Every artist and entertainer in this generation knows the value of being popular in youtube. In fact, youtube promotion has become an essential part of their publicity stints. Whyever not, when Google's Youtube has become a household name in many countries worldwide, thus, it can be said that popularity in youtube = popularity worldwide.

So, choo! Go. Now na. Be a good boy/girl and do as I say. Every dream is worth the chase, you'll see. ;) 

Friends (and fans :P) meet Jo, a fellow endangered specie. I used to call her gypsy (she doesn't like that though).. because she's always up and around, going where the smell and the roar of the ocean was, climbing rocky mountains and sleeping under the stars. For me, she had always been a free spirit; a young girl with wings on her feet and a seemingly insatiable hunger to explore. We were in college when i did this portrait of hers which i intended to give as a farewell present when she went to Cyprus to work. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see her off so the drawing stayed with me.. 17 years has passed since and i've forgotten all about this drawing already. 

Now I am seeing it -- seeing her -- in a whole new light. I see a woman full of courage, not just a girl who dared. I see a woman who persevered and worked hard, not just a girl who dreamed. I see a woman wisened and toughened by hardships,and not just a girl with a very  pretty face.

1. Deconstruct/take apart a used gift bag and use it as a pattern for your construction paper gift bag.

2. If a single construction paper is not enough, paste two or more paper together to accomodate your pattern. Trace, cut, glue, and fold the paper accordingly, following the creased lines of your pattern. You can make as many bags as you wish

3. Create holders by braiding 2-3 pcs. of construction paper strips together. Punch holes near the open part of your bags for the holders.

4. Design and personalize your gift bags using markers, colorful cut-outs, stickers, or basically anything that is available to you. Make your bag as simple or as fancy as you like.

These gift bags are great to hold that nearly-forgotten birthday gift or those occasional, spur-of-the-moment show of thoughtfulness.

 I just stumbled across this site today and spent a couple of hours browsing through the questions and information. It was amazing to know what questions some people can come up with, and i was quite entertained, to say the least. Some questions and answers are very informative and helpful, and some are downright absurd. See for yourself and expect the unexpected in this one of a kind site! :)

Just like a cherub… I smiled down at him – can’t help it. He just keep staring at me with unflinching eyes and open curiousity. What is he thinking? Is he wondering why I smiled at him? That I look weird? That my nose look like his toy automobile? Or maybe I look like his stuffed toy….

As though reading my thoughts, the boy gingerly touched his nose with a finger. I almost laughed aloud.

After a while, he lost interest in me and shifted his attention to the woman seated next to his father & himself, probably his mother. He asked her something but his little voice was lost in the noise of the vehicle’s engine & the blare of what was supposed to be music from the jeepney stereo. I heard the father saying something about the mother going to work as he called “sa lugar lang”. to the driver.  As the mother stood up to come down the jeep, the boy smiled lovingly up at her & said “Babay Mama”. The mother didn’t even turn her head or said a word. When she was across the street, the boy waved and called again. She just continued walking, never once glancing back to the boy who was so dangerously leaning out of the jeepney window. Nobody seemed to mind that little scene but I did.

I felt the hot tears of indignation in my eyes. How could she? How could that woman simply ignore her child’s affections? The child’s face had been so full of adoration, of pure and honest love while he bade his mother goodbye. How did she manage to turn her back, just like that, without even bothering to acknowledge she heard him? A million reason she may have, but it still won’t be enough for me. I looked at the child and the eyes that met mine were now sad….

This is a beach scene i saw during my short stay at Paradiso Beach Resort, Pulupandan, Philippines.

i don't know why, but painting this scene comforted me..  somehow it was for me a quiet assurance that in the midst of all the chaos & complexities of life, some things remain unchanged.. untouched.. uncomplicated..

Like the sun hugging the horizon.

Like the love of a father for his child.

8. read all of Richard Bach's books

7. ride a horse.

6. see a non-animated Justice League on the big screen

5. hear Corrinne May perform live.

4. publish a book

3. put up (or at least initiate) a Peer-Helping-Peer Center for the handicapped

2. live in a house by the sea

1.

no.1 is something that i can't share. let's just say that i am a bit superstitious when it comes to it..  you know, might get jinxed.. :P

I like the colors at least. :P