Namaste! Yogi Fair August 2013

Girls wearing flower bands, sitar psychedelic music, vegetarian food, earth-friendly products, yoga stuff, art, peace symbols, tie dye. All these things seem reminiscent of Woodstock in the 60's. And yes, all these things and more were had at the Yogi Fair. 

Last Sunday, my friends and I visited the Yogi Fair at My Little Art Place along Wilson St. in Greenhills. It was supposed to be held last August 18 but then Maring had a bitch fit which then rendered the event moved to August 25.

Million People March, Araw ng mga Bayani, Jose Rizal

ACTIVISM n. the doctrine of practice or vigorous action or involvement as a means of achieving political or other goals, sometimes by demonstrations, protests, etc.

PATRIOTISM n. devoted love, support and defense of one's country; national loyalty.

In light of the current Million People March, I'd like to share my two cents. Personally, I believe in patriotism and not just activism. Nowadays (or maybe ever), it just isn't enough to lose your voice trying to cavil and scream your utter discontent at the government.

Rio de Janeiro!

There is no question as to why Rio de Janeiro constantly remains one of the top favorites for various vacation destinations. Of all the many places I visited, tourist sights I saw, food I ate and people I met, there is only one factor I did not really like about the cidade maravilhosa: muy caro!

Cristo Redentor wooden sculpture I bought for my lola.

But then if you're traveling for the thrill of experiences then this should not bother you. However, seeing as I was traveling alone with nothing but a mere 200 Reais to my name, expenses can be really tricky for a 3-day Rio de Janeiro stay.

The Fabulous Life of Amelie

"Amelie, an innocent and naive girl in Paris, with her own sense of justice, decides to help those around her and along the way, discovers love." (IMDB)

You're invited to PLAY!

Toys, arts and other fun stuff. I can't wait to see this exhibit!

This coming weekend (Friday-Saturday), nineteen student artists from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde will feature some of their works in PLAY, an interactive multimedia exhibit with the theme, "Think. Play. Create." This showcase highlights the importance of the creative process through materials that liven up the child in us and in the artist.

Art does not always have to be classy and sophisticated. Sometimes, the artist looks for other creative and playful ways to express their creativity and colorful imagination. Thus, this exhibit. Their portfolio comprises of print, graphic design, website design, 3D, photography, film and other media.

PLAY supports the Philippine Toy Library's efforts to alleviate the poverty of play in congested areas. Feel free to support their cause by donating toys, books, art supplies and other materials you'd like to give less fortunate children. Donation boxes will be available at the event venue.

Play, An Interactive Multimedia Exhibit

Official Website | Facebook | @PlayExhibit

August 23-24, 2013 (5pm-10pm)

Le Parc, Edsa cor. Roxas Blvd., Metropolitan Park

Bay Area CBD, Pasay City, Metro Manila

Post Script:

Media invite from WheninManila.com

All images are grabbed from PLAY's Facebook Page

Girl, Interrupted [Warning: Spoilers]

Driver: "Why are you going [to a mental institution]?"

Susanna: "Because I'm sad."

The movie is Girl, Interrupted.

Playing with Earth at Clay Ave

When I was a kid, my favorite play thing was clay dough. I created tiny humans, houses, new clay mixtures which, much to my own detriment, became moldings of different unattractive colors. Despite this, I loved forming creations out of clay.

When I was in college, we read this essay on pottery and clay making for an Art Appreciation class. The darnedest thing, I forgot the author and the title of the essay. But I appreciated the writing and the content. "Pottery is the most natural art form. The potter's hands, the clay/mud and nothing else in between."

Needless to say, it served as my initial inspiration for wanting to try pottery. Aside from the fact that I'm a little piggy who likes to play with mud.

Roma, La Cita Eterna!

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

I had such a superb time in Rome!! Every second, every scenery and nook and cranny seemed fit for a post card moment. One of my favorite cities to date. The city was truly marvelous.

