I managed to find Philpost branches in Dumaguete and Cagayan de Oro, and send postcards from there, but the post office in Cebu still eludes me. And I wasn’t able to send a postcard from Camiguin. But I enjoyed doing it which is why I decided to sign up for a website called Postcrossing. It’s a site where you can sign up to send postcards to a random person anywhere in the world, and receive one back.

The idea of sending a postcard to, and receiving one from, a stranger is pretty fun. You can read the profile of the person you’re sending the postcard to, find out what kind of postcards they like, and then go look for that perfect postcard you can send them. Of course you can just go to the bookstore and get one, but looking for THE perfect postcard is part of the charm. Since I have limited pickings here in Dumaguete, I’ve only sent the usual postcards of Philippine tourist spots and the like.

I’ve sent my first two postcards yesterday, one to Tampa, Florida, USA and one to London. You’re allowed to send 5 postcards at a time, so I asked for more addresses today. I’m going to be sending postcards to the Netherlands, Finland and Estonia. I’m kinda worried because I have no idea if we have postal service to Estonia. I already have the perfect postcard for the guy from the Netherlands, but I still have to look for a couple for the two ladies from Finland and Estonia.

While I love the idea of receiving postcards, I’m more excited about sending them. Of course, I’d be lying if I said I don’t want to receive a postcard from, let’s say, Greece, but still, I enjoy sending them. I’d probably be crazy excited about receiving my first postcard. But for now, I’m crazy exited about sending them.

If you’re interested, you can sign up at Postcrossing.com.

Thanks, Kat and Lorna for influencing me.

I still can’t understand why I just got interested in watching this series. I love both the Navy and CSI types of shows. I started with Crime Night on Discovery Channel, then jumped to CSI Miami. But because I was too lazy to make time for watching TV, I didn’t get to follow the series beyond season 3.

Anyway, Jette said that I should watch the series because Mark Harmon could pass for one of my characters, Cameron’s dad. Mac’s too actually since their dads are twins. I watched one episode from season 6, and ended up squealing and squeeing. So now, I’m on the hunt for DVDs of season 1 through 6… or whatever is the latest season.

Okay, so the main draw was Mark Harmon, but I love the story lines and the witty dialogue, and I absolutely love Abby. So there.

Affected ako, sorry. My characters are all ex-military, and some of my future characters are in active duty. A childhood fascination had turned into a passion for me, so I feel very strongly about people who voluntarily put their lives on the line so we remain safe. Writing the Sentinels helped me indulge that interest and that passion.

Anyway, I just want to say that to every one in the military whether our own or in the US (maiintindihan niyo kung bakit kasama sila, soon), God bless you and always be safe.

Thanks for the share, @CynStorm.

Okay. I know MSV released quite a few books last month but I wasn’t able to upload them. Of course you can go visit our website to check for yourself. This is the latest release which includes Jean Mae Oryza‘s Lost Love Letters series (first three books), and books from the Multiply diyosas, Carla Giopaolo, Edith Joaquin and Yumi Sagara.

Also, it includes my GJ and Maja! Yay!

Nothing Else Matters
Elise Estrella

“Kasi mayaman ka,” sagot ni Maja sa tanong ni GJ kung bakit ayaw nitong makipag-date sa kanya. “And I don’t date rich guys.

“Ano’ng ibig mong sabihin?”

Sinulyapan siya ng dalaga. “Just that. Snob na kung snob, pero hindi ako komportableng kasama ang mayayaman.”

“Masyado ka lang sigurong na-expose sa mga rich, spoiled brats. Pero madami rin sa ’ming mababait. Ako, hindi ako spoiled at lalong hindi ako brat,” paliwanag niya.

Matagal siyang pinag-aralan nito. “Kaya mong patunayan sa ’king hindi ka katulad ng mga ’yun?”

‘Gotcha,’ gustong isigaw ni GJ. Sa halip, kumindat siya sa magandang dilag. “Kaya. But you would have to take the chance. You’d have to date me.”

