It's Not A Goodbye Blogger

Because nobody really reads my Blogger account, I decided to switch to tumblr.

Check it out.

joulovisabella.tumblr.com

So, no goodbyes. Gonna update this from time to time.

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

(Gossip Girl's Voice): Sometimes desperation makes people do embarassing things. Some people get rejected while some get rewarded. Because everything is worth a try, why don't you? Congrats Joule. You earned it.

(Joulo): Thank you GG! Blair's not gonna be happy about our friendship. Btw, I wrote my uncle a letter. I think it's funny, hence the share. My friend Kating said she felt like she read a version of the Devil Wears Prada! Kat is sooo Miranda Priestly! Of course, I'd be Emily and not Andy.

"Dear Uncle Boboy,

I'm having the most difficulty on how to start this letter and the guts that I mustered has been quite brave for me 'coz I don't normally do this. So, here goes. First of all, how are you and your family?

Due to my hospitalization and other side expenses, my parents have given up on giving me money because we have a planned trip to Malaysia come semestral break, though I doubt that's still coming through 'coz we have to find our missing passports still, but what can I do? I fell in love.

As I was strolling the glory of the aircon-ditioned LimKetKai mall I happened to pass by a store, Republik.

I was just innocently window shopping when the world just stopped and all I could hear was the pounding of my heart in excitement.

Stuck in revelry for a while, I slowly walked to my desire in slow motion as if in a movie and then grabbed what I would call my love at first sight.

Clad in blue high quality leather with a white trim and tassels hanging so nonchalantly it was as if it was teasing me, I just knew that it was the ONE.

Okay, so I'm exaggerating, but I'm like, obsessed. Borderline crazy actually. Near meltdown and tantrum.

It's shoes. DON"T SAY THEY'RE JUST SHOES. I'm sure that when you were young you were also in love with superficial stuff and you can relate to the feeling! Lol.

You know those moments where you're about to sleep then something just pops into your mind? Well, that's the feeling I get with those shoes.

Like the title, desperate times call for desperate measures. I'm madly in love and obsessed. I don't know where I would turn to but you. I mean, your like a cool uncle. No pun intended. You know the euphoric high of fashion items.

So here goes my BAGA UG NAWONG nga plead. Begging diay. On bended knees, though I doubt you'd see it. As in begging jud!

I kind of need P 4,500. OMG. Yuo're shocked. Nosebleed! Choking!

Huhuhu! I'm just so desperate! I mean, what would Jesus do? I'm sure he'd succumb to my favor and he'd think I deserved it 'coz I'm such a good student and son. I'm sure you'd consider. Hehe.

Okay, so you'd think that I really deserve this. here goes: I'm a writer for our school publication, a second year lever representative for my course DevCom and an ACIL cathecist teacher in MOGCCHS. Not convinced?

I'm not a nerdy achiever but I do get good average grades. I always clean the house and remind Leanne of the values our parents has taught us. I'm a very good brother giving her advice and everything. I'm not really a people person but my friends do like me. They even say that I'm sikat daw and I just stand out. They saaid that ha. Not me! Hahaha!

So if you please. Begging mode. Please Uncle Boboy? Please?

But if you refuse to give me money for my shoes, I will understand that you want me to be heartbroken and suffering from the pain of retail loss. Hahha! Just kidding! I would understand. Really.

I have a Western Union account btw. Hahha! JK.

Hoping for a happiness inducing reply. Hihihihihi.

Your very good nephew,

Joulo"

(Joulo): So happy my uncle gave a positive reply. Yeeey!

(Gossip Girl): Oooh. Shameless. You deserve an epic Gossip Girl blast.

(Joulo): Whoa! Wait! Whaddayamean?

(Gossip Girl): Dear Joulo, just wait and see.

Innovating Student Governance

Belles du Jour

I apologize for the lack of recent posts. It's been a long time, I know. Do you realize how busy(busyhan) I am these days? Gosh. the pressures of school and peers.

to make it up to you guys(anyone?) I'm posting this pic of Blake Lively and Leighton Meester from Paris on the set of Gossip Girl. So tres chic, eh? I'm so excited for Season 4. Bonjour!

