iCANCERvive

Everything will be all right again.
Things get better, through whatever.
The heart can beat the hate.
Don't give up.
Through it all, just stand up.

What is CANCER?

According to Mr. Encarta, Cancer is a malignant tumor or growth caused when cells multiply and destroying the healthy tissue.

Most of the time it kills the person who is affected. But the person who is sick is not the only one suffering. It also kills the patient's family, friends--anyone who cares about the person. Mind you, I haven't had family members or friends with cancer, but I know the feeling when you worry and care for someone too much. For instance, even if a family member or even a close friend is sick, you can't help but worry and pray that everything will be fine. So just imagine, what about those who know that their friend or relative is suffering from cancer? The fact that you know how deadly cancer is, is already painful.

I have a thing for cancer. 'Coz it's hitting a flock of birds with one stone. Once a person is suffering from cancer, everyone else who is close to that person will be in pain too. The thought of that makes my heart melt.

One afternoon, a group of higher BS Psychology students knocked on our classroom door. They were selling ballers or rubber wristbands. In turns out, that they have a friend over at DLSU-CSB who is currently having his chemotherapy treatment. His name is Iggy. And he has leukemia. His friends at UST were selling these iCANCERvive ballers in order to raise money, and help Iggy's family with the medical expenses.

The ballers come in different colors--9 or 12 colors I think. I don't remember. I immediately wrote my name on the order slip. I got 3 ballers with 3 different colors. Each color represents a type of cancer. I got RED--Cancer Prevention, PURPLE--CANCER IN GENERAL and YELLOW--CANCER FOR KIDS. Now, almost everyone in our class owns an iCANCERvive baller. We don't bother wearing it. It's for a noble cause--plus, it's super cute!


The gesture may not seem big. We may not contribute much (ballers are sold at 60 pesos each), but at least we helped. As the saying goes, you can't have 100 pesos without 1 peso, right? Every single penny counts. This is not just for Iggy.

The baller symbolizes HOPE. Hope for everyone who has cancer. Hope for those who know someone suffering from this illness. It's not too late. With one simple gesture, you may save millions. Never lose hope.

Oh, this is an inspiring song. I know most of you have heard this already, still, it is an amazing song.

JUST STAND UP -- CLICK FOR VIDEO (I couldn't get the embedded codes. Boo YouTube once more.)

JUST STAND UP -- LYRICS

UNITE FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER!

Weekend with Diko!!

In fairy tales, the princesses have their fairy godmothers. In my life, I have Diko. HAHAHA!

Most of the time, people mistaken my Diko as my mother. Since she's the one who used to pick me up from school after work, and I'm usually seen around town with her. No, she's not my mom...but I treat her like my own mom. I'm her anak-anakan. Hehehe. I'm a Diko's girl. Spoiled--very spoiled. I get everything I want if Diko's around! Sadly, when I left Zamboanga months ago, I only said my farewell over the phone. I expected her to drop by the airport to say "Goodbye" or rather "See you soon!". But she didn't. When I hung up the phone, I bawled again. And I was on my way to the airport!

Anyway, she called me last Tuesday and asked if I knew how to get to SM Megamall from where I'm at (which is just beside UST--FAR from Mega.) She just asked then hung up afterward. Smelling something fishy, I called my Mom and asked about Diko's whereabouts. Aha! She was in Manila for a training. Apparently, she just got promoted and will be here for a month due to training. :) So I called Diko again.

Me: Diko, porque to ta prigunta if sabe yo anda Megamall solo solo? (Why'd you ask if I knew how to get to Megamall by myself?)

Diko: Tiene kosa dale kuntigo si Auntie Jayne (her close friend who is based here in Manila).(Auntie Jayne has something to give you.)

Me: Ahhhh. Ok. Onde tu? (Ahhh. Ok. Where are you?)

Diko: Taki na Mindpro (mall in Zamboanga). Porque? (In Mindpro. Why?)
Me: Mindpro? Hindi ansina de aboroto el Mindpro nuh. Onde tu?? (Mindpro? Mindpro isn't that noisy nuh. Where are you?)

Diko: Mindpro gane. (Mindpro nga.)

