"Stop...Look...Listen..."

Many things happend in the last couple of weeks. In my life, there comes a time when I need to stop and reflect for a while. But right now, I can't. And thats whats killing me. It's like Im in this spontanious way of doing things. I'ts like you don't need to plan anything because they are just waiting to happen, it's like it was destined to be. And this situations brought about confusion in me. Kind of a given me a new perspective too. To just go with the flow. Right now if you'll ask me: How am I doing? I can't answer right away, instead I'll ask you back: How am I doing in what? (hear that?). I can't even decide which will come first. Work, studies, hobby, family, love, etc.

I've been so busy but still find time for my self in what I always wanted to do "ang maging bayani!" ahehehe. I mean look, supress something and it will just explode, right?

For now: really don't have idea what I'm doing, but for sure HE is always there guiding me. and believe me its not just DESTINY, I have to act too...

Tyempo tyempo lang... But really I'm happy right now. Di lang siguro fulfilled. Pero Masaya ako! (wow, natututo na ako makuntento...hahaha!)

"Another First"

Last night was an amazing gig at Freedom bar. Galing ng tempo and arrangement ni Nelson. Tonyo's guitar was a killer and I hope I did justice to them too. Mamaya sa Kolumn bar naman. Sorry, no evidence of what so ever in our last nights gig. I was so inspired that night! Lalo na ng may lumapit para mag comment.

"El Corazon"

May you find the wisdom in everything you are going through... I'm always here and will never leave you... mi amor...

"Risks"

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"untitled"

What’s up during the past week?
Busy with work during the week and band practice during the weekends.
Last Wednesday, Tonyo and I went to Perfect pitch in Megamall. Tonyo was planning to buy a new guitar. But right there and there after a few test and computations, he decided to make a reservation for that guitar. A Jackson Dinky for 30k++. I think by next week or maybe this week is his target of getting the gear. Yesterday Nelson bought a Gibraltar Double Bass Pedal. I think the model is Prowler. Its amazing because after purchasing it, he already used it in our practice and surprisingly, that machine delivered quiet an impression to me. Nelson is more confident playing the double bass now. Astig!!!

What’s up with work?
….

What’s up with the vacation plans?
Yesterday Eric came in our weekly practice. We need to talk regarding our “PANATA”. Hehehe, we need to plan our trip to Puerto Galera this year. Finally we arrived at an understanding but still need some furnishing on the dates. I’m really looking forward to this vacation.

What’s up with my guitar gears and stuff?
I downgraded my guitar gear. I sold my GFX-5 to Tonyo. I was planning to buy a new and small zoom multi effect but haven’t got much drive why I should buy since I already got my Heavy metal stomp box. Later on I was looking for a replacement for my bass guitar but still my cash is not enough and I need some cash for the planned vacation. So I decided to keep the money and just buy a new set of bass strings. Tonight I’m planning to clean my Ynez, my bass guitar.

What’s up with Bangus!?
We are still practicing for an event this feb. 23. Details will follow. And of course a regular set at Freedom Bar on feb. 22. It’s Nelson’s first time to play with us and I think he is also excited to play on those dates. Some pictures during our rehearsal last week.

My gear: Bass>>Overdrive>>ZoomB2>>Vol. Pedal>>Amp.

Nelson: Nice Drums!

Tonyo: Nice grin!

What’s up with my el Corazon!?
"You know what it's like getting up every morning? Feeling hopeless, feeling like the love of your life is waking up with the wrong man. But, at the same time hoping that she still finds happiness, even if it's never going to be with you."

"Missing Puerto Galera part II"

