ANNAlysis

Dear Greg,

During our second day in Davos, we were given the chance to try different winter sports. I ended up snowboarding because it was similar to surfing (…NOT) and because it looked easy enough (…NOT).

I was hoping that the instructor would take a nice shot of me looking professional, but this was all she could capture. And yes, I’m the one on the right, in a push-up position. If you were with me, you would be, in your words, “pissing in your pants,” laughing. Schadenfreude at its finest.

I miss Germany, but I miss you more. See you in March :)

Kisses,
Me

***

Hi Anya!

Just like I promised, I wore the ANTHILL dress we had made in December during the opening ceremony so that I carried a piece of the Philippine indigenous communities with me in the World Economic Forum. When we were asked to go on stage, we wedged ourselves between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Professor Schwab. Oh diba, bongga?

Dai, Desmond Tutu was SO COOL. When he gave his speech, he looked at me right in the eyes and I SWEAR parang he could see my soul and sins. He told us to keep dreaming God’s dream. I started crying on stage.

I can’t believe I won’t see you before you leave for Australia. Separation anxiety is kicking in. I guess I’ll have to find an international/environmental/youth forum in Queensland in the next two years, huh?

All my love from Switzerland,
Dai

***

Dear Anns,

One of the best parts about being in Davos was hanging out with your dad. I now understand a lot of things we talked about before. He gave the funniest advice about love and boys, like, “Sometimes you have to be smart or be sexy.” (I tried to be both.) My favorite was, “I encourage East and West partnership for sustainable development.”

Being with Tito Tony made me miss you a lot because we talked about you so much! He is soooooooo proud of you. He promised us lunch at the Enchanted Farm when we get back, so I’ll see you then. I’ll fill you in on my East-West partnership then ;)

Love and more love,
Anns

***

CARLIE,

On the first night of the Forum, I was introduced to Enric Sala. As in THE Enric Sala of the National Geographic Society. I broke into sweat when we first talked, but once we got started on our mutual love for sharks, I relaxed. He has never dived in the Philippines, which compelled me to give my “The Philippines is the center of marine biodiversity on Earth, but we are also the center of marine adversity” speech. He said, “I saved the best for last!” KILIG.

(He’s squatting in this picture so we would be the same height.)

I thought that would be my Davos moment, but three days later I found myself in a meeting room with him, Pie, and other Young Global Leaders. We’re going to work together this year for his fish banks project!!!! I feel like I’m going to explode with excitement.

DON’T KILL ME, I know working for National Geographic is your dream. We’ll find a way to get you closer to that dream, k?

I miss and love you!

***

Dear Nix,

Look at my ID! It’s official: Save Philippine Seas is now part of the international community of conservation.

I listened to Sylvia Earle’s session called “Deep Sea Discovery” and cried about ¾ of the presentation. I gathered the courage to introduce myself to her after. I also told her that she has inspired so much of what I do. She said, “We have the power. We must use it.”

I also talked to key people in Conservation International and the World Bank about what we’re doing back home. I can’t wait to come home and meet with you and Jenica and AA. We’re going to rock the boat and make bigger waves.

Yours,
Babybear

***

Dear Karen,

On the last day of the Forum, Lynn, Pie and I were in tears. (Well, more like Lynn and me lang. When Pie saw us crying, she left so she wouldn’t cry.) We have never been more proud to be part of a generation capable of creating social change. It’s so easy to say what we’re against, but what we’re FOR is far more powerful. Thank you for believing in us and helping us push for what we are FOR in this global festival of ideas. This experience wasn’t even part of our imagination, and we all know we wouldn’t be here without you.

We all have one more week in Europe, but when we get back, we will meet for a Davos debrief of sorts and pave the way forward. We already have a number of ideas for projects, and names to nominate for the Manila Hub. We love you!

Love,
Anna

Experience fun for the whole family in a one-of-a-kind KITE-FLYING EVENT
At Liwasang Aurora at the Quezon City Memorial Circle Park!

Kick back, relax and soak up the afternoon sun!
Delight in a mini ARTS-AND-CRAFTS fest,
And watch as the winds take your kites up to NEW HEIGHTS!

EVERYONE is welcome to come join the fun,
As we RAISE awareness about the troubling issue of SPECIES CONSERVATION in our country’s seas.

But the fun doesn’t stop there!
Soon, watch out for our educational awareness campaign through a thought-provoking VIDEO, a school hop and a MURAL highlighting the true beauty of our seas’ treasures.

All for the benefit of

SAVE THE PHILIPPINE SEAS (SPS)
So that we can bring the SEAS where we can SEE them.

Admission is FREE!

VISIT SPS: http://www.savephilippineseas.com/
LIKE SPS: https://www.facebook.com/savephilippineseas
FOLLOW SPS: http://twitter.com/SavePHSeas

Abet my love,

It’s challenging to find light and energy in the depths of winter. I miss you and our “ordinary” Saturdays, diving in Anilao. I don’t know how to dress for winter so layer after layer talaga. Bahala na ang Tatler at Vogue, basta hindi ako magkasakit!!!!!!

