france vs brazil

futbol crazy/kitten injury

I sprained my right ankle last Tuesdays not even a minute in the futsal game with my officemates. It's fluffy, as if a marshamallow was stuck inside my bukung-bukong. My finger sink when I press it, and it bounces back like pinched foam. It only hurts in the evening and when I'm going down the stairs. Mukhang akong may mini pin cushion sa paa na may time element.

Futsal is indoor football. I've been playing with them for three months and was meaning to blog about it since I first discovered the joys of, ehem, kicking balls, but was too distracted to. Will write about the "correlation between futsal and sex" soon, the draft has been in my head for months.

I am also one of the founding members of the Manila United FC, a group of futbolheads which started from an online football forum that eventually grew into an official football club.

The initially 12-man team is now a group of 30 players—a mix of newbies, enthusiasts, jocks, former varsity members, coaching staff—we play indoors every Sunday afternoon in Mandaluyong, and, at times, on the field on Sunday mornings. Some members have become great pals, and we usually have post-futsal merienda, gimik, pot sesssions. Oops.

The grand plan is to have regular weekend field games, we're still sorting out the skeds since all members are professionals. I think I'm the weakest player there, and is still to have my "debut" on the field.

I've always known myself as a geek/closet cheerleader so I never delved into sports (yeah, fuck 'em labels). I don't even know to ride a bike! But when Jun introduced us to futsal during last summer's La Union surfing trip, I thought I could give it a shot.

I love the sport. It allows me to be as violent and bloodthirsty as I want. I could smash someone's head and not be charged of attempted murder.

But then I learned that futsal is a non-contact sport unlike football or flag/American football where scary gears are worn. And there are regulating stuff like the yellow card (when you deliberately hit your opponent) and red card (when you draw blood. Rowr) that keeps you from killing people.

It's a good cardio workout and loads of fun. I definitely enjoy this more than badminton. For a time, I was even conviced I could quit smoking for football, but then that would be too drastic, so I opt to lose weight instead.

I quit eating rice for four months (save for some lapses when I had a flu and had to take meds on a full stomach) and soda for a month. I worked out at least five times a day July and August. I actually had discipline (hooray!) and lost some weight. But by September, I had the flu, migraine, hyperacidity attacks and now, this sprained ankle.

I guess you can't hurry slimming. Unless you're under Belo, Calayan or Buenevacz. Or on drugs (Nicole Ritchie and Amy Winehouse, flash your boobs, c'mon!)

I hurt my ankle when teammate Patricia and I collided early in the match. I fell sideways under her, and twisted my foot inwards. Ouch. Apparently, I forgot my ankle support that I always wear while playing. Double ouch. It was the shortest game of my "career." I also canceled a badminton game with a friend last week.

Me: I don't think I can play any sport that uses my feet. Well, sabi ng nurse...
Friend: Maski badminton?
Me: Haller, unless nakaupo tayo. Ano yun, special olympics?
Friend: Bawal pati sex?

manila united fc

My right ankle is really weak. Since last year, I twisted it four times due to badminton, futsal and a major tapilok. I also had it checked by the doctor and X-rayed twice (Medicard rocks).

I asked our office nurse where I should go and he said I should see an ortho.
Me: Hindi ko na kailangan ng ortho. Wala na kong BRACES. Tinanggal na noong December.
Nurse: Hindi orthodontics. Orthopedic.

So I was in Makati Med this afternoon and the ORTHO asked me what happened.

Me: Futsal po.
Doc: Fut.. what?
Me: Indoor soccer, doc.
Doc: Yan na ba uso sa kabataan ngayon?
Me: Hindi naman po, pero eto ung laro ko ngayon.

I had to explain to everyone—from the nurses, to Medicard, to the radiologist—what futsal is since they need it for the records. And they look back at me, probably imagining a heavy 5'1 curlytop with a helmet and scary shoulder pads on, pinning people down the ground. The ortho checked my ankles...

Doc: I am sure you don't have any fracture or else hindi ka na nakakalakad. But I have to be very honest with you... (long pause)
Me: Ano po?
Doc: YOU ARE TOP HEAVY.
(Akala ko talaga, iwe-wheelchair nako. Yun lang pala.)
Me: Doc, alam ko naman yun. Nag-lose na nga ako ng konti eh.
Doc: You need to stregthen your ankles 'cause your feet are small for your body. Maliit ang paa mo. And you have to lose weight at the same time if you wanna continue with sports.

