dear lola,

i love you and i will miss you.

traffic

Sometimes I fear that I might disappear
In this blur of traffic to everyone seems clear
Just slow me down, tired of running, rushing,
No I can't keep up with all the muddy thinking.

Change of scenes calmly comes in the way,
For me it's racing and spinning me away.
This pace of the world looming like chaos,
Moving so fast, I'm forgetting my purpose.

saving with people... for the people

The Philippines stands united in the fight against climate change and its impacts to the country and throughout the ASEAN region. This coming 29 March 2008, from 8 to 9 in the evening, the country will join cities in Europe, America and Asia by switching off lights as part of a global movement termed Earth Hour.

Earth Hour is an international event that asks households and businesses to turn off their lights and non-essential electrical appliances for one hour. It is a wide awareness campaign that aims to promote electricity conservation as it reduces carbon emissions. This campaign uses the simple action of turning off lights for an hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.

worthy of your ear

Meet the swanky FOALS. "We are the fartherest thing from emo. We have never been influenced, and we don't enjoy that style of music. We are just trying to do something different, and it's f****** annoying when people put this tag on people that wear skinny jeans and have hair over their eyes". The FOALS is an indie math rock band from Oxford, England. Their music is basically guitar based -funky guitar riffs and sparkling guitar lines with an experimental style of rock music. They will definitely make a noise this year and their new cd- "Antidotes" is stylin' that is worthy of your ear.

the Best Legal High

TIME Magazine named the Peninsula's Halo-Halo Harana as the best legal high. Halo-Halo ("halo" : mix) is a popular local dessert during the warm season with its shaved ice, sweetened beans, coconut meat, colored gelatin, rice crisps, langka, ube, leche flan and evaporated milk. One's craving is purely satisfied by the tall frosted glass topped with melting scoop of ice cream. As the ice cream melts it blends with the colorful tropical fruits underneath and one's pleasure is satisfied with a spoon.

Halo-halo was the center of our conversation during dinner. I'm sure every Pinoy has his share of sweet memories with the authentic local dessert. We have our own bets of the most craved halo-halo but I think the P10 halo-halo on a side street in Manila is a real killer. On a wood stand under an old shady tree along an esquinita in Intramuros, rows of jars filled with delectable local ingredients are laid out on a table. Beside her is a man shaving a block of ice with a shiny metal shaver. Then a yell with a distinct tune, the woman calls inviting everyone to at least have a cup of her cheap far out halo-halo.

Hold that paranoia! Hesitations almost dissuade us but our laziness to walk to a near restaurant pushed us to her humbling halo-halo stand. She served her halo-halo in a clear plastic cup that shows its sweet colorful fruits and with a disposable spoon that could probably snap anytime. Manang's heavenly halo-halo somewhere in Manila is fine, sweet and creamy that can surely satisfy one's random sweet cravings.... and besides 30 times cheaper than Manila Pen's golden halo-halo.

So how's my Easter?

There was a full moon last sunday. I went out and lay flat on the car hood and watched the huge hypnotizing moon. It was enchanting yet boring but an amusing moment however. It's a quiet way to spend easter and the perfect way to just somehow think. I tried to tune out but I just can't keep up with all the muddy thinking lurking in my head. I guess it's impossible to direct yourself to just think and relax when we're constantly distracted every second.

It's undeniable to say that our world today have gotten much noisier. We are constantly distracted by mindless noises, television, newspaper, emotional wrath of people and they just keep on going. I guess we need to tire out sometime. We somehow need to shut ourselves out of this world of muddiness. We do crave to at least listen to ourselves once in a while right? .. to just lose our focus on our surroundings for a few seconds.

I lay on the car hood and everything was just completely quiet. I tried to tune out. Then after a few seconds, I heard random tards laughing, next door's party was quite hopping and i just couldn't keep up with the uninterrupted flow of noise. I guess with all the existing distraction thrown at us constantly.. it's pretty impossible in our generation to have a room for silence. So How's my Easter?.. pretty gnarly.

need sleep

Anyone taking up architecture knows how luxurious sleep is. I’d still take a nap even if my deadline's like couple of hours away. I never had trouble snoozing. One time I slept standing up in a jampacked train to school. I held on the hand rail and rested my head on my arm then I dozed off. It’s a gift. Probably I can do exceptional things from desperation. I love sleep. In high school after my driver picks me up in LaSalle Greenhills, I would just lean against the car window and less than a minute I fall asleep. My driver would look stupid talking alone for so long before he realized my snoring.

