Quickly, Before I Fall Asleep!

.:Disenchanted Kingdom’s Strong Opening:.

Although I did swing by nextdoor to say “hi” to senatoriable Ruffy Biazon, I have to say that Monday’s DK was a really good one, what with the stuff that went on, including Logan singing musicals and talking about the APO Hiking Society concert and the fact that Marf ran into a hot celebrity in Big Fish who actually held his hand that night.

We even took the time out to pick on standup comedian Paul Baluyot, all the way from Canada. Nothing like a little bit of racism to start off his day. Heh.

.:School Of Hard Knocks:.

With my thesis set for a defense soon and my odds of marching hanging by a thread, it was a good time to meet some of my Yale kids from Reedley last night in Eastwood.

Ultimately, I’m happy that Gaita’s been doing very well, Mishka just finished her stint in Big Foot, and Paolo seems to be enjoying his time doing music. At some point, I have faith they will find their true calling and achieve their potential, because really, there’s nothing worse in this world for a teacher than having amazing students who don’t live up to the unlimited potential they possess.

Quite frankly, with the way these guys have been expressing themselves and making headway in their lives, I’m not too worried about that happening.

.:Amused:.

It was good times last night as I watched the Itchyworms at 70's Bistro, and they played one of my favorites, "Loveteam," even acknowledging that it's a song I love to hear.

I returned the favor though by taking them by surprise when I requested for "Season Of Smiles" shortly after, and they actually obliged me. That was a hilarious night, and the opportunity to open for them in the future definitely attracts me.

Oh, by the way,they actually sang a few songs from the Juan dela Cruz band that night, too.

27 June: Cosplay Fusion!

.:Cosplay Fusion: The Aftermath:.

Myself with my co-hosts, Alodia and Ashley. Picture taken from Alodia

Cosplay Fusion has come and gone, and I must say that it was an enjoyable event. Considering that it was not anywhere near the scale of ToyCon, the fact that Powerplant management were awed by the sheer number of people who have gone to this three-day event is only testament to an awesome rookie outing for the people of Cosplay Circle.

With a Butler/Maid Cafe, toy exhibits, and a host of other activities, the highlight for last June 27 was the cosplay event, with one of the biggest payouts for cosplayers I’ve seen: 15,000 going to the best costume for the day. There were scads of controversy, what with the after-hours occurrence at the Cafe and some of your regular haters for the sake of hating and hypersensitive people, but in the end, the event was quite a success, and it was a chance for me to continue expressing my mini-tribute to Michael Jackson, as I was in full regalia that day.

By the way, speaking of butlers, lemme show you the ineffable Liezl...

Black or white!

I especially loved the fact that I saw my students from RIS during cosplay, and it was good to know they’re all doing well...


It’s my TIMY moment! Picture taken by Martin Callanta.

Well, this was really a huge effort all around, and the winners were definitely deserving, considering how elaborate their costumes were. The second placer gets a special mention for having been from the Ragnarok manga, even though the event was sponsored by competitor E-Games. (I do hope he’s recuperating well from his bout with leukemia, though. He’s too young to go the way of Francis M., who himself was too young to go as well to begin with.)

My thanks to Alodia and Ashley for having me over. I definitely had a great time, and it was good to know I wasn’t the only one who was sweltering in my outfit that day.

The winners! Picture from Alodia again.

Here’s a recap:

1st Place - Abraham Cruz (brambear) as Mechagodzilla Kiryu from Godzilla
2nd Place - Cykah Malagad as Skurai of Ragnarok Manga
3rd place - Marx Ian Rulloda as War Machine of Ironman

Crowd Favorite - # 16 Michael Jan Geti-Ayon (Bordz) as Spartan from 300
Best Performer - #23 Kathleen Alfafara (Kia) as Chunli of Street Fighter
Youngest cosplayer - #35 Paulo Catibayan (12 yrs old) as Kakashi from Naruto
Special Transformers Award - Rommel Sales as Optimus Prime of Transformers
Best Anime - #19 Jazmine Huang (Jaz) as Ranpha Frontier of Galaxy Angels

Best Male Costripper - Vladimir Sanchez as Michael Jackson
Best Female Costripper - Mia Marquez as Gothic Lolita Girl
Best Kid Costripper - Sales kids sa Tiny Titans
Best Crossdresser Costripper - Ally Cosculluela as Female Joker

And of course, a couple of other pictures, because as you can tell, I really like my white suit...

That’s not garbage. That’s a body bag. ‘Cause he’s sleepin’ with the fishes now, you see? Picture by Martin.


I am impossible to find in this picture. LOL.

Well Wishing And Rickrolling...

.:Do Us Proud...:.

This message goes out to one of the best singers I've ever met, my former student in RIS, Gaita.

All jokes aside, you were one of my most brilliant students ever, and I will always be happy with how you have come so far in my class, and hopefully, in life.

Thanks for being one of the few students I've had whom I can safely consider as a friend. I'm sorry I wasn't there at your farewell party to at least say goodbye, but not to worry, I'm sure my hypnotizing you isn't the last time we'd run into each other.

God bless you, Gaita, and do well in whatever you do. You're an amazing kid, and I have nothing but respect for you.

P.S. I can't even say "your head is dropping low, low, low" without making some reference to Flow Rida. I'm sure the cheesiness of it all snapped you out of your trance. Heh.

.:More Rick Astley Shenanigans...:.

Rickrolling is a science!

So I got to thinking about the impending arrival of Rick Astley on Philippine soil in just under two months. I wasn't joking when I said I wanted to watch... I'd definitely watch the concert if I had tickets, and there's a good chance I will.

Having said that, I also like how in an interview, he said he was mostly amused about Rickroll phenomenon, but he was just worried that it might embarrass his daughter, more than anything else.

With no sarcasm whatsoever, I have to say... what a class act! Instead of thinking about cashing in on the hype, he thinks more about his daughter's welfare, and doesn't really see himself as anything revolutionary or influential.

One thing he said that really struck me was this (Taken from his recent interview...

For his part, Astley was nothing if not modest about his new cultural role. “If this had happened around some kind of rock song, with a lyric that really meant something -- a Bruce Springsteen, "God bless America" ... or an anti-something kind of song, I could kind of understand that,” Astley said. “But for something as, and I don’t mean to belittle it, because I still think it’s a great pop song, but it’s a pop song; do you know what I mean? It doesn’t have any kind of weight behind it, as such. But maybe that’s the irony of it.”

With all of this buzz going over Rick Astley for the past year or so, and with all the Rickrolling going around, whether it be against Scientology or Fred Phelps, the Rickroll has become a harmless but kitsch form of, in the words of the interview, "geeky rebellion". The V masks donned by some Rickrollers does lend credence to this theory...

But there is a point to be made about this post, and it's this...

.:According To Reliable Sources...:.

... I have a passing resemblance to Rick Astley.

I don't know how to take this, whether to laugh or cry or just be excited about it, but dagnabit, people in Campus are actually calling me "Rick Sparky" when they realized how I looked like the guy...

But I can't just make these assertions now, can I? Looking through my old pictures, I tried to find a picture where Rick Astley and I are approximately in the same position...

You be the judge...

Since I gained a lot of weight in recent months, I looked for a picture when I was significantly thinner, and well, having Mick in the picture is just gravy.. Do I look like an 80's Pop Icon, or are people just saying that because of my inexplicable admiration for one Rick Astley?

.:Your Moment Of Zen...:.

Rickrolling, with a twist! Remember those trivia bits in the "Pop" music video for "Music and Lyrics"? Well, here you go!In case you can't see the vid, look up "Pop Up" and "Rick Astley" on Youtube. That'd help.