My Australian Open 2012

 "What is the single most important quality in a tennis champion? I would have to say desire, staying in there and winning matches when you are not playing that well". - John McEnroe


Last night one of the most significant tournament in the sport of tennis come to an end, the Australian Open 2012. After 16 days of a very entertaining matches, the tournament come to an end and I must say it ended with a BANG!!!. I don't exaggerate when I said with a bang because the final matches was really Epic. 


I didn't particularly started watching the tournament right on schedule. Actually, my mom was the one who really watch the tournament because she is a fan of the sport. So basically I was only an onlooker . But on the third round, I was actually hooked that I started getting up early and sleeping late watching the live streaming of the tournament.  The familiar names was actually the catalyst of me watching it religiously but the intensity and heart of the game really drew me in front of the television everyday. 


So who are my favorites, and who am I rooting for??. I'm really a biased person, so I choose those of the familiar players.  But I have this attitude of watching the person and liking their faces. I have the tendency to fall for angelic faces and kind eyes. So each games, i choose the really likable people.


So for the girls, It's Sharapova, Wozniacki, Azarenka , Na Li

Wozniacki was World's Number 1 until she got defeated in the quarter final round of the tournament. Since she's on top I really picked her, and she got this cute image of a blonde little sister in her aura. I also liked the way she handle the press when asked about being oust in the number one position. Her statement of being number one , two years in a row was a big accomplishment. She is still young and will still be able to play few more years in another Wimbledon, Australian Open, US Open and a lot more tennis tournament in the future. Her positive disposition on making a comeback and early congratulation to the winner of the tournament made me a fan in an instant.









Who wouldn't know the ever so famous Maria Sharapova? As I said earlier the familiar names are the ones I'm rooting for. She is one of the few girls that I really admire. She got a little bit of everything that you would really think that she is perfect. But really, as the saying goes nobody and nothing is perfect in this world. So why do I personally like her? For one thing she is really beautiful. She may have the generic face of blonde green eye beauty but admit it there are a lot of people falling for that, and me is of course guilty for that matter. She also has this great body to die for. Personally, I like her body type because her body and sexiness comes from playing a sport and not the way other models and beauties does it (nothing against the models, they are great). Lastly, I like the way she fight those matches after being subjected to surgery. I personally believe that a real sport person with the heart and passion for that sport can do that. I really admire the way her final speech come about. Having great respect for her opponent,  not letting her defeat get the best out of her but taking it as a challenge and a lesson and lastly the way she thank the people behind the tournament such as the volunteers, ball kids and umpire. She made them feel blessed and recognized which I think really make her a crowd favorite.

My third pick would be Victoria Azarenka. She's now the World Number 1 and the current champion of the recent Australian Open. So again I liked her because I find her pretty and she looks cute when she play. I even find her tennis fashion beautiful. Her games was the games that I really watched the most until the end. The heart in the way she play and even her sound when making a hit is also entertaining to watch. So her first grand slam champion is the Autralian Open. hehe.

Lastly, its Na Li from China. Unfortunately she didn't make it because she was defeated by Clijsters in the fourth round of the tournament. So why do I like her??For starters, She's Asian  (that really goes to show my biased). Second would be her rise to fame. Her story was an inspiration to all tennis players who is starting in the league and would want to be big in the future. Her ride to where she is now has been a tough road. A lot of controversies, down moments and of course failure, but her persistence to win and make it happen has really paid of, and for that I really commend her and has been one of the reason I really like her and would be following her in the next tennis tournament to come.  Lastly the reason I like her, no I love her is her bright personality. Among all the players that I've watched during the interview, hers has been stuck in my mind that even remembering I still laugh with the impact of her word. Who would forget her answer to the question of what drives you to win the match? Her quirky answer? MONEY!!! the way she answer the question was so hilarious because the interviewer didn't expect that answer and I must say I really admire her honesty and practicality in that moment. I also cant forget on how much she played and make fun of her husband/ coach during tournament. Like how he put him in the limelight during her speech and even making joke that she cant sleep before a match because of his snoring. The character she show and the humanity in her answer I guess was really the reason for her fame and as for me ? count me as a fan girl :)




For the boys, I also got 4  choices.  Djokovic, Federer, Nishikori and Murray.




