Know the Real hawOo...

Welcome to my very own blogspot. Well, enjoy!

Note:
All entries in this blog are not copy-pasted unless specified. It's what I think of them and I see of them. Any resemblance to any sites is not intended by the Administrator. Thank you.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The first link I posted here was slow songs. These are fast songs now. Just follow the same procedure.


I hope you'll enjoy the songs as much as I do. Thanks.
Another thing I'm thankful about YFC is that it taught me to sing songs for God. Songs that you don't usually hear when you decide to walk for a while around the town. Songs that you don't usually see in another's playlist. Songs that aren't just songs with worldly lyrics. Songs that are whole-heartedly devoted to our Almighty Father.

YFC also taught me how to worship God. With the songs I learned from it, we worship God. And every time we do so, extraordinary presence always sweeps around the place. It's God's presence and He's around to listen to His children praising His name. I always feel something different inside when I worship Him, as if some strong entity enters my body and takes control of my whole being. Whoah, what a feeling!

There are times when I feel so alone, so down, so depressed, I always seek for these songs. Listening to it calms my whole being, it subsides my worries, it strengthens my weakening courage, it gives me hope, and it reminds me ('coz sometimes I forget) that God is still with me.


This photo shows YFC's during worship. This was taken during the second day of batch 13's youth camp at five in the morning. Do I need to tell you? It's morning. That guy at the middle is Wilmar Sumalisid. A YFC from Catarman and was there to be a part of the service team. The guy raising his hand is, eherm, me. And ____________________________________ (I can't name the other people there, apologies).

Now, I would like to share to you some of the songs I've been telling you. But for now, It'll be slow songs first. Here's what you need to do:


1. Click on the link (or right click, then click open new tab or window). It will show another window, wait for it to load, and click "click here to start download".
2. It will automatically go to your downloader, and just wait for the download to finish.
3. The file is in .rar format. So you need to have Winrar to extract the files.
4. Right click on the downloaded file and click "Extract here". The files contained in the archive will be extracted in the same folder where the downloaded file is.
5. Enjoy!

Monday, February 21, 2011

The Heroes of my Youth Camp

This site will not be complete if I don't post something about my well-loved family. Well, that's apart from my biological family, of course. This is the family God has generously introduced to me: Youth for Christ.
For so many years, YFC never failed to enlighten me in every activity we had. It has always been and always will be the family I will be looking back to. This is the family I shared my whole life with. This is the family who always knows how to make me smile. This is the family who never failed to strengthen me and my faith when I feel so down, from the very first time I stepped into this family (during my youth camp), until now  (even though we don't see each other very often (kinda sad)). I have a lot of memories to share but I will start with the people I so love; the people who made me what I am today; the people who introduced me to God; the people who never failed to inspire me; the people who taught me the ways to serve God; the people who believed in me; the people who shared their life to me and to the rest of the YFC family; and the people who I will not forget and never be tired of saying "thank you" to.

Let's start with...


Quite a pose, eh. With matching "abaniko" fan. Not to mention the fashionable eyeglasses. And oh, is that a chopstick? There, at the back of her head. *<giggle>*

This is...do I need to introduce her to you? Oh, ok. For formality's sake, this is Ate Rhea Sauro, also known as, Angel R-7. Well, she really is an angel, no doubt about that. In my opinion, she is the best ate in the whole wide world! You could never, ever find anyone like her. I tell you why. 
I met her during my youth camp. That was in my third year in high school. At first glimpse, she, in my opinion, had a don't-make-any-unnecessary-noise-or-else kind of attitude. *<laugh>*. But I had proven otherwise when I got to share my life with her and became so close to each other. She was strict during the camp, but in the most right sense of the word. I could never forget her 'coz she made me cry at the very first reflection I had just after Kuya Mel's first talk. How I could I not when we were made to reflect on all the things we did (things that are not really that good). And she never failed to make me cry again and again as the camp progressed. *<sigh>*

If I were to describe her, 1 gazillion good things are not enough. She's a superwoman. Even beyond that, I think. Her devotion in serving God cannot be destroyed by any means possible. As I recall it, she once told me that this is her 7th life. Imagine that. She really is an angel!

