With all that said, I still won't be voting for him to bag a seat on the Senate because I believe that he is such an incompetent politician. He better stick to boxing. Train a protege, coach existing boxers, write a column on the paper. If he wants to help the Filipino people, I don't think being a Senator will help him achieve this. Open a foundation, donate infrastructures. There are a lot of things he can do if help is the reason for his senatorial bid. Better yet, maybe he can help with his Church. Manny Pacquiao has the right amount of charisma that can be fully utilized inside their Church. Helping the poor and influencing a lot of people? Check.

Can I get an "amen"?

Realizations 2 days after the whole Manny Pacquiao hoopla

My emotions were as high as the LGBT community's the moment I read of Manny Pacquiao's statement on Facebook 2 days ago. Although I am not part of the LGBT community per se - I have some very confusing moments during my highschool and early college days - I am quite appalled at the very strong words the Pambansang Kamao mentioned at that interview. And after reading - and reacting to - tons of forums and threads about this issue, I came to several conclusions which can be quite promising/disappointing, depending on your stance on the issue.

1. There are still a lot of people who are scared of getting "the cooties".

I honestly thought the cooties fever would end at second grade, when kids start realizing that "Hey, I think that girl/boy's cute. I want to spend time with her." Seriously, people. You won't "catch" it if you spend a day with gays/lesbians. As Susan Bunch from Friends say, "Well, you know, you have to take a course. Otherwise they don’t let you do it." Well, of course, you don't actually need to take a course to be one but it sure feels confusing the first time you realize it; much like the confusion you get when you step into the university for the very first time (I think).

2. A lot of Christians are judgemental as fuck.

I'm not even gonna lie; I've had my moments. I was born and raised to judge people the way they dress in public. I eyed that woman who wore a racy ensemble on the way to work. I laughed at the guy who wore Crocs with socks while he was running his errands. I even reprimanded a teen who had her cleavage on full display at the cafe near my then-office. I am judgemental, yes, but these self-proclaimed spokespersons of the Lord are much more judgemental than I am. I know it won't matter from God's perspective but I would just like to say that I just judge people based on their decisions on what to wear that morning. It ends there. If they wanted to have crazy monkey sex with their partners who are of the same gender at the end of the day with their socks on, be my guest. What happens inside their bedroom is none of my business, as it should be. Same is true with people who are not as open to same sex relationships/marriages as I am. They believe it's wrong and I respect that. I won't even begin to convince them to change their minds.

3. Hypocrites under the Anonymous guise are very much rampant on Facebook.

Anywhere online, really. I know they've been there before but when I was still part of the workforce, I never really put any attention to the comments section. I read an article on my timeline, close it, then open another one to read. 2 years ago, I've started the habit of reading the comments section and realized that it was, more often than not, a lot more entertaining than the actual article. So when this whole Manny Pacquiao thing blew out of proportion, I thought, "I'm so ready for this" but turns out, I wasn't. People quoting the Bible and pushing their beliefs down other people's throats started going at one another the moment I clicked on "View more comments". Come on, people. You know you started having sex at the tender age of 15. You know you've cheated on your husband at least twice this past week. You know you've masturbated your way to a good night's sleep last night. You've even gossiped about your friend's boobjob at your work's weekly inuman sesh. Stop copy-pasting "God's words" to "sinners'" comments. You know you are one.

4. Whatever he said, Manny Pacquiao still brought pride to us Filipinos.

I may have wanted to slap Manny's face when he uttered those words on-cam - you are a politician, man, not a pastor! - but I cannot take away the fact that at one point in my life, I could say that that "politician" made me proud to be a Filipino when he was still just an athlete. He's the best thing that happened to Philippine boxing since Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, no doubt.

5. There are at least 5 people on my Facebook friends list that kept on changing their "beliefs" in the 2 days this issue has been trending.

I should really unfriend them now. Mga walang paninindigan. Yes, I'm also critical of people's Facebook statuses.

We all have the need to feel we're right and that we're above someone else. I guess it's human nature. But at this age and after all that I've been through in life, can I just ask for one thing?

Let's all just agree to disagree on some things.

We were all raised differently, with different priorities and different values. We can never find one single thing that the entire human race will agree upon on. I can guarantee you that. Majority may agree, yes, but not EVERYONE will. Just let it go. That's one man's opinion. Why should I allow it to shake my core, right?

