I should probably be used to it by now but I obviously can’t because I’m going to say this again: I can’t believe how fast time flies and that the first half of the year is over. July came by so fast that January to June felt like it happened for just a week or two (of course, that’s an exaggeration lol). But along with this blur of a time are moments that made me happy, feel alive, and thankful. In a short span of 30 days, I realized how many things - no matter how small or trivial - can put a smile on my face.
June happy things:
Turned 22 and my first time to spend my birthday in a beach
Off the bucket list: parasailing (it was such a majestic fifteen-minute experience)
Did my 50+ page manuscript in one seating (still can’t believe I was able to do that lol)
Got 1.75 in my SP *tears of joy*
Went to my very first (indie) music gig #RoomForSquares15 and saw Reese Lansangan perform live
Met with some of my high school friends and batchmates over a dinner at my best friend’s house
Rekindling old friendships
Accomplished my clearance (after 4 days of walking and knocking and waiting ;_;)
Attended our institute graduation and had fun with my friends and professors/instructors
Took a picture with Oble (the myth isn’t true: I was delayed for a year even though I didn’t take any picture with the iconic statue before lol)
Met with a friend over lunch and spazzed over her crush and some Korean dramas
Hearing your mom say “sorry” and apologize sincerely (it was the first time, I think?)
Finally have my very own copy of Team Real + I made a friend smile cos I gave her a copy as a gift :)
Watched Finding Dory as part of our Father’s Day celebration!!!
HOHOL with my ComSci friends
Last orientation with my only college org as an undergrad #sepanx
Knowing somebody appreciates you 💓
CAKE hahahahahaha
So many good dramas are ongoing (Lucky Romance, Beautiful Gong Shim, and Doctors) and upcoming (can’t wait for July 6 and 11, Uncontrollably Fond and Let’s Fight Ghost will air then!!!)
Getting to know more about myself through my MBTI and zodiac sign ;)
Realizing how much God upholds me all throughout despite everything; #loved and #blessed beyond words
And ofc, the highlight of my month, all by God’s grace: graduated from college
A lot has happened in the past 6 months and although I wasn’t able to chronicle all of it here in my blog, I got my Gratitude Cup (which is a Starbucks venti cup lol) that is full of colorful notes to help me remember them. I am so excited because July has only just begun and I already have an upcoming “happy thing” - a reunion with my high school friends after 5 years of graduating from our alma mater. I also can’t wait to see how the rest of the year will unfold as I will also enter a new season in life: BEING A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL (aka working girl hahaha).
Last Saturday, I finally wore my sablay, walked on the stage to receive my diploma (albeit the real one will be released five months later lol), pledged loyalty to my now alma mater - University of the Philippines Los Banos - and sang UP Naming Mahal with a clenched fist and a grateful heart. After a long, winding journey, I am finally an official UP alumna.
To be honest, UP was not my dream school. Ateneo was. The only course I was really interested in back in high school was AdMU’s BFA Information Design (partially influenced by Tricia Gosingtian and Elisa Aquino, but mostly influenced by my inclination to creating art back then). Sadly, I didn’t pass ACET, but I triumphed over UPCAT and USTET, so it was a battle between taking Computer Science or Accountancy with some other factors in between. To cut the long story short and to state the obvious, I chose studying in UP and took a course I don’t even have any single idea on what it’s about. I learned to love ComSci though (but sometimes the two of us just don’t get along really well). I won’t go deep on what makes ComSci interesting for me ‘cos I might get you all confused with technical terms lol. Just one thing: the people around me and the professors who taught me beyond the textbook helped in my getting around the degree program.
Studying in UP is both gratifying and exhausting. There are times when I would rather study than hang out with friends (seriously) but there are also times when I would just wish I was at home - doing things I want to do freely, without a care in the world. There are moments when I would just cry out of exhaustion and think of quitting because I thought it was the easiest thing to do at the time but my parents kept me grounded. There are golden moments when I would smile so wide my cheeks would hurt upon finishing a program or fixing a bug or receiving a high grade for an exam I pulled an all-nighter for or finally getting all my readings done for my GEs. Nothing ever comes easy and UP taught that to me very well. You work hard for everything and sometimes it doesn’t pay off the way you want it to but the learning and training you got while working hard is also a gain, just in another form.
