The Comfort Rooms

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For the third time, Andy Murray of Britain chickened out. There was so much expectation that he would finally get his first grand slam on Melbourne but he instead melted and gave in to pressure and lost as if it were a 3rd round beating.

Novak Djokovic won in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 to claim his second major title and his second in Australia. After disposing Federer in straight sets during their semis battle, Nole continued on with his masterful display to fiinish off Andy in less than three hours.

While it is not a question that Nole has got the talents to win majors over and over again, it is how Andy Murray plays on major finals that is the question. I don't think he deserves to be included in some Big 4 on men's tennis. Why? Because he can't even win a major.

Winning a grand slam would always be a tennis player's dream. But on that wondrous occassion, true champions rise to the occasion and dish out their best forms just when they so needed it. It looks like Andy Murray doesn't belong to that description.

Congrats Nole for the 2nd major!

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If you thought Rafael Nadal looked disappointed in this picture well guess what, you're right. World number one Rafael Nadal was crushed by fellow Spaniard world number 7 David Ferrer in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 to reach the semifinals of the 2011 Australian Open in Melbourne.

What made this loss so astounding was that Rafael Nadal was gunning for the Grand Slam - winning the four tennis majors consecutively. Only a handful of people have accomplished that. For that 25 years, only Steffi Graf and Serena Williams have done that. Roger Federer came in close twice (in 2006 and 2007) and this time, it was Rafa who had his chance.

To Rafa's credit, he looked he was in pain early on in the match. His bump-and-grind style of play isn't exactly the most ideal of strategies for a tennis player. Ferrer capitalized on the fact that Rafa was hurting and he upped his level a few notches above Rafa and he has scored some major, major winners!

Kudos to David Ferrer for winning this match! I was rooting for him all the way, and boy he did not disappoint! Instead of dwelling in to Rafa's pain and disappointments and the fact that he just wasn't there and focused, I'd rather look at David Ferrer's booming forehand winners and amazing passing shots. I've always been afraid of Rafa's passing shots and the fact that somebody just gave him a hefty dose of that made me smile.

For the Roger Federer fan, congratulations to us! I hope Fedex would win his 17th grand slam title soon!

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That's is not one of the Grecian islands near Santorini or Mykonos. Nor is that anywhere near the Cypriot party resort of Ayia Napa. This beautiful island resort is actually in the Philippines. Bellaroca is in Marinduque.

No, I've never been there - the same way I've never been to Amanpulo in Palawan or in Misibis Bay, Albay, or in Eskaya in Bohol. Although I admit I would love to afford vacationing on a top-notch, high-end resort some day, assessing my current finances suggests to me otherwise.

This Bellaroca resort is currently the hottest "in" resort in the country. And to those who can afford, good for you guys! Share to us your stories instead. And to those of us who scour Cebu Pacific deals for travelling, we have the next best thing to vacationing to Bellaroca:

 Charan! Deal Grocer (I don't what it is - lol!) is offering a free Bellaroca weekend for 4! Who wouldn't want that, right? All we have to do is to like their Facebook page and once they reached 25K likes, they will raffle off who the winner will be. Sounds fun? Like them NOW! 

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MaSha in action at the Australian Open this year

Who doesn't wanna have a conversation with Maria Sharapova?

Unless you are a bigger celebrity than she is, then you would have cared less. But for the simpleton who makes US$XX,XXX dollars in a year, who doesn't have 3.6 million Facebook fans, any kind of conversation with a superstar, like Sharapova, will always be a big deal.

Unknown to many, a member of the Sharapova entourage is ATP Tour veteran Filipino Cecil Mamiit, who once beat Andre Agassi and was once ranked as high as 72 in the world, is her hitting partner. Since I'm friends with Cecil on Facebook (thanks Mark Zuckerberg!), I thought of asking him about Maria Sharapova. Here's how the "conversation" went:

Cecil when he won the Southeast Asian games men's tennis singles gold years ago

Me: i just read on paper you're hitting partners with sharapova???

Cecil: yup

Me: wow! send her a big filipino lovin' from me! lol

then I chatted a few more stuff like "tell her i cheer for her fiance's ex-NBA team", "because of this small chat sir, i'm inspired to write a blogpost entitled "My Closest Thing To A Conv With Maria Sharapova"and lastly, "lol".