One of the scariest travel experiences I had so far (up to my travels in May 2012 at least) was climbing up the stairs in the St. Peter's Basilica cornucopia. Claustrophobia, exhaustion and more claustrophobia. But getting to the top was totally worth the effort.

Eat gelato, visit the famous sites, took a lot of photos and gallivant around!! Sadly, no vespa for me on this Roman holiday. And no, I did not do as the Romans did.

Without further ado, I'd like to present my less than high-res travel photos in Rome.

Scaredy Kitten

To be fairly honest, I fucking hate horror movies, ghost stories and the dark. I am a certified class A yellow coward. When I watch a scary movie (which I hardly ever do), I keep my eyes shut almost the entire time.

When walking in a dark area, be it a corridor, a house or even just a room, my imagination starts going haywire and next thing you know I’m scrambling to get to an area where fleshy normal humans thrive because I’m scared that the ghost of a serial killer is chasing me.

Why I Am Rich Even If I Don't Look Like It

One fine day at work, when my task load wasn't that heavy, I found myself browsing the interwebs for stuff to read. At least I'm feeding my brain and enlightening my soul whilst at a nine-to-grind job. (Well, actually it's 11am-8pm)

The great thing about being bored at times is that I constantly try to find things to keep my mind preoccupied. Preoccu-mind. So anyway, going back to the browsing, I was so glad I chanced upon this article on the Business Insider.

It made me reflect and think on my current financial status: I'm broke but I'm rich.

Last Friday Night

Burger Project. Serenitea. Wilson St. Greenhills. Caloocan. Valenzuela. Road trip. Rain. Friday.

Raw Food, Health and High-Speed Blenders

Last Saturday was pretty hectic for me. Meeting in the morning with my fellow Food, Health and Science Magazine editors, Ren and Ate Miko. Raw food workshop with Sugar Leaf PH in the afternoon. "A New Brain", Ateneo Blue Repertory's season premiere production in the evening.

Let Food Be Your Medicine Part 3:

Hormone Balancing and Cleansing Workshop

The workshop I attended last Saturday, July 27 was the third installment of a 4-part raw series. The main reason I was interested to be a part of this workshop was because I was intrigued about raw food, its benefits, preparation and ingredients. I was reading about a chef from New York (I think) who only used raw ingredients in his cooking. Absolutely nothing that came from something that once had a heart beat.

The Sugarleaf PH Organic Shop

Yesterday, I went to Sugarleaf PH's branch in Makati to attend the third part of their raw food workshop. While waiting for it to begin, we lounged around their organic food store.

Teux Deux

What I really need to do and ponder on.

1. Go to as many free events as possible. Research on the internet.
2. Read books every day. (Halfway through with "The Story of My Life" by Helen Keller)
3. Watch an interesting movie every day.
4. Learn Norwegian. (Thank you Pops :D)
5. Improve my Portuguese, Spanish and French. Oh, what little I know.
6. Write regularly.
7. Stick to the plan(s).
8. SAVE UP: travel, post grad studies, passion projects.
9. Cultural expansion, wide-range immersion.
10. The goal/s is/are not the ultimate end/s but a milestone/s to be earned. Yieee, secret.

That's all. Good night. TGIF!

Tourists vs Travelers

I'll be very honest with you, reader.

Every time I travel, I don't want to look like a tourist. What does it mean to be either one anyway? Tourist or traveler? There always seems to be a negative or at least a less favorable attitude toward tourists. Allow me to elaborate...

With pops and mom at the Fredriksten Fortress in Halden, Norway

Frida Kahlo, Mexican Surrealist Painter

A woman ahead of her time. A sharp tongue, quick wit, a strong heart and enigmatic artistry. I first watched her biopic as portrayed by the indomitable Salma Hayek for my art appreciation class back in college. As I watched in awe at this remarkable woman's life story, I found myself drawn to her...

