Addicted

Thanks to my former student, now super friend and gym buddy Leo Vera; I am now addicted to RPM at Fitness First. RPM stands for Row Power Movement. It is an intense cycling exercise that has various resistance depending if you're riding on a flat pavement or climbing uphill. I've been doing it for almost three weeks now.
Just the other day, I discovered a new addiction next to RPM. Body combat is kickboxing or Muay Thai with coupled with super upbeat music. I discovered Body Combat thru Raymund, a gym buff whom I met at Fitness First Platinum Trinoma.
Why am I hitting the gym? It's not really so much because of the want/need of getting thin. It's simply because I'm so hooked into these two classes (also Hiphop class in between). Whenever I find myself stressed out, which is usually everyday, from my playtime with my students and cramming homeworks in graduate school I always look forward to capping my day with a good work out and a steam bath at Fitness.


RPM


Body Combat

Photos from Fitness First website

Here comes the bride

After almost ten years of wonderful, loving companionship; along with an adorable six year-old daughter named Alynna; Ate Chona (a former colleague in NCBA) and Kuya Allen just tied the knot today at Iglesio ni Cristo chapel in Del Monte Street, Fresco. Unfortunately, I just arrived from the reception and I haven't uploaded the pics yet, but what I have here is Ate Chona's bridal shower at Pancake House, Commonwealth.
The matron of honor, Ma'am Tynes Doria (who's been a great adviser when I was still working in NCBA) arranged the small get-together. Unfortunately, some of the invited guests were not able to come, but it's all good because we were able to spend quality time with Ate Chona and Kuya Allen.


Ma'am Tynes, Rent baby, the bride, and Ma'am Ai


their entire gang with the Pancake House staff


with the groom, Kuya Allen


uhm.. which camera to look at?


BFFS!!


with little baby, Dottie



The flower arrangements were done by Donna. Donna was my former student in Literature and she's been working for Pancake House for six years. She told me that it was really difficult for her to work and study at the same time. I know exactly how she feels.. :)


peace out!

The entire Pancake House staff did an excellent job with the decors and setup for the shower. When I entered the restaurant, I felt it was too early for Valentines. There were roses and rose petals everywhere!
And because of the wonderful job that they did and with the wonderful recommendation of Ma'am Tynes, I decided to make a booking at their restaurant for my birthday party this September. :)

But for now, congrats and best wishes to Kuya Allen and Ate Chona. May you have more babies to come! Ahem! :)

The Demonization of Me

I just finished discussing the text "The Woman with Horns" to my Chemical Engineering students. I talked about how women are continually demonized by being viewed as eternal temptresses, seducers, and the cause of evil. I feel that my students, though intelligent and diligent kids they are, find it a bit awkward that a female professor is discussing how women (in general) are being accused of as the root of evil and temptation to men. One student commented, "Maybe, that's your interpretation ma'am." I have to agree with his inference. Probably, half of it is according to how I read the text, but since the texturized essay in the book (after the short story) is regarding the "female as demon", I pointed out to the student that my subjectivity is rooted to the intended explication provided by the authors of the university-wide literature book.
And I can see how the discussion has stirred interest or more aptly put "messed up" the heads of my beloved students. They love hearing the feminist interpretation of the stories of Delilah, Bathsheba, Eve, Lilith, Medusa, and Medea. In fact, they're more into the trivias, stories, and the supplementary discussions than the assigned reading.
In this entire process of pedagogic enlightenment, I find myself both lost and passionate during lectures because most often I initially say what's on top of my head, and then eventually I would find my way to other stories discussing feminism and demonization of females. I'm sure some of my students would find my discourse sexist, but it is inevitable to be sexist when you are discussing gender-themed texts. I suppose the danger in the discussions is that since most of my students are male and their professor is a female who has the authority in the classroom, it may seem that the professor's interpretation and school of thought is aggressively into their minds. My classroom has always been the venue of academic (which most often turns into personal) expression and I've always given them the liberty to say whatever it is they want to say though some are against the core of the institution.
But then again, at the end of the session; what will be the result of all of this exchange of free thought and free speech is what has truly retained in their heads. Which, unfortunately, I have no control of.

