Phoenix Picks
By Ronelo Ladiao

“Some people live their dreams, some people close their eyes, some people's destiny passes by… there are no guarantees, there are no alibis, that's how our love must be, don't ask why…”. Toto, an American 80s band mentioned this relevant line from their famous single “I'll Be Over You” that ceaselessly invaded the airwaves.

Call me fool and sentimentally jaded by ripping these lyrics from a touching ballad song. A confession that reveals I am sentimental by nature. Who said sex is the only obvious selling item of any tabloids nowadays? Even sex has heart and love goes beyond sex. Now, I don't want to blurt out about sex in this fiery portal because I love the world beyond sex.

Friendship and compassion is still important, immortal, infinite, and endless. Everything can't be bought by money or true friendship endures amid the shadows of misery. I love my friends as if they are the air that I breathe or perhaps they are like raindrops that wash my tears away. They say if something was truly meant for you, it would come back. Who knows, just open your eyes and don't let destiny pass you by or it will never pass again. Dreams are not only for fools, we need to dream, to live and these realities inspired me to become not only a better writer but an artist who sees the world in radiant metaphors. I can illustrate my inner soul in just a minute for you to see that even with close eyes I still can see what others cannot.

At the end of the day the song continues…”It takes some time, God knows how long… as soon as my heart stop breaking, anticipating… as soon as forever is through I'll be over you”.

Fashion Pick 101: PJ Araňador, JCI Metro Iloilo Dinagyang and Bombette Marin team-up for ‘River' swimwear fashion parade

Tomorrow, March 9, 2005 at exactly 5 p.m. Metro Iloilo's fashion scene will be celestially transformed again as PJ Arañ ador, international Ilonggo lifestyle designer and Bombette Marin,   the province' well-respected fashion director will spearhead a daring yet magnificently stunning fashion show entitled “River” at SM City Iloilo Activity Center. The ever-prolific organization of young leaders and entrepreneurs, the Metro Iloilo Dinagyang Jaycees headed by their pretty prexy Christina Gemora, general secretary Mia Octaviano, other active members such as Yana Octaviano, Ted Ong and many others who selfishly shared their effort to realize this exceptional fashion extravaganza organized this event. “River” was the perfect title for the fashion show since it promotes once again the success of the Second Jetski Competition last January (during the Dinagyang weekend) at Villa Regatta with a noble cause to preserve Iloilo River as an environmental and cultural treasure of the city.

Arañador who recently came from his successful fashion shows and business endeavors in Manila and India will return to his home city to reminisce the glorious heritage of Iloilo through his unique fashion perspective and wardrobe creations. My dear friend Bombette Marin is deeply honored to be picked once again as the director and choreographer of “River” fashion show.

So, what to expect? Of course, fresh, gorgeous and ravishing fashion mannequins and hunks to parade in style, trend and wear sexy swimwear. Unexpected fashion twists and trance music will levitate your visual ecstasies in bliss. Blah blah blah!... eveything's gonna be celestial, panoramic and mesmerizing. So, be there or you'll miss this sassy fashion spectacle!              

Story Pick 101: ‘Teks sa outbox' part one debuts today in TNT's Youth in Campus page

This is my story, my twist and my rules to touch your heart with melancholic sentiments. When I was young, writing has never been part of my world, my fictitious world of arts, cartoons, heroes and imaginations kept me living. I am gifted to illustrate my hidden imaginations and fantasies of beings who can defy human capabilities. In short, I love kids stuff! But I was a kid during that time. When I was in second year high school, my aunt, a very meticulous teacher is fond of reading pocketbooks (Tagalog, English, love novels etc.) took care of me and taught me many things meant for sentimental souls like her. Well, without a doubt she influenced me to love these stuff and added another world in my fantasy-crowded-consciousness. This time the world of love, sacrifice and stories that meant to make hearts bleed enthralled my soul. Believe me, that was my baptism and first touch in writing. It was a great literary start for a born-artist like me who learned to weave my inner thoughts and words that piece up a puzzle of intangible stories. My first short story and attempt in writing was in Filipino language entitled “Karugtong ng Buhay”, dedicated to a dear aunt who passed away. It came out in our school paper few months after I wrote the short story.

Reality unveiled: text messaging right now is the fastest and reliable medium of emotional expression for weary souls in this crowded world. After my previous short story entitled “Blankong Teks” that came out in our college paper and here in TNT two years ago, I want to publish once again my new and more twisting text story called “Teks sa Outbox”. So, what is the hidden text in the outbox that was meant and desperately destined to be told by someone in a very surprising circumstance? Read it here now and be sure to catch its conclusion next week. I'm not expecting you to love or hate it, I just want to tell a story that was meant to be told by someone like me who ‘live to tell' something about text messaging's intangible message.

Whew! I'm getting deeper and jaded week after week but I know I'm doing something good and passionate. But there's no more space for now guys, so, its time to say hi to my dear friends at Days Hotel especially to Dorothy Ann Apostol, Sir Rey Ponsaran and many others. Also to JC Alvin of UPV, Tita Angge of ABS-CBN and her assistant (Thanks for Bayani's interview). Hasta mañana mutants!