Marc Aldrich Gopal. 22. Novena, Singapore. Filipino. Proctoid. Wanderlust-y. Leo. Atenean. O-C. Sleepyhead. Anti-mediocrity.
Potterite. Pet Fanatic. Acquired Taste. Lives life. Loves life.
You think you know but you have no idea.
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma- living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.
Everything else is secondary.
Happy Christmas from Hong Kong Posted at 02:03 AM in Life as I Know It
Just finished midnight Christmass Mass here in Hong Kong, together with Mama. The weather is damn cold, and yes, I'm loving it. I was surrounded by Filipinas, and as they were singing "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit" - it felt warm and vaguely familiar. For some reason, it felt like I was home, even though it was like 7 degrees outside and I was 1115 kilometers away from Manila.
As human beings, we are both afraid of yet yearn for something different. And when we see what others have to offer, when we finally have a point of comparision - then we realize how special what we really have is. Christmas in the Philippines is truly one of a kind - one that I really now know is worth going back for year after year. And of course, the only thing that makes me appreciate spending Christmas in Hong Kong is the fact that I have family beside me.
For some reason, as the priest told us to take a moment to pray for our personaly intentions - I couldn't help but just say thank you. There's a lot to be thankful for - God has given so much to me this year. I don't pretend to be the most religious, but all I do is for your greater glory. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
And from a desk overlooking Kowloon, at 1:51 AM on Christmas Day - I wish all of you a very Happy Christmas! May you feel the warmth and joy as you spend it with your family.
Hearing: ABS CBN Christmas Station IDs Watching: ABS CBN Christmas Station IDs Feelin' mellow.
The Face Behind the Singapore MRT Posted at 09:09 PM in Life as I Know It
"Your Attention please, eating or drinking is not allowed in the trains or stations." Sounds familiar? Yes, if you've spent some time in Singapore, even for just a short visit, then it should be! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, introducing Ms. Juanita Melson, the voice behind the Singapore MRT.
Damn, it does feel a bit surreal to have a face behind the voice that's all-too-familiar.
Just came back from Phuket for a very short trip. It's been too long, but the feeling's definitely there. You've changed me - you feel like home to me, you make me feel that I'm where I belong. I can't believe its been more than 3 months now. ♥♥
Feels Like Home
Somethin' in your eyes, makes me wanna lose myself Makes me wanna lose myself, in your arms There's somethin' in your voice, makes my heart beat fast Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life
If you knew how lonely my life has been And how long I've been so alone And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along And change my life the way you've done
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
A window breaks, down a long, dark street And a siren wails in the night But I'm alright, 'cause I have you here with me And I can almost see, through the dark there is light
Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me And how long I've waited for your touch And if you knew how happy you are making me I never thought that I'd love anyone so much
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me It feels like I'm all the way the back where I come from It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
Hearing: Chantal Kreviazuk - Feels Like Home Feelin' emo. :)
The Best of Karen from Will and Grace Posted at 11:06 PM in Life as I Know It
God knows I've talked about how I love Will and Grace - Exhibit A. It's been a while since I've actually watched an episode. For some reason, I ended up in a youtube link featuring the Best of none other than my favorite character - Karen Walker!
Oh God, I miss watching the series, and I miss watching Karen! This kinda makes me want to start watching Will and Grace again.
But where will I ever find the time? Ah yes - there goes the link between the things we want to do and the things we actually do.
New ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID Posted at 12:57 PM in Life as I Know It
Finally, I can feel Christmas in the air here in Singapore!
Quite unlike Christmas in the Philippines (that basically starts in September), Christmas starts in mid- November in Singapore, just after Hari Raya (some sort of Holiday management amidst multiple religions/cultures).
Well before that, I've been playing Christmas songs via Youtube. More importantly, I've been eagerly anticipating the ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID! And folks, the moment we've been waiting for is here - the 2011 ABS-CBN Station ID: Da Best ang pasko ng Pilipino (Christmas in the Philippines is the best).
Honestly, I still prefer the 2009 version - Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko (Brother Jesus, You are the Star of Christmas). The 2009 version had better production value, and a better showcase of ABS CBN's strong powerhouse of stars. (Can see below). But Kudos on the ABS-CBN team - still, and will always be, Number 1!
And so, the countdown for Christmas begins! This year's going to be exciting - as we'll be spending Christmas in Hong Kong and for the first time, I'm spending New Years in New York. I'm so damn excited! (More details to follow soon folks.)
Hearing: ABS-CBN Station ID- Da Best ang Pasko ng Pilipino Watching: ABS-CBN Station ID- Da Best ang Pasko ng Pilipino Feelin' excited!
I've spent the past 30 minutes figuring out why there are ads on the top of my blog - completely destroying my layout. I was thinking it was my google analytics programming, so I spent a few minutes dismantling my layout (God, its been a while since I last saw html syntax) - but still couldn't remove the ads!
It turns out, Tabulas added in the ads! I understand that they've been hosting blogs for free for the longest time, and it costs money. But they said that if you were one of the beta account users - you'll be free from ads. *fingers crossed* that I'm one of them.
Mr. Tabulas - pretty pretty please remove the ads in my blog. I've been a good blogger all these years.
UPDATE: It seems that my wishes have been granted! Thank you very much Mr. Tabulas!
I come from the Philippines. I was born there and grew up there until a few months after I graduated from college. I'd like to think that most of the world knows where the Philippines is, and that it is a third world country. It is, without a doubt, a poor country. Yet, I am proud to be from the Philippines, a Filipino. And no matter how hard life can become, I can not imagine being anything else.
Life can be difficult, and sometimes, people can't see the light at the end of the tunnel (and based on the video below, that can be literal as well.) But it's these tough times that bring out the best in people. Life's not fair, and sometimes its too much to take. But its what we do with what's given to us that determine the kind of people we are, just like what they did on 1.5 Liter Coke Bottles to bring light to houses in the Philippines as part of Isang Litrong Liwanang (One Liter of Light).
And moments like below, make me even more proud that I.am.a.Filipino.
You can check out the Isang Litrong Liwanag Website for more information. Donations are welcome (via paypal - a few $$ will make a huge difference and bring light into the lives of countless people.
Ah yes - there goes the link between the things we want to do and the things we actually do.