19 YEARS STRONG!

So yeah, another year ends in my journey. April 30 has come again on the calendar sheets, and I usher in a brand new year of this journey called LIFE.

As the title states, I'm already 19 years old starting today. Well, this April 30 was a bit different than in previous years. In the past couple of years, I threw parties for all my close PEEPS. However, this year I spent my whole day with my entire family. Since I'm saving my party money for the NBA game this October here in the Philippines. Because my team, the Houston Rockets will be playing in that game against the Indiana Pacers.

We went to SM North EDSA to have my birthday lunch at Shakey's. Well, I didn't ask for their birthday choir which they do on birthdays of people who dine on all their branches nationwide. Afterwards, we went buying a few clothing. Then before we went back home for the rest of the day. We bought some desserts like pastillas, brownies and ice cream to enjoy for the rest of the day. It's a shame though I wasn't able to take photos along the way since our camera has been lost and we can't find it along our home for the past month. Though I didn't get to spend it with other people in person, it was worth spending time with my family on my day. Add to that, I got a nice birthday win from the Houston Rockets as they won Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Playoffs 105-103 to keep their season alive. I was watching the game until halftime, but I had to bail out since we had to go on that trip for lunch. At least, they got the win and no brooms were sweeping on my birthday.

I'll take this moment to thank those who remembered my birthday with all the greetings and best wishes on Facebook & Twitter, as well as those who texted my phone for their well wishes. You all have played a part in my life and I'm always thankful to each and every one of you. One thing that made my day is that I was greeted by my "crush" as well as a good old friend of mine. It truly made my day even special. Sorry I can't throw a party this year because like I said earlier, I'm saving for the game. I hope I can throw one next year as I finish the mission which is to graduate.

Of course, I'll thank my family for always being there for me in my life from the start until the very end. Finally, I thank God that I made it through another year of my life, and I'll always look up to you every step in my life. I'm hopeful that this year will be filled with a lot of blessings.

Danke! Merci! Thank You! Salamat!
19 years on, I still got a lot to prove.
K-Smoove

My homies for life.

Yesterday, I spent time with the MERALCO PEEPS on the birthday of one of our own, Gelo. Where for the last three years has been the "unofficial" reunion party of the entire troupe. However, unlike previous years. Not every one was there as most of the troupe were having jobs during the summer time. It all happened in the afternoon at Dulcinea in Tomas Morato as we joined the other guests from his Thomasian friends (we're both in UST, but on different programs), and his family.

We spent time catching up with what's happening with our lives. Even to the point, we rant on each other including how I'm always left out of the picture or the other things we pick on with someone from our troupe. It proves that sometimes, people never change. Even with all that's been happening in our own lives since we took our own paths in college, the feeling is still the same. I got to admit, I was mostly silent for most of the afternoon. Because, I don't have much stories to tell I have to say. Still, I'm always thankful to have them as company.

Photo ©Aldrin Dayauon

It was only for a short amount of time though as we never went way further into the night since we went our separate ways into the night. It made me think about next year when I hope to bring them in on my birthday and do something about it. I won't do it this year though since like I've been saying time and time again. I'm saving up on the ticket for the Rockets-Pacers pre-season game this October.

So once again, I'll thank the birthday dude Gelo for having us over again on his birthday this year. As well as to the MERALCO PEEPS who were there: Aldrin (the "orginizer" as he created the event page on Facebook), JL, Quinn, Edison, Nur, Josh, Philip, Airam, Jolly and Siops. I hope to see you guys again soon as well as the other MERALCO PEEPS who weren't with us yesterday.

Thankful for these great men.
K-Smoove

Back in the province. Just like when we were kids.

Yesterday, our family went back to our province in Batangas to celebrate two of my cousin's birthdays. One of them was celebrating her 1st birthday, while the other had his 7th birthday on April 28 (2 days before my birthday.) It was a double celebration.


It was a chance to catch up with my relatives and cousins with whom we haven't seen in a long time for we haven't come back to the province often this summer.


So yes, we had a great birthday party there. Great food and entertainment. My aunt and uncle own a restaurant/catering business there and their food is very good.


Then later in the night, we found our way to the WalterMart mall which is just a pebble stone throw away from the house. Me, my brother Andrei and cousin Paolo went on the arcades having a great time. Before going down at McDonald's for some french fries and drinks along with my other cousins Ann and Trina who followed after. Before we left, we went for one round of an all-time classic board game Snakes and Ladders and after all the ladders that brought you up and snakes that brought you down. I won the game. Hehe.


Then, it was time to head back home to Quezon City. It was a great time to spend with my cousins and relatives. Truly, I miss the times when we were kids, young and carefree. It was a good feeling to relieve those moments for one more time.


Going back to my roots.
K-Smoove

The once in a year spectacle. This time I'm now legal.

