The Outbreak BGC experience

I was way too excited to run the Outbreak BGC as documented here, here and here that when I got there, I got stressed out by the traffic. Yes, I was that intense that night. We got to the registration area at around 10:40pm to have our bibs scanned and we were given the flags. We waited for around 30-40 minutes for wave 34 to run. I finished earlier than Trish although I've seen her a good half kilometer ahead of me a few zombies after gun start.

Here are some of my thoughts after my much-awaited Outbreak BGC run, in no particular order:

• I don't think the organizers anticipated the size of the place and the number of attendees when they went on their ocular. Everyone was cramped in the small registration area beside the football field.
• People who wore new kicks that night were really in for the muddiest shock of their lives.
• Trish and I planned on having our picture taken in one of the photobooths we saw when we arrived. After the race, though, nakauwi na sila.
• I don't think I ran 5k. I finished the course at 30, 45 minutes tops which isn't possible because I just brisk walked the entire time.
• The girl who kept pushing me on the course almost tripped me. Good thing I got away from her grip and she was the one who got knocked off her feet.
• The zombie who took my last flag - yes, I gave them all up - got a feel of my backside.
• The zombie who welcomed me to the second half of the course looks vaguely like the male host of Sports Unlimited. Sounds like him too. Forgot his name though.
• I didn't get to pass by the chimes and garter part of the course which sucked a bit.
• I expected some zombies in the labyrinth but there weren't any.
• The girl running beside me kept screaming "Ayoko na! Ayoko na!". I wanted to tell her "Sana di ka nalang sumali..."
• I think I'm a top finisher for wave 34 because majority of my wave finished 30 minutes after I did.
• I enjoyed the part where there were jeepneys and school buses blocking the way.

Photos from the event:

Trish as a Paulinian, me as a corporate slave in running shoes.

She finished with all three flags intact.

With the nurse and chef zombies. I wasn't aware that he was touching me until I saw this photo. 

Our cheerleaders, Carlo, Peng, Reg and Kuya. Midnight meal at Chicboy, Arnaiz.

All in all, it was a really fun experience. I just wish Trish got a prize for her 3 flags and I knew if I were part of the top 20 runners of our wave.

For all the parents out there...

On Children
Khalil Gibran

Your children are not your children
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
Which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
But seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
As living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
And He bends with you with His might
That His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
So He loves also the bow that is stable.

My first Zalora purchase...again.

I know I've already made my first-ever Zalora purchase a few months back but I really made another first purchase with them... As Zalora brand ambassador! I bought two items, a pair of Sassa running shorts and an Audrey Hepburn vintage ring.

I've experienced another first with that purchase, too. It's the first time I chose the COD payment option of Zalora. The last time I bought something from them, I used Paypal. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love how Zalora trusts their customers the way their customers trust them.

Only half of my purchase arrived the day after I ordered:

The ring has been ordered from Malaysia and will arrive 7-14 days after I've purchased it in Zalora. I don't mind, actually, because I know that it will arrive, anyway.

The guy who brought my package was wearing a black Zalora jacket which is so cool because unlike any other courier, you won't miss him. If you see him cruising through your street and you don't have your lot number on your gate like me, you can just call to him. (Side note: His jacket looks awesome. It's black with the logo of Zalora printed at the back. I wish I took a picture of manong courier.)

My Sassa running shorts came with two gifts from Zalora:

Yes, more more discount vouchers! The black one is for me and the one that's part of the invoice is for me to share. Since I am such a giver (walang kokontra!) here's the voucher code:

ZMyGVC6d

The voucher is for a Php150 off your next 500-peso purchase.

You're gonna enjoy shopping with Zalora because all they want is for their customers to actually have a great time shopping! They commit to giving the ultimate customer service.

One last reason why you should shop at Zalora right now. This:

Voucher code: Aletotski0

(Aletotski[zero])

Get 5% discount for a minimum purchase of Php500.

Discover the Wonders of Singing

I was once a choir member. I didn't know what came over me but I asked for the 10am choir head to make me a part of the 10am children's choir of the Our Lady of Peace Parish in Sucat when I was in second grade and next thing I knew, I've been serving the church every weekend. It didn't stop even though we've moved to Pasig in 2001. Every Friday from first year high school until second year college - if I'm not mistaken - I would commute to Sucat just to attend practices and the 10am mass. I didn't consider myself as a singer then...heck, I don't even consider myself as a singer now - I'm more of a dancer, really - but I guess it's safe to say that I can carry a tune.

