Back from a long hiatus

The long silence is finally over. I have been willing myself to write several times over but somehow the itch has piped down to an urge too gentle to mind. The needle of the compass in my life right now is very much focused on law school and things arent running smoothly for me this time. I guess the reason why I deliberately fail to write is because on some obscure level, I want to deny the stress and frustration that the semester has brought upon me. It seemed like ever since the school year began I had quite a series of unfortunate events. It felt like everything wasnt going my way and no matter how I concentrate on willing the universe to conspire with me, the stars just wont align in my favor. At some point, I was convinced that I was suffering from a mild clinical depression. My jovial and outgoing nature hides all that and i think no one even noticed. I think thats a good thing.

art illustration by Sharon Tancredi

I got so hooked on The O.C.. Addicted even. I haven't followed this series when it was still airing a few years back. My good friend, Albert recommended it to me and soon enough it served as my escape route. The plot and most of the characters brought back familiar feelings during those times when everything was so carefree and nothing really serious occupied my mind. Life is much too easier when you are just in the background, watching. But of course, nothing beats reality. Its a lot more riveting than any TV series. After watching an episode or two, I go back to the real world and face the demands of the path that I chose. There has been too much pressure and every subject this sem poses a possibility of a failure. Despite that, I am still very optimistic about everything. Things will go my way all in good time. With a bit of a sugar rush and a lot of caffeine, Im good to go!

After finding out that I have been living with a lesbian couple a couple of months ago, I suddenly found myself living alone in my apartment. My housemates moved out yesterday after surprising me about it. Now I have to find someone else to share half of the rent pronto! I cant believe their audacity to just surprise me like that. They shouldve given me prior notice. Now I have to think about a remedy for this too. As if my academic burden isnt enough to fill my mind.

Guy fashion

If I were a guy, I wonder what my everyday fashion would be..
Id probably be one of those guys who dress casually. I would wear a cool super hero or music artist shirt or my favorite movie shirt. I guess Id be one of those guys who wear statement shirts, but no rude or perverted statements for me though. Ill match it down with a faded or a washed-out pair of jeans. Ill have chucks or maybe addidas sneaks for shoes. I wont put gel on my hair but it would always look clean and soft. :D Maybe Ill be lugging a big knapsack or a sling bag too. And occasionally, a cool cap to match the outfit.

If I were a guy (ria), Im sure Im super hot too!

"The summer of 2008"

(sounds like a cheesy romantic memory. hehehe)

Here's a few of the characters I played this summer:

"Quasi-lawyer"
For six weeks, I slaved my summer away at the Office of the Solicitor General preparing several pleadings and other legal work.


"Amazon fighter"
After a few mild injuries and a lot of wasted time, I have now mastered the skill of fighting the fierce amazon women during rush hour at the MRT.


"Frustrated event/outing organizer"
My desperate attempt to revive and restore the enthusiasm of the block for a summer outing was put to naught as their efforts of making it happen were already thrown out the window ever since our block got dissolved. sigh.


"Singer/performer"
It's the first time in eons since I got to play the guitar again and sing in front of a big audience. I performed "Runaway" by the Corrs with a violin accompaniment by Ax Daliva during our Division's presentation at the OSG. Before this, I was also forced to sing ("Especially For You", MYMP version) in front of the medium detention inmates of the Bilibid Prison when we went there as a part of our OSG activities. Needless to say, my performance earned me several flowers from the inmates. Now, my co-interns call me "kilabot ng Bilibid"! TOINK! nyahaha!


