PHOTOJOURNALISM: the new journalism

"A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS"

Photojournalism is a form of journalism that informs or relays news through the use of pictures and videos. Just like the traditional journalism, the images and videos should be timely, objective and narrative. These elements distinguish photojournalism different from plain photography. The photojournalist only needs a camera, film and batteries to broadcast or publish their works.

Photojournalism also has a rich history that started from the engraving era.

More about Photojournalism history...


In the book “Journalism for Filipinos” Alito Malinao gave five essential qualities of a photo ready for publication:

1. Prominence. Just like in a story itself, pictures of prominent personalities attract the interest of readers.


2. Action. In pictures, as in stories, readers are attracted by action, “Action speaks louder than words,” so goes a trite adage. If a photographer asks his subject to line up against a wall for picture taking, his “firing squad” photo may just end up in editor’s trash can. But if he submits a photo that “moves” he may be awarded with a byline on page 1.


3. Human Interest. These pictures show emotions that the readers can relate to.


4. Drama. This is a form of Human Interest. Pictures of fires, accidents or victims of an earthquake or typhoon belong to this category.
Timeliness. As in news stories. Timeliness or immediacy enhances the value of picture.

As everything in our environment evolves, so as photojournalism. The birth of the digital age greatly affected, if not changed the whole process of photojournalism. Years ago, it took a photojournalist long hours in developing, scanning and sending a colored picture. Now, through their digital cameras, mobile phones and laptop, they can send pictures ready for publication in a matter of minutes.
More about impact of new technology...

Because of its convenience and practicality, digital photojournalism or online photojournalism became very much in demand to the viewing public.
In an article posted in the website of the Online Journalism Review, entitled Photojournalism Gets Boost Online , the advantages and disadvantages of online photojournalism has been defined and also this site gave their views about the participatory journalism. How it affect the whole process of news gathering and distribution.

News Embargo: Right to information vs. Right to live

News Embargo is a term most of us are not familiar with. Well, in a simpler meaning, it is the act or a favor of the media organization of withholding a breaking news from the public in a certain period of time.

As a Journalism student, it is important to know the concept behind this idea and its pros and cons. Since whether I like it or not, I will be facing the bigger world and the dirty reality soon.

Embargo in the field of news is prevalent in kidnapping cases, because as they say there are a lot of factors to consider in a kidnapping incident. For those people who are involve in the act of news embargo, claim that the right of the people to information and the responsibility of the journalist to the public should be taken into the back seat as life of a human being is the more important.

When an individual or a group of individual was held in captive by some abductors, it is a big news isn't it? The tendency of the media and the press is to deliver this breaking news to the public to inform them about the incident and present them the important details. Sometimes, this is the only way that the authorities are capable of knowing what happened. In some cases, the family of the captive is requesting for the privacy of the crime because the safety of the person is at risk.

Is this favor -the withholding of news from the public- is applicable to all? regardless of their status in the society?

What happen to broadcast journalist Ces Drilon and her other companions, is a situation that needs to have deeper explanation and understanding whether this act is against the journalism code of ethics, or is the reason of the person's safety.

The news that Drilon and company was kidnapped came out two days after the incident happened. According to some news, ABS-CBN requested all TV networks and radio stations to hold the news after 48 hours because of the safety issue.

I have some points to rais. Is a taxi driver, a farmer or an activist, can also have this favor? Hey! they are also human being that needs to be protected and their saftey is at risk. Do these media organizations do care of what may happen to them? or they can be ruthless and still deliver the news despite of the danger?

For me news embargo is acceptable in the field of journalism if media organization will treat every indivual equally, and give them and their families the right to decide and the right to live.

The responsibility of a journalist to inform the public is indeed important, but the respect to the person who was kidnapped and their family is more important.

Journalism and Its many risks

Do you have a dream to serve the Filipino people, without being a politician? To fight corruption and injustice without being a lawyer? To accomplish heroic acts without being a soldier? To struggle against ignorance and lack of sufficient know-how without being a teacher?

In short, do you dream to become a JOURNALIST?

Reality Check!

