mang jimmy’s
should there be people who’re avid readers of this blog . . . it helps if you’re part of the up system . . . haha
i had a good conversation last week with a special friend. it’s been a long time since we’ve last talked to each other and it was nice to catch up on things . . . the things that keep us busy the past few days . . . any short-term goals and even long-term ones. well, basically, we just made our presence felt to each other, i guess . . . you know to let the other person know that "hey, i still exist!"
there were lots of things we had discussed but i’ll never forget the part where we discussed about mang jimmy’s. for non-up people, i guess i owe you a little bit of background regarding this "mang jimmy’s". it’s a certain restaurant . . . (hey can i call it restaurant? uhm . . . an "open-air restaurant? haha . . . well, i don’t think it is a canteen . . .) it’s not within the up compound but it’s just near. it’s basically near the back of our building in college (School of Economics). anyway, what’s with mang jimmy’s? it’s a popular eating place for up students. during our days, that was 2 years ago . . . we’d go there in big groups . . . if we want to have our own "bonding" moment, well, mang jimmy’s is the place to be! haha. they offer unlimited rice . . . they have this special offer like "buy 2 viands and get 1 for free" something like that. so, basically, the more people there are in your group . . . the cheaper it is . . .
aside from that great offer, mang jimmy’s serves good food . . . (funny that i talk about food after i’ve lost a lot of weight, huh?) who would forget the sisig and the tapa, right? wow, sarap . . . i hardly eat rice but there’ll always be an exception whenever i’m at mang jimmy’s haha . . .
so anyway, this good friend of mine was telling me of the changes for the past 2 years at mang jimmy’s. i heard that since the road where mang jimmy’s is located is so narrow, cars are no longer allowed to park . . . wow, good thing i never reached this point haha. but i’ve heard there’s a certain parking area which is a couple of walks away thus the presence of this certain "mang jimmy’s shuttle" hahaha . . . nice idea! having always been in charge for the transportation for my group of friends, well definitely i’m the "suki" of that shuttle . . . haha.
negative things though . . . i heard rice is no longer unlimited (who cares? i’m not fond of rice anyway haha) the prices have gone up . . . but i heard it has a bigger serving . . .
now, i’m not sure if this friend is just teasing me or is telling me the truth. but, it’s been years anyway and mang jimmy’s definitely needs to make innovations once in a while, right?
oh well . . . up peeps! remind me to eat at mang jimmy’s the next time i drop by at the campus, ok?
–GI 30682
Food and Drink | Comments (2)gaya ng dati . . .
i realized it’s been a long time since i’ve updated my blog. had been very busy with work the past few days (hey wait, when was i not busy at work anyway?) that’s why i haven’t been able to post anything here . . . too bad, had lots of thoughts about anything under the sun lately . . .
ok . . . i was on my way to work this morning and i was tuned in to one of my favorite radio stations. when i arrived at the parking lot of our office, i was to turn off my radio when the dj started playing one of gary valenciano’s songs. i am a big gary valenciano fan all the more his songs during the 80’s and the 90’s . . . well, basing it on the title of this blog, you definitely have an idea which song i heard at that time . . .
i stayed for a couple minutes as i tried listening and, as you can say, tried digesting the main thought that the song wishes to send . . .
Gaya ng Dati (by: Gary Valenciano)
Dati-rati, laman ng puso mo ay ang pangalan Ko
Lagi Ako sa isip mo, dati-rati
Inaawitan pa lagi ay may ngiti, mga matay nagniningning
Ngunit ngayon nagbago ka, nasan na ang init ng pagsinta
Pangako moy hindi magwawakas
Di bat noon, samyo ng bulaklak at ihip ng hangin ay kapansin-pansin
Di bat noon takbo ng oras ay di mo napapansin, laging naglalambing
Ngunit ngayon naglaho na, siglat tamis ng iyong pagsinta
Pagmamahal Ko bay kailangan pa, ooh
god’s love . . . you know, for 12 years (prep, grade school and high school), i’ve studied at an exclusive school. this was where i learned everything about my religion . . . the basics . . . things that the book has to offer. well, thankfully, because of that . . . i’m knowledgeable with regard to the sacraments and all that. although i’m not an expert about our bible, at least i know the important stories of it.
