In the name of all things adorably fluffy, Mr. Snuggles presents to you the latest penguin!

Ta-da! To that person who gave me even though I told that particular person not to, thank you <3

P.S. I still hate you for getting me this.

Note: Mr. Snuggles is a penguin from Atlanta. He likes mint candies. His picture was taken by the awesomemest, Ms. Rosanne Pendoza. Find her awesome work over here!

Global Game Jam – Manila Chapter

January 28-30, 2011 ♥  ITTC, UP Diliman

In the spirit of trying out everything in life because I have no particular life direction or whatsoever, I have decided to partake of the yearly Global Game Jam. Global Game Jam encourages people to be creative, with live feeds from all over the world, attempting to synchronize the whole process. It’s a chance to meet the people from the industry and other enthusiasts, hobbyists and game developers. Plus you don’t have to be tech-y to be a “jammer”, writers, artists, musicians and anyone willing to open their hearts to creating and materializing games are welcome.

Pre-registrations are hosted by IGDA – Manila, plus they also hold Monthly talks/meet ups and get togethers. You could join their groups over on Facebook. You can find my name in the list over here (oh, who’s the one beside me).

I came in late during the first day (it started at 4, I woke up at 4 and I live in the South) ended up arriving at around 8 when they were brainstorming, which explains why I’m participant no. 38! I got to talk to awesome people with awesome game ideas. I kinda stuck around my own flock (shame, and I told myself I was off to meet new friends) and we ended up deciding on collaborating/merging our game ideas.

Well, this is what my game title is. I started cramming Day 2 because I arrived 2PM. Everyone was in full swing, given a fact that there’s a high school kid here who’s going solo (so I heard and last year, he, I presume, produced his own fighting game– BY HIMSELF! Talk about Lordom!) and here I was struggling with the truckload of work I gave myself *face palm* but with constant pressures from Andrew (that he isn’t doing anything because I ain’t giving him anything), I drew away.

It was almost seven and I got hungry. But the moment I spent half my cash (I’m that poor!) on junk foods, the dinner came in. And oooh! With the stress of needing to finish everything (storyboard, character animations, level design, blaah!, music(?)), I succumb to sugar rush.

The guy pressuring me.

Things I fell in love with: This Canon Scanner. That I need to get my hands on. (I buzzed my Mom on Yahoo Messenger to get me one because that’s how much I love it)

And having random conversations with Miko!

I managed to gulp down 3 bars of Cloud Nine and a decent dinner (read: Bicol Express + half rice + iced tea) and here I was looking perky!

But I wasn’t perky, because after dinner, things went slow. I did the user interface for our other team’s half and I saw the immense amount of frames I had to do (because my game was story based). I was about to give up. Without a person to pressure me (also known as Andrew, he went home around 11pm), I resorted to tweeting, tumbling, chatting and internet surfing.

But when everyone was asleep, and they turned down the temperature (I couldn’t reach either the buttons or the plug), I went back to work. A cup of two packs of caffeine (and I rarely drink coffee, I prefer hot chocolate) and 3 hours later, I managed to skillfully (lol Gwen, now really?) draw, group my storyboards and arrange them in a neat directory. It’s 4:39 right now. And I think I did a good job with Stars Go Dim on repeat on my iTunes. I didn’t change pajamas though, and I have to sign up for the shower schedule later (yes, I’m still inside UP Campus! Isn’t it awesome?!)

I’ll post a video of our games later.

I did the user interface, credits for the other game of our group. And I did all the crappy doodle work on our half. All I could say is our games have planktons and unicorns. But that’s all! (considering all of them [the groupmates] are guys )

I remember Ross Delantar telling me that “you have to have fun when you’re making the game, if you’re not having fun, who will“. And that a game must focus on one aspect and do well on that, I think I did well on story telling. If you ask me about my game, I bet you’d smile. Because I really love my game. We’re not friends if you won’t even smirk while I tell you all about it. F*ck you, friendship over. Maybe I have a shot at being a designer #delusional!

I will add in music later by venturing through out on YouTube-or-the-intornetz for license free music that would suit the story but all’s turning up well. Andrew said he’d be here by six. Let’s see. I hope we finish before three. I still have to do the User Manual and Publicity stuff. Yikes!

