The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
<p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">There is water dripping from my ceiling.<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2010/07/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#more-1633" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
Iza Calzado for Mega Magazine
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2010/07/iza-calzado-mega-magazine/#more-1025" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
T3#6: 10 Reasons Not To Get an iPad – Yet
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today's Facebook statuses were filled with mostly only 2 things: the search for the next Las Vegas Mowdels, and Apple's launch of the new iPad. Of the two, the former interests me not, on many levels (check out this <a title="Laz Vegaz Mowdelz" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKbLWjTnHDI" target="_blank">YouTube video</a> to know why), while the latter obviously, especially to an Apple Techie like myself, lends itself to instant ogling and lusting over. And yet, even with all the obvious reasons to get one asap, I find myself holding back on this one. At least for the meantime. Here's why.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2010/01/10-reasons-not-to-get-an-ipad-yet/#more-791" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
It Ain’t Over ‘Til The Fat Lion Sings
<p style="text-align: justify;">What do you do when you're trapped in a catch 22? This is the story of how some things should be better left said, and how we shouldn't take goodwill for granted.<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2010/01/it-aint-over-til-the-fat-lion-sings/#more-757" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
T3#5: 10 Things I Hate About KFC Commonwealth Avenue (repost)
<p style="text-align: justify;">What do you do when you're thinking about dinner, cannot get out of where you are, only have your phone as your ally, and can spare 30 minutes to wait? NOT CALL KFC OF COURSE! And here are ten reasons why you shouldn't:</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2010/01/10-things-i-hate-about-kfc-commonwealth-avenue/#more-741" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
Up Stage Right (repost)
<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 27.0pt; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: #818181;">up·stage</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; line-height: 22pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">1. To distract attention from (another performer) by moving upstage, thus forcing the other performer to face away from the audience.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">2. To divert attention or praise from; force out of the spotlight: <em>a vice president who repeatedly tried to upstage the president.</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">3. To treat haughtily.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2010/01/up-stage-right-repost/#more-731" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
TT#1: The Brows Have It (repost)
<p style="text-align: justify;">Makeup is a very tricky art. Aside from having a living organ for a canvas, it’s also one that requires you to make sure that every aspect of the process – from foundation to lipstick – is explainable, and justifiable. No one likes accidents, no matter if they’re pleasant ones, on their faces.<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2010/01/tt1-the-brows-have-it-repost/#more-719" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
The Closer I Get To You
<p style="text-align: justify;">While experimenting on how to embed videos on this new website format of mine, I came across an old performance with Sitti at the Captain's Bar of the Mandarin Oriental where I played special guest. This was sort of an impromptu performance for all of us - band included - and a very special one at that, because aside from it being one of my all-time favorite songs, my soon-to-be boyfriend then, Nico, was in the audience, awaiting the surprise number I had secretly dedicated to him that night.<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2009/06/the-closer-i-get-to-you/#more-30" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
T3#4: My 10 Best Michael Jackson Songs
<p style="text-align: justify;">No, I refuse to be part of a worldwide requiem for the King Of Pop. But when I think about my own personal musical journey, I can't help but go back to how much Michael Jackson has influenced my sound & musical preference. So instead of speaking about how much he's influenced my life (and run the risk of sounding like a wanna-be-fan or a wanna-be-someone-<span style="font-style: italic;">pa</span>-close-<span style="font-style: italic;">sa-kanya</span>), I will allow his legacy - his work - to speak for himself. After all, after all this hype has died down, and the reality of the recession starts creeping back in, it is his music that will linger on and prove to one and all that he will live forever.<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2009/06/my-10-best-michael-jackson-songs/#more-21" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
Etoiles
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class=" aligncenter" src="http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/orion.jpg" alt="" width="540" height="480" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/orion.jpg" target="_blank">image borrowed from The Atlas of the Stars</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">We are taught, in Nursery, of stars in rhymes that are capable of making wishes come true. By Grade School, they become badges of honor; medals we receive for proper decorum or academic excellence. In High School, they become role models; athletes and performers whom we wish were either us, or people around us. And by the time College hits us they are made to be of gaseous form, composed of Helium and Hydrogen, are far away, distant and unreachable.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2009/04/etoiles/#more-20" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
A Test Of Patience
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class=" aligncenter" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center; width: 252px; height: 350px; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Patience!" src="http://opinionsandexpressions.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/9496_schoolgirl_under_stress_while_taking_a_test_quiz_or_exam_at_her_desk_in_a_classroomjpg.png" border="0" alt="" width="252" height="350" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://opinionsandexpressions.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/9496_schoolgirl_under_stress_while_taking_a_test_quiz_or_exam_at_her_desk_in_a_classroomjpg.png" target="_blank">image borrowed from The Studies Reloaded</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">It's funny how as kids, we cringed at the the thought of a quiz, test, or exam. I remember making faces and testing the limits of my teachers' patience once the announcement of such events took place. It even got me to the Disciplinary Office quite a few times. At the same time, I was always a firm believer that tests are never indicative of who I was, or still am. Maybe it was reflective of my current state, or of my prevailing mood. But never in my wildest dream or sanest state did I succumb to the belief that a 66% grade in Math made me stupid with numbers, nor did a 99% in English Lit make me a laureate.<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2009/04/a-test-of-patience/#more-19" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
T3#3: 10 Things To Remember When Doing A Shoot
