2008 In Retrospect

In all gratitude I praise heavens for another wonderful albeit tumultuous year that was 2008. It had it shares of super ups and super downs, mountains peaks and trenches deep, and as the song goes, all that jazz; and may I add, those that rhumba, salsa, waltz, paso doble, and even harlems too.

As a way of chronicling a great year that was, here is my 2008 highlights, sidelights and dips, in retrospect.

JANUARY

The year opened with a big bang when I got me an email declaring me the Global Meritage Press Holiday Poetry Contest Grand Co-Winner for this prestigious international poetry tilt. Judge Eric Gamalinda lauded my Filipino poem O.N.S as a poem which was "deceptively old-fashioned like a kundiman but fused with a naughty graphic eroticism and verbal precision that no translation can do justice." He also said that the poem had "masterful lyricism." To receive such praise for my humble work from one of the best Contemporary Filipino Writer is more than just a late but great Christmas gift, not to forget being enlisted as winner along with great names in poetry like Luisa Igloria, Naya Valdelleon and Joel Toledo was more than this humble poet could ask for. This is my first Major Award for my writings and my First International Award. It is also uplifting to know that the poem is the first Non-English poem ever to win in the said awards. Read here.

FEBRUARY

One of my dreams came true this month. A long planned venture opened its doors and served artistry in the Batchoy Republic. I opened Kafe Binalaybay, an art's cafe, cum gallery, cum arts venue in Jaro. As I have said, one dream came true, and with the likes of Palanca Hall of Fame Awardee Dr. Leoncio Deriada, Urian Awards Lifetime Acheivement Awardee Kidlat Tahimik, Palanca and National Book Awardee Prof. John Iremil Teodoro, and a host of other distinguished artists making appearances and calling the cafe as their 'homes,' it is no less than Euphoria itself. The work was daunting and tiresome, and the business shaky, but the pay-off was more than its worth in pride and contribution to Arts, Culture and Literary Awareness in Iloilo City.

MARCH

My birthday month has always been a month of celebrations and felicitations. A couple of good friends entered their signatures in the roll of attorneys in the Supreme Court, and my birthday celebration was a very nice cap-off to the month, not to forget the little bundle of joy for our family, with the birth (albeit premature, but very much welcomed and anticipated) of my younger sisters little baby angel boy Kiane Charles. Read about the kafe here.

APRIL

As delayed as it can get, this month brought my late Christmas, Valentines and Birthday Present, wrapped in wits and good looks in a size 38 waistline, all big and bulky, ending my four years of singledom and signaling the start of a hot and scorching summer loving. Baboy stumbled into my life, literally and figuratively.

MAY

One hot scorching summer month with the parents receiving the approval for their petition for immigration to the US of A. This month is characterized by hot sweltering days and equally hot scorching nights with Baboy and some summer rain frolicks too.

JUNE

The rains came and swept Iloilo in a deluge that went down in History as Frank swept away houses, property and even life, taking with it the cafe, as well as the short-lived affair with Baboy. For months after the storm, people were still picking up what was left of everything and trying their best to continue on with a semblance of life; me included.

JULY

An uneventful month filled with dark cold nights trying to live on and move forward after the storms Frank and Baboy characterized by long road trips and drives to forever.

AUGUST

Pretty much like the past month, but ending with a resounding and triumphant call. A small parcel arrived and in it was a cream colored envelope bearing a coat of arms. I could not help but shout in ecstasy and joy when I opened the letter that said I won my First Ever Palanca Awards. All roads led to Manila for that awards night at the Manila Pen Hotel.

SEPTEMBER

Palanca fever was hotter than ever with the awards night and the aftershock still lingering and the thought of winning not quite sinking in. After three years of joining the competition, with the first entry making a near hit but not quite and the second entry year entry making it to the short list, third time's the charm so they say. For the first two weeks, Manila was my party zone, spending more than my winnings but going home with my head still in the clouds. It was a busy month for a new inductee and warm welcome and acknowledgment to the literary 'awarded'
community was the mode of the month. This month also saw my parents leave for USA, not to return for at least six months, for immigration.

