UAAP Season 75 Cheerdance Competition 2012

The UAAP 2012 Cheerdance Competition (CDC) was held last September 22, 2012 at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) arena. Hosted by Boom Gonzales and Jessie Mendiola. This year's competition is expected to be better as most teams, we've heard, have prepared new, never seen-before routines. 

It's exciting to see if the defending champion University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad will come up with another 'surprise' same as last year when all team members flaunted a blonde hair during their Madonna-themed performance.

Will the University of Sto. Thomas (UST) Salinggawi Dance Troupe and the Far Eastern University (FEU) Cheering Squad rebound and strive harder to snatch the title from UP? We'll find out!!

Here we goooo...Me and my girl friends had a last minute decision on watching the cheerdance competition live at MOA arena. We got there past 2pm and the event is almost starting. As we expected the tickets are already sold out. Since we are eager to watch it live, we tried to go on the ticket booth and ask if there are still tickets available. Good news is they still sell tickets but the bad news is we will watch it standing! Yezzz, we go for it!! We grab it! Haha :)) we buy the ticket costs Php300 each, it was just a Lowerbox ticket but once you take hold of the ticket such as these, it is like receiving a golden ticket. 

Let me start by saying that I miss the crazy feeling of UAAP Cheerdance Competition back when it was still held at Araneta Coliseum. I know that because the NU is the host for this UAAP season all the games and events was held at MOA arena because Henry Sy which the owner of NU. Hahaha All those lanes along the perimeter of the Big Dome cramped up during the selling of the tickets. The UAAP fanatics with their balloons and banners on hand as they enter the venue. The heckling between the rivals schools. 

UAAP Courtside Reporters

I really had fun, good time watching all the squads perform. I think UP and FEU delivered very strong performances. I am not a hardcore cheerleading fanatic so I can't comment technicalities. 

As their fans expected, the UP Pep Squad claimed their third straight victory at the 2012  UAAP Cheerdance Competition. The UP Pep Squad was declared the champion even UP had some errors at the end. The squad achieved a 3-peat (three consecutive championships) and won their 8th championship over-all, tying the feat of UST. Just like last year, UP Pep Squad clinched all the major awards being champion in the Group Stunts category and having won the Samsung Stunner Award.

UAAP Cheerdance Stunners

I wasn't really expecting National University (NU) to be in the top . The routine was clean but Disney/Royalty concept and costume seemed too shabby for me. 

Eight schools competed for the crown and showcased amazing stunts and extravagant themed performances. The Adamson University (AdU) Pep Squad opened the competition with a KPOP-themed performance.

VIDEO:

The squad was followed by last year's 1st runner-up, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Animo Squad which quite gave us a knockout performance with their boxing themed routine. DLSU's routine was very satisfying to the eyes. Their costumes looked really clean and I think they should keep it that way. 

VIDEO:

The National University (NU) Pep Squad went Disney with their fairytale-inspired routine wearing white and blue-royal attires.

VIDEO:

Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Cheering Squad had gone wild and took us to the world of animals with their jungle-inspired performance. They performed clean mounts and excellent routine. Squad with animal print costumes and tamarraw head dresses. Big pyramids. Almost flawless.

VIDEO:

The University of the East (UE) Pep Squad gave us a bit of a warrior with their superhero-inspired routine.

VIDEO:

The University of Sto. Thomas (UST) Salinggawi Dance Troupe brought us to Brazil with their Samba-themed cheerdance. Liftings are more stable, and the whole routine had been more technical. 

VIDEO:

The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Babble Batallion has an anime-inspired performance ending with a robot. The theme is "Let's Volt it!" Leather uniforms. Synchronized executions. They built a Voltes V character in the end. I just don't get the logic of including the Voltes Five in their routine but it was really cool.

VIDEO:

The defending champion, University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad did a flawless routine and a freedom-inspired performance. surprising all with clean-shaven heads (even the girls). Series of handsprings and individual stunts on their routines. Clean mounts and big pyramids. Finished with flags and banners. I was floored by the stunts that took place one after the other. All partner/group stunts and pyramids were mounted by tossing the flyers to second or third level and their formation and lines look so clean. Congratulations!!! 

