture and gastronomy.

Canciones de la Revolución Filipina (Songs of the Philippine Revolution)
A Lecture-Concert by Raúl Súnico, Musical arranger-pianist-composer

Jose Rizal bust at the Casino Español.

Always late

2010-05-08T21:37:00.001-07:00

As usual, I was again late for class. Ever since I've started with my new job, there isn't a day when I'm not late. Today I saw this note posted by my professor. It is really quite a sacrifice juggling my time between working and studying. Heck, I didn't even do this back in college! If only the government did not abolish this language as a prerequisite course. And now they have it reinstated. Duh. A government full of legislators who are indecisive and lack foresight.

La venganza de la lengua española en filipinas: Así, muchos call center agents hoy (incluido yo porque trabajaba en un BPO antes) estudian español, la lengua que trataron con desdén. ¡Imagínete! ¡Trabajan por la noche y estudian español durante el día! ¡Qué sacrificio hacen a ellos cuando en el pasado, tienen toda la oportunidad de aprender la lengua! ¿Pero qué hicieron? Nada.

I passed the DELE!

2010-04-05T07:24:00.000-07:00

Estoy muy feliz! :)I passed the DELE Acceso! I took the exam last November 2009. This is a good sign. I will take the DELE exam again this May, this time for the Intermedio.
Ahora me estoy preparando para el DELE intermedio en el mayo que viene. ¡Gracias a Dios!

Highlights of my HK and Singapore travel

2010-04-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

It is a wonderful experience to be able to visit different places and different countries. Definitely a good way to grow as an individual. Here are some photos of my recent travels.

Inside the S-flyer. I admit I was a little scared.

Inside a Chinese Temple. A kind taxi driver went out of his way to explain the history of this temple. Xie xie to you Sir.

Chinese market.

The famous Singapore flyer. I was told by a Singaporean friend that this already had 3 stoppages at the wheel and people had to be lowered down via rapelling ropes. Scary.

Panoramic view of the city from the S-flyer.

HK Disneyland

Bustling street of Hong Kong

Smog, a problem which every city experiences.

Life is like a box of chocolate

2010-04-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

Life is like a box of chocolate, you'll never know what you're going to get. Goes the old cliche. Gasgas at luma na ito pero totoong nangyayari sa ating buhay. Toinks. Tagalog na Tagalog ah! Anyway, recent events that happened in my boring life, well, I quit the BPO industry and joined the world of Financials as a translator since I've always wanted to practice my Spanish skills. Yes, I got hired as a Spanish translator but with a twist. I translate and update financial statements from Latin American markets. Imagine that! It's not what I expected it to be. Pero mas nakaka lorky! I translate stuff like corriente (current), flujo efectivo (cash flow), ingreso (revenue), etc.
Imagine, a Psych major like me playing with figures on a company's estado financiero...a big joke right? Personally, I'd prefer translating news briefs than playing with figures. But I have to make do with this one and consider myself lucky since this is still, somehow, in line with my ambition of working as a translator. *Mas mabuti nato kaysa naman wala.*

Mabuhay ang mga taong tulad ko na nawawala sa landas at hindi alam kung anong plano sa career nila sa buhay! Apir mga friends!

On Children

2009-08-08T22:39:00.001-07:00

On Children
Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

To dream...to struggle.

2009-08-08T22:31:00.000-07:00

For an eight-year-old child who has long been abandoned by his family and for most of his years has lived by the leftovers of city-restaurants and the coins of passers-by, it is amazing how his innocence still leave him hopeful for a bright tomorrow. His drawing in the piece of paper he was carrying gave his little dreams and wishes away- a family, a home and a place with trees and flowers he can play in with his playmates. In his drawing, the sun was burning bright and the people were smiling happily, This was a reflection of the kind of world he was dreaming for himself- a world where we would never grow hungry, a world where there is a bright future for children like him- the kind of world he would only live to see in his dreams.