Generation Gap

Every generation has their own version of "the good ol' days". A time when things were simpler, more fun, what have you. One generation begins as another lives and leaves its legacy. In the end, every one is hardly ever satisfied. Is anyone ever?

Gandhi: Fighting Violence with Peace

Gandhi is one of my life's heroes. I live (or I try very hard to) by his famous words, "Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever." It just sums up a great life philosophy in a few powerful words. Needless to say, when I found out (albeit quite late) that Mohandas K. Gandhi had a biopic, I rushed immediately to download it.

What I learned from the movie has undoubtedly left me quite even more awestruck at this historical legendary figure.

Wrap Battle: Don't Drop It, Man It's Hot

A few days ago, my friends and I (Naomi, Kiko, Kuya Alec, and Glenne) were invited to try some of the best that indie-cuisine has to offer.

Wrap Battle is the last stop of our Cucina Andare food trip. Paul Wenceslao, the owner, is really generous. Look how many wraps we got! They were sliced in half so just imagine how much more food we had to gobble down.

L-R: Paul Wenceslao, Kiko, me, Glenne, Kuya Alec, Ian

NY Minute Paninis: Start Spreading the News!

A few days ago, my friends and I (Naomi, Kiko, Kuya Alec, and Glenne) were invited to try some of the best that indie-cuisine has to offer.

New York Minute Paninis were the second leg of our food trip at Cucina Andare. I had a chat with the owner, Maxine Marcelino, about what makes this business tick and why her paninis are such a hit among the night owl crowd.

The Thing About the Corporate World

A few months. No wait, a few years before college graduation, I was getting really iffy about the idea of me having to undergo the 9 to 5 daily grind. It just scared me that I wouldn't be living up to my full left or right-brained potential nor would I be making the most of life's infinite joyous moments outside of a 20-storey building. Oh, the cubicle-ness of it all.

I always told myself that eventually, I'd find out what my passion is and that I would get a job well suited to my interests and skills. That was about 5 years ago. Like, 2009 B.C. -- Before College.

Alright, time to let my mind wander and go ponder.

#WORK

I don't get to update my blog as much as I'd like to anymore because I'm busy with work and finding hobbies, interests and activities to pursue to fill my weekends and weekday mornings.

Right now, I'm currently into yoga. I availed of the New-to-Yoga 2 week unlimited pass from Urban Ashram Yoga-High Street. I try to go as often as I can to improve and broaden my practice.

Other stuff I'm looking into are pottery, sculpture, freelance writing jobs, etc. I'm still in the Knowledge Transfer phase of work so basically, I'm clueless about the work processes here.

Corporate world. Sigh. I'll learn to appreciate whatever experiences I gain here but for the mean time, I guess I'll be shadowing and observing. I'll still write as often as I can. I have to!

Carpe Diem.

The Thing About Being Healthy

"Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we shall die...or dine in hell, I forgot the line."

Everyone has their reasons for being health conscious. Certain illnesses running in the family, religious beliefs, personal principles, they feel the pain of pigs, et cetera ad infinitum. For whatever reasons a person's health is of high regard to them, that's their business.

But in this day and age of food-that's-like-food-but-it's-not-really-food, health conscious people are sometimes deemed to be health freaks. Oh I don't know, read the rest of the post if you will.

The Thing About Religion

I think religion is a beautiful thing. Believing without relying on naked plain sight, entrusting your whole self fully to One who is not physically present but promises boundless reward for boundless faith.

The intellectuals and reason-minded among us think religion and faith to be absurd. Believing in magic, foolishly praising a God that would let evil and chaos run amok in this world.

I am not a very religious person, nor do I choose to side with reason for that matter. However, with what little light of faith I have inside me and with the many lessons I've learned from reason-minded intellectuals, I'd like to share my views on religion.

Vegetarian Meat

A few days ago, some of my yoga friends arranged to have a gluten making class with Ate Adi, a friend of ours who is also a yoga instructor and a vegetarian chef.

