Thursday, July 13, 2017
Meeting Moira
Last July 8, 2017, Saturday, it still seems so superficial until now but that day, we really felt we're on cloud nine when we saw and met the person behind the song "Malaya"! Moira dela Torre, of course. *iyak*
Weeks before the event, after Reese Lansangan's performance on SM, my friends Nicole and Jireh were interacting with SM CDO Downtown's tweet on who's the next artist people would want to come to CDO and perform. They both answered "Moira" with no hesitation!!! Well, I admit that I wasn't an avid fan of Ate Moira that time yet because "Malaya" was the only song I've heard of her, but damn, when I first heard it, that song was heartbreaking and tagos to the soul!!! So, I really want to see and witness her angelic voice. No matter what, even if we're still a town away.
I really give SM CDO Downtown five stars for the success in their tactics to increase their sales. They had proposed a meet-and-greet for Moira's event and we have to retweet their tweet so that we can get a chance to win. Deep inside me, meeting her and getting autograph would be great but I would like to give way to my diehard fan friend Jireh. Nevertheless, I RETWEETED. Ate Moira even interacted in the tweets that's why we're even more thrilled!!!! Yes, she's that down to earth. ;)
When THE day came, it turned out that Jireh was one of the five chosen people. Perks of being Jireh's friends, Nicole and I were allowed to tag along. ♥ It was really hard to swallow the fact that we'll be meeting a really great talented artist in a few hours! While we were still at the bus, we documented on how excited we were! JUST SO YOU KNOW, Ate Moira noticed it!! And even retweeted it. Isn't she a dear? *iyak* We are all really nervous not only because we're going to see her but also we are going to see her.. LATE. The event would start at 5PM yet we arrived in SM at 6PM! Smh to CDO traffic plus it was raining that time.
When we arrived at the event, Ate Moira is already singing her third song. (Btw, we're at the front row. Lucky us.) We really can't believe it in our eyes! In front of us is Ate Moira!! Then she announced that she'll be singing the second to the last song of the night, and we are so bummed because we just barely arrived and it's already ending? So we say our silent prayers, hoping that Malaya was still not sang. Huhu.
Guess what, the fourth song was "Malaya"! (If you still haven't heard it, please do look it up!!) We were so happy that our eyes brimmed with tears. She asked us to sing the chorus with her. She really is a natural. The voice you've heard on radio is exactly the same on live. She even put some twist in her angelic voice on the last part of Malaya, Jireh and I nearly melted and diededededdded. IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL. I can't even.
The last song was a cover of One Republic's Something I Need. This time, his guitarist Kuya Jason, which turned out to be his boyfriend, sang with Ate Moira. These two really have a perfect chemistry!! Kuya Jason has a really good voice too. Really a match made in heaven. ♥
After the performance, we began to line up and being in the front row, we had the chance to be one of the first in line. When we were about to go to the stage, the staff mouthed to Ate Moira that we were the ones who came all the way from Iligan, and Ate Moira was really shookt and just said "Kayo yung nasa bus?" and all at once, we said our yes-es and nodded our heads strongly. We are so happy that we were noticed by Ate Moira. We gave our gifts to her (quads and bracelet) and we let our notebooks get signed by her. ♥ She hugged us countless times (but Nicole received a lot more *laughs*) and that made our trip a whole lot worth it.
Ate Moira still can't also believe her eyes that we really came from Iligan City, that we travelled for her especially considering the current situation of our place due to the Marawi siege and the Martial Law. It was all worth it.
Nicole was very emotional during the event!! She kept crying and can't believe that Ate Moira had hugged her countless times, as promised that we won't be going home without getting some hugs from her. ;)
We also did some selfies with Kuya Jason. Weee. But I regret not being able to have some autograph from Kuya. Huhu I wonder when we'll be the next time. Surely, we'll ask some someday.
The three of us thought that that was the end of the night. We decided to sent Ate Moira off, to see her go from the venue, to say our goodbyes to her. While they were surrounded by the security, we kept our distance and just waved from afar. BUT ONE THING HAPPENED.
