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.

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.