A Break-up Letter


I never expected I'd be writing you this letter. We've had six years of wonderful memories but I'm afraid it had come to the Read more

Welcome to the New Yoshke.com


New look. New attitude. New experiences. Honestly, I had been neglecting this blog the past few weeks because of my awfully hectic schedule. Work had Read more

Sometimes We Burn to Live


Whenever I meet people for the first time, it always happens. When they start their sentence with "I hope you don't mind me asking but," Read more

Judging By the Cover


Our office is just a stone's throw from where I live. In fact, all I have to do is cross EDSA and voila, hello Read more

Fireworks, Hormones, and this Blog Post


You remember last week when I told you I found it difficult to blog since I met you? Since we became a couple officially, Read more

Do They Read Blogs in Heaven?


Whenever I say that the earliest memory I have is the accident wherein I had my left arm somewhat toasted, I lie. My earliest Read more

Unusual Breakfast


Here we are again. In the usual corner. Usual table. Usual diner. Usual time. And most probably, usual meal. I'm getting tired of this Read more

Top 10 National Stereotypes


Heaven is where the cooks are French, the police are British, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian and everything is organized by Read more

EDSA


It could have been a horrible Saturday. I was in the passenger seat. It was a bit raining. Normally, EDSA gets on my nerves. That's why Read more

Why Nursery Rhymes Are So Violent


A few months ago, I was teaching my 4-year old nephew some nursery rhymes with a DVD. After a lot of singing, he slowly Read more

Top 10 Worst Things to Say During Sex


Sex is the art of love. It must be done in the most enjoyable and most satisfying manner. This act of love of two Read more

The Promil Kid Drops the Bomb


Of all the living things created by God, I love my nephew the most. I call him the Promil Kid. He’s the cutest thing. Read more

News

Thanks, Philippine Blog Awards 2010!

Posted on by Yoshke in Career, Euphoria, News |

I woke up this morning coughing my lungs out, wondering whether last night was real or not. A few moments later, my hubby greeted me good morning and congrats. I figured, it was real. I hurried to the kitchen to get a glass of water and I saw three trophies on the drawer. One of my other housemates, Dane, congratulated me. Alright, alright, it was real.

image courtesy of Ian Velasco

So last night, I won in 3 categories at the Philippine Blog Awards 2010:

Last night was a little blurry. I barely remember anything. In fact, my Sunday was pretty uneventful until that night. My asthma surely knows perfect timing and does it well. The past weekend, breathing normally has been such a chore. But I don’t have a choice, do I? Yesterday morning, I decided I won’t be attending. My KJ lungs just won’t let me.

I wish I could just take a dose of my anti-asthma medication but its side effects are nasty. I shake, feel weak and get giddy and hyper every time I’m on it. I spent the whole morning working on my travel blogs. My friends kept on insisting that I attend the event but I didn’t wanna risk it. It was only around 6pm that I started feeling a little better.

At around 7:30pm, after reading a whole bunch of posts about the Sarah Geronimo-Cristine Reyes skirmish, I decided to go. I knew I was already late but what the heck. I dressed up, took the bus and entered RCBC building. Hello, Philippine Blog Awards.

Read more

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It Gets Better. So FCKH8!

Posted on by Yoshke in Gay, Music, News, Public Affairs, The World, Videos, Web |

Something beautiful happened over the weekend.

Last Sunday afternoon, October 24, 2010, members of Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA), along with their friends and supporters, came together at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles to work on a project. They were to touch lives with the best way they knew — singing. That afternoon, they produced this incredible video.

I must say, I haven’t cried this much in front of my computer monitor. And I’m in the office for crying out loud. I am moved by this. You can say whatever you want about the song but it expresses perfectly what they wish to send across. It gave me goosebumps. It made me reflect on my own life and realize how lucky I am to get through the worst stages of my life and all the hardships in it. It is true; it gets better.

Sometimes, music does things to us. And kudos to the members of GMCLA and everyone who took part in this inspiring endeavor for spreading the word in a way most people would respond to — music. I’m pretty sure this video is going to change and save lives.

The video is going viral as I write. But another amazing video went viral over the weekend. This one, feistier, catchier, funnier but gets the message through nevertheless.

I’m just not sure about the idea of kids saying “Fuck,” but I like the video. It’s very radical and sometimes that’s all you need to get attention and get everyone to listen. Last week it only had some tens of thousands of views on Youtube but when I checked just 5 minutes ago it’s now way above the million views mark! Good job, FCKH8!

This is an interesting and challenging yet important time for gay people and I believe this is the time to address gay issues. I mean, really address them. Not just gay marriage but also the alarming suicide statistics among gay youths.

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What’s Up With Me

Posted on by Yoshke in Blurts, Movies, Music, News, The World |

Because updating Twitter and Plurk every whatever hour is too grueling a task for me (yeah, I’m lazy like that), why not deliver updates all at once every week? Wahaha.

