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Photo of the Week: Happiness

Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, pancit habhab and the cutest pair of dimples in the world.

Stupid Diets

My Facebook status the other day:
"Sunset Coffee Date slash Talkshow with Jessica Belenson. Our episode for today Ladies and Gentlemen: SWIMSUITS, BELLY FATS AND THE FEW REMAINING DAYS DAYS OF SUMMER 2011. Let's skip dinner nalang, yes?"

We were just skimming through our friends' facebook accounts, and feasted on their summer pictures wearing bikinis. Some people are just born to not grow fat. Unfortunately, we dont belong to that group. We had to die at a diet first before we lose at most 5 lbs. Sad, but that's how the world works. And I coin a line in Desiderata: "...for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself".

There was a point back then when dieting was part of my everyday commitments. If you think Mariah's MORSEL DIET is ridiculous, my God, you havent seen mine yet. These, by far, are the weirdest diets I undertook, and how I went about it. Note: These are all based on real-life situations of yours truly: There will be No sugar-coating, No-exaggerations on any parts of these stories.

The Gummy-Bear and Coffee Diet. I always remember my friend Bayette when I talk about this diet. She was there when I passed out after finishing an exam. I had this in college, back in the time when I weighed roughly 200 lbs. I was HUGE. This involves drinking coffee (black) in the morning, and then a pack of gummy bears to be consumed the whole day. I end the day with another cup of coffee.

The Pearl White Diet. Self-explanatory: you just have to take Pearl White pills-- 2 pills a day. This was very effective, I lost about 30lbs, and didnt have the urge to eat ANYTHING. But just like any other diet pills, you cant have it for the rest of your life, and one day I noticed that my eyes were yellowing. I stopped.

The Skyflakes Diet. Self-explanatory. You just eat 3 packs of Skyflakes a day, and lots and lots of water. I didnt want to have this diet, but when my Dad got hospitalized, I ran out of money and was in so much debt that I had to sacrifice my meals to buy him medicine. The rest of the family had the same "diet", too. My ex then got worried because I would go home gaunt, pale and weak. Hello, a pack of Skyflakes is about 120 calories, even Superman would die in a week eating just that. It was effective, the belly fats went away, but my face looked weird--- dark circles around the eyes, and my skin was unusually dark. In short, construction worker look.

The Eat Breakfast Like a King Diet. Blame it on Cosmo and Men's Health. They say the right way to do it is to consume 80% of your daily calorie consumption on breakfast, and the remaining 20% you spread thoughout the day. It didnt last. I'm not a morning person. I ate too much lunch, and too much dinner, I gained like 10 lbs in 2 months.

Brazillian Coffee Diet. This was killer. I had this November-December last year when a lot of shows were lined up and the pressure to get thin was as tangible as a big yellow bus parked in my forehead. My band manager bluntly said, "Keith, you have to scale down or else I'd be forced to look for another male singer". BAD. I recall my friend Camille selling Brazilian Coffee. The boxes had all these Chinese characters, it smelled weird, didnt taste like coffee at all, and I had to drink 2 cups of it everyday. It was effective--- after a day, I lost the urge to eat carbs. But my work was so physically demanding that I started to have panoramic visions. No kidding. And I had migraines. Worst, I lost my sexual urges. After a week, I stopped.

The 10-Day Fat Flush. Yes--- BEYONCE! It was Beyonce who made this all so possible for the common tao when she grazed the screen in almost-skin-and-bones perfection as Deena Jones in Dreamgirls. I tried it after a year, when my friend and I were shopping and we came across a bottle of organic grade A maple syrup and she asked me what it's for and I said "Fat-flush". It was a stupid lightbulb moment coz the next thing we knew, were both scouring the aisles for cayenne pepper and lemons. This diet involves drinking a cayenne pepper, lemon and grade A maple syrup concoction for 10 days and you lose 10lbs. I only went as far as 4 days. It was so hard. On the 4th day, I started to see black-and-white circa 1950s silent-type movie Mickey Mouse images everywhere. I felt drugged.