Even for the majority of our youth lucky enough to be in school and are claiming a future for themselves are slowly being robbed of their dreams. What with the continued cut on the education budget allotment for the past twenty years, more and more students are being forced out of school because of the sky-rocketing increases of tuition, miscellaneous, and laboratory fees. Education then has become the privilege of the rich and a distance dream of the poor. JUst as the land is to the landless, as economic justice and secure employment is to the worker and as freedom from poverty and oppression.

And yet, we keep on dreaming, just as the child does, for these dreams are also visions, Visions that one must have to continue on with the struggle. The struggle for a society which will give every family a change to prosper and not just a few, a society which will allow everyone to enjoy the fruits of their labor and a society which prioritizes the needs of the masses.

The dream may seem distant now, but with every year that passes is a year closer to the dream.

I could fit luggage into my eye bags at times....

2009-02-25T16:44:00.000-08:00

You want proof? I'll give you proof.

Latin American songs

2009-02-24T16:43:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine sent me a link of a Cuban singer Maria Salgado. I found her music genre really interesting because I think she has combined Latin American music with Middle Eastern beat. I could be mistaken though. You can check out her songs on this site http://www.deezer.com/track/camino-del-olvido-T1871300

Murder is a crime

2009-02-18T21:27:00.000-08:00

Why oh why do people tend to murder my name?
There are only four letters in my name but people still say it incorrectly.
It's Lee-Rah and not Lie-Rah. Please.

St. Peter's College of Ormoc

2009-02-13T12:49:00.000-08:00

I've read on SPC's profile page on facebook that the Order of Benedictine (OSB) nuns will return the school back to the church and that the church will have the SVD priests manage the school. SPC will be formally known as University of San Carlos - St. Peter's College Campus. Effective on 2015.

Hmmm...I don't know how the SVDs will run the school. If this will bring progress for SPC and the students, then why not chocnut? But personally, I prefer the Benedictines. Ora et Labora.

Earn extra income online para magamit naman internet nyo!

2009-02-10T23:49:00.000-08:00

If you have too much time to spare, why not use it to earn extra income online? This is my direct referral link:

The Liver's Importance in the Human Body: Why You Should Care for It

2008-06-26T16:44:00.000-07:00

The Liver Controls Your Health and Longevity and Your Ability to Bounce Back from Infection.

The liver is the largest gland of the body, weighing about 1.5 kg.

In some countries, the liver is deemed so important to health that instead of a groom heart in case of unfortunate circumstances, he promises his liver! It could just about be called your fountain of youth or your lifeline. You will look as old or as young as your liver is clean - it figures into anti-aging big time.

So why should you be interested in your liver function? Why is it more interesting than flossing teeth?

The liver can do 500 functions - that's some multitasking! This is one powerful organ, the one organ in the body that is capable of regenerating itself.

Unfortunately, in this day and age with all the pollution in the air and food, the liver is being asked to take on TOO MUCH. There's hardly a person alive that would not benefit from a liver cleanse. Why? The liver helps clean the blood, and helps remove all the pollutants before they get all over our bodies. Now that there are many pollutants in everything we do, voila, liver issues!

The liver removes dead or damaged blood cells from circulation, just like the government would remove damaged money from circulation. Why is this important, you ask? Well, because the blood nourishes every body system. If your blood is unhealthy, you will be too.

Just a FEW of the house cleaning tasks that the liver carries out in its workday are:

1) Storage of vitamins, minerals, and sugars. What if we couldn't store them? What if we became deficient if we didn't have enough of something one day?
2) Filter your blood and remove harmful substances. If it becomes overloaded and can no longer keep up, your blood becomes full of toxins, and you will feel terrible. With every beat of the heart, 25% of the blood goes to the liver to be filtered. If you live in the United States, you are being bombarded with processed foods with artificial flavorings and colorings and preservatives. The liver has to really work at filtering when we eat non-foods like this.
3) Store extra blood for emergencies. Being prepared can be a lifesaver!
4) It keeps the electrolyte balance maintained. Electrolytes like calcium and potassium help the heart to keep beating!
5) It helps to utilize fat-soluble vitamins like A (for eyesight), D (helps calcium to absorb), E (good for wound healing), F (essential fatty acids for normal growth and behavior), and K (helps blood to clot).
6) It helps use or eliminate excess hormones. Excess hormones can lead to some really weird situations. They can make people go postal!

