April 4, 2013 – Charles Lijauco “the sunset”

Tonight, I went outside after I finished a film. I don’t know, I have no intention or whatsoever I just want to go outside and breathe fresh air since everybody in the house was outside, outside meaning far away from home, but me. So I stood there, about 5 meters away from the back of our house and 5 meters away from the wall that separates our place to the woods. I looked up and I saw two colors, one blue and one orange, and I’m sorry but I’m not that good with colors so I have no other words or name, just orange; then call it sunset orange. I found myself looking up for like 3 minutes. I saw it. With my eyes I saw it, the sunset it is. And the sunset for me is not just all about the sun going down, for I also heard the sound of the birds chirping, sound of the cold summer breeze touching my face and moving the strands of my hair; I saw them, the trees were dancing, bats were flying and birds are all over the place, maybe playing or something – but the thing here is I saw them. I saw life. This time I realized that all that I needed was to go outside and see the world, the paradise that we’ve taken for granted. That in here, or there we can see balance – balance in life. That even though there are wars happening in Korea and Afghanistan, that people are killing each other for pride or just because they can’t understand each other; even though there are couples breaking up, parents still working for their children, people who are spending there money in Las Vegas or Macau, that there are people that would rather sleep early because they’re hungry than stay up to watch how the sun sets, it would still go down, yes the sun would still go down. The trees would continue on dancing and the birds would still fly, as I’m writing this. It’s life, I realized. The beauty would just never stop just because people are struggling. And that’s wonderful, especially for the people who would want to see the sunset, the wonder, the life.

April 4, 2013 – Charles Lijauco “the sunset”

Now I’m ready to see the moon.

Hey. Yes, it’s me. You might be wondering why am I writing to you or whatever but I just want to, or maybe I need to. I’ve been seeing you for as long as I can remember but I never had the chance nor the guts to ever try to talk to you or start a small conversation or something. It’s not that I’m shy or anything close to that, it’s just that I don’t want to waste your time and my time talking about nonsense and trying to figure out where small talks could lead us. Maybe I’m scared that I would annoy you, but that’s not the main reason. Not at all. So here, I just wrote this letter for you. Well, it would be great if you’d take some time reading the next few sentences. Alright here we go.

So why did I wrote this letter. Okay, please don’t assume that this, this shit is a love letter because it’s not. You won’t see any “oh goodness you’re so amazing please be mine”. No, not that kind. This letter, is created to let you know that I’m amused by your existence. Well, basically I’m amused by everyone else’s existence and stories. But about this amusement, I want to know you better. I find you interesting. I find you fascinating. I find the little things that you do strange yet still cute. This letter was to let you know that not everyone sees you the way you think they see you. That you’re worth more than that, we’re more than all the judgments and words that they throw at us. Most of all, I find you original. 

But then I realized, all these things – these things that I’ve said and wrote, they’re not really you, instead they’re me. It’s not how you show yourself but how I see you – how I want to see you. I see you as this and that, but really, I know nothing. I don’t know what you’re doing when you’re staying late at night. I don’t know the reasons behind your smiles, if they’re real or not. And I think I was being unfair, all these times I was. I judged you before I even knew you. 

No words. When I finally summed up all these ideas, no words.

But I’m hoping, that soon I would be able to write about you. How you sleep, laugh, smile, cry and what are your favorite books and how much you love pizza. I want to. And I hope that I would be given the chance to know you better, so that next time, I would have the words, the real ones, to at least define your amusing existence. 

So I was playing my guitar, and singing, while recording at the same time, when suddenly my 3rd string made a wonderful sound that made the song even better than ever! And yes, I was shocked because I thought my G-string would never leave me, I was wrong. LESSON: Don’t expect and assume you fools. Or me fool. And the wonderful thing about this experience is that everything was recorded – from my beautiful singing to the “I GIVE UP” sound of the G-string. So I was kidding when I said beautiful singing, never mind. Then I came up with the idea to play the instrument without the broken string, and guess what, I ate a slice of pizza! What no, I mean it didn’t sound great, of course. LESSON: Every piece is important! Grandma and grandpa should know this. Unfortunate.

dasfdfgjh7kj87j7687l8l89;8;8;  - fasedfgewrvg – TIME TRAVEL!

FINAL PE CLASS! After years of sweating (and watching people go crazy), I would finally have my last class in physical education. I would surely miss all the fun and games… and prizes… and medals and trophies given, not in our PE class. LESSON: Sometimes you’ll miss things and people that were/are never yours. Oh can you feel it! (YES! No more wearing of the annoying jogging pants.) But really, I would miss PE – the only subject when and where I can relax and laugh at others freely. I kidddd.

