WCS Day 1 - New Challenges

Nagoya - Centrair Airport Int'l Arrivals Area

My journey to the land of the rising sun isn't really as thrilling as I thought it would be. The fatigue weighed over the excitement that I had when I left New Jersey. The excitement just came back to me after I cleared Nagoya's immigration and customs. It took a while before it sunk in to me that I'm in Japan, not just airport Japan, but actual Japan.

Let me explain. I normally just go through Narita International Airport (NRT) for transit and connecting flights. I go through immigration at times just to connect to a different airline if I'm on a ZED fare. For the most part, I never got out of the airport to actually tour around Tokyo which is 45 minutes to an hour away from NRT. Last time I attempted that, I felt like I'd be completely lost and unable to go back to the airport at the very least.

This time is different. I'm escorting the country's representatives to the World Cosplay Summit here in Nagoya together with a good friend of mine and our Project Coordinator, Tessa and also the HERO TV team which is the team's sponsors.

In like 3 hours of my stay in this country did I feel that they are so well disciplined that I got to be lectured (in Japanese if I may add) by one of their own. See photo below:

Photo credit to Tessa Villareal

Yes that's right, it's a ticket. Technically it's a receipt, but it does look like a ticket to me. My violation? smoking in a no-smoking zone. Apparently the sidewalks around the area of the Nagoya International Hotel is a "No Smoking Zone" and some parts of Nagoya as well. The signs are just marked on the pavement which could be easily unnoticed. Paid 2,000JPY for it lol.

After that small incident, I became wary of smoking signs and apparently some, if not, most establishments (especially food establishments) have their "Smoking areas". Japan - specifically Nagoya- is really serious about keeping their air and streets clean and disciplined. Now when will that happen in Manila? haha.

We had Ryosuke-san, one of the WCS "Omotenashi" Student Executive Committee staff take us and the current Thailand representatives to Meijo Park somewhere around town to meet up with the rest of the representatives and staff.

It was fun to mingle with them and play fireworks. Everyone was enjoying themselves so much I felt like I was having culture shock lol.

Photo credits to Tessa Villareal

As night came, we met up with Niti and Prang, former Thailand representatives, and had a smoke with them and Tadaaki-san at the Hotel.

It was nice to see familiar faces and to bond again with them. Taught Tadaaki-san the term "yosi". In return, he taught me that "yoshi" in Japanese means good. Putting it together, we all agreed with one short sentence: "yosi yoshi".




After an hour, we met up with HERO TV and our reps to eat at Hamasaku, a ramen house in the area and then called it a night after as we went to our respective hotels.

All in all, it was a fun day, a time where we could relax as we head out to face new challenges the following morning: WCS rehearsals at Oasis 21.

Will try to post again

-
xsprinter

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Gamestop FAIL

Okay so I was browsing Gamestop because my friend Tessa wanted a game. When I clicked the link, I found this..

Now clearly something's wrong with the pricing here...

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@xsprinter

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My 45 Days in Manila

I had an awesome and exhausting 45-day stay in Manila thanks to my friends. Even though I'm tired and almost ran out of cash, it was all worth it.

The stay wasn't that much exciting considering that most of it was ToyCon/Work related, however my nightlife was never dull. Then again if you'd consider staying at McCafe for more than 3 hours is dull, then I guess it's from anyone's perspective.

Things were memorable to me to a point that I could actually blog it right now week by week. Let's see what I've managed to do within my 45-day stay in Manila. My friends, if you have more things to add and if you guys remember some stuff you'd like me to put, you know where to find me hahaha.

Week 1 (May 22 - May 27)
This could probably be the 2nd most exhausting and 2nd most exciting week during my stay in the Philippines. I arrived at Terminal 3 at 10PM, which is an hour earlier than my scheduled arrival (so I had to wait at the airport). The next day, I met up with a few friends and discussed work immediately. On that week's weekend, we set off for our Batangas Weekend Getaway.

This weekend was one of those stress relieving days where you shouldn't mind problems and work and just get to have fun with friends. One unfortunate thing though was that my iTouch 4th Gen got wet because of a mishap, however I'm glad that my friends were alright when that wave hit them. Though some of them came back with scratches and bruises, everything was good. I just don't know about a certain someone who fell off the stairs twice (hahaha).

Week 2 (May 28 - June 3)
This week became hectic as several meetings emerged out of nowhere and we had to participate in an event organized by MCT Events Management. Never got to buy anything really at that event even though prices for cellphones and other stuff came to a 70% off discount (or so they say). But nevertheless, this was like a prelude to a storm that was headed my way during my stay in Manila.

Week 3 (June 4 - June 10)
Ah yes, the week before the biggest pop culture event of the Philippines. Where all of the last minute work and tasks are given. It's the time where we go on all-out in preparation for ToyCon. This year however, we were all laid back, despite the pressure and stress that can be seen on our faces.