I'm jologs and I like it.

I usually pretend that I like sosyal stuff just so my social media followers - who are mostly friends from school - won't judge me but I really am a jologs at heart.

I've been watching recent movies these past few weeks. Two movies I've been really meaning to watch when they first came out in the theaters were part of the list: The Fault In Our Stars and She's Dating The Gangster.

Both movies have great reviews online, obviously, made by different sets of people and honestly, I enjoyed them both but one movie played with my emotions more...

http://cdnimages.abs-cbnnews.com/azure/she's%20dating.jpg 

I'm not even gonna try to convince you why this is the better movie of the two because, well, I know that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" yadda yadda yadda and this won't be a review of sorts. I just want to say that I really enjoyed this movie more than I did The Fault In Our Stars. Maybe it's because of Daniel Padilla's albularyo look or maybe Kathryn Bernardo's red-lips-aviators-white-button-down ensemble... I don't know. I just like it better, okay?

Watch How I Met Your Mother #TheWayYouWantIt!

I love watching TV. I decided to take up Communication Arts because I would love a job that allows me to work in TV or just to watch all the TV that I want.

I watch a whole lot of Filipino TV shows for a La Sallian and I actually enjoy them. I even get into screaming matches with the characters through our television set (I'm crazy like that). But I am not at all immune from the charm of American TV series. If anything, I talk about them here and on Twitter more than I talk about local TV shows only because I can relate to the characters of American TV shows more than I do the local TV show characters ("langit ka, lupa ako" type of situations are not really applicable to someone like me only because I'd rather not meddle with the rich and the famous...and as if they'd even notice me or anything).

My favorite TV series as of the moment has got to be How I Met Your Mother and I am quite thankful that our SKYcable DigiBox actually has 2nd Avenue and Star World where I can watch the show over and over again (even though I have the entire series up until the latest episode in my laptop AND my hard drive). This makes me wonder, though: Is there another cable channel that will allow me to catch old/new episodes of HIMYM? If so, I'd love to get it on our DigiBox. Luckily for me, SKYcable allows subscribers to add channels and packs that you like to the basic plan. So if there are other channels that air episodes of How I Met Your Mother, please please please, I beg you to tell me right away so I can add them to our current plan.

If I were given a chance, though, to watch How I Met Your Mother the way I want it, it has got to be on set and the whole production allowing interactions between me and the characters. There are a lot of times in the series that I wanted to hug the characters just to let them know that someone understands...especially Ted in the latest episode (s09e17). Oh my gosh, my feels! I just wanted to hug him, okay?! I don't even like the Ted-Robin tandem because Barnman and Robin are just ♥ but I was just so affected by one of the scenes in that episode okay!!! So, yeah, watching HIMYM on the set and allowing me to interact with them every once in a while has got to be the way I want to watch it.

If you're wondering how else you, too, can watch your favorite TV series and other cable TV shows #TheWayYouWantIt, just watch this SKYcable YouTube video:

More, more help for the Philippines!

Ever since I realized that helping people gave me the greatest joy, I've never stopped lending a hand to those who needed help. Okay, granted I didn't get to help everyone who has a financial problem as I am struggling financially, too, but those who needed help with, say, relationship problems... I was always willing to share what little experience I have in the matter. They don't have to follow my advice or anything for me to feel joy; I am just happy I helped.

Helping in repacking goods for the Yolanda survivors last November 2013 with a very good friend has got to be one of my most memorable moments of helping people. I mean, I always, always help my people I know anyway and even though I've sent a small amount of money to those affected by the Habagat in 2013, this particular experience still takes the cake. Nothing beats the feeling I got while I was pouring bigas into bags and actually carrying tons of them from one side of the basketball court to another with a very kikay girl who kept on texting on her phone (normally, something like this will piss me off but nothing can take the high away that night). I really feel great whenever I remember that night. That's how great the feeling of helping is.

Getting messages like this is just a bonus when you help people. Gratitude from other people makes you feel grateful that you have the capacity to actually help.

Now, Globe is giving everyone another chance to help with #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014. For this project, I would love to give the gift of positive thinking to the Filipino people. It seriously changed my life and I would love for people to get the chance to change theirs, too. Now, I know what the question's gonna be: How can I give that as an actual gift?

