RX Year-Ender Music Countdown

What a way to wait for changing of the year! While everyone's doing their preparations for the year to start anew, here I am doing what I've been fond of--listing the songs that top the RX's charts every year! Being an avid listener of RX for like more than a decade now, I've grown up with the genre of music that this radio station is playing on air. And for the year 2008, I must say most of the songs that made it to the list have become "the accompaniment" of every significant events in my life this year! Now, here's the RX Year-Ender Music Countdown hosted by Louie D.


Song of the year '07: Makes Me Wonder by Maroon 5


20. Say it Again - Marie Digby
19. Touch My Body - Mariah Carey
18. Forget About Me - Lil' Bit
17. Take A Bow - Rihanna
16. Light On - David Cook
15. Decode - Paramore
14. Better in Time - Leona Lewis
13. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
12. Womanizer - Britney Spears
11. Break the Ice - Britney Spears
10. Cat and Mouse - Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
09. Superhuman - Chris Brown feat. Keri Hilson
08. Breakeven - The Script
07. Bye Bye - Mariah Carey
06. Low - Florida
05. Go On Girl - Ne-Yo
04. No Air - Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown
03. With You - Chris Brown
02. Broken - Lifehouse


Song of the Year '08: Crush by David Archuleta

Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat

Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat, the second installment to the movie Ang Tanging Ina, seemed to be promising when its trailer was first shown on media. Well, at least for me it did, because the first installment was quite impressive when I saw it in cinema last May 2003, during the last day of our SOEP. Plus, the span of time that it took for the first installment to have another one is pretty long so those who were able to catch Ang Tanging Ina would be much interested to see what happened next.

This time around, the new installment is an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). It's far different from before which was like in the middle of the year or to be exact, summer of that year. Well, the feedback from the audience that time was very positive so I guess, having it shown during MMFF period would even cause it to gross more. With only Pinoy films as other competitors, there's definitely a big chance of bagging a huge income. And besides, most comedy-type movies hit big during MMFF mainly because people want to have a good laugh during their Christmas vacation.

Whatever the intentions are, all that matters in the end is, did the audience enjoy the movie?

Of course, it has been customary for well-produced movies to have movie promotions in TV by testimonials from those who watched. Expect the comments "ang galing talaga ni ----," "the best movie of the year" or "grabe, ang saya!" These would probably be the shout outs of those who enjoyed the movie. But, just to think of it, I guess.. even me, if faced with a camera, I wouldn't say I didn't enjoy the movie unless I do not want to be seen on TV. But I wouldn't cross the line for those who really mean what they said. After all, it's a proper way and still, it's a choice of one to rather not comment infront of the camera if one has nothing good to say or one did not enjoy the movie at all.

Then, there would also be a few who would say that the lines are so cheesy and the jokes are corny. That the movie is such a waste of time and money. Well, they probably have hurled too harsh judgment when you hear them say that because in the first place, one must know that choosing a comedy movie means risking a chance to encounter those type of scenes or lines. But if the corniness or cheesiness is too much, I guess, it's understandable why they acted such way. Or by any chance, you have probably talked to a critic who's judgmental most of the time.

Well as for me, I must say that the movie is just a little short of my expectation. The funny scenes are lessened. But when I say funny, it means like laughing out loud or lol! Maybe the scriptwriters were in a rush to do their job and they ran out of much more hilarious scenes then filled them up with a lot of extenders. But then again, I still consider watching the movie worthwhile.

Just like the first installment, there are a few lines taken from the movies created by Star Cinema. It's a good add though because it will leave you thinking, "from which movie was it again?" Also the fast forward thing seems to be a trademark of this movie. I must say it's effective in the sense that the actors become fancy and it does help create a comic scene. And one thing noticeable about the whole movie is the addition of the "kasabihan" or proverbs, I guess, in English. Some did tickle me in a way but most just gave me a bad impression of the writers. Anyway, maybe some of the audience found it hilarious but it didn't just work for me.

