Movie: District 9

I just watched this movie with my uncle a few hours ago and man it's just - Wow!
Definitely one nice film - a must watch! I should say..

Here's my review, basically what I can say about the film.. :)

Wicked Wednesdays!

Last night I was out again with my friends from viosunderground.com, we usually hangout during Wednesdays at 121 bar at Pasong Tamo Makati, Jay and his band - Overtone, plays there every Wednesday and man they are good, I mean wicked-sick good! Everybody should get to see them play. Anyway I'm just glad I went out last night, I decided to stay home earlier yesterday. After work I went out early, since I'm off at 3:00 pm when I'm on the morning shift so after that went to the mall to pick up something my mom asked me to then drove to another mall to pay some bills and get something from the grocery store then after all that I just went straight to home and decided to just get some rest. But later that night, say around 6PM I guess, my mom said she wanted to go the casino. Then I thought it's a good idea, so I offered to drive her there then I'll just hangout with my friends since 121 is only a few minutes away from The Heritage hotel where the casino is at.

viosunderground.com

Vios underground is a blog/social network/forum website in one. You may ask, what is Vios? My car is a Vios. It's a Toyota, you can check photos of it in my gallery. To the Americans and I guess Aussie's as well, this is called a Yaris Sedan. Over at Japan it's a Belta, and to the rest of the SEAn countries I guess it's called Vios as well. Different names but basically the same car. It a 4-door subcompact sedan developed mainly for South East Asia. So far it has two generations, the first generation Vios' which looks like that of the black car in the banner above. It was introduced in the Philippines - I guess that was 2003-2004. The second generation, which is what mine is, was introduced in the Philippine market on August of 2007.

So much for my introduction about the Vios, viosunderground.com is a venue for car enthusiasts, primarily for Vios owners. (but every car enthusiasts are very much welcome) It was all unexpected and unplanned when this all started. Me and my good friend Jay was just chatting over at YM on something then out of the blue that same day we had the domain, got it hosted (Jay already had his hosting at that time), installed a social networking package (forgot what it was called) then boom! The domain at first was viosgen2.com then later change to viosunderground.com when some of our friends who are owners of the first gen thought it'd be a great venue where we can have an all-positive-vibe discussions. The site was designed and developed by Jay, administered by Russel, Patrick, Punky and yours truly. :) We strive to keep that positive vibe whenever you're in our website. That's our main goal basically, who wants negative vibes anyway? I know we don't! ;)

Now, you may wonder how our friendship started, well we all used to be members of a huge local car club. It also has its own forum and a long list of members. I started there as a newbie on January of 2008, became a member March that same year and I was very active with its events, gatherings, in the forum - you name it. I've reached seven thousand plus posts in a year. I was even given the award of "President's Choice" was it? Can hardly remember really but something like that - that was during last year's Christmas party. For this year I was appointed one of the Global Moderator's of the website. It was cool really. I was also appointed as Chapter Head for the North Metro Manila chapter for this year and was actively promoting the club to the members that fall in that chapter.

I've met really nice people during my stay with the club, and later became my closest friends here in Manila. It was fun, it was really fun. The club was like my family during those months of living alone here in Manila. Had cool friends of different ages and different personalities. Being part of it helped me mature at some point. That's basically how my friendship with them started - in the car club.

Most probably you're curious because I seem to be talking like my days with the club is over - yes, that's actually correct. It may seem now that we left the club to start our own club or we opted out so we could start giving them some competition. No. It wasn't like that, it was never like that, we never wanted to leave, we were opted to leave. When the "elders" found out about the website - that's what they call those members who started the club and has been a member for years now, well, some of them only in the forum, at least during my whole one year and five months of membership. Sadly, they didn't take it well - our website, on that very same day that they knew about it we were removed of our rights to access threads which were only viewable by members. So basically we were removed right then and there without any due process in which I think - and even the rest of our friends there think, we deserved. So anyway so much for that I don't really want to cling on that issue anymore, these are negative vibes which I no longer want to be part of. Let's just leave it at that. We still have friends who are still active there and that's totally fine we don't really care basically because in the first place - for us, we didn't do anything wrong for the club. To think even before it happened we continued to promote the club, attend eb's, welcome newbies and help them out in the forum. Anyway so much for that. :)