The GM Diet. Now I think this one's effective. It worked for a lot of my gay friends after the Holiday Season. You are only allowed to eat a certain kind of food for a day. Example, Monday-- fruits only. Tuesday-- vegetables only. Thursday, banana and eggs-something. It didnt work for me. I tried it like 3 times, i would go so hungry on the 2nd day.

The Apple Diet. One of my gay friends told me: "Bakla, everytime gusto ko pumayat, kakain lang ako ng apple--- apple lang from Monday to Friday, at pagdating ng Saturday, payat na ako ulit". It struck me like a thunderbolt so I tried it myself. Nah, didnt work. After a year I found out that he was just kidding. Baklaaaaa! :)


So there. Looking back, I realized I did a lot of bad things to my system. Some of them may have worked for me in the past, but hey, Im not getting any younger. Eating right should just be the simplest solution.

How 'bout you? Any stupid diet stories to share? :)

Signing Off

If I never knew you
I'd have lived my whole life through
Empty as the sky
Never knowing why
Lost forever
If I never knew you

I just had my last performance with the Reigndition Band, and I bring with me a year full of great memories. One year of singing just flew by so quickly, it's as if I just had my audition with them 2 weeks ago. Not that singing matters not--- of course it does, and it will always have a warm spot in my heart--- but I need to focus more on my other priorities. Right now I'm single-handedly running Mamai's, and another small-time business, and my job with an IT company. For now, these are my training grounds and I have to leave singing behind as I embrace other aspects of myself.

To my band--- Vien, Kisha, Mia, Val, and Emmar (also Deo, Adela, and Chuckie)--- it was an honor working with you all. You guys are so great and so talented, and your talents will take you places, thats for sure. I will miss the stage. I will miss the beats. I will miss the lights. But what Im gonna miss most are the fun times that I get to spend with you. You guys are like family to me already.

But then again, music will always be a part of me and as you know, I am just temporarily clipping my wings.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving me the chance to hold the microphone. Not everybody who has this talent is given the opportunity you have bestowed on me. I am sincerely grateful.

And for my diva tantrums, I wouldnt apologize. You know from the very start what you're getting yourself into, hahaha. Kidding. :)

I will miss you all.

Keith Pareja, the musician, now signing off. For now.

Happy Mothers' Day

To the three most important ladies in my life--- HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY.

To my rockstar Mom, thank you for your love and patience. I owe my life to you and Dad, and with that I will forever be thankful. We may not get along too well at times, coz we're both always stubborn, but I guess that's always how we both have showed our love for each other. I love you Mom.

To my sister, thank you for being my best friend since birth. Thank you for believing in me, and for standing close in times when I needed a shoulder to cling on. Most importantly, thank you for taking good care of Kaye, Jem, Jammie and Jiboy--- they're precious to me.

To Nanay, thank you for bringing my BBK to this world. For taking care of him, and for raising him up to become the good person that he is today. Salamat, Nanay.

And to all the mothers in the world---you deserve all the love in the world today.

God Bless Mamai's

I am finally making a brand out of my Mom's winning cakes and pastry recipes. I've been itching to do this for the longest time, and now it has finally come to life. Yes, I am entering the world of entrepreneurship as I open my second business, Mamai's Cakes and Pastries.

I need your support and prayers. :) We are open for dealership. Contact us on the number found in the poster.

Pahiyas Festival of Lukban at Agawan sa Sariaya

Just helping BBK advertise a friend's business. In 2 weeks, I will be in Manila to witness the Pahiyas Festival for the first time. I love festivals, I'm a Cebuano and festivals are embedded in my spirit. Well see how this goes. :) I'm so excited.

For more info, contact me. Below are the deets:

Pahiyas Festival of Lukban at Agawan sa Sariaya

May 15, 2011

Celebrate the feast of San Isidro Labrador on May 15 and experience the most colorful fiesta in the Philippines! Walk along the streets of Lukban and see the colorful “kipings” used to decorate their houses or join in the “Agawan” at Sariaya after the 3pm mass and bring home some of the town’s vegetable and fruit harvests. Shop for food and handicrafts such as longganisa, broas, pianono de patatas, beautiful baskets, bags, and hats galore!

