March: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Since we're observing Earth Hour right now and I can't find anything to do... I just thought of blogging about my 'A Book A Month Challenge' for the month of March. (I'm writing this post through my phone so I'm still observing Earth Hour :p)


Going back to the topic, so I've read The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky early March and since then I've been reading it over and over again. Yes, it's that good! :)


Basically, the book follows the life of Charlie---a wallflower, as the title suggests---over his first year in High School through a series of letters to a recipient whose name is never mentioned but is described to be older and wiser than Charlie.


As the story unfolds, the connection between Charlie and the reader---or in this case, me----becomes so intimate that I almost felt like Charlie was writing to me. (Sabeh?! :D)


Charlie was easy to relate to for most youth for several reasons; (1) he was experiencing grief from severe loss, (2) was starting his first year in high school struggling to find his place in the world, and (3) he was very open about what he was dealing with his feelings. I felt an honest connection with his life's highs and lows and how he's sort of distant from the world around him but so involved in everything he does. He's probably the most real and most unique character I've ever encountered reading that I wanted to hug him so much and try to make him smile just to cheer him up on certain days.


This is a book that'll always be close to my heart because it captures that bemused and confused bit of teenage life we all experienced; that part of growing up when we felt lost in a sea of faces trying to find ourselves.


So if your looking for a book that is worth the time and the money reading, I suggest this book. Simply because it's worth it. And with that, lemme end this post with a quote from the book:


"So, I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we'll never know most of them. But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them." -- Charlie


Self-confessed Wallflower,
Joey


PS. Btw, who's mighty excited for the movie adaptation of Perks? I know I am! I hope it will be as good and brilliant as the book! :)

Football Weekend and Fangirling Galore

I know this is suuuupeeeeerrr late a blog already (thanks much to my ever lazy brain cells!) but Imma post it anyway!

So, last March 20, right after the successful stint of the Azkals--Philippine Men's National Football Team--in the recently concluded 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal, the team immediately took a flight back home here in Manila and being the ultimate fangirls that we are (lol! ;p), my friends aka Azkalera sisters--Ate Diana, Ate Shiela, Ika, Jona, Ayen (hi guys! :D)--and I, went straight to the NAIA terminal 3 to welcome them back! Stalker much? Nah. I prefer to call it "fangirling," thank you very much. :P

So, we waited for like an hour since their flight was a bit delayed. But it was okay. NAIA terminal 3 was a beauty so I didn't mind hehe! :)

Honestly, never have I ever imagined myself being a "fangirl" in the truest sense of the word! Really. This is the first time that I did all these things; like going to places they go to, watching their games every time I can, buying anything they endorse or something that has their logo or faces in them, etcetera etcetera. :D

Anyway, I enjoy being an Azkalera and I'm proud of it. :)

Here are the pics of our little "Heroes' Welcome" for the Azkals! Enjoy!
Joey x

Labo-labo Friday

Lately, I am thinking a lot about my life. I dunno why or what triggers this but I’ll just find myself spacing out quite often and reflecting things. Maybe this is what they call mid-life crisis? I dunno. All I know is that I believe I’m still too young to experience such a thing like that.


So maybe I am just being my weird self...in a weirder level? Ah, labo!


Anyway, to stop myself from overthinking, I went for a walk at a park. Alone. Yes, I am a loner like that. :)


So to put the story short, the walk didn’t help at all because all I ever did while walking at the park was think. Though most thoughts were very random and fleeting.


When I felt like sitting, I went to sit on a bench and rest for a while. Then, I went to the nearest mall. Good thing, because it started to rain the moment I reached the the place. Then I went to a moviehouse and watched The Hunger Games. (I’ll make kwento in a different post.) Then, I went home.


That was my Friday so far and I enjoyed every moment I spent with myself. Yes, I love myself. We could be happy just by being with ourselves. Labo ba? :D Don’t worry, di ka nag-iisa. Malabo talaga.


