I thought it was quite brave of him, considering that my desk was located at one of the far corners of the office, and his was near the entrance. Anyway, he's such a sweetie. I don't even know how he puts up with me. I'm probably the moodiest person that I know. He must love me. Haha!
I'm going to miss him. I'm going to Boracay tomorrow and I'll be there for five days. But, as much as I'm going to miss you, love, I'm so excited to go to Bora. I haven't been there since I was about 10 years old.
I'm really looking forward to seeing and experiencing the urbanized Boracay.
Being so excited, I bought two flipflops from Banana peel yesterday. 
Aren't they so cute!?! The pink and black one is mine, while the green and yellow one is my sister's.
I hope I don't get too dark. I'll soak myself with sunblock while I'm there. This is also so that Dion's relatives will like me. I'm going to Nueva Ecija with him next weekend to celebrate his aunt's birthday. Yikes! Meet the relatives! Wish me luck. Haha!
I'm so excited. I can't believe I'm leaving tomorrow. I can't believe I'm on leave from work for FIVE days! Haha! Five days of no stress. Wee!
Alright, I have to go to bed (although I know I won't be able to sleep properly).
This was taken earlier this week in Serendra. It reminds me of Christmas and how it still doesn't feel like Christmas even if it's already November.
This was taken the same day as the picture above in Bonifacio High Street. I feel like this is such a sentimental picture. Check out the lone guy, sitting.
Dion and I already bought our Twilight premiere tickets for November 25. And then I found out that I was planning an event for the same date. We returned our tickets. :'(
"Who would have ever thought,
when we first met,
that we'd end up feeling like this?
It's been an exciting, wonderful time
getting to know each other
and discovering the many beautiful things
we've been able to share.
I'm so glad the paths we were taking
happened to cross when they did,
because now you and I and our world
will never be the same."
I love you.
Here are some photos I took for Inquirer.net during my short internship with them. This was during the Senatorial campaigning and elections.
I also took a video for them. VIDEO
I really had a lot of fun during my internship with them. I got to see politicians and meet them. I got to understand how journalism works. It's all very intense and fast-paced. I liked taking photos for them. I used my digi-cam lang, but they really liked my photos, which, of course, I was very happy about. :)
This makes think about pursuing photography in some way. Hehe maybe someday. :)
When you are a 22-year old graduate with a master’s degree from one of the country’s top universities, you have your whole future ahead of you. You feel invincible and you’re blind to any possible hardships that you may face. Everyday you read of people whose lives have been changed drastically by cancer, but never did you think that it could happen to you. Never did you think that you’d be asked to fight such a difficult battle.
Cancer is often seen as a distant reality, one whose effects are never really felt or is never really understood until it happens to you or someone you know and deeply care about. Last October 3, 2008, we understood. John Aikle Cuevas, a graduate from the University of Asia and the Pacific, our batch mate, our classmate, and our friend was suddenly admitted into the hospital for an emergency blood transfusion. At a very young age of 22, with his whole life ahead of him, John Aikle Cuevas was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) - cancer.
John Aikle Cuevas, popularly known as Aikle, graduated last June 2008 with a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications. He was able to go to this notoriously expensive university solely by his own merit. For 5 years he was on the University’s scholarship program. Year after year, he was able to meet the high standards demanded by the University from its scholars. On top of this, he even managed to become part of the dean’s list on numerous occasions.
Aikle’s father works in a tire retreading shop in Cubao while his mother has a small sari-sari store. Being the eldest of 3, he is considered the breadwinner of the family. During his internship, while his classmates were spending their allowance on themselves, Aikle’s allowance went towards helping the family cope with their expenses. Whatever he had left for himself, he used it to treat his siblings on their birthdays for simple meals or a movie at the mall.
He never complained and he was never bitter about his situation. Where most people in his place would either crumble or surrender, Aikle only became stronger. He constantly has a smile across his face and has always been known as a genuinely considerate friend. He never forgets to pray and would always offer all his work for the greater glory of God.
Once tests are completed, chemotherapy for Aikle will begin as soon as possible. It is in this light that we humbly ask for your help. We would like to ask for your assistance in raising funds for our friend Aikle. Any amount that you can give will go a long way towards his recovery and would truly mean a lot to him and his family.
You can give your donations directly to us, or through the following:
Aikle Cuevas Fund Box (c/o Vanessa Jimenez)
School of Communication Office
3rd Floor, CAS Building
University of Asia and the Pacific
Ortigas, Pasig City
BPI Savings Account
Account Number: 1899-1468-12
Account Name: Edgardo P. Gonzales Jr.