Tour Fee: Php1,700.00 per person
Package Inclusions: Chartered van or bus, travel insurance, lunch and afternoon snack, visit to the churches of Sariaya, Tayabas, and Lucban, old houses of Sariaya, old stone bridge in Tayabas.

(Photo Courtesy of http://www.lugaluda.com)

2011 Holy Week Escapade

I haven't blogged in like a week coz I had a crazy schedule. Now I don't know where to begin so let's just see those Holy Week pictures one more time, yes?

Biri Island Trip

6:00-6:15 -Allen to Lavezares (15 mins)
6:15-7:15 – Lavezares to Biri Island (1hr)
7:15-8:00- Breakfast, Hotel Search, Freshen Up
8:00-12:00- Tour and Photo ops
Magasang Rock Formation
Macadlao Rock Formation
12-1:00 pm- LUNCh ( Packed Lunch)
1:00-5:00pm-Biri Island Mangroves
Bil-at (say Bee-lut)
5:00-7:00 pm- Back to Hotel
7:00-8:00 pm- Dinner
8:00-12:00pm- Chill, Inom
12 midnight – lights out

Saturday

5:00 am- wake up call
5:00-6:00- bath time, private time, breakfast
7:00-10:00am- other island tours (solo drifting)
10:15am-10:30am- pack up
10:45-11:45- going to Allen
11:45-12:30- Lunch in Allen
12:30 – 2:30 –Allen to Legazpi, Albay-- Mayon Volcano, Photoshoot
2:30-6:00pm- Matnog to Donsol

6:30-7:30- Dinner and wait for our Original Nita Negrita “Jazzybelle Baustista”

Firefly River Cruise

Day 4:
Butanding-watching

Sarrrrrrap ng Weekend

I just had the most awesome weekend in ages. I just started with a new job 3 weeks ago and I've been crunching books and files and learning a lot of new stuff. It's been too emotionally and physically demanding that I've been drooling on the thought of just having to enjoy THE perfect weekend.

And I just had one (Thank God!).

A perfect weekend for me is something that I enjoy from within. And for me, it simply involves time with myself, my family and my better half.

I had the most amazing foot scrub, facial, body massage and body scrub courtesy of some very generous show organizers who gave me free salon vouchers at Nouveau. Don't we all love free stuff? :)



And then I had an awesome gig that night at Balamban. It was a long drive from the city, but the organizers hired for us a nice car so I slept like a baby for 2 hours. Thank you to the people of Balamban by the way, you guys rock. And thank you Justin for hiring us--- see you on April 29 and May 2 (I forgot the venues, tsk tsk).


And then the next day I had a ridiculously long sleep--- 12 and a half hours to be exact. And then I had my regular dentist's visit. That super clean feel in your mouth is just priceless. Thank you Doc. Jochin. :)

And then I had dinner with my family that night to celebrate my baby Jammie's 5th birthday. My baby's now a big boy!


And then I had to rush to MO2 for my regular weekend gig. I had on a new suit and I love it.


Tomorrow, I'll be wearing a big smile in the office. It's gonna be a busy week, but bring it on.

Reigndition

We had our first picture taken as a band since Adela (female vocals) and Deo (bassist) left 3 months ago. This is currently the new cast of the Reigndition Band, and so far I'm having such a great time with Chuckie, the new bassist, and Mia, the new female vocals.

In 2 months, we'll be celebrating our first anniversary. :) I never thought I'd come this far, I mean life with a band is just CRAZY. When I started about almost a year ago, I gave myself around 3 months just to test the waters. I have a pretty demanding regular job, and I'm running a small business at the same time. I thought I'd never have the energy to just do what I love doing and that is to sing. But then again, God is just so amazing that when I prayed for BALANCE and SANITY, He gave me this beautiful blessing--- He gave me this band.

