Visting Our Barkada's Grave

Last July, one of my closest friends since high school passed away due to complications from COVID. He was buried the next day with us watching through Zoom. It was very sad and very damn painful for us.

Every end of the year, our high school barkada always meet up for our annual catch-up. This year, since Charles will no longer be with us in our catch-up, we made sure to visit him for the first time at his final (physical) resting place. His wife and 2 kids were our guide. It was bittersweet for all of us.

Rest in peace, Charles.

We will never forget you.

Ever.

Thinking Out Loud - December 30, 2020

As a new year approaches, let us reflect on the habits and attitudes that are toxic for us and for everyone around us, and are better off left in the past. One is always looking at the negative side of things. For example, instead of punishing your child for having 20 mistakes in the test, why don't you focus instead on the 80 correct answers? Instead of being envious with someone because he has something you don't have, why don't you focus instead on what you have that he doesn't?

We as human beings have the tendency to almost always focus on the negative. Let's be aware of that, and difficult as it may sound, let's try our best to change that. Not for others, but for ourselves. Often times we get sick not because of what we eat, but because of what is eating us. We grumble about having too much work or having low pays while others don’t even have. We complain about waking up early while others don’t even have a reason to live. We grouse about gaining weight while others don’t even have food on their tables. Everyday, the Lord fills our lives with so much goodness. All we need to do is open our eyes and give thanks for each of them.

Stay positive in life, and negative with negativity.

Breaking Down

From college until I was in my late 20s, I would only sleep for a couple of hours a day because I thought that sleep was a waste of time. I'd rather do things to make myself productive. My mantra was, "I'll have plenty of time to sleep when I'm dead".

From my early 30s to the present (I just turned 40), my body has been asking for the rest and recharge that I deprived it of for many years.

Since the quarantines started in our city in March 2020, I have been doing most chores at home including the heavy ones because my father is already getting older and weaker. That took a toll on my body more.

Now a lot of my body parts don't feel right, and I have this feeling that my body is slowly breaking down. As we say it in our language, "Naningil na ang lawas."

I hope nothing serious will happen anytime soon because I don't have plans of telling my family. Too many problems especially with budget and all.

Jesus, take the wheel.

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas, everyone! 

Thank You, April Boy Regino

I was never a big fan of him, but as a music lover and as an artist, I had sooooo much respect and appreciation for him because of his music, and because of the genuine happiness he brought to soooo many people. As an artist, I do music to express myself and because it makes me happy doing it. If what I do makes people happy, that's a big plus. April Boy made a difference in the lives of people, and I'm sure his music will forever live on.

Thank you, April Boy Regino, for your music, for your heart, and for the happiness you brought to millions of Filipinos.

My Very First Mystery Box!

This was the first time I tried a Mystery Box, and probably the last time.

Check it out why.

 

Castiel's Love

 "When Jack was dying, I made a deal to save him. The... The price was my life. When I experienced a moment of true happiness, the Empty would be summoned and it would take me forever.  I always wondered, ever since I took that burden, that curse, I wondered what it could be, what... what my true happiness could even look like. I never found an answer. Because the one thing I want... ...it's something I know I can't have.  But I think I know... I think I know now. Happiness isn't in the having. It's in just being. It's in just saying it."

"I know how you see yourself, Dean. You see yourself the same way our enemies see you. You're destructive and you're angry and you're broken. You're "Daddy's Blunt Instrument." And you think hate and anger, that's... that's what drives you. That's who you are. It's not. And everyone who knows you sees it. Everything you have ever done, the good and the bad, you have done for love. You raised your little brother for love. You fought for this whole world for love. That is who you are.... You're the most caring man on Earth. You are the most selfless, loving human being I will ever know...You know, ever since we met and ever since I pulled you out of Hell, knowing you has changed me. Because you cared, I cared. I cared about you. I cared about Sam. I cared about Jack. I cared about the whole world because of you...  You changed me, Dean."

15x18 Despair

40 Lessons & Realizations

I've had sooo many learnings and realizations in my 4 decades of existence, and I'm sharing 40 with you - one for each year - with the hope that you may also learn even a few things from it. 🥰

You are Worthwhile

Since today is the first day of my birth month, I am sharing my reflection for those who need to hear (or read) it. 🥰

Love and light to y'all!