On April 30, 1994, a dude from Quezon City was born. 18 years later, he's now a legal gentleman. Today, I celebrate my 18th birthday. At this age, I can now vote for the elections in 2013 and I am entitled to a lot of other privileges as a proud Filipino citizen.

To celebrate the occasion, I decided to throw a simple house party in my humble home. Together with my family and friends. My friends in my neighborhood came as well as some of my classmates in college. Unfortunately some of them were unable to join the party for personal commitments. I don't blame them for being unable to come, because these are commitments they need to fulfill.

We had lasagna, fried chicken, a birthday cake and ice cream for the occasion while enjoying the beats from some of my favorite tunes from artists/bands like Parokya ni Edgar, Westlife, Rivermaya and many of my favorite songs. My home turned into a computer shop as they were playing computer games along the way.

Well to cap the afternoon, I went out to buy my favorite Starbucks Frappucino® Coffee Jelly in Venti size and saved 50% from the original price as it was the first day of the Happy Frappucino Hour, and for the first time, I used the name "K-Smoove" on my cup. 


Another year has come and pass. It was also a time for me to look back at what has happened for the past 18 years of my existence. Even though I grow another year older, I will continue to be the dude who lives a fun, fulfilling, friendly and simple life. A dude who has no vices. The guy who is addicted to basketball, travel, anime and many other things. I will continue to be a steward to my family and PEEPS. I'll always be "The Walking GPS".

Okay then, I am happy to say to each and everyone.

THANK YOU!

MARAMING SALAMAT PO!

DANKE SCHÖN!

MERCI BEAUCOUP!

ありがとう!

 

I like to thank my family for putting up the feast today, as well as to my 2nd street PEEPS for coming over today and enjoy another birthday with me. To two of my TROPA-Guise PEEPS Deece and Ryan (who came all the way from the south of the metro) for coming over to my place. Though we were not complete, we had a lot of fun today.

I like to thank the PEEPS who greeted me via text on my cellphone, greeted me on my Facebook by wall post or PM, tweets on my Twitter. I hope to meet you guys in person very soon (especially my batchmates around UST) and to see the PEEPS who I haven't seen in a very long time.

To my birthday-mates Albie, Peter, Camille, Mapps and CJ. I'm sure we had a good one on our birthday celebrations.

And most importantly, I would like to THANK GOD for the blessings I have received in the 18 years of my existence in this world. I wish for more HAPPY BIRTHDAYS to come in the future.

Photos ©Karl Carandang

I FEEL BLESSED AND THANKFUL!
K-Smoove

The brotherhood remains. MERALCO is a brotherhood.

Photo ©John Daniel Item

Last night, I went to my friend Gelo's house (PEEP at the center wearing blue) together with my PEEPS from high school to celebrate his birthday. His birthday has been known somewhat as a annual reunion of the troupe since we graduated 2 years ago since his birthday falls on a time where all of us are on summer break and the fact we have varying school calendars. Some who came I have seen not too long ago like the birthday boy who studies in the same university as I am, while some I hadn't seen for a long time.

I was very happy to see these guys again. This brotherhood has been around for four years beginning at our 3rd year in Claret until today, though I admit I wasn't present at all times then, it's good that we still keep in touch even if we are on different paths right now in our lives.

Well, this was also a time to catch up with what has happened to us since we last met from our college lives to current issues, and reminisce good/funny memories (some of which dark memories) when we were at high school from the PE experiences to the funny jokes/pranks back then. I remember that we have unique laughs. One laugh would trigger laughs from the other. One good joke will trigger the whole troupe laughing. One poor joke would trigger the jeers "Weh!". I remember when my friend Nur said I was handsome yet it triggered the "Weh!" jeer (Even I myself said it.) But hey, I believe that everyone is handsome no matter what the state a person has in his life. Well on my part I also did a flashback move from back in my 2nd year high school which I call the "You!-Boomshakalaka!-Hamboogle" move. Where I start with a Soulja Boy You!, then I shout Boomshakalaka! up in the sky, and end saying Hamboogle! with my head shaking, and of course I cap with a little dance. It was somehow my birthday gift to Gelo as he and the rest of the troupe had not seen it in a while. It was also a chance to plan our future outings. Yes, we are a happy troupe to say the least.

So once again, we thank Gelo for the great party last night. My PEEP Jadri who lives near my home for the ride back home. To my other MERALCO PEEPS Airam, Francis, JL, Centi, Aldrin, Philip, Nur, JD, Baña, Josh, Edison, Junji, and Agi. Thanks for the great time guys! Until then, enjoy the ride.

"The opportunity for brotherhood presents itself every time you meet a human being." - Jane Wyman

"Above all things let us never forget that mankind constitutes one great brotherhood; all born to encounter suffering and sorrow, and therefore bound to sympathize with each other." - Albert Pike

K-Smoove