The First Manila.js Meetup

Last March 8, Leo and I walked our way to Eastwood. LOL. Well that's not really it. We went to the Manila.JS meetup held at the ProudCloud offices in Eastwood City, Libis. This is an event organized for all the Javascript enthusiasts to learn more about the technology and share their experiences with one another. This is also a day of reunion for my PUP-BSIT batchmates, Donn and Zey which I haven't seen for two years straight, as well as Ben and Michelle who I'm seeing for two years straight since we're officemates.

There were three speakers for this event: Jason Torres, James Florentino and Rico Sta. Cruz, the organizer of this gathering. Jason discussed the history of Javascript and how it is used and will be used. It was really interesting since I was just introduced to Javascript by force. LOL. Well, what really happened is that I was asked at work to use asynchronous calls using AJAX and create pretty UIs. But as the speaker said, Javascript is not for user interface or JUST the client side of development. It has features for server-side programming as well. Too bad it was not discussed further.

The next speaker James, explained the use of Javascript in prototyping. I wasn't able to understand what he speaks of but I was able to follow using the code he's been typing as he talks. Generally, what I understood was about inheritance from the parent class to the extended one using the prototype attribute. There was a lot of func-ceptions (function within a function within a function) in Javascript, and this part proved it. The talk was done before I knew it.

I wasn't able to listen to Rico's talk but according to the event website, he'll be sharing about Javascript as a server-side language since I need to go early for my undone Japanese assignment. Despite that, the event was cool. It has a laid back feel with its house party aura: snacks on the side and people mingling. Things to improve on may include live examples and some getting-to-know-each-other activities. Overall, the event's awesome. You can visit the Manila.JS website for more information.

Cheers to the Manila.js community!

Anime Festival Asia 2012: It's A Go!

And it is confirmed!

I will be going to Anime Festival Asia 2012 (AFA 2012) to be held at Singapore Expo. This was merely a coincidence because we booked our flight to Singapore for November 9 to 12 last August and after a week of our booking I saw AFA's advertisement. I was like, YAAAAYYY!!

If going to Singapore is my first time to head outside the country, AFA is my first ever international convention. Not only that, it is a well-known gathering of otakus all over Asia and has amazing booths and programs planned for the attendees. This year, AFA was held also in other countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.

AFA is not only an anime convention but also a movie house and a concert hall. I Love Anisong which is dubbed Electric Groove is the musical event for AFA and it will hold three concerts for its three-day event starting 7:00 PM. On November 9, there is the Electro Stage for a solo concert of T.M. Revolution. The next day there will be the Jump Stage for FLOW, LiSa, BABYMETAL, fripSide and m.o.v.e.. On its last day, the Diamond Stage will feature May'n, Minami Kuribayashi, Sea*A and Sphere. Aside from the concerts, movies such as Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Naruto: Road to Ninja will be shown during the day. Separate tickets apply for all of the abovementioned.

Having all of these ahead of me, who am I to be not that excited? See you AFA and see you Singapore!

Hero Face-Off 2012

Despite my late arrival at home last night, there's no stopping to go to my second cosplay convention this year: Hero Face-Off 2012. It was held at MegaTrade Hall 1 in SM Megamall Building B. This event is mainly a cosplay competition and the winner will be the representative of the Philippines for Anime Festival Asia in Singapore on November.

I didn't come to cosplay at all. I came for a new purpose, and that would be photography. Since I've been inactive in cosplay for almost 8 months already (my last cosplay was at AME Monogatari last November), I decided that I will figure out a reason to go to conventions even without a costume. Thank God He gave me a camera. It will now be put into a good use as I'll be roaming around practicing my photography skills.

Also, we had a general meeting with my other club, Otaku URule! Shot Glass, which is the photography division of my cosplay organization from my alma mater, PUP Otaku URule!. I am required to attend because I urged our founder to make this work. Hearing his visions and desire of the other members to learn, I gained the motivation to push this through. We took pictures of the cosplayers outside the hall (yes, I don't have money for the ticket) who are in really cool costumes. Thanks to my officemate who lent me his Lumix camera, I was able to keep up with the settings and produce cute pictures.

