GO LOCKO WITH CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(Movie Review)

It was then when my colleagues were starting to talk about this Thailand sleeper-hit movie Crazy Little Thing Called Love. At first, I was a bit curious as to what is the story plot, but soon interest settled in my burning curiosity when I read the positive reviews of the teen flick.

Yup, a so high school teen flick and hell yeah...a feel-good movie! It gave me the nostalgic feeling of falling in love the high school way (aaawww, that’s embarassing)!

The rom-com (romantic-comedy) movie stars one of the hottest stars in Thailand today BaiFern Pimchanok and Mario Maurer whose loveteam chemistry was well-acknowledged by moviegoers! The concept of the flick falls on a high school love story of a bug-faced teenage girl (BaiFern Pimchanok) whose secretly inlove with an older “crush-ng-bayan” stud (Mario Maurer). The movie is not just about romance as it also teaches everyone on how to reach your goals no matter how impediments try to intrude you.

A story of teenage love, dreams, friendship and transformation. The movie depicts vibrant hues of scenes that makes us laugh and be a total tearjerker! And lo, a mystifying twist will turn your mind in the end!

Some have watched it twice, thrice and even more than that! Well, I could not blame ‘em by doing so. It just started to swept away Asian countries by storm!

KAMSA HAMNIDA (Thank You)

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(View)

Being a true blood Filipino, appreciating everything associated in Korea is not a question of patriotism to me. I’m always proud and love being a Filipino, but once I heard a thing about Korea, one thing always comes to my mind that is...DEBT OF GRATITUDE.

It just started when I enter college.

I was taking a college scholarship examination in PUP Manila that time when I heard from the proctor that if I’ll gonna pass the exam, my sponsors will be Koreans. Actually, I wasn’t expecting that there were Korean sponsors in the university for I think only establishments from the government sectors are the sponsors of the school. Surprising indeed!

The moment of truth came, from batch of examinees only five successful persons were called. I was very thankful that I’m one of them! Few hours later, we’re in front of five Koreans who were all donned in black coat, delivering us the magical words that they will support us in our educational needs for the entire four-year course! Great!

The rest is history, Koreans done a wonderful part in our lives by supporting us not only in financial matters but also influencing us in improving our personality. They taught us on proper behavior, discipline, and love to family and neighbors. I admire their sensibility and passion at work, hoping that I can master their attitude at the right time. In return, whenever we have our annual meetings, we are showing them our achievements in school which they truly appreciate too. The twinkle in their eyes whenever they see our achievements in various competitions until the time they see us graduating with flying colors..it was priceless!

That’s why Koreans has special part in my life, I’m always thankful to them.

Sarang heyo Koreans! Kamsa hamnida!

TICK TOCK

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(Poem)

T’was all fixated in my mind

Let the time fly, my eyes will be blind

“Tick...Tock...Tick..Tock”, hand of clock will say

I beg your pardon, and lemme stay this way

Looking back at times

Holding off the grimes

The choice of seeing your departure

Should I have to treat with all grandeur?

I was dominated by unreasonable silence

Hoping you’ll understand and foresee some patience

For once you’re the protagonist of my play

“Tick...Tock...Tick..Tock”, hand of clock will say

1.1.11

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(View)

What a year it has been!

Yesterday’s the last day of 2010 and today is the commencement of the new beginnings. A new chapter has been opened for us to write down our unfathomable destiny. There may be pivotal roles to look forward, life-changing events, never-ending opportunities and unpredictable discoveries to note. The good thing is, we are willing to embrace all of these with arms wide open.

Let’s entitle the first chapter as a feel-good chapter. Of course, who wants to begin the year with a rough start? We will write down all the positive vibes that will contribute to our wellness. This chapter will talk about all ourselves and who we are. It will tackle our new year’s resolutions, our plans, our visions. And we are hoping that these will be realised at the right place and at the right time.

As for the next chapters, let’s write down all the desires of our heart. Let’s be strong to face the struggles and unexpected impediments that will lurk our way. Most importantly, always put God on top and surely He’ll give us a picturesque view of the year 2011.

PHP200 + PHP100 = PHP75.00

Ni Jeffrey R. Ballares

(Pananaw)

Umaga.