Tuloy ang Laban

So it turns out that the school didn't want me to skip this (first) batch of Theatre students. Instead of transferring my lone student to the other classes, they transferred one student to my class.

We had our fifth and last official session last night, and though all the sessions were fun, they were also stressful for me. As I mentioned before, I had to research because our classes were curriculum-based. Then using 2 old laptops in this "new normal" added to the stress. I have been in theatre for 27 years, and I've been a teacher for 19 years, but I really dislike teaching theatre online. It's just not right.

I will have to continue researching for the run of Batch 1 - sort of like second semester if it's a normal school. At least I already have the knowledge, experience and materials for the next batches of Run 1. Still hoping though that we will be able to have face-to-face sessions soonest.

In the meantime, laban lang!

September Sandwiches

We've been doing this since 2013, a little project off the stage and on to the streets of Cebu.

Because of the pandemic, we are taking a step back this year to hopefully move 2 or more steps forward soon.

To everyone who has supported us through the years, THANK YOU!

This is a little look-back at CTC's September Sandwiches.

Pagliacci the Clown

Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. 

Doctor says, "Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. 

Go and see him. That should pick you up." 

Man bursts into tears. 

Says, "But doctor... I am Pagliacci."

Return of the King

LeBron James has just won his 4th Championship and his 4th Finals MVP.

With his 3rd NBA Team.

At the age of 37.

In his 17th year in the NBA.

Let that sink in.

It's been a while since I last talked about The King in this blog, but I've continued to follow his awesome career, and continued to root for him and wherever team he's playing for. Today, he didn't only help the LA Lakers win their 17th title, he also helped a lot of this teammates who were counted out by so many people before they were given the chance by the Lakers. Even LeBron himself was counted out by so many, especially after he got injured last year and the Lakers didn't even qualify for the Playoffs.

What a year it has been.

It was sweet because it was against LeBron's former team (where he won his 1st two titles), the Miami Heat. To make it sweeter, LA's battle cry since Kobe's tragic death has always been "Mamba" and "For Kobe".

The upcoming off-season will be exciting as there will be personnel changes in the roster of the Lakers. Whatever happens, this will be a season worth remembering. 

The Lakers are the 2020 NBA World Champions.

2020. What a year.

Huge Realization

I was chosen as one of the theatre mentors in a new performing arts center a few months ago. The biggest difference between this and other centers is that this is a curriculum-based training center. I was chosen because of my experience in theatre (27 years this month), but when I saw the actual curriculum with the topics to be discussed, etc., I was, right there and then, slapped with a huge realization that I am illiterate and incompetent. For the first 2 sessions, I researched, learned the topics, then made the informational materials just a day or two before our actual classes. I think I did a satisfactory job with my 2 students for the first 2 sessions.

Now that 1 student quit the training because of his studies (hopefully not because of theatre class or because I was lousy), I got 1 student left while the other mentors (who are formally trained so they're wayyyyy better than me) has 3 or 4. The center owners said that the ideal number per theatre class is 5, so I immediately suggested that they transfer my student to any of the other classes so we will experiencing interacting and working with other students. I hope that they will grant that request for the sake of the student.

I have accepted the fact that I am incompetent with formal theatre training since I've not experienced any of it. All that I have are experiences on and off stage with a lot of great directors, but sometimes, experience is not enough.

40 Before 40? Nah! Just ONE Before 40

I will turn 40 years old 40 days from today.

I have planned a lot of 40 before 40 challenges, but then 2020 with its plot twists happened.

Sooo, for my 40 before 40 challenge, I challenge myself to stay healthy, survive and reach my 40th birthday next month. That would definitely be an achievement!

Oh yeah, included in the challenge is to make sure my family is safe and healthy, too.

Finished My Letter for My Daughter

This virus really has made me so paranoid for the past 6 months, and the more so now that I am reporting to the office everyday from Monday to Friday. Instead of avoiding potential contact with people carrying the virus, our office decided that we should face it head on. Yes, there are measures taken like masks and face shields and alcohol and physical distancing, but still IT IS DAMN SCARY.

