Accekada

Dinner at Penang Hill in Promenade, Greenhills; Oct. 8, 2005.

2005-10-09T03:27:00.000-07:00

NISHI'S LITTLE ANGEL

2005-08-22T02:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Jobe, Nishi's adorable little angel!!

FOOTNOTE

2005-08-12T21:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I accompanied my boyfriend to the the Rizal Hall of Malacanang Palace where he was given the Outstanding Writer/Reporter of the year award by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (with members such as the tragically stricken Vizconde and Cervantes families). Hosting the glittering, nationally televised ceremony (it was live on Channel 4; unfortunately, we only realized that after the affair was almost over) was Cory Quirino. Also there was Rosebud (who turned out to be friendly with my sweetheart), and some other generals and personalities whose names I have already forgotten.
Guess who gave the award? It was President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself, resplendent in red and tall(er) in stiletto heels. This was one complication I did not expect, and it explained the tight security around the place. She looks exactly the way she does on television. It was pretty ironic the way she stood there and smilingly handed out plaques and trophies to the awardees, a lot of whom were working actively against her. I mean, VACC probably gave my BF that award because of all his articles regarding jueteng witnesses, and the anti-GMA stand of some prominent local bishops. In the end, GMA gave a rather long-winded speech regarding her administration and the state of the country, punctuated by expectant pauses and delayed applause.
We didn't stay for lunch. We had another engagement to cover: a Pfizer press conference at Makati Shangrila hotel regarding drug counterfeiting and Viagra. Hmm. Interesting combination. If you want to read about what I have to think about that, click here.
Unfortunately, you will not be able to find much about that affair on today's Inquirer except for a small footnote about PGMA saying some bull about juvenile delinquents. Trust her to steal the occasion by saying something controversial. Oh well, she will never replace the limelight in my headlines ;)

XINERJI

2005-08-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

~*~Result nr 8~*~

Your power is: Extreme healing powers

Explanation: When injured your body
focuses on the wound and heals rapidly, within
a few seconds. This makes you pretty much hard
to kill and you can help people in danger using
yourself as a shield. Almost anything is
possible in combat but you prefer looking after
others. In bad purposes you can do the same as
above but for evil intentions.
This power fits you pretty good since you want
to help those around you, and when you are
pretty much unstopable, that's not an obsticle.
You are caring and nurturing and are more a
pascifist. Even if you know there are much
unfairness in the world you still chose to see
from a positive angle because you belive in the
good of this world. You are probably friendly
and have a soft spot for people who are not
accepted. Though to others you come of as naive
and gullible. You could be taken advantagde of
if the wrong person comes around. Even if you
could be seen as pure, you are not that
completely since you're human and make mistakes
too.

Negative aspects: If your naiveness has
been making you blind for too long you could go
into dark thinking.

What Power is Compatible With You? [beautiful anime pictures + 12 detailed results]
brought to you by Quizilla

Ha!!! This quiz is one that I think a lot of you would like to take, especially Ace, and the rest of us who think that we had superpowers in another life. Remember Sailormoon? Hey, come back out, ya'll, the world needs us once again...

THE FIRST BIOACCE BATCH '99 WEDDING

2005-06-19T18:45:00.001-07:00

Last June 19, 2005, our dear Melanie Pauline Chao officially became Mrs. Melanie Pauline Chao Lo. The bride was radiant, while the groom, boyishly handsome Mark Lo, was positively ecstatic.

What can I say? That was absolutely the most spectacular, most moving wedding that I've ever attended. And I'm only talking about the reception, because we weren't able to attend the church ceremonies due to unavoidable circumstances. Very classy, very elegant, extremely well-planned (surprise! by Mark, according to the emcee herself), with no hitches from start to finish. Mel wore this lovely glittering bustier gown with a vaguely oriental see-through overdress, while Mark was princely in a flared black coat and slim pants which made him look even taller. They made a gorgeous couple; their pictures should have been broadcast nationwide. You could almost see the love flowing between them, like an aura. The cake was stunning, as you can see for yourself. John and Charo gave their tributes by singing most beautifully in several instances. We could only watch--and listen--in awe.

Melanie's love story has unfolded like a fairy tale from the start, and someone as kind, intelligent, and beautiful as our old friend deserves it. There was a great video which chronicled it all, and we were all teary-eyed by the end of it.

We can only hope that her wedding--the first among our Acce batch--bodes well for all of us who are still waiting to walk that aisle.

