Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts

7.1.11

2010: The Year That Was

2010 was a good year. I believe it was. I struggled. I laughed. I’ve done things that I never thought I would do. I think I’ve grown wiser but still there’s so much to learn. This piece is about reminiscing what have transpired over the past year.

365 DAYS AND COUNTING

It was February when my blog turned one. Who would ever think of that? This blog was born out of frustration and I never expected that this would last a year. That’s quite an accomplishment for me, at least. Now, I intend to keep this going for years. Heeeyah!

BLOGGER’S NOTE: I’ll be celebrating Chillspot’s 2nd blogversary this coming 8th of February. I’m gonna do some tweaking and fresh changes are in the air so better watch out. Please spread the word.

THE POGI THAT IS ME (in your dreams, freak!)

It was also February last year when I was nominated to be part of the hottest competition of the year - *drum rolls* Most Handsome Pinoy Blogger for 2010 where I ended up 5th. Funny ‘cos I did a very aggressive “Hey-you-think-I’m-gwapo-then-vote-for-me” campaign to some friends. But never did I expected to be part of the elusive Top 5 – it was such an honor. I will be forever grateful to everyone who half/wholeheartedly voted for me. They significantly increased the size of my ego, you know. And the best part is to be called Enchong Dee by LBG and his team. I took it as a compliment, mind you.

ICEBREAKER: I just learned that I am again nominated to the competition that is starting to make a buzz in the blogosphere – “Most Handsome Pinoy Blogger of 2011”. Wow, that’s a good way to start the new year.

I THINK THEREFORE I AM FOR GIBO

From January to May 2010, I am a supporter of GT 2010. I’ve wanted to actively volunteer in the campaign but honestly, between acads work and summer affiliation, there was just no time. But I was proud to be part of the team. I’ve never seen a volunteer group as passionate, well-informed and dedicated as GT. Such enthusiasm is inspiring and contagious.

I would oftentimes engage friends –and sometimes, strangers- to a debate on why Gibo would make a good president and most of the time, I win. To top it off, I attended Gibo Rocks 2010. Of course, hell, why not? The experience was priceless, it was worth every second. I was grounded for two weeks in the hotel (read: that was illegal detention, lol) as a result but I don’t care.

YOU KNOW WHAT I DID LAST SUMMER?


Summer was definitely the happiest, and not to mention the most haggard-ing, time of my 2010. We had our summer affiliation in Manila and I got to say, despite the zits and eye bags, I enjoyed a lot. Oh, I miss it! I miss the toogs-toogs (until now idk how it is spelled), the movie marathons, the Friday nights’ parties, the corny jokes, the mugshots. Thanks to Group Katursi/Poorten, my summer 2010 wouldn’t be the same without you. *sniffs* You were all OOOOHSOME!

Lemme tell you (and everybody else) a secret: We accidentally broke one bulb on the girls’ room on one of those random parties. No one knows that except us. Haha.

The only spoiler was the accommodation – the hotel suck and the food was terrible.

BIRTHDAY AWAY FROM HOME

For the first time in my birthdays, I did not celebrate at home. Every year, it’s been a tradition during my birthday to just have a fine lunch/dinner with my mom and two sisters. But last year was an exception ‘cos I was in Manila for a well-deserved vacation. But I’m not complaining. Tita O treated me for a shopping spree that day. What more can I ask for?

DAMN THAT LALALOVE

May 30 – Oh, I was broken-hearted. It’s the first time in years since… I don’t know when. Wait, AAAH! Since that “eleven-days-dysfunctional-relationship-with-a-brainiac”. Look, I spent sleepless nights thinking of her and it was for nothing. Damn! It is just so stupid of me. Fine, maybe, I am a bit overreacting. We don’t have any relationship at all except for being friends. But I was badly hurt. Double damn! I planned to delete her phone number, but as usual, I cannot. I just changed her name from [insert name here] to “DO NOT TEXT” but the thing is, I cannot resist myself from texting her. And there’s the triple damn!

FUCK MODESTY! ANG GWAPOOOO KO!

