0 My Journey

The Journalism class was for me, was totally different of the other classes. It is unique in such a way. We had no quizzes, no long exams and midterms, no oral exams or finals. In exchange for that, we had weekly theme papers, papers full of learning and reflection. I really find it a lot more important to have such classes like this. I mean honestly, after every subject during every semester, I won’t remember the lessons I’ve studied before after some time. They are not lessons that teach you forever. Although it teaches us to be hardworking, it disciplines us, but this class made me realize of lessons that would stay forever in me.

            Being positive and being creative is what I have learned most from this class. I have learned from the discussions that being positive can get us really far. Based from sir Rick’s stories working in NYC of never giving up and keep moving on made me realize that it’s totally true in a sense that what happened in the past couldn’t help us anymore. But we could still do something for the future. Having this kind of learning could help me when becoming a student athlete in Ateneo. Writing down theme and reflection papers has also made me creative in a way. It has enhanced my ability to be able to express my deepest feelings even in a not so good English, at least people understand me to the deepest of my expressions. I have learned that the importance too of creativity is being able to explore, being able to capture photos and videos of events. And because of this, we never stop to come up with ideas that could make a total difference. It makes me think and realize how to look at things from a different perspective, from a different angle and view making a change.

            Finally I can come up to a conclusion that art is only a very small bit of creativity. After the course, I have a new look or view of creativity. Creativity is exploring, expressing in order for people to hear us, and creativity is the part of my life where I would never run out of important ideas in order to live a life.

           

Julius Lagman 

0 Disturbed

Women are to be loved. Women are to be respected. However, in some cases in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are totally abused to the max. I myself would hate seeing videos of women being battered by their husbands, getting hit with stones, and sometimes even being raped by their own husbands when they come from work. In the behind the veil, they say that the safest way for women to get protection is getting married. But, isn’t it ironic too how being married too could be the worst way for women to be protected because they also might also be abused and trapped in their own homes?

            “Any man can take advantage of any women in Iraq’s day” is what they said from the news that totally caught my attention. This gives no respect for women at all. We must remember that they are human beings just like any other men and not objects. There is this what they call honor killing and I really find nothing honorable about what they are doing when stoning women to death. It is very, very disturbing and it’s so freaky to be able to watch women even at their teen years being stoned to death as if they were pigs, as if they were stray dogs, or as if they were big rats being stoned to death. It’s really unhappy. It’s totally disturbing to see this video in youtube how the 17 year old girl is being kicked then later being stoned to death. At an early age like that, it still has a life to be lived. Men of that place are of total use of abusing. Even securities dressed in security uniforms are the ones securing the men that no one would stop them from stoning women to death. After a minute or two of the video, the woman’s blood from the head started to pour. I can never think of anything to best describe this happening but all I know is that it is totally disturbing, totally unjust, immoral, and they show no respect at all by treating women not just as lowest of slaves, but as animals and objects.

            This would not just wound them or kill many of women’s lives but it would also forever leave a traumatic experience for women living in Iraq and Afghanistan. Don’t these men have such conscience or respect at all? Again, women are to be loved. They are to be respected. Women are also human beings just like any other man. Men and women are supposed to be equal. It's really a sad thing and we together justice must indeed do something about this. 

-Julius Lagman

0 Reflections on the HWC

Changing Lives One Football at a Time

By Izella Fajardo

  In our journalism class last Tuesday Coach Rudy and Lex Maravilla of the Homeless World Cup team talked to us about what they do and the hardships they face to send a team of eight former street children to other countries to compete in the HWC. Then there are the issues of making sure that the kids in the program do not backslide into their lives of drugs and violence. In the words of Coach Rudy: “The competition (HWC) is not the end point; it’s just the beginning.” Changing lives and making good citizens out of street children is a very tough and commendable job to undertake.

