“Away but never gone.”

Because I now have a friend who gives me free passes to movie premieres like what lovas Jean and Ayla do, I got this very sosyal-looking ticket to see Green Lantern at Power Plant tonight.

Disclaimer: I am not much of a comic fan.

Having said that, I can’t really compare if the movie producers did a hell of a good job adapting Hal Jordan’s story into the big screen. All I know is Ryan Reynolds is freaking gorgeous from head to toe! Thank you Martin Campbell that this movie required Reynolds to be topless or in tight fitting costumes. His hotness is just to die for! Not to mention that he is also witty. Yes, perfect guy.

Thought #2. Blake Lively does not look good as brunette. I think her hair color in this movie would suit me better (gahd, my vanity). With that hair color, plus a bit more tan and bronzer, she’d look like a thin Snooki. Speaking of thin, did you see her waist or what remains of it? Blake is so skinny, it’s not making her look good. Anyway, Ryan is good looking enough for the both of them.

Speaking of both of them, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively had chemistry, at least for me (kinilig ako eh). I was expecting a bland pairing since I read that they’d be pairing up for this film. Good thing, I guess.

Overall, I think the film was okay. I enjoyed watching it. It is worth-watching for its good special effects, shocking scenes and some kilig lines and again, Ryan Reynolds. My favorite part of movie was the last part when Hal Jordan (Reynolds) said to Carol Ferris (Lively), “My job requires a lot of travelling. I will be away most of the time. Away, but never gone.” Kinilig ako. Kthnxbye.

Though I think the story’s build up is slow and the final fight is too short. From the looks of it, there will definitely be a part two for this film. If that means more of Ryan Reynolds’ hotness, by all means go!

I’d like to thank Rachel for bringing me to this free screening. Until the next movie! Hahaha.

Time flies fast, indeed.

This is how my batchmates and I looked like around June of 2007…

Four years, 144 units and a whole lot of experiences later, this is how we look like now…

A lot has happened in between but I’m just so thankful and happy to have spent four amazing years with these people! Kami na ang nostalgic na we really have to re-create that first batch photo! :)) Anyway, I love these guys!

To the first batch na inabutan ng TOFI (Tuition and Other Fee Increase) sa UP Diliman and the last batch for the Broadcast Department’s old curriculum, good luck to us as we conquer the “real world”! Carpe diem! 🙂

Photos taken by Camille Ventura during our batch lunch last 8 April 2011. Fore more pictures, click here.

Lurlur sa Baler

Okay, the title is lame and this is a super late post.

My summer vacation kicked off with a two-day all-expenses paid stay at Bahia de Baler courtesy of Mr. Angelo Palmones. This trip is the reason why BC 196 (Crisis in Broadcasting) is always in demand among students, aside from the free lunches and the relatively easy uno. Usually, this is done every semester and students can bring plus ones, but this time, my class last semester were combined with this semester’s BC 196 class and plus ones were not allowed. Sayang kasi konti lang din ang nakasama kasi maraming seniors ang ipit sa thesis.

Since my other friends were among those who were stopped by thesis from joining this trip, I bonded with Audrey during this trip. Though our bonding started when we arrived at the resort already because she was asleep most of the 6.5-hour trip.

Kumpleto sya sa props.

Sa sobrang haba ng biyahe namin to Baler, dinaanan na ata namin ang lahat…

kapatagan...

kabundukan...

At anyong tubig.

When we arrived at Baler, nagkaroon ng agawan sa mga kwarto, but it was settled at the end. Say hello to my roomies (minus Audrey, JT and Rachel)!

 

With waves that big, hindi namin pinalampas ang mag-attempt mag-surfing! Some of my classmates and I braved the huge waves of Baler with a surfboard. Some of my classmates were successful na makatayo, samantalang ako… hanggang luhod lang tapos lulunurin na ako nang sunud-sunod na alon.

The "I-did-my-best-but-my-best-wasn't-good-enough" picture.

After the surfing session, sobrang sakit ng katawan ko and I knew it was bound to get worse (and I was right, I was paralyzed for almost two days because of it, but it was all worth it)!

We had an early dinner. We don’t have anything to do at around 8 in the evening. So my roomies scouted for a sari-sari store and bought some booze, and we had a room party. It was fun and when we got bored in our room, we transferred to another room to get buzzed. I will not elaborate on the goings-on, just fade up Katy Perry’s Last Friday Night. Hihihi.