The Philippines is now the second most dangerous place for journalists outside a war zone, next to Russia. Reporters Sans Frontier (RSF) recently published the World Press Freedom Index, an international-based organization that provides data of countries according to their respect for press freedom. It recorded the Philippines as one of the seven Asian countries (along with Bangladesh, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Pakistan, and Burma) that steadily garner negative ratings in terms of press freedom.

In the 2007 Philippine Press Freedom Report of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), 70 journalists were killed in the line of duty since the post-Marcos regime. Half of this figure was killed when President Arroyo assumed power.

In the same report, CMFR’s in-depth study on slain journalists indicates that of all the killings of journalists during the Arroyo administration, 15.2 percent were still under trial, 51.5 percent were under investigation, and 12.1 percent were pending prosecution. It also added that 15.2 percent had been dismissed by courts due to lack of evidences against the suspects. Most of those killed cluttered in the provinces, particularly in Regions III, IV (CALABARZON), IX, and XII.

Culture of Impunity

In search of the roots of these evils against journalists, Luis V. Teodoro, CMFR deputy director and a retired journalism professor at the University of the Philippines (UP), published an analysis of Philippine press freedom’s current situation in a booklet, Limited Protection: Press Freedom and Philippine Law. Teodoro said that the “culture of impunity explains why journalists are threatened, beaten, jailed, tortured, and killed despite laws protective of press freedom.”

Teodoro explains that the culture of impunity is the manner wherein society “ignores, permits, or even encourages various forms of violence against journalists as well as their harassment and intimidation, and allows these to go unpunished.”

He also noted that this scenario is happening because of the weakness of the Philippine justice system and the lack of concern and interest among the citizenry.

For press freedom and media advocacy groups, like the CMFR and journalists organizations, like the National Union of the Journalists of the Philippines, the main reason behind this increasing number of killed journalist is the “near-zero arrest, trial, and conviction of their killers.”

Journalists’ Flaws

Amid all the murders of journalists and media practitioners, and the continuous suppression of press freedom, issues against journalists still need to be addressed.
Teodoro believes that issues related to “journalists’ training, corruption, lack of skills and knowledge, and unprofessional conduct” should be taken into consideration especially nowadays when human rights are less prioritized.

Government officials who always became the subject of scandals and controversies, answer these headlines as malicious or bad journalism.

Furthermore, Philippine National Police officers, claimed that the killings of journalists would stop if journalists were fair and honest. Cebu Provincial Police Officer Director Vicente Loot, in 2006, was quoted in the said booklet that broadcast journalists should be fair to stop the attacks.

“Media should be fair. They should report facts and real issues and not resort to personal attacks. You can… shout to the whole world about alleged anomalies or illegal deeds as long as they’re within the ethical standards of broadcasting,” Loot said

Students Perception

Despite the tarnished image of the press and media industry, a career in the field of mass communication, communication arts, broadcasting and journalism are still popular and attractive among students.

Also in the aforementioned Press Freedom Report, the enrolment statistics of the students enrolled in the communication and journalism programs is due to “increasing government repression and by now well-known fact that journalists are being killed in the Philippines.”

However, Teodoro stated in his blog posted on July 18, 2003: “…these courses rank among the most popular for high school graduates who regard them as passports to glamorous jobs as news anchors or newspaper columnists.”

He also said, “This is an illusion far crueller than the truth that in the poor country that is the Philippines, the media professions, like most others, is in far less need of new graduates than of new perspectives. The job market for journalism graduates is a shoe into which not all can fit; and sometimes the foot has to be cut to fit the shoe.”

THE WRITER IS UNDER REPAIR!

My 2nd visit at Marine Base

I visited again the Marine Base last February 23 and I spent over night in the camp. I have to go back there because I need to finish my photo shoot which was started last February 21. After that experience all I can say is: Time is so fast when you're there.

Sobrang nakakabitin, nakakamiss and nakakainspire yung pagbisita ko dun. I get to know more about our marines' life during and after training. The discipline that is imposed to them, the presence of mind, bravery and most especially the love for our country. I don't even know how to start this story kasi when I look back, there are countless ideas and story of experiences I had that I want to share. The gentlemen I met and talk with, their treatment to us, the journey, the food and the place.

