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12.17.2012

Lyrics: Sa Barangay Ginebra

Sinulat ko ang mga titik na ito bandang Nobyembre ngayong taon. Hindi ko pa sana ito ilalagay dito kasi parang wala pa naman sa hulog. Pero naisip ko, siguro sa ganitong pagkakataon na natanggal (na naman) ang Barangay Ginebra kagabi, kailangan ko ng isang bagay na makakapag-papaalala sa akin kung bakit hindi ko maiwan-iwanan ang koponan na ito kahit ilang beses na akong nasasaktan at umiiyak. Bigla ko naalala ang mga titik na ito. 'Di mag-aalinlangan kahit kailan, tanging ikaw lang magpakailanman.

Tama. Magpakailanman.

This lyrics, I wrote for my fellow Barangay Ginebra fans. 
To remind us that what we have is more than just the 
love of the game and more than just the passion; 
it's about keeping the faith, and knowing that you 
are never alone. And even if all else fails, you are 
and you will always be a part of a family.

Sa Barangay Ginebra 
Lyrics by: Kaye Cabal

Kami ay sama-samang hinubog
ng ‘yong tapang at tibay ng loob
‘Di magsasawang manalig sayo
dahil kami ay pinagbuklod mo

Ilang taon man ang lumipas
iisa pa rin ang aming hangad
‘Di magaalinlangan kahit kailan
tanging ikaw lang magpakailanman

Chorus:

Kaya’t halina kayo kaibigan
huwag mong iisipin na nagiisa ka
dahil sa Barangay Ginebra
lahat ay sama-sama
may karamay ka

Tila kay bilis ng panahon
parang kelan lang nung unang sumuporta sayo
Kaya’t heto kami ngayon
pinagtibay ng bawat hamon

Chorus:

Kaya’t halina kayo kaibigan
Huwag mong iisipin na nagiisa ka
dahil sa Barangay Ginebra
lahat ay sama-sama
may pamilya ka

Bridge:

Kahit ano pang sabihin ng iba
bansa, bayan, o brigada
republika man o tropa
kahit pa planeta,
iba pa rin ang lahing Ginebra

Chorus:

Kaya tara sa barangay kaibigan
huwag mong iisipin na nagiisa ka
dahil sa Barangay Ginebra
lahat ay sama-sama
may kabarangay ka

Kaya tara sa barangay kaibigan
huwag mong iisipin na nagiisa ka
lahat tayo ay sama-sama
isang puso, isang pamilya
pinagbuklod ng Ginebra

sa Barangay Ginebra,
kabarangay ka.

________________________________

"Lyrics palang yan. Yung music sa second monthsary na natin." 
-Maja Salvador, One More Chance
 
JOKE. Lakas maka One More Chance ng peg. HAHA! Pagpasensyahan niyo na po ito, spur of the moment lang ang mga titik na ito nung sem break. I actually have a tune in mind pero dahil hindi naman ako kumakanta, the music will have to wait. Unless may musically inclined na mga kabarangay tayo dito na gagawa ng sariling version nila ng music, you are most welcome. Malay niyo mas maganda pa yung naisip niyong musika kesa sa kinakanta ko sa utak ko. Sabihan niyo lang ako kung gagawan niyo ng tono ang mga titik na ito and maybe we work something out. Brofist.

Sa Barangay Ginebra,
kabarangay ka.

'Till the 2013 PBA Commissioner's Cup, Barangay Ginebra!
Maraming salamat sa isa na namang roller coaster na experience kasama ka. 



11.19.2012

#HappyBirthdayMarkCaguioa


♥ ♥ ♥     ♥ ♥ ♥     ♥ ♥ ♥

 

Kahit ilang beses pa kita tadtarin ng birthday greetings sa Twitter mo, hindi yun magiging sapat para maipalam ko sayo kung gaano ko ipinagpapasalamat na nasulot ka ng Barangay Ginebra mula sa Mobiline noong 2001 PBA Draft. 

Maligayang kaarawan sayo, ang aking natatanging basketball idol, Mark Caguioa.

♥ ♥ ♥     ♥ ♥ ♥     ♥ ♥ ♥

11.09.2012

Because girls talk sports, too.

Girls talk sports, too.

That’s what I say every time someone takes a girlie sports aficionado as “just” a cheerer-type of fan. For someone who takes sports as a passion and as part of her lifestyle, being dubbed as “just” a cheerer-type of fan won’t make the cut. It actually stings quite a bit, if you ask me.

Some of the best girls I know has the word “sports” written all over their faces. No, not literally. But yeah, you get it. Girls who bleed sports actually take pride for being one. And not even a flagrant foul penalty 2, or a technical knockout, or even a red card, will sway them away from their love.

Yeah, we go, girls! We talk sports, too. Take it from someone who knows. Or take it from someone who kinda knows and share it to everyone who wanna know.

So, if you’re a girl and you love sports, you’re gonna dig this blog site. Seriously. I know, because I am, too.

This is for you. For me. For us. For the love of the game. x

Check this out! =)

11.05.2012

Ang Paborito kong Lubid

Meron akong paboritong lubid.