Nagmamadali akong pumasok sa opisina dahil kapag nagbagal ako sa kilos ay maaaring ma-late ako. Pagtapat na pagtapat ko sa kahabaan ng kalsada ay pumara agad ako ng FX upang simulan ang mahaba ko na namang biyahe papasok sa trabaho.

Pagkapasok ko sa sasakyan ay agad akong bumunot ng pamasahe.

Isang daan ang nabunot ko mula sa loob ng aking bulsa.

“Manong bayad po.” sabi ko saka iniabot ang bayad.

Hindi ako kaagad nabigyan ng sukli ng drayber dahil naturalmente, malaki ang pamasaheng ibinayad ko ng umagang iyon.

Minabuti ko na lamang makinig ng music sa dala kong Ipod.

Lumipas pa ang ilang sandali, nakarating na ako sa istasyon ng tren na susunod kong sasakyan papasok sa trabaho. Habang binabaybay ko ang daan papunta sa istasyon ay may naalala ako bigla.

ANG SUKLI KO!!!!

Hindi ako nasuklian ng drayber ng FX...

At talagang nanghinayang ako sa sukli kong Php75.00!

Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako sa pagkadismaya. Inisip ko na lang na idinonasyon ko na lang ang sukling iyon sa simbahan.

Ilang sandali pa ang lumipas, nakarating na nga ako sa opisina.

Agad akong sinalubong ng isa kong ka-officemate pagkapasok na pagkapasok ko pa lang sa entrance.

“Jeff, ito na pala yung Php200.00 na inutang ko sayo noong isang araw. Salamat ha!” iniabot sa akin ng katrabaho ko ang pera.

“Uy! Oo nga no?” sa totoo lang, nawala na sa isip ko ang utang niyang iyon. “Salamat din!” ang nasabi ko na lang.

Tuloy-tuloy akong tumungo sa cubicle ko ng may ngiti sa labi. Naibulong ko sa sarili ko: “Kita mo nga naman, nawalan nga ako ng Php75.00, napalitan naman kaagad ng Php200.00. Thank you Lord!”

Hindi lang iyon. Tunay nga na may blessings si Lord.

Kinagabihan, Christmas party ng departamento namin. Isang Gift Certificate worth Php100.00 naman ang napanalunan ko.

Ang swerte nga naman!

Natapos ang araw ng may natutunan ako sa isang di magandang pangyayaring nasimulan ng aking umaga.

Natutunan ko na imbes na masira ang umaga ko dahil sa nangyari ay mas pinili kong isipin na napunta na lamang sa mabuting kamay ang aking nawalang sukli.

SUNSET

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(View)

It is the sunset my favorite part of the day.

It signs that the whole day is almost done, greeting the coming of darkness. But for me, sunset symbolizes different meanings in life.

As the sun rises and sets from East to West signifies that no matter how successful or mature we become, it’s important to remember and look back to where we came from.

The changing of color from sparkling white to warm orange as the sun descends underneath the skies encourages transformation and change which we all need to cope up with unending challenges in everyday life.

Moreover, the temporary disappearance of the sun in the sky also tell us to leave our worries behind for awhile and take some useful rest to regain energies we need in the next coming day.

Lastly, when the skies turned into extreme darkness gives us the feeling that there will be another day coming tomorrow...and that teaches us to have HOPE.

EVER-AFTER NO MORE

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(Poem)

I began chirping with sound melodies at sunrise

Drifting with dreams coming into life

Saw all cheering people but especially one

Granting smiles to everybody but rewarding a kiss just for one

Keeping the ties close as time flies by

Ever-after fairytales happening only just once

Tell me...where should I limit my boundaries

To create a longtitude between pain and happiness

Here comes the repetition of dark clouds

Hanging up in the skyline, shaking up my ground

Why did the destiny gave me the chances to prove

Ended up empty-handed, but nothing to lose

Nights are blistering with sheds of tears

Shattering moments are flashing in each scene

So why did it happened, this one I ask

A backfire of realisation just hit me bullseye

Another chapter had just begun

Thinking all past dues were just all for fun

I leap and reap the harvest of truth

The stronger I became, the bigger I gain