7) It creates bile, which helps break down fats. What would you do if you could not tolerate fat? Food would be pretty bland, wouldn't it?
8) It helps to manage blood sugar - helping to keep blood sugar stable. Without the liver functioning correctly, it can lead to diabetes or hypoglycemia, or reactive hypoglycemia (highs and lows).
9) Processing digested food from the intestines. You wouldn't be able to take advantage of your nutritious food if not for the liver.

10) Whatever wastes that the kidney does not remove from circulation, the liver removes from circulation.
11) Clearing bacterial infections and combating infections in general (oh boy, I've just been through the flu and a bad cold, and I didn't realize the liver's role in returning me to health, either.) An impaired liver means an impaired ability to fight infections.
12) Neutralizing toxins and drugs - boy, oh boy, we sure do need that!

13) Controlling levels of fats, glucose, and amino acids in the blood.
14) Breaking down food to turn it into energy

A few signs that the liver needs to be cleansed could be (if other things are not causing the symptoms)

1) Breaking out in acne - which, of course is hard on the self-esteem
2) Hair breakage
3) Nightmares - bad dreams
4) Insomnia
5) Exhaustion
6) Flu-like feelings
7) Difficulty thinking or focussing
8) Pain under right rib
9) Blood sugar imbalances
10) more signs and symptoms here: http://www.allnaturalinfo.com/ and here http://www.amaluxherbal.com/Liver%20and%20Gallbladder%20Cleansing_theory.htm

And these are not all the signs, just a few that we usually disregard. Search yahoo or google

A few things which are good for the liver include:

1) Other than a nutritious diet in general, here are some specific things the liver loves: Beets
2) Herbs: Milk thistle
3) Supplement: Dr. Richard Schulze liver and colon cleansing products
4) Supplement: Chlorella
5) Food or Supplement: Chlorophyll in any form, where it is in BarleyLife (www.aimforlife.com), or in chlorella, or in your greens.
6) Supplement: Health Force "Liver Rescue III". An herbal formula that contains artichoke, dandelion, and Milk Thistle Extract to assist the liver in cleansing stored toxins.
7) Search google for more liver cleansing options.
8) Some general tips: http://www.womenfitness.net/twelvefunction.htm. Some more general tips at this site and some help choosing the right foods for the liver: http://frontline-hepatitis-awareness.com/liver.htm . Special note: too much protein can stress

Story: a liver flush was one of the things that helped someone to heal clinical depression.

*http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/213047/the_livers_importance_in_the_human.html?page=3&cat=68
promising his for more. your liver.

Next In Line by After Image

2008-06-06T05:48:00.000-07:00

next in line - after imagelyrics: What has life to offer me when I grow old What's there to look forward to beyond the biting cold Cause they say its difficult, yeah stereotypical What's there beyond sleep, eat , work in this cruel life Ain't there nothing else round here but human strife Cause they say it's difficult, yeah stereotypical Gonna be conventional You can't be so radical So I sing this song to all of my age For these are the questions we got to face For in this cycle that we call life We are the ones who are next in line We are next in line What has life to offer me when I grow old What's there to look forward to beyond this biting cold Cause they say it's difficult Yeah, stereotypical Gonna be conventional You can't be so radical So I sing this song to all of my age For these are the questions we have to face For in this cycle that they call life We are the ones who are next in line We are next in line Oh, we are next in line And we gotta work we gotta feel let's open our eyes and do whatever it takes We got to work, we got to feel Let's open our eyes Oh, and sing this song to all of our age For these are the questions we got to face For in this cycle that we call life We are the ones who are next in line Sing this song with me Sing this song with me Sing Touch the sun

