It's more fun in St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur

I've been hooked up to the tagline of the Philippines called, "It's more Fun in the Philippines." There have been many fan-made arts relating to that line and I find them amusing.

This photo is for the tourism and promotion of the Philippines to the whole world. It had some minor controversies, but it still stood there because many Filipinos really bought this idea. There were many times that this was used as a tagline. (Search Google for many, many examples.)

I borrowed the tag-line and used the name of my school in place of the word, Philippines, thus spawning, "It's more Fun in St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur." Earlier on, I only tried SPCIS but it came to me that this is not a popular school worldwide so I ended up putting the whole of it instead. Here are my examples. I do not own the design nor the tagline itself. I just borrowed it for personal entertainment.

Credit to those whom I got the photos from: Jasmin Rabena, Grace Flores, and Sr. Jesusa Taccad, SPC. Cheers!

John Lemon

Hello Everyone, My Name Is John Fucking Lemon. John F. Lemon for short. I sing songs like Lime-magine and Give Peas a Chance. I once belonged to the Beatle Juice where my groupmates were Apple McCartney, George Pearisson and Mango Starr.

Ilocos Norte Escapade

Our tour was planned to commence at 5:00 AM. However, we really went off at 6:30 AM. The place was Ilocos Norte, the province directly North to our province. I had mixed feelings with this trip because first, the fare was overpriced, the bus was hot, I have gone to some of the places we were to visit, I had to lunch to bring. But in the end, with only about Php200 in my wallet, I enjoyed this day.

And the itinerary went this way.


First Stop: Bangui Wind Mills
The trip to the humongous wind mills located at Bangui, Ilocos Sur was very unexciting. I've been there before so I don't find it amusing to go there anymore. The first time I went there, I was so amazed by the large windmills that I stayed under one of them for a long time. I loved the place, the beach, the scene and the people when I first went there. This time, I only took few photos, ate four turon (that's Php20) and went back to our bus. Other first-timers who went there really enjoyed the sites, as seen. It was scorching hot that time by the way.

Second Stop: Kapur-purawan Rock Formation
This part of the trip was very good, I would say. After a very long walk on a very rocky road, you'll be astounded by a scenery of white rocks. At first I was too critical and said, "Yan lang?" (That only?) But I was proved to be wrong. When we went to the back part, the beauty was already there. The place was very beautiful I had to hold the rock formation most of the time. We had so much pictures on this place. We were longing for more time here but it was starting to rain so we hurried back to our bus. On our way back, there was this girl, about 6 years old, who stumbled on the very rocky road and her left leg got wounded sorely that blood rushed fast. Her mother, instead of helping her, even scolded her loudly. Poor girl. Anyway, I would gladly return to this place if there's another chance.

Third Stop: Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
After a Php100 back-and-forth fare to the lighthouse (I only paid Php20), I must say, this leg of the trip was okay. After having seen the lighthouse very near to the point of holding it, no more. But thanks to this trip I had to quench my long thirst already. (Goodbye Php20).

Fourth Stop: Robinson's
I have no comment on this one. After having two rounds around the mall, I went back to the bus. I was bored. I must admit, I am not a mall-person or a shopping person. I wasted Php39 because I was hungry.

Fifth Stop: Dragon Fruit Farm
I did not enter the farm already since I've already gone there. I only let one of my friends buy their ice cream for me. Php25 for a dragon fruit ice cream will complete your life, I tell you! It's very delicious.

Sixth Stop: Malacañang of the North
So our group did not go since it was not a part of our requirement. But hey, I already went there and it was a very good site. The overview of the Paoay Lake was just mesmerizing I can still imagine.

Seventh Stop: Paoay Church
We were just about to go there to take some outdoor pictures. We were not expecting for the Church to be opened since most of the time, the Church is closed. This Church is a 16th century Church so it must be very old and fragile now. A while ago, there happened to be a wedding so the Church was open. I was able to see the inside of the Church for the first time, though I have already seen the outside of it many times already. Imagine how they were able to keep it firm like that after many renovations and preserving. Plus, we enjoyed the view of the wedding, the honor guards marching together simultaneously, their swords not properly aligned with each other, the very beautiful bride, the 3-minute kiss, the 3-minute kiss again, and the facade of the Church. It was fun.

