Aside from APL.DE.AP, who is hosting this event, the other performers are: NathanJ, KrazyKyle, DJ Buddah, Dice & K9, Dash, Mr. Blaze, Pikaso, Apokalipsis, Mobbstarr, Stickfiggas, AizaMarquez, Urban Flow, K 24/7, Jazee, Mista Blaze, Slick&Sly Kane, Lemz G, Pinoy Republic, Huling Kapitulo, Philippine All Stars, Pamilya Dimagiba, DCoy and many more. DJ Poet of the Black Eyed Peas will also be there.

EVENT VENUE: SM NORTH EDSA SKY DOME

TIME: 5:00pm (please pick up your ticket before hand)

prize of a ticket for 1 person can be claimed at GA SKY SUITES showroom Edsa (southbound) Quezon City. In front of Trinoma, after Sogo Hotel. Look for Jaja.

 

FROM DIVINE's LIST:

1. JASMINE CARPENA

2. RODEL CARPENA JR.

3. FRANCIS ARCABOS

4. TIPPY DESCATAMENTO

5. MARK JUSTIN RUEDA

6. ROY DAGUIO JR.

7. ANGELA ACUNA

8. LEVY MANLAPAZ

9. JANA BALUYOT

10/11. WALTER KIRK TORRES

12. RACHEL SAN JUAN

13. KIRSTEN SAN JUAN

14. ARLENE TAMAYO

15. ARIEL TAMAYO

16. JERICHO RANIN

17. ALEXA RONQUILLO

18. EUNICE AYCO

19. ANNA DIMANLIG

20. BONNALYN GERONAGA

21. DIONNE RALA

22. GLOANGELINE BOBIER

23. MA. SHIEL MARCELO

24. REYMAR ELAZO

25. JOHN PAUL SANTIAGO

26. JOHN JOHNSON

27. KEVIN CERDAN

28. NEXEL TUMANENG

29/30. KATRINA INOCENCIO

31. ALETHXANDER ORILLAZA

32. BON JASON MAGALLANES

33. KISH CARBALLO

34. JASON SULIGAIN

35. JEL MINANO

36. WILL IGNACIO

37. LEA

38. LARNI

39. MARGE CO

40. YANYAN CO

41. SUYENNE YANG

42. NELSON VILLARICA

43. GIRLIE VILLARICA

44. ACHILLES DANA

45. ANJ TISMO

46. STEVEN ANTONY TISMO

47. MOISES REYES JR. III

48. KRIZZE HIROKO HOSHI

49. MATTEO GOZUN

50. JAKE GALVEZ

51. CLYDE TUBAC

52. EGGS BAUTISTA

53. DIETHER OCAMPO

54. RIMMA OSWANI

55. JJ BAUTISTA

56. PEARL KELLIE

57. CRISTINA MOJICA

58. MARICON MOJICA

59. RCXY

60. ROD POLICARPIO

61. LORRAIN DUENAS

62. MARIEL JANE REYES

63. GENA TABARANGAO

64. MARK ROGER FURIANO

65./66/67 KATRINA INOCENCIO

68. ANNA JOSE

69. ELAINE TIU

70. JESSE NOCUM

71. JAMES JAVIER

72. RUBY GRACE JAVIER

73. JASON JAVIER

74. ADRIAN FERNANDEZ

75. ANDREA CAMILLE GONZALES

76. ROSH MICAH MORALES

77. LEXUS NGUIT

78. MECHI DEL PILAR

79/80. JENNY SIONLO

TIM YAP'S LIST (TWITTER NAMES)

1.luoieyo

2.jakesville

3.clyde02_2007

4. markmoya

5.yaneedayanee

6.iamchinb26

7.ratedxthriller

8.scARCYty

9.xchesisurs

10.FerjiPerj

11.serah_jean

12.chrysbravo

13. stanzeke1

14.Annev09

15. dianne_ortiz

16.akusixdk

17. melalaa

18.khel27

19. jonviktor

20.docme615

21. mcdyhappymeals

22.wkirkt

23. jomari15

24. kevjosh

25. damleonardo

26. cheryleighanne

27. geeenn

28. deniseneri

29. crhaashjonas

30.dynamite-orange

31. princess_joy24

32. tweetyboi

33.meysii

34. julienien

35. constantjed

36. madameshakira

37. lonelyfiddler

38.kataaustria

39. dztn

40. iwieness

41. screamqueenie

42. ThisisCathyO

43. jercguinto

44. bevskiii

45. mackyCan (Happy birthday!!!)