I want to express my utmost gratitude to the following gentlemen who became instruments for me to appreciate more our treasured men in Marines:

Capt. Rommel Boñgalbal
Lt. Mike Mortel
Sgt. Alex Arugay
Sgt. Asufardo
Sgt. Cilajes
Sgt. Dayag
and other gentlemen who wholeheartedly accepted us. I don't have list of your names but I deeply appreciate your time and conversations we had.

With Sgt. Alex Arugay and Lt. Mike Mortel

With Sgt. Asufardo



With Sgt. Cilajes

Well, after I had my oral defense for my thesis last Saturday, me and my boyfriend Ken rode on Saulog bus and went straight to Ternate, Cavite. We arrived there at 5pm and sinundo kami ng white shuttle sa terminal ng Saulog. Capt. Boñgalbal welcomed us with his athletic uniform. Actually me and my cousin have a crush on him. He's quiet but sweet! haha... I spent the whole day taking pictures of the soldier candidates, new trainees and the Marine Orientation Trainees.

Sinusundan ko lang sila, nagoobserve lang pero parang pati ako napapagod din sobra. Habang tumatakbo sila ako din nakikitakbo, punta sila sa dagat punta din ako, kain sila manonood din ako. Nakakapagod pero ang sarap sa pakiramdam, worth the time and effort talaga. Naalala ko yung pumunta kami sa dagat, kasi kukuha ako ng shots habang naliligo yung trainees sa dagat nagulat ako kasi yung paglusong nila sa dagat, 2 or 3 minutes lang umahon na. Sabi namin "Yun na yun sir?" ang bilis, ligong itik nga daw sila. Sabi ni Lt. Mortel lahat ng ginagawa nila dun may bilang.

Lagi naming kasama si Sgt. Arugay, kasi siya yung in charge na magbantay sa amin, ang bait niya and laging nakangiti. Nagkwentuhan nga kami nung gabi about sa buhay niya as a marine. Sobra pala yung napagdaanan niya lalo na yung nadeploy siya sa Mindanao. During their encounter with the enemies, he witnessed deaths of his comrades. The anger and grief he felt, he shared that he treats his comrades more than his own brother.

Nung gabi na, nakipagbonding naman kami kay Sgt. Cilajes and his class 361 during their time to shine their combat boots. Ang kengkoy niya kausap, nakakatuwa. I remember when we asked him what's his sir name sabi niya, "Ako lang ang nagiisang silahis sa Marines" ahahaha.. grabe ang tawa namin nun wondering why, totoo ba yun? tinanong namin siya, yung pala ang apilyido niya Cilajes pronounced as silahis hahaha... grabe ang tawa ko dun. Imagine sundalong malaking katawan, matangkad tapos seryoso habang nagttraining, kengkoy din pala.

Exactly 10:00 pm ang lights off nila, akala ko wala lang, yun pala literal na walang ilaw sa buong camp pati sa kwarto namin. Tanging ilaw lang ng buwan yung pumapasok sa kwarto namin, ang lamig pagdating ng hating gabi. Ang lights on naman ay 4:00 am, yun din ang oras ng gising nila. Exercise, jogging and drillings ang nadatnan kong ginagawa nila sa grounds. Kailangan ko din kasing gumising ng ganung oras para kumuha ng pictures and also to get the feel sa labas ng ganung oras.

Pagdating naman ng umaga sinubukan ko yung obstacles nila, grabe ang hirap! sumakit yung braso ko.. pero ayos lang at least nagawa ko. Di ko lang nagawa yung iba, nakakatakot kasi e. Naririnig ko din yung chants na kinakanta ng mga senior trainees habang nagmamarcha. Pag narinig mo yun, kikilabutan ka.. ang galing talaga.

May nakausap din kaming isang kano dun, balikatan kasi kaya nanun din sila, nagtatanong siya kung para saan yung ginagwa namin, kung bakit daw yun yung pinili kong topic and marami pang iba ... hayun, nose bleed.. naubusan ako ng english! haha...

