The Breaker Series

The Breaker Series is a Korean manhwa series written by Jeon Keuk-Jin and illustrated by Park Jin-Hwan. According to the creators themselves, the series consists of three parts.

Part I: The Breaker

Main article: Part 1

The new English teacher, Chun-Woo Han, is not your ordinary teacher. He is a master of Nine Martial Arts and an enemy of a fearsome world called Murim. Shi-Woon Yi, a student at the Nine Dragons High School and victim of constant bullying, accidentally witnesses Chun-Woo's fighting skills, and requests to become his disciple. What Shi-Woon didn't know is that, what he thought to be a way out of his miserable life would also be a way into a living nightmare. As Shi-Woon becomes his disciple and enters in this new world many surprises and dangers await both student and teacher.

Part II: The Breaker New Waves

Main article: Part 2

After his master (Goomonryong) destroys his Ki-Center, Shi-Woon leaves the world of the Murim for a normal life believing that this is what his master wished for him. However, for the disciple of a most hated and feared villain in the Murim, holder of the Phoenix Medallion of the Sun-Woo Clan and successor of the Black Heaven and Earth Technique, the world of the Murim will come to him. New allies and enemies await Shi-Woon, who once again rises in the dangerous and merciless world of Murim where everything is permitted.

Personally, this is my favorite manga/manhwa series of all time.  It has beaten Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, etc. in my book. As of now, The Breaker Series is on hiatus after finishing The Breaker: New Waves.

The Breaker (Part 1) is a perfect prologue for future things to come in this series. Built up main characters Shi-Woon and Chun-Woo. Over all, this series is a lot better than I thought it would be. This series is always on the top of manga sites. This is an amazing read. In my personal perspective, this is the most groundbreaking series I have ever read.  So enticing and enjoyable read that kept hooking me. I kept coming back for more. From first 10-15 chapters, it was good. But it took a little bit for me to actually get into the series until around chapter 20 and I started to get hook into the series. If you like Martial arts. You'll definitely like this series. I fully recommend this to anyone.

Shi-Woon as a character is a pitiful disgraced of a character. He was very depressed and always get bullied where he get to the point that he want to commit suicide and thanks to his teacher Chun-Woo, coming to his life accidentally because of circumstances and helping him along the path of being a martial artist. In the entire series, I love the connection between Chun-Woo and Shi-Woon. Long story short, before The Breaker (Part 1) ends, there's a part where Chun-Woo expelled Shi-Woon as his disciple. It's kinda sad because Shi-Woon's character is the type that doesn't want power to use it against the weak, he want power to protect himself and protect the people he love but Chun-Woo's character is kinda opposite of that and Shi-Woon always fought believing his master as a good person. But Chun-Woo showed his dark side, when he activated the Black Origin Threshold, the purest form of Black Heaven and Earth technique. Those who attain the threshold are all swallowed up by animal-like emotions, mainly rage, the Murim worst demon art. Chun-Woo can't break out of it until Shi-Woon make him stop. The sad part was, under some circumstances, Chun-Woo hit Shi-Woon, intentionally destroying his Ki-Center where he can no longer use martial arts and expelling him as his disciple. The ending conclusion of Part 1 leaves a big question where The Breaker: New Waves (Part 2) comes in and where it got a lot better introducing new allies and enemies.

I'm not gonna talk about The Breaker: New Waves (Part 2). I just made an impression of The Breaker (Part 1). I really wish a series like this would actually get an anime. But it probably wont. It probably wont because it's a Korean manhwa. It's very disappointing because this series can be so fucking epic. This series can be so fucking awesome if given a good anime adaptation. Sadly, we wont probably see something like that. Still, the series is very good so I fully recommend this series.

As for me, I'm sad because I don't know when the series will continue. That's the reason why I made a blog about this series. But I'm still happy because I was able to read this series. I just hope The Breaker Series will be back soon.

The Used Experience II

The last time I watched The Used live, I wasn't at the mosh pit. Then I promised to myself that the next time I watch them, I'll be at the mosh pit. 

Actually, this was the third time they visited Philippines, but this was their first major concert. The first time they visited was to headline Smash Project Festival last 2012 and the second time was to headline Bazooka Rocks Festival last 2014.

