UB fragments

it has almost been two years since i started working for ICT as a part-time agent. a lot of things happened within my employment-- most of which are good. however, with the company's attitude of sending agents across its sites, trying to utilize a rather wise strategy, but so oblivious to the fact that the game plan is gradually deteriorating the company itself, one third of my stay with ICT has become nothing more than a painful extinction.

ironically, being in the call center industry did not make me any richer.

at around 8 p.m., i finally went back to Unionbank Plaza (UB, as what we fondly call it), to pass a letter of intent, stating my request to be accommodated in Ortigas once more. i was really having a hard time following my schedule in Marikina, that it has affected me in a lot of ways, especially in terms of money.

earlier, as i reached the rear side of Megamall, which i promised myself to avoid until they bring me back to UB, i started to literally walk down the memory lane.

i remembered the time when i was desperately in need of a job. it was the second semester of my second year in college, and for someone who has just turned 18 then, claiming the responsibility of looking for whatever means to pursue my studies was gargantuan.

it was clear as crystal, the day i submitted my resume, and was told by an interviewer, who happened to have the same fate as mine when she was in college, to wait until an account would be willing to accommodate part-time agents. after a week, i returned to ask for an update, got an affirmative response from the same person, underwent a series of interviews and examinations, and got hired the same day. i could probably mark that as one of my luckiest days.

on my way to UB, bittersweet memories came swiftly like vibrant snapshots, as the smell of Julia Vargas Ave. burned in my nostrils. (o, 'wag ka nang sumagot. di sunog ilong ko. metaphor lang yan.)

i saw the pavement across the parking area, where i dived after trying to execute my limbo rock skills under a warning strip, in an effort to catch up at the 7 p.m. orientation. people were so amazed of my exhibition, that i heard gasps and giggles around me. i still cannot figure out how i got a coin-sized wound on my knee, without having a single hole in my perfectly-fitted slacks. i suppose you can surmise what happened as it started drying up and sticking to my pants during the orientation.

McDonald's (Julia Vargas) made me stare at a nearby bar, where my former account, Capital One, celebrated its 2006 Christmas party.

Emerald Avenue reminded me of our 3 or 4 a.m. lunch (if you can still call it as such) at Jollibee, KFC, or Greenwich, wherein i was always being stared at because i was usually wearing my uniform, after taking a quick shower at the 12th floor, getting ready for my 7 a.m. class.

the appetizing smell of the poorly-ventilated Erap Strata foodcourt is nostalgic, as it brings back our fishball-and-gulaman food trip memories.



not much has changed in UB, except for new faces and new guards... swarm of people came in and out.. still, i failed to see whom i expected.

i just hope i would be able to work in ICT Ortigas again.

When Nietzsche Wept

"Death only loses its terror when almost consummated."
-Professor Friedrich Nietzsche



i have always had the eagerness to learn about this philosopher, who, having a name as strong as his authority in language, is definitely among the most influential thinkers of his time.

the story was not actually focused on his life, but one would get a glimpse of how powerful his mind was. Freud was also featured in the movie. i just didn't expect that it would be as comic as it was presented. anyway, i still loved their lines.. most of which are quotable, especially on how painful it is for men to accept the fact that they are vulnerable to depression, when it comes to women. oh well, feminism! :)

as the country mourns for Ka Bel...

the untimely death of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran is a big loss to the Philippine legislative body.



i can almost count, with my ten fingers alone, the names of congressmen who are consistent in terms of formulating significant pieces of legislation, aimed at alleviating the people's plight. Rep. Beltran, along with the other progressive party-list representatives, was always one of them.

in an article published today on the Philippine Star, with no less than my trainer, Sir Delon, as the principal author, it was reported that Ka Bel yesterday accidentally "fell as he was coming down after fixing the roof of his house. Doctors at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Hospital in Fairview, Quezon City tried to revive the lawmaker, who was unconscious for more than two hours."

he was pronounced dead at 11:48 a.m., several hours after the accident, which happened at around 6 a.m. he died of lacerations on the head and brain injuries.




"You're dying, and suddenly everybody loves you." - Dr. Gregory House

at around five in the afternoon after the House session adjourned earlier than the 7 p.m. schedule, the lobby of the north wing looked as if it were a chapel as congressmen and friends took turns in lighting candles, expressing their sympathy to the family of Ka Bel.

Speaker Prospero Nograles said, “We are saddened by the accident that befell our feisty and most esteemed colleague. He is the staunchest voice for the welfare of workers and masses in the House. We are shocked. He is a big loss to the institution."

“It really bleeds our hearts to lose a colleague at this untimely hour of our nation’s life. Ka Bel is not only a friend and a brother, he is a man whose passion is to serve others,” he added.


An unfinished business

rep. beltran was on his third and last term as a congressman - his first being for Bayan Muna, and the other two years for Anakpawis Party-list. he is among the three lawmakers in the 240-member 14th Congress who did not live to finish their terms.

on that afternoon, Bayan Muna Party-list representatives were expecting him to join them in filing a bill to remove the VAT on electricity. they, however, said, "We shall push through the filing of the bill and include Ka Bel's name as a co-author, in honor of his dedication to the struggles of our oppressed and marginalized people."

Ka Bel, once said that when the time comes for him to die, he would want it to happen while in a massive demonstration, say, he would have a cardiac arrest while raising arms against the oppressive government... but it was just not how things worked for him.

