Top 10 Highlights of 2011 (in My Life)

2011 was awesome for me.  I’m not saying it was perfect and painless, but it was generally good and happy. Yes, it had been awesome (even though the Lakers’ failed to threepeat.  At least, the hated Miami Heat didn’t win the championship either).  My 2010 – my first full year as an adult – was great and filled with highlights.  But my 2011 upped it significantly. Keeping my fingers crossed for this pattern to continue with each succeeding year – that each year would be even better than the prior one.   

For my year summary for 2011, I’m going to do it in a “top 10” format.  For a change.  Also, lazy to write all the 2011 highlights worth recording in a year summary essay.  

10.) “ANGRY BIRDS” IS THE GAME I PLAYED MOST DURING THE YEAR (“RETIRING” FROM GAMING)

As one grows older, his free time (and energy) for his hobbies and interests lessens.  And when he only has limited free time, he has to choose which among these hobbies and interests are his favorites or most advantageous on which he will spend the available free time he has.  This reality slowly applies to me.  Now there are a lucky few which this doesn’t apply, especially those who found careers in their hobbies.  Well, good for them, but most of us aren’t that fortunate.  This depletion of free time for hobbies and interests come about to someone due to growing responsibilities (like career or family).  Or finding activities that one thinks to be more worthwhile than them – not necessary more enjoyable, just more worthwhile.  Or even because of finding new hobbies and interests that one derives more happiness from (to be fair, this is somehow a reason in my case. See no. 1).  Or just plain outgrowing them.

Now, I’m a person of many interests and several hobbies.  And one of my hobbies is gaming.  Ever since I was a kid, there is some form of gaming that I waste my time on – Nintendo (through the Family Computer console), arcades, and – mostly – PC.  But because of the sad reality that one loses more and more free time and the energy to go with it when one grows older, gaming was the first real hobby that took the hit.  Other hobbies and interests are affected too (still got a pile of books I got in 2011 that I haven’t read yet) but gaming was the first “casualty”.  

Well, it started slowly.  In the first place, gaming is such a time-consuming (aside from being greatly enjoyable, modern gaming is a sport.  You need to practice hard to be competitive), addictive, and expensive hobby that it would take only take some time before I realize that I – in my current condition – can’t afford such hobby.  In my latter part of college, I found myself stopping playing in Internet Cafes though I had still played at home.  But from that point, my gaming started to decline.  I started settling with only flash games and Facebook applications, like “Mafia Wars” (was hooked for three years).  Then in 2011, I realized they eat too much of my Internet time and free time, that I stopped playing “Mafia Wars” and the others.    That stopped my gaming altogether.  Uh, maybe I played one or two retro games (i.e. PC games of my childhood, Windows ’95 stuff) during the year, but those games are finished in a few hours.  I played maybe some online Texas Hold ‘Em Up, too, but not as much as I do before.  Though, I did get hooked with “Angry Birds” and played it for a few weeks, but only until I got most of the golden eggs.  The bottomline is I didn’t spend the type of time that gamers significantly spend on playing games.  

In 2011, I “retired” from significant gaming (kind of sad, really, but necessary).  

9.) EXPERIENCED DINING IN A CLASS RESTAURANT 

Last March 2011, my parents celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary.  They decided to bring my sister and me along with them to dine at, definitely, the best restaurant of the city (which is the restaurant of the best hotel in the city).  Crossroads is the name of the place (and St. Ellis is the name of the hotel).  Prior to dining there, I never had such eating experience before as what I had experienced there.  The restaurant is not exactly 5-star, suit-and-tie fancy, but could be the closest thing to fine dining we have here in Legazpi.  It had been awesome.  

I was actually hesitant to enter since I was wearing just a T-shirt, jeans, and slippers.  But since the security guard and our “maître d'” (if I dare to sound fancy) didn’t drive me away, I, with great haste, went to conceal myself at our table.  The appetizer part of the meal – bread sticks with oil and then tempura salad – had been delightful already.  The main dishes ordered – some BBQ and beef and I forget the rest – were fantastically delicious and enough to stuff me (who probably is the one with the biggest appetite in the family).  The mango (I think) shake was great.  But it was the truffles which had been really special – one of the best, if not the best, desserts I ever had.  There were also some live music, and my father asked me to request Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”  The singers were real pros.          

         

After that experience, I promised that, as much as possible (the promise won’t apply if someone again decides to treat me there), I would only return to that place when I finally get the sufficient success in life needed that allows me to afford inviting anybody there and to wear the appropriate clothing.    

Got myself another goal in life.

8.) EARNING A PAYCHECK FROM AN EIGHT-TO-FIVE JOB

From sometime in 2010 to August 2011, I derive income from tutoring Koreans and being a teacher-monitor in our church’s school. It was decent income, but it wasn’t exactly from an “eight-to-five” kind of job that is in line with what my course in college prepared me for.  I’m no teacher.  I could have stayed there, but I wanted to try some other work – something in an office environment.