I didn't intend to talk about this issue here but then again I can't put it in any other way for you to be able to grasp what I'm trying to convey on how it all started if I will not give you even a short hint of its history - ok maybe this post got lengthy because of it ya, lol. So anyway that's basically what viosunderground.com is, and that's how it all started. It's basically just a website that we've grown to love over the past months, each having our passion to help out other Vios owners, sharing our knowledge and asking others to participate as well and also share what they know that we probably don't. You can never really know about it all you know.. :) Even a teacher learns his/her lessons from their students.

So if you happen to own a Vios, a Yaris Sedan, a Belta or even just another car enthusiast who wants to share what you know just visit viosunderground.com and register - it's free. Be at the discussion boards, that's where we usually hangout. ;)

Here's a photo from one of our hangouts..

From left to right: Patrick, Punky, Russel, Jay and mine. :) Mine is the simplest of them all. haha. I'll post more photos of each ride here soon. ;)

Changed my theme!

Whew, finally!

Been on it the whole day and I never expected it to come out the way it is now. Well I don't know what you think about it but I'd say I'm pretty much satisfied with how my page looks right now, especially if you compare it with the previous theme that I was using. That's just me, if it's your first time to visit my page then definitely you don't have a clue.  I was using Fusion then, it's one of the top ten themes by WP, it's not that I don't like it - I shouldn't have picked it to be my theme at that time if I didn't right? It was fine  actually, except for this bug with the layout that I couldn't find a fix for that got me irritated, that's why I decided to change it just today. I'm quite keen when it comes to even the smallest detail so even a small problem with the layout, I can't live with that. This new layout even has one thing that draws my eyes, just a difference in a few millimeters maybe, but it's very minimal and I've had enough for today. So at least for now I'm letting it pass, if you can find it then bravo to you. :)

Car Talk Prelude

Me being a "BIG!" - (can I make it any more obvious with that?), fan of cars, I thought of posting some videos I come across YouTube from time to time and at the same time spill a few words I have to say about the video, or the car primarily.

About an hour ago I had nothing much to do here at work since there ain't that much tickets coming in, and I'm literally alone here at the office this early morning - 4:33AM, so I decided to look up some videos over at YouTube, BBC's Top Gear is no doubt the best pick. And then after watching about three 10-minute videos, that's when I thought about making entries as such, since it's really one of my interests so I thought - why not? But then I thought I might work on my layout before I get into that, I'm actually considering changing the theme of this site. Going back, I already saved a few links so as not to re-search 'em videos when I get start posting some of 'em here. So no videos and stuff for now - or at least that was what I thought before I bumped into this one video. If you're into YouTube and cars you've probably seen this already. My  reason for posting this one is that I just can't let this time pass without talking about it, or should I say share it with you. Then I've also thought why not give away one entry, make it my prelude. haha So before the spur runs out here's that video. :D



Wicked, ya?! hahaha Talk about a dragster leaving an all-stock car smoking - burning even, which was quite obvious in the video. LOL. Their humor never fails to get me laughing MAO.. I mean, seriously, who in their right mind would even think of doing that? Well allow me to answer my question - Tog Gear. :)

That's 165 kph..

I was going through some old files and look what I found.

That's actually 165 kph, pardon the blurry photo, so far that's my standing top speed with the Vios. Tallied that at Subic - Clark - Tarlac Expressway, North of Metro Manila, Philippines. It's a 94-kilometer stretch of really, and I mean really nice road. Something that the Metro don't have. haha This was taken while on our way back to Manila coming from a road trip to Bataan the night before. Sure is a long stretch of good pavement. I was aiming for atleast 180 kph but it's quite scary seriously, like what they all say "Speed thrills, but kills." I know of some who's reached the top speed limit of the Vios - 200 kph, that's on a 1.3 trim which is really amazing. It's doable I should say but it's really risky so I guess 165 kph is just about it for me. haha even at 165 was really scary, one false move and that may be it for you. If you plan on attempting such stunts, just be cautious, it's never worth the risk. And note that there's a speed limit at SCT Ex, as far as I know it's 100 or 110 kph I'm not really sure, there are no camera's though so just be on the look out for highway patrols to avoid hassle, :) better yet just abide by the limit. But ya I know, sometimes you just can't help but speed up especially if you know you can get away with it, and the fact that there's not much to see along the way it may get really boring even at 140 kph. Here are some photos of our convoy.

