Express

Federer beats Gonzales, wins his third Aussie Open

Roger Federer has claimed his third Australian Open crown and tenth Grand Slam overall, sweeping aside #10-seed Fernando Gonzalez in three outstanding sets on Rod Laver Arena. The Swiss tennis master outscored the Chilean, conqueror of Nadal and Haas this year, via a 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4 victory. Federer remained at the top of the world rankings after winning last year's Australian, Wimbledon and US Open cups and the yearender ATP Masters' Series. He has yet to win a single French Open title.

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To all UP Circuit Barkadahan members, here is our PHOTOBUCKET account.

Demolition

Serena crushes Sharapova to take her 3rd Aussie Trophy

Serena Williams, recovering from her injuries and the death of one of her siblings during the 2006 seasons, smashed her way towards winning her third Australian Open Women's Singles title and eighth Grand Slam trophy overall by routing World #1 and topseed Maria Sharapova in the finals, 6-1 6-2.

Sharapova had no answer to Williams' booming serve and blistering returns as the American completed a fairytale return from injury with a third Australian title to join her 2003 and 2005 trophies.

Coming into the final as the underdog, the 25-year-old made a mockery of her world ranking of 81 to humiliate Sharapova and become the first unseeded player since 1978 to claim the Australian title. She finished the match in just an hour and three minutes.

Williams won the tournament in 2003 and 2005; in 2005 she defeated Sharapova in the semifinals with a score of 2-6 7-5 8-6.

FEDERER-Express soars anew in Melbourne

World #1 Roger Federer also had his demolition job in Melbourne Park done after an emphatic 6-4 6-0 6-2 semifinal win over sixth-seed Andy Roddick. He will face tenth-ranked Fernando Gonzales in the finals where he will target his third Australian Open Men's Singles title.

Gonzales also trashed another semifinalist Tommy Haas 6-1 6-3 6-1 in the other semis duel.


Within every PATTERN, there is a TREND

You got it right! I am currently on a job-training stint at TREND MICRO in IBM Plaza Eastwood City. These coming weeks will determine the career path that I will take for the next couple of weeks.

By the way, I and Jeff are on the same level of apprenticeship at TREND MICRO. Gordon will also be with us soon.

The Amazing Race All-Stars

CBS has formally announced the eleven teams vying for the US$1million prize in the eleventh installment of the Emmy^®-winning reality show The Amazing Race.

Here are the teams:

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Kevin O'Connor and Drew Feinberg (SEASON 1)
Relationship: Lifelong Friends
Hometown: Kevin (Bayonne, N.J.); Drew (Staten Island, N.Y.)
Age: Kevin (40); Drew (41)
Occupation: Kevin (Forensic Accountant); Drew (Senior Court Officer)
Results from Season 1: 4th Place

America's favorite fraternity brothers are all grown up and married. They fell just short of the million dollars the first time around and are eager for another shot.
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Joe Baldassare and Bill Bartek (SEASON 1)
Relationship: Life Partners
Hometown: Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Age: Joe (56); Bill (53)
Occupation: Joe (Owns his own Minerals Trading Company); Bill (Realtor)
Results in Season 1: 3rd Place

"Team Guido" from Season 1 returns for another attempt at the $1 million prize. Claiming they've had their bags packed since they returned home from the first season, they are ready to go!
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Ozwald Mendez and Danilo "Danny" Jimenez (SEASON 2)
Relationships: Best Friends
Hometown: Ozwald (New York, N.Y.); Danny (Miami, Fla.)
Age: Ozwald (36); Danny (41)
Occupation: Ozwald (Advertising); Danny (Paralegal)
Results from Season 2: 4th Place

These best friends from Season 2 had a falling out several years ago, but have since mended their relationship and claim to be better friends now than they've ever been during their previous 12 years of friendship.
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John Vito Pietanza and Jill Aquilino (SEASON 3)
Relationship: Formerly Dating
Hometown: John (New York, N.Y.); Jill (New York, N.Y.)
Age: John (32); Jill (29)
Occupation: John (Trader); Jill (Product Controller)
Results from Season 3: 5th Place

Season 3's John Vito and Jill are back for another chance at winning the $1 million prize. What's different this time around? These former lovebirds are no longer romantically involved.
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Teri Pollack and Ian Pollack (SEASON 3)
Relationship: Married Parents
Hometown: Palm City, Fla.
Age: Teri (53); Ian (54)
Occupation: Teri (Homemaker); Ian (Private Investigator/Retired Police Lt.)
Results from Season 3: 2nd Place

Second place in Season 3 just wasn't good enough for this dynamic duo. Teri and Ian are still the oldest players to ever finish in second place in the Amazing Race and they are back to show that they haven't lost a step.
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Charla Baklayan Faddoul and Mirna Hindoyan (SEASON 5)
Relationship: Cousins
Hometown: Towson, Md.
Age: Charla (30); Mirna (30)
Occupation: Charla (Real Estate Investor); Mirna (Attorney)
Results from Season 5: 6th Place