VIDEO:

Here is the complete list of winners for the 2012 UAAP Season 75 Cheerdance Competition:

      *Champion: UP Pep Squad

      *1st Runner-up: FEU Cheering Squad

      *2nd Runner-up: NU Pep Squad

Ranking 4th to 8th place were UST, DLSU, ADMU, AdU and UE, respectively.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the PICS and VIDEOS just got it from Google images and Youtube!! 

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Dear Mom,

Surprise! Bet you didn't see this on my blog. :P You have been my biggest supporter since.....forever. You are the first to be excited about anything I'm doing. My mom is awesome. You might think I have to say that because she gave me life, but it's true...she really is awesome. Needless to say, I got some good genes. Hihihi (Don't worry, Dad. I love what I got from you, too.) But it's not just her looks that make her awesome, it's the love she shares. Her heart is bigger than big. Family means so much to her and it's something she's instilled in me, which I cannot thank her enough for. 

She's also a good mom, even though I'm all grown up. Although, let's be honest, do we ever stop needing our moms just because we become ourselves? NO. We need them more than ever as we get older. And I am glad that she is mine. There's not a thing I can't turn to her for, not a thing she wouldn't do for me. For that I am blessed. I am blessed to learn from the best.

Mom, THANK YOU over and over for everything you do and everything you are. Thank you for always having a homemade dinner on the table when we were growing up. Thank you for serving our family and church faithfully. Thank you for choosing Dad--who also serves diligently and tirelessly. You are both such remarkable people and I will forever be grateful for the blessing of having you as my parents.

Thank you for being supportive every step of the way as I have struggled and triumphed. Thank you for never making me feel the pressured in any big life decision I've made. I have always felt like you and dad have completely trusted me. That's one of the greatest gifts any parent can give a child.

Thank you for every sacrifice you've made on my behalf. Thank you for loving me through every tantrum (even though I don't believe that I could possibly throw fits!), every mood swings (What?!) hahaha and anything I ever did that caused you worry or concern or heartache. 

I LOVE YOU so much, Mom!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mom!!!! To the person who has been there for us through thick and thin, who never gets tired of taking care of us no matter what happens. WE LOVE YOU!!! :))

Love lotz, 

Cai :)

Classic Songs, ROCK!!

We all knew that many foreign artists coming here in the Philippines to have their concert. It's almost every month, though. Since, many concert artists keep coming here in Manila, from my favorite boy bands to singers which reminiscing my grade school and high school years. That's old I am now!! Hihihi :)) Yeah! Time flies so fast, which even I don't have a chance to watch it, it may be sold out or being penniless me!! :(

I have loved classics, I guess because my dad loved playing these songs at home during Sundays or times there's nothing good to watch. Since then on, I would always hear these wonderful songs playing in my head till now. And yes, I don't sing! But I LOVE MUSIC very much, I just hymm with the tune. :D

Here are some of the few of late 90's and early 21st songs I love. I also added the ones from early 80's which I think were the most best songs are. Even though I don't remember some of the names of the singers and title of the songs. Lately, most of the songs are revived. Though, they are still good ones today.

Can't help falling in love with you - Elvis Presley 

I want to know what love is - Mariah Carey version

If ever you're arms again - Peabo Bryson

More than words - Westlife

Everything I do, I do it for you - Bryan Adams

Close to you - Carpenters

Crazy for you - Madonna

If I ain't got you - Alicia Keys

Make love to you - Boyz II Men

If tomorrow never comes - Ronan Keating

I miss you like crazy - Natalie Cole

Eternal Flame - Atomic Kitten

Can you feel the love tonight - Elton John

Runaway - The Corrs

Stay - Lisa Loeb

This I promise you - NSYNC

I do (Cherish you) - 98 degrees

I do - Westlife

Can't smile without you - Barry Manilow

Time after time - Cyndi Laufer

I will always love you - Whitney Houston

Stop - Spice Girls

Every Little thing she does in magic - MYMP

The reason - Maroon 5

Sunday morning - Maroon 5

Wannabe - Spice Girls

Like a rose - A1

I don't wanna miss a thing - Aerosmith

My heart will go on - Celine Dion

There you'll be - Faith hill

Only one - Yellowcard

This is kinda long list. These are some of my all time favorites!! I know I missed a lot of songs, add them up guys! Love! Love! :))

These songs have become my personal anthem in one part of my life or another. And today, I would like to share them with you. I can't say that I have a favorite song cause I literally have hundreds, no thousands!! There are few though, that bring me to my knees and get me LSS (Last Song Syndrome). 