Tuesday was ToyCon's Exhibitor's Briefing. It's where ToyCon's exhibitors gets briefed (lol). Actually it's where most of the participants of the 11th Philippine ToyCon gets informed of the house rules, parameters and processes they have to follow before, during and after the event proper.

Wednesday, me and my friends head out to Japanimation's store to browse for some stuff. I, well a friend actually, found something rather interesting at the store too. One of them even mistook it for a magic wand. Well it's actually a wand and it does have some magic in it ^_~

Friday! 3 major things happened:
 - ToyCon Press Conference
 - ToyCon Security Briefing
 - ToyCon Toy Group Briefing
It's very much self explanatory.

--- If ever you're wondering what I do at night, that's coming in a bit later ---

Week 4 (June 11 - June 17)
This is what we call (in the organization) "The ToyCon Week". Others call it the "Doomsday Week". I personally call it "The No Rest and Sleep Week". Although normally the event takes place by the weekend, this week is entirely dedicated for ToyCon now. Within the previous weeks, we've had several meetings with several different events and clients, but we usually lock ourselves down and prioritize everything about ToyCon within the week the event will be taking place.

June 11, 11:30PM - Something happened. To be explained later.

Everything in this week started on June 12. Kicked off with a Cosplay Meeting for ToyCon with Mr. Jingo Zara (ToyCon's Event Manager) at McDonald's ABS-CBN, which led me to discover a new hangout spot (to be explained later). The meeting's duration was just fine, from 10:30AM to 12:30PM wasn't bad at all. However, due to a previous instance (RE: June 11, 11:30PM), we just had to go for another drive up that hill with an awesome view of the Metro. So thus, our midnight independence day roadtrip happened in the evening of the 12th and lasted up until 1 in the morning of the 13th, where we're supposed to be at a TV guesting at 'Umagang Kay Ganda' which begins at 5AM of the same day. (Literally "No Rest and Sleep Week right?)

Continuing on, June 13th at 2 in the morning, we had to fetch all the cosplayers that were needed to guest for the morning TV show of ABS-CBN and at around 9AM, we had to chauffeur them back to where we picked them up and then return the van at the studio. Everything finished by 12NN. Unfortunately it doesn't end there. In the afternoon of that same day, we had to purchase some stuff and supplies needed for us to work for ToyCon and had to polish things up for ToyCon's INGRESS which will be happening on the 14th (the following day). Of course in the evening, was something yet to be explained again.

And before you know it, ToyCon just passed like a breeze with minimal problems at all.

On to the escapades. Basically every night we just went to McCafe and just stayed there for 2-3 hours talking our asses of. But one spontaneous move we did was on June 11 when we suddenly drove up to Cloud 9 at Antipolo City with my gas tank nearly empty. Apparently we just felt like driving around since our other friend managed to bring out his car for the night. The following evening, it was decided that we drink there regardless of the TV guesting that we were supposed to attend to the following morning, thus the independence day roadtrip began.

All of these experiences was made possible by my friends and colleagues and it was truly a remarkable 45 day stay in Manila. I hope that my future stays become more exciting and as much as possible, less stressful (if that's even possible). Many thanks to you all and until the next time I get back there.

-
@xsprinter

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It's not Huangyan, it's Panatag!

China is being stupid and ignorant on all levels.

I have nothing against China, but seriously. How narrow-minded can you get?

If that's the case, then we should be using history against China too.

Dear China,


How are you? I heard you've recovered from your AH1N1 virus. I hope you're feeling fine. 


Anyway, just to inform you, if you're so insistent on claiming Scarborough Shoal based on historical maps and claims during the Yuan Dynasty, you've got another thing coming at you my friend.


If you didn't study World History, or Chinese history at the very least. I feel sorry for you, you've missed a lot in class. Kublai Khan - founder of the Yuan Dynasty - is a legitimate, documented and historical Mongolian Emperor. The Yuan Dynasty - founded by Kublai Khan and the historical claim's era - that ruled over China for almost a century, is in fact, and with all legitimacy, Mongolian. 


If you'd really like to use that historical claim, we might just bring our friends from Mongolia and discuss this history again. Maybe they'll have a second opinion.


If you continue on partying and bullying our pathetic navy on Scarborough Shoal, we're telling Obama!

TCCIC

Philippines

That should be the next action the Philippine government should take! Must note that as the P-Noy's next agenda for the day.

P-Noy's Noynoying Agenda:

1. Play with Joshua some PS3 games
2. Noynoying
3. Head to work, when there's no traffic - coz I made a stupid decision not to use sirens
4. Noynoying
5. Laugh at Arroyo's lame ass congresswoman job that I once held
6. Lunch - while Noynoying
7. Smile at my mother's grave for the rest of my life
8. Noynoying
9. Talk and work with Mongolia to make a counter claim 
10. Noynoying
11. Go home late, when there's no traffic - coz I still have that pathetic no-siren law
12. Noynoying
13. Dinner - while Noynoying with Joshua
14. Noynoying
15. Sleep - while Noynoying.