Day two
Saturday

We woke up late. Kanya kanya muna trippings pag gising. Eric and I decided to go to the market for our lunch. While on the market we saw on the news the tragedy of the Wowwowwee stampede. I immediately phone home to ask what happened. After lunch, we started strolling around for things we could buy as Pasalubong or anything just to waste time. It’s hot that noon but I don’t mind the heat. I walked along the shore and just wondered how beautiful this place is. Then after a while me and my friends met up to look for a place were we could eat our merienda. Then I found this small store selling lumpia. Wow Ang sarap…After eating we headed back to our place and changed to our swim wears. Then we headed out on the beach. Peachy got his braids but Aubrey does not want it. Eric was drinking already while soaking in the sun. Afterwards, I don’t know what happened but we were asking how much a banana boat ride is. The 4 of us enjoyed the ride. It was a trilling experience riding that fast and tumbling down. What a rush. Arriving at the shore we noticed a group of locals and tourist alike are playing volleyball. We just ask them if we could play, and immediately they agreed. Everyone seems to enjoy the idea of a ball game along the beach. Yet this ones another experience for me. As you can see on my previous post there was the video. Its already dark by the time we decided to head home and grab dinner. I was so tired and hungry that I was able to eat 3pcs of chicken, 1 liter of water and 2 ½ cups of rice. Water there is not cheap, you have to buy in gallons and you have to refrigerate it. Well this time we need to eat a lot. Inuman na anaman kase. We started drinking inside our place. Then afterwards I set up the table outside buy another “Grand Matador” and lots of pulutan and started drinking there. We noticed we had a group residing next to our place. I think there were 12. Ang dami nila. We then played cards and plug in our sounds. Tagayan… Then at around 9pm we headed out for the beach where the party is at. We went to this bar with their chairs and tables extending to the shore. Well not that close. It was cold that night. I can’t stand the coldness of the water so I didn’t swam. Eric and I were just drinking the whole night. Of course I was with Aubrey too. Lasingan yun. It was cold so It was hard to get wasted. Then we started Star gazing as we lay on the shore. Ayun… That’s about it. We ended up at 4:30am.

Day three
Sunday

The only highlight of this day is buying pasalubong. Eating lunch… then headed out home. We all got up late because of last nights drinking session. Ako napagod at napuyat din. Hehehe, ano kaya ginawa ko? “akin nalang yun”….
So that’s about it… We will be back… for sure…
And we did… last April 2006…

This summer, ano kaya mangyayare?!...

"Bangus! @ Kolumn Bar"

I was suppose to write about my day two in Puerto Galera, but this just in...

Last saturday feb. 3, Bangus! played at Kolumn bar. It'a an Exegesis production entitled "Rock Overdose" featuring unsigned local bands. We went on stage around 12:00, I think and played four songs. To all of our friends who found the time to see us play, Salamat! Thank you guys for supporting us.

Here are some pictures sent to me:

As requested by Eric: Here is a crappy video with crappy sounds. Pagtyagaan mo nalang.A friend tried to record us using a cellphone.

"Missing...Puerto Galera..."



Part I

I remember my first trip in Puerto Galera last February 2006. It was an unexpected trip because we were all busy and it just so happens that it came to be a spur of the moment thing. So we give it a go! A friend pick me up in front of our street and headed to kamuning station for the bus ride. We met up there at around 3:45am and it’s really cold. I was hungry that time but was afraid to eat or drink because of the long road travel. Anyway, a friend of mine brought along his girlfriend and his girlfriend brought along a friend. In short we were introduced. Aubrey. I know she was introduced to me long before this trip but I can’t recall when was the occasion. The bus left Kamuning at 4:15am. Aubrey and I were chatting along the first hour of the trip since I told her it was my first time in the Island. She told me that she’s been there for countless times. She was so accommodating telling me what can we do there. I was really enthusiastic because it’s like having a tour guide and at the same time gone for the weekend buddy. After an hour of chit chatting she told me she would take a nap while we are on our way to Batangas pier because they had a drink the night before our trip. So I just pulled out my book (Stainless Longanisa by Bob Ong) and started to read. We reached Batangas pier at around 6:30am. I was awake the time during the road trip to Batangas. I saw the darkness of the night turn to light as we go along the highway. Upon arriving we were confronted by boatmen asking where we are heading. They were offering boat rides to Mindoro Island. Well I leave them all to the experts since its my first time. We bought tickets and immediately rode the boat. We left Batangas pier at 7:00am. I was excited to see the waves as we sail. Man! Fresh smell of ocean breeze. After an hour, we arrived at White Beach Puerto Galera. Now this is were the fun starts.

