Stardust

And now comes the sequel of my blog entry last year entitled  “Toni’s 2008: The year that was…” One thing is for sure about the year ‘09, it sure brought out the best and the worst not only in us, Filipinos, but of course, in me as well. Should focus more on myself for now since this is my blog entry. Hahaha! Anyway,  2009, for me,  is a year of moving forward again to greater heights, taking risks, testing patience, rekindling old friendship and starting a whole new life different from what I have imagined for myself. Again, it’s my honor to present to you (parang awards night lang, hahaha) my year 2009. Sorry, I lost track of what happened every month so better do the following in bullet points but in chronological order.

• Eraserheads Live: The Final Set was staged in Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. I was so thrilled watching again Eraserheads after their cut-short-reunion-concert last August 30, 2008. March 7, 2009 would forever be etched in my mind. So special because Liz and I were able to score media passes from MTV. Weee!!!

• The death of Corazon “Cory” Aquino awakened the spirit of nationalism in me. Seeing how people queued outside Manila Cathedral to see the former President’s remains and how everyone withstood the heat of the sun and the rain fall just to see her funeral cortege, made me realize how good and important Cory’s contribution in our country must be. Sorry, I’m not yet born when Martial Law was declared and I was still very young when People Power happened. Liz and I covering the event through photos and videos is very much historical. Glad to be part of history this time.

• Enough is enough. I realized, as always, that things seem to be unfair already. More than a year and still no improvement. So I decided to let go, move on and take risk.

• Took the gruelling NEDA exam and the interview for a position in the Ofc. of Sen. Francis Pangilinan. Yeah, yeah…I know it’s not SO ME! I mean, government, politics? Eeerrrr…0_o … but who cares! What’s my Civil Service eligibility for if I can’t make use of it. Anyway, who knows, it won’t hurt to give a try.

• I failed in the NEDA exam and got the position at the Ofc. of Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. God’s will i guess. I was so thrilled, excited, scared and everything in between that comes along with entering a whole new different phase which is a far cry from what I have envisioned for myself.

• The first time in my life that I felt the need to be involved in our country’s fight for change. Never in my life have I imagined myself to be involved and actually now engrossed in politics. But hey, don’t get me wrong, this is more on the reform side. Glad to have met people who’s mission in life is to bring about change to our nation and also the chance meet a real change maker in the person of 2009 CNN Hero Efren Peñalorida.

• Ondoy and Pepeng took away many lives and properties but real life heroes emerged in each and everyone of us. Glad to have helped these people who are in need by joining Team Kiko’s relief operations in different places where help is much needed. I actually want to take part in something like this for so long but just don’t know how and where to start. Glad to have met new friends from different relief operations and events.

• Glad to have mingled and actually get to know most of Team Kiko through our annual Christmas presentation. Nice bonding time and of course, dance rehearsals, cash prize and bonus! Weee!!!

• Avenue Q is BACK!!! It will run on March 21, 2010 and I already reserved 2 tix for me and Liz in the Orchestra center. SUCH A GREAT NEWS before the year ends.

• It’s been a decade already since I have seen most of my schoolmates way back in high school. What a way to end the year by rekindling old friendship and starting a new one by celebrating our 10th year through a nostalgic reunion that definitely gave us chance to catch up on each other’s lives. I personally want to thank Marlon and all other organizers for coming up with a simple get together for Sacreans Batch ‘99. I know it was so stressful but all’s well that ends well.

Try Boxing. Ummm…this one came true by first week of January but ceased after 6-7 sessions because…I don’t know. Hahaha!!! Laziness struck and It was somewhat a weird experience to have a sparring with a heavy weight while I am still recovering from my sickness. Result was, my body and hands were aching for the longest time that my momentum for boxing already died down. But I am still hoping to get back. After all, the cost of our gloves is not wallflower worthy only.

Save. Wasn’t able to save much because I am paying my house’s monthly amortization, but good news is, I was able to open a savings account in BPI. Hahaha.

Allot money for house construction. Okay! So my mom paid for the construction of my house’s picket fence, but hey, I was the one who paid for the labor and the construction fee. That already counts!

Travel diet. This one really came true that Liz and I’s feet are already itching for some travel time this 2010. Guess what, we were only able to go to Clark, Pampanga to cover the 14th Philippine  International Hot Air Balloon Festival and to Casiguran for its 400th year anniversary. Both are work related so I can’t say we really had some time to relax just like our previous travels. So this 2010, we’ll start the summer by taking a trip out of the country. Singapore!!! I actually want Bangkok but since we’re gonna have a free accommodation in Singapore, because Anne, our friend, works there, then better go there than nothing. 

Well, well, well…looks like I have covered up almost everything in my blueprint. I ain’t sure yet if I have to make a 2010 Blueprint though.

So, CHEERS to the year 2009 and hoping for a BETTER 2010!!! HAPPY YEAR OF THE TIGER!!!