Blog of the Month - Answers

• If you could turn back time what would you change?
  Perhaps being more pushy when it comes to choosing my desired school. I shouldn't have that sore feeling everytime I pass by UP Diliman.
  
  
• If you could go back and relive history, what part of history would you want to live in?
  The Renaissance. I think my romanticism and cynism would fit well in that era. Though I believe, like Shakespeare and other artists, I would also be unappreciated but then I love to speak in Old English. How shallow. Ha ha!
  
  
• If you are a magical/mythological creature, what would you be? Why?
  Dragon so that I could breathe fire to all people that I want off my sight.
  
  
• Why do you like a particular Roman or Greek God?
  Zeus because he's the God of Gods and therefore in control of everything.
  
  
• Why do older people always say enjoy your youth, especially your singlehood?
  Maybe because they've made use of their youth and singlehood to the fullest or they never tasted a bit of it at all.
  
  
• Do you really HAVE to be IN love to get married (not due to other extenuating circumstances)?
  Yes. I'm an idealist and marriage is a realism of a couple's love for each other, to have that love develop to a higher level and raise a family.
  
  
• What would you want to solve...epidemic, oil spill, or prostitution? Why?
  Oil spill because it's only something that concerns the environment. The environment is more important to me because it is something that the future generation will use. Our marine ecosystem needs to be protected and properly taken care of because it's one of the primary sources of livelihood in our country.
  
  
• What of the five senses are you willing to give up? Why?
  My sight so that I could stop criticizing people's appearance and appreciate them beyong their superficial beauty but hopefully it won't be for good.
  
  
• If you have only one of the five senses left what would you chose? Why?
  That's really a difficult choice to make but being sick two weeks ago made me realize that my sense of taste is something that's most important to me and is something that I couldn't afford to lose. I don't think I could survive without eating the normal amount of food I usually take because everything I ingest tastes the same - nothing.
  
  
• Who would you rather be with? The one you love or the one who loves you? Why?
  The one I love because men, in nature, are emotionally weak and rigid. Women are emotionally rescilient and learn to love the one they don't after some time of feeling that they are loved, needed and treated well. Men are stone-hearted that they always go for the one they love rather than the one who loves them.
  

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Finally, after long years, Dr. Henry Jones is back with another installment of his adventure. He's being trapped in a Soviet plot to uncover the secret behind mysterious artifacts known as the Crystal Skulls and leaves him no choice but follow what fate and life threat has called him.

The Good

It's good to see Harrison Ford again after quite some time. I couldn't imagine Indiana Jones being portrayed by another actor, though I have a strong feeling that this character would be passed on to Shia LaBeouf maybe on the next sequel or two. The action sequence, the soundtrack, the slapstick, Jones' whip and his hat and the old setting, the same Indy Jones ingredients are still found. I'm also suprised to see Karen Allen again in the middle of the movie (it just goes to show that I don't read the opening credits). I hardly even recognized Cate Blanchett donning a Baby Tsina hairdo. I was only able to realize it was her after more than five minutes since she appeared. Ha ha ha! I must say she's really one great actress.

The Bad

What's the purpose of the word "imperfection" if we won't use it. Add the word "criticize" which helps mold my personality. Ha ha.

This movie seems to be a fusion of "The National Treasures" and "X-Files" wherein the characters have to unveil the mystery behind the Peruvian dirt that leads to the discovery of some aliens. This part really made me disappointed.

Questions

Why do adventure movies always involve some groundwater scenes?
Will locking oneself in a refrigerator save him from the atomic bomb?
Why do those aliens have to leave Earth immediately after the skull has been returned?
Isn't their main purpose of coming in this planet to rule us?
Are there really aliens to begin with?
Will Shia LaBeouf be the next Indiana Jones?
When will the story be set in the Philippines, like solving the mystery of the Golden Tara found in LA Museum, returning it to Agusan River and having them end up in Mt. Apo where the tribe of this cultural minority cannibals will be waiting for them at the foot of the mountain? And in between that, some folk stories like barang will be injected and the victim will be Durian while GG and Juliut will be drowned in a pool of juice? Ha ha ha. The barang thing I could still contain to be included but I was just joking about the three insignificant high school characters. Ha ha ha!

Tele-tubby

What national TV has to offer nowadays:

• Marian Rivera's over-exposed face, jolog accent and same Latina dance moves
  
• Kris Aquino who looks like Valentina in her very curly hair in a Casino advertisement
  
• Judy Ann Santos saying "byutipul" in her Pantene ad (she doesn't speak that bad)
  
• Claudine Barreto whose face looks like an unimpressive drawing with very thick contour and very sharp eyebrows that could even slit one's neck
  
• Heart Evangelista and Jericho Rosales divulging so much about their break-up which is supposedly considered as a private matter
  
• Jennylyn Mercado keeping on expressing how she hates the father of her son-to-be (how pathetic)
  
• Gabby Concepcion and his cases here, there and everywhere
  
• Sam Milby and Piolo Pascual having the you-can-visit-the-DOJ-secretary-anytime access just to ask assurance that they'll be given justice (seems like they're as kawawa as those human rights and rape victims)
  
• MERALCO and its business of profiteering from people
  
• Environmental campaigns that only a few people care about
  
• Ratings issues

To Kill a Mocking Bird

Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.

Last Good Friday, what was supposedly a silent day turned out to be a noisy one. I felt like a saint's spirit had possessed me since I kept on defending Janina San Miguel. I believe I have a strong point. She shouldn't be blamed nor ridiculed for getting the crown because it's not her fault at all - it's the organizers' who set the criteria. Janina is just one simple girl, who wants to be a beauty queen, got convinced by some people thinking that joining this would help her augment her family's status, and then, unexpectedly, after that very unimpressive answer, she won. It's pointless criticizing her because after all, she'll be representing our country in an international pageant and giving her such kind of bad image gives us that negative image, too. I'm against beauty contests because they really don't serve a very logical purpose but since it's already there, we might, as well, support our candidates. In this pageant patty kind of society, English is not the only basis of being victorious.

So much about that lecture, yes, admittedly, I became kind and sensitive and considerate and understanding for a day. My friends even thought that it wasn't me who were with them. Anyhow, I've stated my piece.

Late night came and the then depressed Sam was already happy and excited sharing some pictures that he downloaded via wi-fi - Dingdong Dantes' Bench underwear photographs and this Cuban actor/model named William Levy (I still have to google his name). The latter's pictures in stupid and nonsense underwear with no support at all show his melted balls that made Janice wonder if all guys' balls really look like that. Ha ha ha! It's not really a good thing to do on a holy day so I told them to stop it and go to sleep.

Sam slept soundly. After every series of snoring, Janice and I could hear him moan and do that very brief and relatively high-pitched "Hmm" thing that made me laugh. Actually, just thinking about it makes me laugh until now. Perhaps in his dream, he was fantasizing of those two guys. Ha ha ha!

The day after that, I told Janice that if I'll be a celebrity, I should have the most unique name so that people could easily remember me. Though there's no artist named Third yet, I choose to not use it.

I could imagine a host introducing me before my number, "Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for 'Hmm!'"

Now that's unique.

Ploning

I've watched this movie yesterday and I must say it didn't disappoint me. I'm not a Juday fan but her acting is not really the usual mucus-stimulating, melodramatic, cry-me-a-stream attack. Everything is so subtle, something that is rare to find among Filipino movies. Ploning depicts a woman of love and hope, who, even during despair, chooses to shine out her positivity to all the people in her place, who've been suffering from their own personal problems.

The cinematography shows a panoramic view of Cuyo, Palawan and all the shots are like postcards.

Other than reading the Tagalog subtitle of more than one-third of the entire movie, there's just one irritating flaw I couldn't miss to point out in this film. I just don't like the actor who portrayed the character of the old Digo. Had I possessed six-pack abs, known how to swim, and known that there is an audition for this role, I would have tried out. To give him credit, his blank nuance at the start was good enough to provide mystery with his character but at the end part, when the scene warrants an intense emotion even with just his eyes, he wasn't able to deliver it which really made me think like throwing my cellphone on the silverscreen while watching it. Panira talaga. Nevertheless, everybody in the cast was good including that young Digo. Judy Ann is really very pretty in this movie, I should say and her eyes speak of love. I also applaud Gina Pareño, Meryll Soriano, Tessie Tomas, Tony Mabesa, Eugene Domingo, Beth Tamayo, Ces Quesada and Mylene Dizon for their effective portrayal.

I don't want to give out any more spoilers. Your 100 bucks is worth it and you'll also be patronizing a Filipino product, something that our dying movie industry badly needs. And if you'll go to any SM cinema until May 6, you'll get a chance to win a trip for two to Palawan.

Hag-as

Me? Joining a singing contest like Pinoy Idol? Why? Because I can't. Hag-as uy. I don't have June's guts. I don't even sing in videokes what more with singing solo on stage.

I'm alarmed. I have a look-alike.

Why are people insisting that I am that person? Do they have a proof? Does that bald person smiling all his gums out bear my name? Were they able to get the DNA sample of that guy? No.

Charise Pempengco

I've seen her yesterday at Ever Gotesco. I wasn't stunned nor excited. She's just a talent. I really don't find her pretty at all. I even overheard some salesladies saying that her face is too wide.

