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fraldscenix-blog · 7 years

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Gifts!

Last July 20, registration for the retreat I have recently attended opened and I was hesitant to sign up as the schedule falls on weekdays. I have only confirmed my attendance in August after filing leave of absences from work. I found the activity of renewal a bit cheap considering the place is at Mt. Zion, Bagac, Bataan.

Day 1, at around 9am I have met some 40 feelinials (feeling millenials), bona fide millenials, single men and women whose age ranges from 25 to 45. The travel to the venue was already an activity to introduce each one of the participants. “Ano ba tong pinasok ko?”, I said to myself. One joiner is from Pangasinan and asked me, “Taga-Pangasinan ka manaya antoy Bagac ey?” I kid on my reply, “Siak si Kim, say sulong ko Balanga.” We laughed.

Our baggages were left in our room including our gadgets and watch. I wasn’t able to capture photos. We are only allowed to bring the training kit. The first speaker recognized that whatever he will discuss are just reiteration of what we already know. It was lengthy and somewhat boring. There were icebreakers, lunch and snacks in between sessions. I didn’t notice it was already dark outside. They played Basil Valdez’s Lift Up Your Hands followed by Gary V.’s Take Me Out Of The Dark during the activity which yielded weeping participants.

Personally, I didn’t cry. I was faking it though. Why?

During the night, we did activities that can be characterized by a mixture of team building sorts and fellowship which should teach us to build connections, reaching out and test of patience. Again, I excelled at displaying brilliance as I continue faking my emotions.

I woke up disciplined, took part in the compulsory morning yoga-like exercise and then I joined some participants in the line for breakfast…2 pcs of pan de sal, butter and hot choco.

I will no longer share the details of next activities but they involve rebuilding confidence, trusting God and resetting targets.

At 5pm we traveled for an offsite dinner. We would have been presented with a fiery sunset unfortunately clouds covered the scenery. As a self-proclaimed chef, I didn’t like the pork binagoongan in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar’s Casa New Manila.

On the next day, breakfast was buffet followed by final talk full of reminders. The afternoon was spent for a heritage tour in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. This was not part of the retreat package anymore. For those of us who want it will pay a promo price. Alright! As an advocate for heritage preservation, I didn’t mind the scorching heat as we hop from one ancestral house to another. After the tour, I realized, it was already my birthday. At the bus on my way to Bulacan, my phone ran out of battery.

The plan was to actually treat myself at a retreat house but with the heritage tour and the Las Casas experience, I am more than satisfied.

It was indeed a great escape and birthday celebration.

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In 2014, I received 30 gifts for my birthdays. A friend carefully and thoughtfully wrapped them for me. Those were appreciated, of course. And as it turns 3 years this year, it is just right to remember this pleasant gesture. She now has a family of one daughter. We parted ways due to misunderstandings.

_________________________________ Each of my siblings prepared food on my birthday and sent in their greetings, i was touched.

Ate Joan, my ate beb, baked a cake for me. Cream cheese Red Velvet, wow. No more words…perfect!

Liaa, my boss, gave me gift and with a heartfelt message. :)

Someone special to me, invited me to dinner and got me a surprise strawberry cake.

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My everyday wakeups are already gifts from God. To have a wonderful birthday celebrationsssssss, are too much for a gifted me. :)

#birthday #red velvet #cakes #gifts #las casas filipinas de acuzar #bagac #bataan #celebrations #30somethingplus1 #gifted #ahp #advocates for heritage preservation

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fraldscenix-blog · 7 years

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Fraldscenix, an etymology

I have always been asked, “Rod, what does Fraldscenix mean?” Just because we are few days away before I turn thirty-something-plus-one, i will be sharing to you, my readers and followers, the meaning of Fraldscenix, as a treat. Note that i have never shared this before. Even my college professors got confuzzled about its existence.

