I promised myself not to post a blog regarding the death of the late President Corazon C. Aquino because death might bring bad luck to this blog. But today, I broke my promise. I personally think that something about Tita Cory is really worth the space here and my time.

I was one of those who lined up last Sunday along Ortigas Avenue to pay my last respect along with many others in La Salle Greenhills. My HS buddies, Au and Emman joined me. It took us more that 3 hours and we did not mind. Wala yung hirap at inip namin sa pila kumpara sa mga naging sakripisyo ni Mrs. Aquino.

Today, I went out and waited for hours to witness the funeral march of Cory Aquino. Kaye, Agie and I were reluctant to get out because it was raining, but I told myself, magpakita lang kahit sandali ang araw, pupunta ako sa Osmena Highway. And sometime in the morning, sumilip ang araw. After witnessing the funeral mass, we hurriedly prepared ourselves and in 15 mins, we were in Zobel Roxas cor. South Super Highway. There were lots of people and as we patiently waited, mas dumadami ang mga tao. It rained hard but we stood there along with many others. And when convoy of Tita Cory finally passed, people clapped their hands and cheered. Some chanted CORY AQUINO BAYANING TOTOO, others tearfully sang Bayan Ko. I saw my sister Kaye wiping her tears.

I am proud I was there. I am proud that I was able to say Thank you to Tita Cory for inspiring me to pray harder. Thank you for the Democracy and thank you for believing in the goodness and greatness of your people. Thank you because just like others, you made me a proud Filipino once again.

I promise you that the Cory magic will stay in my heart forever.

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Images here.

CONGRATULATIONS
ROGER FEDERER
for

WINNING
the
2009 WIMBLEDON FINALS

and a

His life maybe filled with controversies and scandals but still, he had his life and he was a good soul.

We may not understand all his eccentricities but his talent is exceptional! His music continues to touch so many lives, to open a lot of minds and to heal millions of souls around the world. He may not be with us, but his music will always be.

I pray that MJ will finally find peace and happiness. Rest well MJ and thank you for your music.

I always believed in Roger Federer's greatness inside the tennis court - be it a red clay or hard surfaces. He is undeniably stronger and smarter now. He has an impressive and amazing first power-service, as always and more importantly, he learned from his past mistakes.

With the not-so-good-season last year, the world's No.2 fought back and proved to everyone that he is indeed the greatest tennis warrior of our time.

I was hesitant to join my high school buddies for a Sunday night out because of the live telecast of Nadal-Federer match. The match was starting to heat up when I left the house during the first set with Federer leading 2-3. Hours later, while enjoying the dinner with my friends, I received a message from my sister Kaye, "Sorry, panalo kame". My 3 siblings are for Nadal. I didn't reply. I felt bad. Really bad.

Watching Roger sob via the YouTube is killing me too. I know it was rough for him . But I still believe in Roger, just like his millions and millions of fans around the globe. Ending up the 2009 Australian Cup 1st runner up doesn't change a thing. Roger still the best tennis champ for meand still the number one on my list.

Rafa said to him, Roger is still a great champion and he is one of the best in history and he will beat Pete Sampras' 14 titles for sure. I couldn't help but agree. All the best to you Roger for the rest of the season.

Anyway Congrats Rafa! You played really, really great and you truly deserve it. Hats off to you.




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To view the pictures of my Sunday night out, visit this..

After the epic battle in Wimbledon last year, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will go against each other in the much awaited Australian Open 2009 on Sunday, February 1, 2009.

Both are great tennis players, nobody can deny that. But I hope Roger will redeem himself after a disappointing 2008. Roger is still the best for me and I hope he'll start his 2009 with a bang! All the best Roger!

Sabi nila, "there's no place like home", tama nga naman. When I was still studying in Manila, I always looked forward for the sem breaks and Christmas breaks. Yun lang kase yung time na nakaka-uwi ako sa Mindoro. Sobrang nakaka-stress kase dito sa Manila. I longed for the simplicity and relaxed setting in the countryside. Feeling ko pa nga until now, sobrang safe ako whenever I sleep in my room sa bahay namin sa probinsiya. Dito kc sa Manila medjo iba ang feeling.

Late last night, I was having a shot of vodka while my cousins Rain, Ian and Obee played our favorite pastime, I saw one of the security guards and some 5-6 policemen approached the unit near ours. I felt something weird. Forgive me but as I sipped my alcohol, I eavesdropped. One of the uniformed men invited our neighbor, warned him and tried to calm him down. Thirty minutes later we heard our neighbors wept. My condolences. To find out what happened, click here.