Speaking of scary and paranoia, I just finished making my letter for my daughter which I hope to read to her during her 18th birthday 4 months from now. If ever I won't be around by then, I made sure to (1) leave a copy of the letter somewhere where they can easily find it if I'm not around, and (2) I saved a copy of the letter here in my blog, scheduling it to be automatically published on January 6, 2021.

I don't want to die yet, and leave my daughter, but I will do my best to be prepared in case the inevitable happen. This virus has really changed everyone's lives, at the same time claiming a lot of lives in the process.

"If I die, let me die. Let him(her) live. 

Bring him(her) home.."

I Will Miss Our Ancestral Home

Growing up, I lived with my parents in the city while going to school. During weekends, I lived with my cousins in their house in another part of the city. During summer, I lived with my grandparents and grand aunts in the province.

As the years went by, I only got to go home to the province for special occasions. 

Now that my grandmother passed away recently, I don't anymore have any reason to go home except to visit the cemetery. Uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews still live in our ancestral home - well downstairs anyway - but now that my grand folks are all in Heaven, my visits to the province will become rarer.

Third and Probably the Last Time

I just submitted my third application for a higher position in our office. If I'll still won't be get it, I'll take it as not just a sign, but a big slap on my face that this is not the agency for me. My heart and my ego can only take so much.

This is not too brag, but my educational qualification, my experience, and all my trainings (both attended and conducted) through the years made the Superintendent ask me a lot of times before accepting me if I really wanted to work in this agency at one of the lowest ranking positions. He said that my credentials were more than most Principals, I just don't have experience teaching in a public school setting so I was not able to apply for any higher position. I was willing to start from the bottom, and work my way up.

Two years later, there was a higher position open.

All the published qualification fit me perfectly.

After the initial screening, there were only 2 of us left. The other one was already doing the duties of that position as OIC. I didn't mind. I knew we were both qualified.

Then a plot twist.

She resigned and went to the States.

I was the only one left. That position was mine.

So I thought.

They told me that I lacked one requirement, and I am disqualified.

The requirement that I lacked was one performance rating. The requirement was 3 performance ratings. I had 2 from this office since I was here for 2 years, but I submitted a lot of performance ratings from my previous (private) companies. They said it's not considered, and I'm disqualified.

They said that since no one's accepted to the position, they will close it and then open it at a later time, then I can reapply.

A year later, they reopened the same position with the same requirements and qualifications.

Yes, you bet I was confident. I already had the 3 performance ratings needed since I was in this agency for 3 years already.

De ja vu.

There were again 2 of us left after the initial screening.

This time, I was more confident than the first time because I knew I was more qualified than the other candidate. 

Surprise! Surprise! 

De ja vu? 

You can say that again.

I was again disqualified.

The letter sent by HR said I was disqualified because I lacked experience.

That same letter had a different position indicated aside from misspelling my last name.

I pointed that out, and HR said it was just a typo, and I am still disqualified for lack of experience.

By the way, do you know what a disqualification means?

It means that everything that I have submitted goes down the drain, and they will not look at it anymore, and I will have no more opportunity for an interview.

I was very disappointed, and bitter.

The pain is still fresh until now, so let me just try to break down a few points.

Educational Qualification.

Education Graduate or its equivalent.

Preferably BS Psychology.

Me: 

BS Psychology, Certificate of Professional Education, Master of Arts in Education, PhD in Technology Management.

Her: 

BS Fisheries, Certificate of Professional Education, Masters still On-going.

Experience.

Me: Assisted the President and Heads in a State University in Monitoring & Evaluating the Satellite Campuses for 6 years. 

Her: Worked with aa Fisheries agency before joining this agency.

If I was not disqualified, my credentials were definitely higher than hers, and I know I would've done good during the interview/s. Sad that I was not given both opportunities, and she got the position without any competition.

I am still bitter, and I don't blame her for being the one accepted.

I didn't really believe in influence in government agencies before, but I am a true believer now.

A bitter believer.

So here we are in the present. I just submitted a set of documents to apply for a higher position. Not really a high position, but higher than what I'm holding right now. This is the third time, and probably the last time. Will start looking in other government agencies today. It's difficult to stay in a place where you're not shown that you're appreciated.

Will update you, guys!