             To be honest I had no clue about what the league and the team was about. I mean, I know of them because of tidbits from the news but apart from that, nada. I was really touched by what Coach Rudy was trying to achieve using football. It's incredible to think that football can really change lives, more than rehab and juvie. What hit me the most though was when Sir Rick mentioned that some of the players have never even slept on a bed before. I thought about how we take for granted things we have like a bed, pillows, cars, three square meals a day, and most importantly, a home. You can deny it, but I know that all of us have taken our homes for granted at one point or another. I know some people who say that they don't want to go home because their parents ‘suck’. Don't they realize that there are many unfortunate kids who don't even have parents to go home to?

             I realized that society should really be more open to other avenues like this in the fight to lessen teenage delinquents on the streets. I think that sports clinics are more effective than forcing these young people into rehabs and the like. We'll never know if a kid has talent if we don't do something to make it manifest. I’m not saying that rehab is not important or something like that, but sometimes, all a kid really needs is a chance for him to find hope in the future again. And if by any chance, he finds that hope in playing football, then who are we to take it away from him?

0 Home sweet home

In our country today, we keep on seeing people living on the streets. People often see manila as a place where opportunities come. Indeed it is but that does not mean that it is true for all. Most of the unfortunate tend to go to manila without having a back up plan that is why they get stranded here. As a result they see the bad side to it and go do criminal acts for them to survive.

Good thing there is the Homeless World Cup. The cause of this league is to lessen the number of homeless people all over the world. This league opens another opportunity to rise from their past and live in a more prosperous life. This gives them a chance to do to have a brighter future and if they work enough be able to play in the pros.

            This league makes them aspire to do the best in sports rather than do something wrong. This is also a chance for them to learn to discipline their selves. Most especially, this league gives them a home. Having to play with fellow homeless people makes them one family.

I believe this league should also have exposure since I personally did not know anything about this organization before. They get pro soccer players to coach in the league or even train with them. with this, the league can get a wide range of spectators and supports not only for the team but also for the homeless.

adrian

First of, for me, last Tuesday was by far one of the best sessions of class. It was a very intriguing session for me because of the guests last Tuesday. The class lesson was important also regarding about journalism as a rough draft but the guests just blew me away. I want to talk more about what my reactions were to what the guests spoke about.

Sir Rick brought in Coach Rudy and Lexter, coach and member respectively, of our 2010 team for the Homeless World Cup, who competed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last September. Coach Rudy talked about how he, together with some very good hearted people, mostly foreigners, planned and created this great program. He also talked about how he chose players, with different life stories, from the try-outs to play for him and for this country. He added that the process was pretty hard, but with the help of generous sponsors, completed the program. He, along with the organization, helped these teens with their lives, even if they are not part anymore of the current team. They helped by finding jobs and/or schools for these teens. Lexter, on the other hand, talked about his experiences playing for the Philippines and most specially, his life now after the HWC. He shared that he, along with other players, came from a simple life in the provinces. He stressed that HWC was a really big help for him and the other players. He added that HWC was some kind of hope for people like them. He confessed that he and some other people were into drugs before and with the arrival of HWC, their lives changed.

            I really liked how they shared their stories to the class. They stressed important happenings in their lives. For me, i think that they were really sharing a lot from their lives and teaching us a thing or two for our own lives. I was very intrigued with how our players fare, against other countries from the whole globe, considering with our weight and height and heft are not up to par against the other teams. These teams were really taller, heavier, stronger, etc. against our team. With these disadvantages, our team had heart and were street wise. I loved the story involving another country being our own personal cheering squad with matching holding of the Philippine Flag. I want to be in their shoes representing the Philippines. truly, i am grateful to those who created this program, and to those who are still continuing to support and improve this great program. This will help a lot of people with their lives and will bring hope for the people. 

frank golla

0 puppy love :)

this is my favorite picture of my first and favorite dog. her name is Goldie. she is a golden retriever that is where i got her name. she was so small back then. i remember carrying her with just one arm. she likes to sleep a lot, destroy my slippers, and etc. the sad thing is things change. she has grown bigger 5 times her puppy size. she is not as cute as before but the thing is, she is and always be my favorite dog.

 this is the dog i hate the most for the reason that my mom takes care of him more than she takes care of me. she does not like dogs but because Chuck came to our lives she started to like it. i think my mom likes chuck the most because she can play with him and dress him up. another reason is that he is the smallest of my 5. but even thou i hate him, he is still my dog and i hate to admit i love him too.





