2015: A Year of Fruitful Memories

At the start of 2015, I wished that this year would be good. Still I had doubts on myself, finding my own happiness and confidence that I thought I was and yet I know that I slowly became stronger and more faithful to God.

JANUARY

Pope Francis visited the Philippines. When he visited University of Santo Tomas last January 18, I was able to see him, riding the Pope mobile around the Grandstand. Because of him, I once again believed in God. 

  

FEBRUARY

My best friend named Janella and I met again after a long time at Gateway Mall, Cubao on February 8. We went to Eastwood to tour her and let her see the Philippine Walk of Fame which the stars of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla were included. She helped me taking a picture at the 4th Kyochon store. But unfortunately I didn’t qualify for the final list to get a chance to win a meet-and-greet with Lee Minho.

Last February 11, the movie Fifty Shades of Grey premiered in selected malls in the Philippines. The reason I watched this film because I was curious. I was a little disappointed that MTRCB’s R-18 law is not strictly implemented that the authorized movie theater staff didn’t check the IDs of the people who watched the film since it has a sex content. I felt distracted while watching the film because there were blocks in the scenes that Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey had sexual intercourse, even though it was uncut. But the entire movie was great; the performance of Dakota Johnson who played the role of Anastasia Steele was outstanding.

MARCH

Host and actress, Alex Gonzaga had her grand album launch named I Am Alex G last March 22 at Eastwood Central Park. After I bought her book and her album, I was able to meet her in person and let her sign the book and the album. She’s very funny and talented just like her sister Toni.

APRIL

My niece was baptized last April 12 at Immaculate Conception Catherdral in Cubao. The reception was followed at Shakey’s E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue branch.I invited my photographer friends, Rodin and James to cover the event. It was fun. I was shocked when my niece just stared at the mascot and didn’t cry.

Last April 19, actress Kim Chiu had her grand album launch titled Chinita Princess at Eastwood Central Park. It was my second time to see and meet her in person. The first encounter was during the Bida Kapamilya mall tour at Market Market in Taguig in 2011 when I was an intern in ABS-CBN TV2 Events Marketing department.

MAY

Some of my co-workers in RED Images and I had a summer outing last May 2-3 in Laguna. Each of us shared the food and transportation we paid. Rodin toured us since he was a resident of San Pablo, Laguna. We stayed overnight at Nea’s house, also a photographer, in Laguna.

Last May 13, Masashi Kishimoto’s film Naruto: The Last finally premiered in selected malls in the Philippines after it was delayed. The story was taken between Chapters 699 and 700, on how Naruto fell in love with Hinata. I felt relieved that the film was subbed in English rather than it was dubbed in English since I was used to watch the anime series with English subtitles.

My employment contract with RED Images, Inc. had ended last May 30. I gained a lot of memories and experiences. I was happy with my work as a front desk staff then downloader though I encountered challenges. On the same day, my best friend Julie Ann and I met each other at SM City Manila. It was raining so hard and got stranded for a while. As soon as the flood went down, I went home.

Selfie with my bestfriend Julie! Congratulations again Luna! Thanks for the gift and time... See you soon... #luna #bff4ever

JUNE

As a treat that I did a great work on my second job, I had a photo shoot at RED Images last June 8. I purchased creative package, dressed as Snow White. It was a dream come true that I was able to wear a Disney princess costume. My make-up was done by Tita Joy. Nea took the shots and Cris downloaded them for me to choose. Jackie edited the pictures I chose. Those edited photos will serve as an unforgettable memory, that I was once a Disney princess.

Some of my former co-workers in RED Images and I went to a resort in Batangas for another summer outing last June 12-13. Evan, one of the photographers drove a van instead of us paying the transportation fee. Each of us paid the amount we need for the car’s gasoline, food, and nipa hut rent.

Witnessing the beauty of sunrise. @ San Juan, Batangas 06.12.15

JULY

Naoko Takeuchi’s Sailor Moon had its 2014 version based on the manga released in 90s. The title was Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal. The series started airing in Japan on July 2014, few days after Tsukino Usagi’s birthday and ended July 18, 2015. When I was a kid, I liked Sailor Moon so much when its 200-episode Tagalog-dubbed anime series was aired in ABC 5 (recently known as TV5). I started watching it on June, until I finished it this month. I liked the 2014 version more than its 90s version. Its music was awesomely composed by Yasuharu Takanashi who made background themes for the animes Naruto and Log Horizon. Its season 2 has been confirmed to continue the story of Sailor Moon and other sailor guardians namely Mars, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter, but there are no further details yet when it will be aired. 

