Absolutely!

MY YEAR-ENDER.

Woot. I can't believe it's already the last day of this year! I can still remember writing my very first blog post ever (it was a year-ender post, too). And the rest was history!

Okay, I decided to wrap up the events in a chronological order. That way it will be easier to discuss things.

"So, Ian, what happened to you for the last 365 days?"

My 2006 ended so well that when the new year came, I wasn't so okay. Why? Secret. Hahaha.. I had issues with my friends. Some of them. Really. And that went on until the second month where I finally wrote my very first serious blog entry of 2007 (disregarding the January 1st post).

"..but seriously, that transitory period was the worst for me this year.."
I actually said this, and to think, the year was just starting but then I already thought I had the worst [of 2007]. Wow.

It went on for the rest of February.. my goodness. Six more posts 'til I had enough of that crap. Affected? Sort of.
Hahah! I can say this month has been one of my most emotional. I dunno. Because it's the season of hearts? =p Speaking of Valentine's Day, this was the 1st time we (the boys) decided to suprise our girl friends with flowers and a harana. (Was that during our lab class in Plant Physiology?) Well, they liked it.

Ang dami pa palang nangyari nung Feb! Here's more:
- Arlene and her bestfriend [yata] had some problems. Hahah! I'm not sure.. pls confirm
- Karen finally had an internet at home (is this right?!?)
- Chinese New Year! Blythe brought food
- We were addicted to Makel's siomai. Yum yum. Except for Ann, who needed Loperamide
- Lala introduced Happy Slip
- Rosa and I had been regularly attending Mass at the PGH Chapel. The most memorable was during Ash Wednesday. What a day that was!
- Moises, I only saw you once this year. Can you believe that? Come on, surprise me.

March kicked off with our Ecology Trip in UPLB. Rosa and Sith slept over at my place afterwards. Andro's sister won the Bb. Pilipinas title that night, too.
It was Ann's birthday this month! Yehey! 19. But her debut last year was still so clear in my mind. The cover for the US version of the last Harry Potter book was also shown to the public. And of course, what a great way to end our Year 3 Second Sem! Bio's "Hell-Sem". Microbiology, Plant Physiology, Animal Physiology, and Ecology. Beat that! We gathered altogether in a vacant room near DB and had a quick photo shoot. "We rocked this sem!"

I had a summer class this year despite the fact that there shouldn't be any. Field Biology baby.. Woohoo! I spent the whole lot of April planning for our Palawan trip. It was Sickle's birthday, too! He's my laptop, by the way.

I spent the first week of May in Palawan! Oh yeah. I loved it. The whole field biology experience was one of my most memorable event this year. Simply amazing. My group won 1 Best Paper Award (go Black Pearl!) and I was awarded the Best Leader (plus three Kalabasa Awards) Hahaha! When I got back from the trip, I got in touch with my long-lost-friend, Wright (again, at last!). He just made this year more memorable.

June. This month's theme I think was 'celebration'.
- Thesis Madness began!
- Fai's birthday!
- I started watching Heroes. I was addicted to it. Up to now. Woot!
- Wombat Grade 3 was out!
- UP's One Century One Clean University Initiative was launched. I designed the poster for the event.

July. One of my most memorable month of 2007, too.
We (Sith and I) decided to shift to another thesis topic, and ended up doing a bioinformatics-related research. Though the initial idea of the topic (the Bird-flu virus) was just temporary, it still sounded good.
- July 21. Probably one of my most nerve-wracking day of 2007: Half-Blood Prince release date, Grad. Pic photo shoot, Reinzi's birthday, and many more.

Okay.. another emo month.. August.

Undergrad. Sem, Histology and the trip to Mt. Banahaw were the major concerns last September. To get away from emotional stress, I kept myself busy designing posters for myself and friends' Undergrad. Seminar. I really liked what I was doing. I was obsessed with it! Damn. Histology was another story. Histology Week kicked in. We had lots and lots of quizzes and exams every other day of the week.. Talk about toxic. The Banahaw Trip was also amazing.