And about the Oh so Random. Nothing.

- March 5

“That feeling of yes, I want to write something, but I just can’t seem to put the right words together. In my head they’re perfect – all words in their proper places making sense; but outside my head when I’m trying to write them down, no words. I have words, but they’re not perfect; therefore, I’m not pleased. Oh please words, let me write you down so everything would be alright.”

- March 5

So last February 12, 2013, my brother and his girlfriend celebrated their 2nd Year Anniversary through the Internet (via Skype). Why? Long-Distance Relationship, sir. And if someone out there needs a great story, then their story would just exceed your expectations. The boy is from the Philippines; the girl is from London. Gotta hate the distance but gotta love the trust, loyalty and real love inside it. Great job, brother. Great job.

I would like to share this video that my sweet brother made for her girlfriend:

I’m not here to tell how they met. I’m not here to tell their struggles. But I’m here to tell everyone that in whatever form, whatever situation, and/or whatever distance that separates people, it/they cannot be a major/sufficient reason to easily give up on someone you love. If you love someone, then break through the walls and reach for the moon.

No matter what, fight for it. Giving up and letting someone go would never be the first option – but they would always be there, waiting at the second position.

It’s amazing, how people can create different love stories – from a long-distance relationship, loser-guy-and-a-popular-girl, badass-man-and-a-sweet-girl, rich-guy-and-a-poor-girl to many others. We’re different in many ways, our personalities are unique – and so our love stories.

Life is awesome. And it’s AWESOME-R with love at the center of it. Oh it’s nice to feel inspired. Happy Valentine’s Day!

I’ve recently posted an article about the Pacman defeat, and now it’s time for me to blog about my thoughts on our beloved Azkals.

Football is never an easy sport; I’m not saying that there is an easy sport. With football, stamina is tested, teamwork, decisions, proper executions above others. Azkals, a monicker for the Philippine Football Team, has been one of the most respected teams all-over southeast Asia. This, in fact, was not true many years ago. The team had been defeated convincingly by many other teams years ago. The Philippines was never a powerhouse on football back then. But recently, because of the hard work of the guys that stayed with the team, the football in the Philippines had gone mainstream and the rest is history.

Many issues covered the team – from the nationality to scandals. These things, left a bad mark for the football team. Some people are saying that, “Hey yah, it was named Azkals because of those dog-like behaviors of the players”, which probably, may be true. Why? Because dogs are lovers and loyal, and as a team, they’ve been playing their hearts out for the Philippine flag. So why hate?

So near yet so far. – Probably the theme for the Azkals on this AFF Suzuki Cup. Nothing to be ashamed of. The Azkals did great, tho they failed to finish the plays that matter the most. Well, that has been a problem for all of us – from personal experience.

Enough with the mourn and it’s now time to think positive. We still have the AFC Challenge Cup and I know the team would be better. If Shrocke and Etheridge would be available, then that would be fantastic; but, I’m not saying that Ed Sacapano is a bad goalkeeper. NO, he was solid out there protecting the goal – And I know, that he will continue to be.

GOOD THING: The team, as I’ve said, is improving – with promising players like Raichelt, we’re on the right track.

WHAT WE NEED TO WORK ON: The chemistry is still an issue. You can easily point that out on crosses and set plays. It’s just obvious that guys weren’t able to communicate on final/crucial passes. Other than that, we have all the talents that we need.

I know that there is more to come for the Azkals. For us fans, let’s just stay there. Let’s support the Azkals until the end.

P.S.

Tho it has been a sad week for Philippine Sports, we should still be proud of our athletes. Win or Lose, we’re behind them. Azkals, Pacquiao and other Boxers, Gilas, and to all our other athletes, we’re behind you for we still believe.

Manny Pacquiao, the future Hall of Famer, came into the ring wearing a smile in his face. You can see his confidence and eagerness to showcase his greatness against a long-time rival in Juan Manuel Marquez. The first round was alright – no highlights to be shown on tomorrow’s newspapers – but then the next rounds came and Pacquiao, unfortunately, received a powerful punch in the face from Marquez that made him sit on the floor for 5 secs. That alone, made me feel very anxious. I’m like, what Pacquiao? Come on!

So I was right, Pacquiao would revenge and would be more eager than ever – for he punched from left to right until JuanMa was cornered and eventually was down for the count for some time. That made everything even. I was sitting, watching, observing, and saying that the fight would be a great show – with both fighters willing to give it all to prove all them haters wrong; and to show who’s really the stronger boxer between them.