#origin #fraldscenix #etymology #meaning

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fraldscenix-blog · 7 years

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Entry no.5 - Advocates for Heritage Preservation Batangas Tour

August 26, dawn around 4:45, from work after I had night time duty, I walked towards Centris McDo to be with the early comers for the Lipa AHP tour. There were few who arrived that early, just six people, including Sir Fer, who convinced me to join the tour. I sit, and waited, as others arrived slowly with the showers welcoming them. I bought sandwich and hot choco to calm my complaining belly. And I became worried, and silently commented to myself, ‘It’s already past five in the morning, and we have not departed yet.” I waited, and waited, went inside the fast food store and had to talk to one of the group leaders. After few minutes, the group headed to the star tollway and maneuvered the 2-hour travel to reach our first stop – the San Sebastian Cathedral. While in the van, I get to talk to the members and introduced myself a newbie. Amy Cristobal and I discovered that we are distant relatives as we traced back our roots. My father and his brother-in-law (uncle Willy Bugayong) are cousins.

It was in San Sebastian Cathedral where we had our registration, and we bought our common AHP T-Shirts. I was thinking of the color of the tees; and I thought of ‘dilawan,’ a term used by mediocre and close-minded Marcos loyalists and Duterte fanatics in attacking anyone who stands for Christian beliefs and legal jurisprudence. Nowadays, when you utter a word condemning crimes allegedly committed by police authorities, you will be tagged instantly as a ‘dilawan’. Our entry to the church made us in about ten minutes roam around it and see closely the images of Saints in its walls and the Altar itself. This was followed by a short mass. Next, was for us to be gathered together near the Altar for us to listen to the 15-minute talk about the origin of the church and how the city got its name.

From the Primary Church of the city, we walked to the Museo De Lipa which also sits in an area which seemed like a wide compound. We saw what we expected, the artifacts of the old city, the pictures of former city officials, and the wedding gown of their ex-mayor Vilma Santos-Recto. We had our first bite of snacks and drinks- Pansit (my all-time favorite) with biscocho and kapeng barako. Then, I heard an announcement, “From this moment, we will no longer walk, we will ride to reach our stops.” Casa De Segunda was the first ancestral house in line; there the caretaker / housekeeper, Lileth Malabanan, had her long talk about the house and the people who used to live in it. It was the house of Segunda Katigbak who was the first love interest of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Customs and traditions hurt the then existing “M.U. relationship” between Jose and Segunda as the girl was already promised to a wealthy boy in the city, named Manuel Luz. Literally, Pepe cannot get near the girl he loved because it became a law that they were not allowed to talk to each other. I thought that this was the hidden origin of the hero’s famous novel ‘Noli Me Tangere, or Touch Me Not,’ because it was possible that Rizal carried the feeling till he grew up into manhood. That is, think of a novel in a satire format, which made use of a title which was ambiguous in meaning, yet the people have fallen to a trap of having accepted the socio-political meaning and not knowing the never popularized meaning of the title. I just stopped thinking too much with my smile about the ten or so kids of the arranged couple.

The Aranda Ancestral House made me realize that a former DepEd secretary came from a very religious family, so I need not question why he is fondly called as Brother Armin. Sec. Luistro is a relative of the late bishop Aranda of Lipa Diocese. We were treated to native delicacies and drinks, and we also had our selfies and groupies in the ancestral house.

We went back to Museo de Lipa for lunch. To my surprise, a performing group called Lipa Integrated Performing Arts welcomed us with their folk dance numbers. We had photo-ops with them after their performances. The food menu includes Laing Lipa and ginataang tulingan, I can only watch them enjoy these. Gladly, got served with other options as pork binagoongan and beef steak. We had fresh fruits and cassava for dessert. This made me conclude that a heritage tour is not just educational and fun, it is as well a food trip!

The next stop, the Luz Librea Bautista Ancestral House, was amazing in its grandeur. So huge that I immediately silently contradicted the words of the speaker who said that ‘ this was actually a poor family’s house ,’ I told myself ‘ This so huge to be a poor family’s house.’ The house is being closed every weekends, but as told, we were allowed by the Librea side of the family to visit the house and its premises. We saw, ‘the pinindot (the Batangas version of bilo-bilo),’ waiting for us, as we gave our eyes the freedom to see the sights inside the old building. Speaking for myself alone, I enjoyed seeing the environment surrounding the house more than what is found inside the ancestral house. It had remained wide, perhaps it was victorious to repel any attempt for invasions of modern modifications. I was amazed with the orchidarium. I felt afraid getting farther, or getting near the trees, ‘cause no one was interested, all remained in the house.

