The fun never stops! Experience the same colorful experience AT NIGHT! Yes! On February 22, 2014, Color Manila Nite Run 2 will be held at Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa. There are again three race categories: 3K, 5K and 10K all at 850 Php. The Nite Race Kit includes a Nite Race Shirt, Glow Eyeglasses, Glow Sticks and a Finisher's Medal.
Purchase your Color Manila Nite Run 2 tickets at any SM Cinema. Visit the Color Manila NIte Run website to check the details and to register online.
I recently found out that after I changed url from http://every-comedy-thing.tumblr.com to http://bipolarpandamonium.tumblr.com, somebody immediately claimed my old url.
Please be informed that my new blog is Bipolar Pandamonium. Since I can no longer control the contents and activities of the Every-Comedy-Thing blog, I am officially announcing that, from hereon, any new post under it should not be associated to me, EK Encarnacion.
Thank you.
PS: Please support my new blog, Bipolar Pandamonium. It's designed to be more informative and more fun.
As we were riding a jeep bound for SM, my mom was asking me to download the lyrics of a certain song that she fell in love with lately. She started humming the tune and after 15 seconds, I still could not figure out what the song was because all I heard was a bunch of hmmmms. Thinking that it was already hopeless, I was about to give up when finally she said, “And then it ends with… ‘And we can learn to love again.’”
How many moms out there are just excited to memorize the lines of a Pink song?
While many of this generation’s moms stick with the classics and the disco hits, my mom explores the current favorites such as Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars. In fact, I just remembered the time she was singing Owl City ‘s Hello Seattle when we were in Bangkok and the people around had “What?!” written all over their faces.
And my mom not only loves singing, she also loves dancing—from simple cheer dances (where she, if you have seen my mom then you wouldn’t believe it, enjoys being on top of the pyramid) to the viral and outrageously addicting, Oppa Gangnam Style.
Nevertheless, of all my mom’s talents, I would have to say playing computer games would be the most notable. Her high scores—reaching billions—are unbeatable. From Zuma, which she finished almost 40+ times; Text Twist, in which almost every level she could complete without missing a single word; Dynomite Deluxe, which she could play for hours; to, as many of you have known since, Ragnarok, where she used to play as an acolyte. Most of my friends who heard about it, thinks my mom is undeniably cool.
But the truth is she need not expose her so-called “abilities” just to prove her coolness. She works hard for our family to put food on the table. She helps some of our relatives in need and even the street children near their office. She counsels problematic moms at church. And perhaps the best of all, she remains to be the most caring wife to my father and mother to us, her sons, despite the fact that we have already gone past our academic years.
And I’m sure your moms are special too. They need not know the lyrics of Just Give Me a Reason or do the “sexy lady” Psy move or reach the universe level in Zuma just to prove they are great. The simple fact that they have kept you alive and nourished in their belly for nine months and raised you to this point that you could read this article is in itself crazily awesome. Don’t miss out the opportunity to greet your mom today and tell her how much you love her.
Happy Mother’s Day to my mom and to all other moms who are equally remarkable!
Hindi Ba Dapat Yung Walang Pasok Ngayon ay Yung Mga Nakibaka sa EDSA I Revolution?
Ano namang kinalaman ng mga estudyante diyan? Kung pinapapasok natin sila at binigyan ng ilang oras para turuan ng nangyari noong People Power I e baka mas makabuluhan pa ang araw na ito sa kanila. Just saying.
Pustahan tayo, nasa mall, computer shop o beach ang karamihan sa kanila.
For the first time in the history of this blog, I will be sharing my most treasured collection of 1x1, 2x2 and passport photos. Whenever I am asked for a photo either for application or for documentation purposes, I always keep one copy for myself. And soon with 18 photos, I was not just able to track the physical changes that have occurred but also remember some of the highlights of my 24 years. And so without further ado, here is my 101st entry: The Evolution of Yours Truly.
Photo 1: The Inner Child
EK Encarnacion, The Inner Child (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
I can’t remember much about this photo—only that it was the picture in my very first passport and that it was the photo mom kept when she was studying alone in Norway.