The Curious Case of Automated Fraud

Never have I imagined that the recent election would be epic, historic and the constant subject of debate in my conversations. The hype seemed ecstatic and was everywhere, from rubber ballers to catchy political songs to a leaked mental disorder form, etc. The list could go on and on.

It all started when former President of the Philippines Cory Aquino passed away from cancer which led the country asking if her son Noynoy would pursue presidential candidacy. I never tuned in for the latest news regarding politics before but this was news that was making its place in history as days passed by. People waited in deep breaths on Noynoy’s decision which caused quite the popularity he was never given before being a brother to famous TV personality Kris Aquino.

The announcement was officially made and the color yellow was everywhere. Even former Presidential candidate Mar Roxas stepped down to run instead for Vice Presidency in favor for his fellow Atenista.

The country was divided in choice for the next leader but united in hopes and dreams for a better Philippines. The surveys were up, the frenzy was crazy and people couldn’t wait for the 10th of May to arrive.

One of the great things about this election though are not only the smart and eligible candidates, the youth speaking out but also the innovation of an automated election through Smartmatic machines. It was easier, safer and arguably more efficient than the usual type of voting people were used to since the country elected its public officials. It caused a debate though as it, people claimed, was easier to manipulate the votes through computer hacking. The makers of Smartmatic rejects those allegations insuring that it was safe as simply put by the president of Smartmatic—shade, open, close and transmit. Voila! Now go get that thumb inked.

Cool right?

But the heat turned up to the highest degree when the winners were announced. Noynoy Aquino became President with Jejomar Binay with his side as Vice President. It would turn out to be one of the most peaceful elections ever with losing candidates conceding but some were not contented with the result. They demanded recount and accused Smartmatic of manipulating votes. They also claim of being cheated without proof.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) started gathering evidence for the investigation while the Nationl Bureau of Investigation (NBI) addressed the complaints with their own investigation bringing in people from Smartmatic for questioning and checking the tampered memory cards.

Apparently, The Commission of Elections (Comelec) are looking into the source of yet another tape scandal called “Hello, Nico” allegedly between Interior and Local Government Sectary Ronaldo Puno and Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer discussin poll fraud.

Even though the amount to purchase the PCOS machines—7 Billion Pesos—the government has leased them after the 2010 election, it is still looking forward to using it this upcoming 2013 election. But Smartmatic might not be paid in full regarding the circumstances.

The Thai Sauce Wars

Unexpectedly, I took a bite into a subject I hardly touch which is politics but then I took the necessary chewing and then swallowed into the delicious scandal of the civil war in Thailand.

Let me enlighten you, Thailand is on the brink of a civil war due to the ousting of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006 who was appointed by Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The country then divided into colors you might familiarly find in cheeseburgers: Ketchup(Red) and Mustard(Yellow).

The Red wearing population rallied and caused enormous damages across Bangkok in protest to the ousting of Shinawatra in terms of corruption and absentia while traveling abroad in favor of the Thai King’s elected Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva which the red protesters claimed unjust and a biased decision from the royal leader which led to almost two dozen deaths according to CNN.com when the military was needed. But that whirlwind decision was supported by the pro-government Yellow wearing patriots who counterclaim that Shinawatra’s win in the election was fraud.

According to CNN.com this is a classic case of power struggle between the rich and poor. Apparently, Thaksin became a threat to the bourgeois class when he enacted populist policies which was popularly supported by the rural class that led to concerned billionaires who were afraid to be cast away in their position. The army, supported by the sour billionaire mustards successfully ousted Shinawatra.

Even though the taste of ketchup and mustard compete in flavor it still doesn’t seem to wane the interest of tourists to visit the beautiful country filled with legendary tourist spots, cuisine and a very rich culture. However divided the country maybe in terms of politics, the tourism is booming especially after the disastrous Tsunami six years ago. The smell of Thailand is definitely worth the bite which will remain indigested in memory and experience.

First Video Posting(How Epic)

My first attempt to post a video. I know right, LOSER.