but funny as it seems that for 12 years that i have been exposed to religious people (since our school is being run by sisters), i’ve never been religious. you know back then, given a choice . . . i’d rather not hear mass. i’d find ways as to how i can back out from hearing mass . . . i’d rather go to confession.
to think my parents were very religious but i never got that trait, i guess.
when i went to college at up . . . funny as it seems, but this was where i started turning to God and realizing His importance in my life. for 12 years, i’ve been studying about religion, roman catholicism but it was at up that i began practicing the things i’ve learned in grade school and high school. perhaps it has helped, for me to first learn about the fundamentals and basics about my religion for me to eventually practice and fully understand it. that’s the way it is with regard to learning a sport, right? you have to know the basics before you start playing . . .
i’ve always been telling my friends that at up, that’s where i realized the importance of my religion. funny, huh? i guess i needed to feel alone for me to realize that i’m really not alone because someone up there is looking at me making sure i’m ok. with the different kinds of people that you’d get to meet at up, i realized that there’s just one companion who’d forever be at my side . . . that’s where i turned to have a stronger faith. it was then that i realized that he really does answer our prayers. there’d been many things i’ve asked and he listens . . . it may not be given soon . . . but you can expect that it will come at the best time that you really need it. sometimes it’s nice to feel that you’re important to the person up above . . . 
Dati-rati, mga pangako Koy kandungan mot lakas
Sa pagsubok ay kay tatag, di bat noon
Sa kaibigan moy Akong bukambibig, bakit ngayoy anong lamig
Di mo alam Akoy nasasaktan, sa di pagpansin sa Aking pagmamahal
Lumapit kat Akoy naghihintay, naghihintay, ohh
Akoy nasasaktan, sa di pagpansin sa aking pagmamahal
Lumapit kat akoy naghihintay
Di mo alam Akoy nasasaktan, sa di pagpansin sa Aking pagmamahal
Lumapit kat Akoy naghihintay
with those lines . . . i realized i’ve been hooked on lots of things that i’m slowly drifting away from Him. oh yes, i still do my duties as a catholic but i guess i’m no longer as sincere as i was. i’ve always been on a rush lately . . . that even my prayers are always in a hurry. then perhaps that’s how God feels right now . . .
Panginoon, akoy nabulag ng mandarayang mundo
Ako ay patawarin Mo, mula ngayon ang buhay kong itoy
Iaalay sa Iyo gamitin mo ako, gaya ng dati
Gaya ng dati, gaya ng dati
i was really struck with that last stanza . . . i know in the past few weeks i’ve been telling you guys of my plan to change . . . to try becoming a better person. and now, i realized i also have lots of things to make up for to God. but i know that He is good . . . and i know He’ll accept me back . . .
till next time . . .
–GI 30682
Music, Religion, thoughts | Comment (1)pinoy idol
i’ve always been a fan of that hit reality tv show, "american idol". for the last 3 seasons . . . i’ve always been getting the results i wanted . . . my bet always gets that american idol spot.
about 2 years ago, i think, american idol has been that phenomenal that even other countries have created their own "idol" show. and now, our country has followed that trend.
i have no idea if this will be a great success . . . if the "philippine idol" show will be able to attract the usual viewers of the "american idol". i, for one, am not sure if i’d be as hooked as i was during the "american idol" but rest assured, i’m definitely going to check out the first few episodes of it.
with the preparations on going for the "philippine idol," i found out about the judges: ryan cayabyab, pilita corales, and francis magalona. well, at first i wasn’t convinced with the set of judges. ok fine, i think ryan cayabyab was a good choice . . . definitely one man who knows what real talent is. francis magalona? well, is he really a man of music . . . yes, he raps . . . but that’s different from carrying a tune. pilita corales? well, she can sing . . . but perhaps, i hardly know her that’s why i’m not agreeable to the idea.
