100 Facts about me... revealed!

Okay. I finally took the #100Factsaboutme challenge on Twitter. Basically, you just have to tweet 100 facts about yourself, as the hashtag implies. It took me almost two hours to complete this list. It was indeed damn challenging, but after accomplishing the list, it was totally worth it.


So, if you guys missed my tweets last night, here it is. Just in case you want to get to know me more. :)

1. My complete name is Ma. Kathleen C. Cabal
2. Eldest and only daughter.
3. Lavender is my favorite color. Nagiging red, balck and white lang dahil sa Ginebra.
4. I never had a childhood best friend.
5. I was an honor student. Take note of the past tense.
6. I play piano.
7. I play violin.
8. I play guitar.
9. I want to learn drums.
10. I collect Candy Magazine.
11. Studied in one school from Kindergarten to Fourth year high school.
12. I was a student leader.
13. I am addicted to Sims.
14. I was addicted to Gun Bound, Battle Realms, Red Alert, O2 Jam, Pangya, Audition, but never to Ragnarok, Counter Strike and DOTA.
15. I love Barbie... actually, I only love her clothes.
16. I seldom finish reading a pocketbook.
17. I finished Allan Caidic's Autobiography in one day.
18. Search kcabal25 (and "Kaye Cabal") on google and you'll find my online hideouts.
19. My very first basketball idol (uhm, crush) was Akira Sendoh.
20. I only started watching asian drama series on Summer of 2008.
21. My first Asian drama series marathon was Coffee Prince.
22. I am a Disney baby.
23. I love chick flicks and romantic comedy movies.
24. I finished writing a story that was posted on candymag.com's Creative Corner, entitled Princess in Love.
25. I have an unfinished story entitled Me, My Textm8 and Him, and an ongoing story entitled Collide.
26. I write poems. I make stories. I blog. I tweet. I tumblr.
27. I am a Globe user since forever.
28. I orate, I declame, but I don't debate.
29. I never won any Science quiz bee. But I won one Math quiz bee.
30. I play basketball.
31. I had a couple of tv interviews.
32. I had a radio guesting.
33. I love to smile and laugh.
34. I prefer to be awake at night than early in the morning.
35. My favorite Asian drama series is All About Eve.
36. I love classical and instrumental music.
37. I pay attention to musical scorings.
38. I love listening to original soundtracks.
39. I make short films.
40. I want to have my own car.
41. I want to go to Boracay.
42. I am better off cramming. I cram with poise. I procrastinate with style.
43. I was once hooked with WWE.
44. My NBA team is Sacramento Kings.
45. I don't play any facebook games except BlackJack.
46. I love ketchup!
47. I don't eat spicy food.
48. I have a sweet tooth.
49. Drawing is my frustration, but I Photoshop.
50. My favorite food is anything with ketchup!
51. I don't know how to cook.
52. I am a homebody. I don't party, really.
53. I am the first grandchild in my mother's side.
54. I wear glasses. I have an Astigmatism. Near-sighted, too!
55. I can sleep AND dream in minutes! Weird Circadian rhythm.
56. I got used to watching movies in theaters alone.
57. I suffer from severe colds since I don't know when. I always have colds.
58. I have a low tolerance to physical pain.
59. The only manga that I was able to finish reading was Mars (I saw the tv series, too!).
60. I can re-tell the movies that I watched. I really love talking that much. :p
61. I already was able to watch UAAP Cheerdance Competition live!
62. I rarely text, and I rarely call. I still use my cellphone, though. ;-)
63. I keep a diary. I keep secrets. :p
64. I love to play basketball in Timezone and Quantum.
65. I have been to Enchanted Kingdom once.
66. I love Disney movies and animated films.
67. My favorite anime is Slam Dunk.
68. I watch Glee, Gossip Girl, Heroes, Dr. House, Pretty Little Liars, Hellcats and The Vampire Diaries.
69. My favorite music genre is ballad.
70. I easily cry.
71. Fireworks make me smile.
72. I love orchids.
73. I passed Architecture in UST. I passed BS Math in DLSU. I failed the ACET. I'm in UPLB.
74. My usual get-up is shirt, pants and flip-flops.
75. I am not much of a planner.
76. I watch Harry Potter movies but I am not a Harry Potter fan.
77. I watch the Twilight saga but also not a huge fan.
78. I am more approachable than I look.
79. I love writing more than speaking.
80. I love happy endings.
81. I hate ants. RED ANTS. :|
82. I named our dog Ketchup, but everybody in the house calls her Kitchie. Fail.
83. I've always wanted a blue streak on my hair.
84. I am SO NOT a Justin Bieber fan.
85. I prefer movies over books.
86. I am turning twenteen this year.
87. I am a hopeless romantic.
88. I am a Virgo.
89. I am keeping it real. :)
90. I want to witness the sunset on the New York Skyline.
91. I want to work in the PBA since Grade 6.
92. My dream is to be a sports writer and a radio broadcaster.
93. I read Betty & Veronica and Archie comics.
94. I love Betty Boop.
95. I run a Ginebra facebook fan page, tumblr and twitter account.
96. I maintain a four-year old news-based Ginebra site on multiply.
97. I already saw Barangay Ginebra Kings and Philippine Azkals upclose and personal.
98. RP Azkals made me a football fan.
99. Mark Caguioa is my MVP.
100. Die hard Ginebra fan. forever.