OCTOBER

The gateway of the blogosphere was opened and this blog was born. It was also a month of 'balancing' interests and commitments as new grounds opened, leaving lesser time for rest, but as always, ready to take that spur of the moment plunge to a quick get away to Bacolod and then some. Also, obligations and duties left by the parents were also tackled and integrated into the whole equation.

NOVEMBER

The month was ushered in by Halloween parties and dressing ups. A month of break neck speed and toxic schedules as photo shoots, interviews, panel duties, critic sessions, and preparations for organizing and holding a Regional Convention and Critical Discussion of Hiligaynon Literature was the mode of the week. Tail end of the month brought new challenges as a decision to get a part time ramp up job for a BPO came to mind, if only as an answer to the cold lonely nights given to sad introspections.

DECEMBER

The month beautifully opened with a very successful holding of the Poetry Convention and Critical Discussions as a grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts pushed through. Work, school and false starts with relationships or something to that effect was set-off by another literary win of a Gawad Komisyon ng Wikang Fiipino Award. Work became the mode as I got accepted this month for the BPO ramp up job.

All in all, 2008 was a great year. It was a year well spent. Crazy, tumultuous, break neck, life changing, nerve wracking, heart breaking, soul wrenching, and I wouldn't want it any other way. There is only one way to live for me, and that is, to the utmost. A year closes, a new on opens, and with all that life brought and will still bring, I say, Bring it on!

HAPPY NEW YEAR BATCHOYAN DENIZENS!




Photo Credits:

http://www.ci.sand-springs.ok.us/
http://www.imeem.com/feelmeheaven/blogs/
http://ramachan.deviantart.com/
http://www.miodestino.co.uk/
http://radio.weblogs.com/
http://www.micgui.com/

Peace on Eartha!

Goodbye Eartha!

Finally hurried down the Chimney Christmas Night... Hopefully, Santa Baby was there on the final hours



Because I sometimes want to be evil too...



But sometimes, smoke gets in my eyes



But I never allow them to kiss me on a Sunday... never



Though usually, I don't really care



But my Love Ain't for Sale



Like you, I wonder where he is...



So fare the well, Queen Eartha...


REST IN PEACE...

From the Philippines with love and admiration...
Goodbye Cat Woman!

WARAY WARAY

OH CHRISTMAS THREE!

3 of my favorite singers sings Christmas carols for y'all

KAREN CARPENTER





OLE MISTER BLUE EYES CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
FRANK SINATRA





At para contemporary

MARIAH CAREY!






MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dear J

Dear J,

I wrote a letter to two people. One for you and one for the big fat bearded man. I am publishing that other letter soon, but anyhoot, how are you?

I'm fine down here. I'm working on midnight shift tonight when the clock strikes twelve and it's officially Christmas Day this side of the planet.

It's really cold and lonely here and it's gripping at me, and every second it gets harder to fill my heart with the supposed Christmas cheer. It's not that this is because I am alone and lonely and have no one to call mine but it's one of them biggest reasons. Well technically there is someone, but I know that his being with me is either borne out of the same loneliness, or just that silly bet he made with his friends. My well meaning friends tell me and I do know that there are a thousand and one reasons to be happy, and not concentrate on that one single fact alone to dampen my moods, but what can I do. I feel it! There are a barrage of messages coming from people greeting me a merry Christmas, some as early as yesterday, to avoid the Christmas Texting Jam tonight. I do love my friends and I appreciate them remembering me, but this year, I am abstaining from texting all contacts and just trust that in my heart I have a warm greeting for each one of them.

I have gotten each one but myself a gift already, but none as expressive as the gratitude in my heart for these people. For their presence in my life and for their gift of friendship. Still, there is the cold and loneliness and every so often, my eye would water at the thought of the absence.

I miss even those people that I know I have no business missing, better best forgotten, and I know it's just the season, and I get jealous with all the warmth from people who have each other. As one blogger puts it, I too ask, where my fruitcake is, or for that matter, my panettone, as after all, panettone goes better with coffee, and then it struck me.

This is all a gift from you! My Christmas gift! THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF FEELING THE LONELINESS AND THE COLD. Thank you, perhaps, for the loneliness and the cold, too. Thank you that I am still able to feel all these; that I am not a cold bitter and jaded soul, who only flips his hair and walks nonchalantly into the crisp cold December night. Thank you ever so much that I am still able to feel the wonderful sorrow of being on my own. Thank you for the gift of feeling and empathy. I shall hold these close to my heart, and perhaps, a thousand and one poems would bloom from this seed I plant. I pray too that this be never taken away from me; that I never reach the point where I become an unfeeling mindless automaton of a walking talking but unfeeling human.