I was tempted to ask him: "So you mean I need smaller boobs?"

inquirer fc

It sucks, man. I have to trim down to play, but how could I do that when I can't even run? Or do brisk-walking? I know this is a MINOR injury but I saw the doctor just to know when I could play again. I was excited to buy spikes, new jerseys, new football bag (preferably pink), new high socks, new headband, sports bra, hot-pink baller.... and oh, to play on the field.

I wanted to make sure, too, that I won't have any surgery, and won't be using crutches in the office that has four floors but NO elevator. Hindi ko yata keri magpabuhat kay Kuya Warren hanggang editorial. Besides, crutches would clash with my wardrobe.

Dr. Ortho said the ankle support helps very little and could even lend a false sense of security. He prescribed anti-inflamattory painkillers but discouraged me take 'em because it could fool me that i'm "healed." He said I could swim and work out my upper body, instead. Then he capped the checkup with a reminder that he operated on three patients with ankle injuries this year so far. ("Not knees ha, ANKLES.")

If I'm lucky I will be able to play in two weeks. I will miss the Tuesday and Sunday games and gimiks. I will miss bullying Brazil and dodging Lawrence's corner kicks. I will miss my teammates.

Eula Valdes said in an interview that she was a fat kid, and had ankle injuries during her PE class, so she worked out and now she's a hottie. So I guess pwede pa kong maging Amor Powers o Zsazsa Zaturnahh, pero wag naman sanang Rustom Padilla.

What's more is I had to rush to the salon to have a pedicure and get my legs waxed the day after the injury. Why? Because I have to wear bandage/ankle support till the swelling and pain subsides. I draw attention to my feet so I better make 'em presentable.

I wonder where I could get soccer-ball stud earrings in silver? But I think I should buy my own futsal ball first. I want to take up zipping, capoiera, muay Thai and POLE-DANCING, and wear my heels again when I get well. Then maybe I could finally learn how to ride a bike.

wanna hear something funny?

First contestant recently in "Eat Bulaga's" "Itaktak mo o Tatakbo?" segment:

Joey de Leon: Sa fairy tale, sinong character ang binigyan ng mansanas na may lason ng kanyang wicked stepmother? Nagsisimula sa letter S.
Mama: Superman!
Joey: Sigurado ka? Binigyan ng apple?
Mama: SUPERMAN! (jumps up and down)
Joey: Baka may fairy godmother din si Superman? Ang tamang sagot ay....
Audience: Snow White!

Next contestant:

Joey: Ang susunod na tanong ay tungkol sa Beatles. Familiar ba kayo sa mga kanta nila?
Ale: Opo!
Joey: Sige, anong paborito nyo?
Ale: "Sgt. Pepper's!" (O diba, bongga?)
Joey: Sample nga!
Ale: (sings) "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Band... We hope you will enjoy the show..."
Joey: Eto na ang tanong: Anong kanta ng Beatles ang may lyrics na...
Vic Sotto: (sings) "Take a sad song and make it better. Remember to let her into your heart, then you can start to make it better."
Ale: "Jude"!
Joey: Ano ulit?
Ale: "JUDE"!
Joey: Pano yang "Jude"? Kantahin mo nga?
Ale and Vic:  "Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better..."

They gave the prize anyway. Pero gusto nyong malaman kung anong panalo? Eto.

Me: Anong merienda Ate Yolly?
Ate Yolly the tindera: Eto, banana-que lang.
Me: O sige, isa. Gusto ko ung maraming matamis.
Ate Yolly: Ganyan talaga 'pag MATABA, mahilig sa matamis. Ako rin mahilig eh. (smiles)
Me: (awkwardly holding the evil banana-que) Uh, ok.

Gusto ko sanang i-boycott ang Across na shang nagdedeliver ng banana-que at turon ngunit bisor ko ang may-ari non. Well, yun na ang huling tinuhog na saging ng buhay ko. Goodbye banana-que. Pag naging bombshell ako bibili ako sa Across na dahon ng saging lang ang saplot, I swear.

Akala ko pa naman, saging lang ang may puso. What a disappointment, sigh.