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

And it's just like the segment we see in Entertainment Tonight, hahaha.

I laughed so hard when I got this MMSfrom my friend Charisse. She took this dog's picture at her friends house over the weekend. So cute.

I hate it when I see someone wearing the same outfit, I think all of us do. But in this case, I happen to be wearing the same cute shirt as this super adorable and cuddly piece of love. Take a closer look.

Inspiration

I haven't really shared this yet, but I have a HUGE adoration for the blog called Marc and Angel Hack Life. It has inspired me in a lot of ways, in fact, I open it like every other day to get bits and pieces of encouragement.

I shared this to my partner and he liked the whole idea of coming up with a website just like this, but we will position it only to Filipinos. The Filipino nation is whole different story--- we have our own set of trials and problems as a race, hence we get encouragement and inspiration in a unique sort of way.

On top of that, there are tons of things to inspire about--- Filipino OFWs, Jobless Pinoys, Pinoy music, Pinoy food, Gay Pinoys, Catholicism, Pinoy Callcenter stories (coz I'm a huge fan of Outsourced)--- the possibilities are actually endless.

A part from that, I will be making my own illustrations for this website. I'm thinking of children's book type of illustration like the one you see in every chapter of Harry Potter. I'm thinking of making our own website's Pinoy characters (remember Pugad Baboy?). And then we're gonna tap a few friends to contribute inspirational stories, too. And yes, Lem, I'm definitely thinking about you as I'm writing this. :)

That's just about it--- it's not the best idea in the world but we're both passionate about it and I think it's really fun and sweet that we get to have something together. It's better than getting a puppy (although yes, we're getting a puppy real soon). I dont even think we're the best people to come up with such a thing, but hey, this is all just for the love of fun, adventure, and inspiring people at the same time. Hubby has been a leadership lecturer for years (and is still actively doing it) and I'm pretty good at doing blahs and illustrations. All we need now is a bit more depth on HTML and stuff.

I'm in bed now and I'm sarting to build whole picture in my mind. I stopped and thought--- hmmm, POSIBLE. :)

Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah

I forgot to post this...

Two weeks ago, we got to watch the return of the Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah The Musicale at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Hubby knows Im a sucker for stage plays and though all the tickets were sold out, we managed to sneak our way in. It was an awesome experience for me coz I've been itching to watch this since I read about from Icon Magazine (remember that awesome mag???) back in 2005. I was wishing there would be a Cebu staging of this play, but nada.

I'm not a big fan of the movie. I personally think the movie starring Zsa Zsa and Rustom was a complete blasphemy of how great this musicale is. The show that I got to watch starred Eula Valdez as Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah and boy was she hilarious. I havent seen that side of her, and she really gave justice to the role. I heard there was another staging before that starred Kay Brosas and I wish I got to watch that coz Im a big fan. She fits this role like a glove :) Anyway, no regrets, Eula was just as awesome and the whole show was a HUGE success as always.

After the show, BBK and I got to take pictures of the characters. He even introduced me to the men behind the Musicale--- The Stage Director, the Musical Director and the cartoon writer. It was a very sentimental moment for me. I'm a big fan of musicales :)

Disney Live Mickeys Music Festival

Just showing a little love and support for hubby's giant project this year. You guys, Disney is coming to Manila and Cebu this September for the Disney Live: A Mickey Mouse Music Festival. The Cebu leg will be staged at Waterfront Hotel Lahug.

Tickets will be released soon!

My 29th Birthday

I had my 29th birthday last Monday and to celebrate it, Vince and I decided to go back to Cebu to do a backpack trip down South to explore the beaches and mountains. We have a lot of things in common, and if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the fact that we both love to backpack-trip (you know, when you just bring with you one small bag with a shirt, an underwear, a little cash and that's it, hahaha). Some people are allergic to it, but we're totally the opposite--- the lighter, the dirtier, the better. And besides, it has always been my wish to spend the eve of my birthday under the stars while listening to the waves.