That experience was our topic the whole night! It was really a moment worth remembering. Is it wrong for us to think that we would be "forever friends" with Ate Moira? Well, let us be. We'll be her fans, her "Moira Trio", no matter what when and where. Looking forward to meeting her again soon! ♥
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Go Paperless with Paperless Post
While I was cleaning my room and de-cluttering its mess a week ago, I discovered a stack of invitations I got from my friends who turned 18 in the year 2015 and 2016, covered with dust, forgotten. Here in Philippines, turning 18 is a big thing for the Filipino ladies because it somehow marks the start of their womanhood. When and why this tradition has come to existence, I don't know. One I thing I know is that a number of my friends were into it, and luckily I was invited to them. It was an honor to be invited plus if you receive a 'hard copy' invitation, it's really uplifting because it means you're a valuable guest that they have to spend that much for a piece of paper to formally invite you.
Now that I think of it, that piece of paper, if you have the intention to keep it as a memoir, it wouldn't last that long especially if you'll forget about it and leave them in the back of your cabinet, dusty and brittle and crumpled. I still even had a number of invitations of the same event with me when the host asked me to disseminate them-- invitations, now worthless, yet to be passed on to their rightful and unreachable owners.
Paperless Post
When I was introduced to Paperless Post few days ago, I realized how most people are in front of their gadgets all the time and yet not taking advantage with the power that's in their hands. Technology is constantly developing, evolving into something worthwhile in every second, and yet most Homo sapiens stayed stagnant. Of course, we can avoid all these stacks of paper that accumulate in time by going DIGITAL. That's what Paperless Post has been doing and achieving since 2009.
Paperless Post would be a very great assistance to all event organizers because in just few clicks, you can already achieve the perfect invitation for your most awaited event, made easy by the ready-made templates prepared by the platform. You wouldn't even regret using their templates because they are simply minimalist and aesthetic. Paperless Post even provides lots of design you can choose from which you can also customize with.
Going Paperless
I had always been into photography, started with my phone camera, but just lately, I bought my own first entry-level DSLR camera that really takes me up to a next level of photography. It opened my mind to a lot of concepts plus I want my photos to have a sense of purpose, and to be of some use by other people. I want my photos to be shared.
With the help and in partnership with Paperless Post, I had somehow achieved this goal of mine.
Yesterday, I had some spontaneous photoshoot of my brother which can be a practice in shooting portraits. Using Nikon D3300 and with some post-processing in Adobe Lightroom, the following photos are the produced results:
I am satisfied with the performance of Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8n, producing fine though not-so-clear bokeh, emphasizing the subject and the background, adding dramatic effect to the photo. These were post processed in Lightroom, and I wanted the effect to be related to what the model is trying to portray. You don't want to put a happy and cheerful pose in a very dim and heavy vignetted photo, right? It has to have a bright and warm filter. That's what I was trying to show in these two pictures, the contrast.
So, after having the photoshoot, I was thinking what's the use of these photos? After I've used some of my shutter counts, how can I maximize the use of my portraits? That's where Paperless Post comes in, giving a purpose to my photographs. I decided to design a birthday card that would feature my brother, using the portraits I took, for his upcoming 21st birthday on August.
That template I used above is just one of the hundreds they offer, and I had the power to customize the color and accents of the invitation. For more ideas on birthday invitations, check it out on their site: https://www.paperlesspost.com/
Actually, I have a lot of things in mind on what to do with Paperless Post. My cousin's graduation is nearly approaching and Paperless Post would be really helpful in making an invitation for her graduation party. The platform offers a lot of categories of events you can choose from. It ranges from baby showers to weddings to organization activities. Find them here: https://www.paperlesspost.com/
Using Paperless Post was easy. You'll be done in a few minutes. Their postcards too don't cost too much. Once you've registered to Paperless Post, they'll fund you with a start of 25 coins so that you can explore the platform. It really costs you less money because you don't need a graphic designer anymore, you don't need to pay for his talent fee. And most importantly, it costs you less time because everything you need to do in achieving a perfect event esp in the invitation part e.g. inviting the guests and delivering the invitation to them, Paperless Post does it for you.
I am really glad to be working with Paperless Post in this blogpost. It was really an eye opener for me and realized that things can be made more practical than they usually are. This should be a start of the revolution of going paperless, of de-cluttering, of remaking our tradition of keeping our memories by improving the memoir itself.