- adrian

0 A Bright Soccer Goal

      Life is a challenge. Some of us encounter obstacles that stop us from achieving something that we want while some of us do not. Lucky are those who move on with their lives so smoothly, but unfortunately there are also those who run into many humps in their lives. Although life may seem hard for them, I still see a very bright goal in their lives.
     Last meeting, Coach Rudy and Lexter Maravilla gave an inspiring talk that concluded hopes and dreams in life. I was inspired when coach Rudy and Lexter humbled about their old lives(himself and his players) and how they've risen up and changed. They used to be drug addicts and now they are already in good shape of playing sports and being able to work and help their families for support. It's a total opposite. What I'm trying to say is that I have just realized how hard that situation could happen of being able to rise up. The way I see them now, it's really bright. Their future is bright just when they thought it was all over.
     During that talk, I have learned a lot, but I will only share three of my greatest learnings. My first learning during the talk was about changing. Coach Rudy, Lex and the rest of the team members have come into a complete metamorphosis. From drug users they were able to become not just soccer players but also a hope in their lives and the lives of their families. And that is not just any change, but a really significant one because for sure nothing would happen if they were just stuck into their old lives of just being a tambay and with that small change in their life, everything will follow and change. My second learning during the talk was being able to appreciate how good life is. Many of us in school are blessed with all the needs and blessings in life, however many still take these things for granted. And because of that, I have learned to be more appreciative in life taking consideration of even the small things that my parents give me. I have learned to appreciate even more the way my parents support me in my studies and in my tennis career. They are such a blessing to me and from now on I will not take that for granted. My last learning is all about hope. I have learned that there always would be hope in life no matter what. Lex inspired me during the talk because he said that he thought there wasn't hope anymore. But the way I see Lex today, he seems to have a future of becoming a football coach. He did not give up in his life and went out to go tryouts for soccer. And I think his scoring of goal during the tryouts symbolized his goal and dream in life and that there would always be hope for him. That was a very inspiring talk by both of them. I will not forget that day. It opened my eyes to see life clearer. That life is full of hope no matter what.

-Julius Lagman

0 2011 UAAP73 Lawn Tennis - ADMU vs UP

Our new coach, former Davis Cupper lawn tennis member of the Philippine team coaches my fellow teammates Leyan Moncera and Andre Banate during a match against the University of the Philippines. Leyan and Andre won their doubles match with just straight sets. 

Coach Jimbo gives a talk to the Ateneo Women's team after a "close but not quite" match against UST womens. It was a deciding doubles match between Mary Rivero and Joan Opulencia of Ateneo Women's team against team UST. They were leading on the final set 5-2, forty - love with three matchpoints. Unfortunately, Joan and Mary were not lucky enough to close the match as the team UST battled all the way to catch up and win the match. 

Team captain Ayo Canlas of the Ateneo Tennis team easily wins the first singles of the day against UP player Lance Cinco with a 6-0, 6-1. At the end of the day, the Ateneo Lawn Tennis Team celebrates as we won all our five matches concluding a 5-0 against UP. 

-Julius

0 Spelling Hope using Soccer

Spelling Hope using Soccer

            Everyone knows that Sports can be used as a vessel to take you places. Today a lot of people do this. All over the world you see players getting recruited to the best High Schools, Colleges and Universities because of their talent in their respective fields. Aside from the fact that many want to excel and want to gain fame and fortune, there are some who play sports and use sports not for personal gain, but to give and achieve one thing, one powerful word, Hope. All the time we hear stories of hope from people who have gone through so much, but actually hearing it from the people themselves is one of a kind.

