ARTICLE | Philippines, Korea In Contrast

Philippines, Korea In Contrast

I don't know what is happening but for the past few days, I've been feeling so distraught and hopeless. Perhaps this is just an effect of my phone's zero balance state, perhaps not. There is really no telling but things have not been according to my plan.

TRAVEL | South Korea: Roundtrip from Seoul to South and Back

South Korea: Roundtrip from Seoul to South and Back

TIP: Although most Koreans speak English, many are still hesitant to talk with foreign people. Perhaps due to fear of losing one's face. So better make sure that if your map fails, have an alternative plan like mobile GPS.

TRAVEL | Chapter 1 - Night in Hongdae

Chapter 1 - Night in Hongdae

Let me talk in the third person to add some spice.

He descended the subway, all alone now at midnight in Seoul. It was only he and his big heavy backpack roaming the now empty streets of Hongdae. He was playing cool pretending that everything was all right. He tried to navigate the streets using his hunch. He was pretty confident that Kimchee Hostel shouldn't be so far. So he walked here and there, until he couldn't take it anymore. It was close to 1am and his back had started to ache.

TRAVEL | Uncomfy Experiences from Dubai to China to Korea via China Eastern 756

I've been putting this off for a while now but the itch to blog this just won't go away. And since we're closing the final days of 2014, I guess it's only fitting to get this done once and for all.

SPORTS | Yuna Kim 2010 & 2013

Yuna Kim 2010 & 2013

And recently I have been into watching figure ice skating, I'd like to share the brilliance that is Yuna Kim aka Queen Yuna on the ice rink. Words just fail me. Yuna transcends skating and emotions all too well which makes her so adorable to watch. There's no fear of her getting hurt on her stunts so we as an audience could just sit back and get awed at her performance. Below are some of the best skating stints of Yuna from 2010 and the recent 2013 World Figure skating which she won first with a staggering lead over Kostner from Italy (2nd) and Asada of Japan (3rd). I am looking forward to watching her at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

TRAVEL | Leaving the Night Before (In Korea 2008)

The Night Before Departure

I remember it all too vividly. After the farewell party, I was a bit tipsy because of “soju” but I had to force myself packing all my stuff. The new luggage I bought with Bob (U-Ju) was wide open on the floor. It was already filled though it was just my clothes.

What about the other stuff – the books, shoes, etc.? It was a difficult decision but I had to throw some of my things (this is where I learned not to bring much when leaving the Philippines because most likely I’ll be coming back with more stuff). I ended up forgetting my certificates I earned for the whole nine months in Korea.

I said goodbye to all my friends in that floor-  Daniel, the guy who loves black coffee, gave me some snacks I can take to the Philippines. Some other people expressed how sorry they are that we couldn’t spend some time to go out.

Lesson learned: If you want to go out with somebody, don’t wait until they go back to their country.

TRAVEL | Farewell Time

Farewell Time

We were really running out of time. The flight of the two guys was at 11:05am. We arrived at the airport at 10:35am. Only 30 minutes before the flight. They had to cut in line just to try catching their flight. Unfortunately, they missed the plane.

TRAVEL | 88 Hotspring Resort in Laguna

88 Hotspring Resort in Laguna

Jeenyong wanted to say goodbye to my sister. Good thing my sister came home before we left. So Kino and Jeenyong said goodbye to her.

TRAVEL | Sea Food, Balut and Bingo

Sea Food, Balut and Bingo

Mother had to go to work today. She prepared breakfast or something like that. I thought I had to add something up on the table so bought some things on the shore, washed a few dishes and set the table. It was a very simple breakfast but I put a lot of effort into it.

TRAVEL | Pick up at NAIA Terminal 1

Pick up at NAIA Terminal 1

Around 6pm when an unknown number started ringing. I was in the middle of my English class. I had to excuse myself to pick up the phone. Surprise! It was Kino himself. Somehow he was able to use a cellphone at the airport.