San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora said, "It was so characteristic of this patriot and nationalist that he should die while fixing the roof for his own house, doing things by himself, rather than sending out for professional help, fixing the roof that shelters every Filipino worker, and living the life of a real Filipino advocate until the very end."

i just hope that if ever he would intend to do a spirit-visit in the congress, it would be very slight. everyone can tolerate minimal curtain movements and wind chills, as long as chairs and computers would not fly across the rooms.

as the country mourns for Ka Bel, more people fight for truth and democracy
as the country mourns for Ka Bel, more groups stand up to continue his advocacy


my pen will surely miss inking for the name of Rep. Beltran on my articles.

in the name of tragedy

crying is healthy. we all know that. sometimes, there are certain conditions wherein we can't find the remedy from hugs and taps on the shoulder alone.

due to an identifiable force that screws me every 28th of the month, i get to have serene moments, although most of them are merely products of great misfortune-- blessings in disguise!

these past few days, i was trying to look at myself from a different perspective. if only i could detach from my body, then i could have taken that as a great escape. as i become closer to dissecting my innermost mantle of being, i felt as if my life was rocked by disasters that knocked my knees down and left me dead sick. well, at least they were not as hard as hell, that i wouldn't be able to stand up anymore.

songs do help ease anyone's burden. having that tiny round speakers on your lobes is unbelievably therapeutic! it's just that in my case, it is almost transcendental, that whenever i travel between far-off places, i only get to have my senses back when it's almost time to alight, or when i'm already blocks away from where i should go (thanks for having extremely powerful leg muscles).

whenever i listen, i do it from my heart. whenever i sing, my body dances in exhilaration.. and whenever i cry, i bleed as if no man has ever experienced any pain before.

i just don't know how to fix myself now.

waste bin

this is total waste. i just have to spit a couple of rubbish out, so i can breathe again... oh, well..

iniisip ko:
when i was young, i developed this feeling of disgust towards people who did nothing but complain about their ill-fated relationships, heartaches, and their inability to cope with the most recent humanitarian catastrophes they encountered. little did i know that as i started growing up, i could hardly escape being in that stage. it's normal, isn't it?

although there are no relationships to cry buckets of tears for, i subscribed into foisting vicarious experiences, which define my mood for a certain day, and worsen my emotions as they drag me into long weeks of agony. i am good at fermenting self-inficted pain.

just last tuesday, as i walked alone on the empty road of Batasan, with the "Pushing Daisies" song running circles in my head, i discovered this very much unwanted weakness: that i am bad at leaving my excess baggage behind-- that i'm having a hard time moving on.

the same applies in every aspect of my life, be it lost things, conflicts, failure, friends... name it.

and oh, i almost forgot (i told you this is crap), "Bright, Sun-shiny Day" is not exclusively for "Pushing-Daisies." it actually isn't even included in the soundtrack. it was just selected by 2nd Avenue to present my most recently loved series and Hugh Laurie's House. i'm also not sure if the title i believed to be right is right. limewire is just so misleading!


paano kaya:
por favor, MRT patrons, give yourselves and your fellow passengers some respect. taking a bath and brushing your teeth won't horribly jack-up your water consumption rates.

i'm sure to have weak lungs for painfully holding my breath for so long. honestly, i'd rather sniff black smoke from the overly-polluted EDSA, or the stinky vapor from a cow's butt.


kapag dumating:
overall, grades are just a record of how inspired and motivated you were during your school years.


ang oras:
changes come as soon as people become so familiar with a certain situation. why does it always have to be that way?


na tuluyang:
sa sobrang init ng mga nagdaang araw,
tila hindi na sanay ang mga tao sa ulan

nagkabuhol-buhol ang trapik
nagkagulo ang mga tao

may banggaan

(pwede ring basahin simula sa huli. pinilit ko lang. walang kokontra. :p)
--para sa nangyaring banggaan sa may Araneta, Cubao, lunes ng hatinggabi noong nakaraang linggo.


mawalan ako:
i keep on listening to that song-- the one which i believed to be a part of "Pushing Daisies"-- which is in total opposition to what's happening with me.


ng gana:
kadalasan, akala mo gutom ka, pero hindi pala. natatakam ka lang sa kinakain ng katabi o nakasalubong mo.


sa pagsusulat:
how i write poems, i don't even know
blood fills my hands in a rush
to craft words unspoken, soft and new
nightmares that cripple the soul

my arms no longer recognize
the flames dying in my veins, i resist
must there be no minute without agony?
perhaps forever will this persist

my passion for writing has frozen
too delicate for a day's journey
yet it keeps the treasures of earth untouched
and enkindle, should finally i arise against the snares of time

100 Best Things About Being A Filipino

since uso naman ngayon ang mahabaang posts within my network, eto pa isa!

i've been keeping this on my ymail drafts folder for years. i just don't know to whom should i give the credit. sorry! :)

*****************

FROM the 1896 Revolution to the first Philippine Republic, the Commonwealth period, the EDSA Revolt, and the tiger cub economy, history marches on. Thankfully, however, some things never change. Like the classics, things irresistibly Pinoy mark us for life. They're the indelible stamp of our identity, the undeniable affinity that binds us like twins. They celebrate the good in us, the best of our culture and the infinite possibilities we are all capable of. Some are so self-explanatory you only need mention them for fellow Pinoys to swoon or drool. Here, from all over this Centennial-crazed country and in no particular order, are a hundred of the best things that make us unmistakably Pinoy.

