FAIRY TALES

Once upon a time... happier ever after.

The stories we were told and we tell are the stuff of dreams. Dreams we used to dream of as kids.



As an adult reading this, do fairy tales do come true? For the lucky ones, fairy tales told to us when we were young, happened.

However, what's with the most of us? What happened to our dreams?



Isn't it that the epiphany for most of us is that in reality, life is much stormier? That the reality is much murkier and much scarier?



Life's pains... we all just have to ride it out before we chase our dreams. There are no easy solutions... no easy answers. We just have to breath deep and wait for it to subside.

Reality... is indeed much stormier, much murkier and much scarier that we actually thought or think of.

I have had such a happy solid childhood. I miss Pinky and HH Lero... my first friends and I can't help but wonder... how life treated them. Hope one day, we get to talk about this... One day perhaps...

Thank you Jomi Garrucho for allowing me to post your wonderful photos here :))

SCARS

People have scars. We all have scars... scars in all sorts of unexpected places.



Scars are like secret road maps of our personal pasts and histories. They are the very diagrams of all our old wounds. Although our wounds heal in time, still, they leave nothing behind but a scar. Some wounds don't but with some wounds, we carry them with us everywhere... and although the cut's long gone, the pain still lingers.



What's worse... new wounds which are so horribly painful or old wounds that should have healed years ago but never did?

Maybe our old wounds teach us something. Old wounds remind us where we've been and what we've overcome. They teach us lessons about what to avoid in the future.



There are just some things in life that we just have to learn over and over and over again.



There are some people though, who believes that without history, our lives amount to nothing...that at some point, we all have to choose - do we fall back on what we know or do we step forward to something new? It's really hard not to be haunted by our past... by our scars. History is what shapes us... our history is what shapes us... what guides us. Our history resurfaces time and time again and we are left to no choice but to remember that sometimes, the most important history is the history we’re making today.



Photography by: Jomi Garrucho
Thank you, Jomi for letting me post your collection here. :))

ON SECRETS AND FANTASIES

We humans tend to forget how good it feels when we finally are able to set secrets free. Whether it be good or bad, and whether we like it or not, at least they're out in the open.



When our secrets are out in the open, we don't have to hide behind them anymore. The problem with all secrets is... even when we think we are in control, we are not.



When do we learn that fantasy is made to be simple...that the pleasure is good and twice as much pleasure is better? When do we learn that pain is bad, and no pain is better? Reality is entirely different indeed. The reality is that... pain exists to constantly remind us that there's only so much pleasure we can take.



Maybe this is just fine and we just need to deal with it. Deal that maybe, some of our fantasies are only supposed to live in our dreams.

Photography by: Vincent Garrucho
Model: Jodge Ledesma
Thank you, Vince... for my photo collection!!! :))

AN ADULT'S SPECTACULAR LIFE

Perhaps, we're not supposed to be happy. Perhaps, gratitude has nothing to do with joy. Perhaps being grateful means recognizing what you have for what it is.



Perhaps, we should start appreciating the small victories we get in life... admiring the struggle it takes simply, to be human. Perhaps we should be thankful for the familiar things we know and maybe we should be thankful for the things we'll never know. At the end of the day, the fact that we have the courage to still be standing is reason enough to celebrate, isn't it?



At some point in our lives, we need to make a decision. Boundaries don't keep other people out, they fence us in. Life can be messy but that's how we're made.

It's either we waste our lives drawing lines or we live our lives crossing them. But then, there are some lines that are way too dangerous for us to cross.



Here's what I know though... If we are just willing to throw caution to the wind and take a chance, the view from the other side... is spectacular.



Photography by: Vincent Garrucho
Model: Rachel Lobangco
Thank you, Vince and Rachel... for letting me post your fabulous photos here. :))

HOPE: FROM AN ADULT TO THE CHILDREN

There will come a point in your life, when you’re officially an adult. Suddenly, you’re old enough to vote, drink and engage in other adult activities. Suddenly, people expect you to be responsible... seriously, a grown-up. You will get taller... you will get older. But will you ever really grow up?



I've heard that it is possible to grow up. In my years however, I've just never met anyone who’s actually done it.

Without parents to defy, we break the rules we make for ourselves.

We throw tantrums when things don’t go our way.



We whisper secrets with our best friend, in the dark.

We look for comfort where we can find it.



And we hope against all logic, against all experience, like children, we never give up hope.



Never give up hope.

Photography by: Jodge Ledesma and Vincent Garrucho
Models: Cody Ledesma and Maxine Garrucho
Thank you Vince... for my goddaughter's photo and for allowing me to post it here... :))

A CHILD'S DREAM ONCE UPON A TIME

Sometimes reality has a way of sneaking up and biting us in the ass. I dreamed of so many good things in life when I was a child... child dreams for the future that are life changing and ones that really make eternal difference.

The childhood friends I've had used to sit and talk about it whenever we lazily relax after a fun play. I dreamed of being a painter and a writer... traveling to Greece and France to write about ancient history, life and things that fascinated me as a child... stuff that I read in books. My best friend Pinky dreamed of an ultimate dream... being a movie star. Jovic dreamed of being a professional athlete. Harry dreamed of being a pilot like his father. Other kids I grew up with dreamed of ultimate dreams but did those dreams make an eternal difference in our lives now?

30 years later as I look at my Facebook account and scouring over the profile pages of my friends, I realized that all our dreams back then never came true. Perhaps, our dreams did change along the way. I'm sure we all didn’t like the changes and for some time, we feared it... but we just couldn't stop it from coming. We either adapt to change or we leave the dream behind.

