UP Madz wins world choral competition

The UP Madz won the 2007 European Choral Grand Prix in Arezzo, Italy last Sunday, the only choir to ever win the distinction twice. Now that sure is something we Filos should be proud about!

The University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers, also known as the Philippine Madrigal Singers or simply Madz, is actually one of the most awarded choirs in Asia, having consistently won all the prizes in the most prestigious international choral competitions for many years. Because of their impressive track record and musical virtuosity, the Philipppine Madrigal Singers is regarded as the one of the best choirs in the world. Woohoo!

Since a positive news item always starts me in a good mood, I might just be on a roll today and be able to write more than my daily target output of a thousand words. That would be something worth singing about!

Desk Cleaning Day

After meeting with my supervisors Martin and Clive several days ago, I realized quite a number of things. First, I should really make an effort to consult them, which includes seeking advice even for my chapter outlines. This will save me the trouble of chucking in the bin a good month's labor. Second, not all conferences are created equal. I wanted to go to an international conference in Melbourne where I could have easily written a paper that will fit in the conference's theme. Clive gave his go signal. Martin flatly said no. Bummer. He said they're not the kind of people he wants me to associate with and they're a bunch of loonies. Hmmm... I wonder if this is libelous. Hahaha. Oh well. He said I can just hike off to Melbourne for a weekend if I wanted to, and he'll fund me to another conference, but not this one. Sigh. He gave his go signal for one in Toronto. But that's another story.

Going back to the topic at hand, I decided to clear my desk. I have spent almost the whole afternoon just sorting through the piles of printed-out articles and what-nots in my drawers, etc... Sigh. And I'm not even done yet. Whew. Hopefully, after I'm done I will be able to proudly post a picture of my desk -- all clean, sparkly and fit for mental work.

Ninoy Aquino Day!

Today, the Philippines celebrates Ninoy Aquino Day. Benigno Aquino, Jr., who is fondly and more popularly known as Ninoy, died on this day (21 August) in 1983. I was about six years old that time. To cut a long story short, his death brought back democratic rule, catapulted his widow Corazon Aquino to the presidency, and their youngest daughter Kris Aquino to a lucrative showbiz career. Not bad, I suppose. All would have ended well, if this was a fairy tale world -- alas, it is not! So, grow up, kids. More than two decades after, I can not even say with certainty that the Philippines is now better off.

God is faithful

I do not need a degree in theology to profess this. Thankfully, I need no sharks waiting to tear me to bits to put God's faithfulness to a test. Come to think of it, God has been overwhelming generous with me. Not that I'm complaining. If God had a customer service hotline, I would probably be calling in to give my compliments for the excellent service. I'll probably ask the angel on duty if I can speak directly with the Boss Himself to thank Him personally. Yup, God is good -- all the time!

Turning 30

Since I am in one of my melancholy moods again, and when I’m in these rare states, talking (or writing for that matter) becomes excruciatingly -- if not cerebrally -- slow. Or I lose all syntactic sense and my sentences develop in a Chomskian manner. If I’ve gotten you lost this early, all the better.

As they say, when at a loss for words, quote others. So, thank the lucky stars for today as I spare you of my acerbic humour and I cook up what others have to say when they turn 30. This is not supposed to be my version of the Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for those turning 30, so give me some slack. The following list ranges from the witty to the morose, and best of all, I didn’t write them. Please address all comments, questions, suggestions and violent reactions to the authors directly. With a great deal of cosmic help from Google, here’s an interesting list of good reads when you’re turning thirty. The list sure did not do much help for me, so don’t get your hopes that high. Continue reading:

• How not to feel sad that you're turning 30
• A survivor's guide to turning 30
• Why turning 30 doesn't have to suck
• 30th birthdays have new meaning (from Hallmark)
• Eight things to do before turning 30
• A chick's guide on turning 30 (and like books from Amazon)
• Turning 30 blog entry (Heidi Fletcher)

Truly Asian back in Malaysia

My good friend Amy went back to Malaysia yesterday. It was certainly not a very happy occasion but I tried my best to put in a chirpy mood. And the natural clown that I am, it was not so hard a feat. Anyhoo, this entry is not about me.