The next day, despite body pains and hangovers, we had another disaster preparedness seminar. This time, it was about rescuing drowning people and survival swimming. Yes, the instructors made us swim across Baler’s strong waves. What is dagdag sakit ng katawan. But I did learn a lot.

After the seminar, we were free until lunch to do whatever we want. We left Bahia de Baler after lunch for a short tour, then we were homebound.

Actually, the “tour” was a 20-minute stop at this park overlooking the coastline of Baler. It was such a breath-taking sight and we couldn’t resist doing a photo shoot. :))

There were also some attempts to do “hipster” photos. You can see some of the pictures at Joxx’s Tumblr. He’s a new-found friend and our “official hipster” photographer.

It was as Rebecca Black would say it — fun, fun, fun, fun! It was a great way to finish college and start summer! 🙂

Since I found time to do a decent post…

I give myself three pats on the back for being able to finish all of my to-do lists for today relatively early. So here I am, making a post that does not contain a picture of me waving back at you.

So last Friday, amidst the mountains of requirements we still have to finish before we could march across the stage wearing white dresses (or barongs) and sablays, Rachel, Rix, Eunice and I took our the night off to watch an Up Dharma Down gig at Route 196. They were big fans of the band, while I, on the other hand, is the friend who tags along because she wants to destress and drink.

Side story: Arianne was supposed to be with us that night. But around 7:30 PM, she texted Rachel that her mom was at the airport all the way from Surigao for a surprise visit! Of course, families come first, so she had to miss the night out.

Anyway, we arrived at Route 196 at around 9:15-ish. I like the place. It’s small, cozy and very intimate. Though the waiters take forever before serving your orders. It’s actually perfect if you want to catch up with friends over good food, some drinks and better music.

The Obligatory Rachel-Alexis Picture of the Night

After a while, Chammy arrived alone. Apparently, she is Up Dharma Down’s number #1 fan! She just came to Route 196 for the sole reason of seeing the band! Saludo naman ako kay Chammy na talagang dinayo (well, not really, since she’s just from Katipunan) pa nya yung gig para lang mapanood sila. Fan talaga!

Sino ang feeling celebrity?

There were three bands that performed that night. First up was Not Another Boyband.

I'm liking the 'fro.

He's the bassist doing his thing in one corner.

I really do not understand what kind of music Not Another Boyband has. They have really good melodies but the singing is off-beat. Maybe they are not just my kind of music, but they were good. They were very good, actually. There was this one song where the vocalist was doing an adlib of the song’s lyrics. Not to mention, they’re very funny and animated. I enjoyed watching them, but I guess their music will take me a while before fully appreciating it.

Next band to play was Hidden Nikki. Now, they were my kind of music — a little pop, a little jazz. Their keyboardist have mad skills, so mad it made me regret stopping piano lessons. I really, really enjoyed their performance.

Finally, the reason why everyone was in Route 196 that night. The main act. The finale. Up Dharma Down.

Armi Millare. Vocalist.

With her voice and her legs, I was easily converted to being a fan. I’ve known the band for a long time already, and I’ve grown to like their music. But hearing them live is just plain awesome! Grabe. No words. Ang galing lang talaga nila. Not to mention na naka-relate din ako sa isa sa mga emo heartfelt song that they performed live.

I am actually considering watching them again live. Hope I’m free this weekend!

Hidden Nikki and Up Dharma Down will be performing at the Earth Hour gathering at the SM Mall of Asia on Saturday (March 26), 8:30 PM.

Proud “Momma”

There’s no better to way to start this blog than to share what I think is one of my greatest achievement so far.

(Note: This might get a little cheesy. But bear with me.)

Yesterday, UP MCO nominees for the next Executive Board presented their plans of action for next school year. I was so impressed that every nominee had a very clear vision for the organization once elected. But what touched me most is that I’ve seen how dedicated these “kids” are to MCO. Just like what Rachel said, “Umapaw ang pagmamahal sa org, nalunod ako”.

Having witnessed the growth of the younger ones since they were applicants, it just makes me so proud to see them standing in front of me and continuing (and improving) the paths me and my colleagues have paved. Seeing them with the same (or maybe even better) sense of the values and work ethic necessary to bring the organization forward and knowing that even in my small way, I have influenced them, ang pakiramdam ko kahapon, nakapagpatapos ako ng mga anak ng pag-aaral.

With their smiles, you wouldn't believe that moments ago, they were so stressed.

As I told the nominees the other day, I’ve never been more proud to be an MCOer than I am right now. I can’t wait for the election results to come out. Of course, I have my own bets, but I know whoever wins, UP MCO will be in good hands next school year.

GO MCO!