Day after Christmas, Jewel and I were en route to Iloilo, our last travel destination for the year. Instead of taking the flight there, we, the travel retards, took the not so popular but cheap nautical highway. Since we had a lot of time and little money to spend (it's the holiday season plus the fact that we are freelancers and are considered to be jobless), we decided to take the overnight trip and torture ourselves. Unfortunately, the weather was bad enough to spell adventure as D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R.
If you're not taking the plane to Iloilo, this is the route that you'll have to take:
* Bus from Manila to Batangas Pier -- 3 hours at least. * Fast craft from Batangas to Calapan Port in Mindoro -- 1 hour at least. * Van from Calapan to Roxas Pier -- 3 hours at least. * Ship from Roxas to Caticlan Pier -- 5 hours. * Van or bus from Caticlan to Iloilo -- 5 hours.
That's 17 hours worth of torture but it took us 20 hours to reach our hotel in Iloilo (yes, backpackers are allowed to sleep in hotels and not just some cheap pension houses).
That's nothing compared to my previous records: 24-hour train ride from Bangkok to Butterworth, Malaysia; 21-hour driving marathon from Batangas to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte plus another 20 hours going back (note: non-stop without any substitute). However, this "in transit" experience was made memorable because of the long hours aggravated by rough weather and other extremes.
We arrived at Batangas port at around eleven in the morning. We're supposed to take the Supercat fast craft but another passenger convinced us to take the MS Express after he or she--because of the person's androgyny--impaired my brain's ability to discern reality. The person said that it's only gonna take us 50 minutes to reach Calapan, Mindoro. We waited three hours in the terminal and then cut to the most life-threatening boat ride I've ever had. I don't know the physics of it but I thought the androgynous passenger was RIGHT. MS Express fast craft was actually fast enough for it to fly over water. Only that time, there were tsunami-like waves that pushed the vessel down every time it tried to defy gravity. I was enjoying Up Dharma Down and trying to get some sleep when the fast craft started banking on the right and the screaming passengers were all over my ears, breaking through my pumping earphones. I had to stop the music and start holding on for dear life.
But then I thought this couldn't be the last day of my life. If it were, I would've probably said goodbye to all my family and friends in a premonitory way but I didn't even bother to greet most of them during Christmas. And then I remembered I was talking to Ryann, my ex-wife, the night before and I said I'm so happy and I'm ready to die and not expecting to grow old anymore. Uh oh. I was only kidding! Then I started thinking of how I'm gonna save my life; how I'm gonna save Jewel; or how I'm gonna save my camera and laptop from getting wet (I'm serious!). All these things were running in my mind like a montage sequence in a Michel Gondry film as the vessel continued to oscillate between death and survival.
---
Obviously, we survived the MS Express or MS Express survived the rough seas. Jewel promised not to take the MS Express anymore and I couldn't agree more. I was laughing at the whole experience on the way to the van terminal.
When we were inside the van, I was concerned about how long the land trip will take from Calapan to Roxas because we haven't eaten a decent meal (Jewel and I only had ham sandwich for lunch my mother prepared for us). My research says it's about 4 hours but maybe the locals know it better so I asked the people in front of our seat.
Ian: [to the woman in front of him] Ilang oras po papuntang Roxas?
Woman: Hindi ko alam e. Ilang oras ba? [to the man on her left]
Man: Depende. Depende sa takbo.
Ian: [thought bubble: PUTA KA WAG KANG PILOSOPO!!!] Estimate po...
Man: Isang oras siguro o isang oras at kalahati
Ian: Ah okay thanks.
I was irritated I want to hit the man with a sledgehammer. Roxas is around 125 kilometers from Calapan and there's no way we can travel across that distance in one and a half hours not unless the van was frigging MS Express. I decided to listen to Up Dharma Down before my evil self could take over and commit a murder inside the van.