another emo song. I'm Sorry by Jamie River

2008-06-05T21:37:00.000-07:00

According to rumors, this song was composed after she broke up jimmy antiporda for a stint in Ms. Saigon Jamie Rivera - Im Sorry - Jamie Rivera''IM SORRY'' can see it in your eyes There's a certain sadness Was it me who made you cry Oh please won't you tell me why Was it something that I said Or maybe how I reacted Please don't make it hard for me 'Cause i'm willing to say i'm sorry REFRAIN: I'm sorry if i'm always out of sight Or fail to kiss you goodnight I never meant to leave you I'm sorry if i've taken you for granted For the crazy things i've said I'm sorry I should have loved you instead I can tell it with your smile I know you're hurtin' inside Will you ever forgive me If I tell you that I am sorry REFRAIN: I'm sorry if i'm always out of sight Or fail to kiss you goodnight I never meant to leave you I'm sorry if i've taken you for granted For the crazy things i've said I'm sorry I should have loved you instead

Super Sentai!!!

2008-06-05T20:50:00.000-07:00

Im sure most of you can relate to these super sentai themes & memorable sentai pose ;) these bring back a lot of childhood memories *sigh* Voltes V Theme by Mitsuko Horie Bioman theme by Takayuki Miyauchi Himitsu Sentai Goranger sung by Isao Sasaki and Mitsuko Horei Jiban sung by Akira Kushida Jetman sung by Hironobu Kageyama Hikari Sentai Maskman

Memorable Quotes part 2

2008-06-04T23:23:00.000-07:00

>>"Na a-arouse gad ma'am" - J.A. Ocenar

>>(Q)"Whose breast are you going to stimulate?"
(A)"Yours ma'am. Err, I mean my own!" -L.J. Estopin
(Oookay! No comment :p)

>>"Dire ito asya kay progressive ito!" -P.A. Oledan
(ahaha! my progressive pang nalalaman! aw kay Comm?)

>>"Based from what ive read sa FHM and Cosmopolitan pati lat mga girls nag i-initiate." -L.Funda
(uyyyy, what's this? Citation? Or based on experience? bwahaha!)

>>"The more surprising the situation, the more learning will occur." -M.M. Edradan
(tadaaaah! surprise!)

>>"Stretchmark" (referring to streetsmart, tsk tsk, profound hearing loss) -M.Iroy
(What happened to your bionic ears? Hearing aid is what you need. hehe)

>>"OK, so much for that." (biglang nag naginterrupt kay Ms.Espina)
-R.Ladera
(toinks! ok, so much for that)

Quotable Quotes part 1

2008-06-04T23:14:00.000-07:00

"Don't judge a book...cover it!
(Don't judge a book by it's cover.) quoted from a high school friend. hehe...Lot..Lot...Lucille, are you there? hehe

"If you are sick and dying, you better stay in your coffin!"

"Getting an answer from you is like pulling a tooth! It just basically kills me!...Is it because you lack the grey matter?"
(ouch! it hurts, it hurts! it hurts, you know!)

"love is like pan de sal. bisan hiara kana hit rasa yet it sustains you"

"It's friday today dont make me loose my patience."

"dont vomit what's on the book"

"youth is wasted on the young"

"Girls, use pills. boys use condoms. Boys control your libido."

"No matter how much you do 'like this' (referring to downcast eyes para hindi matawag during recitations) matatawagla gihap kamo."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh well, those were the days. I miss the razor-sharp wit and idiomatic expressions used during class discussions by you-know-who. achoo!

Russian Language - Ekaterina Baklanova, Moscow State U

2008-06-03T06:34:00.000-07:00

I wonder if Ms. Baklanova is still in the Philippines. I want to learn Russian.
I know some Russian words but my knowledge is still very limited. I can already decipher Cyrillic texts but I dont understand the meaning of the words. haay, help!

Anyway, here are some Russian words that I have learned.

Privet! (Hi)
Menya Zavot Lira. (My name is Lira)
Kak dela. (how are you?
Horosho, spasibo. (Good, thank you.)
Ya tebya lyublyu. ( I love you)
Dos vidaniya. (Goodbye)

A Little Girl's Prayer

2008-06-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

A Little Girl's Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Please send clothes for the poor women who don't even have bra and panties in my Daddy's magazine.