My epiphany today:
It really does hurt to grow not having dreams met when one takes time to think about it. Anybody who tells us it doesn’t, is lying. Pinky never made it to be a movie star, Jovic left life a decade ago and Harry, i don't know. So what? The truth is that even if our dreams weren't materialized... the more things change, the more they stay the same especially in our hearts. The dream is not over till my life is. The future is never the way we imagined it to be but against all odds, we evolved.



Big thanks to Vincent Garrucho for the photos.

LEARNING COLORS IN GREEK

For over a year now, I have been studying the Greek language. My fascination with Greece is just amazing... the ancient history, the Greek Mythology, the ruins, the people and life.

I think... I am Greek in heart but perhaps in my past life, I may have really been Greek. Maybe I was a servant to the gods thus explaining my infatuation with Greek Mythology or married to a Spartan. I don't know... I may never know why but all I know is that even if I haven't been there yet, I feel entirely different whenever I hear the word "Greek" and "Greece".

Planning for my dream trip one day to Greece, I decided to take time studying colors and actually say it in Greek. I've read the following earlier and as I take time re-arranging my clothes in the cabinet, I applied and speak the words out loud.

Aspro = white - άσπρο
Mavro = black - μαύρο
Gri = grey - γκρι
Kokkino = red - κόκκινο
Ble = blue - μπλε
Kitrino = yellow - κίτρινο
Prassino = green - πράσινο
Kafe = brown - καφέ
Mov = purple - μωβ
Galazio = light blue - γαλάζιο

At the end of keeping my clothes neatly stacked, I saw that I have arranged my clothes in accordance to my personal choice of combinations... mavro and aspro / gri, galazio and ble / kokkino, kafe and mov / kitrino and prassino.

Hmmm... I gotta arrange underwear now and practice speaking greek in colors.

DORA... MANILA's PARTY EXPLORER

Meet Dora... Manila's Party Explorer!

Most of my friends have already met Dora as I bring her to clubs, bars, malls, cafes, restaurants all the time. Dora is a highly-trained 5 years old miniature dachshund named after the word "Adorable" and back then, from the rising cartoon star Dora The Explorer.

I'm very proud of Dora mainly for the following 15 reasons:

1. She exclusively pees and poops in confines of bathrooms (yes...she has manners).
2. She's well-behaved.
3. She walks with me around posh malls without a leash.
4. She's the perfect household guard dog.
5. She likes to literally party out with humans as she is extremely sociable.
6. She likes to bathe everyday.
7. She likes having her teeth brushed everyday.
8. She likes getting dressed up. Fancy ones are her faves.
9. She likes scents all over her.
10. She follows orders as her memory is very sharp and retentive.
11.She's friendly and safe with kids.
12.She likes vegetable sticks when dining out.
13.She doesn't make so much noise like other dogs do.
14.She's K-9-trained! Surprise! Club owners should allow this little one!
15.She's very protective of me and very loyal to all her mommies as she has so many!



Dora is very adorable. I would often suggest that people should have a miniature dachshund for a pet and my friends have seen how adorable this breed is through Dora.



Here are facts about miniature dachshunds that I would like share to you all...

Miniature Dachshunds are ideal human companions. They are perfect for singles, city dwellers and families.

The trademark traits of miniature dachshunds are as follows:
o Small, long and short
o Tenacious and high-spirited
o Bold and clever
o Lovable
o Loyal



WHAT THEY ARE LIKE TO LIVE WITH...
Dachshunds may look cute and cuddly, but they are tirelessly energetic, clever and curious—some might even say “intense.” Always up for a walk or a game in the park, they can easily get bored when left to their own devices for too long. Sometimes, that can involve chewing things.

Though very loyal to their owners, Miniature Dachshunds can take time to warm up to other people. This is not always bad: Their (sometimes) relentless barking at the sign of strangers makes them an extremely handy—albeit tiny—guard dog.

Dachshunds, true to their hunting lineage, love the outdoors. With a decent-sized yard to run around, they will frolic: chasing small animals, fervently barking and possibly digging a few holes. They will also be happy in an apartment (they are among the most popular city dogs), but require lots of play, interaction and regular walks to stay in physical and mental shape.



THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW...
Dachshunds are proud and bold. With proper attention, positive reinforcement and training, they will surprise you with a lovable and dependable temperament. They thrive with single people or families with older children. Very young children could lack the necessary patience and maturity required with Dachshunds.

Miniature dachshunds are prone to back problems, due to their relatively long spine and short rib cage. If allowed to jump down from a bed or couch, they can easily slip a disk. For this reason, it is also important to hold them properly, supporting their full frame.

Also, be sure to ration their food appropriately: Dachshunds can gain weight quickly, causing more back problems and other issues.

A healthy Miniature Dachshund can live as long as 16 years, providing years of fun and companionship.



MINIATURE DACHSHUND HISTORY
A breed dating back to at least the Middle Ages, Dachshunds—coming from the German dach, which means “badger,” and hund, which means “dog”—were used widely in 17th century Germany as hunting dogs. Their short, sleek frames and an incredible sense of smell allowed them to hunt above ground, below ground and track animals for days at a time. Various sizes were developed over the years—i.e., smaller Dachshunds for hunting foxes and larger Dachshunds for hunting boar—and in 1895 the Dachshund Club of America began to promote the breed in the U.S. Dachshunds can be found in three sizes: Normal, Miniature and Toy.



THE LOOK OF A MINIATURE DACHSHUND
The Dachshund “look” is hard to miss: low, long and short with a body that somehow stays solid and balanced in spite of its squat frame. Its convex head is erect and alert with ears that hang low and a pair of friendly oval eyes. The base of the neck slopes down to a protruding chest and a tighter abdomen, and the tail follows the line of the back. Miniature Dachshunds come in three varieties— smooth, longhaired and wire-haired—and colors can vary from solids of red, tan or yellow or combinations of chocolate, black and gray (among others).