Well, I've been talking about the PSI here and how joining that 4-day seminar changed my life and the way I look at things. That's how I'm going to give the gift of positive thinking to my fellowmen. Like I said back in 2010: If I won a hundred million pesos from the Lotto draws, I will most definitely enroll everyone I know to that seminar.

Now, if Globe would grant that wish for me, I'd love for the most important figures in the government and in the entertainment industry to undergo the seminar so they'll know how to use their power to the advantage of the Filipino people. A lot of the very influential people in these fields don't know that a single victim story can change the whole mindset of a person. This seminar will also help them take responsibility of their decisions, which is very much important in the position they are holding in the society.

I swear by the power of positive thinking and I hope that everyone else in this country uses this to their advantage. There are a lot of cynics but I just dare them to try it, no questions asked... I am going off topic. That's how passionate I am about this positive thinking thing.

Anyway, share what gift you'd want to give to the Filipino people if you were given the chance in the comments section, too, for a chance to win amazing products such as the iPad 2, Globe Tattoo Broadband sticks and prepaid cards! This reminds me of how the Christmas season never ends in the Philippines. It's always the season of giving this side of the world. So take this opportunity to think of ways that you can help. What you give out to the universe, comes back to you tenfold.

Helping in my own little way.

I've been trying to send money donations to the Philippine Red Cross since Yolanda struck the Visayan region but for some reason, my donation won't come through so I started looking for other ways to help. Most organizations wanted for volunteers to call beforehand to register before they get to help which might be a good idea for them but I wanted to get down to business right away so I looked some more.

When Jim Paredes posted that Ateneo was looking for volunteers to repack relief goods and that they allowed walk-in volunteers, I phoned a very good friend and asked him to accompany me to "enemy" grounds yesterday.

We bought several boxes of mineral water that served as our donation. We started working with the rice group, filling plastic after plastic with rice. We were then tasked to carry these plastics from one place to another (which would've been the death of me if I haven't been working out my arms for the past 2 months). My friend was called to help load the goods to the trucks and buses - all guys were needed - while I helped with transferring bars of soap. I wanted to take pictures but when we started with the tasks, we barely had time to even just breathe. Twas all good, though, since I got to focus on the tasks at hand and became more productive than I would've been if I had my phone with me.

We left Ateneo with huge grins on our faces. The feeling of knowing we've helped someone even in our own little way gave us a high that no drug can ever give. Ended the experience with a prayer of thanksgiving (yes, I actually prayed) that we had the capacity - and the chance - to help.

Side note: I would've loved to study in a school with such huge grounds as the Ateneo. Sobrang nakakakalma.

Yes, I'm a virgin...

Donation virgin, that is.

I haven't donated money on my own since I started working in 2009. Yeah, I did churches, fundraising concerts/bingos/bazaars and street children but this time, it's the big leagues and I'm just proud of myself for doing it.

I don't have much and donating the amount I donated, well, let's just say I gotta work more hours to get it back but honestly, it felt great!

I don't know if this is some kind of unconditional love gesture kind of thing but I know what these people are going through with the Maring aftermath. I've been in that same position 4 years ago: No place to stay, no change of clothes, nowhere to get food, no water... I wouldn't even wish for those things to happen to my enemies, no matter how much I hate dislike them. It's just an unfortunate position to be in. Being able to help them stand up from where they are now in my own little way...well, that's just priceless.

PS. I would've volunteered, too, if I wanted to but I have things to attend to ie. my sick daughter.

PPS. I'm sorry if this comes across as being full of myself but I'm just proud I did it, okay. This is me, patting myself on the back for a job well done.

Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin FULL Trailer

I was one of the chosen few to post about the Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin full trailer and I couldn't be more ecstatic! For one, I watch a lot of teleseryes and having the opportunity to watch the full trailer of an upcoming teleserye such as BNLKM ahead of other people is just so exciting for me. Plus, if you know me well enough, you'd know how I've always wanted to work for ABS-CBN so this is, in a way, "working for them".

Anyway, I know why you're here and it's not to read me babble on and on about myself. Without further ado, I present to you the Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin full trailer.


And can I just say I LOVE YOU DAWN ZULUETA! Walang kupas ang kagandahan!