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class=" aligncenter" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center; width: 550px; height: 363px; border: 0px initial initial;" src="http://www.grandpalais.fr/upload/m_file/550x550_51_vignette_DSC_0038.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="440" height="290" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.grandpalais.fr/upload/m_file/550x550_51_vignette_DSC_0038.JPG" target="_blank">image borrowed from The Grand Palais</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">This is the reality for someone who's saving up for a wedding (mine, of course): booking every available slot and saving up for that special day 15 or so months from now. So in the interest of those who are in the same condition as I am, whether it be purely to save, or for those who's schedules are just packed against their will, here are some things I came up with that might be of help or amusement to your already over-burdened lives. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Iba na talaga ang bored at naghihintay sa mga starlet ano</span>?)</p> <div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2009/04/10-things-to-remember-when-doing-a-shoot/#more-18" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div>
T3#2: 10 Things I Hate About Wannabe Photographers
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="margin: 0px auto 0px; cursor: hand; width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.photography-colleges.org/wp-content/themes/hello_d_wp/hello_d/images/photography.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p> <div style="font-style: italic; font-size: 10px; text-align: center;"> <p style="text-align: center;">image borrowed from <a href="http://http://www.photography-colleges.org/wp-content/themes/hello_d_wp/hello_d/images/photography.jpg/">Photography Colleges</a></p> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">Eight years in the beauty business has taught me one singular thing: there is no such thing as mediocrity. You're either just beautiful or you're not; just ugly or not. Plain is a white polo, or a place where you plant rice, not a beauty standard.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The same, I guess, goes for people who call themselves "photographers." With the advent of new technology (read: digital photography, and the countless list of "cam-whatevers" - from phone cams to mp3 cams, etc.) more and more people are getting into the realm of photography. But few, I declare, are worthy to be called photographers. It's meshing a great eye with technical savvy; clicking at that right moment whilst making sure one has prepared that perfect moment to begin with.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Let me keep this simple. The title says it all.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2009/04/10-things-i-hate-about-wannabe-photographers/#more-17" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
T3#1: 10 Things I Hate About Home Makeover Shows
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.smh.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1064687668614_2003/09/28/350queereye,0.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img class="aligncenter" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 348px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.smh.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1064687668614_2003/09/28/350queereye,0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> Ok ok I know it's been a while (read: almost half a year) since I last posted. I have been a deliquent. But in between bouts of writers' block, procrastination, and pure boredom, business has been booming, and life has been quite active.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">But now that I have found the time to write (much like finding the time to go to the gym and haul my 15-pounds overweight ass), I will try to keep it as regular as possible.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Let me keep this simple. The title says it all.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2009/04/10-things-i-hate-about-home-makeover-shows/#more-16" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
Christmas Contests Ka-Cheapan!
Believe it or not, this is the photo I present on my travels. <p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sXbaVJTh3xQ/SSqByHngMsI/AAAAAAAAACA/PY1aRQx0LuU/s1600-h/4197801223590l-jpg.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272169011828765378" class="aligncenter" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sXbaVJTh3xQ/SSqByHngMsI/AAAAAAAAACA/PY1aRQx0LuU/s320/4197801223590l-jpg.jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a> I will admit, though, that there has been some assistance (the operative word being SOME) from CS3, but the photo is still a testament to the photographic talent of Ronnie Salvacion and makeup savvy of Juan Sarte III. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, life's a ball when you have the country's best do something as mundane for you as your passport picture. It is such a good thing.<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2008/11/christmas-contests-ka-cheapan/#more-15" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
Secure Empty Trash.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://petitinvention.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/stinky_trash-petitinvention.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img class="aligncenter" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 0px; text-align: center; cursor: hand; width: 320px;" src="http://petitinvention.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/stinky_trash-petitinvention.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></p> <p style="font-style: italic; font-size: 10px; text-align: center;">image borrowed from <a href="http://petitinvention.wordpress.com/">PetitInvention</a></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">I've always held a great respect for tenure. In fact, my life is filled with positions that are held for long periods of time: my family I've had all my life; my real friends are at least a decade old; exes last at the very least 9 months (or at least long enough to get someone pregnant); careers are several years in the making; even crushes (the palpable ones at least), I've kept for more than 365 days, and so on. The same thing goes for things I hold in great value -- my grade school exams, the first notebook I bought in Europe, pens I got on sale during high school, and love letters I received from relationships of yore (read: 1990) -- all these are still stored in a locked place in my house waiting for the day I decide to re-file them, or finally throw them away.<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2008/11/secure-empty-trash/#more-14" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div></p>
Time
America gets a new chance, and Hollywood's long-time prediction (or joke) is proven true: Obama wins, there is a Black president in the White house, and everyone (well, at least majority of the US -- and the world) is happy.<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2008/11/time/#more-13" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div>
New Words, New Music
In lieu of new posts, and as I try to hurriedly catch my brain to write again, here's something you guys might find interesting. It's a new set of lyrics for a new song I'm cooking up. Let me know what you think. :) <div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2008/11/new-words-new-music/#more-12" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div>
Mercury And The Rain
I HATE the rain.<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2008/09/mercury-and-the-rain/#more-11" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div>
You Win None, You Lose One
<span style="font-style: italic;">"When was the last time you did something for the first time?"</span> -- Emirates Airline TVC copy<div class="qodef-more-link-container"><a itemprop="url" href="https://www.riccichan.com/2008/09/you-win-none-you-lose-one/#more-10" target="_self" class="qodef-btn qodef-btn-medium qodef-btn-solid"> <span class="qodef-btn-text">Continue reading</span> </a></div>