2005-06-19T18:45:00.000-07:00

Table 37

2005-06-19T18:43:00.000-07:00

Some friends

2005-06-19T18:42:00.000-07:00

Derma residents on the left-hand table

2005-06-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

Note our beloved OB-GYN residents at the background

2005-06-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

Vicky: "I wonder who'll be next?"
Ryan: "Well, you know, I was hoping..."

2005-06-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

"You're not getting any ideas, are you?"

2005-06-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

I wish Vincent were here...

2005-06-19T18:33:00.000-07:00

The happy couple, graciously posing for yours truly

2005-06-19T18:32:00.000-07:00

Our beloved John Jarin, singing for his friends. Go John!

2005-06-19T18:31:00.000-07:00

Slicing the wedding cake designed by Mark's cousin

2005-06-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

"But the cake's too beautiful to cut!"

2005-06-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

First bite

2005-06-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

First onscreen kiss!

2005-06-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

Mel and Mark's first dance as a couple...how sweet!

2005-06-19T18:25:00.000-07:00

Obviously, they can just keep dancing the whole night...

2005-06-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

You and me (with Charo sa background)

2005-06-19T18:20:00.000-07:00

Candid shot

2005-06-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

Candid shot again

2005-06-19T18:15:00.000-07:00

Special message from the newlyweds

2005-06-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

Da boys

2005-06-19T18:09:00.000-07:00

Group pic

2005-06-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

Saying our fond farewells

JOYRIDE

2005-06-06T21:21:00.000-07:00

Ace, Nerissa, Vicky, Sorrah, Doray, Ian, and I. Only the seven of us were able to go on our memorable trip to Batangas. Nishi almost came along, but she had to cancel because of a previous engagement. Anyway, the plan was to meet at Greenbelt 3 by 9:30 a.m. We eventually met up after lunch. Hehe, very typical. Good thing I brought a lot of money, so I was able to distract myself by buying sandals and starting on A HITCH-HIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY. Taking Ace's CRV, we then sped for Tagaytay, made more exciting by Ace's distraction and unfamiliarity with the route. Finally, we got there in one piece, but then we were confronted by two new problems: where we were going to stay, and what in heck we were going to do once we got there. After checking out several inns and hotels, we decided to head to Nasugbu instead where there would be cheaper accommodations and more activities. We ended up at Esther's resort, which had both a freshwater pool and airconditioning. It was also snuggled right against the beach. By the time we finished haggling with the owner of the place, though, it was already getting dark, so we had no choice but to have dinner early. We were directed to DALAMPASIGAN, a very picturesque place, rather like lola's mansion set in the middle of a wild and overgrown garden. We took lots of pictures before having a very sumptous dinner, courtesy of Doray, the birthday girl. When we got back to the resort, Ace, Doray and Vicky splashed around in the pool, while Nerissa and I helped Sorrah with her Grand Rounds. We eventually retired relatively early, all the while arguing about a world-shaking issue--whether or not the best channel is ABS-CBN or GMA 7.

2005-06-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

Bleeeh!

2005-06-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

Nasugbu beach, Batangas

2005-06-06T21:05:00.000-07:00

at Dunkin Donuts'

2005-06-06T21:02:00.000-07:00

Ang gate ni Lola Doray

2005-06-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

Are those UFO's?

