2011 in Pictures

  

One Day

One more day till 2012 - the year which they say will be the end of the world as we know it. Coincidentally, I just finished watching the film One Day. No, this won't be a film review or some philosophical analysis of present implications of the film. 

It's just that something weird happened very recently and I'm not sure how to react. I'm not even sure if a reaction is solicited. Like what I said to a friend, it's more of a natural reaction than a choice. So while watching Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess smooching over stunning backdrops, I can't keep my mind off that certain event. Don't worry, it's meant to be vague. I'm also really confused.

The poster above reminds me of a photo I just hung in my room by Alfred Eisenstaedt taken in 1945 (below).  Beautiful, isn't it? It came from LIFE's The Classic Collection which contains iconic ready-to-frame photos in around six by eight inches big. I immediately bought a frame for it and now it's hanging in my room. I can't even take my eyes off it.

Cheers to 2012! For a new year, and a new life!

Last Stretch Before 2012

It's 10:38pm and I just ate dinner after coming from a meeting in Starbucks Shaw. I'm not sure if committing myself to many ventures will do me good in the long run because I'm exhausting myself too much, but I kinda enjoy the good stress it brings.

Sorry for ranting like a 12 y/o girl but to give you a picture of how my 2011 will end, here are some of my current concerns: we have 60 hours before the Manila Kid billboard shoot and still no pegs; we still have no final supplier for the jackets to be released this January, still no confirmed speaker for a seminar on the same month and deadline for the chapter outlines for our book is due on Friday. Apart from that, I go to work from 8:30-5:30 everyday.

Usually after formal working hours, people go home and rest or hang out with their friends. I kinda forgotten what's it like to have a concern-free evening. Even when I'm about to sleep, I always think of the deadlines and possible ways to go around them more efficiently.

Anyway, I just saw an Anna Wintour special last night in Bloomberg and I admire her determination and brilliance. I hope to replicate her work ethics someday! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Keep those challenges coming!

Carpe Diem before 2012!!!

Keep Mindanao Warm

We’re collecting BLANKETS and SLIPPERS to keep the 22,000 displaced families in Northern Mindanao warm.

We all have old blankets that we can always give away, while a pair of slippers priced at 80 pesos will mean so much to someone.

Bring old blankets, a pair of slippers, or cash donations (in sealed envelopes) to any of our drop off points between December 21-23 and we will take care of getting your gifts to Northern Mindanao.

DropOff Points:
-XANLAND CONDOMINIUM, KATIPUNAN. When dropping off the donations at the table of the guard please label them with your name and specify that they’re for ANNA SAN PEDRO at UNIT P15

-ROTI JUNCTION FOOD STALL at ATENEO BELARMINE FIELD during the Simbang Gabi. These donations can be made any time between 6-10 pm.

VALLE VERDE 5. Please text 0917-537-9475 for the exact address

On DECEMBER 22 THURSDAY between 1-5pm, you can also drop off your donations at COFFEE BEAN AND TEA LEAF, ALABANG TOWN CENTER. Please text 0917-919-8111 once you’re there.

For any concerns text 0917-537-9475 .

Please help us keep the victims of Typhoon Sendong warm by reposting and sharing this message with your friends!

Merry Christmas!

On Fire

Haven't got one drop of caffeine in my blood but my heart has been racing the whole day because of what will happen tomorrow! I won't even go to work because I'm so psyched! At around 7pm, three cars will be deployed around Metro Manila to give out food, toys and chocolates to less fortunate families. This will be the first time I'll be doing this, but A Different Christmas Carol has been around for the last two years since it was founded by one class in my high school three batches lower. Imagine a bunch of high school boys who, out of their own initiative, decided to go beyond themselves to do good to random strangers.

I remember reading from my college's Filipino magazine a line from its current president, Fr. Jet Villarin: "Sana 'pag dinibdib 'yong pagiging Atenista, makita na 'yong misyon, mas malawak kaysa sa sariling pangarap, sariling ambisyon." This really hit me hard because it reminded me of how passionate and idealistic we all were back in college. It's like I want the values of my school to extend beyond its walls and infect the rest of the country. I won't say that my idealism has died down, but it has become more passive these days.

I really can't wait for tomorrow! The brains behind Manila Kid will be helping us together with the friends of the original founders of I'mABosco. Now, excuse me while I wrap the toys and chocolates;)

Ahoy, Mateys!

Eye patch, check! Sword, check! Faux mustache and goatee, check! Hat filled with feathers, check! Pirate accent... uhm, I won't even bother. It was a night of merry making as our company celebrated its annual Christmas party in a pirate ship docked in Manila Ocean Park just a week ago. 