When treated properly, 50 – 75% of adult AML patients experience complete remission of the disease. With your prayers and your donations, let us make Aikle part of that 50-75%. Together, let us all help Aikle overcome the biggest fight of his life. Let us make him know that he’s not in this fight alone.
Sincerely,
Class of SCL / SDL
Integrated Marketing Communications
Batch 2007 & 2008
Please include him in your prayers.
I just want to share with you guys a blog by our director in maynilad study center, Paul Argamosa, about our friend Aikle.
One Bigger Fight
Sorry but this is not about the fabled rivalry between Taft and Katipunan Avenues, which in the last championship game, erupted into accusations of dirty fingers and apologies over 'name-burning- at-the-stakes' .
This fight is more personal, more real, more deadly. It’s a fight against the big C.
I’ve never given much attention to cancer before, although I’ve had relatives who succumbed to it. I know that more people worldwide die of preventable diseases, like malaria, dysentery, cholera. Or accidents on the road. But then again, cancer has acquired a special specter. It’s like a hooded villain who suddenly steps into your home and lives with you, wreaks your finances and family time, one hour at a time. Of course, it’s not that bleak always. Many families attest they have grown closer together because of their sick loved one. They became more supernatural, more understanding, despite being drained emotionally, physically, financially.
I never really felt a ‘blow from the news’ of someone’s cancer, until Friday last week when a good friend, a young one, needed blood for an emergency transfusion. He was diagnosed the night before with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).
I’ve know John for a good six or seven years since he entered college. We came from the same high school so an immediate bond was established. He was very thin, dark, with bright eyes and even brighter teeth. He was on scholarship since their family was so poor his lunch baon would be chips and, when lucky, leftovers from previous night’s supper. One time we invited him to dinner. We had soup of potatoes and little ground meat and viand. He put rice on his soup. When soup was finished and the viand was being passed around, he exclaimed pleasant surprise! He thought the soup was the viand. It struck to my mind because he looked very happy! His clothes would either be ill-fitting, ill-matched, or downright worn out. For a long time he never discarded his black formal pants that was 2 sizes bigger. I still remember his maong: stone-washed, and super worn out at the bottom. From his account they live in a squatter’s area and are always given demolition
notices.
His dire straits never affected his academics and friendships. His poverty is real, but it was never miserable. He was always smiling and even very generous with his laughter. He is very prayerful. He is never boisterous. His features are a lightning rod for heckling and mockery, but he never made use of them to attract attention to himself. He was, and still is, very good in basketball. Give him 2-3 more inches in height and he could rival Chris Tiu. I bet Tiu.
He is always game to play basketball. If he didn’t bring any sports clothes, he would borrow. It’s amazing to see a dark, thin, frail body packed with nuclear energy unleashed on the court.
He wasn’t born bright, so he studied really hard, often landing in the dean’s list. He took up marketing because it offered a clear job after graduation. And in their internship year they are given a little allowance that’s like manna for his parents. He is the oldest of 3. His father works in retreading of tires. His mom has a small sarisari store. John’s working now in a chemical company making household medical products, and owned by an alumnus of the same school. And yes, he is the breadwinner.
When we visited him, several friends were there in the hospital. He was wearing a mask, but the same smiling, mischievous eyes were there. The blood drip was boringly slow, but the atmosphere inside the room was energetic. Kwento, kantyawan (Ang puti natin ah!!). The good times were back. His mom entered the room, brief introductions were made, but his mom didn’t want to look at us. For a good reason. I noticed that her eyes bulged and looked tired (later, when his mom went out, John told me his mom cried the whole night). I don’t know if John also cried. I’m sure he would have instead, consoled his mom a lot.
Chemo will begin as soon as possible. We plan to organize some fundraising activities to pay off some treatments. Always ready to play, John has stepped into the ring for his one big fight. And he won’t be fighting alone.
Please go to www.leukemia. org for more information.
THE UA&P STUDENT
By Gibby Gores
We are not necessarily Opus Dei, Catholic, Protestant, or Moslem.
We do not travel in packs.
We do not usually carry Louis Vuittons and Pradas.
We know how to ride the MRT.
We have seen jeepneys.
We don’t think that Iloilo does not have electricity.
We don't have bodyguards escorting us to our classrooms.
We have scholars, too.
We can wear corporate and casual and still maintain the elegance in both.
We can do more than theater.
Some of us have passed Ateneo, La Salle, or UP.
Some of us went to UA&P as first choice.
We do not go to rallies but we can calculate how much rallies cost, economically and politically.