The plot of the story is just so so. At first, I didn't pay much attention to how the story progresses because I was more focused on the punch lines but when things turned around for the character of Ai-Ai, Ina Montecillo that is, I was a bit disappointed with how the story was brought to another dimension. There could have been a much better way of putting up a more realistic story line but I'll just leave it there. The plot might also be pointing out to something about country's situation but it's too lame to start a fire so I guess, it wasn't done in any purpose other than to create a good movie.

Besides the plot, most of the actors also just did fine. The tandem of Ai-ai delas Alas and Eugene Domingo on screen works for me in most of their scenes. Ai-Ai is a veteran when it comes to both comedy and drama, I must say. Then it all relies to the script on how much better actress she could be. Eugene Domingo is also a brilliant performer. Aside from the good lines given to her, Eugene delivers very well her acting prowess. That's why when it's an Ai-Ai-Eugene movie, I expect something hilarious! The other characters in the movie just did fine though given very little dialogues. They also supported the main characters.

Aside from Ang Cute ng Ina Mo, I should say, the Ang Tanging Ina installments are on top of my list when it comes to Tagalog Comedy Movies. I might be biased in giving my review on this but that's how I see it. Now, I'm looking forward to more of the Ai-Ai and Eugene tandem in movies.

Rate: 8.5/10

AOM'03 First Grand Reunion

Here's the group minus Jona who still had a shift in the hospital and Karren who left early. I am also here..taking the shot! =)
from left to right: (farthest layer)Julius, Jovanne, Lawrence (middle layer)Vanessa, CLinton, Kenette, Valerie, Shelley, Aleli, Mary Joy, Anne Lorraine, Dianne, Philip (inner layer)Pearl, Andrea, Diana, James, Rolando, Kaye


Finally! After five years of not gathering each other as a group, the IV-Assumption of Mary Batch 2003--my section in fourth year high school that is, spent one night together to catch up on each other's life and to enjoy this season's festivity.

The plan of meeting up is actually a way of strengthening the bond that we had back in high school. It has been long overdue but when it was finally realized, the effect is so much good! The venue of the celebration was in Gerry's Grill-Alimall at 7pm.

Everyone was in good spirits that night. While everyone was waiting for the group to be completed, the early comers took time to ask one another about how each is getting on with life. Some are professionals now and earning money from their jobs while others are still waiting for their own time to land into the corporate world too. Just like me, I'm still..enjoying a laid back person's life! Well, I guess I deserve that much of relaxation after 17 years of continuous education. The place also glimmers as the camera captures the good times. Then as someone arrives, be it a group, a couple or solo, the group cheers out loudly gesturing a warm welcome.

It was as if time was fleeting being with the people who once became a part of my life. The night was too short to relive those happy memories we had in high school. After everyone was filled not only with the sumptuous dishes but also with the stories that everyone told, the group did the final activity which Filipinos are most fond of--striking a pose to the camera!

It was indeed a perfect night for everyone! The first AOM'03 Reunion was at its grand! I do hope that this marks the beginning of the annual Christmas reunion that we can have.

Here are some of the pictures taken that night.

Got addicted to Pirates: Rule the Carribean!

The game Pirates was introduced to me by my cousin's fiance, Ian. I really did not have an account in facebook before that. It was only when I got interested with how Pirates is played that I also signed-up in facebook. At first, I was just listening to Ian while he was explaining to my sister how the game is played. The mechanics of the game is confusing when it was explained to me first time. But when it was my turn, I enjoyed it and I got hooked to it just like now.

For beginners of this game, the first few steps are shown at the first page that you would see when the application is loaded. You just have to follow them first. I think there are four steps.

Once you've accomplished all the steps, you just have to repeat them all. Since the directions are not that specific or each step doesn't explain what's the purpose of doing so, the link for help will do. Plus, there's also a link to a forum for it in the help page.

