Wedding Bells

(I wrote this sometime in December that I didn’t get to post in my last blog because I wasn’t updating it around that time. December 17, from what I know.)

Amazingly, for a girl who doesn’t want to get married when I come of age, I’ve been thinking about how my marriage would be one day.

This morning, while I was at the church with my mom, we witnessed a couple getting married. And all throughout the wedding ceremony—it was pretty short, I think the couple didn’t have much budget—I was thinking and imagining how my wedding would be.

The wedding I witnessed this morning was pretty much in a tight budget: no flowers down the aisle, the secondary sponsors were in different gowns, the gowns weren’t pretty much coordinated, and all. The bride and groom both looked like they’ve just turned 18. There were TWELVE pairs of principal sponsors—my mom was saying it made the marriage looked like a business—and there wasn’t much synchronization when it came to the candle, veil and cord part. It was, for me, a sort of impersonal wedding.

As for MY wedding, let’s start with the venue first. Like Mandy Moore in A Walk to Remember, I want to get married where my mom and dad got married. (And apparently, that was the same place where Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales got married.) My mom and I compared aisles. She reckons St. Joseph (in Baguio) has a longer aisle than Manila Cathedral—I have yet to see both—and she smiled at me when I told her I wanted to walk down the longest aisle, with flower girls dressed like fairies are throwing petals gently down the red carpet as I walk.

Flowers. I want my wedding to be flower-ful. The aisles, the groomsmen, the bridesmaid, the bridal car, the seats… everything has to be flower-ful. I want them imported from someplace, somewhere where they grow pretty flowers, for the want of a better word to describe it. I want roses… BLUE roses. Not the artificial ones where they just spray the blue dye all over the white roses. I want those “genetically modified” to be blue. Or maybe green. My mom suggested aquamarine, and I might just consider.

See me dreaming too far?

I’m not yet done.

Gown. I want my gown to have the longest train ever. I want my bridesmaids’ gowns and everybody’s gowns—especially my mom’s—to be perfect. I want them designed by the BEST designer ever here in the Philippines. I want mine to be sexy and conservative all at the same time. The guys—and especially my groom—should wear coat and tie. But my soon-to-be-husband’s should be the best of all the coat and tie there. I want him to be handsome, and me… beautiful. I want the day to be perfect.

Everybody should be oriented on how the ceremony should go. I don’t want my wedding day to be on a Sunday. I want it to be private, only around fifty people invited. I want the priest to be someone close to both me and my soon-to-be, and… I want personal vows to be given. Ayoko ng superficial na “through death do us part” na sobrang gasgas na. Para may effort naman.

I want love on my wedding day—and the days and years after that. I want my groom to love me and see me as something he couldn’t let go, and I wouldn’t let go of him either.

Maybe I’m thinking all about this because I want love now.

For someone who’ll really love me, even just for a moment or two, to come.

But still, that doesn’t… change the way I feel about getting married. I just want someone who’ll make me feel loved… kahit sandali lang.

One Tree Hill Overload

I was watching One Tree Hill for the second time in three hours the other night. And I really don’t know why I love One Tree Hill.

I want to be Brooke Davis. And I want to find my Lucas Scott.

I remember Kuya Tupee asking me once before: If you were a character in OTH, who would you be and why?

I answered: I want to be Brooke. And I really don’t care about her slutty before she met Lucas, but I want to be her, because I can relate to her.

And I couldn’t count the number of times I’ve cried just because of this TV series.

“Don’t worry. We’re just friends.”

How could just one damn line make me cry?

Brooke and Lucas. At the start of the whole series, I wouldn’t have thought Luc would’ve fallen head-over-heels in love with the cheerleader-con-flirt of OTH. But then again, come to think of it, he hadn’t really realized how much he loved her not after he cheated on her. And that’s how Brooke changed for good.

And I love the Brooke that she is now.

Her parents are broke.

Maybe a tad bit just like mine.

And you know… maybe I’d also give anything just to have the closeness of Luc and his half-brother Nathan. I wish my brother and I are close.

I wish.

Argh.

And I still love Chad Michael Murray’s eyes.

Brooke: If we (Luc and her) didn’t make it as a couple last time, what makes you think it’s gonna work this time?

Peyton (her best friend): Well for one thing, I wouldn’t make out with him this time—

Brooke: uhhuh.

Peyton: Uhhuh. And besides, he’s a different guy now. And you’re different too.

Damn.

I need to stop this, you know. Self-pity.

Damn. How could people stay friends after they’ve been lovers?

Well, Andrei and I stayed friends, but… I don’t really consider him as one of those ‘serious’ boyfriends. (As if I already had many.)

[No offense meant to Andrei, but we both know we were young back then. Come on.]

How?

Reminiscing Ginebra’s Philippine Cup Championship

[Since I was in a bit of tamad mode to write new entries—and man, these were the entries I wrote before that I never got to upload, so I have to give it justice—I am uploading some of the entries I wrote back in February, the latter part of it, during the Finals of the PBA Phil Cup. Bear with me. Bear with the addict in me. ]

Anyway, congratulations to Mark Caguioa of the Barangay Ginebra Kings for FINALLY (and I mean it) winning an individual award this 2006-2007 PBA Philippine Cup: Best Player of the Conference. Yey!

