The Digital Public Remnants of Boris

Mistakes Can Also Be Beautiful

2011-07-24T14:38:00.001+03:00

Out of the 29 ways cited, I like the sixteenth one the most. You'll never know when your design or writing mistakes might be seen as a beautiful thing to some.

Game of Thrones on Strings

2011-07-18T07:36:00.002+03:00

Like my itay, I've been hooked on this series when it debuted on HBO some months ago. I'm not sure if I have tweeted about the show as much as I want to, but what I do know is that I haven't read the books mainly because I've heard that the pacing was deadly slow. Since I was itching to know what will happen next when the series ended its first run, I've opted to read some synopsis of the published books by friends with the same book disorder.

How lucky am I to have found a cover of Game of Thrones theme originally made by the German composer Ramin Djawadi?

Now, excuse me while I find ways to make this as my ringtone.

Nothing (Or No One) to Blame But Me - Part 2

2011-07-12T15:04:00.000+03:00

Wow. I managed to keep a backlog of drafts and none of them were published for a span of five months.

Just wow. How did I get so lazy with writing? Oh, let's count the ways, shall we?

First: I'm afraid that I would not be able to communicate exactly what I wanted to say. It's really easy to have lots of things to write about my wonderful life, but I do not trust my decision-making skills on what to post.

Two: There are a lot of times when I stare at my writing implement raring for my fingers to work their way into forming prose, but I just stare at it with immovable hands.

Three: I'm finding it hard to connect my ideas. Writing for me is like a puzzle that I have to piece together. Thanks to the Internet, my mind has been turned into this choppy tsunami of use(-ful? -less?) information.

I can give out many more reasons. In fact, I have tons of them stashed somewhere on my Google Notebook. But I don't think that rationalizing my absence will make me want to post more on my blog. I have to do it. I have to be a doer.

So today I make a promise to myself to live the ideal life that I wanted and to write about it creatively.

Wish me tons of luck.

Lights and Reflection

2011-01-02T10:44:00.000+03:00

I just realised that Manila's streets are very dimly lit. Light pollution is relatively low here than in other countries.

The lamp post made me realize that I should take a breather from this vacation and see the beauty of things.

P.S. If I take a vacation from my vacation, is it like Inception? :)

Morning Wood

2011-01-01T16:05:00.001+03:00

Visited my auntie at her new house on the new year and their street was pristine. The green scenery from our village is also a welcoming sight for the first day of the year and the filter from one of the apps from my Yui captured it albeit slightly.

Happy 2011!

2011-01-01T03:34:00.026+03:00

The streets are filled with smoke as numerous sparklers surround our hands. The noise of honking cars and blowing trumpets drives away past family dramas and heartaches. The dancing lights in the sky leaves everyone in awe. The bountiful food are wolfed down like crazy.

Yes, there's really nothing like welcoming the new year with my family here in Manila.

Mariah Covered. Literally.

2010-11-22T16:36:00.001+03:00

Went downtown two weeks ago to see if the local music store has the Mariah's second Christmas album and saw these instead.

This is not vandalism if I may add. The store owners just wanted to cover up Mariah's "exposed" parts because it's something people here cannot tolerate. It's in their culture.

Four Assumptions

2010-09-11T00:40:00.002+03:00

The other day my mum and I started clearing out the house in preparation for the fall/winter season here in the Kingdom. The coats and sweaters are now in arm's reach, the Christmas decors are placed somewhere that will remind us that we have to put it up, and numerous boxes are filled up with things required to be shipped home.

As I was rearranging my make-shift library, I saw a piece of paper stuck in my old red Moleskine. The note contained a list of "assumptions" that was given to me by an astrologer that told me a lot about my then future. Those four things, as far as my memory serves me, are my supposed guidelines on how to see the things and events that are bound to happen in my life. I want to share those "assumptions" here so it could serve some purpose to others as well.

I am excited about growing and becoming even more of who I am.
I let go of people and situations with ease and dignity.
Detachment is a form of objectivity that includes caring.
Every ending is an opportunity for something new to emerge.

I copied the statements on a sticky note and placed it strategically onto my vanity mirror so I will be reminded of them whenever I look at myself. Sometimes it really takes the most random of things to give you clarity and semblance amidst the ongoing chaos called life.

Dancing On My Own

2010-05-30T10:09:00.005+03:00

Robyn's still the queen of my heart. Can't wait for her first album this year.

Road Cloused ~ Dhahran Road

2010-05-29T23:03:00.000+03:00

A portion of the main highway fronting the office building has been a sight of men and machines for almost three months now. Not only did the underground tunneling project sent chock full of dust all over the air, it successfully gave me migraines due to its nonstop noise. My daily commute from our house to my workplace has also been affected; I have to leave earlier than usual just to accommodate the increased flow of traffic.

One day, when my cab has turned right to a full stop a couple of blocks away from my building, I saw an unusual sign.

Although I promised to never let out Mokona (my phone) out in the wild to take pictures, I just could resist taking a shot of it.

My mind was racing with thoughts like, "How, in the love of God, did you not see this all this time?" and other things along that line as I stepped out of the cab, felt the searing heat of the sun, and blissfully walked in to the air conditioned lobby of our building. Yes, the road is "closed" down but I'm also sure that an underground tunnel is not called a "bridge."

Another day, another wonderful discovery of how they ~~mis~~use the English language.

Nothing (Or No One) to Blame But Me

2010-04-08T00:42:00.000+03:00

I do not like it when I don’t put my thoughts down on paper or, in this case, typed away in my blog. I know deep inside me that there is a need for me to write and to produce more content for my blog, but life, oftentimes, gets in the way. I want to blame my business at work and other racketeering activities. There are also those challenges life throws in my way. It seems easier to point a finger at things than to actually pinpoint the problem. The problem, I hate to admit it though, was me. I have nothing to blame for my absence in the web but myself.

Once I read that the key to get things going is to inspire yourself. To do just that, I’m going to live life headstrong, and to write it gracefully as though the readers are reliving it themselves.

Google before you tweet.

2010-03-22T11:57:00.000+03:00

I love this poster from the ILT shop! I'd really like to buy this in a heartbeat (if only I'm filthy rich). And, everyone should hang this beside their computers, no? (Or even an iPhone wallpaper will probably do the trick!)

Daydreaming of The Alps

2010-03-19T14:28:00.000+03:00

People in the tropics have always dreamed of seeing snow. It's practically normal to want to experience something that does not naturally occur in your surroundings. Being part of that demographic, I'm guilty of such travel wet dreams.

With all the cursing I've been hearing from family and friends back home because of the hot summer weather, I hope this second part of a time-lapse film series by Michael Rissi will help them cool down even if it's only in their minds. [spotted]

Life Moves Fast. Don’t Miss a Thing.

2010-03-16T08:20:00.000+03:00

Mobile phones are a huge deal here in the office so imagine the stares I got when I got my new phone. In all honesty, I lusted for the Pre first before I even got this iPhone. After getting the latter, I now know why some people gripe about the lack of multitasking feature. The push feature doesn't really cut it. (And, please, Apple, let me delete a single missed call entry. It's so basic I know you can implement it on your next update.)

Although I'm somewhat happy with the features of my iPhone, I'm still rooting for the GSM version of the Pre Plus. Not because I'm a Palm baby or anything, I just think that their synergy feature is really great and I really miss having a physical keypad on a phone. I really can't wait to snag one when it's available in the kingdom. I know it'll be huge here even without the Arabic support.

I like Palm's newest ad below because it isn't about their phone at all; it's more about their platform.

The copy, too, is inspiring in some ways, don't you think?

The Lenten Sacrifice

2010-02-28T10:17:00.000+03:00

Today is the second Sunday of the Lenten Season. If only I were back in Manila, I would've proactively urged everyone to participate, even if our choral services are pushed back to the last Sunday of Lent (second Sunday of March), by, of course, hearing the mass. Gawd, I miss my choir. I miss singing too altogether!

Well, Lent actually started on Ash Wednesday, the 17th of February. I've been ranting on Twitter and Plurk as to how I could commemorate the event given the situation that I am in. See, I can only read the Gospel reading for that day and reflect on it, but there's nothing more I like than to hear the mass in the Aramco compound and participate with my brothers and sisters in Faith in the preparation for the Easter journey. Me and my family don't have anyone to sponsor our visit there so my dream of attending the Ash Wednesday mass is a bit far fetch. There's a definite communion with our Father and the rest of the Christian-dome as the priest puts a sign of the cross on your forehead using the ashes. It makes you fervently believe that you are one with the congregation on this Lenten season.

Alas, Fr. Jboy Gonzales, SJ, a Jesuit priest, told me over Twitter that God surely understands my situation and will forego my nonattendance to the Eucharistic celebration. It makes sense, actually, because God, for all I know, is a forgiving Father. But I couldn't rest my laurels on reading the scripture alone so I told myself that I'll do some sacrifices for Lent (and hopefully I'll do this every year):

No coffee or tea or any caffeine-laced drink.
No sodas, or keep it at a minimum of once a week (or if there's a viewing party at home).
No snacks, no seconds, no sweets — except on days that begin w/ d letter S. (Adapted from M. Pollan's Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual)
Lessen the use of atrocious words when speaking to or about someone whom I dislike.
No red meat on Fridays or any other day if possible.
Less channel surfing (TV/Internet) and more reading.