#ipasoksidick

I am one of the many Filipinos disappointed that Dick Gordon is not part of the top 12 in the unofficial tally. I've honestly voted for him and I know he can spark change, if he can't change it altogether. I've aired my sentiments over Twitter, like I always do, when I participated in the top trending topic of the day, #ipasoksidick. I don't know where it started but I had a hunch that it's the topic of the boys in BNO 'cause when I decided to listen, they were talking about it. Correct me if I'm wrong, though.

Anyway, if I were in the mood to tweet, I would've had more than 5 entries but I really wasn't up for it so I just came up with one tweet:

I didn't think much of it, to be honest. I mean, it's a trending topic so (almost) everyone who understands will take part in it but I totally didn't expect for this to happen:

I know it might not mean much to a lot of you and it probably isn't something someone should be proud of but I rarely get published that I feel so giddy whenever someone brings it up. Sorry I'm not sorry.

My Election 2013 Experience

Please forgive me for taking a photo without cutting my nails first. Katams e.

When I woke up this morning, I was pretty sure I wasn't going to vote. I didn't want to go through the hassle plus I knew that whoever I voted for most probably won't win (Hello, Gibo Teodoro). As the day wore on, though, I keep on having this nagging feeling that I SHOULD be voting. Maybe it's the righteous person in me (yes, I have a righteous alter ego). I slept the feeling off, though. But when I woke up and realized that I still had less than an hour to vote, I dragged my brother to the precinct. It took me a total of 5 minutes to vote. By the time we got there, it was almost 6:30pm so there literally weren't any lines.

To those who want to judge me for my choices, here are the candidates that I voted for (in no particular order):

• Teddy Casino
• Riza Hontiveros
• Richard "#ipasoksidick" Gordon
• Chiz Escudero
• Ed Hagedorn
• Ramon Magsaysay Jr.

For the partylist, I voted for Ladlad like I did back in 2010.

Anyway, here are some of the observations I had in our precinct (119A, Mercedes Exec. Vill. Clubhouse) this time around:

1. Police assistance desk didn't have an actual desk. What.
2. The PPCRV booth, as usual, was placed right beside the entrance. Made me miss working for them during the elections.
3. The girl in-charge of the laptop for PPCRV was connio. Not that there's something wrong with being connio (hypocrite) but people in our village aren't exactly like those who live in Corinthian or Valle Verde. I bet most of the voters here had a hard time understanding her speak.
4. The PPCRV team leader was really helpful. If he could carry me through the throng of pasaway candidate pollwatchers, he would.
5. As per the Halalan 2013 app, my Voter's ID has already been printed. I am quite disappointed that I didn't get to claim it in the precinct. It would've been really convenient for the voters to claim it there instead of going to the Comelec branch - in my case, in Cainta City Hall which is one hour away from my place.
6. Nobody was wearing any ID. If some kind of commotion happened in the precinct, you wouldn't know who you're going to approach. Well, except the PPCRV volunteers who were wearing their uniforms.
7. Pollwatchers of candidates were blocking the way. I hope next time they have a designated place to stay in and that they actually stay there. Goodness. Breeding, people.
8. The PCOS machine was busted when I got there. There was this guy who didn't have an ID that kept on jamming bond papers in it like it was gonna solve the problem.
9. When I went over to the tables, there were people watching me from the outside like they wanted to jump my bones or something. I chose a seat very far away from the window (them) but not that close to those annoying pollwatchers working for the candidates.
10. Limited markers were available and most of them didn't have ink.
11. Instead of feeding the ballot to the PCOS machine, I fed it to an envelop.
12. I didn't trust the guy who put indelible ink on my nail but he did a good job, not like the one who put it the last time.

It was a rather pleasant experience. I think the excitement from the first time just wore off, giving me a chance to observe everything around me.

This time around, I can say that I've matured as a voter. In 2010, I just wanted to take the photo with an inked finger and let people know "I'm mature, bitches!". Now, it really is all about wanting change; wanting a brighter future for Brianna. (This is for real, you guys. Perspectives change when you have a kid.)

How we spent Araw ng Kagitingan.

So instead of heading to Subic for a little beach action, we went to Binondo instead and got our shopping on. I was kinda hesitant to bring Brianna along at first because the last time I went to 1-6-8, I got so harassed that I swore never go there again...at least not without a good night's rest and someone I can be all bitchy to when I get tired. This time around, though, I was with my parents and my tita so I thought "Meh, what the hell". What I saw surprised me. The place is actually clean (and wide) enough for me to bring Brianna. Of course, holding onto the kids for dear life is still a requirement since the place was still packed with people but it is good enough to make them walk on their own. Bringing a stroller to 1-6-8 and 9-9-9 Mall, though, will not be a wise idea since the aisles are not that wide. We brought Brianna's but decided last minute not to bring it.