The scene inside the van was very stereotypical of the province portrayed in Filipino movies: passengers packed like sardines with their big luggage and boxes and bayong. I was thinking I wouldn't be surprised if one of the passengers have roosters with them. I discovered after a few hours that the man I want to hit with a sledgehammer actually had a fuckin' cock (No, not his penis but a noisy frigging rooster inside a box).
Why? Why would people bother to bring a rooster when they travel? Why would they go through the hassle and likewise discomforting other people around them? I guess I will never know the answer, which can only be found in that man's pea-size brain. Hmmm. Maybe the pea-size brain is the answer.
---
We finally arrived at Roxas Pier at around 6PM, just in time for the 7PM barge on the way to Caticlan. This allowed us no time to eat a decent meal again. I started to enumerate the things that happened to me the whole day: life-threatening fast craft plus stupid man with a fuckin' cock minus a fitting supply of fat and carbs. They complete the formula for unleashing the grouchy me. "This is a post-Christmas, year-ender vacation! This is supposed to be fun!"
But what's next? 5 hours more out in the dark, unpredictable sea plus 5 hours more of road travel minus a plain sailing sleep. What was I thinking? Oh yeah, I forgot. We have a lot of time and little money to spend.
The experience in the barge was no less like what happened in the fast craft. We were in an oscillating cradle made for disaster. It's a good thing I never get seasick. However, a lot of people in the barge were. I went to the comfort room to pee and it was a pool of barf in there. Why would they vomit on the floor? For goodness sake! The comfort room was one barf shy of being considered a sewer instead of a comfort room. I needed to pee. I had no choice. I had to step on other people's vomit. I was holding my breath when I entered the sewer...er...room. I regretted drinking water before getting on the barge. I made my next few steps and all I felt was pain and I never expected that spending a minute taking a leak in a "septic tank" was going to be one of the painful parts of this journey.
It was finally over. I survived hell and I felt like Mike Rowe in Dirty Jobs only this time I was completely grossed out. I thought I must be rewarded for doing such a good job not hurting people after fate had made my life so miserable.
---
12MN in Caticlan. 5 hours away from Iloilo. I could only imagine the soft bed in the hotel room. We were hungry. We were tired. We wanted to sleep. My brain wasn't working anymore and my pores were so stressed out they were screaming for cold water. The van going to Iloilo was relatively comfortable. There was at least a room for one more in our row and no moron in sight. Alas, the driver of this van was reckless and had an apparently bad taste for music. Jewel told me that she had to endure listening to a local radio station that repeatedly played some orgasmic ID: "aaahhh... aaahhh... aaahhh-YOS!!!" It was probably the same level with, "Pwede, pwede, pwede! IFM lagi!" I was lucky my iPod didn't die on me during this grueling hours or I would probably die with it.
We arrived in Iloilo Grand Hotel at around 5AM. Unfortunately, no room was available yet and we were supposed to check in at 2PM. Fuck it! We were hungry so we went out to look for food. What happened next is not part of this travel note anymore so I'm stopping here.
I only have one Christmas wish this year and that's for Jewel to finally find a decent and high-paying job. It sounds selfless, I know, but it's also for my own good because this will open a lot of closed doors for me. Practically, I can have my life back, which includes "Ian's special time for himself." hahaha.
I'm also keeping my new year's resolution simple. I will not take bad photos anymore. Zero craptacular photos for next year.
That's it! No more drama. No more teenage issues. No serious adult dilemmas.
Here's for a great year ahead. *toast*
Ian: You know what? I think we're both hopeless romantics.
Jewel: No. I'm cynical.
Ian: No. We're hopeless romantics.
Jewel: No. I'm cynical.
Ian. Ugh. You're hopeless.
---
Ian: [after bingeing on a lot of food] Shet ang takaw ko.
Jewel: [smells Ian] Hindi ka pa naman mabaho.
Ian: Bingi naman pala 'to!
---
Ian: Jewel, sa tingin mo uuwi s'ya ng probinsya for Christmas?
Jewel: Huh? Can we what?
Ian: Jewel, 'wag mo ko kausapin!