So before you think about getting other breeds, you should try to meet Dora first. She will tell you just by the look in her eyes that you should get a miniature dachshund for a pet.

Photography by: Vincent Garrucho
Thank you Vince Garrucho for the photo images of me and my baby dog :))
Miniature Dachshund Info Source: dogster.com

ADAM LAMBERT LIVE IN MANILA OFFICIAL POSTER

Seen first here on my blog-spot :P, this is the official poster of Adam Lambert Live in Manila!



Spread the word!!! 10-10-10 is the date with Adam Lambert!

10-10-10: ADAM LAMBERT LIVE IN MANILA

Don't miss this groundbreaking concert in Manila as the flamboyant 2009 American Idol runner up, Adam Lambert... will rock and turn the country into Glam night with his high octane voice and exhilarating stage presence that will definitely electrify Glammies as he showcase his visions For Your Entertainment.



The Glam Nation Tour: Adam Lambert Live in Manila. Be at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on October 10, 2010, 8pm - Feel the energy and catch him perform live!



Born on January 29, 1982, in Indianapolis, IN, Adam grew up singing in San Diego, CA. As a 10-year-old kid he was introduced to music by his dad, who loved classic hits from the 1960s, psychedelic tunes from the 1970s and new wave singles from the 1980s. Adam’s love for music and formal vocal training made him a shoe-in for show biz. He scored a role performing in the musical Wicked’s ensemble and was even asked to step up as an understudy (the person who fills in when the main actor is sick) for one of the main roles in the play. Aside from the theater, his rock band, Citizen Vein, honed his singing talents and stage presence. And, despite the fear of being “too out there,” he joined the Season 8 of the top-ranking reality talent show American Idol, wowing the whole world with his rendition of the songs “Rock with You” by Pop Icon Michael Jackson and “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Rock Legend Queen. He was named the runner-up for the season and, today, his album “For Your Entertainment,” debuted in No. 3 at the Billboard Album Charts, selling over 600,000 copies worldwide. His single “Whataya Want From Me” by Pink and Max Martin reached the top of numerous charts like Hot 100, Pop Songs, and Hot Dance Club Play.



Adam Lambert brought the The Glam Nation Tour drama to a sold-out concert series, including a two-night stint at New York City's Nokia Theatre and sweeping the east to west coasts of America. Lambert aimed for spectacle with video screens, backup dancers and extravagant costumes and makeup. But as cool as the lasers were, all the bells and whistles were no match for the glam-pop star's vocal fireworks, which were in top-notch condition, his pitch-perfect pipes proved to be the real star of the show.

Pulling liberally from his debut For Your Entertainment, the singer whipped concertgoers into a frenzy during uptempo numbers like the fan fave "Strut," Lady Gaga-leftover "Fever" and current single "If I Had You." Yet he also managed to maintain the crowd's attention even as he slowed things down for an extended acoustic set that featured a stripped-down take on his biggest hit, "Whataya Want From Me."



10-10-10 shall mark another breakthrough in the Philippine concert scene as this visionary Entertainer will entertain us with spectacular mix of music, drama and theatrical ingenuity. The Glam Nation Tour: Adam Lambert Live in Manila at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

Reasonable Ticket Prices are VIP P6,310, Gold P4,510, Silver P3,610, Bronze P1,810 and General Admission P550.

RELATIONSHIPS ON THE VIRTUAL WORLD

Actual date: Monday, May 25, 2009 at 10:55pm released on my Facebook and it's worth posting here.

"Behind keyboards...all those many miles away is a real person.... not a perfect person."



I am inspired to write this because of a friend whom I see dangerously falling for a man online… a perfect stranger. I love the virtual world but for some unknown reason, I really do fear for her because I see things differently. I’ve been on the ranting page for days and perhaps I am wrong of this guy. Perhaps he is a good guy after all. Still, I cannot help myself but write about relationships on the virtual world… based on other people’s experience and a few of mine.

Do you tell total strangers your most intimate secrets and desires? Do you share details about yourself that you wouldn't even tell your spouse or boyfriend when you know nothing about the person you are telling those details to? Would you have phone sex with someone whose number was carved on the wall of a subway restroom?

You might ask, "Who would do such things?" and wonder how I could ask such silly questions. But, if you've ever entered into an online relationship, you may have done all of that and more.

The virtual world can be a very dangerous place. It is the only place I know that anyone, anywhere, can be anyone they want to be. Who's to know if "Mr Perfect" is a truly sensitive guy or if he's on death row and having fun with trusting strangers?

Betrayal is devastating when it happens in real life, when our man/woman does the unthinkable. Regaining trust after a relationship betrayal can take years, if ever. And, yet, we think nothing of trusting someone we "meet" online, exposing our deepest secrets, and becoming emotionally involved even before we've met them in real life.

In real life, we're able to put a face and personality together, and, while we certainly don't know everything we may need to know to form a friendship or relationship, we have quite a bit. In a first meeting we can tell whether or not there's a "spark" that might grow to a flame or more.

In the virtual world, we use our imagination to "flesh out" the other person, giving him or her all the characteristics that we "need" him or her to have.

A skill-full manipulator is able to use just the right words to draw us into an emotional and/or sexual relationship, all without stepping away from his or her computer.

Photo exchanges are no guarantee of who or what kind of a person you're sending email to, IM-ing or chatting with. It's very easy for someone to "lift" a photo of another person from any number of sources online and pass it off as their own.

Not every online encounter is going to be dangerous or deceptive but do you know which ones are honest and which aren't? When you're in a support group sharing details of your marriage, don't assume that everyone in the group is there for the same reason. My point taken!!!!