I'm not really impressed with this girl. Yes, she's got a powerful voice but the problem is people who are trying to package her are making her age that fast. My God, she's only in her early or mid puberty stage. What does she know about heartache saying "And I'm Telling You" and the likes? And her fashion sense?

Maybe her parents, manager and whoever is handling her need so much parenting counselling to do.

But well, she's getting popular and that her family could rake in money through her.

Blog of the Month - My Ideal Wedding

It's the love month. With the least number of days among any other month, it goes with the false generalization that people who are born in this month are somewhat lunatic. Hypothetically, I think February is chosen to be the love month all because people go crazy when they underestimate and misinterpret the power of love.

But since I am compelled to talk about the positivity of love, I'd better work on the best adjectives and widest imagination that I could muster in order for this entry to work out right.


THE BRIDE

Since this blog is all about ideals, I'll be talking all about MY ideals.

I'm imagining my bride to be beautiful - her nosebridge high enough to be identified as a nose but not too big that her nose would be her face; her eyes deep-set, it won't matter if they're almond-shaped or chinky as long as they're pleasing, long lashes, I won't mind if they're just brown; her lips red that they won't need much lipstick; I don't care much about her complexion as long as her skin is smooth, especially her face; her face should be contoured, jaw bones, if possible, should be prominent. I don't want to see a very round face; her hair long, and shiny, not necessarily straight but not curly; her fingernails not long nor polished; her fingers slim and long; her teeth well-aligned; She should be slim because I don't want to look slimmer than her; I don't care if I'll be shorter than her, because after all, I am Tom Cruise. Ha ha!

I need her to be understanding, patient, strong-willed and independent-minded. I don't want her to be so dependent on me because I hate girls who are like that - the hatid-sundo, the type who couldn't do anything without the help of a guy - because my mother and sisters are never like that. I'd like her to be slightly obsessive compulsive so that I would be reminded in putting things in the right place, including my finances. I'd prefer her to be my financial adviser and analyst. Most of all, I need her to be smart and proactive, the type who could see the positivity in every darkness that we could encounter, the one who could neutralize the negativity in my system.

Of course, she has to have talent in music - maybe she could play an instrument or that she has a nice voice maybe. I'd like her to be low to medium maintenance but knows what's fashionable from not.


MOTIF

I love blue but since this is a celebration of love and purity, I'd prefer the motif to be red - bloody red - to make it more elegant and also white. The theme could either be contemporary or 1950's, where a cadillac would be rented, the video and photos, the songs and the decorations are all set in the 50's era. People should abide with the motif, else, they won't be allowed to enter the reception area. I'll have somebody, my friends for sure, assigned to take charge if their attires could pass my standards or not.

The entourage, especially the bridesmaids and maid of honor should not be in uniform. While it is courteous for these ladies to make the bride as the most beautiful spot, it is also their right to be pretty by wearing the dress that would suit them best. I don't want to see any of the ninangs wearing that overused "ninang dress" in off-white kimona and cheaply-beaded skirt made of satin. I want them to be wearing bloody red and/or white.

While the girls are in their gowns, men should be in black coat and red tie. I've had enough of the barong since I was in preschool and I think I could add some volume on my body if I'll be wearing this not nationalistic attire.


INVITATION

I don't have any idea yet but I want it to be simple but classic. Maybe a little ribbon or any accessory would do. I don't want to much embelishment. With the help of my artistic friends, I could create a good one without hiring somebody to print it for us.

The primary sponsors should not be more than ten. I don't want any politician nor celebrity who doesn't even know the two of us. Guests are limited to 50 only. Aside from the obvious austerity measure, I want it to be intimate and I only want to share this very special event of my life to people who are dear to both my wife and I.


VENUE

It should be a church wedding. The aisle should be long for everybody to take the chance of walking long enough before reaching the altar while some worthy-to-be-called singer is singing our special song as the bride walks down the aisle. If I could have the confidence, and enough vocal coaching, maybe I could do the singing as I watch her walking with her dad. That'll be romantic I think.

I'd like the reception to be held in a not-so-expensive but still elegant hotel hall or restaurant where everybody could be whacky while still maintaining the formality and elegance of the occasion. I'd like the serving of food the Russian way so that everybody could have a fair share of his food.

I'd assign my friends to take charge of the program. I don't want it to be just the typical program with the cake-cutting, wine-drinking, dove-releasing, money dance, etc. It has to be more than that. After all, it's a party. Maybe a little surprise to my wife would add color to it. Some performances, slideshows, funfare. He he.


MISCELLANEOUS STUFF

I couldn't picture out yet how the cake would look like and how the souvenir items would be. Those are very easy to find.


THE HONEYMOON

Since this is ideal, that means that we are still pure. Let me just emphasize that I don't demand for a virgin partner. We also commit mistakes in the past. What's important is we have asked the Holy Spirit to grant us the spiritual virginity and that we have already repented for those mistakes and He would redeem us.

I'd like the honeymoon to be at the beach. Camiguin would do. If somebody generous could give us a ticket to Seychelles, that would be very much better. But I'm already contented with Boracay. I just don't know if my wife would be. We both should be contented.

But then again, it is supposed to be honeymoon. A weeklong stay in one cozy room is already enough to spend it.

See also:

Joanna's Blog of the Month

Janice's Blog of the Month

P.S. I Love You, Fashion 70's and other Random Thoughts

• If you want to get into a sentimental mood, go ahead and watch "P.S. I Love You" starring Gerard Butler and Hillary Swank. Several reviews tell me that it will make your tears roll down your cheeks before you know it. I tried watching it last Sunday. It wasn't effective enough. I almost made me cry. But it's really a sad story.
  
  
• Gerard looks more beautiful than Hillary. Ha ha ha! Thank God she really could act well. He's just developed some flabs that his body is far from that of his King Leonidas role. I still love his character as the Phantom best.
  
  
• This movie makes me think of Janice who lost her first Irish boyfriend because of leukemia. I couldn't listen to "To Where You Are" whenever she's around because she would just burst into tears. That was then. I know she's already okay now. After all, there's Mox. Ha ha ha!
  
  
• Lisa Kudrow is still like Phoebe. She's the comic relief in this very sad movie.
  
  
• It's a fact that Gerard has a nice voice. The soundtrack is so Irish and it's more of Gerard songs.
  
  
• Kathy Bate's character reminds me of my mom who stood so bravely and raised her kids alone after her husband's death. Go girl power! Ha ha.
  
  
• Ireland is a nice place. Irish are so good-looking. Oh I love Caroline Corr. ha ha ha!
  
  
• Fashion 70's is the most poignant series ever told (or I think I've ever watched). It's about four intertwined lives set in the 1950's Korean war, grew old and met again in the 70's.
  
  
• I wasn't moved with Kathryn's story. Maybe because I couldn't relate to her. I admit I cried with the Vince-mother confrontation scenes. I tried to hold back my tears but everything was already too late. I caught myself sobbing. Waaa!
  
  
• Why do some people get everything leaving somebody else with nothing? It's just unfair! Just because Judith is nice and all, she'll have everything? She could have just accepted Vince's love and surrender Jeffrey to Kathryn. In that way, nobody should have died.
  
  
• I just don't get it why girls are too choosy and insensitive. Vince has already changed his life for the better to have something to be proud of to Judith but everything is just a waste. She still prefers for Jeffrey who's not beside her when she needs him. Is that what you call nice?
  
  
• There's a part where Vince's right arm is paralyzed but in a long shot outside the police station, I've spotted it freely swaying. He he.
  
  
• What's the difference between fake and genuine clothes? The latter has the soul of the designer while the former does not have one. Though pirated products are well-copied, the love being poured by the creator is still not present in them.
  
  
• Wow! SBS, a TV network in Korea has really spent much for this series. They've created a soundstage to create a 1970's village. Too bad, the shallow but funny series "Full House" tappled this show's ratings.
  
  
• Sorry to all Jewel Mische fans there. Though she's sweet and pretty, she resembles Kim delos Santos more than KC Concepcion. After almost a year, she still hasn't improved her acting skills. She's so malamya and she speaks in monotone. Paging GMA! Give her more and more acting workshops. If not, don't let her act.
  
  
• Employees of BPI-Family Savings Bank foreign accounts branch in Ayala-Paseo de Roxas have something in common. They don't have prominent jawbones, not even cheekbones. Their faces are too round and chubby. That's what we call uniform. Ha ha. But they're not fat huh. Had I tried applying there, I wouldn't be accepted because of my jaws. Ha ha ha! And their tellers' faces are acne-infested.
  
  
• All PNB branches are really slow-moving. I think it's with their system and their database. I suggest they need immediate update with everything.
  
  
• Why does Western Union have to ask what the purpose of the money you're receiving is? It's none of their damn business. Besides, if you'll write "for home improvement" when the truth is you're planning to buy some illegal weapons, would they still investigate if you've spent it as stated? I really need the courage to put in "That's none of your damn business" next time.
  
  
• Manila is so overpopulated. I promise to myself, I won't take the MRT during rush hour. I'd rather be stuck in a traffic jam sitting comfortably on a bus seat than travel faster but be badly compressed by stinky people and have panic attack later.
  
  
• I still have not memorized my new mobile number.
  
  
• I'm planning to hold a group date with Sam, Janice and Hunnie this February 14. It's our group's anniversary. I just don't have the money to spend. He he. But there's a way. Knowing me, I make things happen.
  