---
Jacs: Guys, come on!
Jewel: Ano? Turon?
(That's it!)
---
While walking around the mall...
Jewel: Bakit merong seal sa likod ng panda bear?
Ian: Hindi kaya panda 'yan!
Jewel: E ano yan?
Ian: Polar bear, hello.
Hahahahahahaha.
[Insert pic here]
jewel with jacs and the "panda bear"
---
Jewel's text to John, Jacs, Ryan and Ian: OH MY GAWD! another m*fkng DOM approached me wyl walking arnd glorietta. HIs name is george and he's an architect daw. I told him im waiting for my boyfriend. Wants to know if we can be friends daw. Shit!
*REACTIONS HERE*
---
Jewel and Ian came from Quiapo and now are lost.
Jewel: Where are we?
Ian: I think this is Sta. Mesa.
Jewel: Huh? Sta. Mesa, Laguna?
Ian: Uhm. Sta. Rosa, Laguna kase yun.
---
Ian: [Out of the blue] Jewel, I think we need to fix our lives.
After a few seconds, Jewel and Ian laughed.
WE are definitely not serious.
---
Jewel: Brat, I'm excited na for Iloilo and Boracay.
Ian: Ako hindi because traveling with you is the new torture.
Jewel: Na-hurt ako.
Ian: OK.
Ian: Your make-up is not good. I don't like it.
No reaction from Jewel.
Ian: What? You should believe me. I'm your most honest friend. I will not lie to you.
After a few hours at a different place.
Ian: Do I look OK?
Jewel: You never look OK.
Ian: 'Wag mo ko kausapin.
Jewel: What? You should believe me. I'm your most honest friend. I will not lie to you.
---
Ian: JEWEL!!!!!!!. "Tooot" is online. Do you think i should talk to "tooot?"
Jewel: [wearing her serious face] Go. Tell "tooot" how desperate you are!
Ian: Gago!
---
John: Are you guys doing something today?
Ian: Yeah, punta kami Divisoria.
John: Gusto n'yo manood na lang ng movie sa UP?
Ian: O, sige dun na lang tayo pumunta, Jewel.
John: 65 yung movie.
Jewel: ANG MAHAL!!!! (Delivered as if she only has 50 pesos in her wallet. As in what-the-fuck-i'm-poor delivery!)
---
Ian: Change your shirt. I don't like it. You look like crap.
Jewel: You guys are crap anyway, so I belong!
---
Jewel: Brat, diba it's more ok to see the butt crack than the panty?
Ian: Uhm, yeah! (Thought bubble: Why the fuck are we talking about butt cracks and panties?)
---
Mark: Sometimes kase, when you're overqualified, they wouldn't assign you to small projects. Like when they see that you can do all these stuff.
Jewel: Eh, I'm not choosy naman!
Ian: Eh 'di ilagay mo sa resume mo "Not Choosy!"
---
Jewel touching Ian's hair.
Ian: Stop it.
Jewel: Why?
Ian: Nakikiliti ako.
Jewel: What? It's not as if I'm touching your pubic hair.
LOL.
Ian: WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jewel, my Madam President look-alike friend, has always been the source of good laugh in our circle. Or should I say, we always make fun of her. I always thought she would be a great character in a sitcom because every move she makes or every line she delivers can be a thigh-slapping, gut-busting punch line. If you think the following conversations are funny, then ask her to hang out with you and get ready to die... laughing.
000
Jewel talking about her crush who left for Thailand.
Jewel: Brat, I wanna go to Thailand and tell him, "I need to get you out of my system. Let's fuck!"
Ian: You are such a floozy, Jewel!
Jewel: Well, I'm the only floozy who doesn't get any action.
Ian: That's true. LOL.
---
Jewel during a job interview.
Interviewer: What's the most difficult thing you've ever done in your life?
Jewel: I don't know.
---
Ian getting ready for a date.
Ian: Jewel, do you think I should change my shirt? I think I look like crap.
Jewel: You always look like crap!
