Nothing personal against Twitter, but I seem to enjoy Facebook more lately and have made myself scarce in Twitterville. But I still drop by every now and then, I still remember dropping one-liners there before.

Facebook or FB, however, is just perfect for me. Aside from being reunited with friends and classmates from way back in elementary days, it provides me a great venue to vent out anything that I feel. And since I have REAL friends following me, I get immediate feedback if I am making sense or not.

The FB status update line is really a perfect place for me especially when I am having my regular bouts with procrastination-disguised-as-writer’s-block which seems to happen regularly as of late. The status line however, as far as I am concern, is more than just a space for rants or bringing out my secret identity as a Bill Cosby-wannabe.

The space has become a ‘breeding ground’ of ideas for me, actually. What were rants or one-liners in FB have become a full-blown post, a poem, and even a song! Yes, that’s how that FB status line has become so useful to me, it’s like I’m making a draft every time I make a post there.

And speaking of status line updates, may I share here some of my ‘original’ posts in FB which were most replied and ‘liked’ by my FB friends. These are all my personal quotes, and I didn’t include those one-liners I picked up all over. So here they are:

1. The only law I intend to break is the law of gravity, because I intend to fly someday.
2. Yes, I tend to exaggerate sometimes. But mind you, I exaggerate accurately
3. Moving on, not to show that I have given up… but rather, to prove that I am worth it
4. What I lack in eloquence, I make up with sincerity
5. I write not with my pen… I write with my heart
6. I almost forgot, I’m one of the good guys! And good guys ALWAYS win in the end!
7. Oftentimes, you have to deny your own happiness… for the sake of others
8. I am not a singer. I don’t have a good singing voice. But I have a heart and feelings to express… and a hell lot of stories to tell.
9. Things happen for a reason… even for no reason at all
10. I blog. I write songs, poems & short stories. I take videos and pictures. I tell jokes and do some crafts… yes, I have a multi-faceted insanity
11. When I wish for your happiness, I know it doesn’t need to have me as a part of it. I can be totally satisfied even though I am just standing on the outside, looking in…
12. I could wish it didn’t happen so that I may not have to experience the pain. But then, I wouldn’t have felt the joy either. And that brief moment that I experienced happiness, that short span of time that I felt alive again, I can say it’s all worth the pain that I’m feeling right now.
13. When it hurts, it only means it matters so much
14. Oh, no please. No need to add cream in my coffee. Just be right beside me, and the coffee will be perfect :
15. I am not a poet, I am poetry…

Omitted on purpose, were the post about wanting to be Wolverine for a very good reason and the post that ‘motivated’ my son to give me a wakeup call.

My favorite among these is number 4, because I really have a very limited vocabulary, but I am always sincere in what I write. Number 11 became a song and number 15 became a poem, where I disclaim being a poet.

Who knows, one of the remaining may ones may become a short story someday.

So the next time you catch me ranting on FB, think again. I could just be drafting my next poem or song, or I could just be thinking out loud… and then again, it could be all of the above.

When does one conform to what the norms dictate? And when does he need to stand up for what he believes in?

John Keating, the character played by Robin Williams in the movie Dead Poets Society, teaches his students in an unorthodox manner. Inspiring them to go after what their heart desire, even if it is not what others could accept.

A rather tall order, because in Welton Academy where he teaches, conforming to norms and the school’s policy has been one of the main priorities.

I love this movie. First, because it has Robin Williams in it, one of my personal favorite. Second, it dwells about the love for poetry, about what poetry is and what is it not. Being a self-proclaimed poet, this really hit me right on the spot. And third, it teaches about going after one’s dream… in spite of all the odds.

I am at a point in my life where I have to choose between fighting for something, or to let go because it is for better good of many people. And at the same, I am deciding whether I have to stay where I am in, or to go and chase my dream, even if I do not know where or how to start it.

This isn’t the first time I watched this movie. And every time I do, I am left in awe about the message of the movie. But never has this movie made its most impact in my life, than now.

Maybe it’s a sign… maybe it’s time.

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.

Carpe diem!

When I am not spewing rants and gibberish thoughts on my blogs, or when I am not killing anyone in my short stories, waxing some poetic woes, shooting videos, or doing some doodles, I can be found strumming on the guitar, singing my blues away.