46. adrianbenipayo

47. lancejoshua

48. wackytwist

49. princess_joy24

50. gossip-wag

51. gingbartolome

52. lifedawn

53. amafura

54. yottie-

55. yenyhen

56. abby419

57. katiepinkie

58. chie2287

59. fejibarr

60. jubeebs

61. freetilora

62. puddykatkat

63. schayurrii

64. maicaHorigue

65. john_ortiz

66. yannafeliciano

67. riknata

68. telai08

69. owrange

70. trishhilado

71. churlish08

72. clyde02_2007

73. regeenahh

74. aencille

75. empee02

76. yedah22

77. ms_bringas

78. espressochic

79. tinneeeyyy

80. the747

81. imzebzeb

82. rodmagaru

83. rlmelanio

84. jgalaroza

85. xanee

86. beia_027

87. lipistik

88. marioh_Caryo

89. kayRita

90. terefied

91. jeldirecto

92. marlon_112376

93. seastar_08

94. jeniperkz

95. iam_kookijhe

96. lyncaintic

97. strutegy

98. irracarreon

99. aliisa09

100. caxycai

 

JENNI EPPERSON'S LIST (name and multiply name)

 

1. Clyde Oman Tubac

clyde022007

 

2. Ana Theresa L. Reyes

tiffanyreese

 

3. Kae Altamia

etceterah

 

4. Maricar Maboot

cacaiy

 

5. Maria Kristina O. Sapit

thinne17

 

6. John Richard P. Perea

jperea

 

7. Nadine Sta. Maria

g0rge0us

 

8. Grace Bunao

gwenster02

 

9. Eliza Theresa C. Gonzales

fablane

 

10. Iris Joy Maghirang

irisjoy

 

11. Joei Gana

j0ei

 

12. Thea Ruth Frances N. Gonzales

ruthyfrutty

 

13. Kat Soriano

espressochic

 

14. Janice Anne J. Lo

jlostyle

 

15. Jaycee Ann

pearlyjc

 

16. Rafael Mejia,

prideandpaeng

 

17. Aileen Abellon

aabellon

 

18. Timmy Teves

timmyteves

 

19. Maria Emmanuelle Pavia

riapm

 

20. Jeneriza Ezl Parado

jenerizaezlmarei

 

 

Yap! I want to give back!

A donation has been made under your name for the Apl Foundation for the survivors of the typhoon, and YOU win a TICKET TO APL.DE.AP'S and JEEPNEY MUSIC's fund raising concert tomorrow at 5pm at the SKYDOME of SM North Edsa.

Aside from APL.DE.AP, who is hosting this event, the other performers are: NathanJ, KrazyKyle, DJ Buddah, Dice & K9, Dash, Mr. Blaze, Pikaso, Apokalipsis, Mobbstarr, Stickfiggas, AizaMarquez, Urban Flow, K 24/7, Jazee, Mista Blaze, Slick&Sly Kane, Lemz G, Pinoy Republic, Huling Kapitulo, Philippine All Stars, Pamilya Dimagiba, DCoy and many more. DJ Poet of the Black Eyed Peas will also be there.

CONGRATULATIONS! Your YAP FOR GRABS prize of a ticket for 1 person can be claimed at GA SKY SUITES showroom Edsa (southbound) Quezon City. In front of Trinoma, after Sogo Hotel. Look for Jaja.

