the choice.

    I'm sure we've all been curious about a few things here and there, homosexuality and bisexuality being some of them. We all have those questions that we just itch to ask, but sometimes are too shy to do so. But we noticed that when it came to asking them the questions, we couldn't really think of what we wanted to know. We were stuck thinking... What did we always want to ask them again? I guess it's because in the moment when you actually get to ask those questions, all those random ones you've always wanted to ask, disappear. So this made it hard for us to actually come up with good questions.

   We had to interview two gay guys, two lesbians and two bisexuals. One paminta, and one effem for the gay. One butch and one femme for the lesbian. And of course, one girl and one guy for the bisexual. It was actually hard because most of the people we tried to contact were all too shy to be interviewed. Maybe because most of them didn't really want the whole world to know or something, but it is their choice anyway.

    We weren't able to ask all of them the same questions while at the same time, some questions they just refused to answer or were not applicable to them. :D

   The people we interviewed are as follows:
      Josel:        Effem
      Ted:         Bisexual guy
      Kenneth:  Paminta
      Mia:         Femme
      Alyssa:    Bisexual girl
      Aish:        Butch

   When did you first know you weren't straight?
            Josel: 1st year high school
            Ted: I suddenly had a crush on a boy/guy
            Kenneth: When I was 15 years old
            Mia: In high school when a girl had a crush on me. I guess I realized I liked her too?
            Alyssa: When I was 17.
            Aish: Ever since I was 13

   Have you ever had a sex experience?
           Josel: Yes
           Alyssa: Yes
           Aish: No

    What's the first thing you look for in a partner?
            Josel: Face value
            Ted: Face value
            Mia: Sense of humor
            Aish: So bad, but their body. hihi.

   What kind of toys did you play with as a child?
          Kenneth: Normal little boy's toys like swords, action figures etc.


    How were you sure you were a lesbian?
           Aish: because I really wasn't attracted to boys.
           Mia: I stopped liking guys. 


    Do you want kids?
          Josel: No
          Ted: Yes
          Mia: Yes
          Alyssa: Yes
          Aish: No

    Do you find it weird when tow pinks get together?
            Josel: Yes
            Ted: What's a pink?

    Have you ever been in love?
           Josel: Yes
           Mia: Yes
           Alyssa: Yes
           Aish: Yes

    Do you think it's strange to wear girl's clothes if you're a guy?
           Josel: No
           Ted: No, not sure. ( No preference)  
           Kenneth: Yes I do, I think a guy in girl's clothes is awkward.
          
    Are you proud to be gay/lesbian/bisexual?
          Josel: Naman!
          Ted: No
           Kenneth: Yes
           Mia: Yes
           Alyssa: Yes
           Aish: No


    Does you family accept your choice?
          Josel: Yes
          Ted: No
           Kenneth: No, They don't like it.
           Mia: No
           Alyssa: Yes
           Aish: Yes


    Do you think people are prejudiced towards you because you are gay?

           Kenneth: No. They treat me just like everyone else.

 

    Do you think it's awkward if a girl end up liking you? (She doesn't know you're gay.)

            Kenneth: No it's expected. ;)

 

    Are you ok with being seen going out or being in a relationship with another guy/girl?

            Kenneth: Yep.

            Mia: Sometimes.
            Alyssa: YUP!
            Aish: No


    I had fun interviewing them, actually. I was able to meet some great people and I was able to hear some stories about how people would judge them because of a choice they made. Why do people love to judge others? Why can't people accept others for who they are? Who are they to say what's right and wrong? Moral or immoral? Good and bad? Everyone is different in their own ways and I think it's in each person to stick to it and develop their uniqueness or throw it all away and conform to the norms.


Group Entry
Written by:  Mirabai Sebastian

Cinemalaya

I know it's been a while since Cinemalaya took place in CCP and Greenbelt. But I haven't been able to share my thoughts on it.

First of all, the only reason I watched at first was because my older sister was required to watch one of the sets for her class. I had no idea how good they were and I'm so sad that I didn't get the chance to watch more. I watched the shorts A set and I really loved the very first one the most which was entitled, Hanapbuhay. Thing about that was that you wouldn't understand the point of the story until the very end of the film, which was awesome. It wasn't as predictable as most films. In the film the camera was basically following this guy that would end up in places where, you realize in the end, someone might die. I had to wonder in the beginning why he was throwing rocks at the free medical check-up tents, or why he was cheering for this guy to be shot, or why he wanted this other guy to jump off the cliff and commit suicide. In the end, you find out that his job is selling coffins, and his job, business or work depended on people's deaths. All that time, he was just waiting for someone to die. And in the end when the film ended with a gun shot that made the whole family smile, you could tell that it was a good day.

I don't watch so many Filipino films because most of them are too dramatic. I just like the simple funny ones like Kimmy Dora or Tanging Ina, which used to be one of my favorite movies. I think that most of the movies nowadays are all the same. They have the same stories, the same setting the same... everything. Have they all been brainwashed so much that they can't even think of anything new to produce? This is why I think Indie films are the best way to really showcase the talents of Filipinos that do films. This is the only place for them to really be more expressive and creative with their ideas. They aren't limited to the basic plot of the commercial films.