Bago kami umalis, nanood muna kami ng basketball, naglaro kasi yung kasali sa balikatan e, pinoy vs. kano, ang galing haha.. todo cheer pa nga ako pag nakakashoot yung mga marines natin. Ang liliksi kasi nila, ang bilis kumilos napagiiwanan nga nila yung mga kano e, yung mga kano naman bumabawi sa block.. ang tatangkad kasi. Nakakatuwa talaga.

Ngayon nasa bahay na ko, gusto ko pa din bumalik dun, nakakamiss. Unforgettable experience that I'll treasure forever. Sabi ko nga kanila Sir, babalik po ako dun promise.

they just say : Hihintayin ka namin Mam!

A Visit to the Men of Valor

One of my dreams did come true today.

I just visited the Marine Ternate Base early this morning even we stayed their for just a while, it was a great experience! I can't even describe my feelings the minute I stepped inside the gate of the Marines saying something like "You are entering the military base camp, military rules are strictly implemented."

Grabe. Hanggang ngayon di pa din ako maka get over sa kilabot and with the burning patriotism inside me. Well, I'm doing a photostory for my photojournalism class and the Philippine Marines is my personal choice. So much hindrances ang napagdaanan ko just to get there and it really worth the effort and time.

I went to Marine Barracks at Fort Bonifacio Taguig yesterday to meet Lt. Col Jonas Lumawag the super bait and approachable Marine spokesman. I was referred to him by Sir. Frank Lopez of Southern California Chapter, I met him through one of the websites and we had communication through email. Anyway, I met Col Lumawag and MajGen Dolorfino, and I talked to them If I can go to Ternate Base to observe the training and take photos. I just handed them a letter, nakipagkwentuhan ng konti and they already permitted me to go there anytime and they'll just send a communication with men in Ternate. Sobrang dali nilang kausap, lalo tuloy napalapit ang loob ko sa kanila.

Yun na nga, umalis ako ng bahay with my cousin Ate Cai at past 6 in the morning and we went straight to SM Bacoor to meet Paula, my bestfriend. From their we waited for like 15 minutes for a Saulog Bus to Ternate. Kaso walang nagpakitang Bus na diretso dun sa what we did we rode on a mini bus papuntang Naic, ang akala ko saglit lang ang byahe yung pala ang tagal! plus ang nasakyan naming driver is former driver ata ng Karo ng patay. Ang bagal literal. siguro naka isang oras din kami. Pagbaba namin ng Naic, akala namin may sakayan na ng ternate dun wala pa rin pala, (so much wasted time sa paghihintay sa lintik na Saulog Bus na yan) Ginawa namin sumakay kami ng jeep papuntang Maragundon, we travel again for 30 mnutes. Pagdating dun ang sabi samin ng taga dun walang public vehicle na dumidiretso papuntang Marine base kundi trycle. Wow! tricycle.. paakyat ng bundok. pambihira. Much better kung naabutan daw namin yung truck ng marines na nagdadaan dun but unfortunately, hindi namin naabutan dahil sa Saulog bus na yan.

No choice. Nag tricycle kami papuntang marine base for P250, tinawaran pa namin dapat P300. Mabait naman si kuya hehe.. syempre tatlo kaming sakay so hirap umahon yung tricycle.. haha paakyat ng bundok, parang anytime bibigay na yung makina ng motor ni kuya. Pero nung nsa taas na kami, sulit! breathtaking view, over the puerto azul resort. I know its a sin to tell without showing the pic but sorry I wasn't able to take photos of the view nakakatakot kasi tska maalog sa tricycle! Well, nagkwentuhan naman kami nila kuya (nakalimutan ko kunin yung name engot!) Kitang kita mo talaga sa mukha niya na nahihirapan syang paakyat e, kung pwede lang magmura ng motor, minura na kami nun.

