College Student Again

I'm so glad I passed the talent determination test (TDT) at UP fine arts. Got the docus already. I just need to hit the ground and apply. Yay. College student all over again. Hehehe.

Waltz (Or What Boredom Can Do To You)

To and fro, from forgetting to remember so suddenly. 

I know this path very well, soon enough I'll be over this. Maybe later I'll go back and flung myself at its cobblestones again.

Or maybe not. 

I may be too old to remember. Too unfeeling perhaps. Or just tired. 

I don't know. Maybe I do but don't want to. 

If we break our hearts so often, will it learn not to break again. How does one break something that is broken?

---

This is for you. For the things we've said and not; the things done and should have done. Remember that I did, no matter how much you deny it. Perhaps, too, you will, to and fro -- forget me now but will remember later somehow. Have a happy life. You know who you are. 

Crossroads

Sa Ayuyang Bar ko nakinig ito kagabi na kinanta ng isang folk singer. Tumagos ang mga salita, habang tinitigan ko ang maliit nyang tattoo sa daliri. Minsan sumusulyap sulyap ako sa singkit nyang mata, at pakiramdam ko nalulunod ako. Nakatingin ako sa kanya kahit iba ang iniisip ko. 

Nasa transition period ako. Crossroads kung tawagin ng iba. Masaya na malungkot. Masaya na malungkot ang pumili ng tatahakin: dahil bagaman may bagong patutunguhan. Mayroon ding iiwanan.

"You'll Think Of Me"

I woke up early this morning around 4am
With the moon shining bright as headlights on the interstate
I pulled the covers over my head and tried to catch some sleep
But thoughts of us kept keeping me awake
Ever since you found yourself in someone else's arms
I've been tryin' my best to get along
But that's OK
There's nothing left to say, but

Take your records, take your freedom
Take your memories I don't need'em
Take your space and take your reasons
But you'll think of me
And take your cat and leave my sweater
'Cause we have nothing left to weather
In fact I'll feel a whole lot better
But you'll think of me, you'll think of me

I went out driving trying to clear my head
I tried to sweep out all the ruins that my emotions left
I guess I'm feeling just a little tired of this
And all the baggage that seems to still exist
It seems the only blessing I have left to my name
Is not knowing what we could have been
What we should have been
So

Take your records, take your freedom
Take your memories I don't need'em
Take your space and take your reasons
But you'll think of me
And take your cat and leave my sweater
'Cause we have nothing left to weather
In fact I'll feel a whole lot better
But you'll think of me

Someday I'm gonna run across your mind
Don't worry, I'll be fine
I'm gonna be alright
While you're sleeping with your pride
Wishing I could hold you tight
I'll be over you
And on with my life

So take your records, take your freedom
Take your memories I don't need'em
And take your cat and leave my sweater
'Cause we have nothing left to weather
In fact I'll feel a whole lot better
But you'll think of me

So take your records, take your freedom
Take your memories I don't need'em
Take your space and all your reasons
But you'll think of me
And take your cat and leave my sweater
'Cause we got nothing left to weather
In fact I'll feel a whole lot better
But you'll think of me, you'll think of me, yeah

And you're gonna think of me
Oh someday baby, someday

Sleepless in Baguio

Baguio is cold, and fluffy and nice and relaxing unlike Manila which is very stressful. 

But I'm still up at this hour, couldn't sleep. If I do, I wake up uncharacteristically early like 8 am. Weird.

<<-- Grrrr. Need to sleep! hehehe.

Good Ol' Cordi Lovin'

In the Cordilleras, during the olden days, couples who are having difficulty conceiving a child goes to a fertility hut such as this one.

Where they will stay for a month with a shaman who will perform rituals. 

But prior to entering the hut the wife has to rub the belly of a pregnant bulol.

But what happens if, after a month, the couple couldn't still bear a child? 

Find out here">http://blogs.gmanews.tv/joseph-morong/archives/2-Fertility-hut-of-days-gone-by.html>here.

Cold Summer Nights (And Days)

Didn't realise Baguio will be this cold at this time of the year. I was told it was warmer here so I just brought two sweaters. Too bad, it's cold at night and even during the day when it would drizzle. But I'll take this anytime over Manila's scorching temperature. (Picture: At the Supreme Court Compound in Baguio. l-r: Erel, ABC-5; Ton, ABS-CBN; Joseph, GMA-7. And uh, the guy wearing shades at the back? He's from the SCPIO)

Work In Progress

On my third painting in a month's time. One day, I will look back at this period in my life and thank the pain for these. :)

Covering the 2007 Bar Exams Results

"Abogado na ako! Abogado na ako! (I'm a lawyer already!)," an examinee shouts amidst the nervous crowd waiting for the results of the 2007 Bar Examinations at the Supreme Court.