I hope all those given the same gift you gave me this year would thank you too.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU LIGHT OF THE WORLD!

Love,

Luis

This Is A Crazy Planet(s)

True enough, what Stella Strada said in her suicide note is correct. She may have gone and created the most ungrammatical suicide note but, indeed, this is a crazy planets.

I have not made a post since I am reeling in from things that have been happening of late, and yes, right she is, this is a crazy panets.

Backtrack muna ng konti.

Na extend ako sa trabaho. Dapat sana hanggang last week lang, pero merong na plot na schedule for me this week. Athough it would just be a 4-day week for me at work, thing is, most of the ramp up hires were not given any schedules this week anymore.

Super enjoy naman ako sa work and I am getting the hang of it, at masaya naman. I love the people I am working with and especially so na marami akong friends dun dati pa nung hindi pa ako nag ramp up dito.

Sa dami ng nangyayari hindi ko alam kung ano ang ibo-blog, pero ito talaga ang super nakakawindang.

Sunday, nagkaroon ng grand office party ang buong BPO sama sama ang lahat ng limang account sa opisina. Late na ako kasi feeling ko naman, di ako makakarelate sa program dahil puro mga regular agents naman ang makakarelate sa program sa mga awards awards eklat na yan.

Naubusan na ako ng food and drinks chip but I really did not mind. Andun ako para makisaya sa mga kasama kong ramp up agents sa campaign namin sa aming account. Super hataw at super dance to death sa party. Later in the evening, either umiskyerda na sa mga sariling gimik ang mga utaw or super wasted na... I was just standing by the sidelights, then it happened.

Someone approached me, smiled, introduced himself and said hi. Sphinx-like smile lang ako. Okay naman sya. Usap usap, tanong tanong ng mga usual na tanong, and suddenly when I was about to excuse mysef, pasimple nyang hinawakan ang kamay ko... The convy was a little kinda something like this. Let's just call him Crazy Guy!


CG: Ahmmm, sorry if I'm starting to bore you, so ok, let me get to the real reason why I introduced myself.
Me: Uhum!
CG: Actually, medyo pinaguusapan ka kasi ng team namin na ramp up din sa kabilang campaign eh. (Inbound sila)
Me: Yeah? (Hmmmm...)
CG: Ano daw kasi, maganda daw kasi boses mo at laging maganda ang opening spiel kahit swamped ng calls at naririnig namin minsan na nag cu-curse ka under your breath, pero pag sasagot na, laging amiable at warm... astig nga eh.
Me: Ha? Ganun ba! (Nakakatuwa naman to)
CG: Well actually, here's the deal, pinagpupustahan namin kasi magka team eh. Suplado ka daw kasi. Actually, I'm the third to make a move. Yung dalawang emissary namin, failure. Yung isang babae, nginitian mo lang tapos wala, dedma na. Yung pangalawa, guy, ni hindi mo nga pinansin.
Me: So, pinagpupustahan nyo ako? Ganun? Pustahan na?
CG: Na makilala at maging ka close ka, something to that effect or better than that.
Me: Mabait naman ako ah, you just have to know how to push the right buttons eh. So panalo ka na nito? Magkano naman ang pustahan?
CG: Kasi pag nasa floor, lagi kang work mode on eh... Ahmmm... a week's pay (which is almost 2k din naman give or take) pero hindi pa ako panalo eh.
Me: What do you mean? Eh di ba nga, your talking to me now, you got my name and all? What do you mean di ka pa panalo?
CG: Eh kasi nga, I upped the ante, kaka challenge ka kasi eh (at this point, he gave my hand a squeeze) and I don't think you are suplado. I think you are actually cute !
Me: (AY POTAH! Wag ka ganyan! Papatulan kita eh! Anlamig kaya! At lonely lang ako kaya ako work mode! SIYETH!) What do you mean, up the ante? Have sex with me, is that it?
CG: Ahmmm...(gave another squeeze) Something like that, for double the wager, only better, I wanna be with you as your lover!
Me: (LETCHE!) Hahahaha! Some nerves you've got, there, buddy! What makes you think I'd say yes to that?
CG: How does half the wager sound to you? And I think you'll say yes (sabay angat ng kamay ko na hawak nya) I have been holding you for five minutes. No flinch... sabay smile ang gagu!
Me: Well... push your luck! I say yes... one week! Deal, but money down and I don't want half, I want two thirds! (TAE! I am being objectified!) And you can keep holding my hand for the night, too.
CG: (Tuwang tuwa!) Great! I say let's seal the deal! (At bigla akong hinila sa gilid at hinalikan)
Me: (POTAH!) Let's go for broke, I say consummate the deal! (At kailangan pa bang imemorize yan?)


