Best Basketball Cheering Squad

Posted on September 17, 2014 by heavenliner

sis-boom-ba! (photo from Gilas Pilipinas Facebook page)

Long hours of grueling drill and practice is not needed to be acclaimed as one. Rehearsals would virtually be impossible if it would involve the whole population of a nation. What’s simply needed is the devoted and enthusiastic ‘heart’ of everyone.

I am talking about the Philippines being awarded as the Most Valuable Fan – Best Country category in the recently concluded FIBA Basketball World Cup held in Spain.

I guess this is the first time in more than a lifetime that organizers of FIBA Basketball World Cup saw for themselves, how Filipino fans cheered in full thrill and hysterics. I am supposing that these organizers do not watch the annual Ms. Universe pageant where Filipino viewers would elicit similar fits of frenzy and hysteria.

Considering that at the start of the game, it has been predicted that the Philippines will most likely not gonna win any game, I was not surprised that still cheering was like a party for every Philippine game. This is simply because Filipinos are mad about basketball.

FIBA officers must have been told that the cheering shindig does not only happen inside the venue. The immeasurable passion of the Filipinos are present at every household in the Philippines making the country deserving such an award. The recognition actually seem so hollow and futile that other countries must be laughing at us because of such a silly consolation. Yet I and my fellow noisy bunch of Filipinos feels so proud and honored. This is simply because we are so in love with the sport.

O ayan! Stan ap en teyk a baw…

Purchased A Piece of Philippine Pop Rock Music History

Posted on September 9, 2014 by heavenliner

I don’t remember when was the last time I purchased a magazine or a CD for myself. This is because these items are slowly waning and fading away from the realms of present humanity. These are soon to be extinct.

This is due to the ever growing popularity of the reliable internet where everything that everybody seem to need is available. Today’s magazines are already easily available online in the form of blogs, e-zines or webzines. While songs can easily be purchased and downloaded via iTunes, Amazon MP3 or Google Music.

But last Sunday, I know that I just got to have these soon-to-be-inexistent stuffs. However, with such a purchase, I have yet to establish if I purchased a magazine with free CD or if I purchased a CD with free magazine. Whichever freakin’ way you may want to put it, one thing is for sure, I have with me a cool piece of Philippine pop rock history.

a soon-to-be-precious-collectible

I’m pretty sure this magazine with enclosed complimentary CD or a CD contained inside a free of charge magazine will – in a couple of decades – be considered a valuable collectible. This is because these incorporated items enfolds the reemergence of one of the greatest Filipino bands of this country, the Eraserheads.

CD containing "Sabado" and "1995", the two news songs of eraserheads

CD containing “Sabado” and “1995”, the two new songs of eraserheads

a very interesting read

As a proof that I am breathing fanatic, here’s a six year old post I wrote in the past. Press this link: ERASERHEADS

Eksayting…

Getting Flipped Over Flip Stavy Videos

Posted on September 7, 2014 by heavenliner

As a way of showing huge gratitude to this adorable Canadian (with Greek descent) guy for loving the Philippines so much, let me feature two of his enjoyable videos on my blog. I have been so captivated by Flip Stavy’s YouTube videos which features his fondness and adoration towards the Filipino language, food and people.

First is a very funny video, which I guess, only Flips can laugh about. I always find it so cute and hilarious when human beings born of another tongue would utter Filipino expletives. Stavy looks so innocent and so clueless making this video a riot! And by the way, the genius dichotomization and extraction variations of the invective ‘put*ng in@’ at the latter part of the video is so brilliant.

But here’s a Filipino language vocabulary video of Flip Stavy discussing about family. I never thought of Filipino genealogy labelling in this very cool manner. How I wish my Filipino teachers taught me my language in this very refreshing style.

Flip Stavy’s adorable videos would not have been possible without his Filipino buddy whom he calls Pao-Pao. I hope Pao-Pao would stay as friendly and supportive as he is now to Stavy. He definitely exemplifies the Filipino’s in-born warmth and hospitality.

‘Tang ‘Nang ‘Yan! Wi lab yu tu Stavy!

A Moreno Green Archer Made Me Proud On National Hero’s Day

Posted on August 24, 2014 by heavenliner

luis gabriel moreno (photo grabbed from filipino.china.com site)

It’s not Alma the actress. It’s not Isko the politician. It’s not Tito Germs the TV host. Neither is it a moreno (brown olive) skinned human being. It is a Moreno-surnamed-athlete who made me so proud and so happy today. Luis Gabriel Moreno, an archery events athlete just won a gold medal in this year’s Youth Olympics presently being held in Nanjing China.

