Dog beggars???

I went to Manila last Saturday. When I got off from the train at U.N. Avenue station, I was surprised at the sight I saw.

I found these poor dogs at Taft avenue corner U.N. avenue and though they looked cute I can’t help feeling sorry for them. Imagine holding those baskets all day long under the heat of the sun. They wore clothing articles and it must have been uncomfortable for them. According to Fars, sometimes they wore shades and other stuff. I don’t know what others think, I’m not particularly an animal rights activist, but would you do this to your pet? Or your friend?

Sleepless in Hot Manila

Weee, I just got home! All thanks the summer heat (again) I was up all day again. I just remember how it feels to be awake for 24 hours straight. The last time I did was a year ago (I think) during the Animax 24-hour anime marathon. Amazingly I’m still feeling vibrant. Oh how I hate to be too poor to afford an ACU. Living in a small room with no air-conditioning on the middle of 2007 summer is the worst. The only reason for this room is a sleeping place yet it didn’t serve its purpose. It won’t let me have those sweet dreams I yearn or a sound sleep for an exhausted soul. Really… and not to mention that I share this room with another 37ºC creature, my cousin… haay, what else could be worse. Thankfully, having friends in the medical field can actually help you in various situations as this! I texted Frances and asked for a Dormicum (sleeping pill). Lo and behold, she’s just as awake and restless hahaha. She asked if I want to go out, she’d also hand-over the pill hehehe. The next thing I know, we’re off to Harbor Square. We met her friends who were into motorbikes. We had a little chat and drink at the last standing bar then we tried riding his bike. Frances was thrilled with it and I did enjoy it but just for a try. I knew from the very start that it’s not my cup of tea. When we parted, not even a tinge of drowsiness reminded me that I still have a work at 8:00 in the morning. I think I only had 2 cups of coffee, how come I’m still so genki? We strolled a little around Manila, we even dropped by at Ospital Ng Sampaloc to see if we can disturb Dindee hehehe. But everyone seems to be in a good dream. As Frances dropped me to my place, I think of all those sleepless nights… and I came to realize that I was made for night life! Or is it really just insomnia due to heat. Oh now look at the time! Now I have to get ready for work!!!

Whoa! It’s the start of the week, not a very good one, I’m starving to death hehehe. But I’m so excited because it’s payday, I’m gonna eat till I stuff! And I’m getting excited the most for my anime and manga orders –weeee! But what a weekend I had, I spent my Saturday at Dasmarinas Cavite, in Medz resort. Our exam was to do a photo shoot. This is not photography but Computer 2! Anyways, we have to choose a product to endorse, shoot ‘em and edit in Photoshop. But why go all the way to Cavite? According to my professor, we have to make use of landscape of the resort. Hah, I think the landscape thingie was just an alibi, a mask, it was actually an outing. Not that I don’t want to have that kind of bonding with them, but there are better places. Okay here goes my frustrations… it’s just that at my current financial condition, I want to get the smoke of my money’s worth. The pools were very ordinary, the cottages were messy, the toilets were stinky (dear Lord), and the landscape- I can get better landscapes in Manila (Luneta or CCP) and Makati (Greenbelt) for FREE. Anyway, the only good thing about it was I get to hangout with 3rd year students. Wha, I was surprised to find out that they are more tamed than my 2nd year classmates. But they are fun to be with, too. So what was my product? Well, I’m torn among shades, jacket or cigar hehehe…

Last week I bought an April 30, 2001 back issue of TIME magazine… -nostalgic- haay, I miss those days, the bests of my life… anyway, the magazine features Japan, how the world sees it. Various points of views in different aspects were considered, be it economy, sports, politics, cuisine, pop culture, movies, anime, electronics, literature, etc. But of all insights raised, this war sentiments of other Asian countries lingered to my mind. Admittedly. I used to hate the Japanese when I was young. After what I learned in Philippine History, I despised Japan. I hated it when my classmates would tell me I looked like a Japanese… but people change as we grow…I got hooked to anime and I eventually embraced (partially) the exquisite world of Japanese culture. So this is Kid, an otaku, who’s interested in anything Japanese… now let me contemplate a little… If I belonged in the gray haired generation, chances are, I was one of the victims of the Japanese invasion. If that was so, then I may never forgive them. I’d be resenting them to my grave. But then, this is Kid, member of generation X, hehehehe… okay I can only sympathize and NOT empathize with the victims of Japanese soldier’s ruthlessness. But let’s face it, more than 50 years had passed and I believe Japan had made so much to make up for its sins. They had donated more than $80 billion to assist it’s Asian neighbors (Japan is world’s most generous donor according to Guinness). Pasts and present prime ministers had vowed and apologized endlessly. Those war soldiers are, if not dead, suffering or enjoying old age already. And do not forget the living and suffering victims of the Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombing. In my opinion (probably biased), Japan had paid off for its inhumanity. We don’t have to forget our history, but it doesn’t mean that we won’t forgive them. If God does, why can’t we… yeah, you go kid! I love Japan! Banzai!!!