At another side of the hall, an old man calls who could be his brother or a family member and announces the good news: "May lawyer na tayo," he says.

Pride filled the august halls of the Supreme Court. At that moment success almost feels tangible you could taste it, and happiness is not just a concept but a real feeling. One could almost see a whole new world of possibilities open.

If only for that one singular moment of victory, I would want to take the bar.

But not for now. Right now, I am an observer, a reporter covering it.

Covering it for quite a couple of years already did not make me immune to a wide spectrum of emotions from pride, to quiet defeat, to a steadfast optimism.

The Supreme Court initially announced that it would release the results Friday but postponed it to Saturday.

It was my day-off but Vic, my senior desk asked me Friday to cover it since I'm the one responsible for the justice beat.

My sources told me that we could expect the results to be released after lunch so I was at the compound at around 11 am.

Already, there were examinees outside the Supreme Court awaiting the results.

I did an advancer for Balitanghali where I reported that a source said that the results could be released at 2 p.m.

But 2 p.m. passed and still there were no results.

The waiting and growing number of examinees were impatient. They tried to enter the Court's lobby where the LCD projectors were put up. The projectors would scroll the names of the country's new lawyers. But the doors unfortunately had to be shut for fears of a stampede.

Inside, my fellow reporters from print and radio spent the idle the time chatting and taking photos. Or when these became tiring, we just sat there and listened to music which the Supreme Court PIO piped into the stereos.

While waiting, Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Jose Midas Marquez sent a staff to ask how many mediamen were down in the hall -- so he could send over some merienda.

Feeding waiting mediamen means one thing -- the wait will be longer.

Which was what happened. Those of us who smoke, smoked outside, striking idle chatter with the guards and the examinees. At one point, an old man, most probably a father of an examinee saw one of the projectors scroll names. That particular projector had "List of 2007 Bar Examinees" as a heading.

"Ito na! (This is it!)," he shouted. Almost immediately, the crowd gathered towards the door. Some shouted. I had to tell him it was just a test run to paciyfy him, and the names were from a previous bar exam result.

After a couple of minutes more, Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna emerged, accompanied by Atty. Marquez. We positioned our cameras, the print reporters, their recorders and the radio guys alerted their respective stations for the upcoming announcement.

Finally, Justice Azcuna spoke. "Congratulations!" he said.

He announced that 1,289 out of the 5,626 examinees hurdled the bar examinations. That's 22.91%.

He confirmed however that only 5% originally passed the exams but the bar committee decided to lower the passing rate to 70% from the traditional 75%. He attributes the low passing rate to what he terms "unusually strict corrections" made by some of the members of the committee.

After answering questions from the press, he then orders to let the projectors scroll the names of those who passed.

I had to rush to our live camera set-up to break the news. I did not anymore prepare a script but instead relied on bullets: topnotcher from Ateneo, Mercedita Ona; lowered passing rate from 75% to 70%; 5,626 examinees; 1,289 passed.

I could hear the shouting in the background. From where I was standing, I could see examinees jumping and hugging. While some cried in the shoulders of their friends, hugging.

I was overwhelmed, I had to breathe deep to avoid cracking my voice in the middle of my report. Moments like these, show tangibly the demarcation line between the hardships of six months of preparing for the bar and the bliss that comes after it.

After my live report, I went around to take in the euphoria, though not mine, it nevertheless felt good to stand in a celebration.

Not far away from me was a group of friends. They were very happy and they were cheering someone. I approached them and asked a girl who turned out to be a passer.

"How do you feel?" I asked, however obvious her disposition was.

"I'm so happy! Thank you for all those who prayed for me," she said.

I asked for her name for my report's chargen later on. "Caroline Exconde," she said.

"Atty... Caroline Exconde?" I repeated, stressing the new title she has acquired, and wished her luck.

In the crowd, an elderly couple, who must be in their late 60's stood out. They could not be bar takers, I thought to myself. I asked my cameraman if they had shot a video of them. He said yes, and told me they were there for their grandson who did not pass the exams.

In the office I previewed the tape and saw their interview.

The old man's name was Felipe Mariano. He said they had been waiting at the Supreme Court since 1 p.m. But when the results finally were announced, their grandson's name was not there.

Still it did not dampen the old man's spirit. "Ganyan naman yan talaga anak. Try and try until you succeed. Baka sa susunod, makuha na n'ya, (That's the way it goes, son. Try and try until you succeed. Maybe next time, you'll pass)" he said with a sparkle in his otherwise tired eyes.