Clickity click for teasers.

Makuha Ka Sa Tingin
Yumi Sagara

Dahil parehong gipit sa pera, nagkasundong magpakasal sina Forest at Isla para makuha ng lalaki ang mana nitong pera mula sa namayapang lolo.

Hindi sila magnobyo. At lalong hindi rin nila gusto ang isa’t isa. It was just a marriage for convenience.
Isang taon ang kasunduan nilang pagsasama sa iisang bubong. Ngunit paano sila tatagal sa isa’t isa gayong unang pagkikita pa lamang nila noon ay bad trip na si Isla sa lalaki? Mantakin mong tinawag siya nitong ‘Boy’ noon!

Lalo pang naging komplikado ang kanilang sitwasyon nang sumulpot ang stepsister niyang si Gwyneth na ginawa na yatang misyon sa buhay ang pang-aagaw ng lahat-lahat ng pag-aari niya.
But this time, dadaan muna sa ibabaw ng kanyang bangkay si Gwyneth bago nito maagaw ang asawa niya.

Lost Love Letters (Book 1 of 6): Faithful Love
Jean Mae Oryza

Isang misteryosong love letter ang naging sanhi kaya minalas na nakilala ni Mya si Tristan. Hinahanap ng kanyang boss at malapit na kaibigan, ang babaeng gumawa ng sulat at pinakiusapan siya nitong magpunta sa address na umano ay tinirhan ng hinahanap nitong tao.

Sa halip na isang babae, isang ruggedly handsome pero ubod ng aburidong painter ang nagbukas ng pinto pagdating ni Mya sa bahay na sinasaad ng address. Sa pagsusuplado nito sa kanya at pagsasagutan nilang naging dahilan para iwanan niya ito ng isang sampal, hindi na sana gugustuhin ni Mya na bumalik pa roon at makita itong muli.

Pero hindi pala iyon posible dahil ang binata ang tanging lead nila para matagpuan ang babaeng gumawa ng pahamak na love letter….

Lost Love Letters (Book 2 of 6): Thoughts Of Love
Jean Mae Oryza

Dahil hindi inabutan ni Charm ang babaeng umagaw sa nobyo niya sa apartment nito, ang kapatid nitong si Iver Olivares ang napagbuntunan niya ng galit. Silakbo ng inis, napagbantaan niya pati buhay ng karibal, na ikinabahala ng binata. Sa gulat niya, binitbit na siya ni Iver pasakay sa sarili nitong auto at agad niyang nadiskubre, kidnapping ang nangyayari!

Ngunit hindi maipaliwanag ni Charm kung bakit sandali lang siyang nagwala at agad tinanggap ang sitwasyon, maging ang ideya ni Iver na kuhanin ang pagkakataong iyon para tulungan ang sariling makakalimot. Na siya ngang nangyari.

Pero paano niya naman kaya aalisin sa isip ang kanyang abductor na mahal niya na, sa sandaling pakawalan na siya nito?

Lost Love Letters (Book 3 of 6): True Love
Jean Mae Oryza

“Listen, alam kong nahihirapan na si Mama sa ating dalawa. Siguro dapat tigilan na muna natin ang away for her sake. Let’s be civil at least, for now. Okay lang ba sa ’yo?”

For the first time, hindi magkasalubong ang mga kilay ni Nate nang kausapin siya. Simula nang ampunin si Yara ng ina nito at patirahin siya sa mansyon, walang araw yata na hindi sila nagsasagutan. Ngayon nga lang bumait sa kanya ang binata, pilit pa pala. Kumbaga ‘ceasefire’ lang ang inaalok nito; pahinga lang muna sa barilan, pero magkaaway pa rin sila.

Na-solve na sa wakas ang puzzle sa loob ng isip niya kung bakit biglang bumait sa kanya si Nate. Kasabay niyon ang pag-usbong ng lungkot at disappointment sa puso ni Yara….