With nothing to watch on TV today while I do my laundry, I settled watching TV5 network this afternoon. Not even aware that Youth Olympics is ongoing, I settled on watching a Mixed Archery event upon knowing that one of the athletes competing was a Filipino.

The sports feature started during the quarterfinals match of Moreno with his Chinese partner, Li Jiaman. I was initially not expecting anything because before the game started a sports anchor announced and flashed on the screen the medal tally of the ongoing Youth Olympics. And to no surprise the Philippines – as usual – has yet to win a medal.

a true green archer in every sense of the word (photo grabbed from philippinestar.com)

But interest and uneasiness about the mixed archery game fired up when Moreno and his partner won the game to qualify for the semi-finals. And when the tandem won their match to qualify for the grand finals and compete for the gold medal, I was already ecstatic.

I was so nervous watching the event and I was clapping my hands every time Moreno and his Chinese teammate hits the 9s or the perfect 10s. I was screaming ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ And I was praying to the heavens to give this event to the Philippines and China.

The general feeling was reminiscent of me watching the tennis matches of Roger Federer or me watching the boxing bouts of The Great Manny Pacquiao on TV. When Moreno swished his last arrow to clinch the gold medal beating the Malaysia-Germany tandem, I was shouting, clapping, jumping and earnestly praying saying thank you.

The TV anchor then appeared looking very proud and equally ecstatic saying that this is the first medal for the Philippines in this year’s Youth Olympics. And that the young Moreno is a student of De La Salle, thus literally living up to the bill of being a true Green Archer.

Well, today is the National Heroes Day and I am glad to be feeling proud. I guess Luis Gabriel Moreno achieved something great, worthy of being called a young hero of this country.

Kongrachuleyshons kang bata ka!

Alan Peter Cayetano for President

Posted on August 24, 2014 by heavenliner

I often suffer from high levels of laziness. And when I do, I would simply lie down on my bed and do nothing but surf the net. Usually, my surfing the net would lead me to either watch an indie short film or watch the circus-like hearings and privilege speeches done at the Philippine Senate as downloaded on YouTube.

alan peter cayetano

I am glad to note that out from watching those giddy senate hearings and speeches I am able to contemplate and deduce who shall be the candidate whom I will vote for in the upcoming Philippine presidential election. Thus, if the election will be held tomorrow, I would vote for Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

The Philippines as a government already has a lot of development strategies and economic plans. Some of which will be left fragmentary and incomplete while some will be left untouched/un-started by the present administration. And for these developments to continue, another individual who is held beyond suspicion of wicked wrongdoings and malicious agenda is needed. Thankfully, there is one candidate that exists, thus, the present President need not contemplate whether to stay in power or not beyond 2016.

Cayetano as I observed has consistently pays respect when respect is due yet attacks when attack calls for it. What is so impressive about his style of attacking is that it is never below the belt and is conveyed in a very calm yet precise manner. The guy is simply an exemplification of buckets-full of wit!

His cerebral reasoning, critical debates, imaginative conjectures and significant inferences are usually freakin’ impressive. Though he confessed in one of the senate hearings that he is hikain (asthmatic), he is a no non-sense guy.

Cayetano is always extremely prepared, thus an impeccable professionalism. He speaks good Filipino and English languages. He is fairly aesthetically presentable dude (but I think he needs to hit the gym like his siblings). He loves the Philippines. And the most important of all he looks and sounds sincere.

Unlike my (thankfully) level of sluggishness and indolence that is very variable and erratic, Alan’s level of integrity and moral ascendancy (thankfully too) seems unswerving. I know that my candidate for the highest post of this nation is still subject to change. But may it be in 2016 or not, I can see the future of the Philippines in this guy’s hand.

O ayan prodaktib pa din ang paghila-hilata ko…

A Pause from the Busy Metro

Posted on August 13, 2014 by heavenliner

It was indeed relaxing…

This is what I particularly uttered when I and my coworkers were heading back to Manila last Monday. This was after we spent the whole day lazing around Casa Luminaria, located in Barangay Talisay, Lipa, Batangas, an hour and a half away from the busy Metro Manila. I was a bit surprised that a haven of tranquility like Casa Luminaria exists so near Manila. It is an idyllic place to relax, bond and chill with your friends, colleagues and/or family.

relaxing interiors…

it is so relaxing, i can sleep on that mat

there’s 50 of us yet the place still is peaceful and tranquil…

It was the generous owners of the company that I am working for who granted the rest of our Management Team to relax for a day and do nothing. The only agenda in proceeding to Casa Luminaria is to be calm, unwind, have a break and chill out.

chill out with the ladies in stripes (grace & rochelle)

on a beautiful rug with mr. customer service edwin santos

with relaxed and fully charged dominic diaz

Some took a relaxing dip in the pool, some simply had a calming nap at the hammocks, some enjoyed playing cards, some had tranquil moments at the open-air lounge chairs, some snoozed on the outdoor mats and some simply enjoyed the soothing sound of nature. Me? I simply sat down and paused. As in paused during the whole time I was there. No work, no analysis, no hassle, no physical exertion and no deep thinking.