Anahaw Beach

Mulan's Decision

I loved the new Mulan movie as much as the original one despite the negative reviews of people around. One part of the 1998 classic though that was not that emphasized in the 2020 version was Mulan's Decision. That scene was so epic and beautiful especially with Jerry Goldsmith's score that I decided to rearrange some scenes in the live action movie and use Mr. Goldsmiths awesome score. Initially tried uploading it in YouTube, but it was automatically blocked, so I'm just sharing it here instead. 

No copyright infringement intended. 

I just wanted to see how 2 beautiful elements from both movies go together.

 

Thank You, Mama Editha

Dear Mama Edith, 

Next week will be three years since Papa passed away, and I still don’t think it has truly sunk in that he is gone. And now you too..

I don't think it will ever sink in that I'll go home to Barili, and not see you both anymore.

Finally though, you can breathe easy again.

Finally, you are reunited with Papa.

Finally, you are Home.

Nine children, 15 grandchildren & 18 great grandchildren.

You have lived a full life, Ma.

You are so very loved and deeply missed.

Give Papa Pete, Uncle Bobby & Kuya Carlo a hug from me.

Tell them I miss them too.

I love you, Ma.

Until we meet again. 💔

The Greatest Pain in Life

The greatest pain in life 

is not to die, but to be ignored. 

To lose the person you love so 

much to another who doesn't care at all. 

To have someone you care so about so much throw a party... 

and not tell you about it. 

When your favorite person on earth 

neglects to invite you to his graduation. 

To have people think that you don't care. 

The greatest pain in life, 

is not to die, but to be forgotten. 

To be left in the dust after another's great achievement. 

To never get a call from a friend, just saying "hi". 

When you show someone your innermost thoughts and they laugh in your face. 

For friends to always be too busy to console you when you need someone to lift your spirits. 

When it seems like the only person who cares about you, 

is you. 

Life is full of pain, 

but does it ever get better? 

Will people ever care about each other, 

and make time for those who are in need? 

Each of us has a part to play 

in this great show we call life. 

Each of us has a duty to mankind 

to tell our friends we love them. 

If you do not care about your friends 

you will not be punished. 

You will simply be ignored... 

forgotten... 

as you have done to others. 

Life in a Day (July 2020)

I recorded and joined YouTube's Life in a Day, last July 25. I sent in raw videos of my whole day, hoping that it will be included in the final movie.

In the meantime, here's a shorter and edited version of my day on July 25.

Charles Basillote (1980-2020)

A week ago (July 8), one of closest friends since Elementary passed away because of this damn COVID-19. It was supposed to be his 13th day at the hospital where he has been conscious and recovering. He was still chatting in our group chat.

And then we saw his brother's FB post.

We will never, ever forget you Charles. I cry all of a sudden when I think back of all the beautiful memories of 29 years. 

Until we meet again.

LIFE in a (Half) DAY | Working from Home

A little glimpse of my life from the time I wake up to after lunch break, working from home since we're still under the longest ECQ in the world.

Fresh Meat Delivery At The Time of ECQ in our City

I featured our Grocery and Fruits Delivery "suki" in a previous video, and today, I featured our Meat Delivery courtesy of Virginia Farms' The Pork Shop. This video is not sponsored, just want to show our little appreciation to them for the hassle-free ordering and delivery, and the clean supply of meat.

For those interested to order and have clean, fresh meat delivered, just send them a message at their Official Facebook Page.

The Scoliosis Journey of Katrina Alyssa

Since June is Scoliosis Awareness Month, I am sharing a little insight at my daughter's Scoliosis Journey.

* Please do check out my other videos, and if you like the content, please consider subscribing and do suggest what content would you want to see.

* You can also support my daughter's channel here

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCufW...

* Scoliosis Arts Used in ths vid by euphoric tangles and blisshope from Pinterest. No copyright infringement intended.

Going to the Office during ECQ/GCQ

Just a short glimpse of my life during work days when I go to the office while the city is still under ECQ then GCQ. I already posted my vid walking from Busay to the city. 

In this vid, it's from Imus Avenue going inside the office. We are still working with skeletal force, and clients are only allowed until the lobby, so you will see less people in the office for now.

