buzzer beater to my heart

It's love at first sight, only in my case it's either a hail mary shot or a buzzer beater lay up in the dying seconds of a do or die game. 

I love basketball, but I love pointguards more.

Ever since I started watching basketball at the ripe age of 8, I've always had a thing for point guards. I believe they are the smartest players on the court. Nothing beats a fast break play orchestrated by the maestro that is the mind of a point guard that makes you ask yourself "how did he do that?". The crowd buzzes with so much anticipation when they have the ball in their hands, making them the most exciting ones too! A player who scores, with the lethal combination of muscle memory and oozing charisma, appeals so much to me. Most point guards are pushing 5'7 to 5'11. In basketball world, that is vertically challenged. In my world, that is plainly cute. 

My first ever point guard crush was Bal "The Flash" David. How can I forget his buzzer beaters and killer pull up jumpers? He was drafted under the Swift franchise, but never got signed. A year after, the most popular team in the PBA signed him and the rest is pure basketball at its finest. Bal David was the off-the-bench jewel of then Ginebra Playing Coach Robert Jaworski. He replaces a tired Pido Jarencio with the barangay Big Dome hollering at his initial footsteps towards the official's table to check in at the ball game. Veteran PBA Coach Tim Cone once said that Bal David is the closest thing to a Johnny Abarrientos. He was that fast and good. In modern times, might just be the hybrid of Mighty Mouse Jimmy Alapag and Mark "The Spark" Caguioa. Still sporting a buzz cut, Bal David was my first point guard romance.

Isa palang yan. 

I have an arsenal of point guard crushes, just like how I have an arsenal of lip balms in my beauty stash. 

I was smitten when he first took care of that basketball. He was a no one turned into "the one" after 10 years of sporting red and white for crowd favorite Ginebra. He would go up and under the toughest defenders in the league.. still with his blonde hair perfectly in place. Mark "The Spark" Caguioa was my "It" boy in 2000. I was pretty sure it was not his then blonde hair that got me into him. It was his pure basketball IQ and killer acrobatic lay ups. Every single time he plays (with me cheering somewhere), I can say that Ginebra has banked on another potent tandem. (Kami yun hehehehe=) We are two kindred spirits connected by a higher power that is basketball. Hahahaha! On a serious note, I am utterly speechless. All I can say is that 10 years after, Caguioa is still my "It" boy. 

hair so much better, Mark!

It was a surreal experience to see him play live and up close last weekend as Ginebra took on Alaska. I was actually ready (game face on) to sprint towards the other side of the court to go after the players but kahit sa paglakad mabilis din sila, it took them less than 10 seconds to go to their dug out. Fortunately, we had ringside tickets hence the picture. By the way, I am really digging his hair! Way much better. :)

For second place, here comes John Wilson. :)

Not much of a photogenic

He had me at hello. And no, I did not tweet Tom Cruise for permission to use his famous line. It was 4 minutes before the second half. The players emerged from the dug out and started to practice shooting hoops in our side of the court. Some fans took the chance to ask for autographs and photo opportunities. While I, took the chance to call them just to see if they'll turn around. John Wilson was shooting from the sideline so I thought he can hear me better than the others. I mustered enough courage and shouted "Wilson!" To my surprise, he waved, smiled and even said hello. My heart dropped in an instant. <3

In other news, we spotted Rob Labagala on his way out from the arena. He was super humble! Such a cutie pie! Thank you, Little Robbie!

I am actually trying to write a purely sports article. I never thought it can be so hard! My first paragraph was almost good but my un-sportslike humor just had to be felt. Ayun, fail! Hahaha! I need to brush up on my readings to be able to make a good one. Kaya idol ko si Sir Mico Halili! His brilliant mind is just to envy for! Catch more of his awesomeness here :)

all smiles with the brilliant mind that is sir mico

Mabuhay ang Pinoy Basketball!

channeling happiness

https://twitter.com/jcpels

then I heard Iza, now I'm a believer; not a trace of doubt in my mind YEAH!

