on venus raj...

after the loathful hostage-taking incident yesterday, the majority of the Philippines woke up inspired today, hoping and praying that our bet, Venus Raj, bag and bring home the Ms. Universe crown. (ok, comma splice?)

Much has been said about her magnanimous defeat but much more should be recognized in her underrated achievement..

To prove my point, here are some facts about her and her cruise towards the pageant from start to finish. (NOTE: I'm not a Venus Raj fan, just to be clear)

1. She has been invited to be one out of the 80+ candidates to promote the pageant. She arrived in the US long before the rest did. That in itself is an achievement for being recognized at an early stage is a golden opportunity.

2. She topped the polls (which only members of the Ms. U website can rate). Plus, she really is the crowd favorite.

3. Based on my view on the scores, Venus placed 3rd in the swimsuit competition (behind Mexico and Jamaica) and 1st in the long gown competition.

4. As for her much controversial answer to the question, I will have to side with Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran. It's never easy going up on stage and answering your heart out to one question that will either make you or break you. Yes, Venus could've done better but I know that she did answer the question the best that she can. She properly exuded the immortal "grace under pressure".

On a personal note, I think that among the five contestants, Venus had the most opinionated question and as such, she really had to dig deep, however she wasn't able to. The questions for Ms. Mexico, Jamaica, Australia, and Ukraine about internet supervision, death penalty, clothing legislation and full body airport scanners respectively were all answerable by either being FOR IT or AGAINST IT. It's a choice between two sides of the coin which relatively is easier.On Venus' "major major" and excessive use of thank yous for me's fully justified. We should remember that we speak not to impress, but to EXPRESS. If she found it fitting to use those words under enormous pressure, then who are we to say there's a better choice.

In conclusion, I personally think that Venus Raj did do a good job! And it's one tough act to follow. After Miriam Quiambao's success, Venus Raj is the next best thing. Kudos to Venus! Couldn't be prouder!

You be Venus Raj and let's see who's better!

P.S. My father even said that she deserves credit for what she achieved. After so so number of years, the Philippines has again surfaced as one of the most beautiful. (see, even my father agrees with me...lol)

Health is Wealth

The past days and months I've been experiencing recurring throat and knee problems. So after consulting Dr. Yay regarding my complaints, I've decided to have it checked further today...

1. As per Dr. Tan, I still have pharyngitis. However, her more serious diagnosis was the finding that I have acid reflux. Now I'm somehow restrcited from eating sweet, sour, oily, spicy foods including chocolates, coffee, tea and others. Huhu. It'll be a 3-month treatment but I'm now under a 2 week assessment then we'll see after that. We'll treat the reflux first then take on the tonsils next.

2. As per Dr. Martinez, we still don't know what exactly's going on with my right knee. Since it has been recurring for a number of months, MRI's the next step. Then we'll see. To therapy or not to. My nerve scanning turned out ok though. (tough needles. Lol)

After all the exams today, I've realized more that taking care of yourself and being extra health conscious is very essential as life is too short. So everyone, do take extra measures to keep yourself in the pink of health. Cliche as it may seem, Health is Wealth! :)

random...

Ok, today's monday, the first day of the week, the first day where i could ponder on new random experiences that may come along as i live through another week.

Monday... and so it came along indeed. a number of experiences. a number of thoughts.

1. As i was glancing outside our window facing a somehow reputable condo, i saw this husband and wife walking towards their car and along with them was their househelp. And what I saw was like the pinnacle of involuntary servitude, well sort of, but i think it's more like of an ill-treatment. Picture this, the guy was carrying one bag and the lady was carrying her bag while the househelp carried a backpack, an umbrella, hanging in the backpack, plus two, from the looks of it, two heavy plastic bags with some things in it. So what's my point? I just so strongly think that what I saw was not humane. They guy could at least have carried the other bag. Although of lower status, the househelp's still a lady and deserves to be treated as such. She's not some batista or randy orton you know. She can't carry it all.
I so thank my parents for raising me and my sibs properly. We've had the privilege of having househelps but we always kept in mind that we have to carry what we can, what we own, and what we should. Househelps there to help, not to do everything for you. They're not super slaves, in fact, for me, they're like some sort of super heroes. :P always there to help.

2. I saw Marley and Me again. 3 times have i seen it but the interest i have in watching the movie's still the same. It's so sad seeing Marley die and what's even sadder's that I had to keep my tears from falling as my mom's watching with me. You know. Can't always let your soft side show. Not now. Btw, CITY OF EMBER'S a good film.

3. Earlier in school today, I was reprimanded, along with AYN (wearing her fab long sleeved cardigan and closed ballet shoes), allegedly for not wearing the proper dress code! Duh!!! Prefect, short-sleeved polo with tie's allowed in so far as the student code's concerned. What's the use of that damn code if you're to break what it preaches. Grrr. Thanks for ruining my mood towards taking today's exam. I THINK IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO DO THE READING, AND I DO THE TEACHING!

4. MULTIPLE CHOICE!!! God, I so hate it! Whoever said multiple choice questions are easier better think twice. thrice even! When each question's worth 10 points plus doing some explaining and reasoning, you won't find it easy at all. nunca! I dont wanna speak so soon of wishing the old style back, but right now, i'm kinda giving it a chance. Let's see how this cookie crumbles and who knows, i might reconsider. LOL! @ Jiggy, wag magpapakamatay via jumping out of your room! makalat! hehe. not nice, so not nice! @ ellen, good luck tomorrow! two subjects again! God be with you...

5. I saw Wenn Deramas in the grocery earlier tonight. I dont know but judging how he looked in person, parang naka-wig ata siya. lol. but he's kinda mabango ah and his aura's not like one of those feelers. Now how the hell am I supposed to know??? lol. Feeler kasi ako!

6. Capping the day off. next exam's envi laws. Haay, how on earth am I supposed to start? How!? I so wanna get this over with.

7. I SO WANNA GET OVER WITH THIS WEEK-LONG AGONY! Good thing my crush ako. lol.... keeping me inspired.

riding overloaded.

to all plus size passengers, please have the slightest consideration when taking public commute, spare me from all the squishing and mashing. Use your eyes. Don't get in when it's obvious that you won't and can't fit. Just wait for the next spacious FX to come along or at least have the decency to pay according to your size. It's not you who's on the losing end. It's not so nice experiencing this twice today. so not nice!

*to my plus size friends, please understand...