Well, apparently, there's a right way of singing that I didn't know of in all those years in the children's choir. Superstar Voice Training is currently offering a voice seminar on the right way of singing which will be conducted by Coach Rona De Leon.

Coach Rona has been singing professionally since 1994 with projects ranging from jingles to movie theme songs. She also performed in a lot of hotels and lounges here in the Philippines and abroad both as a solo performer and as part of a band. She's had vocal training under the Yamaha School of Music and the Center for Pop Music Philippines. At the tender age of 16, Mr. Butch Albarracin, the founder of Center for Pop, took her under his wing and trained her to become a voice coach and since then, she's been training individuals and groups and help them reach their fullest singing potential. Kim Chiu, Sam Milby and Rhian Ramos are just a few of the celebrities who have been under her tutelage.

On August 4 and 5, 2012, Saturday and Sunday, she will be conducting yet another voice seminar for those who aspire to become the next singing idols of the country. Discover the Wonders of Singing will be held at Camp Art Studio (Unit 209 2F Cityland Pasong Tamo, 6264 Estacion St. Brgy. Pio del Pilar, Makati City). The schedule for August 4 is 3pm - 7pm while August 5, day 2, will start at 1pm and will end at 5pm.

The seminar will cover basic vocal workouts, singing techniques, stage performance and vocal health. Although children (and children-at-heart) of all ages can attend the seminar, it is ideal for 12-year-olds and above.

Registration fee for the 2-day seminar is Php1,500. Interested parties could call or text Coach Rona at 0916-695-6813. You can also check the Superstar Voice Training by Coach Rona De Leon Facebook page for more information about the seminar workshop.

Can you please stop it with the hotness?

Coming Home to Mandaue Foam

I have been dreaming of the perfect home for my little family for the past few years already. Although I still don't have the money, it is a great exercise for someone who believes in the power of the Law of Attraction so much. I've been searching and scouring the malls, depots and the internet for the perfect home pieces and post them here because this blog has been serving as my make shift vision board.

Then I've come across the Mandaue Foam website. Now, I have more furniture pieces I could add to my vision board. Here are some of them:

This Provence Desk is an unexpected home office piece that will fit my minimalist dream home perfectly. I love how it looks modern and not at all bulky for a home office furniture. It also doesn't seem to give off the impression of "work" and "stress" which is perfect for a freelancer like me.

The Gregory Bookcase is perfect for my dream living room. It would probably make my not-so-amazing list of books look classy. I can also imagine our family photos finding a home in the shelves of this really pretty bookshelf.

Being half of the power (alcoholic) couple, I fell in love with this KD Jeff Pub Set that looks like a mini bar. I imagine seeing this set in the balcony where we could hangout every night and have a can of beer or two.

I love how Mandaue Foam's tagline, "Your home, your imagination", is somewhat near to PSI's mantra, "To think is to create". It adds more positive energies to my wishlist and vision board. Even the Mandaue Foam's newest TVC is something that I would have thought of if I were part of an advertising agency. (Side note: I love the bride's gown!)

From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu-5Ozbagdk&feature=plcp

I honestly think that Mandaue Foam and I will have an actual relationship when we start building our home. For now, I just have to take note of all the pieces I want.

Outbreak BGC in two days...

...and I still don't know what I will wear to the event which can be a good thing because I've been asking for an event where I can actually doll myself up but now that it's here, I can't decide what to wear. These people from the first Outbreak run went all out that I want to go all out as well...

Photos taken from the Outbreak Manila Facebook page.

I only have one costume in my closet:

and it's not even a real costume. I might end up wearing that...or maybe a party girl costume because those are the only pieces I have in my closet. I'd go hiphop but my army pants don't fit me anymore. Maybe if I find some peg online that includes a pair of denim shorts, it might be an option.

I bet I'll end up wearing a singlet and my running shorts...

The Dark Knight Rises

Don't worry, no spoilers to those who haven't watched it yet.

Last night, me and my girls watched The Dark Knight Rises in Glorietta 4. Honestly, I wasn't really that much excited when Jill pitched the idea but I wanted to see all of them that I thought "What the hell, tatlong oras lang naman". I didn't expect for it to have the effect it did on me:

I actually enjoyed the movie.