She's my source of inspiration in serving God through YFC. And I am really grateful for entrusting me the responsibility of being a Household Head just after our Household Training. Though, I had hard times. And I owe her all the happiness and satisfaction I felt in serving God. Thank you ate Rhea.


Now, now. This is Ate Ellen Cabacang. How I could I ever forget her? She made me tremble during our camp. *<giggle>*. Well, I'm kinda afraid of her the first time I saw her and had had an encounter with her (we were kinda scolded during the team empowerment just before our baptism). And that was the first time the whole session room fell silent! She really knows magic. Hogwarts graduate, perhaps? 'Coz I really thought that it would be impossible for our batch to not make noise.
Nonetheless, she's still one of the people I will be saying thank you to. She may be strict, but I learned a lot from her. And let me add, she has an enchanting voice. You really will fall into nothingness when you hear her sing. You'll even forget who you are! I'll never forget her rendition of Ogie Alcasid's "Nandito Ako" during our first reflection. It made me cry 350,000 gallons of tears!


Don't know anything about those two at the back. But I really know this man in front. Kinda serious, eh. 

This is Kuya Radji Magloyuan. He, I think, was the head of the Music Ministry during our camp. Simple, he's always there when music is needed. He's a good singer, too. And together with his guitar, you really will sing out loud! Ate Ellen and Kuya Radji are partners, Kuya Radji on guitar while Ate Ellen sings. Thanks a million, Kuya.


What a big smile, huh. I think this was shot in a basketball stadium. Araneta, perhaps. The guy at the back is Kuya Radji. And the one in red T-shirt is Kuya Jaypee Magloyuan. They, somehow, share the same facial features, eh. Don't think about that too much. Their brothers.
Kuya Jaypee is one of my idols during the camp. He was our speaker during the 2nd talk: Who is Jesus Christ to Me. And a lot more after the camp. He introduced me to Jesus Christ. Of course, I knew who Jesus Christ is even before the camp. But he made me realize how much I don't know about Him. And that's why I'm so thankful.


Another big smile. And this time, from Kuya Mel Saluib. We are, of course, blood related. He's supposed to be my uncle. But that's awkward. Calling him uncle. So I stick with Kuya.
I want to thank this guy for a lot of things. First, he was our speaker during the first talk: God's Love and His Plans for Us. A great speaker. And a great leader. He also happened to be the camp's Head. See, that's how devoted he was. Second, I learned how to pray spontaneously through him. I always feel God's presence when he leads the prayer. But, of course, I do feel God's presence every time we pray. But there is something in him that intensifies God's presence for us to feel. Well, I can't really put that into words.

An inspiration. That's what he is. Not just to me but to all  leaders of this family. And he loves taking care of things. Aside from YFC, he's our Chapter Head then. By the way, he was also the SSG president at the same time. Now I know who he really is, he's Clark Kent's reincarnated form!


I hate to ask this, but, did Kris Aquino just passed by? She wasn't in focus. I like the place this photo was taken. It reminds me a lot of a place where chickens are attended to. A chicken pen? *<laughs>*

Anyway, this girl, now a woman, is none other than ate, *<drums drums drums>*, Reza Magdaraog. She's a comic relief! She laughs a lot. And, most of the time, we laugh with her. How could you not? She has 30 million tons of sense of humor! But despite this jolly appearance comes a great leader. She was our Chapter Leader that time, and the camp's leader during our youth camp. Quite a superwoman, too. You betcha.

Well, she also happened to be our speaker during the fifth talk. She's a good speaker, too. With her wit mixed with her sense of humor, you would hang on every word she'll say.