1. Merienda. Where else is it normal to eat five times a day?
2. Sawsawan. Assorted sauces that guarantee freedom of choice, enough room for experimentation and maximum tolerance for diverse tastes. Favorites: toyo't calamansi, suka at sili, patis.
3. Kuwan, ano. At a loss for words? Try these and marvel at how Pinoys understand exactly what you want.
4. Pinoy humor and irreverence. If you're api and you know it, crack a joke. Nothing personal, really.
5. Tingi. Thank goodness for small entrepreneurs. Where else can we buy cigarettes, soap, condiments and life's essentials in small affordable amounts?
6. Spirituality. Even before the Spaniards came, ethnic tribes had their own anitos, bathalas and assorted deities, pointing to a strong relationship with the Creator, who or whatever it may be.
7. Po, opo, mano po. Speech suffixes that define courtesy, deference, filial respect--a balm to the spirit in these aggressive times.
8. Pasalubong. Our way of sharing the vicarious thrills and delights of a trip, and a wonderful excuse to shop without the customary guilt.
9. Beaches! With 7,000 plus islands, we have miles and miles of shoreline piled high with fine white sand, lapped by warm waters, and nibbled by exotic tropical fish. From the stormy seas of Batanes to the emerald isles of Palawan--over here, life is truly a beach.
10. Bagoong. Darkly mysterious, this smelly fish or shrimp paste typifies the underlying theme of most ethnic foods: disgustingly unhygienic, unbearably stinky and simply irresistible.
11. Bayanihan. Yes, the internationally-renowned dance company, but also this habit of pitching in still common in small communities. Just have that cold beer and some pulutan ready for the troops.
12. The Balikbayan box. Another way of sharing life's bounty, no matter if it seems like we're fleeing Pol Pot every time we head home from anywhere in the globe. The most wonderful part is that, more often than not, the contents are carted home to be distributed.
13. Pilipino komiks. Not to mention "Hiwaga," "Aliwan," "Tagalog Classics," "Liwayway" and"Bulaklak" magazines. Pulpy publications that gave us Darna, Facifica Falayfay, Lagalag, Kulafu, Kenkoy, Dyesebel, characters of a time both innocent and worldly.
14. Folk songs. They come unbidden and spring, full blown, like a second language, at the slightest nudge from the too-loud stereo of a passing jeepney or tricycle.
15. Fiesta. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow is just another day, shrugs the poor man who, once a year, honors a patron saint with this sumptuous, no-holds-barred spread. It's a Pinoy celebration at its pious and riotous best.
16. Aswang, manananggal, kapre. The whole underworld of Filipino lower mythology recalls our uniquely bizarre childhood, that is, before political correctness kicked in. Still, their rich adventures pepper our storytelling.
17. Jeepneys. Colorful, fast, reckless, a vehicle of postwar Pinoy ingenuity, this Everyman's communal cadillac makes for a cheap, interesting ride. If the driver's a daredevil (as they usually are), hang on to your seat.
18. Dinuguan. Blood stew, a bloodcurdling idea, until you try it with puto. Best when mined with jalape쨚 peppers. Messy but delicious.
19. Santacruzan. More than just a beauty contest, this one has religious overtones, a tableau of St. Helena's and Constantine's search for the Cross that seamlessly blends piety, pageantry and ritual. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to show off the prettiest ladies--and the most beautiful gowns.
20. Balut. Unhatched duck's embryo, another unspeakable ethnic food to outsiders, but oh, to indulge in guilty pleasures! Sprinkle some salt and suck out that soup, with gusto.
21. Pakidala. A personalized door-to-door remittance and delivery system for overseas Filipino workers who don't trust the banking system, and who expect a family update from the courier, as well.
22. Choc-nut. Crumbly peanut chocolate bars that defined childhood ecstasy before M & M's and Hershey's.
23. Kamayan style. To eat with one's hand and eschew spoon, fork and table manners--ah, heaven.
24. Chicharon. Pork, fish or chicken crackling. There is in the crunch a hint of the extravagant, the decadent and the pedestrian. Perfect with vinegar, sublime with beer.
25. Pinoy hospitality. Just about everyone gets a hearty "Kain tayo!" invitation to break bread with whoever has food to share, no matter how skimpy or austere it is.
26. Adobo, kare-kare, sinigang and other lutong bahay stuff. Home-cooked meals that have the stamp of approval from several generations, who swear by closely-guarded cooking secrets and family recipes.
27. Lola Basyang. The voice one heard spinning tales over the radio, before movies and television curtailed imagination and defined grown-up tastes.
28. Pambahay. Home is where one can let it all hang out, where clothes do not make a man or woman but rather define their level of comfort.
29. Tricycle and trisikad, the poor Pinoy's taxicab that delivers you at your doorstep for as little as PHPesos3.00, with a complimentary dusting of polluted air.
30. Dirty ice cream. Very Pinoy flavors that make up for the risk: munggo, langka, ube, mais, keso, macapuno. Plus there's the colorful cart that recalls jeepney art.
31. Yayas. The trusted Filipino nanny who, ironically, has become a major Philippine export as overseas contract workers. A good one is almost like a surrogate parent--if you don't mind the accent and the predilection for afternoon soap and movie stars.
32. Sarsi. Pinoy rootbeer, the enduring taste of childhood. Our grandfathers had them with an egg beaten in.
33. Pinoy fruits. Atis, guyabano, chesa, mabolo, lanzones, durian, langka, makopa, dalanghita, siniguelas, suha, chico, papaya, singkamas--the possibilities!