Sa awa ng Diyos, nakarating naman kami sa base ng ligtas at buo pa ang tricycle ni kuya. Pagdating dun natension si Paula ang Ate Cai kasi hinarang kami ng mga Marines sa gate, pati si kuya na walang kaalam alam na-hold din. Inexplain ko sa kanila yung pakay ko and that I am endorsed by Col. Lumawag. Pinaupo muna kami saglit then yung bantay na Marines may kinuha sa bulsa niyang papel. sabi niya "Ay, sino sa inyo si Janice Ianne Miguel?" Sabi ko ako yun, nakalimutan daw niya na nasabi na sa kanya na dadating ako, sus! si Manong... hehe.... Tapos may nag-radyo sa kanya narinig ko., "Sir, yung photojournalist na nasa gate, ok na yan paki hatid na lang dito." (photojournalist talaga?) E wala pala silang sasakyan kaya sinundo pa kami dun sa gate. Nakakahiya nga yung special treatment samin dun. Ang sumundo sa samin ay si Lt. Mike Mortel ang bait bait niya samin, todo kwento siya on the way sa base, inexplain din niya kung ano yung makikita namin dun. Fieldtrip??? hehe...

Pagdating namin dun pinakilala sa amin yung director nila si Capt. Rommel Boñgalbal (pronounced as bongalbal) Isa pa rin siyang mabait na nakausap namin, as in todo entertain siya, konting interview tungkol sa projects. And.... and.... ang pogi! haha... papa... hehe... ang bait nila sobra. Yun nga lang nakakailang sa loob kasi parang lahat ng makikita mo seryosong kalalakihan at bihira ang babae. Lahat nagmamadali, lahat sumisigaw, pero ok lang kampo yun e, ano pa bang expect ko? On going pala yung balikatan excercise ngayon so nakita ko din yung mga US Navy and US Marines na nakahiwala yung place nila sa mga Pilipino, dun sila sa tabing dagat. well..

Left is Capt. Rommel Boñgalbal, Right Lt. Mike Mortel with me and Paula




Ehem, Dugong Marines! Astig!

(to be continued.....) antok na and writer...

A Letranite and a Thomasian

NAME: Miguel, Janine Ann J.
APPLICATION NO: 04664
COLLEGE: College of Architecture and Design
COURSE: Advertising
STATUS: Passed


Today, January 28 is the release date of the result of USTET, the University of Santo Tomas entrance examinations for incoming freshman students through their website www.ust.edu.ph

Luckily, my sister passed the said examination, yes.. feeling Thomasion na siya.. well, I'm happy for her. You see, its a good university offering handful of opportunities for learning and exposure to her chosen endeavor, and of course UST will have another Thomasian to nurture with faith and knowledge.

Sabay naming tinignan yung result sa internet, sa bawat pagtype niya ng application number kasabay din ang kaba at samu't saring assumptions. Pag pindot ng enter key hayun... di muna namin nakita yung result dami pa kasing data na nakalagay.. Humaging sa paningin ko yung "PASSED" sabi ko ayun no.. pero di ako sigurado.. tinaas niya yung sidebar and voila! its true.. she passed the advertising major because according to them that she meet the required examination score and grades.

Waaaahhhh... ako pa yung tuwang tuwa. literal. niyakap ko siya habang tumatalon. Looks like I won the 400-million lottery price. Ganun tlga. Tuwang tuwa ako para sa kanya. Ewan ko ba. Parang ako yung nagexam e.. hays... stage ate?

Well, honestly 4 years ago I also took up the same examination for Journalism and political science majors. But unfortunately I failed the Journalism part and I'm waiting list on political science part. Maybe because of my poor grades when I was in high school, I got several low grades as I focused more on extracurricular activities like being a volleyball varsity and scouting troop leader. Yeah, maybe time management is not my cup of tea... so what? I regret nothing because I freakin' enjoyed my high school life! although I didn't got the chance to study in my 1st choice school (UST) I can say that I'm contented and also learned so much out of textbooks. And now, I am a proud Letranite! heart and soul... This is my fate and I will make most out of it.


ARRIBA LETRAN!!! well...



Maybe that's why I'm very much overwhelmed when Janine got it. Frustrated ang drama? haha... maybe...

Katalsikang laway sa dagat

An experience that I could add to my treasure box.

