Today’s a lovely day. I’m back at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños to start another issue of Rice Today. IRRI is just beside the UPLB campus, so walking around the university brings me back to my golden days of 2001 when I was a freshman. I felt like a student again walking with young people most of whom carry nothing but a notebook, and perhaps a ballpen in one pocket. A typical college student. Watching the students walk to their buildings, I was thinking lots of things but I’ll blog about this next time because I need to work now…but this day started lovely as some friends tagged me in an FB post. I was published in Inquirer’s Young Blood! Yehey!
And because of this single story, I received a hundred messages and a million blog hits. Thanks to those 11,000 readers who liked and shared the Inquirer piece!
i just read your article in young blood featured in PDI.. i love it… medyo nakilig ako dun ah… it was a very nice story… nakakarelate din ako kc i studied also in UPLB.. i was a socio major.. sociosoc.. dun ko din nameet wife ko… yihii…
hi, iamfabi! wow! cool! uy, socio soc ang sister ko. 🙂
Nice! I read your `Young Blood` entry and followed the link to your blog…Keep it up.
hello, ms estel. million thanks! 🙂
Hi! I shared the Young Blood link in my FB account and I hope you won`t mind…by the way, Rice Today is one of my favorite international magazines. I just have not been browsing the IRRI website to download it for a long time now. Keep up the good work!
Oh, that’s nice of you.. I really appreciate it. That’s cool! You’ve actually read Rice Today. thank you! now I’m motivated more (and pressured hehe)
Love your article, especially the last sentence. I wish both of you all the best.
aww, thanks, thanks, aris! 🙂
Read you article this morning, Maam Ai! I was jumping in our office party while reading your article, haha.
I will try to smile while I take my daily commute on the train to work (Heh. LRT = train) and hope that a dashing stranger take notice, too! [But I probably should practice a non-creepy smile, eh?]
hahaha yeah, don’t give them creepy smile.
very nice story in PDI! =)
thank you so much, jimz!
love it. I smiled after reading it hoping someone would see me too. *lol I really envy people with superb writing skills like you. 🙂 hope to read more. 😀
hello, ghek. that’s nice of you to say. i wouldn’t call it superb, though! haha let’s see if i can write more.. always got tons of work to do 🙂
That’s destiny, Ms. Ai. 🙂 Nice love story. 🙂
kainggit… hehe 🙂
haha! thanks, thanks, alex for still commenting here in this nonsense blog lol
i beg to disagree. 🙂 your posts are all nice reads; you’re very smart and funny [and gorgeous]. 🙂
waaaaaah ms.ai! just read your article and it made me “kilig” and jealous (wished i’ve never come across it, kiddin’ haha)! i’ve been dreaming (and day dreaming) of that sort of love story (everytime i ride that bus with college sign on it) and never did it happen! guess i have too much imagination then that it overpowered reality. anyway, best of luck to you and your man!
p.s. always wear that winning smile! 🙂
hi cecille! hahaha your comment made me smile.
Reading your article reminds me well of our eng1 class. IMY Ms. Ai. Good luck sa buhay buhay! 😀
hi, ronnie gurl! thank you! 🙂 i appreciate your dropping by.
I read your article in youblood, followed your blog from it! It did make me smile 🙂
aww many thanks, kyno! 🙂 nice blog you got! another one i’d visit often.
I’ve read your article too! 🙂 Awwwww… sweeet!
thank you, ms diane! 🙂
Sobrang swak na “Hello Valentine’s Month” read yung kuwento 🙂 Congrats Ma’am Ai! 🙂 Sana panghabang-buhay na kayo 🙂
And, FEBRUARY na! Tapos na January 🙂 Does that mean magkikita na kayo?
hi kristalove. thank you!!! many, many months to go! haha at least january’s over.
Best article to end January and to begin February! <3
After reading your article in YB, I visited your site agad.