  
• SM Hypermart's employees are really nice. I have nothing to say. They're all courteous.
  
  
• What the heck is with Philippine Tourism Authority head Robert Dean Barbers? Putting his name in the PTA seal along the drainage project in Boracay? That's so becoming of a person who has delicadeza. Is his money spent for that project? And then he's saying that there's nothing wrong with it? In case you don't get what I'm talking about, read this.
  
  
• I'm in the phase of hating this job again. I'm not anymore the team L2 but these agents are still bugging me with technical questions. Last week, I wasn't able to control myself but yell at my teammate.
  
  
• Butuan has a new appointed Press/Damage Control Secretary who googles for the keyword "Butuan" and comment on every blog telling the author that he's wrong with the criticisms he's been throwing on the city government and the city's state and slapping him with all the data and statistics that he could muster. What's bad is he doesn't have an identity. I've never heard a person named "Positivist," ever. ha ha ha! I don't even know his/her/its gender.
  
  Why won't he get a life by building his own blog?

27 Dresses and Other Random Thoughts

• I think I want to fill into Kevin's (James Marsden) character as a cynic, sarcastic and mean guy who writes very romantic wedding articles that every hopeless romantic would fall in love into. I won't need any bad attitudes as I have them all. All I need is a far better writing prowess.
  
• "Love is patient, love is kind, love is slowly going out of your mind." Ha ha ha! I love that line.
  
• I also want to be Jane (Katherine Heigl) who works on somebody else's wedding but not to the point of doing everything for free. I just want to organize and plan for somebody else's important event. Not what I've partly done to Haydee's wedding. I mean something that is carefully planned at least six months before the date wherein I have the say on all the details. After all, I'm a perfectionist. He he.
  
• Janice is coming to the city. I'm so excited that my friends are coming here in Manila to work and have fun with me. I've been a bit bored these past two years. But I'm also a bit nervous after what she has told me in our text conversation. I hope it's just a joke. I don't want to be a part of somebody else's mischief. I want to stick to that "good influence friend" image as much as possible because I'm a good boy. Ha ha ha!
  
• My chest is painful. I haven't gone to the gym for almost a week because of a difficult schedule. I hope we would get the day shift for the rest of my stay in eTel (for only God knows how long).
  
• Edz has her job in Singapore. I'm happy for her.
  
• I'm still not over my grief towards my lost cellphone. I haven't even named it. I'm planning to go to NTC to have it blocked. You dishonest driver. You don't want to return it, pwes, you'll not be able to use it at all.
  
• My shirt is so wet with sweat. I've had a full hour of cardio exercise this morning. I'm feeling better. I hope I'll shed off these flabs.
  
• I have a hoarse voice. What's worse is that some phlegm comes when I speak. SO disgusting. How can I have my singing career? Ha ha ha!
  
• 18 more days. He he.

Blog of the Month - How Can I Make Butuan a Better Place to Live in?

Boasting its claim "In the beginning, there was no Philippines but there was Butuan," our city is said to have existed long before other famous places in this country emerged.

At present, where is Butuan? Geographically, it still exists. Economically, it is in limbo.

Though I don't possess any drop of Butuanon blood, I still love the city where I was born, grew up and got a degree and I want it to improve. That love made me come up to write this entry.

To begin with, Butuan is a nice place to live in. That is why we used the word "better" to stress out that it's already a good place - not so polluted, simple, quiet, smooth traffic, food aren't expensive, peaceful. It's too peaceful that the city becomes dead at 8 p.m. when Gaisano Mall is already closed. I want it to be better because there will be no other place where I could imagine myself retiring and raise a family except Butuan City.

In "The Art of War," the success and defeat of a team depends on who leads it and it's a fact that we are losing. The economy hasn't improved. Yes, there are some establishments that have arrived, bridges and highways were constructed, the city hall looks new, but those are worthless to be boasted on. They are not enough. I believe that this city could be a lot better if people would be wise enough in choosing its leader. But since the Plaza's are dominating this place and I don't think they have plans on stopping from doing so, it is better to invite a triggerman to gundown all, as in all of them so that their regime will be put to stop, for good. This step is far more humane and realistic than singling out some people who keep on voting for them and let them choke to death in the gas chamber. At least, in this way, we could lose a race of crocodile-pig who constantly gain weight from the Butuanon's hard-earned money.

Secondly, the Local Government Unit should take the tax system of the city into consideration. For how many years, the biggest investor that penetrated so far is only Gaisano. Pepsi plant has closed, Coca-Cola has backed out, Lim Ket Kai and SM have been put to hold and are heard to totally back out. How many millions have we lost because of it? How many citizens lost their jobs and how many more could have been employed if some other establishments were opened? Butuan has a very vast area of unused soil and with the kind of climate that city has and the quality of its soil, I think having some buildings built in it could be the best thing to be done instead of making them as agricultural land.

It is good to observe that the squatters along the Agusan River have already been relocated. At least, those eye sores have already been gone. What needs to be done here is to make some recreational parks along the river bank and make it look like Roxas Boulevard. If I would be rich enough, I would put up a restaurant at the Freedom Park.

Lea Salonga said in her recent blog that an airport gives the first impression of a place. Sadly for Butuan, it gives a very terrible first impression of the city. Once the plane sets its wheel, people have the feeling that the runway isn't concrete at all. Quoting the "Philippine Dragonfly:"

plane at Bancasi Airport in Butuan was the roughest Tutubi has had possibly due to the short runway of the airport. The plane felt like it slammed on the runway as if it skidded before taxying to the terminal.

I thought it's already improved after it closed for almost a month due to its rehabilitation. What happened? Maybe it needs to be rehabilitated again, and this time, make sure that the amount budgeted for its improvement would surely go to the project itself and not to somebody else's dining table.

Fifth, I strongly suggest a weeklong seminar and workshop on proper customer service to all employees of government and private companies in the city. They really don't know how to value and treat the primary reason of their existence as employees of their offices - the customers. I've had several bad experiences with them since childhood and I don't want the next generation to experience the same things that I've had with them. The last time I've had was with that city hall employee who kept on reprimanding and shouting at the people who were processing their business license. I've told her to read the credo written on their office wall and reminded her that they are not giving us a favor, instead, we are the reasons why their families are still being fed until now.

Lastly, I really think that Butuan could be a lot better if the laws have to be strictly enforced. What happened to the anti-littering and anti-smoking (in public vehicles) policies? If Puerto Princesa and Davao Cities were able to do it, why can't we? I could remember a symposium we've had in high school when then City Councilor Angie Calo said that it's difficult to impose our laws because there are only a few policemen. What a great alibi! Then why do they keep on making laws if that's the case?

As the slogan of the city aptly says, "Historic Butuan: Ato Kini, Kadyawon 'Ta (This is Ours, Let's Treat it Well)," let's better take good care of it. Aside from its historical claims, we don't have anything more to boast - no good tourist spot, no gimmick places, no other else except a city hall (that I don't even understand why we have to take the elevator to go to the basement) and a new bridge that looks like the Golden Gate. I hope that Butuan could grow and develop itself into something more than a prehistoric place, make it a better place to live in by me and my future family.

See also:

Joanna's Blog of the month

Janice's Blog of the Month

A Big Thank You!

To Joanna and Janice, I don't know how much I could thank you for sharing your time for my nephew's birthday. I really appreciate it guys. You don't know how touched and thankful I am for having friends like you who could feel up my absence.

Thanks a lot. See you in Manila soon!

We Have a New Baby

I couldn't help myself but cry when I saw today's episode of Moms. Argumentum ad hominem is something I hate most and most of the time, I'm not affected by it. But this time, I was really moved. I don't like kids but they don't deserve to be abandoned and all. You know, seeing them cry, hearing them tell their parents (who are hopefully watching them) to come and see them in (or even take them from) the orphanage.

I strongly believe that this country needs a law against child abandonment. Moreso, there should be a law regulating the creation of children itself. There should be certain prerequisites that a person must pass before he'll be given the license to have a child. I don't like kids but I can't tolerate irresponsible parents. They shouldn't have the right to be called "parents."

-o0o-

I have a new nephew! He's supposed to be named Noel (since it's Christmas time) or Enrique (since my mom's birthday was yesterday) but my mom doesn't want to have her precious name inherited by somebody else and that it's difficult to find a good number for those names. So I ended up naming him Dylan Christien. Dylan, because in Irish mythology, he's the son of the God of the sea (he's brother and sister are Janus and Athena, respectively) so there should be a pattern. Christien is Greek for Christian, which obviously means "a follower of God," (I hope he'll really live by that meaning).

He's supposed to have the same birthdate with my Mom but my sister, being scheduled on the 20th, never went to the hospital because she didn't feel the pain yet. So there, the baby sort of "overstayed" inside her womb and has already excreted those solid wastes and taken some of them inside her system. He's being treated with some anti-biotic but he's perfectly fine. I'm really excited to go home. This is my last day!

Blog of the Month - Why I Hate PBB

Isn't it obvious? I am not a kapamilyucks. Recalling my entry last year, criticizing all those so-called celebrities, I thought I delivered my piece. It's not enough. I really don't watch it because other than the fact that it's not entertaining, it doesn't give me helpful things to learn, it's a waste of time, and yes, I don't know these celebrities, although, I must admit, this batch is better than last year's. By the way, this blog of the month is never my idea, but Janice's. I'm just writing this as an obligation (devil's laugh).