Before I introduce her, I would like to drink coffee first. What I mean is, I would like to extend my deepest longingness to that shirt she's wearing. I lost mine! That's a shame. I really love YFC shirts.
Now this ate of mine, is Ate Vanessa Ann Pernito. Ate Vanie, for short. A great leader, too. She said something to me that I'll never forget, "a leader: first to arrive, last to leave". Nice one there. She's fun to be with, but I guess she's sometimes shy. But I heard she shared a piece of her life during the Provincial Youth Conference in San Antonio. Wow! Something I haven't done yet. Awesome!


Oh my gosh! He's wearing Hogwarts robes. I envy him! Oh, he's not you say? Then what's he wearing? Oh, graduation gown. Thanks.

This is Kuya Kevin Cabatingan. He was my Facilitator during the camp. Well, he facilitated us with all he can. But with the group I had, I think he had hard times. Nonetheless, he is good. He taught us how things are done in YFC. We were innocents, man. And I'll not forget the first sharing we had, just after the first talk. I was asked to lead the prayer! Well, I led the prayer with the The Lord's Prayer. I don't know how to pray that time.


He's pointing at something. Reminds me of a controversial photoshoot along a highway in Manila. *<laugh>*. Oh, and that legs belong to Yvonne (also a YFC). I love that smile.

This is Jerson Al Castillo. The first one I didn't have to call Kuya or Ate. He's my batchmate. And to my great shock, he happened to be our Assistant Facilitator. Well, as the name says, he assisted Kuya Kevin on managing our group. Quite hard to handle, that's us. But they managed.
Anyway, I have to thank him, too. He's one of those people who stayed with YFC even after high school. And I would not forget that once in my life, this guy assisted me. Yeah, man! 

                           

What a nice shot. I particularly love the smile she got there. Oooh.
Jancee Ann Ortego's the name. She was part of the service team during our camp. She's my batchmate, too, by the way. But I never knew she had this great devotion to YFC. She knows how to hide things, eh.
I have to thank her, because if it weren't for her, I'll never be a YFC.
You see, we were, uhm, tricked into joining the youth camp. I never was interested in joining. I was just at the house the first day of the camp. Not even thinking about it when they came. Jancee and another one who will be introduced later. They told me that Leonel, Julius and other friends of mine were already at the camp. They asked me to join. I did not hesitate that time, I didn't want to be left behind. Not knowing, that at the same time, my friends were told that I, with the other friends of mine, was already at the camp. Nice plot, eh. And then we were shocked to see each other at the gate of the school. And just before entering, I promised not to cry! But I failed, of course.
I wasn't angry with that. In fact, I'm so much thankful!
Whoah, story-telling?*<laughs>*  


I don't know what's happening above, but she's staring at something above her. Probably, stars. I love that hair do. I always do. I hope all girls will do that.

Well, this is the girl Jancee was with when she went to our house. So, she receives equal amount of "thank you" from me.


Jan Jan Magloyuan. But I don't know the guy at the back.


Edd Julius Tortoles. What a shot. I hate to think about it, but is this taken inside a C.R.? Quite unique.


Leonel Gordo. I love that smile. And, gosh, I miss this guy. 


Louie Jay Congzon. Oh, I remember this. Just outside Jollibee Catarman. Nice!

These are the people I am with during the camp. There are a lot others, of course, but these were my closest friends. And these were the guys I mentioned just above. Oh, I miss them so much.
Nah, I'm here to thank them. And I'll sure do. Thanks, guys! You are all great! I will never forget you. And I'll never forget the moments we were together, especially during the camp, even though most of them are "kalokohan" (I don't know how to translate this). 


I also would like to thank Ate Ethel Magdaraog. Sadly, I don't have any picture of her. Anyway, she was the speaker of our 4th talk. Very useful. That's the time we were prepared for the baptism. She's funny. I never felt sleepy during her talk, even though that was quite late. I heard she recently passed the Nursing Licensure Examination. Congratulations and thank You!

Of course, I'll have to extend my sincerest gratitude to all the members of the service team. From the camp servants, facilatators, kitchen people (especially), sharers, singers (Music Ministry) to our Tito's and Tita's in Couples for Christ... thank you, thank you, thank you!

