feRn's backyaRd: 2007

The moment that made it all worth it!

The Kontra-Agos Film Festival screening last December 05-11, 2007 is one of my best experience. I was able to have a long vacation with my officemate and long-time friend McRobert or coicoi. Staying away from my family and friends in Davao . Though its just about one month of staying there just for a certain event that grants us another opportunity which is the Mexican workshop with Gustavo Loza, the International Award Winning Director. The vacation that opens extensive opportunities for us.

I packed up my bags with all the stuff inside that seemed i'm not coming back anymore...
I brought everything, underwears, toothbrush, shorts, slipper, shoes, sacks, polos and t-shirts more than 20, plus my pants. My bag seemed that i'm going to a mountain climbing, hehehe. My brother asked me if im not coming back soon and i said we'll just stay there only for 3days. LOL! funny huh? He said, with all those stuff? only for 3 days? OMG! i replied, its better prepared than sorry.Ü

International Airport
Me and coi departed on Dec.06 , Thursday at 0130 and arrived at 0315 with all the Enthusiasm and excitement to meet new friends and long time friends who are already there... excited for the said event. Coi's uncle and mom fetched us in International Airport and gave us thousands of instructions for our few days stay. A lot of things to learn, a lot of things to adjust, a lot of things to consider. They brought us in our hotel just in front of Giant Colliseum and the GateWay SuperMall. Checked-in, took shower and changed cloths. Headed to the screening event. Dropped us there infront of the building, rushed up to the upper level and look for the others.

Pointing ayala from 29th/Floor enterprise building
The event has started atlast, with the speeches and addresses from different special guests, watched different films from each independent filmmakers, from different categories and locations. Met the filmmakers from different part of the country, from northern to Southern part and started the acquaintance.

After the event, eight (8) of the filmmakers including me went to a place for some drinks and relax, exchange of thoughts and ideas, experiences and plans for the next steps in filmmaking... Then back to the hotel for rest and prepare for another schedule of the screening.

An information came from one of the filmmakers, that there will be a MEXICAN FILM WORKSHOP on Dec.18-21 of 2007. And guess what? There are special slots for all filmmakers
coming from Mindanao and then again... it's for FREE granted by Director Nick de Ocampo for all who made him impressed and overwhelmed about the filmmaking in Mindanao 'coz he never thought that there are still amateur people like us who would help spread the culture, religion and tradition in Mindanao through films. He knows the passion being an independent filmmaking and its not easy to be one. Thanks to him for we got the slots!


































trying  to manipulate the world

Me and coi accepted the offers but we still have worries coz we know that we have our responsibility in the office as usual and we'll be absent for one week straight because of this... and knowing that its not part of the office operation so we are doubtful about the approval from our line managers. Lucky we are as they are very much supportive to our achievements and Goals in life. They are just a text away and granted us the aprroval. We were like jumping in the middle of the Mall expresses the happiness and excitement for that! and so we need to move our flight back in davao on Dec.23, 2007. I was worried if there will be a delayed flight for that day and to think that its only one day before the christmas celebration. My God! I can't afford to celebrate christmas away from family. I was like hoping and praying that no more changes of flight schedule 'coz there might be a sudden changes anytime 'coz its a peak season for travels.

inside iMax Theatre

Enough for the worries... We maximized every single day of staying there. we went to the biggest mall, watched the iMax theature. DAMN! 'twas really² great! You should have watched iMAX theatre! we ate giant pizza at SBARRO... and avail the ride-all-you-can at carnibal. barhop at greenbelt, coffee at starbucks, window shopping, Live music at hardrock cafe, walk-trip at nighttime, restaurant hopping, quiapo, tagaytay, batangas, Laguna, cavite... Stroll with friends from La Salle, UP and Ateneo.

Sbarro, Mall of Asia

gLobal fun carnibal

I was like living in a luxurious life... forgot all the people behind... considering the last day on earth. But i never had any regrets among all those wasteful moment, the money i spent... for i know i can't find satisfaction in life but fulfillment. And that was the moment that made it all worth it!