Sarap tumanga…

Nora, Bona and the Masa

Posted on July 15, 2014 by heavenliner

Though all things seem to have settled down and it has been considered a wrinkle in time, Nora Aunor the greatest actress on the face of Philippine cinema must nevertheless be thankful that she was not bestowed the recognition of National Artist.

Reason?

She should be thankful for not being conferred by a President who doesn’t seem to know anything about sining (art). I have yet to read or learn in the news that the present Philippine president supports Philippine art.

She should be thankful for being nominated by her fellow potent Philippine artists but only to be scratched by a non-worthy President because this made a lot of people especially today’s generation to be interested and curious about how magnificent her body of work has been.

She should be thankful because her not being declared a National Artist pushed me to watch one of her greatest works entitled Bona.

the prolific nora in bona

Bona, directed by the equally genius Lino Brocka, remains significant and substantial in today’s time. The story and characters still remains to exist in today’s Filipino realm. It is unlike other films made in the past that when viewed now would already look silly and stupid. It remains germaine and relevant up to this day.

Some would say that Bona (the movie) would have been a better film if it explained why Bona (the character) had so much obsession and bizarre infatuation towards Gardo (a bit player and struggling movie actor). For me, this impenetrable and baffling element made Bona a great work of art. It is like conveying that feelings of passion, adoration and reverence need not be explained for it is simply unexplainable.

Bona, the movie is so relevant! Simply look on how we, the masa (ordinary middling populace) adore and revere today’s movie stars. Can you imagine today’s glamorous movie stars being so filthy rich when in fact they did not even finished high school or college?

Furthermore, like Bona, we are so unexplainably awestruck by the charm of these movie actors and actresses, majority of us even had the bizarre obsession of voting for them during election to occupy crucial seats in government offices. Only to be duped and hoodwinked later on by these very celebrities (slash now-government-executives), similar to that of Gardo towards Bona in the movie.

Surprisingly, even though the movie is already 15 years old, it still depicts the poverty and destitution that an ordinary masa endures to experience and suffer from. It felt like this unglamorous movie was just done yesterday! It is so unfortunate that the country’s presidents in the past and the present (the one who refused to name Nora a National Artist) seem not have done enough to alleviate these adversities.

Now that the President has gone over with the condemnation by the Philippine art community because of his dim-witted decision of not declaring Nora a National Artist, he should find time to watch Bona the movie. He would definitely get enlightened and learn a lot about Nora, Bona and the masa.

Pans kasi ni kristeta…

Nengkoy’s Movies, Sarah’s Wigs, My Day-Off

Posted on June 9, 2014 by heavenliner

nengkoy: a great tagalog movie buddy

Are you the type of Philippine inhabitant who has difficulty looking for a friend whom you can drag to a cinema to watch a Filipino movie?

I am.

Fortunately, I have Nengkoy. This is because every time I crave to watch a Filipino flick I could easily drag my mother to the nearest movie house. Aside from her senior citizen discount, what is good thing about Nengkoy is that she doesn’t want to watch any Hollywood movie!

Thus, if I am channeling the “persona of every domestic-helper-on-a-day-off”, she could be a great movie buddy and companion.

In actual fact, I along with a couple of the members of my zany family was with Nengkoy at SM Mall of Asia. We watched the cheesy movie of Sarah Geronimo and Coco Martin entitled Maybe This Time.

maybe this time movie poster (taken from google images)

I would not want to be critical and diagnostic on how bad the movie was. What is good about this types of movies is that you need not bring a lot of brain cells to analyze, digest and comprehend it. Besides, I had too much thinking and analyzing already. So in general, I enjoyed it. I liked it because it gave me a couple of laughs.

Coco Martin was surprisingly comical, diverse and atypical! But the big revelation was Sarah Geronimo. The sweet girl can act. Too bad she no longer sport those ill-fitting wigs she wore in her movies with John Lloyd Cruz. I miss those atrocious wigs! The movie could have been more hilarious if she did!

Na relaks naman ako impernes…

The Sophisticated Saltiness of Alaminos Longganisa

Posted on June 1, 2014 by heavenliner

one heavenly piece of alaminos longganisa

After an awesome adventure at the Hundred Islands, I and my friends stayed overnight in one of the forgettable hotels in Alaminos. But the breakfast they served was definitely something to remember and rave about. It was the un-popular yet very tasty Alaminos Longganisa. I am writing about Alaminos Longganisa because this is the culinary highlight of my Hundred Islands adventure.