That's it! 100 facts... revealed. =)

My Philippine Azkals Experience

I was really looking forward to March 30. I did not have the means to go to Panaad and watch the Azkals game so I was very excited when I found out that they will grace the opening of the PFF Suzuki U23 Cup at UPLB. It's now everyday that I get to see our national players. Actually, this could be the first and the last time. But if this will be my last time to see them up close and personal, then, even without the popular players, it was still worth it.

They were scheduled to arrive at the campus by 2PM. I cleared up my whole afternoon just so I won't miss the opportunity to see them. I had my backpack ready with a marker, a white shirt (my NSTP shirt), and my phone (since I don't have my digicam with me).

I did everything that I have to do before lunch so that I am worry-free when they arrive. By 1PM, I was ready for them. Together with my friend, Lenna, we find the best spot at the grandstand.We patiently waited. I knew it will all be worth the wait. Later, my orgmates Gie and Cath also arrived (with their camera ready!) and soon enough, my friend Ica also came. We were all excited, no doubt. I was online through my phone and via a tweet from one of the Azkals personnel, I found out that the Azkals were already close to UPLB. I really can't wait. I was anxious, but I am feeling really glad that I get to have this opportunity.

The emcees then announced that the motorcade was already near. Players of the U23 Cup were asked to form a human pathway and greet the Azkals as they arrive. I did not know where to stand. I want to be in the perfect place. Soon, we can now see the motorcade approaching. The crowd went all jumpy. The girls went all wild. I was stunned, not knowing where to go. I took my phone and put it in video mode and I ran out of the grandstand and joined the human pathway. I was with the kids, but I did not mind. I saw them went down from their huge bus (with their huge faces in it). I was in the perfect spot. The first Azkal that I saw was Ian Araneta and then the rest were not far behind. The Azkals did not disappoint me. I was feeling really epic.

I took pictures, wanting to preserve a could-be-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We cannot get close to them, so all I could have were stolen shots. And while I was happily looking at our football heroes, I heard girls at my back talking.

Tara na.

Wait lang, wala pa yung Azkals.

 Ano ka ba? Ayan na sila o!

Ha??? Yan na sila???

I looked at them with disappointment. Maybe the girl was looking for the cute guys (I don't have to mention their names. We are all aware who they are.) but I did not expect to hear that. I realized that maybe, just maybe, not everyone present in the grandstand that afternoon were football fans. Maybe some were just curious. Maybe some were just... never mind. 

Everybody was asked to go out of the grandstand. Crowd control. I understand. But how about my much awaited autographs??? We went in from of the grandstand as the RP team was presented. I did not know what to do. I waited, thought of what could be done. We went back at the grandstand again but nobody is allowed to enter anymore. I can only see their backs from where we were standing.

Then lady luck smiled at me. Roel Gener looked at me when I decided to gather all my guts to call his name. I was really surprised as I honestly did not expect that he will hear me because of the crowd. 

Kuya, pa-autograph naman po!