-Mirabai Sebastian

EPICALLY SUCK. by Trixia 'trixie' Limes

I suck because .. well I am the only one who eats "Tamarind soup base". I literally mix it with kool-aid sometimes and start dabbing my finger on it and there you go. :/ I'll probably die from that cause of all the salt and shit but still. *laugh*  People have cocaine and I have this. :p I even eat it with mangoes and or other fruits/practically anything. I am also pretty tiny in height and in size. I stand around 4'11 or 4'10 and I wasn't bothered growing up as a kid. I haven't noticed my height till everyone else just started growing like beanstalks. I was normal when I was in the 4th or 5th grade. Well I knew I was always petite but , I don't know. It never actually bothers me but I'm cool with my height. I've learned to be comfortable with it and if people just tease me about my height. I think pathetically to myself, well bitch I'm prettier than you or if I kick your balls and break them what would you do?  :) It also took me awhile to ride a bike and swim. I learned how to surf first before swimming so I'm pretty much a horrible swimmer. It sounds stupid huh ? A Surfer that can't swim. Well I can but just not as "COOL" as everyone else can.




I am epic because.. I'm short but I am kick ass. Well not literally I've been grown in a wack ass city where you have to watch your back. I have been in fights with boys. NOT GAY GUYS. BOYS. I'm really short so people always used to pick on me as a kid. Until I played wrestling with the boys and started to get into fights. I learned how to catch my breathe when being kicked/punched in the gut. I learned that kicking guys' balls and then punching their noses is the best tactic too. :) ofcourse I was in between my adolescent period. I was around 6th-7th grade. I also played lots of sports as a kid( i.e. baseball,surfing and track and field).  I always thought I would turn out a bisexual chick or a lesbian for that reason. I hated softball cause other girls would get too scared to catch the ball or they would run too slow. I always hated how girly girls were. Although, I admit wanting to put make up as a kid. Maybe that explains why I like to prep up my face by wearing eyeliner and all those. I am also into cars cause of video games, I used to play as a kid. I used to play with my guy cousins and my dad. We used to play my "Need For Speed" games or my "Midnight Club". I was so into the machinery and customizing cars. I also know a few cars that my boyfriend doesn't even know.
Well I guess I can't go on and on with my essay so I'll end this with a thought I've been wanting. I don't know but lately I've been thinking of whether I should get a tattoo. I hope I don't wake up one day and repulsively plan to get one then regretting right after. I always wanted a reminder of my teenage years. I hope to add more stupidity to my collection. HAHA :) I like making mistakes they're fun and you get to know more from them. :)

-TRIXIE LIMES

The Epic Mirabai Sebastian

Here's my other half, my awesome part. ;)

I am Mirabai Sebastian and I am epic.

I am epic because I can eat and eat and eat and NOT get full. I've only actually gotten full 3 times in my life. Those were beautiful times. I tend to eat a lot so I think my stomach has gotten used to all the food going in my body.

I am epic because when I was 8 years old, I had my hair dyed gold. I originally wanted it to be white, but they didn't have it in the salon, then I asked for red, but they didn't have that either. So I decided to stick with the gold. look at my photos, there's always this shiny golden thing on top of my head.

I am epic because I'm creative, I'm different, and I'm unique. I am epic because I know when to be those things. I know when to use my creativity, when to be different and to always be unique.

I am epic because I have magic hands. I just have to raise my hand and position it as if there was a glass, and a glass of lemongrass will appear there. Although sometimes it is Gatorade or water. But the whole point is that it magically appears there without me uttering a word.

I am epic because I don't give a shit what other people think of me. They could give me faces and I would simply tell them to get a life. I ask people if what I'm doing bothers them just to make sure that I'm not hurting or offending them. Aside from that, I am who I am and I don't care what people think. They could keep judging me however they like but I won't care.

I'm epic because I graduated form Hogwarts. Seriously. No. I'm just kidding. But I'm pretty sure it's the closest school we have here to Hogwarts. I mean, our school is located far from the city since you can see the pollution from our campus. We have a forest right beside our school, just like Hogwarts, maybe if we explored it, we'd find a huge spider, but I'm not ready for that experience. Whenever I tell people about my school, they  think I go to Hogwarts. Good enough for me.

I am epic because I can sing like a guy while singing opera style. You will see me one day performing on a stage doing Any Dream Will Do from Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and I can sign like I'm Phantom of the Opera.

I am epic because I start trends. They say that imitation is the best form of flattery, but I have to say it suck at the same time. But it doesn't have it's perks.

I am epic because I can make my own stuff and it doesn't seem like I just made it myself. Most of the time, something I make from a scrap of cloth turns into a signature accessory.

But in the end, maybe I just suck. Maybe the level of my "suckiness" is so great that it reaches an all new level of EPIC. I epically suck! I'm so epic because I suck. I suck so much that people would be so shocked at how much I suck that they think it's epic.

By Mirabai Sebastian

I Suck.

I am Mirabai Sebastian and I suck.

