Phoenix Picks
By Ronelo Ladiao

Unfathomed, jaded, sentimental, misunderstood, cryptic, sensible?... I know I live to tell.

Stupid imperfect me!... but imperfection makes me more human (like you).

Four years ago, I used to say in my old column… ”Jean Grey's character in the film X2 might have similar angles in my life because we usually make a choice of sacrifice just to keep the people we love alive and safe, even if it means dying a thousand times”.

Now, judge me.

Event Pick 101: Bb. Pintados de Pasi is a rare festival pageant

Last Friday, March 18, 2005 , the progressive city of Passi held its grandest beauty pageant to choose a worthy ambassadress of goodwill that will represent the Pintados festival as an exceptional cultural event in the region. I was mesmerized by the spectacular presentation of the pageant with its lavish production design, well-choreographed performances and the camaraderie of the people. All the candidates and winners of Bb. Pintados were lovely and charming enough to prove their wit. In fact, I feel honored and thankful for being chosen as one of the board of judges of this prestigious event together with my artist friend Tita Gilda dela Cruz and my new friend Sir Kevin Piamonte. Of course, my greatest gratitude goes to the ever-prolific Provincial Tourism Officer Tito Bombette Marin who never failed to remind me that everything that I do must have a cultural sense as a writer, lifestyle columnist, and artist. To Mr. John Palmares and Passi City 's amiable mayor Hon. Elyzer Chavez, thanks for your warm welcome. I know I'll always come back and witness not only the painted bodies of the Passinhons but their heart and soul that exude inner colors of compassion for their unique cultural heritage. Long live the Pintados Festival!

Story Pick 101: ‘Teks sa Outbox' revealed!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for hating and loving my story that was meant to be told. To Nong Erly, our open-minded editor for understanding my eccentricities. To Mark G., for touching my stuff with your masterful lay-out. TNT's Leny, Jeehan (my good friend who's gonna be flying to the moon soon hehe!), Astro, Algreen and Ramon for sharing your sentiments. Ruby Labordo of CPU College of Ed and Dorothy of Days Hotel for the kind words. Of course, Nygel John Militado, CPU Central Echo's prolific campus editor and Marvin Segura for publishing my pathetic story (they say!). To my text critics, my gratitude is intended to you. I know I'm not the best writer out there… I know.

Destiny revealed: My “Blankong Teks” story revolved in the lives of three best friends (Jason, Aldo and Niela). Aldo kept sending Niela blank text messages and the girl hate it. Jason courted Niela and later they had a relationship. But Niela found out that Jason is cheating on her and Aldo became her comforter. Later, Aldo was revealed to be suffering from cancer and Niela had to be with him during his last days. For a long time, Aldo was deeply in love to Niela but he knows his friend couldn't love him like Jason. But his love was pure thus he find a way to reunite Jason and Niela even in the last days of his life. In the end, Aldo sent both of them a simple text message. The only word written in the text message was… “Salamat” (with a smiley icon). At last, the blank text message finally contained something relevant.

In the sequel “Huling Teks”, Aldo was sending a text message while recalling something in the past. He reminisced the moment the day he arrived from his chemotherapy treatment in America . That was the same day that his best friends Niela and Jason graduated in college. However, fate has its own enigmatic ways to spin life. Niela fell in love with Aldo and she accidentally got pregnant. During their wedding day, Jason nearly killed himself by committing suicide but he was saved by Aldo and Niela's friendship. Few years later, Aldo's incurable sickness came back. But before he embraced death and ended his reminiscence during his dying moment, he managed to send his last text message to Jason and Niela saying… ”salamat sa lahat” (again, with a smiley icon attached in the message).

Revelation: “Teks sa Outbox” is a story that really happened, a triangular destiny of three friends (again) with the relevance of SMS messaging and a touch of “what-could-have-been” plot twist. Sorry if I killed Riza, leaving Jessie and Joyce in melancholy. But believe me, love is far more stronger than fate and even beyond death. Read it now in TNT's Youth and Campus page while listening to Evanescence's “My Immortal” song or the recently revived “Crazy for you” by Madonna. I am also proud to reveal that I am an artist and I illustrated the art for my story. With this I live to tell… thanks to my Aunt who remained to be a humble teacher throughout the years and inspiring me to write (and love pocketbooks though I hate to read it all). Hasta mañana friendsters and readers!