Manila Food and Beverage Expo 2013

The ultimate foodie, patay gutom, glutton, chef, broke-and-hungry fest! Glenne, Kiko, Naomi and I basically went MAFBEX for the free food and beverage tasting galore.

#LIFE

I've been so out of it lately.

I've been posting travel blog posts but they don't seem to be inspiring. I sleep late, wake up late and most of the time I don't know where I'm heading.

This is all personal stuff which seems too daunting to post on the interwebs but I'm sharing my story anyway. Typical of me, taking on a lot of work. Taxing but fulfilling however tiring it may be. I want to improve on a lot of things; indecisiveness, creativity and planning chief among them.

I decided I should fully and strictly enforce certain goals for myself. I don't want to burn out or feel lost. Argh, I'm getting ahead of myself. I usually do when I have lot burning inside my brain.

But certain circumstances tend to make me feel this way. Lost, confused and inadequate.

Then again, no one thinks these about myself but my ever-highly critical self. Let me retreat into my bat cave again for the time being.

The Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal

More to see from Incredible India :)

The day before my last day in India, I visited the Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. It was an all-day guided tour. I tried with grandiose will power to listen and retain what the guide was saying. The remnants of that tour shall now be immortalized in this blog post.

Namaste, India!

I arrived in India on May 22, 2013 at 2 a.m.

I felt a little nervous upon arrival at the airport because I was supposed to avail of the visa-on-arrival. I thought I wouldn't have enough dollars or requirements on me, etc. But 40 minutes, 2 filled-up forms and USD $65 later, my passport has been stamped.

Another thing that I felt a bit nervous about was the driver that was supposed to pick me up. I think I may have made him wait for quite a long while already and I had no way to tell if he was still at the airport or if he even arrived there. But nevertheless, I was able to spot him as soon as I exited the customs security check area and eventually make it to my host's house.

Here are the places I went to on my first day and some random things I saw. :)

Before I Left Norway, May 2013

The day was Tuesday. It was before I'd be leaving Norway to go to India. I joined my sister's classes that day. The trek going to the school was absolutely horrible. I forgot how many kilometers we walked but the cold was radiating down to my bones.

I've never really been the model student. Sleeping in class, eating in class, finding humor in the most mundane classroom... things.

After the class, we strolled around. The mall, the park, and some of the stores there.

Apple Crumble x Babysitting

Baking

One of the things I miss most about the Philippines, aside from the loves of my life, is Everything at Steak's apple crumble. The crunch-in-your-mouth crust, gooey apples, cinnamon flavor and sweet vanilla ice cream. A perfect sweet balance of hot and cold.

I think I must have drooled a little.

And so to satiate this craving, I requested that my sister and I bake apple crumble. :D

Norwegian Konfirmasjon

A few days ago, we (mommy, pops, Bellie and I) attended the konfirmasjon of mommy's friend's daughter. Konfirmasjon is similar to a debut but it is celebrated on the girl's 15th birthday. Traditionally, only family and a few close friends are invited but it wasn't the case for the grand purple party we went to.

The table napkins are brilliant!

Nowegian National Day

I am in Norway once again! :D I missed this place.

At the airport.

Olá Uberlândia!

For the summer of 2013, I decided I would go on an AIESEC exchange program. I wanted to focus on either energy and environment or cultural education. My preferred country was Brazil mainly because I've always wanted to go there and to live in such a far country would pose as a challenge for me to become more independent.

Seeing as there were no energy TNs for Brazil, I decided to go with cultural education and that's what landed me in Escola Estadual Bom Jesus! Basically, what I would be doing is cultural exchange. I taught 3 classes there about the culture, history and traditions of the Philippines.

Escola Estadual Bom Jesus

The Thing About Self-Shots

I hate the word "selfie". But hate, I guess would be too strong an emotion. Let's just say I'm not fond of the word.

