Hi everyone. Well maybe you’re wondering why you’re not seeing my name or reading my comments on one of your posts. That’s because I don’t want to. Kidding.

Busy lang ako. Haha. Pre-production on the music video project is currently going on and shooting is about to happen next week. This isn’t a simple school project for me because it cost us a lot of money and effort. Plus, this is a competition and there’s no time to rest talaga. So wish me luck. This is my directorial debut. :)

Anyway, as I am busy working on the coming weeks, I just want to leave you something worth thinking of. :)

Not clear? Well let this illustration tell you the story. The Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project is built under the BOT scheme which means that the government will not, if not minimal, spend money on the project. The funds will come from the private sector. The C5 Extension however will be built SOLELY on GOVERNMENT FUNDS and is very much longer than the MCTEP. Added to that, the price for the Right of Way for the Villar properties are way much higher than the non-Villar properties. Clear? I thought so. :)

I don’t really expect that Vancouver would top what Beijing gave us two years back. Canadians are known to be simple, never extravagant but very polite people so I looked forward to an Olympics with a mellow and dramatic side on it.

And I wasn’t wrong. Canadians showed the world that they aren’t just about “please” and “thank you”.

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games opened today in British Columbia’s largest city. Just like what I said earlier, Canadians are simple and aren’t really that showy. I know this because half of my family is in Canada, most of them in Vancouver and I must say that they’re really warm and nice people.

This year, I noticed a few differences in this edition of the games than in the previous editions.

Vancouver’s Opening ceremonies were held in BC Place, a stadium with a pressurized roof which means that it is going to be held indoors, a first in the history of the Olympics.

The Parade of Athletes were held before the show with Greece leading the lot and Canada, the host, taking the rear. The United States sent the most number of athletes, even beating Canada.

Unlike most editions, especially in the Summer Games, the athletes this time was given a special place for themselves inside the stadium. They did not stay standing in the middle of the stadium just like what happened in the past editions which means that they could actually watch the whole show.

There were two cauldrons lit during the opening. One was lit inside the stadium and the other outside which will burn throughout the duration of the games.

It wasn’t flawless, though. In 2008, it was revealed that Beijing had a girl do lipsync and faked the footprint explosions. This time, Vancouver had a problem right in the middle. I almost thought it was only me who noticed it but I believe I wasn’t the only one.

On the last part, where the giant cauldron was to be lit, four spiers were supposed to rise in the middle of the stadium. Four athletes were standing below, ready to light the spiers when everything is in place. However, the fourth spier failed to rise up because the hydraulic doors malfunctioned. So the fourth athlete didn’t know what to do. In the end, the three other spiers continued and were lit with the fourth athlete standing and just holding the torch.

Well, you really can’t have everything, can you? All the best for Vancouver and the athletes of the world!

To non-fans, don’t comment about the Philippines winning a gold here because we didn’t join. Go figure! :))

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. :)