The only time I cannot fall asleep is if I have to get up early for a 7am class or for an early fuckin deadline. Some of our professors got the bitch on us pushing through such thoughtless deadline. I have this fear like I might not wake up on time… so I’d just stay up and stare at the clock and watch how much time I’m wasting. Then afterwards I’d spend the whole day plotting my little nap along the corridors in school.

I like to sleep. But last night I couldn’t find my comfort in my little cocoon. I went to bed around 11. I waited to lose consciousness and fall into that certain deep melancholic trance. But my head was actively lurking though my body was already exhausted. My mind wouldn’t rest. I tried listening to my ipod but even norah jones couldn’t put me to sleep. I turned my computer on, browsed for a while and created a new playlist with tracks from jeff buckley and radiohead. It was already 4:30 in the morning. I went back to bed and plugged my ears. Then I finally dozed off.

This morning I woke up feeling satisfied. I took off my earphones and my ipod’s clock says 7:10 am. My body seemed rested. I stretched for a while and walked out of my room yawning and rubbing my heavy tired eyes. I snatched a bowl of cereal and read the papers. My body seemed to function well though with 3 hours of sleep. I did not feel drowsy or lethargic the whole day but not until this moment... so goodnight ya'll, I'm going moo-moo.

death by texting

Pedestrians crashing into lampposts while sending text messages is absobloodylutely one of the most ridiculous stories I've heard. A study claims that thousands of people were injured in the U.K. last year from texting and walking. (this has to be a joke.) I was watching the Daily Show with Jon Stewart the other night and the news is real and in fact reaching a widespread media attention. Pedestrians in London are so distracted by texting that they can't make it down a block without hitting a lamppost. So white fluffy cushions are installed to the lampposts to compromise some people's stupidity. Why don't they just bubble wrap the whole street?

Apparently, these lads are becoming so mentally retarded that they need cushioned lamppost to protect themselves from banging their faces. I think padding will only encourage carelessness in people to bump almost into anything removing the moral hazard of being inattentive.

In my opinion, this idea shapes people to be dumb spoiling their carelessness with pads and cushions. I believe cushioning are just for kids. It's a presumption that people are so stupid that we can't protect ourselves from silly injuries. Though the bumpers were removed after a day, the discussion over the hazards of texting and walking is still on-going. It seems that the issue on texting and walking makes sense, but I think the real issue here is basically our own ignorance, I mean.. keep your eyes on the road!! "Two pedestrians were killed crossing the street while listening to their iPods."... seriously, when will we learn?

a sober one this year.

I had a super fun Holy Week last year and it seems like it’s going to be just deeply quiet and sober this year. I guess it's about time to pray for guidance from Him and to learn to make peace within ourselves. While most people are on the beach frolicking under the sun and bathing with their own sweat, I was reading a sentimental quick-read novel from Mitch Albom. It has been sitting in my shelf for months and perhaps it makes sense to at least read it this holy week.

I'm not really a fan of a particular writer but coincidently I've read three of his books since Tuesdays with Morrie. Mitch Albom's "For one more day" is a simple read with a very captivating and mythical world. I usually vurp (a combination of vomit and burp when a bit of your stomach stuff is expelled to the esophagus.. gross I know) when I hear cliches but this book made me appreciate more the time that I'm spending with my mom.

Green-ifying ArrestedMagikero

I woke this morning and thought about supporting the green revolution. I guess watching Across the Universe inspired me to take part and get involved on something. I thought about the environment and all its headlining concerns. So why should an individual save nature and preserve the delicate balance of life? Along with the long list of reasons, the primary one would be the desire for a healthy planet.

Each person desires for an improved health that results from living in a cleaner environment. Toxins from air and water can prevent our organs from functioning well leading to diseases. I'm only 21 and I don't want to die at 30 and I still want to enjoy the magnificence of nature. As a result I made a short list of potential Green-ification that I could do this holy week. These are easy steps that you could also do to be green:

• Looking Green. Add some necessary plants inside your bedroom. It will make your room look nicer and fresher and it reduces an amount of carbon dioxide.
• Use natural oils or candles instead of spray type air fresheners.
• Check your lightbulbs if they are energy saving.
  