Matagal ko nang iniingatan ito. Kung tatanungin mo ako kung saan ko nakuha ang lubid na ito, isa lang sasabihin ko - na pinulot ko lang ang lubid na ito pagkakitang pagkakita ko, dahil naramdaman ko na para sa akin ito, at ako ay para dito.

Meron akong paboritong lubid.

Marami rin ang may paborito rito. Hindi ko naman sila masisisi, dahil iba naman talaga ang karisma ng lubid na ito. Gaya ko, mahal na mahal rin nila ang lubid na ito. At magbago man ang mga nakahawak dito, iisa lang ang hindi magbabago, na kahit ano pang sabihin ng iba, poprotektahan namin ang lubid na ito.

Meron akong paboritong lubid.

Hawak ng ilang mga taga-gabay, na pilit na ginagawa ang kanilang makakaya upang manatiling mahigpit ang kapit ng lahat. Sinasalo ang bawat hagupit ng pagkakataon na talaga namang sumusubok sa kanilang tibay at paninindigan. 

Meron akong paboritong lubid.

Hawak ng mga makikisig na mandirigma na tulong-tulong upang mahila ito pataas. Nakatalikod ang mga mandirigmang ito mula sa kinalalagyan ko ngayon at tila hirap na hirap sa paghila sa paborito kong lubid na ito. Hindi ko man matanaw ang kanilang mga mukha dahil sa dilim ng daan na tinatahak namin ngayon, naaaninag ko naman ang mga numerong nasa kanilang mga likuran dahil sa kaunting liwanag na nakakapasok sa maliit na puwang ng pag-asa sa aking puso't isipan.

Meron akong paboritong lubid.

Nakikihawak rin ako. Nakikihila rin ako. Kami. Tayo. Ako at ang mga kapwa ko na paborito rin ang lubid na ito. Mahirap ang paghilang pinagdadaanan ng lahat para sa lubid na ito ngayon. Minsan ay nakakapagod na nga hilahin ito. Totoo. Madalas pa nga, masakit hawakan ito. Masakit para sa mga dumadaing na sana ay hindi mapatid ang lubid na ito.  

Hindi naman mamahalin ang paboritong lubid ko. Sakto lang - abot ng masa, abot ng nagpapaka-masa, abot ng umaasa. Ang tigas naman kasi talaga ng ulo ko. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit nakikihawak at nakikihila pa ako sa lubid na ito hanggang ngayon. Ang alam ko lang, masaya ako tuwing nakikita ko ang paborito ko. Tumatagos sa puso. Dumudurog ng diwa. Bumubuo ng pagkatao.

Hilahin kong pataas ang paborito kong lubid na ito. Isasama ko ang lahat ng nakahawak dito. At kung paborito mo rin ang lubid na ito, alam ko, ito rin ang gagawin mo. Pakiusap, huwag kang bibitaw. Atin 'to. Ito tayo.

10.22.2012

Iba't-ibang Uri ng mga Taga-Suporta tuwing Natatalo ang Barangay Ginebra

slamonlineph.com
Hindi maaalis sa bawat basketball fan ang maging apektado sa bawat pagkatalo ng koponan na kanilang sinusuportahan. Sabi nga nila, kung sports fan ka, iba ka – dahil puso ang puhunan sa iba’t ibang emosyon na iyong pinakakawalan sa bawat laban.

Talo na naman ang Barangay Ginebra kagabi. Aba’y ikatlong sunod na talo na nila yun ngayong komperensiya, a? Sa taas ng hangarin naming mga tagahanga para sa pinakamamahal naming koponan, hindi namin mapigilang isipin na quota na sila sa pagkatalo. Grabe na yata ang tatlong sunod-sunod na talo.

Ngunit ganito man ang iniisip ng ilan sa amin, pare-pareho lang naman kaming nananalangin na sana manalo na ang Ginebra dahil gusto na namin ulit magtatatalon sa saya.

At dahil natalo na naman ang Barangay Ginebra, nagsilabasan na naman ang iba’t ibang uri ng mga tagasuporta. Maraming salamat sa mga kapwa ko panatiko at tinulungan nila akong buuin ang listahan ng iba’t ibang uri ng mga tagasuporta tuwing natatalo ang barangay Ginebra.

I. BOY/GIRL SISI

Sila yung mga tagasuporta na laging inaakala na ang bawat pagkatalo ay kasalanan ng alin man sa mga sumusunod: 1) mga players; 2) coaching staff; 3) referees; 4) commentators; o 5) all of the above.

Minsan pa, kapag talagang lugmok na lugmok na, sinisisi na rin nila ang kanilang mga sarili na para bang may ginawa silang mali at sila ang may kasalanan ng lahat. Kasama din dito yung mga tagasuporta na pinagbabalingan ng sisi ang mga kaawa-awang radyo at telebisyon na para bang naglaro din ang mga ito. Para sa kanila, lahat ng nakikita nila ay isang malaking jinx na sumira ng laro ng Barangay Ginebra.

HASHTAGS: #FireX #TradeY #MalasKayongLahat #AkoAngMayKasalanan

II. THE ANALYST

Sila naman yung mga tagasuporta na all-knowing. Para sa kanila, lahat ng ginagawa ng coach ay mali at sila lang ang tama sa mundo. Malamang sa alamang, may mga balak silang maging isa sa Coaching Staff ng Barangay Ginebra hanggang sa sila na ang susunod na tatanggap ng PBA Coach of the Year award.