Before reaching Carmelite Monastery, I was already so excited, I muttered, ‘At last, I will be able to reach this day the Monastery that secured the life of the late President Corazon C. Aquino.’ Cory Aquino was invited to the Monastery during the very moment the Marcos henchmen were persistent in hunting her head by hook or by crook to be eliminated upon the orders of the forces of evil- the Marcos Men. My history knowledge got mixed up, i face-palmed realizing that the Carmelite Monastery that hid Cory was in Cebu. It houses the famous ‘Our Lady of Mediatrix’. In a way the Apparition became so controversial during its occurrence, but just the same the followers hugely grew in numbers up to this times. We moved on to our next destination, the Our Lady of Mediatrix Church.

It was already 4:30 pm when we departed the Our Lady of Mediatrix and proceeded to Padre Garcia to visit The Most Holy Rosary Parish Church, which is undergoing renovation. Here, Tito Encarnacion, AHP Admin Head, and Faviola Hidalgo, AHP Lipa Admin gave their appreciation for all participants who still joined despite the fact that the day ahead was expected to be rainy.

Our last stop was St. James the Greater Parish in Ibaan. A mass is being held when we arrived, and so we did not roam much anymore so as not create disturbance. The same, we took shots of the church and its surroundings.

Following this, we heard that we will not go back to Lipa City anymore because the city is usually having heavy traffic during those hours and such will delay our travel back to Metro Manila; and so the group proceeded to the near expressway exit. We arrived in our final drop destinations, with our hearts and minds satisfied and fulfilled with lengthy roll of moments to hold in our memories.

I have personally kept random finds. In the photos, my fetish to all things ancient may clearly be understood but who cares, I love this and this is me. Thanks to my high school teacher for the trigger to be an advocate for heritage preservation. Thanks too, to my new-found family in AHP.

I’ve asked permission from Kuya Johnson Bernardo to share the video below. Enjoy!

https://web.facebook.com/johnson.bernardo.7/videos/10214063767529391/

#AHP #Advocates for Heritage Preservation #AHP Lipa #AHP Batangas #Lipa #Batangas #Batangueno #Heritage Tour #Heritage #ancient #history #past #Lipa Integrated Performing Arts #travels #escapes #tours #trips #food trips #Ala Eh

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fraldscenix-blog · 7 years

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Doorways to Escape Depression

Picking up a serious topic, i have chosen to write about depression. In the past, I felt so down, unmotivated, discouraged, lonely, depressed. There were factors that caused this…and as soon as I have identified them, I’ve worked hard to live a normal life and keep a winning attitude. On how did I manage this phase, here are my keys:

First, I have recognized the feeling of defeat, of being alone, of brokenness. The situations I had weren’t the expected results. I thought, we all face the same phase. The gravity of problem we are dealing with may vary from each one of us, but this is the reality. Accepting this as a fact helped me focus on solutions…and i have utilized the available tools to resolve my issues.

Second, not a day or a moment passes by without recognizing my problem, and there was never a day that I didn’t pray. I pray not because I was depressed…it’s because I recognize that I am never alone. I pray for guidance, for protection, for wisdom. I kept the faith. I trusted Him. I have learned to follow Matthew 11:28. I lifted my problems to Him, i asked for help and everything went well.

Third, I made myself busy. I involved myself to many activities. I have joined a group of office mates climb Mt. Batulao, once. I’ve joined fun run and proclaimed myself “rodrunner” for being so active with marathons and race events. My routine was: weekdays - I focus on work, weekends - I work on something that interests me, unless required or ummm, compelled to work during weekends.

Just to share: I do not know photography then, but I have a family called Canon Clickers Club now. We will celebrate our 5th anniversary on November 2017. I only love watching films then, but now, in my pocket is a recognition that I have worked in a film, as a producer of Ang Guro Kong ‘di Marunong Magbasa, a finalist of the 13th Cinemalaya - The Philippine Independent Film Festival. I have been in attendance to free-admission film festivals, and even made myself available during gala night or premiere night of films. Also, back in 2012, I was too afraid to travel alone, now, I’ve been to many places locally and abroad, touring alone. I love playing scrabble so I’ve joined a few tournaments. And just recently, I have discovered my love to old churches, museums, ancestral houses and I have joined the Advocates for Heritage Preservation group and had my first heritage tour with them last month.