A Surprise Visit...

Tuesday morning when I woke up early… I realized that I’m not in my bed… I’m not even familiar with the place I’m staying with. All I know, it’s my friends’ apartment in San Antonio, Makati. As what is expected, busy people are there… But that time, I woke up alone, no one's there inside the room except for myself. I can only hear the people outside. My friends left for work… I am all alone… I’m so bored in that place… I am out of the way. And so I decided to text my sister and surprise her for my coming in their place in Laguna. She never knew that I’m having vacation in Manila, intended to give her a surprise when I get there without her knowledge. But I can’t afford to go there without any instructions from them. I planned to contact her husband secretly but unfortunately they share the same mobile that time, and so I can’t be able to accomplish my plan that way. Attempted to ask her what will be my Christmas gift for her… and she prefer a simple gift from me, and send it through mail or package. Through this I could have the exact address where I can travel and locate it all by myself. And so I did.

Rushed and packed some of my stuff to be used for my one week visit. Departed and traveled the place for I think about 2hours away from Ayala, Makati. For about 6years of not seeing each other, I was like feeling so excited and eager to see my sister as she lives very very far away from us. About 2hours is too long for a very excited person to wait.

At Canlubang Bus stop I dropped by. And asked the people there about the address I got from my sister and there I saw her with new looks, she became smaller and smaller in body as I never expected. I thought she’ll get bigger and fatter than before. I was just shocked and speechless… I feel so happy and glad as I see her with her smile. She brought me in their home and cooked my long time ever favorite spaghetti pasta italiano. Went to market to buy some stuff… Took the dinner and rest.

She cried a lot as she asked me about the people in Davao, she really missed all the people behind her, our beloved family. She asked about dad and mom and bros… and sis… everything… relatives… eager to know what’s new with our relatives. Talked ‘til dawn and never gave any chance to waste time in asking about friends and the rest of the people back in Davao. I brought her photos of our families and friends burned in a disc. We watched it while eating, laughing out loud as we recall our memories, bad and good. We Talked about life. Talked about everything.

I stayed there for one week and stroll the places I’ve been longing before... Enchanted Kingdom, Tagaytay… Batangas… Cavite and the places near there. Taking pictures, strolling, meeting friends and food trip. I have enjoyed my vacation with my sister and her new family.

And when my one week visit is over… and I need to get back in Makati for a certain event… I need to prepare for the workshop to which was one of the reasons why I have long vacation in Manila. I will be like bored again in a four corner apartment. Thinking of where will I be after some time. Thinking what to do again while friends are not yet available… as I have a long vacation… it’s my time to unwind… a time to rest… a time for myself...

isLaNd escapade

Past 5 in the afternoon of friday when me and mam flordy are still in the office doing some stuff to finish office works before weekend... my things are packed and ready to go for Samal Outing with friends when suddenly Ross Sevilla (the pride and youngest fashion designer of davao) texted and asked me to play for him in a certain event... and so i did... i asked jeffy and leri to meet me there.

We went out of from that event and met Normie (a friend's friend) and caught the last trip to Samal. Midnight when we arrived to San Remeo. And guess what?... I found familiar faces as the last time we had celebration with my friend's (Neil) Graduation Party back in Davao. I felt welcomed when they call my name and started accommodating us...

Saturday:
I got a camera borrowed from dahlia (jeffy's sis). I woke up early @ 5am to take footages of the sun as it rises from the east... I clicked several times when suddenly the battery was low...(huhuhu) there's no even electricity around the place...

Saturday Night:
Starry starry night while the barangay is having their traditional activities during Fiesta, me and jeffy is having a good time of looking around for enjoyment in the island when suddenly jv and chi arrived with the guy (habal² driver) carrying their stuffs @ exactly 11:30pm... we never thought about that coming...

Sunday:
After all the fun and adventures, all of a sudden Jeffy got sick and the group couldn't go further. We decided to go back home on Sunday night instead of Monday Morning...

Take a look of the photos that i captured during that time...