As I showed him my white NSTP shirt. He signaled for approval. But he was at the top of the grandstand so I cannot reach him. He told me to toss the shirt. And I did. I also tossed the pen, but I needed a second toss because I was so nervous the first time that I tossed it poorly. He got it the second time.

O, akin nalang to, ha!

He told me as he got my shirt; me and my friends laughed. I was looking at him while he is signing my shirt, and we were all praying for one thing:

Sana ipasa niya yung shirt. Sana ipasa niya yung shirt. Sana ipasa niya yung shirt.

And he did. He returned my marker and my shirt full of autographs! I couldn't ask for more.... but I noticed that Ian Araneta wasn't able to sign because he was being interviewed that time. So I went at the other side of the grandstand, behind where he was sitting. I waited for him to come back.

Kuya Ian!!!

Me and my friends shouted at the count of three. And he heard us!

Pa-autograph po!

As I showed him the shirt. And he did. He returned my shirt after he signed but the marker took a little longer as he used it to sign other stuffs. No worries!

We were ready to go, but we heard the emcees asked the crowd if we want some exhibition from the Azkals. That minute, I was immediately at the front row of the crowd as Ian, Chieffy and Angel get ready for the exhibition. Don't ask how I managed to get into the huge crowd. I didn't know either.

I took a video of their exhibition. I was really having fun. I wanted to learn those tricks, too!

We left the grandstand all smiling. I was really fulfilled. I had more than what I was expecting, a real Philippine Azkals experience. I hope that this won't be the last time. I hope that I could get tickets when they finally play in Manila.

Azkals banner at the UPLB Baker Hall.

At the grandstand.

Ian Araneta.

Suzuki banner.

More stolen shots.

Angel Guirado.

Thank you, #6!

Azkals bus.

My NSTP shirt. :)

Nang Magkatagpo

Sa totoong buhay pala,
hindi talaga nagaganap
ang mga ipinalalabas
sa mga pelikula at telenobela.

Hindi pala mabagal ang mga galaw
habang lumiliit ang inyong pagitan
hanggang sa hindi mo namalayan
na nasa harap mo na pala siya.

Wala rin palang akmang musika
na bigla nalang ng tutugtog
kapag nakatingin na kayo
sa mga mata ng isa't isa.

Wala rin yung nagkasalisi
na pahabol na lingunan
kapag nagkalampasan na
kayong dalawa.

Sa totoong buhay pala,
tibok lang ng puso ang maingay
at kakabahan ka na lamang
sapagka't parating na siya.

Pipilitin na huwag tumingin sa kanya
ngunit maiinis ka na lang dahil
bago pa man kayo magkalampasan
ay mapapatingin ka rin pala.

At kapag lumampas ka na sa kanya,
tapos na pala ang lahat at
didiretso ka na lang dahil
wala ka na palang lilingunin pa.

Sapagka't sa totoong buhay pala,
walang magaling na direktor,
walang malupit na tagasulat,
at higit sa lahat, hindi ka artista.

Ang Pilipinas ng Susunod na Henerasyon: Isang pagtingin sa Pilipinas Isangdaang Taon Mula Ngayon

Sadyang napakamakapangyarihan ng pluma. May mga salita na maari sanang nakapag-ambag sa ating kasalukuyan ngunit hindi naisulat kung kaya’t nakalimutan rin kinalaunan. May nakapagsabi sa akin noon na kung gusto ko raw maging imortal, magsulat ako ng libro. Naniniwala ako dito. Ngunit sa tingin ko, kahit hindi libro; Kahit ibang uri ng panitikan ang ating ilimbag, basta’t may kabuluhan at kapupulutan ng aral, ay tatagal ng habang panahon. Maaring alam rin ito ni Dr. Jose Rizal. Siya na ilang taong pinaghandaan ang kanyang kamatayan ay nagsulat ng nagsulat sa pagnanais na maging imortal –imortal sa puso’t isipan ng kanyang mga kababayan.