Charla and Mirna captured America's hearts the first time around. They are proud of the way they played the game and look forward to another trip around the world together.
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Rob Mariano and Amber Mariano (SEASON 7)
Relationship: Married
Hometown: Pensacola, Fla.
Age: Rob (30); Amber (28)
Occupation: Rob (TV personality/host/pursuing a career in TV); Amber (TV personality)
Results from Season 7: 2nd Place

America's Sweethearts met, fell in love and got married...all in front of the cameras, beginning with the filming of Survivor: All-Stars, where Rob finished in second place to Amber. They finished as the runners-up to Joyce and Uchenna in Season 7. To what lengths will Rob and Amber go to avoid finishing as the runner-up yet again?
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Uchenna Agu and Joyce Agu (SEASON 7)
Relationship: Married
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Age: Uchenna (42); Joyce (46)
Occupation: Uchenna (Land Developer); Joyce (Sales)
Results from Season 7: Winners

Uchenna and Joyce are one of the most beloved teams from any season of Race. The winners of Season 7, Uchenna and Joyce were relentless and stopped at nothing to win the $1 million prize... including shaving their heads.
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Eric Sanchez and Danielle Turner (Dee) (SEASON 9 - Separate Teams)
Relationship: Dating
Hometown: Eric (Deerfield Beach, Fla.); Danielle (Staten Island, N.Y.)
Age: Eric (28); Danielle (23)
Occupation: Eric (Waiter); Danielle (Bartender)
Results from Season 9: Eric (2nd Place), Danielle (7th Place)

This unique duo met while racing against each other during Season 9. During their travels, they developed a bond which evolved into a romance and the two have been dating for the past year. Will the combination of big-city girl and self-proclaimed "beach bum" be a force to reckon with or will the other Teams discount this new pair who has never raced together as Team?
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David Conley, Jr. and Mary Conley (SEASON 10)
Relationship: Coal Miner and Wife
Hometown: Stone, Ky.
Age: David (33); Mary (32)
Occupation: David (Coal Miner); Mary (Homemaker)
Results from Season 10: 6th Place

Everybody's favorite coal miner and his wife are back for another trek around the world. David and Mary, the lovable, wide-eyed couple from Stone, Ky. are ready to compete and believe they have what it takes to bring home the $1 million prize for their children.
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Dustin Seltzer and Kandice Pelletier (SEASON 10)
Relationship: Beauty Queens
Hometown: Dustin (Seattle, Wash.); Kandice (New York, N.Y)
Age: Dustin (25); Kandice (25)
Occupation: Dustin (Grad Student); Kandice (Student at NYU)
Results from Season 10: 4th Place

These former Beauty Queens are back for a second chance and are more determined than ever to prove to the world that they aren't just pretty faces. Proven to be fierce competitors during the 10th installment of Race, Dustin and Kandice are focused and have their sights set on becoming the first all-female team to win the $1 million prize.
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Sources:
http://www.movieweb.com/tv/news/31/17031.php/
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race11/

More Pics from Dyan's and Jeff's Special Day

Eragon daw haha.

The late Liz Sagucio. Haha.

Philippines' Next Top Model

Go sip it!

Norman's version of RR's smile.

The coolest peeps.

To the Barkadahan members, visit our Yahoo!Group for more photographs.

An Unweak Week

(an-an-wik-wik)

The current week is definitely one good week to start the year.

January 13 14 and 15

It was Dyan's birthday last Saturday while it is Jeff's today. What a great idea to jointly celebrate their special day with us in the Barkadahan. Clarwin, Jeff, May and I all skipped our last review session yesterday to meet other "01 and beyond" friends at SM Megamall. Carlo also cut the third class but went to his girlfriend's radio stint at Campus Radio. He told us that they would just go straight to the meeting place after Karlene's shift. The four of us arrived way ahead of everyone so CL suggested that we watch a ballet performance in a program staged at one of the mall's atria - anything just to kill time, although CL and May confessed that they are indeed ballet aficionados.

Around 6pm, one by one, Dyan, Elma, Winston, and Bevan (in chronological order of appearance - haha) started to arrive. I remember the moment we stayed at Seattle's Best^® Megastrip while waiting for them - how one of the shop's crew stared at us noticing we hadn't ordered anything from them. That was when Dyan came and bought the lone proof that we were indeed valuable customers - a LARGE Brownie Javakula^®.

