Lately, life has been normal. That’s why I haven’t updated for a long time (Is that a lame excuse? XD). However, there’s one particular thing I’d like to specify in this post:

One of my personalities I never knew was the fact that I have this scary aura.

One time, I witnessed two 35 year old snatchers on the other row beside my seat on the bus way home. The poor victim was a sleeping guy, and the snatchers made their move by one of them sitting in front of him and the other behind him. The one behind made his moves and the one in front kept watch. They looked at me and knew I knew what they we’re doing. One then sat behind me. I looked at him in the corner of my eye and alerted myself of whatever action they’ll do. The bus came to the point I’m supposed to go down but nothing happened. They never did anything to me nor did they scare me to “shut up or we’ll do something bad to you.”

Another bus scenario happened the day after the first incident where two men, who I’m positive where bad doers, sat beside the bus doors. Both of them kept looking behind the bus (this was also a strategy used by the first two snatchers) and one time, I caught them looking at me. With their ugly faces, I looked at them back with a jaded, non-scared look but I didn’t stare at them for long (Cause it might provoke a fight). I stayed alert, and after a while (thinking that they can’t do their moves with still a lot of people inside the bus), they went down the bus.

Sadly, with women too. I noticed that for strangers, it takes them a hard time before they can approach me to ask anything. If they did, they’d be so polite it’s so wrong.

Around my neighborhood, almost nobody approaches me. Unless I know them from my childhood or they’re friends of my relatives, they wouldn’t even give a glance. But this is good cause here in my home, I’m surrounded by “bobo orcs. (ask this guy)” They’re not the type who normal humans want to associate with. Heck, I don’t even know them and they spread rumors about me. But when I’m already near them, cat got their tongue and i sense they’re scared. So cool. Prolly cause they know I’m 80-20? (Ask this girl) XD

And the list goes on but I think I’ll stop. I guess I’ll keep observing this new personality of mine.

Last Sunday night was a night to remember. It was a night that taught me, made me reflect, and most of all made me stronger because of the surprise it awaited me.

Almost every Sunday night, I at least share what I know in the arts of Aikido with a few friends of mine in a nearby gym near my home. With only a few practitioners in our country, my friends in that gym was always happy when I’m around and I feel the same way as them because of the symbiotic relationship. I humbly teach them of the things I know and they teach me how to work out correctly, although we always laugh at it because it doesn’t seem to affect me much. Ergo, my body size. XD

Last Sunday was a special night though. I wasn’t expecting that a day would come I needed to fight someone for exhibition.

It was my first, that someone would challenge me. With my present condition of having a bad cold and a very exhausted body, my mind was only conditioned to teach that night. However, shit happens. lol.

Earnest Luis Martinez, a mixed martial artist knowledgeable in the arts of Jiu-jitsu and some Boxing, was a nephew of one of my friends in that gym. He got his Jiu-jitsu training in the U.S. and recently his boxing training in Madrid. He’s not the heavyweight type (thank goodness), although his body was very, very fit. He has the same height as mine more or less and has scary fists that are so big he may even crush my skull if he presses it for 5 seconds. Martinez was just having a vacation here in the Philippines and when he heard we had sessions every Sunday night, he decided to come with his uncle.

Martinez was very polite. He even apologized for the short notice he had given me for the challenge he wanted. I said it’s ok because there was no other way for him to contact me but through that night. So I agreed. I can’t just turn down that offer and let my friends in the gym think of me as some coward, can I? Besides, it’s a good opportunity for me as I’ve never used my skills against other disciplines.

We talked about how our match should go. We agreed that he wins if he makes a submission (since that’s what Jiu-jitsu arts is) or a knockout strike and I win if I can throw him cleanly in the mat or make a knockout strike.

After gearing ourselves, we went to the center of the mat. My heart won’t stop beating because of the pressure against me. If I lose, I’ll be embarrassed so much because I lost in my home court in front of they eyes of my friends. But that isn’t the only thing that scares me. It’s the fact that I know he trained better than me, has a better built than me, and has more experience than me. It’s almost as if my loss is certain.

We started feeling out each other and decided not to rush in immediately. Besides, Aikidokans doesn’t do the first move so I had to wait for him. He made the first move and I dodged successfully. I can’t have him connect to me completely because it’s his game to connect completely and take me down. But after a while, the worst happened. He successfully took me down and began making his moves.

