Every person have to live life to the fullest for we only have one life to live. At the start of the year, I made a commitment to change my life for the better. For years, I’ve struggled with my body image stemming from my self-esteem issues. It’s something that I have to solve by myself but I know that I cannot be alone with this. I’ve been going to the gym since highs school and although I’ve seen some changes physically, it’s not enough and I feel like I’m not getting my all.

There are things that are hard to let go so I decided that besides working out in the gym consistently, I’m going to train as a runner and participate in running events. So far I’ve joined three of them, latest which was the Yakult 10-Mile Run last April 1st. For now, I’m taking up 5k so I could prep myself for more advanced categories. Even though it’s not a professional thing, I joined a running club composed of people I’ve met over Pinoy Exchange. Don’t worry, it’s completely legitimate and it is what it is. I amped it further by doing morning runs before going to work at least thrice a week. I could only go as far as one kilometer although that depends on the time between waking up at 5:30/6am and making it to work before 8:15am.

Speaking of work, after three months into the job, I’m already starting to feel the stress that goes with being a young urban professional. It’s such a luck that I don’t have to commute that far going to work. The downside though is that when there’s some  work-related special event happening, food in different sizes and forms are always being offered to me. It’s hard to say no as it is hard not to say yes. Cakes, spaghettis, lechon and more cakes. It’s too much temptation on my end but what can I do?

After countless days of thinking long and hard about it, I made my choice of starting to clean up what I eat and consume, starting with turning my back completely from soda (or softdrinks in the Philippine context). Slowly but surely is my motto, being heathy and fit is my motivation and becoming like my fitter  gym mates is my inspiration. I gave myself two months to see if I could successfully remain sober and clean and free myself from the alluring temptation that soda drinks have on me.

I started my No Soda Plan last at the start of April and so far, I’ve managed to avoid the thought drinking a sip in several occasions, even at home. The good thing about it is that I told my parents about it and they are supportive of my endeavor (same with my passion of joining running events). You guys don;t ahve an idea how much I am addicted to stuff like Coca Cola and Pepsi. The good side is that I don’t smoke so I only have to worry to one unhealthy vice in my lifetime.

The pursuit to achieve a fit and healthy body continues. I so wanted to finally get the fat off my belly and see those high-defining abs I’ve long wanted to see. Wish me luck!

Yesterday, April 5th, the Philippine broadcast industry lost an icon, a legend. Angelo Castro, Jr. passed away after he lost a long-fought battle against lung cancer. ABS-CBN News broke the story exactly a day ago and it left many shocked and surprised. He was 67.

Image courtesy of Philippine Entertainment Portal

Call me an old-timer when I tell you that I’ve been watching The World Tonight with Mr. Castro for as long as I could remember. At an early age, I always look forward to hear the music that accompanied the English-newscast. I only go to sleep after hearing a quote from Mr. Castro to close out the show every weeknight. Although I never get to remember all the things he said during his closing segment, “Thank You and Good Night…Mabuhay.” is what made me remember him the most and what I will always remember him for.

The World Tonight

It was quite sad when when he left the show after he was diagnosed with lung cancer, a void was left in his place. I have to applaud Tina Monzon-Palma for carrying the show solo since then. He did come back, however, when his cancer was finally in remission, but I was surprised to see him look weak, probably because of his cancer treatment. Even before he was diagnosed, he was always vibrant and strong despite the fact that he was already past the age of sixty. even when I listen to his morning show at DWBR, he speaks with in a strong yet gentle manner.

A tribute  special aired last night on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) and they were showing vintage clips showing Mr. Castro at his finest. It includes footage of the early days of The World Tonight, several news reports made by him overseas and several news specials he hosted over the years, among others. Past anchors of The World Tonight and old colleagues in the industry called in during the duration of the live tribute sharing their fondest memories of the veteran newscaster. Former anchor and now Senator Loren Legarda probably had the most things to say about the late great Angelo, being his co-anchor for the longest time since the the show started.

Angelo Castro, Jr. will be surely and sorely missed by many. Even if he’s in the great beyond now, I don’t think this is his way of saying goodbye, but just a simple “THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT…MABUHAY!”

One Tree Hill (September 23, 2003-April 5, 2012)

Nine years, nine seasons, 187 episodes. For some shows, it seems impossible nowadays to even reach that kind of longevity. But in the case of One Tree Hill, it seemed like it took them forever to finish itself out with a significant sense of closure. I’ve watched like countless teen dramas in the past (Abt Ur Luv, BH90210, The OC, Dawson’s Creek, SCQ Reload, G-Mik etc) but I never got to watch their final episodes and how they all ended in their own terms.

Back when the show premiered in the Philippines around 2004, I wasn’t hooked to OTH right away but I’ve noticed the show’s growing popularity at the time whenever I see a lot of teen magazines around bookstores and they have a cover or an article dedicated to the show’s cast. I eventually got myself semi-interested when I learned about what the show is all about: a tale of two half-brothers, spawned by the same father, connected not just by blood but also by their love of basketball. As a sucker for such soapy premises such as this, I know I’m in for the ride.

In a way, I always felt connected with the show’s core 5 characters: Lucas, Nathan, Peyton, Haley and Brooke. I always love to hate Dan Scott with a passion (hahaha!). When the show started to pair them into loveteams/triangles, I always felt there was a missed opportunity for Lucas and Haley have their firendship develop into something more romantic. To be honest, I never once expected the latter to fall in love with bad boy Nathan. I used to kind of hate Peyton, because she was the center of the two Scotts’ attention. Plus I don’t like her extremely curly hair. As for Brooke, she has spunk and seemed like the most liberated out of the core although I never could not stand Sophia Bush’s croaky voice (although it grew on me over the years and it seemed to stand Brooke out).

It’s so weird to think that for the nine years that show has been on, I practically spent puberty, high school and college watching OTH, even though it is on a sporadic basis. Although it’s not much of a must-watch TV show for me the same as I had to watch every single episode of nu90210 (and later on, several ABC Family shows), I’ve always kept myself up to date with what’s happening (same thing I apply to Gossip Girl).

Somewhere along the way, I felt a certain disconnect when the show entered its final three seasons. In part because they no longer utilized the show’s opening, just an intertitle at the beginning of every episode, and that it was no longer just about the brothers (especially that Lucas and Peyton left the show at the end of Season 6).

There are fans of the show who felt that OTH should have ended that way it did in the sixth season and lasted 3 seasons too long. The stories felt unnecessary and suddenly “out-of-there”, and those who’ve been there from the start have noticed continuity problems.

For a sporadic viewer like me, I always want shows to end with dignity and closure. I always pray that OTH could be given ONE FINAL SEASON to close itself out. As someone pointed out, the show was given so many times to say goodbye but it always return to “say hello again”.  However, with Episode 187 entitled “One Tree Hill“, this is going to be one heck of a goodbye to all the fans for being there through the highs and lows for nine years.

And as the theme song goes: “I don’t wanna wanna be anything other than me”.