            For those who don’t know the Homeless World Cup is a yearly tournament which happens anywhere in the world in countries that have a Homeless Team. When they say homeless, it isn’t just referring to not having a home, but also not having the right surroundings, upbringing, family, and also living in very harsh and cruel environments. The countries bid to host it the tournament and the program is year round. In the Philippines Rudy Del Rosario is the head coach as well as the director. Every year he goes around the country listening to people’s stories and recruiting them and training them at the same time finding them a place to live and finding them jobs. Unfortunately they can only bring 8 players to the tournament because it is street soccer format. On the bright side, every year it is a new batch of players, so the message of hope is also carried on anew.

            Listening to Coach Rudy talk about his struggles and how he overcame them through soccer is amazing. Some of us just really want to get rich and get to certain places but the fact that he just wanted to find and have hope is amazing. It makes one feel so selfish and self-centred because of how much one can just think of his own personal gain. Personally now I feel embarrassed when I am ungrateful, all these guys want to do is to know that there is something better out there and here I am whining about things these guys would be so grateful to have. It really changes your perspective. At one point he talked about one of their games where he said to his players: “You defeat yourself when you let fear overcome you.” He repeats this on and off the field.

            When it was Lexter’s turn to speak, he was so grateful to have been blessed with the experience. It’s like every word about the experience made him happier. The way he described the adrenaline he felt as the national anthem played during the tournament, and how he said that at that moment it never occurred to him how a person like him would be represent the country really showed how humble and humbled he was. When he spoke there was one phrase that stuck with me the most, he said:  “Poverty should not be a hindrance to success.”  He said that having gone to the Homeless World Cup really gave him this hope. This guy really has a good head on his shoulders.

So far I think this has been one of the best stories I’ve heard of people striving for something. This world cup really is changing lives. Coach Rudy and Lexter are both living proof of how sports can really change ones life.

Congratulations to Coach Rudy Del Rosario and Lexter Maravilla for striving, delivering, achieving, and giving hope.

-Vince

0 Changing Lives One Football at a Time

             In our journalism class last Tuesday Coach Rudy and Lex Maravilla of the Homeless World Cup team talked to us about what they do and the hardships they face to send a team of eight former street children to other countries to compete in the HWC. Then there are the issues of making sure that the kids in the program do not backslide into their lives of drugs and violence. In the words of Coach Rudy: “The competition (HWC) is not the end point; it’s just the beginning.” Changing lives and making good citizens out of street children is a very tough and commendable job to undertake.

             To be honest I had no clue about what the league and the team was about. I mean, I know of them because of tidbits from the news but apart from that, nada. I was really touched by what Coach Rudy was trying to achieve using football. It's incredible to think that football can really change lives, more than rehab and juvie. What hit me the most though was when Sir Rick mentioned that some of the players have never even slept on a bed before. I thought about how we take for granted things we have like a bed, pillows, cars, three square meals a day, and most importantly, a home. You can deny it, but I know that all of us have taken our homes for granted at one point or another. I know some people who say that they don't want to go home because their parents ‘suck’. Don't they realize that there are many unfortunate kids who don't even have parents to go home to?

             I realized that society should really be more open to other avenues like this in the fight to lessen teenage delinquents on the streets. I think that sports clinics are more effective than forcing these young people into rehabs and the like. We'll never know if a kid has talent if we don't do something to make it manifest. I’m not saying that rehab is not important or something like that, but sometimes, all a kid really needs is a chance for him to find hope in the future again. And if by any chance, he finds that hope in playing football, then who are we to take it away from him?

-Izella

Honestly, I am not like a person who always brings his camera everywhere he goes. I rarely use a camera or a camera phone into trying to capture something, someone, or a moment that caught my attention. But when I use a camera or a camera phone, I try my best to really capture that moment when that scene captured me. 

 This is a picture taken last year during the Ondoy Tragedy. This is a shot taken upstairs in my house. It is very obvious that the murky water's level is pretty high in this picture. Holding up our couch are 4 gasul containers; supporting these gasul containers is our sala table (which is already drowned by the flood water). This is pretty significant to me because it's the first time I've experienced this happening in my life. On a side note, this was a pretty tiring day because my father and I had to bring up all our things (appliances, sala set, TV, dining table, etc) up to the second floor, where they would be safe from the water, before the flood water could reach them. Take note that that flood water was moving and rising very fast.