And most of the time, what I played on my guitar are my original compositions. Yes, believe it or not, the struggling blogger is a struggling songwriter. Just another one of the medium I express myself. You can say that I have a multi-faceted insanity.

The latest of my so-called ‘original compositions’ is one called Be Happy.

As ironic as it may sound, the song isn’t really a happy one, but wishing someone happy, at the expense of losing one’s own happiness.

Sounds confusing? Anyway, I made a video of the song and uploaded it on my YouTube channel.

You can say that this video is made up of one-part depression and one-part guts.

Anyway, here’s the song I called Be Happy. I hope you’ll like it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=B79pVJi64Q4

Song lyrics (as requested)

Be Happy
Words & Music by Roy

Be happy
It’s all I ever want you to be
Be happy
Although it doesn’t have to be me
Cause I understand what you’ve been through
And I’ll do everything for you
Even if it means, I have to let you go

Just remember
When there comes a time you need a friend
Here’s my shoulder
You just have to call and I’ll be there
And I’ll tell you jokes to make you smile
Even if only for a while
Until the time will come, you have to go again

Cause when I wished you happiness
I understand I do not have
to be a part of it
And I am completely satisfied
Just to see you happy even though
I’m standing on the outside
looking in…

(Repeat I & III)

Cause I understand what you’ve been through
And I’ll do everything for you
Even if it means, I have to let you go

Be happy
It’s all I ever want you to be…

(All rights reserved… including all the lefts. And I’m very much capable of the wrongs too. So don’t even think about it.)

I uploaded my song on the net for sharing. Please observe intellectual property rights. I don’t get to write these songs easily.

And if there’s anyone who can help me get this song on the mainstream, it will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Have already posted this video before, but it was raw. So I went back to it, still with Vince’s inspiring talk on iBlog6 in mind, and edited it.

It was basically the same video though, I just added a background music to mask the not-too-nice sound that were heard on the background haha!

And this is the finished product!

So, how’s this for a vlog entry?

The Struggling Blogger on the pull-up bar from Roy dela Cruz on Vimeo.
Many of my friends who knew me were surprised when they saw this video. They never thought I was capable of doing ridiculous things haha… well, honestly, I am not aware of what I am capable of doing myself.

And that’s what I am afraid of

I like to express myself through different medium – through poems, stories, pictures, music, cartwheel… err, scratch that last one. I’m a pound heavier to do cartwheel.

But there was a time that I used to draw too. I’m not really good at it, but I draw. My drawings were not ones that I can really be proud of, but at least I draw.

Just recently, I found an old notebook containing drawings that I made back in 1998. There were not actually “just drawings” but signatures of my classmates then in a training class that I was attending.

I asked many of my classmates for signatures in a space at the back of notebook. I asked as much as I can, and then figured out what I can make of them. Many were easy to “draw on” and became fishes, butterfly, profile, etc.

While there were others that are really hard to imagine of what they can be. Some were turned into insects, horse’s mane or flowers. For some, I just let them be, because I really don’t know what to make of them.

The idea is hardly original, I admit.

When I was still a child, I remember that every Sunday, we have a newspaper called The Daily Express (although, it was called The Sunday Express during Sundays though, I believe). Sadly, that newspaper is no longer in existence today.

Anyway, what I love about that newspaper then is that, it has a kid’s section every Sunday – of course, when you say kid’s section, you think of comics, arts, crafts and other things that kids would love. There is also a section there wherein readers would send their signature and the newspaper’s resident artist would create a doodle out of them.

It must have been one boring afternoon then during that training that I remembered the doodles that I used to look out for every Sunday.

My output though weren’t all great, but I must say my classmates were amazed, and many even volunteered their signatures.

That was the only instance I did it though. I never did again, nor asked for anybody’s signature to doodle on.

Some of these doodles are in my photo blog, and the rest are in the photo album in my Facebook account… but of course, you have to be my friend to be able to view them

It’s really a bummer when your birthday comes and you’re out of dough. No, I don’t really celebrate my birthday, but I do want to treat my kids, after all, Iron Man 2 is still on. But I guess it’s not happening.

Anyway, because it’s my birthday, I thought of making a special birthday post.

What would make a birthday post special? What haven’t I done on my blogs yet? If only I could do the cartwheel, I would. I used to do it before, but I was younger then… much younger.