Sila rin yung mga feeling Team Managers na kung makapuna sa mga plays at turnovers ng Barangay Ginebra ay akala mo ay sila lang ang magaling. Siguro mataas ang basketball IQ nila kaya ganon.

HASHTAGS: #YunLangNalusutanPaKayo? #DapatPinasaMo! #AnongKlasengPlayYon? #PlayBaYon?

III. THE WARFREAK

Nakakatakot ang mga tagasuportang ito. Sila yung mga tagasuportang hindi alam sa salitang “kalma.” Tuwing natatalo ang Barangay Ginebra, iwasang makahalubilo ang ganitong klase ng mga tagasuporta dahil mapagbabalingan nila ng galit ang una nilang makakabangga.

Huwag na huwag ding aasarin at kakantiin ang ganitong mga tagasuporta tuwing talo ang Barangay Ginebra dahil tiyak, madadamay ka sa init ng ulo nila. Kahit ang pinakatahimik ay nagiging Incredible Hulk kapag idiniin mo pa sa mukha nila na talo ang Ginebra.

Bigyan sila ng ilang oras upang mawala ang init ng ulo nila, dahil kung hindi, delikado ka. Pramis talaga.

HASHTAG: #!@#$%^&*()!!!

IV. MGA INSTANT

Sila yung mga tagasuporta na bigla-bigla nalang nagbabago tuwing natatalo ang Barangay Ginebra.

Marami sa kanila ay mga Instant Tanggero/a – o yung mga direcho agad sa inuman pagkatapos ng laban. Madalas silang umagahin sa mga ganitong pagkakataon.

Mayroon rin namang mga Instant na Mapamahiin – o yung mga agad-agad na magpapahula sa Quiapo kinabukasan, o sasadya sa isang Feng Shui expert at bigla biglang maglilipat ng mga gamit sa bahay.

Marami rin sa kanila ang mga biglang magi-Instant Diet. Sila yung mga magha-hunger strike buong gabi at minsan ay hangang sa umaga kinabukasan dahil sa pagkatalo ng Barangay Ginebra.

Kung maraming mga nagi-instant diet, marami ring nagiging Instant Morning Person – o yung mga diretcho sa kama at idadaan nalang sa tulog ang sama ng loob.

May ilan ring nagiging Instant Fan ng Kalaban ng huling team na tumalo sa Ginebra. Ang sigaw nila, “Resbak na ‘to!”

Mayroon ring mga nagiging Instant Relihiyoso – o yung mga direcho sa simbahan kinabukasan para magdasal, mag-novena, o mangumpisal.

Nariyan rin ang ilang mga nagiging Instant Gamer – o yung mga direcho laro ng mga computer games, at dudurugin ang mga kalaban na para bang sila yung nakalaban ng Ginebra.

HASHTAGS: #TaraInom #HindiMakakainDahilTaloNaNaman #Zzzzzzzz #MatataloDinKayo #TaraDOTA #LordPleaseNamanPo

V. GAMEPLAN: ATTACK THE NEW MEDIA

Sila yung mga tagasuporta na direcho sa Twitter at Facebook pagkatapos matalo ng Barangay Ginebra. Mauubos ang buong gabi nila sa paghahasik ng kanilang galit sa kani-kanilang mga accounts.

Malupet magwala sa Twitter at Facebook ang mga tagasuportang ito. Kung wala sila sa mga sariling account nila, e nakabukas naman sa sampung tabs ang iba’t ibang mga fan pages at groups at doon sila naghahasik ng lagim.

Kung ganito na katindi ang sitwasyon sa Facebook, mas nagkakagulo na sa Twitter. Hindi lang basta umaatake ng tweets ang ilan sa mga tagasuportang ito dahil naka mention pa sa mga players, coaches, at iba’t-ibang sports personalities ang galit nila. Patay na.

HASHTAG: Wala. Direcho lang. “@player Bakit hindi mo pinasa agad? Lagot ka.

VI. THE EMO

Sila yung mga sobrang emosyonal sa tagasuporta na daig pa ang brokenhearted tuwing natatalo ang Ginebra. Hindi makakain, hindi makatulog, hindi makausap. Nakakabagabag sila.

Sila yung papasok sa klase o sa trabaho na sira ang mood o badtrip sa susunod na limang araw o hanggang sa susunod na laban ng Ginebra. Feeling nila magugunaw na ang mundo. Tulala. Hindi makapagsalita.

Mayroon sa kanilang hindi makakain (gaya ng mga Instant na nagda-Diet) at mayroon rin namang idinadaan sa kain ang sama ng loob. Minsan, idinadaan din sa pagba-blog, at pagsusulat ng “Dear diary, syet na malagket. Talo na naman ang Ginebra. Ang sakit sakit…”

May mga umiiyak rin sa kanila tuwing natatalo ang Barangay Ginebra. As in iyak talaga.