1.luoieyo

2.jakesville

3.clyde02_2007

4. markmoya

5.yaneedayanee

6.iamchinb26

7.ratedxthriller

8.scARCYty

9.xchesisurs

10.FerjiPerj

11.serah_jean

12.chrysbravo

13. stanzeke1

14.Annev09

15. dianne_ortiz

16.akusixdk

17. melalaa

18.khel27

19. jonviktor

20.docme615

21. mcdyhappymeals

22.wkirkt

23. jomari15

24. kevjosh

25. damleonardo

26. cheryleighanne

27. geeenn

28. deniseneri

29. crhaashjonas

30.dynamite-orange

31. princess_joy24

32. tweetyboi

33.meysii

34. julienien

35. constantjed

36. madameshakira

37. lonelyfiddler

38.kataaustria

39. dztn

40. iwieness

41. screamqueenie

42. ThisisCathyO

43. jercguinto

44. bevskiii

45. mackyCan (Happy birthday!!!)

46. adrianbenipayo

47. lancejoshua

48. wackytwist

49. princess_joy24

50. gossip-wag

51. gingbartolome

52. lifedawn

53. amafura

54. yottie-

55. yenyhen

56. abby419

57. katiepinkie

58. chie2287

59. fejibarr

60. jubeebs

61. freetilora

62. puddykatkat

63. schayurrii

64. maicaHorigue

65. john_ortiz

66. yannafeliciano

67. riknata

68. telai08

69. owrange

70. trishhilado

71. churlish08

72. clyde02_2007

73. regeenahh

74. aencille

75. empee02

76. yedah22

77. ms_bringas

78. espressochic

79. tinneeeyyy

80. the747

81. imzebzeb

82. rodmagaru

83. rlmelanio

84. jgalaroza

85. xanee

86. beia_027

87. lipistik

88. marioh_Caryo

89. kayRita

90. terefied

91. jeldirecto

92. marlon_112376

93. seastar_08

94. jeniperkz

95. iam_kookijhe

96. lyncaintic

97. strutegy

98. irracarreon

99. aliisa09

100. caxycai

*Note: Each winner can only win ONCE. If ever there was a repetition of names,it will still be ONE ticket.

Enjoy the show!!!!

Tim Yap

 

 

 
Been working non stop.  The past few days saw me running up to Baguio then back to Manila for hosting and endorsement jobs.  My supreme apologies for not being able to check on the PMs and other messages--I promise to respond as soon as I can, as much as I can.
 
I woke up early, ready to go to the airport, bags all packed for the City of Pines when all of a sudden, Abet tells me that Asian Spirit and Pal has cancelled their Baguio routes.  So right then and there, I had to do the road trip, which was fun, because I was able to catch up on my reading and all that.  I love, love, love BAGUIO!  I used to spend summers at my aunt's place near the luakan (airport) where I would climb the slopes of the mountains (on my own ha--not scared of any Blair Witch shit) and just walk around on my own.  THe other night, the party was for The Bar (you'll find out more about The Bar in my next posts) and we launched in Baguio.  The lines extended past Wright Park and the people were so so nice.  I always tell people that Baguio should be our fashion capital.  In Baguio, it is really about YOUR OWN style quotient.  When you have an ukay ukay as massive as what Baguio has, then it is not about what you can afford.  It is really about what you like, your taste as an individual.  I would remember seeing beggars on the streets and thinking inside, "Hmmm, parang I want to buy his jacket ah."  Some of the most stylish people are the ones who do not have a single cent to their name.
 
The night before that,  was at Regine V's house where Juday played personal chef, (complete with uniform and all) for friends as a call for support for her Ploning fund raising.  Juday is as down to earth as down to earth can be, I really admire her.  I am so happy to be constantly meeting and welcoming new friends in my life.  I move in all too different circles and I love the diversity of the people I encounter.  I always say that I am the  least judgemental person you'll ever meet.  I am proud to say that my spectrum of friends rages from The Tatler to Taliba--that extreme.  I look at friends and friendship as a semi circle, "always open."  You'll never know what you'll learn from people.  Life is so full of surprises and we gotta be ready to welcome them into our lives.
 
What were the recent surprises in your life?  Let's share--I've got a lot to spare.