I am totally not the superhero-action-movie kind of girl and now that I think about it, I really am not a movie person period. If you should know, I've slept through  the whole Matrix trilogy and the first X-Men movie. I'm the last person you'd want to invite to a superhero-slash-action movie marathon with. I'd stay up the entire night marathon-ing TV series - both local and foreign - but you won't ever see me awake during movie marathons. Although I'd stay awake if we watched really cheesy chick flicks or Star Cinema (circa 2000++)-produced films because that's how I roll.

What kept me up, in this case, is the intrigue behind Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character (c/o Jill and Mafe) which totally blew my mind in the end that I punched Malia so hard on her arm that I'm pretty sure she's gonna punch me on the face the next time it happens. The last cafe scene confused me, though. I was sorta forcing the Inception POV. Haha!

Lastly, Anne Hathaway is great except I kept on remembering her eyeglasses-braces-and-big-curly-hair, Princess Diaries days so I cannot fully appreciate her performance in the movie.

All in all, The Dark Knight Rises is good. It doesn't guarantee I'm gonna watch the next one if there is a next movie nor will it guarantee me, watching more superhero action movies in the future. But it's good. Really good.

I hate looking at old photos.

This one isn't even that much long ago! This was taken last year, two weeks after I gave birth. I seem to have smaller legs then than now and my long hair! My hair hasn't grown that much since I had my haircut because all the calcium in my body goes to Brianna when she breastfeeds. Ugh. Back to drinking calcium supplements...

PostSecret can be uplifting...sometimes.

I have the PostSecret website bookmarked on my browser and is on my Blogger reading list and for the most part, I just go there to read somebody else's secret. Reading stuff life this (from time to time), though, is one of the reasons why I am not removing the website from my bookmarks list anytime soon:

My first ever Zalora purchase.

My first Zalora purchase happened in May 2012, when I was nowhere near the badge on my sidebar (I still am not over it). It was the time when my fascination with all things girly started. Yes, I started young.

Anyway, I bought two arm candies from Collective.com via Zalora:

I ordered it on a Sunday, if I'm not mistaken so I was expecting they were going to send it two days after the purchase because that's how other online shops work. Zalora, though, has a different approach. They first call you (in my case, they called the same day meaning their services don't stop even during the weekend) and confirm your order and then they deliver it. I heard some people got their packages the same day which is really convenient. And cool. Mostly cool.

What's even cooler is their packaging. You have to see it:

It's so nice and classy and it once again surprised me. I was used to receiving packages that were wrapped in a black plastic or a National Bookstore one but the Zalora package came inside this really nice box.

I paid via Paypal but they have different payment options to make it so convenient for their customers. They even have cash on delivery in their options! Now that's total customer service! It's great that they trust their customers the way their customers trust them.

I'll be placing another order one of these days and you should, too! If the box, the same day delivery or the cash on delivery payment option didn't convince you, maybe this can help you make your decision:

Voucher code: Aletotski0 (Aletotski[zero])

Get a 5% discount when you purchase a minimum of Php500.

Outbreak Manila 2 is almost here and my shoes are all worn out...

With Outbreak Manila 2 exactly a week away, I can't help but look at my running shoes. It's all worn out and I think that Outbreak BGC will be the last run that it can endure so buying a new one is a must by this time.

I browsed through the Zalora catalog sports page to find the perfect pair of running shoes and I fell in love with this the first time I saw it:

I know the Nike Free Run +3 has been launched earlier this year but I personally haven't seen it in this particular color. I've seen it in coral and in blue but never in yellow. It's so nice, right? Me likey!

I tried one on a few weeks back and it feels like I was stepping on the clouds, if I knew how stepping on clouds actually felt like. It has superb cushioning and it has the Nike protection: you feel so secure with whatever you need to do physically because you know that Nike will do its job in protecting and supporting you in your activity.

There are a whole lot of different shoe brands available in Zalora, both local and international brands. You might want to check them out, just go to http://www.zalora.com.ph/sports/ and you'll find a wide range of sports shoes there. Upon checkout, you can use the discount voucher Aletotski0 (Aletotski[zero]) to get a 5% discount on your purchase.

