when I was a kid
I used to have two people at my side when I sleep
on my right was my mother
on my left was my father

but now i've grown up,
things have changed, like everything was blown up
my mother on my left side
and a pillow on my right side

wondering why the pillow is there
when he, who should be there
he, who should be hugging me
he, who should be beside me

I still remember the days
when he carried me always
always there to make me happy
always there when i'm lonely

I love how you tickle me with your beard
love the way your big hands hold my small hands
i love hearing your heartbeat
until I fell asleep

I miss the days when you cook for me
scolding me when i'm not eating properly
I miss the way we laugh together
taking me with you on your motorcycle

and now that you're gone
don't you know that i'm missing you so much?
I wish to see you once more
kiss and hug you once more

I know that you're always there beside us
always looking after us
I'm lucky that i'm your DAUGHTER
and I am proud that you're my FATHER


-PAOLA JANE S.

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING II

Who’s Geoff?

1. Music
•Loves listening to rock music but does like some RnB and Rap music too.

2. Band
•My favorite local band is Eraserheads but unfortunately they were disbanded a decade ago. I guess after they have finished their contract with BMG. I have completed their 10 albums and also the solo album of Ely Buendia. I love all of their songs and that made me one of their avid fans. I always wanted to see their concerts and fed myself with lots of infos about their whereabouts and also about their lives. Ang Huling El Bimbo stayed on top of the charts for so many months! They have captured the hearts of millions of Filipino people. I always love listening to their song “Minsan.” The song is about remembering the friendship, the start and the end, and that whatever happens one day they’d be there when someone’s in need. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Yeah, a friend would never run to you if he doesn’t know you are his friend. Damn! I missed some of them. The few real friends I have. Life’s changing and life’s a constant change. Just go with the flow.

•My favorite foreign band is Ash and I was and still in love the song “Lost in You.” My favorite song on top of the others. I remember my best friend Zion called it the “you are always on my mind song.” Yeah, I have the record but the cassette tape I had was lost. I guess someone has borrowed it but he didn’t show up after that. So I was left pathetic! Whenever I had the time I always request for it on FM Radios especially when I was in Metro Manila. Yeah! Damn missed NU107 too and of course my beloved 1047ONFM. Oh! I remember Campus Radio! I loved the station too. They played pure rock and alternatives! Let’s get back to Ash! I also was in loved with “A life Less Ordinary.”

•I also love the songs of Juan Dela Cruz Band, Wolf Gang, Rivermaya, Razorback, Afterimage, Francis M., and all the other Pinoy Rock Bands including the mainstreams! The OPM music is really improving!

•Also, I love the music of Nirvana, Metallica, Everclear, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Serosmith, Offspring, Green Day, Dream Theatre, Smashing Pumpkins, Smash Mouth, Rage Against the Machine and all the others. They are to numerous to mention!

3. Food

•Pinakbet. This is an Ilocos Dish. I have always loved this vegetarian dish. Main ingredients include eggplant, sweet potato, okra, ampalaya, tomato, onions and garlic, and bagoong, the famous fish sauce of Pangasinan! I never stopped loving the food especially when my dad or lola cooked it. Toothsome! I also can cook it! I’m actually craving for it right now!

•Beef Steak! I don’t know how my dad cooked it! Savory! I always tried to prepare it as delicious as he did but to no avail! But anyway I still can cook it and it satisfies my taste buds and the people I have.

•Supreme Pistachio and Strawberry Ice Creams! Ooooh. I wish I have large cups of them right now. There were nights of craving that I wasn’t able to stop myself. Even at late hours I went to convenience stores just to have one! I hope someone could treat me a Hageen Daz ice cream and I’d be sane!

•Nachos and Taccos and Pizzas and French Fries and Garlic Bread and Fried Chicken and Bacon and Cheese and Carrots! I am hunger!Haha.

4. Vices

•I drink Coke and Red Horse and I will always be in loved with Jack Daniels! I was always at bars and clubs or if not I party with some friends at home!

•I smoke Marlboro red or gold or blue. I don’t smoke menthol cigarettes. I use filters all the time. They reduce toxins! LOL

•Am I a drug user? What ya think?

5. Clothing

•I always wear black because I think it is and many would approve black clothes are decent. I look good when I wear black! Even underwears! Freak!

•I always wear my wristwatch. I always check time. Mine is precious!

•Always in black shoes.

6. Hobbies

•Bar hopping. A very costly hobby.

•Listening to my music

•Reading books and novels

•Not that into television and movies but you can see me in a movie house if the film catches my attention. The story or the characters or the actors or actresses. Some are really inspiring and thrilling and exciting!

•Videoke

•Walking down the beach

•Information Super highway Trip!

That’s it for now! Thanks.

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING I

It's been a long time! And I'm doing it again!

My room was messy and I haven't got much time of cleaning my room. My pants hanging on one side, my components and computers are dusty, my ashtray was so full of Marlboro butts, my bed disarranged and I even got long nails. Really had no time for everything. I thought I was lost.

I put my clothes and jacket on and went out of my room. Got really prepared to go to Padis Point Dagupan. Yeah, it's where I always stay. Maybe it has become one of my comfort zone. I even sang a lot of times there. I only sang "The Past" or "Stitches and Burns" and I felt like so pathetic that it seemed like they were the only songs i can sing! Anyway, the crowd always enjoyed the music and they even sang with me most of the time. Yeah, they enjoyed the music but not quite sure they've enjoyed my renditions. Haha. I knew the staffs and crews and bands and i met a lot of people. Some really wanted to dance with me so they dragged me in front or if not i danced with them while seated! Haha. Some exchanged their number but most of them never texted. Oh damn! I forgot my perfume. Bought that Bvlgari or Bulgari (which one is right?) from a friend. Silly thing was we made the transaction at the bar!

So, there I was! On my way to Padis. The tricycle drivers needed not ask where I was heading. They knew where to drop me! I was just expecting two friends that night but after few minutes my table was overcrowded. They have those powerful noses! My two bottles became 5 buckets of 6! I almost wished I have gone to Quattro Grill or Asiana instead. But anyway, i really was enjoying. And the bill came! That was almost P 2,000.00 and the excruciatingly funny thing was I were the only one that paid the bill! I didn't have enough cash so i was quite lucky to have brought my credit card. But it was purely a pain in the ass! I almost choked. Best lesson? Don't bring extra cash or your cards! I did nothing but to turn the bottle of Red Horse Beer and drank it bottoms up! Amazing! Too much spending! After that, I decided to go to the famous "Kaleskesan" of Dagupan City to sober myself. Yeah, sumptuous!

What I am thinking right now are the sermons I have heard from some few concerned friends! Some asked "would they accompany you without those bottles?" "are they going to help you if you'd need them?" So it made me realize a lot of things. They were all true. I think some really were nice to me because they needed the booze. Yeah right... "mas masarap ang libre". I do understand sometimes but to think? They should consider that too much is abusive. I ain't mad. But sometimes they should understand that not every time i would understand them... Peace tayo! Batu Bato sa langit! Ang tamaan Pangit!

Let us be responsible enough!