…..practically everything!

Well, not really. Let me explain.

For this year, I have two tasks. The first one was the same as last year: hold the envelops containing the names of winners. So I was again at the sides. The second was was new, and I think it was because I was in long sleeves and was wearing a tie. For this year, I was to accept for the winners who weren’t not there. And as most of them were not in the venue, so it was kinda became the joke of the night, me winning so many trophies and cellphones. Even the host, funny guy RJ Ledesma congratulated me for being so multi-faceted.

Speaking of which, no, I have not taken home those trophies and cellphones. So stop bugging me about the phones already.

Anyway, I think it was a fun night, despite some stressful situations (like the “missing” Bloggers’ Choice envelop). I hope everyone has enjoyed the show as well. Commendations to the production team, led by Coy, for making the program flow as smooth as possible. If not for them, there would be no awards night. Congratulations, as well, to all the organizers. And thanks to the generous sponsors.

(Applause.)

Congratulations to all the winners. And for those who did not win, better luck next time! Sorry, I was so awesome (lol).

(Applause.)

See you at next year’s Philippine Blog Awards! (Sorry, I can’t come to the Visayas and Mindanao legs of this year’s awards.)

(Can I have one of these? KTHX)

(Photos here and here. If you are using any of these, please do not forget to link to this site. Thanks.)

UPDATE:

Here is the list of winners of the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards. Congratulations!

BEST BLOGS

Best Technology Blog – Jaypee Online
Best Travel Blog – Langyaw – Sojourns and Off-the-Beaten Path Travels
Best Entertainment Blog – Lessons From the School of Inattention
Best Personal Blog – Writing on Air
Best Food & Beverage Blog – Table for Three, Please
Best Family & Living Blog – Make or Break
Best News & Media Blog – Virtual Journals
Best Business Blog – Negosyo Ideas
Best Sports Blog – Fire Quinito
Best Hobby & Recreation Blog – Bearbrick Love
Best Fashion Blog – Who is Elyoo?
Best Photoblog – I Am a Documentary Photographer
Best Culture and Arts Blog – magnetic-rose.net: Japanese Pop Culture for Filipino Fans
Best Commentary Blog – The Marocharim Experiment
Best Videocast Blog – Entrepbuff.com
Best Podcast Blog – Brink Notes Entertainment Daily
Best Humor Blog – The Professional Heckler
Best Gaming Blog – Blog Mike Got Game!
Best Advocacy Blog – Autism Society of the Philippines
Best Beauty Blog – The Doctor Is vaIN

TEN BEST POSTS OF THE YEAR

Karnabal by Tuyong Tinta ng Bolpen
Finding Your Soul Mate: A Statistical Analysis by Guttervomit
Lost Gems Of Philippine History: The 1896 Board Meeting by It’s true! It’s true!
The Diving Boys of Quezon Bridge by Dennis Villegas
Twenty Pesos by Lostphotograph
The way of the leaf by SMOKE
Portrait of a dramatic highlight in Nick Joaquin’s A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino by Gibbs Cadiz
Kaya Dumarami ang Bading Kasi… by Manila Gay Guy
The Parable of the Furry White Rabbit by Good Times Manila
The Amazing Bulul: A Story of Epiphany by The Cat Whisperer

SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Blog Design – The Site Guy
Best Filipino Blog Abroad – The Warped Zone
Best Foreign Blog – My Sari Sari Store
Blogger’s Choice – Micamyx
Best Filipiniana Blog – Pilipino Komiks

You see, I work for a company who depends on foreign clients. And with the recession in full swing, clients are hard to come by, and current clients are cutting back on costs. And as man growing older, I really need to take stock of the situation and prepare for the future. In short, I need certainty. And I can’t find it here.

However, there is a pending invitation for some time now. I had evaded and turned down this invitation on a matter of principle. But I had to rethink things, because, let’s face it, principle can’t feed a family. People who stuck with their principles are harangued, harassed, intimidated, and snuffed out if necessary. With the future in mind, I think the sticking to one’s principle is foolish and stupid.