50 Shades of Grey

I've been meaning to read the 50 Shades trilogy when I read Jill's review about it on her blog. I haven't gotten around to reading the copies that I have because they're in digital form and although I am one of those people who are online most of the time, writing, or maybe just marathon-ing a TV series until my eyes give out, I cannot - for the life of me - read a novel on my computer. I like reading novels from a book...or maybe I just like the idea of buying an actual book from the bookstore. Either way, I wasn't going to read 50 Shades on my computer.

Up until now, I am still not convinced that I should buy the actual book. I've read mixed reviews about it and I wouldn't want to spend that much money for a book that might disappoint me. I know, I have all four Twilight books but that saga I actually enjoyed (mainly because I love the damsel-in-distress-gets-saved-by-a-hot-guy story plus I am a sucker for cheesy romantic lines).

Zalora Brand Ambassador

Yes! Me! I am officially a Zalora brand ambassador. You just need to check out the badge on my side bar and you'll know how official it is. Okay, I know how lame that sounds. Sorry, I'm just so excited when they told me that I was on board! I wanted to write a post about it right away but I wanted it to be final first before I wrote about it and this morning I've finally received the confirmation so here we are.

Anyway, I've heard about Zalora from Lau but that time Zalora hasn't launched the online site here in the Philippines yet so I was in no way gonna buy something from the Australia site because of all the things I've heard about taxes and all those government stuff so I've decided to let it go. Fast forward to probably half a year after out conversation: The buzz about Zalora Philippines was taking over Twitter and it got me excited. I've made my first purchase in Zalora a couple of months back but that's for an entirely different entry.

For now, please let me enjoy this new title I have. I feel so lame but I can still feel the rush. While I smile to myself like a fool all day, why don't you visit Zalora right now? You can use the voucher code Aletotski0 [Aletotski(zero)] and you'll get a 5% discount for a minimum purchase of Php500.

What are you still doing here? Go while I sit here on my bed and smile at Brianna's Hello Kitty stuffed toy for probably an hour more.

Edit:
If you sign up now, Zalora will give you a Php250 introductory gift to help you save on your first 1,500-peso purchase.

Brianna's First Haircut at Cuts 4 Tots

I know that it's been more than two weeks since Brianna got her first haircut but as we all say, better late than never!

I've decided long before Brianna was about to get her haircut that a professional would do it. The fact that she might have lesser hair than a usual one-year old didn't actually occur to me. Either way, I wasn't going to touch her hair anyway because I am one of those people who does not do well with scissors on her hand.

We visited Cuts 4 Tots at the SM Megamall Annex last July 2, 2012 for Brianna's haircut.

Last photos with Brianna's long(er) hair.

At first she was really calm and even played with the very patient employees but when she heard the snips of the scissors, she started panicking. She was crying the whole time - which was about 10 minutes, 15 maximum - and I was having a hard time trying to get her to sit on the car so I don't have photos while she was having the haircut.


I just had her buntot cut off because it looks really awful. Her bangs were cut, too. They just cut it straight so she'd look cuter. The result?

It doesn't look much in the photos but you'd know the difference when you see her in person.


Cuts 4 Tots also offer this Baby's First Cut Certificate and being the mom that I am, I availed it and after two weeks of processing from the haircut day itself, here's Brianna's certificate:

Everything cost me Php490. The certificate costs Php195 while the haircut cost Php295. Just enough for a kid's haircut if you ask me. It was worth it in my part, too, because Brianna was not really cooperating. I can't imagine doing everything on my own!


Children's haircut is not the only service they offer. They also offer adult haircut, bang trim, hot oil treatment and shampoo and blowdry. They also offer baby products like hand sanitizers, anti-bug sprays and styling gel for kids. Cuts 4 Tots is defintely a one-stop shop when it comes to all your baby's hair needs.

The Megamall Annex branch isn't the only branch that Cuts 4 Tots has. They have branches in Glorietta 4, SM Mall of Asia, V-Mall, Eastwood Mall, SM North EDSA, Trinoma and SM Pampanga.

Since Cuts 4 Tots are celebrating their 10th year this year, they are offering a 50% discount for their Baby's First Haircut Certificate. Just print the photo embedded below and present it to your Cuts 4 Tots employee to avail of the discount:

Coupon from Cuts 4 Tots website

You have three days left to avail of the discount so hurry now to the nearest Cuts 4 Tots branch and get your baby the haircut s/he so deserves.

Needed help. Got help.

(This is yet another reason for me to believe in the Law of Attraction.)