Friday, February 24, 2017
DOST-SEI's The Filipino Patriot Scholar Project | Day 1
I feel like I've woken up in a very beautiful dream and it's still so vivid to me even if it just happened a weekend ago. These two-day workshop that the DOST-SEI had prepared for the scholars of MSU-IIT was a very huge success and had harvested 200 patriots.
It's been roughly three months since the day of DOST-JLSS Examination results came out, the day that my name has been part of that list who luckily passed. And just days ago was the contract signing and became a DOST Scholar officially. I want this scholarship so bad since I don't to be leeching off my parents anymore for my weekly outings and extravagant needs.. for short, it just boils down to MONEY. But it never occurred to me how heavy my responsibility was until I joined this Formation Program.
I was really excited to be a DOST Scholar and it is of my will that I wanted to be part of this program, to at least give back or to express how thankful I am to pass the exam. Only 200 scholars were invited to be a part of it-- at first, the list wasn't even filled up because most scholars aren't interested, thinking that it's just a program full of boring lectures. AND to think the program has no registration fee! And free snacks and lunch and dinner and breakfast! And we get to enter PRISM (a 200-M worth research institute building) for the first time! Plus the experience! How can I say no to that! This was the first time DOST-SEI had conducted this formation program. It would be such a great privilege to be part of it!!!
I was really excited.. but I was still late for first day, kinda. Well, I just really barely arrived on time, seconds before the program started. Teehee
DAY 1
First, we had the Human Bingo Card which was really fun with my fellow scholars. This was my first time to be with them, to know some of their faces. The first four scholars who get to complete the card will receive a journal signed by Dr. Biyo! Gorgeousss. But I haven't won because I was too busy signing other people's cards (Harry Potter fan; person that has nail polish on toenails; youngest in the family, etc.) than letting others sign mine. I don't mind because I really had fun!! Next activity we had was Humanizing the Scholar. We were given letters (which spell out Patriot), a paper human and a current issue, where we received "Depletion of Natural Resources". The letters will be the first letters of the body parts, and attach it to the paper human. Then we'll explain how we can lessen the problem by using the body parts we've attached.
After that we had the Kapihan!! It was really entertaning!! I did not expect this part of the program. Hahaha. Well, this part was just like in a talk show. One host, which is Prof. Confesor, who acted like Boy Abunda, and then three DOST former scholars were invited to be interviewed as guests. 'Boy Abunda' did a great job, infairness. And the guests, their stories were really inspiring. ♥
After that there was a talk prepared by Sir Geraldo Petilla about the core values of being a patriot scholar. (I really wonder if he's related to our former Secretary of Department of Energy Jericho Petilla, because they look alike). So there are three core values that scholars need to uphold:
- SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - to always remember that we need to give back to our community and to help other people succeed; to promote nation building
- SERVANT LEADERSHIP - to influence and be a good example for others to follow; to pass on something worth keeping, like values and skills, to survive in this world; allowing and teaching your members to stand up on their own
- PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE - to do your best at all times to also give best results; not just to achieve a profession but to also excel on it
We were given the chance to have a role playing or a sitcom in front of the audience in the Mannequin Challenge part, about the core values. Each group was assigned with a core value and we must portray it the best way we can to the audience. It was quite unnerving since the judges were the important people of DOST-SEI. It was really fun having to bond with my co-scholars, exchanging sensible opinions with each other. Other groups were very entertaining too!!
Never thought that day could get any better! Ms. Imelda Sario aka Ma'am Dada's icebreakers really the bomb!!! They're really unique and funny and we always look forward to it. A number of icebreakers she had shared to us, and I'll surely share it to future workshops/camps soon.♥
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| credits to DocuTeam of the Patriot Program. (that's me, the one holding a phone, so busy capturing memories hihi) |
We had short film showing in the afternoon. They let us watch a documentary of the current issues in the Philippines and wanted us to come up an action plan on how we can solve or lessen a problem that's around our community.
I think this activity was really informative, not only because we can open our minds and realize the problems that are prevalent in our community, but we can also know what other groups had come up and realized. We had come up with an action plan too, meaning as scholars, we can do something about them. And we must start doing them.
That day was really draining maybe because of the wave of information I got from all the lectures that day, and yet, I went home with a happy heart. ♥
Next post will be the second day! It was the more memorable part of the program because we were given a chance to witness the people who needed us Patriots to help them. Wait for it!