This second picture is a favorite of mine. As you can see, this is a picture of loose clouds taken on an airplane up in the air. This picture was beautiful because it reminded me of God's creation and that everything He did was beautiful. 

This third picture is also special to my heart. This picture was taken inside a park in Renton, Washington. I was visiting my family there and we took a ride going to this place. This was behind the Space Needle. This picture was a favorite because this picture looks like two persons holding hands at the center.






frank golla

0 Shots shots sh-sh-sh-shots... ok nevermind.

I personally love taking pictures of sunsets and landscapes and I get reprimanded by my family because instead of taking pictures of them when we travel, I shoot sceneries instead. Well, these are some of my best and if they suck, pray tell. Criticism is always welcome. :)

20,000ft above sea level on the way to top of Big Bear Mountain in California,USA

 I LOVE this picture because it's not everyday you get to tell everyone you took a picture of a snowy mountain. That and because it just looked so pristine and so peaceful, it was like I could stand at that spot all day and just stare at the view.

View from the ground at Loyola Memorial Park

This was taken during JEEP. As we were taking a break and sitting on the curb I took out my phone and started snapping pictures. I happened to think about what it would look like from the ground and also how small people feel ( i.e. supernatural people like dwarves. lol) since it was a cemetery after all.

A Bora sunset.

The picture was taken in Boracay last June. I was quite surprised when the picture actually turned out ok because I thought it would be too bright. :)

Rizal Library bookshelves

Taken because I had to do research on the Rizal Lib as part of my project for a CompSci class.

Outside the Rizal Lib

Personally I love the picture except for that damn tree in the middle. Mister landscaper, why'd you have to put a tree theeeeere? HAHA

~~Izella

0 Little things/vince's photos

Lately i've been saving more and even studying more, in doing so I started to have better time managemant and there was an increase in my free time. Because of all this I started to notice and appreciate certain things more. For example, no matter how bad the pollution may be and regardless of the weather we almost always have a clear view of the moon and stars which i only seem to notice when im out of town. Although the pictures aren't that clear because they are just shot with a regular digicam, i hope you can imagine and grasp the idea of the image regardless of its quality.

(One hell of a bright moon)

Like i mentioned earlier i've been studying and that means finding a place to study and look for a place where you feel you will be more productive. I ended up studying at Dencio's capitol drive since everywhere was just about full and in my years of living in the area I never got to fully appreciate its surroundings til then.

(Dencio's Capitol drive)

Funny how saving can contradict with comfort so much. I started taking less cabs and started taking more jeep and tricycle rides. During the times I could hitch a ride i did, but eventually i decided that it was time to get a car. Tired of waiting for my dad to give me one I decided to aim for one that would push my saving plan to the limit. Hey if you can dream why not dream big right? God knows when I can get this car.

(Genesis)

Hopefully these little things can lead to big things.

-Vince Velasco

0 The Best Time of the Year

    Christmas season’s here at last! Only a few more days ‘til we celebrate this wonderful time of the year. When hearing the word “Christmas,” people think of spending time with loved ones, gifts, break from school and most importantly, food. But to an athlete’s mind (at least to my knowledge) an addition of rest may be necessary.

     I didn’t say that the others are not important, but to an athlete, this is a or the time to rest and regenerate from a year’s worth of playing and practicing. The time to relax and rest before anticipating another year’s round of the body’s wear and tear. Athletes would surely use this time to sleep. That is why this break is a necessary one for the athletes. This is a time to calm and slow down, lighten and loosen up, and unwind.