Tungo sa hinahangad na kalayaan

Para sa akin, nagtagumpay si Dr. Jose Rizal sa kanyang pagnanais na maiparating sa mga Pilipino ang nais niyang ibahagi sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulat ng Ang Pilipinas sa Loob ng Sandaang Taon. Malinaw ang kanyang layunin sa paglimbag ng isang sanaysay na tatalakay sa kalagayan ng Pilipinas bago dumating ang mga mananakop, sa kamay ng mga mananakop, at ang kinabukasan ng bayan. Totoo na may mga hindi natupad sa kanyang mga pangitain, ngunit mas nakatawag ng aking pansin ang pagtingin niya sa kinabukasan ng bayan na, ayon sa kanya, ay walang ibang pupuntahan kundi ang kalayaan sa takdang panahon. Bilang kabilang sa henerasyon na tinukoy ng ating pambansang bayani sa kanyang paglalahad ng kinabukasan, hangad ko rin ang paglaya ng bayan gaya ng ninais ni Rizal. Ngunit dumaan ang isang daang taon, ano na nga ba ang nangyari sa Pilipinas na ipinaglaban ni Rizal sa paraan na kanyang nalalaman? Ano na ang kinahinatnan ng bayan matapos ang paglisan ng mga dayuhan? At lumisan nga ba talaga ang mga dayuhan? Lumaya nga ba talaga ang bayan?

Nasaan na ang sariling pagkakakilanlan ng bayan?

            Matapos ko mabasa ang makabuluhang sanaysay ng ating pambansang bayani ay hindi ko napigilang mapaisip kung anong Pilipinas nga kaya ang naghihintay sa susunod na henerasyon. Sumasang-ayon ako na wala pa talaga tayong natatamong ganap na kalayaan. Hindi man tayo nakakulong sa mga selda ay kasalukuyan naming bihag ng mga dayuhan ang ating mga isipan. Hindi na kinailangan pa ng armas para tayo ay masakop. Konting matatamis na salita lang, kaakibat ng napakagandang mga imahe ay sapat na para maisalin sa atin ang pag-iisip na kolonyal. Ito ang isa sa mga bagay na nais kong mawala sa Pilipinas. Naniniwala ako na hindi makakausad ang bayan kung patuloy tayo magiging sunod-sunuran sa pantayan na inilatag sa ating harapan. Tayo ay isang bayan na may sariling pagkakakilanlan, ngunit bale wala ito kung patuloy ang ating pagpupumilit na gayahin ang pagkakakilanlan ng ibang bayan.

Isangdaang taon mula ngayon

Isangdaang taon mula ngayon ay buong tapang kong iniisip na makakaalpas na ang bayan sa pag-iisip na kolonyal at sa diktaturyang kultural. Muling magbabalik ang ating puso’t isipan sa ating sariling bayan. Magkakaroon na ng mas matatag na pagkakakilanlan ang Pilipinas, at sa wakas ay buong lakas na nating mapaglilingkuran ang ating lupang hinirang. Nakikita ko rin ang pagiging wikang global ng wikang Pilipino sa loob ng sandaang taon. Sa tingin ko ay panahon na upang atin naming maipamalas ang yaman ng ating wikang pambansa. Buo ang aking loob na hindi na magtatagal ay maipapakilala na rin natin sa buong mundo ang tunay na galing ng mga tunay na Pilipino. Napapansin ko na sa bawat dayuhan na may dugong Pilipino na nakakatanggap ng karangalan at papuri sa ibang bansa ay iba ang ating pagtrato. Ngunit hindi ko maiwasang itanong sa aking sarili kung ito ba talagang mga taong ito ay may pusong Pilipino. Totoo na may dugong Pilipino na nananalaytay sa kanila, ngunit ang pagka-Pilipino ay hindi lamang naka-angkla sa dugo o sa lahi. Higit na mahalaga ang pagmamahal sa bayan, pagpapahalaga sa mga kababayan, at pagsasabuhay ng mga katangiang Pilipino na habang-buhay magiging batayan ng pagiging Pilipino.