I think overall I am a happy person. I have been told I am optimistic even though sometimes there is full negative thought coming. Well, that's I am!! ;P Some music just brings out a kind of sadness in me. I like to say I am not that emotionless...so in this way sometimes music is a therapy session for me...for free or for the cost. :)

Book Review: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James

Book 1 of FIFTY SHADES Trilogy.

I am going to start this review with a WARNING.

This is a very adult book and one that is aimed over 18's.

This review does NOT CONTAIN adult material and you have been warned.

*SUMMARY from Goodreads:

 When literature student Anastacia Steele is drafted to interview the successful young entrepreneur Christian Grey for her campus magazine, she finds him attractive, enigmatic and intimidating. Convinced their meeting went badly, she tries to put Grey out of her mind -- until he happens to turn up at the out-of-town hardware store when she works part-time.

The unworldly, innocent Ana is shocked to realize she wants this man, and when he warns her to keep her distance it only makes her more desperate to get close to him. Unable to resists Ana's quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her - but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trapping success - his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving adoptive family - Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a passionate, physical, and daring affair, Ana learns more about her own dark desires, as well as Christian Grey hidden away from public scrutiny. 

Can their relationship transcend physical passion? Will Ana find it in herself to submit to the self-indulgent Master? And if she does, will she still love what she finds? Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

*REVIEW:

As for one of my recent reads (more reviews coming soon, of course!) :) It's the book on everyone's lips, a book that I think has been making the rounds so much, everyone is sick of it, regardless of whether they've read it or not. Never one resist the hype of good read, or rather the claim of "Mommy Porn," it's Fifty Shades of Grey. (And if you've read the book, that last word will surely have another layer of meaning for you.) So, I'm guessing that you've heard of a little book called Fifty Shades of Grey that's rocketed it's way to the top of all best seller lists everywhere, and doing so in record time. With more than 1.2 million copies soled every week and a movie in the works, the Fifty Shades phenomenon shows no sign of flagging.

And yes, I did read it. Actually I finished reading all the three books in E.L James Trilogy. How did it come about that I would decide to read this book that is sooooo far out of my comfort zone, you may ask? Look, don't judge me!! Curiosity. I wanted to know what all the hype was about. So, I have to admit that I went into reading this book with a VERY OPEN MIND. This was mainly due to knowing what the subject matter was and hearing so much about this book along with an equal mix of good and bad reviews. Some people passionately hated this book and others thoroughly enjoyed it. Well, I actually am one of those that enjoyed it.

My iBooks: Fifty Shades Trilogy

Every time I walked in a bookstore, Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James is quite often a book I first see on display. In many of the stores I've been in to, it has been the top seller at that location and when you're ready  to purchase a copy it's always been out of stock. I was intrigued by the fact that it was popular in store and talked about everywhere online. However, at first I was really reluctant to grab a copy of the book, since there are a number of mixed reviews. One of my best friends found an e-book copy online, so she sent it to me, and I ended up reading it on iBooks, which I usually hate doing, but I'm getting used to it. :P

What makes the book a best seller? My only guess is that it deals with topics that people can relate to: love, lust, jealousy, and broken families. I'm sure, there's more! Innocence? Wealth? Control? Yeah, those are there, too!

E.L James Fifty Shades of Grey, anticipating an entertaining page-turner, a modern-day love affair. Having no further background in the porno reference, I was stunned-shocked-at what waited in the pages before me. Not because of the explicit sex scenes, but rather the terribly underdeveloped characters and story line - this novel send to all about the value of love within a relationship.

Now, there are even talks of a movie deal with Ian Somerhalder expressing interest, Matt Bommer or Channing Tatum offering themselves to play the role (Yes, please!! :P). By now, I'm sure you know that Fifty shades is based on Twilight fan fiction, there are some parallels between both books.

Please STOP if you don't want anything about the plot revealed. SPOILER ALERT!!!!