UP taught me many things - not just about life but also about myself, people in general, and the society. Call it cliche but it’s the truth. Well, at least, for me. More than 75 kilometers away from home, I learned how to be independent: cook for myself (and my housemates), do my laundry, take care of paper works and my enrollment, budget my money wisely, manage my time, get along with people, learn some life hacks, and look after myself. I learned how important it is to have knowledge and opinion on things that matter - things that concern not only yourself but also other people, the nation, the greater good. I learned that one of the things that make me genuinely happy is spending time with people I love and care about and that being of help to other people gives me an extraordinary feeling of satisfaction. I learned that not all people you get to know in college come and go. Some would stay even after getting to know your crazy and bad side. And those that would, you’re sure they’re gonna be there for a long time. I learned that there are things you just can’t control (like when all your professors decided to schedule all the exams in one, same week or when your professor just loves to give 5.0 to their students) but there are far more things you can do something about (like your study habits, your mindset, and the ways you use your time). If anything, UP (the system, the staff and teachers, the people in it, the environment and culture - everything) is an eye-opener. And for that, I sincerely thank UP because it brought me a step closer to the person I hoped to be.
It was a long, winding journey of five years but everything was worth it.
The night I discovered Clara Benin and finally saw Reese Lansangan perform live
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I’m not one who often goes to music fests or indie gigs but when one of my good college friends, Ate Alex, invited me to go with her and Kim in #RoomForSquares15, I didn’t pass up the chance. Ever since I turned 22 I’ve always thought that it’s time to go out of my comfort zone and my norm. It’s time to finally try something new even if it’s uncomfortable for me. Maybe to some this may sound a bit late but, for me, it’s never too late to try -- no matter your age. So, little by little I try to explore new places and do new things. And this is definitely one of them.
#RoomForSquares15 (first night was last June 10 and the second night will be on June 17; held at 12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub) is a tribute night to John Meyer’s debut studio album that hit the world by storm 15 years ago. The artists who performed were: Martti Franca and KR Quiñon (both were winners of a contest held by Indie Manila), Nights of Rizal, The Espasouls, Clara Benin, Lime, Reeese Lansangan and Kai Honasan, and LPG.
There were two highlights for me that night: first was the discovery of Clara Benin. I’m not very into indie music and, if I am, I usually listen to those from the West (I know, shame on me) but that night I discovered gold in the form of Clara Benin. Her voice is so so so soothing. And her music is really beautiful. The very first original I listened to was Smile, a song dedicated for her sister and I think it’s just so sweet. These past few days I’ve been listening to her songs and I’m falling deeper into her music after every song.
The second highlight (and typing this still makes me smile lol) is finally seeing Reese Lansangan live! I'm a fan of hers ever since I found her blog (I think it was two years ago... it was still just reeseypeasy then) and then I found her Instagram then I found her Soundcloud and the rest was history. Reese is such a creative girl and, as someone who loves creativity and quirky aesthetics, I fell in love right away. I personally think she’s a huge ball of creativity and the way she translates it into music is such a wonderful thing because she shares a part of herself to the world. Actually, I didn’t take any video of Reese (or of any bands/artists) performing. I just took a few photos. I wanted to intently listen to her and hear her music come alive. While she was performing, I couldn’t stop smiling (I fangirled and tried to keep my feels lol). The wait was definitely worth it cos I also got a picture with her!!! Ah, my heart ~
And that basically concludes my very first “live indie music” experience. It went way better than I expected it to be. Maybe next time around me and my friends will book a table cos we stood in the same spot (thank goodness it was a nice spot where we can clearly see the stage) for hours I think we burned a hole on the ground lol.
Do people still do this in their blog? Or has the hype died down? Either way I’m still gonna do it to 1) keep my blog alive and 2) so I have a reason to share how my life’s doing without having to struggle to find the words to say or things to share. I have my inhibitions in starting a blog series though. Being a sporadic “blogger” makes it hard (if not impossible) for me to actually be consistent in posting every week just so the series could go on. But here’s to hoping something wonderful might come out of it. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get past ten volumes and carry on ‘til the end of the year.
READING nothing at the moment. I can’t remember the last time I’ve held a book and actually read it through. My latest book purchase, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, has been with me since February but I never got past Chapter 1. I’m planning to get back on it though, but I guess I’m gonna have to start from the first page cos honestly I can’t remember how the story began. -_-
WRITING the rest of my Ilocos trip (which is already 2 months due from posting) and a birthday reflection post (which is also late... TELL ME ABOUT IT). I have lots of pending posts to make and I badly need to catch up, obviously. Since I was working on my thesis for the past couple of months, blogging just had to seat back because graduation > anything at the moment.
LISTENING to All These Things by Stephen Speaks.
THINKING whether to cancel my order of sablay in Los Banos and order one in Diliman instead. For some reason, the sablay in LB is not the same as what we wore in our grad pic. It’s thinner and more of like a shawl than an actual cloth. I wonder why...
SMELLING nothing, thanks to my sinuses. I have colds right now and it’s beginning to turn from bad to worse. I know because my throat is still aching and I’m having a hard time breathing through one hole. Ugh I hate colds.
WISHING my colds to be gone.