These are the basic aspects of the game posted in the help page. I've added some points to somehow help. Well, these points are just based on my experiences.

The words in blue are the selections in the game. Under each of them are the explanation in italics plus my add-ins.

Plunder
Ahoy! This is the first place to go when ye start the game. Come here to earn gold and gain infamy points by completing plundering jobs. Gold helps ye get properties that bring recurring income on Pirate island and allows ye to purchase items in the Armory. Infamy points allow ye to move up to higher levels.
Some jobs have certain requirements before ye can do them: weapons or transport for ye fleet, a certain number of mateys, certain amount of infamy points, etc. New jobs become available as ye progress through the game.

Well, it's pirate language. How cool is that! It's the one used in the game so get used to it. Infamy points is called Experience points in the game. In choosing among the plunder items, the following must meet the requirement of the item..

1. the energy stats
2. the amount and kind of armory requirement
3. the needed number of crew members (see "Yer Crew" below)

These are the reasons why choose the certain item

1. your need for an amount of Gold is in that range
2. the experience points / Exp (Earning the required experience points will move you up to the next higher levels)

Here's a tip: Some have captions in green stating "Rumored to Drop Loot." If you have all the requirements, you should choose this above others because you can get special weapons here which are not found in the Armory.

Bounties
Arrrr! Those sons of biscuit eaters! This is where ye can put another player on the "Bounty List" and pay a bounty (a certain amount of gold) to whoever attacks the target first. For example, ye might put someone on the Bounty List after they've attacked ye.
If ye want to make some easy gold, attack the pirates on this list. But move quickly -- first come, first serve!

I haven't done this yet but planning to do it as I progress with the game. If your planning to put someone in the "Bounty List," just be sure you had a reason for doing so. If you did it for no reason at all, you might get attacked by the crews of the person you added to the list. Also, I haven't tried attacking somebody in the list because most of them are already strong players of the game.

Pirate Island
Make yer gold work for ye, even when yer away from the Pirates app. Earn daily recurring income - build territories and operations to maximize yer money-making power.

This area is pretty exciting because you get to decide how much you'll gonna earn for an hour. You can choose from the variety of lots and operations which offer different amount of income per hour. The operations are of course available only when you have purchased its corresponding lot.

Just a tip: If you earned golds in fighting and you still are going to stay longer on line then purchase items first in the armory because you'll be needing them when you fight your opponents. Purchase an island when you are leaving. That is, if you still have remaining golds yet.

Sometimes there are lots available for purchase which offer bigger income. You can gun for them. However, it has a number of crew minimum requirement so you must get as many crew members as you can!

Treasure Chest
Bury yer gold here so it won't get stolen in fights. But it'll cost ye - a certain percentage always gets lost in the sand.

The treasure chest serves as the bank where you keep everything you've earned. However, the difference is that when you deposit your gold or the term in the game "bury," you get to pay a certain amount. The amount deducted from your the gold you're going to bury is 10%. On the other hand when you want to use the gold again, you can unbury it without paying any fee.

Tip: When you log in to the game application and saw the golds you've gained from your last visit, purchase everything you need then immediately bury it because when somebody attacks you, you might get lost along with a bigger amount of gold.

Also, don't leave any gold unburied when you leave the game!

DAVEY JONES
If ye want some bonus extras, ye can help Davey Jones by completing offers in the Davey Jones section. He will reward ye with bonus points that will help ye move up the pirate ranks.

Well, it's nothing but a character created by the developer of the game. Here, you can do stuff indicated in the page. This is where the creators of the game earn real money through players who are so hooked to the game that they also purchase something through their credit cards. As for me, I'm gonna earn them the hard way. And in the first place, I still haven't got myself a card plus if I do have it, I won't pay that much for a past time.

FIGHT!
Show those scurvy dogs ye can throw down! Battle other pirates on Pirate island for gold and infamy points. Make sure ye have enough health and strength points. Ye want more infamy points to move up in level.