Here are some of the pictures I took:

Check the photos at my FlickR account: http://www.flickr.com/people/paupaulene .

It was a tiring day, yet I am very happy to meet other people who walks under the same light as mine. Cheers!

Music of the Night in Manila!

I am one broadway enthusiast. It gained my interest since I was 13 due to my exposure to stage plays. Thanks to my dad who is often invited to act in these performances. This is also the reason why I wanted to enhance my singing abilities. One of my dreams is to perform in a stage musical.

Photo courtesy of Google
To name one of my favorites, it is Phantom of the Opera. I first watched this last 2004 as a movie. Then I searched the Internet for the original one.

Little did I know that it will soon be here in Manila. The Cultural Center of the Philippines will be showing Phantom of the Opera on August to September this year. It will be at the CCP Main Theater and tickets are distributed by TicketWorld. Ticket prices range from Php 2000 - Php 7000.

Oh how I want to watch this. Let me just look for someone to come with me to listen to the music of the night!

Execute Order 24: Surprise the Birthday Boy

Despite my incomplete hours of sleep, I still managed to wake up by 7 to greet Ray. When I called him, he was already awake. I sang him the birthday song like I did a hundred times yesterday for my forced "pre-celebration". I greeted him so many times. Little did he know on what I have up on my sleeve.

I left the house by 8:30, the usual late departure and arrived at the office by 9:30. I saw my allies in the pantry and showed them what I did with the memes. I then rolled out the plan to them. I asked Kuya Bot if he can operate my gift for him; my gift is a remote control (RC) car. I decided to give him an RC car not only because his initials were RC but because he dreams of having a car of his own. So for the meantime, I decided to give him his "own" car, he can drive it alright, with the remote control. Kuya Bot agreed to operate the RC car for me. I also asked Jasper, his batchmate and buddy, to keep him downstairs for around 30-45 minutes when they decided to have a break after lunchtime. By then, we will be setting up the cake, the car and the memes. Everything was well-planned, there was just this one thing: I haven't bought the gift yet.

If there is only an alibi which I could use to excuse myself so that I can go to SM Megamall to buy the car. There was actually one, I told Ray that I'll go to the Globe Business Center to cash out some money for my business. That's fair enough. He said he was sorry he couldn't come because he'll be programming some codes for his project. "Good," I thought yet it really turned out with me saying, "Aww, it's okay". He asked me to return by 11. I managed to do the task before 11 and asked Mitc to tell Kuya Bot to meet me downstairs so it will look like as if he bought something. We were supposed to meet at 7-Eleven but thanks to Globe's delayed messages, Mitc received the messages late. When I took the elevator, Mitc met me outside the office restroom. She texted Kuya Bot to meet us there and gave the gift to him when he arrived. He returned to the office first, then Mitc, then me. Good thing Ray is in a meeting.

Mitc and Kuya Bot offered to buy the cake for me. They even shared some amount which I really see as a big favor. I tried to look for other cheesecakes near our office so it won't be a hassle for them yet they were too pricey. So we just went on with the plan, they went to Conti's Greenhills for the cake to save delivery charge. Ray and I ate his birthday lunch, which is ginataang hipon and monggo. Then we went to SM Megamall to keep him from the office until Mitc and Kuya Bot return.

When we were on Megamall, I asked why he seems so bored even if it's his birthday. He said that it's just a normal and ordinary day for him, in which I considered an advantage for the surprise. Then the conversation steered to where we left off the night before. We once again had the discussion of our misunderstanding yesterday which made me feel bad but eventually okay. When we were already back to good terms, we had a drink at Quickly in the foodcourt. He bought a Choco Loco Super for him and a Super Taro Ice for me. Then we sat at the spot which is very memorable to both of us.