Such wisdom, such hope, in the midst of chaos and jubilation.

It seemed like what he was saying was that life is a lot like taking the bar exams: we encounter defeat, once in a while. But it should not be a reason to surrender. Experiencing defeat makes victory a lot sweeter.

Where The Sun Is Shining

That is my Sun Cellular phone taped on the computer. For all its unlimited texts and calls, I still could appreciate a stronger and wider signal. But I guess one cannot have everything. Hehehehe.

So I'll make do. Funny thing is, the cellphone has to be facing a certain direction (as shown in the photo) to receive a signal, twist it another way and it's gone. And it has to be taped on this particular PC ehheehe. It's fun actually to hark back to the early days of cellular phone signals.

I'm enjoying the unlimited texts and calls though. Not complaining hehehehe.

Age Or Something Like That

Age affords one the ability to not take the world seriously; to be non-chalant is another way to describe it.

K. gave me a shirt that said "It's hard to show I care, because I don't". Maybe I already am showing off that vibe but more and more I notice that I am not what I used to be three or five years ago.

Let's just say, I've learned to simplify and follow that old adage, "choose my battles."

Now, I can afford to pause, take a step back and think if something is worth bothering about. To see an incident in terms of its gain as far as I'm concerned and the ramifications in the general scheme of things. If bothering about it would actually be more tiresome than helpful then I don't give it a thought. Instead, I take a puff instead or enjoy a cup of coffee.

Jay thinks I'm the sort of person who don't care. On some level I think what he is saying is true but I always tell him that I've learned to choose the things I should worry about and check if the effort is actually worth the final outcome.

Because life has so much more to offer and what we take from it depends on how we see the world.

Hop-py New Year

I guess I'd be hopping on my way to work tomorrow. Turns out there are two cuts in my left foot. One long and slightly deep gash and a shallow cut below. The smaller one is all dried up. The other one is taking a little while to heal. But it doesn't hurt anymore. Putting my weight on it and walking normally is a challenge. It's like walking on high heels. Only, it feels like I'm wearing a shoe. Hehehehe.

Back to work again tomorrow after the weekend and the PGMA coverage in Cagayan de Oro. Back to my old life, as usual. I kinda miss it. I still haven't asked Sec. Gonzalez about the rationale behind the alleged warning to media people obstructing justice in crisis situations (supposedly he has information of an ouster plot on January 22). The results of the investigation into how convicted rapist Romeo Jalosjos will have to wait until the formal hearing on January 16 is concluded.

So many things to go back to. But first, let's figure out walking on one foot. :)

A Wedding and Some Holiday Cheers

A Wedding and Some Holiday Cheers

Jay and I went to Lucena for the holidays. After initial hesitations, I was finally able to convince him to join me, hehehe. It was an effort for him considering he's not into crowds ehehehhee so I was thankful.

Prior to that, Jiji, a colleague in the Justice and Court Reporters Association (JUCRA) - people covering the DOJ and the Supreme Court got married. I sang Jiji's favorite song, "Knocks Me Off My Feet" upon her request. I hope that didn't go badly hehehehe.

Now back to my Lucena stories. In hindsight, I realised that it was my first time for my WHOLE family and I mean WHOLE, cousins, titos and titas included -- to come across that kind of situation, seeing our kind of a couple. Hehehe. But they were very nice. Soon enough, I know, this kind of relationship will lose their novelty (or shock factor for some) and be seen as any other relationship. But we take one careful step after another. And I guess that's the way to go. Ease them in and conquer the world. Hehehehe.

Mom, upon our arrival at our house, fried us some shrimps. I'm not a big shrimp fan and neither is Jay but we finished everything in one sitting. That was a nice welcome. Jay met some of my cousins the day after and on January 1st. Both of us got really drunk. The weather was unexpectedly chilly in Lucena. But news kept the holidays warm. My cousin, Maila, is getting married this year and they had a pamanhikan. My nephewJM, is having a baby.

The holidays, overall, was filled with the warm company of family and the comfort of loved ones. It could not be better.

Christmas 2007

Spent Christmas Eve with Jay and his family. Had a salo-salo. The kids (Sam, Nicole, including Jay ehehehe) couldn't wait until 12 mn so they opened their gifts thirty minutes earlier.

Sam got lots of kikay stuff including a necklace maker while Nicole got the artsy-activity stuff like Clay-do. Jay got a really nice shirt with a skeleton with a heart print from Sar. His nieces (Nanah and KC) and Paula gave a me a nice hat.