By September, I got that kind of job.  Nothing fancy.  Just as a humble accounting clerk (in my alma mater).  It’s not even a permanent position, just by job order.   Still, it was the “eight-to-five” experience that I wanted.  And the main upside is such non-permanent position allows me to have some flexibility and no full commitments.  I could leave (or be fired) anytime, to look for the next step in my life as part of the work force, until I finally get my calling – the vocation I was meant to do and be productive on for the rest of my life.    

     

7.) GOT A PASSPORT

I only own two valid IDs.  First (which I had gotten in 2010) is a postal ID and the second is the passport I have obtained this year.  I got a passport, not because of a soon and certain possibility or plan of going abroad, but my father just asked me to get a passport for the sake of owning a passport.  So, for now, it serves as an ID. A very expensive ID.  (Note: My voter’s ID takes too long to get released!)   

But I believe that God has a purpose for everything.  When God has a plan or a gift for someone, He first equips and prepares him for it.  And this passport could be a preparation for a future blessing of God.  This passport will expire in 5 years (2016) and I have a great feeling – very optimistic – that sometime within this 5-year period, God will bless me the experience of visiting a foreign land.      

6.) PERFORMING IN A BIG STAGE

I am no stranger to performing in concerts or in front of big crowds.  Both in school and church activities, for years, I was able to perform.  Even just this year, we (my band) were able to perform in several events, both local and out of town.  But all of these are nothing compared to what I experienced this year at Will Graham’s “Celebration of Hope” that was held at Pili, Camarines Sur.  It was like being part of the Big Leagues.    

It was a major event.  There were celebrity guests performing and giving testimonies.  There were a professional stage and equipment.  There were pro roadies to assist you and other sound support.  There were cameramen.  There were directors.  And there were thousands in the audience.  The environment was like of that a concert of an international act.             

Prior to the event, there were auditions around the Bicol region for local artists (that’s how they termed it) good enough to perform at the event.  And our church was blessed to have the chance of sending about four acts to that event (moreover, our church’s talents also participated in two “heralding” events – which occurred weeks prior – for the “Celebration of Hope” event).  One of the acts was our band, Floodgates.  We opened for the Day 2 – April 29 – concert.  As the front act, it seemed we were used as “sound check” for the technicians to properly mix the sound and equipment for the acts ahead of us.  Still, it was a wonderful experience and exhilarating for us.  And according to the response, our performance had been powerful.  

Happy we were given a copy of the official video of it (private or individual video taking was not allowed during the event).    

Aside from the great experience of performing on the big stage, there were other wonderful experiences as well at the back stage.  There were conversations and fellowship with other performers.  But my most favorite backstage experience was being a few feet away from Barbie Almalbis.  I was walking alone and she, with an assistant, was walking opposite me.  I greeted her a “good evening” and she acknowledged with a smile and nod.  Such regret I have that I didn’t ask to have my picture taken with her (all because I don’t have a blasted camera with me).    

I thank God for the chance he had given to glorify Him through such glorious manner.  

5.) FROM GUITARIST TO KEYBOARDIST

At the later part of the year, the keyboardist of our band has to excuse himself from the band because of his work.  His work schedule disallows him from joining our gigs, practices, and Sunday service.  Thus, there is a void in the keyboardist spot.  And the band leader asked me to fill the void.  

Before this, I only play keyboard during the Wednesday night and Friday night services in our church.  But now I have to be the keyboardist in all church services and band performances.     

It’s always fun to make music and play with a band no matter what the instrument I play, but I love the guitar the most above all the instruments I can somehow play.  I love being a guitarist.  I have been a guitarist for years.  But I have to lay down the beloved guitar and have to embrace the keyboard.  For the good of the band.  I have to be the keyboardist until our original keyboardist comes back or a new keyboardist joins the band.  I’m not certain if I will be returned as a guitarist or be a keyboardist from now on, but I will be faithful to this new role that has been given to me.  (Praying for a personal keyboard to practice on at home.  Need to be the best keyboardist I can possibly be.)

4.) MISSION TRIP TO MANILA

My first ever mission trip was a wonderful experience.  Many first times.  Plenty of enjoyment.  And overflowing with God’s grace.  Some highlights:

• We went to Manila via air plane.  It was my first plane ride since I was ten years old.  And we went back home via air plane as well.  I now have a total of four plane trips under my belt in my lifetime.  
• We went ice skating and it was my first time. Really don’t know how.  And we finished our skating session without me learning at all.  
• We watched “Thor” in 3-d.  
• We performed a set of performances in the church that invited us.  
• We went to several places, most notably the Chinese cemetery.  I have been to Manila many times since I was a kid that I already lost count how many times.  But it was my first time at that Chinese cemetery.  Funny how the mausoleums there are more beautiful and bigger than most Filipinos’ houses (including mine).  
• I ate my first Burger King burger.  Man, it was the biggest burger I have ever eaten.  First time I got stuffed by one burger.  
• Stayed at the home of Pastor Ko, our host, during our first night and stayed at a hotel for the second.
• Visited several book stores.  Saw several graphic novels (rare to find graphic novels in Legazpi).  But didn’t see anything worth buying among the expensive literature being sold there.  
• Great bonding time (see no. 1).