Murray was World's Number  4. I really don't know him until I asked my mom who is the 4th when I was enumerating the ranking. He was such a charming man during his game, few face grimace and one of the most quiet. One thing that drew me into him was the remarkable feat he has of winning all his games in three set, and not losing a single set during the whole tournament up until he played with Djokovic which was a real battle of the tennis pro. Their game was one of the longest I've watch and also one that cant me keep up on my seat because of the excitement. I also like watching his games because she really got a beautiful girlfriend. Hehe a very nice to look at girl.:)







Federer is one of my all time favorite. Firstly because of his great achievement and probably also his charisma. Like Murray he is also one of the few player that is really quiet in the court. One thing I like him and the way he play is his finesse. He is quite a "sosyal" player. I cant describe in words the way he played but maybe because the way he don't usually run for the ball or the many time that he uses the slice technique that I label him as such. I also prefer him over Nadal, and as much as possible I always wanted and prayed that he win the game especially if Nadal is the one he is playing with.


So on Kei Nishikori it was more like on the case of LI Na. Since he's an Asian, so he automatically become one of my biased.  I've only watched his game twice. One was with the French player Tsonga which was a really awesome battle that went into 5 setter. The second one was with Murray on the quarter final round. He was so tired during that match that  I really hate Murray during the game, but of course he deserve the win. What really makes me a fan of this young athlete? Well aside from his cute look ( yes I'm a sucker for small eyed ASIAN man) he also had a hot body during the match. I was actually worried about his coloring when he was changing his socks during because the difference between his skin tone to his sun burned skin tone was so apparent. Lastly of course , his great tennis :)


Lastly, my greatest biased, Novac Djokovic . Who wouldn't be biased to the World's Number one actually. I first took notice of him during Wimbledon match because of his attire. I really fancy him being the only player that I see wearing a top to toe  Lacoste Apparel . From then on, I really start watching him whenever possible. What draw me into him was seriously physical, I like his looks and his built. He is not the super handsome guy nor the muscular hot one but I've got to say that he has an appeal that really draws me and others. But this Australian Open I really start to see on how well he played especially the semifinal and of course the record breaking Australian final against Nadal. In those two games, I was able to see a quality tennis and a hard earned championship. I really saw him and his opponent work for every point and every set they get. It really goes to show that he is really a number one, being able to return from a 2 set or 4 game deficit and merging as a victor after every match. Now you can really feel jealous about his fiance who is always captured during the entire game. :)

I just added this since he my greatest biased. One of the most OH!! moment after he won the Australian Open Last Sunday. Hotness overload :)

I know this was a very long post but bear with me because of my fandom :)

The Sto. Nino Devotion urge us to be childlike

As I have tweeted on my twitter account a few minutes ago, this day has been really a blessing. A glimpse of hope and a touch of signs for the reality of my plans and dreams with regards of my career in the future unfold somehow and I really do wish to come true. So what is more appropriate topic to post than with regards God's goodness through the Sto. Nino devotion that I've experienced.


Since I've been thinking of posting about this topic since last week, I finally give in to all the thoughts and ideas in my mind. The two week parade devotion for the image of Sto. Nino was finish this 4th Sunday of January.  Last week, me and my family was more involved than this week . Last week, my youngest brother Jarf was one of the choir who sang in the church for the mass before the parade. As one of the member he was also part of the parade that includes his choir mate in the Sto. Nino festivities. I remember how he will always practice their song at home before he went to church. Me and my mom also went to buy candies and junkfood to be thrown during the parade which was why children are there. So today was no different from last week except that the participants were lesser but of course the faith and devotion has the same intensity.


During the mass last week, I remembered the homily where in the priest made us choose on which word is better childish and childlike. Before, during my elementary years I tend to exchange  the meaning of the two words. I always think that childlike is to become whiny, stubborn and spoiled while childish is something good about the child. But as the years passed I realized that its the other way around. So, back on the homily, the father explained why the child like attitude in relation to the Sto. Nino devotion.


Because its in the charm of children that the true beauty of the world is seen and realized. In children like babies when they are so cute, chubby and bubbly even though you don't know them, you tend to pinch their faces and say cute. Play with them with your close open and twinkling eyes. Because children has humility that adults were afraid to show because of the their own pride. Because children has honesty that adults can't show because of the deceit jealousy and envy in their hearts.


Every year during Sto Nino devotion month, we are always reminded to bring out the child in us, be childlike where goodness in inevitable. Lets not make it a once  year habit, but an everyday habit.


Here are the picture I took during the celebration, I wasn't able to capture them but you can see the Filipino touch and devotion in these pictures 

Jeepney Ride: A Glimpse of angels here on Earth

Commuting is a common thing you deal with when your a typical Filipino with no luxury of having a car or transport of your own.I've been commuting for the past 22 years of my life. I've been commuting by myself since I was a fourth grader so basically I've been doing it for the past 12 years already (more than half of my life..if I did the math correctly.hehe).


