day 30 – your favorite song at this time last year

I didn't have that much of significant happenings in my life this time last year, as usual. It was also summer time a year ago, and I just stayed at home. I didn't have some memorable activities or whatsoever, well, except for my first time to vote for a national automated election. I felt really proud that I exercised my right. I felt like I made a big difference, although I’m not sure if I actually did. So far, I still don’t regret voting for those people I think are worthy to rule and lead the people.

Maybe you’re thinking that my favorite song last year was ABS-CBN’s Boto Mo, Ipatrol Mo theme song called Ako ang Simula in relation to what I just shared. No, it’s not. But I have to admit that also liked it at some point. The song promotes social awareness, and it was played on TV almost all the time for recall. The result – I had LSS, but as I said, it wasn’t the song that got me hooked last summer. Instead, it was Franco’s Song for the Suspect. It’s one of the best Pinoy rock songs I’ve ever heard.

I bet you already know that Franco is a band composed of different musicians from other Philippine rock bands such as Urbandub, Parokya ni Edgar, Queso and Inyo. They’ve joint their forces to give one love jah love to every rock music lover in town. They just performed live at Jickong’s here in Davao last year. Too bad, I wasn’t able to watch them. So now, let’s lend our ears for Franco Reyes (Inyo) on vocals and guitars, Gabby Alipe (Urbandub) and Paolo 8 Toleran (Queso) on guitars, Buwi Meneses (Parokya ni Edgar) on bass and JanJan Mendoza (Urbandub) on drums.

Song for the Suspect – Franco

"One love, jah love

Come and feel the vibe

He's given us the herb

Rising from under the earth

With soul we can unite

So give me and pass me the light

Throw away all your hate come, come with me

Well I see jah coming

So come gather round my children

Well I and I me try

To never let the fire die

So don't break the cipher

Be part of the unbreaking circle my friend

Throw away all your hate come jah with me..."

At long last! I’m finally done with my first blog challenge. I wasn’t able to write them consecutively because of some inevitable circumstances, but still, I managed to finish it somehow. That’s what matters most, right? I give you my heartfelt gratitude for sharing your thoughts on those tracks that I posted. Songs evoke certain memory. Thank you for coming along with me in my musical ride as I relive my memorable moments, and as I learn more about my real choice of tunes. So long, 30 Days of Music! I’ll be off to my next challenge soon.

The video in this post is not intended for copyright in fringement.

Holidays 2010

I'm still having a hang of last night! Christmas and New Year Celebrations are so fun at home. Mom bought and cooked extra special goodies. She's really the best! Here are some photos I took. Too bad we didn't have a good camera to perfectly capture the moment. Let's get the foodnography started!

SMORGASBOARD

I didn't like the Goldilock's Cake we bought that night. :-(

I never got to taste the wine. I didn't want to get drunk on a holiday.


May Juice. This is actually a carbonated juice. It tastes a little like white wine.

Baked Conchiglie Pasta, Hamon de Bola and Queso de Bola.



SWISS Deli and Purefoods Hams. I prefer the first one. So delicious!


Red Ribbon's Tiramisu for New Year. I love this cake BIG TIME!


Tiramisu and Mango Float are both adorable sweets. Can't get enough of them!

We still have a lot of food in the fridge. I think by tomorrow they will all be wiped out. We eat like there's no tomorrow. That's how my family loves food.

Although I ate a lot this vacation, I still don't feel any improvement on my weight. I'm still 41lbs. Bad! I have to put on even a little weight this year.

So, how was your holiday celebration?

Memories of 2010

I've been acting like a headless chicken for the previous years. I was such a foolish and selfish rogue. I acted on a disorderly way without thinking of where my decisions might lead me and the people around me. I always failed my parents' expectations towards me. Whenever we talked, we ended up arguing. It was like having a conversation with them felt like I was skating on thin ice. I used to think that I'm our family's black sheep, and that I wreaked havoc every single minute.

This year is definitely the best year of my entire life. I could say I've become a better person. There are a lot of wonderful things that happened to me this 2010. I'm very grateful that God gave me a chance to renew my unpleasant life. I'm thankful that my family never gave up on me. I don't have the angst in my heart anymore. I tried so hard to remove it in my system, cause it's the main reason why I've been miserable and insecure before. It inflicted pain to me, and to everyone connected to me.

