So far so good

Around a year ago or so, I got a list of things one should have accomplished before they reach the age of 30 in one of my e-groups. I thought it was a good list and reasonable enough and so I decided to save a copy of it. Every now and then I check it to make sure that I somehow follow what the list suggests.

As I am turning 23 tomorrow, I would like to document how well I am doing based on the list. The list actually is very basic and should not be very difficult to comply with. I know 23 is pretty far from 30 but then I hope to be able to add to this list other things I should have accomplished in 7 years like owning a house and holding an elective office (now this one’s too far-off hehe). Here goes…

TRAVEL. I’ve gone to a few places in the globe before the age of 20. Now, with no debate tournament as excuse, the only place I frequent is the beach. There is truly a bigger world out there. Just strolling within the halls of Westminster Abbey, eating at Petronas or plainly trudging the snow-covered streets of Glasgow in -8 degrees and not necessarily shopping for anything gave me the experience of a lifetime. But the trip that made the greatest impact on my beliefs and priorities was my trip to the mountains of Nueva Vizcaya and agricultural communities in Isabela, where I think I spent the worst and best 5 weeks of my life living among the Ifugaos and farmers.

BUY LIFE INSURANCE. I recently started paying for my quarterly premium for quite an ambitious plan and it’s quite a pain in the a*s. I’m hoping to get used to it soon.

GET FIT. I am a big eater and I used to say that the doctor will tell you not to eat this and not to eat that by the time you’re 30 so you might as well enjoy eating everything now. Just last year I had two uncles who died abruptly and one of them is FPJ. Joke. Anyway, it’s quite scary to know that even Da king was not spared from such a sudden death and so I thought that this early, one should lead a healthy lifestyle in order to avoid these kinds of drama. I’m proud to say that I’ve minimized my alcohol and nicotine intake by as much as 90% in one year.

SAVE OR INVEST MONEY. Saving is not much of a problem to me. I have another account where I keep my savings, although I must say it’s not too much. Investing…I still have to learn.

LEARN ANOTHER LANGUAGE OR GET ANOTHER DEGREE. I am now learning Spanish from a very good teacher for free. The Foreign Service Institute of the Department of Foreign Affairs opened their language courses, which was exclusively for the foreign service officers, to other agencies and fortunately I passed the language aptitude exam and interview. The other degree? I’ll get it soon.

LIVE ON YOUR OWN. Although I still live with my family, I get to taste the life where you pay your own bills and worry about what home repairs need to get done because I and my sisters share the household expenses with my mom. I am not so keen on living by myself. It is not because I can not manage because I can cook and clean my own mess. What I don’t like about living alone is going home to an empty house. You see I live for dinner discussions with my family, coffee conversations with my mom and late night tribal councils with my sisters.

EXORCISE YOUR GHOST. Eversince, I know that whatever I am or will be is nobody’s fault but mine. I grew up not having a father and I couldn’t care less. Because really, I don’t think I’m less of a person without him around. I even believe that being raised by a single parent is one of the best things that happened to me because I was pushed to become self-reliant and goal-oriented. When you’re twenty-something and you still blame your parents who split up for your own shortcomings, I think you should have yourself checked.

So there..a little progress report of where I am now. I hope to be able to do this much more regularly with more goals to pursue next time.

Happy 23rd to me!

This little pig had roast beef

If there’s one person in the world who I admire for sheer audacity, it’s Erap Estrada. Since the time I was old enough to know about his unparalleled political (and extra-marital) conquests, the man has always left me wide-eyed and open-mouthed. Actually, I’m not sure if it’s Erap or the Filipino electorate I should credit for such amusement.

Just when we thought the highschool drop-out-turned-actor-turned-politician plot is all that makes the news, we all fell off our seats right smack our faces. In less than three years in office, the people’s president was able to rob this country dry, more than enough to support his several families and sustain his dangerous liaisons. In Mareng Winnie’s words, Erap’s havoc can be summarized as, “a ruthless and jobless economy”. During his short-lived presidency, we were astounded by news of his infidelity, mansions, corruption and innumerable unpresidential ways everyday.

Why am I bringing this all up. It’s because there are new erap-tions that made me cringe in utter disbelief, again. First, that he was allowed by the Sandiganbayan to have his knee replaced in Hongkong after he was allowed to attend FPJ’s necrological service. Amazing. Second, that he stayed in Parkview luxury apartment overnight and even hosted a dinner for his former Cabinet members and their wives. Last and definitely not the least, that he had his barber flown in to Hongkong business-class. If you recall GMA’s stylist, Tita Gener, was also part of the official entourage during her visit to China and Brunei and now Erap’s barber flew business-class to HK. I swear.. I can feel a capital L being etched on my forehead.

And when asked to comment how did Erap answer all these? Drum-roll please.. “Bakit? Anong masama don?” “My hair is now long and I can’t face my guests with that look”. Can somebody please tell the man he’s under arrest. The resident clown of the 2004 Board of Canvassers aka Cong. Dilangalen said that Erap just wants to get fresh air. Can somebody please send Digs to the city jail.

This is like allowing your grounded kid to use the phone and he decides to throw a party while you’re away. I think I’ll definitely be insane if and when I begin to decipher the mind of Erap Estrada.

Bright lights ahead

Since Brad and Jennifer Pitt decided to retire as hollywood's A-list couple, I think this world needs a new powercouple..





in true paparazzi form...

The ultimate december

It has been the best holiday season by far. And certainly the busiest. Relatives from abroad arrived for my cousin's wedding and for a reunion in Pagudpud. As soon as December started, my mother’s kitchen has been working non-stop for nightly dinners. I somehow got used going home to a family of at least 30 instead of 7. I haven’t gone to a single Christmas party because all December nights were spent with the noisiest bunch of relatives with the biggest appetite.

I certainly wouldn’t trade any of these for more hours of sleep…


Typical December dinner


My cousin, the groom, surprised her with "The Way You Look Tonight" during the reception


Mi familia


Dancing Barry White's "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" for their first dance. Hilarious!


Exchange gift in La Union


The coconut tree at the back was used for the Wow Pagudpud promo posters


My niece Ariana, my twin Petite and the beautiful beach of Pagudpud.


Marcos museum in Batac


New Year's Eve party, Manila (with mom's blockbuster paella)