Then Cecil Mamiit just died out on me. Was it already practice time for him and MaSha? Did their internet connection died down from their hotel suite in Melbourne? Did my wi-fi failed on me yet again? Did he thought "oh stalker, get lost" on me?

What do you think? :) I still got the closest I've ever been to a conversation with Maria Sharapova over there. Take that!

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Eversince the Chicago Bulls acquired the likes of Joachim Noah and Derrick Rose, I've been secretly wanting them to continue winning in the playoffs. Why? Cos I thought the team had the potential to be a big threat in the East. With both Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls is now (after more than a decade) a top contender in the East. 

They won 7 of the last 10 games and have just finished defeating the much hyped-up Miami Heat. Chicago Bulls fans are now on serious lobbying and voting to have their prized Derrick Rose awarded as a starting point guard for the upcoming 2011 NBA All Stars to be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

And when that happens, the 22 year old Chicago native will definitely become more celebrated, perhaps will be included on the "next Michael Jordan" discussions. Since he is from the Bulls, I think it is only rightful that Derrick Rose will be considered to be one of his Air Apparents.


I'm now officially a Derrick Rose fan. His no-nonsense anti-drama persona (unlike LeBron) plus his convincing performances game after game makes me think that this kid might after all, be for real.


No LeBron James-like hoopla. Just a Derrick Rose in full bloom in the middle of Chicago.

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News about the new zodiac signs must have reached you by now. All of your life, you've been brought to believe that you carry all of the characteristics of your own zodiac sign, thus in the process, believing on what the stars will say about you (which for me is still odd).

I was born on November 10, 1984 and I was born a Scorpio. I had the characteristics of an earth sign, thus obtaining, in the process, characteristics such as aggression, passion, fire, all the things that relate to the small but vicious scorpion.

Now for some reason, the heavens must have done something with how the stars align that's why astrologers have announced to the whole world (just yesterday?) that we are all going to get *surprise* new zodiac signs!

This development has left me dumbfounded and still confused. Like right now, I got a gazillion things going on in my head with questions regarding this new zodiac. But one thing for me is sure, the new zodiac signs just complicates a lot of things! No, I will not change my zodiac. I don't wanna be a Libra. Haha!

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You may not know it, but forever's waiting outside like a friend ready to pick you up onto your next destination.

It may come knocking, it may come as a scare.

It can be the most compelling thing to come into you.

Don't be afraid to flirt with forever.

It is a playful playmate who oftentimes leave you panting for air.

It is a precious secret you have to dig deep to discover.

Forever may come knocking on you not just once.

You maybe too scared to face forever, I don't know.

But one thing is certain - Forever convinces you that you have indeed met forever.

Forever fights for its right to stick with you till the end.

Forever needs you and you need forever.

Forever is the best thing that will happen to you - forever.


*Just my thoughts as I ponder upon my best friend's forthcoming wedding*

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In its most dominating performance in a generation, the Los Angeles Lakers limited the Cleveland Cavaliers to only 57 points in a 112-57 rout Tuesday night at the Staples Center.

The Lakers, now sporting a proud 28-11 win-loss card (after four disappointing losses, we Laker fans are relieved), has won for the 5th straight time. And with games against Golden State Warriors and the New Jersey Nets, the Lakers are expected to extend their winning streak.

To all Laker fans, our team hasn't really been on a streak since starting the season with an 8-0 slate. Though we all know our team will show its real self come playoffs, it will always be a great idea for the Lakers to top the regular season for the homecourt advantage the entire playoffs.

Congratulations Lakers for a job well done! Let's all silence those critics who would all love for the Lakers to stop winning championships.

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On an otherwise very Justin Bieber-y 2010, a half-Filipino artist broke through, so way through was his breakthrough that he ended up getting six Grammy nominations in the process.

Bruno Mars stormed his way to earthly consciousness via the hit songs "Nothing On You", "Billionaire", "Just The Way You Are", "F*ck You" and "Grenade". Of all the songs, it is "Just The Way You Are" that really catapulted him to the top.

His music transcends that of pop, hip-hop, RnB, to experimental and rock. Could he be the breakout Asian musical act? Maybe. Will he be a one-hit wonder? I doubt. He already got more than one! Haha! Will his sophomore album be successful? I believe it would. With the right material and packaging, he can go a looooonnnngggg way. :)

The best Bruno Mars scenario for 2011? Him winning a couple of Grammys plus a concert here in Manila in front of his fellow Filipinos! Sweet!

A sampling of his work here. Enjoy!