This has been a secret for a time. Not even my family knows this pending invitation. And with a heavy heart, I have to announce the following decisions:

* I quit blogging for myself and for Filipino Voices.
* I quit from this day job.
* I take an oath of allegiance.
* I join as an executive assistant at the Office of the Deputy Presidential Spokesman. I will be working with Lorelei Fajardo.

My thanks for everyone who have joined me in this journey – to friends who now become my enemies. I hope that even if I work on and for the other side now, we shall remain civil with each other. I hope to join future Plurkfiestas again.

My thanks to the 1 or 2 regular readers of this blog – thanks for the comments. I hope that even if I eat all my words and work for a previously-designated-as-enemy, you will not see this decision as a betrayal of your trust.

With that, I leave the blogging world. This will serve as the last blog post. I know I had just launched this new site, and I know now that it is a foolish decision. But that’s life, and I move on. I suggest you move on, too.

PS: Here is my first press release.

EDIT: And so, the fallout has begun.

Natatandaan nyo pa ba yung mga players ng Ginebra nung kapanahunan ni Jaworksi? Di ba di ganun katangkaran pero parang mga tangke ang katawan? Sina Locsin yun, saka Loyzaga. Subukan mong banggain yung mga yun. Goodluck.

So ganun siguro yung mama kanina. Magaling syang sumingit kasi peanuts sa kanya ang manbalya.

—

Nakaupo naman ako kanina, salamat sa kung sino. Katabi ko sa kanan ko ay isang mamang matanda na di ko alam kung maarte lang o may sakit. Naka gas mask kasi sya. Sa kaliwa yung mamang mataba (MM). Tapos may babae na nakatayo sa harap ni MM, kaya UMUSOG si MM pakaliwa. Sa kakarampot na piraso ng upuan naupo yung babae. Ayun, pilit na nagsumiksik yung babae. Kung tumayo si MM, isang tao pa ang pwedeng makaupo nang komportable, katabi yung babae na hindi na sana nagsumiksik.

So umandar na yung tren, at ako’y nagulat. Parang lumalaki yung balikat nung matandang nasa kanan ko. Naiipit ang kanang braso ko, muntik na ngang matigil ang daloy ng dugo eh. Pinakiramdaman ko nga baka kako si Incredible Hulk yung katabi ko. Lumalaki yung balikat nya pag bumibilis ang tren, bumabalik naman sa dati pag pabagal o huminto yung tren.

Sa pagitan ng babaeng nagsumiksik at nakasandal kay MM, at ng matandang Incredible Hulk, para akong de-latang napisa ng pison.

—

Nakarating naman ako sa Ayala Station na buo pa rin. Akala ko kasi madudurog ako sa tigas ni lolo. Buti naman hindi.

Pagdating sa Buendia Station, tumayo na ako at lumapit sa pinto, para agad akong makalabas. Siksikan kasi sa escalator, kasi makitid lang sya. Naiwang nakaupo sina lolo Hulk, babaeng nagsumiksik, at si MM. So pagdating sa istasyon, nagkumahog ang mga tao sa paglabas, at nagka bottleneck (naks) sa escalator. Pumila naman ako, at ako ay nabigla sapagkat nasa unahan ko si MM. Grabe ang galing talaga nung matabang yun.

Pagdating sa ikalawang escalator, umakyat na ako, kasi ayaw kong makasingit sya ulit sa pila ng turnstile. Ay grabe ang haba ng pila sa palabas na turnstile, kasi yung iba naka red X na naman (ibig sabihin out of order). At nakita ko na naman si MM, handang sumingit. Buti na lang dun sya sa mahabang pila napunta. Kung hindi, baka nilabas ko na ballpen ko at tinusok ko na sya.

—

Pero sa totoo lang, walang tatalo sa mga babae pagdating sa singitan. Pagdating sa MRT, ang mga babae nagiging Amasona. Pramis.