In this selection, you'll find the names of other pirates gamers who are of the same level as you are. Your main goal in fighting is to win more gold and experience points. To fight someone, just click on the attack button or better yet click on the opponent's name first to check his/her stats before attacking.

According to the forums, the highest gold that one can earn from a single attack is 70000 and the highest amount that can be lost is up to 100000 per attack. Also, the number of crews you have determines your success rate. The more crew you have, the stronger your fleet becomes and the higher the success rate you can achieve.

Tip: In choosing someone to attack, choose someone whose crew is the same number as you have or less than that. Before attacking him/her, check his/her stats and weigh in the strength of your opponent by looking at the items that he/she has in her stats. Because sometimes those with more crews have weaker stats and attacking them can make you win!

If you win in the first attack and you still have strength, keep on attacking the same opponent because in doing so, you might loot more items or even keelhaul your opponent.

Armory
Buy and sell weapons and transport to equip yer mateys and make sure yer fleet is strong in fights. This is also where ye buy different items required for certain plundering jobs.

The description says it all. This is where weapons and movement items are bought. Make sure you have each one of them and decide on which items to have more because each item corresponds to a certain number of Defense points and/or Attack points. Also, some items requires an upkeep which means there's a corresponding deduction in your income every 54 minutes once that particular item is bought.

Yer Crew
Yo ho ho! The more mateys ye have, the stronger yer fleet. Having more mateys helps in fights and is required for certain plundering jobs. Ye can recruit them here.

The key of winning the game is to have more crew. Invite someone to add you as crew. In some selections like Plunder and Pirate Island, there's a minimum requirement of crew to purchase a certain item. Also, your crew plays a big part in your game because there are fights that affect your crew. For instance, winning in your fight also gives a certain amount of gold or experience points to your crew. You can also cause damage to them when you lost the fight.

Me Skills
When ye gain enough infamy points to increase in level, ye are awarded skill points that ye can use to improve yer pirate's skills, maximum bravery points, maximum health points, and maximum strength points.

When you move up to the next level you earn 5 skills which you can choose where to invest them to. Be it in your defense skill, attack skill, maximum energy, maximum, health, or in maximum strength. You just have to strategize on where to allocate them.

Here is the time it takes for each item to increase by a point.

Health 3:00mins, Energy 5:00mins, Strength 5:00mins

*****
I hope this helps. Just let me know if there's anything you might wanna ask. I may not answer them all as I'm just a newbie too here especially if the question is something deep about the game but I could try it. Anyway, there's no harm in trying. Just keep your questions coming.

I must say this game has done something good to me while I'm in a long vacation. I have something new to do while surfing the net. Plus, it has something that keeps me coming back. I don't know how long I'm gonna be hooked in to this game but right now I'm just so into it!

I'm also gonna try other applications in the facebook. Well, mostly by Zynga, I guess..

End of the Year Guests

Two days ago, my cousin Ate Gina and her fiance Ian arrived here in the Philippines from New Zealand to have a two weeks-long vacation. They're going to stay in Luna, La Union and since we are the relative nearest the airport, they first dropped by our house for a couple of days. It's actually their plan to let Ian meet Ate Gina's parents before getting married.

As Filipinos, it has been our custom to show hospitality to visitors. Be it in a simple gesture of welcoming the guests with a positive attitude or exuberance in every way. Through this kind of practice we make sure that the stay of our guests becomes worthwhile.

On their first night here, I was a bit uncomfortable but I must say I used to have this kind of feeling everytime there's a visitor in the house or I am a visitor to a place. Though Ate Gina's been with us several times, I felt that the thought that we don't see each other often or talk to each other that quite much made me a bit hesitant. But I knew I shouldn't be because they're just gonna be spending a short time with us so I was thinking, why not make the most out of that span of time.