'avenue q'

Sex, fur and rock 'n roll.  The purpose of life. Three-time Tony award-winning musical. If those were not enough to make you curious about "Avenue Q," how about "full puppet nudity"?

"Avenue Q" combines people and puppets, and has been described "Rent" meets "Sesame Street." Set in present-day New York, it tells the story of, well, Avenue Q which houses a row of apartments where people (real and puppets) and monsters live. Yep, monster like Cookie Monster.

It tackles friendship, finding and losing a job, racism, being gay and coming out, getting an apartment and getting kicked out, being different, falling in love, promiscuity, commitment, hangovers, porn and the depression caused by not having a boyfriend. (Kate Monster: I like romantic things like music and art, and as you know I have a gigantic heart! So why don't I have a boyfriend? Fuck! It sucks to be me!)

Calling out my frustrated single girlfriends, mambraso na kayo ng tickets. This is FUN.

Cliche? Not quite. Unless you define cliche as a horny, grouchy monster who believes Internet-porn is the only stable business there is.

The musical is very witty, otherwise it 's sweet and warm. One-liners are sure make you roll in laughter:

"Is her name Purpose?"—Kate Monster to ex-lover Princeton who vowed to find his purpose but finds Lucy T. Slut instead, a nightclub performer.

"You think that's tough? Try to be a has-been at 15!"—building superitendent Gary Coleman (in reference to the has-been child celebrity). The role is apparently played by Aiza Seguerra.

"The internet is for porn!"—Trekkie Monster

"Normal people don't do that!"—The "normal people"/everybody then comes out and says it is, indeed, for porn.

"What do you do with an AB in English?"—Princeton. Bingo. Exactly the same question I asked after graduation which my officemates and I still ask from time to time.

And I love the cute, fuzzy and evil Good Idea Bears (yellow and blue bears). They're my favorite characters, hehe.

Princeton: I don't know what to do!
Good Idea Bear: Buy a whole case (of beer)!
Princeton: A case of beer? No... I can't get a whole case.
Good Idea Bear: But you're on a budget! You're wasting money in the long run if you don't buy in bulk!

What could be a better idea than that, huh?

Written by Jeff Marx, Bobby Lopez and Jeff Whitty,  "Avenue Q" was brought to Manila by Atlantis Production. It is directed by Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga, and features Rachel Alejandro, Felix Rivera, Aiza Seguerra, Frenchie Dy, Teenee Chan and Joel Trinidad.

I never thought Rachel could be that brilliant. I've always remembered her as the girl singing "Nakapagtataka" on FM radio, but boy, she's a revelation. I wish, though, that someone vampier assumed the role of Lucy because it's quite distracting to watch her shift from Kate to Lucy. Lucy T. Slut should live up to her name.

Hats off to Frenchie, Felix, Teenee and Joel. As for Aiza, she'll always have that Little Miss Philippines charm but I think her diction needs a little work.

Set and costume design is by Mio lnfante, lighting by Jay Aranda, music by lJ Garcia, and puppet execution by Samuel Fuentes and Marvin Choa. "Avenue Q" runs until this weekend at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. I know tickets are sold out but if there's any way you could score even just one ticket (I watched it alone 'cause I just got a complimentary media pass care of Gibbs), please do. I'll donate a boob to porn charity if you don't enjoy it.

Atlantis will bring “Dogeaters,” the musical from Jessica Hagedorn's novel, in Manila on November. That one I really really really have to see.

team lucy souvernir button on my roll bag, also comes in team trekkie

lost and found and praning

I lost my newest bag. It contains pretty much everything, except my mobile phone which I use as alarm clock which I luckily tucked beside my pillow before I dozed off last night.

How? I just woke up and my bag is gone. Sad and silly as that.

We don't know HOW someone broke into the house, there was no noise. We have a big chowchow we didn't even hear bark. When, in fact, he barks at the slightest weird sound, Gabby even barks when someone farts.

How much did I lose? Let's just say my eyelash curler alone is worth P1,300.

As far as I can remember, I put the bag on my floor near my bed, right across my headboard. I slept with the door ajar since I don't have airconditioning and it was a humid night. WE HAVE A FAULTY LOCK, but we still can't figure out how someone could go inside the house, get past the dog, go inside my room, spot the bag on the floor in the dark, know that the bling-blinged gold bag contains a fair amount of loot, get past the dog again, and slip through the heavy gate without making a sound.