Last Thursday, January 24 Sir Manolo Quezon our Copy Editing and Proof Reading professor treat the journalism class for lunch in Harbor View somewhere in Kalaw St. Manila. We had so much fun and I'm so busog grabe.. fiesta? crispy pata, inihaw na pusit, nilasing na hipon, kinilaw na tanigi, malaking hito, super sarap na fried rice, chocolate cake and ripe mango juice. Kamusta naman yun? grabe parang bibitayin? Sarap! yun ang tanghaliang matatawag; plus the breathtaking view of Manila Bay and yung hangin na parang dinuduyan ka... the best. Mapapa "haaay.." ka na lang tlga.

Before we got there, some of my classmates decided na magkitakita na lang sa Letran kasi hindi ko alam how to get there. The meeting time is 9:00 am but nalate ako nakarating ako ng 10:30, hayun iniwan na nila ko. Lesson learned. Kaya sumakay na lang ako ng Kalaw kasi sabi nila dun lang yun, ito naman si mamang driver hindi din alam kaya binaba niya ko sa mismong Kalaw. The thing is yung Harbor View is dulong dulo ng street, literal. Sea side tlga ang drama, so lakad galore! la lang naman, tirik na tirik lang naman yung araw and I brought with me my laptop kaya sobrang bigat ng dala ko. Parusa tlga. "Wa Poise"

Pagdating ko dun, nauna pa ko sa kanila. But when I was their, whoooo! it's worth the walk. Presko kasi, ang daling makarecover sa pagkakahaggard. Well, that day was our deadline for the submission of our project, the book: "The Good Fight" we copy edited and proof read it from the original book and made a new one. The book is an autobiography of our professor's grand father, the late president Manuel L. Quezon. Sir Manolo wants to publish the book and the 8 of us will be credited as its editors. Mahirap siya pero when we saw the finish product, nakahinga naman kami ng maluwag. Thanks to Kuya Joey, you're really heaven sent. Marami pong salamat.

More than the mouth-watering meals and breathtaking views, the storytelling and sharing were the highlights of the day. I learned so much from everybody that day, most especially from Sir Manolo, such a brilliant mind. Nung araw na yun din we got the chance to know him closely, his life. He shared so many things na never ko ba nabasa sa mga textbooks. I really prefer experience rather than theories and discussions.

Journalism students with Sir Manolo at the set of "The Explainer"

We talked about the most useless subject we have taken. Iba-iba kami ng sagot, most of them answered Algebra, ako sinagot ko Rizal but most of them disagreed, Sir Manolo just smiled. Napa-isip ko bigla, "oo nga pala, importante pala yun, walang kwenta lang yung nagtuturo." kaya sabi ko na lang "joke lang!" hehe... Then i raised my point that a certain subject becomes useless if the students learned nothing from it. It is in the hands of the teacher, how he or she present and teach the subject as interesting as watching a movie. Minsan kasi kahit mga guro hindi din nila alam yung tinuturo nila, or worst hindi nila pinaniniwalaan yung tinuturo nila. Sad but true.

Napunta naman yung topic namin sa history and tracing the family lineage. Sir Manolo shared na madami pa lang "Quezon" mostly in Bataan pero as time passed, yung iba naiiba ng spelling like "Quizon", "Queson" at marami pang iba. In some cases, di natin alam na minsan may ibang tao na di natin kamag-anak na kabilang sa same family lineage. Sila sir kasi particularly his Dad Manuel Quezon II, is up in finding their ancestors, tracing the names back from Spanish and Chinese roots. Napaisip ako, ako kaya hanapin ko kaya mga ninuno ko? ano kaya matutuklasan ko? na kamag-anak ko pala si Bill Gates! wow.. dream on. Silly. He also said that if anyone dare to trace his or her roots, best people to talk to is the mormons. Sila daw kasi ang may pinakamaraming records of people's names kahit nung sinaunang panahon pa. Nagiikot sila sa iba't-ibang parish churches to get the names, kaya when those churches were destroyed, yung records nasira lahat.

Another topic is about Spam. yes. According to sir, canniblism in South East is very prevalent back then, so what the early missionaries did, para di na sila kumain ng tao, binigyan sila ng pagkain na kasing lasa at pareho ng texture ng human flesh, and you know what was that? ita SPAM! napanganga na lang ako, kasi favorite ko kaya yun, yung alat nya malinamnam! sarap.. hays.. kaya if ever kakain kayo ng Spam isipin niyo na lang na laman ng tao yun para makapag diet kayo. funny.