From the looks of it, my list is like a mix of diet policies and new year's resolutions. That'll do for now, and I bet I'll shed pounds over this season. *crosses fingers*

What are your sacrifices this Lent?

PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death and God

2010-02-24T13:57:00.000+03:00

from its Vimeo page:

You may find the brave voices captured in this short film haunting, shocking and humorous. In some of their faces you'll see joy, anguish and grace as they trust you with their confession.

I know this has already made its rounds in the interwebs for last year, but PostSecret has always fascinated me. I think I gave a secret to them before though I can't remember which one it is.

If I were interviewed for this short, you'd definitely fall for my grace and charm on the screen. ;P

The Qee to Cure Creative Block

2010-02-23T17:12:00.000+03:00

I've always wanted a Qee toy. It's this mouse-like blank toy that you can readily customize at your wish. I actually want it because I think I'm in a creative rut due to the technical writing I've been doing for the past few weeks. It's like my creative mojo has been sucked bone dry.

It's an expensive cure (costing around £34.00 here and it's already on sale) for my creative block, but there isn't a rule saying that you should scrimp on something you badly need.

Dust in the Wind by The Muppet's Beaker

2010-02-20T07:50:00.000+03:00

Awww. I love his rendition of Kansas' song (even if he's only "meep-ing"). If only those nasty YouTube users didn't bully him with comments, he would've finished a masterpiece. [spotted]

Coustumer ~ Ikea

2010-02-19T18:42:00.001+03:00

Ever wondered why the 2010 in-house catalogues at IKEA instantaneously had some wrappers/covers unlike last year?

Well, there's apparently a typo error on the sticker for the catalogues.

I think applying a new set of stickers with the correct spelling of the obvious would've cost them less than purchasing the covers.

Hopefully The Future of Magazines

2010-02-17T10:35:00.000+03:00

I have always been a fan of Wired Magazine. More than half a decade back, I've been going to BookSale to buy their back issues. I love the articles and the adverts inside it, reading them in between bathroom breaks. It's also a great design resource when it comes to page layouts and graphics. My friends have been borrowing my issues from time to time to get inspired.

I still buy their magazines now in Jarir Bookstore, but not back issues of course (because they're not available here); so suffice it is to say that I always go broke every month for their magazine. It doesn't cost that much, but still the pricing here for printed matter is pretty high for a cheapskate like me.

Now that they've recently unveiled their Reader app for tablets, I'll be happy to buy the electronic version rather than the hard copy provided that it'll cost way lower than the printed one. I swear the integrated editorial design of the electronic and printed versions are amazing in addition to the interactivity on some parts of the magazine.

Will it be gross if I say I have a digital hard-on right now?

T-Shirt War

2010-02-15T08:39:00.002+03:00

I needed a quick way to put a smile on my face and this amazing stop-motion video by the comedy duo (and life-long BFFs) Rhett&Link just did the trick.

[spotted]

Manila Broke.

2010-02-14T09:46:00.000+03:00

The New Year is supposed to be happy, but I'm not.

Whenever I come in the office, the barista immediately gives me my morning water in this tall mug.

But today, my old mug appeared before me.

I asked the barista, "Where is Manila?" I gave him a stern, nerve-wracking look that makes you want to piss in front of me, whimper, and call your mommy dearest.

He sheepishly told me that one of my officemates broke it.

Knowing I took Grace Under Pressure pill this morning from my mom's medicine cabinet, I calmed my forehead and smiled. Of course, I had to ask who. The barista told me who it was and how it happened, making out his Engrish as he told me every detail this morning.

I asked him to give me back my newly broken mug and these are the damages.

I can't quite pinpoint why, but this quote from Lord Bertrand Russell seems fitting at the moment: Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by education.

Foggy Morning

2010-02-13T08:34:00.000+03:00

Usually the sky is gloomy in the city only when sandstorms occur. This morning is a big surprise for me. Fog is everywhere!

The city has an eerie feeling today like an alien race is going to conquer over Earth. While everyone is hoping UFOs to descend from the fog, I am secretly hoping it rains mini chocolate bars later.

The Day Jollibee Disappointed Me

2010-02-07T12:38:00.000+03:00

Sometime last week, after debating much on a slight financial crisis, The Family went out to dinner. Since my parents knew I was so much into Jollibee since I was a kid, we decided to go to the Ramaniyah mall for some Langhap Sarap fix.

All the entrances of the mall was decored with this standee.

It was genuinely nice to see the red, happy bee here. It made me reminisce my childhood days eating the only Jollibee outlet in Novaliches Bayan then, the one near the Our Lady of Mercy Parish Church. We always go there when I throw tantrums after hearing mass. It's the only way to quiet me down.

The kid in me was excited that I hauled my mom immediately to the escalator, forgetting to say goodbye to my dad who was going to get a haircut first before joining us for dinner.

Disaster struck us as we entered the doors of Jollibee.

The lines! The lines were crazy long! We stood for like an hour just to have our orders taken. My dad already came back from the barber shop waiting for us and my mom and I are still talking to the cashier who initially refused us because we weren't "lining up" on the same line. All I can say is that it drove my mom crazy mad upon hearing that. It's safe to say that everyone else backed us up to the dismay of the bitchy food attendant.

We ordered the Chickenjoy bucket meal good for three people with chocolate sundaes and all. I also ordered a Jolly Spaghetti. To go. We can't possibly eat at the place since it was fully packed.

I didn't have the chance to take pictures of what we ordered. I was hungry already and my cognitive functions were already paralyzed.

Every thing tasted the same. It really did. What I didn't like though is that the crispylicious skins of the Chickenjoy in the bucket are missing. No, I didn't eat it along the way home. It was seriously nonexistent. When people got their in-house Chickenjoy orders at the mall, the skins in their Chickenjoys were intact. Ours really don't even have skins at all. That was the most gratifying part of eating Chickenjoy pa naman. Adding to insult, the gravy servings were a little small. It can be equated to two packets of ketchup per serving. They also charge you for an extra one. No way were we going to pay for the gravy.

The Jolly Spaghetti serving is big, unlike back home. I mean, the pasta noodles were overwhelmingly big but the sauce was so scarce that it didn't even covered most of the noodles. The sauce tasted the same except there was no ham and the hotdog used is probably beef.

Furthermore, the choco sundaes, though it still tasted awesome with every spoonful, the chocolate fudge fills half of the cup. I wanted mine with more vanilla ice cream than the fudge. How I wish I held back the fudge on the sundae. Jollibee's vanilla ice cream is the bestest there is from all the fast food restos in Manila. Wait, they started out as an ice cream parlor, right?

I had my fill of what Jollibee is here in Saudi and I'm really disappointed with how they handled everything. I'd probably visit the franchise next year after they figure out how to be efficient and effective. And fire that bitchy food attendant of yours, will you?

Jollibee is also available for bulk orders. They were giving out brochures and their paper-thin business cards to entertain us while waiting impatiently at the lines.

The Yellow Smiley Face

2010-02-02T11:51:00.000+03:00

Made by Constantin Popescu of Romania in 2008, this heartwarming comedy is about the trials of parents using a computer for the very first time in order for them to communicate with their son who's in America.

My parents were like this before. Thanks to me and my siblings, they are now techies too.

[spotted]

Finding the Asian-ness of Filipinos

2010-01-31T09:10:00.000+03:00

An interesting read about finding the Asian-ness of Filipinos from BakitWhy dot com, a portal for everything on the Filipino-American lifestyle.

But - I'm Not Chinese (Are Pilipinos Really Asian?) in Bakit Why

In the broad scope of things, maybe it really isn’t such a big issue that needs heavy debating. It doesn’t make sense for us either way, for our culture has never been defined on such terms - we are a people of many colors and cultures (you can see it just by eating our food) with a long history of colonial oppression and international relations to draw from (from Spain, to Japan, to the United States). What makes us special is that amidst all the cultural amalgamation and mixing we’ve experienced as a people, we’ve still managed to come out of it holding a very clear sense of Pilipino-ness that no drop of mixed blood, mixed look, or miscategorization can take away. All I know is that at the end of the day, when I hear that accent and those F’s become P’s, when I smell that spam crackling with a good lump of white rice waiting on the side, and when I see that magic mic set and ready for an onslaught of spit and high C’s, I know that I am surely Pilipino. Bubble in all else that apply.

iPad? iPass.

2010-01-30T13:39:00.001+03:00

I was updating my other Twitter account last Wednesday while preparing for a dinner party my parents are hosting when I chanced upon a tweet telling that any minute Apple would be unveiling their new product. I quickly grabbed my trusty netbook and browsed the live blogs of Engadget, Gizmodo, and the NY Times BITS blog to have my fill (and the feel) of the event.