 

AUGUST

This month was a roller coaster. I accepted a job offer at an automobile company after I had taken four interviews and series of tests, turned down a job interview at my school alma mater after taking up examination, and considered a better offer through series of interviews at a company where my college batchmate is working. But all of them were failed. It was my own decision that I turned down the first, regretted the second, and got tired waiting for the third.

SEPTEMBER

Last September 9, Masashi Kishimoto’s Boruto: Naruto the Movie was screened in selected SM Cinemas. I was so excited to watch this movie because I wanted to know the life of Uzumaki Naruto after he married Hinata. Naruto became the Seventh Hokage of Konoha. Boruto was his son who used a chakra device during Chuunin Exams which was prohibited. He was disqualified. Naruto was disappointed with what his son had done through Hinata’s Byakuugan. Though he’d been hurt as a father, as the Seventh Hokage he removed the headband of Boruto in front of examinees and people watching. My favorite and memorable scene in this movie was when Boruto wore his father’s uniform which Naruto remembered his hardship during his childhood days wearing that uniform, he saved his father by the Rasengan technique being trained by Uchiha Sasuke.

While waiting for a new job, I watched anime series that I haven’t watched such as Ouran High School Host Club, Sousei no Aquarion, Aquarion Evol, Aquarion Logos, Vampire Knight, Log Horizon Seasons 1 and 2, Guilty Crown and Say I Love You. I’m an anime fan since my brother introduced me when I was a kid in watching his favorite animes Dragonball and Yu Yu Hakusho. From then on, I was fond of watching anime series as well, such as Sailor Moon and Fushigi Yuugi. Other anime series that I watched were La Corda D’Oro Primo Passo, Flame of Recca, Kyo Kara Maoh, Strike The Blood, Ginban Kaleidoscope, Saiunkoku Monogatari, Pokemon, Ayashi No Ceres, Beelzebub, Ranma ½, Inuyasha, Hayate The Combat Butler, and Parasyte The Maxim. I’m currently watching Naruto Shippuuden since it’s not yet done even though its manga has already finished.

OCTOBER

The British band Lawson visited Manila for the second time to launch their self-titled album. Last October 4, I went to SM City North EDSA The Block to watch them perform live and I had a chance to meet and greet them in person. I would regret if I didn’t come since I wasn’t able to attend their first show at Eastwood last April 2013 because of my first job. It was my best birthday gift ever though I was disappointed with the staff of a recording label company who distributed Lawson album in the country.

I turned 26 last October 5. I had one wish on my birthday: own happiness in life. I didn’t ask for love though because I got tired of falling in love with a wrong kind. At this age, I knew I’m ready for love; it’s just I’m waiting for that right person.

Last October 19, I started my third job as a secretary in Basic Education department at a school which my sister-in-law took up Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Due to class and work suspension on that same day, I started my work a day after.

It was my first time to participate in a run event. UNICEF Heroes for Children Run was organized by Anne Curtis, held at SM Mall of Asia last October 25. I finished 10 kilometer race. It was difficult but I enjoyed so much.

NOVEMBER

Last November 7, I tagged Mark Read, a member of a British boy group A1, a birthday greeting in Twitter. I didn’t expect that he will suddenly follow my account. I had a strong feeling that he followed me because he was casted in Cinderella musical in UK and on my profile picture, I dressed as Snow White. As a fan of A1, I know that he’s an ultimate Disney fan.

My niece turned one last November 16 but she had a tea party-themed birthday celebration a day before her actual birthday at Casa Pura Inn and Suites. Since her parents worked at Jollibee, her mascot was Jollibee. Unfortunately she was surprised and suddenly cried. I invited Rodin and James again to cover for the event, but since Rodin wasn’t able to attend due to his earlier commitment, his proxy was Evan, James’s best friend.

DECEMBER

For the first time I treated my family at a Korean restaurant at Eastwood on Christmas Day. That Korean restaurant was Kyochon. The reason I treated them there is I want them to try the unique taste of the chicken. I chose our food from their menu list. I was happy that they liked it. My sister-in-law compared the chicken taste of Kyochon and Bonchon, but she liked the taste of Kyochon more than the Bonchon taste.

I guess my 2015 has been fruitful. A lot of things happened, but I am thankful. Later the calendar will be replaced into another year full of hope and challenges to make our 366 days fruitful, meaningful, and memorable.