I needed help with the twins. Actually, I've been needing help with them since I got pregnant. My mom couldn't help me with them primarily because she's not a professional that could actually give me the greatest advice when it came to my milkmakers. My trip to Wacoal not only gave me much-needed help, they also gave me tips on how to actually wear a bra.

Michelle from Wacoal was kind enough to help me with picking the right bras and with getting my bust measurements. Yes, I am the only person I know who didn't know her bust size until yesterday morning. Surprisingly, I was a B-80. Surprising (for me) because it was the first time I've heard of 80 when it came to intimates.

I got 3 lovely pairs that are basic enough for me to wear on a daily basis. The black one is the one I will most likely harass until its dying day because it is the type of bra that I usually buy. I wanted to try to wear the beige one. It wasn't a popular choice for me but I believed Michelle when she said that it was gonna last me a lifetime. I mean, just by looking at it, you'd know that it's made to accompany you throughout the years. How cheesy is that? The lacy one is for more *ehem* special occasions, if you know what I mean. *wink*

I felt the difference between Wacoal and other brands right away when I fit their bras. For years, I've been struggling with all aspects of my bras: The fit, the way it feels while I am wearing it and how it looks. With Wacoal, all three got 5 stars! It was so comfortable and it didn't feel hot at all, considering I came from a walk down Ayala Ave. under the scorching heat of the sun at 11am to get to their office in 6788. I also loved the way I looked when I was staring at the mirror while fitting them (sorry, TMI, I know). I kinda looked like the girls on their catalogue except I am fat and I have lovehandles.

I was also taught how to actually wear a bra. I thought all along that I knew how because, well, I've been wearing them for 10 years or so. Apparently, once you've worn the bra, you take a bow (I can't think of a better way to describe that, I'm so sorry) and then cup the sides of your breasts and then pull them towards the center. That's the right way to wear a bra. I've been schooled.

Thanks, Wacoal, for all of the things I've mentioned and for finally giving me the comfort I've been looking for since puberty.

Anyway, here are some of their products that you might want to check out:

To those who wanted to know Wacoal Philippines not only have a wide range of bras, they also have a great line of panties both seamless and otherwise, girdles, bra pads and shape vests and everything that has something to do with women's intimates. For a complete list of their products, you can check out their online catalogue. There are underwear for women of all ages and sizes.

For a complete and accurate list of their store locations, information about their advocacy against breast cancer and details on how to become a direct seller, you can visit their website at http://www.wacoal.ph.

The story behind me and my babydaddy...

Behind every couple is a story that is gruesome enough to be thought of as a horror movie concept. Our movie concept is just a click away: Make it work! on Supermommy Chronicles.

Comments will be highly appreciated. It doesn't matter if it's positive or negative.

Thanks in advance!

Something great.

I was really surprised to see an e-mail sent to me last Friday. I just read it a few hours ago and I had to literally read it three times before I actually believed it. I didn't think I'd actually receive e-mails like that for this blog and Supermommy Chronicles.

I know that I've been working as a freelance writer for quite some time now and it's only now that I honestly feel like what I write is being acknowledged not only by my friends but by some marketing groups, too. To think this blog isn't specialized at all... I'm still feeling the high!

(Sorry, first time)

There are so many great things, big AND small, that have been happening to me and my chosen path that I can't thank God enough for all of them. Basta, Lord, thank You talaga!

Birthday Wishlist 2012

I know we're just halfway through July but I got too excited to write my birthday wishlist for this year only because among all of my birthday wishlists (I only have one birthday wishlist posted here, the others are Christmas and New Year's wishlists), this is the only one that's realistic. Enough. Realistic enough. I think.

So, without much further ado, my birthday wishlist for September 2012!

All photos aren't mine but I was the one who made the collage. That's the reason why I have my name watermarked.

DIY Projects

I have been eyeing a lot of DIY projects for quite some time now, thanks to Pinterest. These are just two of my favorite projects that I've pinned to my DIY board:

What's holding me back is my inability to sew or anything remotely creative. Is there a school where I can actually learn how to sew? No, I don't mean those expensive fashion schools because I am not, in any way, fashionable and I don't actually see myself in the fashion industry, to tell you the truth. I just want to learn how to do the projects I've pinned to my boards.

Or a better option for me is someone who would do the projects for me FOR FREE. Yeah. Any takers?

I am getting girlier by the minute.