Blame it on the weather. I'm feeling all emotional. We had to suffer almost 12 hours of black out. What did I do? I enjoyed the company of my bed, pillows and blanket. Ito ang moment na mala-music video.. mapapatingin ka sa bintana habang nagssway ang mga puno sa labas, sasabayan ng malamig na simoy ng hangin. titingin ka sa phone mo at walang nagtetext. Tapos maiisip mo ang lovelife mong parang Coke, LIGHT o kaya madalas ZERO. (Sorry for the humor. That's the best I can do hehehehe =))

I tuned in to the Boys Night Out Manyak Mondays Magic 89.9. It was the first time I got to tune in for the whole show. The beautiful Iza Calzado served as their guest that night. Being the guys that they are, they asked Iza "Kanino mo idededicate ang song na 'to?" to which Iza replied "To the one God has prepared for me"

Insert my seemingly hopeless lovelife. The last relationship I had can be dated 4 years ago. During those 4 years, it was a combination of moving on and liking guys that didn't like me back. I have some major crushes in between pala. Tipong makapa-picture lang, feeling ko boyfriend ko na sila!! Hehehehe =)) To some, those four years was just fitting. It made me realize things. (which is very much true naman. I would like to think that I am a better person) For me, four years seems like foreveeerrrrr!

There are times when I feel like giving up in meeting Mr. Right. Okay, you may think I am over reacting but I am just being honest. While others can snag a "boylet" overnight and change their Facebook relationship status in a snap of their fingers, here I am struggling in meeting guys. How unfair diba? (Mag apila na tayo sa Supreme Court! Hahahaha!) At times, I don't know if I'm just denying that I am hearing an inner voice that calls for a vocation! Baka tinatawag na pala ako sa pag-mamadre, pilit ko lang di pinapansin kasi gusto kong magka boyfriend! Hahahahaha!! A friend told me once that careers are blooming when one's lovelife takes a backseat. I believed this until I graduated from college. I worked hard. Nerdy hard and it was no picnic! Actually, it might be one of the reason why I studied extremely hard in college. Baka pag cumlaude na ako, meeting the right one is my reward! But no. No one came along. I was disappointed. I stared at my diploma for a long time and thought that if my studying didn't do the trick, then what now? (ang babaw lang but true to life ito mga kaibigan)

Yes, yes. I met some good guys. These good guys I liked. But they never liked me back. That's the worst thing! I blame the school why they don't have a subject on Flirting through text 101 or How to Start a Conversation with a Guy. That might have been helpful. If meeting guys was a subject, I FLUNKED BIG TIME! Hence, every story ended with my tagline "NEXXXXXXXXXT!"

My crushes kept my sanity. I have crushes in every field I think Hahahahaha!! =) I admire basketball players, medical interns, internet action star and actors. So maybe it's kinda true that I have high standards. (ang ganda ko kasi diba? HAHAHAHA you're free to contest my friends)I get one trait from each of my crushes, roll them into one and ta-dah!!! MY DREAM GUUUYYYYYYY =)) In my world, HE EXISTS. (pero sa totoo, si Ramon Bautista lang talaga sya hihihihi <3)

But then, here is Iza, dedicating a song to the one God has prepared for her. Isn't it inspiring? She's pretty, successful and a good person. She's not rushing. She waited and is still waiting. Maybe, it's too early for me to give up. Too exaggerated to believe God hasn't prepared anyone for me. 

I am laughing at my dumb self for sharing this HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! =)) JUST MY HONEST TO GOODNESS SELF. :)

And oh, my mobile number is 09........ book me for a date! Hehehehe kidding!

Cheers

patron tickets in my room

I had the greatest time of coming back to the Araneta Coliseum to catch the game one of the UAAP Finasls between my alma mater FEU Tamaraws and their finals arch nemesis, the Ateneo Blue Eagles last Saturday. The best part was that I got to watch it with my dearest Paps and my sister Tin! (though we're not seated together. we were together through text messages while the game is going on hehehe) I was seated beside my buddy Timmy (do you think calling Timmy my buddy seems boyish? hehehe maybe we'll call each other chums nalang.. but too cheesy) who came late due to the full parking spaces! I fetched her from the coliseum entrance just as the second quarter was about to start! She was practically there for a good one hour. Atleast diba? We shared chikas in between time outs. Why? We were seated in the section where it's a mix of Ateneo and FEU. When I say mix, it means Ateneo domination! Hehehehe :)) So hard to cheer when you're surrounded by die hard Ateneo fans. Seryoso! Yung cheering nila nakaka goosebumps! Minsan napapasabay nga ako eh. Natatauhan lang ako pag nakikita kong naka yellow pala ako at finaflash sa screen yung mukha ni RR Garcia! Hehehehe

FEU had a competitive 1st half. Romeo was shooting from all angles forcing a tie at the end of the first half. However, Ateneo made adjustments entering the second half. Most FEU players became invisible and was limited offensively. According to Coach Bert Flores, nawala sila sa game plan nung second half. Ateneo played perfectly ika nga nya.