Hoping to have a part 2! hahaha. Super kilig talaga. I told to myself after reading the article "Sana ako din. Makapag-smile na nga nang bongga!hahaha"
Hi, Elle. 🙂 yeah, good timing indeed.
hahaha! part 2? hmmm, that’s not the first time somebody asked for more. even my students would ask for more details and “what happened next?” (we can’t have story telling for the whole period!haha) besides, it’s not that interesting, i think. haha!
thank you so much for dropping by!
“It’s not that interesting”? haha. I don’t think so. I wish I was one of your students so that I can hear it straight from you. 🙂
Hope you’ll write a book ’bout the story, the complete version huh!:D God bless Ms. Ai!
LOL! a book. that’s a bit over the top. let’s see if i find time this month to blog about it. the hearts month seems to be a good excuse to be mushy. 🙂
Hi! I didn’t have the chance to be your student, but I constantly hear your name when I discuss Eng subjects with friends.
I was browsing the opinion page of the Inquirer website when I saw your name. I immediately read the article.
I was smiling and felt like crying towards the end. Inspiring.
Nakakakilig sobra! 🙂
hello, mitzi! let me guess, they talk about my rules in class? LOL
aww i appreciate those reactions hihi
Hi. I’m a seminarian and WOW!! ms.AI 1st time kong kinilig s aarticle sa Youngblood. I hope may makita din ako sa bus.. hahahaha just kidding I’m faithful with my vocation.
hello, jace. you remind me of my younger brother who’s a seminarian too. so, yeah, im used to that kind of jokes LOL
thanks for reading!
<3 for some reason, naiyak ako.. i felt it.. i just got engaged last week.. and after i read your article, naalala ko when i first met my fiance 3 years ago. every one should have a love story as kilig as yours! i was a UPLB grad din Batch 2002, and lagi ko rin naririnig name mo. 🙂 good luck & stay happy.
aww wow! congratulations on your engagement! 🙂
thanks for the heart-warming comment, tine. it’s nice to hear you’re from UPLB too. i hope what you hear is not something embarrassing haha!
hi! i just checked your blog because i read your youngblood article. as a believer and fateful victim of destiny (i met my fiance too through serendipity!) i can truly say that today’s youngblood article is the perfect article to begin the valentine’s season!
congratulations! 🙂
haha thanks, capricorny. hello, valentine’s season! really? hmmm this serendipity thing is everywhere, I gather.
Hi! Saw your article on Young Blood 🙂 I must say it is super kilig 😀 My bf and I met in a jeepney naman, in a similar serendipitous situation 🙂 <3 hihihi
wow cute! jeepney! that’s fast. thanks for reading!
Hi! I got here from Tumblr! I follow U-P-Fight and they reblogged your post: http://u-p-fight.tumblr.com/post/16861540530/my-insanity-a-winning-smile-youngblood-phil-daily
Oh, and congrats on being published in Young Blood!
wow, awesome. thanks for the link, E.J.! overwhelmed to see a lot of people liking and sharing the cheesy article! haha
hope you don’t mind if i re-blogged your story. really made my day, honestly wanted to share it. 🙂
thanks for the compliment, louise! blog away! :)neat blog you have! ive always wanted a whitewashed blog.
Hi Ai! Like everyone, i have read your YB article. Your love story is as great as those written by Shakespeare. Truly inspiring! <3 I'll advice my NBSB friend to spot her big grin on her daily FX ride home. Hopefully, she finds love soon.
Hello, McKay. Shakespeare has no rival when it comes to love stories, I believe (well, except maybe Gabriel Garcia Marquez?) hahaha and word of advice to them, be careful in commuting. But yeah, I hope love finds her soon.
I’ve read your article and it made me kilig! <3 glad to know and made me believe that things like this could still happen. the last time i was smiling by myself like that, I got robbed! haha. So I constantly put my stern face every time I commute. after reading this, i might probably go back smiling again, but this time more alert and with pepper spray by my hand. haha. part 2 on valentine's day please :))
hello there, B. oh no… im sorry to hear about the robbery! well, i guess i was just lucky that mr. stranger has no other mischievous intentions, otherwise, what an embarrassing story it would have been! hahaha
reading your article was a great way to start the month of hearts!
thanks, carm! :)nice travel blog you got.