I don't know what has gotten into me lately but I think I'm getting girlier and girlier each waking day. First, the fascination with rockstars. Nothing can get girlier than that but I just started this year so... Second, the weird (at least for me) sudden interest in bracelets and rings and lastly, spending more time online browsing online shops and falling in love with the pieces I see, specifically denim shirts and knitted tops. Lace is slowly growing on me, too.

I think browsing through fashion blogs has something to do with this. Not complaining, though. I mean it's about time I dressed more like a girl. Although not that much because I still can't see myself wearing a dainty dress with Peter Pan collars, a pair of doll shoes and a really pretty headband. I just wish I had the money to spend for the stuff I like.

Friday the 13th

Is there a story behind Friday the 13th? If there actually is, I wanna know. I don't believe the "bad luck" that this day allegedly brings to everyone. I mean, it's up to you if you're gonna have a bad day or if you'll let one small bad thing ruin your entire day.

And why didn't the person who conceptualized - so to speak - Friday the 13th make it Saturday the 13th or Sunday the 13th and so on and so forth? Why does it have to be a Friday for it to be bad luck?

Make it work!

The story between me and my babydaddy is indeed a very colorful one but it isn't even halfway through because we are not yet married nor are we living in the same house. As much as I want to live in with him, he has strong Catholic values that won't mesh well with my rather liberal thinking. It doesn't mean, though, that I don't want to marry him because I do. There are just a lot of complications. This doesn't make any difference, though. We love each other and we are making the relationship work.

One of the weirdest things about our set-up is even though we both live in Metro Manila, it doesn't feel like it. He lives in Quezon City while I live in Pasig. Not much of a distance, you say? Well, not really. First and foremost, he lives in the farthest point of QC while I live in the Pasig-Cainta borderline.We both don't know how to drive, either. I think that it is a given that either of us don't have cars as well. We could commute to be with each other, yes, but our income can't quite cover it. He's a freelancer and I am a work-at-home mom and all of our money goes to our one-year-old bundle of joy and each other's needs. We do see each other once a week, though.

For me, the reason why this setup of ours is working is because of three things: love, trust and faith. Let me break it down for you:

1. Love - Love, I think, is a given. If you are in a relationship with someone it means that love is part of the equation. It doesn't matter what type of love it is or what the love is for. Love is there. In our part, the love that we have for each other and the love we have for Brianna are what keep us together. Here's the key, if I may say so: The love we have for each other is not the lovey dovey type of love that you usually see on TV. We barely see each other and we rarely text or talk to one another but I believe that these are the things that set us apart from other couples. How? When those lovey dovey couples get married, they will have a hard time adjusting to the fact that they cannot do it on a daily basis and they will end up feeling empty. With us, we will never feel empty. Why? Because we've established "mature" love in the beginning, so to speak.
2. Trust - No relationship will ever work without trust. Ever. A father-daughter relationship will not be fruitful without trust. An employer-employee relationship will fail without trust. It is the foundation of any relationship. My babydaddy rarely knows where I am or who I am with but he trusts me enough to let me do my thing. Same is true with me. Of course, we are not perfect. The occasional "Baka kung sino nanaman ang kasama mo jan at kung anong ginagawa niyo jan ah" comes up, yes, but we make it a point to resolve it right away. People say that it's hard to trust people nowadays. True. But if you love that person enough, giving it to him will not be hard work at all. It will come naturally.
3. Faith - Faith is the trickiest among the three. Faith, in Filipino, is pananalig. It is the hardest to give and  it is the hardest to maintain. Faith to my partner and to our relationship has been the two things that I am holding on to. I believe in us, I have faith in us and same is true with him and that is the reason why this relationship is working. We don't listen to the negative thinkers and to those who have lost all hope in humanity and focus on our relationship. That's the way it should be, anyway.

Sacrificing a whole lot of things, like my pride and the fact that I am a clingy girlfriend, made everything really smooth-flowing for the both of us. I guess acceptance was there in the first place but in order to stop hurting each other and ourselves, we stopped our annoying habits and our selfish personalities to give way to a stronger relationship and a deeper love between us.

I know a lot of people don't believe in our relationship. Ironically, these are married people who don't seem to believe in the power of love; which confuses me but that's an entirely different blog entry.

I may come off as idealistic and childish to some but I would love to believe that I am being positive and child-like in my approach to life and to our situation. There's nothing wrong with it, if you ask me. If anything, we need a more people with the same approach to life in this world and then we might just be able to make the world a better place to live in.