I've been thinking about what to post for this for a while now. But It's come to a point where it's write or fail. Well, I probably won' fail yet just because of one essay that I haven't written, but you get the point.

I think we all suck in our own little ways. We're a balance of complete loser and total awesomeness. But we often fail to see the difference. I still don't know which part of me is which. Most of the time, my friends tell me suck because of something awesome I did. Then they go ahead and tell me I'm awesome, sarcastically, after I do something wrong. That doesn't exactly help, does it?

So, why do I suck? I suck because I am completely stupid when it comes to academic shit. I'm not even kidding. I wish I could say otherwise, but it would be a lie. I suck because, make me take a test on some science or something completely academic and I will fail. I'll study all night and still fail. That's because all I am is street smart. Make me read a textbook, I'll fall asleep. Make me read a book, I'll start zoning out and doodling or daydreaming about being anywhere but there, reading a book.

I suck because when I was in grade five, my teacher told my dad to bring me to the eye doctor to have my eyes checked because she thought something was wrong with my eyesight. Although I knew that the only thing wrong was that I didn't know how to read. Even as a fifth grader, I sucked.

I suck because I turn into a monster when I drive. That doesn't mean I'm a horribly wild and reckless driver, it just means that you put me in the driver's seat, add some traffic with some crazy pedestrians and I will curse until I've parked. I will get pissed off even at the street children that keep wiping the windshield when it's raining. I will honk my horn from my tiny Suzuki Swift until I don't see your car. If cars didn't break and people didn't get hurt in them, the drivers out there would have been bumped by me endlessly. I will not stop until they realize just how stupid they are.

I suck because at the age of thirteen, I wanted to be a fashion designer and I dressed up like a freakin' hobo. Okay, maybe that's taking it too far. But looking back, what I would wear was just disgusting. I would have puked at myself if I could.

I suck because if you're doing something you really shouldn't be doing, I will tell. I can be a tattletale but only because I have to follow rules. If I have to do it, so should you.

I suck because I pretend to be German by using a fake German accent and when I start speaking in Filipino, I start to speak with a Chinese accent. I suck because I can't stop. After a few days of speaking like that, I lost control of my own speech. Even my grammar started getting mixed up that my mind was getting insanely retarded, not knowing what "language" to speak in.

I suck because I'm bipolar. I'll like you on second the next, I'll want to stab you with a knife. I will be your friend, then ultimately hate you after.

I suck because I am this tall giant who scares people away. I suck because when people see me, they think I'm some smoking bitch that loves to party.

Lastly, I suck because I always say I'm awesome even though I know I'm not.

By Mirabai Sebastian

Why am I EPIC? by: L. Tan.

           All of us are unique and all of us have our own epic shits. Sometimes we do epic stuff that is way beyond the expectations of others. Our epicosity is only limited by our own capabilities and bitchyness. At first glance you may think that I'm just a fat-ugly loser that sucked all his life. But in this essay is not for the weak heart because once you read this and found out how epic I am,you might have a heart attack, son of a gun!
           I'll share you some things that(I think) makes me EPIC! I can do the "bridge" even though I'm fat. Seriously I can do it. :) Yes, I know it looks impossible for my physique to do such thing. I am weird. Weird like... I like sweet treats with a little bit of salt something like caramel popcorn, it tastes better with a pinch of salt. (; I can dress myself even though I'm fat. (except for Swendnesdays (Sweats Wednesdays) and lazy days) I have epic friends. I can cook. (lol how do you think I got this fat. I have to finish everything that I cook) I almost lost 30lbs. (think 29.9 something) but regained it partially (lol and I don't have plans to regain it all back). I can already cross the street unlike before even in high school I was struggling to cross a one way street. Seriously. No kidding. I am also epic because I want to be different, different is good. I got featured at www.stylebible.ph lol it's rare to be featured in a website designed for the slender and fashionable ((; .
And lastly, I am EPIC because I'M A FREE BITCH BABY!! Because Lady GaGa told me so :)). Watcha think about me now bitch?

 
 
 To end this essay I want to share to you this song:
I'm Awesome - Spose

watch the video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYws8biwOYc
Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome...
I don't necessarily need to be here for this...
I'm gonna keep the headphones though...
Mother fucker I'm awesome!
No you're not, dude don't lie
I'm awesome!
I'm drivin around in my mom's ride
I'm awesome!
A quarter of my life gone by
And I met all my friends online
Mother fucker I'm awesome!
I will run away from a brawl
I'm awesome!
There's no voicemail, nobody called
I'm awesome!
I can't afford to buy eight balls
And I talk to myself on my Facebook wall



You know my pants sag low (low)
Even though (though) that went out of style
Like ten years ago (go)
Spose, I got the swagger of a cripple
I got little biceps,
Getting fatter in the middle



And lyrically I'm not the best :)
Physically the opposite of Randy Moss and yet
So preposterous
Feel the awesomeness, the most obnoxious
Guest up at the sausage fest
Oh yes!
The girls are repulsed
So I hide in my hood like i'm joining a cult
Uh Uhh
I'm as nervous as my cat Ol' Dirty Curtis
All my writtens are bitten and
All my verses are purchased
Me? I'll never date an actress
Got too many back zits
Plus my whole home aroma is cat piss
Every show i do is poorly promoted and if you like this,
It's cuz my little sister wrote it