I was gushing all the time as my browser tabs refreshed and guests came in. My dad, who was in the living room, went to where I was and asked what's the fuss. Apparently, I was making too many ooohs and aaahs that the guests might think I'm deranged for the night.

"Apple is unveiling a new product today and I'm reading it live," I told my dad to defend my honour. He asked in return, "Really? What is it?"

I told him that it's Apple's new tablet device then showed him the pictures.

"It's like our iPhones," my dad said, "in the size of the letter-sized paper by the looks of it."

That statement woke me up and brought me back to reality. I already have an iPhone so there's no need for the recently converted fanboy in me to gush over this nifty thing. Sure, the iPad is nice to have, but it's not a need-to-have-right-now device. There are a lot of things that my netbook can do that the iPad can't upon seeing its features. (Not to mention that it costs way less than the bottom of the line iPad.) It has potential, for sure, to grow on people (especially to haters) since it's just the first version of the device. The functionalities will add up soon and probably the fugly form factor will be altered too in its next life. I'll hold out my money for the second (or third) version of the iPad. Right now, the Apple fanboy in me won't be a blind one.

The only thing that I'm excited about is the keyboard dock for the iPad. I am fervently praying that it will also work with the iPhone. If it does not, I hope they (or some other company) will make a portable one for the iPhone, just like Palm's. (I miss the glory days of lugging my PDA and its keyboard to the halls of our library and typing away related literature for my thesis. Well, in my defense, I type faster than I write longhand.)

Genius is the ability to remember your childhood.

2010-01-29T13:58:00.001+03:00

I wasn't drawn to the drawing made by Chris Piascik; I was drawn to its message.

Indeed, not everyone can be a genius. I'm just glad I am.

[spotted]

Gelato

2010-01-27T13:06:00.001+03:00

Yesterday I whined and whined all night long for something sweet after dinner until my parents gave up and drove me to the mall.

Mom wanted a photo of her on the magnetized diagonal walkway.

Was aiming for donuts, but immediately saw the gelato stand. There were so many flavors to choose from! The shape of the gelato reminds me something that is better left unsaid, especially when someone's eating.

Got the smallest size which feeds like two people. Love it! ;)

It's so nice to be a brat sometimes.

Western Spaghetti

2010-01-24T10:17:00.000+03:00

It's so galing I can't stop watching it over and over.

Whoever did this got my now-missing imagination.

Winterize your skin

2010-01-23T14:52:00.001+03:00

My mom's amiga told her that Jeddah experienced rain and sandstorm last week which usually is the signal for the turning of the season here in the Middle East. Yesterday's hot and steamy road trip to hear the mass at the Aramco reinforced this news. However, this morning, the weather was back to being subzero. No, it's actually colder today than the previous week. I look like a homeless individual when I came into the office today. Lesson learned for me: never trust unconfirmed weather forecasts.

Since it's still cold, I'll share with you some of my winter skincare tips:

Keep skin hydrated. It's ideal to drink water to keep hydrated, but it's best to spritz it on your skin. Follow it up with a heavy moisturizer to keep the skin well supple. Remember that with humidity, it's not about the water you consume.
Showers should be warm, not scalding hot. Taking hot showers not only scald your skin (tee-hee), but it also draws moisture from your skin thus making it itchy.
When it comes with soaps, switch to moisturizing ones. I've read somewhere that you should always match your skincare products with the season, so do that. Liquid soaps, too, are more moisturizing than the solid, bar ones. Plus, it prevents soap scum because it's synthetic.
Wash your hair often. I promise you that your hair won't fill up the room. Also, invest in a good, rich conditioner to combat the frizzies.
Stay kissable with lip balms. I always reapply after drinking or eating (or putting something in my mouth). Don't miss a beat with this one. It's also ideal to have one with SPF.
If you feel that heavy lotions make you feel icky when applied during the day, slather them on your hands and feet at night before sleeping. To get best results, wear socks and gloves after applying.

Harry's Tales

2010-01-20T09:52:00.000+03:00

I heart these contemporary designs of Harry Potter book covers made by Michela Monterosso, a graphic design student from Milan, Italy. It's more mature than the ones we have right now and it would make my collection of HP paperbacks cooler than my friends'.

You can check out the more detailed editorial designs here.

Heart Umbrella

2010-01-19T08:20:00.000+03:00

I'm loving this Heart Umbrella from Art Lebedev. So perfect for Valentine's.

P.S. It's also available in twelve other colors.

Alma

2010-01-18T07:40:00.000+03:00

Alma — Pixar animator Rodrigo Blaas’ first short film as a director — is an award-winning animation that is lovely as it is downright creepy. It'll definitely spook you out, I swear! I myself kept on shouting at the protagonist when she entered the store.

Okay, so I won't give spoilers out but I suggest you watch the thrilling five-and-a-half minute short on full resolution, speakers cranked to the highest level (you'll adore the scoring done here), and the lights turned off.

[spotted]

Coca-Cola Avatar

2010-01-17T08:45:00.000+03:00

It's my first time seeing this amazing advert for the biggest softdrink manufacturer from a friend's Facebook page. I totally heart the avatars! Kawaii overload ito! Wish there's some goggles or spectacles I can wear to see people's online personas.

I also agree to its message that the most meaningful peer-to-peer connections happen face-to-face.

[spotted]

My nonexistent New Year goals.

2010-01-16T13:45:00.000+03:00

Rejoining the cubicle nation isn't as bad as it looks like in my daydream world. Everyone warmly welcomed me back with huge smiles and tight handshakes. The only thing I didn't like is how they discreetly commented on my new tan. (I easily get a tan even if I don't want to. This is probably the only thing I don't like when in the Philippines.) I gave out pasalubong to my colleagues and superiors like polvoron and dried mangoes, and they all loved it. It's a mini-fiesta in the office a while ago.

While catching up on my work email, I glanced at the new calendar and was kind of placed in a trance--it finally dawned in me that it's already 2010. Yikes! Usually, I spend days before (or after) the new year setting out outrageous goals for myself. Now, however, I feel like I've been living my initial days of the new year as a happy-go-lucky person. I don't like how this is going because it's so unlike me, but I'm kind of enjoying the idea of not having to pressure myself to do things within a time frame.

Nevertheless, I'll jot down some goals that I want to achieve for 2010 as soon as I do some self-reflection later. Right now, my concentration has a similar lifespan as that of a confetti bomb. Good luck with that.

Pre-Birthday Dinner

2009-12-27T15:24:00.000+03:00

My birthday fell on a Saturday which means I have work. But, days earlier, a friend treated me to a pre-birthday dinner at Ikea. There is this pamahiin (superstition) that you should not celebrate your birthday before your actual birthday because it shortens one's life. I want to shrug off the idea at first because I'm in a different country so I guess my cultural superstitions doesn't apply here. However, just to be on the safe side, I told my friend to never treat this dinner as a pre-birthday celebration.

Being cash-strapped employees, we just ordered these simple meals and ate them in the Bachelor section.

My friend had this meal combo from the Ikea Food section.

While, in the spirit of Filipino-ness, I ordered the spaghetti for kids.

And I also added my favorite chocolate chip cookie. It's so good I thought it was from Mrs. Fields except that it isn't as chewy as Mrs. Fields cookies, but still good nonetheless.

Before heading home, my friend got me an iTunes gift card for my birthday! Sweet! It's $50 in Apple credit. And because the pre-birthday superstition bothered me so much, I extended the superstition to the gift as well. How? I only used the card to top up my iTunes account on the morning of my birthday.

Well, so much for being a devout Catholic.

The TV Show

2009-12-27T09:17:00.000+03:00

Now that the interweb speed in the office makes you say "amazeballs", I can't stop watching videos online. There's this constant need for me to be amazed right now especially I'm anxious about going back to Pilipinas. It's not even a need, it's a requirement or else I'd explode from this reeling feeling.

The music video is just sick! Love the beats, too. ;)

[spotted]

Crazy Diamonds

2009-12-26T15:02:00.000+03:00

According to its YouTube page, it boasts that they did no camera tricks or special effects for this video.

Nosebleed, I say! Up until now I don't know how they did it. Stop motion, perhaps? Or just magnificent lighting effects?

Maligayang Pasko 2009

2009-12-24T22:37:00.001+03:00

Since this is my first Christmas in the kingdom, I'm totally missing out on all the simple pleasures of the season. My mind is filled with things like the love of my big family, the company of good friends, and the warmth of the Filipino people. I've been crying my eyes out whenever one of my family or friends call me on my phone to greet me, but I compose myself knowing that I'll be home to experience what I'm missing and to celebrate the coming of 2010 in a few days time.

May the warm, wonderful feelings brought about by the miracle called Christmas fill every part of your world with happy memories of hope and joy! Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!ü

Hey, kid! Happy 25!

2009-12-19T00:01:00.000+03:00

I've heard a lot of people say that age is just a number--a mere quantifiable figure that determines the years you've lived in this world. So even though I'm all by myself on this very special day of reflection, I'm happy celebrating another year being a big, jolly 12 year old.

