Welcome back...

So how long have I been gone now? It's been almost over 3 months since I've written a decent post and I think I owe it to myself to keep this thing running as long as I have... plus the fact that I did fucking promise to write about everything that's going on as long as I'm living here in the Philippines. By the way, I only promised myself that I'd write so don't anyone get any ideas.

Lemme see... for starters, here's a little update about what happened while I was here after returning from Malaysia. I joined a film organisation (now for any of your smart-asses out there, it ain't as gay-ridden as you imagine it to be... only partially) named UP Cineastes' Studio. It's the oldest film organisation (about a year older than the course itself) and I am a proud member (no pun) of it. :D

My application was quite a roller-coaster ride having made to fulfill certain requirements and in the end face a Final Rites ceremony in an undisclosed location (the Final Rites were particularly interesting as myself and the other applicants were made to go through the entire ceremony blindfolded!) Nevertheless, it was an exciting experience and for those of you who think it sounds like a frat initiation, IT'S NOT! Let that be it.

So I made it through the entire application process, made a bunch of friends and had fun at the same time. Really something everyone should truly experience no matter how weak your heart may be. :P It's not really as harrowing or traumatising as you can imagine, but there were moments when I thought "what the fuck am I getting myself into?!". Still, fun and good times and waaay lots of memories for me to keep for a long long while to go.

Then org member activities were also quite interesting, but they were mainly shoots for assignments or final thesis shoots. I had the opprotunity to participate in one thesis as an extra and as a co-actor in another assignment which was shot in 35mm. All good stuff cos I was 'working' with really professional people who were equally into their work as much as they were into having a good time doing it. It's really a pleasure to see more and more of how different people react to certain situations and how they 'leave it all on the set' for the sake of their art (or their grade. :P) [Not every film school condones a bed scene made by students... although I missed out on being a part of that shot!]

Waiting for my flight going back to Malaysia last May was excruciating! Partially because I knew that there was another awesome trip to go to, but also because it was gonna be the last time in a long time I'd be back home. Pretty mixed feelings about this trip but some things just had to be done or else there wouldn't be another time like this. I spent my April attending screenings and just hanging out with my friends here, trying to drown away the hours and days without trying too hard. Come May 1st, I was wondering whether or not I'd really be able to spend the most of my time while I was back home, and spend it to the fullest I did! Going to the east coast on the next day having to drive there was pretty refreshing, especially after dealing with traffic on the right-side of the road for almost half a year. I'm glad that driving was like riding a bike... wait, they should change that to sex... PG warning flashing!!!

But the highlight of my trip was definitely the Bali trip and leaving, because no souvenir or dinner could top the parting gift I got from the gang, and I was really touched by the gesture.

Thanks for the memories guys and girls! *cries* *sniffs* *slobbers*

But jokes aside, I'd say that my summer vacation was very very jolly well spent, with a whole lot of other good times more to look forward to!

So it's "back to school" for me but there's definitely more to say and I think I'll retire for the now, maybe tomorrow I'll have more to say (or less to drag on).

Sayonara, asta la vista.