HASHTAGS: #Ouch #AngSakit #Laslas

VII. IN DENIAL

Sila yung mga tagasuporta na hindi matanggap ang pagkatalo ng Barangay Ginebra. Kahit pang-ilang talo na yun ng Ginebra, hindi pa rin nila kaya.

Coping mechanism ng ilan sa kanila ang pagkakaroon ng selective memory. Ang sistema, pagkagising nila sa umaga, parang normal na araw lang at hindi na nila maalala na natalo ang Barangay Ginebra noong nakaraang gabi. Minsan umaabot ng isang linggo ang sakit na ito. O isang conference. O isang season. Depende.

Kasama din dito ang mga tagasuporta na NR – no response, at poker face. Sa sobrang sakit ng pagkatalo, hindi na nila alam kung paano magre-react at kung ano ang sasabihin. Kawawa naman.

HASHTAG: Wala. Parang walang nangyaring laro ng Ginebra.

VIII. DAKILANG PALUSOT

Kuwela ang mga tagasuportang ito. Sila yung mga tipo na tuwing natatalo ang Ginebra, dadaanin nalang nila sa kung anu-anong pagdadahilan. Ito ang Top 3 na palusot nila ayon sa nakaraang nationwide Ginebra fanbase survey (Echos. Walang survey na naganap):

1) Talo ang Ginebra? Walaaaa! Paramihan nalang ng hairstyle ng isang player! 
2) Talo na naman ang Ginebra?? Okaaaaay lang! Paguwapuhan nalang ng line-up! 
3) Ha??? Talo na naman ang Ginebra??? Paramihan nalang ng fans!!! Wooohooo! 

HASHTAGS: #Chos #MayMailusotLang

IX. BANDWAGON

Badtrip ang mga tagasuportang ito. Ang sarap sungalngalin. Seryoso. Sila yung mga tagasuportang nandyan lang tuwing panalo ang Ginebra tapos sabay kabig ng panlalait kapag natalo. Mga mukha niyo.

HASHTAG: #Balimbing

X. PAPAMPAM

Mga tagasuporta ng ibang koponan na malalakas ang loob na mang-away ng mga taga Barangay Ginebra. Hindi naman sila nananakit, nakiki-epal lang talaga. Badtrip.

Sila ang suki ng mga Warfreak. Sila rin yung kinukuyog ng mga nasa Twitter at Facebook. Kawawa naman. Pero ang lalakas kasi talaga mang-asar kaya sorry nalang.

HASHTAGS: #WeakNgGinebraNiyoBoo #ButiNgaTaloGinebra

XI. MANHID

Sila yung mga tagasuporta na sa tinagal-tagal sa likod ng Ginebra, nasanay na sa bawat pagkatalo nila.

Kasama rin dito yung mga sobrang apektado at sobrang nasaktan sa pagkatalo ng Barangay Ginebra kaya bumigay na sila.

Meron rin sa kanilang deadma nalang tuwing natatalo ang Ginebra lalo na kapag galing sa malaking lamang tapos natalo pa.

HASHTAGS: #SakitNaNilaYan #LagiNamangGanyanEh #KDot

XII. THE OPTIMIST 

Sila yung mga sobrang isinasabuhay ang pagiging isang mabait at kalmadong tagasuporta ng Barangay Ginebra tuwing natatalo sila.

Sila rin yung mga panabla ng lahat ng iba pang uri ng tagasuporta. Sila rin yung mga tagasuportang pilit na binubuhay ang puso at tiwala ng buong barangay dahil para sa kanila, kayang kaya naman manalo ng Ginebra.

Wala kang maririnig o mababasang kahit anong negatibo mula sa kanila. Ang tanging hangad lang nila, bumawi ang Barangay Ginebra sa susunod na laro ng bonggang bongga.

Hindi rin sila nawawalan ng pag-asa. Naniniwala sila na walang dapat sisihin at walang may gusto na matalo ang mahal nilang Barangay Ginebra.

HASHTAGS: #BounceBack #GinebraPaRin #NeverSayDie #Laban #PusoLang

*** *** *** 

Tuwing natatalo ang Barangay Ginebra, nagsisilabasan ang iba’t ibang uri ng mga tagasuporta. Ngunit ating tandaan na kahit pa nahahati tayo sa iba’t ibang kategorya depende sa ating ugali at paniniwala, lahat pa rin tayo ay naghahangad ng kampeonato para sa ating pinakamamahal na koponan.

May mga iba’t ibang uri ng tagasuporta ang Barangay Ginebra. Ikaw, sino ka sa kanila? Comment na! :)

(Ang listahan na ito ay pinagtulungang buuin ng mga tagasuporta ng Barangay Ginebra sa Twitter. Muli, maraming salamat! Kayo na talaga!) 

*** *** *** 


PS.

Para po sa mga agit na agit (for lack of better term), gusto ko lang din pong ipaliwanag na puwede din naman po ito para sa mga taga-suporta ng ibang koponan, gaya ng sinasabi ng ilan.

Kaya lang po, ang mga nandito po kasi ay nanggaling mismo sa mga Ginebra fans sa Twitter so hindi ko po ma-generalize yung results ng quick survey na naganap. In context kasi yung pag kuha ko ng data kaya sinara ko yung blog entry sa Ginebra.