Oh, and I finally get a valid excuse for my friends and family whenever I'm having a fit or a breakdown now that I'm officially 25. Quarter-life crisis, anyone?

ManU for You

2009-12-16T13:31:00.000+03:00

Saw this near the place where I'm having lunch these days. It was just a tad weird seeing this soccer ball being sold at a telecom store where phones and SIM packs are the usual suspects.

I immediately remembered a good friend who is a major football fan and I'm planning to give this for the Holidays (or as soon as I'm back home). In the event that I run out of money though, I'll give the snapshot in lieu of the real thing.

Microtrends: Are we all hipsters now?

2009-12-15T15:57:00.000+03:00

During college, we were forced to read and report on John Naisbitt's Megatrends. I'm not sour graping; it's too late for that. In all honesty, I'm totally grateful for having been introduced to the Megatrends concept, even if it's like two decades off the radar. It opened me to the little arena of predicting trends, which can be a great resource for business-minded individuals.

I actually wanted to purchase the small version of Microtrends months ago (priced at SAR 39) but something was a little off so I didn't continue. Sometime during the first week of this month, I went over to Jarir again after meeting the ex for brunch (and receiving an iTunes card as an early birthday gift) and then I saw that the bigger version of Microtrends is on sale--from SAR 79 to SAR 19. How absobloodylutely fraking great is that, huh? All I was thinking while handing out my crisp 20 riyals bill to the cashier is that Santa's giving me an early Christmas gift.

I read this whenever I'm in the trono (eew piece of info, sorry); and, sometimes, I read a chapter or two before going to sleep. I'm still far from halfway with the book but there are tons of questions popping up my mind as I held the book and read its chapters. For example, the most pressing one of all is this: If there are so many microtrends today that the distinction between them and the mainstream trends doesn't matter anymore, are we all capable of being hipsters now?

Can't wait to finish the book! *giddily whirls around*

Pota Spice ~ 6th Street, Al Akrabiya

2009-12-14T10:12:00.000+03:00

Saw this while walking the neighborhood looking for a place to buy dinner. Definitely "Pota" smile on my face.

Haha, ang lame ng joke. ;-P

Cheeseburger + Trampoline = Fun!

2009-12-10T18:31:00.000+03:00

Brock Davis' Cheeseburger on A Trampoline would be nice piece to do on a chalkboard wall, no?

A printed tee, of course, should be in order too.

[spotted]

For Sell ~ Parking Lot

2009-12-09T23:44:00.000+03:00

It was raining for days but today was a sunny but chilly one. After arriving safely in our premises, I saw something posted in a car as I'm heading to the lobby.

Yes, the car is For Sell. ;-D

Tekla - Ikea, Dhahran

2009-12-08T09:27:00.000+03:00

I went to Ikea yesterday to buy some inexpensive, all-cotton dish towels because I don't want to use the ones that my mom left. Caprice aside, I just also wanted to see the newly set up showrooms upstairs to get some decorganization inspiration.

I browsed the kitchen section to look for the dish towels but as soon as I saw the item's "Ikea name", I stopped at my tracks and my jaws dropped in full awe.

I heart Ikea more for splitting my sides yesterday. This store never fails to amaze me every single visit.

Lost with The Lost Symbol

2009-12-07T07:22:00.000+03:00

I wanted to buy the latest book by Dan Brown, but which cover of The Lost Symbol should I buy?

Treats from Jordan!

2009-12-06T20:18:00.002+03:00

For the holidays, one of my co-workers went home to Jordan. As soon as he arrived, he placed this transparent tray on top of my desk and told me to tell everyone to get one when they pass me by.

I asked him what it was and he said that even he didn't know. So naturally, I got one so I could check out what the pasalubong is.

It's a cookie! A fat, fat cookie in which I don't know what the filling is.

The second I took a bite, I was in heaven. The exterior was sorta between uraro/puto seko and a muffin while the filling is a mix of custard and pistachio. Yum-oh!

I didn't have breakfast that morning and, being in that sorry state, I grabbed a few (okay, a quarter of it) to keep me going for the first half of the grueling day.

Can someone identify this pastry for me? I really, really do like it. I think I've had this when I was a kid here in the kingdom.

LOLness in Bold Italic

2009-12-06T10:59:00.000+03:00

Those who love to kern knows that this homage is absolutely a nerdy (and hilarious) treat.

If you want this Lady Gaga-inspired earworm, you can download it here for free.

[spotted]

Hindi Masama Ang Mangarap

2009-12-05T08:53:00.000+03:00

Don't you just wish these are the only things you have to do in the office every single day? ;P

Why Artists See Their Work As Extensions of Themselves

2009-12-02T09:38:00.000+03:00

I needed an affirmation. ;-)
[spotted]

Braving Winter with Fingerless Gloves

2009-12-01T08:14:00.000+03:00

When I started working again as an expatriate this year, I braved the winter season without sporting any gloves or mittens to protect my hands. Pretty brave, huh? You'll even be surprised that I didn't even have a scarf and ear muffs to protect my neck and ears against the harsh, cold weather. I just donned a jacket (knitted or leather) and I think I'm all set. Although I always get this throbbing headache whenever I subject myself to the dropping temperatures outside. The coldness took a toll on me then, I guess. I won't let it happen again this time.

Now that the days are getting colder and colder than the previous (with the temperature dropping by three degrees each and every day), I decided to buy a set of black knitted gloves from Topshop. I didn't want the one from Marks & Spencer's because it was tacky looking. Besides, I don't want to get caught wearing the same gloves as my brother's! Ayokong matawag ulit kaming kambal.

My most pressing problem, however, is how I could operate my phones without removing my gloves. Have you tried using your phone while wearing gloves or mittens? Yeah, I know. It sucks big time. I can do this tutorial with the gloves I have right now but it'll be troublesome to find the required materials and I'm the weather makes me too lazy to execute it. Instead, I went to the mall during the Eid holidays to buy me some fingerless gloves.

I spotted these cashmere fingerless gloves over at Koton (a Turkish brand, btw), and I instantly fell in love with it. It's cheap for SAR 35 (roughly Php 440) and, because of its neutral color (it's like a darker ash), I can easily incorporate them into my current office wardrobe.

It's really perfect for operating my phones in the cold — it gives me that warmth I need in my hands without sacrificing practicality and style.

The Sweet Prelude of November

2009-11-30T00:32:00.000+03:00

Writing things that I’m grateful for this month is a little tricky. Let me explain why. There are a lot of things that has transpired over the quick days of November. It felt as though the days sped away like a mouse being chased after by a hungry cat.

Speaking of mouse (which, I am eastern zodiacally speaking), I am slowly inching my way into the rat race. Although it might seem a little bit off because of the disparity between the days, I mean, it’s nearly a year that I’ve gone corporate again, but I’m slowly beginning the burn of the race. Like, I have to prove something to myself. It’s the birthday month in December and it’ll be my silver birthday. It’s a great time for me to be a douche and excuse myself by stating that I’m having a midlife crisis when things don’t go my way. But I know myself better. I have to go up that imaginary corporate ladder and seize the moment. This is why I’m thankful for having a very understanding senior and I just wish my papers would be processed quickly in the coming days.

I also have to admit that buying a new gadget has its pros and cons, and I’m thankful that I literally saved up almost a year (plus another year of starving of on honorariums and freelance gigs) before I decided to buy a new phone. I’m just so grateful that I have learned the value of stalling for big purchases, saving up for it, and finally letting go of that money to see yourself rewarded and insanely in-like with your new shiny toy.

My dad, who won a stereo set in their annual company dinner early this month, gave me the set. I didn’t want it at first because it all started out as a joke. One of my titos asked me who among my dad’s kids will “inherit” the stereo set which my dad recently won then, and I joked that it’s natural for my dad to give it to me because he can’t give it to my other siblings due to geophysical constraints. My dad thought I was dead serious, but during the day that he hauled it over to my room, I told him that I only said it because I can’t think of anything else to say. I felt selfish as I was staring at the box. My mom, however, said that I should just be thankful that I was the one who received it and then went on and on about how it would be nicer that I should have it. And I am grateful that my father chose me instead of other siblings. I just hope they don’t read this part.

Another thing I am majorly grateful for this November is the fact that I have gone to hear my first mass in Aramco. It should’ve been an unlimited engagement according to one of my titos but since my parents are back home to enjoy the holidays, that mass is probably my last one for this year. I made namnam of every moment I was there in the compound. I couldn’t take pictures of the venue pre- or post-Eucharistic celebration so I just bathe in the glowing power of the Words (and the choir! I'm so negotiating to be a part of it) and diligently took mental pictures and juxtapose them from my memories since my last visit to the place in 2005. A lot has indeed changed since then but if there’s one thing that I still liked about hearing mass in Aramco is that it’s the most civilized mass I’ve ever been into. I swear by next year I’m going to do a comparison on how they do things here and over there in Pilipinas.