Hello Ai,
Your “love story” brought so much kilig as i have shared it to all my friends…i want to see some pictures of you and the guy in a bus..hehehhe..Best wishes!!!
hahaha best wishes. hmm. thank you, julie! pictures of me and mr. stranger? lemme think about that. 😀
Hi Ai, nakakarelate ako sa story mo, hindi dun sa kilig love story part but because pareho tau ng way home and bus na sinasakyan hehe. I am from Laguna din and I work in Libis. But I hope next time makarelate na din ako sa kilig part. Hehe… I’ll wear that winning smile the next time sumakay ako ng HM. 😛
Oh, can I reblog your post? Just wanna share it with my friends too… Thanks!
Wow, thanks, no problem..
Haha long trip right? 😀 But your travel sounds farther… and it’s everyday, I assume, because it’s work? sipag. thanks for dropping by, melai!
i just read your young blood piece and i loved it! i am perpetually nakasimangot (even when i’m not in a bad mood) but i’ll definitely try to change that starting today! 🙂
Hi, Monickee,
Believe me, we’re just about the same. Perpetually nakasimangot. I even found myself in trouble one, two times because of my snobbish frown, so it’s nice to smile once in a while. Or always. 🙂
Hi, Monickee,
Believe me, we’re just about the same. Perpetually nakasimangot. I even found myself in trouble one, two times because of my snobbish frown, so it’s nice to smile once in a while. Or always. 🙂
Hi, I’m ArBin from Saudi Arabia, I’m a follower of “Youngblood” since 2005. Your article is one the “sweetest” love stories I ever read. It recalls me the person I loved but we did drift apart last Nov 2011.
Thank you for allowing me to see the good chances while riding the bus and should talk to strangers… 🙂
Hello, ArBin! I hope you’re fine out there. Saudi Arabia, what a coincidence (I’ll blog about that soon). Sad to hear about the parting last year, but I’m sure one great love will come find you. 🙂
Just be careful of talking with strangers. And do take care of yourself there in Saudi! 🙂
Hey Ai! I love your love story,gusto ko tuloy ma inlove ulit! 🙂
Hello, Imee! thank you! let’s go!
Hi Ai!
A friend sent me your story via email and I saw your website at the last part. The natural reaction is to check it out, right? LOL. So here I am!
I love your story! I’m having a terrible time today at the office and your story just undid all the bad thingies I had felt today. Hope you have a super lovely valentine with Mr. Stranger!
“The natural reaction is to check it out, right? LOL. So here I am!”
Hahaha! yeah, hello interactive web. Oh, it’s nice to know the article somehow made you feel a bit better. Hmmm, valentine with Mr. Stranger. Let’s blog about that soon. 😉
Hi Ms. Ai!
‘Twas late night of Jan 31 when I read your Young Blood entry. Gawd, it was so interesting my drowsiness had its escape that night. XD I even tweeted that that entry of yours is a perfect read to welcome Heart’s month! haha
It was really a testament of how life can have a teleserye set-up; that life has many full of surprises!
So far? It’s the BEST Young Blood entry I’ve read. 🙂 TY for that entry and Godspeed. 😉
Hello, Julius! Haha nice tweet. Teleserye-like, I know! Just like in the movies.
And wow, the last statement is too much of a comment. Thank you, thank you.
Hello there! I read your sweet article on Young Blood at CAL library. I wasn’t able to photocopy it as I was in a rush for my next class. However it left an impression, more than just a smile etched on my lips. And so if you don’t mind, I’d be posting a link of your story on my wall. Just to make the single ladies heart flutter and believe in love once again. 🙂
Hi, Cho! Cool! Right from the freezing cold CAL lib. It’s a good choice to rush for your next class than photocopy that mushy cornball of an article then be late.