This is open for expansion naman. Kung magagawan natin ng quick survey lahat ng fan bases ng PBA, at same results yung lumabas, then from there we could generalize. Why not? =)

Ayun lang po. #BroFist

8.27.2012

Because Jawo is our Basketball Hero

Loved the Mark Caguioa infographic last time? Well, here's to the celebration of the 2012 National Heroes Day! 

This is our very own The Big J's career infographic made once again by the ever so talented Sir Romeo Catap (@romeocatap). 

Diba, astig maging Ginebra? XD
Loved it? Share your thoughts! :)

PS. 

Check out Jack Arts FB Fan page for cool Ginebra merchandise. Come on. You know you'll love it. I already ordered some for myself. :)


8.25.2012

Forever 21? Always 18.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TODAY! xo 

♥ ♥ ♥ Thank you Lord for surrounding me with awesome people! ♥ ♥ ♥

Gustuhin ko mang magcomment isa-isa sa mga FB wallposts, e napakahirap sa FB Timeline. HAHAHAHA! 
But I did try to like each of your wallposts. Sana lang wala akong nakaligtaan. :)
Tsaka nagreply ako sa lahat ng nag-tweet! Mas manageable e. =)

Much love from my family! Tenkyooo so mats! Aylabyooo mams ♥ and pops! ♥ 
Sa three musketeers, sige lang. Bully me all you want. Tatanda din kayo. HAHAHAHAHA! 
Labyu braders!
♥ ♥ ♥
(tig-iisa kayo para walang away) 

Thank you also to my best-est college friends who waited for 12mn of August 25 with me. 
Finally, nakapag ICs din tayo to "party". After five freakin' years. Hahaha! There's always a first time. 
♥ 

Of course, to my brods and sisses from UP CBS and UP GURO, salamat din po! 
♥ ♥ ♥ 

To my UPLB and LCCM family, and to my relatives and repapeeps, sobrang maraming salamat! Manila friends! Munika! Miss ko na kayoooooo. 

And of course, sa mga malulupet na Ginebra fans na talaga namang hindi nagpa-awat sa pagbati sa Facebook, sa Twitter, pati na rin sa BBM (nalobatt pa ako. hahaha!), sobrang thank you! Saan ka pa ba naman makakakita ng ganitong klase ng barangay? I felt that familiar feeling of Ginebra connection all throughout my birthday. 
Thank you. ♥ 

Grabe ang tanda ko na. Hahahaha! Forever 21 na raw ang peg ko. 
But I'll always be 18. Hahahaha!

PS. No hearts were harmed in the making of this post. ♥ 

Hugs and kisses. Hearts and flowers. Memory games. This is our way of partying. Cheers to more years of friendship! Thank you for celebrating my birthday with me. ♥
 

8.06.2012

This Mark Caguioa infographic deserves a standing ovation.

Sir Romeo Catap (@romeocatap) posted this on the One Barangay Ginebra Kings Facebook fan page last Saturday with the caption "For all Ginebra and Mark Caguioa Faithfuls :) NSD!"

Sorry if it took me forever to see it on the page. But I do think that this info graphic deserves a standing ovation!

Feel free to share but give proper credit to the owner.
*wink*

Good job, kabarangay!  This is amazing.
 *clap clap*

What do you think about the info graphic? I would love to read your thoughts. :)

UPDATE:

Check out what Sir Romeo Catap have to say.

"Due to (overwhelming) requests, yep, gagawin siyang tshirt, though the Mark Caguioa generation edition. Posters are also clamored for :D Antay-antay lang mga kabaranggay :D Hehe"

Yay! =)

8.03.2012

Fact Check.

"We are ending the backlogs in the education sector, but the potential for shortages remains as our student population continues to increase. 

Perhaps Responsible Parenthood can help address this."

This was said President Benigno S. C. Aquino III during his 2012 State of the Nation Address (SONA), his third in his term.

First of all, let me just point out that this year's SONA by the president is by far the most appealing and most thoughtful address he ever delivered since he assume office. After listening to what he has to say last year, I think that it lacks more information especially on the education aspect of our nation.

This year, I'm glad that he told the Filipino people all his plans to improve the quality of education in our county, especially of course with the increase in the national budget of state universities and colleges. If the budget for 2013 will be approved, I believe that it will truly be a great help to everyone who do not have enough money to go to school. Money should not hinder an individual to receive education.

But what I want to focus on right now is what President Aquino said about Responsible Parenthood.

For one, I really did hope that President Aquino discussed the Reproductive Health Bill instead.  As it was stated in bworldonline.com, "The term 'Reproductive Health,' which is the subject of international agreements, is wider than 'Responsible Parenthood,' and in some countries is taken to include access to abortion." I believe that I would have been better if he used the term "Reproductive Health" to point out our problems in overpopulation and its connection to the increase in our student population resulting to backlogs in our education system.

I do believe in what President Aquino stated. Indeed, no matter what the government do to improve the situation of our education here in our Philippines, it wouldn't have that much of an effect because of the continues increase in the number of students who needs to receive proper education.