That same scenes went on the next month, especially when the thesis started moving its way inside the picture. Hell week? Hell yeah. Hell month. Hell forever!
October highlight: Molecular Cell Biology Movie Presentation. Friends Forever! Woohoo.. Hahahahah.. This presentation, Arls and Renk's Birthday Bash, and the arrival of my thesis data plus the fact that I had my 100th post this month made October one of my most memorable this year.

November. Just two words: Pangasinan. Music.

December. I decided to change my blog title to "Ian's Alphabet'. I also began writing about tech-y stuff. How To's, etc. This month I can say, is a runner-up for the Most Emo Month of 2007. Hahaha.. Damn take a look at my December boys -- I mean, posts. December posts.
From hardcore emo, happiness comes hitting you right back on the face.
Why is December happy?
- I'm glad I have forced myself into dancing publicly (*ahem*). Dance Dance Revolution! Awesome. It's a fun way to detoxify (especially after thesis).
- Rosa's birthday!
- Thesis is beginning to take shape
- Vacation! The best December vacation yet.
- I had lots of money. Woot!
- Med App season has began, too.
- And who'd forget this year's Oblation Run? Definitely not me.
- Christmas Party at Arlene's place! Damaging. Hahah!

---

I guess that's it. Yes, all these happened in just 365 days.


I have been at my best and worst this year.

Cheers for a new year!
An absolutely NEW year.

For all of us.

This Year's Awards 2007

This Year's Most Played Song in iTunes
Just Go - Jesse McCartney
Feelings Show - Colbie Caillat
Umbrella - Rihanna

This Year's Best Song
Not Myself - John Mayer
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Thnks Fr Th Mmrs - Fall Out Boy

This Year's Most Watched Music Video in iTunes
Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne
Beautiful Liar - Beyonce ft. Shakira
Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5

This Year's Most Played Album in iTunes
Stripped: Raw and Real - Various Artists
Coco - Colbie Caillat
Right Where You Want Me - Jesse McCartney

This Year's Best Movie
The Prestige
Transformers
Stardust

This Year's Best Animated Movie
Ratatouille
Shrek 3
Meet the Robinsons

This Year's Best TV Series
Grey's Anatomy
The Amazing Race
Heroes

This Year's Best PC Game
Audition Dance Battle
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
The Sims 2

This Year's Most Favorite Fastfood
Chef d'Angelo
Karate Kid
Burger King

This Year's Most Favorite Subject
Field Biology
Undergraduate Seminar
Microbiology

This Year's Most Favorite Month
May
December
July

*note: all are based on personal point of view

2008 Calendar

I was browsing my entire photo gallery (as a guide for my year-end blog entry) when I suddenly thought of choosing photos that made each month special. Thus I ended up picking 12.

I call it Ian's 2007 Calendar. Sounds silly since this should come out early this year. So I changed it to 2008.
Quite amusing, since each month I'll have a glimpse of what happened the year before.

Cover Fl(a)ws

I am so amazed with iTunes' CoverFlow™ wherein the album covers of the albums that are stored in your music library is arranged/stacked horizontally as if on a typical music rack. Browsing is so easy too. That's why when I started collecting music videos for my iTunes library, I had problems with the covers. Obviously, not all songs have promotional title designs/covers. The most probable thing to do was instead put the cover of the album where that particular song (music video) belonged. However, it wasn't so nice. So I decided to make them myself.

Here are nine covers, three of which are custom-made (not really official, I just made them myself). Can you find the odd-ones-out?

*all photos are copyright of the respective owners

Untitled 2

I think there is something wrong with my heart.

Seriously. It's been acting weird lately.
It's not normal.


I wouldn't be surprised if I die today.

Happy ChristmiRNAs!

• go Sith kaya mo yan! Sorry talaga. Bawi ako next time.

• the electric fan in my room burst into flames last night. Shocking? Super. Malapit pa nman sa romero. Buti hindi nadamay mga damit ko at hindi na lumaki ang apoy. Fortunately, ate was also inside the room and she unplugged it immediately. Whew. That was close. Too close.

• in less than an hour, I'll be on my way to a Christmas holiday in Pangasinan. Weeee. I'm excited. Just waiting for my tita to come pick us up,
  

• I haven't had a decent sleep for four days now. Thus, I have noticeable eye bags. Tsk. I have to wear my glasses to at least hide them.