The thing was, I forgot to brush up on my English speaking skill before I got into the battle of wit. I must admit, I really am not that confident with my English orally. I used to speak like a robot with a lot of "ah's" and "uhm's". And to make matters worse I often just say "Yes" when I understand.. without trying to expound more on the topic. Well, expect that I'm still constructing the sentence in my head. Then when I missed what was said or just didn't understand, I often respond with "I'm sorry" or "Can you repeat that?" or even "What's that again?" Haha! I need practice!

Ian's got a stronger accent than my Uncle Sandy who's a Scot. He's got a different intonation compared to the one that I got used to when speaking with Uncle Sandy. Aside from that, he talks a bit faster but we remind him so when it gets that fast. When it comes to the things that he speaks about, I think he's got a lot of things to say. He speaks whatever he's thinking and I see that as a good sign that he's a good person.

Since the period that they had here is just short, we spent the day with activities. In the morning, my sister and I joined them for a walk around our CLEAN community. Emphasis on the clean..lol! Marikina Heights is known for that by the way. Then back at home, Ian brought out his gadgets which to be honest I became a little envious with when I first saw them. Starting with his XBOX 360 and PS2. It was disappointing though that the picture had no color when the whole set up was done. We later found out that the problem was with our TV. It's only standard TV not HDTV! I was able to play one game but Ian did not want to continue it without color.

We proceeded with watching a movie. Ian brought out his collection of cloned DVD's. I guess about 50 copies of them or more. He told us that he's using a software called CloneDVD. He said, he bought the software and used it to copy the original, even the protected or copyrighted ones. He told us that he has about 300 collections of movies back in NZ. How cool is that! While we were watching Transformers the Movie, he brought out Ate Gina's laptop, his DVD writer and blank DVD's, showed us how it's done and offered to give us some copies!

Here are the movies that he gave us: 300, Aeonflux, Alien vs Predator, Indiana Jones(Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981, Temple of Doom 1984, The Last Crusade 1989, and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 2008), King Arthur, King Kong, Star Wars(IV: A New Hope 1977, V: Empire Strikes Back 1980, VI: Return of the Jedi 1983, I: The Phantom Menace 1999, II: Attack of the Clones 2002 and III: Revenge of the Sith 2005), and Transformers the Movie

Then later that afternoon, we went to the mall of asia to stroll and buy stuff. However, I wasn't able to consume the money that was given to me. I couldn't think of where to spend the money that time so I just kept it.

The next day, they left for La Union.

Finally, away from home..

Finally, after a very long time I'm beginning to make blogging a habit again. It's not that I have more things to say now but definitely it's for the reason that I have less things to do now. And when I'm bored, I'm feeling the urge to write just anything. It's better than be caught idle anyway.

This day, I've planned to go somewhere else other than staying here at home. I've been stuck here in the house for quite a long time now. Also, I was tasked by my sister to buy gift for my little cousin. Since I've been missing the Manila area, I was thinking of Divisoria!

LRT - Katipunan Station
This is my first stop from our house after a jeepney ride. Since second year college until during the review days I was patronizing the LRT services when I go to the part of Manila. Now, I still prefer this route of course because it's the fastest way to go there plus the comfort of riding in an air-conditioned vehicle at a considerable price.

I noticed one thing inside the train, there were no Christmas songs playing in the background! Too bad, it was boring!

LRT - Recto Station
It's the terminal station. I only alight in this station when I go to places farther than school. Nothing's changed. It's still the same.

Hidalgo
Pirated CD, DVD, HD DVD, Blu Ray galore! This is where I usually double-up my own security. Here are my reasons why I think a precautionary measure is a must in this place.

First. You must protect yourself from snatchers who might take the chance of doing their craft while searching for your stuff. It's better to be proactive than be sorry later. You might feel a little nervous. Well, it's a good thing! At least you're aware of the worst scenario and will try to avoid that to happen. Just don't over react. Instead of keeping away from them you might easily call their attention.