On my point of view..

Did history repeated itself? Last UAAP season where I also watched live, the Blue Eagles won in a dominating fashion. Tinambakan din ng Ateneo ang FEU nun. I had to hold back my tears. SERIOUSLY. I always tell people that it's perfectly okay for them to think I'm crazy or over reacting, because it's just how I am. I am basketball crazy! I remember crying when Ginebra lost the championship back when I was in elementary. I cried before going to sleep while recalling how Bal David gave his all. Hahahaha!

Or am I just bad luck? Sabi nila wag daw sabihin yung malas, pero sa case ko mukhang totoo e. I have a perfect recall on this one kasi it happened once. Hehehe :)) The only time my team won when I watched live was during the elimination round of the UAAP Season 73, Ateneo versus FEU. After nun, di na naulit! Imagine my extreme happiness when FEU won! I remember giving a high five to a stranger sa sobrang tuwa ko HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Game two is happening tomorrow and instead of looking for tickets, I've decided to prepare my bedroom, my cheers and school spirit. Patron tickets in my room, baby. I'm doing the Tamaraws a big favor by not watching live. Hehehehe =))

Let's go Tamaraws!! May the force be with you.

my second home that is pedia ward

I feel that I could have written this entry a few months back, but I decided to contain everything in a tight package and wait until my last day. LAST DAY.. it sounds awkward. Parang mamamatay lang the next day. Somehow, it felt just like that. In a good way. 

Let us trace back history my friends while sipping your coffee (milk tea in my case) in this rainy morning. Please accept my warning that this will be a long post. Now that you've been warned, you cannot complain anymore!! :)

I never knew what area I wanted as an entry level nurse. When I was a nursing student, I think I sucked in every clinical area. I hated the ward, operating room and delivery room. See my dilemma? Where on earth can I possibly practice? So when I was asked what area would I like to unleash my inner nursing potential (Naks! Akala mo magaling na magaling lang), I WAS DUMBFOUNDED. Out of the blue, it's like a higher power whispered to me "Chooooooose Pedia", in an instant I found myself jotting down Pedia in that piece of paper. Next thing I knew, I was already setting foot in the Pedia Ward. 

Trivia: I got my lowest clinical area grade in Pedia Ward during my nursing student days. Pedia pala ha! 

I'VE ALWAYS LOVED KIDS. I have four younger siblings and somehow I've learned a thing or two on how to woo and care for them. But boy, was I totally surprised! Pedia was more than that. BELIEVE ME!

Things I learned in Pedia Ward:

1. Kids aren't always lovable. With my 6 months stay, I've reached the height of my patience. It may sound a bit harsh for a pediatric nurse but it happens. In the long run, you've got to learn how to control it and tell yourself that when you do get impatient, you have to start to be patient.

I had encounters with patients that cry at the sight of you. Kids that scream when you hold their hands thinking that nurses are all about injections and syringes. Imagine the effort in giving IV medications. It takes approximately 5-10 minutes of constant explanation and crazy animations before being able to give the medication. Kaya pagbalik mo sa station, lantang gulay ka na! HAHAHA 

More so, hindi lang patient ang toxic sa ward, minsan mas toxic ang magulang! Every pedia nurse would have to agree with me on this note. 

2. Mistakes are inevitable. Don't commit the same mistakes twice. Learn from it. As an entry level nurse, it's perfectly normal to rummage deep through our nursing knowledge. Kasi wala kang ka-alam alam! Dun ka talaga magttrust sa simula. Having said that, while doing that, mistakes may come your way. I know that nurses are supposed to be fully equipped, skills and knowledge wise, since what lies in our hands are LIVES, that is why we train and improve ourselves. My former head nurse once said that you are not defined by a patient mistake. It happens, and even the best senior nurses have gone through some of that once in their prime years. You should learn to stand up, continue to improve yourself and go on with the journey. 