HOPING I’ll be able to find the “right” company where I can work for the next two years or so. I haven’t sent out any of my CVs yet since I wanted to finish my clearance first and all the remaining tasks I had to do that concerns college. “One responsibility at a time” is my current mantra. :)
LOVING the new arrangement I did in my closet of trinkets. Yesterday was spring cleaning day for me and since I wanted to get back on reading and writing in my journal, I replaced all my unused notebooks with books like The Alchemist and God’s Not Dead and some of the notebooks I currently use.
WANTING a Mac Book Air so badly it’s on top of the things I’m gonna save up for when I start getting paychecks. I’ve been borrowing my mom’s from time to time and I think it’s just so sleek! My five year old Acer notebook, Piper, has long given up on me (broken battery, screen completely covered in red broken pixels, and defective drivers) and now I’m just using my sister’s laptop to get by.
NEEDING new clothes. I’ve been planning to go shopping for some new clothes before I start working. My closet is full of repetitive (and old) clothes and I’m pretty much getting tired with it. I think this year I’ll go with the basics since that’s the style I’m most comfortable at and it’ll be easier to dress up with.
FEELING 22!! Will be posting more about this feeling real soon ;)
CLICKING through #bulletjournal posts -- again. The desire to start another bullet journal (after miserably failing the first one) is creeping on me. Guess it was because I saw all my unused notebooks again and it got me thinking of better ways to use them.
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The Sunday Currently is an original blog series by Siddathornton.
(Sorry for taking so long in posting this. The deadline for my thesis is just two weeks away, so I’m cutting myself away from any form of social media -- or at least try to make very minimal interaction with it. I’ll get back to posting my Ilocos travel diaries once I finish working on my software. For now, here’s a taste of Vigan.)
I would like to start off this travel post by saying that my family and I had to endure a 15-hour land travel from Manila to Ilocos Sur (with roughly an hour or two stopover in Tarlac because we had to pick-up my lolo) just to get to Vigan. TELL ME ABOUT IT. But it’s safe to say that the bum ache was all worth it because I finally get to meet/ see the famous (Calle) Crisologo I only get to see in pictures before -- with a bonus of having a chance to be related to Harry Potter for 5 minutes.
Unlike the usual itinerary of tourists when having a trip to Ilocos, we started with Vigan first rather than in Laoag since we were traveling by car. (Usually, people will start from Laoag if they are traveling by plane because that’s where the airport is.) We left the house around 3 A.M. and arrived in Vigan around 5:30 in the afternoon -- just enough time to check-in at the hotel, stretch a bit, check their pool, and then finally run off to the dancing fountain show in the city plaza.
The dancing fountain show is Vigan’s newest tourist attraction. I think it only began around two years ago. Show starts at 7:30 P.M. on weekdays and during weekends, they got two shows -- one at 7:30 P.M. and the other at 8:30. We didn’t have enough time to eat dinner before the show because there were only a few good spots in the plaza left so we had to prioritize securing seats rather than eating dinner lol (although there were nearby food stalls and fast food restaurants).
The show was very impressive, I must say. They played 8 songs (if I remember it correctly) with the first one being a Japanese song. There was an Ilokano song too while the rest of the songs range from pop culture to movie soundtracks like Frozen’s “Let It Go”. There were lasers and different colors everywhere, dancing along the music. It was a nice tourism strategy for Ilocos Sur to renovate Vigan’s old plaza into what it is now. A little heads up though: your gadget might get wet from the water sprays, so be careful while taking pictures/ videos. And also there’s an open fountain by the other end of the plaza (how cool is that) so be careful not to get wet while walking around the place lol.
Fountain in Plaza Salcedo by day (spot the manong who was solemnly doing a plank by the side lol)
Finally meeting Crisologo
It was one of my long time travel dreams to go and visit Ilocos and among the things in my to-do list once I’m in the place was to stroll down Calle Crisologo. But the idea was sort of far-fetched for me since my mom usually shakes her head at the idea of traveling to Ilocos by land (we are a family of 6 so traveling by plane would be very expensive). Simply because the travel is long and dad - who’ll most probably be driving the family’s manual sedan - will be spent from cruisin’ on the road non-stop. But thanks be to my beloved daddy who said yes to traveling for hours just to get to Ilocos.
And so, finally, I got to meet Crisologo.
Amusingly, I bumped into Eunice, a close high school friend, while strolling down Calle Crisologo. I knew she was also in Vigan but the time and place of us meeting was impeccable (to think that it was all by chance)!
Trying to be a “Gail Potter”
Of course, when in Vigan, you wouldn’t want to miss the burnayan -- or the place where people make pottery. We went to the burnayan owned by a national artist (which honestly I forgot the name of huhu mianhae). This burnayan’s kiln is known as The Dragon because it’s very long and very big. Also, they don’t have entrance fee but there’s a donation box where you can drop a few bills and coins to help them with their expenses.