KALOWKA DAVA? My Lover by default ako bigla because of a silly pustahan! I feel like that movie ni Claudine at Rico Yan! TANGINAMPAKINCHEF! The things a man would do because of loneliness!

Kanina, sa trabaho, nagulat ako kasi nag drop by si CG. Alam ko tapos na ramp up nila ang he was not extended.

Me: Hey! Why are you here, I thought you weren't extended?
CG: Well, I wanted to see you, and I had nothing to do tonight, Nasanay sa night shift mode eh. Masama ba to check on my boyfriend? Hihintayin sana kita bumaba for your break eh, kaso I got bored downstairs so I decided to come over and say hi.
Me: Wait I got a call. See you later downstairs, wait for me.
Sinasagot ko na ang call, when I felt a big warm hug enveloping me from my back and a nippy kiss on my neck!

Nilingon ko si CG and he had the biggest smile. Mukhang nanalo sa lotto! From the corner of my eye, I saw FW looking... Sorry FW... too slow...

THIS IS A CRAZY PLANETS
And please... No Congratulations... I ain't got no lover. I got me a biz pardner... BLEECH!

Photo Credits:

http://yourscreen.blogspot.com/
http://nimis540.wordpress.com/
http://atfirstsight.webs.com/

Malaswerte

Magkahalong malas at swerte today.

MALAS! I overslept. Resulta, naghahangos ako humandang pumasok sa trabaho.

SWERTE! Nung tinignan ko ang phone ko, may text ako na nagsasabing ayos na ang sasakyan ko. Aabot ako kung ako na magdadrayb papasok sa work.

Dala dala ko na lahat ng gamit ko. Hindi ko mahanap ang brown dress jacket na lagi kong suot pag pumapasok! Yung isang jacket ko na lang sa car ang gagamitin ko.

MALAS! Naka atras pa ang ako at di pa nakakalabas ng gate, namatay ang makina! Ayaw magstart. Na diskargado ang baterya sa tagal na hindi nagagamit!

Iniwanan ko na ang sasakyang naka harang sa bukana ng gate, tinawag ang kasambahay at pinapagawan ko ng paraan sa kapatid kong lalaking maibalik muna sa ayos para maisara ang gate kasi mali-late na nga ako. Lumabas na ako at magtataxi na lang.

SWERTE! Biglang daan ang pamilyar na sasakyan sa harapan ko. Si panyerong Harry, hatid nya si Kumareng Apple kasi dun din nagtatrabaho si kumare. Libreng sakay and in the nick of time naman!

Almost made it for the log-in. Kakahangos ko inuhaw ako.

MALAS! Naiwan ko thermal mug sa sasakyan. Wala akong magagamit ngayon para mapaglagyan ng tubig! Nanunuyo na lalamunan ko sa sunod sunod na tawag na sinagot ko.

Napansin siguro ni FW na balisa ako. Lumapit sya.

FW: What seems to be the problem? You look bothered!
Me: Nothing, I'm just really thirsty (Tangina! Ba't ba Freudian lagi ang mga naiisip ko sa mga sagot ko kay FW?) I left my thermal mug. I have no cup to use for drawing water. (Concerned ka naman masyado eh! Di na kaya kita gusto no!)

SWERTE! Bumalik si FW sa station nya sabay-

FW: Here, use this, that's an extra (sabay abot ng thermal mug na may laman nang tubig)
I drew water for you too so you won't go aux 6 anymore. Go drink it, thats clean.
Me: Thanks, your so kind, and yes, I'm really thirsty (sabay ubos sa laman ng baso) More please? Sabay smile!