34. Filipino celebrities. Movie stars, broadcasters, beauty queens, public officials, all-around controversial figures: Aurora Pijuan, Cardinal Sin, Carlos P. Romulo, Charito Solis, Cory Aquino, Emilio Aguinaldo, the Eraserheads, Fidel V. Ramos, Francis Magalona, Gloria Diaz, Manuel L. Quezon, Margie Moran, Melanie Marquez, Ninoy Aquino, Nora Aunor, Pitoy Moreno, Ramon Magsysay, Richard Gomez, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Sharon Cuneta, Gemma Cruz, Erap, Tiya Dely, Mel and Jay, Gary V.
35. World class Pinoys who put us on the global map: Lea Salonga, Paeng Nepomuceno, Eugene Torre, Luisito Espinosa, Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Jocelyn Enriquez, Elma Muros, Onyok Velasco, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Lilia Calderon-Clemente, Loida Nicolas-Lewis, Josie Natori.
36. Pinoy tastes. A dietitian's nightmare: too sweet, too salty, too fatty, as in burong talangka, itlog na maalat, crab fat (aligue), bokayo, kutchinta, sapin-sapin, halo-halo, pastilyas, palitaw, pulburon, longganisa, tuyo, ensaymada, ube haleya, sweetened macapuno and garbanzos. Remember, we're the guys who put sugar (horrors) in our spaghetti sauce. Yum!
37. The sights. Banaue Rice Terraces, Boracay, Bohol's Chocolate Hills, Corregidor Island, Fort Santiago, the Hundred Islands, the Las Pi?s Bamboo Organ, Rizal Park, Mt. Banahaw, Mayon Volcano, Taal Volcano. A land of contrasts and ever-changing landscapes.
38. Gayuma, agimat and anting-anting. Love potions and amulets. How the socially-disadvantaged Pinoy copes.
39. Barangay Ginebra, Jaworski, PBA, MBA and basketball. How the verticaly-challenged Pinoy compensates, via a national sports obsession that reduces fans to tears and fistfights.
40. People Power at EDSA. When everyone became a hero and changed Philippine history overnight.
41. San Miguel Beer and pulutan. "Isa pa nga!" and the Philippines' most popular, world-renowned beer goes well with peanuts, corniks, tapa, chicharon, usa, barbecue, sisig, and all manner of spicy, crunchy and cholesterol-rich chasers.
42. Resiliency. We've survived 400 years of Spanish rule, the US bases, Marcos, the 1990 earthquake, lahar, lambada, Robin Padilla, and Tamagochi. We'll survive Erap.
43. Yoyo. Truly Filipino in origin, this hunting tool, weapon, toy and merchandising vehicle remains the best way to "walk the dog" and "rock the baby," using just a piece of string.
44. Pinoy games: Pabitin, palosebo, basagan ng palayok. A few basic rules make individual cunning and persistence a premium, and guarantee a good time for all.
45. Ninoy Aquino. For saying that "the Filipino is worth dying for,'' and proving it.
46. Balagtasan. The verbal joust that brings out rhyme, reason and passion on a public stage.
47. Tabo. All-powerful, ever-useful, hygienically-triumphant device to scoop water out of a bucket _ and help the true Pinoy answer nature's call. Helps maintain our famously stringent toilet habits.
48. Pandesal. Despite its shrinking size, still a good buy. Goes well with any filling, best when hot.
49. Jollibee. Truly Pinoy in taste and sensibility, and a corporate icon that we can be quite proud of. Do you know that it's invaded the Middle East, as well?
50. The butanding, the dolphins and other creatures in our blessed waters. They're Pinoys, too, and they're here to stay. Now if some folks would just stop turning them into daing.
51. Pakikisama. It's what makes people stay longer at parties, have another drink, join pals in sickness and health. You can get dead drunk and still make it home.
52. Sing-a-long. Filipinos love to sing, and thank God a lot of us do it well!
53. Kayumanggi. Neither pale nor dark, our skin tone is beautifully healthy, the color of a rich earth or a mahogany tree growing towards the sun.
54. Handwoven cloth and native weaves. Colorful, environment-friendly alternatives to polyester that feature skillful workmanship and a rich indigenous culture behind every thread. From the pinukpok of the north to the malong of the south, it's the fiber of who we are.
55. Movies. Still the cheapest form of entertainment, especially if you watch the same movie several times.
56. Bahala na. We cope with uncertainty by embracing it, and are thus enabled to play life by ear.
57. Papaitan. An offal stew flavored with bile, admittedly an acquired taste, but pointing to our national ability to acquire a taste for almost anything.
58. English. Whether carabao or Arr-neoww-accented, it doubles our chances in the global marketplace.
59. The Press. Irresponsible, sensational, often inaccurate, but still the liveliest in Asia. Otherwise, we'd all be glued to TV.
60. Divisoria. Smelly, crowded, a pickpocket's paradise, but you can get anything here, often at rock-bottom prices. The sensory overload is a bonus.
61. Barong Tagalog. Enables men to look formal and dignified without having to strangle themselves with a necktie. Worn well, it makes any ordinary Juan look marvelously makisig.
62. Filipinas. They make the best friends, lovers, wives. Too bad they can't say the same for Filipinos.
63. Filipinos. So maybe they're bolero and macho with an occasional streak of generic infidelity; they do know how to make a woman feel like one.
64. Catholicism. What fun would sin be without guilt? Jesus Christ is firmly planted on Philippine soil.
65. Dolphy. Our favorite, ultra-durable comedian gives the beleaguered Pinoy everyman an odd dignity, even in drag.
66. Style. Something we often prefer over substance. But every Filipino claims it as a birthright.
67. Bad taste. Clear plastic covers on the vinyl-upholstered sofa, posters of poker-playing dogs masquerading as art, overaccessorized jeepneys and altars--the list is endless, and wealth only seems to magnify it.
68. Mangoes. Crisp and tart, or lusciously ripe, they evoke memories of family outings and endless sunshine in a heart-shaped package.Mangoes. Crisp and tart, or lusciously ripe, they evoke memories of family outings and endless sunshine in a heart-shaped package.
69. Unbridled optimism. Why we rank so low on the suicide scale.