• Now playing: Waiting On The World To Change by John Mayer. Haahaha. This is a soooo random post.

• I can't wait to see Will Smith's "I Am Legend" -- but not on the big screen! Hahah! I managed to download a movie-screen copy online. Really nice quality.

• I also grabbed a copy of a movie entitled 'Once'. Musically-inclined daw yung theme ng movie, so I guess parang Music and Lyrics. It was set yata in Dublin, featuring an Irish guy and a Russian woman. Can't wait to see it, too.

• Just saw the movie Stardust the other day. BRILLIANT. I wanna watch it again.

• I'm rooting for the new animated film 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' where Jesse McCartney voices one of the main characters. Theodore, I think. Not sure.

• Do you watch the show at QTV entitled "Ang Pinaka"? Wala lang. I watch. The topics are pretty interesting, really.

• grabe ang tagal ni tita. Wala na akong masabi.

• Now playing: Tattoo by Jordin Sparks. Sabi ng mga reviews parang Irreplaceable daw ni Beyonce. Hear it for yourself na lang.

• Okay. Tita called. They're on their way na daw.

• I still feel rich. =p Have no time to shop. After Christmas na lang siguro. Sayang I have no someone to ask out.
  

• Grabe ang damot ni Raizen. Sooooper. Nag-aaway talaga kami dahil sa kadamutan niya. Masama naman talaga yun, di ba?

• I'm beginning to feel dizzy.

• It's 3:48 on my clock. Sa mga thesismates ko na hanggang ngayon ay gising pa, mabuhay kayo! Yehey. Cheer cheer cheer!!! Go Sith! Go Karen!

• Okay.

• Time to say goodbye. I'll be offline for around four days.

• Enjoy the break.

• Happy Holidays y'all!
  

Osomreh acitsim asor

Okay.
Let's play a game.
Spot the hidden Mickey on the following photos.

Sana nag-enjoy ka.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Friends and Benefits

.. of having this thesis done (on time)!

I have been sitting here in my room for three days now just to keep this thesis alive.
Actually, this wasn't how I imagined my thesis experience to be. Not like this.

But anyway, looking at the bright side of things is definitely a better feeling.
So here I am, looking. Hahaha.

Thesis.
It brought me closer to some of my friends. Yeah, to some.
It gave me one big reason to use the Internet (at home) almost all the time.
It gave me an idea on who among the ones I know is the most frequent Y!M user.
It made me think harder.
It forced me to clean my room once in a while (I can't work/think properly on a messy room).
It made me upgrade to Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 Beta.
It gave me more time to listen to the songs on my iTunes library (and rate them, too).
It made me laugh and cry at [almost] the same time.
It taught me how to create PDF files from MS Word documents.
It made me install 7 big-time PC games (to kill boredom):
- Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
- Level-Up Games' FreeStyle Online Basketball
- The Sims 2
- Audition Dance Battle Southeast Asia
- Sim City 4 Deluxe
- Battle Realms
- Audition Dance Battle Philippines
It gave me adrenaline rush in the middle of the night.
It kept reminding me what day it is (in case of deadlines and meetings).
It taught me how to eat five times a day (hahahah.. detox!).
It forced me to take vitamins.

And since I spend hours and hours on the Internet, it gave me the the chance to download movies! Yep.
I am thesis-ing and movie-downloading at the same time.

In three days, I managed to download 9 movies already! All DVD-rip Quality except for one.
- December Boys
- Stardust
- Superbad
- The Condemned
- The Simpsons Movie
- I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
- Blades of Glory
- American Pie presents: Beta House
- Beowulf (Bad quality. Obviously recorded from a movie house. I immediately deleted after download)

Woohoo. These flicks are right in time for our almost-5-day Christmas vacation in the province. I'll bring House M.D. (Seasons 1 and 2), too, just in case the movies aren't enough.


See? All these happened/are happening because of the thesis.
This may not be how I imagined my thesis experience to be,
but I'm slowly learning to live with it.

It's called neuroplasticity, dude.

photo taken from here

The Christmas Mogul

I have never been this freakin' filthy rich during this time of the year!