Magkahalong inis, tuwa, mangha at tawa ang expression ni FW. Bah! Utusan ko ba naman kasi no?

Nung nag break ako agad ko hinanap ang telepono ko. Kailangan ko ma-itext si Bryan na maremind na sa work na nya ako sunduin kasi nga aatend kami sabay ng awards ceremony ng gawad komisyon sa sentro ng wikang filipino alas nwebe ng umaga. Sabay na kami kasi nanalo din sya dun.

MALAS! Hindi ko mahanap ang telepono ko. Iniisip ko, naiwanan ko din sa sasakyan, nahulog sa sasakyan ni Panyero sa sobrang pagmamadali o nahulog sa floor. PATAY! Eh di na bisto na nagdadala ako ng cellphone sa loob ng work area!

SWERTE! Tinanong ko sa Team Lead namin kung sakaling me makitang telepono. Dinescribe ko ang phone. Nakita nga ang phone ko!

Biglang tanong ni Mommy TL. Anong wallpaper kung talagang sa yo yan? PATAY! Sumagot ako "Violinist po!" Ngising aso si Mommy.

TL: Sa'yo nga to! Mamya mo na kunin pag off mo... sabay ngisi
Me: Mommy bakit ganyan ka maka ngiti (closeness kasi kami ni Mommy dati pa nung patambay tambay pa lang ako sa baba.
TL: Wala akong problema tungkol dyan, sya meron. Sabay nguso kay FW. Sya nakakita ng telepono at nagtataka sya.
Me: Bakit Mommy?
TL: Kaibigan nya si Violinist mo! (alam kasi ni mommy tungkol kay DV) Kasama nya sa Jazz Band!
Me: HA? Si FW? May Jazz BAND? Tanginampakincheff! Don't tell me saxophonist sya! Tae!
TL: Hindi. Bokalista!
Me: OH TO THE EM OF THE GEEEEE!!!
TL: Nagtataka kumbakit anjan ang kaibigan/cell fone ng kaibigan nya sa floor!
Me: Ahmmm Mommy, kailangan ko na mag log-in. Overbreak na yata ako!

MALAS! Paano ako magpapasalamat kay FW? Paano ko isosoli ang thermal mug nya mamya?

Chika ko ang katabi kong cubicle na friend ko. Biglang nag raise sya ng hand na kunwari me itatanong kay FW na concern. Lapit si FW sa kanya. Kinuha nya ang thermal mug ni FW

Friendship: Ahmmm FW, it was Luis' Phone and he would like to say thanks... and for this thermal mug too.

POTAH!!!

MALAS! Buong gabi akong iniwasan ni FW. Kahit mega raise ako ng hand, kukunwa syang pupunta para mag assist sa isang agent sa malayong cubicle. Panay si Mommy TL ang sumasalo sa concern ko.

Me: Mommy, galit yata si FW ayaw nya ako pansinin
TL: Na hurt siguro
Me: NA? Na wall paper ko si DV at hindi sya?
TL: Abayma!

SWERTE! Nung nag lunch break ako, kinorner ko na si FW

Me: Thanks for finding my phone and for the thermal mug. You know DV?
FW: Your welcome, yeah, I know him (curtly)
Me: Ah! Good cause I'd like to know if it's ok... when can we start on our Violin lessons, because he seem always busy.
FW: OH! So he's your violin mentor I was wondering how.... (trails off)

MALAS! Late ampotang Bryan, ang usapa aas otso nya ako sunduin pag ka off ko. Uuwi saglit, magbibihis. At dahil late nga sya, mukhang engot ang suot ko na kagabi pa!

SWERTE! Pagdating sa awarding, naka casual lang din naman ang lahat. Kung natuloy ang plano, overdressed sana ako.

MALAS! Nandun nagtatrabaho ang kapatid ng isang bitter ex ko! Akmang lalapitan nya ako ng...

SWERTE! Nandun nagtatrabaho ang nanay ni Charm at biglang eksena si tita on cue! Talikod si ex's sister!

Much much later in the day....

MALAS! Habang nag aabang ako ng masasakyan, biglang dumaan sa harapan ko ang isa ko pang past affair, kaakbayan ang isang mukhang bagong jowa ata nya

PA: Hi nag iisa ka yata... asan ang sasakyan mo? Ba't ka nag aabang ng masasakyan?