3.) MY SITE'S 5TH ANNIVERSARY

In May 2011, http://bernel.blogspot.com had its 5th anniversary.  I’ve been blogging longer than that (6 years blogging in 2011), but this is where I have spent most of my blogging days.  It had been a splendid writing experience during all those years.  As I’ve said in the 5th anniversary post of this site: 

“I made this blog to house most of my written works.  Later on, I would also use it to archive my videos and host my photo albums.  But initially and primarily, this blog was for my writings.  I wanted to create a form of ‘autobiography’ of myself through my writing and discussion of various topics (and, now, also through the photo albums of my life and videos) and not just explicit journal-type writings of what happen in my life.  I write about all things that interest me or what was on my mind at a particular time, and through these, a reader might catch a glimpse of who Bernel is.

“In those five years, I had written more than a hundred posts – in essays or scribbles – on a range of topics in this blog.  I love to write.  I write to organize my thoughts.  I write as therapy (in fact I consider it as my best form of therapy for myself).  I write to chronicle a particular moment I want to look back to.  I write as a pastime.  I write for fun.  I just love to write.”    

So thankful that for this site.  So thankful I am able to write.  One of God’s great gifts to me.

2.) TURNED 22 YEARS OLD

Birthdays are always important highlights of each year. I didn’t get a birthday cake this year unlike in 2009 and 2010 – the first two birthdays of my adulthood.  But I had a birthday dinner with my family in a good restaurant (4 seasons).  Got gifts from friends.  Plenty of greetings from friends and acquaintances through text and Facebook.       

Wow.  I’m 22 already.  Time really flies fast.  And it’ll fly faster and faster as one gets older and older (just the psychological reality of time perception).  I’m getting older.  I’m getting fatter and slower (missing the insane teenage metabolism).  I’m getting wiser (hopefully). 

What were my realizations?  Aside from the one I mentioned in no. 10 about free time and hobbies, I also continue to realize how God has been – and is being – good to me.  In spite of trials and difficulties, I never experienced pains that destroyed me.  I never lacked anything I need.  I never begged to get my daily bread.  I never got sick seriously.  I enjoy overwhelming gifts and favors.  All thanks to God’s grace and providence.  This is an encouragement that God would, indeed, never leave me nor forsake me in the years to come.  So, I’ll continue to trust God and to desire to live a faithful life for His glory.        

1.) ARL

'Nuff said ^__^  ^.^

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Top 10 Movies of 2011

Before we go on to 2012’s jam-packed set of awesome movies (read the previews! watch the trailers!), let’s recognize first the awesome movies of 2011.   And as usual, it’s so hard for me to pick a top 10.  I have enjoyed several movies in 2011 (like every year) and really need to think and recall hard on what among them I had enjoyed the most.      

There are several 2011 movies that I haven’t watched yet that might have been part of this top 10 if I did.  Movies like “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, “Tinker, Tailor, Spy”, “Tin-tin”, “The Muppets”, and “Hugo” (especially this) are very likely to make my Top 10 if I was able to watch them last year.  Such is always the trouble with movies that were released at the latter part of the year. 

And from among those that I was able to watch but didn’t make the list, “Drive”, “Melancholia”, “A Lincoln Lawyer”, “Source Code”, “Hanna”, “The Ides of March”, “The Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, and “Thor” (the number 11) were the closest in making the top 10. 

After evaluation, these 10 stood out among the rest…

10.) MARGIN CALL

The 10^th spot was a struggle between the reboot of “Planet of the Apes” (a revision of the origin on how the apes were able to take over the planet from the original origin of the continuity) and “Margin Call”.  But I have to give this spot to “Margin Call” since it could be the smartest movie I had watched in 2011. 

Graduating from a business course from college was a plus for me since it allowed me to follow most of the economic machineries involved and discussed in the movie – which was about the 2008 economic collapse in the US.  Actually, it’s not that hard to understand even if you were not familiar with the concepts.  That’s why I like it for being both intelligently technical, but nonetheless generally comprehensible by an average audience.  “Margin Call” is an excellent Wall Street movie and one would appreciate it more if one has some familiarity with the financial world.    

By the way, it was only halfway in the movie that I was able to recognize one of the main characters (the rocket scientist turned trading securities analyst who developed the model that predicted the toxicity of the company’s financial assets) as “Spock” in the “Star Trek” reboot.