As for the show, it only took manong a few minutes to form a simple yet beautiful jar. It was like watching a magic show. For a few seconds you would think he wasn’t doing anything to the bunch of mud and clay before him but slowly you’ll see the vase taking shape -- with even just very minimal movements of his hands. It’s awesome.
And then there’s me trying my best to make something beautiful out of the clay and mud but barely making a formed pot lol. Manong made it look so easy to do but I guess that’s because he was already doing this for many years. Nevertheless, I’m glad I was the first to try in our bunch. It was a different experience though, albeit brief.
My brother kept on ruining his pot that he can’t help but laugh at himself lol.
Finding Hidden Garden
We did a side trip to Hidden Garden of Vigan because my mom - being a plant enthusiast that she is - wanted to buy plants and herbs that we will bring back home. Buying plants are not required when you visit this place though.
The place was filled with fancy plants and herbs. They got lots of bonsai, ferns, medicinal plants, and flowers displayed both for viewing and buying.
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Where We Stayed:
Fiesta Garden Hotel (Rating: 5/5) -- Definitely a good place to stay in! The pool was big (with two slides and a Jacuzzi), the room was simple yet elegant and also very tidy (their carved doors were so fancy!), the staff were very accommodating, and their food was beyond delicious (for me, they got the best bagnet).
Tips:
Start your day early. It was a looong trip getting to Vigan (i.e. if you’ll also be traveling by car like we did), so you might as well maximize the time you have to go to every sight-seeing corners and places in the city.
Bring an umbrella, a crunchie (to tie your hair up), a bottle of water, and a hat.
Get to Calle Crisologo early in the morning so you’ll be able to get a picture with the famous street as your backdrop and less-to-none photobombers around. People start to accumulate around 8 A.M.
Kalesas pass Calle Crisologo. Be alert when taking pictures.
Of the many things listed in my bucket list, my hope to visit (and play) in the sand dunes of Ilocos Norte is one of them. Initially, I wanted to go to La Paz sand dunes in Laoag because it’s the famous/ usual sand dunes go-to of tourists when they’re in the north. I’ve read many stories about it so, when my mom confirmed that our summer escapade for this year is a trip to Ilocos, I was definitely ecstatic because I know I’ll be crossing off one item in my bucket list. Although I’m anticipating to finally see the dunes in La Paz, our hired driver drove us all the way to Suba, Paoay instead. The reason: it’s the largest sand dunes in the north and its slopes are less harsh than that of La Paz’s. I definitely didn’t complain.
We arrived in Suba sand dunes around 5 o’clock in the afternoon. The line was starting to get long but it helped that our driver knows some people from the place. Since we were a family of 5 then (my achi wasn’t part of the family trip because of work) + my lolo, we opted to experience the dunes with a 4x4 adventure (inclusive of sand boarding). Upon arrival, you wouldn’t really get to see the size of the place. BUT WAIT ‘TIL YOU RIDE YOUR 4X4 (OR ATV).
When our driver said that Suba, Paoay sand dunes was the largest of its kind in the north, he wasn’t kidding. IT WAS REALLY HUGE. I couldn’t emphasize it with words, just look at the photos I took! People easily became tiny with the vastness of the place filled with nothing but sands, tire tracks, and some wild grass. The size of it was so overwhelming! And it’s not even half of what you can see and experience once you’re there: the place was overlooking the open ocean. And our timing was perfect for the glorious sunset watch, too! It was perfect.
IS IT NOT OBVIOUS THAT I WAS HAVING FUN???
I did not dare try to stand up when I was sand boarding because 1) I was wearing shorts (our driver just mentioned that the dunes was part of our itinerary when we were already on the road to Pagudpud early in the morning) and I fear that when I stumble I will collect sands in places which has the possibility of bringing discomfort - you get the picture lol and 2) the manong who assisted us discouraged us to do so since balancing was sort of difficult. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the sand boarding even though I did it while sitting down the whole time.
Down they gooooo!
Look at my parents having fun! (I got such cute parents lol)
Sunset by the ocean is nothing short of majestic. It was definitely a sight to behold.
The whole adventure was definitely worth it because a trip to the shore was also included (happened after our sand boarding) and our designated driver was kind enough to take lots of pictures for us and have a short stop where Bamboo had his concert way back and where the iconic movies Panday and Himala were filmed.