Amen.

A Message of Love

2008-06-03T05:56:00.000-07:00

I want to be with you tonight.
Watch you sleeping and sing you a song.
I want to be close to you to whisper in your ears good night....

Lovingly Yours,
M O S Q U I T O

survey time!

2008-04-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

1. What is a question that people always ask you? ~ "how are you?" 2. What is the 6th text in your inbox? ~ "lira, how are you? are you free on sunday? let's meet at moa" from dhona 3. If you need a new pair of jeans, what store do you go first? ~ levi's but i can't afford signatured jeans at the moment.hehehe 4. What's the last thing you said to someone & to whom? ~ "im going out" to my aunt 5. Name something you have to do tomorrow? ~ apply for a new job 6. Where is your cell phone? ~ in my pocket 7. Do you own a cellphone ~ yeah. 8. Which friend of yours has the most unusual name? ~ none that i can think of 9. What cd is currently in your cd player? ~ i'm not using my cd player anymore. i already have my music phone. 10. Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk? ~ chocolate milk 11. Has anyone told you a secret this week? ~ yes but i wont tell hehehe 12. When was the last time you had Starbucks? ~ hmmmm....i think last month. waaaaa!!!! im deprived!!! 13. Can you whistle? ~ of course 14. Are you currently wanting any piercings or tattoos? ~ i want to have a butterfly henna tattoo at my back. 15. Do you get along better with boys or girls? ~ yes 16. Do you sleep on your side, stomach, or back? ~ both side and stomach 18. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? ~ my cousin Christine, just this morning 19. Which of your friends lives closest to you? ~ rona and emely 20. What did you do yesterday? ~ surf the net. updated my multiply account 21. What's bothering you right now? ~ jobless! lol, honestly i enjoy being the president of the slackers world federation :p 22. Next vacation you're going on? ~ i wanna visit china this year! huhu! 23. Last time you had butterflies in your stomach? ~ i can't remember 24. What did you dream about last night? ~ i dont remember anymore 25. Does your phone ring in the middle of the night often? ~ yeah.sometimes but most of the times my phone is on the silent mode 26. What gets in your way of your sleeping? ~ have to wake up and pee 27. What is something you recently realized? ~ im bored to death. somebody, save me, please.

survey time

2008-03-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

I'm bored and I wanna answer some stupid surveys (which hypothetically, also makes me stupid). Okay this is called 50 FIRST REACTIONS… type what comes to your mind first whenever you hear these 50 words.
1. Beer:= yeah as long as mixed with coke or pepsi
2. Anorexics:= acceptance. people with this disorder should accept that they need medical help.
3. Relationships:= pass.
4. No number 4 question
5. Power Rangers:= "it's morphin time!"
6. Life:= is oh so beautiful.
9. The President:= President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. your administration sucks but i still want you to finish your term.
10. Awesome:= wow 0_o
11. Cars:= twinkle twinkle little star i want to own a brand new car...
12. Gas Prices:= don't care i dont have my own car.
13. Halloween:= witch hats!
14. Sex := male and female.
15. Religion:= God
16. Myspace:= do i still have one?
17. Fear:= blood
18. Marriage:= lifetime
19. Blondes:= okay. no more dumb blonde jokes.
20. Brunettes:= cool!
21. Redheads:= also cool!
22. Asians:= beautiful people plus diverse culture :D
23.Pass the time:= blogging! :D
24. One night stands:= x_x
25: Cell Phone:= no credit. im sooooo poor.
27: Smoke:= no way!
28: Vanilla Ice cream:= i want ube ice cream!
29: Port a Potties:= ??
30: Highschool Life:= wonderful
31. Pyjamas:= best sleepwear
32. stars:= twinkle twinkle
33.wet socks:=ewwww
34. Alcohol:= ..hehehe
35. The word love:= trust
36. Friends:= "im sorry!i got stinky. i got dirty.But see, I learned!" hahaha..love u friends! i'll never forget u..=)
37. Money:= karl marx: it's all about the money.
38. Heartache:= love
39. Time:= fast
40. Divorce:= sad
41. Dogs:= i want one! a cute golden retriever
42. Underpants:= necessity
43. Parents:= great parents!love them!
44. Kids:= they make me smile
45. Stripper:= respect
46. Blogs:= thank you. it's where i vent almost all my frustrations in life.
47. News:= informative
48. Weddings:= memorable..
49. Pizza:= yummier if paired with ice cream :D
50. Kleenex= tissue.hehe