9.) REAL STEEL

Ok, the concept of robots fighting for sport isn’t an original idea at all (try Medabots).  In fact, it does happen now in real life, though not as awesome and high-tech as that of “Real Steel”.  Robot fighting is not a unique concept.  Still, the gladiator robot combat scenes in this movie were greatly entertaining.  The story isn’t special and actually quite predictable (it’s quite obvious from the start that the robot Atom’s shadow-boxing mode would be somehow utilized by Hugh Jackman’s ex-boxer character).  But still I can’t help loving it.  It has a beautiful redemption theme.  It has an “underdog” element, which is something we always love.  It has a decent story – predictable and unoriginal but never corny.  It has Hugh Jackman.  But most of all, it’s filled with badass robot fights!

  

8.) ANOTHER EARTH

The movie was about Rhoda Williams, who was when a teenager, due to her irresponsible and careless nature (and fascination of the incoming Another Earth), crashed her car (she was intoxicated) against the car of John Burroughs who had his family with him.  This sent John to a coma and killed his wife and kid.  Rhoda was sent to prison, but being a minor, her identity wasn’t revealed to John.  After getting released from prison, Rhoda desired to “redeem” herself from what she had done by desiring to make John’s life a little bit better.  Aside from this objective, Rhoda also joined an essay contest on which whoever the winner is would be given a spot on the spaceflight to visit the other Earth (SPOILER: She won). 

  

The mirror Earth is of another universe and because of some cosmic incident, the two Earth’s became visible to each other.  The story didn’t really concern much on the mysteries and questions surrounding this phenomenon.  This, like “Melancholia”, wasn’t a straight sci-fi movie but dealt more on the drama and development the characters are dealing with.  The mirror Earth just served as an important backdrop or plot device to the story.  But it was a very interesting backdrop for the story at that.

Plenty of questions were raised from watching the movie, not only the science involved in the meeting of the two Earths and how the mirror Earth will turn out to be, but some philosophical questions as well.  Most of the questions weren’t answered and the movie will leave you in a state of thinking and wonder.

 

7.) HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2

I were only able to go watch in the theater two times in 2011 (both instances in 3-d), first was “Thor” and the second was “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”.  The first instance was not decided by me, it was a treat during our mission trip during the summer.  But the latter was something I decided on watching on a theater.  This HP movie was greatly hyped to be the most epic movie of 2011 by the reviews I read and heard, so I decided to watch it on a theater that I may fully enjoy the movie in the best medium and environment it can present itself. 

My assessment?  Well, for me, just like the HP franchise itself, it was overrated.  But only a bit.  It was still an awesome movie, but the hype created a greater expectation from me than what the movie actually is.  This is actually not the fault of the movie, but of my expectations.  Again, I say that this was an awesome movie.  I actually have to point out that this movie not only is the best HP movie ever made, but the best that came out from the HP franchise… ever.  I had greatly enjoyed everything about it.  The overall story, the necessary variations from the book, the perfect culmination of character developments, and the action sequences.  My favorite Bellatrix Lestrange was, as usual, brilliant.  Voldemort looked the most sinister here compared to what he was in the previous films.  I loved how the Battle of Hogwarths turned out.  The dialogues, lines, and highlight scenes from the book were delivered wonderfully (especially the “Not my daughter, you bitch” part.  Though I kind of find it a bit anti-climatic that the rest were just standing about while Bellatrix and Mrs. Weasley dueled).   

I have to agree with the critics that it was indeed epic.  Whether you love Harry Potter or not, a scholar of the HP mythos or not, had watched the previous movies or not, read the books or not, you will find “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” enjoyable and worth appreciating by its own.     

This would have been rated higher if not for the epilogue.  I never liked the epilogue of the HP story.  Would have been better if the movie didn’t include it.  

6.) FRIGHT NIGHT

Usually, the idea of remakes of beloved movie properties is a bit of a turn-off to movie fans.  “Is Hollywood losing new ideas that they turn to old ones?” is the general thought.

I was able to watch the original “Fright Night” (and its sequel) and I had enjoyed it.  But I have to say I find this one set in the modern age more enjoyable.  The villain (Colin Farrell was just perfect) was nasty and cunning, and is easily hated.  I love the hero’s development also from skeptic, to pathetic scaredy-cat, to badass vampire slayer.  The story was solid and clever from start to end.  The climax alone – the final battle – makes this movie worth watching. 

But most importantly, the best thing about “Fright Night” is we finally have a good vampire movie after all the bad name all this “Twilight” crap gave vampires. 

5.) X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

For extremely die-hard X-Men history purists, the title alone is annoying.  “Those guys aren’t the first class!!!  Cyclops, Jean Greay, Beast, Angel, and Iceman were!”  But even these purists would admit that, disregarding the roster, this X-Men movie rivals X-Men 2 as the best X-Men movie made or even maybe better than X2. 