"Parkour traceuse"
It happened one thunderstorm-y summer night. I was cooking dinner when I realized I need to call someone who should be calling me by then but since he isn't, I got all riled up especially when I found out that I no longer have any prepaid credits to make a call. So, in my irrational state of madness, I grabbed my purse and stormed out of the apartment to load up my phone at the nearby store. Just when the door shuts, I realize I did not bring the key with me. So there I was locked out of my apartment in the heavy downpour with nothing on but a flimsy tank top and a tiny pair of shorts. Because the stove is on and I'm freezing, I desperately thought of a way to get back in fast. My sister wont arrive till about 4 hours and the housemates arrive much later than that. I thought of an excellent plan, Ill go to the next apartment unit and asked if I could pass through it and climb the wall connecting our laundry areas that will bring me back inside my unit. The clueless guy in the next apartment simply had no choice of course, unless he wants the whole complex to catch on fire. So I traversed the 6 feet wall, soaking wet, wearing my almost see through tank top and teeny weenie shorts! So embarrassing but I have no choice either! When I got to the top of the wall, I crouched there for a few seconds trying to position myself for the most pain-free fall. Fortunately I landed without any injuries! I must have a feline quality in me. Or maybe, I'm spider woman!

"Impromptu BarOps volunteer"
Thanks to Mr Ho's coaxing, I am now part of the Linkages team of the BarOps committee. I had such a great time at our team building outing at this Dinosaur Garden Resort in Bulacan. At first I was hesitant to go because I'm not sure if I know anyone there apart from Aaron but as it turned out, I made friends with a lot of people and got closer to several acquaintances.

"Crazy embassy party girl"
I am not a bar person at all but after our night out at the Fort, I think I'm gonna be! Kidding!!!!!
Sorry but I wont be spilling the beans here. hahahaha. Lets just say I was wildly inebriated and did a few foolish things. ;) It was super fun!

Now, I want to become a lawyer even more!

""Who's the judge?"
"The judge is God!"

"Why is he God?"
"Because he decides who wins or loses, not my opponent!"

"Who is your opponent?"
"He doesn't exist!"

"Why does he not exist?"
"Because he is merely a dissenting voice to the truth I speak!""

- from The Great Debaters



I can't recall the last movie which left me truly uplifted, inspired, and at the same time intellectually stimulated in the end since "The Great Debaters". Its powerful cast and excellent script made this film a top-notch drama. Starred and directed by Denzel Washington, this movie is loosely based upon the story of Professor Melvin Tolson who coached and led the Wiley College Debate Team in the year 1935 to an almost undefeated season and ultimately challenging and winning over the national champions from Harvard which was an incredible feat for an all-black college back then.

As the team moves toward its goal, it faces several challenges down the road including issues of sexism, an arrest and union busting, Jim Crow laws and rituals, driving through a lynch mob, a love triangle, jealousy, and a nationwide radio broadcast. Also embedded in the plot is the story of ambition, justice, equality, love, and friendship.

Watching this film made me ruminate on those segregation and disfranchisement cases Ive read in my Constitutional Law class during my freshman year in law school. This includes the 1896 case of Plessy v. Ferguson which held that segregation laws are constitutional thereby coining the absurd phrase "separate but equal". In 1954, however, the landmark decision of the US Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education overturned the earlier rulings including the Plessy Decision by declaring that state laws establishing separate public schools for black students denied them equal educational opportunities. The court stated that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal and racial segregation was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution.

This movie is definitely worth watching as it appeals to the emotions as well as the intellect. It's a pity it wasn't shown in our local cinemas.

"You're a philosopher? Where's your sponge?"

-quote from "Small Gods" by Terry Pratchett

Stories from the Greek classical world has it that philosophers got their profound knowledge of the universe, man, and nature by contemplating these issues while taking baths. They would douse themselves with bubbles of soap until a light bulb starts to fire up their brains and have that "Eureka!" moment. Such a thought came to my mind when El gave me this traditional, pure, Greek Olive-oil soap that his friend got him from Greece.

Okay, I have to go now and do some musings about the cosmos and man's place in it while I lather myself with Traditional, Pure, Greek Olive-oil soap. hehehe :P

Fully Booked

Most of my OSG money went to books. Not law books though! I had the best time shopping at Fully booked and bought five books! Money spent on books is money spent well for me. Its quite an irony though that Im already an incoming third year in law school and I own not a single law book! I survived still:)

10 things I will miss from my OSG internship

1. ate nancy's morning greeting
"good morning miss philippines!" or "good morning miss universe!" or "good morning miss beautiful!" never fails!
haha, i love ate nancy!