so, i was thinking, aside from ryan cayabyab . . . who would i want to be part of the set of judges? i think ogie alcasid would be a good choice. he’s a great singer . . . and he’s got a great sense of humor. i’m sure he can lighten up the mood when everything seems formal and boring at one point during the show, right? now, who can be a good woman judge? hmmm . . . that took a long moment of thinking. i thought zsa zsa padilla? nah . . . she’s got lots of projects. agot isidro (whom i consider as the best female singer for me here in the philippines) . . . but she’s been a judge at a similar singing contest of another station. kuh ledesma? too formal, i think? now, how about lea salonga? i don’t think the new mom will accept the job. angeli valenciano, she’s a producer . . . and perhaps having a husband like gary valenciano, she’s definitely gotten that musical touch, huh? how about ai-ai de las alas? or elizabeth ramsey? oh no, it may be a riot show . . . maybe it’ll be transformed to a comedy show rather than a talent search show. then i thought, how about mitch valdez? yeah, i think she can carry a tune . . . she’s witty as well . . .
oh well . . . i’m just one voice . . . and it’s just an opinion and i believe i might have a different opinion with the others. or perhaps the producers of the "philippine idol" have their own reasons for choosing their set of judges . . .
i’m not sure if you know nestor torre . . . the guy who writes at the entertainment section of the philippine daily inquirer . . . always giving comments about anything in the showbiz industry. well, i don’t always agree with everything he says, but given a chance to hold a newspaper (due to my busy schedule at work, i hardly am able to touch a newspaper), i make sure i get to see his articles. his topics usually interest me as well . . . that’s why.
anyway, around last week, he made a feature about the judges of "philippine idol". thanks to him, now, i’m giving pilita corales a chance to become my favorite judge . . . haha. his feature is about an interview, i think, on the three "philippine idol" judges and what they’re looking for in a contestant.
ryan cayabyab said he’s looking for people with talent. i guess he’s keen on it. he’s been a great teacher to lots of the popular singers here in the philippines now.
francis magalona answered he’s looking for those people who are natural. good answer, too. in this very artificial world we’re living in right now, it’s really refreshing to see the natural ones . . .
but the best answer was from pilita corales. what did she say? she answered that she’s gonna avoid those who make "birit" while singing. as nestor torre said in his article, no one probably have thought of the same answer. i guess . . . i myself hadn’t even thought of that. but true enough, i’m really bothered with the new trend in singing . . . people who do those "birits". it hurts the ears sometimes. funny that now to be considered a good singer, one must be able to hit the highest note during ad libs . . . i’d love to hear the natural notes. ok . . . picture this . . . watch television on a sunday afternoon . . . turn the volume louder if the segment consists of about 5 divas singing . . . now, let me see if eventually you’ll cringe or not when they start hitting the highest notes they can. now, i wonder if any crystal glasses are being broken . . . haha
with that said . . . i hope our "philippine idol" judges will stick to what they said . . . those things they’re gonna look for on those people who’re going to audition for the said talent search. i hope the show turns out to be successful and whoever wins for the first season . . . i wish him or her the luck in his or her career . . .
–GI 30682
Music | Comment (0)feeling great
i’m feeling great lately . . . i’ve never felt this good in a long time! and i really love it . . .
you know, after making the decision to make things right about everything in my life . . . i’m glad . . . because somehow, i’m getting the results that i wanted.
since that shadow thingy . . . i’ve tried getting in touch with lots of people . . . people i believed i have hurt in the past. and it feels great . . . that after a long time, you’re finally able to patch things up with them. it gives a different sense of satisfaction.
and man . . . would you believe that while i’m writing this blog right now. one of the persons i’m really trying to get in touch with has finally texted and said that everything’s well between us already. it feels good . . . trust me, it’s nice.
and suddenly, i’m so lost for words . . . i’m just so happy . . . to finally realize that everything is falling into place . . . that everything is finally going right in my life.
you know, lately, i realized that there are some important people in my life that i had set aside. my family, my good friends. i’ve been so hooked on other things that i forgot about them. and now, i’m happy, because i’m able to catch up with lost times.
and it seems god is really helping with my plan to become a better person. why? because i was able to find ways . . . to find ways in getting in touch with the people i’ve hurt . . . that he gave me the right words to say . . . for them to believe that i’m sincere in what i’m doing.
to be worry-free . . . to have no problems . . . to have no enemies . . . it gives that light feeling . . . i guess that’s why angels are up in heaven . . . they’re so light that they find it easy to just fly and go up to heaven . . .