Vigan, Lucban, Cebuano or the Kapampangan longganisa versions may be the more popular varieties of “longganisa” (native sausage) for they may easily be found in the supermarkets. And Alaminos longganisa may probably be the least adored longganisa variety in the Philippines because a lot of Filipinos doesn’t even know that an Alaminos version exists!

But the Alaminos Longganisa is definitely the most admired type in my mother’s household. That is why before I and my friends drove back to Manila, we stopped by the public market to purchase kilos of this delectable banger variety.

golden links for sale at the public market in alaminos

Unlike the Cebuano and Kapampangan type which are rather sweet in taste, Alaminos longganisa is similar to the Vigan and Lucban variety which is garlicky in the palate. But what stands out for the Alaminos variety is the discriminatingly unique and refined saltiness. Maybe this is because it has less of the curing salt (the menacing salitre) and got more of the natural sea salt which is abundantly available in Alaminos, Pangasinan.

I am highlighting the unique sophisticated saltiness of this sausage as its finest ingredient because Nengkoy believes that the best tasting coarse salt is made and can only be found in Alaminos, Pangasinan. Nengkoy so fancy the taste of Alaminos sea salt, she would even request that her pasalubong (home coming present) simply be kilos of this salt if a friend or a relative happen to be coming from Alaminos. Yeah, I know that’s how weird my mom is! Asin ang gusto.

Anyway, going back to the Alaminos Longganisa. Aside from its superb taste, a distinct look about the Alaminos Longganisa is the color. It’s yellow! This is because it has atsuete (annatto) as part of its ingredient. That is why unlike the salitre-filled usually red-colored native sausages, Alaminos Longganisa when cooked turns out to be golden brown in appearance.

Also, a unique form of this sausage is the usage of short and thin palm leaves’ midrib sticks to separate each sausage link from one another. To keep the meat bursting out of its sausage casing, these wood sticks are actually fried along with the meat and is served still on the plate sticking out from the ends of the sausage!

So if you happen to have been served a golden brown sausage with small sticks on it, it is most probably the glorious Alaminos longganisa! Of course, like any other Filipino longganisa, Alaminos longganisa is best devoured with loads of steamed kanin (rice).

Naimas…

The Unique Charm of the Hundred Islands

Posted on May 31, 2014 by heavenliner

hundred islands, a totally different adventure

Having close encounters with the Taklobo or Giant Clams, colorful corrals and vibrant schools of fish are the highlights of my recent journey to the Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan (a calm and peaceful province north of Metro Manila). I was so glad to have the opportunity to snorkel in the deep blue waters (of the Coral Island) in this portion of the Lingayen Gulf. I have been a couple of times to this gorgeous protected national park and I am glad that the islands were still jarringly beautiful.

I really like the fact that it would be very difficult for people to stay overnight in the islands because there are no luxurious room facilities available in these islands which would tend to spoil, destruct and deteriorate the natural splendor of the place.

Among the more than 120 islands of the park I think only four are allowed for tourists to stay overnight. People who would want to stay overnight would only have to settle on pitching their own tent/s and pray that unforgiving heavy rain won’t fall and gust of viscous wind won’t blow during the night. Otherwise, it would be some messy, muddled and shambolic escapade.

with lambert, jun and willie

now, how can you construct toilets on those islands? aber!

my magic shot of jb…

those rickety pump boats are not for the fainthearted

Some two-legged squeamish finicky creatures may actually say and declare that they hate the park due to its inadequate or lacking in facilities – like drinking fountains, toilets, luxurious restaurants, air conditioned huts, high-class smooth sailing speedboats, etc. – in the islands.

But for me these add up to the unique charm and appeal of this Philippine tourist spot. It totes up to the rugged virginity of the place. This makes you feel that these harsh islands remains to be untouched, unexplored, undamaged and indeed intact. That the environment and its ecosystem is nothing but ‘natural’. So when you’re in the Hundred Islands, simply embrace nature’s beauty and expect the unexpected! Besides, that’s what fun is about!!!

Hundred Islands is not a fluid, easy and relaxing type of an escapade. It is for the rough, tough and jagged type of an adventurer. This distinct characters of the Hundred Islands makes me love and fancy this erstwhile Philippine tourist destination.

Kakaibang adbentyur… di pwede sa lelembot-lembot…

Nengkoy

ruminations & travesties of the favorite yet naughty son of Nengkoy

Tag Archives: philippines