I'm awesome!
No you're not, dude don't lie
I'm awesome!
I'm drivin around in my mom's ride
I'm awesome!
A quarter of my life gone by
And I met all my friends online
Mother fucker I'm awesome!
I will run away from a brawl
I'm awesome!
There's no voicemail, nobody called
I'm awesome!
I can't afford to buy eight balls
And I talk to myself on my Facebook wall
I'm awesome



Check it out



I'm from Maine and I don't hunt, nope
And I can't ski
Smoke weed but I can't roll blunts
Find me whipped by my wifey
My neck not icy
Eatin at McDonalds because Subway's pricey



Uh, and my unibrow is plucked
Just asked my mom if I could borrow ten bucks
She's like "For what?
Blunt wraps and some Heineken?
You skinny prick, go get a gym membership and vitamins!"
I'm like, Mom please, don't blame it on me
I got my bad habits from you, Dad, and Aunt Steve
My attitude's sour but my futon's sweet,
And the hair on my ass, it is Jumanji




Suit untailored, ringtone Taylor Swift
Can't tweet up on my Twitter
Cuz I haven't done shit
Bank account red, body ungroomed
The only thing good about me is I'm off stage soon



I'm awesome!
No you're not, dude don't lie
I'm awesome!
I'm drivin around in my mom's ride
I'm awesome!
A quarter of my life gone by
And I met all my friends online
Mother fucker I'm awesome!
I will run away from a brawl
I'm awesome!
There's no voicemail, nobody called
I'm awesome!
I can't afford to buy eight balls
And I talk to myself on my Facebook wall
I'm awesome



Futhermore I'm cornier than Ethynol
Cheesier than Provolone
I spent ages eight to ten living in a motor home
With an ego the size of Tim Duncan
Even though I got shit for brains like a blumpkin
I'm twenty four, serving lobster rolls
Because I spent a decade filling optimos
And I'm not even the bomb in Maine
On my game I'm only about as sexy as John McCain
Now put your hands up,
If you have nightmares
If you wouldn't man up if there was a fight here
If you got dandruff, if you drink light beer
I'm outta breath...



But I'm awesome!
No you're not, dude don't lie
I'm awesome!
I'm drivin around in my mom's ride
I'm awesome!
A quarter of my life gone by
And I met all my friends online
Mother fucker I'm awesome!
I will run away from a brawl
I'm awesome!
There's no voicemail, nobody called
I'm awesome!
I can't afford to buy eight balls
And I talk to myself on my Facebook wall
I'm awesome

Corinne Sucks.

            Hello. I’m Corinne Syquia, and I’m going to give you a few reasons why you wouldn’t want to be me.

            First of all, I’ve got a lot of self-loathing. A lot of times I look at myself in the mirror and think of all the other girls who should feel lucky they don’t have my face or body. It isn’t just about looks, either; a lot of times I’m not very confident about my own intelligence, or talents. I also think that I would never be good enough for anybody; a good enough friend, a good enough girlfriend (I've yet to acquire such a position, though), a good enough sister or daughter. As a result, I spend a lot of my time envying other people for what they have and just as much time being depressed over what I don’t have.

             I’m kind of proud. Saying sorry doesn’t usually come easy for me and sometimes I just can’t take that some people are better than me at some things. The same goes for criticism; sometimes my pride won’t allow me to accept that sometimes my best simply isn’t good enough.

             I’m painfully shy, self-conscious and I care too much about what other people think about me. This is why I find it difficult to talk to certain people; I’d prefer to keep quiet instead of saying something silly or embarrassing. I live in the constant fear that whatever stupid thing I’d say would stick in mine and other people’s heads forever and I hate myself for it. A lot of days I wish I could just loosen up.

            As I wrote all the things I absolutely hated about myself, a few realizations came to mind: first, is that everybody’s got something wrong with them. Nobody’s perfect, and everyone’s got something about themselves that they absolutely hate. Second, the more positive outlook to this is that everybody has the ability to change and improve themselves. I always believed that nobody has an excuse to not become a better person. It’s about time I applied that to myself.

Epic Corinne!

             So now I’m going to give a few reasons as to why I am epic.

            I know I’ve got some self esteem issues (especially in terms of my looks), but I do have one attractive feature: my legs. So maybe they’ve got mosquito bites here and there, but they’re long and slender-looking and shaped quite nicely. They look quite nice with high heels too. Some of my girl friends envy me for them, and when they tell me so it’s a great confidence-booster. I don’t really have much else to be proud of in terms of physical appearance.

           In terms of talent, I’m proud to say that I can draw. I’m no Da Vinci, but I think I draw well enough for people to be impressed.
            I believe I'm a nice person. I mean, I'm not a complete angel, but I know I'm a good girl at heart and I'm nice enough to be liked by the general. I'm also incredibly optimistic; the glass almost is never half empty for me.