I went to their first concert here in Manila because I was so excited seeing them live. It even gave me goosebumps just upon learning that they will be here in Manila for the Smash Project Festival. But I didn't go to their second concert here in Manila because of two main reason. First, the ticket was so damn expensive and second, the lineup of Bazooka Rocks Festival last year wasn't my type. Finally, The Used's major concert.

As promised to myself,  I was at the mosh pit. Watch my "The Used Experience" video:

The Used Experience

The Used opened the show by performing their first song ever wrote "Maybe Memories." But before Bert proceed with their second song, he expressed his gratitude to the fans and let'em know how they love performing here in the Philippines before performing "Take It Away" followed by "The Bird and the Worm" and "Listening." After singing their first four songs, Bert told the fans that this was their best time in Manila and personally invited everyone to be a child once again before performing "I Caught Fire." Bert then thanked Justin Shekoski of Saosin who filled in for Quinn Alman, who's on a year long hiatus before performing "Taste Of Ink" immediately followed by "All That I've Got" and "Buried Myself Alive." Then Bert thanked the fans for letting them play their old songs before proceeding with "Blue and Yellow."

Before performing their next song, The Used asked the fans if they already got their latest album "Imaginary Enemy." He encouraged everyone to steal it off the internet if they don't have the album yet. "The Used is not about money, The Used is about love," he said, before performing their first single "Cry" of the said album. Then Bert noticed and acknowledged that there are many The Used hardcore fans that night and asked them to make a big circle to start an old school punk mosh pit before performing "The Best Of Me." Bert then shared his story on how music saved his life and how it will continue to save him until the day he dies before performing "On My Own" followed by "Pretty Handsome Awkward," then curtain call.

The Used then thanked the fans and left the stage. It was like back then when I first watched them. People started chanting "WE WANT MORE." Well, I was chanting "ENCORE" since I'm aware what their encore song is. Then they went back to the stage but this time they played Rage Against The Machine medley for a few minutes as you can watch on the video below before playing the intro of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" which is their tradition before proceeding with their encore "A Box Full of Sharp Objects" then went back with Rage Against the Machine medley and Bert started singing "fuck you I wont do what you tell me" which is the lyrics of the song "Killing In The Name Of" before thanking the fans and leaving the stage once again, for real.

The Used is one of my favorite live-acts. Bert knows how to connect and talk to fans during shows. As for me, I know how to appreciate musicians and enjoy their shows. I'm not one of those people who are just filming and taking pictures of the entire freaking show. I documented this show to remind myself how amazing this show was and to commemorate one of my favorite bands. FYI, I join mosh pits while documenting rock shows.

The Used playing Rage Against The Machine medley.

Birthday Trip 2015

I wanted something new to remember my birthday this year. Normally, digital photo album will do. But I wanted something new so I decided to make a video instead.

The video started with myself and one of my best friends waking up. Then we went on a road trip. Not really. Well, we can call it a road trip since we went from south to north and north to south. Picked up my cousin, went to Tattoo Project. I was always planning to get a tattoo on my exact birthday. And I did. This could be a traditional thing for me. Well, maybe. I don't know. We'll know next year. Ha ha! Then meet up with other friends and celebrated my birthday at Central Bbq Boy & Grill Makati. No big deal. Just friends having fun.

We also did a pabebe girl parody included on the video. You can see it at the last part if you want. Peace out!

Calaguas Islands (Mahabang Buhangin Beach of Tinaga Island)

The Calaguas is a group of islands in the Philippine province of Camarines Norte. It includes the major islands of Tinaga Island and Guintinua Island, the minor Maculabo Island, as well as several other minor islands. Our main purpose was the island of Tinaga where the famous long beach called Mahabang Buhangin is located. We came all  the way from Manila to experience its powdery white sands.

We were supposed to stay in Calaguas for 2 days and 1 night only, but thanks to my friends' friends, we got to extend our stay for  3 days and 2 nights. We arrived Friday morning and we were supposed to leave Saturday afternoon. There were less people when we arrived and more people arrived the next day, including my friends' friends. One of my friends' friends was organizing a group called Plan B or Plan Beach and invited us to stay one more night and rode us back to Manila.