And so the 6th Round came, with all these nerves inside me I was very confident that Manny would survive this until the last second. The bell was about to ring when Manny received that amazing blow to the chin from Juan Manuel Marquez. No counts needed. No confirmation was required. Pacquiao was down – down and looking bad. He fell like he was shot by a gun from the back. I was shocked, stunned and crying inside at the same time. What happened? He was saved by the bell, right? Unfortunately no, he can’t get up. His eyes were closed. I can see Jinkee from the stands trying to reach his husband – that alone, is a heartbreaker.

Pacquiao, the man that we nicknamed “PacMan”, has shown enough and has proven many things already. He brought glory to the Philippines for so many years now. All those championships that he offered to the Filipinos – all of them are treasures. It’s not a shame to see Pacquiao out there in Las Vegas, Nevada down and almost dying. IT’S NOT. Maybe, I thought, it’s just a message that Manny should think twice now. Is he still that strong to compete against the others? Probably not today, for Marquez was the stronger man.

I think Pacquiao – Marquez V would not be necessary. They’ve shown enough and I know boxing fans would like to move on from the rivalry – which is probably one of the greatest rivalries of all time.

Now is Pacquiao’s time to fall, to fail and to be defeated. He’s been up there for so long now. He’s just human – he’s not a boxing God or whatever. Overconfidence may have eaten him or whatever. It’s just that, maybe his era has ended – and another would start for our Filipino boxers in the name of Nonito Donaire or the others. Just maybe.

No matter what, I’m still proud of what Manny Pacquiao has achieved. From rugs to riches – from a nobody to somebody. He’s such an inspiration.

I support Filipino athletes. I support Philippine sports. Win or Lose, I’m still a Filipino – I’m still a supporter.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Manny Pacquiao, one of the greatest boxers of all time – a true Filipino warrior.

That was just one of the lines that I’ve been shouting since the start of the match. So, yes, I’m not a fan of… those who are not fans of Philippine football. Come on people, believe!

The start for the Azkals on this AFF Suzuki Cup was not that great. Let’s take a time travel. Back on that Thailand – Philippines match, Day One of the cup, the Azkals played with connection for the first 20 minutes. But, unfortunately, unmarked guys made their goals. That’s drastic, considering how the Philippine Azkals have been playing since the Friendly matches. We ended Day one by losing to the physical plays of the Thais, 2 – 1. That one goal by the way, was from a ground cross/pass to Mulders. That goal was made on the second half. At least, after that goal, we knew that we had something within the team. And so, we looked forward to the second game.

Second game, Day Two, against the scary team of Vietnam. I was so happy back then on how we passed the ball / how the midfielders controlled the ball that created that much chances, unfortunately, the finishing was not there for us during the first half. So the subs came in, Guirado, Caligdong and Angeles. Fresh legs ran the floor and made Weiss smile from the stands. Weiss, if you guys can still remember, was ejected because of that act – which was not that proper at all. Forget that, Guirado was so active during that match. One, two dribbles and a wonderful pass to the running Chieffy Caligdong. The Captain with the first touch and a dribble and boom, a fantastic goal! Oh how picture perfect that goal is! So we won that game, 1 – 0. Thanks to that save by THE ED SAcapano (and his friend, crossbar)!

That was the motivation that the Azkals needed. Now all that we need is a win on Day Three – the final day of the group stages.

Against Myanmar, we noticed the fast-paced match that the Burmese wanted. The first half was entertaining but not that exciting. No goals to tell. No goals to seal the deal for the Filipinos. Second Half, the Azkals made runs and crosses. Before even the match started, I predicted a goal from Phil Younghusband. Phil is too good of a striker to have no goals at all. Come on, once and for all, he’s Phil! So his shots during the First half were on target. Wow, powerful and accurate shots! From there, I was so sure that Phil would make a goal or two – and so he did. A first touch from the right side and a kick right through the left corner of the goal – a perfect goal that two goalkeepers won’t even save! That removed the pressure out of my mind, honestly. Thanks to the active plays of Guirado, De Jong, De Murga and others. Guirado, he’d been playing fantastic football since Day Two – the same physical and speedy player. Then the officials announced the 5 minute injury time – sorry Myanmar, Guirado just made that look easy. One on one with the Goalkeeper, an accurate kick was all that needed. There you go! A shout from me and a call for full time. Great job!

With these wins, we’re now going to the Semi-Finals. Welcome, Philippine Azkals! Welcome to Manila, AFF Suzuki Cup! Let’s get the trophy once and for all. BELIEVE!