Why do I hate PBB? Let me count the reasons.

First, it is fake. Regardless if it is scripted or not, the fact that these challengers stay in this heavily-guarded house is already far from being normal. Since this is a battle of votes, of how many more will like you or not, one serious housemate should have a gameplan on how to win - faking - being a goody-goody, religiously doing the tasks, looking like the one being oppressed to the point of dehydrating oneself from an ocean of tears, just to get the people's votes. Even I could appear nice, abused and responsible, when in fact, I am never one. Even if one is a notorious girl-beater, he could still get people's sympathy by saying that he's the one being left or what. I'm not mentioning names, just symbols.

Second, this is state where a capitalist is extorting the population that is supposed to be living within and below the poverty line. This whole damn country is undeniably living in inconsistencies. We see people in the streets protesting and accusing the government for not helping them out in improving their lives, monetary-wise, but here they are, wasting several 15 pesos to save their bets from being evicted from the house. How much does a text winner receive? 1 Million? Thousands of pesos? How much does the network get?

Third, these so-called celebrities are almost and are already career-less and joining this stupid contest is a way of reviving their sinking state. Megan Young. I know she's pretty, she's talented, she's tall and she was my bet when she was still in Starstruck but her bitchiness and immaturity led her to her loss. Ethel Booba. She's funny, fine. But she's nothing but a floating plastic who put her popularity aside and opted to cuddle, catfight and be scandalous with her boylets. Baron Geisler. Another talent put to waste. From being a child actor, to a matinee idol, to a Hollywood Dream contender, to a notorious drunkard, to a housemate. Then there's this noisy Mariel Rodriguez who opens her mouth wide before uttering a single word. Some models like Will, Gaby and Victor (whose lips look like the mouth of a catfish) try their luck. Obviously, they want exposure. Hopefully, they'll succeed. So far, nobody from last year's celebrity edition batch became more popular. It's either they maintained their stature of being an endangered species or they became extinct.

Fourth, Kuya is nothing but a corny gay man who has a dark childhood. He must have been beaten badly when he was a kid. Or his father, or mother, or the entire family must have dominated over him that he didn't have any choice but to follow them. Unfortunately, he's not pure-hearted like Cinderella that even the mice and a fairy Godmother chose to get rid of him. Now that he's older, and has acquired a bit of power, he's taking revenge.

Fifth, the challenges are corny. Their slogan says "Ang drama ng totoong buhay" but the challenges are not realistic and never funny. While The Sweet Life was on break the other day, I was switching channels and saw these two silly people acting as Saint Michael and Lucifer on the roof. What the? I could remember several months before that some housemates were praying using a giant rosary on a Good Friday. If they really respect other people's beliefs, they shouldn't have done that.

Sixth and most importantly, I hate PBB because I have a brain, I've got good taste and I know that there are still other things that I could do in this world than watch that senseless program.

Janice's blog of the month

The O. C.

OK, I give up. Though I really don't think that I am one, in order to stop all these teasing, I'll make a public confession. I have a [slight] obsessive compulsive disorder. Unlike my Ate who [strongly] believes that there's a place for everything, order is not really found in me. But still, I'm finding it difficult to function if things are a lot different from what they're used to be.

I could remember when I was as young as two. My dad beat me because I was rolling like a brat when my set of silverware couldn't be found. I really wouldn't eat without those. What's difficult was it's the only set available.

Two, since I've been working in a callcenter, I have this particular arrangement of my windows, which when not in my order, makes my wind go wild. I really couldn't think well.

Since I've come to know "justify," I already forgotten everything about align left. And this was since 1997. I could remember way back in high school when Arsini, my classmate, told me that my typewriter is not a computer. I really spent a long time calculating the number of characters so that I would know how many spaces were needed for the last letter to touch the right margin.

Then there's this difficulty in me to open packages without scissors. I really hate it when sachets are torn instead of straightly cut. I also don't want to tear papers. I'm already bringing a pair of this tool so that I wouldn't have to be looking for somebody I could borrow from.

If you're observant enough, aside from the first letter in my sentences are capitalized (which should always be the case), I make two spaces after every dot. Hehehe. I just want it to look neat.

My friends and classmates who me that my answer sheets and compositions are always submitted neatly, it's as if I didn't have any hard time solving the problems. Truth is, I always have scratch papers with me. And when our teachers won't allow us to have one, then I would keep on complaining and I couldn't concentrate well with the questions. I also waste some papers if I see a single letter printed wrongly or if I missed to double space a certain line.

But then again, I'm still not orderly. I'm just maarte. You don't know how my Ate Doreen is. Everything is in order. Her closet is very neat, her bed well done. And she knows if somebody has entered her room because of a distinct smell she doesn't possess. Sometimes, I appreciate her being around while I'm cooking because she cleans my mess but most of time, I hate her presence because she keeps on reprimanding me, affecting the taste of the food I'm preparing (it is because one has to be in his good mood when cooking).

But still, these officemates are teasing me that I'm OC. I'm telling you guys, I'm not. I couldn't be. But to give you a sense of contentment that for once you won, fine, I am an OC but slight lang.

Blog of the Month - Top Five Friends One Should Have

Friends may come and friends may go
But true friends never go
They'll never leave you
True friends never go because they love you

REFRAIN:
You're the kind of friend
Who's always hard to find
Very good at listening, warm and kind

RAP:
I'm the kind of guy who needs someone like you
To share my happy moments
To cheer me when I'm blue
We're the kind of friends who could never break apart
Because our friendship is the kind that warms the heart

CHORUS:
What are friends for?
For better or for worse
It will last forever, it'll never end

RAP:
A true friend is understanding, truthful
And never jealous to his friend
So good, so natural and the best among the rest

Friends may come and friends may go
But true friends never go
They'll never leave you
True friends never go because they love you

Repeat refrain and chorus

I'm reminded of this song we've performed in high school where its [shallow] lyrics are written by no less than yours truly. At that time when I wrote it, I didn't have any [true] friends I really considered. I already met them at that time but you know, the commitment wasn't still there. I just treated them as special classmates I got to bond with more often than the ordinary ones. But "in partial fulfillment of the requirements in English II," I had to extract my thoughts to come up with this song. As for its theme, I don't have to state the obvious.

This should have been written in the early part of this month. Janice thought of this entry even before my birthday. It's just too difficult to categorize them because to begin with, my heart, and not only my will, chose my friends, and God helped me light my way.

This gives me a lot of pressure. Honest. In no particular order, these are Eduardo's top picks. (Jan, I hope the blog of the month for November wouldn't be a list of things anymore. Ha ha ha.)

• Spoilers
  
  They're the type who go with whatever stupidity and madness I have in mind - some harmless trips I do, like entering a bank for no reason at all except following their request to "Please come in" because they're open or shouting out loud inside a mall after seeing the sign "Sorry we're closed." I love to go with them because our creative minds coordinate with each other in making up funny stories that only us would laugh at them because we're the only one who would understand.
  
  
• Parents and/or Older Siblings
  
  While I love to be spoiled, I also love to be reminded that I'm not perfect and that I also need to grow up, be responsible, wake up and be realistic, those stuff that a sane person need to do. They're the type who would tell me to wake up from my deep state of insanity, push me to study, or to even clean my clutter and even to take a bath because I already stink.
  
  I'm a dominant type and I hate it when some people are trying to drive me but when I know that what they're doing is for my own good, I really appreciate it. They just don't want to spoil me to my ruin. Without them, I wouldn't have graduated and ended up being an endless member of a fast food crew instead, or I wouldn't have passed the board exam until now, or I might be swimming in the eternal ocean of fire at this moment.
  
  They are also my defenders, the type of people who would fight for me when I already feel weak enough to face my opponents. They're there to have the fist for those who made me cry, who have the logic and facts to defend me from my prosecutors, or those with the look saying don't mess up with my friend, or even the nice words telling the person to stop teasing me.
  
  
  
• Believers
  
  I am a person filled with insecurities inside. My self esteem isn't really that good. Thanks to these friends who keep on encouraging me to do things that they think I am capable of doing, those who tell me I am not fugly, and those who remind me that there's always a silver lining after the great flash flood. I'm already getting sentimental here but I really owe them a lot for my achievements because I've never had reached this far without their motivation.
  
  Truly, they've really lifted my soul to a level I never thought I would reach. Thanks a lot guys.
  
  
• Listeners
  
  What women really don't understand much with men is that we only open up our problems when: One, we've already exhausted all possible means to resolve the problem alone but still it wasn't solved; and Two, we know that the person we're confiding it with knows how to solve it. We don't talk just to be listened with. We need action.
  
  But sometimes, they are there just to listen. You know, the feeling of security that somebody is there when you whine, curse and all without them uttering a single word. They're just there. It reminds me of a text message my friend sent me:
  
  

  Friendship isn't about being there to discuss each other's problems. It's just about being there. She need not open up for you to know there's something wrong and you need not say anything to let her know you're there for her. Sometimes it's when you're both silent that you say the most meaningful things.

  
  Ayan. Pang-forever na yang quotation na yan.
  