My bag is the only missing item in the entire house.

The TV and DVD player in the den is still there, I had three of my cousins check my room hoping I'm just confused, but it's really missing.

I live with my mum and three cousins in that house. I slept around 1 am, a little after L took me home from a date. My cousins slept around 2 am, my mum woke up around 6 am, I woke up an hour after because my tummy is acting up. I've been having hyperacidity attacks and was about to buy something warm for breakfast and found that my wallet—and the entire satchel—is nowhere to be found. So I lost it between 2 and 6 in the morning. How? We still have no idea.

I called up L asking if it's possible that I left it in the cab since I had two shopping bags with me, but he said he checked the seat before he got off. Besides, it was rather too big and flashy not to be noticed, and I handed him his stuff that was in the bag before I got off. I even took the cell phone out of the freakin' bag! I don't put my phone in my pocket. The bag was IN my room.

If the bag buglar were half as kikay as I am, he certainly had fab loot bag with him now.

THE INVENTORY:

~ Kathy Van Zeeland Heart Throbs Satchel in gold. It was love at first sight. I brought it three weeks ago on eBay. (P1.7k, but retails at around P5k in Naturalizer)
~ Ayala Center Electronic Gift Certificate, comes as an ATM card. Brought this with for the FIRST time to shop for Kat's farewell gift but it wasn't valid in the shop where I got my item.  (P3k)
~ Cash. I withdrew money good enough till the end of the week. (around P2k)
~ Nine & Co. by Nine West wallet (P600); beaded coin purse that was Pam's pasalubong from Thailand way back
~ Brothers Burger gift certificate. L and I were to use it but I craved for Goldilocks Marble Slice and coffee. (P500)
~ Victoria Secret Body Splash, my favorite scent among my collection (P400)
~ My fave cherry bling gold necklace that I got online (P400)
~ ATM and identification cards
~ My kikay kit. This is the sad part because some of the items there were gifts or padala from London. Pricey stuff that I won't buy with my own money. And ALL of these are my favorites/daily staples:

Shu Uemura eyelash curler
Molton Brown lip balm (not available here)
Mac Lip Gelee
Dior Kiss lip gloss
Clarins Lip Quench lip balm
Avon summer collection sunset lip gloss duo
Elf New York lip gloss/plumper (yes, I'm a lip gloss junkie)
Mimi lip and cheek tints
The Body Shop limited-edition eye shadow pen
Clarins cosmetic kit
Oral-B tootbrush
Close-up toothpaste

I was too weak to go to work today. I also had to apply for replacement card and IDs since it's a Friday and I have to get my papers done before the weekend 'cause processing takes three working days. I also felt sick, my head hurts and my tummy doubled up on producing acids (the doctor says stress could aggravate hyperacidity. Gee, thanks).

My mum who was with my niece in Maw's flat went hysterical when she found out. I bet she's still crying till now. That's why my mum can't be my In Case of Emergency person. Baka tsugi na ko nagpa-panic pa rin sha. Maw was just hysterical, scary hysterical. She took a break from work, came over to give me some money, blamed my cousins for the faulty lock, blamed the dog for NOT barking, handed me a bill and left cursing.

UPDATE: 

Somewhere between writing this sordid entry and wondering if I should go to the police, I got a message and call from Fran. A guy called up the office and said he has my "IDs and other items."

I called up the number he left, and it turned out that the bag was found ONE CORNER away from our home by the househelp of an auto-shop owner. Kuya Philip, another cousin who my mum "alerted" to come over, accompanied me to the shop. He said he knows the owner since he gets his car fixed there.

The kind lady handed the bag over, it was wet, along the entire contents. Everything was there—the wallet, the GCs, kikay kit, cards, IDs. The bag was scratch-free. The thief just took the cash, even the coins. My lovely bag was found in a gilid sa hilera ng nga kuntador ng tubig. At nabasa na sha dun. Awww.

Miss Rose, the owner who thought I was a snatch victim, said it could have been a "bata" who took it. "Pwedeng mga rugby boys, o magbabasura." My mum was so praning thinking I could have been hurt had I stirred when he was in my room, how he got beyond the dog who wasn't even drugged (me, too, actually). She thinks we are being watched. Or maybe I am. I could just imagine how many locks she's putting around the house now.

