Teen Gods

(For lack of a better title)

Guess what I accidentally stumbled upon yesterday when I settled into Fully Booked after an impromptu Katipunan adventure??? Only the book I've been (until now, UNFRUITFULLY) searching for since my birthday last year!

Yeah, I've been wanting to grab a copy of Mina V. Esguerra's Interim Goddess of Love since, like, forever, but I've only been able to find e-books. I don't even own an e-book reader. I was already prepared to give up hope - Fully Booked Regis, after all, was not the first place I would think carried local fic.

But glory upon glories, as they played THE ENTIRE ALBUM OF MAKING MIRRORS (it's destiny, I tell ya) overhead I found this curiously familiar-looking pocketbook perched on a tiny shelf that had other Filipino books on it. I didn't hesitate to spend my 175 on it.

Golly gosh, was the wait worth it.

Okay. So I've never read Mina V. Esguerra before. To tell you the truth, I'm actually not that into chick lit. I was never a huge fan of first-person rom-com types (blame it on Twilight?). But when I found out about the premise of IGoL (sophomore becomes Goddess of Love because she has a connection to them a la Percy Jackson [demi-god] and she gets to interact with a bevy of other Philippine Gods. Did you hear me correctly? PHILIPPINE GODS.) I fell in love with it immediately and forced myself to make an effort to get my hands on it. Also I started following Mina V. Esguerra on Twitter and on her blog.

When I first read it the exposition seemed a little fast-paced, because, whoa, hot guy suddenly taking interest in new girl? I was scared of Hannah Maquiling turning into a Mary Sue pretty quickly. However, my fears vanished when she started becoming relatable - slowly but surely, she was turning out to be awkward, and inexperienced, and in a way bound by society. Even though there were a ton of guys (read: four) who found her attractive, she didn't make a mention once of how literally attractive she found herself to be, save for the one time she got into one of these guys' heads. Besides, the one guy she really, truly likes doesn't like her back. Totally imperfect, totally great. I love Hannah.

I guess one of the reasons I was so reeled in was the whole Cupid plot thing. I ship everything. Long story short, everyone should read this book. I'm not kidding. Everyone. Even your mom.

To celebrate me finally getting this book, I compiled a playlist. :D

YT Links:

Fidelity by Regina Spektor

Ewan (cover) by Imago

TL Ako Sa'Yo (cover) by Kitchie Nadal

Two Way Street by Kimbra

Hear Me by Imagine Dragons

Just Say Yes by Snow Patrol

Please Please Please by The Smiths

All You Need Is Love (cover) by Across the Universe cast

Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap

Friendzone Kit (Philippine Edition)

Author's Note: I'm writing this all the way from the 28th of December of 2012. I decided to publish this on Valentine's 2013 because 1) It's more appropriate for then, 2) I'm posting way too much right now by my own standards. Hi, Future Me!!

First off, as of this moment, I have never actually been in The Mythical Friend Zone (ganda ko, 'noh?) mostly because I have no one to friendzone me. Studying in a Catholic all-girls' school makes it difficult for me to have any frequent interaction with members of the sex in preference. However, I like caring about other peoples' relationships way more than I should, as well as making things in general. So I did this, mostly inspired by Ramon Bautista, and partly dedicated to those who put their heart before their head and need a little picking-up. I wanted to be convenient, and maybe (just maybe!~) this will help me in the future. :D

I called it the Philippine Edition because most of the entries here and pretty Pinoy-centric. I'm going to break it down into some general parts, though, so you'll know how to modify. Sorry, international followers (naks!). :(

Enough babbling, let's do 'dis!

Quick disclaimer: This isn't meant as an endorsement for any of the companies/products mentioned here.

CHAPTER ONE: The Mixtape

Ahh, the Mystical Mixtape. No emotional crisis is complete without some good, ol'-fashioned musical therapy.

Firstly, here is a compilation of songs (or rather, a compilation of compilations of songs) made by TinyMixtapes.com for such an occasion/s (click this text to go there).

Alternatively, have this playlist of my own selection, which really isn't the place in case you're looking for songs to cry to. I sure hope it's cheery enough to get you out of that love-induced rut!

You don't gotta keep no other man down
For you to get up, there's no need to worry
Just don't give away your self-respect
'Coz it's all you got left
The rest don't really matter now anyway, honey!