  • February na! Birthday season. Hahaay. Most of my friends are Februarians. And as I said before, unlike January which I have a love-hate relationship with, February is ALWAYS kind to me. And I know this year ain’t gonna be different.  :D
  • Kelly Clarkson is baaaaack! Although I actually think that My Life Would Suck Without You isn’t one of her best singles, I’m just ecstatic she’s back on top, making history. Hihi. She now holds the record for Billboard’s greatest jump formerly clung under Britney’s belt. Eat that, Britney! (Kidding! I love Britney Spears, too.) Also, she’s the first American Idol to score two Billboard Number 1′s. I’m soooo happy for her. She’s my fave Idol ever. And Carrie Underwood. And David Cook… Aright. I have many fave Idols ever.
  • I’m loving I Hate This Part by The Pussycat Dolls. Lovet. I gotta do eeeet… I gotta do eeeet… I gotta do eeeeeeeet
  • I’ve just found out that Boyce Avenue is coming to Manila. Somebody slap me now! I just can’t help getting giddy this early. They will be performing in the following:
    February 12 – SM Cebu, 6 PM
    February 13 – SM Mall of Asia, 7 PM
    February 14 – SM North Edsa, 5 pm
    February 15 – SM Megamall, 7:30 PM
    I’ve been in love with them since like the Cretaceous Period! I remember the time when their youtube pages had only a few views. Now, they’re getting bigger and more popular. I’m happy for them.
  • I was at Red Box in Greenbelt 3 last Friday night with clients. And it dawned on me that boy band songs love me. I don’t know what he does to make you cry. But I’ll be there to make you smile…
  • I’ve finally seen The Reader. I’m sorry Slumdog Millionaire, The Reader just stole my heart from you. Oscar Best Picture? The Reader for the win. (Kate Winslet is love.)  I’ll be posting my Oscar predictions and the second part of my Movie Rundown: Oscar Contenders post soon. I just need to see Frost/Nixon.
  • Amanda Tanen of Ugly Betty is the apple of my eyes right now. But no, I’m not going straight. She’s more like my role model. My answer to the question: Whom do you want to be like when you grow up? Wahaha.

  • I keep on finding myself in Trinoma lately. Actually, I don’t feel like going out lately. But I have to. Meetings. Groceries. My usual tambayan is at Dairy Queen in Glorietta 4. But Trinoma has been attracting me gravitationally. But it’s aright, Trinoma is my fave mall after all.
  • I didn’t realize there’s actually a Froyo (Frozen Yogurt) place near my place. Yogurbud! Waaah. I know they have branches at SM Megamall and The Podium but I didn’t know there’s also one along Tomas Morato. Yaaaaay! Someone’s gonna be a regular!
  • I’m buying a fridge. Yay. Finally, I can store as much yogurt as I want. And ice cream. And milk. And salad…
  • Andre spent the weekend at my apartment again. So yes, there’ll be a Weekend with Andre Part 2.
  • I was WTF-ing and WTF-ing when I read this report: A Filipino machine operator was reportedly sacked by an engineering firm in Australia allegedly for his toilet habits. A Townsville Bulletin report posted on news.com.au said Amador Bernabe, 43, a Filipino machine operator was kicked out of his job by the Townsville Engineering Industries (TEI) for using water, instead of toilet paper, to clean himself during toilet visits. (abs-cbnnews.com)
  • Dear God, why is it sooo hard to quit smoking! Give me the determination to expel nicotine from my body.
    images courtesy of dessertcomesfirst.com and stereogum.com

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Hugh Jackman to Host Oscars

Posted on by Yoshke in Celebrities, Hotties, Movies, News |

He sings, dances, acts on stage and screen, and he’s [People Magazine's] “Sexiest Man Alive….”

Hugh Jackman was announced Friday as the host of the 81st Academy Awards, a marked departure from the academy’s standard of big-name comedians. Jon Stewart who hosted in 2008 and 2006, and Ellen DeGeneres, the 2007 host, were the latest in a line of funny emcees since 1990. Billy Crystal did it eight times, Whoopi Goldberg took on four, Steve Martin did it twice and David Letterman and Chris Rock each had a shot.

As the parade of A-list comedians continued, ratings were in steady decline. But with new producers, a new director, new set designer and even a new music director, the academy has been hinting for months at an all-new look and feel for this year’s Oscars telecast on Feb. 22.

Source: Huffingtonpost.com

Hmmm. I hope he’s funny. But I am sure to watch the show whatever. Haha.
image courtesy of tinypic.com

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Fact of Life: Boobs Sell

Posted on by Yoshke in News, Public Affairs, The World |

Status: Off to Israel… Kidding
Music: Shoulda Woulda Coulda
- Beverly Knight

No, I’m not encouraging you to go to that Maxim party. (It’ll be in New York, hello!?) I want you to look at the woman on that poster. She’s one of the female (former) Israeli soldiers to grace Maxim’s cover this July. (Yes, she’s a soldier. Really. I swear.) There’s nothing controversial about it really EXCEPT that it is sponsored by the Israeli government itself. And why the hell is Israel doing this? Well, they say, to promote a positive image of the country. Hehehe. You think it’s absurd? Welcome to the club!

The rationale: the Israeli Consulate in New York found out that, apparently, Israel, as a nation, was not particularly well-regarded in the United States and was perceived as “too religious and too militaristic” by the 18-35 male demographic. So, they felt they had to do something about it, and *surprise, surprise* they thought, “We’re not just about guns and Hanukkah. We got pussies, too! Hot pussies! Hot military pussies! Oh yeah! The damn tourists will be flooding our airports soon.”

Of course, this “hot” move by the Jewish nation was not that hot or may be too hot for some people. Protesters claim that the Israeli government is resorting to pornography and trying to sell sex to promote tourism. Oh, protesters, shut up, will ya? It’s not everyday that we see hot bikini-clad Jewish soldiers. (Kidding. Shoot me.)

I can imagine myself talking with a friend:

Yoshke: Hey, I’m going to Jerusalem!
Friend: What for? To see the light?
Yoshke: Not really, dude. No light. Just heaven.

And this reminds me of a marketing gimmick by an airline in Ecuador, where they offer free bikini and swimsuit shows on board. The aisle is the runway, of course. And you can get this close to the models. That airline has already reported a significant increase in bookings. And again, I can imagine:

Yoshke: Let’s go to Ecuador.
Friend: And why? There’s nothing much to see there.
Yoshke: It’s not the destination, man. It’s the journey.

It’s funny how we use women to generate profit. States and businesses alike. It’s funny. But it’s pretty sad, too. Really.

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