Then we decided to head back to the office. Mitc texted me that they're already at the Podium when we were at the foodcourt. When I texted her that we're in El Pueblo already, she told me to slow down a little since they were still at Jollibee Emerald. We may bump into them in the elevator if ever. So I slowed down my walk and dragged Ray to 7-Eleven by telling him I want chocolate. He insisted to buy later but I said I want to buy now. I silently hoped that it didn't made him suspect a thing. I was waiting for Mitc's reply while choosing for a chocolate. It is really unlikely of me to choose slowly. I finally settled for two bars of Cloud-9. To give Mitc and Kuya Bot more time, I decided to go to the restroom. Ray made a fuss about it by telling me that I should just take the restroom in our floor. I told him in a slightly, overreacting manner that I can't hold it anymore. He then allowed me. I called Mitc when I was in the restroom and said that they were already upstairs. After, we went back to the office.

In a short while, Ray chatted me that Jasper and him will be going downstairs. It's now Jasper's move. I gave him the signal through a message in Yahoo! Messenger. When they left, I told Kuya Bot the route of the car, and the message with it, Mitc and I had the box of cake and placed the troll face sticker inside, I placed the memes in the cake and done. We'll just be waiting for their return. The only fail thing that happened was that I didn't see Jasper's text message immediately. When I saw the message, I chatted Kuya Bot right away to prepare but they were already in the office. I hope it still goes well.

When Ray saw the box (with the troll) he was cool about it. He even appreciated the troll inside. When he sat at this workstation, I went to the pantry to get the cake as he will be dealing with the remote control car which says "Follow Me" (that will be to the pantry to where I am, where the cake is and my troll-faced letter as the parking spot is). When he arrived at the pantry, I can say he was surprised by the cake and the troll letter. Mitc and Kuya Bot followed him as he read the messages in the cake. I called his batchmates to join us as we sing him the birthday song and eat the blueberry cheesecake. I showed him the videos I recorded last night with Balong and RJI greeting him (I also have a video actually). Mitc suggested that one of our officemates has a discount for Shakey's, only Php 400 for two pizzas and a 1.5L softdrinks. He then decided to treat us with that. By the end of the night, we went to Joanjo Panciteria to where my family was celebrating my sister's recognition in her college and greeted Ray a happy birthday too.

Wheeew. Despite what had happened, the misunderstandings, the death-defying circumstances of the plan and financial issues, I still manage to pull this through and make him happy. I can see how happy he really was just by observing him and that really made me thankful that I have him.

I love you sweetie. Happy birthday! :)

26 Missed Calls

Whew! I've been up all night working around tomorrow-slash-today's celebration: it's Ray's birthday!* Everything's done by now: the memes have sticks, ready to be placed on the cake with their messages on the back; I printed two troll faces, one for my letter and one for trolling; and I finally decided on a gift. It will be legen-wait for it-dary!

Today's weird since we parted in not-so-good terms. I really felt bad about what happened but that didn't stop me to continue the plan I've been executing for days. So even if I finished at around 11:30 in the evening, everything is worth it. When the clock struck twelve, I decided to call him to greet him over the phone. But unfortunately, and just as I expected, he is already asleep. I left 26 missed calls, and there's a meaning in it. Ha-ha!

I am looking forward for later, for I know he will be, well yeah, surprised and we're gonna be okay.


* I wrote this blog in the middle of the 23rd and the 24th of February.

A Not-So-Evil Plan

The other February guy celebrates his birthday tomorrow; and he has no idea what I've been up to.

I was planning a simple, surprise celebration for Ray since last Tuesday. I've been telling to myself, "It's his birthday on Friday, what will I get him?". A lot of ideas came pouring yet I haven't chose one that will make it memorable. Then there I was on 9GAG. I remembered how we had our first conversations revolving around the memes on 9GAG, as well as some trivia and wisdom quotes that were posted there. There was also this time when I recalled that we planned to have a customized shirt having our favorite meme on it. Then I decided to theme this celebration with some memes.