            As for my family, I’ve probably got the best there is. I’ve got a loving mother and father who are willing to give the world to me (if they could afford it), and two older brothers who I could shove around – and who’d shove me back – and still love me no matter what. Oh, and the household help has been around since I was a kid, so they’re kind of like family too – and we all live happily under one roof.

            I could say the same for my friends – my high school friends more so. They’re the sisters I’ve never had. They’ve cried with me and laughed with me, and they’re the only people in the world who would man up and tell me if there’s something I did wrong. Oh, and we have our own private Facebook group. Does your group of friends have a private Facebook group? I didn’t think so.

            Lastly, I’m epic because I graduated from Assumption College. I know there are people who would make fun of me because of that (“tusok-tusok the fishball,” anyone?), but I’m proud to have come from such a wonderful place with such wonderful people. Oh, and we have nice red plaid uniforms. Enough said. 

- By Corinne Syquia

I SUCK..... By: L.Tan

            People has those days where they really suck. Basically in my case I sucked for the past 5 years of life. "Do you ever feel like a plastic bag drifting through the wind" -Katty Perry (Firework). Yes! That is how exactly how I feel, I feel really irrelevant and everything seems to be disconnected. Well, like Hanna Montana a.k.a. Miley Cyrus would say: "Everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days" well it's not true Miley! Those days are happening to me everyday so I guess Disney was right to get you as one of their artists because you're being fictional. I am fat, miserable and a loser.

          My fairy tale life(lol not really fairy tale life but u get what I mean. (; ) starts crumbling down when I entered high school. Yes, this should be the best four year of my life right? But hell no! I was teased and beaten up emotionally. I even considered suicide. Being bullied by others made me want to dropout of school I felt so vulnerable I feel like the whole world is against me then the moment I thought my home is my sanctuary I was wrong, family problems started to rise like sibling rivalry, my aunts and uncles fighting my parents. I don't really get it you know. I just wish someone will rescue me from this misery and take me to a great escape (hahahhaahhahaha dream on bitch!). Well I guess life gets really hard as we age. I remember when I was little I want to grow up soooo badly so that I can join the older crowd ( think 3-5 years gap) but thinking of it from where I am right now, I wish I was still being watched over by my nanny. I wish to bring back all those years when I was still innocent and don't have to care much of what's going around me. I wish I can go back to the time where the hardest decision to make is just choosing the color of crayon that I am going to use. Well, it's too late now. Have I ever told u that I almost lost 30 pounds? (29.9 something) unfortunately I regained it... partially (don't worry I'm working on it.(; ) so see I sucked! I can't even control my mouth. Seriously life is hard and I know that this is just starting but I will prepare myself to what ever fuckin' it is that I have to face.

          So to all the things that made my fairy tale life come crumbling down.......
Look inside
Look inside your tiny mind
Now look a bit harder
Cause we're so uninspired, so sick and tired of all the hatred you harbor

So you say
It's not okay to be gay
Well I think you're just evil
You're just some racist who can't tie my laces
Your point of view is medieval

Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
Cause we hate what you do
And we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
Cause your words don't translate
And it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch

Do you get
Do you get a little kick out of being slow minded?
You want to be like your father
It's approval you're after
Well that's not how you find it

Do you
Do you really enjoy living a life that's so hateful?
Cause there's a hole where your soul should be
Your losing control of it and it's really distasteful

Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
Cause we hate what you do
And we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
Cause your words don't translate and it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you,
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you,
Fuck you

You say, you think we need to go to war
Well you're already in one,
Cause its people like you
That need to get slew
No one wants your opinion

Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
Cause we hate what you do
And we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
Cause your words don't translate and it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch

Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you 

-Lily Allen (Fuck You Very Much) 

:D

Zarah is EPIC! (by Zarah Jeanine O. Mendoza)

Zarah is Zarah, no one can be like me, I am the master of my fate, Zarah is Zarah because I have only my pride to keep me going and that is my virtue, not only by being a virgo, I fight for what I know what is right and I stick to my own decisions, I'm strict with time even though I am late in some class, well... Zarah will be Zarah for Zarah has to be clean and healthy before she can go outside, and that is my strong point.

I am Zarah, I may not look like it, but I'm a former DOTA player way back in UST, I'm a Champion in playing Tekken in highschool, a former Cdt. Lt. Col. Officer in CAT gone through hazardous military training in miniskirt and heels. I may look a B but I'm not SORRY, I admit it, I had many suitors before but I only have gone into 4 relationships including my present now, and lastly I may look like a party girl but I don't know how to drink and party, I'm a consecutive Dean's Lister and I hope to get the 3rd one this term for my Scholarship, that is Zarah for you, EPIC Zarah.

Zarah SUCKS! (by Zarah Jeanine O. Mendoza)

I am something that you guys can call, "Zarah SUCKS" why? its because IM S for Sexy in my own ways, U for making others Under my power, C for Cat like... because when dogs bark at me, I meowed and scratch 'em back, K for kulet as in KULET literally I may not look like that but I'm sure, once you guys know me better I can one helluva of KULET :) and last but not the least another S for...