Eighth Stop: Juan Luna Museum
It was already 5:15 PM so we were expecting for the museum to be closed. And it was really closed. However, we badly needed the museum for our requirement so they approved us to roam around the exterior of the house of the great painter, Juan Luna. The big statue of Juan Luna was there, replicas of his paintings were outside, and a very deep wishing well was also there. Sadly we weren't allowed to enter. It must have been better.

What I enjoyed most of the trip is the bus trip. I had much fun listening to funny stories, bonding with classmates, bonding with acquaintances, singing at the top of our lungs, and many other more. I knew we had so much fun at the bus. It turned out to be a great trip after all!

P.S.

it's not Spolarium. it's Spoliarium. okay? good.

To the Lady on my 90th Post

I was wonderstruck all over again, but not in the sense of falling in love with you. I was surfing on Facebook just now. It was pretty boring and the weather's hot, all that's left for me to do was to take of my clothes and dive in a very cold swimming pool. Then I saw you. The last time I saw you personally was during our graduation. I never saw you ever since. Now, I sit here, staring at your photo. You're way more beautiful than before. You now have curly hair. You wore my favorite color: Orange. Your smile was mesmerizing I wish to see you everyday. You're very hot now, if I may say out loud. Before, you were this weird geek girl my eyes followed around. Now, you're one pretty hot girl that I used to love. You've completely grown up. I look at myself. I still am this left out introvert guy that I was since High School. But hey, you're very beautiful, your boyfriend must be very lucky to have you.

A Little While Ago

A while ago, I had this conversation with one of our cats, Max. It was one of the rare moments of my life when our pet would actually respond to my questions. This was how our conversation go.

Me: Hey, what are you doing there?

Max: Meow!

Me: You are lying on the piano! My father’s gonna be mad when he sees you.

Max (with eyes as big as the moon): Meow!

Me: Who cares? You’re cute! Anyway, how’s life?

Max: Meow?

Me: I mean, how are you?

Max: Meow!

Me: Ohh I see. Okay then.

Max: Meow!

Me: Why are you so cute?

Max: Meow.

Me: You don’t have to say it out loud. I understand it pretty well.

Max: Meow. Meow. Meeooow. (jumps from the piano to the ground)

Me: Where are you going?

Max: Meow.

Me: Okay. (I rushed to the door and opened it for him. He went out and I closed the door).

THE END.

There is a big chance that this is fiction, I can understand cats, or I am just simply crazy. Well, for the story itself, it’s a little bit of the three. While majority of that conversation is just a work of my crazy human mind, part of me can understand cats – or simply put, our pet cats only. I know when they need some cuddling, or some space, or they need to go out for some fresh air and to release some things. I love cats, and yes, I am a cat person. And third, I am just simply crazy. I surely had a conversation with our cat a while ago but not that long. Who in the right mind would ask a cat why is he lying on my father’s piano? No on, I suppose. I expected an answer and fortunately he gave a short reply and that was it.

Lesson learned: Nothing. This post is useless. Good night.

Liza

I'm currently writing a story. It's the fourth installment of my first story series entitled, "Vanishing." It's about the failed love story between two persons -- Mark and Vanessa -- and how Mark is dealing with it. The story is about the things which happened after the tragedy which changed their lives forever. I've made my protagonist here very much emotional and would easily burst into tears because considering their relationship which lasted for 13 years, it's quite hard for Mark to handle such break up.

Basically, the stories from this series were all inspired from different songs. The first installment entitled, "The Letter," is inspired from Syesha Mercado's rendition of the song Vanishing. "The Ring" is inspired from David Archuleta's song She's not You. "The Lullaby" is inspired from Eric Clapton's song Tears in Heaven. The fourth one, "The Phone Call,"  which I'm currently making is inspired by Damian McGinty's version of Take Care of Yourself.

This time, on the fourth installment, I tried to write a poem. It's supposed to be a poem made by Mark's grandfather, Edmund. Edmund wrote this poem to Liza his wife when she passed away. It's found at the beginning of the story I'm working on.

Well, enjoy!

Liza

Why did you leave me so soon my dear? 

I miss the times when you were still here. 

The way you smiled at me when we’re lying in bed, 

The way you held my hand as you quietly said, 

“You’re still the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.” 