I’m really starting to hate cramming.

January 6, 2011 ♥ Finale Art File, Makati

Robert Langenegger’s Know Offense is a series of light boxes drawn with doodles, whether colored by hand or through Photoshop. His exhibit runs from January 6 to 26, 2011 and is found on the Video Room of Finale Art File, Project Room, Warehouse 17, La Fuerza Compound. Inquire at 813-2310 or 812-5034 for prices.

I had the chance to talk to Robert who’s a very nice guy. And who would do my next tattoo *hint hint* He told me that some of his works were way back (I make it seem so long don’t I?) from his high school days. Along with his works were Alvin Villaruel’s Mostly Clear Skies with Scattered Charged Particles.

Twenty Ten: Lessons Learned

Twenty Ten is, perhaps one of those years that most people will have to admit, shitty. It was a roller coaster ride of emotion the more I look at it, the more I wish I had the courage to tell myself

everything will eventually fall into place.

No Excuses, No More Tomorrows.

We’ve all been held back by plans written on paper, on post its that fail to make us remember or to do lists we keep forget to cross out. But we often forget that the best things in life are those moments that we failed to plan, and even though planning might be involved in the success of it, it only goes well once you enjoy the ride. I’ve learned to look beyond the disappointments of having no one person to drag to all my misadventures and take it as an opportunity to know other people are willing as I was.

I’m especially thankful for long walks, whether lenten season or not.

Taking Chances only means you have nothing to lose.

The best part of having unplanned events is having more unplanned commitments or things that you never thought you’d do but would such as staying up taking pictures of bands playing their hearts out and meeting the people behind the music. I know I’ve meet people I could work with, that talent in exchange for talent does exist and that some people just want to have fun and make what it is they make. And that sometimes even if things don’t work out, something better will come along.

Don’t drink and commute home.

Self-explanatory. I guess. I learned this the hard way though </3

It’s not how long but how deep.

I’ve always thought that I’m not good at making friends and that when people leave my life, I feel torn and an immenseness of loneliness, a hole left in my heart that aches. But people do move on, there are just some that open up the window in your life, turn on a couple lights and leave. And there are those make a dent on the wall, a reminder of what is and what used to be but there are those that stay forever and make ways to stay connected. I could gladly say I found my forever friends. And that to find yours, you must be one yourself

Don’t be afraid to know when it’s enough,

to fall back in love and to walk forward.

Never fail to inspire yourself.

You should never try to walk away from yourself when there’s just too much to give. Even if you down yourself seven hundred times, out of those failures rises an opportunity to do it all over again. There’s just too many beautiful things in this life that it all goes to waste when you deject that. So try to redefine your life, yourself or borrow another person’s perspective. And if you’ve lost all hope in what you do, just remember that life’s meaning is what you put into it.

Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.

-The Tempest

Rediscovering Northern Luzon: The Streets of Vigan

December 29, 2010 ♥ Vigan, Ilocos Sur

The road to Vigan is probably one of the longest you could take, a two hour roadtrip from Laoag’s airport and an estimated ten hour bus ride from Manila. But nonetheless, I would be willing to hop on that trip packed with cheese curls, a suitable playlist and a heck of conversations from close friends!

The architecture in Vigan would be what the Philippines looked like during the Spanish eras back when villas, haciendas and barrios were what composed our country. Despite the chinese characters found in part of the houses, it thrives with delicacy and intricate details that is Vigan itself. Even the modern day establishments have been made to nurture this atmosphere and sustain this look. Even their Jollibee’s ceiling is pretty!

At the plaza!

The church at the plaza was beautiful! You know it’s old. We didn’t get the chance to see the bell tower that was right outside of the city, right in front of the gas station (but the last time we were at Vigan, we did! and the view from the bell tower is pretty) and just walking around the city takes you back to the days of what life could have been.

Amidst the vandals and the houses falling apart, there are constructions and you know that the people are doing very best to preserve what is left of this historical street! With kalesas as the only means of transportation to get by, you’re pretty sure that the only thing keeping you off the streets would be the people passing by. Do take a shot with the local ice cream, it’s even better than the ones here in Manila.

That is me and G doing a better job at hugging the cactus.

