+ Commendations for my 26th

A couple of days ago I turned 26 years old, but I only realized it now. Hey, I'm not suffering from oldienitis where old people tend to forget their age. I know I am twenty six years old, but I don't feel like it yet. I feel like... twenty two years old hahaha.

So what it is I do that makes me feel four years younger?

Well, it's no secret. I eat healthily. I exercise regularly. I play a lot. I read a lot. I love to travel. I pray. I mingle.

Commendations are due to the following:

My mom and dad, who have been very tolerant and supportive of me: my 9 a.m. daily phone calls just to catch up on the latest news with my family and relatives, my 2 a.m. arrivals after partying almost every weekend, providing me with groceries and lutong-bahay so I won't develop cancer from eating take-out food the whole work-week. Thanks mom/pops.

My kuya Ricky, who's currently based on Jersey, for providing me the replies to tell my parents and siblings whenever there's a family conflict that I need to mediate.

My ate-doktora-Chichay, for giving me the necessary advice for all of my medical predicaments in the last two years, no matter how odd the hour is.

Quito, party dude and bestfriend, and his mom Mrs S, for treating me as part of their family and giving me the necessary occasional reality check. And of course for the late night outs, drinking sessions and parties.

Maqui, my favorite godson, dealing me the necessary dose of innocent happiness (mababaw na kaligayan hahaha).

Marijo, Tintin and Chard, my Manila partners-in-crime, for the shopping trips, gimik plans, weeklong vacations, photo-ops, late-night coffee, and sharing their romance problems with me (always makes for an interesting discussion over coffee).

John, for his tireless attempts to invite me to join our college gang, despite the fact that my schedule's a bit tight, and also his tireless attempt to set-me up with his friends (sablay lang talaga mag-set-up 'tong kaibigan kong 'to) and labelling me as the most eligible bachelor in our group. And also for the frequent tips on what's the latest and hottest game for the PS2 and making the necessary game copy reservation at the retailer.

My airsoft friends for welcoming me in the airsoft community: Jayjay, RG, Papa Gabs, Alex and Roroy (Team RBG), Sid (Team SOE), Mad, Rhichie, Bettina, Nikko, Tin (TMS), the whole of Batangas Airsoft (BATAS) and Mark, Glenn, Jack (Team Zero). Playing with you guys and girls has really been fun.

Again, Mad and Chie for the power-up nights. Wall climbing is my new addiction.

Kaye and Glenn, my buddies at work, for making the exile at our workplace more bearable. Hahahaha... Kaye for my fitness aspect (badminton, yoga, swimming, balanced eating) and Glenn for the passive activities (smoking, drinking, video games, movies).

Chito, for the badminton training, particularly my backhand. From class D to class B/C player, thanks to you.

Ube for the sisterly advice throughout of 2004, even if we were continents apart hahaha.

Hannah, Pin and Carmi, my inspirations in the last two years. =) And Carissa. Sayang talaga... ohwell. Na-torpe kasi ako dati.

Pao and Weng, distant cousin and high school friends, for keeping me in the loop on the wherabouts and what's-up with our high school batch.

Hideo Kojima, for developing and producing Metal Gear Solid 3... the most fantastic game I have ever played in my entire life. Ahihihihihi...

My black and white dwarves. =)

and of course, the Eternal Supreme Being, for giving me the free will to live my life as I see it.

Hope everyone of you will still be with me in the next 364 days.