Say Yes!

One of the things that I love about my life right now is that I get the opportunity to work on all sorts of projects. Apart from doing stuff on print, I've also been doing stuff on the Web. Recently, I've also gone on video.

It was the first time that I was going to do a script for a video but I didn't blink. Whenever faced with a new challenge, I always go back to what my Tito Rene told me: "Yes lang ng yes. Tsaka mo nalang isipin kung paano mo gagawin." ("Always say yes. Just figure out how you'll do it afterwards.") And that's just what I did. I said, yes!

That's how I found myself talking with all these smart and idealistic teenagers, so full of dreams for the lives ahead of them. We were doing a video testimonial for Ahead Tutorial and Review Center. And I was just amazed at their zeal and determination. They knew exactly what they wanted.

Funny but I didn't know what I wanted when I entered college. I got into the Ateneo's Physics Computer Engineering program partly because I like physics. Years later, here I am doing nothing remotely close to physics--unless we're talking about the nature of the force that attracted me to words oh-so unequivocally mwahaha Life's funny like that.






Getting down and dirty. We had to sit on the floor on the walkway outside the building and I was wearing a dress. I didn't mind; it was fun!





Jill checking out JC's cut.





This kid is a natural in front of the camera. He's not only very eloquent, he had a cute smile as well.





Fixing Daryl's mike





Shooting Daryl





Daryl came in looking like a winner. Active in student politics, we wouldn't be surprised if we see more of this guy in the near future.





And here it is! :)

The Itch That Can't Be Scratched

Monday found me eating my way through a restaurant strip for a food feature I'm working on. And so when I noticed a couple of rashes on my arms Tuesday night, I thought it was just a reaction to something I ate the day before. By Wednesday, the rashes have multiplied. Because I had a trip planned the following day, I was alarmed. What if it wasn't an allergy? What if it was something different? But I didn't get sick, how could this be anything but an allergy? Yes, I sometimes tend to overthink things.

For my peace of my mind, I went to our doctor, and the verdict: it's some form of measles. It's hysterical! I am 43 and I have the measles Mwahahaha! I have rashes all over my face and body, and sometimes, they could get so very itchy!! "Don't scratch," my friend J said. "Get some rest," A said. "Go to sleep," L said.

I would go to sleep but all I could think of now are these words: itchy, itchy, itchy! And I just want to scratchy, scratchy, scratchy!!! Nyak!

Be Careful What You Say!

Baby S is talking crazy now. Every morning, she'd get up, walk over to our house, and call everybody awake: "Lula! Sam! Kyle!" When she wants to take a shower, she says, "Bubbles." When she wants her cloth diaper, which is her version of a security blanket, she says, "Pampin" And before she goes to sleep, she says, "Night night, Lula," before giving me a big, warm kiss.

She has also taken to parroting every single word she hears, which means that her Mom has become some sort of Word Police. No expletives around Baby S or else, you'd never hear the end of it from her Mom. Sometimes though, you just can't help but say an expletive, or two!

We were just hanging out at home when Baby S walked through the door. Unfortunately, the door suddenly shut close. I thought that it would hit Baby S's fingers so I blurted out a loud, "Oh, shit!" Ms. Word Police gave me a wide-eyed look and shouted, "Ma!" Realizing my mistake, I hollered an even louder, "Fuck, sorry!"

And that's my contribution to baby's education that day.

P.S. Her fingers are fine :)




Baby S loves her spaghetti





Look at her go!

Lazy Little Lizard

I've been a lazy little lizard. For the past few days, I've been sleeping the days away. I can't help myself. My white room beckons. Every time I get into that room, I find myself slowly falling asleep; I couldn't even finish a chapter of the book on my bedside. Maybe it's because of the jazzy trip-hop of Bitter:Sweet on my MP3. Or maybe it's because of the serenity my white walls and white linens exude. Or maybe it's because of the calm, cool wind blowing through the curtains.

I suppose, stressed from the past few months' hectic schedule, my body just wants to rest. Go to sleep, Jing! That's what it was telling me. And so that's exactly what I've been doing: sleeping and sleeping, and occasionally waking up to cook and watch DVDs. My body deserves a break.

But by eight this morning, one of my editors had already texted, asking when I'd be free to talk. By the end of the day, I've gotten a couple more assignments. Wake up, Jing! That's what they're all telling me. I'll just have to get back to sleep later :)





Sleeping with Bitter:Sweet

The Tall Trees

“I could fall asleep right here,” D said. We were sitting out on the front yard under the trees with only the moonlit sky keeping us company. A gust of wind flew by oh-so gently, and if I closed my eyes, I could almost imagine the sea somewhere just off the horizon.

My mom bought this property for the trees. She barely looked inside the house but seeing the branches of the mangga giving the yard a nice shade, and the leaves of the duhat growing oh-so profusely, she snagged the place right away. Lucky daughter that I am, I get the privilege of living here.

In the mornings, the sun shines through my window, waking me up. In the afternoons, the kids are home, eating sandwiches, playing games, and watching movies. At night, I take to writing while listening to tunes old and new. And always, there is the wind, flying through the windows, shoving close the doors, giving each and every one of us a warm embrace. I love it here!

Singing in the New Year

My Tita C and Tito S are in town. Many, many years ago, they migrated to Canada, and every few years or so, they'd fly back to Manila, giving the family another occasion to get together. During Christmas dinner, we found out that Tito S still played his guitar. Our family and Tito S were once neighbors, and I could still remember Blackbird strumming from their window.

When my Mom and Dad found out about Tito S's still-being-nurtured talent, they had to throw him a concert. Our nephew R, another fellow who's good with the guitar, would be his front act. There would be speakers and spotlights. My sister B would look for the lyrics and the chords. My Mom threw in a lechon for good measure.

Suffice it to say that on New Year's Eve, most everybody had tons of fun and most everybody did lots of singing. In the end, however, it was being with family, laughing with the people you've known and loved all your life, that gave us the ultimate high.




Tita C and Tito S with I Want To Make It With You. So sweet!!





Can't get the pitch of Sharon Cuneta's Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko





Getting serious with TL Ako Sa 'Yo





My nephew R and my daughter E doing Coldplay





Even Baby S got into the act





Tito S, undoubtedly the star of the show





Everybody now!