Wow, thanks for sharing it in your wall. For the single ladies, yes. and gentlemen, perhaps? 😀
wonderful! i loved, loved, loved your story. it’s not just the story itself, but the way you told it — so candid and from the heart. good luck!
Hi, Cynthia! awww, thanks for the compliment! 🙂 i wanted it to be serious but yeah, it turned candid in many places. haha!
ayos ah…asteg ang set-up kg timing sang nasulat
😀 maraming salamat, Mark!
Hello Ms. Ai,
I actually wowed your story . Hmm. Someday, I guess Ms. Coincidence will come my way. I hope to see your pictures together with Mr. Stranger hehe. Good day ahead and Godspeed! :))
Hi Jcob,I hope you find your match! Pictures? LOL let’s see… maybe in my next posts? let’s see.
you have a good day, too!
Makes all girls from Laguna hopeful! hahaha =) -another girl from Laguna
hahaha! thanks, dianne! that’s cute:)
Done reading your article. It was awesome. I must admit, kinilig talaga ako! Swak na swak this month of love! Hehe. God bless Ma’am Aileen! 🙂
Awesome comment. 🙂 Thank you, Patrick 🙂
congrats ai!idol 🙂 di nagbago ang kilig since nung college days na kinwento mo to.:) swak na swak kayo e noh! haha.:) enjoy the hits!
hi eng! piso, please. 😀
grabe..
nakakainggit ms. aileen…
sana magkalovestory ako gaya ng sayo..
im a fan of yours bigla!
lage na ako vivisit dito..
wow i would definitely love that, dyna jhunel. :)keep me company here.
i really loved ur entry. it was so interesting.
like others after i read ur article i check ur website.
i just wanna say that ur AMAZING 🙂
”kilig ako” i’ll continue reading ur blog.
thaaaaank you, jan!
Hi mam! Im one of your former students in eng 2. You may not remember me but i just want to express how grateful and proud i am for having the opportunity of being your student. Your article is really great mam.. i can just imagine you telling that story. 🙂 Last sept, our org held a quiz con and when they told me we need a judge who is someone from dhum.. youre the first person that came in my mind (true mam without kyeme).. i was a bit disapointed that you were already not in the list of… Read more »
hi, vheq. im emailed you a response, i think? thanks for all the heart-warming comments..
Nice story!! 😀
thank you, ron. nice of you to drop a comment.
Hi Ms. Ai! I was wondering if you left a reply to my comment. I was sad not to see any (only to find out that I wasn’t able to write a comment! Hehe) I read this article on the day it was published, and the next day I used it as an example to my class (I don’t know kung pano ko sya naisingit. Haha!) And I also got the same reaction when I said, “The End”. Haha! It’s a really cute story,and my students (mostly teenagers) were all smiling while I was sharing it. Nice one,Ma’am. :))
Hi Ms Charmaine!
Hahaha! you’re so cute. oh, and your blog is adorable. in what subject did you tell this story? im curious.. but teachers can always crack a story or two to break the ice. haha!
o di ba, the reaction is similar. ive probly told it more than twenty times, and even if my face is serious and disinterested, the students would always relax and smile imagining the scenes. lol
English, Ma’am. Study and Thinking Skills to be exact. Uhm,it’s like English 1 in UP (if Diliman and LB have the same course code)I think.Our lesson was reading and our material was Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus. I think we were talking about the power of “eye to eye contact” and “smile”. Haha! 😀
By the way,thanks for the compliment (about me and my blog). It’s my 2nd attempt to keep a blog. hehe. Hope I can write more,and write good posts,just like you. 🙂
Ah, yes, that sounds like Eng 1 indeed. nice, nice.
hahaha the story sounds like a perfect example for a smile! haha!
ill browse more of your posts after work. 🙂 i like the white background and spaces.
hi ms. ai.. like all others i can’t help myself not to drop at your site. your article at young blood put a smile on my face for almost three days. and also maybe like others trying to look at the picture of the stranger on the bus..keep writing and i’ll keep reading.. GOD BLESS
wow, thanks, ms lynette. i’ll post one, one of these days, for you. 🙂 thank you so much for the time.
