Ateneo de Davao University will hold its AdDU Writers Workshop 2012 from May 21 to May 25 at the university’s Jacinto Campus. The workshop is designed to reach out to young writers of Davao City, help them grow in their craft, and lead them to publication in order to give voice to the Mindanao youth.  While geared primarily to students of Ateneo de Davao, the workshop also brings in guests from other schools in Davao.
Panelists for the workshop are Dr. Ricardo M. de Ungria (UP-M), Dr. Macario Tiu (PWC), Prof. Jhoanna Lynn Cruz (UP-M), and Don Pagusara, all of the Davao Writers Guild.  Workshop director is Dominique Gerald Cimafranca.

The fellows for the workshop are:

Carl Christian T. Agunod
Rosanna Aliviado
Madel Catre
Raizza Mae D. Cinco
Vincent Carlo Cuzon
Karen Kae F. Dicdican
Mary Caryl Dichosa
Alexandra Victoria A. Eñeco
Kristine Angelique O. Falgui
Alfedo Carlos Montecillo
Jamille Peliña
Benrich Baysa Tan
Gracielle Deanne B. Tubera

John Rey A. Aleria (UIC)
Peachy Cleo F. Dehino (UIC)
Armando Fenequito, Jr. (USEP)
Farah Aimee S. Virador (USEP)

Opening ceremonies for the workshop will be at 9:30AM on Monday, May 21, at F513 of the Finster Building of the Ateneo de Davao University.  Mrs. Aida Rivera-Ford, founder of the Ford Academy of the Arts and former chair of the Humanities Division of Ateneo de Davao, will be the keynote speaker during the opening ceremonies.

The workshop is an annual event funded entirely by Ateneo de Davao University.  It is held with the assistance of the Davao Writers Guild.

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^I went to this workshop around 5 years ago. My memories from that workshop were still very vivid. It was one of those moments in my life where I really told myself that writing is, and will always be, my true love. Today, I have a lot of things on my plate. I organize events, I teach, I do Marketing and PR campaigns but I have never left writing. I think that if I stop writing, a part of me will be lost. I’d be crippled, dysfunctional. Corny no? Well, that’s love.

I hope they’ll allow me to sit in in one of the workshop sessions.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always liked writing. Sometimes I write about things that I don’t care about, things that make me pissed, things that leave me in awe and things that inspire me. I’ve never really wrote, seriously, about something I know a lot about, until I’ve decided to start a beauty blog.

And, for as long as I can remember, I’m a self confessed (minsan lang hindi halata) kikay. Sometimes I even spend more for toiletries than food. Or clothes. It’s crazy. I’m not very fond of makeup but ask me about body scrubs and hair spa and nail health and most likely, I can give you a satisfactory answer. *Bows*

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Last week, I talked about the seemingly alarming state of the kids nowadays. By saying “kids”, I mean teens and pre-teens between the 10-19 year old bracket. As compared to what I’ve experienced during my time, these kids nowadays have greater power when it comes to decision making. These days, I see more parents shudder at the thought of their kids throwing tantrums rather than the kids shuddering at the sound of “Because I say so!”

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It was so heartbreaking. I sincerely thought my Samsung Wave 8500 was the best thing that happened to me in 2010 but apparently it’s not. Sigh. Don’t get me wrong. The actual phone is awesome. AMOLED screen, fast WiFi, 5mp cam, HD Video recording, threaded conversations wrapped in a handsome slim sleek suit. Sigh. I am seduced by it all the time. But recently, people who work for its makers made my experience extra sour. Wanna know why? Here’s why:

A few days ago, it just switched off and when I tried to switch it on again, it hung. My friends told me it was a software mishap and that it would be okay again if only I’d take it to the repair shop (or customer service center) and have the phone reformatted. Of course, that alone broke my heart prematurely. That means losing hundreds of contacts and media. So because they’re  not technicians, I went to Gaisano mall to have it pre-diagnosed by the pros.

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It’s only a week before Mother’s Day. Have you decided about what to give your mom yet? Well, if you haven’t, today is your lucky day. We’ve got 5 surefire ways to make her day extra special. Remember that this is the only day in the year that you can officially—hence you must be pressured—make all about her! Check out these gifts for the one person who may have trouble carrying you in her womb, giving birth to you and raising you…but never in loving you.

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I’ve just attended a few PR events for the past few weeks and here’s what I realized: the people who get invited to these events seem to get younger and younger. That said, it is undeniable that these kids nowadays are the newest influencers and they have a huge chunk of decision making that they have to do no matter how young they are, and, quite alarmingly, no matter how much it takes.

For example, I closely observe my teenage sister nowadays and I notice that she easily sulks when she doesn’t get what she want. I mean, of course we are guilty of this one time or another. You cannot expect maturity to come downloadable. But this time, it’s really different. This sulking even lasts longer than how I usually do it when I was at her age. She also is grumpier and more difficult to please than  my other sister, Del (who is now 20), when the latter was in her early teenage years. My dad told me this behavior was alarming, so I began to observe Teensie more closely.