3. Nursing is a noble profession. Now this may sound a bit Nightingale-ish, but I've proved this to be very true. Charting down your care, preparing medications, carrying out doctor's order, regulating the IV fluid. This may sound a piece of cake to non-nurses. How hard can writing and injecting an IV medication can be, right? To nurses, however, charting means carefully choosing the right words to indicate patient care (charts are legal documents), preparing medications means accidental needle pricks, enduring the hazards certain meds brings, carefully calculating the right dosage and walking through the whole ward, carrying a doctor's order means analyzing every word of it and regulating IV fluids means making sure the patient receives the intended amount of fluid for 8 hours. So much work to do and yet at times to others it is not enough. Patients complain, doctors complain, even co-workers complain. As much as you want to shrink into a tiny creature, you've got to face everything head on and improve yourself. And you do all of this, with some personal problems in mind. Hirap maging nurse! My 6 months residency seemed like a 6 months duty. Requirement na dapat i-fulfill para sa certificate. But imagine those organic staff nurses that works not only in 6 months but for the rest of their life! A lifetime full of pressure, effort and sacrifice. 

4. You've got to love what you do. Or else it would be everyday torture. Nothing beats waking up in the morning, feeling all over excited going to work. Nursing was never a dream profession. (I hated injections) But I've learned to love the work that I do. I adopted the mantra during my 3rd month of residency. I found myself tired and dragging my butt to work every single day. I thought that if I will continue to curse my work, every single day of my remaining months would be a mess. I couldn't bear days like that. 

5. Surround yourself with positive people. Believe me when I say that I've been through a lot, rn resident speaking. If there's one thing that helped me through the bumps I've been, it's that you should be with positive people. It's easy to think worst about your own self, but the people who you are with helps you to see the goodness in you. 

Here's a mini tour of our ward:

The sign that greets you! I will forever love and remember this place.

The nurses' quarters. Well, this is a linen room turned into a dressing room. Our ward is a special area hence we are required to wear scrub suits. One of the best things is we get to wear civilian clothes prior entering the ward so it is so much comfortable! Also, scrub suits are way more comfortable than skimpy white uniform and stockings.

Our very colorful medication room! This is where we prepare medications and sometimes this is also the room where we vent out or gossip! Tipong naiinis ka sa doctor or sa patient, welcome kang ilabas sama ng loob mo dito! 

My favorite place! Hahaha! Where the food is of course! This serves as our dining area. Mala transformers din ito since this doubles as a sleeping area during the night hehehe

The ward hallways. We have one of the best wards in our institution. So proud to have set foot on this floor! Hahaha :) 

How can I forget the people?

I took the picture kaya wala ako. Ito ang mga taong bumuhay saken while nasa ward ako!! Mahal ko kayo! :) 

MAHAL KO ANG PEDIA! :)

GO, LIGO KA NA! LAPIT NA US

It's a Friday night and work is nowhere to be found. I have my super willing friend (ay not willing, more than willing.. no, no actually she was the one who insisted we watch it pala! That makes me the one willing to watch it. Nevermind) to watch this spot on independent film, armed with Kettlecorn and excitement, we conquered the rain to the UP Film Institute to catch Eros Atalia's LIGO NA U, LAPIT NA ME

It tells the story of Karl Vladimir Lennon J. Villabos (Intoy for short), very street smart and ordinary who fell in love with the quirky Jenny Evangelista. Their friendship is guarded by certain perks and privileges (including checking in a motel and going to bed if you know what I mean), with the condition that they will fall in love with each other. Intoy later on, felt the need to confess his feelings to Jenny, only to find out that Jenny is pregnant. ("Don't worry, it's not yours")

Tal and I was more than excited for this film! I personally was counting the days before the screening date and felt goosebumps whenever I get to watch the trailer! We saw the book a few weeks ago in National Bookstore and thought that the title is interesting. Apparently, Tal read the first few chapters and said that the story did justice in relating how our generation deals with love and all that goes with friends-with-benefits set-up. I was intrigued so I told her we would watch it when Cinemalaya goes to UP. 