2. ate purits' cooking
yep, she's the senior state solicitor's secretary-slash-resident chef of Araneta Diviison. She cooks kick-ass meals for us!














3. my UST girls- grace, jen, and kat
ill miss all the fun times with these girls. good company plus lots of chikas!











4. the Gregorio Araneta Division people
ASG Edith Dizon, Atty Tom, Atty Larry, Atty Hazel, Atty Princess, Atty Pearl, Atty Mercy,Atty Len, the secretaries: Ate Purits, Ate Laissa, Ate Michelle, Ate Joey, Ate Nancy, Ate Vicky, Ric.











5. merienda/lunch treats (plus surprises from atty tom)
kaya masaya sa division namin!







6. my co-interns
of course this experience would not be half as fun without my wacky co-interns from UP, Ateneo, San Beda, FEU-La Salle, and UST Law.
















7. chris-mon moments
hehehe...peace chris!









8. ride home and kulitan with aaron
Ive been hitching my way home with aaron in his vios the whole internship so i have to say that im gonna miss all the talk and the occassional drama in transit. so aaron, the heavy traffic seems tolerable when you have someone to banter huh?!






9. my cubicle
where I do my stuff- work related or otherwise. hehehe











10. and of course, allowance!!!!



...and here are the 10 things i will NOT miss:

1. waking up early
2. squirming my way in one of those jam packed MRT trains
3. riding the wrong bus. grrrr.
4. my land dispute case. good riddance to it!
5. fastfood. so sick. ugh!
6. accomplishment reports
7. traffic
8. timecard and bundy clock
9. waiting for the the elevator
10. walking in a pair of 3 inch heeled power shoes

All in a day's work!

I was running late for work today and when I arrived at the office at past 9 o'clock, a hearty breakfast was already waiting for me. Ate Purits cooked creamy chicken sopas for everyone! When lunch came, another treat awaited us. This time from Atty Tom. We had pork sinigang and fried fish. There was a lot so I invited my blockmates Chris, Aaron, and Raymond to eat lunch at my division. With a little prodding, they accepted my invitation. Merienda was taken cared of by Jen. Since her internship ends today, she treated us a with yummy pancit malabon and puto kutsinta. We invited our co-interns to join us and turned the conference room into a party place! After eating and entertaining our co-interns from the other divisions, Ric brought out a big bottle of vodka and mixed it up with Sprite. They've been practicing for their Soulja Boy dance number for monday's flag ceremony presentation.
It's already 5 o'clock and its time for logging out but my food treat day isn't over yet! Atty Jon of Chris' division invited me and Chris for dinner, his treat of course! He took us at Italiani's at Greenbelt 2 and there we had Sicilian chicken salad, seafood pasta, Margaretta pizza, and refillable iced teas! I was so full, I can hardly laugh with ease at atty jon's anecdotes about the OSG. We were finished at around 930. After which I took the MRT and went home. A few minutes after I got home, El visited and brought me a caramel cappuccino coffee and nutty chocolate donut from Dunkin Donuts.
What a day! Arrived late, did no work, ate a lot of free food, and even got tipsy! The best part is that we interns got our allowance today! That's the best treat of all! hahaha

Superb fun with your console?

After that Sony PlayStation 2 ad (with that guy and his seemingly emerging cock which turned out to be just his thumb) was banned from French television back in 2002, here comes another ad for PS3 with the same "concept". Can anyone enlighten me? I dont get it. Why would his pennis become his thumb? Does this say if you play too much playstation junk your wang evolves into a thumb? I don't play any PS games so I don't get the message of this ad, assuming it has any in particular. The ad agency that's responsible for this is TBWA of Vienna, Austria. I guess Austria banned this one too. I'm just not sure how this could appeal to its market, which are mostly kids and young male adults. Wouldn't it be tasteless?

Do gamers really get this ad? Inside joke or something? Please explain.

