Only a (real) bookworm could understand such charge

Yesterday, we met with Mr. Jun Lana (yes, D' Palanca Hall of Famer and D' Award-Winning Screenwriter) to pick-up the box of books which I won from joining a book contest in his blog. Sel and Zoe were kind enough to offer us a ride to take home the books from Ortigas to QC where I live. Sel was the one who informed me about this contest so technically speaking, she owned half of the price (which she never 'insisted' on having, by the way...balato lang, hehe!). Oki went along simply because she was eyeing for some of the Haruki Murakami books I will get (and more!). Nat, who got the second price (3K-worth of Powerbooks GC which was given to him in cash because Jun ran out of GC), was there too. He told me he is an avid fan of Mr. Lana, which was to be expected. I think everyone in this field is "aspiring for a Palanca". And those who have achieved the high rank are worthy of being adored. They won't be there for nothing! :-D

A Treasure of Gold Found. Djadan! This is the balikbayan box full of books which Jun Lana presented to us immediately after he opened the door to his apartment. This might sound a bit exaggerated, but my heart skipped a bit after seeing the box (no kidding). hehehe! I could have screamed and jumped to my hearts' content at that very moment I saw it but thought otherwise due to some little propriety I have. I opted to compose myself. You see, I never owned that much number of books in a day. And for free??? Come on. I must be the luckiest person! Oh hell yea...I was.

The Two Towers of Unread Books. Okay, it was Jessica Zafra who said it first in Twisted 8 but you see, immediately after Zoe, Sel, and Nat went home, I started piling my "new possessions" into two towers. I have arranged them according to "my priority of books to read" the bottom being the first book in the queue. Okay, granting that I am a sloth and I have barely time for reading these days because of work, grad school, and extra writing jobs, I am very positive that I will be able to pass my 2books-in-a-month-challenge. So with more books to read, I guess it would not hurt to read (at least) 3 books in a month! How's that for a challenge?

Real Treats. Most of the books inside the box are fiction (gen fic, young adults, chick lit, etc) a few travel books, and a bio which were awesome. But underneath the box, I found some books on digital videomaking some which I consider a "must-have-books" if you are a film buff. You'll never go wrong with Roger Ebert (my opinion only). I've been wanting to produce a film-docu one of these days and having these books is a good start.

So again, THANK YOU Jun Lana for these treats!

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Cable Wakeboarding in CamSur

Standing still at the viewers area, I was exulted watching a group of professional wakeboarders doing their aerial tricks on a six-hectare water complex. With just a long cable holding them up to move around, they seem to master their stunts every turn of the loop. I don't know much about the names of the various stunts but watching alone, one could learn a lot from the simplest maneuvers down to the most poised way of plunging into the water. Sure, they were fun to watch but trying it yourself is another thing. A challenge if I may just say so.

We went to CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) not only to watch and take photos but to experience the thrill ourselves. We’ve been hearing about this place and how fun wakeboarding is, so we decided to try it out. I've tried reverse bungee jumping before so, this would be easy. Or so I thought, hehehe!

CWC is a unique watersports park designed especially for those who love wakeboarding, wakeskating, and waterskiing. It officially opened in May 2006 making Camarines Sur as the first world class watersports complex in Asia. No wonder tourists from here and abroad are pouring in.

Since we’re beginners, we have to start with the kneeboarding which was fun and as exhausting as the actual wakeboarding. I enjoyed the splash and the plunge. Truly. It took me at least three rounds before getting used to the turns and the loops. After that, I was exhausted and I could not bear another round.

The next day, I had the worst shoulder and back pains ever, not to mention that my sore hands . Oh well, no pain no gain.

Kneeboarding for beginners.

Changing rope position from the back.

Slicing through the water.

Feeling the splash.

After the flip.

Check out the tattoo.

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I found out the other day that I won the Jun Lana book contest in his blog. I get the whole box of books from his precious collections. How cool is that?