I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED WITH WHAT I SAW. I loved the film! Very witty with all it's quotable quotes. It may get bastos at moments, but still with sense. Di lang basta bastos, may tinatarget e. And it gets you. Mercedes Cabral was perfect for the role. Quirky and seductive. Edgar Allan Guzman, hailed as this year's Cinemalaya Best Actor, was not exactly with best actor drama skills but I felt that what made him stand out was that he was able to connect with his character. So mas realistic ang dating, parang typical Pinoy young adult na inlove. I felt na siyang siya si Intoy. 

On the other side of my day, it was another fun date with Tal! Though she might complain how magastos I am na kasama and how I made her walk from UP Film all the way to Oblation at around 10:30 in the evening, I knew we had fun and I know you will not disown me for that! Hehehe thanks for the Kettlecorn. Here's our only souvenir:

This movie date was brought to you by Mang Inasal for early dinner, Kettlecorn for while-watching-the-film-snack, McDonalds Cafe for nearly midnight snack, UP Film Institute for the wonderful event and of course, yours truly with Tal as the beauties of the night. (Wahahahaha okay the last part was simply biased) 

Watch the trailer, be intrigued. Go set a date and watch it with your friends when it hits the SM Cinemas this August!!

And oh, Edgar Allan Guzman has such a nice manly voice

the one thing I like that basketball do to me

WRONG. TOTALLY WRONG.

There are MANY things basketball do and did to me. But I'm too lazy to edit the title so let us leave it at that! 

Basketball sustains me. This may come as a surprise to others. I cheer with so much heart but I also know the technicalities of the sport. 

I started watching basketball when I was in elementary with my Dad. We only had one TV then and him being the head of the family calls the shots even of what show to watch. Hahaha! I had no choice but to endure 4 quarters of hoops. How can an elementary student absorb terms like goal tending and offensive foul? But as days go by, I got used to hearing those terms. Papa will give me some Basketball 101 during half time and I would listen to the commentators during the game. Basketball lingo became my national anthem and basketball games became my cartoons. 

Basketball contains my stress in a tight package and throws it in a far, far, place. I will choose catching a basketball game than partying late at night as a stress reliever. Like a movie house, basketball relaxes me too. I myself don't get how a basketball game vacuums in stress! The game itself, when intense is stressful diba? I guess it's the mentality that once you step inside the arena or decide to sit on your couch, you dust off your stress and worries, focus on your team and cheer! You let yourself loose.

On an important note, basketball gave me a career direction. You all probably know that I auditioned for the UAAP courtside by now. I was asked during the VTR interview why I auditioned considering the fact that I already have a job. I quickly replied "It's my lifelong dream to be sharing the courtside with the players. I will resign from my job if I get accepted." I may not have the job right now, but basketball helped me to see a clearer side of my thoughts. Because of basketball, I KNEW WHAT I WANTED TO DO. 

Basketball gave me friendships. Not that I don't have any friends to start with! Hahaha! Let's just say that it allowed me to create awesome friendships. You all know Timmy and Grace, my famous UAAP buddies. A basketball game bridges our gaps, connects us and clears our schedule! 

And the best thing I like? BASKETBALL MAKES ME ALL GIDDY AND BLUSHING!

YOU SEE?

This being the most recent addition to my growing collection of photo opportunities with basketball crushes! Hahaha! I can't help myself but ask any basketball player for a picture. Actually,in this case, Timmy did. The back story? I was shy to approach him. Timmy already stood up and authoritatively asked me to stand up and follow her. Just as she was about to ask Kiefer, the cameras flashed his face on screen! Just imagine our shame if ever we get caught asking him for a picture! 

I always say that it's pogi points when a guy knows how to play hoops. Blame it from my too much basketball game viewing time. My basketball crushes has its category of a) gwapo but not blessed with the best basketball skills b) not really gwapo but possesses the sizzling hot basketball skills c) two in one, gwapo plus oozing basketball skills. I have a collection of pictures with basketball superstars and they all have one thing in common: I SMILE AWKWARDLY WIDE AND I LOOK LIKE IT'S HALLOWEEN EVERYDAY (no concealer, no blush on) I psyche myself that the picture matters and not too much my face. (But still it matters. it helps if you look pretty beside a basketball player. Girlfriend material lang ang peg)

Here's to more things that basketball will do to me!