2005-06-06T20:56:00.000-07:00

Sailormoon

2005-06-06T20:54:00.000-07:00

Waiting for the food at Dalampasigan

2005-06-06T20:53:00.000-07:00

The Waterfall at Dalampasigan

2005-06-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

Inside Dakak room

2005-06-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

Outside the Days Hotel

THE WEEK THAT NEVER HAPPENED part two

2005-05-29T22:28:00.000-07:00

The fresh, salty ocean breeze was the first thing everyone noticed. They all breathed deeply and looked around appreciatively as they descended from the airplane. There was an undefinable peace in the waving palm trees and distant crash of breakers against the shore. The air was crystal-clear, and one could see for miles over plains and flatlands. Soon, Nishi, Renz, Mae, Tung, and Bert had gathered at the foot of the airplane’s stairs, lugging their respective carry-on bags.
“Where’s Ace?” Mae asked, looking around in puzzlement.
“Probably still talking to one of the passengers inside,” Tung answered resignedly.
“You don’t know Ace as well as I do,” Nishi interjected wryly, pushing a loose strand of hair away from her face. “He’s probably talking up the pilot by now.”
The murmur of voices caught their attention, and they looked up at the plane, where two people were gesturing animatedly and standing at the doorway as if they had no intention of leaving.
There was no doubt. Ace was talking to the pilot.
Renz started to laugh. Nishi warned, “Someone better get him before he befriends the flight attendants.”
Anne Mae sighed and started to bustle off, but Nishi held on to her arm. “Not you,” she said good-naturedly. “You’re just as likely to start an impromptu party as Ace is.”
Anne Mae looked at her blankly, then chuckled. “Maybe Bert or Tung should go.”
“I’ll go,” Bert said resignedly. He strode off, and soon returned with Ace in tow.
“But they were teaching me a few words of Visayan already!” Ace was protesting half-heartedly. Behind him, the pilot and the flight attendants waved cheerfully as they headed down the staircase.
“We have a lot of time for that,” Tung put in, waving back and pulling . “Remember, Renz’s relatives are waiting for us.”
That seemed to do it. “Oh yeah, how embarrassing.” Ace turned all business. “Let’s go. What’s our agenda for today? It’s only seven in the morning.”
“You’ll see,” Renz answered mysteriously.
They were met just outside the airport by Tito Melo, Renz’s paternal uncle, , triggering a flurry of hugs and introductions. His eldest son Jom bustled around taking charge of their baggage.
“We have a little adventure planned for you guys today,” Tito Melo said happily, rubbing his hands. “What do you say about spelunking in one of our famed cave systems not far from here?”
The group exchanged excited glances. “Sounds great!” Ace exclaimed.
“Jom will be your guide,” Tito Melo continued, gesturing at his son. “We’ll just have a quick breakfast, you can change into more appropriate gear, and then you can go.”
“You mean you’re not coming with us?” Tung asked uneasily.
“Don’t worry about a thing,” Tito Melo said soothingly. “Jom has been there so many times he could go navigate the cave system in his sleep. Isn’t that right son?”
Renz’s cousin nodded bashfully.
They had a quick meal of Nesta’s batchoy which everyone loved and schemed to take home as pasalubong. Afterwards, they changed into more rugged attire: the sisters into sleeveless tops, shorts, and hiking boots; Renz and Nishi into baby tees, jeans and sneakers; and the guys into sensible cargoes and rubber shoes. Tito Melo advised them to use insect repellent and sunscreen, so they just applied them one on top of the other. Finally, armed with baseball caps, shades, canteens of water, and digital cameras, they followed Jom to the family’s beat-up van. Renz occupied the front passenger seat, while everyone else sat at the back.
“Be sure to come home before dark,” Tito Melo called, waving as Jom backed the van out of the garage. Bert frowned and turned to ask him if there was any particular reason why they should hurry back, but Tito Melo was already walking back to the house. Bert shrugged and decided the warning had just been a routine precaution.
“How far away is this place?” Nishi asked, making herself comfortable.
“Two towns away, or about forty kilometers,” Jom answered casually.
Ace and Bert, the seasoned drivers in the group, looked at each other wordlessly.
Mae understood their worry and laughed. “If the roads here are anything like those in our province, that would translate to about thirty minutes,” she offered.
Tung caught on. “She’s right. Once we’re out of the city proper the road will be practically ours.”
Jom glanced back at them, grinning. “ How long would it take you to travel forty kilometers in Metro Manila?”
“Realistically?” Renz closed one eye and squinted. “Two hours, minimum.”
“Yeesh.” Jom shook his head in disbelief. “Well, hang on, then. You probably won’t be used to my speed. Once we hit the provincial highway, I’ll be going at eighty to a hundred kilometers per hour.”
They all had a good chuckle at the irony of it.
The projected thirty minutes passed quickly. At first, they snailed through the streets as Jom carefully navigated through the swerving tricycles and morass of jaywalking pedestrians. Once they were free of Roxas city itself, the way cleared as if by magic. Jom gunned the engine as promised, the air rushing through the open windows of the van and making a mess of the girls’ hair.
No one seemed to mind. The group stuck their heads out the window and enjoyed the scenery flying by. Rice fields, fishponds, and forests flew by, dotted here and there by farmers laboring under the blazing sun. Everyone was struck by the friendliness of these people. Once they caught sight of the speeding vehicle with the city-slickers gawking out the open windows, the farmers waved or smiled cheerfully, without fail.
“Nice people,” Bert commented approvingly.
Soon, the terrain changed, and they began to see evidence of gentle ascent. The countryside became rockier and wilder, with more forests and less cultivated fields. The mountain range they had been heading towards seemed to loom closer and closer. The breeze rushing by became cooler. Something else changed, but it was a long time before anyone figured out what it was.
“The people are no longer waving,” Tung said softly.
She was right. They encountered less people along the way, and nearly all of them just stopped work for a moment and watched the incoming van with calculating, beady eyes.
“That’s how I would expect them to behave,” Renz said uneasily. “But this is creepy.”
Jom said nothing for a moment, concentrating on the road. “There are just fewer homesteads here, that’s all,” he said, his voice strange with forced confidence. “People tend to become weird when they’re isolated from civilization.”
The sisters looked at each other with eyebrows raised. The area wasn’t all that isolated yet. Jom was obviously hiding something.
“Close the windows,” Ace said suddenly.
They looked at him in surprise. “But we don’t have an airconditioner,” Nishi protested.
“I’m cold,” Ace explained. And he was. He was shivering violently, and goosebumps were visible on his arms. Nishi was about to remark that Tung and Mae should be much colder since they were wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts, but Tung grasped her arm and shook her head. Nishi watched in confusion as Mae wordlessly closed all the windows and handed Ace her pull-ver. It took several minutes for him to stop shaking. Meanwhile, Jom and Renz were holding a whispered but intense conversation in Visayan at the front. Jom was suggesting something, but Renz seemed vehemently against it. Once, she smiled back at them reassuringly, but her eyes were troubled.
Soon, the road began to slope upwards, and walls of vegetation and lichen-encrusted stone rose up steeply on either side. The cloudless sky became nothing more than an azure rectangle high above them.
“We’re going into the mountain?” Bert asked interestedly.
“Yeah.” Jom gestured, and the group saw the road dovetailing a few hundred meters ahead of them. Weather-beaten signs hung lopsidedly on a rusted post stuck on the ground just before the fork. Mapeligro caves said the sign on the left. Maliwanag caves said the sign on the right. After an almost imperceptible pause, Jom turned right and kept driving.
“Doesn’t Mapeligro mean dangerous?” Ace asked after a few minutes.
“Yes, that’s why we’re not going there,” Renz replied a little too quickly, glancing warningly at Jom.
“Thank God,” Bert quipped weakly. No one laughed.

