A kiss.

Him : You've just given me a memory that will last a lifetime.
Her : C'mon, don't tell me that. It's just a kiss. It's nothing serious.
Him : I know. But serious or not, it was an exhilarating kiss. And what is life but a collection of those breaktaking memories.

Dark night.
The city glows.
The shutter clicked.

The city sleeps now. Peacefully. Beneath.

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Taken at the Parc Royale Helipad in Ortigas

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Every affair starts with a dare.
And, sometimes, a cold lie.
A warm kiss that gives birth
To a memory,
A moonless night
And a harmless guile.

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Beneath Ortigas Station of MRT

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Riding a motorcycle is like kissing.
You ride from one place to another,
But it is never about reaching the destination.

It is always about the Ride,
That spiritual communion between you and the spirit of the road.

Likewise,
It's not the physical act of kissing ,..
It's the metaphysical part of it ,..
If you kiss somebody ,.
It's like you're inhaling their

Soul.

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Beneath Shaw MRT Station

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Stranger --

I cannot believe the look of accusations in your eyes.

Your penny may roll about and reach me,
Quench my sorrow,
And feed me for the night.

And maybe it might bring
Your distant soul to heaven,
And you, the praise of angels in the sky,

But still,
I cannot believe
The look of accusations in your eyes.

Save me a fisherman's dream
Wrapped in a peaceful night
And shiny seas.

Where the embers of the city
Fades to a purplish hue
And the waves -- calm

Like this night.

Tonight.

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Manila Bay Breakwater, 11/15/09

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Poddcorp

If the streets seem to be deserted, if the crime rate is or nearly 0%, and if people are glued to screens (and even on AM radio), there is no doubt of what in the world is going on – it’s Manny Pacquiao’s fight.

This man, since the day he became famous because of his powerful fists, has never failed the attention of people and the media. Every fight has a long-term coverage – from his trip from Philippines and back, to his practices, rituals, the fight itself and even future plans and fights. This man has made a phenomenon like no other athlete has. And now, even his family (especially his mom) is getting into the scene.

Don’t get this all wrong, though – the man is not an attention-seeker. He doesn’t even need to seek such attention! Attention seeks him. How he did that? Well. Just put nationalism and fighting (literally and figuratively speaking) spirit in an equation.

Just last November 15, the Pacman has once again proved that his fists can bring much honor to himself, to his family, and quoting him, much more honor to the country.

The fight at MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas against Miguel Cotto gave Pacman his 7^th World title in different weight divisions. This is one of the greatest marks in boxing history, and what makes it more remarkable is that the person who made such history is a Filipino.

In a 12-round fight, Manny Pacquiao forced a Technical Knockout win in the near end of the game when referee Kenny Bayless called it a fight. Beaten into a pulp with face horribly swollen and bloodied, Cotto was defenseless and could no longer fight to end the fight for the final bell. With this win, Pacquiao bagged $13 million dollars – something that Manny would think only as a bonus for the honor he gave for Philippines.

 With this, Manny Pacquiao has been tagged as “the greatest boxer” or “the No. 1 boxer” of his era. No question and no doubt. He didn’t get that in a shortcut, the man lost some fights, too.

The way to greatness is never easy, especially in boxing. You get beaten up, bad-mouthed and the likes. But if you also know how to have focus and determination, love and pride for the country, deep faith, and simply keeping your feet on the ground, greatness could be yours.

To Manny and to every Filipino, Mabuhay!

street urchins and beggars,
the skyline
cradled by the moon and the sea.

beside gavroche sleeping peacefully
I close my eyes and smell the air.

oil and sea spray.

after all, this is manila.

the thieves and fishermen tell tales
and past stories.

I listened.

somewhere, buried in the noise,
the sound of the hissing air
caught my ears.

and somewhere, where the sea
reflects gold and rainbow --

I am lost in a maze of colors.

breathtaking.

...

come with me.
the world cannot find us here.

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The Manila Bay Breakwater - 11/14/09
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Some dusk are meant for sorrows.

Are we then meant to run?

Can a decade of atonements

Untaint a golden sun?