Me: Heh! Abla si Mama taki tu na Manila! So..cuando kita man mirahan? (Heh! Mama said you're here in Manila! So, when are we going to meet up?)

My heart leaped a mile when I saw her again! Diko's heeeerreee!!We met at Uncle Dong's new resto at Greenhills, and ate lunch there--with Uncle Dong of course.


After a supernova heavy lunch, we headed to the Greenhills tiangge! And did some shopping. Hehehe. Yes, I get everything I want when Diko is around.

Taxi: Going to Greenhills

Headed to Robinsons Galleria where Diko bought around 3 pairs of shoes HAHA

Super expensive doll Shobe wants for her birthday O_o It's worth more than my one month's allowance! It poops and pees. Okay.

The cause of my tonsilitis.. avocado ice cream @ Art's Cream House

Me being vain and Diko being shy. EHEM.

We then went back to Malayan Plaza--Diko's new home for the month. Dropped off the shopping bags then headed to Megamall, which was just across the street. Hehe. Since we were still full from the supernova and yummy lunch, we decided to go for movie first then eat dinner after. We looked at the movie schedule for about 5 minutes. The only movie we haven't watched yet was Kimmy Dora (click for more info). So, yeah, we ended up watching that. Hehehe.

At first, I sat in the movie place feeling so baduy, but then after a while I was laughing along with everyone. Such a good Pinoy comedy movie! The funniest and wittiest Pinoy comedy movie I have watched in ages! Highly recommended by me! Yes, I have a jologs side.

I couldn't get over the movie yet, which resulted to me talking about it the entire time we ate dinner at Racks. Yummy food. Tonsilitis started though..no soda for me. Just water. :)

The next day, I woke up with a really really painful throat and a grumbling tummy. Sadly, I couldn't enjoy the breakfast buffet 'coz every time I swallowed, it just hurt too much. I knew that tonsilitis would result to fever. And I was right. After an hour, I was heating up. Though that didn't stop me from going to the salon and getting a new hair cut and a mani-pedi with Diko. Imagine that!


Diko insisted that we go home already 'coz I was burning when I took that photo. Still, smile for the camera! Well, I ended up being sick the entire time after. I had to go back to the apartment by Monday afternoon, so Diko dropped me off. As we got off the taxi, I rushed to the toilet and puked. Stupid cab driver must've thought we were in a racing competition. Drove too fast and too recklessly.

Chillin' at the apartment :)

I'm still sick as I type this. Hehehe! But it's ok. I just couldn't wait to post this entry anyway. Imma be with Diko next next weekend again! YAY! :D Can't wait!

My New Baby!

I have a new baby! A very expensive baby! hahaha! After almost 8 months of suffering, my wish has been delivered! Yes! I got my dream phone--the Nokia E71. One of the coolest smartphones in the market today.

After months of just looking at it and holding the dummy cellphones in gadget stores, I finally have my own unit now! I got it last August 16, 2009. Supposedly, I would've gotten the red one:


So pretty, right? But no, I changed my mind in the last minute and got the sleek and full black one instead.


Why? Because my other phone, the Nokia 6300, which i still love is already red. It would've been too redundant to have two red phones. I went on and purchased the black! It looks cool, right? Of course it does! Even my blockmates said it looks like a Blackberry. Awesome, yes?

It's almost a month old and it's still in top shape! No scratches whatsoever. I bought a red pouch for it--for protection. I don't want something very expensive to be damaged or scratched. I'd be baffled if there is merely a scratch on it. I'm very meticulous with my gadgets. Weird? Oh well. That's my way. :)

Now, with my new baby, I can surf the net (given that I'm in a Wi-Fi area), tweet, Chat on YM, and it's also my personal planner!

Here are the specs if you're interested. SPECS

So, if you're planning on getting a new phone. Make this one of your choices! :) It's GREAT. Sleek and Handy. PROFESSIONAL and RAGGED all in one mobile phone!

Back from the Dead

Hi there, readers! It's Me. Yes, It's really me. I haven't been posting anything lately 'coz I barely have free time on my hands! I miss blogging very much. And I've only found time to update my site NOW. Well, it's not even a complete update! Just sharing why I haven't been posting anything for soooooooo long! But yes, as I've mentioned, I've been busy. Being a college student is über tiring and draining. I am sleep deprived most of the time.