Anyway, it's kinda hard to find parking there if you don't know the place but luckily for us, a friend of Tatay's told him of this new mall beside 1-6-8 called the Lucky Chinatown Mall. It has 7 floors of huge and shiny parking spaces but when we arrived the mall at 9:30am, the parking spaces were already - probably - half full and the mall hasn't opened yet. It has the usual Mango, Adidas and Bon Chon branches where people who are fond of going to malls usually flock to but I had this feeling that people don't really spend time shopping there with 1-6-8 just across the (one-way) street.

I almost died when I started asking for the prices of anything in 1-6-8 and 9-9-9. They're super cheap compared to Greenhills and St. Francis Square! I forgot how cheap everything is there. I cursed myself for not going there before for any kind of shopping (Christmas, baby stuff, birthday gifts, summer, etc) after I've given birth. Clothes I'd usually buy for 500+ in GH only cost me 200 in 1-6-8 and quality sunnies prices start at 180. Even the Trunk Show have lower prices there! The pair of flats which "retails" at 650 I've been eyeing on their Facebook page only costs 200 pesos there. No, they aren't replicas. I mean, they're an online shop who designs their own shoes, for chrissakes.

Believe it or not, I just spent 700 pesos for the following:

• A really cute floral top
• A pair of white leggings
• A Minnie Mouse towel
• Disney Princess stamps
• A Snow White balloon
• A pair of cat's eye sunglasses
• Snacks
• A set of Hello Kitty toiletries

I was supposed to buy this chambray top but they didn't have it in my size. I was also gonna buy Brianna clothes but I didn't like the toddler clothes they sell there. If you're really picky when it comes to baby and toddler clothes, 1-6-8 and 9-9-9 aren't the places you're supposed to be scouring.

By 3pm, we decided to leave because we saw how heavy the traffic situation is outside and we cannot walk on the aisles without bumping onto anyone anymore.

When we were on our way to BGC from Binondo, I was struck by this realization that Manila is actually a beautiful place to walk around in...minus all the hooligans who want to cause harm, of course. So much history and interesting sights to see especially if you actually go to the heart of Manila. Super ganda!

I don't think you can call it an 'earthquake'...

Just a few minutes ago, the Philippines experienced the weirdest earthquake I can ever hope to experience (Please, Lord, no more earthquakes in my lifetime EVER).

Why weirdest, you ask? Well, I don't think you can call it an earthquake because I don't think the movement of the earth moments ago was side-to-side, like it always does... It jerked! The bed I am lying working on moved like someone nudged it or like some spirit wanted to make his presence felt, horror movie-style and that was it! I didn't even feel dizzy like I normally do during earthquakes and that in itself is reason enough for it to not be called an earthquake.

I may just be freaking myself out. I'm totally paranoid over earthquakes before I had Brianna and now, the paranoia tripled so I don't know. My brain still feels like goo because of the frantic reaction I had a while ago.

I bet this doesn't even make sense...

Edit: It was an Intensity III earthquake, as per Phivolcs announcement via the ABS-CBN News website. As per Twitter, though, it's because people are rising from the dead, just in time for Halloween.

Zalora for OC people

If you are as OC as me, you'd know the importance of organizers in your home. Okay, so I don't have my own place yet but that doesn't mean I don't keep my room and the other rooms at home clean because I totally do. Anyway, I was browsing through Zalora's catalog again (What's new?) and here are some of the organizers they are selling that caught my eye:

1. This jewelry box will totally match my bedroom. My room's all white and pink and this will blend in easily. What I like about it is that it doesn't look like a jewelry box at all! There are other designs for this couch jewelry box that you can choose from, just click here.
2. So technically, the next organizer is for the kitchen but I would love to use it to organize Brianna's toys. She has a lot of those smaller toys that are usually sitting on the bed's ledge and being the OC person that I am, I get annoyed whenever I see them. This will help me organizer her toys. Plus, moving them from our room to the living room will be so much easier with this one.
3. The third item I picked out is a scarf organizer but since I have more belts than scarves, I'd probably use it to hold my belts more than my scarves.
4. A watch organizer is a must-have for me not because I have a lot of watches but because I have a lot of bangles. This organizer will be perfect for me because I can see everything at one look and I need that because most of the time, when we go out, I'm always the one rushing.
5. Lastly, I would love to own one of these suitcases just because. Yeah, I don't have an exact reason why I want one but I really do, okay.