However, I would just like to point out that maybe, this all just boils down to proper information dissemination about responsible parenthood, but must be backed up by passing a bill. The House Bill 4244 or "The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011" could just be the solution that we are all waiting for.

Personally, I am Pro RH Bill because I am Pro life. I want every lives to be as equally great as what the rest of us are experiencing. I am saying that RH Bill is pro life because it will allow access to the much needed information not just on birth control but most especially on maternal care.

I detest child deaths and maternal deaths.

I detest child and maternal deaths just as I detest the thought that there are thousands of Filipino children who do not go to school. I detest the thought that there are thousands of Filipino parents who cannot send their children to school. I detest that because of lack of access to information, many are not able to receive proper education.

Information on responsible parenthood, reproductive health, population and development are actually overflowing. It's just that not everyone have access to it. Access to information is just as important as having information readily available.

7.29.2012

For our 2012 PBA MVP, straight from my heart

I have four huge exams this coming week, two radio scripts to write and produce, and three news articles to write... but that didn't stop me from folding all my handouts and re-capping all my highlighters for the 2012 PBA Leo Awards. 

Bahala na. Basta papanoorin ko ito.

After you won the Best Player of the Conference award four nights ago, I knew deep inside me that an MVP award is coming right at you.

Finally. The freakin' MVP award will be handed to you.

That's how positive I am for you, my dear Mark Caguioa, because championship or no championship, I believe that this year is the perfect year for you to bag that most-coveted award. I have been a Ginebra fan half of my life and although I didn't get a chance to cheer for you on your rookie year, that doesn't make me love and trust you any less.

I have seen you in all different hair styles and hair colors, in practice and in live games, in jerseys and in casual outfits, but never did I see you not giving your all. Every time you step in the court, that's you from hairdo to rubber shoes. That's you, hundred percent passionate, dedicated, and eager to win.

I actually did a lot of thinking after you were crowned as the 2012 Governors' Cup BPC, and I asked myself why will you not be the 2012 PBA MVP. Because Ginebra failed to enter the finals in all three conferences. Wow. Could that really spoil your moment? Our moment? I don't know. All I know is that I am expecting you to win. Ginebra fans are expecting you to win. Pambawi daw sa hindi pagpasok ng Ginebra sa finals.

Ginebra fans. Either others love us or hate us. There's no in between. I have been with my fellow Ginebra fans on Twitter through the @barangayginebra fan account and I've got to say that Ginebra fans really wanted you to win the MVP. It was not just an assumption coming from a spectator. We really did want you to win. I could go on and on and on about what the fans have to say. They even campaigned really hard to keep you on top of the MVP poll in pba.ph. Where else can you find a more passionate fan base than us? Only with Ginebra. *wink*

And then the moment of truth arrived. Sunday, July 29. Every Ginebra fan is anxious - on Twitter and on Facebook. #MC47forMVP tweets were all over my timeline and everybody is praying for a Ginebra victory tonight, even if our team is not even in the on-going PBA Finals.

The 2012 PBA Most Valuable Player was finally announced. Lots of words are running through my mind. But as I listen to your name being called, I wasn't able to say a word. Instead, I unknowingly closed my right hand and brought my right fist close to my heart. I can't believe it took you eleven years to get a hold of that MVP trophy. Maybe there really is no standard mathematical formula in getting the MVP. You just gotta have the talent, the passion and the drive, and then be in the best winning situation at the right time, together with the awesome-est fans who got your back.

And it took one talented Mark Caguioa and the Ginebra fans eleven years to get it all right.

If only I could stop the clock while you receive the award, just so we could savor and enjoy the euphoric feeling, I already did.

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/photo-mark-the-spark-is-mvp
So raise that MVP trophy really high, our dear Mark. We may have wanted it more than you, but you deserve it more than anybody else.Your message to us Ginebra fans is very humbling and inspiring, and I can't help but shed a tear as you caught me in your smile while delivering your message.

I have four huge exams this coming week, two radio scripts to write and produce, and three news articles to write... and I am pretty sure that I will have no other choice but to cram (that's what I do best, by the way). However, I will never regret that I spent my Sunday night of July 29 watching the 2012 PBA Leo Awards at home while tweeting,
PS.

I asked the Ginebra fans on Twitter if anyone managed to have a reaction video while you receive your very first MVP Trophy, and check out what @keltwinks got for us.



 
 

Ito ang Lahing Ginebra.
 Thank you for being with Ginebra, Mark Caguioa.

7.18.2012

A call for action

A reaction to Luis V. Teodoro's Journalism and Advocacy 101

I can't help but agree when the article said that "...no journalist can claim without lying that he/she is unconcerned with the issues that confront his/her community..."  I think that this is especially true with the mainstream journalism and media. Every time we read the newspapers or listen to the radio or even watch the television, we can see angles. Vested interests. Biases. This could be one of the very reasons why our country needs more development journalists. Development Communication graduates are trained to look not only the two sides of the story but also the sides of the people affected, implicitly or explicitly, by the issue. Journalism has to be much deeper than just writing a story. It has to be more than that.

It is also essential that journalists must not only lay down the problems but also have a call for action. The readers must be compelled to act with the issue at hand. Responsible journalism does not only focus on facts and figures but also on the solution to the problem. A good article for me is one that discusses the problem and that calls the attention of the readers to do something about it. Readers should not just read the news; they must participate in it.