Day one
Friday. As our boat dock on the shore, a middle aged woman greeted my friends girlfriend. It was about the place we are going to stay. It was like 200 meters away from the shore. The place was nice, 2 queen size beds one large sleeping mat. Cable t.v., ref., air condition, own bathroom. And of course a kitchen outside. Actually the kitchen can be shared by the other tenants but we were the only ones there. The charge P1200.00 a night. So for three days and two nights, it’s a whooping P2400.00 only. From 8 to 11 am we just unpacked our things and watched TV to get some rest. I remember we were watching 50 first dates on HBO. The only thing that stop us is the idea that we are in Puerto Galera and I’m hungry! Eric cooked lunch while I was just sound trippin'. Yeah, I brought my Disc man and a PC speaker. After lunch, we just took a short rest and went to the shore. The whole afternoon we were just there in the shore. Eating whatever comes along. I love the fish crackers. We were soaking under the sun while taking a dip on the water once in a while. We were chit chatting most of the time. Everything is cool. Walang nagmamadali, walang rush, everything is just on a slow phase. Vacation nga e so kailangan mag relax! At one point we were able to get a picture with a rainbow I our background. Amazing! The water was so clear that I enjoyed it so much. We were there until sunset. Syempre kainan na ulit. After dinner, we set the table for a card game and while playing we started drinking. I don’t want to play, so I just plug in the sounds. At around 8 we headed out for the shore again, this time with our drinks. Yeah! Inuman sa beach, as in sa shore. Peachy and Aubrey brought along their Malong's as mat so we could lay on the sand. Grabe! Sarap ng feeling, drinking under the stars, beside the shore. Afterwards, we decided to walk along the shore and found our selves in front of this bar. Coco Aroma. The BBQ grill caught our attention so we got inside and ordered something. There was a stage in front were someone is playing an acoustic set. The band is good. People there are invited to sing and play because its an open mic night. After an hour of watching, kulitan, inuman, picturan, Eric challenged me to play, which I obliged right there and then. We ended up at two am. I played and luckily I did not suck!

...next day two.

"Haitus!?"

I got this from a friends blog in friendster. She has a point, worth reading. I'll post this while I'm reminicing last years vacation in Puerto Galera. I will post stories soon.
Here it is:

The one that got away..

In your life, you'll take note of a lot of people. Ones with whom you shared something special, ones who will always mean something. There's the one you first kissed, the one you first loved, the one you lost your virginity to, the one you put on a pedestal, the one you're with...and the one that got away.

Who is the one that got away? I guess it's that person with who everything was great, everything was perfect, but the timing was just wrong. There was no fault in the person, there was no flaw in the chemistry, but the cards just didn't fall the right way, I suppose.
I believe in the fact that ending up with someone, finding a longtime partner that is, does not lie merely in the other person. I can actually argue that an equal part, or maybe even the greater part, has to do with the matter of timing. It has to do with you being ready to settle down and commit to someone in a way that goes beyond the little niceties of giddy romance.

How often have you gone through it without even realizing it? When you're not ready to commit in that mature manner, it doesn't matter who you're with, it just doesn't work. Small problems become big; inconsequentials become deal breakers simply because you're not ready and it shows. It's not that you and the person you're with are no good; it's just that it's not yet right, and little things become the flashpoint of that fact.

Then one day you're ready. You really are. And when this happens you'll be ready to settle down with someone. He or she may not be the most perfect,they might not be the brightest star of romance to ever have burned in your life, but it'll work because you're ready. It'll work because it's the right time and you'll make it work. And it'll make sense, it really will.

So that day comes when you're finally making sense of things, and you find yourself to be a different person. Things are different, your approach is different, you finally understand who you are and what you want, and you've become ready because the time has truly arrived. And mind you, there's no telling when this day will come. Hopefully you're single but you could be in a long-term relationship, you could be married with three kids, it doesn't matter. All you know is that you've changed, and for some reason, the one that got away, is the first person you think about.

You'll think about them because you'll wonder, "What if they were here today?" You'll wonder, "What if we were together now, with me as I am and not as I was?" That's what the one that got away is. The biggest "What if?" you'll have in your life.

If you're married, you'll just have to accept the fact that the one that got away, got away. Believe me, no matter how fairy tale you think your marriage is, this can happen to the best of us. But hopefully you're mature enough to realize that you're already with the one you're with and this is just another test of your commitment, one which will just strengthen your marriage when you get past it. Sure, you'll think about him/her every so often, but it's alright. It's never nice to live with a "might have been," but it happens.

Maybe the one that got away is the one who's already married. In which case it's the same thing. You just have to accept and know that your memories of that person will probably bring a nice little smile to your lips in the future when you're old and gray and reminiscing.

But if neither of that is the case, then it's different. What do you do if it's not yet too late? Simple...find him, find her. Because the veryexistence of a "one that got away" means that you'll always wonder, what if you got that one? Ask him out to coffee, ask her out to a movie, it doesn't matter if you've dropped in from out of nowhere. You'd be surprised, you just might be "the one that got away" as well for the person who is your "the one that got away ".

You might drop in from out of nowhere and it won't make a difference. If the timing is finally right, it'll all just fall into place somehow and you know, I'm thinking, it would be a great feeling, in the end, to be able to say to someone, "Hey you, you're the one that almost got away."