Chatted with Mama and Jay until around 4 a.m. Jay and I nearly finished a bottle of red wine. Was late for work today. Hehehehhe.

We celebrated Christmas four days ago. I got my "Mac Book" from Jay with some of our twosome photos with matching CD drive with an actual CD in it. 'Twas really nice and thoughtful. Will post the pic here how it looks. I love it.

Gave him a French language instructional CD and book. Hehehehe. He wants to go to France so I'm giving him a headstart. Either that or he could curse me in French. Hehehehehe. Joke.

Bought two identical red coffee cups - how Christmasy. Hehehehe.

I'm looking forward to spending the holidays back in Lucena. Now if I could convince Jay to go with him. Had asked Mama's permission already. Jay says he's shy. Hehehehe.

Bought my godchildren their presents -- boy, they're growing big both in numbers and in size. The gifts are getting more expensive. Hehehehe.

But that I guess is the essence of giving -- the actual gift-giving a symbol of one's selfless love.

GMA Christmas Party 2007

Tina and I during the spectacular fireworks display. Hehehehe

Have A Bunny Christmas Everyone

Last night, we had an early Christmas get-together- a triple celebration to usher in the holidays: Kara's award as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men for Broadcast Journalism for 2007, Nelson's despedida and the Elida party.

Pictures tell a thousand stories. Check out the photos in the photos section of this site.

Have a Wonderful Holiday Season everyone!

Joseph Thaddeus Means ... :)

What Your Name Means

You entered: joseph thaddeus estrella morong There are 28 letters in your name. Those 28 letters total to 122 There are 10 vowels and 18 consonants in your name. What your first name means: Hebrew Male May Jehovah add/give increase. St Joseph of Arimathea undertook the burial of Jesus (in Holy Grail lore). In the bible Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery and later rose to become a supreme power in Egypt. Also Jesus' legal father.. Biblical Male Increase; addition Your number is: 5 The characteristics of #5 are: Expansiveness, visionary, adventure, the constructive use of freedom. The expression or destiny for #5: The number 5 Expression endows with the wonderful characteristic of multi-talents and versatility. You can do so many things well. The tone of the number 5 is constructive freedom, and in your drive to attain this freedom, you will likely be the master of adaptability and change. You are good at presenting ideas and knowing how to approach people to get what you want. Naturally, this gives you an edge in any sort of selling game and spells easy success when it comes to working with people in most jobs. Your popularity may lead you toward some form of entertainment or amusement. Whatever you do, you are clever, analytical, and a very quick thinker. If there is too much of the 5 energy in your makeup, you may express some the negative attitudes of the number. Your restless and impatient attitude may keep you from staying with any project for too long. Sometimes you can be rather erratic and scatter yourself and your energies. You have a hard time keeping regular office hours and maintaining any sort of a routine. You tend to react strongly if you sense that your freedom of speech or action is being impaired or restricted in any way. As clever as you are, you may have a tendency to make the same mistakes over and over again because much of your response is glib reaction rather that thoughtful application. You are in a continuous state of flux brought by constantly changing interests. Your Soul Urge number is: 7 A Soul Urge number of 7 means: With a number 7 Soul Urge you are very fond of reading, and retreating to periods of being alone and away from the disruptions of the outer world. You like to dream and develop you idealistic understandings, to study and analyze, to gain knowledge and wisdom. You may be too laid back and withdrawn to really succeed in the business world, and you will be much more comfortable in circumstances that are tolerant of your reserve, your analytical approach, and your desire to use your mind rather than your physical being. You are very timid around people that you don't know very well, so much so at times that casual conversation and social situations can be strained. You tend to repress your emotions to the extend that some people have a good bit of difficult understanding you. You tend to be very selective with friends and you don't easily adapt to new environments or to new people very quickly. The negative traits of the 7 include becoming too much the introvert and isolated from others. Your Inner Dream number is: 7 An Inner Dream number of 7 means: You dream of having the opportunity to read, study, and shut yourself off from worldly distractions. You can see yourself as a teacher, mystic, or ecclesiastic, spending your life in the pursuit of knowledge and learning.

from http://www.paulsadowski.com/Numbers.asp

Joseph Thaddeus Means ... :)