Para sa susunod na henerasyon

            Pagkalipas ng isa na namang sandaang taon, ano na kaya ang kahihinatnan ng mga Pilipino? Paano na kaya ang Pilipinas sa kamay ng mga susunod pang gobyerno? Makakahanap pa ba pagbabago ang bayan na tila sinukuan na ng pait at pighati ng kahapon? Makakaalpas pa ba ang mga Pilipino sa mga problemang nakabaon sa kanila ngayon? May maghahangad pa ba ng ganap na kalayaan mula sa kaisipang kolonyal at diktaturyang kultural sa mga susunod pang henerasyon? Buo ang aking tiwala sa aking kapwa mga Pilipino gaya ng tiwala na ibinigay sa atin ni Dr. Jose Rizal. Kung nagtiwala ang ating pambansang bayani na magagawang makalaya ng bayan sa kasalukuyang pananakop noon ay walang dahilan upang hindi ko ito gawin sa susunod na henerasyon.

Nawa ay manatiling makapangyarihan ang pluma –isang sandata na lubos na makakatulong sa patuloy na pagliligtas sa bayan na ating sinilangan, sa bayan na patuloy nating ipinaglalaban. At sa susunod na sandaang taon, sana ay makamit na natin ganap sa kalayaan at kaunlaran na ninais ng ating pambansang bayani para sa bayan.

Salamat sa musika!

Hinarana na ako ng Harmonya: The String Ensemble of UPLB noong nakaraang Huwebes. Humanga ako sa kanila! Muli kong naalala ang aking musika. Muli akong napahanga ng mga pinagsama-samang nota na umaawit ng bugso ng damdamin ng mga musikero. Napakaganda ng musika. Marami itong nasasabi na higit pa sa kayang ipabatid ng mga salita. Malayo ang nararating nito -malayo pa sa kayang maabot ng aking mga mata. Napapakalma nito ang puso't isipan na puno ng problema at pighati. Napapalaya nito ang kaluluwang nakagapos. Napupunan nito ang pagkukulang ng wika. Napakaganda ng musika, at muli akong napa-ibig ng Harmonya sa musika na tila nalimutan ko na.

Maligayang araw ng pag-ibig para sa lahat ng nagmamahal! ♥

The Seed of Life: An Autobiography

I did not really pay much attention as to how my life has been so far. I live each day exactly like how I managed to survive without any attempt to break the norms of life. As boring and as routinely as it seems to be, I don’t regret at all that I decided to keep it up this way for the past nineteen years of my life. I never intended to be different. Call it playing safe, but I guess, in this game called life, no one would ever make it to the end safely, unwounded at all. Sooner or later, we have to face our fears, and the judgment life will bring us.

From a family endowed with wisdom and faith.

           

On the night before I was born, my mother is out to watch a movie. She might already know that I was coming soon enough, but didn’t really expect that her water will break while watching an action film. She was brought to Mary Chiles General Hospital in Manila but since I am only eight months and a week and they do not have an incubator for me, the hospital did not take my mother in. She was brought to Far Eastern University Hospital instead and there, she gave birth to me on the 25^th of August, 1991. My father being a seaman, my mother took care of me together with her friend, my godmother, and was with us for fourteen years.

           

I was the firstborn of Catherine Cuevas Cruz (1968) of Binan, Laguna and Delfin Tubongbanua Cabal (1960) of Leganes, Iloilo. My mother is the fourth child of Conchita Cuevas and Ricardo Cruz, son of Adriano Faustino Cruz who is one of the brothers of Daniel Faustino Cruz. My father is the third son of Cleofas Tubongbanua and Moises Cabal. I have three brothers, Daniel (1994), Gabriel (2001) and Nathaniel (2000). As a kid, I am really light hearted and I love to smile. I loved being in front of the camera and being taken pictures of. I even became a part of a television contest because Mama sent one of my photos to Konica. I am also musically-inclined as a kid. I sing and dance on an instant! Papa bought me a real keyboard when I was just asking for a toy piano. Papa may not have been with us most of the time because of work but he made sure that we never forget him. He sent us postcards from all the places they visit and greeting cards on our birthdays and other special occasions. Papa is really industrious, and he knows what can make us happy without us even telling it. Mama, on the other hand, is very caring and understanding about everything. They made sure that God will always and forever be the center of our family, and they never fail to set good examples to us.           

Education and extra-curricular activities along the way.