Kung saan-saan na napunta ang usapan namin from the simplest to the complex. Sir Manolo shared his life back when he was young. Nakakamangha tlga, but I prefer not to include it here baka di niya gusto mapublicize pa ng lalo ang buhay niya. hehe..

After this, I can say that I can learn indeed outside the four corners of my classroom. Even the simplest conversation (talsikang laway) means a lot.

Come What May

Madaming nagtatanong sakin di ka ba nagsasawa jan sa boyfriend mo? 5 years na rin kayo this year.. Anong secret niyo? Paano niyo yan nasasabay sa lahat ng activities niyo sa buhay? and so on... Ngayong araw may taong nagtanong nanaman sakin.

Well, isa lang din ang sagot ko sa kanilang lahat, isang malupit na "Hindi ko alam". OO, hindi ko alam kung paano nangyayari yun, sa araw-araw na ginawa ng Dyos kahit kailan sa buhay ko di ko magawang maramdaman o maisip man lang na magsawa, ako ah--ewan ko lang siya hehe... I really can't tell why. Yung tipong kahit everyday na kaming magkasama, at the end of each day mamimiss mo pa rin siya. Corny? yes but its definitely the truth.

Siguro one factor na rin diyan yung pinagsamahan namin, yung foundation na binuo namin when we're starting. We started as good friends, we don't take things too seriously--puppy love nga daw eh. We just let it happen smoothly, hindi pinipilit, kumbaga pinapahinog muna. We enjoy the company of each other, the things we like doing together like cooking, watching movies, mag-stroll ng pagkalayo-layo. Kakain sa fastfood pag may pera,pag wala sa karindirya o kaya sa kwek-kwekan, nakaka ilan kaming order ng extra rice! pang halimaw talaga ng labanan sa chibugan, grabe.. yung tipong susuka ka na sa kabusugan. Yung ganun, walang pressure. Walang hustle. Naalala ko pa nga when we're on our first year as a couple, hindi lang kami magkita ng 2 days, it felt like it was 2 years. Pambihira, wala pa kong teyoryang nababasa tungkol dun.

Sa labas ng simbahan dati yung lagi naming pinupuntahan pag wala na kaming magalaan. Wala lang, uupo lang dun titignan yung mga taong dumadaan, di namin namamalayan kung saan sa napupunta mga kwentuhan namin. That is our therapy, after a long day we just talk with each other about everything under the sun and we're ok.

And now, that we have come this far-well wala pa nga sa kalahati ng buhay namin- we're still the same. The sweetness, the childishness, lahat na... walang nagbago. Ang nagbago lang siguro mas kilala na namin ang isa't isa, mga limitations namin, mga sumpong, mga bagay na nakapagpapasaya at nakapagpapaiyak sa isa't isa. Ayoko man lumabas ng hopeless romantic and cheesy,,,, sorry but that's me.

If anyone will dare to ask me, kung gusto ko na siya makasama habang buhay? Siguro for everyone its too early to tell diba? pero ako... I can say that I have found Mr. Right guy for me. My best bud. The reason behind my smiles, my tantrums, my sakit ng ulo.. hehe... The reason why I know the meaning of love and sacrifice. Sana nga, dito nanaman papasok yung never ending debate about destiny, do we have our destiny prepared by God? or we make our own destiny? hay naku.. basta ako, I will follow what my heart and mind tell me, kung saan ako masaya kung saan ako comfortable. I won't do stuff that can ruin what I worked hard for. I know I will never go wrong.

I am prepared what future might bring, As long as I have my faith, my family and my fendrick este kendrick pala.. hehe...

We met when I was 15 and now I'm 20 we're still together, holding hands.. come what may.

Age: 20teen

In 20 minutes, iiwan ko na ang mundo ng pagiging teenager. I'm turning twenty and I'm trying to tell myself that I'm not getting older 'coz I'm only twenteen. haha... fool.. Sa loob ng dalawampung taon, maraming nangyari sa buhay ko, marami akong nakilalang tao, maraming achievements at marami ding kabiguan, maraming pagkakamali. Pero sa mga karanasan na yun masasabi kong marami akong mga bagay-bagay na natutunan. Mga bagay-bagay na magagamit ko sa pagpasok ko sa bagong yugto ng buhay ko. Mga weapons ko sila para maiwasang magkamali ulit.