I was afraid of course. Entering into the territory of Jiu-jitsu practitioners is very dangerous. It’s a good thing I know some grappling escapes, thanks to UFC and Bas Rutten. But that wasn’t the only thing that helped me escape his tight grasp. It was my weight. It was a good thing he didn’t do a full mount on me or it’ll be over. The moment I gained balanced on my side, I immediately used my weight to overcome his control. I went on top, escaped his grasp and stood up ASAP. Blood came rushing to my brain and I was so tried I can barely stand. One of the reasons was because before I gain balance on my side, he caught my left leg and locked it so tight I swear it made me wanna scream so loud. Good thing my right was free so I can kick him madly to get out of that lock. So barely standing and with only little stamina left because of escaping that tight grasp, I knew I had to defeat him with a move or it’ll all be over if he takes me down again.

It’s as if luck was on my side.

As he came rushing, I never knew I could win with a simple circular neck throw. I caught his right arm, grabbed his nape, did a circular motion, and threw him with all the strength left in me to the mat. I was shocked and all I can hear was the cheering of my friends in the gym.

Martinez didn’t fall right and his left arm went numb after I threw him. But after a few minutes of rest and a little ice, he was ok again. After that, I couldn’t teach anymore because of exhaustion so we all decided to just go out and eat, talk about martial-arts, get close with our new friend Martinez, talk about the fight, what happened, what went wrong, etc.

I was happy that the match came in favor for me but I was far from satisfied. Judging from the fight, I was just completely lucky to have caught him and throw him down with one go. But if that match continue on, I knew I would lose. The only thing that consoles me is the fact I could beat a martial-artist of his caliber, even if it’s just luck.

That night taught me lots of things. It made me think I should start getting back in shape again and polish my skills better just so if occasions like that happen again, I am prepared. It also gave me strength to really be doing it. Because just thinking about it is one thing. Being determined to really do it is another thing. I also learned that indeed, experience can change a person. Experiencing that kind of event made me a better person. These bruises on my body won’t just go away without me learning that preparation is the key to winning and having a sound strategy is not always enough to win against a grade A opponent. You also need to have a physically fit body (Dang I should take those work outs seriously from now on). lol XD

Cheers to all Aikidokans out there! XD

I got this from Elizel’s site and it made me wonder how other people think of me. Can you guys go here too and answer it? Thanks! lol XD

Took this test that Abby took (which revealed her true form as a dumb/DORK/Awkward little girl [check her site] lol j/k! XD) and found out that I am an UBER COOL NON-NERD! UURRYAAA! Just wondering why my highest score is in the technology/computer category.  Heck, I don’t care if my cellphone’s still SE K750i even after 5 years.  XD

Aside from being like an afternoon semi strip club show, where young women in skimpy outfits dance like there are no kids watching them (and it seems like spreading their legs and showing it to the audience is their favorite move), it seems like they made a terrible “mistake” with the Wilyonaryo game. When the segment is almost reaching its end, the host reveals where the unchosen box that contains the number 2 (equivalent to PHP 2.0M, and as I recall the biggest amount a contestant can win) is, which is the violet colored box. As he opened it, he revealed a zero, meaning he was wrong in saying that the number 2 is in the purple box. HOWEVER, the most disturbing thing in it is that the number 2 is also in the purple box! Meaning, it depends on what is pulled by the host. You win if he pulls out 2, and you lose if he pulls out zero. A clear assumption to that is, it depends if the host wants to let you win or not, even if you choose the correct box.

ABS-CBN says it’s a technical glitch. But personally, I find it hard to believe.

First of all, why the heck does the violet box contains 2 numbers (0 and 2)? What if the contestant chooses it? Will she win? She can’t. Because it’ll be unfair. However, if she won’t win, it’s also unfair because the number 2 is there. Repeat the process? Heck no!

Now granting without accepting, saying it’s a technical glitch, why didn’t the people concerned in that show explained what really happened in that “technical glitch” before their host, Willie Revillame, pinpointed the host of GMA 7, Joey de Leon, saying that Joey asserts that Willie’s game show is “Nangdadaya?” From what I heard in Joey’s statement, all he said is something like”Dito na kayo sa walang daya.” I didn’t hear him say “Dito na kayo sa walang daya, di tulad ng ABS-CBN na nangdadaya.”

But don’t get me wrong. Personally, I also don’t like Joey’s way of entertaining. It’s just that in this situation, he seemed to have done a better job than Willie. (A) Joey said something like “Dito na kayo sa walang daya,” without pinpointing anyone. (B) Willie reacted violently. (C) ABS-CBN explains its a technical glitch. (D) Joey explained his side. Shouldn’t it be C, A, B? or better yet just C, A? Why the heck would you react to an attack that is not directed to you, unless you’re really feeling guilty?

As for my final stand, I really believe that Willie should’ve explained ON THE SPOT that it was a glitch. But no, all he did was laugh when that “glitch” happened, saying something like “Ay! eto pala hawak ko (the number 2).” Watch the video I uploaded here. Search Youtube.com and listen to what the hosts have to say. Read other’s opinions on print media. You decide.