This is the type of comic book movie that almost digressed on the “super heroey, comic bookey” feel of the comic book it is based on.  It captivates you, not on the formulas that made the comic book it is based on loveable, but by splendid acting and storytelling.  The idea was to not allow the comic book dictate the movie’s identity, but merely let the comic book serve as the property the movie was based upon , end the relationship between movie and comic book there, and let the movie succeed and stand by its own as a movie.  And it worked!

The most interesting aspect of the movie was the depiction and exploration of the early friendship of Charles Xavier (Prof. X) and Eric Lensherr (Magneto) and how their ideals set them in different paths.  There was no Stan Lee cameo here, which was the usual in Marvel Comics’ movies, but I made an audible chuckle during the Wolverine cameo (better than any Stan Lee cameo).    

   

4.) CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

To date, for me, among the installments from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (the continuity/universe of the movie Avengers), I think “Captain America: The First Avenger” is the best after “Iron Man”.  It had good story-telling and an entertaining premise.  The action sequences were solid.  The origin aspect of the movie didn’t have the feeling of being forced upon the movie (as what’s observed from first installments of a superhero’s movie franchise) but just flowed naturally with the movie and its overall plot.  The villain – the Red Skull – was effective and kudos to Hugo Weaving for that.  The use of the Cosmic Cube – referred to as the Tesseract – as a plot device was a thrill to the Marvel scholars out there, as well as the participation of the Howling Commandos.

As far as characters are concerned, Robert Downey, Jr.’s Iron Man is still MCU’s freshest and best depiction of an Avenger, but Chris Evan’s Captain America is second.  I love how Evans shed the cocky, childish, non-serious, happy-go-lucky characteristics of his Johnny Storm (Human Torch) as he donned the noble, courageous, honorable characteristics of a Captain America.  Evans perfectly depicted the Cap that we perceive to be.  Now Evans will always be Captain America to us, almost making us forget that he was the Human Torch first.
    
Now that the member had been all introduced, I’m very very very much excited for the Avenger movie. 

3.) MONEYBALL

I like “Moneyball” because it gave us a glimpse of the life of a sport team’s general manager.  I found it entertaining to watch the deals, meetings, and other GM duties being conducted. 

“Moneyball” is based on the book of the same name written by Michael Lewis that tells the story of the Oakland Athletics’ amazing 2002 season and their GM Billy Beane (Bradd Pitt).  Beane, with the significant help of his assistant Peter Brand, due to financial constraints, employed an unorthodox method of assembling a competitive team by the use of a complex sabermetric system in analyzing and scouting players. 

Hands down, one of the best sports-themed movies ever made.

2.) WARRIOR

The story of “Warrior” is about two estranged brothers (who are both estranged with their father as well) both entering a big mixed martial arts tournament.  The first was a physics teacher who has trouble with family finances and the second was an AWOL Marine Corps Iraq hero.  And as climax, the brothers would meet in the Finals. 

The MMA fights will satisfy any craving for testosterone-filled violence, but this isn’t a mere mindless action movie as it also contains a gripping story, superb acting, heavy emotion, and touching themes of humanity and reconciliation.  

1.) SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS

There’s no other movie I have enjoyed more than the new Sherlock Holmes movie.  And it’s not because of any bias due to Sherlock Holmes being a favorite fictional character of mine.  In fact, the movie Holmes and Watson, though of the core and important similarities, are different characters from their literary counterparts.   The Holmes in the movie is more prone to tendencies of clumsiness and emotion though he also moves with grace and can be a complete cold thinking machine (which I think the original Holmes was more so), probably a little bit wittier, and do as much action with his brawns as with his brains (compared to the original Holmes).  The Dr. Watson in the movie is a more active sidekick than the original (who was more of a passive observer with a chronicler mentality first), has more initiative, more of a “swashbuckler”, and possesses the greater Holmes’ influenced mental skills. This made the tandem’s movie version more entertaining. 

“Sherlcok Holmes: A Game of Shadows” employed engaging elements of the first movie such as the action choreography that applied “bullet time” techniques, Holmes’ mental simulation of a fight before executing his moves, outrageous and engaging action sequences, well-timed humor, references to the literature,  and mindblowing twists. 

It was great from start to finish.  The events leading to the climax of the movie was nicely done and the climax itself – Holmes and Moriarty’s last face-off – was brilliant.  And the conclusion itself gave great satisfaction.   

I do hope there are more SH movies to come.    

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Floodgates... Back in Arcilla Hall...