Do you have an online friend with whom you feel comfortable talking about everything including very intimate personal issues even though you've never met in real life? Do you feel that honesty is an integral part of this relationship? Do you feel that this person may be or is your soul mate?

Here's how one woman described an online relationship in one site I’ve read:

"We talked about everything and he was so honest about how he felt and he offered me the support none of my family -- and certainly not my former boyfriends -- had ever offered. He didn't push for anything more than what I was willing to give; he was the ultimate gentleman. He even said he understood when I told him I was emailing other men, and he didn't object. He said there was no rush, that he'd take a cue from my needs. There was no pressure like the other guys I'd met in chat.

I was emotionally hooked by the time we arranged a meeting and I really thought it went well, no awkward pauses, and we seemed to 'click' in a physical way although I didn't go back to his room with him.

He was only in town for one day and when we parted he said he missed me already and promised to call as soon as he got home.

I expected to get an email the next day but there was nothing and he wasn't in chat and he didn't log onto IM. I waited until the second day to check an e-mail that he never responded to. By the end of a week I felt emotionally raw. I've never heard from him again. What did I do wrong?"

She, as so many others before her, trusted the written words of a virtual stranger. With those words, she created a "real" person, one who filled all of her needs. She "fleshed out" his words to create her soul mate.

Never underestimate the power of the imagination. When he says he has dark hair, you imagine he looks like he’s your fave movie star. You give him a sexy voice, a beautiful smile, a winning personality. He becomes the perfect man, the man with all the right words at all the right times.

And when he does become real and shows himself daily on web-cam, he becomes the one person who can brighten your day just by emailing "Hello, beautiful!" or IM-ing a smile. He's the first person you think about when you wake up in the morning, the last person you think of as you fall asleep at night. He fills in the emotional blanks within your life. Pathetic.

The two of you grow closer. You become dependent upon him and distance yourself from your real life relationships. Yes… real-life relationships!!!

Would he be as wonderful, as comforting, as perfect, in real life? We'll never know how many women have pushed for an off-line meeting only to have their cyber soul mate disappear forever. Other women meet their dream man to find that he isn't single or separated but either gotten someone else pregnant, married and worse, merely looking only for a lover. Words are easy, reality isn't.

In the virtual world, assume that at least one person in a chat room or a forum is a predator and act accordingly:

Don't post personal details in an open forum; don't assume that a private forum is any safer. On the Internet, there is no 100% safe place.

Don't email personal details to strangers no matter how understanding and solicitous they may appear.

Don't give out personal details when you're using chat or Instant Message programs even if the other person gives these details to you. They may have given you false information in an attempt to build up your trust.

Never flash your flesh to that perfect stranger not unless you have already met him and trusted him in real, in the beginning.

Even if you feel you can trust the person you've been chatting or emailing, don't give out your address, phone number, or last name. With internet searches, someone with even one personal detail can probably find out where you live and more.

If you're planning to meet someone you've met online, make your first meeting in a fairly busy public place and take a friend along.

Be SURE to take someone with you, at least give them details of who you're meeting, where you're meeting, and when you'll be back to work or home.

No matter how the sparks fly at that first meeting, don't invite him or her back to your place.

No matter how comfortable you feel at that first meeting, don't take a drive with them or let them drop you off at your house.

Trust your "gut." There is absolutely no need to force yourself to like someone. That's exactly the point of meeting face-to-face: to see if the "bond" you feel for this person is real or illusion.

Have you been betrayed before? Have you come to the Web for comfort and support? Have you trusted in virtual friends and been hurt when they've betrayed you? After being betrayed in real life, why would you think a virtual relationship would be any safer from betrayal? Remember that, behind that keyboard, all those many miles away, is a real person, not a perfect person.

Remember the character Ted Bundy? He was a real charmer. I'm not implying that your online friend is another Ted Bundy but until you are absolutely certain he or she isn't, play it smart and safe. Love yourself 75% and play the goddamn 25% to that virtual person if you want to.

Enough said. Hope this knocks some sense to you, my reader, because at the end of this, I did manage to realize what is supposed to be realized.

On Women's Pain And Suffering From Sex Video Scandals

This was written by me on Monday, May 25, 2009 at 7:24am and released on Facebook. I wasn't blogging back then but I'm putting it here on my blog spot because it is worth posting.



I have never experienced the suffering women on sex video scandals undergo every day and every hour. I don't know that kind of inner violence that turns a woman's life into constant hell. This daily physical and mental torture of women who have been deprived of their basic human rights, needs of privacy and dignity... This is not part of my personal ordeal but i feel their pain.

I also feel I am a victim of violence against women every single time I learn of women suffering. In every single case that i learn of, my natural and civil rights as a woman have been violated and are violated because I have to fear the day my nieces, my future daughter (if i be blessed with one), would reach their 18th birthday and be taken away from their mothers and me to be the game tool of sick narcissists.

Living in the world I live in, in the country I live in, in the regime I live in, I don't dare to offer sex video women victims any ideas how to change their lives. I don't want them to change anything at all. I just want to ask them humbly to be my sisters, to express my admiration for their perseverance and for their courage to carry on... to have families and children eventually and to maintain a dignified family life in spite of the impossible conditions some people are putting them in. I want to tell them we are all bonded by the same pain...that we are all the victims of the same sort of violence even though they suffer so much more.

I cannot completely understand sex video women victims or their suffering. I don't know how I would have survived such humiliation... such disrespect from the whole world. All I know is that the voice of women has been sort of suffocated far too long in this world we live in. The cry of women is not heard because women are ridiculed, laughed at and humiliated. This I know and sadly, it is very little. However, it is enough for me to remember that these women are my sisters and that they deserve that I should cry for them, and fight for them in any way that I can.

Here's My Message to Men:
Please lend a hand in some way to help end the suffering of so many women all over the world. There are so many things men can do to stop the emotional pain and violence.