            After my nursery year in St. John Learning Center in Quezon City, I spent the whole of my basic education at La Consolacion College Manila. Being in a Catholic school, I was thought to value life the Augustinian way. I am an active student. I excel in academics and my extra-curricular activities. I win contests, from declamations to essay writings to math quiz bees. I am also an active member of the student council, and I became a part of our school paper. I took piano and violin lessons, and participated in several school plays. I felt my importance at school. I felt needed. I felt blessed because not everyone gets to experience my school life. I am a consistent honor student and graduated Valedictorian in grade school and high school. I was in it for everything, but then again, not everything is like a cake with cherry on top.

Weighed, tested and still wanted to be proven.  

            I lived my childhood life slightly different than the normal. I did not have much time to play. My godmother, who took care with me for a long time, wanted me to focus on my studies more. I can’t play my toys freely and I can’t go out to play with the other kids outside the house. I lived each day hoping that I could play a little bit more, but maybe, I was not just really for childhood fun. This is why I am more carefree now more than ever. When I was able to finally feel freedom, I can’t help but think about how I would become if I wasn’t restrained. But I guess it was too late to hope because I was already in second year high school, and I already grew past childhood games. Instead, a trial came along and tested my character. When I thought my sophomore year in high school was already bad enough, here came the junior year. For the first time in eleven years, I was not able to finish the school year as the best student in class. I was devastated, but I wasn’t strong enough to show it. I am not used to that kind of feeling. I was hurt and I felt sorry, not only for myself but also for my family –for letting them down. My parents counted on me, but I disappointed them. Now, thinking about it again, maybe I was really meant to experience how it feels like to lose something I hold on to for a long time after all. I am really glad that I was able to use that life-changing moment as I did everything to bounce back and get it again the next year. And I made my family proud of me once again. It is actually one of the few things that I could give them for their hard work and support for me and my brothers. It is something that I will forever be proud of and it taught me that every time we stumble and fall, maybe all we have to do is just to get up and walk again.        

College and Independence: The Present.

            I managed to pass in three out of the four universities that I applied for. And as I received my UP admission letter, I knew I had to go to UPLB. I know that I picked the most challenging life option but I couldn’t miss the chance to live life the UP way. I am still trying to keep my options open as to where should I be after college. I am currently on my third year on the BS Mathematics and Science Teaching program and affiliated with UP GURO: Mathematics and Science Teaching Society. I have been weighing options and consequences of certain things and I am still praying and hoping that I will make good choices. I do believe that if something is really bound to happen, no matter where the road will lead me, I know that I will still get it. I guess I do believe in destiny. But I also do believe in free-will. Independence is crucial all throughout my stay in UPLB. Since I am away from my family most of the time, I am bound to make choices and decisions which I know that I should be able to stand up for. I am grateful that I have a circle of friends that share my interests and beliefs. They have been a good influence on me and helped me survive the university life. Since my friends from high school are in Manila, I had to build life in UPLB from scratch. Roommates and dorm mates really came in handy, too, as proximity really matters after all. I also became a blogger, and I maintain news-based site. I am happy that technology aided me to express myself as internet became an avenue for me to broaden my horizon. Sports also became an influential and a huge part of me as I became a basketball fan and a die-hard Barangay Ginebra believer. Indeed, when things didn’t turn out as you expected, we can’t just back down –that’s the never say die attitude Ginebra brought in me.

Taking the next big step? It’s time.

            I think that nineteen years is not yet long enough for me to think about life as a game of survival. But reality is, from the very moment that we were born, everything is about survival. In a world where everyone wants to test my competence, how far can I go? How much am I willing to risk for me to be where I really want myself to be? But then I realized that I should not go where life takes me, rather I should be taking my life where I wanted it to be. No one told me that life will be easy, but no one told me that I won’t be able to handle it either. Right now, I am happy and contented. I have a kind and considerate family, really amazing friends, hard-earned memories, complicated dreams and a whole lot more. Imperfect, I know, but I am proud of everything and I will forever protect my lifetime treasure. I do not know when I can tell myself “Stop. This is it. You finally made it.” but to take one huge step towards it, I guess it’s time.

Autograph signing with Manix Abrera, Jess Abrera and Pepe Diokno

This is a page (actually, two) from my diary. :)