We decided to dine at Sbarro^® as, again, one by one, Norman, Ivan, Carlo & Karlene arrived. Jeff over-estimated our appetite and purchasing skills -> in short - kapal ng mukha pag may nalilibre - joke :), that he commented, "Hindi man lang ako pinagpawisan sa mga orders ninyo!". I noticed Dyan was quiet regarding Jeff's remarks, especially when almost everyone started to ask for additional items. (Haha, peace Dy!). Seriously, I know, no money can match the feelings we had everytime the Barkadahans are together. I know that because after texting Dyan with a thank-you-note, she quickly replied this: "Okay lang yun, LOVE ko naman kayo eh!". Isn't that music to our ears?

CL and May went home early... And as usual, after a choir obligation, Liz, the queen of Barkadahan Gimiks, arrived late... and tired. Few minutes before 10pm, the establishments around us including Sbarro^® were already starting to prepare for closing. We then all agreed to let Liz eat her dinner at St. Francis Square where fastfoods operate 24/7. However, we ended up in Jollibee where closing time is at around 1030pm. In a very stannge chance, Liz ate fast - with less talk on the side. She finished quickly... but sadly, so did our get-together. We parted ways few minutes past 1030pm.

It was a happy day for the happy celebrants and happy friends. Haha!

Here are some of the pictures Norman captured with his digital camera.

The place to be.

Notice the two yellow arm bands? They are from that cute lady in pink stripes.

Hahahaha.

ton, onin, panorms, may, cl, bevie

The two on the far right are our birthday boy and girl.

jeff, elms, ton, onin
Jeff: "No sweat"; Dyan: "I'm sweet"

may, cl, dy, jeff, elms, ton, onin

Notice the empty plates? That's how big are appetites are.

Who's that lady beside me?

Three isn't a crowd, especially with that nice background logo.

Ganda man sa Miga! Ibang-iba sa porbinsya!

The couple in front of me is the Carlo&Kyle duo.

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The 14th of January was also my parents' 34th Wedding Anniversary. Although the family just had a usual day, we cherished that 34 years our parents stood strong for my brother, my sister and me. They are still standing strong for us to ensure that we will not break and fall apart as siblings and as heads of our own family (ako na lang pala walang asawa haha).

Today is also my Aunt Virgie's birthday! Happy birthday Auntie!!!


January 16

Tomorrow is the deadline I set for myself to decide what career move to take for the next few years. Accenture has an offer, HP promised to give me one this week, NEC already deferred ny application for a few months due to lack of trainers, and TrendMicro assured me a slot last week. I think, I should give myself at least one more week. This is a life-changing decision so I better pick the best option. My fingers are crossed...


January 17 18 19 and 20

On the 17th, it will be my nephew's 3rd birthday. His name is Sameer F. Al-Bugami, a son of a Saudi Arabian Air Force pilot and my cousin who is a nurse in KSA. He has never been to KSA; my cousin arrived last Saturday from KSA to organize her son's party on the 20th. Tsibog na naman ito!

On the 18th, it's Jonat's birthday. He is one of my friends outside the "01 and beyond" batch.

On the 19th, it's my Kuya's 33rd birthday! He is the father of my very cute pamangkins Teriz and Wakki.

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Happy Birthday to all of you!!!

New Beginning

The year has just started. It's high time for trying new things and doing everything twice as well as I used to.

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Bad Habit

While waiting for the job offers from HP and NEC (I already got one from Accenture), I usually stay at home every single day of the week. It's only at review classes during Saturdays and Sundays that I have the chance to go out. Unfortunately, instead of studying at home, I usually can't help but spend precious hours in front of the TV watching almost all of the programs and movies shown on Animax, Cinemax, ESPN, ETC, HBO, JackTV, and StarNetworks.

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'Good' Friday

Meanwhile, last Friday, I and Clarwin accomplished a multitude of tasks plus more. We already got the official copies (in NSO SecPa paper) of our birth certificates. We also toured Ayala to hunt for job vacancies late in the morning; he was interviewed on-the-spot at NEC Philippines. We. then, visited Lizelle at Safeway in RCBC Plaza. Early in the afternoon, CL obtained his SSS number. Late in the afternoon, we dropped by EEE building and pretended to be MS students. (That was fun!!!) ... And the greatest part of the day - we went to Kapuluan to renew our faith that we somehow neglected for the past year(s). Later in the evening, we parted ways - he went to meet a batchmate for business reasons and I went to May's house to meet some 01s (Danes, Dyan, Fil, Ghe, Liz, and May) for a videoke night. I ended the night at home playing with my very cute 6-year-old niece and 8-month-old nephew.

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Smart Start

Hopefully, before the month ends, I may eventually start working in and working with a company where I can apply all the knowledge I learned from UP and enhance my skills that will surely make my market value soar higher.

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Cheers!!! :)

010107

This year, I am looking forward to reaping the fruits of my hardwork last year.

And as usual, our clan's New Year's/Reunion party was a blast - I almost lost my voice after a day of singing my lungs out and screaming cheers of celebration.

I'll post our pictures as soon as possible.