ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

It seems like 2012 is a fantastic year for GMA-7’s fastest-rising actor, Rocco Nacino. He’s undoubtedly one of the network’s busiest actors today – on and off screen. Having regular TV shows (he’s a regular in Party Pilipinas and a semi-regular in Bubble Gang), mall and out of town shows, and several TV guestings, he’s also a busy man off-cam who manages his business along with his partners (he’s a part-owner of the Elorde Ortigas Gym located in Ortigas Home Depot).

Last February 13, his latest daily drama show, The Good Daughter, which he topbills with Kylie Padilla just started airing in GMA-7’s Afternoon Prime. The show had a very successful pilot week, owning the top spot in the ratings game not just on its timeslot, but also on the roster of afternoon drama series, as proven by the reports of AGB Nielsen. Aside from the impressive ratings, the show is also continuously gathering numerous positive feedback on its good storyline and notable performances by its cast, and Rocco’s performance as a ‘bad boy’ is clearly the most remarkable. From his previous roles where he usually plays a sweet and caring guy, his role as Darwin in The Good Daughter shows his versatility as an actor as he portrays a character which is totally opposite of how he is in real life.

Now Rocco is up again for another challenge as he bagged the title role for an ambitious indie epic film, Lam-ang. This indie film is expected to set a new benchmark in the world of independent films, as it’s going to feature and traverse on the life of a popular Ilocano folklore hero, Lam-ang.

In preparation for Lam-ang, Rocco has committed to study speaking hardcore Tagalog and will also be having arnis trainings. His costume will also be showing his chiseled body, which means he has to maintain his hunky physique. Most of the scenes will be shot in Ilocos and Rocco is excited about this.

During the Lam-ang presscon held at R Bistro Bar last Saturday, Rocco confessed that aside from the excitement, he felt instantly nervous when he saw the movie’s poster, with just his name on it. With this pressure on him, he stays positive and takes the load as an inspiration to work and strive even harder.

Produced by DV Savellano and Saridandan Films Inc. and supported by Ilocos Representative Imee Marcos, the film is also sponsored by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur. It will be directed by Ana Agabin, whose first film “24K” has won Best Cinematography in the 2009 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and the Golden Orchid Award in Hawaii International Film Festival. Ana also wrote the script for Lam-ang.

Director Ana Agabin said that this film will not just relive the life of the famous Ilocano hero, but will also make Rocco Nacino shine and escalate his status as an actor.

The movie production will be creating real nipa huts and ‘balsa’ for the movie.

The sketches of some of the characters in Lam-ang, also a sneak peek on Rocco’s costume.

Being labeled as hardworking, smart and talented, plus the positive attitude he possesses, Rocco is believed and forecasted by showbiz experts to become one important actor someday. Indeed, Rocco Nacino is one of the most promising actors of today, and I won’t ever be surprised if he’ll be reaping some acting awards one day. Well, let’s all look forward to that!!

Mar 09

Please watch and share this video to shed light on Joseph Kony. Don’t be silent! #stopkony

Feb 10

The Boracay Escapade

November 2011 – I had my first airplane ride and my first experience of the World’s 2nd Best Beach, Boracay. I know that this beach needs no further description as it is already famous not just to the Filipinos, but also to the foreign citizens.

Well I’m not really a beach fan, but Boracay made me one! Perfect sunset, finest white sands, crystal clear waters, crazy parties, friendly locals, beautiful people! The numerous activities you can enjoy within the island also add up to the reasons to enjoy Boracay.

We arrived in Boracay at around 4:00 PM and checked-in at La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel (we got it cheap through Ensogo). Since it was already late to try some activities plus we were tired from the plane-van-boat-tricycle ride, we just decided to stay by the shore, wait for some friends who arrived on the island a day ahead, and watched sunset. It was really fantastic! Definitely the best sunset I’ve ever seen!

Our second day on the island was dedicated to the activities the island could offer. Now get this, you really have to be good when getting a deal or package. We got a package worth Php900 which already included the ATV ride, helmet diving, snorkeling and parasailing. Not bad, eh?

Got a bit disappointed with the ATV ride as I was expecting to drive on a rough and muddy land, but ended up driving it on an ascending zigzag highway. The drive was worth it though since our destination gave us a 360-degree view of the island. Awesome!