Having memes alone will not make it special I thought, since memes are already mainstream. There was even a proposal using memes in the internet and guys or girls lurking around talking about it. I thought of a pillow with memes, masks with memes, but it's just not that good enough. My friend, Michelle, learned about my plan and decided to help me by contributing some ideas. She told me about a some what meme mosaic with messages in it. I found that really cool so I tried to realize the idea. She gave her and Kuya Bot's (another friend of ours) message so that I can start it up. But it was a hassle since I am really not a pro in Photoshop. She asked my progress by Wednesday but to no avail. Right then and there, I thought of a simpler way to have those two essential elements: memes and messages.

Today, I asked Ray's batchmates to give me their messages, with their preferred meme. Some just gave the ordinary memes and the others generated their own. By the end of the day, I finally collected their messages and memes. They had theirs, but I don't have mine yet. My favorite meme is Troll Face and I want that to reflect my message for him. I guess I'll do it later.When I was about to go home, I recalled everything that had happened within the day. Are the messages enough? What am I going to do with it?

Tomorrow, there'll be a surprise party. There will be a cake, it will be from Conti's but I don't know yet if it's blueberry cheesecake (he loves cheesecake so much and even settles for an ice cream with cheesecake flavor) or the bestseller Mango Bravo (I remembered when I showed him an image of this when we're still chatmates). There will be memes with messages on the back and I'll place them on a stick then poke them in the cake which will make the cake more appealing. What else?

Oh yeah, I don't have a gift. Argh.

Le Birthday Dad

Today is the day that our Creator gave me my sweet, loving and jolly father. Today is his birthday and I don't know what to give him as a gift. I greeted him first thing in the morning when I woke up, while he was giving his instructions to my sister. He said thanks and headed to school. I gave him a text message, once again greeting him a happy birthday and telling him I love him. For the first time in history, he replied "thanks. love u2". He doesn't reply most of the time to those three words via text, but now he did. Yay for that!

Upon arriving at the office, I still have no idea what to give him. I asked Ray to accompany me at SM Megamall to look for one. We've gone to car shops, bookstores and clothing boutiques but to no avail. At the end of the day, I just decided to give him a cake. That was a usual buy when there's a birthday in our house. Along with Ray and Michelle when we went home from work, I bought a mango cake from Red Ribbon. Lucky that Red Ribbon allows to write some dedication even if it's a roll cake. Yes, I took advantage of that service and wrote a simple happy birthday note.

My mother called to check if I've already boarded a van and told her that I am still on the line. She asked Ray to come with me to our house for a small celebration. Ray gladly accepted the invitation. Upon arriving home, we just celebrated the night away, thanking God for giving me the best father one could ever have.

Papa Pol, Happy Birthday! I love you always. Thank you for being the best father, brother and friend to me. :)

Hello 2012!

Two. Zero. One. Two. Oooohhhh~ AKEMASHITE OMEDETOU MINNA-SAN! :) In English, HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

I was on the phone with Ray when the clock struck twelve. He was my first call this year. I was talking to him while jumping and shaking the coins in my pocket. Yes, I am still hoping to be taller. We talked for an hour listening to songs and making scenarios in it. We reminisced some of the good ole memories of 2011 and decided to make new milestones this year.

Right before he called, my family decided to pray the rosary to welcome the new year. After, we lit the seven candles which symbolizes the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. After 30 minutes, the candle which turned out to be the smallest will be what we will be given this year; it was knowledge and understanding (they have the same height). Fifteen minutes before twelve when we finished praying, I continued watching How I Met Your Mother until the phone rang.