 

_{This trip was too much of a whirlwind to be able to dissect into parts. One part was a restaurant hop with a gastronomic tour of everything from the yummy steaks at Peter Luger in Brooklyn to the seductive sights of stylish Buddakan, where they shot the engagement scene in Sex and the City. Our server asked my imaginary companions and I where we were from. “The Philippines!” We gleefully exclaimed. “Your President was just here last night,” he said.}

_{The next day, as I was window-shopping at Barney’s, I bumped into a couple of Pinoys. New York-based PJ Pascual, students Bettina Ocampo and Harvey Alumisin, interior designer-slash-top model Cristina Garcia, and surprises of surprises — my good friend and fellow Star columnist Jackie Cohen-Antonio! “GMA is upstairs shopping,” Jackie whispered to me while I tried on a Dior Homme.}

_{When I’m tired of shopping (which is never), I would just walk around Central Park, go straight to the Boathouse (I went to a wedding there once) and just observe life from another side of the fence. There lies the beautiful irony that is New York. In a city so chaotic and pulse-driven is 250 acres of green, which serves as the lungs for which the city allows its people to breathe. Inhale I did, as well as trendspot for the coming Manila seasons. Change is in the air, and the energy is so palpable I can almost embrace it.}

_{Exciting times up ahead, guys. Do you agree?}

 

_{Anyway, my question for this trip is “Where have the freaks gone?” I’m usually at the center of the freak action (being some  kind of a freak myself) but there used to be an abundance of them in my favorite city. Now I couldn’t find them anymore in the middle of a city so Disney-fied I wanted to sing Part of your World.  Even the clubs were more “how much can you afford” rather than “how stylish or interesting you are.” Is that how the world is turning out to be? Hope not. Maybe I just have to look at “lurvve” (as my favorite chef puts it) in the right places — in other places.}

_{Although I did get to see some form of a freak show amidst the wholesome clamor of a city that used to claim the “sleepless” title. At this place called The Box on Chrystie St., Lower East Side, recommended by my friend Christie Tan. It was New York-style, burlesque-grotesque, to say the least. A guy with his bare back facing the audience sang this litany of verses — different versions of “Rape me” — until he emerged fully naked in front of everyone, while a bevy of people were touching him and doing other things best left out in a nationally circulated family paper. If you think that was something, next came a giant woman wearing a giant Afro. She was fully naked. One by one, she pulled certain things from the most private of private parts (shades of Bangkok, anyone?) until she ended her act fully dressed. Nope, the shoes she wore didn’t come from “down there.” She got the pair from within her giant Afro wig. Thank goodness!}

_{From freak shows to Broadway shows, I made sure that every waking moment I had, I had a ticket in my hand. Most touching was Tony 2008 winner for Best Musical “In the Heights” which felt like it was happening right smack center of a neighborhood in the Philippines, what with the poverty, tsimosos, Latino influences and all. This new show also infuses rap and other rhythms, so it is the most contemporary and heartfelt of all the Broadway shows this season. Now that “Rent” is already closed, this is the town’s new favorite musical.}

_{One of the most talked about, if not the most talked about, this season is the Broadway debut of Daniel Radcliffe aka Harry Potter in Equus, a tale about a troubled boy and his relationship with his stable...of horses, as re-enacted within the confines of his shrink’s clinic. As I got to the theatre last minute, I got a stage seat, which means I got to be onstage with Harry Potter, uhm Daniel. It was surreal to see the young actor known to be a young magician wave his wand onstage like that — petting his horses and doing other things Hogwarts would never approve of. Still, Radcliffe is known to be a maverick, and from what I’ve seen onstage (I saw too much, too little), an A1 actor really intense for a guy his age. And it seems he’s been bitten by the theater bug, “I want to play Bobby in Stephen Sondheim’s Company when I am of age,” he tells Playbill. Giddy-Yap, my boy!}

_{When was the last time you've seen a freak?}

PHOTOS FROM LAST THURSDAY'S FOLDED AND HUNG STREETCAST SHOW  

_{Ahh, New York! One whiff of New York and I already feel the surge of energy that goes through my veins — love it! This is where I go for my walks of serendipity; just to walk as far as I can go, get lost and find inspiration from the most miniscule details that the city has to offer. And I wasn’t about to let the plane ride and my lost mobile ruin the rest of my trip. All systems go!}

