Top Ten for 2010! :)

2010 just ended and a brand new year just commenced. A lot of things happened in the year 2010. There were so many milestones, changes, new people, in new places and even new ventures. I can damn guarantee you that 2010 was one heck of a year and definitely topped all 22 years of my life.

As a quick trivia, our family doesn't do any age old new year traditions - no fireworks, no torotots, countdowns and whatnot. We simply pray the rosary precisely at 12mn then go back to our rooms. :) This yearly thing keeps me in check and definitely reflective in silence and yeah, in boredom. And as such, every year, I make sure I look back at all the blessings I've received. Thus, here are the top 10 things I'm very thankful for 2010 :)

10. "Daang matuwid" dominates the elections

The May 2010 elections marked the first time I voted for national government positions. That's a big jump from the usual class officers then student council elections I'm used to voting for. HAHA.

From the very start, I knew who I was going to vote for and I was confident that my bet, Noynoy would win. Yeah, you can cast a stone on me if you want to - especially those who never wanted and never will like the fact that a guy like Noynoy ended up to be our president. But hey, he is our president and I am happy that he is.

I know this guy does have his shortcomings. He doesn't have a masters degree or even a doctorate to boost his credentials. He doesn't have a long list of experiences and/or achievements.

But yes, I bet you guys will mention the name that he carries. To me, it was more than just the AQUINO bloodline/name. It was his responsibility to protect that name and the love for the country that he inherited. That incorruptible state of mind that we ourselves always wanted. Sa ayaw at sa gusto ninyo, we have a president who's blazing the straight path. :)

9. School Pride :)

Despite the fact that I'm athletically-challenged (if there is such a term), I am an avid fan of sports - especially if my alma mater/s are on the winning end. Thankfully, the teams I cheered for this year all won championships. :)

Ateneo won both Juniors' and Seniors' UAAP Basketball championship. Take note: for the third straight year!!! :) Sweet sweet double three-peat! :)

Now let's not forget the UP Pep Squad for reclaiming the UAAP Cheerdance competition crown :)

UP and Ateneo reprezent!

Hopefully next year I'll be cheering for the green side every now and then. :P

8. Highschool never ends

This is actually a late entry for this list. Had this high school-high the other day - eMboys Christmas 2010 reunion. :) Definitely, a lot of things have changed since the last reunion. Lalo na since high school graduation. It's actually cool to know that most of my classmates back then are mostly law or med students. Mga half pa lang kaming nasa workforce pala. :) Watch out guys, the eMboys just might run this country in the future. :P

7. SugarStop

It all started while my friends and I were walking around Eastwood waiting for a movie. We all needed some extra cash. We all needed some sources of income aside from our allowances/salaries. Thus, SugarStop came to be! :) 2010 will mark as the year this venture came to life and I'm claiming it, big things are coming for this venture in 2011. :)

6. Tagged as Sir Tonico

Yes, that's how I get called these days. I spend my early mornings in Taft teaching - or in better words, educating the minds of college students. I actually never thought I'd have this chance so early in my career but an e-mail followed by a phone call, then a teaching demo earned me the opportunity to teach. :) If you guys know me well, it has always been my dream to teach. Thus, I'm living my dream. Hope all things work out this trimester :)

5. Agency Life

That's me right there living the agency life. Most people say that life in an advertising agency or in a marketing research firm is living life like a prostitute. I must admit that working for my company hasn't been easy. Stress. Overtime. Panic. Information overload. All that mixed up with the honor of working in multinational company like mine. :)

I must say that I'm very honored to be part of the MRM team. More than just the milestones that the team has garnered, it's being part of a team that I can call my family in the workforce. Because of these people, I'm having a good time at work. Maybe it's the fact that it's my first job. But I'm pretty sure this group is special. :)

4. My Passwords

It took some time until the four of us got together. This was like our first complete picture after more than a year. I don't want to be cheesy but these guys and I go way back. Thankfully, we're complete once again and rockin' it. And yes, these are the other people behind SugarStop - which all the more makes it sweet.

Cheers to more adventures with you guys. :) We've come a long waaay. :D

3. Weekends and Holidays

Never have I appreciated weekends and holidays this much until I joined the workforce. I just realized why there are such things in the calendar. :) These non-working days have kept me sane amidst the stressful life of balancing work and school. Other than using these weekends and holidays to sleep and energize, marami rin akong narating - now with my new found adulthood freedom. HAHA.

I've partied hard on several friday nights. :)

and went out of town with friends as well! :D

tagaytay with password

Kim and Yaw's wedding in Baguio

Although it's been said that there will be less long weekends for 2011, I'm looking forward to more adventures with my friends this year. :)

2. I earned my BS Stat Degree!

FYI, I graduated last April 2010. :) Not only did my graduation mark the end of my college life, but it marked the start of my life as part of the labor force. I definitely felt so honored to wear that sablay and receive my award and diploma early this year. It really was a big milestone for myself as I move on now with my corporate life. I've got to admit, I miss my college friends and living the isko life.

1. One big happy family

This year, our family grew slightly bigger as my brother and his wife Kim bore a child - Zia Charlize Maningat. Ever since she was born that faithful morning, she's been our family's bundle of joy. :) She's the first "girl" in the family and that all the more makes her special.

Take note guys, Zia's my inaanak! That makes her doubly special to me!!! :D

As I always say, I'm having the time of my life. 2010 just started everything. I know 2011 will be epic - as well as 2012, 2013... and so on and so forth. All these stress and fatigue that I'm feeling are all worth it. Never have I felt so happy and blessed in my life.

Happy new year everyone!

There is hope

"Saan ba nakasulat na kailangang puro pagtitiis ang tadhana ng Pilipino?"

This may be a bit late but I just really need to express the feeling of hope and love for the country. Last Wednesday was Noynoy Aquino's inauguration as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines. The whole event had that feeling of renewed spirit among the Filipinos.

All eyes were on Noynoy as his inauguration marked the end of GMA's term and the start of his unexpected presidency.

Except for the barong and slacks, Noynoy's appearance and demeanor were as normal as they could get. In fact, he even cut down on the menu for his celebratory cocktails and meals. He went to Malacanang stopping at every stoplight and passing through the right way. He went down his SUV not minding the fact that he was only in his camisa de chino's. He didn't even have his balding head fixed for the event. Come on, it was supposed to be his big day. But look, he made us feel that it was OUR day.

His speech was one for the ages. It was no-holds-barred. It was a wake up call for us Filipinos. He basically said that we've got a lot of work to do around here and for him, it should start by setting a good example. I was a bit worried that 6 years would not be enough and he was promising too much. In the end, I admire him for taking the challenge. Perhaps most people didn't expect that his speech would make much of an impact. But look, his words definitely gave us a reason to have hope for our country. :)

I've campaigned for Noynoy from the very start. I am truly happy that MY president is now OUR president.

PS. Before inauguration proper, there was a series of intermission numbers. All the performers delighted the audience with songs on nationalism. Moments before Noy was sworn in, Noel Cabangon pulled this off:

Imagine, a crowd of hundred thousands and a stage full of A-listers singing together and raising their hands up. At first some leaders were giving him the eyebrow but in the end, it was a moment for the country. Kudos to Noel Cabangon.

Watching this live on TV gave me the shivers. It's been a while since I felt that way towards the country. There is HOPE! :)