I became the best man that I’ve ever been. 

My wife, my loving wife, why did you go? 

I still do need you so. 

Though I know it is now the time for us to part 

You should know it really breaks my heart. 

I love you, Liza, I really do. 

I love you.

And oh, I almost forgot. Other minor characters of the series include Paul, the main character from my story, Vanilla Twilight; Becky, the main character from my story, Becky's Guitar; and Elizabeth, one of the main characters of a future story. I'm trying to make many of my stories connected as much as possible.

Four Movies

I watched the four movies that I've downloaded lately.


Forgetting Sarah Marshall. 2008. It's a romantic-comedy regarding a guy named Peter Bretter who found it hard to get over her showbiz ex-girl friend, Sarah Marshall. He decided to go to Hawaii to freshen up, but found Sarah Marshall with her new boyfriend Aldous Snow. He later got over her, with the help of Rachel Jansen, the front-desk officer at the hotel and soon to be his new girl friend. I always loved romantic comedies and as much as possible, I give a commendable response to them. This movie is one of those who stands out. The story is good, the scenes of Hawaii are breath-taking, I could hear myself loud unlike other comedies. The actors were every good, especially Jason Segel from HIMYM. The music are very humorous, especially the songs of the opera that Peter made. One shocking scene from the film is Jason Segel's frontal nudity. No one expected that coming. Haha. Overall, this movie is great. I grade this 91%.

Iron Lady. 2011. It's a loose biographical tale of the rise and fall of the former Prime Minister of UK, Margaret Thatcher. The role was played by Meryl Streep, a role which garnered her her Fifth Oscars for Best Actress. I commend all the actors who played their roles very well and very efficient, especially to Meryl Streep. No doubt, she would pull the role off, as always. I also commend those who made Streep look accurately like Thatcher. For a minute, you think that Thatcher was really portraying herself. What I do not like from the movie is the story itself. I think that the Flashback method is not that effective since the story of Thatcher does not fit the method. I would prefer a timeline of events to better understand her story. I don't know. I give this movie 83%.

Secret World or Arrietty. 2010. This is film based on the book, "The Borrowers." It's about Arrietty, a Borrower, who lived below the house where Sho, a sickly 10-year old boy stays. She eventually became friends with Sho, the reason why their family had to live their old house and find a new one. They cannot be seen by humans. When Haru, the housemaid knew of the little people, she trapped Arrietty's mother in a jar and called for pest control. However, with the teamwork of Arrietty and Sho, her mother was saved and everything went back to normal. In the end, Arrietty and her family left their old home to find a new one. I was deeply shocked by the ending. I was expecting for a happy ending, when Arrietty's family would live inside the doll house. Overall, the movie is great, the story is great, and the characters are actually moving, unlike any other animes. It's actually produced by Studio Ghibli. I would give this film 97%.


My Neighbor Totoro. 1988. My brother asked my to download this and so I did. I did not know this until a while ago and as deeply thankful for my brother. I loved this film. It's about Satsuki and Mei's encounter with Totoro when they moved to a new home. Everything was going well until there was a bad news from the hospital where their mother is and Mei was lost. With the help of Totoro and the cat bus, Satsuki was able to find Mei and went to their mother. The movie was perfectly great. The animation is pretty much like the movie Spirited Away, since they were created both by the great Miyazaki. It's also produced by Studio Ghibli, the studio behind Spirited Away, Grave of the Fireflies and the Secret World of Arrietty. That's why they have the same eyes and have the same way of crying. Man, respect! Haha. Overall, I would grade this film 99%. (Wow, my highest grade so far.)

Kill me in the Broad Daylight

I am practicing my Villanelle skills. If you do not know what that is, you could check out my other posts regarding Villanelles. I got so frustrated when I lost that time that I kept on practicing and practicing this piece of poetry. I found this villanelle of mine when I was cleaning my laptop just a while ago. I cannot remember when I made this, but I remember doing this when I was like so angry or something. Enjoy.

(P.S. I don't want to die yet. Don't kill me in Broad Daylight!!)