Photo 2: The “That’s My Boy” Contestant
EK Encarnacion, The "That's My Boy" Contestant (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
Remember the time when Eat Bulaga still had this game portion in which little boys with talent and wit compete to, perhaps, have a chance of having a shot to enter showbiz? Well, this was one of the photos taken during my childhood years when I was taught to hone my talents, if indeed I have any. As my way of practicing, I sing and dance at Christmas parties earning more than my mom, my dad or their fellow employees. This was the time when I had to answer questions and show how bubbly a kid I am. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to audition. So I just went to Boracay instead using this photo as my identification.
Photo 3: The Could Have Been “Chicken Joy” Endorser
EK Encarnacion, The Could Have Been "Chicken Joy" Endorser (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
Do you still remember when Serena Dalrymple did her signature move for the Jollibee Chicken Joy commercial? Imagine if it was me instead. Although this photo was taken for my passport, it was only a year or so when somebody approached my mom inside a Jollibee branch within the metropolis and told her that I could actually star in a Jollibee commercial. I remember the agent asking me to do the exact action that launched Serena to stardom. But my mom refused telling the agent that doing commercials will interfere with my studies. Yeah, I know. It could have been me. Nevertheless, I don’t have any regrets regarding my mom’s decision.
Photo 4: The Last Mister Good Boy
EK Encarnacion, The Last Mister Good Boy (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
For the first time in my life, I was awarded, “Best in Deportment.” For being punctual, quiet, and all those little nice things expected of an elementary student; I was finally recognized. I don’t know what got into the heads of the academic committee but it was indeed a medal worth keeping. At least, I can brag to my son(s) or daughter(s) that I was getting O’s (short for outstanding) and VG’s (short for very good) rather than S’s and P’s (implying satisfactory and poor respectively). And look, even this photo, which was taken along with our family portrait, shows how harmless I once was.
Photo 5: The Result when Mom Left the Ref Open
EK Encarnacion, The Result when Mom Left the Ref Open (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
Perhaps this is most people’s most favorite photo of me. I know, I know. But let it be said that I was already losing weight when this photo was taken. The heaviest I reached was 240 pounds. I estimate that I weigh around more or less 200 pounds when I got this picture taken for my college application. I refused having photos of me during high school because a lot of people make fun of my being a tub of lard. With only two pairs of pants and a bunch of hand-me-down oversized shirts, I had a tough life being a secondary school student. With only my passion for academics to prohibit myself from hearing criticisms about my physical attributes, I contented myself to being a big fat geek.
Photo 6: The Vacationer who Spring Waltzed
EK Encarnacion, The Vacationer who SPring Waltzed (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
I had to renew my passport and so I got this photo taken. I was already showing signs of declining weight due to stress brought about by my university and my course. With one year of taking Chemistry subjects at UP, mom thought I deserved a break and so she pushed me into a plane with dad (despite our extreme refusal) and we left for United States where it was spring time. I enjoyed the cold weather but the loneliness—the feeling of being too far from home and not having my mom and my brother with me—was quite unbearable. But nonetheless, I was thankful for the experience. And I wish to visit again but with the entire clan.
Photo 7: The Studyholic
EK Encarnacion, The Studyholic (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
Chemistry didn’t love me that much. I had to crawl all the way to the graduation rites. This photo was taken during the end of my freshman year. I was asked to provide a 2x2 identification of myself. By the looks of it, I have turned into some disorganized studyholic—a lost being with an unkempt hairstyle, a pimply forehead and cheeks, a pair of freakishly red eyes, and some horrific eye bags. And don’t forget my untrimmed goon-like moustache—makes one think that I killed somebody rather than studied in the library. Hush, keep quiet!
Photo 8: The Male Lindsay Lohan
EK Encarnacion, The Male Lindsay Lohan (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
Studying at UP made my life very challenging. By second year, I felt very dumb and alone. I turned into drugs. Trading my allowance with packs of marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy and whatever pushers can provide in dire need. I was a lost soul. My parents were devastated. My friends saw my pitiful condition. Everyone thought I greatly need help. Unknown to me, I was tricked into signing some custody papers—the one that traps people into rehabilitation until favorable changes become obvious. I tried to break free. I stayed in rehab for ages (as the sun seemed to have slowed down and I lost tracked of time—days turned into weeks and weeks into years). But of course, none of these occurred. I was simply enrolled into Creative Writing class. And this photo, where I look like an addict, was one of the requirements needed for that year.