Hi, Ms. Ai, I read your young blood article, it was so- nkaka kilig, haha, I was actually assigned to read in front of our classroom, and to my classmates, bcoz my teacher was not there, so i read it aloud, when i was already reading at the “nkaka kilig part” i was totally blushing and smiling, and they noticed i was not reading it anymore, so they asked me what happend? I said, eh kc sobrang nkaka kilig eh,So i read it aloud, after that part, they wer already like blushing,smiling and laughing. And they want me to read… Read more »
Hi, Ice!
you were assigned to read it out loud in your class, without the teacher? hahaha! ok, that’s interesting. What class is that–and were you taking over the class whenever the teacher’s not around? 🙂
Thank you so much for appreciating the article! Regards to your classmates, too.
And, yeah, you’ll find him out of nowhere, too, I bet. 🙂
hi again ms. Ai
its english class, i forgot why our teacher was not there, she just left out the task to read out some young blood article , and she picked your article.
:))
ahhh, very nice of your teacher to pick my article 🙂
now i miss my english classes again..
Hi Miss Ai,
..one of my friends sent me the article. That made me smile the whole day! Hoping that one boy will sit beside me in a jeepney as well! Ngek. haha. Anyways, your article is already on the every corner of our office here in cebu. ahaha. Keep it up Miss Ai. I’m not really into blogs but this one will be my first tambayan..:)
P.S.
Can you post a picture of your boyf. I’m really curious. haha
first of all, congratulations! you posted the 100th comment!hahaha i feel like i need to award you with something. haha! Thanks for reading and dropping by with a heart warming comment. wow, cebu… I really appreciate it. i think i posted one photo of his, after this entry.
and let me wish you, too, a nice guy to come along your way.
I saw it na Miss Ai! Gwapo nga naman talaga. That made me hopeful bigla ah..ahaha..Anyways, 100th..hmmn.. talagang huli lng ako sa blog mu. ahaha. That made me feel lucky though. awts. 🙂
How can I forget this? Naalala ko pa po, sinabi nyo na mas maliit pa yung pores nya sa inyo, he owns a coffee shop, the jerkiest boyfriend before him and you called the smile “the stupid smile on my face.”
thanks, nadnad for remembering the details. I appreciate people’s memory of what I say/ write. 🙂
hi there, i have read ur article just now and i rushed to the laptop to see ur blog.. ur story was short but it was very interesting and super kaka kilig, really makes me laugh and smile. like ur article coz im a person who love to smile.. and ur article is an inspiration to people to keep smiling despite of having a bad day.. 🙂 thanks to our prof. who gave us homework to look for some article in young blood.. i’ll be reading ur articles from now on.. and i’m one of ur big fan.. keep it… Read more »
oh hello ms anne! thanks so much! and because of people like you who would like to read more of what i write, i am inspired to get back to regular blogging, something ive been putting off because of work and other thousand things. oh, san pablo..i love san pablo’s lakes! 🙂
Hello everyone! I passed my article last Jan 1 and then kaninang umaga pa lumabas. WOhooooo!!! I thot na baka na reject ung sa akin kasi 600 words lang at parang di catchy ang title kaya i submitted a longer one last week, but my first draft was the one published. I agree with you fellas that the technique is to really write from the HEART. Here’s mine.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/45315/lost-and-found
🙂
That’s very nice to hear! Congrats on your published piece, Joseph! Have a great day (in Melbourne?)
Hello miss ai… i have read your article on youngblood ages ago and i was, like, kilig… i cannot stop smiling until i finished the whole article. i shared it to some of my friends and the reaction was the same. they were so kilig and inspired. it helped me realize that a smile sometimes can indeed create magic…
Glad you liked it, Larry. Thanks for sharing! Cool you found my blog after ages.