S-U-N-G-I-T or snobbish, first impression may last but hey, I'm an orange! just kidding (annoying orange) I'm snobbish when I don't like a person, in a way he/she may irritate me, those people who are pretending to be someone who they are not, but don't get me wrong, I'm also one of the friendly girls out there just approach me and I'm willing to give you a talk or two :)

FAD by Zarah Jeanine Mendoza

We (Filipinos) tend to go with the fad (always) and sometimes we are told to be people without the "sense of originality". Influenced by Globalization and the set of standards by the beauty and fashion experts in the present time, we tend to imitate and go with the flow without think first of our sense of originality. First, being not contented. Second. you want to be IN. And Third, Crab Mentality. These are the reason why we tend to go with the FAD and being not proud of what we have already. It's not bad to hope or wish for a better appearance when it comes to beauty and fashion, improvement is the key. But exaggeration, is not good. Soon it will become an addiction to aesthetics resulting to dissatisfaction.

          Some of these examples may hurt somebody, but it's not intended to hurt those people. So, here it goes. First, Cosmetic Surgery. You do this because...

1.) Boost of Self Confidence or Esteem.

2.) Self Improvement in Appearance and inner self.

3.) FAD

4.) You are disabled or have a deformed body parts (Deformities).

5.)Want to impersonate other person.

6.) Need to disguise.

7.) Want to be like a Model of the Set Standards of Beauty by the Society.

8.) All of these reasons comes from the influence of others and dissatisfaction of self.

 Although it really hurts to be under a knife and pain just to be beautiful. "NO PAIN, NO GAIN".

These are the benefit of cosmetic surgery...

Wait! Before you make up your mind to change something you don't want in your body or in your face because you are impressed on what you have seen from others. Here are some of the consequences you can face:

1.) Scars ( from the operation)

2.) Pain on the part operated.

3.) Cancer risk because of silicon and foreign material inserted to your body.

4.) You have to repeat the surgery if it goes wrong or you have to.

5.) or you'll end up like these...

Second, Fashion. Filipino's Fashion is influenced by the foreigners. Today, Korean Fashion is fad among Filipinos. Fashion trend  is set by the famous people. Our national dress is influenced by the Spaniards. Business Attires are influence of the Western People. Filipinos are corrupted by Crab Mentality (Western Influence). Filipinos love imported that is why the local goods and brands are in great danger of being extinct and will just flunk in the economy. I don't need to mention brands. Have you ever heard of a famous clothing brand name here and abroad owned by a pure Filipino? Maybe. we had some. But we don't recognize it.

Why I suck and Why I am epic by Jessica Ouano

Why I suck...

Well for starters I'm such a push over. I always let people tell me what to do because I care too much about what other people think. I always wanna be the good guy. Even if I have to go way out of my way to do things I would do it just to please everyone. Sometimes I also feel like I can't speak my mind because I'm afraid of what other people might think so I normally keep things to myself. Another thing that sucks about me is that I'm super careless. I forget things all the time. I also tend to make to stupid mistakes and sometimes it seems like I have no common sense at all. I always need people to point things out to me before I understand it. Also I tend to give up easily and break down. If things don't go the way I plan I don't even think about coming up with other options I just give up right away. I am a one-track minded person and I only like to concentrate on one thing and I forget about the rest. I also have this tendency to be jealous of the other people around me. It's human nature but then I get way too caught up in it. I have a thing for comparing myself with others. I always try to find ways to be better than the other person instead of just being the best I can be. I also tend to be a very negative person. I always see the bad side of things before I see the good side. I guess it's because I don't like facing the consequences or making an extra effort. Those are the flaws I see in myself that I absolutely hate and wish I could change.

Why I am epic...

I guess I can say I am epic because I do this absolutely amazing hobby that sets me apart from everyone else and that is of course COSPLAY. :) I've been cosplaying for 4 and a half years now and through the years i've been able to accomplish so much. On my 3^rd year of cosplay I submitted my pictures to a website that was going to feature cosplyers from all over the world in an international cosplay book called OTACOOL 2: Worldwide Cosplayers. It was a long shot but with a bit of luck I was able to make it in the book together with hundreds of other cosplayers from all over the world. The best part was that I even made it on the cover together with 13 other amazing cosplayers. It was quite a shock to be in it because I was just some amateur cosplayer who didn't really have so much to show for. There were definitely a lot of other people better than me. I was so happy to just to get into the book because I got to be one of the 4 filipino cosplayers to be featured in the book together with the amazing Alodia Gosiengfiao and her adorable sister Ashley as well as the epic and oh so gorgeous Monique Dimaling. It was the biggest accomplishment of my entire cosplay career and to think I just started cosplaying. I believe I was the youngest cosplayer in the entire book. I was 15 years old that time. After being featured in the book I had the great opportunity to do a book signing for the book together with Alodia, Ashley and Monique. I admire them all so much and I was so ecstatic to have been given the honor to be together with all of them. 