There is little to be said in the next 10 photos as they are the more recent ones. Many of you have come to know me during these years.
Photo 9: The Changed
EK Encarnacion, The Changed (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
I submitted this photo as part of the requirements for my on-the-job training. People have seen much change between the previous photo and this one. Or maybe, it’s just the lighting.
Photo 10: The Graduate
EK Encarnacion, The Graduate (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
After four years, I finally found the end of the tunnel. I graduated on time with my undergraduate batch mates. This photograph was taken at the studio along with my rock star creative shot. I always keep this copy in my wallet as a simple remembrance of my academic hard work.
Photo 11: The UP Graduate (Don’t Argue. This One Needs Emphasis.)
EK Encarnacion, The UP Graduate (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
UP Graduates always have another photograph wearing the traditional Filipino costume along with the sablay, a maroon and green sash lettered with alibata, the original Filipino alphabet. For this shot, I was asked to smile showing my teeth. And honestly, I think this picture turned out to be much better as oppose to the previous photo.
Photo 12: The Perplexed Examinee
EK Encarnacion, The Perplexed Examinee (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
After years of weight loss, I started gaining weight again as I was jobless while preparing for my licensure examination. This photo, which served as an additional requirement for earning a license, was taken a few months before the test on September 2009.
Photo 13: The Still Jobless Board-Passer
EK Encarnacion, The Still Jobless Board-Passer (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
I passed the board examination. I was officially recognized by the Philippine Regulation Commission as a professional. I attached this photo to most of my curriculum vitaes. But days passed and I was still jobless. And that meant no exercise—just plain eating. Crap.
Photo 14: The Plum-Faced Applicant
EK Encarnacion, The Plum-Faced Applicant (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
Applying jobs here and there was tiring to both the eyes and legs. Walking inside buildings, submitting resumes, and impressing supervisors were done consequently so as not to lose any opportunity. But what was even more tiring was seeing me ballooning because of not being able to have any physical activity. I told myself to never go back to being overweight again. This photo, which I believe was one of those I submitted for graduate school (I was desperate for something to do so I decided to take higher education while working), served as testimony.
Photo 15: The Chestnut-Brown-Haired Dude
EK Encarnacion, The Chesnut-Brown-Haired Dude (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
For the first time, I colored my hair slightly back to its original color—brown. What a good way to celebrate not only my birthday but also my being regular at my current company.
Photo 16: The Transformed
EK Encarnacion, The Transformed (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
I have been very busy juggling work and school. And stress is cutting down some of the excess fats. While this photo was intended as answer to government-related requirements, it also marked the entrance of a more appealing version of the old character of this story.
Photo 17: Almost The Man of My Dreams
EK Encarnacion, Almost The Man of My Dreams (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
I have never envisioned myself being able to recover from a serious issue of obesity. I was able to weigh myself at the gym scale and was told by the fitness instructor that my weight already falls on the interval that corresponds to my age and height. I am happy to have moved marks on the weighing scale but I plan to do much more. For now, let me settle with the fact that I love this photo very (very) (very) much.
Photo 18: The Man at the Terminal
EK Encarnacion, The Man at the Terminal (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
Although this photo was taken simply to serve as identification for my application as account holder for our division’s team-building activities, I cannot help but be excited for what is in store for me. What changes will come in the next days, weeks, and months? I am not certain. But I am praying for good things to arise. I want to be able to improve myself not only in the physical aspect. I want to be a better man than before. I will strive and excel as I continue to wait for the new EK Encarnacion(s) to arrive and courageously evolve in front of the camera lenses.
Mini-Letter from former high school classmate, Max Eigenmann (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
[PS: I miss Max! Max Eigenmann, daughter of Mark Gil and Bing Pimentel, sister of Sid Lucero, is an actress. She played opposite Gerald Anderson in a primetime series at ABS-CBN.]
Sweet
If there’s one adjective that people often use to describe me, it’s most probably “SWEET.”