How 'bout you, would you give this ad a thumbs up? pun intended.

Summer fling?!

Okay, everyone's all talk about finding a summer fling so I got to thinking of finding one for myself too. TOINK! Hahahaha! Just kidding.

Chuck Bass of Gossip Girl is uber-HOT! An obnoxious, confident, straight-up asshole with daddy's credit card. Love him? hate him? hate to love him?


My IDEAL physical standards: tall and moreno. Maybe someone like Borgy Manotoc? uh-huh...Hmm, I guess his brother will do. (kidding, mike!)


Panic! at the Disco's "Lying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off" keeps spinning on my head. tsk, tsk,tsk......

"Let's get these teen hearts beating faster, faster!"


The days just keep on getting better and better. Maybe I should find a soundtrack for my summer. Something to remember this by. *grins*

***************************************************

In other news, Ellen DeGeneres and her long time partner Portia de Rossi will soon be tying the knot now that the California Supreme Court has legalized same-sex marriage.
Ahhh...times are changing, humans are evolving.

California Chief Justice Ron George said in the written opinion. "Limiting the designation of marriage to a union 'between a man and a woman' is unconstitutional and must be stricken from the statute," The ruling added that all California couples had a "basic civil right" to marry "without regard to their sexual orientation".

This isn't the first time though that a US state dumped the ban against gay marriages. Before this SC decision, the state of Massachusetts allowed gay marriage and California, New Jersey and Vermont have legislation which grants same-sex partners many of the same legal rights as married couples.

Good job Supreme court folks!

Nerdy tripping

This OSG internship is really perking up my summer days! So far, Ive prepared a full appellee's brief for the People (People of the Philippines v. Roxas) in a murder case, a complaint for reversion draft, a reply to an annulment case query, a research for a cancellation of land decree case, and a reply to a demand letter in a Land Title case. Wooohooo! Right now, Im busy preparing one appellant's brief for the DOTC (which has almost a foot long pile of case records) and 3 other appellee's brief: two drug related cases (RA 9165) and one rape case (specifically RA 7610, child abuse). This spontaneous decision to go for OSG internship is definitely turning out to be a fun and excellent learning experience!

Here's my office desk and my clutter of case files. hehe


Another thing I love about this internship is the people I work with. I'm assigned in the Gregorio Araneta Division at the seventh floor. There are seven lawyers in our division and each of them has their own secretaries. The lawyers report to the Assistant Solicitor General (ASG) who is the head of the division. My ASG is a very approachable person and she is definitely very intelligent and hardworking. She religiously checks all the pleadings submitted by the lawyers under her and even goes through the records of the cases. The lawyers in my division are the best! They are very friendly and high-spirited. The senior state solicitor is a serious guy who lools like ariel rivera. He gave a merienda treat at the office as a welcome for me. "Miss elle woods" is another lawyer I love there. She's pretty, sexy, and brings her cute shitzu to work.

This is bibi, the cute doggie of my
very own elle woods atty.

The lone UP grad lawyer there is also one of my favorites. She loves to chat during breaks and jokes around a lot. She said she was inspired to go hip hop abs workout when she saw my Pagudpud picture in a two piece bikini. Naks! Im "flattened" naman. There's also atty mommy and atty bisaya like me!:) They're both moms and are outrageously fun to talk to. I haven't really mingled with the other two lawyers that much because one is always out of town for hearings and the other is always busy inside her cubicle.

Then there's the secretaries. They're great! They are very accomodating and always ready to lend me a hand. They are also fun to talk to and laugh with. And of course, my fellow interns made the experience even more fun.

*************

On to other news..
Brooke White is out! (sorry Ben!) She messed up in her last performance.
Okay, I know everyone loves David Cook but he ruined one of my favorite Andrew Lloyd Webber song! Yeah yeah, he's a rock-ish singer whose raspy voice doesn't really fit in a broadway musical. But hey, Jason Castro made his rendition of "Memories" sound different from the usual and didnt ruin it. He has a style that shows his individuality and thats what I like about him.