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Last Book Syndrome: 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Everytime I feel like I am wasting my time and life away through slacking off or when I feel like my mind is already rusting from all the absurd and nonsense information I've been getting through social media nowadays, or when I feel like just want to.. chill out and feel something, the most sensible thing I should do is to get a book and read.
And I've not been a bit disappointed.
(SPOILER ALERT. Of course, all my book reviews are going to be spoilers. If you don't want to read any spoils, jump to tl;dr part.)
Credits to Bookbed.org where I've got the idea of this blog series. I've made the four parts: In A Nutshell (quick summary), Up In The Clouds (reactions and positive remarks), On The Contrary (downsides of the book) and tl;dr (recommendations and other comments).
Baker's Dozen: The Autobiography of Hannah Baker
After more than a year of being wrapped in a plastic and stored in my cabinet (the temporary home of my books), I finally unwrapped Thirteen Reasons Why for two reasons. One, it has been announced just lately that the book will be made into a Netflix TV series, so I just have to know the story first before it will be put on screen! (I don't want to watch the on-screen versions if I haven't read the books.) Two, I've been soul-searching and missing the feeling of being into an adventure through books, so I grabbed this since I've heard great reviews about it.And I've not been a bit disappointed.
(SPOILER ALERT. Of course, all my book reviews are going to be spoilers. If you don't want to read any spoils, jump to tl;dr part.)
In A Nutshell
Clay Jensen was surprised when a shoebox-sized package has been delivered and addressed to him. Inside the shoebox were tapes.. Seven audiotapes with marks on each side except the last tape, only one side is marked. Thirteen marks. He was bummed at first because no one's listening to tapes anymore. Surprised even more that it came from Hannah Baker, the girl he noticed and loved, the girl who took her life away weeks ago.
It turned out that the tapes were Hannah Baker's last messages to the world she left. Messages specifically sent to people who made her life miserable and whom some way responsible for her death. Thirteen marks. Thirteen people. And Clay, confused and baffled, was one of them. He borrowed, rather stole, his friend Tony's Walkman so that he can listen to the tapes whenever he want to. He gripped to Hannah's words and connected the people she mentioned, going to the places Hannah marked on the map she provided as supplement for the tapes.
After all the horrible things happened to Hannah, Clay was the exception on the tapes. He was part of the story not because he did horrible, but because Hannah want to ask for forgiveness that she'd given up on what was happening with both of them. The rest of the tapes also include Hannah's confessions of the faults she'd also done, and even admits that she's guilty.
From then on, Clay's life has changed forever.
Up in The Clouds
Two words: LIFE CHANGING. I really ran out of words to say after I've read the book! HUHU I've read the book from cover to cover, even the questions part and the extras, because I can't gather my thoughts well when I finished it. I can't get enough of it. I had lots of thoughts I can't seem to organize. I was put in a meditation mode and pondered all I've read-- of how some parts in the book, I am also guilty, in a way that I've done the same things people Hannah mentioned. Like Courtney Crimsen. I can imagine myself sometimes with her character that's why I cry now and then whenever there are parts I am reminded of how horrible the person I am to others. (You can judge me now. Just like Hannah, I don't want to be an angel in your eyes. It is simply the truth.)
This book is really an eye opener and by the time you've finished reading it, I PROMISE YOU, you won't look the world the same as it was before. You will start treating others better and start to consider their feelings. You will learn to be careful as all we do create repercussions. "Everything affects everything." You will be aware of how great the impact you are giving to the people around you.
I loved the book's setup. The audiotapes. The Walkman. The map and the places. I love how Jay Asher writes as I can clearly imagine Clay Jensen's journey and how vivid the details are. The words were not that hard to understand too, unlike some books that try hard to use deep words but didn't have much sense.
It has occurred to me that we all have that Hannah Baker in our lives. I honestly am always reminded of my friend everytime Hannah Baker poured out her thoughts. All I can think of is that, "Is this what she's feeling all the time?" "Have I offended her?" "Is that why she lost her trust on me?" and I just cry and regret. But that's where Clay comes in to balance it out. We must be Clay Jensens who will try our best to reach out no matter what, to never give up on that person. We must try to represent the hope they're looking for.