- Learnalilgivinandlovin' by Gotye

YT Links:

Learnalilgivinandlovin' by Gotye

Who Said Anything (About Falling In Love) by The Hoosiers

Helena Beat by Foster the People

This Too Shall Pass by OK Go

Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra

Keep On Walking by Scouting for Girls

At Least I'm Not As Sad As I Used to Be by fun.

With A Little Help From My Friends (Across the Universe version) by the Beatles

Show Me What I'm Looking For by Carolina Liar

Make Light by Passion Pit

Da Funk by Daft Punk

Shine Brighter (United State of Pop 2012) by DJ Earworm

Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien by Edith Piaf

Bang the Doldrums by Fall Out Boy

Another One Bites the Dust by Queen
BONUS TRACK: Lies by Marina & The Diamonds*

* Sorry, I wasn't able to include it on the art.

CHAPTER TWO: Cuisine a la Zone Ami

The way to a man's heart is through their stomach, and the way to get over a broken heart is no different. Treat yourself!!! After all, who needs love when you have food?

Picture from Cukay's on Multiply

Have an Ironic Red Velvet Cupcake from Cukay's! SUPPORT FILIPINO GOODS, YES?

Speaking of local goods, since you no longer have anyone to look thin for, go on a food trip in one of Quezon City's (and my) favorite food trip hotspots, Maginhawa St./Teacher's Village.

Among my favorites are Uncle Moe's Shawarma Hub and Crazy Katsu. (Pictures not mine)

CHAPTER THREE: Review of Related Literature

I've told you before that I neither am the most experienced nor most reliable person to approach when it comes to the Friend Zone. I just like to make things.

Here, however, are some sources that you should probably read up on.

Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo by Ramon Bautista, a true essential, and one of my inspirations for coming up with a Friendzone Kit in the first place. This book is by far one of the most effective and specific in pushing you to live a life beyond love.

Even more related literature to the above related literature:

1. Tales From The Friend Zone, starring Ramon Bautista and directed by Ra Rivera
2. Ramon Bautista's Formspring, lest you need more personal assistance

Marc Webb's hipsteriffic film (500) Days Of Summer might not seem like your type of "comedy" at a time like this, but if you watch it like how you read old entries from your blog and laugh at how dumb Tom (you) actually is (are), you can tell yourself, "Hey, I can be better than that!" and "Who cares if he/she loves The Smiths???"

Besides, watch this end scene over and over.

Guess what? THAT COULD BE YOU!

x x x

EPILOGUE: Penance

I'm sorry that I don't have much helpful advice to give someone who is friendzoned, aside from "Just get over it." 

I wouldn't advise you to blame the other person, as that's gonna seem really selfish. As a feminist I've been taught not to feel resent towards the person who friendzoned me; not to the point of blaming myself, but not making an entire album dedicated to bashing the individual/s who broke your heart (ahem Taylor Swift ahem) and basically poisoning the well in doing so, either.

This may be easier said than done (especially on my behalf), but why mope around when you can be productive? :) Make good art, benevolent art. If you feel the need to be bitter, by all means, entertain that need, but be sure to cover up some names and make it even more general in the process. HAHA. Cheer up! Maybe it hurts, but there are always other fish in the sea - fish who will respect you for who are! Charot. Go forth, and get over it!

Simply put, the best revenge is to live an awesome life. (Bautista, 2012)

Best of luck!

Legally Ironic

 It's my friend Roxie's birthday in a few days and she asked me to make her a playlist. I'm being awfully generic in picking these songs, but I was aiming for the songs you'd maybe hear in one of Julie Powers' house parties. Chill but really obscure, but then there are some really mainstream choices popping up all of a sudden.

YT Links:

Two Weeks by Grizzly Bear

Youth by Daughter

Electric Feel by MGMT

Awkward by San Cisco

Armistice by Phoenix

The Party by Regina Spektor

Nightcall by Kavinsky

Your Own Ghost by Gold Motel

Body by Thao With The Get Down Stay Down

No Church in the Wild by Kanye West and Jay-Z

Dance Anthem of the 80s by Regina Spektor

Settle Down (Kimbra cover) by City and Colour

What You Know by Two Door Cinema Club

Young Folks by Peter, Bjorn and John

Hell No by Sondre Lerche ft. Regina Spektor

Bonus

Enjoy!

How to Get Over Magical White Boys

(The Filipino Way)

It's so difficult living in a world where the mythical Magical White Boy™ exists on the other end of the Pacific Ocean. This is a playlist per request to ease the pain.