*************

El's friends, She and Jwyn went to Ilocos and also had a Vigan tour. Guess what, they hired the same cuchero and horse we got when we went there two weeks ago! wala lang. kakatuwa lang :)

*************

I haven't watched Ironman (yet?) but dont judge me. Hahaha. What's with the fuss about this movie anyway? Interesting though that Robert Downey Jr. is sober and doing projects like this. Fans should hope that he will be able to make the sequel and not somewhere getting stoned or facing prison charges. El and I were planning to watch it last weekend but due to the long line of people at the ticket booth at Trinoma, we decided to spend our movie money to go food tripping. hahaha! Ill just settle on the pirated version, wont complain to that!

"Ploning" looks interesting. Maybe Ill watch it.

Office of the Solicitor General Summer Internship Program

This is from the OSG website:


There's just one thing I hate about this. The MRT commute to the office is a nightmare!
If I arrive past 7:15 am at the station (or past 6:45 am during mondays), I will be stuck waiting in a long line of cranky people, mostly employees who are already late for work. After standing in line for almost half an hour (if I'm lucky), I will have to deal with a crowdful of people pushing each other on the platform to get in the train. It's a wonder no one ever fell from that platform yet. And to think, I'm on the segregated portion of the train where only females, senior citizens, and persons with disability are allowed. When the train arrives and the doors open, these fierce women turn into wild amazons who have the strength of Xena and She-Hulk combined. Its crazy!
That's why I am forced to get up early so that I won't be subjected to this kind of torture in the morning.

Two weeks have gone since we started as legal interns in the OSG and its also been two weeks of eating fast food. We should find some other cheap lunch place or else well be supersized after this ends!

Ilocos Trip!

Pagudpud is one of the best beach vacation spot I've been to! It's on the northern most part of Ilocos Norte and the beaches are very nice and pristine plus, the atmosphere there is very serene and relaxing .

After my OSG Legal Internship orientation in Makati, I rushed to the mall and bought some essentials then hurried back to my apartment and packed. I was not able to pack and prepare earlier because my schedule is still tentative and I had some acad stuff to finish up. Anyway, we missed the bus that goes straight to Pagudpud so we took another Florida bus from Manila to Laoag which left at 1030 pm. The bus looked deceivingly comfortable with an airplane cabin-like feel with LCD TVs and a small booth for a toilet inside. But nooo, those seats, no matter how wide and spacious they seem to be are so uncomfortable! Haven't they heard of ergonomics? man! My neck and back were aching all over! We arrived in Laoag city at around 5 am and walked around looking for a place for breakfast. Since they were all still closed, we ended up having breakfast at Jollibee! toink!

We then took another bus to Pagudpud at around 10 am. We arrived there at around lunchtime, pitched our tent and took a fun swim. After that, we went touring around Pagudpud with Kuya Lito, our trusty trike driver slash tour guide.


Kaibigan Falls
For mountaineers like us, it was an easy hike of about 1.5 km till we reached the waterfalls itself. The water is so clear and cold. Nature at its best. We got lucky because we were the only ones there (with our guide). Solo namin ang falls! haha!


Patapat Viaduct
The view here is breathtaking (but for el, im even more breathtaking hehe) This bridge was built on the side of the mountain with a spectacular view of the sea. Scary thing about it? landslides. There's a part of the bridge thats been ruined by it (or so we speculate).


Agua Grande
An estuary! It's a resort with freshwater pools flowing from the river and out into the sea.


Bantay-abot Cave
The mountain with a hole. The waves here are merciless and the wind is
harsher! A killer wave almost got me!


Blue Lagoon Beach
The best! White powdery sand, virgin cove, clear waters, very few people, very peaceful and relaxing.
On our way there, a green sidewinder (supposedly poisonous?) about 5 feet long came into our path! yikes!


We had Ilocano longganisa and eggs for breakfast the next day after we took a last dip.