Snorkeling wasn’t that fun as well, as there weren’t that much fishes and corals, as compared to Puerto Galera. Thank God that we were able to try helmet diving, where we had the chance to feed the fishes, and dive deep into the middle of the ocean. Yay! It was 25 ft. deep, I guess.

These fishes amazed me! The locals cooked one of those I’m holding for our lunch.

Another thing I enjoyed was parasailing. It’s amazing how we sailed across the beach riding on a boat being controlled by the winds. I had doubt at first whether or not it was safe, but realized later that it was actually much safer than the motored boats.

Most of my friends seemed to be tired and decided to give themselves some rest after a day filled with activities, maybe to prepare themselves for the beach party, but together with some pals, I went straight to the other side of the island to try skimboarding. Yay! But since I’m not good at balancing, I have accepted the fact that I can’t be a good wake boarder. I wasn’t able to manage a long skimboard slide despite having a personal trainer. Nevertheless, I loved the experience of trying it and will definitely do it again next time.

One of Boracay’s most famous landmark, the grotto (which is also the skimboarding area).

After an activity-filled day, we finally freshened up and went straight to grab a sumptuous dinner at one of the Eat-All-You-Can restaurants near the D*Mall (sorry, their food was so delicious that I forgot the restaurant’s name!).

Then it was party time. I’m known to my friends to be a party-lover and someone who loves to drink so I was so excited for this. We chose to spend the night partyin’ at Club Summer Place (one of the locals we’ve talked to had suggested this place), where we shared drinks and danced with the foreign visitors. It was one amazing party! Foreign turistas were so generous to give us some drinks! Yay! There also were girls who had gone wild on the dancefloor! Whew! We borrowed the famous Vegas’ line to sum up our night: What happens in Bora stays in Bora!!

Indeed, I had my best beach experience in Boracay, not only because of its undoubtedly wonderful water and sands, but also because of its wonderful people – locals and tourists, and all the activities I got to experience and share with my friends. Truly, Boracay is one great place everyone should visit! I’m sure that my first Boracay getaway won’t be my last. I will certainly be going back to Boracay.

Feb 04

The Mount Pinatubo Adventure

What did you have as your first out of town trip in 2012? Mine was just as memorable as it was also my first trekking experience. It was a long day of appreciating nature through sand-walking and river-crossing – it was my adventure in Mount Pinatubo.

Since we work on night shift (9:00 PM to 6:00 AM), my officemates and I asked for permission from our considerate managers to let us adjust our schedule for this specific day, since we had to leave by 2:00 AM, and we’re just glad they allowed us! Yey!

Big thanks to the group buying sites (we got ours from Cash Cash Pinoy), we were able to have this trip hassle-free! No need to plan since everything was already arranged by our tour guides from Access 8 Tours and Travels, including lunch! We entrusted them with our itinerary.

So pick-up point was at the Shell Gas Station in Emerald Ave., Ortigas, where we were going to meet our tour guides, and some bus-mates who were also going on a same trip with us. Our batch had two jam-packed buses!

We left Ortigas at around 3:00 AM and reached the Pinatubo area at around 6:00 AM. From there, we were divided into groups as we had to ride a 4x4 on our way to our trek’s main target view, the mountain’s Crater Lake.

The 4x4 ride was hella fun! It was a great ride going through some obstacles – passing through the thick sands and countless rocks, crossing through the rivers, and competing with other 4x4’s while enjoying the scenic view of the mountains (pre-mountains).

After an hour-long 4x4 ride, we finally reached the starting point of the trek. This was it! The real challenge – the 6 hour walk toward and from the Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake! I would advise for future trekkers to wear sandals or rubber shoes (which you are willing to wet), and comfortable shirts. Take note that you are going through a trek and not a fashion runway, so as much as possible, pack light with clothes, but heavy with food and water. Lots and lots of water!

Finally, after a challenging 3 hours of sand-walking and river-crossing, all under the heat of the sun, we finally found the main attraction – the Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake! Yay! The dog-tiring walk was really worth it! We found paradise!

However, we only had limited 3 hours to stay beside the lake where we had to do some important human stuff – eat lunch, rest, and refresh (swim by the lake)! Fortunately, we were able to freshen up ourselves after having our lunch. Though some of us chose to rest their feet, I chose to swim on the ice-cold lake! By the way, you have to really be a ‘cowboy’ once you choose to swim since there were no washrooms near the lake, so you have to change your clothes by simply hiding at the bushes! 

