Interests:Discover the hidden treasures of the Human Race; Sports; Wrestling; Evolving; Pink na Arinola; Life Expertise:Wrestling Occupation:Student Industry:Media
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2010 marks my fourth decade here on Earth (well, that the 80’s (sorry can’t remember anything), 90’s (nostalgia at its finest), 00’s (this is what I’m talking about), and this one 10’s?) Here’s a well-deserved look back at the decade that was (2000-2009), where I found love, reached new heights, and learned to hate the airports, among others.
Claretmania (2000-2006)
Spawned by a professional wrestling revival in the early part of the decade, Claretmania represented Claret’s greatest moments immortalized in the format of the grand daddy of all pay-per-view shows, Wrestlemania. Claretmania featured matches that involve different personalities from pre-existing feuds, plots, and storylines played out during the first half of the decade. The characters portrayed a villain or a hero in a series of events that build tension, and culminate into a match or series of matches. I spent a good portion of a decade of my life in Claret. Regrets? Maybe a couple. Memorable? Absolutely. After exhausting my high school years, Captain Charisma flew to bluer skies, but I’ll always be, a Claretian.
The CAT Era (2004-2006)
To call this one controversial is an understatement. Without a shadow of a doubt, the CAT era was terrific combination of glory and defeat where battles were fought, some won, some lost, but all in all, despite the setbacks, fighting for a cause was all worth the trouble. The era brought about a half-disciplined, half-deceitful life. Who knows, with a fair amount of blood, sweat, tears, this story might not be over.
The Interaction (2005)
Heading into half time of the decade, the other sex was non-existent in my vocabulary. Then one day, opportunity came knocking, and the rest was history. It woke up a sleeping animal. After all was said and done, the light at the end of the tunnel was fully in sight.
Where This and That Happens (2000-present)
Change is constant, especially in the media and tech world. So why is this important? Because I spent a good amount of time bumming around in front of the monitor or watching what’s on in my decade-old TV. My life would be incomplete without my favorite pastime, sports and entertainment. And this is the random story where I’ll put the ramblings that don’t deserve a thread. It was the era of social networking, not to mention blogging (are diaries still alive?) Friendster. Multiply. Facebook. Twitter? ESPN, Jack TV, BTV, etc… and I need to mention that I love Destiny Cable! I’ll leave my ever-growing library but I’ll be back. Thank you to foreign funding for my iPod and digicam. And yes, I still haven’t bought a cell phone for all of my life. One thing is for sure; change will come in this decade.
Evolution (2005-present)
After it all began again, suddenly we’re all grown up. Well, growing up was so fast! I went from being a flyweight to a light heavyweight! Well, for all its worth, hopefully I’ll be able to settle for super-welterweight or middleweight. Weight issues hounded me when I got in trouble with my passport in Japan; I really think the Japanese should open their eyes a lot wider. People come and go. Time flies by. Every now and then, there’s the occasional bout with nostalgia. We all grow old unless you have a curious case like Benjamin Button. Responsibility matters. Evolution is truly a mystery, full of changes you can’t see, you can’t fight it, you just live it.
One Big Fight (2006-present)
Who would have thought I would end up in the big blue? Not me. But a fortunate twist of events in the summer of ’06 led me to don the blue and white. Things picked up slowly but it got very (very) interesting when things literally heated up and Dangerous Dante was born. There are the struggles but the excellence of execution trumped them all. Along the way, back-to-back UAAP championships, 2 national titles, and countless classic games. Win or lose, Ateneo is the school I chose. Ang Sarap Maging/Ng Mga Atenista.
Love (moves in mysterious ways) (2006-present)
It was inevitable. Things happened so fast. You can’t stop Mother Nature. Love has two faces, the good and the bad. If it’s good, then fine, enjoy, if its bad, just charge it to experience. One relationship that stood out was well, it must have been love but it’s over now. I wouldn’t elaborate on my other excursions; I’d reserve that for my autobiography, besides, its all genetic.
“Love is a sensation, caused by a temptation, to feel penetration. a guy sticks his location in a girl's destination, to increase the population for the next generation, did you get my explanation, or do you need a demonstration?”
Semesterslam: The Reunion (2008)
A month of happiness, four years I waited for this event to happen. This was to date, the last time our family was complete again. Hong Kong, Disneyland, Macau, Philippines. It was the happiest semester break of my life. But then to cap off all the fun, Uncle Sam called and ordered me to leave and submit myself or kiss the American Dream goodbye, oh the irony.
The Blue (Collar) Eagle (2009)
There and back again. I fell victim to the phenomenon called migration and the time to go finally arrived. I left on a jet plane; did not know when I’ll be back again (or maybe I knew). I found work, getting down and dirty in the construction site. It was a simple story; I was the boy among men plumbing my way to green bucks. Who cares? The dollar is still almighty; it served my airfare and tuition fee among others and there’s only more to come. Who said it was a bad year? Truly, blood, sweat, and beers can make you go places. I’ll never forget my first job.
The Great Depression (2009)
As if I needed more toughening up, 2009 was a catastrophic and jinxed year for many and obviously I wasn’t spared.The writing was on the wall, I left for a country in recession, I left my partner, I left my studies hanging by a thread, and I left a world of uncertainties. Yes, I courted danger and it answered. I came back to nothing but trouble. But you never know, it could be a blessing in disguise. The worst schedule available to man led to academic troubles but it translated to a career-high performance, surprising even me. Then the numbers caught up with me, I had my fair share of road misadventures when I got back, and in a punch to the stomach, my 14 year streak was finally broken, among others. Of course I would have to address the break-up, three years flushed down the drain, I’ll be frank, it was sad for it to end the way it did. But coming to think of it, it was all for the better. I was spared from madness and a world of lies and infidelity, for the moment. In the end, it’s safe to say that this year will be remembered as one of the most turbulent years of my life. It was truly a year of letting go, and I learned. Just can’t stop learning.
A decade of destruction. A decade of decadence. It was a decade where the bubble was burst. Explosive and at times downward spiraling but eventually everything was under control. Overall, I think I wasn’t wasteful of time. Challenges and experiences were here and there, but I feel I made a good account of myself. The turn of the decade offers a lot of promises. There is my upcoming farewell tour and of course, its time to finish the unfinished business. The past decade is ripe for a follow-up and I’m quite sure, even though the key players might be standing on different continents, the sequel should be one better. Life’s tough, you just have to be tougher.
“There are so many emotions at the end of the season, nobody likes to talk about them, but one of them is fear, fear that you've come this far and it could all end, the dream could die, but me, I like the fear, it means I'm close, it means, I'm ready”
that of 2009 and this decade, goodbye 2000-2008 and good riddance 2009! 2009 was generally not a good year, there were some highs but was overshadowed by the numerous lows. here's hoping for a great 2010 and so on... :)
I'm glad 2009 is coming to a close, its been a really weird year. At the same time, I'm glad to welcome back the cold breeze of air that the holiday season brings. Screw you climate change. The heart has been cold too, seems like its too late to salvage something in this last season although I might be wrong, stranger things have happened. Every second counts. And damn, I failed to watch any re-run of Survivor Series. Oh well.
It was a teary-eyed reunion in Philly as AI is back in a Sixer uniform. But did they find the right answer? LOL.