It could happen one day to your little girl, your sister, your niece, your aunt, your mother.We are no puppets. Please help make the world safer for the women you love. Act now. Thank you.


Author's note: The image is my personal property.

STICK OUT YOUR THUMB AND LET YOUR LIFE BE TAKEN AWAY

Inspired by a stupid status on Facebook, I thought about writing on hitchhiking hoping that this will knock some sense out of this particular person who's on the verge of self-destruction. Selfish thought and stupid...really!!!

Hitchhiking is the most chaotic, difficult and most dangerous way to travel. These are the dangers in hitchhiking...

1. By hitchhiking and standing near or by the road, you are increasing your risk of a roadside accident. Many people became victims of car accidents themselves or, stupidly creating accidents for others by standing too close to the road.

2. Getting into cars/vehicles of people you don't know exposes you to dangerous driving activity such as drinking and driving, speeding, weaving in and out of traffic or careless drivers in general.

3. Getting into cars/vehicles of people you don't know can expose you to their dangerous side. Our parents would always say "Never talk to strangers" and that meant not just literally. It mean a whole lot more... you never know if you chance upon a nutcase worse than you for thinking of hitchhiking!!! There are many missing persons reported every day in the United States alone... do not become a statistic!!!

4. Hitchhiking may get you end up stranded or in a deserted or unfamiliar area. There is risk involved for those who pick up hitchhikers because you do not know the individual or their intentions. They just might play you and drop you off at your worst nightmare!!!

5. There are bad people in the world worse than you! Some display anger, outrage and abusive behavior worse than you, either verbally or otherwise. Never say you are tougher because you are already weak and pathetic for already thinking about hitchhiking.

6. Hitchhiking exposes you to physical danger such as abuse, kidnapping, robbery, abduction, rape or murder. If you like to be exposed to such... go ahead... enjoy it!!!

7. There are people who are not pathetic and are smarter than you. They do not pick hitchhikers up. Why? Because they know this can be just as dangerous as hitchhiking yourself.

Here is one story of a remarkable woman who only wanted to send a clear message to the world ( "A Message of Peace: marriage between people and nations" )and instead, ended up sending an entirely different message to the world:

Giuseppina Pasqualino di Marineo, 33, also known as Pippa Bacca, was found dead in Turkey on April 12, 2008 after having been raped and murdered. Pasqualino was hitchhiking with friend. Both of them performance artists, hatched the idea about a year before that to be wearing white wedding dresses and they would hitchhike from Italy to the Balkans to the Middle East to send a message of peace and "marriage between different peoples and nations." She thought that in the world there were more positive than negative people, and that it was right to be trusting."

Pippa went out to prove something and the end result is that she was wrong .. human nature should not be trusted at all!

Now... you still think of hitchhiking? Go ahead!!! This is... if you want people to say this on your lifeless body "You deserve this for being stupid, pathetic and selfish!" instead of them sincerely crying for you. They will cry for your poor life and body but they will never cry for your being stupid!!!

STICK OUT YOUR THUMB AND LET YOUR LIFE BE TAKEN AWAY <-- this shall be what's going to be placed / marked on your own wall at the cemetery. It is waiting for you!!!

A LIFE WITHOUT FACEBOOK...

...I simply cannot imagine it now.



When I joined Facebook in May 2008, I was lonely. I felt like..."My friends are on MySpace and Friendster at the time and I'm among the millions of foreigners... seriously...People I don't know from Adam and Eve!".

Anyways, as I went through my life with Mark Zuckerberg's brilliant new world, I find myself sucked-in too deep. These are now my simple reasons because I don't want to get too "techy" for everyone (I refuse to show I've transformed from a major party animal to a geek ... which I really am now tee hee!):

1. I've seen how other friends and I dragged my own personal friends and acquaintances from other networks to Facebook since 2008. Now, they're all there! How the hell can I leave now?

2. I see more people I know from Adam and Eve now more than before. I see my own family! My sister hounds my wall constantly and my nieces are flooding my homepage all the time!

3. I see the first foreign friends of mine as my lifeline... they've become my family and best friends. Yeah... reading their posts, statuses, etc. told me a lot about their personalities and lives across the globe and that makes me feel I am part of their world too.

4. Mafia Wars... I'm a self-confessed addict! I mean... how can you not love this simple game? It will forever make you wonder why you got hooked in the first place! Plus, I got some best friends hooked too and they're dependent on me for Q&A's as if I'm a moderator of the game! Also, I love my Mafia Wars family :) They are my dream team for Mafia Wars... My Top Mafia!

5. Reading family and friends' posts / statuses brings me joy and some few pain! Loving most and hating some especially those with bad news and pathetic shout-outs... which reminds me constantly that I'm a human being. People comment... people exchange thoughts... it's gossip and I'm loving it!!!

6. What's new and what's hot... I see it all the time there! From wall posts to events to photos to gadgets to movies to causes to news to videos to music to blah blahs... my God... how can I leave this world?

7. I don't normally complain. If Facebook is user-friendly then I call myself a friendly user. I have nothing to complain on Facebook much because I know how to read and follow instructions so that I don't really get my private life spread all over the world! Yes, there is a thing called "Privacy Settings" which I constantly update since 2008. Try searching me on Facebook Search Engine. You won't find me at all unless you see me at a mutual friend's profile. Saves me from adding people I don't know and I don't like.

8. Admit it... Facebook makes you feel you're not alone in this world and you're popular!!! At least, that's how I honestly feel. I am popular among my friends and my family and my mafia family! I am not a loser! LOL!!!