To be continued...

2005-05-17T01:43:00.000-07:00

My 25th birthday at home

2005-05-17T01:40:00.000-07:00

This was taken during my 25th birthday at home.

2005-05-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

Damn those Toch people! gusto lang nila tayo magpose kahit na walang film coz we looked SO GOOD!! :)

2005-05-16T20:10:00.000-07:00

My God. Caleruega. This was such a long time ago! I miss the good old days, don't you?

Strolling Through the 3rd floor at 9:00 in the Evening

2005-05-16T19:55:00.001-07:00

Footsteps that echoed that morning
tap-tapping slowly down a hallway

dark

except for one shaft stealing
restlessly across the floor

Hearing voices
around the corner in the Men’s Bathroom
someone had already locked--
and there’s no light spilling
under the door

One room moans open,
its windows staring like eyes
half-blinded
by a fringe of palm leaves waving silently
silently at the sky

A half-step in and someone
who isn’t there whispers

You

are standing at the exact same spot
where a teacher once died--

Stopping
briefly between two adjacent stairwells
to look past the nothing on your right;

Because the moon isn’t helping,
and the light

gleaming off the grinning walls convinces you
the building

is alive .

--this is one of my favorite poems. it even has a story behind it. remember back in college when we'd stay until 10 p.m. in the main building, making paraffin slides? to spice up our pathetic lives, we would take turns scaring each other, telling ghost stories and sneaking around the hallways so we could jump out at each other. sometimes we'd succeed so well that we'd actually see or hear something, and we'd end up fleeing outside, trying to stifle shrieks of self-induced fright--

2005-05-16T02:13:00.000-07:00

What is this weird picture showing what seems to be a piece of paper? Look closely...very closely. I can't be more specific because the person to which it pertains to would probably kill me at the next opportunity. But I'm just so proud of her that I don't give a damn! Heck! Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to announce that our very own Antonette Badua Climaco got an impossible 99 in the USMLE! The proof is in the picture, which I was able to photograph before she could modestly snatch it away from me. Yesiree, and the very beautiful and vivacious Anne Mae got a commendable 89 too. What kind of genes are these??! These two are going to wreak havoc in the States once they get there. Congratulations again guys! We're really proud of you!