Three years had passed since we last performed at Arcilla Hall.  Last December 19, we were invited once again to perform at that venue.  Entitled "How Great is Our God", this was another fundraising concert hosted by the same church that invited us three years ago.  Unfortunately, only the first song got videoed because the video camera got its battery depleted.  Again, for the third straight Floodgates video post, instead of guitar, I play keyboards here.  I guess I'm now the regular keyboardist of the band until our keyboardist comes back.

click here for more videos

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My All-Time All Laker Team

Just for fun.

  

If I was asked to build a Laker team made up of players who have played for the purple and gold franchise, this is the team I would assemble.  

But first, let me make clear on a few details.  This team is not made up of the top Laker players of all time.  A team made of superstars doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be the best team.  The Dallas Mavericks just recently proved in their Finals series with the Miami Heat the point that a focused, well-disciplined, good-chemistry team can beat even a team made up of superstars.  Before that, the (sigh) Detroit Pistons against the Lakers.  So, this team of mine is made of the Laker superstars that is, in my opinion, the right superstars to build around on and the right Laker role players to create the best Laker team that can be – or, more precisely, one of the best teams that can be created from the rich collection of talents the Laker franchise has ever had through the years.  

Also, this all-Laker team isn’t made up of my most favorite Laker players either, though some – or most – made the cut.  

Another thing, to those players here who have also played for other teams in their careers, when evaluating on adding them to this team, I did not take into consideration their career achievements as a whole but only their peaks as Laker players.

And lastly, screw cap space feasibility...

Now I think that’s all I need to be clear on.  Here we go…

CENTER – Wilt Chamberlain

Now I don’t think “The Big Dipper” is the greatest Laker center ever.  The greatest Laker center ever is hard to determine with the likes of Wilt, Kareem, and Shaq playing for the Lakers during their careers.  Kareem had that sweet unblockable sky-hook and Shaq is actually my favorite Laker center but Wilt is my choice for the center of my Laker team.  

Wilt might or might not have been underrated as a defender prior his Laker years, but when he played as a Laker, he was started to be described as “Russell-like”.  Bill Russel, Wilt’s rival, might had been a (ugh) Celtic but he is, in my opinion, what a center should be.  A center should have a great defensive identity and instinct above anything else.  He should be able to alter shots or make the opponent shoot uncomfortably and then be able to rebound the missed shots.  His defense should spark his team’s offense.  And Russell was great at it.  

Prior to being a Laker, Wilt was known to be a powerful offensive force – being able to score 100 points in one game and average an outrageous 50.4 points a game.  But when Wilt became a Laker, he concentrated more on defense and rebounding and triggering the fastbreaks, just as Russell was doing with the Celtics.  However, though Wilt sacrificed his scoring, he was still an efficient scorer, unlike Russell who never developed an elite offensive game.  Again, for me, a center should be a brilliant, dominant and influential defender above anything else.  But to be a competent offensive threat as well is a big, big bonus.  And Wilt was brilliant at both ends.                          

POWER FORWARD – Pau Gasol

I am part of the few who think that a talented big man like Pau Gasol is a more valuable piece to the Lakers than an explosive point guard like Chris Paul.  I really think it’s premature to trade Pau.  Sure, it’s frustrating to see Pau whenever he transforms to “Ga-soft” last season, especially against Dallas.  But I say, let’s give him another chance.  I’m sure Pau would bounce back this next season.  Let’s not forget how Pau was a major contributor in the Lakers’ back-to-back championships.  There was even a time when we call him the best power forward in the world today.  He is a smart, versatile, and graceful player.  He can rebound and pass well.  There are times he is soft and lacked aggressiveness, but whenever Pau is motivated, he is such a beauty to watch as he works with finesse and intelligence when attacking.  He’s still for me the greatest power forward to play for the Lakers, and thus, he’s the starting power forward on this team.     

    

SMALL FORWARD – James Worthy

James Worthy is the real “King James” since he has the rings to validate his basketball royalty.  Though overshadowed by Magic and Kareem when he played for the Lakers, he was still able to cement his status as a legend.  Worthy was a fast and graceful small forward.  He possessed both the fundamentals and the flare.  He had brilliant footwork and moves that allowed him to explode to the basket.  And he can rebound and pass well, too.  More than that, he also had the invaluable talent of carrying the team to victory.  This was prominently shown in more than one playoff series, which earned him the nickname “Big Game James”.  That’s the difference of our “King James” with that other “King James”.  Our “King James” thrives in big games, while that other “King James” chokes.    

SHOOTING GUARD – Kobe Bryant

Duh.  No-brainer.  I don’t need to do any explaining at all why the Black Mamba is included here.  

I think that even though there are plenty of firepower and star power in this team, Kobe will still see to it that he gets most of touches.  Kobe the gunslinger will always get his points.  And why not?  He’s the most explosive offensive player the Lakers ever had.  Of course, there will also be games when Kobe would lie-low and encourage and create opportunities for his teammates to do most of the scoring.  But when it’s about taking the last shot?  Kobe would always want the ball to be in his hands in the last seconds when the game is on the line.  