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I’m really not into superhero and action movies, but this one got to the bone! I hate the fact that most of the time, the protagonist gets beaten up first before s/he gets to win. Moreover, it’s also kind of non-entertaining when I know at the back of my mind that the protagonist is not gonna die because..well..he’s the protagonist. No matter what, he’s gonna find a way, there’s gonna be a hidden power source somewhere, a gun that somebody left behind, an unexpected friend who shows up a little after the climax. See? I’m boring like that. Anyway, this is not a story of how I find action movies anti climactic…this is a story of an action movie where I gripped at the edge of my seat. And this action movie, my friend, is 2012′s biggest one yet: The Avengers.

Here’s a picture of our pre-event preparation:

Photo by Renz Bulseco

The Davao Bloggers, in partnership with Globe Telecom, were proud to host blocked screenings of this awesome movie just last night (April 27, 2012) at Abreeza Mall. Over a hundred people were invited; and most of them were influencers in their own social circles. There were two screenings: 6:10PM for the 3D showing and 6:45pm for the regular one. Well, you guess which one got flocked on.

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I was a little disturbed a few years ago. I mean, my life was. So if I ended up selling my soul to someone or something, right now I wish it was Globe. Because they’re so good to me right now!

This story is my favorite story to tell: I’ve been with Globe for many years now. To be exact, 11 years. Can you imagine that? 11 years. That’s longer than all of my romantic relationships combined. I got my first phone right after I graduated elementary–it was 5110–and I can still memorize my first number then (09177891505).  I switched to Touch Mobile 2003-2004 and then went back to Globe after that. I went through around 4 different numbers because I was careless sometimes (hello PUK moments and jeepney cellphone thieves).

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I watched snippets of the Bb. Pilipinas pageant  a few nights ago and read many Facebook status messages about how disappointed they are about how our very own MJ Lastimosa did for this year’s pageant. Let’s cut her some slack guys, she’s been through a lot and to reach Top 12 is a serious feat.

Anyway, in between my laptop hang-ups, I got to watch one part of the question and answer portion where success was mentioned. It was when the Bb. Pilipinas winner, Janine Tugonon, was asked if she’s willing to forego a happy family life for a successful career. The feminist in me automatically said, of course, it’s up to the woman. Wherever she feels more empowered at, then she should go for it. In fact, the fact that she’s given the option, that’s already very empowering.

Although that question may be very easy to answer, it also made me ask myself whether both choices can contribute to one’s personal success. This leads to the question, “How do you really define success?” In the first place, you have to have a main goal so you can align your efforts on that goal. When you see the target, that’s when you can start practicing hitting the bull’s eye.

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My sisters (highlight: Angela) wanted to see Somedaydream sing live so even if I don’t know who he is, I went with them to Abreeza for some girly bonding. (Besides, I was itching to be in a place where good airconditioning was available.) When I got there, I saw posters of this Chinito heartthrob and I almost got drowned by the enormity of estrogen flooding the area. I really wasn’t that excited about the performance so I bought 3 scoops of Mochi Ice Creme to lighten up the mood a little bit. I mean, I can’t just sulk there right? Besides, it might even be good for me. This was something else.

I was glad when the show really started on time. The tickets said 6PM, and it started 6PM. (Kudos, Abreeza!) When Somedaydream finally came up onstage, the girls screamed like it’s the end of the world and my sister’s pupils widened. I just smiled a little. Heh, I’m cooler than this. BUT WHEN HE SANG. . .

It was a different story.

I mean, come on, just look at that. *melts like mozzarella on a hot pizza*

Turns out Somedaydream is the guy who sang that “You and me, sitting on a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” song on the Cornetto commercial. He sang 5 songs for the show and it was enough for me to drool a little. He was good looking, well-dressed and with all fairness, the voice was divine! Might be a good time to be a fangirl. I sat through the entire show and suffice to say, he didn’t waste my half-hour. For those who were as clueless as I was an hour ago, here’s a self-written short profile of Somedaydream:

“My name is Rez and this is my musical solo project. Somedaydream is a proudly-Pinoy Electro Pop act. I write and record my music from my room with the help of laptops, synthesizers, beats and a whole lot of inspiration and new ideas.”

Wow. He writes his own songs. I can feel my heart do a little yelp and let out a tiny scream.

But know what REALLY made my heart do the super-scream? (Just my heart, coz I didn’t, literally.) It was CHAMP LUI-PIO’s surprise performance at the end of the show! It was so unbelievably nostalgic I instantly remembered my crazy college barkada and how we spent half of our time swooning over him and the other half studying Accounting. Looks like I just had the most amazing 30 minutes of my life. Fangirl style. Hihi! Here, have some dose of his royal cuteness:

LOL, look at those fangirls. Sometimes I think my life would be so much easier if I was a groupie.

Sigh. WANT TO OVERDOSE ON THESE CUTIES? Get social with them! Here are the links (you’re welcome):

Somedaydream (Band) Official Facebook Page

Another Awesome Somedaydream Facebook Fan Page

THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL TIME, ABREEZA!