Friday, January 30, 2009

batalla épica

World numero uno, Rafael Nadal beat Fernando Verdasco in the Australian Open semi-final. The two Spaniards (both lefties) went at each other for 5 hours and 14 minutes, the longest in the tournament's history.

It was one of the greatest tennis battles I've seen. The classic match was filled with long rallies, stupendous winners and tremendous athleticism from both players. And although you expect nothing but the best from Nadal, Verdasco proved that he is definitely in the same league. The latter produced 95 clean winners and was the only player to take sets off from the mighty Iberian.

Nadal will meet Roger Federer, who is seeking to tie Pete Sampras' record of 14 grandslam titles, in the finals. Nates, made it clear who he's rooting for. I, on the other hand, will put my money on Rafa. He's most definitely drained, tired and sore but I believe in his unbelievable tenacity and amazing skills.

And with shots like this, he certainly deserves it.


Verdasco could've thrown a sink at Rafa and the latter would still find a way to send it back to him!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

the 44th president


"All are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."


** photo courtesy of Reuters


Monday, January 19, 2009

slumdog millionaire

What does it take to find long lost love?
A. Money B. Luck
C. Smarts D. Destiny



Slumdog Millionaire is an enthralling story about going to one's destiny. Jamal Malik- a boy from the slums- is playing on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and is only one question away from the jackpot. How can a young man, with no education, possibly know the answers to the questions without cheating? And thereby hangs a tale.

Refreshingly believable, wonderfully acted, visually stunning and charged throughout with tense drama (and brilliant soundtrack to boot) wrapped up with a predictable and still great "happy ending"; the film will take you on a roller coaster of emotions that will leave you on a high!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

gitara

I come from a musical family. All of us can sing. And by sing I don't mean just carry a tune. Our house is never quiet when we are home. Songs belted out occur sporadically. And the tunes range from Burt Bacarach to Britney Spears, Mariah Carey to April Boy Regino, and The Beach Boys to The APO. I enjoyed music so much, I even dreamed of playing an instrument.

My parents bought me two guitars. Once when I was 14 and the last time just before High School graduation. Both guitars ended up broken without me even learning how to play a single chord.

Whilst in Cebu, Ketty and I visited a guitar factory in Mactan Island. The name of which seemed to escape my memory. And with a camera in my hand, I started clicking away. By the way, I learned from one of the makers that they air dry the wood for 5 years before they use it to make a good product. I didn't think the process is painstaking and ardous at all.

Activate magazine mode.









Monday, January 05, 2009

sampu

Graydon Carter said, "Those who can't teach, write. Those who can't write, write about themselves".

I've been tagged! And yet another excuse to big up myself. But before anything else, the rules:

1. Each blogger must post these rules.
2. Each blogger starts with ten random facts/habits about themselves.
3. Blogger that are tagged, need to write ten facts about themselves. You need to choose ten people to tag and list their names.

Here are the 10 Random Facts/Habits About Me:

1. I was born an hour after midnight on the day after Christmas hence the name Jose Emmanuel. Maria would've been a second first name but my parents deemed it too long and difficult for a young child to learn write his name.

2. Most Punctual was the first award I ever received. I was in Kindergarten. And although I don't remember a time when I was late, I was never the earliest either.

3. For two consecutive years in grade school (grades 3 and 4), I was the school representative to the Provincial Science Quiz Bee. I loved science and dreamed of taking up Medicine. At least that was the plan until I was formally introduced to Chemistry.

4. In what could be a case of life imitating art, I portrayed a Martial Law activist in the school production of Kasaysayan ng Lahi. 11 years later, I was a staple at every rally calling Erap's resignation. I never missed a single demonstration until he stepped down.

5. This is probably the most cringe-worthy. I was a member of an all male dance group in high school called, Junior Motion. The name was in homage to the most succesful male dance group of that time, the Universal Motion Dancers. We debuted in my second year and danced in every special ocassion including the town fiesta. On our fourth year, we changed the name to Alpha Connection and went on to win first place in a dance contest in Sablayan- my hometown.

6. Although I have a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, I didn't learn to cook in university. In all of our cooking classes, I was always the dishwasher. Because it meant that I can come to class 2 hours later.

7. A time you enjoyed wasting is not wasted time at all. I spent almost all my Sunday mornings back in college watching Magic Knight Rayearth on ABS-CBN every 9am. As a result, I wasn't able to graduate because I missed ROTC. Where is the joy in marching under the unforgiving Manila sun whilst holding a wooden rifle for 6 hours? I thought I was too bright for ROTC. Eventually, I was granted a degree after the government suspended the ROTC program as consequence for the death of Mark Chua.

8. It's been more than 4 years since I quit smoking. I've only been living a month here in the UK when I got sick. The cold weather and excessive smoking didn't do me any good. I decided to stop until I get better. Two weeks into it, I realised I spent almost £120 in fags from the time I arrived here until the time I was ill. And so I tried to quit and succeeded. I haven't touched a cigarette since.

9. I believe in monogamy. I haven't any issues with fidelity and have always been faithful. Yes, I am of a rare breed.

10. Unless I pray at night, I can never sleep. There are times when I'd be lying in my bed at 0230 in the morning wide awake, annoyed and wondering why I couldn't sleep only to realise that I haven't prayed yet. For me, prayer is the most effective sleeping pill.

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I'm tagging Nates, Bads, Eliza, Rusty, Boo, Ianne, Spanx, Pusa, Schumey and Hitori. C'mon guys, spill it.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

2009 better be ready

I will claim this year as mine. Brace yourself, baby!

May the new year bring more pleasant surprises to us all.