YT Links:

Someone Like You by Adele

Never mind, I'll find, someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you, too

Grenade by Bruno Mars

Listen babe, I would go through all this pain

Take a bullet straight through my brain

Yes, I would die for you, baby

But you won't do the same

Something About Us by Daft Punk

I need you more than anything in my life

I want you more than anything in my life

I'll miss you more than anyone in my life

I love you more than anyone in my life

Lonely Boy by The Black Keys

Oh, oh, oh, I got a love that keeps me waiting

I'm a lonely boy, I'm a lonely boy

I'm Blue by Eiffel 65

And everything is blue for him and himself

And everybody around

'Cause he ain't got

Nobody

To listen

Lovers in My Head by The Hoosiers

I need a second opinion

I want you cross-examined

Where there's a will, there's a way

And there's a will, alright

Nevermind Me by Maria Mena

Bottle up your smile

And pour it in a cup

Yeah, I'll be on my way

Once I've sobered up

Please Please Please by The Smiths

So please, please, please

Let me, let me, let me

Let me get what I want

This time

I Want You To Want Me by Cheap Trick

I want you to want me.

I need you to need me.

I'd love you to love me.

I'm beggin' you to beg me.

Somebody That I Used To Know (Faux Pas remix) by Gotye ft. Kimbra

You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness

BUT WAIT!!! It may seem so easy to give up on a life of celibacy altogether when your Magical White Boy™ of choice is living the Magical White Boy Life™ wherever they are now, but it's never too late to find your own Magical Boy™, white or otherwise.

Set aside your heavy case of prejudice against the "masa" vote. I'm not saying you should give up on white boys altogether; there's hope in looking for fish in a sea much, much closer to home! It is, after all, more fun in the Philippines.

YT Links:

I Want You (The Beatles cover) by Across the Universe cast

I want you

I want you so bad

I want you so bad it's driving me mad

It's driving me mad

Set Fire to the Rain by Adele

But I set fire to the rain

Watched it pour as I touched your face

Let it burn while I cry

'Cause I heard it screaming your name, your name

I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor

Oh no, not I, I will survive

Oh, as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive

I've got all my life to live, I've got all my love to give

And I'll survive, I'll survive, hey hey hey

The Dog Days Are Over by Florence + the Machine

Leave all your love and your longing behind you

Can't carry love with you if you want to survive

Show Me What I'm Looking by Carolina Liar

Save me, I'm lost

Oh lord, I've been waiting for you

I'll pay any cost

Just save me from being confused

Holding Out For A Hero by Frou Frou

I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light

He's gotta be sure

And it's gotta be soon

And he's gotta be larger than life

Cameo Lover by Kimbra

Open up your heart to me

The sun won't shine if you're not looking

Baby, love is all that you need

Survivor by Destiny's Child

After all of the darkness and sadness

Soon comes happiness

If I surround myself with positive things

I'll gain prosperity

You Make My Dreams by Hall & Oates

What I've got's full stock

Of thoughts and dreams that scatter

Then you pull them all together

And how I can't explain

It's Raining Men by Geri Halliwell

God bless Mother Nature

She's a single woman too

She took over heaven

And did what she had to do

...visual version:

Creator's Note: Actors selected for this particular playlist's cover mostly but does not entirely reflect her taste in Filipino guys.

I Make, Therefore I Am

Gee, am I on a blogging spree today. Don't worry, this won't last long once I go back to school.

Anyway, I thought I'd share my making-things playlist while I'm in the mood, since I've been making things back and forth this Christmas break and listening to music makes it all the less laborious (especially if it's homework).

YT Links:

Everyone's The Same by KaapiN*

Tornado (B-Mania Remix) by Jonsi

Secrets by One Republic

Giving Up the Gun by Vampire Weekend

Soul Exchange by The Hoosiers

Lordy Momma by Gotye

Radioactive by Marina and the Diamonds

Paradise by Coldplay

Harder Better Faster Stronger by Daft Punk**

Shake It Out (The Weeknd Remix) by Florence + the Machine

I'll Be Alright by Passion Pit

Smlltlk by Yolanda Moon

White Sky by Vampire Weekend

Wake Up by Arcade Fire

Expialidocious by Pogo

*I only today discovered this, which is probably why I'm itching to share the playlist. A gorgeous composition of the electro-pop variation (a la Passion Pit, I think) that I very much am into! OPM is not dead!! :)

**Although I don't listen to it, I also recommend Kanye West's version for the siga vibes. Haha.

Enjoy! :D