That is how i made myself busy. It helped me discover and experience new things.

Fourth, I sought advise. I’ve talked to people. It doesn’t help to keep these problems on your own. Some people may not understand you, some people may judge you, but who cares? Everyone has problems. I’ve reached out to my family, i made friends, and i told them my stories, i talked, i shared. The people have helped me and gave huge impact in my life. Some of them inspired my go back to my writing hobby. I write about anything. I am not a writer, i just write to express, never to impress.

Fifth, I read. In most cases, i finish a Filipino-written book faster than when I read non-Filipino books. I have set goals to read as many as I can in a month. I ended up collecting tons of books.

Sixth, I listen to music. Fresh and old. They affect your moods, they remind you of something or someone. Sometimes those reminders are happy thoughts, sometimes they remind you of a bitter past. Whatever the case, you realized you are responding to these musical stimuli. You cry or you dance, you scream or you just simply sing along. They are therapeutic.

Seventh, I love myself. I was told that no human can help but me. I saw myself in the dark, i have picked myself up and carried on. I reward myself whenever I achieve a target. Once I achieved a goal, i set another one. And when I reached that new goal, i set another target. And the cycle goes on. I do not pressure myself in the process, though.

The seven in the list have helped me. Hope you can learn something from this article to find your way out from all of the things that have been long suppressing you.

#depression #depressed #depress

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fraldscenix-blog · 7 years

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Cinemalaya 2017 Photo and Video dump

The 13th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival was held from August 4 to August 13, 2017 in Cultural Center of the Philippines, with screenings at selected Ayala Mall. This is my 5th year to attend Cinemalaya and my first year to have an entry, Ang Guro Kong ‘di Marunong Magbasa, as one of the nine (9) finalists in the full length category.

Here are the photo collage taken during my entire 13th Cinemalaya experience.

1. Mixed photos during the Premiere Screening in Trinoma, attended by a few cinephile-friends.

2. Mixed photos of selfies, pictures taken during the Ang Guro Kong ‘di Marunong Magbasa Gala Night and snaps in the Juice Colored food stall.

3. Collage photos taken during the Awards Night and some snaps taken during the entire duration of Cinemalaya 2017.

Below is a compiled video taken during the awards night.

youtube

Ang Guro Kong ‘di Marunong Magbasa will have its theatrical run on December 6, 2017 in cinemas nationwide!

Hope you enjoy the pictures and the video from this, till next Cinemalaya! :)

#cinemalaya2017 #13th cinemalaya #anggurokongdimarunongmagbasa #perry escano #rodcaptures #awards night #alfred vargas #aiai delas alas #jaclyn jose #lou veloso #teacher #education #films #movies

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fraldscenix-blog · 7 years

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BohoLOL: My Collection of Epic Fail Captures

Travelling alone? Who will take photos of you? You’re lucky when locals are around, you set shyness aside and ask ‘em to take a photo of you. Else, you depend only to your tripod and timer, monopod or selfie stick, and to your timing and creativity. You will end up taking several pictures and test shots until you are satisfied, though. Just like me, when I traveled solo in Bohol, Philippines last June 30 - July 2, 2017. I get to see the Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Sanctuary, Panglao Island Mithi Resort and Spa, Virgin Island, Cambagat Cave, Man-made Rainforest, Loboc River, Baclayon Church, Shrine of Our Lady of Assumption, Museum and Blood Compact site.

See the collection of my epic fail shots.

Lol! :)

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fraldscenix-blog · 7 years

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Abundance of Firsts

As I sit down to compose this first piece, I feel weirdly confident, happy to learn that I have specialized in controlling my life, at least during the previous month. As September starts, I also feel empowered, thankful that I’ve waited for August to start, as there are many things August excite me but it has just ended. Perhaps, my ability to juggle work, business and all things i love gives me this strange, weird emotional state. And proud that I have maximized its four weekends. Buwan ng Wika 2017, salamat at paalam.