What you can take home from Vigan from one of its stores (other than tshirts, Buddha statue (?), bags and normal stuff people sell as souvenirs) are these cute magnets, bookmarks and key chains with Vigan written in it! I know it’s another normal souvenir item but you wouldn’t believe the things we saw in the pile. There’s almost any animal imaginable!

There’s a koala, a bear, a seal, an owl, an eagle plus of course a penguin (Thanks Kelly!). And who knows what this is!

And this is the famous bagnet we took home that served as our dinner later on! We couldn’t get through Vigan the whole day but if you ever plan on going there, go check out the Pottery lessons, taste their empanadas at the stalls in the plaza, take a ride of the kalesa, get lost in the history of Gabriela Silang’s love affair that happened in its streets and if you could spare the gas and the time, drive up north to see Pagudpod’s beaches and the Bagnui Windmills!

So please! Do go to Vigan!

Because I know I will!

Rediscovering Northern Luzon: Ilocos Sur Experience

December 27-30, 2010 ♥ Tagudin, Ilocos Sur

The Jollibee, Agoo, La Union

The whole trip took about 8 hours, top it with the fact that we went through both NLEX and SCTEX, now that I think about it, are there alternative routes? Most of the time, people were asleep because we left roughly 1AM. We stopped over at a Jollibee branch in Agoo, La Union. And Trivia: They only have three Jollibees in La Union (or so says the map on the stairs you pass through when you want to go use the bathroom). The place we stayed in Tagudin belongs to Archie’s Aunt. And if you’d want a getaway that’s far from the city, then you should go. The beach is secluded. And most days, it’s just you and whoever you bring to that trip.

The place

The sand is super fine. If it was white, I’d reckon that the place would be a sure tourist destination. The waves crashing on the shore at some areas are perfect for skim boarding while the waves deeper are powerful and beautiful enough for surfing.

The sunsets were beautiful!

Sammy’s swiss knife is very very useful.

Particularly for precision cuts

Archie’s Buffalo Wings and the Bagnet we took home from Vigan

Things we did in Ilocos Sur.

Play beach volleyball.

Messed around the pool. The type that gets physical. Not in a sexual way.

Walked at the beach.

Sat at the shore. And let the waves torment us.

Played in the pool some more!

Breakdanced in the pool!

Pillow fights

and late night conversations.

Took Yatco to the beach.

And bullied him.

More riding the waves.

Threw sand (and seaweeds) at each other. Mostly Eda.

Bury people in sand and give them dicks.

We also sang karaoke, went to the local grocery store, ate a lot of food, played ‘Killer’ which explains why Yatco is without pants in a picture above, played a version of football in the water (which turned with a lot of causalities) and chilled. There wasn’t alcohol up until the last night when they drank with the big boys. But everything was chill, everything was fun!

We also went to Vigan on the third day but that’s another post

Christmas Eve Dinner and Mass

December 24, 2010 ♥ Mandarin, Makati

Christmas Eve started with a lunch at Good Ah! My face is excessively round. You see what I mean?

I was never a fan of the holidays, other than you get to spend a lot of money on other people for gifts and get them in return. I mean, here I am, Christmas day, laying around in bed. That’s the Christmas spirit! For one, it makes it harder for me to lose weight or to get back on track. The holiday season is the perfect excuse to lay back, have your tummy flat fit, loosen up your pants and dig in. And as much as I love food, I’m having a difficult relationship with it right now. But nonetheless, I still had to dress up for that dinner, that mass and that awkward silence that comes from me when my parents start talking to me about my future and how I’m not a kid anymore. The fun thing though is, well, there wasn’t much tension arising from the parents. They’ve form a truce and focus on tormenting me. Ha! Just kidding.

I don’t want to leave bed.

I got this string of Topaz (?) for my birthday which I now keep under my bed because I have a long history of losing jewelry. (Or anything for that matter)

I’m probably one of the most disappointing daughter in this century. I stole the empty present box!

When Santa came, they had to ask Tammy to take a picture with him (not the other way around). And my Dad pointed out that his twenty year old daughter would enjoy Santa more than his eleven year old son. There’s some truth to that. He gave up Santa when he was admitted to the hospital and Santa didn’t give him the toys he wanted. I, on the other hand, became an almost spoiled brat.

He’s actually a zombie disguising himself as a ‘real boy’.