Since it’s also the last day of the Eid holidays, I’m grateful for this brief vacation because I had more time spent with my parents before they left the country. I never knew that going home could be such a harried experience! We have to box this, buy this, and arrange this and that. It was on the borderline between nightmare and sweet (I know, they don’t mix at all) but I’m just thankful for my mom showing me the ropes on how to cleverly arrange the pasalubongs in the box and how to tie the rope around the box so it has handles that won’t rip your hands off as you carry it.

I have to admit that living in another country alone is scary. I’m just thankful my parents have prepared me mentally and emotionally for this because it’s bound to happen eventually. It’s only been two days since they’re back home and I’m learning more than I could possibly can.

Here’s to November, the prelude to the wonderful, concluding month of December.

I'll be doing this Tenchu (that's my baby talk for 'thank you') posts at the end of every month to chronicle the things I am grateful for. Count those blessings! ;)

Bohemian Rhapsody by The Muppets

2009-11-29T20:27:00.000+03:00

Me likey! 70 Muppets and a monster song equals a friggin' awesome pick-me-up video at the end of a tiring day.

[spotted]

The September Issue

2009-11-29T16:52:00.000+03:00

What font should you use for the documentary about a fashion magazine? Of course, a stylish and chic one!

At first look I thought it was Jubilat, but I can feel it on my bones that it's definitely the elegance exuded by H&FJ's Archer.

I love, love, love the font! Oh, did I mention I love it? I am so saving up for this one. It's kinda above my purchasing level right now.

I liked The September Issue for showing how Vogue, the magazine, does its much glorified issue. I have to admit that I didn't like the idea of watching it at first because the media was ogling at Anna Wintour, EIC and so-called "face" of the magazine.

After finishing it though, I absolutely fell in like with Grace Coddington, the magazine's creative director. It's such a darling to see how she works. I find her to be an epitome of grace under pressure, much like an unsung hero too if you look at her work.

No Entery - Prince Mushin Road

2009-11-28T23:05:00.000+03:00

I was on my way with my family to our very first mass for this year (and the last, probably) inside the Aramco compound. As the stoplight hit red on the corner, my parents saw the traffic sign and it says, "No Entery."

We couldn't figure out why they even misspell the word Enter, but I'm guessing it helps with the pronunciation.

My iTechia Experience

2009-11-25T18:35:00.000+03:00

I finally gave in and decided to buy a new phone. I didn't upgrade for nearly two years personally believing that the my old phone can do much of what my new phone can do sans the wireless Internet connection. But connecting with people especially that I'll be lonely in the coming days is a pressing matter to be dealt with. So after toying with my new phone for the past weeks, I've decided to protect it before having it "fondled" by everyone else outside my personal bubble.

I went to iTechia, an Apple (and other Apple-related brands) authorized reseller in Jarir Plaza, to have me and my dad's naked phones protected. I chose iTechia because of their minimalistic and warmly lit store in addition to having the products not password-locked so you can test them unlike some reseller stores. The store is just really inviting and engaging at the same time. Trivia: the owner of the store and the Mobily (the network) are cousins.

I asked the kabayan store attendant (who, by the way, is an Apple Certified salesman/engineer from Singapore) about the ScreenGuardz for me and my dad's phone. It came as a surprise that they can install the screen protector on our iPhones for free! I agreed and the attendant, Kuya Ryan, conveniently tells me the benefits of the product including the step-by-step process he's doing with the installation of the screen protectors. The latter was because there's a spare set of screen protectors for each of the boxes I purchased. While waiting for the solution applied on the screen protectors to dry out a bit (it takes more than 24 hours daw eh), we talked a lot about the consumer habits of the natives, their receptiveness to technology and, of course, the horror sales stories.

To also ensure maximum protection (and as a form of appreciation to the impeccable service), I purchased two hard cases for me and my dad. I chose a black one for my dad's iPhone. As for me, I bought a red iSkinz Solo FX case for my beautiful Mokona (so my Akazukin Cha-Cha wouldn't feel neglected) as seen below.

My dad naman thanked me for giving him the free case and screen protector since he'll be cash-strapped because of their holiday trip back home. (Aminin natin, mahal mag-Pasko sa atin). I actually did it to save me from teaching him the ways of the iPhone but it seems I can't get out of it even if the user interface is intuitive and that I printed him the whole user guide because the thought of staring at the screen reading PDFs tick him off. Now, I'm left with the task of inputting all of his contacts manually. One. By. One.

Adventure: A Coloring Book for Adults

2009-11-24T11:44:00.002+03:00

I love coloring books since I was a little tot. Heaven it is for me to smell crayons freshly taken out of the box, to flip through numerous pages seeing images saying, "Kuloran mo na kasi kami," and to see how your colour palette scheming skills are improving. Yes, those were the days alright. Nowadays (no, actually make that this year), I haven't got around buying one to satiate my longing for crayons on paper. I miss my crayons, too. Kahit upod na ang mga 'yon, at kahit bagay lang sila, tinuturing ko silang mga malalapit na kaibigan.

I'm so wishing the local chain of bookstores here can bring this exciting new colouring book over here. Not that they don't have colouring books over here (they do, but I think it's time I grow up from balloons, clouds, and the sun to Greek gods and goddesses, di ba?); it's mainly because I'm afraid of purchasing over the Internet with my credit card. I've heard of horror stories of accounts being hacked that it makes me shiver at the sight of the words Checkout or Add to Cart on websites.

The Adventure coloring book features 42 artists from the Threadless Alumni so you'll be sure that the images are insanely illustrated!

If any of you has a golden heart (you know who you, guys, are), you may do so here. I'll make sure you have the first ever peek at my colouring job if you buy me one.

[spotted]

I am so not expensive!

2009-11-23T10:59:00.002+03:00

This comic strip totally captures why freelancers are paid higher than the usual.

For more of Freelance Freedom, head over here.

[spotted]

Keep Clean This Area - Just Outside My House, Khobar

2009-11-23T07:27:00.000+03:00

It's obvious that I'm kind of oblivious to my own surroundings because I just saw this beside my house this morning.

The hierarchy of the morphemes are downright wrong, and is probably the reason why the area isn't litter free. I asked my one of my neighbors after the morning prayers as to who did the signage for the area. According to him, it was not a kabayan if that's what I'm ultimately worrying about. Right then and there, I let out a huge sigh of relief.

Oh, hey, Congratumalations pala, Efren. Thank You, Manny, and the rest of the expatriates for making the Pinoys back home damn proud everyday.

Whatever Clock

2009-11-22T12:04:00.000+03:00

It's expensive for a clock made from cork, but seeing the lovely, witty message printed on its surface of my every waking day makes the $99.99 tag worth it.

Can someone please hurry up with the DIY version of this?

[via]

Zombie Refusal

2009-11-22T08:50:00.000+03:00

Even if the toxicity is high, I'm just thankful I have no dull moments at work.

I seriously have to find a way to break some of the monotony though because having fun with the fishbowl effect of a video camera would be kind of awkward especially if there are people around you.

Visual Guide to the Apostrophe

2009-11-21T13:04:00.001+03:00

Unnerving it is to admit but some of us English language users still have a hard time figuring out the apostrophe.

It's a good thing Matthew Inman came up with a visual guide on how to use an apostrophe. It is a lovely resource with all the illustrations and muted colors, but I'm loving the last cautionary advice for everyone.

Piggybacking on the idea, I think it would be nice if we do something with txtspeak, right?

SIGNS

2009-11-18T08:02:00.000+03:00

I have a soft spot for shorts, especially one with a real story to tell. This short film about the essence of communication is one of the 2009 Cannes Lions winners and made me believe in something I thought has died.

Don't you think the scoring is magnificently done? Kudos to whoever did it.

Butterfingers No More!

2009-11-16T08:29:00.000+03:00

I've been itching myself to buy a digital SLR so I can really go full speed with my photography plans. Aside from the lack of financing my plan due to a recent toy splurge I've been toying around for days which kept me away from my online activities, I have this knack of dropping my things accidentally. I guess that's what we call "clumsy".

Imagine my delight when I saw this tutorial for a do-it-yourself camera handstrap over at Photojojo!

So chica, no? I would love to do one in orange or purple. We should all go make one! And, it's a cute li'l gift you can give to friends who are DSLR users too!

[image via]

A Week of No Interwebs Makes Bouie Buy More

2009-11-11T07:53:00.000+03:00

A whole work week of no interwebs connection (not even intranet) could drive the knowledge worker in you crazy. A little trip to my favorite Japanese store is always a good pick-me-upper. I had the ex drop me off there so I have someone to talk to along the way there.

Browsed the store for over an hour and filled my little basket with these things:

A cute head of a bear which is actually a milk tooth box. It's kinda gross if you use it as a repository of your milk tooth (or even teeth!) but you can also use it as a trinket box.

The box out of its packaging. The bear makes you smile, no?

The head detached from the neck (or is it the stunted body?).

A dirt cheap stainless card case. Most card cases I saw on bookstores where a bit expensive so I got this one.

I'm not using it for my business cards but to use as an extra storage for my secret stash of extra cash.