SWERTE! Biglang parada ng isang magarang Honda Civic... si CC!

CC: Master POET! Sakay na pogi!

Mabilis pa sa kidlat at walang kaabog abog, sakay ako... naiwanang nakatunganga ang letcheng PA at swanget nyang bagong jowa. Mas kyuti kaya si CC.

CC: You look struck! Kofi?
Me: Sori CC, raincheck! Im so tired I had a long day, I just wanna go home please?
CC: I'm sori, ok, I will take you home....

Yes, please... take me home!
I know what happens next in the cycle today... the malas!

MALAS! May work pa ako mamyang 12, at wala pa rin akong tulog up to now....
SHEEESH!

Tough Ten

Magkakasama kaming nagkakape ng mga kaibigan kong mga lalaking heterosekswal. Kape ako, Red Horse sila. Kung saan saa napupunta ang usapan at di maiwasang magka kanta kantahan. Senti-sentihan ang mga kanta at syempre pa, bida ang mga bandang pinoy ay aternatib. Kapag natotoka sa akin ang pagkanta, hirit Eheads agad. Eheads Junkie ako. Yun na yon! Hindi ko na ikukwento ang storyang Eheads ko, basta, jowa ko dati si Ely Buendia. Wakokokoko. Nakahalata ang barkada na panay eheads ako. Nauwi sa usapang eheads at kanya kanyang pasikatan ng pinakapaboritong eheads songs.

Gusto kong mag tough ten eheads songs pero tough sa sobrang dami kong labs sa bandang ito. Di na included ang legendary With A Smile, Ang Huling El Bimbo, Toyang, Maling Akala at Pare Ko...given na yan...Yung Fill her ay album filler lang kaya di sya legit song...With those excluded, medyo mas madali pero, mahirap pa din. Ganto, random list of those with the easiest recall na lang... here goes...

#10 Fruitcake (Fruitcake)



Take a bite, its alright, a little loving and some fruit to bake, life is a piece of keheheheheyk...

#9 Alkohol (Circus)



Bouncy song... kahit di ako nainom, labs ko to... CR mo buong mundo!

#8 Alapaap (Circus)



Masdan mo'ng aking mata, di mo ba nakikita? Parang yung isang kanta din nila na Tikman ang Langit.

#7 Hard To Believe (Sticker Happy/Aloha Milkyway)



Coz your love is the only thing that matters in this world, the only thing I can believe...

#6 Harana (Banana Type)



Huwag nang malumbay, ang pag ibig ko ay tunay... so so so pinoy!

#5 Tindahan Ni Aling Nena (UtraElectroMagneticPop)



Natulala ako, laglag ang puso ko, nalaglag din ang sukang hawak ko... effort talagang mamemorya to! Pagdating sa bahay nagalit si nanay pero oks lang ako ay inlababoo nang tunahay! Inlababoo talaga eh!

#4 Maselang Bahaghari (Natin99)



Maselang Bahaghari sa aking isipan, wag kang mabahala di kita malilimutan...Reynbow ba!

#3 Wag kang Matakot (Natin99)



Wag kang matakot, di mo ba alam nandito lang ako sa iyong tabi, di kita pababayaan kailanman... hayyyy...

#2 Magasin (UltraElectroMagneticPop)



Iba na ang iyong ngiti, iba na ang iyong tingin, nagbago nang lahat sa yo ohhh hooo hooo!

#1 Ligaya (UltraElectroMagneticPop)



Gagawin ko ang lahat pati ang thesis mo, wag mo lang ipagkait ang hinahanap ko!


Hahay! EHeads beybeh!
Kasama dapat sa listahan ang Suntok sa Buwan at Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka, kaso mga covers/revivals ang mga yon, so hindi dapat counted.... Ikaw, whats your fave eheads song?

I LOVE YOU EHEADS! I Love You ELY! Ikaw lang siguro ang ex ko na willing akong balikan mag rehab ka lang ng maayos na talaga!

RAKENROL!

P.S: Halos lahat ng senti songs ng eheads naging theme song ko sa isa sa mga tanginampakincheff kong mga ex. Hehehehe... Jologs ba?