Image from favim.com

Let Go

Image from Barros-Gorres.com. Quote from editing.

If I may be sentimental, just for today. Please, allow me. The past few days have been really tough not only because of the elements that normally makes my day tough (paper works, exams and more paper work!) but I've been  pretty much affected with how my heart have been behaving lately. It is not in my nature to discuss these sort of things on a public platform and what can be more public than the world wide web! 

Today I decided to write about it because I feel that it is time that I do. I am ready after all this time. After the heartache, tears, desperation and more tears. I have finally made peace with this demon with a handshake! What exactly am I talking about? It started two years ago when I met this fellow who just took my breath away. A song would always play on the background whenever I'd see him. It was that crazy! I wrote about him on my September 2009 entry . He remains anonymous until now and I wish to keep it that way. Having come from a failed relationship, this fellow helped me to gradually move on and he didn't even know it. I never thought that it would be that serious and yet fate played a joke on me and drew the guy closer to me until I could no longer move. I was trapped. I knew I was in big trouble. You know when you take things easy and with so much complacency then it suddenly hits you? That's exactly what happened.Lesson learned. 

I think it is safe to say that I fell in love with that fellow. He was a great guy, he had a heart of gold. He is what we would call in  Tagalog as "walang masamang tinapay" and I've always admired him for that. Now, all of those are just memories. Everything that we've been through, our story, the feelings are just nowhere in sight. I managed to reclaim my previous love, and I've never been happier. Though there were still times that I would remember him, I just brush it off and think about my man and I go back on track. I am blessed with a great guy who never gave up on me after all these years, the man who can't be moved,yes, just like the song. 

This is probably the last time that I will talk about this fellow. I have finally reconciled with the reality that we are not meant to be. He was just a passer by who shared his heart to me. I have fully embraced the possibility that my man, my kind man, will win this to the end. I am just overwhelmed that finally, after a year-long struggle, all is well with me and my heart have truly healed. I am also glad I finally took the courage to let it all go. I didn't give up, I just realized something that I have ignored after all this time. I have my friends to thank for their support and comfort. They were there to listen.

All of us have  stories of losing love and winning it again. Meeting someone who we wished was our destiny and letting them go because they are not ours to keep. Nevertheless, we take courage and move on, we let go because WE CAN!.

Nostalgia and The Corrs

I went to the bakery after dinner to pick up some pastries for tomorrow's breakfast. The Corrs was playing "Toss The Feathers" on the record. I love this song, it brings so much memories from my childhood. I practically grew up listening to this group. I just love the instruments that each of them play and the songs, oh those songs, just the intro of "Runaway" makes me melt and completely disappear and it has the same effect  on me until now. I was an MTV kid back then, whenever  I'd get home from school, I would turn on the TV and tune in to MTV and wait for The Corrs to be played while munching on my snack, I was around fifth grade, so just imagine me in my school uniform with ID and all, singing "Dreams" and "What Can I Do". I didn't even know what falling in love and life in the real world meant back then and I fancied these songs!!Weird kid??

When their concert in Lansdowne Road in Dublin was aired on the local channel, it automatically became my no.1 all-time favorite performance (2nd is MTV Unplugged, videos of which are played here). I kept watching the encore and even begged my Ma to get me a VHS copy, yes VHS! So sad Ma never bought me one and I was depressed for an ample time. It was also my first time to hear authentic Irish music and I just fell in love with it. I also had interests in playing the violin but I never had the heart to really go on. It's hard to pick a favorite among the siblings, if any, I really love how Sharon plays the violin with so much confidence and Caroline looks really cool with the drums, I am always in awe of her playing the traditional Irish frame drum, Bodhran. It just makes me wanna dance. The Corrs and their music had a great influence in my childhood, their songs were the soundtrack of my childhood and it did continue until my teens. When I entered the university and had my first break up,I had The Corrs playing "The Hardest Day" for my break up song. I always have a soft spot for these guys. Still makes me sad that they stopped performing.

my first break up song :(

Whenever I hear their songs or watch their performances on the internet the gates to my childhood automatically opens and it just makes me smile. I really wish that my children would be as musically inclined as them when the time comes. I don't wish my children to be as big as what The Corrs siblings has become. I just want them to be playing instruments in the house. Just imagine how cool would that be. I'm gonna be one proud Momma for sure! Then again, it's up to them. I can only wish. Wait, what am I saying?? I'm not even married yet and I am already thinking about my kids playing instruments!!! I should be going to bed, my brain is starting to fail me with all this thoughts. I'll write some more tomorrow, oopps! it's already morning, later I mean. :))

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Flicks on the List

Don't worry I haven't lost it yet. My mind is still intact guys, please bear with me for posting another entry in a span of an hour. It's just that, I'm really excited with my blog's new look and all. So please, just let me have this. 