Noon Hanggang Ngayon
Edith Joaquin

Tama ang mga kaibigan nila. April and Matthew had something going between them through all those years of friendship. Naroon iyon sa hindi normal na closeness nila, hindi pa man nila napapansin noon.

Then came that one night when desire consumed them and they crossed the line from platonic friendship to passionate lovers.

Noon nagsulputan ang mga problemang tila gustong magpamukha sa kanila na mas mabuti pa nga yata kung nanatili silang magkaibigan na lamang.

But it was too late to go back now….

Dreams Of The Heart
Carla Giopaolo

Noon pa man, wala nang ibang dahilan si Bianca kung bakit gusto niya ang farm ng lola niya sa Isabela, si Hector lang. Unang kita niya pa lang sa tall, dark and handsome na binata, sigurado na siyang ito ang lalaking magiging asawa niya. Tuloy, ang dapat sana ay isang linggo lang na bakasyon doon ay tumagal nang halos isang buwan. Kaso, hindi tumatalab ang pagpapa-charming niya kay Hector. Kasi pala, may nobya na ito. Still, hindi siya natinag.

Ngayong nagbalik ang one and only love ni Bianca mula sa Amerika at lalo itong naging lovable, inilagay niya sa full-blast ang pagpapapansin at lakas-loob na inamin dito na gusto niya ito noon pa man.

Only to hear from Hector na kasal na ito sa iba at wala nang saysay ang lahat ng taon na pinaghintay niya….

Until You’re Mine
Dream Giban

Kabaligtaran ng inaasahan ni Cheska, hindi galit si Desmond sa kanya sa muli nilang pagkikita. Sa halip, parang nagbalik ang dati niyang best friend na nawala dahil sa rejection niya. Marahil sa sobrang tagal ng panahong lumipas na hindi nila pagkikita, hindi na nito ikinokonsiderang mahalaga ang namagitan sa kanila noon. O kaya ayaw na nitong maalala ang minsang pag-ibig na inalay nito para sa kanya.

Ngunit nadiskubre niya sa sarili na mahal na niya si Desmond nang maramdaman niya ang pananabik na muling banggitin ng binata ang mga katagang tinalikuran niya noon….

Heartless
Ella Gualvez

Kung may matitirhan lang si Veronica na iba, hindi siya makikisiksik sa bahay ni Andrei at nang hindi iyon magamit na pang-blackmail ng lalaking kaligayahan yatang inisin siya dahil lang bad trip ito. Imbis na napapahinga siya dahil semestral break, ginawa siya nitong glorified alalay sa shooting ng pelikulang dinidirect nito. Naging frustration absorber siya ng topaking binata na siguradong landslide winner sa Pinakamasamang Ugali Award kung nagkataong mayroong ganoon. At sa malas, siya ang laging biktima
nito.

Pero pakiramdam ni Veronica, nangalahati ang life span niya sa bago nitong paraan ng pangbu-bully: he was flirting with her—cornering her sa bawat pagkakataong makukuha nito, and teasing her with his nearness and attempts to kiss her.

Mukhang nadiskubre na ni Andrei na tinatablan siya ng charm nitong hindi naitago ng sobrang kasungitan….

This is Katee and Joshua dancing to No Air (Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown).

(1) I hit my head really hard while I was in the bathroom. I think I blacked out for a few seconds, enough for me to think I might have had a concussion. I have a lump on my head and it hurts if I touch it or comb my hair at that part.

(2) Breakfast c/o Jean Mae Oryza (Maan Beltran). She brought mushroom omelet to ransom JC from us.

(3) Went to NBI’s firing range with Edith Joaquin, JM and Ivy! And I learned how to shoot a .45 caliber pistol! I wasn’t very good at it, but I think I ten of fourteen of my shots made it within the human-shaped target. And I was able to deliver a neck shot, several chest shots, stomach shots and one I’m very proud of, a shot (well, two) to the groin area *evil grin* You will have to read Mac’s story to get why. Anyway, I might write a separate entry for the shooting day. When I’m coherent.