You can tell that the venue was really prepped up with styro cannons and treasure chests, sea creatures sticking out on the walls and fish nets hanging from the ceiling. It's like walking into the set of Pirates of the Carribean without the icy spray of the sea.

Of course it wouldn't be complete with us donning our pirate costumes. Some of my friends had their costumes made, others improvised with what they can find in department stores. Personally, I had to go to Camp Suki just to make sure I won't look kawawa on the event.

Here I am (below) with some of my Atenean friends (Jill - mermaid, Gillian - pirate, me - Captain Hook / Santa Claus, Olivia - parrot). Come to think of it, in a party with around 300 people, I think 30 of us were Ateneans! It's like a college party all over again.

Well, unfortunately for me, the parrot took home the crown of the best dressed "pirate" of the evening. Via told me that she and her dad were the ones who made the costume!

Below is the big boss, Sir Walter who is looking like Father Christmas himself.

I think the highlight of the night was the mermaid show. Three of these magnificent creatures did some aqua aerobics for like 15 minutes, and I have to say, they look really graceful in that giant tank filled with man eating marine life. Good thing they have their magic to contain these animals. The picture below is a proof of how little 'Little Mermaid' really is. 

Honestly, I'm not sure if I'll be able to still join them next year since everything has been really stressful with work. I just hope that it will be as creative as this year's Christmas party!;)

-photos from Geraldine's facebook album

A Shirt Shared By 50 Kids

The only thing productive I did last weekend, aside from a meeting with I'mAB and occasionally stuffing my stomach with calories, is shopping. I think I've seen enough consumerism for the past days that can last me a year. Ugh! I'd like to believe I'm generous towards other people. For myself, I'm very stingy so I can't help but check the price tag of the clothes which I was supposed to buy for myself.

Earlier this morning, I was thinking of our "A Different Christmas Carol", a mobile gift giving project where we'll donate food and toys to less fortunate kids. I was budgeting how much I'll allocate for around 50 children we'll meet on the streets. P1000.00.

Then I remembered the tribal shirt I saw in Topman worth P1,250! I'll be spending more for something which I'll use like only once every two months. With that money, I'll be able to buy decent toys in Divisoria for as much as 50 street kids. An expensive shirt versus an opportunity to make kids more happy, which one is more worthwhile?

But hey, toys? Won't they be needing grocery bags and/or school supplies more? Well, let's not forget that even though they are forced to work at a very young age, they remain to be children. Can you imagine your childhood without your favorite toys? Life is tough, we get it. So we might as well provide these children with keys into a world where they are free to dream and exercise their right to be kids, even for just a fleeting moment.

Would you rather buy something for your self than be the reason why a kid feels extra special this Christmas?

If you and your friends want to help, don't hesitate to contact me. This Christmas, let's make more happy!

So Far

I haven't updated my blog for the longest time. Maybe it's because I got this job (which I don't really like) so I'm too tired whenever I arrive home to write. It's a waste because I get a lot of ideas during the day but I have no convenient medium to archive them since I'm out of my blogging environment - in my room or in a coffee shop.

If I had to probe deeper, I think blogging has become a chore for me. I forget why I started it in the first place - for me and not just for my readers. Heck, I don't even check grammar. It's a way for me to synthesize what happened during the day, and it keeps me inspired since it reminds me of my priorities. Somehow, concretizing your ideas (or dreams) even by just writing it down makes it more real. I think I need to remind myself of that.

So far, I'm having difficulty adjusting to the corporate environment, even if it's my 3rd month now. Maybe I'm not really fit for it, or maybe I haven't even tried to adjust. I need discipline!

So far, I think we're having a hard time reaching the true potential of I'mABosco. We're doing really well in terms of sales and market awareness, but I think we can do better. I'm actually amazed because James and Mike, two of my partners, are still in school and they remain as dedicated as ever to I'mAB.

So far, we're also having a hard time finding adequate time for Manila Kid. The website launch was supposed to be last Sunday but it might be moved to January 2012 because let's just say I'm too much of a perfectionist.

I read a tweet from DJ Mo Twister earlier this evening: "having a rough day? place your hand over your heart. do you feel that? that's called purpose. dont give up." Purpose, it will keep you moving forward.


There are no shortcuts if you want to achieve something big. It may still be far, but if you take even just one step a day, you'll eventually get there. I just hope it would be sooner and less complicated.

I promise to update this blog more often!:)