I also became a candidate for Mr. Nightingale 2010. Of course, hell, why not? I’m already a senior and I want to seize my last days in college so I give it a shot, though I’m not really used to facing huge crowds. Tita P thought it was so gay but for me, doing so is quite cool. I just screw up in the Q&A. My answer was a bit long and judges don’t like that. But despite of being a loser, I felt so much loved. And for me, that’s more than enough.

TRIVIA: I ended up 2nd runner-up and bagged a minor award.

STUDENT NURSES GIVES BACK


Among the activities I did this year, I consider our geriatrics tour-slash-outreach program as the most rewarding. Of course, nothing beats charity works.

While writing this entry, I realized that there are countless things on why I should be thankful albeit not having everything that I want. That’s what life is about. You gained, you lose and it’s a sad realization. But this year, I gained more than what I lost. Oh please, I’m sounding like a grown up and I hate it. LOL.

Hey 2011. I’m Jubert/Hoobert/Jubibo. I hope we can be friends. Don’t make me cry. Please!

1.12.10

GAME OVER!

In case you haven’t heard yet, Asian Games is over. And for Team Philippines, it was a nightmare – but not as horrible as the Pilipinas Kay Ganda, which for me is a total disaster. It is so funny that we are just eyeing for four (!) medals but in a struck of bad fortune – we only got 3 gold medals (no typo-error there, it is really t-h-r-e-e) while the Great Wall of China got 199. Schucks! We also got four silver and nine bronze medals which placed us at 19/45. It is our worst performance since 1998.

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Add to my dismay, there was no media coverage of the event. Holy crap! It’s such a shame that even NBN didn’t cover the grandest sporting event in the continent. Isn’t that government-owned station have automatic rights to cover these kinds of spectacles? I’m not just sure though.

I’m not discounting the efforts of PSC and various NSAs but I believe that sports program in the country is so half-assessed. I know that our athletes can do much much better, given with proper support and training.

Here is my two-cent worth of (sensible) suggestions:

# 1. Why not build a sports academy? A world-class sports facility that will train potential medal earners. Where to get the fund, you may ask. Congressmen have P200M worth of pork each – why not share some of it to the athletes? Greed is a mortal sin, remember?

#2. I watched last Monday’s I-Witness episode and I learned that the monthly training allowance of our athletes is just between P5,000-P10,000. I think it’s very small. Is it possible if our national athletes would be paid with salaries rather than allowances? Then make them members of Philhealth, Pag-Ibig and SSS/GSIS, be entitled to 13th month pay, paid vacation and sick leave and a monthly pension after retirement.

#3. Let us concentrate on other sports aside from boxing, billiards and basketball. I’m thinking of archery. What you think? Archery doesn’t require the height of a basketball player or the power of a boxer. It only require skills and mental power, lots of it. Filipinos have all that.

#4. Let us send more athletes. We send more free-rider officials and their spouses than athletes. It’s an official trip, meaning taxpayers are footing their expenses, so perhaps we need to keep eye on this. Those officials are just after the free tour, anyway. We all know that so don’t argue.

#5. Pirate Chinese coaches. Or if not, train our athletes in China. Why not? They are world champs in almost everything. In the 2010 Asiad alone, they got 199 gold, 119 silver and 98 bronze medals, yeah, believe it or not.

And oh, before I forget… Let us put the rebels to good use. They are good in shooting, right? Why not get a medal for it? Lol, just kidding.

During the olden days, way before I was born, the Asiad is something that Filipinos look forward to. But now, it seems that most of us are losing interest. It made me sad that we, supposedly the savviest techie in this part of the world (I am thinking that if there’s an Asiad event for netsurfing, Filipinos would bag the gold, silver and bronze altogether. It’s a no brainer.) doesn’t capitalized on our internet prowess to significantly boost the confidence of our athletes. And it’s kinda disappointing.

Anyway, congratulations to Rey Saludar (boxing), Biboy Rivera (bowling), Dennis Orcollo (cue sports) and the rest of Team Philippines, regardless if they brought home a medal or not, for putting up a good fight in Guangzhou. My hugs, kisses and salutations!