 So what's the connection of my commuting to post today? Well today I decided to write something about a ride just two days ago. I've been thinking about how to write it and share  it actually in the manner that I touch everything about it and giving the post with a touch of my own story.


Riding a jeep gave me a lot of memories. Both good and the bad ones. I remember having my 3 week old touch phone being stolen after a stressful duty at the hospital. There were times when I slept and overslept in the jeepney because of exhaustion both from school and duty stuff that I always ends up being embarrass every time I bump my head on someones shoulder. There was also a time when me and my bestfriend was almost hold-up right there and then after we got off from the jeep and that was a nerve wrecking experience for both of us. But gain if there were bad ones there will always good ones experience that will always be remembered.  For me its those time that me and my whole Petix barkada was inside a jeep making a chaos because of funny antics of "Kanaan" and funny story telling. The times when one of us has slip while going down and a lot more experiences. Good or Bad I really think I need to take account for that.


So, back for the reason of this post. Last Thursday, I went out to meet my friends with two purpose. One is to attend the St. Jude Novena Mass with two of my girls which was a weekly routine for us already and  second is to meet Wesly for the completion of  our requirement for application in a hospital employment. There was nothing that is really extraordinary on my way to go to the meeting place, but going home was a different story.


I ride on a jeep on my way home. Basically I give my payment for the ride the minute I settled on my seat , and I was taken a back for a moment when the driver gave me a one peso change. I'm not use to having a change because I was so used to paying 20 pesos and not expecting change. I know that it was only 19 pesos but because most of the past drivers always tends to get the whole 20 pesos. I don't argue with that system because I always said to myself that its only a pesos and its my own share of blessing to them. So back to the story I was shock for a moment and I really feel thankful because of the humility and honesty of the driver. After sometime, One passenger got on and paid her fare, unfortunately the woman was not familiar with the place where she was supposed to go down to. The only information she knows is the name of the place and told it to the driver. Then again to my amazement, the driver cleared the place to the girl and when we arrive to the place, he actually guide her by pointing the direction of the places, and where she should cross and stuff. At that moment I was again amazed by the drivers helpfulness. I know that most of the drivers are technically responsible on getting the people at the places, but having the time and effort to point out the direction and assisting others  really call for something and I think it was a good heart and personality. So by that time, the driver was really getting my attention. But during the whole trip, the one thing that really make me hands up for the driver was the incident of a poor boy. 


During most of my rides  I experience having children ride on the sides of the jeep especially on the side that the drivers wont see them. Mostly, they do it to be exempted to pay, and some use it for playing and fun. The little boy that day was on the first reason. The driver caught up easily that there was kid outside his jeep. though its not the sweetest and kindest word he may utter but the goodness of his intentions was there when he said " Oh boy, pumasok ka na diyan, wag ka ng sumabit .Pumasok ka nalang kaysa mahulog ka dyan, pag nahulog ka pa kargo pa kita"  and the boy went inside and was sitting beside me with his head turned down. That's the time that I really look at the mirror and see the driver's face looking at the boy. Through out the trip I was really touch by the drivers action . When we  reach the place that the boy has to go, the kid really shouted " Thank you kuya" . At that exact moment, my heart really melted at the scene because seeing those kind of interaction in the people around you  make you realize that the goodness in our hearts and in every people is evident. 


When I reach home and get into my bed, I immediately wrote on my notebook that it will be one of my featured post along the many topic i want to write. By that incident, i realized the goodness in our hearts and how it prevails even  when we are in the midst and world full of negativity.  Even when we are in the genre where people are so unjust and want to take advantage of other, you just got to find that kind of goodness in your own self and a little from other people.Kuya driver from two days ago made me realize and  think that I was blessed enough to see a glimpse of angel here on earth.

THE START OF 2012

"All glory comes from daring to begin."
~Eugene F. Ware~ 

Today for the start of 2012 I started doing my blog just for fun since I have don't have much to do. So what's more appropriate topic to post today than what did I do in for the new year countdown and my family celebration with it. 

For starters I really took a bath so late, I think it's about 10:30 pm so that I'll really be feeling fresh for the start of the year. Then I spend half an hour just to straighten my hair with hair iron and after  preparing myself and feeling good myself me and my sister Dara started with our picture taking. We really are cam-whore specially when we dressed up.

After our shots together we joined my mom and my two brothers to the new year countdown and celebration. So what to expect?? nothing but the loud noise of firecrackers, the bumping echo and sound if loud stereo of the neighbors, some traditional "pagulong" of circle fruits for luck and of course the traditional media noche.

So for today..its a good start... So I'm ending my post with some of my chosen quotes for welcoming 2012

TODAY is the FIRST blank PAGE of a 366 page BOOK. Write a good one. :)