The biggest influence in my life...everything I did with my brother.

I don't know why....I just don't know why I am making such a big deal of the 9th year that he is in heaven.

Before, this day was an ordinary day. Sure it was his last here on Earth but today, this year, this 9th time something is different.

Maybe I'm just pitying myself because of stress in school...

It's just this August 26, 2010 is different from the past 9 August 26 that my brother has been dead.

Something is different about today that I feel I just should write about it.

I meant the title above. Everything I am today, a fan of Anime and a lot of other boyish stuff is all because of my brother. He introduced me to all of this, so if there is someone to blame for me being childish most of the time, it would have to be my brother.

Reached a mental block here. Something is really different this 9th year. Is it really because of the bad news I got earlier today? Or is it because it is also the last day of the term? I really don't know.

I mean, I can't even remember what happened last year on this day....

But I clearly remember what I was doing at any given time exactly today, 9 years ago.

Why am I making such a fuss about today? Why am I such making a fuss about my deceased brother on his 9th death anniversary?

Maybe its because I got used to the fact already that we are really 4 in the family and not 5... Is it because of that?

Do I blame him for what I received this morning in class?

Am I scared that he'll suddenly show up and scold me for all the things I have promised but never did?

All I know is I am making such a big deal about today and I really don't know why...

It's actually a big relief writing all this down. I don't know if I want people to actually read this or not but I will post in anywhere I want to...

I do miss my brother. I wished we had more time together. I'm envious when I hear my friends talk about how close they are with their older brothers, how even if they tease each other, they still love spending time with one another.

Maybe that's it...I can't really remember having a brother figure in life and I wish I could but it was such a long time ago. I miss having him around. Someone to goof of with. Someone who can drive me wherever I want....but I highly doubt Kuya Ricky would do that.

I'm making such a big deal of today that I don't even know if I want this day to end or not.

All I know is today is the 26th of August. A lot of people are celebrating their birthdays, a lot of my friends are celebrating their birthdays. My family is celebrating his birthday in heaven.

Exactly 9 years ago today, my brother died. I don't even know the cause of death but I don't care. He had Bone Cancer. He was 15 when he died.

He died without any of us near him. He was on his bed, in his room, all alone.

And what i truly and utterly know. What is true, what is a fact....is that I miss him and I love him.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Action & Adventure

I'd be going to two different sides on this one.

In other words I have mix views about the movie.

The Lightning Thief is the first in series of books depicting Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon, and his adventures. It tells Percy's first ever quest which was to retrieve Zeus' master bolt from whoever it was that stole it.

As a moviegoer, it was a great film. Nice effects great story line. The camera footage was a little blurry at some points but most of the time it was great. The lead actor was alright and the cast were a bunch of really great actors. The effect on the mythical creatures were satisfactory. If I was rating the movie on movie alone it would've gotten a much higher star mark.

The problem is I am a bookworm. I am not saying that Chris Columbus is a killer of book adapted into movie but he actually is. Fist Harry Potter and now Percy Jackson. A lot of things were changed and a lot of important side stories went missing. If you've read the book, you would know how important Ares is in the story but now we don't know who he even is. Chiron is the head of camp so what happens in the second film. Its those difference that may really change what happens in all the five storylines. Book-wise is would have gotten a zero in my book.

It is still a good watch for this weekend with the kids. But if you really want a sense of adventure I suggest you just buy the books instead.

Youth 2010: Boto Para Sa Pagbabago

That was the longest day ever.

I went to school at around 8 in the morning. The auditorium doors would be opened for the forum at around 10:30. My partner in English research decided to do first one of our assignments so we would be done then we would line up to get into the auditorium.

Our surprise when one of my friends told me that the line was so long already.

Chances of getting inside the auditorium were slim and since most of the students there were early because they were saving a place for their friends.

We ended up watching in one of the classrooms.

The debate was great to listen to. It was just a little bad that most of the students really wanted to get inside.

But nothing would compare to the mayhem that occurred after the forum. When Gibo and Noynoy left the Yuchengco auditorium and were at the lobby of Yuchengco building. I was told that Gibo wanted to roam around his old school but students wanting to shake his hand and take a picture of him wouldn't allow it.

You could see it in his face how grateful he was for all the support of the Lasallians.

The forum was pretty great. Some answers were exceptional, some candidates played it safe, some were just down right disappointing. Some candidates didn't even answer the question at all.

My summary would be: Gordon and Gibo were good but played it safe with the Arroyo question. Villar and Madrigal were at each others throats all throughout. Noynoy answered well but played it safe most of the time and I didn't like his closing statement. Delos Reyes wasn't prepared for his questions and it was evident that he was nervous. Villanueva and Perlas were, well forgettable.

Top 3 would have been Gibo, Gordon and Noynoy.

And Villanueva and Madrigal kept calling us Lasallites. I know that was what we were called before but now its Lasallians. Ted Failon even corrected them.

Funny thing about watching it within the campus is you would hear Ted Failon's off the camera moments. Haha. Like. "Oh, mga Lasalyano pag balik natin energy pa rin ah?!" Haha.

I have to say that Gibo's answer with the Arroyo question was what I was expecting from him. And Gordon defending him was also a great show of camaraderie. Just because Gibo is within the same party as the President doesn't mean that they are equal. And Gibo's answer towards Madrigal's question was also exceptional.

Villar's comment about having famous relatives was un-called for. Good thing that Madrigal stepped in and commented him as well.

Gordon's answer that the Philippines was ready for Dick Gordon was very smart if one would think about it.

All in all it was a great forum.

Waiting in line then realizing that you should just watch in one of the classrooms, waiting for the candidates to arrive, then staying to shake hands with them (I had the chance to do that with Gibo and Noynoy!) and take their pictures was well worth the whole day in La Salle.

It shows that the Youth are really active in this upcoming election and they will really exercise their vote. Like it's tag line says:

Boto Para Sa Pagbabago!

The weirdest account in my life...

Alright, I'm at work but there is no hear as of this moment so I am making use of the very expensive Internet bill that we pay.

I was in De La Salle University, Andrew Building earlier, having my History class. My professor, who I will argue is older than my parents, was talking about how the Philippines isn't progressing because it is a buyer of products and not a producer of exports.

Suddenly, out of the blue, I saw a white plastic bag floating in mid air. I know this may not necessarily be a very fascinating thing, but I was in the 10th floor of the building, a building with very high ceiling I may add.

I mean, if I would describe it, the white plastic bag was flying. Dragged around by the breeze and even went across the Enrique building which is only 10 floors. I mean it was flying. Having no care whatsoever and just letting the wind push itself in the right direction.

I couldn't take my eyes off it. (Arguably, it was only about 20 seconds that the plastic flew in front of the window.) But it was at the exact same time, that my History professor was stating that it was about time that the Philippines soared to new heights.

Analogy, the Philippines was that plastic bag and it flew not by itself but with the help of the wind. If the Philippines is the bag, what is the wind? A question that I will not answer but let you, the reader, answer for yourself.