Discover Canon EOS 500D contest

I don't really know much about camera's. And I've yet to read some stuff with regards to it so I don't really know how much this camera costs, but I definitely want one! Discovery channel together with Canon had this contest, deadline for entries was yesterday, I'm not even sure if my scores made it to the deadline. It's called Capture the World Contest. Here you'll get the chance to win a - of course, Canon EOS 500D. I'm not really sure as to what grade this camera belong, but one thing I'm sure about is that it takes good photos. And that's basically the reason why I want one. I'm a fan of pictures, who can't live without it these days? We use pictures to share our lives to our friends, keep up with what's going on with your life or your friend's life - these basic reasons. Apart from those reasons cited there, mine is more on me wanting to share different things through pictures, like places I go to, beautiful sites that I may find myself staring at. I'm not a frequent traveler, that's not what I do for a living. I have a day job which entails me to be at the office for nine hours a day, five days a week. Let's just say I'm just fortunate in a way that I get to go to places where some can't, get to see sites that most probably others can't, or have yet to see. And these are the things I want to share to my readers here - if that applies haha, or my friends and families.

So ya, I participated in the contest which I'm not sure how to win but I'm hoping. What I had to do was to play the game, take photos and all that, then submit your info's and then after round one and submitting your details like contact info incase you win, there's another round two, after that your score from rounds one and two are added up and then that's the score that will be submitted for you entry. I've actually heard about this contest about a month ago I guess, but at that time when I tried it out I think it had some sort of problem with the site or something. They can't seem to connect to server so-and-so, I got annoyed that first time so I closed the page. Then just this morning I was watching Discovery channel and the ad for this contest was flashed and so I was reminded about this and thought today was the last day so it won't hurt if I give it another shot. And so I did, I hope I win though. Man I really want one of these camera's. :)

What I drive..

You may notice some photos in the left hand panel, which I would like to call my "primary panel" because it's, well obviously, better-looking than the right hand panel which goes along with the background. At least to date those are the only photos I've uploaded. Anyway going back to the photos, you may notice some cars in it, that's my Vios. That's what I drive around the metro to get me from point A to point B. Been driving it for almost two years now and I consider it my buddy, since without it, I might have a hard time finding my way here in Manila. Since, well how fortunate can one get, I'm not really too familiar with the bus routes nor the jeep and even more with the shuttle FX's.. Though I think I can find my way to the office but then I'd be a mess most probably. This is not to brag or anything, I just want to look at it as being fortunate enough to have lived this lifetime with my parents.. They've provided us well enough to give us this life we have now, yet they scold us most of the time - especially during those earlier years, so we don't get too spoiled and all those things a parent wouldn't want their child to become. I'm not saying that I'm "the" perfect child, let's just say I love my parents and I have so much respect for them. Of course these are just some basics.

So ya, going back to the Vios, it's 1.3E trim, and it being a 1.3 liter engine, it helps me save on my gas money. Well ya the car may be saving me money but I'm not. haha since I got the Vios, from being somebody who stares at his PC whole day surfing the net, to somebody who just can't seem to stay home. So ya even if the car saves gas with its engine, I'm out there driving myself around the metro knowing that my car saves gas. So same thing. haha In a month if I'm in my right senses, in a month, ahhh I burn about 3k I guess, just on gas.. Or less? I'm not really sure I don't keep my receipts.. But definitely around that. ;)