–GI 30682
thoughts | Comment (1)the shadow . . .
i had the total awakening last night . . .
for the past few days, i’ve been battling this thought inside my head: "am i a bad person?" all my life, i never thought of myself as a bad person . . . but i also admit that i’m not a saint. i’ve always gotten along with every one i meet. for all these years, i thought everyone i know is aware of who the real "gi" is . . . someone kinda different . . . someone who has her own style . . . unique yet likeable . . . i know sometimes i’ve got weird principles but as i always reason out . . . hey, it works for me.
never in my life had i received a negative description of me from others. fine, fine . . . the usual first impression on me is that i’m suplada . . . blame it to my mom! ever since i was a kid, she reminded me to never talk to strangers and now as i’ve grown, i still don’t talk to people that i haven’t met yet. but hey, call it talent or what . . . but once i’m introduced to these new people, i easily lighten up and i could easily steal hearts . . . well, my friends often describe me as such . . . or perhaps they’re just giving me that good description so i’d invite them to go with me to the nearest restaurant for a treat . . . haha
around last week or maybe two weeks ago, i got surprised . . . i realized that for the first time, someone saw me in the negative way . . . i don’t know but never in my life had i realized that there exists a person who can see me as someone who can’t appreciate things . . . someone who looks down on others . . . someone who’s not capable of changing for the better. to get an answer, after you told a person that you’re going to change your bad ways, like: "i don’t believe you" . . . it hurts . . . am i not trustworthy enough? am i really not capable of that?
am i not appreciative of things? back in college, i’d kiss a person who’s given me the cutest quote forwarded in text. i’d hug the person who’d give me a slice of strawberry cheesecake knowing that it’s my favorite . . . ain’t that appreciative enough?
that thing got me into thinking for the past few days . . . i’ve been down really . . . i’ve gone into this reflection of my life so far . . . and for the first time, i really saw myself as a totally bad person, without knowing the reason why. it was recently that i found out that there are a couple of people who are afraid of me . . . perhaps, we can also say, intimidated. asking the reason as to why they are afraid of me, everyone answered: "out of respect".
Out of respect: ever since i was young, i worked hard to gain the respect of people. i never thought too much respect given to you isn’t also good. out of total respect, do they think they’re not worthy to get near you? i know there’s a difference between respect and fear . . . but oftentimes, people equate those two . . . which is wrong . . . and i guess that’s what other people around me did . . . to equate respect with fear . . . 
i was challenged . . . i wanted to hide from people days ago . . . and then i’ll come back . . . determined that i’ve become a better person . . . a better "gi".
well, so much for that very long intro. what happened last night? i was at the parking lot . . . the surroundings were dark. the only light we could depend on was the half moon above. i was walking towards my car . . . i saw something really dark . . . deep black near my foot. i thought it was just a dog or a cat walking and so i moved to give way to the stray animal. as i moved, i realized the black thing followed me . . . that was when i looked down to see what it was. i was shocked . . . i jumped. it was my shadow . . . funny as it seems . . . there was hardly any light . . . but my shadow was really defined . . .
i remember yesterday was june 6, 2006. remember what they say about triple "6"? well, i thought about that. while i was driving, i was texting a couple of friends telling them that i had a weird feeling that something might happen to me. i told them about the shadow. it was nice to finally realize who your true friends are . . . those people who’d tell you to text them once you arrive safely from home. it was nice to feel that there are true friends that still exist around me . . . true friends who really care . . .
i didn’t sleep right away last night. i was still thinking about that shadow. is that a premonition? i don’t know . . .
now, let me share this with you . . . most of my good friends are aware of this, anyway. ever since i was young, i had this idea: try to imagine something . . . close your eyes and think about that something . . . a certain event, whatever . . . if you can see yourself doing it, then it will happen . . . if you can’t, it won’t. ever since, i couldn’t see myself living beyond 40. and with that, i’ve always thought that i’d die at a young age . . . that 40 is the longest time possible for my stay here on earth. i’ve always felt that i’m going to die an instant death.