"Knowledge is what separates bias from advocacy." I just want to emphasize this line for the article because this doesn't apply in journalism alone. We cannot advocate something if we do not know anything about it. For now, I advocate for a more intensive sports development program that could give more support to our young athletes that could be potential players under the Philippine flag. I put my faith in this belief because I trust that we have very capable athletes who needs financial support, morale boost and recognition.  

PS. The article is a must-read, whether you are a journalist or not. Read it here.

6.29.2012

Change. Make it Happen.

A reaction to F. Sionil Jose's "Why are Filipinos so Poor?"
______________________________________________________________

I had to read F. Sionil Jose's article three times before I was able to write, or type, my thoughts. Maybe because I had to make sure I am in the right mood while reading the article. For one, I believe that this article is one of the best pieces that I have read recently. It seems like it has captured me right from the start and reading through it, I ended up asking myself, 'What have we done to ourselves?' 'What have we done to our country?' 'What have we done for our country?'

There are so many valuable points in F. Sionil Jose's article. But I will just focus on a few that really struck me the most.

On Education

...half of all grade school pupils dropped out after grade 5 because they had no money to continue schooling.
According to the article, that was from a survey some 15 years ago. This is just a very unfortunate fact that our fellow Filipinos had to give up education just because of money when in fact it should be accessible for all. Coming from the a teaching curriculum before I shifted to BS DevCom, me eyes have been opened to the reality that until today, money still hinders one's right to learning. There are so many issues that we could tackle under education but as the article stressed, these kinds of poverty, apart from the physical poverty or even economical poverty, are really the more important reasons as to why the Filipinos are so poor. Many of our countrymen are deprived from material possessions but for me, I think there are more Filipinos who are deprived from all those priceless treasures. Sad to say, there is literally a price that we have to pay to be able to have good education.

On 'Yabang'

This, for me, is also true. I could also be wrong, but I also feel like Filipinos value how other people see them individually. We pay attention to physical impressions so much that we sometimes forget that this is not the only thing that matters. We find multitude of ways to look 'sosyal' or classy but if only we could use that kind of resourcefulness to better things in life, we may not have to do so much to impress other people at all.

On Being Filipinos

I have never been more proud of being a Filipino, but I guess not everyone does. If only we could change our way of thinking that Filipinos are inferior to other race, we may not be in this kind of situation we are today. I believe that we are having problems with our being poor. I believe that this is because we have set our standards to that of the Western. Maybe, being poor is dependent on who do we consider as rich. And as I have already mentioned, it's not only material richness that matters. Well, not all rich are happy after all. But I believe that this all boils down to us being Filipinos and how we see ourselves. Not all government officials are blinded by money, as the article even cited examples of clean governance. Filipinos shine all over the world and we take pride in all their achievements. Overseas Filipino Workers are also highly commended abroad because of their hard work and perseverance. You see, we just have to appreciate our own greatness as Filipinos. Everything has to change from within. And only us Filipinos could make that happen.

It's hard to admit, but I think F. Sionil Jose's article said it all as to why are we so poor. As much as we want to shout to the whole world that it's not true, we know deep inside that this is all on us. It's time for us to stop blaming colonialism and start being united in having the strength to change for the better. This, for me, is the challenge imposed on us by the article.

Do we have what it takes to change ourselves? Let's think about it.

6.24.2012

Summer Lovin’

S-U-M-M-E-R.

For most students, this six-letter word is equated with beaches and pools, out of town vacations, non-stop parties, and late night gimmicks. It could also mean additional academic time for those who are taking summer classes or internships, and then there are also those who are making their time worthwhile with summer jobs. But then again, there are also those people who are not really outgoing and would rather spend most of the much needed summer break to stay at home than to do all those things. And that was how Kaye Cabal opted to spend the two-month break from school.

Kaye Cabal is a junior student from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. She is a kind of person who would choose an all-day movie marathon alone at home over a day at the mall, or some sleepless nights watching the whole season of Revenge over a night out with friends. And summer 2012 was definitely not an exception as she decided to spend the summer break catching up with new Asian and American drama series that she didn’t get to watch last semester.

This self-declared couch potato can’t even give a number of how many movies and drama series she was able to watch over the break. She was just so happy that she had that much time to spend on one of her simply joys in life mainly because she is already expecting to have her internship next summer. Every time she is being asked as to why she spends hours and hours of watching all sorts of movies and drama series, she says that “there is just this magic that makes you want to have a happy ending just like in those movies and series every time you watch one.” She believes that every story has its own spark that never fails to make her believe in happy endings.

Aside from watching movies and drama series, Kaye also spent most of her summer online. Being a huge fan of Barangay Ginebra Kings of the Philippine Basketball Association, she handles one of the team’s unofficial Twitter accounts (@barangayginebra). She has been doing it since 2009 but according to her, last summer was the best times of her being an administrator of the account. Before, she was just only doing the play-by-play updates of the ballgames but last summer, she became more personal to the account’s followers. They frequently had Twitter games and trending topics which made it to the online news. Being one of the fans of PBA’s crowd favorite, she has never been more proud of being a sports enthusiast. To her, “a summer break without that experience is not to be called a summer break at all.”