I know most of my high school friends, when asked on-the-spot, will instantly reply with “ANTI-SOCIAL;” most of my college friends will probably weigh me between “NERDY” and “OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE” for revenge; and my church-mates will want to say, “TALKATIVE” but will probably settle for “OPINIONATED” for lack of a milder term. But eventually, when they’re all in serious mode (like those times when you have to write a description of a person for his or her yearbook) everything they say is narrowed down to “SWEET.” Honestly, I don’t know how sweet I am. Some people say that I am “UNUSUALLY SWEET” but I really don’t know what that even means.
I do my best to show my wholehearted love and appreciation to the people closest to me. Of course there is God and my family who means the world to me although I know for the fact that I’m not a good son or sibling. I also show my appreciation to church-mates who inspires me to be a better Christian. And then there are my friends who stayed despite seeing my ugliness inside and out, my mistakes in life and my failures. I show how much I am grateful to have these people in my life by uttering words of praise, by encouraging them when they need someone to lift their spirits, by hugging (which by the way is one of my most favourite physical forms of expressing love), by making effort to search for and hand them the most appropriate gifts on their special days, and by doing my best to make and spend time with them despite my hectic schedule.
I am also somewhat expressive to strangers whom I have just met. When I feel that a person is someone who I can approach, someone who is willing to accommodate me as I am willing to accommodate him or her, someone who is emitting good vibes and someone who I can engage with in a conversation, I do my best to make that person feel “at home”—comfortable like we’ve known each other for such a long time. But in doing so, I think (as what my closest friends keep on telling me) I often send a wrong notion to several people. Sometimes the sweetness is interpreted as something else. And in the past, that have caused me to make others feel broken and, twice or thrice in my life, make me feel entirely smashed into pieces. My closest friends criticize me for being TOO SWEET but I ask, “How do you actually tone down sweetness when all along you’ve been raised to show appreciation through this manner?” I welcome any person who wants to be a part of my life and who wants me to be a part of his or hers. But it should be emphasized that I can only give as much based on what I really feel, think and believe in.
Portion of a letter from former high school classmate, Stephanie Castillo (Photograph by EK Encarnacion)
[PS: I miss Steph too! Stephanie Castillo is a fashion and beauty columnist at the http://www.femalenetwork.com.]
Mildly Sweet
There are people who have been with me in life but due to past conflicts, disagreements in viewpoint, and emotional differences have caused us to create fractures in our relationships. Although I still am able to communicate with them, the feeling is no longer as deep and as intense as when we have met. These people and I try to limit being around each other so as to avoid total breakage of the connection we have established. With these people, one can say, I’m “MILDLY SWEET” as I do believe that we can still come to each other’s aid when tough times arise.
But I am also mildly sweet to other strangers. Strangers who I feel have attitudes or perceptions that are slightly different from mine or strangers who create an atmosphere that I cannot completely feel comfortable in are some of those who receive my mild sweetness. I have already said that I do welcome people in my life. But when I feel that a clash may occur due to dissimilarities, I try to take a step back because I want to prevent possible sparks. To these strangers, I show less of me. I tend to be more cautious with what comes out of my mouth when I converse with them or what I do when I’m with them.
Bittersweet
Enter “BITTERSWEET”. And then there are those who I know should live their lives as far away from mine as possible. It may be their choice to live a life away from me, my option to live a life away from them or a collaborative decision. I, being near them, or they, being near me, can only cause us to hurt each other. But with the world being small, it is impossible not to chance upon them sometime in life. I know one day I’ll be able to meet these people again. I do not know what will happen but I do believe that God’s timing will be perfect such that past conflicts will be set aside, if not completely forgotten.
And I can be bittersweet to strangers even. There are some who I know and feel have attitudes or perceptions that are completely 180 degrees different from mine or some who create an atmosphere that I cannot tolerate even for a single minute. I respect them as people but I hope they do forgive me for really separating myself from them as I do know that clashes will be inevitable if we are in proximity.
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Whether I am sweet, mildly sweet or bittersweet towards an individual, I really want him or her to feel that I care and it’s really up to him or her how he or she would view my “sweetness” (and by this I mean any of the three)—would he or she take it as something positive or something negative? It is really up to him or her how he or she would respond. As for me, I am expressing appreciation in the manner that I have been taught, have been raised and have learned through time.
But for you, whether you are a friend of mine or a stranger in my life, if you have a choice: how would you like your EK Encarnacion: sweet, mildly sweet or bittersweet?
