Awesome. Just awesome.

Just let me unleash the monster fan girl inside me, please.

Christopher Allan Ellis never fails to wow me. 

As in, WOW. 

Fasten your seat belts (and your panties, too) , we are about to fly!

I expect to see variations and all types of dunks in the PBA from now on. By the Airforce himself, of course.

Booking for future flights! #Flight34 #AirforceEllis

We did. And it worked.

Mico Halili blogged this before the game of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Global Port, giving the Never Say Die Fans a shot of hope. It did. 

You see, this NSD spirit will never get out of fashion.

Manila Clasico: Firsthand Experience

The Symptoms of A Die Hard

Manila Clasico. The most expected and the most dreaded match of every conference. I don't know how it evolved to the term "Manila Clasico". Maybe because of the classic rivalry between Añejo and Purefoods, which resonates with the different names both teams changed into. Ginebra is synonymous to Gilbeys, Añejo and Gordons Gin while Purefoods is to Coney Island, BMeg and San Mig Coffee. My indescribable fondness for Gilbeys, Añejo and Gordon Gins is, well, indescribable. I haven't had a single faint trace of footsteps in this world, of course, when these teams played so you could question the "fondness" I am talking about. I don't know. Maybe I am wired this way; maybe my mother gave birth to me while cheering for Añejo or shouting Jawo's name. I don't know honestly. And in line with this is "hatred" for Purefoods. (If you are a sports fan, you'll understand this kind of hate.) I know hate is all bad, but I feel it in my veins. Do you feel it too?

Fifth loss

Yes, this 5-game-losing-streak is painful. But you got to admit something; this one is five times more painful than any other eliminations loss. Who likes losing? Apparently nobody. What more if it is losing to your mortal enemy? Rival? Nemesis?

It was my first time to watch a Manila Clasico game live and boy, what an experience! It felt like a whole different world out there. It was like being inside a battlefield, like the Trojans versus the Greeks. You are all-out prepared to charge for a battle in which you think you know the ending. Call me unbelieving or anything, I am just being honest.

It started wild. With boos and claps outshining each other.

The collective boos every time James Yap handles the ball.

The collective boos every time Mark Caguioa handles the ball.

The collective chants of "U-wi-an na!" when people started to go out when there's still 7 minutes left in the ballgame. Heartbreaking.

The "Gi-ne-bra! Gi-ne-bra! Gi-ne-bra!" of Ginebra faithfuls in the dying minutes being overpowered by boos. Super heartbreaking.

Anything Goes

Kahit #EXPECTING mong matatalo, masakit pa rin. Mas masakit pa nga eh. Sobrang nakaka-badtrip. Nanuod ka na lang sana ng sine o binukas mo na lang sana yung TV para manuod ng GGV, nandun pa si Mario Maurer. Dito, nagbayad ka na nga tapos maba-badtrip ka lang.

Eh, wala. Yan ka. Mas masaya ka pa ring manuod ng laban ng paborito mong koponan, kahit madalas namang talunan. Mas masaya ka pa rin sa loob ng Araneta at nasasaksihang unti-unti kayong dinudurog ng kalaban. Mas masaya ka pa ring sumigaw ng Gi-ne-bra! Gi-ne-bra! Gi-ne-bra! kahit na tambak na kayo. Yan ka, Ginebra die hard ka. Isinumpa ka. Oh yeah, isinumpa tayo. Ito na yung pamana sa atin ni Jawo; ang curse kasama ng Never Say Die attitude.

Paanong hindi? Eh alam mo na yung feeling ng natatalo nang natatalo. Hindi naman sa panta-thrashtalk sa team natin ah, ganito lang talaga. Alam na natin 'yun.

Inisa-isa na nila lahat ng kamalian sa atin. Kesyo may mga hero ball daw. Everyone wants to shoot. Roles are undefined o baka hindi lang naman matanggap. Confused din daw. Hindi alam kung sino dito, sino doon. Banggaan madalas sa mga kakampi. Yung literal na banggaan. Kulang sa big man, mahina sa ilalim. 'Yung hinaing ng fans, ang coaching staff at sistema. Utang na loob. Ayoko nang magtanong ng "What is wrong?". Gusto kong itanong "So what will we do about it?"

Ano na? Hindi porke nalugmok tayo eh di na tayo makakabangon. Kaya pa yan. Huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Kung hindi na, eh may next confe at season pa. Sabi nga ni Ate Kaye Cabal, "Pakiusap, huwag kang bibitaw." Kapit lang sa lubid, parang pista ng Nazareno.