The trip to the sand dunes has got to be my favorite among others during our Ilocos escapade. It was definitely an exhilarating adventure, one that shouldn’t be missed, especially when experienced with loved ones. Definitely can't wait to cross more items off in my bucket list! x
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Rates:
ATV - Php 800/30 mins; maximum of 2 persons for each vehicle
4x4 - Php 2500/1 hr; 5-6 persons for each vehicle; inclusive of sand boarding (if you don’t want to go sand boarding - which is a shame cos you’ll most definitely miss out on an awesome experience - the price will drop to Php 1500)
Tips:
CLOTHES. Wear comfortable clothes - preferably jeans and shirt/top that are not loosely buttoned down (the place was super windy, so you might experience a huge inconvenience when your buttons go poppin’ every now and then - happened to me ;_;). Also, if you don’t mind having sands stuck in your shoes then you can go and wear doll shoes, slip-ons, or sneakers. Otherwise, wear slippers.
TIME. I think late afternoon was definitely the best time to be there. It wasn’t very hot since the sun was about to set, plus you get to see the majestic sunset view. On another note, I think the dunes are already opened early in the morning, around 5A.M., so if you want the dunes to be first in your itinerary, you could go for a morning adventure instead.
PACKAGE. I’d go for 4x4 rather than the ATV (although that’s another different kind of experience) if you’re traveling in a group and if you want to reach the shore line. I didn’t see any ATV by the shore when we went there and I think it can only go a short distance due to time constraints.
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I will blog about the rest of our Ilocos trip within the week (with tips and rates included for helpful reference to those who are planning for an Ilocos trip), so watch out for that :)
With only 2 weeks left to resolve all remaining issues and redeem characters (if the writers think it’s necessary), I still can’t wrap my head around the idea that On The Wings of Love -- popularly known as OTWOL -- is on its final stretch. You guys might say “What the heck? Why are you so affected? It’s just a show, for crying out loud!” but it’s not just a show to me (and perhaps to many others, too). I have never imagined I would be so hooked in this drama, let alone be expressing reasons why I love it, but it just happened. There’s a different kind of magic that only OTWOL can pull on people. And maybe this 8 reasons could help explain what kind of magic it is...
(I tried my best to narrow it down to just 8 and it’s hard, I tell you.)
1. IT’S REALISTIC.
If there’s anything that sets apart OTWOL from any other teleseryes out there (or has ever been shown in Philippine TV) is that it’s realistic. The scenarios are inspired by true to life events (albeit not based solely on a particular person’s life) which people can easily relate to. The problems, the heartbreaks, the kilig, the characters, the sacrifices. We’ve all been where Leah and Clark (a.k.a. CLeah) were -- at one point of our lives or another which makes it so much fun to watch. It’s like having a bit of your life story presented on TV and you watch how the characters choose the same choices you made and see if the outcome will be similar to yours. Isn’t it exciting?
2. ITS CHARACTERS ARE HUMAN.
All the characters in OTWOL are flawed, vulnerable, and have weak points -- which made them more human. More “relatable”. More like us, the viewers. I’ve seen too many dramas where the characters have no balance in terms of humanity: either too good to be true or too hateful to even try to understand. In OTWOL, you can’t fully hate a character because you can understand them. You can understand why they were able to do the things they’ve done. You can easily put yourself in their shoes and find yourself understanding where they are coming from. (Well, maybe except for Simon. I’m having a hard time understanding him. His subtle manipulative character creeps me out and makes me want to punch him in the face. Sorry but that’s just how it gets to me.) NOTE: Understanding them does not necessarily translates to agreeing with them and their actions.
3. IT’S A GAME-CHANGER.
OTWOL is definitely a game-changer in the field of Filipino teleseryes. It was the first time I’ve seen a teleserye that has no evil (step)mother, no amnesia or finding-son/daughter story line, no revenge-is-mine or you’ll-die-in-my-hands persona, no rich-guy-fell-in-love-with-poor-girl (or vice versa) plot and other cliche scripts we’ve all seen too many times. (If there was one or two teleseryes that didn’t follow a trivial story line that was aired prior to OTWOL, then I can say that OTWOL definitely is the most successful in delivering such because heck it took the Philippine TV by storm and really got my complete attention.) For what it’s worth I’m going to reiterate what everyone has been saying about OTWOL: it definitely raised the bar for quality Filipino dramas. The ratings might be low compared to others but the impact it has on people cannot be measured in numbers. Just read through the hashtag of OTWOL in Twitter every night or visit Instagram and search #OTWOL or #JADINE and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
Also, I like how a kind of art that is not known to many was introduced through the series: the spoken poetry. Thanks to Juan Miguel Severo (who plays as Rico) for translating our feelings into words weaved perfectly to hit us right through our hearts. Some of my favorite spoken poetry he did in the series:
Sampung Aral Na Natutunan Ko Sa Mga Umiibig
Ang Lugar Ay Pawang Mga Lugar Lamang
Kapag Sinabi Kong Mahal Kita
Nagmamahal
Kulang Ang Daigdig Sa Pagmamahal
4. IT HAS EVERY SPICE IN THE TELESERYE COOK BOOK.
What I really like about OTWOL is how it can turn every episode into a roller coaster ride of emotions. The whole drama is a roller coaster ride itself. It has every spice indicated in the teleserye cook book.