Ian: Gago ka!
---
Ian: Why do you always have to watch such crappy movies?
Jewel: It's not crappy.
Ian: It is crappy... like your face.
---
Ian: Ugh, you suck!
Jewel: I don't suck. They suck me.
Ian: LOL. How?
---
After having a drink.
Jewel: Ugh, nasusuka ako.
Ian: E, kung ako rin naman ang may mukhang ganyan masusuka rin ako.
LOL.
---
Ryan driving John's car to Jacs' house.
Jewel: John, can i drive the car from Jacs' house to your house?
John: Yeah, sige.
Jewel: Yey!!!
Ryan: Malapit lang ba bahay n'yo? Pwede lakarin?
John: Yeah, malapit lang.
Ryan: Sige, maglalakad na lang ako.
---
Text messages.
Ian: San ka? Kumain ka na?
Jewel: Nag drive thru mcdo. Not yet. Not feeling well. Pauwi na. Hyperacidity plus motion sickness plus dehydration. I need to fart!
---
Jewel and Jacs went into an Adidas store. While Jacs was looking at a pair of shoes Jewel interrupted.
Jewel: I thought you said you don't like Nike.
Jacs: Adidas 'to.
Jewel: No, it's not.
Jacs: Uhm, look around.
Ryan: Ang laki-laki ng tatlong stipes hindi mo napansin na Adidas?
LOL
---
Jewel and Ian watching TV
Jewel: Where's the remote?
Ian: I don't know. Up your ass?
(found the remote near her bum) Jewel: You're right.
Mauna na ko kay Kat and Jacs. :p
Please get a copy of Metro featuring Angel Locsin on the cover. October 2008 issue is the Power women special which features stories of ten women who made their mark and who continues to inspire other women in our society.
It also features new sections: VANITY FARE and GO FIGURE.
:)
Miss Burns: You left this boy alone in a public park?..Do you realize what could have happened to him??
Stuart: I could have become Michael Jackson's Bitch.
---
Stuart: My mom says that it's OK to talk to lesbians because they take good care of their cats and they have a can do attitude.
---
Stuart: My mom says that Mexicans are the last great hope for our country because they work hard and make eye contact while making love.
---
Mom: Well, do you know what you want?
Stuart: A happy meal!!
Mom: Stuart this is a Chinese resturant they don't make the happy meal.
Stuart: THEN I HATE THE CHINESE!!!!!!
---
Stuart: Oh and my dad died.
Mom: No, Stuart, you're dad is not dead.
Stuart: HE'S DEAD TO ME.
---
Stuart: [talking to the Tooth Fairy] Don't jump on the bed. My mom says only Italians do that.
---
Mom: What does mama say about the smoking?
Stuart: Smoking is for Europeans and white trash.
---
Mom: What does mama say about sliding down the banister?
Stuart: Don't slide down the banister because you'll injure your googoo and that's all some men have going for them.
---
Mom: What does mama say about little boys who aren't polite?
Stuart: Little boys who aren't polite give the pro-choice a better reason to exist.
---
Mom: What does mama say about lying?
Stuart: Little boys who lie should expect tragedy to visit them on a regular basis.
---
Aunt Noreen: Happy Birthday, Stuart! Do you remember which aunt I am?
Stuart Larkin: The alcoholic?
Aunt Noreen: No...
Stuart Larkin: The one who lives with her "FRIEND", Linda?
Aunt Noreen: No...
Stuart Larkin: Then you must be the ugly one.
Doreen Larkin: Stuart, apologize to your Aunt Noreen!
Stuart Larkin: I'm sorry you're ugly.
---
Doreen Larkin: What does mama say about swearing?
Stuart Larkin: Mama says, little boys who swear grow up to be Democrats.
---
Doreen Larkin: Stuart, what does mama say about little boys who eavesdrop?
Stuart Larkin: Little boys who eavesdrop deserve to know the truth, and the truth is usually devastating.