2005-05-16T02:07:00.000-07:00

USMLE

The Week That Never Happened

2005-05-16T01:10:00.000-07:00

“Capiz?”
Renz sipped her orange juice elaborately. “Yeah.”
“Capiz?” Tung repeated blankly. For a moment, the Jollibee longganisa meal she had been attacking lay forgotten. “Have you gone crazy?”
“She’s always been crazy, Tung,” Nishi interjected wryly, tucking a long black lock behind one ear. Her burger and fries were still untouched, but the cup of Sprite she was holding was already halfway down. “But you’re right. This time she’s really gone overboard.”
“Maybe not.” Ace, always the adventurous one, straightened up eagerly. A half-eaten French fry, still smeared with gobbets of ketchup, hung undisturbed from his lips. “What about it, guys? Renz, are you serious that you, you are going to pay for all our fares?”
“Sure. The whole trip’s my advance graduation gift.”
“We’d really like to go,” Mae said hesitantly. She exchanged a miserable glance with her older sister. “But you know my parents. I don’t think they’d let us.”
“Don’t think mine would, either,” Nishi muttered under her breath.
“You know we can’t leave without you!” Ace exclaimed. “We stick together.”
“Right,” Bertwil agreed loyally. “Guess we’ll have to make do with something less exciting.”
They resumed eating for a minute, sobered.
“It’s a great idea, though,” Ace murmured wistfully, not looking at anyone. “I could use some peace and relaxation right now, especially after that ludicrous hell week we’ve just been through. “
Everyone groaned affirmatively, remembering the gauntlet of tests and reports they had had to wade through just hours before.
“Sorry,” Tung said guiltily.
Renz reached across the table and gripped the younger girl’s arm, looking almost comically grave. “What would you say if I promised that our folks would let all of us go? For a week?”
Startled silence.
“I’d say you need to have your head examined,” Nishi said, dazed.
Bertwil just stared at Renz, his brow furrowed. “You’re serious.”
She flashed him a quick, delighted grin. “Quite.”
“How?” Mae blurted out, bewildered. She started to stand up, then plopped helplessly back on the chair. “Our parents barely let us out of the dorm, for heaven’s sake! And frankly, Nishi’s dad is—well, he’s—“
“A martinet,” Nishi completed with exasperated affection. “Typical Jap, bless him. Mae is right. No way are they going to let us.”
Renz straightened, looking immensely pleased with herself. “Correction. They will. In fact, they already have. I’ve taken care of everything.” She looked at a row of uncomprehending faces and started to laugh. “Trust me.”
Bertwil shook his head and glanced at his watch. “Famous last words. Well, I hate to break the bubble, guys, but we’re gonna be late.”
They broke up and started collecting their things, the usual flow of animated small talk this time stilted and disjointed. Ace was the fifth one to stand, and Renz detained him. “Wait a sec. Are you really looking for ‘peace and relaxation’”
He shrugged, slightly confused. “Yeah, I guess. If this isn’t Wow Mali, that is. I mean, Capiz is a rural province, right? Should be good for a few days of rest.”
Renz tried to suppress a chuckle. “Yeah. Rest. Right.” She shook her head and went blithely out the door.
Ace stared after her, suddenly feeling a thread of suspicion. “What do you mean? Hey! I don’t like that look of yours . . .”

to be continued...

2005-05-16T00:50:00.000-07:00

pose2

2005-05-16T00:49:00.000-07:00

Pose

2005-05-16T00:39:00.000-07:00

Friends

2005-05-16T00:35:00.000-07:00

Godparents

Congratulations again to Nishi and Bertwil!

2005-05-16T00:34:00.001-07:00

I would just like to congratulate my good friends Nishi and Bertwil again on their beautiful creation--Jobe! Isn't he just adorable? He looks more like Bert to me hehe. Anyway, we wish all the best for our first Intra-Acce barkada baby. May he grow to be as good-looking and intelligent as his parents and godparents!! :) Hmm, I wonder who the next parents will be? Stay tuned! :)

2005-05-16T00:34:00.000-07:00

Castillo family

2005-05-16T00:33:00.000-07:00

Acce table

2005-05-15T23:13:00.000-07:00

Guardians of the Dream

2005-05-15T23:08:00.000-07:00

Main Building Stairs

Hello friends!

2005-05-15T22:08:00.000-07:00

Hi guys! Isn't it great how technology is conspiring to keep us together no matter where we are? I'm saddened by the fact that we seldom see each other nowadays because of your (it used to be our, but I'm just bumming around nowadays hehe) busy schedules, so I decided to relive the good old days through this site. Anyway, I'll try to post pictures and the nonsensica that we used to waste our time on. Remember that blue logbook where we drew, wrote stuff in, and generally just doodled on way back in college? It's with me! I'll try to reproduce it here. Anyway I miss you guys. Hope to hear from you soon!