We then headed back to Laoag city and did a side trip there. We visited the Ilocos Norte Museum and had lunch at Macy's Diner. They have red vinyl booths, a bar, and a jukebox, giving off a real 70’s American diner vibe. It also had black and white framed posters of James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, the Beatles, and movie posters like "Ir's a Wonderful Life".

Another graduate for mommy and daddy!!!

Three down, one college boy to go! (of course, im not counting me, the soon to be juris doctor of law!)

Congrats to my little sister Irene- the soon to be nursing board topnotcher!

The boat is sinking!

Group yourselves into two!

I wasn't really affected that much when I found out that our block was the unlucky one that is going to be dissolved. I didn't even went to the block inuman that night because I figure people will be very emotional and frustrated. I thought that would be the last thing I needed then. I always thought that we had enough shared experiences- good and bad- that would keep us glued together even if we are no longer in one class. But recent events led me to think otherwise.
I know this is just a temporary thing and pretty soon everything will fall into its proper place but I hope that our unity and friendships wont be marred by certain preconditions and mere apparent bad faith.

Just for the record, I never really was a fan of the block system from the start. I survived college without a block from my first year till I graduated. I got to choose my classes and the people I want to attend class with according to my own schedule. Then law school happened. The block system was really alien to me then and I even thought that such a thing is stupid for a post-grad course. We got assigned to our respective blocks by drawing out a shabby piece of paper from a box and in the same manner, we ended up being dissolved by pulling out the unlucky little post-it. First, we are forced to be lumped in the same classes with strangers, and just when we've grown to like each other, they again force us to be subjected to this arbitrary scheme of dissolving a block. Both schemes are very similar but they have very different results. We never thought that those pieces of paper with the letter "B" ascribed on it would bring us all together and be the precursor of a lasting bond. But that star on that post-it reeked in sadness, doubts, and bitterness in us. I really hope they change this very arbitrary system of dissolving blocks after second year. Why not just have the block system for the first two years of law school then make it free for all for the next two years. At least everyone has a fair standing.
Now that we have a new and very able dean, I'm sure a lot of things will run very differently in the college and I sure hope he will include reconsidering this issue.

To my blockmates, I'm sure I'll live without some of you. You never really mean much to me anyway. HAHAHA! kidding! I will surely miss class recitations with you guys. All of you made an impression in my heart and I will never forget our wacky experiences together. Let's just keep in mind that being in a block (that is as fun as ours) is just a part of being in law school but our main priority is to graduate, pass the bar, and become great lawyers. Good luck to all of us!

"Nagsimula sa bunotan, Natapos sa bunotan"

The Retro Kid

Taah-daaahhh!!! Look what I dug up! The big was then a scrawny little boy with a bashful grin. Cute:D


This photo of el with Rainbow Brite gave me a good chuckle!

Speaking of mascots, I saw this new Jollibee commercial which freaked me out. In that ad, the jolly bug utters "thank you po" in the end. What the?! So he's talking now, huh? I always had this picture of Jollibee and all its other mascot species as mutes that communicate through the movement of their appendages and oversized heads. Evolution must've played a role on them too.

And by the way, is Jollibee a male or a female? Personally, I think he's gay.

Can't hold it in no longer!

Summer fever is totally making a head start on me! In the middle of final exams and legal paper deadlines, I forced to lodge in some amusement activities to perk up my relatively free weekdays (which I should spend on studying! hahaha). It's really getting hot and humid, summer is already here and I can't believe I still have acad stuff to think about. I have trouble concentrating these exam days because my braincells are already on vacation mode. As much as I want to stick to my carefully planned out study schedule, the drive to do it is just nowhere to be found. As usual, I would end up cramming everything the day before the exam itself. grrrrr.
The big and I went swimming a few days ago! The heat was really getting on me and I asked El to take me swimming somewhere in the city.