---
Man: [a t-ball coach teaching Stuart to swing] Now, Stuart, you have to get angry and swing at the ball. What makes you angry , Stuart?
Stuart Larkin: [eyes narrow, voice becomes a growling whisper] The *world*. From Stuart
Random quotes of Ja’mie King, the most obnoxious and hilarious character since Borat.
---
"My name is Ja'mie (pronounced as JAMEY). J A '(apostrophe) M I E. Weird name, I know, but you'll get used to it."
"Are you a manager? Because you so don't sound like a manager, you sound like a dumb-ass fat bitch. I'm sorry you sound SO fat..."
“I don't want to be a bitch, but you're all a bunch of public school povo's, seriously..”
(after breaking up with Sebastian) “Am I hot??? Am I hot???”
"I will have no hesitation in smashing your dolls cupboard with a hammer mum. I'm serious."
"You know what would be embarrassing? Having your head."
“I'd rather be a pedophile than a lesbian. Seriously!"
"Studies have shown that students from private schools are more likely to get into Uni and end up making a lot more money. While wifebeaters and rapists are nearly all public school educated... Sorry, no offense but it's true"
“Oh my God, that is so random!”
“Oh my god you have wheelchair people here? That’s so cute! Like we don't have disabled people at my school, oh i think we have one burns victim, but no mentally retarded people..”
"and i want us to look equally hot on the night.. if that's what you're worrying about.. please don't.. cos i can give you some tips..."
Friends don't send two messages in an hour saying "See You in English!", "Save Me a Seat!".
"Do you realise who I am? I'm like the record holder, i'm the national record holder. I'm like totally the face of your organisation."
"I love your tie, ties are so random. What are they made out of? - fabric or something..."
"If You Fuckin Love Me You Will Do As I Fuckin Say"
(talking to her mum on the phone) "Why are you being the biggest bitch in the world to me? I'm 16 mum and in a couple of years time I'm gonna be fucking out of your life. I'm not even gonna fuckin invite you to my wedding."
"Oh my god. She's like the fugliest girl I've ever met."
check some of the videos in my video page...
HI,
may kakilala ba kayong female model na gusto mag pose ng NUDE sa photo.... please help me spread the word... and bigay nyo na lang contact ko kung meron...
maraming salamat...
ian
HI,
may kakilala ba kayong female model na gusto mag pose ng NUDE sa photo.... please help me spread the word... and bigay nyo na lang contact ko kung meron...
maraming salamat...
ian
- "Even if you are rich, famous, powerful, or very good-looking, the only person who REALLY cares about you is your mother. The REALLY sad part is that it is probably not even her choice to care, and that she will likely do/say things to you that your worst enemy would not."
- "While the vast majority of people don’t care AT ALL about what happens to you, most of those who DO at least somewhat care actually secretly hope that you FAIL so that can feel better about themselves. This seems to be especially true among siblings and between female “best friends.”
- "Very few things in life REALLY matter. It is HIGHLY unlikely that your grades in school, your first romantic heartbreak, or anything that happens to your hometown athletic team or on your favorite soap opera will come close to qualifying."
- "Since very few things really make a big difference in the end, being nervous is almost ALWAYS irrational and counterproductive. And yet, if you aren’t at least a little nervous about an endeavor before you do it, it hardly seems worth doing."
- "People tend to determine whether or not to do a “questionable” act based on whether they think that they will get caught and whether the risk is worth the potential reward, far more than if the act is actually “right” or “wrong.” This is another potential Bill Clinton thesis topic."
- "A person’s ability to get away with breaking the rules is directly proportional to how rich, famous, powerful, or good looking they are. There is no such thing as a “common standard.” Life is not fair and was never intended to be."
- "To most people (especially those under the age of 60) “loyalty” to another is defined not by what that person has done for them in the past, but rather by what they think that person might be willing and able to do for them in the future. So don’t count on someone being loyal to you unless you have profound, well-established, leverage over them."