But don’t get her wrong. Kaye did not spend the whole summer in her bedroom. She may have spent almost the whole summer watching and surfing the Internet, but she did managed to get herself out of the house, or out of her bedroom, somehow. She was able to go to Zambales in a weekend getaway with her family. And for her, nothing beats going somewhere for the first time ever especially since she was with her family. It may have only been for two days and one night, but it’s still one of the highlights of her summer.

There were also those special little moments during the break that Kaye will never forget. She cheered for Jessica Sanchez, made some beef tacos, and wore four shades all at once just to get a good look at the partial solar eclipse. She may not be the most outgoing person in the world, but she still made the most out of the summer break in her own way. She loved it, she enjoyed it, and for her, that’s all that matters.
________________________________________
*Written for my journalism class.

4.20.2012

Just Ginebra fans being awesome

It was last Tuesday, April 17, when Barangay Ginebra Kings ended their run in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup when they lost to BMeg Derby Ace Llamados in a best-of-five semifinals series. It was a totally painful loss, and I do not want to elaborate on that any further.

Anyway, I just casually posted "Ang summer na walang Ginebra ay napakalamig." on my Twitter and Facebook accounts. Just a few minutes after that, I decided to ask the rest of the Ginebra Tweeps via @BarangayGinebra on how their summer will be without our team. I was surprised to have their overflowing responses! Honestly, I didn't know I will get that much replies since it was already past midnight. Nevertheless, my Twitter feed went insane! Not only did I receive tons of replies, but those were very creative and witty one-liners as well. I never doubted Ginebra fans' creativity and originality, but I just thought that their spirits will be down after the loss. Little did I know that they will enjoy our little Twitter game.

And so, the next day, this is what happened.


Whoa! I really didn't expect this! To be featured in an online article isn't something that happens on any normal day. I didn't realize that the impact of what Ginebra fans did overnight was this big. Well, I don't know. But for me, this is already big. Sir Tony Atayde tweeted that "Philippine sports has no greater passion than that of a Ginebra fan." I totally agree. You won't be able to find these kinds of fans elsewhere. Fans who cheers and supports the team at all costs. Fans who vents their anger and cries out loud anywhere possible against all odds. Fans who bravely communicate their emotions. Those are Ginebra fans.    
 
I guess, in my almost two years of handling @BarangayGinebra, I have encountered every type of online Ginebra fans that exists. Fans asking Ginebra related questions, fans tweeting "Go Ginebra! Beat (insert team here)", fans ranting, fans cursing, fans bashing, fans praying, fans loving, and even non-Ginebra fans hating. There's more to it than just doing the play-by-play updates during the game. But I'll write about it next time.

For now, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the fans for simply being awesome. I wouldn't have it any other way. *wink*

PS. Read the all the feedbacks on "Ang summer na walang Ginebra ay..." HERE. Be surprised. Be amazed. Be proud. Have fun!

XOXO.

4.12.2012

I rarely go out. But when I do...

First post for 2012. Soooooorry. The first quarter of the year has been the busiest months of my college life. Seriously. I am lucky to even get to post this entry. Hahaha! 

Anyway, today was the first time I went out (as in out, out) this summer and of course, where will I be? 

Manila! 

Nah, I didn't really went around Manila today. I was just at Mendiola, Manila. These pictures just made it look like I strolled the whole day.

It's also the first time that I used the monochromatic feature thingy on my camera. I'm glad I used it because I get to have the vintage feel that I wanted although I could also get that from Photoshop. :p

So many first times happened today. Yay!

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. Even though I am just stuck here at home (with occasional getaways), I am really happy to have this much needed break. So much happened these past three months that I wasn't able to post here, even though I have made some attempts (ehem. drafts.)

And lastly, were you able to feel the cold summer nights last week? I loved it. :)

Cheers to summer 2012! XOXO.

***

So, the title of this post says it all.

These pictures actually started the vintage feel today. A really old model of a radio and a typewriter from the office of my mom. I always see these things every time I go there. I don't know why I took pictures of them today.
We went to Arias Street to check out an apartment. Since we are residing in Cavite and my brothers and my mom are studying/working in Manila, it's good for them to just live nearby during the weekdays. Last year, they were staying at Bicutan during the weekdays --- still far from school. So here, no more long rides home next school year, brothers! Welcome back to Manila after four years!
Here's one out of the three musketeers, Daniel! Go follow him on Twitter! Haha!
After I took these photos, I had a eureka moment! I'll collect street/road name shots from now on. Let this be my driving force to go out of my bedroom, then out of our house, and explore the world. Wish me luck! *game face on*
Arias Street is actually just in front of the Malacañan Palace. Awesome! And for a little trivia, here are 10 things you may not know about Malacañan Palace.
These shots were taken on our way home to Cavite. I do not know the name of the building on the first photo. I just took a shot on the red light. The second photo is the Millennium Clock in front of the Rizal Monument, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.





More shots on our way home. I took it from inside our car. It's cool that these photos were clear despite our not so clean windshield. :p
I rarely go out. But when I do... I am always happy. :-)