_{When I was much younger, I would take random pictures of fun and funky people walking around Bleecker Street, only to find out later that the “random” person I took a photo of is a famous style scenester just on his or her regular night prowl. Stylist Patricia Field, the ASFOUR Group with their dog, Alleged Gallery curator Aaron Rose, party promoter Suzanne Bartsh and photographer Terry Richardson — these are just some of the “random” people I’ve met either on the streets or inside the clubs of Noo Yawk.}

_{One stop in a shop would result to a hop into a club, where all of a sudden I would find myself transported into a La Chappelle-esque world of freaks — beautiful freaks, at first scary but then you realize they mean no harm. A giant tranny at first sight may be intimidating, but so is your seven-foot-plus-tall basketball player classmate, who, after some getting-to-know moments, you realize is a softie. The chest of Amanda Lepore may seem to be as hard as fiberglass, but so is the chest of... let’s not go there.}

 

_{Who have you met that have had an unexpected impact in your life?}

   

 

_{One night in Los Angeles for a drive  around Hollywood to see some friends, met up with in-demand top model Joey Mead for some serious barhopping, and off to New York I go! Oh, but before that, I must remember to announce: while talking to Joey about that night’s plans,I absentmindedly left my phone in the cab. So for the next two weeks, I was without a phone (along with ALL my contacts) — so if you’re reading this (people in my address book), feel free to re-send me your contact numbers. To be perfectly honest, it was quite refreshing for me not to have a Manila mobile for two weeks. You realize your dependency on it as soon as you get withdrawal symptoms. In the end, I just couldn’t resist it, I got myself a US mobile in New York.}

_{Have you ever lost your mobile phone? What did you do about it?}

_{Flying to New York is one of the things I look forward to every year. It is here where I gather myself to unwind, reflect and let go. One big bite of the Big Apple is enough to last me a year’s worth of inspiration; the journey always rife with twists, turns, life lessons and laughter.}

_{I proudly took our national carrier with a first stop to Los Angeles to meet up with some friends and partners. To make up for lost reading time, I stock up on newspapers and magazines and try to read them all on the plane. After takeoff, I was happily reading this paper from cover to cover when the cabin crew decided it was time to switch the lights off. That’s totally fine and understandable, so I reach out for my reading light. It wasn’t working. I later realized that the whole business class cabin’s reading lights were not working. So the very attentive stewardess turned on the lights just so I could continue with my reading.}

_{Turns out someone on-deck could not sleep without the lights on. So to avoid anyone any inconvenience, I had my light turned off while I borrowed a flashlight. Yes, I read for about two hours or more on the plane, trying to finish a book about Richard Branson with a flashlight. It felt like one of those big blackouts in Manila, way back when. The stewardess was very apologetic, offering me anything she could come up with — chips, noodles, ice cream — but really,}

_{I was comfortable enough not to move. With a battery-operated flashlight to guide my reading, it felt like junior year in high school and I was cramming for a periodical exam.}

_{Upon serious prodding, I agreed to be transferred to their former first class cabin (they don’t have first class anymore, having converted the section to business class), as my hand had tired of holding the flashlight up. Okay, now I could read my books well without interruption of a flashlight needing more battery action. But now the seat wasn’t working. Sigh — the glamour of traveling.}

_{Instead of complaining, I just munched on as much Doritos as I could while trying to speed read another book on Larry King. I wasn’t gonna let the plane rain on my parade. I must say, Pinoy service is still world-class. The only thing that kept this “planeful” memory from being painful is the fact that the flight attendants were superb. Just like our country, we may not be perfect, but our people make up for it.}

There’s a lot to complain about with living here in the Philippines. Why do you choose to continue to live here?

Beijing was a blast! Sorry for my blog absence... been really hectic doing this whole juggling act of school, work, work, school and everything else all at the same time. The Beijing Olympics was a short but fun and exciting break from it all.

Watched the diving, water polo and athletic games…saw the track and field events in all its Olympic glory! WOW WOW WOW!

The Birds Nest and Water Cube are both awe inspiring on the outside…but once you get inside, it’s even more jaw dropping! I realize that these games are more than just global contests—it’s a proof that human beings can be better versions of themselves—beat their own record not just in games but also in life!