The novel opens with protagonists, Anastacia Steele, stepping in for her BFF Katherine Kavanaugh, to interview a wealthy and powerful "multi-billionaire" Christian Grey, for an article for the school newspaper. Ana and Kate are both graduating in a few weeks and Christian Grey is scheduled to deliver the commencement address. Ana shows up for the interview and the picture of young woman completely unsure of herself, uncomfortable on her own skin, is painted. Clumsy and naive, Ana literally face into Grey's office. He is amused and gives a stare that makes her "flush-crimson" - which she will literally do many times in the book. Grey seems to be intrigued with Miss Steele. Their interaction doesn't stop there. Kate insists that Mr. Grey meet them for a photo shoot for the article, after the shoot Grey asks her to join him for coffee. This is when we start to get a glimpse into the background of both characters.

At only 27 years old, Grey is portrayed as someone well beyond his years. A perpetually-single, unattainable, billionaire playboy with both a helicopter and private jet. Ana is everything like the Twilight heroin Bella Swan - painfully aware of her shortcomings, put together as very immature, inexperienced girl and a woman with a thesaurus vocabulary and a moderately smart mouth. Eventually, warnings about his dark secrets, Christian Grey tells Ana who he really is - a sexual deviant who likes to dominate his women into submission-literally. Required to sign a contract, that locks her into a set of rules. And then it's time for big reveal! The plot thickens. 

Moving on.

The first main character, CHRISTIAN GREY, has had a hard start to life and this has in turn made him into a very controlling and egotistical man human being. He's never let a person into his life and has always been the one who set the rules. I found Christian's character just captivating and sweet. You can't help but be affected by him and his strong personality and confidence. That is until you realize that he is actually a needy boy who is scared of being rejected and alone. 

This fan made stuff!! This is NOT REAL!! :)

The other main character, ANASTACIA STEELE, is an innocent and timid girl who gets completely overwhelmed when she meets Christian. He is totally out of her league but she finds herself drawn to him in a way she has never felt with another man before. I got a bit annoyed with Ana's character but I think it was just because of repetitive writing and the way some conversations were structured. And a lot of talks about her 'subconscious' and 'inner goddess'.

In the latter part, the relationship of the two grows stronger, but more confusing. Ana becomes a bit more believable as James gets her stride in character development and it turns out the Christian has a bit of soul. I'm not ashamed that I really liked it and as with the Twilight, I quickly devoured all three books in a matter of days. James sex scenes are not incidental , they are the meat of the plot, the crux of conflict, the key to the both characters. It is a book with a more sex on it.

First, let me get the "bad" out of the way. Could it be that there was an actual STORY there? Well, dear readers, yes there is. Besides all the hype about the erotica, there is a story, there is a romance and there is a character development. There's even a little humor thrown in for good measure with  the flirty email exchanges and the addition of Ana's Inner Goddess who acts out every now and then. I'm not going to say that book was perfect -- there were some overused words and repetition of adjectives and I got a bit sick of seeing same lines and expressions all the time but I didn't let that interfere with my enjoyment of the story.

Let me discuss the "good" part of the book. With the stresses of every day life, I was quite happy to be able to pick up a book without having to think too much and just sit back and enjoy. Fifty Shades of Grey is definitely not a scholarly read. It was entertaining enough to keep me interested to the end. The story goes like this: clumsy, naive, and book-ish coed meets attractive rich man who is so taken with her that he just has to have her. Mix in stubbornness, gift giving, lip biting, gasping and a story is born.

All in all, it is addictive, funny, shocking and sexy. I found myself jumping onto the next book straight away, although there is no cliffhanger it still leaves you wondering what happens next. You will read this book perhaps record time. Take that as you will, but keep in mind that page turner sell, and if that's anything to go by, it's one of the factors of this book success. 

Fifty Shades of Grey will not go down in history as one of the classics, but it will be remembered for all the hubbub and steamy parts. Do I recommend it? If you thought Twilight is good and wanted more then yes, you will enjoy Fifty Shades of Grey.

Read it already? Liked it or Hated it? So leave time to read all three at once! Be the Judge!! :)) Here's the website to know more about the book, updates and the author. 

My Sunday Note

I lift myself to You. 

I may want things but You know what I need. 

I hope for some things to happen, but your will shall always keep me on the right track. 

I come to you, through thick and thin. I was may be lost sometimes. 

Or be with the wrong people for a time but I never had regrets. 