If you don't believe me, you can just watch these couples as they battle the miles between them and succeed.

Tide with Downy Bangong Padala video entitled “Pag-ibig na Pangmatagalan"

Changed your mind yet?

Click here to support my campaign for Tide:

http://ph.churpchurp.com/aletotski/share/TidewithDowny

More, more participants for Outbreak BGC!

Due to an overwhelming demand for slots to Outbreak Manila 2 a.k.a. Outbreak BGC, their management will open 2 new waves tomorrow, July 13, 2012.

The 2 new waves will run at 11:40pm which they call Wave Desperate and 11:50pm, dubbed as Wave Last Chance. I love the way they called these 2 new additions to the original wave list. It's appropriate for the people who will be signing up.

Registration, though, will be limited to Toby's Shangri-La and RUNNR Boni High Street unlike the original registration and only 200 slots per store will be opened for these waves. First-come-first-served basis, of course, like the regular registration. Shangri-La opens at 11am, if I am not mistaken while High Street opens at 10. In my opinion, it will be easier to register in RUNNR High Street because you don't have to wait outside the mall and actually run to get to their store but I think that most people know that by now so just be there early, okay?

I hope my cousin takes advantage of this since he's the one who has been gushing about this since Nuvali. His loss if he's not running. I mean, as I've mentioned before, Anne Curtis, Isabelle Daza and Georgina Wilson might run the fun run and now, I learned that Will DeVaughn and the gang will be running after us "mere mortals", too!

Anyway, if my cousin won't, that's one more slot for you! Hihi. Let's do this, come on! Head over to Toby's Shangri-La and RUNNR Boni High Street tomorrow and secure that slot. I can feel that Outbreak BGC will definitely be a night to remember.

One of the boys.

I am currently listening to a Boys' Night Out podcast on iTunes dated February 27, 2012 with Derek Ramsey as their guest and they are talking about girls who always tell everyone that they are "one of the boys".

It got me thinking: I have more guy friends than girls and I am more comfortable hanging out with guys and I have been forcing my guy friends to take me with them to girly bars but I don't consider myself as one of them just because I know the difference between cowboy/tomboy and one of the boys nor do I broadcast "I am one of the boys" to everyone I meet. The boys, Derek and their callers defined the difference between the two and it proved the definition I know.

A cowboy or a tomboy is a girl who is game to do whatever it is that guys do. Smoke the stronger cigarettes, drink Pale Pilsen as opposed to Light, help the guys get the girls in the club... These are stuff that a cowboy girl does. Also, guys dig the cowboy. May malisya, ika nga. Though I am not saying that all my guy friends have malisya on me but I would want to believe (before) that they'd still want to date me even if we hangout a lot...and even if I had a boyfriend in the same group. Haha! Oo na, malandi na but it would be hypocritical for me to say that I don't want that kind of attention from the boys.

A one-of-the-boys girl, on the other hand, is a girl who the guys see, literally, as one of the guys. Like a bro. Someone who they won't sleep with because, well, he's one of the guys. If you're the girl, you shouldn't be declaring this. It's the other way around. The boys give you the title but once they've given you this title, it's best to assume that you are out. No chance of hooking up with anyone in the group. It's the guys' version of "friendzoning" a girl.

Now that everything's settled, which one are you? Or I think a better question would be which one would you want to be?

I believe in RawEmpowerment.ph's advocacy.

As a woman, and now a mom, I firmly believe that there is no such thing as a weaker gender. Women are just as strong, if not stronger, than men. The reason? Well, for one thing, women are given the task of taking care of a real person inside her body for 9 months. That in itself requires the strength of a hundred men. What more if you add building and nurturing for a family for the rest of her life while working a very demanding job, being a good daughter (and daughter-in-law) and still look like a beauty queen while juggling all of those things all at the same time?

If you believe in the strength of women and, like me, you'd want to let the whole world know how great it is being a woman, join the RawEmpowerment.Ph Faceboook page and break the barriers of marginalism by supporting their campaign.

There's something about Teddy Corpuz.

There's definitely something about Teddy Corpuz that draws me to him. I can't quite put my finger on it. He has a certain appeal that not all people will appreciate but he most certainly looks dashing when he throws a coat over his usual shirt-jeans-Vans ensemble.

I think I'm watching too much It's Showtime...