I found myself getting emotional as I watched the athletes getting their rightful reward. One can’t help but get teary eyed when all the things you have worked hard for gets recognized—by the whole world at that. I salute the athletes and everybody else who strive to make themselves better.

Dear YOU, what are you doing to make yourself better?

I used to be a speed freak. I used to think things could get accomplished with a snap of a finger. I wanted things done, fast. Yes, something did happen fast. I grew up too fast. No regrets, though--I enjoyed all my Jack N' Jill Chippy's and my Lucky Me instant pancit cantons.

My apologies for not getting to blog as much--believe me I do miss putting my blog thoughts down. I would spend my days, in my usual Tasmanian devil mode of doing one thing after another (despite my constant reminder to myself to take it easy, nice and slow) thinking "hey, this would be something great to blog about!" as a million and one things unfold as each day goes by. But the past few days have given me little, if not NO sleep at all. Work, work, work. Or wake up, work, work out, work it, work mode--work, work work, not that I am complaining--far from it. I am writing this entry with the view of the Manila sunrise, as I get ready for some shut eye, right before the flurry of meetings and appointments that the day has for me. Save to drafts, post, then bye!

Just a little round up: It's crunch time right now as I go on my last semester of school, what with the endless submissions of paperwork and presentations in class, just to make it in time--graduation (cross my heart, hope to die) is just around the corner--or not. We've also been working non-stop doing our Supreme shoots and meeting up with the team in order to beef up content and make your Saturday habit a better one. We've done our own little soul searching, and realized a lot of things along the way, and are now rejuvenized from the experience! David Milan and I are shooting daily, Pepe Diokno is modifying Supreme.ph site content and the rest of Team Supreme is breaking their backs to make sure our readers are gonna be happy ones. It's still a long way up, but one baby step at a time.

Last weekend, we had a our Taguig parish priest Father Elmer bless Embassy and held Mass for our employees as well. It was a solemn afternoon with a hundred or so staff who have all enriched my being a humble part of this establishment. I looked at them and realized fully well that aside from our responsibility to the community, we are responsible for our employees as well. So after we got the clearance from the city government to re-open with conditions, my partners thought it best to first host a solemn gathering for our employees. "Loss is their to give us life, not to kill us. Laws on the other hand, are there to guide us and not punish us," said the priest during his homily. At the moment we are working hard to install the best security infrastructure systems in place. There's a lot to be done, but we are up for the challenge. At the moment we are faced with making Embassy the safest and the most fun and most responsible place to party in the country, so please bear with us--we are all in transition. It's all a work in progress.

And while we are at it, I'm also in the process of organizing a surprise thingy for the 70th birthday of my mom (I'm not scared of anyone squealing since I don't think ANY of her friends and siblings have internet access). It's been awhile since she's had a party (she deserves it--she's sacrificed for us all her life, in ways you cannot imagine--okay, I might cry here--will save that for another post) and I think it's about time she knows how we feel about her. In our family we've never been vocal about expressing our love (very conservative background, believe it or not) to each other, but as I've said--it's never too late.

Not everything in this life can be achieved in an instant. Through all of life's little secrets, I've recently learned the value of "slow cook"--that things need to simmer in order for us to fully savor the aroma of life's most flavorful recipes. I look forward to tasting and fully digesting each and every dish that life serves. Bon appetit to all!

In your life right now, what's cooking?

I was happily enjoying the bed weather this morning when a phone call interrupted my deep sleep. When someone calls my private landline, I usually wait two rings, and then prepare myself for the caller. There is nothing more disruptive than a telemarketer sellling you everything from hotel cards to insurance at 8am, especially when you've slept at 5am after finishing tons of work the night before. Today was different though. I picked up the call, and waited for the person on the other line to speak up. He did speak up, not knowing I had already picked up the phone.

"Ano nga ba ang pangalan ng bading na to'? " The guy on the other line asked his office mate aloud. I waited for five seconds, for him to finally realize that maybe, someone was already on the other line. And that was me. "Ah, is this Timothy Yap?" he asked. "Yup!" I answered back. "Ah, this is _____ from HSBC credit cards, just wanted to follow up your payment," with the voice of a totally transformed collections personnel. "I settled my account last week, " I clarified the matter. I make it a point to always pay my credit card bills on time. "And I heard what you had just said. Have a good day." I advised him concisely and bid him adieu.