I was out to watch Harry Potter 4 last Friday, I know, I can now see your eyes rolling but I grow up reading the guy and watched all the installments of the movie. I think it only right to see its end. Going back, while waiting for the movie to begin I fancied watching the trailers of upcoming movies and some of them made it to my 'To Watch For' list. Enjoy:

Real Steel  starring Hugh Jackman

Crazy, Stupid, Love starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone and Kevin Bacon

Happy Feet 2

These three movies are feel-good ones which is basically my criteria when it comes to movies.   Although,I also have room for tear-jerkers, but I really opt for the one that cracks me up. The trailer of Happy Feet says it all. The return of Ryan Gosling and his to-die-for body is always worth the ticket in Crazy, Stupid Love. And Real Steel with Hugh Jackman in it is enough reason to go watch. I am a sucker for Hugh Jackman. Shoot me.

How about you?What's on your list?

See you at the movies!

Champoy Da Foodie

I love eating. Eating brings out the best in me! My choice of food ranges from street food, carenderia, fast food, bistro, cafe, restaurants and sometimes if my budget would permit; hotel buffets. Kahit nga fiesta or as simple as libreng pakain sa kapitbahay papatulan ko. In short, walang patawad, basta pagkain go agad!

But I must admit that there are times that I would eat passionless. I know this would sound ridiculous but sometimes I find eating rather tasking; nevertheless, I still eat. This often happens when I had a really long day or if I am sick. On a regular day; however  the eating is at its best condition.  I have so much love for pasta and Italian food in general. I just love the rich flavor that goes into every serving of pasta in any kind of sauce. Pizza is also on the list but I am a little bit picky with this. I could only name a few pizza houses that I really like. I have a soft spot for Sbarro when it comes to pasta. I would always order half Spaghetti with meatball in meat sauce paired with a big glass of Raspberry iced tea. Then there is Yellow Cab Pizza where I always order their NY Classic Pepperoni. I just love how simple and hearty this pan can be!

NY Pepperoni Classic, Spaghetti and meatballs, fishballs and banana-q

Living away from home gives me an excuse to eat at carenderias and some of them can be really big on flavor with a price cheaper than those of restaurants which is good when you are working on a tight budget plus its lutong bahay so it gives you the feeling of being at home. 

Street food. Where do I begin? My fascination for street food started back in highschool when my classmates and I would go out of the school gate after lunch and spend half an hour standing by a fishball stand just munching on fishballs, tempura and squidball dipped in sweet chili sauce and vinegar packed with local spices! Sarap! Then in the afternoon after dismissal we would rush across the street to catch some freshly cooked banana-q(caramelized banana), kamote-q(caramelized sweet potato ), some peanuts and corn. Then we would take the local ice cream for dessert or we would go for the green mangoes or santol. You can only imagine how hardworking a teen's stomach can be. I would always gets some sermon from Ma every time I get home from school: "Champ, how many times do I have to tell you not to eat street food! You'll get sick I tell you! And that mangga, my goodness! How would you eat dinner after all the food you ate?" Sometimes I'd wonder how Ma ever found out by only seeing the the massacred green mangoes inside the 'lil plastic bathed in salt. Mothers.

Champoy Da Foodie, green mango and corn

Nowadays, I would fancy munching on some tukneneng and kwek-kwek syempre present parin ang banana-q and green mangoes that should be yellow and crisp with a sweet and sour fusion.

Kwek-kwek and World Chicken meal.

As for restaurants, I go to those that are recommended by friends or those that I'd go to out of being curious. But I do have a list of restaurants that I'd go to on a regular basis like, 1.)Oh George! at Ayala Center Cebu where my favorite Tuna Melt sandwich is served. Then there is 2.)Banana Leaf  the ultimate choice for Hainanese chicken 3.) The Gustavian houses the best Ceasar salad I've ever tasted 4.) Red Kimono for some Japanese 5.) Mooon Cafe for Filipino-Mexican fusion  5.) Ilaputi for oriental fusion.

I also have a list of favorite restos that are based in Manila that I would never fail to go to whenever I'd visit the city. 1.) Florabel at the Podium 2.) Felix at Greenbelt 3.) Italianni's  4.)Ruby Tuesdays and this may be at the food court but this is a sure winner 5.) World Chicken at Glorietta and Trinoma. For coffee, it's gotta be Starbucks. It's already a given, no arguments. It's my coffee.