My new fourth home

Roque-Ruaño Building, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sto. Tomas

Obviously my first home is my mother's house, next is my apartment in Dos Cas, then the sweet old home of the AB, Rent, Tranquilizer kids.
Here is the second oldest building in UST. Where the students are sing-song nice and testosterone levels are high everywhere. :)

The Wedding Dress

Para Kay B: I think it's true about the quota

Sa nobela ni Ricky Lee na "Para kay B", sumulat si Lucas ng isang nobela para kay Bessie. At ito ang sinabi nya:

" Me quota ang bag-ibig. Sa bawat limang umiibig, isa lang ang magiging maligaya. Ang iba, iibig sa hindi sila iniibig. O iibig ng hindi natututo. O iibig sa wala. O hindi na iibig kailanman.
Ang iba'y iibig sa maling panahon, umibig nung 1980s, nakipagmartsa sa mga aktibista, pero ang taong nakatakda para sa kanya ay nabuhay noon pang 1930s, isang rebelde laban sa mga Amerikano, matagal ng namatay. Kaya she keeps falling in love sa mga lalaking mas matanda, hinahanap sa kanila ang hindi nmahanap na wala, hindi magtagpo ang kahapon at ang kasalukuyan.
May mga pusong pinaglalaruan. Nasa parehong building ng call center but they will never realize that they're on the same floor. Maski parang laging may strange force na humihila sa kanila para tumingin sa kabila ng building. Kailanman ay hindi sila magtatagpo. Tanungin man siya ng boyfriend n'ya kung ano yung lagi n'yang tinitingnan sa kabila ay hindi n'ya masasagot. At kailanman ay hindi na n'ya malalaman dahil eventually ang lalaki ay lilipat sa ibang lugar, at siya, hanggang sa mamatay, hindi na n'ya malalaman kung sino nga ba iyong nasa kabila.
Merong mapalad na nagkakilala, nagkaibigan at nagkasama. Pero sa hindi malamang dahilan ay iniwan ng babae ang lalaki. Mabubuhay ang lalaki sa walang hanggang paghahanap. Mari-realize n'ya na ang pag-ibig ay laging paghahanap. Pero hindi n'ya kailanman mahahanap ang babae dahil ang totoo ay hindi n'ya mahanap ang kanyang sarili.
Merong away nang away kapag magkasama pero hindi naman makaya magkahiwalay. Merong hindi makahakbang dahil sa pag-ibig, at meron namang nakakalipad. Merong ang tingin sa pag-ibig ay hapunang walang sawsawan. Merong 'pag umibig ay nahaharap sa salamin, sarili ang sinasamba. Merong ang tingin sa pag-ibig ay parusa.
Pero merong isa sa lima, harangan man ng kulog, ng mga ganid, ng lindol at ng teknolohiya, mahahanap n'ya ang kanyang mahal. Siya lang ang magiging maligaya."

Hindi ko pa kayang sumulat ng nobela para kahit kanino, pero para kay B subukan kong magsulat ng kahit ano.

It's funny how seemingly harmless and friendly exchange of e-mails would lead us into this. This is something I truly did not expect, simply because I have been through this before and I know what will be the end of it. And unfortunately, my hunch was right. What I feared happened again.

Without me realizing before, our exchange of communication has made my past days lighter and happier. Tasks, which I used to think of as nonsensical burdens, suddenly became playtime. And though I wasn't getting enough sleep and time to eat, my friends told me that I was becoming prettier each day. I didn't see how you had this effect on me, only until that fateful night when we exchanged angry words to each other.

I tried my best to fight this thing off. The ponderings and what-ifs if our situation was far, far different from what it is now. As my last words to you, things will definitely be much easier if you're not what you are and I'm not what I am. I'm sorry if I said things that seemed terrible to you, I was only trying to explain and hoping you'd understand that I was fustrated for giving up so many things that would make me happy for the sake of my vocation and students. I was trying to imply that one of the things I had to sacrifice was the freedom to "like" whom I wanted to "like" without any prejudices from anyone and the danger of losing my almost three years of hardwork.

Thank you for the respect and the maturity of knowing that things seem impossible for us. You're right when you said that I have my own life. I work and study as hard as I can. And you also have your own life to sort out. Hopefully, in due time, we won't be shackled upon these chains anymore. If, that is, you wouldn't change and your feelings wouldn't fade.