I informed an officer about the name-calling incident while still shocked at the prejudiced behavior that this "customer service" agent had afflicted upon me. I was tempted to inform Mark Watkinson, the CEO of the company, but I stopped myself from doing so. Instead, I requested his supervisor to have the agent call me personaly, so we can talk about the matter, man to man.

"Whatever you think of me is your business, I cannot control that. Being in the industry I am in, I am used to that. But your behavior was unbecoming and very unprofessional. It could have been anyone, and it would still be wrong. No one deserves that kind of prejudice and name calling," I told him in a very calm and collected voice. We were both mature, working people after all. He knew what he had done, because everything was recorded. He apologized profusely, saying that he was actually going to thank me because I had helped his brother in a fund raising event at Embassy. I let out a huge sigh--the harm had been done, and this guy's action was not going to ruin my rainy day. I love the weather, and everyday for that matter, and nobody's word (no matter how rude, or uncalled for--even if it was my "wake up" call) was going to change that.

Probably what was most disturbing was the fact was this guy used something derogatory to sound cool to his colleagues. While I had already forgiven him, it still comes as a shock that this kind of name-calling midset is still very prevalent today. Prejudice comes in many forms--mine came in the shape of a credit card collections agent.

Dear folks, when was the last time you felt discriminated upon, and how did you deal with it?

 

I've been on a whirlwind tour with inspiring people these past few days. I made this little experiment and asked some friends for some leads on young people who are making a difference. We gathered them in a studio and I just sat behind the photographer as I channeled Boy Abunda and curiously asked today's kids about their passions and possessions. In their early 20's, I was deeply surprised to find the level of wisdom and involvement that today's generation has. I met a young man who was able to put up a basketball court to meet the dying wish of a kid afflicted with cancer. There was this young lady whose passion is putting up schools for the underprivileged. Another was a medical student who told me that he was studying not for the grades, but for his would be patients. One girl wasn't sure where her life was going, but told me that she was enjoying every inch of her journey, even if things may seem to be hazy. Another one was the product of a gay father and a lesbian mother, and she told me that she lives her life unmindful of "judgement" and instead focuses on what is really important in her life--her family and her real friends. I spent my weekend with a poet, a graphic artist, a sportscaster, some students, and other millennial representatives, each one with his and her own interesting journey. They will make tomorrow's headlines glimmer with a great message--hope. At day's end, I looked up and gave thanks--youth is not wasted on the young.

Traditional media always makes us think so (one columnist I know ALWAYS laments about how people our age are this and that--and how different it was during THEIR glory days)--oh well, generation gap I guess. If anything we should learn from them and develop the GIFT OF NO GAP. The past generation is no better than us, or vice versa--it is just different. That is basically it. That whole feeling of "superiority" is so passe--it is a clear marker of "END OF SEASON SALE." There will always be lessons along the way as we progress in our lives but I think I'll be scared of myself when the time comes I hear myself saying "back in MY day, it was so much better, yada yada yada..." That is the mark that we have officially crossed the line into "ThunderCat" kingdom. When we become EXACTLY like our parents (it's not always a bad thing you know.)

Frustrating sometimes they may be, our parents are there to teach us so many things about ourselves and our lives. Communications is key. I LOVE my mom, I hope she knows that well. My dad too--I'm sure he is smiling in heaven. I suspect that he is the one behind all this shower of blessings and inspiration that is happening in my life right now.

Would love to hear from you--who are the people around you that inspire you the most?

 

My first full fledged office is in the newsroom.  During my younger years, I did odd jobs in the theater (onstage and backstage), worked as a promo boy for Tissot watches in the mall and even did those multi-level marketing gigs (Herbalife et al!), before striking out on my own doing entrepreneurial work.