I can say that I am certified foodie. Diet is beyond me, I don't have interests in being an obese nor do I advocate it. It's just that I can never go without eating. The only time I would slow down is during Lenten season and the rest of the year would be an eating festival. The key is to eat responsibly, kung hindi ka naman gutom don't push it, impatcho ang aabutin mo kapatid ! The love for good food is inherent among Filipinos, it's part of the culture. I love how food can define a persons joys and how it can comfort the human being during sad times.

 Mabuhay ang pagkain! 

-CGF

I Am Back!

I know. I've been away not just for a while but for a really long time. My last entry was  New Year of 2010, and now we are on the midyear of 2011. I have a long way to catch up and I'll start now before everything gets worse. Please bear with me.

So much has taken place in my life while I was away. I've met a lot of new friends and my daily life has changed its course. Let me begin this "recovery" entry by telling you about my latest endeavor-- the Christian Life Movement, also known as CLM. Don't worry guys, I'm still a Catholic and forever will be. This movement started in Lima, Peru and was founded by Luis Fernando Figari and is present all over the world. They came to the Philippines 7 years ago through a group of religious women also under the umbrella of the Sodalit Family called the Servants of the Plan of God. The movement organize missions and activities centered mainly on youth. This movement was introduced to me by a friend I met at the university who happened to be one of its pioneering members in the Philippines. It took me a while to decide on weather I should commit to the movement. What got me sold to the movement was that unlike most of the philanthropic activities that we know, the missions in this movement doesn't oblige you to donate big financial figures. You only need to give yourself, a day of service to your fellow men and your willingness. We don't do the fancy charity balls in a fancy venue with the advertisements and all. We work quietly.  But don't get me wrong, I respect those philanthropists who organize charity balls and any kind of charitable institutions for that matter. I have always been an advocate of missionary work and the CLM perfectly suited me. You may check on the full details regarding the movement here

Meanwhile, here are some of the photos taken from our missions and some of our community's activities.

My first Mission Day was in Caohagan Island, Cebu here with my friend Mimi and new friend Izzy.

It was later followed by the Christmas is Jesus Campaign in December where I played emcee in Lusaran, Cebu City.

                I was also there for the Vocation Jamboree back in February 2011

Under the umbrella of CLM is the Marian Community. Here with my Marian sisters (L-R) Jade, Iris, Clarrence and Crystal (in blue). Our group is called the Magnificat.

Here facilitating a recollection for kids with my Marian friend, Jade. Catechism is one of the major  apostolates of the movement.

Then came my 2nd Mission Day experience, this time in the beautiful island of Pandanon in Bohol. Their church was under renovation when we came.

The kids are usually grouped according to their age and  we teach them and play with them. Snacks follow after the session.

We usually take a group picture before we wrap up the mission. Behold the volunteers and missionaries of CLM Pilipinas.

Last Sunday we had another Mission Day in Pandanon Island. It marked my 3rd Mission Day experience. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to pack my camera to document the activity. I was overwhelmed to be back and how the residents of the island welcomed our group. Everything was well organized and the kids even came in their school uniforms. We had a solemn Mass and a smooth flowing activity. I always say that the Mission Day is my "first love" in CLM so I always make it a point to be there. Now that I am back in the blogging world I can guarantee that my entries would have a touch of my life in the movement since it now part of who I am. 

I am also glad that Blogger is 100x better than it was before. It's easier to manage. Thanks Blogger!! It's really good to be back after all this time, there is just so much in my world to write. I officially welcome you all to Champoy World ! More posts to come!

xoxo Champoy ;)

Cute Couple

The Korean drama "Boys Over Flowers" is over, but the mania is still on. I admit to be a fanatic of the series. Although the story isn't at all new being a Korean adapation of the Taiwanese series "Meteor Garden", it still swept me off my feet! I love "Meteor Garden" but I worship "Boys Over Flowers"!!!

If there was one thing that I really loved about the show it would be the special friendship between Ji Hoo and Jan Di. It was already given that it was the ultra hot Jun Pyo who was destined for Jan Di but the chemistry between the quiet and sensual Ji Hoo and the bubbly and charming Jan Di was undeniable. The fragility of their friendship being mere friends resonates purity (this is a shoutout to my Chimoy!!!hahaha).There was this "good kind of tension" between them which really spiced up everything.

Here are some of my favorite scene shots of the couple:

Ji hoo was often a shoulder to lean on...

..This horse ride said it all....

that LOOK and that SMILE!!

Ji Hoo was always ready to share....

..sometimes there was just silence....sweet silence...

....inseparable....

...this was the scene that made me cry bigtime!..Ji Hoo carried Jan Di in Macau...