All right. Those were the people I'm so thankful with. There are others, of course (I'll  just give special post for the other people). But these were the HEROES OF MY YOUTH CAMP. These were the people, without whom, my youth camp wouldn't be perfect. These were the people I so love!

Wherever these guys are today, I'll never forget the day they, in one way or another, helped me become a good son of God. And I'll always look back to those days we were together. And if ever we met someday, I'll never stop saying "Thank you"!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Boracay For The Win!

One great moment in my life that I would never, ever forget. Me and my anak went to Boracay for a "SK related  thing". It was great. No, it was awesome. NO! It was magnificent! From the long beach, to the white sand, to comfortable hotel suites, to great variety of purchasable items and souvenirs, to the hippest disco bars (though we never went in), to the topless sun bathing foreign girl... it was all perfect!


Arriving at Boracay. Oh, this is your first glimpse of me. Now, you can truly compare us. Are we really father and daughter?


See that? That's my newly bought shades in Boracay. It cost me a fortune. But that's all right with me. I can manage. Unfortunately, the girl beside me is my anak. She has her shades, too. I think that came from Taiwan. Not really sure.


Taken at the hotel's lobby. That switch you see takes you to a very different world. I don't know where but I'm pretty sure it's outside of the Philippines. There's snow, man.


Along the beach in front of a coconut tree. And there is someone just above my anak's head. I wanted to know who it was. But I never had the chance.


At a very expensive tourist shopping center. As the sign says so. And I saw something weird here. A shirt and a shorts made of, how do you call it, katsa? *<laughs>*. And mind you, it sure is expensive. Something I don't want to recommend.


Nothing to say. Sorry.


I really wanted to mention a huge difference between us. But I managed to constrain myself. 


Our first lunch. Eat-all-you-can but I never ate all I can here. 


I am not sure what to call that brown thing just in front of me. But it does taste great. Try it. 


I always tell her that this is, by far, the best shot we had in Boracay. Why, because it shows half of me with face, and just half of my anak without her face. *<evil laugh>*


Wondering why we're not focused on the camera? Kris Aquino just passed by! Whoa.


I have stomachache there. Just look at the pain in my face. And my anak is happy about it. Bad girl!


This is the biggest crab I have ever seen in my entire life! Oh, you say this is not a crab? Uhmm, ok. So this is the biggest frog I have ever seen!


Our first swim. Well, after the swimming, actually. It always reminds of bringing someone with us. Just to take pictures as we do things there. *<sigh>*


I don't have any idea what that food is. But my anak sure likes it. Look at her.


Oh, we were kicked out from our hotel. That made us scavengers!


She's worried about something. And I just don't care.


And this one. This one. This one is my most favorite picture of her. Look how she tries hard to look sweet. Kinda a lot of effort there. But it's worth it. It caught my attention.

That's it. These are some of the pictures we shared during that trip. We had hundreds, though. But these caught my attention.

My Anak!

A brief history. We kinda have one. When it all started to be like this (and sometimes I regret it *<giggle>*). My anak's name is Menchie Angelique Ablig. I don't know why was she named like that. Because I really can't see the "angelique" in her. *<laughs>*

It all started through texting, like most love stories do. But ours was never a love story. Tragedy for me, kinda like that. I was 4th year in highschool back then. She wasn't born yet. Nah, just kidding. She was in 3rd year that time. I do not recall how on earth our communication started, it just did. How we arrived in Daddy-anak relationship is quite explainable. Just like the way you explain the relationship between Boyle's Law to Hess's Law.

It was because of a forsaken chain text. It says (paraphrased), "if I am to be someone other than a friend, what would I be?" There were choices given. Like mother, brother, daughter, girlfriend, etc. etc. And to my great astonishment, like I've been pushed to choose it, I replied with "daughter". And my reason was "you're delicious to be taken care of (masarap kang alagaan, eh)." But I have proven otherwise. She was not delicious! *<laughs>*

That was it. It all started with that. And it went stronger and stronger as time passed by. I wish it didn't, though. It would have been better if we just remained strangers to each other.

