That Emo Post Again

Speaking my mind and networking shout-outs all seemed so overrated. 
I'll try friggin' shutting up for a change. Even for just a while. Even just for now. 

Because 'they' are all starting to cloud up my mind, my words, my actions.  

Full of filth. Full of shame. Full of guilt. 

No amount of sleep deprivation or percent alcohol or stress-eating cravings 
could ever quench the sorrow and emptiness that I feel right now.

Project: 'Manila Paper' at Sir Mots

Project: Manila Paper, apparently, is the great Sir Mot's version of Ben Heime's Pencil vs. Camera. It was a brain juice explosion at first sight I just can't help myself from reposting this scrumptious eye-candy. Taken at different ubiquitous places and landmarks around Manila, the project came from the primordial brain soup of conceptual artist slash photographer Raffy Parcon. My favorites are of course the architectural creative shots shown below :) For more of Project: Manila Paper, visit Sir Mot's yummy blog here. All photo credit goes to Sir Mots and his partners in this endeavor :)

Manila City Hall

Manila Cathedral, Intramuros

Sang building to?

Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arc at Binondo, Manila

Music and Architecture: Dos Bravissimos Concert

I had a blast last night at the Cultural Center of the Philippines with my brothers and sisters of Awit Papuri. Ate L (a Voice Major at UST) invited us in this wonderful rare joint concert by the world's most awarded choir from the University of Ljubljana, Akademski Pevski Zbor (APZ) Tone Tomšic of Slovenia and our very own Choir of the World winner, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Singers.

I was ecstatic because I had a lot of 'firsts' in that event. It was my first time watching a choir concert. Second, it was also my first time in CCP (I was literally and 'addictively' breathing and sniffing Leandro Locsin's concrete edifice paying close attention to the monumentality, intricacy, and 'sense of place' of the place). And last, who-are-you-freakin'-kidding-that-was-the-best-performance-ever! I tell you, there is a lot of reason to be jumpy because the theater I've been to last night was able to fuse two of my best love ever - quality choir music and quality architecture.

Refreshingly soul-stirring, I honestly had a deeper and more profound appreciation of the beautiful voices God gave us, and the ideas he continuously inspires upon the top stewards of built environment, our Architects. Swear I will never take these things again for granted. (Might as well check out this article and this article for more information about Dos Bravissimos).

Akademski Pevski Zbor (APZ) Tone Tomšič from the University of Ljubjana in Slovenia

University of Santo Tomas Singers

ArchInspire #021: Case Studies

Graphic Layout and Design have always been my favorite part in writing up and preparing data presentation and analysis. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until my thesis adviser asked me to present my case studies as part of a chapter in an interesting and comprehensive manner. Something tells me it’s not the usual ‘text-and-picture-with-caption’ layout he’s pointing out (as seen ubiquitously in any average textbook), so I made these:

National Association of Realtors Building
Foreign Case Study No. 1

Heifer International Headquarters
Foreign Case Study No. 2

St. Alphonsus Mary di Liguori Parish
Local Case Study No. 2

No photoshop application magic here, it's just your plain old reliable blank page from the Microsoft Office Publisher 2007. Primitive right? :) Some photos and texts were borrowed from 'Emerald Architecture' (A Green Source: McGraw-Hill Construction Publication). But the creative layout and analysis is all mine :)

Update 07.19.11

• Ma’m R might be glad to hear that I may have been doing unprecedented late-night YPE sessions on my own. I met a potential candidate last night. And I am proud that I am getting good at rejecting indecent proposals. I swear I won’t put myself again at such a given situation. *phew*
• Speaking of proposals, I had just e-mailed yesterday the concerned office about my ongoing project-oriented thesis study. My fingers are crossed at coming up with results by the end of this week. I am so hoping to get on now with the next chapter which is about the site selection process and the presentation of data and analysis. If I could just get the zeal to finish off with those ‘comprehensive’ case studies. Ugh. My brain cells are not entirely tired. It’s my inner issues I am so concerned about.
• I am literally dragging myself to proceed with the thesis writing. I must keep my head on the game and look straight on the prize waiting at the end of the finish line. I swear I’ll put off those Gossip Girl Season 3 episodes now.
• What joy! I had just received a reply from an ordained SVD priest I messaged yesterday. He also happens to be a blogger which helped in establishing a connection. We have seven or eight common blogger contacts on Facebook. I feel jumpy and all :)

MadMusic#026: Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi composed by our very own Ryan Cayabyab. 
Been singing it in my head for weeks. I just can't help myself :)

Update 07.17.11

• I had my lunch in a fast food chain. And had my dinner in another fast food chain. Whatever happened to our good old home kitchen. Ugh. T_T
• God loves me not because of who I am, but in spite of who I am. - that I learned from Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
• Happy Birthday to my beloved Father :)
•  'Mga Sure-Fire Tips para Hindi Antukin sa Simbahan' Astig na post from a Catholic Seminarian's Blog

Site Review: The Online DataBase for Philippine Architecture

Image borrowed from The Resident Architect

To all Filipino Architects, Architecture Students and Philippine Architecture Enthusiasts, here's a promising site that will be a consolidation of free, web-based information and exhibition of notable Philippine Architecture and Architects. (Reblogged from The Resident Architect)


Check their site by clicking this link - www.arkitektura.ph

Vocal Torture

Image borrowed here

It was vocal torture. A truth that I cannot and will not deny. It is what I get from deciding to sing consecutively in four, sometimes even five, Eucharistic celebrations during Sundays. It is what I get from helping out and drowning from all the expectations that grows and feed my self-esteem. It is what I get from actually enjoying the right notes and voicings. It is what I get from singing.

But now it must all come into a stop. Bummer. As much as I hate it to be. I was reprimanded by my choir mistress yesterday regarding my being a turncoat in the vocal range of the Basses that I may have been too comfortable with to return to the range of the Tenors. It was a pain to sing all the high notes again. Signs of the strain I've been putting too much on my vocal chords.

Now, I just don't know what to do. I thought I could have the best of both worlds. But I was wrong. So wrong that I have no idea singing could be so painful. *sigh*

My heart is restless, O God, until it rests in Thee.

St. Augustine of Hippo

Update 07.03.11

• I attended earlier a Discernment 'Search-In' Seminar for Single Young Men @ the Society of the Divine Word Seminary (SVD) inside the compound of Christ the King Parish - E. Rodriguez. Together with 2 applicants, we had an orientation, field tour, interview and brief background  led by seminarians and the vocations director on what it's like to live and study inside the seminary. I am looking forward at returning every first Sunday of the week to further discern and have guidance on my calling :) 
• Slowly and contemplatively, may this fuel my motivation to finish my architectural thesis and eventually my collegiate degree. May the Good Lord be upon me :)
• I am so loving this site: The Pinoy Catholic

Overpopulation as a Cause of Poverty is a Myth!

Reposted from The Filipino Roman. Exactly my point. Do you also agree? Click here