People love taking self-shots because it makes them look pretty/handsome, macho, cute, what have you. The lacking element of candidness will not give way for unattractive shots because you can just delete it anyway when you look crappy; or post it online when you look like you're modelling for Vogue or whatever.

This act of vanity plagues social networks: "Look at me, God damn it, I am oozing with sexaaayy."

There is nothing wrong, per se about vanity, or selfies. (Ehhhh.) You make love to the camera, and the camera, with the right timing, lighting, expression and projection, it reciprocates.

Personally, I prefer using profile pictures that aren't the product of vanity. Those photos that other people took of me. Let me say upfront that I am NOT a photogenic person. I look deformed most of the time when posting for photos. But this is not the reason I don't like taking self-shots.

The reason for me preferring to use photos that other people took is because I prefer it to be natural. I want to use a "social network face" that I didn't have to scrutinize over, taking a dozen similar shots of.

I don't know how to pose in front of the camera. I have an awkward smile. I have no idea what people mean when they say "project". When I look good in a photo, it's kind of a big deal for me because unlike the rest of shutter-happy society, the camera does not love me. It just likes me as a friend. What a thought. Friendzoned by the camera.

EXHIBIT A.

These self-shots were taken right after I woke at 10:30 a.m. It's one of those rare miraculous mornings wherein I wake up with hair that seemed like I worked hours to style. My face doesn't look like a grease pan. The light shed the room in a warm way. I was filled with happy vibes.

Au naturel. (I freaking swear on my soul.)

On the rare occasion that I actually take self-shots, I don't want to look pretty or cute. Eh. That't what everyone else does. I want to show the more natural side of myself. My face has no inhibitions. I don't want to just smile and think "oohhh, this shot is going to be a good one."

Just look at those faces. Look at theeeeemmm. Uninhibited self shots are better than pretty ones. I hardly ever have the latter anyway.

EXHIBIT B.

The Beatles' "A Hard Days' Night" album cover.

Exhibit B inspired Exhibit A. I like the way the album cover was taken. Candid, natural, black & white.

The aim in self-portraits is not to look pretty. Everyone already knows you are, sure. The aim is to express yourself through your face. That's the funner side of self-portraits. Self-expression.

To Quote Two Playwrights

"All the world's a stage,

And all men and women merely players:

They have their exits and their entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts."

As You Like It, William Shakespeare

Life is a Dream. When I was in third year college, my professor talked about this play by the Spanish dramatist Calderón de la Barca of the Baroque period. "What is life? A madness. What is life? A illusion, a shadow, a story, and the greatest good is little enough, for all life is a dream."

(You'd think it's amazing that I remember all these details given the fact that I don't pay much attention in class because that I am perpetually sleepy but no, I am currently copying the lines from the de la Barca play from an amazing book I am reading entitled "Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaardner. So there.)

Life is a dream. The conflict in this play lies in the main character's situation wherein he wakes up from a terrible dream although not knowing whether or not it was real. He is then convinced that the world in which has woken up in is the dream world. A story reminiscent of Inception.

People wake up every morning convinced they are in the "real world" per se. But what IS the real world? Can we sleep as paupers then wake up as royalty then next day? Which then would be deemed the real world?

The real world, based on people's constant rambling and complaining, is the realm wherein we are splashed with the harshness of reality. Where we are made to work 9 to 5 for a living that will never seem to be enough to satisfy worldly desires. Where we are made to think that a life of feeding your passions is less important than a life of feeding your avarice.

Life truly IS madness. Life IS but a stage. We are merely actors, merely dreamers. With this gift we have been bestowed with, what shall we dream up? What shall be the lines that we will deliver as we play our part in the grand scheme of life? What world will we wake up in?

Will you be content to live in the real world? Or the life that you have the power to dream of? The power to transcend from this dream into the reality of your schemes?