Speaking of card cases, here's another one:

I'm not sure what size of your normal, everyday business cards can fit in this case but I guess it's for those "social" cards you give to friends and acquaintances during gatherings and reunions.

I heart the print for this case. I'm still not sure what I'm gonna use it for. Yet.

I picked up these stickers on the aisle where they were placed. It is so not obvious that I love anything with teddy bears (or anything that resembles an adorable furry creature). Print one of it on your product packaging and I'm already a sure buyer. Just one of my weird favorite habits.

I find the colors of these character adhesion memos cute. I'm using the green now in my office.

I'm using the small ones as the marker for my time card while the big ones are for the things in my workspace.

I'm not sure what these handicrafts were for, or what they are made of, but they're cute right? Sshhh... I secretly blush whenever I see an ampersand.

How cute are these Bs? It's a great gift tag for friends, no?

How adorable are these stamps? It's okay for me to do stamping all day long as long as I'm using these.

The stamps out of their packaging. I really, really love doodles like these.

I found a cheap alternative to the Thumbthing! They're called Page Stoppers.

They only come in just one size unlike the Thumbthing. They also have smaller "wings".

It fits perfectly! Woot!

I'm so glad things at Daiso are cheap because I can't go broke for now.

The Lighthouse Keeper

2009-11-10T15:11:00.000+03:00

The story seems to be incomplete with the inadequate linking of the characters but it sure is one fine, dandy animation. The lighting for this one, in addition, is stunning for a student-produced project.

Makes me miss the swarm of alitaptap (fireflies) that crazily hovers over my windows when its about to rain.

[spotted]

Something Borrowed?

2009-11-09T13:20:00.002+03:00

It's relatively okay to be inspired by brands and consolidate it with yours. Design and writing, I believe, are always a reincarnation of the past things made like a beautiful paraphrase of a thought or an image. Sometimes, however, you have to point out the obviously plagiarised from the truly inspired.

When I saw the old and new logos of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (or Telkom) over at Brand New, I have this inkling feeling that they are so "inspired" by the logos of the two top telecoms in the Philippines.

With Telkom's old logo, it looks like an amalgamation of Globe and Smart's old identities.

You can see Globe's "globe" with an addition of disarrayed and horizontally flipped lines of Smart's. The only added factor for difference is the gradient color of the circle.

And now, with Telkom's relaunch under the brand positioning of "Life Confident", their new logo sorta gives off the vibe that it was strongly infuenced by Globe's "Globe Life" logo.

What's more surprising is that Telkom's new tag line "The World is in Your Hand" is a play of Globe's tagline Abot Mo Ang Mundo or, if translated from Filipino to English, "The World is within Your Reach".

What saved it from screaming copycat is the workaround with the typography. Globe uses a bold italics of Myriad Pro while Telkom uses Gotham Rounded.

Just stating the obvious.

All logos are owned and copyrighted by the respective companies.

Work Hard & Be Nice

2009-11-07T07:17:00.000+03:00

Work Hard & Be Nice to People by Anthony Burrill.

A nice letterpress poster to kick off my workweek. Woot! Would love to hang this one out in my wall as a friendly reminder to my colleagues.

The Christmas Star

2009-11-06T17:12:00.000+03:00

Cried buckets when I saw this Christmas Station ID at TFC. The music done is really catchy with its slow jam, RnB mood but the lyrics was so piercing that it's the only Station ID made me cry yet. Most station IDs I've seen made me feel giddy and proud while others are so ho-hum that my eyes can't stop rolling over and over. This is the first for me.

The ABS-CBN 2009 Christmas Station ID

A little blue bird told me that the song was written by ABS-CBN Creative Communication Management Head, Robert Labayen, and the music was done by Marcus and Amber Davis. Here's the lyrics in case you want to sing along.

STAR NG PASKO

Kung kailan pinakamadilim
Ang mga tala ay mas nagniningning
Gaano man kakapal ang ulap
Sa likod nito ay may liwanag

Ang liwanag na ito
Nasa ‘ting lahat
Mas sinag ang bawat pusong bukas
Sa init ng mga yakap
Maghihilom ang lahat ng sugat

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Tayo ang ilaw sa madilim na daan
Pagkakapit bisig ngayon higpitan
Dumaan man sa malakas na alon
Lahat tayo’s makakaahon

Ang liwanag na ito
Nasa ‘ting lahat
Mas sinag ang bawat pusong bukas
Sa init ng mga yakap
Maghihilom ang lahat ng sugat

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Kikislap ang pag-asa
Kahit kanino man
Dahil ikaw Bro, dahil ikaw Bro
Dahil ikaw Bro
Ang star ng pasko

Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Dahil ikaw Bro, dahil ikaw Bro
Dahil ikaw Bro
Ang star ng pasko!

The Recording Session

Saka, Bro, sana matupad ang kahilingan kong makasama ang buong pamilya ko sa Pilipinas ngayong Pasko.

[spotted here and here ]

Hindi Ka Nag-IIsa

2009-11-05T14:45:00.000+03:00

I shared this over at Plurk days ago. My parents, both of which wanted Noynoy to win in the Presidential elections next year, said it gave them goosebumps.

I love almost everything about the video, actually; however, the most disturbing parts of the video are: the singer shrieking loudly at the ending (they could've faded that part out) and Noynoy's protruding stomach. Those just stick out like a sore thumb.

Saving on Ink

2009-11-04T09:33:00.000+03:00

Businesses nowadays are trying their best to go "green". Even in the richly supplied offices of Saudi Arabia, most companies are engaging their employees and partners to join the green revolution. For example, Saudi Aramco has asked us months ago to send them our invoices electronically in order to save on paper, ink, and as well as time and the carbon footprint for going to and from the offices.

In contrast with the supplies-strapped offices back home, we employees are trained to be efficient with almost everything in the office like turning off the lights and the computer monitors when not in use or use the back pages of photocopied materials when printing drafts among others. I am happy to say that I'm still continuing some of these things here; it's like a forced habit already.

Spranq, a creative communications agency from The Netherlands, is taking the green revolution to another level. They have revised an Open Source type, Vera Sans, by punching holes in it. Their creation is called Ecofont and it promises to consume 20% less of your normal ink usage. Because of their efforts, they are now nominated in the Accenture Innovation Awards 2009.

Personally, I use fonts that are "light" in terms of font weight (or the thickness of the character relative to their height). I use Helvetica 45 Light as my "normal" font, and, instead of clicking on the "bold" function, I use the Helvetica 55 Roman as an alternative. (Helvetica... *drools*)

Aside from using "light" fonts, I also print drafts in 50-60% gray. The final ones, on the other hand, is in 85% grey so that the black ink of my CMYK printer would have a longer printing life than the usual.

What are the simple ways you do to help out in saving the environment through your organization/company?

Spotted: Borris Rug

2009-11-03T10:44:00.001+03:00

Most people back home never fails to misspell my name like that of the rug I bought in Ikea the other day. (A best-selling rug, by the way.) The misspelling crime has been going on for ages that I refuse to talk or to cooperate with someone who misspells my name even though I've already told them that it's spelled with a single R.

Please respect my name's singulaRity.

A Minimalist Nativity Set

2009-11-02T13:11:00.000+03:00

As a Catholic living in a country that restricts public practicing of religions aside from Islam (they do even if they say they don't), this handcrafted modern nativity set by Berlin-based artist Oliver Fabel would probably help me celebrate the upcoming holidays with some discretion.

[spotted]

Entrepreneurs can change the world.

2009-11-02T07:51:00.000+03:00

This gave me that little inspiration (or should I say major push) I need to pursue my plans for social (and, let's not forget, sustainable) entrepreneurship.

Now, where did I put my idea bank?

The Lazy Worm Misses The Bird

2009-11-01T08:13:00.000+03:00

I always knew there's a benefit for being a bum. This poster by Steven Silverwood truly worships that concept.

If you think that laziness is the new hotness, let's wait for this to become an official uniform so we can all wear it proudly. Bums and wannabes, volt-in! ;-D

[spotted]

A Boo and An Eep for Halloween!

2009-10-31T12:42:00.001+03:00

What does Halloween mean to you? For me, it usually entails an overnight party filled with tons of snacks, frightening stories and urban legends, pranks that turn your pikon on, and just a great time laughing out with friends from the village.

I miss our little honimi alowin ithmetnyal every year. I'm not pretty sure if they celebrate it here in the kingdom so I'm sulking badly because of the lack of decorations.

Here's something I just drew on a sticky as I'm remembering the village tradition:

The sticky is currently posted proudly in my board in the office. Seeing it cheers me up with a hearty chuckle. ;-)

October Showered Me with Love

2009-10-31T07:08:00.001+03:00

They say that when you give something freely, it comes back to you in ten-folds. I've witnessed this quite a few times this month. My family has been winning these prizes out of nowhere and I have this really strong feeling that it is connected with us giving away things wholeheartedly.

I'm thankful to still have friends who show me my true worth in their lives. I also felt their sincerity and their unwavering support to still connect with me even if I'm far away. It warms the almost icy heart I have developed for months now.