Kaya kapit lang Billy Mamaril, LA Tenorio, Rico Maierhofer, Mike Cortez, JJ Helterbrand, Allein Maliksi, Kerby Raymundo, Elmer Espiritu, Willy Wilson, Keith Jensen, Dylan Ababou, Chris Ellis, Mark Caguioa, Rudy Hatfield. At Coach Siot and the rest of the coaching staff. Taas noo pa din. Wag sanang mawawala yung puso sa paglalaro. Kasi kaming mga Ginebra fans, di kami mawawala sa tabi nyo. Wala mang kaming sweldo sa pag-cheer sa inyo, wala mang kapalit itong ginagawa namin para sa inyo. Hindi naman yun ang habol namin. Masaya na kaming sumigaw at pumalakpak kapag nakaka-shoot, nakakasupalpal o nananalo tayo. Masaya na kami kahit makapagpa-picture lang sa inyo. Kahit abot-langit pa ang thrashtalk na abutin namin sa mga fans ng Purefoods at ibang mga tao. Alam din naming maraming pagkatalo pa ang mararanasan natin. Syempre, alam din naming magcha-champion ulit tayo, sa tamang panahon. Nakakainip. Nakaka-badtrip. Masakit sa puso, oo.

Pero isinumpa kaming maging mga die hard fans ninyo, mananatili kaming ganito. 

Don't Talk To Strangers

Fantasy love is better than reality love. - Andy Warhol

Warning: Bitter Sarcasm Alert.

From flickr via weheartit

Don't talk to strangers. Resist the urge to even throw a glance at them, at him. I know he's cute and hot and promising, but believe me, don't ever talk to him. Remember what your mom always tells you when you were just a kid "Don't talk to strangers, my dear."

You might meet each other at the most enchanting and romantic instances, but don't let the moment fool you. Maybe you bumped into him at a train station; or he might be the one who accidentally spilled coffee on your favorite blouse in Starbucks; or the one who took the last stock of book you've been eyeing for weeks in that bookshop; or he's that guy that helped you with your spilled errands; or (insert any clichéd first meeting scenarios here). He might be your fantasy come true.

But let me pop that dreamy bubble out of your head.

Don't talk to strangers, for everything starts when you talk to them. When I said everything, I didn't just mean the love story that might eventually blossom between the two of you, or whatever connection you two might make out of it. I also mean the conclusion, the ending.

For when you talk to strangers, you open yourself to a lot of possibilities. You are initially giving them free entrance to your life. And what would happen if they manage to enter? They would make a mark, a space, a hole. You will find out his magnificent qualities by engaging in a conversation with him or you will be fooled by his show-off. You might instantly like him and make you say "Oh, this guy is something." You'll feel that something unimaginable ignited your every nerve endings and fueled your fantasy. It's as if the heavens conspired and the Earth stopped rotating on its axis and your heart skipped ten beats. Don't. Let. It. Fool. You.

Don't fucking talk to him for us, humans (girls), are insatiable. You'll crave for more. Girl, I know the ways of your mind. I know because that's how my mind works too. I know how just one simple sentence and eye-to-eye contact can make you think about the future; dates, the relationship, wedding, kids, grandchildren. Yes, daydreaming overload. We often get much ahead of ourselves and can be mislead by a thought in just a snap of a finger. Before you know it, you've completely immersed your body and soul into him. It's like you ushered yourself to be trapped in an impasse without an exit strategy.

Maybe you won't see him again; maybe you will at another unforgiving instance. Maybe you'll hit it off; maybe you'll not. Maybe you'll think of him in the next 365 nights and make you wish at every 11:11 AM/PM the clock could ever offer. Maybe.

But why do we need to make our lives more complicated? All because of talking to a God-forsaken stranger?  Everything is peaceful in your life before; don't create reasons to make it miserable. Don't be so overwhelmed with enchantment. Lessen the time you watch chick flicks so you don't get affected by it.

Yes, it is all probably as good as it ever gonna get.

Yes, the moment starts as fast as it ends.

But you are stubborn. You'll talk to him. You'll talk to a stranger. You’ll give yourself the luxury to consider it as a prelude to some sparkling chapter; expecting it will continue to blossom with fruitful promises.

But, dear, fall seems to come soon. The leaves wither and the wind blows to tear it off the branch. 

And as the leaf eagerly touches the ground you'll realize, he was just another anecdote in your so called life. 

-----

This piece of writing was inspired by Charles Warnke's You Should Date An Illiterate Girl 

The Best Moments (Reblogged)

By  Mila Jaroniec on Thought Catalog

There is no guide to best moments. There aren’t any directions on how to get to them, or how to make them happen really. Best moments just sort of happen by themselves. They happen exactly when you need them.