Whew, I just got home. I came from CCP and watched the Condors’ Conquest of the Galaxy: Jupiter, with my 3rd yr. BFA classmates. We were required by our professor in Nihonggo to attend. Well, even if we weren’t required, I would still attend anyway. Anyways, Condors is a group of Japanese male stage performers dressed in gakuren. The production is a mixture of dance, live music, puppet show, etc. There were series of dance performance with funny antics ,drawn from pop culture, in between. Well, considering they are in Manila, most of the flicks featured were contemporary Philippine pop culture, there was even a part that one actor sang an excerpt of the song “Pinoy Ako” by Orange and Lemons. But my favorite was a story about this middle age man who’s a frustrated football player working in a call center in Makati, who can’t get over his football passion. Haha, it was really hilarious…

Anyways, today is the last day of my VL -sigh- Good thing tomorrow is (holiday) Manila Day and at the same time it’s Dr. Hogar’s birthday and we’ll be celebrating it at Dr. Joson’s rest house in Anilao Batangas. It’s a beach, but I don’t think I’ll be able to swim (because I dunno how) or even take a dip, I’m actually not prepared for it… but we have lots of food to munch hehehe… Awww, it’s gonna ruin my diet again, but this events comes once in a blue moon so why not make the most out of it.

I just want to share, it’s been a year since I had my ear pierced… I remember it so clearly… it was Easter Sunday…okay I don’t want to get sentimental now so I won’t go into details anymore…

I just finished the anime Beck… hmmm, not bad but nothing remarkable either… I liked the opening song… maybe if I’m someone who’s an AVID fan of rock bands…

Speaking of bands… I didn’t come home again this weekend… I’m cost cutting… being based in the province is quite expensive if you’re working in Metro Manila… I’m talking of transpo expenses. Anyways, last Saturday Fars invited me to go the Winston Wings Tour 2006 in Malate. They featured Bamboo, Parokya ni Edgar and Sugarfree. Its free… so I thought… why not… it’s not everyday that you’d see a free live performance of the country’s top bands. I am not a fan of local bands, as I have mentioned long before (I think) I only liked E-heads. But I do like some local band songs (random). Besides, I’ve always wanted to see a live performance of Parokya ni Edgar. I’ve always heard that they are really makulet. Well, I could tell just listening to their songs. So how was the concert? Well, one thing I’ve learned, if it says in the marketing collaterals and news plugging that the program would start at 7:00, it would actually start at 9:00 so don’t bother to come on time or earlier. Darn, Fars, Mike and I waited for more than 2 hours! Neil was lucky enough that he came around 9pm, he was still able to get some sleep. I just hope it’s not the case with major concerts, especially that of foreign performers. About the performers, I couldn’t say much about Sugarfree, I was actually bored with them… I think out of the 3, they were the band that sang the most numbers, or am I just that bored. I did like one of their song, I just don’t know the title, it says something –magpapaalam na ako sa aking kwarto…- then came Parokya ni Edgar, hahaha, I really had fun seeing them… they were really makulet. What’s really wonderful about them is that they keep on promoting fellow rock bands –kamikazee, sugarfree, bamboo, hale- etc. Chito (vocals) was even wearing a “maharot” shirt of kamikaze… I liked it! But I’m not a fan of their music, I only loved “halaga”. Their songs are good to hear for stimulation, I swear I’d always laugh hearing their songs… but nothing beyond that, it’s not something I’d want to hear for any season or mood. But I was so excited when they sang “Narda” (by Kamikazee), though they didn’t finish it, tsk, tsk… I’m really hooked to that song hehehe… Bamboo… uhmm, well their music is powerful, they have this distinctive style in music… but I couldn’t really appreciate it. But seeing Bamboo rock like that makes me want to jump and head bang… rock on yeah! Well I did like some of his songs during Rivermaya era (Awit ng Kabataan & 214). And Bamboo is really an eye candy, no wonder Fars is soooo addicted hehehe… Well, another thing I realized is that I’ll never situate near the speaker, or the front row. I love loud rock music, but I do not want to impair my hearing. Really, after the gig, my ears felt numb. I swear, I’m reserving to hear music THAT loud for L`Arc~en~ciel… hmmm, I wish when I get to Japan, they’re still active…

It’s Narda on my music player right now… I really like this phrase -awit na nanawagan, baka sakali napakikinggan, pag-ibig na palaisipan, sa kanta na lang idadaan. Nag-aabang sa langit, sa mga ulap sumisilip, sa likod ng mga tala, kahit sulyap lang Darna- haay…