was the shadow a sign? i don’t know . . . only the creator knows. hey guys, don’t get me wrong here . . . nope, it’s not what you’re thinking . . . i’m not fond of death. i’m way scared of it! i fear my own death! i guess the uncertainty of what lies in the other life creates that fear. but we have to accept that death is a part of life . . . of reality . . . that all of us, will eventually die. and like what i’ve often told my friends, "kanya-kanyang oras lang ‘yan. and apparently, i think mauuna ako."
while reflecting on that shadow last night, i remembered the movie, "girl, interrupted" . . . with winona’s character who seems to not mind death . . . that she almost ended her life. but then her life changed . . . when? when she saw a friend dead inside the bathroom. i guess sometimes you have to see death . . . in whatever way, for you to think about your life . . . for you to assess your life . . . for you to decide if something needs to be done . . .
then i remembered alfred nobel . . . oh yes, the founder of that famous nobel peace prize. i’m not sure if you’re all aware of his story. let me share it with you. alfred nobel was also the inventor of the dynamite. now during his middle-aged years, a certain french newspaper accidentally posted in the obituary section that alfred nobel has died. nobel saw that obituary of his . . . with the heading "the merchant of death is dead". the description then continues: "dr. alfred nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday." having read that, nobel decided that he wants to leave a better legacy after his death. and so, in his last will, he signed that his money be used for the creation of the nobel prizes.
well, i’m not capable at this point to do an alfred nobel. but a conclusion was formed last night . . . i still don’t know about that shadow. i’ve never been superstitious but sometimes, when it’s there . . . it’ll just make you think. is that shadow a sign? or should i just shrug it off? well, whatever it is, it was a wake up call for me. i’ve decided to fix my life . . . i know i’ve done a couple of mistakes in the past, and maybe it’s time for me to start fixing them . . . i may have hurt a couple of people before . . . and maybe it’s time for me start healing their wounds. i guess it’s now time for me to create closure of the things in the past . . . maybe it’s time for me to fix things now. and should anything happen, at least there’ll be no unfinished business, right?
well, with that said . . . i hope i won’t let you down, guys . . . when i say that, soon . . . you’ll get to see a "better gi" . . . a more "likeable gi" . . . and hopefully, those people who never gave me the chance to prove that i can change for the better, could finally eat their words and start believing . . .
–GI 30682
thoughts | Comments (3)numero uno
first post!
wow . . . never had i imagined that in time i’ll be also creating my own blog here at friendster. but i guess when time comes that you totally have nothing to do, you’d go for whatever it is that’s available at the moment. thus, the birth of my own blog . . . haha
ever since, i’ve never been the kind who’d go with what’s "in" at the moment. i’ve never read any harry potter books . . . not even watched any movie of the said series. lord of the rings, i haven’t . . . star wars . . . never liked them. i’ve always been the kind who tries to be "different" . . . in another way, i mean. i’ve always tried to create a different identity for myself . . . something where people around me would always say "iba ka . . . but i like it . . ." i just wanted to have this certain "gi andres touch" or "gi andres signature thing" i don’t know. as a result of not wanting to sometimes do the "in" thing, i’ve decided not to have my own blog. in the first place, i couldn’t assure myself before if i’d be able to maintain it anyway . . . but then, here i am . . .
man, i never expected that creating your own blog can be this hard . . . hehe. one will really be hooked as one tries to edit the layout of your own blog . . . oh well . . .
blog=diary . . . i’ve never been fond of writing my own diary . . . but i remember during my childhood days, my father was making me appreciate the wonders of computers. at a very young age, i’ve learned to love computers . . . well, computer games that is. i remember my dad pushing me to create my own diary . . . using the earliest version of ms word, haha . . . my family, having full access of the computer would spend time reading what i’ve placed in my "ms word diary". i remember how it made them laugh since i created a "detailed diary" . . . i’ve included every conversation i had during the day! haha. now imagine how long those day-to-day accounts have been . . .
well, definitely i’m no longer as such . . . but i guess it’s nice . . . to have your own place where you could always voice out every thought . . . every unforgettable experience . . . everything . . . just everything that one would like to share to everyone . . .
anyway, catch you later . . .
–GI 30682
Uncategorized | Comment (0)