*evil laugh*

To all the people who gave me money as their Christmas presents, THANK YOU!
I really appreciate it.


If only I saved the extra money I had after my (2nd sem) enrolment, I could have more than 10 thousand bucks this Christmas. Hahaha. Too bad I spent the lot for food [Midtown food + fiesta-level food], clothes [polo shirts are more expensive], and non-stop gaming [TimeZone -- i hate/love you].

So what do I do with my stash now.. hmm..

A new pair of shoes won't hurt. Sneakers or Rubber shoes? Wow.
A new bag, maybe.
New clothes (?) hmm.. how about.. flashy undies!?! Hahahah. "Cheap but showy." Niiiice.
A new pair of jeans.. I already got one but.. I want another one. =p
Another throw pillow kaya.. mura lang naman.
A dance pad! Yeah boy. I'll dance my way to perfection! Lol.

Oh.
I almost forgot -- my phone bill. It's waaaaaay beyond my monthly consumable amount.
Saaad. I'll be adding around 1,500 pesos for the excess. Tsk.
And..
I must save a little for future Med Apps. I have 3 more schools on the list: UE, St. Luke's, and Ateneo.


WOOT!

photo from Spilling Coffee

I feel pain.

It's not you. It's me.
- what the heck?

You'll be you, I'll be me.
- sure.


But no matter what I do, it still feels the same.

I feel pain.


I love you thesis! [amp]

photo from photobucket

Just when I thought I already hit rock bottom..

Thank you for making me forget (at least even for a while).

Photo (C) Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.

Positive Thinking

this day was unbelievable.

it didn't occur to me that i have to end this day with something emotional, too (like how it started)


i'm still this sad, depressed person.
but at least now the thesis-ing is improving.

later this afternoon, while i was surfing the net for anything that would temporarily make me forget what i was doing (thesis-ing), i stumbled into several sad-emo-depressing blog entries of people.
naghahanap ng kasama/karamay, kumbaga. haaay.

one of the posts quoted:
"i’ve never been in this situation where i deeply care for someone very much yet i also don’t care for them at all."

what the heck. may ganyan ba talaga.
maybe he really cared for that someone all this time. maybe there was just something that made him think that he didn't really care at all. it could be pain. hatred. bitterness. i dunno. maybe something bad.
but the truth is, he still cared.
hindi lang siguro niya matanggap na ganun. na kahit anong gawin niya e he will always care for that person.

napaisip tuloy ako.

and the idea that came to me, hindi na umalis.


what if..
what if the very, only thing that makes us connected, the thing that i personally considered a burden for some time now, this thing that i have always wanted to get done and get over with,
what if..
what if this thing pala has some other purpose?

what if it was meant to actually save what we're slowly losing..


or maybe not. i don't know!
baka naman sobrang optimistic lang pala ako.
'wag naman sana.

"The higher you reach, the harder you fall."


but either way, i still have to make a choice. help me.

photo grabbed from here.

Full

why does Life keep on hitting me on the face?

just the other day i think i just lost a friend. i think i did/said something that made our friendship end. if it wasn't for that then maybe i could have had a more exciting, jollier, better christmas party with my friends.
and now -- people, they kept saying things that reminded me of that friend. i don't know if it's just coincidence or whatever.
well this is so unbelievable. i want to forget what happened, okay?
it was my fault. i feel terrible. i was stupid.
i was a fool.
and now
i want to forget.

so give me a break.
(but who's to blame. no one knows, ian. no one.)


crap. how could i be so stupid. and careless. and pathetic. and so emotional (?!?)

so this is what a fool, pathetic, emo person gets.

OUCH.


and now the thesis. crap talaga. holy crap.
sa sobrang kakaisip ko sa mga bagay-bagay, nakalimutan ko nang mag-thesis.
December 15 - i am supposed to spend this day for thesis alone. but what happened? i played Audition SEA, Audition PH, and Battle Realms the whole time.


i can't do this anymore.