I'm also very grateful to have relearned the value of not saying anything during times that requires silence.

Being the only child of my parents that stays with them here in the kingdom, that automatically makes me the bunso, or the unico hijo if you will. I'm missing my brothers and sisters back home and I'm thankful that I always have an opportunity to be a kuya to my alagas as well as help them become more in tune with their education and some important facets of puberty.

The waxing and the waning of the moon has always signified changes in a person's life as it can be seen in literature dated centuries before I was even born. It was on the eve of the reddish full moon that I receive a good news regarding my career. It'll certainly be put on hold for now, but I'm still thankful to be part of something more.

I'm happy that my loyalty to a certain brand of wristwatches payed off.

I'm very fortunate for having donated something to my favoritest charity--me. It was a long time since I bought something expensive for myself. I have always thought of my family first, but now they're the ones pushing me to taste the fruit of my labours.

I'm glad that people in my workplace now see me more than just my positions. It's a thrill to know that they know you're more capable than you look like.

Speaking of workplace, I am thankful to have enlighten people that the Philippines is more than poverty, corruption, and the Abu Sayyaf. I am happy to have provided them valuable information that leads to the boost in the tourism of our country. As an OFW, it's one of the intangible contributions we could do for our motherland.

I'm absolutely grateful for having a friend to have previously introduced me to one of his favorite hobbies--soccer. Fortunately for me, it's a really great ice breaker when you want to socially penetrate this culture.

I love chocolates, but what I love more than eating them is receiving them. Since I was a kid living in Hufof, I've received boxes and boxes of chocolates from our neighbours. I'm just lucky that things are still the same.

To you, who keeps on surprising me with these wonderful gifts, a big thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I'll be doing this Tenchu (that's my baby talk for 'thank you') posts at the end of every month to chronicle the things I am grateful for. Count those blessings! ;)

Changing "Filipino Time"

2009-10-30T03:31:00.000+03:00

Back in college, my barkada and I did a splendid public relations campaign for solving the perennial problem of Pinoys being late during meetings because it was a mutual pet peeve amongst us. (It actually garnered our group the chance to be part of the two teams that entered the first ever PR campaign contest by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines.)

After five years, voila, someone from the government finally had a similar bright idea.

'Standard time' aimed at solving 'Filipino time' by Alexander Villafania in Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines – Convinced that the meaning of “Filipino time” should be changed, Senator Edgardo Angara is pushing for a legislation that will put a Philippine Standard Time (PST) to be followed as official time.

Senate Bill 3479 will have all clocks in all government agencies, private firms, homes and schools to follow the official time set by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Pagasa will also have large, synchronized time devices in all of their field offices across the country, to be followed by everyone.

But more than just getting Filipinos to follow one clock only, Angara explained that the purpose of the PST is to make Filipinos adapt a culture of punctuality.

“Filipinos have often been accused of tardiness, that anything we do is always delayed and we never follow schedules on time. We should start dispelling that by making the change ourselves and breeding a new culture of promptness,” according to Angara, who also heads the Congressional Committee on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE).

Angara also said that European countries follow a standard time in all of their areas, thus making them effective in synchronizing their activities together.

The Philippines sits within 13 degrees 00 North, 122 degrees 00 East. It is +8 hours from the coordinated universal time.

Brawn - Dawood Restaurant, Al Khobar

2009-10-29T02:14:00.001+03:00

Spotted this while parked somewhere in Prince Miqren bin Abdulaziz Street. I was waiting for my parents who were buying tameez for dinner on the opposite side of the road.

If we Pinoys have this F-and-P elocution disease (for example: you are so foor, here's payb thousand pisos), the people in the Middle East have this notoriety of interchanging their Ps and Bs. Thus, a Brawn is actually a Prawn.

At one point, yes, my name was spelled as Poris. Basaway, no? ;-P

The Yummy Scent of Sakura

2009-10-28T07:13:00.001+03:00

Many have been fascinated with sakura, even having it on literature, because it somehow symbolizes life's transition due to its short blooming period.

Watching a lot of anime, I've always wondered how cherry blossoms, or "sakura", smell like. A Japanese friend (from back home) told me the sakuras bloom all over Japan from late March to early May but they patiently wait for it underneath the trees because the blossoms only last for like a week. It's like the exotic flower symbolizes the transience period of life every year, no? Knowing its short life span will fail me from visiting Japan and experience the cherry blossoms myself, I became more interested how beautiful would its floral fragrance be.

So, when I visited the Body Shop sometime last month, I saw their Japanese Cherry Blossom line and immediately tried one. I ended up buying the Puree Body Lotion because it was the cheapest. Tee-hee.

The moisturizer has a whisper of a delicious, sensual and romantic fragrance in decadent pink bottles. (I love the sorta double-spotted bevelled UV gloss done with the illustration on the bottle)

The scent isn't totally of the sakuras though. The whole floral fusion features top notes of Fuji Apple, Chinese Magnolia, and Osmanthus Flower, combined with a heart of Star Jasmine, Japanese Cherry Blossom and Persimmon as its middle notes and a base scents of Sandalwood and Hinoki wood. It's like aromatherapy in a cute bottle! I mainly use it at night to help myself feel good before sleeping. It's also good to note that the Japanese cherry blossom extract is traditionally renowned for its soothing properties.

The lotion is actually light, which is still best since the weather here is just transitioning from hot to cold. It's really a delight having this around your bag so you'd feel refreshed with every pump. Since the yummy scent lingers around for more than a quarter of a day, I think it's best if I'd purchase the whole Sakura range so the decadent smell lasts the whole day. I just hope it's still available by the time I have a budget to buy the whole line because the people of Body Shop told me that their only offering the Japanese Cherry Blossom range for a limited time only.

H.A.T.E.U. by Mariah Carey

2009-10-27T08:47:00.001+03:00

I am so liking this song from Mimi's Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. It's so catchy, soulful and mature. I can't really get it out of my head and it causes my anxiety attacks at night due to flashbacks. The title of the song actually stands for Having A Typical Emotional Upset (love-hate the wordplay) and I have this great working theory that this song is kind of dedicated to her recent ex-boyfie before she wed her current beau right now. Don't you think so? *wink, wink*

In the album, the last part of the song was brutally faded away so you can say that this live performance is the complete version of the song. Live versions are always better in most aspects than the studio recording.

Spotted: B Plate

2009-10-26T07:39:00.000+03:00

At Zara Home, I found this cute bowl at the kid's section. Kawaii, no?

I was supposed to take this home but I bought a towels and silverware instead. Right now, I just find the whole situation illogical.

More Sleep Please

2009-10-25T09:26:00.000+03:00

Would proudly wear this tee that encapsulates what office workers declare on their IM statuses ~~almost~~ every single working day.

[spotted]

Books Grow on Trees

2009-10-25T01:06:00.001+03:00

It's a childhood dream come true! Shawn Soh's Tree Bookshelf is simply lovely, no?

[spotted]

1 Billion = 7: The Advertising of Microsoft's New OS

2009-10-24T08:19:00.002+03:00

There are hundreds of article piling up on the interwebs about the release of the new Microsoft OS, Windows 7. Out of all of those, this one makes me smile and be secretly proud of being a Windows user.

It is, of course, general knowledge to listen to what their audience or market is telling them; it's great for business. But to have a campaign that ascertains them of being a part of co-creating something great is, albeit nothing new, empowering.

The Billion Designers of Windows 7 by Stuart Elliott in NY Times

“Our customers co-create the product with us,” said David Webster, general manager for brand and marketing strategy at Microsoft in Redmond, Wash. “We’re using the customers’ voice to tell our story.”

Mr. Webster summarized the points the ads make: “You told us you want it simpler, we made it simpler. You told us you want it to boot faster, it boots faster.”

In one poster ad, these words are superimposed over a photograph of a woman: “I asked for it to use less memory. Now it uses less memory. I’m a tech goddess.”

In another poster ad, these words appear over a photo of an older man: “I suggested they make it less complicated. Guess what? Now it’s less complicated. I so rule.”

In commercials, Microsoft engineers say, “Bring it on; what do you got?” PC users fire back with pithy phrases like “Less clutter, just less clutter.” And the engineers reply: “Loud and clear. We’re all over it.”

Why I Need More Than Time

2009-10-23T16:07:00.000+03:00

Chop Cup

2009-10-21T09:39:00.000+03:00

I was blown away by this video. It's so creepy, my head still hurts.

If you want to see how it was made, head over here.

[spotted]

Trese: The Choir

2009-10-20T09:22:00.002+03:00

Reading Pinoy graphic novels or komiks is one of my favorite, uhm, past time activities. It's actually my ahia (brother) and atchi (sister) who introduced me to reading serialized comics when I was in elementary. There was this little shop near Sacred Heart Academy (in Novaliches) where we used to purchase second-hand comic books while munching on hopia (transliteration: good pastry) and sipping on softdrinks placed in plastic ice bags.