CORPORATE | My topic for my boss's presentation

My topic for my boss's presentation

TEACHING IN KOREA
1. Different view on education. To Koreans learning is very important, thus competitiveness 
2. They are willing to spend so much money just to learn English.
3. Children at a very young age are taught how to speak English.
4. The problem is, at schools, children don’t really speak English but just study grammar.
5. Surprised at how until 12 mn, Korean students would keep on studying
6. Utmost respect to teachers. Nobody dare ask the professor.
7. Filipino teachers have advantage because we don’t talk too fast unlike our native counterparts.
8. Our ears are more accustomed to mispronunciation of Korean students which Western teachers usually find very difficult.

LIFESTYLE | 박지헌

박지헌

Park Ji Hun, a member of popular R&B group VOS, recently entered the music scene as a soloist with a single "On Days I Miss You." This single later came to hit No. 1 on all online sites and charts.

LIFESTYLE | 박지헌

Park Ji Hoon

LIFESTYLE | 박지헌

박지헌... 너를 보고싶은 날엔

LIFESTYLE | 박지헌

내 한국인 가수.... 박지헌.

JOURNAL | I'm so down

I'm so down

Well, I'm supposed to be in dreamland by now but what I have to write simply cannot wait. I'm so depressed because I didn't make it to the Korean speech contest. What happened I just understand why? I wanted to win here badly I've sacrificed so many things but still in the end was nothing but frustration. I just can't accept this failure. My feeling is a mixture of anger, disappointment, regret. There's really no way now. I've already planned everything but here I am, lost and confused. Maybe all I need is a good sleep and I'll be okay tomorrow.
I just want to say sorry to all the people who believed in me but I only downed. I'm such a failure and I can't forgive myself for being a loser.
This always happens to me. I always end up being hurt in the end but I never learn. I never learn.
Before I just wanted a simple life. But now that I've tasted a little of that good life then things started to change. Simple life is a thing of the past already. I am now in search of greener future. Now I've become a dreamer and these dreams keep on eating me everyday. There's no stopping until I achieve them all. Yes I'm destined to greatness that's why God made me this way. Resilient to disappointment, proven by my masochistic search for pain.
I am hurting again because I feel so incomplete. Why can't language be my talent? Why can't I speak well? I've turned away from French thinking I may not master it. I've come close to Korean but nothing has really changed. I'm still stupid. I'm so down.

TRAVEL | I Said Goodbye To My Fantasy

This is the day I finally bid Korea goodbye. It's as if I've lost my drive to go back when there's really no big reason aside from meeting my friends again. I've made my promises and I am bound to break them. I think this is really not the time for me go back when I have some unsettled things here in the Philippines. Although I'm not closing doors. I am still planning to go back although when I don't know. Only time can tell. For the meantime, I have some academics to finish and some friends to look after. Life doesn't have to end here. There will still be more other opportunities. Cheer up.

TRAVEL | Coming Back to Korea

The reason why I need to go back to Korea

Pondering on reasons why I need to go back to Korea, I've listed a few,

MOVIE REVIEW | Wika Ko sa Pelikulang Koreyano: Isang Pagtalakay sa Kung Paano Nakakaapekto ang Pagsasalin ng Wika sa Pelikulang My Sassy Girl

Wika Ko sa Pelikulang Koreyano: Isang Pagtalakay sa Kung Paano Nakakaapekto ang Pagsasalin ng Wika sa Pelikulang My Sassy Girl

Hindi maikakailang naging bahagi na ng buhay ng mga Pilipino ang panonood ng pelikula. Ang pelikula ang isa sa mga libangan ng mga Pilipino na hindi pwedeng mawala sa atin. Sa katunayan, malaki ang naging gampanin ng pelikula sa ating kultura. Dito sa mga pelikulang ito naipapakita ang mga nangyayari sa ating lipunan. Hindi ba’t panahon pa lamang ng mga Amerikano ay nagsimula ng tangkilikin ng mga Pinoy ang mga pelikulang noo’y sa sinehan lamang ipinapalabas.