PS.
To anne, happy birthday the other day.
To dude, happy birthday yesterday.
To my dad, happy birthday today.
To my mom, happy birthday tomorrow.
and
to you, i don't know what to say. it was my fault. i am sorry. i don't expect you to ever talk to me again but **sigh** ... :'(

photo courtesy of emo-corner

My Oblation

This post is a tribute to the UP Oblation

The Oblation is a sculpture made by Guillermo E. Tolentino in the 1930s for the University of the Philippines. It was originally made from concrete but was later on cast in Bronze. Since then, this work of art has been featured in many kinds of medium, either in prints, TV, movies, etc. to represent UP.

The sculpture has not only been an iconic symbol of the university but of the entire country as well. Its form, represented by a man with arms wide-stretched and face facing the sky, symbolizes selfless offering of one's self to his country. The statue was built as requested by former UP President Rafael Palma based on the second verse of Jose Rizal's Mi Ultimo Adios. That particular passage tells about giving up one's self for the country. In other words, patriotism and sacrifice. Thus, the Oblation generally represents an individual, a Filipino for that matter, that is without any hesitation, ready to give up everything for his/her country.

With that basis for the creation of the Oblation, one might ask, "How then does this statue reflect the every aspect of its meaning?" Looking on it as a whole, the Oblation is a statue of a nude male with wide-stretched arms and its face looking up. This indicates sacrifice or self-offering. Seeing it naked might suggest one's intentions to be of no doubts or hesitations -- willingness to sacrifice. As to how the Oblation stands, one can observe balance -- symmetry between the left and the right halves. From this, you can feel the statue's strength. It's outright posture with the properly toned muscles indicate courage, strength, and pride. The statue measures 3.5 meters in height, which according to history symbolizes the 350 years of Spanish rule in the Philippines.

In detail, the face facing up with his eyes closed and parted lips could indicate that the man is saying something. Perhaps murmuring a prayer while looking up at the sky. Also, at the base of the statue are katakataka implanted on the rocks where the Oblation stands. This plant, "wonder plant" when translated in English, is amazing in that it could grow from its leaves. When the plant's leaf is thrown away, new buds still grow. This plant symbolizes the undying faith and patriotism of an individual to its country. The leaves 'link' the Oblation to the base filled with rocks (which could symbolize the Philippine soil).

I think that there is an Oblation on every one of us. It reflects every Filipino, especially our heroes who have selflessly offered themselves for the country and their patriotism that continuously and forever grows anywhere in the Philippines.

How the Oblation affects me personally is much more of self-interpretation.

How I see this statue -- how it appeals to me, has greatly changed since I entered UP. Of course at first I was excited and proud to see that I actually study on the school where the Oblation (a famous iconic symbol and now a national icon) is located. But after all the years that I have stayed in UP, the metaphors have changed. For me, the Oblation is like my guardian, my guide to how I should be as an individual in my community.
As a Filipino.
Someone who always stands tall and proud but still keeps his feet on the ground.
Someone that always looks smart, witty, and indestructible, but never forgets to look up and pray to the One above.

There is an Oblation on every one of us.

And this is how I see mine.

My Oblation.



Sources:
"U.P. Oblation"
"Tribute to the U.P. Oblation"
"The Oblation"

Photo courtesy of June Ruivivar, 2004.

Oops!

10:00 AM. A crowd of students was beginning to form at the UP Manila CAS' Rizal Hall.
11:45 AM. The RH lobby was almost full. People, students and faculties, were all waiting for "the run" to start. Yep. Today was UP Manila's Oblation Run. And today, finally, I got to see this event (just before I graduate! hahah). Four years in UP and I haven't experienced watching even a single Oblation Run. Not until today!

So now I have seen it with my eyes. Okay. That's it. =p

The Oblation Run is an annual event in commemoration of The Oblation. Members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity run around the campus naked (a concept known as streaking). This is also done to protest their sentiments about a current political or economic situation. [Source]

Thanks to You, for covering me up sa pagkuha ng video.
I really can't do it myself. =p

Push the Button

help me get through this.

i am supposed to be moving forward.

but i can't. right now.

there's barely any sign.

what am i supposed to do now? where to go from here?


my goodness. i was stupid.

now i am a bum. lazy bum.

half-awake. writing a non-sense post.



push.

push me. forward.

inspire me.


or maybe i need gas.