Trese, the comic book released by Alamat Comics, is just one of the many that I devour frequently. You'll love Budgette Tan and KaJo Baldisimo's story telling, paneling, and sketchy drawings. I will definitely buy more Trese installments and other graphic novels once I'm back home so I can add more to my growing collection.

Below is one of the tie-in side stories from Alexandra Trese's bar, Diabolical. I chose this as my favorite since the holidays is just around the corner.

TRESE: The Choir by Budgette Tan

“They just kept coming back, night after night. And every night, it seemed like there would be more kids, enough to fill up the front gate of the house; all of them singing `Silent Night` like it was the saddest song in the world. And every night, I’d see her –the girl in the red dress. She’d look at me, as if she wanted to tell me something, but had this great need to sing this song, to finish the song and maybe if she did finish the song she tell me that thing that she wanted to tell me, but she just never gets the chance to do so.

Read the full story here and the rest of the stories here.

How a Sewing Machine Works

2009-10-19T14:31:00.004+03:00

At last, another question from my childhood days answered.

I miss pedaling our almost four-decade old (or more!) sewing machine. As a weird kid growing up, It was such a pleasant experience then.

What are your sewing machine memories from childhood?

[spotted]

Putting Sex in the Dictionary Is Like Me Writing Erotica--It's Hard!

2009-10-18T00:05:00.001+03:00

High school was, undeniably, the peak time of puberty for most individuals. I somehow contributed to the propagation of eroticism within the classroom by supplementing classmates with reads that can put up tents on their pants or can send them gushing while blushing over the detailed explanation. Sex education in a Catholic academic institution is sort of a blasphemy. I personally think we need sex education, and I think we got it through some smut. And, it was a group effort (and triumph) to not have the materials confiscated by the nuns.

I wasn't interested in the content of the stories (okay, half-interested) but I admit that I've always wanted to be a writer of erotic stories, the ones that are so vulgar you'd immediately have a heart attack by reading a paragraph or two. I like their descriptive style, which I think is lacking with my style then. It just wasn't that flower-y (*chuckles*). I seriously thought being an erotic writer was a good gig during high school (up until now) so I can practice the art of elaborating feeligns and moments, but I couldn't just find the right words to show the promiscuousness that lingers at the tip of my tongue.

And the article below makes me want to say, "There goes my secret dream job."

Why it's so hard to put sex in the dictionary by Jesse Sheidlower in Slate Magazine

These days, most dictionaries have broadened their treatment of sexual intercourse. They acknowledge that while the term usually refers to the penetration of the penis into the vagina, it can also be used to describe other genital contact, using expressions like "genital contact," "penetration," and the like to allow for the possibility of acts such as anal sex. But even these definitions are restricted, which is appropriate; oral sex, or masturbation, wouldn't normally be considered "sexual intercourse." The problem arises when these same dictionaries then define the word fuck (and other sexual terms) in relation to "sexual intercourse," because the word fuck is itself much broader than even these broadened definitions.

A Simple Step to Win Brand Loyalty: Provide A Range of Free Services

2009-10-17T08:32:00.003+03:00

One of the great things you can do to establish brand loyalty is to provide great free services to your loyal consumers and/or customers.

My Swatch watch broke down on the last work day of the week. Naturally, I'd have to pay for the battery and for the replacement service. I was wrong. Dead wrong.

Over the weekend, I armed myself with some money and my lifeless timekeeper to the Swatch store (in a nearby mall) to have the battery replacement procedure done on it.

I handed over the watch to the store attendant and coyly asked how much is the service to which he replied, "It's free." I thought my ears were deceiving me. While he was busy replacing the battery on my watch, I asked him again, "How much is the battery?"

He then strangely looked at me as if I cannot understand the word "free." And he handed me over my newly adjusted watch and told me, "You don't have to pay us anything," and pointed out to a sign in the store which says that the battery service and polishing is free.

So I deduced that as long as my watch is from their collection, the battery service and polishing (of the glass) is free for life. It's a good deal, right, as long as I buy watch from them.

I'm not sure if this is true for the Swatch stores in the Philippines though. The last time I had a battery replaced, I forked out a huge amount to have it done.

The next thing I'll try (for free, of course) is the polishing service. Maybe I'll go to their newly opened store which is just around the corner from where I live.

Sa Kanyang Pagdating

2009-10-16T02:44:00.002+03:00

In the Christiandom, the "-ber" months signal the beginning of a new liturgical year. That means Advent, the season of joyful expectation, is upon us all! It is, so to speak, our spiritual pilgrimage toward the shrine of Jesus' Crib.

As choristers in our respective parishes, we must help our brothers and sisters open their hearts to welcome the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, the new songbook, Sa Kanyang Pagdating, the Misa Delgado Book III, will fit right to the growing list of songs in any choir's repertoire. It is a compilation of compositions and arrangements of Mass Songs in Filipino for the season of Advent and Christmas.

I think there isn't much Filipino music that coincides to the Advent season so it is best for every choir leaders to get one of these. The official launching of the songbook is on the evening of the 7th of November at the Saint John Bosco Parish Church in Makati. I wish I was could go to the launching but hopefully my choirmates would be kind enough to share their experience of the songbook launch with me.

I wish everyone an advanced spiritually fruitful New Year!

It’s beginning to look a lot like a lonesome Christmas.

2009-10-15T02:00:00.002+03:00

While waiting for disaster to happen at the Pinoy Big Brother house (or is it houses?) the other night, mom pulled out a dusty old shoe box from the cupboard in the kitchen. It was apparently filled with beautiful heirloom trimmings for the Christmas tree she traditionally sets up ever since setting foot in the kingdom. My face immediately lit up like a firecracker upon seeing all of it. It was overwhelming. Awed. Really awed. Realizing I went to Christmas tree decor heaven for a second or two, I giddily volunteered to dress up the bare tree lying in the corner of the living room.

After what I thought was a splendid job, mom looked at it and suddenly she was all teary eyed. I asked her if I did a horrible job designing the tree, but she painfully looked at me and said in Filipino, "Because you're going to spend the holidays alone." Then she wept like there's no tomorrow as she turned away to get additional holiday decors.

It suddenly occurred to me that my dad has been planning his vacation to the Philippines (for the first time in two years) at the end of November and, of course, he'll tag mom along. I have totally forgotten all about it! They'll be gone for more than a 35 days, I believe, and those numbers sent a reeling feeling in my stomach. It's freaky thinking that I'll be spending the most important days of the year alone in a country which does not participate in the Yuletide season (spiritually, at least). Freaky doesn't even match what I'm feeling right now.

I continued to prettify the living room with mom's Christmas-y home furnishings such as poinsettia printed table runners, the newly sewed curtains, and snowflake-print throw pillow covers while the eternal optimist in me internally nagged that their vacation will bring about pleasant things for everyone in the family. For one, I'll know how my dad felt during the Christmases he missed spending with us because he's working to earn a living. Two, my siblings would get to spend time with our parents after a two-year hiatus of not seeing them, particularly my dad. And three, my dad will finally get a much-deserved vacation and enjoy the feeling Christmas brings once again.

If only I'm not in a limbo right now, I'd fill-up the vacation form that I secretly stashed in my bag in a jiffy.

The Importance of Order

2009-10-13T07:26:00.000+03:00

Typophile Film Festival 5 Opening Titles

2009-10-12T09:38:00.000+03:00

A wonderfully inspiring stop motion video that indulges in visual typographic feast about the five senses, and how they contribute to and enhance our creativity.

What is more stunning is that everything in this video is handcrafted. Yes, that means there are no CG effects applied.

[spotted]

Spotted: Boris, the Teddy Bear

2009-10-11T09:02:00.002+03:00

I found these cute bears lined up neatly near the cash register of a nicely lit boutique selling things for those expecting moms and their newborns. I wanted to take one home if only they came dirt cheap.

Surprise, surprise! The name of the musical stuffed toy is *drum rolls*Boris. And it's supposed to be musical, just like me. (I already sharpened the image but my name printed on the tag is still hazy.)

I'll be on the lookout for more things associated with my name (or the letter B) aside from the other things posted for the scrapbook label.

Me Want Google Wave!

2009-10-10T07:58:00.000+03:00

Google Wave is the new "it" thing on the interwebs. It's Google's attempt to answer the question: "What will the e-mail look like if it was invented today?" You can say it's the modernized version of email with your regular mashup of documents, and social networking thrown in.

If you're still at lost at what a "wave" is, this great video by Epipheo Studios might help you understand it a bit more.

By the way, if you're one of the lucky ones who scored an invite, please take pity on me.

Crayon Stairs

2009-10-07T08:49:00.001+03:00

A little pick-me-upper to lift the stressed spirit of worker bees.

German artist Horst Glasker made this work on the Holsteiner Stairs, called Scala in the town of Wuppertal.

On each of the 112 couloured stairs, there is a stencilled word describing the relationships between human beings, like terror + love, prosecution + trust, despair + hope, revenge + kiss.

It's nice if there are more art installations like this in public places, no?

In the famous words of Tina Fey's character in 30 Rock I say: I want to go to there!

[spotted at Elle Decoration South Africa]