Then I remembered Vince’s talk on iBlog6 -- “You don’t need good looks and talents… just guts!” Or something to that effect.

So I took my guitar and my digital camera and did the unthinkable! I recorded a video of myself playing the guitar and singing!

If the succeeding videos (yes, that’s an ’s’ there) caused you to lose your appetite or has brought you either sleepless nights, or worse -- nightmares, remember I’m only doing this because it’s my birthday, and blame Vince, who was a VERY convincing motivating speaker during iBlog6.

Tip: Best viewed with your monitor dimmed and your speaker volume turned low… very low.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMtsXrJU3WQ
Lover’s Moon

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdsQHCt4tBA
Is It Okay If I Call You Mine?

I remember an old joke which goes, “Look, I played on the white keys and I played on the black keys, but you sing on the crack!“

Sorry, if I sing out of tune. Just remember it’s my birthday and then, just blame Vince (sorry, Vince. It’s my birthday).

The last video (finally!) was the reason I mustered enough courage to take a video of myself, so I can feature one of my ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS! It’s a Tagalog song called Heto Na Naman Ang Puso Ko, I wrote on July 12, 1992.

This time, I seek your indulgence… never mind the singer, just listen to the song.

Thank you.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlD21BexeoI
Original -- Heto Na Naman Ang Puso Ko

And as my favorite line goes… “That’s all folks!”

Nothing like a good company to rekindle a passion, and for bloggers, iblog6 is the perfect venue not just for newbie bloggers, but for burned-out bloggers as well.

The beauty about blogging is that, there is no “been there, done that” kind of thing. There would always be something new. Even for seasoned bloggers (read: old timers), whether they admit it or not, can learn a thing or two.

And iblog6 did just that for this struggling blogger.

For one, I learned the difference between a “real” political blogger from a “bandwagon rider” and what is the mission (or social responsibility) of the latter. I admit, I could be just one of those “riders” as I don’t really like blogging about politics, but would spew out unsolicited opinions every now and then, especially when there’s a hot issue on hand.

That is why Marc Ronald Rimorin’s presentation was an eye opener for me. It is not the mission (and should not be) of a political blogger to stir a hornet’s nest, per se, but to chronicle and document the events, and hopefully, as we mature politically in future, the past events would help us make the right decisions in the present.

And as I told him yesterday, Vinco Golango’s presentation was really very convincing that I want to start my own video blog! Honest! I am just thinking of a subject that I can sustain. I definitely wouldn’t dare go “boom boom paw!” on YouTube.

But it was Hanna Villasis who started the ball rolling with Blogging lalala… (she doesn’t want to use Blogging 101). Just when you think you know about blogging, she reminded us all with going back to the basics, why are we blogging in the first place? And let’s not forget to have fun, while we’re at it.

Juned Sonido came complete with his arsenals — all types cameras from the film versions to the digital versions, with a journalist’s vest even. His presentation in photo blogging is really helpful to me as I have just started my photo blog this year.

Before I forgot, our friend Rey, together with  The UP Concert Chorus performed in an intermission where they sang three songs — Alleluia, Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin and Pamulinawen, in a very beautiful a capella rendition. Yes, I have a video and will have a separate post for them.

Next time Rey, can I request for Atin Cu Pung Singsing?

Noemi Dado delivered her talk on online commentaries, social media and election blogging. She came with her whole entourage from Blogwatch. Now, that is what a team is all about.

Jinoe Gavan shared his experiences and gave some tips on how to run a successful blog contest. He even gave away two gift certificates. Too bad, I wasn’t able to run immediately to the microphone, I have a perfect idea on how to tie-up that diaper with his running niche.

Joseph Gonzales literally brought the house down with his candid presentation on the impact of blogging to the community, and effectively selling Baler to the audience. Now, everybody wants to go to Baler.

And Marhgil Macuha wrapped up the session with his presentation on how bloggers can maximize making money online through search engine optimization or SEO.

With networking and socialization as my foremost motivation to attend the event, I was able to muster enough courage to introduce myself to other bloggers.

Hannah Villasis and Vince Golangco where the first ones I met because they were early (being the first two speakers). I was also able to introduce myself to Miss Noemi Dado, Manny Viloria and John B. Bejo.