Anyway, lots has happened during the time that I went missing. heehee. I will post some of those happenings maybe later. 'Coz I'm currently at the University library. Just relaxing. Actually, I'm so sleepy that I'm almost convinced I wanna go back to the apartment and just sleep. I barely had 5 hours of sleep! Who's to blame? or rather, what's to blame? Zoology Lab Practical Exam number 100000...!!!! Just kidding, it's only just about our 7th or 8th practical exam. And it today's exam was surprisingly easy. I believe I aced it. I NEED TO ACE EVERY QUIZ FROM NOW ON! Or else, I'm back to Zamboanga. FAILURE. But no, I won't let that happen. I fail on the little things, but not on the big stuff! :P

Speaking of Zamboanga, in less that 2 months I will be heading home! SEMBREAK, baby! I'm just waiting for the official and final schedules of the final exams and the enrollment dates and then I get to book my ticket home. Oh home. The word itself is sweet. :)

See, I may have been gone for a while, but I still have lots to say! hahaha! I'll be going now. I will definitely try my best to post again later today or this week. Ciao for now! xo

Cheesiest Poem Ever Made

Mahal kita, todo todo
Walang break, walang preno
Mabangga man sa kanto
Ikaw pa rin ang mahal ko

Sa dahon ng gumamela
Sa bulaklak ng sampaguita
Doon mo makikita ang
salitang "mahal kita"

Mahal kita sa Filipino
I Love You sa English
143 sa Mathematics
Ewan ko lang sa Physics

Tubig is water
Ilog is river
Combine it them together
I love you forever.

My blockmate Louise sent me this "poem" via text. I found it so cute that I read it to my roomies, and forwarded it to most of my friends. I dunno if lots know this "poem " already. Just wanted to share. Yeah, I admit, it's so corny, but hell, it's FUNNY! HAHAHAHA!

3 More Months...

Title says it all. I miss home. I miss home so so so so so much. :( I wanna go home.

OK--why so sudden? Well, I was sick last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. OK--flashback!

Thursday (July 2, 2009)
After the College of Science mass, my blockmate and I went to change into our sport outfits for P.E. (Yes, I'm athletic again). On our way back to the Main Building, it started drizzling. It wasn't a big deal at that time. We get drizzled on all the time (though I carry an umbrella in my bag everyday). Afterwards, Louise (my blockmate and P.E.-mate) rushed to the University pool. The previous week, our coach said we would be meeting there. To our surprise, no one was there when we arrived. We figured since it was still a bit early, the others were just running late. After 15 minutes or so, we FINALLY noticed the note that was posted on one of the chairs. DUH. Why post a note on a chair? and it was written using a pen! Not even a marker or something more noticeable from afar! Anyway, the coach left a note saying that we would be meeting at the field behind the Accountancy building. Bummer. We hurriedly rushed to the field. P.E. was fun. Met new friends and learned how to hold a glove and throw a ball and catch a ball...the basic softball stuff. It was super duper tiring, but still enjoyable. :) Picking up balls was the hardest part...ughhhhhhh. hahahaha! After the incredibly tiring P.E. session, I walked home, relaxed for a bit, then went for a nap. When I woke up, my temperature soared high..I was having a fever. Damn Vitamins didn't do their job. I needed to study for 2 major quizzes and 1 minor quiz. *straight face* That's how I got sick.

Friday (July 3, 2009)
I couldn't get up. I still wasn't feeling well. I had a fever. Oh, and body pain, a cold and a two-week cough to compliment each other. I didn't go to class. I had to shove more medicines down my throat, and I had to miss the minor quiz in Theology. Damn. 10 points down the drain! It was the first minor quiz too! Luckily, I felt better after a few hours. Fever and cold were gone, but the cough and the terrible body pain remained. I was in so much pain--I could barely climb the stairs without saying "aray"! I am so out of shape. *straight face again* I had to attend the afternoon classes, I couldn't afford to miss the 2 major quizzes--in SocioAnthro and College Algebra. I was in no condition to take the quizzes, but I HAD too. Before going to class, I passed by the UST Health Service for check up. Thank God I didn't have Ahini--I mean, A(H1N1). Hehehe. Of course, after school I went back to Aco's place. My Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister called. That's when I started missing home.