So, I read on Twitter that there have been problems with Zalora's stocks and/or deliveries for some people. Personally, though, I haven't encountered any problems with them. All of my packages arrive the day after I order them and the stocks are flawless.

For a much, much better experience with Zalora, you could ask them via customer@zalora.com.ph regarding their stocks or the dimensions of the products you are interested in before you make the purchase and take advantage of their cash on delivery payment option which is now available to major cities (Metro Manila, Cebu, Tacloban, Ormoc, Zamboanga Del Sur, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan De Oro and Davao Del Sur) in the Philippines.

For discounts, just type the voucher code Aletotski0 [Aletotski(zero)] upon checkout. This also applies to cash on delivery payments!

I still don't approve of the Anti-Cybercrime Law.

From the Outloud Pilipinas Facebook page.

Questions regarding the Anti-Cybercrime Law

I just have some questions regarding the Anti-Cybercrime Law, since it's almost October 3. This is not, in any way, a means to be disrespectful to the people who signed it or anything. I just think that the people who wrote it have a lot to explain to the confused public.

Anyway, here are my questions:

1. Since it's still September, can I still bash people on my (public) Twitter account - and probably my blog - in peace?
2. If I signed a negative comment I wrote at an amateur blogger's post with "Anonymous", will they actually go through the hassle to find out who I am?
3. Is it not against the law for other people to access private chat/video chat/direct messages/private messages?
4. Isn't accessing video chats, even if it'll be used to prove an anomaly, considered as wiretapping and isn't that illegal?
5. If I use a computer in an internet shop to cyber-bully someone, how will they find/track me?
6. Will confidential e-mails amongst colleagues remain confidential? What, then, will be the purpose of the inter-office e-mails if people from the outside can access the message database (if that's what it's called)?
7. If I switch my accounts/blogs to private and bash people there, will they hack their ways into my accounts?
8. What if I bully someone but not indicate any name in my post, will I go to jail for that?
9. If I am just stating a fact, a TRUTH, about another person that might trigger a negative response from him/her, will that be grounds for libel? Because if it is, that's probably the reason why the Philippines is still down in the dumps.
10. If there are a thousand people bashing a single, ordinary person - meaning s/he's not a celebrity, a politician or a business tycoon - all at the same time, will the authorities actually run after them?
11. How can they track everyone's online activities if they can't even keep a single LTO branch's computer system online for a whole day?
12. What is taking the RH Bill too long to be passed when the Anti-Cybercrime Law seemed to have breezed it's way into being a, well, law. Clearly, the RH Bill should be a much more important concern for the government than this. I mean, overpopulation and poverty are heavier problems than people who can't take criticism well.

I have more questions and I hope I remember them all soon. Baka makulong ako pag October 3 ko pa maisulat yun.

It would be great, though, if they have an open forum or something that will allow people to ask questions regarding this to the people who wrote the Anti-Cybercrime Law and to those who signed it and hopefully, they revise some of the contents. Matatalino at matatapang na ang mga tao ngayon. Hindi na madadaan sa "Because I said so" ang mga bagay-bagay.

Helping the Zalora way.

The Southwest monsoon that hit Manila earlier this week asked a lot of help. There are many sectors who've reached out to those in need and Zalora is one of them but Zalora pushes it even further with a fashion show for a cause:

If you cannot attend the Fashion Fights the Flood Zalora event that will be happening at the Skye Lounge in Bonifacio Global City on August 15, 2012, you can still help their cause by donating through the Zalora website:

There are a lot of ways to help so there is no reason for you not to.

Voucher code: Aletotski0 

[Aletotski(zero)] 

5% discount for a minimum purchase

of Php500 in www.Zalora.com.ph

Giving back has never felt this good.

Shopping at Zalora is always a joy and they've brought it up a notch higher by giving 5% of their sales for this week to those who have been greatly affected by the monsoon rains the past few days:

That means that you can actually do your part in helping the needy without leaving the comforts of your homes and by browsing through and buying from their online catalogue.