9. I have all my photos there... of my family, of my friends, of my friends' friends, of strangers, of virtual friends that I fancy meeting in real life later on, of my own photography attempts and many more!!! I even lost count of the number of albums I have which is great because Facebook seems to handle infinity! LOL!!! Apart from it, I can tag my friends and it gets a viral effect! It amuses me that even the simplest photo from me can get some prime time in my news feed!!! Fun!!!

10. I discovered I have been messaging people more and more on Facebook than use my email addresses even when it comes to business! I think that the email addresses my personal contacts use in Facebook are more up-to-date than their regular email contact list because they don't effing respond to my emails at times that I end up just doing the "PM"!

So there!!! They are my 10 simple reasons why I can't quit.

THE FRONTIERVILLE REVIEW BY J. LEDESMA

Zynga, the gaming king at Facebook recently came out with the best and most original game so far which has seriously very interesting social mechanics that gets a player hooked to the core. I have so far, no negative issue towards this new game that's growing fast.

I regularly play Friends For Sale (which Zynga only acquired from its' maker in September 2009) and Mafia Wars but in the past, I also tried Zynga Poker, Yoville, Farmville, Petville, Cafe World and Treasure Isle. Call me a Zynga-whore but I have always been a keen observer and player of their games. The latter games that I mentioned managed to keep me up until Level 30 and I let go of them due to lack of strategies to keep me playing. In short, I got bored. I usually play these during the beta stage but it is actually during beta stages that an online game can make me or break me.

Last Saturday, I accidentally clicked on a request to be a neighbor at FrontierVille and voila... my short-attention-span self was immediately captured.

In the beginning of FrontierVille alone, I felt alive! This game is not single-minded. It's complex yet I feel already that it will be more than complex. They managed to incorporate series of events that make that virtual world seem real... like the chores, the appearances of the snake that one needs to clobber to take it out and running out of life's energy just like humans.

Things I find interesting with FrontierVille which encouraged close and attentive playing:

1. FrontierVille is cute to begin with customizing your own avatar just like in Yoville.

2. One gets to buy crops, plant and harvest in certain time periods to gain coins and experiences or XP at FrontierVille.

3. The game makes the player complete tasks and actions just like in Treasure Island.

4. FrontierVille incorporated Mafia Wars' highly addicting "collection series" where one is task collect and complete items in exchange for rewards.

5. The game keeps you to make money like in Cafe World.

6. New events and real-time game play... it will just keep one going back and forth to play.

7. Bonus mechanics... they rock!!!

In a nutshell, here are the things that I am seeing myself to be doing for a long time and I mean not just up to Level 31:

1. I have to chop down trees to build structures such as barn, school, bars, churches and many more.

2. Clear grass away which by the way will keep on growing just like in the real world.

3. Plant and harvest crops to get money and food.

4. Feed the animals for food and money and also to sell them later on if I want to get rid of them.

5. Fighting wild animals like the snake which I am loving to do because it makes me feel I am actually clobbering fucked-up people I know.

6. Help my neighbors by tending their homestead and getting energy, popularity, food, clothing, etc. in return.

7. Marry a virtual spouse and create a virtual family (LOL) which makes it really really interesting and I wonder if later on, I can clobber my husband too If I catch him cheating!

There's so much more there to do just to tame the wilderness that could absolutely get you hooked! There's just no room for repeating things.... this game is absolutely brilliant!!!

THE DELICIOUS MARANG

I took this shot when I went home to Bacolod last month...

Johey Oak, Green Pedalai, Madang, Tarap, Breadfruit Cousin... These are some of the names other countries call the Marang which is scientifically known as Artocarpus odoratissimus.

This delicious Marang is closely related to the Jackfruit, Cempedak, and Breadfruit trees. The fruit, just like Durian, has a strong but more tolerable scent and is considered superior in taste.

Marang is found everywhere in the Philippines but mostly in the south, grown for local consumption. An average Marang fruit is round to oblong shape, 15–20 cm long and 13 cm broad, and weighing about 1 kg.

The thick rind is covered with soft, broad spines. They become hard and brittle as the fruit matures. The fruit does not fall to the ground when ripe. It may be harvested while still hard, and left to ripen until soft. Marang changes color to greenish yellow when ripe. The ripe fruit is opened by cutting the rind around, twisting and gently pulling. The interior of the fruit is somewhat similar to the jackfruit, but the color is white and the flesh is usually softer. The core is relatively large, but there are far fewer "rags" and less non-edible parts. Once opened, the marang should be consumed quickly (in a few hours), as it loses flavour rapidly and fruit oxidizes. The seeds are also edible after boiling or roasting. Mmmmmmm yummy!!!

Marang in Bacolod costs an average of P8 - 15 per fruit depending on its' size. In Manila, it fetches to P100 which sucks. I was at the market at the park last Sunday drooling over it but even if I really wanted to buy one and eat it, the price is just too much considering that when I just go home, it comes free for me since we have a small plantation of it in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.

This fruit though is originally from Borneo thus; Marang is one of the great gifts from our Indonesian ancestors.

Author's note: The image is taken by me and is my personal property.

THE GLAM NATION TOUR: ADAM LAMBERT LIVE IN MANILA!

Get ready as BlueDream Entertainment brings you the most glamorous concert event of the year!



The Glam Nation Tour: Adam Lambert Live in Manila. Be at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on October 10, 2010, 8pm - Feel the energy and catch him perform live!



Don't miss this groundbreaking concert as the flamboyant 2009 American Idol runner up will rock and turn the country into Glam night with his high octane voice and exhilarating stage presence that will definitely electrify "Glammies" as he showcase his visions For Your Entertainment.

10-10-10 shall mark another breakthrough in the Philippine concert scene as this visionary Entertainer will entertain us with spectacular mix of music, drama and theatrical ingenuity. The Glam Nation Tour: Adam Lambert Live in Manila at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

Reasonable Ticket Prices are VIP P6,310, Gold P4,510, Silver P3,610, Bronze P1,810 and General Admission P550.

