La Nouva Vita

Instead of Maguindanao massacre, it should now be termed as Ampatuan massacre. I think that it is better so we can highlight the monstrous crime that they are being accused of. Truly, it is both scary and exciting to be a journalist nowadays. Considering how we are constantly exposed to dangerous tasks, even at some points were we are considered as human shields, just like what happened in the recent massacre.

In an indignation rally held recently at Boy Scout monument at Tomas Morato, media organizations have already expressed their outrage, seeking for justice. Since I was nearby, I decided both to join and to cover the event. I asked a friend from Bayan if I can wear one of their black ribbons with a text that says, "Condemn the Killings."

I was so proud of what I did. This is the first time that I went to an indignation rally not as a reporter but as a participant or even both. The dyahe part was being seen on television. Harhar.

To watch the video click here

Philippines is the most dangerous place for journalists. That is an obvious fact. But the Maguindanao massacre made that fact sink into my system even more. The news media practitioners were not even caught in a crossfire when the killings happened. They were simply part of the convoy of a local politician filing a certificate of candidacy for the governor post of Maguindanao.

Leila de Lima of the Commission of Human Rights was right when she said that the crime is not a work of someone who is human. "What kind of animals are these killers?" she said. And those questions linger in my mind since I found out about the news. I wanted to know why they had so much courage to brutally kill innocent people. With a powerful clan equipped with a private army, I very sure that they have done this in the past, people kept their grievances afraid that they, too, would die.

Killing more than 40 people and they never thought of hiding the crime only shows that they are not afraid of anything, not even the laws of the land. It is as if they are too confident that they will not be held liable to their crime. Did they thought that they can hide something this big from the public's scrutiny or did they just thought that to be an ally of the present regime is enough to protect them?

More than just being shocked and stunned for this dreadful event, I am afraid. But not only for my personal safety but to the freedom of the press that is being continuously being curtailed in the country. With journalists and other innocent people being killed, will you still call this country a democratic country? I say, no.

I just watched New Moon two nights ago. And it was amazing, so unlike its predecessor Twilight. The cinematography made my jaw drop and they did pretty well with the mossy green setting. It was darker, exactly how I imagined it while reading the book. The effects were also great. They made the werewolves look real, especially when wind brushes off their fur. And may I say that the fighting scene between Paul and Jacob freaked me out. I thought they were just about to jump out of the big screen. I remember holding my unidentified boyfriend's hand tighter during that scene.

Being an Edward Team that I am, I didn't miss him that much in the movie. I think the producers know that majority of the viewers prefer Edward so they made it sure that he was visible all through out the movie. How? It's for you to find out. I wouldn't want to spoil everyone's cinematic experience. Edward was unfortunately was a disappointment in the film. It seems that the rumors are true that he didn't work that well with being physically fit. Because he was so thin, almost a child-like, so high schoolish-kind of body. Unlike Jacob with his OH spell S-E-X-Y body. May I also add that Sam Uley was also hot. Edward has a lot of catching up to do.

In relation to my older post, it seems that Edward changed his car but there's not much difference in it. It's still a Volvo, only a four-door version. So I'm still sticking to my previous conclusion that he is definitely a Stupid Shiny Volvo Owner. As for Bella, she's still the same. All the grinning and weird facial expressions she does when she is near Edward, all present in the second installment of the Twilight saga. For the record, that is supposed to be a bad news.

If you were discouraged to watch the film because of its first installment, please think again. It's worth the money I swear.

This is an 8 minute video for Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, produced and directed by ST eXPOSURE.



I first saw this video during the proclamation of Satur's senatorial candidacy in UP Bahay ng Alumni. As usual, I am covering for Bulatlat. You see, one of the many good things about this work is getting to know more people. I remember that I was never a huge fan of Satur. Until I got to know him better. And I thought that the whole government officials put together is incomparable to Satur Ocampo.

I haven't seen the movie so I am reserving my comments right after I have seen it. But I heard that New Moon is more faithful to the book than Twilight, plus of course the fact that it has better cinematography. I'm not that excited to watch the film since Edward Cullen would not be that visible. But the good thing about that is I won't be seeing his car either.

