ingesting poison

willie gave susie a surprise bday party on 28 january at 6:30 pm at the ground floor of goldbar. we connived with willy by buttonholing susie so she would know nothing of the preparation that willie and the goldbar crew did behind her back.

i was filling myself with my favorite poison---crispy lechon skin and sweet chillied crab in thick sauce---when my internist-high-school-batchmate entered and gave me a look that melted away every cholesterol in my heart and uric acid in my joints.

"don't worry; i'm into brisk walking anyway," was all i said.

my curse

i have a confession to make: my greatest curse as a writer is that i can't seem to stop editing my work! just hours after i had submitted the "final" version of my article to Mabuhay yesterday, the print out that i brought home looked like this.



good thing the original deadline's at 3:00 PM today because i still have time to resend it.

done!

i'm happy because i have just emailed the article and the photos to Mabuhay!

ako'y nagsimula

finally today, i have begun brisk walking from tago to crossing victoria and back.

cheers to a healthier and slimmer me! ^_^

Mabuhay update

In my previous post I wrote how difficult it was for me to write about the beauty of Surigao del Sur in just 800 words. I've used a lot of paper and ink for the rewrites before deciding to submit it last Friday, three days ahead of deadline.

I had my reasons: 1) should my article need a rewrite, I still had time to do it before deadline; and 2) I was hoping Mabuhay would like the article, enough to make me expand it.

Then this morning, I got a reply. Here goes:


Hi *insert my name here,*

Thanks for sending them early.

Overall, the article is great; Surigao del Sur is indeed a hidden gem. However, could you kindly make some minor revisions/clarifications to your article? (I realize it's mostly because of the word limit, but you can disregard that for these. ) Here they are:

1. Please rewrite "Three Surigao del Sur's must visit:" into complete introductory sentence/s.
2. What is the "world's smallest bird" mentioned in your article? (I thought it was the Bee Hummingbird, but it seems these are not endemic to the Philippines?)
3. Please include a short closing paragraph to tie everything together.
4. Finally, could you still add a short write-up on Hinatuan's Enchanted River? Jojie has beautiful photos of it, and I thought it would be a pity to leave it out. If so, kindly include the contact person for this as well (if applicable).

Many thanks!


Sincerely,

Manna Marquez
Editorial Coordinator
Mabuhay magazine
Eastgate Publishing Corporation
Tel. +632 633-4004 to 09

YAY! YAY! YAY!

first draft

i'm done with the draft which i have cut to the bones at 795 words. but i'll let it sleep for a few nights before i do the final editing and submit it just in time for the january 25 deadline.

i'm also waiting for dingdong to take my pic for the contributor's page. i wonder what could be a good background, pagoda or town hall?

and here's praying this pic of Tinuy-an Falls from DOT-Caraga gets approved to go with my article.

words don't come easy

imagine a province so naturally advantaged, located at the southeastern tip of the Philippines and part of Mindanao Island that faces the Pacific Ocean.

imagine a province that's the very first to be kissed by the sun.

imagine a province bedecked with mountain ranges, white beaches, cloud nine waves, kissing islets, waterfalls, hot and cold springs, enchanted rivers and caves.

imagine a province whose primeval forests are home to omnivores and premium wood species.

imagine a province whose bosom bursts with mineral resources, including an iron deposit which, at 3B MT, is the world’s largest.

imagine a province known by many names: Shangrila by the Pacific; Kaleidoscope of Superlatives; Mindanao's Best-Kept Secret.

and now,

imagine
capturing
the
above
province
in
just
800
words!

blessings

blessings continue to pour from big-hearted souls from texas, california, and michigan who, by special request, shall remain nameless.


my Nike Air running shoes, the better to banish the toxins i imbibed during the holidays!


Gap shirt!


Aeropostale shirt


Hollister shirt

i'm not posting the chocolates, lotion, electric shaver, and soaps so my other friends won't say i have all the luck.

in case you're wondering, no, i haven't worn all the above shirts because i have yet to reduce excess poundage.

text joke

as a matter of personal policy, i don't read forwarded email and text messages. in fact, my phone has a templated response for these messages, thus: "i don't want to be rude, but please stop sending me forwarded messages. thank you so much."

my graduate students and friends know this. but friends being friends,they sometimes forget. and so i received this text joke last christmas that really had me laughing out loud.

Bata (umiiyak): Inay, sabi ng mga kalaro ko na pangit daw ako. Pangit ba talaga ako, Inay?

Inay (yayakapin ang anak): Hindi totoo yan, Anak. Ito ang lagi mong tandaan: ang kagandahan an nasa loob; kaya huwag kang lumabas!

i'm declaring war against softdrinks. i'm not sure though how long the war lasts!

O.M.G!

I nearly lost consciousness when I received this email today. here goes:

Hi *insert my name here,*

We received the writing samples you sent for Mabuhay. Can you do an article for us on Surigao's beaches for Mabuhay's March issue? Our rates are Php*insert amount here*/word, excluding "a", "and" and "the". We do not buy any writer's rights or claim ownership of articles and photos. :) Let me know if this is amenable with you, and I will send you an editorial brief. If you also have any suggestions on what's nice to feature in Surigao, do let me know.

Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,


Annabelle Marquez

--
Editorial Assistant
Mabuhay magazine
Eastgate Publishing Corporation
Tel. +632 633-4004 to 09
eastgatepublishing.com



MABUHAY, here I come!

promoting my hometown

For 2010 and beyond, I'll be doing massive promotion for my hometown via a popular medium: t-shirt! To stress the point, I will be literally wearing Tago and all things that it represents.

Patented, these tees come in limited edition and are sold only to interested friends. here's a sampler:

what's in 2010 for the virgin fire snake?

My friend Google has this to say:

In 2010, the Snake likes to make slow and steady progress and the Year of the Tiger will find him swept along with unexpected developments – they need to adapt and keep up the pace. On the career front, the Snake will have quite a bit of competition and needs to stay ahead of the game in order to be in line for any promotions or career advancement opportunities. He needs to seek advice from those who can help and not appear too independent – working with colleagues will pay off handsomely during the year. Money management will be crucial during the Year of the Tiger and with careful planning, they should have little to worry about.

Time spent with loved ones, either on a well-earned holiday or at home, will rejuvenate the Snake’s spirit during a busy and intense year. February through April will favor work endeavors and promotion. July through December will offer many opportunities for single Snakes to meet a special romantic partner. Travel looks most likely during March and June through August, with fun and romance well starred. Snakes can be shy and loners, but the Year of the Tiger will ensure they have many happy social events to attend."

Hmmmmm, need i say more?