Yesterday, August 31. I have responded to an invitation to the 11th International Silent Film Festival at Shang Cineplex. This is my 3rd year to attend this annual free admission event but this is the first time I’ve joined the organizers in the opening night cocktails. I watched its opening film, El Golfo (1918) which was accompanied by the Talahib, a Filipino rock band. This event will close on September 3. A friend asked me, “Rod, ano ba yang silent film festival na yan, bakit silent film?” Sabi ko, “Silent film kasi yung nasa screen, parang naka-mute mode, walang sound, as in silent… pero ang twist may live performance from a band to provide musical score sa film.” Sagot niya, ang cool pala, may film na, may band pa.“ Sabi ko, kaya nga simula nung malaman ko yan at libre, basta may chance ako, pumupunta talaga ako.” Before this at around 12 noon, my new passport was delivered.

August 30. Matthew Jacob’s 7th Birthday dinner. He has received a new chess set, which he and his dad, who took a leave from work, played for the first time. I asked him what happened during their Buwan ng Wika quiz bee. He said, he scored 21 out of 25 which earned him a certificate of award. At work, the SRU activity went well. Ikinatuwa siya ng madla kasi 5 days na naging 1 day activity. Ang huhusay nila. Finishing touches ko na lang pala ang kulang. Hahaha.

August 29. Emetchwhy’s nth birthday and National Heroes day. At home, i did a general cleaning. I was somewhat inspired by FB posts about de-cluttering. It was raining hard outside as if the heavens cry as I throw some old items away.

August 28. HA! Just so I thought it was going to be a rest day. I missed out the notice that I will be the escalation for an Oracle Upgrade activity. Went onsite to assist Ralph, who spoiled me with burger steak. The activity went well. Just that it triggered my migraine.

August 27. Tonight, Maria, Somewhere, 3 of the songs I’ve heard in non-pretentious ways with cultured attitude in Theater at Solaire as I, Teri and Ate Jules witness the Manila-run of West Side Story. We headed to MoA after the show for dinner and dessert. “Finally, insan!” quips Ate Jules. First time kasi naming manood nang sabay. We planned it since Les Mis and Wicked runs but our schedules didn’t permit.

August 26. Yay! This marks my first time to join an AHP (Advocate for Heritage Preservation) tour. I was convinced by my former HS teacher, Fer, to try it. We had contact since Cinemalaya days. I didn’t have plans for the weekend but to work, with his convincing skills, I’ve skipped the earning opportunities for an educational, heritage tour. I have enough to tell about the tour. The experience was like having a reunion of my soul to the time of the past. The San Sebastian Cathedral was our first stop. The priest welcomed the group with a 15-minute talk about the church, the origin of Lipa City and how it got its name. Part of our itineraries were: Museo de Lipa, Casa de Segunda, Aranda Ancestral House, The-Luz-Librea-Bautista Ancestral House, Carmelite Monastery, Our Lady of Mediatrix, Most Holy Rosary Parish Church in Padre Garcia and St. James the Greater Parish in Ibaan. The sunset was so beautiful i had my camera and captured it. They say that when it is your first time to visit a church, you are entitled to make a wish. I thank the Lord that i have found a family in AHP, instead. I will have a separate post about this tour. For now, here are some of my selfies during the said tour.

August 25. I was happy to note that finally, after several attempts, I’ve captured Arcana. Hahaha. Wala, sa everwing yan. Haha

August 22-24. CM week. Ang sipag-sipag ko kayang magsulat ng script sa CAB.

August 19- 21 - Long weekend! How about a mini movie marathon to support Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino? Sige na nga. I strike out from the list ang Hamog (kasi napanood ko na yun sa CinemaOne Originals 2015, kasabay kong pinanood ang Baka Siguro Yata, Manang Biring, Miss Bulalacao at Bukod Kang Pinagpala at yung kay Kaye Abad, di ko maalala ang title basta comeback something, ang husay nya dun eh. haha). Di rin kasama ang 1st Tofarm Film Festival entries na Paglipay at Pauwi Na dahil napanood ko na yun kasabay ang Free Range at Pitong Kabang Palay. Di ko na rin pinanood ang Birdshot kasi napanood ko na iyon as the Cinemalaya 2017 opening film. Di ko na rin pinanood ang Patay na si Hesus kasi napanood ko naman ito last year sa QCinema International Film Fest kasabayan nito yung Focus on Mike De Leon (haaaays, IDOL) at Ang Alamat ni Meng Patalo. Ang sipag kong dumalo sa mga film fest para makalimutan si E. hahaha