Aside from that, being the best perimeter defender in the starting five, he’s going to be the initial defender of the opposing team’s best perimeter player.  

Wait… talking about defense reminds me –  Hmmmm…  I could be wrong in my initial assessment.  We, in fact, already saw Kobe in a basketball team filled with stars – Team “Redeem Team” USA.  And, as we had seen in his stint in Team USA, he actually didn’t take over the offense in that team but concentrated on the defensive end.  He made it nearly impossible for the opposing team’s best scorer to actually score.  And he only took over the scoring when critically needed (i.e. the gold medal game against Spain).  

Maybe that’s how he’ll play instead?  I can’t tell.      

Kobe possesses such a well-rounded talent and a complicated mind that it’s really hard to determine what role he would choose to play in this team.  But no matter what role it is, he’ll always have an unparalleled fire and focus in this team that will rub off to the rest his teammates.  Now, considering the fact that his teammates are actually already among the most competitive players in the game’s history, the energy and the spirit of this team fueled by Kobe would be overwhelming.            

POINT GUARD – Magic Johnson

Again, another no-brainer choice.  Magic is the only one who can properly distribute the ball in this jam-packed team.  We can trust Magic to properly judge when to pass, where to pass, what kind of pass to use, and who to pass to.  He might have some trouble in defending the present’s breed of past point guards (maybe Kobe had to do most of the defending against elite point guards).  But this cut both ways.  Magic’s size will allow him to easily overpower the smaller point guards, which would make it easier for him to score or create scoring opportunities for his teammates.  Aside from that, Magic’s such a brilliant ballhandler that it won’t be easy for an elite point guard’s quick hands to steal the ball from Magic.  

  

BENCH

Lamar Odom

I’m sad to see Lamar go… and the circumstance of his departure makes the mood more saddening.  Anyway, he is, in my opinion, the ideal man that you want to first come out of the bench.  He has such a well-rounded game that he can play any position from 1 to 5.  He can come out of the bench to perform what the team needs in a given moment.  Whether it’s ball movement, rebounding, defense, or scoring, Odom will give it.   

Michael Cooper

Ron Artest (we have yet to see Metta World Peace play) as a Laker brought the perimeter defense that freed Kobe from being the prime defender of the opposing team’s best player.  Ron was also expected to provide some scoring.  This role that Artest played, Michael Cooper can do better.  He also had a scoring game, especially from behind the arc.  Nonetheless, his brilliant defensive game is the main reason he’ll be a significant factor to this team.  The main expectation for him is to come out of the bench to guard the opposing team’s top scorer for most of the game.  

Karl Malone

The Mailman was already past his prime when he joined the Lakers, but he was still strong and effective.  In fact, he’s probably the most consistent Laker in that 04-05 Laker team.  He was a scoring threat and was able to defend the then elite power forwards (i.e. Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett) pretty well.  The Laker Malone would give this team additional toughness and grit.  Karl would bail out Pau whenever the latter’s softness is at its worst.        

Byron Scott

I first considered Eddie Jones as Kobe’s reliever (a reverse of the roles during Kobe’s early years), but I think Byron Scott is the better fit for the team.  Scott was a lethal three-point shooter.  He is maybe even the best pure shooter the franchise ever had.  He would greatly help both in spreading the floor and on the break.                 

Derek Fisher

Because of his legendary clutch plays, I just need to have Fish in this team.  Kobe had made several breathtaking game-winners already but he has yet to make a 0.4 seconds gamewinner.  Fish did.  Laker fans are now frustrated at how ineffective Fish is in guarding younger and faster point guards, but in his prime, Fish was a solid point guard.  He could shoot threes and drive and pass.  But it still comes to his mental toughness and clutch plays that earned him this spot on this team.         

Robert Horry

Horry doesn’t only add more length and toughness to this team, but additional three-point shooting as well.  He might not be the most consistent shooter here, but, like Fish, he had the reputation to knock legendary big shots.  That’s why he’s called “Big Shot Rob (or Bob)”.  His seven rings from stints in three different teams suggest that he knows how to make himself valuable to a championship team.    

Kurt Rambis

We love Rambis, not because of any talent he had, but because of his heart and hustle.  In everything he did, whether it was cheering and waving a towel from the bench to grabbing those loose balls, he gave his all.  This team needs a first class “garbage man” and Rambis is one of the best among these unsung heroes of the game.  Rambis gets a spot here because I know his attitude and heart can light sparks for this team. 

INJURY RESERVES

Tyron Lue

Lue makes it to my all-time all-Laker team because of one fond memory I have of him: he became an Allen Iverson simulation.  During the 2001 NBA Finals, Phil had him play the part of an AI during the team’s practices because he had the same build as Iverson.  Moreover, I also remember that there were times he frustrated AI when he was assigned to guard him during the series.  