(4) Met two new friends, Ivy, who is in a very interesting line of work, and Celine, who is one of the cutest people ever!

(5) Had a small argument with my parents over the phone

(6) Terriyaki Boy’s Cream Dory Tempura, Pancake House’s Roast Beef Special Set, and American Chocolate Ice Cream from Gelatissimo.

(7) I had my copy of “The Perfect Maid of Honor” signed by Maan Beltran. Wheeee! And I also finally bought a copy of the Twilight Graphic Novel Vol.1. and another book by Camilla. Really, I am a fan of hers. I haven’t read all of her books but I love her Task Force Kapayapaan series. I haven’t read Oca and Tibbs yet, but I’ll get to that as soon as I get back to Manila (where I left my copy).

I had a great day Thank you, Lord.

I watched the 2 p.m. show when Ms. Maribel Legarda, PETA’s artistic director, played the title role of Sabel. I would have wanted to see the second show and Melvin Lee’s performance, but I had prior plans. Anyway…

I’ve been saying that watching dancers is like watching art in motion. And watching Sayaw, Sabel is literally just that in more ways than one. The performance is choreographed by artistic director and chief choreographer of Ballet Philippines, Agnes Locsin. It is also based on the work of National Artist, Benedicto Cabrera, or more popularly known as BenCab, called Sabel, which is a series of paintings about a “taong grasa”.

The whole performance digs deep into different situations and emotions which are a little deep, a little funny, a little dark but a whole lot true. It showed how Filipinos go through the hardships and troubles of life.

There was a huge black cloth hanging from the beams above the stage where two figures were painted on, and paper and plastic trash littered the stage. The performance opened with a dance sequence involving all the performers, seven dance artists and the featured theater performer, in this case, Ms. Maribel, before the dance solos.

Judell de Guzman-Sicam performed a solo entitled “Kayod” where she danced with a swivel chair for a prop. I prefer not to look at the program before the performances so I’m free to give my own interpretations. So when this performance came on, my impression was of stress in the workplace. If you have ever been a call center agent, you have several companions: the phone, the headset, the computer and your swivel chair. I think the swivel chair gave away the performance away. The performer also started singing a lullaby to an imaginary baby which Sabel tries to take away near the end of the performance.

Dwight Rodrigazo dances in “Batak”. He used a long cloth, like a scarf, for a prop. I’m going to have to apologize because I didn’t really understand the performance until I read a surface explanation that it was about drugs. Then I understood Mr. Rodrigazo meant addiction when he threw the cloth away only to frantically look for it again. The performance ended with Sabel calling him “adik”.

“Abandonada” was performed by Christine Crame. She had a huge sheet of paper which was wrapped around herself, and she danced to a Visayan song. We laughed out loud when the second part came up, and Aegis’ “Halik” blasted from the speakers. Being the romance writer that I am, I decided that she had been jilted by a boyfriend or fiance, and the paper was her wedding gown. It is, by far, my favorite performance of the day.

Annette Cruz-Mariano used a fishing net to dance in “Sugat” which is a haunting piece as it portrays the fear and pain of abuse, especially with the sinister voice over. According to one write-up, it’s about being in Mindanao.

“Bagong Bayani” is Monique Uy’s performance with a balikbayan box, but it’s not a solo number. It’s a dance about OFWs, their jobs, their responsibilities, the hardships they have to face, the hard work and the loneliness. It also showed that our kababayans depend on each other for support.

Then came this heart-breaking performance by Perry Sevidal. She danced with a newspaper for a prop at first, then she danced while Sabel sang “Hindi Kita Malimot”. It shows the pain of mental illness, not just for the person who’s suffering it but also of the people who love that person. Pam, who was sitting beside me, and I were crying our eyes out before we broke into applause and laughter because Miss Maribel started to rap the song.