Natira for me to watch were: Manananggal sa Unit 23B (sa QCinema din ito last year kaso di ko napanood), Star na si Van Damme Stallone (last year din ito sa CineFilipino Film Fest), at yung mga bago: Bar Boys, 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, Triptiko, Salvage, at Awol. Kaso ang napanood ko lang out of 7 ay dalawa, kasi naman ang DM week ko was until 20. huhuhu

A post shared by Rodel Bugayong (@fraldscenix) on Aug 22, 2017 at 12:40am PDT

August 14- 19. DM Week. Tiring but somehow fulfilling. What fulfilling? Pati ba naman sarili ko, lolokohin ko? Nakakapagod lang siguro as my body adjusts from my former body clock. Sakit sa katawan, honesto! Honesto, promise!

August 17 - Dinner with Dan and Janni in Crazy Katsu and The Baker’s Table Maginhawa bago magtrabaho. Ang saya nila kasama, namiss ko silaaaaaa.

August 13. Wow, IT Specialist by day (worked xhours for the BW Re-initialization) and Cinephile by night (Awards Night of Cinemalaya 2017). First time kong umattend ng Awards Night nang hindi nagbabayad. Haha. Yes, our film, Ang Guro Kong di Marunong Magbasa did not win an award, pinilahan at umani naman ito ng magagandang feedback at appreciation from the movie-goers. 4 films kaming walang naiuwing award — na-zero ang pelikula nina Sharon Cuneta, Alfred Vargas, Angel Aquino at Jake Cuenca. Ooops, don’t get me wrong, please.

August 11 -12 - I didn’t have the chance to speak out. DM for two morning shifts coupled with an OS Patching activity on the 12th? Wow. The reason: to give others the chance to rest. Just wow. Her management skills is impeccable. And my skills include sarcasm. Ang bait-bait ko kayaaaaaaa.

August 10 - We sit down in one of the offices in House of Representative, QC to discuss the next steps for the film. In attendance was Alfred, Direk Perry, our line producer, marketing team and other fellow producers.

August 9 - A heartfelt farewell to Yaggy as she takes on a different path away from IT, and to JE who moves on outside the corners of dxc. Meanwhile, our manager celebrates her nth birthday! Naiyak talaga si Bes Jane.

August 6 - After finishing the Ariba Install activity i hurriedly booked an uber ride to the Cultural Center of the Philippines for the Ang Guro Kong di Marunong Magbasa Gala Night. Noon, hanggang panonood lang ako, ngayon, for the first time, umakyat ako ng stage, yes CCP stage. Feeling prestige. Feeling lang naman. hahaha. This was the first time, after almost a year, that I have seen my former HS teacher, Fer Braganza. Nagpapicture at ni-congratulate ako. He also wrote an inspiring review about the film. Salamat po, idol!

August 5 - Ang Guro Kong di Marunong Magbasa premieres in Trinoma Cinema 1 and Glorietta 4 with Meet and Greet. I have invited several friends, but only true friends showed up. Ayoko na nga mag-imbita. Nakakatampo. huhu. Fortunately, Trinoma Cinema 1 was almost full. Thanks Janni, Mel and son, to my family and to all who have supported the movie on its first Cinemalaya screening!

August 4 - The 13th Cinemalaya opens with Birdshot as its opening film. Thanks Direk Perry and Miss Noreen for my festival pass. First time to have a free “guest” pass. This was the first time to venture a food stall business in CCP, called “Juice Colored.” (I will share photos on all things Cinemalaya in a separate post.)

August 3 - I decided to see my barber to avail of haircut. This was after i grow my hair for 8 months. Goodbye long hair. :(

August 2 - Ben’s birthday! But i was busy with work and bangusan. Haha.

August 1 - Mama Lyd’s Interment and our travel back to Manila.

There, I have collected many firsts, had new experiences. Thanks August! Thank you, Lord!

#fraldscenix #cinemalaya2017 #anggurokongdimarunongmagbasa #first #pistangpelikulangpilipino #internationalsilentfilmfestival #rodbangus #ahp #advocatesforheritagepreservation #birthday #itworks

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