kris allen wins 2009 AI

I admit. I was nervous after watching yesterday's final performances of the the remaining 2 American Idol 2009 contenders. Adam Lambert is simply an artist to beat especially with his version of Tears For Fears' Mad World. I mean, who could beat that! But Kris Allen gave a different kind of competition.

The 2009 American Idol began with Kris Allen performing with a pitchy voice. Compared with the rest of the Top 12, he was a total underdog with his limited vocal chords. Although every episode of AI showed him giving much effort, there were some performances which were really disappointing. He did give a good fight yesterday except for the last song when you barely could hear him singing as he lost his voice on one line.

Photo courtesy of americanidol.com

So why did Kris Allen win the title of 2009 American Idol? I would say because of three things:

1. Among all the idol contestants, he is the most improved.
2. He showed a never-die spirit.
3. He won the heart of America with his extraordinary charisma.

Was I glad he won? Absolutely! Goodluck on your career Kris! Woot! Woot!

remembering the anawangin experience

Our weekend get-away in Anawangin Cove and Capones Island left marks on my life, figuratively and literally. The experience that transpired on May 1-2 of this year will be remembered for a lifetime and will be passed on to the generations that will come after.

Figuratively speaking, the experience of living the primitive way made me appreciate everything I have back in Manila. The comfort of having electricity through a little socket. The mobile phones and internet connections we curse whenever it slows down. The immediate availability our kitchen stoves offer. The insect-free luxury our bedrooms provide. The bathroom we can run to when nature calls.

All of these comforts are not available in Anawangin Cove and Capones Island so you have to be creative in providing for your group. What would be more exciting than creating your group's bonfire! The mobile phones had to take a break as we had hilarious getting-to-know-you activities. The camping cooksets and the make-do grillers did well in cooking our rice, veggies, sinigang, adobo, corned beef, noodles, sisig and liempo. Our tents gave enough shelter we needed throughout the cold night. And when nature called on us, the makeshift bathrooms gave us adequate relief with its toilet bowls and old-school poso.

The group preparing our dinner.

Now, why has this experience left marks on my life literally as well? First, because of the insect bites on my skin which, fortunately, have lightened up a bit. The dark teeny-weeny insects, whatever they were, kept crawling on my skin despite a generous application of Doc Joey's citronella oil, off-lotion for kids and off-lotion overtime. They were an exotic breed, I suppose, as they only hit on me from 4-6PM. The other mark is obviously what I loved most --- my tan line.

With Audrey and Bels, I'm showing off my tan marks!

We were originally a group of 25 people. But due to the unstable weather condition last week, only 9 of us went ahead. The crowd who was left behind in Manila were showered with envy seeing our photos. There will definitely be a part 2 of our Anawangin Cove and Capones Island experience!

The group having a last minute photo session in Capones Island.

All photos courtesy of our new friend,
Rizza Angeles.

surviving anawangin cove & capones island

Weirded out knowing there were 2 storms in Luzon on a summer season, we thought we wouldn't make it. But because we are an adventurous group of 9 young professionals, armed with a never-die spirit, tents and our heavy backpacks, we headed on to Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales.

A bird's eyeview of Anawangin Cove,
this shot was taken after about 45 minutes
of trekking up the hill.

We couldn't resist striking a post by this rockstone!

So what's my verdict of the mysterious and primitive way of living Anawangin Cove and Capones Island offers? The immense heat and the irritating insect bites during sunset was all worth it. The hilarious laughter we had with new found friends and the experience of living a day without hotel accomodation and electricity was a life-changing adventure. We wouldn't mind going back there!

More photos HERE!

Survivor Anawangin!