The last solo performance, “Ako Una” shows Camille Ordinario-Joson as an over-achiever who was bullied for being competitive and obsessive. This performance was actually funny if you watch it, but if you look beneath the surface, it’s very sad and disturbing. People who are different and who do not conform, whether by choice or by circumstance, are sometimes shunned.

Then, there’s Sabel’s performance. As far as I understood, her background is that she has a child who works as an OFW somewhere in the Middle East. At first I thought “Hindi Kita Malimot” was for her child. Partly, maybe it also is, as much as it’s for the person performing. Sabel holds the whole performance together with her performance and appearance. Miss Maribel gave an amazing performance as Sabel. I’m counting myself lucky for seeing her performance because I’ve been told that it had been a while she had last been on stage, so it was definitely a treat (and an honor) to be able to see her sing and dance.

And that concludes PETA’s very successful East West Danse month. And I’d like to thank PETA and Slenda for the priviledge of watching and blogging about the event. I enjoyed it immensely and I’m looking forward to watching other performances at the theater.

—

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I just started my three month long vacation to Dumaguete today. And as far as starts to a vacation goes, this one started pretty well.

I called for a cab at around 10. I called Basic Taxi (643 7777) because they knew our area, and I didn’t need to worry about the cabbie getting lost. It”s a flat rate P400 from our subdivision to NAIA Centennial Terminal 2. Plugging ba ito? Anyway, I love the manong cabbie. We passed by C5 to The Fort, and my head was swiveling left and right because I was wondering where I could put my Sentinels Base (fondly called Camp General Joseph Herrera by the boys), then manong proceeded to drive through all the general headquarters of all the branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I squealed in my head when I saw the gate… just the gate… of the headquarters of the Philippine Army. So while the cab passed by the compound, I think I developed a crick in the neck. I was squeeing and texting Edith Joaquin the whole time. We also passed by the HQ of the Philippine Marine Corps. GO NAVY! And before I could recover, I saw the familiar walls and gates of the headquarters of the Philippine Air Force *flutter lashes, happy sigh*

At the airport, I saw this guy who looks really cute. We put out bags on the conveyor belt at the same time, then pulled them off the belt at the same time, too, then we laughed. But I think he was with his wife/girlfriend/significant other, though *sigh*

Then, while checking in, the manong at the check-in counter for Cotabato called to me and waved me forward. He checked my eticket, ID and credit card and asked me where I wanted to sit. “Window seat, kuya!” *G* So I now have a window seat (11A) on the 2:10 p.m flight for Dumaguete.

Also, I just wanted to share. I think I definitely look trust-worthy (or gullible, depending on the situation). I sat at one of the benches, and the guy beside me asked if I could watch his box of Krispy Kreme while he went to the toilet. Then while I was writing this draft, a lady asked me if I could watch her Jollibee take-out while she went to the toilets, too. She was definitely my favorite because she was smiling so hugely when she got out of the toilets, thanked me profusely, and said “God bless you”. How can you not feel light and happy about that? Then, another lady asked me if she could use the power outlets at the laptop stations to charge her phone. I said maybe she could, because there were a lot of outlets anyway. So she put her phone on the table, started charging it, then left her phone and her handbag right there while she went to the other end of the waiting area to get her luggage. Actually… of the three, I would have stolen the Jollibee take-out :p Also, if by any chance any of them were terrorists, I would have died first because I let them leave a bomb with me.

Anyway, since I can’t connect to any of the free public WiFis and I don’t want to edit my manuscript here or play Plants vs Zombies, I’m ending this draft right here, and posting it with the rest of the day’s entry as soon as I get settled at Jette’s house.

Later!

P.S. I took a look outside to the runway and saw a plane taxiing… I know i’ve already said so, but a taxiing (landing/taking off) airplane is one of the sexiest thing I have ever seen in my life. It’s ranked up there, just below the sight of a fighter plane landing/taking off an air craft carrier.

Hmm… I should list down the strange things I find sexy, no?

I’m probably going to add more songs if and when I come across songs that fit.