Matanda na nga ko. Pakiramdam ko kwarenta na nga ko e, di ko alam kung bakit. Sobrang mature ng pag-iisip ko na kahit ako mismo hindi ko na maintindihan. Siguro sa mga nangyari sakin sa loob ng dalawampung taon; pinatibay, pinatigas at pinahinog ng mabuti para sa matagal ko ng hinihintay na hinaharap.

Halo-halo ang nararamdaman ko-- masaya, dahil binigyan nanaman ako ni BOSSING ng isa pang taon para mabuhay at maglakbay sa mga nilikha niya; malungkot, aside from the fact na matanda na ko, I feel empty kasi hindi ko kasama mga magulang ko, ang mga dahilan kung bakit ako nandito. Buti na lang nandito ang isa kong kapatid, ang mahal ko at mga kaibigan ko, they're my driving force. Somehow I survived, until now.

Pansamantala kong puputulin ang aking pagdadrama kasi inaantok na ko.. may pasok pa ko bukas.. haaay....

Thank you Lord. Amen.

First Entry for '08

Whew! its 2008 indeed... di mo talaga namamalayan ang pagdaan ng panahon no? syempre we're busy doing things that makes us busy. Well, another whole year to face ahead of me and another year had passed with full of mistakes but I'm proud to say, I have no regrets.

First time experience ko ang magluto ng pagsasaluhan namin for New Year's eve.. ang saya pala na nakakapagod tapos feel mo after you finished everything ayaw mo tikman yung niluto mo.. bakit kaya? may theory ba para dun? haay.. and the thing is nadagdagan nanaman ako ng timbang at lumaki nanaman yung tyan ko. That's what I hate during holidays nawawalan ako ng self control when eating.

Nagyaya mga kapatid ko sa Star City on new year's day, nagdalawang isip ako kasi feel ko jam packed ang tao dun lalo na nung araw na yun. Kinulit ako ng kinulit hanggang paggising ko kaya hindi na ko nakatanggi. We got there at 5pm and...and...and.. I was right! and daming tao! pambihira, 'di mahulugang karayom kumbaga. When I saw it gusto ko na talagang magbackout, nanghina ang tuhod ko, but no, hindi pwede ang layo kasi ng nilakbay namin to get there tapos hindi kami tutuloy? ano yun suicide? What I did was, si Janine ang pinapila ko and we waited her sa labas- siya kasi ang atat magpunta dun - Pagpasok namin sa loob hindi pa rin nagbago ang eksena, kung gaano kadami yung tao sa labas, triple pa ang nasa loob! kamusta naman yun? To think that we availed ride-all-you-can ticket? pambihira... result??? PILA GALORE. yeah sa bawat ride na sasakyan namin pipila muna kami for like 20-30 minutes para makasakay sa isang 2 minute-ride. Kaloka talaga yun. Mama ko naman lang magawa kahit masakit na ang paa't likod sige pa rin! hehe...

Pero we enjoyed kahit papano, hindi na lang namin iniisip ang hustle but sa bawat pila ay bonding naman hehe... nakauwi kami mga 1 am, ubos lakas ang labanan at ang mga kapatid kong atat, hayun bagsak! hehe... ilove them all!

This picture taken at the balloon wheel ride, yeah the ferris wheel thing . Kala mo lang natutuwa ako jan, but the truth is haggard na talaga ako, sa kakapila! Ang point ko lang ay hindi ipakita ang mukha ko but the countless people sa baba.

Me and my sister at the Magic Carpet ride. I'm beginning to enjoy the night as my stomach went uspide down after each crazy ride! Susulitin ko na hehe...

I hope this year would not be only a new year but a changed year for me. Maiwan na sana ang mga kaengotan at kamalasan ko. I'm turnng 20teen this thursday... haaay... may all the faerie godmother exists come at my room the night before to stop the clock from ticking! yoko pang mawala sa teen stage! may ganun?!