And you know what's funny? I realized that we actually cared for each other, without telling each other straight out. Because if we don't, why would we even bother fighting? I never told you that I cared, but when I assessed my actions and thoughts it dawned on me that I did. And I guess I still do. Otherwise, I would consider a waste of time making you understand things. But I never felt that it was a waste of time.

It's 12:31 a.m. and I had a long day. I don't know what to say next. I can't ask you to stick around and wait, neither can I ask you to understand at this point. But this I have to say. I miss how you remind me to eat. I miss when you tell me to get some sleep. I miss how you try to "fish" answers from me. I miss when you try to accompany me through the mobile phone, until one of us falls asleep. I miss when you greet me in the morning. I miss when you tell me stories about you. I miss when you talk about things that you are passionate about. I miss when you ask me about things you want to know. I miss that you have the courage to say what you feel and be totally honest about them. I miss the fact that you were never intimidated by how "strong" you perceived I am. I miss when you try to catch up with me with the long and short e-mails.
I don't know. I just miss the things involving you.

But then, I unintentionally drove you away and I don't know if it's all for the best. And if ever you'd get to read this (which would be an asolute miracle since you don't know this site), I guess it's your turn to write to me. Just wondering if you'd still want to write.

Barbonara Galore

My beloved SFC sis, Ate Jen, posted an entry in her blog about her great barbonara experience at our house.
Here are her photos.


Our Barbonara up-close



Me and Ate Jen having our Barbonara feast!

For the story behind our Barbonara Fiesta, check out Ate Jen's blogsite www.iamjanujennifer.blogspot.com.

Happy Barbonara!

A night of glamour, music, and coffee

Last Friday was very toxic and fabulous at the same time. In the morning, I picked up my bank cheque at Phoenix Publishing for the editing and proofreading stint I got courtesy of my friend, Assistant Editor, Paulo Formalejo. After going to the bank to safely encash my professional fee, I headed straight to Trinoma to buy a dress for the fashion show I was going to watch with Ate Ivy, Ate Ja, Ate Louvret, and Kuya Kenneth. Thanks to Ate Ivy's sister, Ate Ja, who works as a a marketing officer in Banco De Oro; we got an invitation for this year's Philippine Fashion Week.
Ate Louvret informed me that the theme of our outfit was 'fashionably chic'. And because the theme for me was a bit vague, it took me a while to decide on the dress, the pair of strappy black shoes, bag, and and a pair of dangle earrings.
After buying the ensemble, I rushed home to get dressed and then Ate Louvret and I went to Ate Ivy's office at Cybergate Accenture. Kuya Kenneth, Ate Ivy's fiance, drove us to SMX Convention, Mall of Asia where this year's Philippine Fashion Week was held.

While waiting for the doors to open, Ate Janine joined us; and in minutes we were inside the function room ahead of almost everyone, sitting on the best seats of the show.

The main event of the night was Renee Salud's collection of Filipiniana-inspired clothing.


Presenting the Renee Salud collection...



Mama Renee's curtain call.



After the wonderful show, the group headed to another small Meeting Room of the SMX Convention for cocktails and entrees and to view the collection of Mama Renee Salud.

Ate Louvret holding one of the pieces.


And of course, we didn't fail to capture the event with our wonderful snapshots!

Ate Ivy, Ate Louvret, and Detox Princess



Cam whores.. Ate Louvret and Detox Princess!


Super Badiola Sisters.. Ate Janine and Ate Ivy!



Power couple.. Ate Ivy and Kuya Kenneth!



Me in a Boyet Fajardo dress..


Us and Mama Renee Salud!



After chatting and getting our snapshots with Mama Renee Salud, we headed downstairs to the lobby. But as we were about to take our leave, we noticed the free benefit concert event of Friendster at the Main Function Hall; thus we thought of checking it out for a while. When we entered the concert hall, Soul Siren Nina was performing on stage. Too bad, because not too many people came to the concert.



I invited my friends to cap the night off with a coffee-session. So we headed to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, TechnoHub for a couple of hours of caffeine fix. Ofcourse, I ordered my favorite; Moroccan Mint.


Photos courtesy of: Kenneth Manalang, Ivy Blossom Badiola, and Louvret Pili