I'm just thankful for now that no one got hurt, I got some of the stuff back and was spared a great deal of hassle. I was glad, too, that I took the digicam out which I usually bring, before I met up with L. The cash I could earn, although such incidents really makes one weak and doubly paranoid. Bags are my weakness, maski di ako magdamit basta maganda bag ko. But I guess I should stay away from pretty bags for now. And not be overconfident that I could survive all the scums of the earth.

What I hate to add is the scariest part, we might know who took it. The person might be someone we know, someone who knows my stuff, someone who could enter the house and not make Gabby freak out. Ang sakit sa ulo.

disguising devas

Our dear classmate/batchmate/friend/kasamahan sa media passed away at age 26 last Tuesday due to asthma complications. I rounded up friends today to pay him our respects. Yesterday at Ace's funeral which turned out as some sort of a block mini-reunion:

BEFORE

Me texting Allison: San tayo meet?
Alli: Sa Gateway na lang, galing akong coverage sa NBI eh.
Me: Anong susuot mo?
Alli: Ano ka ba, 'di naman dapat bongga.
Me: Kase sabi ng nanay ko dapat naka-black. May black sana akong baby-doll dress. Kaso baka mapagkamalan akong biyuda.

Curtis texting me: See you later, I won't wear eye makeup kase baka maiyak na naman ako.
Me: Yeah, don't. Just curl your lashes.

DURING

Me entering the chapel: Bakit parang wala tayong kakilala?
Hazel: Maybe they're still not here?
Me to a stranger who opened the door: Dito po ba si Ace?
Stranger: Ay hindi, dun sa kabila.
Me: Thank you po.
Curtis: Buti hindi ka nag-grand entrance na umiiyak, tapos pagsilip mo ibang tao ung nasa kabaong.
Me: Kaya pala iba ung pangalan sa banner na itim, akala ko naman pangalan ng may-ari ng funeral home na naga-advertise.

Me: Naligaw kame, sabi kase ni Jay Marikina Sports Complex ung landmark, eh Marikina Bridge pala. Nagalit tuloy ung driver ang layo kase.
Bennet: Sino naman ang ibuburol sa Sports Complex? (An open-air basketball court)
Irish: Well, sports writer naman si Ace...

Tricia: Hai, grabe. May family na ung iba, ikakasal ung iba, now Ace is gone...
Me:  Oo nga, tumatanda na tayo. Si Biela ikakasal next month, si Papa Ces next year yata... (Stooping to get a pack of grape juice, accidentally showing ample amount of cleavage)
Nickson: Whoa, dahan dahan baka tamaan ako nyan!
Me: Eh si Nickson?
Tricia: Ayan, manyak pa rin.

AFTER

Alli: Uhm, pano nga tayo uuwi?
Hazel: No idea. Ayan may jeep! (looks at the sign) Marikina daw.
Curtis: Nasa Marikina na tayo.
Alli: Eto, Pasig.
Me: Ano naman gagawin natin sa Pasig eh South tayong lahat? This is foreign land to me, man. Turista na tayo dito.

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sports Section, Sept. 6, 2007

I am writing the anecdotes first because I am still quite shaky to do a proper memoriam for Ace. Or maybe I still can't believe we have lost "brother" this early. You will be missed, man. Thanks for putting us in a "carpe diem" mode. I still can't believe you're gone. Or why so soon.

save the cheerleader, save the world

What I failed to mention in my previous post was I probably got sick because I quite lacked sleep. "Heroes" kept me up until 6 am in—thank God—two nonsecutive days.

I dropped by Maw's  flat after our trip from Bonifacio High Street, raided her DVD drawer and borrowed "300," "Heroes" and "Gray's Anatomy"—all pirated, of course. I hardly buy DVD's because I usually get bad copies so I have resorted to borrowing stuff from her and L.

I popped the disc when I got home and before I knew it, I'm already in episode 6 and the sun is up. Now I understand why my office friends love it to bits. We have a downloaded Season 1 copy in one of the servers, I think, but my eyes aren't really comfy watching stuff in my office PC.

Last night I finished episodes 7-13. Today I am looking for spoilers online.

"Heroes" and "Smallville" spell difference betweeen a lobster and a shrimp. If I have a superpower I'd gladly have Eden's power of persuasion, sobrang hardcore.