Tulad nung nangyari kahapon. Madalas akong naka iPod pag nasa MRT kasi naiirita ako sa nakakairitang paalala na palagi mo na lang maririnig sa mga istasyon ng MRT. Wala namang sumusunod. Tulad ng “huwag umapak sa dilaw na lines.” Goodluck. Ako lang yata ang di umaapak sa dilaw na lines eh.

Anyway, so kahapon maswerte ako at nakapwesto agad ako sa platform, pero syempre di ako nakatapak sa dilaw na lines. Makakapasok agad ako ng tren, sabi ko sa sarili. Pero ilang segundo lang, may nakatayo nang babae sa harap ko. (doh)

Isang example pa lang yan. Dapat yata magsuot ako ng sumbrero na may video camera, para marecord ko lahat ng mga pagsingit na ginagawa ng mga babae sa MRT. Hay naku, dapat wala nang segregation scheme kung ganyan din lang naman mangyayari.

This is funny. Just look at that ridiculous… costume. And those hideous monstersmascots. And those cute kids.

Lucky de Happy
Wentz Eiji

Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
Doko made dekiru ka na

Haretara ii ne kokoro hazumu genki ni ikou
Ureshii koto tanoshii koto mitsukedasu no sa

Ano yama koete ano umi koete
Tsubasa hirogete tabidatou

Dakara
Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
Ukkiukki kokoro ukiuuki
Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
Doko made dekiru ka na

Itsu demo zutto donna toki mo egao de ikou
Kurushii koto kanashii koto wasuresaru no sa

Niji no kakera wo hiroiatsumete
Yume no sekai e tobidasou!

Kyou mo
Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
Wakkuwakku kokoro wakuwaaku
Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
Doko made dekiru ka na

Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
Ukkiukki kokoro ukiuuki
Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
Doko made dekiru ka na

Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
Dokkudokki itsumo dokidooki
Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
Doko made dekiru ka na

(English translation)
Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
How much can you do?

I hope it’s sunny; let’s let our hearts run free
We’ll find things that are fun and make us happy

Across the mountains, across the sea
Spread your wings and fly

So…
Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
Excited, my heart’s excited
Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
How much can you do?

Let’s always smile, whenever, wherever
Just forget the hard times and the sad times

Gather up the pieces of the rainbow
And fly to a world of dreams!

Today, I’m…
Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
Excited, my heart’s excited
Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
How much can you do?

Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
Cheerful, my heart’s cheerful
Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
How much can you do?

Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
Excited, I’m always excited
Lucky lucky lucky lucky kiss
Happy happy happy happy peace
How much can you do?

(Lyrics from here)

I like the Eraserheads, I’m not a big fan as Influential Fritz is, but I really like them. I mean, I have their tapes – Ultraelectromagneticpop, Circus (my favorite), Cutterpillow, Fruitcake – and I enjoyed singing them in the banyo. No, not a big fan to kill for tickets, not a big fan to shell out monies to watch a concert, but a fan still, I guess.

When the hoopla regarding the Eraserheads Reunion Concert began, I was mildly interested but not enough to say I WANNA WATCH. Even when a cigarette company began taking registrations for FREE tickets, I did not move an inch. Maybe I was lazy, or maybe I was kinda turned off by this move. When the concert was almost canceled thanks to Department of Health (which I think is in the right), I felt bad for big fans like Fritz. But when the plans were changed and the show was a go, well, it was great for big fans, even if they have to shell out monies.

Then Ely Buendia’s mother died. That for me is a very good reason to cancel the concert, yet the show must go on. For this, I must commend Mr. Buendia – a true artist believes that the show must go on, and with his decision, he has shown that he is an artist and an entertainer. (Some part of me says it’s all about the money, but there’s nothing wrong with earning your bread, right?).

Yet, I was there. How did that happen?

It was a convoluted story that does not need retelling, but suffice to say that I was there.

I had two first-moments last night:

• It was my first open-air concert ever.
• It was my first Eraserheads concert ever.

When the first countdown ended, the reaction was all cheers. And then they played. And played. And played. And oh boy. It was like a huge videoke session, with the audience singing along. And all those cellphones! And digital cameras! And straight-from-the-box bottled water and iced tea!