The car has gone a long way from those days of being just another all-stock, plain and ordinary vios - to this what I would like to think as simple but has that somewhat different look that distinguishes it from the others you see on the road. Though it's not loaded unlike some of my friend's car, not to mention Jay Padua's ride, whew! Jay is a good friend I met from a car club we used to be a part of. Man his ride is just loaded - wow! OK enough of his, let's go back to mine. haha OK so where was I? Oh right, from stock to some minimal modifications here and there. Just trying to keep simple. Just the way I want it. :)

IM Me Page

I just added this IM Me page so whenever I'm online at my yahoo messenger account, visitors like yourself can reach me and get into a live chat with me through my page, send me and instant message anytime i'm online. Check it out and see for you self. What do you think? :)

iPhone or iPon?

Our local Tel Co - Globe, announced that they will be accepting early reservations for the iPhone 3GS last July 15th. I only learned about it about 6 days after that. The expected launching for it was the 31st. I didn't make my reservation online for the thought that it might just be overlooked, so I had to go to TriNoMa - one of the many local malls we have in the Philippines. It was a Wednesday, July 22nd, when I went there and inquired about the phone so-and-so. So there, my reservation was placed. I became more anxious about it as the 31st was drawing near.

Constantly, each day there's this nagging thought that I just can't seem to get off my head. To get the iPhone or iPon (keep/save the money). I even had it as my status at YM. haha Anyway it was like listening to the voice of my mother telling me over and over not to get the phone and just save the money instead. It's not that she doesn't approve of me getting myself one, but you know how some mother's do - they always keep on reminding their kids to learn how to save and all that. So as the days draw near the 31st, I've made a decision - I'm getting the phone. My justification was that I want to satisfy that urge to own one. It's not really a need, more of a want. And that wanting got the best of me, haha. But it didn't end there.

I was told by the lady behind the desk at Globe center TriNoMa that on the 31st - day of launching, I'll be getting a call from their branch to notify me that my phone will be ready for pick-up by then. So more than a week after that, July 31st came. No call. Bummer! so I decided what the hell I'll drop by Globe TriNoMa and check for my reservation and hope that I get lucky and that they just overlooked my name or something. But turns out, when I asked the lady behind the desk, she told me they ran out of stocks! And I thought, "seriously?" So what's the point of having to reserve a unit ahead if you're not even sure that you can serve all these reservations? Don't you just think how disappointing it was for me. My weary self was, well, I should say, really disappointed (can't find another word to best describe how I felt) that day.

So when I got home I went online looked up this forum I found a few days back while anxiously waiting for the said day-of-launching that didn't come through! Thanks to Globe! It's PhilMUG.com, an online community forum for Philippine Macintosh Users Group. I found a thread there about the said "launching" - people there were, like myself, excited for the 31st to come. But when Globe didn't came through with their end of the bargain, people there were disappointed as I was. Though some got the call they were expecting, but most of 'em didn't. So somehow it made me think I was not alone.. haha it sucks but the thought of not being alone with my sentiments at that time made me feel better a little bit. Just a little bit.

As the days passed, I was still expecting a call. And ya, that nagging voice was yet to quit. What happened just made me think a little deeper. Maybe it's not meant to be, haha - sheesh, the usual convenient excuse. But seriously though maybe I should just let it pass instead and just get the phone when it's readily available next time for everybody who wants one, not that you have to wait it out and find out you have to wait longer. The thing is I don't have that patience to wait. Especially if it's something that I really want, and what happened just made me revisit my options. And so to cut this long post short (whew, ang haba na ah.. dal2x ko) I've decided na iPon nalang muna before I get the iPhone. :) By then maybe I'll just get the prepaid kit so I won't be bundled with the 2-year lock-up with Globe which may just take up all my money in the bank paying for sky-rocketig bills.

If you want to visit the forum on PhilMUG do drop by this thread:

Globe: iPhone 3GS release July 31, reserve as early as July 15

and see how the transition of emotions as one of the members posted there.