This was my first summer getaway of the year. Check out the photos of this amazing place:

SINGAPURA x MALAYSIA

Singapore is my third out of the country trip, fourth is Malaysia. My siblings are working in Singapore so the planned next out of the country visit after Hong Kong and Macau was Singapore. Malaysia is just a few hours away from Singapore so we decided to visit it as well. This was a family trip.

Our Singapore x Malaysia trip lasted from June 20-25, 2014. 6 days, 5 nights. We arrived in Singapore around 9 o'clock in the morning. I worked from night shift before prior to our departure from Manila to Singapore so I was the most tiresome one from all of us who traveled. Upon arrival, we met with my oldest brother and went to his apartment. He was on vacation leave. My second to the oldest brother was already at work. We just took a rest for a bit then we started exploring Singapore.

We first went to Marina Bay. We met up with my second to the oldest brother first then we hung out in Merlion Park and enjoyed the view of Marina Bay Sands, ArtScience Museum, Singapore Flyer. We watched the lights and sounds show of the Marina Bay Sands and it was amazing. We just spent the rest of our time there then we went back home. My oldest brother with her girlfriend and my parents stayed in a hostel while I stayed in my siblings' apartment instead.

On our second day, we went to the place where every tourists wont miss to visit, Universal Studios. The place where you can be a kid all over again. Transformer: The Ride 3D was the one I enjoyed the most. You have to fall in line for half an hour to an hour just to enjoy this ride. Worth the wait. Over all, this is the place where all families can enjoy.

On our third and fourth day, we went to Malaysia. Upon arrival to Kuala Lumpur, we went to our hotel and rest for a bit. Then we went to Petronas Towers, the famous twin towers. The next day, we went to China Town to buy pasalubong and souvenirs. Then we went to Aquaria KLCC, an oceanarium. After that, we went to KL Tower to have lunch at the famous revolving restaurant, The Atmosphere 360. They offer buffet lunch and 360 view of the city. Then back to Singapore. Kuala Lumpur is like Manila, there are ugly places and there are beautiful places. Still worth the visit. 

On our fifth day, we're back in Singapore. We went to China Town to buy pasalubong and souvenirs again. Then we went back to Marina Bay. This time, we went to Garden's By The Bay. The Gardens by The bay is one of the latest attractions of the Singapore in the recent years, a place with an impressive collaboration of the nature and human creativity, not a science fiction movie set, but it's real and it's an amazing garden with living trees, plants, birds and insects! A beautiful place to hang out to. 

I really enjoyed this trip. Because of this trip, I'm considering working here. I like Singapore. What's not to like about this beautiful country? All people here are well disciplined. Transportation is convenient. The beautiful city. Singapore is now one of my favorite countries along side Hong Kong and Macau. Malaysia didn't made it to the list of my favorite countries but it's still worth a visit. 

Cagayan Valley Adventure

Third of summer, my Cagayan Valley Adventure. Once again, I was able to explore the beauty of  Calao Cave, Calvary Hill and Palaui Island, thanks to Maximius Jovi and Adventurista Camping Trip.

On our first day, we went to Callao Cave, it's a cave with seven chambers. It has a natural cathedral located at the first chamber, which was turned into a chapel by the local people. The conditions inside the cave cause stalactites and stalagmites, particularly in the deeper chambers. Every chamber has natural crevices, which let light get into the cave, serving as illumination for the otherwise dark areas of the place.

After exploring Callao Cave, we were supposed to go to Calvary Hill but it rained so we decided to call it a day and continue exploring the next day.

On our second day, we went island hopping. I forgot the name of the first island that we explored but you can see on the photos below how beautiful it is.

Then we went to Palaui Island. Palaui is an island made up of volcanic debris. The main attraction aside from it's beaches is the Farol de Cabo Engaño, an 18th century light house built by the Spaniards. We were also able to see the beauty of Dos Hermanas Island, from the view of the lighthouse. 

Palaui Island

Dos Hermanas Island

Dos Hermanas Island at the background

Farol de Cabo Engaño

On our third day, we went beach bumming on an island I forgot the name as well.

Then last but not the least, we went to Calvary Hills. It is located within the grounds of the Spanish colonial era church of Iguig, Cagayan. This area is known for its life size images of the stations of the cross which is popular with devotees during the Holy Week. Its elevation provides breathtaking views of the valley made fertile by the Cagayan River.

After 3 days and two nights, back to Manila. 

Adventurista Camping Trip