After the last song of the first set, Ely sat in exhaustion, which for me was understandable. Was surprised that there was intermission. Twenty minutes had passed and no Eraserheads came out. Then the three members came out, together with a lady and the promoter. The lady turned out to be Ely’s brother, who announced that Ely was rushed to the hospital. The concert was cut short.

My favorite songs were not played. I was wishing for Wishing Wells (they played Fruitcake, so there’s a slim chance it would be played). I thought Minsan would be the most apt finale. But it was not meant to be.

—

The Eraserheads defined a generation. Witness the thousands of people who saw them play for probably the last time. This was the generation that grew up in the dark due to those interminable power outages. This was the generation that began exploring their world. This was the generation that was seeking answers to their questions. This was the Eraserheads generation.

The Eraserheads heralded the explosion of the bands into the mainstream of pop. They spearheaded the invasion of the bands into the popular consciouness. Sure, there were better bands, but the Eraserheads captured the people’s attention.

Hence, the Eraserheads’ place in history is fixed.

—

My Plurk during the concert: Countdown to start of eheads reunion concert begins. 7:54

You may also want to read other accounts of the concert:

• A Bugged Life: Eraserheads Reunion Opens with Alapaap
• An Apple a Day: Eraserheads Reunion Concert
• Azrael’s Merryland Blog: Eraserheads reunion concert 2008 – Updating Via SMS and Plurk
• Fritzified.com: In Closing, Thank You Eraserheads for the GREAT Time! (with Video)
• Rockersworld.com: Eraserheads Reunion Concert: 08.30.2008
• thought bubbles: Concert of a Lifetime

UPDATE: Here is a video of the countdown and the first song, Alapaap. Taken using Sony Ericsson P1i.

Toki Wo Koete-Fantastic World
WaT

Ima o ikiru koto ga
Mirai tsukuru no nara
Asu ni kakeru hashi ni narou
Woh woh woh

Asa no hi ni somaru machi
Hajimari o utau kimi
Kizamareru toki no naka
Kimochi wa kasanariau

Nagare yuku hito no nami
Sono naka de bokutachi ga
Meguri au kakuritsu ni
Omoi o hasete mita

Sure chigau hito sorezore ni
Taisetsu ni omou hito ga ite
Boku mo mata (boku mo mata) Kimi to iu(kimi to iu)
Kizuna ni deaetan da

Itsuka tadori tsukeru
Haruka tooi risou e
Kimi to tsunaida te wa hanasainai yo
Hashire! Toki o koete
Egao afureruhodo
Sekaijuu ga kagiyakidasu
Woh woh woh

Sugite yuku nichijo wa
Nareru ma mou nai kurai
Itsudatte ichido kiri
Yarinaoshi wa dekinai kara

Guuzen mo hitsuzen mo
Koeta you na meguri ai
Kimi wa mou kizuite iru
Sono toki ga ima nan da

Kokoro kara wakariau nante
Deki wa shinai to shitte iru kedo
Sou negau (sou negau) Boku ga ite (boku ga ite)
Kimochi wa tomerarenai

Ichiban daiji na mono
Sore ni kizuita toki
Kimi ga ima made yori mo chikaku natte
Hashire! Toki o koete
Egao afureruhodo
Sekaijuu ga kagiyakidasu
Woh woh woh

Itsumo wasurenai de
Itsumo tayasanai de
Kimi no egao ga sekai gaeru kara

Itsuka tadori tsukeru
Haruka tooi risou e
Kimi to tsunaida te wa hanasainai yo
Hashire! Toki o koete
Egao afureruhodo
Sekaijuu ga kagiyakidasu
Woh woh woh

English translation of Toki Wo Koete-Fantastic World by ndhaa

If being alive now
Creates the future
Then I’ll form a bridge to tomorrow
Woh woh woh

The morning sun colors the city
You sing praise for the day’s beginning
As time ticks away
Our emotions are as one

The crowd keeps moving on
Within it we try
To turn our thoughts
To the probability of meeting each other

Every person that passes by
Has someone dear to them
And I too have found
The bond that is you again