Two months na ako dito sa Manila. At 2 months na rin yung worry ko whenever I go out and enjoy the night out with my friends. Thank God Rain and Emman have their own cars. And whenever they did not bring their cars, I ride a cab just to be sure that I'll be home safe and sound. I don't want to take the risk. Ang dami ko pa gusto ma achieve. Nakakalungkot lang na sa sarili kong bayan pa ako nag-wo-worry ng ganito.

Pilipinas ang bayan kong sinilangan. It's my home. Mahal ko ito kahit na dito ako dalawang beses na-holdap at nasasaktan, dito na-holdap ang Nanay ko, dito tumalon sa jeep ang kapatid ko dahil din sa holdap at marahil dito rin sa Pilipinas naging biktima ng mga petty crimes at iba pang kabulastugan ang mga kakilala nyo.

People get what they deserve. I can't help but think, is this the society we all deserve? Kung ganito ng ganito, parang ayaw ko na lang umuwi.

There's too much going on right now in the Southern Philippines. Lots have been said and done, lots have been left hidden. I am a peace loving man and I condemn any kind of war be it here in the Philippines and elsewhere abroad.

It's so sad to hear and know that peace down there is far from reach. Siguro nga, some stupid politicians and some greedy individuals make this war a business at the expense of the lives of the innocent children, civilians and the poor soldiers. I still believe and I continue to pray for the peace in Mindanao and in the whole world. Both parties should always bear this in mind - "One cannot talk peace and have a gun on hand."

We are Filipinos and whatever religion we believe in, we are all brothers. And we do not kill our brothers for some selfish intentions. It's against the teachings of the Christianity, it's against the teachings of Islam. We cannot deny it.

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I've been hearing this song since I was a little boy. Para 'to kina Esperon et al, Kumamder Bravo et al, at para sa ating lahat.

I was able to watch the battle between Tshomlee Go and the Australian taekwondo jin last Wednesday. I admit that I do not know everything about taekwondo. And to be completely honest, I do not how the scoring works. But when I saw the fight, I have come to realize that it does not take someone to be a taekwondo jin to know whether the kick landed on the opponents body solidly. The Australian even fell, and the Filipino commentator said "2 points yun!". But there was none. Not even 1. Nakakaawa talaga. :-(

Earlier this afternoon, I saw Toni Rivero's fight with the Croatian jin. My sister kaye and I were crossing our fingers and kept on cheering for Toni. But it just did not work. :-( The first two rounds were good but the Croatian was tougher. Naiwan na si Toni on the 3rd round. Hay, bokya na naman. :-(

Someone told me days before the Olympics, "winner ang makaka-gold sa Beijing. Milyonaryo na pag-uwi dito. Pero malalakas lang ang loob nyan mag bigay ng mga milyon na yan kase alam naman nila na hindi makaka-gold ang isa sa kanila". Hay, another harsh reality. Tsk tsk tsk.

Sabi ko nga, it does not only take pure heart in the Olympics. It takes a lot more. And whether we admit it or not, in the game of Olympics, biases and partialities are part of the game. Ask Onyok Velasco, ask Nastia Luikin, ask Tshomlee.

Check this and this out to know what I'm talking about.

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Incidentally, a Pinoy athlete bagged Gold in Beijing Olympics. The consolation came from the sport's demonstration event earlier today. Anyway, Congrats Willy Wang!

The quest for winning the Philippines' first Olympic gold continues after Harry Tanamor lost in his very first fight last week. :-( To be honest, I was not really expecting for the swimmers and other Pinoy athletes to bag any medal except for Harry, Toni Rivero and Tshomlee Go. Go Toni! Go Tshomlee!

I like to point out that I am not being negative about other Pinoy Olympians. It's just that, they are competing with the world's best, fastest and fiercest athletes, so we should accept the fact that they do not match a Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser and many others.

When I heard the news that David Coakley, a Filipino swimmer based in Hawaii, notched a new swim RP record for the 200m breststroke, I told Rain: "Sana tayo-tayo na lang ang nagswimming dito sa Pinas. At least naka-medal pa siya!" Sana maisip na natin na hindi kailan man magiging sapat ang puso para makakuha ng Olympic Gold medal. It will take a lot mopre than it! I'm crossing my fingers that our Taekwondo jins will at least put the Philippines in the Beijing Summer Olympics Medal Tally Board. Kahit hindi gold, pero Lord, mas masaya kung gold... Please po. Please po.

Anyway, Congratulations to the all World Record Breakers and Medalists: To Michael Phelps of US - the greatest Olympian to date, to Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser both from Jamaica, to Guo Jingjing of China, to Rafael Nadal of Spain, to Roger Federer and teammate Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland and to all other athletes who won the Beijing Olympic medals. Thank you for the inspiration!