Secondly, I have never been good in avoiding these annoying people whom I call "X Pushers." As long as you're in their zone, you'll never escape their marketing strategy of promoting their products right infront of your face. So weak people, beware! You might just give in to temptation.

And finally, the VRB "Hakot Group." Wag ka na magmalinis.. you know where you put yourself into when you dropped by that place. Anyway, they seldom do their job. Just check up your luck before you go there. And don't stay too long in searching for your stuff especially in confined areas. You don't wanna own a moment of ill fame or be locked-up in there 'til the "Hakot Group" has gone. Take it from me. I did not have that chance of fame though, well.. luckily, but I was one of the people who got locked up. Traumatizing? Yes, but I've learned my lesson anyway.

Why I keep coming back to this place?.. Pretty simple.. just because.

Quiapo Church
Before I left Quiapo, I passed by the church. I rarely visit that place when I go to Hidalgo. That time, I don't know why but I just did. I was just standing at the back and said my prayers.

Divisoria
I've been to this place way back before. From the LRT Recto station, it's just a jeepney ride to the Tutuban mall. I had a thought that I could just walk my way there because it's only like several blocks away from the Avenida Ave. I was just too tired that time plus it was beginning to get dark and I don't mind spending eight pesos to get there comfortably. After all, when I reach the place I knew that it's gonna be like endless walking.

While I was in the jeep, I noticed this one situation between the driver and several vendors. When the vehicles were on a complete halt because of the traffic, these vendors took the chance to sell cigarettes or candies. The driver on the other hand had to buy at least one or to give at least a peso. It had to be that way to all who would approach because a threat comes along with the trade. I did not witness how the threat was delivered but based from I what I heard from the story of the driver as he was ranting when several vendors had already approached, these vendors threatened him before and it went.."Magbibigay ka ba o papatayin kita!" Poor jeepney drivers.. but it is the sad reality of the situation. At some point, life is just so unfair!

A few minutes after boarding from the jeepney, I finally arrived at Divisoria. It was actually a block more away from the Tutuban mall but I decided to just alight from the jeep because the traffic was very heavy and I was more eager to walk than to wait and watch how those hungry leeches suck out blood from their poor host.

There were so many people scrambling everywhere as it is the Christmas season. All coming from different walks of life. I even witnessed the demolition of the stalls and push carts of the illegal vendors around the place. My attention was caught by this running woman who cried, "Ba't niyo ba kami pinahihirapan nang ganito? Bakit di niyo kami hayaang lumamon katulad ng nilalamon niyo!" Then I saw the cart loaded with sinangag na mani that she was pushing hurriedly away from the authorities to save her only way to earn for a living.

A thought came to me.. "Why not let these people have the chance to sell their products and earn something more on Christmas season. After all, Christmas is about merrymaking. And having something more than what one can have on an ordinary day makes the occasion festive!"

That was just a thought anyway. There's nothing I can do about it.

It was a long and tiring search for what I need. I went to the Tutuban mall first to look for a gift but all that I immediately saw there were a sea of apparels and fashion accessories. I walked past those stalls whose items are clothes only. Well, those were not my need anyway. I had crossed the other side of the mall but still had not found what I was looking for.

I went to the main mall then I saw boutiques and shops that are also found in regular malls unlike in the other part where the stalls are like tiangges only. This is where I found the gift. I did not easily settle for the first possible gift that I saw. Instead, I still roamed outside to look for something better.

Just across the Tutuban mall, I saw a shop where the products sold are all toys for the kids. I didn't think twice as I was too tired and wanting to go home that time. I searched in every corner of the shop then finally, I found something perfect for my cousin!

***************************************

In Hidalgo, I bought the 8in1 Blu Ray Disc. It contains the Batman movie series and Iron Man. I failed to watch in cinema both the two biggest comic book adaptation of the year -- The Dark Night and Iron Man.

Also, I bought the Dream Match in DVD. I saw several of these in the stalls so I was tempted to buy it also. Collectible? Yeah, maybe. It's worth increases as years progress because it is part of history now. Well.. I think.