70. Street food: Barbecue, lugaw, banana-cue, fishballs, IUD (chicken entrails), adidas (chicken feet), warm taho. Forget hepatitis; here's cheap, tasty food with gritty ambience.
71. The siesta. Snoozing in the middle of the day is smart, not lazy.
72. Honorifics and courteous titles: Kuya, ate, diko, ditse, ineng, totoy, Ingkong, Aling, Mang, etc. No exact English translation, but these words connote respect, deference and the value placed on kinship.
73. Heroes and people who stood up for truth and freedom. Lapu-lapu started it all, and other heroes and revolutionaries followed: Diego Silang, Macario Sakay, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Melchora Aquino, Gregorio del Pilar, Gabriela Silang, Miguel Malvar, Francisco Balagtas, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Panday Pira, Emilio Jacinto, Raha Suliman, Antonio Luna, Gomburza, Emilio Aguinaldo, the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, Pepe Diokno, Satur Ocampo, Dean Armando Malay, Evelio Javier, Ninoy Aquino, Lola Rosa and other comfort women who spoke up, honest cabbie Emilio Advincula, Rona Mahilum, the women lawyers who didn't let Jalosjos get away with rape.
74. Flora and fauna. The sea cow (dugong), the tarsier, calamian deer, bearcat, Philippine eagle, sampaguita, ilang-ilang, camia, pandan, the creatures that make our archipelago unique.
75. Pilipino songs, OPM and composers: "Ama Namin," "Lupang Hinirang," "Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal," "Ngayon at Kailanman," "Anak," "Handog,""Hindi Kita Malilimutan," "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit"; Ryan Cayabyab, George Canseco, Restie Umali, Levi Celerio, Manuel Francisco, Freddie Aguilar, and Florante--living examples of our musical gift.
76. Metro Aides. They started out as Imelda Marcos' groupies, but have gallantly proven their worth. Against all odds, they continuously prove that cleanliness is next to godliness--especially now that those darned candidates' posters have to be scraped off the face of Manila!
77. Sari-sari store. There's one in every corner, offering everything from bananas and floor wax to Band-Aid and bakya.
78. Philippine National Red Cross. PAWS. Caritas. Fund drives. They help us help each other.
79. Favorite TV shows through the years: "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "John and Marsha," "Champoy," "Ryan, Ryan Musikahan," "Kuwarta o Kahon," "Public Forum/Lives," "Student Canteen," "Eat Bulaga." In the age of inane variety shows, they have redeemed Philippine television.
80. Quirks of language that can drive crazy any tourist listening in: "Bababa ba?" "Bababa!"
81. "Sayang!" "Naman!" "Kadiri!" "Ano ba!?" "pala." Expressions that defy translation but wring out feelings genuinely Pinoy.
82. Cockfighting. Filipino men love it more than their wives (sometimes).
83. Dr. Jose Rizal. A category in himself. Hero, medicine man, genius, athlete, sculptor, fictionist, poet, essayist, husband, lover, samaritan, martyr. Truly someone to emulate and be proud of, anytime, anywhere.
84. Nora Aunor. Short, dark and homely-looking, she redefined our rigid concept of how leading ladies should look.
85. Noranian or Vilmanian. Defines the friendly rivalry between Ate Guy Aunor and Ate Vi Santos and for many years, the only way to be for many Filipino fans.
86. Filipino Christmas. The world's longest holiday season. A perfect excuse to mix our love for feasting, gift-giving and music and wrap it up with a touch of religion.
87. Relatives and kababayan abroad. The best refuge against loneliness, discrimination and confusion in a foreign place. Distant relatives and fellow Pinoys readily roll out the welcome mat even on the basis of a phone introduction or referral.
88. Festivals: Sinulog, Ati-atihan, Moriones. Sounds, colors, pagan frenzy and Christian overtones.
89. Folk dances. Tinikling, pandanggo sa ilaw, kari?sa, kuratsa, itik-itik, alitaptap, rigodon. All the right moves and a distinct rhythm.
90. Native wear and costumes. Baro't saya, tapis, terno, saya, salakot, bakya. Lovely form and ingenious function in the way we dress.
91. Sunday family gatherings. Or, close family ties that never get severed. You don't have to win the lotto or be a president to have 10,000 relatives. Everyone's family tree extends all over the archipelago, and it's at its best in times of crisis; notice how food, hostesses, money, and moral support materialize during a wake?
92. Calesa and karitela. The colorful and leisurely way to negotiate narrow streets when loaded down with a year's provisions.
93. Quality of life. Where else can an ordinary employee afford a stay-in helper, a yaya, unlimited movies, eat-all-you-can buffets, the latest fashion (Baclaran nga lang), even Viagra in the black market?
94. All Saints' Day. In honoring our dead, we also prove that we know how to live.
95. Handicrafts. Shellcraft, rattancraft, abaca novelties, woodcarvings, banig placemats and bags, bamboo windchimes, etc. Portable memories of home. Hindi lang pang-turista, pang-balikbayan pa!
96. Pinoy greens. Sitaw. Okra. Ampalaya. Gabi. Munggo. Dahon ng Sili. Kangkong. Luya. Talong. Sigarillas. Bataw. Patani. Lutong bahay will never be the same without them.
97. OCWs. The lengths (and miles) we'd go for a better life for our family, as proven by these modern-day heroes of the economy.
98. The Filipino artist. From Luna's magnificent "Spoliarium" and Amorsolo's sun-kissed ricefields, to Ang Kiukok's jarring abstractions and Borlongan's haunting ghosts, and everybody else in between. Hang a Filipino painting on your wall, and you're hanging one of Asia's best.
99. Tagalog soap operas. From "Gulong ng Palad" and "Flor de Luna" to today's incarnations like "Mula sa Puso"--they're the story of our lives, and we feel strongly for them, MariMar notwithstanding.
100. Midnight madness, weekends sales, bangketas and baratillos. It's retail therapy at its best, with Filipinos braving traffic, crowds, and human deluge to find a bargain.