Our journey back to the trek’s starting point was quite challenging to some, probably because they were unable to get enough rest for their legs. Also, the running waters from the rivers we crossed had become stronger that you really have to put some weight on yourself so you wouldn’t be slammed by the raging waters.

Well, being a hyper boy that I am, I took this walk as an opportunity to ask our tour guides some facts they know and their experiences about mountain trekking. For some reason, talking and talking helped me not to feel as tired as my buddies. They are not just experts on Philippine mountains, but they are also friendly as they enthusiastically cracked jokes with us.

After 3 hours of walking and an hour of 4x4 ride back, we finally saw the chance to freshen up again and rest, while also waiting for our bus.

On our way back to Manila, most of the trekkers decided to just sleep and get themselves their much-deserved rest.

It was indeed a very tiring yet fulfilling adventure we all could never forget. This one-of-a-kind first-time experience will forever be etched in our hearts as we have proven to ourselves what we are capable of doing. Who would’ve thought that our skinny pals could survive the scorching heat of the sun and the seemingly endless walk? Who would’ve thought that we can still find ways to enjoy a trip despite everybody’s undeniably almost-giving-up tired bodies?

Surviving and conquering one of God’s hidden gifts to men and nature – the Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake, this adventure definitely made us hella proud!

Jan 26

Jan 17

Jan 13

Dec 28

“Life is so temporary; it can end any time and I don’t want to look back on my life some day and see waste… I want fruit that will remain.” — Dave Hannah

Dec 13

Rocco Nacino’s Charity Christmas Party

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the Heavenly Lights.” – James 1:17

Yesterday, I had the chance to do again two things I love doing – hosting and doing charity work. Thanks to good friend, actor Rocco Nacino, and his family.

Doing charity work and gift-giving has been a yearly tradition of the Nacino family, as their way of paying forward all the blessings they receive through the year. This year, they chose the kids of Onesimo Bulilit Foundation as their beneficiary. Aside from Rocco’s immediate family, some cousins, aunts and uncles also graced the event. Some members of Rocco’s fan club, Roccofellas, also joined the activity.

It’s a cliché that Christmas is for the children, it’s more special for them, so I took the liberty and asked some of the kids why and what they love about Christmas and some of the answers were:

It was a fun-filled afternoon in Jollibee in Acacia Lane, Mandaluyong, as the kids enjoyed the food, games and prizes specially prepared for them. They even prepared a special dance number. They also had fun dancing with the most famous bee in town, Jollibee. Rocco also gamely joined the kids in some of the games, and even did the dougie (Teach Me How to Dougie).

After all the fun and excitement with the parlor games, the kids received special gifts from the Nacino family and some sponsors – a Christmas basket containing lots and lots of food, toys, chocolates, fruits and vitamins. It was a sight to behold seeing the smiles from the kiddos’ faces as we handed them their gifts. The spirit of love, joy and giving surrounded the venue, making all the kids feel the true meaning and warmth of Christmas.

Tita Linda (Rocco’s mom) and Rocco’s Christmas messages and wishes wrapped up the event for the kids of Onesimo.

After the gift-giving and charity party with the kids, Rocco also shared his valuable time with his loyal and ever-supportive fans. There were parlor games as well. Some trivias about Rocco were asked during one of the games, and of course, as expected, all of the fans knew the answers too well.

Rocco gave away some gifts also via a raffle draw – colognes, bags and shoes from Bench, shoes from Skechers and another pair of shoes from Zara! I put my name on the box as well and unfortunately and as expected, I did not win any – I was never lucky in raffle draws!

A twist in the party was Rocco’s surprise to his mom and dad for their Silver Wedding Anniversary! Tito Ralph and Tita Linda have been so supportive of Rocco in his career, and were also kind and appreciative to his fans. Fans love them, too! Members of the Roccofellas Club also gave their personal messages and wishes to the happily-married couple.

Then, after all the games and surprises, Rocco was kind enough to accommodate all the fans’ requests for pictures, fan signs and autographs.

It was indeed a fun experience celebrating Christmas with the Nacino family. They are a family with a good heart and they truly deserve all the special blessings they continuously receive. No doubt that our Creator loves to smile at them.