  
• Talkers
  I am not really the type who calls, e-mails, or texts much. I only do it whenever I feel like it or when there's something I need to say. My Ate and Aunt feel bad about me failing to keep in touch with them. I honestly appreciate those who don't mind spending their pesos just to tell me that they're there. But whenever we meet, I love the endless conversation. Time is too short that our discussions wouldn't reach tae. It's the exciting debates, the ruthless criticisms, the funny things, reminiscing childhood years, embarrassing moments, politics, showbiz, science, everything.

Actually, there are still a lot more. Brevity isn't really born in me. There are still more that I would like to add. If there would be some additional numbers, I would like to include those na nagpapautang, nanlilibre, nagpapakain, nagpapaloko sa akin, and again, nagpapakain. Hehehe.

See also: Janice's blog of the month

Maayo'ng Pasko

I'm [almost] done decorating the house for Christmas. I know it's too early to do it. We could have waited for the halloween to be over but what can I do? I would be around till today. My mom and eldest sister doesn't have any artistic skill to do it.

Okay, I'm not really good at it. I usually leave that thing to Ate Doreen but since she's in Davao, I'm the only one left to do it. Thanks to Joanna who gave her time putting those trimmings on.

I've already taken a picture of the tree but I've left my USB cable in Manila. Apparently, Butuan has very limited resources that not a single computer store nor internet cafe has a USB cable being sold.

-o0o-

My birthday was held successfully. Only Joanna and Janice came in their costumes. But I still thank Ivy and Leah for coming. There presence is more important than anything else. As for the rest, what were they thinking? If they have the will to come, then they'll find ways to do it.

-o0o-

I think I'll be having flu.

What If? - Privileged Speech 1

It is a very hypothetical question and doesn't count any point at all in any forms of debate. It could easily be tappled down by answering back a "What if not" question. It is the question one very pessimistic person who doesn't have any other stand in this world but to be an opposition would raise.

I could remember way back in high school that I used to have difficulty in solving word problems. I know the answer but I don't know how to assign the variables to make an equation. But it was an advantage for the team in the Math Olympiad because I immediately knew the correct answer without my teammates using their pen to start calculating for it.

Same goes with the presentations. I could already have a clear picture of how the final work would look like. Perhaps, it is because it is really how artists work (Based on a Humanities book, Michaelangelo knows how his sculptures would finally look like before he starts working with his chisel). Problem is, being a scatterbrained, I always don't know where to begin.

But with that difficulty, the final work is still done. Though most of the time, it's not really something that I wanted it to be, at least, I'm happy that it's closer to what I want it and that our teachers are pleased with the outcome. Modesty aside, our group would always emerge as the best one when it comes to presenting our reports. It is because I choose to take charge of almost everything - from the concept, to the script, to the props, even to the costumes at some point.

My classmates know me well that I always get what I want when it comes to presentations. If my idea won't win, things won't be as good as expected. It is because it is my forte. Call me somebody who's tooting my own horn. But at least, I know my capacity.

And now, a strong force of negativity is testing me. A series of "what if" questions have been raised. Honestly, I feel so disappointed with these people, who I've been expecting to be the first to cooperate since they have the same range of intellect as mine. I'm counting a lot on them to make all these ideas into reality. I just thought that after years of having been graduated from high school, we've already grown up. I believe that with chronological age, being mature mentally also comes with it. But then I'm wrong. They really let me down.

But knowing me, I don't give up. If Group A can't do it, then there's Group Z. They might not be gifted with big brains as the others but they have the will to embrace the responsibility, the courage to take the risk of committing mistakes and of being criticized for being imperfect.

Personally, being so pessimistic about all things without even attempting to take a single step in achieving it is plainly cowardice. It's just having no sense of responsibility at all.

What if's are silly questions to be asked. Being realistic is, in fact, good but adding optimism to it would make it better.

Shedding off the last piece of responsibility from one's system will resolve nothing. Everything is a risk that we have to take. If others were able to do it, why can't we? Everything in this world is a challenge.

With this, ladies and gentlemen, I rest my case and I am now ready for interpellation.

Starstruck Part 2

Andyan na siya... Andyan na siya... Magtago ka na.

If you've been regularly going to the movies recently, you must have heard these familiar lines. Then some scary faces might surprise you but not enough to make one scream.

For the first time in my life, I've gone to a premiere night. Thanks to igma.tv forum where I've won four premiere tickets for this movie. I had to cut my time of sleep to only four non-straight hours for me to watch it. And it's worth everything - standing for hours on the line, dodging with the huge crowd, having lack of sleep, and yeah, hearing the boy band named "Studs" bastardize the songs "Binibini" and "Panalangin."

The Plot

After 20 long years, half-sisters Aileen and Romina, along with first cousins Ruth and Sandra, reunite in Camiguin all because of their grandmother's death. Accompanied by Sandra's friend, Lucy, the five girls dare to call on the spirits of the dead when they find their old Ouija board from when they were kids. The Ouija board is burned by accident before they are able to finish the ritual, trapping a murderous entity around them. As they begin to realize the terror that they have brought upon themselves, Aileen and Romina's hostile relationship even become more strained, while Lucy's sanity brings a heavy burden on Sandra, and Ruth's boyfriend, Gino, is unknowingly pulled into the danger and horror that await all of them. Confronted by imminent Death, the girls have nowhere to go unless they can identify the spirit and find out where it is buried. It is only by leading the spirit to its burial ground that they will able to release the spirit from the Ouija board and survive its fatal hauntings.

Disappointing?

Of course not! This is the scariest Filipino movie I've seen in the entire life. The screenplay is neatly made that even a fault-finding individual like me hardly found any loophole on its story.

Here are my random thoughts:

• From the start of the movie to the end, it's been consistent with its genre.
  
• I would have to say that Topel Lee is the best horror director so far in the Philippines. If you got scared with "Feung Shui" and "Sukob" (though I find some scenes corny and very predictable), this one is far better than the two popular horror flicks.
  
• Puwedeng panlaban sa "The Ring."
  
• Jolen and Juday fans were everywhere that they couldn't help cheer whenever their idols' scenes are shown. Their side comments are really funny like when Juday was interrogating a complainant and somebody shouted "Superstar!" Another one couldn't help but answer back Juday when she accused Jolens of being greedy for their grandmother's wealth. Well, it's really shallow but simple things such as that made me laugh.
  
• What happened to the no-ticket no-entry policy? And what have all those many guards done to help keep people in order? I was religiously waiting on the queue and what the hell happened? People were pushing with each other that even those who didn't have any tickets got through.
  
• It's good to see stars. Gahd! Iza Calzado is very beautiful. My goodness! Saan ba makakakita ng ganyan kaganda at talented na babae? She even played the role well - funny, composed, maarte and... beautiful.
  
• Jolina is so different in this movie - not the same patweetums character we see in all her films. This time, she is a grade school teacher who is not the cheerful type.
  
• For once, Juday experimented a different role - somebody not the inaapi type but someone who has a strong character, chain smoker, maldita and all. Magaling! Magaling! Magaling!
  
• I was already expecting Rhian to be a mestiza so I wasn't surprised when I saw her in person. But still, she's so pretty. And I must commend the casting staff for being able to choose the right artists. Rhian's character speaks of innocence, youth and fragility and she was able to play it well.
  
• Day, nakita ko si Annabelle Day, pati ang anak niyang si Dong Richard. Wala lang. Some celebrities I saw were Lovi Poe, Valerie Concepcion, Prince Estefan and again, the Studs. I don't know some of them so I better not enumerate their names.

Guys, you better watch it na. It's worth your 150 pesos. And please, no piracy. Let's support Filipino movies.

-o0o-

Stargazing

Last Sunday, Hunnie and I thought of watching Showbiz Central live in Broadway Centrum. It just popped out of our head after a tiring baratan in Divisoria.

What started to be a mere curiosity turned out to be a realization that she, together with her two other classmates in Med school, are also gaga with good-looking stars. I just can't help but stare at Pia Guanio's slender legs and Rufa Mae's sexiness.

Other Realizations

• These four hosts speak with spontaneity. They don't have their queue cards with or any idiot board infront of them. Some staff just flash other follow up questions, they just glance at them and rephrase them according to how they understand the questions. They really gained my respect for them.
  
• Mo Twister is tisoy enough that no wonder girls got crazy on him.
  
• Rufa Mae maybe cool, candid and funny on cam but she's actually quite reserved in between takes. So typical for a comedienne.
  
• Raymond Gutierrez is more vain than Rufa or Pia. While Pia only needs some tissues to wipe some sweat on her face while Rufa Mae asks for some retouch every now and then, Raymond's make-up artist/assistant has to frequently re-apply powder and blusher on him in every break. Mo is just cool looking at the crowd.
  
• The studio is actually small.
  
• Love team thingys are really scripted. After the sweetness JC de Vera and Yasmien Kurdi showed while they were being interviewed, JC just disappeared in a snap of a finger leaving Yas alone. Well, that's showbiz.
  
• Amalia Fuentes isn't really mataray in person. She's even nice to the staff and to the people who ask for her autograph. She just has a strong personality but that doesn't make her like Annabelle Rama.
  
• Rustom Padilla is prettier than a lot of girls I see.
  
• Hunnie and friends got so kilig with Dingdong. My sole job was to take pictures of them with the celebrities. I could be a photographer in showbiz shows and make it as my part-time job. Hehehe.
  