The year 2010 has opened many doors for me. I apologize if that sounded so trite, but I couldn't think of any better idiom to express what I mean. Anyway, let me talk about the opportunities God gave me this year. They all made me feel secure with myself and everything that I have. Because of those chances, I managed to shrug off anything that makes me feel discontented. I know I don't get those things that I always wanted, but at least I still have some things that can make me stand firm. Here are some memories of 2010 that I will never forget:

My article entitled "How I Learned to Draw" has been published to Sun Star Davao. It's actually a sensitive creative non-fiction essay on how I went through my path to becoming a LADY. It's also published on Dagmay -- the official website of Davao Writers' Guild. Just visit dagmay.kom.ph and search for my full name "Katrina Angela Castro" in the Index of Authors, if you want to read my article. It's my first essay ever published in a broadsheet. Thank you Lord!

We had a field trip to one of the most beautiful summer destinations in the Philippines -- Camiguin Island via Butuan. We were wet all day because we bathed nonstop from one spot to another. We went to Sto. Nino Cold Spring, Soda Swimming Pool, Guiob Church Ruins, Sunken Cemetery, Katibawasan Falls, White Island and the famous Pastel store, Vjandep. That trip was just within one day. After that day, we went to Cagayan de Oro for a breakfast and lunch. We also bought some more pasalubongs at Lim-Ketkai and Robinson's Mall. And then we headed straight to Bukidnon to see how creative Leandro Locsin is with the architecture of the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay. We enjoyed the round trip so much! That was totally one heck of an adventure.







My boyfriend and I also celebrated our third year anniversary last September. We planned a total date to make it really memorable. We had to make it special because our parents already knew about our relationship. My Mom and I got even closer when she knew everything about us. We didn't have to hide what we feel for each other anymore. Sorry for the cheesiness! We went to Eden Nature Park and Resort, and then we had pizza adventure at Calda Pizza and Coco's South Bistro. That was our way of strengthening our romantic bond -- to go on a trip. Here are some photos we had.





Lastly, I got to work and earn money for myself. I became a part-time tutor for five elementary students. The pay was not that big but at least I bought things for myself. It was also enough to go on a food trip with some friends. That job taught me how to work hard and have patience on everything, especially to children. But now I decided to quit the job because I have to concentrate on my studies. I'll be graduating hopefully this October of 2011. I know God will help me play the cards right, because he is my refuge and strength!

PS: Some photos are on my Facebook.

My Top 10 Films of 2010

I don't really watch movies. I can actually just count those films I've watched in the cinema, and even on DVDs with my fingers. I don't know why, but I kind of feel uneasy whenever I sit in front of the TV or big screen, just doing nothing but watch the scenes pass by. I don't feel comfortable when I'm not moving. Weird, eh? That's probably one of the behaviors I got from my mother. And because I'm not a movie freak, there are only a few films that got my attention for the year 2010. Let me begin with my list, which is not in particular order.

SCOTT PILGRIM vs THE WORLD


This movie is so EPIC! I love it because of the humor, the music and the superb cast! Ramona Flowers was really pretty and MYSTIC! At first I thought she was too cool for Scott, but when he defeated Ramona's SEVEN DEADLY X's he became way cooler than Ramona! Michael Cera definitely rocks. GO Sex Bob-Omb! This movie's Official Soundtrack is an A+ too! Best Sex Bob-Omb performance (for me) was when they sang Threshold to ward off the Katayanagi Twins (Ramona's 6th Evil X)

Quotable Quote:

Scott to Ramona: I'm in "lesbians" with you (he couldn't say the other L word.)

KICK ASS



One of the best action-packed films I've ever watched. This movie was the reason why I began to love superhero/action-comedy films. This is actually not intended to be watched by kids because of its profane and violent contents. Good thing I'm already 20, cause I am a big fan of Hit-Girl! Chloe Moretz played the role really well. She acted and spoke like she's not a child. I envy her guns, especially the BAZOOKA! :-D

Quotable Quote:

Kick-Ass (Dave Lizewski): Even with my metal plates and my fucked up nerve endings, I gotta tell you, that hurt! But not half as much as the idea of leaving everything behind.

DEAR JOHN



I almost cried watching Savannah and David's love story. It's a tear-jerker I should say! Having a special someone who is actually an army is hard. It's like your heart never stops pounding every minute as long as I know he's in the danger zone. It's also difficult to keep up with a long distance relationship. That may be the reason why Savannah decided to give up on John. One of the best things of this movie is, the soundtrack. It's so GOOD! You will never regret downloading them. Amanda Seyfried sings so well, and Channing Tatum is just so HOT!