P.S. Sometimes I think I read too much, write too much or watch waaay too many movies. Feel free to tell me what you think.

:)

The Thing About Travelling

I would like to begin this post with Robert Frost's timeless poem, "The Road not Taken".

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim

Because it was grassy and wanted wear,

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I marked the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

In Spite of Everything

Van Gogh was the epitome of the ‘tortured artist’.

I am subscribed to an cartoon artist's online portfolio which contains works that aid the every man's life epiphanies. You should subscribe too.

P.S. I am currently on an exchange program here in Uberlandia, Brazil and I haven't posted much about it on this blog, on Facebook, Twitter, wheresoever. I don't know, I don't seem to feel compelled to do so despite the fact that my mother does. Haha.

P.P.S. I hate the fact that I only write/blog when there is a laptop on hand and a significantlyinteresting  topic that occurs in the spur-of-the-moment that I think of something witty or something to serve up for intellectual discussion.

P.P.P.S. Argh, I use too many words in my sentences. Like when Jose Rizal was describing Calle Real in Noli Me Tangere. I think that it was a sentence cum paragraph.

Ode to my Braces

Some photos to remind me of what I once had. I didn't have any throwback photos on hand and I feel so lazy digging up my photo pile on Facebook. In any case...

SOLSTICE: Behavioral Science Ball 2012

In an org meeting with Kiko and the rest of the UST Yoga Club Executive Board

New Year 2013, Leyte

It was the summer after high school graduation. They told me I would be getting braces. I was totally psyched and thrilled because I've always wanted to have braces. I had a lower malocclusion that needed fixing.

It felt like only yesterday when I walked into Room 111. A classroom filled with young hopefuls, eager and clueless. I talked funny during our first few days because I had to wear this appliance thingy. But these braces have been with me since day 1.

After four years of orthodontic treatment, I'm finally letting go. Well, almost. Just the braces at least.

Why so melodramatic about teeth? The fact of the matter is, these were some of the most important years of my life. My hair changed, my attitude, almost everything. The one thing that didn't was the fact that I had them on during all my years in college.

Having anything for that long sort of defines you, doesn't it?

Yo, Year Two Thousand Thirteen!

A New Year celebration of family, food and fireworks. It's been quite a while; a few years since.

Hello, siblings!

We're.. almost complete. But yeah, a big improvement compared to previous New Year celebrations wherein we have left overs for counting down the end of another year.

Spent January 1 at this Mountain Resort wherein the pool was drained for cleaning, the zip line was closed, the diving spot was off limits. Fun day of photos, nonetheless :)

The bridge going to the diving spot.

With Ate Yanyan. We love this yoga pigeon pose.

Prepping for...

The lotus position! Namaste.

Happy grass.

New Year feast :)

Photos were taken mostly by my cousin, April, with her Canon DSLR. :)

Now, the thing about New Year's resolutions. I'm not a firm believer in NYR's mainly because I have never fully committed to actually accomplishing them, I don't know. But honestly, personal resolutions, goals and whatnot don't necessarily and shouldn't have to be limited to being formed and resolved at the beginning of each year. Every morning that you wake up and every second that you live is an opportunity for positive change. People need only will it, and believe in themselves. We have the power to design our lives and that in itself is a scary but beautiful thing.

I want to be more focused on working on my health, be more active and fit. I want to tone my arms and my legs and have nice washboard abs. I want to watch more movies, read more books and listen to music; all of which are different, life-altering and beautiful. I want to be less frustrated in front of the camera because I don't have a great smile. I want to travel but at the same time accomplish worthwhile things. I want to learn how to scuba dive and surf.

I want a lot of things. We all do. I've done step one: Realize you want certain things and put it in writing. Next step would be to work my ass off in accomplishing these goals.

Enough for sad sack emotional ramblings. It's the third day of the first month of the 13th year of the 21st millennium. I should be celebrating! Or at this ungodly hour, sleeping.

Good night. :)