Last friday, I also attended a coffee seminar in Starbucks Imperial with the boyfriend. We just chanced upon the announcement when we had coffee there after we went swimming. Of course, I hurriedly signed up for it.
The seminar was basically about their company and their coffee products. Kind of boring actually and its quite a pain to listen to a quivering barista. I tell you, just google or look for Starbucks in Wikipedia and you'll find every bit of info there. I really thought I was gonna learn something substantially new. But thats just me though, I'm a coffee lover so I know a lot about coffee. Maybe its different for all the others who were there. The coffee tasting was the best part for obvious reasons. And they served pastries too that would best compliment each coffee flavor. The first coffee they gave us for tasting was from Columbia. It was a medium-bodied coffee with a smooth texture and nutty aroma. The next one is from Kenya which is classified as bold and has a rather citrus taste. I like it the most. The last is the extra bold coffee from Sumatra which has an earthy aroma and a full-bodied texture.

After the seminar, they gave us free coffee bean samples of their house blend. I was able to bring home four packs since El gave me his share (doesn't drink coffee). By the way, all the rest only got one pack. Thanks to the bigbig's charms, we got one more for each of us! That makes four for me! happiness!!!!

Another cheap thrill I had: biking inside QC circle. My Labor groupmates and I went to QC Circle to meet with the Union Lawyer that we interviewed for our Labor paper. After the interview, Ben and I decided to go biking and what a blast we had! Its been such a long time since I rode a bike and I almost forgot how it was like. It was exhilarating! What I find annoying though are the narrow bike lanes full of unmindful people walking right in the middle. It's a bike lane for heavensake! Go walk some place else! I was always yelling "hey!" or "excuse meeeeee!!!!!" I swear if I did hit or ran over them, I'd deny liability. I would admit that I was a speeding menace though. hehehe
Im loving it!

My old school anime cartoon fixes

Remember those days when we thrived in our television indulgence of dubbed animated series? This was during those times when TV stations used to broadcast valuable shows that leave us kids all addicted and glued to the tube. I was very fond of these Tagalized versions and even after several years, I can still recall those memorable scenes and episodes . The soundtracks, as silly as they may sound now, are simply great. They truly stand the test of time. Looking back, I never thought I'm that much addicted to watching TV! Here are some of my favorite shows that I religiously followed.

Sarah ang Munting Princessa
Who can ever forget princess Sarah and her life in Miss Minchin's boarding school for girls? The story is based upon the classic novel of Frances Hodgson Burnett, "A Little Princess". Sarah Crewe is the girl everyone loves and envies. She is kindhearted, pretty, intelligent, and has impeccable manners and elegant grace. She lives the life of a princess and everyone treated her well until her father died leaving her as an orphan. The head mistress, miss Minchin allowed her to stay in the boarding school as long as she works there as a maid. Henceforth, her life became tough and miserable. She still retained her true friendship with some of the girls like Lotty and Ermengarde and made new ones including Becky, a poor servant girl. Her sufferings were not for long as it turned out that she was not indeed a poor orphan girl.
I remember I used to hate Lavina so much. This show was really a big hit that a Philippine movie version was even made starring Camille Prats as Sarah and Angelica Panganiban as Becky. They were still cute and innocent back then.

Cedie ang Munting Principe
Another Frances Hodgson Burnett classic. The story revolves around an American boy named Cedric Errol, who finds out that the is the sole heir to a British earldom. He was taken from his mother and lived with his grandfather in their ancestral palace. This grandfather is a strict and cold aristocrat who despises his mother. Cedie was the one who taught his cold heart a little compassion, justice, and understanding. Eventually he learned to accept Cedie's mother.
What I remember most about the episodes in this series are those times with Cedie riding his pony, dreaming of being together with his mom, and his treasured moments with his granddad. Tom Taus starred as Cedie in the Philippine movie version. Yes, I watched it too. nyahaha

Von Trapp Family Singers
I think ABS is airing this series presently. Back then, I often wish to be part of their big happy family and replace that pretty blond emo girl (Brigitta, in the real movie version) who always cry and grieve the loss of her mother. haha. Kurt was also hilarious.