I bought a transformable robot and car. It's not that pricey. It costs 170.50 pesos but I got it for only 160 pesos.

The Dream Match finally realized..

Once again, people's champ Manny Pacquiao has proven his superiority inside the ring!

After several months since it was in the news that there will be match between The Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya and Pound for pound King of the Ring Manny Pacquiao, finally it concluded yesterday, December 7, 2008 (Philippine setting). This match between two of the most talked about and globally-known sports icons in the recent generation of world boxing is the most anticipated match of the year. According to the news before and what I've researched now, the match is a non-title fight at 147 pound welterweight limit.

Having owned World Titles in 6 different weight divisions and a professional record of 39 wins and 5 losses, De La Hoya had been favored by analysts to win the match. On the other hand, Pacquiao who had just recently won the title in the lightweight division last June of this year against David Diaz and with a professional record of 47 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws was the underdog of the game.

I have never been a fan of boxing since before Manny Pacquiao came into the scene of world boxing. Maybe due to the same happiness that I feel as the other Filipinos everytime a Filipino boxer most especially Pacquiao wins in a match I started to watch a complete match of boxing. If not for Manny winning every match and now branded as the "Mexicutioner," I would have not watched a boxing match from start to end. I also have somehow known the boxing icons who are mostly Pacquiao's contender -- Barrera, Morales and Marquez to name a few and facts about the game like the governing bodies and the weight classifications when I started to be curious about boxing.

Yesterday, I've watched the dream match in the television at TV channel 7 and the night before I had also accidentally tuned the TV to the documentary regarding the dream match shown in GMA-7 so I was able to know facts about the match and how important it is in the boxing history. I was really expecting much about the match because like I've said what are about to bout in the ring are two well-known boxers. Since I'm not that of an avid fan of boxing, I was just waiting for the main event. I wasn't expecting though that when the TV was tuned to Channel 2 I would see in the news flash about the result of the match and I was at first eye-stuck to the teletext waiting for the result of the match. Then, my heart leaped with joy when I found out that Pacquiao won! But I was curious about the match because Pacquiao managed to win on the 8th round and all the while I was expecting that the match would reach the 12th round.

When the main event started to be televised in GMA, I noticed that it wasn't that exciting match after all because it was like a one sided game. It was like even if one doesn't know the point system of boxing, one would know who's winning. It's not that I am ranting about the victory of Pacquiao but I guess the match just did not go with my expectation.

In every round, Pacquiao was doing what he was trained to, like the strategy that he used which I guess they call the "1,2, Punch" and it was even showed in the replay of the highlight of the round how he had successfully done it. He had also thrown his jabs at top speed like what he's been doing before or even did better this time.

While on the other side of the ring, De La Hoya I guess had a hard time doing what he did best in his previous bouts maybe because of not expecting how good Manny is or maybe lack of preparation because what I noticed was he seldom throw jabs to counteract his opponent's attacks. Maybe Pacquiao was just too quick and has great reflexes that was why De La Hoya's offense did not go successfully but I must say it's clear in the last remaining rounds that he had a hard time because he wasn't throwing jabs anymore.

The sports analysts were proven wrong when they said that De La Hoya's advantage of having longer reach of up to 6 inches would be very dangerous for Pacquiao because Pacquiao showed that his speed and enough preparation including the well-analyzed strategies could defeat even the most famous boxer of this generation, Oscar De La Hoya. On the start of the 9th round, De La Hoya gave up the fight and did congratulate Pacquiao for a job well done. It was a win for Pacquiao on the 8th round by TKO! Though the dream match was a little less short of my expectation I'm still glad that Pacquiao won because I would be very much disappointed and would rather not write this blog if he happened to get lost.

And now, many are saying Oscar De La Hoya is the past. It’s Pacquiao’s time now. Mabuhay ang Pilipino!