Indeed, explain before you complain.

Global Village Academy Charity Event @ Alchemy Bar
Silver City Mall, Frontera Verde Drive corner Julia Vargas Avenue, Pasig City
September 29, 2007 4pm to 12am

Rakaza! – Rock for Hope is a charity event in support of ChildHope Asia Philippines. This event helps promote the welfare of the street children in the country by providing educational scholarships, temporary shelter, counseling and support.

Childhope Asia Philippines is a non-profit, non-government organization operating in more than 20 locations all over Metro Manila and assists around 2,000 street children who work and live on the streets every year.

Global Village Academy’s partnership with ChildHope aims to help less fortunate children gain a better future and at the same time promote our local music industry.

We are inviting everyone to come and join the party. Rakaza will feature bands such as Urbandub, Radio Active Sago Project, Sinosikat?, Spy, Iray, Epic, Badburn, Rubberpool Funkarival, Brightclub, Valve8, Basilica, Check and more.

Everyone is advised to bring gifts such as school supplies, old clothes and canned goods, which would serve as donations to ChildHope Asia Philippines and your entrance to the event. These voluntary gifts would surely bring joy to the hearts of the less fortunate children of ChildHope Asia Philippines.

In cooperation with:
-ChildHope Asia Philippines
- MYX
- Epixtar IT Enabled Services Corporation
- Brand Archipelago Inc.
- Transit Magazine
- Magic 89.9
- Hit 99.5
- Dream 106.7
- DWRA
- www.aftercall.net

Rakaza! -Rock for Hope is brought to you by Global Village Academy.

For inquiries, please contact: 02 638 4819 or visit www.globalv.org/events

(This article was posted due to the request of Mr. Tristan Taboac, a very close friend of mine)

YAKITATE!! JAPAN! Woo hoo! I just finished watching this anime yesterday and boy, was it wonderful! It became an instant favorite of mine because of its stomach-aching humor and wonderful knowledge in baking.

Yakitate!! Japan is a story about Azuma Kazuma, a young baker that strives to do a “Ja-pan”, a Japanese Bread made by a Japanese, for the Japanese. This is because the French has French Bread, England has English Bread, Spain has Spanish Bread but Japan doesn’t have a Japanese bread so there was no other choice but to make it.

I sure hope there would be a Yakitate!! Japan 2. Watch it people! I really recommend it for people who loves baking or to those who are interested in it (This anime even taught me how to bake a certain type of bread using a rice cooker!). With a whopping 69 episodes at its disposal, this series will surely keep you hooked up into that couch of yours, constantly laughing at Kuroyanagi’s “reactions”.

I am Tadakatsu Yagyu (The Japanese name I gave myself freely) and I am still alive.

In the world of martial-arts, one who possess a high level of stamina is one who has the advantage.  Lately, it has been so hard to maintain a good level of stamina in this battle I’m facing.

Anyone ever played the Dynasty Warriors series? That’s how it is like now.  A one man army facing hundreds of enemies.

It’s so hard to be like this.  I can barely defend, I can barely attack and the sword in my hand is losing its edge.  How could I defeat a titan I can’t even see? Or worse…How could I defeat something if even I am not sure if I should defeat it? What should I do if half of my mind tells me to “strike” while the other says “don’t!”

Indeed, a soldier’s worst enemy is not dehydration but confusion in the middle of a battle.

I haven’t been scratched yet by this enemy.  In fact, I have evaded it till now.  But I know for sure that once it hit me, it’s all over.  It’s like Shao Khan from Mortal Kombat where every move he makes is a fatality.  How long could I still evade it’s attacks? And if I get hit and fall down, will I still be able to stand up and continue?

We were on our way to SM North EDSA last saturday for grocery supplies.  Picture this: It took us 40 minutes, from the North EDSA MMDA bridge to the U-turn slot just to go to the other side, and eventually reach SM North.  Why? Because the MMDA blocked the first 2 U-turn slots.  The reason? I dunno.   To lessen the traffic? Heck no.  Lookie these.

Imagine getting caught in this heavy traffic…

Making a U-turn almost at Quezon Avenue…

And THIS guy, enjoying his time while using his cellphone at the first U-turn slot.   Instead of managing the traffic (notice in the first pic, a third-laner truck is making a U-turn!), he does this.  I guess this is where our tax goes huh

Think its over? Look at these 2 MMDAs.  Instead of going where the traffic is, they go where they are less needed.

Oh well, time to post much more important posts. XD

The samurai drops

Covered in blood and arrows

Waiting to be saved