And I also know it may sound silly, but when they announced that it was he who won it, I was jumping up and down my room, as if I was the one who actually won it.

I’m in mass communication, right?

And I am fully aware of the power of media, and the influence it has on things.

I used to hate the PBA Press Corps for giving Mark Caguioa what (I think) is due him, and maybe all the bitterness Caguioa is taking out shook them. Naawa na rin siguro kasi ilang conference nang umaasa yung tao. Come on, how many conferences na ba na he’s leading in stat points tapos he’ll only flop in media votes? Yeah, maybe he just wouldn’t care about what the media says about him. Sabi nga niya, he wouldn’t make an effort to kiss the media’s ass. He knows he’s good, so why bother?

Haha. Malamang deep inside, nabubuwisit na rin yun kasi, kahit napapansin nga ang efforts niya, hindi naibibigay yung one thing na every (sane) player wants: a Best Player of the Conference award or a Most Valuable Player award.

But maybe he has opened his mind to the sheer possibility (and likelihood) that the media just wouldn’t… give it to him.

Yey for him.

And he didn’t flop last night. He’s got around 20+ points (I didn’t know if he reached 30. In my count, he did, but in the television, I don’t think he did.), some assists and some rebounds. (Sorry, I still don’t have the exact number. I think it was 7 assists.)

Go Mark Caguioa! Hehehe.

(Am I pathetic?)

I hated Ginebra when they lost Game One, which I watched live by the way. I hated Rafi Reavis even more when he flopped on the free throws, and must have cursed him to hell when he muffed the three-pointer (JUST WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?). And now Ginebra pulls off two—convincing, I might say—wins over San Miguel: a 131-101 and a 146-111 one. (Pretty high scoring, don’t you think? Talo pa ang NBA.)

I’m writing this down because I know nobody would listen to me. (And most probably I turned you guys off with this whole basketball thing.)

Ginebra wins it—and wins it in fashion

What more could you ask for? A heart-stopping, jaw-dropping finale of the 32^nd season of the Philippine Basketball Association’s Talk ‘n Text Philippine Cup.

Right now, I am really just overwhelmed by the emotion of seeing my favorite team win. And it’s not just that.

I feel for Mark.

(And yes, I know you know that I have a very weird attachment to this player, and you should know why.)

He was crying, and the whole time that the ABC Sports courtside reporter was talking to him? I was crying. I was… I felt his pain. I felt the fatigue. And maybe when Ginebra won tonight? It was something that… I know I wanted, not for me, but for them. Mark Caguioa needed to prove himself, and prove himself he did.

Game One was a blowout game, for San Miguel, that is. Game Two was closer one; and again, screw Rafi for that two flubbed free throws and the muffed three-pointer. Game Three and Four were absolute blowouts: 30-pt and 35-pt wins, respectively. Game Five was a more respectable loss for San Miguel in terms of they only lost by around ten points instead of 30. And Game Six was the ultimate heart-stopper.

I don’t care what you guys say, but I guess when I was there alone in my boarding house’s living room, I must have prayed a hundred prayers.

Is this Dallas Mavericks-Miami Heat, the repeat?

For those of you who don’t know, Dallas Mavericks opened last season’s NBA Finals with a 2-0 lead and then muffed the next four, “handing” Miami Heat the championship.

And Game Six?

It was a close one as well, decided by Dwayne Wade’s free throws, as much as the Game Six of PBA was decided by Jayjay Helterbrand’s free throws.

Okay. For one, I have to scream, holler and shout at Jayjay and Mark for forgetting their “better halves” in their thank you speeches. I don’t know why, but it irritated me that you guys forgot the women who stayed by your sides and watched games live (I wish I was one of them. Hahaha.) I didn’t hear any “Lauren” or “Charlotte” in your speeches, and poof…

Rudy Hatfield’s speech was… for the most part, unintelligible because he was half-eating half-shouting his words, but I deduced it was a nice, and spit-ful one. Hehe. (Kawawa ang microphone ng ABC Sports ) Eric Menk was totally hot, and… what else?

Congrats to Johnny A.

(I didn’t know Ronald Tubid was married already.)

Thank you, Ginebra for an exciting series.

Thank you, Mark Caguioa for the emotions you’ve caused me. hehehe. for the clutch baskets and for the energy… the “spark”… and the heart.

Thanks Jayjay Helterbrand for the assists, the TWO ALL-IMPORTANT FREETHROWS THAT WON THE MATCH, and for your… cute smile. Hahaha.

Thanks to Rudy Hatfield for the heart… the offensive rebounds and the three-point plays. For your “warrior” presence.

To Johnny Abarrientos, the steals champ, thanks for the running game, the steals and the rebounds that aren’t really expected for a guy your size. But thank you, just the same.