We know Dante Alighieri.
We drink and so did Nick Joaquin and Charles Bukowski.
We smoke and so did TS Eliot and Jean Paul Sartre.
We can recite the Compendium of the Catholic Church.
We can spend our money on frappes and macchiattos because, dammit, we CAN.
We don’t necessarily make tusok-tusok the fishballs or make para the jeep.
We hate our fellow students who bring their Jaguars/BMWs/Cadillacs to school every frickin' day.
We can cross the street. (HELLO, PEARL DRIVE. 'Nuff said.)
We aren’t all Koreans, Chinese, German, or Swiss.
We don't necessarily do drugs... all the time.
ADDENDUM:
We are proud of more than just our bathrooms.
Yes, we are all good-looking. And, we can say that without sounding so frickin' pretentious.
It wasn't the perfect day. Yesterday wasn't perfect either. But that's over and done with. We're okay na. Resurfaced and better than ever. Stronger.
I can't imagine being with anyone else. He understands me in so many ways that no one else can. I can tell him anything and not feel stupid (although, of course, sometimes I still do hehe). I can be me around him (as I should). And, as cliche as this may sound, he makes me want to be better at everything.
There are so many other reasons, but there are not enough words to describe how much and what I feel for him.
Happy 7th, love! Seven down... ♥
ayabyu
I was looking at the sites of my friends and I realized how much I miss them. I haven't seen my highschool barkada in forever. I haven't seen my college barkada in over a year! :( It's a good thing I'm seeing a really good friend from highschool tomorrow. At least I'm not completely out of touch with people.
But I really miss certain people. :( I wonder when I'll get to see them again.
Anyway, on to happier things...
I'm really looking forward to this weekend. :D I'm sure I'll have so much fun. Hehehe! It's definitely bound to make me forget of work and stress for a while.
Work's been alright lately, but I feel a lot of stress is coming my way. Our team has just re-orged (again!) and there are going to be a lot of changes. I already miss Cara. And she's been gone for only a week. :( It's so different without her. We're quieter in our beehive - or, at least, I'm quieter. Wala na akong kausap na maarte. Huhu :(
Cars Gambs! :(
Hahaha happier things daw...
But I'm happy for her. She's made a decision to move on and she has, which is really good for her because, honestly, she deserves better.
Yun lang. Haha! :)
♥ ♥ ♥
Things are even better. :)
The Fanatxt Funtastic Five party was a success! I'm so happy and so relieved. Happy because everything worked out. Relieved because it's over. I can finally leave stressful planning for that party behind.
Dion was there with his friends. Of course, to have their pictures taken with all the pretty celebrities.
With Lovi Poe
With Vaness del Moral
With Rhian Ramos
Hehehe! I'm so happy talaga! :)
Yesterday, Marian went to our office studio to do a shoot. Grabe, she's soooo pretty! And super nice!
I look like a boy beside her. :(
The Fanatxt Funtastic Five party was a success! Yay!!!
And, of course, the first of every month is always special.
♥ Endless Love ♥
Yesterday, I went out with my college barkada, whom I haven't seen in ages (especially Migs). We went to Megamall and mostly just caught up on kwentos and ate.
Kristy, Quing, Carmel and Migs
Boys
Girls
It was a good way to spend a day with no work. :)
Hello hello hello!
There are so many things I want to say, but I feel there's just not enough time. Or maybe I'm just lazy. Hehehe! Anyhow, this entry is going to be packed with kwentos. Be prepared. :D
I'm here at the office. *makes a face* I'm giving out invitations for our Funtastic Fanatxt 5th Anniversary Party. Yeah yeah! I really hope it turns out okay. It's the first event that I became so involved in. *crosses fingers* I'm pretty sure I'll be the one to blame if it's fails.
Anyway! :) On to happier things. I finally got my copy of Breaking Dawn. I'm on page 519, almost halfway done. It's not so bad as everyone says it to be. It's definitely not Twilight, New Moon, nor Eclipse. But it's still good, somehow. It's still worth reading, I believe. Let's see how I feel when I finally finish it.
Last Friday night, I had dinner with my family and tito Elerey, who's visiting from Canada, in Abe at Serendra. The food there is absoulutely delicious! I especially liked their Bicol Express (although it's not super anghang as I would've liked) and their tilapia, which you're all going to meet right now.
Doesn't he look scary? :D But he's very yummy too! Hehehe!
Last August 24, I attended a wedding of a friend. This was the first wedding that I attended that was a friend of mine's. It felt so surreal, knowing that people my age are already getting married. I cried a bit during the ceremony because it was so beautiful. Hehehe!