                 Because this is a time of celebration, what celebration would not have a feast? Of course Christmas would not be complete without the Noche Buena. There would be different kinds of food and drinks prepared for the whole family during this celebration. As for the athletes, I am quite sure (based on experience) there would no eating diets during this break. Coaches can only tell the athletes to watch what they eat. But it’s in the player’s hands (and conscience) if he or she would do this. But then again, this is a time of celebration, relaxation and rest. People can do whatever they want to do.

                In addition, this is also the time to spend time with loved ones. To some athletes, they go back to their provinces and use this time to visit their families. Some usually don’t waste time, they go back home immediately once school is over. In other occassions, some of them return home before the break even started. They do this to maximize their visit. But who can blame them? Some haven’t returned home for almost 2 years, and I’m pretty sure they’re very excited and anxious to go home. These people make the most out of their breaks really spending time with their loved ones and having R and R’s before heading back to the life they’re more accustomed to, the student-athlete life in the big city.

                Adding to that, as these people go home, they bring themselves some gifts or pasalubongs for their families. Because they are currently living in the metro, they have some little tasks to buy some gifts or pasalubongs. I’m thinking some of their relatives back home would like some presents, most specially the younger ones, since their apos, anaks, or kuyas or ates are living in Manila. I’m sure these presents would mean a lot. However, I believe the best present for Christmas next to Christ from God for these families would be having their sons or daughters home for the holidays. Having the family complete this time of the year would be a very nice feeling while celebrating the holidays.

                To top it all off, Christmas time is always a special time. We are celebrating Jesus’ birth, no more and no less. This is a season of thanksgiving for all the blessings from the merciful, generous, and great God we have. He has provided for us all that we need for the past year. We should not forget about Him because He will never forget about us. This is the time of thanksgiving for having our loved ones and close friends around and with us. What more can we ask for? We are home, thinking about nothing, just having  R and R’s while celebrating the season, our God’s birth,  together with our families and loved ones. Truly, this is the best time of the year!

                Merry Christmas everyone! 

frank

0 How They Do Christmas

Greetings! It is Christmas time again, the streets are once again bustling with people trying to get to their respective homes, some finishing up their remaining days of work and school, and others are finishing up some last minute Christmas shopping. However just like any other holiday, while we are doing all of the above, it is during this season that the entertainment industry is very active.

Though it is a cliché statement, it is a true statement nonetheless, Christmas has been commercialized by the media. However over used the insight may be, its relevance remains relevant and is applicable to the world today. Media however, is a broad topic, so let us focus on the industry to which the public is most exposed to this season, Music. 

            However admirable it may be for artists to release ‘Christmas specials’, one cannot help but feel a sense of materialistic abuse. Perhaps if the same artists lived lives in the year prior to the songs release, which reflected the values they so valiantly proclaim, then perhaps their yuletide merriment would be received less conspicuously. It is sad to hear but very true, just a few hours ago I heard a local artist advertise his own album while promoting a donut brand and beckoning people to buy so they may get his album. It is sad how this has come to be. Bluntly put, most of these people have an agenda beyond that of what they are preaching. It is also sad that we must face the fact that when a certain artist or a band releases a Christmas album on snow and the joy it spreads, and they have a history of violence and drugs, one cannot help but recall the sort of snow he was sniffing and the sort of joy that dispersed. Sadly in this day and age there are so many double meanings in songs and in peoples actions.

            Such is the plague of contemporary media, wherein individuals maintain double standards for dual identities. Where values and beliefs are preached by individuals who live far from the very life styles they are advocating. Such brings about sadness to those who would like to see the season keep its original spirit. A spirit which preaches the key values of Christian living, from honesty, caring and brotherhood. And though it is admirable to see artists launching albums which help promote these values, one cannot help but assume that the moral good attached to these albums, are but by products and consolations to the greater goal of profit. As much as there is joy in the season, it is just sad how it is tarnished by these acts.

Vince

0 Merry Christmas Julius!

Merry Christmas Julius!