I also met on Pinoy Gossip Boy, Jay S. Aquino and Rommel Copuyoc for the first time. In the event, I also say Kelvin and Fitz Villafuerte. I was also fortunate to meet two other Kapampangan bloggers in the event (please comment here if you happen to pass by, I’m too ashamed to admit that I’m a little deaf that’s why I didn’t get your names).

As usual, there really isn’t enough time to meet all the bloggers. But there would still be future events where I can finally get to know all of them, hopefully.

By the way, I attended the event together with a fellow blogger from Angeles City, Paige who was very excited with her first blogging event. I hope you enjoyed yourself, Paige.

And finally, congratulations Janette and the rest of the organizers of iBlog6, and thank you for organizing this blogging summit.

More power to all of you!

Some photos can be seen here.

Addendum:
The two Pampanga bloggers I met were Louie Sison and Josie. Nice to meet you guys! Hopefully, we could organize our group soon. See you ’round!

I appreciate art, in all its medium of expression, especially the ones that I can understand.

I dreamed of becoming an artist when I was young. Unfortunately, I wasn’t blessed with the hand for it. So I am contended in appreciating works done by other artists.

Since I started my photoblog, I make it a point to bring my camera every time I go out, you can never tell when you will find some interesting subjects to capture.

This afternoon, when the kids and I went to SM Clark, I was glad that I was bringing my camera.

When went up to the mall’s CyberZone, we saw a beautiful sculpture made of junk, craps, and other pieces of metal that would otherwise be thrown.

As we approached it, I immediately pulled-out my camera and take pictures of the sculpture called “Predator” as it resembled the character from the movie by Arnold Schwarzenegger Predator.

I took picture from every angle imaginable.

Thanks to digital technology, I can take as many pictures as I want until I am contented that I have covered all points, like I was making a picture jigsaw puzzle which I would later.

Satisfied, we continued walking.

As we turned on the other corner, we saw another sculpture from the same materials – nuts and bolts, wires, scrap metals and what-have-you.

This time, the piece resembled the Alien from the Sigourney Weaver movie of the same title.

And just like what I did with “Predator,” I took pictures of the “Alien” sculpture from different angles, in different sections, like I was a “real photographer.”

Never mind if what I’m using is a low-end digital camera, it is able to capture pictures, and it’s all that matters.

So, with pictures from the two art pieces complete, I immediately transferred them to my PC when we arrived home and come up with the most intelligible story I can think of.

The result –  “Predator versus Alien,” my latest entry in my photoblog.

Alien invasion on planet Earth?

Let us pray that one of them is on our side.

I have created blogs in the past out on a whim. It’s more of the “because I can” attitude that the number of my blogs have grown. But every now and then, there comes a special reason for a blog to be born.

Such is my new blog, HAU Grand Alumni Homecoming which I created as my humble contribution in making our high school batch’s hosting of the grand alumni homecoming this year a success.

I have been a blogger for quite a while now, and I have seen the power of blogging, especially in reaching out to different people. It is with this acknowledgment that hopefully,  with the help of my blog, I can reach out to our batchmates, as well as to all alumni of our alma mater, the HolyAngel University, to “come home” this December.

The blog’s mission is help disseminate information to all alumni, especially our batchmates, all plans and actions being undertaken towards the hosting of the grand homecoming.

Aside from the updates, I hope to write some articles too, where in my own little way, I try to all convince alumni to attend the homecoming. And if I can gather some resources, I also would like to post some trivia about “the year that was” in what could be like a “walk down memory lane.”

I believe that by doing so, the yearning will grow in the heart of an alumnus to visit the alma mater and relive all those beautiful memories.

And that is specifically the reason… the mission, of my homecoming blog.

Just when I was getting cozy and comfy with 2009, it has to end. Hey! I’m not complaining though.

2009 has been a good year, one that could be tough to follow. But because of all the blessings that were served, I am now raring, and with an an enthusiastic heart, ready to face 2010.

But 2009 was not really a walk in the park, mind you. It had its share of tough times — sickness, failures, deceit, death, frustrations, and more.

Still, they all add up, together with the successes, to complete the ingredients for what could be the best recipe for a perfect year.

From lessons learned to the quest for more victories… make 2010 a year of great expectations.

Here’s to a better year ahead of us.

Happy New Year!