Barado

I have always wanted to be doctor. That is why during my last year here at the University of the Philippines Manila as a Biology student, I could never be more excited. I know that just a few more months and I finally can do..
..what I have always dreamed of as a kid
..what I have always stuck on my mind as a teenager
..what I have always been waiting for all this time.

This being-a-doctor thing, this isn’t only a dream for me. When I was a kid, maybe yes. But for the rest of the years that I have existed then, it has changed dramatically. I spent most of my growing-up years in a rural area. As a teenager, I slowly and carefully observed how the community lacked enough medical attention. In college, due to the fact that I studied in UP Manila, I have seen with my eyes the reality that is within the walls of the Philippine General Hospital. It wasn’t good enough. What more on the many underserved communities of the country? This is why I decided to apply for the UP College of Medicine’s Regionalization Program.

The UP College of Medicine has always been my first choice. Not only is this institution the most affordable med school in the country, it also provides excellent medical education and training for its students. Anyone who gets accepted in this institution must be very lucky, privileged, and must be really proud. But it doesn’t end there. As for me, after med school, I would be very happy to return to my community (or anywhere else needing my help) in order to apply everything that UPCM has taught me.

I want to be a doctor now because of the people, people in need of medical assistance, especially those who are underprivileged.

It is now my passion. My passion to serve.

My willingness.

It is not just a dream anymore.

Stripped.. again.

I have always wanted to be doctor. That is why during my last year here at the University of the Philippines Manila as a Biology student, I could never be more excited. I know that just a few more months and I finally can do..
..what I have always dreamed of as a kid
..what I have always stuck on my mind as a teenager
..what I have always been waiting for all this time.

This being-a-doctor thing, this isn’t only a dream for me. When I was a kid, maybe yes. But for the rest of the years that I have existed then, it has changed dramatically. I spent most of my growing-up years in a rural area. As a teenager, I slowly and carefully observed how the community lacked enough medical attention. In college, due to the fact that I studied in UP Manila, I have seen with my eyes the reality that is within the walls of the Philippine General Hospital. It wasn’t good enough. What more on the many underserved communities of the country? This is why I decided to apply for the UP College of Medicine’s Regionalization Program.

The UP College of Medicine has always been my first choice. Not only is this institution the most affordable med school in the country, it also provides excellent medical education and training for its students. Anyone who gets accepted in this institution must be very lucky, privileged, and must be really proud. But it doesn’t end there. As for me, after med school, I would be very happy to return to my community (or anywhere else needing my help) in order to apply everything that UPCM has taught me.

I want to be a doctor now because of the people, people in need of medical assistance, especially those who are underprivileged.

It is now my passion. My passion to serve.

My willingness.

It is not just a dream anymore.

Download Music from IMEEM

Free music zilla, the first tool specialized for social music downloading, enables you download free mp3/music/song from IMEEM, Last.fm, Pandora, My Space and almost all social music services.

It's easy to operate and a really hear-and-get tool, from which you can obtain unlimited amount of songs.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Instructions on how to use Free Music Zilla when downloading from IMEEM is found HERE.

Output file is on .flv form. To convert them to .mp3, go to this online FLV to MP3 converter here.

...

How to embed fonts on Word and PowerPoint files

Font style is an essential part of an Office file, especially when used for Presentations or on Reports. When used properly and effectively, it makes the output more interesting to the intended viewers.
However, due to increased mobility and sharing in computer technology, it is sometimes difficult for a document to maintain its style when passed on to different users or opened on different computers.

The use of files in PDF format is a very effective way in preserving font styles in a document. But the idea of using PDF (I think; at the moment) is still limited to selected individuals.

Luckily, the new Office 2007 (by Microsoft) provides an easy way to maintain the font styles used in a document (Word, PowerPoint, or Excel) even if the computer where you'll open it doesn't contain the fonts you used.

Here's how:

1. Click the Office Button (the round button on the upper-leftmost corner of the interface)
2. Select Word Options (or PowerPoint Options or Excel Options). A new window appears.
3. On the Save tab (on the left side), check the box with 'Embed fonts in the file'
4. Also check the box with 'Embed only the characters used in this document'
5. Click OK
6. Save your document and you're good to go.

Do Not Disturb!