The Special OTWOL Recipe
a bunch of romantic and kilig scenes (like THIS, this, this, THIS, this and many more -- you can just search it in Youtube lol)
a pint of comedy and enjoyable humor here and there (like how Tatang Sol and the tenementers would sometimes kid around Tolayts’ damoves on Manang Tiffany or how corny CLeah can get around each other or just any scene where Axl and Kiko are)
multiple bags of drama and heartbreaking scenes (like talks of leaving and this golden sumbatan scene)
a sprinkle of horror (like this and this hahahaha)
and a tiny bit of action (like how Clark went all heroic during the tenement fire)
It’s not everyday that you see a teleserye that goes from romance to comedy to drama real quick. And the pacing is not even forced which makes it more interesting and pleasing to watch. If many script writers and directors will cook a teleserye using The Special OTWOL Recipe (or try to be innovative and original, and pluck courage to take a risk in serving a new kind of drama series far from people are used to), I wouldn’t mind giving 45 minutes of my time every night and watch it.
5. IT STIRS UP PEOPLE.
SERIOUSLY. It does. Just look at what OTWOL did to me hahaha.
OTWOL, being an effective show in stirring up people’s minds and emotions, gave birth to a myriad of people now popularly known as OTWOListas -- those who are so hooked in the drama that they watch OTWOL every night (or try to catch up if they miss an episode or two) and actively share their thoughts in social media or with people around them. People like me.
I really love how whenever I go to Twitter, Tumblr, or Instagram and hit up ‘OTWOL’ in the search bar, there will always be posts about people’s thoughts on a particular character or how the show is going. It actually helps people think and self-reflect whenever they put themselves on the characters’ shoes. I, for one, got myself thinking what would I do if I were Clark or Leah. Would I choose the same choices they chose or would I do otherwise? Is it love or career? Questions like these are proof that OTWOL is more than just a past time show for people. Hindi lang pampalipas-oras.
6. IT EXPLORES ALL THE CHARACTERS.
Can I just say this in Filipino: Walang patapon na character. Walang “extra” lang. I love how there’s growth (no matter how small that growth may be) in every character involved and how each of them have a lesson or two to teach us:
Tita Jack taught us that a motherly love never ceases no matter what. Rico taught us that sometimes you need to let go of the ones you love. Cullen taught us what a true friend is. Maggie taught us that you can find a friend even in the most unexpected people. Jigs taught us that people can change for the better. Angela taught us that it’s okay to look up to someone (even if they are not your partner/spouse). Manang Tiffany taught us about taking responsibility in the family. Tolayts taught us that love is patient and perseveres. Lola Pachang taught us that a grandmotherly love is one of a kind. Harry and Audrey taught us that young love can wait. Axl and Kiko taught us that you can be fun and serious in life simultaneously. Betsy and Fifi taught us to be happy for our friend’s success. Andres taught us that nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams.
It’s just amazing to realize how these characters can shed light to some of life’s truths, even in the subtlest way. Like I said, walang patapon na character.
7. IT IS BEAUTIFULLY SHOT AND WONDERFULLY CRAFTED.
Watching OTWOL is like watching a long, long, long movie. I don’t know anything about technicalities but, for me, OTWOL is cinematic. Maybe it’s because some directors (if not all; I’m not familiar with the other directors just with Direk Tonet and Dan) of the series are film directors that’s why their shots and most of their takes are movie-like. Of all the scenes they took, I really love the shots in Napa Valley, the family outing at the beach, and the trip to Ilocos -- especially whenever they use the drone and show just how majestic the place could be. It makes me want to go to where they went. OTWOL has this way of promoting places in a subtle way.
Aside from the directing and the shots, I also give credit to the script writers. The characters are well-thought of -- imperfect and not always agreeable but definitely well-thought of. And I would just like to point out that the characters’ dialogues are not overdone i.e. alam mong sasabihin ng isang tao sa totoong buhay given the same situation (which is very important to me lol).
I couldn’t express more of this but OTWOL is beautifully shot and wonderfully crafted. Some twists were unexpected while some turns weren’t but still left me shocked. And because the problems are mainly rooted on the characters’ decisions and personalities, it makes the whole story somewhat predictable but not completely, IYKWIM. Like I said, it’s OTWOL magic. It’s is one hell of a roller coaster ride you’ll find yourself enjoying. Haha.
8. IT TEACHES LESSONS YOU CAN USE IN REAL LIFE.
Watching OTWOL didn’t only give me lots of kilig and heartbreaks. It also taught me life (and practical) lessons:
“Sagrado ang kasal.” --Tatang Sol
Before you get into a relationship, it is important to know that you are whole.