During the reception, they called me to be part of the bouquet throwing thing. Actually hers wasn't "throwing", it was "pulling". There were eight strings attached to the bouquet and at the count of three we all had to pull it. The one who's string is attached to the bouquet is the winner. Annie won. Hahaha! Anyway, Dion and I attended. Here's our photo during the reception.
♥
And so, to finish off this entry. Here's a photo of Dion and I when we were still cute and adorable.
My hero ♥
And here I am. Hee! :D
Btw, Hello Beautiful is a title of a Jonas Brothers' song. My sister begged my mom to get her a copy and so it's been playing non-stop at home and in the car.
The rules are simple.
At the end of the post, the player tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.
1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
Ten years ago, I was 12. In grade 7? I was getting ready to leave CSA and go to Zobel. Haha! Fresh start. :)
2. What are the 5 things on my to-do list today?
Go to the parlor to get my hair done, meet Chorts in her house, meet Dion and Tin in GMA, go to Joan's wedding, attend Joan's reception.
That's actually just one thing, but whatever. Haha!
3. Snacks I enjoy:
Potato chips. Cheese. Crab sticks.
And the list goes on…
4. Place where I live:
Paranaque/Las Pinas City.
5. Things I’d do if I were a billionaire:
One word: TRAVEL. And then some. Hehe!
I tag…Marie, Andie, Anna, and anyone else who wants to do it.
Anyway, what kept me up last night was Sharon. Hahaha bet you weren't expecting that. Yes, I was the Megathirty concert of Sharon last night. I happened to get some tickets. So I asked my mom, ninang and sister to go with me, not because I wanted to go, but because my mom specially told me that she wanted to watch this a couple of weeks ago.
I remember calling her up yesterday to tell her that I had four tickets. It seemed like the happiest and most excited I've heard her in a while. Hahaha! It was like Christmas came early this year. She was so excited to invite two of my titas, although only one could make it.
Although I wasn't a Sharon fan, I found myself getting entertained. It was hard not to be. All the familiar songs, that Cara would've loved to sing along to, kept my attention in place. I especially liked when Sharon sang Bituing Walang Ningning with Gary V and Martin Nievera. Incredible. Beautiful song and amazing singers (at least, I think Martin is hehe). I also liked the production of Sinasamba Kita. They made sound somewhat Indian-ish, may dancers pa and everything. Another song number that stuck to me was Sharon singing Ikaw, while Martin sang Ikaw ang Pangarap, AKA the Lobo theme song. Sharon also sang Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko, which I really like. She called Rey Valera to come up on the stage.
Other things I liked:
1. Robin Padilla singing a short song with Sharon (I forgot the song!). He was wearing a suit pa! Hehehe!
2. Aga Muchlach's on-the-spot duet with Sharon. Kung Ako Nalang Sana. Weeeee! I love that movie! Ang kulit nilang dalawa. Tawa sila ng tawa.
3. Sharon singing Somewhere Down the Road with Richard Gomez by her side. I also loved Minsan Minahal Kita. Hehe!
4. KC and Sharon singing Dear Heart. KC's voice sounded nice in this song. :D
Bongga ang guests niya eh! Judy Ann Santos was also in the audience.
O diba? Hindi naman halatang nag-enjoy ako. Hahaha! But there were so many songs I've never heard of before, like that Tubig at Langis song. Or was it Langis at Tubig?
Anyway, the bottom line is I'm happy because my mom and ninang were so incredibly overjoyed. My ninang, I just found out last night, is a Sharonian. I'm so happy that I was able to bring her to her idol's concert.
Alright, it's now 7:53 AM. Waah I'm so wide awake! :(
I had the good fortune of watching the Lifehouse concert last night, July 26. :) It's all because of Tin, my amazing boss and good friend. Hee! She made my dream come true. Haha!
Lifehouse was so amazing! I don't think I've had that much fun in a concert before. Not that I've been to a lot of concerts. Hehe! But the energy was amazing and I got so excited every time they would sing a song (that I know :D).
I absolutely loved it when they sang You and Me so beautifully. :) That's my favorite song of theirs. It was the highlight of my night with them. I kept on jumping up and down while they were singing that song. Kaka-inlove! The lead singer, Jason Wade, looked really cute while singing. Talagang feel na feel ang mga songs. Hehe!
The only thing that was missing from the whole concert, and which made it somewhat disappointing, was the fact that they didn't sing Everything. It was the song everyone was waiting for! And they didn't sing it! :(
Anyway, videos will be up soon. :D
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