Yes, after 2 months of working from home, we were directed to be back at the office starting the last week of May.

Walked from Busay to Lahug, Then Back to Busay

With so many errands and due dates, I had no choice but to finally leave the house on Day 55 of ECQ. And since there's no public transportation, I had to freakin' walk from the mountains of Busay to Lahug, and then back to Busay. Talk about forced exercise!

It may not seem far to a lot of people, but for someone who doesn't do exercise anymore, it was a struggle! Especially going back home. I was already anticipating so many aches and pains (in addition to my permanent aches and pains) so I bought a big Omega Pain Killer. 

Heal the World (Cover) by CTC

These quarantine days helped us take a step back, see the world with much light, and realize how big we can become. (wink emoji)

Amidst the COVID crisis, we find time to be together,joining hands to help heal the world.

From all of us at the Creative Thespians of Cebu, may you embrace positivity today moving forward, and know that better days are coming.

Make Your Own Face Mask | DIY

There are a lot of opinions going around as to what kind of mask is effective enough to protect us from the dreaded virus. 

I'm not going to get into that.

I would like to, however, share a short video on how to make your DIY Mask in case you don't have a real mask. I cannot say that this mask is effective and stuff, but it is still a mask, and it can still help protect you even for a tiny bit.

Today is Thursday, and the first (of two) day of my reporting to the office. Monday to Wednesday, I worked from home. Effect of the General Community Quarantine that we're having now because of this virus. Tomorrow, the entire Province of Cebu will be in Enhanced Community Quarantine, a "milder" lock down. Us? Since technically, Cebu City is not part of Cebu Province as a Chartered City, so we will wait for our Mayor's announcement anytime today so we'll know if we are still going to work tomorrow.

For those who are working from home, here are a few tips on how to be somewhat successful in it.

And since we're talking about quarantine, here's a short instructional video on how to make your homemade face mask - albeit temporary. 

STAY SAFE, FRIENDS! 

My TICKETS Collection!

Around 5 months ago, I made a vlog about my collection of tickets through the years - from plays, musicals, to concerts. I was planning to do a vlog showing my Playbill collection, but I wasn't able to do that yet.

Anyways, here are the tickets I've collected through the years.

P. S. Since I've started posting videos on my YouTube channel not too long ago, I might as well share those videos here in my blog, so expect more blog entries containing my YT videos coming.

CTC Turns 15 Years Old

The little theatre family that my soul sister, Gayle, and I started a long time ago just turned 15 years old. Yes, it seems like yesterday when we were at the lobby of Marriott Hotel talking about it, then the talks became plans, and the plans slowly became a reality.

For the past few years, we've celebrated our anniversary with Mini-Concerts-for-a-Cause.

This year, God-willing, we will celebrate it by mounting an original play (based on the life of Joseph in the Bible's Old Testament). Crossing my fingers that this will become a reality soonest.

And let me also share this weird feeling that because this is my passion project, something I've worked hard on the past 5 years, I have a feeling that I'm going to die after this production is staged. Yes, I shouldn't think of those morbid things, but I've always had that feeling especially that there were/are a lot of reasons why this production was/is delayed.

Oh well.

Rachelle Ann is BACK as FANTINE!

As Rachelle is back in London for her third stint as the doomed Fantine in Les Misérables, let us look back at her first 2 runs - in London and in the Asian Tour. 

I'm Back!

Almost 5 years after my last entry, I would like to think that I'm back. Crossing my fingers that after this entry, I will have more regular entries later on. When I started this blog a long time ago, I was working as a Virtual Assistant for an Australian company, and a lot of times during my shift, I was free. So instead of sleeping or watching movies online, I decided to start this vlog.

So many things have happened in the past 5 years. My last entry was leaving a company I felt I didn't really fit in. I'm now back to working for the government. Been here for 3 years already. My first job 19 years ago was with the government, and I stayed there for more than 6 years before I transferred to the private sector. After 7 years, I'm back in the service, hopefully for good this time. Or until I am eligible to retire and receive government pension.

I will not talk about the things that happened in the past 5 years that I have not updated this blog, rather the things that's happening and will happen moving forward. 

Hello, 2020!

Hello again, old blog!

The road to forever continues.