There is nothing wrong in chasing your dreams -- just be sure that you won’t regret giving up things (or people) in exchange of that.
Suka/calamansi/ihi ang gamot sa sting ng sea urchin. (This is important people. Knowing this could save lives.)
Effort (with genuine intention) pays off (#TiffaLayts)
“You never lose love for someone. Pwedeng nagbabago o nababawasan pero hindi naglalaho.” --Jigs
Learn to look at the brighter side of things. It’s all about perspective.
There is a love that transforms us and makes us want to be a better person.
May pagmamahal na nagkakaayos muli dahil sa pagpapatawad. (Nanang and Tatang)
To all the gentlemen out there: okay lang matakot sa ipis. Hindi ikakabawas ng pagkalalaki nyo yan. ;)
Every relationship requires maturity.
Perfect recipe for breakups: too much pride, groundless jealousy, and lack of trust
Valid maging corny kung 1) in love ka at 2) minsan lang.
The decisions we make in life will always have a consequence and sometimes the consequence can hurt the people we love.
There is love and acceptance that can be found in our families no. matter. what.
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OTWOL is not a perfect teleserye but I can definitely say that it’s one of the best. There’s more to it than talks of ratings or raking viewers or even making it on the trends list. It offers lessons on life, marriage and relationships. OTWOL is one of a kind. I’m sure of it. So, to the whole team who is behind this golden teleserye, thank you so much for putting your whole heart into it. You make us happy, angry, sad, and kilig all at once. Thank you for making the OTWOL magic drive us crazy!
And advance thank you for the happy ending for CLeah -- not because that’s what we are used to seeing in teleseryes or just because that’s what we want but because Clark and Leah really deserve it. Can’t wait! ;)
A lot of people may be wondering why people keep on watching Korean dramas (Kdramas for short) when it’s hard to keep your eyes on the scenes and simultaneously read the subtitle in order to understand what the actors are saying. My reason: watching Kdramas taught me a lot about Korean culture (which I really, really, really love) and pushed me to self-study Hangul (I know how to read, write and speak/understand basic Korean). See? There’s something worthwhile people get in watching Kdramas. It’s not just all about the kilig or the pretty boys. (Read: me being a little bit defensive about this topic lol.)
Here are 7 Kdramas that are currently on my watch list (in no particular order):
1. Cheese In The Trap
Starring: Park Hae Jin, Kim Go Eun, and Seo Kang Joon
Release Date: January 2016
Currently on top of my list. A good friend of mine recommended this and I’ve also been encountering clips of this in @seoulpop_’s Instagram, and I think the drama is sweet and good. Right now, I’m downloading it and will probably watch it after the drama airs. (I cannot deal with the agonizing feeling of having to be in a constant cliff-hanging ordeal just because the next episode will be uploaded a week after it airs in South Korea. I JUST CAN’T ;_;)
2. Uncontrollably Fond
Starring: Kim Woo Bin, Bae Suzy, Im Joo Hwan, and Im Ju Eun
Release Date: June 2016
Can I just say first: KIM WOO BIN AND SUZY!!!!! Ohmygoodness. I have a huge crush on Woo Bin and a huge girl crush on Suzy, so when I heard about an upcoming drama with them as leads I just couldn’t help but be excited. Like SUPER excited. Honestly, I’ve never imagined that they will be paired. There’s no definite reason. I just think that South Korea has so many actors that they can pair with Woo Bin and Suzy respectively, but BAM! they got paired with each other (thank the PD-nim heavens). Just imagine the hype when two of the most sought after actors were paired as leads. HUGE. I just hope that this will be a really good drama and not just an overrated piece of work. Right now, I’m still in the Anticipating Mode. I still got four more months of waiting to do. *sigh*
3. Page Turner
Starring: Ji Soo, Kim So Hyun, and Shin Jae Ha
Release Date: February 2016
Kim So Hyun wasn’t my favorite teen Korean actress -- but that was before I saw how superb she was in “School 2015". Man, the girl really can act! Plus, I appreciated her beauty then and her cuteness. Makes me want to make her my dongsaeng lol. On the other hand, I first stumbled upon Ji Soo in “Sassy Go Go”. He was the second lead and I badly wanted him to end up with Eunji instead! #SecondLeadSyndrome, guys haha. Anyway, this Korean drama is said to have only 3 episodes. I hope there will be more because I think both So Hyun and Ji Soo can act really well. And they have chemistry, too. So, PD-nims, can you please make it to a 16-episode drama instead? ;)
4. Splash Splash Love
Starring: Yoon Doo Joon and Kim Seul Gi
Release Date: December 2015
I remember Seul Gi from “Oh My Ghostess”. She already got my attention in that series because she was cute, hilarious, and effectively portrayed her role. So when I came upon SSL and found out she’s the lead, the drama immediately went into my watch list. It’s just interesting for me whenever an actor/actress becomes a lead, given that I first encounter them playing supporting roles. It’s like finally the spotlight is theirs and their time to shine in the small screen has finally arrived. :)
5. Oh My Venus
Starring: So Ji Sub, Shim Min Ah, Jung Gyu Woon, and Yu In Young (also Henry!!! lol)
Release Date: November 2015
Another Kdrama I found thanks to seoulpop_’s IG. The snaps there were cute, sweet, and funny which made this Kdrama interesting to me. Plus, I think Ji Sub and Min Ah make an endearing couple in the show: a stern/strict guy + a clumsy/bubbly girl = perfect for romantic comedies. I’ve read the synopsis but it was just a brief and vague statement. Guess I’m gonna have to watch this in order to find out how their love stories unfolded.