I miss my younger, prettier, longer hair self.

This was taken August 22, 2007 at Z2 during one of our breaks using my pink Razr phone that I wish I didn't sell. I miss my longer, semi-manageable hair and look how thin my arm was back then! I would also like to believe that I look really pretty here.

Hai. Nakakadepress kalikutin yung Multiply account ko. :|

Edit:
You know what's worse? I didn't have to try to look that way before. Ngayon todo plantsa ng buhok at make-up, parang wala paring nangyayari...

Huhu. I feel so kawawa right now...

Here comes the bride...

Here comes the bride... by aletotski featuring hi top sneakers

I don't know if I will still change my mind regarding this but for as long as I can remember, I wanted to have a beach wedding (which seems far fetch now because according to a lot of people, the Catholic Church isn't allowing beach/garden weddings anymore) that has a blue and cream motif. I just can't choose the perfect blue that I want but the one posted there is almost it.

The gown has always been like that in my mind. Simple. I don't want any of those tulle and train yadda yadda and I definitely don't like a ball gown. As much as I would want to feel like a princess, I wouldn't want to have a hard time walking after the ceremony so ball gowns are definitely out.

I am still not convinced with the hair. I don't actually want an updo on my wedding day. I want it flowing on my back but I don't think my having black hair is going to work with that look. I mean, only blondes can pull that off. Right?

The Chucks part, though, is final. I will never ever torture myself with a pair of high-heeled shoes even if it is for my wedding and I don't want to go through the hassle of changing shoes on a very busy day so I am definitely walking down the aisle in those babies. I have to convince my groom to wear a pair of Chucks, too.

I have great college buddies.

These YouTube videos are taken from Jason Lopez' YouTube channel.

Thanks to Niko, Icka and Marcia for reminding the whole Twitter world that (one of) these videos exist online. I hope there are more videos from college online like the roller coaster sa Amphi footage we had where Jason scraped his elbow.

#57. I love anything that has almonds in it.

Men's Brain vs. Women's Brain

(Grabbed from a Facebook page)

Human Brain Analysis - Man vs. Woman......A MUST READ! 

1. MULTI-TASKINGWomen - Multiple processWomens brains designed to concentrate multiple task at a time.Women can Watch a TV and Talk over phone and cook.Men - Single ProcessMens brains designed to concentrate only one work at a time. Men can not watch TV and talk over the phone at the same time. they stop the TV while Talking. They can either watch TV or talk over the phone or cook.

2. LANGUAGEWomen can easily learn many languages. But can not find solutions to problems. Men can not easily learn languages, they can easily solve problems. That's why in average a 3 years old girl has three times higher vocabulary than a 3 yeard old boy. 

3. ANALYTICAL SKILLSMens brains has a lot of space for handling the analytical process. They can analyze and find the solution for a process and design a map of a building easily. But If a complex map is viewed by women, they can not understand it. Women can not understand the details of a map easily, For them it is just a dump of lines on a paper. 

4. CAR DRIVING.While driving a car, mans analytical spaces are used in his brain. He can drive a car fastly. If he sees an object at long distance, immediately his brain classifies the object (bus or van or car) direction and speed of the object and he drives accordingly. Where woman take a long time to recognize the object direction/ speed. Mans single process mind stops the audio in the car (if any), then concentrates only on driving.

5. LYINGWhen men lie to women face to face, they get caught easily. Womans super natural brain observes facial expression 70%, body language 20% and words coming from the mouth 10%. Mens brain does not have this. Women easily lie to men face to face.So guys, do not lie face to face.  

6. PROBLEMS SOLVINGIf a man have a lot of problems, his brain clearly classifies the problems and puts them in individual rooms in the brain and then finds the solution one by one. You can see many guys looking at the sky for a long time. If a woman has a lot of problems, her brain can not classify the problems. she wants some one to hear that. After telling everything to a person she goes happily to bed. She does not worry about the problems being solved or not. 

7. WHAT THEY WANTMen want status, success, solutions, big process, etc... But Women want relationship, friends, family, etc... 

8. UNHAPPINESSIf women are unhappy with their relations, they can not concentrate on their work. If men are unhappy with their work, they can not concentrate on the relations. 

9. SPEECHWomen use indirect language in speech. But Men use direct language.  

10. HANDLING EMOTIONWomen talk a lot without thinking. Men act a lot without thinking.