batang 90s

i admit. inggitera rin ako! pakopya gurl! :)

67 signs you're a kid of the 90s in the Philippines.

1. Masaya ka kapag naglalaro ka ng Tex at Pog. Kadalasan ang design dito ay yung mga palabas sa TV, mga drama o kaya anime, may dialogue pa. (meron lang ako ng mga 'to, pero di ako naglalaro. malungkot ang childhood ko. hehe.)

2. May comics pa ang bazooka. Kahit di mo maintindihan yung Fortune Cookie sa huli ay collection mo pa rin yun.

3. Uso pa yung tirador, yung gawa talaga sa sanga ng puno. (sumpit ang akin dati, gawa sa matigas na red na straw ng seven eleven. munggo yung bala.)

4. Ang mga babae naglalaro ng paper dolls na tigpipiso bawat isang set sa sari-sari store. (na sabi ng pinsan ko, nabubuhay daw yung mga yun pag gabi. usual names ng paper dolls: melody, mystica, cindy)

5. Kung lalake ka, siguradong may pellet gun ka. (ako babae pero may pellet gun. tas nambabato din ng isang dakot ng pellets pag habulan)

6. Humihingi ka ng dalawang piso sa magulang mo para maglaro ng video arcade sa sari-sari store. Favorite mo yung Sonic, Mario at Street Fighter at Tetris.

7. Nagwa-watusi ka kapag New Year kahit pinapagalitan ka ng nanay mo.

8. Meron kang sapatos na umiilaw yung swelas kapag iniaapak mo. Mas sikat kung iba-iba yung kulay. (lola ko pinadalhan ako ng ganito. pati yung bag na de-pindot tapos may tatahol/grown/meow.. ayos!)

9. Merong at least isang Chicago Bulls na shirt sa bahay nyo. Madalas number 23 pa yung nakalagay. (pati cap meron. adik sila dati.)

10. Pinapatulog ka ng yaya/nanay mo tuwing tanghali o hapon para raw lumaki. Hindi na kasi pinapatulog ang mga bata ngayon tuwing tanghali di tulad nung panahon natin. (oo! 'pag valiente at aguila na. kasi panakot nila sa'kin yun ng theme song nun)

11. Sinasabihan ka ng matatanda na may lalabas na pari o bigas sa sugat mo kapag hindi nilagyan ng alcohol pero in the end, betadine lang ang magpapatahimik sa inyo.

12. Kung babae ka, nagkaroon ka ng butterfly hairclips/rings. (si Jolina ang nagpauso nito)

13. Kung medyo may pera ang pamilya nyo, nagpabili ka ng Polly Pocket. (ayoko ng polly pocket. barbie na lang.)

14. Naglalagay ka ng Kisses (yung mabango) sa pencil case mo, o kaya sa isang lalagyan na may bulak, alcohol at tinutusok ng karayom para mabilis manganak.

15. May free stickers ng Disney movies sa loob ng Maggi noodles.

16. Pinapatunog mo yung takip ng Gatorade.

17. Ang mga stationeries na uso: Papemelroti, Tsukuba, Sashikibuta. Pwedeng ibenta, pwedeng trade lang.

18. Pampalipas oras mo dati ang paglalaro ng Brick Game, at swerte yung mga may advanced version na may tumatagos na blocks para mapuno na yung gap sa loob. Mas advanced ka kung Tamagotchi ang nilalaro mo. Pinapakain mo, pinapatulog mo, at inililibing mo kung namatay na. At kung talagang kaya nyong bumili, Game Boy ang sayo. Pero kung wala ka talaga, yung laruan na lang na may tubig sa loob tapos dapat ma-shoot mo yung mga bilog sa stick na maliit. (classic! hanggang ngayon uso pa sa'kin yung 'shoot that hoop!' yes, may decent title ang game..)

19. Bago magsimula ang klase, nakikilaro ka muna sa 10-20, jackstone, langit lupa, ice water, taguan, dr. quack quack, tumbang preso, pepsi seven up at agawan base. Di bale nang madumi na ang uniform mo pagpasok ng classroom. (10-20 lang at at chinese garter)

20. Sinasabi mo sa kaklase mo na "Liars go to hell" kapag tingin mo nagsisinungaling sya. "Cross my heart, hope to die" kapag nangangako ka. "Period no erase" kapag gusto mo walang kumontra sayo. Kaya lang wala kang lusot kapag sinabi ng kaklase mo na "Akin yung factory ng pambura". (hindi ko know ang factory thingy)

21. Sikat ka pag ang pencil case mo nabubuksan sa dalawang side tapos maraming attachments like magnifying lens, book stand, compartments na maliliit tapos push button pa. Minsan sa ibabaw ng pencil case meron pang maze, may maliit na silver na bola tapos itatagilid mo yung pencil case para gumulong yun, hanggang sa matapos yung maze.

22. Di ka baduy kung ang notebook mo nung elementary ay may mukha ng artista. (titanic dati cover nung akin. syet. baduuuuy!)

23. Sa coolman (sic) mo inilalagay ang tubig na baon mo sa school. (at may mga kaklaseng madalas nakikiinom)

24. Nagpabili ka ng Baby-G sa magulang mo.

25. Elementary ka nung nauso ang pager. Yun pa ang pinapangarap ng mga bata, hindi pa cell phone.

26. Meron ka pa rin ng pinakamalaking cell phone na nakatago na ngayon sa mga kahon.

27. Wala pang PS/PS2, XBox, Wii, atbp. noon. Family Computer pa lang, yung cartridge yung bala. Usong laro ang Mario Bros., Battle City at Rambo. (kami dati adik sa kay yoshi, yung dino sa mario brothers)

28. Meron ka ng isa sa mga ito: Family Computer, Nintendo, Sega, roller blades, brick game, Tamagochi, Swatch Watch w/ matching guard, Troll collection.

29. Alam mo ang mga linyang ito sa mga kanta: "Natatawa ako, hi hi hi hi", "Anong paki mo sa long hair ko", "Dahil sa bawal na gamot", "Mga kababayan ko, bilib ako sa kulay ko".

30. Isa dito ay theme song mo: "I Swear" by All 4 One, "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes (And I say, Hey ey ey ey ey ey. I said hey, What's goin on!), "Zombie" by Cranberries.

31. Sumasayaw ka ng Macarena. (way back, ito ang version ng today's papaya song, di ba?- korak, jaycee!)

32. Alam mo ang kanta ng Spice Girls at may favorite ka sa kanila. Kung fan ka talaga, may poster ka pa at casette tape ka pa nila.