I learned. I now understand. 

Continue leading me in the right path. 

This time, everything's gonna be different. 

Everything's gonna be alright. 

I just want to say THANK YOU for what you've done, because I know there is still more to come. 

You never let me down. 

When I fall you reach my hand, and you lift me up to higher ground. 

What more do I need, for I have YOU. 

You are my strength and I LOVE YOU! 

Thank you God! Smile and cheers for the days. 

Keep on believing! 

Ask for stronger shoulders not for lighter load. :D

God speed!!! 

A year of WRITING...

As I check my blog profile, I see that my blogspot is active for a year!! Yeah, you hear me right?! :P It's already one year! Clap! Clap! Clap! How time flies?! HAPPY 1st ANNIVERSARY to my blog!! :)) Wooohooo!! I'm a blogger since September 2011. :D

I've been blogging quite a long time. I started with a random blog site (forgot the name...sorry!) then transferred to Multiply. I wasn't able to update these for a long time. I was so busy back then that I lost interest in keeping this blog. Honestly, I don't usually have the time to do such thing coz' I'm lazy. However, having a blogspot where I can put on my random thoughts about my everyday activities or whatever rants and raves I may have in mind. I can post some of those events and memories in my life that I want to express. From a quote from Jane Austen, which is "Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings." It's like describing my life. My life full of random stuffs and weird things where I can enjoy and appreciate even the smallest details of everything. I enjoy doing nonsense. Haha :))

I have always loved writing since high school. I guess that's one of the things I can't give up doing. It's as if have ink on my veins. If there's one quote that could exactly express how I feel about writing, this is it..."I write for the same reason I breathe because if I didn't, I would die." - Isaac Animov

Writing is always part of my life. I just want to express what's on my mind. Sometimes, I feel that there's no one to talk to, because I think the only person aside from my family, selected friends and God whom I can trust, is myself. For this reason, I started blogging. This time, I was able to maintain it up until now. I wanted to have a blog so I made one. I couldn't think of anything better than Blogger. Let's just say I needed some changes and just thought of including my blogging among those things. 

Well, this seems like a lot of work and time.....again, but I guess you just got to do what you love to do. It's these kinds of simple things that puts smile on my face. Like what most people often say, never underestimate the small things in life that matter. 

I continued blogging around the net. Jumping from one blog server to another. Leaving traces and fucked-up memories around the web for all to see. I had an audience to my so called life. I really don't care how many readers and how many followers will I lose or gain. I had critics, too. I think! But, I didn't care. As long as I'm happy of what I'm doing and I think it's safe and right, I'm absolutely contented. I enjoyed writing about what I felt and what's on my mind. I wrote 'to express, not to impress'. And that still goes up till now. 

So, yeah, meet the BLOGGER!! :)

Adios, MULTIPLY!

Before Blogger, Wordpress, Tumblr, there was, well, there was Friendster where everyone else was crazy about (oh you know, the testimonials), I lived on the other side, Multiply. Back in the day, wherein digital cameras were starting to become part of our lives so I, with the rest young ones, started documenting every single thing you do and uploaded them on your Multiply account. 

So here I am, well I was surprised to see the message and yes even a tad sad to see Multiply is going bye bye. I just feel bad knowing that Multiply will undergo some serious transformation...and is shutting down its social network features by the end of this year. This is the statement they issued:

I had an inkling they were rethinking their business plan with the launch of the Multiply Marketplace and focus on ecommerce and online shopping. It makes sense. They have to survive as a business. I may not be as active in updating page there and most of my entries had been set to private, but it still holds gigantic worth of memories, silly things and emo-ness I had about to go away. 

Now I'm worried how to migrate all the personal photos, albums, blog entries, videos, notes and a lot of other things that have been stored there. In other words, I'm going to be busy figuring out how to transfer all those here at Blogger without having to edit every single captions and details I added. For now, all the photos I had in my Multiply account were saved in my hard drive. 

Sigh! Good thing I opened myself up the idea of opening a Blogger account.....but still!!! Where should I bring these now?? Stress!! LoL :))

And no, this isn't the complete list!
It's just 60% of my digital files

I guess this is a good bye to Multiply, and to all the connections, the wonderful contents, the treasured memories safely kept for years I was with Multiply.