On The Contrary
I don't have much dislikes on the book except that sometimes I get distracted by Clay's side comments on Hannah's tapes. Like when Hannah is still talking and the message gets interrupted by Clay's thoughts. I was quite annoyed by that format sometimes because I was so into Hannah's speech just to be interrupted by Clay's thoughts telling another story. It was confusing but I got used to it after a while.
Also, I was quite shocked that Clay wasn't blamed. Well, I was really expecting that he gets to be blamed at for not reaching out sooner, I was quite mad at him at first. (But also relieved that he wasn't blamed at haha idk). I've forgiven him though on the later part. Part of me even wants to have a Clay Jensen.
tl;dr
Overall impact: ★★★★★
6/5 even! The suspense, the thrill, the lessons!! IT REALLY IS A MUST READ. Especially for teenagers in these (my) generations, they need a whole lot of new perspective. Many of us needs to be enlightened, encouraged, changed. It has a different feels compared to All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Though, kind of the same theme, but different concept. ATBP can give you a meltdown but 13RW will make you understand and see clearly. It's like being blind for a while but now I've been given sight.
I am more than willing to share this book to my friends, I will even allow them to write their thoughts on the last blank pages of my copy because I want to read their thoughts the moment they've finished reading. I recommend it with all my heart!! ♥
Credits to Bookbed.org where I've got the idea of this blog series. I've made the four parts: In A Nutshell (quick summary), Up In The Clouds (reactions and positive remarks), On The Contrary (downsides of the book) and tl;dr (recommendations and other comments).
Do you know other books that have changed your life, too? Tell me so that I can read it too!
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Spontaneous Eat Out at Ramen-Yah
Happy new year guys! This is my first post of this year and it's about.... Yes, food.
I never expected that my ECE blockmates are the one who suggested to still go to the restaurant at 7PM. It was also raining but they were still up for it! Oh my, new year, new blockmates? Haha. They're slowly being the badass kids already, ditching their 52-week challenge promise just to spend their savings for this "spontaneous" outing.
I never expected that my ECE blockmates are the one who suggested to still go to the restaurant at 7PM. It was also raining but they were still up for it! Oh my, new year, new blockmates? Haha. They're slowly being the badass kids already, ditching their 52-week challenge promise just to spend their savings for this "spontaneous" outing.
RAMEN-YAH is located at Tambo Highway, Hinaplanon, Iligan City, in front of Latter-Day Saints Church. It was my second time to visit the place. First, I was still a highschooler then, and the place was still not that developed.
They have really improved and stepped up their Japanese gaming. There is a separate room where customers can eat and sit like Japanese. I was really thrilled of how different the place is already!! The walls were painted with bamboos and sakura so that you can quite feel what's like to be in Japan. And their doors!! Japanese sliding doors, Ramen-yah have them! (I want one in our house.)
Even just with the place, it was comfy and bright and heartwarming. How much more if you taste their Japanese cuisine?! There are a lot of choices on their menu, but with just a budget of Php200, you can already go home with a satisfied stomach.
I couldn't attest though if their food really tasted like the food in Japan, since I haven't tasted such ever in my life. We couldn't be sure that their menu's close to the taste of real Japan food. Maybe, it's just a Japanese recipe but in Filipino style. Haha.
Anyway, the food is really tasty! The flavors have really improved since the last time I was here. I've ordered ramen since I was in the mood of warm food. And my friends ordered bentos.
Ramen is just like our noodles here in Filipino recipes, but with lots of toppings and ingredients, such as pork/beef, leafy vegetables, egg and etc, depending on the type of ramen. I chose the Tonkotsu ramen, a safe choice for me since it only has the common ingredients I eat often.
Bento, on the other hand, is a lunch box of goodies. It will contain rice, the main course, and some salad. The dressing was really tasty, too!
I've done a lot of shoots with my friends that night since that was such a rare event for them. We've savored the place and never cared if we looked stupid posing and taking pictures in different versions as possible. The dinner we had was also costly for us since we're just students that's why we took the chances where we can take pictures of ourselves. It was really a fun night, especially my friends support my fun shoots and just laugh and cooperate on my directions.
Ramen-yah is one of Iligan City's fine restaurants. It is also one of the few fancy shops that I've gone to. This year 2017, I plan to explore more of them! There are two more Japanese restaurants in our city, I-chang and Tadakuma. I hope I could visit them sooner so that I could compare them all and decide what's the tastiest Japanese resto in Iligan City!
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