33. Malamang ay naging fanatic ka ng isa sa mga sumikat na boy bands. (nsync!)

34. Ang tinutugtog lagi sa radyo ay mga kanta ng mga banda gaya ng Eraserheads, Parokya ni Edgar nung nagpapalda pa lang sila, Alamid, Rivermaya, True Faith, The Youth, Afterimage at kung anu-ano pang pinoy bands.

35. Tape pa ang uso, di CD or MP3 players. Pag gusto mo yung kanta kailangan tantyahin mo kung ilang seconds i-rewind yun para mabilis paulit-ulitin. (tapos walkman pa then discman, wala pang ipod! haha!)

36. Kinakanta nyo dati sa school yung "Heal the World", "Tell the World of His Love", "Jubilee Song", etc. (every after flag ceremony sa sanfe. utang na loob! haha!)

37. Nanonood ka dati ng Power Rangers, Captain Planet o Ninja Turtles. Nagkukunyari pa kayo ng mga kaibigan mo na kayo yun at nagkakasipaan kayo.

38. Di ka papagalitan ng magulang kahit magbabad ka sa TV, basta ang pinapanood mo ay Hiraya Manawari, Bayani at Sine Skwela, kung saan nakilala mo sila Teacher Waki, Ugat Puno, Palikpik, at ang buong barkada nila lalo na kapag nakasakay sila sa space ship o sa jeep na lumilipad.

39. Sinubaybayan mo ang Ghost Fighter at ang Dragon Ball. Naging favorite mo si Eugene at si Goku.

40. Niloloko mo yung theme song ng Voltes V kasi di mo maintindihan yung theme song: "Tato ni Ara Mina malaking cobra...", "Boltes Payb lima sila, pumunta sa kubeta...", "...Kontra Bulate!"

41. Napanood mo din yung ibang anime tulad ng Shaider, Sailormoon, Daimos at Maskman. Saulo mo pa nga yung kanta dun: "Oh maskuman kayo ang pag-asa.. Iligtas kami sa marahas na kadiliman... Kami inyong ipaglaban! Sugod, sugod laban maskuman, ipaglaban nyo ang katarungan.. Sige, sige laban maskuman.." (ako si pink mask! teka, wag kalimutan ang masked rider black)

42. Sinubaybayan mo ang Sarah ang Munting Prinsesa, Julio at Julia, at Cedi. Pinanood mo pa nga yung movie version ng Sarah ang Munting Prinsesa with Camille Prats.

43. Alam mo din yung "Ang Pulubi at ang Prinsesa" with Camille Prats and Angelica Panganiban. (pinoy version ng princess and the pauper)

44. Gusto mong sumali sa ANG TV. Pero alam mong hindi na pwede. kaya kuntento ka na lang sa panonood nito tuwing 4:30 ng hapon. (wala akong balak. pinanonood ko lang sila)

45. Batibot ang usong palabas. Akala mo nga mag-dyowa o mag-asawa sina Kuya Bodjie at Ate Sheena.

46. Alam mo yung tono ng pinausong kanta ng show na "ATBP.": Isa.. dalawa-tatlo.. apat-lima.. anim-pito-walo.. syam-sampu... labingisa-labingdalawa... labingtatlo... labingapat-labinglima...

47. Napanood mo ang Batang X.

48. Sabay kayo nanonood ng yaya mo ng Marimar.

49. Nanonood ka ng kahit alin dito: "Okay Ka Fairy Ko", "Oki Doki Doc", "Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata", "Palibhasa Lalake", "Ober da Bakod", at "Home Along Da Riles". (takte napanood ko ata lahat 'to! haha!)

50. Galit ka kay Clara kasi sobra naman talaga sya mang-api kay Mara.

51. Pinanood mo din yung "Villa Quintana", "Esperanza", "Anakarenina" atbp.

52. Mga love teams na nagpakilig sayo: Juday and Wowie. Jolina and Marvin.

53. Alam mo yung commercial ng Tender Juicy hotdog na ganito: "Dear diary, Carlo sat beside me today. He's so cute! Sabi niya I'm pretty kaya lang I'm fat."

54. Kinakanta mo yung "Thank God it's Sabado, pati na rin Linggo..." at "Isa pa, isa pa, isa pang Chicken Joy". (diba anu yun: "i love you sabado, pati na buong linggo." wahaha!)

55. Nasa channel 2 pa ang Eat Bulaga at ang Mel and Jay. (korak!)

56. Nakikita mo sa balita na may mga kultong nagtatago na sa kweba, kasi magugunaw na ang mundo sa year 2000, at yung mga computer daw bigla na lang mag-shu-shut down at mawawala na daw ang technology.

57. Chinese variety shows ang palabas tuwing umaga ng linggo. (after ng televised mass)

58. Matapang ka kung napanood mo lahat ng Shake, Rattle and Roll movies.

59. Narinig mong i-announce sa radyo yung death ni Princess Diana. Biglang nauso yung kanta ni Elton John na "Goodbye, England's Rose." (kuya, candle in the wind po ang title nito. originally for norma jeane a.k.a. marilyn monroe)

60. Nasa VHS yung mga movies na pinapanood ninyo sa bahay.

61. Kung babae ka, naging crush mo si Leonardo di Caprio dahil sa Titanic. Kaya nga lang, bawal ka pa tumingin sa kissing scenes nina Jack at Rose.

62 Nagsuot ka ng jologs na boots nung elem.

63 Nagkaron ka ng stickers collection ng spice girls na libre sa chupa-chups.

64 Lagi mong banat panukso ang, "the more you hate, the more you love."

65 Naglaro ka ng P.S. I Love You, Langit Lupa, Sili-Silihan, Shake Shake Shampoo at iba pa. At bibong bibo kang sumigaw ng "Viva!" (may ilang beses lang ako nakapaglaro nitong mga 'to. sabi nga eh. boring childhood ko. ni hindi nga ako marunong magpatintero eh, haha!)

