I woke up really early, probably the earliest time I did in my life. I carefully ironed my new shirt, my newly-washed pants and hastily took a bath. I put on this well-planned look especially for this day. I put on my newly-cleaned sneakers especially requested from my mom, took the newly-bought Topman fedora from the drawer and chose the best accessories that go with it.

Today is a special day. I can feel it.

I was anxious as I was on the cab to the Mall of Asia. I am a KPop fan and one of KPop’s favorite artists 4Minute is going to have a mall show today. As early as 10, I was already there.

I used to ask my classmates who were Anime Fans why they put in so much effort on mere animated characters. I asked them why they confine themselves into pseudo-worlds that only they could understand. I used to mock them because I thought they looked funny and weird with their costumes on cosplays.

When 4Minute finally came on stage and performed their songs, I couldn’t hide my happiness. I cannot describe the feeling that finally, I can see them with my own two eyes. I screamed, sang some lines and called their names. That must have ben the loudest shout I ever did.

(that’s me shouting at the audio)

After that, I joined the queue for the autograph signing. It was as if I was in heaven. I couldn’t believe that I was actually inches from them. They greeted my in English and Filipino and I in Korean. I couldn’t believe that I was talking to them and looking at them as they were signing my CD.

JiHyun: Hi!

Me: Hi! Anyeong haseyo!

JiHyun: What is your name?

Me: (couldn’t believe that she was actually asking for my name)…. Allen.

JiHyun: Allen?

Me: Yes!

JiHyun: (smiles) Thank you!

Me: Kamsahamnida!

I was grinning as I left her.

So now I understand what it feels like to be a fan and what it feels like to meet those people that you idolize. My brother would ask me why I’m doing this and what I gain from it. I didn’t know the answer then.

But now I know. Being a fan isn’t just about buying what they offer or shouting at them or creating banners for them. Fandom is also about idolizing.  Being a fan taught me how to embrace different kinds of people and helped me understand the diversity of the world’s different cultures. When I became a fan of KPop, I learned how to present myself well, I learned how to make myself look better, act better and do things better.

We just can’t deny it. These idols turn us into better people. :)

Alam nyo namang fan ako ng KPop diba. Pero ngayon sigurado na ako na NEVER akong magiging fan ng JPop (Japanese Pop). Why? Maybe because of this one.

EEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!! Di na ko masusurprise kung lumabas at maging number 1 ito sa Myx!

Look who I accidentally met today! He’s Chris Aquino, one of the authors of the Tunay Na Lalake Blog, one of the 10 Most Influential Blog of 2009!

If you have ever visited that blog, I’m sure makakarelate kayo sa post na ito. Although TNL is now defunct and has been closed down by its authors.

Chris Aquino is our would-be speaker for the school seminar that we are organizing. Kanina we met him to discuss about certain matters and I was surprised to know that he wrote for TNL. Ang galing!

I asked him kung bakit nagclose na ang TNL and he said na nagkanya-kanya na nga daw yung mga authors. Too bad. Tawa pa naman ako ng tawa dun. Though minsan medyo below the belt nga ang banat. haha.

Anyway, digs na digs na digs!

When I was still an engineering student, I never really cared about what I look like or what I wear when going to school. I would wear a simple tee, baggy jeans, a worn out backpack, a toolbox full of wires and pliers and voila! You have a tubero-looking student! :))

No one really cared, actually. Almost everyone then looked like me. Fashion really wasn’t our priority.

Until I stumbled upon the business school and everything changed. Here in my current department, everyday feels like the first day of school when most of the students wear their newly-bought and best looks. The people here have glaring and seemingly rude stare that you could melt down in seconds. Professors here does not only look at their students’ grades but how they present themselves as well. I was shocked at first because that really wasn’t my expertise. I loved to blend in the crowd. I didn’t want to stand out because I’m afraid of rude comments if not praises.

But because I am now an advertising student, I didn’t have a choice. Sabi kasi ng professors, how will you sell your ideas if you can’t even sell yourself?

So I entered LookBook.

LookBook is an invite-only social networking website for fashion enthusiasts. Here they post different looks, name the brand, the style and the inspiration behind it. I applied a few days ago and luckily, I was admitted.

Of course kelangan your looks should be above average kaya mahirap din mag-come up ng magandang combination ng damit. Lalong mahirap din bumili ng bumili ng damit but it depends upon how you choose a cheap but stylish look. Right? :)

This is my new addiction. Madadagdagan na naman ang mga reasons ko to go online aside from Faceboo, Twitter, Tumblr and this blog. :))

Check out my first few looks on LookBook!

Sabi ni Kuya Ax, di daw nya expect na sa Antique talaga ako lumaki. Kasi daw, parang taga-Maynila daw talaga ako. Paano ba nalalaman kung ang isang tao ay laking Maynila o hindi?

Akala din ng classmates ko dati, taga-Maynila ako. But when my mom called me at narinig nila how we talked, nabigla sila na nagbibisaya ako.

Just to make things clear, I’m a pure bisaya who is currently residing and studying in Manila. Pilipino pa din naman yon either way. Ginapabugal ko gid nga Antiqueno ako. Hehe.

So anyway, eto na ang 2nd part ng Antique post ko. Before going back to Manila, my mom and I visited our old abandoned house. This is the second house na inabandon namin. Mahilig kami mag-abandon ng house. LOL

Yung una kasi, when my father died, we left because of some family disputes. That house now lay in ruins.

The second house is my mom’s very own house. She worked hard for this. But when she left to work abroad and had conflicts with my stepfather, we left it all together. Caretaker nalang ang nagbabantay dito ngayon pero yung bakuran lang ang binabantayan niya. Di nya pinapakialaman sa loob.

We lived a very simple life back then. May kangkungan kami sa likod-bahay at may maliit na kural din. Nag-aalaga kasi kami ng baboy dati na kinakatay pag pyesta. Meron ding duyan sa puno ng mangga. Dun ako madalas tumambay.

The house is very different now. Everything remained untouched kaya punong puno ng cobwebs at puro alikabok na.

my mother loved flowers. We were surprised to see that some of it survived when we left.

When I went inside the house, di ko maexplain yung feeling. It was really sad to see that house left to rot. Pakiramdam ko, as I was walking inside, parang sumisigaw sa’kin yung mga gamit namin telling me how much they missed me and asking me to take them with me.

this used to be my dad’s.

this used to be my bed.

I was able to salvage a few family photos especially my mother and my father’s wedding picture

Bata palang ako eto na talaga ang salamin namin.

Look! There’s my bedside lamp!

Bata palang ako, ito na din ang almires na gamit namin.

When we left, I cannot help but think what will happen to this house eventually. But I want to come back, rebuild it and fill it with happy people. I just hope these things left here can wait.