To Eric Menk: Though you sat out most of the series, I have to admit when you came back, Ginebra sprung back to life. And yes, I might say, you are one MAJOR PAIN. go eric. I hope you get your game back.

To Rafi Reavis: Sorry for cussing at you for muffing those two free throws and the three-pointer, and… thanks for redeeming yourself in Game Three. (hahah.) for being a defensive player… thanks.

To Billy Mamaril: Though I never really liked you in Game Six because you missed the free throws, okay lang, kasi nag-champion naman na kayo. Hehehe.

To Sunday Salvacion: waah. Mr. Clutch Basket. Where’s Rodney Santos now, huh? (am kidding) anyway, thanks for the life-saving and life-sustaining three-pointers that you’ve drained throughout the season, and I’m looking forward to more.

To Mark Macapagal: For the cuteness. Hahaha. (Joke) for the three-pointers and defensive stops. Though I would’ve wanted you to have really just played it out and have more minutes on the floor, I have to admit Ronald Tubid has more intensity and firepower. Don’t worry, you’re still the “FIERY.”

To Mr. Fearless, Ronald Tubid: I hate your sniggers and smirks, but love your drawing of offensive fouls. Bring in the firepower, and thanks.

To Andy Siegle: For the smiles you bring to the Ginebra fans every time you enter the ball game (which is not often, I tell you), thanks.

Mike Holper: the ever cute sophomore. You bring intensity, you know that? Hope you were used more, though.

To Coach Jong Uichico: salamat sa championship! Marami pa ha?

Okay. This is the end of the reminiscing. Hehe. ayan ha. Happiness. Finally I got these entries out, and I am still feeling that feeling I felt when I wrote these articles. I’m still happy for Ginebra, and I’d always be. Promise, I’d have to admit that I somehow doubted that they could still make it where they are now in the present conference because most of their key players are either loaned to the RP team, injured or plainly just not there (Yes, that’s you, Rudy. I know it’s cornball romantic to be there for your soon-to-be, but you have a job to do.).

But then again, they’re not Ginebra if they just drop down and die.

Never say die.

Mag-aaral na ako! (Hirap naman kasing mag-aral para sa isang exam na alam mong multiple choice, diba.)

Who is Barangay Ginebra Kings’ Most Valuable Player and why?

I was watching Hardball before, hosted by Bill Velasco, Jinno Rufino and Boyet Sison, and this was their question, way before the wildcard phase of last conference started. (See how outdated this entry is?)

Of course, off the bat I would answer: MARK CAGUIOA—and you do know I am biased.

Bill Velasco pointed out that Mark COULD be the MVP “if you need points in a hurry.” Boyet Sison said that Rudy Hatfield provides the intensity on- and off-court, and since I am in love right now with his eyes (and I just noticed it last night), I would also seriously consider calling up the show right now (if I was in Manila) and answer their question.

(Okay. Where is Rudy Hatfield? From what I heard, he promised that he’d take Ginebra to the championship even without Mark and Jayjay and Rafi, but then again… where is he? I mean, I understand that he needs to be with his soon-to-be, but… I don’t know. *shrug*)

I’d list the Brgy. Ginebra players from memory (last conference): Jayjay Helterbrand, Mark Caguioa, Eric Menk, Rafi Reavis, Rudy Hatfield, Sunday Salvacion, Mark Macapagal, Mike Holper, Andy Seigle, Billy Mamaril, Ronald Tubid, and Johnny Abarientos. Partida pa yan kasi injured si Rodney Santos, but I heard he’ll be back come semis time. You also have Gec Chia and Paolo Hubalde back there sitting behind the bench. (Congrats to Gecgec! Yey. You doing a good job this conference, man.) Then on the coaching staff you’ve got Coach Jong Uichico, and Siot Tanquincen (before he was shipped to San Miguel. Pahirap sa buhay, sana nagpalit nalang talaga sila diba?) to back him up.

Did I say star-studded?

Yeah.

As they say, Ginebra looks good on paper, but it’s different when you also look good on court. And surprise, surprise, they started with a blasting 3-0 run tied with Sta. Lucia, and then Red Bull (argh) dealt with them their first loss and they strung up some more loss(es)—can’t remember, sorry—and bam! Seven-game win streak. 13-4 win-loss card.

“It’s a coach’s dream to have a team like this… and for Coach Jong to NOT win a championship with a team like this…”

And win the championship they did.

for regine (pictures galore)

dahil hindi ata makuha ang pictures for some reason from this blog, i'll insert them in hopes that Regine could copy it this time. hehehe.

isaw trip part 1, sa may harap to ng ilang. after ng masterful film debut ni angelo.

isaw trip part two.

isaw trip part three.

 BABALA: ang mga sumusunod na mga litrato ay mula sa madugong paggawa ng paper namin sa cres115. (nyek)

sa kawalan ng ginagawa. *sigh*

masyadong seryoso si regine, tingin niyo?

produkto ng aming dugo't pawis. (eek.)

ang madugong spss data file.

yey. hope nakopya niyo na this time around.