6. Shut Up Flower Boy Band
Starring: Lee Min Ki, Sung Joon, Kim Myung Soo (L), Lee Hyun Jae, Yoo Min Kyu, and Kim Min Suk
Release Date: January 2012
I’ve been hearing a lot about this but never actually tried looking for a copy or watching it via Youtube (if there were episodes uploaded). It piqued my interest because gominams (OF COURSE) and I think it’s similar to Dream High (theme-wise, being it about music and high school life) which I really liked.
7. The Producers
Starring: Kim Soo Hyun. Gong Hyo Jin, Cha Tae Hyun, and IU
Release Date: May 2015
I’ve had the complete copy of this drama in my external HD for months now but I’ve only just watched the first episode. I couldn’t quite bring myself to (binge-)watch it because of reviews I previously read -- they weren’t all good -- but that would be really unfair for the show. I guess I have to overlook the reviews I read and start watching it to be able to give my verdict. And also to give space for some new Kdramas, just in case I wouldn’t like it after all. (I delete Kdramas in my EHD if they’re not my cup of tea or I’m sure that I wouldn’t watch it all over again.)
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There’s actually a lot of Kdramas I want to watch but I know life is not all about watching Korean actors and actresses play roles and tell a good story, so I choose them carefully instead. Hopefully, I’ll be able to restrain myself from (binge-)watching any of these aforementioned Kdramas until my thesis is officially done. #priorities lol
That should be one of my mantras for the whole year. SERIOUSLY. If having to start over at something counts as a hobby, it could probably my favorite. And if I get paid every time I start over a blog, I’m probably rich by now.
Two facts: 1) I’m pretty much inconsistent about many things -- chronicling my life and blogging are a few of them, and 2) this isn’t my first blog. As much as I wanted to have an online journal with copyright years of say 2008-present just like all other bloggers out there, I just can’t have it. Reason: Whenever I wanted to start blogging again, I delete my previous blog/s and create a new one. I know, YIKES.
A little of my blogging history:
2008. Like every other teenager, I had a Multiply account and enjoyed sharing things about myself and how I’m doing with my life. It was also the very first platform I used to share photos I manipulated using Photoshop.
2009-2013. I found out about Tumblr through a friend and began chronicling my life in an easier and more enjoyable way. Tumblr then was mostly made up of personal blogs (you hardly find one nowadays) and Tumblarity was still a thing.
2014. College was getting tough and I needed to get my stuff going. Anything blog-related was out of sight.
2015. One day I suddenly wanted to start documenting my life again but I felt the Tumblr community to be... crowded? I did my research and found out Wordpress to be the "best” blogging platform out there. So, I started multiple ones and failed to keep any of those I created.
2016. I’m back in Tumblr and give myself another shot at blogging.
I can’t recall how many blogs I’ve deleted and created over the course of time (both in Tumblr and in Wordpress). If you ask me why I delete every single blog I do whenever I wanted to resume my blogging, I would say that it’s probably because I wanted the feeling of having a clean slate before me. It feels refreshing and nice. (My OC-ness could’ve been a contributing factor, too.) But I came upon a quote today that says:
“If you want to stop starting over, you have to stop giving up.”
That struck a chord in me.
Over the past years of writing about my life or anything I wanted to share to people, somewhere along in the middle, I walk away from it. And when the interest in writing comes to me again or even just a tiny idea of “Oh, I want to write about this” comes at a spur of the moment, I delete my previous blog -- regardless of how good I was doing before -- and start a new one. It’s an unhealthy cycle that I personally want to end. And the quote above made me realize that the cycle I have created in blogging says a lot about my character, too. I am reminded that it’s in the little things we do that our character is reflected.
I don’t want to be a quitter anymore. I want to stop starting over.
Wunderein is going to be my last attempt at sharing my favorite things and chronicling my life’s shenanigans via the Internet. If this works out, I’ll be really happy. I can finally have something to look back at by the end of the year (and hopefully, beyond). But if it doesn’t, I’ll be really disappointed at myself.