2011 may not have started very well for me but at least it ended with happiness. Thank you for the new people in my life and those who I knew way before 2011 who stayed. May we all have a prosperous new year ahead and let us push to reach our goals. Cheers everyone! :)

A Helping Hand

Nowadays, I am not fond of updating myself with the local news. If not for the new television in our living room, I wouldn't be able to know about the Typhoon Sendong victims. I only knew about this last Monday, when I saw my sister watching the morning news. I didn't realize that it affected Cagayan de Oro like that. Somewhat like Ondoy... or maybe worse. It suddenly occurred to me that my teammate, Kuya Dexter is from the said province. I fervently prayed that his family were safe despite the massive damage. The number of deaths are counting.

Photos from Yahoo! News
When I arrived at the office last Monday, I immediately asked Kuya Dexter about his family's condition. Good news was that everyone are safe; bad news was his wife's house and belongings were completely washed out. He narrated the story during our daily scrum meeting and decided to extend our help to them.

Lately, Sir Aries, one of our HR personnel sent an e-mail regarding the company's concern on giving donations to Sendong's victims. I didn't hesitate to shell out my extra money to help the ill-fated ones. It was a similar move I did for the Ondoy victims two years ago. I look forward that what I contributed will relieve them from what they lost.

For those who want to extend a hand to our fellowmen in Northern Mindanao, click here.

The DownloadFest and the Afternoon Nostalgia

I was absent for the first time on my OJT today. PUP DownloadFest, an event organized by iBITS, was launched today and we were required to attend. There were some conditions implied by the organization, so I had no choice but to attend. Goodbye additional 9 hours of training.

Donn sent me a text message yesterday asking me to help him apply for our graduation. I agreed although it will cost me my half day at work. I left the house at 9 AM, only to find out that I will be checking my Facebook account at my father's office for four hours. Donn wasn't able to apply because he haven't received his registration card and he is a speaker in the morning session of the seminar. Despite my disappointment, I just did check my Facebook account. I logged in also on Yahoo! Messenger and found my officemate, Kuya Rhage, online. He joked about my supervisor, Sir Ryan, looking for me, angry. I had my lunch at S307, lasagna and burger. Did I say I'm on a diet? Well, I'm telling now. I am on a diet and my breakfast was a single loaf of wheat bread.

By 1 PM, I went to the Bulwagang Balagtas at our school's library. I saw Michelle (my co-trainee at Blast Asia, Inc.), Mafe, Ashley and Mady heading out of the place. They will be eating their lunch so I went with them since I am not sure if I have acquaintances upstairs at the hall. They had their lunch at a gazebo near the Linear Park which gave me: (1) envy of eating the food and (2) nostalgic memories. It was almost 2PM when we returned to the library but as expected, the seminar didn't start on time.

The seminar topics were already common since it was tackled in the Technology Festival last semester. The appealing talks in the seminar were the ImagineCup and SharePoint. Ashley and I were motivated to join the ImagineCup 2011 and to prove that, we are now looking for teammates and started the conceptualization. SharePoint is something I looked forward to, but there was a factor missing when it was being discussed that's why it lessened my interest. Even after the seminar, I've been thinking why was it coined as the "PUP DownloadFest"? To give an overall score to the event, I'll give a 6 over 10. If only the event was planned properly and the possible risks were anticipated, it would've been better. No doubt about how informative the topics were, the topics were applicable to the audience. It's just that there was something missing, and I believe it's planning. That's what I learned in project management. No offense to the organizers who will read this post.

The seminar ended at 5 PM. My classmates, initiated by Michelle, discussed about our upcoming Christmas party this Saturday. I went to my father's office right after. Tita Masing offered me a merienda of Titanic, a big bread sold beside Puregold Altura. But since it's nearing 6 PM, I said thanks but refused the offer. Instead, I asked my father to allow me to buy that kind of bread for my "baon" at work tomorrow. He agreed.

While I was walking to the campus gate, I realized that every place at the campus has its own contribution to my nostalgia. I felt sad, bearing in mind the situation we are both in now. When we were lovers we're at loss, and that's the reason we went back to the basics, as strangers. After this account, I went back to the campus, not realizing both hands are holding two plastics of bread.