Sponsored by: Dunkin Donuts
Supported by: Sony Music
Media Partners: FOX, Star World, ABS-CBN, ASAP XV, Velvet, AXN, Official Music Channel: Myx, Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer Libre, Manila Bulletin, Business World, Candy, Circuit, UNO, Magic 89.9, Max FM 103.5, Jam 88.3, 99.5 RT, Wave 89.1, Monster Radio 93.1, Club Radio Cebu, Fizzer.ph, Pep.ph, Spot.ph, Friendster, Odysseylive.net, Click the City, Pinoy Exchange, Inquirer.net, Loqal.ph, Manila Concert Scene, Astro Plus, Odyssey Music and Video.

DANJUGAN ISLAND, PHILIPPINES

This is Danjugan Island... A marine reserve and wildlife sanctuary in the Philippines that I'm promoting.



Fast Facts:

Lying in the Sulu Sea, 3km west of Negros Occidental, Danjugan Island (1.5km by 0.5km) rises steeply to 80m and is covered in rainforest - home to a nesting pair of sea eagles, rare pigeons and doves, threatened Tabon scrubfowls and coconut crabs, fruit and insect bats and many other wildlife species that struggle to exist in the
mainland.

There are five lagoons: three landlocked and two flooded at high tide and colonised by coral and reef fish species.

Danjugan is fringed with turtle-nesting beaches and surrounded by diverse coral reefs.



Danjugan is a small island of approximately 43 hectares, measuring approximately 1.5km long with a maximum width of 0.5km. The islands lies in the Sulu Sea adjacent to Negros Occidental (Barangay Bulata, Cauayan) in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. It has a high relief topography with limestone hills approximately 80m in height covered in tropical forest and is surrounded by fringing coral reef, a combination of two of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. The total area of island and reef is approximately 200 hectares.

Danjugan has five lagoons, two of which are open to the sea and four of which have surrounding mangrove stands. The island has a broken shoreline with numerous inlets of coral rubble and coarse sandy beaches. One of the sandy beaches is a confirmed nesting site for green turtles (Chelonia mydas). There is no permanent freshwater on the island.

Danjugan is one of the few small islands in the Philippines with relatively unspoilt vegetation. This vegetation includes plants like Pandanus spp. (screw pines), Veitchia merrilii (previously only known to occur in Palawan) and the threatened Pemphis acidula. The sub-tropical rainforest is an important bird nesting and feeding site for at least 55 resident and migrant avifauna species. The small limestone caves throughout the island act as important refuges of at least six bat species.

The island is completely encircled by fringing coral reef descending to a depth of approximately 30m. Seagrass beds occur along the western and eastern margin of the island. Prior to this report very little was known concerning the physical and biological composition of the reef system surrounding Danjugan (PRRP, 1996).

Getting There
Danjugan Island is located off Barangay Bulata in the Municipality of Cauayan, 151 kilometers from the City of Bacolod, Negros Occidental, the latter a 50-minute plane ride from Metro Manila, Philippines. Transport options include flying commercially from Manila to Bacolod City, then renting a private car or taking a public bus (Ceres Bus Liner) to the village of Bulata, a 30-minute banca (boat with outrigger) ride to the Island.



Day Stay

Price: Php 1,500* per person

Inclusions:
Food. Lunch and 2 snacks
Boat transfers. From the mainland to the island and back
Trekking & Snorkelling Guide.
Unlimited use of kayak. First come, first serve basis.
Unlimited use of binoculars for birdwatching. First come, first serve basis.

Overnight Stay

Price: Php 2,500* per person per night

Inclusions:
Eco-cabana accommodation. See accommodation & facilities section for description
Food. 3 main meals and 2 snacks per day
Boat transfers. From the mainland to the island and back
Boat tour. Go around the island on your the first day
Trekking & Snorkelling Guide.
Unlimited use of kayak. First come, first serve basis.
Unlimited use of binoculars for birdwatching. First come, first serve basis.

For reservations, visitwww.prrcf.org/about_danjugan Danjugan Island - Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary

Thanks to Jomi Garrucho for the photos!!!

THE SUPER VIRUS THAT KILLED MY BABY FILIA

06.29.2010, 13:49
I have been away because I have been mourning from the recent loss of my baby Shih Tzu, Filia Maxine Lobangco.



I had Filia last December (see top photo... she was just one month old here and healthy partying with me.. I was her first mom till I had to give her to my good friend Rachel Lobangco as I can not keep her at the place where I used to live. Filia brought so much joy and happiness to the Lobangco family.... she became the darling of Rachel and her daughter Leona for her sweet look, beautiful black hair and perfect eyes which is rare for a shih tzu.



This was Filia at 8 months old. A few days after this photo was taken, she succumbed to a deadly canine virus called Parvovirus. Parvo is a highly contagious disease characterized by diarrhea that is often bloody. Prior to 1980, most canine parvovirus that caused disease was Type 2 (CPV-2). After 1980, CPV-2 was replaced by CPV-2a became more common and in 1986, another variation called CPV-2b appeared. In the past few years, a new strain, CPV-2c has been detected. Today, CPV-2b has largely replaced the previous strains as the most common parvovirus causing disease in the dog. There is currently some discussion that there may be other strains that are beginning to emerge and have yet to be formally identified. Current vaccinations have helped to control the spread of this disease but despite being vaccinated, some dogs still contract and die from parvo. There is much that we do not know about the virus or the best way to control the disease, but we are learning new information daily. Misinformation about the disease, its spread, and vaccination is widespread. We hope that with a better understanding of the disease, pet owners will be able to make good health decisions for their dogs that will help prevent and reduce the spread of this disease.