In a hearing with the Taguig City Council to discuss the newly imposed curfew, I was giving my two cents worth about the city's nightlife and how it has been instrumental in shaping the city and the establishments into a tourist destination. Some city council member close to the Mayor grabbed the mic and abruptly gave his rebuttal, saying that we (or I suspect that the tirade was directed at me) are blinded by the profit (huh?) and the fame (what?!) yadda yadda and proceeded with all the pomp of a politician in a crisp white barong. The people in the conference room were shocked at his comment, for it sounded so personal. Clearly, he does not understand where other people are coming from. That the real issue is peace and order. And how we all want to make things better. In the end, he confessed to someone that it was because "he doesn't like me" and he wanted to slam my statement. Whew, I didn't know this was the high school debate hall. Well, I really can't please everyone, can I?

When faced with situations like these where you are instantly judged and misjudged (the story of my life), what do you do?

I saw an episode of Tim Gunn's Guide to Style (my first time to catch it--I'm starved for tv time) and witnessed how this 40 plus plus year old woman was clinging on to her 20s lifestyle.  Her "emotional crutch" was this colorful Betsey Johnson dress that she couldn't let go of--it represented her carefree 20s life.  It's  not like she had any plans to wear the dress again, but she just couldn't throw it out because it was too precious to her.  Mean ol Tim had some life coach character persuade her into throwing it out, and boy, she was heart broken.  Only when she threw it out was she able to fully move on and embrace her now 40s mind and body set.  At the end of the show, she was a changed woman, and Gunn gave it back to her, on a framed box.  She burst into tears because she fully understood the parable of the Betsey Johnson dress.

 

 My friends know this too well.  I am a self confessed technophobe. For the longest time, all my columns were handwritten.  I would fax in my articles (this was like ten years ago, not naman yesterday) and someone would type them for me.  So no, I never had a ghost writer, but a ghost typist.  I realized thereafter that I must step up my ballgame and conquer this fear of typing.  Blame it on my high school terror typing teacher--I was so scared when we had that typing exam when we had to be blindfolded.  But then again I realized--hey, what's there to be scared about the dark?  About what I don't see?

 

 

Yet even now living this new life as a student, as I take my Master's degree in Entrepreneurship at AIM, my classmates can't help but laugh at my typing skills.  I was one of the last to know how to get on Yahoo Messenger (along with two other senior citizens--I'm the third one) and now, I think I forgot my password.

 

 

I remember before, I was completely happy and smug with my most technologically advanced gadget at that time, the beeper.  My friend, an early adapter of techological trends, was convincing me to go and buy a mobile phone--that soon, almost everyone and their mothers would have one.  I said, "No!"  I intend to be lo-fi (as opposed to high tech) because I strongly expressed that I want to live my life in a "simple" way, to feel more of the real world sans technology.  Yup, I was a pompous caveman.

And now, the blogs.  My partner in Super (way back Inquirer days) Pam Pastor is synonymous to blogging and balances her real life with her cyber self.  All respects to her and her ilk, but I just never saw myself getting into it.  And then Jenni Epperson got bitten by the cyberbug.  And, I think the whole world, too.

 

Lately I went through a whole lifestyle change.  After my knee operation (ACL surgery, yup--like Tiger Woods--pardon the name dropping), I got into this forced stillness where I attained this wonderful sense of quiet--I read books, watched DVDs--spent a lot of time with myselfand Oprah. Away from the usual crowds, away from the clubs (even before it closed, mind you) away from it all.  Here, within the confines of my room, with just myself and my God, I found my peace.  It is quite funny and ironic for me that amidst all the storms that I have faced in my life and in my career--now that it is most chaotic is when I found the most peace.  I feel blessed, and thankful for this awakening.

 

 

I guess it is this awakening that prompted me to write you guys now, through er, this blog.  Maybe it is through this blog where I can express and share my innermost emotions (as far as I can openly reveal at least).  Just maybe.  At quiet times of the night, when everyone is still at the parties and I'm already home (early in my standards because I would have been still out normally at this time), it actually feels good to be typing away on a blank page, throwing my feelings out to the winds of cyberspace, hopefully reaching some souls out there--who are still awake.  Nightowls, ahoooooo...

 

 

I could get used to this...

   

It's 7pm of July 7, 08. In a rush now, just want to say, I've landed, and first let me check in and freshen up.

See you guys later.

TY

 

Look around you.

There are so many things to be thankful about.