....absolutely cute!!!This is my favorite

xoxo Champoy :)

Image source: http://www.media.photobucket.com/

Heartthrob: Micco Aragon

He insists he is 17. Taller than most guys you won't miss him in a crowd. But you'll surely notice him one way or another--He is very good looking, his mysterious personality is a threat to your vulnerability and just a mere contact with his brown eyes will challenge your composure. His sex appeal lies in his mannerisms and his ability to gauge into you completly and melt you, he has this inherent appeal about him. He is the kind of man that makes you feel like a real woman without saying anything.

Micco,as he is to his family and friends is new in the campus but he surely took over the community by storm he became an instant celebrity. Girls just can't get enough of him, some even went as far as taking stolen shots of him in his class and posting it to his Friendster page as a comment.

This six(6) footer is not all good looks but is also an achiever he was a perennial valedictorian from gradeschool to highschool and not to mention a Dean's lister. He gets so much attention anywhere he goes but he never got used to it. We could hardly sit in a fastfood without having people check him out. I can never forget that incident at the mall when a sales lady greeted him flirtatiously with matching twinkling of the eyes. No doubt,Micco is an epitome of the phrase:"I came,I saw, I conquered."He is the kind of guy you want to take home to your mother. The question isn't who is attracted to him, instead who isn't attracted to him.

As with any sensible man, Micco does have his bounderies. This shy Kapampangan(native of Pampanga) certainly needs help in the romance department for until now he is still holding on to the promise of his young love. His real romantic status is a big question. Some people has an impression of him being less friendly or suplado but once you get to know him, you'll realize that he is bubbly and very funny who considers banana loaf(banana cake) as his greatest indulgence!He enjoys being with friends, sitting over fries and sundae hot fudge, a hearty laugh and a good converstion. He courageously shares his life even to a stranger like me. He believes in "pure love" among friends of the opposite sex, more importantly he respects women.

If anything, I admire him for being candid.He comes to you with no pretension, he shares his life just the way it is. Micco also has a good sense of focus, he knows what he wants. His dreams includes his family and providing them a more comfortable life. He never complains, he just strives for the better.He knows that he is not perfect. And for that I see him as a REAL MAN.

KILIG: Level 10

September 2, 2009
9:20 am
Main Library

"I love libraries forever!"

This is my declaration for the day.
Today I walked into the library with my mind set on reading my lessons in Philosophy (I'm proud to be nerd). Just when I was about to turn the pages of the book, I glanced at the table across and behold my crush was seated there--solitary and vulnerable. All of a sudden, I could hear our soundtrack ("Beacause I'm Stupid" from BOF) softly ringing on my ear. I don't mind if its in Korean, all I know is that it sounds romantic and the tune perfectly defines the gentleness of the guy. I fancied with the view and thanked the heavens for giving me such a treat. He gave out a friendly smile as he noticed me, I smiled back, trying to maintain my composure and trying really hard not to blush, godness! It was like a scene in a Disney movie. I could feel my heart pounding and at that moment I knew that my kilig meter skyrocketed to LEVEL 10! Trying to focus on my reading was almost impossible.

I find it really amazing how I've come to develop an attraction with this guy. He's an acquaintance in the university whom I see rarely, we never have long conversations, all we have are brief encounters at the library or at the corridors.

We are the total opposite of each other. I am just nice and he's like, a SAINT. So the whole "crush" thing is really crazy! I would have to blame Miccoy for this, since it was him who started to tease me, prompting me to check on the " guy" and realize how interesting he is. I am really thinking of making him pay for this! I just can't figure how just yet.

Anyway, I don't have high hopes of making this attraction go any further, I'll hold on to it just to spice up my school life other than that I have no other plans of getting serious. It's fun to have someone to inspire you to go to school everyday or hang out at the library knowing that he will be there. To have that kilig feeling everytime I get a glimpse of him.Haaayy...here I go again.I sounded like this a couple of years ago.
Should I tell you his name?Nah..I dont think I should and besides I wouldn't want everybody to make a fuss out of this and turn this "very normal" thing into a circus. I decided to make an entry about this because I am in desperate need of an outlet!The amazing feeling is just too much for one heart. OMG! I am beginning to be alarmed by his occassional invasion of my thoughts.Hmmm..will I fall in love with him? I don't think so....oh well..who knows?hehehe


Am I hoping that he will be interested in me as well? Ah! That's a discussion!;D

For those who know who this guy is, please be reminded that I told you about him because
I trust you(conscience guys!!). And for those who don't...oh well, dont you think a little bit of intrigue would be fun??hehehe

So much for this delightful intrigue!Let us not forget that we have lives to live and a reality to deal with.Shall we?

Want to spice up your life? Go and pick a crush! And dont forget your KILIG LEVEL METER!!

Chuuuucha!

Champoy :D