An early Happy Christmas greeting.

Manila Ocean Park

It’s just ten days and this ‘world-class’ oceanarium located at the back of the Quirino Grand Stand opens. I am excited! I hope me and my friends would at least find some time to drop by this place.
The Manila Ocean Park is the Philippines’ first state-of-the-art oceanarium, open water marine habitat, boutique mall, restaurant row, and function facilities all located in one complex (Official site).
According to news, the Manila Ocean Park would be among the most advanced ocean parks in Asia -- with an area larger than the famous Sentosa oceanarium in Singapore.
It would feature six major exhibits, all names derived from a Filipino word. Some of these include:

1. Agos (Flow) - the only open area in the facility, will show the interconnectedness between the water and land. An artificial waterfall and a touch pool will also be located here.
2. Bahura (Reef) – will house artificial corals
3. Laot (Fishing ground) – will contain large fishes and rays.
4. Kalaliman (Deep) – barracudas!
   

The highlight of the whole water-world experience in this facility is the 25-meter long walkway tunnel with 220-degree curved acrylic walls.
Awesome?
Really cool.
Entrance fee is 250.00 for students and 350.00 to 400.00 for regular visitors. This (1-billion peso) first and largest aquarium facility in the Philippines opens December 12, 2007.

December Boy

This first Ian's Alphabet post talks about someone who considers himself a walking wallet (his friends began calling him that, too), and the many, many products sold along Pedro Gil Street.

The wallet describes all the familiar items that he saw along the street, all the stuff he wanted to buy and those that he already bought.

This buying-along-P. Gil Street-thing, the wallet thought, is one event in his college life that he'll never ever forget.


The walking wallet and its adventures.

Okay so maybe Arlene and Karen are the only ones who will understand what I am going to talk about. But let me just share it too.
Every after class, when the three of us are on our way home and we get to walk along Pedro Gil Street in Ermita, Manila, I transform into a wallet.
When at least one of us feels like buying something along that sidewalk, all of us end up buying something for ourselves..

Cellphone accessories

Okay, these are Class B products. So what? Buying covers, cases, straps, and the like won’t do any harm to the cellphone, right? Just be careful with one thing: cellphone batteries and chargers. Incidents of battery/charger explosion are not new here in our country (or maybe anywhere else). It is really, really possible. Worse if you set your house on fire because of these second-class chargers. Be cautious if you’re using one! (Don’t let it stay on the whole night)

Girly-girly Stuff

I’m not sure if Arlene and Karen have tried buying one of those kikay hair clips, bands, bags (?), etc. Hahahah... Oh. What I remember is them buying ‘flashy’ sets of earrings! They loved the ‘button-style’ kind (oops, maybe that was Lala)

Books and Back-Issue Magazines

Yeah, even books are now all over the streets or Ermita. I actually saw one time a hard-bound The Da Vinci Code book being sold there. I wonder how much it costs..
Magazines? Yeah I remember seeing a man selling a full FHM Philippines Magazine collection on the street! Wow. (My brother’s kind of ‘jackpot’)

Fun Lampshades

Ever since I first saw those cube-shaped lamps+alarm clock sold along the streets, I have always fancied having one of those on my room. I dunno.. they just looked cool. Hahahah (sounds cheap?). Yeah well.

Pirates

- But of course! This is the root of all evil! Hahah. Kidding. Okay. I buy some. Sometimes (although I am more comfortable in downloading DVD-ripped movies from the web). And I don’t deny the possibility that I might be buying another one again someday. Oh come on, don’t tell me you don’t have one at home?

“Manong, meron po kayong December Boys?”

- I can’t believe I actually asked this. A guy (for God’s sake).
It sounds porn-y to me.

So far, these are the items that I have bought there:
- a blue Sony Ericsson cellphone strap (it's already gone)
- Grey's Anatomy Season 3 DVD
- Heroes Season 1 DVD (lacked the last 4 episodes. Argh.)
- Cellphone silicon case (for Arls)
- House MD DVD (for Renk)
- Sony Ericsson Headset
- Sony Ericsson battery charger (I am very, very careful on this one, promise)
- 20-in-1 Movie Package DVD (for Arls and Renk)