But, of course, she is one of those very few people I can trust my darkest secrets with. But not all, there's one she doesn't know yet. It's a secret only me and Nikky know. 


Yeah. That's her. The one with the blue shoulder bag. We just arrived at Bohol airport in this picture but obviously, I'm nowhere to be seen. I took the picture, if you really are looking for me. Look at her, just look at her. And tell me if it really is just for her to call me Daddy. Oh, not clear? Can't blame you, I took that picture 5 miles away.


This is her. Up close and personal. And don't ask me who the heck that guy is. I really don't have any idea. We were eating here. Island City Mall, I think. She sure does look pleased about something. Who knows what. 

I do have a lot of pictures of her in my album. And I'm gonna add some of the worst here. Just to entertain you (and her, of course).

Chatot: My 2nd Favorite Pokemon

Let me introduce you to my 2nd favorite Pokemon: Chatot. Quite unique, right? Especially the head. It's shaped like an eighth note. You probably learned that in your elementary. One thing I like about this Pokemon  is its ability to mimic human voice. It could be the only Pokemon who can talk human language. Except, of course, Team Rocket's Meowth. But that's one of  kind. All the other Meowths don't talk. While all Chatot can. Amazing, eh. I first met this in Pokemon Diamond. I Just met this in the wild. And I recently saw this Pokemon on "Pokemon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea" as The Phantom's pet Pokemon. Villainous character, eh. But that doesn't change my liking to it.  


A Chatot on its most formal self. 


An information. Chatot is the assistance of Wigglituff in "Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of  Time and Darkness", though, I never get to play one.


Is it just me or this Chatot is smiling?


A Chatot about to attack. And do I see Corphish at the back?


That's Officer Jenny. Nice shades.


I don't have any idea who that girl is.

That's that. That makes my favorite Pokemon to two. Wish to see more of it.

My Most Favorite Pokemon

 I usually don't use this Pokemon when playing Pokemon. I guess in games, hp, attack, defense, special attack, special defense and speed do matter a lot. And this particular Pokemon's low in every ground. I come to like it in the television episodes. Of course, there are hundreds of thousands of this Pokemon. But my favorite Pokemon happens to be Misty's least favorite one. Yeah, I think you're guessing it right. It's Psyduck. 


Quite far from my perspectives, but this is really my fave Pokemon. I guess "in every rule, there's an exemption" does apply with me. There's nothing really special about Psyduck. But I have to mention it has great powers in its head. Its a water type Pokemon but can really use psychic type attacks. And I guess a very good HM slave for it almost knows all HM except Fly. In the TV series, it always comes out of its pokeball even though Misty doesn't call it. It makes it a hobby to Misty's annoyance, and mine's great amusement. Well, I did mention it has great powers but this Pokemon doesn't know it has. Every time it uses its powers, it doesn't recall doing so. That's make it look puzzled. Quite disturbing, eh. 


I don't recall any episode having this scene but I'm 100 % sure that above Psyduck's head (with three distinct,  thick, black hair) is Misty. And to its left is Ash.


That's Meowth using Scratch attack and Bite attack to Psyduck. But the way I see it, it doesn't seem to bother Psyduck. Awesome!


Psyduck up-close and personal. Cute oblong eyes it has.


Oh, poor liitle Psyduck. Beaten by some bad Pokemon, I guess. 


Am I to understand that Psyduck is blushing? Infatuated, perhaps?


Psyduck relaxing. And it really is relaxing to see Psyduck relax. I kinda pity it for always looking worried.


Now I don't know which one is my favorite.


This is not a Chinese Psyduck. It's just sleeping?


That guy is Tracey, a pokemon sketcher, I think. That egg thing is Togepi. And the one holding Psyduck is Misty. It sure do look like Misty's bullying Psyduck. Bad Misty.

You may notice Psyduck always holding its head. Well, a very simple explanation for that, it always suffers from headache. But this headache's quite an asset, because when it intensifies, it starts using strange, yet, strong powers. Way to go, dude!