Wish granted, plus a lot more. I even got a the most awesome birthday present. In the morning we got to snorkel for about 2 hours (the longest snorkel adventure I had EVER), visited some old churches (coz he has a thing for it), and we climbed the mountains of Badian.

Next stop, Tagaytay and Quezon in May. Cheers to a good life.

Buffet Babies

I had an awful day in the office and I was had tons of things to accomplish so I was whining the entire time. Good thing Vince set up this wonderful dinner treat at Cafe Ilang Ilang at The Manila Hotel. We decided to have the 9-cuisine buffet. :) We love buffet. Everybody LOVES buffet. We're all SUCKERS for buffet.

Class Picture

I was tagged today in Facebook by one of my classmates back in Grade 1. I actually lost all my childhood pictures when we moved Cebu City to Mactan. We kind of abandoned our old house in the city and settled somewhere far from family feuds and issues. Since then, I only had one childhood photo of myself. This was taken back when I was 3, and my sister was 7.

Imagine--- just ONE childhood picture. ONE. You know how awful that feels?

Today, I have one to add in my collection. It's a class picture from Grade 1, in USJ-R. Though I could barely even see myslef in this picture cleary, still for me it's golden. Check out the kid at the top row from the right. That's me. :)

My Babies, My Inspiration

Time flies so fast. I found these baby pictures of Kirsten and Jammie. Kirsten is now 6 while Jammie is now 3. I found them stired in my old phone.

This is Kirsten back when she was 2 years old. And me without hair.

This is my chubaboink Jammie wearing my favorite bonnet... So cute. :)
And Kirsten at 2, back when she had stubby fingers and chubby cheeks. She still loves the camera till now, guess whoshe got that trait from. :)
And my ultimate favorite picture--- Baby Jammie working the camera when he was still 2 weeks old.
Not long ago they sat on my knees
We drew cartoons, flew to the moon, trimmed Christmas trees
But time has flown look how they’ve grown
Soon she’ll be you, and soon he’ll be like me..

There’s no rewinding no replay
The chance you lose today will be gone when it’s gone
We’ll never be quite as strong nor as young as this again
Make them last, make these moments.. last right now.

Congratulations, Baby Kaye

My niece (my sister Kristine's eldest kid) is graduating from gradeschool as the class valedictorian. The whole family was in glee when we learned about the awesome news. I got a bit emotional when I learned about it from a text she sent me. She said I was her inspiration all throughout. It was the warmest gush of hope that I felt thus far. When a kid says you inspire him or her, that means you matter in this world, and all the things you have worked so hard so far, including your defeats, have actually made an impact to a young one's life. To sum all that, I think I truly did a great job as an uncle. :)

My sacrifices for my family have now little by little been paying off. It's not easy to win the bread, especially when you have dreams and plans of your own. :) For so many times, I was tempted to give up. Good thing I didnt, coz now I am receiving blessings far more than I ever expected. And there will be more.

I fondly recall the day I first carried her in my arms. I was 17 then, and she was a tiny 6-pound baby. I cant believe she's now all grown up and ready to take on the world. She even started to talk to me about her crushes and all I could answer back was just an irritated smirk. I guess I'm just the typical, jealous uncle. Of course you dont want them to grow up too soon. :)

She asked me if I could help her out with her valedictory speech. Her first product was amazing. I made a few changes in the grammar and structure, but all in all I just gave some teeny-bit of contribution to her valediction. It was awesome frm the very start. I graduated as the class valedictorian back in gradeschool but I never really had the guts to make my own speech. It was my teacher who made my speech.

Anyways, here is her valedictory address. Kaye, I am so proudof you. Keep up the good work.

Speech:

Our Honorable Mayor Paz Radaza; our respected Schools Division Superintendent Lucia Zapanta; our beloved Principal Mr. Eduardo Ompad, beloved teachers of Lapu-Lapu City Central School, our dear parents, fellow graduates of school year 2010-2011, friends, ladies and gentlemen, good day!