What Your Name Means

You entered: joseph thaddeus estrella morong There are 28 letters in your name. Those 28 letters total to 122 There are 10 vowels and 18 consonants in your name. What your first name means: Hebrew Male May Jehovah add/give increase. St Joseph of Arimathea undertook the burial of Jesus (in Holy Grail lore). In the bible Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery and later rose to become a supreme power in Egypt. Also Jesus' legal father.. Biblical Male Increase; addition Your number is: 5 The characteristics of #5 are: Expansiveness, visionary, adventure, the constructive use of freedom. The expression or destiny for #5: The number 5 Expression endows with the wonderful characteristic of multi-talents and versatility. You can do so many things well. The tone of the number 5 is constructive freedom, and in your drive to attain this freedom, you will likely be the master of adaptability and change. You are good at presenting ideas and knowing how to approach people to get what you want. Naturally, this gives you an edge in any sort of selling game and spells easy success when it comes to working with people in most jobs. Your popularity may lead you toward some form of entertainment or amusement. Whatever you do, you are clever, analytical, and a very quick thinker. If there is too much of the 5 energy in your makeup, you may express some the negative attitudes of the number. Your restless and impatient attitude may keep you from staying with any project for too long. Sometimes you can be rather erratic and scatter yourself and your energies. You have a hard time keeping regular office hours and maintaining any sort of a routine. You tend to react strongly if you sense that your freedom of speech or action is being impaired or restricted in any way. As clever as you are, you may have a tendency to make the same mistakes over and over again because much of your response is glib reaction rather that thoughtful application. You are in a continuous state of flux brought by constantly changing interests. Your Soul Urge number is: 7 A Soul Urge number of 7 means: With a number 7 Soul Urge you are very fond of reading, and retreating to periods of being alone and away from the disruptions of the outer world. You like to dream and develop you idealistic understandings, to study and analyze, to gain knowledge and wisdom. You may be too laid back and withdrawn to really succeed in the business world, and you will be much more comfortable in circumstances that are tolerant of your reserve, your analytical approach, and your desire to use your mind rather than your physical being. You are very timid around people that you don't know very well, so much so at times that casual conversation and social situations can be strained. You tend to repress your emotions to the extend that some people have a good bit of difficult understanding you. You tend to be very selective with friends and you don't easily adapt to new environments or to new people very quickly. The negative traits of the 7 include becoming too much the introvert and isolated from others. Your Inner Dream number is: 7 An Inner Dream number of 7 means: You dream of having the opportunity to read, study, and shut yourself off from worldly distractions. You can see yourself as a teacher, mystic, or ecclesiastic, spending your life in the pursuit of knowledge and learning.

from http://www.paulsadowski.com/Numbers.asp

Neruda

If You Forget Me

I want you to know one thing. You know how this is: if I look at the crystal moon, at the red branch of the slow autumn at my window, if I touch near the fire the impalpable ash or the wrinkled body of the log, everything carries me to you, as if everything that exists, aromas, light, metals, were little boats that sail toward those isles of yours that wait for me. Well, now, if little by little you stop loving me I shall stop loving you little by little. If suddenly you forget me do not look for me, for I shall already have forgotten you. If you think it long and mad, the wind of banners that passes through my life, and you decide to leave me at the shore of the heart where I have roots, remember that on that day, at that hour, I shall lift my arms and my roots will set off to seek another land. But if each day, each hour, you feel that you are destined for me with implacable sweetness, if each day a flower climbs up to your lips to seek me, ah my love, ah my own, in me all that fire is repeated, in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten, my love feeds on your love, beloved, and as long as you live it will be in your arms without leaving mine.

Bangenge Bertday

Matagal ko nang wish yun, yung mabangag sa lasing hahahahaha. I think the last time I felt like that was in 2004 in Bora, yung tipong bangag ka na, tatakbo ka sa beachfront tapos dun ka susuka. Tapos babalik ka ulit sa bar, sasayaw, parang walang suka hahahaha.

Pero hindi beachfront ang sinukahan ko noong Friday: ang dingding, ang CR ng boys at CR ng girls (god m confused hwahahhahahahhaha). Pero happiness.

Salamat sa mga pumunta. Sana'y maging masaya tayo palagi!

Thank You

Thanks to all those who greeted me a "Happy Birthday" today. It was really overwhelming. Pasensiya na kung hindi kilala nung fone ko yung mga numbers nung iba, kasi nagka-amnesia siya at kinalimutan lahat ng numbers ko (pati ng nanay, kapatid at mga kaibigan ko ehehehe). Pero nakakalimot man ang cellphone ko, hindi naman ako. Maraming salamat ulit! :)

* postcript

me konting salo-salo nga pala ngayong biyernes. samahan nyo kong magpakalango sa beer hahaha. la na ako practice, nung last time ako uminom, bangag na ako sa tatlong beer. hahahaha. tanders!