21.10.10

Beauties and the Best

This is certainly one of the best batch of Binibinis in years. I have a great feeling that the Philippines will emerge once more in the international battle of beauties and brains.

THE BEAUTIES

Czarina Gatbonton. Honestly, I was pissed when this unknown girl was crowned. No, I don't dislike her. It's just that I want another girl for the title. But the Czarina that arrived in China was a different woman altogether. Based on the pictures alone, she is a class above the rest. The other girls look so ordinary when she's a around. She will not be denied of a semifinal spot but she will certainly struggle to win the crown. [follow Czarina's MW journey here]

Anyone calling Czarina "plain jane" can eat my shorts.

Krista Kleiner. A beauty what every Filipino will call beautiful. She's a diva, a scene stealer. She knows how to sell herself onstage. Her obvious waterloo is her body - she needs to tone it down a bit. For now, she has established herself as a front-runner. She might eventually win the crown for the Philippines. [follow Krista's MI journey here]

Psyche Resus. I have a mixed feelings about this girl. She looks so likable and she outshines everyone in the Q&A. But Miss Earth 2010 is full of stunners and she will certainly struggle to be on the semifinals - I have already reserved the crown for Italy. But still, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.

Who will give us our 8th international crown?

You want a fearless prediction?

None of them. Two of them would place as semifinalists but only one will be a finalist. That's it.

No crown for us this year!

THE BEST


VENUS RAJ. I have no doubt in my mind that Venus will end our 10 year drought in MU. It was very obvious that the organizers wanted her to win. So, the easiest personal question was asked. I was disappointed with her answer, too. But grabbing the 4th RU after ten years of nothingness is a brave feat. Whatta come back for the Philippines! I'm already done with the should-haves and could-haves and just salute her.

1.3.10

It's getting HOT in here! *phew*

It’s betting season again. Bb. Pilipinas this time. This is one of the most heated editions of Bb. Pilipinas in history. I find it very difficult to choose from the 24 candidates because almost half of them has international caliber. C’mon, the candidates are smokin’ hot.

Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2010 KRISTA KLEINER

I have no doubt that she can be a great representative to Miss Universe. She has this stage presence that can immediately wow the audience. Her body is quite raw like most people complain about but she can carry herself very well. Besides, she has a gift of gab so expect her to outsmart all the girls comes final night.

NOTE: This photo of her made my ‘other’ head scream oh la la.

Bb. Pilipinas-World 2010 MARIA VENUS RAJ

A veteran in pageantry, Venus is another beauty to watch for in the finals. Believe me, she’s nice. She’s a fellow Bicol University student, different campus though. She has a very unique beauty that registers well on photographs and on television. She can just easily snatch a crown and might eventually win an international crown for the country.

Bb. Pilipinas-International 2010 NICOLETTE HENSON

Hands down! She is the face of the competition. I can’t ask for more from this lady. She’s not your typical girl-next-door beauty. She’s stylish and looks very fresh. She will certainly do well in Miss International.

Bb. Pilipinas 2010 1st RU DIANNE NECIO

She’s full of sparks and charm and anyone who would claim otherwise is a liar. Some people liken her to Miriam Quiambao, the sweet aura, the queenly stance and the beautiful Filipina complexion. She can be a big hit at MU as well but her age (she’s only 17) might hinder her from winning the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe crown.

Bb. Pilipinas 2010 2nd RU SELENA ANTONIO

She’s the Sandra Seifert of 2010. She’s one of the prettiest, if not the prettiest face for this year. She has that X-factor and not to mention a hot-as-hell body.

Completing the TOP 10 are

MARY ANN ROSS MISA

TONI ALYESA HIPOLITO

GWEN RUAIS

PATRICIA EJERCITADO

ANNA MARIE MORELOS

There you go, my Bb. Pilipinas 2010 bets. Don’t throw me the “why is she there/not there?” shit. This is my list, remember?

:|poOt!