Anyways, yesterday, it was a good thing I browsed my planner. I have forgotten that Eiga Sai was showing in CCP stated last Saturday. Too bad I missed it… oh well, I got to see a concert… and I was able to watch 2 movies yesterday anyway. Yay! back to J-culture! I stayed at Starbucks Vito Cruz while waiting, I know, I’m supposed to cut my expenses, but I’d die of heat stroke if I stayed at the boarding house for more than an hour. And I actually have 2 e-fans on huh, it doesn’t make any difference. Besides, my destination is CCP, it’ll be good, I’d be able to walk –exercise-…


The first film was entitled ‘A Summer Page’. It’s a story about 3 boys who set out on a mountain climbing one summer day to fulfill a promise with their sensei who died a year ago. Japanese kids are the cutest I swear hehehe… I just love the sight of young boys in super-short shorts -nosebleeds- hehehe… basically the story tackles puberty, friendship and courage… nothing new actually but I just have this soft spot on childhood friendships. I have a lot of things missed during childhood, and having friends is just one of it. I do have playmates –neighbors- but friends are different… being a loner that I am, I never really experienced hanging out with friends when I was a kid. Letters, I think is very common that time. I remember reading Sherry’s friend letters during her gradeschool and highschool days… and I really can’t help feeling envious, because I never had those kinds of letters… I laughed at every message her friends and classmates told to her… they are nothing but silliness and innocence in deed… but they are memories… and I know that I was once as silly and innocent as them. Don’t get me wrong, I had a happy childhood I swear, but it’s just that I had no social life… well I did have letters during highschool, but they came from my siblings and relatives hehehe…While waiting for the next I roamed around CCP. I just love that place. A very suitable place for drifting from reality, just seeing the artworks on display in the halls makes me feel proud of Filipinos’ talent… There wss an ongoing ballet performance at one of the theaters… I saw some child ballet dancers… cute… but I didn’t watch, there was an entrance fee so…

The next film was “Young Girls in Love”, this time girls huh. The title says it all though, a story of 4 girls in love. I want to talk more about it but I don’t have the time now, I’m on a hurry right now…

Oh well, gotta go.

-awit na nanawagan, baka sakali napakikinggan, pag-ibig na palaisipan, sa kanta na lang idadaan. Nag-aabang sa langit, sa mga ulap sumisilip, sa likod ng mga tala, kahit sulyap lang Darna-

Hmmm… 2 days to go and it’s the big day for Lynn. Haay, I haven’t made any preparations. I don’t have the required shoes (silver) yet and I haven’t bought a wedding gift yet *sigh*. I’m actually excited on the fact that I’m gonna sleep at the hotel she’s staying – Peninsula Manila. Gosh, I haven’t stepped on this classy hotel ever. I think Manila Pen is the best hotel in Metro Manila that’s why I’m getting so excited hehehe.

Thank goodness my pizza craving is over. We at the office had 2 pizza deliveries this week. The first one was last Tuesday, Fars and I chipped in and used the Palm Card that I borrowed from Sherry. Then this afternoon, Ma’am Alice treated us hehehe. And lucky day, the delivery was late therefore we received 3 pizzas! Now I’ve had enough of mozzarella cheese hehehe…

By the way, I just want to share, I wore a Hawaiian shirt yesterday. It was the birthday gift of my former boss last year. I really don’t like floral design but I had nothing else to wear. Except for my office uniform, I wasn’t able to bring my dirty clothes to laundry shop, my cousin is getting annoyed at me already hehehe. Anyway, I was teased as a “child” of Lito Atienza (Mayor of Manila who’s always in floral polo shirt). But I actually liked it matched with my khaki shorts… I’m more androgynous than ever hahaha… I just wish I’d lose some weight *sigh* ah! I tried San Francisco Coffee this morning (used my card hehehe). Gaah! It’s more expensive than Starbucks… but less tastier *frown* but it’s located in the WiFi Zone of Rob Place so I guess it’s okay hehehe. WiFi at Starbucks is not free so…

I just finished browsing Manila Bulletin… looking for a new job. I never realized how hard it is to look for a “good” job till now. It’s getting more boring in the office plus the “big” people demoralize me a great deal. My special time of duty because of studies seems to be a never-ending issue… Those pathetic managers are not worth a fight. I’m still young and there are more opportunities for me. Huh, but I’m not leaving until I get a new job with better compensation. I have so many bills to pay for the next months.