My page in OTACOOL; photo by: Roland dela Cerna

                                                       

Another accomplishment I'm quite proud of is being featured in a local lifestyle magazine called Zee. It was a cosplay feature as well but then it was a bit different because it was a mix of fashion and cosplay. It was such an honor to be chosen together with 3 other amazing local cosplayers, Yuki Akai, Miles Semblante, and Edd Buenavaje.

zee cosplay fashion feature: cosplayer,Yuki Akai on the left and me on the right; photo by Anne Lorraine Uy

Other than OTACOOL and Zee, I was also on the cover of the photography magazine I-mag. This time not as a cosplayer but as a model. It was my first time doing a photo shoot as a model instead of a cosplayer and I was so fortunate that I-mag chose my picture to be on the cover.

photo on the cover of I-mag; photo by: Jan Gonzales

I've had a lot of little accomplishments since then but these are the ones I am most proud of. It's all thanks to cosplay and a bit of luck that I got to have so many great opportunities to meet new people and learn new things. There are still a lot of people better than me at this but there's always room for improvement and I just keep on learning more and more as I go.

Recent cosplay of mine as Misa Amane from Death Note; photo by: Claire Codilla

-J.

Survey result reflection

We started the survey-distributing at the LRC, then to the cafeteria, and then to the main campus (in "Boracay," then to the library). Our objective was to look for varied types of people (from the most normal to the most extravagant to the quietest to the most outspoken). Everyone was cooperative and willing to answer the surveys.

These are the more interesting results we've gathered:

We noticed that there were quite a number of ghost stories (which is strange on account of us not seeing any ghosts...then again, we're Frosh students, so it makes sense). We also got to know where the students like to hang out - like in the commons during break time, or in Central after school. The underwear question was most memorable, as were the questions about what the students didn't like about CSB, and  whether or not they were in the right course for them.

 The question regarding the teacher crushes was interesting; unfortunately it didn't yield any good results (the students also seemed just as disinclined to answer the underwear question).

We also noticed that most students had a creepy tendency to smile and stare at the person they have a crush on. One person even said that he's put shades on so his staring wouldn't be so obvious.

Regarding the students' possessions: most students have Nokia phones and buy their clothes from Topshop/Topman.

In conclusion: we've come to realize how diverse the students of CSB are. It was a real thrill to interview the students and see the school and the students themselves from different points of view, and getting into their heads was a very interesting experience for all of us. All in all, it was an enjoyable activity.

Who are you wearing? (;

This designer is very popular here in our country not for her designs but for her (and her family's) pawnshop and jewelry boutiques. I know that Cebuana Lhuillier and M. Lhuillier has been the pawnshop of filipinos since I can remember. I can even remember my "yaya"(nanny) going there to pawn something. Anyways, the M. in M. Lhuillier actually stands for Monique or Michel.

 

 (lol funny tag-lines)

Monique Lhuillier was born on born 1971, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines.Lhuillier was born to Michel J. Lhuillier, a businessman of French descent, and Amparito Llamas, a Filipino society figure and former model of Spanish descent. As a teenager, she was an outstanding student in Lausanne, Switzerland and dreamed of becoming a successful fashion designer. She moved to Los Angeles to study design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). It was during this time that she met her future husband Tom Bugbee.Monique and Tom currently reside in Los Angeles with their two children.

                                               

(Monique herself)

(with her husband Tom)

Lhuillier has become a celebrity favorite for both wedding and red carpet gowns. Her list of clientele includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Stewart, Drew Barrymore, Hilary Swank, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood , Catherine Zeta-Jones and the list goes on and on.

 

(some of the celebs who wore M. L.)

I really Love how she plays with fabrics I know the dresses  look simple but they are hard to execute (she really has some tricks in her bag eh no?).

She plays well with shapes, colors and prints. She has my style in designing dresses (think of Metropolitan Gala and floor length ballgowns).

No wonder she's neck to neck with Vera Wang when it comes to designing wedding dresses. They say that when your dress is cleaner the more expensive your dress is and Monique is certainly like that, that's why her dresses are not for the faint-wallet. ((;

 that's  all....... L.

Androgynous Blogs (;

These are some of the blogs I read on my spare time


http://jponfashionspeed.blogspot.com/ He's JP Singson. He is (of course) Filipino
I really love how the way he dresses himself it's very chic for me (having the most odd fashion sense in the bunch).
And we also have....

http://www.jujiin.com/
a.k.a "THE BOY WHO CRIED CHOS"
He's Jujiin Samonte He is the other half of the famous tandem duo DJs called the "BADAFPUNK"

hope you enjoy reading their posts...

that's all....... L.









 

The Ultimate Pinoy Street Food: Isaw

Walking along taft day in and day out, you see a lot of street vendors selling all sorts of food. From peanuts, turon, green mango, isaw and so much more! You see loads of people gathered around those street food vendors all the time. Buying fishballs or kikiam, for example. The thing about street food is that it's so cheap and convenient. You don't have to wait too long for your food and it's great for those who are trying not to spend so much. There are different types of food for all types. There are sweet food like bananaque, turon, kamoteque, taho (the ultimate street breakfast), scramble (which is now becoming very popular, you can even get it in the mall), dirty ice cream, etc. Then we also have the salty food like barbeque, isaw, fishball, squidball, quek-quek (?), siomai, balut, lumpia, etc. There are so many choices to choose from. 