But thank you for reminding me that I carry my own sunshine :) Sending you my day off photo with the Alps in the background.

Can we please dive when I get back?

Love and glitter,
Batman

***

Dear Papa,

Have you been to Munich? When I was walking around the city, I realized how the streets were exactly what you wanted for the Philippines: a wiiiiiide sidewalk, bike lane, lane for cars, and lane for public transportation (e.g., tram/bus).

I know you’re not a fan of Europe, but if anything, we should learn a thing or two about their discipline and urban planning.

Padayon,
Rais

***

Kester!!!!

You’re never going to believe this. You know how I have the most irrational fear of cats, right? Greg has a cat at home. He told me in advance, so I wasn’t as tense as I usually would be. Luckily, Maxi doesn’t look like the puskals that you have to keep away from me. For some reason, Maxi loves me. SHET. One time, were having dinner and he jumped on the chair, sat on my lap, AND STAYED THERE. My heart started beating really really fast and Greg couldn’t stop laughing. On my last night, we went to Greg’s friend’s house, where their cat also jumped on my lap and stayed there. Tang ina. My heart started beating triple time again.

Maybe I have like, German cat pheromones. Is there such a thing? Only you would know something like that.

(Behind my smile says ‘please please pleeeease don’t scratch me.’)

How’s Malapascua? Send my love to the sharks.

Love,
Me

***

Hi Ponce,

Team Love Over Money :)

Babe

***

My golden girl,

To more Skype dates with my deformed face and your crazy bangs. Miles don’t matter :)

Anns

***

My Marielie,

I watched indoor football games the other day. Since Greg was playing, I was alone most of the time. I thought about you and how much you would’ve loved it because they were soooooooooo intense!!!!! Parang UAAP Ateneo-La Salle lang! (And, okay, also because I needed you to explain the rules and hand signals.)

Oh and I watched the latest episode of Grey’s Anatomy before the tournament began. We must discuss soon.

Can’t wait for you to meet Greg in April!

Raisie

***

Dear Mama,

I think I want to marry a German. They’re all so freaking tall, so their genes would definitely improve mine.

Take your pick. From left to right: Greg, Eli, Martin, or Daniel?

Miss you!

Rais

Source

Suntok sa Buwan is the directorial debut of Bianca Catbagan and Jose Antonio de Rivera. Starring Joem Bascon and Daniel Fernando, the story revolves around two boxers: one, young and talented, the other, aged yet passionate. The two are headed for a collision as they prepare against each other in the bout that will define their lives.

When a boy with everything to lose faces a man with nothing to lose, who will win the fight?

Watch the trailer on YouTube here. First seen in Esquire Magazine Philippines.

I won’t be around when it hits the big screen, which I feel really bad about because people who mean a lot to me are in it. My family already has 17 tickets to the film (i.e., my cousins, uncles, aunts, and Mariel). Please PLEASE watch! Bring your family and friends and their families and friends along. MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Suntok sa Buwan premieres on January 22 and will run in SM Cinemas in Metro Manila and Cebu from January 25-31. There will be a special screening in UP on February 7.

Suntok sa Buwan is a lot of firsts. First time that SM sponsored a contest like this. First time that Jono and Bia wrote and directed a full-length film. First time that Denise is scoring a film. First time that Sinta’s appearing in the silver screen. I love that young people are being given opportunities to make waves in Philippine cinema. It’s about fucking time that we come out with FRESH, ORIGINAL, QUALITY films instead of just franchises and cryfests. It’s an exciting time to be alive.

I only met Denise this week because we performed in our mutual friend’s wedding, but we knew of each other for some time now. The world is small, but the Ateneo-UP world is much, MUCH smaller. We clicked right away. She’s crazy talented, okay.

Bia and I know each other from college. She’s a photographer and filmmaker. What I love most about her is her insatiable appetite for learning. That kind of positive attitude will take her a loooooooong way.

Jono and I go an even longer way back. We’ve known each other since we were both thin. HAHAHA. His story is interesting: he entered UP as a Business Economics major and shifted to film halfway through college. Jono is proof that following your heart can be done, and done well.

Two proms, two trips to Cebu and two breakups later, we remain good friends.

The leading lady of this film, Jacinta Remulla, a.k.a. Sinta to others and Beb to me? She’s my girl. Because we are cousins, we’ve known each other since she was born, only 9 months after me. If I try writing about how proud I am of her, I might bawl over my keyboard.

PLEASE WATCH. DON’T MISS THIS FILM. Support local worthwhile films!

Find out more in Suntok Sa Buwan’s Facebook page.

It’s my last week of work as a Letter Writer and Multitasketeer at the Law of Nature Foundation. What’s next, Universe?

More conservation work?

Government?

Bigger writing assignments?

Get married? (JOKE LANG.)

Or back to performing? Four years away from the stage is a long time. Too long.

I don’t know. I really don’t. The possibilities are endless. I’m feeding my faith so it’s bigger and fatter than my fear.

Show some love, Universe. Show some love.