We haven’t had  a decent picture in ages. And I’m on the verge of giving it up. But what the heck. At least you could see that’s four of us standing side by side together on Christmas Eve. And some things are just better left unsaid. And that maybe music speaks louder, especially if that music comes from the heart.

S12 Christmas Overnight Swimming

December 22-23, 2010 ♥ Pansol, Laguna

Contrary to popular belief, I’m not really fond of being in the pictures. I mean yeah, once in a while, but I’d rather hold the camera than strike a pose. Evidently I’m not in any of the pictures here because I was out doing the grocery with Miko at Pure Gold. With the excessive flow of consumers, the time took longer than expect and when we got back, everyone was hungry!

I wonder why they’re all on their backs.

Half of the night was spent singing karaoke. I’m not really a singer. So, pass.

They cooked. I spent most of my time talking at the poolside.

This liquor is divine!

Sibling wars.

When Rus managed to figure out how Bli’s bubble gun works, Tan went mad. Everyone else was chill about it. But Tan went mad!

The place was pretty and convenient. It’s situated along the main road. Although right now, with the South Luzon Expressway traffic (and construction), way to and fro might take a lot of time. I got to talk to a lot of guys, catch up and stuff. But eventually we had to go home. I didn’t see the actual performance but Jen was a blast at the singing videos people took (namely Bli and Wilma).

The ride home was super duper funny. With the endless questions about Abs’ flighting course and random flow of how it went from airplanes, to birds in a truck then Tiger Woods. I have no idea. The things that go through Tan’s mind! But nonetheless, hilarious.

Tan: Bakit ba lumilipad ang eroplano?
Abs: Kasi may makina…
Tan(interrupting Abs) : E BAKIT YUNG KOTSE HINDI LUMILIPAD!

Tan : Chong pano kayo mag test don?
Abs: Basta parang practical…
Tan : So pano practical exam nyo don? Written ba?
Abs : =|

That was how most of the conversations went. Then came the dreaded question that

if there were birds that weighed all together 1 ton inside a truck (must be a big truck), the truck was weighed and the 1 ton of birds flew inside the truck, how much would the truck weigh?

Person who answers correctly gets a cookie!

Darren Criss: Live in Manila!

December 21, 2010 ♥ Greenbelt 5

Darren Criss is best known for his role as Harry Potter and song writing in A Very Potter Musical, known through the internet because of his various covers of Disney songs on his YouTube and shot to mainstream fame by portraying Blaine, a love interest of Kurt, on the second season of Glee.

He sang most of the songs off his EP Human which he self produced and released last year on iTunes! Then his last two songs were A Very Merry Christmas and a piano cover of his better known Teenage Dream. My personal favorite songs from him would be The Muse and his cover of Mulan’s I’ll Make A Man Out of You.

You’re a dungeon but you’re made of glass
Your prisoners have no idea they’re trapped
‘cause you look so beautiful inside
It makes us feel like we’re alive

It was nice to see a crowd that sang to his songs (and not just the covers of the Disney songs). Especially when he sang ones he self composed. There’s something about the way he sings live that will just melt your heart the same way it does when you hear his off the record. It must be his big heart and his passion for the arts coupled with skills and natural born talent. I’m selling him too much aren’t I? Whipped everything into a nice package, add a curly hair and an adorable smiles, then you’d pretty much get Darren Criss.

Under the sun pasta and Pandan Iced Tea from Kitchen is love <3

Afterwards, we headed out to walk around and well, talk. Because that’s what we usually do. The dinner at Kitchen was, as always, delightful. You should go try it! It’s at the bottom level of Greenbelt 3, right beside Seattle’s Best Coffee. Then as a joke, we went to see My Amnesia Girl, which was surprisingly good for a Filipino romantic comedy (if you take out the part that John Lloyd does have amnesia). But before the show, we bumped into the birthday girl and her boyfriend, Abe, who were off to see Tron! Which is a movie you must see if you’re into the same course as I am

I think I found my long lost brother!

December 18, 2010 ♥ Cibo, Gateway

Well, it’s Miko’s 19th birthday. So we do look like siblings? Haha. Even April from Fullybooked mistook as for siblings! But ha! I’m cuter >:P

Happy Birthday Miko!