I basically can't eat most street food because I don't eat anything more than seafoods, but a few of my personal favorites would have to be:

1. Green Mango with bagoong

2. Fishball

3. Lumpia

4. Quek-quek

5. Dirty ice cream

1. Green Mango with bagoong simply because I love sour foods, and green mango is one of my favorite fruits. With the right bagoong, it can be heaven. (just make sure to wash it before eating because you want to make sure it's clean)

2. Fishball is great with the spicy sauce, but that is because I love spicy foods as well. But it is really good since it needs no rice and I can actually eat it.

3. Lumpia is my ultimate UP food because they always have great lumpia in UP. If you try eating it, you'll notice that the lumpia from the streets taste so much better than the ones cooked in cleaner oil. It's bad for the health, I know, but it tastes delicious! Just dip it in some spicy suka and you're good to go!

4. Quek-quek is probably my sister's favorite food. I love the quek-quek because of the quail eggs inside, but even those are so unhealthy as well because they have twice the cholesterol of normal eggs. Also, my friend told me earlier not to buy the bigger eggs because they are supposedly really dirty because they are spoiled? But let's leave that there. I don't want to get into that. But also another food that tastes good when bought from the streets because when you make it at home without the food-coloring, it is no longer as good. This is also great with some spicy suka.

5. Dirty ice cream is my favorite street dessert. I especially love the cheese or quezo flavor. But the chocolate one is also pretty good. It's perfect for our hot days (which is most of the year) and it's starts at only 10 pesos a cone! YUMMMM...

Now, those were just my favorites. To find out the ultimate street food for other Pinoys out there, I walked along the road of Taft to go to the food places along the sidewalks and I actually asked some of the vendors what sold the most. Most of the vendors that sold isaw along with the other foods would say isaw. Some of the other vendors said fishball and quek-quek. But I was able to ask some friends and some people eating what their favorite or ultimate Pinoy street food was and majority of them said isaw! Also, most of the time, when I think of street food, the first thing that pops into my mind is isaw! Even though I've never eaten it in my life.

Wo with that, I leave you with isa being the ultimate Pinoy street food! :D

      The Ultimate Pinoy Vehicle!

turon, bananaque, and kamoteque (which looks like french fries)

Manggang hilaw! (green mango)

Isaw, betamax (?), etc. 

The grand winner!

quek-quek, fishball, squidball, and kikiam

tsitsirya (?)

Since I was looking at food for so long, I decided to get some since I was getting hungry. The result of my hunger: FISHBALLS! Funny how fishballs aren't balls, right? I ate it with the spicy sauce. 

That's all for my post. Hope you guys enjoyed my entry on the ultimate Pinoy street food!

-M

Two Indie Bands You Should be Listening To (if you haven't already)

I'm rather ashamed to admit that I've never been a big fan of the local music scene. I know that there are good bands whose good songs get aired on the radio - the problem with me is that I've never really been hooked.

But one day my friends informed me of two local bands named Moscow Olympics and Taken by Cars, and once I listened to them, my life was never the same again.

First things first, though: Who are Moscow Olympics and Taken by Cars?

Moscow Olympics is composed of 5 members: AJ (guitar/vocals), Dino (drums), Jojo (keyboards), Melanie (bass) and Richard (guitar). The band is currently under the Swedish label Lavender Recordings, and cite bands like New Order and My Bloody Valentine as their influences. Currently they have one album out, entitled "Cut the World," which is apparently good enough that labels in the USA, Japan and Germany have released it in their respective countries as well. The band has been featured on the music blog The Yellow Stereo, and are currently in the process of recording their second album (according to a status update on their Facebook page)

Taken by Cars is composed of Sarah Marco (vocals), Bryce Zialcita (lead guitar), Derek "Siopao" Chua (rhythm guitar), Isa garcia (bass guitar), and Bryan Kong (drums/sampler). The band was named as one of Time's Five New Bands to Watch in 2011. They cite New Order and Deerhunter as their influences, as well as singers like Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine. Taken by Cars has just released their much-anticipated sophomore effort, entitled Dualist.

So what do they sound like?

Both of them fall somewhere between electro, new wave and shoegaze, but that's where the similarities end. Moscow Olympics' sound is smooth, dreamy pop accompanied by hushed vocals. Taken by Cars, on the other hand, has a more energetic sound; the kind of music that would bring people to their feet and dance around. All the same, these bands are slowly getting some well-deserved attention - internationally, as well as locally.

So why did I choose to write about these two bands in particular?

The less important reason was that I knew that if I blogged about already popular bands like Up Dharma Down, this blog post would be boring. I mean, everyone knows who Up Dharma Down is already. It would be like telling the same story over and over again.

The main reason was that I realized there was no sense in being a big fan of foreign bands like Switchfoot (who I love very much) when I wasn't even aware of how good a lot of the local music actually is. I should have realized that earlier; there is much to appreciate, and everyone who doesn't know that yet should know as soon as possible. These two bands are a good way to start.  

And anyway, everyone deserves to listen to something new and fresh every now and then.

written by Corinne Syquia