Cinderella
" kailan, hanggang kailan
Ito mananatiling panaginip
sabik na ko, sabik na ko sa iyong
yakap at halik…"
I looooooove Prinsepe Lenard! bow.
Of course everyone is familiar with the Cinderella story. This animated version however adds a different twist to the story. The prince and Cinderella already knew each other way before the ball and were really good friends. I would admit, the premise is quite stupid. Principe Lenard can make a complete disguise as a commoner just by not wearing his prince outfit and can go about the kingdom without being recognized by the common people as the prince. duh. Who are you kidding?! Even Cinderella's stepmom and step sisters who talked to the prince several times cant tell that Lenard is the prince. He didnt even use an alias or a pseudonym! But then again, I didn't care! I never missed a single episode of this series. I even remember doodling principe Lenard on my notebooks and writing about him in my diary. yech. hehehe


Remi (Dog of Flanders)
This is one tearjerker series. I hate it when pets die. First the monkey dies, but when Remi and Patrash died in the end, I got really emotional. I mourned their loss till now. huhuhu.








Si Maria at ang Lihim na Hardin
I dont remember vividly the scenes or episodes of this series but I remember watching it back then.







Peter Pan
Neverland has never been so magically created. I missed Peter Pan and his exploits.









Snow white
is so pretty and Principe Richard is so handsome. They look good together.






Julio at Julia
"Kapag uminog ang mundo Iikot din ang buhay ng tao May saya at mayroong dusa Huwag lang tayo magpapatalo.. Si Julio at Julia Kambal ng tadhana Di susuko sa pagsubok…"

An elementary friend and I used to pretend we were Julio and Julia. We would hold hands and imagine a kind of force field encapsulating us from the attacks of evil men! This series follows the quest of a chinese boy with a bad haircut, Julio and a European blond girl, Julia in their travels across different parts of Asia and Europe to fulfill their mission as the twins of destiny. Maybe they eventually got together in the end. The finale didn't say much.



Daddy Long Legs
Is this the one with Judy Abott? Im not so sure. My younger sister used to watch this a lot. It was during this time when I went crazy over cream puffs and dreamed of playing lacrosse! (hehe, anyone remember that episode?)







Marcelino Pan y Vino
I can hardly remember anything about this but I know this was among the TV shows I look forward to every morning.






Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
The best Gundam series ever! Heero, Quatre, Duo, Trowa, and Wufei. They are the five Gundam pilots. I got really crazy about Heero Yuy back then. I say move over princess Relena! This is a futuristic story when Earth is surrounded by orbiting space colonies. The Gundam mobile suits were sent to Earth to fight the tyranny of the Alliance military which is controlled by a secret society called Oz that is oppressing the colonists.
I wish I could find my sketchbook full of various gundam humanoids!





Princess Starla and the Jewel Riders
I've a sparse recollection of this series but what I do remember is that my elementary friends and I used to assign the characters to each one and play pretend. Of course I'm Princess Starla! mwahaha.








Ghost Fighter
I really believe Dennis is gay (well, he is in fact androgynous). I wonder why a lot of girls like him so much. Maybe its because of the hair. hahaha. My favorite is Vincent.








Dragon Ball Z
The fight scenes were really awesome and the martial arts exhibition would take your breath away. Super sayan!!!!!!!! Ha-me-ha we- wei!!!!!!!!!! (hahaha, I'm not even sure if thats correct.)






Flying House
To those unfortunate beings who were not able to catch or who can't remember, this animated series is about three kids who found a house in the woods which transported them to the times of Jesus. The kids, Andy, Justine and Corky became real close friends of Jesus and witnessed the events that transpired in his life. I simply love this cartoon. I can still recall its opening and closing themes. And I am even a member of the Super kids club! I wish I could find all those freebies and newsletters they sent me. This series was dubbed in English by the way.




Superbook
In this series, a different set of kids are transported via a magical book which sends them to a particular time mentioned in the old testament of the bible. Somehow, I loved this better than Flying House. I think the old testament stories are more fun and interesting.








and of course, there's the occasional Daimos and Voltes V.

I wonder if anyone can relate to this post.