            On the day of December 19^th, a Sunday, not just an ordinary Sunday, but a very special one. It was 4.20am and as I was walking my way to the Church near my condo in Katipunan to celebrate the dawn mass at 4.30am, I saw this one happy family of six. Two of them were girls, the other one was a young man and the other one was a baby, carried and hugged by his mother. I heard the dad say to them that they were excited for going to New York this Christmas. Everyone was happy. They had plans. Everyone has. Atmosphere’s pretty cold and it really is Christmas season! And as I reflect to my plans this Christmas, it’s nothing much of a special holiday vacation like them, but instead I’m going to celebrate my Christmas break in a tiring but hopefully a productive one by training myself and awarding my self a Christmas gift of becoming a UAAP championship team this January. It might sound so That’s-not-a-vacation-type-of-break-this-Christmas, but I’m certain that that could be the best gift for me this coming Christmas!

            For the past years, I’ve been spending my Christmas days relaxing, releasing all the stress in school by eating lechon, having a vacation in other countries, talking nonsense but fun with my family, friends, from cousins to grandparents, and everyone else around. But this time, it sounds funny, but I’m doing something different. Pressure’s on and I should keep myself in good shape even during this Christmas break. I should train everyday except for Christmas day and new year of course. I know it’s a little bit or maybe not just a little, tiring, but I know all of these hitting of forehands and backhands would definitely be more than worth of a Christmas gift for me to become a championship team in the UAAP this coming January 9, 2011. Just like a dream car for this Christmas, I also have my own dream of awarding myself a trophy at the end of the UAAP season.

            Everyone has their own wish list this coming Christmas. It’s a season to be with the family and enjoy their company. Some may wish for an iphone4, some may wish for a car, a new laptop or a cellular phone, but some may even wish for something different, something that makes their life happy and fulfilled, something like mine, to become the 2011 UAAP tennis champions! That would be great! Merry Christmas Julius!

Julius Lagman

0 White Christmas...well, not really. :))

Christmas christmas christmas. What comes to mind when i hear the word Christmas? Well, I think lots of food, grand reunions, gifts, and decor-filled houses. I can't help but wonder how much effort is put into these things when the -ber months come around in the Philippines. I mean, who has 4 month long Christmas seasons?!

This time of the year tables are laid out with the most delicious food a family can afford. Us Filipinos are quite flexible that even the poorest try to serve something special for their families. Even if it's just champorado, if that's more than the family can normally afford then they'll be happy already.

Also, Christmas is a time when families come together and have reunions. A time when everyone panics because the venue is not ready, the food isn't cooked yet, you forgot to buy that third cousin a gift. Really, so many things could go wrong. But at the end of it, all the stress was worth the fun and laughter from getting together with family.

Must i elaborate on the Pinoy's ability to cover an entire house with Santa Clauses and Christmas lights? It's an acquired skill from years of experience from generations passed. We love parols and sometimes, even that is enough to get us in the Christmas spirit. Even the  underprivileged make makeshift parols to experience Christmas.

I'm saying all of this because I want you to realize how much effort your families go through in order for you to feel all Christmas-y. And also for you readers to see that art is relative. We can choose to see art in everyday interactions and even seasonal events just like Christmas or Halloween. The way people decorate, the food that is cooked, these and many more can be viewed as an art because it takes years of practice to get everything just right for the season.

With that in mind, happy holidays everyone!!! When you see your mother or yaya cooking your Noche Buena think of how much of an artist they are for putting together the meal through the years for the family... Then go ahead and eat the food and show your appreciation. :))

Izella

0 true christmas

Christmas is just around the corner and we all know that most families spend it in a traditional way.

They put up a Christmas tree full of nice decorations such as having a beautiful big star on the topmost of the tree, having stuff like balls and other stuff dangling to put around it, and etc.

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They attend midnight masses where in it is a tradition of most, if not all, Filipinos. It usually starts on December 16 as early as 4 in the morning. And the last mass will be held on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of Jesus Christ. The last mass is called “Misa de Gallo.”

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After mass, they spend time with the whole family in a delightful midnight snack or also know as the Noche Bueana. It is where they eat and celebrate the festive all together as a family. During the celebration, it is a must to have the most famous food during Christmas such as the ham and the Queso de Bola. These two are the most suitable food during Christmas.