Note: You can still use my online voucher for this, Aletotski0 (Aletotski[zero]), to get a 5% discount on your 500-peso purchase.

Not only that. They are also accepting in-kind donations at their office in 50 Jupiter St., Bel-Air, Makati for those who prefer giving in-kind.

The donors will be given a 500-peso shopping voucher that they can use when they shop on the Zalora Philippines website.

For more information, you can follow their Twitter account, @ZALORAPH.

Voucher code: Aletotski0 

[Aletotski(zero)] 

5% discount for a minimum purchase

of Php500 in www.Zalora.com.ph

#bangonPilipinas

It's times like these where you'd really know how "waterproof" Filipinos are, college student or not.

#bangonPilipinas

Day 2.

Photo taken from Facebook. Photo credits: Ensogo

Day 2 of non-stop rains here in Manila and here I am, writing about it. I am writing about it just now because I was sorta hoping that it will all end when I closed my eyes last night and we could just pretend that that was just some horrible nightmare but lo and behold, I woke up again to the soft drumming of the rain on my window.

Anyway, I was home yesterday - like any other day of the past (almost) 2 years - and I cannot be any more grateful. Almost 3 years ago, I was stuck somewhere in Makati when Ondoy struck. I was so uncomfortable and hungry and craving for cigarettes. Now, I am in the comforts of my home, sipping hot noodles and sleeping on a really cozy bed with my baby. I wouldn't trade all of that for anything. Not in this kind of situation.

I decided to enjoy the rainy day just like anyone else in Manila and took a day off from my work-from-home full-time gig to just lounge around...at first. Then my Twitter feed became flooded with messages about evacuation, rescue, relief operations and donations that I couldn't help but tear up a little bit. I knew how it felt like being out there, not knowing what I have to do, where to go and what to eat but what made me tear up more was the fact that I cannot do anything about it. I want to help in the relief operations in my previous schools but I cannot - for the life of me - leave our place. You see, I live in a place where water rises really fast and before you know it:

Mercedes Exec. Vill. guardhouse. Photo credits: Bong Tejada

I didn't expect for the rain to turn out this way, especially with the full knowledge that there's no typhoon anywhere near the Philippines.

Anyway, I cannot help by being part of a relief operation and I cannot even donate load to the volunteers because I don't have load myself. The best possible thing I thought of to help with this ordeal was to help spread awareness. I set my Twitter profile to public and retweeted almost all of the stuff that come up in my timeline: People in need of rescue, emergency hotline numbers, announcements, anything! I know the importance of awareness in all aspects of life and I knew that this will go a long way.

As I type this, I can see tweets about private companies and government agencies asking their employees to report for work today and I can't help but feel bad for them. The rain is still quite strong - this side of Manila, anyway - and most areas are still flooded. I want to tell those people who are complaining, though, that they shouldn't because they still have the option to stay home should their situation be dangerous or if they have the feeling that they might not be able to come home later in the day. I'm pretty sure their superiors will be able to understand this.

I can feel that today's going to be better than yesterday. I hear birds chirping and roosters cock-a-doodle-doo-ing when I woke up a while ago and that is always good news. Plus, the skies are much brighter now. The rain might still be falling but it can't rain forever. The sun is bound to come out one of these days. Nagpahinga lang yun kasi solid na init yung ibinigay niya nung summer.

Confusion is nothing new.

If you know me, you will know that I am not that much into music. I listen to HipHop, RnB, Slow Jams, yes, but a part of me doesn't really consider that music. No offense meant to those people who work around that musical genre but whenever I hear the word "music", those are not the genres that pop into my head.

Anyway, just this morning, I woke up to the thought of "I should get a copy of Imago's old album as well as Moonstar 88's." I don't know where that thought came from but now that it's there, I would love to make a list of OPM artists/bands' albums I would love to get my hands on:

1. The whole discography of Imago
2. The whole discography of Moonstar 88
3. The whole discography of Rivermaya
4. The whole discography of Eraserheads
5. The whole discography of Up Dharma Down
6. The whole discography of Mojofly

Looking at my list now, I don't think I have a diverse taste in music. They all sound alike.

Would also love to get my hands on the whole Tunog Acoustic collection and any album that has Barbie Almalbis in it and those tribute albums that have been coming out though I already have Ultraelectromagneticjam!: The Music of the Eraserheads.

I am officially freaking myself out.