Yes, the dreadful car that Stephanie Meyer have given a 17-year-old vampire who supposedly have at least a century of experience in determining which car is the Super Car. FYI, the C30 is the smallest Volvo available to date. The two door hatchback with its curvy body style and oversized rear taillights seems to be very interesting to many. And I won't deny that it does not appeal to me. But performance wise, Japanese cars would have done better.


Volvo C30 Nissan Skyline Subaru Impreza Mitsubishi Evolution X

Even its top-of-the-line T5 version, which is only available in the United States by the way, is already packaged with turbocharged 2.5 liter five cylinder engine but can only produce 218 horsepower. On the other hand, you have cars like Nissan Skyline, Mitsubishi Evolution or the Subaru Impreza that can do a lot better.

And don't ever argue with me that Edward Cullen must have chosen the Volvo because it is known for its safety features. Remember that Edward is a vampire with uncanny skills.

And we survived.
And I love you more.

Happy Monthsary Honey!

I will forever treasure everything that you did for my benefit. And even if you had to leave so early, too early in fact, I want you to know that I miss you every step of the way.



Today, you're life was taken. But I know that we will be together someday. I miss you and I love you so much.

It's been a long time since me and my unidentified boyfriend had a date. The last one we had one was almost forever. So I almost forgot how to feels like to be in my kilig mode. But good thing he knows how to surprise me, he knows what I want, he knows what makes me happy. It's comfortable to be around him. 

Anyway, so much for being nostalgic. Our first priority of course was to buy Paquiao-Cotto tickets. Well, our homegrown champion should definitely win because aside from the fact that all the good seats are sold, the tickets were pricey. Then, to add to my frustration, Tokyo Tokyo don't have Unlimited Rice anymore. And I was like, why else would you eat at Tokyo Tokyo if not for their unlimited rice? My unidentified boyfriend rolled his eyes and said, "California Maki." Yeah. Right.
 
Right there and then, he knew that I wasn't calling it a day. So he brought me to the car show and allowed me to okray some cars. While Mitsubishi Monterosport looks dashing in the outside, it was unbearable in the inside. So it is officially out of my Dream Cars. I suddenly had interests with Ford Everest, definitely Ate Jen's idea of a monster car. 

After that, still perhaps wanting to make sure that I am enjoying the day, we watched (500) Days of Summer. Sort of a feel good movie, funny and romantic. Definitely my kind of movie. But the highlight of the day was eating at Mary Grace. 



My unidentified boyfriend ordered a milkshake and a slice of chocolate cake. It surprised me though. I never had any idea that he likes chocolates. On the other hand, I ordered Mary Grace Hot Chocolate and Grilled Ensaymada. It was the perfect merienda ever! The hot chocolate there was the chocolatiest hot chocolate I have ever tasted. And as for the grilled ensaymada, it literally melts in the mouth! And the good news is that its super duper affordable. The attendants there were also nice, at least for the Trinoma outlet.

Good thing about their food attendants there is that they are very familiar with their products. I was supposed to order a Black Velvet cake when the food attendant said that the hot chocolate I ordered is usually paired with the grilled ensaymada. If I didn't change my order, I could have committed the biggest mistake of my life. Too bad, I didn't get her name. She deserves my congratulations. Well, kudos to you anyway!



But of course, the hardest part of the day was saying goodbye. Our conversation on our way home of course was planning how to buy the Ford Everest. That includes winning the lottery and me looking for another job. "Uwi ka na agad, hindi pa nga kita pinagsasawaan." He smiled of course. My favorite kind of smile.

When we have finally reached home, I missed him even more. Our next date is on November 15. I wish I can fast forward time. 

This is Gabriela's ad for its iVow to Fight Violence Against Women campaign created by the prestigious advertising group DM9JaymeSyfu. The advertising agency is lead by long-time GABRIELA supporter Ms. Merlee Jayme.

In my interview with Ms. Jayme, she said that she is very touchy when it comes to how women are being presented in advertisements. She had to change story plots and even reject some projects whenever women are being treated as sex objects.

Looks like we have found St. Scho another Hildegard nominee.