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On the day of Christmas, they give gifts that most of the time are expensive. These gifts can be found under the Christmas tree or inside the Christmas sock.

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But does these stuff really show the true essence of Christmas? 

For me Christmas is simple. You just have to spend time with the family. No gifts needed. All you need is Love, Happiness, and your Family. With the three components of Christmas, you will sure have a merry and wonderful Christmas to look forward to. 

With family comes loves.  

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With love comes happiness.

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 happiness is within family.

adrian

0 The Octagon

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What is UFC? It stands for the Ultimate Fighting Championship wherein mixed martial art is used in fighting. It is similar to wrestling but UFC is real. Compared to wrestling, this sport is brutal and is for real men. UFC fighters fight in octagon and are not just putting an act to make people believe or think that they are really fighting. What happens in the octagon is not scripted. This sport is not for the weak since this sport is full of bloodshed, real injuries like black eyes and others more. God knows what will happen to both fighters but for sure they will bring their A game to the test.

A fighter can win by 3 different kinds of decisions, submission, TKO and KO. By submission, the fighter should make his opponent tap out to his move. Submission moves are deadly that it can put one fighter in excruciating pain, put into sleep, or worse injure him. TKO, means technical knockout, happens when anyone stops the fight seeing that the opponent is done or cannot fight anymore. Knockout or KO is a big win. It happens when a fighter hits his opponent hard and makes him lying on the ring for a long time.

What makes this sport a “champion sport” is because when entering the octagon the fighters pay respect to each other. After 5 rounds of 5 mins each, the decision is made and whatever happened in the ring will stay in the ring and still respect each other after putting up a great fight.

Just like what happened last sunday (December 12,2010) a title match between George “Rush” St-Pierre and Josh Koscheck. 

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Josh was firing the hype up by making a fool out of GSP meanwhile GSP just didn’t even comment on it. They paid respect before the game but when the first bell rang, it was a fight. During the first round GSP made Josh’s eye bruised big-time. During the third round, josh’s crew told him to forfeit since he can only see with one eye and as a result affected his fight. With a will to put on a show in front of GSP’s hometown he didn’t give up. Round per round GSP was hitting the eye and it slowly bled. Until the bell of the last round rang, it was over. The fight between the two ended up hugging and congratulating one another. This sport shows the sportsmanship of the fighters and for me is the reason why this sport is GREAT.

adrian

0 Why BMW?

Why BMW?

The new 2011 Hyundai Equus is a full size high - end luxury car that serves as the flagship model of Hyundai Motor Company. The Hyundai Equus is the largest and most expensive sedan in the company’s lineup. This time, the company released a new version on a rear – wheel drive platform aimed to compete with the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S – Class, Audi A8, Lexus LS and many other luxury cars. But not even knowing what it’s got, why would you guys choose or if not most of you guys choose the BMW 7 series? Is it because of its wow-BMW-classy brand? Or is it really because of the specs and the performance of the car?

Let me start off by saying I would definitely choose the Hyundai Equus over the BMW 7 series. As for now, you wouldn’t get a Hyundai Equus to impress your classmates and barkada, but this should impress the potential owners, though. The 2011 Hyundai Equus has a powerful raging 4.6L V8 engine, three way climate control for cozy and comfortable ride, has a beverage cooler, navigation system, Bluetooth, Ipod input, Satellite radio, Side/curtain airbags, very good stability and traction control, and a DVD player! It’s exterior is the most luxurious. It includes 19’ wheels (chrome alloy wheels), variable intermittent rain sensing wipers, privacy glass, power sunshades for rear side windows and a powerglass sunroof. Many of these features are not part of the BMW 7 series. But not even knowing what these two cars have( the BMW and the Hyundai), let me ask you again, why BMW over Hyundai?

Most people prefer items or gadgets nowadays by the brand and not by the quality and performance of the product. People prefer to be more classy and rich looking. Again, why BMW?

Julius Lagman