Quotable Quote:

Savannah to John: No matter how many years go by, I know one thing to be as true as ever was - I'll see you soon then.

EASY A



This was the second and last film I watched on the big screen. I was with my friend, Maxine, when we had a doze of this adorable chick flick. This is such a hilarious film! I bought a DVD, and watched this three times at home. I even want to have a Scarlet Letter A on my wardrobe just like Olive Penderghast and Hester Prynne. That's how I'm addicted to Easy A! Another proof of my intense devotion is I'm now loving "the worst song ever" -- Natasha Bedingfield's Pocket Full of Sunshine. Crazy, isn't it?

Quotable Quote:

Olive Penderghast: Relax. Jesus. What is with you gays? Are you really that repulsed by lady parts? What do you think I have down there? A gnome? (Haha!)

EAT PRAY LOVE



One of my favorite Holliwood actresses is Julia Roberts. My Mom influenced me to like her. I've seen her box-office movies before, and she didn't really fail my standards of a must-watch chick flick star. Eat Pray Love is the best film for all the heart-broken women out there. You have to have time for yourself in order to love again. The best scenes in this film are actually shot in Italy where world-class cuisines are served. Your mouth will really water and all!

Quotable Quote:

"I do not need to love you to prove that I love myself." This was spoken by Liz Gilbert to her Balinese boyfriend. :-)

STEP UP 3D



This is way better than the second installment of Step UP, although I could say that the girl in Step Up 2 danced better than the girl in Step Up 3D. What I love about this film is that, eventhough I'm not a dance fanatic, The Pirate's move and groove make me want to dance as well. I love Moose! He may be thin, but his dancing capability is exceptional. He's a great dancer! The soundtrack is also perfect for some club party mood.

Quotable Quote:

Moose: People dance because dance can change things. One move, can bring people together. One move, can make you believe like there's something more. One move, can set a whole generation free.

SPLICE



We watched this film for our NSTP-CWTS class. One thing I realized when we watched this is that, the phenotype (physical appearance) of an organism is equal to the organism's genes, environment and the interaction of the genes and environment. I learned that from our Biodiversity class. I just related it to Splice.

Quotable Quote:

Clive Nicoli: Why the fuck did you make her in the first place? Huh? For the betterment of mankind? You never wanted a normal child because you were afraid of losing control.

TOY STORY 3



I also watched this on cinema with Maxine. We were so carried away with the scenes, that we never talked the whole time. We also tried to stop our tears from falling, that our throat ended up hurting. I love the animation as always. Too bad we didn't get to watch it on IMAX. This is my ultimate favorite childhood movie of all time! Woody and Buzz Lightyear are the best tandem!

Quoatable Quote:

Andy: Now Woody, he's been my pal for as long as I can remember. He's brave, like a cowboy should be. And kind, and smart. But the thing that makes Woody special, is he'll never give up on you... ever. He'll be there for you, no matter what.

LEAP YEAR



I love this film's tagline: Anna planned to propose to her boyfriend on February 29th. This is not her boyfriend. The narration made this film different from others. Even the smallest of details are relayed by the story-teller. Amy Adams and Matthew Goode look good together. They made a good couple in this movie -- an outgoing and fun manly man and a serious and professional lady. I also love the story line and the sceneries. Ireland is such a wonderful place with all the green grasslands and blue mountains. Perfect for nature lovers! I wanna be there someday.

Quotable Quote:

Bride: May you never steal, lie, or cheat, but if you must steal, then steal away my sorrows, and if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life, and if you must cheat, then please cheat death because I couldn't live a day without you. Cheers!

CHLOE



Because I love Amanda Seyfried, I didn't hesitate to watch Chloe. Her role here is much different from other roles she played. She's darkly erotic here compared to her sweet and girly characters in Mamma Mia and Dear John. I love the twist of this movie. Definitely, a must-see. It's a great mature movie indeed!

Quotable Quote:

Chloe: I try to find something to love in everybody. Even if it's a small thing. Something about the way someone smiles. There's always something, there has to be. I try to make myself generous. I do things I don't want to do. I... I think about what not to criticize. And the strangest things come back to me.

PS: I still haven't watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Prince of Persia and Sorcerer's Apprentice. :-(

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