Anticipation when the Reservation Date was announced

Excitement when Reservation was made

Longing for the 31 Release date

Apprehension that the 31 Release date will not be followed

Confusion when some got called, while others did not, when some got fixed released dates while others were declared TBA

Ecstacy (well for some) when they finally got their hands on the 3GS

Anger and downright disappointment for others who did not get it.

iPon won over iPhone. haha If you're reading this part most probably you've read this post. And for that, thank you. :)

Not even 23..

Just a quick shout out post for a dear friend - Richard Landero. He's my batch mate, and a good friend who left us way too early than one could even think of. It was sudden and during these type circumstances where we are left in awe of how God works his way in our daily lives, we tend to wonder and worse doubt Him. It may not be easy to accept, but then again who are we to question? What are our options? Not much, definitely. It's not like we have a choice. The only thing left for us is to accept the fact that we will soon leave everything behind and reunite ourselves together with Him. It's just a matter of when.

I just looked it up over at Facebook on a post by our batch mate - Marlyn, who was really close to him, that it is his birthday today, 14th of August. I was never good with birthdays, and I apologize to him now for not being able to remember it. He was a good friend to everybody. Not a dull moment whenever he's around, many can attest to that. Now I can only imagine how much grief his family will have to endure for this day - his birthday. The thought that he could have at least had his 23rd birthday with them, with his friends. Yes, he's only 23. Gone too soon, as many of us thought. But even at a young age he has left so many good memories to cherish for those of us he's left behind. Memories that will always remind us of him. Be it those days of playing along the corridors of Sto. Niño building when we were still graders, or those late afternoon's at the canteen way back high school days just waiting for the time to pass, and the mere get together whenever people come home during semester breaks. He has always been there, to most it, if not all. He finds time, or better yet he has all the time to spend if it's for friendship, some traits wherein you can really say he truly values the friendship that he has with each and everyone who got the chance to be around him. Now that you're gone comrade, in every gatherings from then on, there will always be that void, a void that I doubt will ever be filled lest amidst gatherings one will notice blank stares, eyes longing for your smile. A smile that can cheer up even a grumpy old lady.

So for your birthday comrade - Richard, as a tribute, this slot is for you my friend, my second post in my new page. For a friend who never fails to smile even when in times of mourning. Now I will no longer mourn for you death, hence I will smile with the thought that you are now celebrating this day with our Father.

I'm sure everybody has their own unique snapshot of you with that smile, and that smile is what's giving us the the strength to accept your passing. For we know that you are happy where you are right now - beside our Creator.

You will never be forgotten my friend. Happy birthday. Rest in peace. †

Hello world!

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About Me

First up, I'm no professional writer.

This blog is a personal blog. Most of what you may read here are based on my personal thoughts - a personal opinion, which I personally think every human being is entitled to. If you happen to be against my point of view, feel free to leave a comment and show me a different perspective. I believe I'm open-minded enough. I'd ask though that we be polite, nothing beats a good exchange of opinion. Although most of what you will find here are basically stuffs I want to share, such as my travel experiences, photos, and videos.

I'm not much of a talker in person, but I tend to over-rant when I'm in here writing. There's not too many posts here that one would consider a review, but I'm open to the idea. If you happen to come across one here, rest assured it'll be unbiased - this being a personal blog.

I'm a fan of good photography. I'm huge particularly on sunsets, next to that would be sunrise. Although they're pretty much one and the same in terms of view - that dose of amber in the sky never gets old. I take photos, more for personal use. You'll see some of them at the Photos section in this blog. I'm open with the idea of selling them, granting that somebody would take interest of course.

Apart from good photos, I'm more into video editing. I barely edit the photos I take, what you see more often than not came directly from the camera - only it's re-sized. I'm the guy who usually takes more videos than photos. I take pleasure in incorporating good music with the clips I record. Music videos - that's pretty much my cup of tea. You'll find them in my Videos section. These self-produced music videos are for my personal use and I openly share them with my friends and to the world online. Though I've always toyed with the idea of offering such services.

Advertisers are welcome, for queries feel free to shoot me an Email above.

If by any chance I caught your attention and is interested with my work, feel free to drop me a mail.

Last update: 7/11/2011