Bb. Pilipinas 2008 blooper

2008-03-16T07:09:00.000-07:00

Im sure many of you have seen the clips on youtube or watched the Bb. Pilipinas 2008 Coronation. And I am very sure what you felt while watching was a combination of laughter, disappointment and frustration. Hell, I felt that way too! What a disaster! She should have asked for tips and techniques that are necessary in a pageant.I am not an expert in language but i do know the bascis when it comes to effective communication. I remember Listening Comprehension, Basic Grammar, Thought Organization, Pronounciation and Active Listening. I think she should enrol in english centers before she competes for the Ms. World pageant.

Suma total: The pageant was a flop.
Anyway, here's the video http://youtube.com/watch?v=xKwmseoKFCo

To Cut or Not to Cut

2008-03-16T06:59:00.000-07:00

My hair badly needed a haircut. I surfed the internet for a good style and found this one. I like this hairstyle! the question is: will it look good on me???

Artwork out of Boredom

2008-03-16T03:41:00.000-07:00

I was browsing through my files and came across my artworks. If I remember correctly, these were drawings I made mostly during boring lectures back in college.

Notice the date: 12/16/06 ? This was obviously made during the day of the Oblation Run. I guess, I was hoping that the boring lecture would finish early for me to watch the much-awaited event in the campus. lol

I named this drawing "Chicken Egg" but Rowena and Pearl insisted naming it as "Egg Nok" a combi of egg and manok. I think I drew this during one of our Psych Stat classes wherein my classmates and I were in danger of nosebleeding to death from all those complex stat data we needed to solve and interpret (remember one-way and two-way ANOVA? hehe ). Although, most of us admitted that we sorta enjoyed the torture and being terrorized by our dear prof. We were the epitome of learned helplessness to the nth level. haha! mga masokista!

2008-03-15T06:05:00.000-07:00

Mabuhay! Is a Filipino verb in the form of a command: "live!" It is also a wish:"may you live!" Whoever says it wishes you the great gift of long and full life. It is both a blessing and lusty cheer. "Mabuhay" (ma-boo-high) is such a large word that it lends itself to a wide number of secondary uses: welcome, Godspeed, hello, goodluck, cheer, posit, sante, viva, kambei, aloha and many other expressions of goodwill. All these are a part of life that makes them possible. "Mabuhay" in other word, is an invocation of life itself.

martial arts

2008-03-15T05:53:00.000-07:00

haaaaaaaiyaaah!!!

Movies with martial arts themes are one of my favorites. Im fascinated with it since I was a kid. When I was little, I really thought that all those gravity-defying stunts were real. Movie characters flying over trees and rooftops, jumping off tall buildings and remained unscathed, all those things seemed real to my very young mind. I steadfastly stuck to my beliefs until one day, my mother told me the TRUTH and my preconceived notions were shattered. But that's jumping ahead of my story. Anyways, I remember as a child I used to look forward to the movies of Cynthia Luster, Cynthia Khan, and Cynthia Rothrock (my brilliant memory won't let me forget their names hehehe). Now I have new sets of fave martial arts actresses, Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi. This faschination was one of the reasons why I enrolled in taekwondo when I was in high school. I was filled with high hopes that somehow i would be able to learn to kick and punch properly,which I did after tons of sweat and plenty of sleepless nights due to excruciating muscle pain. Much to my disappointment, I was not able to learn how to kick in mid-air since I quit on my 6th month of training. Call me a chicken/loser or not strong-willed enough or any names you like but I could no longer endure all the excruciating muscle aches and pains that I experienced. The mind is willing but the flesh is weak, so to speak. So I quit after 6 months of strenuous and rigorous training (hahaha as if!) but my fascination with martial arts remained and it has increased with each viewing of movies with martial arts fight scenes. :)

panglao

2008-02-27T05:02:00.001-08:00

panglao!!!!!!!!!!!!