All options should be done. You could say this is some sort of diplomacy. Which reminds me, if that's the case, I should also send a letter to Mongolia to speed things up!

Dear Mongolia,


How's the weather there? I hope the Azkals didn't give you a hard time. I'm sorry about that Mongolian Barbecue sitcom during the 90's - that was Master Shooli's idea. I also didn't mean to associate you with my other friend, Steadler.


I just wanted to inform you that the Chinese are opening the doors and rolling out the red carpet for your part of the claim over your sovereignty over China. I'm quite sure you would find it very useful and an advantage.


If you're interested, you may RSVP to me. We're having a meet-up at the Embassy to shoot things out talk things out with China

Your new BFF,

Philippines

With that, I probably think the meeting would go very smoothly, I could only imagine peace.

CHN: Let's discuss Huangyan
PHL: About Panatag?
CHN: Yes. We're taking it by force. Based on written historical claims during the Yuan Dynasty that you've never been a part of,  and which is ignored by my history teacher that I don't know about, but I use it anyway against your poor country.
PHL: Oh, then we'd like you to meet our little friend from Mongolia, they're here to claim Scarborough too... along with you guys
CHN: le gasp
MNG: I heard you were claiming Scarborough based on historical claims. Can we claim it too? so as the rest of China - using the same historical basis?
CHN: What historical basis?

lol

Well, China's economy may be booming right now, but their narrow-minded thinking won't get them too far, especially with their oh-so-awesome "historical" claims.

History is history. They should get over it.

-
xsprinter

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A classmate's presentation in class

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Justin Bieber is a dad.. So what? -_-

I got annoyed with all the Justin Bieber news going around the net as if he's the only issue around. So with that -and to shut some friends up- I decided to research about it (since I don't usually watch or read news).

Okay, one thing straight. It's either the girl is WAY STUPID, or really has grounds

Way Stupid
Filing a case like this to someone who has a high profile is suicide if you can't back it up. I mean seriously, they won't just let you off like "It's fine, no worries" and "we understand". Of course they understand, that's why they'll fuck you up by retaliating with lawsuits such as libel, defamation and perjury to name a few. Not only that, you'll get thrown into jail and just made your life miserable in so many ways.

Real grounds
If she has real grounds? kudos to her. She may have some grounds or there may be some truth -to an extent- to her story. If this is something any normal and/or die-hard fan can make, this would've been done way way back. It only takes ONE act of stupidity to take down something you've worked for in your whole life. I guess this ONE act of stupidity of JB marks the end of his teen-idol career and would have to focus on singing baby lullabies and sesame street songs in the future. And seriously man, you fucking up a retard-looking-19-year-old female? out of all the fans you have out there? there's something wrong with your eyes, or your brain. Then again, in Filipino, there's this saying "walang maganda't panget sa titing galet" which literally means "there's no beautiful or ugly for an angry/erected penis".

Facts:
After some search, it turns out he DID say something about being a dad in an interview -as narrated in ClevverTV- that JB wanted to be a young father. I guess he's about to be one.

What's amusing and entertaining is that, exactly one year ago -which is enough for a baby to be created- this video was released from a very credible and reliable source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6_e7xY2wvw

It's about Bieber saying he wants to be a young father.

So did he know this was gonna happen and already hinted everyone out? He probably did.

You guys should also read this: http://thestir.cafemom.com/entertainment/128210/5_reasons_justin_biebers_backstage

So there you have it. Now all you JB die-hards that wants to be his wife can sulk in a corner and cry. The rest of the fans can only hope for the better.

I'm going to get bashed with this but who cares.

I'll get one thing straight. I don't have anything against JB. I'm not a fan, nor a hater. He's got looks and voice, I'll give him that. What's annoying is the die-hard fans who literally would want to die just to see him. They don't realize that it's because of them that there are those who hate the guy for it. I've never heard of anyone had so much hatred and so much fans all at the same time.

So a piece of advice to JB (as if he'd read this). If you feel like fucking someone to relieve your stress, quit your career.If you quit, you can fuck all you want and there won't be any stress at all.

For the rest of you out there, instead of fuzzing all over JB, think about the economy and how you could contribute. I find the Wall Street protest a better argument than this. I may not blog about it? But my time is with it.

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iPod Touch and 14mbps connection

I am using my iPod touch to post this... I am now officially mobile! I will also launch my ustream channel titled "xsprinter TV" where I'll be broadcasting random things as to where I am or what's happening ... The link is: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/xsprinter-tv

Hahaha...see you guys there!!

-
xsprinter

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