*Someday we’ll be able to reach
That faraway ideal
I won’t let go of your hand
Run! Last for all time
The whole world starts to shine
As if it’s overflowing with smiles
Woh woh woh

Each day passes by so quickly
We don’t have time to get used to it
We only get one chance
Because there’s no way to do it over again

Meeting you was more than coincidence
It was more than inevitable
You already know
That moment is now

I know it isn’t possible
To understand each other from the heart
But here I am, wishing for it
And my emotions can’t be stopped

When I realized
What was most important to me
You were closer than ever before
Run! Last for all time
The whole world starts to shine
As if it’s overflowing with smiles
Woh woh woh

Don’t ever forget it
Don’t ever stop it
‘Cause your smile will change the world

(Repeat*)

But. They are human beings too. They laugh, they cry, they agonize, they take a bath, they eat, they visit the crapper when needed, they breathe the same polluted air.

And to prove that political bloggers are human beings, too, just invite them to videoke. Nothing beats a microphone and a loud sound system blaring YMCA.

So that’s what Ria Jose found out last night when we went to Red Box Greenbelt 3, together with Juned, Fritz, Poyt, Billycoy, Marcelle, Arpee (who went home agad, ander kasi), Markku (with girlfriend), and Jayvee (with girlfriend). Unfortunately for you (and fortunately for me), there are no incriminating evidence. Yet. Anyway, it was a fun night, which was definitely a concert by Marcelle, with occasional assist from anyone. And for the first time, I came home super duper uber late. Lagot ako sa nanay ko.

And thankfully, by mutual consent, there are no videos. Ay, meron yata. Yari ako. Huhuhu.

So there. No wonder a noted political blogger avoids videoke like SARS. I now understand.

I had been hoping not get employed at Makati, since the cost of working here is high – the food, the travel fare, the costume, the works. So when I got a job offer here, I was consoling myself that I would be lucky enough if the company would match my salary from the previous employer. While the offer did exceed the previous one, the increase was eaten by inflation already. And the EVAT.ha

It has been a week. I think I got the hang of the travel. Mornings: take the MRT. Afternoons: take the bus. Bus is slower, but at least I get to sit, and not engage in wrestling. And smelling arm pits. Yeah, I do get bombarded by fumes, but that’s way better than smelly arm pits, IMHO. And I get to avoid entering Trinoma, which saves my wallet from impending bankruptcy.

The food is very expensive. The cheapest is fifty pesos, delivered to your building in styro. Your food choices are limited by your budget; the smaller, the limited choices you have. Good thing my mom sees the philosophy in bringing packed lunch. She’s the ultimate cheapskate, and I got that from her.

Going back to food: there’s McDonald’s, 7-11, and Mini-Stop downstairs; Starbucks several buildings away; Krispy Kreme, another McDonald’s, and another Starbucks across the street. And I have never been into any of them. Wait. I had been to McDonald’s downstairs and Starbucks several buildings away.

I don’t like smart casual. I like casual. I like going to work in shirts and pants. My morning dress up ritual is simple: just grab what’s on the cabinet. But smart casual has changed that. I should be thankful, though; unlike that rock star who always appears to be selling insurance (kidding, but you get the point).

The irony of my Makati life (so far) is that I know some bloggers who work here, but we haven’t met yet for coffee or merienda. It should be a small world, but we are separated by tall buildings and heated underpasses and US time. And also, Glorietta nor Greenbelt is my tambayan. I don’t get to tambay, since like most grunts, I join the mad rush towards home.

There’s a certain belief than when you work in Makati, you have arrived. Heaven knows what a lie it is. It is an airconditioned purgatory, where men in ties and women in heels (or vice versa) atone for their mistake of even thinking that there is glamor in Makati work.

What I like about Makati is that everywhere you go, there is a bank. Paying bills has always been a good excuse to get off the office. And Smart Tower’s just across Rufino; that’s where I had applied for Smart Bro, and that’s where I had paid my cellphone bill for last month. And The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is just a block away, so spending my GC is not a problem (how to spend it, that’s the problem).