How is parvovirus spread?

Parvovirus is spread through contact with feces containing the virus. The virus is known to survive on inanimate objects - such as clothing, food pans, and cage floors - for 5 months and longer in the right conditions. Insects and rodents may also serve as vectors playing an important role in the transmission of the disease. This means any fecal material or vomit needs to be removed with a detergent before the bleach solution is used. The bleach solution should be used on bedding, dishes, kennel floors and other impervious materials that may be contaminated.

The normal incubation period (time from exposure to the virus to the time when signs of disease appear) is from 7-14 days. Virus can be found in the feces several days before clinical signs of disease appear, and may last for one to two weeks after the onset of the disease.


What are the symptoms of parvovirus infection?

There is a broad range in the severity of symptoms shown by dogs that are infected with parvovirus. Many adult dogs exposed to the virus show very few, if any, symptoms. The majority of cases of disease are seen in dogs less than 6 months of age with the most severe cases seen in puppies younger than 12 weeks of age. There are also significant differences in response to parvovirus infections and vaccines among different breeds of dogs, with Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador Retrievers being more susceptible than other breeds.

The most common form of the disease is the intestinal form known as enteritis. Parvovirus enteritis is characterized by vomiting (often severe), diarrhea, dehydration, dark or bloody feces, and in severe cases, fever and lowered white blood cell counts. Acute parvovirus enteritis can be seen in dogs of any breed, sex, or age. The disease will progress very rapidly and death can occur as early as two days after the onset of the disease. The presence of gram negative bacteria, parasites, or other viruses can worsen the severity of the disease and slow recovery.



How is parvovirus infection diagnosed?

Not all cases of bloody diarrhea with or without vomiting are caused by parvovirus and many sick puppies are misdiagnosed as having 'parvo.' The only way to know if a dog has parvovirus is through a positive diagnostic test. In addition to the more time consuming and expensive traditional testing of the blood for titers, a simpler test of the feces with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antigen test (ELISA), commonly called the CITE test, is also available through most veterinary clinics. Testing of all suspect cases of parvo is the only way to correctly diagnose and treat this disease. A complete physical exam and additional laboratory tests such as a CBC and chemistry panel help to determine the severity of the disease.

How is parvovirus disease treated?

The treatment of parvovirus is fairly straightforward and directed at supportive therapy. Replacing fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea is probably the single most important treatment. Intravenous administration of a balanced electrolyte solution is preferred, but in less severe cases, subcutaneous or oral fluids may be used. In severe cases, blood transfusions may be necessary. Antibiotic therapy is usually given to help control secondary bacterial infections. In those dogs who have severe symptoms, antiserum against endotoxins may be given. Corticosteroids may be given if the animal is in shock. In cases of severe vomiting, drugs to slow the vomiting may also be used. After the intestinal symptoms begin to subside, a broad spectrum de-worming agent is often used. Restricting the food during periods of vomiting is also necessary and parenternal nutrition (providing nutrients intravenously) may be necessary.

Undertaking the treatment of affected dogs and puppies without professional veterinary care is very difficult. Even with the best available care, the mortality of severely infected animals is high. Without the correct amount of properly balanced intravenous fluids, the chance of recovery in a severely stricken animal is very small.

All parvoviruses are extremely stable and are resistant to adverse environmental influences such as low pH and high heat. Exposure to ultraviolet light and sodium hypochlorite (a 1:32 dilution of household bleach - ½ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water) can inactivate parvovirus. The bleach solution can be impaired by organic matter and needs to have adequate exposure time and proper concentrations to work effectively.

Conclusion

In summary, parvovirus is a very common problem that is a huge killer of puppies. Due to its ability to be transmitted through hands, clothes, and most likely rodents and insects, it is virtually impossible to have a kennel that will not eventually be exposed to the disease. Modified live vaccines are safe and effective, but despite the best vaccination protocol, all puppies will have a window of susceptibility of at least several days where they will be at risk. In addition, the newer CPV-2c strain presents new challenges since it is less detectable in laboratory tests and current vaccines may not be as effective in providing protection against it. Prompt treatment by a veterinarian will increase survivability in infected puppies and working with your veterinarian on a vaccination program that is best for your puppy is important.

This virus killed my beloved Filia last June 25, 2010 and I'm spreading this blog so other dog lovers out there will be aware of the danger of this killer virus amongst canines. Hope this is informative enough. The loss of a pet is horrible but if you guys can have your pets avoid this, then good.

To Filia... you are greatly missed.

Author's note: These images of my Filia is my personal property and of Vincent Garrucho.

WHATS WITH THE BANGS?

My friends were shocked when I arrived at Icon a few weeks ago with bangs and they all say what's up with it?



Bangs or Fringes got fringe benefits and they are back big time for quite sometime. If you are thinking of sporting some heavy eyebrow grazing bangs like mine, try finding out if it would actually be the best look for you.

Decide what your face shape is. If you have a round face, bangs that are cut straight across your forehead can make your face look even wider. Also, try on some wigs with bangs so that you truly know what you look like with such a style. Remember, once you cut bangs, it takes a long (and sometimes painful) time to grow them out.

Have a conversation with your hair stylist and get his or her opinion on whether the look will suit you. Ask your stylist to start with some light fringe to ease your way in. That way, you aren't committing to chopping off all the hair at your crown. If you like it, you can always add more. You just can't ever go back!

Author's note: The image of me is my personal property.

That's right! I know that each of us from different regions got big stuff to show off so, here are some unique ones from Negros Occidental...


Mutant Mango



Mutant Mangoes



Monster Prawns



Big Duhats



Partying Negros-Style with our own white beach on the background called Lakawon



Thank you Mark Zayco Abada for sharing these photos!!!