- "House pets are usually far more loyal/trustworthy than humans. And usually humans treat them much better than they do other humans. Because cats are able to pull this off while providing almost nothing in return, they seem most likely to take over the universe when humans are finally erased."
- "While you can argue over the definition, there is NO such thing as a truly selfless act. There are acts that are more/less selfish than others, but even Mother Teresa did what she did partly because it made her feel good to do the “right” thing and because she thought that it would help get her INTO heaven. However, there is still no plausible explanation for some of the things that Michael Jackson has done."
- "We are ALL “whores” to some extent. Everyone on earth would do something/anything for money, fame, power, sex that they would NEVER think of doing otherwise. All that really separates us is our price and our preferred method of payment. Those whose behavior seems most dramatically affected by this principle include politicians, entertainers, criminal defense attorneys, and very good-looking women."
- "Because it is usually perceived as a sign of weakness (especially by people that you want to date), the nicer you are to people, the GREATER the chance that they will want nothing to do with you (unless, of course, you are rich, famous, powerful, or very good looking)."
- "Despite what Walt Disney animated films have taught us, someone is NOT more likely to be a “good” person if they are beautiful (or at least cuddly) or more likely to be “bad” if they are ugly. In fact, it is probably the OPPOSITE of reality. Ironically, the best proof of this comes FROM the behavior of the residents of Hollywood themselves."
- "Your level of happiness seems to be determined more by your level of expectation of what you SHOULD have rather than what your life ACTUALLY has. This is why mentally handicapped people usually seem pretty happy and Hollywood Stars often seem so miserable (interestingly, there seems to be little difference between the two groups when it comes to IQ)."
- "A large number of people are “happier” when they DON’T get what they think they want because they would rather have the “bitching rights” that go with HAVING someone disappoint them. This aliment seems to be particularly prevalent among women in serious relationships."
- "The basis of all romantic relationships is an “equality of power” that is based on both parties perception of their partner’s “value” in the “market place” being equal to or greater than their perception of their own “value” in the market place. When something happens to disrupt the “balance of power” the relationship will usually spiral downward and eventually fail. This is a major reason why Hollywood marriages are more fragile than most."
- "ALL relationships will end in at least one of four ways: 1. Slowly fading away without reason, climax, or fanfare 2. A painful farewell 3. Both parties hating each other 4. Death. So make sure the rise is worth the inevitable fall!"
- "The vast majority of America’s population is MUCH uglier than those who are allowed on television. Consequently (unless you are rich, famous, powerful, or very good-looking) your expectations for a mate, through no real fault of your own, will likely FAR exceed reality. This is why there are so many unmarried 35-40 year olds."
- "You will likely find out FAR more about the person you dated/married during the breakup process than you EVER could have while the relationship was on going (interestingly statistics SHOW that marriages between people who have broken up are more successful than those that haven’t). However, it is HIGHLY unlikely that you will like what you find out, that the two of you will ever have a significant conversation about all that you have learned, or that either of you will attempt to truly grow FROM the experience."
- "It is COMPLETELY illogical for there to be “The One” person that is meant for everyone to find and spend their lives with (if this is really was the case, who ever is in charge of “fate” is doing a REALLY lousy job). Almost ALL of our relationships (especially the romantic ones) will be dictated FAR more by timing and circumstance than by any other factor (like choice or fate). However, a man is still FAR more likely to get laid if he can somehow convince the woman that “fate” is somehow at work on them."
- "While our hormones have a PROFOUND self-interest to convince us otherwise (and often do a damn good job of it), there is probably no such thing as “true love.” If there is it is extremely rare. As rare as the person who is STILL “in love” with someone after they are NO LONGER rich, famous, powerful, or very good-looking."
- "The mating/dating process is inherently one of almost total deceit. If we knew EVERYTHING about a potential mate the moment we first met, no one would EVER get married or maybe even have sex (unless maybe it was with Tiger Woods or Charlize Theron)."