The weird thing about best moments is that sometimes best moments are remixed worst moments. It all really depends on your frame of mind: you can be sitting on a stoop having a smoke and thinking, for example, and it can be the absolute Worst Moment because you feel lonely and friendless and desolate and flung too far out into the universe, basically like a general fuck-up; or, you can be doing exactly the same thing, only feeling centered and peaceful and fortunate and capable, and it’s totally different. That’s when you know you’re having a Best Moment.

Best moments happen when the universe winks in your direction.

When the perfect song for your mood comes on just when you need it, the song that describes how you feel without the words, the song that sounds like what you wish you could say even though the lyrics are all wrong. It’s not about what it says, it’s how it feels.

Best moments happen when you give yourself space. When you take a break from the way you think every day, when you leave off the internal push-and-pull and just concentrate completely on existing. Or when you set out to find something and come back with something better. Or when you stand around in the kitchen eating grapefruit to The Raveonettes and no one gives a damn.

You never know.

I’m pretty sure best moments happen when you finally come to terms with who and where you are, or when you realize that nothing inherently matters and feel incredibly free. When you experience a shift of focus. When that thing Camus said about the invincible summer finally starts making sense.

Or when you meet someone new and instantly know you’ve made a connection, made a friend you can stay out all night with drinking cheap wine on rooftops or couches or park benches and telling each other stupid stories. When you feel understood and relieved and content, as plainly happy as you felt when you were a kid and made your first friend.Sometimes when you’re all alone and have no plans and you’re not sure you know anyone anymore and your bank account is laughably close to zero, the best moments happen and you feel the air settle against your skin and the asphalt underneath you reassuring it could hold you if you had to sleep there; the lights drop down and dissolve in your irises and you take breaths that expand your ribcage, letting in the world, inhale the molecules of blossom and decay and exhale something beautiful and different, your own contribution to the cosmic metropolis.

The New Breed

I just met him and this is crazy. Familiar, eh?

He's not some hunk model, nor some matinee idol, on one of EDSA's billboards showing off a good set of six-pack wonder. But he get equally gets (or even more) shrieks from girls and enough admiration (or what do you call it?) from boys.

What will make you notice him? It's kinda typical. The shaved head, basketball headband, amazing black high-cut Nike shoes, tattoos. And that mole on his nape.

Photo from Never Say Die

We've seen guys channel headbands in the PBA and it's like one of the staples in hoops fashion. But man, I love the shoes. I know nothing about Kobe 1, 2, 3 etc. or Lin something. It just suits him. And what about the mole?! That single mole on the nape defines it all for me. I'm talking about appeal.

Christopher Allan Ellis is the name. Well-known as Chris Ellis in the basketball world. 6'6". Fil-Am Swingman. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Rookie. 6th Draft Pick Over-all. #34. Played for Smart Gilas and the NLEX Road Warriors.

Photo from Never Say Die

I am not spared from the mini fan girl depression of not having Chris Tiu in BGSM. Why? The guy is such a sweet deal. That's, of course, because he's Chris Tiu! You know him, right? There's no point in discussing him here. :) A lot of people voiced out their sentiments and disappointment about the matter. Points were given. Sides taken. Even Ate Stephanie Magno (@tepmags) made The Chris Debate. Carlo Pamintuan of FTS (From The Stands Podcast) said, "I wanted Chris Tiu to be with the most loved franchise in the league. It's the perfect marriage." He couldn't have said it any better. Or so I thought.

"It's a  choice between the man who can make Ginebra a better half-court team and the man who can make Ginebra a better running unit. It's a choice between the undeniable and unexpected," said Mico Halili. But is it really unexpected? Mock drafts reveal that Ginebra really wanted Ellis. And, before, I was like "Who the hell is this Ellis?" I even half-expected future trades involving Tiu going to Ginebra (for a fangirl like me, half-expecting means expecting 100%).

But as people said, give the guy a chance; and chance I've given. Other fans who have watched tune up games would agree that our rookies are doing pretty good.

I have watched three of Ginebra's preseason games. I am not statistical-savvy nor the analyst-type; I am about to say the following things based on my own humble opinion and a little bit of research.

He's aggressive. The Ginebra mythos, according to Martin Sarmenta, "Give me the ball, I'll make magic" nags out of him. "Ellis with a slam (vs. Qatar tune-up)!" He might miss a shot but he'll surely kill (not the Rain or Shine type of kill) for the rebound or make a splendid putback (vs. Alaska tune-up). Nobody available on the inside? Don't fret my dears; count on him on the outside. Bang! He'll surely deliver.

Tune up game with Qatar in Ronac Art Center.

"Chris Ellis is a goose bumps-instigating type of talent. The combination of freakish athleticism, ball-handling and play making skills, and that smooth outside stroke, has never been put together on a 6-6, long and agile Pinoy body," wrote Robi Raya on slamonline.ph.