What’s happening?
Joey

Think Before You Speak

Couple weeks ago, the world of Philippine football was shocked with the sexual harassment complaint filed against two of the players of the Philippine National Football Team--commonly known as the Azkals--by former PSC president, Cristy Ramos. It was shocking (because I’ve seen these two players around with girls--both young and old alike--whenever I watch their games and they’ve always been nothing but nice) at the same time disturbing (because they represent the Philippines and it was such a shame if ever the complaint was ever true). You see, I am a huge fan of the team and I felt really sad about the news. And since the team is still in Nepal for the Challenge Cup, they haven’t been able to defend themselves properly, yet some people had judged them already for what they saw on the television without knowing the facts from both sides first! Really, it was amazing how people can judge other people so easily!


Then, this “Arnold Clavio racist comment” happened that created havoc in social-networking sites wherein he said,

“‘Yayabang nyo. Akala nyo por que dinadagsa kayo ng mga fans... ‘Gu-gwapo nyo eh. Parang god’s gift to women...
Ngayon, nag-sorry para daw dun sa isa nilang kasamahan. Sa’n ka nakakitang Azkals na may suso? Anong cup-b sa isang kasama? Sana nag-sorry, sorry na lang ‘di ba?
‘Di ko kayo ka-kultura... Kasi wala dito’t (pointing to his heart) wala dito (pointing to his head). ‘Di naman kayo Pilipino eh. Nagpapanggap lang kayong kayumanggi. Hindi kayo dito lumaki. Mahirap ‘yun. Insensitive.”


I know this is kind of late of a reaction already, but what the heck? I’ve been meaning to vent out since the day I saw the video so Imma rant big-time! It’s my blog anyway!


Well, I don’t care if you won’t agree with me but I think Arnold Clavio went a little overboard in here and he was so wrong in more ways than one.


Firstly, he is a journalist and as such, he ought to get his facts straight before giving comments. Did he do that? I didn’t think so. Yes, I understood he just stated his own opinion and I know fully well everyone’s entitled to that but, as I said, he is a journalist. There are certain boundaries that he must remember. He is not just speaking as an individual but as a professional as well. His words will have a great impact to the viewing public. That is the difference. Be objective, Mr. Clavio. And don't judge because you, too, will be judged.


Secondly, how do you call a Filipino a “Filipino” anyway? Just because most of the Azkals weren’t born to both Filipino parents, that doesn’t mean they were less Filipinos! As a matter of fact, they are more Filipino than you do; fighting and playing their butts off just to bring pride and glory to our country! How about you? What did you do? You insulted not just the players but their parents and families, as well! Shame on you! If being a Filipino meant to being someone like you, Mr. Clavio who seemed like a crab trying to pull people down then I wouldn’t want to be a Filipino.


Thirdly, the issue here is not about the “race” or the Azkals being Filipinos or not. The real issue is about respect and morals, to which I thought you clearly lacked.


Fourthly, the Azkals happen to be good looking. So what are we going to do about that?! It’s not as if they wished to be gifted with good looks! And just because they are handsome that doesn’t mean they are mayabang and overrated. They just happen to be good looking football players and that’s it! It’s not their freaking fault!


Lastly, I am all for women’s rights but then again, get your bleeping facts straight!


Excuse the cuss words I just got carried away. On a lighter note, though, despite all the issue that the Azkals have been facing right now, I am so proud that they’re giving their best to make our country proud! And they did just that when Philippines made it to the semifinals of the 2012 Challenge Cup for the first time ever in all of tourney’s history after that historic win over Tajikistan last March 13th! It was an epic and glorious moment for Philippine football as we haven’t reached this far before. It was utterly unbelievable.


But as we all know, football like life is not always lying down on a bed of roses. It was heartbreaking that Philippines didn’t make it to the finals but that’s the nature of the game. We can’t win them all but one thing’s certain: Whatever the outcome of the Azkals’ future games may be--win, draw or lose--I will always support and cheer for them because I am a Filipino.



Watch the Philippine Azkals game tomorrow as they battle Palestine for the third place, will yah?
Joey x