• Unplugging chargers and switching off your computers are little things you can do in your room to be green.
• Recycling. Since the school year just ended, I'll start sorting my stuff. I'll drop by the mall and buy one more bin to sort out my trash and just get sure that I drop the right things in it.

It doesn't have to be massive steps. Internet is the fastest way to reach out and influence the public. Green-ifying your blog is a good step in getting involved. So make a start and take part in the green revolution.

mi amigo!

We dropped by our plant in Cavite yesterday. It's nearly done and my mom can't wait to set up and run our own paint company. I can say we have great people working with us in this business and hopefully it'll turn out good. We already have a name for both economy and premium brands of paint. All we just need are far out logo designs for both brands then the company's good to go.

Anyway, one of my mom's contractors blared out that he's selling his car. We got this dodgy impression but he was actually serious. My mom's a little interested with the offer but I still need to talk to my dad. Perhaps with a little power of persuasion and a bit of acting, I could be driving that gnarly SUV a little sooner.

I hit the internet as soon as I got home and there it was.. mi amigo!!.. the ISUZU AMIGO. I've been really sucking up to my mom just to get this big toy in my hands. It's the golden car for gas increase problems for this baby is fitted with a smaller engine that it demands lesser gas compared to the larger SUVs. This Amigo does not only play up on its good looks.. well it's a ride that makes practical sense. It's not as hot as or as new as some cars but it's flashy and sporty enough to deal with the pocket drilling cost. So I guess this amigo is the perfect car for me right?.. right mom?? dad?

across the universe

Across the Universe is a visually stunning musical about a personal love story and a political issue in the sixties. The film mirrored well the idea behind the Beatles' melodies, cleverly drafting interpretations of the fab four's music. The arrangements of tracks were contemporary without having an impression of being forced to fit our generation. I think the film succeeds in injecting a unique style of illustrating the emotional depth on the issues behind the Beatle's songs.

What I love about the movie is the smart choice of characters. The movie offered a young ensemble of characters in a diverse suit of culture. I like the idea that songs were somehow directed to fit the individuality of the characters. It seems that all the cast strongly reflects characters mirroring rock ‘n’ roll heroes and heroines.

From beginning to end, the film takes you on a Beatle-ride that holds you by the ears and your heart. Loving this movie is like falling in love for real. It offers certain imperfections but you'll soon learn to love its flaws. Watch the movie with an open-mind parallel to the director's vision and you'll understand where I'm going. Overall I think the movie is good. Whether you'll love it or hate it, you'll definitely feel something.

our first night of vacation

I was out last Saturday night. A friend called around 8 and randomly invited me out. So I took a shower and pulled out a nice jacket and ran to a bar in makati. I had drinks with my friends from college who I've not seen in 48 hours. lol. It's our first night of a much needed vacation. It's really good to be with them all. We left Tabu and we hit Ponti's. It was a little odd there were like 12 people in the bar including us. Where are the people? Did they already leave for the beach?

Anyway, we had more drinks then the bar fumed this laid-back vibe. A weird cloud of nostalgia gloomed over me. We were singing with the melodies of the old school songs that the bar's playing. One more year, one more year.. and we'll be drifting as these young architecture graduates. We thought about it and.. laughed and continued chatting. We just sat there all night, talking and chilling as so much time passes.

was that nerdy kid

I’ve been really really busy again. The nights of coming home drained from the long commute and unreasonably angry and annoyed by everyone are back. School demands are nonstop and deadlines are endless. I miss those lethargic nights of watching late night tv or dvds and falling asleep next to a bag of chips. My eyebags have bags of their own, haven’t had a haircut and I look ridiculously awful.

When I think about it, I really miss those younger years where everything was just not as stressful as it is today. I used to be the best kid in class. I was the nerdy kid who loves math. I was the nerdy kid whom my classmates copy their homework from. I was always on top of everything. I was the best in art class and the source of creative ideas. I was the kid who’s used to get wows over his drawings. But being in architecture makes me an ordinary student, the “just another one of the many people” who are good. And these people are my friends who are admirably inspiring. These talents inspire me to push a bit harder. I learn from them and get motivated by their amazing ideas.

Things are different now. No more ranting. No more complaining. Taking up this course is completely my own decision. I know I want to be in this field. Now is the time to improve and to do extremely well. I’m a few months away from my thesis. It really scares me but I’m in some way excited.