Chucks, Skinny Jeans and My Last Hoorah

2008 was ultimately punked: everyone seems to wear skinny jeans and Chucks (and... scarves. ewwww)

so true and so Ashton-punk'd, the year was really filled with "surprises". from Jolie-Pitt's twins and withdrawal of GRP-MILF MOA-AD to Charice global stardom, PhP60 per fucking liter oil and half-price rollback, Ces Drilon kidnapping, financial recession, Jocjoc and rice shortage (surprisingly fake).

i, too, was surprised!

i was, for the first time since my grade school circumcision, hospitalized for a rarely-heard sickness (lack of potassium). but despite of all health odds, i still was diagnosed as completely healthy. (ye! not all underweights are not healthy).

greta and i almost broke up, then... we both got our dream (or least, better) job! i unexpectedly became a project manager of an environment project and she's with a Washington-based NGO.

i got star-struck too, from Diego Mapa of Pedicab to John Lloyd, whole Cambio guys, Senator Mar Roxas and of course, Sarah Geronimo. i never saw Sarah, but i bribed Greta to have her poster and watched her movie. Keyk, particularly Joseph Pacon, too. They just are an amazing band. so amazing, Mike D had them played in Eastwood along with Pedicab and Sandwich. more, they now are considered one of the in-house bands in Freedom Bar. Keyk's teaser album and music video were surprising firsts including Polar Depth. go Davao!

i also went gaga over 2 girls: the Gossip Girl and the Thank-You Girls. i couldnt disagree more, pero ang galing talaga ng kabaklaan hahahaha

this year also showed blockbuster movies, notably, Dark Knight (hail to Heather) and Juno (rise of more indie films). Jumper, Wanted and Sex In The City too were my favorites.

most notable however is my first Ramadan. i really felt closer with our Muslim brothers and more attached to Mindanao's call for peace and development.

surprisingly, i still managed to play 2 Ultimate (frisbee) tournaments (Ultimo Abril in Cebu City and Beach Ultimate in Davao City) in the midst of hectic serious development work. ye, im a proud DDS or Davao Disc Squad player and will always be!! what more, Monci and I just have MP Arquion, a local music production.

to add, my Christmas was so meaningful. i planted 3 trees in Bendum, Malaybalay City. i met a lot of new friends including an MNLF commander and a Pulangiyen chieftain.

lastly, Greta and I finally have our house in Elenita Heights, Mintal. and 2009 will be the year to improve it.

Xmen Origin: Wolverine will be shown, i am turning 31 this coming year (one more year and im out of the calendar) and i am more thankful than ever. Thank God, Greta and all!



p.s. how did scarves make it through the fashion scene?

Christmas, My Ass

i really dont empathize on beggars! NEVER!

giving beggars encourages more beggars! and that is the economics of begging!

but this christmas, id try to empathize.....for Bukidnon lumads. to start with, i bought a pale of assorted biscuits. it is actually a "barter" for banig. honestly, i never felt any excitement when paying the pale of biscuit, but im exerting effort to excite.

christmas, for me, is never for beggars, but for family and loved ones.

the best way to give is still with your family, especially those in need. if you do not have families in need, give it yourself. if you have enough, then give those who really are in need.

Muslim Elders Affirm Al Gore

Elders claimed that an estimated 30 meters of land extended from the existing shoreline to the coasts of Barangays Matuber and Tubuan, Datu Blah Sinsuat municipality back in 1950s.

If we have to approximately compute, the sea takes 0.6 meter (half of your arm or full step) of land every year. It could probably be or more than a meter when more ice melt due to excessive global carbon dioxide deposit in 1968. The rising sea did sweep the old school and houses in 2 barangays earlier in 1970s. When I reach 80 or earlier, there would probably be floating kiosks in Times Beach, Davao City.

Well, it scared me but not really (im probably dead then and Greta and I are housed in the upland state of Mintal). Even then, it did make me double my effort to help the environment. I hope you too could.

Unless you like floating kiosks and too absorbed with Pacquiao's victory over Dela Hoya, then just ignore this post and have your kids float in the future.

Plant trees please and trim your carbons now!