Proof is this. This guy is jumping here and there. He buries treys so smoothly I want to describe it like a cannonball hitting bull's eye. Oh, the projectile. And yes, he dunks. He flies.

Rajon Rondo of NBA Celtics even said Chris Ellis and Bobby Ray Parks can make it to the NBA if they want to. Ah, his ultimate dream to be in the NBA.

But the good thing here is the boy isn't just all about physicality. He plays with big heart. Some news has it that his mom said Ginebra is the team that Chris really wanted to play for. He even tweeted "..we will be menacing come September 30" which Ate Tepu (@tepmags) replied with "Please, it has been four long years" to which he answered with "I will do everything in my power". Yes, just like the Twilight phrase.

He also said this:

Credits to Limuel Rivera (@iamLIMsane) 

Now, I believe that he is just the right guy. The new breed in his own right. In him is the passion, the Never Say Die spirit. That winning spirit from the Jawo era, Bal David era and Mark Caguioa era. Too early to say? Maybe. But that's where we will be. 

I have so much respect for Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand and the rest of the team. I know they aren't done yet. But as I project it, our Never Say Die team is in good hands. Oh yeah, a bright future. 

In the recent tune up game with Alaska (even in the game vs. Australia U18), this dude is the last player to exit the gym. Why? He's being lined up by people who wanted pictures/autographs/kisses like a blockbuster movie! And the attitude, you ask? Dude is down-to-earth and kind and cool. He is approachable. He didn't even get to sit down to untie his shoes. He scored 17 points 6 rebounds 2 assists 1 steal, highest scorer of the team followed by Caguioa. 

I'm looking forward to hearing shrieks from a lot of girls but let it be known that I am your self-proclaimed number 1 fan. (Buhat-bangko na. :P ) My sister is asking me "Paano na si Jayjay?" Helterbrand will always be my first love. Let's not argue with that. But this guy, you should understand me, he is something. 

The so-called Happy Shot. | Limuel Rivera (@iamLIMsane) 

No pressure, my dear. Just do your thing, work magic. I know you'll give all your heart and all you've got for it. Surely, greatness will follow. 

Enough. Let's just wait for the 38th season to see what I'm talking about. I really hope that Ellis would make that Solenn-leap slamonline.ph was talking about. 

So, is everybody ready? Fasten your seat belts. Flight #34 will take off on September 30. 

P.S.

You recognized me. That was awesome. :)

I Would Do Anything For You Foster The People

I've been meaning to make this post for some time now. Being the girl that I am, not until now, with the news that FTP is coming to Manila on October, did I force myself to do this.

When I first heard Pumped Up Kicks in the radio, I was totally hooked to it. It was a refreshing sneeze from the mainstream music of today. I searched for it and then my love for FTP came to existence.

Foster the People is an indie rock band starring the vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Mark Foster, bassist Cubbie Fink  and drummer Mark Pontius. Their debut single "Pumped Up Kicks" was released for free download in 2010 and after a year it surprisingly hit top charts. It was a certified sleeper hit (surprise hit).

I was so eager to introduce the band to my friends. I was like "Hey, I found something so precious!" and they were like "Ugh. Okay." I made them listen to Pumped Up Kicks and as the whistle part comes and my head goes banging, they were :|.

"Is that all?" And they both laugh.

I was offended. Truth is, I'm still offended. But I just try to console my self that I am not just in the same genre as my friends'. But it's annoying right? Having different taste in music and then being laughed at. Not just in music but in other categories as well.

I felt bad. But I still continue exploring more of their songs, loving the band and their style. It's just a bummer I can't share my feelings (music feelings if there is such a word) to my friends. But hey, you can find a lot out there who's going gaga like you in indie pop. Make new friends. Great music friends.

It's not just the beat, the melody and Mark's voice but the lyrics of their songs as well. I love how upbeat is Pumped Up Kicks and then the lyrics are about a kid going on a killing spree. Helena Beat aptly describes my youth troubles, emotional troubles that is. Houdini is about singer/composers swimming in the bandwagon and fighting it. And my personal favorite now, I Would Do Anything For You. 

As I end this post, all I can say is that listen and remain faithful to whatever genre you like. And be a walking contradiction. Who says you can't love classical and rock at the same time? You can't be a hippie and love pop? You might be not "in" for others but who needs their opinion anyway? :)

Listen, love and share. 

Respect as well. 

P.S.

I'm really thrilled about FTP coming to Manila. I'd literally move mountains to watch that one live. I would really do anything. I have read funny tweets about the concert like selling-one-of-the-kidneys-thingy. Wait, I have to think again if I could really do anything. Ha-ha. But October is too soon. I wish I had more time to prepare for that. :(

Pictures are from Google. Music from Soundcloud.