• I'm really wondering. How do I look like on TV. These stars look dark when they are fairer than me in person. What the!
  
• Again, I'm jologs. I know that. Mababaw lang ang kaligayahan ko. Just want to entertain myself sometimes.

Election Flashback

So the partial and unofficial results are out and Escudero is in the lead followed by Legarda and Aquino. Unfortunately for Pichay, he's starting to wilt because not enough number of the people of the Philippines have planted him in the Senate. Tsk. Tsk. It just goes to show that political ads wouldn't guarantee you a winning seat. I'll just start to hypothesize that face value is something that matters to the voters.

I'm just happy that Chavit is definitely out. Bwahahaha! And so are Cesar and Richard. Manny Pacquiao has been swept by landslide victory by his competitor. Christopher de Leon is losing, so is Lito Lapid who'll definitely lose from Binay. This is a proof that popularity isn't also a big factor in one's victory. There are still voters who are intelligent and responsible enough in voting for their right leader.

As for the people of Butuan, they are still morons. Boy Daku, as what I've heard, is likely to win again. It'll put my beloved city in stagnation for another three years.

-o0o-

This moment of choosing the right leader reminds me of the May 1995 Elections.

I was 13 years old then when I've overheard our Barangay Chairman talking to my mother on matters regarding his bet. He's campaigning for no less than Boy Daku then when he heard that my mom wouldn't vote for him. His tone seemed to sound like he's reprimanding my mom for not supporting his bet, instead of sounding like he's convincing her. I didn't say a word. A few days after, lots of our female neighbors went to our house and told my mom that her only son's voice was heard over Radyo Bombo, reporting his Barangay Chairman about the obvious politicking instead of focusing on his role in developing the community. He also was calling all the people of Butuan to never listen to anybody's dictation as to who to vote, and instead, go for whatever their clean conscience is choosing.

That made my mom take an action. She wrote to tha radio station telling them that what I was doing was all caused by my youth and lack of knowledge about the reality. Too bad for her, she didn't have anybody to hand the letter except me. I threw the letter. Haha.

-o0o-

Weeks after, Radyo Bombo's rival station, Radyo Agong, was calling all interested people who would like to get election results in one voting center and get 500 bucks. I took the opportunity. The manager seemed to have no confidence on me at first but when he heard me speak, he realized my brain is bigger than the rest of the older people there.

Then election day came. I was assigned to the school near ours (more a kilometer away, near the place where I got hit by a jeepney). I came too early. Too early that it was when the first ballot was read by the teacher. After 50 or so ballots, the bored and tired teacher got suddenly delighted when she saw somebody's handwriting. She showed it to all the people in that room, appreciating how nice the penmanship is. How would I not recognize it when it's personally the best handwriting I've ever seen?

"That's mama's," I whispered to myself. I guess that was loud enough that my seatmate, our neighbor heard it. When the teacher read that she voted for another mayoral candidate, our neighbor said "You're mom is not voting for our candidate?" I told her "No, it's not my mom's. She has a better penmanship than that one." Hehe.

While other precincts were done in counting all the votes, some others had just started. I even got the chance to bond with a Radyo Bombo reporter, compare notes with him, etc. People around were just amazed how those two people from rival stations got close (rivalry is like Channel 7 versus Channel 2).

1 a.m. came and two precincts were still not done. I was hungry. I was sleepy. Our neighbors offered me some food. I declined. God, mosquitos were flying everywhere. They offered me their blankets. I said no. Minutes later, they panicked. I suddenly disappeared without them knowing where I'm at, where I've gone. I went home, ate and slept.

That was too courageous of me to walk more than a kilometer to our house, where there's a big balete tree along the way, where one portion of the highway is known to be enchanted, where high-speeding vehicles run. I was sleepy and hungry and it's all that matters. My mom was even surprised to see me at the gate calling for somebody to open.

I came back to the two precincts at 8:00 a.m. One was done. The other one had less than 50 more ballots to count. After an hour, I'm done with my report but I found my paper too dirty. At 10:00, I've gone to the radio station, transferred the results to another clean sheet and handed it to the news anchor. He even commented on my neat work. Well, that's me. Thanks to my mom who once told me that "The neatness of your paperwork reflects your personality." End of story.

High Blood

I guess I need to be taught about anger management. My blood was boiling 1000^oC yesterday.

I come here more than thirty minutes earlier to find out that our assigned workstations are occupied by some pieces of shit called newbies. I look for some available workstations where all of us in the team could be accomodated, pull up all my tools and is told that I need to transfer again to our plotted area, five minutes before the time. Isn't it very annoying?

There's a TOIC sitting on the chair that I'm supposed to sit on. I didn't give a damn. I loudly asked my teammate, "Where am I supposed to sit? All of the fuckin chairs are used." Thank goodness, he's sensitive enough to vacate the chair.

It's already eight minutes after 12:30 when my computer finally booted up. My Outlook was not working. Fuck! I have to call PAC and ask to go on Aux 8 while looking for another computer to use. I'm given five minutes. Are they serious? It doesn't even take five minutes to boot completely to the OS, plus pulling up the tools, registering to this Goddamn Open Office (since this bullshit company can't afford a Microsoft Office license), et cetera, et cetera.

Finally, I'm all set, except that I have to use web-based Outlook since the application is down. I have to deal with clicking the "check for new messages" icon everytime I remember doing it. Then came all these spam messages from the team about the QA update, clearing out some issues and reading a lot of whining about the inconsistencies. I shared my point. Giving a case ID number is just consuming less than a minute of your time and won't hurt any part of one's system doing it. What's the big fuss? Why keep on complaining?

Then there's this fat guy replying with a picture of an oogly bald faggot in the name of Boy Abunda. I just hate that celebrity. And I hate it more when I'm compared to him/her/it. I boiled my top. I told him to shut up. I cursed him. Our TL told us to stop. There was already a tension in the team. Finally, Miggy apologized. I did the same. We patched things up.

Time for lunch. I have to go to the locker area to get my food. My locker is blocked with a ladder that was supposed to be kept in one corner after use. I throw it out of my way. I don't care how loud the noise it creates. I'm sick of people not knowing where to put things back the way they were placed.

At the pantry. As always, those wide-mouthed Cingular agents are filling up the room. They're too noisy. The air literally smells bad breath. I'm not joking. The microwave oven is not closed. It's dirty. I don't want to clean it. I have to look for one seat in one corner. I can't get through. All those chairs are not properly returned. I pushem them too hard that they shook those tables. I didn't care. People around obviously observed that I'm pissed with their absence of sense of responsibility. I want to throw those chairs on their ugly faces.

What's so wrong with these people? Anyway, I went home happy. My sister and I were discussing about a very serious, timely and most importantly intellectual topic - Ruffa getting annulled. What can I say? Great minds talk about people.

Ate

We used to be enemies. It's hard to deal with her being bossy and OC. We're the extreme opposites. She's my mom's right hand and I felt like a Sergeant with no other choice but to follow my General and Colonel. But as we grew older, I realized, we've become close friends.

Meet my Ate Doreen, 31, still single. If we go out, people wouldn't think that we're siblings. We don't have any similarity as far as physical aspects are concerned. Our classmates who don't know our family often mistakenly identify us as sweethearts. We just laugh at them.

She came here two weeks ago to accompany a family friend who's going abroad. You don't know how difficult it was for a tornado like me to be cleaning my place in less than a day. I don't want to be reprimanded again for my lack of tidiness and order.

It's just too exciting for me to see my sister again after three months. But I admit, I also get irritated with her presence. I slept barely five hours a day, going with her to malls or some other places. I get pissed waiting for her outside the restroom, or when she has to enter all possible boutiques that she could see just to try some pieces of clothing or cosmetics. I also hate her being a lady, that she takes too much time in everything. I feel that I'm her PA, bringing one of her very heavy backpacks and handing her one or two of the four cellphones that ring.

She knows that my impatience drives me nuts. She could see that in my deep silence, through my sharper eyes, and the fastness of my pace. After all, I have been her brother for 25 years.

But when she went back to Butuan, I felt sad again. For more than a week, I chose to wake up late because I knew that I don't have to cook my food anymore because she already did it. That my room wouldn't be filled with silence because I have somebody to talk and argue with. That there's somebody always reminding me to change my shirt because it's already wet with my sweat. That I have a sister with me.

Life's like that I guess. The most important people in your life are those that are often unappreciated and disliked. But when they're not around, it's when you're longing for the things that you hate in them.

Well, I'll be seeing my family again... this Christmas and it wouldn't be too long.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy anniversary guys! We've gone this far. But then again, you are still my friends no matter what. We've changed a part of our personalities, we've grown, we've lived different lives and we've taken different paths but we're still here (although I know a lot in there nga di magparamdam).

OK, too much for the drama. In the observation of our 11th year, I enumerate things we all possess.

1. We are awesome.
   
2. For us, food and camera spell the word "fun."
   
3. People find us corny but we find ourselves amusing.
   
4. We love to debate on different matters.
   
5. Nobody has the ear to listen. We talk at the same time. The louder one's voice could get, the better.
   
6. Our conversations would lead us anywhere - the Greek and Roman mythology, the behavior of the gas molecules in the soda we're drinking, the acceleration of a falling body due to gravity, our high school teachers (and their kabobohan), our own funny and sad experiences, etc.
   