- "The basis of all romantic relationships is an “equality of power” that is based on both parties perception of their partner’s “value” in the “market place” being equal to or greater than their perception of their own “value” in the market place. When something happens to disrupt the “balance of power” the relationship will usually spiral downward and eventually fail. This is a major reason why Hollywood marriages are more fragile than most."
- "ALL relationships will end in at least one of four ways: 1. Slowly fading away without reason, climax, or fanfare 2. A painful farewell 3. Both parties hating each other 4. Death. So make sure the rise is worth the inevitable fall!"
- "The vast majority of America’s population is MUCH uglier than those who are allowed on television. Consequently (unless you are rich, famous, powerful, or very good-looking) your expectations for a mate, through no real fault of your own, will likely FAR exceed reality. This is why there are so many unmarried 35-40 year olds."
- "You will likely find out FAR more about the person you dated/married during the breakup process than you EVER could have while the relationship was on going (interestingly statistics SHOW that marriages between people who have broken up are more successful than those that haven’t). However, it is HIGHLY unlikely that you will like what you find out, that the two of you will ever have a significant conversation about all that you have learned, or that either of you will attempt to truly grow FROM the experience."
- "It is COMPLETELY illogical for there to be “The One” person that is meant for everyone to find and spend their lives with (if this is really was the case, who ever is in charge of “fate” is doing a REALLY lousy job). Almost ALL of our relationships (especially the romantic ones) will be dictated FAR more by timing and circumstance than by any other factor (like choice or fate). However, a man is still FAR more likely to get laid if he can somehow convince the woman that “fate” is somehow at work on them."
- "While our hormones have a PROFOUND self-interest to convince us otherwise (and often do a damn good job of it), there is probably no such thing as “true love.” If there is it is extremely rare. As rare as the person who is STILL “in love” with someone after they are NO LONGER rich, famous, powerful, or very good-looking."
- "The mating/dating process is inherently one of almost total deceit. If we knew EVERYTHING about a potential mate the moment we first met, no one would EVER get married or maybe even have sex (unless maybe it was with Tiger Woods or Charlize Theron)."
 This is one of my favorite portraits to date. This is the portrait of Marissa Nerida, a woman whose level of courage in facing her difficult and unfair life is as strong as the level of fortitude in facing her inevitable death. Marissa has cancer and she's long accepted death. I don't know Marissa personally. In fact, I took this picture a few minutes after meeting her in CAREWELL, a community supporting cancer victims and survivors. But this image showed me a lot of things on who she really is. And that she is ready to die. She jokingly told her friends that when she dies, she wants to be beautiful and that she wants to have Botox before they put her inside her coffin. She said her image is important. I almost cried listening to her stories and I knew in that moment I need to take her portrait. I need to somehow immortalize this woman and share this image to the world. I asked Marissa to face the window. That's the only direction I gave her. But she immediately unmasked herself and gave me this image to capture. It's perfect. It's exactly how I want her to appear. She faced the window and the light like how she would face death. There's a hint of a smile on her lips but there's also a hint of sadness in her eyes. After taking the portrait Marissa told me, "Kailangan maganda ako d'yan ha. 'Pag hindi ako maganda, dadalawin kita!" click the link for the portrait ---> http://iancastanares.com/gallery.html
Her song for me...
---
I wish you love
Goodbye, no use leading with our chins, this is where our story ends,
Never lovers ever friends.
Goodbye, let our hearts call it a day, but before you walk away,
I sincerely want to say.
I wish you bluebirds in the spring, to give your heart a song to sing,
And then a kiss, but more than this, I wish you love.
And if you like lemonade to cool you in some lazy glade,
I wish you health, and more than wealth, I wish you love.
My breaking heart and I agree that you and I could never be,
So with my best, my very best, I set you free.
I wish you shelter from the storm, a cozy fire to keep you warm,
Most of all, when snowflakes fall, I wish you love.
[musical interlude]
I wish you shelter from the storm, a cozy fire to keep you warm,
Most of all, when snowflakes fall, hot time, I wish you love
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at least we are talking. we are friends. we are ok.
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