Dennis Rodman

I have always loved Dennis’ game.  He was a sort of Kurt Rambis, but with the talent to go with the heart and hustle.  He was a great, flexible and tough defender, and probably the greatest rebounder in the game’s history.  He only played a few games as a Laker, but, for me, that is enough to qualify him to be an addition to this team… at least, as an injury reserve.  How I wish he managed to behave himself and found success when he was a Laker.    

Adam Morrison

Ammo will always be part of any all-Laker team.  

      

COACH – Phil Jackson

I found it hard to choose who between Pat Riley and Phil Jackson should coach this team.  Phil is a cool cat most of the time and knows how to employ psychological warfare.  Riley is, in my opinion, a better motivator and a better manager of rotations and lineup combinations.  Both are smart and successful coaches.  But I still pick Phil because he has more rings than Pat which implies that he is a more proven formula for success.  Moreover, this team I had assembled has the talent to run both the “Showtime” fast break and the triangle offense and I think Phil would find it easier to integrate a “Showtime” fast break to his triangle offense than for Pat to integrate the triangle to his offense.    

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Floodgates at ""Voice of the Youth"

BUCEILS-HS Department (where I graduated from high school, by the way) had a concert entitled "Voice of the Youth" last December 13 where the musical talents of some BU high students were showcased.  Our friends from the band SOP was the main attraction of the concert and they invited us for a guest performance.  I played keyboards here and then guitar on the last part.  

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Joy Senior Young People Dance Medley

Joy Church's anniversary last year was the first time we, the senior young people of the church, to showcase our unity in Christ, performed a dance number together.  For Joy Church's 24th Anniversary, we took it to the next level as we presented a dance medley performance (choreographed by Arlene Bemida).  It was a lot of fun.  This could probably be the best dance performance I've ever been part of.  Here's a back-to-back video coverage of our dance:

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Instruction and Sanctification

Time flies fast... The last one, it seems to me, was just very recent... And now it's our cell group's turn again? Anyway, here's another sharing I prepared for our Wednesday night service... 

(RE: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28)

Good evening.

Our text for today is the last part of 1 Thessalonians where Paul, to sum up, leaves last words of instruction and a benediction.  In this passage, there are three types of “What to do?” applications that Paul wanted us to do. 

First, according to verses 12 to 13, is to honor our spiritual mentors – pastors, ministers, cell group leaders, elders, etc. – who bother to pray and nurture us for our spiritual well-being.   In verse 12 also states that admonishing us when we do wrong is part of these spiritual mentors’ job description.  So we should not take it against them when they rebuke us of our wrong-doing because they only do this to take care of our spiritual health. Rather than harboring ill feelings in our hearts against them, we should “hold them in highest regard.  We should be eternally thankful for these God-sent spiritual mentors who effort to take care of our spiritual well-being and bless them always.          

Second, according to verses 14 to 15, is to create a loving and healthy relationship environment with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We should give warnings to each other when we became lazy and disruptive which can affect negatively our work and health as a church.  We should lift the spirits or cheer up those who are weak, discouraged or brokenhearted.  We should defend and take care of the weak among us.  We should be patient with each other, especially those who are our spiritual baby brothers or sisters in Christ.  We should do everything in our power to see to it that no harm shall fall on each other but rather only bring the best for him or her.  In summary, we should encourage and protect each other with dedication, passion, and enthusiasm.  According to pop culture, in Mafia famiglias, they have strong sense of loyalty and “you mess with him, you mess with me” mentality for each other, and as Christians, we should have a stronger bond than Mafia famiglias or any form of brotherhood in this world, because we are made one in Christ!

Third, according to verses 16 to 22, is how to live out our own lives.  We should always rejoice, pray continually, and be thankful in all circumstances.  We should aim to maintain our bodies a favorable place for the Holy Spirit to dwell in.  Hold on to what is good and throw away those who are evil.  This is the life we should live as individuals.    

These might seem very hard instructions to carry out.  Indeed, they are hard.  Alone, we can’t do them at all.  But I am very much encouraged by verse 18b: “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  God’s will will always happen.  Therefore, if it’s God’s will for us to do these things, then we can certainly do them!  By God’s help we can carry out these instructions for us!

Indeed, alongside these instructions is Paul’s reminder that it is God who fully sanctifies us.  Verse 23 says: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Amen.  God started it in our lives, he will certainly finish it to the end.  We can’t ever in the slightest carry our His instructions and live holy lives by our own.  All credit belongs to God.  It is God who will enable us to carry out His instructions and to live holy lives.  Only God can really make us a holy Bride – to be presented perfect and blameless and worthy before the Bridegroom, to enjoy His presence forever.

And I love to be reminded that this is for sure!  Victory is guaranteed.  As verse 24 says, “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” 

To God be the glory.         

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