fso exam

2007-10-15T07:39:00.001-07:00

pamatay ang mga tanong sa fso exam. waaaa!!!
here are sample questions:

http://www.crusadingcynic.blogspot.com/

tribute to the psychs

2007-10-15T05:57:00.000-07:00

This blog was written by my classmate to all her fellow "children," the Psychs. Thank you guys for making my college days worthwhile. Thanks for the memories! Hope we'll have a reunion 5 years from now :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Psych Batchmates
-L.J. Estopin

It's amazing how friendship can make or break you. so i guess we all have to agree that relationships in general can either make or break you. this blog is for my batchmates in college - such good friends, and good family, too!
i couldn't say that i had a good time in high school. it's because i never got to do the things my classmates did. but if i were to highlight meaningful events in my life, one would definitely be my college days. aside from particular developmental changes that occured in my life, i know college was a time when i really changed. put in all the other factors like my college's environment, the weird students, the highly expectant professors (and parents, too!), i transformed from a timid girl into an expressive individual. of course, i wouldn't have been able to go through it without my batchmates. they helped mold me. and when i was down or unsure, they were the "push" i needed. i learned to trust, to relax, have fun, and make other friendships as well. they made the demands of college manageable and enjoyable. i also liked the idea that the college crowd saw us as a quite different group. in campus, we weren't noisy, we kept to ourselves, but hey what we were actually doing was observing people and criticizing them. haha! but of course, we also know how to admire. in fact, we simply loved looking at this cute helpmate guy and well, how we wished he would at least look at us, too!
now that we are already working, we still find time to communicate and see each other. and even if we fail to do so, i know we always treasure what we have in our hearts. it would be an understatement if i say i miss them, because truth be told, sometimes i wish i could go back to the time when we were seeing each other everyday. i rarely allow myself to get close with or depend on people, but i never hesitate doing so when my batchmates are involved. they taught me a lot about friendship. and i guess we were actually teaching each other in the process.
my batchmates have strikingly unique personalities, manifested in how they act and care for the group. but we have common denominators, though, such as this weird, wicked, but witty sense of humor, our collective admiration (and dislike) for certain professors, and of course, our bond. my batchmates are my good friends. i'll never regret having met them. or having given a part of myself to them, for that matter. they were instrumental in my becoming a better person. and besides, haven't i always wanted to hang out with crazy people?
go psych! ;)

complexity of the english language

2007-10-10T07:55:00.001-07:00

English can be so complex to understand sometimes
Read the paragraph below ....and try to understand the meaning.

Two individuals proceeded towards the apex of a natural geologic
protuberance, the purpose of their expedition being the procurement of
a sample of fluid hydride of oxygen in a large vessel, the exact size
of which was unspecified. One member of the team precipitously
descended, sustaining severe damage to the upper cranial portion of
his anatomical structure; Subsequently the second member of the team
performed a self rotational translation oriented in the same direction
taken by the first team member.

scroll down to understand:.......(in simple English what does this translate to??) . . . .

SCROLL DOWN..............................

Jack and jill went up the hill
to fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
and jill came tumbling after!!!

j-pop

2007-10-10T07:39:00.000-07:00

Kudos to Utada Hikaru! I actually like this j-pop singer coz she makes great songs. When you get to hear her songs, you won't actually think that her music are actually OST for japanese animes. For me, her best song so far is "First Love." I love the song, I love the lyrics and most especially I love the way she sang it laden with deep emotions that when I heard it for the first time it actually brought shivers to my spine and tears to my eyes eventhough I dont have any idea what the song was all about since it was in Japanese.
(Oh oh...and I was told by my Communication instructor not to make a very long sentence.)

Anyways, I hope she'll continue to make great music.
Cheerio! üü