Early this morning, I jogged at the Dike (Baywalk version of Tanay). Lately I never got the chance to stroll at Baywalk because I hardly wake up early. Damn, this mobile PC is eating up my sleeping time hehehe… anyways, the walk took me no more than 10 minutes, it was just like walking along UN Avenue from Taft to Roxas Blvd. My, living in Manila made me realize how small my hometown is. I remember when I was young it was hard to convince our parents to take us there because it seemed so far from our home… but now it seems just within my grasp. Hmmm, exaggerated! Compared to Baywalk, Dike is a lot smaller. Instead of ships, you’ll see fishermen’s boats, which reminded me of sceneries from “Snow Falling on Cedars”. Instead of restaurants/bars, there were only mini-food stalls selling breakfast meal, I don’t know if the stalls exist throughout the day to serve appropriate meals. There is significantly less smog in Dike than Baywalk. And the Taho vendors, I spotted only one here, but it sells 50% less than those in Baywalk. But just the same, these two seaside spots have sentimental meaning for me…

Yay! It’s the last working day of the year! I walked early this morning at Baywalk again. Have to start my weight reducing intervention again. I also had my haircut today, and it feels really light… that’s better now.

I was surprised when Jason called me this morning asking if I’m in the office. He went here just to give his Christmas gift for me. Awww, I was so touched. I thought he had removed my name on his “list” already. It has also been a while since we’ve seen each other… anyway he gave me a set of Naruto key chains.

Tomorrow I’ll be seeing Sherry and Sri, we’ll probably just eat and talk… I missed them a lot. The last time we’ve been together was more than a year. They both have “koibitos” already and I’m being left out *sigh*. But I’m getting excited to see them already, especially Sri, since I see her more rarely than Sherry.

I feel bad that I don’t have any Christmas gift for my friends, especially those who gave me something… as much as I want to give, I’m broke and it’s also almost impossible to see them at once. 2 days to go and it’s another year. I hope this coming year would be a charming one for me…

Last December 27 was our Christmas party, I was one of the Emcee together with Gel and Dr. Hogar. I wore my favorite costume, Soujiro, minus the white polo. Instead, I sported a black shirt. The party was supposed to be "costume themed" but my colleagues are so hard-headed that i was the only one in costume. Oh never mind, I was happy to wear my Souji costume anyway. The party was really a blast. We all had fun, and we laughed all through out the event hehehe. It turned out to be a comedy bar... I'll post pictures soon. For the meantime, enjoy the last glimpse of KiD for this year (",x)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Okay, 23 minutes to go and it’s Christmas. Kurismasu Omedetou minna-san!!! I’m home and I’m glad that I made it safe here. Every night that I’d go home from work carrying this laptop, I’ve been very anxious and at the same time paranoid that I’d get hold-up. I was actually planning to come home earlier but my boss reminded me that Dec. 24 was not declared as holiday, Saturday is my regular duty, therefore I had to come to work. I didn’t stay till 5pm though, I went out at 2:00 and went to Ayala Center to fetch my brother so we’ll travel home together. Mike was with me again from morning. He accompanied me all the way from Quiapo (to buy DVDs) to Ayala Center until we finally went home. Hmmm, I promised that I’d stop spending for my hobbies and using credit card, but I just can’t help it whenever I’d browse a toy store, it’s so hard to resist my “id” when I see a toy I want, specially if I’ve been looking for it for a long time already *sigh* here I go I again, I just hate me… Anyways, I was surprised to see old RK figures at Toy Town, Glorietta. I’m talking about the very first RK figures. The first installment was the Kenshingumi minus Yahiko, Officer Fujita taking over his place instead. While the second installment were the relevant Tsuioku Hen characters (Battousai, Saito, Okita, and Tomoe) Though, I was hopeless to see a Kenshin figure, I can’t resist to include the two ladies in Kenshin’s life in my collection. So there… I rarely collect female chara figures, but they’re RK chara… Anyways, let’s go back to Christmas topics (gosh I just love talking about my toys hehehe)… if I’m not mistaken, for the past 3 Christmas, I’d always come home at night of 24th… Hmmm, I realized it’s better for me that way because I’d hate to help with all the house work hehehe, I’m bad. But I’m tired already, Minus the 3 hours stay at my office, I walked the whole day. Hmmm, what did I get for Christmas? Astroboy toy from Lynn, Peninsula Manila’s Pastries from Lyn’s Sister, MDC Planner from Ma’am Winnie, Thai Mask key chain from Ma’am Minda, Foot scrub and lotion from Ma’am She, Merlion Nail cutter from ma’am Glenda, and the P1000 gift Check from MDH top management… much lesser than last year, but not bad, and of course, Soujiro figure from Kid, Enishi figure from Kid, Kenji Figure from Kid, Kaoru and Tomoe figure from Kid, X manga from Kid, Starbucks tumbler from… guess who… Kid (“,x)… and the greatest gift so far… an ASUS laptop from no other than *drumroll* Kid!!! Yay… but honestly, I’m not that happy… all I want for Christmas for me… only this person can give… MERRY CHRISTMAS again everyone (“,x)