The day has come for us to celebrate the fruits of what we had worked hard for in the past 6 years, and finally enter a bigger and more challenging chapter of our lives. Indeed, our elementary days had been unique for each one of us. Some of us were involved in academics, sports, music or what have you. Some would see our past 6 years in this school as a truly awesome experience, some would see it as a hard struggle to the finish, and some would see it as a combination of both. But we all would agree with one common truth today--- that there is a great future waiting for all of us, and we have been given the power to shape our very own lives from this day moving forward.

No amount of success was ever accomplished alone. I stand in front of you today humbled by the very thought that I could not have achieved anything at all without the help and the guidance of the people around me. What you see now, ladies and gentlemen, is just a simple girl shaped by the goodness of fate and the care of the people that I have looked up to. Therefore, I must begin by acknowledging those people that have helped me win my battles.

I sincerely thank my teachers and mentors for imparting their knowledge to me. I was trained and taught by the best and most affectionate mentors any student could wish for. To Ms. Glenda Pogoy, Ms. Floramie Macapaz, Mrs. Dalela Sumalinog, and all my teachers from Grade 1 to Grade 6--- I will forever be grateful. Rest assured that I will put to heart all the lessons you have taught me, and will use them to further help others appreciate the value of education. Likewise, I would like to thank our Dear Alma Mater, Lapu-Lapu City Cenral School, for recognizing my efforts. You have served as a solid foundation of education for many years, and I am deeply honored to know that I will always be a part of this institution.

I would like to thank my parents, Jezzer and Kristine Ruiz, for serving as my guiding light ever since. Mommy, Daddy--- I know life had always been tough for us. I want to thank you for your love and sacrifices. Life was never easy for our family. There were times when we barely had anything to sustain our daily needs, but you have persevered to provide me and my other siblings Jem, Jiboy and Jammie only the best. What I have achieved today is dedicated to you. My gold medal is for you. I would like to take to take this opportunity to tell you that I am so lucky and blessed to be your daughter.

To my Mamay and Papay, my Uncle Keith and Kristoffer, thank you for being my source of strength, and for always pushing me to be better. Today is just the beginning of many more accomplishments, and I can’t wait to share and enjoy them with you.

Lastly, I would like to thank our Almighty Father for all these blessings. Without HIM, I am nothing.

Fellow graduates, we have all accomplished a milestone today. This, however, is just the beginning of something bigger. Today, we accept the responsibility of making this country a better place for everyone. We are tomorrow’s doctors, engineers, nurses, architects, businessmen, and teachers. Let us all be responsible of the choices that we make. Let us instill in our hearts and minds all the lessons that we have learned from our parents and teachers in the past 6 years and put them all to good use. Let us all succeed together.

We are currently facing the toughest of situations. My heart bleeds at the thought of the thousands of lives lost in the earthquake that struck Japan barely 3 weeks ago. Likewise, I am in deep sadness when I think about the war in the Middle East. The world economy is not in perfect shape and hunger is still taking a toll on the lives of a lot of children in poor countries.

I, however would like to quote a line from the movie Mulan. Mulan’s father inspired her daughter with a line that goes--- “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.”. Ladies and gentlemen, we are facing hardships and uncertainties. Let this be an opportunity for us to be strong and to stay hopeful. To the parents, teachers and mentors, inspire your children to always strive hard. To my fellow graduates, let us be instruments of change, optimism, kindness, generosity and courage. Let us all be tough. As they say, tough times don’t last--- but tough people do.

As this chapter of my life comes to a close, I likewise accept this responsibility. I hope you will, too.

Ladies and gentlemen, my journey to where I am now all commenced with a pact that I made to myself 6 years ago--- that I will do whatever it takes to make my family’s life better. While it seemed impossible that time, it gave me direction. It gave me a purpose. I encourage all of you today to set your goals and dreams, too. With that said, I sincerely wish you all the happiness and love that life can offer.

Thank you so much and good evening!