7. We're the biggest and the noisiest group in our class.
   
8. We are notorious for being liars (because of me).
   
9. We used to have weekly activities to make us "feel the closeness" of the group.
   
10. We used to date as a group every Valentine's Day.

Did I miss one? But surely, I don't miss you. Hehehe. Again, happy anniv.

_________________

Acknowledgments:
Ate Doreen for scanning some of the pictures for me;
Janice and Hunnie for making me steal some of your Friendster pictures

New Year's Resolutions

It's the second week of the new year and I still haven't posted my list of resolutions for this year. I really don't do it (in fact, I used to bluff and work on my creative mind to write a two-page, 500-word formal theme composition for like three consecutive years for the same theme - My New Year's Resolution) but for the heck of having a post, and also to experience sometime in my life that I once had some real resolutions, let me try aiming for some things. At least I have a goal. At the end of this year, I'm going to evaluate myself if I'm good enough at realizing my goals.

• Have a healthier lifestyle. I know that even though I don't look like a nice and kind person, people still mistakenly see me as a priest/seminarian because I don't smoke nor drink. It's not enough though. I make sure that I've walked at least 500 meters everyday but it's still not enough. Metro Manila is so polluted that I get sick often.
  
  This year, I'm planning to enrol in a gym. I could work on my cardio well, which, hopefully, will help cure my asthma, and, at the same time, exrete all the toxins in my body. I'm also planning to gain some muscles. I'm too shy to go shirtless because my narrow shoulders are too slopy, my older sister's biceps are bigger, my chest so flat, and my abs flabby. In short, I look like a seven-year-old boy who needs constant deworming.
  
  Gym membership costs a lot and I still have some things to accomplish early this year but I'm planning to start working out before the first quarter ends.
  
  
• Learn to swim. I have webbed fingers, my ears move and blush like gills, and I love saltwater. I know how to swim a bit, but I even laugh at myself imagining how I do it. My butt moves like I'm a merman. I need to learn how to float. And man, I need to learn how to hold my breathe longer.
  
  
• Learn to manage my finances. It's a shame. I have higher salary than my sister but she has a bigger contribution to our family and she still manages to buy what she wants. I need to learn the value of sacrifice. It's also one thing that I'll be considering before I'll be getting into a relationship.
  
  
• Read more. I admit that my vocabulary is too elementary. I need to learn new words. Maybe, I should invest on fictional books (which I hate) more than inspirational ones so that I could learn new techniques in writing. But that doesn't mean I would stop reading life-learning materials. I also want to be a better person.
  
  
• Sit and walk straight. Whenever I see myself on pictures or even on a big mirror, I'm ashamed to learn that my back is so curved that I don't stand my age. I know I have scoliosis but I should be more conscious with my posture. This is a big challenge for me though but I'll try. I'LL TRY.

Butuan Minahal nga Dakbayan

Still, my brain is not working for another blog entry so I've decided to post one song that I've learned from the choir. This is the finale song that we used to sing whenever we have cultural shows way back in high school. It's already in our system that whenever I see the sign "Welcome to Butuan City," I can't stop but sing this song so loudly.

There's a Butuanon version of this but I preferred to post the Cebuano lyrics because it's the only one that I didn't fail to memorize and it's also easier to understand.

Butuan minahal nga dakbayan
Kansang mithi ang larawan sa katawhan
Kabukiran ug kasubaan
Naghatag daghang kauswagan

Dakbayanon hingpit malinawon
Mao'y talagsaong hiyas sa Butuanon
Mahibalong moawit, mahibalong mosayaw
Puno sa gugma ug tim-os nga mga pagbinatiay

O, Butuan pinalangga'ng dakbayan
Ikaw gayud sa kanunay panalipdan
Kaming imong mga anak sa wa'y kahadlok mangako
Sa kakulian mohadla kanimo

Ipataas ang bandila sa kahanginan
Timaan sa imong binilhong kadaugan
Among isinggit tibuok kalibutan
Mabuhi, mabuhi ang Butuan minahal namong dakbayan

O, Butuan pinalangga'ng dakbayan
Ikaw gayud sa kanunay panalipdan
Kaming imong mga anak sa wa'y kahadlok mangako
Sa kakulian mohadla kanimo

Kanimo, Butuan!

Bakasyon Grande

I'm on my third day of my vacation. I'm too much preoccupied with some things to do. Will post my pics later when I'll have time.

Happy Christmas to all!

Another Advertisement

Story: Beauty queen-turned actress Charlene Gonzales and Aga Muhlach are rushing back home from a late-night party. They later found their cute twins near the christmas tree, with Atasha, asking Andres, "What is your Christmas wish?"

Then the boy answered, "We have a Daddy, we have a Mommy...what else can we ask for?"

It's a simple but nice advertisement of Jollibee. A family of good-looking people that are worthy to multiply their race.

Recall: A few months ago, another family endorsed the strongest competitor of Jollibee - McDo. That time, it was with Manny Pacquiao and his wife Jinky, together with their fair-complexioned-but-wide-eyed-and-ugly older son and the other dark-complexioned-and-looks-like-Manny-therefore-a-monkey-looking younger kid.

The recent fried chicken ad is obviously classy and TV-friendly. The endorsers are undeniably beautiful and do not look like a patay-gutom family unlike on the first.

You Know You're a FILIPINO When...

I've got this message posted at the bulletin board of Friendster. I've already read this from the Philippine Daily Inquirer way back in first year college and even translated the whole article to Filipino, the language that didn't snob me in high school (I had tried my luck for a "The Narra" since first year and they snobbed me. Well, it's obvious.)

I've found out that I really am not a complete Filipino after all. It's originally 100 but now it's only 66. I could remember one of the missing things is "A straight guy could unabashedly put his arms around his guy friend while walking" and "You point something with the use of your lips."

I still have that clipping at home and I may post the rest someday.

Anyway, here's what it says:

You Know You're a FILIPINO When...


Your middle name is your mother's maiden name.
- TRUE for me. So is in the US. I've observed in Latin American countries that their mom's maiden name is written after their dad's.

Your parents call each other "Mommy" and "Daddy."
- FALSE. My mom calls my dad as "Bok," short for tambok (fat) even if he's not. He's just big. My dad calls my mom "Tit," short for Tita. They're not really sweet.

You have uncles and aunts named "Boy," "Girlie," or "Baby."
- TRUE. My dad's bro is named "Boy" but I haven't really met him.

You have relatives whose nicknames consist of repeated syllables like "Jun-Jun," "Ling-Ling," and "Mon-Mon."
- TRUE. My younger sis' name is Ling-ling.

You call the parents of your friends and your own parents' friends "Tito" and "Tita."
- FALSE. I address my friends' parents as "Ma'am" and "Sir." Some of them who, as I translated it, "Ang mga Pilipino ay naniniwalang lahat ng kapwa Pilipino ay kanilang kamag-anak," call my mom "Auntie."

You have four or five names.
- FALSE.

You greet your elders by touching their hands to your forehead.
- VERY TRUE. Even if I'm mean, I also respect the elders, especially my mom and grandparents.

You always kiss your relatives on the cheek whenever you enter or leave the room.
- FALSE. I'm not fond of beso-beso and I don't know anybody who does this.

You follow your parents' house rules even if you are over 18.
- VERY TRUE. I still even have a curfew whenever I go home.

You live with your parents until and at times even after you're married.
- TRUE. Though right now, I don't have a choice because I work away from home but given the chance that there's a career opportunity in my hometown, I would enjoy living with my family. But my mom has set my expectations that she won't allow me to live with her when I'll get married. No pressure.

You decorate your dining room wall with a picture of the "Last Supper."
- FALSE. Our dining room is so bare.

You keep your furniture wrapped in plastic or covered with blankets.
- FALSE.

You have a piano that no one plays.
- FALSE. First, we couldn't afford a piano. Second, it'll just keep me frustrated. Thanks to these fingers.

You keep a "tabo" in your bathroom.
- TRUE. Bathing wouldn't be enjoyable without that. And so is extreting solid waste.

You use Vicks Vapor rub as an insect repellant.
- FALSE. I use Efficascent Oil. Hahaha. Vicks is anti-inflammatory ointment for me.

You eat with your hands.
- TRUE. Why, does anybody eat with his feet?

You eat more than three times a day.
- TRUE. Very True.

You think a meal is not a meal without rice.
- VERY VERY VERY TRUE.

You think sandwiches are snacks, not meals.
- TRUE!

Your dining table has a merry-go-round (lazy Susan) in the middle.
- TRUE. We didn't intend to have that thing because we don't have a round table. We're just making use of the mechanism that we once used for our television.

You bring baon to work everyday.
- TRUE. But not now. I'm too lazy to prepare my sandwich.

Your pantry is never without Spam, Vienna sausage, corned beef, and sardines.
- FALSE. We don't have a cupboard. We just get whatever we want from our store. My mom doesn't settle for processed food, as much as possible.

You love to eat daing or tuyo.
- Yuck! What's that? Joke. VERY TRUE.

You prop up one knee while eating.
- FALSE. I'm the one who reprimands my older sister whenever she does it.

You eat your meal with patis, toyo, suka, banana catsup, or bagoong.
- TRUE.

Your tablecloths are stained with toyo circles.
- FALSE. We don't have tablecloth.