Saturday (July 4, 2009)
I didn't feel great again. Slight fever came coming back. I guess this was just because of the homesickness. I wanted to go back to Zamboanga so bad. If I could have bought myself a plane ticket home right then and there, I would've! I was THAT desperate. First time I cried because of missing home and the people. I miss my family. The food. The people at home. MY ROOM. MY BED. EVERYTHING about it. :(

Sunday (July 5, 2009)
FINALLY. I was well and recovered. My homesickness stayed though. Aco and I left the house early. Went to church, got a urinalysis and a blood test (just in case coz I was getting sick frequently already), and went to eat breakfast at the Pancake House in Binondo.

The Pancake House menu front cover:


HOME. I missed home even more. I wanted to cry!!!! Gosh. I felt so miserable. :(

At times like those, I wish there were classes everyday. So I wouldn't have to miss home too much. I would be too busy thinking about school. :( Zamboanga, see you in October. I miss you terribly. Three more months!


P.S. I promised myself that I would start blogging about this 3 days ago...and now it is here. Super delayed!

Happy Fathers Day!

I am very much blessed. I am blessed with a father like Eduardo "Eddie" Tan Amik. I am forever grateful.

Yes, that's me. Younger years. I was little, and my dad was fat. Hahaha!










My father is an amazing man. He may seem scary at first, but when you get to know him, he's a really kooky kind of guy. He likes playing pranks on people (especially his siblings). At his age, he still manages to make his siblings cry. Imagine that! hahaha! Apart from his goofy personality, he is one of the greatest philosophers that I have met. Through my rough times, he was the one who gave me advice. Just advice. He didn't tell me what to do. He gave me his opinions and views, and it was up to me if I was going to take them or not. He never forced me to do anything. But he always reminded me, that THIS IS MY LIFE. Whatever I do or decide, I would have to live with it. Not him. Not my mother. Not my siblings. But me and me alone. I agree.


I am a stubborn daughter. I know that. I'm hard-headed, maldita, lalalala. I know. Everyone knows. While my Mom would reprimand me endlessly, my Dad keeps quiet. It's a Dad's role to usually discipline a child, but my Dad isn't like that. After my Mom would finish reprimanding me, my Dad would approach me and say, "I don't want to hurt you, because I get hurt too."

He is a very sensitive person. Below the surface, he is very sensitive. He cries more than my mom! Anyway, I just got off the phone with him around 30 minutes ago. I was looking through our old photos together, and I was saddened. He's miles away from me. I miss him knocking on my door everyday and calling me to eat lunch or dinner. Also, him knocking on my door every time our Internet connection was down. Yes, he's a tech-savy dad. hehehe He's actually the one who's into photography. I just harborned his camera for a couple of months. hehehe.

"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." -- Sigmund Freud

My dad would give up anything for his family. He's selfless. He puts his family before himself. It doesn't matter if he doesn't get what he wants, I am talking mostly about material things here. All that matters to him is that his family is satisfied, and healthy. Those simple things would already fill his needs. It makes him happy.

During my high school graduation

Oh, and one last thing. He is my karaoke partner!!! His favorite songs to sing: Puff the Magic Dragon, Top of the World (with me, of course), and Wonderful Tonight (for my Mom.) He influenced me a lot, actually. He made me listen to old country singers like Kenny Rogers, etc. It's also because of him that I'm into photography.

Dad, thanks for being there for me always. You've always supported me. You are an amazing person. I am very lucky and grateful to have you in my life. I am the person that I am today because of you. I am wiser and mature (Well, I think so. hehe). Thank you for EVERYTHING I am grateful and very proud to have you as my Father. You are one and only. I love you, and I miss you!


Special Mention:

This is my Dad's father. Angkong. Even though he is no longer with us here on Earth, he will always be in our hearts. Thanks for guiding us, and for keeping us healthy, Angkong. We miss you!


I was an Angkong's girl. Being his first grandchild, I got everything and anything I wanted. Really spoiled. I think my Dad got his prankster side from Angkong. He used to pull pranks all the time too! hehehe!

I miss and love you all. :)