66 May bag ka na de-stroller. yung bakal na stroller na nakahiwalay sa bag at may garter straps. (oo. at dati hilig kong makasagasa ng paa ng mga kaklase ko, yung mga nakapila pag uwian na. kasi classic yung akin dati. panlalaki. pasa galing sa pinsan ko from don bo. hehe.)

67 Nagbasa ka ng sweet valley. (mejo. pero mas gusto ko yung baby sitters' club at yung little sister's series nila... ahaha!)

---

at dahil batang 90s ka, inggitera ka. magcocomment ka ng: oo, naalala ko 'to! pero deep inside your heart and your soul, kokopyahin mo 'to! aminin mo, diba! :) haha! :)

because of piracy

Pushing daisies. i'm loving it. i was able to watch its pilot episode on 2nd avenue last tuesday. i love the plot, its vivid, psychedelic colors, and the way the story is presented-- just like the narration on will ferrell's 'stranger than fiction'! the sizzling-hot actor, lee pace, plays the role of ned, a pie maker, gifted with a marvelous and equally devastating gift of being able to "bring dead things back to life by touching them."

our bestfriend wiki says this unwanted talent goes like, "if something is revived for more than exactly one minute, something of similar "life value" in the vicinity drops dead, in a form of balance. Additionally, if he touches the revived thing a second time, it falls dead again - permanently. No amount of his prodding will ever bring it back again."

as expected, i got outrageously excited for the next episode, that i stayed awake the next night (despite my need to recharge for another night's work), waiting for the "it's gonna be a brighter day" tune to tickle my ears, only to find out that the station only runs it every tuesday (8-8:30 p.m.) and sunday (9-9:30 p.m.).

i was not over it, so i checked the website, got extra-excited for its online-viewing feature, and... hey, look at what i have found!

only viewers within the united states
can watch these full-length episodes

i just had the urge to edit my print-screen shot, to give emphasis, and to express alarm over the growing trend of piracy in the Philippines. it's really out of my business and my usual line of criticism, but see? i'm cursing the pirates now because i will not be able to watch pushing daisies over the net! sounds so stubborn, but i'm sure to hit a line of birds in one shot.

2 messages received

i appreciate having my former cadets as textmates and friends. i had a great time with them, despite the battle against the draining sum beam and bone-breaking exercises. here's a message i got from one of my company elements, who was also one of my closest friends during the ROTC days. i know it's just forwarded, but i loved the thought:


a philo prof. gave one question for the final exam.

the class was seated when the prof. touched his chair and asked, "use everything we've learned this sem. prove that this chair does NOT EXIST."

the whole class answered for an hour, but the laziest student finished the test in less than a minute.

one week later, the grades were posted in the class, and the lazy student got the highest score.

his answer consisted of just two words:

"what chair?"


i opt not to include the concluding sentence, for it will extinguish the beauty of the message.
and here's another one from another one. (got it? well, get it!)


if wealth is the secret to happiness, then the rich should be dancing on the street;
but only poor kids do that...

if power ensures peace of mind, then officials should walk unguarded;
but those who live simply, sleep soundly...

if beauty and fame bring ideal relationships, then celebrities should have the best marriages;
but those who trust God completely have the most fulfilling relationships...


i'm really not into religious quotes, but then again, i love the thought, and the irony of life.
so there!

clumsy

it seems that when you get excited for a certain thing, heavens fall apart to give you that hard blow.

i woke up early this morning, with eagerness in my heart, to pick up my I.D. from the office of the daily broadsheet where i am spending my 200-hour OJT. i am not into flaunting my press I.D. in congress or anywhere else, say, when walking along the streets of batasan or outside the area. my intention is clear: i want to avoid obstructions. why? it is of popular knowledge that the house of representatives is an ultimately-secured institution (i just wonder how the security team overlooked the tricksters, who were responsible for the death of Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar in the batasan bombing just last year) that's why visitors have to log-in and out. without an I.D., i am still a visitor. for two weeks since i started reporting, i languished under the sun in a long line with our folks, who were asking for assistance from the congressmen, for whatever purpose they desired, until i was given a media pass for the month of april. i know everything else after the issued date falls into my responsibility of getting my press I.D.

...and so i got it. i also asked for jaycee's, since he was tasked to cover something in U.P., at 10 a.m.

i had a wondeful day in the press office, that i thought everything would turn out fine. jaycee and i met at mcdo q.av at around 5:30 p.m. we stayed for about an hour, taking about our OJT experiences, and spying at the cake-boy from McCafé.

true. everything's fine today, but.... no. i JUST THOUGHT everything's fine today.

i got my I.D. laminated before i went home. i was in high spirits! my day was wonderful... WAS WONDERFUL.

i forgot to put my signature and the "in-case-of-emergency" contact number in it. chickenfeed! i knew i could do something about it. so i started to peel off the edges with a cutter... slowly... carefully, until i had half of the I.D. rewritable, then scribbled my signature. i didn't care about the "in-case-of-emergency" thing. i could just stick on a piece of paper in it. then there came the ever almighty heated iron, steered by my very own hands on top of a paper, as i pressed the plastic smooth. presto! i had my I.D. back in its decent impression. but i grew mad and kept on rubbing the iron against the paper, with the hope of making it harder than it was, until small bubbles appeared on the surface of my photo, and what the heck was i doing?! my picture looked like i was a hard-scaled reptile or a cast of zuma and galema! hell! i even had blisters on my fingers!

now there's no escape from the batasan security team. i still have to play patintero with the soldiers to get inside the north wing! i'm so clumsy! i'm so clumsy (but not in love)! haha!