You love sticky desserts and salty snacks.
- TRUE for sticky desserts but not true for salty snacks.

You eat fried Spam and hot dogs with rice.
- TRUE.

You eat mangoes with rice--with great GUSTO!
- FALSE! Kadiri kaya.

You love "dirty" ice cream.
- TRUE. I even jump like a child whenever I here the sorbetero's bell ringing.

You love to eat, yet often manage to stay slim.
- TRUE. VERY TRUE!

You put hot dogs in your spaghetti.
- VERY TRUE.

Everything you eat is sauted in garlic, onion, and tomatoes.
- FALSE.

You order a "soft drink" instead of soda.
- TRUE.

You get together with family at a cemetery on All Saint's Day to eat, drink, and tell stories by your loved ones' graves.
- FALSE. We go there to pray and recite the "Nobena para sa mga kalag sa kalag sa porgatoryo."

You play cards or mahjong and drink beer at funeral wakes.
- FALSE. I don't usually go to funeral wakes and if I do, I don't play cards nor drink beer. I just eat and eat peanuts.

You think Christmas season begins in October and ends in January.
- FALSE. It starts in September.

Your second piece of luggage is a balikbayan box.
- FALSE. I've never been to any other country.

You've mastered the art of packing a suitcase to double capacity.
- FALSE. I'm not good at that. I let my Ate pack my things for me.

You collect items from airlines, hotels, and restaurants as "souvenirs."
- TRUE. I even collected toothpicks from a restaurant in Cebu. Yikes!

You feel obligated to give pasalubong to all your friends and relatives each time you return from a trip.
- FALSE. A gift is never an obligation. If my finances permit me, why not? If I'm poor, better.

You use paper foot outlines when buying shoes for friends and relatives.
- Partly true. I just have a straw cut in the foot's length.

You're a fashion victim.
- DEFINITELY FALSE! I may not be a fashionista but I'm don't belong to the clan of Batlita.

You can convey 30 messages with your facial expression.
- TRUE.

You hold your palms together in front of you and say "excuse, excuse" when you pass in between people or in front of the TV.
- FALSE. I'm not Ate Guy.

You ask for the bill at a restaurant by making a rectangle in the air.
- TRUE. Hehehe.

You cover your mouth when you laugh.
- FALSE. I couldn't forget when my elementary teacher called me "ugaling skwater" because I don't cover my mouth when I laugh.

You respond to a "Hoy!" or a "Pssst!" in a crowd.
- FALSE. OK, sometimes true.

You'll answer "Malapit lang!" - no matter the distance--when asked how far away a place is located.
- FALSE. But I get that answer most of the time.

Goldilocks is more than a fairy tale character to you.
- TRUE.

You refer to power interruptions as "brownouts."
- TRUE.

You love to use the following acronyms: CR for comfort room, DI for dance
instructor, DOM for dirty old man, TNT for tagu nang tago, KJ for kill joy, KSP for kulang sa pansin, OA for over-acting, TL for true love, BF for boyfriend and GF for girlfriend.
- TRUE. LR for lahi ra.

You say "rubber shoes" instead of sneakers, "ball pen" instead of pen, "stockings" instead of pantyhose, "pampers" instead of diapers, "ref" or prijider" instead of refrigerator, "Colgate" instead of toothpaste, "canteen" instead of cafeteria, and "open" or "close" instead of turn on or turn off (as in the lights).
- TRUE. But I never say colgate for a toothpaste or any brand for a certain thing.

You use an umbrella for shade on hot summer days.
- FALSE. I'm not Silhouette.

You like everything imported or "state- side. "
- FALSE. I value Filipino patriotism.

You love ballroom dancing, bowling, pusoy, mah jong, billiards, and karaoke.
- TRUE for karaoke (only when a few people could hear me).

You have a relative who is a nurse.
- FALSE. Only a friend.

When you're in a restaurant, you wipe your plate and utensils before using them.
- FALSE. But I smell the utensils and my mom often reprimands me.

You can squeeze 15 passengers into your five seater car without a second
thought.
- FALSE. We haven't done it.

You wave a pom-pom on a stick around the food to keep the flies away.
- TRUE. I remember how I would love to watch our store before if I'm the one holding it.

You always ring a doorbell twice, assuming that the first ring was not heard.
- FALSE.

You let the phone ring twice before answering, lest you appear overly eager.
- FALSE.

You use a rock to scrub yourself in the bath or shower.
- FALSE.

My score - 31/66. Not even 50%. Correct me if I'm wrong. Being in a callcenter makes me lose my skill in counting.

Makabagbag-damdaming Dayalogo

These are few of the award-winning lines delivered by some people I personally know. I just want to post this just in case I would be suffering from Alzheimer's disease someday, I'd be able to recall these moments and give myself a laugh.

Ako ang masunod diri sa yuta wa'y labot sa langit! (My will be done on earth and not in heaven.)

- Terror Math teacher Ma'am Berongoy everytime our section would ask for a rescheduling of an exam

Kanus-a man napangit ang Einstein?! (Since when had [section] Einstein gone bad?)

- Response of a raging classmate Andee in response to Kenneth's (Falle) statement that our section's presentation was a great one. (December 1997)

...And to top it all, you're a Tom Cruise look-alike and I'm nothing but a Katie Holmes dead ringer.

- Friend Janice on a birthday card she gave me comparing our differences (September 17, 1999)

When will you stop acting like an immature person?

- My team leader to my teammate (October 2006)

My will chooses you but my heart chooses her. God, help me, as I choose my heart to lead my way. Come what may.

- break-up line of Jose Ajoc to my friend Junnah (February 15, 2003)

Basi kalimot ka nga dili ka bisita diri. (You must have forgotten that you are not our visitor)

- Mama whenever I don't do anything at all except sleep, eat and watch TV everytime I go home

'Duard I have a bad news... Samuel is dead...(silence) But I have a good one. Samantha is born.

- Classmate June on the phone one Summer break (April 1999)

Da, Ro?! Di ka ganahan ug Carpenters? Nindot baya na ilang kanta. (Really Ro?! You don't like Carpenters? But their songs are nice.)

- Classmate Irish's reaction to classmate Ammeruth regarding her question to classmate Kristine if she still watches CARTOONS (high school days)

Si William, ang lalaking sa pagkakataong ito'y tanaw tanaw ko. Yun lamang at gumuhit ang ngiti sa aking mga labi. (No English translation could give justice to this poetic line).

- Friend Janice's award-winning tanging lathalain (feature article) entry in the 1997 Division Schools Press Conference

I have forgotten some more. I may post them when my memory is refreshed.

Into the Altar of Cindy

Cindy Kurleto is not pretty. She's very pretty. She may not have the great curves but she's still sexy.

I just had attended the MTV AIDS Awareness Symposium held in our company today. Fortunately for me, Cindy was the one who came and hosted the event.

I shouldn't have joined the symposium. Modesty aside, I've had enough of those seminars about reproductive health, responsible sex, AIDS, etc. I may have known better than those who are actively active in sex. But then again, there's Cindy and an hour of sitting infront of her altar wouldn't hurt me.

And so we were taught about the causes of AIDS and its difference from HIV and the use of condoms. For me, abstinence and faithfulness is still the best practice. There's a short open forum wherein most of the people were shy enough to ask, especially the guys who might receive redicule thinking that they don't know enough about sex and the virus. Oh! The fragility of men's pride.

And there's this so-called "nurse" who works in a callcenter who keeps on asking. Actually, he wasn't asking to clarify things. He was doing it to impress people that he's a reader, that he's updated, that he knows much, and that he's a nurse. Well, whatever. What's boggling my mind was the physical structure of the virus and how it looks like inside and outside an organism's cell. I also wanted to give the speakers a harder time by letting them explain how the virus travels inside the body and replace the components of the nucleus. But then again, for the love of Cindy, I didn't do it.

I couldn't forget his opening salvo and the things that he said after that. It went this way:

"I am a nurse.... Did you heard about...?"

I should have asked for the mic and said:

"I am a grammarian. Did you hear him say 'Did you heard?'"

No wonder why he ended up in a callcenter. He must not have passed TOEFL and was denied for a work abroad and thought that being in a callcenter is worth a bunch of bucks than being a volunteer.

Anyways, the final part of the event was taking pictures with us wearing red. I got a red fan and covered my face with it to hide my identity in case those images would be flashed on the 5th of December during the MTV AIDS Summit. I had taken my picture with Cindy and as expected, her shoes look better than my face. I don't want to post it.

Trick or Treat

I'm scaring most of the people in Eastwood right now. My face is fully painted with red and a silhouette of horns on my forehead and fake mustache and beard were drawn. Obviously, I'm a devil.

Our team is supposed to look like corpses for our company's costume contest. But while I was putting that mint foundation on my face, I can't fit into the character who looks pale and lifeless and I look less scary. I don't want it. I need something more. And so I am a demon. People who know say the same thing - there's no much difference on my looks except that I'm blushing.

And yes, I have the guts to go out of the building and eat at the Hepa Lane with this look. It's even funny to see a devil praying for grace before eating his lunch at 3:45 a.m.

We're not aiming for winning the EK prize. It's the spirit of camaraderie that is more important. Our TL is not around and it's more fun for us. Hehehe.

Speaking of fun, I love how C5 and even Cubao look like. No traffic, not much noise, and yes, less ugly people.