Also, I am forced to walk. I must admit that a month of inactivity (plus eating) has led me to high blood pressure. I am glad to have my forced walk back; it is my online exercise.

Anyway, I am not sure how I will fare as a Makati boy. Indicators are not good at the moment. Seeing people go and hearing others talk about leaving, all at your first week is I think too much for my morale. But people come and go, as they say. But we’ll see.

One queen famously said “After us, the deluge.” Well, I dunno if there was a queen before the event, but indeed there was a deluge of Coke Zero. For the record, I had two cans that night, a personal record. I dunno, I find Coke Zero to be lacking in sweetness. Maybe that’s just me, since another blogger told me that he found Coke Zero to be sweeter than regular Coke.

Memorable moments:

* For the first time (finally), I get to be a volunteer for Marcelle‘s magic. Either I am not a good liar, or he’s a shaman.

* Shari‘s “scary moment” turned out to be an elaborate Punk’d. So says Marcelle. BTW, go read her blog post about the youth’s involvement (or non-involvement) in politics and governance.

* The Jester-in-Exile‘s attempts to appear as an angel. MONUMENTAL FAIL, translating Dra. Tess‘ comments in LOLspeak. And their attempt to make me violate my own curfew. Me=fail.

* Jeff almost slumping down, due to being awake for 24 hours. Seriously, you should see it. Like this one.

* Fritz making good his promise to be whoop-ass P&S photographer. Seriously, just take a look.

* Juned‘s bad-ass, it-could-kill lense. Which played well with his scary mask. Take a look at the casualties. Fritz is partly to blame for some of the casualties.

* The Manila Foodistas came in full force. Tiff was mighty proud of her figure. Jeff, Josh, and I saw no difference, really. Kidding!

* Loads of Bloggers Da Who moments, but I’ll leave that for AJ to chronicle.

Kudos to self-confessed Coke addict Aileen Apolo for a blast of an event. You can find other blog posts about the event listed in her blog.

The subject matter experts are all respected and known in their fields:

Dean Francis Alfar
If anybody can teach you about writing it’s Dean Alfar. With nine Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature under his belt – including the Grand Prize for his novel Salamanca as well as the Manila Critics’ Circle National Book Awards for the graphic novels Siglo: Freedom and Siglo: Passion and the Philippines Free Press Literary Award – Dean’s writing can express something truer than the truth which is the story.

Mike Cabardo
Explaining to someone what having an eye means is to show them the works of Mike Cabardo. This director, producer and owner of Salt Lab Creative – a motion picture and video production company specializing in creative broadcast video, film, animation and graphic design – is the visionary behind the lens of ADJECTIVE music videos Sabihin Mo by Hemp Republic, Kitchie Nadal’s Run and TL Ako Sa’yo as well as Drip’s In-Between Live.

Jay Tablante
His images will amaze you, but his passion will inspire you. Jay Tablante started out as a photographer tagging along his high school magazine’s editor with a throwaway camera, but now thanks to his tireless perseverance and unique style and inventiveness that suffuses his work, Jay quickly found himself an accomplished photographer that he fervently describes as someone who will live and die by the camera for the rest of his days.

After thirty minutes of lecture and iced tea, the bloggers were let loose in the Boni High Street expanse to put what they have learned in practice. Those who attended the short film workshop made funny videos using mobile phones and point-and-shoot cameras, and with little to no editing, the videos were funny and creative. Budding photographers were to take ten pictures using any camera – mobile phone, point-and-shoot, and DSLR. While the two groups were busy milling around for their shots, those who attended creative writing were seated and hunched at their tables, some staring at nowhere, trying to compose words and put them into writing.

At the end of frantic flash creativity sessions, the fruits of the bloggers’ flash creativity were read or viewed, and three written works, three photos, and all the videos were awarded prizes.

The host took this opportunity to invite everyone to join its What’s Your Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Story? contest. What’s your coffee bean and tea leaf story? Log onto www.whatsyourcoffeebeanandteafstory.com for more information.