Kill Me in the Broad Daylight

Kill me in the broad day light 

Where people can see me die 

Do not wait for the dark lonely night 

Alas, people will be in fright 

But no one will ever cry 

Kill me in the broad day light 

It will surely be a piteous sight 

So do it before the sun sets by 

Do not wait for the dark lonely night 

And no one will ever dare write 

And tell the truth, they’ll all lie 

Kill me in the broad day light 

I’m depressed, I will not fight 

I’ll concede so give it a try 

Do not wait for the dark lonely night 

Kill me peacefully, no pain nor might 

I’m crying inside, I’ll bid goodbye 

Kill me in the broad day light 

Do not wait for the dark lonely night.

Brown Eyes

I called her to be my partner. She never hesitated. It was already time for practice and everybody had partners except me. My partner was absent that day. I called for her. She was also waiting for her partner who never came. I smiled back at her and saw her breath-taking smile at me. I took her left hand with my right hand and held her hand tightly so as not to separate both. My left hand went to her waist and her right hand to my shoulder. We were ready to dance. This was the first time she and I became so close. The sun was scorching hot. What would a gentleman do? I took of my hat and put it on her head. She smiled and thanked me a bit. We waltzed to the rhythm of the song and went to our formation. As I danced so fair with her, I realized something, she can never be mine.

Lenten Season 2012

"Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live..."
(In Christ Alone)

Today we recall the death of our Savior Jesus Christ. We remember His passion so that the whole human kind will be saved from sin and destruction. This 2012, how really did I celebrate Lent?

There are three Tenets of Lent: Prayer, Fasting, and Alms-giving. Let's proceed.

Prayer. I had a lot of prayers this whole season. As a Catholic, prayer is very essential because it's our way of communicating to God. During our Visita Iglesia yesterday wherein we went to five different Churches, we prayed the rosary and had our Stations of the Cross. I attended the procession wherein we are supposed to pray the rosary while walking around Vigan. I attended three of the most important Eucharistic Celebrations of the Lenten Season: Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday. Prayer. Check.

Fasting. I had a good start, but it ended drastically. Fasting means having only one whole meal a day. It's supposed to be that way. Combined with Abstinence (refraining from eating meat), both should be done on Fridays. As far as Abstinence is concerned, I did pretty well refraining from meat the whole Lenten Season. As far as Fasting is concerned, nevermind. Haha. I eat a lot on the three meals. I cannot control myself. I do not know why. Fasting. Nope.

Almsgiving. Okay, alms-giving. I kinda gave some alms to the poor. I've offered money when the basket comes. I did the best I can at my own comfort to give alms. Almsgiving. Almost.


Aside from the vast number of tourists that flocked Vigan, the thick population on the procession, the heat, my Lenten Season was really holy. I did everything to fully celebrate Lent. It is this season where we commemorate how Jesus, in His human form, suffered from our sins. He was charged for something He did not do; was scourged many times; was given a crown of thorns and was mocked, made to carry a big cross so heavy he fell down three times; was crucified naked in front of His mother; was left alone by His disciples just when everything was blurry; died on the third hour; buried on a tomb; and soon, rose on the third day.


We prepare ourselves for the most important Eucharistic Celebration of the whole Liturgical Year, the Easter Mass. Jesus rose again.

At the Beach

I made a song inspired from the place where we went a while ago. The lyrics are a little unhappy and very not the concept of going to the beach which is to have fun, but, walking by the seashore a while ago made me think of making this song so bad. 

At the Beach

at the beach i am my own

everyone would leave me alone

everything's so calm and serene

i would sail and never be seen

never be seen again

waves would come crash at my feet as i quietly shout

all of my heartaches and pains, i just needed them out

waves would pull them away, from where i would stay

keep me sailing through out the day

at the beach i am my own

everyone would leave me alone

everything's so calm and serene

i would sail and never be seen

never be seen again

i cover myself from the warm and cruel heat of the sun

i walk at the beach and pretend that my sunburn is gone

but let it shine when i go, i hope that it will know

where to guide me as i start to row

at the beach i am my own

everyone would leave me alone

everything's so calm and serene

i would sail and never be seen

never be seen again

i would sail far from the beach when the time is right

then when it comes, i know i'll surely be out of sight

i don't know where it would cease, but after i conquered the seas

i would rightfully return what is His.

when it comes, the beach will be gone

then i shall not be alone

everything's so calm and serene

the cruise is done never be seen

never be seen again