What is left for me to say, but that I'll miss you, Amy (I already do!). Thanks for all the happy, fun-filled, and crazy memories. I've come to realize that the world is not that big after all, I'm certain that our paths will cross again. All the best to you, Amy!

Still wild at 30

Only a few hours before I officially turn three decades old, I pause from the humdrum of my laidback existence to ponder life's nagging questions, like: why can't I be on the beach the whole day? or why is eating pork bad for you? or why does one have to study or work? No, seriously (this is really tough for me) I neither want to pause nor be serious. Lol. I've always been and will always be what I am: crazy, spontaneous, immature, childish, carefree, free-spirited, opinionated, juvenile. I'll leave out my other traits for my other entries. Lol.

So there. It is nice to be melo-dramatic once in a while. And I could not think of any time more appropriate than this -- but I am just in no mood tonight. Hahahaha. Maybe tomorrow when the reality would have started to sink in. Lol. Oh well.

Anger Management

Today, a good friend told me that I have an anger management problem. Ironically, and quite rightfully proving the accusation, I reacted with rage. Thankfully, no holes on walls were accidentally made during the process.

Quite frankly, I am not one who easily takes criticism -- solicited or otherwise. Not that I do not want to hear my character flaws -- of which, I am fully aware I have heaps -- but because I consider it my personal prerogative to shield myself from the pain that such encounters do to my psyche. I may stubborn, hard-headed, conceited, proud, arrogant, self-centred, egotistic -- call me whatever you want to call me -- but I know myself. I am, in fact, my own worst critic. I am also my own shrink. I'm crazy in so many ways and the best part of it: I know it. I embrace my idiosyncrasies, my flaws and my imperfections with unabashed shamelessness. I take great pains to change myself and the last thing I need is someone to push me to the wall, give me hard punch on the face, provoke me in the process and expect me to walk away with a halo over my head.

For sure, I am no saint and this point does not even need to be belabored. What the heck, I can throw all cliches in the air and say, I am not perfect. Or I can be more creative and say that I am no dalai lama, nor have mastered the art of zen to hush the raving tigers within me and I may be imperfect in every way, ad infinitum... Those with the proper IQ will realize that self-deprecation can be cathartic. And if you have read this far and have not figured out what this is all about, then you may just be the object of one of my rare lunatic rages -- since I also have a low tolerance for incompetence and stupidity. Just kidding.

Going back to the topic. Come to think of it, I could actually make a long list exculpating myself. If I try a bit harder, I could actually also convince my friend and myself that I am not the one at fault. But these I will not do. I have come so far in my years and in my Christian walk to take the virtue of humility lightly. There is much to be learned in this world. God is trying to refine me, raise me and purify me: like gold tested on fire. And I will rise up to the challenge. Hard as it may be. Yeah, maybe I have anger an management problem -- and what the heck, a host of other defects too -- and if admitting the problem is solution enough, then maybe I'm on the right path.

Mark's 3oth

This entry is dedicated to Mark -- good friend, driving instructor, brownie specialist (lami kaayo!), drinking buddy, Cebuano language tutor, chef extraordinaire, partner in crime, Nintendo wii enthusiast (thanks, Jason!), bowling and tennis hustler, Smithy’s aficionado, Chat Chat Call Card Agent, Okuma frequent customer, wall repair expert (Bunnings Warehouse!), lechon master (nindot kaayo!), pro-active endorser, soon-to-be gym buff (hint hint), homonym joke authority (maison ka bai!), Kim Jong Il fanatic (Kim-Jong-Il!), Optus 49 cap plan holder (oh Carol!), true blue Cebuano, speech-pathology lover (ahem!), Carlo's voice impersonator, anak ni Malia, caring brother and thoughtful son (naks naman!).

Nalipay ako kaayo nang nagka amigo ta. Happy birthday, Bai!